bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Fickian Moisture Absorption in Vegetable Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites: The Effect of the Mass Diffusivity
Authors: Melo Rafaela Q. C. , Fook Marcus V. Lia , Lima Antonio G. B.
Published: March 2021

This article aims to study the non-Fickian water absorption process in vegetable fiber-reinforced polymer composite using the Langmuir-type model, evaluating the influence of mass diffusivity on the process. The numerical solutions of the governing equations were obtained using the finite-volume method. Transient results of the local and average moisture content, free and entrapped water molecules concentration considering the constant diffusivity and as a function of the average and local moisture content were presented and analyzed. It was observed that the mass diffusivity effectively influences the water absorption behavior, especially in the initial time of the process, where higher differences in the water migration rates into the material are found. The largest free and entrapped water molecule concentration gradients were found close to the composite surface, especially when considering constant mass diffusivity.
An Optical Sensor for Dengue Envelope Proteins Using Polyamidoamine Dendrimer Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposite Thin Film: Enhanced Sensitivity, Selectivity, and Recovery Studies
Authors: Omar Nur Alia Sheh , Fen Yap Wing , Ramli Irmawati , Sadrolhosseini Amir Reza , Abdullah Jaafar , Yusof Nor Azah , Kamil Yasmin Mustapha , Mahdi Mohd Adzir
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes a novel idea to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) optical sensor for detection of dengue virus type-2 envelope proteins (DENV-2 E-proteins) using polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer biopolymer-based nanocomposite thin film. For this purpose, two ranges of DENV-2 E-protein concentrations, i.e., 0.000008–0.0001 nM and 0.00008–0.005 nM were evaluated, and the lowest detectable concentration was achieved at 0.00008 nM. The incorporation of PAMAM dendrimer-based nanocomposite thin film with an SPR sensor exhibited a significant increase in sensitivity and binding affinity to a lower range DENV-2 E-protein concentrations. Moreover, the proposed sensor displayed good selectivity towards DENV-2 E-proteins and have an average recovery of 80–120%. The findings of this study demonstrated that PAMAM dendrimer-based nanocomposite thin film combined with SPR sensor is a promising diagnostic tool for sensitive and selective detection of DENV-2 E-proteins.
Maternal Serum Inhibin-A Augments the Value of Maternal Serum PlGF and of sFlt-1/PlGF Ratio in the Prediction of Preeclampsia and/or FGR Near Delivery—A Secondary Analysis
Authors: Sharabi-Nov Adi , Premru Sršen Tanja , Kumer Kristina , Fabjan Vodušek Vesna , Fabjan Teja , Tul Nataša , Meiri Hamutal , Nicolaides Kypros H. , Osredkar Joško
Published: March 2021

Objective: We previously provided evidence to confirm that maternal serum levels of soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF), and their ratio are useful tools to direct the management of preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and PE+FGR near delivery. In this secondary analysis, we further examine the potential additive value of maternal serum Inhibin-A, which is a hormone marker of the transforming growth factor family, to the accuracy provided by maternal serum PlGF and sFlt-1. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis where we extracted the data of a cohort of 125 pregnant women enrolled near delivery at the clinics of the University Medical Center of Ljubljana, Slovenia. The dataset included 31 cases of PE, 16 of FGR, 42 of PE+FGR, 15 preterm delivery (PTD), and 21 unaffected controls with delivery of a healthy baby at term. Cases delivered before 34 weeks’ gestation included 10 of PE, 12 of FGR, 28 of PE+FGR, and 6 of PTD. In addition to the recorded demographic characteristics and medical history and the maternal serum levels of PlGF and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, which were previously published, we evaluated the added value of maternal serum Inhibin-A. The predictive accuracy of each biomarker, their ratios, and combinations were estimated from areas under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves, Box and Whisker plots, and by multiple regression. We estimated accuracy by the continuous marker model and a cutoff model. Results: In this study, we combined Inhibin-A with PlGF or with the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and showed a 10–20% increase in AUCs and 15–45% increase in the detection rate, at 10% false positive rate, of PE, and a lower, but significant, increase for PE+FGR and FGR in all cases but not for FGR in early cases delivered < 34 weeks. The use of a cutoff model was adequate, although a bit higher accuracy was obtained from the continuous model. The highest correlation was found for PlGF with all three complications. Conclusion: In this secondary analysis, we have found that maternal serum Inhibin-A improves the accuracy of predicting PE and PE+FGR provided by maternal serum angiogenic markers alone, bringing the results to a diagnostic level; thus, it could be considered for directing clinical management. Inhibin-A had smaller or no added value for the accuracy of predicting FGR alone, mainly of early cases delivered <34 weeks.
Risk-Based Methodology for Determining Priority Directions for Improving Occupational Safety in the Mining Industry of the Arctic Zone
Authors: Gendler Semyon , Prokhorova Elizaveta
Published: March 2021

Over the past 10 years, the mining industry of Russia has seen a greater than three-fold decrease in injury rates, thanks to the successful implementation of innovative labor safety technologies. Despite this, injury levels remain unacceptably high compared to the leading mining countries, which results in increased mining costs. For the mining areas of the Arctic Zone—unlike other regions located in areas with a more favorable climate—the injury rates are influenced not only by the underground labor conditions, but also by the adverse environmental factors. For the Russian Arctic zone, the overall injury risk is proposed to be calculated as the combined impact of occupational and background risk. In this article, we have performed correlation analysis of the overall injury risks in regions of the Arctic zone and regions with favorable climate conditions. Using the Kirov branch of “Apatit”, Joint-stock company (JSC) as an example, we have calculated the risks related specifically to occupational injury rates. We have constructed the relative injury risks and their changes over time and have developed a “basic injury rate matrix” that makes it possible to visualize the results of the comparative analysis of the injury rates on the company’s production sites and to determine priority avenues for improving the occupational safety and lowering the injury rates.
Evaluation of Crop Type Classification with Different High Resolution Satellite Data Sources
Authors: Fan Jinlong , Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhao Chunliang , Qin Zhihao , De Vroey Mathilde , Defourny Pierre
Published: March 2021

Crop type classification with satellite imageries is widely applied in support of crop production management and food security strategy. The abundant supply of these satellite data is accelerating and blooming the application of crop classification as satellite data at 10 m to 30 m spatial resolution have been made accessible easily, widely and free of charge, including optical sensors, the wide field of viewer (WFV) onboard the GaoFen (GF, high resolution in English) series from China, the MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) onboard Sentinel 2 (S2) from Europe and the Operational Land Imager (OLI) onboard Landsat 8 (L8) from USA, thanks to the implementation of the open data policy. There are more options in using the satellite data as these three data sources are available. This paper explored the different capability of these three data sources for the crop type mapping in the same area and within the same growing season. The study was executed in a flat and irrigated area in Northwest China. Nine types of crop were classified using these three kinds of time series of data sources in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The same suites of the training samples and validation samples were applied for each of the data sources. Random Forest (RF) was used as the classifier for the crop type classification. The confusion error matrix with the OA, Kappa and F1-score was used to evaluate the accuracy of the classifications. The result shows that GF-1 relatively has the lowest accuracy as a consequence of the limited spectral bands, but the accuracy is at 93–94%, which is still excellent and acceptable for crop type classification. S2 achieved the highest accuracy of 96–98%, with 10 available bands for the crop type classification at either 10 m or 20 m. The accuracy of 97–98% for L8 is in the middle but the difference is small in comparison with S2. Any of these satellite data may be used for the crop type classification within the growing season, with a very good accuracy if the training datasets were well tuned.
Groundwater Depletion Signals in the Beqaa Plain, Lebanon: Evidence from GRACE and Sentinel-1 Data
Authors: Massoud Elias C. , Liu Zhen , Shaban Amin , Hage Mhamad
Published: March 2021

Regions with high productivity of agriculture, such as the Beqaa Plain, Lebanon, often rely on groundwater supplies for irrigation demand. Recent reports have indicated that groundwater consumption in this region has been unsustainable, and quantifying rates of groundwater depletion has remained a challenge. Here, we utilize 15 years of data (June 2002–April 2017) from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission to show Total Water Storage (TWS) changes in Lebanon’s Beqaa Plain. We then obtain complimentary information on various hydrologic cycle variables, such as soil moisture storage, snow water equivalent, and canopy water storage from the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) model, and surface water data from the largest body of water in this region, the Qaraaoun Reservoir, to disentangle the TWS signal and calculate groundwater storage changes. After combining the information from the remaining hydrologic cycle variables, we determine that the majority of the losses in TWS are due to groundwater depletion in the Beqaa Plain. Results show that the rate of groundwater storage change in the West Beqaa is nearly +0.08 cm/year, in the Rashaya District is −0.01 cm/year, and in the Zahle District the level of depletion is roughly −1.10 cm/year. Results are confirmed using Sentinel-1 interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data, which provide high-precision measurements of land subsidence changes caused by intense groundwater usage. Furthermore, data from local monitoring wells are utilized to further showcase the significant drop in groundwater level that is occurring through much of the region. For monitoring groundwater storage changes, our recommendation is to combine various data sources, and in areas where groundwater measurements are lacking, we especially recommend the use of data from remote sensing.
Disrupting State Spaces: Asylum Seekers in Australia’s Offshore Detention Centres
Authors: Sharples Rachel
Published: March 2021

The Australian government has spent over a billion dollars a year on managing offshore detention (Budget 2018–2019). Central to this offshore management was the transference and mandatory detention of asylum seekers in facilities that sit outside Australia’s national sovereignty, in particular on Manus Island (Papua New Guinea) and Nauru. As a state-sanctioned spatial aberration meant to deter asylum seekers arriving by boat, offshore detention has resulted in a raft of legal and policy actions that are reshaping the modern state-centric understanding of the national space. It has raised questions of sovereignty, of moral, ethical and legal obligations, of national security and humanitarian responsibilities, and of nationalism and belonging. Using a sample of Twitter users on Manus during the closure of the Manus Island detention centre in October–November 2017, this paper examines how asylum seekers and refugees have negotiated and defined the offshore detention space and how through the use of social media they have created a profound disruption to the state discourse on offshore detention. The research is based on the premise that asylum seekers’ use social media in a number of disruptive ways, including normalising the presence of asylum seekers in the larger global phenomena of migration, humanising asylum seekers in the face of global discourses of dehumanisation, ensuring visibility by confirming the conditions of detention, highlighting Australia’s human rights violations and obligations, and challenging the government discourse on asylum seekers and offshore detention. Social media is both a tool and a vehicle by which asylum seekers on Manus Island could effect that disruption.
Alternative Food Networks: Perceptions in Short Food Supply Chains in Spain
Authors: Escobar-López Sttefanie Yenitza , Amaya-Corchuelo Santiago , Espinoza-Ortega Angélica
Published: March 2021

Alternative spaces for the consumption of non-conventional foods as short commercialization chains have been increased worldwide, as well as the interest in understanding the dynamics developed in those initiatives from a social approach, has increased. This work aimed to analyze the Organizers, Producers and Consumers’ perceptions that participate in short food supply chains in ecological markets in the south of Spain. The Conventions Theory framework was used by applying a quantitative and qualitative methodology. A total of 159 questionnaires were applied (three to Organizers, 15 to Producers and 177 to Consumers). The questionnaire considered items related to social conventions for seven worlds (Domestic, Civic, Market, Industrial, Opinion and Inspired) and sociodemographic information. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the information. Results show that coincidences and divergences are observed in the importance given to the worlds; the Civic, Inspired and Opinion worlds are perceived similarly by the three types of actors and are related to the interest in how these activities benefit the environment. Differences are attributed to the role played by each type of actor and to socioeconomic aspects. Results can materialize into different strategies to improve these initiatives and reach more consumers.
An Analysis of Environmental Efficiency and Environmental Pollution Treatment Efficiency in China’s Industrial Sector
Authors: Li Xiao-Ning , Feng Ying , Wu Pei-Ying , Chiu Yung-Ho
Published: March 2021

This research adopts the meta Dynamic Directional Distance Functions (DDF) model in order to calculate the environmental efficiency and environmental governance efficiency of China’s industrial sector from 2010 to 2017 from the overall, sub-regional, and sub-provincial perspectives and discusses the technical gaps in regional environmental pollution control and the reasons for ineffective environmental governance. The research results show that the overall level of environmental governance efficiency in China’s industrial sector is relatively high over this time period, and the group frontier calculation results have improved compared to the meta frontier. The actual technical level of the high-income group is closest to the potential technical level, and the upper-middle income group is still far from the potential technical level. The main reason for the ineffective environmental governance of the provinces in the high-income group is ineffective management, while the main reason for ineffective environmental governance of the provinces in the upper-middle-income groups is technical inefficiency. Regardless of high-income groups or upper-middle-income groups, each province’s inefficiency of environmental governance is caused by inefficiency of the input factors.
Degradation of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Organic Matter in Urban River Sediments by Adding Microorganisms
Authors: Wang Fan , Bai Yangwei , Yang Fang , Zhu Qiuheng , Zhao Qianyu , Zhang Xiaojiao , Wei Yimei , Liao Haiqing
Published: March 2021

Reducing and remediating endogenous sediment pollution in urban rivers using appropriate microbiological remediation technology is regarded as a safe, effective, and environmentally sustainable mechanism. In this study, the pollutant removal efficiency of three microorganism types at different dosages was studied in the laboratory. To optimize the microbial restoration scheme, a comprehensive analysis of their effectiveness in removing total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total organic matter (OM), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was conducted, and associated structural changes in the sediment bacteria were analyzed. The results showed that using nitrifying bacteria and Bacillus as microbial agents resulted in superior removal efficiencies of TN and TP in sediments, whereas yeast was not as effective. The removal rates of TN reached 27.65% and 20.88% when 5 mg nitrifying bacteria and 10 mg Bacillus respectively, were used. A comparative analysis showed that nitrifying bacteria exhibited a better TN removal effect; however, Bacillus exhibited a better TP removal effect. The results of high-throughput sequencing revealed no significant changes to the microbial community structures when optimal microorganisms or beneficial microorganisms that thrive using OM as a source of C and energy were added. This study provides insights into the processes and mechanisms involved in the microorganism degradation of black and odorous sediment, and the results can be used as a basis for developing endogenous pollution control policies and methods for urban rivers.
Cost-Effectiveness of a Whole-Body Vibration Program in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Study Protocol
Authors: Domínguez-Muñoz Francisco J. , Carlos-Vivas Jorge , Garcia-Gordillo Miguel A. , Villafaina Santos , Pérez-Escanilla Fernando , Jiménez-Fernández Carmen , Igual-Fraile Dimas , Rodríguez-Mazón Germán J. , Martín-Gomez Giovanna , Hernández-Mocholi Miguel A. , Corzo-Fajardo Héctor A. , Silva Surama do C. Souza da , Bardají Rocío Montero , Sánchez-Robles Galo A. , Margallo-Fernández Emilio , Collado-Mateo Daniel , Gusi Narcís , Adsuar Jose C.
Published: March 2021

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disorder, with patients exhibiting hyperglycemia in fasting and postprandial states. T2DM has several complications, including loss of sensation in more distal body parts. Good peripheral sensitivity is essential as this affects different parameters related to activities of daily living, such as leg strength and balance. The objectives of this project were to assess the effects of an 8-week whole-body vibration (WBV) training program on (1) vibration perception threshold (VPT), (2) balance, (3) strength, (4) lipidic profile, (5) health-related quality of life, (6) diabetic neuropathy, and (7) body composition in T2DM patients. Methods/Design: A double-blind, randomized controlled study, with WBV and placebo groups, was carried out. Both groups performed 8 weeks of intervention, with 3 sessions per week, completing a total of 24 sessions. There were two groups: the experimental group, i.e., the WBV group, who received WBV therapy; and the placebo group, who completed a simulated training program that was developed on a Galileo Fitness platform, connected to software displayed on a screen. The participant could see the parameters of the simulated vibration training (duration, amplitude, and frequency), but it was the software that controlled the speakers placed inside the vibration platform. Ninety patients with T2DM (56 males and 34 females) were recruited for the intervention. Participants were assigned equally to the WBV (n = 45) and placebo (n = 45) groups. Primary outcome measures were (1) HbA1c and (2) vibration threshold. Secondary measures were (1) health-related quality of life, (2) balance, (3) strength, (4) body composition, (5) blood pressure, (6) diabetic neuropathy, and (7) lipidic profile. Statistical analysis was carried out by treatment intention and protocol. Discussion: This project aimed to investigate the effects of WBV training on HbA1c, vibration threshold, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio in T2DM patients. In future, guidelines will be provided for the incorporation of the main obtained conclusions into the social-sanitary system and businesses.
Motivators and Barriers for Buying Intention of Upcycled Fashion Products in China
Authors: Yoo Fe , Jung Hye Jung , Oh Kyung Wha
Published: March 2021

This study examines determinants of the consumption behavior of upcycled fashion products in China. Theoretical and empirical evidence from the upcycled fashion consumption and related literature are used to develop a model to explain consumers’ buying intention toward upcycled fashion products. Environmental consciousness, consumer knowledge of upcycled fashion fabrics, and perceived risks of upcycled fashion products are proposed as key factors (i.e., motivators and barriers) of behavioral intention toward the purchase upcycled fashion products. Hypothesized antecedents of buying intentions toward upcycled fashion are included in the theoretical model, which was tested using structural equation modeling analysis on data from a sample of 397 consumers in China. Environmental consciousness encompassed two factors and was therefore divided into environmental concerns and importance of environmentally conscious behavior. Perceived risks at the time of purchasing upcycled fashion products showed three factors: social, financial, and performance risk perceptions. After examining the impact of environmental consciousness and perceived risks on purchase intention toward upcycled fashion products, this study found that both factors had statistically significant effects on purchase intention. In addition, the study revealed that knowledge of upcycled fashion materials was mediated in the relationship to explain the impacts of Chinese consumers’ perceived importance of conscious behavior and perceived risks of upcycled fashion products on their intention to purchase upcycled fashion products. In other words, to increase the purchase intention toward upcycled fashion products, it is necessary to raise Chinese consumers’ environmental knowledge of upcycled fashion materials, while improving the importance of conscious behaviors and reducing the perceived risk. The implications of the findings for public policy and as guidelines for future research are outlined and discussed.
Genotype X Environment Interaction Analysis of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) for Biomass and Seed Yield across Different Environments
Authors: Papastylianou Panayiota , Vlachostergios Dimitrios N. , Dordas Christos , Tigka Evangelia , Papakaloudis Paschalis , Kargiotidou Anastasia , Pratsinakis Emmanouil , Koskosidis Avraam , Pankou Chrysanthi , Kousta Angeliki , Mylonas Ioannis , Tani Eleni , Abraham Eleni M. , Karatassiou Maria , Kostoula Stavroula
Published: March 2021

Development of high yielding and stable cultivars of various legume crops across different environments is very important for their adoption by farmers. In addition, climate change sets new challenges to major crop species and especially to grain legumes such as faba bean (Vicia faba L.) for adaptation to stressful environments. The present study focused on evaluating faba bean genotypes developed for yield and stability across different environments. The study was conducted in three areas of Greece (South, Central, and North) for two consecutive growing seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020). Biomass yield, seed yield, and yield components were studied together with plant height, earliness, and water use efficiency. Genotype, environment, and their interaction affected most of the studied characteristics. The environment was the major source of variation for most of the characteristics, as it explained 81–93% of total variation, and only in the thousand seed weight the variation was 49% for the environment and 40% for the genotype. Genotype had a much smaller effect on the remaining characteristics (1.2–3.9%), and the interaction between environment x genotype accounted for up to 0.5–17% of the variation. GGE-biplot analysis for high yield and stability across different environments revealed three genotypic types: genotypes well adapted either for biomass or seed yield and genotypes with high adaptation capacity for both traits under typical Mediterranean conditions. These results indicated that screening faba bean genotypes under different environmental field conditions is essential to identify adaptable cultivars to be cultivated for biomass and/or seed yield or to be used in breeding programs.
Exploring Military Artefacts in Early Childhood Education: Conflicting Perspectives on Cultural Sustainability, Belonging and Protection
Authors: Birkeland Åsta , Grindheim Liv Torunn
Published: March 2021

Social and cultural sustainability is outlined as creating surroundings that include and stimulate positive interactions, such as promoting a sense of community and a feeling of belonging to a community, by being safe and attached to the local area. Artefacts chosen in early childhood education (ECE) institutions are integrated parts of the culture in which the ECE institutions are embedded; artefacts, thus, are understood as serving belonging and cultural sustainability. The study examined what insight into cultural sustainability could be surfaced in conflicting perspectives about military artefacts in ECE. Focus group interviews were conducted with Chinese and Norwegian graduate students and ECE researchers, during which photographs of a Chinese kindergarten where military artefacts and toys were highly represented. Conflicting perspectives on military artefacts among the participant surfaced how belonging are closely intertwined with protection and where to belong: locally, nationally or internationally. The skeptical approach to military artefacts is challenged by awareness of different ways to promote national pride and entanglement among generations. The findings indicate a need for more research on conditions for belonging and the normative complexities of artefacts in cultural sustainability.
Adopting Multiactor Multicriteria Analysis for the Evaluation of Energy Scenarios
Authors: Schär Sebastian , Geldermann Jutta
Published: March 2021

The assessment of future options and pathways for sustainable energy systems requires considering multiple techno-economic, ecological and social issues. Multicriteria analysis methods, which are useful tools that aid decision processes involving various and even conflicting qualitative and quantitative criteria, could support such comprehensive analyses. With regard to energy policies, the key actors and stakeholders’ acceptance of emerging and innovative technologies for generating, converting and storing electricity, heat and fuels is crucial for their future implementation. The multiactor multicriteria (MAMCA) methodology was developed to involve stakeholders with vastly different views and objectives when addressing complex societal problems. We extend the MAMCA methodology to include the outranking approach PROMETHEE, which allows us to explicitly consider the stakeholders’ objectives in the evaluation process. The MAMCA method with PROMETHEE is applied to a case study of four different transition pathways of providing electricity to a bioenergy village in Germany. The explicit mapping at hand of an illustrative case study could help researchers and decision makers greatly in the assessment of pathways for sustainable energy systems; it is also applicable in other contexts requiring extensive stakeholder involvement and where qualitative and quantitative criteria are to be considered simultaneously. The detailed sensitivity analysis provided by the extension of the MAMCA method with PROMETHEE not only reveals the stakeholders’ crucial trade-offs when allowing each stakeholder group to develop its own set of criteria and weights but also indicates compromise options.
Selected Aspects of Modelling and Design Calculations of Roller Mills
Authors: Zastempowski Marcin , Bochat Andrzej , Hujo Lubomír
Published: March 2021

An analysis of construction was conducted in this study, and the guidelines for designing roller mills used commonly in the agri-food, chemical, power and construction industries were presented. Quick designing of the machines required existence of adequate mathematical models. Within the framework of the study’s realization, a mathematical model was developed and we presented the selected results of calculations of the milling rollers loading from the assembly’s mill bowl. The simulation calculations conducted with the mathematical model unambiguously show that the roller’s rotation around a fixed point considerably influences the total loading of the mill’s bowl, and passing over that phenomenon is a mistake.
Household Vulnerability and Transformability in Limpopo National Park
Authors: Notelid Michel , Ekblom Anneli
Published: March 2021

In this paper, household vulnerability in Limpopo National Park (LNP) is discussed in relation to interannual climate variability and the effects of the park itself. Climate variability is high and projected to increase with climate change. Meanwhile, the establishment of the national park in 2002 has added both challenges and possibilities. We present the results of livelihood surveys carried out 2013 and discuss changes taking place in and around the park until present day. Constraints and possibilities for endurability of households are discussed. In conclusion, the vulnerability of the LNP households to climate change is high, but there are a number of strategies in place to ensure endurability. Migrant labour is vital for household economy, and cattle production is important for endurability. The hunting ban in the park and losses of crops and livestock due to wildlife present serious challenges. Income from the illegal wildlife trade, which exploded from 2011, has had little impact on household economy or in mitigating household vulnerability but has had devastating effects on the social fabric of households. We discuss possible avenues for transformability, where access to markets and transport remain a challenge for farmers. Individual cattle owners’ view of constraints and possibilities for expanding cattle herding are discussed and assessed in terms of transformability.
Approaching Sustainability in Local Spatial Planning Processes: A Case Study in the Stockholm Region, Sweden
Authors: Högström Johan , Brokking Peter , Balfors Berit , Hammer Monica
Published: March 2021

The quest for cogent responses to sustainability goals challenges local spatial planning practices across growing metropolitan regions to develop planning approaches that enable transformative capacity in increasingly complex settings. Based on a case study conducted in the Stockholm region, this paper explores the design and organization of local planning processes to provide a basis for a discussion of alternative approaches that may enhance sustainability in plan and project development. More specifically, it aims to analyze the conditions for embedding and consolidating sustainability issues in local planning processes. The results show that the municipalities need to create conditions for an effective interplay between the planning work carried out in individual projects and the organization of resources, knowledge, and skills on which the projects depend to handle sustainability issues. This study contributes to the understanding of the challenges associated with putting sustainability into practice at the local level by identifying and conceptualizing three important barriers. By acknowledging the temporal, locational, and procedural dimensions of knowledge in local planning processes, planning practices may become better at knowing when, and in what ways, different forms of knowledge can become created, introduced, and used in a synergistic manner to aid the realization of sustainability goals.
Resource Optimization-Based Software Risk Reduction Model for Large-Scale Application Development
Authors: Shahzad Basit , Fazal-e-Amin  , Abro Ahsanullah , Imran Muhammad , Shoaib Muhammad
Published: March 2021

Software risks are a common phenomenon in the software development lifecycle, and risks emerge into larger problems if they are not dealt with on time. Software risk management is a strategy that focuses on the identification, management, and mitigation of the risk factors in the software development lifecycle. The management itself depends on the nature, size, and skill of the project under consideration. This paper proposes a model that deals with identifying and dealing with the risk factors by introducing different observatory and participatory project factors. It is assumed that most of the risk factors can be dealt with by doing effective business processing that in response deals with the orientation of risks and elimination or reduction of those risk factors that emerge over time. The model proposes different combinations of resource allocation that can help us conclude a software project with an extended amount of acceptability. This paper presents a Risk Reduction Model, which effectively handles the application development risks. The model can synchronize its working with medium to large-scale software projects. The reduction in software failures positively affects the software development environment, and the software failures shall reduce consequently.
Self-Service Technologies (SSTs)—The Next Frontier in Service Excellence: Implications for Tourism Industry
Authors: Safaeimanesh Farzad , Kılıç Hasan , Alipour Habib , Safaeimanesh Shahrzad
Published: March 2021

This research aims to understand how self-service technologies (SSTs) can bring about service excellence for tourists by the moderated mediating effect of satisfaction and tourist types, from the customer’s perspective. The study draws on survey data from 627 tourists from North Cyprus, Turkey, Italy, United States, and Germany who had experience using SSTs during their travel period for either leisure or business. The utility theory, Lancaster’s consumer theory, and random utility theory form the basis of this research’s theoretical framework. This study is the first attempt that examines the SSTs’ characteristics as antecedents of service excellence from the customer point of view in tourism literature. Moreover, this research enhances knowledge by integrating the concept of service excellence and SSTs’ characteristics into the abovementioned theories. The results revealed that service excellence could be provided for customers through SSTs, which this service excellence drives through the characteristics of SSTs. The result of moderated mediation tests on the relationship between SSTs’ characteristics and service excellence revealed that tourist types moderate the mediating effect of SSTs satisfaction for functionality, enjoyment, security/privacy, convenience, and customization. Meaning the mentioned constructs are more influential for business travelers than leisure travelers. Limitations, practical and theoretical implications are also discussed.
The Role of Anaerobic Digestion in Reducing Dairy Farm Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Authors: Scott Alun , Blanchard Richard
Published: March 2021

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from dairy farms are significant contributors to global warming. However, much of the published work on GHG reduction is focused on either methane (CH4) or nitrous oxide (N2O), with few, if any, considering the interactions that changes to farming systems can have on both gases. This paper takes the raw data from a year of activity on a 300-cow commercial dairy farm in Northern Ireland to more accurately quantify GHG sources by use of a simple predictive model based on IPCC methodology. Differing herd management policies are examined together with the impact of integrating anaerobic digestion (AD) into each farming system. Whilst significant success can be predicted in capturing CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2) as biogas and preventing N2O emissions, gains made can be lost in a subsequent process, negating some or all of the advantage. The process of extracting value from the captured resource is discussed in light of current farm parameters together with indications of other potential revenue streams. However, this study has concluded that despite the significant potential for GHG reduction, there is little incentive for widespread adoption of manure-based farm-scale AD in the UK at this time.
Study on Glacial Tourism Exploitation in the Dagu Glacier Scenic Spot Based on the AHP–ASEB Method
Authors: Sun Weibing , Zhang Fu , Tai Shuya , Wu Jinkui , Mu Yaqiong
Published: March 2021

Due to the impact of COVID-19, people’s demand for non-contact tourism is increasing. The development of Internet technologies such as the Internet of Things, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) can meet this demand. Internet technology makes non-contact tourism grow. However, these new technologies are emerging only within application cases, which cannot provide comprehensive methodological guidance for tourism suppliers. Despite the booming development of winter tourism in China, there are still many problems, especially affecting the tourist experience.rarchy process (AHP) and activity, setting, experience and benefit (ASEB) grid analysis were used to analyze the activities, settings, experiences and benefits of the scenic spot from the tourist perspective taking the Dagu Glacier Scenic Spot (DGSS) as an example. The research aims to increase the attraction of the scenic zone, and promote the coordinated and sustainable development of business in West China under the goal of improving tourists’ experiences. The results show that: subgoals of experience (E) and benefit (B) are the main directions of the development of ice and snow tourism in the DGSS. Furthermore, the threat of benefits (TB), the threat of setting (TS), the threat of experience (TE), the opportunities of benefits (OB), the opportunities of setting (OS), and the opportunities of experience (OE) are the main concerns.
Evaluation and Selection of Integrated Energy System Construction Scheme Equipped with Smart Energy Management and Control Platform Using Single-Valued Neutrosophic Numbers
Authors: Wang Junqing , Zhao Wenhui , Qiu Lu , Yuan Puyu
Published: March 2021

Since application of integrated energy systems (IESs) has formed a markedly increasing trend recently, selecting an appropriate integrated energy system construction scheme becomes essential to the energy supplier. This paper aims to develop a multi-criteria decision-making model for the evaluation and selection of an IES construction scheme equipped with smart energy management and control platform. Firstly, a comprehensive evaluation criteria system including economy, energy, environment, technology and service is established. The evaluation criteria system is divided into quantitative criteria denoted by interval numbers and qualitative criteria. Secondly, single-valued neutrosophic numbers are adopted to denote the qualitative criteria in the evaluation criteria system. Thirdly, in order to accommodate mixed data types consisting of both interval numbers and single-valued neutrosophic numbers, the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) method is extended into a three-stage technique by introducing a fusion coefficient μ. Then, a real case in China is evaluated through applying the proposed method. Furthermore, a comprehensive discussion is made to analyze the evaluation result and verify the reliability and stability of the method. In short, this study provides a useful tool for the energy supplier to evaluate and select a preferred IES construction scheme.
Teachers’ Perceptions on Environmental Citizenship: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Georgiou Yiannis , Hadjichambis Andreas Ch. , Hadjichambi Demetra
Published: March 2021

As we are living amid an unprecedent environmental crisis, the need for schools to empower students into environmental citizenship is intensifying. Teachers are considered as the main driving force in fostering students’ environmental citizenship. However, a critical question is how teachers conceive environmental citizenship and whether their perceptions of environmental citizenship are well-informed. There is an urgent need to investigate teachers’ perceptions, considering their crucial role in the formation of students’ environmental citizenship. This study examines teachers’ perceptions of environmental citizenship through a systematic review and thematic analysis of relevant empirical studies. The selected studies (n = 16) were published in peer-reviewed journals during the timespan of the last twenty-five (25) years (1995–2020). The thematic findings of this review revealed that teachers’ perceptions: (a) manifest a relatively decreased understanding of environmental citizenship, (b) are narrowed down to the local scale, individual dimension and private sphere, (c) affect teaching practices, (d) are multi-dimensional, defined by inter-related components, (e) vary according to teachers’ educational/cultural background and personal identity, (f) affect other environmental constructs defining teachers’ professional identity, (g) can be enhanced during teacher education, (h) can be also improved during professional development initiatives. These findings bear significant implications for researchers, policymakers, as well as for teacher educators in the field of Environmental Education.
Modeling and Analyzing Offloading Strategies of IoT Applications over Edge Computing and Joint Clouds
Authors: Almutairi Jaber , Aldossary Mohammad
Published: March 2021

Internet of Things (IoT) is swiftly evolving into a disruptive technology in recent years. For enhancing customer experience and accelerating job execution, IoT task offloading enables mobile end devices to release heavy computation and storage to the resource-rich nodes in collaborative Edges or Clouds. However, how different service architecture and offloading strategies quantitatively impact the end-to-end performance of IoT applications is still far from known particularly given a dynamic and unpredictable assortment of interconnected virtual and physical devices. This paper exploits potential network performance that manifests within the edge-cloud environment, then investigates and compares the impacts of two types of architectures: Loosely-Coupled (LC) and Orchestrator-Enabled (OE). Further, it introduces three customized offloading strategies in order to handle various requirements for IoT latency-sensitive applications. Through comparative experiments, we observed that the computational requirements exerts more influence on the IoT application’s performance compared to the communication requirement. However, when the system scales up to accommodate more IoT devices, communication bandwidth will turn to be the dominant resource and becomes the essential factor that will directly impact the overall performance. Thus, orchestration is a necessary procedure to encompass optimized solutions under different constraints for optimal offloading placement.
TMPRSS11D and TMPRSS13 Activate the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein
Authors: Kishimoto Mai , Uemura Kentaro , Sanaki Takao , Sato Akihiko , Hall William W. , Kariwa Hiroaki , Orba Yasuko , Sawa Hirofumi , Sasaki Michihito
Published: March 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) utilizes host proteases, including a plasma membrane-associated transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) to cleave and activate the virus spike protein to facilitate cellular entry. Although TMPRSS2 is a well-characterized type II transmembrane serine protease (TTSP), the role of other TTSPs on the replication of SARS-CoV-2 remains to be elucidated. Here, we have screened 12 TTSPs using human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-expressing HEK293T (293T-ACE2) cells and Vero E6 cells and demonstrated that exogenous expression of TMPRSS11D and TMPRSS13 enhanced cellular uptake and subsequent replication of SARS-CoV-2. In addition, SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 share the same TTSPs in the viral entry process. Our study demonstrates the impact of host TTSPs on infection of SARS-CoV-2, which may have implications for cell and tissue tropism, for pathogenicity, and potentially for vaccine development.
Isolation of a New Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) Variant from a Fish Farm in Scotland
Authors: Benkaroun Jessica , Muir Katherine Fiona , Allshire Rosa , Tamer Cüneyt , Weidmann Manfred
Published: March 2021

The aquatic virus, infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), is known to infect various farmed fish, in particular salmonids, and is responsible for large economic losses in the aquaculture industry. Common practices to detect the virus include qPCR tests based on specific primers and serum neutralization tests for virus serotyping. Following the potential presence of IPNV viruses in a fish farm in Scotland containing vaccinated and IPNV-resistant fish, the common serotyping of the IPNV isolates was not made possible. This led us to determine the complete genome of the new IPNV isolates in order to investigate the cause of the serotyping discrepancy. Next-generation sequencing using the Illumina technology along with the sequence-independent single primer amplification (SISPA) approach was conducted to fully characterize the new Scottish isolates. With this approach, the full genome of two isolates, V1810–4 and V1810–6, was determined and analyzed. The potential origin of the virus isolates was investigated by phylogenetic analyses along with tridimensional and secondary protein structure analyses. These revealed the emergence of a new variant from one of the main virus serotypes, probably caused by the presence of selective pressure exerted by the vaccinated IPNV-resistant farmed fish.
From Submerged Cultures to 3D Cell Culture Models: Evolution of Nasal Epithelial Cells in Asthma Research and Virus Infection
Authors: Aydin Malik , Naumova Ella A. , Bellm Aliyah , Behrendt Ann-Kathrin , Giachero Federica , Bahlmann Nora , Zhang Wenli , Wirth Stefan , Paulsen Friedrich , Arnold Wolfgang H. , Ehrhardt Anja
Published: March 2021

Understanding the response to viral infection in the context of respiratory diseases is of significant importance. Recently, there has been more focus on the role of the nasal epithelium in disease modeling. Here, we provide an overview of different submerged, organotypic 3D and spheroid cell culture models of nasal epithelial cells, which were used to study asthma and allergy with a special focus on virus infection. In detail, this review summarizes the importance, benefits, and disadvantages of patient-derived cell culture models of nasal- and bronchial epithelial cells, including a comparison of these cell culture models and a discussion on why investigators should consider using nasal epithelial cells in their research. Exposure experiments, simple virus transduction analyses as well as genetic studies can be performed in these models, which may provide first insights into the complexity of molecular signatures and may open new doors for drug discovery and biomarker research.