bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental impacts of different methods of coffee preparation
Authors: Brommer Eva , Stratmann Britta , Quack Dietlinde 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe environmental impacts of coffee consumption inter alia depend on the preparation method used by consumers. Preparation methods such as filter drip, pod machines and fully automatic coffee machines are the most common ones in Germany: 62% of the consumers use a filter drip machine to brew their coffee, 23% use filter pad machines and 15% use espresso machines such as fully automatic coffee machines or capsule systems. The aim of the different studies presented in this paper was to identify the critical environmental issues along the life cycle of coffee and to compare the different preparation methods of coffee regarding their influence on the environmental impacts. Within the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Pilot Project Germany, the PCF of one cup of a special type of coffee was analysed on behalf of Tchibo GmbH (Überseering, Hamburg, Germany). As the results show, the preparation by the consumer is one crucial part of the entire life cycle of coffee, making up a share of 30% of the overall emissions. Another hot spot is the cultivation of coffee beans with 55%. Concerning the use phase, research shows that environmental impacts vary significantly depending on the preparation method used by the consumer. Main drivers are differences in power consumption of the respective technologies. Furthermore, different packagings of the coffee play a decisive role. Comparing the analysed appliances and defined usage scenarios in this study, the French press and filter drip machine performed best, followed by the filter pad machine. In contrast, the environmental impacts of the analysed fully automatic coffee machine and the capsule machine were highest. The reason for this was the high power consumption, especially in the machines' sleep and standby mode. Additionally, capsule machines contribute to the environmental impacts because of the aluminium and/or plastic packaging of the capsules, automatic coffee machines because of their cleaning and rinsing programmes.The detailed results indicate a significant savings potential in the use phase. The impacts not only depend on the specific energy efficiency of the chosen appliance but also on the usage behaviour.
Are resource savings in manual dishwashing possible? Consumers applying Best Practice Tips
Authors: Fuss Natalie , Bornkessel Sabine , Mattern Thomas , Stamminger Rainer 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIn the past few years, studies have been carried out to record and analyse the consumer behaviour of manual dishwashing. Manual dishwashing in households is performed in many ways that influence the use of resources. Furthermore, knowledge has been gained on the basis of experiments on how to optimize the use of resources in manual dishwashing. Optimization here means achieving the best possible cleaning performance with a minimum input of resources. This experimental knowledge, combined with the experience of everyday life, was transferred into Best Practice Tips.The aim of this study is to verify whether it is possible to save resources while applying these Best Practice Tips in comparison with the consumers' previous behaviour.In a laboratory study, 53 consumers from Europe (23 Germans, 30 other Europeans) were asked to apply the Best Practice Tips while washing up 12 place settings of dishes. The data gained were compared with that of previous studies recording consumers' everyday behaviour while washing up the same amount of dishes. The sample consisted of 113 European consumers and the sample of the second study consisted of 60 Europeans.On average, the 53 test participants applying the Best Practice Tips used around 60% less water, 70% less energy and 30% less detergent compared with the average everyday behaviour the other subjects used. Additionally, they achieved a slightly better cleaning result. An evaluation questionnaire showed that the Best Practice Tips were, in general, highly accepted; however, some concerns were given about their exact application in everyday life. Because of the wide variation of washing‐up habits and resource consumption among individuals, the confidence intervals of the studies are rather large. The results should therefore be seen as tendencies on how resource savings are possible when people are trained how to optimize resources in manual dishwashing. Nevertheless, this study should be the basis for further ones in which the learning is verified in everyday life and over a longer period of time.
Usage of dishwashers: observation of consumer habits in the domestic environment
Authors: Richter Christian Paul 
Published: February 2011

AbstractOver the years, appliance manufacturers have been successful in developing dishwashers that enable consumers to save time, energy and water very conveniently. Within the last 20 years the savings in energy consumption exceed 30%, and the average water consumption per cycle has been more than halved. As a result, it is very hard for the majority of people to compete with the efficiency of a dishwasher when dishes are done by hand. However, consumer habits (e.g. regarding the use of the dishwasher load capacity, programme choice and particularly the additional pretreatment of dishes with water) are influencing the overall efficiency of the dishwashing process and resource use. Still, detailed information on consumer behaviour in everyday life concerning these issues is rare.In order to improve the understanding of dishwashing habits and to fill the lack of information about dishwashing on the household level, an in‐house consumer survey in four European countries (Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK) was conducted between 2007 and 2008. Two hundred households with and without dishwasher were interviewed and comprehensively observed. For a period of 2 weeks, participants recorded every dishwashing process with the help of a dishwashing diary and pictures they took of their loaded dishwashers. In addition, an in‐depth observation took place in 82 households where measurements and webcam observations were recorded at the kitchen sink. Actual resource consumption data for manual dishwashing and the pretreatment for the dishwasher were obtained.The present paper reports on findings of this investigation and concentrates on consumer habits related to the use of the dishwasher. In general, the study showed that the households with dishwasher used on average 50% less water and 28% less energy per cleaned item compared with households not owning a dishwasher. Yet, there were still consumer habits, which indicate that a higher degree of sustainable dishwashing is achievable. The researchers found that in 20% of the dishwasher cycles, baskets were only slightly filled and consumers were likely to use higher amounts of energy than stated on the energy label because they have chosen mostly in favour of high cleaning temperatures (52% used 65°C and higher). Particularly in Italy and Sweden intensive pretreatment habits have been observed, resulting in an average additional water use of 11–20 L per dishwasher cycle.
Visualizing energy consumption activities as a tool for developing effective policy
Authors: Palm Jenny , Ellegård Kajsa 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAnalysing and understanding energy consumption from the household activity perspective is vital for developing policy that promotes sustainable everyday life. Doing so entails learning how to connect policy with household activities and everyday life.We use a time‐geographic visualization to analyse several dimensions of everyday life as a totality. From household members' time diaries, we can analyse and learn about when, where and what energy‐related activities occur in the household, involving what household members are engaged and in what wider social context activities are performed. We discuss the importance of relating policy analysis to everyday household activities to make policy relevant to households. Time diaries reveal differences and interdependencies in activity patterns between household members and between individuals in a population classified by factors such as gender, age and household composition. The diaries provide data to visualize activity patterns and identify individual households' use of electric appliances and need for light and heating. To capture electricity use as it occurs, we developed the VISUAL‐TimePAcTS/energy use software to track the relationship between activities, appliance use and electricity consumption. This tool helps deepen discussions of the consequences of everyday household doings for energy consumption and climate change. Time diaries also help households reflect on daily life in relation to energy consumption, giving households feedback that is direct and relevant since it refers to self‐reported activities. This is the starting point for discussions of how activities can change.Time geographic visualizations of diaries complement policy research by recognizing the diversity of everyday life of households. Instead of analysing how habits, incremental decisions and non‐decisions are made by grassroots bureaucrats, we suggest broadening the perspective to include how individuals' everyday activities and restrictions influence policy formation.
Evaluation of domestic washing in Japan using life cycle assessment (LCA)
Authors: Yamaguchi Yoko , Seii Eriko , Itagaki Masako , Nagayama Masuzo 
Published: February 2011

AbstractChanging lifestyles and family structures have changed consumer domestic washing behaviour in our country, with growing use of washer‐dryers and changing detergent preferences, including use of concentrated detergents. In particular, there has also been an increase in the number of combined washer‐dryers, which both save space and reduce the housework burden. However, power consumption for drying is extremely high compared to that for washing. This study reveals the drying performance of sweat‐absorbent, quick‐drying clothing in domestic washing, and uses the life cycle assessment method to evaluate washing and drying with heat‐pump washer‐dryers compared with the conventional washer‐dryer. In this study, it was assumed that drying was used on 99 days per year, based on the mean number of 99 days per year with rainfall in Tokyo. Both types of washer‐dryer showed high CO2eq emission levels for usage, with the highest levels for power consumption during drying. Compared with the conventional washer‐dryer, the heat‐pump washer‐dryer was able to reduce CO2eq emissions significantly through power savings and used less water as well, although it did require the use of larger amounts of detergent. However, the largest portion of CO2eq emissions was attributable to the drying process, and the use of sweat‐absorbent, quick‐drying clothing enabled these emissions to be reduced by approximately 10%. The residual moisture content of clothing after washing and spin‐drying, which significantly affects the amount of CO2eq emissions generated at the drying stage, depended on spin‐drying times and the proportion of polyester fibres in the clothing.
Applicability of surfaces containing silver in domestic refrigerators
Authors: Ilg Yvonne , Bruckner Stefanie , Kreyenschmidt Judith 
Published: February 2011

AbstractHygiene is an area of great concern in private households. Especially refrigerator interior surfaces are contaminated with food residues or microorganisms. Refrigerator manufacturers are attempting to improve the hygienic conditions by including antimicrobial refrigerator plastic surfaces. However, although refrigerator surfaces are already frequently compounded using, e.g. silver additives, it is still unclear whether these surfaces have the ability to decrease contamination under the special application conditions found within refrigerators. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of surfaces containing silver to decrease bacterial count in domestic refrigerators considering realistic conditions in domestic refrigerators. Laboratory investigations have been conducted concerning the rate of antimicrobial activity of different materials containing silver as regards their functioning to reduce surface contamination as related to test organisms and environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, food residues). The reduction rate on the tested plastic materials containing silver varied between log10 0.1–7.4 cfu/ml compared with the reference sheets. Thereby the rate is influenced by the plastic type, the microorganism and temperature. Further on the investigations made evident that the inhibitory effect of silver compounds is greatly reduced by the presence of protein residues. Consequently, investigations concerning the hygienic status within domestic refrigerators have been conducted and the cleaning behaviour by refrigerator users has been assessed. It became evident that, in particular, glass surfaces are often contaminated with protein residues. Furthermore, the cleaning frequency is very low as only 16% of refrigerator users clean their refrigerators monthly or more frequently. Thus, under these conditions found in practice, no additional benefit as to hygiene status can be expected by adding silver to refrigerator glass surfaces. Therefore, a careful choice of silver applications in domestic refrigerators is necessary considering the special conditions in private households. In addition, the factor of sustainability needs to be considered with regard to the unnecessary entry of silver ions into sewage.
Which type of washing machine should you choose?
Authors: Katayama Michiko , Sugihara Reiko 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe authors conducted a study of washing machines in order to provide customers with more accurate information in regards to their purchases. In this research, the same laundry washing load was washed by four different types of washing machines, two with vortex systems and another two with drum systems. For each machine, the authors used the standard washing course and measured the amount of water and electricity used. Before washing, Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) soiled cloths, small‐sized modified mechanical action (MA) test cloths developed by the Danish Technological Institute (DTI) and small‐sized Eidgenossiche Materials Purufungs Anstalt 306 (EMPA 306) were stitched to the same position on the sample laundry. After washing it, the authors analysed the reflectance of the JIS soiled cloth and the difference of Kubelka‐Munk equation (K/S) values before washing and after washing (from this, the authors estimated the decreased soil amount). They also measured the MA by one‐fifth of the DTI MA values (MA/5‐value), and the number of dots removed during the washing cycle. As for washing performance, the authors detected the level of detergency and the MA from the following parameters. They compared the washing performance of the four different washing machines by the K/S‐value per unit of water consumption and per unit of electricity consumption. The results showed almost the same level of washing performance amongst the four machines. However, there were differences in the amount of soil removed per litre of water consumption [the vortex (beat) type was the most efficient]. There were also differences in the amount of soil removed per minute of washing time and per Wh of electricity consumption. Upon both of these parameters, the vortex type washing machine was the most efficient. It is expected that these results will be helpful to consumers when choosing a new washing machine.
Household appropriation of electricity monitors
Authors: Wallenborn Grégoire , Orsini Marco , Vanhaverbeke Jeremie 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIn the perspective of smart grids, ‘smart’ electricity metres are distributed in European households. When households possess an immediate feedback on their consumption, it is usually stated that they can save between 5 and 15% of their electricity. How households learn to reduce their consumption is hardly ever addressed. In order to know whether 15% saving is a limit or not, it is necessary to understand what people do and learn with the use of an electricity monitor. This question is related to the way the societal energy transition could be achieved. Electricity is invisible, but it is produced, transported and consumed through material devices. This paper explores the dimension of material culture in household energy consumption through the introduction of electricity monitors in different types of households. Through a social experiment, we investigate both how households appropriate an electricity monitor and what they learn when using it. The paper addresses the question of appropriation of such monitors and how it is related to different dimensions: comfort, values, knowledge, skills, material culture. On the basis of an original protocol that intends to interfere as little as possible with users, we installed different metres in 21 Belgian households (including low‐income households) and collected data on energy consumption, material culture (appliances, heating system, etc.), different representations of energy, energy‐using practices and the effects induced by the introduction of the monitor. We have observed that the metre can change electricity perception, but that only households already interested or involved in energy savings are willing to use and learn with the monitor. We suggest that these devices should accompany a deeper transformation of the ‘culture of energy’, but they have to become much ‘smarter’ if their aim is to support more sustainable energy consumption patterns.
The sustainable consumer: an in situ study of residential lighting alternatives as influenced by infield education
Authors: Stall‐Meadows Celia , Hebert Paulette R. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThis research examined consumers' barriers to adoption of sustainable residential lighting alternatives and explored the impact of infield education on attitudes towards three lighting alternatives: incandescent, compact fluorescent light and light‐emitting diode. The study measured the effectiveness of hands‐on activities and an interactive educational presentation regarding sustainable residential lighting sources. Research objectives included the following: (1) to examine the changes in consumers' intentions to purchase sustainable lighting alternatives before and after residential field tests and educational sessions and (2) to examine consumers' attitudes towards sustainable lighting alternatives. Consumers' attitudes were investigated in relation to their willingness to buy sustainable lighting alternatives. A pre‐test survey was administered to examine the respondents' knowledge of sustainable lighting, their level of satisfaction with their existing home lighting choices and their willingness to consider sustainable lighting alternatives. Participants (n = 105) then performed reading and writing tasks under the three lighting types. Next, the participants were exposed to interactive education sessions explaining the benefits and detriments of the lighting alternatives. The educational area displayed fact sheets, sample bulb packaging and actual lighting fixtures lamped with sustainable and unsustainable sources. The educational presenter encouraged participants to ask questions about sustainable lighting and suggested ways that consumers can reduce their carbon footprint by choosing more efficient technologies for residential lighting. Participants were informed about the initial costs, return on investment, lamp life and lamp waste. The presenter directed the consumers how to properly dispose of bulbs. The findings revealed an increased understanding of the energy efficiency, sustainability and associated costs of the three lighting types. Consumers indicated preferences towards adopting the initially higher priced sustainable lighting particularly compact fluorescent lighting.
Sodium and ready meals: a survey of Irish consumer awareness
Authors: Mitchell Michelle , Brunton Nigel P. , Wilkinson Martin G. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe aim of the study was to gain an understanding of Irish consumer attitudes towards ready meals and current sodium issues in Ireland. A questionnaire was distributed to 357 consumers via convenience quota sampling to a range of nationalities in both rural and urban/city areas of Ireland. The survey revealed that a high proportion of respondents (45%; n = 161) were worried about the amount of salt they consumed. Despite this, 58% (n = 207) stated they never look at the sodium/salt contents on nutritional labels with 68% (n = 244) claiming that sodium/salt contents would never affect their buying choice. The survey also uncovered that 76% (n = 270) of the Irish consumers surveyed consider ready meals to be high in sodium and 80% (n = 285) consider them to be an unhealthy option. Despite this, 50% (n = 179) of the respondents consumed a ready meal at least once a week with a further 17% (n = 59) consuming them two to three times a week. Of those who did consume ready meals, 78% (n = 191) chose them due to their convenience. A total of 75% (n = 269) of all the respondents said they would choose a chilled ready meal over its frozen counterpart. The reason for this being attributed to the fact that chilled ready meals were perceived to be healthier (44%; n = 158) and of better quality (54%; n = 194) than their frozen counterparts. Results from this study highlight the need for concerted actions involving consumers, manufacturers and retailers to reduce sodium levels in Irish ready meals, as despite being reasonably aware of the sodium issue consumers were not making informed choices to reduce sodium/salt consumption.
Sciatic Nerve Regeneration by Microporous Nerve Conduits Seeded With Glial Cell Line‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor or Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Transfected Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Fu Keng‐Yen , Dai Lien‐Guo , Chiu Ing‐Ming , Chen Jeng‐Rung , Hsu Shan‐hui 
Published: February 2011

AbstractNeurotrophic factors such as the glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promote nerve cell survival and regeneration, but their efficacy in repairing a longer gap defect of rat sciatic nerve (15 mm) has not been established. In this study, two recombinant mammalian vectors containing either rat GDNF gene or BDNF gene were constructed and each was transfected into neural stem cells (NSCs). It was found that the transfection of GDNF or BDNF gene into NSCs led to significantly enhanced expression of GDNF or BDNF mRNA. The amount of GDNF or BDNF protein secreted from the transfected NSCs showed a 3.3‐fold or 2.5‐fold increase than that from nontransfected NSCs, respectively. The regeneration capacity of rat sciatic nerve in a poly(D,L‐lactide) conduit seeded with GDNF or BDNF‐transfected NSCs was evaluated by the histology, functional gait, and electrophysiology after 8 weeks of implantation. It was observed that the degree of myelination and the size of regenerated tissue in the conduits seeded with GDNF‐ and BDNF‐transfected NSCs were higher than those seeded with the nontransfected NSCs. Conduits seeded with GDNF‐transfected NSCs had the greatest number of blood vessels. The functional recovery assessed by the functional gait and electrophysiology was significantly improved for conduits seeded with GDNF or BDNF‐transfected NSCs. It was concluded that the genetically modified NSCs may have potential applications in promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery.