Journal Description
Sustainability
Sustainability
is an international, cross-disciplinary, scholarly, peer-reviewed and open access journal of environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability of human beings. It provides an advanced forum for studies related to sustainability and sustainable development, and is published semimonthly online by MDPI. The Society for Urban Ecology (SURE), Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) and International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) are affiliated with Sustainability and their members receive discounts of the article processing charge.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE and SSCI (Web of Science), GEOBASE, Inspec, AGRIS, RePEc, CAPlus / SciFinder, and many other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Environmental Sciences) / CiteScore - Q1 (Geography, Planning and Development)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision provided to authors approximately 15.4 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2021).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Testimonials: See what our authors say about Sustainability.
- Companion journals for Sustainability include: World, Sustainable Chemistry, Conservation, Future Transportation and Architecture.
Impact Factor:
3.251 (2020)
;
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.473 (2020)
Latest Articles
Model to Develop Skills in Accounting Students for a 4.0 Industry and 2030 Agenda: From an International Perspective
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9699; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179699 (registering DOI) - 30 Aug 2021
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Since countries around the world have adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the concept of Industry 4.0 was externalized at the World Economic Forum in 2016, many investigations have concluded that industries are advancing rapidly through emerging technology projects in a
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Since countries around the world have adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the concept of Industry 4.0 was externalized at the World Economic Forum in 2016, many investigations have concluded that industries are advancing rapidly through emerging technology projects in a number of fields, enabling them to become more sustainable without neglecting clean and environmentally sound industrial processes. However, this research shows that new accounting graduates lack the key professional competencies required to perform professionally under sustainable accounting standards. Professors and experts agree that traditional teaching methods should be replaced by others that allow recent graduates to better adapt to this new industrial age of sustainability accounting. In this context, we performed an exhaustive analysis of 17 educational methods, in which Delphi was used to survey 46 experts from 26 universities around the world, along with 320 students. This research presents a hybrid model validated by 23 teachers involved directly in its application. In total, 54.82% of the graduates who participated in this model obtained higher marks in their final graduation exam than those who did not. Thus, these students showed greater development in their accounting skills, enabling them to face the complexities of their professional area in view of the 2030 agenda and the new industrial era.
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Open AccessArticle
Sustainable Methodology for Operational and Formal Digital Skills Acquisition: A Case Study of e-Health Inclusion
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9698; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179698 (registering DOI) - 30 Aug 2021
Abstract
This study explains the rationale of a methodology developed by the Universidad Politécnica of Madrid (UPM) group TechPeopleCare as applied to the e-Health Inclusion through ICT Training project partly funded by the European Institute of Technology EIT-Health in 2019. An initial sample of
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This study explains the rationale of a methodology developed by the Universidad Politécnica of Madrid (UPM) group TechPeopleCare as applied to the e-Health Inclusion through ICT Training project partly funded by the European Institute of Technology EIT-Health in 2019. An initial sample of 168 participants with different lifestyles and migrant backgrounds, with high female participation, were recruited in three different countries by three different organisations following strict ethical protocols that limit the data that can be shared. The learning materials were aimed at people lacking the operational and formal skills to use digital media, for example, using a mouse, a keyboard, and navigating the Internet. This learning would enable these cohorts to become beneficiaries of e-Health interventions, such as making a doctor’s appointment, accessing a health record, finding the location of a health centre or the nearest open pharmacy. By the end of the training programme, we found that the motivation to learn was high. The possibility of reviewing learning content at the individual’s pace and without the need of an instructor was appreciated, especially by younger cohorts with migrant backgrounds. A majority reported being satisfied with their learning of the health systems, unique to each country, and willing to learn more regardless of the training method. However, allowing for individual and independent learning “by doing” appears more accessible to suit different lifestyles and more sustainable than traditional computer classes. Since social and digital inequality are intertwined, sustainable and innovative learning programmes in developing countries within communities specifically addressing the acquisition of operational and formal skills are a pre-condition to move forward and bridge the gap of being on the wrong side of the digital divide.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Educational Technology and E-learning)
Open AccessArticle
Fermentative Production of Lasiodiplodan by Lasiodiplodia theobromae CCT3966 from Pretreated Sugarcane Straw
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, , , , , , and
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9697; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179697 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
Lasiodiplodan is a β-glucan polymer with different interesting characteristics, including therapeutic properties. It is an extracellular product, which is produced by the filamentous fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae, using glucose as a substrate. In the present work, the production of lasiodiplodan was studied by
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Lasiodiplodan is a β-glucan polymer with different interesting characteristics, including therapeutic properties. It is an extracellular product, which is produced by the filamentous fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae, using glucose as a substrate. In the present work, the production of lasiodiplodan was studied by the utilization of sugarcane straw as a low-cost carbon source. Glucose-rich sugarcane straw hydrolysate was obtained by a sequential pretreatment with dilute nitric acid (1% v/v) and sodium hydroxide (1% w/v), followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. The fermentation process was conducted by the cultivation of the strain Lasiodiplodia theobromae CCT3966 in sugarcane straw hydrolysate in a shake flask at 28 °C for 114 h. It was found that hydrolysate obtained after enzymatic hydrolysis contained 47.10 gL−1 of glucose. Fermentation experiments of lasiodiplodan synthesis showed that the peak yield and productivity of 0.054 gg−1 glucose consumed and 0.016 gL−1 h−1, respectively, were obtained at 72 h fermentation time. Fungal growth, glucose consumption, and lasiodiplodan production from sugarcane straw hydrolysate presented a similar pattern to kinetic models. The study on the chemical structure of lasiodiplodan produced showed it had a β-glucan construction. The current study revealed that sugarcane straw is a promising substrate for the production of lasiodiplodan.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fermentation Technology)
Open AccessArticle
Insights of Digital Transformation Processes in Industrial Symbiosis from the Viable Systems Approach (vSa)
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, , , , and
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9696; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179696 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
The main purpose of this contribution is twofold: from a scientific point of view, to interpret the symbiotic logic through the framework of the Viable Systems approach (vSa), and from a managerial viewpoint, to provide the actors of industrial symbiosis initiatives,
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The main purpose of this contribution is twofold: from a scientific point of view, to interpret the symbiotic logic through the framework of the Viable Systems approach (vSa), and from a managerial viewpoint, to provide the actors of industrial symbiosis initiatives, at any stage of their life cycle, with a guide to the most promising web-based solutions in terms of defining the best configuration for the symbiotic network. The article, therefore, aims to provide an in-depth study of the existing literature, which is still not exhaustive, and to consider synoptically and comparatively the modern platforms capable of supporting industrial symbiosis initiatives. The objective was pursued by examining 10 existing and functioning Web-based platforms, of which only a few were previously explored in the previous literature, while the recognition of the latter was carried out on a bibliometric basis to articulate in more detail the existing gap based on a panel of contributions as large as possible. The joint consideration of the literature review and the examination of the existing and functioning platforms shows an articulated framework of approaches, proposed models, and classification schemes of their functions, which allows us to conclude that given the sectoral, territorial, and specific characteristics of the materials addressed by each platform and considering the different cycles existing in eco-industrial parks (water, energy, by-products, etc.), the most promising way for their implementation is to consider multiple platforms to fully exploit the contribution of each of them. As for the management implications, the suggestion is to integrate the results obtained from the different platforms and to evaluate the configurational alternatives with multi-criteria procedures.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in the Platform Ecosystems Era. New Approaches to an Ancient Problem)
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Evaluation of Compost and Biochar to Mitigate Chlorpyrifos Pollution in Soil and Their Effect on Soil Enzyme Dynamics
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, , , , , , , , and
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9695; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179695 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
The widespread environmental contamination of chlorpyrifos (CP) has raised human health concerns and necessitated cost-effective methods for its remediation. The current study evaluated the degradation behavior of CP in compost and biochar amended and unamended (original and sterilized) soils in an incubation trial.
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The widespread environmental contamination of chlorpyrifos (CP) has raised human health concerns and necessitated cost-effective methods for its remediation. The current study evaluated the degradation behavior of CP in compost and biochar amended and unamended (original and sterilized) soils in an incubation trial. Two levels of CP (100 and 200 mg kg-1), compost and biochar (0.50%) were applied, and soil was collected at different time intervals. At the higher CP level (200 mg kg-1), CP a showed lower degradation rate (ƙ = 0.0102 mg kg-1 d-1) compared with a low CP level (ƙ = 0.0173 mg kg-1 d-1). The half-lives of CP were 40 and 68 days for CP at 100 and 200 mg kg-1 in original soil, respectively, and increased to 94 and 141 days in sterilized soils. CP degradation was accelerated in compost amended soils, while suppressed in biochar amended soils. Lower half lives of 20 and 37 days were observed with compost application at CP 100 and 200 mg kg-1 doses, respectively. The activities of soil enzymes were considerably affected by the CP contamination and significantly recovered in compost and biochar amended soils. In conclusion, the application of organic amendments especially compost is an important strategy for the remediation of CP contaminated soil.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers on Ecological and Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation)
Open AccessArticle
Service Quality and Satisfaction in the Context of Varying Levels of Restaurant Image and Customer Orientation during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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and
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9694; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179694 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
Extant hospitality literature has tended to view the dimensions of service quality as primarily complementary or differential in nature. However, studies of the similarities and differences between the two types of service quality have been limited. This study investigates how restaurant image and
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Extant hospitality literature has tended to view the dimensions of service quality as primarily complementary or differential in nature. However, studies of the similarities and differences between the two types of service quality have been limited. This study investigates how restaurant image and customer orientation affect the relative importance of both process and outcome service quality in customer satisfaction, focusing on restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a moderated moderation process and macro-based approach (M = 3), our findings show that process service quality impacts restaurant satisfaction; however, they also reveal that outcome service quality has a stronger main effect on restaurant satisfaction than process service quality. In particular, the findings show that the negative impact of the relationship between process (or outcome) service quality and restaurant image on restaurant satisfaction is insignificant when customer orientation is low. On the other hand, the same relationship has an even stronger positive effect on restaurant satisfaction when customer orientation is high. These findings have implications for restaurants’ efforts to develop and improve service quality, and bolster customer orientation, helping them identify more effective strategic approaches during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Evolution of Consumer Behavior in the Sustainable Business: Evidence from COVID-19)
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An Introductory Energy Course to Promote Broad Energy Education for Undergraduate Engineering Students
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9693; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179693 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
Engineering graduates must be prepared to support our world’s need for a clean and sustainable energy future. Complex problems related to energy and sustainability require engineers to consider the broad spectrum of interrelated consequences including human and environmental health, sociopolitical, and economic factors.
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Engineering graduates must be prepared to support our world’s need for a clean and sustainable energy future. Complex problems related to energy and sustainability require engineers to consider the broad spectrum of interrelated consequences including human and environmental health, sociopolitical, and economic factors. Teaching engineering students about energy within a societal context, simultaneous with developing technical knowledge and skills, will better prepare them to solve real-world problems. Yet few energy courses that approach energy topics from a human-centered perspective exist within engineering programs. Engineering students enrolled in energy programs often take such courses as supplemental to their course of study. This paper presents an engineering course that approaches energy education from a socio-technical perspective, emphasizing the complex interactions of energy technologies with sustainability dimensions. Course content and learning activities are structured around learning outcomes that require students to gain technical knowledge as well as an understanding of broader energy-related impacts. The course attracts students from a variety of majors and grade levels. A mixed quantitative/qualitative assessment conducted from 2019–2021 indicates successful achievement of course learning outcomes. Students demonstrated significant gains in technical content knowledge as well as the ability to critically address complex sociotechnical issues related to current and future energy systems.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Education for a Sustainable Energy Future)
Open AccessArticle
A Data-Efficient Approach for Evacuation Demand Generation and Dissipation Prediction in Urban Rail Transit System
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9692; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179692 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
Predicting evacuation demand, including its generation and dissipation process, for urban rail transit systems under disruptions, such as line and station closure, often requires comprehensive historical data recorded under homogeneous situations. However, data under disruptions are hard to collect due to various reasons,
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Predicting evacuation demand, including its generation and dissipation process, for urban rail transit systems under disruptions, such as line and station closure, often requires comprehensive historical data recorded under homogeneous situations. However, data under disruptions are hard to collect due to various reasons, which makes traditional methods impractical in evacuation demand prediction. To address this problem from the modeling perspective, we develop a data-efficient approach to predict evacuation demand for urban rail transit systems under disruptions. Our model-based approach mainly uses historical data obtained from the natural state, when no shocks take place. We first formulate the mathematical representation of the evacuation demand for every type of urban rail transit station. Input variables in this step are location features related to the station under the disruption, as well as an origin–destination matrix under the natural state. Then, based on these mathematical expressions, we develop a simulation system to imitate the spatio-temporal evolution of evacuation demand within the whole network under disruptions. The transport capacity drop under disruptions is used to describe the disruption situation. Several typical scenarios from the Shanghai metro network are used as examples to implement the proposed method. The results show that our method is able to predict the generation and dissipation processes of evacuation demand, as well model how severely stations will be affected by given disruptions. One general observation we draw from the results is that the most vulnerable stations under disruption, where the locations peak evacuation demand occurs, are mainly turn-back stations, closed stations, and the transfer stations near closed stations. This paper provides new insight into evacuation demand prediction under disruptions. It could be used by transport authorities to better respond to the urban rail transit system disruption.
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Open AccessArticle
Effects of Science Journaling on Elementary Students’ Affective Characteristics in Korea
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9691; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179691 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
This study investigated how keeping a journal related to issues and concepts in science influences sixth grade students’ affective characteristics, including cognition, interest, and attitude towards science. The development of these characteristics is related to students’ attitudes and interests in learning. Previous studies
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This study investigated how keeping a journal related to issues and concepts in science influences sixth grade students’ affective characteristics, including cognition, interest, and attitude towards science. The development of these characteristics is related to students’ attitudes and interests in learning. Previous studies have primarily focused on the affective characteristics of gifted students, while only a few have focused on elementary students in public schools. We asked 34 grade six students in Korean public schools to keep a journal related to science and technology three times a week for 12 weeks (September–November 2018). The results show students’ perspectives on writing science journals from data, including questionnaires, interviews, and surveys. The results also suggest that keeping a science journal develops students’ affective characteristics related to science. Our findings will contribute to the development of better pedagogies for sustainability and resources for teaching science among elementary students.
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Health Impact Attributable to Improvement of PM2.5 Pollution from 2014–2018 and Its Potential Benefits by 2030 in China
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9690; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179690 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
With the advancement of urbanization and industrialization, air pollution has become one of the biggest challenges for sustainable development. In recent years, ambient PM2.5 concentrations in China have declined substantially due to the combined effect of PM2.5 control and meteorological conditions.
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With the advancement of urbanization and industrialization, air pollution has become one of the biggest challenges for sustainable development. In recent years, ambient PM2.5 concentrations in China have declined substantially due to the combined effect of PM2.5 control and meteorological conditions. To this end, it is critical to assess the health impact attributable to PM2.5 pollution improvement and to explore the potential benefits which may be obtained through the achievement of future PM2.5 control targets. Based on PM2.5 and population data with a 1 km resolution, premature mortality caused by exposure to PM2.5 in China from 2014 to 2018 was estimated using the Global Exposure Mortality Model (GEMM). Then, the potential benefits of achieving PM2.5 control targets were estimated for 2030. The results show that premature mortality caused by PM2.5 pollution decreased by 22.41%, from 2,361,880 in 2014 to 1,832,470 in 2018. Moreover, the reduction of premature mortality in six major regions of China accounted for 52.82% of the national total reduction. If the PM2.5 control target can be achieved by 2030, PM2.5-related premature deaths will further decrease by 403,050, accounting for 21.99% of those in 2018. Among them, 87.02% of cities exhibited decreases in premature deaths. According to the potential benefits in 2030, all cities were divided into three types, of which type III cities should set stricter PM2.5 control targets and further strengthen the associated monitoring and governance. The results of this study provide a reference for the formulation of air pollution control policies based on regional differences.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution, Climate Change and Human Health: Determinants, Impacts and Responses for a Paradigmatic Change)
Open AccessArticle
Estimation of Hydrological Components under Current and Future Climate Scenarios in Guder Catchment, Upper Abbay Basin, Ethiopia, Using the SWAT
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, , , , , and
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9689; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179689 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
Changes in hydrological cycles and water resources will certainly be a direct consequence of climate change, making the forecast of hydrological components essential for water resource assessment and management. This research was thus carried out to estimate water balance components and water yield
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Changes in hydrological cycles and water resources will certainly be a direct consequence of climate change, making the forecast of hydrological components essential for water resource assessment and management. This research was thus carried out to estimate water balance components and water yield under current and future climate change scenarios and trends in the Guder Catchment of the Upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia, using the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT). Hydrological modeling was efficaciously calibrated and validated using the SUFI-2 algorithm of the SWAT model. The results showed that water yield varied from 926 mm to 1340 mm per year (1986–2016). Regional climate model (RCM) data showed, under representative concentration pathways (RCP 8.5), that the precipitation will decrease by up to 14.4% relative to the baseline (1986–2016) precipitation of 1228 mm/year, while the air temperature will rise under RCP 8.5 by +4.4 °C in the period from 2057 to 2086, possibly reducing the future basin water yield output, suggesting that the RCP 8.5 prediction will be warmer than RCP 4.5. Under RCP 8.5, the total water yield from 2024 to 2086 may be reduced by 3.2 mm per year, and a significant trend was observed. Local government agencies can arrange projects to solve community water-related issues based on these findings.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Hydrological Modelling, Quantitative Analysis and Prediction for a Changing Environment)
Open AccessArticle
Aluminum Protection by Using Green Zirconium Oxide Layer and Organic Coating: An Efficient and Adherent Dual System
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9688; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179688 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
In this work, the use of ZrO2 nanocoating in aluminum substrates, generated by controlled electrochemical chronoamperometry in hexafluorozirconic acid solutions (H2ZrF6·5H2O), resulted in a lower porous films than that obtained by chemical conversion coating. After the
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In this work, the use of ZrO2 nanocoating in aluminum substrates, generated by controlled electrochemical chronoamperometry in hexafluorozirconic acid solutions (H2ZrF6·5H2O), resulted in a lower porous films than that obtained by chemical conversion coating. After the application of an epoxy coating, long-term cyclic immersion corrosion tests and scratch tests proved the superior protection of the dual system and the coating lifespan, thanks to the enhanced adhesion of ZrO2 intermediate layer and the organic coating. As zirconium-based electrolytes are considered more friendly bath if compared to that of other conversion coating processes, like chromating, phosphating or anodizing processes, the study opens new insights to the protection of structural metals in sectors such as automotive, naval and aerospace industries. The main advantages are the employment of lightweight intermediate pre-treatment (nanoscale), compared to conventional ones (microscale), and reduction of waste slurry (electrolyte bath free of additives).
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Corrosion)
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Gardening for Food Well-Being in the COVID-19 Era
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9687; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179687 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
“Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness”, is what millions of Americans strive for. The onset of COVID-19 has highlighted the disparities that exist among Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, which are facing food access inequities. In this paper, we argue
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“Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness”, is what millions of Americans strive for. The onset of COVID-19 has highlighted the disparities that exist among Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, which are facing food access inequities. In this paper, we argue that engaging in growing food sustainably can improve food access, support food justice and enhance sense of purpose and well-being. We expand the notion of Food Well-Being (FWB) to include food producers—especially gardeners—and hypothesize that gardening has the potential to enhance FWB, regardless of the racial and socio-economic background. However, without policies tackling social and racial justice issues, structural barriers may hinder this potential. We use three studies to draw a rich profile of sustainable food gardeners in Arizona, USA and their well-being: (a) the children and teachers engaged in school gardens in the Phoenix metropolitan area; (b) sustainable gardeners and farmers in Phoenix and Tucson; (c) Arizona gardeners during the pandemic. The results show a connection between sustainable gardening and eudemonic well-being, and an impact on the five FWB dimensions (physical, intellectual, spiritual, emotional and social). However, without appropriate policies, funding and infrastructure, the impact might remain minimal, volatile and subject to tokenism.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainability through Well-Being)
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Appraisal of Remote Sensing Technology for Groundwater Re-source Management Perspective in Indus Basin
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9686; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179686 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
The dynamic nature and unsustainable exploitation of groundwater aquifers pose a range of management challenges. The accurate basin-wide hydrological assessment is very critical for the quantification of abstraction rates, spatial patterns of groundwater usage, recharge and discharge processes, and identification of critical areas
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The dynamic nature and unsustainable exploitation of groundwater aquifers pose a range of management challenges. The accurate basin-wide hydrological assessment is very critical for the quantification of abstraction rates, spatial patterns of groundwater usage, recharge and discharge processes, and identification of critical areas having groundwater mining. This study provides the appraisal of remote sensing technology in comparison with traditionally prevailing tools and methodologies and introduces the practical use of remote sensing technology to bridge the data gaps. It demonstrates the example of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite inferred Total Water Storage (TWS) information to quantify the behavior of the Upper Indus Plain Aquifer. The spatio-temporal changes in aquifer usage are investigated particularly for irrigation and anthropogenic purposes in general. The GRACE satellite is effective in capturing the water balance components. The basin-wide monthly scale groundwater storage monitoring is a big opportunity for groundwater managers and policymakers. The remote sensing integrated algorithms are useful tools to provide timely and valuable information on aquifer behavior. Such tools are potentially helpful to support the implementation of groundwater management strategies, especially in the developing world where data scarcity is a major challenge. Groundwater resources have not grown to meet the growing demands of the population, consequently, overexploitation of groundwater resources has occurred in these decades, leading to groundwater decline. However, future developments in the field of space technology are envisioned to overcome the currently faced spatio-temporal challenges.
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Open AccessArticle
Factors Influencing the Level of Local Participation in Planning and Management of the Planned Salzburger Lungau & Kärntner Nockberge Biosphere Reserve in Austria
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and
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9685; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179685 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
The participation of the local population in the planning and management of biosphere reserves is one of the preconditions for success. While numerous studies underpin its importance, few studies have addressed to what extent participation is desired by local residents and which factors
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The participation of the local population in the planning and management of biosphere reserves is one of the preconditions for success. While numerous studies underpin its importance, few studies have addressed to what extent participation is desired by local residents and which factors determine the level of participation. A postal survey among local residents (n = 449) explored factors influencing their willingness to participate in the planning and management of the Salzburger Lungau & Kärntner Nockberge Biosphere Reserve in Austria before it was officially recognised by UNESCO. By applying the “Theory of Planned Behaviour”, the study found a high willingness to be involved among the local population, but a considerable variance as to what extent. Regression models showed a strong influence of perceived behavioural control and the social environment, whereas the factors identified in previous studies were less relevant. The results show that the readiness to become active seems to be higher than expected by local bodies and more linked to the design of the participatory process or other barriers. The results support the biosphere reserve management in developing appropriate participatory approaches to maximise satisfaction with participation and management success.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Landscape Planning, Sustainability and Diversity in Human–Nature Interactions)
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Climate Literacy—Imperative Competencies for Tomorrow’s Engineers
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9684; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179684 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
Engineers must take a leading role in addressing the challenges of mitigating climate change and adapting to the inevitable changes that our world is facing. To improve climate literacy, technical education must include problem formulation and solutions that consider complex interactions between engineered,
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Engineers must take a leading role in addressing the challenges of mitigating climate change and adapting to the inevitable changes that our world is facing. To improve climate literacy, technical education must include problem formulation and solutions that consider complex interactions between engineered, Earth, and societal systems, including trade-offs among benefits, costs, and risks. Improving engineering students’ climate literacy must also inspire students’ motivation to work toward climate solutions. This paper highlights the content and pedagogical approach used in a class for engineering students that helped contribute to significant gains in engineering students’ climate literacy and critical thinking competencies. A total of 89 students fully participated in a pre/post climate literacy questionnaire over four years of study. As a whole, students demonstrated significant gains in climate-related content knowledge, affect, and behavior. Substantial differences were observed between students in different engineering disciplines and male vs. female students. Assessment of critical thinking showed that students did an excellent job formulating problem statements and solutions in a manner that incorporated a multidimensional systems perspective. These skills are critical for students to address climate change effectively in their eventual professions.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling, Assessment, and Promotion of Climate Literacy)
Open AccessArticle
Evaluation of Results of City Sustainable Transformation Projects in the Fields of Mobility and Energy Efficiency with Real Application in a District in Valladolid (Spain)
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, , , , , , , and
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9683; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179683 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
This paper presents a novel evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of city transformation projects related to energy efficiency and sustainable mobility actions. The evaluation framework is part of an Urban Regeneration Model designed to accelerate the urban transformation toward the smart city
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This paper presents a novel evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of city transformation projects related to energy efficiency and sustainable mobility actions. The evaluation framework is part of an Urban Regeneration Model designed to accelerate the urban transformation toward the smart city concept, taking into account all aspects of sustainability. This model has been developed and validated in the three EU cities (Valladolid, Spain; Nottingham, United Kingdom; and Tepebaşı, Turkey) where interventions in the energy, mobility, and ICT fields have been deployed. This model relies on an Evaluation Framework to support its main phases considering two levels of evaluation: city level, to assess globally the smartness and sustainability of the city, and project level, to support the decision-making and assess the impacts of specific implementations. This paper is focused on the second level and its application through the evaluation-supporting tool STILE in the assessment of the energy efficiency and sustainable urban mobility actions implemented in the city of Valladolid. The assessment analysis has allowed assessing how the energy efficiency interventions carried out in the Valladolid district have reduced the energy consumption, increased the use of renewable energies, and reduced the CO2 emissions. In addition, it has allowed evaluating other aspects such as the air quality, thermal comfort, and energy bill, which have been also improved for the residents. Considering the analysis of the sustainable mobility interventions, the evaluation framework supports the assessment of the reduction of emissions and air pollutants and how the actions have converted electro-mobility into a real option for citizens. The evaluation of results after the implementation of this kind of actions is key to ensuring that successful actions can be replicated in other places achieving smarter and more sustainable cities.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation to Global Change: Modeling and Decision Support Tools in Urban Planning)
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Performance Improvement of Thermoelectric Air Cooler System by Using Variable-Pulse Current for Building Applications
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9682; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179682 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
The thermoelectric air conditioning system (TE-AC) is a small, noiseless alternative to standard vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) systems. The cooling characteristics of a TE-AC system operating under two conditions, i.e., steady current and current pulses, are investigated in this study. This system consists
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The thermoelectric air conditioning system (TE-AC) is a small, noiseless alternative to standard vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) systems. The cooling characteristics of a TE-AC system operating under two conditions, i.e., steady current and current pulses, are investigated in this study. This system consists of three thermoelectric modules, a heat sink, and an air circulation fan. The result shows that maximum temperature reduction in cooling side of TE-AC system was achieved at 6 A input current under steady state operation. The optimum performance of the TE-AC system under steady state operation depends upon the combined effect of the cooling load, Joule, Fourier, and Peltier heat. In TE-AC pulse operation, both current width and cooling load applied on the cold side of the thermoelectric module (TEMs) play an important role in achieving optimum cooling performance of the system. When normal input current operation (i.e., no current pulse) was compared to pulse-operated TE-AC system operation, it was found that pulse operation provides an additional average temperature reduction of 3–4 °C on the cold side of TEMs. Although on the hot side, it maintains a temperature in the range of 18 °C to 24 °C to reduce overshoot heat flux. The duration of operation is also important in determining pulse width and pulse amplitude. Minimum and overshoot peak temperature rises during each cycle for longer run operation. In the TE-AC system, the accumulated Joule heat during a current pulse frequently causes a temperature overshoot, which lasts much longer. As a result, the next current pulse was not released until the temperature of TE was restored to its initial value.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synergies of Soft Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Signal/Image Processing Techniques in the Advancement of Sustainable Technologies.)
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Open AccessArticle
Surrogate Safety Measures Prediction at Multiple Timescales in V2P Conflicts Based on Gated Recurrent Unit
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9681; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179681 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
Improving pedestrian safety at urban intersections requires intelligent systems that should not only understand the actual vehicle–pedestrian (V2P) interaction state but also proactively anticipate the event’s future severity pattern. This paper presents a Gated Recurrent Unit-based system that aims to predict, up to
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Improving pedestrian safety at urban intersections requires intelligent systems that should not only understand the actual vehicle–pedestrian (V2P) interaction state but also proactively anticipate the event’s future severity pattern. This paper presents a Gated Recurrent Unit-based system that aims to predict, up to 3 s ahead in time, the severity level of V2P encounters, depending on the current scene representation drawn from on-board radars’ data. A car-driving simulator experiment has been designed to collect sequential mobility features on a cohort of 65 licensed university students who faced different V2P conflicts on a planned urban route. To accurately describe the pedestrian safety condition during the encounter process, a combination of surrogate safety indicators, namely TAdv (Time Advantage) and T2 (Nearness of the Encroachment), are considered for modeling. Due to the nature of these indicators, multiple recurrent neural networks are trained to separately predict T2 continuous values and TAdv categories. Afterwards, their predictions are exploited to label serious conflict interactions. As a comparison, an additional Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) neural network is developed to directly predict the severity level of inner-city encounters. The latter neural model reaches the best performance on the test set, scoring a recall value of 0.899. Based on selected threshold values, the presented models can be used to label pedestrians near accident events and to enhance existing intelligent driving systems.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transportation Safety and Pavement Management)
Open AccessArticle
Beer Industry in the Czech Republic: Reasons for Founding a Craft Brewery
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9680; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179680 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
The goal of this article is to evaluate the evolution of the brewing industry in the Czech Republic with an emphasis on the phenomenon of craft-brewery development. It deals with the influence of globalization on the structure of the Czech beer market and
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The goal of this article is to evaluate the evolution of the brewing industry in the Czech Republic with an emphasis on the phenomenon of craft-brewery development. It deals with the influence of globalization on the structure of the Czech beer market and the rise of craft-breweries between 2000 and 2019. The main outputs come from research where a representative sample of 48 craft breweries was questioned from the Czech Republic. The result is the identification of the main factors influencing the increase of craft-breweries (legislation changes enabling entrepreneurship, increase of purchasing power of consumers, increase in demand for different beer styles, craft beers and specials, change of consumer behavior) but also the challenges that prevent their further expansion (lack of qualified brewers, complicated administration). The main motive for founding a craft brewery is an effort to improve beer culture in the Czech Republic and the ever-increasing demand for diversified beer (as opposed to the demand for the so-called euro-beers) and a good business opportunity stemming from this, which has been attracting more and more investors into this field.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Toward the New Era of Sustainable Design, Manufacturing and Management)
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