Stochastic Methods to Assess Groundwater Pollution in Urban Areas: the Case Studies of Milan (IT) and Jaworzno (PL)
Impacts of COVID-19 on the Aquatic Environment

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 17.6 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second 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, Architecture, Standards, Merits and Wind.

Impact Factor: 3.251 (2020) ; 5-Year Impact Factor: 3.473 (2020)

Imprint Information Journal Flyer Open Access ISSN: 2071-1050

Latest Articles

Open AccessArticle

Nutrient Flows and Balances in Mixed Farming Systems in Madagascar

Marie Lucia Fanjaniaina

Fabien Stark

Noelly Phostin Ramarovahoaka

Jeanny Fiononana Rakotoharinaivo

Tovonarivo Rafolisy

Paulo Salgado

and

Thierry Becquer

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 984; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020984 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2022

Abstract

Mixed farming systems are still prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. In these systems, the recycling of nutrients through crop-livestock integration (CLI) practices is crucial for the sustainability of soil fertility and crop production. The objective of this study was to analyze nutrient (N, P, K) flows and balances of mixed farming systems to assess CLI contribution to the performance of those systems. We hypothesized that more intensive farms had a better nutrient balance at the farm level, and that improved biomass management methods improved their nutrient balance. Nine farms in the Madagascar highlands were selected, some corresponding to poor traditional farms with only draft cattle; some small or medium-sized, more intensive farms with a dairy herd; and some of the latter with some improvement to management methods of livestock effluents (manure composting, liquid manure collection). The nutrient balance of the farming systems was determined, and performance indicators were calculated at both farming, livestock, and CLI levels. Results showed that nutrient recycling through CLI is significant in the functioning of the systems studied, contributing primarily to circulating nutrient flows (up to 76%) and leading to greater efficiency and productivity. Nutrient flows resulting from these practices mainly concerned animal feeding (higher than 60% of nutrient flows), even if manure management was central for crop fertilization and that manure remained a desired animal product of these types of farms (up to 100% of animal products). Large negative balances of N and K (up to 80% of inputs) were observed in traditional livestock systems with draft cattle. They were smaller (39–68%) in more intensive dairy farms. Composting of manure did not decrease negative balances, whereas their magnitude was significantly reduced by the collection of liquid manure (19% for N; 42% for K). Better management of biomass at the farm level, in particular the collection of liquid manure, seemed to substantially reduce nutrient losses in MFS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Soil Fertility)

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Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Impact of International Markets and New Digital Technologies on Business Innovation in Emerging Markets

Léo-Paul Dana

Aidin Salamzadeh

Samira Mortazavi

and

Morteza Hadizadeh

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 983; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020983 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2022

Abstract

International markets and digital technologies are considered among the factors affecting business innovation. The emergence and deployment of digital technologies in emerging markets increase the innovation potential in businesses. Companies with an entrepreneurial orientation also strengthen their innovation capabilities. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of international markets and new digital technologies on business innovation in emerging markets, and to estimate the mediating effect of entrepreneurial orientation on this relationship. The present research was applied research in terms of aim and descriptive survey in terms of data collection method and quantitative in terms of the type of collected data. A standard questionnaire was to collect data. The study’s statistical population consisted of all companies providing business services in Tehran, Iran. To analyse the data, the structural equation modelling method with partial least squares method and Smart PLS-3 Software was used. The results revealed that international markets and digital technologies are positively associated with innovation. They also revealed that when a company’s entrepreneurial orientation increases, the digital technologies and international markets will be more involved in mutual relationships. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Technologies and the Internationalization of SMEs)

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Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Accuracy of Different PV Estimation Models and the Effect of Dust Cleaning: Case Study a 103 MW PV Plant in Jordan

Loiy Al-Ghussain

Moath Abu Subaih

and

Andres Annuk

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 982; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020982 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2022

Abstract

The estimation of PV production has been widely investigated previously, where many empirical models have been proposed to account for wind and soiling effects for specific locations. However, the performance of these models varies among the investigated sites. Hence, it is vital to assess and evaluate the performance of these models and benchmark them against the common PV estimation model that accounts only for the ambient temperature. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the accuracy and performance of four empirical wind models considering the soiling effect, and compare them to the standard model for a 103 MW PV plant in Jordan. Moreover, the study investigates the effect of cleaning frequency on the annual energy production and the plant’s levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The results indicate almost identical performance for the adopted models when comparing the actual energy production with R² and RMSE (root mean square error) ranges of 0.93–0.98 and 0.93–1.56 MWh for both sub-plants, with a slight superiority of the models that incorporate wind effect. Finally, it is recommended in this study to clean the PV panels every two weeks instead of every three months, which would increase annual energy production by 4%, and decrease the LCOE by 5% of the two PV sub-plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy and Environmental Evaluation of Biofuel and Forage Processing and Utilization Technologies)

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Open AccessArticle

Contribution of Civil Protection to the Urban Economy: Evidence from a Small-Sized Greek City

Stavros Kalogiannidis

Ermelinda Toska

and

Fotios Chatzitheodoridis

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 981; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020981 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2022

Abstract

Civil protection has attracted considerable attention due to its role in disaster management and preparedness, being essential in alerting the public about potential disasters and crisis recovery measures. However, there is limited research on civil protection and its vital role in urban economy recovery. Therefore, we sought to comprehensively investigate the impact of civil protection on economic growth and the development of the urban economy, focusing on a small-sized Greek city, Kozani, as a case study. We utilized data from 160 residents of Kozani. The study findings confirmed that the key focus areas of civil protection, namely, the national early warning system, crisis preparedness measures and economy rescue operations, significantly affect economic growth and development. Furthermore, the key strategies essential for improved civil protection, such as government support, positively affect economic growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Human-Made Hazards Impacts on Urban Areas and Infrastructure)

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Open AccessArticle

Durability Assessment of ETICS: Comparative Evaluation of Different Insulating Materials

Roberto Landolfi

and

Maurizio Nicolella

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 980; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020980 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2022

Abstract

The External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) is a common cladding technology that is widely used thanks to its well-known advantages. Despite previous studies dealing with ETICS durability in real-building case studies or involving accelerated ageing tests in climatic chambers, little progress has been made in the knowledge of the long-term durability of the system. In order to realize optimized maintenance plans for this component, the durability of the whole system, and of the most-used insulating materials for the ETICS (i.e., cork, polyurethane, rock wool, glass wool, grey EPS, and fiberfill wood), has been investigated. Based on previous experiments on ageing cycles, different climatic chambers were used to accelerate performance decay by simulating natural outdoor exposure in order to assess different physical and thermal characteristics (thermal transmittance, decrement factor, time shift, water absorption, thermal resistance, and conductivity). Recorded trends show that materials with lower thermal conductivity exhibit lower performance decay, and vice versa. The durability of the ETICS with different insulating materials (as the only variable in the different samples) was evaluated in order to quantify service life and then correctly plan maintenance interventions. Life-cycle assessment must take into account service life and durability for each material of the system. A higher durability of insulating materials allows for the execution of less maintenance interventions, with the loss of less performance over time. This study shows the physical and thermal behavior of the ETICS during its service life, comparing the differences induced by the most-used insulating materials. As a result of accelerated ageing cycles, the analyzed ETICS reveals a low grade of decay and measured performances show little degradation; for thermal conductivity, differences between the measured and the declared conductivities by technical datasheet were observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings and Infrastructures Management: Models Strategies and Evaluation Tools)

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Open AccessReview

Life Cycle Environmental Impacts and Health Effects of Protein-Rich Food as Meat Alternatives: A Review

Maurizio Cellura

Maria Anna Cusenza

Sonia Longo

Le Quyen Luu

and

Thomas Skurk

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 979; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020979 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2022

Abstract

The food sector is responsible for a considerable impact on the environment in most environmental contexts: the food supply chain causes greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, reduction in cultivable land, and other environmental impacts. Thus, a change in food supply is required to reduce the environmental impacts caused by the food supply chain and to meet the increasing demand for sufficient and qualitative nutrition. Large herds of livestock are inappropriate to achieve these goals due to the relevant impact of meat supply chain on the environment, e.g., the land used to grow feed for animals is eight times more than that for human nutrition. The search for meat alternatives, especially for the intake of critical nutrients such as protein, is a consequent step. In the above context, this paper summarizes the health aspects of protein-rich food alternatives to meat and carries out a literature review on the life-cycle environmental impacts of this alternative food. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment of Sustainable Food Supply Chain)

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Open AccessArticle

External Two Stage DEA Analysis of Bank Efficiency in West Balkan Countries

Nada Milenković

Boris Radovanov

Branimir Kalaš

and

Aleksandra Marcikić Horvat

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 978; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020978 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2022

Abstract

Since the beginning of the application of the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model in various areas of the economy, it has found its wide application in the field of finance, more specifically banks, in the last few years. The focus of this research was to determine the sustainability of the intermediate function of banks, especially in recent years when interest rates on deposits have been at a minimum level. The research was divided into two parts, wherein the first part determined the efficiency of the intermediate function of banks in the countries of the Western Balkans in the period from 2015 to 2019. The second part approached the regression analysis in which we determined the influence of the bank size, type of bank, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity on the defined efficiency. In the first stage we applied the output-oriented DEA model using deposits, labor costs, and capital as input variables; on the other side, we used loans and investments as output variables. We used data from the revised financial statements of the banks operating in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania. The results of our study showed that there is a difference in efficiency levels between countries and within countries in the considered time period. Furthermore, Tobit regression analysis showed a significant and negative influence of the bank type and M&A on relative technical efficiency of banks, and a positive and significant relationship between bank size and relative efficiency. These findings suggest that large commercial banks can sustain on the West Balkan market. It is to be expected that less efficient small banks will be taken over by large and more efficient banks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Data Envelopment Analysis for the Sustainability of Banking, Stock Market and Service Industry)

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Open AccessArticle

Milk Fat Depression and Trans-11 to Trans-10 C18:1 Shift in Milk of Two Cattle Farming Systems

Simona Rinaldi

Michela Contò

Salvatore Claps

Cinzia Marchitelli

Gianluca Renzi

Alessandra Crisà

and

Sebastiana Failla

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 977; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020977 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2022

Abstract

Milk fat depression (MFD) syndrome, a consistent decrease in milk fat content, is related to important changes in fatty acid composition due to feed imbalances and the consequent ruminal metabolism alteration. Milk produced in two different farming systems was compared: Holstein Friesian fed with unified in intensive production and Podolica raised on a pasture in an extensive system. Milk chemical characteristics and fatty acid composition were determined comparing milk with a normal fat level (>3.8%) to milk with a low fat level (<3.2%) in each breeding system. Holstein Friesian milk showed the decrease in trans-11 and increase in trans-10 C18:1 (shift from trans-11 to trans-10 C18:1) in low fat with respect to normal fat milk with a consequent decrease in the trans-11/trans-10 C18:1 ratio. Even conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, was lower while CLA trans-10, cis-12 was higher in low fat milk than in normal fat milk from Holstein Friesian. These changes, that are indicators of MFD syndrome, were not found in Podolica milk between fat levels. Holstein Friesian milk showed less short-chain fatty acids (9.48 % vs. 11.05%, p < 0.001), trans vaccenic acid (C18:1 trans-11, 0.51% vs. 3.39%, p < 0.001), rumenic acid (CLA C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, 0.32% vs. 1.45%, p < 0.001) and total CLA (0.53% vs. 1.91%, p < 0.001) contents than Podolica milk. Further losses of these human healthy nutrients in low fat Friesian milk reduced the nutritional quality of the milk, while the milk from animals raised on the pasture was of better quality even when the level of fat was low. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity 2021: Agriculture, Environment and Wellbeing)

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Open AccessArticle

Re-Inhabiting Inner Areas Triggering New Regeneration Trajectories: The Case Study of Sicani in Sicily

Barbara Lino

Annalisa Contato

Mauro Ferrante

Giovanni Frazzica

Luciana Macaluso

and

Francesca Sabatini

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 976; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020976 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

The Italian debate on the so-called ‘inner areas’ has received a much-needed boost, following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further highlighted the differences between metropolitan and inner areas. While the progressive depopulation of inner areas is a worrying phenomenon, the limits of incessant urbanisation and the concentration of settlement and infrastructure policies in large conurbations have become evident. Departing from the framework of the B4R-Branding4Resilience research project of national interest and, by continuing in the furrow initiated by the SNAI, but also surpassing it, the aim of the University of Palermo’s research is to define the requirement for a more inclusive settlement model in the Sicani area in Sicily (Italy) to re-balance existing asymmetries by recharging peripheral areas with new centrality. The aims of the research are to demonstrate that inner areas could be an engine for innovation, thereby outlining a roadmap through which to encourage the resilience of new sustainable lifestyles. These aims would be achieved by working on new perspectives and projects, which are capable of radically modifying production, consumption, and tourism dynamics and work/life models, and which are gleaned from a study regarding the Sicani area in Sicily. The paper discusses case study quantitative and qualitative analyses and first results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reacting to a Crisis—Design and Enhancement Strategies to Foster a Redevelopment in Fragile Territories and Vulnerable Contexts)

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Open AccessArticle

Food Neophobia among Brazilian Children: Prevalence and Questionnaire Score Development

Priscila Claudino de Almeida

Ivana Aragão Lira Vasconcelos

Renata Puppin Zandonadi

Eduardo Yoshio Nakano

António Raposo

Heesup Han

Luis Araya-Castillo

Antonio Ariza-Montes

and

Raquel Braz Assunção Botelho

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020975 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

This study aims to create and validate a score to classify food neophobia among Brazilian children (from the ages of 4 to 11 years) and investigate the prevalence of food neophobia. This descriptive cross-sectional population-based study is conducted following three steps: (i) the application of an instrument to identify food neophobia in Brazilian children by their caregivers; (ii) the instrument’s score definition; and (iii) the evaluation and characterization of the national prevalence of food neophobia among Brazilian children. The scores were categorized into three levels, based on the tertial approximation: low, moderate, and high. The study had 1112 participants, and the prevalence of high food neophobia was observed in 33.4% of Brazilian children. The prevalence of food neophobia allowed us to identify this behavior in Brazilian children and better understand the population. Boys were significantly more neophobic than girls. The general neophobia score and domains did not significantly differ between Brazilian regions and age groups. It is worrying that food neophobia did not decrease with advancing age. The score for the complete instrument with 25 items, or the 3 domains, makes its use practical. It can be used to assess neophobia with more caution, evaluate the most neophobic children, and enable more targeted professional interventions to promote healthier and sustainable eating habits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumers’ Preferences and Food Products)

Open AccessArticle

Food and Feeding Biology of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Lake Langeno, Ethiopia

Mathewos Temesgen

Abebe Getahun

Brook Lemma

and

Geert P. J. Janssens

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020974 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the natural feeding behavior of Nile tilapia in Lake Langeno, Ethiopia, with emphasis on potential spatial, size and seasonal effects on ingested food items. This study of the food and feeding biology of O. niloticus in Lake Langeno, Ethiopia, was conducted from March 2016to February 2017. Fish samples were collected monthly from six different sampling sites using different mesh sizes of gillnets. A total of 610 fish specimens with full stomachs were considered for the assessment of feeding biology. In total, seven food items, namely phytoplankton, zooplankton, insects, detritus, macrophytes, fish parts and nematodes, were identified from the fish stomach contents. Phytoplankton was the most commonly consumed food prey, followed by detritus, zooplankton and macrophytes. The other food items were occasionally and randomly consumed. Phytoplankton and detritus were the dominant food prey in the dry season, with zooplankton and macrophytes the main prey during the wet months. The contribution of phytoplankton, zooplankton and insects were slightly highest in small-sized groups (<10 cm), whereas detritus, macrophytes and fish parts were highest in larger-size groups (>20 cm) (p < 0.05). The present results point to a concurrence of the relative importance of dietary items at the individual level, species level and among the study sites. Phytoplankton was the primary consumed food item, which indicates the specialist feeding strategy of Nile tilapia in the lake. Generally, food items of plant origin, typically associated with less protein content than animal origin food items, dominated the stomach contents of Nile tilapia. The dietary pattern of Nile tilapia in Lake Langeno shifts with size and season, aspects that might warrant further study in view of aquaculture applications as well as climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Aquatic Living Resources, Conservation and Oceanography in an Era of Change: Insights from the 4th International Congress on Applied Ichthyology, Oceanography & Aquatic Environment)

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Open AccessArticle

Does an Urban Wilderness Promote Gentrification? A Case Study from Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Jilleah G. Welch

Charles B. Sims

and

Michael L. McKinney

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 973; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020973 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

The Knoxville Urban Wilderness (KUW) is a successful example of a growing global movement to utilize vacant urban land as many cities “de-urbanize”. A key question is whether this particular kind of green space promotes social inequality via green gentrification. Our analysis shows how the KUW has affected nearby home prices. Socioeconomic data including income, educational attainment, and race is also presented to explore the possibility of gentrification in South Knoxville. Our findings do not support strong evidence of gentrification, which implies that lower-income households are benefiting from advances in environmental amenities. Other households in specific areas are benefiting from both increases in home values and from expansions of the KUW. These are encouraging results for urban planning efforts that seek to utilize large areas of vacant urban land while also having positive social and economic impacts. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Land Transportation: An Application of DEA with Undesirable Output Approach

Chia-Nan Wang

Tran Quynh Le

Ching-Hua Yu

Hsiao-Chi Ling

and

Thanh-Tuan Dang

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020972 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

The efficiency of land transportation contributes significantly to determining a country’s economic and environmental sustainability. The examination of land transportation efficiency encompasses performance and environmental efficiency to improve system performance and citizen satisfaction. Evaluating the efficiency of land transportation is a vital process to improve operation efficiency, decrease investment costs, save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance environmental protection. There are many methods for measuring transportation efficiency, but few papers have used the input and output data to evaluate the ecological efficiency of land transportation. This research focuses on evaluating the environmental efficiency for land transportation by using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method with undesirable output to handle unwanted data. By using this, the paper aims to measure the performance of land transportation in 25 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in the period of 2015–2019, considered as 25 decision-making units (DMUs) in the model. For identifying the ranking of DMUs, four inputs (infrastructure investment and maintenance, length of transport routes, labor force, and energy consumption) are considered. At the same time, the outputs consist of freight transport and passenger transport as desirable outputs and carbon dioxide emission (CO₂) as an undesirable output. The proposed model effectively determines the environment-efficient DMUs in a very time-efficient manner. Managerial implications of the study provide further insight into the investigated measures and offer recommendations for improving the environmental efficiency of land transportation in OECD countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Transport Services, Energy Policy, and Environmental Impact Assessment)

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Open AccessArticle

Consumers’ Willingness to Buy CRISPR Gene-Edited Tomatoes: Evidence from a Choice Experiment Case Study in Germany

Linde Götz

Miranda Svanidze

Alain Tissier

and

Alejandro Brand Duran

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 971; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020971 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

The CRISPR gene-editing (GE) breeding method is used to increase the resilience of high-yielding tomato cultivars against pests and diseases, reducing crop protection requirements. This study investigated consumers’ willingness to buy CRISPR GE tomatoes in a repeated discrete-choice experiment. We observed a strong positive effect of providing information on the CRISPR breeding technology, while the sensory experience of the CRISPR GE tomatoes in a visit to a greenhouse had a rather weak, predominantly negative effect on the participants’ willingness to buy CRISPR GE tomatoes. We found that roughly half of the 32 participants demonstrated constant CRISPR GE tomato choices during the experiments, and these participants were mainly employed as scientists. However, the rest of the participants changed their CRISPR GE tomato choices, with the majority showing an increase in their willingness to buy CRISPR GE tomatoes; these “changers” were dominated by non-scientists. Science communication on CRISPR GE breeding technology should target people with little knowledge about the technology, and consumers of organic tomatoes seem to have more specified, stable preferences regarding the technology. Further, scientific information about the CRISPR GE methodology should preferentially be provided when new technology and information about it are not yet widespread and people have not yet formed a strong opinion about the technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responding to Pressing Sustainability Issues through Agro-Food Policies)

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Open AccessArticle

Analytical Comparison of German Owner’s Budget Estimate and Chinese Contractor’s Bid: A Case Study for a Warehouse Building Project in China

Gen Li

and

Rong Xu

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020970 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

Nowadays, the need for scientific and modernized engineering cost management has been increasingly prominent. Hence, this study compared the differences of the quantities’ terms, the management philosophy, the related institutions (or specifications), and other factors in engineering cost management between China and Germany accompanied by a case study for a warehouse building project in China. There are two main parts. Firstly, according to the literature research, the comparative analysis was conducted on the engineering cost-control mode, the list of bills of quantities, and other parameters between China and Germany. On the basis of this, the “differences” between China and Germany especially in the bidding process were further studied with the empirical analysis of engineering cases, which is a supplementary argument to the theoretical analysis. Finally, several related suggestions were put forward, including proposing a set of “universal” bills of quantities (which can be understood by Chinese enterprises and also accepted by foreign-funded enterprises), the establishment of the whole process, a dynamic and information-based project cost-management system, cultivation of talents with the advanced management concept, and the development of international engineering companies and project-management companies with core competitiveness. The conclusions are expected to provide some references for China’s construction industry to further expand the international market and to increase the influences in global markets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaching Carbon Neutrality: Low-Carbon Solutions to Urban Regeneration and Green Economy)

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Open AccessArticle

Sustainability and Agricultural Regeneration in Hungarian Agriculture

Imre Kovách

Boldizsár Gergely Megyesi

Attila Bai

and

Péter Balogh

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020969 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

Generational renewal is a core issue in European agriculture. Despite the continuous efforts of governments and the EU Council, the ageing of farmers seems an unstoppable process, accompanied by land concentration, the decrease in agricultural activity and the transformation of the European countryside. Consequently, there is a very rich scientific literature analysing the problem; a great part of it argues that the young farmer problem consists, in fact, in a number of different problems, with these problems showing huge regional differences. Hungary, as a new member state, with a heterogeneous (both fragmented and concentrated) land-use structure offers a good field to analyse generational renewal. Our paper is based on the first results of an ongoing Horizon 2020 project analysing rural regeneration. As a part of the research study, 48 semi-structured interviews were conducted with young farmers, successors of farmers and new entrants into farming. In our paper, we explore how education, access to land and family traditions influenced generational renewal and how it impacts sustainability practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Futures)

Open AccessArticle

Characteristic of Stomatal Conductance and Optimal Stomatal Behaviour in an Arid Oasis of Northwestern China

Tuo Han

Qi Feng

Tengfei Yu

Xiaofang Zhang

Xiaomei Yang

and

Kuan Li

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 968; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020968 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

Stomatal conductance (g_s), the process that governs plant carbon uptake and water loss, is fundamental to most Land Surface Models (LSMs). With global change accelerating, more attention should be paid to investigating stomatal behavior, especially in extremely arid areas. In this study, gas exchange measurements and environmental/biological variables observations during growing seasons in 2016 and 2017 were combined to investigate diurnal and seasonal characteristics of g_s and the applicability of the optimal stomatal conductance model in a desert oasis vineyard. The results showed that the responses of g_s to environmental factors (photosynthesis active radiation, PAR; vapor pressure deficit, VPD; and temperature, T) formed hysteresis loops in the daytime. The stomatal conductance slope, g₁, a parameter in the unified stomatal optimal model, varied in different growing seasons and correlated with the soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance (K_L). These results indicated the potential bias when using a constant g₁ value to simulate g_s and highlighted that the water-use strategy of oasis plants might not be consistent throughout the entire growing season. Our findings further help to achieve a better understanding of stomata behavior in responding to climate change and encourage future efforts toward a more accurate parameterization of gs to improve the modeling of LSMs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change, Water Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arid and Semi-arid Areas)

Open AccessReview

Indoor Air Quality in Healthcare Units—A Systematic Literature Review Focusing Recent Research

Ana Fonseca

Isabel Abreu

Maria João Guerreiro

and

Nelson Barros

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 967; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020967 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

The adequate assessment and management of indoor air quality in healthcare facilities is of utmost importance for patient safety and occupational health purposes. This study aims to identify the recent trends of research on the topic through a systematic literature review following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) methodology. A total of 171 articles published in the period 2015–2020 were selected and analyzed. Results show that there is a worldwide growing research interest in this subject, dispersed in a wide variety of scientific journals. A textometric analysis using the IRaMuTeQ software revealed four clusters of topics in the sampled articles: physicochemical pollutants, design and management of infrastructures, environmental control measures, and microbiological contamination. The studies focus mainly on hospital facilities, but there is also research interest in primary care centers and dental clinics. The majority of the analyzed articles (85%) report experimental data, with the most frequently measured parameters being related to environmental quality (temperature and relative humidity), microbiological load, CO₂ and particulate matter. Non-compliance with the WHO guidelines for indoor air quality is frequently reported. This study provides an overview of the recent literature on this topic, identifying promising lines of research to improve indoor air quality in healthcare facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Indoor Air Quality in Healthcare Units)

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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Improvement of the Regional Regulatory Governance System for Radiation Risk Management: Spatial Analysis on Radiation Hazards in South Korea

Sangwon Lee

Jaewon Lim

and

Chan-Goo Yi

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 966; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020966 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

Since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident, nuclear regulators have strengthened safety standards or decided to decommission the nuclear power plant. The vast majority of radiation is from nuclear power plants, so safety measures are also concentrated in nuclear power plants. Radioactive materials located much closer to the people are scattered around the nation. However, it is difficult for citizens to predict the radiation risk around them because regulatory agencies do not provide adequate information on radiation. The main goal of this study is to analyze the spatial distribution patterns of radioactive materials that serve as indicators for potential risk from a radiological hazard. The empirical findings in this study demonstrate the presence of spatial autocorrelation for the number of radiation licenses among 244 regions in the Republic of Korea. The policy implications are three-fold: (1) it is necessary to improve regulatory governance in consideration of permitted use; (2) the regional offices of regulatory agency can be established based on the identified spatial distribution of permitted use; (3) it is required to improve the information-disclosure system for materials. This study provides an opportunity to create a safer society by understanding the radiation around the public in general. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Capital, Infrastructural Capital and Resilience Capacity in Urban Systems)

Open AccessArticle

Proposal of a Facile Method to Fabricate a Multi-Dope Multiwall Carbon Nanotube as a Metal-Free Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Sara Bakhtavar

Mehdi Mehrpooya

Mahboobeh Manoochehri

and

Mehrnoosh Karimkhani

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020965 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2022

Abstract

In this study, a one-pot, low-temperature synthesis method is considered for the fabrication of heteroatom dope multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Doped MWCNT is utilized as an effective electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Single, double, and triple doping of boron, nitrogen and sulfur elements are utilized as the dopants. A reflux system with temperature of 180 °C is implemented in the doping procedure. Actually, unlike the previous studies in which doping on the carbon structures was performed using a furnace at temperatures above 700 °C, in this green and sustainable method, the triple doping on MWCNT is conducted at atmospheric pressure and low temperature. The morphology and structure of the fabricated catalysts were evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. According to the results, the nanoparticles were encapsulated in the carbon nanotubes. Aggregated clusters of the sulfur in the case of S-MWCNT are considerable. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), rotating disk electrode, linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and chronoamperometry electrochemical tests are employed for assessing the oxygen reduction activity of the catalysts. The results illustrate that by using this doping method, the onset potential shifts to positive values towards the oxidized MWCNT. It can be deduced that by doping the N, B, and S atoms on MWCNTs, the defects in the CNT structure, which serve as active sites for ORR application, increase. The N/S/B-doped graphitic layers have a more rapid electron transfer rate at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Thus, this can improve the electrochemistry performance and electron transfer of the MWCNTs. The best performance and electrochemical activity belonged to the NB-MWCNT catalyst (−0.122 V vs. Ag/AgCl). Also, based on the results gained from the Koutecky–Levich (KL) plot, it can be said that the ORR takes place through the 4 e⁻ pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development in the Context of Renewable Energy at Different Scales)

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