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Selected papers from IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021)

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2022) | Viewed by 31006

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Prof. Dr. Teen-Hang Meen

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Department of Electronic Engineering, National Formosa University, Yunlin City 632, Taiwan
Interests: IoT devices; photovoltaic devices; STEM education
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Charles Tijus

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Laboratoire des Usages en Technologies d’Information Numériques, Lutin, France
Interests: problem solving; decision making; Mental models of dynamic natural; man-made systems
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Prof. Dr. Ming-Shyan Wang

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Vice Dean of College of Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
Interests: servo motor drive design, neural network control, intelligent robotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The 3rd IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021; http://www.ecbios.asia) will be held in Tainan, Taiwan on 28–30 May 2021, and it will provide a unified communication platform for researchers in the topics of Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare, and Sustainability. Recently, healthcare has been undergoing a sector-wide transformation thanks to advances in computing, networking technologies, big data, and artificial intelligence. Healthcare is not only changing from reactive and hospital-centered to preventive and personalized but is also changing from disease-focused to wellbeing-centered. Healthcare systems, as well as fundamental medicine research, are becoming smarter and enabled in biomedical engineering. Furthermore, with cutting-edge sensors and computer technologies, healthcare delivery could also yield better efficiency, higher quality, and lower cost.

This Special Issue on “Selected Papers from the IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare, and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021)” is expected to select excellent papers presented in IEEE ECBIOS 2021 and other high-quality papers on the topic of sustainability. The conference links several disciplines, including environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability of human beings, which provides an advanced forum for studies related to sustainability and sustainable development. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical research relating to natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities in as much detail as possible in order to promote scientific predictions and impact assessments of global change and development. Potential topics include but are not limited to:

Water pollution and sanitation;
Toxic chemicals and hazardous and radioactive wastes;
Degradation of ecosystems and species, and concomitant risks to human wellbeing;
Health-related aspects of sustainability;
Sustainable chemistry;
New and renewable sources of energy;
Sustainable energy preservation and regeneration methods;
Land and aquatic ecosystem maintenance and biodiversity preservation;
Sustainability tools;
Applications of sustainability;
Sustainability science;
Other topics related to sustainability

Prof. Dr. Teen-Hang Meen
Prof. Dr. Charles Tijus
Prof. Dr. Ming-Shyan Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Health-related aspects of sustainability
Sustainable chemistry
Sustainable energy preservation and regeneration methods
Sustainability tools
Applications of sustainability
Sustainability science

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2588 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Innovative Practice of Sustainable Landscape Architecture Education—Parametric-Aided Design and Application

by Che-Yu Hsu and Sheng-Jung Ou

Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4627; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084627 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4199

Abstract

The traditional teaching model of landscape architecture education is teacher-centered classroom lectures, which cannot effectively satisfy students’ curiosity and stimulate their creative thinking and computational thinking skills, resulting in students’ low willingness to learn, inattentiveness, and lack of participation in discussions and interactions. This study attempts to combine the BOPPPS teaching structure and Design-Based Learning model to innovate the teaching design, construct the knowledge chain of landscape architecture design modeling and inspire the logic of thinking, with visual programming language, virtual reality parametric modeling and 3D printing hands-on activities while integrating sustainable development goals and related thematic issues to develop practical skills and problem-solving abilities. Through collecting students’ learning performance, examining the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning, reflecting on the revised teaching content and methods and establishing a practical teaching plan for sustainable landscape architecture education. The results of the study show that the combination of innovative teaching and learning models with SDG-related thematic issues and collaborative group discussions with teaching activities helps to enhance students’ learning effectiveness and bring the learning performances of different learners closer together. In addition, the analysis of learning satisfaction shows that it enhances students’ interest and motivation in learning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected papers from IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021))

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17 pages, 1497 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Evaluation Mechanism of the Black Soldier Fly Biological System on Campus

by Ming-Ling Yang

Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 4029; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074029 - 29 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4172

Abstract

Lower birth rates and spoiling have caused students to become picky eaters, leading to campus food waste. In this study, 29 evaluation indicators for a black soldier fly biological system were established through a literature review and expert interviews. The indicators were divided into three dimensions, namely spatial composition, system and equipment, and environmental education. The 11 indicators with the highest expert consensus were identified through the fuzzy Delphi method and used as the primary indicators for evaluating the role of the black soldier fly biological system in promotion. The top 11 indicators with the highest scores mostly comprised indicators of the system and equipment dimension followed by those of the spatial composition and environmental education dimensions. However, among the indicators of the three dimensions, those of the “spatial composition” dimension obtained the highest scores. The literature review indicated that the theories related to knowledge, behavior, and attitude toward the environment should be applied to consciously motivate students to reduce food waste through explicit actions. The integration of the aforementioned system with experiential agricultural education can reduce campus food waste. Participatory learning increases the willingness of students to improve appropriate environmental attitudes and healthy diets on the basis of promoting environmental sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected papers from IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021))

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21 pages, 771 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Energy Maintains Social Sustainability of Teachers’ Learning Communities: New Insights from a Blended Professional Learning Network

by Jo-Chi Hsiao and Sunny S. J. Lin

Sustainability 2022, 14(6), 3636; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063636 - 19 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2681

Abstract

Social sustainability of teacher communities addresses the risk of teacher isolation and low teacher vitality. Blended professional learning networks (B-PLNs) providing online and face-to-face collegial learning are booming in the Web 2.0 era to support teachers in the face of various challenges. So far, what is lacking is a thorough investigation into the process where teachers break teacher isolation, regain their energy, and sustain the life of B-PLNs. The purpose of this case study was to investigate reoccurring topics shared in a sustainable B-PLN for EFL teachers in Taiwan. This B-PLN has attracted over 4600 members online and holds regular learning activities. Participants were interviewed to reflect on their experience in the target B-PLN. Applying content analysis, we generated a two-cycle coding scheme through the lens of self-determination and ego depletion theories. The results revealed that teachers initially joined the B-PLN with low energy, showing prominent need for competence. At the process stage, their energy rose with the need for relatedness noticeably satisfied. Finally, collective vitality of altruism, engagement, empowerment, and positive emotions uniquely emerged. Further, immediate keyword feedback complemented the findings. We argued that the transition from low individual energy to high collective energy demonstrates the social sustainability process of this influential B-PLN. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected papers from IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021))

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22 pages, 2534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Competitions, Negotiations, and Collaborations of Regional Integration: A Perspective on Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Pingtung Plain, Taiwan

by Shuchen Tsai, Suhsin Lee, Zhe Zou and Tajen Chu

Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 3040; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14053040 - 4 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3346

Abstract

A consultative and cooperative perspective on water management is vital in regional sustainability. However, previous approaches often failed to consider the complex trade-offs involved in water resource allocation. This study explores theoretical perspectives on regional integration as a policy goal through the process of water allocation. The main purpose is to explain new areas created by allocation and regional integration with local-scale cases. The connections between post-structuralism, fragmentation, and heterogeneity are explored with five case studies of groundwater zoning: a Xinyuan buried pipe compensation, a Ligang well closure and power shutdown, a Dachaozhou artificial lake, a Wandan hold back well, and a Meinong anti-deep-water wells. Along with the case studies, secondary literature, interviews, and a field investigation were used. The time span of water conflicts was from 1973 to 2019, and the spatial scope is the groundwater distribution area. The study found that regional integration and dynamic balance are each other’s subject and object, which was empirically verified through the water conflicts in agriculture and the semiconductor industry. Regional integration comes through scaled and flexible methods of operation, and is produced through special market agents and post-structural spaces. In the process, the imbalance caused by conflict must also be adjusted and evolved through cooperation, competition, and negotiation to maintain the dynamic balance. This involves internal treatment of the local government, external integration of the central government, and technological evolution within the organization. Accordingly, several suggestions are proposed that may be helpful for sustainable water resource governance. In summary, this study makes up for the shortcomings of water management patterns constructed by simple spatial overlaying of regional integration. Our findings could effectively enhance negotiations and collaboration in water management for regional sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected papers from IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021))

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22 pages, 2415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanism Study on the Impact of China Population Structure Change on the Water Use of the Three Main Industries

by Shuangshuang Liu, Shuhan Gao, Wei-Ling Hsu, Yan-Chyuan Shiau and Hsin-Lung Liu

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010204 - 25 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3407

Abstract

As the principal part of economic and social development, the demographic factor is the fundamental factor driving the change of water resources, and achieving the harmony of human and water has been one of the most important tasks to promote high-quality development. Based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, this article applied panel data for 19 years and employed impulse response functions and threshold models to do a mechanism analysis of the impact of population structure changes on the water consumption changes of the three main industries. The study found the following: Firstly, the urban population promotes an increase of the total water consumption, industrial water consumption, and domestic water consumption, which suppresses agricultural water consumption and shows an inverted “N” trend. Secondly, the aging population has expanded the total water consumption, and agricultural and domestic water demand, and reduced industrial water consumption. Thirdly, food consumption helps to reduce the total water consumption and agricultural water consumption, but increases the industrial water consumption and the growth rate rises. Fourthly, the increase in the proportion of agricultural employment reduces the total water consumption, and agricultural and domestic water consumption, and increases industrial water consumption. Fifthly, the total water consumption and domestic water consumption both increase with the improvement of the population education level, while the agricultural water consumption declines first and then rises. The empirical results can provide a reference for analyzing the driving mechanisms of regional water consumption changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected papers from IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021))

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18 pages, 4729 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Design of Stalk Furniture Based on the Concept and Application of Miryoku Engineering Theory

by Hong Li and Kuo-Hsun Wen

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13652; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413652 - 10 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3915

Abstract

Through discussion on the disposal of crop stalks in rural China, where stalks are usually burned in the open air, resulting in the production of a large amount of smoke and air pollution, this study has been conducted to discuss the reasonable and effective use of waste stalks, and to explain the excellent characteristics of stalks from the perspective of green, ecological sustainable design and user perceptual needs, as well as the application of stalks in furniture design. In view of the accuracy of stalks in the design of furniture products, the paper has adopted the evaluation grid method in Miryoku engineering to guide the design practice. In the research process, interviews were first conducted on the basis of sample selection, then based on the expert opinion survey method, eight testers were selected for in-depth interviews. Key words of charm factors were extracted from 190 picture samples, and then a personal evaluation structure map and statistical data were built to construct an overall evaluation structure of the rural style stalk furniture. Next, the score value of the charm factor of stalk furniture was analyzed through the Likert scale questionnaire, the charm factor and specific performance characteristics of the rural style were sorted, followed by a proposed design method. Finally, the effectiveness of the design strategy was verified with the design of stalk furniture in rural style. The study emerged with the feasibility of the design of furniture products made of stalks. The results of the study have shown the correlation between the elements of furniture products and the perceptual image of users. Furthermore, the results have demonstrated the reuse value of waste stalks and improved the innovative design of stalks in the home furnishing field, which conveys the concept of sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected papers from IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021))

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18 pages, 1077 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Ecological Sustainability Assessment Approach for Strategic Decision Making in International Shipping

by Xiaofang Wu and Hsi-Chi Yang

Sustainability 2021, 13(20), 11471; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132011471 - 17 Oct 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2380

Abstract

Relatively little attention is currently paid to understanding the ecological impacts of international shipping, although ecological sustainability has become a necessary condition for developing international trade. Sustainability assessment, which identifies the sustainability-oriented effects of developmental activities for supporting decision-making, has been widely used. This study attempts to propose an ecological sustainability assessment approach to serve international shipping development based on the general assessment steps initiated by the OECD and the multi-dimensional decision making (MDDM) model. Compared with the existing sustainability assessment methods, the proposed approach is unlikely to be restricted to data acquisition, indicators evaluation, or causal recognition. Through a case study, the results recommend not only to prioritize avoiding the negative impacts of international shipping on noise, air, plants, water, and animals but also to promote continuous improvement of the local ecosystem and international shipping, particularly in the conditions of sediment and micro-organism communities of Xiamen. This proposed approach as a supplement to the current sustainability assessment methodology helps to make informative and integrative strategic sustainability decisions associated with international shipping. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected papers from IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021))

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16 pages, 8958 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on Appearance Acceptance Appraisal of Elderly Mobility Assists

by Chi-Hung Lo

Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 10547; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910547 - 23 Sep 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2156

Abstract

Given the low birth rate and the rapid aging of the population in Taiwan, the issues such as long-term care, high dependency ratio, and labor shortage are no longer avertible. The mobility assists shall play a significant role in helping the elder community to live independently with dignity, and the appearance of the mobility assists should make them feel comfortable as well. Hence this study recommends the development of assistive devices, barrier-free environments, and other solutions that allows the elderly to remain independent. This study explores the influencing factors of the willingness to use exoskeleton mobility assists on the psychological aspects. The purpose of this study is to explore the key factors of the willingness to use Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton. By sorting the style of the assistive devices based on various appreciation levels, the semantic difference scale was used to investigate the influence on the appearance of the assistive device on the wearing acceptance. Lastly, this study aims to acquire the factors that affect the style of the model and the influencing factors on the wearing acceptance, providing a reference for future assistive device design and developers to increase user’s willingness to accept the product. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected papers from IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021))

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13 pages, 587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrated Approach to Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Performance Evaluation by Incorporating Local Demographic Features

by Sandhya Rijal, Yu-Han Huang and Hung-Yueh Lin

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10446; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810446 - 19 Sep 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2441

Abstract

Recycling municipal solid waste has become a challenging task for municipalities. Appropriate recycling efficiency evaluations are, thus, essential to find practical benchmark learning targets for inefficient municipal solid waste authorities (MSWAs). This study developed a recycling performance evaluation procedure by subgrouping MSWAs with prominent local demographic features, such as population density, ratio of senior citizens, tourism index etc. Principal recycling relevant factors for MSWAs in each group were then collected, and data envelopment analysis (DEA) was applied for efficiency evaluation and benchmark learning targets. A case study of 181 MSWAs in Taiwan demonstrated the suitability of the proposed procedures. An assessment of the required efforts for efficiency improvements revealed that, in an unsegregated scenario, inefficient MSWAs representing a rural subgroup required maximum efforts to fulfill the efficiency targets, which was on average 61% higher than that determined in their respective subgroup. Furthermore, the unsegregated scenario revealed proximal efficiency results for the urban subgroup. The results indicated that consideration of local demographic features was essential for a fair assessment of recycling efficiency. Additionally, evaluating MSWAs with similar local demographic features was superior in obtaining appropriate benchmark learning targets for the inefficient MSWAs and, consequently, exhibited practicality for improving walkthroughs to achieve the efficiency goal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected papers from IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2021 (IEEE ECBIOS 2021))

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