Green Points Research Articles

Green and Quality Development of Service Industry in West Coast Economic Zone

Yin, L. and Zhang, X., 2020. Green and quality development of service industry in West Coast Economic Zone. In: Yang, Y.; Mi, C.; Zhao, L., and Lam, S. (eds.), Global Topics and New Trends in Coastal Research: Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 103, pp. 1158–1161. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Thanks to the increasing-broadened scale of foreign investment, the orderly and green development of service industry in the West Coast Economic Zone has promoted the traditional service industry to emerge as the pillar of the tertiary industry in recent years. However, this zone also witnessed the poor internal structure of the service industry, non-quality employees, incomplete green development system of service industry, residents' weak consciousness of green production of enterprises and green consumption and loose green management, etc. In this regard, measures should be taken to optimize the internal structure of the service industry, create green growth points, and activate the market by developing green service industry agglomeration areas. In addition, it is necessary to ensure the elements of green development of service industry and deepen cooperation with Taiwan's service industry, so as to advance the green and high-quality development of service industry in the West Coast Economic Zone.

Implementation of Green Campus-Based Curriculum Model at Islamic Universities in Indonesia

This study is aimed to investigate the implementation of green campus-based curriculum model at Islamic universities in Indonesia. In depth interview was conducted to the top leader of universities in order to confirm the application of green campus-based curriculum especially on vision and mission. A set of interviews was also questioned to lecturers to obtain important information regarding with the employment of the model of curriculum related to environmental health they used in classrooms. In addition, supporting data about students from lecturers’ information was also occupied to enrich the data. As a result, the researcher found that all Islamic universities observed in this study imply green campus or environmental aspect points in university’s vision and mission. Less than 100% of lecturers are able to design learning materials related to environmental health as well as implementing it in classrooms. Less than 60% of students can produce environmental work arts as well as having problem solving skills toward surrounding environment. Above all, hose Islamic universities determine similar goals on green campus-based curriculum model i.e. to preserve the environment and aware of surrounding natural issues. At the end, a few suggestions were suggested to the top manager of the Islamic universities concerning with vital element regarding with lecturers’ competencies in developing environmental health learning design that should be noticed and increased.

Engagement factors for waste sorting in China: The mediating effect of satisfaction

Factors promoting satisfaction and engagement with waste sorting were investigated. An extended theoretical model was established by integrating the theories of consumer satisfaction and customer engagement, rather than customer loyalty. Full replies to 672 valid questionnaires were obtained from respondents in 31 Chinese provinces. This paper explored how the perceived value of waste sorting, sorting facilities, income, age, and education affect waste sorting satisfaction. This paper also analyzed the effect of satisfaction on engagement in terms of enthusiasm, social interaction, and active participation by region and gender using multiple-group structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed perceived value of sorting and good sorting facilities can enhance satisfaction. Satisfaction can enhance enthusiasm, social interaction, and active participation. Education level, income and age would influence satisfaction and three dimensions of engagement: enthusiasm, social interaction and active participation. Waste sorting satisfaction affected enthusiasm, social interaction, active participation to a greater extent in eastern versus middle and western regions of China. It is important to provide market-incentives, such as green points reward, deposit refund, to promote household waste sorting.

Development Concept of Productive Landscape with Urban Agriculture Based on Potential Green Open Space and Community Preference in Bogor City

Bogor City is one of the closest cities to capital city. This is the main reason for the rapid development of Bogor City. Rapid development causes land to be built in Bogor City increasing accompanied by population growth which is directly proportional. This rapid development has an impact on the reduction in green open space which incidentally can be used as a land for people to do agricultural activities for their food needs. This study aimed to find the location of potential green open space for the development of produvtive landscape with urban agriculture and make it an applicable with a community preference approach. The method used in determining potential locations is GIS analysis. Using the spatial map of Bogor City, by overlaying hydrological maps, groundwater map, poverty map, land use map and slope map. Then a ground check is made to ensure the accuracy of the GIS results. The result is a thematic map of the potential for developing urban agriculture in Bogor City. Determination of community preferences is obtained using a questionnaire conducted using the snowball method around the potential area. Respondents who were sampled were limited to 30 people with each with diverse characteristics. The method used to determine communities preferences is the Chi Square statistical method. The result is there are a 14 point of potential location that spread in 3 region of Bogor City. The 3 region are 7 location in South Bogor, 5 location in West Bogor, and 2 location in Tanah Sareal. There is also find a significant relationship between urban agriculture preferences and landscape types around potential green open space points. Potential green open space and community preferences become the basis for creating applicable green space concepts. The concept of green open space development will be adjusted to the preferences of the community by considering factors type of plant that has a significant different of three region. The concept of productive green open space development is expected to be able to support the economic growth of the poverty area in Bogor City.

The Road Not Taken: Missing Powers to Compel Decryption in Bill C-59, Ticking Bombs, and the Future of the Encryption Debate

In the fall of 2016, Canada’s Liberal government published a Green Paper canvassing public opinion on changes to national security law. The Paper explored the possibility of new powers to compel third parties to assist with decryption, framing the discussion around a terrorism plot analogous to a ticking bomb hypothetical. The public did not support new decryption powers, and Bill C-59, now before Parliament, does not include them. This article revisits the Green Paper to shed light on deeper fault lines in debates about whether police should have a power to compel decryption. The Green Paper points to illuminating parallels between arguments for compelled decryption and for torture. The strongest arguments for each make use of ticking bomb scenarios. While the arguments have attracted much criticism, they remain plausible and undermine key assumptions of those opposed to compelled decryption.
 Part II of this article traces two common arguments for why state agents seek powers to compel a third party to decrypt: for justice (to secure convictions) and public safety (to prevent terrorism and other serious offences). Opponents cast doubt on the first claim by pointing to many alternative sources of evidence. They tend to dismiss the second claim, that police need decryption powers for public safety, as merely theoretical, but fail to engage its merits. Part III takes a closer look at the public safety claim in light of the torture debate and the ticking bomb scenario. Despite criticism, arguments in favour of compelled decryption based on the scenario remain theoretically plausible on consequentialist grounds, and rhetorically persuasive by aligning the need for compelled decryption with the value of life (over dignity or privacy). The public safety claim also challenges a common view among opponents of compelled decryption that such powers do not involve a trade-off between privacy and security but between two forms of security. The article concludes by considering the possible impact on the debate of a terrorist act implicating encryption.

Research on green design framework and support system of metal cutting machine

In order to improve the green design level of metal cutting machine tools, the framework and implementation methods for enhancing the green performance of machine tool’s design process were studied. Analysing the environmental impact of design process, studying the green key points in the design process of materials, structures, hydraulics, lubrication and cooling, a green design framework for the metal cutting machine was established. Centering on the machine tool design process; Researching on the machine tool design support technology and implementation tools, a basic support system for green design of metal cutting machine that integrates technical support layer, interaction layer, tool support layer, technical support layer and user service layer was established. The green design support system for gear making machine was developed and applied to verify the guiding role of green framework and support system in the green design process of metal cutting machine tool.

Identifying and evaluating green building attributes by environment, social, and economic pillars of sustainability

ABSTRACT Green building (GB) rating systems are developed to measure the level of extent or sustainability of buildings. It is very important to focus on the attributes that require more cost and are contributing more to decreasing the negative impact of construction on the environment or nature. This analysis presents an idea-based conceptual model for prioritising the GB attributes by considering the environmental, social, and economic pillars of sustainable construction or monetary mainstays of manageable development. To analyse the environmentally and socially essential attributes, an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and an entropy method were used. For the economic analysis, a data envelopment analysis (DEA) was applied. If the decision makers give more importance to the environmental and social pillars of sustainability then they can consider the attributes such as occupants’ health, safety and comfort, climatic conditions, the cost of investment, operation and maintenance cost, and indoor air quality. If the construction stakeholder wishes to achieve more green points with limited funds then the important attributes are: operation and maintenance cost, material recycle, low-impact construction site techniques, locally available materials, and soil pollution. The proposed approach can advance GB construction practices that are not liable to result from conventional practices.

A comparative study of elemental pollution and health risk assessment in urban dust of different land-uses in Tehran’s urban area

Pollution levels of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) were studied performing enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index and ecological risk index. The most enriched elements which categorize as very high and extremely high enriched in different land-uses were in order of: commercial Cu (73.79)>Hg (66.55)>Pb (55.73)>Zn (46.15)>Cd (37.31); residential Pb (48.35)>Zn (34.79)>Cu (27.69)>Hg (22.96)>Cd (22.61) and industrial Zn (55.43)>Pb (51.52)>Cu (40.20)>Cd (26.29). In green lands sampling points, there weren’t any elements with enrichment factor more than twenty. Based on the result of geo-accumulation index, commercial land-use appeared to be highly polluted with Cu, Pb and Zn. Residential land-use were highly polluted just in case of lead and industrial land-use were categorized as highly polluted in case of Zn, Pb and Cu. Hakanson’s ecological risk index classified all of the land-uses except for green lands as very high ecological risk category. Factor analysis revealed that Cr, Mn, Ni, Fe and to a lesser extent Pb, Zn and As are from similar anthropogenic sources. Carcinogenic risk of Cr, Pb, As, Ni and Cd were found to be negligible for all land-uses for adult and children except for chromium in commercial land-use which exceed the safe level and need more attention in the future.

Method for Vertical Calibration of Laser-Projection Transnasal Fiberoptic High-Speed Videoendoscopy

The ability to provide absolute calibrated measurement of the laryngeal structures during phonation is of paramount importance to voice science and clinical practice. Calibrated three-dimensional measurement could provide essential information for modeling purposes, for studying the developmental aspects of vocal fold vibration, for refining functional voice assessment and treatment outcomes evaluation, and for more accurate staging and grading of laryngeal disease. Recently, a laser-calibrated transnasal fiberoptic endoscope compatible with high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) and capable of providing three-dimensional measurements was developed. The optical principle employed is to project a grid of 7 × 7 green laser points across the field of view (FOV) at an angle relative to the imaging axis, such that (after calibration) the position of each laser point within the FOV encodes the vertical distance from the tip of the endoscope to the laryngeal tissues. The purpose of this study was to develop a precise method for vertical calibration of the endoscope. Investigating the position of the laser points showed that, besides the vertical distance, they also depend on the parameters of the lens coupler, including the FOV position within the image frame and the rotation angle of the endoscope. The presented automatic calibration method was developed to compensate for the effect of these parameters. Statistical image processing and pattern recognition were used to detect the FOV, the center of FOV, and the fiducial marker. This step normalizes the HSV frames to a standard coordinate system and removes the dependence of the laser-point positions on the parameters of the lens coupler. Then, using a statistical learning technique, a calibration protocol was developed to model the trajectories of all laser points as the working distance was varied. Finally, a set of experiments was conducted to measure the accuracy and reliability of every step of the procedure. The system was able to measure absolute vertical distance with mean percent error in the range of 1.7% to 4.7%, depending on the working distance.

Comunity structure and habitat characterization of Neoschrammeniella cf. bowerbankii (Porifera, Corallistidae) aggregations in the Cantabrian Sea

Comunity structure and habitat characterization of Neoschrammeniella cf. bowerbankii (Porifera, Corallistidae) aggregations in the Cantabrian Sea

Effect of Genotyps and Polyethylene Glycol on Immature Embryo Culture in Wheat

Seven wheat genotypes were used in this investigation to study the effect of genotypes, levels of polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations and their interaction on immature embryo induction, as well as, estimating heritability for in vitro traits. The genotypes were in vitro evaluated for immature embryos culture ability at four levels of PEG concentrations. Significant differences between genotypes were obtained for some traits at four PEG levels. Levels of mean squares were significant for some traits such as number of green point, plant length and number of tillers. Whereas, mean squares of interaction between genotypes × PEG levels was insignificant for all traits except number of tillers. The results demonstrated that the greatest percentages for green points and plant weight were recorded by the hybrid Sakha 93 × Gemmiza 9. In addition, Sakha 93 × Sids 1 was the best genotype for root length and number of tillers. Whereas, the greatest value for number of plantlets was observed in Sakha 93 and sakha 94. The addition of 10 g/l PEG to MS nutrient medium and 1 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l Kinetin in regeneration medium could be the best concentration for immature embryo purpose in wheat. Furthermore, the genetic variations were highly positive for some traits such as number of green point at levels A and B, number of plants at levels A,B and D, plant weight at level A, plant length at level C, root length at level A and number of tillers at levels A,B and D. The values of heritability were ranged between 53.66 to 90.48% for number of tillers at levels D and A, respectively. The results indicated that the genes controlled growing traits in wheat were highly affected by media composition.

Remote Sensing of Sub-Surface Suspended Sediment Concentration by Using the Range Bias of Green Surface Point of Airborne LiDAR Bathymetry

Suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) have been retrieved accurately and effectively through waveform methods by using green-pulse waveforms of airborne LiDAR bathymetry (ALB). However, the waveform data are commonly difficult to analyze. Thus, this paper proposes a 3D point-cloud method for remote sensing of SSCs in calm waters by using the range biases of green surface points of ALB. The near water surface penetrations (NWSPs) of green lasers are calculated on the basis of the green and reference surface points. The range biases (ΔS) are calculated by using the corresponding NWSPs and beam-scanning angles. In situ measured SSCs (C) and range biases (ΔS) are used to establish an empirical C-ΔS model at SSC sampling stations. The SSCs in calm waters are retrieved by using the established C-ΔS model. The proposed method is applied to a practical ALB measurement performed by Optech Coastal Zone Mapping and Imaging LiDAR. The standard deviations of the SSCs retrieved by the 3D point-cloud method are less than 20 mg/L.

Efficient deep blue fluorescent OLEDs with ultra-low efficiency roll-off based on 4H-1,2,4-triazole cored D-A and D-A-D type emitters

Four novel 4H-1,2,4-triazole (TAZ)-cored D-A and D-A-D type deep blue emitters were obtained and the non-doped OLEDs employing one of them as emitters exhibited fantastic performances with maximum EQE of 6.3% and CIE coordinates of (0.158, 0.038) as well as demonstrated ultra-low efficiency roll-off. The EL spectra of the OLEDs have very narrow FWHM (full width at half maximum) of 48 nm–50 nm, which means the excellent color purity. If using the CIE(x,y) of our OLEDs as the blue point, and the green and red CIE(x,y) of NTSC (National Television System Committee) as the green and red points, the color gamut will exceed 100%, which was thought to be the unique advantage of quantum-dots-based LEDs. To the best of our knowledge, these are the best results to date for deep blue OLEDs with CIE(y) coordinate <0.04.

Optimal roofing solutions for Australian green buildings: a life-cycle cost perspective

Thermal insulation is a significant factor in building construction. As a result, Green Star in Australia requires building envelopes to be insulated properly. Further, green buildings require at least 15% above the required R-values (which are measured in m2 K/W) for achieving Green Star credit points. Thermal insulation of the roof depends on various factors such as insulation material, sarking material, air films and roof covering. Therefore, there are many options with different combinations available to obtain the required total R-values. This research aims to identify optimum solutions for roofing solutions considering the life-cycle cost. There are ten commonly used roof types in Australia. Therefore, this research calculated the life-cycle costs using the net present value technique for more than 2000 options of roofing solutions and selected optimum solutions for each climate zone in Australia. The outcome shows that the initial cost and the replacement cost significantly influence the life-cycle cost. Further, the maintenance, replacement and disposal costs vary from 47 to 69% of the life-cycle cost. Sensitivity analysis concludes that the discounting rate has a significant influence on the life-cycle cost of the roofing solution. However, the changes in labour rate have only a slight impact on the life-cycle cost of roofing solutions.

Polycytidylation of mitochondrial mRNAs in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

The unicellular photosynthetic organism, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, represents a powerful model to study mitochondrial gene expression. Here, we show that the 5′- and 3′-extremities of the eight Chlamydomonas mitochondrial mRNAs present two unusual characteristics. First, all mRNAs start primarily at the AUG initiation codon of the coding sequence which is often marked by a cluster of small RNAs. Second, unusual tails are added post-transcriptionally at the 3′-extremity of all mRNAs. The nucleotide composition of the tails is distinct from that described in any other systems and can be partitioned between A/U-rich tails, predominantly composed of Adenosine and Uridine, and C-rich tails composed mostly of Cytidine. Based on 3′ RACE experiments, 22% of mRNAs present C-rich tails, some of them composed of up to 20 consecutive Cs. Polycytidylation is specific to mitochondria and occurs primarily on mRNAs. This unprecedented post-transcriptional modification seems to be a specific feature of the Chlorophyceae class of green algae and points out the existence of novel strategies in mitochondrial gene expression.

Comparing Nondestructive Sampling Techniques for Predicting Forage Mass in Alfalfa–Tall Wheatgrass Pasture

Core Ideas To compare five nondestructive sampling techniques for predicting forage mass. Procedures: pasture ruler, rising plate meter, ImageJ, PowerPoint photo point count, and normalized difference vegetation index. PowerPoint model was the best option if restricted to one sampling procedure. Combined (Height + ImageJ) model was the best option for predicting forage mass. These measurements require simple equipment, are adaptable, and can be automated. Producers rely on subjective visual assessments to estimate forage mass in their pastures, which often are inaccurate and lead to poor stocking decisions. The objective of this trial was to compare five nondestructive sampling techniques for predicting forage mass in three alfalfa–tall wheatgrass [Medicago sativa L.; Thinopyrum ponticum (Host) Beauv.] pastures in the southern High Plains. Procedures included canopy height measured with a pasture ruler and rising plate meter (RPM), percentage of green pixels from ImageJ analyses, percentage of green points from photo point count in PowerPoint, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Height and RPM were linearly regressed on measured forage mass while the remaining were linearly regressed on the natural log of measured forage mass. Considering their limitations, stepwise regression was used to find the best combination of digital and physical procedure (Height + ImageJ) that reduced model error. Calibration models were then applied to external data to determine predictive ability of each procedure. The PowerPoint model was the best, most precise option if restricted to a single sampling procedure, whereas the combined model possessed the superior combination of high R2 and low model error. The combined and PowerPoint models possessed the highest R2pred, but the combined model would be more applicable since it did not saturate when measured forage mass exceeded 1200 kg DM ha−1. The use of ImageJ with canopy height measurements for forage mass prediction requires simple equipment, lends itself to automation, and is adaptable to various forage systems.

Introduction: Religion and the New Technologies

In April 2000, Wired published a controversial article entitled “Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us” by Joy (2000), co-founder and chief scientist at Sun Microsystems.[...]

Annexing Green Building Rating Points through Multipurpose Vertical Light Pipes

Objective: To determine how many points can be annexed in a green building by a combination of the two processes and test the viability of combining daylight and rainwater harvesting in a pipe. Method/Analysis: An experiment was carried out using a 4m (width) x 6m(height) x 12m(depth) model at a scale of 1:25. Three light pipes of different transparency were used. The first pipe has a fully transparent surface, allowing most of the light to penetrate. The second pipe has a translucent surface. Light that penetrate through it would be partial, with the translucent surface acting like a layer of diffuser to diffuse the light. The third pipe is a combination of transparent and translucent surface. Water will act as the transporting medium for light and at the same time as a barrier for heat to enter. Although water does have certain amount of thermal mass, the heat stored in water can be minimized by circulating the water throughout the system. Findings: Up to 13 points could be earned in non-residential new construction (NRNC), while up to 15 points in Residential New Construction (RNC). Application/Improvement: The novelty of this study proposes the use of a tube for daylighting and rainwater harvesting simultaneously in a space through an experimental process at a small scale. This result could be further developed to an industrial scale for commercial purposes.

Benchmarking green building attributes to achieve cost effectiveness using a data envelopment analysis

Green building construction has been considered to be an essential practice for achieving sustainability. To achieve sustainable development, greater attention has been paid to environmental, social and economic impacts associated with the construction and operation of buildings. Hence, the importance of a more integrated approach to green building design with cost effectiveness has gained momentum. The present study focuses on developing appropriate constructs to benchmark green building attributes in construction such that, with limited funds, the sustainable performance of the building is improved. In this study, Indian green building assessment tools, such as Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA), Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), eco-housing, and a newly developed rating system, are reviewed. A Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has been employed to benchmark the green building attributes. Buildings in different climatic conditions, such as hot and dry, warm and humid, and composite climates, were chosen for benchmarking purposes. Efficiency was calculated using a constant return to scale with an input-oriented Charnes-Cooper-Rhodes (CCR) formulation method. The following attributes were observed: (1) utilization of the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recommended waste materials in the building, (2) increase in environmental awareness, (3) dedicated facilities for service staff, (4) design for universal accessibility, (5), low-impact design (6) construction management practices and (7) use of low-volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints that contribute to more green points at a lower cost.

A Smart Building Automation System

The building energy management systems its control and automation in buildings has significant role. These systems can play an important role in regular energy monitoring and management and therefore to save the possible energy and cost. The key point of the building automation market is focused upon better facilitation to the user in terms of comfort at reduced operation cost. Energy efficiency improvement will also contribute to environmental protection. Therefore there have been regulations and rating systems made that mandates the requirement of energy monitoring and control in a building. For example, the above mentioned building utilities and equipment control and automation plays an integral role in achieving the green building rating points from certifying authorities such as GRIHA and IGBC. The proposed system is to control the active systems such as lighting including artificial lighting (on/off & dimming control), air conditioners and safety features like fire alarm & gas alarm. In future the existing idea can be implemented for the whole building, i.e. various rooms or areas and then all of them can be integrated on a common platform for monitoring and control of different equipment.