Multifunctional Benefits Research Articles

Optimised performance of a thermally resistive PV glazing technology: An experimental validation

Thermally resistive PV glazing (TRPVG), which is a recently developed technology for low/zero carbon buildings, is in the centre of interest worldwide as a consequence of multifunctional benefits of this novel product such as remarkably better thermal insulation performance compared to conventional PV and other fenestration technologies in market, clean energy generation, self-cleaning, sound insulation, UV and IR absorption, etc. In this study, thermal insulation performance of TRPVG is numerically optimised through a well-known CFD software ANSYS FLUENT. Optimisation is based on determining the optimum inert gas (argon) thickness (τ) behind the amorphous silicon (a-Si) PV module which yields to minimum overall heat transfer coefficient (U-value) for the entire structure. For a typical case (τ=16 mm), CFD results are compared with the experimental data derived from the standardised co-heating tests, and a good accordance is achieved. CFD results are also compared with the findings of thermal resistance approach, which assumes heat conduction takes place in the inert gas medium only. The results reveal that natural convection effects become notable for the values of τ over 10 mm. In other words, τ stands as a parameter that needs to be optimised for its values greater than 10 mm. For the typical TRPVG sample with τ=16 mm, the overall U-value from the CFD research is determined to be 1.19 W/m2K, which is in good agreement with the experimental data. The optimised value of τ for the TRPVG structure introduced is determined to be 20 mm, which guarantees the minimum total heat transfer rate (Q) across the glazing and maximum temperature difference between internal and external glazing surfaces.

The Multifunctional Benefits of Green Infrastructure in Community Development: An Analytical Review Based on 447 Cases

This article describes the relationship between the design features of green infrastructure and the benefits of multifunctionality. To do so, it examines the descriptive linkages between 12 design features and nine benefits using 447 project case studies from the American Society of Landscape Architects. Multiple benefits of green infrastructure were found in 65% of the projects, regardless of the number of applied design features. The major green infrastructure design features with multiple benefits were: bioretention areas, permeable pavements, grassed swales, rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, and curb cuts. The major benefits of applied design features were: enhanced economic capacity, educational opportunities, improvements to the built environment, and enhanced environmental soundness. The findings show that the multiple benefits of green infrastructure’s multifunctionality can be inferred in many current cases. Knowing the relationship between design features and their benefits for green infrastructure would facilitate selecting optimal design features to achieve specific goals and planning outcomes. For communities that require a range of complex benefits, a multifunctionality-based green infrastructure will advance highly acceptable climate change adaptation measures.

Mesenchymal stem cells alleviate hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and enhance the pro-survival pathways in porcine islets.

The utilization of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising approach to serve as adjuvant therapy for islet transplantation. But the inability to translate promising preclinical results into sound therapeutic effects in human subjects indicates a lack of key knowledge of MSC-islet interactions that warrant further research. Hypoxia and oxidative stress are critical factors which lead to a tremendous loss of islet grafts. However, previous studies mainly focused on other aspects of MSC protection such as inducing revascularization, enhancing insulin secretion, and reducing islet apoptosis. In this study, we aim to investigate whether MSC can protect islet cells from hypoxic damage by inhibiting ROS production and the potential underlying pathways involved. We also explore the effects of MSC-derived exosomes and IL-6 on hypoxia-injured islets. Our data provide new molecular targets for developing MSC applications, and this may ultimately promote the efficiency of clinical islet transplantation.

Room at the margins for energy-crops? A qualitative analysis of stakeholder views on the use of marginal land for biomass production in Denmark

Greater production of agricultural biomass for energy generation means a greater overlap between the energy and agricultural value chains. The production of biofuels from food crops was previously criticised as conflicting with food production. Use of so-called ‘marginal land’ is proposed to overcome previous controversies.Using interviews and document analysis, this paper explores the meaning of ‘marginal land’ for non-food energy crop production in Denmark and conflicts that arose over its proposed use. In Denmark there was a different conception of marginal land – environmentally sensitive land where intensive cultivation causes impacts. Policies were put in place to promote the use of this ‘environmentally marginal land’. However, competing environmental objectives for this land – for different types of biodiversity, ecosystems services and aesthetic preferences meant these policies were repealed.The paper shows how discussions of biomass production on agricultural land, and particularly marginal land, reflect the nuances of competing land uses in agriculturally intensive countries like Denmark. It is not only a matter of trade-offs between different types of agricultural production, such as food and fuel, or between environmental benefits and production, but over the optimal environmental use of the land to achieve multifunctional benefits. As well as questions of equity, access and practicality, the marginal land debate in agriculturally intensive countries needs to include questions of appropriate and desired environmental outcomes and means of stakeholder engagement to establish these.

Irrigation ponds in the past, present, and future: A case study of the Higashi Harima Region, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Approximately 190,000 irrigation ponds are distributed locally in Japan. In Hyogo Prefecture, the number of irrigation ponds as of April 2015 was 38,234. Within this prefecture, the Higashi Harima region is one of the most prominent areas in terms of irrigation pond density. Therefore, we focus our present study on this region. More specifically, in this paper, we review the historical background of the irrigation ponds in the Higashi Harima region over the last several centuries. We also discuss the current situation of the irrigation ponds and new challenges, including the multi-functional benefits that promote public awareness and encourage local people to properly maintain and manage the irrigation ponds.

Challenges and Opportunities of Aligning Forest Function Mapping and the Ecosystem Service Concept in Germany

In the context of considering natural capital in decision-making, the ecosystem services concept is steadily increasing in importance. This also holds for the forest sector in Germany. This development calls for a harmonisation of approaches and terms used in the forest sector, as well as being made compatible with the ecosystem services concept and relevant classifications. In Germany, and a number of Central European countries, a common way to assess the multifunctional benefits of forests is the forest function mapping method. Due to the federal multi-level governance system in Germany, each state has its own classification of forest functions and mapping. A first objective of this paper is to align the various forest function categories across German states as a basis to relate them to the ecosystem services concept. Second, this bottom-up approach is combined with a top-down approach, building on the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES). The aim is to develop a harmonised, methodological framework, suitable for accounting forest-related ecosystem services, as a step towards future ecosystem services monitoring and reporting commitments in the forest sector. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of the ecosystem services concept for forest management are discussed and ways forward are elaborated.

Woody species diversity, productivity and carbon stock potential of dry deciduous woodland in Alitash National Park, North West Ethiopia

Dry woodlands provide multifunctional benefits which grouped socioeconomic and ecological values. Despite these advantageous while recently threatened, the status of dry woodland attribute is not well understood, particularly Alitash National Park (ANP). Hence, woody species diversity, productivity and carbon stock potential of ANP were studied. Based on the collected data, a total of 24 woody species were identified. The computed Shannon-Wiener's diversity and evenness index were 2.11 and 0.66, respectively which indicated that moderate diversity and individual species were sparsely distributed horizontally. The study site was dominated by few individuals of woody species that exhibited the highest value of IVI. Population structure pattern of woody species showed F shape indicates the first class exhibited good regeneration. Whereas, species in the second classes interrupted the seedling establishment phase and transformation to sapling stage as a result of disturbance caused by anthropogenic, grazing and frequent firing. Stand basal area, volume and AGB were 8.57 m2ha-1, 48.15 m3ha-1 and 49.06 ton ha-1, respectively. The estimated carbon stock of the stand was 27.7 ton ha-1. In conclusion, the results of woody vegetation attributes showed ANP is affected negatively caused by different disturbance indicate the need of appropriate intervention and management system although ANP is protected.

Structural Requirements of Alkylglyceryl-l-Ascorbic Acid Derivatives for Melanogenesis Inhibitory Activity.

l-Ascorbic acid has multifunctional benefits on skin aesthetics, including inhibition of melanin production, and is widely used in cosmetics. It, however, has low stability and poor skin penetration. We hypothesize that alkylglyceryl-l-ascorbic acid derivatives, highly stable vitamin C–alkylglycerol conjugates, would have similar anti-melanogenic activity with better stability and penetration. We test 28 alkylglyceryl-l-ascorbic acid derivatives (1–28) on theophylline-stimulated B16 melanoma 4A5 cells to determine if they inhibit melanogenesis and establish any structure–function relationships. Although not the most potent inhibitors, 3-O-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2-O-hexyl-l-ascorbic acid (6, IC50 = 81.4 µM) and 2-O-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-3-O-hexyl-l-ascorbic acid (20, IC50 = 117 µM) are deemed the best candidate derivatives based on their inhibitory activities and low toxicities. These derivatives are also found to be more stable than l-ascorbic acid and to have favorable characteristics for skin penetration. The following structural requirements for inhibitory activity of alkylglyceryl-l-ascorbic acid derivatives are also determined: (i) alkylation of glyceryl-l-ascorbic acid is essential for inhibitory activity; (ii) the 3-O-alkyl-derivatives (2–14) exhibit stronger inhibitory activity than the corresponding 2-O-alkyl-derivatives (16–28); and (iii) derivatives with longer alkyl chains have stronger inhibitory activities. Mechanistically, our studies suggest that l-ascorbic acid derivatives exert their effects by suppressing the mRNA expression of tyrosinase and tyrosine-related protein-1.

An Experimental Study of Greywater Irrigated Green Roof Systems in an Arid Climate

Green roofs provide multi-functional benefits to the built environment. They minimize urban heat island effects, enhance biodiversity, reduce carbon footprints…

Influences on farmer and rancher interest in supplying woody biomass for energy in the US Northern Great Plains

State and federal policy targets for renewable energy production in the US have prompted investigations into the feasibility of different biomass feedstock types for use in transportation fuels or electricity production. Woody biomass systems can be integrated strategically within agricultural systems for multifunctional benefits while building regional biomass supply capacity. In order to assess the potential for biomass-based bioenergy, it is essential to characterize the interest that potential suppliers have in such an endeavor. In the US Northern Great Plains region (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas), this begins with assessing relevant perceptions of farmers and ranchers. Results from a 2014 survey of farm and ranch operators managing agriculturally marginal farmland indicated that 61% of operators have some degree of interest in woody biomass production. An ordered probit regression was utilized to further investigate how farm system attributes, individual farmer/rancher characteristics, relevant attitudes, knowledge, and perceived constraints affect interest. This study highlights attributes of operators who are most likely to be early adopters of a woody biomass crop and has implications for the development of relevant policy initiatives and management practices.

3-O-Glyceryl-2-O-hexyl ascorbate suppresses melanogenesis by interfering with intracellular melanosome transport and suppressing tyrosinase protein synthesis.

Ascorbic acid (AsA) has multifunctional benefits on skin beauty, such as the reduction in oxidative stress and the induction of collagen production. Among them, the prevention and improvement of skin pigmentation by AsA is a most important benefit for people. However, it is well known that AsA not only is quite unstable in formulations but it also has a low capability of skin penetration due to its hydrophilic property. In addition, existing water-soluble AsA derivatives that were developed to improve its stability also have low skin penetration. To investigate the potential of a newly synthesized amphiphilic derivative of AsA, 3-O-Glyceryl-2-O-hexyl ascorbate (VC-HG), which has an added glyceryl group and a hexyl group, on skin beauty focusing on its skin lightening/whitening effects. DNA microarray analysis and real-time PCR were used to clarify the effects of VC-HG on melanogenesis using B16 mouse melanoma cells. The effects of VC-HG on melanin synthesis, tyrosinase protein levels, and the inhibition of tyrosinase activity were evaluated. DNA microarray analysis revealed that treatment with VC-HG downregulated the expression of genes encoding tyrosinase and MyosinVa. Further, real-time PCR analysis showed the downregulation of tyrosinase, MyosinVa, Rab27a, and Kinesin mRNAs following VC-HG treatment. In addition, VC-HG caused decreases in tyrosinase protein levels and melanin synthesis. We conclude that VC-HG has an impact on skin lightening/whitening by inhibiting tyrosinase protein synthesis and interfering with intracellular melanosome transport.

3D printed continuous fibre reinforced composite corrugated structure

A novel integrated manufacturing process based on continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites 3D printing of continuous fibre reinforced composite lightweight structures (CFRCLSs) was proposed. Cross lap and panel-core lap design strategies were proposed to fabricate the CFRCLSs with a complex shape. The fracture modes during compression loading were analysed. Correlations between the process parameters, structure parameters, density, fibre content, and final performance of the printed specimens were discussed. The fibre content of the printed CFRCLSs were controlled by changing the process parameters. With a fibre content of 11.5% vol, a compression strength of 17.17 MPa was obtained for the 3D printed CFRCLSs. A heterogeneous lightweight sandwich structure specimen was fabricated to demonstrate process feasibility. This new and improved process has great potential for fabricating CFRCLSs with complex shapes, high mechanical properties, and multifunctional benefits.

Are Romanian urban strategies planning for green?

ABSTRACTFaced with growing economic, social and environmental challenges, urban settlements increasingly use green areas in the search for achieving sustainability and resilience. The first step is typically the development of policies and strategies that include a significant green component. This present study analyses the development policies and strategies of 213 Romanian cities and how they approach urban green areas as well as applied means of development and management. We constructed a database with information extracted from these documents, applied descriptive statistical analysis and mapped the resulting distribution of indicators. Results indicated the preference of local urban administrations for simple objectives such as increasing or maintaining surfaces of green areas but lacking activities for achieving identified targets in improving the multifunctional benefits of green areas. We concluded that there are no differences in approaches using geographical settings or urban ranks. We determined that further research is required to connect policies and strategies with their subsequent implementation at a local level and the ensuing perceived effects. Results are critical in analysing the performance of local authorities in weak planning systems common in south-east European countries.

Strengthening the development of the short-rotation plantations bioenergy sector: Policy insights from six European countries

This paper, based on a participatory methodological framework involving expert stakeholders and researchers from six European countries (Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Sweden and UK), analyses the priority issues for the development of short-rotation plantations (SRP), and proposes a series of policy strategies to strengthen this development. The results indicate that there is a lack of awareness of the multifaceted benefits of SRP at the level of farmers, policy makers and public authorities. More research is required to put a value on the multifunctionality of SRP and justify its public support. Small-scale projects using established technologies are also required with energy crops introduced in a phased manner. The simultaneous dissemination of this knowledge upwards to policy makers and downwards to producers and farmers is critical in the success of SRP. Also, greater financial support on both the supply and demand side is highlighted as being necessary: on the supply side linking multifunctional benefits of SRP and targeted payments, along with increased long-term contractual arrangements between farmers and energy plant operators; demand side incentives should overcome any difference in price between fossil fuels and energy crops. Groups to lobby for the uptake and support of SRP and bioenergy are also of necessary.

Enhancing multifunctional benefits of living mulch in organic vegetable cropping systems

Over the last several decades, agriculture in industrialized countries experienced a significant intensification as a result of the diffusion of mechanization, the widespread use of genetically improved genotypes, and the large-scale use of off-farm inputs, mainly in the form of fossil fuel energy and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Under the pressure of the growing agro-industrial sector, which has been oriented to promote models based on large volumes and long-distance supply chains, intensification was accompanied by progressive specialization of farms and cropping systems (Ratnadass et al., 2012). Indeed, the reduction of diversity at the field, farm, and territory level, a result of a low number of crops, the shortening of crop rotations, and a decrease in the number of cultivated genotypes, is becoming evident in many agro-environments in developed countries.

Cover crop effects on soils and subsequent crops in the pampas: A meta-analysis

Cover crops are a valuable management option for reducing soil erosion and nitrogen losses from agroecosystems. They improve soil quality but the impacts on crop yield depend on the type of cover crop, the commercial crop considered and the climate. In the Argentine Pampas the introduction of cover crops in rotations is being extensively studied by official institutions. We performed a meta-analysis with results of 67 local field experiments in which winter cover crop effects on soils and crops were analyzed. Soil physical properties improved after cover crops. Bulk density was minimally affected, structural stability and water infiltration increased, while soil penetration resistance decreased. Soil organic carbon content of the 0–20cm layer rose ca. 4% in fine-textured soils and 9% in coarser ones. Nitrate-N decreased after cover crops by 30% regardless if the cover crop species was or was not legume. Soil available water at crop sowing was not affected by cover crops in the upper meter of the profile but when the cumulative water content was measured at depth (ca. 2m) it decreased by around 20%. Soybean (Glycine max) yield was barely affected by the previous cover crop or fallow treatment. Conversely, corn (Zea mays) yield tended to decrease when the cover crop was a non-legume (- 8%) or significantly increased after legume species (+7%) when compared to a fallow. In the Pampas, cover crops have multifunctional benefits and their adoption will depend on the balance between these benefits, the sowing cost and some possible negative effects on corn yield. For this latter crop, legume cover crops are recommended.

Multifunctional benefits of sainfoin mixtures: Effects of partner species, sowing density and cutting regime

AbstractGrass–legume mixtures have proven successful at improving the sustainability of grasslands. Their ability to suppress unsown species is particularly important for sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), a forage crop with valuable bioactive compounds, yet low competitiveness. In this 3‐year study, the suitability of six partner species cultivated in mixtures with sainfoin at different annual numbers of cuts and partner sowing densities were evaluated. Mixture yields outperformed average monoculture yields by 31%, reduced the ratio of unsown species by 65% and increased the symbiotic N2 fixation up to 158 kg ha−1. A key finding of the study was the highly differential patterns of development of the partner grass species over the 3 years. These patterns of development had a large effect on the persistency of the proportion of sainfoin in the mixtures, which varied in the third year between 17% (when grown with Dactylis glomerata) and 38% (with Lolium perenne). These findings contribute to the further development of sustainable grass–legume systems, as evidence for the successful cultivation of sainfoin as an alternative legume species can help diversification, and knowledge of mixture development supports more persistent legume proportions.

Magnetically-responsive, multifunctional drug delivery nanoparticles for elastic matrix regenerative repair

Proactive screening of high risk elderly patients now enables early detection of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). There are no established drug-based therapeutic alternatives to surgery for AAAs, which is unsuitable for many elderly patients, and none which can achieve restore disrupted and lost elastic matrix in the AAA wall, which is essential to achieve growth arrest or regression. We have developed a first generation design of polymer nanoparticles (NPs) for AAA tissue localized delivery of doxycycline, a modified tetracycline drug at low micromolar doses at which it provides both pro-elastogenic and anti-proteolytic benefits that can augment elastic matrix regenerative repair. The nanocarriers themselves are also uniquely chemically functionalized on their surface to also provide them pro-elastin-regenerative & anti-matrix degradative properties. To provide an active driving force for efficient uptake of intra-lumenally infused NPs to the AAA wall, in this work, we have rendered our polymer NPs mobile in an applied magnetic field via co-incorporation of super-paramagnetic iron oxide NPs. We demonstrate that such modifications significantly improve wall uptake of the NPs with no significant changes to their physical properties and regenerative benefits. Such NPs can potentially stimulate structural repair in the AAA wall following one time infusion to delay or prevent AAA growth to rupture. The therapy can provide a non-surgical treatment option for high risk AAA patients.

Inolex launches conditioning polymers with multifunctional benefits, opens Chinese technical centre

Inolex launches conditioning polymers with multifunctional benefits, opens Chinese technical centre

Renaturing cities using a regionally-focused biodiversity-led multifunctional benefits approach to urban green infrastructure

If a ‘Renaturing of Cities’ strategy is to maximise the ecosystem service provision of urban green infrastructure (UGI), then detailed consideration of a habitat services, biodiversity-led approach and multifunctionality are necessary rather than relying on the assumed benefits of UGI per se. The paper presents preliminary data from three case studies, two in England and one in Germany, that explore how multifunctionality can be achieved, the stakeholders required, the usefulness of an experimental approach for demonstrating transformation, and how this can be fed back into policy. We argue that incorporating locally contextualised biodiversity-led UGI design into the planning and policy spheres contributes to the functioning and resilience of the city and provides the adaptability to respond to locally contextualised challenges, such as overheating, flooding, air pollution, health and wellbeing as well as biodiversity loss. Framing our research to encompass both the science of biodiversity-led UGI and co-developing methods for incorporating a strategic approach to implementation of biodiversity-led UGI by planners and developers addresses a gap in current knowledge and begins to address barriers to UGI implementation. By combining scientific with policy learning and defined urban environmental targets with community needs, our research to date has begun to demonstrate how nature-based solutions to building resilience and adaptive governance can be strategically incorporated within cities through UGI.