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Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO Nanowires Doped with Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ Ions

by Wei Li, Guojing Wang, Chienhua Chen, Jiecui Liao and Zhengcao Li

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(1), 20; doi:10.3390/nano7010020 (registering DOI) - 19 January 2017

In this research, ZnO nanowires doped with Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions were synthesized through a facile and inexpensive hydrothermal approach, in which Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions successfully substituted Zn²⁺ in the ZnO crystal lattice without changing the morphology

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In this research, ZnO nanowires doped with Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions were synthesized through a facile and inexpensive hydrothermal approach, in which Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions successfully substituted Zn²⁺ in the ZnO crystal lattice without changing the morphology and crystalline structure of ZnO. The atomic percentages of Mn and Co were 6.29% and 1.68%, respectively, in the doped ZnO nanowires. The photocatalytic results showed that Mn-doped and Co-doped ZnO nanowires both exhibited higher photocatalytic activities than undoped ZnO nanowires. Among the doped ZnO nanowires, Co-doped ZnO, which owns a twice active visible-light photocatalytic performance compared to pure ZnO, is considered a more efficient photocatalyst material. The enhancement of its photocatalytic performance originates from the doped metal ions, which enhance the light absorption ability and inhibit the recombination of photo-generated electron-hole pairs as well. The effect of the doped ion types on the morphology, crystal lattice and other properties of ZnO was also investigated. Full article

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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Social Dysfunction and Diet Outcomes in People with Psychosis

by Doreen Mucheru, Mary-Claire Hanlon, Linda E. Campbell, Mark McEvoy and Lesley MacDonald-Wicks

Nutrients 2017, 9(1), 80; doi:10.3390/nu9010080 (registering DOI) - 19 January 2017

Abstract

This analysis aimed to examine the association of social dysfunction with food security status, fruit intake, vegetable intake, meal frequency and breakfast consumption in people with psychosis from the Hunter New England (HNE) catchment site of the Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP).

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This analysis aimed to examine the association of social dysfunction with food security status, fruit intake, vegetable intake, meal frequency and breakfast consumption in people with psychosis from the Hunter New England (HNE) catchment site of the Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP). Social dysfunction and dietary information were collected using standardised tools. Independent binary logistic regressions were used to examine the association between social dysfunction and food security status, fruit intake, vegetable intake, meal frequency and breakfast consumption. Although social dysfunction did not have a statistically significant association with most diet variables, participants with obvious to severe social dysfunction were 0.872 (95% CI (0.778, 0.976)) less likely to eat breakfast than those with no social dysfunction p < 0.05. Participants with social dysfunction were therefore, 13% less likely to have breakfast. This paper highlights high rates of social dysfunction, significant food insecurity, and intakes of fruits and vegetables below recommendations in people with psychosis. In light of this, a greater focus needs to be given to dietary behaviours and social dysfunction in lifestyle interventions delivered to people with psychosis. Well-designed observational research is also needed to further examine the relationship between social dysfunction and dietary behaviour in people with psychosis. Full article

Open AccessArticle

Nutrient Patterns Associated with Fasting Glucose and Glycated Haemoglobin Levels in a Black South African Population

by Tinashe Chikowore, Pedro T. Pisa, Tertia van Zyl, Edith J. M. Feskens, Edelweiss Wentzel-Viljoen and Karin R. Conradie

Nutrients 2017, 9(1), 9; doi:10.3390/nu9010009 (registering DOI) - 19 January 2017

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) burden is increasing globally. However, evidence regarding nutrient patterns associated with the biomarkers of T2D is limited. This study set out to determine the nutrient patterns associated with fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin the biomarkers of T2D. Factor analysis

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Type 2 diabetes (T2D) burden is increasing globally. However, evidence regarding nutrient patterns associated with the biomarkers of T2D is limited. This study set out to determine the nutrient patterns associated with fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin the biomarkers of T2D. Factor analysis was used to derive nutrient patterns of 2010 participants stratified by urban/rural status and gender. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to 25 nutrients, computed from the quantified food frequency questionnaires (QFFQ). Three nutrient patterns per stratum, which accounted for 73% of the variation of the selected nutrients, were identified. Multivariate linear regression models adjusted for age, BMI, smoking, physical activity, education attained, alcohol intake, seasonality and total energy intake were computed. Starch, dietary fibre and B vitamins driven nutrient pattern was significantly associated with fasting glucose (β = −0.236 (−0.458; −0.014); p = 0.037) and glycated haemoglobin levels (β = −0.175 (−0.303; −0.047); p = 0.007) in rural women. Thiamine, zinc and plant protein driven nutrient pattern was associated with significant reductions in glycated haemoglobin and fasting glucose ((β = −0.288 (−0.543; −0.033); p = 0.027) and (β = −0.382 (−0.752; −0.012); p = 0.043), respectively) in rural men. Our results indicate that plant driven nutrient patterns are associated with low fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin levels. Full article

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Open AccessCorrection

Erratum: Myoung, S.C.; Su-Tae, K.; Bang, Y.L.; Kyeong-Taek, K.; Gum-Sung, R. Improvement in Predicting the Post-Cracking Tensile Behavior of Ultra-High Performance Cementitious Composites Based on Fiber Orientation Distribution. Materials 2016, 9, 829

by Myoung Sung Choi, Su-Tae Kang, Bang Yeon Lee, Kyeong-Taek Koh and Gum-Sung Ryu

Materials 2017, 10(1), 63; doi:10.3390/ma10010063 (registering DOI) - 19 January 2017

Abstract 1.The authors wish to remove the symbol “†”, which indicates the equal contribution from each author. The correct authorship is shown below:[...] Full article

Open AccessArticle

Piecewise Function Hysteretic Model for Cold-Formed Steel Shear Walls with Reinforced End Studs

by Jihong Ye and Xingxing Wang

Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(1), 94; doi:10.3390/app7010094 (registering DOI) - 19 January 2017

Abstract

Cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls with concrete-filled rectangular steel tube (CFRST) columns as end studs can upgrade the performance of mid-rise CFS structures, such as the vertical bearing capacity, anti-overturning ability, shear strength, and fire resistance properties, thereby enhancing the safety of structures.

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Cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls with concrete-filled rectangular steel tube (CFRST) columns as end studs can upgrade the performance of mid-rise CFS structures, such as the vertical bearing capacity, anti-overturning ability, shear strength, and fire resistance properties, thereby enhancing the safety of structures. A theoretical hysteretic model is established according to a previous experimental study. This model is described in a simple mathematical form and takes nonlinearity, pinching, strength, and stiffness deterioration into consideration. It was established in two steps: (1) a discrete coordinate method was proposed to determine the load-displacement skeleton curve of the wall, by which governing deformations and their corresponding loads of the hysteretic loops under different loading cases can be obtained; afterwards; (2) a piecewise function was adopted to capture the hysteretic loop relative to each governing deformation, the hysteretic model of the wall was further established, and additional criteria for the dominant parameters of the model were stated. Finally, the hysteretic model was validated by experimental results from other studies. The results show that elastic lateral stiffness K_e and shear capacity F_p are key factors determining the load-displacement skeleton curve of the wall; hysteretic characteristics of the wall with reinforced end studs can be fully reflected by piecewise function hysteretic model, moreover, the model has intuitional expressions with clear physical interpretations for each parameter, paving the way for predicting the nonlinear dynamic responses of mid-rise CFS structures. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Can High-Tech Ventures Benefit from Government Guanxi and Business Guanxi? The Moderating Effects of Environmental Turbulence

by Dejin Su, Qixia Du, Dongwon Sohn and Libo Xu

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 142; doi:10.3390/su9010142 (registering DOI) - 19 January 2017

Abstract

The construct of guanxi has become an interesting topic for analyzing how to do business more effectively and successfully in China’s economic transition period. Drawing on the guanxi strategy theory, this study examines when government guanxi (guanxi with the government and its

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The construct of guanxi has become an interesting topic for analyzing how to do business more effectively and successfully in China’s economic transition period. Drawing on the guanxi strategy theory, this study examines when government guanxi (guanxi with the government and its officials) and business guanxi (guanxi with the business sectors) matter to new venture performance under two typical turbulent environments (institutional turbulence and market turbulence). According to empirical results using original data from 146 new ventures in clusters driven by China’s local governments, both government guanxi and business guanxi were positively related to new venture performance, and market turbulence was an important contextual factor influencing performance benefits of guanxi. However, the results reveal no moderating effects of institutional turbulence on direct relationships. Furthermore, the study provides a better conceptual and empirical understanding of why market turbulence is a double-edged sword for performance implications of guanxi in the rapidly changing business environment. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

The Politics of Land Use in the Korup National Park

by Siewe Siewe, Jacqueline M. Vadjunec and Beth Caniglia

Land 2017, 6(1), 7; doi:10.3390/land6010007 (registering DOI) - 19 January 2017

Abstract

Recently, the call to combine land change science (LCS) and political ecology (PE) in the study of human-environment interactions has been widely discussed by scientists from both subfields of geography. In this paper, we use a hybrid ecology framework to examine the effects

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Recently, the call to combine land change science (LCS) and political ecology (PE) in the study of human-environment interactions has been widely discussed by scientists from both subfields of geography. In this paper, we use a hybrid ecology framework to examine the effects of conservation policies on the environment and the livelihood of the people of the Korup National Park (KNP). Using techniques in both PE and LCS, our results show that conservation policies, politics, and population are the primary drivers of environmental change in the KNP. We conclude by arguing that a deeper understanding can be garnered by combining LCS and PE approaches to analyze and contribute to the people and parks debate. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Early Yield Prediction Using Image Analysis of Apple Fruit and Tree Canopy Features with Neural Networks

by Hong Cheng, Lutz Damerow, Yurui Sun and Michael Blanke

J. Imaging 2017, 3(1), 6; doi:10.3390/jimaging3010006 (registering DOI) - 19 January 2017

Abstract

(1) Background: Since early yield prediction is relevant for resource requirements of harvesting and marketing in the whole fruit industry, this paper presents a new approach of using image analysis and tree canopy features to predict early yield with artificial neural networks (ANN);

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(1) Background: Since early yield prediction is relevant for resource requirements of harvesting and marketing in the whole fruit industry, this paper presents a new approach of using image analysis and tree canopy features to predict early yield with artificial neural networks (ANN); (2) Methods: Two back propagation neural network (BPNN) models were developed for the early period after natural fruit drop in June and the ripening period, respectively. Within the same periods, images of apple cv. “Gala” trees were captured from an orchard near Bonn, Germany. Two sample sets were developed to train and test models; each set included 150 samples from the 2009 and 2010 growing season. For each sample (each canopy image), pixels were segmented into fruit, foliage, and background using image segmentation. The four features extracted from the data set for the canopy were: total cross-sectional area of fruits, fruit number, total cross-section area of small fruits, and cross-sectional area of foliage, and were used as inputs. With the actual weighted yield per tree as a target, BPNN was employed to learn their mutual relationship as a prerequisite to develop the prediction; (3) Results: For the developed BPNN model of the early period after June drop, correlation coefficients (R²) between the estimated and the actual weighted yield, mean forecast error (MFE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and root mean square error (RMSE) were 0.81, −0.05, 10.7%, 2.34 kg/tree, respectively. For the model of the ripening period, these measures were 0.83, −0.03, 8.9%, 2.3 kg/tree, respectively. In 2011, the two previously developed models were used to predict apple yield. The RMSE and R² values between the estimated and harvested apple yield were 2.6 kg/tree and 0.62 for the early period (small, green fruit) and improved near harvest (red, large fruit) to 2.5 kg/tree and 0.75 for a tree with ca. 18 kg yield per tree. For further method verification, the cv. “Pinova” apple trees were used as another variety in 2012 to develop the BPNN prediction model for the early period after June drop. The model was used in 2013, which gave similar results as those found with cv. “Gala”; (4) Conclusion: Overall, the results showed in this research that the proposed estimation models performed accurately using canopy and fruit features using image analysis algorithms. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Consumers’ Perspective on Circular Economy Strategy for Reducing Food Waste

by Massimiliano Borrello, Francesco Caracciolo, Alessia Lombardi, Stefano Pascucci and Luigi Cembalo

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 141; doi:10.3390/su9010141 (registering DOI) - 19 January 2017

Abstract

The current linear system of production and consumption is unsustainable. In the food sector, despite the fact that valuable natural resources are intensively used to produce and distribute food products, little is done to upcycle residues generated along the supply chain. Circular economy

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The current linear system of production and consumption is unsustainable. In the food sector, despite the fact that valuable natural resources are intensively used to produce and distribute food products, little is done to upcycle residues generated along the supply chain. Circular economy strategies are crucial for restructuring the take-make-dispose model through the active participation of all actors of supply chains. However, little is known about consumers’ willingness to participate in circular economy. A structured questionnaire was submitted to a representative sample of Italian households to assess the willingness of consumers to be actively involved in closed loops aiming at reducing food waste. Consumers are involved by returning their organic food waste to retailers in exchange for discounts on the purchase of animal products. The organic food waste returned enters in the production process of animal products. A choice experiment was designed to analyse alternative programs. Two scenarios were presented: one with a traditional technology (composting), and a second one with a radically innovative technology (insects as feed). Preferences and trade-offs, in monetary terms, among attributes were computed. Results depict a comprehensive portrait of the potential participation of consumers to closed loops inspired by the principles of circular economy. Full article

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