Light pollution: A review of the scientific literature

2021 ◽  
pp. 205301962110512
Author(s):  
Jesús Rodrigo-Comino ◽  
Stephan Seeling ◽  
Manuel K. Seeger ◽  
Johannes B. Ries
Keyword(s):  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Natural Ecosystem ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Pollution Impacts

Light pollution is the consequence of elevated lighting emitted by human-made artefacts to the lower atmosphere. Recently, there have been major advances in the assessment and mitigation of light pollution impacts on humans and the natural ecosystems. Severe negative impacts of light pollution have been highlighted while very few mitigation measures have been implemented. People (scientists, policymakers or stakeholders) interested in light pollution may not have a holistic perspective of the problem, and also there is a need for incorporating social and natural dimensions. Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to review the literature on light pollution using ISI Web of Science by paying attention to the (i) type of publication, year and journal; (ii) impacts on specific elements; (iii) location and (iv) methods used. Our results indicated that the elevated number of papers come from a diverse range of disciplines, methods, places and scales. It is clear that light pollution is getting enough attention from the scientific community but decisions on the implementation of mitigation measures are left with the stakeholders, ordinary inhabitants, policymakers and politicians. Nevertheless, light pollution is having impacts on the health of humans and the natural ecosystem as perceived by experts and inhabitants having divergent perspectives. Thus, light pollution is multifaceted but difficult to be faced, mitigated and not holistically understood. This review paper groups the total impacts of light pollution on the Earth presents some contradictory results, summarises mitigation measures, and provides specific future research directions.

scholarly journals The Use of Embedded Context-Sensitive Attractors for Clinical Walking Test Guidance in Virtual Reality

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Croucher ◽  
Wendy Powell ◽  
Matt Dicks ◽  
Brett Stevens ◽  
Vaughan Powell
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Path Following ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Walk Test ◽  
Therapeutic Goals ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Negative Impacts

Virtual reality is increasingly used in rehabilitation and can provide additional motivation when working toward therapeutic goals. However, a particular problem for patients regards their ability to plan routes in unfamiliar environments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore how visual cues, namely embedded context-sensitive attractors, can guide attention and walking direction in VR, for clinical walking interventions. This study was designed using a butterfly as the embedded context-sensitive attractor, to guide participant locomotion around the clinical figure of eight walk test, to limit the use of verbal instructions. We investigated the effect of varying the number of attractors for figure of eight path following, and whether there are any negative impacts on perceived autonomy or workload. A total of 24 participants took part in the study and completed six attractor conditions in a counterbalanced order. They also experienced a control VE (no attractors) at the beginning and end of the protocol. Each VE condition lasted a duration of 1 min and manipulated the number of attractors to either singular or multiple alongside, the placement of turning markers (virtual trees) used to represent the cones used in clinical settings for the figure of eight walk test. Results suggested that embedded context-sensitive attractors can be used to guide walking direction, following a figure of eight in VR without impacting perceived autonomy, and workload. However, there appears to be a saturation point, with regards to effectiveness of attractors. Too few objects in a VE may reduce feelings of intrinsic motivation, and too many objects in a VE may reduce the effectiveness of attractors for guiding individuals along a figure of eight path. We conclude by indicating future research directions, for attractors and their use as a guide for walking direction.

scholarly journals Comprehensive Evaluation of Photovoltaic Solar Plants vs. Natural Ecosystems in Green Conflict Situations

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 6224
Author(s):  
Kosuke Mori ◽  
Tomohiro Tabata
Keyword(s):  
Economic Benefit ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Environmental Cost ◽  
Natural Ecosystem ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Comprehensive Method ◽  
Conflict Situations ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Hyogo Prefecture

This study aims to develop a comprehensive method for evaluating the environmental cost/benefits of photovoltaic (PV) solar plant installation versus conserving natural ecosystems. First, the positive and negative impacts of installing PV solar plants in regions with natural ecosystems are reviewed. For focus and quantification, climate change mitigation and economic benefit were considered as benefits, and the loss of carbon sinks and biodiversity as well as disaster risk were considered as negatives. These items were also integrated as external costs using a life-cycle assessment method, and a ratio of positive versus negative impacts (P/N ratio) was developed, as part of our evaluation. The method was applied to a case study in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, where 361 large PV solar plants have been installed in areas that previously supported natural ecosystems. Prior to the PV installation, 25.5% of the plants were cleared from the natural ecosystem. Consequently, the annualized benefits (costs) for these Hyogo plants were estimated to be 101.16 (73.88) million USD, which yielded a P/N ratio of 1.37, indicating that their benefits outweighed their costs. An economic benefit was found to be one of the parameters that significantly influenced the P/N ratio.

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Automation, Robotics, Future of Work and Future of Humanity

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiyu Wang ◽  
Keng Siau
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Machine Learning ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Way

The exponential advancement in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics, and automation are rapidly transforming industries and societies across the world. The way we work, the way we live, and the way we interact with others are expected to be transformed at a speed and scale beyond anything we have observed in human history. This new industrial revolution is expected, on one hand, to enhance and improve our lives and societies. On the other hand, it has the potential to cause major upheavals in our way of life and our societal norms. The window of opportunity to understand the impact of these technologies and to preempt their negative effects is closing rapidly. Humanity needs to be proactive, rather than reactive, in managing this new industrial revolution. This article looks at the promises, challenges, and future research directions of these transformative technologies. Not only are the technological aspects investigated, but behavioral, societal, policy, and governance issues are reviewed as well. This research contributes to the ongoing discussions and debates about AI, automation, machine learning, and robotics. It is hoped that this article will heighten awareness of the importance of understanding these disruptive technologies as a basis for formulating policies and regulations that can maximize the benefits of these advancements for humanity and, at the same time, curtail potential dangers and negative impacts.

scholarly journals Understanding ENSO Diversity

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 921-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonietta Capotondi ◽  
Andrew T. Wittenberg ◽  
Matthew Newman ◽  
Emanuele Di Lorenzo ◽  
Jin-Yi Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
El Niño ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Current State ◽  
Global Impacts ◽  
Enso Diversity

Abstract El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a naturally occurring mode of tropical Pacific variability, with global impacts on society and natural ecosystems. While it has long been known that El Niño events display a diverse range of amplitudes, triggers, spatial patterns, and life cycles, the realization that ENSO’s impacts can be highly sensitive to this event-to-event diversity is driving a renewed interest in the subject. This paper surveys our current state of knowledge of ENSO diversity, identifies key gaps in understanding, and outlines some promising future research directions.

Sustainability for competitiveness in firms – a systematic literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Citlalli Lopez-Torres ◽  
Salomón Montejano-García ◽  
Francisco Javier Alvarez-Torres ◽  
Marcelo de Jesus Perez-Ramos
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moderating Factors ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
New Research

Purpose This paper aims to present a systematic review of the literature on sustainability for the competitiveness of firms to identify the state of the art, significant discussions and new research directions. Recently, due to the negative impacts that traditional and unsustainable practices of companies have caused the Planet (e.g. climate change, sanitary crisis), national and international research urgently calls for the assessment of sustainable practices in firms. However, progress seems slow due to a poor understanding of the necessary changes that companies must make in their specific reality. Competitiveness has remained as firms’ primary strategy to endure. Some have associated sustainability with an increment of costs, sometimes with a negative impact on its competitiveness. Sometimes generating oppositions from stakeholder and institutions regulations, it is important to explore how these behaviors and dynamics of this relationship between sustainability and competitiveness affect the pursued transition to sustainability. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review of the literature, which is a scientific tool, is used in this research. It allows reliably and accurately analyzing and constructing conclusions from a broad database. The search was leaked over the 10 years, from 2010 to 2019. As a basis, 182 scientific articles were identified and revised based on methodology selection criteria and 51 articles were revised in detail. Findings This paper identifies critical variables analyzed in the selected articles, sustainability strategies for competitiveness, strategies for sustainability, organizational aspects for sustainability and competitiveness, measurement of sustainability, models, moderating factors for sustainability and new future research directions. Originality/value This paper presents state of art about sustainability for competitiveness and identifying key themes and future research directions.

City Light or Star Bright: A Review of Urban Light Pollution, Impacts, and Planning Implications

2021 ◽  
pp. 088541222098642
Author(s):  
Kameshwari Pothukuchi
Keyword(s):  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Competing Values ◽  
Adverse Impacts ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Pollution Impacts ◽  
Multiple Categories

Light pollution (LP) is a growing scourge in metropolitan areas yet is largely ignored by planners. It has negative impacts on the health of humans and of wildlife and threatens views of the night sky. This article reviews adverse impacts in multiple categories, highlights mitigation strategies, and makes the case for more engagement in planning scholarship and practice especially in the United States. Defining LP and balancing competing values in its mitigation are political acts, challenged by, among other things, lack of public awareness, the primacy of energy efficiency among factors in decision-making, and the association of more light with greater security.

Ostracizing targets of workplace sexual harassment before and after the #MeToo movement

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie E.V. Brown ◽  
Jericka S. Battle
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Workplace Abuse ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Building Community ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Recommendations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the connections between sexual harassment and ostracism both before and after the modern day #MeToo movement. It outlines how the birth of the #MeToo movement lessened the impact of ostracism, empowering victims to report their abusers. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides an overview of the ostracism literature, and discusses why ostracism has historically prevented individuals from disclosing workplace abuse. It also examines recent and historical cases of sexual harassment where ostracism has both inhibited targets of sexual harassment from reporting and harmed those who stood up for their right not to be harassed. Findings Both purposeful and non-purposeful ostracism have negative impacts on employees and organizations as a whole, and the fear of ostracism prevented many from disclosing harassment and abuse in the workplace. The #MeToo movement, by nature, is antithetical to ostracism by building community and freeing people to seek justice. This paper makes practical recommendations for organizations that wish to help prevent ostracism as a response to workplace sexual harassment disclosure. Research limitations/implications Both purposeful and non-purposeful ostracism have negative impacts on employees and organizations as a whole, and the fear of ostracism prevent many from disclosing harassment and abuse in the workplace. The #MeToo movement by nature is antithetical to ostracism, building community and freeing people to seek justice. This paper makes practical recommendations for organizations that wish to prevent ostracism as a response to workplace sexual harassment disclosure. Additionally, it provides future research directions to explore the empirical link between the disclosure of sexual harassment and ostracism. Originality/value This paper analyzes a crucial barrier to reporting sexual harassment. It both examines the consequences of ostracism and highlights how the threat of ostracism can be overcome through intentional organizational efforts.

scholarly journals Toward a Pluralistic Conception of Resilience

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Convertino ◽  
James Valverde
Keyword(s):  
Global Environmental Change ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information Network ◽  
Risk And Resilience ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Formal Schemes ◽  
Global Environmental ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Primary Focus

The concept of resilience occupies an increasingly prominent position within contemporary efforts to confront many of modernity's most pressing challenges, including global environmental change, famine, infrastructure, poverty, and terrorism, to name but a few. Received views of resilience span a broad conceptual and theoretical terrain, with a diverse range of application domains and settings. In this paper, we identify several foundational tenets --- dealing primarily with intent/intentionality and uncertainty --- that are seen to underlie a number of recent accounts of resilience, and we explore the implications of these tenets for ongoing attempts to articulate the rudiments of an overarching resilience paradigm. Firstly, we explore the complemental nature of risk and resilience, looking, initially, at the role that linearity assumptions play in numerous resilience frameworks found in the literature. We then explore the limitations of these assumptions for efforts directed at modeling risk and resilience in complex domains. These discussions are then used to motivate a pluralistic conception of resilience, drawing inspiration and content from a broad range of sources and empirical domains, including information, network, and decision theories. Secondly, we sketch the rudiments of a framework for engineered resilience, the primary focus of which is the exploration of the fundamental challenges that system design and system performance pose for resilience managers. The conception of engineered resilience set forth here also considers how challenges concerning time and predictability should factor explicitly into the formal schemes that are used to represent and model resilience. Finally, we conclude with a summary of our findings, and we provide a brief sketch of possible future research directions.

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