Towards sustainable European grassland farming with Inno4Grass: an infrastructure for innovation and knowledge sharing

European agriculture is facing tremendous challenges related to the rapid decrease in farm populations, competitiveness on open markets and the preservation of natural resources. Grasslands, which are highly significant for nature conservation often face land-use competition with arable cropping, urbanisation and other uses. Farmers need dedicated innovations to improve the economic performance of grasslands and their effective implementation in practice. This requires co-creation of knowledge between researchers and farmland practitioners, as was broadly pointed out by the European Commission. This paper describes a novel approach for creating a collaborative space for grassland innovations contributing to profitability of European grassland farms while preserving environmental benefits. Innovative modes of collaboration between practice and science are enabled by an international thematic network across eight European member states. A methodology that serves to collect farmers’ innovative ideas and to stimulate collaboration among various stakeholders (farmers’ groups, extension services, education and research) including cross-border collaborations, where grassland-related knowledge is made available for local conditions. This interactive innovation model fosters knowledge exchange and establishes a farmland-specific information management system. The aim is to stimulate a renewed, collaborative innovation culture for European Union (EU) grasslands. The methods are conceptualised and put into practice by the thematic network project Inno4Grass funded under Horizon 2020.

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Elastic transformation of histological slices allows precise co-registration with microCT data sets for a refined virtual histology approach

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89841-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jonas Albers ◽

Angelika Svetlove ◽

Justus Alves ◽

Alexander Kraupner ◽

Francesca di Lillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Three Dimensional ◽

High Specificity ◽

Histopathological Analysis ◽

Specific Information ◽

Data Sets ◽

Virtual Histology ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Cell Tissue ◽

Immuno Histochemistry ◽

3D Information

AbstractAlthough X-ray based 3D virtual histology is an emerging tool for the analysis of biological tissue, it falls short in terms of specificity when compared to conventional histology. Thus, the aim was to establish a novel approach that combines 3D information provided by microCT with high specificity that only (immuno-)histochemistry can offer. For this purpose, we developed a software frontend, which utilises an elastic transformation technique to accurately co-register various histological and immunohistochemical stainings with free propagation phase contrast synchrotron radiation microCT. We demonstrate that the precision of the overlay of both imaging modalities is significantly improved by performing our elastic registration workflow, as evidenced by calculation of the displacement index. To illustrate the need for an elastic co-registration approach we examined specimens from a mouse model of breast cancer with injected metal-based nanoparticles. Using the elastic transformation pipeline, we were able to co-localise the nanoparticles to specifically stained cells or tissue structures into their three-dimensional anatomical context. Additionally, we performed a semi-automated tissue structure and cell classification. This workflow provides new insights on histopathological analysis by combining CT specific three-dimensional information with cell/tissue specific information provided by classical histology.

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NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT BUILDINGS AND CITIES

GEOLINKS Conference proceedings, Book 2 Volume 2 ◽

10.32008/geolinks2020/b2/v2/33 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Barbara Widera

Keyword(s):

Urban Design ◽

Well Being ◽

Sustainable Growth ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Raw Material ◽

End User ◽

Material Consumption ◽

Local Conditions ◽

Sustainable Urbanization ◽

And Performance

The paper addresses the topic of nature-based solutions applied in the architectural and urban design. These ideas are analyzed in the context of the opportunities they create for the humanity in terms of the sustainable growth and environmental protection. Nature-based solutions are inherently taken from nature. The first part of the paper presents their tremendous potential to be energy and resource-efficient, and resilient to change. In the second part of the research particular concepts driven from nature (copied form nature or inspired by nature) proposed for the buildings and cities are described and evaluated. The author discusses their functional usefulness, spatial appropriateness, adaptation to local conditions, end-user comfort, environmental benefits and the possibility of duplication. Nature-based solutions applied in urban planning can make cities more climate resilient and contribute to ecosystems restoration. The paper describes how sustainable urbanization can stimulate economic growth, make cities more attractive and enhance well-being of the inhabitants. It is also explained how particular buildings can benefit from the concepts driven from nature e.g. by increasing their energy efficiency and performance in terms of raw material consumption. In purpose to properly response to the climate challenge, humanity has to establish a new kind of partnership with nature. Using nature-based solutions should be considered as an important part of this approach. The concepts presented in this paper show some of the most promising options, such as integration of living systems with built systems and innovative combinations of soft and hard engineering. In conclusion some of the most promising nature-based solutions for climate resilient buildings and cities are indicated

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Extraction of Ta and Nb from a Coltan Bearing Ore by Means of Ammonium Bifluoride Fluorination and Sulfuric Acid Leaching

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min11121392 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 1392

Author(s):

Alidor Shikika ◽

Francois Zabene ◽

Fabrice Muvundja ◽

Mac C. Mugumaoderha ◽

Julien L. Colaux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sulfuric Acid ◽

Acid Leaching ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Process Conditions ◽

Sulfuric Acid Leaching ◽

Mechanical Agitation ◽

Ammonium Bifluoride ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Pre Treatment ◽

Subsequent Acid

A novel approach for Ta and Nb extraction consisting of the pre-treatment of a coltan-bearing ore with an ammonium bifluoride sub-molten salt and subsequent acid leaching has been studied. The effects from ore granulometry, ammonium bifluoride (ABF) to ore mass ratio, temperature and duration of fluorination on the degree of Ta and Nb extraction were examined. The ABF to ore ratio and process temperature were found to have the most pronounced impact on extraction efficiency. The following optimal process conditions were determined: ore granulometric fraction (−75 + 45 µm), ABF-ore (5/1), fluorination temperature (200 °C) and fluorination time (2.5 h). Maintaining these parameters enabled about 94% of Ta and 95% of Nb to be brought into solution during the sulfuric-acid-leaching stage. A comparison of the proposed method with previously reported studies suggests that due to the effects of mechanical agitation and the recirculation of the HF-containing gaseous phase back into the process, the dosage rate of ABF at the fluorination stage could be reduced significantly without sacrificing the overall recovery of Ta and Nb. In such a way, the approach could offer added environmental benefits since release of fluoride-containing effluents into the environment could be limited.

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DISSECT: DISentangle SharablE ConTent for Multimodal Integration and Crosswise-mapping

10.1101/2020.09.04.283234 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Geoffrey Schau ◽

Erik Burlingame ◽

Young Hwan Chang

Keyword(s):

Deep Learning ◽

Complete Information ◽

Specific Information ◽

Multimodal Integration ◽

Specific Data ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Cross Domain ◽

Input Feature ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Latent Representations

AbstractDeep learning systems have emerged as powerful mechanisms for learning domain translation models. However, in many cases, complete information in one domain is assumed to be necessary for sufficient cross-domain prediction. In this work, we motivate a formal justification for domain-specific information separation in a simple linear case and illustrate that a self-supervised approach enables domain translation between data domains while filtering out domain-specific data features. We introduce a novel approach to identify domainspecific information from sets of unpaired measurements in complementary data domains by considering a deep learning cross-domain autoencoder architecture designed to learn shared latent representations of data while enabling domain translation. We introduce an orthogonal gate block designed to enforce orthogonality of input feature sets by explicitly removing non-sharable information specific to each domain and illustrate separability of domain-specific information on a toy dataset.

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Semi open Innovation: an Approach to the Innovation Typology

Future Studies Research Journal Trends and Strategies ◽

10.24023/futurejournal/2175-5825/2018.v10i1.308 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 55-81

Author(s):

Andréia De Fátima Ribeiro Rocha ◽

Isabel Cristina dos Santos ◽

Almir Martins Vieira

Keyword(s):

Open Innovation ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Innovation Process ◽

Technological Education ◽

Local Conditions ◽

Innovation Model ◽

New Perspective ◽

National Reputation ◽

Innovation Mode ◽

Technology Institute

Purpose: This study aims to contribute to the Innovation Models debate from a new perspective on the innovation process, more frequently discussed in a range from closed to open innovation model. Coming into to the discussion in the recent years, called semi open innovation, this modality of innovation has been referenced as one that uses external knowledge, however considers that this knowledge is not a crucial element for the development of innovation. In this present study, semi-open innovation is characterized when the innovation process meets specific conditions of particular set of technologies and companies bounded by the local conditions. Design/Methodology/Approach: it refers to a qualitative study, supported by case studies. Findings: It was observed that the existence of a local Scientific and Technology Institute is a reason to define the location to produce, but did not find evidences of a large use of STI resources or with other local researchers for a product development. We could not clearly identify real open innovation model in practice. However, the proximity of a technological education and University of great national reputation, in addition to providing skilled labour, becomes a source of knowledge that should be used more frequently. Conclusions pointed out that there is a restricted support given by STI. The cases show that two firms practice an open innovation mode. In one case we conclude it refers to semi-open innovation practice.

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Participatory Mapping for Strengthening Environmental Governance on Socio-Ecological Impacts of Infrastructure in the Amazon: Lessons to Improve Tools and Strategies

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su132414048 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (24) ◽

pp. 14048

Author(s):

Carla Mere-Roncal ◽

Gabriel Cardoso Carrero ◽

Andrea Birgit Chavez ◽

Angelica Maria Almeyda Zambrano ◽

Bette Loiselle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Environmental Governance ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Good Governance ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

Ecological Impacts ◽

Participatory Mapping ◽

Infrastructure Development ◽

Development Agenda ◽

Novel Approach

The Amazon region has been viewed as a source of economic growth based on extractive industry and large-scale infrastructure development endeavors, such as roads, dams, oil and gas pipelines and mining. International and national policies advocating for the development of the Amazon often conflict with the environmental sector tasked with conserving its unique ecosystems and peoples through a sustainable development agenda. New practices of environmental governance can help mitigate adverse socio-economic and ecological effects. For example, forming a “community of practice and learning” (CoP-L) is an approach for improving governance via collaboration and knowledge exchange. The Governance and Infrastructure in the Amazon (GIA) project, in which this study is embedded, has proposed that fostering a CoP-L on tools and strategies to improve infrastructure governance can serve as a mechanism to promote learning and action on factors related to governance effectiveness. A particular tool used by the GIA project for generating and sharing knowledge has been participatory mapping (Pmap). This study analyzes Pmap exercises conducted through workshops in four different Amazonian regions. The goal of Pmap was to capture different perspectives from stakeholders based on their experiences and interests to visualize and reflect on (1) areas of value, (2) areas of concern and (3) recommended actions related to reducing impacts of infrastructure development and improvement of governance processes. We used a mixed-methods approach to explore textual analysis, regional multi-iteration discussion with stakeholders, participatory mapping and integration with ancillary geospatial datasets. We believe that by sharing local-knowledge-driven data and strengthening multi-actor dialogue and collaboration, this novel approach can improve day to day practices of CoP-L members and, therefore, the transparency of infrastructure planning and good governance.

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Nature Based Solutions: Reporting and analyzing insights from Europe

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-8902 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mario Al Sayah ◽

Pierre-Antoine Versini ◽

Daniel Schertzer

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Adaptation ◽

Stakeholder Participation ◽

Research Work ◽

Social Needs ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

National Scale ◽

European Continent ◽

Horizon 2020 ◽

Macro Scale

<p>The challenges imposed by climate change and urbanization require a paradigm yet holistic shift that considers the trade-off between ecosystemic conservation, social needs and economic growth. By concomitantly providing socioeconomic and environmental benefits, Nature Based Solutions (NBS) according to the European Commission (EC) present viable, resource-efficient and adaptable tools for ensuring the above-mentioned transition. Accordingly, NBS are high on European and French priority agendas, and are believed to be the way forward. The abundant scientific literature on NBS solidifies their potential through the various advantages they present. Evidently, NBS are win-win resolutions to environmental challenges (climate change, natural risks, food and water security), they support greener economies, conserve biodiversity, promote sustainability, support adaptive capacities, and reduce natural/socioeconomic sensitivities. In spite of their potential, NBS are faced by many obstacles. Conceptual obstacles include contested definitions of NBS, reduced reporting on uncertainties, and overlaps with sister notions that make the NBS concept somewhat vague. Systemic challenges include governance barriers, public willingness to adopt NBS and stakeholder participation (acceptance, perspectives and engagement). Implementation challenges encompass limited funds or budgets, difficulties of upscaling what works and maintaining-monitoring progress. Accounting for the above-mentioned elements, this study will use France as a micro scale and the European continent as a macro scale, to provide a local and regional inventory of NBS&#8217; potential and limits. First, an in-depth bibliographic analysis and text mining techniques are carried out for providing detailed science-based evidence on the performance of NBS. For the national scale, peer-reviewed literature from the Scopus database and official UN bodies or international organizations reports are used. For the European scale, deliverables of several Horizon 2020 projects serve the purpose. Subsequently, an analysis of stakeholder profiles, categories, and participation for mapping NBS actors in both contexts will follow. By combining theoretical investigations and stakeholder analysis, a holistic representation of the NBS framework is ensured. The logic behind this approach is to draw up scientific and technical evidence on NBS to mainstream their integration into development projects. Accordingly, the objective of this research work falls under one of the several actions of the Life ARTISAN project, action A1: reporting on obstacles and levers for Nature Based Adaptation Solutions. Under this scope, the project ARTISAN standing for &#8220;Achieving Resiliency by Triggering Implementation of nature-based Solutions for climate Adaptation at a National scale&#8221; aims to achieve the plans set in France&#8217;s second national climate change adaptation plan by leveraging NBS. Beyond the national scale, by capitalizing on past experiences and grouping dispersed findings, this study will provide deeper insights on NBS, and will allow a prioritization of research and knowledge building needs.</p>

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The Importance of Social Support and Communities of Practice: Farmer Perceptions of the Challenges and Opportunities of Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems on Organically Managed Farms in the Northern U.S.

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10124606 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 4606 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jennifer Hayden ◽

Sarah Rocker ◽

Hannah Phillips ◽

Bradley Heins ◽

Andrew Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Communities Of Practice ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

Economic Incentives ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Policy Support ◽

Social Infrastructure ◽

Farmer Knowledge ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Organically Managed ◽

Livestock Systems

Most U.S. farms today specialize in either crop or livestock production, failing to harness the potential economic and environmental benefits of integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS). This specialization is particularly contradictory for organic operations, which aim to promote biodiversity and reduce reliance on outside sources of feed and fertility. This study investigated the challenges and opportunities experienced by farmers interested in integrating crops and livestock on organically managed farms in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. Qualitative methods, including focus groups and interviews, generated four categories of challenges: farming norms, complexity of management, biophysical conditions, and financial costs, and four categories of opportunities: increasing support for ICLS, financial and labor advantages, biophysical improvements, and animal welfare. Discussion of the data analysis demonstrates how most of the challenges of ICLS are mitigated by opportunities. For instance, increasing support for ICLS means there are growing communities of practice in which farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange and peer support overcome obstacles to success in these systems. Unmitigated challenges that are beyond the control of farmers include regional infrastructure, financing and insurance, and long time horizon for returns. These three unmitigated challenges may require interventions such as policy support, economic incentives and social infrastructure to enable successful farm transitions to ICLS in this region.

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Multi-use of the sea: from research to practice

SHS Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/shsconf/20185801025 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 01025

Author(s):

Joanna Przedrzymirska ◽

Jacek Zaucha ◽

Daniel Depellgrin ◽

Rhona Fairgrieve ◽

Andronikos Kafas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Benefits ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Economic Activities ◽

Analytical Methodology ◽

Horizon 2020 ◽

Scientific Debate ◽

Spatial Efficiency ◽

Starting Point ◽

Increasing Demand ◽

Maritime Spatial Planning

The increasing demand for ocean resources exerts an increasing pressure on the use of ocean space across all European Sea Basins. This underlines issues of compatibility (or conflicts) between different maritime uses as well as between economic activities and environmental protection. The idea of multi-use (MU), as a guiding concept for efficient allocation of compatible activities in the same marine space, can increase spatial efficiency and at the same time provide socio-economic and environmental benefits. However, its transition from a concept to real-world development is facing several barriers. Based on analysis of five European sea basins done under the Horizon 2020 MUSES project (Multi-Use in European Seas), this paper aims to clarify the concept of MU by discussing: 1) the definition in the literature and practice so far, and; 2) how existing regulatory and planning regimes are supporting and challenging the development of several MUs (considered as the most promising). The analytical methodology developed for the MUSES project relied on data collected via desk research and semi structured interviews with key stakeholders (e.g. industry, regulators), over the period of seven months. The semi-quantitative analysis of data conducted, identified the commonalities and differences among countries in respect to each of the analyzed MUs. The paper points out priorities for the MU development in different sea basins and recommends initial steps to overcome existing barriers, whilst maximizing local benefits. This paper is a starting point towards a broader scientific debate on: (i) what could be the role of management policies (like for instance maritime spatial planning - MSP) in supporting and fostering MU concept development, (ii) what are technical and technological challenges for technically advanced MUs, (iii) how added values of MUs concept (e.g. benefits for local economies, positive impacts on environment) could be enhanced.

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The role of FSC certification to maintain sustainability: the case of Precious Woods Amazon Company

REBRAE - Revista Brasileira de Estrategia ◽

10.7213/rebrae.10.001.ao01 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Debora Ramos Santiago

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Forest Management ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Forest Stewardship Council ◽

Local Conditions ◽

Market Expansion ◽

Forest Stewardship

The objective of this study is to analyze the role of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for the maintenance of sustainability in the Amazon, considering the specific case of the timber Precious Woods Amazon (PWA), trying to understand the fundamental aspects of this certification program, the environmental benefits generated and the challenges for the conservation and promotion of sustainable development of the Amazon. As base of information, essentially was used the sources of data of the Forest Stewardship Council data (FSC), the Institute of Agricultural and Forest Management and Certification (IMAFLORA) and Precious Woods Amazon (PWA). The FSC certification has been considered an important instrument for the conservation of global sustainability, through their strict principles and criteria that enable forest management occurs in an environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable. In this perspective, the PWA has contributed significantly to the conservation of the Amazon, making it a world reference in sustainable use of forests. Despite the harsh criticism existing on the veracity of their practices, the available data revealed to be unquestionable the importance of PWA promoting sustainable development in the region, because since its inception the protected areas have been expanded, in addition, the company generates decent jobs, clean energy and income for these isolated areas in the interior of Amazon, also fostering productive traditional practices in the communities that surround them. Many are the challenges to market expansion certificate in the Amazon, requiring efficient actions to foster it, promoting the spread of information, supervision and implementation of beneficial policies directed to local conditions, so that forest certification become a reality in the market, not only internationally, but also location. Environmental certification is a green and responsible development, becoming a worldwide trend at recent times.

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