Evaluation of Starch as an Environmental-Friendly Bioresource for the Development of Wood Bioadhesives

The environment is a very complex and fragile system in which multiple factors of different nature play an important role. Pollution, together with resource consumption, is one of the main causes of the environmental problems currently affecting the planet. In the search for alternative production processes, the use of renewable resources seeks a way to satisfy the demands of resource consumption based on the premises of lower environment impact and less damage to human health. In the wood sector, the panel manufacturing process is based on the use of formaldehyde-based resins. However, their poor moisture resistance leads to hydrolysis of amino-methylene bonds, which induces formaldehyde emissions throughout the lifetime of the wood panel. This manuscript investigates the environmental profile associated with different wood bioadhesives based on starch functionalization as a renewable alternative to formaldehyde resins. Considering that this is a process under development, the conceptual design of the full-scale process will be addressed by process modeling and the environmental profile will be assessed using life cycle assessment methodology. A comparative study with synthetic resins will provide useful information for modify their development to become real alternatives in the wood-based panel industry. The results obtained show the enormous potential of starch bioadhesives, as their environmental impact values are lower compared to those based on petrochemicals. However, certain improvements in the energy process requirements and in the chemical agents used could be developed to provide even better results.

Algol. Tragedy of Power (1920) as Futuristic Peplum and the “Rehearsal” of Metropolis

The article is devoted to the recently found and restored film Algol. The Tragedy of Power (1920) by Hans Werckmeister, combining an adventurous beginning, fantasy, career history and family history. This is one of the earliest stories predicting the processes of globalization. The author examines the visual originality of the picture, which includes both expressionist scenes and out-of-style fragments, dwells in detail on some camera solutions. Analyzes the plot of the film, combining science and unscientific fiction with references to the series of novels (Rougon-Maccara by Zola, The Forsyte Saga by Galsworthy, Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann) and the myth of Faust. Along with the development of the image of the modern urban environment and the civilization of the future, the images of nature play an important role: nature, included in the technogenic civilization, and self-sufficient nature, which helps the rural working people to survive. The image of the main character, Robert Hern, performed by the outstanding German actor Emil Jannings, is examined in detail. The author reflects on the paradoxical connection between the fantastic world of the film and some motives of Peplum.

When Nature Enhances Play in Nature: ListenTree

While digital and virtual play offer many advantages, our devices compress a wealth of information into displays that make use of a very limited subset of our sensorimotor capabilities. Meanwhile, nature play has been largely praised for being an ideal environment where we can use all our senses. Integrating computing power into the environment allows us to embed information into the material of the world, opening new opportunities for grounded networked play. This article proposes that the integration of information in the natural and built environment can take on a new meaning when paired with social mechanisms, cultural value and symbolic meaning. ListenTree, an audio-haptic display embedded in a tree is discussed as an example of a new form of display in the natural environment. An audio exciter transducer is weatherproofed and attached to the underground portion of a tree trunk, transforming the tree into a living speaker that channels audio through its branches. Our intervention is motivated by a need for seamless displays that support curiosity-driven exploration and require us to be present, attentive, and mindful.

Challenges in the development of the geodiversity concept

<p>The concept of geodiversity, despite being in use for almost 30 years, still has little impact on society. It is not easy to explain the reason for this dissociation, considering that the elements that constitute geodiversity are intrinsically part of nature, play an essential role in ecosystem services and, consequently, in human well-being.</p><p>During the last decade we have seen a great development in the interest of the geoscientific community in this subject, represented by the increase in the publication of papers and doctoral and master theses all over the world. One of the main challenges is now to transpose all this scientific knowledge into society. Obviously, theoretical and conceptual discussions about geodiversity are an integral part of science and must continue, but if we want that society recognizes the importance and value of geodiversity, we must be able to demonstrate clearly how geodiversity can help to solve some of the problems we face today.</p><p>Among other priorities, the geoscientific community has to be able to demonstrate in an structured way:</p><ul><li>The importance of geodiversity in implementing nature conservation actions and its direct relationship with biodiversity;</li> <li><span>The contribution of geodiversity for ecosystems restoration and its accounting as part of natural capital;</span></li> <li><span>The need to quantify the role of geodiversity in ecosystem services;</span></li> <li><span>The urgency of make environmental impact assessments including all possible effects that may affect geodiversity elements and processes;</span></li> <li><span>The importance of integrate the concept of geodiversity in pre-university education curricula;</span></li> <li><span>That the information and environmental interpretation provided to visitors of protected areas and other conservation areas should always include geodiversity.</span></li> </ul><p>Once the importance of geodiversity is fully recognized by policy-makers, managers, and the society in general, the fulfilment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals will be for sure closer than it is today.</p>

Outdoor Activity Participation Improves Adolescents’ Mental Health and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 is reshaping human interactions with the natural environment, potentially generating profound consequences for health and well-being. To assess the effects of COVID-19 on the outdoor recreation participation and subjective well-being of adolescents, as well as how participation in outdoor activities may mitigate declines in subjective well-being, we used a Qualtrics XM panel to conduct a nationally representative survey of youth ages 10–18 across the United States (n = 624) between 30 April and 15 June 2020. Survey questions focused on frequency of participation in outdoor activities before and during the pandemic, as well as changes in subjective well-being. Paired t-tests revealed decreases in both outdoor recreation participation (64% reported declines) and subjective well-being (52% reported declines). A regression model examining correlates of changes in subjective well-being (R2 = 0.42) revealed strong associations with changes in outdoor play (B = 0.44, p < 0.001) and nature-based (B = 0.21, p = 0.016) activities. Adolescents’ from all backgrounds who participated in these activities during the pandemic reported smaller declines in subjective well-being. Results highlight the critical role that time outdoors and time in nature play in bolstering adolescents’ resilience to stressors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and underscore the need to facilitate outdoor recreation opportunities for youth during times of crisis.

History, Knowledge, and Sustainable Economic Development: The Contribution of John Stuart Mill’s Grand Stage Theory

The aim of this paper is to sketch out the idea for a grand theory in development studies as the necessary research field for fruitful historical interdisciplinary, arguing that Mill’s stage theory provides such a powerful theoretical framework able to contextualize, develop, and integrate the multiple, diverse, and middle-range contemporary strands in development studies. Second, an attempt is made to reconstitute Mill’s stages theory of economic development placing it at the center of his political economy. We claim that Mill’s theory of economic development implies that the dialectical relation between knowledge/innovation (human capital) and nature (natural capital) accelerates the course of economic change. In Mill’s analysis, the dialectical relation between knowledge and nature penetrates through culture, which is regarded by Mill as a structural element of each stage of economic development. By highlighting the importance of knowledge in the transition between different stages of economic development, and by proposing a reassessed interpretation of Mill’s stages theory of economic development, we propose that in Mill’s political economy both innovation and nature play a pivotal role in accessing sustainable economic development.

Pro-Environmental Behavior, Connectedness to Nature, and Wellbeing Dimensions among Granada Students

This paper aims to answer the following research questions: Are there differences between individual and collective pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) in their relationship with wellbeing? What role does connectedness to nature play in those relationships? We understand individual PEBs as efforts to consume less and to reduce the environmental impact of consumption, whereas we define collaborative PEBs in terms of environmental activism. We consider connectedness to nature as a potential factor moderating the relationship between PEBs and wellbeing. The study incorporates several dimensions of wellbeing: cognitive, affective and eudaimonic. We use regression analysis to study the extent to which individual and collective PEBs explain the three wellbeing dimensions and we explore the moderating role of connectedness to nature using data from a sample of 973 students at the University of Granada (Spain). Results indicate that individual PEBs are positively related to the eudaimonic dimension of wellbeing but they do not explain the cognitive and affective dimensions. In contrast, collaborative PEB is negatively related to life satisfaction, our measure of the cognitive dimension, but not significantly related to the other wellbeing measures. Based on this evidence, we can answer our first research question in the affirmative. As for the second question, our results suggest that connectedness to nature plays a moderating role in the relationship between life satisfaction and collaborative PEBs, as the initially negative relationship is reversed when people feel highly connected to nature.

Exploring Access to Nature Play in Urban Parks: Resilience, Sustainability, and Early Childhood

Nature play is an important component of the development of resilience in early childhood. Nature play is also an element of urban sustainability through a consideration of access to urban nature. From the foundation of access to nature play as a part of both resilience and sustainability considerations, a mixed-method case study was initiated. Spatial analysis, survey outreach, and focus group methodology have been combined to consider whether city parkland provides access for preschools to incorporate nature play, and, further, whether other barriers may exist to limit or prevent the use of city parks for nature play by preschool programs. The results indicate the existence of quality proximate access, but other factors creating barriers for broader application of nature play exist. The results also illustrate the critical role of public access to public parks as part of urban sustainability and the development of resilience in young children. The implications for the use of city parkland for nature play are presented.

Information literacy practices of young Internet users related to the production of religious content: 2019 Algerian protests case

This article aims to explore the creative practices of young Algerian Internet users related to the production of religious content within the context of the protest movement post 22 February 2019. It questions the place of the Islamic religion in the Algerian protests in the light of religious redocumentarized contents on Facebook (photos). The research is based on the methodological approach of redocumentarization linked with information literacy practices. The results highlight two aspects. Spirituality and faith instilled by redocumentarized photos of religious nature play a catalytic and fuelling role in this popular movement. The Algerian youth information literacy represents the beginning of digital citizen participation.