A systematic literature review on circular economy practices: challenges, opportunities and future trends

Purpose The circular economy (CE) is an evolving subject transitioning from conceptualization to empirical testing. Over the past decade, researchers have done an exhaustive study to understand the concept of CE and its realized values both financially and environmentally on organizations that have traditional business models based on linear consumption. For understanding the transitional phenomena completely, the paper aims to review the current and emerging research trends in CE to ascertain future direction. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted on 91 articles published in the study area during the past decade (2016–2021) in renowned peer-reviewed journals. The criteria set to review literature are based on the following assortment: CE drivers, CE barriers, definitions by different authors, yearly distribution of the publication, research publisher and journals, google citation and methodology used in the selected research articles. Findings The study suggests that researchers from the selected years are keen to understand the transition and its critical factors by bringing forward frameworks and incorporating CE with digital technologies. The digital technology implied are Industrial Technology (IR) 4.0, Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Data Analytics to increase organizational and environmental performance. CE researchers need to use empirical testing in different sectors to understand and bring forward more improvised business models and practices according to the dynamics of the industry. Originality/value The literature review suggests gaps exist to integrate the micro, meso and macro levels to get CE implementation's system-wide benefits. The study has also identified that many CE frameworks available in the literature for implementation must be empirically tested to yield performance results.

Research on Tracking the Behavior of the Ciobanus Forest Road over a Season Time through Specific Tests and Analysis

Forest roads are of great economic importance as they ensure the transport of logs and forest biomass toward collection and processing centers, which is why they should be evaluated periodically, in order to establish the degree of degradation and periodicity and rehabilitation methodology and procedures. The main purpose of the paper is to follow the behavior of the Ciobanus forest road through specific tests over a difficult season of 5 months, in order to diagnose the degree of surface wear and structure degradation. Regarding the traffic on this forest road, an exhaustive study was made during the 2013–2017 period, and for in situ or in laboratory tests a more complex study during the year 2018, in the March-June period was also made. Out of the total of 20 tests that evaluated the Ciobanus forest road, 5 of them were classified as appropriate and 15 unsuitable for traffic, meaning the forest road had to be completely rehabilitated. Moreover, it has been shown that this forest road is part of the category of secondary forest roads and needs a total overhaul to cope with the increasing traffic or tonnage of trucks. Through the methodology and the obtained results, the paper supports the specialists in the field of forest roads to be able to diagnose or evaluate such a road, and to realize a program and its timing for maintenance.

Las familias biológicas en el proceso de adopción de un menor: características y rasgos sociales

It is about making visible and showing the characteristics of the biological families of the boys and girls who are adopted in the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia between the period 1987-2007. To verify these data, an exhaustive study of a total of 29 adoption files provided by the General Directorate of Families, as well as 4 interviews with adoptive parents. They constitute a sample and a significant example of the characteristics and social traits of biological families. Through case studies, we reflect on whether they have been excluded from the adoption process due to the characterization that emerges from them, as they are framed in serious problematic contexts that accentuate the risk that the minors entail living in these families. Se trata de visibilizar y mostrar las características de las familias biológicas de niños y niñas que son adoptados en la Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia entre el periodo 1987-2007. Para constatar estos datos se ha realizado un estudio exhaustivo de un total de 29 expedientes de adopción facilitados por la Dirección General de Familias, así como 4 entrevistas a padres adoptantes. Constituyen una muestra y un ejemplo significativo de las características y rasgos sociales de las familias biológicas. A través de estudios de caso reflexionamos sobre si éstas han sido excluidas del proceso de adopción por la caracterización que se desprende de ellas, al estar enmarcadas en contextos problemáticos graves que acentúan el riesgo que supone para los menores vivir en esas familias.

Propagating Geometry Information to Finite Element Computations

The traditional workflow in continuum mechanics simulations is that a geometry description —for example obtained using Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) or Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools—forms the input for a mesh generator. The mesh is then used as the sole input for the finite element, finite volume, and finite difference solver, which at this point no longer has access to the original, “underlying” geometry. However, many modern techniques—for example, adaptive mesh refinement and the use of higher order geometry approximation methods—really do need information about the underlying geometry to realize their full potential. We have undertaken an exhaustive study of where typical finite element codes use geometry information, with the goal of determining what information geometry tools would have to provide. Our study shows that nearly all geometry-related needs inside the simulators can be satisfied by just two “primitives”: elementary queries posed by the simulation software to the geometry description. We then show that it is possible to provide these primitives in all of the frequently used ways in which geometries are described in common industrial workflows, and illustrate our solutions using a number of examples.

Metaproteomics Approach and Pathway Modulation in Obesity and Diabetes: A Narrative Review

Low-grade inflammatory diseases revealed metabolic perturbations that have been linked to various phenotypes, including gut microbiota dysbiosis. In the last decade, metaproteomics has been used to investigate protein composition profiles at specific steps and in specific healthy/pathologic conditions. We applied a rigorous protocol that relied on PRISMA guidelines and filtering criteria to obtain an exhaustive study selection that finally resulted in a group of 10 studies, based on metaproteomics and that aim at investigating obesity and diabetes. This batch of studies was used to discuss specific microbial and human metaproteome alterations and metabolic patterns in subjects affected by diabetes (T1D and T2D) and obesity. We provided the main up- and down-regulated protein patterns in the inspected pathologies. Despite the available results, the evident paucity of metaproteomic data is to be considered as a limiting factor in drawing objective considerations. To date, ad hoc prepared metaproteomic databases collecting pathologic data and related metadata, together with standardized analysis protocols, are required to increase our knowledge on these widespread pathologies.

Liberalization and Governance in the Geographical Distribution of Pharmacies in Spain

The Health system in Spain is considered one of the most valued public services by the population. In fact, during the first decade of the 21st century, Spain became a health tourism destination for people from central and northern European countries. In addition to the health infrastructure, the quality of medical and nursing care stands out. Something similar also happens with the Spanish pharmaceutical system. However, there are some characteristics that should be addressed from a Geography perspective. The pharmacies’ legal system does not consider them to be of public interest. One is when some of the main activities are the sale and distribution of medicines that are partially paid for by the Administration, that is, Social Security. In the same activity, the public function is combined with the private interests of the pharmacy owners to provide a balanced territorial service. One of the conclusions demonstrates how the borders that are sometimes created by the Administration are not always the most efficient in relation to the characteristics of the territory, nor do they provide the best service to the population and, therefore, create territorial imbalances within a country. To reach our conclusions, we carried out an exhaustive study of the pharmacy legislation in the EU and in Spain, as well as Geography of Health and theories of territorial location. We combined this information with statistics on the territorial characteristics of Spain. This allowed us to confirm the peculiarities that exist within the governance of the distribution of pharmacy offices in Spain.

The Sustainable City: Advances in Renewable Energy and Energy Saving Systems

According to United Nations data, half of the world’s population lives in cities and forecasts indicate that by the middle of the 21st century, this percentage will have increased to 65%. The increase in the urban population favors the creation of a network of interactions that entails a series of material and energy flows. These cause environmental impacts that affect the quality of life of citizens and the environment as a whole. According to data from the International Energy Agency, cities occupy 3% of the planet’s surface and are responsible for 67% of global energy consumption. The effects caused by this consumption, as well as its impact on the depletion of resources, make it necessary to carry out an exhaustive study of renewable energies and new energy saving systems. This Special Issue aims to present new advances and developments in renewable energy and energy saving systems that allow cities to evolve in a sustainable way.

Fracture toughness of ABS additively manufactured by FDM process

Purpose: The purpose on this article is to study the failure of FDM printed ABS by exhibiting an exhaustive crack growth analysis mainly based on raster angle parameter. Design/methodology/approach: Two approaches have been developed in this study; On one hand, mechanical experiments were carried out to determine the critical stress intensity factor KIC. On the other hand, numerical analysis was used to predict the paths within the part as well as the crack propagation. Findings: This work has clearly shown the effect of raster angle on the damage mechanism of the ABS printed by FDM. Indeed, for the combination 1 (0°/90°), the structure presents an important stiffness and a high degree of stress distribution symmetry with respect to the notch. Moreover, the crack propagation is regular and straight, and the damage surfaces are on the same plane. However, for the combination 2 (-45°/45°), the structure is less resistant with an asymmetrical stress distribution according to two different planes. Research limitations/implications: In order to present an exhaustive study, we focused on the effect of two raster angles (including 0°/90°, -45°/45°) on the ABS crack propagation, additively manufactured. This study is still in progress for other raster angles, and will be developed from a design of experiments (DoE) design that incorporates all relevant factors. To highlight more the cracking mechanisms, microscopic observations will be developed in more depth. Practical implications: Our analysis can be used as a decision aid in the design of FDM parts. Indeed, we can choose the raster angle that would ensure the desired crack propagation resistance for a functional part. Originality/value: In this article, we have analyzed the mechanism of damage and crack propagation. This topic represents a new orientation for many research papers. For our study, we accompanied our experimental approach with an original numerical approach. In this numerical approach, we were able to mesh distinctly raster by raster for all layers.

Identifying, Categorising and Exploring ‘Ælfrician’ Vocabulary Using the Dictionary of Old English, A Thesaurus of Old English and Evoke

Ælfric of Eynsham (c.955×957–c.1010) is one of the most prominent authors of the Anglo-Saxon period. Despite this fact, there has not yet been an exhaustive study into his typical vocabulary. This article employs the Dictionary of Old English and prior scholarship in order to collect and categorise the lexis that is characteristic for his works. This vocabulary is then analysed using the web application Evoke together with A Thesaurus of Old English, which provides insights into the semantic domains that predominate in Ælfric’s vocabulary, as well as the degrees of ambiguity, synonymy and specificity of his typical lexis.