Multi-actor multi-criteria sustainability assessment framework for energy and industrial systems in life cycle perspective under uncertainties. Part 1: weighting method

Purpose

Life cycle sustainability assessment is meaningful for the decision-makers/stakeholders to select the most sustainable option among multiple alternatives; however, there are usually various severe uncertainty problems in sustainability-oriented decision-making, i.e., the vagueness and ambiguity that existed in human judgments and the lack of information. This study aims at developing a novel life cycle multi-criteria sustainability assessment method for helping the decision-makers/stakeholders to determine the sustainability level of the industrial and energy systems. In part 1, an improved interval analytic hierarchy process (AHP) which allows multiple decision-makers/stakeholders to participate in the decision-making was developed to determine the weights of the criteria which were used in life cycle sustainability assessment.

Methods

It is usually difficult for the decision-makers/stakeholders to use the numbers from 1 to 9 and their reciprocals for determining the comparison matrix when using the traditional AHP method for weight calculation, because human judgments usually involve various uncertainties. In order to the overcome this weak point of the traditional AHP, an improved AHP, so-called interval AHP, in which, multiple decision-makers/stakeholders are allowed to participate in the decision-making and allowed to use interval numbers instead of crisp numbers to establish the comparison matrix for determining the weights of the criteria for life cycle sustainability assessment, has been developed.

Results and discussion

The proposed method was used to determine the weights of the four aspects for life cycle sustainability assessment including economic, safety, social, and environmental aspects. Five representative stakeholders were invited to participate in the decision-making. After Monte Carlo simulation, the final weights of the four aspects have been determined with the proposed interval AHP.

Conclusions and perspectives

An interval AHP method was developed for determining the weights of the criteria for life cycle sustainability assessment; the decision-makers are allowed to use interval numbers to establish the comparison matrix for weight calculation. The weighting coefficients determined by Monte Carlo method can accurately reflect the preferences and willingness of multi-actor comparing with the traditional AHP method. This paper merely presents a novel method to calculate the weights of the criteria for life cycle sustainability assessment, but the method for determining the sustainability performance has been presented in part 2.

     

Characterizing alternative feeds for rainbow trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">O. mykiss</Emphasis>) by <Superscript>1</Superscript>H NMR metabolomics

Introduction

Fish feed formulations are constantly evolving to improve the quality of diets for farmed fish and to ensure the sustainability of the aquaculture sector. Nowadays, insect, microalgae and yeast are feedstuff candidates for new feeds. However, the characterization of aquafeed is still based on proximate and targeted analyses which may not be sufficient to assess feed quality.

Objectives

Our aim was to highlight the soluble compounds that specifically differ between selected plant-based feeds complemented with alternative feedstuffs and discuss their origin and potential for fish nutrition.

Methods

A growth trial was carried out to evaluate growth performances and feed conversion ratios of fish fed plant-based, commercial, insect, spirulina and yeast feeds. ¹H NMR metabolomics profiling of each feed was performed using a CPMG sequence on polar extracts. Spectra were processed, and data were analyzed using multivariate and univariate analyses to compare alternative feeds to a plant-based feed.

Results

Fish fed insect or yeast feed showed the best growth performances associated with the lowest feed conversion ratios compared to plant-based feed. Soluble compound ¹H NMR profiles of insect and spirulina alternative feeds differed significantly from the plant-based one that clustered with yeast feed. In insect and spirulina feeds, specific differences compared to plant-based feed concerned glycerol and 3-hydroxybutyrate, respectively.

Conclusion

This strategy based on compositional differences between plant-based and alternative feeds can be useful for detecting compounds unsuspected until now that could impact fish metabolism.

     

Omgaan met somberheid op oudere leeftijd: een kwalitatieve studie

Background

To gain new insights for support for older people with low mood, we explored the perceptions of ‘screenpositive’ older people on underlying causes and possible solutions.

Design and method

We conducted two in-depth interviews with 38 participants (≥77 years) who screened positive for depressive symptoms in general practice. To investigate the influence of the presence of complex health problems, we included 19 persons with and 19 without complex problems. Complex problems were defined as a combination of functional, somatic, psychological or social problems.

Results

All participants used several cognitive, social or practical coping strategies. Four patterns emerged: mastery, acceptance, ambivalence, and need for support. Some participants, especially those with complex problems, were ambivalent about possible interventions.

Conclusion

Most older participants perceived their coping strategies as sufficient. General practitioners can support self-management by exploring the (effectiveness of) personal coping strategies, providing information, elaborating on perceptions of risks and discussing alternative options with older persons.

     

Lightweighting in light commercial vehicles: cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment of a safety-relevant component

Purpose

Currently, the reduction of weight in automotive is a very important topic in order to lower the air pollution. In this context, the purpose of the present paper was to analyze a real case study through a comparison of the environmental sustainability between a conventional steel crossbeam for light commercial vehicles and an innovative lightweight aluminum one.

Methods

For both scenarios, a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment methodology and a sensitivity analysis has been used through the study of the following phases: mineral extraction, component manufacturing, use on vehicle, and end of life. In particular, many primary data and a complete vehicle model simulation with three different European driving cycles have been used in order to reach the highest possible level of accuracy during the analysis.

Results and discussion

Regarding the manufacturing phase, the aluminum component’s production gave the highest impact because of the high energy required in the mineral reduction. Anyway, this stage of the analysis had a low effect on the entire LCA, because the benefit of weight reduction during vehicle use showed a strongly higher contribution. The urban driving cycle had the most relevant impact, as a consequence of the frequent start and stop operations and the longest time with engine at idle speed, while the extra-urban cycle is the less demanding due to its higher average speed and no start and stop.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the present research demonstrated the environmental importance of the lightweight for an actual case study in the commercial vehicles field.

     

Evaluation of normal swallowing functions by using dynamic high-density surface electromyography maps

Background

Swallowing is a continuous process with substantive interdependencies among different muscles, and it plays a significant role in our daily life. The aim of this study was to propose a novel technique based on high-density surface electromyography (HD sEMG) for the evaluation of normal swallowing functions.

Methods

A total of 96 electrodes were placed on the front neck to acquire myoelectric signals from 12 healthy subjects while they were performing different swallowing tasks. HD sEMG energy maps were constructed based on the root mean square values to visualize muscular activities during swallowing. The effects of different volumes, viscosities, and head postures on the normal swallowing process were systemically investigated by using the energy maps.

Results

The results showed that the HD sEMG energy maps could provide detailed spatial and temporal properties of the muscle electrical activity, and visualize the muscle contractions that closely related to the swallowing function. The energy maps also showed that the swallowing time and effort was also explicitly affected by the volume and viscosity of the bolus. The concentration of the muscular activities shifted to the opposite side when the subjects turned their head to either side.

Conclusions

The proposed method could provide an alternative method to physiologically evaluate the dynamic characteristics of normal swallowing and had the advantage of providing a full picture of how different muscle activities cooperate in time and location. The findings from this study suggested that the HD sEMG technique might be a useful tool for fast screening and objective assessment of swallowing disorders or dysphagia.

     

Vanillin derived from lignin liquefaction: a sustainability evaluation

Purpose

Hydrothermal liquefaction of lignin has been demonstrated as a successful process for the synthesis of value-added phenolic chemical compounds such as vanillin. Vanillin has commercial value as a flavor and fragrance ingredient. This study performs a comparative process simulation and life cycle assessment (LCA) of synthesis of vanillin from depolymerization of lignin, one of the most abundant natural polymers on Earth.

Methods

Laboratory-scale scenarios for alkali lignin treatment were analyzed using LCA (TRACI 2.1) and green design metrics (process and energy efficiency, waste prevention, renewability, and hazard/pollution avoidance); scenarios included temperature, residence time, lignin loading, gas presence, and catalyst variants.

Results and discussion

Results show that models which adhere better to green design metrics also result in environmental impact reductions, demonstrating a positive correlation between both sustainability metrics. Vanillin yield increased ~ 7% when reaction time increased from 10 to 20 min; however, the energy used for maintaining operational conditions during process increased between 10 and 50%. Catalyst selection was found to be a deterministic factor affecting results. A catalytic system comprised of a heterogeneous catalyst (nickel oxide) and acidic homogeneous catalyst (supercritical carbon dioxide) was identified as the best option; the catalyst reduced carcinogenic and ecotoxicity impacts by ~ 80 and 90%, respectively when compared to molybdenum oxide. Use of energy and dichloromethane were found to be significant overall environmental impact contributors.

Conclusions

Laboratory results can be used and evaluated via LCA to identify sustainable pathways for commercial chemical processing development.

     

Treatment of the Midwestern Endemic Mycoses,Blastomycosis and Histoplasmosis

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to assess the recommended treatment regimens for the major endemic mycoses, histoplasmosis and blastomycosis, which occur in the Midwestern USA and to provide information about the use of newer antifungal agents for these diseases.

Recent Findings

The basic approach to treatment of histoplasmosis and blastomycosis outlined in the IDSA Guidelines is helpful in managing these diseases. However, changes since these guidelines were published provide safer and better tolerated treatment regimens. Prolonged treatment with amphotericin B is rarely required, and lipid formulations of this drug have largely replaced the amphotericin B deoxycholate formulation. Although no clinical trials have been performed and the data are anecdotal, voriconazole and posaconazole are increasingly used in patients who cannot tolerate itraconazole. Voriconazole is especially useful when central nervous system infection is present. Posaconazole tablets provide consistently appropriate serum levels and the drug is well tolerated.

Summary

New azole agents provide alternative therapeutic options for histoplasmosis and blastomycosis.

     

Uncovering the metabolic response of abalone (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Haliotis midae)</Emphasis> to environmental hypoxia through metabolomics

Introduction

Oxygen is essential for metabolic processes and in the absence thereof alternative metabolic pathways are required for energy production, as seen in marine invertebrates like abalone. Even though hypoxia has been responsible for significant losses to the aquaculture industry, the overall metabolic adaptations of abalone in response to environmental hypoxia are as yet, not fully elucidated.

Objective

To use a multiplatform metabolomics approach to characterize the metabolic changes associated with energy production in abalone (Haliotis midae) when exposed to environmental hypoxia.

Methods

Metabolomics analysis of abalone adductor and foot muscle, left and right gill, hemolymph, and epipodial tissue samples were conducted using a multiplatform approach, which included untargeted NMR spectroscopy, untargeted and targeted LC–MS spectrometry, and untargeted and semi-targeted GC-MS spectrometric analyses.

Results

Increased levels of anaerobic end-products specific to marine animals were found which include alanopine, strombine, tauropine and octopine. These were accompanied by elevated lactate, succinate and arginine, of which the latter is a product of phosphoarginine breakdown in abalone. Primarily amino acid metabolism was affected, with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism assisting with anaerobic energy production to a lesser extent. Different tissues showed varied metabolic responses to hypoxia, with the largest metabolic changes in the adductor muscle.

Conclusions

From this investigation, it becomes evident that abalone have well-developed (yet understudied) metabolic mechanisms for surviving hypoxic periods. Furthermore, metabolomics serves as a powerful tool for investigating the altered metabolic processes in abalone.

     

A lost opportunity for science: journals promote data sharing in metabolomics but do not enforce it

Introduction

Data sharing is being increasingly required by journals and has been heralded as a solution to the ‘replication crisis’.

Objectives

(i) Review data sharing policies of journals publishing the most metabolomics papers associated with open data and (ii) compare these journals’ policies to those that publish the most metabolomics papers.

Methods

A PubMed search was used to identify metabolomics papers. Metabolomics data repositories were manually searched for linked publications.

Results

Journals that support data sharing are not necessarily those with the most papers associated to open metabolomics data.

Conclusion

Further efforts are required to improve data sharing in metabolomics.

     

Social life cycle assessment of first and second-generation ethanol production technologies in Brazil

Purpose

The main goal of this study is to suggest quantitative social metrics to evaluate different sugarcane biorefinery systems in Brazil by exploring a novel hybrid approach integrating social life cycle assessment and input-output analysis.

Methods

Social life cycle assessment is the main methodology for evaluating social aspects based on a life-cycle approach. Using this framework, a hybrid model integrating social life cycle assessment and input-output analysis was introduced to evaluate different social effects of biorefinery scenarios considering workers as the stakeholder category. Job creation, occupational accidents, wage profile, education profile, and gender profile were selected as the main inventory indicators. A case study of three scenarios considering variations in agricultural and industrial technologies (including sugarcane straw recovery and second-generation ethanol production, for instance) was carried out for evaluating present first-generation (1G-basic, 1G-optimized) and future first- and second-generation ethanol production (1G2G).

Results and discussion

The 1G-basic scenario leads to higher job creation levels over the supply chain mainly because of the influence of agricultural stage whose workers are mostly employed in sugarcane manual operations. On the other hand, 1G-optimized and 1G2G present supply chains are more reliant on the manufacturing, trade, and services sectors whose workers are associated with a lower level of occupational accidents, higher average wages, higher education level, and more participation of women in the work force.

Conclusions

The use of a novel hybrid approach integrating social life cycle assessment (SLCA) and input-output analysis (IOA) was useful to quantitatively distinguish the social effects over different present and future sugarcane biorefinery supply chains. As a consequence, this approach is very useful to support decision-making processes aiming to improve the sustainability of sugarcane biorefineries taking social aspects into account.

     

Untargeted metabolomics suffers from incomplete raw data processing

Introduction

Untargeted metabolomics is a powerful tool for biological discoveries. To analyze the complex raw data, significant advances in computational approaches have been made, yet it is not clear how exhaustive and reliable the data analysis results are.

Objectives

Assessment of the quality of raw data processing in untargeted metabolomics.

Methods

Five published untargeted metabolomics studies, were reanalyzed.

Results

Omissions of at least 50 relevant compounds from the original results as well as examples of representative mistakes were reported for each study.

Conclusion

Incomplete raw data processing shows unexplored potential of current and legacy data.

     

Optimization of fecal sample preparation for untargeted LC-HRMS based metabolomics

Introduction

Collecting feces is easy. It offers direct outcome to endogenous and microbial metabolites.

Objectives

In a context of lack of consensus about fecal sample preparation, especially in animal species, we developed a robust protocol allowing untargeted LC-HRMS fingerprinting.

Methods

The conditions of extraction (quantity, preparation, solvents, dilutions) were investigated in bovine feces.

Results

A rapid and simple protocol involving feces extraction with methanol (1/3, M/V) followed by centrifugation and a step filtration (10 kDa) was developed.

Conclusion

The workflow generated repeatable and informative fingerprints for robust metabolome characterization.

     

Analysis of greenhouse gas emissions related to aluminium transport applications

Background, aim and scope

Climate change is a subject of growing global concern. Based on International Energy Agency (IEA 2004) research, about 19% of the greenhouse gas emissions from fuel combustion are generated by the transportation sector, and its share is likely to grow. Significant increases in the vehicles fleets are expected in particular in China, India, the Middle East and Latin America. As a result, reducing vehicle fuel consumption is most essential for the future. The reduction of the vehicle weight, the introduction of improved engine technologies, lower air friction, better lubricants, etc. are established methods of improving fuel efficiency, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Continued progress will be required along all these fronts with light-weighting being one of the most promising options for the global transport sector. This paper quantifies greenhouse gas savings realised from light-weighting cars with aluminium based on life cycle assessment methodology. The study uses a pragmatic approach to assess mass reduction by comparing specific examples of components meeting identical performance criteria. The four examples presented in this analysis come from practical applications of aluminium. For each case study, the vehicle manufacturer has supplied the respective masses of the aluminium and the alternative component.

Material and methods

A full life cycle assessment with regards to greenhouse gas emissions and savings has been carried out for different aluminium applications in cars as compared to the same applications in steel or cast iron. The case studies reference real cases, where aluminium is actually used in series production. The studies are based on a greenhouse gas lifecycle model, which has been developed following the ISO standard 14040 framework. For each component, sensitivity analysis is applied to determine the impact of lifetime driving distance, driving characteristics (impact of air friction) and recycling rate.

Results

Life cycle results show that in automotive applications, each kilogram of aluminium replacing mild steel, cast iron or high strength steel saves, depending on the specific case (bumper and motor block of a compact car, front hood of a large family car, body-in white of a luxury car), between 13 and 20 kg of greenhouse gas emissions.

Discussion

The performed sensitivity analysis finds that even with ‘worst case’ scenarios savings are still significant.

Conclusions

The results not only demonstrate significant benefits of aluminium with regard to greenhouse gas savings but also show that these are very sensitive to variations of the recycling rate, the life-time driving distance and the driving behaviour.

Recommendations and perspectives

Good care is needed to gather life-cycle data and to make informed estimates, where no data are available. Furthermore, greenhouse gas savings for additional components should be calculated using this life cycle model to sustain the findings.

     

Identification of a urine metabolite constellation characteristic for kidney allograft rejection

Introduction

Allograft rejection is still an important complication after kidney transplantation. Currently, monitoring of these patients mostly relies on the measurement of serum creatinine and clinical evaluation. The gold standard for diagnosing allograft rejection, i.e. performing a renal biopsy is invasive and expensive. So far no adequate biomarkers are available for routine use.

Objectives

We aimed to develop a urine metabolite constellation that is characteristic for acute renal allograft rejection.

Methods

NMR-Spectroscopy was applied to a training cohort of transplant recipients with and without acute rejection.

Results

We obtained a metabolite constellation of four metabolites that shows promising performance to detect renal allograft rejection in the cohorts used (AUC of 0.72 and 0.74, respectively).

Conclusion

A metabolite constellation was defined with the potential for further development of an in-vitro diagnostic test that can support physicians in their clinical assessment of a kidney transplant patient.

     

A methodology for elucidating regulatory mechanisms leading to changes in lipid profiles

Introduction

It is difficult to elucidate the metabolic and regulatory factors causing lipidome perturbations.

Objectives

This work simplifies this process.

Methods

A method has been developed to query an online holistic lipid metabolic network (of 7923 metabolites) to extract the pathways that connect the input list of lipids.

Results

The output enables pathway visualisation and the querying of other databases to identify potential regulators. When used to a study a plasma lipidome dataset of polycystic ovary syndrome, 14 enzymes were identified, of which 3 are linked to ELAVL1—an mRNA stabiliser.

Conclusion

This method provides a simplified approach to identifying potential regulators causing lipid-profile perturbations.

     

Impacts of onshore wind energy production on birds and bats: recommendations for future life cycle impact assessment developments

Purpose

Models for quantifying impacts on biodiversity from renewable energy technologies are lacking within life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). We aim to provide an overview of the effects of wind energy on birds and bats, with a focus on quantitative methods. Furthermore, we investigate and provide the necessary background for how these can be integrated into new developments of LCIA models in future.

Methods

We reviewed available literature summarizing the effects of wind energy developments on birds and bats. We provide an overview of available quantitative assessment methods that have been employed outside of the LCIA framework to model the different impacts of wind energy developments on wildlife. Combining the acquired knowledge on impact pathways and associated quantitative methods, we propose possibilities for future approaches for a wind energy impact assessment methodology for LCIA.

Results and discussion

Wind energy production has impacts on terrestrial biodiversity through three main pathways: collision, disturbance, and habitat alterations. Birds and bats are consistently considered the most affected taxonomic groups, with different responses to the before-mentioned impact pathways. Outside of the LCIA framework, current quantitative impact assessment prediction models include collision risk models, species distribution models, individual-based models, and population modeling approaches. Developed indices allow scaling of species-specific vulnerability to mortality, disturbance, and/or habitat alterations.

Conclusions

Although insight into the causes behind collision risk, disturbance, and habitat alterations for bats and birds is still limited, the current knowledge base enables the development of a robust assessment tool. Modeling the impacts of habitat alterations, disturbance, and collisions within an LCIA framework is most appropriate using species distribution models as those enable the estimation of species’ occurrences across a region. Although local-scale developments may be more readily feasible, further up-scaling to global coverage is recommended to allow comparison across regions and technologies, and to assess cumulative impacts.

     

A selection of safeguard subjects and state indicators for sustainability assessments

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to identify and select safeguard subjects and state indicators that are suitable for sustainability assessment in product and production development, using an interpretation of the Brundtland definition of sustainable development. The purpose is also to investigate how indicators selected in this way differ from other selections in the literature.

Methods

We use a top-down approach, which starts with reviewing the Brundtland definition of sustainability and identifying the corresponding human basic needs to be satisfied. For each basic need, we identify relevant satisfiers, and for each satisfier, a number of safeguard subjects. The safeguard subjects represent critical resources for making satisfiers available. For each safeguard subject, a number of state indicators (=endpoint category indicators) are selected that are relevant for describing impacts from product life cycles on the safeguard subject.

Results and discussion

Ecosystem services, access to water, and abiotic resources are identified as environmental safeguard subjects. Technology for transports, environment, textiles, housing, food, information, and energy, together with income, are identified as economical safeguard subjects. Human health, land availability, peace, social security, continuity, knowledge, jobs/occupation, and culture are identified as social safeguard subjects. In comparison with the other selections of safeguard subjects in literature, our safeguard subjects are structured differently and delimited in scope, but there are also many similarities. The best agreement is on environmental issues, but we classify human health as a social issue. For social issues, we identify fewer safeguard subjects and state indicators than recommendations from UNEP/SETAC. For economic issues, we diverse from current LCC and approach UNECE measures of sustainability.

Conclusions

Identification and selection of safeguard subjects and state indicators benefit from a clear definition of sustainability, needs to be satisfied, and satisfiers. The interpretation of the sustainability concept has a large influence on which safeguard subjects that are included and which indicators that are needed to describe their state. Capacity building is an important sustainability indicator, which should be developed further for use in life cycle sustainability assessment. The top-down approach offers a good arena for a further research and discussions on how to structure and focus LCSA. Our results shall be seen as one example of which safeguard subject that may be identified with the top-down approach presented here.

     

Framework for integrating animal welfare into life cycle sustainability assessment

Purpose

This study seeks to provide a framework for integrating animal welfare as a fourth pillar into a life cycle sustainability assessment and presents three alternative animal welfare indicators.

Methods

Animal welfare is assessed during farm life and during slaughter. The indicators differ in how they value premature death. All three consider (1) the life quality of an animal such as space allowance, (2) the slaughter age either as life duration or life fraction, and (3) the number of animals affected for providing a product unit, e.g. 1 Mcal. One of the indicators additionally takes into account a moral value denoting their intelligence and self-awareness. The framework allows for comparisons across studies and products and for applications at large spatial scales. To illustrate the framework, eight products were analysed and compared: beef, pork, poultry, milk, eggs, salmon, shrimps, and, as a novel protein source, insects.

Results and discussion

Insects are granted to live longer fractions of their normal life spans, and their life quality is less compromised due to a lower assumed sentience. Still, they perform worst according to all three indicators, as their small body sizes only yield low product quantities. Therefore, we discourage from eating insects. In contrast, milk is the product that reduces animal welfare the least according to two of the three indicators and it performs relatively better than other animal products in most categories. The difference in animal welfare is mostly larger for different animal products than for different production systems of the same product. This implies that, besides less consumption of animal-based products, a shift to other animal products can significantly improve animal welfare.

Conclusions

While the animal welfare assessment is simplified, it allows for a direct integration into life cycle sustainability assessment. There is a trade-off between applicability and indicator complexity, but even a simple estimate of animal welfare is much better than ignoring the issue, as is the common practice in life cycle sustainability assessments. Future research should be directed towards elaborating the life quality criterion and extending the product coverage.

     

Generation of lycopene-overproducing strains of the fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mucor circinelloides</Emphasis> reveals important aspects of lycopene formation and accumulation

Objectives

To generate lycopene-overproducing strains of the fungus Mucor circinelloides with interest for industrial production and to gain insight into the catalytic mechanism of lycopene cyclase and regulatory process during lycopene overaccumulation.

Results

Three lycopene-overproducing mutants were generated by classic mutagenesis techniques from a β-carotene-overproducing strain. They carried distinct mutations in the carRP gene encoding lycopene cyclase that produced loss of enzymatic activity to different extents. In one mutant (MU616), the lycopene cyclase was completely destroyed, and a 43.8% (1.1 mg/g dry mass) increase in lycopene production was observed in comparison to that by the previously existing lycopene overproducer. In addition, feedback regulation of the end product was suggested in lycopene-overproducing strains.

Conclusions

A lycopene-overaccumulating strain of the fungus M. circinelloides was generated that could be an alternative for the industrial production of lycopene. Vital catalytic residues for lycopene cyclase activity and the potential mechanism of lycopene formation and accumulation were identified.