In this paper, introducing the special issue on “Payments for Ecosystem Services and Their Institutional Dimensions: Analyzing the Diversity of Existing PES Approaches in Developing and ...Industrialized Countries”, we highlight the following PES aspects. First we set out with a discussion on different definitions of PES, both in a narrow and a wider sense. We continue with a short historical outline on how the PES approach evolved in developing and industrialized countries against the backdrop of Ecological Economics theory and the Ecosystem Service concept. Then we discuss how broad the spectrum of existing PES in reality is and what kind of classification approaches are presented in the literature. We then move on to actual PES development and discuss what the different phases in PES design are and what kind of activities take place in each phase. This is followed by a discussion in how far PES can be seen as innovations in the toolbox of conservation approaches. In the last part, we conclude with a short outlook on the different individual papers in the special issue.
•Paper introduces SI on “Payments for Ecosystem Services and Their Institutional Dimensions”.•We focus on the following aspects of PES:•PES definitions according to Coase vs. Pigou.•Short historical outline on how the PES approach evolved over time.•Broad spectrum of existing PES and approaches for their classification.•Different phases in PES design from initiation to program operation.•Innovative aspects of PES.•We conclude with a short outlook on the different individual papers in the SI.
The Fenton membrane is effective in removing organic pollutants from wastewater through the synergy of Fenton catalysis and membrane separation. However, the preparation of a Fenton membrane with ...excellent self-cleaning performance, catalytic ability, and stability remains a key research direction. Herein, a polyethersulfone (PES)/Fe3S4@NiO membrane was obtained via a non-solvent phase inversion method. The intercalation of photo-Fenton catalytic Fe3S4@NiO into the PES membrane can not only enhance the hydrophilicity but also endow the membrane with photo-Fenton catalytic activity. The separation efficiency of the obtained membrane for multiple oil-in-water emulsions exceeded 98.8%. In addition, the membrane presented excellent self-cleaning performance and stability, the separation efficiency remained high and stable even after 10 cycles of oil-in-water emulsions. Meanwhile, the effective degradation of several organic dyes under visible light was simulated; results showed that the membrane can achieve nearly 100% degradation of methylene blue in 9 min as well as rhodamine B and methyl orange in 3 min, and this membrane maintained high degradation efficiency (>98.7%) even after 5 cycles. Therefore, the results indicate that this PES/Fe3S4@NiO membrane has excellent separation performance and photo-Fenton activity, and the proposed membrane has a potential application scope for efficient emulsion separation and speedy dye degradation.
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•Multifunctional PES/Fe3S4@NiO Fenton membrane with underwater super-oleophobicity and excellent catalytic performance was successfully prepared.•Separation of insoluble oil from the oil-water emulsion.•Self-cleaning and anti-fouling properties prolong the service life of the membrane.•Photo-Fenton degradation of organic pollutants for further water purification.
ABSTRACT
Foot type has been associated with pain, injury, and altered gait mechanics. Morphological variations in foot bones due to foot type variation may impact surgical and therapeutic treatments. ...The purpose of this study was to utilize principal component analysis (PCA) to determine how morphology of the hind‐ and midfoot bones differs among foot types and sex. The calcaneus, talus, navicular, and cuboid were segmented using previously obtained computed tomography (CT) scans and converted to surface models. The CTs were sorted into four foot types—cavus, neutrally aligned, asymptomatic planus, and symptomatic planus. Morphometric shape analysis software (Geomorph) was used to perform a PCA to determine which components varied between foot types and between sexes. The calcaneus showed planus feet of both types to have calcanei that have decreased height and increased length compared to neutrally aligned feet. The talus demonstrated increased posterior mass for cavus feet compared to neutrally aligned feet. For the navicular, symptomatic planus had a more posteriorly positioned tuberosity and were wider than asymptomatic planus feet. The cuboid did not exhibit any differences between foot types. Sex differences, found only at the talus and navicular, were subtle. PCA is an objective technique that helped elucidate differences in bone morphology between foot types and sex without needing to determine the features of interest before comparing groups. Understanding these variations can help inform diagnosis of foot pathologies and surgical protocols as well as improve computer models of the foot. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. J Orthop Res 9999:1–16, 2019.
The purpose of this study was to utilize principal component analysis to determine how morphology of the hind‐ and midfoot bones differs due to foot types or sex. Computed tomography scans of cavus, neutrally aligned, asymptomatic planus, and symptomatic planus feet were used for analysis. Morphometric shape analysis elucidated differences in bone morphology among foot types for the calcaneus, talus, and navicular as well as sex‐based differences for the talus. No differences were seen for the cuboid.
PES–TiO
2 composite membranes were prepared via phase inversion by dispersing TiO
2 nanopaticles in PES casting solutions. The crystal structure, thermal stability, morphology, hydrophilicity, ...permeation performance, and mechanical properties of the composite membranes were characterized in detail. XRD, DSC and TGA results showed that the interaction existed between TiO
2 nanopaticles and PES and the thermal stability of the composite membrane had been improved by the addition of TiO
2 nanopaticles. As shown in the SEM images, the composite membrane had a top surface with high porosity at low loading amount of TiO
2, which was caused by the mass transfer acceleration in exposure time due to the addition of TiO
2 nanopaticles. At high loading amount of TiO
2, the skinlayer became much looser for a significant aggregation of TiO
2 nanopaticles, which could be observed in the composite membranes. EDX analysis also revealed that the nanoparticles distributed in membrane more uniformly at low loading amount. Dynamic contact angles indicated that the hydrophilicity of the composite membranes was enhanced by the addition of TiO
2 nanopaticles. The permeation properties of the composite membranes were significantly superior to the pure PES membrane and the mean pore size also increased with the addition amount of TiO
2 nanopaticles increased. When the TiO
2 content was 4%, the flux reached the maximum at 3711
L
m
−2
h
−1, about 29.3% higher than that of the pure PES membrane. Mechanical test also revealed that the mechanical strength of composite membranes enhanced as the addition of TiO
2 nanopaticles.
•CNTs/PES and Graphene/PES membranes were prepared using doctor-blade.•The pore topology of the synthesized membranes was observed using SEM.•Mechanical properties of the membranes were measured.•A ...nonlinear uniaxial model was built to simulate the mechanical performance.•The mechanical properties were reduced up to 26% for CNTs and 57% for GA.•The model is valid for deducing the uniaxial curves with deviation (0.164-0.715%).
Polyethersulfone (PES) nanocomposite membranes are some of the emerging ultrafiltration technologies that have promising applications in gas separation and wastewater treatment due to their unique microporous structure and cheapness. However, the effect of nanofiller additives on their mechanical and viscoelastic properties is still missing and these fundamentals should be known to designers and manufacturers for potential upscaling. In this context, this research aims to study the uniaxial mechanical behaviors of PES membranes and their nanocomposites (CNTs/PES and Graphene/PES), and then to model their mechanical characteristics based on the results of mechanical experiments. In order to achieve that, four batches from CNTs/PES and Graphene/PES nanocomposite membranes with different concentrations of nanofillers (0.01-0.04 wt.%) were prepared using a solution casting method and a tape casting process. Also, another neat PES batch was prepared for comparison. The pore topology of the synthesized membranes was observed using SEM. Afterwards, the mechanical tensile specimens were cut from the synthesized membranes and tested according to standard ASTM 638M-3 using a uniaxial universal testing machine. Finally, a nonlinear uniaxial stress-strain model was built to simulate the mechanical performance of the fabricated membranes using the generalized Maxwell model. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the membranes were reduced significantly by additives (up to 26% for CNTs and 57% for GA compared with neat batch) because of the changes in the pore topology (orientation, size, and distribution) of the prepared membranes,whereas the modeling results showed that the constitutive model is valid for deducing the uniaxial stress-strain curves of PES membrane and its nanocomposites membranes with a high predictability and average deviation estimated at 0.715% (PES), 0.302% for CNTs/PES and 0.164% for GA/PES membranes.
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•Pyrolysis behavior of ultrafiltration membranes were studied using TG-FTIR-GC–MS.•The elemental, proximate, and compositional analyses of membranes were measured.•Pyrolysis kinetics of membranes ...were studied using model-free models.•TGA and DTG curves were simulated using DAEM and IPR models.•Sulfur dioxide, benzene, phenol, and diphenyl ether were the major compounds in GC–MS.
This is the first research to be concerned with end-life ultrafiltration polymer nanocomposite membranes and their valorization into high added-value products using the pyrolysis treatment. Polysulfone membrane (PES) as a commercial product and their nanocomposites (CNTs/PES and graphene/PES) were used as a feedstock in the present research. The experiments started with fabrication of membranes loaded with 0.04 wt% of CNTs and graphene (GNs). The elemental analysis and proximate analysis of the fabricated membranes were studied. Subsequently, thermogravimetric coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) system was used to study the thermal and chemical decomposition of the membranes at different heating rates (5-30˚C/min). The volatile products released from the pyrolysis process of the membranes were analyzed using TG coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) unit. Finally, pyrolysis kinetic parameters of PES membrane and its nanocomposites were studied using model-free models. Also, thermogravimetry and differential thermal gravimetry (TG/DTG) experimental data were simulated using the distributed activation energy model and the independent parallel reactions kinetic model with high predictability. The results showed that sulfur dioxide, benzene, phenol, and diphenyl ether compounds represented the main compounds in the released volatile components with high total abundance, especially at high heating rate and estimated at 85% (PES), 94% (CNTs/PES), and 99% (GNs/PES). Meanwhile. the kinetics analysis showed that the whole activation energies decreased significantly in case of nanocomposites by this trend 206.4 kJ/mol (PES), 187.8 kJ/mol (CNTs/PES), and 139.30 kJ/mol (GNs/PES), what indicates that CNTs and GNs act as self-catalysts and end-life polymer membranes can be used as a new source for renewable energy.
Introduction
Subtalar arthroereisis has been increasingly accepted as a solution to manage symptomatic pes planus. However, despite the recent developments related to arthroereisis, no other ...published literature has aimed to review the outcomes in paediatric patients since 2010. This systematic review and meta-analysis, therefore, aims to evaluate the current outcomes of subtalar arthroereisis in the treatment of symptomatic pes planus among the paediatric population.
Materials and methods
The review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. All studies reported on the clinical outcomes of subtalar arthroereisis in children aged 21 or younger were included.
Results
A total of 17 publications were included, with 1536 feet. The average duration of follow-up of the studies included in the review is 43.52 months. The studies consistently reported improvement in the radiological outcomes, approximating that of a normal population. Subtalar arthroereisis has shown to restore the collapsed medial longitudinal arch, supported by the decrease in Meary’s angle to 5.267° (95% CI: 4.695°–5.839°, normal: 0°–10.0°) post-operatively and an increased calcaneal pitch of 15.70° (95% CI: 15.41°–15.99°, normal 18.0°–20.0°). Deformities associated with pes planus such as heel valgus was also significantly reduced, evident by the post-operative lateral talocalcaneal angle of 27.19° (95% CI: 26.44°–27.93°, normal: 25.0°–45.0°) and a post-operative Kite’s angle of 18.13° (95% CI: 17.73°–18.52°, normal: 15.0°–30.0°). Subjectively, subtalar arthroereisis has generally resulted in an improvement in the grading of outcomes postoperatively from the patient’s point of view.
Conclusions
Subtalar arthroereisis could serve as a procedure to correct radiological abnormalities, as well as relieve pain in selected patients with symptomatic pes planus.
Increasing acceptance of payments for ecosystem services (PES) programs as environmental policy alternatives suggests a clear need for research on PES implementation, both to validate theoretical ...frameworks and improve approaches for existing and future programs. We provide a history of the 10-year old Conservador das Águas program in Extrema, a city in Minas Gerais located within the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. To date, the program has coordinated restoration activities that have increased native forest cover in 60% in targeted sub-watershed through contracts with 53 landowners, and has established long-term collaborations among government agencies, civil society, and landowners. Evaluation of the institutional elements of the program using an institutional framework reveals lessons that are relevant for future projects. We find that national legislation and local government organizations have played key roles in enabling and maintaining program activities. Further, strategic decisions by program staff, including targeting important regions and actors within the municipality, the use of Forest Code mandates as an incentive for participation, and use of municipal legislation to secure funding, were critical to the program's success. We use an institutional framework to provide a review of the program, including its legal context, actors, and financial instruments, for those engaged in establishing and sustaining similar programs.
•An institutional analysis of the Conservador das Águas program was conducted.•The program has contributed to a 60% increase in native forest on private land.•Synergies with national legislation were key to supporting a municipal project.•Municipal capacity was key to build trust and encourage landowner participation.•Strategic work with partners and spatial targeting increased project impacts.
The rapid development of industrial activities has led to the release of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds, the two major anthropogenic pollutants in the atmosphere. To degrade those ...air pollutants, photocatalysts are commonly used; a high photocatalytic activity is beneficial for enhanced degradation of air pollutants. In this study, electrospinning technology was used to combine the QD/TiO2 with both polyimide (PI) and polyethersulfone (PES) to form a PI/PES nano-fiber membrane. The Taguchi method was applied to calculate four operational parameters (PI/PES content, QD/TiO2 content, operational voltage, and electrospinning time) with three levels for nine combinations of experimental conditions. The optimal electrospinning conditions of the QD/TiO2@PI/PES module comprised 40 wt% PI/PES and 5 wt% QD/TiO2 in the electrospinning solution, and the operational voltage of 20 kV and electrospinning time of 2 h was applied to obtain filtration efficiency and quality of 99.60 % and 0.151. The degradation rates of methylene blue and acetone were 45.5% and 87% with photocatalysis reaction via QD/TiO2@PI/PES. In the antibacterial test, QD/TiO2 was highly efficient in inactivating Staphylococcus aureus (100%) under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of 4 h. Therefore, QD/TiO2@PI/PES membrane showed great potential in medical and industrial applications for the elimination of both particulate matter and volatile organic compounds.
•The photocatalytic activity is beneficial for enhanced degradation of air pollutants.•QD/TiO2 with polyimide (PI) and polyethersulfone (PES) to form a nano-fiber membrane.•QD/TiO2@PI/PES shows the best filtration efficiency and quality of 99.60 % and 0.151.•The nano-fiber membrane shows great antibacterial efficiency of 100% against E. coli.
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