bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cumulant-Based Method for Acquiring GNSS Signals
Authors: Wang He-Sheng , Wang Hou-Yu , Jwo Dah-Jing
Published: September 2024

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) provide positioning, velocity, and time services for civilian applications. A critical step in the positioning process is the acquisition of visible satellites in the sky. Modern GNSS systems, such as Galileo—developed and maintained by the European Union—utilize a new modulation technique known as Binary Offset Carrier (BOC). However, BOC signals introduce multiple side-peaks in their autocorrelation function, which can lead to significant errors during the acquisition process. In this paper, we propose a novel acquisition method based on higher-order cumulants that effectively eliminates these side-peaks. This method is capable of simultaneously acquiring both conventional ranging signals, such as GPS C/A code, and BOC-modulated signals. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through the acquisition of simulated signals, with a comparison to traditional methods. Additionally, we apply the proposed method to real satellite signals to further validate its performance. Our results show that the proposed method successfully suppresses side-peaks, improves acquisition accuracy in weak signal environments, and demonstrates potential for indoor GNSS applications. The study concludes that while the method may increase computational load, its performance in challenging conditions makes it a promising approach for future GNSS receiver designs.
Long-Time Coherent Integration Method for Passive Bistatic Radar Using Frequency Hopping Signals
Authors: Chen Gang , Biao Xiaowei , Jin Yi , Xu Changzhi , Ping Yifan , Wang Sujun
Published: September 2024

Long-time coherent integration using frequency hopping signals is a challenging problem for passive bistatic radar due to its frequency hopping characteristics. Apart from range walk, range curve, and Doppler frequency migration, Doppler diffusion caused by frequency hopping characteristics occurs within the observation time, which also lowers the detection performance. To deal with this problem, a novel coherent integration method for frequency hopping signals based on passive bistatic radar is proposed in this paper. In this novel method, range curve and range walk are eliminated by applying generalized Keystone transform. Then, Doppler frequency migration caused by the target’s acceleration is compensated for by a parameter search with a designed search scope. Finally, Doppler frequency migration caused by frequency hopping characteristics is compensated for by designing a new acceleration compensation function and a revised rotation factor for Fourier transform. Since migration effects caused by frequency hopping characteristics are considered and compensated for when using frequency hopping signals, the weak target echo can be better integrated in the observation time compared to when using the existing methods. The simulation results and performance analysis illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Spiral Annealing of Magnetic Microwires
Authors: Chizhik Alexander , Corte-Leon Paula , Zhukova Valentina , Blanco Juan Mari , Gonzalez Julian , Zhukov Arcady
Published: September 2024

A preprocessing technique named “spiral annealing” was applied for the first time to magnetic microwires. In this process, the sample was arranged in a flat spiral shape during annealing, and subsequent measurements were conducted on the unbent sample with the induced stress distribution along and transverse to the sample. The research utilized both magnetic and magneto-optical methods. The anisotropy field magnitude in both the volume and surface of the microwire was measured, and for the first time, a direct correlation between the anisotropy field and the curvature of a spirally annealed microwire was established. Additionally, a connection between the type of surface domain structure and the degree of spiral curvature was identified. The preservation of the distribution of spiral annealing-induced magnetic properties both along and across the microwire is a key effect influencing the technological application of the microwire. The range of induced curvature within which a specific helical magnetic structure can exist was also determined. This insight links the conditions of spiral annealing to the selection of microwires as active elements in magnetic sensors.
Postural Risks in Dental Practice: An Assessment of Musculoskeletal Health
Authors: Lazăr (Căteanu) Alexandra Maria , Repanovici Angela , Baritz Mihaela Ioana , Scutariu Mihaela Monica , Tătaru (Ostafe) Anca Ioana , Pantea Ileana
Published: September 2024

In recent years, Romania’s stomatology private practice sector has seen substantial growth, with many dentists fully committing to building and expanding their own practices, often funded by their personal income. This study aimed to explore how various postures affect the muscle groups of dentists (380), particularly focusing on identifying positions that may jeopardize their musculoskeletal health. A group of dentists effectively participated in this study (10), adhering to their regular work routines while wearing wearable sensors on their backs to monitor posture and activity. The data gathered from these sensors were analyzed using the RULA (rapid upper-limb assessment) and REBA (rapid entire-body assessment) tools. The findings indicated that the head and shoulder movements during dental procedures involved considerable and repetitive angular shifts, which could strain the neck and back muscles and heighten the risk of musculoskeletal problems. Additionally, the standing postures adopted by the dentists were associated with an increased risk of postural issues and greater overall fatigue. Extended periods of trunk and head tilting were also identified as contributing factors to posture-related challenges.
Effects of Salt Concentration on a Magnetic Nanoparticle-Based Aggregation Assay with a Tunable Dynamic Range
Authors: Moss Gabrielle , Knopke Christian , Diamond Solomon G.
Published: September 2024

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) can be functionalized with antibodies to give them an affinity for a biomarker of interest. Functionalized MNPs (fMNPs) cluster in the presence of a multivalent target, causing a change in their magnetization. Target concentration can be proportional to the 3rd harmonic phase of the fMNP magnetization signal. fMNP clustering can also be induced with salt. Generally, salt can alter the stability of charge stabilized fMNPs causing a change in magnetization that is not proportional to the target concentration. We have developed a model system consisting of biotinylated MNPs (biotin-MNPs) that target streptavidin to study the effects of salt concentration on fMNP-based biosensing in simulated in vivo conditions. We have found that biotin-MNP streptavidin targeting was independent of salt concentration for 0.005x to 1.00x phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solutions. Additionally, we show that our biosensor’s measurable concentration range (dynamic range) can be tuned with biotin density. Our results can be leveraged to design an in vivo nanoparticle (NP)-based biosensor with enhanced efficacy in the event of varying salt concentrations.
A Bilevel Programming Approach for Optimizing Multi-Satellite Collaborative Mission Planning
Authors: Wang Yi , Liu Desheng
Published: September 2024

With the burgeoning of remote sensing and space technology, multi-satellite collaborative mission planning, which is the key to achieving efficient Earth observation, has become increasingly intricate due to the expanding complexity and volume of observation missions. Addressing the multi-satellite collaborative mission planning problem, which is characterized by its two-stage decision-making process involving mission assignment and resource scheduling, this study investigates a comprehensive joint decision making that encompasses both mission assignment and resource scheduling and comprehensively optimizes the mission completion rate, the mission profit rate, and the satellite resource utilization rate. Considering the interaction of these decisions, we formulate the problem as a bilevel programming model from a game-theoretic perspective and propose a nested bilevel improved genetic algorithm (NBIGA) for its solution. Simulation experiments substantiate the applicability of the bilevel programming model in joint decision making for the stages of mission assignment and resource scheduling in multi-satellite collaborative mission planning, as well as the robustness of the NBIGA. A comparative analysis with the nested bilevel genetic algorithm (NBGA) confirms that the algorithm proposed in this study can achieve superior optimization outcomes and higher solving efficiency.
Using Iterative Correction to Improve the Accuracy of the Blind-Hole Welding Residual Stress Test
Authors: Pei Jiangning , Wang Shengbao , Qin Songlin , Yu Zhijia , Gao Jianzhong , Xiao Jichen , Li Zhonglong
Published: September 2024

An iterative correction method for the stress release coefficient, leveraging numerical simulation, has been innovatively developed to address the significant error issues associated with the blind-hole method in high-stress residual stress testing of steel structures. This method effectively reduces measurement error in high residual stress regions through a discriminant iteration process. The finite element analysis technology was employed to accurately simulate the blind-hole method’s test process, and additionally, Python was utilized for customizing the secondary development of ABAQUS software, thereby automating and optimizing the method. When compared with simulation and experimental data from the welding process, the efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of the correction method have been verified. The proposed method eliminates the need for tedious calibration experiments inherent in traditional methods, significantly enhancing the test’s automation level and convergence speed, and ensuring measurement accuracy, which provides an innovative solution for the accurate evaluation of residual stress in steel structures.
OOSP: Opportunistic Optimization Scheme for Pod Deployment Enhanced with Multilayered Sensing
Authors: Roh Joo-Young , Choi Sang-Hoon , Park Ki-Woong
Published: September 2024

In modern cloud environments, container orchestration tools are essential for effectively managing diverse workloads and services, and Kubernetes has become the de facto standard tool for automating the deployment, scaling, and operation of containerized applications. While Kubernetes plays an important role in optimizing and managing the deployment of diverse services and applications, its default scheduling approach, which is not optimized for all types of workloads, can often result in poor performance and wasted resources. This is particularly true in environments with complex interactions between services, such as microservice architectures. The traditional Kubernetes scheduler makes scheduling decisions based on CPU and memory usage, but the limitation of this arrangement is that it does not fully account for the performance and resource efficiency of the application. As a result, the communication latency between services increases, and the overall system performance suffers. Therefore, a more sophisticated and adaptive scheduling method is required. In this work, we propose an adaptive pod placement optimization technique using multi-tier inspection to address these issues. The proposed technique collects and analyzes multi-tier data to improve application performance and resource efficiency, which are overlooked by the default Kubernetes scheduler. It derives optimal placements based on the coupling and dependencies between pods, resulting in more efficient resource usage and better performance. To validate the performance of the proposed method, we configured a Kubernetes cluster in a virtualized environment and conducted experiments using a benchmark application with a microservice architecture. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the existing Kubernetes scheduler, reducing the average response time by up to 11.5% and increasing the number of requests processed per second by up to 10.04%. This indicates that the proposed method minimizes the inter-pod communication delay and improves the system-wide resource utilization. This research aims to optimize application performance and increase resource efficiency in cloud-native environments, and the proposed technique can be applied to different cloud environments and workloads in the future to provide more generalized optimizations. This is expected to contribute to increasing the operational efficiency of cloud infrastructure and improving the quality of service.
Burden in Multiple Sclerosis Caregivers: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Melgar-de-la-Paz Miranda , Gallardo-Pérez Moisés Manuel , Hamilton-Avilés Luis Enrique , Negrete-Rodríguez Paola , Cruz-Pérez Gloria Erendy , García-Vélez Danae , Ocaña-Ramm Guillermo , Lira-Lara Olivia , Olivares-Gazca Juan Carlos , Ruiz-Delgado Guillermo J. , Ruiz-Argüelles Guillermo J.
Published: September 2024

Objective: To analyze the relation between Zarit and the MSQol-54 scales in caregivers and patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Our study included 167 caregivers of 153 patients with MS in a single center, from July 2021 to December 2023. Results: Evaluation of the Zarit score revealed a median score of 11 (IQR = 4–21.75). Up to 126 caregivers had a low burden level, while 8 had moderate–severe burden, and 1 caregiver showed a severe burden score. Correlation analysis revealed that the Zarit score significantly correlated positively with the following variables: patient age (r = 0.25) and EDSS (r = 0.40); and a significant negative correlation was observed with the following variables: Physical Health Composite Score (r = −0.48) and Mental Health Composite Score (r = −0.34). Conclusions: Most caregivers either carry a low burden or none, as well as an inverse correlation between the Zarit and the Physical and Mental Health composite scores of the MSQol-54 instrument.
Comparative Metagenomic Profiling of Seed-Borne Microbiomes in a Landrace and a Hybrid Maize Variety
Authors: Henaut-Jacobs Sarah , Cyríaco Beatriz Elisa Barcelos , Pedrosa-Silva Francisnei , Olivares Fabio Lopes , Venancio Thiago Motta
Published: September 2024

The plant seed-borne microbiome comprises microorganisms vertically inherited from the mother plant. This microbiome is often linked to early-life protection and seedling growth promotion. Herein, we compare the seed-borne bacteriomes of a commercial hybrid (Santa Helena) and a landrace maize variety (Sol da Manhã). The landrace variety displays a more diverse seed-borne microbiome, featuring a variety of taxa across samples with an average Shannon’s diversity index of 1.12 compared to 0.45 in the hybrid variety. The landrace variety also showed a greater alpha diversity of 165.8, in contrast to 144.1 in the hybrid. Although both microbiomes lack a functional nitrogen fixation apparatus, we found a remarkably distinct presence of genes associated with phytohormone production and phosphate solubilization, particularly in the landrace variety. In addition, we recovered 18 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), including four from potentially novel species. Collectively, our results allow for a better understanding of the contrasting diversity between maize varieties. The higher potential for phytohormone production in landraces, the absence of nif genes in both varieties, and the identification of core microbiome taxa offer valuable insights into how microbial communities impact plant health and development. This knowledge could pave the way for more sustainable and innovative agricultural practices in crop management.
An Analytical Approach to Power Optimization of Concentrating Solar Power Plants with Thermal Storage
Authors: Cheilytko Andrii , Alexopoulos Spiros , Pozhuyev Andriy , Kaufhold Oliver
Published: September 2024

This paper deals with the problem of determining the optimal capacity of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, especially in the context of hybrid solar power plants. This work presents an innovative analytical approach to optimizing the capacity of concentrated solar plants. The proposed method is based on the use of additional non-dimensional parameters, in particular, the design factor and the solar multiple factor. This paper presents a mathematical optimization model that focuses on the capacity of concentrated solar power plants where thermal storage plays a key role in the energy source. The analytical approach provides a more complete understanding of the design process for hybrid power plants. In addition, the use of additional factors and the combination of the proposed method with existing numerical methods allows for more refined optimization, which allows for the more accurate selection of the capacity for specific geographical conditions. Importantly, the proposed method significantly increases the speed of computation compared to that of traditional numerical methods. Finally, the authors present the results of the analysis of the proposed system of equations for calculating the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for hybrid solar power plants. The nonlinearity of the LCOE on the main calculation parameters is shown.
Integration of Technological Tools in Teaching Statistics: Innovations in Educational Technology for Sustainable Education
Authors: Uchima-Marin Cristian , Murillo Julian , Salvador-Acosta Luis , Acosta-Vargas Patricia
Published: September 2024

Integrating technological tools in teaching statistics can revolutionize educational methods, making learning more engaging, interactive, and effective. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a math application for Android in enhancing the teaching and learning of statistics for eighth-grade students in Alcalá, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The project involved coordinating with local mathematics teachers to implement the app in the classroom, focusing on interactive digital content to improve student engagement. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, gathering data from 63 students through surveys that measured user satisfaction, topic relevance, interface usability, and the likelihood of recommending the app. The evaluation revealed a high likelihood of recommendation, with 74.6% of the students indicating they would “Almost always” recommend the app. Positive feedback was also noted in terms of user satisfaction and topic relevance. However, technical performance and content engagement were identified as needing improvement. The study also highlighted limitations, including a small sample size, reliance on self-reported data, and a short-term evaluation period. The Math app shows considerable promise as a tool for teaching statistics, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 4 and 9, involving quality education, industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Future work should address the identified limitations and focus on continuous improvement to enhance the app’s effectiveness and reach.
Analysis of Influencing Factors of Level 3 Automated Vehicle Takeover: A Literature Review
Authors: Guo Hanying , Qiu Haoyu , Zhou Yongjiang , Deng Yuxin
Published: September 2024

Level 3 automated vehicles (L3 AVs) enable the driver to perform non-driving tasks, taking over in an emergency. In recent years, studies have extensively discussed the influencing factors of L3 AV takeovers. Extensive literature review shows that L3 AV takeovers are affected by human factors, traffic environment, and automatic driving systems. On this basis, this study proposes a conceptual framework of L3 AV takeovers. The main findings of this study include the following: (1) non-driving tasks, non-driving posture, individual characteristics, and trust have an impact on takeover behavior; (2) high traffic density, poor road geometry, and extreme weather have a negative impact on the takeover; (3) multimodal interaction design can improve collection performance. Although the existing research has made rich achievements, there are still many challenges. The influence of human factors on takeover performance is controversial, the quantification standard of takeover influencing factors is insufficient, and the prediction accuracy needs to be improved. It is suggested to refine the criteria of driver participation in NDRT, formulate an effective measurement standard of driver fatigue, and develop a takeover prediction model combining driver status and traffic environment conditions. It provides a research basis for the formulation of laws, infrastructure construction, and human–computer interaction design.
Effect of Digital Transformation in Sports Companies on Green Innovation: Evidence from Listed Companies in China
Authors: Zhang Yina , Zhao Wu , Liu Haiman
Published: September 2024

In the context of the “dual carbon” strategic goal and sustainable development, the digital transformation of sports companies has emerged as a crucial factor in overcoming barriers to green growth and addressing institutional and efficiency challenges. This study examines the mechanism by which digital transformation drives green innovation, using a sample of Chinese-listed companies in the sports industry from 2011 to 2022. Fixed effects models were employed. The study’s findings are as follows: (1) Digital transformation has a significant positive impact on green innovation, indicating that the digitalization of companies plays a crucial role in promoting green practices. (2) A mechanism analysis revealed that digital transformation facilitates green innovation by enhancing human capital and improving internal control levels. (3) A heterogeneity analysis demonstrated that stricter environmental regulations strengthen the driving effect of digital transformation. Moreover, state-owned sports companies exhibit a stronger endogenous impetus for green innovation than non-state-owned companies, driven by their alignment with national strategic planning, thus enhancing the role of digital transformation. This study contributes to the literature by offering insights into the integration of digitization and green innovation. Furthermore, it provides practical guidance and path selection for achieving coordinated digitization and green innovation in Chinese sports companies within the framework of the “dual carbon” goal.
Moving Pieces and Allocating Budget Together: A Framework for Using Analog Serious Games in Sustainable Collaborative Planning
Authors: Sousa Micael
Published: September 2024

The process of seeking games as tools for participatory and collaborative approaches applied to planning and public engagement is thriving. Despite the growing literature, and in contrast to the increasing number of experiences, there is a lack of methods for developing game-based approaches. We propose using the MIQUAPA method to support low-tech and low-cost serious games for collaborative planning and participatory budgeting. We designed two serious games using modern board game mechanisms and tested them to address two sustainability problems related to a university campus. The games engaged the participants and delivered collaborative planning experiences. However, the experiences revealed several simulation limitations of this method. The participants’ preparedness, context, and motivation also affected the game outcome. This paper proposes a method to develop future game-based approaches, informing the advantages and limitations of such approaches and proposing data collection and facilitation solutions. It warns future practitioners about the required preparedness to use game-based approaches.
Enhancing Building Sustainability: Integrating User Behaviour and Solar Orientation in the Thermal Performance of Houses
Authors: Barbosa Kácia Henderson , Scolaro Taylana Piccinini , Ghisi Enedir
Published: September 2024

The literature highlights the importance of building orientation for energy efficiency. However, assessing its impact without considering user behaviour is insufficient. This study aims to evaluate the influence of user behaviour on the impact of solar orientation on the thermal performance of a single-family house. The research methodology involved five steps: monitoring a house in Goiânia (Brazil), calibrating the model, determining use patterns to identify user behaviour, conducting computer simulation, and performing data analysis. Questionnaires were applied in 66 houses to understand how occupants use rooms, operate doors and windows, and use electrical appliances, lighting, and air-conditioning. The use patterns were applied in simulations across eight main orientations. The thermal performance was measured by hours of thermal discomfort. Findings reveal that solar orientation individually does not define thermal performance. A house with low internal thermal loads, oriented east or west, can outperform a house oriented north or south with high internal thermal loads. Among the use patterns assessed, window operation, occupancy, and the electrical equipment in operation were the ones that most influenced the thermal performance of the monitored house. The study concludes that modifying user behaviour can significantly modify the thermal effects of solar orientation, influencing building sustainability.
Measurement and Spatiotemporal Variation in High-Quality Population Development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Gong Yanbing , Liu Xin
Published: September 2024

High-quality population development is a crucial component of high-quality economic growth and holds significant importance for achieving sustainable development goals and advancing the process of modernization with Chinese characteristics. Combining theories of sustainable population development, and starting from the population elements subsystem and the population support subsystem, this study constructs a comprehensive evaluation index system for high-quality population development by focusing on the following six key dimensions: population size, population quality, population structure, population distribution, population–socioeconomic relations, and population–environment relations. Utilizing the entropy weight–TOPSIS method, the study gauges the extent of high-quality population development within the Yangtze River Economic Belt spanning from 2013 to 2022. The temporal and spatial evolution characteristics and regional disparities of high-quality population development are depicted using methods such as natural breaks, the Dagum Gini coefficient, kernel density estimation, and spatial correlation analysis. Findings reveal the following: (1) The research region demonstrates a notable advancement in high-quality population development, with a gradient structure gradually emerging as “higher in the downstream areas, lower in the upstream regions, and central in the intermediary zones”. (2) The overall disparity exhibits a “V-shaped” upward trend, with significantly higher differences in downstream areas than in upstream and midstream areas. While intra-regional differences are decreasing overall, inter-regional differences are continuously widening, making them the primary driver of the overall disparity. (3) “High–High” and “Low–Low” spatial agglomeration effects are observed in the high-quality population development level within the area of investigation, with a trend towards bipolarization.
Mismatches between the Supply and Demand of Public Rental Housing in Chinese Cities
Authors: Cao Ying , Yi Daichun , Huang Youqin , Zhu Yang
Published: September 2024

While many countries have witnessed the retreat of the state from social housing under neoliberalism, the Chinese government has taken the opposite trajectory, significantly expanding its involvement in public rental housing (PRH) over the past decade through substantial investments. However, the effectiveness of the PRH program has come under scrutiny due to its inability to meet the demand for housing units while grappling with a substantial vacancy rate. This study aims to unravel this paradox by utilizing a unique city-level database that encompasses information on public rental housing stock, land supply, waiting time, and allocation practices. The data suggest that there is a structural mismatch between supply and demand for PRH in China, with both high and low vacancy rates in different cities, and even high vacancy and high allocation rates co-existing in one city. The results of estimating the OLS regression model of PRH supply and demand indicate that the actual supply fails to align with the policy objectives and the actual housing demand. Rather, they are more a result of the power relationship between the central and local governments, and cities with high fiscal autonomy provide fewer PRH. Furthermore, local governments fail to set eligibility criteria in response to housing supply, demand, and allocation, further exacerbating the mismatch. This paper provides policy recommendations that aim to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of the PRH program, contributing to more equitable urban development.
Environmental Justice and Social Work: A Study across Practice Settings in Three U.S. States
Authors: Mason Lisa Reyes , Coye Sierra Roach , Rao Smitha , Krings Amy , Santucci Julia
Published: September 2024

Environmental justice is essential for improved quality of life and sustainable wellbeing. This study examines how environmental issues and related injustices are surfacing in U.S. social work practice and social work readiness to respond, and what resources social workers are most interested in. Data are from an online survey of U.S. social workers (N = 337) in Colorado, Ohio, and Tennessee. Participants answered questions about their social work background, current job, environmental issues in practice, resources, and demographics. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. For nine issues, at least 30% of participants reported these as surfacing sometimes or often, with the highest being poor food access (74.7%), extreme cold (58.8%), and poor green space access (43.9%). The extent varied by years of experience, job setting, and practice level. Meanwhile, fewer than 40% of social workers indicated that they were somewhat or very prepared to respond to eight out of nine issues. Interest was higher in the resources that could be used for responding to specific topics rather than environmental justice broadly. In addition to strengthening social work education regarding environmental justice, this study suggests that national, state, and local social work associations can—in partnership with growing numbers of social work scholars working on environmental justice—create and provide training, templates, and guidance for practitioners that are tailored to specific environmental justice issues.
Institutional Arrangements and Roles within Water and Wastewater Treatments in the Vhembe District, South Africa
Authors: Mabadahanye Khumbelo , Dalu Mwazvita T. B. , Munyai Linton F. , Dondofema Farai , Dalu Tatenda
Published: September 2024

Water scarcity is a global challenge faced by millions of people, and it has a negative impact on the ecosystem, public health, and financial stability. Water demand and supply management becomes critical, especially in areas with limited access to clean, safe water. Wastewater and water treatment infrastructure is essential for maintaining environmental integrity and protecting human health. However, water treatment plants in South Africa face various complex obstacles brought on by institutional setups, practical limitations, and environmental concerns, including water quality. This study investigated the institutional arrangements, operational challenges, and environmental concerns that water and wastewater treatment plants face in the Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa. A qualitative study was conducted in Limpopo province, where employees from 12 water and wastewater treatment plants were interviewed, and the data were analyzed thematically. The data were arranged into five major themes using thematic analysis: understanding water and wastewater treatment systems, educational and demographic profile, water quality assessment, operational performance and regulatory compliance, and water volume in waterworks plants. Staff attitudes, institutional and operational challenges, and the current condition of treatment plants were all comprehensively portrayed using Ostrom’s IAD Framework. It was found that workers generally understand water treatment processes, but inconsistencies and a lack of transparency in monitoring water quality were noted, with many parameters from SANS 241 not being tested consistently. A significant educational gap among workers was also observed. Insufficient capacity, load-shedding, limited resources, and inadequate infrastructure prevented treatment plants from meeting daily water needs, worsened by institutional and socio-economic factors. Similar challenges were noted in countries like China, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Brazil, and Libya. To enhance water management efficiency and compliance, the study recommends more training, standardized procedures, proactive maintenance, and stakeholder involvement.
The Impact of Digital Finance on the Urban–Rural Income Gap in China: The Mediating Role of Employment Structural Transformation
Authors: Zhao Jing , Li Wenshun
Published: September 2024

The effect of digital finance on the income disparity between urban and rural areas has attracted wide attention from scholars, and this paper focuses on the mediating role of employment structural transformation, which can contribute more insights to address regional development imbalances and achieve common prosperity. Taking panel data of China’s province from 2010 to 2020 as a sample, we use the fixed effect model to integrally test the relationship between the three factors. Our findings indicate that (1) the development of digital finance significantly narrows the urban–rural income gap. The digital finance index increased by 1% and the rural–urban income gap decreased by about 0.34%. The results still hold after considering the endogeneity problem and a series of robustness tests; (2) mechanism analysis shows that digital finance could reduce the urban–rural income gap through the employment structural transformation; and (3) the results of regional heterogeneity show that the reduction effect of digital finance on the urban–rural income gap is stronger in areas with high marketization and in northern regions. Such insights can assist the government in strategically developing rural digital finance, thereby expediting the reduction of regional inequalities and achieving sustainable economic growth. Additionally, the government should focus on guiding rural employment structure transformation to better realize the reduction effect of digital finance on the urban–rural income gap.
Entrepreneurs’ Social Capital in Overcoming Business Challenges: Case Studies of Seven Greentech, Climate Tech and Agritech Startups
Authors: Carni Michaela , Gur Tamar , Maaravi Yossi
Published: September 2024

Environmental entrepreneurship has a vital role in addressing our planet’s critical environmental state by implementing innovative solutions to combat escalating environmental threats. These ventures, however, face numerous challenges, including securing initial funding, navigating technical difficulties, and gaining market acceptance, which are magnified by the pioneering nature of green innovations. Social capital is a key facilitator, enabling entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles through smart network management, trust, and strategic partnerships. This study investigates the role of social capital in mitigating the challenges faced by environmental entrepreneurs. We conducted semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs. Our findings reveal how social capital not only assists in navigating the complexities and challenges ingrained in environmental entrepreneurship but is also an inherent part of environmental venture creation. These insights emphasize the importance of social capital in advancing environmental innovation. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Extraction of Maize Distribution Information Based on Critical Fertility Periods and Active–Passive Remote Sensing
Authors: Lv Xiaoran , Zhang Xiangjun , Yu Haikun , Lu Xiaoping , Zhou Junli , Feng Junbiao , Su Hang
Published: September 2024

This study proposes a new method for integrating active and passive remote sensing data during critical reproductive periods in order to extract maize areas early and to address the problem of low accuracy in the classification of maize-growing areas affected by climate change. Focusing on Jiaozuo City, this study utilized active–passive remote sensing images to determine the optimal time for maize identification. The relative importance of features was assessed using a feature selection method combined with a machine learning algorithm, the impact of both single-source and multi-source features on accuracy was analyzed to generate the optimal feature subset, and the classification accuracies of different machine learning classification methods for maize at the tasseling stage were compared. Ultimately, this study identified the most effective remote sensing features and methods for maize detection during the optimal fertility period. The experimental results show that the feature set optimized for the tasseling stage significantly enhanced maize recognition accuracy. Specifically, the random forest (RF) method, when applied to the multi-source data fusion feature set, yielded the highest accuracy, improving classification accuracy by 24.6% and 4.86% over single-source features, and achieving an overall accuracy of 93.38% with a Kappa coefficient of 0.91. Data on the study area’s maize area were also extracted for the years 2018–2022, with accuracy values of 93.83%, 98.77%, 97%, and 98.05%, respectively.
Innovations of Express Companies: Adoption of Protective Wearable Artificial Intelligence Devices by Couriers
Authors: Sun Wei , Kim Junghoon , Su Huadong
Published: September 2024

Providing couriers with wearable artificial intelligence devices to prevent accidents is not only beneficial to the courier’s safety but will also save money in terms of insurance premiums for express companies; therefore, it is worth investigating what factors can influence the acceptance of wearable artificial intelligence devices by couriers. Push–pull–mooring (PPM) theory and affective event theory (AET) are integrated, to test couriers’ adoption of wearable safety detection devices. Social influence, perceived security, personal innovativeness, and affective event reaction are applied to the research model. Questionnaires are distributed among several listed express companies and 263 valid questionnaires are used for empirical testing. Empirical results indicated that social influence, perceived safety, personal innovativeness and affective event reaction are positively related to usage with coefficients 0.218, 0.301, 0.698 and 0.309. Personal innovativeness has positive moderating effects on relationships between affective event reaction, perceived security and usage, with coefficients 0.145 and 0.106; however, it has no significant moderating effect on the relationship between social influence and usage. The research aims to help support the proliferation and adoption of wearable artificial intelligence devices to optimize the current state of the express industry and improve the interaction between couriers and managers, creating an active management strategy that will allow express companies to thrive. The study not only provides insights to help express companies reduce insurance costs, but also provides recommendations for accelerating the company’s environmental, social and governance goals, leading sustainable development and building new corporate value.
The “Other” Workplace Design Factors: An Insight into What New Zealand Workers Want
Authors: Rotimi James Olabode Bamidele , Rasheed Eziaku Onyeizu
Published: September 2024

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has led to a reassessment of workplace necessities. It has resulted in the current shift from traditional workplace design to creating work experiences—a new paradigm in workplace management. Hence, while some conventional workplace factors remain important to the experiences of workers and, thus, to their well-being, comfort, and productivity, recent studies suggest other factors, not widely known, as important in creating the appropriate work experience. Our study explores these other factors in the workplace that contribute to or may be very important to, workers’ comfort, well-being and productivity. These include working mode; facilities; sustainability practices; and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—cultural connection. A sample of 149 occupants across offices in New Zealand was conveniently collected for the study and analysed using descriptive and content analysis in SPSS v24. The results show that the occupants prefer to have private offices in the workplace and separate meeting rooms for better concentration on work. In terms of working mode, a combined model of remote working and in-office working is preferred. Furthermore, occupants prefer to have access control and fire safety systems essentially in the workplace and for their offices to be cleaned daily. For sustainable measures in the workplace, the respondents choose the following as practical and convenient: turning off computers outside work hours, using more LED light bulbs in the office, opening windows and doors when required, and using a motion sensor lighting system. Interestingly, most of the respondents did not think having a cultural connection in their workplace was important. The study findings represent significant progress in identifying the needs of contemporary office workers. These findings assist facility managers and workplace designers in developing more proactive approaches to anticipated user issues in buildings.
The Influence of Executives’ Education Background on Corporate Green Innovation: A Dual Perspective of Risk Bearing and Social Responsibility
Authors: Zhang Yunhua , Wu Jia , Chen Min
Published: September 2024

Sustainable development, epitomized by green innovation, is increasingly emerging as a pivotal force propelling economic ecosystems and environmental conservation efforts. It plays a vital role in addressing the environmental challenges epitomized by the Kuznets curve conundrum. As a pivotal theoretical determinant in fostering green innovation practices within firms, the extent of influence and the underlying mechanism of top executives’ educational backgrounds have not been adequately examined through empirical research. This study investigates the influence of executives’ educational attainment on corporate green innovation, examining the relationship from the perspectives of risk assumption and corporate social responsibility. The results of our analysis are as follows: (1) there is a significant positive correlation between the educational level of executives and the incidence of green technological innovation within firms. (2) Executives with overseas backgrounds make a substantial contribution to both green technological and green management innovation. (3) The examination of mediation effects reveals that risk bearing plays a partial mediation role in the process through which executives’ educational background influences green technological innovation. Additionally, corporate social responsibility functions as a partial mediation factor.
Comparative Analysis of Carbon Emissions from Filled Embankment and Excavated Graben Schemes of Railway Subgrade Engineering
Authors: Shen Zhongshuai , Bao Xueying , Li Zilong , Lv Xiangru
Published: September 2024

To quantitatively compare the carbon emissions between the filled embankment scheme and the excavated graben scheme of railway subgrade engineering, first, according to the life cycle assessment theory, the two schemes were separated into four stages: building materials production, building materials transportation, construction, and operation and maintenance. The carbon emission factor method was then used to compute the carbon emissions of the filled embankment scheme and the excavated graben scheme. The results indicate that the carbon emissions of the filled embankment scheme are 8783.76 t, 801.71 t, 627.78 t, and 1021.33 t at each stage, and 11,234.58 t over its total life cycle. The carbon emissions at each stage of the excavated graben scheme are 954.96 t, 52.62 t, 772.69 t, and 178.03 t, respectively, and 1958.30 t over its total life cycle. Finally, the carbon abatement potential of the excavated graben scheme with less carbon emissions was investigated by changing the soil nail wall slope to an ecological slope. The results show that after changing the soil nail wall slope of the excavated graben scheme to an ecological slope, the excavated graben scheme’s carbon sequestration of the total life cycle is 3274.38 t.
Evaluation of Public Space in Beijing’s Old Residential Communities from a Female-Friendly Perspective
Authors: Li Qin , Hou Dongchen , Zhang Ziwei , Chen Zonghao , Li Wenlong , Liu Yijun
Published: September 2024

Female-friendly public spaces are crucial for the sustainable development of old residential communities. To advance the development of female-friendly public spaces in Beijing’s old residential communities, this study employs a method that integrates the Kano model with an importance–performance analysis. The research focuses on the public spaces of Baiwanzhuang in Beijing, specifically targeting female users. Field research, including interviews and surveys, is conducted to understand women’s needs in these spaces. Based on this, an evaluation index system is developed, and data from questionnaires distributed to women are analyzed using the Kano model and importance–performance metrics. The study classifies female users into four age groups to address their specific needs and proposes targeted strategies for enhancing female-friendly features in public spaces. This paper proposes a quantitative evaluation method for public spaces in old residential communities of Beijing, which combines the Kano model with IPA and is grounded in the perspective of female-friendliness. This research offers valuable insights for the revitalization of old residential communities and support for the diversification of public areas. The results indicate that increasing the types of public spaces, enriching public space facilities, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of public spaces, and promoting social care can improve the female-friendly level of public spaces in old residential communities.