bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Attention Frustum: A 3D Object Detection Method Focusing on Occluded Objects
Authors: He Xinglei , Zhang Xiaohan , Wang Yichun , Ji Hongzeng , Duan Xiuhui , Guo Fen
Published: March 2022

Achieving the accurate perception of occluded objects for autonomous vehicles is a challenging problem. Human vision can always quickly locate important object regions in complex external scenes, while other regions are only roughly analysed or ignored, defined as the visual attention mechanism. However, the perception system of autonomous vehicles cannot know which part of the point cloud is in the region of interest. Therefore, it is meaningful to explore how to use the visual attention mechanism in the perception system of autonomous driving. In this paper, we propose the model of the spatial attention frustum to solve object occlusion in 3D object detection. The spatial attention frustum can suppress unimportant features and allocate limited neural computing resources to critical parts of the scene, thereby providing greater relevance and easier processing for higher-level perceptual reasoning tasks. To ensure that our method maintains good reasoning ability when faced with occluded objects with only a partial structure, we propose a local feature aggregation module to capture more complex local features of the point cloud. Finally, we discuss the projection constraint relationship between the 3D bounding box and the 2D bounding box and propose a joint anchor box projection loss function, which will help to improve the overall performance of our method. The results of the KITTI dataset show that our proposed method can effectively improve the detection accuracy of occluded objects. Our method achieves 89.46%, 79.91% and 75.53% detection accuracy in the easy, moderate, and hard difficulty levels of the car category, and achieves a 6.97% performance improvement especially in the hard category with a high degree of occlusion. Our one-stage method does not need to rely on another refining stage, comparable to the accuracy of the two-stage method.
Designing a Reliable and Low-Latency LoRaWAN Solution for Environmental Monitoring in Factories at Major Accident Risk
Authors: Tamang Dinesh , Pozzebon Alessandro , Parri Lorenzo , Fort Ada , Abrardo Andrea
Published: March 2022

In this article, we propose a reliable and low-latency Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) solution for environmental monitoring in factories at major accident risk (FMAR). In particular, a low power wearable device for sensing the toxic inflammable gases inside an industrial plant is designed with the purpose of avoiding peculiar risks and unwanted accidents to occur. Moreover, the detected data have to be urgently and reliably delivered to remote server to trigger preventive immediate actions so as to improve the machine operation. In these settings, LoRaWAN has been identified as the most proper communications technology to the needs owing to the availability of off the shelf devices and software. Hence, we assess the technological limits of LoRaWAN in terms of latency and reliability and we propose a fully LoRaWAN compliant solution to overcome these limits. The proposed solution envisages coordinated end device (ED) transmissions through the use of Downlink Control Packets (DCPs). Experimental results validate the proposed method in terms of service requirements for the considered FMAR scenario.
Quantification of Head Tremors in Medical Conditions: A Comparison of Analyses Using a 2D Video Camera and a 3D Wireless Inertial Motion Unit
Authors: Amarantini David , Rieu Isabelle , Castelnovo Giovanni , Fluchère Frédérique , Laurencin Chloé , Degos Bertrand , Poujois Aurélia , Kreisler Alexandre , Sangla Sophie , Tir Mélissa , Benatru Isabelle , Blanchet-Fourcade Geneviève , Guehl Dominique , Gayraud Dominique , Tatu Laurent , Tranchant Christine , Durif Franck , Simonetta-Moreau Marion
Published: March 2022

This study compares two methods to quantify the amplitude and frequency of head movements in patients with head tremor: one based on video-based motion analysis, and the other using a miniature wireless inertial magnetic motion unit (IMMU). Concomitant with the clinical assessment of head tremor severity, head linear displacements in the frontal plane and head angular displacements in three dimensions were obtained simultaneously in forty-nine patients using one video camera and an IMMU in three experimental conditions while sitting (at rest, counting backward, and with arms extended). Head tremor amplitude was quantified along/around each axis, and head tremor frequency was analyzed in the frequency and time-frequency domains. Correlation analysis investigated the association between the clinical severity of head tremor and head linear and angular displacements. Our results showed better sensitivity of the IMMU compared to a 2D video camera to detect changes of tremor amplitude according to examination conditions, and better agreement with clinical measures. The frequency of head tremor calculated from video data in the frequency domain was higher than that obtained using time-frequency analysis and those calculated from the IMMU data. This study provides strong experimental evidence in favor of using an IMMU to quantify the amplitude and time-frequency oscillatory features of head tremor, especially in medical conditions.
Method Development and Applications for Reduced-Risk Products
Authors: Aldeek Fadi , Sarkar Mohamadi A.
Published: March 2022

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable premature death and disease in the U [...]
Co-Constructing Knowledge for Action in Research Practice Partnerships
Authors: Campanella Melissa , Kirshner Ben , Mendy Joanna , Landa-Posas Magnolia , Terrazas Hoover Kathleen Terrazas , Lopez Solicia , Porras-Holguin Laura-Elena , Estrada Martín Monserrat Estrada
Published: March 2022

Community-engaged research (CER) aspires to co-construct knowledge for action in groups that recognize people’s varied expertise and engage in democratic decision making. The CER literature has chronicled these processes in small participatory collectives but is less clear on the strategies or principles that guide collaborative approaches to data analysis in research partnerships that have hundreds of contributors playing distinct roles. The purpose of this paper is to critically assess and describe strategies for co-constructing knowledge with students and teachers who participated in a study that grew out of a broader research–practice partnership. In Part I of our findings, drawing on the concept of prefigurative experiments, we discuss the collaborative practices in our research team that took shape as we prepared data claims to share with students and teachers. In Part II, we discuss sessions interpreting the data with students and teachers in which they conveyed the emotional, embodied, and relational dimensions of student voice experiences. We conclude by discussing how this effort to be accountable to and in relationship with students and teachers, while incomplete on its own, spurred the design of new practices for democratizing data analysis and knowledge production in our research–practice partnership.
A Qualitative Assessment of the Trends, Distribution and Sources of Methane in South Africa
Authors: Shikwambana Lerato , Mokgoja Boitumelo , Mhangara Paidamwoyo
Published: March 2022

Methane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas (GHG) in terms of its concentration and impact on the climate. In the present study, we investigate the trends, sources and distribution of CH4 in South Africa. The study uses satellite datasets from Sentinel-5P and the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS). The study also uses credible datasets from the World Bank, Statistics South Africa and the Global Methane Initiative (GMI). The results show an increasing trend of CH4 from 1970–1989. A turning point is observed in 1989, where a decreasing trend is observed from 1989–2001. An increasing trend is then observed from 2001 to 2021. A high concentration of CH4 is observed in the northern and interior parts of South Africa. The results also show that CH4 concentration is influenced by seasonal variations. The September–October–November (SON) season has the highest CH4 concentration distribution in South Africa. The World Bank, Statistics South Africa and the GMI CH4 indictors show that agricultural activities, i.e., involving livestock, are the greatest emitters of CH4 in South Africa, followed by landfill sites. From the livestock data, sheep are the highest emitters of CH4. The increasing CH4 trend is a concern and efforts need to be made to drastically reduce emissions, if South Africa is to meet the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, 2015 Paris Agreement, sustainable development goal 13 (SDG 13) and the COP26 outcome agreements.
Survivability Scenario of SMEs in Facing COVID-19 Crisis Based on the Social Commerce Framework
Authors: Subriadi Apol Pribadi , Kusuma Wardhani Shinta Amalia
Published: March 2022

Government regulations that limit social and community activities to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have a very negative impact on the economy. This negative impact has a more profound effect on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) because their business models are highly dependent on sales flows. Falling demand will significantly threaten the survival of SMEs. To overcome this impact, SMEs need to consider digital technology to better market their products. Social commerce, a new e-commerce business model, is becoming an online sales platform that helps businesses connect with customers and gain a competitive edge. This study aimed to develop scenarios for the ability of SMEs to survive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We created scenarios based on a social commerce framework with four components: customer, platform, merchant, and context. These components were mapped in the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) 4 to obtain scenarios of practical and well-documented actions by SMEs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used canonical action research to apply scenarios to an affected SME and then evaluated how these scenarios can help the SME survive based on its financial performance. This study proposes applicable social commerce scenarios to encourage the ability of SMEs to withstand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contribution of Particles to Air Pollution in Green Parks
Authors: Kiurski Jelena S. , Rajs Vladimir M. , Aksentijević Snežana M. , Čavić Aleksandra M. , Soleša Dragan D.
Published: March 2022

Parks can aid in the regulation of microclimates and the improvement of air quality. They can be utilized in real-world systems to choose the best model for explaining the source of pollutant emissions, indicating the requirement for pollution concentration monitoring. Monitoring concentration trends is critical to formulating a strategy to reduce CO2 emissions and the contribution of these gasses to the greenhouse effect, as well as to curbing the rising levels of PM in the air. The research background of this study was performed in the green parks of Novi Sad, Serbia. The results are represented in terms of the quantity of the pollutants, and the correlation of the examined phenomena through statistical analysis. Aeroqual monitors with laser sensors were used to take measurements of particle pollution (PM2.5/10). The constant was confirmed by inter-comparison laboratory measurements of air-quality quantitative control. The measurement findings revealed a minor variance in concentration values for PM2.5/10 from 26–30 μg/m3, which were within the allowed limits, indicating that the air was moderately clean. The linear link between particle concentrations and nitrogen dioxide in the sample was also validated using simple linear regression, as was the high influence of humidity on particle concentrations.
Energy-Saving for Industrial Pneumatic Actuation Systems by Exhausted Air Reuse Based on a Constant Pressure Elastic Accumulator
Authors: Du Hongwang , Liu Wei , Bian Xin , Xiong Wei
Published: March 2022

Exhausted air reuse is one of the most important energy-saving methods for pneumatic actuation systems. However, traditional exhausted air storage tanks have the disadvantages of unstable pressure and low energy density. To solve these problems, this paper presents an energy-saving method by exhausted air reuse for industrial pneumatic actuation systems based on a constant pressure elastic accumulator. Employing the hyperelastic mechanical properties of rubber, a constant pressure energy storage accumulator is designed and applied to a pneumatic circuit for exhausted air recovery and energy saving. In the circuit, the accumulator recovers exhausted air from a primary cylinder and supplies it to another secondary cylinder. Then the secondary cylinder no longer needs air supply from the air compressor to achieve the purpose of energy saving. The energy-saving mathematical model of the circuit is established using air consumption, and the system operation test bed is built to verify the energy-saving efficiency. Results show that the maximum energy-saving efficiency of the system is 54.1% under given working conditions, and the stability of the cylinder can be improved.
A Multi-Commodity Mathematical Modelling Approach—Hazardous Waste Treatment Infrastructure Planning in the Czech Republic
Authors: Šomplák Radovan , Kropáč Jiří , Pluskal Jaroslav , Pavlas Martin , Urbánek Boris , Vítková Petra
Published: March 2022

This paper presents an analysis of infrastructure for the processing of Czech hazardous waste and pays attention to predictions of waste management development in the upcoming years. For this purpose, a unique complex approach to modelling future waste management changes is applied. The method uses a multi-commodity network flow model with reverse flows between treatment facilities to consider complete waste management of hazardous waste. The future outlook (2030) for the forecasted generation of different types of hazardous waste in the Czech Republic requires decisions on waste treatment facility infrastructure. The uniqueness lies in using real data for such a wide scope of a task, further enhanced by concurrent analysis of more types of waste interconnected through limited processing capacities. The results indicate the insufficiency in hazardous waste thermal treatment and stabilization. A suggestion is to extend the incineration capacity because it influences the stabilization units, which must process the remaining waste. The recommended increase is 100% with different proportions in individual regions.
Inquiry-Based Learning on Climate Change in Upper Secondary Education: A Design-Based Approach
Authors: Brumann Sebastian , Ohl Ulrike , Schulz Johannes
Published: March 2022

Education is of great importance in the context of climate change, as it can promote pro-environmental behaviour. However, climate change education is accompanied by didactic and pedagogical challenges because, among other reasons, climate change is a complex phenomenon and many people have a psychological distance to the topic. A promising approach to face these challenges is inquiry-based learning (IBL), as several studies show. To date, however, there are barely any empirically tested instructional designs, especially for close-to-science IBL, focusing on climate change. The study presented here therefore addresses the question of how a science propaedeutic seminar for upper secondary schools on the regional implications of climate change should be designed to ensure successful learning processes. Based on the design-based research approach, qualitative research methods (focus group discussions, semi-standardised written teacher surveys, and participant observations) were used to identify target-oriented design guidelines and implementation principles for such seminars. In the seminars, 769 students have so far researched different aspects of climate change in their own regions. The identified design guidelines and implementation principles were further operationalised for teaching practice, so that the research generated both a contribution to theory building and an applicable concept for schools.
Optimization Model for Sustainable End-of-Life Vehicle Processing and Recycling
Authors: Al-Quradaghi Shimaa , Zheng Qipeng P. , Betancourt-Torcat Alberto , Elkamel Ali
Published: March 2022

The aim of this paper is to provide a mathematical programming model for sustainable end-of-life vehicle processing and recycling. Environmental benefits and resource efficiency are achieved through the incorporation of a processing and recycling network that is based on industrial symbiosis whereby waste materials are converted into positive environmental externalities aimed at decreasing pollution and reducing the need for raw materials. A mixed-integer programming model for optimizing the exchange of material flows in the network is developed and applied on a real case study. The model selects the components that maximize reusable/recyclable material output while minimizing network costs. In addition, GHG emissions are calculated to assess the environmental benefits of the network. The model finds the optimal processing routes while maximizing the yield of the components of interest, maximizing profit, minimizing cost, or minimizing waste depending on which goals are chosen. The results are analyzed to provide insights about the network and the utility of the proposed methodology to improve sustainability of end-of-life vehicle recycling.
Construction Solutions and Materials to Optimize the Energy Performances of EPS-RC Precast Bearing Walls
Authors: Scioti Albina , De Fino Mariella , Martiradonna Silvia , Fatiguso Fabio
Published: March 2022

The design and employment of envelope components showing high thermal performances for new buildings and deep renovations must take into account the overall impact of the production process in terms of environmental sustainability. To this end, precast construction solutions and secondary raw materials provide added value to the energy quality of building products. With regard to the abovementioned issues, the paper is focused on the performance optimization of expanded polystyrene-reinforced concrete (EPS-RC) precast bearing walls, already developed and patented within a previous research project entitled “HPWalls. High Performance Wall Systems”, and herein improved according to two complementary requirements: on the one hand, the addition of recycled EPS particles to the concrete mixtures and, thus, the assessment by lab tests of the correlation between the thermal and mechanical properties for several mix-design specimens; on the other hand, a study using analytical simulations of the most suitable joint solutions among modular panels in order to prevent thermal bridges. The achieved results validate the proposed optimization strategies and provide reliable data for market applications in the building sector.
Using Global Positioning System to Compare Training Monotony and Training Strain of Starters and Non-Starters across of Full-Season in Professional Soccer Players
Authors: Alijanpour Nader , Nobari Hadi , Bolboli Lotfali , Afroundeh Roghayyeh , Garcia-Ramos Amador
Published: March 2022

Soccer is an attractive and popular team sport that has high physiological and fitness stress, and therefore requires special and controlled training programs during the season. The aim of this study was to describe the weekly average and changes in training monotony (TM) and training strain (TS) throughout different periods of the season in professional football players based on the number of accelerations and decelerations, and also to analyze the difference between starters and non-starters players in TM and TS. Nineteen professional players from a soccer team competing in the Iranian Premier League (age, 28 ± 4.6 years; height, 181.6 ± 5.8 cm; body mass, 74.5 ± 5.6 kg, and body mass index, 21.8 ± 1.0 kg/m2) participated in a cohort study. Participants were divided into two groups based on the time of participation in the weekly competition: starters (N = 10) or non-starters (N = 9). The physical activities of the players were recorded during the training sessions and competitive matches of 43 weeks using GPSPORTS systems Pty Ltd. During pre- and end-season TS was not significantly different between starters and non-starters, while during early- and mid-season starters showed a higher TS than non-starter (p < 0.05). TS was higher during early- and mid-season compared to pre- and end-season. In all zones on both the TM and TS variables, non-starters experienced higher change percentages and coefficient of variation. TM during the season in all zones of accelerations was not significantly different between starters and non-starters. while during mid-season starters showed a higher TM than non-starters in all zones of decelerations (p < 0.05). TM data showed fluctuations and w-shaped graphs in the week-by-week survey. These results indicate that training during early- and mid-season is not enough for the physical development of non-starters soccer players. Coaches should be more careful when designing training for non-starters players, and they could consider the use of game simulation, preparatory match or intra-team match, or individual training programs.
Development of Novel Membranes Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol Modified by Pluronic F127 for Pervaporation Dehydration of Isopropanol
Authors: Dmitrenko Mariia , Atta Ramadan , Zolotarev Andrey , Kuzminova Anna , Ermakov Sergey , Penkova Anastasia
Published: March 2022

Membrane methods are environmentally friendly and can significantly improve the design and development of new energy consumption processes that are very important nowadays. However, their effective use requires advanced membrane materials. This study aims to improve the performance of pervaporation polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based membrane for isopropanol dehydration. To achieve this goal, two methods were applied: (1) bulk modification of PVA by Pluronic F127 and (2) development of supported PVA-based membrane using polyphenylene isophthalamide (PA) as a substrate with a various porosity. Developed membranes were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurement, and swelling experiments. The concentration influence of PA casting solution (12–20 wt.%) on the performance of porous PA membranes (substrates) was investigated in ultrafiltration of pure water and bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution as well as by microscopic methods (SEM and atomic force microscopy). The developed dense and supported PVA-based membranes were tested in the pervaporation dehydration of isopropanol. Optimal transport characteristics were obtained for a supported membrane with a PVA-based selective layer containing 3 wt.% Pluronic F127 onto an ultrafiltration PA (17 wt.%) substrate: improved permeation flux 0.100–1.164 kg/(m2 h) and 98.8–84.6 wt.% water content in the permeate in pervaporation dehydration of isopropanol (12–80 wt.% water).
Towards the 2030 Agenda: Measuring the Progress of the European Union Countries through the SDGs Achievement Index
Authors: Rocchi Lucia , Ricciolini Elena , Massei Gianluca , Paolotti Luisa , Boggia Antonio
Published: March 2022

The 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The success or failure in their implementation largely depends on the national implementation effort, measured within wide and compound indicator frameworks. Due to such complexity, providing a simple but comprehensive view on the progress to achieve the SDGs is a priority. Moreover, the measure of the progress allows the consistency among the different dimensions of sustainable development to be assessed. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the results accomplished by European Union Countries in achieving SDGs. In particular, the paper proposed the SDGs achievement index (SDG-AI), a multicriteria-based index, including six different dimensions and applied to EU countries. The SDG-AI allows the differences across the EU countries to be highlighted, and also assesses the contribution of the different dimensions to the final result. The use of such an index will also be useful to understand the effect of the pandemic on the development.
Evaluating Water Fertilizer Coupling on the Variations in Millet Chaff Size during the Late Seventh Century in Northwest China: Morphological and Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopic Evidence from the Chashancun Cemetery
Authors: Liu Bingbing , Lu Yongxiu , Yang Yishi , Wei Wenyu , Chen Guoke
Published: March 2022

Stable isotopic analyses of the remains of plants that have been unearthed from archaeological sites are often featured as key indicators of crop cultivation and the living environment. However, systematic archaeobotanical studies have not been applied widely in Chinese historical sites, especially in those from the Tang dynasty. This paper aims to use carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses to reveal the potential influence of water and fertilizer conditions on the size of millet chaffs that were excavated from the Chashancun cemetery. To achieve this, >3600 uncharred broomcorn and foxtail millet chaff remains were measured. Furthermore, 30 broomcorn millet samples and 30 foxtail millet samples were selected to analyze the carbon and nitrogen isotopes, respectively. The widths and thicknesses of the broomcorn millet chaffs ranged from 1.11 to 2.38 mm and from 0.95 to 2.24 mm, respectively, while those of the foxtail millet chaffs ranged from 0.95 to 1.94 mm and from 0.69 to 1.90 mm, respectively. The δ13C and δ15N values of the broomcorn millet chaffs ranged from −13.0‰ to −12.0‰ and from 15.7‰ to 17.8‰, respectively, while those of the foxtail millet chaffs ranged from −14.0‰ to −12.9‰ and from 15.7‰ to 18.8‰, respectively. The results show correlations between the millet chaff size and the carbon/nitrogen isotopic values, suggesting that water and fertilizer conditions might have significantly affected millet grain yield during the late seventh century in northwestern China.
Does Buddhist Tourism Successfully Result in Local Sustainable Development?
Authors: He Yugang , Wang Chunlei
Published: March 2022

At nine of China’s most well-known Buddhist attractions, the role of Buddhist tourism is examined in terms of two major pillars of local sustainable development, which include local economic growth and local environmental quality. Using the year and city-fixed effect models, and by employing the panel data over the period 2010–2019, we performed an empirical analysis in this investigation. The empirical results suggest that Buddhist tourism positively affects local economic growth. Specifically, a 1% increase in Buddhist tourism results in a 0.053% increase in local economic growth. On the contrary, the empirical results suggest that Buddhist tourism negatively affects local environmental quality. Concretely, a 1% increase in Buddhist tourism leads to a 0.089% decline in local environmental quality. Furthermore, using the number of Buddhist tourists that arrived to replace the total Buddhist tourism revenue to re-estimate the effects of Buddhist tourism on local sustainable development as a robustness test, the new results support the previous results. Meanwhile, other factor with significant impacts on local sustainable development have been found. To conclude, because local economic growth and local environmental conservation are mutually exclusive, which limits local sustainable development, this paper provides evidence for local policymakers to realize local sustainable development from the perspective of Buddhist tourism.
Capturing Emerging Business Opportunities through Entrepreneurial Orientation and Innovation Behavior: The Moderating Role of Leader-Member Exchange
Authors: Ha Jun-Chul
Published: March 2022

In the changing market environment due to the fourth industrial revolution, entrepreneurial orientation and innovation can accelerate the company’s sustainable growth, and performance improvement through the mutual relationship between leaders and members is essential. This study investigated the effect of the innovation behavior of entrepreneurial orientation on job performance by focusing on the conditional indirect effect of leader-member exchange (LMX) in the mediated relationship. To this end, research data were collected from 324 employees from different SMEs in South Korea. Based on the results, entrepreneurial orientation had a positive effect on innovation behavior and job performance. In addition, it was found that innovation behavior had a positive effect on job performance and partially mediated the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and job performance. LMX showed a conditional indirect effect in the mediated model and moderated the relationship between risk-taking and job performance. The results have significant implications for SMEs pursuing entrepreneurial orientation, which was discussed. This study has significant implications in that high performance can be achieved by realizing the importance of employees’ innovation behavior and LMX within the company for sustainable management.
Trade Openness and Environmental Policy Stringency: Quantile Evidence
Authors: Kim Dong-Hyeon , Lin Shu-Chin
Published: March 2022

The intensively debated issue of whether trade globalization leads to a race (climb) to the bottom (top) such that environmental policy stringency is loosened (strengthened) is still far from being uncontroversial. This paper provides new empirical evidence from the standpoint of the North (advanced) countries using both the generalized methods of moment (GMM) and GMM quantile estimators for dynamic panel data models. It first investigates the importance of trade partners and finds, in a sample of OECD countries, that increased trade with the South (developing) countries leads to more stringent environmental regulation whereas heightened trade with the North eases environmental regulation. It then examines whether there exist differences across regimes with different extents of stringency in environmental regulation and finds significant regime-specific effects. Specifically, liberalizing trade with the North weakens environmental regulation stringency in a regime with medium stringency but reinforces it in a regime with high and low stringency. Conversely, expanded trade with the South raises environmental regulation stringency in a regime with medium stringency but deteriorates it in a regime with high and low stringency.
Duration of Trade Relationships of Polish Enterprises on the Intra-Community Market: The Case of Vehicles and Automotive Parts Trade
Authors: Markowicz Iwona , Baran Paweł
Published: March 2022

International trade allows for wider access to goods and services in domestic markets. It contributes to socio-economic development, and it is an important factor in raising living standards. The aim of the study is to provide a duration analysis of trade relationships of Polish enterprises on the intra-community market and determine the influence of selected factors on the length of time the relationships last. We employ survival analysis methods to study the duration of Polish enterprises on the intra-community market (the case of 87 CN chapter—vehicles and parts and accessories thereof), separately for intra-community supplies (ICS) and intra-community acquisitions (ICA). Our research covers trade relationships at a level close to individual transactions—the data unit relates to a specific domestic company, a specific product group (combined nomenclature heading), a specific direction of the transaction (ICS/ICA) and exchange with a specific country. Differences in duration curves for ICS and ICA are statistically significant, and export (ICS) relationships are more durable over time than import relationships (ICA). The most durable relationships of Polish enterprises are with business partners from countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic.
Exploring Urban Forms Vulnerable to Urban Heat Islands: A Multiscale Analysis
Authors: Kang Seungwon , Lee Dalbyul , Park Jiyong , Jung Juchul
Published: March 2022

Understanding urban forms vulnerable to urban heat islands provides urban planning measures to improve urban heat islands and offering insight into different sustainable urban forms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the urban heat island effect and urban forms, to explore which urban forms are vulnerable to this effect, and to present urban planning measures to alleviate urban heat islands. This study also conducted an analysis on two scales, the macro- and micro-dimensions, to develop policy suggestions for urban heat island mitigation. In the macro-scale analysis, the relationship between urban shape and urban heat islands was investigated through a statistical approach using a regression equation, and in the micro-scale analysis, a spatial analysis method using urban climate zones (LCZs) was used.
Health-Related Fitness in Slovak High School Students in Prešov Region
Authors: Ružbarský Pavel , Zvonař Martin , Kačúr Peter , Kokinda Marek , Anton Vincent
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine the physical characteristics, body composition, and health-related fitness components in Slovak high school students. Data on body composition and health-related fitness were obtained from 848 students attending 14 high schools in the Prešov self-governing region. Health-related fitness levels were determined using the FITNESSGRAM test battery. Body composition was measured using a direct segmental multifrequency bioelectric impedance analyzer InBody 230. The results of the study showed gender differences in anthropometric measures, body composition parameters, and health-related fitness components. Analysis of variance among subgroups with different performance levels in particular tests showed an effect on anthropometric measures and body composition, especially on abdominal strength and endurance and upper body strength and endurance. Regarding gender differences, boys were found to be taller and heavier in all age groups. The BMI values showed a normal rate of physical development in all age groups and both genders. Overall, body composition was more optimal for boys than for girls. Girls were found to have a higher degree of abdominal fat and visceral adiposity. Boys were found to have higher levels of upper body strength and endurance and abdominal strength and endurance. The difference in flexibility level was statistically significant between 16 year-olds.
Effect of the Absence of Unethical Controlling Shareholders on Firm Value and the Moderating Role of Corporate Governance: Evidence from South Korea
Authors: Lee Ji-Hyun , Lee Su-Yol
Published: March 2022

Prior research on unethical controlling shareholder is limited. This study examines the effect of the evanishment of unethical controlling shareholders’ risk on firm value and how corporate governance moderates this effect from a principal–principal agency perspective. This research proposes a contingent model of corporate governance as a mechanism to provide professional managers with managerial autonomy. This study identifies 43 cases of controlling shareholders of Korean conglomerates being absent due to their imprisonment from 2006 to 2015. The regression analysis results indicate that the evanishment of controlling shareholders’ risks does not significantly influence the affiliated firms’ value. This study supports the positive effect of corporate governance on firm value. Although the statistical significance is low, it observes a tendency for corporate governance to amplify the relationship between the dissolution of unethical controlling shareholders’ risks and firm value. This study contributes to the literature by being one of the first to explore unethical controlling shareholders’ risks based on corporate governance theory.
Towards Sustainable Agriculture in China: Assessing the Robust Role of Green Public Investment
Authors: Gao Xincai , Ji Lin , Chandio Abbas Ali , Gul Amber , Ankrah Twumasi Martinson , Ahmad Fayyaz
Published: March 2022

This paper reviews the long-term impact of public investments on irrigation and agricultural research and development along with other control variables, including physical capital, irrigated area, fertilizer consumption, level of mechanization, and CO2 emissions on China’s agricultural output from 1986 to 2017. This study applied various econometric methods such as the ARDL bound-testing approach and Johansen co-integration procedure to determine the long-term co-integrating connection amid the variables. The empirical outcomes from the ARDL bound-testing method confirm a long-term co-integrating connection among the variables. The long-run results demonstrated that public investment in agricultural research and development and irrigation have a substantial positive effect on agricultural productivity. Furthermore, results revealed that physical capital and fertilizer consumption also have a significant positive effect on agricultural output; however, CO2 emissions have a substantial negative effect on agricultural production. These findings therefore suggest that the policy makers of China should initiate more effective policies to increase irrigation and agricultural research and development investments. Increasing irrigation and agricultural research and development investments will enhance agricultural productivity by ensuring food security in the country.
Working in the Metaverse: Does Telework in a Metaverse Office Have the Potential to Reduce Population Pressure in Megacities? Evidence from Young Adults in Seoul, South Korea
Authors: Choi Hyoung-Yong
Published: March 2022

Despite the growing number of teleworkers and the unsustainable challenges (e.g., environmental pollution) facing megacities due to population pressure, few studies have investigated whether telework can reduce population pressure in megacities. This study conducts a scenario-based experiment and proposes that telework can reduce population pressure in megacities by enticing megacity residents to leave the megacity. Specifically, given the increasing number of companies that are adopting metaverse teleworking offices, this study classifies telework into metaverse telework and non-metaverse telework and empirically demonstrates that both types of telework positively influence an individual’s intention to relocate from a megacity to a non-megacity. Additionally, this study further shows that metaverse telework has a greater impact on an individual’s intention to relocate from a megacity to a non-megacity than non-metaverse telework. This study demonstrates how different types of telework can differentially reduce population pressure in megacities and provides practical recommendations for policymakers and strategy managers to support this practice.
How Energy Maintains Social Sustainability of Teachers’ Learning Communities: New Insights from a Blended Professional Learning Network
Authors: Hsiao Jo-Chi , Lin Sunny S. J.
Published: March 2022

Social sustainability of teacher communities addresses the risk of teacher isolation and low teacher vitality. Blended professional learning networks (B-PLNs) providing online and face-to-face collegial learning are booming in the Web 2.0 era to support teachers in the face of various challenges. So far, what is lacking is a thorough investigation into the process where teachers break teacher isolation, regain their energy, and sustain the life of B-PLNs. The purpose of this case study was to investigate reoccurring topics shared in a sustainable B-PLN for EFL teachers in Taiwan. This B-PLN has attracted over 4600 members online and holds regular learning activities. Participants were interviewed to reflect on their experience in the target B-PLN. Applying content analysis, we generated a two-cycle coding scheme through the lens of self-determination and ego depletion theories. The results revealed that teachers initially joined the B-PLN with low energy, showing prominent need for competence. At the process stage, their energy rose with the need for relatedness noticeably satisfied. Finally, collective vitality of altruism, engagement, empowerment, and positive emotions uniquely emerged. Further, immediate keyword feedback complemented the findings. We argued that the transition from low individual energy to high collective energy demonstrates the social sustainability process of this influential B-PLN.
Farmers’ Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Nor Diana Mohd Idris , Zulkepli Nurul Atikah , Siwar Chamhuri , Zainol Muhd Ridzuan
Published: March 2022

This systematic review focuses on the relationship between the factors of adaptation strategies and the impact of climate change among farmers in Southeast Asia. Climate change, a phenomenon that occurs over many years, has affected the lives of farmers in the agricultural sector. Therefore, it is essential to analyse the factors that affect farmers’ decisions to determine their ability to adapt to climate change and maintain their livelihoods. As such, the present study examines farmers’ understanding of climate change and its impact on adaptation strategies in Southeast Asia. Approximately 15 related studies were found based on a systematic review of the repositories from Scopus and the Web of Sciences using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Hence, the paper delineates five key themes: (1) sociodemographic factors, (2) physical capital, (3) assistance, (4) information, and (5) social networking. Therefore, the results underlining the determinant factors, such as income, household members, farm size, land, number of workers, access to information, education, experiences, training, support from agencies, and social networks, influence the adaptation strategies among Southeast Asian farmers. This systematic review study emphasises information accessibility, education, training, and income as the most important factors for developing adaptation strategies for farmers to deal with climate change, rather than programme, internet usage, relatives, and the number of workers. Finally, combining the main factors can promote technological advancement for farmers who rely on agriculture as their main source of income and help farmers deal with climate variability to sustain their livelihood.
Sustainable Marketing and Strategy
Authors: Au-Yong-Oliveira Manuel , Sousa Maria José
Published: March 2022

The theme of this Special Issue (SI) is Sustainable Marketing and Strategy, as in the literature, we have seen growing evidence of how sustainability efforts are increasingly bringing significant benefits to enterprises [...]
The Consistent Couple Stress Theory-Based Vibration and Post-Buckling Analysis of Bi-directional Functionally Graded Microbeam
Authors: Zhang Rong , Bai Hongbai , Chen Xiaochao
Published: March 2022

The present work aims to study the free vibration, buckling and post-buckling behaviors of bidirectional functionally graded (BDFG) microbeams. The material properties of a BDFG microbeam were varied continuously in both thickness and axial directions. Furthermore, four different kinds of material distribution function were taken into consideration, two of which were symmetrical in the thickness direction, and the remaining two were asymmetrical. Employing the Timoshenko beam theory and the consistent couple stress theory (CCST), the governing equations and associated boundary conditions of BDFG microbeams were formulated by Hamilton’s principle. The differential quadrature method (DQM) and Newton’s method were applied to solve the eigenvalue problems and buckling path, respectively. Finally, several parametric investigations were carried out to probe the influence of material distribution functions, length to thickness ratio, gradient indexes and size effect on the vibration and buckling behaviors of BDFG microbeam under different boundary conditions.
Double Controlled Quasi Metric Like Spaces
Authors: Haque Salma , Karoui Souayah Asma , Mlaiki Nabil , Rizk Doaa
Published: March 2022

In this article, we present a generalization of the double controlled metric like spaces, called quasi double controlled metric like spaces, by assuming that the symmetric condition is not necessary satisfied. Moreover, the self distance is not necessary zero.
Stereogram of the Living Heart, Lung, and Adjacent Structures
Authors: Izawa Yu , Nishii Tatsuya , Mori Shumpei
Published: March 2022

Innovations in invasive cardiovascular diagnostics and therapeutics, not only limited to transcatheter approaches but also involving surgical approaches, are based on a precise appreciation of the three-dimensional living heart anatomy. Rapid advancements in three-dimensional cardiovascular imaging technologies in the 21st century have supported such innovations through the periprocedural assessment of the clinical anatomy of the living heart. However, even if high-resolution volume-rendered images are reconstructed, they cannot provide appropriate depth perception when displayed and shared on a two-dimensional display, which is widely used in clinical settings. Currently, images reconstructed from clinical datasets can visualize fine details of the cardiovascular anatomy. Therefore, this is an optimal time for cardiologists and cardiac surgeons to revisit the classic technology, stereopsis, and obtain bonus information from carefully reconstructed clinical images. Using anaglyphs or cross/uncross-fusion of paired images, striking depth perception can be readily obtained without the need for expensive equipment. This conventional technique, when applied to high-resolution volume-rendered images, may help in obtaining appropriate diagnostics, choosing optimal therapeutics, securing procedural success, and preventing complications. Furthermore, it can be used for anatomical education. In this review, we demonstrate multiple stereoscopic images reconstructed from cardiac computed tomographic datasets and discuss their clinical and educational implications.
Double-Sided Nano-ZnO: Superior Antibacterial Properties and Induced Hepatotoxicity in Zebrafish Embryos
Authors: He Mingyue , Li Xueting , Yu Lidong , Deng Shuai , Gu Ning , Li Li , Jia Jianbo , Li Bingsheng
Published: March 2022

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (Nano-ZnO) have been widely used in the food, cosmetics, and biomedical fields due to their excellent antibacterial and antioxidant properties. However, with the widespread application of Nano-ZnO, Nano-ZnO inevitably enters the environment and living organisms, causing harm to human health and ecosystem safety. Therefore, the biosafety and toxicological issues of Nano-ZnO are gradually being emphasized. Our study found that Nano-ZnO has superior antibacterial properties compared to ofloxacin in the fight against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Given that ofloxacin can inhibit bacterial-induced inflammation, we constructed a model of bacterial inflammation using S. aureus in zebrafish. We found that Nano-ZnO inhibited the NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling pathway. However, in the process, we found that Nano-ZnO caused hepatic steatosis in zebrafish. This suggested that Nano-ZnO had a certain hepatotoxicity, but did not affect liver development. Subsequently, we investigated the mechanism of hepatotoxicity produced by Nano-ZnO. Nano-ZnO triggered oxidative stress in the liver by generating ROS, which then induced endoplasmic reticulum stress to occur. It further activated srebp and its downstream genes fasn and acc1, which promoted the accumulation of fatty acid synthesis and the development of steatosis, leading to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To address the hepatotoxicity of Nano-ZnO, we added carbon dots for the treatment of NAFLD. The carbon dots were found to normalize the steatotic liver. This provided a new strategy to address the hepatotoxicity caused by Nano-ZnO. In this work, we systematically analyzed the antibacterial advantages of Nano-ZnO in vivo and in vitro, explored the mechanism of Nano-ZnO hepatotoxicity, and proposed a new method to treat Nano-ZnO hepatotoxicity.