bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on User Recognition Using the Generated Synthetic Electrocardiogram Signal
Authors: Kim Min-Gu , Pan Sung
Published: March 2021

Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals are time series data that are acquired by time change. A problem with these signals is that comparison data that have the same size as the registration data must be acquired every time. A network model of an auxiliary classifier based generative adversarial neural network that is capable of generating synthetic ECG signals is proposed to resolve the data size inconsistency problem. After constructing comparison data with various combinations of the real and generated synthetic ECG signal cycles, a user recognition experiment was performed by applying them to an ensemble network of parallel structure. Recognition performance of 98.5% was demonstrated when five cycles of real ECG signals were used. Moreover, 98.7% and 97% accuracies were provided when the first cycle of synthetic ECG signals and the fourth cycle of real ECG signals were repetitively used as the last cycle, respectively, in addition to the four cycles of real ECG. When two cycles of synthetic ECG signals were used with three cycles of real ECG signals, 97.2% accuracy was shown. When the last third cycle was repeatedly used with the three cycles of real ECG signals, the accuracy was 96%, which was 1.2% lower than the performance obtained while using the synthetic ECG. Therefore, even if the size of the registration data and that of the comparison data are not consistent, the generated synthetic ECG signals can be applied to a real life environment, because a high recognition performance is demonstrated when they are applied to an ensemble network of parallel structure.
Simulation of Upward Jump Control for One-Legged Robot Based on QP Optimization
Authors: Tian Dingkui , Gao Junyao , Liu Chuzhao , Shi Xuanyang
Published: March 2021

An optimization framework for upward jumping motion based on quadratic programming (QP) is proposed in this paper, which can simultaneously consider constraints such as the zero moment point (ZMP), limitation of angular accelerations, and anti-slippage. Our approach comprises two parts: the trajectory generation and real-time control. In the trajectory generation for the launch phase, we discretize the continuous trajectories and assume that the accelerations between the two sampling intervals are constant and transcribe the problem into a nonlinear optimization problem. In the real-time control of the stance phase, the over-constrained control objectives such as the tracking of the center of moment (CoM), angle, and angular momentum, and constraints such as the anti-slippage, ZMP, and limitation of joint acceleration are unified within a framework based on QP optimization. Input angles of the actuated joints are thus obtained through a simple iteration. The simulation result reveals that a successful upward jump to a height of 16.4 cm was achieved, which confirms that the controller fully satisfies all constraints and achieves the control objectives.
Quantifying Physiological Biomarkers of a Microwave Brain Stimulation Device
Authors: Hussain Iqram , Young Seo , Kim Chang Ho , Benjamin Ho Chee Meng , Park Se Jin
Published: March 2021

Physiological signals are immediate and sensitive to neural and cardiovascular change resulting from brain stimulation, and are considered as a quantifying tool with which to evaluate the association between brain stimulation and cognitive performance. Brain stimulation outside a highly equipped, clinical setting requires the use of a low-cost, ambulatory miniature system. The purpose of this double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study is to quantify the physiological biomarkers of the neural and cardiovascular systems induced by a microwave brain stimulation (MBS) device. We investigated the effect of an active MBS and a sham device on the cardiovascular and neurological responses of ten volunteers (mean age 26.33 years, 70% male). Electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) were recorded in the initial resting-state, intermediate state, and the final state at half-hour intervals using a portable sensing device. During the experiment, the participants were engaged in a cognitive workload. In the active MBS group, the power of high-alpha, high-beta, and low-beta bands in the EEG increased, and the power of low-alpha and theta waves decreased, relative to the sham group. RR Interval and QRS interval showed a significant association with MBS stimulation. Heart rate variability features showed no significant difference between the two groups. A wearable MBS modality may be feasible for use in biomedical research; the MBS can modulate the neurological and cardiovascular responses to cognitive workload.
Rainfall and Temperature Trend Analysis by Mann–Kendall Test and Significance for Rainfed Cereal Yields in Northern Togo
Authors: Gadedjisso-Tossou Agossou , Adjegan Komlavi II , Kablan Armand Ketcha Malan
Published: March 2021

This study investigates the trend in monthly and annual rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature (Tmin and Tmax) using the Mann–Kendall (MK) test and Sen’s slope (SS) method and evaluates the significance of their variability for maize, sorghum and millet yields in northern Togo employing multiple regression analysis. The historical data of Kara, Niamtougou, Mango and Dapaong weather stations from 1977 to 2012 were used. Four non-parametric methods—Alexandersson’s Standard Normal Homogeneity Test (SNHT), Buishand’s Range Test (BRT), Pettitt’s Test (PT) and Von Neumann’s Ratio Test (VNRT)—were applied to detect homogeneity in the data. For the data which were serially correlated, a modified version of the MK test (pre-whitening) was utilised. Results showed an increasing trend in the annual rainfall in all four locations. However, this trend was only significant at Dapaong (p < 0.1). There was an increasing trend in Tmax at Kara, Mango and Niamtougou, unlike Dapaong where Tmax revealed a significant decreasing trend (p < 0.01). Similarly, there was an increasing trend in Tmin at Kara, Mango and Dapaong, unlike Niamtougou where Tmin showed a non-significant decreasing trend (p > 0.05). Rainfall in Dapaong was found to have increased (7.79 mm/year) more than the other locations such as Kara (2.20 mm/year), Niamtougou (4.57 mm/year) and Mango (0.67 mm). Tmax increased by 0.13, 0.13 and 0.32 °C per decade at Kara, Niamtougou and Mango, respectively, and decreased by 0.20 per decade in Dapaong. Likewise, Tmin increased by 0.07, 0.20 and 0.02 °C per decade at Kara, Mango and Dapaong, respectively, and decreased by 0.01 °C per decade at Niamtougou. Results of multiple regression analysis revealed nonlinear yield responses to changes in rainfall and temperature. Rainfall and temperature variability affects rainfed cereal crops production, but the effects vary across crops. The temperature has a positive effect on maize yield in Kara, Niamtougou and Mango but a negative effect on sorghum in Niamtougou and millet in Dapaong, while rainfall has a negative effect on maize yield in Niamtougou and Dapaong and millet yield in Mango. In all locations, rainfall and temperature variability has a significant effect on the cereal crop yields. There is, therefore, a need to adopt some adaptation strategies for sustainable agricultural production in northern Togo.
Microalgae as Future Superfoods: Fostering Adoption through Practice-Based Design Research
Authors: Vrenna Maurizio , Peruccio Pier Paolo , Liu Xin , Zhong Fang , Sun Yuchi
Published: March 2021

Consumers’ eating habits are gradually changing. In the next few decades, this shift will not be solely dictated by individuals’ decisions but by the need to feed an ever-increasing population in the face of global resources’ impoverishment. Novel superfoods rich in nutrients and produced with sustainable methods, including microalgae, maybe a solution. However, their unusual aspect, the palatability, and the lack of knowledge by most people could be obstacles to adoption. This study aims at encouraging the use of microalgae as food, highlighting the importance that design plays in the transition towards more sustainable production and consumption patterns. Through practice-based design research, characterized by empirical experiments, a survey, an engaging workshop, and the development of a fully-functional open-source product, the authors conceptualize a theoretical framework within which similar product-service systems could thrive. This real-world experimentation is of interest for academics, professionals, makers in the field of design, etc. It suggests that multidisciplinarity, education, and replicability are the keys to addressing this topic and paves the way for further technical and humanistic research.
Assessing the Impact of ESD: Methods, Challenges, Results
Authors: Ssossé Quentin , Wagner Johanna , Hopper Carina
Published: March 2021

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD; also often called Education for Sustainability (EfS)) is a key lever of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which emphasize the need for everyone to have the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of creating a more sustainable world. However, while we can find examples of ESD across the globe, its potential to scale effectively and its impact on achieving the goals of sustainable development as compared with traditional curricula are often questioned. This literature review, at the crossroads of econometrics, educational sciences and psychology, aims to foster scaled ESD research and initiatives by offering a better understanding of the doubts that surround its potential impact. To that end, we (1) shed light on the methods and good practices for assessing this impact; (2) underline the specificity of the data to be collected in the context of these methods of assessment; and (3) outline the existing conclusions of impact studies dedicated to ESD that have served to highlight the limits and challenges for accurate measurement. These impact studies suggest that ESD will only achieve its objectives if pedagogical approaches are renewed. The inclusion of studies showing de facto poor results for ESD makes it possible to complete the picture of the endogenous and exogenous factors determining sustainable behavior that must be taken into account, both in the design of impact assessment tools and in the concrete implementation of ESD.
Use of Meat Industry Waste in the Form of Meat-and-Bone Meal in Fertilising Maize (Zea mays L.) for Grain
Authors: Stępień Arkadiusz , Wojtkowiak Katarzyna , Kolankowska Ewelina
Published: March 2021

The processing of meat industry waste into meat-and-bone meal (MBM) provides the opportunity to use it as fertiliser in the cultivation of agricultural crops. This study was conducted in the years 2014–2017 at the Experimental Station in Tomaszkowo, Poland to assess MBM effects on yield and quality of maize cultivated for grain. An example of the effective use of nutrients contained in MBM applied at doses of 2.0 and 3.0 t ha is the cultivation of maize in 2016, which was affected by favourable weather conditions. The effect of the accumulation of MBM doses and, consequently, the provision of a greater amount of nutrients ensure sufficient amounts to obtain yields, greater than those provided by mineral fertilisation only. The macronutrient concentration in the maize grains following the application of MBM was similar to the composition of the grains of maize fertilised with mineral N, P and K fertilisers. With the MBM, micronutrients are introduced in amounts that are able to satisfy plants with these components, yet this study failed to demonstrate any effect of increased MBM doses on the concentration of the analysed elements in the maize grains.
Sustaining Medicinal Barks: Survival and Bark Regeneration of Amphipterygium adstringens (Anacardiaceae), a Tropical Tree under Experimental Debarking
Authors: Beltrán-Rodríguez Leonardo , Valdez-Hernández Juan Ignacio , Saynes-Vásquez Alfredo , Blancas José , Sierra-Huelsz José Antonio , Cristians Sol , Martínez-Ballesté Andrea , Romero-Manzanares Angélica , Luna-Cavazos Mario , Borja de la Rosa Ma. Amparo , Pineda-Herrera Elizandro , Maldonado-Almanza Belinda , Ángeles-Pérez Gregorio , Ticktin Tamara , Bye Robert
Published: March 2021

Commercial harvests can threaten tree species harvested for their bark. Amphipterygium adstringens is a dioecious tree, endemic to the tropical dry forests of Mexico, where it is intensively harvested for its medicinal bark. Limited information hinders developing sustainable management strategies for A. adstringens. We assessed bark regeneration for male and female trees, and evaluated the effect of tree sex and diameter, debarking treatments and cutting seasons on bark regeneration and tree survival rates. Bark regeneration was higher for wet season harvested trees (vs. dry), regardless of their sex. Bark regeneration was higher on female than on male trees. There were significant interactions of harvest season, harvest treatment and tree sex diameter on bark regeneration and survival. Overall, the highest bark regeneration rates occurred in female trees with ≥20.1 cm diameter that were wet season harvested with a 50% debarking intensity. Consequently, wet season and intermediate intensity harvests appear to foster sound management, but we recommend against targeting exclusively a single demographic group (i.e., large female trees) due to potential negative impacts on species demography and bark supply. A grounded strategy for sustaining bark harvest would also need to take into account relevant aspects of local socio-ecological context, including harvest interactions with other land uses.
Weather-Related Construction Delays in a Changing Climate: A Systematic State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Schuldt Steven J. , Nicholson Mathew R. , Adams Yaquarri A. , Delorit Justin D.
Published: March 2021

Adverse weather delays forty-five percent of construction projects worldwide, costing project owners and contractors billions of dollars in additional expenses and lost revenue each year. Additionally, changes in climate are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of weather conditions that cause these construction delays. Researchers have investigated the effect of weather on several aspects of construction. Still, no previous study comprehensively (1) identifies and quantifies the risks weather imposes on construction projects, (2) categorizes modeling and simulation approaches developed, and (3) summarizes mitigation strategies and adaptation techniques to provide best management practices for the construction industry. This paper accomplishes these goals through a systematic state-of-the-art review of 3207 articles published between 1972 and October 2020. This review identified extreme temperatures, precipitation, and high winds as the most impactful weather conditions on construction. Despite the prevalence of climate-focused delay studies, existing research fails to account for future climate in the modeling and identification of delay mitigation strategies. Accordingly, planners and project managers can use this research to identify weather-vulnerable activities, account for changing climate in projects, and build administrative or organizational capacity to assist in mitigating weather delays in construction. The cumulative contribution of this review will enable sustainable construction scheduling that is robust to a changing climate.
Offshore Wind Energy Resource Assessment across the Territory of Oman: A Spatial-Temporal Data Analysis
Authors: Al-Hinai Amer , Charabi Yassine , Aghay Kaboli Seyed H.
Published: March 2021

Despite the long shoreline of Oman, the wind energy industry is still confined to onshore due to the lack of knowledge about offshore wind potential. A spatial-temporal wind data analysis is performed in this research to find the locations in Oman’s territorial seas with the highest potential for offshore wind energy. Thus, wind data are statistically analyzed for assessing wind characteristics. Statistical analysis of wind data include the wind power density, and Weibull scale and shape factors. In addition, there is an estimation of the possible energy production and capacity factor by three commercial offshore wind turbines suitable for 80 up to a 110 m hub height. The findings show that offshore wind turbines can produce at least 1.34 times more energy than land-based and nearshore wind turbines. Additionally, offshore wind turbines generate more power in the Omani peak electricity demand during the summer. Thus, offshore wind turbines have great advantages over land-based wind turbines in Oman. Overall, this work provides guidance on the deployment and production of offshore wind energy in Oman. A thorough study using bankable wind data along with various logistical considerations would still be required to turn offshore wind potential into real wind farms in Oman.
Effect of Cover Crop Type and Application Rate on Soil Nitrogen Mineralization and Availability in Organic Rice Production
Authors: Li Xiufen , Tan Andrew , Chen Kun , Pan Yeming , Gentry Terry , Dou Fugen
Published: March 2021

In drill-seeded, delay-flooded organic rice production, reliable predictions of N supply from cover crop (CC) residues to subsequent rice are still a challenge. An incubation was conducted to determine the effects of CC types (clover, ryegrass, clover and ryegrass mixtures, and fallow), residue application rates (0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4%) and incubation time on soil CO2 evolution and N mineralization and availability. The cumulative CO2 evolution linearly increased with increasing residue rate. Compared to the control, adding CCs residue significantly increased the cumulative CO2 emission, which was greatest in soils with clover or mixtures of clover and ryegrass, followed by fallow, and lowest in soils with ryegrass. The modeling results indicated clover had the greatest initial C and N mineralization rates and the shortest half-lives. A temporary decrease in soil mineral N caused by immobilization occurred at the initial incubation stage in all treatments. However, the trend reversed progressively, with the clover treatment requiring the shortest time to meet the crossover point. The results suggested clover was the optimal CC type, 0.6% was the optimal residue rate, and a minimum of 27 days between CC termination and rice planting was required to maximize mineral N supply for organic rice.
Performance Evaluation of Soft Computing for Modeling the Strength Properties of Waste Substitute Green Concrete
Authors: Shah Muhammad Izhar , Amin Muhammad Nasir , Khan Kaffayatullah , Niazi Muhammad Sohaib Khan , Aslam Fahid , Alyousef Rayed , Javed Muhammad Faisal , Mosavi Amir
Published: March 2021

The waste disposal crisis and development of various types of concrete simulated by the construction industry has encouraged further research to safely utilize the wastes and develop accurate predictive models for estimation of concrete properties. In the present study, sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), a by-product from the agricultural industry, was processed and used in the production of green concrete. An advanced variant of machine learning, i.e., multi expression programming (MEP), was then used to develop predictive models for modeling the mechanical properties of SCBA substitute concrete. The most significant parameters, i.e., water-to-cement ratio, SCBA replacement percentage, amount of cement, and quantity of coarse and fine aggregate, were used as modeling inputs. The MEP models were developed and trained by the data acquired from the literature; furthermore, the modeling outcome was validated through laboratory obtained results. The accuracy of the models was then assessed by statistical criteria. The results revealed a good approximation capacity of the trained MEP models with correlation coefficient above 0.9 and root means squared error (RMSE) value below 3.5 MPa. The results of cross-validation confirmed a generalized outcome and the resolved modeling overfitting. The parametric study has reflected the effect of inputs in the modeling process. Hence, the MEP-based modeling followed by validation with laboratory results, cross-validation, and parametric study could be an effective approach for accurate modeling of the concrete properties.
Trade Facilitation and Non-Energy Exports of Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Hosein Roger , Gookool Rebecca , Saridakis George
Published: March 2021

The economy of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has traditionally depended on its energy sector as a key driver of economic activity. This sector, however, has been shown to be volatile and vulnerable to global economic shocks; this is no more evident than what has been observed during the coronavirus pandemic. Oil prices have, as a result declined significantly, and this has put the economy on a path of compounded economic misfortune. The non-energy trade sector though has traditionally been identified as having more stable export earning potential and as such in adjusting to the economic nuances of the global shock associated with the coronavirus pandemic, there is an opportunity for policy makers to reconsider the role of the non-energy sector. This paper provides an overview of trade facilitation policy considerations to boost the outcomes of the non-energy sector. We find that factors such as language, port infrastructure liner connectivity and customs impact on export performance.
Effect of the Quasi-Petal Heat Transfer Tube on the Melting Process of the Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Substance in a Thermal Energy Storage Unit
Authors: Ghalambaz Mohammad , Mehryan Seyed Abdollah Mansouri , Feeoj Reza Kalantar , Hajjar Ahmad , Younis Obai , Talebizadehsardari Pouyan , Yaïci Wahiba
Published: March 2021

The melting heat transfer of nano-enhanced phase change materials was addressed in a thermal energy storage unit. A heated U-shape tube was placed in a cylindrical shell. The cross-section of the tube is a petal-shape, which can have different amplitudes and wave numbers. The shell is filled with capric acid with a fusion temperature of 32 °C. The copper (Cu)/graphene oxide (GO) type nanoparticles were added to capric acid to improve its heat transfer properties. The enthalpy-porosity approach was used to model the phase change heat transfer in the presence of natural convection heat transfer effects. A novel mesh adaptation method was used to track the phase change melting front and produce high-quality mesh at the phase change region. The impacts of the volume fraction of nanoparticles, the amplitude and number of petals, the distance between tubes, and the angle of tube placements were investigated on the thermal energy rate and melting-time in the thermal energy storage unit. An average charging power can be raised by up to 45% by using petal shape tubes compared to a plain tube. The nanoadditives could improve the heat transfer by 7% for Cu and 11% for GO nanoparticles compared to the pure phase change material.
Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak on Society, Air Quality, and Economy in India: A Study of Three “P”s of Sustainability in India
Authors: Kar Sayanti , Ghosh Indrajit , Show Sebanti , Sen Arunabh , Gupta Tanya , Chowdhury Poushali , Chatterjee Tamasha , RoyChowdhury Abhishek
Published: March 2021

The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forced affected countries to implement strict lockdown to contain the spread of this disease before the advent of the vaccine. This containment resulted in social and economic crisis globally. This study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on three “P” s of sustainability (Planet, People, and Profit) in India. A comparative analysis was conducted by evaluating the available secondary data in different sectors during the pre-lockdown and lockdown period. Seven major air quality parameters: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) were studied in six states of India to review the ambient air quality status. Stratified random sampling technique was used in this study for collective portrayal of the country’s air quality. A drastic cutback of the level of PM2.5 and PM10 with significant increase of O3 was observed in the lockdown phase for most of the selected monitoring stations. A significant change in level of PM2.5 and PM10 was observed when t-test was performed in between the pre-lockdown and lockdown period. Improvement of ambient air quality was also observed considering the air quality index (AQI) during lockdown. The trend and volatility of two broad Indian stock market indices, SENSEX and NIFTY-50, were analyzed, and results showed that both the indices have recovered during the forty-day lockdown phase. The potential effects of the crisis on various sectors of Indian economy were assessed in this study, and a set of policy recommendations for these sectors were suggested.
Omni-Chanel Network Design towards Circular Economy under Inventory Share Policies
Authors: İzmirli Damla , Ekren Banu Y. , Kumar Vikas , Pongsakornrungsilp Siwarit
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we study inventory share policies in an omni-channel supply network, to contribute to the circular economy (CE) concept. Lateral inventory share implementation provides flexibility and profitability in the supply chain by allowing inventory share between the same echelon locations in a network. Total holding costs and transportation costs can be reduced by lateral inventory share applications, which also contribute to decreased material usage for production over time, as well as reduced CO2 emission released by transportation. Technological and Internet of Things (IoT) developments make it possible for companies to share their real-time information with each other for uninterrupted marketing experiences. With such a connected network, companies aim to increase their profitability and responsiveness to their customers. We explore a well-designed inventory share policy towards the CE concept under an (s, S) inventory control policy. We simulate several pre-defined share designs by Arena 16.0 commercial software and compare their performances in terms of cost, responsiveness, transportation frequency, inventory held, etc. The results show that, by the implementation of a well-designed lateral inventory share policy, an omni-channel network can benefit from decreased holding cost and transportation cost, contributing to the CE concept.
Combining Adapted Physical Education with Individualized Education Programs: Building Korean Pre-Service Teachers’ Self-Efficacy for Inclusive Physical Education
Authors: Koh YoungHwan
Published: March 2021

This study investigated the effect of combining adapted physical education courses with individualized education program training on pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy towards inclusive physical education. Multilevel modeling of a survey completed by two hundred and twenty-seven students enrolled in physical education teacher education programs in Korea was analyzed using a quadratic growth curve model. The results revealed that a combined course did indeed have a significant effect on the pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy towards inclusive physical education compared with groups provided with either just an adapted physical education course or no course. The students receiving the combined course also exhibited a sustainable positive growth rate and an accelerated rate of improvement in their level of self-efficacy towards inclusive physical education. These findings clearly demonstrate that combining adapted physical education courses with individualized education program training can deliver a sustainable educational impact on Korean pre-service physical education teachers’ self-efficacy towards inclusive physical education.
Plant-Microbe Synergism in Floating Treatment Wetlands for the Enhanced Removal of Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate from Water
Authors: Yasin Momina , Tauseef Muhammad , Zafar Zaniab , Rahman Moazur , Islam Ejazul , Iqbal Samina , Afzal Muhammad
Published: March 2021

Excessive use of detergents in wide industrial processes results in unwanted surfactant pollution. Among them, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) has well-known history to be used in pharmaceutical and industrial applications. However, if discharged without treatment, it can cause toxic effects on living organisms especially to the aquatic life. Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) could be a cost-effective and eco-friendly options for the treatment of wastewater containing SDS. In this study, FTWs mesocosms were established in the presence of hydrocarbons-degrading bacteria. Two plant species (Brachiaria mutica and Leptochloa fusca) were vegetated and a consortium of bacteria (Acinetobacter sp. strain BRSI56, Acinetobacter junii strain TYRH47, and Acinetobacter sp. strain CYRH21) was applied to enhance degradation in a short-time. Results illustrated that FTWs vegetated with both plants successfully removed SDS from water, however, bacterial augmentation further enhanced the removal efficiency. Maximum reduction in SDS concentration (97.5%), chemical oxygen demand (92.0%), biological oxygen demand (94.2%), and turbidity (99.4%) was observed in the water having FTWs vegetated with B. mutica and inoculated with the bacteria. The inoculated bacteria showed more survival in the roots and shoots of B. mutica as compared to L. fusca. This study concludes that FTWs have the potential for the removal of SDS from contaminated water and their remediation efficiency can be enhanced by bacterial augmentation.
Can Carbon Trading Policies Promote Regional Green Innovation Efficiency? Empirical Data from Pilot Regions in China
Authors: Liu Baoliu , Sun Zhenqing , Li Huanhuan
Published: March 2021

Although the emission reduction and innovation effects of carbon emissions trading have attracted considerable interest among academics and policy makers, there is a lack of empirical research on how carbon trading pilots in China promote regional green innovation. Therefore, we measured the green innovation efficiency of 30 provinces and cities in mainland China from 2005 to 2018, using selected panel data within a super-efficient SBM model that incorporated undesirable outputs. We used a double differential model to evaluate the impacts of carbon trading policies on the green innovation efficiency of seven carbon trading pilot regions. These impacts were confirmed using the double differential propensity score matching method. Our findings were as follows. (1) The implementation of carbon trading policies has a significant and continuous effect of promoting and improving green innovation efficiency in the pilot areas. (2) Carbon trading induces technological innovation effects, enabling green innovation potential to be realized. Regional green innovation efficiency is further improved through energy substitution and structural upgrading effects and subsequently through all three of the above effects. (3) The synergy between the three major effects of carbon trading policies amplifies regional green innovation efficiency. Therefore, the Chinese government should accelerate its efforts to develop and improve carbon markets, promote carbon trading policies, and actively foster synergy among the three effects to achieve green and sustainable regional development.
Digitalizing the Closing-of-the-Loop for Supply Chains: A Transportation and Blockchain Perspective
Authors: Bekrar Abdelghani , Ait El Cadi Abdessamad , Todosijevic Raca , Sarkis Joseph
Published: March 2021

The circular economy is gaining in importance globally and locally. The COVID-19 crisis, as an exceptional event, showed the limits and the fragility of supply chains, with circular economy practices as a potential solution during and post-COVID. Reverse logistics (RL) is an important dimension of the circular economy which allows management of economic, social, and environmental challenges. Transportation is needed for RL to effectively operate, but research study on this topic has been relatively limited. New digitalization opportunities can enhance transportation and RL, and therefore further enhance the circular economy. This paper proposes to review practical research and concerns at the nexus of transportation, RL, and blockchain as a digitalizing technology. The potential benefits of blockchain technology through example use cases on various aspects of RL and transportation activities are presented. This integration and applications are evaluated using various capability facets of blockchain technology, particularly as an immutable and reliable ledger, a tracking service, a smart contract utility, as marketplace support, and as tokenization and incentivization. We also briefly introduce the physical internet concept within this context. The physical internet paradigm proposed last decade, promises to also disrupt the blockchain, transportation, and RL nexus. We include potential research directions and managerial implications across the blockchain, transportation, and RL nexus.
Sustainability Education for the Future? Challenges and Implications for Education and Pedagogy in the 21st Century
Authors: Marouli Christina
Published: March 2021

The crises societies face today contribute to a rather challenging life setting that demands in-depth reflection, daring new thinking, and change urgently. Transformative education for a sustainable future is needed today more than ever before; the aim of this paper is an exploration of its goal and pedagogy. By drawing on diverse bodies of knowledge, including the structure-agency debate and the theory of critical pedagogy, this paper critically discusses Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and its goal of sustainable development. It identifies areas where ESD needs enhancement given the present socio-economic and cultural context and ultimately proposes the transformation of ESD to Education for Eco-communities—which highlights the need for community-centered approaches, knowledge, and observation of natural laws, sociological imagination, and political acumen—to render it better suited for the challenges of the 21st century.
Information, Communications and Media Technologies for Sustainability: Constructing Data-Driven Policy Narratives
Authors: Sharma Ravishankar , Shaikh Aijaz A. , Bekoe Stephen , Ramasubramanian Gautam
Published: March 2021

This paper introduces the idea of data-driven narratives to examine how the use of information, communications, and media technologies (ICMTs) impacts the sustainable growth of economies. While ICMTs have regularly been advocated as a policy tool for growth and development, there is a research gap in empirical studies validating how such policies may be effective. This analysis is based on historical panel data from 39 economies across the developed North (19) and developing South (20). The industry-standard Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) methodology was applied to construct narratives that weave extant theories with empirical data. The art of developing data-driven narratives is rarely addressed in previous research articles. In the narrative approach, prior research on how ICMTs and sustainable growth are quantitatively scored and measured is reviewed. Panel data from authoritative sources such as the United Nations, World Economic Forum, and Sustainable Society Index were collected, cleansed, and conglomerated for data analytics. This was followed by evidence-based reasoning to examine any possible relationships between ICMT development and the sustainable growth of economies across the “North” and “South”. The findings reveal that there are differentiated outcomes in sustainable growth in high- and low-income economies. This poses legitimate questions as to whether low-income economies will be able to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 through the intermediation of ICMTs. It is the intended contribution of this paper to exemplify how data-driven narratives using CRISP may construct rich stories about ICMT for sustainability for the purposes of sharing good practice as well as lessons learned.
Perception Difference and Conflicts of Stakeholders in the Urban Regeneration Project: A Case Study of Nanluoguxiang
Authors: Zhang Yuqi , Kang Sungik , Koo Ja-Hoon
Published: March 2021

While specific strategies and action plans, such as community engagement, partnerships, and social networks, have been vastly explored in light of the growing significance of collaborative governance in urban regeneration projects, there is little information on the differences in the perceptions of stakeholders regarding collaborative governance. This study analyzed the differences in the perceptions of local governments, residents, merchants, and urban planners, all participants in the urban regeneration of Nanluoguxiang, China’s representative urban regeneration project. The main results of the study are as follows. First, the perception of participations’ roles and the importance of collaborative governance are significant differences between stakeholders. Second, if they have insufficient knowledge of the functions and significance of other participating groups, diverse conflicts can occur in the process of urban regeneration. Third, since various conflicts between participants could play a crucial role in the delay the urban regeneration projects, urban planners require coordinators and mediators to enable smooth project progress.
Terrain Analytics for Precision Agriculture with Automated Vehicle Sensors and Data Fusion
Authors: Zhao Wei , Li Tianxin , Qi Bozhao , Nie Qifan , Runge Troy
Published: March 2021

Precision agriculture aims to use minimal inputs to generate maximal yields by managing the plant and its environment at a discrete instead of a field level. This new farming methodology requires localized field data including topological terrain attributes, which influence irrigation, field moisture, nutrient runoff, soil compaction, and traction and stability for traversing agriculture machines. Existing research studies have used different sensors, such as distance sensors and cameras, to collect topological information, which may be constrained by energy cost, performance, price, etc. This study proposed a low-cost method to perform farmland topological analytics using sensor implementation and data processing. Inertial measurement unit sensors, which are widely used in automated vehicle study, and a camera are set up on a robot vehicle. Then experiments are conducted under indoor simulated environments that include five common topographies that would be encountered on farms, combined with validation experiments in a real-world field. A data fusion approach was developed and implemented to track robot vehicle movements, monitor the surrounding environment, and finally recognize the topography type in real time. The resulting method was able to clearly recognize topography changes. This low-cost and easy-mount method will be able to augment and calibrate existing mapping algorithms with multidimensional information. Practically, it can also achieve immediate improvement for the operation and path planning of large agricultural machines.
Research on Evaluation Method of Freight Transportation Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Huang Da , Han Mei
Published: March 2021

As an important part of daily economic activities, freight transportation produces various pollutions during the transportation process, which will have a negative effect on the sustainable development of the environment. In this paper, the entropy weight technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) combination method was used for specific calculations, in order to judge whether transportation is environmentally sustainable. On the basis of selecting and classifying several the important factors of freight transportation, the entropy weight method was used to calculate and analyze the data of inland river transportation over 8 recent years. The weight of each influencing factor was determined, then the TOPSIS method was used to compare the environmental data of 8 years, and the environmental sustainability of the target river transport section was calculated by comparing the results. The method proposed in this paper is the first example of using the entropy weight–TOPSIS combination method to evaluate environmental sustainability in the field of freight transportation, also solving the problems of the impact of subjective factors in existing methods and the difficulty of dealing with multiple factors.
Research on the Efficiency and Improvement of Rural Development in China: Based on Two-Stage Network SBM Model
Authors: Zhuang Xiaohong , Li Zhuyuan , Zheng Run , Na Sanggyun , Zhou Yulin
Published: March 2021

China has always been a major agricultural country, and the issues of agriculture, rural areas and farmers have always been fundamental issues of China’s reform and development. First of all, most previous studies did not combine agricultural development with rural economic development to consider the rural development status. Through the network-slack-based measure (SBM) model, agricultural development and rural economic development are taken as the first stage and the second stage, respectively, to determine the overall efficiency of rural development. Secondly, most previous studies directly selected a number of agricultural materials as inputs to evaluate agricultural production efficiency, and did not consider the impact of a variety of agricultural materials comprehensively. We use the entropy method to calculate a comprehensive index including a variety of agricultural materials. Third, most previous studies did not take into account the harmful effects of agricultural production on the environment. We take carbon emissions and agricultural non-point source pollution (ANPSP) as undesirable outputs into the model, and consider the impact of agricultural production on the ecological environment comprehensively. On the basis of the above innovation, we adopt the two-stage SBM-undesirable model to comprehensively and systematically study the efficiency of rural development in China. Furthermore, the gap of rural development efficiency is determined by sigma convergence and a convergence test. All the data are from the National Bureau of Statistics of China. The results show that the development level of China’s rural agricultural eco-efficiency is significantly higher than that of rural economic development, and the low efficiency of the whole rural development is mainly affected by the low efficiency of rural economic development. The distribution of efficiency value shows that the eastern region is the best, and the development level of the remaining three regions is very low. The regional development gap is large, and this gap still exists for a long period of time. Nevertheless, the efficiency of rural development has improved year by year. Based on empirical analysis, we put forward some feasible suggestions to provide reference for policymakers in formulating rural development policies, narrowing the regional gap and rural sustainable development.
Urban Public Space as a Didactic Platform: Raising Awareness of Climate Change through Experiencing Arts
Authors: Lee Keunhye
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the meanings of urban public space, both as a didactic platform and as a way to spread awareness of climate change through art. What are the roles of public space? How do artworks intervene in urban public space? How can public art contribute to “sustainability” issues? I have argued that the intervention of art in urban public space offers effective ways of developing climate change art, which is understood to be an educator. Public space can be categorized into three different types: everyday, social, and symbolic spaces. These can be used as a platform for opening discussion and learning about the increased issues of the global crisis in contemporary society. I have drawn upon the representative case studies about climate change to explore how they intervene in urban public space and how they engage viewers to spread awareness, which is one of the fundamental aspects of this paper. It also stimulates viewers’ perceptions and awareness of a more sustainable future through phenomenological and emotional experiences. Thus, this paper contributes to the understanding and knowledge of the relationship between art and public space with respect to raising awareness about climate change and considering how art intervenes in urban public space to create an eco-didactic platform.
A Place-Based Pedagogical Action Study to Enrich Rural Sustainability: Knowledge Ties of National Taiwan University’s 10-Year Partnership with Pinglin
Authors: Chang Shenglin Elijah , Kuo Ming-Yang
Published: March 2021

This study focuses on the loss of youth and talent as one of the most pressing social justice issues leading to unsustainable and inequitable development in rural communities. With the backdrop of the rapid decline in the young rural population and loss of local tacit knowledge, we question how to balance rural sustainability through place-based critical pedagogy by integrating rural societies, agri-economics, and cultural landscapes. To confront the crisis of a loss of young rural talent and local wisdom, interdisciplinary professors from the National Taiwan University initiated place-based pedagogical action research from winter 2011 to winter 2019. This interdisciplinary place-based pedagogy approach supported hundreds of students and educators by nurturing socio-cultural and economic networks that benefit both urban universities and rural communities. Using the curriculum outcomes of this study, we propose the concept of “Knowledge-Ties Youth Rural Sustainability” (KYRS). The KYRS framework addresses two questions: (1) how to bring young talent to rural everyday landscapes in order to sustain rural livelihoods, and (2) how to integrate rural tacit knowledge with contemporary sciences to create new technologies that sustain the environment. The KYRS framework serves as a pedagogical action research blueprint for university educators encountering similar rural challenges and opportunities to those faced by the National Taiwan University in Pinglin.
The Link between Food Security and Life Satisfaction: Panel Data Analysis
Authors: Salahodjaev Raufhon , Mirziyoyeva Ziroat
Published: March 2021

The goal of this study is to explore the causal relationship between food (in)security and life satisfaction in a global setting. We explore this relationship using conventional ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and instrumental variable two-stage least squares (IV 2SLS) method. Using data from 105 countries over the period 2012–2019, we found that food insecurity is significantly and negatively related to life satisfaction. The results are robust even after controlling for GDP growth, government size, quality of political and legal institutions. In addition, by adopting natural disaster data, we show that food insecurity has causal negative effect on life satisfaction. In particular, a one standard deviation increase in instrumented food insecurity decreases life satisfaction by 0.8 points (slightly less than one standard deviation). The results remain robust for a series of tests. Future studies should extend our findings by exploring the role of food security in other measures of quality of life.