bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole-Body Vibration as Antihypertensive Non-Pharmacological Treatment in Hypertensive Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis: Randomized Cross-Over Trial
Authors: Moreira-Marconi Eloá , Caiado Vanessa da Silva , Teixeira-Silva Ygor , Meirelles Alexandre Gonçalves de , Moura-Fernandes Marcia Cristina , Lopes-Souza Patrícia , Reis-Silva Aline , Sá-Caputo Danúbia C. , Paineiras-Domingos Laisa L. , Lacerda Ana Cristina Rodrigues , Mendonça Vanessa Amaral , Cordeiro Ricardo Gonçalves , Taiar Redha , Sartorio Alessandro , Wong Alexei , Sañudo Borja , Bernardo-Filho Mario
Published: October 2020

(1) Background: Hypertension is a serious medical condition characterized by a persistent increase in blood pressure (BP), which is prevalent in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Pharmacological interventions are normally used to treat both hypertension and KOA; however, a more sustainable form of treatment is desirable for these clinical conditions. Whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise has been proposed as a non-pharmacological therapy for reducing both BP and KOA symptomatology. This study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive effect of WBV in hypertensive individuals with KOA. (2) Methods: Nineteen hypertensive individuals with KOA were randomly allocated to either a control (CG) (n = 9) or a WBV group (WBVG) (n = 10). Subjects in the WBVG were positioned sitting in a chair in front of a vibrating platform (VP) with the feet on the base (peak-to-peak displacement 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mm; frequencies 5 to 14 Hz). In the CG, subjects assumed the same position with the VP turned off. The protocols in the CG and WBVG were performed 2 days/week for a total of 5 weeks. (3) Results: No baseline differences (age, anthropometrics, BP parameters and medications) between the groups were found (p > 0.05). WBV exercise reduced systolic BP (SBP: 126.1 ± 2.7 versus 119.1 ± 3.2 mmHg; p = 0.001; post hoc: p = 0.02; F = 23.97) and mean BP (MBP: 82.6 ± 1.8 versus 78.7 ± 1.8, p = 0.001, post hoc: p = 0.02; F = 23.97), while no significant changes were found in diastolic BP (DBP: 68.5 ± 2.2 versus 64.4 ± 2.3; p = 0.11; F = 2.68). (4) Conclusions: WBV might be considered a sustainable therapy for exerting an antihypertensive effect in medicated hypertensive individuals with KOA. This decline in BP might translate to a reduction in pharmacological need, although further studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying the described effect.
Classifications of Sustainable Manufacturing Practices in ASEAN Region: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis of the Past Decade of Research
Authors: Qureshi Muhammad Imran , Khan Nohman , Qayyum Shazia , Malik Subha , Hishan Sanil S , Ramayah Thurasamy
Published: October 2020

This paper aimed to map the existing sustainable manufacturing literature to explore and classify existing practices to highlight the potential prospect of and obstacles to achieving manufacturing sustainability in countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This paper systematically reviews the research on sustainable manufacturing in the ASEAN region from 2011 to 2020. We used the PRISMA framework for systematic literature, and 118 research articles specific to the ASEAN region were identified through a structured keyword search in Web of Science, SCOPUS, ProQuest, and other databases. After a careful screening process, only 115 records were found appropriate to be included for review in the current study. The results revealed three significant sets of manufacturing practices that are widely used for sustainable manufacturing. These are sustainable product development, sustainable manufacturing performance, and environmental assessment and monitoring. Furthermore, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of the literature to highlight ASEAN countries’ collaborative efforts to achieve sustainability in manufacturing. The findings indicate that most of the earlier work on sustainable manufacturing focused on environmental assessment practices rather than providing holistic industrial engineering solutions. We recommend that the efforts focus on hybrid processes to establish sustainable manufacturing procedures in ASEAN member countries. Holistic solutions through industrial processing integration need to be developed to provide broader industrial solutions to protect the environment and society from the adverse effects of the manufacturing process with economic efficiency.
Study on the Domestic Water Utilization in Kota Metro, Lampung Province, Indonesia: Exploring Opportunities to Apply the Circular Economic Concepts in the Domestic Water Sector
Authors: Sugiyono  , Dewancker Bart J.
Published: October 2020

Providing reliable public water service is a big challenge in Indonesia, especially for small cities, due to various constraints such as budget, regulation, and technical problems. Besides, people’s preferences play a significant role in domestic water utilization. This research particularly aims to identify factors influencing public preferences for domestic water use in Kota Metro, Lampung Province, Indonesia to find the reason why public water service is less preferable in this city. We did a household survey and performed a multinomial logistic regression and multiple correspondence analysis to investigate the preferable domestic water source and influential factors determining the choice. We found that accessibility and water quality are the two strongest motives in choosing domestic water use. Our analysis also shows that the respondent’s choice is influenced by his or her income, family size, and proximity to the pipe network. Subsequently, we synthesized our empirical findings and the existing situation of the domestic water fulfillment in Kota Metro to suggest an improvement proposal inspired by the circular economy concepts. We recommend a mixture of a pipe water service and community-based water management to improve the current domestic water fulfillment.
Iceberg Indicators for Sow and Piglet Welfare
Authors: Friedrich Lena , Krieter Joachim , Kemper Nicole , Czycholl Irena
Published: October 2020

This study identifies iceberg indicators for welfare assessment in sows and piglets to enhance feasibility and sustainability of available protocols. Indicators of the Welfare Quality® protocol and of a German protocol were collected over 65 farm visits to 13 farms in Germany between September 2016 and April 2018. Data were analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). A hierarchical component model was built (animal welfare = higher-order, Welfare Quality® principles = lower-order components). In sows, welfare was revealed to be most influenced by the principles good housing, good health and appropriate behaviour (path coefficients = 0.77, 0.86, 0.91). High coefficients of determination R2 indicated a large amount of explained variance (good housing R2 = 0.59, good health R2 = 0.75, appropriate behaviour R2 = 0.83). Stereotypies was the indicator most valuable to assess sow welfare. Additionally, the final model included the indicators panting, shoulder sores, metritis, mortality and an indicator assessing stereotypies in resting animals (indicator reliabilities 0.54–0.88). However, the model did not include the indicators lameness and body condition, which may be due to the farm sample. Welfare of piglets was most explained by the indicators carpal joint lesions, mortality, sneezing and undersized animals (indicator reliabilities 0.48–0.86).
Optimizing Wireless Charging Locations for Battery Electric Bus Transit with a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Chen Gang , Hu Dawei , Chien Steven , Guo Lei , Liu Mingzheng
Published: October 2020

Electrifying bus transit has been deemed as an effective way to reduce the emissions of transit vehicles. However, some concerns about on-board battery hinder its further development. Recently, dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) technologies have been developed, which enable buses to charge in-motion and overcome the drawback (short service range) with opportunity charging. This paper proposes a mathematic model which optimizes the locations for DWPT devices deployed at stops and size of battery capacity for battery electric buses (BEB) in a multi-route network, which considers the battery’s service life, depth of discharge and weight. A tangible solution algorithm based on a genetic algorithm (GA) is developed to find the optimal solution. A case study based on the bus network from Xi’an China is conducted to investigate the relationship among optimized costs, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, battery service life, size of the battery capacity and the number of DWPT devices. The results demonstrated that a bus network powered by DWPT shows better performance in both costs (a 43.3% reduction) and emissions (a 14.4% reduction) compared to that with stationary charging at bus terminals.
Green Marketing Approaches and Their Impact on Consumer Behavior towards the Environment—A Study from the UAE
Authors: Shabbir Muhammad Salman , Bait Ali Sulaiman Mohammed Ali , Hasan Al-Kumaim Nabil , Mahmood Arshad , Abbas Mazhar
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the main green marketing approaches and their impact on consumer behavior towards the environment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We reviewed the current consumption patterns of green products using a questionnaire approach. For this study, 359 consumers that used any type of green product were selected in various shopping malls in the UAE. For the assessment of questionnaire responses, measurement models, such as confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM) approaches were applied. The findings of the study suggest interesting inferences regarding eco-labeling (EL), green packaging and branding (GPB), green products, premium, and pricing (GPPP), and the environmental concerns and beliefs (ECB) of consumers that affect their perceptions of the environment. Factor analysis provided a goodness of fit for the selected items. It was found that key factors of green marketing, such as EL and GPPP, have a significant positive influence on consumer beliefs towards the environment (CBTE). In addition, environmental concerns and beliefs (ECB) also have a significant and positive influence on CBTE in the UAE. The practical significance of this study is that it will help the progress of the integration of green marketing and consumer behavior theories about the environment. The managerial implications of this study include the provision of significant findings for both domestic and international firms for the promotion of green products through focusing on consumer behavior towards the environment. This study provides important guidelines to boost positive attitudes in society towards green marketing and helps companies develop effective strategies to promote their green products.
Strategy of Water Distribution for Sustainable Community: Who Owns Water in Divided Cyprus?
Authors: Park Eun Joo
Published: October 2020

Although it is completely surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the island of Cyprus has long suffered from water problems arising from irregular rainfall, leading to sustained political conflict conditions for a long period. Water scarcity is likely to become a major issue, thus a range of options for water catchments should be examined and trialed. This article explores the connection between ownership of water and water management in a divided territory to gain an understanding of how politics are involved in water conflict. By investigating the water situation in Cyprus, this study aims to evaluate the strategies that can ensure the sustainability of new water networks for domestic and irrigation needs. This understanding can be used to minimize the gap between water supply and demand to provide water stressed countries with sufficient, safe, and reliable water for their domestic and irrigation needs. The research proposes a reinterpretation of the extraterritorial conditions of contemporary Cyprus and a plan to realign the island’s water system through the creation of a new post-national territory. Thus, the study presents a vision for a sustainable water supply. In addition, the study discusses strategies and actions for water distribution networks with consideration of political and social issues to provide a potential new vision for future urbanization.
Creating the Path for Sustainability: Inserting Solar PV in São Francisco Transposition Project
Authors: Galdino Jean Carlos da Silva , Freitas Marcos Aurélio Vasconcelos , Silva Neilton Fidelis da , Pereira Marcio Giannini , Ferreira João Marcelo Dias
Published: October 2020

Semiarid regions are characterized by prolonged droughts and drought regimes. In Brazil, 57% of the northeast region is considered semiarid, with an average annual rainfall of less than 800 mm. This climatic condition imposes the need to conduct public policies and develop infrastructure in order to mitigate drought effects. In this context, the São Francisco River transposition project is an alternative to problems concerning city water supplying and aiming at decreasing socio-economic impacts resulting from water restrictions in this region. On the one hand, the river transposition has the potential to establish a new development cycle in Northeastern Brazil, while, on the other, electricity demands, estimated at 2533 GWh/year from 320 MW of installed capacity, require technological alternatives that ensure the project’s financial sustainability. In this context, this study presents proposals for arrangements concerning electric energy production through photovoltaic systems as an alternative supply for the transposition project. To this end, a study of the region’s photovoltaic solar potential was carried out. Based on the performed assessment, three production arrangement proposals that consider the use of (i) the lateral area and (ii) the transposition channel and (iii) part of the area of some reservoirs belonging to the transposition of São Francisco river. The study point out that the use of this potential for all three studied arrangements is favorable to supply, individually or in a combined form, the electrical energy demanded by the pumping stations installed.
Effect of Road Traffic on Air Pollution. Experimental Evidence from COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Rossi Riccardo , Ceccato Riccardo , Gastaldi Massimiliano
Published: October 2020

The increasing concentration of human activities in cities has been leading to a worsening in air quality, thus negatively affecting the lives and health of humans living in urban contexts. Transport is one of the main sources of pollution in such environments. Several local authorities have therefore implemented strict traffic-restriction measures. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of these interventions, by analyzing the relationship between traffic flows and air quality. The used dataset contains concentrations of NO, NO2, NOx and PM10, vehicle counts and meteorology, all collected during the COVID-19 lockdown in the city of Padova (Italy), in which severe limitations to contain the spread of the virus simulated long and large-scale traffic restrictions in normal conditions. In particular, statistical tests, correlation analyses and multivariate linear regression models were applied to non-rainy days in 2020, 2018 and 2017, in order to isolate the effect of traffic. Analysis indicated that vehicle flows significantly affect NO, NO2, and NOx concentrations, although no evidence of a relationship between traffic and PM10 was highlighted. According to this perspective, measures to limit traffic flows seem to be effective in improving air quality only in terms of reducing nitrogen oxide.
Strategic Decisions for Sustainable Management at Significant Tourist Sites
Authors: Mackay Robert M. , Minunno Roberto , Morrison Gregory M.
Published: October 2020

This research explores how tourist site management and human attitudes and behaviours can help decrease the pressure of tourism on the environment. Estimates show that, together with ancillary sectors, the tourism industry is expected to contribute approximately 6.5 gigatons of greenhouse gases by 2025. These emissions are primarily a result of tourists favouring air travel and luxury experiences that require more energy outputs. Additionally, tourism continues to grow and has become a routine activity for the middle class who travel more regularly on an annual basis. With growing middle classes in many developing countries, the number of tourists who will be able to afford recreational travel is estimated to increase exponentially. The pressures and demands of increasing tourist numbers can strain vulnerable natural sites. These predictions show that changes within the tourism industry fabric are necessary. Against this backdrop, this research employs a combined methodology. A survey methodology was employed to explore tourist attitudes towards tourism sites and their behaviours and decision making with a top-down and bottom-up approach. Additionally, an interview methodology of tourism field experts was employed to investigate the attitudes of the industry and how consumer behaviours may be influenced. Findings from the survey and interview discussions were employed to inform four managerial aspects. First, the ticket price of the tourist experience should be proportional to the value proposition of the experience. Second, a government-led framework could guide businesses towards sustainable management and educate their tourists on greener practices. Third, businesses could integrate sustainability issues into their marketing and advertising to create awareness and ensure the longevity of the site. Lastly, tourism bodies and businesses could increase their partnerships with local custodians to add cultural value and understand the visitor experience.
Applying the Depreciated Replacement Cost Method When Assessing the Market Value of Public Property Lacking Comparables and Income Data
Authors: Fattinnanzi Enrico , Acampa Giovanna , Battisti Fabrizio , Campo Orazio , Forte Fabiana
Published: October 2020

The growing interest in the enhancement, management, and sale of public building stock has increased the importance of their valuation and, as a result, the need to identify suitable methods for estimating value that take into account their peculiarities. They often boast architectural features (interfloor distance, layout, finishings, types of wiring/heating systems, etc.) that make them ‘extraordinary’ assets; in some cases, these features also endow them with monumental and/or historical importance. Thus, when valuating, it is necessary to adopt suitable methods. Where comparable examples or income-based parameters specifically concerning buildings with special features are lacking, the Depreciated Replacement Cost (DRC) method is the only system that can be used to estimate their market value. This paper aims to show how the DRC method can be applied in this specific market. The theoretical part will be coupled with a practical section where the DRC method will be used to estimate the market value of an extraordinary landmark building in Rome (Italy), the Palazzo degli Archivi di Stato (the State Archives building), in the EUR district, sold by EUR S.p.A. group (formerly known as Ente EUR) in 2015.
Sustainable Management of Secondary Raw Materials from the Marine Food-Chain: A Case-Study Perspective
Authors: Lucarini Massimo , Zuorro Antonio , Di Lena Gabriella , Lavecchia Roberto , Durazzo Alessandra , Benedetti Barbara , Lombardi-Boccia Ginevra
Published: October 2020

The feasibility of exploiting secondary raw materials from marine food-chains as a source of molecules of nutritional interest, to create high-value food products and to meet nutritional challenges, is described in this report. A reduction in food waste is urgent as many sectors of the food industry damage the environment by depleting resources and by generating waste that must be treated. The project herein described, deals with the recovery of natural molecules, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA) and of α-tocopherol, from fish processing by-products. This would promote the sustainable development of new food products for human nutrition, as well as nutraceuticals. The growing awareness of increasing omega-3 fatty acids intake, has focused attention on the importance of fish as a natural source of these molecules in the diet. Therefore, a study on the concentration of these bioactive compounds in such matrices, as well as new green methodologies for their recovery, are necessary. This would represent an example of a circular economy process applied to the seafood value chain. Fish processing by-products, so far considered as waste, can hopefully be reutilized as active ingredients into food products of high added-value, thus maximizing the sustainability of fish production.
Is Religiosity Related to Environmentally-Protective Behaviors Among Taiwanese Christians? A Structural Equation Modeling Study
Authors: Fang Wei-Ta , Kaplan Ulas , Chiang Yi-Te , Cheng Chun-Teng
Published: October 2020

The objective of this study was to explore the mediators of environmental protective behaviors in Christians in Taiwan. Questionnaire data from a total of 699 participants were collected and subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis. The results revealed that the environmental behaviors of Taiwanese Christians are affected by their faith in three aspects. First, private environmental behaviors are associated with church attendance. Second, the awareness of environmental consequences generates a stewardship belief, which results in a willingness to sacrifice for the environment, private environmental behaviors, and political environmental activism. Finally, stewardship belief is also associated with political environmental activism.
A Research on the Relationship between Environmental Sustainability Management and Human Development
Authors: Lai Sue Ling , Chen Du-Nin
Published: October 2020

The study explores the relationship between environmental performance and human development. A canonical correlation analysis was conducted to discover the maximum correlation between environmental performance and human development with the optimal estimated weights for indicators as constituting the composite indices. The results show that environmental health—being the most decisive—and ecosystem vitality are important indicators for representing the environmental performance. Other important indicators, in declining order, for constituting the human development index are mean years of schooling, expected years of schooling, and life expectancy at birth, with gross national income (GNI) being the last with relatively low weight. The canonical environmental performance index has utmost effect on mean years of schooling, then expected years of schooling, with explanatory power of more than 70% for both. Effect on life expectancy at birth is more than 60%, but only less than 30% on GNI. The canonical human development index has the highest explanatory power with nearly 80% for environmental health, but only 40% for ecosystem vitality. Both canonical composite indices reach a high correlation of 91% and the mutual explanatory power is 83%, confirming that environmental performance and human development are indeed positively and highly correlated.
Research on the Construction of Performance Indicators for the Marketing Alliance of Catering Industry and Credit Card Issuing Banks by Using the Balanced Scorecard and Fuzzy AHP
Authors: Chiang Jui-Te , Chiou Chei-Chang , Doong Shuh-Chyi , Chang I-Fang
Published: October 2020

In recent years, strategic alliances have seen explosive growth in various practical fields. Various forms of strategic alliances and cooperation models have been widely used among various organizations and have received considerable attention from academic and practical circles. However, there are many factors that affect the success of marketing alliances, and the academic community has not reached a conclusion and consensus. Among them, the establishment and monitoring of a performance evaluation mechanism is one of the key points. In the past, many academic studies have devoted themselves to the establishment of performance evaluation mechanisms for many different industries, but few of them have focused on the establishment of performance evaluation mechanisms for marketing alliances between the service industry and the banking industry. The purpose of this study is to assist in the establishment of performance evaluation indicators for marketing alliance between the catering industry and credit card issuing banks by using expert Delphi, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and balanced scorecard methods. The main result of this study is to establish five key performance evaluation indicators including customer factors, cooperative alliance factors, financial factors, learning and growth factors, and internal process factors. In terms of secondary indicators, there are seven customer sub-factors, six cooperative alliance sub-factors, five financial sub-factors, seven internal processes sub-factors, and five learning and growth sub-factors, totaling 30 sub-factors. The research results can be used as a reference for academic and practical areas.
An Optimization of the Signal-to-Noise Ratio Distribution of an Indoor Visible Light Communication System Based on the Conventional Layout Model
Authors: Zhang Xiangyang , Zhao Nan , Al-Turjman Fadi , Khan Muhammad Bilal , Yang Xiaodong
Published: October 2020

For an actual visible light communication system, it is necessary to consider the uniformity of indoor illumination. Most of the existing optimization schemes, however, do not consider the effect of the first reflected light, and do not conform to the practical application conventions, which increases the actual cost and the complexity of system construction. In this paper, considering the first reflected light and based on the conventional layout model and the classic indoor visible light communication model, a scheme using the parameter Q to determine the optimal layout of channel quality is proposed. We determined the layout, and then carried out a simulation. For comparison, the normal layout and the optimal layout of illumination were also simulated. The simulation results show that the illuminance distributions of the three layouts meet the standards of the International Organization for Standardization. The optimal layout of channel quality in the signal-to-noise ratio distribution, maximum delay spread distribution, and impulse response is obviously better than the optimal layout of illumination. In particular, the effective area percentage of the optimal layout of channel quality is increased by 0.32% and 6.08% to 88.80% as compared with the normal layout’s 88.48% and the optimal layout of illumination’s 82.72%. However, compared with the normal layout, the advantages are not very prominent.
Questionnaire for Adolescents to Evaluate Their Attitudes towards Disability
Authors: Álvarez-Delgado Julián , León-del-Barco Benito , Polo-del-Río María-Isabel , Mendo-Lázaro Santiago
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this article is to create and validate a brief instrument to evaluate attitudes towards persons with disabilities among the adolescent population between 12 and 16 years of age. Disability is currently understood from a contextual perspective (ecological model of disability), as the interaction of a person with her/his surroundings. As part of this interaction, the negative attitudes and expectations towards those with disabilities is still a reason for analysis, as it constitutes one of the main barriers to their inclusion in society. The evaluation of these attitudes in different age groups, using new analytical tools and instruments, is essential for the subsequent design and implementation of intervention measures in order to reverse the said attitudes and improve the collective’s place in society. In this study, there were 1282 participants, students between 12 and 16 years of age. A random selection was carried out, choosing fourteen educational centers in order to analyze the students’ attitudes towards persons with disabilities. The final result was the creation of the CBAD-12A questionnaire, made up of 12 Likert-type items, grouped into three factors: acceptance/rejection, competence/limitation, and equal opportunities. It has been demonstrated that the questionnaire possesses adequate psychometric characteristics, providing research with a new instrument to measure attitudes towards disability. The said questionnaire is useful as a diagnostic and/or predictive measure, allowing us to discover and generate interventions aimed at improving the attitudes of the adolescent population towards those with a disability.
Delineation of Soil Fertility Management Zones for Site-specific Nutrient Management in the Maize Belt Region of Nigeria
Authors: Aliyu Kamaluddin T. , Y. Kamara Alpha , M. Jibrin Jibrin , E. Huising Jeroen , M. Shehu Bello , Adewopo Julius B. , B. Mohammed Ibrahim , Solomon Reuben , M. Adam Adam , M. Samndi Ayuba
Published: October 2020

Site-specific nutrient management can reduce soil degradation and crop production risks related to undesirable timing, amount, and type of fertilizer application. This study was conducted to understand the spatial variability of soil properties and delineate spatially homogenous nutrient management zones (MZs) in the maize belt region of Nigeria. Soil samples (n = 3387) were collected across the area using multistage and random sampling techniques, and samples were analyzed for pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), macronutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg), micronutrients (S, B, Zn, Mn and Fe) content, and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC). Spatial distribution and variability of these parameters were assessed using geostatistics and ordinary kriging, while principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate K-means cluster analysis were used to delineate nutrient management zones. Results show that spatial variation of macronutrients (total N, available P, and K) was largely influenced by intrinsic factors, while that of S, Ca, ECEC, and most micronutrients was influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors with moderate to high spatial variability. Four distinct management zones, namely, MZ1, MZ2, MZ3, and MZ4, were identified and delineated in the area. MZ1 and MZ4 have the highest contents of most soil fertility indicators. MZ4 has a higher content of available P, Zn, and pH than MZ1. MZ2 and MZ3, which constitute the larger part of the area, have smaller contents of the soil fertility indicators. The delineated MZs offer a more feasible option for developing and implementing site-specific nutrient management in the maize belt region of Nigeria.
Emotional Intelligence and Psychobiosocial States: Mediating Effects of Intra-Team Communication and Role Ambiguity
Authors: Nateri Rachele , Robazza Claudio , Tolvanen Asko , Bortoli Laura , Hatzigeorgiadis Antonis , Ruiz Montse C.
Published: October 2020

Emotional intelligence is an important variable related to the interaction and functioning of sports teams. The present study examined the relationship between players’ trait emotional intelligence and functional and dysfunctional psychobiosocial states. In particular, we examined the mediating effects of intra-team communication efficacy and role ambiguity in this relationship. The participants were 291 (174 men and 117 women) Italian players involved in various team sports (i.e., futsal, soccer, volleyball, handball, and rugby). They completed a multi-section questionnaire assessing the study variables during the early/middle part of their competitive seasons. Structural equation modeling (SEM) showed trait emotional intelligence to positively predict functional psychobiosocial states and negatively predict dysfunctional psychobiosocial states. Effective intra-team communication mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence and functional states, while role ambiguity was a mediator of the relationship between trait emotional intelligence and dysfunctional states. Overall, the results highlight the importance of examining trait emotional intelligence as an antecedent of players’ psychobiosocial states in applied sport contexts both in terms of team functioning and individual optimal sport experience.
Phenotypic Dairy Cattle Trait Expressions in Dependency of Social-Ecological Characteristics along Rural–Urban Gradients
Authors: Pinto Ana , Yin Tong , Reichenbach Marion , Bhatta Raghavendra , Schlecht Eva , König Sven
Published: October 2020

The aim of the present study was to infer phenotypic trait expressions via mixed modeling considering both social and ecological continuous descriptors simultaneously. In this regard, we selected a challenging heterogeneous social-ecological environment, with focus on the rising megacity Bangalore, located in southern India. Dairy traits from 517 dairy cattle were recorded in 121 herds, equally distributed along a southern and a northern rural–urban gradient of Bangalore, distinguishing between urban, mixed, and rural areas. Repeated records from three visits per herd included production traits (daily milk yield in liter: MY), energy efficiency indicators (body condition score: BCS), cow wellbeing indicators (udder hygiene score: UddHS, upper leg hygiene score: ULHS, hock assessment score: HAS, rectal temperature in °C: RT), and health traits (locomotion score: LS, subclinical mastitis: SubMast). Associations between a continuous rural–urban gradient and phenotypic trait expressions were analyzed via mixed modeling, additionally considering “classic” environmental explanatory variables such as climatic conditions. MY and BCS were higher in urban than in rural areas, associated with reduced SubMast and improved hygiene scores for UddHS and ULHS. Scores for wellbeing indicators HAS and LS were unfavorable for cows in urban areas, indicating poor leg health conditions in that area. In rural areas, least-squares means for RT were quite large, probably due to the scarcity of shading and heat insulation of the barns. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study disentangling phenotypic trait expressions in the context of social-ecological heterogeneity, contributing to a deeper understanding of physiological mechanisms underlying genotype by environment interactions.
Evaluation of Mobile Applications Usability of Logistics in Life Startups
Authors: Byun Dae-Ho , Yang Han-Na , Chung Dong-Seop
Published: October 2020

This paper considers the usability of mobile applications operating within a new logistics domain referred to as logistics in life (LIL). The LIL sector has primarily been capitalized on by logistics startups which develop mobile applications or “apps” to provide customized services that penetrate niche spaces outside the reach of traditional logistics firms. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether LIL apps meet usability standards that satisfy users’ experiences. As a way to improve usability, problems should be identified through proper measurement and evaluation methods. To derive usability scores, usability testing targeting representative apps from Korea and foreign countries was conducted. The relationship between usability and user interest for each app was determined through big data analytics followed by recommended improvement strategies.
Who Benefits? How Interest-Convergence Shapes Benefit-Sharing and Indigenous Rights to Sustainable Livelihoods in Russia
Authors: Tysiachniouk Maria S. , Henry Laura A. , Tulaeva Svetlana A. , Horowitz Leah S.
Published: October 2020

The paper examines interactions of oil companies and reindeer herders in the tundra of the Russian Arctic. We focus on governance arrangements that have an impact on the sustainability of oil production and reindeer herding. We analyze a shift in benefit-sharing arrangements between oil companies and Indigenous Nenets reindeer herders in Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO), Russia, as an evolution of the herders’ rights, defined as the intertwined co-production of legal processes, ideologies, and power relations. Semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis demonstrate that in NAO, benefit-sharing shifted from paternalism (dependent on herders’ negotiation skills) to company-centered social responsibility (formalized compensation rules). This shift was enabled by the adoption of a formal methodology for calculating income lost due to extractive projects and facilitated by the regional government’s efforts to develop reindeer-herding. While laws per se did not change, herders’ ability to access compensation and markets increased. This paper shows that even when ideologies of indigeneity are not influential, the use of existing laws and convergence of the government’s and Indigenous groups’ economic interests may shift legal processes and power relations toward greater rights for Indigenous groups.
Economic Complexity and Ecological Footprint: Evidence from the Most Complex Economies in the World
Authors: Neagu Olimpia
Published: October 2020

The paper introduces economic complexity as an explanatory variable of ecological footprint change, along with income per capita and fossil fuel energy consumption. The link between the ecological footprint and economic complexity is explored within a panel of 48 complex economies over the period 1995–2014. The panel analysis is based on the annual data series of the economic complexity index (ECI), fossil fuel energy consumption, income per capita, and the ecological footprint of production. The econometrical analysis, based on second-generation unit root tests, cointegration testing, and estimation of fully modified ordinary square (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) models in a heterogeneous panel of countries, revealed a validated positive long-run association between the ecological footprint of production as dependent variable and the economic complexity index, gross domestic product per capita, and fossil fuel energy consumption. The paper sheds light on the critical situation of environmental sustainability, taking into consideration that 75% of countries under examination are in ecological deficit.
Soil Quality Assessment Based on a Minimum Data Set: A Case Study of a County in the Typical River Delta Wetlands
Authors: Jiang Mingliang , Xu Ligang , Chen Xiaobing , Zhu Hua , Fan Hongxiang
Published: October 2020

Purpose: The Yellow River delta boasts rich land resources but lacks fresh water and exhibits poor natural conditions. To rationally develop and utilize the land resources therein, it is necessary to evaluate the soil quality. Methods: Adopting specific screening conditions, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to construct a minimum data set (MDS) from 10 soil indicators. Then, a complete soil quality evaluation index system of the Yellow River delta was developed. The soil quality comprehensive index (SQI) method was used to assess the soil quality in the Kenli District, and the soil quality grades and spatial distribution were analyzed. Results: (1) The average SQI of the Kenli District is 0.523, and the best soil quality is concentrated near the Yellow River, especially in Huanghekou town. (2) The normalized difference vegetation index was positively correlate with SQI, whereas Dr (nearest distance between the sampling site and Yellow River) and Ds (nearest distance between the sampling site and Bohai Sea) were negatively correlated with SQI. Elev (sampling site elevation) was not correlated with SQI. (3) The SQI of agricultural planting is greater than that of the natural land type and significantly greater than that of nudation. The main factors limiting farmland soil quality are SK (water-soluble potassium) and pH, whereas the factor limiting the natural land type are the soil nutrient indicators. Conclusions: To improve soil quality and develop and utilize land resources, the towns should adopt systematic land development/utilization methods based on local conditions. These results have important guiding significance and practical value for the more objective and accurate evaluation of soil quality in coastal areas and the development and utilization of land resources.
Comparison of Fuzzy AHP and AHP in Multicriteria Inventory Classification While Planning Green Infrastructure for Resilient Stream Ecosystems
Authors: Park Yujin , Lee Sang-Woo , Lee Junga
Published: October 2020

As climate change-induced weather variability increases, various green infrastructure plans, such as stream ecosystems, have been studied to overcome ecological and environmental problems arising from extreme weather events; however, our understanding of them and their resilience to extreme weather events is considerably limited. This study proposes a multicriteria inventory classification while planning green infrastructure for resilient stream ecosystems under extreme weather events. Literature reviews, expert surveys, and reliability/validity analyses were used to enlist indicators for this classification. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP) were used to compute the weights and ranks of indicators for identifying critical indices while planning green infrastructure. The AHP and fuzzy AHP analysis suggested that meteorological phenomena and disasters, hydraulic characteristic of streams, land use/geographic characteristics, and experience/damage restoration were important factors. High weights were attributed to aquatic ecology, potentially vulnerable areas, population, topography, and heat waves. The weights and ranks attributed by AHP and fuzzy AHP varied slightly, but the indicator groups with high and low weights were the same; hence, primary indicators to be considered while planning green infrastructure for resilient stream ecosystems could be suggested. These results could be used as a preliminary analysis in establishing countermeasures against climate change or in distributing budgets for green infrastructure plans.
The Evolutionary Model of Corporate Entrepreneurship: A Case Study of Samsung Creative-Lab
Authors: Shin Bo Young , Cho Keun Tae
Published: October 2020

Despite international interest in corporate entrepreneurship research, relevant knowledge has not been systematically accumulated. Even in practice, the discussions of corporate entrepreneurship revolve around the appropriate level necessary and the preferred method of action. This paper proposes an evolutionary model that outlines corporate entrepreneurship overall in terms of an organization’s entrepreneurial activities. For the research objective, this paper includes in-depth case studies on Samsung’s Creative Lab. The Creative-Lab of Samsung has been actively implementing corporate venture system for eight years. We conducted collective case studies by focusing on a single case (Creative-Lab) and then moving to multiple cases (Creative-Lab spin-off companies). Firstly, the study identifies the development process of entrepreneurship from the individual-level to the firm-level, and from the firm-level to the social-level. Secondly, the study confirms that corporate venturing and the corporate spin-off system have a positive impact on entrepreneurial behavior, which is crucial to seize opportunities. Thirdly, based on the growth factors and performance of corporate entrepreneurship, an evolutionary model of corporate entrepreneurship is proposed in this paper. This study can contribute to the establishment of an integrated and structured mechanism of related research as it comprehensively reviews the antecedents, elements, and outcomes of corporate entrepreneurship.
Economic Costs of Sharing the Harvester in the Control of an Invasive Weed
Authors: Pardo Gabriel , Gómez Miguel I. , Cirujeda Alicia , Martínez Yolanda
Published: October 2020

Spatial externalities, such as the sharing of harvesting equipment by many farmers, have an impact on the control of invasive species in the agricultural environment. In these cases, the regulator must design a set of measures to promote coordinated control by affected parties. We aim to analyze the determinants of private versus collective control efforts in the case of a particular invasive species (teosinte) occurring as a weed in corn fields throughout North-Eastern Spain. Using a simple discrete space-dynamic framework, we model the effect of the decisions made by the farmer of an infested plot on a noninfested plot, with the harvester being the only potential pathway for the invader to spread and assuming a one-way invasion. The results reveal that failure to adopt optimal cooperative strategies causes losses to other plots if they become infested amounting to an annual average of EUR 322/ha, when the infestation is low, and EUR 364/ha, when it is high. Results suggest that cleaning the harvester, a measure currently recommended by the regulatory agency in low-infestation cases but that does not guarantee that the machine is completely clean, is not socially optimal if monocropping practices are permitted in the region.
An Approach for the Global Stability of Mathematical Model of an Infectious Disease
Authors: Masoumnezhad Mojtaba , Rajabi Maziar , Chapnevis Amirahmad , Dorofeev Aleksei , Shateyi Stanford , Kargar Narges Shayegh , Nik Hassan Saberi
Published: October 2020

The global stability analysis for the mathematical model of an infectious disease is discussed here. The endemic equilibrium is shown to be globally stable by using a modification of the Volterra–Lyapunov matrix method. The basis of the method is the combination of Lyapunov functions and the Volterra–Lyapunov matrices. By reducing the dimensions of the matrices and under some conditions, we can easily show the global stability of the endemic equilibrium. To prove the stability based on Volterra–Lyapunov matrices, we use matrices with the symmetry properties (symmetric positive definite). The results developed in this paper can be applied in more complex systems with nonlinear incidence rates. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the analytical results.
Analytical Solution of Nonlinear Fractional Volterra Population Growth Model Using the Modified Residual Power Series Method
Authors: Dunnimit Patcharee , Wiwatwanich Araya , Poltem Duangkamol
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we introduce an analytical approximate solution of nonlinear fractional Volterra population growth model based on the Caputo fractional derivative and the Riemann fractional integral of the symmetry order. The residual power series method and Adomain decomposition method are implemented to find an approximate solution of this problem. The convergence analysis of the proposed technique has been proved. A numerical example is given to illustrate the method.