bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Panorama Depth Estimation Framework for Autonomous Driving Scenarios Based on a Vision Transformer
Authors: Zhang Yuqi , Chu Liang , Wang Zixu , Tong He , Hu Jincheng , Li Jihao
Published: November 2024

An accurate panorama depth estimation result is crucial to risk perception in autonomous driving practice. In this paper, an innovative framework is presented to address the challenges of imperfect observation and projection fusion in panorama depth estimation, enabling the accurate capture of distances from surrounding images in driving scenarios. First, the Patch Filling method is proposed to alleviate the imperfect observation of panoramic depth in autonomous driving scenarios, which constructs a panoramic depth map based on the sparse distance data provided by the 3D point cloud. Then, in order to tackle the distortion challenge faced by outdoor panoramic images, a method for image context learning, ViT-Fuse, is proposed and specifically designed for equirectangular panoramic views. The experimental results show that the proposed ViT-Fuse reduces the estimation error by 9.15% on average in driving scenarios compared with the basic method and exhibits more robust and smoother results on the edge details of the depth estimation maps.
Intelligent Fault Diagnosis of Planetary Gearbox Across Conditions Based on Subdomain Distribution Adversarial Adaptation
Authors: Han Songjun , Feng Zhipeng , Zhang Ying , Du Minggang , Yang Yang
Published: November 2024

Sensory data are the basis for the intelligent health state awareness of planetary gearboxes, which are the critical components of electromechanical systems. Despite the advantages of intelligent diagnostic techniques for detecting intricate fault patterns and improving diagnostic speed, challenges still persist, which include the limited availability of fault data, the lack of labeling information and the discrepancies in features across different signals. Targeting this issue, a subdomain distribution adversarial adaptation diagnosis method (SDAA) is proposed for faults diagnosis of planetary gearboxes across different conditions. Firstly, nonstationary vibration signals are converted into a two-dimensional time–frequency representation to extract intrinsic information and avoid frequency overlapping. Secondly, an adversarial training mechanism is designed to evaluate subclass feature distribution differences between the source and target domain. A conditional distribution adaptation is employed to account for correlations among data from different subclasses. Finally, the proposed method is validated through experiments on planetary gearboxes, and the results demonstrate that SDAA can effectively diagnose faults under crossing conditions with an accuracy of 96.7% in diagnosing gear faults and 95.2% in diagnosing planet bearing faults. It outperforms other methods in both accuracy and model robustness. This confirms that this approach can refine domain-invariant information for transfer learning with less information loss from the sub-class level of fault data instead of the overall class level.
Evaluation of Automated Object-Detection Algorithms for Koala Detection in Infrared Aerial Imagery
Authors: Al-Shimaysawee Laith A. H. , Finn Anthony , Weber Delene , Schebella Morgan F. , Brinkworth Russell S. A.
Published: November 2024

Effective detection techniques are important for wildlife monitoring and conservation applications and are especially helpful for species that live in complex environments, such as arboreal animals like koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). The implementation of infrared cameras and drones has demonstrated encouraging outcomes, regardless of whether the detection was performed by human observers or automated algorithms. In the case of koala detection in eucalyptus plantations, there is a risk to spotters during forestry operations. In addition, fatigue and tedium associated with the difficult and repetitive task of checking every tree means automated detection options are particularly desirable. However, obtaining high detection rates with minimal false alarms remains a challenging task, particularly when there is low contrast between the animals and their surroundings. Koalas are also small and often partially or fully occluded by canopy, tree stems, or branches, or the background is highly complex. Biologically inspired vision systems are known for their superior ability in suppressing clutter and enhancing the contrast of dim objects of interest against their surroundings. This paper introduces a biologically inspired detection algorithm to locate koalas in eucalyptus plantations and evaluates its performance against ten other detection techniques, including both image processing and neural-network-based approaches. The nature of koala occlusion by canopy cover in these plantations was also examined using a combination of simulated and real data. The results show that the biologically inspired approach significantly outperformed the competing neural-network- and computer-vision-based approaches by over 27%. The analysis of simulated and real data shows that koala occlusion by tree stems and canopy can have a significant impact on the potential detection of koalas, with koalas being fully occluded in up to 40% of images in which koalas were known to be present. Our analysis shows the koala’s heat signature is more likely to be occluded when it is close to the centre of the image (i.e., it is directly under a drone) and less likely to be occluded off the zenith. This has implications for flight considerations. This paper also describes a new accurate ground-truth dataset of aerial high-dynamic-range infrared imagery containing instances of koala heat signatures. This dataset is made publicly available to support the research community.
2SpamH: A Two-Stage Pre-Processing Algorithm for Passively Sensed mHealth Data
Authors: Zhang Hongzhe , Diaz Jihui L. , Kim Soohyun , Yu Zilong , Wu Yiyuan , Carter Emily , Banerjee Samprit
Published: November 2024

Recent advancements in mobile health (mHealth) technology and the ubiquity of wearable devices and smartphones have expanded a market for digital health and have emerged as innovative tools for data collection on individualized behavior. Heterogeneous levels of device usage across users and across days within a single user may result in different degrees of underestimation in passive sensing data, subsequently introducing biases if analyzed without addressing this issue. In this work, we propose an unsupervised 2-Stage Pre-processing Algorithm for Passively Sensed mHealth Data (2SpamH) algorithm that uses device usage variables to infer the quality of passive sensing data from mobile devices. This article provides a series of simulation studies to show the utility of the proposed algorithm compared to existing methods. Application to a real clinical dataset is also illustrated.
Evaluation of the Usability of UAV LiDAR for Analysis of Karst (Doline) Terrain Morphology
Authors: Kim Juneseok , Hong Ilyoung
Published: November 2024

Traditional terrain analysis has relied on Digital Topographic Maps produced by national agencies and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) created using Airborne LiDAR. However, these methods have significant drawbacks, including the difficulty in acquiring data at the desired time and precision, as well as high costs. Recently, advancements and miniaturization in LiDAR technology have enabled its integration with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), allowing for the collection of highly precise terrain data. This approach combines the advantages of conventional UAV photogrammetry with the flexibility of obtaining data at specific times and locations, facilitating a wider range of studies. Despite these advancements, the application of UAV LiDAR in terrain analysis remains underexplored. This study aims to assess the utility of UAV LiDAR for terrain analysis by focusing on the doline features within karst landscapes. In this study, we analyzed doline terrain using three types of data: 1:5000 scale digital topographic maps provided by the National Geographic Information Institute (NGII) of Korea, Digital Surface Models (DSMs) obtained through UAV photogrammetry, and DEMs acquired via UAV LiDAR surveys. The analysis results indicated that UAV LiDAR provided the most precise three-dimensional spatial information for the entire study site, yielding the most detailed analysis outcomes. These findings suggest that UAV LiDAR can be utilized to represent terrain features with greater precision in the future; this is expected to be highly useful not only for generating contours but also for conducting more detailed topographic analyses, such as calculating the area and slope of the study sites.
Deep Eutectic Solvents as Candidates for Lithium Isotope Enrichment
Authors: Smith Jesse E. , McDonald Kori D. , Hitchcock Dale A. , Garcia-Diaz Brenda L.
Published: November 2024

Nuclear fusion is a phenomenon that is well known within the nuclear physics community as a viable option for alternative energy as many natural gases and fossil fuels are phased out of commercial use. Deuterium and tritium fusion reactions are currently the leading candidates for nuclear fusion, with a major limiting factor being a means to produce tritium on an industrial scale. Lithium-6 is a well-known isotope that can produce tritium and helium following a fission reaction with a neutron. Unfortunately, the lithium-6 enrichment methods are limited to the COLEX process, which leaves behind an alarming amount of mercury waste as a potential environmental contaminant. Deep eutectic solvents are believed to be a potential alternative to lithium isotope separations due to the ease of generation, in addition to the minimum environmental waste generated when these solvents are employed. Previous studies have suggested that deep eutectic solvents are capable of separating lithium isotopes by utilizing a 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone and trioctylphosphine oxide system that can biphasically react with a buffered solution containing lithium chloride. This system displays a separation factor of 1.068, which when compared to the 1.054 separation within the COLEX process, makes it a potential candidate for lithium-6/7 separation. Within this study, we investigate this system in comparison to two newly synthesized deep eutectic solvents and find that within these acetylacetone-based systems, little isotopic separation is observed. We investigate these systems both experimentally and computationally, showing the different lithium cation affinities, in addition to proposing how the electron-donating or -withdrawing nature can influence these systems.
Mentalization and Attachment Style as Underlying Mechanisms of Linking Collective Efficacy with Parental Self-Efficacy
Authors: Lavenda Osnat , Hertz Orit
Published: November 2024

The importance of parental self-efficacy for parental and child well-being is well documented. Many studies demonstrate the significant positive relationship between collective efficacy and self-efficacy. Fewer studies have pointed to the underlying mechanisms of this relationship. The present study aims to fill the knowledge gap by examining two such underlying mechanisms that constitute the essence of the parent–child relationship: pre-mentalization as the parent’s cognitive ability to interpret the child’s internal world and avoidant attachment as the parent’s emotional ability to be in a close relationship with the child. A survey was conducted with 262 married Israeli parents with children under the age of 12. Participants completed self-report questionnaires on collective efficacy, mentalizing ability, avoidant attachment style, and parental self-efficacy. In order to test the mediating role of parental mentalizing ability and avoidant attachment in the association between parental and collective efficacy, a mediation analysis with cross-sectional design was conducted using model 6 PROCESS 3.4 macro for SPSS. Results confirmed the direct relation between collective and parental self-efficacy. Additionally, results indicated a significant indirect effect of this association through low levels of pre-mentalization and avoidant attachment style. The results are discussed in light of the cyclical psychodynamic perspective, with recommendations for interventions that are set to improve parental self-efficacy.
Efficacy of Warmup Using a Flexible Bar to Increase Countermovement Jump
Authors: Snyder Benjamin J. , Caterisano Anthony , DiMaggio Evan P. , King Jackson D.
Published: November 2024

Preparation of athletes to begin a competition or enter mid-competition with the ability to reach peak performance immediately may be partly dependent on the efficacy of the warmup protocol. Previous research on flexible barbells reported significant differences in muscle activation when compared to steel barbells. The manufacturers of handheld flexible bars with a combined weight of 3.63 kg claim that using them immediately before competition helps increase power and jump height. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of maximal jumping with handheld flexible bars on maximal jump parameters in Division-I American collegiate football players. Participants completed 10 warmup jumps with no weight, flexible barbells, or similarly weighted dumbbells and immediately completed a maximal countermovement jump. When comparing the effects of different high-velocity warmup (HVW) protocols, there were no differences in any jump parameters as measured by a portable force plate. Likewise, the use of flexible bars during the warmup did not result in enhanced muscle activity when executing a maximal jump in comparison to control conditions. Based on these results there is no evidence to support the use of flexible bars during a warmup just prior to entry into a competition to enhance jumping power.
Addressing the Significance of the Union List with a Focus on Marine Invasive Alien Species Impacts
Authors: Slišković Merica , Božić Katja , Žanić Mikuličić Jelena , Kolanović Ines
Published: November 2024

In the European Union, regulations and policies have been established to prevent and manage invasive alien species (IAS). The EU Regulation 1143/2014/EC, commonly known as the IAS Regulation, identifies species that pose significant ecological risks, requiring a coordinated response across all EU Member States. These species are classified as “species of Union concern” based on thorough risk assessments and standardized procedures within the EU. Accordingly, species are included in The List of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern (the Union list), which is subject to regular updates through continuous species evaluations. Currently, the majority of the species on this list are terrestrial and freshwater with few marine species represented. The primary aim of this paper is to review the procedure for the inclusion of species in the Union list. The steps for inclusion are outlined by the IAS Regulation and associated legislation, which govern the risk assessment process. In addition, this paper synthesizes available scientific literature and official documents to summarize the impacts of Plotosus lineatus and Rugulopteryx okamurae on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The potential for future updates to the Union list is currently under consideration, and some marine species are within.
Assessing the Economic Impacts of Sustainable Energy: An Analysis of Ohio’s Community Solar Program
Authors: Pham Tuyen , Bone Clara , Jolley G. Jason
Published: November 2024

“Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all” is one of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. A key target for achieving this goal is increasing the share of renewable energy. In the United States, many states are evaluating the environmental and economic impacts of the renewable energy transition. This study provides an in-depth evaluation of the economic impact of Ohio’s proposed Community Solar Pilot Program, which plans to install 1750 MW of new solar capacity, including 250 MW on distressed Appalachian sites. We combine two input–output models to estimate the economic impact of community solar projects: the Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) model from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the construction phase, and IMPLAN for the projects’ 25-year lifespan. Data for this study were gathered through surveys of local solar developers, who are familiar with the regional costs of installing and operating solar projects. Our findings indicate that the community solar program could support 32,430 full-time job years and contribute USD 4.37 billion to Ohio’s Gross State Product (GSP). Additionally, the program could generate USD 409.5 million in local tax revenue over its lifetime. The study highlights the potential of renewable energy initiatives to foster economic growth, particularly in economically distressed regions like Appalachian Ohio.
Understanding Electric Vehicle Adoption in Türkiye: Analyzing User Motivations Through the Technology Acceptance Model
Authors: Bektaş Barış Can , Akyıldız Alçura Güzin
Published: November 2024

The popularity of electric vehicles offers the opportunity to analyze decision-making processes by examining user behavior. Determining the motivation of the user to use an innovation will guide decision-makers in supporting the innovation in question. This study investigates the factors electric car users in Türkiye consider based on the Technology Acceptance Model. A questionnaire was used to measure Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, and Intention to Use with the external factors of Subjective Norm, Compatibility, and Image. The relationships were analyzed with PLS-SEM established with the participation of 414 electric vehicle users. Subjective Norms and Image directly impact Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and Intention to Use. It has been determined that Compatibility has a direct effect on Ease of Use and an indirect effect on Usefulness and Intention. According to this study, in which most people are dissatisfied with charging and range issues, the opinion of the social environment and family is the most important external factor affecting intention. Our findings suggest improving the charging station network and technology, as well as implementing informative activities related to the features of electric vehicles, in order to contribute to users’ adoption of electric vehicles.
Horticultural Overtourism in Tokyo: Coopetition for Successful Enticement of Visitors from Over- to Less Crowded Gardens
Authors: Shimoyamada Sho
Published: November 2024

Garden managers face the dilemma of promoting and preserving their gardens. Overtourism in popular gardens can be solved by cooperating to entice visitors to alternative, less popular gardens. However, such an enticement strategy may not be successful because garden managers not only cooperate with but also compete against each other (i.e., coopetition). How can garden management practitioners forge a coopetitive relationship to encourage visitors to move from over- to less crowded gardens? Addressing this question, this study aimed to propose a successful coopetitive strategy to redistribute visitors. This study was drawn primarily from semi-structured interviews with garden staff of an overcrowded national garden and multiple less crowded metropolitan gardens. A thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed a lack of cooperation between national and metropolitan gardens and highlighted the former’s aspirations for further growth despite perceived overtourism. This study proposes using the ambiguous cultural status of national and metropolitan gardens as a catalyst for coopetition between them, and contributes to the discourse on sustainable cultural tourism by broadening its scope and redressing the scholarly imbalance between an overemphasis on visitors’ behaviour and a dearth of attention on practitioners of (horti)cultural tourism. Theoretical contributions are detailed at the end of this article.
The Impact of Accountability for Energy Efficiency Targets on Labor Demand of Enterprises: Evidence from China’s Top-1000 Energy-Saving Program
Authors: Yu Yiwen , Ding Lili , Nie Yongyou , Pan Yun , Jiao Zheng
Published: November 2024

To control energy consumption, China issued the environmental regulation policy of the Top-1000 Energy-Saving Program in 2006, and it remains to be examined whether this policy will impact enterprises’ labor demand while promoting energy conservation and consumption reduction. Based on the panel data of Chinese enterprises (2000–2010), this study employs the difference-in-differences (DID) method to investigate the impact of the Top-1000 Energy-Saving Program on the labor demand of enterprises. It is found that the policy significantly reduces enterprises’ labor demand, a finding that passes several robustness tests. Second, the effects of the policy show heterogeneity across enterprises of various sizes, ownership structures, and regions. Finally, the mechanism analysis verifies the existence of an output effect leading to a decline in enterprises’ labor demand, while the substitution effect manifests itself in the substitution of enterprises’ labor demand with the increase of capital and technological innovation. This study provides important empirical evidence for the improvement of energy efficiency policies.
Diversity and Geographic Distribution Patterns of Wild Magnoliaceae Species in China
Authors: Yao Weihao , Fan Yu , Wang Zenghui , Liu Danyang , Ding Zeyang , Ou Jing
Published: November 2024

Magnoliaceae, an ancient lineage of relict plants, were once extensively distributed throughout geological history. Understanding their species diversity, geographic distribution patterns, and hotspots is essential for providing a theoretical foundation for germplasm resource assessment, conservation, and utilization. This study presents a comprehensive catalog of wild Magnoliaceae species in China, derived from an extensive literature review integrating geographic distribution and endemism data. Utilizing GIS 10.2 software, we analyzed data from up to July 2024, revealing that China hosts 157 wild Magnoliaceae species across 13 genera, including 11 varieties, two subspecies, and three forms. These species are distributed across 24 provincial-level administrative regions, including special administrative regions and municipalities. Yunnan Province exhibits the highest species richness, with 12 genera and 94 species, followed by Guizhou, with 9 genera and 65 species, and Guangxi, with 9 genera and 62 species. At the county level, species are found in 609 regions, with Malipo County in Yunnan recording the highest count (32 species), followed by Leishan County in Guizhou (28 species). Vertically, Magnoliaceae are most abundant in the H3 elevation band (1000 < H3 ≤ 1500 m), while the H7 elevation band (H7 > 3000 m) shows the lowest species diversity. China has two endemic genera, Pachylarnax and Woonyoungia, along with 102 endemic species, of which Michelia accounts for the highest number of endemics at 33. The species composition in Guizhou shows significant similarity to that in Guangxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan, indicating close phylogenetic relationships among these floras. The Yunnan–Guizhou–Guangxi region is identified as a “modern distribution center”, “diversity preservation center”, “hotspot”, and “refuge” for wild Magnoliaceae in China. This study highlights the importance of understanding the diversity and distribution patterns of wild Magnoliaceae for the effective conservation, development, and sustainable utilization of plant resources.
Evaluating Stand Density Measures for Regulating Mid-Rotation Loblolly Pine Plantation Density in the Western Gulf, USA
Authors: Weng Yuhui , Coble Dean , Grogan Jason , Ding Chen , Lou Xiongwei
Published: November 2024

Efficiently quantifying stand density is crucial in sustainably managing mid-rotation loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations. While various stand density measures, including basal area (BA), stand density index (SDI), relative spacing (RS), and live crown length ratio (CR), are used, ambiguity persists among these measures: are they each biologically sound and are they on par with each other in terms of density management? These topics were investigated by examining the relationships between measures and stand age, between measures and tree growth, and between measures using data from numerous long-term permanent plots established in loblolly pine plantations in east Texas. A strong trend of increasing density with age was found for all the measures. The trend followed an asymptotic trajectory when density was expressed as BA, SDI, or RS, adhering to biological expectations, but the trend showed a gradual decrease for CR. Strong and biologically sound relationships between DBH periodic annual increment (PAID) and BA or SDI were observed, suggesting that both measures match true DBH growth. However, PAID linearly decreased with decreasing RS and with decreasing CR in a smooth curve, biasing from the biological expectation. Strong relationships existed between the measures, suggesting that these seemingly disparate measures are not independent of each other. Site index affected all investigated relationships in a manner of having higher densities at a given age or a greater PAID at a given density for higher site index sites regardless of measures. The effects of initial planting density on the relationships were mostly negligible, having no practical significance, with few exceptions (the relationships of SDI–age, RS–age, and CR–RS). Among the measures evaluated, our results advocate for the use of BA to regulate mid-rotation loblolly pine plantation density such as determining the approximate biological timing for thinning in the Western Gulf region due to its biological soundness, ease of measurement, and feasibility of incorporating effects of site quality and planting density.
Impact of Shortening Real Driving Emission (RDE) Test Trips on CO, NOX, and PN10 Emissions from Different Vehicles
Authors: Zhao Haiguang , Shi Laihua , Xu Xiaoliu , Qiu Jinshan , Li Lan , Wang Junfang , Yu Wenhan , Ge Yunshan
Published: November 2024

The real driving emission (RDE) test is the test for vehicle type approval in the China VI emission standard and is one of the most important indicators for assessing the environmental performance of vehicles. To investigate the feasibility of shortening the RDE test trip, we measured emissions of CO, NOX, and PN10 (i.e., the number of particles above 10 nm in diameter) from gasoline, diesel, and hybrid electric vehicles based on portable emission measurement systems (PEMSs) and analyzed the influence of shortening test trips on pollutant emissions. The results indicated that the CO and PN10 emission factors of the gasoline vehicle increased by about two times during short trips compared with standard trips, while the NOX emission factor changed insignificantly. The diesel vehicle showed a two-fold increase in NOX and PN10 emission factors during short trips compared with standard trips, with CO emissions remaining largely unchanged. The short trips of the hybrid electric vehicle doubled CO and PN10 emission factors and slightly increased NOX emission factors compared with standard trips. The study can aid in improving RDE test efficiency, reducing RDE test cost, and controlling pollutant emissions from newly produced and in-use vehicles, which is crucial for air pollution management and sustainable development.
Research on the Impact Exerted by Green Innovation Corporations’ Internationalization Depth on Innovation Performance and Sustainability—An Empirical Analysis Based on Data from China’s Specialized, Fine, Special, and Innovative Enterprises
Authors: Liu Dan , Yang Jiaxin , Zheng Peiyan , Lin Anqi
Published: November 2024

This research endeavors to investigate how the internationalization depth of green innovation enterprises influences their innovation performance and sustainability, specifically analyzing data from China’s Specialized, Fine, Special, and Innovative Enterprises. By analyzing the unbalanced panel data of green Specialized, Fine, Special, and Innovative Enterprises listed on the A-share market in China from 2006 to 2022, we find that the depth of internationalization is not only significantly positively correlated with innovation performance but also indirectly promotes enterprises’ sustainability by enhancing innovation performance. Furthermore, R&D investment plays a partial mediating role in this process. Heterogeneity analysis further indicates that the positive impact of the depth of internationalization on innovation performance and sustainability is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises. This study provides a new perspective on how small and medium-sized enterprises can expand their innovative resources and knowledge through the depth of internationalization to achieve sustainability and offers evidence and suggestions for governments to formulate relevant policies.
Natural Capital Accounting of the Coralligenous Habitat in Marine Protected Areas
Authors: Silva Serena , Capasso Ludovica , Piernik Agnieszka , Rendina Francesco , Grande Umberto , Franzese Pier Paolo , Russo Giovanni Fulvio , Buonocore Elvira
Published: November 2024

Coralligenous bioconstructions are a key Mediterranean ecosystem for their associated biodiversity and role in the blue carbon cycle. They are also sensitive to environmental alterations (e.g., climate change) and other anthropic impacts related to coastal anthropization (e.g., fishing activities). Marine-coastal zone protection, conservation programs and management strategies are essential to guarantee a good ecological status of the coralligenous habitat. In this context, environmental and ecosystem accounting are useful tools to measure natural capital stocks and ecosystem service flows associated with marine ecosystems, conveying their importance in scientific and policy contexts. Indeed, the importance of marine ecosystems is often overlooked due to the difficulty of expressing their value in common units, making it challenging for decision-makers to explore trade-offs between conservation and exploitation of marine ecosystems. In this study, a biophysical and trophodynamic environmental accounting model was used to assess the biophysical value of natural capital stocks of the coralligenous habitat in three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of the Campania Region (Southern Italy): Punta Campanella, Santa Maria di Castellabate, and Costa degli Infreschi e della Masseta. The natural capital value per unit area associated with the coralligenous habitat ranged from 2.44 × 1012 to 4.72 × 1012 sej m−2 for Santa Maria di Castellabate and Punta Campanella, respectively. Despite the different intensive values of natural capital calculated for the MPAs, there were no significant differences both in the biomass values of the taxonomic groups and in the biomass-based Shannon diversity index. Additionally, the biophysical values were also converted into monetary units, with the aim of facilitating the understanding of the importance of natural stocks in socio-economic and political contexts. The economic equivalent of natural capital value refers to the total extent of the coralligenous habitat and ranged from about EUR 1 to 15 million for Costa degli Infreschi e della Masseta and Santa Maria di Castellabate, respectively. The results of this study could be useful for local managers and policy makers and may make them more likely to achieve biodiversity conservation and sustainable development goals in MPAs. This is the first study devoted to the assessment of natural capital value of coralligenous habitats. Future studies could complement the results of this study with biophysical and economic assessments of ecosystem service flows generated by coralligenous habitats, focusing on the role they play in human well-being.
A Case Study Based on Space Syntax Theory: West Shu Garden of Qingxi, Dujiangyan Scenic Area
Authors: Zhang Chengzhi , Lv Zefei , Liu Zhaozheng , Sun Yingkun
Published: November 2024

Xishu Gardens embodies the essence of traditional Chinese landscape design, boasting unique cultural heritage and local charm. However, research on it is often limited to the aesthetic aspects of gardens, lacking the scientific analysis of garden spaces. This paper explores Xishu Gardens through the lens of space syntax, a method commonly used for analyzing architectural features. The focus is Qingxi Garden, located within the Dujiangyan Scenic Area. It is one of the representative gardens of Xishu Gardens. Based on field investigation and spatial mapping, Qingxi Garden was digitally reconstructed for the first time followed by a detailed analysis in open-source software DepthmapX 0.8.0. This analysis involved a meticulous examination of the garden’s pathways and spatial elements, integrating on-site measurements and survey data to ensure precision. By conducting a quantitative analysis of the spatial structure of Qingxi Garden, the results indicate that areas with low visible depth, as well as high road connectivity and integration, are more accessible to visitors. This accessibility serves as the central spatial node within Qingxi Garden, where a collection of bonsai is prominently exhibited. The interplay between spatial features in the landscape and architectural spaces can significantly influence tourist activities. The landscape architecture of the garden features the distinctive ventilated lattice design characteristic of West Shu gardens, providing visitors with a comfortable spatial experience. The design of Qingxi Garden not only inherits the natural design principles of West Shu gardens but also scientifically integrates the spatial layout of bonsai exhibitions. The design of Qingxi Garden draws upon the traditional garden-making techniques of the Xishu region while also respecting the natural topography of the site. It incorporates local cultural elements, such as bonsai, into its framework. The arrangement of the bonsai exhibition is executed in a scientific and rational manner. Qingxi Garden aims to achieve a harmonious integration of natural beauty and cultural aesthetics in its design, resulting in a garden landscape that is both visually appealing and rich in cultural significance. The design principles and methodologies employed offer a novel perspective for contemporary garden design.
Numerical Investigation of Jet-Propelled Multiple-Vehicle Hyperloop System Considering the Suspension Gap
Authors: Alzhrani Seraj , Abdulla Mohammed M. , Juhany Khalid , AlQadi Ibraheem
Published: November 2024

The Hyperloop system offers revolutionary transportation, aiming for near-sonic speeds in a low-pressure environment. The aerodynamic design challenges of multiple vehicles in a confined tube remain largely unexplored, particularly regarding vehicle spacing and suspension gaps. This study investigates a jet-propelled, multi-vehicle Hyperloop system using Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations and the k−ω turbulence model. Analysis of suspension gaps and vehicle spacing on drag and thrust revealed that suspension gaps cause significant jet deflection, reducing effective thrust and increasing drag. It was found that vehicle suspension, with a 75 mm suspension gap, increased drag by 58% at Mach 0.7 compared to the unsuspended configuration. Meanwhile, smaller vehicle spacing (Xv=0.25Lv) reduced the drag by up to 50%, enhancing system efficiency. The results emphasize the need to address the effect of jet deflection and optimize vehicle spacing for maximum energy savings. These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing aerodynamic performance in multi-vehicle Hyperloop systems.
Insights into Microscopic Characteristics of Gasoline and Ethanol Spray from a GDI Injector Under Injection Pressure up to 50 MPa
Authors: Li Xiang , Zhang Xuewen , Zhang Tianya , Ji Ce , Ni Peiyong , Li Wanzhong , Pei Yiqiang , Peng Zhijun , Mobasheri Raouf
Published: November 2024

Nowadays it has become particularly valuable to control the Particulate Matter (PM) emissions from the road transport sector, especially in vehicle powertrains with an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). However, almost no publication has focused on a comparison of the microscopic characteristics of gasoline and ethanol spray under injection pressure conditions of more than 30 MPa, except in the impingement process. By using a Phase Doppler Particles Analyser (PDPA) system, the microscopic characteristics of gasoline and ethanol spray from a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) injector under injection pressure (PI) up to 50 MPa was fully explored in this research. The experimental results demonstrate that under the same PI, the second peak of the probability (pd) curves of droplet normal velocity for gasoline is slightly higher than that of ethanol. Moreover, gasoline spray exceeds ethanol by about 5.4% regarding the average droplet tangential velocity at 50 mm of jet downstream. Compared to ethanol, the pd curve’s peak of droplet diameter at (0, 50) for gasoline is 1.3 percentage points higher on average, and the overall Sauter mean diameter of gasoline spray is slightly smaller. By increasing PI from 10 MPa to 50 MPa, pd of the regions of “100 ≤ Weber number (We) < 1000” and “We ≥ 1000” increases by about 23%, and the pd of large droplets over 20 μm shows a significant reduction. This research would provide novel insights into the deeper understanding of the comparison between gasoline and ethanol spray in microscopic characteristics under ultra-high PI. Additionally, this research would help provide a theoretical framework and practical strategies to reduce PM emissions from passenger vehicles, which would significantly contribute to the protection and sustainability of the environment.
Evaluating Urban Bikeability: A Comprehensive Assessment of Póvoa de Varzim’s Network
Authors: Castañon Ugo N. , Ribeiro Paulo J. G. , Mendes José F. G.
Published: November 2024

In urban areas, bicycles promote sustainable, efficient, and healthy mobility while reducing carbon emissions. Bicycle trips, especially those replacing car journeys, help reduce traffic congestion and lower emissions, contributing to decarbonising the transport sector. This study introduces a method for evaluating the bikeability of urban road networks through a multi-criteria analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Five key criteria are considered: accessibility, infrastructure, road features, environmental surroundings, and safety factors. A case study in a Portuguese city revealed that over 95% of the urban network has a low to moderate bikeability index (0.3–0.5), with no segments exceeding 0.7, indicating a need for significant infrastructure improvements. The analysis revealed that safety strongly influences bikeability, while road features and the surrounding environment also show positive associations. In contrast, infrastructure and accessibility displayed weaker correlations due to limited infrastructure and integration with public transport. Despite the differences, all criteria can identify distinct bikeability levels. The findings underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive cycling infrastructure, including cycle paths and improved bicycle parking. Additionally, the study highlights the need for a more robust model with stakeholder participation in future evaluations. This adaptable methodology provides a robust tool for assessing and enhancing urban bikeability, contributing to more sustainable and cyclist-friendly cities.
The EU Emission Trading System Tax Regime and the Issue of Unfair Maritime Competition
Authors: Lynce de Faria Duarte
Published: November 2024

This article starts by providing an updated literature review and the EU legislative framework concerning reducing carbon emissions in the maritime industry as part of the European Green Deal (EGD). It specifically examines the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) tax regime. This document then analyses the current factors influencing ships’ decisions to avoid stopping at hub ports and going to neighbouring Mediterranean countries, such as North Africa and Turkey. In the discussion section, this study presents various suggestions for updating EU laws or expediting the collection and analysis of data to prompt the Commission to take appropriate actions to prevent unfair competition between EU and non-EU ports. This study focuses on identifying the most effective solutions within the EU legislative framework to address the need for the Commission to take legitimate action to prevent ships from bypassing EU hub ports. These solutions can be further developed alongside initiatives at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and certain provisions can be adjusted at the EU level. The IMO’s call for a carbon fee on bunkering exacerbates the existing challenges. Preventive measures must be implemented to control the diversion of shipping traffic from EU hub ports, ensure fair treatment of EU ports involved in transhipment, and prevent carbon leakage. Moreover, the recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have significantly increased shipping costs on the route around the Cape of Good Hope to Europe, necessitating increased allowances for traffic to and from Europe.
Geographic Analysis of Four Social Safety Nets’ Responsiveness to the Pandemic Recession and Social Sustainability
Authors: Albert Vicky N. , Lim Jaewon , Kwon Daeyoung
Published: November 2024

The present study investigates the geographic distribution patterns of the responsiveness of four safety net programs during the significant economic downturn triggered by the 2020 pandemic: Unemployment Insurance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. An analysis of each state’s enrollment changes in these safety net programs from the pre-pandemic to the pandemic period relative to labor-market performance, using a responsiveness index, revealed which programs were most responsive to the pandemic recession in specific states or regions. Consistent with national findings, the present study suggests that Unemployment Insurance responded the most to the economic downturn of 2020, followed by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Findings also show that Arizona and New Mexico responded highly across all four programs relative to labor-market performance. We used exploratory spatial data analysis to determine whether the spatial patterns of the responsiveness index identified in the study are statistically significant globally and locally within a given neighborhood structure. Our findings suggest that spatial distribution patterns are not random for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families at the global level. Moreover, statistically low-low clusters were found in different areas of these two programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in northern states and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in southern states. Our analyses of the four safety nets’ responsiveness to labor market performance are consistent with the underlying social sustainability principles, particularly livelihood security and social well-being. Our findings can help policymakers make data-driven and better-informed decisions to assist those facing financial hardship, paving the way for improved policies and new opportunities for prosperity.
Boosting Competitiveness Through the Alignment of Corporate Social Responsibility, Strategic Management and Compensation Systems in Technology Companies: A Case Study
Authors: Núñez-Sánchez José M. , Molina-Gómez Jesús , Mercadé-Melé Pere , Almadana-Abón Santiago
Published: November 2024

In the turbulent and dynamic post-COVID business environment, strategic management (SM) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) must increasingly adapt to meet the diverse needs of stakeholders and improve outcomes. Within this context, the total compensation (TC) system can play a pivotal role. This study aims to evaluate the importance of the TC system as a human resource management (HRM) tool that is mediated by the organisation’s strategy and a socially responsible factor in organisational behaviour. Our analysis explores various TC policies, including both financial and non-financial elements, and examines their relationship with SM and CSR policies. Using structural equation modelling on a sample of 205 employees from multinational technology companies based in Spain, we demonstrate a stronger relationship between SM and non-financial TC. Additionally, the indirect effect of SM on the social aspect of CSR is notably stronger through non-financial TC. These findings could have profound implications for practitioners, suggesting that the effective implementation of non-financial TC systems can enhance SM and foster socially responsible organisational behaviour. Moreover, aligning SM with CSR policies through robust compensation systems could enable companies to achieve competitive advantages by increasing workforce commitment and engagement.
Digital Twin-Based Hydrogen Refueling Station (HRS) Safety Model: CNN-Based Decision-Making and 3D Simulation
Authors: An Na Yeon , Yang Jung Hyun , Song Eunyong , Hwang Sung-Ho , Byun Hyung-Gi , Park Sanguk
Published: November 2024

This study presents a safety management model for hydrogen refueling stations, integrating digital twin technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance operational safety. Given the risks associated with high-pressure gas handling and potential fires from hydrogen leaks, real-time safety monitoring is crucial. The proposed model is based on a digital twin, a virtual replica of the physical system using real-time data, including temperature, pressure, and state of charge, collected from an actual hydrogen refueling station in Samcheok, Gangwon Province. Out of nine tested machine learning and deep learning algorithms, the convolutional neural network (CNN) demonstrated the highest performance (accuracy: 1, F1 score: 0.993) for risk prediction. Using AI libraries like Scikit-Learn and TensorFlow, the model achieved prediction times of 68 milliseconds, enabling decision-making at intervals of 1 s. Developed with the Unity 3D modeling tool, the digital twin visualizes predicted risk situations, allowing users to quickly identify and respond to potential hazards. This approach offers a robust solution for improving the safety of hydrogen refueling stations.
A Site-Specific Wind Energy Potential Analysis Based on Wind Probability Distributions: A Ciudad Juárez-México Case Study
Authors: Hernández-Meléndez Carlos Adrián , Rodríguez-Picón Luis Alberto , Pérez-Olguín Iván Juan Carlos , Vázquez-Galvez Felipe Adrián , Hernández-Hernández Jesús Israel , Méndez-González Luis Carlos
Published: November 2024

Wind energy production has been a relevant topic of research for several years. Specifically, the estimation of wind energy potential has received important attention in different regions of the world. One of the main considerations for these estimations is based on the modeling of wind speed data based on probability density functions (PDF), given that once the best distribution for wind speed data is determined, the wind energy potential can be estimated. The objective of this paper is to investigate the wind speed and wind energy potential in Ciudad Juárez, México. To achieve this, three meteorological stations were installed in strategic open sites at a height of 10 meters within and on the edges of the city. Speed data were recorded for each meteorological station every ten minutes over a one-year period. The wind speed data were studied to define the best-fitting distribution, and different commercial wind turbines were considered to estimate the power curves for each location. With the characterized power curves, it was possible to estimate the potential energy production. In addition, wind shear was considered to estimate the energy production with wind turbines that have greater heights. The results show the importance of selecting the best distribution to estimate the wind energy potential of certain regions where measurements can be obtained from different locations.