bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy Harvesting Materials and Structures for Smart Textile Applications: Recent Progress and Path Forward
Authors: Dolez Patricia I.
Published: September 2021

A major challenge with current wearable electronics and e-textiles, including sensors, is power supply. As an alternative to batteries, energy can be harvested from various sources using garments or other textile products as a substrate. Four different energy-harvesting mechanisms relevant to smart textiles are described in this review. Photovoltaic energy harvesting technologies relevant to textile applications include the use of high efficiency flexible inorganic films, printable organic films, dye-sensitized solar cells, and photovoltaic fibers and filaments. In terms of piezoelectric systems, this article covers polymers, composites/nanocomposites, and piezoelectric nanogenerators. The latest developments for textile triboelectric energy harvesting comprise films/coatings, fibers/textiles, and triboelectric nanogenerators. Finally, thermoelectric energy harvesting applied to textiles can rely on inorganic and organic thermoelectric modules. The article ends with perspectives on the current challenges and possible strategies for further progress.
Analysis of Single Board Architectures Integrating Sensors Technologies
Authors: Álvarez José Luis , Mozo Juan Daniel , Durán Eladio
Published: September 2021

Development boards, Single-Board Computers (SBCs) and Single-Board Microcontrollers (SBMs) integrating sensors and communication technologies have become a very popular and interesting solution in the last decade. They are of interest for their simplicity, versatility, adaptability, ease of use and prototyping, which allow them to serve as a starting point for projects and as reference for all kinds of designs. In this sense, there are innumerable applications integrating sensors and communication technologies where they are increasingly used, including robotics, domotics, testing and measurement, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects, Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the home or workplace and science, technology, engineering, educational and also academic world for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills. The interest in single-board architectures and their applications have caused that all electronics manufacturers currently develop low-cost single board platform solutions. In this paper we realized an analysis of the most important topics related with single-board architectures integrating sensors. We analyze the most popular platforms based on characteristics as: cost, processing capacity, integrated processing technology and open-source license, as well as power consumption (mA@V), reliability (%), programming flexibility, support availability and electronics utilities. For evaluation, an experimental framework has been designed and implemented with six sensors (temperature, humidity, CO2/TVOC, pressure, ambient light and CO) and different data storage and monitoring options: locally on a μSD (Micro Secure Digital), on a Cloud Server, on a Web Server or on a Mobile Application.
Automatic Separation of Respiratory Flow from Motion in Thermal Videos for Infant Apnea Detection
Authors: Lorato Ilde , Stuijk Sander , Meftah Mohammed , Kommers Deedee , Andriessen Peter , van Pul Carola , de Haan Gerard
Published: September 2021

Both Respiratory Flow (RF) and Respiratory Motion (RM) are visible in thermal recordings of infants. Monitoring these two signals usually requires landmark detection for the selection of a region of interest. Other approaches combine respiratory signals coming from both RF and RM, obtaining a Mixed Respiratory (MR) signal. The detection and classification of apneas, particularly common in preterm infants with low birth weight, would benefit from monitoring both RF and RM, or MR, signals. Therefore, we propose in this work an automatic RF pixel detector not based on facial/body landmarks. The method is based on the property of RF pixels in thermal videos, which are in areas with a smooth circular gradient. We defined 5 features combined with the use of a bank of Gabor filters that together allow selection of the RF pixels. The algorithm was tested on thermal recordings of 9 infants amounting to a total of 132 min acquired in a neonatal ward. On average the percentage of correctly identified RF pixels was 84%. Obstructive Apneas (OAs) were simulated as a proof of concept to prove the advantage in monitoring the RF signal compared to the MR signal. The sensitivity in the simulated OA detection improved for the RF signal reaching 73% against the 23% of the MR signal. Overall, the method yielded promising results, although the positioning and number of cameras used could be further optimized for optimal RF visibility.
Experimental Results and Performance Analysis of a 1 × 2 × 1 UHF MIMO Passive RFID System
Authors: Muzamane Helio Augusto , Liu Hsin-Chin
Published: September 2021

Ultra-high frequency (UHF) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) passive radio frequency identification (RFID) systems have attracted the attention of many researchers in the last few years. The system modeling and theoretical performance analysis of these systems have been well investigated and revealed in many studies, yet the system prototype and the corresponding experimental results are scarce. In this study, measurements of a 1 × 2 × 1 UHF passive RFID system, including a MIMO UHF passive RFID tag prototype and its corresponding software-defined radio-based reader, taken in a microwave anechoic chamber, are presented. The experimental results are compared with theoretical values and computer simulations. The overall results demonstrate the consistency and the feasibility of UHF MIMO passive RFID systems.
Inertial Measurement of Head Tilt in Rodents: Principles and Applications to Vestibular Research
Authors: Fayat Romain , Delgado Betancourt Viviana , Goyallon Thibault , Petremann Mathieu , Liaudet Pauline , Descossy Vincent , Reveret Lionel , Dugué Guillaume P.
Published: September 2021

Inertial sensors are increasingly used in rodent research, in particular for estimating head orientation relative to gravity, or head tilt. Despite this growing interest, the accuracy of tilt estimates computed from rodent head inertial data has never been assessed. Using readily available inertial measurement units mounted onto the head of freely moving rats, we benchmarked a set of tilt estimation methods against concurrent 3D optical motion capture. We show that, while low-pass filtered head acceleration signals only provided reliable tilt estimates in static conditions, sensor calibration combined with an appropriate choice of orientation filter and parameters could yield average tilt estimation errors below 1.5∘ during movement. We then illustrate an application of inertial head tilt measurements in a preclinical rat model of unilateral vestibular lesion and propose a set of metrics describing the severity of associated postural and motor symptoms and the time course of recovery. We conclude that headborne inertial sensors are an attractive tool for quantitative rodent behavioral analysis in general and for the study of vestibulo-postural functions in particular.
On the Use of Dynamic Calibration to Correct Drop Counter Rain Gauge Measurements
Authors: Stagnaro Mattia , Cauteruccio Arianna , Lanza Luca G. , Chan Pak-Wai
Published: September 2021

Dynamic calibration was performed in the laboratory on two catching-type drop counter rain gauges manufactured as high-sensitivity and fast response instruments by Ogawa Seiki Co. Ltd. (Japan) and the Chilbolton Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (UK). Adjustment procedures were developed to meet the recommendations of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for rainfall intensity measurements at the one-minute time resolution. A dynamic calibration curve was derived for each instrument to provide the drop volume variation as a function of the measured drop releasing frequency. The trueness of measurements was improved using a post-processing adjustment algorithm and made compatible with the WMO recommended maximum admissible error. The impact of dynamic calibration on the rainfall amount measured in the field at the annual and the event scale was calculated for instruments operating at two experimental sites. The rainfall climatology at the site is found to be crucial in determining the magnitude of the measurement bias, with a predominant overestimation at the low to intermediate rainfall intensity range.
Cloud-Based IoT Applications and Their Roles in Smart Cities
Authors: Alam Tanweer
Published: September 2021

A smart city is an urbanization region that collects data using several digital and physical devices. The information collected from such devices is used efficiently to manage revenues, resources, and assets, etc., while the information obtained from such devices is utilized to boost performance throughout the city. Cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) applications could help smart cities that contain information gathered from citizens, devices, homes, and other things. This information is processed and analyzed to monitor and manage transportation networks, electric utilities, resources management, water supply systems, waste management, crime detection, security mechanisms, proficiency, digital library, healthcare facilities, and other opportunities. A cloud service provider offers public cloud services that can update the IoT environment, enabling third-party activities to embed IoT data within electronic devices executing on the IoT. In this paper, the author explored cloud-based IoT applications and their roles in smart cities.
University and Professor Practices to Support DACA and Undocumented Students: DACA Student Experiences, Teacher Knowledge, and University Actions
Authors: Banh Jenny , Radovic-Fanta Jelena
Published: September 2021

The United States immigration policy Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which protects some individuals from deportation was enacted in 2012, phased out in 2017 and is now under court challenges. There are still thousands of DACA students currently in higher education. The article highlights promising practices that professors and universities can put in place to support DACA students in the United States. Several semi-structured interviews were conducted with DACA students and Dream Center Directors in California universities to gauge students’ barriers and bridges to their higher education success. DACA students articulated public policy suggestions that universities and professors can immediately enact and have tangible results. Three themes were revealed in the interview data: the need for teacher knowledge, diversity of DACA student experiences, and for actions. These were explained as (1) knowledge of student’s lives, and, conversely, students’ access to information necessary for navigating college life; (2) the diversity of students’ life stories and experiences of trauma suffered during and after DACA rescinding decision; and (3) actions that should be taken by the faculty, staff, and the university community that would help students succeed academically.
The Determinants of Global Expansion: A Study on Food and Beverage Franchisors in Malaysia
Authors: Abd Aziz Nurul Ashykin , Ramdan Mohamad Rohieszan , Nik Hussin Nik Syuhailah , Abdul Aziz Zuraimi , Osman Juliana , Hasbollah Hasif Rafidee
Published: September 2021

In the past decade, franchising has become a well-known platform for business expansion. Various strategies have been employed by franchisors in expanding their business into the global market. However, few studies have assessed the determinants that can be adopted by the franchisors in bringing value as well as opening up opportunities for global market expansion. This study aims to explore the determinants of global expansion based on Malaysian franchisors’ experience. A qualitative research approach was adopted through various case studies with ten franchisors from the food and beverage industry in Malaysia. In-depth interviews were carried out to explore this topic. Thematic analysis was performed through the “Atlas.ti” software package version 9.0, which was also used in analyzing the data. The findings indicated that there are four themes, and nine sub-themes were discovered from the grounded data. The franchisors agreed that franchise brand, business location, product, advertising, and promotion were able to influence franchisors in designing strategies for global expansion. The data were also able to provide an in-depth understanding of the determinants for global expansion that can be undertaken as a guide to prospective franchisors who want to start exploring the global market. These results are expected to assist the government as well as the agencies involved with franchising in improving related policies, strategies and programmes. Thus, it is important to understand these determinants in order to survive in a competitive global market.
Engaging Children in Story Co-Creation for Effective Serious Games
Authors: Menestrina Zeno , Pasqualotto Angela , Siesser Adriano , Venuti Paola , De Angeli Antonella
Published: September 2021

Despite a growing interest in player-centred methods for serious games, little is known on how to achieve this goal in practice when prospective users are children. Foundational questions remain unanswered, such as to which design dimensions children should contribute, and how and when they should be engaged. This paper presents the methods and results of two studies that inspired Skies of Manawak, a game for developmental dyslexia remediation. The first study engaged 60 children (age 8–13) in 15 ideation workshops to highlight the story and aesthetics of the game. The second study engaged 258 children (age 8–11) in the comparative evaluation of the game demo with a commercial cognitive training system. The results proved the importance and complexity of the early involvement of children in design. Children strongly appreciated the demo, particularly the story their peers contributed to shaping. However, this story deviated from their desires in several critical dimensions. It had to reconcile gender stereotypes and the violence embedded in their narratives with the game’s purpose. An apparent conflict between designers and children’s values emerged, supporting the idea that children’s engagement in serious game design requires effective mediation to avoid compromising the purposes they intend to achieve.
A Bibliometric and Visual Analysis of Environmental Behavior Research
Authors: Zhu Chunkui , Tong Peishan , Song Zhiping
Published: September 2021

Environmental behavior has become one of the most important research areas in the field of sustainable development in recent years. Based on 818 papers on environmental behavior in the Web of Science database from 2002 to 2020, this paper uses CiteSpace software to analyze the trends in publication, subject categories, influential authors and journals, countries, and institutional collaborations. The results show that environmental behavior research has steadily increased over the past 19 years and has gradually achieved diversity and intersection in research subjects. The research on environmental behavior is mainly distributed in the United States, China, and European countries, with the United States being the largest contributor in the field and at the center of the institutional collaboration network. The present research hotspots are as follows: the concept of environmental behavior, factors affecting environmental behavior, the dimension division of environmental behavior, and the construction of a sustainable environmental behavior model. The sustainable development, predictive environmental behavior indicators, factors that affect environmental behavior, and the construction of theoretical models of environmental behavior will become future research trend.
Dynamics of the Natural Afforestation Process of a Small Lowland Catchment and Its Possible Impact on Runoff Changes
Authors: Hejduk Leszek , Kaznowska Ewa , Wasilewicz Michał , Hejduk Agnieszka
Published: September 2021

Changes in land use have an impact on changes in renewable water resources. Land use especially in the context of urbanization has been and continues to be widely studied. The role of the forests in ecosystems is well known but there is not much research investigating the impact of natural afforestation on water resources. This paper shows the results of the quantitative changes in the use of the lowland catchment in the last 50 years on the example of the Zagożdżonka river located in central Poland. The results show that the impact of climatic factors on the reduction of water resources in the Zagożdżonka catchment is compounded by socio-economic changes in agriculture, and the positive role of forest areas in the catchment depends on the water demand of the stand. The interactions between forest ecosystems and water retention are strong and, depending on the habitat conditions, they may reduce ground runoff and deepen the water deficit in the catchment area in dry periods.
Influence of Cross-Listing on the Relationship between Financial Leverage and R&D Investment: A Sustainable Development Strategy
Authors: Yang Chi-Lin , Lai Jung-Ho
Published: September 2021

Investment in research and development (R&D) is an important sustainable strategy for firms in developing unique products to own their differentiation and competitive advantages. Financial leverage is influential in R&D investment. However, previous studies identified different relationship between financial leverage and R&D investment. This study revisits this puzzle from a unique perspective that targets firms undertaking international cross-listings. This specification allows us to test whether firms are willing to prioritize R&D funding when debt capacity is enhanced. This is a new perspective that has never been explored in the relationship between debt financing and R&D investment. We find that the launch of cross-listing significantly increases the level of firm financial leverage, which is followed by a significant increase in corporate investment in R&D. The aggressive strategy of cross-listing firms that enhance financial leverage to support more investment in R&D further significantly influences their industrial rivals to increase investment in R&D as a responding strategy. Overall, these results show that firms exploit the timing of international cross-listing to increase their leverage to further fund R&D, which also stimulates an intra-industry contagion effect. Our findings suggest a new viable path for funding R&D that carries important implications for corporate sustainability.
How to Keep University Active during COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience from Slovakia
Authors: Pavlíková Martina , Sirotkin Alexander , Králik Roman , Petrikovičová Lucia , Martin José García
Published: September 2021

The paper outlines the adverse consequences and challenges induced by COVID-19 pandemic for the whole world and for universities in particular. The example of Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra illustrates the difficulties and challenges caused by the pandemic in relation to the two main activities arising from the university mission-teaching and research. It presents some particular aspects of the university activities adversely affected by COVID-19 and shares the measures to minimize the resulted damages. Furthermore, it demonstrates that, despite complications induced by COVID-19, teaching, research, and international cooperation have been successfully continued.
Knowledge Mapping and Sustainable Development of eSports Research: A Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis
Authors: Chiu Weisheng , Fan Thomas Chun Man , Nam Sang-Back , Sun Ping-Hung
Published: September 2021

The rapid expansion of the eSports industry has attracted scholars’ attention in recent years. However, little research has investigated the evolution of the extant eSports literature. This study aimed to explore the existing knowledge base of eSports and its research networks across authors, journals, institutions, and countries by performing a bibliometric analysis. A total of 260 studies published between 2010 and 2021 were extracted from the Scopus database, which is one of the largest abstract and citation databases. Then, they were analyzed using VOSviewer. Specifically, a series of analyses were conducted: (1) citation analysis, (2) co-occurrence analysis of keywords, and (3) co-citation analysis. The findings revealed that the existing eSports literature mainly revolves around eSports games and activities closely related to eSports. Moreover, the most influential authors and publications were identified. In addition, the studies have been published in journals of various disciplines (e.g., technology and psychology), and the concepts and theories in sport-related fields (e.g., sports management) have been extensively applied in eSports research. This study’s findings contribute to a better understanding of eSports research, which can further provide directions for the sustainable development of eSports research.
Consumer Knowledge Sharing Behavior and Consumer Purchase Behavior: Evidence from E-Commerce and Online Retail in Hungary
Authors: Ebrahimi Pejman , Hamza Khadija Aya , Gorgenyi-Hegyes Eva , Zarea Hadi , Fekete-Farkas Maria
Published: September 2021

The twenty-first century has been full of fundamental changes in consumers’ behavior patterns, especially with the use of diverse social media knowledge-sharing platforms. Therefore, companies have highlighted the significance of knowledge sharing and the importance of social network use in purchasing processes. Accordingly, his paper tries to reveal how consumer purchase behavior (CPB) can be affected by consumer knowledge sharing behavior (CKSB) and the moderating role played by value co-creation dimensions, which are citizenship behavior (CB) and participation behavior (PB), within a sustainable e-commerce field. To test our hypotheses deducted from the literature review, we opted for the PLS-SEM method. We also employed other innovative approaches, such as the IPMA matrix, MAICOM test, FIMIX approach, and CTA analysis, to evaluate the outer and inner model. Our statistical population covered individuals living in Hungary with at least one online purchase involvement. We distributed the questionnaire via various online platforms and, finally, 433 completed questionnaires were prepared for analysis. The results showed that CPB, CB, and PB are positively influenced by the CKSB. However, the link between CPB and CB was not confirmed. As for the moderating role of gender, the permutation test was applied to compare male and female groups and see the difference between them. With a focus on CKSB, this study contributes to the success of international marketing strategies to attain higher competitive advantages.
A Reference Model of Reverse Logistics Process for Improving Sustainability in the Supply Chain
Authors: Alarcón Faustino , Cortés-Pellicer Pascual , Pérez-Perales David , Mengual-Recuerda Ana
Published: September 2021

The reverse logistics process (RLP) has become a key process for the supply chain (SC) given its importance for treating the increasing quantity of returned or recovered products and its impact on sustainability. However, the RLP is complex and involves a high degree of uncertainty and difficult decisions that affect SC efficiency. One of the aspects that can help the most to reduce this complexity and to improve SC efficiency is to formalize this process. The consulted studies agree on the numerous benefits of RLP formalization, but no tools, methodologies or specific solutions were found that help companies to advance in this matter. This work aims to develop a specific tool for RLP formalization so that its efficiency can be increased, leading to an improvement of SC sustainability. The main results comprise a reference model for RLP (RM-RLP) and an associated methodology so that any company can formalize its RLP by modeling its activities. The proposed tool (RM-RLP and methodology) is applied to a closed loop SC of relaxing chairs as an example of RLP formalization, proving its usefulness and, additionally, the improvements that can be reached in three RLP key indicators: total process duration, customer response time and the perceived autonomy and trust of the workers participating in the process.
The Engineering Machine-Learning Automation Platform (EMAP): A Big-Data-Driven AI Tool for Contractors’ Sustainable Management Solutions for Plant Projects
Authors: Choi So-Won , Lee Eul-Bum , Kim Jong-Hyun
Published: September 2021

Plant projects, referred to as Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC), generate massive amounts of data throughout their life cycle, from the planning stages to the operation and maintenance (OM) stages. Many EPC contractors struggle with their projects due to the complexity of the decision-making processes, owing to the vast amount of project data generated during each project stage. In line with the fourth industrial revolution, the demand for engineering project management solutions to apply artificial intelligence (AI) in big data technology is increasing. The purpose of this study was to predict the risk of contractor and support decision-making at each project stage using machine-learning (ML) technology based on data generated in the bidding, engineering, construction, and OM stages of EPC projects. As a result of this study, the Engineering Machine-learning Automation Platform (EMAP), a cloud-based integrated analysis tool applied with big data and AI/ML technology, was developed. EMAP is an intelligent decision support system that consists of five modules: Invitation to Bid (ITB) Analysis, Design Cost Estimation, Design Error Checking, Change Order Forecasting, and Equipment Predictive Maintenance, using advanced AI/ML algorithms. In addition, each module was validated through case studies to assure the performance and accuracy of the module. This study contributes to the strengthening of the risk response for each stage of the EPC project, especially preventing errors by the project managers, and improving their work accuracy. Project risk management using AI/ML breaks away from the existing risk management practices centered on statistical analysis, and further expands the research scalability of related works.
Sustainable Ageing: Supporting Healthy Ageing and Independence Amongst Older Turkish Migrants in the UK
Authors: Yazdanpanahi Melisa , Hussein Shereen
Published: September 2021

In the UK, as in many other European countries, the population is growing older, and older adults are becoming more diverse. As a result, there is a mounting interest in supporting healthy ageing and independence, acknowledging the needs and agency of older adults from diverse backgrounds, expectations, and life trajectories. Healthy ageing is promoted as a critical component of sustainable ageing to ensure meaningful social and economic contributions through the life course for all individuals. However, the definitions of healthy ageing are debatable. The public and policy discourse treat all older adults through generic and homogeneous models that do not consider the heterogeneity of experiences and perspectives of old age among different groups. In this context, independence has often been defined in terms of functional independence, i.e., cognitive and physical functioning, as a core construct of healthy ageing. However, this focus excludes older adults’ interpretations and day-to-day experiences of this concept. This article investigates the interpretation and lived experience of independence amongst older Turkish adults in the UK as a central explanatory concept of healthy ageing. Semi-structured individual interviews (n = 48) and community mapping workshops (n = 5) were conducted with 65 older Turkish adults in London, supplemented by interviews with professional service providers (n = 13) within the community. The data collection was conducted between March and November 2017. We identified three main themes integral to understanding healthy ageing and independence: 1—interdependency and having reciprocal care relations; 2—individual autonomy at home and choice in housing options; and 3—functional independence, mobility, and control over the physical environment. Independence appears to remain an essential element of healthy ageing. However, it is a fluid and complex construct constantly negotiated around personal and community resources. Therefore, there is a need to develop more comprehensive interventions that capture the diverse experiences in old age to enable healthy ageing and social sustainability. These are timely considering current policy directions such as the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Analytical Models for CO2 Emissions and Travel Time for Short-to-Medium-Haul Flights Considering Available Seats
Authors: Montlaur Adeline , Delgado Luis , Trapote-Barreira César
Published: September 2021

Recently, there has been much interest in measuring the environmental impact of short-to-medium-haul flights. Emissions of CO2 are usually measured to consider the environmental footprint, and CO2 calculators are available using different types of approximations. We propose analytical models calculating gate-to-gate CO2 emissions and travel time based on the flight distance and on the number of available seats. The accuracy of the numerical results were in line with other CO2 calculators, and when applying an analytical fitting, the error of interpolation was low. The models presented the advantage with respect to other calculators of being sensitive to the number of available seats, a parameter generally not explicitly considered. Its applicability was shown in two practical examples where emissions and travel time per kilometre were calculated for several European routes in a simple and efficient manner. The model enabled the identification of routes where rail would be a viable alternative both from the emissions and total travel time perspectives.
Integrated Assessments of Meteorological Hazards across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China
Authors: Sun Shao , Zhang Qiang , Xu Yuanxin , Yuan Ruyue
Published: September 2021

Recent decades have witnessed accelerated climate changes across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and elevated socioeconomic exposure to meteorological hazards. The QTP is called the “the third pole”, exerting remarkable impact on environmental changes in its surrounding regions. While few reports are available for addressing multi-hazard risks over the QTP, we develop an integrated indicator system involving multiple meteorological hazards, i.e., droughts, rainstorms, snowstorms and hailstorms, investigating the spatiotemporal patterns of major hazards over the QTP. The hazard zones of droughts and rainstorms are identified in the southern Gangdise Mountains, the South Tibet Valley, the eastern Nyenchen-Tanglha Mountains, the Hengduan Mountains and West Sichuan Basin. Snowstorm hazard zones distribute in the Himalayas, the Bayan Har Mountains and the central Nyenchen-Tanglha Mountains, while hailstorm hazard zones cluster in central part of the QTP. Since the 21st century, intensified rainstorms are detectable in the densely populated cities of Xining and Lhasa and their adjacent areas, while amplified droughts are observed in grain production areas of the South Tibet Valley and the Hengduan Mountains. Snowstorm hazards show large interannual variations and an increase in pastoral areas, although the overall trend is declining slightly. The frequency of hailstorms gradually decreases in human settlements due to thermal and landscape effects. Mapping meteorological hazards regionalization could help to understand climate risks in the QTP, and provide scientific reference for human adaptation to climate changes in highly sensitive areas.
Using Optimized Two and Three-Band Spectral Indices and Multivariate Models to Assess Some Water Quality Indicators of Qaroun Lake in Egypt
Authors: Elsayed Salah , Gad Mohamed , Farouk Mohamed , Saleh Ali H. , Hussein Hend , Elmetwalli Adel H. , Elsherbiny Osama , Moghanm Farahat S. , Moustapha Moustapha E. , Taher Mostafa A. , Eid Ebrahem M. , Abou El-Safa Magda M.
Published: September 2021

Standard methods are limited for monitoring and managing water quality indicators (WQIs) in real-time and on a large scale. Consequently, there is an urgent need to use reliable, practical, swift, and cost-effective monitoring tools that can be easily deployed and assist decision makers in assessing key indicators relevant to surface water quality in a comprehensive manner. Surface water samples were collected and evaluated for water quality at 16 distinct sites across the Qaroun Lake in 2018 and 2019. Different WQIs, including total dissolved solids (TDS), transparency, total suspended solids (TSS), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), and total phosphorus (TP), were tested for aquatic utilization. An integrated approach comprising WQIs, geospatial techniques, hyperspectral reflectance indices (SRIs) (commonly used SRIs, two-band and three-band SRIs (Spectral index calculated from water spectral reflectance of two or three wavelengths)), and partial least square regression (PLSR) models were used to assess the water quality of Qaroun Lake. According to the findings, the water quality attributes are polluted to varying degrees. The majority of commonly used SRIs presented moderately relationship with four WQIs (transparency, TSS, Chl-a, and TP) (R2 = 0.45 to 0.64), while the majority of newly two-band SRIs (NSRIs-2b) indicated moderate to strong relationships with WQIs (R2 = 0.51 to 0.74), and the majority of newly three band SRIs (NSRIs-3b) presented strong relationships with WQIs (R2 = 0.67 to 0.81). Broadly, the highest coefficients of determination were noticed with the NSRIs-3b followed by the NSRIs-2b and then the commonly used SRIs. For example, the NSRIs-3b (NDSI648,712,696) had stronger relationships with transparency, TSS, and Chl-a with R2 = 0.77, 0.66, and 0.81, respectively, than other SRIs. In addition, the NSRIs-3b (NDSI620,610,622) showed the highest R2 of 0.73 with TSS. The NSRIs-3b coupling with PLSR predicted the WQIs with satisfactory accuracy in the calibration (reach up R2 = 0.85) and validation (reach up R2 = 0.81) datasets. The overall findings of this research study showed that deriving an optimized NSRIs-3b from spectrum region and combining it with PLSR model could be a practical tool for managing water quality of the Qaroun Lake by accurately, timely, and non-destructively monitoring the WQIs.
Beef Cattle Price and Production Patterns in Relation to Drought in New Mexico
Authors: Zaied Ashraf J. , Geli Hatim M. E. , Cibils Andres F. , Sawalhah Mohammed N. , Holechek Jerry L. , Gard Charlotte C. , Idhirij Saleh A. , Gedefaw Melakeneh G. , Torell Greg L.
Published: September 2021

Understanding the fluctuations in monthly and annual cattle prices plays a key role in supporting the sustainability of New Mexico’s (NM’s), United States (US), beef cattle industry under variable environmental conditions. The goal of this study was to provide an improved understanding of NM’s beef cattle production systems in terms of prices and production patterns and related drought impacts. The main objectives were to evaluate monthly and annual prices patterns for heifers and steers (cattle) and calves, the relationships between annual cattle prices and inventory and drought, and the effects of drought on ranch net return. Drought events were assessed using the Self-Calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (SC-PDSI). The generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity models and their exponential version were used to investigate the effects of drought and cattle supply on cattle prices, and the effects of drought on ranch net return. Spectral analysis and timeseries decomposition were used to identify the cycles of the annual price and numbers of cattle and calf. Coherence analysis was used to examine the relationships between inventory of cattle classes and drought. The results indicated that prices of cattle and calf usually drop in October through January and peak in April. The inventory of replacement heifers and steers were negatively related to cattle prices, while the inventory of calves was positively related to calf prices. Cattle and calf prices showed negative linear relationships with droughts. Annual cattle and calf prices showed 6- and 10-year cycles, while their inventory showed 6- and 8- year cycles, respectively. Our finding suggested that a rancher can still earn some net return when drought falls within the “Abnormally Dry” category of the US Drought Monitor. However, a rancher with a large herd or ranch size can endure drought more than a rancher with a medium herd or ranch size and reach the breakeven point. Specifically, the net return ($/head) is expected to increase (or decrease) by $62.29, $60.51, and $64.07 per head if the SC-PDSI increase (or decrease) by one unit in all large and medium ranch sizes, respectively. The effects of drought on ranch net return that we identified need further improvements using additional data. Due to NM’s location and the diversity of its rangeland, understanding the response of cattle prices to drought and beef cattle supply based on these findings can be used to help NM’s ranchers and those in other similar regions make informed ranch management decisions. These findings can also support the development of improved understanding of beef cattle production systems regionally.
Exploring Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Kuleto Valentin , Ilić Milena , Dumangiu Mihail , Ranković Marko , Martins Oliva M. D. , Păun Dan , Mihoreanu Larisa
Published: September 2021

The way people travel, organise their time, and acquire information has changed due to information technologies. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are mechanisms that evolved from data management and developing processes. Incorporating these mechanisms into business is a trend many different industries, including education, have identified as game-changers. As a result, education platforms and applications are more closely aligned with learners’ needs and knowledge, making the educational process more efficient. Therefore, AI and ML have great potential in e-learning and higher education institutions (HEI). Thus, the article aims to determine its potential and use areas in higher education based on secondary research and document analysis (literature review), content analysis, and primary research (survey). As referent points for this research, multiple academic, scientific, and commercial sources were used to obtain a broader picture of the research subject. Furthermore, the survey was implemented among students in the Republic of Serbia, with 103 respondents to generate data and information on how much knowledge of AI and ML is held by the student population, mainly to understand both opportunities and challenges involved in AI and ML in HEI. The study addresses critical issues, like common knowledge and stance of research bases regarding AI and ML in HEI; best practices regarding usage of AI and ML in HEI; students’ knowledge of AI and ML; and students’ attitudes regarding AI and ML opportunities and challenges in HEI. In statistical considerations, aiming to evaluate if the indicators were considered reflexive and, in this case, belong to the same theoretical dimension, the Correlation Matrix was presented, followed by the Composite Reliability. Finally, the results were evaluated by regression analysis. The results indicated that AI and ML are essential technologies that enhance learning, primarily through students’ skills, collaborative learning in HEI, and an accessible research environment.
Tale of Two Cities: How Nature-Based Solutions Help Create Adaptive and Resilient Urban Water Management Practices in Singapore and Lisbon
Authors: Cui Mengmeng , Ferreira Filipa , Fung Tze Kwan , Matos José Saldanha
Published: September 2021

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly recognized as viable tools for sustainable urban water management. This article explores the implementation of NbS in two distinct cities, Singapore and Lisbon, to demonstrate that NbS can work in very different contexts and spark new thoughts on the urban–nature relationship and to identify commonalities that drive and enable the implementation of NbS in different context. Literature review-based research was conducted to examine the types of NbS implemented, the common drivers, the governance model, and the plural functionalities of the solutions. The research shows that, despite the differences, the two cities shared common drivers (including water supply, flood control, and resident demand for green space) and goals, such as improving water quality and overall quality of life, through the deployment of NbS. With rapid urban expansion, water use increase, and the impacts of climate change, NbS can be effective tools to deliver integrated benefits and improve the liveability of cities.
Prediction of Aquatic Ecosystem Health Indices through Machine Learning Models Using the WGAN-Based Data Augmentation Method
Authors: Lee Seoro , Kim Jonggun , Lee Gwanjae , Hong Jiyeong , Bae Joo Hyun , Lim Kyoung Jae
Published: September 2021

Changes in hydrological characteristics and increases in various pollutant loadings due to rapid climate change and urbanization have a significant impact on the deterioration of aquatic ecosystem health (AEH). Therefore, it is important to effectively evaluate the AEH in advance and establish appropriate strategic plans. Recently, machine learning (ML) models have been widely used to solve hydrological and environmental problems in various fields. However, in general, collecting sufficient data for ML training is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Especially in classification problems, data imbalance can lead to erroneous prediction results of ML models. In this study, we proposed a method to solve the data imbalance problem through data augmentation based on Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Network (WGAN) and to efficiently predict the grades (from A to E grades) of AEH indices (i.e., Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index (BMI), Trophic Diatom Index (TDI), Fish Assessment Index (FAI)) through the ML models. Raw datasets for the AEH indices composed of various physicochemical factors (i.e., WT, DO, BOD5, SS, TN, TP, and Flow) and AEH grades were built and augmented through the WGAN. The performance of each ML model was evaluated through a 10-fold cross-validation (CV), and the performances of the ML models trained on the raw and WGAN-based training sets were compared and analyzed through AEH grade prediction on the test sets. The results showed that the ML models trained on the WGAN-based training set had an average F1-score for grades of each AEH index of 0.9 or greater for the test set, which was superior to the models trained on the raw training set (fewer data compared to other datasets) only. Through the above results, it was confirmed that by using the dataset augmented through WGAN, the ML model can yield better AEH grade predictive performance compared to the model trained on limited datasets; this approach reduces the effort needed for actual data collection from rivers which requires enormous time and cost. In the future, the results of this study can be used as basic data to construct big data of aquatic ecosystems, needed to efficiently evaluate and predict AEH in rivers based on the ML models.
Resilience and Conflict: Evidence from Mali
Authors: D’Errico Marco , Bori Assad , Campos Ana Paula de la O
Published: September 2021

Exploring the contextualized relationship between conflict and household resilience is a key element of policymaking under the Humanitarian and Development nexus. This paper provides new evidence on conflict and resilience from resilience-enhancing projects in Mali’s Central Sahel cross-border area. In particular, it explores the presence of determinants of resilience that explains conflict exposure; investigates the adoption of conflict-specific coping mechanisms and explores contextual specificities of local resilience capacity. The findings show that certain types of agricultural households have a higher probability of exposure to conflict, while no evidence of public transfers (e.g., cash transfers) increasing the level of exposure to conflicts is found. The results also show that there are elements which explain the adoption (or lack thereof) of coping mechanisms against conflict: social networks play an essential enabling role, as well as education, the level of food consumption, and to some extent, access to public transfers. Finally, the results suggest that female-headed households need more support in order to engage in coping strategies. This paper suggests that resilience-enhancing interventions and analysis require deeper knowledge of the context, paying special attention to the drivers of conflict and coping strategies adopted by households.
The Role of Research and Innovation in Europe for the Decarbonisation of Waterborne Transport
Authors: Grosso Monica , Marques dos Santos Fabio Luis , Gkoumas Konstantinos , Stępniak Marcin , Pekár Ferenc
Published: September 2021

Waterborne transport contributes to around 14% of the overall greenhouse gas emissions of transport in the European Union and it is among the most efficient modes of transport. Nonetheless, considering the aim of making the European Union carbon-neutral by 2050 and the fundamental role of waterborne transport within the European economy, effort is needed to reduce its environmental impact. This paper provides an assessment of research and innovation measures aiming at decreasing waterborne transport’s CO2 emissions by assessing European projects based on the European Commission’s Transport Research and Innovation Monitoring and Information System (TRIMIS). Additionally, it provides an outlook of the evolution of scientific publications and intellectual property activity in the area. The review of project findings suggests that there is no single measure which can be considered as a problem solver in the area of the reduction of waterborne CO2 emissions, and only the combination of different innovations should enable reaching this goal. The highlighted potential innovations include further development of lightweight composite materials, innovative hull repair methods, wind assisted propulsion, engine efficiency, waste heat electrification, hydrogen and alternative fuels. The assessment shows prevalence of funding allocated to technological measures; however, non-technological ones, like improved vessel navigation and allocation systems, also show a great potential for the reduction of CO2 emissions and reduction of negative environmental impacts of waterborne transport.