bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complementary Development between China and Sub-Sahara Africa: Examining China’s Mining Investment Strategies in Africa
Authors: Wang Xiaoliang , Yu Danlin , Yuan Chunhua
Published: October 2021

China’s recent national and international regional development strategies emphasize both the deepening of the domestic market and the exploration of new markets and resource suppliers to support China’s industrialization. The cooperation with, and investment in, Africa has become an integrated part of China’s international regional development strategy. Investment in Africa is often the result of a decision process that requires balance among local complex political, economic, social, and geological conditions. Proper decision support analysis is the key for success or failure of complementary development. Based on location theories, the current study analyzes China’s mining investment in Africa and derives a set of indicators to form the basis for evaluating China’s investment strategies in the mining industries in Africa. A multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach, the VIKOR method, is applied to evaluate six African countries based on this set of indicators. Results suggest that while resource abundance and value are important factors for mining investment decisions, political stability and local legal system restrictions are weightier in the decision-making process. China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) in mining industries in Africa is more inclined to countries with stable political environment, resource endowment and greater value advantage so that both parties can maximize the benefits from such investment.
Reliability Evaluation of Lithium-Ion Batteries for E-Mobility Applications from Practical and Technical Perspectives: A Case Study
Authors: Gandoman Foad H. , Ahmed Emad M. , Ali Ziad M. , Berecibar Maitane , Zobaa Ahmed F. , Abdel Aleem Shady H. E.
Published: October 2021

Evaluation of the reliability of the components of electric vehicles (EVs) has been studied by international research centers, industry, and original equipment manufacturers over the last few years. Li-ion batteries are the main sensitive component of an EV’s E-power train. In other words, the Li-ion batteries for electromobility applications are one of the main components of an EV, which should be reliable and safe over the operational lifetime of the EV. Thus, investigating how to assess the reliability of the Li-ion battery has been a highly recommended task in most European projects. Moreover, with the increase in the number of new EVs made by European car companies, there has been a competition for market acquisition by these companies to win over customers and gain more market share. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the evaluation of the reliability of Li-ion batteries from practical and technical perspectives. Moreover, a case study for assessing reliability from practical and technical perspectives has been investigated.
The Determinants and Effects of Competitiveness: The Role of Digitalization in the European Economies
Authors: Boikova Tatyana , Zeverte-Rivza Sandija , Rivza Peteris , Rivza Baiba
Published: October 2021

Improving national competitiveness is fundamental to raising long-term economic growth rates and enhancing living standards. The determinants of competitiveness change along with macroeconomic factors, business environment and consumer demand. These changes are visible in the growing importance of digitalization of enterprises of all sectors that has become a critical factor for competitiveness in recent years and will likely become even more essential. The main determinants of competitiveness performance in the European Union (EU) were analyzed in the proposed research. The study included a holistic approach to competitiveness and economic growth and aimed to reveal the factors that determine and contribute to the growth of European economies, as well as to identify clusters of the EU countries. The criteria of competitiveness that are significant for estimation of competitiveness factors and their relationship with economic growth were revealed by using factor analysis. The results indicate that the most significant factors are F1 Macroeconomic Stability, F2 Research and Development (R&D) and Digitalization, F3 Foreign Direct Investment and F4 Trade Openness. By applying cluster analysis, the EU countries were grouped into five clusters on the basis of the contribution of competitiveness factors to economic growth.
Improved Mechanical Properties of Cement-Stabilized Soft Clay Using Garnet Residues and Tire-Derived Aggregates for Subgrade Applications
Authors: Sukmak Patimapon , Sukmak Gampanart , Horpibulsuk Suksun , Kassawat Sippakarn , Suddeepong Apichat , Arulrajah Arul
Published: October 2021

The growth of the global economy in recent years has resulted in an increase in infrastructure projects worldwide and consequently, this has led to an increase in the quantity of waste generated. Two recycled materials, namely garnet residues (GR) and tire-derived aggregates (TDA), were used to improve mechanical properties of soft clay (SC) subgrade in this study. GR was evaluated as a replacement material in SC prior to Type I Portland cement stabilization. TDA was also studied as an elastic material in cement-stabilized SC–GR. The laboratory tests on the cement–TDA-stabilized SC–GR included unconfined compressive strength (UCS), indirect tensile stress (ITS) and indirect tensile fatigue (ITF). Microstructural analysis on the cement–TDA-stabilized SC–GR was also performed to illustrate the role of GR and TDA contents on the degree of hydration. The UCS of cement-stabilized SC–GR increased when cement content increased from 0% to 2%. Beyond 2% cement content, the UCS development was slightly slower, possibly due to the presence of insufficient water for hydration. The GR reduces the specific surface and particle contacts of the SC–GR blends to be bonded with cementitious products. The optimum SC:GR providing the highest UCS was found to be 90:10 for all cement contents. Increased amounts of GR led to a reduction in UCS values due to its high water absorption, resulting in the insufficient water for the cement hydration. Moreover, the excessive GR replacement ratio weakened the interparticle bond strength due to its smooth and round particles. The TDA addition can enhance the fatigue resistance of the cement-stabilized SC–GR. The maximum fatigue life was found at 2% TDA content. The excessive TDA caused large amounts of micro-cracks in cement–TDA-stabilized SC–GR due to the low adhesion property of TDA. The SC:GR = 90:10, cement content = 2% and TDA content = 2% were suggested as the optimum ingredients. The outcome of this research will promote the usage of GR and TDA to develop a green high-fatigue-resistant subgrade material.
Analysis of Fire Accident Factors on Construction Sites Using Web Crawling and Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Kim Jaehong , Youm Sangpil , Shan Yongwei , Kim Jonghoon
Published: October 2021

Fire safety on construction sites has been rarely studied because fire accidents have a lower occurrence compared to construction’s “Fatal Four”. Despite the lower occurrence, construction fire accidents tend to have a larger severity of impact. This study aims at using news media data and big data analysis techniques to identify patterns and factors related to fire accidents on construction sites. News reports on various construction accidents covered by news media were first collected through web crawling. Then, the authors identified the level of media exposure for various keywords related to construction accidents and analyzed the similarities between them. The results show that the level of media exposure for fire accidents on construction sites is much higher than for fall accidents, which suggests that fire accidents may have a greater impact on the surroundings than other accidents. It was found that the main causes of fire accidents on construction sites are violations of fire safety regulations and the absence of inspections, which could be sufficiently prevented. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by exploring factors related to fire safety on construction sites and their interrelationships as well as providing evidence that the fire type should be emphasized in safety-related regulations and codes on construction sites.
More Roads Lead to Rome. HR Configurations and Employee Sustainability Outcomes in Public Sector Organizations
Authors: Schouteten Roel , van der Heijden Beatrice , Peters Pascale , Kraus-Hoogeveen Sascha , Heres Leonie
Published: October 2021

In linking human resource management (HRM) to organizational sustainability, linear variance-based methods are not suited for addressing the complexity of how various HRM practices interact and have an impact on sustainability outcomes for multiple stakeholders. However, so far, empirical evidence for a configurational approach, acknowledging synergy and equifinality between various practices, is scant. Therefore, this study aims to provide empirical evidence for synergistic effects and equifinality in the link between sustainable HRM practices and employee sustainability outcomes. Building on the Ability Motivation Opportunity (AMO) model, this study adopts a configurational approach to unveil how sustainable HRM practices, in various combinations and in different ways, can impact employee sustainability outcomes (commitment and job satisfaction). The study applied a fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) on a secondary data set consisting of employee surveys in 30 Dutch public sector organizations. The findings reveal that combinations of various AMO-enhancing practices are especially conducive to commitment and job satisfaction. Moreover, aligning these practices with work context factors (transformational leadership style and low work pressure) can lead to relatively high levels of commitment and job satisfaction. This study indicates that configuration matters and that there is not one best way to achieve employee sustainability outcomes. This leaves ample leeway for human resource managers to design a suitable and integrative HRM system for their own organization.
A Delphi-Régnier Study Addressing the Challenges of Textile Recycling in Europe for the Fashion and Apparel Industry
Authors: Riemens Joséphine , Lemieux Andrée-Anne , Lamouri Samir , Garnier Léonore
Published: October 2021

The increasing resource pressure and the expanding amount of textile waste have been rising recycling as a clear priority for the fashion and apparel industry. However, textile recycling remains limited and is therefore a targeted issue in the forthcoming EU policies. As the fashion industry is embedded in complex value chains, enhancing textile recycling entails a comprehensive understanding of the existing challenges. Yet, the literature review suggests only limited empirical studies in the sector, and a dedicated state-of-the-art is still lacking. Filling this gap, a Delphi study was conducted supplemented by the Regnier’s Abacus technique. Through an iterative, anonymous, and controlled feedback process, the obstacles collected from the extant literature were collectively discussed with a representative panel of 28 experts, compared to the situation in Europe. After two rounds, the lack of eco-design practices, the absence of incentive policies, and the lack of available and accurate information on the product components emerged as the most consensual statements. Linking theory to practice, this paper aims to improve consistency in the understanding of the current state of textile recycling in Europe, while providing an encompassing outline of the current experts’ opinion on the priority challenges for the sector.
Addressing the Impact of Fourth Industrial Revolution on South African Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Authors: Serumaga-Zake John Mugambwa , van der Poll John Andrew
Published: October 2021

The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) may fundamentally alter, not only the way people work but also, how Small and Medium (SME) manufacturing businesses operate. In the manufacturing sector, the 4IR may change the design; manufacturing; operations; services, products, and production systems; connectivity; and the interaction among parts, machines, and people. While the 4IR technologies may have many benefits, owing to innovation and technological progress, the manufacturing SMEs require their challenges to be addressed before they may benefit from 4IR technologies. To the best of the knowledge of the researchers, there is no conceptual 4IR manufacturing framework, specifically for a developing economy, which is necessary for addressing these challenges and the opportunities promised by the new industry. This research, therefore, intends to fill this gap by developing a conceptual 4IR framework to assist South African manufacturing SMEs in addressing some of these challenges. Following a comprehensive literature review, components of the 4IR and challenges in the manufacturing industry are elucidated, aimed at defining a set of qualitative propositions as our instrument to develop a conceptual framework for embedding 4IR technologies and opportunities in the manufacturing industry. Further aspects of the framework enable businesses to gain a competitive advantage and sustainable business performance. Future work in this area will validate the framework among stakeholders in the manufacturing industry within the context of a developing economy.
Evaluation Model and Empirical Research on the Green Innovation Capability of Manufacturing Enterprises from the Perspective of Ecological Niche
Authors: Sun Ying , Xu Jianzhong
Published: October 2021

Green innovation is an important driving force in promoting the sustainable development of manufacturing enterprises and improving market competitiveness. This study selects indicators from the two aspects of ecostate and ecorole in order to reflect green research and development, cleaner production, and green marketing based on niche theory. We construct an evaluation index system to objectively and accurately assess the green innovation capability of manufacturing enterprises. Subsequently, based on the principle of relative entropy, the analytic hierarchy process, entropy weight method, and coefficient of variation method are fused to determine the combined weight of the indicators, and a multi-level, comprehensive evaluation model is constructed using cloud model tools. Finally, through an empirical analysis of the evaluation of the green innovation capability of five manufacturing enterprises, the feasibility of the model and the stability of the evaluation results are verified through three dimensions: numerical experiment, sensitivity analysis, and method comparison. The results show that the evaluation system constructed in this study is superior. It provides the basis and decision-making reference for enterprises to carry out market positioning and formulate innovation and development strategies.
Assessing the Formal and Informal Waste Recycling Business Processes through a Stakeholders Lens in Pakistan
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad , Yousafzai Muhammad Tariq , Khan Salim , Ahmad Wisal , Salman Muhammad , Han Heesup , Ariza-Montes Antonio , Vega-Muñoz Alejandro
Published: October 2021

With this study, we aim to assess integration possibilities of formal and informal waste management approaches in a low-income country context by using recycling as a tool towards sustainability. Using a holistic approach, this study examines both formal and informal aspects of recycling value chains through a stakeholder lens. Pakistan is far from being a circular economy, as evident from the dismal levels of municipal solid waste collection and recycling. This problem calls for the effective integration of formal and informal recycling business processes to fill the void. With this study, we seek to assess various aspects of formal and informal waste recycling in Pakistan through an inductive qualitative research design by examining the case of one of the most populous cities, Lahore, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Equal representation to various stakeholders is accorded, with 25 interviews each with managers of private companies, public companies, waste pickers and scrap dealers in the target area. The study highlights that recycling sector in Pakistan is completely informal and unregulated with no or little support available due to a lack of funds and systematic planning. The empirical evidence suggests that the formal sector lacks the capacity for proper waste disposal of total waste generated. The recycling aspects are left to informal sector stakeholders who improvise to extract value from MSW in an entrepreneurial manner. The formal sector holds a bias towards informal stakeholders due to the fact that their work also serves as a theft bargain and resale platform under the guise of waste collection and recycling. The study highlights the most and least sought after recyclables, identifies gray channel markets of spare parts, metal recycling and counterfeit products, and practices of adulteration in the target area. This study recommends as a policy input, to overcome bias towards the informal sector, the creation of a central recycling commission to overlook and regulate the affairs of hitherto unregulated and informal municipal solid waste and recycling value chains.
Food Security Sustainability: A Synthesis of the Current Concepts and Empirical Approaches for Meeting SDGs
Authors: Aliyu Umar Shuaibu , Ozdeser Huseyin , Çavuşoğlu Behiye , Usman Mohammed A. M.
Published: October 2021

Currently, food security is becoming a fundamental problem in the global macroeconomic dynamics for policymakers and governments in developing countries. Globally, food security offers challenges both from achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets and the welfare perspective of many poor households. As a result, this study is guided by Neo Malthusian and Access theories to investigate Food Security Sustainability: a Synthesis of the Current Concepts and Empirical Approaches for Meeting SDGs in Nigeria using ARDL and ECM techniques. The ARDL revealed that agricultural value-added and GDP positively affect food security for commercial agrarian investments in Nigeria. However, internal displacement, population growth, food inflation, and exchange rate volatility negatively affect sustainable food security in Nigeria. The model’s coefficient of ECMt−1 also shows negative (−0.0130 approximately) and statistically significant (0.0000) at 1%. Thus, the speed of adjustment requires 1.3% annually for the long-run equilibrium convergence to be restored. The study concludes that the SDGs targets for poverty and hunger reduction, mainly for food security sustainability alongside small producers by the year 2030, can be rarely achieved because the convergence to equilibrium is more than nine years. An active value-addition strategy for sustainable food security and the provision of humanitarian interventions are recommended.
Basic Steps to Promote Biorefinery Value Chains in Forestry in Italy
Authors: Tamantini Swati , Del Lungo Alberto , Romagnoli Manuela , Paletto Alessandro , Keller Michael , Bersier Jacques , Zikeli Florian
Published: October 2021

Biorefineries are an important pillar to conduct the transition toward a circular bioeconomy. Forestry value chains produce wood biomass from harvesting and processing residues that have potential to be used in biorefineries, but currently, these residues are mostly used for energy generation. New biorefineries and new methodologies of wood fractionation allow the production of high value-added products based on carbohydrates and lignin. However, biorefineries based on lignocellulosic feedstock are still few in European countries and even less in Italy. The present study analyses the processes involved in a scenario of establishment of forest biorefineries, reviewing the main components and the actual organization of forestry value chains in Italy. The aim is to have a general vision, to identify and to focus the possibilities of the actual value chains and to fill gaps. The development of the territories is thought of in a perspective of a broader repertoire and more branched value chains than simple energy-generation end use, reviewing the tool for a feasibility study that could potentially involve lignocellulosic biorefineries also based on forest-wood industry feedstocks.
Soil and Climate Characterization to Define Environments for Summer Crops in Senegal
Authors: Hernández Carlos Manuel , Faye Aliou , Ly Mamadou Ousseynou , Stewart Zachary P. , Vara Prasad P. V. , Bastos Leonardo Mendes , Nieto Luciana , Carcedo Ana J. P. , Ciampitti Ignacio Antonio
Published: October 2021

Investigating soil and climate variability is critical to defining environments for field crops, understanding yield-limiting factors, and contributing to the sustainability and resilience of agro-ecosystems. Following this rationale, the aim of this study was to develop a soil–climate characterization to describe environmental constraints in the Senegal summer-crops region. For the soil database, 825 soil samples were collected characterizing pH, electrical conductivity (EC), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). For the climate, monthly temperature, precipitation, and evapotranspiration layers were retrieved from WorldClim 2.1, CHIRPS and TERRACLIMATE. The same analysis was applied individually to both databases. Briefly, a principal component analysis (PCA) was executed to summarize the spatial variability. The outcomes from the PCA were subjected to a spatial fuzzy c-means algorithm, delineating five soil and three climate homogeneous areas, accounting for 73% of the soil and 88% of the climate variation. To our knowledge, no previous studies were done with large soil databases since availability field data is often limited. The use of soil and climate data allowed the characterization of different areas and their main drivers. The use of this classification will assist in developing strategic planning for future land use and capability classifications.
A Novel Handover Mechanism of PMIPv6 for the Support of Multi-Homing Based on Virtual Interface
Authors: Krishnan Indumathi Lakshmi , Al-Turjman Fadi , Sekaran Ramesh , Patan Rizwan , Hsu Ching-Hsien
Published: October 2021

The Proxy Mobile IPv6 (PMIPv6) is a network-based accessibility managing protocol. Because of PMIPv6’s network-based approach, it accumulates the following additional benefits, such as discovery, efficiency. Nonetheless, PMIPv6 has inadequate sustenance for multi-homing mechanisms, since every mobility session must be handled through a different binding cache entry (BCE) at a local mobility anchor (LMA) according to the PMIPv6 specification, and thus PMIPv6 merely permits concurrent admittance for the mobile node (MN) which is present in the multi-homing concept. Consequently, when a multi-homed MN interface is detached from its admittance network, the LMA removes its moving part from the BCE, and the current flows connected with the apart interface are not transmitted to the multi-homed MN, even if a more multi-homed MN interface is still linked to another access network. A superior multi-homing support proposal is proposed to afford flawless mobility among the interfaces for a multi-homed MN to address this problem. The projected method can shift an application from a disconnected interface of a multi-home MN to an attached interface using the PMIPv6 fields of Auxiliary Advertisement of Neighbor Detection (AAND).
A Questionnaire Survey on Contaminated Site Regulators’ View of Implementing Green and Sustainable Remediation in China
Authors: Shao Xueting , Wang Feiyu , Bardos R. Paul , Sang Yimin , Ren Yong , Qin Mingyu , Wang Hairong
Published: October 2021

Government contaminated site regulators, as policy executors and makers, have a profound impact on the development of green and sustainable remediation (GSR), but their cognitive level of GSR has not been well-studied. China has some experience in the management of contaminated sites and has the foundation to promote GSR. This study was conducted in the form of a questionnaire to investigate the understanding of GSR among Chinese site regulators at different levels. The study found that there was still a lot of resistance to promoting GSR in China. Firstly, even though the regulators thought GSR was necessary in China, most of them did not know GSR very well or lacked practical experience. Secondly, existing national and provincial policy standards did not have a good balance between the environmental, social and economic aspects, but gave priority to the environmental factors. Thirdly, the lack of standard and regulatory requirements was the most significant barrier to the implementation of GSR. The results of the survey can provide a reference for China or other developing countries to implement GSR. Practitioners should provide more knowledge and cases for regulators, supplement national policies or improve the provincial and municipal policy system.
Within the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Is Innovation Clusters’ Strategic Approach Boosting Businesses’ Sustainable Development?
Authors: Bărbulescu Oana , Nicolau Cristina , Munteanu Daniel
Published: October 2021

The article focuses on the creation and the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem around the innovation clusters. Clusters are believed to have a well-defined strategic approach aimed at boosting businesses’ sustainable development, especially if clusters are centred around small and middle-sized enterprises. Having undertaken a piece of phenomenological qualitative research, we found that large companies were more open to cooperation and sustainability than the small and middle-sized ones, thus initiating and developing innovation clusters around them (particularly in high-technologized industries such as the automotive and Information Technology). Additionally, we highlight that a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem is based on strong pillars, of which small companies’ capabilities, including the entrepreneurial ones, are innovation-driven, and place them in the centre of the innovation cluster. This piece of research also provides relevant insights for private and public organisations and policymakers in order to co-create a local innovation and entrepreneurship strategy. Our findings have implications for both cluster literature and the field of entrepreneurship.
Organizational Learning Capacity and Sustainability Challenges in Times of Crisis: A Study on Tourism SMEs in Galicia (Spain)
Authors: Toubes Diego R. , Araújo-Vila Noelia , Fraiz-Brea José A.
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 crisis has encouraged a major shift towards greater environmental awareness and sustainable consumption. However, in times of severe crisis, SMEs primarily look to return to normalcy and their own survival rather than implementing a sustainable agenda. This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the learning problems faced by small tourism enterprises in a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper explores the learning capacity of SMEs and the importance of establishing mechanisms that provide SMEs with the keys to organizational learning as a source of continuous knowledge. Open-ended semi-structured interviews with 39 tourism SMEs managers in Galicia (Spain) were conducted during the toughest months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that SMEs have not been fully involved in the learning process, which is mainly related to knowledge transfer and integration. DMOs can act as promoters of knowledge management for organizational preparedness by providing SMEs with learning mechanisms and strategies to go beyond simple problem solving when they arise.
Managing Micronutrients for Improving Soil Fertility, Health, and Soybean Yield
Authors: Thapa Sushil , Bhandari Ammar , Ghimire Rajan , Xue Qingwu , Kidwaro Fanson , Ghatrehsamani Shirin , Maharjan Bijesh , Goodwin Mark
Published: October 2021

Plants need only a small quantity of micronutrients, but they are essential for vital cell functions. Critical micronutrients for plant growth and development include iron (Fe), boron (B), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), chlorine (Cl), and nickel (Ni). The deficiency of one or more micronutrients can greatly affect plant production and quality. To explore the potential for using micronutrients, we reviewed the literature evaluating the effect of micronutrients on soybean production in the U.S. Midwest and beyond. Soil and foliar applications were the major micronutrient application methods. Overall, studies indicated the positive yield response of soybean to micronutrients. However, soybean yield response to micronutrients was not consistent among studies, mainly because of different environmental conditions such as soil type, soil organic matter (SOM), moisture, and temperature. Despite this inconsistency, there has been increased pressure for growers to apply micronutrients to soybeans due to a fact that deficiencies have increased with the increased use of high-yielding cultivars. Further studies on quantification and variable rate application of micronutrients under different soil and environmental conditions are warranted to acquire more knowledge and improve the micronutrient management strategies in soybean. Since the SOM could meet the micronutrient need of many crops, management strategies that increase SOM should be encouraged to ensure nutrient availability and improve soil fertility and health for sustainable soybean production.
Exploring and Evaluating the Impact of ICTs on Culture and Tourism Industries’ Convergence: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhou Chunbo , Sotiriadis Marios
Published: October 2021

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) have been driving the digital revolution of all industries worldwide. Industrial convergence constitutes a new feature and trend of contemporary industrial development and has received extensive attention from the media and public. However, the interrelationship between the two concepts—industrial convergence and ICTs—remains under-researched. This paper aims to explore and evaluate the ICTs’ impact on industrial convergence by focusing on the interrelationship between culture and tourism. The study takes an industrial economics perspective with a specific focus on the multi-dimensional (direct, moderated, and threshold) effects. A research framework was suggested synthesizing three econometric models and encompassing three hypotheses. The research model was then empirically tested and validated through quantitative research using China’s provincial panel data from 2004 to 2018. The study’s findings indicate a positive influence/relationship between ICTs and market-oriented reforms in the culture and tourism industries’ convergence. Moreover, a positive labor-convergence relationship was found, while the negative government–convergence relationship was uncovered in control variables. Regarding the moderating effect, the interaction of ICTs and market-oriented reforms is positively correlated with industrial convergence. In addition, there is a single-threshold effect of consumer demand on the ICTs–convergence relationship. This article extends our knowledge in two ways by addressing the knowledge gap regarding the interrelationship between culture and tourism and by providing new insights into the influence of ICTs on this industrial convergence that has theoretical and practical implications.
Re-Use of Silico-Manganese Slag
Authors: Buruiana Daniela Laura , Obreja Cristian-Dragos , Herbei Elena Emanuela , Ghisman Viorica
Published: October 2021

The world’s rapidly growing demand for raw manganese has made it increasingly important to develop methods for the economic recovery of manganese from secondary sources. The current study aims to present possible ways for the recycling and reuse of silico-manganese slag landfilled in Tulcea, City on the Danube River close to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve in order to save the natural resources raw of manganese. In the last three decades, the ferroalloy production plant has over 2.6 million tons of slag. Slag dumping constitutes a significant source of air, water and soil pollution, which adversely affects the environment and human health. Mn present in the slag dump is an environmental pollutant with potentially toxic effects. The results obtained with a leaching method to recover manganese from slag shows two efficient ways to valorize manganese from solid fraction (54%) with size particles between 80 and 315 µm and/or reuse the leaching medium (56% Mn) with a slag size of <80 µm. The motivation of our research is the possibility to recover manganese from slag by saving natural resources of raw of manganese and the remaining fraction can be used as aggregate sources (construction and road rehabilitation by saving extract mineral aggregates and agriculture), in order to decommission the slag dump. The proposed research is in concordance with the sustainable use of natural resources for the achievement of sustainable development of the 2030 Agenda and Waste Management Legislation due of the huge ecological costs regarding non-conforming waste dumping. If we consider the cost-benefit analysis, the environmental future is more important the human health and the benefits on the quality of the population’s health and the environment which are not non-measurable in monetary value.
Formal Modeling of Responsive Traffic Signaling System Using Graph Theory and VDM-SL
Authors: Nawaz Afifa , Zafar Nazir Ahmad , Alkhammash Eman H.
Published: October 2021

Internet of things (IoT) is playing a major role in smart cities to make a digital environment. Traffic congestion is a serious road issue because of an increasing number of vehicles in urban areas. Some crucial traffic problems include accidents and traffic jams that cause waste of fuel, health diseases, and a waste of time. Present traffic signaling systems are not efficient in resolving congestion problems because of the lack of traffic signals. Nowadays, traffic signaling systems are modeled with fixed time intervals in which no proper mechanism for emergency vehicles is available. Such traffic mechanisms failed to deal with traffic problems effectively. The major objective is to establish a robust traffic monitoring and signaling system that improves signal efficiency by providing a responsive scheme; appropriate routes; a mechanism for emergency vehicles and pedestrians in real-time using Vienna Development Method Specification Language (VDM-SL) formal method and graph theory. A formal model is constructed by considering objects, such as wireless sensors and cameras that are used for collecting information. Graph theory is used to represent the network and find appropriate routes. Unified Modeling Language is used to design the system requirements. The graph-based framework is converted into a formal model by using VDM-SL. The model has been validated and analyzed using many facilities available in the VDM-SL toolbox.
Perceived Usefulness of Airborne LiDAR Technology in Road Design and Management: A Review
Authors: Hatta Antah Fazilah , Khoiry Muhamad Azry , Abdul Maulud Khairul Nizam , Abdullah Azlina
Published: October 2021

Airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) surveying technology plays an important role in road design, and it is increasingly implemented in the design stage. The ability of LiDAR as a remote sensing technology to be used in non-accessible places (i.e., hilly terrain, steep slope) makes it a powerful tool, and it has the potential to provide benefits that simplify existing design processes for designers and practitioners. This paper reviews the application of airborne LiDAR in road design and factors including items from the perceived usefulness of technology. The context of the future direction of LiDAR technology is highlighted in civil engineering road design, roadway inspection and as-built documentation. The implementation of this technology is expected to assist the end-users in developing more manageable planning for road construction and thus to ensure the usage of LiDAR technology is enhanced from time to time, especially in Malaysia.
Effect of Aggregate and Binder Type on the Functional and Durability Parameters of Lightweight Repair Mortars
Authors: Záleská Martina , Pavlíková Milena , Vyšvařil Martin , Pavlík Zbyšek
Published: October 2021

The subject matter of the work presented here is the development and evaluation of novel lightweight mortars that meet the functional and technical criteria imposed on repair mortars. In a broad experimental campaign, lime, natural hydraulic lime, and lime–cement mortars were designed and tested. Lightweight aggregate, expanded perlite, granules from expanded glass and zeolite were used as full replacements for quartz sand. The hardened mortars were tested at the ages of 28 days and 90 days. The conducted tests and analyses were focused on the assessment of structural, mechanical, hygric and thermal parameters. The salt crystallization resistance and effect of salt presence on the hygroscopicity of the investigated mortars were also investigated. The use of lightweight aggregates in the composition of mortars resulted in their high porosity, low density, satisfactory mechanical parameters, improved water vapor transmission capability and water absorption. The mortars with expanded perlite and glass granulate were ranked among thermal insulation mortars of classes T1 and T2, respectively. The use of lightweight aggregates enabled the development of mortars with great durability in terms of salt action, which was almost independent of binder type. The ability to accommodate water vapor was increased by the effect, i.e., the use of lightweight aggregates and the presence of salt in mortars increased porous space. Taking into account the compatibility, functional, and technical criteria, lime- and natural hydraulic lime-based lightweight mortarswere classified as repair mortars, providing improved thermal performance. The lime–cement lightweight plasters can be recommended only for repair of building structures where cement and lime–cement materials were original applied.
An Analysis of LGBTQIA+ University Students’ Perceptions about Sexual and Gender Diversity
Authors: Tinoco-Giraldo Harold , Torrecilla Sánchez Eva María , García-Peñalvo Francisco J.
Published: October 2021

The main objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of LGBTQIA+ students regarding sexual and gender diversity in the university context by (1) identifying conceptions about a being LGBTQIA+ student in the higher education context, (2) researching perceptions of the stigma and discrimination against, and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ students and (3) to recognize discourses and scenarios identified by students in the university context regarding sexual diversity and gender diversity, distinguishing their experiences in the classroom as well as in the university, with their peers and with their professors. This research was based on a quantitative method, the sample consisted of 171 students from the School of Medicine of a public university in the United States in the state of Texas. The results showed that there is currently a greater knowledge of the subject of sexual and gender diversity and of the spaces and resources offered by the university on the subject compared to previous years, however, it is found that knowledge is still limited and that this knowledge may possibly be due to the faculty in which they study.
Complex Systems Thinking Approach to Urban Greenery to Provide Community-Tailored Solutions and Enhance the Provision of Cultural Ecosystem Services
Authors: Menconi Maria Elena , Sipone Ambra , Grohmann David
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a GIS-based method for supporting local administrations in the design of urban green areas while taking into account the complexity of the whole system. The proposed method merges the criteria of availability, accessibility, attractiveness, usability, and suitability in a multi-level approach (city, neighborhood green area) to assist in the selection of which services within green areas to enhance from those requested by citizens. The case study is an urban park in a medium-sized Italian city (Perugia). The results demonstrate that the available urban green spaces amount to 34.7 m2 per person, but only 24% of citizens have adequate access to a green area providing at least an adequate level of service, and 18% of them are without access to any appropriately equipped green area. Furthermore, citizens have limited knowledge of their city’s urban green system as a whole. Indeed, 41% of the requested services were already available in other accessible green areas with attractive and readily available dedicated equipment. These areas were suggested as alternative solutions. To achieve a complex systems approach, our results suggest observing similar systems with various and adaptable scales and studying them as open networks composed of heterogeneous internal and external variables.
The Spatial Difference of “Internet plus Tourism” in Promoting Economic Growth
Authors: Ding Rijia , Huang Meng
Published: October 2021

The “Internet plus Tourism” mode, which is the coordination of the internet and tourism, has become a new driving force for regional economic growth. In order to investigate the mechanism and superiority of “Internet plus Tourism” in terms of economic growth compared with the independent effects of the internet and tourism on economic growth, this paper uses the DEA model to calculate the tourism efficiency of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2019 and three spatial econometric models to comparatively analyze the independent effects of the internet and tourism with the synergized effect of “Internet plus Tourism” on economic growth. The results show that (1) the overall pattern of the internet is that coastal areas are ranked higher; (2) tourism efficiency presents a polarized hierarchical structure; (3) The effect of “Internet plus Tourism” on economic growth is significantly positive and is significantly greater than the independent effects of the internet and tourism on economic growth; (4) the internet, tourism, and “Internet plus Tourism” have different effects on economic growth in different regions. Therefore, the paper suggests that China should accelerate the integration of “Internet plus Tourism” and realize sustainable economic development.
Review on Vibration-Based Structural Health Monitoring Techniques and Technical Codes
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Yao , Tan Xiaokun
Published: October 2021

Structural damages occur in modern structures during operations due to environmental and human factors. The damages accumulating with time may lead to a significant decrease in structure performance or even destruction; natural symmetry is broken, resulting in an unexpected life and economic loss. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the structural response to detect the damage in an early stage, evaluate the health condition of structures, and ensure the operation safety of structures. In fact, the structure and the evaluation can be considered as a special symmetry. Among several SHM methods, vibration-based SHM techniques have been widely adopted recently. Hence, this paper reviews the vibration-based SHM methods in terms of the vibrational parameters used. In addition, the technical codes on vibration based SHM system have also been reviewed, since they are more important in engineering applications. Several related ISO standards and national codes have been developed and implemented, while more specific technical codes are still required to provide more detailed guidelines in practice to maintain structure safety and natural symmetry.
Finite Sums Involving Reciprocals of the Binomial and Central Binomial Coefficients and Harmonic Numbers
Authors: Batir Necdet , Sofo Anthony
Published: October 2021

We prove some finite sum identities involving reciprocals of the binomial and central binomial coefficients, as well as harmonic, Fibonacci and Lucas numbers, some of which recover previously known results, while the others are new.
Modeling Compressive Strength of Eco-Friendly Volcanic Ash Mortar Using Artificial Neural Networking
Authors: Amin Muhammad Nasir , Javed Muhammad Faisal , Khan Kaffayatullah , Shalabi Faisal I. , Qadir Muhammad Ghulam
Published: October 2021

Forecasting the compressive strength of concrete is a complex task owing to the interactions among concrete ingredients. In addition, an important characteristic of the concrete failure surface is its six-fold symmetry. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro fuzzy interface system (ANFIS) were employed to model the compressive strength of natural volcanic ash mortar (VAM) by using the six-fold symmetry of concrete failure. The modeling was correlated with four parameters. To train and test the projected models, data for more than 150 samples were collected from the literature. Furthermore, mortar samples with varying proportions of volcanic ash were prepared in the laboratory and tested, and the results were used to validate the models. The performance of the developed models was assessed using numerous statistical measures. The results show that both the ANN and ANFIS models accurately predict the compressive strength of VAM with R-square above 0.9 and lower error statistics. The permutation feature analysis confirmed that the age of specimens affects the strength of VAM the most, followed by the water-to-cement ratio, curing temperature, and percentage of volcanic ash.
Identification Method of Wheat Cultivars by Using a Convolutional Neural Network Combined with Images of Multiple Growth Periods of Wheat
Authors: Gao Jiameng , Liu Chengzhong , Han Junying , Lu Qinglin , Wang Hengxing , Zhang Jianhua , Bai Xuguang , Luo Jiake
Published: October 2021

Wheat is a very important food crop for mankind. Many new varieties are bred every year. The accurate judgment of wheat varieties can promote the development of the wheat industry and the protection of breeding property rights. Although gene analysis technology can be used to accurately determine wheat varieties, it is costly, time-consuming, and inconvenient. Traditional machine learning methods can significantly reduce the cost and time of wheat cultivars identification, but the accuracy is not high. In recent years, the relatively popular deep learning methods have further improved the accuracy on the basis of traditional machine learning, whereas it is quite difficult to continue to improve the identification accuracy after the convergence of the deep learning model. Based on the ResNet and SENet models, this paper draws on the idea of the bagging-based ensemble estimator algorithm, and proposes a deep learning model for wheat classification, CMPNet, which is coupled with the tillering period, flowering period, and seed image. This convolutional neural network (CNN) model has a symmetrical structure along the direction of the tensor flow. The model uses collected images of different types of wheat in multiple growth periods. First, it uses the transfer learning method of the ResNet-50, SE-ResNet, and SE-ResNeXt models, and then trains the collected images of 30 kinds of wheat in different growth periods. It then uses the concat layer to connect the output layers of the three models, and finally obtains the wheat classification results through the softmax function. The accuracy of wheat variety identification increased from 92.07% at the seed stage, 95.16% at the tillering stage, and 97.38% at the flowering stage to 99.51%. The model’s single inference time was only 0.0212 s. The model not only significantly improves the classification accuracy of wheat varieties, but also achieves low cost and high efficiency, which makes it a novel and important technology reference for wheat producers, managers, and law enforcement supervisors in the practice of wheat production.