bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards Lightning in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md. Mostafizur , Nabila Irtifa Alam , Sakib Mohammed Sadman , Silvia Nusrat Jahan , Galib Muhammad Abdullahil , Shobuj Ifta Alam , Hasan Lamia , Chisty Musabber Ali , Rahman Farzana , Alam Edris , Islam Abu Reza Md Towfiqul
Published: January 2022

Despite the significant number of fatalities and injuries, there is currently a lack of data on public knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding lightning in Bangladesh. This study aims to assess the public’s knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards lightning in the country. A total of 1641 individuals participated in an online KAP survey. Where appropriate, the Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation, and logistic regression models were performed. About 65% of the survey population reported frequent lightning; most (72.64%) did not receive any warning messages, and small proportions (22.12%) had lightning safety precautions. Individuals with numerous lightning experiences perceived considerably unsafe places against lightning compared to infrequent lightning experiences (p < 0.05). Respondents reported good knowledge (56.06%), positive attitudes (82.27%), and good preventive practices (72.33%). The logistic regression demonstrated that having good knowledge and positive attitudes can help people practice lightning safety. Females demonstrated better lightning attitudes and practices compared to males. In comparison to urban residents, rural residents had poor practices. In addition, individuals’ educational levels might also play a crucial role in preparing them for lightning. Overall, extensive lightning campaign activities combined with effective education are required for the behavioral changes in this lightning-vulnerable society.
An Inquiry into Gradable Zero-Waste Apparel Design
Authors: Carrico Melanie , Dragoo Sheri L. , McKinney Ellen , Stannard Casey , Moretz Colleen , Rougeaux-Burnes Ashley
Published: January 2022

The implementation of standardized grading production practices within the mass market has been challenging for scholars experimenting with zero-waste apparel design. The purpose of this research was to test the efficacy of the Carrico Zero-waste Banded Grading (CZWBG) technique, which utilizes bands inserted in strategic locations as a method of grading zero-waste patterns across various consumer categories. An additional purpose was to evaluate the ways in which this grading approach affected the aesthetic outcomes of garments across a size run, and to determine whether this method affected the overall design process of the designers involved. Through experimental research design, six design scholars successfully tested and incorporated the CZWBG technique in zero-waste one or two-piece apparel item(s), subsequently developing three sizes in an industry-specified size range for their product category. Each design was cut from zero-waste patterns in a mid-range size and graded up and down one–two sizes using an industry-standardized grading scale. The grading was achieved by varying the widths and lengths of strategically inserted bands of fabric or trim. The designers utilized various grading methods, textiles, pattern development methods, and size runs, showing that the CZWBG technique can successfully be applied across multiple consumer categories in the apparel industry.
Enhancing the Decision-Making Process through Industry 4.0 Technologies
Authors: Rosin Frédéric , Forget Pascal , Lamouri Samir , Pellerin Robert
Published: January 2022

In order to meet the increasingly complex expectations of customers, many companies must increase efficiency and agility. In this sense, Industry 4.0 technologies offer significant opportunities for improving both operational and decision-making processes. These developments make it possible to consider an increase in the level of operational systems and teams’ autonomy. However, the potential for strengthening the decision-making process by means of these new technologies remains unclear in the current literature. To fill this gap, a Delphi study using the Régnier Abacus technique was conducted with a representative panel of 24 experts. The novelty of this study was to identify and characterize the potential for enhancing the overall decision-making process with the main Industry 4.0 groups of technologies. Our results show that cloud computing appears as a backbone to enhance the entire decision-making process. However, certain technologies, such as IoT and simulation, have a strong potential for only specific steps within the decision-making process. This research also provides a first vision of the manager’s perspectives, expectations, and risks associated with implementing new modes of decision-making and cyber-autonomy supported by Industry 4.0 technologies.
The Degree of Contribution of Digital Transformation Technology on Company Sustainability Areas
Authors: Costa Ivanir , Riccotta Rosangela , Montini Paola , Stefani Eduardo , de Souza Goes Roberto , Gaspar Marcos Antonio , Martins Fellipe Silva , Fernandes Aguinaldo Aragon , Machado Celso , Loçano Rodrigo , Larieira Cláudio Luís Carvalho
Published: January 2022

The impact of new digital technologies creates challenges for the digital transformation process in company sustainability areas. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of contribution of digital-transformation-enabling technologies to company sustainability areas of three pulp and paper manufacturing companies in Brazil and relate it to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a systematic literature review based on the PRISMA method, we sought to assess the key concepts of sustainability and the implementation of digital transformation (DT) through its enabling digital technologies. A field study was conducted in three Brazilian pulp and paper companies to assess the degree of contribution. They are leading companies in the paper and cellulose industry in Brazil. The results obtained indicate that the companies in this sample are still in a growth process regarding the use of digital technologies in their sustainability areas. Only one digital technology, cloud computing, appears relevant in one of the companies studied, which differs from the theoretical framework presented by the literature. To achieve the SDGs goals, countries, especially emerging ones, need to develop their technologies and their business and improve the results that relate to sustainability. The research method applied in this study can be replicated to other companies where the impact of digital transformation technologies on company sustainability is critical.
Co-Creation Approach in Designing a Sustainable Coffee Supply Chain (a Case in Bandung Regency, West Java, Indonesia)
Authors: Umaran Tisna , Perdana Tomy , Kurniadie Denny , Parikesit Parikesit
Published: January 2022

Agricultural development in Indonesia had been conducted in a top-down manner since its independence, which has limited its effectiveness due to the gap between the reality faced by the development actors and actors who are involved in the agricultural supply chain. This paper provides evidence of a more participative model design by involving most of the actors in its process. The study was performed in action research by using a co-creation approach, involving actors who contributed their thoughts in designing the most suitable model that can support them in reaching a more sustainable supply chain for coffee agribusiness in Bandung Regency, West Java, Indonesia. The results show that a co-creation approach has managed to improve the performance of the coffee supply chain by the formation of a cooperative, which enhanced coordination among stakeholders. Furthermore, the involvement of farmers provided significant contributions in the design of the model.
What Can Motivate Me to Keep Working? Analysis of Older Finance Professionals’ Discourse Using Self-Determination Theory
Authors: St-Onge Sylvie , Beauchamp Legault Marie-Ève
Published: January 2022

The twin issues of population aging and critical talent shortages induce employers to encourage older workers to prolong their professional lives. Over the past two decades, studies have mainly examined which human resources practices influence older workers’ ability, motivation, and opportunity to continue working. Our conceptual lens rest on self-determination theory (SDT). This study explores how older professionals in the financial services sector may see how three psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) are satisfied or frustrated through various management practices such as monetary rewards, benefits, career development, and work content and context. Our interviews with older finance professionals also show the relevance of a fourth need, beneficence, to understand their decision to continue to work. Results of this study are likely to be significant at both managerial and societal levels in the perspective of sustainable development or employability.
Research of the Critical Capitalization Rate in Building Damage Appraisal
Authors: Artese Serena , De Ruggiero Manuela , Salvo Francesca , Zinno Raffaele
Published: January 2022

From the perspective of building health monitoring and property management, this research proposes some parametric measures of the capitalization rate, in order to define a range of significant values to be used in a cash flow analysis intended for monetary evaluation in partial building damage assessment. If criteria and methods for appraising partial damage to buildings are widely shared in the scientific and professional communities, the identification of the most appropriate capitalization rate is rather more controversial, and certainly more complex. The proposed approach borrows the logical principles of cash flow analysis based on the yield capitalization approach, considering both recovery costs and loss of incomes when building partial damage occurs. The procedure is a differential valuation that considers a situation before and a situation after the damage, basing on the cost approach and the income approach. In particular, two distinct conditions are considered: the case of recovery interventions and that of improvement.
Halotolerant Rhizobacteria for Salinity-Stress Mitigation: Diversity, Mechanisms and Molecular Approaches
Authors: Sagar Alka , Rai Shalini , Ilyas Noshin , Sayyed R. Z. , Al-Turki Ahmad I. , El Enshasy Hesham Ali , Simarmata Tualar
Published: January 2022

Agriculture is the best foundation for human livelihoods, and, in this respect, crop production has been forced to adopt sustainable farming practices. However, soil salinity severely affects crop growth, the degradation of soil quality, and fertility in many countries of the world. This results in the loss of profitability, the growth of agricultural yields, and the step-by-step decline of the soil nutrient content. Thus, researchers have focused on searching for halotolerant and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) to increase soil fertility and productivity. The beneficial bacteria are frequently connected with the plant rhizosphere and can alleviate plant growth under salinity stress through direct or indirect mechanisms. In this context, PGPB have attained a unique position. The responses include an increased rate of photosynthesis, high production of antioxidants, osmolyte accumulation, decreased Na+ ions, maintenance of the water balance, a high germination rate, and well-developed root and shoot elongation under salt-stress conditions. Therefore, the use of PGPB as bioformulations under salinity stress has been an emerging research avenue for the last few years, and applications of biopesticides and biofertilizers are being considered as alternative tools for sustainable agriculture, as they are ecofriendly and minimize all kinds of stresses. Halotolerant PGPB possess greater potential for use in salinity-affected soil as sustainable bioinoculants and for the bioremediation of salt-affected soil.
Challenges for the Integrated Management of Priority Areas for Conservation in Tamaulipas, México
Authors: Caballero-Rico Frida Carmina , Roque-Hernández Ramón Ventura , de la Garza Cano Ricardo , Arvizu-Sánchez Eduardo
Published: January 2022

Protected areas (PAs) are considered as a globally accepted strategy for biodiversity conservation that demonstrates the difficulties in meeting the proposed objectives; therefore, different conservation schemes are promoted to integrate the design of interfaces that favor the exchange of knowledge among different sectors, systems and stakeholders. The objective of this study was to characterize challenges regarding the protection of natural protected areas and other biodiversity conservation schemes in Tamaulipas, Mexico. This paper analyzed 39 areas with some form of protection status in addition to the 70 national and international designations that are part of them. A document review and 13 semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from the public, private, academic, and civil society sectors. The data were analyzed from a qualitative perspective using ATLAS.ti 9 software. The results show the overlapping of protection schemes in priority areas; the lack of policies and mechanisms that integrate the different schemes to facilitate the exchange between stakeholders; and regulatory, structural, governance, management, participation, and operational gaps, as well as the absence of comprehensive and long-term work. The importance of and challenges in articulating the different schemes and visions to achieve effective biodiversity conservation are evident.
Spatio-Temporal Variations of Discharge and Sediment in Rivers Flowing into the Anzali Lagoon
Authors: Khalilivavdareh Sohrab , Shahnazari Ali , Sarraf Amirpouya
Published: January 2022

In the last few years, trend identification has become an important issue in hydrological time-series analyses; it is also a difficult task, due to the variety of models and the impact of climate change on the river flow regime. Due to the vital importance of the Anzali Lagoon to the environment of the region, and the threat to its health caused by the volume or amount of inlet sediments, we decided to study the changes in flow and sediment in the rivers flowing into the Anzali Lagoon. For the present study, the long-term monthly, seasonal, and annual sediment and discharge data of seven stations were obtained during the period 1985–2019. According to the available information, the trend of sediment load variation was investigated at different time scales. In this study, the Mann–Kendall statistical test, the double-mass curve, and performance fitting were used to assess the seasonal and annual trends in sediment and river flow. The results showed that at Aghamahale station, the low relationship between discharge and sediment compared with that at other stations was due to the low slope and constant water of the Behmbar River, which caused the sediments to settle and decreased their carrying rate. Moreover, Nokhaleh station had the largest share of sediment transfer to the lagoon during 2002–2012. Sediment details also show that the highest amount of sediment in all stations occurred in non-crop seasons—i.e., from October to January—and was directly dependent on the amount of rainfall in these areas. The results of the sediment analysis also indicate that the discharge and the subsequent sediment loads from upstream to downstream were high over the summer. Furthermore, the rivers downstream demonstrated springtime peaks in the sediment loads and discharge, probably owing to snow melting.
The Human-Centric SMED
Authors: Fonda Edoardo , Meneghetti Antonella
Published: January 2022

The Human-Centric SMED (H-SMED) is an evolution of the classical methodology introduced by Shingo to manage the setup process, which is particularly suitable for companies where the setup involves activities with high human content, that can be hardly transformed into external operations to be performed during the machine uptime. The H-SMED integrates Industry 4.0 tools, as the MES Data Analysis, Lean Management and Ergonomics with a new attention to the centrality of workers, in order to guide the transition towards the next Industry 5.0. The H-SMED methodology is developed into four phases, devolved to: (1) understanding the changeover process; (2) identifying potential improvements; (3) moving from proposal to practice; (4) training and control, in a continuous improvement cycle. The case study of a world-wide known company in the fashion eyewear industry is proposed to validate the framework, reporting a 44% reduction of setup duration.
The Ecosystem Services and Green Infrastructure: A Systematic Review and the Gap of Economic Valuation
Authors: Ersoy Mirici Merve
Published: January 2022

This study was conducted to determine the trends at the intersection of studies made on green infrastructure and ecosystem services, which have frequently become preferred in establishing urban−green space relationships in global research. Green-related concepts have frequently been used from past to present in order to neutralise the increasing pressures on urban dynamics resulting from rapid urbanisation. Green corridor, green belt, green structure, and green finger/hand concepts have been used to provide recreational opportunities, protect nature, and keep urban sprawl under control. For the last decade, however, in addition to the traditional green concepts, green infrastructure (GI) and ecosystem services (ES) have been preferred in contemporary urban planning, as they enable the integration of the ecological concerns of the landscape and the socio-political perspective. The aim of this study is to detect the trends of the green infrastructure and ecosystem services association, and to reveal these trends in the common area with the bibliometric mapping method. The economic concept and its analysing use at the intersection of green infrastructure and ecosystem services were explored with VOSviewer using the Scopus® database. Furthermore, the number of documents, which initially began with around 39,719 studies, was reduced by filtering through systematic reviews, to only three documents that met the economic valuation criteria. In this way, a lack of economic analyses, creating a serious research gap within the framework of green infrastructure and ecosystem services, was quantitatively determined.
Research Trends on Climate Change and Circular Economy from a Knowledge Mapping Perspective
Authors: Romero-Perdomo Felipe , Carvajalino-Umaña Juan David , Moreno-Gallego Jaime Leonardo , Ardila Natalia , González-Curbelo Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2022

The circular economy (CE) has been proposed as a potentially significant catalyst to enhance the current response to the global climate crisis. The objective of this study was to investigate the scientific literature of the research between climate change and CE adopting a knowledge mapping approach. Based on a total of 789 peer-reviewed publications extracted from Scopus, we found that research on climate change and CE is continually growing and interdisciplinary in nature. Europe notably leads scientific production. Keyword evolution shows that CE has been influenced by more lines of research than climate change. We also found that waste management is the CE approach most associated with climate change, mitigation is the climate action most impacted by CE, and food is the most reported greenhouse gas (GHG)-emitting material. However, there are knowledge gaps in the integration of the social dimension, the promotion of climate change adaptation, and the association of sustainable development goal (SDG) 13. Finally, we identified four potentially valuable directions for future studies: (i) CE practices, (ii) bioeconomy, (iii) climate and energy, and (iv) sustainability and natural resources, in which carbon recovery technologies, green materials, regional supply chains, circular agriculture models, and nature-based solutions are promising themes.
Strategy for Locating People to Reduce the Transmission of COVID-19 Using Different Interference Measures
Authors: Valenzuela-Fonseca Brenda , Linfati Rodrigo , Escobar John Willmer
Published: January 2022

COVID-19 is generally transmitted from person to person through small droplets of saliva emitted when talking, sneezing, coughing, or breathing. For this reason, social distancing and ventilation have been widely emphasized to control the pandemic. The spread of the virus has brought with it many challenges in locating people under distance constraints. The effects of wakes between turbines have been studied extensively in the literature on wind energy, and there are well-established interference models. Does this apply to the propagation functions of the virus? In this work, a parallel relationship between the two problems is proposed. A mixed-integer linear programming (MIP) model and a mixed-integer quadratic programming model (MIQP) are formulated to locate people to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Both models were constructed according to the distance constraints proposed by the World Health Organization and the interference functions representing the effects of wake between turbines. Extensive computational tests show that people should not be less than two meters apart, in agreement with the adapted Wells–Riley model, which indicates that 1.6 to 3.0 m (5.2 to 9.8 ft) is the safe social distance when considering the aerosol transmission of large droplets exhaled when speaking, while the distance can be up to 8.2 m (26 ft) if all the droplets in a calm air environment are taken into account.
Comparison of Forest Engineering Students’ Attitudes towards Their Education and Future Jobs: Case Results from Turkey
Authors: Yurdakul Erol Seçil
Published: January 2022

Forestry is a complex multidimensional discipline that implies a broad job description and task variety for forest engineers. Thus, the scope of professional forestry education is expanding and diversifying. It is essential to determine the students’ attitudes towards their education and future jobs to develop focused solutions in forestry education. In this context, the present study aims to analyze the attitudes of forest engineering students towards their education and future jobs. This study evaluated and compared the students’ attitudes over a 10-year period through questionnaires administered to senior forest engineering students of the Faculty of Forestry at Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa (IUC). It was revealed that, during job selection, non-job factors (39.5%) were nearly as influential as job-related factors (53.7%). Moreover, students’ career plans were based mainly on working in public institutions (41.4%) and simply doing their job (78.1%). The results showed that students’ views on education have improved over time; however, they have doubts about their readiness to succeed in their careers (M = 3.41) and the adequacy of their knowledge and experience level (M = 2.95). Their attitudes on their future job were not wholly positive: They have doubts about finding a job (M = 2.90), having satisfactory working conditions (M = 3.38), and income (M = 3.57). The results of this study can support decision-making in forest education and human resources in forestry.
Exergetic Analysis of a Natural Gas Combined-Cycle Power Plant with a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell for Carbon Capture
Authors: Fichera Alberto , Samanta Samiran , Volpe Rosaria
Published: January 2022

This study aims to propose the repowering of an existing Italian natural-gas fired combined cycle power plant through the integration of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC) downstream of the gas turbine for CO2 capture and to pursuit an exergetic analysis of the two schemes. The flue gases of the turbine are used to feed the cathode of the MCFC, where CO2 is captured and transported to the anode while generating electric power. The retrofitted plant produces 787.454 MW, in particular, 435.29 MW from the gas turbine, 248.9 MW from the steam cycle, and 135.283 MW from the MCFC. Around 42.4% of the exergy destruction has been obtained, the majority belonging to the combustion chamber and, in minor percentages, to the gas turbine and the MCFC. The overall net plant efficiency and net exergy efficiency are estimated to be around 55.34 and 53.34%, respectively. Finally, the specific CO2 emission is around 66.67 kg/MWh, with around 2 million tons of carbon dioxide sequestrated.
How Job Tenure Weakens the Positive Influence of Education on Creative Performance through Task Performance
Authors: Yang Lu , Wei Jun , Zhou Jinyi
Published: January 2022

Researchers indicate that employees with a high level of education tend to have better creative performance. However, few studies have investigated the boundary conditions of this association. The componential model of creativity demonstrates that both task-relevant skills and creativity-relevant skills are indispensable factors of creative performance. Job tenure, which generally hinders employees from acquiring creativity-relevant skills, is regarded as a potential boundary condition. In this study, we investigate how job tenure weakens positive influence of education on creative performance through task performance. Using a sample of 368 employees and 43 leaders in a provincial bank in China, we indeed find that job tenure negatively moderates the indirect relationship between education and creative performance via task performance. Specifically, the positive relationship is weakened when job tenure is high than when it is low. We also discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our study and highlight future research directions.
Biogenic Nanosilica Synthesis Employing Agro-Waste Rice Straw and Its Application Study in Photocatalytic Degradation of Cationic Dye
Authors: Singh Garima , Dizaji Hossein Beidaghy , Puttuswamy Hariprasad , Sharma Satyawati
Published: January 2022

The current study aims towards a holistic utilization of agro-waste rice straw (RS) to synthesize nanosilica (SiNPs) employing the sol–gel method. The effect of ashing temperature was evaluated for the synthesis process. X-ray diffraction demonstrated a broad spectrum at 21.22° for SiNPs obtained using RSA-600, signifying its amorphous nature, whereas crystalline SiNPs were synthesized using RSA-900. The EDX and FTIR spectra confirmed the significant peaks of Si and O for amorphous SiNPs, confirming their purity over crystalline SiNPs. FE-SEM and TEM micrographs indicated the spheroid morphology of the SiNPs with an average size of 27.47 nm (amorphous SiNPs) and 52.79 nm (crystalline SiNPs). Amorphous SiNPs possessed a high surface area of 226.11 m2/g over crystalline SiNPs (84.45 m2/g). The results obtained attest that the amorphous SiNPs possessed better attributes than crystalline SiNPs, omitting the need to incorporate high temperature. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using SiNPs reflected that 66.26% of the dye was degraded in the first 10 min. The degradation study showed first-order kinetics with a half-life of 6.79 min. The cost-effective and environmentally friendly process offers a sustainable route to meet the increasing demand for SiNPs in industrial sectors. The study proposes a sustainable solution to stubble burning, intending towards zero waste generation, bioeconomy, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 13(Climate Action), SDG 3(Good health and well-being), SDG 7(use of crop residues in industrial sectors) and SDG 8 (employment generation).
Models of Sustainable Software: A Scoping Review
Authors: Swacha Jakub
Published: January 2022

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play a double role in the strife for sustainable development goals, as both an enabler of green solutions and a cause of excessive consumption. While the primary focus of sustainability-related research is on the hardware aspect of ICT, its software aspect also deserves attention. In order for the notion of green and sustainable software to become widespread among practitioners, models are needed, both to be used as a reference on how to develop sustainable software, and to check whether given software or its development process is sustainable. In this paper, we present the results of a scoping review of literature on sustainable software models, based on 41 works extracted from an initial set of 178 query results from four bibliographic data providers. The relevant literature is mapped using five categories (model scope, purpose, covered sustainability aspects, verification or validation, and the economic category of the country of research), allowing us to identify recent trends and research gaps, which can be addressed in future work.
Stochastic Optimization Method for Energy Storage System Configuration Considering Self-Regulation of the State of Charge
Authors: Zhang Delong , Ma Yiyi , Liu Jinxin , Jiang Siyu , Chen Yongcong , Wang Longze , Zhang Yan , Li Meicheng
Published: January 2022

Photovoltaic (PV) power generation has developed rapidly in recent years. Owing to its volatility and intermittency, PV power generation has an impact on the power quality and operation of the power system. To mitigate the impact caused by the PV generation, an energy storage (ES) system is applied to the PV plants. The capacity configuration and control strategy based on the stochastic optimization method have become an important research topic. However, the accuracy of the probability distribution model is insufficient and a stochastic optimization method is rarely used in a control strategy. In this paper, a stochastic optimization method for the energy storage system (ESS) configuration considering the self-regulation of the battery state of charge (SoC) is proposed. Firstly, to reduce the sampling error when typical scenarios of PV power are generated, a time-divided probability distribution model of the ultra-short-term predicted error of PV power is established. On this basis, to solve the problem that SoC reaches the threshold frequently, a self-regulation model of the SoC based on multiple scenarios is established, which can regulate the SoC according to rolling PV power prediction. A stochastic optimization configuration model of the energy storage system is constructed, which can reduce the impact of PV uncertainty on the configuration result. Finally, the proposed stochastic optimization method is validated. The fitting error of the time-divided probability distribution model is 15.61% lower than that of the t-distribution. The expected revenue of the optimal configuration in this paper is 8.86% higher than the scheme with a fixed probability distribution model, and 16.87% higher than without considering the stochastic optimization method.
Measurement and Monitoring of Particulate Matter in Construction Sites: Guidelines for Gravimetric Approach
Authors: Araújo Ingrid Priscylla Silva , Costa Dayana Bastos
Published: January 2022

Studies on particulate matter (PM) from construction activities are still at an early stage. Thus, there is still no consensus on standardized experimental methods for monitoring PM in construction sites, which impedes the advancement of knowledge on this subject. This work proposes guidelines for measuring and monitoring the concentration of suspended PM and the annoyance generated by sedimented particles on construction sites in urban areas. These guidelines aim to reduce the variability and uncertainties that exist during the PM sampling processes at construction sites. This study adopts a literature review strategy in order to update the available scientific literature based on empirical evidence obtained in experimental PM studies and relevant documents from government agencies. The proposed guidelines were applied in a study protocol for gravimetric monitoring PM and annoyance tracking generated by sedimented particles using sticky pads. As a result, this article details sampling techniques, procedures, and instruments, focusing on gravimetric sampling, highlighting their characteristics compared to other monitoring approaches. Additionally, it points out a series of parameters for the measurement and monitoring of PM. This paper seeks to support future researchers in this area, inform decision making for experimental sampling, and provide a benchmark for measuring and monitoring PM at construction sites.
One Billion Years of Earth History: Challenges of Valorizing the Outstanding Geodiversity of Southwest Germany for Sustainable Geotourism
Authors: Megerle Heidi Elisabeth
Published: January 2022

The German state of Baden-Württemberg boasts outstanding geo-, bio-, and archaeological diversity, and hosts two of the world’s oldest geoparks. Based on this case study, we explore why the outstanding geoheritage has not been valorized to a greater extent for a lay audience and where best to strike the balance between valorization and protection, with a particular focus on recent developments including the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results show that the valorizing of the geopotentials is still insufficient. Better marketing can make an important contribution to regional added value, as well as—in combination with professional geo-education—a relevant contribution to raising awareness of the state’s natural assets. Adequate measures to protect geotopes in a sustainable manner are crucial, notably in light of problems arising from overtourism, as thrown into sharp relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Role of Bioeconomy in the Future Energy Scenario: A State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Perišić Martina , Barceló Ernest , Dimic-Misic Katarina , Imani Monireh , Spasojević Brkić Vesna
Published: January 2022

The bioeconomy aims at decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, preventing or reducing climate change, eliminating insecurity, and efficiently using resources; however, fierce controversy exists on conceivable pathways to accomplish these objectives. The transport sector alone, which encompasses all other industrial sectors, has grown with regard to its energy demand by 50% over the past 30 years. The aim of this paper is to promote a dialogue as to whether an economy based on biomass can be more sustainable than today’s existing economies, considering that the economy needs to expand and be boosted, while creating a cascading and recycling system. This semi-systematic review paper discusses four research questions based on findings from the last 20 years: (i) What are the crucial issues in the ongoing debate on the development of a sustainable bioeconomy concept? (ii) Where are the major conflicting points and focuses? (iii) How does the bioeconomy follow current urbanization and land-abandonment trends? (iv) How will the crisis linked to the COVID-19 pandemic change these previous scenarios? As it is not easy to currently predict which pathway will be the most effective, whether it be the one taken as of now or a specific novel pathway, this article recommends following a strategy that is diverse regarding its approaches to shaping the bioeconomy and further funding of renewable energy sources, along with the involvement of urban planning. In addition, conclusions are validated through a questionnaire completed by 51 experts in the field.
Effect of Anaerobic Digestate on the Fatty Acid Profile and Biodiesel Properties of Chlorella sorokiniana Grown Heterotrophically
Authors: Papapolymerou George , Kokkalis Athanasios , Kasiteropoulou Dorothea , Gougoulias Nikolaos , Mpesios Anastasios , Papadopoulou Aikaterini , Metsoviti Maria N. , Spiliotis Xenofon
Published: January 2022

The growth kinetics and the lipid and protein content of the microalgal species Chlorella sorokiniana (CS) grown heterotrophically in growth media containing glycerol and increasing amounts of anaerobic digestate (AD) equal to 0%, 15%, 30%, and 50% was studied. The effect of the AD on the fatty acid (FA) distribution of the bio-oil extracted from the CS, as well as on the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) properties such as the saponification number (SN), the iodine value (IV), the cetane number (CN), and the higher heating value (HHV) was also estimated. The percentage of AD in the growth medium affects the rate of carbon uptake. The maximum carbon uptake rate occurs at about 30% AD. Protein and lipid content ranged from 32.3–38.4% and 18.1–23.1%, respectively. Fatty acid distribution ranged from C10 to C26. In all AD percentages the predominant fatty acids were the medium chain FA C16 to C18 constituting up to about 89% of the total FA at 0% AD and 15% AD and up to about 54% of the total FA at 30% AD and 50% AD. With respect to unsaturation, monounsaturated FA (MUFA) were predominant, up to 56%, while significant percentages, up to about 38%, of saturated FA (SFA) were also produced. The SN, IV, CN, and HHV ranged from 198.5–208.3 mg KOH/g FA, 74.5–93.1 g I/100 g FAME, 52.7–56.1, and 39.7–40.0 MJ/kg, respectively. The results showed that with increasing AD percentage, the CN values tend to increase, while decrease in IV leads to biofuel with better ignition quality.
Economic Development and Mountain Tourism Research from 2010 to 2020: Bibliometric Analysis and Science Mapping Approach
Authors: Zeng Liyun , Li Rita Yi Man , Nuttapong Jotikasthira , Sun Jinkun , Mao Yunyi
Published: January 2022

Due to hectic city lives and the growing health concerns in light of the global pandemic, mountain tourism has become increasingly popular worldwide, which has increased the related research. Based on traditional bibliometric laws, such as those authored by Price, Bradford, Lotka, and Zipf, this study acquired 1413 mountain tourism journal articles via bibliometric analysis and identified the most influential journal articles, researchers, and countries in mountain tourism research as indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database during 2010–2020. The keyword analysis revealed mountain tourism’s emerging research topics, including climate change, sustainable development, sustainability, sustainable tourism, protected areas, rural tourism, and conservation. The most influential journal was Sustainability in the mountain tourism. The research results showed that China, the U.S., and Romania produced the most significant mountain tourism articles indexed in the WoS. Most developed countries in Europe had the highest average and average normalized citations, which indicated that they may have more influence in this field as compared to other countries. Some developing countries, such as India, Nepal, and China, had higher citations, average citations, and/or average normalized citations than other countries. The main research trend was the sustainable development aspect of mountain-based tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified the research gap in WoS; although there is some research shedding light on tourism via bibliometrics, mountain tourism bibliometric analysis and science mapping via VOSViewer is scarce. The paper summarizes the critical aspects of the current discussion of sustainable mountain tourism, such as transport and coopetition (i.e., combing with cooperation and competition) in mountain tourism areas. The results indicated that government agencies and destination managers need to strike a balance between sustainable mountain tourism development and environment and natural landscape conservation after COVID-19.
Establishing the Relative Importance of Specific Sustainability Themes That Influence Women’s Choice of Engineering as a Career Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process
Authors: Ken-Giami Ibifuro , Simandjuntak Sarinova , Yang Linda , Coats Ann , Sanders David
Published: January 2022

Understanding the importance of salient factors associated with sustainability challenges that engineers are known to solve in influencing women’s choice of engineering is particularly important in this present world where a combination of these sustainability issues, the underrepresentation of women and the need for more engineers remain a challenge to the profession. However, little is known about the degree of importance of more detailed themes within the social, environmental and economic sustainability pillars in such career decisions. Consequently, the aim of this paper is to understand the relative importance of specific sustainability-themed factors influencing women’s choice of engineering, using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). An AHP structurally designed online survey was used to gather and analyze data from a sample of 414 UK and Nigeria respondents. The results showed that of all the ten sustainability-themed factors examined in this study, water quality/quantity, climate change, waste management, biodiversity, and material consumption/energy use, had a greater influence on the respondents’ choice of engineering relative to other factors. The data revealed specific rather than general sustainability themes that appeal to women’s choice of engineering. This could offer valuable insight from a recruitment strategy perspective to help engineering stakeholders to focus their attention and recruitment efforts on the most salient areas of influence.
Consumers’ Active Reaction to Brands Taking Stands on Public Issues on Twitter
Authors: Berestova Anastasiia , Kim Da-Yeon , Kim Sang-Yong
Published: January 2022

With the growing interest in sustainability, brands increasingly use social media not simply to advertise their products but also to share their positions on ongoing public issues. This study investigates the effect of public-issue posts on consumers’ active reactions and provides comparisons between two samples—public-issue posts and all Twitter posts. After collecting data from Twitter based on tweets from official sportswear brand pages, we find that public-issue posts have a positive influence on consumers’ active reaction (i.e., number of retweets, number of quotes, number of replies, and post-social search behavior). Moreover, the effect of brand activeness, which is brand social activity on Twitter, and media type (photo or video presence in a tweet) are included in the analysis. With user engagement in the public-issue post sample, the effect of the media type is not significant, whereas the effect of brand activeness is significant. This study aggregates literature on brand activism and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria to propose a measurement for a public issue in a single post rather than at the corporate level. The results of this study are useful for brands of all scales taking sustainable marketing strategies and aiming to improve interactions with consumers on Twitter.
Functionalization of Smart Recycled Asphalt Mixtures: A Sustainability Scientific and Pedagogical Approach
Authors: Segundo Iran Rocha , Zahabizadeh Behzad , Landi Salmon , Lima Orlando , Afonso Cátia , Borinelli Jaffer , Freitas Elisabete , Cunha Vítor M. C. F. , Teixeira Vasco , Costa Manuel F. M. , Carneiro Joaquim O.
Published: January 2022

The sustainable development of our societies demands strong efforts on scientific and technological research while informing and educating students and the general population. Air pollution and road safety hazards constitute two main public health problems that are insufficiently addressed pedagogically. With this work, we aim to contribute to tackeling the problem by presenting the results of scientific research on the development of photocatalytic, superhydrophobic, and self-cleaning recycled asphalt mixtures to achieve an eco-social friendly and smart material able to mitigate socioenvironmental impacts. The functionalization of asphalt is implemented by spraying particles’ solutions over a conventional AC 10, then evaluated by dye degradation and wettability. Firstly, different particles’ solutions (with nano-TiO2 and/or micro-PTFE under water, ethyl alcohol, and dimethyl ketone) were sprayed to select the best solution (BS), which was composed of TiO2-PTFE (4 g/L each) in ethyl alcohol. Two successive spraying coatings (diluted epoxy resin and BS) were performed over conventional and recycled AC 10 (with reclaimed asphalt pavement and steel slags). Their efficiency decreases with the highest resin amounts. The best results were obtained with 0.25 g resin and BS. For the lowest resin amount, all mixtures achieved superhydrophobicity and performed similarly regarding wettability.
On the Issues of Spatial Modeling of Non-Standard Profiles by the Example of Electromagnetic Emission Measurement Data
Authors: Iakovleva Emiliia , Belova Margarita , Soares Amilcar , Rassõlkin Anton
Published: January 2022

This paper examines the possibility of the spatial modelling of the Earth’s natural pulsed-electromagnetic-field measured values, which form a closed profile without the data inside. This geophysical method allows us to map active tectonic movement which breaches the integrity of pipes. During the experiment, 4.5 km of profiles were measured in the Admiralteysky district of St. Petersburg, Russia. Regular electromotive force (EMF) values and anomalous EMF values were obtained, ranging from 0 to 900 µV and above 900 µV, respectively. The anomalous values are associated with tectonic faults in the bedrock. The data obtained are characterized by complex spatial anisotropy associated with the development of two groups of tectonic faults of different orientations. The authors have considered the problems of the spatial modeling of the data obtained. The main problems, the solutions to which should allow the obtaining of adequate models, have been identified. Based on the analysis of the measurement results, geological features of the studied areas, as well as variography, the following possible solutions were proposed: changing the measurement technique; dividing the data array according to the main directions of anisotropy; the need to introduce additional correction coefficients. The problem revealed in this article requires further research on the basis of the obtained results, which will reduce the cost and timing of such studies, and, as a result, give an opportunity to take into account active tectonic disturbances during the construction and scheduled maintenance of underground utilities, which is especially important within the framework of the concept of sustainable development.
Incorporating Vegetation Type Transformation with NDVI Time-Series to Study the Vegetation Dynamics in Xinjiang
Authors: Lan Shengxin , Dong Zuoji
Published: January 2022

Time-series normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is commonly used to conduct vegetation dynamics, which is an important research topic. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between vegetation type and NDVI changes. We investigated changes in vegetation in Xinjiang using linear regression of time-series MOD13Q1 NDVI data from 2001 to 2020. MCD12Q1 vegetation type data from 2001 to 2019 were used to analyze transformations among different vegetation types, and the relationship between the transformation of vegetation type and NDVI was analyzed. Approximately 63.29% of the vegetation showed no significant changes. In the vegetation-changed area, approximately 93.88% and 6.12% of the vegetation showed a significant increase and decrease in NDVI, respectively. Approximately 43,382.82 km2 of sparse vegetation and 25,915.44 km2 of grassland were transformed into grassland and cropland, respectively. Moreover, 17.4% of the area with transformed vegetation showed a significant increase in NDVI, whereas 14.61% showed a decrease in NDVI. Furthermore, in areas with NDVI increased, the mean NDVI slopes of pixels in which sparse vegetation transferred to cropland, sparse vegetation transferred to grassland, and grassland transferred to cropland were 9.8 and 3.2 times that of sparse vegetation, and 1.97 times that of grassland, respectively. In areas with decreased NDVI, the mean NDVI slopes of pixels in which cropland transferred to sparse vegetation, grassland transferred to sparse vegetation were 1.75 and 1.36 times that of sparse vegetation, respectively. The combination of vegetation type transformation NDVI time-series can assist in comprehensively understanding the vegetation change characteristics.