bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant Functional Diversity Is Linked to Carbon Storage in Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest Edges in Northern Thailand
Authors: Asanok Lamthai , Taweesuk Rungrawee , Kamyo Torlarp
Published: October 2021

Studies of carbon storage using functional traits have shown that it is strongly affected by functional diversity. We explored the effects of functional diversity on carbon storage at the edge of a deciduous dipterocarp forest (DDF) ecosystem in Thailand. Aboveground biomass carbon (AGBC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and total ecosystem carbon (TEC) were used as indicators of carbon storage. Five functional traits were measured in 49 plant species to calculate the community-weighted mean (CWM) and Rao’s quadratic diversity (FQ). We assessed which functional diversity metrics best-explained carbon storage. The results indicated that AGBC had a significant, positive relationship with the FQ of wood density, and a negative relationship with the CWM of leaf thickness. SOC had a significant, negative association with the FQ of leaf thickness and a positive relationship with the CWM of specific leaf area (SLA). TEC was best predicted by increases in the FQ of wood density and the CWM of SLA. These findings indicate that CWM and FQ are important for understanding how plant traits influence carbon storage in DDF edge ecosystems and suggest that promoting a high diversity of species with dissimilar wood density and high SLA may increase carbon storage in chronically disturbed DDF ecosystems.
Review on Lane Detection and Tracking Algorithms of Advanced Driver Assistance System
Authors: Waykole Swapnil , Shiwakoti Nirajan , Stasinopoulos Peter
Published: October 2021

Autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems are predicted to provide higher safety and reduce fuel and energy consumption and road traffic emissions. Lane detection and tracking are the advanced key features of the advanced driver assistance system. Lane detection is the process of detecting white lines on the roads. Lane tracking is the process of assisting the vehicle to remain in the desired path, and it controls the motion model by using previously detected lane markers. There are limited studies in the literature that provide state-of-art findings in this area. This study reviews previous studies on lane detection and tracking algorithms by performing a comparative qualitative analysis of algorithms to identify gaps in knowledge. It also summarizes some of the key data sets used for testing algorithms and metrics used to evaluate the algorithms. It is found that complex road geometries such as clothoid roads are less investigated, with many studies focused on straight roads. The complexity of lane detection and tracking is compounded by the challenging weather conditions, vision (camera) quality, unclear line-markings and unpaved roads. Further, occlusion due to overtaking vehicles, high-speed and high illumination effects also pose a challenge. The majority of the studies have used custom based data sets for model testing. As this field continues to grow, especially with the development of fully autonomous vehicles in the near future, it is expected that in future, more reliable and robust lane detection and tracking algorithms will be developed and tested with real-time data sets.
Two-Level Planning of Customized Bus Routes Based on Uncertainty Theory
Authors: Zhang Bing , Zhong Zhishan , Sang Zi , Zhang Mingyang , Xue Yunqiang
Published: October 2021

The optimization problem of customized bus routes is affected by uncertain factors in reality; therefore, this paper introduces uncertainty theory to study the above problem. A two-level planning model that takes the maximum total revenue of the bus company as the upper-level goal and the minimum total travel cost of passengers as the lower-level goal is established, using uncertainty theory to study and solve practical problems with uncertain factors. The genetic algorithm is used to solve the model, and the feasibility of the model is verified through a case study. The research results show that the application of the two-level model of customized bus route planning based on uncertain vehicle operating time established in this paper to customize bus route planning can take into account the travel needs of passengers and high-quality experiences while also bringing benefits to enterprises and achieving a win–win situation. The research in this article provides theoretical support for the optimization of customized bus routes.
How Entrepreneurship Sustains Barriers in the Entrepreneurial Process—A Lesson from a Developing Nation
Authors: Tunio Muhammad Nawaz , Jariko Mushtaque Ali , Børsen Tom , Shaikh Sadia , Mushtaque Tania , Brahmi Mohsen
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study is to explore how entrepreneurship sustains the barriers in the entrepreneurial process in a developing country like Pakistan. To reach these findings, a qualitative approach was used in which semi-structured interviews were conducted with young entrepreneurs in the region of Hyderabad, Pakistan. After collecting data, thematic analysis was conducted. The findings of the study in the form of final themes suggest that trust issues, family barriers, financial issues, gender issues, educational barriers, corruption, and legal barriers are among the challenges which trigger changes in the entrepreneurial process and its sustainability. This study provides implications for the regional government, academic institutes, financial institutes, entrepreneurs, and society at large when developing a support system and promoting a sustainable entrepreneurial environment by minimizing these challenges and suggestions for an entrepreneurial focus on sustainable entrepreneurship.
Planning Suitable Transport Networks for E-Scooters to Foster Micromobility Spreading
Authors: Fazio Martina , Giuffrida Nadia , Le Pira Michela , Inturri Giuseppe , Ignaccolo Matteo
Published: October 2021

Micromobility has a high potential to change mobility habits towards the use of sustainable transport modes. The shared mobility paradigm encourages the development of new mobility services, such as bike and e-scooter sharing, potentially reducing the need of car ownership, enlarging the accessibility of public transport and enriching the transport options needed to exploit Mobility as a Service solutions. While bike-sharing services have been used in urban areas for many years, shared e-scooter services (and private e-scooters) have been spreading only in the last few years. Due to the novelty of this mode, few attempts have been made for proper micromobility network planning. This paper proposes a multicriteria GIS-based analysis aimed at planning priority networks for e-scooters, focusing on safety, transport and land use characteristics. The case study is Catania, a medium-sized city in southern Italy, which suffers from a lack of adequate infrastructures for such sustainable modes of transport. By applying the methodology, it is possible to prioritise the road network elements that better fit the needs of e-scooters, thus paving the way for suitable infrastructures and network planning.
The Impact of Awareness Campaigns on Combating the Food Wasting Behavior of Consumers
Authors: Chinie Cătălina , Biclesanu Isabelle , Bellini Francesco
Published: October 2021

As food loss and food waste continue to be social, economic, and environmental issues, governments, private companies, and nonprofit organizations have started initiatives in order to raise awareness about this topic. Food waste occurs mainly at the consumer level, so information campaigns have been carried out in the media, in shops, or online, in order to point out the extent of the problem, its effects, and to educate consumers as to how to generate less waste. Although some awareness campaigns were conducted in Romania, mostly by the private sector, but also by governmental institutions, these efforts are still few in comparison with other European countries. Research of this topic has also started to increase, but the effects of the campaigns conducted in Romania have not been thoroughly assessed. In an effort to evaluate the effectiveness of these campaigns on consumer food-wasting behavior, we have carried out a study among Romanian citizens, based on a survey. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test and the probit regression model. The results indicate that most respondents already self-assessed their food waste as small to moderate, regardless of their familiarity with food waste campaigns, and it might be the case that only their additional actions to reduce food waste are linked with them coming across food waste reduction campaigns.
Efficient Energy Optimization Day-Ahead Energy Forecasting in Smart Grid Considering Demand Response and Microgrids
Authors: Albogamy Fahad R. , Hafeez Ghulam , Khan Imran , Khan Sheraz , Alkhammash Hend I. , Ali Faheem , Rukh Gul
Published: October 2021

In smart grid, energy management is an indispensable for reducing energy cost of consumers while maximizing user comfort and alleviating the peak to average ratio and carbon emission under real time pricing approach. In contrast, the emergence of bidirectional communication and power transfer technology enables electric vehicles (EVs) charging/discharging scheduling, load shifting/scheduling, and optimal energy sharing, making the power grid smart. With this motivation, efficient energy management model for a microgrid with ant colony optimization algorithm to systematically schedule load and EVs charging/discharging of is introduced. The smart microgrid is equipped with controllable appliances, photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, electrolyzer, hydrogen tank, and energy storage system. Peak load, peak to average ratio, cost, energy cost, and carbon emission operation of appliances are reduced by the charging/discharging of electric vehicles, and energy storage systems are scheduled using real time pricing tariffs. This work also predicts wind speed and solar irradiation to ensure efficient energy optimization. Simulations are carried out to validate our developed ant colony optimization algorithm-based energy management scheme. The obtained results demonstrate that the developed efficient energy management model can reduce energy cost, alleviate peak to average ratio, and carbon emission.
The Contribution of Outward Foreign Direct Investment, Human Well-Being, and Technology toward a Sustainable Environment
Authors: Zhang Qianxiao , Naqvi Syed Asif Ali , Shah Syed Ale Raza
Published: October 2021

This study evaluates the impact of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI), human well-being, and other macro indicators of the public sector on carbon footprint. Empirical analysis has been carried out for newly industrialized economies that span the period 1990–2017. We used augmented mean group and bootstrap panel causality techniques to cogitate the cross-sectional dependence and country-specific heterogeneity. Based on cross-country analysis, study results show that growing OFDI reduces carbon footprint efficiently in Mexico and Turkey, human well-being decreases emissions in the Philippines, and urbanization reduces emissions in China. Further, technology reduces emissions in Malaysia and Turkey, trade openness reduces emissions in China and Malaysia, and natural resource rents reduce emissions in Indonesia and Mexico. In the case of panel analysis, the moderating role of OFDI with human well-being is contributing toward a sustainable environment. Moreover, the moderation of OFDI and urbanization has an insignificant impact on CFP. Findings depict that interaction terms of OFDI with technology and trade openness have a positive association with the environment quality. Finally, OFDI and natural resources have positive moderation on CFP. This study contributes to the existing literature by suggesting policy implications for a sustainable environment.
The Right to Have Digital Rights in Smart Cities
Authors: Calzada Igor
Published: October 2021

New data-driven technologies in global cities have yielded potential but also have intensified techno-political concerns. Consequently, in recent years, several declarations/manifestos have emerged across the world claiming to protect citizens’ digital rights. In 2018, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and NYC city councils formed the Cities’ Coalition for Digital Rights (CCDR), an international alliance of global People-Centered Smart Cities—currently encompassing 49 cities worldwide—to promote citizens’ digital rights on a global scale. People-centered smart cities programme is the strategic flagship programme by UN-Habitat that explicitly advocates the CCDR as an institutionally innovative and strategic city-network to attain policy experimentation and sustainable urban development. Against this backdrop and being inspired by the popular quote by Hannah Arendt on “the right to have rights”, this article aims to explore what “digital rights” may currently mean within a sample consisting of 13 CCDR global people-centered smart cities: Barcelona, Amsterdam, NYC, Long Beach, Toronto, Porto, London, Vienna, Milan, Los Angeles, Portland, San Antonio, and Glasgow. Particularly, this article examines the (i) understanding and the (ii) prioritisation of digital rights in 13 cities through a semi-structured questionnaire by gathering 13 CCDR city representatives/strategists’ responses. These preliminary findings reveal not only distinct strategies but also common policy patterns.
New Lens to Reveal the Street Interface. A Morphological-Visual Perception Methodological Contribution for Decoding the Public/Private Edge of Arterial Streets
Authors: Al Mushayt Nawaf Saeed , Dal Cin Francesca , Barreiros Proença Sérgio
Published: October 2021

Streets have different forms that are not defined only by their partitions, furniture, and width, but also by their edges as vital features of their spatiality. The relationship between a street and a building impacts the street interface configurations, resulting in various topological characteristics. Thus, the street interface is a physical entity that is produced by the interrelationship between urban morphological elements (street and building), and the way it is formed and used affects the livability of the street. The methods used in the current study contribute to an empirical urban morphological–visual cognitive investigation of arterial street interface configurations, particularly on the ground floor level, to assess potential relations between variations in the physical configurations that influence pedestrian visual perception using mobile eye-tracking glasses. In conclusion, this study contributes to research into developing a spatial framework for arterial street liveability, addressing the pilot case study of Avenida da República in Lisbon.
Energy and Economic Sustainability of a Trigeneration Solar System Using Radiative Cooling in Mediterranean Climate
Authors: Noro Marco , Mancin Simone , Riehl Roger
Published: October 2021

The spreading of nearly zero-energy buildings in Mediterranean climate can be supported by the suitable coupling of traditional solar heating, photovoltaics and radiative cooling. The latter is a well-known passive cooling technique, but it is not so commonly used due to low power density and long payback periods. In this study, the energy performance of a system converting solar energy into electricity and heat during the daytime and offering cooling energy at night is assessed on the basis of a validated model of a trifunctional photovoltaic–thermal–radiative cooling module. The key energy, CO2 emission and economic performance indicators were analyzed by varying the main parameters of the system, such as the spectral emissivity of the selective absorber plate and cover and thermal insulation thickness. The annual performance analysis is performed by a transient simulation model for a typical residential building and two different climates of the Mediterranean area (Trapani and Milano). For both climates, glass-PVT–RC is the best solution in terms of both overall efficiency (electric + thermal) and cooling energy capacity, even better with a thicker insulation layer; the annual electrical, heat and cooling gains of this system are 1676, 10,238 and 3200 kWh for Trapani, correspondingly (1272, 9740 and 4234 kWh for Milano, respectively). The typical glass-PVT module achieves a performance quite similar to the best ones.
Telecommuting during COVID 19: A Moderated-Mediation Approach Linking Job Resources to Job Satisfaction
Authors: Jamal Mohd Tariq , Alalyani Wafa Rashid , Thoudam Prabha , Anwar Imran , Bino Ermal
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has led to sudden and significant changes in the work and family roles of the employees. Due to the unprecedentedness of the situation, academicians and practitioners have limited knowledge of the effect permanently working from home during this crisis can have on employees. Developing the role and work–life balance theories and using the job demands and resources model, the authors study the role of availability of job autonomy and family supportive supervisory behaviors (FSSBs) directly on work–life balance and indirectly on job satisfaction through work–life balance for Industry 4.0 based employees. Using work-to-family positive spillover (WFPS) as a first-level moderator and prior telecommuting experience (PTE) as a second-level moderator, the authors also check for the moderating effect on work–life balance and job satisfaction, respectively. The data were analyzed using CFA and SEM in AMOS v21.0 and model 21 in PROCESS Macro for SPSS. The study found that job autonomy and FSSBs have significant positive direct and indirect effects on work–life balance and job satisfaction, respectively, and these relationships are positively moderated by WFPS and PTE, respectively. The study focuses on the human factor of Industry 4.0, adds empirical insights to the work–family interface literature, and has implications that will help both employees and organizations during such critical times.
Review of Transit Data Sources: Potentials, Challenges and Complementarity
Authors: Ge Liping , Sarhani Malek , Voß Stefan , Xie Lin
Published: October 2021

Public transport has become one of the major transport options, especially when it comes to reducing motorized individual transport and achieving sustainability while reducing emissions, noise and so on. The use of public transport data has evolved and rapidly improved over the past decades. Indeed, the availability of data from different sources, coupled with advances in analytical and predictive approaches, has contributed to increased attention being paid to the exploitation of available data to improve public transport service. In this paper, we review the current state of the art of public transport data sources. More precisely, we summarize and analyze the potential and challenges of the main data sources. In addition, we show the complementary aspects of these data sources and how to merge them to broaden their contributions and face their challenges. This is complemented by an information management framework to enhance the use of data sources. Specifically, we seek to bridge the gap between traditional data sources and recent ones, present a unified overview of them and show how they can all leverage recent advances in data-driven methods and how they can help achieve a balance between transit service and passenger behavior.
Can Top Management Teams' Academic Experience Promote Green Innovation Output: Evidence from Chinese Enterprises
Authors: Zhao Shukuan , Zhang Bochen , Shao Dong , Wang Shuang
Published: October 2021

Under the background of increasingly severe environmental problems, green innovation has become a key way to realize coordinated development of economy and environment. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the antecedent factors of green innovation. Based on the upper-echelon theory, this study explores the influence of the academic background of top management teams (TMT) on firm's green innovation outcomes and firm performance in Chinese listed companies. This study also discusses three boundary conditions for TMT's academic experience to promote firm's green innovation. The results show that TMT's academic experience promotes green innovation output. Moreover, TMT's academic experience do not have a uniform effect: strict environmental regulation strengthens the relationship between TMT's academic experience and green innovation output, while political connection and innovation input negatively moderate this relationship. Furthermore, green innovation output does not result in better economic benefits for enterprises with top executives who have academic experience, and this condition is observed more in state-owned enterprises. This study reveals the motivation of green innovation and provides a useful reference for enterprises to implement green innovation strategy more effectively.
DNI’s DNA: Where Is Google’s Money in European Media?
Authors: González-Tosat Clara , Sádaba-Chalezquer Charo
Published: October 2021

This paper aims to investigate Google’s role in European media sustainability. In order to understand the implication of this digital intermediary in the news industry, we have analysed all of the projects funded through Google’s DNI Fund from 2016 to 2020. After revising each report, we have classified the data available, including the full amount of money awarded, chronologically marking every new country added to the fund and all the media outlets involved in each project. We argue that Google’s role is truly beneficial for the medium and long-term sustainability of European media because it offers both financial support and a successful path for media companies to truly embrace its digital technology potential. However, it also has some added weight in terms of transparency (a key element in sustainability practice and standards) and press independence. Besides the existing correlations between the awarded countries and the changes that have affected media legislation in Europe, our findings show an alarming scarcity of information regarding both the continuity and the conditions of each funded project. Our proposed agenda for future research consists of an in-depth investigation of each beneficiary, which will entail several interviews as well as different case studies of all the participants in Europe.
Examining Compliance with Personal Data Protection Regulations in Interorganizational Data Analysis
Authors: Li Szu-Chuang , Chen Yi-Wen , Huang Yennun
Published: October 2021

The development of big data analysis technologies has changed how organizations work. Tech giants, such as Google and Facebook, are well positioned because they possess not only big data sets but also the in-house capability to analyze them. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which have limited resources, capacity, and a relatively small collection of data, the ability to conduct data analysis collaboratively is key. Personal data protection regulations have become stricter due to incidents of private data being leaked, making it more difficult for SMEs to perform interorganizational data analysis. This problem can be resolved by anonymizing the data such that reidentifying an individual is no longer a concern or by deploying technical procedures that enable interorganizational data analysis without the exchange of actual data, such as data deidentification, data synthesis, and federated learning. Herein, we compared the technical options and their compliance with personal data protection regulations from several countries and regions. Using the EU’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) as the main point of reference, technical studies, legislative studies, related regulations, and government-sponsored reports from various countries and regions were also reviewed. Alignment of the technical description with the government regulations and guidelines revealed that the solutions are compliant with the personal data protection regulations. Current regulations require “reasonable” privacy preservation efforts from data controllers; potential attackers are not assumed to be experts with knowledge of the target data set. This means that relevant requirements can be fulfilled without considerably sacrificing data utility. However, the potential existence of an extremely knowledgeable adversary when the stakes of data leakage are high still needs to be considered carefully.
Enhancement of a Landrace of Carosello (Unripe Melon) through the Use of Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) and Nutritional Characterization of the Fruit Placenta
Authors: Palmitessa Onofrio Davide , Durante Miriana , Leoni Beniamino , Montesano Francesco , Renna Massimiliano , Serio Francesco , Somma Annalisa , Santamaria Pietro
Published: October 2021

Landraces of ‘Carosello’ (Cucumis melo L.) are a typical expression of Apulia’s agro-biodiversity and are consumed in the same way as cucumbers. The aim of this research was to valorize the cultivation of a local variety of ‘Carosello’, extending the cultivation period and valorizing a part of the fruits that are generally wasted (endosperm). To accomplish this, a local variety called ‘Carosello leccese’ was grown in a greenhouse during the fall season under red + blue and red + blue + far red light-emitting diodes (LED) interlight. Yield, morphology, color and biochemical composition of the external and internal part of the fruit were evaluated. Although yield increased by 26% under supplemental light, the fruit quality was not influenced by LED application. However, the exocarp was greener (chlorophylls) and more yellow (carotenoids) than the mesocarp. Finally, the endosperm, which is the part of the fruit that is generally wasted, showed the highest polyphenols content, proving to be an important source of nutraceutical compounds. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the nutritional value of the endosperm is comparable or higher than the external part of the fruit, but further studies will be necessary to valorize it from a culinary perspective.
Evaluation and Classification Risks of Implementing Blockchain in the Drug Supply Chain with a New Hybrid Sorting Method
Authors: Sabbagh Parisa , Pourmohamad Rana , Elveny Marischa , Beheshti Mohammadali , Davarpanah Afshin , Metwally Ahmed Sayed M. , Ali Shafaqat , Mohammed Amin Salih
Published: October 2021

In blockchain technology, all registered information, from the place of production of the product to its point of sale, is recorded as permanent and unchangeable, and no intermediary has the ability to change the data of other members and even the data registered by them without public consensus. In this way, users can trust the accuracy of the data. Blockchain systems have a wide range of applications in the medical and health sectors, from creating an integrated system for recording and tracking patients’ medical records to creating transparency in the drug supply chain and medical supplies. However, implementing blockchain technology in the supply chain has limitations and sometimes has risks. In this study, BWM methods and VIKORSort have been used to classify the risks of implementing blockchain in the drug supply chain. The results show that cyberattacks, double spending, and immutability are very dangerous risks for implementation of blockchain technology in the drug supply chain. Therefore, the risks of blockchain technology implementation in the drug supply chain have been classified based on a literature review and opinions of the experts. The risks of blockchain technology implementation in the supply chain were determined from the literature review.
Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Travel Decision-Making of Poles and Nepalis during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Roman Michał , Bhatta Kumar , Roman Monika , Gautam Prakash
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to present the socio-economic conditions, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their effects on travel decision-making. Data were collected in January and February 2021 using an online questionnaire survey. We compared the data on personal attributes, socio-economic factors, and organizational-related factors of 957 Polish and 181 Nepalese respondents. We found that people would like to travel, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, in both countries; however, tourism in developed countries is expected to revive earlier than in developing countries. Tourists chose natural and rustic areas for travel destinations and family members and friends as travel companions in both countries. Similarly, the use of travel agencies decreased significantly as compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic in both countries. Levels of income and travel motivation were observed to be different between the two countries. Respondents from both countries similarly believed that the overall cost of travel had increased during the pandemic. Therefore, policymakers and authorities of tourism destinations should jointly introduce discounted or subsidized packages targeting family members.
Trends in Food Innovation: An Interventional Study on the Benefits of Consuming Novel Functional Cookies Enriched with Olive Paste
Authors: Papagianni Olga , Moulas Iraklis , Loukas Thomas , Magkoutis Athanasios , Skalkos Dimitrios , Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios , Dimou Charalampia , Karantonis Haralabos C. , Koutelidakis Antonios E.
Published: October 2021

Olive paste may exert bioactivity due to its richness in bioactive components, such as oleic acid and polyphenols. The present interventional human study investigated if the fortification of cookies with olive paste and herbs may affect postprandial lipemia, oxidative stress, and other biomarkers in healthy volunteers. In a cross-over design, 10 healthy volunteers aged 20–30 years, consumed a meal, rich in fat and carbohydrates (50 g cookies). After a washout week, the same volunteers consumed the same cookie meal, enhanced with 20% olive paste. Blood sampling was performed before, 0.5 h, 1.5 h, and 3 h after eating. Total plasma antioxidant capacity according to FRAP, ABTS, and resistance to copper-induced plasma oxidation, serum lipids, glucose, uric acid, and antithrombotic activity in platelet-rich plasma were determined at each timepoint. There was a significant decrease in triglycerides’ concentration in the last 1.5 h in the intervention compared to the control group (p < 0.05). A tendency for a decrease in glucose levels and an increase in the plasma antioxidant capacity was observed 0.5 h and 1.5 h, respectively, in the intervention compared to the control group. The remaining biomarkers did not show statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). More clinical and epidemiological studies in a larger sample are necessary in order to draw safer conclusions regarding the effect of olive paste on metabolic biomarkers, with the aim to enhance the industrial production of innovative functional cookies with possible bioactivity.
Does a Foreign Board Improve Corporate Social Responsibility?
Authors: Setiawan Doddy , Brahmana Rayenda Khresna , Asrihapsari Andi , Maisaroh Siti
Published: October 2021

This study examines the effect of foreign boards on corporate social responsibility, exploring the issues of two-tier board systems (boards of directors and boards of commissioners). Using data for manufacturing firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange over the sample period of 2017–2019, the results suggest that a foreign board engages more in corporate social responsibility activities. Our key finding remains robust with respect to all foreign board measures (foreign ownership, foreign board members, foreign directors, foreign commissioners, foreign CEO, and foreign chairperson) and to alternative estimation methods, and pass a series of endogeneity checks. We established the causal effect from foreign boards to CSR, supporting institutional theory and contesting agency theory.
Correlation Analysis between Hydrologic Flow Metrics and Benthic Macroinvertebrates Index (BMI) in the Han River Basin, South Korea
Authors: Kim Siyeon , Lee Jiwan , Jeon Seol , Lee Moonyoung , An Heejin , Jung Kichul , Kim Seongjoon , Park Daeryong
Published: October 2021

In aquatic ecosystems, flow is one of the most essential elements of aquatic species. It is necessary to explore the correlation with ecological indices for the management guidelines of aquatic ecosystems using flow because aquatic ecosystem data are limited. This study calculated the flow metrics using the flow and analyzed the correlation between the flow metrics and the ecological index. This study attempted to understand the correlation between the ecologic index and flow metrics. Flow metrics were quantified flow in various ways, depending on the size, frequency, and design of the flow. The characteristics of flow metrics were identified and the correlation with the ecological index was studied. The Pearson correlation coefficient values for 22 watersheds were compared using the flow data from 2008 to 2015 and the ecological index data from the BMI. In watersheds with high imperviousness, the Pearson correlation coefficient was negative, which indicated that the correlation in this study provides basic data for the quantitative evaluation of the river ecosystem by identifying the relationship between imperviousness and BMI. As a result, the highest Pearson correlation coefficient values of flow metrics were related to the flow coefficient of variation (MACV13-16; MHCV; MLCV).
Attention to a Moment in Time Impairs Episodic Distinctiveness during Rapid Serial Visual Presentation
Authors: Zivi Pierpaolo , Ferlazzo Fabio , Sdoia Stefano
Published: October 2021

Human attention is limited in the ability to select and segregate relevant distinct events from the continuous flow of external information while concurrently encoding their temporal succession. While it is well-known that orienting attention to one external target stimulus impairs the encoding of ensuing relevant external events, it is still unknown whether orienting attention to internally generated events can interfere with concurrent processing of external input. We addressed this issue by asking participants to identify a single target embedded among distractors in a non-spatial rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) stream and to indicate whether that target appeared before or after an internally estimated midpoint of the stream. The results indicate that (a) such an internally generated temporal benchmark does not interfere with the identification of a subsequent physical target stimulus but (b) the two events cannot be accurately segregated when the physical target immediately follows the internally generated temporal event. These findings indicate that the asymmetrical distribution around the midpoint of order reversals reflects an impaired temporal discrimination ability. Orienting attention to a moment in time reduces episodic distinctiveness as much as orienting attention to external events.
End Effect Analysis of a Slot-Less Long-Stator Permanent Magnet Linear Synchronous Motor
Authors: Zhou Yue , Zong Wenjun , Tan Qiang , Hu Zhenjiang , Sun Tao , Li Liyi
Published: October 2021

The implications of the end effect for flux linkage and thrust ripple in a slot-less long-stator permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (LSPMLSM), are analyzed in this paper. Since it is affected by the end effect, the air-gap magnetic field density under the end permanent magnet is different from that under the non-end permanent magnet, leading to asymmetry in the thrust ripple. For this reason, we establish a dynamic permanent magnet flux linkage model, which proves that the end effect leads to sub-harmonics in the permanent magnet flux linkage. The motor’s magnetic field distribution in the left and right parts is symmetrical. A thrust model taking into account the flux linkage sub-harmonics is established, from which the amplitude and period of the thrust ripple caused by the end effect can be calculated. There is no detent force for the slot-less LSPMLSM, and the end effect is the primary origin of the motor thrust ripple. In order to suppress the end effect, a method of increasing the end iron length is proposed, as a result of which the sub-harmonics in the flux linkage and the motor thrust ripple are effectively suppressed. Experimental and simulation results verify the results of this paper.
Levels of Agreement for the Direction of Inter-Limb Asymmetry during Four Simple Change-of-Direction Tests in Young Male Handball Players: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kozinc Žiga , Bishop Chris , Pleša Jernej , Šarabon Nejc
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of change-of-direction (CoD) angle (90° vs. 180°) and the inclusion of acceleration approach on total task time, CoD deficit, and agreement regarding inter-limb asymmetry direction across CoD tasks. The sample included 13 young male handball players (age: 22.4 ± 3.2 years). The CoD tasks were performed over a 10 m distance with 90° and 180° turns. Both CoD tasks were performed under two conditions: (1) from the standing start and, (2) with a 10 m prior acceleration approach. Linear sprint times over a 10 m distance were also recorded for the purpose of determining the CoD deficit. The differences between the outcomes of different test variants were assessed with pairwise t-tests and associated Cohen’s d effect size. The agreement in terms of inter-limb asymmetry direction was assessed descriptively, using percentage of agreement. Results showed that the inclusion of the 10 m approach reduced the total task time (mean differences ranging between 0.26 and 0.35 s; d = 2.27–4.02; p < 0.002). The differences between 90° and 180° turn times were statistically significant under both conditions: (a) without approach (0.44–0.48 s; d = 4.72–4.84; all p < 0.001), and (b) with approach (0.50–0.54 s; d = 4.41–5.03; p < 0.001). The agreement regarding inter-limb asymmetry direction among the tasks was 30.7–61.5%. The differences between the tasks could be explained by the angle–velocity trade-off. The results of this study imply that the CoD tasks should not be used interchangeably when assessing inter-limb asymmetries.
An Accurate Limit Load Solution for an Anisotropic Highly Undermatched Tension Specimen with a Crack
Authors: Alexandrov Sergei , Wang Yun-Che , Lang Lihui
Published: October 2021

Plastic anisotropy significantly influences the behavior of structures subjected to various loading conditions. The extremum principles in the theory of rigid plastic solids are convenient and reliable tools for plastic design. The present paper combines the upper bound theorem and Hill’s quadratic yield criterion for orthotropic materials to evaluate the plastic collapse load of a highly undermatched welded tensile panel with a crack in the weld. The base material is supposed to be rigid. The shape of the crack is quite arbitrary. The orientation of the principal axes of anisotropy varies through the thickness of the weld. The upper bound solution is based on an exact solution for a layer of an anisotropic material. This feature of the upper bound solution is advantageous for increasing its accuracy. A numerical treatment is only necessary to find the solution for the uncracked specimen. This specimen has two axes of symmetry, which simplifies the solution. Simple analytic formulae transform this solution into a solution for the cracked specimens with one axis of symmetry and no symmetry. It is shown that the through-thickness distribution of anisotropic properties significantly affects the limit load.
Cold Particle Dark Matter
Authors: Tuominen Kimmo
Published: October 2021

Possible dark matter candidates in particle physics span a mass range extending over fifty orders of magnitude. In this review, we consider the range of masses from a few keV to a few hundred TeV, which is relevant for cold particle dark matter. We will consider models where dark matter arises as weakly coupled elementary fields and models where dark matter is a composite state bound by a new strong interaction. Different production mechanisms for dark matter in these models will be described. The landscape of direct and indirect searches for dark matter and some of the resulting constraints on models will be briefly discussed.
DNA Structure and the Golden Ratio Revisited
Authors: Larsen Stuart Henry
Published: October 2021

B-DNA, the informational molecule for life on earth, appears to contain ratios structured around the irrational number 1.618…, often known as the “golden ratio”. This occurs in the ratio of the length:width of one turn of the helix; the ratio of the spacing of the two helices; and in the axial structure of the molecule which has ten-fold rotational symmetry. That this occurs in the information-carrying molecule for life is unexpected, and suggests the action of some process. What this process might be is unclear, but it is central to any understanding of the formation of DNA, and so life.
Modelling Heterogeneity and Super Spreaders of the COVID-19 Spread through Malaysian Networks
Authors: Razak Fatimah Abdul , Zamzuri Zamira Hasanah
Published: October 2021

Malaysia is multi-ethnic and diverse country. Heterogeneity, in terms of population interactions, is ingrained in the foundation of the country. Malaysian policies and social distancing measures are based on daily infections and R0 (average number of infections per infected person), estimated from the data. Models of the Malaysian COVID-19 spread are mostly based on the established SIR compartmental model and its variants. These models usually assume homogeneity and symmetrical full mixing in the population; thus, they are unable to capture super-spreading events which naturally occur due to heterogeneity. Moreover, studies have shown that when heterogeneity is present, R0 may be very different and even possibly misleading. The underlying spreading network is a crucial element, as it introduces heterogeneity for a more representative and realistic model of the spread through specific populations. Heterogeneity introduces more complexities in the modelling due to its asymmetrical nature of infection compared to the relatively symmetrical SIR compartmental model. This leads to a different way of calculating R0 and defining super-spreaders. Quantifying a super-spreader individual is related to the idea of importance in a network. The definition of a super-spreading individual depends on how super-spreading is defined. Even when the spreading is defined, it may not be clear that a single centrality always correlates with super-spreading, since centralities are network dependent. We proposed using a measure of super-spreading directly related to R0 and that will give a measure of ‘spreading’ regardless of the underlying network. We captured the vulnerability for varying degrees of heterogeneity and initial conditions by defining a measure to quantify the chances of epidemic spread in the simulations. We simulated the SIR spread on a real Malaysian network to illustrate the effects of this measure and heterogeneity on the number of infections. We also simulated super-spreading events (based on our definition) within the bounds of heterogeneity to demonstrate the effectiveness of the newly defined measure. We found that heterogeneity serves as a natural curve-flattening mechanism; therefore, the number of infections and R0 may be lower than expected. This may lead to a false sense of security, especially since heterogeneity makes the population vulnerable to super-spreading events.
Identification of Ship Dynamics Model Based on Sparse Gaussian Process Regression with Similarity
Authors: Chen Gang , Wang Wei , Xue Yifan
Published: October 2021

The system identification of a ship dynamics model is crucial for the intelligent navigation and design of the ship’s controller. The fluid dynamic effect and the complicated geometry of the hull surface cause a nonlinear or asymmetrical behavior, and it is extremely difficult to establish a ship dynamics model. A nonparametric model based on sparse Gaussian process regression with similarity was proposed for the dynamic modeling of a ship. It solves the problem, wherein the kernel method is difficult to apply to big data, using similarity to sparse large sample datasets. In addition, the experimental data of the KVLCC2 ship are used to verify the validity of the proposed method. The results show that sparse Gaussian process regression with similarity can be applied to the learning of a large sample data, in order to obtain ship motion prediction with higher accuracy than the parameterized model. Moreover, in the case of sensor signal loss, the identified model continues to provide accurate ship speed and trajectory information in the future, and the maximum prediction error of the motion trajectory within 100 s is only 0.59 m.
Thermal Properties and Behaviour of Am-Bearing Fuel in European Space Radioisotope Power Systems
Authors: Watkinson Emily Jane , Mesalam Ramy , Vigier Jean-François , Beneš Ondřej , Griveau Jean-Christophe , Colineau Eric , Sierig Mark , Freis Daniel , Ambrosi Richard M. , Staicu Dragos , Konings Rudy J. M.
Published: October 2021

The European Space Agency is funding the research and development of 241Am-bearing oxide-fuelled radioisotope power systems (RPSs) including radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and European Large Heat Sources (ELHSs). The RPSs’ requirements include that the fuel’s maximum temperature, Tmax, must remain below its melting temperature. The current prospected fuel is (Am0.80U0.12Np0.06Pu0.02)O1.8. The fuel’s experimental heat capacity, Cp, is determined between 20 K and 1786 K based on direct low temperature heat capacity measurements and high temperature drop calorimetry measurements. The recommended high temperature equation is Cp(T/K) = 55.1189 + 3.46216 × 102 T − 4.58312 × 105 T−2 (valid up to 1786 K). The RTG/ELHS Tmax is estimated as a function of the fuel thermal conductivity, k, and the clad’s inner surface temperature, Ti cl, using a new analytical thermal model. Estimated bounds, based on conduction-only and radiation-only conditions between the fuel and clad, are established. Estimates for k (80–100% T.D.) are made using Cp, and estimates of thermal diffusivity and thermal expansion estimates of americium/uranium oxides. The lowest melting temperature of americium/uranium oxides is assumed. The lowest k estimates are assumed (80% T.D.). The highest estimated Tmax for a ‘standard operating’ RTG is 1120 K. A hypothetical scenario is investigated: an ELHS Ti cl = 1973K-the RPSs’ requirements’ maximum permitted temperature. Fuel melting will not occur.
Biochar Amendment Reduces the Availability of Pb in the Soil and Its Uptake in Lettuce
Authors: Vannini Andrea , Bianchi Elisabetta , Avi Diego , Damaggio Nicole , Di Lella Luigi , Nannoni Francesco , Protano Giuseppe , Loppi Stefano
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of biochar amendment to reduce the availability of Pb in the soil and its uptake in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. adela). Seedlings of lettuce were cultivated in Pb-contaminated soils, both with and without 5% biochar (w/w), as well as in a simplified soilless system (hydroponics) at the ecologically relevant Pb concentration of 100 µM, both with and without 1% biochar. Soils amended with biochar resulted in a ca. 50% reduction of the extractable (bioavailable) fraction of Pb, limiting the accumulation of this toxic element in the leaves of lettuce by ca. 50%. A similar behavior was observed for lettuce plants grown hydroponically, even with a much higher reduction of Pb uptake (ca. 80%). Increased cation exchange capacity and pH were likely the main factors limiting the bioavailability of Pb in the soil. Complexation with functional groups and precipitation/co-precipitation both on the biochar surface and in soil aggregates were likely the main mechanisms immobilizing this element.