bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Industrial Internet-of-Things (IIoT) Open Architecture for Information and Decision Support Systems in Scientific Field Campaigns
Authors: Arav Yehuda , Klausner Ziv , David-Sarrousi Hadas , Eidelheit Gadi , Fattal Eyal
Published: September 2024

Information and decision support systems are essential to conducting scientific field campaigns in the atmospheric sciences. However, their development is costly and time-consuming since each field campaign has its own research goals, which result in using a unique set of sensors and various analysis procedures. To reduce development costs, we present a software framework that is based on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and an implementation using well-established and newly developed open-source components. This framework architecture and these components allow developers to customize the software to a campaign’s specific needs while keeping the coding to a minimum. The framework’s applicability was tested in two scientific field campaigns that dealt with questions regarding air quality by developing specialized IIoT applications for each one. Each application provided the online monitoring of the acquired data and an intuitive interface for the scientific team to perform the analysis. The framework presented in this study is sufficiently robust and adaptable to meet the diverse requirements of field campaigns.
Effects of Vibroacoustic Stimulation on Psychological, Physiological, and Cognitive Stress
Authors: Fooks Charlotte , Niebuhr Oliver
Published: September 2024

Global stress is widespread in today’s post-pandemic world of political and economic uncertainty. Vibroacoustic technology is a vibrotactile intervention with multiple uses, but its impact on stress lacks interpretation. This research assessed if the vibroacoustic technology of a Vibroacoustic Sound Massage (VSM) can reduce psychological, physiological, and cognitive stress. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) biosignals were used to quantify results. Participants were divided into Low-Stress and High-Stress groups. The ECG results show VSM increased parasympathetic activity for all participants, with the Low-Stress group being more affected. The EEG results indicate increased concentration, reduced arousal, and increased relaxation, with participant well-being non-significantly affected, though variability in this metric was homogenised after VSM. Together, these results validate VSM as an effective support tool for stress management; however, further research is required.
Upper-Limb and Low-Back Load Analysis in Workers Performing an Actual Industrial Use-Case with and without a Dual-Arm Collaborative Robot
Authors: Silvetti Alessio , Varrecchia Tiwana , Chini Giorgia , Tarbouriech Sonny , Navarro Benjamin , Cherubini Andrea , Draicchio Francesco , Ranavolo Alberto
Published: September 2024

In the Industry 4.0 scenario, human–robot collaboration (HRC) plays a key role in factories to reduce costs, increase production, and help aged and/or sick workers maintain their job. The approaches of the ISO 11228 series commonly used for biomechanical risk assessments cannot be applied in Industry 4.0, as they do not involve interactions between workers and HRC technologies. The use of wearable sensor networks and software for biomechanical risk assessments could help us develop a more reliable idea about the effectiveness of collaborative robots (coBots) in reducing the biomechanical load for workers. The aim of the present study was to investigate some biomechanical parameters with the 3D Static Strength Prediction Program (3DSSPP) software v.7.1.3, on workers executing a practical manual material-handling task, by comparing a dual-arm coBot-assisted scenario with a no-coBot scenario. In this study, we calculated the mean and the standard deviation (SD) values from eleven participants for some 3DSSPP parameters. We considered the following parameters: the percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC), the maximum allowed static exertion time (MaxST), the low-back spine compression forces at the L4/L5 level (L4Ort), and the strength percent capable value (SPC). The advantages of introducing the coBot, according to our statistics, concerned trunk flexion (SPC from 85.8% without coBot to 95.2%; %MVC from 63.5% without coBot to 43.4%; MaxST from 33.9 s without coBot to 86.2 s), left shoulder abdo-adduction (%MVC from 46.1% without coBot to 32.6%; MaxST from 32.7 s without coBot to 65 s), and right shoulder abdo-adduction (%MVC from 43.9% without coBot to 30.0%; MaxST from 37.2 s without coBot to 70.7 s) in Phase 1, and right shoulder humeral rotation (%MVC from 68.4% without coBot to 7.4%; MaxST from 873.0 s without coBot to 125.2 s), right shoulder abdo-adduction (%MVC from 31.0% without coBot to 18.3%; MaxST from 60.3 s without coBot to 183.6 s), and right wrist flexion/extension rotation (%MVC from 50.2% without coBot to 3.0%; MaxST from 58.8 s without coBot to 1200.0 s) in Phase 2. Moreover, Phase 3, which consisted of another manual handling task, would be removed by using a coBot. In summary, using a coBot in this industrial scenario would reduce the biomechanical risk for workers, particularly for the trunk, both shoulders, and the right wrist. Finally, the 3DSSPP software could be an easy, fast, and costless tool for biomechanical risk assessments in an Industry 4.0 scenario where ISO 11228 series cannot be applied; it could be used by occupational medicine physicians and health and safety technicians, and could also help employers to justify a long-term investment.
A Comparative Analysis of the TDCGAN Model for Data Balancing and Intrusion Detection
Authors: Jamoos Mohammad , Mora Antonio M. , AlKhanafseh Mohammad , Surakhi Ola
Published: September 2024

Due to the escalating network throughput and security risks, the exploration of intrusion detection systems (IDSs) has garnered significant attention within the computer science field. The majority of modern IDSs are constructed using deep learning techniques. Nevertheless, these IDSs still have shortcomings where most datasets used for IDS lies in their high imbalance, where the volume of samples representing normal traffic significantly outweighs those representing attack traffic. This imbalance issue restricts the performance of deep learning classifiers for minority classes, as it can bias the classifier in favor of the majority class. To address this challenge, many solutions are proposed in the literature. TDCGAN is an innovative Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) based on a model-driven approach used to address imbalanced data in the IDS dataset. This paper investigates the performance of TDCGAN by employing it to balance data across four benchmark IDS datasets which are CIC-IDS2017, CSE-CIC-IDS2018, KDD-cup 99, and BOT-IOT. Next, four machine learning methods are employed to classify the data, both on the imbalanced dataset and on the balanced dataset. A comparison is then conducted between the results obtained from each to identify the impact of having an imbalanced dataset on classification accuracy. The results demonstrated a notable enhancement in the classification accuracy for each classifier after the implementation of the TDCGAN model for data balancing.
Trustworthy Communities for Critical Energy and Mobility Cyber-Physical Applications
Authors: Latvakoski Juhani , Heikkinen Jouni , Palosaari Jari , Kyllönen Vesa , Rehu Jari
Published: September 2024

The aim of this research has been to enable the management of trustworthy relationships between stakeholders, service providers, and physical assets, which are required in critical energy and mobility cyber–physical systems (CPS) applications. The achieved novel contribution is the concept of trustworthy communities with respective experimental solutions, which are developed by relying on verifiable credentials, smart contracts, trust over IP, and an Ethereum-based distributed ledger. The provided trustworthy community solutions are validated by executing them in two practical use cases, which are called energy flexibility and hunting safety. The energy flexibility case validation considered the execution of the solutions with one simulated and two real buildings with the energy flexibility aggregation platform, which was able to trade the flexibilities in an energy flexibility marketplace. The provided solutions were executed with a hunting safety smartphone application for a hunter and the smartwatch of a person moving around in the forest. The evaluations indicate that conceptual solutions for trustworthy communities fulfill the purpose and contribute toward making energy flexibility trading and hunting safety possible and trustworthy enough for participants. A trustworthy community solution is required to make value sharing and usage of critical energy resources and their flexibilities feasible and secure enough for their owners as part of the energy flexibility community. Sharing the presence and location in mobile conditions requires a trustworthy community solution because of security and privacy reasons, but it can also save lives in real-life elk hunting cases. During the evaluations, the need for further studies related to performance, scalability, community applications, verifiable credentials with wallets, sharing of values and incentives, authorized trust networks, dynamic trust situations, time-sensitive behavior, autonomous operations with smart contracts through security assessment, and applicability have been detected.
Kinnecting Caregivers to Services, Resources, and Supports: Findings from an RCT of Colorado’s Kinship Navigator Program
Authors: Forehand Greg , Winokur Marc , Alessi Lauren , Butler Sunil , Berzinskas Jeannie
Published: September 2024

This study reflects the evidence-building journey for the Colorado Kinnected kinship navigator program. Colorado Kinnected expands the scope of services, resources, and supports offered to kinship families through an innovative approach that enhances an earlier Kinship Supports Demonstration Project. The Colorado Kinnected target population includes kinship caregivers caring for children and youth of any age with an open child welfare case. The primary purpose of the program is to reduce child welfare involvement by limiting traditional foster care and congregate care use when out-of-home placements are required. A randomized controlled trial was conducted from June to November 2020 to examine the impact of the Colorado Kinnected kinship navigator program on the kinship placement outcomes of 402 children and youth with an open child welfare case in seven Colorado counties. The initial study found that children and youth placed with kinship caregivers who received Colorado Kinnected services were significantly more likely to reunify with their parents after their kinship placements ended than were children and youth who received kinship supports as usual. The sustained effects study featured additional analyses of traditional foster and congregate care entry rates within six months of kinship placement for the same sample of children and youth. Children and youth in the intervention group were significantly less likely than children and youth in the control group to enter foster care or congregate care within six months after the end of their kinship placements. Overall, both analyses indicate that the Colorado Kinnected program promotes sustained permanency among children and youth in formal kinship placements. Data equity analyses to explore the contextual sensitivity of the intervention are detailed, and implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.
Signsability: Enhancing Communication through a Sign Language App
Authors: Ezra Din , Mastitz Shai , Rabaev Irina
Published: September 2024

The integration of sign language recognition systems into digital platforms has the potential to bridge communication gaps between the deaf community and the broader population. This paper introduces an advanced Israeli Sign Language (ISL) recognition system designed to interpret dynamic motion gestures, addressing a critical need for more sophisticated and fluid communication tools. Unlike conventional systems that focus solely on static signs, our approach incorporates both deep learning and Computer Vision techniques to analyze and translate dynamic gestures captured in real-time video. We provide a comprehensive account of our preprocessing pipeline, detailing every stage from video collection to the extraction of landmarks using MediaPipe, including the mathematical equations used for preprocessing these landmarks and the final recognition process. The dataset utilized for training our model is unique in its comprehensiveness and is publicly accessible, enhancing the reproducibility and expansion of future research. The deployment of our model on a publicly accessible website allows users to engage with ISL interactively, facilitating both learning and practice. We discuss the development process, the challenges overcome, and the anticipated societal impact of our system in promoting greater inclusivity and understanding.
New Approaches in Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control for Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Inverters: State of the Art
Authors: Mirza Shakil , Hussain Arif
Published: September 2024

Grid-connected PV inverters require sophisticated control procedures for smooth integration with the modern electrical grid. The ability of FCS-MPC to manage the discrete character of power electronic devices is highly acknowledged, since it enables direct manipulation of switching states without requiring modulation techniques. This review discusses the latest approaches in FCS-MPC methods for PV-based grid-connected inverter systems. It also classifies these methods according to control objectives, such as active and reactive power control, harmonic suppression, and voltage regulation. The application of FCS-MPC particularly emphasizing its benefits, including quick response times, resistance to changes in parameters, and the capacity to manage restrictions and nonlinearities in the system without the requirement for modulators, has been investigated in this review. Recent developments in robust and adaptive MPC strategies, which enhance system performance despite distorted grid settings and parametric uncertainties, are emphasized. This analysis classifies FCS-MPC techniques based on their control goals, optimal parameters and cost function, this paper also identifies drawbacks in these existing control methods and provide recommendation for future research in FCS-MPC for grid-connected PV-inverter systems.
Critical Factors for Business Sustainability in Women-Led Social Enterprises in Peru
Authors: Ramos Farroñán Emma Verónica , Arbulu Castillo Julie Catherine , Mogollón García Francisco Segundo , Otiniano León Mabel Ysabel , Acosta-Enriquez Benicio Gonzalo , Heredia Llatas Flor Delicia , Cuadra Morales Valicha , Paredes Morales Ana Elizabeth , Martel Acosta Rafael
Published: September 2024

This study analyzes the key factors that determine the sustainability of women-led social enterprises in the Peruvian context via structural equation modeling (SEM). This research is based on a random sample of 521 social entrepreneurs and explores the influence of current employment, type of entrepreneurship, and years of entrepreneurial experience on social entrepreneurship potential. The results show that the current employment of women entrepreneurs significantly influences their social entrepreneurship potential (β = 0.383, p = 0.000), whereas the type of entrepreneurship (β = 0.653, p = 0.026) and years of experience (β = 0.269, p = 0.004) act as moderating variables in this relationship. Additionally, comparison tests revealed significant differences in social entrepreneurship potential according to age (p = 0.000), years of entrepreneurial experience (p = 0.000), and employment status (p = 0.000). Pairwise comparisons revealed that women aged 30 years or older had greater potential for social entrepreneurship than did those under 22 years (p = 0.001) and those aged 23–29 years (p = 0.006). Similarly, entrepreneurs with 6 or more years of experience presented greater potential than those with less than 3 years of experience (p = 0.000). These findings highlight the importance of considering employment status, type of entrepreneurship, prior experience, and age differences when designing policies and support programs for women’s social entrepreneurship. This study contributes to understanding the factors that influence the sustainability of women-led social enterprises and provides recommendations for future research, such as expanding the SEM, replicating it in different contexts, and complementing it with qualitative approaches.
Investigating the Effects of Environmental Tax Revenues on Economic Development: The Case of Nordic Countries
Authors: Stameski Nino , Radulescu Magdalena , Zelenović Vera , Mirović Vera , Kalaš Branimir , Pavlović Nataša
Published: September 2024

The topic of environmental taxation is becoming increasingly significant, particularly in its role in promoting sustainable development. Environmental tax policy can be used as an active tool for improving environmental quality and economic development. The primary aim of this study is to detect which environmental tax revenues influenced economic development in Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) for the period 2013–2022. The empirical findings of various panel models confirm that energy tax revenues and transport tax revenues have significant and positive effects on economic development measured by GDP per capita. Additionally, pollution tax revenues have a positive but not significant impact on GDP per capita in these countries. Nordic countries should focus on a greater share of these revenues in their total tax structure, especially pollution tax revenues, to provide desirable implications and effects on economic development in the Nordic region.
Modeling Aluminum Stocks and Flows in China until 2050 Using a Bottom-Up Approach: Business-As-Usual Scenario Analysis
Authors: Wang Zhe , Li Shupeng , Lin Zijian , Ye Jiancong , Yang Yi , Yue Qiang
Published: September 2024

Aluminum metal is used in a wide range of applications such as construction, transportation, power, and aerospace. Previous studies have mainly used a top-down approach to explore future aluminum stocks and flows in China. In this study, we developed a dynamic material flow analysis model using a bottom-up approach to simulate aluminum flows and stocks in China until 2050, based on current government and sector policies. The results show that China’s aluminum stocks will be nearly saturated by 2050, with a total and per capita of 591 million tons (Mt) and 449 kg/per, respectively. The domestic demand for aluminum will grow until 2030 and will remain relatively stable thereafter at around 28–30 Mt. Construction and transport are the two sectors with the highest demand for aluminum, accounting for over 60% of the total aluminum demand. The domestic aluminum scrap will increase almost sevenfold, from 2.7 Mt to 20.0 Mt between 2020 and 2050. However, even assuming a 90% recycling rate, secondary aluminum will at best meet around 70% of demand by 2050. To realize sustainable development in China’s aluminum industry, extending the life of aluminum products and increasing aluminum scrap recycling are sensible measures.
Impact of Environmental Regulation on the Employment Effect of High-Tech Industries: Evidence from Spatial Durbin Model
Authors: Xiong Bin , Xie Xingdong
Published: September 2024

To address the challenges posed by the living environment and promote sustainable development, the Chinese government implemented a new environmental protection law in 2015. Based on the provincial panel data of 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China from 2010 to 2019, the spatial Durbin model is used to investigate the impact of environmental regulation on the employment effect of high-tech industries, and the spatial effect decomposition is used to further clarify the specific impact of environmental regulation on the employment of high-tech industries. The research finds that: Firstly, at the present stage, environmental regulation in China remains at a relatively low level. The employment generation effect of environmental regulation on high-tech industries is insufficient to offset the employment loss effect. Strengthening environmental regulation in the short term is unfavorable for employment in high-tech industries. Secondly, adjacent regions adopt a strategy of competitive differential environmental regulation between governments. The local government relaxes environmental regulation to increase employment, while the neighboring government strengthens environmental regulation to promote industrial upgrading. This approach benefits local employment in high-tech industries in the short term but hinders the sustainable development of high-tech industries. Thirdly, environmental regulation exhibits significant negative spatial spillover effects. Strengthening local environmental regulation will suppress the growth of high-tech industry employment in neighboring areas, and the spatial spillover effect of environmental regulation is primarily influenced by geographic location.
Advance of Sustainable Energy Materials: Technology Trends for Silicon-Based Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Bošnjaković Mladen
Published: September 2024

Modules based on c-Si cells account for more than 90% of the photovoltaic capacity installed worldwide, which is why the analysis in this paper focusses on this cell type. This study provides an overview of the current state of silicon-based photovoltaic technology, the direction of further development and some market trends to help interested stakeholders make decisions about investing in PV technologies, and it can be an excellent incentive for young scientists interested in this field to find a narrower field of research. This analysis covers all process steps, from the production of metallurgical silicon from raw material quartz to the production of cells and modules, and it includes technical, economic and environmental aspects. The economic aspect calls for more economical production. The ecological aspect looks for ways to minimise the negative impact of cell production on the environment by reducing emissions and using environmentally friendly materials. The technical aspect refers to the state of development of production technologies that contribute to achieving the goals of the economic, environmental and sustainability-related aspects. This involves ways to reduce energy consumption in all process steps, cutting ingots into wafers with the smallest possible cutting width (less material waste), producing thin cells with the greatest possible dimensional accuracy, using cheaper materials and more efficient production. An extremely important goal is to achieve the highest possible efficiency of PV cells, which is achieved by reducing cell losses (optical, electrical, degradation). New technologies in this context are Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPcon), Interdigitated Back Contact Cells (IBCs), Heterojunction Cells (HJTs), Passivated Emitter Rear Totally Diffused cells (PERTs), silicon heterojunction cells (SHJs), Multi-Bush, High-Density Cell Interconnection, Shingled Cells, Split Cells, Bifacial Cells and others. The trend is also to increase the cell size and thus increase the output power of the module but also to reduce the weight of the module per kW of power. Research is also focused to maximise the service life of PV cells and minimise the degradation of their operating properties over time. The influence of shade and the increase in cell temperature on the operating properties should preferably be minimised. In this context, half-cut and third-cut cell technology, covering the cell surface with a layer that reduces soiling and doping with gallium instead of boron are newer technologies that are being applied. All of this leads to greater sustainability in PV technology, and solar energy becomes more affordable and necessary in the transition to a “green” economy.
Sustainable Spatial Development of Multifunctional Villages: A Case Study of Eastern Poland
Authors: Soszyński Dawid , Kociuba Piotr , Tucki Andrzej
Published: September 2024

The decline in the role of agriculture as the basis for the livelihood of rural residents has led to the development of new directions for rural transformation. In Poland, the concept of multifunctional development has gained the most popularity. However, it does not have a defined spatial development model. There has also been no research into how the development of non-agricultural functions affects spatial development and to what extent this development is sustainable. Therefore, the aim of this study is to show and compare the changes that have taken place over the last 40–50 years in the spatial arrangements of development in traditional agricultural villages and in villages with different non-agricultural functions (tourist, industrial, and service functions). At the same time, we want to indicate which of these functions have contributed to the development of the most sustainable spatial arrangements. To this end, we selected three indicators of sustainable development of rural space: compactness of buildings, continuation of traditional rural layouts, and availability of services, and then carried out an analysis of changes in these indicators on the basis of archival and current cartographic materials and data on service facilities. We conducted the research for four municipalities in eastern Poland (50 villages). The results indicate the predominance of negative spatial phenomena such as the deterioration of the accessibility of services and spatial development contrary to historical spatial layouts. There is a spillover of development in the form of discontinuous, chaotic clusters of buildings often having the character of suburbia and, consequently, the disappearance of village centres, worsening walkability, and blurring of village boundaries. The only positive change is an increase in the compactness of buildings—mainly in villages that previously had a dispersed character. It is difficult to identify village functions that would unequivocally favour spatial sustainability. The service villages showed slight advantages in terms of social (availability of services) and environmental (compactness of buildings) factors. In contrast, the development of agricultural villages was more favourable in cultural terms (traditional village layouts). In all aspects, negative changes were recorded in industrial villages and (the worst results) in tourist villages. However, the trends were similar in all municipalities, which draws attention primarily to the lack of a rational spatial policy related to multifunctional village development.
An Investigation of the Restorative Benefits of Different Spaces in an Urban Riverside Greenway for College Students—A Simple Autumn Outdoor Experiment
Authors: Zhu Chunyan , Li Jingzhu , Luo Jinming , Li Xi , Li Tianhui , Wang Wei , Fu Shanshan , Zeng Weizhen
Published: September 2024

Greenways are important natural environment places in cities, which have a great restorative effect on human physiological and mental health. The restoration effect of urban greenways on the physical and mental health of urban residents is affected by the type of greenway space. In order to reveal the restorative effects of different types of urban waterfront greenway spaces on the human body and explore restorative environmental factors, this paper firstly used the expert survey method to construct an AHP (analytic hierarchy process) model, which yielded three types of criterion-level indicators and eight types of sub-indicators. Second, taking Nanxun Avenue Greenway in Wenjiang District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China, as an example, it was divided into three types of greenway spaces—waterfront space, underwood space, and lawn space—on the basis of field surveys. A total of 30 subjects participated in this outdoor experience and collected their physiological and psychological data. The results of the experiment showed that all three types of spaces in the Nanxun Avenue Greenway had a restorative effect on human physical and mental health, and all of them were effective in lowering blood pressure and heart rate, as well as eliminating negative emotions and increasing positive emotions for most of the participants. The waterfront space had the best restorative effect, followed by the underwood space and the lawn space. The main restorative environmental factors differed among each of the three types of spaces. This paper provides insights and examples for exploring the restorative benefits of urban greenways.
Maximization of the Production of a Low-Cost Biosurfactant for Application in the Treatment of Soils Contaminated with Hydrocarbons
Authors: Selva Filho Alexandre Augusto P. , Faccioli Yslla Emanuelly , Converti Attilio , da Silva Rita de Cássia F. Soares , Sarubbo Leonie A.
Published: September 2024

Oil spills occur during different operations in the energy sector, such as crude oil transport, tank filling and cleaning, and fueling. Such spills are one of the major causes of the accumulation of oil derivatives in the environment, requiring the remediation of soil and marine environments. The production of a biosurfactant by Starmerella bombicola ATCC 222214 was maximized by investigating the effect of different carbon/nitrogen sources and culture conditions. The mineral medium selected for its production was supplemented with 2.0% potato peel flour, 5.0% waste canola frying oil, and 0.20% urea. The culture conditions were a 200 rpm shaking speed, a fermentation time of 180 h, and a 4.0% inoculum size. The yield of isolated biosurfactant was 7.72 g/L. The emulsification rates of heavy oil and motor oil were 65.55 and 95.00%, respectively, indicating an affinity for complex hydrocarbons. In stability tests performed at different pH values, temperatures, and NaCl concentrations, the surface tension ranged from 27.14 to 31.08 mN/m. The critical micelle concentration was 2.0 g/L, at which the surface tension was 33.26 mN/m. The biosurfactant was composed of 6,6-dimethoxy-octanoic acid and azelaic acid, and it exhibited low toxicity to Brassica oleracea and Solanum lycopersicum. In the kinetic test, the biosurfactant allowed for the removal of 82.30%, 96.65%, and 98.25% of exhaust motor oil from sand, silty soil, and clay soil, while in the static test in packed columns, the removal yields were 66.62%, 63.03%, and 58.45%, respectively. The biosurfactant produced in this study is promising for environmental remediation applications in the energy sector.
Digital Finance, ESG Performance, and Financial Performance in Chinese Firm Levels: The Pathway to Sustainability
Authors: Xiang Shang , Deng Lingjie , Zhou Zhongbao , Zhang Zhongqingyang
Published: September 2024

Given that digital finance is critical for achieving sustainability, this study seeks to probe the mechanisms for using digital finance to solve the triple-bottom-line dilemma of sustainability. This paper examines the inner influence mechanisms of digital finance on ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and financial performance. The results show digital finance is conducive to ESG performance while indirectly enhancing firms’ short- and long-term financial performance via ESG. Further, digital finance usage depth is the primary enabler for ESG and short-term financial performance. The mechanism analysis reveals that the positive relationship between digital finance and ESG will be enhanced by upgrading green innovation and boosting digital transformation. Moreover, heterogeneous analysis states that digital finance usage depth has a more pronounced positive role on ESG and financial performance in large firms and SOEs (state-owned enterprises) while coverage breadth positively affects ESG and is more pronounced in small firms and non-SOEs. This paper expands knowledge about digital finance via sustainability practice pathways.
Experimental Study on the Mechanical Properties of Rammed Red Clay Reinforced with Straw Fibers
Authors: Guo Jianjun , Wu Zhenwei , Zhang Wei , Cao Heng
Published: September 2024

Earthen materials have been used as economic building materials since ancient times and continue to be used today, particularly in our modern society that pursues sustainability. As a form of agricultural waste, straw stalks are reused in civil engineering to avoid being burnt, which not only saves costs but also avoids environmental impacts. In the following paper, we present an experimental study on the mechanical properties of rammed red clay reinforced by straw fibers. Straw stalks were cut into different lengths and mixed evenly with red clay in different proportions before being compacted. The compressive strength, flexural strength, and shear strength of the stabilized rammed straw were analyzed. The results show that straw stalks, as a single reinforcing material, can significantly improve the mechanical properties of rammed red clay. Straw stalks had varying effects on improving the mechanical indexes of rammed red clay. When the length of the straw stalks was 15 mm and the straw stalk content was 0 Sust.3%, the straw stalks had the best effect on improving the mechanical properties of rammed red clay.
Are European Trees Prepared for Being Limited by Other Nutrients than Nitrogen?
Authors: Sandén Hans
Published: September 2024

The growth of forest trees in the relatively young soils of Europe has historically been limited by nitrogen (N). The high anthropogenic N deposition and intense forest management during the last century, however, have caused forest trees in large areas to show signs of being limited by phosphorus (P) or base cations. This indicates that the current situation is not sustainable. The net addition of N to forests here stems from deposition and N fixation, both processes that add N to the topsoil. Phosphorus and cations are released by weathering in the mineral soil. Do European trees have what it takes to efficiently take up P and cation nutrients when they become scarce? Important factors influencing their capacity to take up P and cations are their roots’ distribution and function, mycorrhizal distribution and type, and the response of their root and mycorrhizal growth and function to N depositions and nutrient deficiencies. The literature shows that the ability to be limited by something other than nitrogen will be hardest for shallow-rooted conifer trees, followed by ectomycorrhizal deciduous trees; arbuscular mycorrhizal trees will handle the shift best. This knowledge should be incorporated into forest growth models to promote sustainable management decisions.
Exploring Malaysia’s End-of-Life Vehicle Policy—Attitudes, Knowledge, and Readiness
Authors: Tahir Zurinah , Sitinjak Charli , Ismail Rozmi , Rose Rosniza Aznie Che , Harun Zambri , Yazid Muhamad Razuhanafi Mat , Ober Józef , Sakiewicz Piotr
Published: September 2024

In the face of global environmental challenges, Malaysia, like many nations, is seeking to improve its environmental sustainability, and understanding how demographic factors influence individuals’ perceptions, attitudes, and readiness toward End-of-life Vehicle (ELV) management practices is crucial for developing effective policies and interventions. This study, which involved 630 participants of various age groups and employment backgrounds, examines the relationship between demographics and environmental awareness and readiness with a specific focus on the management of ELV. Significant findings reveal that younger individuals, particularly those aged 18 years, are actively engaged in environmental concerns, and the gender distribution is nearly equal, emphasizing a shared interest in ELV practices among men and females. Malays constitute the majority ethnic group, underlining the need for culturally sensitive and inclusive policies, and government employees exhibit greater knowledge about ELVs, while education levels positively correlate with awareness of ELVs. Positive attitudes are predominantly observed among private sector workers and government employees, with semi-government employees demonstrating the highest readiness for ELV initiatives, while the unemployed exhibit the lowest readiness. This research underscores the importance of demographic factors in shaping attitudes, knowledge and readiness concerning ELV management practices in Malaysia, highlighting the need for targeted strategies and interventions tailored to specific demographic groups, which are crucial for policy development and the promotion of sustainable practices, contributing to global environmental conservation efforts.
The Co-Inhibiting Effect of Managerial Myopia on ESG Performance-Based Green Investment and Continuous Innovation
Authors: Cao Lingling , Jiang Hong , Niu Huawei
Published: September 2024

Under the new pattern of “double carbon” development, good ESG performance is the best way to promote the sustainable development of enterprises, and ESG investment strategies are directly affected by the strategic vision of managers. Based on the upper echelons theory and stakeholder theory, this paper selected Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2022 as samples to empirically analyze the impact of managerial myopia on corporate ESG performance. The results show that managerial myopia significantly inhibits corporate ESG performance, mainly by inhibiting corporate green investment and green innovation sustainability. Furthermore, for state-owned enterprises (SOE), heavy polluting enterprises (HPE), and non-high-tech enterprises, the inhibitory effect of manager myopia on ESG performance is stronger. When the enterprise is in the growth stage, the above inhibition effect is more severe. For external governance, the greater the analyst attention and public environmental attention are, the more conducive they are to alleviating the restraining effect of managerial myopia on enterprise ESG performance. Therefore, effectively improving the cognition level of managers with regard to long- versus short-term profitability and strengthening external supervision are important measures for comprehensively optimizing ESG performance.
Assessment of Total Mercury Levels Emitted from ASGM into Soil and Groundwater in Chami Town, Mauritania
Authors: Maha Mohamed Mamoune , Matsuyama Akito , Arima Takahiko , Sainoki Atsushi
Published: September 2024

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a serious growing concern in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Mauritania, recent gold discoveries in the north and northwest have led to an increase in ASGM centers, reflecting trends across the region and posing considerable risks of mercury (Hg) contamination. Notwithstanding this fact, the extent of mercury contamination in the region remains unclear due to insufficient knowledge on the mechanisms of Hg dispersion in hyper-arid regions. In light of this, the present study aimed to acquire fundamental knowledge to elucidate the dispersion mechanism of mercury through conducting soil and groundwater sampling in and around Chami town, Mauritania, where ASGM activities have intensified. We analyzed 180 soil samples and 5 groundwater samples for total mercury (total Hg) using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) methods. The total Hg levels in soil samples ranged from 0.002 to 9.3 ppm, with the highest concentrations found at ASGM sites. Groundwater samples exhibited low total Hg levels (0.25–1.25 ng/L). The total Hg content in soil and groundwater samples was below Japanese standards, yet soil samples from hotspot points exceeded other international standards. Our study emphasizes the Hg dispersion patterns around Chami town, suggesting a gradual decrease in total Hg with increasing distance from ASGM sites and a potential influence of wind dynamics. The knowledge accumulated in this study provides essential insights into the Hg dispersion mechanisms in Chami town, laying the foundation for establishing a predictive model of Hg contamination in hyper-arid regions.
The Association between the Complexity of Nasal Deformities and Surgical Time in Rhinoplasty Patients: A Retrospective Single-Center Study
Authors: Assiri Hassan , Alolaywi Ahmed Naif , Alkhedr Mudafr Mahmoud , Alamri Musab , Alanazi Mubarak , AlEnazi Abdulaziz , AlDosari Badi
Published: September 2024

Previous reports showed that prolonged operative time increases the risk of surgical site infection rates, prolonged hospital stays, and potentially higher rates of revision surgeries. In the context of rhinoplasty, the type of nasal deformity may complicate the surgical procedure and increase the operative time. We aimed to investigate the association between the type of nasal deformity and operative time in rhinoplasty patients. This retrospective chart review studies 349 patients who underwent primary and secondary rhinoplasty procedures due to various nasal deformities in King Saud University-Medical City. The primary outcome of the present study was the association between operative time, defined as the time from the initial incision to the completion of skin closure, and the type of nasal deformity. The association between the type of deformity and operative time was assessed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analysis. There was a statistically significant association between the type of nasal deformity and operative time (p < 0.001). Patients with dorsal, alar base, and tip deformities had significantly longer operative times than patients with isolated dorsal deformities (208.01 ± 57.73 min) (p < 0.001). The analysis also showed that the presence of crooked nose deformities (p < 0.001), an inverted V deformity (p = 0.01), internal nasal valve collapse (p = 0.025), axis deviation (p = 0.003), over-projection, and under-projection significantly increased surgical duration. The complexity of nasal deformities significantly impacts the operative time in rhinoplasty surgeries; more complex deformities that require extensive surgical procedures are associated with a longer operative time. Further research is warranted to corroborate these findings and investigate other potential influencing factors.
A Study on the Effects of Automatic Scaling for 3D Object Manipulation in Virtual Reality
Authors: Lee Dongkeun , Han Seowon , Lee Kang Hoon
Published: September 2024

Virtual reality offers ordinary users the ability to observe and interact with various abstract or concrete objects visualized in a three-dimensional space from different angles. Users can manipulate, transform, or reconstruct these objects similarly to how they might in a real environment. Manipulating objects in virtual reality is not as effortless as in the real world, due to the lack of sensory feedback and limited input freedom. However, it also offers new advantages that the real world cannot provide, such as the ability to easily select and control remote objects and the support of various auxiliary user interfaces. In particular, when it is necessary to alternately manipulate objects of various sizes, scaling the user’s avatar symmetrically allows for more effective manipulation than in the real world. However, manual scaling interfaces can be cumbersome and may induce dizziness. This study proposes an interaction technique that allows users to conveniently manipulate objects of various sizes without manual scale adjustment, by automatically and instantly adjusting the scale factor according to the size of the selected object and its adjacent objects. To compensate for the change in scale, we also implement a position correction mechanism that adjusts the user’s position in the virtual environment. Preliminary experiments with a small group of participants confirmed that automatic scale adjustment produces significant effects. Based on the feedback from these experiments, a more refined distance calculation method and the timing for scale adjustment were derived. In the main experiment with 14 participants, it was confirmed that the automatic scale adjustment method proposed in this study led to higher accuracy and lower discomfort in task completion compared to the conventional manual scale adjustment method. We expect that the results of this study will effectively contribute to the creation of virtual reality content that requires interaction with objects of various sizes in the future.
Change Detection for Forest Ecosystems Using Remote Sensing Images with Siamese Attention U-Net
Authors: Hewarathna Ashen Iranga , Hamlin Luke , Charles Joseph , Vigneshwaran Palanisamy , George Romiyal , Thuseethan Selvarajah , Wimalasooriya Chathrie , Shanmugam Bharanidharan
Published: September 2024

Forest ecosystems are critical components of Earth’s biodiversity and play vital roles in climate regulation and carbon sequestration. They face increasing threats from deforestation, wildfires, and other anthropogenic activities. Timely detection and monitoring of changes in forest landscapes pose significant challenges for government agencies. To address these challenges, we propose a novel pipeline by refining the U-Net design, including employing two different schemata of early fusion networks and a Siam network architecture capable of processing RGB images specifically designed to identify high-risk areas in forest ecosystems through change detection across different time frames in the same location. It annotates ground truth change maps in such time frames using an encoder–decoder approach with the help of an enhanced feature learning and attention mechanism. Our proposed pipeline, integrated with ResNeSt blocks and SE attention techniques, achieved impressive results in our newly created forest cover change dataset. The evaluation metrics reveal a Dice score of 39.03%, a kappa score of 35.13%, an F1-score of 42.84%, and an overall accuracy of 94.37%. Notably, our approach significantly outperformed multitasking model approaches in the ONERA dataset, boasting a precision of 53.32%, a Dice score of 59.97%, and an overall accuracy of 97.82%. Furthermore, it surpassed multitasking models in the HRSCD dataset, even without utilizing land cover maps, achieving a Dice score of 44.62%, a kappa score of 11.97%, and an overall accuracy of 98.44%. Although the proposed model had a lower F1-score than other methods, other performance metrics highlight its effectiveness in timely detection and forest landscape monitoring, advancing deep learning techniques in this field.
Outbreaks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Description and Management
Authors: Tzialla Chryssoula , Berardi Alberto , Mondì Vito ,   on behalf of the Study Group of Neonatal Infectious Diseases
Published: September 2024

Healthcare settings, especially intensive care units, can provide an ideal environment for the transmission of pathogens and the onset of outbreaks. Many factors can contribute to the onset of an epidemic in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), including neonates’ vulnerability to healthcare-associated infections, especially for those born preterm; facility design; frequent invasive procedures; and frequent contact with healthcare personnel. Outbreaks in NICUs are one of the most relevant problems because they are often caused by multidrug-resistant organisms associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The prompt identification of an outbreak, the subsequent investigation to identify the source of infection, the risk factors, the reinforcement of routine infection control measures, and the implementation of additional control measures are essential elements to contain an epidemic.