bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tunisian Consumer Quality Perception and Preferences for Dairy Products: Do Health and Sustainability Matter?
Authors: Zlaoui Meriem , Dhraief Mohamed Zied , Dhehibi Boubaker , Rekik Mourad
Published: October 2021

Consumer awareness about dairy quality increased in the last years, specifically after recent food incidents worldwide (aflatoxin contamination in Europe, 2013, E. coli outbreak in the USA, 2015). In Tunisia, food security and sustainability are at the center of agricultural and food strategies. Therefore, data collected from a face-to-face survey of 214 participants in three cities of Tunisia were analyzed with the aim to identify the general trends of dairy consumption in Tunisia. A factor analysis was conducted to define the way consumers perceive the concept of dairy quality with regards to health and sustainability perceptions. Then, by means of cluster analysis we explore the existence of specific consumer types in relation to dairy quality perceptions, with clear-cut and statistically solid socio-demographic and behavioral profile. Three consumer types were highlighted to evaluate dairy quality, based on different quality dimensions, such as health and sustainability, experience, visible quality, brand name, price and innovation. The results show the emergence of a specific segment of young and older consumers, more educated, and with health and sustainability concerns toward dairy quality.
Absolute Contribution of the Non-Uniform Spatial Distribution of Atmospheric CO2 to Net Primary Production through CO2-Radiative Forcing
Authors: Peng Jing , Dan Li , Feng Jinming , Ying Kairan , Tang Xiba , Yang Fuqiang
Published: October 2021

Atmospheric concentrations of CO2 are the most important driver of the Earth’s climate and ecosystems through CO2-radiative forcing, fueling the surface temperature and latent heat flux on half-century timescales. We used FGOALS-s2 coupled with AVIM2 to estimate the response of net primary production (NPP) to spatial variations in CO2 during the time period 1956–2005. We investigated how the induced variations in surface temperature and soil moisture influence NPP and the feedback of the oceans and sea ice on changes in NPP. The spatial variations in the concentrations of CO2 resulted in a decrease in NPP from 1956 to 2005 when we included ocean and sea ice dynamics, but a slight increase in NPP without ocean and sea ice dynamics. One of the reasons is that the positive feedback of sea temperature to the surface temperature leads to a significant decrease in tropical NPP. Globally, the non-uniform spatial distribution of CO2 absolutely contributed about 14.3% ± 2.2% to the terrestrial NPP when we included ocean and sea ice dynamics or about 11.5% ± 1.1% without ocean and sea ice dynamics. Our findings suggest that more attention should be paid to the response of NPP to spatial variations in atmospheric CO2 through CO2-radiative forcing, particularly at low latitudes, to better constrain the predicted carbon flux under current and future conditions. We also highlight the fundamental importance of changes in soil moisture in determining the pattern, response and magnitude of NPP to the non-uniform spatial distribution of CO2 under a warming climate.
Characteristics of Mercury Pollution and Ecological Risk Assessment in Different Degraded Grasslands of the Songnen Plains, Northeastern China
Authors: Wang Zhaojun , Wang Lei , Zhang Gang , Li Xu , Li Xiangyun , Zhang Yangjie , Zhou Xuhang , Chen Ming , Xiao Tingting , Feng Zhili , Weng Yue , Tang Zhanhui , Wang Deli
Published: October 2021

Mercury (Hg) is a global and widely distributed heavy metal pollutant. Mercury can affect human health as well as the health of ecosystems and poses ecological risks. The subjects of this study are three types of grassland in the Beidianzi region, Songnen Plains, Northeastern China, characterized by different degrees of degradation. The mercury content levels in the atmosphere, soil, and forage grass on the different grasslands were determined. In addition, the relationships between the mercury pollution levels in the atmosphere and soil, and the mercury distribution correlations between the soil and plants, were examined in detail. The potential risk index (RI), single factor index (PI), and ground accumulation index (Igeo) were used to evaluate the ecological risks. The results showed that the mercury content in the soils of three types of grassland exceeded the China national standard (GB36600-2018), and the soil mercury content in the moderately degraded grassland was the highest. The single factor index method and land accumulation index method showed that the three types of grassland were slightly polluted, while the potential risk index showed that the three types of grassland were severely polluted, and the potential risk index of the moderately degraded grassland was the highest. The potential risk index decreased with the increase of soil depth. The variation trend of atmospheric mercury content was lower in the morning and evening and higher in the afternoon. The potential risk index of atmospheric mercury indicated that all types of grassland were at severe risk. There was a significant positive correlation between atmospheric mercury and soil mercury. The mercury content in herbage increased with the increase of degradation. The BP neural network prediction model constructed had good accuracy and had certain reference value.
Higher Physical Activity of School Personnel Is Related to More Positive Attitudes towards Children’s Physical Activity at School
Authors: Lemberg Getter Marie , Kull Merike , Mägi Katrin , Tilga Henri , Mooses Kerli , Mäestu Evelin
Published: October 2021

School personnel can struggle with meeting the daily physical activity recommendation; however, they are role models for students, and their attitudes towards physical activity can impact students’ physical activity habits. The aim was to assess school personnel’s physical activity and their attitudes regarding the importance of physical activity among students. The physical activity levels of 1030 school employees in Estonia were assessed using an accelerometer. Participants also responded to a questionnaire about physical activity habits, overall health, and attitudes about the importance of physical activity among students. About 92.6% of the participants met the World Health Organisation’s weekly physical activity recommendation. However, 69.1% of the accelerometer wearing time was spent being sedentary. Only 5.8% of the wearing time was spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. More active school personnel believed their lead affects students’ attitudes towards physical activity (r = 0.072–0.156, p < 0.05) and being active at recess facilitates a peaceful learning environment in the classroom (r = 0.064–0.072, p < 0.05). Whereas more sedentary school personnel did not encourage students to be active at recess (r = −0.073, p < 0.05). More active school personnel had more positive attitudes towards physical activity, which demonstrates the importance of focusing on encouraging physical activity among school personnel as they can affect the behaviour of students.
Sustainable Printing 4.0—Insights from a Polish Survey
Authors: Gladysz Bartlomiej , Krystosiak Krzysztof , Ejsmont Krzysztof , Kluczek Aldona , Buczacki Aleksander
Published: October 2021

The transformation trend towards digital technology to achieve sustainability targets and meet legal regulations has been visible in many industries. The printing sector has already been increasingly boosting sustainability performance through digitalization to automate workflows of processes. The goal of this paper is to initially diagnose a sustainable performance of Printing 4.0 (Industry 4.0 in the printing sector). To achieve this goal, qualitative interviews were carried out with representatives of 11 printing companies. Results of the diagnostic study showed that advanced technologies have had a positive impact on sustainability in the analyzed printing companies due to a higher awareness of sustainability. It was observed in the surveyed sample that interviewees confirmed such an assumption. These companies that tailor their operational activities toward digitalization have more quickly noticed a positive effect on their sustainable businesses. This survey has served as a basis for more extensive research.
Municipal Public Budget Planning with Sustainable and Human Development Goals Integrated in a Multi-Criteria Approach
Authors: Thesari Shirley Suellen , Lizot Mauro , Trojan Flavio
Published: October 2021

Government planning has a relevant role in the human development of cities, and the local public sector acts on legal regulations and budget planning to reach high levels of sustainability and human development. However, there is a gap in local governments related to the integration of decision-making preferences considering sustainability and human development in their budget planning. This work explores how the preferences of decision-makers have been considered in published research found in high-impact journals, and how they have been used in practice or not, especially in the public budget planning for the improvement of the governance of municipalities and human quality of life. The methodology integrated a literature review (by Methodi Ordinatio) with a sorting procedure (by the ELECTRE-TRI method) to categorize the selected papers, considering the level of adherence to the theme and the most relevant contributions, and also a systematic procedure organized by lenses analysis, and Simos’ procedure to define the weights for these lenses. The results that were found can help scholars to access discussions about budget planning distribution, mainly considering the aspects related to sustainable and social goals. The research also helps local public managers to make evidence-based decisions developing the city and local governance.
Urban Heat Island and Its Interaction with Heatwaves: A Review of Studies on Mesoscale
Authors: Kong Jing , Zhao Yongling , Carmeliet Jan , Lei Chengwang
Published: October 2021

With rapid urbanization, population growth and anthropogenic activities, an increasing number of major cities across the globe are facing severe urban heat islands (UHI). UHI can cause complex impacts on the urban environment and human health, and it may bring more severe effects under heatwave (HW) conditions. In this paper, a holistic review is conducted to articulate the findings of the synergies between UHI and HW and corresponding mitigation measures proposed by the research community. It is worth pointing out that most studies show that urban areas are more vulnerable than rural areas during HWs, but the opposite is also observed in some studies. Changes in urban energy budget and major drivers are discussed and compared to explain such discrepancies. Recent studies also indicate that increasing albedo, vegetation fraction and irrigation can lower the urban temperature during HWs. Research gaps in this topic necessitate more studies concerning vulnerable cities in developing countries. Moreover, multidisciplinary studies considering factors such as UHI, HW, human comfort, pollution dispersion and the efficacy of mitigation measures should be conducted to provide more accurate and explicit guidance to urban planners and policymakers.
Financial Knowledge, Confidence, and Sustainable Financial Behavior
Authors: Aristei David , Gallo Manuela
Published: October 2021

This paper analyzes the effect of financial knowledge and confidence in shaping individual investment choices, sustainable debt behavior, and preferences for socially and environmentally responsible financial companies. Exploiting data from the “Italian Literacy and Financial Competence Survey” (IACOFI) carried out by the Bank of Italy in early 2020, we address potential endogeneity concerns in order to investigate the causal effect of objective financial knowledge on individual financial behaviors. To this aim, we perform endogenous probit regressions, using the respondent’s long-term planning attitude, the use of information and communication technology devices, and the financial knowledge of peers as additional instrumental variables. Our main empirical findings show that objective financial knowledge exerts a positive and significant effect on financial market participation and preferences for ethical financial companies. Moreover, we provide strong empirical evidence about the role of confidence biases on individual financial behaviors. In particular, overconfident individuals display a higher probability of making financial investments, experiencing losses due to investment fraud, and being over-indebted. Conversely, underconfident individuals exhibit suboptimal investment choices, but are less likely to engage in risky financial behaviors.
The Evolution of Sustainability: The Automotive Supply Chain Opportunity in Southern Italy
Authors: Cianciotta Stefano , D’Adamo Idiano
Published: October 2021

This Special Issue titled “Assessment of Socio-Economic Sustainability and Resilience after COVID-19” aims to propose the positive relationship between sustainability and resilience across multiple sectors [...]
Integration of Large-Scale Electric Vehicles into Utility Grid: An Efficient Approach for Impact Analysis and Power Quality Assessment
Authors: Khan Md. , Hossain Amran , Ullah Aasim , Hossain Lipu Molla , Siddiquee S. , Alam M. , Jamal Taskin , Ahmed Hafiz
Published: October 2021

Electric vehicles (EVs) have received massive consideration in the automotive industries due to their improved performance, efficiency and capability to minimize global warming and carbon emission impacts. The utilization of EVs has several potential benefits, such as increased use of renewable energy, less dependency on fossil-fuel-based power generations and energy-storage capability. Although EVs can significantly mitigate global carbon emissions, it is challenging to maintain power balance during charging on-peak hours. Thus, it mandates a comprehensive impact analysis of high-level electric vehicle penetration in utility grids. This paper investigates the impacts of large-scale EV penetration on low voltage distribution, considering the charging time, charging method and characteristics. Several charging scenarios are considered for EVs’ integration into the utility grid regarding power demand, voltage profile, power quality and system adequacy. A lookup-table-based charging approach for EVs is proposed for impact analysis, while considering a large-scale integration. It is observed that the bus voltage and line current are affected during high-level charging and discharging of the EVs. The residential grid voltage sag increases by about 1.96% to 1.77%, 2.21%, 1.96 to 1.521% and 1.93% in four EV-charging profiles, respectively. The finding of this work can be adopted in designing optimal charging/discharging of EVs to minimize the impacts on bus voltage and line current.
New and Emerging Hazards for Health and Safety within Digitalized Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Costantino Francesco , Falegnami Andrea , Fedele Lorenzo , Bernabei Margherita , Stabile Sara , Bentivenga Rosina
Published: October 2021

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is radically reshaping the procedures and the manufacturing environments through the digitalization process. The digitalization process can change according to the context and to specific solutions, and it is able to modify manufacturing systems and production areas. All the employees are directly affected by the transformation of the working environment, manufacturing tools, and working conditions and by the increasing need for new competencies. In this context, it is crucial to identify new and emerging hazards concerning the health and safety of the employees to ensure a conscious and safe digital transformation for everyone involved. In this regard, the paper presents the state of the research and defines seven areas of interest for a safe and harmless digital transformation for the employees, drawing attention to the hazards in the different technological areas. The state of the research unveils the absence of detailed analysis to identify specific hazards of 4.0 technologies. Therefore, every specific 4.0 technologies is analyzed by an extensive review to provide a comprehensive matrix of new and emerging hazards for health and safety within digitalized manufacturing systems. The results can help manufacturing organizations to perform robust risk assessments for worker when introducing specific 4.0 technologies.
Water-Energy-Food-Climate Nexus in an Integrated Peri-Urban Wastewater Treatment and Reuse System: From Theory to Practice
Authors: Marinelli Enrico , Radini Serena , Akyol Çağrı , Sgroi Massimiliano , Eusebi Anna Laura , Bischetti Gian Battista , Mancini Adriano , Fatone Francesco
Published: October 2021

This paper develops a framework for the identification, assessment and analysis of the water reuse-carbon-energy-food-climatic (WEFC) nexus in an integrated peri-urban wastewater treatment and reuse system. This methodology was applied to the municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of Peschiera Borromeo (Milan, Italy) and its peri-urban district to define the most possible affirmations and conflicts following the EU regulations 741/2020. Results of this work showed that transferring the WEFC nexus from theory to practice can realize sustainable resource management in the operating environment by providing a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, overall energy savings, reduction in water stress and optimization of agricultural practices. Particularly, it was found that if the plant configuration is upgraded to reach water quality class C for water reuse, instead of wastewater discharge, energy savings are estimated to reach up to 7.1% and carbon emissions are supposed to be reduced up to 2.7%. In addition, enhancing water quality from class C to class A resulted in increments in energy and carbon footprint of 5.7% and 1.7%, respectively. Nevertheless, higher quality crops can be cultivated with reclaimed water in class A, with bigger economic revenues and high recovery of nutrients (e.g., recovery of 154,450 kg N/y for tomato cultivation).
Place Branding for Smart Cities and Smart Tourism Destinations: Do They Communicate Their Smartness?
Authors: Huertas Assumpció , Moreno Antonio , Pascual Jordi
Published: October 2021

Smart cities and smart tourism destinations integrate technological infrastructures and end-user devices with the aim of providing more satisfying experiences. They generate expectations of superior innovation, greater interactivity, participation and a better image. Therefore, they need to communicate their smartness and include it in their branding. The study analyses the smart content present in the tourist and non-tourist official Twitter accounts of a selection of smart cities and smart destinations, through semantic analysis, in order to find out which smart concepts are strategically branded to create a smart tourism destination image. The results show that the best cities in the ranking for each smart topic are not the ones with highest percentages of tweets on that topic. The study also shows that the number and percentage of tweets that communicate smart aspects on the platforms analyzed are low, showing the smartness is not included in their branding. It has also been observed that, almost all cities communicate or do not communicate the same concepts, evincing an undifferentiated branding strategy. The results of this study are interesting for urban policy-makers and tourism destination marketers to improve their branding.
Public-Private Negotiation of the Increase in Land or Property Value by Urban Variant: An Analytical Approach Tested on a Case of Real Estate Development
Authors: Guarini Maria Rosaria , Morano Pierluigi , Micheli Alessandro , Sica Francesco
Published: October 2021

The insufficiency of public resources in Europe, which increased due to the debt crisis of 2010, has raised the need for combined financing forms to activate urban settlement transformation processes. Among these is the partial recapture of surplus value generated by interventions that derogate from urban planning tools as a regulation form of the differential rent phenomenon. This form of financing recalls the concept of land value recapture; it consists of an extraordinary charge of urbanisation (ECU) paid to policymakers. In Italy, the national law (2014) assigns responsibility for ECU determination to local decision-makers. Their plurality of operational guidelines are generally inspired by the transformation value criterion, and are sometimes methodologically incoherent and dispersive in their modus operandi. To support policymakers in the programming of public works within the limits of their available financial resources, the aim of the present work is to test a coherent, rational and applicable procedure in the field of estimation in order to analytically determine the “surplus value” generated by the intervention ante and post urban variant. The proposed procedural model is based on the structural characterisation of multiple methodologies used in practice and in the literature. The procedure was tested on a case study in the Italian context of Rome City. The results deduced from its implementation clarify that the ECU evaluation must also appropriately weigh the mutual benefits according to the “timing” and “riskiness” of the investment.
A ‘Hands on’ Public Service Program to Help People Stay Sober and Safer on the Roadway
Authors: Andrews Jessica , Shareef Zanab , Mohammed Mohammed , Nwobi Edison , Masri-zada Tariq , Head Tyiesha , Zohr Tylor , Head Doreen , Commissaris Randall
Published: October 2021

Despite the existence of many different “Don’t drink and drive” programs and campaigns over the past 30 years, alcohol intoxication has continued to account for approximately one quarter to one third of all traffic crashes and crash-related deaths in the United States. The present study describes a new ‘hands on’ evidence-based approach involving real alcohol-intoxicated subjects using a virtual reality (VR) driving ‘game’ to educate the public more effectively about the dangers of drunk driving. A single demonstration subject ‘drove’ a VR-based portable driving simulator on multiple occasions before (Pre) and at 30 min intervals for up to six hours after either vehicle (no alcohol), two, four or six ‘drinks’ (3, 6, or 9 ounces of 80 proof vodka). The defensive driving task was a choice reaction crash avoidance steering maneuver in which the driver’s task was to determine which way to turn to avoid a crash and then aggressively steer away to avoid a crash. The primary dependent variable was the latency to initiate an avoidance steering response. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) determinations (estimations) were conducted immediately prior to driving tests using BAC Track portable breathalyzers. Control drives (Pre-Treatment and Vehicle treatment) were characterized by an approximately 300–320 ms reaction time to initiate a crash avoidance. Alcohol increased crash-avoidance reaction time. Peak BAC values were 35, 78 and 120 mg/dL for two, four and six drinks, respectively; the decline in BAC was comparable and linear for all three treatments. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.85) between pre-drive BAC level and reaction time across all of the alcohol-related drives. There was a significant increase in crash avoidance reaction time when the BAC was 50–79 mg/dL, which is below the legally defined BAC limit (80 mg/dL) currently used in most states in the US. These results demonstrate that (1) this VR-based driving simulator task could be a useful ‘hands on’ tool for providing public service demonstrations regarding the hazards of drinking and driving and (2) a BAC concentration of 50 mg/dL represents a reasonable evidence-based cut-off for alcohol-impaired driving.
Executive Functions and Problematic Internet Use among University Students: The Mediator Role of Self-Esteem
Authors: Pichardo Carmen , Romero-López Miriam , Ruiz-Durán Alba , García-Berbén Trinidad
Published: October 2021

Information and communication technologies are transforming our daily lives in a wide variety of ways, such as the way we work, study, and interact with others. There are clear benefits to be gained from appropriate use, but a problem arises when addictive and problematic use of the Internet is experienced. In this sense, several predictive factors can be related to inappropriate or problematic Internet use. For this reason, the present study aimed to analyze whether inhibition, flexibility, emotional control (executive functions) and self-esteem directly influence all variables of problematic Internet use. Furthermore, it was examined whether executive functions, mediated by self-esteem, indirectly influence problematic Internet use. The study involved 514 university students who completed three scales, one for the assessment of problematic Internet use, one for self-esteem and one for executive functions. Mediation models showed that both executive functions and self-esteem had an influence on different problematic uses of the Internet. Specifically, it was found that flexibility and emotional control were the variables with the most direct effects, as they influenced all variables of problematic Internet use. However, when self-esteem was included as a mediator, inhibition was the variable with the most indirect effects.
Citizen Engagement in Spatial Planning, Shaping Places Together
Authors: Horlings Lummina G. , Lamker Christian , Puerari Emma , Rauws Ward , van der Vaart Gwenda
Published: October 2021

This paper explores the roles and practices of collective citizen engagement in spatial planning. Drawing on a selection of core articles in planning scholarship, it investigates how citizens (re-)shape urban places by responding to perceived flaws in how spatial planning addresses societal challenges. Formal planning interventions are often spatially and socially selective, ineffective, or even non-existent due to a lack of institutional capacities and resources. Consequently, citizens take on roles that they consider as missing, underperformed or ineffective. The paper shows that this results in a variety of practices complementary to, independent from, or opposing formal planning actors and interventions. Five dilemmas citizens face are identified, highlighting the tensions that surface on exclusion, participation, and governmental responsibilities when citizens claim their role in urban governance.
Responses to Cyclone Warnings: The Case of Cyclone Mora (2017) in Bangladesh
Authors: Saha Sebak Kumar , Pittock Jamie
Published: October 2021

Effective disaster warning systems prevent deaths and injuries and protect livelihoods. We examined why people at risk do not move to safe places despite warnings and evacuation orders, by looking at responses to warnings for Cyclone Mora (2017) in Bangladesh in two villages of the Khulna District. Qualitative and quantitative data showed that almost all respondents received warnings before the cyclone, most from more than one source. However, only 21.6% of households took shelter in any place other than their own house. Most of these households did so with all members of their household, and most used a cyclone shelter. Almost all non-evacuee households had more than one reason for not moving to another place. The most important reasons were that they thought the weather was good despite warnings, thought the cyclone would not occur in their area, had a fatalistic attitude, were a long distance from the nearest cyclone shelter, had poor road networks to go to the cyclone shelter, considered their own house to be a safe place, were scared of burglary, recalled that nothing happened during previous warnings, and were worried about overcrowded cyclone shelters. Our findings can help develop more effective warning systems in cyclone-prone regions globally.
Life Cycle Assessment of Disposed and Recycled End-of-Life Photovoltaic Panels in Australia
Authors: Daljit Singh Jasleen Kaur , Molinari Georgina , Bui Jonathan , Soltani Behdad , Rajarathnam Gobinath Pillai , Abbas Ali
Published: October 2021

This study presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) of end-of-life (EoL) photovoltaic (PV) systems in Australia. Three different EoL scenarios are considered for 1 kWh of electricity generation across a 30-year PV system lifespan: (i) disposal to landfill, (ii) recycling by laminated glass recycling facility (LGRF), and (iii) recycling by full recovery of EoL photovoltaics (FRELP). It is found that recycling technologies reduce the overall impact score of the cradle-to-grave PV systems from 0.00706 to 0.00657 (for LGRF) and 0.00523 (for FRELP), as measured using the LCA ReCiPe endpoint single score. The CO2 emissions to air decrease slightly from 0.059 kg CO2 per kWh (landfill) to 0.054 kg CO2 per kWh (for LGRF) and 0.046 kg CO2 per kWh (for FRELP). Increasing the PV system lifespan from 30 years to 50 and 100 years (a hypothetical scenario) improves the ReCiPe endpoint single-score impact from 0.00706 to 0.00424 and 0.00212, respectively, with corresponding CO2 emissions reductions from 0.059 kg CO2 per kWh to 0.035 and 0.018 kg CO2 per kWh, respectively. These results show that employing recycling slightly reduces the environmental impact of the EoL PV systems. It is, however, noted that recycling scenarios do not consider the recycling plant construction step due to a lack of data on these emerging PV panel recycling plants. Accounting for the latter will increase the environmental impact of the recycling scenarios, possibly defeating the purpose of recycling. Increasing the lifespan of the PV systems increases the longevity of the use of panel materials and is therefore favorable towards reducing environmental impacts. Our findings strongly suggest that PV recycling steps and technologies be carefully considered before implementation. More significantly, it is imperative to consider the circular design step up front, where PV systems are designed via circular economy principles such as utility and longevity and are rolled out through circular business models.
Can Tourism Social Entrepreneurship Organizations Contribute to the Development of Ecotourism and Local Communities: Understanding the Perception of Local Communities
Authors: Kummitha Harshavardhan Reddy , Kolloju Naveen , Jancsik András , Szalók Zsófia Csilla
Published: October 2021

The literature emphasizes that tourism social entrepreneurs play an important role in the adoption of sustainable strategies to achieve social, environmental, and community development. Yet, there is limited research that aims to understand the relationship between local communities and tourism social entrepreneurship empirically. Building around social exchange theory and Weber’s theory of substantive and formal rationality, this study addresses the following research question: how do local communities perceive the role of tourism social entrepreneurship (TSE) in the development of ecotourism destinations? A total of 362 community employees of two ecotourism organizations in India participated in the survey. Analytically, this study validated the measurement model and tested hypotheses using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings reveal that the economic benefits and environmental sustainability are the main influencing factors that are appreciated by the communities. However, we found variance in the community perceptions with regard to several factors being studied in the two TSEs we studied. This study recommends that in order to contribute to the development of ecotourism and local communities there is an urge to build strong ties among different stakeholders at the local level.
Analysis of Fatal and Injury Traffic Accidents in Istanbul Sarıyer District with Spatial Statistics Methods
Authors: Ersen Mert , Büyüklü Ali Hakan , Taşabat Erpolat Semra
Published: October 2021

Traffic accidents, which continue to increase from year to year in Turkey and in the world, have become a huge problem that can result in serious traumas, injuries, and deaths, as well as their material and moral consequences. Many studies have been carried out in the world and in Turkey to reduce the number of traffic accidents, but these studies have not been very effective in reducing accidents. In this study, 3105 fatal or injured traffic accidents between 2010–2017 in Sarıyer district of Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city in terms of population, were discussed. We analyzed the statistical information on the subject in detail within the framework of geographic information systems. It has been tried to determine the sections where traffic accidents are concentrated in this region with studies based on spatial methods. Thematic accident map was created according to the accident types. In this context, the advantages and disadvantages of these methods were compared using Point Density, Kernel Density, Getis Ord Gi*, and Anselin Local Moran’s I (LISA) Spatial Autocorrelation. In addition, in order to observe the change in accidents, thematic accident and Kernel Density maps were created separately according to accident occurrence types in the beginning and last year. From this point of view, the changes that occurred in the accidents were interpreted. The current study determined that the most accidents were on some streets and these streets divided into regions in a plan. The cases were examined with statistical analyses according to accident types and using the Kernel Density method. In addition, it has been observed that Kernel Density method gives better visual results than other spatial methods. In this study, spatial analysis and statistical analysis methods were used to evaluate traffic accidents more realistically. The day of the week effect and month of the year effect on traffic accidents was investigated for the first time. In addition, it is proposed to bring a new approach to the prevention of traffic accidents by using hotspot, accident type, and day of the week effect.
Innovative and Sustainable Food Production and Food Consumption Entrepreneurship: A Conceptual Recipe for Delivering Development Success in South Africa
Authors: Samkange Faith , Ramkissoon Haywantee , Chipumuro Juliet , Wanyama Henry , Chawla Gaurav
Published: October 2021

Innovative food production and food consumption entrepreneurship can be viewed as a recipe for delivering sustainable development goals to promote economic, human, and community growth among vulnerable and marginalised communities in South Africa (SA). This study critically analyses the trends and related issues perpetuating the development gap between privileged and marginalised communities in SA. It explores the link between innovative food production and food consumption entrepreneurship and underdevelopment based on sustainable development goals (SDGs). The study also generates a conceptual model designed to bridge the development gap between privileged and marginalised communities in SA. Philosophically, an interpretivism research paradigm based on the socialised interpretation of extant literature is pursued. Consistent with this stance, an inductive approach and qualitative methodological choices are applied using a combination of thematic analysis and grounded theory to generate research data. Grounded theory techniques determine the extent to which the literature review readings are simultaneously pursued, analysed, and conceptualised to generate the conceptual model. Research findings highlight the perpetual inequality in land distribution, economic and employability status, social mobility, gender equity, education, emancipation, empowerment, and quality of life between privileged and marginalised societies in SA. Underdevelopment issues such as poverty, unemployment, hunger, criminal activities, therefore, characterise marginalised communities and are linked to SDGs. Arguably, food production and food consumption entrepreneurship are ideally positioned to address underdevelopment by creating job opportunities, generating income, transforming the economic status, social mobility, and quality of life. Although such entrepreneurship development initiatives in SA are acknowledged, their impact remains insignificant because the interventions are traditionally prescriptive, fragmented, linear, and foreign-driven. A robust, contextualised, integrated, and transformative approach is developed based on the conceptual model designed to create a sustainable, innovative, and digital entrepreneurship development plan that will be executed to yield employment, generate income and address poverty, hunger, gender inequity. To bridge the gap between privileged and marginalised societies. The conceptual model will be used to bridge the perpetual development gap between privileged and marginalised societies. In SA is generated. Recommended future research directions include implementing, testing, and validating the model from a practical perspective through a specific project within selected marginalised communities.
Impacts of Autonomous Vehicles on Traffic Flow Characteristics under Mixed Traffic Environment: Future Perspectives
Authors: Al-Turki Mohammed , Ratrout Nedal T. , Rahman Syed Masiur , Reza Imran
Published: October 2021

Vehicle automation and communication technologies are considered promising approaches to improve operational driving behavior. The expected gradual implementation of autonomous vehicles (AVs) shortly will cause unique impacts on the traffic flow characteristics. This paper focuses on reviewing the expected impacts under a mixed traffic environment of AVs and regular vehicles (RVs) considering different AV characteristics. The paper includes a policy implication discussion for possible actual future practice and research interests. The AV implementation has positive impacts on the traffic flow, such as improved traffic capacity and stability. However, the impact depends on the factors including penetration rate of the AVs, characteristics, and operational settings of the AVs, traffic volume level, and human driving behavior. The critical penetration rate, which has a high potential to improve traffic characteristics, was higher than 40%. AV’s intelligent control of operational driving is a function of its operational settings, mainly car-following modeling. Different adjustments of these settings may improve some traffic flow parameters and may deteriorate others. The position and distribution of AVs and the type of their leading or following vehicles may play a role in maximizing their impacts.
Accessibility to and Availability of Urban Green Spaces (UGS) to Support Health and Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic—The Case of Bologna
Authors: De Luca Claudia , Libetta Andrea , Conticelli Elisa , Tondelli Simona
Published: October 2021

In accordance with SDG N11.7, each city should work on providing “by 2030, universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities”. This target became even more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. This paper presents and discuss a method for (i) assessing the current distribution and accessibility of urban green spaces (UGSs) in a city using hierarchical network distances; and (ii) quantifying the per capita values of accessible UGSs, also in light of the restrictions in place, namely social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The methods have been tested in the city of Bologna, and the results highlight urban areas that suffer from a scarcity of accessible UGSs and identify potentially overcrowded UGSs, assessing residents’ pressure over diverse UGSs of the city in question. Based on our results, this work allows for the identification of priorities of intervention to overcome these issues, while also considering temporary solutions for facing the eventual scarce provision of UGSs and related health and wellbeing benefits in periods of movement restrictions.
How Prior Knowledge Affects Visual Attention of Japanese Mimicry and Onomatopoeia and Learning Outcomes: Evidence from Virtual Reality Eye Tracking
Authors: Wang Chun-Chia , Hung Jason C. , Chen Hsuan-Chu
Published: October 2021

According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, “achieving inclusive and quality education for all”, foreign language learning has come to be seen as a process of integrating sustainable development into the socio-cultural aspects of education and learning. The aim of this study was to employ virtual reality (VR) eye tracker to examine how students with different levels of prior knowledge process visual behaviors for Japanese Mimicry and Onomatopoeia (MIO) while learning Japanese as a second foreign language. A total of 20 students studying at the Department of Applied Japanese at the university of Southern Taiwan were recruited. Based on the Japanese language proficiency test (JLPT) level, 20 participants were divided into high prior knowledge group (levels N1–N3) with 7 participants, and low prior knowledge group (level N4 or below) with 13 participants. The learning stimuli materials were created by Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) development tool to design a 3D virtual MIO paradise, including 5 theme amusement parks. Through a VR eye tracker, participants’ visual behaviors were tracked and recorded based on 24 different regions of interest (ROIs) (i.e., ROI1–ROI24). This was done to discuss the distribution of visual attention in terms of different ROIs of each theme amusement park based on four eye movement indicators, including latency of first fixation (LFF), duration of first fixation (DFF), total fixation durations (TFD), and fixation counts (FC). Each ROI of the two groups were then compared. In addition, a heat zone map was also generated to show the overall visual distribution of each group. After the experiment, based on the eye movement indicators and test scores in the pre-test and post-test phases, statistical analysis was used to examine and evaluate the differences in visual attention and learning outcomes. The results revealed that the gaze sequences of the two prior knowledge groups gazing at the ROIs in theme parks were different, except for the gaze sequence in the circus theme park. Different prior knowledge groups exhibited differences in visual attention in the ROIs fixated on in each amusement park. Additionally, in terms of TFD and FC of different groups in each amusement park, there was no significant difference except in ROI10, ROI16, and ROI18. Moreover, after receiving cognitive comprehension processes introduced in the VR-simulated MIO scenes, students from both groups achieved higher post-test scores compared with pre-test scores, and such differences had statistical significance. In conclusion, the implications of VR eye movement analysis on developing students’ competence related to learning Japanese and cross-cultural aspects, compatible with sustainable development, were presented.
How Do People View Various Kinds of Smart City Services? Focus on the Acquisition of Personal Information
Authors: Shimizu Yuho , Osaki Shin , Hashimoto Takaaki , Karasawa Kaori
Published: October 2021

In smart city services, large volumes of personal information are generally captured, and urban development is based on that data. However, people do not always have accepting attitudes toward smart city services. The purpose of this study was to identify the expectations and anxieties that people have toward five typical services in smart cities (social credit, artificial intelligence (AI) cameras, health information, garbage collection, and automatic vehicles) by using mainly open-ended questions. An online survey was conducted with Japanese participants by presenting them with one of the five vignettes about the services described above. The results showed that the participants’ expectations from each service were distinctly different between the vignettes. Anxieties about the leakage of personal information were found for the vignettes of social credit and health information. For the vignettes of AI cameras and garbage collection, anxieties that privacy would not be sufficiently ensured and that people would be involved in a surveillance society were noted. Additionally, the participants tended to exhibit lower accepting attitudes toward services considered to capture a large amount of personal information. We believe that our findings are meaningful to operators leading smart city projects and researchers in urban planning and psychology.
Carbon Footprint of Honey in Different Beekeeping Systems
Authors: Pignagnoli Arianna , Pignedoli Stefano , Carpana Emanuele , Costa Cecilia , Dal Prà Aldo
Published: October 2021

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been increasingly used for the improvement of the environmental performance of products and services, including agro-food chains. Pollination by honeybees can be regarded as one of the functions of an apicultural system and is of utmost importance for both natural ecosystems and agriculture. Furthermore, the beekeeping chain can represent an instrument for the protection and conservation of honeybee diversity when local subspecies are used. The Carbon Footprint of honey evaluates greenhouse gas emissions throughout the Life Cycle Assessment—more specifically, emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane. To this aim, data from beekeeping farms were collected, including data on annual honey production, other hive products, the geographical locations of the apiaries, processing plants, technologies used, and fuel and energy consumption. Based on the ISO 14040 method for the use of Life Cycle Assessment, the Carbon Footprints that were calculated for honey ranged from 1.40 to 2.20 kg CO2e/kg of honey for migratory beekeeping and from 0.380 to 0.48 kg CO2e/kg of honey for non-migratory beekeeping. The movements for the management of migratory beehives (on average, 44 km/hive for farm 1, 32 km/hive for farm 2, and 13 km/hive for farm 3) represented the main impact in migratory beekeeping systems, and they were quantified as 1.234, 1.113, and 0.68 CO2e/kg of honey. However, electricity represented the main impact of systems without migratory practices.
The Role of Self-Regulation in Remote Emergency Learning: Comparing Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Learning
Authors: Alhazbi Saleh , Hasan Mahmood A.
Published: October 2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools and universities across the world have had to switch to online learning, which is offered either synchronously or asynchronously. This study examined the role of self-regulation on students’ performance in each of these modes by comparing the use of self-regulation skills between high and low achievers in each mode and assessing the relationships of using these skills with students’ performance. The data were collected from students who enrolled in a data structures course in fall 2020 in either synchronous or asynchronous mode. The results show that self-regulation is an essential factor for learners’ success in both modes of online learning. However, there was a variance of using self-regulating learning strategies between students in synchronous and asynchronous modes.