bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of the Printing Orientation on Parallelism, Distance, and Wall Thickness of Adjacent Cylinders of 3D-Printed Surgical Guides
Authors: Ali Aisha , Bassir Hossein , Delgado-Ruiz Rafael
Published: March 2023

This in-vitro study aimed to evaluate the influence of the printing orientation on parallelism, distance, and thickness between adjacent cylinders of 3D-printed surgical guides. CAD software was used to design a surgical guide with two adjacent parallel cylinders (reference); the design was saved as standard tessellation software (STL) and 63 samples were printed using three different orientations (0, 45, and 90 degrees). A metrology digital microscope was used to measure the distance, the angle and the thickness of the guides cylinders. Afterwards, the printed guides were scanned and cloud comparison software was used to compare STL files from the printed guides against the reference CAD model. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey test were used for multiple comparisons between groups and significance was p < 0.05. The printing orientation affected the distance between cylinders, the parallelism and the wall thickness. In addition, there were global deviations in all printing orientations. Printing with 90 degrees orientation produced almost-parallel cylinders but walls thicker than the reference model; all the cylinders converged toward the coronal but printing at 0 degrees produced the closest distance to the reference value. Within the limitations of this experimental in-vitro study it can be concluded that all the printing orientations influence the angle, the distance, and the thickness between adjacent cylinders of a surgical guide. Printing at 90 degrees produces the best global correspondence with the master model.
Reasoning-Based Scheduling Method for Agile Earth Observation Satellite with Multi-Subsystem Coupling
Authors: He Changyuan , Dong Yunfeng , Li Hongjue , Liew Yingjia
Published: March 2023

With the rapid development of agile Earth observation satellites (AEOSs), these satellites are able to conduct more high-quality observation missions. Nevertheless, while completing these missions takes up more data transmission and electrical energy resources, it also increases the coupling within each satellite subsystem. To address this problem, we propose a reasoning-based scheduling method for an AEOS under multiple subsystem constraints. First, we defined the AEOS mission scheduling model with multi-subsystem constraints. Second, we put forward a state variable prediction method that reflects the different coupling states of a satellite after analyzing the coupling relationships between various subsystems and identifying the primary limiting coupling states for each subsystem. Third, we established the reasoning rules corresponding to the planning strategies of different coupling states of the satellite by adding two planning strategies based on the planning strategies of existing planning methods. By comparing the proposed method to three heuristic scheduling methods and a meta-heuristic scheduling method, the results show that our method has better performance in terms of scheduling results and efficiency.
PMPF: Point-Cloud Multiple-Pixel Fusion-Based 3D Object Detection for Autonomous Driving
Authors: Zhang Yan , Liu Kang , Bao Hong , Zheng Ying , Yang Yi
Published: March 2023

Today, multi-sensor fusion detection frameworks in autonomous driving, especially sequence-based data-level fusion frameworks, face high latency and coupling issues and generally perform worse than LiDAR-only detectors. On this basis, we propose PMPF, point-cloud multiple-pixel fusion, for 3D object detection. PMPF projects the point cloud data onto the image plane, where the region pixels are processed to correspond with the points and decorated to the point cloud data, such that the fused point cloud data can be applied to LiDAR-only detectors with autoencoders. PMPF is a plug-and-play, decoupled multi-sensor fusion detection framework with low latency. Extensive experiments on the KITTI 3D object detection benchmark show that PMPF vastly improves upon most of the LiDAR-only detectors, e.g., PointPillars, SECOND, CIA-SSD, SE-SSD four state-of-the-art one-stage detectors, and PointRCNN, PV-RCNN, Part-A2 three two-stage detectors.
Uncertainty of Postmortem Time Estimation Based on Potassium Ion Determination in Vitreous Humor Using Potentiometric Ion-Selective Electrode and Microwave-Induced Plasma with Optical Emission Spectrometry Methods
Authors: Zięba Sonia , Wiergowski Marek , Cieślik Bartłomiej Michał , Anand Jacek Sein , Krzyżanowska Marta
Published: March 2023

There is a need for a reliable and independent evaluation and confirmation of the postmortem interval (PMI) based on objective factors other than only postmortem changes or temperature measurements. Estimating the PMI by examining the concentration of potassium ions in the vitreous humor (VH) has a tradition in forensic toxicology dating back to the mid-20th century. So far, the methods for determining the presence of potassium ions have not been characterized in terms of the measurement uncertainty of types A and B, which directly affect the estimation of time of death uncertainty. The study evaluated the uncertainty of the determination of potassium ion concentrations using potentiometric ion-selective electrode (ISE) and microwave-induced plasma with optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES) methods. In addition, the influence of the estimated measurement uncertainty on the results of the analysis of potassium ions in the VH was investigated. The estimated values of the expanded uncertainty determined by the type A experimental method indicate lower uncertainty in the determination of potassium ion concentration in the case of MIP-OES than ISE; that is, for concentrations of 2, 10, and 25 mg/L of potassium ions, the expanded uncertainties by MIP-OES were 1.2%, 2.2%, and 2.5% and the uncertainties by ISE were 12.2%, 6.1%, and 3.1%, respectively. Similarly, in the case of estimating the uncertainty of type B, the MIP-OES method compared to ISE was characterized by almost two times lower expanded uncertainty; that is, for MIP-OES, it was 2.53%, and for ISE, it was 4.75%. Both methods of uncertainty estimation, types A and B, can be used interchangeably, as they provide comparable results.
Development and Validation of a Confirmatory Method for the Determination of 12 Coccidiostat Residues in Eggs and Muscle by Means of Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Hybrid High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Castellani Federica , Ricci Matteo , Colagrande Maria Novella , Scortichini Giampiero , Saluti Giorgio
Published: March 2023

A confirmatory, highly selective multi-residue method based on liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-Q-Orbitrap) was developed and validated for the determination of 12 regulated coccidiostats in eggs and muscle. Particularly, ionophore antibiotics (lasalocid, maduramicin, monensin, narasin, salinomycin and semduramicin) and synthetic coccidiostats (diclazuril, halofuginone, nicarbazin as 4,4′-dinitrocarbanilide fraction, robenidine and toltrazuril as toltrazuril-sulphone) were included in the method. The sample preparation consisted in the extraction of the analytes from the matrix with acetonitrile, followed by a clean-up step with Oasis® PRiME HLB SPE and a defatting procedure with n-hexane. Validation was successfully performed according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/808, starting from 1 µg kg−1. The procedure was verified through the analysis of a certified reference material (CRM) and the occurrence of the residues was assessed in the context of the Italian National Residue Control Plan (NRCP).
Rapid Simultaneous Determination of 11 Synthetic Cannabinoids in Urine by Liquid Chromatography-Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wu Jianbing , Zhang Fan , Ke Xing , Jia Wei , Wan Xuzhi , Zhang Lange , Fan Yilei , Zhou Jing
Published: March 2023

Synthetic cannabinoids are a series of synthetic substances that mimic the effects of natural cannabinoids and produce a much stronger toxicity than natural cannabinoids, and they have become the most abused family of new psychoactive substances. A solid-phase extraction–liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometry method has been developed to determine 11 synthetic cannabinoids in rat urine. Oasis HLB cartridge was selected to simultaneously extract synthetic cannabinoids for pretreatment. The effects of the loading solution and elution reagent volume on the recovery were investigated. The optimized acetonitrile proportion and elution reagent volume were determined by both high recovery and low solvent consumption. The results showed that the linear coefficients of determination of 11 types of synthetic cannabinoids ranged from 0.993 to 0.999, the limit of quantitation ranged from 0.01 to 0.1 ng/mL, and the spiked recoveries ranged from 69.90% to 118.39%. The research presented here provides a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method to accurately identify and quantitate synthetic cannabinoid metabolites in urine samples.
LCA of Different Construction Choices for a Double-Track Railway Line for Sustainability Evaluations
Authors: Celauro Clara , Cardella Andrea , Guerrieri Marco
Published: March 2023

The international commitment to achieve carbon neutrality in the next few decades has oriented human activities towards the preservation of natural and non-renewable resources. In this context, a great research effort has been devoted to the search for sustainable solutions for the infrastructure construction sector, based on a thorough assessment of the environmental impact (EI). In this regards, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is considered one of the main components of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and, for a comprehensive analysis, all the costs incurred by stakeholders during the useful life of the infrastructure should also be taken into account, applying the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) methodology. So far, there is a lack of combined LCA and LCC analyses of railway projects to support a proper sustainable decision-making process at a project level. Therefore, this study aimed to contributed to this topic by determining the environmental effect and related costs of different planning and construction choices in terms of material and maintenance strategies. For this purpose, first, an LCA of typical railway infrastructures with a ballasted track was developed. The case study considered two different functional units of a double-track railway line: 1 km of embankment section and 1 km of a cut section, in straight alignment. After defining five alternative railway infrastructure scenarios with different materials (virgin or recycled material) and construction methods (e.g., lime stabilization), two different railway track maintenance approaches were analysed. SimaPro was used to analyse the case study, and the results were compared with those obtained using the PaLATE software, suitably adapted for use in the railway sector. Finally, a cost analysis was carried out using Life Cycle Cost (LCC) methodology for all the scenarios analysed. The results obtained in terms of EI and related costs of each scenario provide useful information, allowing a sustainable planning approach: as a general result, the initial construction phase always involves the larger part of the total environmental impact while the material production is the most polluting phase, reaching percentages always higher than 50% of the total.
Global Value Chains Embeddedness for the Energy Efficiency: A Panel Data Approach with Country-Level Decomposition
Authors: Wang Shu , Li Ying , Nadeem Muhammad , Altaf Maria
Published: March 2023

This study examines the link between a firm’s energy efficiency and their participation in global value chains (GVCs). Both countries’ GVCs participation and positioning indices are designed to define the features of countries’ participation in global value chains. We begin with a theoretical approach of how GVC participation influences energy efficiency. The sample size of 54 nations from 2000 to 2019 is then investigated for empirical analysis using FE and 2SLS methods. The results show that the impact of countries’ participation in GVCs is unknown and the development of global value chains positioning increases the energy efficiency in selected countries. Further, it is found that the expansion of GVCs positioning index increases energy efficiency and the effect of forward GVCs positioning on energy efficiency is larger than the effect of backward GVCs positioning. Furthermore, increasing GVC participation in wealthy nations reduces the energy efficiency of the manufacturing industries, but increasing GVC participation in developing countries raises the energy efficiency of manufacturing industries, somewhat opposing the pollution haven approach. A key policy recommendation is that countries actively participate in GVCs to encourage energy efficiency at the macro-level.
Dynamic Analysis of the Effects of Aging on China’s Sustainable Economic Growth
Authors: Zhang Miao , You Shibing , Zhang Li , Zhang Houli , Wang Yukun
Published: March 2023

China’s aging population has deeply affected the sustainable development of the Chinese economy. Based on the provincial panel data of China’s population and economic indicators from 2000 to 2020, this paper develops a panel vector autoregressive model to analyze the effect of China’s aging population on economic growth under the paths of household consumption and national savings, respectively. The results show that an aging population inhibits household consumption and promotes national saving, which has both direct and indirect effects on economic growth. In particular, an aging population is not conducive to sustainable economic development in the context of China’s slow population growth over the past three years and the contraction of the global economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In accordance with the empirical results, this paper puts forward corresponding policy recommendations, as follows: improve the pension security system; develop the silver-hair industry; expand domestic demand in China; encourage fertility; and increase human capital investment to provide an impetus for sustainable economic development.
A Torque-Enhanced Magnetic-Geared Machine with Dual-Series-Winding and Its Design Approach for Electric Vehicle Powertrain
Authors: Chen Yuanxi , Fu Weinong , Niu Shuangxia , Wang Sigao
Published: March 2023

Magnetic gear and magnetic-geared machine (MGM) are the potential solutions in electric vehicles (EVs) powertrains for inherent high efficiency and mechanical simplification. However, the torque density issue of the MGM greatly limits its industrial application. To enhance the torque performance of the MGM, a torque-enhanced magnetic-geared machine with dual-series-winding and its design approach are proposed. The key merits of the proposed design are to achieve a high space utilization with a dual-winding design, with no additional control topologies and power converters required. The auxiliary winding is supplemented and integrated with modulation rings. The relative position of the stator and armature winding are designed and rotated compared to the modulation rings with auxiliary winding, to ensure the auxiliary winding shares the excitation with the armature winding. Accordingly, simplifying the external control topologies. With the proposed design, the torque of the MGM can be significantly enhanced with a single three-phase driving. Theoretical analysis, parameters optimization and electromagnetic verification are given, demonstrating that the proposed machine can achieve an efficiency of 93.2%, generate a torque of 107.2 N·m, and reach a torque density of 10.81 N·m/kg.
Industry 4.0 and Beyond: A Review of the Literature on the Challenges and Barriers Facing the Agri-Food Supply Chain
Authors: Derakhti Arman , Santibanez Gonzalez Ernesto D. R. , Mardani Abbas
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the Industry 4.0 concept has gained considerable attention from professionals, researchers and decision makers. For its part, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of managing the agri-food supply chain to ensure the food that the population needs. Industry 4.0 and its extensions can address the needs of the agri-food supply chain by bringing new features such as security, transparency and traceability in line with sustainable development goals. This study aims to systematically analyze the literature to address the challenges and barriers against the application of industry 4.0 and its related technologies in the management of an agri-food supply chain. Currently, despite the large number of publications, there is no clear agreement on what Industry 4.0 is, and even less its extensions. The next revolution that includes new technologies and improves several existing technologies brings additional conceptual and practical complexity. Consequently, in this work we first determine the main components of I 4.0 and their extensions by studying the literature, and then, in the second step, define the agri-food supply chain on which I 4.0 technologies are applied. Two well-known databases—Web of Science and Scopus—were chosen to extract data for the systematic review of the literature. For the final evaluation, we identified 24 of 100 reviewed publications. The results provide an exhaustive analysis of the different I 4.0 technologies and their extensions that are applied in regards to the agri-food supply chain. In addition, we find 15 challenges that are classified into five major themes in the agri-food supply chain: technical, operational, financial, social and infrastructure. The four most important challenges identified are technological architecture, security and privacy, big data management and IoT (internet)-based infrastructure. Only a few articles addressed sustainability, which reaffirms and demonstrates a considerable gap in terms of the sustainable agri-food supply chain, with waste management being the one that has attracted the most attention. This review provides a roadmap for academics and practitioners alike, showing the gaps and facilitating the identification of I 4.0 technologies that can help address the challenges facing the efficient management of an agri-food supply chain.
EU Decarbonization under Geopolitical Pressure: Changing Paradigms and Implications for Energy and Climate Policy
Authors: Proedrou Filippos
Published: March 2023

This paper aims to assess the impact of EU energy and climate policy as a response to Russia’s war in Ukraine on the EU decarbonization enterprise. It showcases how the Russian invasion was a crunch point that forced the EU to abandon its liberal market dogma and embrace in practice an open strategic autonomy approach. This led to an updated energy and climate policy, with significant changes underpinning its main pillars, interdependence, diversification, and the focus of market regulation and build-up. The reversal of enforced interdependence with Russia and the legislative barrage to support and build-up a domestic clean energy market unlocks significant emission reduction potential, with measures targeting energy efficiency, solar, wind, and hydrogen development; an urban renewable revolution and electricity and carbon market reforms standing out. Such positive decarbonization effects, however, are weakened by source and fuel diversification moves that extend to coal and shale gas, especially when leading to an infrastructure build-up and locking-in gas use in the mid-term. Despite these caveats, the analysis overall vindicates the hypothesis that geopolitics constitutes a facilitator and accelerator of EU energy transition.
Strength Training Habits and Awareness of Its Recommendations among 18–63-Year-Old Adults
Authors: Muhu Andra , Tilga Henri
Published: March 2023

In addition to aerobic physical activity, adults of all ages should engage in muscle-strengthening activities (i.e., strength training). The main aim of this study was to identify the strength training habits and awareness of its recommendations among the study group of 18–64-year-old residents of Pärnu County. The sample consisted of 18–63-year-old residents of Pärnu County, who completed a questionnaire (n = 250) including sociodemographic and lifestyle-related information, strength training habits, and awareness of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on physical activity about muscle strengthening activities (i.e., strength training). The results showed that 42% of the participants engaged in regular strength training on a weekly basis and 36.4% were aware of the WHO recommendations to engage in strength training on a weekly basis. The participants who were younger, at a normal weight, rated their daily physical activity higher and health better, were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in regular strength training on a weekly basis. The participants of the study who were aware that the WHO recommends engaging in strength training at least twice a week, were more likely to engage in regular strength training on a weekly basis, the majority of them at least twice a week.
Evaluation of the Economic, Ecological and Ethical Potential of Big Data Solutions for a Digital Utopia in Logistics
Authors: Meier Thomas , Makyšová Helena , Pauliková Alena
Published: March 2023

In the context of digital transformation and the use of big data technologies, this study shows the potential and possible applications associated with using big data, depending on the respective logistics area. The evaluation of this potential follows a logistical target system, which has been expanded to include ethical and sustainable aspects in line with the challenges of the 21st century. Furthermore, the status quo of the degree of digitization is determined, problems in understanding the terminology are shown, and cognitive and technical prerequisites and recommendations for action concerning the use of big data technologies (e.g., cobots) are derived. The survey methodology was based on a quantitative research method in the form of a survey. The article aims to provide the building blocks for a holistic approach (economic, ecological, and social) for politics and companies and to derive recommendations for action in logistics. The challenge is to find an alternative to conventional research, which examines big data almost exclusively for growth targets and optimization potential. Ecological and social goals should also be included here as an unchangeably fixed point and a normative limit as a value compass for business decisions. To close this research gap, it is necessary to evaluate the potential of logistics in connection with big data solutions to derive specific applications, their applications, and recommendations for action. This article presents an excerpt of the results.
Long Short-Term Memory Approach for Short-Term Air Quality Forecasting in the Bay of Algeciras (Spain)
Authors: Rodríguez-García María Inmaculada , Carrasco-García María Gema , González-Enrique Javier , Ruiz-Aguilar Juan Jesús , Turias Ignacio J.
Published: March 2023

Predicting air quality is a very important task, as it is known to have a significant impact on health. The Bay of Algeciras (Spain) is a highly industrialised area with one of the largest superports in Europe. During the period 2017–2019, different data were recorded in the monitoring stations of the bay, forming a database of 131 variables (air pollutants, meteorological information, and vessel data), which were predicted in the Algeciras station using long short-term memory models. Four different approaches have been developed to make SO2 and NO2 forecasts 1 h and 4 h in Algeciras. The first uses the remaining 130 exogenous variables. The second uses only the time series data without exogenous variables. The third approach consists of using an autoregressive time series arrangement as input, and the fourth one is similar, using the time series together with wind and ship data. The results showed that SO2 is better predicted with autoregressive information and NO2 is better predicted with ships and wind autoregressive time series, indicating that NO2 is closely related to combustion engines and can be better predicted. The interest of this study is based on the fact that it can serve as a resource for making informed decisions for authorities, companies, and citizens alike.
Evolution of Hydrogeochemistry in the Haolebaojinao Watershed of the Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Zhang Baoyun , Zhang Ruolin , Han Peng-Fei , Wang Junzhi , Wan Li
Published: March 2023

The exploitation of groundwater in arid and semi-arid areas, especially in basins where groundwater is intensively exploited, is likely to have adverse effects on the originally fragile ecological environment, which also greatly alter the hydrogeochemical evolution process. Over-abstraction of groundwater in the Haolebaoji watershed of the Ordos Basin located in the semi-arid regions has led to a series of changes in the groundwater system, which has attracted considerable attention from environmental protection organizations. However, the origin and geochemical evolution of groundwater in the Haolebaoji watershed have not been revealed. In this study, the Haolebaoji watershed is selected as the typical study area to investigate hydrogeochemical evolution under the intensive groundwater exploitation. Groundwater samples were collected and tested for major ions and stable isotopes (δ18O, δD). Various approaches including the ion proportional relationship diagram, chlor-alkali index, saturation index, Gibbs diagram, and principal factor analysis were used to reveal the hydrogeochemical processes regulating the groundwater geochemistry. The groundwater in the study area is divided into five hydrochemical types according to the Piper diagram. It was found that the chemical composition of groundwater in the study area is mainly controlled by the dissolution of calcite, dolomite, gypsum, and halite. The cation exchange intensity gradually increased with the flow of groundwater from the recharge to the discharge area. Rock weathering plays a controlling role in the formation of groundwater geochemistry, but it is also controlled by evaporative crystallization in some runoff and discharge areas. Groundwater is predominantly recharged by modern local atmospheric precipitation, and deep wells receive water supply during cold periods. The study findings provide important information for the development of sustainable groundwater management strategies for the Ordos Energy Base.
New Blended Learning Enriched after the COVID-19 Experience? Students’ Opinions
Authors: Simonova Ivana , Faltynkova Ludmila , Kostolanyova Katerina
Published: March 2023

Online distance instruction (ODI), as a response to COVID-19 restrictions, had a great impact on education around the world. The main objective of the presented research is to monitor students’ opinions and answer the question of whether teachers enriched face-to-face lessons enhanced by digital technologies (i.e., blended learning) after the COVID-19 pandemic with the methods and tools that they used during ODI in the pandemic. Data were collected at selected upper secondary and higher education institutions for medical staff in the Czech Republic (N = 488) using online questionnaires in autumn 2021 (end of ODI) and in autumn 2022 (a year of blended learning). The questionnaires consisted of 35 items that required students’ opinions on the Likert scale, multiple-choice items with one or more answers, and open answers. The frequency of occurrence was monitored according to four criteria: (1) First contact and teacher-student communication, (2) learning content acquisition, (3) learning content delivery and assessment, (4) students’ final feedback on ODI. The results did not show much enrichment of blended learning using the experience from ODI. On the one hand, presentations were more frequently exploited in blended learning than in ODI. On the other hand, teachers did not use one channel to deliver study materials and conduct communication as they had done during ODI. We cannot deduce the reasons for teachers’ behavior from the collected data, but students were sure that these changes did not help them in learning.
Collaborative Governance and Environmental Regulation Measures for Pollution Reduction and Carbon Reduction in the Yangtze River Basin under the “Double Carbon” Goal
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2023

The Yangtze River Basin occupies an important position in the overall layout of China’s economic development. However, due to the increasing water pollution, the environment of the Yangtze River Basin continues to deteriorate, which hinders the long-term development and sustainable development goals of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Therefore, this study started from the perspective of the reduction of coordinated pollution carbon. Then, through empirical analysis, the impact of environmental regulation measures in the Yangtze River Basin on industrial pollution control was studied. At the same time, the spatial eigenvector mapping (SEVM) method was used to explore the spatial impact of environmental regulation on carbon emissions. The results showed that the increase in the intensity of environmental regulation would lead to the expansion of the hidden economy, which would lead to the effect of environmental regulation weakening. There was an inverted “U” relationship between per capita real gross domestic product (GDP) and environmental pollution indicators. In addition, the expansion of foreign trade in the Yangtze River Economic Belt hada less inhibitory effect on ecological environmental protection than a promotional one. At the same time, command-type environmental regulation had a “green paradox” effect on carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Basin. The carbon emission reduction effect of implicit environmental regulation was different under different levels of incentive-type environmental regulation. The research showed that the multi-agent governance model could be further constructed from the interaction between the environmental regulation system and the administrative management system. It had a good effect on the coordinated treatment of pollution reduction and carbon reduction under the “double carbon” goal.
The Impact of Hiring People with a Disability on Customers’ Perspectives: The Moderating Effect of Disability Type
Authors: Awad Alaa Adnan , Abuhashesh Mohammad , Al-Khasawneh Mohammad , Masa’deh Ra’ed
Published: March 2023

The present study investigates the effect of hiring people with a disability in the service staff on customers’ perspectives in Jordan, with the moderating role of disability type. The quantitative research method was adopted to obtain the necessary data for the research; the study sample was convenient and consisted of 765 participants who are social media users belonging to different age groups. The data were collected using an online questionnaire distributed through various social media platforms. Findings exhibited that the antecedent variable positively affects the consequent variables (quality, brand image, and loyalty), while there was no significant effect on purchase intention or stereotyping. Further, hiring people with a disability had the strongest impact on perceived brand image. The findings from this research could eventually furnish assistance to existing and future entrepreneurs to build sustainable enterprises while keeping pace with a nation becoming socially responsible.
Sustainable Broilers Production Performance under High Stocking Condition through Colocynth Seed Supplementation
Authors: Nassar Farid S. , Abbas Ahmed O. , Alaqil Abdulaziz A. , Kamel Nancy N.
Published: March 2023

The negative impacts of high stocking density on the commercial poultry industry compromise sustainable birds’ productivity and welfare. Thus, we investigated the potential of colocynth seed (CC) supplementation in alleviating the negative impacts of high stocking density on broilers’ performance, immunity, inflammation, and redox status. A total of 648 one-day-old male Cobb 500 chicks were recruited and distributed into 2 × 2 factorial arrangements. The treatment groups were assigned based on stocking density as low stocking density (9 birds/m2; LSD) or high stocking density (19 birds/m2; HSD), and CC supplementation as without (0 g/kg feed; −CC) or with (1 g/kg feed; +CC) supplementation. Data were collected from week three to week five of age. Production performance was monitored and meat quality was assessed. Blood samples were collected to measure stress markers, humoral immune response, inflammatory cytokines, and antioxidant activity levels. The results indicated that HSD induced production performance reduction, immunosuppression, and imbalance redox status, along with elevation in inflammation and stress markers levels. Breast meat weight and yield were reduced in the HSD groups by 9 and 1%, respectively, compared to LSD groups. However, CC supplementation to HSD birds was able to slightly improve daily weight gain, body weight gain, and breast weight, showing no significant difference compared to the LSD-CC group, and significantly increased breast yield. Furthermore, CC supplementation significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines and stress markers levels. Under HSD, both cell-mediated and humeral immune responses were elevated with CC supplementation compared with the non-supplemented group. It can be concluded that HSD is a detrimental factor in the commercial poultry industry, which generates oxidative and inflammatory responses and, subsequently, immunosuppression and impaired performance. Nevertheless, dietary CC supplementation can be used as a natural antioxidant source to mitigate the negative impacts of HSD on broilers’ production performance, as well as physiological competency.
An Intelligent Task Scheduling Model for Hybrid Internet of Things and Cloud Environment for Big Data Applications
Authors: Pal Souvik , Jhanjhi N. Z. , Abdulbaqi Azmi Shawkat , Akila D. , Alsubaei Faisal S. , Almazroi Abdulaleem Ali
Published: March 2023

One of the most significant issues in Internet of Things (IoT) cloud computing is scheduling tasks. Recent developments in IoT-based technologies have led to a meteoric rise in the demand for cloud storage. In order to load the IoT services onto cloud resources efficiently even while satisfying the requirements of the applications, sophisticated planning methodologies are required. This is important because several processes must be well prepared on different virtual machines to maximize resource usage and minimize waiting times. Different IoT application tasks can be difficult to schedule in a cloud-based computing architecture due to the heterogeneous features of IoT. With the rise in IoT sensors and the need to access information quickly and reliably, fog cloud computing is proposed for the integration of fog and cloud networks to meet these demands. One of the most important necessities in a fog cloud setting is efficient task scheduling, as this can help to lessen the time it takes for data to be processed and improve QoS (quality of service). The overall processing time of IoT programs should be kept as short as possible by effectively planning and managing their workloads, taking into account limitations such as task scheduling. Finding the ideal approach is challenging, especially for big data systems, because task scheduling is a complex issue. This research provides a Deep Learning Algorithm for Big data Task Scheduling System (DLA-BDTSS) for the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing applications. When it comes to reducing energy costs and end-to-end delay, an optimized scheduling model based on deep learning is used to analyze and process various tasks. The method employs a multi-objective strategy to shorten the makespan and maximize resource consumption. A regional exploration search technique improves the optimization algorithm’s capacity to exploit data and avoid becoming stuck in local optimization. DLA-BDTSS was compared to other well-known task allocation methods in accurate trace information and the CloudSim tools. The investigation showed that DLA-BDTSS performed better than other well-known algorithms. It converged faster than different approaches, making it beneficial for big data task scheduling scenarios, and it obtained an 8.43 percent improvement in the outcomes. DLA-BDTSS obtained an 8.43% improvement in the outcomes with an execution time of 34 s and fitness value evaluation of 76.8%.
Spatial Correlation Network Structure of Carbon Emission Efficiency in China’s Construction Industry and Its Formation Mechanism
Authors: Gao Haidong , Li Tiantian , Yu Jing , Sun Yangrui , Xie Shijie
Published: March 2023

In the context of “carbon peak, carbon neutrality”, it is important to explore the spatial correlation network of carbon emission efficiency in the construction industry and its formation mechanism to promote regional synergistic carbon emission reduction. This paper analyzes the spatial correlation network of carbon emission efficiency in China’s construction industry and its formation mechanism through the use of the global super-efficiency EBM model, social network analysis, and QAP model. The results show that (1) the national construction industry’s overall carbon emission efficiency is steadily increasing, with a spatial distribution pattern of “high in the east and low in the west”. (2) The spatial correlation network shows a “core edge” pattern. Provinces such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Shandong are at the center of the network of carbon emission efficiency in the construction industry, playing the role of “intermediary” and “bridge”. At the same time, the spatial correlation network is divided into four plates: “bidirectional spillover plate”, “main inflow plate”, “main outflow plate”, and “agent plate”. (3) Geographical proximity, regional economic differences, and urbanization differences have significant positive effects on the formation of a spatial correlation network. At the same time, the industrial agglomeration gap has a significant negative impact on the formation of such a network, while energy-saving technology level and labor productivity differences do not show any significant effect.
Empirical Study on the Impact of Urbanization and Carbon Emissions under the Dual-Carbon Framework Based on Coupling and Coordination
Authors: Tian Chuan , Feng Guohui , Li Huanyu
Published: March 2023

At present, there are two modes between urbanization and carbon emissions, namely mechanisms of increasing carbon and mechanisms of decreasing carbon. This paper uses the definition of environmental coupling and coordination to study the effect of the mechanism of reducing carbon emissions in urban construction and empirically analyzes its relationship with carbon emissions under the background of dual-carbon. In addition, through the selection of the relevant index system and the objective design of the parameters in the model of the traditional coupling coordination degree, the temporal and spatial characteristics of the relationship between the two are analyzed. The coupling coordination degree of urbanization construction and the improvement of carbon emission systems in all provinces is generally on the rise. This is specifically reflected in the range of the coupling coordination degree in 2020 (0.1621~0.7334), which is first enhanced and then weakened compared with the previous data (0.1282~0.4868), indicating that the positive promotion effect of regional urban development and cooperation regarding the construction of low-carbon environments is declining. The maximum value of regional spatial autocorrelation reached 0.24, and the regulatory interaction coefficients of carbon reduction technology and regional cooperation were 0.1538 and 0.4807, respectively. This indicated a positive role in promoting the development of regional urbanization, which can accelerate the process of carbon reduction. However, at present, the positive effect of urbanization construction cooperation or carbon emission reduction cooperation is weakening, and the characteristics of spatial imbalance are relatively obvious. Therefore, in the future, administrators should speed up the adjustment of the spatial coordination of urban development and the formulation of relevant carbon emission reduction policies and measures and improve the spatial relevance of the coupling coordination degree so as to achieve the efficient development of a low-carbon economy in the context of dual-carbon.
Comparison of Vegetables of Ecological and Commercial Production: Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties
Authors: Olguín-Hernández Zacnicté , Zafra-Rojas Quinatzin Yadira , Cruz-Cansino Nelly del Socorro , Ariza-Ortega Jose Alberto , Añorve-Morga Javier , Ojeda-Ramírez Deyanira , Falfan-Cortes Reyna Nallely , Arias-Rico Jose , Ramírez-Moreno Esther
Published: March 2023

This research aimed to compare some physicochemical and antioxidant properties in vegetables (chard, beet, coriander, spinach, lettuce, radish, carrot, and tomato) of ecological and commercial production. The ecological products were cultivated and obtained from three harvests in an ecology garden with standardized methodologies for implementation while the commercial samples were obtained from a local supplier. On the same purchase or harvest day, the color, texture, moisture, and ashes parameters were measured in the fresh produce without unpeeling. In the lyophilized samples, bioactive compounds (total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll a and b, β-carotenes, anthocyanins, betalains, and lycopene) were determined, and antioxidant activity was found using the 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS•+), 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, and chelating activity. The ecological vegetables presented better color (high luminosity and intensity) than commercial samples, and, according to the value of ΔE, this is a difference that can be perceived by the human eye. In the same way, the ecological vegetables were more turgid than the commercial samples (p < 0.05). The content of bioactive compounds was found in higher concentrations in ecologically produced vegetables and this was correlated positively with antioxidant capacity. It is important to carry out more studies to determine the effect on health of these vegetables when they are integrated into the diet and thus to be able to recommend their inclusion in the diet as a sustainability strategy in the production of vegetables for self-consumption.
The Effect of Moisture Content at Compaction and Grain Size Distribution on the Shear Strength of Unsaturated Soils
Authors: Ahmad Waqar , Uchimura Taro
Published: March 2023

The soil moisture content at shearing and other factors, including dry density and grain size, influence its shear strength. This study investigated the effect of moisture content at compaction and grain size distribution on the unsaturated soil shear strength. Triaxial compression tests were performed in the laboratory using the modified triaxial apparatus on silica sands No. 3 and 6 without fines and with 20% fines to explore the unsaturated soil shear strength characteristics. Test samples were compacted and sheared at various combinations of the soil’s optimum and residual moisture content. The analysis of the triaxial compression test results shows that moisture content at compaction and the grain size distribution influence the unsaturated soil shear strength. The test samples compacted at optimum moisture content showed higher peak shear strength when sheared at residual moisture content. Further, test results show that the test samples of soil without fines, when compacted at residual moisture content, show higher peak shear strength at optimum moisture content. The finding of this study endorses considering the moisture content at compaction for the geotechnical design of structures while predicting the soil shear strength.
A Sustainable Adaptive Reuse Management Model for Disused Railway Cultural Heritage to Boost Local and Regional Competitiveness
Authors: Bianchi Alessandra , De Medici Stefania
Published: March 2023

Building reuse is a strategy for built heritage enhancement. The establishment of new activities in an existing building can have positive effects on the urban and territorial context and modify the dynamics of socio-economic development. If the reuse is considered as a cultural development strategy and not limited to a single building but to both buildings and infrastructures, these effects are amplified. This is the case of railway heritage, affected by an increasingly vast process of abandonment. The Italian policies for encouraging road transport and the communication models of the digital era have contributed to the gradual desertion of railway lines. This requires effective reuse models, to avoid that the Ferrovie dello Stato (State Railways) continue to carry the heavy burden of managing assets no longer able to generate income. The analysis of numerous station reuse cases, at an international level, lead to the selection of the case of the Postal Museum and Mail Ride in London as an example of good practice. The proposed methodology identifies a set of evaluation criteria and indicators to assess the effectiveness of adaptive reuse projects both in terms of their ability to protect built heritage identity and to modify the orientation of the territorial context’s development towards socio-economic sustainability guidelines.
Remediation of Heavy Metals in Polluted Water by Immobilized Algae: Current Applications and Future Perspectives
Authors: Chen Zhonghao , Osman Ahmed I. , Rooney David W. , Oh Wen-Da , Yap Pow-Seng
Published: March 2023

The progression of urban industrialization releases large quantities of heavy metals into water, resulting in the severe heavy metal contamination of the aquatic environment. Traditional methods for removing heavy metals from wastewater generally have varying removal efficiencies, whereas algae adsorption technology is a cost-effective and sustainable bioremediation technique. A green technology that immobilizes algae through a carrier to improve biosorbent’s stability and adsorption performance is immobilization technology. The purpose of this review is to study the optimization strategy of the immobilization of algae for the bioremediation of heavy metals and to comprehensively analyze immobilized algae technology in terms of sustainability. The analysis of the mechanism of heavy metal removal by immobilized algae and the parameters affecting the efficiency of the biosorbent, as well as the approach based on life cycle assessment and economic analysis, allowed the identification of the optimization of the adsorption performance of immobilized algae. This provides a theoretical basis for the practical application of algal bioremediation.