bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast Feature Extraction Method for Brillouin Scattering Spectrum of OPGW Optical Cable Based on BOTDR
Authors: Chen Xiaojuan , Yu Haoyu
Published: September 2023

Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry (BOTDR) detects fiber temperature and strain data and represents one of the most critical ways of identifying abnormal conditions such as ice coverage and lightning strikes on optical fiber composite overhead ground wire (OPGW) cable. Existing BOTDR extracts brillouin frequency shift (BFS) features with cumulative averaging and curve fitting. BFS feature extraction is slow for long-distance measurements, making realizing real-time measurements on fiber optic cables challenging. We propose a fast feature extraction method for block matching and 3D filtering (BM3D) + Sobel brillouin scattering spectroscopy (BGS). BM3D takes the advantage of non-local means (NLM) and wavelet denoising (WD) and utilizes the spatial-domain non-local principle to enhance the denoising in the transform domain. The global filtering capability of BM3D is utilized to filter out the low cumulative average BGS noise and the BFS feature extraction is completed using Sobel edge detection. Simulation verifies the feasibility of the algorithm, and the proposed method is embedded in BOTDR to measure 30 km of actual OPGW line. The experimental results show that under the same conditions, the processing time of this method is reduced by 37 times compared to that with the 50,000-time cumulative averaging + levenberg marquardt (LM) algorithm without severe distortion of the reference resolution. The method improves the sensor demodulation speed by using image processing technology without changing the existing hardware equipment, which is expected to be widely used in the new generation of BOTDR.
Industrial Product Quality Analysis Based on Online Machine Learning
Authors: Yin Yiming , Wan Ming , Xu Panfeng , Zhang Rui , Liu Yang , Song Yan
Published: September 2023

During industrial production activities, industrial products serve as critical resources whose performance is subject to various external factors and usage conditions. To ensure uninterrupted production processes and to guarantee the safety of the production personnel, a real-time analysis of the industrial product quality and subsequent decision making are essential. Conventional detection methods have inherent limitations in meeting the real-time demands of processing large volumes of data and achieving high response speeds. For instance, the regular inspection and maintenance of cars can be time-consuming and labor-intensive if performed manually. Furthermore, monitoring the damage situation of bearings in real time through a manual inspection may lead to delays and may hinder production efficiency. Therefore, this paper presents online machine-learning-based methods to address these two practical problems and simulates them on various datasets to meet the requirements of efficiency and speed. Prior to being fed into the network for training, the data undergo identity parsing to transform them into easily identifiable streaming data. The training process demonstrates that online machine learning ensures timely model updates as small batches of data are sent to the network. The test results indicate that the online learning method exhibits highly stable and effective performance, optimizing the training process.
Deep Learning for Detecting Multi-Level Driver Fatigue Using Physiological Signals: A Comprehensive Approach
Authors: Peivandi Mohammad , Ardabili Sevda Zafarmandi , Sheykhivand Sobhan , Danishvar Sebelan
Published: September 2023

A large share of traffic accidents is related to driver fatigue. In recent years, many studies have been organized in order to diagnose and warn drivers. In this research, a new approach was presented in order to detect multi-level driver fatigue. A multi-level driver tiredness diagnostic database based on physiological signals including ECG, EEG, EMG, and respiratory effort was developed for this aim. The EEG signal was used for processing and other recorded signals were used to confirm the driver’s fatigue so that fatigue was not confirmed based on self-report questionnaires. A customized architecture based on adversarial generative networks and convolutional neural networks (end-to-end) was utilized to select/extract features and classify different levels of fatigue. In the customized architecture, with the objective of eliminating uncertainty, type 2 fuzzy sets were used instead of activation functions such as Relu and Leaky Relu, and the performance of each was investigated. The final accuracy obtained in the three scenarios considered, two-level, three-level, and five-level, were 96.8%, 95.1%, and 89.1%, respectively. Given the suggested model’s optimal performance, which can identify five various levels of driver fatigue with high accuracy, it can be employed in practical applications of driver fatigue to warn drivers.
Study on Contact Stress Distribution Characteristics and Damage of Plug Seedlings Based on Flexible Pressure Sensor
Authors: Cui Ji , Li Xuying , Zeng Fandi , Bai Hongbin
Published: September 2023

At present, there is a problem that the growth quality is reduced due to damage to the plug seedling pot during the transplanting process. In this study, the pressure distribution measurement system was used to measure the contact area of plug seedlings when they collided with the ground. The effects of seedling age and forward speed on the characteristics of contact stress distribution and potting damage were investigated through a single-factor experiment. The results were comprehensively considered based on the single-factor test, and the Box–Behnken test was used to optimize the design. The matrix loss rate was used as the evaluation index to determine the optimal parameter combination for transplanting: the tray specification was 72, the seedling age was 30 d, and the forward speed was 1.25 km·h−1. This study can provide a reference and technical support for further research on pot damage in plug seedling transplanting. The optimized parameters can provide practical guidance for reducing pot damage and improving growth quality during transplanting plug seedlings.
A Large-Scale Sensor Layout Optimization Algorithm for Improving the Accuracy of Inverse Finite Element Method
Authors: Zhao Zhenyi , Chen Kangyu , Liu Yimin , Bao Hong
Published: September 2023

The inverse finite element method (iFEM) based on fiber grating sensors has been demonstrated as a shape sensing method for health monitoring of large and complex engineering structures. However, the existing optimization algorithms cause the local optima and low computational efficiency for high-dimensional strain sensor layout optimization problems of complex antenna truss models. This paper proposes the improved adaptive large-scale cooperative coevolution (IALSCC) algorithm to obtain the strain sensors deployment on iFEM, and the method includes the initialization strategy, adaptive region partitioning strategy, and gbest selection and particle updating strategies, enhancing the reconstruction accuracy of iFEM for antenna truss structure and algorithm efficiency. The strain sensors optimization deployment on the antenna truss model for different postures is achieved, and the numerical results show that the optimization algorithm IALSCC proposed in this paper can well handle the high-dimensional sensor layout optimization problem.
Analysis of Food and Beverages
Authors: Saurina Javier
Published: September 2023

We are delighted to introduce the “Analysis of Food and Beverages Section of Separations”, which focuses on developing and applying new approaches based on separation techniques for the characterization of foods and beverages [...]
Acquiring Citizenship through Naturalization in Greece: A Sisyphean Struggle for Immigrants
Authors: Gogonas Nikos , Tramountanis Angelo
Published: September 2023

The article delves into the experiences of immigrants in Greece who have been residing in the country for an extended period but face difficulties in obtaining Greek citizenship. This study is based on in-depth interviews conducted with 10 immigrants whose applications for Greek citizenship were rejected in the summer of 2022. Through these interviews, the research investigates the motivations that drive immigrants to seek citizenship and their perceptions of the new, more restrictive naturalization law in Greece. The findings offer significant insights into the personal struggles and perspectives of these individuals, providing a clearer understanding of their desires to integrate into Greek society. The participants’ viewpoints reveal a complex picture of naturalization, influenced by a combination of pragmatic considerations, such as access to rights and economic opportunities, and deep emotional connections to Greek culture and society. Moreover, this research sheds light on the implications of the new citizenship law, which emphasizes economic criteria, on immigrants’ aspirations for obtaining citizenship. By comprehending the participants’ attitudes and aspirations, this study can contribute to the development of more inclusive approaches to future naturalization legislation in Greece. Additionally, it offers valuable insights into immigrant identity and political engagement within the country.
Moderating the Synergies between Business Intelligence and Strategic Foresight: Navigating Uncertainty for Future Success through Knowledge Management
Authors: Hijazin Areej , Tamayo-Torres Javier , Nusairat Nawras
Published: September 2023

The role of business intelligence in driving strategic planning in organizations have received considerable attention from many scholars. Nonetheless, there remains a promising area for further research, especially when considering moderating variables on effects such as knowledge management, which has contributed to businesses’ appreciation of the importance of business intelligence. To this end, in this study, the researchers constructed a conceptual model based on existing literature by incorporating relevant research variables. A questionnaire survey was conducted among a random sample of 307 employees selected from three telecom companies in Jordan. The researchers then utilized structural equation modeling with AMOS 21.0 to validate and test the model. The findings of the study revealed that business intelligence has a significant positive influence on strategic foresight. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that knowledge management mediates the relationship between business intelligence and strategic foresight. The implications and recommendations of academic research are also discussed.
Methods of Cyclist Training in Europe
Authors: Wachnicka Joanna , Jarczewska Alicja , Pappalardo Giuseppina
Published: September 2023

The following study aims to address the issue of cyclist training methodologies. Recent European bicycle accident statistics reveal a troubling upward trend. A potential solution to mitigate such incidents involves providing cyclists with comprehensive training encompassing traffic regulations and interactions with fellow road users. We conducted a comparative analysis of the cycling education approaches and cyclist training systems in several countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, England, Slovenia, Poland, and Italy. This analysis underscored the importance of standardizing training protocols and criteria across Europe. The training model should draw inspiration from countries with well-established cycling cultures and serve as a foundation for harmonizing training practices.
An Empirical Assessment of Students’ Tourist Preferences during the COVID-19 Pandemic from a Gender Perspective: Evidence from Poland
Authors: Zawadka Jan , Uglis Jarosław , Kozera-Kowalska Magdalena , Jęczmyk Anna , Pietrzak-Zawadka Joanna , Wojcieszak-Zbierska Monika Małgorzata
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this research is to reveal the tourist preferences of students during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on differences between genders. This study was carried out in January 2021 and relied on the CAWI technique with a questionnaire distributed on social media. The snowball method was used to reach a wider audience. Valid questionnaires were retrieved from 870 respondents, primarily women (66.8%). The results demonstrate that tourist activity was witnessed despite the pandemic, but it differed between men and women. The latter travelled more often and for longer periods, and they chose August and September from the summer months. Although most travelling students sought active recreation, female students more frequently decided to be less active or opted for passive leisure during their stays. Unlike men, women sought safety and therefore mostly opted for individual apartments or hotels; staying with family or friends was a much less popular scenario for them, primarily because they feared it could expose their loved ones to the virus. For the whole group covered by the survey, sanitary and epidemiological restrictions, the reduced availability of attractions in tourist destinations, and increased prices were the main inconveniences that they faced when travelling in 2020.
Factors Influencing the Pedestrian Injury Severity of Micromobility Crashes
Authors: Sanjurjo-de-No Almudena , Pérez-Zuriaga Ana María , García Alfredo
Published: September 2023

The growth of micromobility transport in cities has created a new mobility paradigm, but this has also resulted in increased traffic conflicts and collisions. This research focuses on understanding the impacts of micromobility vehicles on pedestrian injury severity in urban areas of Spain between 2016 and 2021. The Random Forest classification model was used to identify the most significant factors and their combinations affecting pedestrian injury severity. To address the issue of unbalanced data, the synthetic minority oversampling technique was employed. The findings indicate that pedestrians’ age, specifically those 70 years or older, is the most important variable in determining injury severity. Additionally, collisions at junctions or on weekends are associated with worse outcomes for pedestrians. The results highlight the combined influence of multiple factors, including offenses and distractions by micromobility users and pedestrians. These factors are more prevalent among younger micromobility users and those riding for leisure or on weekends. To enhance micromobility road safety and reduce pedestrian injuries, separating micromobility traffic from pedestrian areas is recommended, restricting micromobility vehicle use on sidewalks, providing training and information to micromobility users, conducting road safety campaigns, increasing enforcement measures, and incorporating buffer zones in bike lanes near on-street parking.
Hydrogen Horizons: A Bibliometric Review of Trends in Diverse Emission Sectors
Authors: Safronova Alīna , Barisa Aiga
Published: September 2023

Recognizing the future and present challenges facing humanity, the United Nations has developed 17 Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to understand energy sources and the origin of their raw materials. Therefore, the role of hydrogen in the future energy balance is being discussed more and more frequently. The aim of this study is to use bibliometric analysis to determine the effectiveness of hydrogen use in different sectors to achieve sustainable development goals. This work identifies the most cited articles, as well as the most productive journals, countries, and institutions. This work provides insight into the current state of hydrogen sustainability research in six different areas. The reviewed sectors include energy, industry, transport, agriculture, commercial, and residential. The results show that the energy sector shows the greatest interest in sustainable development, followed by industry and transport.
The Impact of Parallel U-Turns on Urban Intersection: Evidence from Chinese Cities
Authors: Shi Mengmeng , Tian Xin , Li Xiaowen , Pan Binghong
Published: September 2023

As the number of motor vehicles in China’s cities continues to increase, the imbalance between the capacity that existing urban roads have for construction and the demand for motor vehicles is becoming increasingly evident. Indeed, the design of the intersection U-turn scheme has garnered significant attention from researchers. However, as the number of vehicles requiring U-turns increases, the traditional U-turn in the median or U-turn at the intersection fails to meet the timely demand for U-turns. In such cases, vehicles needing to make U-turns are required to queue first. As the queue length grows, it ultimately impacts the operational efficiency of the intersection. To optimize the imbalance between supply and demand at these intersections and promote the sustainable development of intersections, an innovative form of U-turn organization called the Parallel U-turn has been developed. In the engineering practice of reconstructing existing intersections or constructing new ones, it is crucial to investigate the compatibility between various U-turn design forms and traffic volumes. This exploration helps ensure that the chosen U-turn design effectively accommodates the specific traffic demands at the intersection. Therefore, in this paper, a typical intersection in Xi’an was chosen as the study intersection to investigate traffic data. The researchers calibrated and simulated four U-turn organization schemes using VISSIM microsimulation software. The four schemes included a traditional U-turn at the intersection, a Parallel U-turn at the intersection, a traditional U-turn in the median, and a Parallel U-turn in the median. Then, the researchers used the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method (EWTM) to evaluate the compatibility of each U-turn organization scheme for different traffic combinations. This assessment was conducted based on three criteria: operational efficiency, environmental protection, and safety performance. The results of this study indicate that the Parallel U-turn design is advantageous for the XiaoZhai intersection in Xi’an, China, under specific traffic conditions. When the traffic volume at the intersection exceeds 5940 vehicles per hour but remains below the intersection’s maximum capacity, implementing the Parallel U-turn design could yield positive outcomes in terms of operational efficiency, safety performance, and a reduction in intersection pollution. In summary, by enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and environmental impact, the Parallel U-turn design promotes the overall performance and sustainability of the XiaoZhai intersection and the transportation system in Xi’an, China.
Assessment of Mountain Tourism Sustainability Using Integrated Fuzzy MCDM Model
Authors: Xu Ming , Bai Chunjing , Shi Lei , Puška Adis , Štilić Anđelka , Stević Željko
Published: September 2023

The sustainable development of mountain tourism is crucial for preserving the delicate ecosystems and resources found in these unique landscapes. This research paper investigates the sustainability of mountain lodges, which serve as essential facilities for delivering mountain tourism services. To assess sustainability, expert decision making involving eight selected experts was employed. A hybrid approach combining the IMF SWARA (IMproved Fuzzy Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) method with Fuzzy Dombi Aggregation Operators was utilized to determine the weights of various sustainability criteria. The IMF SWARA method assigned initial weights based on expert input, which were subsequently adjusted using Fuzzy Dombi Aggregation Operators. The findings highlight the significance of two key criteria as per expert evaluations: the quality of the services offered (C21) and the preservation of natural resources (C15). To rank and evaluate the mountain lodges, the fuzzy CRADIS (Compromise Ranking of Alternatives from Distance to Ideal Solution) method was employed, ultimately identifying Zabrana (ML6) as the top-ranked mountain lodge. The validity of these results was confirmed through result validation and sensitivity analysis. This research contributes by providing insights into the current state of mountain tourism and offering guidelines for enhancing the overall mountain tourism experience through the integration of fuzzy methods.
Social and Environmental Responsibility Manager on the Example of Companies from Poland and Germany
Authors: Wojtaszek Henryk , Miciuła Ireneusz , Gac Miłosz , Kabus Dominik , Balcerzyk Robert , Będźmirowski Jerzy , Kowalczyk Anna
Published: September 2023

Here, the role of business managers in Poland and Germany in creating responsible business was analyzed. The authors examined CSR strategies, challenges in balancing interests and integrating CSR principles with business practices. They emphasize the importance of education and the active involvement of managers in CSR strategies for the company’s long-term benefits. The article uses three key research methods. The first is a review of the Polish and foreign literature, allowing for an understanding of the global context of CSR. The second method is the analysis of CSR reports from Poland and Germany, giving insight into practices and standards in these countries. The third method is research based on a questionnaire survey conducted in Poland and Germany, enabling a direct understanding of the attitudes and practices of managers. Polish companies lean towards sustainable purchasing and training more than their German counterparts, pointing to a nuanced approach to CSR in Poland. Meanwhile, German firms appear more invested in community and environmental programs, highlighting their particular emphasis on certain social and environmental dimensions of business. There is a clear commitment to CSR in both countries, but the varied nature of the initiatives suggests differing cultural or regulatory influences. Enhancing CSR awareness, particularly around sustainability education and emission reductions, emerges as a priority for both nations. The data indicate that managers are crucial in steering CSR practices, with their active involvement often leading to positive outcomes. The study provides an analysis of current CSR landscapes in Poland and Germany.
A Framework for Sustainability Reporting of Renewable Energy Companies in Greece
Authors: Mandilas Athanasios , Kourtidis Dimitrios , Florou Giannoula , Valsamidis Stavros
Published: September 2023

The purpose of the current study is to collect and evaluate data on whether and to what extent the renewable energy companies within Greece disclose non-financial information in line with global and international standards. Renewable energy has grown rapidly over the last 20 years as a key aspect of the transition to a less energy-intensive and more sustainable energy system. However, constant competition between companies, finances, taxes, politics and other factors have in many cases created environmentally harmful situations. Even though technology is advancing and supporting these companies, even though international laws for the environment and the safety measures for operations have become stricter, it was, nevertheless, impossible to avoid these situations. The concerns of the public, but also of the renewable energy companies to control, monitor and measure the impacts from their operations to the environment and the life of society around the sites of their operations, lead many companies to publish sustainability reports. This report is published by a company or organization concerning the economic, environmental and social impacts caused by its everyday activities and demonstrates the link between its strategy and its commitment to a sustainable global economy. A framework with specific economic, environmental and social indicators to support reporting for renewable energy companies is corporate social responsibility (CSR) together with the Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI). GRI is an independent international organization that has pioneered sustainability reporting. It is very important to determine the extent to which these enterprises really contribute to sustainable development.
Factors Affecting Dietary Intake of Copper and Zinc via Rice Consumption by Residents of Major Rice-Producing Regions in China
Authors: Mu Tingting , Xu Jian , Wang Xiaohan , Chen Lin , Xu Yang , Gan Xinhong
Published: September 2023

Background: Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are essential nutrients that must be maintained at adequate levels in the human body in order to make physiological functions normal and sustainable. Rice is a leading staple cereal crop which can be the main source of Cu and Zn in the diet. Results: Here, we aimed to investigate Cu and Zn concentrations in rice with corresponding soil influencing factors and to assess the dietary intake of Cu and Zn from rice consumption by residents of major rice producing regions. A total of 712 rice grain and 90 paired soil–rice samples were collected from September to November 2015 covering eleven provinces across China. Average Cu and Zn concentrations were 27.2 and 69.1 mg kg−1, respectively, in soils, and 1.98 and 12.3 mg kg−1 in rice. The concentrations and bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of Cu and Zn followed the sequence: roots > shoots > grains. Soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and soil organic carbon (SOC) play important roles in rice Cu and Zn uptake with negative effects. The average Cu and Zn intakes from rice consumption were 0.597 and 3.68 mg day−1, respectively. Conclusions: The status of Cu and Zn daily intake from rice consumption were fully adequate but there remained some sampling sites where Zn intake for males and Cu intakes were deficient at 1.40%, indicating that local residents need to maintain their dietary nutrient requirements.
A Tale of Two Identities: The Value, Attitude, and Behavior of Adult Children towards Family Tourism Experiences
Authors: Hu Anan , Li Houqi , Pang Jinyuan
Published: September 2023

Adult children accompanying their parents on trips is a particular form of family tourism. During family travel, adult children assume two roles: as tourists, they pursue personal hedonic experiences, while as children, they also bear the responsibility of showing filial piety towards their parents. These two roles entail inherent contradictions. How this conflict influences the formation of family tourism values between adult children and their parents, and ultimately impacts adult children’s intention to accompany their parents on future trips (re-travel intention), requires further in-depth analysis. Based on the perspective of tourist-to-tourist interaction and role conflict theory, this study applied a “value–attitude–behavior” model to empirically analyze the relationship between the interactions of adult children and parents during the tourism and their re-travel intention. An empirical investigation was conducted with 566 adult children from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. The result of the structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis indicates that both positive interactions and role conflict have significant impacts on the formation of family tourism values, and these impacts are moderated by self-efficacy. Furthermore, these two variables influence attitude through the values of filial piety and family connection, which, in turn, affect the re-travel intentions of adult children. This study confirmed that the higher the self-efficacy of adult children, the better effect the positive interaction has and the less impact the role conflict has, which ultimately affects adult children’s re-travel intention. At the theoretical level, this study reveals the process of the formation of “adult children–parents” family tourism values, and provides practical insights for family tourism marketing.
E-Waste Recycling Behavior in the United Arab Emirates: Investigating the Roles of Environmental Consciousness, Cost, and Infrastructure Support
Authors: Abdul Waheed Kareem , Singh Abhilasha , Siddiqua Ayisha , El Gamal Maisa , Laeequddin Mohammed
Published: September 2023

This study examines whether consumers’ behavior affects e-waste recycling in the UAE. This paper provides a theoretical model of e-waste recycling behavior based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and it goes on to analyze the impact of environmental consciousness, infrastructural support, and costs in e-waste recycling. To assess this study’s constructs, a survey instrument is created. The theoretical model is tested using data gathered from a survey of UAE residents. PLS-SEM (partial least squares structural equations modeling) is used to assess the data. The results support the use of the TPB in the e-waste recycling behavior context. Furthermore, this study shows intriguing findings regarding the effect of environmental consciousness, perceived infrastructural support, and the cost of e-waste recycling. Environmental consciousness shows a positive moderation effect on the association between e-waste recycling attitudes and intentions. This finding implies that the environmental consciousness of residents should be increased to translate e-waste recycling intentions into behavior. Environmental consciousness can be enhanced through training programs. Furthermore, special sustainability courses in higher education that focus on improving environmental awareness among students will have a lasting impact. This study supports the positive moderation effect of perceived infrastructure support on the association between recycling intentions and behavior.
Sustainability-Oriented Assessment of Fuel Cells—A Literature Review
Authors: Tampe Annika , Höse Kristina , Götze Uwe
Published: September 2023

Enhancing the sustainability of activities is an undebatable need for decision makers regarding the economy as well as society. Fuel cells and their application in different areas, such as energy supply or mobility, are viewed as a promising means towards more sustainability. However, fuel cells as well as fuel-cell-based application systems cause a couple of possibly conflictive impacts in terms of ecological, economic, and social targets—their positive contribution to sustainability is not confident. Consequently, a significant assessment of sustainability is needed to enable a targeted development of fuel cells and their application systems, including the selection of alternative design variants. Furthermore, such assessment is necessary to provide evidence for the intended improvements and thereby contribute to market success and implementation of the systems. However, an overview of the existing methods for sustainability-related assessment of fuel cells and fuel-cell-based systems as well as the outcomes of the assessments does not exist. Therefore, a systematic literature review is conducted without restriction of fuel cell types and evaluation methods. Such a comprehensive overview does not yet exist to the best of the authors’ knowledge. With regard to the suggested or applied methods, the results show, amongst others, that the economic assessment does not refer to the methodical state-of-art, the social dimension is neglected, and an overall assessment of sustainability, aggregating all three dimensions, is not conducted. Due to the variety of analyzed objects as well as applied methods, the outcomes of the studies provide not more than scattered knowledge about the relevance of components and the advantageousness of fuel cells, their variants, and their application systems regarding sustainability. To contribute to avoiding methodological deficiencies, a procedure model for an integrated assessment is presented.
Intelligent-Technology-Empowered Active Emergency Command Strategy for Urban Hazardous Chemical Disaster Management
Authors: Lyu Jieyin , Zhou Shouqin , Liu Jingang , Jiang Bingchun
Published: September 2023

Urban safety production is a core component of social safety and is associated with the production, storage and transport of hazardous chemicals, which are potential sources of disaster in an urban area. Chemicals’ locations in a city present a hidden site of danger, which can easily become disaster sites if supervision is inadequate. Aiming to improve the processes and typical scenarios of the production, storage, transportation and use of hazardous chemicals, this paper proposes an intelligent-technology-empowered active emergency command strategy (ITAECS) for urban hazardous chemical disaster management (UHCDM) in smart–safe cities. This paper aims to provide a strategy for active emergency command that takes into account the disaster source; hidden danger site; or disaster site of hazardous chemicals such as natural gas, gasoline and hydrogen energy based on five aspects: intelligent perception technology and equipment, a dynamically perceived IoT system, the accurate deduction of disaster posture, virtual reality emergency rescue rehearsal and an immersive emergency command platform. This research is conducive to the safety, efficiency and greenness of the whole industrial chain, such as the production, storage, transportation, operation and use of hazardous chemicals. There are difficulties and challenges in introducing ITAECS to urban hazardous chemical production safety and emergency management, such as the need for joint promotion of enterprises, industries and governments; uneven technological development; and several scientific–technological issues to be solved, as well as non-uniform standards. Overall, this paper helps improve the emergency management of urban hazardous chemical safety production.
Knowledge Spillover and Spatial Innovation Growth: Evidence from China’s Yangtze River Delta
Authors: Dai Xin , Tang Jie , Huang Qin , Cui Wenyue
Published: September 2023

This article explores the relationship between knowledge sources at different levels and corporate innovation from the perspective of urban cluster, with a focus on enterprises. This paper conducted an empirical analysis of 375 listed companies in 27 cities within the Yangtze River Delta urban cluster in China from 2009 to 2019. The findings showed that: (1) Local scientific knowledge spillovers, mediated by industry relevance, positively influence firms’ innovation performance. This study verifies how spatial knowledge is dimensionally reduced from scientific spillovers to industrial technological innovation. (2) Emerging industries acquire relevant scientific knowledge for transformation from a broader regional scope. Regional knowledge creation in the Yangtze River Delta urban cluster has stimulated industrial innovation across various sectors, thereby enhancing the overall innovation capacity and level of the urban cluster. (3) Regional diversity significantly affects the process of transforming knowledge into innovation. This paper supports the existence of a unified spatial innovation network among heterogeneous spatial economic entities and emphasizes the innovation synergy from lower to higher levels within heterogeneous hierarchical innovation networks. Developing urban agglomeration strategies that leverage the resource advantages of industrial clusters and adjust industrial layouts is an important approach to promote innovation and economic growth.
Governance Assessment of Community-Based Waste Reduction Program in Makassar
Authors: Latanna Michael Denny , Gunawan Budhi , Franco-García María Laura , Bressers Hans
Published: September 2023

Indonesia’s government anticipates waste problems by managing them through a large number of waste reduction programs. From a governance perspective in Indonesia, it is known that actors from diverse governmental levels and across sectors are involved in waste management, and their involvement largely depends on their institutional goals and problems. Hence, they are expected to coherently collaborate by developing and implementing sustainable instruments and resources for improving waste management problems. However, it is necessary to understand how supportive or restrictive the governance of waste reduction programs is to encourage successful trash reduction. This study was designed to evaluate and examine the application of community-based solid waste management (CBSWM) in Makassar. In this research, the Governance Assessment Tool (GAT) was applied to analyze the governance context of the waste reduction programs in Makassar qualitatively. In the assessment, contexts can be described as either supportive or restrictive of the processes of implementing public policies on waste management. As a result of such an assessment, this study shed light on some opportunities to improve the governance of waste management implementation’s impact on reducing waste in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The conclusion of this study is that the most important actors are affiliated with the local government and the community. Moreover, this study shows that the assessment of contextual governance is that it is predominantly restrictive.
Sport Events and Emissions Reporting: An Analysis of the Council for Responsible Sport Standard in Running Events
Authors: McCullough Brian P. , Collins Andrea , Roberts Jack , Villalobos Shelley
Published: September 2023

The use of fossil fuels has pushed the world towards crucial ecological tipping points and a climate crisis. The rapid decarbonization of all sectors is necessary to limit the worst impacts of this. Within the sports and sport-tourism sectors, event organizers and policymakers are increasingly interested in assessing the environmental impacts of events and identifying the types of strategies needed to reduce their carbon footprint. This paper responds to calls for studies to examine and compare the environmental impacts of multiple sport events and contribute towards providing an enhanced understanding of key factors influencing the scale of those impacts. It focuses on assessing the carbon footprints of 28 mass participation running events in North America. The paper uses a methodology developed by the Council for Responsible Sport as part of its Responsible Sport Standard for Events accreditation process. The results highlight that variations existed between the events in terms of their reporting of GHG emissions. The average event generated 3363 MtCO2e (0.23 MtCO2e per capita), with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 99.9% of the total emissions, and 98.9% being attributable to participant travel. This demonstrates how the Council’s methodology can assist event organizers by providing valuable insights into the carbon footprint of their events and its potential value as an environmental management tool. The paper also discusses some of the challenges faced by event organizers in measuring the carbon footprint of their event, suggests strategies for reducing event emissions, and provides recommendations for strengthening the Council’s methodology and its contribution to global sustainability efforts.
Hydrological Properties of Rill Erosion on a Soil from a Drought-Prone Area during Successive Rainfalls as a Result of Microorganism Inoculation
Authors: Ashgevar Heydari Masumeh , Sadeghi Seyed Hamidreza , Jafarpoor Atefeh
Published: September 2023

Soil and water loss is one of the most severe kinds of land degradation, particularly in drought-vulnerable regions. It diminishes fertility and increases natural catastrophes, such as floods, landslides, sedimentation, drought, and economic, social, and political issues. The current study explores the efficacy of individual and combination cyanobacteria and bacteria inoculation on runoff production from plots generated by rill erosion on soil from the Marzanabad drought-prone region, northern Iran, and exposed to five successive rainfalls with three days intervals. Experiments were conducted on mid-sized plots with dimensions of 6 × 1 m, three replications, and a 30% slope during simulated rains at the lab with an intensity of 50 mm h−1 and a duration of 30 min. Also, excess runoff of about 2.180 L min−1 was introduced to the plots to promote rill formation. Because none of the treated plots created runoff during the design rainfall, the expected circumstances were subject to continuous rainfall until runoff was generated. Compared to the control plots, statistical analysis indicated that the study treatments had a significant (p < 0.01) lower influence on hydrological components during the initial rainfall event. The highest performance was obtained in the combination inoculation of cyanobacteria and bacteria in successive rainfalls (i.e., first to the fourth event), which reduced runoff volume and coefficient by 35.41, 45.34, 26.35, and 36.43%, respectively. During subsequent rainfalls, the bacteria and combination treatment of cyanobacteria and bacteria did not vary substantially (p = 0.94) on the study components. As a result, after consecutive rainfall events, runoff volume dropped by 20.79, 22.15, 12.83, and 15.87%, and the runoff coefficient reduced by 20.80, 22.15, 12.84, and 15.88%. The cyanobacteria treatment diminished the study components only after the initial rainstorm event. The current study’s findings underscored the need to minimize water loss in the early phases of erosion in drought-sensitive regions where soil and water conservation is a vital task.
Environmental Assessment of Demolition Tools Used in Townhouse Demolition: System Dynamics Modeling
Authors: Mayowa Bamisaye , Chinda Thanwadee
Published: September 2023

To accommodate population growth and migration to cities, many infrastructures have been demolished to build new residential units. Demolition processes cause various environmental problems globally and locally. The selection of methods used in demolition is crucial to reduce the long-term environmental impact. This study considers various combination tools used in townhouse demolition in Thailand, examines their environmental impacts, and suggests the combination of the tools to be used in the long term. The system dynamics (SD) modeling approach is utilized in this study to capture the changes in townhouse units, sizes, demolition tools, demolition time, and the work rates of tools and their effects on the environment. This approach has the capability to model complex relationships and examine long-term trends. Secondary data are employed to identify variables necessary for SD model development, such as the different sizes of townhouses in Thailand, the various types of demolition tools used in the construction industry, and environmental impacts from building demolition. The simulation results revealed that Combination 4, i.e., the use of demolition robots and hydraulic splitters, is the most effective combination to reduce the final impact percentage in the long term. Compared with the other three combinations, it generates the lowest CO2eq emissions, energy consumption, noise, dust, and heat. If demolition robots are not yet available, Combination 1 (i.e., the use of excavators, jackhammers, and flame-cutters) offers the lowest environmental impact in the long term. This study provides guidelines for decision-makers in the construction industry to make sustainable choices of demolition tools and techniques used for townhouse demolition to reduce long-term environmental impacts.
Enhanced Method for Emergency Scheduling of Natural Gas Pipeline Networks Based on Heuristic Optimization
Authors: Xiang Qi , Yang Zhaoming , He Yuxuan , Fan Lin , Su Huai , Zhang Jinjun
Published: September 2023

Safety and disturbance issues in system engineering have garnered substantial attention. This study focuses on the analysis of the distinct characteristics of emergency dispatch problems in Natural Gas Pipeline Networks (NGPS). Graph theory serves as a tool to transform the NGPS topology and establish an optimization model for NGPS emergency dispatch. The model also integrates user weights, satisfaction, and reduction factors into the user modeling approach. Its objective is to maximize overall system satisfaction while considering factors such as demand-side requirements and operational constraints. To solve this optimization model, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method is employed. An in-depth exploration of four unique disturbance scenarios provides solid evidence of the effectiveness and practicality of the PSO method. Compared to other methods, the PSO method consistently boosts overall user satisfaction and aligns more fluidly with the real-time demands of emergency scheduling, regardless of reduced supply capacity, complete supply interruptions, sudden surges in user demand, or pipeline connection failures. The developed emergency scheduling optimization method presents two key advantages. Firstly, it proficiently mitigates potential losses stemming from decreased supply capacity at local or regional levels. By adeptly adjusting natural gas supply strategies, it minimizes economic and production losses while ensuring a steady supply to critical users. Secondly, the method is superior at swiftly reducing the affected area and managing the increased demand for natural gas, thus maintaining NGPS stability. This research underscores the importance of considering user characteristics and demands during emergencies and demonstrates the effectiveness of employing the PSO method to navigate emergency scheduling challenges. By strengthening the resilience of the pipeline network and ensuring a sustainable natural gas supply, this study constitutes a significant contribution to energy security, economic development, and the promotion of clean energy utilization, ultimately propelling the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Fractional Differential Equations and Expansions in Fractional Powers
Authors: Caratelli Diego , Natalini Pierpaolo , Ricci Paolo Emilio
Published: September 2023

We use power series with rational exponents to find exact solutions to initial value problems for fractional differential equations. Certain problems that have been previously studied in the literature can be solved in a closed form, and approximate solutions are derived by constructing recursions for the relevant expansion coefficients.
Constrained DNN-Based Robust Model Predictive Control Scheme with Adjustable Error Tube
Authors: Yang Shizhong , Liu Yanli , Cao Huidong
Published: September 2023

This paper proposes a novel robust model predictive control (RMPC) scheme for constrained linear discrete-time systems with bounded disturbance. Firstly, the adjustable error tube set, which is affected by local error and error variety rate, is introduced to overcome uncertainties and disturbances. Secondly, the auxiliary control rate associated with the cost function is designed to minimize the discrepancy between the actual system and the nominal system. Finally, a constrained deep neural network (DNN) architecture with symmetry properties is developed to address the optimal control problem (OCP) within the constrained system while conducting a thorough convergence analysis. These innovations enable more flexible adjustments of state and control tube cross-sections and significantly improve optimization speed compared to the homothetic tube MPC. Moreover, the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed optimal control strategy are illustrated by two numerical simulations. In practical terms, for 2-D systems, this approach achieves a remarkable 726.23-fold improvement in optimization speed, and for 4-D problems, it demonstrates an even more impressive 7218.07-fold enhancement.