bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Schoolchildren in China’s Protected Areas from a Sustainability Perspective: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Wang Yicheng , Qin Peng , Li Shimei , Wu Ruidong
Published: June 2023

Protected areas (PAs) are an important estate for sustainable development. Children in PAs are of particular concern, as they are potential future stakeholders of this estate, yet they may be the ones affected the most by the conservation and development programs in PAs. However, knowledge on children in PAs has been very limited, which threatens the probability of the success of both nature conservation and sustainable development. In this paper, we present the findings from a questionnaire survey targeted at schoolchildren in China’s PAs. Our sample consisted of 41 primary schools across China. We looked at 22 indexes of the sample, inferred the conditions in the whole PAs using an exact binomial test, and compared them with those in other rural or urban areas in China. We found that schoolchildren in PAs are substantially disadvantaged in terms of many indexes, both in school and at home. We discuss possible reasons, link these results to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and discuss some policy implications. With this preliminary study, we hope to stimulate additional research on the conditions of children in PAs and their potential implications for sustainable development.
Developing Sustainable Asphalt Mixtures Using High-Density Polyethylene Plastic Waste Material
Authors: Elnaml Ibrahim , Liu Jun , Mohammad Louay N. , Wasiuddin Nazimuddin , Cooper Samuel B. , Cooper Samuel B.
Published: June 2023

There is growing interest in sustainable road pavement technologies to protect the environment and provide economic benefits. Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics are considered for construction to address the threat of plastic waste materials (PWM) and to improve sustainability. Asphalt pavement construction is highly considered for PWM recycling due to its large daily production. The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of asphalt mixture containing PWM, specifically high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and compare its performance with two conventional mixtures. Three asphalt mixtures were considered: (1) mixture with asphalt binder PG 76-22 (SBS-modified); (2) mixture with asphalt binder PG 70-22 (SBS-modified); and (3) mixture with binder PG 67-22 and 3% HDPE (the plastic mixture). The rheological properties of the modified asphalt binders and the performance of the modified asphalt mixtures were evaluated. The long-term field performance of the pavements was modeled using AASHTOWare software (v.1.1.6) for the three mixtures considered. The results showed that all the mixtures were able to comply with the cracking threshold specified by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) for high-traffic volume roads. In addition, the plastic asphalt mixture showed similar performance to the one containing PG 70-22 (SBS-modified) asphalt binder.
Integration of Public Perception in the Assessment of Licensed Solar Farms: A Case Study in Greece
Authors: Codemo Anna , Barbini Ambra , Mantouza Ahi , Bitziadis Anastasios , Albatici Rossano
Published: June 2023

The increasing adoption of solar power plants requires the consideration of different aspects involved in the transformation of landscape. In this view, recent studies encourage public engagement and landscape integration strategies in the decision-making process to ensure an accepted and inclusive energy transition. However, there is limited knowledge on how to include landscape considerations in the planning processes, specifically on public perception and values. This work aims to assess five licensed solar farms in the region of Central Macedonia (Greece) based on the opinion of the inhabitants. The paper presents the results of an online and onsite questionnaire administered in different villages around the study area in October 2022. The survey utilized the potential benefits and impacts, as well as siting criteria and spatial configuration strategies, taken from literature to describe public perception and preferences. The methodology consists of three phases: investigation of public perception on solar farms; operationalization of the results to make them spatially explicit; overall suitability of the areas and mitigation strategies. The results illustrate the prioritization of the perceived impacts and benefits of photovoltaic installations and highlight the different levels of suitability of the areas and possible mitigation measures. The proposed approach is complementary to the planning processes taking into account societal considerations.
Food and Garden Organic Waste Management in Australia: Co-Benefits for Regional Communities and Local Government
Authors: Blanchard Christine , Harris Peter , Pocock Celmara , McCabe Bernadette K.
Published: June 2023

Landfilling organic waste generates greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change. While the management of organic waste has been identified by all tiers of Australian government as paramount to meeting net zero emissions targets, diversion of domestic organic waste from landfill is primarily the responsibility of local government. This review of academic and grey literature considers developments in food organics and garden organics collections in Australia and the implications for regional communities. It reviews source-separated collections and the treatment of organic waste administered by regional local governments and identifies there is a dearth of information in this area. Key knowledge gaps emerging from the study include: (1) There is a disconnect between the various state governments’ policies, strategies, and regulation of organics diversion and action on mandating or supporting kerbside collections; (2) there is insufficient funding and subsidy to encourage councils to implement collection systems, and (3) the community has limited understanding of the cost and environmental burden of waste, and subsequently there is no willingness to pay for collection systems. This paper outlines how these issues contribute to individual regional councils deferring kerbside organic waste collection systems and offers recommendations that could enable the achievement of more ideal diversion targets that are relevant to, and affordable for, their local communities.
Evaluation of the Pollination Ecosystem Service of the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Based on a Beekeeping Model in Hungary
Authors: Feketéné Ferenczi Aliz , Szűcs Isván , Bauerné Gáthy Andrea
Published: June 2023

Apiaries must be ecologically and economically sustainable to provide pollination as a unique ecosystem service. Pollination as an ecosystem service is economically, socially, and environmentally irreplaceable. Therefore, it is essential to improve the profitability of beekeeping activities, which are mainly carried out in rural areas. With this in mind, the main objective of this article is to assess pollination as one of the ecosystem services provided by bees, based on the specificities of Hungarian honey production. The authors’ analysis is based on a Hungarian apiary with 300 colonies active in migratory beekeeping. The model farm produces a wide variety of honey thanks to its migratory beekeeping, visiting several bee pastures during the beekeeping season. This paper presents an approach to quantify the ecosystem services provided by honey bees (Apis mellifera) using two economic valuation methods (productivity change and surrogate market goods) belonging to the family of cost-based valuation. The results of the monetary valuation of the ecosystem services provided by bees can provide a starting point for further research to help decision-makers and farmers to calculate a fair “pollination fee” for beekeepers, which will significantly help beekeepers to maintain beekeeping, an important and beneficial activity for all of us.
Research on Energy Absorption Characteristics of Bouligand Biomimetic Structure Based on CFRP Composite Materials
Authors: Xin Zhuangzhuang , Xu Wei , Liu Defa , Duan Jilu
Published: June 2023

Enhancing the impact resistance performance of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates stands as a prominent research focus among various nations. Existing studies have shown a tendency towards arbitrary selection of the inter-ply helix angle values in CFRP laminates, which is accompanied by a limited number of samples representing the chosen helix angles. However, existing studies have shown a relatively random selection of spiral angle values between CFRP laminates, and the sample size of selected spiral angles is limited, posing certain limitations. In order to tackle this problem, we have employed a systematic arrangement of combinations to select the optimal helix angle for CFRP laminates. Inspired by the biological structures of Bouligand, we have sequentially chosen 19 distinct sets of helix angles, aiming to overcome the inherent limitations and enhance the research outcomes in this field. In this study, we established 19 finite element models to investigate the behavior of Bouligand-inspired CFRP composite panels under high-velocity bullet impact. The models were created by selecting 19 sets of helix angles within the range of 0 to 90° with a 5° interval. The results show that the energy absorption of the Bouligand layer-stacking composite plate is better than that of the conventional plate. The optimal spiral angles of the CFRP laminate are 25° and 30°, and the energy absorption characteristics of the laminate are the best at these angles. The impact resistance is also the best at these angles. The energy absorption of the Bouligand layer-stacking composite plate is 396% higher in absorbed internal energy and 361% higher in absorbed kinetic energy compared to the conventional layer-stacking composite plate, significantly improving the ballistic performance of the CFRP bulletproof material and providing a reference for the design of individual protection equipment.
Linking Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing in Systematic Conservation Assessments of Working Landscapes
Authors: Huber Patrick R. , Baker Matthew , Hollander Allan D. , Lange Matthew , Miller Daphne , Quinn James F. , Riggle Courtney , Tomich Thomas P.
Published: June 2023

Systematic land use planning to address environmental impacts does not typically include human health and wellbeing as explicit inputs. We tested the effects of including issues related to human health, ecosystem services, and community wellbeing on the outputs of a standard land use planning process which is primarily focused on environmental variables. We consulted regional stakeholders to identify the health issues that have environmental links in the Sacramento, California region and to identify potential indicators and datasets that can be used to assess and track these issues. Marxan planning software was used to identify efficient land use patterns to maximize both ecological conservation and human health outcomes. Outputs from five planning scenarios were compared and contrasted, resulting in a spatially explicit series of tradeoffs across the scenarios. Total area required to meet imputed goals ranged from 10.4% to 13.4% of the total region, showing somewhat less efficiency in meeting biodiversity goals when health outcomes are included. Additionally, we found 4.8% of residential areas had high greening needs, but this varied significantly across the six counties. The work provides an example of how integrative assessment can help inform management decisions or stakeholder negotiations potentially leading to better management of the production landscapes in food systems.
Profiling Citizens on Perception of Key Factors of Food Security: An Application of K-Means Cluster Analysis
Authors: Facendola Rosalia , Ottomano Palmisano Giovanni , De Boni Annalisa , Acciani Claudio , Roma Rocco
Published: June 2023

Cities have been increasingly involved in the development of food policies, becoming key points in achieving food security and fostering the transition to sustainable agri-food systems. The aim of this paper is to identify citizens’ profiles by performing segmentation and profiling according to their socio-economic variables and perception of key factors affecting food security. This is to define appropriate strategies to guide policy makers in a more effective creation of urban food policies. An online survey was filled out by citizens of the Metropolitan City of Bari from July to November 2022. Descriptive analysis, principal component analysis and K-means cluster analysis were applied to the collected data. Four clusters of citizens were obtained and labelled based on socio-economic characteristics and key factors affecting food security perception. Specifically, the “Law-confident” (45% of citizens) and “Hedonist” (36%) clusters revealed the greatest trust in “governance” and “quality certification” aspects. The “Capitalist” (15%) and “Conservatory” (4%) clusters were relatively small groups, characterized respectively by a positive perception of the standardization of food production and governance power, with a focus on strategies regarding food policy implementation, reduction of food loss and waste (FLW) and improvement of food quality certifications systems. The proposed approach and results may support EU policy makers in identifying key macro-areas and matters toward which to direct public funding in order to improve food security in urban areas, and to put in place actions enhancing citizens’ knowledge and awareness of key issues of food security.
Bilateral Effects of ESG Responsibility Fulfillment of Industrial Companies on Green Innovation
Authors: Zhu Shusen , Sun Hui , Zhang Beibei , Yang Zedong , Xia Xuechao
Published: June 2023

This paper theoretically analyzes the bilateral mechanism of ESG responsibility fulfillment on green innovation of industrial enterprises and decomposes the promotion effect, inhibition effect and the net effect of mutual influence of ESG responsibility fulfillment on green innovation of Chinese industrial enterprises based on the data of 615 industrial enterprises in China from 2012 to 2021, and it analyzes the regular characteristics of them using bilateral stochastic frontier model. The study shows that (1) ESG responsibility fulfillment can drive green innovation in industrial enterprises. The interaction between the facilitation effect (24.49%) and the inhibiting effect (20.71%) of ESG responsibility fulfillment in industrial enterprises eventually leads to the actual green innovation level being higher than the frontier green innovation level by 3.78%. (2) The driving effect of ESG responsibility on green innovation of industrial enterprises has room for growth; the driving effect of ESG on green innovation gradually increases and turns from negative to positive with the improvement of ESG performance; and the net effect of ESG responsibility on the level of green innovation of industrial enterprises from 2012 to 2020 shows a continuous growth. (3) The driving effect of industrial enterprises’ ESG responsibility fulfillment on green innovation is the highest in the western region, followed by the eastern region, and it is the lowest in the central region. (4) Compared with industrial enterprises in regions with high managerial short-sightedness, non-heavy pollution and low marketization, the driving effect of ESG responsibility fulfillment on green innovation of industrial enterprises in regions with low managerial short-sightedness, heavy pollution and high marketization is stronger.
Influencing Factor Analysis on Energy-Saving Refrigerator Purchases from the Supply and Demand Sides
Authors: Lv Zhiyu , Zhang Xu
Published: June 2023

The promotion of energy-saving household appliances is important to save energy and reduce emissions to realize peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influencing factors of energy-saving refrigerator purchases from the supply and demand sides. First, we analyze the promotional focus and attention to energy efficiency to reflect the characteristics of refrigerators that are popular with consumers in online purchases. Secondly, descriptive statistical analysis, linear regression equation, and the BP neural network model are used to analyze the current situation of consumers’ purchasing and use of energy-saving refrigerators, exploring consumers’ awareness of energy-efficiency labels and factors affecting the purchasing of energy-saving refrigerators. The results show that (1) the energy-efficiency level of consumers’ choices of refrigerators has improved with an increase in income and consumption. The Grade 1 refrigerators account for 55.26% from the supply side and 62.50% from the demand side; (2) energy-efficiency cognition and trust, environmental awareness, and economic motivation have positive effects on purchase intentions towards energy-saving refrigerators; (3) consumers will purchase energy-saving refrigerators that are more expensive but offer higher energy efficiency for the long-term total cost considering that the use cost of energy-saving refrigerators is lower. This study provides a reference to promote energy-saving refrigerators from the perspectives of enterprises, governments, and the public.
Remote Work in Post-Pandemic Reality—Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Teleconferencing Software
Authors: Ziemba Paweł , Piwowarski Mateusz , Nermend Kesra
Published: June 2023

The pandemic period has made remote work a reality in many organizations. Despite the possible negative aspects of this form of work, many employers and employees appreciate its flexibility and effectiveness. Therefore, employers are looking for the most optimal tools to support this form of work. However, this may be difficult due to their complexity, different functionality, or different conditions of the company’s operations. Decisions on the choice of a given solution are usually made in a group of decision makers. Often their subjective assessments differ from each other, making it even more difficult to make a decision. The aim of this article is to propose a methodological solution supporting the assessment of the most popular teleconferencing systems and generating their ranking. The feature of this solutions is the combination of two important methodological aspects facilitating the selection process. The first one concerns the possibility of taking into account quantitative and qualitative criteria expressed linguistically and of an uncertain nature in the assessment (NEAT F-PROMETHEE method). The second one is related to the possibility of taking into account the assessments of many experts, including the consensus study between them (PROSA GDSS method). The use of these combined methods to assess teleconferencing platforms made it possible to create their ranking and indicate the solution that best meets the adopted criteria (based on experts’ opinions). The Microsoft Teams system turned out to be this solution, whose functionality, usability, multi-platform aspect and other elements turned out to be crucial in the context of the overall assessment. The results obtained may be a guideline for managers and decision makers facing the choice of a tool supporting remote work.
Developing a Strategic Sustainability Assessment Methodology for Free Zones Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process Approach
Authors: Alansary Omar Sharaf-addeen , Al-Ansari Tareq
Published: June 2023

The application of sustainability within free zones can be considered a means to enhancing their competitiveness. Free zones with a high level of sustainability are more likely to attract investment and other kinds of support, while meeting global obligations with regard to sustainable development. Accordingly, adopting sustainability assessment tools is crucial for measuring the sustainability effectiveness of free zones. In this context, this study addresses the sustainability assessment of free zones using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) decision tool. The first contribution of this article is proposing a novel model for the strategic sustainability assessment in free zones, which considers all dimensions of sustainability. The second contribution is deriving the weights and priorities of the related model using the AHP method. The results demonstrate that the economic dimension is considered the most regarded sustainability pillar, with a percentage of 41.81%, followed by the environmental pillar at 24.97%; then, the social pillar at 22.26%, and finally, the organizational pillar at 10.96%. Although this study addressed sustainability assessment indicators, it did not delve into the individual components deeply, which may open opportunities to direct future research toward developing other sustainability assessment models in the context of free zones.
On Employing a Constrained Nonlinear Optimizer to Constrained Economic Dispatch Problems
Authors: Abbas Ghulam , Khan Irfan Ahmad , Ashraf Naveed , Raza Muhammad Taskeen , Rashad Muhammad , Muzzammel Raheel
Published: June 2023

Recently, different metaheuristic techniques, their variants, and hybrid forms have been extensively used to solve economic load dispatch (ELD) problems with and without valve point loading (VPL) effects. Due to the randomization involved in these metaheuristic techniques, one has to perform extensive runs for each experiment to get an optimal solution. The process may sometimes become laborious and time-consuming to converge to an optimal solution. On the other hand, advanced calculus-based techniques, being deterministic, perform iteration systematically and come up with the same solution on each run of the experiment. Since ELD problems are constrained optimization problems, we are proposing the constrained (deterministic) optimization algorithm for their solutions. Various 13-unit, 38-unit, and 40-unit thermal test systems are considered. Valve point loading (VPL) effects are also considered in some cases. Computer-based numerical results depict that the constrained optimization algorithm shows evidence of being almost as competitive in a total fuel cost as the metaheuristic optimization techniques, especially for the less-constrained ELD problems but with far reduced computation time. This finding validates the application of the constrained optimization technique to solve the economic dispatch problem.
Enhancing Physical Fitness and Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in Junior Tennis Players: Evaluating the Influence of “Plyospecific” Training on Youth Agility
Authors: Marin Aurel , Stefanica Valentina , Rosculet Ioana
Published: June 2023

Physical fitness is a crucial component of tennis performance, and improving agility and lateral movement can give young tennis players a competitive edge. By training with plyospecific exercises, which focus on explosive movements and plyometric exercises, junior players can improve their speed, power, and reaction time on the court. The paper aimed to evaluate the effects and benefits of a 10-week physical training program on the agility of junior tennis players, using the results of seven agility tests, applying statistical t-tests for paired and independent samples, and the difference-in-differences approach. In order to achieve this, a sample of 48 U16 male Portuguese tennis junior players was used. The empirical results indicated that the training program had a positive impact on the agility of the tennis players. Specifically, the results showed improvements in the T-test performance on both the right and left sides, as well as improvements in the Edgren test scores on the left and right sides. Additionally, there was an increase in the average number of lateral and forward movements, suggesting enhanced agility among the players. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the training program in improving agility-related skills and performance in tennis. Coaches can incorporate similar training methods and exercises to improve their players’ agility, leading to better performance on the court.
Investigating the Energy-Saving Effectiveness of Envelope Retrofits and Photovoltaic Systems: A Case Study of a Hotel in Urumqi
Authors: Liao Xiaomiao , Wang Wanjiang , Zhou Yihuan
Published: June 2023

Many of China’s older buildings, built in the 1970s and 1980s, faces several indoor temperature and heating energy consumption problems. Based on an investigation and analysis of an old hotel in Urumqi, this paper proposes a renovation plan to improve the indoor temperature and reduce the heating energy consumption, thereby introduce a sustainable development strategy for the winter. The effects of different renovation plans on the hotel were simulated using DesignBuilder and PVsyst software. The results show that improving the insulation performance of the building envelope, including reforming the roof, exterior wall, doors, and windows and adjusting the window-to-wall ratio, is the primary way to improve indoor temperature and reduce heating energy consumption in winter. If economic conditions allow, we can also install photovoltaic systems on the roof to save a significant amount of energy. This paper puts forth specific reconstruction plans for old buildings in cold regions as well as some possible reconstruction paths for other structures according to the local economic development level to provide a reference for future related studies.
Fuzzy Method to Improve Products and Processes Considering the Approach of Sustainable Development (FQE-SD Method)
Authors: Pacana Andrzej , Siwiec Dominika , Pacana Jacek
Published: June 2023

Assumptions of the concept of sustainable development should include actions towards the development of modern, well-managed enterprises. However, making decisions in this area is difficult as it often results from subjective assessments of environmental problems. Hence, there is a motivation to develop a method of analysing the search for solutions to environmental problems that supports decisions in the area of improving the quality of products or processes while considering their impacts on the natural environment. In view of the specification of this problem, it was considered that this method should be conducted in a fuzzy decision environment. This method is called FQE-SD (fuzzy qualitatively environmentally sustainable development). This method integrated, in a hybrid way, the selected tools or elements of qualitative and multi-criteria decision methods, i.e., using the SMARTER method, brainstorming (BM), a method to select the team of experts, the Pareto-Lorenz analysis, the fuzzy QE-FMEA method, and the fuzzy AHP method. The main contribution of the FQE-SD method is its hybrid methodology, which supports: (i) a coherent and objective approach during the identification, analyses, and ranking of the causes of incompatibility of products or processes and (ii) the realization of the sustainable development of products or processes. The method was tested using the magnetic-powder test (MT). This control was carried out for producers of an outer bearing made fromAMS6470 steel. The results of this work confirmed the practical possibilities of applying the FQE-SD method. This method can also be applied to other production situations, if appropriate assumptions are made.
Growing Inwards: Densification and Ecosystem Services in Comprehensive Plans from Three Municipalities in Southern Sweden
Authors: Lisberg Jensen Ebba , Alkan Olsson Johanna , Malmqvist Ebba
Published: June 2023

This article analyses how urban densification, primarily in relation to ecosystem services, is addressed in comprehensive plans from three cities in southernmost Sweden: Malmö, Lund and Helsingborg. The aim was to investigate and problematise how the comprehensive plans articulate and negotiate how to build dense cities while preserving and enhancing ecosystem services. A qualitative content analysis was performed on the comprehensive plans in use during the study period. The comprehensive plans were all ambitiously formulated. However, three recurrent issues were found. Planners struggled to address the issue of scale: Ecosystem services in the city were addressed when planning for densification, while ecosystem services for the city were either omitted or mentioned in the passing. The timeframe in relation to sustainable urban development was also not clarified. Most importantly, there were profound unclarities regarding priorities. Densification was suggested to provide all positive qualities simultaneously, including enhancing and supporting ecosystem services, which is, from a systems viewpoint, not possible. We suggest that when planning for sustainable cities, based on best available research, politicians should bring the prioritisation process to the fore, to clarify and address how to plan for dense, healthy cities with functioning ecosystem services in a more holistic manner.
The Development of Novel Ganoderic-Acid-Encapsulated Nanodispersions Using the Combination of Ultrasonic Cavitation and Solvent Evaporation through Response Surface Optimization
Authors: Cheng Wai Kit , Tan Khang Wei , Tang Siah Ying , Cheng Poh Guat , Pang Cheng Heng , Tao Yang , Manickam Sivakumar
Published: June 2023

Ganoderic Acid (GA), a major bioactive compound isolated from the East Asian medicinal mushroom Ganoderma tsugae, is traditionally believed to have significant medicinal properties. GA is poorly soluble in water, which poses several challenges in terms of its formulation. In this study, Ganoderma tsugae extracts obtained through ethanol extraction were encapsulated in nanodispersions via ultrasonic cavitation and solvent evaporation to increase their bioavailability. The preparation route was thoroughly analyzed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to determine the interactions between the variables. Based on the results, the Hydrophilic–Lipophilic Balance (HLB) and the evaporation temperature significantly influenced the resulting particle size. In the optimized nanodispersions, GA was incorporated into a hydrophobic core with a particle size no greater than 200 nm and a very narrow particle distribution (namely, a polydispersity index of 0.289). Due to the high negative zeta potential (−45.9 mV), a very slow particle growth rate of 0.239% over short-term storage (14 days) was achieved. In addition, the zeta average remained virtually unchanged for 14 days at room temperature in solutions at different pH levels. In summary, this paper provides the first-ever demonstration that ultrasound cavitation in conjunction with solvent evaporation can be used to generate GA nanodispersions.
Place-Keeping in the Park: Testing a Living Lab Approach to Facilitate Nature Connectedness in Urban Greenspaces
Authors: Willis Katharine , Gupta Ashita
Published: June 2023

Green infrastructure, particularly public greenspaces such as urban parks, plays an important role in urban environments, and improving public participation in greenspace practices and encouraging environmental stewardship can help to address some of the challenges of greenspace governance. We identify a gap in the research as to whether participation in citizen science projects can enhance connections between people and place and encourage better community participation in the stewardship of parks and urban greenspaces. The research adopts a Living Lab approach to utilise the inherent knowledge of the local community in developing digital experiments in the pilot site using a Nature Data Probe toolkit and seeks to explore its potential for enhancing nature connectedness by revealing hidden nature. We describe an action research method working with participants from a secondary school located close to a large urban park in Plymouth, UK. The results found that participants were more observant of hidden nature following the workshop and that an increase in the number of participants, and in the specific and descriptive responses identifying nature, was observed. These findings indicate that a deeper awareness of the natural environment was created and, in summary, we discuss the implications of this as a pathway to increased participation in greenspace governance.
Development of Large-Scale Tight Gas Sandstone Reservoirs and Recommendations for Stable Production—The Example of the Sulige Gas Field in the Ordos Basin
Authors: Cheng Minhua , Xue Wen , Guo Zhi , Hou Meifang , Wang Chenhui
Published: June 2023

The natural gas reserves and gas recovery rate of tight gas sandstone reservoirs in the Sulige gas field in the Ordos Basin play a crucial role in China’s natural gas industry. This study aims to enhance the stable production time of the gas field by summarizing the geological characteristics of the tight gas sandstone reservoirs in the Sulige gas field, discussing the challenges in the development of the gas field, and providing recommendations for the development of the reservoirs. The results show that the matrix reservoir properties, effective sand body size, and gas-bearing properties of tight sandstone gas reservoirs in the Sulige gas field exhibit strong heterogeneity characteristics, and the western and northern parts of the basin edge are gas-water mixed storage areas. There are obvious differences in gas well production, cumulative production, production decline rate, and single well dynamic control reserves in different regions. The recovery of gas reservoirs is primarily influenced by reservoir quality and development well pattern. Increasing the well density increases from 1.5/km2 to 4/km2 in the gas field enrichment area, can raise the corresponding recovery rate from 26.0% to about 50% under the existing economic and technical conditions. Therefore, ensuring a stable production of the tight gas sandstone reservoirs in this gas field is challenging. To achieve a long-term stable production of the gas field, it is necessary to promote the refined reservoir description technology and improve the production through various measures such as replenishing fractures in wells with depleted fractures, sidetracking horizontal wells, and re-fracturing, thereby improving the reserve utilization degree. Moreover, implementing the negative pressure gas recovery technology as soon as possible can restore the production capacity of near-depletion wells.
Structural Relationship between Theme Park Servicescape, Instagramability, Brand Attitude and Intention to Revisit
Authors: Heo Jun , Lee Wonseok , Moon Joonho
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this research was to identify the sub-dimensions of servicescape and investigate the structural relationship among servicescape, Instagramability, brand attitude, and intention to revisit. For data collection, Amazon Mechanical Turk was employed. The number of valid observations for data analysis was 422. A structural equation model was the main instrument used to test the research hypotheses. It was revealed that servicescape positively affects Instagramability and brand attitude. The results also revealed that servicescape exerts a positive impact on intention to revisit. Additionally, the results showed that brand attitude is positively associated with Instagramability. Last, it was found that intention to revisit is positively influenced by Instagramability. This study sheds light on the literature by exhibiting the structural relationship among servicescape, Instagramability, brand attitude, and intention to revisit.
Quality of Work Life as a Precursor to Work–Life Balance: Collegiality and Job Security as Moderators and Job Satisfaction as a Mediator
Authors: Jayaraman Samuel , George Hesil Jerda , Siluvaimuthu Mariadoss , Parayitam Satyanarayana
Published: June 2023

The current study investigates the relationship between quality of work life (QWL) and work–life balance (WLB) among construction workers in a developing country, India. A multi-layered conceptual model involving collegiality and job security as moderators in the relationships were developed. A survey instrument was used, and data were collected from 592 construction workers from southern India. After checking the psychometric properties of the measures using LISREL 9.30 software for covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), a structural model was analyzed using Hayes’s PROCESS macros. The findings indicate the following: (i) QWL is positively associated with (a) WLB and (b) job satisfaction; (ii) job satisfaction positively predicts QWL; and (iii) job satisfaction mediates the relationship between QWL and WLB. The results also support the following: (i) work environment (second moderator) moderates the moderated relationship between QWL and collegiality (first moderator) in influencing job satisfaction; and (ii) work hours (second moderator) moderates the moderated relationship between job satisfaction and job security (first moderator) to influence WLB. The first three-way interaction between QWL, collegiality, and work environment and the second three-way interaction between job satisfaction, job security, and work hours have been investigated for the first time concerning construction workers in a developing country context and make a novel contribution to the advancement of literature on QWL and WLB. Further, this study contributes to the socio-economic well-being of workers and contributes to the sustainable working environment. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Influence of Precession Electron Diffraction Parameters and Energy Filtering on Reduced Density Function Analysis of Thin Amorphous Silica Films—Implications for Structural Studies
Authors: Chou Yu-Jen , Borisenko Konstantin B. , Das Partha Pratim , Nicolopoulos Stavros , Gemmi Mauro , Kirkland Angus I.
Published: June 2023

We investigated the influence of precession angle, energy filtering and sample thickness on the structural parameters of amorphous SiO2 thin films from the electron reduced density functions obtained by applying precession electron diffraction. The results demonstrate that the peak positions in the electron reduced density functions are generally insensitive to the studied experimental conditions, while both precession angle and energy filtering influence peak heights considerably. It is also shown that introducing precession with small angles of up to 2 degrees and energy filtering results in higher coordination numbers that are closer to the expected theoretical values of 4 and 2 for Si and O, respectively, for data obtained from a thicker sample.
Problems Concerning Coefficients of Symmetric Starlike Functions Connected with the Sigmoid Function
Authors: Faisal Muhammad Imran , Al-Shbeil Isra , Abbas Muhammad , Arif Muhammad , Alhefthi Reem K.
Published: June 2023

In numerous geometric and physical applications of complex analysis, estimating the sharp bounds of coefficient-related problems of univalent functions is very important due to the fact that these coefficients describe the core inherent properties of conformal maps. The primary goal of this paper was to calculate the sharp estimates of the initial coefficients and some of their combinations (the Hankel determinants, Zalcman’s functional, etc.) for the class of symmetric starlike functions linked with the sigmoid function. Moreover, we also determined the bounds of second-order Hankel determinants containing coefficients of logarithmic and inverse functions of the same class.
Dynamical Study of Coupled Riemann Wave Equation Involving Conformable, Beta, and M-Truncated Derivatives via Two Efficient Analytical Methods
Authors: Ansar Rimsha , Abbas Muhammad , Mohammed Pshtiwan Othman , Al-Sarairah Eman , Gepreel Khaled A. , Soliman Mohamed S.
Published: June 2023

In this study, the Jacobi elliptic function method (JEFM) and modified auxiliary equation method (MAEM) are used to investigate the solitary wave solutions of the nonlinear coupled Riemann wave (RW) equation. Nonlinear coupled partial differential equations (NLPDEs) can be transformed into a collection of algebraic equations by utilising a travelling wave transformation. This study’s objective is to learn more about the non-linear coupled RW equation, which accounts for tidal waves, tsunamis, and static uniform media. The variance in the governing model’s travelling wave behavior is investigated using the conformable, beta, and M-truncated derivatives (M-TD). The aforementioned methods can be used to derive solitary wave solutions for trigonometric, hyperbolic, and jacobi functions. We may produce periodic solutions, bell-form soliton, anti-bell-shape soliton, M-shaped, and W-shaped solitons by altering specific parameter values. The mathematical form of each pair of travelling wave solutions is symmetric. Lastly, in order to emphasise the impact of conformable, beta, and M-TD on the behaviour and symmetric solutions for the presented problem, the 2D and 3D representations of the analytical soliton solutions can be produced using Mathematica 10.
Conjugate Heat Transfer Model for an Induction Motor and Its Adequate FEM Model
Authors: Gebauer Marek , Blejchař Tomáš , Brzobohatý Tomáš , Nevřela Miroslav
Published: June 2023

The primary objective of the research presented in this paper was to design a methodology for analyzing the thermal field of an induction motor that would be of higher fidelity but less time- and cost-consuming and that would deal with air-cooled induction motors of all sizes. The complexity of the simulation is increased by the geometric asymmetry and by the asymmetric character of flow cooling the motor casing caused by the fan’s rotation. This increases demand, especially on computational resources, as creating a simplified numerical model using symmetry boundary conditions is impossible. The new methodology uses the existing findings from many partial articles and literature, which are modified into more accurate relationships suitable for predicting the external thermal field of induction motors. That way, we do not have to solve the thermal field by the conjugate heat transfer method, and it is possible to assess temperature gradients over the entire range. Furthermore, a new relationship between shear strain rate and thermal contact conductivity has been discovered that allows solving heat transfer of fluid adjacent to the internal walls of an induction motor at any location. That approach has not yet been published in the literature, so it can be considered a new method to simplify heat transfer simulation. An experimentally validated new methodology of the induction motor was performed. The so-called digital twin will be used for the virtual optimization of the new designs concerning minimizing losses and maximizing efficiency.
On the Hyper Zagreb Index of Trees with a Specified Degree of Vertices
Authors: Rizwan Muhammad , Shahab Sana , Bhatti Akhlaq Ahmad , Javaid Muhammad , Anjum Mohd
Published: June 2023

Topological indices are the numerical descriptors that correspond to some certain physicochemical properties of a chemical compound such as the boiling point, acentric factor, enthalpy of vaporisation, heat of fusion, etc. Among these topological indices, the Hyper Zagreb index, is the most effectively used topological index to predict the acentric factor of some octane isomers. In the current work, we investigate the extremal values of the Hyper Zagreb index for some classes of trees.
Extended Laplace Power Series Method for Solving Nonlinear Caputo Fractional Volterra Integro-Differential Equations
Authors: Alomari Abedel-Karrem , Alaroud Mohammad , Tahat Nedal , Almalki Adel
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we compile the fractional power series method and the Laplace transform to design a new algorithm for solving the fractional Volterra integro-differential equation. For that, we assume the Laplace power series (LPS) solution in terms of power q=1m,m∈Z+, where the fractional derivative of order α=qγ, for which γ∈Z+. This assumption will help us to write the integral, the kernel, and the nonhomogeneous terms as a LPS with the same power. The recurrence relations for finding the series coefficients can be constructed using this form. To demonstrate the algorithm’s accuracy, the residual error is defined and calculated for several values of the fractional derivative. Two strongly nonlinear examples are discussed to provide the efficiency of the algorithm. The algorithm gains powerful results for this kind of fractional problem. Under Caputo meaning of the symmetry order, the obtained results are illustrated numerically and graphically. Geometrically, the behavior of the obtained solutions declares that the changing of the fractional derivative parameter values in their domain alters the style of these solutions in a symmetric meaning, as well as indicates harmony and symmetry, which leads them to fully coincide at the value of the ordinary derivative. From these simulations, the results report that the recommended novel algorithm is a straightforward, accurate, and superb tool to generate analytic-approximate solutions for integral and integro-differential equations of fractional order.
A New Right-Skewed One-Parameter Distribution with Mathematical Characterizations, Distributional Validation, and Actuarial Risk Analysis, with Applications
Authors: Hamedani G. G. , Goual Hafida , Emam Walid , Tashkandy Yusra , Ahmad Bhatti Fiaz , Ibrahim Mohamed , Yousof Haitham M.
Published: June 2023

Skewed probability distributions are important when modeling skewed data sets because they provide a way to describe the shape of the distribution and estimate the likelihood of extreme events. Asymmetric probability distributions have the potential to handle and assess problems in actuarial risk assessment and analysis. To that end, we present a new right-skewed one-parameter distribution. In this work and for this purpose, a right-skewed probability distribution was derived and analyzed. The new distribution outperformed the exponential distribution, the Pareto distribution, the Chen distribution, and others in the field of actuarial risk analysis. Some useful key risk indicators are considered and analyzed to analyze the risks and for comparison with the competitive model. Several actuarial risk functions and indicators are evaluated and analyzed using the U.K. insurance claims data set. The process of risk assessment and analysis was carried out using a comprehensive simulation. For the purposes of distributional validity, a modified chi-squared type test is presented and employed in the testing process. The new, modified chi-squared type test that is used is simply an extension of the Rao–Robson–Nikulin test. In this work, the distributional validity is presented and analyzed under right-skewed censored and uncensored data sets.
Imaging of Skull Base Tumors
Authors: Battal Bilal , Zamora Carlos
Published: June 2023

The skull base provides a platform for supporting the brain while serving as a conduit for major neurovascular structures. In addition to malignant lesions originating in the skull base, there are many benign entities and developmental variants that may simulate disease. Therefore, a basic understanding of the relevant embryology is essential. Lesions centered in the skull base can extend to the adjacent intracranial and extracranial compartments; conversely, the skull base can be secondarily involved by primary extracranial and intracranial disease. CT and MRI are the mainstay imaging methods and are complementary in the evaluation of skull base lesions. Advances in cross-sectional imaging have been crucial in the management of patients with skull base pathology, as this represents a complex anatomical area that is hidden from direct clinical exam. Furthermore, the clinician must rely on imaging studies for therapy planning and to monitor treatment response. It is crucial to have a thorough understanding of skull base anatomy and its various pathologies, as well as to recognize the appearance of treatment-related changes. In this review, we aim to describe skull base tumors and tumor-like lesions in an anatomical compartmental approach and present imaging methods that aid in diagnosis, management, and follow-up.