bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Disturbance Feedforward Control Method for Electro-Optical Tracking System Line-Of-Sight Stabilization on Moving Platform
Authors: Xia Yunxia , Bao Qiliang , Liu Zidong
Published: December 2018

A feedforward control was proposed based on the decoupling of target movement and disturbance from gyro signals to improve the stabilization precision of line-of-sight (LOS) for an electro-optical tracking system (EOTS) on a moving platform. Signals measured by gyros mounted on gimbal consist of target movement and disturbance. To remove target movement and obtain middle and high frequency disturbance velocity, the gyro signals were filtered by a high pass filter. The disturbance velocity was integrated into the position signal and fed forward to the inner position loop of the fast steering mirror. A detailed analysis was provided to show the proposed approach, to improve disturbance suppression performance with only slight weakening of target tracking ability. The proposed feedforward control was effectively verified through a series of comparative simulations and experiments. Besides, the method was applied in a real ship-based project.
Clustering Transmission Opportunity Length (CTOL) Model over Cognitive Radio Network
Authors: Mohamad Mas Haslinda , Sali Aduwati , Hashim Fazirulhisyam , Nordin Rosdiadee , Takyu Osamu
Published: December 2018

This paper investigated the throughput performance of a secondary user (SU) for a random primary user (PU) activity in a realistic experimental model. This paper proposed a sensing and frame duration of the SU to maximize the SU throughput under the collision probability constraint. The throughput of the SU and the probability of collisions depend on the pattern of PU activities. The pattern of PU activity was obtained and modelled from the experimental data that measure the wireless local area network (WLAN) environment. The WLAN signal has detected the transmission opportunity length (TOL) which was analyzed and clustered into large and small durations in the CTOL model. The performance of the SU is then analyzed and compared with static and dynamic PU models. The results showed that the SU throughput in the CTOL model was higher than the static and dynamic models by almost 45% and 12.2% respectively. Furthermore, the probability of collisions in the network and the SU throughput were influenced by the value of the minimum contention window and the maximum back-off stage. The simulation results revealed that the higher contention window had worsened the SU throughput even though the channel has a higher number of TOLs.
Securing Real-Time Internet-of-Things
Authors: Chen Chien-Ying , Hasan Monowar , Mohan Sibin
Published: December 2018

Modern embedded and cyber-physical systems are ubiquitous. Many critical cyber-physical systems have real-time requirements (e.g., avionics, automobiles, power grids, manufacturing systems, industrial control systems, etc.). Recent developments and new functionality require real-time embedded devices to be connected to the Internet. This gives rise to the real-time Internet-of-things (RT-IoT) that promises a better user experience through stronger connectivity and efficient use of next-generation embedded devices. However, RT-IoT are also increasingly becoming targets for cyber-attacks, which is exacerbated by this increased connectivity. This paper gives an introduction to RT-IoT systems, an outlook of current approaches and possible research challenges towards secure RT-IoT frameworks.
Effect of the Transition Points Mismatch on Quanta Image Sensors
Authors: Xu Jiangtao , Zhao Xiyang , Han Liqiang , Nie Kaiming , Xu Liang , Ma Jianguo
Published: December 2018

Mathematical models and imaging models that show the relationship between the transition points mismatch of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and the bit error rate (BER) in single-bit and multi-bit quanta image sensors (QISs) are established. The mathematical models suggest that when the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) of the read noise in jots is 0.15e−, the standard deviation of the transition points should be less than 0.15e− to ensure that the BER is lower than 1% in the single-bit QIS, and 0.21e− to ensure that the BER is lower than 5% in the multi-bit QIS. Based on the mathematical models, the imaging models prove that the fixed-pattern noise (FPN) increases with a stronger transition point mismatch. The imaging models also compare the imaging quality in the case of different spatial oversampling factors and bit depths. The grayscale similarity index (GSI) is 3.31 LSB and 1.74 LSB when the spatial oversampling factors are 256 and 4096, respectively, in the single-bit QIS. The GSI is 1.93 LSB and 1.13 LSB when the bit depth is 3 and 4, respectively, in the multi-bit QIS. It indicates that a higher bit depth and a larger spatial oversampling factor could reduce the effect of the transition points mismatch of1-bit or n-bit ADCs.
Efficient Matrix-Based Channel Hopping Schemes for Blind Rendezvous in Distributed Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Al-Mqdashi AbdulMajid , Sali Aduwati , Noordin Nor kamariah , Hashim Shaiful J. , Nordin Rosdiadee
Published: December 2018

Channel rendezvous is an initial and important process for establishing communications between secondary users (SUs) in distributed cognitive radio networks. Due to the drawbacks of the common control channel (CCC) based rendezvous approach, channel hopping (CH) has attracted a lot of research interests for achieving blind rendezvous. To ensure rendezvous within a finite time, most of the existing CH-based rendezvous schemes generate their CH sequences based on the whole global channel set in the network. However, due to the spatial and temporal variations in channel availabilities as well as the limitation of SUs sensing capabilities, the local available channel set (ACS) for each SU is usually a small subset of the global set. Therefore, following these global-based generated CH sequences can result in extensively long time-to-rendezvous (TTR) especially when the number of unavailable channels is large. In this paper, we propose two matrix-based CH rendezvous schemes in which the CH sequences are generated based on the ACSs only. We prove the guaranteed and full diversity rendezvous of the proposed schemes by deriving the theoretical upper bounds of their maximum TTRs. Furthermore, extensive simulation comparisons with other existing works are conducted which illustrate the superior performance of our schemes in terms of the TTR metrics.
Developing a Modular Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Platform for Air Pollution Profiling
Authors: Gu Qijun , R. Michanowicz Drew , Jia Chunrong
Published: December 2018

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) offers great potential for collecting air quality data with high spatial and temporal resolutions. The objective of this study is to design and develop a modular UAV-based platform capable of real-time monitoring of multiple air pollutants. The system comprises five modules: the UAV, the ground station, the sensors, the data acquisition (DA) module, and the data fusion (DF) module. The hardware was constructed with off-the-shelf consumer parts and the open source software Ardupilot was used for flight control and data fusion. The prototype UAV system was tested in representative settings. Results show that this UAV platform can fly on pre-determined pathways with adequate flight time for various data collection missions. The system simultaneously collects air quality and high precision X-Y-Z data and integrates and visualizes them in a real-time manner. While the system can accommodate multiple gas sensors, UAV operations may electronically interfere with the performance of chemical-resistant sensors. Our prototype and experiments prove the feasibility of the system and show that it features a stable and high precision spatial-temporal platform for air sample collection. Future work should be focused on gas sensor development, plug-and-play interfaces, impacts of rotor wash, and all-weather designs.
Recent Development of Flexible and Stretchable Antennas for Bio-Integrated Electronics
Authors: Zhu Jia , Cheng Huanyu
Published: December 2018

Wireless technology plays an important role in data communication and power transmission, which has greatly boosted the development of flexible and stretchable electronics for biomedical applications and beyond. As a key component in wireless technology, flexible and stretchable antennas need to be flexible and stretchable, enabled by the efforts with new materials or novel integration approaches with structural designs. Besides replacing the conventional rigid substrates with textile or elastomeric ones, flexible and stretchable conductive materials also need to be used for the radiation parts, including conductive textiles, liquid metals, elastomeric composites embedding conductive fillers, and stretchable structures from conventional metals. As the microwave performance of the antenna (e.g., resonance frequency, radiation pattern, and radiation efficiency) strongly depend on the mechanical deformations, the new materials and novel structures need to be carefully designed. Despite the rapid progress in the burgeoning field of flexible and stretchable antennas, plenty of challenges, as well as opportunities, still exist to achieve miniaturized antennas with a stable or tunable performance at a low cost for bio-integrated electronics.
Plant Temperature Sensors
Authors: Sakamoto Tomoaki , Kimura Seisuke
Published: December 2018

Temperature is one of the most important environmental signals for plants. High and low temperatures have a variety of effects that affect plant growth and development profoundly. Further, temperature is an indication of seasonal change. Plants must survive under severe conditions in winter and prepare to resume growth and reach their reproductive stage in the following spring. Recent studies have focused on plant mechanisms responsible for sensing temperature and the molecular systems underlying plant reactions in response to this signal. In this review, we describe how plants sense ambient temperature to adapt to ambient-temperature changes.
A Guided Vehicle under Fire Conditions Based on a Modified Ultrasonic Obstacle Avoidance Technology
Authors: Li Sen , Feng Chunyong , Liang Xiaoge , Qin Hengjie , Li Haihang , Shi Long
Published: December 2018

Low visibility and hot smoke environment under fire conditions can largely hamper the related fire rescue processes. Ultrasound obstacle avoidance technology is then useful for guidance. However, the biggest challenge of adopting ultrasound technology comes from accurate distance measurements under the disturbances of high temperature and soot particle concentration. It is critical to measure the propagation speed under the complicated fire conditions. Therefore, in this study, a baffle calibration method was proposed to improve the accuracy of distance measurement of an obstacle. The method is based on two ultrasound measurement systems, while one is used to calibrate the propagation speed of ultrasound based on the fixed distanced baffle and the other is for the dynamic measurement of obstacle distance based on the calibrated speed. The viability of this method on the guided vehicle was confirmed based on the experiments. From its comparison to those existing methods, such as constant speed and temperature compensation methods, it was known from that the proposed baffle calibration method provides the best prediction. It was obtained that the maximum errors based on the baffle calibration method are 2.75% and 2.62% under the two representative fire scenarios, respectively, which are much lower than those of constant speed (7.81% and 8.4%) and temperature compensation methods (10.4% and 5.12%).
Toward Security Enhanced Provisioning in Industrial IoT Systems
Authors: Kwon Sungmoon , Jeong Jaehan , Shon Taeshik
Published: December 2018

Through the active development of industrial internet of things (IIoT) technology, there has been a rapid increase in the number of different industrial wireless sensor networks (IWSNs). Accordingly, the security of IWSNs is also of importance, as many security problems related to IWSN protocols have been raised and various studies have been conducted to solve these problems. However, the provisioning process is the first step in introducing a new device into the IIoT network and a starting point for IIoT security. Therefore, leakage of security information in the provisioning process makes exposure of secret keys and all subsequent security measures meaningless. In addition, using the exploited secret keys, the attacker can send false command to the node or send false data to the network manager and it can cause serious damage to industrial infrastructure depending on the IWSN. Nevertheless, a security study on the provisioning process has not been actively carried out, resulting in a provisioning process without guaranteed security. Therefore, in this paper, we analyzed security issues of the provisioning process in IWSN by researching prominent IWSN standards, including ISA 100.11a, WirelessHART, and Zigbee, and also an ISA 100.11a-certified device and provisioning process-related studies. Then, we verified the security issues of the provisioning process through testing and analyzing the provisioning process using the ISA 100.11a standard-implemented devices and ISA 100.11a-certified devices. Finally, we discuss security considerations and the direction of future research on provisioning security for IWSN in the IIoT era.
The Dutch inside the ‘Moslima’ and the ‘Moslima’ inside the Dutch: Processing the Religious Experience of Muslim Women in The Netherlands
Authors: Hass Bat sheva , Lutek Hayden
Published: December 2018

This research focuses on Dutch Muslim women who chose to practice Islam, whether they were born Muslim (‘Newly Practicing Muslims’) or they chose to convert (‘New Muslims’). This study takes place in a context, the Netherlands, where Islam is popularly considered by the native Dutch population, as a religion oppressive to women. How do these Dutch Muslim women build their identity in a way that it is both Dutch and Muslim? Do they mix Dutch parameters in their Muslim identity, while at the same time, inter-splicing Islamic principles in their Dutch sense of self? This study is based on an ethnography conducted in the city of Amsterdam from September to October 2009, which combines insights taken from in-depth interviews with Dutch Muslim women, observations from Quranic and Religious classes, observations in a mosque, and one-time events occurring during the month of Ramadan. This paper argues that, in the context of being Dutch and Muslim, women express their agency, which is their ability to choose and act in social action: they push the limits of archetypal Dutch identity while simultaneously stretching the meaning of Islam to craft their own identity, one that is influenced by themes of immigration, belongingness, religious knowledge, higher education and gender.
Towards a Framework for Building Community-University Resilience Research Agendas
Authors: Levac Leah , Parizeau Kate , Varghese Jeji , Morton Mavis , Jackson Elizabeth , Hawkins Linda
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we ask: “How can we scope multiyear, multiscalar community–university collaborations that draw on the university’s diverse resources and contribute to community resilience”? We approach this question by presenting the development and application of the Advancing Collaborative Transdisciplinary Scholarship Framework (the “ACTS Framework”) which we argue has been successful at helping us better understand, foster, and work towards communities’ resilience. The ACTS Framework, informed by our collective expertise in critical community-engaged scholarship (CES) and community resilience, contributes to knowledge and practice in critical CES, in particular by providing guidance for scoping and sustaining complex community–university collaborations. The structured yet iterative process involved in the framework development and application affirms and extends the work of other scholars interested in the links between CES and community resilience. Our contributions offer two other important practices—centring community concerns and facilitating cross-project collaboration—to critical CES knowledge and practice and highlight two promising practices of linking structures that facilitate community–university collaborations—specifically, a well-organized institutional memory and holding and bridging relationships.
Analysis of Social Responsibility and Reporting Methods of Romanian Companies in the Countries of the European Union
Authors: Socoliuc Marian , Grosu Veronica , Hlaciuc Elena , Stanciu Silvius
Published: December 2018

In the context of the current economy, the concept of corporate social responsibility has gained momentum, and its significance derives from the attitude of companies that have understood the importance of the impact of their activity on the environment in which they conduct their operations. The present study emphasizes the fact that CSR has an equal importance for those companies of varying sizes that operate in developing countries, such as Romania. There are still a lot of challenges regarding their implementation. The study focuses on establishing the level of CSR report by the Romanian companies within the European Union framework by taking into account the extent to which they are familiar with the CSR reporting guidelines in order to identify the degree of applying the Global Reporting Guidelines (GRI) when designing the sustainability reports. The data regarding the acceptance of the voluntary report and its correlation to the sustainable development as a strategic focus of the management of entities, the usefulness, the necessity and the obstacles of voluntary reporting were gathered based on a questionnaire. Between 2015–2017, 61 Romanian companies of various sizes had to answer specific questions. The research is based on the descriptive statistics as well as the correlation analysis method. The findings of the research proved that the acceptance of the management in terms of the sustainable development is in a close relationship with implementing voluntary reporting and the willingness to develop a favorable image of the company within a competitive market. The study also identified the differences that exist between a company’s success on the market that is linked to their development and the economic factors that characterize each and every field of activity. The present study focuses on defining the term ‘social responsibility’ from the point of view of its concepts. It also aims at presenting the social responsibility reporting methods used by the companies from the European Union countries. These can be a starting point for those companies that have not had the chance of applying them yet.
Performance Analysis and Improvement of the Bike Sharing System Using Closed Queuing Networks with Blocking Mechanism
Authors: Samet Bacem , Couffin Florent , Zolghadri Marc , Barkallah Maher , Haddar Mohamed
Published: December 2018

The Bike Sharing System is a sustainable urban transport solution that consists of a fleet of bikes placed in various stations. Users will be satisfied if they find available bikes at their departure station and free docks at the destination. Despite the regulation operations of the system provider (i.e., redistribution of bikes by truck) deeper modifications (bike fleet size or station capacity) are often necessary to ensure a satisfactory service rate. In this paper, we model a sub-graph of a Bike Sharing System using the closed queuing network with a Repetitive-Service-Random-Destination blocking mechanism. This model is solved using the Maximum Entropy Method. This model faithfully reproduces the system dynamics considering the limited capacity of stations. We analyze the performance, particularly, via an overall performance indicator of the system. The various control and monitoring decisions (fleet-size, capacity of stations, incoming and outgoing flow of bikes) are applied to find out the best performance levels. The results demonstrate that the overall performance is robust enough regarding the fleet size changes but it degrades with the increase of the stations’ capacity. Finally, the arrival and departure flows control is an efficient and powerful operational leverage.
Optimal Time for Consumers to Purchase Electronic Products with Consideration of Consumer Value and Eco-Efficiency
Authors: Rau Hsin , Fang Yi-Tse
Published: December 2018

In recent years, owing to the improvements in technologies and the rapid changes in market demands, the life-cycle of consumer electronic products has been shortened and new products are being released constantly. With rising environmental awareness, product value, and cost are not the only factors defining consumer value; the impact of the product to the environment has become another new factor to affect consumers purchase decisions. A key concept to transform unsustainable to sustainable development is eco-efficiency, a concept that uses less energy and resource to make a product, producing less waste and pollution. However, there has been very little discussion on how beneficial these environmentally friendly products actually are to the consumer. In view of this, the present study proposes a set of methods for consumer value and ecological benefit evaluation from the perspective of consumers. A model for determining the most suitable time to make a purchase is developed with the inclusion of the time factor, and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is used to find the suggested order of purchase at different times on the model. Finally, factors such as different groups of consumers and different types of products are considered in investigating the most appropriate time to make a purchase under different circumstances. This study focused on notebook computers, which are having high variety and easily get obsolete. As for the investigation of different consumer groups, this study found that there is a relatively good product selection order of Ultrabooks for price-conscious and environmentally conscious consumer groups. Business Notebooks are the most suitable option for general consumer groups. Being able to know optimal time to purchase and to evaluate the product ecological benefit would be beneficial to both consumers and the environment nowadays.
Sustainable Value of Investment in Real Estate: Real Options Approach
Authors: Durica Marek , Guttenova Danuse , Pinda Ludovit , Svabova Lucia
Published: December 2018

The issue of application of real option valuation approach in the valuation of investment project is presented in the article in a way in which the flexibility of the project could be included in the process of its valuation. The authors apply the valuation approach in case of a specific investment project in the real estate in the capital city of the Czech Republic—Prague, using the option to expand, to contract, and to abandon the project. The main aim of this case study is to present a practical application of the investment valuation and to construct an option pricing model for real estate investment which considers and integrates as many aspects of the investment and market environment as possible to describe the best situation of the real estate market and its development. The valuation of the investment is carried out using a universally applicable numerical method of binomial trees. The results obtained are subjected to the sensitivity analysis with respect to the discount rate, value of the most influential parameter of the volatility and the input option parameters. The results of the valuation of the project obtained using the real option approach are important mainly for the management of the company in the process of quantification of the present value of future investments. Implementation of managerial interventions enables for optimizing the value of the project not only in case of favourable development of the real estate market, but particularly in case of unfavourable development. Therefore, they are important in order to protect an investor from potential high losses. Finally, the valuation of these interventions increases the present value of the project, contributing to the decision of the corporate management regarding its implementation.
The ALARP Principle in the Cost-Benefit Analysis for the Acceptability of Investment Risk
Authors: Nesticò Antonio , He Shuquan , De Mare Gianluigi , Benintendi Renato , Maselli Gabriella
Published: December 2018

The process of allocating financial resources is extremely complex—both because the selection of investments depends on multiple, and interrelated, variables, and constraints that limit the eligibility domain of the solutions, and because the feasibility of projects is influenced by risk factors. In this sense, it is essential to develop economic evaluations on a probabilistic basis. Nevertheless, for the civil engineering sector, the literature emphasizes the centrality of risk management, in order to establish interventions for risk mitigation. On the other hand, few methodologies are available to systematically compare ante and post mitigation design risk, along with the verification of the economic convenience of these actions. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate how these limits can be at least partially overcome by integrating, in the traditional Cost-Benefit Analysis schemes, the As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) logic. According to it, the risk is tolerable only if it is impossible to reduce it further or if the costs to mitigate it are disproportionate to the benefits obtainable. The research outlines the phases of an innovative protocol for managing investment risks. On the basis of a case study dealing with a project for the recovery and transformation of an ancient medieval village into a widespread-hotel, the novelty of the model consists of the characterization of acceptability and tolerability thresholds of the investment risk, as well as its ability to guarantee the triangular balance between risks, costs and benefits deriving from mitigation options.
Building Integrated Shading and Building Applied Photovoltaic System Assessment in the Energy Performance and Thermal Comfort of Office Buildings
Authors: Martinopoulos Georgios , Serasidou Anna , Antoniadou Panagiota , Papadopoulos Agis M.
Published: December 2018

Non-residential and more specifically office buildings are, nowadays, an integral part of the building stock and milestones of urban areas in most of the developed and developing countries all over the world. Compared to other building types, office buildings present some of the highest specific energy consumption rates. In the present study, a typical nine-story office is assessed for a number of different building integrated retrofitting measures. Measurements of indoor environmental conditions were used in order to validate the developed simulation model of the building in EnergyPlus. Then, a number of different building integration options for photovoltaic systems and shading options are examined, in order to evaluate the best option in terms of indoor air quality, thermal comfort and energy consumption. The amount of electricity produced can meet 65% of the building’s annual electricity requirements, while the shading options can reduce energy requirements by as much as 33%. Although this in not a value that can be dismissed easily, it becomes clear that further—and more deeply aiming—measures are needed, if the building is to achieve near zero energy status.
A Coupling Relationship between the Eco-Environment Carrying Capacity and New-Type Urbanization: A Case Study of the Wuhan Metropolitan Area in China
Authors: Song Min , Hu Can
Published: December 2018

Ongoing global urbanization is imposing tremendous pressure on the eco-environment. Research on the coupling of the eco-environment and urbanization has important significance for the sustainable development of urban metropolitan. Looking at the Wuhan Metropolitan Area, which includes nine cities, as a case study area, this paper describes an empirical study done to uncover the interactive coupling relationship between the eco-environment and new-type urbanization in the urban metropolitan area from the perspective of eco-environment carrying capacity. The eco-environment carrying capacity evaluation index system was set up using the pressure-state-response (PSR) model, and then the coupling model was built. The results indicate that the eco-environment carrying capacity in the Wuhan Metropolitan Area is generally sustainable and has three grades. The quality of new-type urbanization in the nine cities in the Wuhan Metropolitan Area shows clear spatial heterogeneity. There are five types of the coupling relationship including moderate coordinated development, elementary coordinated development, reluctant coordinated development, edge of maladjustment, and mild maladjustment between the eco-environment carrying capacity and new-type urbanization level in the Wuhan Metropolitan Area. Therefore, this paper proposes corresponding policies from the aspects of coordinating the industrial division of labor, focusing on the eco-environment carrying threshold and strengthening policy guidance.
The Effect of Environmental Orientation on Green Innovation: Do Political Ties Matter?
Authors: Feng Liwei , Zhao Wenwen , Li Hui , Song Yongtao
Published: December 2018

Although the importance of environmental orientation has been recognized, how and under what conditions it influences green innovation is limited. To extend the research on green innovation, our research examines the impacts of two dimensions of environmental orientation on two types of green innovation, as well as the moderating role of political ties. Drawing upon stakeholder theory and resource-based view, we propose research hypotheses. We perform hierarchical regression analysis to validate the hypotheses that is based on survey data collected in 253 Chinese manufacturing companies. Our findings indicate that internal environmental orientation and external environmental orientation are positively linked with both green product innovation and green process innovation. The effect of internal environmental orientation on green process innovation is stronger than that of green product innovation. In addition, political ties strengthen the positive impacts of internal environmental orientation on green product innovation and green process innovation, while attenuating the positive impact of external environmental orientation on green process innovation. These findings contribute to theory and practice by enriching our understanding of how two dimensions of environmental orientation affect two types of green innovation.
Vegetation Restoration and Its Environmental Effects on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Zhao Hongfei , He Hongming , Wang Jingjing , Bai Chunyu , Zhang Chuangjuan
Published: December 2018

An analysis of land use/cover change (LUCC) on the Loess Plateau over the past 30 years and its environmental effects was performed to provide scientific guidance for a sustainable development policy for the regional ecological environment and social economy. Geostatistical and trend analyses are used to study the LUCC characteristics, driving forces and environmental effects, and the relationship between LUCC and regional sustainable development is explored. The following results were obtained: (1) Overall, the land use structure has not changed, with grassland, farmland, and forest land remaining dominant; however, the vegetation coverage has significantly increased, especially in the central area. (2) LUCC is affected by climate change and human activities, with greater climate change impacts in the northwest than the southeast and greater among which human-induced impacts on the hilly/gully region in the central part. (3) LUCC will produce long-term ecological and environmental processes, such as surface runoff, soil erosion, soil moisture and carbon cycling. Vegetation restoration has both negative and positive effects on the regional ecological environment. Vegetation productivity on the Loess Plateau has approached the water resource carrying capacity threshold. Therefore, improving artificial vegetation stability and promoting the water resources balance have become the main strategies for promoting sustainable development on the Loess Plateau.
Sustainable Building Renovation: Proposals for a Research Agenda
Authors: Jensen Per Anker , Maslesa Esmir , Brinkø Berg Jakob
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this paper is to identify research gaps and potential new topics for research in relation to the management of sustainable building renovation. The paper is based on a literature review of current research on sustainable building renovation. It analyses the research to pinpoint main focus areas and strengths, as well as identifying areas of weakness and research gaps, which are seen as potential topics for new research. The emphasis is on comprehensive renovation projects of buildings with a holistic sustainability approach. The analysis focuses on the management and process aspects in relation to planning, decision-making, conducting, and evaluating renovation projects. The result is a proposal for new research topics for sustainable building renovation. The current research shows a dominating focus on developing new tools for design support and measuring environmental performance, while there is limited research on developing strategies for renovation and improving the productivity of renovation processes. Out of the three pillars of sustainability, social sustainability is the least defined, and there is a need to develop methods to make a holistic prioritization and evaluation of all aspects of sustainability.
Development and Application of an Assessment Complement for Production System Audits Based on Data Quality, IT Infrastructure, and Sustainability
Authors: Goti Aitor , De la Calle Alberto , Gil María José , Errasti Ander , Bom Pedro R. D. , García-Bringas Pablo
Published: December 2018

Some companies improve their production performance using manufacturing or operations models. In the last decade these models have come to be known as “X” production systems (XPS), or company-specific production systems. XPS systems have been oriented mainly to implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles, but have shown little progress in terms of sustainability principles. The emergence of databases (DBs), big data, and business intelligence (BI) systems have enabled the creation of system panels to measure performance and manage business processes. These panels also allow assessment of the implementation of the principles, methods, and tools of the XPS. The effectiveness of these systems requires sufficient IT infrastructure and an acceptable quality of data, but the key performance indicator (KPI) panels of XPSs often lack consistent and acceptable data. In other cases, the IT infrastructure does not cover the needs of the personnel managing the operations, which limits the progress of XPSs. This paper documents the positive experience of one company in jointly auditing and improving data quality and IT infrastructure, which better aligned its XPS with sustainability objectives. It explores, using an empirical case study where the researchers were actively involved, the possibility of complementing the KPI panel system of XPS assessment systems with the principles of sustainability, data quality, and IT infrastructure. The paper describes the development and testing of an assessment tool based on those principles, and offers a number of results that may benefit similar small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs).
Identifying Factors Preventing Sustainable Brand Loyalty among Consumers: A Mixed Methods Approach
Authors: Zhang Xin , Ding Xiaoyan , Ma Liang , Wang Gaoshan
Published: December 2018

Consumers’ brand-switching behavior, or the non-sustainability of consumer loyalty to a brand, brings huge losses to affected companies. Thus, the investigation of factors behind consumers’ brand-switching is very important. The study analyzes the mechanism and configuration of brand-switching intention in order to provide guidelines for increasing brand competitiveness. Using empirical analysis (SEM) and qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study elucidates the motives and mechanisms in operation when customers decide whether to stay with a particular brand or switch to an alternative. The data was collected in August 2017. The results of SEM showed that the attractiveness of an alternate brand had a negative influence on current brand image recognition and brand value recognition, which could produce negative emotions that then lead to a brand-switching intention. The fsQCA uncovered six combinations or configurations of variables that could lead to brand-switching. This study has both theoretical and practical outcomes for competitive branding.
Modeling Acceptance of Electric Vehicle Sharing Based on Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Zhang Kai , Guo Hongwei , Yao Guangzheng , Li Chenggang , Zhang Yujie , Wang Wuhong
Published: December 2018

The electric vehicle (EV) is a kind of innovation helping to address the issue of climate change and conventional energy consumption, compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. Electric vehicle sharing is a new way to promote the market penetration of electric vehicles due to its convenience and economy. Aiming to provide a more profound understanding of the influential factors in the acceptance of electric vehicle sharing, a structural equation model is proposed based on the theory of planned behavior as the policy environment has been added as prepositive variable. The data about the travelers’ perspective of electric vehicle sharing are acquired from questionnaires in Beijing. The results indicate that the perceived behavioral control is the primary factor with positive contributions to EV-sharing acceptance. Subjective norm, ranking second, is also proven to exert a significant positive effect on EV-sharing acceptance. The results also reveal the insignificant relationship between the attitude towards behavior and sharing acceptance, which is consistent with relevant research. Moreover, the significant positive effects of policy support on attitude and subjective norm are demonstrated. Finally, strategies to promote electric vehicle sharing are proposed, including providing more accessible resources (charging facility, service station), improving social pressure (free trial, sharing atmosphere), and strengthening policy support (financial support, legal guarantee). This study can give a better understanding of the acceptance of EV sharing and the strategy to promoting EV sharing in urban traffic.
Comparison of the Applied Measures on the Simulated Scenarios for the Sustainable Building Construction through Carbon Footprint Emissions—Case Study of Building Construction in Serbia
Authors: Nikolić Topalović Marina , Stanković Milenko , Ćirović Goran , Pamučar Dragan
Published: December 2018

Research was conducted to indicate the impact of the increased flow of thermal insulation materials on the environment due to the implementation of the new regulations on energy efficiency of buildings. The regulations on energy efficiency of buildings in Serbia came into force on 30 September 2012 for all new buildings as well as for buildings in the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction. For that purpose, the carbon footprint was analyzed in three scenarios (BS, S1 and S2) for which the quantities of construction materials and processes were calculated. The life cycle analysis (LCA), which is the basis for analyzing the carbon life cycle (LCACO2), was used in this study. Carbon Calculator was used for measuring carbon footprint, and URSA program to calculate the operational energy. This study was done in two phases. In Phase 1, the embodied carbon was measured to evaluate short-term effects of the implementation of the new regulations. Phase 2 included the first 10 years of building exploitation to evaluate the long-term effects of the new regulations. The analysis was done for the period of 10 years, further adjustments to the regulations regarding energy efficiency of the buildings in Serbia are expected in accordance with EU directives. The study shows that, in the short-run, Scenario BS has the lowest embodied carbon. In the long-run, after 3.66 years, Scenario S2 becomes a better option regarding the impact on the environment. The study reveals the necessity to include embodied carbon together with the whole life carbon to estimation the impact of a building on the environment.
Smart Systems Implementation in UK Food Manufacturing Companies: A Sustainability Perspective
Authors: Thomas Andrew , Haven-Tang Claire , Barton Richard , Mason-Jones Rachel , Francis Mark , Byard Paul
Published: December 2018

The UK food industry faces significant challenges to remain sustainable. With major challenges, such as Brexit, on the horizon, companies can no longer rely on a low labour cost workforce to maintain low production costs and achieve economic sustainability. Smart Systems (SS) is being seen as an approach towards achieving significant improvements in both economic and environmental sustainability. However, there is little evidence to indicate whether UK food companies are prepared for the implementation of such systems. The purpose of this research is to explore the applicability of Smart Systems in UK food manufacturing companies, and to identify the key priority areas and improvement levers for the implementation of such systems. A triangulated primary research approach is adopted that includes a questionnaire, follow-up interviews, and visits to 32 food manufacturing companies in the UK. The questionnaire and interviews are guided by a unique measuring instrument that the authors developed that focusses upon SS technologies and systems. This paper makes an original contribution in that it is one of the few academic studies to explore the implementation of SS in the industry, and provides a new perspective on the key drivers and inhibitors of its implementation. The findings suggest that the current turbulence in the industry could be bringing food companies closer to the adoption of such systems; hence, it is a good time to define and develop the optimum SS implementation strategy.
Evaluating Impacts of Overloaded Heavy Vehicles on Freeway Traffic Condition by a Novel Multi-Class Traffic Flow Model
Authors: Wang Xiang , Zhao Po , Tao Yanyun
Published: December 2018

Overloaded heavy vehicles (HVs) have significant negative impacts on traffic conditions due to their inferior driving performance. Highway authorities need to understand the impact of overloaded HVs to assess traffic conditions and set management strategies. We propose a multi-class traffic flow model based on Smulders fundamental diagram to analyze the influence of overloaded HVs on traffic conditions. The relationship between the overloading ratio and maximum speed is established by freeway toll collection data for different types of HVs. Dynamic passenger car equivalent factors are introduced to represent the various impacts of overloaded HVs in different traffic flow patterns. The model is solved analytically and discussed in detail in the appendices. The model validation results show that the proposed model can represent traffic conditions more accurately with consideration for overloaded HVs. The scenario tests indicate that the increase of overloaded HVs leads to both a higher congestion level and longer duration.
Agglomeration and Spatial Spillover Effects of Regional Economic Growth in China
Authors: Li Feng , Li Guangdong
Published: December 2018

As the processes of globalization and localization deepen, spatial externalities of economic growth are becoming increasingly apparent. The agglomeration mechanisms and spillover effects of China’s regional economic growth are also gradually gaining attention. Nevertheless, there is a continuing lack of research at the prefecture and county levels. As a result, building on the foundations of new economic geography and centered on the concept of market potential, this paper used spatial econometrics and panel data from Chinese counties to calculate inequality in the economic growth of counties at the prefecture level for the period 1992–2013. It also investigated the agglomeration versus economic inequality trade-off as well as quantitatively measuring spatial spillover effects at the county and prefecture level in China. The results showed that economic agglomeration, represented by market potential, had a significant influence on economic growth at the prefecture level in China. In addition, economic agglomeration exacerbated regional economic inequality, but economic inequality within a controllable range was found to have a positive influence on economic growth. Thus, there is a trade-off between economic growth and economic agglomeration. Economic growth at the prefecture level in China is not yet free of the effects of basic factors of production, and direct spillover effects, represented by market potential, have the most significant and strongest positive influence on economic growth. Moreover, it was found that the economic growth of prefectures was inseparable from the random impacts of surrounding prefectures and that it was also affected by indirect spatial spillover effects. On the whole, the rational use of the benefits of regional economic agglomeration and spillover effects, the gradual removal of market barriers, and the transformation of the development of prefecture-level economic growth will be the keys to prefecture-level economic development in the future.
Soil Physical Properties and Soybean Yield as Influenced by Long-Term Tillage Systems and Cover Cropping in the Midsouth USA
Authors: Nouri Amin , Lee Jaehoon , Yin Xinhua , D. Tyler Donald , Jagadamma Sindhu , Arelli Prakash
Published: December 2018

A better understanding of the effect of long-term tillage management on soil properties and yield is essential for sustainable food production. This research aimed to evaluate the 37-year impact of different tillage systems and cover cropping on soil hydro-physical properties at 0–15 and 15–30 cm, as well as on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] yield. The long-term experiment was located in Jackson, TN, and the different treatments involved in this study were no-tillage (NT), disk (DP), chisel (CP), moldboard plow (MP), and no-tillage with winter wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.)] cover crop (NTW). Forty-five days after the tillage operation, MP showed a comparable bulk density (BD) with NT, NTW, and CP at 0–15 cm depth. At surface depth, No-tillage systems increased cone penetration resistance (PR) by 12% compared with the reduced tillage systems, and 47% relative to MP. Wet aggregate stability (WAS) at surface depth was 27% and 36% greater for NT systems than for reduced and conventional tillage systems, respectively. Similarly, the geometric mean diameter (GMD) of aggregates was significantly higher under NT and NTW. However, water infiltration and field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) did not differ significantly among tillage systems. The greatest soybean yield was obtained from CP and DP, producing 10% higher yield than NTW. Overall, 37 years of no-tillage, with or without simplified cover cropping did not result in a consistent improvement in soybean yield and soil physical properties with the exception of having improved soil aggregation.