bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Crisis-Induced Online Shift on Student Academic Preferences: Insights for Education Institutions to Develop Equitable and Sustainable Learning Models
Authors: Davidovitch Nitza , Eckhaus Eyal
Published: June 2024

It has been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2019, forcing universities to hastily adopt online teaching. This study focuses on two under-researched topics: whether the shift online may change universities’ model to not require physical attendance and how students’ socioeconomic status impacts their preferences around online versus in-person learning. The research hypotheses suggest that undergoing an online teaching experience positively influences preferences for online teaching, which in turn impacts the desire for institutional changes toward an online environment. Based on 1854 questionnaires completed at several academic institutions, we employed a mixed methods design. We performed Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) followed by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the models’ goodness of fit and presented the Online Teaching Preference and Socioeconomic Effect (OTPSE) model. The findings show that students who felt their teaching improved through online classes preferred this format and chose universities without mandatory on-campus classes. Additionally, students from higher/middle socioeconomic backgrounds exhibited a greater preference for online learning than those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Overall, the results suggest that higher education leaders need thorough discussions on the topic. These findings may be valuable for education managers and policymakers when considering the implementation of sustainable education strategies, including the integration of online teaching methods. By understanding students’ preferences and the factors that influence their choices, education managers can develop effective strategies to promote sustainable development in education systems.
Examining How Urban Public Spaces and Virtual Spaces Affect Public Opinion in Beijing, China
Authors: Shao Lingfang , Liu Zhengxian , Zhou Zijin
Published: June 2024

Urban public spaces significantly influence public perceptions and experiences. This study, conducted in Beijing, China, employs structural equation modeling (SEM) and Friedman testing to analyze key criteria—safety, attractiveness, facilities, activities, and social environment—that impact perceptions of both virtual and physical public spaces. The findings reveal that attractiveness is the most influential criterion, significantly shaping public opinion. Facilities and activities follow, highlighting the necessity for well-equipped amenities and engaging social activities. The social environment also plays a crucial role, emphasizing the need for spaces that foster social interactions. Safety, while important, is less influential compared to the other criteria. These results underscore the importance of aesthetic considerations, well-equipped amenities, and vibrant social environments in urban design. This study provides actionable insights for urban designers and planners, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritizes these criteria to enhance the quality of life in urban areas. By focusing on these aspects, urban planners can create more effective and satisfying public spaces that meet the diverse needs of the community, ensuring that both physical and virtual spaces contribute positively to urban living.
Quantity Prediction of Construction and Demolition Waste Using Weighted Combined Grey Theory and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Model
Authors: Fang Yuan , Shi Xinyi , Chen Yuan , He Jialiang
Published: June 2024

With rapid urban development, the “waste-free city” concept has emerged. Therefore, the accurate prediction of the amount of C&D waste is of great importance. However, many countries and regions, including China, have not yet established C&D waste databases and standard prediction methods. This study proposed a method using a weighted combination of the grey theory model (GM) and the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to predict the quantity of urban C&D waste in the future. Based on a case study in Guangzhou, this study compared the prediction results of three prediction models, namely the GM, the ARIMA, and the proposed weighted combined model of the GM and the ARIMA (GM-ARIMA). The results of this study proved that the proposed combined GM-ARIMA model had a better predictive performance than both the separated models. The mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) of the GM and ARIMA models were 12.11% and 14.26%, respectively, whereas the proposed GM-ARIMA model had a lower MAPE (8.5%). This study found that the generation of C&D waste in Guangzhou will continue to grow steadily. From 2024 to 2035, the quantity of C&D waste is expected to reach 850 million tons cumulatively, with an annual growth rate of 7.1%.
Demystifying Heavy Metals and Physicochemical Characteristics of Groundwater in a Volcano-Tectonic Region of Middle Awash, Ethiopia, for Multipurpose Use
Authors: Abebe Yosef , Alemayehu Taye , Birhanu Behailu , Alamirew Tena , Alemayehu Esayas
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the concentrations of physicochemical and heavy metal contaminants in the groundwater of the Middle Awash Basin, Ethiopia, to inform targeted water management strategies. A total of 32 groundwater samples were collected from 16 stations via piezometers and boreholes at the end of both the dry (June 2021) and wet (October 2021) seasons. Utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), and in situ metering, 22 physicochemical and 24 heavy metal parameters were analyzed. The data revealed significant levels of contamination; notably, sample GW11 had extraordinarily high concentrations of total dissolved solids (10,826 mg/L), strontium (908 µg/L), molybdenum (802.4 µg/L), zinc (6060 µg/L), and electrical conductivity (15,645 µS/cm), while GW12 exhibited elevated levels of aluminum (2615 µg/L), zinc (4446 µg/L), and arsenic (117.2 µg/L). Contaminants such as arsenic, vanadium, gallium, lithium, rubidium, chromium, manganese, copper, and zinc were found enriched in groundwater near Lake Beseka, majorly influenced by geogenic activities, volcanic ash, and weathering of rocks. The sampled waters might be affected by human activities including agricultural runoff from sugarcane plantations, sugar factories wastewaters, and agro-industry activities (decade’s activities). Over half of the groundwater sources were unsuitable for drinking, posing significant health risks to local communities that rely heavily on these sources due to limited access to clean surface water. The findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive groundwater management and remediation plans in the Middle Awash region to ensure safe and sustainable water use, particularly addressing the variation in contamination levels influenced by Lake Beseka. These measures are critical to protect public health and support local development in the face of ongoing environmental and anthropogenic pressures.
Can Companies Assess Sustainable Manufacturing Practice?
Authors: Lee Joosung , Kazakova Elena
Published: June 2024

While firms actively try to adopt sustainable manufacturing practices, no assessment framework has been readily available for them to measure and manage their production efforts for sustainability. In this study, an assessment framework for a firm’s sustainable manufacturing is developed, and applied to the case of a major chemical company in Korea. Detailed assessment criteria are proposed based on reviews of the latest literature, and the scoring results of the company are presented. In addition to resource saving and environmental sustainability, the socio-economic impacts of the manufacturing industry are captured and evaluated in the framework. The case study and assessment results show that the company has innovative technologies and management practices, while it must still achieve larger-scale outcomes in environmental as well as social dimensions. This paper further contributes to advancing sustainable manufacturing by demonstrating a method for measuring a firm’s status with respect to sustainable manufacturing and a concrete case for other companies to utilize in their initiatives in this area.
Continuous Straw Returning Combined with Nitrogen Application Improve Soil Properties and Yield of Double Cropping Maize in Subtropical Regions
Authors: Li Zhenwei , Khan Kashif , Yang Li , Pan Yanqiong , Zhou Xunbo
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to investigate the impact of straw returning (SR) combined with appropriate N application rates on soil properties and maize yield for a double cropping maize system in South China. From 2021 to 2022, a two-year field experiment was conducted (the perennial orientation study began in 2018) with two nitrogen application rates, 0 kg ha−1 (N0) and 250 kg ha−1 (N250), under various straw treatments (SR and traditional planting). The findings revealed that SR, along with the nitrogen application of 250 kg ha−1 (N250), increased soil total nitrogen (TN), soil total phosphorous (STP), and the soil total potassium (STK) content besides soil organic carbon (SOC) and labile organic carbon (LOC); similarly, their interaction improved SOC and LOC in the 0–20 cm soil layer. In addition, within the 20–40 cm soil layer, SR and N250 also increased the soil TN, SOC, LOC, STP, and STK content. Notably, these soil properties exhibited a decrease with increasing soil depth. Furthermore, SR and N250 led to improvements in the grain yield and yield component of maize. Combining SR with N250 led to a significant 101.53% increase in SOC content from 2018 to 2022. Our research indicates that implementing N rates of 250 kg ha−1 under SR is an effective method to boost maize grain yield, enhance soil chemical characteristics, and ensure safe and productive maize cultivation.
Catalyzing Green Identity and Sustainable Advantage in Tourism and Hotel Businesses
Authors: Alsheref Fahad Kamal , Khairy Hazem Ahmed , Alsetoohy Omar , Elsawy Osman , Fayyad Sameh , Salama Mahmoud , Al-Romeedy Bassam Samir , Soliman Shimaa Abo Elsoad Mohamed
Published: June 2024

Global environmental concerns necessitate a heightened focus on green practices by businesses to balance sustainability and profitability. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of green ambidexterity (GA), green organizational identity (GOI), and green internal marketing (GIM) on sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) in travel agencies and hotels. The PLS-SEM approach was used to test the proposed model of the study. In total, 317 valid responses were gathered from full-time middle- and upper-management personnel of travel agencies category A and five-star hotels operating in Egypt. The findings revealed that GA positively impacts GOI, GIM, and SCA. Also, GOI and GIM positively impact SCA. In addition, GOI and GIM mediate the relationship between GA and SCA. The study advanced dynamic capability theory by emphasizing the importance of internal processes in harnessing sustainability-oriented dynamic capabilities. The study recognized the relationship between SCA, GOI, GIM, and GA and provided insightful implications on how businesses might develop and use their sustainability-related strengths.
Strategies and Impacts of Policy Entrepreneurs: Ideology, Democracy, and the Quest for a Just Transition to Climate Neutrality
Authors: von Malmborg Fredrik
Published: June 2024

The concept of policy entrepreneurs has gained increasing attention in studies of policy change, including climate policy and governance. It foregrounds the role of agency in understanding policy change. However, agency of policy entrepreneurs in the policy process is political and conceals the power that shapes how public problems and policies are framed and defined. Thus, policy entrepreneurs should be confronted with the challenge of generating legitimacy, accountability, and justice in their actions and the implementation of their targeted policy change. Drawing on political–philosophical theories of liberal and deliberative democracy as well as environmental and ecological democracy this paper outlines a conceptual framework for critical analytical as well as normative research on strategies and impacts of policy entrepreneurs on democratic governance, primarily in climate policy but also more generally. Empirical research on the strategies and impacts of policy entrepreneurs in recent policymaking on climate change mitigation in the EU and Sweden identifies several deficits related to the democratic principles of legitimacy, accountability, and justice. It is found that policy entrepreneurs from different social spheres use cultural–institutional entrepreneurship to influence beliefs and perceptions on problems and policies. In addition, it is found that public sector policy entrepreneurs use structural entrepreneurship on ideological grounds to change existing power relations in climate governance. In all, the paper brings ideology and politics into research on policy entrepreneurs. It is suggested that not only the strategies used, but also the ideologies of the actors that use them, are decisive for the impacts of policy entrepreneurs, and thus, whether their advocacy will adhere to democratic norms and facilitate or hamper a just transition to climate neutrality and sustainability. The paper ends with proposals on how policy entrepreneurs can act more democratically, how to deal with populist policy entrepreneurs wanting to erode democracy, and conditions for climate justice movements to take responsibility and act in a more entrepreneurial way.
Carbon Emissions Drivers and Reduction Strategies in Jiangsu Province
Authors: Deng Jiangao , Liu Cheng , Mao Chunmei
Published: June 2024

China embarked on the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020, with ambitious targets to achieve peak emissions by 2030 and attain carbon neutrality by 2060. Given the challenges, thoroughly investigating China’s carbon emissions status and outlining reduction pathways for each province is crucial. Based on calculating carbon emissions in Jiangsu Province, this article uses the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) model to decompose and analyze the factors that affect carbon emissions. This article starts with provincial carbon emissions to find the core factors and then narrows the research scope to the city level to make carbon reduction policies more targeted. When decomposing carbon emissions, this article not only selects energy structure, energy efficiency, economic development, population size, and industrial structure factors commonly used in the LMDI model but also adds the factor of external electricity to research indirect carbon emissions. The final conclusions mainly include the following: firstly, the economic development and energy efficiency factors in Jiangsu Province are the core influencing factors for carbon emissions. The former promotes carbon emissions, while the latter reduces it, and the impact gradually weakens. The energy structure and industrial structure have reduced carbon emissions, while population size and electricity transfer have increased carbon emissions. Furthermore, notable disparities in carbon emissions exist among cities within Jiangsu Province, with varying impacts stemming from diverse driving factors. Upon comprehensive evaluation of the collective carbon reduction impact, Nanjing and Suzhou emerge as cities with a low contribution rate attributable to their industrial structure. Wuxi, Zhenjiang, and Xuzhou, on the other hand, exhibit a low contribution rate associated with their energy structure. Taizhou and Nantong demonstrate a low contribution rate in energy efficiency, while Changzhou, Huai’an, and Yangzhou display a low contribution rate in both industry and energy structure. Lianyungang, Suqian, and Yancheng present low contribution rates across all three factors. Recognizing the distinctive energy and industrial profiles of each city, governmental policies should be formulated with uniformity, fairness, and flexibility, effectively realizing the dual carbon objectives.
Prediction of Transport Performance Development Due to the Impact of COVID-19 Measures in the Context of Sustainable Mobility in Railway Passenger Transport in the Slovak Republic
Authors: Gašparík Jozef , Bulková Zdenka , Dedík Milan
Published: June 2024

The disease COVID-19 negatively affected sustainable mobility, including public passenger transport, as it was necessary to take several measures to reduce the population’s mobility. It also limited rail passenger transport. Railway operators suffered from a significantly reduced number of passengers. An analysis of the transport performance of railway passenger transport is conducted in a case study in Slovakia. Based on the decline in transport performance in railway passenger transport and the degree of measures introduced, a new methodology and procedure for introducing pandemic measures are proposed in the context of reducing the scope of rail passenger transport. The measures are proposed under the condition that it is necessary to monitor the roles and responsibilities of railway infrastructure managers and rail passenger operators. The proposed methodology includes a transport performance forecast according to the defined transport reduction measure level and the train traffic diagram variants on the model railway line in the case of levels of the implemented measures. These proposals will contribute to higher quality and more efficient railway transportation, including optimal use of railway infrastructure capacity during emergency situations. The novelty of the research lies in the new methodological procedure and its practical application.
Effect of Extending High-Temperature Duration on ARG Rebound in a Co-Composting Process for Organic Wastes
Authors: Yang Xi , Sun Pengyu , Liu Botao , Ahmed Imtiaz , Xie Zhixiong , Zhang Bo
Published: June 2024

High levels of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in compost materials pose a significant threat to the environment and human health. Conventional composting (CC) is widely adopted for waste management. However, mitigating ARG rebound in the late phase remains challenging. This work presents a strategy to extend the high-temperature duration by external heating to achieve rapid composting (RC). An innovative two-stage heating mode (first stage: day 3–6, 55 °C; second stage: day 7–10, 70 °C) was utilized in this study. We aimed to compare the removal and the rebound of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) between RC and CC treatments and to identify the key factors driving the fate of ARGs throughout the composting process by integrating with environmental factors, external stress, MGEs, and microbial communities. The results show that on day 40, ARGs increased by 8.2 times in conventional composting. After the high-temperature duration was prolonged from 5 days to 9 days, the highest elimination rates achieved for ARGs and MGEs were 85% and 97%, respectively; concurrently, ARG rebound was suppressed compared to conventional composting. Genes resisting β-lactamase, chloramphenicol, and quinolone showed maximal removal in both treatments. The antibiotics showed a significant reduction in both treatments, with 79.3% in extended high-temperature duration composting and 75.26% in conventional composting. Network analysis revealed that Gammaproteobacteria, Clostridia, Saccharimonadia, Cyanobacteriia, and Campylobacteria were the potential hosts of various ARG subtypes, and their abundance was reduced in extended high-temperature duration composting. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and structural equation model (SEM) confirmed that temperature was the key factor in composting, while the potential hosts of MGEs and ARGs were responsible for the rebounding of ARGs in conventional composting. Prolonging composting temperature is a key strategy for the removal of contaminants from aerobic composting to achieve a safe end-product.
Determination of Selected Organic Contaminants in the Port of Gdynia Sediments: Towards Cleaner Baltic Ports
Authors: Dereszewska Alina , Krasowska Katarzyna , Popek Marzenna
Published: June 2024

Seaports affect the environment through various functions related to cargo handling, connectivity to the sea and land transport networks, and industrial, logistics, and distribution activities. The purpose of this study was to perform a preliminary assessment of the contents of dioxins and microplastics in the bottom sediments of the Port of Gdynia. The identification of plastic particles was carried out on the basis of visual and microscopic observations, as well as spectroscopy analysis. Fragments and fibres were dominant when categorised by particle shape, while transparent, white, and black particles dominated when categorised by colour. The predominant polymer types identified polyolefins and their derivatives. These findings suggest that low-density plastics are present in seabed sediments, probably as a result of biofouling. Samples were also tested for the presence of dioxins. In the sediment surface layer, the highest concentrations were obtained for octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (5.54–962 ng/kg d.m.), which has low toxicity. The most toxic congener (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) was present in very low concentrations (0.19–0.32 ng/kg s.m.). The values of the toxicity coefficient ranged from 0.01 to 9.77 ng/kg s.m. The results showed that in the studied bottom zones in Gdynia Port, the analysed pollutants do not cause a high ecological risk and do not require permanent monitoring.
A Comprehensive Study on Static and Dynamic Operational Efficiency in Major Korean Container Terminals Amid the Smart Port Development Context
Authors: Zhou Lele , Suh Woojong
Published: June 2024

Today, the concept of “smart ports”, which are designed to enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness, has emerged as a key paradigm in the port and maritime industry. As an integral component of maritime transportation networks, container terminals in ports play a crucial role in facilitating international trade and stimulating economic growth. Accordingly, the Korean government has steadily pursued policies and investments to improve the technological capabilities of ports, focusing on container terminals. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive research that thoroughly analyzes the operational efficiency of container terminals in domestic ports undergoing smart port technology implementation. Therefore, this study analyzes the operational efficiency of 20 container terminals across five major domestic ports, which are forerunners in smart port transformation, as declared by the Korean government. This study employs a Principal Component Analysis (PCA)–Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach to increase the effectiveness of the analysis and addresses efficiency in two aspects: static and dynamic. The findings indicate that container terminals under Ulsan Port and Busan Port (New) have the best operational efficiency. In particular, Ulsan Port demonstrates significant improvement in terms of efficiency changes. The conclusion emphasizes the pivotal role of technological progress in achieving higher efficiency among container terminals. In addition to providing policymakers and port managers with useful insights into smart port transformation, this study is expected to make theoretical contributions to expanding the perspectives of port efficiency research by simultaneously encompassing static and dynamic analyses.
Cost Calculation and Deployment Strategies for Collaborative Robots in Production Lines: An Innovative and Sustainable Perspective in Knowledge-Based Organizations
Authors: Țîțu Aurel Mihail , Gusan Vasile , Dragomir Mihai , Pop Alina Bianca , Țîțu Ștefan
Published: June 2024

This scientific paper explores the increasingly widespread use of collaborative and industrial robots in the industrial environment, highlighting them as a solution to challenges related to the high costs of human labor and associated management difficulties. The authors focus on the process of defining requirements for the implementation of collaborative and industrial robots, providing strategies based on mathematical management models. This approach translates into significant benefits for companies, such as cost reduction, quality improvement, and increased operational efficiency. Additionally, the paper proposes an innovative mathematical model for assessing total costs, budgeting, profitability, and electric power consumption associated with the operation of collaborative and industrial robots. This model allows for a comparison between the costs involved in using human labor and those associated with collaborative and industrial robots, providing critical information for technological investment decisions. The efficiency of this mathematical model is demonstrated through a practical application, where collaborative robots were integrated into a production environment and costs and efficiency were evaluated compared to the use of human labor and industrial robots. This scientific paper provides a systematic and efficient approach to implementing collaborative robots in industrial processes, benefiting from strategies based on mathematical management models and an original mathematical model for evaluating performance and associated costs.
Sustainable Water Monitoring via Analytical Techniques and Protocols Applied in the Assessment of Organochlorine Pesticides
Authors: Madjar Roxana Maria , Vasile Scăețeanu Gina , Sandu Mirela Alina
Published: June 2024

Water contamination with organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) is strongly linked to agricultural practices, and it still represents an environmental issue, despite the OCPs bans in many countries and despite the reported sustainable remediation technologies for their removal. Considering the environmental persistence of OCPs, the imbalances produced in the ecosystem, and the bioaccumulation tendency in living organisms through the food chain, the monitoring of OCPs and of their metabolites has crucial importance. The accuracy of the results obtained is strongly connected to the selection of reliable and accurate analytical procedures, especially considering the multitude of challenges related to OCP quantification. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the analytical techniques and protocols reported for OCP assessment in water, and to offer scientists a presentation of the current state of the literature on this subject. Nevertheless, it must be considered that each method has advantages and disadvantages, and, in most cases, the protocols reported in the literature must be adapted and improved. In addition, the levels of OCPs identified in surface water, groundwater, and rainwater have been reviewed. This review paper is directly connected to sustainability practices, since environmental sustainability is related to the responsibility to conserve natural resources and to prevent pollution, and for scientists, these objectives are fulfilled by conducting chemical analyses to track and quantify pollutants, as part of environmental studies.
Research on Traditional Village Spatial Differentiation from the Perspective of Cultural Routes: A Case Study of 338 Villages in the Miao Frontier Corridor
Authors: Zhao Weiqi , Xiao Dawei , Li Jing , Xu Ziyu , Tao Jin
Published: June 2024

The traditional villages in the Miao Frontier Corridor are the products of migrations, social interactions, and transportation, as well as production interchanges between the central plains and the frontiers of China in ancient times. They have made significant contributions to local multicultural inheritance and regional social development. However, with the increasing pressure of heritage conservation and sustainable development, there is growing attention on how traditional villages can tap into their cultural continuity and distinctiveness. This study introduces the concept of cultural routes, with the aim of integrating traditional villages of different ethnicities, regions, and characteristics from the perspective of diversity. It analyzes their spatial differentiation characteristics and the factors influencing them, providing basic support for the overall protection of traditional villages with special characteristics. Following this idea, 338 remaining traditional villages in the Miao Frontier Corridor were selected as the research objects. With the help of 91-satellite maps and a geographic information system (GIS), a cultural and geographic database of the traditional villages in the Miao Frontier Corridor was constructed to objectively explore the roles of the traditional villages’ natural geography, historical, and humanistic elements in the spatial categorization on a large scale. This study shows that the spatial distribution of the traditional villages in the Miao Frontier Corridor is uneven, exhibiting a cluster structure with of a “single primary nucleus with multiple secondary nuclei”. The spatial differentiation of traditional villages exhibits a similar clustering pattern based on individual natural geographic factors, such as elevation, mountain undulation, slope, and water systems. Additionally, there is discernible regularity concerning historical and humanistic factors, such as ethnicity type, age of village establishment, and the presence of guard stations. Further exploring the micro-spatial level, the natural geographical environment serves as the structural foundation of traditional village space, while the historical and humanistic environment fosters multiple differentiations in traditional village space in terms of influencing factors. Together, these factors jointly influence the spatial differentiation of traditional villages. This study enriches the dynamic aspects of linear cultural heritage preservation and also provides new insights into the specialized development within the overall protection of traditional villages.
Forecasting Moped Scooter-Sharing Travel Demand Using a Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Silveira-Santos Tulio , Rangel Thais , Gomez Juan , Vassallo Jose Manuel
Published: June 2024

The increasing popularity of moped scooter-sharing as a direct and eco-friendly transportation option highlights the need to understand travel demand for effective urban planning and transportation management. This study explores the use of machine learning techniques to forecast travel demand for moped scooter-sharing services in Madrid, Spain, based on origin–destination trip data. A comprehensive dataset was utilized, encompassing sociodemographic characteristics, travel attraction centers, transportation network attributes, policy-related variables, and distance impedance. Two supervised machine learning models, linear regression and random forest, were employed to predict travel demand patterns. The results revealed the effectiveness of ensemble learning methods, particularly the random forest model, in accurately predicting travel demand and capturing complex feature relationships. The feature scores emphasize the importance of neighborhood characteristics such as tourist accommodations, public administration centers, regulated parking, and commercial centers, along with the critical role of trip distance. Users’ preference for short-distance trips within the city highlights the appeal of these services for urban mobility. The findings have implications for urban planning and transportation decision-making to better accommodate travel patterns, improve the overall transportation system, and inform policy recommendations to enhance intermodal connectivity and sustainable urban mobility.
The Impact of Technology Convergence on the Sustainable Innovation of China’s Modern Manufacturing Enterprises: The Mediating Role of the Knowledge Base
Authors: Li Chenguang , Gong Jingtong , Luo Jie , Qiu Zhenjun
Published: June 2024

Against the backdrop of swiftly changing industrial environments, this study aims to investigate the influence of technology convergence on the sustainable innovation of manufacturing enterprises. The purpose of this research is to determine the future competitiveness and expansion potential of industries by evaluating the impact of technological convergence on innovation performance, which serves as a significant metric for assessing the sustainability of corporate innovation practices. Specifically, the relationships among three characteristics of technological convergence and enterprise innovation performance—betweenness, closeness, and clustering—are analyzed. Using the financial, property, and patent data of listed companies in China’s automotive manufacturing industry, an empirical study is conducted using a negative binomial regression model. Enhancing all three technology convergence characteristics is found to be conducive to enhancing sustainable innovation. Meanwhile, the corporate knowledge base plays a mediating role in which the effect of knowledge base width on clustering technology integration is more strongly mediated by the effect of knowledge base depth on approaching technology integration. The results of this study are useful for policymakers, corporate strategists, and innovation managers who are looking to enhance sustainable innovation practices within their organizations. By understanding the critical roles of betweenness, closeness, and clustering in technological convergence, stakeholders can better position their firms to leverage these attributes for improved innovation performance and competitive advantage.
Research on the Coupling Coordination and Driving Mechanisms of New-Type Urbanization and the Ecological Environment in China’s Yangtze River Delta
Authors: Song Yingchao , Gao Yisheng , Zhang Shuxin , Dong Huizhong , Liu Xuefeng
Published: June 2024

For high-quality growth to occur, new-type urbanization and environmental preservation must coexist and advance at the same time. The focus has shifted to maintain a balance between ecological quality and urbanization growth. This study focuses on the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) in China, utilizing panel data from 41 cities in the YRD spanning from 2009 to 2021 to construct evaluation index systems for new (type of) urbanization and ecological environment. To analyze spatial-temporal evolutionary aspects and determine the causes of the degree of coupling coordination between new-type urbanization and the ecological environment, methodologies such as the entropy weight method, coupled coordination degree model, and Tobit regression approach were used. The results show that (1) economic urbanization has experienced the most growth in the level of new-type urbanization in the YRD, which has been steadily increasing. Moreover, the ecological environment evaluation score increased from 0.581 in 2009 to 0.701 in 2021, revealing a cyclical pattern of increase and decrease in its evolutionary trajectory. (2) Within the scope of the study, the overall coupling coordination degree between new-type urbanization and ecological environment has increased, with the average value rising from 0.512 in 2009 to 0.540 in 2021. In comparison to Lishui, Huaibei, Huainan, Ningbo, Chuzhou, and Bozhou saw a greater increase in coupling and coordination degree, with pronounced variations and clustering patterns visible in their spatial distribution. (3) According to the Tobit regression analysis, the level of economic development, technological progress, industrial concentration, global openness, and educational investment had significant positive effects on the degree of coupled coordination between new-type urbanization and the ecological environment in the YRD, whereas the level of information technology did not reach the significance threshold. The findings of the study are crucial for establishing a regional framework for green and sustainable development, as well as for facilitating the coordinated growth of new-type urbanization and ecological environment. These findings hold great potential for driving positive change in both urban development and environmental conservation efforts.
Integrating Climate Change Adaptation Strategies into Urban Policies for Sustainable City Resilience: Barriers and Solutions in the Central African City of N’Djaména
Authors: Allarané Ndonaye , Atchadé Assouhan Jonas , N’Dilbé Tob-Ro , Azagoun Vidjinnagni Vinasse Ametooyona , Hetcheli Follygan
Published: June 2024

Climate change has become a serious threat to human life. This study aims to reveal the face of climate policies and the integration of urban adaptation into urban planning policies in the city of N’Djaména. To achieve this, we adopted a methodology combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Surveys of key informants were used to gather information on how to achieve the objectives set. The results show that key informants believe that climate policies have not met the expectations of the city’s citizens in terms of effectiveness and positive impacts. These players assume that urban policy planning does not take urban adaptation into account. The four categories of barriers hindering the integration of urban adaptation and its implementation relate to a lack of information and knowledge, political ill will, and organization and constraints linked to the mobilization and availability of resources. This study suggests the sharing of information, knowledge, and communication involving all stakeholders in N’Djaména’s urban development, the organization of the city’s state and municipal structures, the involvement and support of political authorities, greater access to financing, and the establishment of professional networks of expertise as catalysts for success.
Hopf-like Bifurcation Analysis of a Fractional-Order Tumor-Lymphatic Model Involving Two Time Delays
Authors: Shi Xueying , Chen Xiaoping , Huang Chengdai , Luo An , Yin Xin
Published: June 2024

This paper investigates the Hopf-like bifurcation of a fractional tumor-lymphatic model with two time delays. The two time delays are considered as branching parameters, and we analyze their influences on the dynamic properties of the model. Through an examination of the root distribution of the characteristic equation, we derive the properties of the positive steady state and the conditions for the occurrence of Hopf-like bifurcation near the positive equilibrium point. Numerical simulations are demonstrated to support our theoretical results.
A New Extension of the Exponentiated Weibull–Poisson Family Using the Gamma-Exponentiated Weibull Distribution: Development and Applications
Authors: Chaisee Kuntalee , Khamkong Manad , Paksaranuwat Pawat
Published: June 2024

This study proposes a new five-parameter distribution called the gamma-exponentiated Weibull–Poisson (GEWP) distribution. As an extension of the exponentiated Weibull–Poisson family, the GEWP distribution offers a more flexible tool for analyzing a wider variety of data due to its theoretically and practically advantageous properties. It encompasses established distributions like the exponential, Weibull, and exponentiated Weibull. The development of the GEWP distribution proposed in this paper is obtained by combining the gamma–exponentiated Weibull (GEW) and the exponentiated Weibull–Poisson (EWP) distributions. Therefore, it serves as an extension of both the GEW and EWP distributions. This makes the GEWP a viable alternative for describing the variability of occurrences, enabling analysis in situations where GEW and EWP may be limited. This paper analyzes the probability distribution functions and provides the survival and hazard rate functions, the sub-models, the moments, the quantiles, and the maximum likelihood estimation of the GEWP distribution. Then, the numerical experiments for the parameter estimation of GEWP distribution for some finite sample sizes are presented. Finally, the comparative study of GEWP distribution and its sub-models is investigated via the goodness of fit test with real datasets to illustrate its potentiality.
Bound for the k-Fault-Tolerant Power-Domination Number
Authors: Girish Lakshmi , Somasundaram Kanagasabapathi
Published: June 2024

A set S⊆V is referred to as a k-fault-tolerant power-dominating set of a given graph G=(V,E) if the difference S∖F remains a power-dominating set of G for any F⊆S with |F|≤k, where k is an integer with 0≤k<|V|. The lowest cardinality of a k-fault-tolerant power-dominating set is the k-fault-tolerant power-domination number of G, denoted by γPk(G). Generalized Petersen graphs GP(m,k) and generalized cylinders SG are two well-known graph classes. In this paper, we calculate the k-fault-tolerant power-domination number of the generalized Petersen graphs GP(m,1) and GP(m,2). Also, we obtain γPk(G) for the subclasses of cylinders SCm and SBm.
Selection of Candidate Monoclonal Antibodies for Therapy of Botulinum Toxin Type A Intoxications
Authors: Zeninskaya Natalia A. , Ryabko Alena K. , Marin Maksim A. , Kombarova Tatyana I. , Shkuratova Maria A. , Rogozin Methun M. , Silkina Marina V. , Romanenko Yana O. , Ivashchenko Tatiana A. , Shemyakin Igor G. , Firstova Victoria V.
Published: June 2024

Botulism is one of the most serious food intoxications, manifesting as prolonged paralytic conditions. This disease is usually the result of the consumption of poor quality canned or smoked foods, so the inhabitants of many countries of the world are exposed to the risk of this kind of poisoning every year. In view of the severity of poisonings caused by botulinum neurotoxins, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) show great promise because of their targeting action, lack of allergic reactions and serum sickness. The use of a cocktail of mAbs increases the “functional specificity” of their mixture, allowing them to bind to the active domains of different toxin chains and block their action. In this work, we obtained 14 murine mAbs to the catalytic and receptor-binding domain of botulinum toxin type A. The Sp2/0-Ag14 murine myeloma cell line and splenocytes from immunized mice of the BALB/c line were used as fusion partners. We have shown that the selected cocktail of three antibodies neutralizes native toxin more effectively than antibodies separately—complete neutralization is achieved at a toxin dose of 3LD50 and partial neutralization at 5LD50. We presume that this cocktail may be promising as a prototype for the creation of a therapeutic drug capable of neutralizing the toxin in the blood of patients.
Does Prior Respiratory Viral Infection Provide Cross-Protection Against Subsequent Respiratory Viral Infections? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gopal Vennila , Koh Matthew Chung Yi , Ngiam Jinghao Nicholas , Hang-Cheng Ong , Somani Jyoti , Tambyah Paul Anatharajah , Tey Jeremy
Published: June 2024

The epidemiology of different respiratory viral infections is believed to be affected by prior viral infections in addition to seasonal effects. This PROSPERO-registered systematic review identified 7388 studies, of which six met our criteria to answer the question specifically. The purpose of this review was to compare the prevalence of sequential viral infections in those with previously documented positive versus negative swabs. The pooled prevalence of sequential viral infections over varying periods from 30–1000 days of follow-up was higher following a negative respiratory viral swab at 0.15 than following a positive swab at 0.08, indicating the potential protective effects of prior respiratory viral infections. However, significant heterogeneity and publication biases were noted. There is some evidence, albeit of low quality, of a possible protective effect of an initial viral infection against subsequent infections by a different virus, which is possibly due to broad, nonspecific innate immunity. Future prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.
Modulatory Roles of AHR, FFAR2, FXR, and TGR5 Gene Expression in Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and COVID-19 Outcomes
Authors: Buchynskyi Mykhailo , Oksenych Valentyn , Kamyshna Iryna , Vorobets Ihor , Halabitska Iryna , Kamyshnyi Oleksandr
Published: June 2024

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a risk factor for severe COVID-19. This study explores the potential influence of gut hormone receptor and immune response gene expression on COVID-19 outcomes in MAFLD patients. Methods: We investigated gene expression levels of AHR, FFAR2, FXR, and TGR5 in patients with MAFLD and COVID-19 compared to controls. We examined associations between gene expression and clinical outcomes. Results: COVID-19 patients displayed altered AHR expression, potentially impacting immune response and recovery. Downregulated AHR in patients with MAFLD correlated with increased coagulation parameters. Elevated FFAR2 expression in patients with MAFLD was linked to specific immune cell populations and hospital stay duration. A significantly lower FXR expression was observed in both MAFLD and severe COVID-19. Conclusion: Our findings suggest potential modulatory roles for AHR, FFAR2, and FXR in COVID-19 and MAFLD.
The Emerging Tool of the Human Anellovirome
Authors: Focosi Daniele , Spezia Pietro Giorgio , Maggi Fabrizio
Published: June 2024

The blood virome is dominated by the Anelloviridae family, which emerges early in life; the anellome, which represents the variety of anelloviruses within an individual, stabilizes by adulthood [...]
Breakthrough Measles among Vaccinated Adults Born during the Post-Soviet Transition Period in Mongolia
Authors: Hagan José E. , Crooke Stephen N. , Gunregjav Nyamaa , Sowers Sun B. , Mercader Sara , Hickman Carole J. , Mulders Mick N. , Pastore Roberta , Takashima Yoshihiro , Durrheim David N. , Goodson James L. , Rota Paul A.
Published: June 2024

Mongolia experienced a nationwide measles outbreak during 1 March 2015–31 December 2016, with 49,077 cases reported to the WHO; many were among vaccinated young adults, suggesting a possible role of vaccine failure. Advanced laboratory methods, coupled with detailed epidemiological investigations, can help classify cases as vaccine failure, failure to vaccinate, or both. In this report, we conducted a study of cases to identify risk factors for breakthrough infection for a subset of laboratory-confirmed measles cases. Of the 193 cases analyzed, only 19 (9.8%) reported measles vaccination history, and 170 (88%) were uncertain. Measles-specific IgG avidity testing classified 120 (62%) cases as low IgG avidity, indicating no prior exposure to measles. Ten of these cases with low IgG avidity had a history of measles vaccination, indicating primary vaccine failure. Overall, sixty cases (31%) had high IgG avidity, indicating breakthrough infection after prior exposure to measles antigen through vaccination or natural infection, but the IgG avidity results were highly age-dependent. This study found that among young children aged 9 months–5 years, breakthrough infection was rare (4/82, 5%); however, among young adults aged 15–25 years, breakthrough infection due to secondary vaccine failure (SVF) occurred on a large scale during this outbreak, accounting for the majority of cases (42/69 cases, 61%). The study found that large-scale secondary vaccine failure occurred in Mongolia, which highlights the potential for sustained outbreaks in post-elimination settings due to “hidden” cohorts of young adults who may have experienced waning immunity. This phenomenon may have implications for the sustainability of measles elimination in countries that remain vulnerable to the importation of the virus from areas where it is still endemic. Until global measles elimination is achieved, enhanced surveillance and preparedness for future outbreaks in post- or peri-elimination countries may be required.