bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shared Autonomous Vehicles as Last-Mile Public Transport of Metro Trips
Authors: Liu Zhiwei , Liu Jianrong
Published: October 2023

The “last-mile problem” of public transportation is one of the main obstacles affecting travelers who choose to utilize public transport. Although autonomous vehicles (AVs) have made much progress, they have not been officially put into commercial use. This paper adopts stated preference experiments to explore the impact of shared AVs on the last-mile travel behavior of metro users and takes Wuhan as an example for case analysis. First of all, this paper establishes a structural equation model (SEM) based on the theory of planned behavior to explore latent psychological variables, including travelers’ attitudes (ATTs), subjective norms (SNs), perceived behavior control (PBC), and behavioral intention of use (BIU) toward AVs. These latent psychological variables are incorporated into the latent class (LC) logit model to establish a hybrid model with which to study the factors and degree of influence on the travel mode choices of travelers for the last mile of their metro trips. The results show that travelers have preference heterogeneity for the travel mode choices for the last mile of metro trips. Through the analysis of LCs, education, career, and income significantly impact the classification of LCs. The latent psychological variables towards AVs have a significant impact on the travel behavior of respondents, but the impacts vary among different segments. Elastic analysis results illustrate that a 1% increase in the travel cost for shared AVs in segment 1 leads to a 7.598% decrease in the choice probability of using a shared AV. Respondents from different segments vary significantly in their willingness to pay for their usage, and the value of travel time for high-income groups is relatively higher.
Work–Family Conflict and Its Sustainability Implications among Married Immigrants Working in the USA
Authors: Gopalan Neena , Beutell Nicholas J. , Grzywacz Joseph G. , Middlemiss Wendy , Manchiraju Srikant , Srivastava Sapna
Published: October 2023

There is a paucity of research on the work and family dynamics of immigrants who arrive in the U.S. on visas. Work–family conflict among immigrants is a sustainability issue because it affects social cohesion, economic vitality, and the overall wellbeing of communities. This study examined work–family conflicts and work–life support among married immigrants (n = 182) born abroad but currently holding permanent resident status (also known as ‘green card holders’) in the U.S. Specifically, we examined how work variables (job intensity and work–life support) may either lead to or reduce job burnout, how burnout may be related to work–family conflict, and how these variables influence marital agreement, marital happiness, and job satisfaction. The results suggested that, in general, job factors had direct as well as indirect impacts through burnout, on both work and family outcomes. Job burnout moderated the relationship between work interfering with family and marital agreement. Martial agreement was significantly predicted by multiple variables. Suggestions for future research on this understudied population are offered along with practical and theoretical contributions related to the sustainability of immigrants, their families, and society.
Biosorption of Engine Oil Using Rice Husk in a Filtration System
Authors: Aminuddin Irfan Hafeez , Taufik Siti Hajar , Puasa Nurul Aini , Radziff Syahirah Batrisyia Mohamed , Zamree Nur Diyanah , Shaharudddin Noor Azmi , Che Abdullah Che Azurahanim , Rahman Muhammad Fahdli , Azmi Alyza Azzura , Ahmad Siti Aqlima
Published: October 2023

Owing to its excellent qualities as a natural sorbent, rice husk (RH), a significant agricultural waste product obtained from the milling process, is employed as a biosorbent for engine oil. Engine oil spillages in rivers will flow to the ocean, exposing marine life to deadly contaminants. To date, there are very few natural sorbent studies specifically targeting engine oil removal. The purpose of this study was to optimise the significant factors in the efficiency of engine oil sorption by RH. Spectroscopic analyses using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to characterise the chemical composition and surface morphology of RH sorbent after pre- and post-treatment. A conventional optimisation approach, one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT), was used to assess the range of factors affecting the efficiency of engine oil sorption through heat treatment, heating time, packing density, and concentration of engine oil. The efficiency of engine oil removal obtained from this method was 74.5%. All the factors were assessed using a Plackett–Burman design (PBD) to eliminate non-significant factors. Furthermore, a central composite design (CCD) was employed to explore significant interactions among the factors. The quadratic model generated (R2 = 0.9723) fitted the data well. The optimised conditions from the CCD were 160 °C, 20 min, 0.16 g/cm3, and 12.5% (v/v), with improved oil sorption from 74.5% (OFAT) to 78.89% (RSM).
Predicting the Market Penetration Rate of China’s Electric Vehicles Based on a Grey Buffer Operator Approach
Authors: Wang Qingfeng , Liu Xiaohui , Wang Limin
Published: October 2023

On the decision of whether to continue to implement the industrial support policy, two scenarios are set to predict the market penetration rate of China’s electric vehicles (EVs) (In this paper, the term Electric Vehicles (EVs) refers to both full-battery EVs and plug-in hybrids). In order to weaken the disturbance caused by international oil prices and industrial policies, the grey buffer operator was firstly applied, to preprocess the original data series. The sales data for EVs and fuel vehicles were buffered for second order and first order, respectively. Based on the obtained buffer data sequence, the GM (1, 1) model was used to predict the sales of EVs and fuel vehicles between 2022 and 2025 in China. The results demonstrate a significantly improved fit compared to directly modeling the raw data. This method is suitable for studying the market penetration rate prediction of China’s EVs. If the industry support policies continue (Scenario I), an EV market penetration rate of 22.45% can be achieved in 2024, and the expected target can be achieved one year ahead of schedule. Even if the corresponding industrial support policies are no longer implemented (Scenario II), the EV market penetration rate will reach 20.58% in 2025, and the set target of 20% will be achieved on schedule.
Approaches to Foster Young Children’s Engagement with Climate Action: A Scoping Review
Authors: Spiteri Jane
Published: October 2023

Climate change poses a significant risk to young children (birth to eight years). Early childhood education and care is believed to play a pivotal role in guaranteeing young children’s understanding of sustainability issues and climate change. Yet how education translates into climate action in early childhood is still unknown, and there is a need for research to explore the approaches that may be deployed to foster young children’s engagement with climate action. This scoping review aims to identify and describe the existing literature highlighting the approaches used in early childhood education to foster climate action amongst young children; map the gaps in this emerging field of inquiry; and make recommendations for areas of future research to address this problem. These findings offer potential priorities for educators, researchers and policymakers to develop climate change education programmes that are meaningful to young children in the early years. Based on the findings, areas for interventions related to climate literacy and climate change education, which may be helpful in raising awareness of climate change among young children, will be outlined.
Effect of Adding Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) Nano-Powder to Lubricant on Performance and Emissions in a Two-Stroke Gasoline Engine
Authors: Orman Recep Çağrı
Published: October 2023

The two-stroke engine has many advantages, including low maintenance costs, a high specific power, and a simple structure, compared to four-stroke engines. Since two-stroke engines use a fuel–oil mixture instead of fuel alone, two-stroke engines do not need an oil pan. Unlike the lubrication system in four-stroke engines, the moving parts are lubricated with a fuel–lubricant mixture. As long as the engine is running, the fuel and lubricant burn together. The combustion of this fuel–lubricant mixture can adversely affect exhaust emissions and cause excessive carbon deposits on the spark plug. In this paper, experiments were carried out using different amounts of oil (100:3, 100:3.5, and 100:4 vol.) in a two-stroke gasoline-powered generator. In addition, we attempted to improve the lubricant’s properties by adding hBN (0.5% vol. or 1.3% wt.) to the lubricant. It was observed that the flash point and pour point did not change as a result of the addition of hBN to the lubricant, and the density and viscosity index increased linearly depending on the amount of hBN. In a series of experiments, the generator was examined for performance and emissions. With the addition of hBN, there was a significant decrease in the specific fuel consumption and exhaust gas temperature, the CO2 increased, and the CO and HC decreased. These results show that hBN improves combustion. As a result, it was reported that reducing the amount of lubricant leads to increased emissions and decreased performance. It was found that when 0.5% hBN by volume is added to the lubricant, the lubricating property improves, and thus, the amount of oil added to the fuel can be reduced to an acceptable level (from 100:4 to 100:3.5) without causing mechanical failure in the engine.
Simulation of Spatiotemporal Distribution and Variation of 30 m Resolution Permafrost in Northeast China from 2003 to 2021
Authors: Zhang Chengcheng , Shan Wei , Liu Shuai , Guo Ying , Qiu Lisha
Published: October 2023

The high-resolution permafrost distribution maps have a closer relationship with engineering applications in cold regions because they are more relative to the real situation compared with the traditional permafrost zoning mapping. A particle swarm optimization algorithm was used to obtain the index η with 30 m resolution and to characterize the distribution probability of permafrost at the field scale. The index consists of five environmental variables: slope position, slope, deviation from mean elevation, topographic diversity, and soil bulk density. The downscaling process of the surface frost number from a resolution of 1000 m to 30 m is achieved by using the spatial weight decomposition method and index η. We established the regression statistical relationship between the surface frost number after downscaling and the temperature at the freezing layer that is below the permafrost active layer base. We simulated permafrost temperature distribution maps with 30 m resolution in the four periods of 2003–2007, 2008–2012, 2013–2017, and 2018–2021, and the permafrost area is, respectively, 28.35 × 104 km2, 35.14 × 104 km2, 28.96 × 104 km2, and 25.21 × 104 km2. The proportion of extremely stable permafrost (<−5.0 °C), stable permafrost (−3.0~−5.0 °C), sub-stable permafrost (−1.5~−3.0 °C), transitional permafrost (−0.5~−1.5 °C), and unstable permafrost (0~−0.5 °C) is 0.50–1.27%, 6.77–12.45%, 29.08–33.94%, 34.52–39.50%, and 19.87–26.79%, respectively, with sub-stable, transitional, and unstable permafrost mainly distributed. Direct and indirect verification shows that the permafrost temperature distribution maps after downscaling still have high reliability, with 83.2% of the residual controlled within the range of ±1 °C and the consistency ranges from 83.17% to 96.47%, with the identification of permafrost sections in the highway engineering geological investigation reports of six highway projects. The maps are of fundamental importance for engineering planning and design, ecosystem management, and evaluation of the permafrost change in the future in Northeast China.
The Obstacles to the Growth of the Renewable Energy Industry in the European Union
Authors: Osiichuk Dmytro
Published: October 2023

The study presents a comparative analysis of the financial standing of renewable- and conventional-energy-generating companies domiciled in the European Union, and explores factors contributing to their operating performance and financing needs. The comparative analysis of electricity-generating companies demonstrates that renewable energy providers have steadily improved their financial standing and appear well-prepared to compete with conventional energy generation from fossil fuels. Relying on univariate statistical tests, we demonstrate that, at present, renewable energy companies generate a significantly higher return on assets and make larger investment outlays than their conventional peers. Univariate cross-sectional tests confirm that they also enjoy access to cheaper equity and more plentiful debt financing thanks to a shift in the priorities of financial institutions and capital markets. We posit that, besides the cumbersome permit system, the biggest challenge to the operating performance of renewable energy firms could reside in the restrictive revenue caps, price regulation, and renewable firms’ exposure to spot market price fluctuations. The econometric analysis based on multivariate panel regression models demonstrates that the profitability and financing needs of renewable energy companies are more sensitive to electricity prices than those of conventional energy firms. We conclude that higher energy prices and greater reliance on market pricing mechanisms could significantly boost the performance of the renewable energy sector.
How the Digital Economy Empowers the Structural Upgrading of Cultural Industries—An Analysis Based on the Spatial Durbin Model
Authors: Yao Fengge , Song Ying , Wang Xiaomei
Published: October 2023

The digital economy (De) is a major driving force in pushing structural improvements in the cultural industry. Theoretically, the De can empower the structural upgrading of the cultural industry by promoting technological innovation. Empirically, based on the provincial panel data of 31 regions in China from 2013 to 2020, this research utilizes the spatial Durbin model (SDM) to reveal the impact of the De on the structural upgrading of cultural industries. It also utilizes the mediation effect to test the path of the De on the structural upgrading of cultural industries through regional technological innovation. It is found that (1) the structural upgrading of the cultural industry shows significant spatial autocorrelation, and the eastern region is where the high–high cluster pattern predominates. (2) The De could successfully encourage the restructuring of the local cultural industry, and the spillover effect in space also promotes improving the organization of the cultural industry in neighboring regions. (3) A mechanism analysis shows that the De realizes the upgrading of cultural industry structure by enhancing regional technological innovation ability. Based on this, relevant policy recommendations are made to promote the upgrading of cultural industry structure in three dimensions: improving the level of the De, strengthening the ability of inter-regional cooperation, and promoting technological innovation. The study provides an important reference for the upgrading of China’s cultural industry structure from the De’s perspective.
Exploring the Flow Experience and Re-Experience Intention of Students Participating in Water Sports from the Perspective of Regional Tourism and Leisure Environment Suitability
Authors: Ding Zhen , Li Cheng-Ping , Lin Hsiao-Hsien , Hung Shen-Te , Tseng Chih-Hung , Hsu Chin-Hsien
Published: October 2023

Previous research on rowing has mostly focused on sports physiology and sports psychology, while the preparation of the competition environment and the participatory behavior of rowers have been less frequently discussed. Therefore, this study intended to discuss the flow experience and revisit the intention of students participating in water-based sports from the perspective of recreational environment fit. Taking the students participating in the Sun Moon Lake Rowing Championships as research subjects, this study conducted a questionnaire survey. A total of 380 questionnaires were sent out and 350 were collected, with a return rate of 92.1%. After excluding 38 invalid questionnaires, 312 valid questionnaires were obtained, and the effective recovery rate was 89.1%. Based on the SPSS and AMOS statistical analyses, the following results were obtained: (1) The needs–supplies fit had a significant impact on flow experience. The path value was 0.60, with a p-value of <0.05; (2) the needs–supplies fit had a significant impact on revisit intention. The path value was 0.38, with a p-value of <0.05; (3) flow experience had no significant impact on revisit intention. The path value was 0.40, with a p-value of >0.05; (4) flow experience had a significant impact on the sense of happiness. The path value was 0.93, with a p-value of <0.05; (5) the demands–abilities fit had a significant impact on flow experience. The path value was 0.56, with a p-value of <0.05; (6) the demands–abilities fit had a significant impact on revisit intention. The path value was 0.29, with a p-value of <0.05; and (7) sense of happiness had no significant impact on revisit intention. The path value was −0.01, with a p-value of >0.05. It is suggested that future related studies could focus on the total amount of recreational activities in the water area of Sun Moon Lake. Finally, relevant practical suggestions were made according to the results of this study.
Characteristics of Silica Fume Nano Alumina Ternary Blended Mortar
Authors: Yusuf Moruf Olalekan
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the contribution of nano-alumina (nA: 1–3 wt.% binder) to the performance of silica fume (SF-10%) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) binary blended mortar. Microstructural analysis and qualitative characterizations examined the fresh (workability, setting time) and hardened (compressive strength and thermal resistance; 300 degrees C for 1 h) properties. Nano alumina (nA) contributed positively to the consistency of SF blended mortar but negatively to that of OPC mortar. The presence of nA retarded the reactivity of calcium and the fluid absorption capacity of SF in the fresh mortar. The initial (180 min) and final (220 min) setting times in SF blended mortar were reduced by 18.4 and 21.8%, respectively, upon adding up to 3% nA. The optimum nA was 2% in the SF–nA ternary blended mortar with 3-d and 28-d compressive strengths of 28 and 43.2 MPa, respectively. These values were reduced by 14.3% and 29.4% in SF-OPC (binary) and 25.2% and 16.7% in OPC mortar, respectively. The nepheline and tobermorite in the SF–nA ternary blended binder provided a denser microstructural density than in SF-OPC and OPC mortars. Finally, SF–nA ternary mortar was more susceptible to carbonation due to the presence of aluminum and calcium carbonates, despite its superior performance in thermal resistance and strength compared to SF blended and OPC mortars.
Performance Model of Youth Entrepreneurship Platform in the Context of Common Wealth Returning to Hometown
Authors: Liu Ailing , Ma Xiaojun , Zhou Meimei , Zeng Lichen , Lu Jijian
Published: October 2023

The construction of business incubator platforms to assist young people who return to their hometowns to launch their own enterprises is urgently needed because youth entrepreneurship is seen as a crucial component of rural revitalization. Based on this, the authors of this study distributed surveys to 468 returning youths in rural startup spaces to gather data, built a structural model, and conducted interviews with 13 entrepreneurial youths to examine the relationship between government policies, services, and the design of rural startup spaces, as well as the self-efficacy of returning entrepreneurial youths and the innovation performance of businesses. The results demonstrate how important government policies are in encouraging youth entrepreneurship in their local communities. It has the potential to enhance both the development of rural crowdsourcing spaces and the self-efficacy of young entrepreneurs, thereby enhancing the innovative capabilities of local entrepreneurial businesses. Therefore, in order to encourage economic development in rural areas, the government should improve pertinent support measures, enhance the development of business incubation platforms, and encourage young people moving back to their hometowns to start their own businesses.
Analyzing the Impact of COVID-19 on GitHub Event Trends
Authors: Pejić Nikola , Radivojević Zaharije , Cvetavnović Miloš
Published: October 2023

Economic development, as one of the three pillars of sustainability, can be enhanced by utilizing open-source software. The impact of the pandemic on software development and whether or not it managed to sustain the velocity and volume it previously had has already piqued the interest of the research community. From measuring the activity of developers to conducting surveys on the perceived productivity, the research was mostly focused on 2020. This paper focuses on how the pandemic impacted public development on GitHub by analyzing the changes in trends during the 2020–2022 period (COVID-19 period) compared with 2017–2019 (pre-COVID-19 period). While the majority of events have continued with relatively the same trend, having minor increases or decreases, there have been a few that stood out. Several events related to the community activity on GitHub experienced decreases in their trends (ForkEvent’s trend decreased 0.09×, IssuesEvent 0.01×, etc.), while events related to discussions have experienced a positive trend (mainly CommitCommentEvent, with a trend increase of 34×, but also IssueCommentEvent, which remained stable despite the 0.01× decrease of IssuesEvent), but only CommitCommentEvent and PushEvent (which experienced a 2.52× increase in its trend) exhibited non-stationary behavior in the ADF test. In general, events related to individual development have sustained or increased their trends, while events related to community activity (i.e., forking) or contributions to documentation have somewhat decreased. We believe this shows that although there have been minor reductions in the casual and community contributions on GitHub, the majority of events continued with the same trend or even with some increases, which shows that GitHub developers persevered in the face of the pandemic.
Sustainability of Fiscal and Monetary Policies under Fixed Exchange Rate Regime in Jordan
Authors: Saleh Essa , Mdanat Metri , Alsoud Anas Ratib
Published: October 2023

This study aims to analyze the sustainability of fiscal and monetary policies and the relationship between them under a fixed exchange regime that is characterized by high budget deficit and public debt in the past four decades. This study is critical for countries adopting a fixed exchange regime to achieve national priorities. Annual data from 1980 to 2020 were employed using Markov Switching Modelling to assess the sustainability of fiscal and monetary policies by identifying the main dimensions of fiscal and monetary policy that affect their sustainability. The findings show that fiscal policy is dominated by unsustainability, as the number of years of unsustainability was estimated to be more than four times the number of years in which it witnessed sustainability. Regarding monetary policy, sustainability was dominant, as it was found that the number of years of sustainability is about 1.3 times the number of years of unsustainability. Under a fixed exchange rate, there is no evidence confirming that there is sufficient coordination between fiscal and monetary policies. The study suggests that policymakers should follow complementary and balanced fiscal and monetary policies to achieve sustained economic growth.
Evaluation of Sustainability of Czech Vocational Education and Practical Training for the Position of Construction Manager
Authors: Kantová Radka , Motyčka Vít
Published: October 2023

Current requirements of employers in the construction industry are aimed at strengthening the link between schools and the manufacturing sector. It is desirable that the students are during their studies already involved in the investment construction process, at least as part-time workers. At the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Brno, Czech Republic, this is being ensured by the accredited course Professional Practical Training. The aim of this contribution is to evaluate and analyze the inclusion of this student internship as a mandatory part of the study to present how many students worked for which construction companies during a period of 10 years, indicating the number of successfully completed internships for individual academic years. At the same time, the boundary conditions for this practice are described. The hypothesis to be confirmed is that the conditions are set in such a way as to be a prerequisite for successful fulfillment. Descriptive statistics are based on a sample of 92 employers involved in the system of securing professional practices for the period 2010 to 2020. The analysis showed that each year about 70–75% of students stay with the same company for their further part-time work during the remainder of their studies, and they may also stay for subsequent graduate employment. A total of 507 students started and finished their internship. Moreover, in the following years of practice, some of the graduates of the field became responsible for the tutoring of other student’s work experience on the construction site. Having previously gone through the same educational scheme, it allows them to lead and evaluate students with an optimal degree of constructive criticism.
China’s Pilot Free Trade Zones and Company’s Sustainability Performance
Authors: Cheng Jing , Ma Lili
Published: October 2023

This paper investigates the role of pilot free trade zones (FTZs) as a policy testing terrace for achieving the sustainable development goals in China. Using a sample of data from Chinese companies that were listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen A stocks, from 2009 to 2021, a difference-in-difference model is employed to assess the impact of FTZ establishment on sustainable development. The findings indicate that establishing FTZs significantly enhances a company’s sustainability performance, particularly in terms of environmental and social responsibility performance. They also foster an innovation-friendly environment, facilitating sustainable development goals in both institutional and innovation domains. Furthermore, the policy effects of FTZs exhibit a mixed picture, involving both a curse effect of political resources and a reinforcement effect of environmental protection goals. Additionally, the Matthew effect and spillover effect are observed in FTZs. Finally, this paper explores the linkages between FTZ construction and China’s “dual circulation” development pattern, revealing the effective role of FTZs in conjunction with new energy model cities for enhancing sustainable development. However, the linkage between FTZs and the Belt and Road Initiative is currently limited in terms of positively impacting a company’s sustainability performance.
Thermal Load Analysis of Piston Damaged by Wall-Wetting Combustion in a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine
Authors: Li Haiying , Li Yaozong , An Yanzhao , Zhang Yi , Shi Zhicheng , Zhu Weiqing , Qiang Yongping , Wang Ziyu
Published: October 2023

Piston damage is a frequent problem of engine durability and plays an important role in an engine’s performance design. Recently, a large amount of piston erosion has occurred in a series of heavy-duty diesel engines. To investigate the reason for the piston erosion, a study of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of the combustion process in the cylinder and finite element analysis (FEA) of piston was carried out under different initial temperatures. The results show that when the initial temperature decreases from 380 K to 307 K, the mass of wall-wetting increases by 73%, and the maximum combustion pressure increases from 8.1 MPa to 11 MPa; when the initial temperature decreases from 350 K to 328 K, the highest temperature at the throat of the valve pocket increases by nearly 100 K, doubling the temperature fluctuation; and in the case of 328 K, areas exceeding 700 K are concentrated on the top surface of the piston, and the temperature gradient in the depth direction of the throat position decays rapidly.
Overcoming Barriers to the Adoption of Recycled Construction Materials: A Comprehensive PEST Analysis and Tailored Strategies
Authors: Geng Jun , Huang Yi , Li Xiang , Zhang Yun
Published: October 2023

In the face of rampant urbanization, industrialization, and continuous advancements in construction technology, sustainable development in the construction industry becomes increasingly imperative. A promising avenue toward this sustainability is through the adoption of Recycled Construction Materials (RCMs), yet their widespread use remains complex and filled with numerous barriers, signifying an urgent need for the systematic investigation of these obstacles. This study uniquely employs a qualitative PEST (Political, Economic, Social, and Technological) analysis to illuminate the intricate impediments to the adoption and promotion of RCMs. Data for this study were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a variety of experts in the field. The research identifies substantial barriers within each PEST category. Political factors include regulatory biases and limited funding for RCM research, while economic factors involve the higher costs and limited availability of RCMs. Social aspects revolve around public awareness, safety concerns, and resistance to change within the industry. Technological issues focus on the development, performance, and compatibility of RCMs, the slow innovation pace, and the absence of standardized guidelines. Additionally, this study stands out by suggesting strategic, context-specific recommendations aimed at surmounting these obstacles and further fostering the adoption of RCMs. The solutions proposed are intimately linked to the challenges identified, highlighting the practical value and relevance of this study for guiding future research and policy development in the face of ongoing advancements in construction technology.
Big Data Management Capabilities and Green Innovation: A Dynamic Capabilities View
Authors: Mao Hongyi , Lu Jiang
Published: October 2023

In recent years, both industry professionals and scholars have shown increased interest in the ability of big data management capabilities (BDMCs) to drive green innovation, emphasizing their potential in fostering environmentally sustainable practices. While many studies highlight the positive influence of big data technology on green innovation, there is a notable gap in understanding the managerial process required for such innovation. Moreover, the roles of green dynamic capabilities and environmental turbulence in this context are underexplored. This study aims to contribute to the existing literature by examining the mechanisms and boundary conditions of the relationship between BDMCs and green innovation. We gathered data from 266 Chinese manufacturing enterprises using questionnaires and analyzed the results using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Our findings indicate that, despite the inherent qualities of BDMCs such as rarity, applicability, nonreplicability, and non-substitutability, their influence on green innovation is reduced in the absence of effective green dynamic capabilities. Furthermore, our study suggests that environmental turbulence does not weaken the influence of BDMCs on green dynamic capabilities; rather, it amplifies the effects of BDMCs on green dynamic capabilities and their impact on two types of green innovation. This study provides new insights for manufacturing enterprises aiming to achieve green transformation. We also discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the research, along with its limitations.
Municipal Solid Waste Composition and Generation with Emphasis on Plastics in Nablus City, Palestine
Authors: Al-Khatib Issam A. , Guo Jinyang , Kuchta Kerstin , Draidi Anas A. , Abu Amara Sawsan Y. , Alassali Ayah
Published: October 2023

The aim of this study was to characterize the municipal solid waste (MSW) in Nablus city in Palestine, while focusing on the plastic waste fraction. The plastic fraction—an environmentally problematic waste stream—was further characterized into the different polymer types and formats with the aim of suggesting feasible recovery and recycling solutions. Locally generated studies lack data about the recyclable fractions in the MSW and a thorough characterization of the plastic waste stream, although there is global action to minimize and optimally treat this waste fraction. The composition analysis was conducted by collecting 60 samples from five districts with different characteristics (e.g., income, density, level of education, building formats). The fraction of bio- and organic waste is significant in the collected MSW in Nablus, representing about 68% of the total MSW. The recyclables (paper and cardboard, glass, metals and plastics) amount to 27.4% of the generated MSW in the city. The plastic fraction (10.1%) is mainly composed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films (39.8%), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles (21.9%), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) rigids (19.0%), and polypropylene (PP) rigids (11.5%), all of which are technologically recyclable. The polymer types and container formats indicated that the collected plastics originate mostly from packaging. The outcomes of this research indicate the need to implement a separate collection system for the organic waste fraction, which could be used to produce compost for the agricultural activities in the region. By having such a system, the dry recyclables (including plastics) can be easily recovered with less degree of contamination for recycling, helping the local recyclers to access cleaner materials. Furthermore, the state of Palestine lacks strict regulations for the end-of-life treatment of the different waste fractions; therefore, having clear guidelines and incentive systems will result in the minimization of the generated waste as well as better achievement of recovery and recycling targets. In addition, expertise, funding, public awareness, facilities, equipment and other provisions are currently lacking or inappropriate. In future, these factors must be addressed to enhance sustainable solid waste management.
An Entrepreneurship Incubation Process Model and Gamified Educational Software Designed for Sustainable Education
Authors: Liu Ping
Published: October 2023

To tackle the challenges of the sustainable development of entrepreneurship education in China and bridge the gaps between academic research and practices for Goal 4 of the SDGs, this design science research aims to create an educational artifact for the incubation of entrepreneurship from students’ tacit knowledge and evaluate whether it performs well. First, the incubation process of the educational artifact is summarized, including the functions and tools of its supporting software. An Extended Triple Diamond model with design principles in the knowledge creation process is proposed in this research. Then, the educational artifact is evaluated based on the data from in-depth interviews conducted with 15 university teacher and student users. Through the evaluation, functions of the supporting software and some organizational arrangements of the activity are iterated. This design science research of the educational artifact contributes empirically to the body of design knowledge. In terms of practice, the educational artifact with extremely low entry barriers is expected to alleviate the inherent contradictions between personalization (the inherent characteristics of innovation and entrepreneurship) and large-scale development (to be carried out in a sustainable manner), thus contributing to the Sustainable Development Goal of inclusive and equitable quality education.
Assessment of Human Settlement Quality Based on the Population Exposure Risk to PM2.5 Pollution in the Mid-Spine Belt of Beautiful China
Authors: Yang Qiang , Fan Juncheng , Min Jie , Na Jiaming , Wang Pengling , Wang Xinyuan , Chang Ruichun , Wang Quanfeng
Published: October 2023

Human settlements are areas closely related to human production and life, and their quality directly affects people’s physical health and quality of life. However, with air pollution continuing to worsen, people are becoming increasingly concerned about the exposure to air pollution in their residential regions. In addition, many studies ignore the long-term impact of environmental factors on the evolution of human settlement quality (HSQ). This study aims to assess the HSQ in the Mid-Spine Belt of Beautiful China (MSBBC) from 2000 to 2020 and to analyze the changes in its driving forces during different time periods. We divided the HSQ into five dimensions: terrain conditions, climate conditions, hydrological conditions, ground cover conditions, and air pollution exposure. The Entropy-TOPSIS and grey relational degree model were used to assess the HSQ in the MSBBC. To analyze the driving forces of HSQ, the optimal-parameters-based geographic detector model was utilized. The results show the following: (1) Within the study area, the degree of the population exposure risk to PM2.5 and its change trend were significantly different on both sides of the Hu Line, with the east showing higher levels than the west. (2) The HSQ of the MSBBC decreased from east to west. Moreover, the HSQ in the metropolitan area of the urban agglomeration was characterized from low to high. The HSQ underwent three phases, consisting of an increase (2000–2010), a decrease (2010–2015), and an increase again (2015–2020). (3) Among the driving factors, the impact of PM2.5 on the HSQ weakened year by year. The driving force of meteorological parameters on the HSQ was the strongest. Furthermore, the interactions of each factor could enhance the HSQ. The results of this study not only provide a strong reference for creating livable areas and promoting sustainability in the MSBBC but also contribute to addressing challenges such as pollution and climate change.
A New Perspective on Financial Risk Prediction in a Carbon-Neutral Environment: A Comprehensive Comparative Study Based on the SSA-LSTM Model
Authors: Wang Zaoxian , Huang Dechun
Published: October 2023

Climate change is widely acknowledged as the paramount global challenge of the 21st century, bringing economic, social, and environmental impacts due to rising global temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events, and ecosystem disturbances. To combat this, many countries target net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, reshaping both the financial system and consumption patterns. This transition has sharpened the financial sector’s focus on climate-related risks, making the carbon footprint, environmental benefits of investments, and sustainability of financial products critical to investors’ decisions. However, conventional risk prediction methods may not fully capture these climate-associated risks in a carbon-neutral setting. Emerging from this context is the need for innovative predictive tools. Recently, Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTM) have gained prominence for their efficacy in time-series forecasting. Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA), effective for extracting time series patterns, combined with LSTM as SSA-LSTM, offers a potentially superior approach to financial risk prediction. Our study, focusing on a case study of the wind energy sector in China, situates itself within the growing body of research focusing on the integration of environmental sustainability and financial risk management. Leveraging the capabilities of SSA-LSTM, we aim to bridge the gap in the current literature by offering a nuanced approach to financial risk prediction in the carbon-neutral landscape. This research not only reveals the superiority of the SSA-LSTM model over traditional methods but also contributes a robust framework to the existing discourse, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding and management of financial risks in the evolving carbon-neutral global trend.
Metabolic Profiling Analysis Uncovers the Role of Carbon Nanoparticles in Enhancing the Biological Activities of Amaranth in Optimal Salinity Conditions
Authors: Zrig Ahlem , Hassan Abdelrahim H. A. , Korany Shereen Magdy , Alsherif Emad A. , Selim Samy , El-Keblawy Ali , El-Sawah Ahmed M. , Sheteiwy Mohamed S. , Abideen Zainul , AbdElgawad Hamada
Published: October 2023

Enhancing the productivity and bioactivity of high-functional foods holds great significance. Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) have a recognized capacity for boosting both plant growth and the efficacy of primary and secondary metabolites. Furthermore, while salinity diminishes plant growth, it concurrently amplifies the production of phytomolecules. To ensure the robust and sustainable production of nutritious food, it becomes essential to elevate biomolecule yield without compromising plant growth. Here, we assessed the CNPs priming on plant performance and metabolites of the glycophyte amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) sprouts at the threshold salinity (25 mM NaCl; i.e., salinity that does not reduce growth but enhances the metabolites of that plant). We measured growth parameters, pigment levels, and primary (carbohydrates, amino acids, organic acids, fatty acids) and secondary metabolites (phenolics, flavonoids, tocopherols). CNP priming significantly improved biomass accumulation (fresh and dry weight) and primary and secondary metabolites of amaranth sprouts. Increased photosynthetic pigments can explain these increases in photosynthesis. Enhanced photosynthesis induced carbohydrate production, providing a C source for producing bioactive primary and secondary metabolites. The priming effect of CNPs further enhanced the accumulation of essential amino acids, organic acids, unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, and phenolics at threshold salinity. The increase in bioactive metabolites under threshold salinity can explain the CNP priming impact on boosting the antioxidant activities (FRAP, DPPH, anti-lipid peroxidation, superoxide-anion-scavenger, hydroxyl-radical-scavenger, Fe-chelating and chain-breaking activity in aqueous and lipid phases) and antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Overall, this study suggested that threshold salinity and CNP priming could be useful for enhancing amaranth sprouts’ growth and nutritional quality.
Can Policy Instruments Achieve Synergies in Mitigating Air Pollution and CO2 Emissions in the Transportation Sector?
Authors: Xiao Bowen , Xu Chengyao
Published: October 2023

The transportation sector has significantly contributed to greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. Consequently, there is an urgent need to investigate strategies to synergize the reduction in CO2 and pollutant emissions in this sector. Using panel data from 30 provinces in China over the period from 2005 to 2018, this study employs spatial econometric models and mediation effect models to investigate the synergistic effects of carbon markets and environmental regulations on carbon reduction and pollution control in the transportation sector, along with the underlying transmission mechanisms. The results are as follows: (1) Carbon markets can achieve synergistic reduction effects in both CO2 emissions and pollutant emissions, whereas environmental regulations can reduce pollutant emissions alone in the transportation sector. (2) The synergistic reduction effects of carbon markets and environmental regulations in the transportation sector exhibit regional heterogeneity. The central region can realize synergistic reductions, while the western and eastern regions may experience an increase in CO2 and pollutant emissions and cross-regional transfers. (3) Carbon markets can achieve synergistic reduction effects in the transportation sector by influencing the industrial structure at the provincial level, transportation supply and demand at the sectoral level, and green willingness at the individual level.
WES-BTM: A Short Text-Based Topic Clustering Model
Authors: Zhang Jian , Gao Weichao , Jia Yanhe
Published: October 2023

User comments often contain their most practical requirements. Using topic modeling of user comments, it is possible to classify and downscale text data, mine the information in user comments, and understand users’ requirements and preferences. However, user comment texts are usually short and lack rich word frequency and contextual information with sparsity. The traditional topic model cannot model and analyze these short texts well. The biterm topic model (BTM), while solving the sparsity problem, suffers from accuracy and noise problems. In order to eliminate information barriers and further ensure information symmetry, a new topic clustering model, termed the word-embedding similarity-based BTM (WES-BTM), is proposed in this paper. The WES-BTM builds on the BTM by converting word pairs into word vectors and calculating their similarity to perform word pair filtering, which in turn improves clustering accuracy. Based on the experimental results using actual data, the WES-BTM outperforms the BTM, LDA, and NMF models in terms of topic coherence, perplexity, and Jensen–Shannon divergence. It is verified that the WES-BTM can effectively reduce noise and improve the quality of topic clustering. In this way, the information in user comments can be better mined.
Map Construction and Path Planning Method for Mobile Robots Based on Collision Probability Model
Authors: Li Jingwen , Tang Wenkang , Zhang Dan , Fan Dayong , Jiang Jianwu , Lu Yanling
Published: October 2023

A map construction method based on a collision probability model and an improved A* algorithm is proposed to address the issues of insufficient security in mobile robot map construction and path planning in complex environments. The method is based on modeling the asymmetry of paths, which complicates problem solving. Firstly, this article constructs a collision probability function model, and based on this model it is fused with the obstacle grid map, which is based on the grid method, to draw a collision probability grid map (CPGM) containing collision probability information. Secondly, incorporating the collision probability values from the CPGM into the actual cost function of the traditional A* algorithm improves the security of path planning in complex environments. The experimental results show that the improved A* algorithm decreases the percentage of dangerous nodes in complex environments by 69.23%, shortens the path planning length by 19.52%, reduces the search time by 16.8%, and reduces the number of turns by 46.67%. Therefore, the method in this paper solves the problem of traditional grid maps lacking security information and can plan a path with higher security and which is smoother, improving the security and robustness of mobile robot autonomous navigation in complex environments.