bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Does New-Type Urbanization Affect the Subjective Well-Being of Urban and Rural Residents? Evidence from 28 Provinces of China
Authors: Li Chu , Yan Jinming , Xu Ze
Published: December 2021

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the National New-type Urbanization Plan (2014–2020) put forward the novel principle of “people-oriented” policy. Has the Chinese government’s plan achieved the expected results? To answer this question, the present study evaluates the impacts of New-type Urbanization on the subjective well-being (SWB) of residents. Based on the IV Ordered Probit Model and the data of Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), we determined that (1) living in cities has a positive impact on SWB, and this impact is significant at a statistical level of 1%; (2) urban household registration (hukou) has no significant impact on SWB; and (3) “Gender”, “Income”, “Job”, “Politics”, “Education”, “Marriage”, and “Health” have significant effects on SWB. To improve residents’ SWB, the government should enhance the attractiveness of the city and significantly reform the household registration system.
Quality of the Wind Wave Forecast in the Black Sea Including Storm Wave Analysis
Authors: Myslenkov Stanislav , Zelenko Alexander , Resnyanskii Yuriy , Arkhipkin Victor , Silvestrova Ksenia
Published: December 2021

This paper presents the results of wind wave forecasts for the Black Sea. Three different versions utilized were utilized: the WAVEWATCH III model with GFS 0.25 forcing on a regular grid, the WAVEWATCH III model with COSMO-RU07 forcing on a regular grid, and the SWAN model with COSMO-RU07 forcing on an unstructured grid. AltiKa satellite altimeter data were used to assess the quality of wind and wave forecasts for the period from 1 April to 31 December 2017. Wave height and wind speed forecast data were obtained with a lead time of up to 72 h. The presented models provide an adequate forecast in terms of modern wave modeling (a correlation coefficient of 0.8–0.9 and an RMSE of 0.25–0.3 m) when all statistics were analyzed. A clear improvement in the wave forecast quality with the high-resolution wind forecast COSMO-RU07 was not registered. The bias error did not exceed 0.5 m in an SWH range from 0 to 3 m. However, the bias sharply increased to −2 or −3 m for an SWH range of 3–4 m. Wave forecast quality assessments were conducted for several storm cases.
The Relationship between Social Identity and Foreign Language Learning Motivation: The Sustainability of Heritage Language Learners
Authors: Dos Santos Luis Miguel
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to explore the relationship between social identity and language learning motivations of a group of heritage Spanish language learners in a university environment in the United States. Based on the qualitative research inquiry with semi-structured interview and focus group activity tools, a group of 78 Spanish language learners in one university environment in the United States were surveyed. Under the open-coding and axial-coding techniques, the finding of this study indicated that the three main motivations were Latinx Americans with dual identities, interests in career development, and surrounding environments and individuals. Department heads, non-profit organisation managers, and researchers may use this study as the blueprint to reform and polish the current foreign language teaching and learning programmes, courses, and policies to meet the expectations of multilingualism.
The Influencing Mechanism of Internal Control Effectiveness on Technological Innovation: CSR as a Mediator
Authors: Wang Xinyuan , Zhang Zhenyang , Chun Dongphil
Published: December 2021

The study explores the relationship between internal control effectiveness, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and technological innovation. By establishing a mediating effect model, we analyzed the effect of internal control effectiveness on technological innovation. The study selected the data of Chinese A-share listed companies between 2014 and 2019 as the sample. The sources of variable indicators include China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR), DIB Internal Control database, and Hexun CSR score. The empirical study shows that internal control effectiveness is significantly and positively related to technological innovation. Enhancing internal control effectiveness has a significant positive effect on the fulfillment of corporate social responsibility. In the process of internal control effectiveness on technological innovation, corporate social responsibility functions as a mediating variable and plays a partial mediating role. The study provides empirical data to support listed companies’ emphasis on internal control and active fulfillment of social responsibility, thereby enhancing their technological innovation performance.
Secure and Sustainable Predictive Framework for IoT-Based Multimedia Services Using Machine Learning
Authors: Islam Naveed , Altamimi Majid , Haseeb Khalid , Siraj Mohammad
Published: December 2021

In modern years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has gained tremendous growth and development in various sectors because of its scalability, self-configuring, and heterogeneous factors. It performs a vital role in improving multimedia communication and reducing production costs. The multimedia data consist of various types and formats (text, audio, videos, etc.), which are forwarded in the form of blocks of bits in the network layer of TCP/IP. Due to limited resources available to IoT-built devices, most of the Multimedia Internet of Things (MIoT)-based applications are delay constraints, especially for big data content. Similarly, multimedia-based applications are more vulnerable to security burdens and lower the trust of data processing. In this paper, we present a secure and sustainable prediction framework for MIoT data transmission using machine learning, which aims to offer intelligent behavior of the system with information protection. Firstly, the network edges exploit a regression analysis for a real-time multimedia routing scheme and achieve precise delivery towards the media servers. Secondly, an efficient and low-processing asymmetric process is proposed to provide secure data transmission between the IoT devices, edges, and data servers. Extensive experiments are performed over the OMNET++ network simulator, and its significance is achieved by an average for energy consumption by 71%, throughput by 30.5%, latency by 22%, bandwidth by 34.5%, packets overheads by 38.5%, computation time by 12.5%, and packet drop ratio by 35% in the comparison of existing schemes.
Multi-Stove Scheduling for Sustainable On-Demand Food Delivery
Authors: Dai Tao , Fan Xiangqi
Published: December 2021

Ordering food through mobile apps and crowdsourcing resources has become increasingly popular in the digital age. Restaurants can improve customer satisfaction to satisfy on-demand food orders by shortening waiting time and achieving sustainability through fuel reduction. In the present study, we construct a double-layer scheduling model, which is developed using the characteristics of on-demand food preparation, including the use of multiple stoves, a variety of dishes in one order, and the integration of the same dishes from different customers. The bottom layer is a multi-stove dish package scheduling model based on parallel machine scheduling. The upper layer is an order selection model based on the knapsack problem. To identify the optimal solution, four strategies for calculating the weight coefficient of the dish package are proposed to shorten the waiting time and realize sustainability. Numerical experiments are designed to analyze the differences of the final scheduling results under the four strategies. The bottom layer is extended to another model based on the vehicle routing optimization model, given the switch time between different dishes. The extension of the model is also compared in the numerical experiments. Our paper confirms the necessity of using a double-layer model for multi-strategy comparison in order to achieve sustainable on-demand scheduling.
A Composite Index to Measure Smartness and Competitiveness of Heritage Tourism Destination and Historic Building
Authors: Selim Maysa Ali , Abdel-Fattah Noura Anwar , Hegazi Yasmine Sabry
Published: December 2021

The key issue of this current study is related to shaping the attractiveness of heritage destinations, highlighting the significance of reuse and upgrading their historical buildings to achieve a high level of competitiveness and distinctiveness through a smart approach. Some of these cultural assets and events tend to be monotonous, and not so attractive for various categories of tourists, which negatively affects investment opportunities, tourism development, and social and economic resources. Furthermore, previous works have criticized the lack of evidence to support that the structure contains critical attributes and measurement items linked to the competitiveness of smart heritage destinations. As a result, this study aims to design and develop a composite index for evaluating these destinations and their buildings, which includes nine dimensions (attributes) and a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) of intelligent performance and competitiveness, reflecting the combination and noticing the distinct perspective between them. A mixed-methods approach was used between qualitative and quantitative methods to perform content validation on the proposed index. Furthermore, a pilot study was implemented for tourism heritage destinations to improve the quality and efficiency of the proposed index. Then, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to analyze the data to develop the proposed index and measure its validity and reliability. Finally, the proposed composite index was finalized with 139 KPIs and applied to a case study (Salah El-Din Citadel). After that, we validated its utility in providing a quantitative evaluation of this heritage destination, identifying critical intervention priorities, and determining dimensions that need to be restructured. Additionally, it highlighted recommendations for future improvements to strengthen these heritage destinations to become smart heritage destinations capable of competition in the tourism sector.
Social Capital and Sustainable Social Development—How Are Changes in Neighbourhood Social Capital Associated with Neighbourhood Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics?
Authors: Eriksson Malin , Santosa Ailiana , Zetterberg Liv , Kawachi Ichiro , Ng Nawi
Published: December 2021

The development of social capital is acknowledged as key for sustainable social development. Little is known about how social capital changes over time and how it correlates with sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. This study was conducted in 46 neighbourhoods in Umeå Municipality, northern Sweden. The aim was to examine neighbourhood-level characteristics associated with changes in neighbourhood social capital and to discuss implications for local policies for sustainable social development. We designed an ecological study linking survey data to registry data in 2006 and 2020. Over 14 years, social capital increased in 9 and decreased in 15 neighbourhoods. Higher levels of social capital were associated with specific sociodemographic factors, but these differed in urban and rural areas. Urban neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of older pensioners (OR = 1.49, CI: 1.16–1.92), children under 12 (OR= 2.13, CI: 1.31–3.47), or a lower proportion of foreign-born members (OR= 0.32, CI: 0.19–0.55) had higher odds for higher social capital levels. In rural neighbourhoods, a higher proportion of single-parent households was associated with higher levels of social capital (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.04–1.98). Neighbourhood socioeconomic factors such as income or educational level did not influence neighbourhood social capital. Using repeated measures of social capital, this study gives insights into how social capital changes over time in local areas and the factors influencing its development. Local policies to promote social capital for sustainable social development should strive to integrate diverse demographic groups within neighbourhoods and should increase opportunities for inter-ethnic interactions.
3D Underground Property Rights of Transportation Infrastructures: Case Study of Piraeus Metro Station, Greece
Authors: Perperidou Dionysia-Georgia , Sigizis Konstantinos , Chotza Agkronilnta
Published: December 2021

Underground development covers a wide range of underground uses, transportation and infrastructures networks; water and energy storage facilities; municipal spaces, housing, business and manufacturing facilities; and overall exploitation of Urban Underground Space (UUS). According to the Greek legal framework on properties underground, transportation networks, such as the metro, are developed deep enough that no compensation is due to surface parcel owners, which are usually a public entity. The current Greek cadastral system is two-dimensional and there are no records for underground transportation networks. As the need for the exploitation of UUS is arising, especially in densely populated Greek cities, such as Athens, the detailed documentation of transportation networks 3D underground property rights is essential. Herein is presented the technical and legal definition of the 3D underground property rights of the Piraeus Metro Station that is constructed in Piraeus Municipality UUS. Three-dimensional underground models for both Piraeus Station and official cadastral parcels are created so as to identify their 3D spatial intersection. For the identification of their legal and spatial status in 2D, the UUS was subdivided into layers in respect to the station’s vertical infrastructure and then correlated to the current cadastral 2D spatial data. The presented 3D underground property rights of Greece’s major urban underground transportation network facilitates its registration in the current 2D Greek cadastral system and contributes to the better understanding and the identification of legal and technical aspects of UUS rights in Greece.
Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Method for Sustainable Energy-Saving Retrofit Façade Solutions
Authors: Egiluz Ziortza , Cuadrado Jesús , Kortazar Andoni , Marcos Ignacio
Published: December 2021

The increasing energy consumption levels of buildings within Europe call for controlled consumption and improvements to energy savings and efficiency and effective energy efficiency regulations. However, many aging and energy-inefficient buildings require energetic retrofitting that can employ various façades solutions and insulation materials. The selection of the most sustainable options in each situation therefore requires a decision-making methodology that can be used to prioritize available retrofit solutions based on economic, functional, environmental and social criteria. In this paper, both the methodology and the economic basis of the retrofitting process are presented. The methodology was validated in a case study, and a sensitivity analysis also demonstrated its validity, robustness and stability
Analysis of the Effect of Cooperatives on Increasing Farmers’ Income from the Perspective of Industry Prosperity Based on the PSM Empirical Study in Shennongjia Region
Authors: Wang Meiyuan , He Bin , Zhang Jinsong , Jin Yanan
Published: December 2021

“Industry prosperity”, as a key content of the Rural Revitalization Strategy, is an effective way to increase farmers’ income, agricultural development and rural prosperity. Cooperatives have the functions of serving, assisting and enriching the people and are an important organizational carrier for achieving rural industry prosperity. This paper uses the propensity score-matching model and the field survey data of Dajiuhu Town, Shennongjia, Hubei Province to study the effect of farmers’ participation in cooperatives on their net income by means of quantitative analysis. The empirical results show that (1) farmers’ participation in cooperatives can improve their net income level; (2) the education level of farmers has a significant effect on their participation in cooperatives; (3) household factors, production and management characteristics and external environment also have an important effect on farmers’ participation. Based on the above conclusions, this research proposes the encouragement of farmers to actively participate in cooperatives, improve their education level, vigorously improve rural infrastructure and enhance farmers’ self-development efficiency to promote the continuous increase of farmers’ incomes, and give rise to the positive role of cooperatives in rural development, in order to realize the revitalization and sustainable development of rural areas.
An Integrated Medical-Psychological Approach in the Routine Care of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study to Explore the Clinical and Economic Sustainability of the Healthcare Intervention
Authors: Lastretti Mara , Tomai Manuela , Visalli Natalia , Chiaramonte Francesco , Tambelli Renata , Lauriola Marco
Published: December 2021

The economic burden of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a challenge for sustainability. Psychological factors, healthy behaviors, and stressful conditions are predictive and prognostic factors for T2DM. Focusing on psychological factors can reduce costs and help ensure the sustainability of diabetes care. The study aimed to support an integrated medical-psychological approach in the care of patients with T2DM. A group of patients undergoing usual healthcare treatment was compared to patients who received a psychotherapeutic intervention in addition to standard treatment. The study’s outcomes were: physical health (blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, blood lipids, blood pressure); lifestyle (cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, physical activity, body mass index); mental health (anxiety, depression, stress, coping styles, alexithymia, emotion regulation, locus of control); costs (number of referrals to a specialist, standard cost of each visit). We examined the change from baseline to 24-week follow-up. Compared to the Standard Group, the Integrated Group reported a reduction in blood lipids and triglycerides, chronic depressive and anxious mood states, patient emotional coping, and the number of specialist visits and diagnostic tests. Close collaboration between diabetologists and psychologists is feasible, and it is worth considering integrated care as an option to contain and make healthcare spending more sustainable.
Does Business Group Matter for the Relationship between Green Innovation and Financial Performance? Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies
Authors: Xu Qiang , Xu Lian , Xie Zaiyang , Jin Mufan
Published: December 2021

Green innovation has been an important approach for firms to achieve sustainable development in recent years; however, empirical studies on the relationship between green innovation and corporate performance have delivered mixed results. In particular, business groups (BG), which are a critical organizational form in many economies and are proven to have unique advantages for conducting green innovation, have attracted less scholarly attention. Therefore, in this study, we adopt the perspective of a business group and investigate how green innovation by BG-affiliated firms affects their financial performance, and we also explore the moderating effect of BG’s internal supply chain partnership. Based on a sample of 202 listed manufacturing enterprises in China from 2013 and 2017, the research results show that green innovation significantly improves the financial performance of firms, and this positive effect is more prominent in BG-affiliated firms than in non-BG firms. Further research found that BG-affiliated firms’ supply chain (suppliers and customers) concentration and trust positively moderate the relationship between green innovation and financial performance. This research concerns the particularity of business groups’ green innovation practices in China, which not only contributes to the research on the effect of BG’s green innovation on corporate performance in an emerging market context but also deepens our understanding of the role of its internal supply chain partnership from the perspective of concentration and trust.
Lookup Tables for Power Generation Performance of Photovoltaic Systems Covering 40 Geographic Locations (Wilayats) in the Sultanate of Oman, with and without Solar Tracking, and General Perspectives about Solar Irradiation
Authors: Marzouk Osama A.
Published: December 2021

An energy modeler for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems may be limited to climatic data of certain major cities, not covering the one for which the PV system is intended. Additionally, a person not skilled in solar PV modeling may still desire a quick estimate of PV system electricity generation to help decide the level of investment in PV systems. This work addresses these points by establishing lookup tables to summarize predicted electricity generation, solar irradiation, and optimum orientation at various locations in the Sultanate of Oman. The results are produced by processing simulation data using the online open-access tool PVGIS (Photovoltaic Geographical Information System) of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC). The tables cover 40 out of the country’s 61 s-level administrative divisions (wilayats) and cover fixed and movable PV panels. The results show that the yearly electricity generation can change up to 11.86% due to the change of location. Two-axis PV tracking offers a small improvement (about 4% on average) over single-vertical-axis tracking but offers noticeable improvement (about 34% on average) over optimally oriented fixed PV panels. Monthly profiles of expected PV electricity generation, as well as the generation drop due to changing the PV mounting from free standing to building integrated, were examined for three locations. As general perspectives that may be of interest to global readers, this work provides quantitative evidence of the overall accuracy of the PVGIS-SARAH database through comparison with ground-measured global horizontal irradiation (GHI). In addition, a full example is presented considering 12 different countries in the northern and southern hemispheres that brings the attention of solar energy modelers to the level of errors they may encounter when the impact of longitude (thus, the exact location) is ignored for simplicity, while focus is given to the latitude.
Spatiotemporal Contribution of Participants in Patrolling Efforts from a Forest Station, Pu Hu Nature Reserve, Vietnam
Authors: Hai Nguyen Dinh , Dong Le Khac , Men Duong Thi , Nha Thi Huynh Nguyen , Hue Thi Thu Ha , Pradit Siriporn
Published: December 2021

Understanding the contributions of participants from management practices and those from the local community to protected areas (PAs) as nature reserves, is crucial for forest protection and resource conservation. Thus, empirical studies have usually investigated whether patrolling has significantly improved forest protection action. Many previous studies have exhaustively examined the contributions to forest protection by rangers or local persons, but there has been little research on the contribution of both sides to patrol efforts with separate consideration given to each. This paper explores insights into the patrol efforts in the Nam Tien forest station. The total number of patrollers, walking distances, and working days across years were significantly different between the ranger and local person patrol groups. There was a considerable variation in the number of patrollers (Z = 2.02; p < 0.01), distance (Z = 2.45; p < 0.01) and working days (Z = 2.37; p < 0.01) between rangers and local persons related to monthly patrolling. For the traditional patrols in the various PAs, it is shown that, for long-term forest protection, local persons patrolling should be considered more, in order to achieve the sustainable conservation.
Nutrients and Energy Digestibility of Microalgal Biomass for Fish Feed Applications
Authors: Annamalai Senthil Nagappan , Das Probir , Thaher Mahmoud I. A. , Abdul Quadir Mohammad , Khan Shoyeb , Mahata Chandan , Al Jabri Hareb
Published: December 2021

Aquafeed accounts for at least 75–90% of aquaculture’s operating costs. Traditional aquafeed ingredients such as fishmeal, fish oil, and soybean meal are unsustainable; further, their increasing cost necessities developing alternative feed ingredients. Microalgae-based aquafeed is not only environmentally friendly, but it can also be cost-effective with proper optimization. In addition, the nutrition profile of microalgae is similar to that of many fishes. The digestibility of a feed is one of the most important factors to consider in feed formulation. A highly digestible feed can lower production costs, reduce feed waste, and reduce the risk of eutrophication. This review discusses the digestibility of various nutrients such as protein, lipid, carbohydrate, amino acids, and fatty acids (including omega-3 fatty acids), dry matter, and energy of various microalgae in fish. Other commonly used aquafeed ingredients were also compared to microalgae in terms of nutrient and energy digestibility in fish. The intrinsic characteristics of microalgae, biomass pretreatment, and feed preparation methods are all discussed as factors that contribute to the nutrient and energy digestibility of microalgae in fish. Furthermore, methods for increasing the digestibility of microalgal biomass in fish are suggested. Finally, the review concludes with the challenges and prospects of using microalgae as a fish feed in terms of digestibility.
Students’ and Parents’ Perceptions of Barriers to Cycling to School—An Analysis by Gender
Authors: Higgins Ross , Ahern Aoife
Published: December 2021

Internationally, there is increased emphasis on the need to reduce dependency on cars and to encourage more sustainable forms of travel, including active travel. To encourage increased levels of cycling, the focus has generally been on improving cycling infrastructure and on making cycling safer. While cycling rates have increased in many countries, including Ireland, women are often less likely to cycle than men. While there are some notable exceptions to this (for example, in the Netherlands) this phenomenon of lower cycling rates amongst women is common and research shows that the differences between male and female cycling rates can be seen from an early age. This paper explores the reasons why women are less likely to cycle than men, by examining the modal choices of school-going students, and the attitudes of their parents/guardians to their modal choices. The survey was conducted in the city of Limerick in the midwestern region of Ireland. The results show multi-factorial barriers to cycling to school for girls compared to boys. Uniforms, traffic concerns, physical efforts of cycling, effects on personal appearance, and peer-influences were factors affecting girls more than boys. Male parents/guardians did not significantly differentiate by the gender of their children in relation to factors associated with cycling to school, unlike female parents/guardians who were found to be significantly less supportive of their daughters than their sons. Additionally, parents/guardians were generally more likely to afford their male children greater independence in their school travel choices. While there are many considerations that would affect students’ perceptions towards cycling, an adjustment to the school uniform policy would, at least, remove the most significant barrier for girls. Further research must be carried out to determine how to shift the perceptions of the efforts associated with cycling, especially among girls, and how to encourage female parents/guardians to better support their daughters to cycle to school.
A Decision Framework for Solar PV Panels Supply Chain in Context of Sustainable Supplier Selection and Order Allocation
Authors: Liaqait Raja Awais , Warsi Salman Sagheer , Zahid Taiba , Ghafoor Usman , Ahmad Muhammad Shakeel , Selvaraj Jeyraj
Published: December 2021

Sustainable supplier selection and order allocation (SSSOA) is paramount to sustainable supply chain management. It is a complex multi-dimensional decision-making process augmented with the triple bottom line of sustainability. This research presents a multi-phase decision framework to address a SSSOA problem for the multi-echelon renewable energy equipment (Solar PV Panels) supply chain. The framework comprises of fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making techniques augmented with fuzzy multi-objective mixed-integer non-linear programming mathematical model. The various economic, environmental, and social objectives were optimized for a multi-period, multi-modal transportation network of the supply chain. The results show that among the various sustainable criteria selected in this study, product cost, environmental management system, and health and safety rights of employees are the most important for decision-makers. The results of the mathematical model highlighted the impact of multimodal transportation on overall cost, time, and environmental impact for all periods. An analysis of results revealed that transfer cost and customer clearance cost contribute significantly towards overall cost. Furthermore, defect rate was also observed to play a critical role in supplier selection and order allocation.
UV-Light Mediated Biosynthesis of Silver Nanowires; Characterization, Dye Degradation Potential and Kinetic Studies
Authors: Ali Faisal , Ali Zahid , Younas Umer , Ahmad Awais , Mooin-ud-din Ghulam , Pervaiz Muhammad , Luque Rafael , Ahmad Ikram , Ashraf Adnan , Albaqami Munirah D. , Bahajjaj Aboud Ahmed Awadh , Ishaq Muhammad Waqas
Published: December 2021

Herrin, a simple and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of silver nanowires (Ag-NWs) has been reported. Silver nanowires were synthesized using Psidium guajava seed extract that acted as a reducing agent as well as a stabilizing agent for silver nitrate solution. Synthesis was carried out at 50 °C temperature under continuous UV-irradiation. Silver nanowires were initially characterized by a UV-visible and FTIR spectrophotometer. In addition, morphology and particle size of synthesized Ag-NWs were determined using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Nanowires were found to have 12.8 μm length and 200–500 nm diameter and cubic phase morphology. Furthermore, the catalytic potential of Ag-NWs for the degradation of methyl orange dye (MO) was determined. The selected dye was degraded successfully that confirmed the catalytic potential of Ag-NWs. The authors concluded that Ag-NWs can be synthesized using plant extract having excellent morphological features as well as impressive catalytic potential.
Estimating the Long-Term Reliability of Steel and Cast Iron Pipelines Subject to Pitting Corrosion
Authors: Melchers Robert E. , Ahammed Mukshed
Published: December 2021

Water-injection, oil production and water-supply pipelines are prone to pitting corrosion that may have a serious effect on their longer-term serviceability and sustainability. Typically, observed pit-depth data are handled for a reliability analysis using an extreme value distribution such as Gumbel. Available data do not always fit such monomodal probability distributions well, particularly in the most extreme pit-depth region, irrespective of the type of pipeline. Examples of this are presented, the reasons for this phenomenon are discussed and a rationale is presented for the otherwise entirely empirical use of the ‘domain of attraction’ in extreme value applications. This permits a more rational estimation of the probability of pipe-wall perforation, which is necessary for asset management and for system-sustainability decisions.
Purification Effects on β-HCH Removal and Bacterial Community Differences of Vertical-Flow Constructed Wetlands with Different Vegetation Plantations
Authors: Chen Qing , Zeng Honghu , Liang Yanpeng , Qin Litang , Peng Guangsheng , Huang Liangliang , Song Xiaohong
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to investigate the removal of β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) at realistic concentration levels (10 µg/L) in different plant species in constructed wetlands (Acorus calamus, Canna indica, Thalia dealbata, and Pontederia cordata) and the structure of the rhizosphere microbial community response of each group during summer and winter. Results showed that all groups of constructed wetlands had very good decontamination efficiency against β-HCH in water (90.86–98.17%). The species that most efficiently purified β-HCH in water was A. calamus in summer (98.17%) and C. indica in winter (96.64%). Substrate sorption was found to be the major pathway for β-HCH removal from water in the constructed wetlands. The ability of the wetland plants to absorb and purify β-HCH was limited, and C. indica had the strongest absorptive capacity among the four plant species. The mean β-HCH removal from the matrix of the planted plants increased by 5.8% compared with that of the control treatment (unplanted plants). The average β-HCH content in the plant rhizosphere substrate was 4.15 µg/kg lower than that in the non-rhizosphere substrate. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the Chao1 and ACE indices of microbes in the substrate of four wetlands during summer and winter. At the genus level, the constructed wetlands with vegetation plantations showed higher microbial abundance than the constructed wetlands without vegetation plantations. In winter, the bacterial community structure of each constructed wetland was quite different, but no dominant flora in the bacterial community structure obviously changed. In summer, the bacterial community structure at the same stage was relatively small. The abundance of Actinobacteria and Sphingomonas remarkably increased over time in summer.
Quantifying the Health and Wealth Benefits of Reducing Point Source Pollution: The Case of the Sugar Industry in Pakistan
Authors: Panezai Sanaullah , Ali Ubaid , Zeb Alam , Rafiq Muhammad , Ullah Ayat , Saqib Shahab E.
Published: December 2021

Air pollution is among the major causes of death and disease all around the globe. The prime impact of ambient air pollution is on the lungs through the respiratory system. This study aims to estimate the health cost due to air pollution from a Sugar Mill in the Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. To determine the impact of pollution on respiratory illness, primary data were collected from 1141 individuals from 200 households living within a 3 km radius of the mill. The Household Production Method was used to drive the reduced-form Dose–Response Function and the Mitigation Cost Function for assessing the impact of pollution on health and then estimating the monetary cost associated with mitigating such illnesses. The results indicate that about 60% of the respondents living in the surrounding area of the mill suffered from different respiratory illnesses. The study estimates that by reducing the suspended particulate matter (SPM) level by 50%, the expected annual welfare gains to an individual living within a 3 km radius of the mill are US $20.21. The whole community residing within a 3 km radius of the mill will enjoy an estimated welfare gain of PKR. 70.67 million (US $0.511 million). If the pollution standard limits prescribed by the World Health Organization are followed, the expected monetary benefits to all the individuals living within a 3 km radius of the mill are PKR. 114.48 million (US $0.27 million) annually.
A Comparative Analysis of Consumption: Evidence from a Cultural Goods Market
Authors: Kaimann Daniel , Cox Joe
Published: December 2021

This study uniquely employs a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) technique to account for complex relationships in consumption. The fsQCA technique assumes that relationships are based on a set–subset relationship. This assumption is fundamental when decision-makers are affected by information asymmetry and are, thus, required to jointly evaluate the credibility and reliability of a range of external signals. This issue also affects consumers in markets for cultural goods, where the quality of products is not known with certainty in advance of the purchase decision. Our study uses fsQCA to establish the effect of different quality signals on consumption in the US market for video game software. Our results show that reviews from professional critics alongside brand extension and multi-platform release strategies act as signals of product quality and, therefore, lead to high sales performance.
Barriers to the Adoption of Urban Living Labs for NBS Implementation: A Systemic Perspective
Authors: Sarabi Shahryar , Han Qi , L. Romme A. Georges , de Vries Bauke , Valkenburg Rianne , den Ouden Elke , Zalokar Spela , Wendling Laura
Published: December 2021

Urban Living Labs (ULLs) are widely believed to provide a safe environment for experimentation, co-creation and evaluation of innovations in real-life settings. A growing number of cities have been adopting ULLs to co-create and test Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). However, many of these cities have been facing major barriers in trying to adopt the ULL approach for implementing NBS. In this study, we seek to identify these barriers and provide a systemic understanding. Barriers are identified by means of workshops and interviews. Subsequently, interpretive structural modelling serves to identify the interdependencies among the barriers, resulting in a structural model of barriers in adopting ULLs for NBS. Our results show that political and institutional barriers are significantly limiting the adoption of ULLs. Moreover, knowledge brokers and other intermediaries, as well as cross-sectoral collaboration, play a key role in getting ULLs adopted. The findings from this study can help cities to develop strategies that overcome the main barriers for ULL adoption in the context of nature-based solutions.
Crop Litter Has a Strong Effect on Soil Organic Matter Sequestration in Semi-Arid Environments
Authors: Paranychianakis Nikolaos V. , Giannakis Giorgos , Moraetis Daniel , Tzanakakis Vasileios A. , Nikolaidis Nikolaos P.
Published: December 2021

The agricultural soils in the Mediterranean are characterized by low stocks of soil organic matter (SOM) because of the intensive management practices and constraints on litter inputs to the soil imposed by environmental conditions (low precipitation, high evapotranspiration). To date, several studies have provided evidence for a low potential of Mediterranean agroecosystems, especially on its southern part, to store C, even under soil conservation practices (e.g., non-tillage), questioning the capacity of commonly applied practices to restore soil health, mitigate climate change and improve resilience of agroecosystems to climate extremes. Using paired orchards of avocado and olive trees, we show that soils in the South Mediterranean have a high potential for C storage that depends strongly on crop type and soil properties. Soils planted with avocado trees showed higher SOM contents compared to olive trees mainly in the upper soil layer (0–10 cm) which were linked to higher inputs and litter chemistry. Our findings enable us to re-define achievable thresholds of SOC (≈8%) in Southern Mediterranean soils to store C, to quantify the effect of different cropping systems, and the period required to reach this potential and how this potential is affected by soil properties. Thus, the findings have profound implications for the design of soil conservation practices compatible with Mediterranean conditions and developing initiatives describing achievable targets of SOM restoration depending on soil properties and cropping systems.
Urban Planning and Residential Segregation in Brazil—The Failure of the “Special Zone of Social Interest” Instrument in Londrina City (PR)
Authors: Marques da Costa Eduarda , Antonello Ideni Terezinha
Published: December 2021

The objective of this analysis is linked to the discussion of urban residential segregation marked by the Brazilian urban land structure and perpetuated by urban planning instruments at the municipal level. The spatial focus of the study is the municipality of Londrina (state of Paraná/Brazil). We aimed to analyze the relationship between urban zoning and the dynamics of residential segregation, unfolding two foci: verify to what extent the objectives presented in the municipal instrument translate the objectives of the instrument at the federal level (the City Statute–CE) and the national program “My Home, My Life” aimed to provide housing to socially vulnerable populations; the second focus, aims to assess how the planning instrument—the Special Zone of Social Interest (ZEIS), contemplated in the Land Use and Occupation Law and in the Municipal Master Plan of Londrina (PDPML, 2008)—materializes in practice the objectives of promoting equity in access to housing. The results show that although the objectives defined at the federal level are transposed to the municipal level, demonstrating a theoretical coherence between the instruments, there are flaws in their implementation. The case study results show that the urban zoning of Londrina has as a guideline a segregationist territorial ordering, leading to a residential segregation of the population with low purchasing power. On the other hand, the planning instrument that could change this reality is the ZEIS that, on the contrary, reinforced social housing in the periphery, conditioning the right to the city and perpetuating the social vulnerability of disadvantaged groups, in a process common to other Brazilian cities. Such constraints make relevant the establishment of land reserves for social housing based on clear roles of a social and functional mix, reinforced by the combat of vacant spaces and the definition of minimal housing and infrastructure densities to allow urban occupation.
Teachers’ and Parents’ Perspectives on Promoting Primary School Children’s Physical Activity at School: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Guzauskas Donatas , Sukys Saulius
Published: December 2021

Lack of children’s physical activity remains a relevant problem that urges the need to find solutions. As physical activity starts to decline already in primary school, this study explores the possibilities of promoting physical activity at school. Specifically, this study aimed to gain an understanding of teachers’ and parents’ perspectives of promoting children’s physical activity in primary school. Five semi-structured focus groups were conducted with primary school teachers (n = 31, aged 30–62) and five with the parents of primary school children (n = 25, aged 31–48). The data from the focus groups were analyzed using thematic analysis. Six main themes emerged from the study, reflecting teachers’ and parents’ perspectives on promoting primary school children’s physical activity at school: physical and psychological changes of children’s, parents’ attitudes towards physical activity, adapting school facilities for children’s physical activity, organization of the physical education process, teacher’s personality, teachers’, and parents’ partnership. The findings revealed the most significant barriers to promoting physical activity among primary school children as perceived by teachers and parents and the opportunities for not only overcoming these barriers but also increasing children’s physical activity at school.
Efficient Neighbour Feedback Based Trusted Multi Authenticated Node Routing Model for Secure Data Transmission
Authors: Bondada Praveen , Samanta Debabrata , Chaudhry Shehzad Ashraf , Zikria Yousaf Bin , Ishmanov Farruh
Published: December 2021

The Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) is a network that does not have a fixed infrastructure. Migratory routes and related hosts that are connected via wireless networks self-configure it. Routers and hosts are free to wander, and nodes can change the topology fast and unexpectedly. In emergencies, such as natural/human disasters, armed conflicts, and emergencies, the lowest configuration will ensure ad hoc network applicability. Due to the rapidly rising cellular service requirements and deployment demands, mobile ad-hoc networks have been established in numerous places in recent decades. These applications include topics such as environmental surveillance and others. The underlying routing protocol in a given context has a significant impact on the ad hoc network deployment power. To satisfy the needs of the service level and efficiently meet the deployment requirements, developing a practical and secure MANET routing protocol is a critical task. However, owing to the intrinsic characteristics of ad hoc networks, such as frequent topology changes, open wireless media and limited resources, developing a safe routing protocol is difficult. Therefore, it is vital to develop stable and dependable routing protocols for MANET to provide a better packet delivery relationship, fewer delays, and lower overheads. Because the stability of nodes along this trail is variable, the route discovered cannot be trusted. This paper proposes an efficient Neighbour Feedback-based Trusted Multi Authenticated Node (NFbTMAN) Routing Model. The proposed model is compared to traditional models, and the findings reveal that the proposed model is superior in terms of data security.
Assessing Economic Value of Local Festivals for Sustainable Development: A Case of Yeongju Korean Seonbi Culture Festival
Authors: Kim Dong-Han , Lee Jun-Jae , Park Hyo-Yeun
Published: December 2021

Diversity of financial resources is important to increase the sustainability of festivals. This is because even if one of the festival’s resources is stopped by external variables, the festival can be continued with other resources. Local festivals often suffer from low levels of economic independence as a primary concern for their economic sustainability. To solve the aforementioned real-world problem, this study investigated the determinants of festival goers’ willingness to pay for the development fund for the local festival. By using the CVM method, this study initially hypothesized four festival quality factors, three festival related decisions, and four demographic factors in the model. In total, 695 questionnaires were collected from visitors who completed the festival experience through an on-site survey for the Korean Seonbi Culture Festival in Yeongju, Korea. Based on a double-bounded DC CVM, the results of this study showed that festival environment, past visit experience, and demographic factors were significant determinants of festival goers’ willingness to pay for the fund. In addition, it was attempted to estimate the value of this festival through WTP (WTP; willingness to pay). This study offers the foundation for the introduction of a development fund to make the local festival economically sustainable. The theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Effect of Leaf Area Size on the Main Composition in Grape Must of Three Varieties of Vitis vinifera L. in an Organic Vineyard
Authors: Horák Miroslav , Balík Josef , Bieniasz Monika
Published: December 2021

The concentrations of sugars and acids are very important for the quality and the stability of wines. In addition, the proportion of the two main acids, i.e., tartaric acid and malic acid, is a significant factor for wine taste and stability. Over a period of three seasons in an organic vineyard, the influence of leaf area on the concentration of total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity (TA), the concentration of tartaric acid and malic acid, and their mutual proportions were monitored. Vines of three varieties (‘Rhine Riesling’, ‘Pinot Gris’, ‘Sauvignon Blanc’) were treated using three different treatments (proportion of leaves removed 0%, 40%, and 70%). All varieties exhibited positive correlations between leaf area and TSS. In terms of relationships between TA and leaf area, ‘Sauvignon Blanc’ was the most sensitive variety. The highest differences between the individual variants were found for this variety. The tartaric to malic acid ratio displayed a significant seasonal effect, which was mostly more important than leaf area reduction. The size of the leaf area mainly affected the accumulation of sugars in the grapes, while content and ratio of acids was not affected so significantly. Therefore, leaf area regulation is one of the ways to optimize the composition of grapes in organic vineyards.