bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of Solar PV Hosting Capacity in a Remote Industrial Microgrid: A Methodical Techno-Economic Approach
Authors: Arif Shaila , Rabbi Ata E , Ahmed Shams Uddin , Hossain Lipu Molla Shahadat , Jamal Taskin , Aziz Tareq , Sarker Mahidur R. , Riaz Amna , Alharbi Talal , Hussain Muhammad Majid
Published: July 2022

To meet the zero-carbon electricity generation target as part of the sustainable development goals (SDG7), remote industrial microgrids worldwide are considering the uptake of more and more renewable energy resources, especially solar PV systems. Estimating the grid PV hosting capacity plays an essential role in designing and planning such microgrids. PV hosting capacity assessment determines the maximum PV capacity suitable for the grid and the appropriate electrical location for PV placement. This research reveals that conventional static criteria to assess the PV hosting capacity fail to ensure the grid’s operational robustness. It hence demands a reduction in the theoretical hosting capacity estimation to ensure grid compatible post-fault voltage and frequency recovery. Energy storage technologies, particularly fast-responsive batteries, can potentially prevent such undesirable scenarios; nevertheless, careful integration is required to ensure an affordable cost of energy. This study proposes a novel methodical techno-economic approach for an off-grid remote industrial microgrid to enhance the PV hosting capacity by integrating battery energy storage considering grid disturbance and recovery scenarios. The method has been validated in an industrial microgrid with a 2.6 MW peak demand in a ready-made garment (RMG) factory having a distinctive demand pattern and unique constraints in remote Bangladesh. According to the analysis, integrating 2.5 MW of PV capacity and a 1.2 MVA battery bank to offset existing diesel and grid consumption would result in an energy cost of BDT 14.60 per kWh (USD 0.1719 per kWh). For high PV penetration scenarios, the application of this method offers higher system robustness, and the financial analysis indicates that the industries would not only benefit from positive environmental impact but also make an economic profit.
Industry 4.0: A Chance or a Threat for Gen Z? The Perspective of Economics Students
Authors: Bińczycki Bernard , Dorocki Sławomir
Published: July 2022

Major transformations in the sphere of the economy that Industry 4.0 brings are also reflected in young people’s expectations regarding the development of their professional career. Existing social relations are being modified nowadays and new concepts of building them are being developed. The aim of the present article is to present the expectations, fears and hopes of young people related to the course of Industrial Revolution 4.0 in the context of their future life. For a simpler perception of the research objectives of students, the research was narrowed down to the topic of building relationships with robots, which are one of the pillars of Industry 4.0. The research methods are based on the literature studies and an experiment conducted among the students graduating from economic faculties and entering a strongly changing labour market. The experiment was qualitative. The students wrote a short essay on the topic of whether a friendship between a human and a robot is possible. One group of students was shown a short emotional clip about the relationship between the boy and the robot. Regardless of the attempt to influence the message with a film, both groups of students hardly noticed the negative effects of digitisation on building relationships and social trust. The relationship between human being and advanced technology will develop in the future, which will result in the emergence of new relationships between humans and artificial intelligence.
New Methodologies for the Surface Application of Limestone and Gypsum in Different Crop Systems
Authors: Borges Wander Luis Barbosa , Gatto Juliano Pedro Henrique , Dalto de Souza Isabela Malaquias , Fuzaro Rodrigues Letícia Nayara , Hipólito Jorge Luiz , Andreotti Marcelo
Published: July 2022

To address the problems of soil acidity (pH values below 4.4) in surface and subsurface soil layers and improve soil chemical fertility, this study evaluated three methodologies for surface application of limestone (LS) (ensuring that calcium (Ca)2+ occupied 70%, 60% or 50% of cation exchange capacity (CEC) at a depth of 0.0–0.2 m) and gypsum (GP, phosphogypsum) (ensuring that Ca2+ occupied 60%, 50% or 40% of effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) at a depth of 0.2–0.4 m). LS and GP were applied in a conventional pasture system (CPS), no-till system (NTS), and agropastoral system (APS) in an Arenic Hapludult in Brazil. Surface application of LS and GP using these three methodologies corrected surface and subsurface acidity and improved soil chemical fertility. Specifically, Ca2+ content increased in the CPS, NTS, and APS at a depth of 0.0–0.2 m and in the CPS and APS at a depth of 0.2–0.4 m; sulfur (S)-SO42− content and Ca2+/ECEC increased in the CPS, NTS, and APS at a depth of 0.2–0.4 m; base saturation (BS) increased and aluminum (Al)3+ content decreased in the NTS and APS at depths of 0.0–0.2 m and 0.2–0.4 m; and pH, magnesium (Mg)2+ content, CEC, Ca2+/CEC, and Mg2+/CEC increased and total acidity decreased in the NTS and APS at a depth of 0.0–0.2 m.
Computer-Aided Automated Greenery Design—Towards a Green BIM
Authors: Sędzicki Dominik , Cudzik Jan , Bonenberg Wojciech , Nyka Lucyna
Published: July 2022

Contemporary climate challenges are changing the architect’s awareness, which results in a broader spectrum of interest. The available software enables the design of vegetation, but it is often very limited and requires specialist knowledge. The available software allows the creation of individual solutions based on visual algorithms or writing scripts; however, they are still not common methods used in architecture and urban planning. The study proposes a new complex digital method of selection and design of greenery based on a new parameter spreadsheet. The proposition is supported by the review and investigation of the software used by designers identifying a range of tools for the design of greenery. The study proposes a theoretical model for automated plant selection and variations of possible greenery scenarios that could be integrated into the design process at the early stages of concept development.
‘Generation Rent’ in a Super Homeownership Environment: The Case of Budapest, Hungary
Authors: Csizmady Adrienne , Kőszeghy Lea
Published: July 2022

The paper examines the applicability of the concept of ‘generation rent’ in the ‘super-homeownership’ housing regime and better-off focused welfare regime of Hungary. Available official statistical and survey data show the increase in private rentals among young households, and the appearance of private rental housing as a potential longer-term solution in the attitudes of young people towards housing. In the Hungarian context, the strong role of intergenerational transfers in access to home ownership and public housing policies contribute to the development of a ‘generation rent’. Furthermore, housing policies also affect the housing experiences of the Hungarian ‘generation rent’. In order to reduce tenure security and affordability risks, many households turn to family and friend networks. The involvement of family relations tends to prolong dependency on the family, thus affecting the youth-adulthood transition. Meanwhile the housing career plans of young people reflect the strongly ownership-oriented public discourse, even in the case of low-status young people, for whom acquiring homeownership is not a realistic aspiration. The analysis argues that the concept can be applied in the Hungarian context; however, the development, housing experiences, and housing career plans of ‘generation rent’ in Hungary are strongly influenced by the specific welfare regime and housing system context.
A Multidisciplinary Approach Integrating Emergy Analysis and Process Modeling for Agricultural Systems Sustainable Management—Coffee Farm Validation
Authors: Méndez Rodríguez Cristian , Salazar Benítez Juliana , Rengifo Rodas Carlos Felipe , Corrales Juan Carlos , Figueroa Casas Apolinar
Published: July 2022

Agricultural production operates via the existing relationships between nature and economy. Its sustainable development requires tools that provide a broad vision of the energy flows that intervene in these systems, to support the decision-making process in energy management. To quantify the environmental resources and economic inputs involved, emergy analysis has been used, as well as process modeling, to make a detailed record of the system inputs. The research aim is to propose a multidisciplinary approach that integrates emergy analysis and process modeling in agricultural systems, promoting their sustainable management. This approach was validated in the Los Naranjos coffee farm in Popayán, Colombia, during the years 2018–2020. The results show that the farm achieved its best energy performance and was more sustainable in 2020, producing 1693 kg/ha of green coffee, with the lowest Unit Emergy Value (UEV; 1.12 × 106 seJ/J) and the highest Emergy Sustainability Index (0.24), for the three years analyzed. In addition, natural inputs contribute approximately 27% of the total emergy, and those from the economy contribute 73%. In conclusion, this approach allows a precise and complete analysis of the system’s energy flows, significant energy uses, and energy sources at each production process stage, helping to establish the basis for an energy management system. We consider that the proposed multidisciplinary approach is a tool that would help in the sustainable management of any agricultural system, and its implementation and comparison in various contexts would be important.
The Serious Accidents Punishment Act of South Korea and Its Impact on the Shipping Industry: Toward Sustainability
Authors: Choi Junghwan , Lim Sangseop , Park Sungho , Roh Hwasop , Jin Hohyun , Lee Changhee
Published: July 2022

The Serious Accidents Punishment Act (SAPA) of South Korea mandates that chief executives secure operational safety and health to prevent industrial and civil disasters. The SAPA imposes civil and criminal responsibilities on chief executive officers, including business owners, for fatal accidents due to safety and health measures violations. We examine the SAPA’s challenges to the shipping industry and the measures taken by ship owners and ship management companies to address them. In the modern shipping industry, ships and crew often have different nationalities; hence, it may be difficult to determine which law applies or where liability lies. Business activities are mostly overseas. Ship management is performed by third parties, and the introduction of autonomous systems is leading to crew reductions and other changes; these factors create uncertainty about the SAPA’s applicability. Therefore, legal requirements and measures must be established to ensure that South Korean shipping companies do not take on excessive responsibilities internationally while still protecting workers and others. This study suggests measures to ensure safety and stability in the South Korean shipping industry following the SAPA through a horizontal comparative analysis with the UK’s Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, which served as a model for the SAPA.
The Satisfactions, Contributions, and Opportunities of Women Academics in the Framework of Sustainable Leadership: A Case Study
Authors: Merma-Molina Gladys , Urrea-Solano Mayra , Baena-Morales Salvador , Gavilán-Martín Diego
Published: July 2022

Women’s empowerment is one of the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 5, gender equality. However, little research has highlighted the contributions of sustainable female leadership in academic governance. In order to fill this gap, this study identifies and analyses the satisfactions, opportunities, and contributions of women academics to university governance and their perceptions of the potential impact of gender in this process. Forty-eight women leaders participated in the study. A purposive sampling technique was used because the research involved leaders who had held a management position in the university. The research methodology was qualitative, the instrument used for the collection of information was a semi-structured interview, and the analysis of the narratives was carried out with Aquad v. 7 software (Günter Huber, Tübingen, Alemania). The study revealed that the leadership style of the female academics is framed within the sustainable leadership approach. Beyond personal satisfactions, the main reward derived from the performance of the position lies in becoming transformative and catalysing agents of the institution, who try to find a balance between the economic and social interests of the organisation. The functions these female academics perform, within the framework of sustainable development, have a technical and, at the same time, humanised vision, as they focus on people and on personal and social values. Gender issues have not been a determinant in the satisfactions, opportunities, and contributions that the leaders make to the institution; however, participants emphasise that this was a strength for leadership.
Failure Mechanism and Stability Control Technology of Slope during Open-Pit Combing Underground Extraction: A Case Study from Shanxi Province of China
Authors: Shi Shuaihang , Guo Zizheng , Ding Peng , Tao Yabin , Mao Hui , Jiao Zhichao
Published: July 2022

With the development of society, the demand for mineral resources is gradually increasing, and the current situation of decreasing total resources dictates the inevitable interaction between open-pit combing underground extraction (OPUG) in time and space. In this research, we took the Anjialing coal mine in Shanxi Province of China as a case study, and tested the physical and mechanical properties of coal rocks in the laboratory. The similarity criterion was used to build a similar experimental model for the deformation evolution of the slope of the open-pit mine section; the digital scattering method was used to test the influence of the underground mining process parameters on the deformation evolution of the open-pit slope. The results showed that there was an obvious distribution of “three zones” above the mining goaf, namely, a collapse zone, fracture zone, and slow subsidence zone. When the mining face was continuously advanced towards the bottom of the open pit, the supporting stress of the mining face transferred to the side of the open-pit slope. Additionally, large displacement and stress concentration were observed on the slope near the stoping line, which caused the slope body to move along the uppermost part of the slope first, and thereafter along the lower part. Various techniques for slope stability control are discussed, including the optimization of spatial and temporal relationships between open-pit and underground mining, the optimization of mining plans, and the use of monitoring and early warning systems. The results can provide a guide for slope stability control of similar open-pit mines in the process of mining coal resources.
Effects of Polymerization Time towards Conductivity and Properties of Poly(methyl methacrylate)/Polyaniline (PMMA/PANi) Copolymer
Authors: Abu Hassan Shaari Helyati , Ramli Muhammad Mahyiddin , Abdullah Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri , Mohtar Mohd Nazim , Abdul Rahman Norizah , Ahmad Azizan , Osman Nurul Huda , Rusydi Febdian
Published: July 2022

The effects of various polymerization times on the properties and conductivity of poly(methyl methacrylate)/polyaniline (PMMA/PANi) copolymer has been investigated. Different polymerization times, such as 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h, have been employed during free radical copolymerization of PMMA/PANi copolymer. The properties of newly synthesized PMMA/PANi copolymer were discussed with the help of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. All copolymers showed electrical conductivity of a semi-conductor material, compared with PMMA itself. It was found that the reaction played a significant role, especially at optimum polymerization time, where PANi formation and conductivity was at its highest. Our present work demonstrates that copolymer film could be a promising material to fabricate polymer conducting film in many electronics applications.
Uncovering Readiness Factors Influencing the Lean Six Sigma Pre-Implementation Phase in the Food Industry
Authors: Azalanzazllay Nurul Najihah , Lim Sarina Abdul Halim , Abidin Ungku Fatimah Ungku Zainal , Anass Cherrafi
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study is to identify the readiness factors of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) for the food manufacturing industry. A multi-method qualitative approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve quality practitioners and three case food companies to identify and explore the LSS readiness factors in the food manufacturing industry. Twenty-eight factors were identified and classified into six LSS readiness factors (RF) in the food manufacturing industry context, namely, management support and leadership, organisational culture readiness, process management, project management, employee involvement, and external relations. This study could benefit managers in the food business as a diagnostic tool to evaluate their readiness to implement LSS prior to investing in the programme. The proposed framework identifies LSS readiness dimensions and their attributes to enable food businesses to conduct readiness level self-assessments, thereby contributing to the successful implementation of LSS in the food manufacturing industry. The determined readiness factors will potentially enable an organisational transformation to be better understood, making the implementation of LSS practices in food businesses more successful and sustainable.
An Investigation of Compression Bearing Capacity of Concrete-Filled Rectangular Stainless Steel Tubular Columns under Axial Load and Eccentric Axial Load
Authors: Cao Bing , Zhu Longfei , Jiang Xintong , Wang Changsheng
Published: July 2022

In order to study the compression bearing capacity of concrete-filled rectangular stainless steel tubular columns, the influence of the stainless steel tube thickness, relative eccentricity, and slenderness ratio on the compression bearing capacity is analyzed, and then the calculation formula of compression bearing capacity is proposed. The results show that the finite element model can effectively simulate the compression bearing capacity, the mean of finite element calculations Nufem to the test Nuexp is 0.985, and the variance is 0.000621. The slenderness ratio and relative eccentricity have a great influence on the load–displacement curves. The thickness of the stainless steel tube has little influence on the load–displacement curves. With the increase in slenderness ratio and relative eccentricity, the compression bearing capacity decreases. With the increase in the slenderness ratio, the failure model of the specimen gradually changes from plastic failure to elastoplastic failure and then elastic failure. When the slenderness ratio is the same, if the relative eccentricity is larger, increasing the thickness of the stainless steel tube will be more effective in improving the compression bearing capacity. When the relative eccentricity is the same, if the slenderness ratio is smaller, increasing the thickness of the stainless steel tube will be more effective for improving the compression bearing capacity. The slenderness ratio and relative eccentricity have a great influence on the longitudinal stress distribution in the cross-section. When the slenderness ratio and relative eccentricity are greater, the longitudinal compressive stress in parts of the cross-section gradually becomes longitudinal tensile stress. The proposed formula can effectively predict the compression bearing capacity of concrete-filled rectangular stainless steel tubular columns. The mean of theoretical calculations to the test and the finite element is 1.054, and the variance is 0.0247.
Factors That Influence Consumers’ Sustainable Apparel Purchase Intention: The Moderating Effect of Generational Cohorts
Authors: Lin Pei-Hsin , Chen Wun-Hwa
Published: July 2022

The circular economy is one of the crucial issues in fashion because the fashion industry is a major global polluter. Many consumers are adopting a more sustainable lifestyle and it shows in their buying preferences and behaviors. This study aims to predict sustainable fashion apparel consumption using an extended version of the belief–attitude–intention framework, by investigated the moderating effect of generational cohorts. Particularly, the study emphasizes the rental apparel, second-hand apparel, and recycled apparel markets. Survey data were collected from 135 Generation X consumers, 134 Generation Y consumers, and 139 Generation Z consumers in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling and the bootstrapping method were applied to test the hypothesized relationships. The findings determined environmental consciousness, perceived value, and perceived risk as key predictors of consumers’ sustainable apparel purchase intentions. The findings also showed that the generational cohort negatively moderated the relationship between environmental consciousness and sustainable apparel purchase intentions. Therefore, fully understanding consumers’ purchase intentions regarding sustainable apparel is an indispensable topic for both academia and industry in a circular environment. Moreover, the fashion industry should concentrate more on promoting sustainability and ecologically friendly apparel products as well as developing multi-generational marketing strategies.
Spatio-Temporal Dynamic of the Land Use/Cover Change and Scenario Simulation in the Southeast Coastal Shelterbelt System Construction Project Region of China
Authors: Bao Shengwang , Yang Fan
Published: July 2022

The National Coastal Shelterbelt System Construction Project (NCSSCP) was proposed to increase the afforestation area and neutralize the impact of urbanization, especially in the southeast coastal sub-region of China. In this study, we identified the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics and predicted the land use and land cover changes (LUCC) associated with this project by modeling scenarios, seeking to explore the path of sustainable development. The spatial structure was analyzed using the landscape pattern index approach and the land use transfer matrix. By coupling the Markov model and patch-generating a land-use simulation model (PLUS), different scenarios were analyzed to predict the quantity and spatial changes. According to the results, based on the current trends and due to the impact of urbanization, the forest area was predicted to decrease by 633.19 km2, whilst appearing more spatially fragmented and separated. However, with the completion of the NCSSCP target, the forest area was predicted to increase by 1666.12 km2, and the spatial structure would appear more cohesive and concentrated. From an overall perspective, the afforestation target of NCSSCP will not be completed under the present trend. It is difficult for the afforestation speed of the NCSSCP to keep up with the speed of urbanization. Therefore, giving consideration to both the afforestation speed and quality and reducing the speed of urbanization to balance the economy and ecology would be beneficial in terms of the realization of the aims of sustainable development.
Operationalization of Critical Success Factors to Manage the Industry 4.0 Transformation of Manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Brodeur Jonathan , Pellerin Robert , Deschamps Isabelle
Published: July 2022

As an increasing number of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) tackle their digital transformation toward Industry 4.0, the need for a methodology to manage this transformation, tailored to their particular context, becomes apparent. Since recent studies have identified critical success factors (CSFs) for the Industry 4.0 transformation of manufacturing SMEs, this paper aims to operationalize these CSFs and propose an Industry 4.0 transformation management methodology. This research is based on an extensive literature review on CSFs for Industry 4.0 transformation, followed by a Delphi–Régnier survey with a panel of Industry 4.0 experts. For each CSF, specific actions to perform at different stages of the Industry 4.0 transformation were defined and validated by experts. Based on a proposed Industry 4.0 transformation process, not all CSFs have to be managed at every phase and step of the transformation process. Each CSF must be supported by different actions positioned within each Industry 4.0 transformation process step. The results of this research are particularly relevant for manufacturing SME managers and consultants managing Industry 4.0 transformation. By performing these actions, they can ensure the achievement of multiple CSFs during their digital transformation projects and, thus, ensure their success. This research combines the academic and professional domains by proposing a way for theoretical findings to be translated into clear actions. The proposed model allows all the actors involved in manufacturing SMEs’ digital transformation projects to understand the actions needed to achieve a successful transformation.
Food Consumption–Production Adjustments to Economic Crises under Credit Constraints in Nigeria
Authors: Iziga Jude I. , Takagi Shingo
Published: July 2022

Poverty and food security risks are increasing in resource-reliant African countries such as Nigeria. Resultantly, policymakers have attempted to use agricultural policy reforms to boost productivity and increase income. However, macroeconomic instabilities complicate agricultural transformation. Consequently, farm households try to diversify food production to mitigate shock-induced nutrition losses. However, credit constraints disrupt the planting of different crops required for adequate diets. This study investigates food security performance during Nigeria’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda. It examines whether credit-constrained households adjust food consumption and production differently from credit-unconstrained families. The aim is to uncover the nutritional implications of the adjustments and evaluate the changes such a linkage has undergone during the commercialization initiative. While credit-unconstrained households diversified food production to mitigate food security risks, credit-constrained households were unable to do so. A policy that improves credit access for farm-input purchases appeared to increase food security. However, macroeconomic shocks disrupt the smooth implementation of the policy. Resultantly, policy decisions on the designation of a financial-support scheme that approves credit to households for operating off-farm enterprises must be considered. The business profits could complement farm income to improve family nutrition. Part of the profits could again be plowed back into farm-input needs to enhance agricultural commercialization.
Energy-Efficient Mobile Agent Protocol for Secure IoT Sustainable Applications
Authors: Elhoseny Mohamed , Siraj Mohammad , Haseeb Khalid , Nawaz Muhammad , Altamimi Majid , Alghamdi Mohammed I.
Published: July 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor technologies are combined with various communication networks in smart appliances and perform a significant role. Connected devices sense, analyze, and send environmental data, as well as support applications’ connections. Mobile agents can be explored to provide sensing intelligence with IoT-based systems. Many strategies have been proposed to address the issue of energy efficiency while maintaining the sensor load at a low cost. However, advancements are still desired. Furthermore, without fully trustworthy relationships, sensitive data are at risk, and the solution must provide privacy protection against unexpected events. With the development of two algorithms, this study proposes a mobile agent-based efficient energy resource management solution and also protects IoT appliances. Firstly, the software agents perform a decision using past and present precepts, and by exploring rule-based conditions, it offers an energy-efficient recommended system. Second, data from IoT appliances are securely evaluated on edge interfaces before being transferred to end-centers for verification. Simulations-based tests are conducted and verified the significance of the proposed protocol against other studies in terms of network metrics.
Can the Agglomeration of New Energy Industries Improve Environmental Efficiency?—Evidence from China
Authors: Liang Yi , Hao Xiaoli
Published: July 2022

Improving environmental efficiency is the key to solving the contradiction between economic development and environmental degradation. In the process of realizing the “dual carbon” goal, the development of the new energy industry is typically characterized by having low carbon and is an important way to improve environmental efficiency. In this study, based on panel data from 2009 to 2018, the agglomeration levels of the new energy industry and the levels of environmental efficiency were measured. Moreover, the linear and nonlinear relationships between the agglomeration of the new energy industry and environmental efficiency were investigated, and the mediation effect model was used to verify the mechanism of action from a two-dimensional perspective. The results showed that (1) the levels of the agglomeration of the new energy industry (NEA) and environmental efficiency (EE) have generally increased with obvious “regional heterogeneity” and “polar characteristics”; (2) NEA can promote EE, with a marginal effect of 0.0347, but a strong positive driving effect only exists in the eastern region at present, which is higher than the national average level; (3) there is a double threshold effect within the process and the driving trend is “weak negative → weak positive → strong positive"; and (4) the advancement of industrial structures and direct foreign investments are the critical intermedia. Accordingly, this paper puts forward corresponding policy recommendations.
Literature Review of Mobility as a Service
Authors: Maas Benjamin
Published: July 2022

The number of publications about mobility as a service (MaaS) has increased rapidly in the past years, spreading into various fields. In this paper, a total of 127 scientific publications about MaaS are reviewed and categorized into an overarching thematic framework in order to highlight key areas of research and further potential. Three research questions are highlighted in this review: (1) which topics are discussed in the existing MaaS literature? (2) what are the main results in the specific fields? and (3) where are gaps for further research? Publications have focused substantially on the topics of the market, users, data and technology, and the impact on the transportation system. The review shows that, regarding the concept, multi-level approaches have been established for the organization and cooperation of the actors involved, showing different levels of integration of public and private actors on a regional and supra-regional level. Various groups have already been identified as potential users, but the relatively low willingness to pay and the requirements regarding the individualization of mobility services pose problems that have not yet been solved. There is also a constant and unsolved challenge regarding the sensitive motion data that must be stored and processed. Significant research is still needed, including assessments of the impact of MaaS and what effects the service will have on the established use of transport modes, as well as how packages need to be designed and priced in order to optimally reach users.
Numerical Simulation Analysis of the Formation and Morphological Evolution of Asymmetric Crescentic Dunes
Authors: Zhang Huiwen , Li Changlong , Zhang Jianhui , Wu Zhen , Zhang Zhiping , Hu Jing , Cao Lei , Song Longlong , Ma Jianping , Xiao Bin
Published: July 2022

Generally, typical crescentic dunes in the ideal state are symmetrical, but it is difficult to form crescentic dunes with two perfectly symmetrical horns under actual conditions. Among many environmental factors, bidirectional winds, the size of sand particles, topography, epiphyte vegetation, and dune collision are important reasons for the asymmetric evolution of sand dunes. Few existing studies have revealed the mechanism of the morphological evolution of asymmetric crescentic dunes, especially in regard to the role of wind in a complex dune’s morphology. In this study, we used the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and mass balance models to simulate the asymmetric forms and flow fields of crescentic dunes and analyzed the potential causes of the asymmetry among the above aspects. The results showed that: (1) the angle of the bidirectional winds significantly changed the structure of vortices around the sand dune; (2) for crescentic dunes with coarser sand, the deposit continuity was better, the extension of the single horn was maintained for a long time, and the extended horn took longer to die out; (3) the crescentic dune deformed according to the direction of the inclination of the terrain, and the shear stress of a dune on a slope was related to the slope, width, or height; (4) whether there was epiphytic vegetation on a dune’s surface had a great impact on the dune’s migration; (5) the collision position of two dunes determined the shape of the two dunes after fusion. The simulation results indicated that the spatial–temporal differences in sand flux, caused by changes in flow fields that were induced by various factors, determined the evolutionary shape of crescentic dunes. These results can provide a reference for the study of the erosion of surface flow fields on various dunes and for the prevention and control of wind and sand disasters in the Gobi Desert area.
Development of an Eco-Design Tool for a Circular Approach to Building Renovation Projects
Authors: Bourgeois Inês , Queirós Alexandra , Oliveira Joaquim , Rodrigues Hugo , Vicente Romeu , Ferreira Victor M.
Published: July 2022

Considering the construction sector’s impact on the environment, it is necessary amongst other measures to change the way in which new construction or renovation projects of buildings are designed and how solutions are proposed and integrated. Nowadays, an effort is being made by designers to implement more sustainable and circular design in buildings, but because of the lack of tools that can provide designers with knowledge about the impacts of the solutions to be chosen, the sustainability factor does not enter in the decision-making process as a key factor. In this sense, the development of an eco-design tool and procedure for the decision-making process will allow designers to integrate into the design phase a circular design methodology and, in a practical way, will also promote sustainability and circularity concepts as a decision factor in the construction of buildings. The present work introduces an eco-design tool that was developed to integrate circularity and sustainability information into building-renovation projects. This tool enables the evaluation and comparison of solutions based on information provided by Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) or other LCA-based calculations as well as life cycle costing information, through the generation of radar graphics that simplify the overall analysis at the decision moment. The tool was tested in a simple case study of a building renovation process and allowed designers to understand the environmental and economic impacts that each competing solution carries, either related to the materials removed from the building or to the materials coming into the buildings being renovated. In this test application, the eco-design tool proved to be able to gather quantitative information regarding environmental and economic impacts, facilitating designers to access knowledge on the different solutions impacts and help them to make a design choice based on sustainability and circularity considerations.
The Impact Effect of Coal Price Fluctuations on China’s Agricultural Product Price
Authors: Du Wenbin , Wu You , Zhang Yunliang , Gao Ya
Published: July 2022

Few studies have used China’s latest economic data to verify the interaction between coal price fluctuation and vegetable price fluctuation. Therefore, the sharing of existing knowledge in the academic community is mainly reflected in this paper, which explores the influence between coal prices and agricultural product prices for the first time. Further, it supplements the verification of the effective parameters of vegetable price fluctuation in academia. The current study investigates the relationship between coal prices (thermal coal price) and agricultural product prices (vegetable prices) in China from 2016 to 2021. It uses separate time-series models to verify the effect of China’s coal price fluctuation on the price of agricultural products and explores the effect of the coal price on the vegetables’ price trend. The results confirm that the thermal coal price significantly impacts and positively affects vegetable prices. There is also a linkage between the price of coal and the security of agricultural products. It might mainly be due to coal usage in various stages of the growing, storage, transportation, and distribution of agricultural products. Higher coal prices may lead to higher agricultural prices, threatening China’s coal-dominant energy structure. These higher coal prices will endanger domestic energy security and agricultural security. Finally, this study also suggests ways to manage the effect of increased coal prices on agricultural product prices and then puts forward policy suggestions.
Evaluating and Prioritizing Barriers for Sustainable E-Learning Using Analytic Hierarchy Process-Group Decision Making
Authors: Naveed Quadri Noorulhasan , Qahmash Adel Ibrahim , Al-Razgan Muna , Qureshi Karishma M. , Qureshi Mohamed Rafik Noor Mohamed , Alwan Ali A.
Published: July 2022

E-Learning is a popular computer-based teaching–learning system that has been rapidly gaining global attention during and post COVID-19. The leaping changes in digital technology have enabled E-Learning to become more effective in recent years. It offers freedom from restrictions caused by geographical boundaries and provides time flexibility in the teaching–learning process. Apart from its numerous advantages, the success of E-Learning depends upon many critical success factors (CSFs) and barriers. If the barriers that lie in the way of successful E-Learning implementation are not addressed diligently, it will limit E-Learning success. It has been revealed through past research that these barriers are serious threats that need immediate attention in their redressal. This paper attempts to reveal sixteen barriers under four different dimensions by going through a comprehensive review of the literature and engaging decision makers. Furthermore, it uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process-Group Decision Making (AHP-GDM) methodology to evaluate and prioritize them. The results obtained show that barriers related to the Institutional Management Dimension (BIMD), Infrastructure and Technological Dimension (BITD), Student Dimension (BSD), and Instructor Dimension (BID) pose the greatest challenges in the successful implementation of E-Learning. The AHP-GDM methodologies reveal the comparative relationship among these barriers as BIMD > BITD > BSD > BID and further quantify their negative effects as 46.35%, 29.88%, 12.30%, and 11.4%, respectively, on successful E-Learning systems (‘>’ indicates comparative challenges).
Groups and Structures of Commutative Semigroups in the Context of Cubic Multi-Polar Structures
Authors: Al-Masarwah Anas , Alqahtani Mohammed , Abu Qamar Majdoleen
Published: July 2022

In recent years, the m-polar fuzziness structure and the cubic structure have piqued the interest of researchers and have been commonly implemented in algebraic structures like groupoids, semigroups, groups, rings and lattices. The cubic m-polar (CmP) structure is a generalization of m-polar fuzziness and cubic structures. The intent of this research is to extend the CmP structures to the theory of groups and semigroups. In the present research, we preface the concept of the CmP groups and probe many of its characteristics. This concept allows the membership grade and non-membership grade sequence to have a set of m-tuple interval-valued real values and a set of m-tuple real values between zero and one. This new notation of group (semigroup) serves as a bridge among CmP structure, classical set and group (semigroup) theory and also shows the effect of the CmP structure on a group (semigroup) structure. Moreover, we derive some fundamental properties of CmP groups and support them by illustrative examples. Lastly, we vividly construct semigroup and groupoid structures by providing binary operations for the CmP structure and provide some dominant properties of these structures.
Computational Analysis of MHD Nonlinear Radiation Casson Hybrid Nanofluid Flow at Vertical Stretching Sheet
Authors: Abbas Nadeem , Shatanawi Wasfi , Abodayeh Kamaleldin
Published: July 2022

The stagnation point flow of unsteady compressible Casson hybrid nanofluid flow over a vertical stretching sheet was analyzed. The comparative study of Yamada Ota, Tiwari Das, and Xue hybrid nanofluid models was performed. The Lorentz force was applied normal to flow directions. The effect of nonlinear radiation was studied. We considered the SWCNT (signal wall carbon nanotube) and MWCNT (multi-wall carbon nanotube) with base liquid (water). Under the flow suppositions, a mathematical model was settled by means of boundary layer approximations in terms of partial differential equations. The suitable transformation was developed by using the lie symmetry method. Partial differential equations were transformed into ordinary differential equations by suitable transformations. The dimensionless system was elucidated through a numerical technique named bvp4c. The impacts of pertinent flow parameters on skin friction, Nusselt number, and temperature and velocity distributions were depicted through tabular form as well as graphical form. In this study, the Yamada Ota model achieved a higher heat transfer rate compared to the Tiwari Das and Xue hybrid nanofluid models. The skin friction (CfxRe−1/2) increased and temperature gradient (NuxRe−1/2) declined due to the increment of solid nanoparticle concentration (ϕ2). Physically, skin friction increased because the higher values of the solid nanoparticles increased resistance to the fluid motion.
The Novelty of Thermo-Diffusion and Diffusion-Thermo, Slip, Temperature and Concentration Boundary Conditions on Magneto–Chemically Reactive Fluid Flow Past a Vertical Plate with Radiation
Authors: Lakshmi Devi Gavireddy , Niranjan Hari
Published: July 2022

The significance of radiation, Soret and Dufour’s effects on MHD flow in a porous media near a stagnation point past a vertical plate with slip, temperature, and concentration boundary conditions were investigated. Local similarity variables are used in the solution, which reduces the PDEs into analogous boundary value problem for ODEs. Symmetry analysis can be used to detect these variations in local similarity. To numerically explain the problem, a shooting approach and the MATLAB bvp4c solver are utilized. As the magnetic field and porous medium parameters are raised, the skin friction increases, and the temperature increases as the radiation pointer is increased. As the Soret number grows, the concentration profile rises.
Special Issue Editorial “Atomic Processes in Plasmas and Gases: Symmetries and Beyond”
Authors: Oks Eugene
Published: July 2022

Atomic processes in plasmas and gases encompass broad areas in theoretical and experimental atomic and molecular physics [...]
In Vitro Toxicity of Chinese Russell’s Viper (Daboia siamensis) Venom and Neutralisation by Antivenoms
Authors: Lay Mimi , Liang Qing , Isbister Geoffrey K. , Hodgson Wayne C.
Published: July 2022

Daboia siamensis (Russell’s viper) is a highly venomous and medically important snake in China, as well as much of Asia. There is minimal information on the pharmacological activity of the venom of the Chinese species, and currently no commercially available specific antivenom in China. This has led to the use of non-specific antivenoms to treat D. siamensis envenomation. In this study, the in vitro neurotoxicity and myotoxicity of D. siamensis venom was examined and the efficacy of four antivenoms was investigated, including the recently developed Chinese D. siamensis monovalent antivenom (C-DsMAV) and three commercially available antivenoms (Thai D. siamensis (Thai-DsMAV) monovalent antivenom, Deinagkistrodon acutus monovalent antivenom (DaAV), and Gloydius brevicaudus monovalent antivenom (GbAV). D. siamensis venom (10–30 µg/mL) caused the concentration-dependent inhibition of indirect twitches in the chick biventer cervicis nerve muscle preparation, without abolishing contractile responses to exogenous agonists ACh or CCh, indicating pre-synaptic neurotoxicity. Myotoxicity was also evident at these concentrations with inhibition of direct twitches, an increase in baseline tension, and the partial inhibition of ACh, CCh, and KCl responses. The prior addition of C-DsMAV or Thai-DsMAV prevented the neurotoxic and myotoxic activity of D. siamensis venom (10 µg/mL). The addition of non-specific antivenoms (GbAV and DaAV) partially prevented the neurotoxic activity of venom (10 µg/mL) but failed to neutralize the myotoxic effects. We have shown that D. siamensis venom exhibits in vitro weak presynaptic neurotoxicity and myotoxicity, which can be prevented by the pre-addition of the Chinese and Thai Russell’s viper antivenoms. Non-specific antivenoms were poorly efficacious. There should be further development of a monospecific antivenom against D. siamensis envenomation in China.
Wheeler-DeWitt Equation and the Applicability of Crypto-Hermitian Interaction Representation in Quantum Cosmology
Authors: Znojil Miloslav
Published: July 2022

In the broader methodical framework of the quantization of gravity, the crypto-Hermitian (or non-Hermitian) version of Dirac’s interaction picture is considered. The formalism is briefly outlined and shown to be well suited for an innovative treatment of certain cosmological models. In particular, it is demonstrated that the Wheeler-DeWitt equation could be a promising candidate for the description of the evolution of the quantized Universe near its initial Big Bang singularity.
Assessment of Dark Matter Models Using Dark Matter Correlations across Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies
Authors: Borzou Ahmad
Published: July 2022

The predicted size of dark matter substructures in kilo-parsec scales is model-dependent. Therefore, if the correlations between dark matter mass densities as a function of the distances between them are measured via observations, we can scrutinize dark matter scenarios. In this paper, we present an assessment procedure of dark matter scenarios. First, we use Gaia’s data to infer the single-body phase-space density of the stars in the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy. The latter, together with the Jeans equation, after eliminating the gravitational potential using the Poisson equation, reveals the mass density of dark matter as a function of its position in the galaxy. We derive the correlations between dark matter mass densities as a function of distances between them. No statistically significant correlation is observed. Second, for the sake of comparison with the standard cold dark matter, we also compute the correlations between dark matter mass densities in a small halo of the Eagle hydrodynamics simulation. We show that the correlations from the simulation and from Gaia are in agreement. Third, we show that Gaia observations can be used to limit the parameter space of the Ginzburg–Landau statistical field theory of dark matter mass densities and subsequently shrink the parameter space of any dark matter model. As two examples, we show how to leave limitations on (i) a classic gas dark matter and (ii) a superfluid dark matter.