bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Power Line Communication with Robust Timing and Carrier Recovery against Narrowband Interference for Smart Grid
Authors: Liu Sicong , Yang Fang , Li Dejian , Yao Ruilong , Song Jian
Published: May 2022

Power line communication (PLC) is an important interconnection technology for the smart grid, but the robustness of PLC transmission is faced with a great challenge due to strong non-Gaussian noise and interference. In this paper, a narrowband interference (NBI) resistant preamble is designed, and an effective timing and frequency synchronization method is proposed for OFDM-based PLC systems in the smart grid, which is capable of simultaneously conveying some bits of transmission parameter signaling (TPS) as well. In the time domain, the cyclic extension of the training OFDM symbol is scrambled, which makes it feasible to combat against NBI contamination. More accurate timing detection and sharper correlation peak can be implemented under the power line channel and the AWGN channel in the presence of NBI, compared with the conventional Schmidl’s and Minn’s methods with the same preamble length. Furthermore, the TPS transmitted using the proposed method is also immune from the NBI. The proposed method is capable of improving the synchronization performance of the PLC transmission significantly, which is verified by theoretical analysis and computer simulations.
Assessing the Condition of Complex Poly-Material Artworks by Py-GC-MS: The Study of Cellulose Acetate-Based Animation Cels
Authors: Izzo Francesca , Van Keulen Henk , Carrieri Alessandra
Published: May 2022

The material composition of a group of Rodovetri, hand-painted animation cels, made in the 1950s and 1960s for Italian television, has been determined by Flash Py-GC-MS, Thermally assisted Hydrolysis and Methylation-(Py-)GC-MS and GC-MS investigations, where, for the pyrolysis applications, the pyrolyzer is connected septum-less to the GC inlet. The condition of the selected animation cels was generally poor (yellowing, exudation, warping, cracking). The cels are made of plasticized cellulose acetate (CA) and decorated with alkyd paint. Exudating plasticizers from the CA support migrated into the paint; this has softened the paint layers and made the cels stick together. CA is known to be very unstable and easily subjected to degradation, which cannot be reversed, only slowed down by preventive conservation. Most of the cels are plasticized with bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate (DMEP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP). The research shows a relationship between the degradation of CA and the presence of TPP and DMEP.
Antenna Boosters versus Flexible Printed Circuit Antennas for IoT Devices
Authors: Anguera Jaume , Fernández Alejandro , Puente Carles , Andújar Aurora , Groot Jaap
Published: May 2022

Antennas should be small enough to fit in the limited space of IoT devices and, at the same time, with multi-band operation across several bands as well as ensure stability when embedded in a device. In this regard, two different technologies are compared: antenna booster and flexible printed circuit antenna. A comparison is addressed from measured results in terms of efficiency, concluding that despite the antenna booster is more than fifty times smaller in area, it provides better efficiency across the frequency range of 698–960 MHz and 1710–2690 MHz across three different printed circuit boards (PCB): a big PCB of 131 mm × 60 mm, a medium PCB of 95 mm × 42 mm, and a small PCB of 65 mm × 42 mm. Moreover, the flexible printed antenna depends on the mounting process, whereas the antenna booster does not.
Mechanisms of Inequity: The Impact of Instrumental Biases in the Child Protection System
Authors: Keddell Emily
Published: May 2022

The structural risk perspective conceptualizes the causes of inequities in child protection system contact as unequal exposure to the structural causes of child abuse risk, combined with biases in the responses of child welfare workers and reporters. This conceptual article proposes a third mechanism of inequity: instrumental biases. It is proposed that instrumental biases operate as a third group of mechanisms that inequitably increase the involvement of some groups and not others. Instrumental biases operate through institutional structures, interpretive concepts and risk proxies that affect how risk is coded and becomes attached to particular people. Against the background of the notify-investigate model that creates poor conditions for decision making, and shapes institutional structures, instrumental biases include the miscalibration of the demand and supply of services (an institutional cause); family-specific surveillance bias and a reliance on prior case histories (a risk proxy cause); widening legal definitions of serious harm (an interpretive concept cause); and complex responses to intimate partner violence that minimize theories of IPV and the social context it occurs within (concept and risk proxy causes). It is argued that within the decision-making context of the child protection system, how services are structured and risk becomes codified has disproportionate impacts on some communities compared to others. Examples from Aotearoa New Zealand, with reference to Māori and people living in high-deprivation areas, are used to illustrate these concepts.
Islam’s Perspective on Environmental Sustainability: A Conceptual Analysis
Authors: Bsoul Labeeb , Omer Amani , Kucukalic Lejla , Archbold Ricardo H.
Published: May 2022

This paper shows that environmental protection, a primary aim of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations in 2015, is embedded in Islam and was practiced by Prophet Muhammad centuries ago. In this study, we examined Islam’s perspective on sustainability and its relevance to these SDGs, with a particular focus on community and individual development. In this research, we address how the emphasis on the Islamic view of the contemporary environmental problems (such as depletion of natural resources, pollution, and poverty) can help improve the ethical and practical conduct toward the environment. We also elaborate on the role of education in the Islamic tradition and its connection to environmental efforts. Finally, we discuss the examples and models of environmental sustainability arising from Islamic tradition. Therefore, this paper aims to encourage consideration of Islam’s perspective in solving environmental problems, activating the role of religious and scientific institutions in preserving the environment, and providing appropriate solutions. We conclude our investigation with some findings and recommendations in this area.
Social Control in the Digital Transformation of Society: A Case Study of the Chinese Social Credit System
Authors: Chen Mo , Grossklags Jens
Published: May 2022

The Chinese social credit system (SCS) is a digital sociotechnical credit system that rewards and sanctions the economic and social behaviors of individuals and companies. This article uses classic social-control theories—the shaming theory and the labeling theory—to analyze the SCS, thereby contributing to a better understanding of the Chinese social-control approach to the digital transformation of society. Our research relies not only on government documents and media reports, but also on first-hand data collected from in-depth interviews conducted in China. We found that the perceived effectiveness of the shaming and labeling mechanisms is enhanced by the design of the SCS framework and the assistance of digital technology but weakened by a lack of transparency and questionable justification criteria, as well as privacy and fairness concerns.
Inclusive Research in Health, Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology: Beyond the Binary of the ‘Researcher’ and the ‘Researched’
Authors: Layton Natasha , Bould Em , Buchanan Ricky , Bredin Jonathon , Callaway Libby
Published: May 2022

The principle of ‘working with, not on’ people with disabilities is widely espoused within inclusive research, yet historically such opportunities have not been fully realized. This paper speaks from the perspective of users of health, rehabilitation, assistive technology services, and the academics with whom they collaborate. We draw on Australia’s Disability Inclusive Research Principles to reflect on the practice of inclusive research across the areas of assistive technology policy, digital information, and health access, as well as the co-design of allied health resources. We consider and provide examples of how power and knowledge play out in health and rehabilitation, the developing discourse around consumer co-design and co-production, and the challenges of enacting inclusive research. This paper is about shared power in the mechanisms of research production and our journeys towards it. Engaging in inclusive research has enabled us to assume roles beyond the binary of the ‘researcher’ and the ‘researched’. We conclude by proposing an adaptation of the ladder of participation for inclusive research.
Happy Birthday? Relative Age Benefits and Decrements on the Rocky Road
Authors: McCarthy Neil , Taylor Jamie , Cruickshank Andrew , Collins Dave
Published: May 2022

(1) Background: There is abundant literature in talent development investigating the relative age effect in talent systems. There is also growing recognition of the reversal of relative age advantage, a phenomenon that sees significantly higher numbers of earlier born players leaving talent systems before the elite level. However, there has been little investigation of the mechanisms that underpin relative age, or advantage reversal. This paper aimed to investigate (a) the lived experience of relative age in talent development (TD) systems, (b) compare the experience of early and late born players, and (c) explore mechanisms influencing individual experiences. (2) Methods: interviews were conducted with a cohort of near elite and elite rugby union players. Data were subsequently analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and findings considered in light of eventual career status. (3) Results: challenge was an ever-present feature of all players journeys, especially at the point of transition to senior rugby. Psycho-behavioural factors seemed to be a primary mediator of the response to challenge. (4) Conclusions: a rethink of approach to the relative age effect is warranted, whilst further investigations of mechanisms are necessary. Relative age appears to be a population-level effect, driven by challenge dynamics.
Application of Tree-Based Ensemble Models to Landslide Susceptibility Mapping: A Comparative Study
Authors: Wei Aihua , Yu Kaining , Dai Fenggang , Gu Fuji , Zhang Wanxi , Liu Yu
Published: May 2022

Ensemble machine learning methods have been widely used for modeling landslide susceptibility, but there has been no uniform ensemble method for this problem. The main objective of this study is to compare popular ensemble machine learning-based models and apply them to landslides susceptibility mapping. The selected models include the random forest (RF), which is a typical bagging ensemble model, and three advanced boosting models, namely, adaptive boosting (AB), gradient boosting decision trees (GBDT), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). This study considers 94 landslide points and 12 affecting factors. The data are divided into a training dataset consisting of 70% of the overall data, and a validation dataset, containing the remaining 30% of the data. The models are evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and three common performance metrics: sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. The results indicate that the four ensemble models have an AUC of more than 0.8, suggesting that they can appropriately and accurately predict landslide susceptibility maps. In particular, the XGBoost model achieves the best performance among all models, having a sensitivity of 92.86, specificity of 90.00, and accuracy of 91.38. Furthermore, the bagging model has a sensitivity of 89.29, specificity of 86.67, and accuracy of 87.93, and it is superior to the GBDT, which achieves a sensitivity of 86.21, specificity of 86.21, and accuracy of 86.21, and the AB, reaching a sensitivity of 82.14, specificity of 80.00, and accuracy of 81.03. The results presented in this study indicate that the advanced ensemble model, the XGBoost model, could be a promising tool for the selection of ensemble models for predicting landslide susceptibility mapping.
Two Sides of the Same Coin: A Theoretical Framework for Strong Sustainability in Marine Protected Areas
Authors: Paoli Chiara , Povero Paolo , Rigo Ilaria , Dapueto Giulia , Bordoni Rachele , Vassallo Paolo
Published: May 2022

In 2014, the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Protection of the Territory and the Sea (MATTM) launched the “Environmental Accounting in the Marine Protected Areas” (EAMPA) project, which proposed a new accounting model for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The model foresaw the integration of ecological and economic components in classical accounting schemes through the quantification of stock and flows embracing both the perspectives. The project, which ended in 2019, allowed the testing and the realization of the multidisciplinary framework. Later, in the context of the EU Interreg “Integrated management of ecological networks through parks and marine areas” (GIREPAM) project, an upgraded version of the EAMPA framework was developed, including additional but fundamental components leading to a more detailed and complete assessment as well as a better theoretical definition. The definitive management framework is outlined through the creation of the two parallel paths, but it provides as a final result three balances from the strong sustainability perspective: ecocentric, anthropocentric and integrated. To ensure that sustainability is obtained, all the three balances must guarantee a positive net benefit for humans and nature alike.
An Optimization Model for the Design of a Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management System
Authors: Shaban Ahmed , Zaki Fatma-Elzahraa , Afefy Islam H. , Di Gravio Giulio , Falegnami Andrea , Patriarca Riccardo
Published: May 2022

Solid waste management is critical to sustainable, healthy, and eco-friendly cities and societies. In developing countries, only a small percentage of municipal solid waste is disposed safely, while the majority remains in the streets or disposed in open landfills. Most countries seek to establish effective and efficient solid waste management system (SWMS) that can handle and dispose of the daily generated waste at minimum cost and in a sustainable manner. Those systems usually consist of waste sources, waste collection stations, landfills, incinerators, and recycling plants, in addition to the transportation system that integrates the different sub-systems. The problem facing decision-makers while designing or reconfiguring a SWMS is to determine the optimal supply chain network design for such systems in a way that ensures the treatment and disposal of all daily generated waste at the lowest cost. In this context, this paper aims to develop a generic optimization model suitable for application in SWMS optimization in developing countries. A new mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is formulated for a SWMS configuration that integrates waste generation sources, collection/transfer stations, recycling plants, incinerators, and landfills. The proposed MILP model is formulated to determine the optimal number and locations of the different facilities, and the optimal flow of waste in the system that minimizes the net daily cost incurred in the system. The model has been applied in a case study on the SWMS in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt. The main contribution of this research refers both to the theoretical development of a generic MILP model that can be applied to optimally design the SWMS in developing countries, and to its operational counterpart, as per the design solutions provided in the SWMS of Fayoum Governorate (Egypt).
Research on the Spatial-Temporal Differentiation and Path Analysis of China’s Provincial Regions’ High-Quality Economic Development
Authors: Zhou Boyang , Wang Nan , Zhang Zhen , Liu Wenxin , Lu Weinan , Xu Ruifan , Li Linfei
Published: May 2022

High-quality economic development is an important approach for achieving sustainable economic development, and it is an essential condition for coordinated development between economic systems and ecosystems. This paper starts from five key points, namely, “innovation, coordination, opening-up, sharing and greenness”, to construct an evaluation system for the index of high-quality economic development, using the AHP and EVM methods to measure the level of high-quality economic development of 30 regions in China from 2004 to 2019. It uses the kernel density estimation model (hereinafter referred to briefly as KDE) and clustering method to analyze time evolution trends and spatial variation characteristics. Moreover, the LSE model is adopted to explore and analyze the factors influencing high-quality economic development in different regions. Additionally, the driving forces of China’s high-quality economic development are analyzed by means of path analysis combined with the average value of each index. The results show the following: (1) The high-quality economic development of 30 regions in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Tibet) is spatially clustered, with obviously different development levels, characterized by the eastern region being better developed than the central and western regions. (2) With the passage of time, the polarization of China’s 30 regions has been alleviated, but they are still facing challenging development situations; (3) The factors affecting the high-quality economic development of these 30 regions in China can be divided into four types: three-factors, four-factors-I, four-factors-II and five-factors. Contributing regional factors show different distribution characteristics. The above conclusion provides a reference and scientific basis for the government to formulate policies of high-quality economic development and to solve problems facing coordinated sustainable development among regional societies, their economies and the environment.
The Potential Impacts by the Invasion of Insects Reared to Feed Livestock and Pet Animals in Europe and Other Regions: A Critical Review
Authors: Lourenço Felipe , Calado Ricardo , Medina Isabel , Ameixa Olga M. C. C.
Published: May 2022

While the use of alien insect species for food and feed can help to alleviate protein shortage and provide for a more sustainable feed production, their invasive potential should be considered since invasive alien species represent one of the five main global threats to biodiversity. In the European Union (EU), eight insect species have already been authorized to be used as feed ingredients for aquaculture organisms, pets, poultry, and pigs. These species were selected based on available national risk assessments, as most of them are non-native to Europe. However, it is not clear how these risk assessments truly consider all EU bioregions, given that the information used was mostly biased towards northern European regions. As a large proportion of invasive alien species already present in the EU were introduced unintentionally, it is therefore crucial to understand and manage the potential pathways of such introductions in a more effective way. Here, we provide a critical overview of the potential risks of rearing alien insect species as feed or as pet food (for both livestock and exotic pets) in the EU. The results showed that some of these insect species have an invasive potential, either due to their reproductive capacity in different climates or due to the fact that they have already established populations in areas where they were introduced, with negative effects on local ecosystems or causing economical losses. For this reason, it is recommended that risk assessments should be performed in other EU bioregions as well as monitoring programs to control the spread of insect species with invasive potential. In addition, other available native insect species with potential to be used as feed ingredients should be considered.
Smart Material Choice: The Importance of Circular Design Strategy Applications for Bio-Based Food Packaging Preproduction and End-of-Life Life Cycle Stages
Authors: Markevičiūtė Zita , Varžinskas Visvaldas
Published: May 2022

This article provides a systematic literature review on the integrated approach of bio-based plastic food packaging in a circular economy. It focuses on the following key areas: (1) the role of bio-based plastic food packaging in a circular product design strategy and material choice in the preproduction life cycle stage; (2) the role of bio-based plastic food packaging in circular resource management systems and the product disposal life cycle stage; and (3) an optimal bio-based plastic food packaging application in regard to prioritising end-of-life treatment. While there are dedicated publications on the role of packaging in a circular economy, circular packaging design, packaging waste management, and bio-origin plastic applications in food packaging, this article aims to provide an integrated review and recommendations on the best bio-based plastic food packaging material selection, applications based on a circular economy, and scenarios on waste/resource management that prioritise end-of-life treatment. Three of the current most popular bio-based plastic materials in the flexible and rigid food packaging categories were selected: starch blends, bio-PE, and PLA for flexible food packaging and PLA, bio-PET, and bio-PE for rigid packaging. This article highlights the fact that a smart material choice in the circular design strategy is a key factor that has a direct impact on the last packaging life cycle stage (disposal), and concludes that bio-based plastic materials are a way to close the food packaging loop, either by re-use or recycling. This article also provides recommendations on the best bio-based plastic food packaging material selection, and applications based on the circular economy and waste management that prioritise end-of-life treatment. The research results indicate a research niche for the application of re-usable biodegradable materials in food packaging. The findings of this research allow product designers and packaging companies to advance the understanding of the most efficient bio-based plastic food packaging integration into the circular economy via decision making of product material choice and end-of-life treatment. Based on the results of this article, scholars can develop new themes for further research.
Analysis of M/M/1/N Stochastic Queueing—Inventory System with Discretionary Priority Service and Retrial Facility
Authors: Jeganathan K. , Vidhya S. , Hemavathy R. , Anbazhagan N. , Joshi Gyanendra Prasad , Kang Chanku , Seo Changho
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we analyze a queueing–inventory system with two classes of customers, high priority (HP) and low priority (LP), under the discretionary priority discipline. The LP customers are served in two stages: preliminary service in stage-I and main service in stage-II. In contrast, HP customers require only the main service. Whenever the inventory level is less than the threshold level during the stage-I service of an LP customer, an arriving HP customer is allowed to interrupt the service of an LP customer by adopting the mixed-priority discipline. Otherwise, non-preemptive priority discipline is used in both stages. The interrupted LP customer moves to orbit and retries for the service whenever the server is free. The waiting hall of finite capacity is afforded for the HP customer only. The orbital search is provided for LP customers in orbit. The inventory is replenished following the (s,Q) ordering policy, with the lifetimes of the items being exponentially distributed. An expression for the stability condition is determined explicitly, and system performance measures are evaluated. Numerical examples are formulated for different sets of input values of the parameters.
Sustainable Livelihood for Displaced Rohingyas and Their Resilience at Bhashan Char in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md. Monirul , Barman Aparna , Khan Makidul Islam , Goswami Gour Gobinda , Siddiqi Bulbul , Mukul Sharif A.
Published: May 2022

The livelihood sustainability of the Rohingya refugees relocated in Bhashan Char, Bangladesh, has been questioned by various international stakeholders due to the remoteness and perceived vulnerabilities of the island. The Bangladesh government, a few international organizations, and some non-government organizations are working on developing livelihood opportunities in there. But there is scarce study about the livelihood opportunities and challenges of the Rohingyas living there. This study explores the vulnerabilities and livelihood opportunities of Rohingyas in Bhashan Char so as to help increase their resilience. The vulnerabilities include natural, geographical, and climatic shocks and stresses (e.g., cyclone, floods, storm surge, sea-level rise, geographical position). However, there are ample opportunities for their livelihood development, despite some challenges which can be overcome with concerted efforts. The opportunities include intensification and extensification of livelihood activities, such as modern agriculture, fish farming, livestock rearing, small business, handicraft, fishing net mending, crab fattening, biofloc aquaculture, and fish cage culture, but turning these opportunities into reality requires sufficient investment and internationally positive attitude. Better shelter, better disaster preparedness, cultural practices, education, and skill development can increase their capacity to bounce back, absorb shocks, and make them more resilient. National and international humanitarian organizations should plan to enhance the resilience of the Rohingya communities living in Bhashan Char and the island itself so that they can sustain in the long run, even after their anticipated repatriation to Myanmar.
Sprout Suppressants in Potato Storage: Conventional Options and Promising Essential Oils—A Review
Authors: Thoma Jena , Zheljazkov Valtcho D.
Published: May 2022

Potatoes are a staple in the diet of millions, and constant demand necessitates the storage of large quantities to meet year-round consumption. Potato sprouting during storage is a major problem that leads to lost revenue and food waste, inspiring numerous studies into methods of sprout suppression. As bans on common synthetic suppressants become increasingly widespread, greater attention is turning to organic alternatives including essential oils (EOs) as sprout suppressants. This review presents an overview of physical and chemical means of sprout suppression in stored potato and critically analyzes studies focusing on the use of EOs for sprout suppression. Promising EOs are identified and evaluated for use in fresh, processing, and seed potato storage. Challenges and limitations of EO use in potato sprout suppression are discussed as well as areas of future research.
Modeling the Distribution of Wild Cotton Gossypium aridum in Mexico Using Flowering Growing Degree Days and Annual Available Soil Water
Authors: Baez-Gonzalez Alma Delia , Melgoza-Castillo Alicia , Royo-Marquez Mario Humberto , Kiniry James R. , Meki Manyowa N.
Published: May 2022

Climate change is expected to alter species distribution and habitat composition, with wild species being particularly vulnerable. Gossypium aridum, a wild cotton species in Mexico, has shown a decrease in habitat extent and population; however, the data are not precise. The objectives of this study are: (1) to develop a distribution model of G. aridum in Mexico, (2) to identify areas with environmental conditions similar to where the species currently maintains populations, and (3) to determine which variable, flowering growing degree days (FGDD) or annual available soil water (AASW, mm year−1), has greater influence on the distribution of the species. Geographic information system (GIS) software was used with datasets from two databases in Mexico that were partitioned for site characterization, model construction, calibration, validation, and sensitivity analysis. The range of 330–860 FGDD and 4–110 mm year−1 AASW best described the species habitat, according to results of seven precision and accuracy statistical tests. The model identified geographic regions throughout the country with similar conditions as the locations where the species has been observed, including some where no collections have not yet been registered in Mexican databases. FGDD, rather than AASW, showed greater influence on the distribution of the species. The generated information can be used to guide collection expeditions for G. aridum and to study climatic impact on species distribution. The approach using FGDD and AASW can be used in the modeling of wild cotton species that are valuable natural resources for crop improvement.
Assessing the Impact of Local Policies on PM2.5 Concentration Levels: Application to 10 European Cities
Authors: Pisoni Enrico , Thunis Philippe , De Meij Alexander , Bessagnet Bertrand
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we propose a methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of local emission reduction policies on PM2.5 concentration levels. In particular, we look at the impact of emission reduction policies at different scales (from urban to EU scale) on different PM2.5 baseline concentration levels. The methodology, based on a post-processing of air quality model simulations, is applied to 10 cities in Europe to understand on which sources local actions are effective to improve air quality, and over which concentration ranges. The results show that local actions are effective on low-level concentrations in some cities (e.g., Rome), whereas in other cases, policies are more effective on high-level concentrations (e.g., Krakow). This means that, in specific geographical areas, a coordinated approach (among cities or even at different administration levels) would be needed to significantly improve air quality. At last, we show that the effectiveness of local actions on urban air pollution is highly city-dependent.
The Impact of a City on Its Environment: The Prism of Demography and Selected Environmental and Technical Aspects Based on the Case of Major Lower Silesian Cities
Authors: Kulczyk-Dynowska Alina , Stacherzak Agnieszka
Published: May 2022

This article discusses the problem of the impact exerted by cities on the surrounding space. As an example, the Lower Silesia region was selected, characterized by agricultural, industrial and natural areas present in its close proximity. Four major cities and the surrounding municipalities (30 objects in total) were covered by the observation. The research was carried out in the period of 1995–2020 and was based on the data provided by Statistics Poland—Local Date Bank. Statistical tools were used which allowed for obtaining the results, enabling inference and the formulation of recommendations. An analytical method was applied which included the linear ordering method and synthetic development of measures. This resulted in preparing rankings of the analyzed objects (municipalities) and making the respective comparisons. The obtained results indicate that a continuously deepening imbalance in the distribution of the demographic potential is observed in the analyzed region. Although the capital city maintained the number of residents at a constant level, the population of the other analyzed cities decreased. Depopulation affected almost half of the 30 analyzed municipalities, and it is a serious problem in striving for the sustainable development of the region. The problem was exacerbated by the absence of a correlation between the demographic potential growth and the increase in the synthetic development measure value which characterized the water and sewage system. This means that the infrastructure preventing anthropopressure and providing basic services directly influencing the quality of life is developing at a different pace than the increase in the number of residents. The above indicates the need for the immediate development of a conscious settlement policy for the region of Lower Silesia. The obtained results constitute a warning addressed to those responsible for the development of spatial policy covering the cities and the surrounding areas, including rural areas.
The COVID-19 as a Driver for Alternative Trade Networks in the Small-Scale Fisheries: Portugal as a Case Study
Authors: Costa Ana , Soares Joana , Salas-Leiton Emilio , Bordalo Adriano , Costa-Dias Sérgia
Published: May 2022

The fisheries industry has been one of the most immediate and severely impacted sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns in particular. This study aimed to gather detailed information about the new initiatives that, preferentially on an online basis, emerged worldwide to trade fish and seafood. A special focus was applied on the usefulness of the digital tools in Portugal, which was considered as a case study. From a global view, the European countries resulted in being especially active to launch nationwide campaigns promoting the domestic consumption of fishing products. A total of 122 digital initiatives, distributed among 48 countries, mainly in America, Southern Europe, southeast Asia, and Oceania, were recorded all over the world to sell fish and seafood. Social media (33.6%), mainly though Facebook, WhatsApp, phone, and e-mail (25.4%) were the main channels used for this purpose. In Portugal, the entity responsible for the first-sale of fishing products allowed free access to the five online auctions that operate nowadays in this country. As expected, in 2020, this digital space experienced an increase in both users (94%) and volume of traded products (121%) compared to the previous year. Moreover, eight Portuguese online shops specializing in fresh fish and seafood, operating exclusively on an online basis, were identified in this study. In general, all of them reported an increase in new users during the first lockdown and were required to recruit additional employees to fulfil the added demand. In parallel, questionnaire surveys conducted in this study revealed that only 33% of the Portuguese fisher associations and producers organizations looked for new technologies as a valuable tool during the pandemic situation, being significantly more valued in the Northern region compared to the rest of the country. Aligned with this perception, 57% of fisher trainees in the Northern coast of Portugal opined that the pandemic changed their view on how the fishing catches can be traded, one way being the use of digital tools considered by the majority as an asset to face the arisen challenges. In conclusion, the key role globally played by digital tools to overcome many of the limitations posed by the pandemic, particularly for the small-scale fisheries, is evident. This recent open-minded environment for technological transition is an undoubted advantage for the future generation of fishers to modernize the classic trade channels into more functionally diversified supply chains.
Transformation towards Green Cities: Key Conditions to Accelerate Change
Authors: Stobbelaar Derk Jan , van der Knaap Wim , Spijker Joop
Published: May 2022

Cities worldwide are growing at unprecedented rates, compromising their surrounding landscapes, and consuming many scarce resources [...]
Operational Resilience as a Key Determinant of Corporate Sustainable Longevity in the Indonesian Jamu Industry
Authors: Irawan Dadang , Prabowo Harjanto , Kuncoro Engkos Achmad , Thoha Nurianna
Published: May 2022

The jamu (Indonesian traditional herbal drink) industry has grown in popularity because of people’s increased interest in the qualities of herbal remedies for bodily immunity. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected not only the market but also how businesses have managed their supply chains and production. COVID-19 has been claimed to be a test of a company’s long-term viability. Sustainability refers to a company’s ability to last a long time (corporate longevity). The tug of war between economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social justice that guarantees enterprises are profitable and sustainable is the main issue for companies in developing governance. From a theoretical standpoint, longevity is an intriguing problem. There are two types of corporate longevity: corporate longevity (CL) and corporate sustainable longevity (CSL). Little research has specifically examined the internal aspects of CSL. It necessitates several specific characteristics that all play a role in CSL. This research intends to highlight operational resilience as a crucial predictor of CSL’s significance in the jamu business. Companies that have consistently produced and benefitted from their business operations, before, during, and after the pandemic, have faced challenges of sustainability or longevity. Predecessor independent variables, and moderating or mediating variables, can be used to enable the operational resilience stance. To achieve CSL, the company must know how much it will determine its position in numerous ways in company practice. This study contributes to exploring dimensions and indicators of operational resilience to determine CSL in its relevance to the jamu industry. Different roles for operational resilience in different industry practices are also feasible.
A Data Mining Study on House Price in Central Regions of Taiwan Using Education Categorical Data, Environmental Indicators, and House Features Data
Authors: Lee Min-feng , Chen Guey-shya , Lin Shao-pin , Wang Wei-jie
Published: May 2022

This study takes the city of Taichung, Taiwan, as the research area, combines the survey results about the demand for residential houses for the next year, and uses relevant parameters and data of real price registration as the prediction results. In this study, eight types of school district features (such as teachers and students of secondary and elementary schools) and five types of air pollution features are selected and processed with a data mining method to discover the total transactions of real estate properties in various districts of Taichung. The results of K-means clustering and decision tree classification reveal that the four districts of the old Taichung City, namely, Beitun District, North District, Xitun District, and Nantun District, have houses meeting the conditions of egg yolk districts; houses in the old Taichung County have attributes of egg white districts. The results of decision tree classification show that the total price is the most important attribute influencing egg yolk and egg white districts.
Assessing the Green R&D Investment and Patent Generation in Pakistan towards CO2 Emissions Reduction with a Novel Decomposition Framework
Authors: Raza Muhammad Yousaf , Chen Yingchao , Tang Songlin
Published: May 2022

Energy plays an imperative role in global economies, such that products and services are generally dependent on energy use. This study leads to the application of environmental policies under green research and development (R&D) investment in Pakistan. Existing research has tried to analyze the effects of R&D investment associated with patent applications using the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method called PATENT. The objective of this method is to examine the variations in R&D activities motivated by the reduction of fossil fuel power. The research contributes the following: (1) the R&D reaction is the main factor in raising the number of patent applications, while R&D efficiency needs more enhancements. (2) Reaction and production effects are imperative in raising the number of patent applications during the study period. (3) R&D expenditure presents a significant rise in renewable energy technologies (RETs), by 6.7% yearly, which ultimately impacts the economy, sustainability, and the environment. (4) Energy intensity shows a lowering trend in economic development, which confirms that that share of energy will decline, and that Pakistan will move towards significant contributions. Finally, the results show that raising R&D investments, technology transfer and engendered measures are the authentic approaches to Pakistan’s environmental and economic development. Based on the analyzed method, the study recommends that environmental regulation policies’ efficiency be incremented by investing and joining them with RETs. Furthermore, the concerned policies linked with the estimated outcomes are provided below.
Load–Temperature Coupling Effect on the Base Plate End of the Whole Tram Road
Authors: Huang Chongwei , Zhu Meixuan , Sun Yu
Published: May 2022

Although trams have been widely recognized, systematic and comprehensive research on their design and construction is lacking. Based on the ABAQUS finite element software, we constructed a three-dimensional finite element analysis model of the overall track bed of the tram. Taking the most unfavorable working condition of load and temperature coupling as the research object, that is from 5:30 to 6:00 a.m., the load was applied to the plate end position. The simulation experiments were carried out by selecting different thicknesses of the track bed slab, support layer thickness, contact conditions between the track bed slab and the support layer, the modulus of the track bed slab, the modulus of the support layer and the soil foundation strength, and the stress and deflection of the subgrade were calculated. The most unfavorable load–temperature coupling condition was taken as the research object, that is, applying a load of 5.5–6 points on the plate end. Different track bed slab thicknesses, support layer thicknesses, contact conditions between track bed slab and support layer, track bed slab moduli, support layer moduli, and foundation strengths were utilized to conduct simulation tests for calculating the stress and deflection of the subgrade. Under the coupling effect of load on the end of the slab and the effect of temperature, changing the thickness of the track bed slab and the coefficient of friction between layers can improve the lateral force and deflection of the track bed slab. The effect of deflection is small. Changing the thickness of the support layer has an insignificant effect on the stress on the top surface of the soil foundation and the deflection of the top surface of the subgrade. The modulus of the track bed slab can affect the lateral force and deflection of the track bed slab, but it only slightly affects the longitudinal force and deflection of the track bed slab and the longitudinal and lateral force and deflection of the soil foundation. The modulus of the supporting layer only slightly affects the vertical and horizontal force and deflection of the track bed slab and soil foundation. The soil foundation modulus has the greatest influence on the vertical and horizontal forces and deflection of the track bed slab and soil foundation.
An Inter-Temporal Computable General Equilibrium Model for Fisheries
Authors: Pan Haoran , Failler Pierre , Du Qianyi , Floros Christos , Malvarosa Loretta , Chassot Emmanuel , Placenti Vincenzo
Published: May 2022

Computable general equilibrium models have been a popular tool for policy analysis in recent decades, but rarely applied for fisheries policy and management. This paper presents an inter-temporal computable general equilibrium model with fisheries details. While the model in a full-scale and disaggregate way describes the structure and dynamics of a regional fisheries economy, it further specifies the heterogeneous bottom-up fish producers, such as harvesters, aquaculture and fish-processing firms, and links fisheries with the top–down non-fisheries economic sectors. In addition, the model can be externally linked with fish biological models to consider interactions between economic and biological systems. The model is designed to provide a comprehensive tool for analysis of new fisheries policy in general and to study five European fishery regions in particular. The empirics in the paper evaluate the impact of several important management and policy instruments on the Salerno economy and on recovery of endangered species.
Waste Clay Bricks as a Geopolymer Binder for Pavement Construction
Authors: Migunthanna Janitha , Rajeev Pathmanathan , Sanjayan Jay
Published: May 2022

Geopolymer binders that combine aluminosilicate materials (i.e., precursors) with alkali activators are a viable and environmentally friendly alternative to ordinary Portland cement. While fly ash, slag, silica fume, and metakaolin are the most extensively investigated precursor materials, recent studies demonstrate the feasibility of using low amorphous aluminosilicates (LAA) for geopolymer synthesis. Waste clay bricks (WCB) make an excellent LAA material for producing geopolymer binders, considering their chemical and mineralogical properties. Geopolymer binders with enhanced mechanical properties can be produced either by blending WCB with other aluminosilicate materials or by using WCB as the sole precursor, while providing appropriate production conditions, such as high-temperature curing. Until now, in pavement construction, WCB has been investigated only as a subbase material or as an aggregate for concrete. Since WCB is a potential geopolymer source material, it can also function as an alternative cementitious material (ACM), and stabilizing material in pavement construction. This work reviews the recent studies on producing WCB-based geopolymers, with the focus particularly on the properties of raw materials, activator types and their concentrations, curing conditions, blended geopolymer systems, and the mechanical properties of WCB-based geopolymer binders. Simultaneously, different pavement design requirements and currently available specifications for the use of geopolymer concrete were correlated to evaluate their feasibility as an ACM in pavement construction. Based on the current literature, WCB can be proposed as a suitable ACM to develop pavement-grade concrete and more promising results can be obtained by blending WCB with high-calcium sources, such as slag. Therefore, comprehensive studies on geopolymer concrete development, durability, and field performance are recommended.
Sustainability Analysis of a Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant through Emergy Evaluation
Authors: Ciobanu Ramona , Teodosiu Carmen , Almeida Cecilia M. V. B. , Agostinho Feni , Giannetti Biagio Fernando
Published: May 2022

Water and wastewater treatment plants are essential for the supply of drinking water for consumption and the treatment of effluents produced by human/industrial activities. However, few studies deal with the investments and sustainability of these services, which consider both the contribution of nature and society. This study uses the emergy approach to evaluate a wastewater treatment plant located in the northeastern part of Romania, in Iași city. An assessment of the environmental costs of natural fluxes required for the treatment processes was performed, considering that the treated effluent is, still, loaded with contaminants that have to be absorbed by the receiving water natural system. The work done by nature to assimilate this load, generally considered free, is esteemed as a further cost in the total emergy budget of the wastewater treatment processes. The sustainability perspective was approached by calculating and analyzing the emergy yield ratio (EYR), environmental load rate (ELR), and emergy sustainability development index (ESI). The use of local renewable natural resources in Iași municipal wastewater treatment plants is negligible (1.71% of the total plant emergy budget), as compared to that of the purchased resources (98.29% of the total plant emergy budget) mainly processed with the support of fossil fuels’ generated energy. The unit emegy value was, also, calculated and compared to other studies relevant for wastewater treatment plants. The analysis suggests that the large amount of emergy that wastewater contains is proportional to the number of resources employed for wastewater treatment and the extensive effects on surrounding ecosystems, where wastewater is discharged.