bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gait Speed as a Biomarker of Cognitive Vulnerability: A Population-Based Study with Cognitively Normal Older Adults
Authors: Nascimento Marcelo de Maio , Gouveia Élvio Rúbio , Marques Adilson , Gouveia Bruna R. , Marconcin Priscila , Ihle Andreas
Published: June 2022

We aimed to examine associations between cognitive vulnerability and gait speed (GS) in a large older sample. A cross-sectional study analyzed data from the “Health, Lifestyle and Fitness in Adults and Seniors in Amazonas” (SEVAAI) project. In total, 697 participants were included (mean age 70.35 ± 6.86 years). Usual and fast GS were evaluated, and cognitive performance was examined by the COGTEL test battery. There was a positive and large correlation between cognition (COGTEL score) and usual GS (r = 0.510; p < 0.001) and fast GS (r = 0.503; p < 0.001). The usual GS, as a continuous variable, indicated a chance of improved cognitive performance by up to 55%, and fast GS by up to 82%. After controlling for potential confounders (i.e., sex, age, MMSE and years of education), usual and fast GS indicated a chance of improving cognition, respectively, in 57% and 85%. Analysis of GS in quartiles (Q) showed high and significant associations between usual and fast GS and cognitive vulnerability. GS classified as Q1 (slower), Q2 and Q3 represented a greater chance of presenting cognitive deficits, respectively, than in participants with both GS classified as Q4 (highest). Cognitive vulnerability was associated with low GS. Usual and fast GS can be used as complementary measures for the evaluation of cognitively normal Brazilian older adults.
Does the Pilot Free Trade Zone Promote the Quality of Urban Economic Growth: An Empirical Research Based on Quasi-Natural Experiment
Authors: Zhao Tingru , He Feng
Published: June 2022

Whether China’s Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) can force market-oriented reforms and improve the quality of economic growth is a major issue related to sustainable development. This paper uses DID method to test the impact of FTZ on the quality of economic growth. The study found that, first, FTZ has promoted the quality of economic growth. Second, FTZ has promoted China’s market-oriented reform through institutional innovation of high-level opening and provided a strong impetus for high-quality economic growth. Third, FTZs in coastal areas, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the second batch of FTZs have a relatively greater role in promoting high-quality economic growth. Research shows that China’s high-level open institutional innovation can promote market-oriented reforms and effectively promote the goal of economic transformation from high-speed to high-quality.
Students’ Perceptions of the Sustainability of Distance Learning Systems in the Post-COVID-19: A Qualitative Perspective
Authors: Almajali Dmaithan , Al-Okaily Manaf , Barakat Samer , Al-Zegaier Hanadi , Dahalin Zulkhairi Md.
Published: June 2022

The new Sustainable Learning and Education (SLE) concept was formulated in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) announced by the United Nations. In order to achieve SLE, educational bodies need to utilize new technologies. Notably, the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has forced educational institutions to utilize more innovative technological approaches to meet the objectives while still being in compliance with the doctrines of SLE. This research was conducted to explore the role of e-learning in transforming the academic industry in the post-COVID-19 time. The qualitative technique for interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was applied to closely examine the participants’ lived experiences. The respondents were chosen from a private university in Jordan, and data were acquired through semi-structured interviews. Quality education, ease of technology, instructor accessibility and the use of online learning resources were the dimensions used for e-learning adoption. The findings highlighted that the students were truly overwhelmed by joining online platforms, but a lack of immediate feedback discouraged them. Besides this, the study will be useful to educational institutions in Jordan and other developing nations in gaining a better understanding of students’ attitudes about e-learning adoption.
The Circularity of MSW in Urban Landscapes: An Evaluation Method for a Sustainable System Implementation
Authors: Nicolini Elvira
Published: June 2022

The debate on the sustainable perspective of a circular economy and MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) management is no longer focused on the resolution of an emergency and on the pure technicality of creating efficient services. New light has been shed on the operational phase, as often unresolvable technical-environmental issues during service management lead to a state of decay, affecting urban vulnerability and users’ involvement. The research aims to develop an auxiliary tool for public administrations in planning a zero-waste future whilst enhancing the urban landscape. This study considers the perspective of virtuous management of the resource flow cycle along with evaluating implementable theoretic models, operational scenarios, and technological tools that can be integrated into a specific built environment. The first phase consisted in the definition of the involved subjects and the evaluation criteria for the impact of the service management system. The second phase includes the definition of operational strategies for virtuous and sustainable management of resource flows, intended as opportunities for the regeneration and development of the local context. The result of this research work is the elaboration and experimentation of an information system for the evaluation of the integrability of operational scenarios with the systemic, quantitative, and qualitative elements that characterize an urban landscape. The selected actions and technologies have been assessed in terms of short-term feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and local efficacy. This research work shows that many urban contexts with efficient services have been conceived as ecosystems, integrated into the landscape, driven by the synergy of institutions and operators, capable of carrying out the entire cycle from waste production to the marketing of recycled products. Our analysis shows that this issue can be effectively tackled through varied and mixed solutions; by integrating strategies, techniques, and scenarios, and by stimulating citizens’ involvement.
How Collectivism Affects Organic Food Purchase Intention and Behavior: A Study with Norwegian and Portuguese Young Consumers
Authors: Roseira Catarina , Teixeira Sandrina , Barbosa Belem , Macedo Rita
Published: June 2022

Organic food purchase behavior is attracting increasing attention from researchers and managers. However, there is a need to further explore differences among groups of consumers, namely with regards to cultural dimensions. To help fill this gap, this article aims to examine the impact of collectivism on the determinants of organic food purchase intention and behavior. Building on the theory of planned behavior, this article suggests its extension by considering an additional set of explanatory variables that are shown to be relevant to explain consumer behavior. It includes a quantitative study conducted with young consumers from two European countries, Norway (n = 468) and Portugal (n = 448). Structural equation modelling allowed to conclude that collectivism positively impacts attitude, subjective norm, perceived price, and environmental concern towards organic food. The expected positive impacts of collectivism on product availability and health concerns were not supported by the study. Furthermore, the positive impact of attitude, subjective norm, perceived price, health consciousness, and environmental concerns on intention to purchase organic food were also confirmed, even though availability had an insignificant impact on intentions. Finally, and aligned with extant literature, this study also found a positive impact of intention to purchase behavior on organic food. Interestingly, the positive relationship between Collectivism and Availability, and between Availability and Purchase Intention, was only significant for Portugal. The study confirms the relevance of considering cultural dimensions, particularly collectivism/individualism, to further understand consumer behaviors toward organic food. Based on the findings, implications for both managers and researchers are highlighted.
Sustainability and the Environmental Kuznets Curve Conjecture: An Introduction
Authors: Hamaide Bertrand
Published: June 2022

In December 1954, Simon Kuznets delivered his Presidential Address at the American Economic Association about economic growth and income inequality [...]
Coupling Coordination between Marine S&T Innovation and the High-Quality Development of the Marine Economy: A Case Study of China’s Coastal Provinces
Authors: Liu Shuguang , Wang Jiayi
Published: June 2022

Promoting coupling coordination between marine scientific and technological (S&T) innovation and the high-quality development of the marine economy is an important measure to realizing sustainable marine development. Based on the complex adaptive systems theory, sustainable development theory and regional coordinated development theory, this study analyzed the coupling coordination and its influencing factors between marine S&T innovation and the high-quality development of the marine economy with China’s coastal provinces as study areas. The result showed that: (1) The coupling coordination fluctuated upward, changing from on the verge of dissonance to well-coordinated. (2) There was an agglomeration of high-level coupling coordination in central and eastern coastal provinces while the polarization between high-level and low-level coupling coordination was significant. (3) The improvement of coupling coordination mainly depended on the consumption expansion demand, multidimensional spatial integrated development, and industrial improvement demand. Regional heterogeneity of influencing factors existed in southern and northern coastal regions. (4) To improve coupling coordination, we should establish a demand-oriented mechanism for coordinated development between marine S&T innovation and the marine economy, and strengthen the multi-dimensional spatial planning and the guidance and guarantee functions of coastal governments, in particular to introduce and implement policies that suit local conditions. This research may supplement and improve the theoretical discussion and practical experience concerning sustainable marine development.
Adoption of Responsible Research and Innovation in Citizen Observatories
Authors: O’Grady Michael , Mangina Eleni
Published: June 2022

An ethos of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) has been promoted in the last decade, especially within European research. The broad objective is to ensure that research and innovation activities align with society’s needs and expectations. In parallel, citizen observatories seek to mainstream citizen science as a valid paradigm for scientific investigation but additionally as a model for increasing societal participation in local democracy and policy definition. This paper explores how precepts of RRI have permeated research in citizen observatories. The methodology adopted is that of a scoping review. Results confirm a relatively simple adoption of RRI principles. However, the adoption is uneven and shallow, perhaps reflecting the ongoing evolution of both RRI and the citizen observatory model. It is recommended that the diverse actors charged with the definition, design, validation, and deployment of citizen observatories unambiguously integrate, promote, and report on how the RRI principles are reflected in their activities.
Technology Development Decision-Making Points and Differences in Identifying Commercial Opportunities for Mechatronics, Laser, and Nanoelectronic Technologies
Authors: Zemlickienė Vaida , Turskis Zenonas
Published: June 2022

There is a popular idea that technology-development success depends on some creative magic, but leaders contradict the assertion that innovation is a process that can be perfected. Turning technology into reality requires an excellent understanding of the development process from idea to market. The technology commercialization process is broken down into phases in which vital decision-making points exist. In the scientific literature, which examines and analyzes the process of technology development and its problems, there is a variety of views and opinions related to the concepts used to define this process and its content. These motives led to the formulation of the first objective of this article: to analyze technology-development models studied by different researchers and used by different reliable organizations. The second objective is to determine the content of the technology-development process and processes that are alternative or related to the content of the technology-development process, in this way elucidate the differences and interfaces between these models and the vital decision-making points. There are many vital decision-making points in the early stage of technology development. However, only one point—identification of commercial opportunities, determines whether technology will reach other vital decision points. Based on the results of this identification, large-scale investments are made. The decision made at this stage determines whether or not a project will have a successful return on investment. However, the specifics of the different technology industries are apparent, and these differences may affect the identification of commercial opportunities. The article also sought to reveal the specifics of commercialization for different technology industries. The research uses the integrated fuzzy Delphic-Eckenrode Likert-type scale-based rating technique for grey numbers to gather expert opinions and determine the weights of factors. The research results show the differences in identifying commercial opportunities for mechatronics, laser, and nanoelectronic technologies.
Association between Perceptions of Personal Income and National Security: Evidence from the Baltic States
Authors: Dudzevičiūtė Gitana , Prakapienė Dalia , Česnuitytė Vida
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this investigation is to explore the effect of objective and subjective personal income on perceived national security in the Baltic states, including Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. A representative quantitative survey was conducted in three Baltic countries in August 2021. The fieldwork was carried out by the public opinion and market research company Baltic Surveys. The sampling method in the three countries was the same: the probability multi-stage structural method, based on criteria of geographical region, size of settlement, gender, and age. The survey involved more than 1000 respondents per country. Multivariate statistical analysis, including correlation analysis and linear regression analysis was performed. The percentage distribution of the variable on the perception of safety reveals that more than half of the respondents in all Baltic countries agreed that they feel safe living in their own country. Moreover, it is notable that the feeling of safety in Estonia is higher than in the other two countries. Meanwhile, in Lithuania, the evaluation of the feeling of safety is lower than in Estonia and Latvia. The association of the feeling of safety in the country with the subjective perception of income is stronger than the objective income. Additionally, it is important to note that absence of financial difficulties, happiness with current income, and not worrying too much about spending on necessities are the strongest determinants for perceived security in each Baltic country. The findings that have been drawn from this investigation could be applied to ensure both national and economic security and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, such as no poverty (1SDG) and reduced inequalities (10 SDG).
Analysis of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Peru under Climate Impacts Using System Dynamics Modeling
Authors: Aranoglu Fatih , Flamand Tulay , Duzgun Sebnem
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we propose a system dynamics (SD) model to examine the dynamics of an informal artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) supply chain that has interactions with the illegal gold supply chain in the Amazon rainforest region, Madre de Dios (MdD), Peru. In order to examine the system under climate impacts and validate the model, we run it under a flood scenario, which is one of the main climate impacts that causes disruption in mining activities. Our findings suggest that the dynamics of informal mines are highly affected by the illegal mercury supply, fuel supply, and availability of workers. In addition, the model under the flood scenario suggests that any external variable that could directly affect fuel and mercury supply would result in a disruption of informal and illegal gold production.
Plant-Origin Feedstock Applications in Fully Green Food Packaging: The Potential for Tree-Free Paper and Plant-Origin Bio-Plastics in the Baltic Sea Region
Authors: Markevičiūtė Zita , Varžinskas Visvaldas
Published: June 2022

Paper and plastic are the main materials used in food packaging. In the context of climate change, the importance of tree conservation and the mitigation of the negative environmental impacts caused by fossil consumption and deforestation is greater than ever before. This article reviews the potential of plant-origin feedstock from the Baltic Sea region for use in non-wood-fibre and bio-origin plastic food packaging production. It also presents a systematised literature review of the environmental impacts and applications of tree-free paper, plant-origin plastics, and natural-fibre-reinforced bio-composites in fully green food packaging. The results reveal that beneficial environmental impacts are achieved if waste or by-products are used as feedstock. While the production volumes of alternative materials in Europe are small (0.25% of paper is made of materials other than wood, and the share of bio-plastic is 0.9%), we found a large demand and potential for growth. The biggest volumes of natural fibre feedstock in Baltic Sea region countries are generated from wheat. Wheat straw, which is a by-product, has a production volume of 68.71 million tons and is potentially a significant non-wood-paper food packaging source. Agricultural waste generated from sugar beet, maize, potato, and wheat is an environmentally beneficial by-product that could be used for bio-plastic food packaging production.
Spatio-Temporal Traffic Flow Prediction Based on Coordinated Attention
Authors: Li Min , Li Mengshan , Liu Bilong , Liu Jiang , Liu Zhen , Luo Dijia
Published: June 2022

Traffic flow prediction can provide effective support for traffic management and control and plays an important role in the traffic system. Traffic flow has strong spatio-temporal characteristics, and existing traffic flow prediction models tend to extract long-term dependencies of traffic flow in the temporal and spatial dimensions individually, often ignoring the potential correlations existing between spatio-temporal information of traffic flow. In order to further improve the prediction accuracy, this paper proposes a coordinated attention-based spatio-temporal graph convolutional network (CVSTGCN) model for simultaneously and dynamically capturing the long-term dependencies existing between the spatio-temporal information of traffic flows. CVSTGCN is composed of a full convolutional network structure, which combines coordinate methods to specify the influence degrees of different feature information in different spatio-temporal dimensions, and the spatio-temporal information of different spatio-temporal dimensions by the graph convolutional network. In addition, the hard-swish activation function is introduced to replace the Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) activation function in the prediction of traffic flow. Finally, evaluation experiments are conducted on two real datasets to demonstrate that the proposed model has the best prediction performance in both short-term and long-term forecasting.
Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of a New Intelligent
Charging Controller for Off-Board Electric Vehicles Using
PV Standalone System Represented by a Small-Scale
Lithium-Ion Battery
Authors: Makeen Peter , Ghali Hani A. , Memon Saim
Published: June 2022

Electric vehicles are rapidly infiltrating the power grid worldwide, initiating an immediate need for a smart charging technique to maintain the stability and robustness of the charging process despite the generation type. Renewable energy sources (RESs), especially photovoltaic (PV), are becoming the essential source for electric vehicle charging points. The stochastic behavior of the PV output power affects the power conversion for regulating the battery charger voltage levels, which influences the battery to overheat and degrade. This study presents a PV standalone smart charging process for off-board plug-in electric vehicles, represented by a small-scale lithium-ion battery based on the multistage charging currents (MSCC) protocol. The charger comprises a DC–DC buck converter controlled by an artificial neural network predictive controller (NNPC), trained and supported by the long short-term memory recurrent neural network (LSTM). The LSTM network model was utilized in the offline forecasting of the PV output power, which was fed to the NNPC as the training data. Additionally, it was used as an alarm flag for any possible PV output shortage during the charging process in the long- and short-term prediction to be supported by any other electricity source. The NNPC–LSTM controller was compared with the fuzzy logic and the conventional PID controllers while varying the input voltage and implementing the MSCC protocol. The proposed charging controller perfectly ensured that the minimum battery terminal voltage ripple and charging current ripple reached 1 mV and 1 mA, respectively, with a very high-speed response of 1 ms in reaching the predetermined charging current stages. The present simulated and experimental results are in good agreement with the previous related work in the literature survey.
Studies on Optimization of Sustainable Lactic Acid Production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens from Sugarcane Molasses through Microbial Fermentation
Authors: Vignesh Kumar Balasubramanian , Muthumari Balakrishnan , Kavitha Murugan , John Praveen Kumar John Kennedy , Thavamurugan Subbu , Arun Alagarsamy , Jothi Basu Muthuramalingam
Published: June 2022

Lactic acid is the meekest hydroxyl carboxylic acid (2-hydroxy propionic acid) which is a colorless, odorless, hygroscopic, organic compound with no toxic effect, a very inevitable and versatile chemical used in the Food, cosmetics, textile, and pharmaceutical industries for very long years. Lactic acid was produced as non-racemic when specific microbial strains were used; therefore, microbial fermentation gained more attention. Albeit the substratum used for the microbial fermentation price is much exorbitant. Wherefore, identifying the best and cheap substrates is a bottleneck for the scientific community. Sugarcane molasses is the best source of components for microbial growth and cheap raw material for Lactic acid fermentation. This study produced sustainable lactic acid from sugarcane molasses by the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens J2V2AA strain with a higher production of 178 gm/L/24 h. The produced lactic acid was characterized and analyzed by UV-Visible Spectrum, FTIR Spectrum, TLC, and HPLC.
Work Environment as a Moderator Linking Green Human Resources Management Strategies with Turnover Intention of Millennials: A Study of Malaysian Hotel Industry
Authors: Qadri Syed Usman , Bilal Muhammad Amjad , Li Mingxing , Ma Zhiqiang , Qadri Safwan , Ye Chengang , Rauf Fawad
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of green human resource management (GHRM) practices (e.g., green pay attention and rewards, green performance management, green involvement, green recruitment and selection, and green training role) on millennial employees’ turnover intention (METI) in Malaysian three-star, four-star, and five-star hotels with a moderator (work environment) using social exchange theory (SET). The survey used structured questionnaires to collect data from 210 millennial employees using the convenience sampling technique. The research hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings of this study indicate that only green rewards and green involvement have a significant impact on METI. Furthermore, the results indicate that the work environment has no moderating impact on the relationships between green HRM practices and millennial employees’ turnover intention. Finally, the implications, limitations, and future directions for research are also addressed to potential researchers.
Erodibility of Nanocomposite-Improved Unsaturated Soil Using Genetic Programming, Artificial Neural Networks, and Evolutionary Polynomial Regression Techniques
Authors: Onyelowe Kennedy C. , Ebid Ahmed M. , Egwu Uchenna , Onyia Michael E. , Onah Hyginus N. , Nwobia Light I. , Onwughara Izuchukwu , Firoozi Ali Akbar
Published: June 2022

Genetic programming (GP) of four levels of complexity, including artificial neural networks of the hyper-tanh activation function (ANN-Hyper-Tanh), artificial neural networks of the sigmoid activation function (ANN-Sigmoid), evolutionary polynomial regression (optimized with genetic algorithm) (EPR), and intelligent techniques have been used to predict the erodibility of lateritic soil collected from an erosion site and treated with hybrid cement. Southeastern Nigeria and specifically Abia State is being destroyed by gully erosion, the solution of which demands continuous laboratory examinations to determine the parameters needed to design sustainable solutions. Furthermore, complicated equipment setups are required to achieve reliable results. To overcome constant laboratory works and equipment needs, intelligent prediction becomes necessary. This present research work adopted four different metaheuristic techniques to predict the erodibility of the soil; classified as A-7-6, weak, unsaturated, highly plastic, high swelling and high clay content treated with HC utilized in the proportions of 0.1–12% at the rate of 0.1%. The results of the geotechnics aspect of the work shows that the HC, which is a cementitious composite formulated from blending nanotextured quarry fines (NQF) and hydrated lime activated nanotextured rice husk ash (HANRHA), improves the erodibility of the treated soil substantially and consistently. The outcome of the prediction models shows that EPR with SSE of 1.6% and R2 of 0.996 outclassed the other techniques, though all four techniques showed their robustness and ability to predict the target (Er) with high performance accuracy.
A Model-Based Assessment for the Ability of National Nature Reserves to Conserve the Picea Species in China under Predicted Climate Conditions
Authors: Wang Qian , Wang Chun-Jing , Wan Ji-Zhong
Published: June 2022

Climate change has a profound impact on the conservation and management of the Picea species, and establishing more nature reserves would be an effective way to conserve wild species in general. Based on a novel computational method using ecological niche modeling to predict the potential geographical distribution of species and a spatial decision support system, the planning process could predict the future distribution of the Picea species and thus select appropriate nature reserves. In this research, we utilized systematic conservation planning to define priority conservation areas for the Picea species in China according to future climate predictions. We hypothesized that: (1) the distribution of the Picea species could be changed under predicted climate conditions in China; (2) the current national nature reserves had sufficient capacity to conserve Picea species under predicted climate conditions in China; and (3) there were still deficiencies in the planned conservation for the Picea species based on predicted climate predictions in China. The results of a spatial analysis showed that the predicted climate would have an impact on the area of distribution of the Picea species. Current nature reserves have a strong potential to conserve the Picea species. However, the conservation of the Picea species in the existing nature reserves was not adequate. There were still many Picea specimens outside the reserve that would be threatened. This research systematically improved the research on the Picea species, and it also scientifically identified the suitable growth and conserved areas of the Picea species in China to provide an empirical basis for the conservation and management of the Picea species.
The Online Adapted Transformational Leadership and Workforce Innovation within the Software Development Industry
Authors: Gutu Ioana , Agheorghiesei Daniela Tatiana , Alecu Ionel Ciprian
Published: June 2022

Leadership and workforce innovation are the two most glazed over universal phenomenon across time within the management literature. Despite the status of the buzz words, few researchers studied if there is a link between the online leadership behaviors and the de(in)creasing innovativeness of the followers at work. The current research aimed for offering a viable solution for the online-adapted leadership–workforce innovation equation, by answering to the following research question: is online transformative leadership able, and if so, are its instruments sufficient for increasing followers’ organizational and personal innovativeness within an exclusively online work environment? Research used a two-tailed questionnaire as a research instrument and applied it within the IT&C Industry in Iasi, Romania, namely the software development branch. Results were gathered during the first months of the social lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, the ongoing communication and online work procedures implementation were captured via the subjects’ responses. Data was analyzed by using SemPLS (v3.2.5.) software; results show that transformational leadership instruments, once shifted within an exclusively online working environment, suffer from losing in importance and designated effects. Research provides information in regards to four general hypotheses that prove to be partially supported, sending the reader to the idea that an exclusively online-adapted work environment does not show expected results in terms on transformational leadership, nor workforce innovation. Therefore, online-based transformational leadership instruments need to be reshaped and adapted so that followers correctly perceive their leaders’ actions and behaviors on all the five dimensionalities.
Parametric Approach to Simplified Life Cycle Assessment of Social Housing Projects
Authors: Eleftheriou Eleni , Lopez Muñoz Luis Felipe , Habert Guillaume , Zea Escamilla Edwin
Published: June 2022

The provision of sustainable housing solutions is one of the main challenges in emerging economy countries. Furthermore, it is clear that a sustainable solution should be based on renewable bio-based materials. Scientific and practical evidence clearly suggests that the use of bamboo in the provision of housing solutions provides communities with both environmental and socio-economic benefits via this strategy. One barrier to the promotion of this type of solution is the lack of knowledge on structural design and environmental performance. Moreover, access to assessment tools and methodologies is limited. The use of simplified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has exhibited great potential to increase accessibility, but the generation of life cycle inventory data remains a major issue. In this paper, we describe the development of a methodological approach to use parametric design to generate the data required to carry out simplified LCA of social housing solutions. Moreover, we present a case study assessing a housing unit using cement bamboo frame technology developed by the Base Bahay Foundation in the Philippines. The main parameters for the LCA of the buildings were identified through sensitivity analysis. Moreover, they show that parametric design is a valid approach to overcome the challenges of data generation at early stages of design. The proposed approach would enable users without civil and/or engineering background to carry out simplified LCA calculations. Thus, through methodological approaches, it is possible to reduce significantly the complexity associated with LCA and open new avenues for it application.
The Nexus between Digital Finance and High-Quality Development of SMEs: Evidence from China
Authors: Xie Chang , Liu Chuanzhe
Published: June 2022

In the context of digital finance and based on the characteristics of the high-quality development of SMEs in China, this paper investigates the influence of digital finance on the high-quality development of SMEs and explores their mechanism of influence. A panel econometric model and mediation model are used to evaluate the data of 581 SMEs in China from 2011 to 2020. The results show that digital finance has a significant role in promoting the development quality of SMEs. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the promotion effect of digital finance is more obvious in central and western regions, non-heavy pollution industries and non-state-owned SMEs than that of other SMEs. Further analysis shows that digital finance improves the efficiency of financial resource allocation, which in turn promotes the high-quality development of SMEs. After applying a test of robustness, the results proved significant.
When Are Loss Frames More Effective in Climate Change Communication? An Application of Fear Appeal Theory
Authors: Armbruster Scott , Manchanda Rajesh , Vo Ngan
Published: June 2022

This study investigated how goal frames (gain, non-loss, loss) either with or without efficacy statements affect consumers’ support for climate-change policy. Addressing the goal-framing literature’s difficulty in establishing a guiding theory with consistent findings, we (1) propose fear appeal theory as an alternative framework to guide goal-framing research; (2) test five fear appeal variables (fear, perceived threat, hope, perceived efficacy, and message processing) as mediators of goal-framing effects on policy support; and (3) highlight four common goal-framing confounds that may partly underlie the literature’s inconsistent findings. Aligning with fear appeal theory, results from a carefully controlled experiment revealed that a more threatening loss frame paired with an efficacy statement produced the strongest pro-policy attitudes and the greatest willingness-to-pay by successfully balancing fear/threat with hope/efficacy and by producing deeper message processing.
A Comparative Study on Different Online State of Charge Estimation Algorithms for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Khan Zeeshan Ahmad , Shrivastava Prashant , Amrr Syed Muhammad , Mekhilef Saad , Algethami Abdullah A. , Seyedmahmoudian Mehdi , Stojcevski Alex
Published: June 2022

With an accurate state of charge (SOC) estimation, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can be protected from overcharge, deep discharge, and thermal runaway. However, selecting appropriate algorithms to maintain the trade-off between accuracy and computational efficiency is challenging, especially under dynamic load profiles such as electric vehicles. In this study, seven different widely utilized online SOC estimation algorithms were considered with the following goals: (a) to compare the accuracy of the different algorithms; (b) to compare the computational time in the simulation. Since the 2-RC battery model is highly accurate and not very computationally complex, it was selected for implementing the considered algorithms for the model-based SOC estimation. The considered online SOC estimation performance was evaluated using measurement data obtained from experimental tests on commercial lithium manganese cobalt oxide batteries. The experimental analysis consisted of a dynamic current profile comprising a worldwide harmonized light vehicle test procedure (WLTP) cycle and constant current discharging pulses. In addition, the performance of the considered different algorithms was compared in terms of estimation error and computational time to understand the challenges of each algorithm. The results indicated that the extended Kalman filter (EKF) and sliding mode observer (SMO) were the best choices because of their estimation accuracy and computation time. However, achieving the SOC estimation accuracy depended on the battery modeling. On the other hand, the estimated SOC root means square error (RMSE) using a backpropagation neural network (BPNN) was less than that using a Luenberger observer (LO). Moreover, with the advantages of BPNNs, such as no need for battery modeling, the estimation error could be further reduced using a large size dataset.
Study on Interparticle Interaction Force Model to Correct Saturation Density of Real Cryogenic Fluid for LBM Simulation
Authors: Liang Wenqing , Shu Zhiyong , Lu Fuming , Wang Yong , Zheng Xiaohong , Qian Hua
Published: June 2022

Cryogenic liquefaction energy storage is an important form of storage for sustainable energy liquid hydrogen and other gases. The weighting parameter A in the parameter-adjusted two-phase LBM model is important for the deviation of simulation results. The aim of this paper is to discover the appropriate parameter to eliminate the deviation, and to solve the problem of large deviation between the theoretical solution and the simulated value that is caused by using different equations of state in LBM simulation. The modified PT equation of state, which is suitable for cryogenic fluids, is combined with the parameter-adjustable two-phase model to simulate the saturation density at different temperatures. Four typical cryogenic fluids—nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, and helium—are exploratively simulated to find the suitable parameters to eliminate errors by analyzing the results with theoretical solutions. This is an efficient solution to the deviation between the simulated value and the theoretical solutions, which is caused by the different equation of state in LBM. The optimal A-value of the model based on the PT equation of state was obtained as −0.21, while droplets and bubbles were set into the calculation region, and an inverse relationship between the interface density gradient and temperature was analyzed. The analysis and comparison of the simulation results under the optimal value and the experimental values have laid an important foundation for the phase change simulation of the real cryogenic fluids at the mesoscopic scale.
Pricing Problems in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain with Mixed Channel: A Power Perspective
Authors: Yang Xiaojie , Liu Li , Zheng Yi , Yang Xue , Sun Shanlin
Published: June 2022

This paper builds Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Stackelberg, Pharmacy Stackelberg and Nash game models with and without price cap regulation. The optimal pricing, performance and social welfare are derived and compared in three different power structures to find out how price cap regulation and power structures affect the drug supply chain. More power over other supply chain members always allows the pharmaceutical manufacturer to obtain more profits. However, the pharmacy cannot always benefit from its dominant position in the market with changes in the wholesale price cap. Additionally, the balanced market structure may harm social welfare under certain conditions. Another interesting finding is that the restricted wholesale price cap deeply affects the financial performance and social welfare in the manufacturer-dominated and pharmacy-dominated markets. The research results can provide important management insights, which will be beneficial to the government to design smart price-limiting policies that take into account the power relationships of the supply chain.
Sustainable Conservation and Management of a 20th-Century Landscape in the Alps: The Former Sanatorium Village of Sondalo
Authors: Del Curto Davide , Garzulino Andrea , Menini Giacomo , Schiesaro Carlo
Published: June 2022

This article discusses how to sustainably manage and protect the Alpine landscape from the risk of extreme weather events due to climate change. The authors present the results achieved by applying the Conservation and Management Plan (CMP) method in the case of a large terraced healing park built in the Central Alps in the 1930s and damaged in 2018 by the effects of Storm Adrian (also known as Vaia). We thoroughly analysed the state of preservation through historical documentation, aerial shooting with a drone, a tree-by-tree evaluation, and a GIS platform for integrated information management. Such a CMP approach is usually applied to assess the state of decay and plan for the sustainable conservation of historic buildings and gardens. The method of analysis and the performed activities allowed us to evaluate the park’s landscape values and identify the elements of risk, leading to the drafting of a monitoring map and guidelines of intervention. This experience made it possible to test its effectiveness in protecting the Alpine landscape and its specific fragility.
Soil Order-Land Use Index Using Field-Satellite Spectroradiometry in the Ecuadorian Andean Territory for Modeling Soil Quality
Authors: Arciniegas-Ortega Susana , Molina Iñigo , Garcia-Aranda Cesar
Published: June 2022

Land use conversion is the main cause for soil degradation, influencing the sustainability of agricultural activities in the Ecuadorian Andean region. The possibility to identify the quality based on the spectral properties allows remote sensing methods to offer an alternative form of monitoring the environment. This study used laboratory spectroscopy and multi-spectral images (Sentinel 2) with environmental covariates (physicochemical parameters) to find an affordable method that can be used to present spatial prediction models as a tool for the evaluation of the quality of Andean soils. The models were developed using statistical techniques of logistic regression and linear discriminant analysis to generate an index based on soil order and three indexes based on the combination of soil order and land use. This combined approach offers an effective method, relative to traditional laboratory methods, to derive estimates of the content and composition of soil constituents, such as electrical conductivity (CE), organic matter (OM), pH, and soil moisture (HU). For Mollisol index.3 with Páramo land use, a value of organic matter (OM) ≥8.6% was obtained, whereas for Mollisol index.4 with Shrub land use, OM was ≥6.1%. These results reveal good predictive (estimation) capabilities for these soil order–land use groups. This provides a new way to monitor soil quality using remote sensing techniques, opening promising prospects for operational applications in land use planning.
Sustaining Thai Government Agency Innovation through Design Thinking Learning Effectiveness
Authors: Promsiri Triyuth , Sukavejworakit Krisakorn , Keerativutisest Vasu , Virasa Thanaphol , Kampanthong Krischanan
Published: June 2022

Thailand’s 4.0 strategy intends to achieve prosperity, security, and sustainability for its citizens both today and in the distant future. By focusing on the public sector and its civil servants, the government is driving innovation in the public sector by using design thinking (DT) to train government officials to improve public sector innovation (PSI). However, despite studies being conducted on DT and its increasing popularity among scholars, there is still a gap between knowledge and practice with regard to the learning effectiveness of the DT methodology in terms of fostering public sector innovation. Therefore, the authors’ objective for this study was to explore the effectiveness of DT in the Thai PSI and measure the learning effectiveness of the design thinking method (DTM). The researchers conducted action research through a series of workshops and in-class activities involving both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The sample was made up of government officials participating in the Thai Government Innovation Lab (GIL) project in 2020 and 2021. The results on the effectiveness of the program showed that fostering government innovation through DT education led to highly sustainable and highly effective outcomes. This study contributes to the development of public innovation by implementing the DTM as a core methodology for fostering innovation in public organizations.
Selecting a Suitable Sustainable Construction Method for Australian High-Rise Building: A Multi-Criteria Analysis
Authors: Navaratnam Satheeskumar
Published: June 2022

The evolution of innovative construction technology and automation has rapidly transformed the construction industry over the last few decades. However, selecting the most efficient and sustainable construction technology for high-rise building construction is a critical factor in completing the project successfully. This requires a multiple-judgment-decision process relevant to cost, time, environment, sustainability, quality, etc. Thus, this research aims to identify the most suitable sustainable construction method for high-rise building construction in Australia. Three construction methods (i.e., automated building construction, aluminium formwork construction, and off-site construction) and robotic construction technology are reviewed in terms of economic, equity and environmental performance. A detailed multi-criteria analysis is conducted concerning the weighting calculated for each construction method, which aids in recommending a sustainable and cost-effective method. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is used as a multi-attribute decision-making tool to determine the weighting factors. The results show that the off-site construction method and robotic construction technique significantly improve the construction performance of high-rise construction in Australia. However, the finding is based on data obtained from a limited number of experts. Thus, a detailed case study with a greater number of expert opinions is needed to ensure the significance of the finding. However, the AHP-based approach method can be used to select sustainable construction alternatives for high-rise buildings.
The Impact of Environmental and Anthropogenic Factors on the Migration of the Rural Arctic Population of Western Siberia
Authors: Bogdanova Elena , Filant Konstantin , Sukhova Ekaterina , Zabolotnikova Maria , Filant Praskovia , Raheem Dele , Shaduyko Olga , Andronov Sergei , Lobanov Andrey
Published: June 2022

Environmental and anthropogenic factors represent challenges impacting the lifestyle and demographic rural population’s behaviour in the Russian Arctic that threaten its social and food security. We aim to explore (1) which key “push” factors are jeopardising social sustainability and increasing migration outflows in the Arctic rural communities of Western Siberia (2) and how the Siberian population’s sustainable development could be secured. The methodology and analysis were based on Lee’s theory of migration factors with the main focus on the “push” factors forcing people to migrate to other Arctic and non-Arctic territories. The primary sources included fieldwork data and interviews collected during expeditions to the Arctic zone of Western Siberia between 2000 and 2021. Both men and women confirmed the insignificant impact of environmental factors on their emigration plans. However, they signified social and personal motives related to low standards of living that threatened their social and food security. The rural Siberian population’s migration strategies could be re-evaluated only by increasing the physical availability of food products and developing the social infrastructure of the settlements as either “models of rural cities” or “service centres for nomadic and rural population”.