bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remediation Techniques for Cadmium-Contaminated Dredged River Sediments after Land Disposal
Authors: Zhang Changsong , Zang Xueke , Dai Zhenxue , Zhang Xiaoying , Ma Ziqi
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the remediation techniques of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated dredged river sediments after land disposal in a city in East China. Three remediation techniques, including stabilization, soil leaching, and phytoremediation, are compared by analyzing the performance of the techniques for Cd-contaminated soil remediation. The experimental results showed that the stabilization technique reduced the leaching rate of soil Cd from 33.3% to 14.3%, thus effectively reducing the biological toxicity of environmental Cd, but the total amount of Cd in soil did not decrease. Leaching soil with citric acid and oxalic acid achieved Cd removal rates of 90.1% and 92.4%, respectively. Compared with these two remediation techniques, phytoremediation was more efficient and easier to implement and had less secondary pollution, but it took more time, usually several years. In this study, these three remediation techniques were analyzed and discussed from technical, economic, and environmental safety perspectives by comprehensively considering the current status and future plans of the study site. Soil leaching was found to be the best technique for timely treatment of Cd contamination in dredged river sediments after land disposal.
Assessing the Potential of Catch-Only Models to Inform on the State of Global Fisheries and the UN’s SDGs
Authors: Sharma Rishi , Winker Henning , Levontin Polina , Kell Laurence , Ovando Dan , Palomares Maria L. D. , Pinto Cecilia , Ye Yimin
Published: May 2021

Catch-only models (COMs) have been the focus of ongoing research into data-poor stock assessment methods. Two of the most recent models that are especially promising are (i) CMSY+, the latest refined version of CMSY that has progressed from Catch-MSY, and (ii) SRA+ (Stock Reduction Analysis Plus), one of the latest developments in the field. Comparing COMs and evaluating their relative performance is essential for determining the state of regional and global fisheries that may be lacking necessary data that would be required to run traditional assessment models. In this paper we interrogate how performance of COMs can be improved by incorporating additional sources of information. We evaluate the performance of COMs on a dataset of 48 data-rich ICES (International Council for the Exploration of Seas) stock assessments. As one measure of performance, we consider the ability of the model to correctly classify stock status using FAO’s 3-tier classification that is also used for reporting on sustainable development goals to the UN. Both COMs showed notable bias when run with their inbuilt default heuristics, but as the quality of prior information increased, classification rates for the terminal year improved substantially. We conclude that although further COM refinements show some potential, most promising is the ongoing research into developing biomass or fishing effort priors for COMs in order to be able to reliably track stock status for the majority of the world’s fisheries currently lacking stock assessments.
CSR and Workplace Autonomy as Enablers of Workplace Innovation in SMEs through Employees: Extending the Boundary Conditions of Self-Determination Theory
Authors: Li Beili , Fan Xu , Álvarez-Otero Susana , Sial Muhammad Safdar , Comite Ubaldo , Cherian Jacob , Vasa László
Published: May 2021

The current business environment characterized by high uncertainty, volatility, and stiff situation of competitiveness that is evident in almost every sector has increased the importance of workplace innovation for contemporary businesses. In this regard, a considerable attention in realizing employees of an organization as a source of innovation is not evident from the existing literature. In this aspect, the current study is an attempt to foster workplace innovation through employees in the SME sector of an emerging economy. In doing so, the authors propose that corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of an SME, along with workplace autonomy, are helpful in creating an environment at the workplace that fosters innovative employee behavior (IEB). Furthermore, the current study also extends the boundary condition of the theory of self-determination by arguing that this theory provides a comprehensive framework to explain employees’ motivation for workplace innovation. The data of the current survey was obtained from the SME sector situated in two large cities of a developing country through a self-administered questionnaire which was then analyzed through structural-equation-modeling (SEM) using the AMOS software. The results confirmed that CSR directly relates to IEB and workplace autonomy mediates this relationship. The study also discusses the implications of this survey for theory and practice.
Dimensionality Reduction Differentiates Sensitive Force-Time Characteristics from Loaded and Unloaded Conditions throughout Competitive Military Training
Authors: Merrigan Justin J. , Stone Jason D. , Ramadan Jad , Hagen Joshua A. , Thompson Andrew G.
Published: May 2021

The purpose was to evaluate neuromuscular fatigue’s effect on unloaded and loaded countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time characteristics during high-intensity tactical training. Eighteen male and sixteen female Marines completed two maximal effort CMJs, in unloaded (PVC pipe) and loaded (10 kg weight vest and 20 kg barbell) conditions, prior to, and 24, 48, and 72 h after starting the 4-day event. The top three variables from three principal components (PC) were analyzed using mixed-effects modeling (PC1—concentric mean power, eccentric peak force, and modified reactive strength index; PC2—countermovement depth, eccentric mean power, and eccentric mean velocity; PC3—braking duration, jump height, peak power). Metrics from PC1 and PC3 were reduced across training and from both loading conditions. Metrics from PC2 were similarly affected by external loading but were less influenced by training-induced fatigue. Jump performances with the barbell and with shallower countermovement depths did not change throughout training. Thus, 20 kg loaded CMJs are stable neuromuscular measures suitable for tracking chronic training adaptations. Monitoring unloaded and 10 kg loaded CMJ performances, along with movement strategies (i.e., countermovement rates and depth), may help identify moments of accumulated fatigue to inform training and recovery adjustments and improve the sustainability of personnel.
Urban Heat Islands and Thermal Comfort: A Case Study of Zorrotzaurre Island in Bilbao
Authors: Alvarez Irantzu , Quesada-Ganuza Laura , Briz Estibaliz , Garmendia Leire
Published: May 2021

This study assesses the impact of a heat wave on the thermal comfort of an unconstructed area: the North Zone of the Island of Zorrotzaurre (Bilbao, Spain). In this study, the impact of urban planning as proposed in the master plan on thermal comfort is modeled using the ENVI-met program. Likewise, the question of whether the urbanistic proposals are designed to create more resilient urban environments is analyzed in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather events, especially heat waves. The study is centered on the analysis of temperature variables (air temperature and average radiant temperature) as well as wind speed and relative humidity. This was completed with the parameters of thermal comfort, the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and the Universal Temperature Climate Index (UTCI) for the hours of the maximum and minimum daily temperatures. The results demonstrated the viability of analyzing thermal comfort through simulations with the ENVI-met program in order to analyze the behavior of urban spaces in various climate scenarios.
On Farmers Markets as Wicked Opportunities
Authors: Morales Alfonso
Published: May 2021

Marketplaces are almost as old as humanity. They result from trade and trade is structured by political, religious, social, and economic needs. Overtime, marketplaces have woven together relational processes representing each of these, in order to host trade, social life, political life, and all manner of economic activities. So, markets are bundles of activities tightly related reciprocally with, and in the context of social institutions. Likewise, marketplaces manifest expectations for how society sees itself and for how societies govern themselves. It is this framing opportunity which I exploit here. In this article I pursue the reconstruction of wicked problems to show how marketplaces are wicked opportunities. Wicked opportunity thinking can be applied to many other aspects of our contemporary life.
Workers’ Observation of Uncivil Leadership: Is Tolerance for Workplace Incivility a Gendered Issue?
Authors: Carmona-Cobo Isabel , Garrosa Eva , Lopez-Zafra Esther
Published: May 2021

In the context of organizational psychology, this study aimed to examine workers’ gender biases in tolerance when observing leaders’ incivility in the workplace. Based on role congruity theory, this paper proposes analyzing the gender differences in workers’ evaluations of awareness and tolerance of workplace incivility considering the gender of a leader who commits different incivility behaviors against an employee. Moreover, we posit that the type of incivility is also gendered. A sample of 547 workers (male and female) randomly played the roles of observers whereby they rated a scenario describing a leader (male or female) who publicly humiliates and openly doubts an employee’s judgment (overt incivility—agentic), or leaves out and pays little attention (covert incivility—communal) to an employee. The results indicate that male workers tolerated incivility less when role incongruence occurred, such as when male leaders used covert incivility. In contrast, female workers were consistently less tolerant when role congruence occurred with the leader’s gender, such as when male leaders were overtly uncivil. Furthermore, compared to males, female workers were more aware and less tolerant of incivility when a female leader was overtly or covertly uncivil. This paper provides empirical insights and fulfills an identified need to study how gender bias in workplace incivility can be enabled in organizations. The implications for practice can drive the development of prevention strategies within the field of management and human resources.
Identifying Key Variables on the Way to Wellbeing in the Transition from Face-to-Face to Online Higher Education due to COVID-19: Evidence from the Q-Sort Technique
Authors: Gómez-Rey Pilar , Fernández-Navarro Francisco , Vázquez-De Francisco María José
Published: May 2021

This paper reports perceptions of higher education lecturers who switched from classical face-to-face teaching to online teaching due to the unexpected circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a validated theoretical model about the roles of instructors in online settings, the authors document the perceptions of experienced face-to-face lecturers regarding their performance in online roles and the perceived importance of the formal and informal support they received during the process of adapting to a sudden online context. The study was based on the Q-sort methodology. Among other conclusions, our research reveals that the best performance we elicited pertained to the technical role, followed by the managerial role and the support received through informal channels. Worryingly, the worst performance pertained to promoting life skills. This finding is especially alarming considering both the UNESCO humanistic vision of universities as promoters of university community development and wellbeing and SDG 4.7 of Agenda 2030, which states that education should ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development through education on sustainable development and lifestyles. This article is meant to provide guidelines to traditional universities to help them overcome weaknesses and enhance strengths when switching to online learning.
Does Foreign Language Proficiency Help to Enhance Sustainable Online Brand Community Experiences? Modeling the Predictors of Movie Information Sharing Behavior for Young Chinese Students Staying in Korea
Authors: Kim Hyeon-Cheol , Kim Sumi , Zhu Zong-Yi
Published: May 2021

Building upon studies on the information diffusion theory of a viral marketing survey, this study aims to understand the effect of young Chinese students’ online information sharing behavior on online brand community and determine the relationship among telepresence, flow-attention focus, flow-perceived enjoyment and electronic word-of-mouth depending on the level of the foreign students’ Korean language proficiency. Here, 178 valid data are obtained from an online survey of social networking service users who live in Korea and are experienced in using online movie brand communities. SmartPLS 2.0 is utilized to determine the relationship between variates. Statistical analysis shows that telepresence is applicable to the Chinese students’ online perceived enjoyment and attention focus, which both positively affect trust and movie information sharing behavior. Language proficiency has a significant moderation effect on the model. This study offers insights toward attaining a better understanding of online communication behaviors and establishing marketing strategies that are extendable to young Chinese students staying in Korea. This finding helps movie distributors to develop effective foreigner-inclined information diffusion strategies. This study contributes to the impact factor on consumer information sharing behavior and adds language proficiency as a moderator to determine consumer behavior.
Strategies for Improving the Sustainability of Data Centers via Energy Mix, Energy Conservation, and Circular Energy
Authors: Manganelli Matteo , Soldati Alessandro , Martirano Luigi , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: May 2021

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are increasingly permeating our daily life and we ever more commit our data to the cloud. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic put an exceptional burden upon ICT. This involves increasing implementation and use of data centers, which increased energy use and environmental impact. The scope of this work is to summarize the present situation on data centers as to environmental impact and opportunities for improvement. First, we introduce the topic, presenting estimated energy use and emissions. Then, we review proposed strategies for energy efficiency and conservation in data centers. Energy uses pertain to power distribution, ICT, and non-ICT equipment (e.g., cooling). Existing and prospected strategies and initiatives in these sectors are identified. Among key elements are innovative cooling techniques, natural resources, automation, low-power electronics, and equipment with extended thermal limits. Research perspectives are identified and estimates of improvement opportunities are mentioned. Finally, we present an overview on existing metrics, regulatory framework, and bodies concerned.
Optimal Design Strategy of a Solar Reflector Combining Photovoltaic Panels to Improve Electricity Output: A Case Study in Calgary, Canada
Authors: Kim Moon Keun , Abdulkadir Khalid Osman , Liu Jiying , Choi Joon-Ho , Wen Huiqing
Published: May 2021

This study explores the combination of photovoltaic (PV) panels with a reflector mounted on a building to improve electricity generation. Globally, PV panels have been widely used as a renewable energy technology. In order to obtain more solar irradiance and improve electricity output, this study presents an advanced strategy of a reflector combining PV panels mounted on a building in Calgary, Canada. Based on an experimental database of solar irradiances, the simulation presents an optimal shape designed and tilt angles of the reflector and consequently improves solar radiation gain and electricity outputs. Polished aluminum is selected as the reflector material, and the shape and angle are designed to minimize the interruption of direct solar radiation. The numerical approach demonstrates the improvement in performance using a PV panel tilted at 30°, 45°, 60°, and 75° and a reflector, tilted at 15.5° or allowed to be tilted flexibly. A reflector tilted at 15.5° can improve solar radiation gains, of the panel, by nearly 5.5–9.2% at lower tilt angles and 14.1–21.1% at higher tilt angles. Furthermore, the flexibly adjusted reflector can improve solar radiation gains on the PV panel, by nearly 12–15.6% at lower tilt angles and 20–26.5% at higher tilt angles. A reflector tilted at 15.5° improves the panel’s output electricity on average by 4–8% with the PV panel tilted at 30° and 45° respectively and 12–19% with the PV panel tilted at 60° and 75°, annually. Moreover, a reflector that can be flexibly tilted improves electricity output on average by 9–12% with the PV panel tilted at 30° and 45° and 17–23% with the PV panel tilted at 60° and 75°. Therefore, the utilization of a reflector improves the performance of the PV panel while incurring a relatively low cost.
Determinants of Fan Engagement in Social Media-Based Brand Communities: A Brand Relationship Quality Perspective
Authors: Lou Liguo , Jiao Yongbing , Koh Joon
Published: May 2021

This study adopts a brand relationship quality (BRQ) perspective to reveal the reason firms’ investments in social media-based brand communities should increase their social relationship marketing performances. An empirical analysis with 234 Facebook users who joined brand communities was conducted to examine the proposed hypotheses, revealing that fan needs fulfillments—information, entertainment, social interaction, and monetary ones—had positive effects on BRQ. Further, BRQ was found to have positive effects on fans’ engagement behavioral intentions toward brands, including willingness to buy, member continuance intention, and electronic word of mouth intention. This study contributes to existing research that indicates a new mechanism of BRQ improvement via the social media-based brand community. Implications corresponding to the research findings as well as study limitations and future directions are also addressed.
Effects of High-Speed Railway Construction and Operation on Related Industries in China
Authors: Zhou Xuemei , Lin Xiaodan , Ji Xiangfeng , Liang Jiahui
Published: May 2021

Incorporated as a highly integrated system of science and technology that has been assimilated in the field of transportation, high-speed railways not only meet the green travel needs of people but also promote the development of correlated industries. Considering the differences in each stage, primarily based on the input-output table for 149 sectors from the Chinese economy taken from the year 2017, an input-output model has been developed and applied in order to measure the economic pull of high-speed railway construction investment for various industries. Moreover, the shift-share spatial structure model has also been taken into account to quantitatively analyze the effect of the high-speed railway operation on related industries, and the three high-speed railway hub cities of Zhengzhou, Xi’an, and Wuhan in China have been taken as the specimens for the application of this model. The results show that the construction and operation of a high-speed railway has an optimization effect on the development of related industries, which provides a basis for industrial layout and structural optimization. This research provides a reference for the formulation of high-speed rail industry policy, is of great significance for the maintenance of sustainable economic development, and thus, promotes the sustainable development of transportation systems, cities and society as a whole.
Academic Help-Seeking Attitudes, and Their Relationship with Emotional Variables
Authors: Dueñas Jorge-Manuel , Camarero-Figuerola Marta , Castarlenas Elena
Published: May 2021

Academic help seeking is a self-regulatory strategy that is closely related to students’ school functioning and successful school outcomes. The aim of the present study is to gain greater insight into the associations between help-seeking behavior and attitudes (i.e., emotional costs, perception of benefits, threats and avoidance of academic help seeking), and socio-emotional factors (i.e., functional social support, satisfaction with life, happiness, academic and social self-concept, emotional loneliness and social network). Two hundred and thirty-two students from three public secondary schools (53.9% girls; mean age = 16.61, SD = 2.85) participated in this study by completing the assessment form during school hours. As expected, the results showed significant associations between attitudes toward academic help seeking and socioemotional factors except for (1) perceived emotional cost of academic help seeking and happiness, academic self-concept and social network, (2) threat of academic help seeking and satisfaction with life and social network and (3) avoidance of academic help seeking and social network, in which cases the correlations were not significant. Finally, (1) emotional loneliness was found to be a significant predictor of the perceived emotional cost of academic help seeking, (2) functional social support, academic self-concept, social self-concept and subjective evaluation of the social network were found to be significant predictors of the perceived benefits of academic help seeking, (3) emotional loneliness and academic self-concept were found to be significant predictors of both threat of academic help seeking and avoidance of academic help seeking. The results of this study suggest that psycho-emotional variables play an important role in academic help-seeking strategies and can affect students’ final behavior in help seeking.
Nature-Based Solutions for Storm Water Management—Creation of a Green Infrastructure Suitability Map as a Tool for Land-Use Planning at the Municipal Level in the Province of Monza-Brianza (Italy)
Authors: Senes Giulio , Ferrario Paolo Stefano , Cirone Gianpaolo , Fumagalli Natalia , Frattini Paolo , Sacchi Giovanna , Valè Giorgio
Published: May 2021

Growing and uncontrolled urbanization and climate change (with an associated increase in the frequency of intense meteoric events) have led to a rising number of flooding events in urban areas due to the insufficient capacity of conventional drainage systems. Nature-Based Solutions represent a contribution to addressing these problems through the creation of a multifunctional green infrastructure, both in urban areas and in the countryside. The aim of this work was to develop a methodology to define Green Infrastructure for stormwater management at the municipal level. The methodology is defined on the basis of three phases: the definition of the territorial information needed, the production of base maps, and the production of a Suitability Map. In the first phase, we define the information needed for the identification of non-urbanized areas where rainwater can potentially infiltrate, as well as areas with soil characteristics that can exclude or limit rainwater infiltration. In the second phase, we constructed the following base maps: a “map of green areas”, a “map of natural surface infiltration potential” and a “map of exclusion areas”. In phase 3, starting from the base maps created in phase 2 and using Geographical Information Systems’ (GIS) geoprocessing procedures, the “Green area compatibility map to realize Green Infrastructure”, the “map of areas not suitable for infiltration” and the final “Green Infrastructure Suitability Map” are created. This methodology should help municipal authorities to set up Green Infrastructure Suitability Maps as a tool for land-use planning.
Golf: Is It a New Form of Sustainable Tourism or a Violation of Traditional Rural Vocations? Italy and Brazil: Comparison between Two Case Studies
Authors: Grillotti Di Giacomo Maria Gemma , De Felice Pierluigi , Ivona Antonietta , Spagnoli Luisa
Published: May 2021

The present research work analyzes the path of territorial reconfiguration that has led to the new uses of agricultural land. In particular, the analysis focuses on the conflict of use between agriculture and sport. Is the sporting practice of golf a new form of sustainable tourism or a violation of traditional rural vocations? The paper compares two case studies in Italy and Brazil to try to answer the aforementioned research question. The two cases under study represent a conflict of land use between the hypothesis of persevering solely agricultural activity and the possibility of introducing new activities. Often, however, agriculture as the only activity practiced by a population is not enough to ensure a sufficient income; it is therefore necessary to diversify economic activities. As will be seen in the text, this does not mean a total abandonment of the primary activity in favor of other land uses apparently in contrast with it.
Reducing the Waiting-On-Cement Time of Geopolymer Well Cement using Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) as the Accelerator: Analysis of the Compressive Strength and Acoustic Impedance for Well Logging
Authors: Zulkarnain Nurul Nazmin , Farhan Syed Ahmad , Sazali Yon Azwa , Shafiq Nasir , Abd Rahman Siti Humairah , Abd Hamid Afif Izwan , Habarudin Mohd Firdaus
Published: May 2021

Geopolymer cement (GPC) is an aluminosilicate-based binder that is cost-effective and eco-friendly, with high compressive strength and resistance to acid attack. It can prevent degradation when exposed to carbon dioxide by virtue of the low calcium content of the aluminosilicate source. The effect of the concentration of calcium chloride (CaCl2) as the accelerator on the compressive strength and acoustic impedance of GPC for well cement, while exposed to high pressure and high temperatures, is presented. Fly ash from the Tanjung Bin power plant, which is categorized as Class F fly ash according to ASTM C618-19, was selected as the aluminosilicate source for the GPC samples. Sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate were employed to activate the geopolymerization reaction of the aluminosilicate. Five samples with a density of 15 ppg were prepared with concentrations of CaCl2 that varied from 1% to 4% by weight of cement. Findings revealed that the addition of 1% CaCl2 is the optimum concentration for the curing conditions of 100 °C and 3000 psi for 48 h, which resulted in the highest compressive strength of the product. Results also indicate that GPC samples that contain CaCl2 have a smaller range of acoustic impedance compared to that of ordinary Portland cement.
Modelling Small-Scale Storage Interventions in Semi-Arid India at the Basin Scale
Authors: Horan Robyn , Wable Pawan S. , Srinivasan Veena , Baron Helen E. , Keller Virginie J. D. , Garg Kaushal K. , Rickards Nathan , Simpson Mike , Houghton-Carr Helen A. , Rees H. Gwyn
Published: May 2021

There has been renewed interest in the performance, functionality, and sustainability of traditional small-scale storage interventions (check dams, farm bunds and tanks) used within semi-arid regions for the improvement of local water security and landscape preservation. The Central Groundwater Board of India is encouraging the construction of such interventions for the alleviation of water scarcity and to improve groundwater recharge. It is important for water resource management to understand the hydrological effect of these interventions at the basin scale. The quantification of small-scale interventions in hydrological modelling is often neglected, especially in large-scale modelling activities, as data availability is low and their hydrological functioning is uncertain. A version of the Global Water Availability Assessment (GWAVA) water resources model was developed to assess the impact of interventions on the water balance of the Cauvery Basin and two smaller sub-catchments. Model results demonstrate that farm bunds appear to have a negligible effect on the average annual simulated streamflow at the outlets of the two sub-catchments and the basin, whereas tanks and check dams have a more significant and time varying effect. The open water surface of the interventions contributed to an increase in evaporation losses across the catchment. The change in simulated groundwater storage with the inclusion of interventions was not as significant as catchment-scale literature and field studies suggest. The model adaption used in this study provides a step-change in the conceptualisation and quantification of the consequences of small-scale storage interventions in large- or basin-scale hydrological models.
New Circular Networks in Resilient Supply Chains: An External Capital Perspective
Authors: Alonso-Muñoz Sara , González-Sánchez Rocío , Siligardi Cristina , García-Muiña Fernando E.
Published: May 2021

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has had an impact on the relationships established between different actors in organisations. To deal with these changes, it is necessary to develop a resilience capacity that allows for the establishment of different patterns of relationships through a new management model. The application of circularity principles implies a radical change in stakeholder relations, breaking with the “end-of-life” concept existing in linear economies. Furthermore, circular economy can ensure resilience in supply chains, and it can be considered as a tool in uncertain environments. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyse the association between the customer–supplier relationships with circular supply chains based on the intellectual capital-based view theory. External capital is a crucial factor for organisations, and it helps with building remarkable capabilities for the whole supply chain due to collaboration and cooperation. This research contributes with a systematic revision of the literature regarding circular supply chains and customer–supplier external capital, providing an exploratory model. Establishing a closer and effective relationship with customers and suppliers supposes a differentiating value and competitive advantages. Actors involved in the supply chain are essential in the implementation of circularity in organisations for reducing waste production and returning resources to the production cycle. Therefore, circular networks related to customers’ behaviour, sustainable supplier election and IT tools play a key factor in improving resilience in supply chains.
The Role of Public Resource Desynchronization on Business Model Sustainability in the Private Healthcare Industry
Authors: Rodriguez Rocio , Svensson Göran
Published: May 2021

The research objective to examine the role of public resource desynchronization on business model sustainability in the private healthcare industry based on the application of a public policy. This study is based on recently reported data on bed occupancy rate and stakeholder insights during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the private healthcare industry in Spain. The findings reveal how desynchronization of a public health policy can undermine business model sustainability in the private healthcare sector. The role of public resource desynchronization in the private healthcare sector is linked to an applied public health policy, which affects the business model sustainability of private hospitals. Private hospitals need to be vigilant regarding the role of public policy on resource desynchronization in the healthcare industry, which can affect the sustainability of their business models. This study contributes to linking the role of resource desynchronization with the application of a public policy in the healthcare industry which can affect the sustainability of private hospitals’ business models.
A Bibliometric and Visual Analysis of Rural Development Research
Authors: Lu Ying , de Vries Walter Timo
Published: May 2021

Rural development research integrates numerous theoretical and empirical studies and has evolved over the past few decades. However, few systematic literature reviews have explored the changing landscape. This study aims to obtain an overview of rural development research by applying a bibliometric and visual analysis. In this paper, we introduce four computer-based software tools, including HistCite™, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Map and Alluvial Generator, to help with data collection, data analysis, and visualization. The dataset consists of 6968 articles of rural development research, which were downloaded from the database Web of Science. The period covers 1957 to 2020 and the analysis units include journals, categories, authors, references, and keywords. Co-occurrence and co-citation analysis are conducted, and the results are exported in the format of networks. We analyze the trends of publications and explore the discipline distribution and identify the most influential authors and articles at different times. The results show that this field of study has attracted progressively more scholars from a variety of research fields and has become multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary. The changing knowledge domains of rural development research also reflect the dynamics and complexity of rural contexts.
Effects of Receiver Parameters on Solar Flux Distribution for Triangle Cavity Receiver in the Fixed Linear-Focus Fresnel Lens Solar Concentrator
Authors: Wang Hai , Hu Yanxin , Peng Jinqing , Song Mengjie , Li Haoteng
Published: May 2021

The objective of the study is to investigate and optimize the solar flux uniformity of a fixed linear-focus Fresnel lens solar concentrator using a triangle cavity receiver. The effects of receiver parameters including the vertical distance from the cavity opening plane to the Fresnel lens f, receiver internal surface absorptivity αab, end reflection plane reflectivity ρr, solar declination angle δ and solar angle ω on the uniformity factor (UF) of a triangle cavity receiver were carried out. The effects of receiver parameters are evaluated with a significance test of critical factors. The results showed that the increase in f and δ would result in an increase in the UF. The average UF with f = 600, 625, 650, 675 and 700 mm, respectively, are 0.5030, 0.5858, 0.6337, 0.6576 and 0.6784 for ω in range of 0–60°. Moreover, the UF increases as αab decreases when other receiver parameters are constant for the δ of 0–8°. The ρr has a limited effect on the UF until δ becomes relatively larger and ω becomes relatively smaller. Furthermore, ω effects are most significant on the UF, followed by δ, f and αab. Setting a suitable f is the most economical and effective way to improve the UF.
Ecosystem Based Adaptation: Concept and Terminology in Strategic Adaptation Planning (Municipal and Inter-Municipal) in Portugal
Authors: Cousiño Ana , Penha-Lopes Gil
Published: May 2021

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is a nature-based solution that has gained importance in the context of international climate policy, such as in the EU Adaptation Strategy (2013), which explicitly encourages its adoption and which should continue in The European Green Deal. This study aims to analyze how the EbA concept has been adopted in strategic adaptation planning at the municipal and intermunicipal levels in Portugal after the publication of the European adaptation strategy in 2013. Thus, a quantitative content analysis was carried out, based on EbA keywords, of municipal strategies and intermunicipal plans in Portugal. The term “ecosystem-based” has not been transposed as an explicit objective at the municipal and intermunicipal levels. All strategies and plans have included indirect references to the underlying elements of the EbA concept. This study highlights that although the EU Adaptation Strategy explicitly encourages EbA, this does not mean that it is adopted as a preferred adaptation approach at the local level in Portugal. The EbA seems to be more widely understood by the research community than by municipal technicians or private companies. It is necessary to explore how the EbA concept can be more widely accepted through the generation of co-benefits and by synergies between topics.
An Improved Case-Based Reasoning Model for Simulating Urban Growth
Authors: Ye Xin , Yu Wenhui , Lv Lina , Zang Shuying , Ni Hongwei
Published: May 2021

Developing urban growth models enables a better understanding and planning of sustainable urban areas. Case-based reasoning (CBR), in which historical experience is used to solve problems, can be applied to the simulation of complex dynamic systems. However, when applying CBR to urban growth simulation, problems such as inaccurate case description, a single retrieval method, and the lack of a time control mechanism limit its application accuracy. In order to tackle these barriers, this study proposes a CBR model for simulating urban growth. This model includes three parts: (1) the case expression mode containing the “initial state-geographical feature-result” is proposed to adapt the case expression to the urban growth process; (2) in order to improve the reliability of the results, we propose a strategy to introduce the “retrieval quantity” parameter and retrieve multiple similar cases; and (3) a time factor control method based on demand constraints is proposed to improve the power of time control in the algorithm. Finally, the city of Jixi was used as the study area for simulation, and when the “retrieval quantity” is 10, the simulation accuracy reaches 97.02%, kappa is 85.51, and figure of merit (FoM) is 0.1699. The results showed that the proposed method could accurately analyze urban growth.
Gender Differences on Psychosocial Factors Affecting COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors
Authors: Bronfman Nicolás , Repetto Paula , Cordón Paola , Castañeda Javiera , Cisternas Pamela
Published: May 2021

Previous studies have reported differences between men and women in the adoption of preventive behaviors against infectious diseases. This study aims to examine gender differences on a set of psychosocial factors shown to influence preventive behaviors against infectious diseases such as COVID-19. We conducted a web survey (N = 1.004) a few weeks after the end of the peak of the first wave of infections in Chile. The survey assessed participants’ perception of risk and worry about the COVID-19 pandemic, confidence in the government’s competence and integrity in dealing with the crisis, attribution of responsibility to various stakeholders, and adoption of preventive behaviors such as hygiene, distancing, and information-seeking. Our results confirm significant gender-based differences for both the psychosocial factors and the adoption of preventive behaviors. We conclude that women show a higher level of worry and fear of the pandemic and are keener to adopt preventive hygiene and social distancing behaviors. Similarly, participants report a low level of trust in government authorities, with women reporting the lowest trust level. The implications of these findings for the design of future risk communication strategies are discussed.
Introduction and Spread of the Invasive Alien Species Ageratina altissima in a Disturbed Forest Ecosystem
Authors: Kim Eunyoung , Choi Jaeyong , Song Wonkyong
Published: May 2021

Invasive alien species (IAS) not only displace nearby indigenous plants and lead to habitat simplification but also cause severe economic damage by invading arable lands. IAS invasion processes involve external forces such as species characteristics, IAS assemblage traits, environmental conditions, and inter-species interactions. In this study, we analyzed the invasion processes associated with the introduction and spread of Ageratina altissima, a representative invasive plant species in South Korea. We investigated 197 vegetation quadrats (2 × 20 m) in regions bordering 47 forests in southern Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A total of 23 environmental variables were considered, which encompassed vegetation, topography, land use, and landscape ecology indices. The model was divided into an edge and an interior model and analyzed using logistic regression and a decision tree (DT) model. The occurrence of Ageratina altissima was confirmed in 61 sites out of a total of 197. According to our analysis, Ageratina altissima easily invaded forest edges with low density. The likelihood of its occurrence increased with lower elevation and gentler slope. In contrast, the spread of Ageratina altissima in the forest interior, especially based on seed spread and permeability, was favored by a lower elevation and gentler slopes. The analysis of Ageratina altissima settlement processes in forest edges coupled with the DT model demonstrated that land characteristics, such as the proximity to urbanized areas and the number of shrub and tree species, play a pivotal role in IAS settlement. In the forest interior, Ageratina altissima did not occur in 68 of the 71 sites where the soil drainage was under 2.5%, and it was confirmed that the tree canopy area had a significant impact on forest spread. Based on these results, it can be assumed that Ageratina altissima has spread in South Korean forests in much the same way as other naturalized species. Therefore, vegetation management strategies for naturalized species should be developed in parallel with land use management policy in regions surrounding forest edges to successfully manage and control Ageratina altissima invasion.
The Effects of Entrepreneurship on the Enterprises’ Sustainable Innovation Capability in the Digital Era: The Role of Organizational Commitment, Person–Organization Value Fit, and Perceived Organizational Support
Authors: Zhao Donghui , Tian Feng , Sun Xinbo , Zhang Dapeng
Published: May 2021

The concept of entrepreneurship in the digital era has been developed rapidly in recent years, and it has a more significant impact on a company’s sustainable innovation capabilities. In the digital era, entrepreneurship has gradually become a spiritual trait of organization members and appears on all levels of an organization. This research examines the impact of entrepreneurship on a company’s sustainable innovation capability in the digital era from the perspective of organizational commitment. Through a questionnaire survey, 378 valid questionnaires were collected. The results show that: entrepreneurship has a positive impact on sustainable innovation capability of enterprises; affective commitment plays a positive mediating role between entrepreneurship and enterprises’ sustainable innovation capability, while continuance commitment plays a negative mediating role between entrepreneurship and enterprises’ sustainable innovation capability; and perceived organizational support and person–organization value fit play a moderating role between entrepreneurship and organizational commitment. This article emphasizes the key role of entrepreneurship on enterprises’ sustainable innovation capability and discusses the realization path of the enterprises’ sustainable innovation capability from the perspective of organizational commitment.
Effect of Low-Cost Policy Measures to Promote Public Transport Use: A Case Study of Oyama City, Japan
Authors: Azami Tomohide , Nakagawa Kento , Taniguchi Ayako
Published: May 2021

Breaking away from the dependence on cars, increasing the number of public transport users, and securing operational revenues have been posing a problem for many cities worldwide. As a low-cost policy measure to address this problem, Oyama City (with a population of approximately 167,000) in Japan, conducted a social experiment involving a significant fare reduction (selling passes at Max 70% discount) and a public information campaign (simplified mobility management) for all citizens. This study analysed this policy from two perspectives, namely the change in the attitudes and behaviours of the people, and the maintenance of the financial stability of bus management. The analysis confirmed that the number of pass holders increased by a factor of 2.6, number of pass holders using the bus increased by a factor of 1.16, total number of annual bus users increased by a factor of 1.1, and revenue from bus services was maintained. In addition, public information campaigns increased awareness regarding the passes and the number of citizens who ware attached emotionally to the bus and city. These results suggest that the combination of a significant fare reduction and an appropriate public information campaign may increase bus ridership, without reducing operational revenues.
Assessing Industrial Impact on Water Sustainability in El Bajío, Guanajuato State, Mexico
Authors: Flores Casamayor Horacio , Morales Martínez Jorge Luis , Mora-Rodríguez Jesús , Delgado-Galván Xitlali
Published: May 2021

Five municipalities in El Bajío present the highest industrial investments: Celaya, Irapuato, León, Salamanca, and Silao. Public and private investments, further to the support received from the government, have been decisive to industrialize the zone. The official discourse to encourage these activities has emphasized the economic and social benefits for inhabitants, the decrease in the use of water volumes, and the consequent improvement of water sources in each region. The main objective of the present work is to present a global industrial impact index to evaluate the industrial impact on water management by analyzing the evolution of some parameters regarding the official data available, in order to determine whether the industry has a positive outcome on the environmental, social, economic and hydrological aspects. For this study, we use Fuzzy Logic (FL) to complete a previous study, which was conducted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). A combination of both approaches is used to define the global impact of industrialization, and the results obtained show that the benefits claimed by governmental policies are not being achieved. The use of this proposed index may guide the decision-making processes to encourage water sustainability.
Customer Satisfaction of Recommender System: Examining Accuracy and Diversity in Several Types of Recommendation Approaches
Authors: Kim Jaekyeong , Choi Ilyoung , Li Qinglong
Published: May 2021

Information technology and the popularity of mobile devices allow for various types of customer data, such as purchase history and behavior patterns, to be collected. As customer data accumulate, the demand for recommender systems that provide customized services to customers is growing. Global e-commerce companies offer recommender systems to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. Research on recommender systems has consistently suggested that customer satisfaction will be highest when the recommendation algorithm is accurate and recommends a diversity of items. However, few studies have investigated the impact of accuracy and diversity on customer satisfaction. In this research, we seek to identify the factors determining customer satisfaction when using the recommender system. To this end, we develop several recommender systems and measure their ability to deliver accurate and diverse recommendations and their ability to generate customer satisfaction with diverse data sets. The results show that accuracy and diversity positively affect customer satisfaction when applying a deep learning-based recommender system. By contrast, only accuracy positively affects customer satisfaction when applying traditional recommender systems. These results imply that developers or managers of recommender systems need to identify factors that further improve customer satisfaction with the recommender system and promote the sustainable development of e-commerce.