bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy Assessment of High-Resolution Globally Available Open-Source DEMs Using ICESat/GLAS over Mountainous Areas, A Case Study in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Li Menghua , Yin Xiebing , Tang Bo-Hui , Yang Mengshi
Published: April 2023

The Open-Source Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is fundamental data of the geoscientific community. However, the variation of its accuracy with land cover type and topography has not been thoroughly studied. This study evaluates the accuracy of five globally covered and open-accessed DEM products (TanDEM-X90 m, SRTEM, NASADEM, ASTER GDEM, and AW3D30) in the mountain area using ICESat/GLAS data as the GCPs. The robust evaluation indicators were utilized to compare the five DEMs’ accuracy and explore the relationship between these errors and slope, aspect, landcover types, and vegetation coverage, thereby revealing the consistency differences in DEM quality under different geographical feature conditions. The Taguchi method is introduced to quantify the impact of these surface characteristics on DEM errors. The results show that the slope is the main factor affecting the accuracy of DEM products, accounting for about 90%, 81%, 85%, 83%, and 65% for TanDEM-X90, SRTM, NASADEM, ASTER GDEM, and AW3D30, respectively. TanDEM-X90 has the highest accuracy in very flat areas (slope < 2°), NASADEM and SRTM have the greatest accuracy in flat areas (2 ≤ slope < 5°), while AW3D30 accuracy is the best in other cases and shows the best consistency on slopes. This study makes a new attempt to quantify the factors affecting the accuracy of DEM, and the results can guide the selection of open-source DEMs in related geoscience research.
Simplification of Deep Neural Network-Based Object Detector for Real-Time Edge Computing
Authors: Choi Kyoungtaek , Wi Seong Min , Jung Ho Gi , Suhr Jae Kyu
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a method for simplifying and quantizing a deep neural network (DNN)-based object detector to embed it into a real-time edge device. For network simplification, this paper compares five methods for applying channel pruning to a residual block because special care must be taken regarding the number of channels when summing two feature maps. Based on the comparison in terms of detection performance, parameter number, computational complexity, and processing time, this paper discovers the most satisfying method on the edge device. For network quantization, this paper compares post-training quantization (PTQ) and quantization-aware training (QAT) using two datasets with different detection difficulties. This comparison shows that both approaches are recommended in the case of the easy-to-detect dataset, but QAT is preferable in the case of the difficult-to-detect dataset. Through experiments, this paper shows that the proposed method can effectively embed the DNN-based object detector into an edge device equipped with Qualcomm’s QCS605 System-on-Chip (SoC), while achieving a real-time operation with more than 10 frames per second.
Preparation of Two Participatory Social Housing Interventions in a Marginalised Roma Community in Romania
Authors: Adorjáni Júlia , Antal Imola , Tonk Gabriella
Published: April 2023

The first desegregation efforts in the marginalised and segregated communities in the Pata-Rât area were carried out within the frames of two social housing projects (between 2014–2017 and 2020–2023). Although a housing first methodology would have been more adequate in the context of a marginalised community, given the shortcomings of the Romanian social assistance system, implementation was impossible. In this context, it was necessary to develop a system to access social housing but also to create a reasonably ‘fair process’ at the community level. Thus, in both interventions, the starting point for developing the social housing criteria was to survey the community in order to explore the community members’ preferences regarding the criteria to be considered in the selection of the beneficiary families for the social houses. The surveys covered all the inhabitants of the Pata-Rât area, that is 219 households in the first survey and 282 households in the second. The survey results served as the basis for the development of the criteria for accessing social housing. In this article, we present and discuss the results of the community surveys from 2016 and from 2020, the year of the pandemic outbreak. Differences were found in the prioritisation of criteria, with an increasing preference for those reflecting vulnerability/needs (e.g., number of children, years spent in the community, disability) and decreasing preference for the ones indicating family resources (e.g., employment, income, education). These differences reflect the increase in poverty and loss of resources occurring in the community during this period, due both to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to the relocation of the 35 better-off families in the first Pata-Cluj project.
The Affective Regulation of Uncertainty: The Semiotic Dimensionality Model (SDM)
Authors: Salvatore Sergio , Mannarini Terri , Gennaro Alessandro , Celia Giovanna , De Dominicis Serena , De Luca Picione Raffaele , Iuso Salvatore , Kerušauskaitė Skaiste , Kleinbub Johann Roland , Palmieri Arianna , Pergola Filippo , Reho Matteo , Rochira Alessia , Rocchi Giulia
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a novel psychological model of the socio-cognitive management of uncertainty, the semiotic dimensional model (SDM). The SDM claims that uncertainty increases the momentum of affect-laden meanings in meaning-making. This is so because affective meanings provide a simplified interpretation of the world that restores the experience of being able to make sense of the reality destabilized by uncertainty. Moreover, the SDM models the affective meanings in terms of low-dimensional mental phase space (MPS). Each dimension of the MPS detects a facet of the context. The lower the MPS dimensionality, the lower the number of facets of the context processed, therefore, the more simplified the meaning-making is. We attained the first empirical validation of the SDM in a sample of 120 Italian people. First, the SDM assumption that the low-dimensional MPS is the computational descriptor of affective meaning was tested. Second, an experimental study was designed in which uncertainty was manipulated so as to assess its effects on the dimensionality of participants’ MPS. It was hypothesized that uncertainty induces a decrease in the MPS dimensionality. Results were consistent with both hypotheses. Theoretical implications of the SDM and its relationship with other theories are discussed and future research direction outlined.
Spatial Variability of Soil Erodibility at the Rhirane Catchment Using Geostatistical Analysis
Authors: Othmani Ouafa , Khanchoul Kamel , Boubehziz Sana , Bouguerra Hamza , Benslama Abderraouf , Navarro-Pedreño Jose
Published: April 2023

Soil erodibility is one of the most crucial factors used to estimate soil erosion by applying modeling techniques. Soil data from soil maps are commonly used to create maps of soil erodibility for soil conservation planning. This study analyzed the spatial variability of soil erodibility by using a digital elevation model (DTM) and surface soil sample data at the Rhirane catchment (Algeria). A total of 132 soil samples were collected of up to 20 cm in depth. The spatial distributions of the K-value and soil physical properties (permeability, organic matter, and texture) were used to elaborate ordinary Kriging interpolation maps. Results showed that mean values of soil organic matter content were statistically different between Chromic Cambisols (M = 3.4%) vs. Calcic Cambisols (M = 2.2%). The analysis of variance of the organic matter provided a tool for identifying significant differences when comparing means between the soil types. The soil granulometry is mainly composed of silt and fine sand. The soil erodibility showed values varying between 0.012 and 0.077 with an average of 0.034, which was greater in soils with calcic horizons. Statistical evaluation by using Pearson’s correlation revealed positive correlations between erodibility and silt (0.63%), and negative correlations with sand (−0.16%), clay (−0.56%), organic matter (−0.32%), permeability (−0.41%), soil structure (−0.40%), and the soil stability index (−0.26%). The variability analysis of the K-factor showed moderate spatial dependency with the soil erodibility map indicating moderate to highly erodible risk in cropland and sparse grassland land uses. Overall, the study provides scientific support for soil conservation management and appropriate agricultural food practices for food supply.
Determination of Spatially-Distributed Hydrological Ecosystem Services (HESS) in the Red River Delta Using a Calibrated SWAT Model
Authors: Ha Lan Thanh , Bastiaanssen Wim G. M.
Published: April 2023

The principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), conservation of natural capital, and water accounting requires Hydrological Eco-System Services (HESS) to be determined. This paper presents a modeling approach for quantifying the HESS framework using the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). SWAT was used–after calibration against remote sensing data–to quantify and spatially identify total runoff, natural livestock feed production, fuelwood from natural forests, dry season flow, groundwater recharge, root zone storage for carrying over water from wet to dry season, sustaining rainfall, peak flow attenuation, carbon sequestration, microclimate cooling, and meeting environmental flow requirements. The environmental value of the current land use and vegetation was made explicit by carrying out parallel simulations for bare soil and vegetation conditions and reporting the incremental ecosystem services. Geographical areas with more and fewer HESS are identified. The spatial and temporal variability of annual HESS services is demonstrated for the Day Basin—which is part of the Red River delta (Vietnam)—for the period 2003 to 2013. The result shows that even though the basin is abundant with HESS, e.g., 7482 m3/ha of runoff, 3820 m3/ha of groundwater recharge, the trend for many HESS values, e.g., micro-climate cooling, meeting environmental flow requirements, and rootzone storage, are declining. It is found and proven that quantified HESS indicators highlighted the provisioning and regulating characters of ecosystem services, as well as geographical hotspots across the basin. The SWAT model shows the capability of simulating terrestrial eco-hydrological processes such as climate, soil, and current land use. The methodology illustrates how eco-hydrologists can benchmark ecosystem values and include HESS in exploring river basin management scenarios, climate change studies, and land use planning.
Migration and Rural Sustainability: Relative Poverty Alleviation by Geographical Mobility in China
Authors: Xu Ning , Li Chang’an
Published: April 2023

Migration is an important way for rural labourers to break the uneven distribution of resources, earn more income and seek their own sustainable development. However, existing studies have focused more on rural–urban migration and less on geographical migration. Our study further enriches the existing research on poverty reduction and provides a theoretical reference for policy decisions to promote a balanced regional development. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) 2012–2020, we conduct benchmark estimates through linear probability models and estimate the impact of migration on the relative poverty of the rural labourer through binary probit models. The results show that migration could significantly reduce the likelihood of a relatively poor state of rural labourers by around 4%; the greater the distance of migration, the greater the effects; and migration of rural labourers in the central region has the largest and most significant relative poverty reduction effect. Furthermore, migration could also compensate for the disadvantages of rural labourers who are unemployed, less educated and in poor health, making them less likely to be relatively poor. We also use multiple linear models to examine whether migration has a significant income-boosting effect on the rural people and found a positive result in which the effect reaches its highest in the central region at 22.95%. Therefore, it is necessary to further break down the barriers to geographical migration of rural labourers, strengthen the public transportation system and pay greater attention to Central China in order to better promote balanced development among regions.
Educational Donors’ Expectations and Their Outcomes in the COVID-19 Era: The Moderating Role of Motivation during Sequential Evaluation Phases
Authors: Pan Huifeng , Ha Hong-Youl
Published: April 2023

Donors’ prior expectations of reinforcing satisfaction and favorable attitudes are predicted using Oliver’s satisfaction cycle model. This study aims to investigate how prior expectations drive sustainable donation behavior by demonstrating the moderating role of educational donors’ motivation to predict further participation behavior. Using three time-lag intervals, our findings show that the relationship between prior expectations (T1) and attitudes toward educational donation (T3) is positive on a longitudinal basis. While this relationship is negatively moderated by the role of donor motivation, the relationship between the expectation of satisfaction and attitudes toward educational donations is not significantly moderated by motivation. In particular, favorable attitudes toward educational donation increase rapidly when prior expectations are high, and motivation is low. This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence for the theoretical mechanisms of the satisfaction cycle model and practical insights for managers during educational donations events.
Manufacturing and Analysis of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Tapes Using a Novel Process Assembly
Authors: Hartung David , Celevics Stefanie , Hirsch Patrick , Jahn Ivonne , Kneisel Lovis , Kölzig Kay , Matthes André , Cebulla Holger
Published: April 2023

The natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic tape was produced using a novel process assembly that involves a drawframe and a double belt press. First, the state-of-the-art film-stacking process was modified through the integration of a drawframe to supply the natural fiber preforms for reinforcement, adding thermoplastics films as matrix material and processing them to a unidirectional tape (UD tapes) using a double belt press. Based on that, a new approach was investigated using a commingled sliver containing natural reinforcing and polymer matrix fibers to manufacture UD tapes. This leads to a reduced flow path of the matrix polymer, which is a decisive parameter for production efficiency. To ensure a homogeneous distribution and alignment of the fibers after gilling, the influence of various processing parameters on one another and the resulting UD tape quality were examined. As result, a draft ratio in the range of 10 ± 2, a low linear density (here 12 ktex) and general use of many thin in contrast to fewer heavier slivers is advisable. The differences in impregnation quality and thus the mechanical performances of the UD tapes from both processes were validated using scanning electron microscopy and mechanical testing. It was found that the commingled sliver composite had 10% higher flexural modulus and 34% higher flexural strength compared to the film-stacking-based composites. In conclusion, using commingled sliver could enable the increase in productivity and fiber volume fraction compared to film-stacking-based composites.
Life Cycle Assessment Applied to End-of-Life Scenarios of Sargassum spp. for Application in Civil Construction
Authors: Bueno Cristiane , Rossignolo João Adriano , Gavioli Letícia Missiatto , Sposito Camila Cassola Assunção , Tonin Fernando Gustavo , Veras Mariana Matera , Moraes Maria Júlia Bassan de , Lyra Gabriela Pitolli
Published: April 2023

Environmental risks and vulnerabilities in coastal regions include the massive deposits of brown algae of the genus Sargassum in regions such as the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and northern Brazil. Efforts have been made to turn this problem into an opportunity by seeking new uses for this biomass in the sectors of food, agriculture, health, biofuels, bioremediation, and civil construction. Thus, this study aimed to produce quantitative data for different end-of-life scenarios of the Sargassum algae, seeking for potential applications of this macroalgae in the civil construction sector. For this purpose, we conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) study of the Sargassum algae, in its natural destination, and evaluated its potential impact. This evaluation was then compared to the possible impacts of alternatives to their end of life, such as landfill disposal, drying and grinding to use as fibers or particles, burning the biomass to generate energy and fly ash, using a consequential LCA and the indicators of the ReCiPe 2016 method. For each of the proposed scenarios, the functional unit of 1 kg of the three types of unprocessed Sargassum algae that are found in the Brazilian deposits (natans I, natans VIII, and fluitans) was considered separately, and also for a composition that is closer to that found in the Brazilian deposits (50% fluitans, 15% natans I, and 35% natans VIII). The results for both natural decomposition scenarios demonstrated a dominant contribution to the categories of impact for climate change, marine eutrophication, and land use, thus justifying the search for new initiatives for the use of the algae. The burning process showed a significant contribution to most of the indicators, with emphasis on the massive generation of particulate, inherent to the biomass burning process; however, it showed a reduction in the magnitude of climate change emissions from around 47% to less than 2%. Finally, the proposed scenario of processing Sargassum biomass to obtain particles presented prevalence of magnitude for potential impact in most of the proposed indicators, due to the processes with high electricity consumption, but keeping climate change emissions’ relative reduction from 47% to 6%. Thus, new studies may further investigate the potential of application of these materials in different products and components of civil construction.
Evaluation of the Development Potential of Urban Underground Space Using Set Pair Analysis and the Comprehensive Weight Method
Authors: Lin Qiuxiang , Zou Baoping , Deng Yansheng
Published: April 2023

Recently, a series of urban diseases have seriously impacted the development of large and medium cities. The development of urban underground space (UUS) is widely regarded as an effective solution. Due to the irreversibility of underground space resources, it is important to formulate scientific and reasonable development planning based on evaluation of the development potential of urban underground space (DPUUS). In this work, from the perspective of society, economy, and environment, an evaluation model of the DPUUS was established, and nine indexes were selected, including population density, vehicle possessive quantity per 100 capita, policy support, GDP per capita, GDP per km2, land price, geographical position, geological conditions, and natural disasters. The comprehensive weight method (CWM) combined with subjective and objective weights was used to determine the final weight of the evaluation index. Set pair analysis (SPA) and the credible degree recognition criterion (CDRC) were applied to determine the DPUUS grade of each city, which can provide a new idea for DPUUS.
Using a Multi-Criteria Ranking Method to Assess Factors Influencing the Implementation of Sustainable Development at Higher Educational Institutions
Authors: Mrzygłocka-Chojnacka Jagoda , Ryńca Radosław
Published: April 2023

Over the last years, there has been a significant increase in interest in sustainable development in higher education institutions, and many have begun to implement sustainable development into their system. Several sustainable development assessment tools have also been developed to help universities systematically measure, monitor, benchmark, communicate, and manage their sustainable development efforts. These efforts have led to mixed results. It seems that one of the main reasons for this situation is the non-systematic and non-holistic approach to implementing sustainable development in universities. Thus, it can be assumed that the implementation of sustainable development in a university should cover all dimensions of its functioning and involve actors within it. Therefore, the aim of this article is to present a tool (inspired by the concept of university sustainability), based on the method of multicriteria rankings, for assessing the factors influencing the implementation of sustainable development in higher education institutions at the level of departments, as relatively autonomous wholes, based on the analysis of departments at one of the leading technical universities in Poland. The proposed tool provides an opportunity for a more holistic view of sustainable development implementation, both by prioritizing factors and by considering that higher education institutions are systems that are, in fact, composed of two distinct but necessarily cooperating subsystems: the academic subsystem and the administrative subsystem. The proposal is preliminary, but it seems that given the relevance and urgency of the sustainable development issue, this is the direction to take in research on sustainable development management in higher education institutions.
A Longitudinal Study Examining the Association between Cognitive Behavior and Rational Abilities and the Effect of Sleep Quality on Construction Laborers
Authors: Chandra Sathvik Sharath , Loganathan Krishnaraj , Awuzie Bankole Osita , Wang Faming
Published: April 2023

Construction laborers are constantly subjected to irregular work hours, leading to insomnia and poor sleep quality, which impacts cognitive and rational behavior. This negatively influences decision-making capabilities, resulting in accidents on site. This study determined the effect of sleep quality on the cognitive behavior and rational ability of construction laborers. A quantitative research design comprised of a questionnaire survey was conducted for data collection purposes. Respondents comprised a randomly selected sample of construction workers, and a statistical analysis of the results was performed to investigate existing correlations. Data were collected using questionnaires from 575 and 310 respondents in the initial and latter phases, respectively, from five construction companies in Southern India, and analyzed using inferential statistics. Shift work negatively affects both the early and late phases of rational abilities. A negative correlation was observed between age and disturbed rationality in the late phase, despite not being observed in the early phase. Gender, rational ability, age, shift work, sleep quality, and cognitive behavior were not correlated in either the early or late phases. Furthermore, age, shift work, and sleep quality were not correlated with cognitive behavior. Rather, sleep quality and shift schedules were associated with rational ability and cognitive behavior impairment. There was a transient relationship between insufficient sleep and the ability to make rational decisions. This study contributes to the current discourse regarding the improvement of the sleep health of construction workers to enhance their well-being and productivity.
Preventative Biofouling Monitoring Technique for Sustainable Shipping
Authors: Wu Dalian , Hua Jian , Chuang Shun-Yao , Li Junseng
Published: April 2023

Monitoring and evaluating the biofouling status of a ship’s hull and its effects on the vessel’s performance attracts the attention of both researchers and industry. In this study, two types of monitoring equipment were used to observe organism growth on two fishing vessels for approximately six months. Combining underwater photography technology with periodic cleaning methods can effectively prevent the occurrence of problems including hull biofouling. The monitoring system developed in this study is cheap and easy to operate, and can be stored on board and regularly operated by the crew to eliminate various issues below the waterline, which in turn enhances sustainable shipping.
Asset Structure, Asset Utilization Efficiency, and Carbon Emission Performance: Evidence from Panel Data of China’s Low-Carbon Industry
Authors: Dan Erli , Shen Jianfei , Zheng Xinyuan , Liu Peng , Zhang Ludan , Chen Feiyu
Published: April 2023

With the development of a low-carbon economy, corporate carbon emission performance has become an important premise for green financing. Compared with high-carbon industries, companies in low-carbon industries have their own carbon advantages and receive less attention. In order to highlight the value of carbon emission performance in low-carbon industries, further investigation on the basis of low-carbon industries is still needed. In terms of fixed assets, which are indicators for an important source of carbon emissions in intensive carbon industries, this study explores the relationship between asset structure, asset utilization efficiency, and carbon emission performance in low-carbon industries. This study selects Chinese listed companies from low-carbon industries that have disclosed their carbon emission performance from 2010 to 2021 as samples. The panel model is used for regression analysis, and then the Arellano-Bover/Blundell-Bond panel dynamic data model is used to solve the problem of endogeneity. The results show that the higher the fixed asset ratio, the worse the carbon emission performance. Asset utilization efficiency weakens the inhibitory effect of the fixed asset ratio on carbon emission performance. This study verifies the significant impact of fixed assets on the carbon emission performance of low-carbon industries as well as the promotion effect of asset utilization efficiency on carbon emission performance. Further investigation verified the promoting effect of corporate growth capabilities on carbon emission performance with two mechanisms, namely the relationship between fixed assets (independent variable)-asset utilization efficiency and (mediator)-corporate growth capabilities (dependent variable) or the relationship between asset utilization efficiency (independent variable)-corporate growth capabilities and (mediator)-fixed assets (dependent variable) from perspectives of enterprise value and expansion. This study expands the influencing factors of carbon emissions in low-carbon industries and is a theoretical supplement to a large number of high-carbon studies. At the same time, it also has certain implications for the carbon emission management practices of enterprises in low-carbon industries. It also reveals the urgency for the government and research institutions to clarify the carbon emission capacity of different fixed assets. Thus, it is convenient for low-carbon industries and high-carbon industries to carry out more refined carbon management and give full play to their carbon advantages.
Determining Factors on Green Innovation Adoption: An Empirical Study in Brazilian Agribusiness Firms
Authors: da Silva Alexandre Rodrigues , Cirani Claudia Brito Silva , Serra Fernando Antonio Ribeiro , Pigola Angélica , da Costa Priscila Rezende , Scafuto Isabel Cristina , Ruas Roberto Lima , Mazieri Marcos Rogério
Published: April 2023

Green innovation has become one of the mainstream concepts to address environmental issues. However, research on green innovation, especially at the firm level, is still evolving. Building upon the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and resource-based theory (RBT) lenses, this study proposes a research framework to explore determining factors of green innovation adoption (GIA) in the Brazilian cassava agribusiness sector. The research design from the semi-structured interviews method was employed in firms associated with ABAM (Brazilian Association of Starch and Cassava Producers) and SIMP (Union of Cassava Producers in Paraná). The findings suggest that behavioral factors for GIA, such as collaborative behaviors, productivity, safety behaviors, and green behaviors, are directly associated with other determining factors, such as knowledge, operating costs, stakeholder pressure, economic benefits, information access, customer assessment, organizational compatibility, and business support. Furthermore, GIA can lead to the effective implementation of sustainable practices to enhance economic performance and effective environmental management. The originality of this work stems from including behavioral factors for managers’ decision-making regarding resource allocation for GIA. It also includes a guideline to increase competitiveness in active green markets. It also contributes to a vision of GIA to evolve NRBV and RBT theories.
Assessment of Sustainability and Efficiency Metrics in Modern Methods of Construction: A Case Study Using a Life Cycle Assessment Approach
Authors: Hernández Héctor , Ossio Felipe , Silva Michael
Published: April 2023

The construction industry faces various sustainability challenges, and modern methods of construction (MMC) have been promoted as an effective alternative to mitigate environmental impact and improve productivity. However, to gain a thorough understanding of the benefits, there is a need for more objective data. To address this, the present study employs a simplified life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to evaluate a set of environmental and efficiency metrics in a case study. The study aims to demonstrate the benefits of using an MMC known as the “VAP system” by comparing it with its conventional counterpart built with reinforced masonry. Adopting the MMC resulted in significant reductions in embodied carbon (EC) and embodied energy (EE) related to materials, as well as a reduction in global warming potential (GWP), cumulative energy demand (CED), and construction waste. Additionally, it shortened delivery times and increased labor productivity. Furthermore, when both local and European parameters were considered in the evaluation, the percentage of materials circularity (PMC) was higher. The study concludes that the adoption of the MMC leads to higher sustainability by reducing carbon emissions, minimizing construction waste, and conserving resources. This research has significant implications for promoting the adoption of MMC globally, leading to more sustainable and efficient construction practices.
Integrating the STEAM-6E Model with Virtual Reality Instruction: The Contribution to Motivation, Effectiveness, Satisfaction, and Creativity of Learners with Diverse Cognitive Styles
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsuan , Lin Hao-Chiang Koong , Wang Tao-Hua , Wu Cheng-Hsun
Published: April 2023

In today’s digital age, where smartphones are ubiquitous among the younger generation, they can add to the cognitive load on the brain, even when not in use. This can affect students’ learning outcomes and creativity, leading to negative emotions or creativity blocks during the learning process. Thus, this study investigates the relationship between differences in students’ cognitive styles and their learning motivation, learning outcomes, creativity, and learning satisfaction. The primary objective is to use the STEAM-6E instructional model in virtual reality (VR) courses to understand how students with different cognitive styles can be stimulated to unleash their diverse and vibrant creativity based on their learning preferences during hands-on experiences. The study also aims to explore whether there are disparities in their learning motivation and learning outcomes, and whether there are differences in their overall learning satisfaction. The findings of the study indicate that for the two cognitive styles of holistic and sequential, the subjects showed significant differences in their learning motivation regarding intrinsic goals, extrinsic goals, task value, control beliefs, self-efficacy, and test anxiety. Significant differences were also observed in their learning preferences, learning outcomes, and creative performance. However, the two groups had no significant differences in the effectiveness, efficiency, and overall satisfaction of the learning activities.
Research on the Impact of Urban Expansion on Habitat Quality in Chengdu
Authors: Xie Xiaoling , Zhu Qi
Published: April 2023

Land use changes caused by urban expansion have a significant impact on regional ecological environment and biodiversity. Exploring the impact of urban expansion on habitat quality can guide the future sustainable development path and ecological conservation of cities. The InVEST model was used to evaluate the habitat quality indices of Chengdu in the three periods covering 2000, 2010 and 2020; land use intensity was used to quantitatively characterize the projection of urban expansion on spatial structure and then analyze the impact of urban expansion on habitat quality; we then proposed a spatial control zoning strategy. The results show that: (1) from 2010 to 2020, construction land in Chengdu grew by 140.58%, 5.52 times the expansion rate of the previous decade, as the city entered a phase of rapid development; (2) the center of gravity of construction land moved in a “back to the center-eastward” trajectory and the city shifted to a compact expansion development pattern; (3) urban expansion was an important cause of habitat quality decline as the overall habitat quality in Chengdu was on a degradation trend, with a spatial distribution of habitat quality characterized by high habitat quality in the eastern and western regions and low habitat quality in the central region; and (4) habitat quality and land use intensity showed a significant negative spatial correlation. The study area was dominated by two clusters: “high land use intensity–low habitat quality” and “low land use intensity–high habitat quality”. The results of the study show that researchers can protect high-quality habitat space in cities, improve habitat quality in areas of habitat degradation in urban expansion, and guide the green and sustainable development of urban land use in the future.
Structuring and Measuring Environmental Sustainability in the Steel Sector: A Single Case Study
Authors: Tolettini Laura , Di Maria Eleonora
Published: April 2023

Climate change policies are affecting the economic and structural viability of European Union (EU) industries, particularly in the energy-intensive sector, with very challenging goals of EU Agenda 2030 in terms of CO2 reductions and energy efficiency. This ecological transition can be supported by the employment of innovative technologies, enabling production process efficiency, resource optimization and supply-chain integration. Nevertheless, it is still empirically unclear how energy-intensive industries will complete their ecological transition successfully, especially in terms of achieving environmental sustainability practices within the organization and in the supply-chain without endangering their economic availability. Moreover, the assessment of environmental sustainability performance is still not a unique standard framework, causing loss of transparency and traceability towards internal and external stakeholders, such as managers, investors and business partners. With 20 qualitative interviews of customers and experts of a company leader in the steel construction sector in Italy and Germany, the Feralpi Group, this paper explores the implications of strategic environmental sustainability indicators, which can transparently assess company performance. Preliminary results underline how shared standardized indicators are fundamental for a tighter supply-chain integration, giving impulse and significance to the steel producers’ efforts for environmental sustainability excellence. Future research should further investigate the connection between environmental sustainability strategies and performance indicators for a more integrated sustainability framework.
A Multi-Subject Game-Based Operation Strategy for VPPs Integrating Wind-Solar-Storage
Authors: Liu Hengyu , Zhao Qingqi , Liu Yang , Xing Zuoxia , Hu Dawei , Zhang Pengfei , Zhang Zhi , Sun Jiazheng
Published: April 2023

Along with the continuous development of renewable energy sources (RES) such as wind power and photovoltaic, a large proportion of RES were connected to the power grid. However, the volatility and intermittency of RES threaten the safe and stable operation of the power system. Virtual power plants (VPPs) were introduced to solve such problems. In order to study the cooperation mode of integrating wind-solar-storage for multi VPPs, this paper established multi-objective individual and joint dispatching model for single VPP and multi VPPs with wind-solar-storage, respectively. Then, this paper analyzed the cooperation and the fair distribution of benefits between VPPs. By establishing the competitive strategies of the participating subjects and integrating the Shapley value to effectively distribute the benefits, the cooperative game theory was applied to effectively enhance the benefit in the VPP, to maximize the economic benefits, and to reduce the RES uncertainty risks and carbon emissions, which provided new ideas for the subsequent research on the optimal operation of RES and their engineering applications. NSGA-II was adopted to solve the multi-objective optimization problem. The strategy achieved a 10.1% reduction on the original peak load. It could effectively reduce the peak load of the VPP and ensure the accuracy of load regulation, to reach 12% of the total capacity of the VPP.
An Improved Multi-Objective Optimization and Decision-Making Method on Construction Sites Layout of Prefabricated Buildings
Authors: Yao Gang , Li Rui , Yang Yang
Published: April 2023

Construction site layout planning (CSLP) that considers multi-objective optimization problems is essential to achieving sustainable construction. Previous CSLP optimization methods have applied to traditional cast-in-place buildings, and they lack the application for sustainable prefabricated buildings. Furthermore, commonly used heuristic algorithms still have room for improvement regarding the search range and computational efficiency of optimal solution acquisition. Therefore, this study proposes an improved multi-objective optimization and decision-making method for layout planning on the construction sites of prefabricated buildings (CSPB). Firstly, the construction site and temporary facilities are expressed mathematically. Then, relevant constraints are determined according to the principles of CSLP. Ten factors affecting the layout planning on the CSPB are identified and incorporated into the method of layout planning on the CSPB in different ways. Based on the elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), an improved multiple population constraint NSGA-II (MPC-NSGA-II) is proposed. This introduces the multi-population strategy and immigration operator to expand the search range of the algorithm and improve its computational efficiency. Combined with the entropy weight and technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS), improved multi-objective optimization and decision for the CSLP model is developed on the CSPB. Practical cases verify the effectiveness and superiority of the algorithm and model. It is found that the proposed MPC-NSGA-II can solve the drawbacks of the premature and low computational efficiency of NSGA-II for multi-constrained and multi-objective optimization problems. In the layout planning on the CSPB, the MPC-NSGA-II algorithm can improve the quality of the optimal solution and reduce the solution time by 75%.
Flat Roofs Renovation Planning on Public Buildings Using Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Analysis
Authors: Rogulj Katarina , Jajac Nikša , Batinić Katja
Published: April 2023

Renovation of flat roofs typically involves repairing or replacing the existing roof to improve its performance and extend its lifespan. The renovation process may include a range of tasks depending on the condition of the roof, such as repairing leaks, replacing damaged or deteriorated materials, adding insulation, or upgrading drainage systems. This research aim was to establish the priority of renovation of flat roofs of the public building based on the principles of multi-criteria analysis and fuzzy set theory, using the multi-criteria method PROMETHEE II in fuzzy logic form (F-PROMETHEE II). The proposed approach is adequate due to its ability to transform the uncertain and vague information received from an expert into a fuzzy number. This way, the objective outcome can be obtained, the criteria conflict removed and the alternatives ranking and mutual comparison enabled. It was necessary to analyze the existing literature, the flat roofs of a public building in terms of their current condition, and define the main goals and criteria for the roof renovation project. Based on the defined goals and criteria, the roofs are evaluated and ranked according to the priority for renovation. The planning process of renovation of flat roofs was carried out specifically on the building of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy in Split.
Groundwater Modeling to Assess Climate Change Impacts and Sustainability in the Tana Basin, Upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia
Authors: Khadim Fahad Khan , Dokou Zoi , Lazin Rehenuma , Bagtzoglou Amvrossios C. , Anagnostou Emmanouil
Published: April 2023

Climate change effects on long-term groundwater (GW) resource developments in the Tana Basin, Ethiopia, are a growing concern. Efforts to provide estimates under various climatic uncertainties are lacking in the region. To address this need, we deployed a fine-resolution (500 m) GW model using MODFLOW-NWT for the Tana Basin, Upper the Blue Nile region. The GW model was calibrated based on 98 historical instantaneous well-level measurements (RMSE = 16.36 m, 1.6% of range), and 38 years of monthly lake level data (RMSE = 0.2 m, 6.7% of range). We used the model to simulate long-term climate change impacts by considering two representative concentration pathways, (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5, from the two extreme global circulation models (MIROC5 for wetter conditions and CSIRO-Mk3 for drier conditions) available in the region. While the MIROC5 simulated GW table (GWT) was found to be stable, the CSIRO-Mk3 simulated GWT exhibited large fluctuations within +2 m to −4 m by 2100 due to climate change. More critical impacts were predicted for the lake, where total lake releases from the baseline scenario were foreseen to be changed by +50% (MIROC5) or −22% (CSIRO-Mk3) by the end of 2100.
Comparative Study on the Leaching Characteristics of Cd Passivated in Soils under Continuous Simulated Acid Rain
Authors: Hu Chao , Dai Yujun , Hu Hongqing , Li Changchun , Chen Kailiang , Tang Yafang
Published: April 2023

The in situ passivation is considered a feasible and effective remediation for moderately and lowly heavy-metal-polluted soil. Under natural precipitation, the continuous leaching characteristics of heavy metals with the immobilizers are unclear and require more study for practical applications. In this work, calcium superphosphate (CS) and activated carbon (AC) were added as stabilizers to passivate Cd in hydromorphic paddy (HP) and gray fluvo-aqvic (GF) soils. Simulated acid precipitation at different pH and salt concentrations were used as eluents. The leachate and soil were collected to analyze the stability and fraction changes of Cd. The results showed that with the eluents from 120–200 mL to 200–250 mL, the leached Cd increased and reached the highest concentration and then gradually decreased. Comparative analysis showed that the two passivators in GF soil had higher application values than those in HP soil, while AC showed 3–77 times the capacity of CS in multiple conditions. The addition of AC conversed the exchangeable and oxidized states of Cd to the residual and reduced states, while the addition of CS conversed the exchangeable and reduced states of Cd to the residual and oxidized states. The above results can provide important references for the immobilization of heavy metal cations in soil and the sustainable utilization of soil.
Predicting the Behavioral Intention of Greek University Faculty Members to Use Moodle
Authors: Lavidas Konstantinos , Papadakis Stamatis , Filippidi Andromachi , Karachristos Christopher , Misirli Anastasia , Tzavara Aggeliki , Komis Vassilis , Karacapilidis Nikos
Published: April 2023

An emerging area of research is the study of factors that influence the use of e-learning systems in higher education. Previous studies have mainly focused on the factors that influence the adoption of learning management systems (LMS) from the student’s point of view, and rarely from the point of view of the university lecturers. Moodle is an open-source LMS that has been used increasingly by the higher education community worldwide in the past few years. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that explain the acceptance of Moodle by academic personnel (faculty members) in the Greek higher education system. The convenience sample consists of 85 lecturers from different universities in Greece. All of them reported having used Moodle. Using the technology acceptance model, the correlations between the six latent variables (perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, behavioral intention to use, perceived self-efficacy, subjective norms, and technology complexity) were examined. Five of the eight hypotheses were supported by variance base structural equation modelling. The total explained variance of the faculty members’ behavioral intention to use Moodle was estimated to be 68.3%. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use had a high overall effect. Subjective norms, self-efficacy, and technological complexity influenced the teachers’ intentions to adopt Moodle. This study recommends training as well as technical support for academic personnel. In addition, stakeholders should address these factors to increase usability, awareness of new opportunities for the educational community, accessibility, and the general dissemination of the benefits of learning management systems in education.
Mapping Forest Fire Risk Zones Using Machine Learning Algorithms in Hunan Province, China
Authors: Tan Chaoxue , Feng Zhongke
Published: April 2023

Forest fire is a primary disaster that destroys forest resources and the ecological environment, and has a serious negative impact on the safety of human life and property. Predicting the probability of forest fires and drawing forest fire risk maps can provide a reference basis for forest fire control management in Hunan Province. This study selected 19 forest fire impact factors based on satellite monitoring hotspot data, meteorological data, topographic data, vegetation data, and social and human data from 2010–2018. It used random forest, support vector machine, and gradient boosting decision tree models to predict the probability of forest fires in Hunan Province and selected the RF algorithm to create a forest fire risk map of Hunan Province to quantify the potential forest fire risk. The results show that the RF algorithm performs best compared to the SVM and GBDT algorithms with 91.68% accuracy, 91.96% precision, 92.78% recall, 92.37% F1, and 97.2% AUC. The most important drivers of forest fires in Hunan Province are meteorology and vegetation. There are obvious differences in the spatial distribution of seasonal forest fire risks in Hunan Province, and winter and spring are the seasons with high forest fire risks. The medium- and high-risk areas are mostly concentrated in the south of Hunan.