bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can a Short Food Supply Chain Create Sustainable Benefits for Small Farmers in Developing Countries? An Exploratory Study of Vietnam
Authors: Bui Thi Nga , Nguyen An Ha , Le Thi Thu Huong , Nguyen Van Phuong , Le Thi Thanh Hao , Tran Thi Thanh Huyen , Nguyen Ngoc Mai , Le Thi Kim Oanh , Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh , Nguyen Thi Thu Trang , Dao Hong Van , Doan Thi Ngoc Thuy , Vu Thi Hang Nga , Bui Viet Hung , Hoa Huu Cuong , Lebailly Philippe
Published: February 2021

A number of studies have indicated that short food supply chains could create economic, social, and environmental benefits, but most of those chains were implemented in developed countries. This research aims to find out the characteristics of short food supply chains and their benefits to small farmers in Vietnam, which is a developing country, based on the survey results from 338 small farmers in the third quarter of 2020, with the support of Stata 14 software. The results showed that the short food supply chains in the survey sample in Vietnam were characterized by two main actors: small farmers and distributors. Farmers could sell products flexibly at the local market. There was some initial evidence to prove that these chains helped to stabilize the input, output price, and revenue; formulated sustainable income; and increased the satisfaction and confidence of farmers. They eliminated gender discrimination in rural areas and improved livelihood for ethnic minorities. These chains also enhanced the mindset on green, organic, and clean production of farmers, which in turn created environmental benefits. COVID-19 has posed a negative impact on the income of farmers and made them change their production and sales method. Therefore, the research could suggest some policies to sustainably develop the short food supply chains in Vietnam in the future.
A Novel Policy to Optimize Energy Consumption for Dairy Product Warehouses: A Case Study
Authors: Almutairi Khalid , Esfahani Elham Manoosi , Mostafaeipour Ali , Issakhov Alibek , Kaewpraek Chila , Techato Kuaanan
Published: February 2021

Worldwide energy supply is mostly reliant on fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide emissions have caused many negative environmental issues like climate change, air pollution, and energy security. An important alternative to this hazard is substituting the fossil fuel-based carbon energy sources with renewable energy sources. Passive strategies, which are devised to provide thermal comfort in buildings are examples of how to use renewable energies. For this study, a dairy product warehouse in the city of Yazd in Iran was thoroughly investigated. The main goal of this study is to introduce different scenarios, then identifying them based upon optimization of energy consumption. Another main purpose of the present study is to maximize the use of passive energy to meet the cooling needs of a dairy products warehouse in the studied area. Underground temperature is lower than the surface in summer, also it is higher in winter. Therefore, this property of soil is investigated by using nine different scenarios at different heights for constructing underground warehouse for storing dairy products. Clearly, different renewable tools like wind turbine, wind catcher, solar chiller, and different roof designs by Savanah grass, roof pond are also investigated. At first, the cooling load of the warehouse is calculated separately for each season. Then, according to the energy load values obtained, the nominated scenarios are investigated. The results of the comparisons show that the construction of a warehouse at a depth of 3 m from the ground with a green roof covered with Savannah grass helps achieve the best degree of reduction in the cooling power.
On the Way to Integrate Increasing Shares of Variable Renewables in China: Experience from Flexibility Modification and Deep Peak Regulation Ancillary Service Market Based on MILP-UC Programming
Authors: Bu Yinhe , Zhang Xingping
Published: February 2021

China has declared ambitious carbon emission reduction targets and will integrate increasing shares of variable renewables for the next decades. The implementation for flexibility modification of thermal power units and deep peak regulation ancillary service market alleviates the contradiction between rapid capacity growth and limited system flexibility. This paper establishes three flexibility modification schemes and two price rules for simulation and proposes an analysis framework for unit commitment problem based on mixed-integer linear programming to evaluate the policy mix effects. Results confirm the promoting effects of flexibility modification on integrating variable renewables and illustrate diverse scheme selections under different renewables curtailment. Particularly, there is no need for selecting expensive schemes which contain more modified units and more developed flexibility, unless the curtailment decrement is compulsorily stipulated or worth for added modification cost. Similarly, results also prove the revenue loss compensation effect of deep peak regulation ancillary service market and illustrate diverse price rule selections under different curtailment intervals. Price rule with more subdivided load intervals and bigger price differences among them is more effective, especially under the higher requirement for curtailment rate. Therefore, the government should further enlarge flexibility modification via but not limited to more targeted compensation price, while generators should further consider a demand-based investment.
Establishing Merger Feasibility Simulation Model Based on Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making Method: Case Study of Taiwan’s Property Management Industry
Authors: Chien Li-Ming , Tu Kung-Jen
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this study is to propose a feasible operational evaluation model for property mergers. It is expected that through the merger of enterprises, the comprehensive improvement of business management and the promotion of logistics supply resources will be effectively promoted, so that enterprises can effectively reduce operating costs and achieve maximum profits. This study uses the modified Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process method to find out the key factors of the common dilemmas in Taiwan’s property management companies, and the weight of their impact on the operation. Finally, we use the expected utility theory to develop a valuation model for whether the property is suitable for integration, and to evaluate this, the result is used as a reference indicator for merger operations. After 30 years of vigorous development in Taiwan’s property management companies, due to fierce market competition, most of the companies have reduced their profitability in the face of common dilemmas. The study found that the merger model should be accurately evaluated by the evaluation model. The sharing of logistics resources can indeed bring about the benefits of investment and marketing to the merger, and improve the profitability of the company. At the time of writing, there is no research on such a combined analysis of the property management industry in Taiwan. This research method uses multiple decision analysis theory and utility theory to develop a decision-making model that is suitable for consolidation. It can also be applied to the assessment of mergers in other fields, such as the clean service industry, real estate brokerage and other industry merger assessments. This is also the biggest contribution of this research paper.
Basic Psychological Needs and Their Association with Academic Factors in the Spanish University Context
Authors: Chacón-Cuberos Ramón , Lara-Sánchez Amador Jesús , Castro-Sánchez Manuel
Published: February 2021

Motivational development represents a key element for academic performance in the university context. A non-experimental study with a cross-sectional and ex post facto design through a single measurement in a single group was conducted. The sample was made up of a total of 2736 university students (♂ = 33.8% (n = 924); ♀ = 66.2% (n = 1812)) belonging to a total of 19 Spanish universities. The main instrument used was the Basic Psychological Needs scale, using the IBM SPSS 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) software for data analysis. The results showed that the need for autonomy was higher in social sciences students, those who accessed their studies through vocational training and those who attended their degree in person. In addition, this need was positively related to score, but inversely related to age and grade. The need for competence was higher in students who studied in private centers, those who accessed their university studies through other ways and those students who studied online. Likewise, this need was directly related to the score. Finally, it should be noted that the need for relationships was higher in university students from public institutions, students who accessed their studies through vocational training and those who studied in face-to-face universities. The need for a relationship correlated positively with the score, although with less strength than other needs. In this way, the relevance of various academic factors in the motivational development of students can be established, from which various educational implications are derived in order to favor academic performance.
Evaluation of Food Waste at a Portuguese Geriatric Institution
Authors: Liz Martins Margarida , Henriques Ana Sofia , Rocha Ada
Published: February 2021

Care institutions attending to older adults are responsible for their food supply, which influences their health and quality of life. Food waste at care institutions has been reported to be a matter of great concern, that requires regular monitoring. In this study, we aim to quantify food waste in the food service of an elderly institution, both as leftovers and plate waste. Data collection was performed over 15 consecutive days, at lunch and dinner served to older adults. The aggregate weighing of food was performed before and after distribution, as well as after consumption. Leftovers and plate waste were calculated by the differences in weight. During the study period, 2987 meals were evaluated, corresponding to 1830 kg of food produced, of which only 67% was consumed. For each meal, approximately 610 g of food was produced per older adult, and only about 410 g were consumed, corresponding to 150 g of leftovers and 50 g of plate waste. Food waste represented 36.1% of meals served, composed of 24.1% leftovers and 12.0% plate waste. The wasted meals would be enough to feed 1486 older adults and would correspond to annual losses of approximately €107,112. Leftovers and plate waste were above the limits of acceptability (below 6% and 10%, respectively), indicating excessive food waste. High values of leftovers are related to the food service system and staff, pointing to the need for improvements during the planning and processing of meals. On the other hand, high plate waste values are associated with consumers, indicating the low adequacy of the menu regarding to older adults’ habits and preferences.
Typology of Medium-Sized Cities in Spain Using PCA (Principal Component Analysis)
Authors: Cebrián-Abellán Francisco , González-González María-Jesús , Vallejo-Pascual María-Eva
Published: February 2021

This article analyses processes of change undergone by Spanish medium-sized cities during 1981–2011 on the one hand, and 2000–2018 on the other, as they are different sources. We established a classification to show the importance of this type of city starting from the hypothesis that the process is a generalised one in which they behave according to their position in the territory. The dynamics of change are predominantly associated with contexts of economic expansion. The typology was generated based on population and housing variables, which synthesise the role played by economic activity in each city. Additional methodologies were used: firstly, the bibliography on medium-sized cities in different social and cultural contexts was reviewed; secondly, statistical data were selected, compiled and processed using multivariant statistical analyses, and the results mapped. A study of 133 cities was carried out and absolute values and variation rates used to understand the processes of change. As a result, seven representative groups were obtained. The conclusions of the study can be corroborated by different sources.
Slow-Release Urea as a Sustainable Alternative to Soybean Meal in Ruminant Nutrition
Authors: Salami Saheed A. , Devant Maria , Apajalahti Juha , Holder Vaughn , Salomaa Sini , Keegan Jason D. , Moran Colm A.
Published: February 2021

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using a commercial slow-release urea product (SRU; Optigen®, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY, USA) as a partial replacement for vegetable protein sources in cattle diets. The first experiment was an in vitro rumen fermentation that evaluated the effect of replacing soybean meal (SBM) nitrogen with nitrogen from either SRU or free urea in diets varying in forage:concentrate ratios. The second experiment examined the effect of replacing SBM with SRU on in situ dry matter and nitrogen degradability in the rumen. In the third experiment, a feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing SBM (0% as-fed SRU) with 1% or 3% as-fed SRU on feed carbon footprint (CFP; total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the life cycle of feed raw materials) and the toxicity potential of SRU in growing beef cattle. Results showed that replacing SBM with SRU up to 1.3% did not negatively affect in vitro rumen fermentation parameters. Supplementing SRU favourably decreased ruminal accumulation of ammonia and lactic acid when compared to free urea. There was no significant effect on effective rumen degradability of dry matter and nitrogen when one-third of SBM was replaced by SRU in the in situ study. Compared with the 0% SRU diet, feed CFP decreased by 18% and 54% in 1% SRU and 3% SRU diets, respectively. Additionally, feeding up to 3% SRU diet to beef cattle did not affect health and intake, and blood hematological and biochemical indices were within the physiological range for healthy bulls, suggesting no indication of ammonia toxicity. Overall, these results indicate that SRU can be used as a sustainable alternative to partially replace vegetable protein sources in ruminant diets without compromising rumen function and health of ruminants.
Exploring the Motivations of Suppliers in the Collaborative Economy: A Sustainability Approach
Authors: Vicente María Rosalía , Gil-de-Gómez Carlos
Published: February 2021

In recent years, the collaborative economy has drawn a lot of academic attention. Most research has focused on the consumer side, whereas the evidence regarding individuals as providers is scarce. Based on the triple-p (planet, people, profit) framework of the sustainability approach, this paper empirically investigates the reasons that lead individuals to offer services in the collaborative economy. Using microdata from representative samples of national populations in the member states of the European Union, Heckman-type probit models have been estimated for the provision of transport and accommodation collaborative services. The results show that the decision to provide is largely shaped by individuals’ sociodemographic features. Social and environmental reasons are found to drive the decision to provide transport services. Meanwhile, economic reasons appear to be the key drivers behind the offering of accommodation services.
Urban Green Infrastructure Inventory as a Key Prerequisite to Sustainable Cities in Ukraine under Extreme Heat Events
Authors: Khalaim Oleksandra , Zabarna Olena , Kazantsev Taras , Panas Ihor , Polishchuk Oleksandr
Published: February 2021

The frequency of extreme heat effects has recently increased in European cities due to climate change. The problem appears to be critical in urban areas where manmade structures significantly alter the temperature balance, thus highlighting the importance of sustainable management and proper inventory of urban green zones. Based on this, the paper provides a case study on using a combination of open-access and low-cost urban greenery inventory methods that could be used by municipal governments and private land managers to estimate the contribution of urban trees to the mitigation of urban heat impacts. The research focuses on the urban greenery inventory of courtyards in high-rise residential districts of the city of Kyiv (Ukraine), aiming to estimate the adapting potential of urban vegetation against heatwaves. Visual and thermal satellite images of Kyiv enabled us to estimate how the density of buildings and greenery is distributed and analyze the surface temperature in residential districts. A UAV thermal imaging survey was made in four selected locations with varying vegetation coverage, followed by leaf-based field instrumental analysis of photosynthetic activity in selected city tree species at hot temperatures. In addition, 16 portable temperature and humidity sensors were installed in shaded and sunlight-exposed areas of the locations in focus to assess the microclimate formation impact of trees in a high-rise residential courtyard. The Ukrainian legislation on the management of green spaces in cities was reviewed to find out whether it promotes the shaping of comfortable microclimates in residential districts; follow-up recommendations were made on how to improve the applicable provisions.
Sustainable Agri-Food Processes and Circular Economy Pathways in a Life Cycle Perspective: State of the Art of Applicative Research
Authors: Stillitano Teodora , Spada Emanuele , Iofrida Nathalie , Falcone Giacomo , De Luca Anna Irene
Published: February 2021

This study aims at providing a systematic and critical review on the state of the art of life cycle applications from the circular economy point of view. In particular, the main objective is to understand how researchers adopt life cycle approaches for the measurement of the empirical circular pathways of agri-food systems along with the overall lifespan. To perform the literature review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol was considered to conduct a review by qualitative synthesis. Specifically, an evaluation matrix has been set up to gather and synthesize research evidence, by classifying papers according to several integrated criteria. The literature search was carried out employing scientific databases. The findings highlight that 52 case studies out of 84 (62% of the total) use stand-alone life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the benefits/impacts of circular economy (CE) strategies. In contrast, only eight studies (9.5%) deal with the life cycle costing (LCC) approach combined with other analyses while no paper deals with the social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) methodology. Global warming potential, eutrophication (for marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems), human toxicity, and ecotoxicity results are the most common LCA indicators applied. Only a few articles deal with the CE assessment through specific indicators. We argue that experts in life cycle methodologies must strive to adopt some key elements to ensure that the results obtained fit perfectly with the measurements of circularity and that these can even be largely based on a common basis.
Extending Natural Limits to Address Water Scarcity? The Role of Non-Conventional Water Fluxes in Climate Change Adaptation Capacity: A Review
Authors: Ricart Sandra , Villar-Navascués Rubén A. , Hernández-Hernández Maria , Rico-Amorós Antonio M. , Olcina-Cantos Jorge , Moltó-Mantero Enrique
Published: February 2021

Water consumption continues to grow globally, and it is estimated that more than 160% of the total global water volume will be needed to satisfy the water requirements in ten years. In this context, non-conventional water resources are being considered to overcome water scarcity and reduce water conflicts between regions and sectors. A bibliometric analysis and literature review of 81 papers published between 2000 and 2020 focused on south-east Spain were conducted. The aim was to examine and re-think the benefits and concerns, and the inter-connections, of using reclaimed and desalinated water for agricultural and urban-tourist uses to address water scarcity and climate change impacts. Results highlight that: (1) water use, cost, quality, management, and perception are the main topics debated by both reclaimed and desalinated water users; (2) water governance schemes could be improved by including local stakeholders and water users in decision-making; and (3) rainwater is not recognized as a complementary option to increase water supply in semi-arid regions. Furthermore, the strengths–weaknesses–opportunities–threats (SWOT) analysis identifies complementary concerns such as acceptability and investment in reclaimed water, regulation (cost recovery principle), and environmental impacts of desalinated water.
An Empirical Analysis of Driving Factors and Policy Enablers of Heritage Adaptive Reuse within the Circular Economy Framework
Authors: Ikiz Kaya Deniz , Pintossi Nadia , Dane Gamze
Published: February 2021

The adaptive reuse of cultural heritage has been recognized as a driver of the circular economy. It stimulates economic growth, boosts its inherent values, and reduces material usage and energy consumption. It can be regarded unviable due to financial constraints, limitations in regulatory frameworks and lack of engagement in decision-making. To tackle these challenges, this study aims to examine the drivers and related policy instruments that support adaptive reuse practices, and to analyze the usefulness and feasibility of a set of multi-level policy enablers at varying local contexts. In this context, we first conducted a semi-systematic review of academic and gray literature and identified 19 driving factors and associated policy documents. These instruments were concentrated on administrative, regulatory and financial tools. This analysis led to the identification of policy enablers that can be adopted at three levels: European, national and local. An online survey was then conducted to investigate how a variety of local stakeholders in the selected case cities and region evaluate the adaptability of these enablers in their individual cases. The findings show that all the assessed enablers are deemed useful and feasible to a certain extent with higher score of usefulness, confirming the adaptability of these instruments into the circular economy framework. These evidence-based results can inform future policies at multiple-levels that will accelerate and scale up circular actions through heritage adaptive reuse.
Increasing Sustainability through Wine Tourism in Mass Tourism Destinations. The Case of the Balearic Islands
Authors: Serra-Cantallops Antoni , Ramón-Cardona José , Vachiano Margarita
Published: February 2021

This study explores the potential contribution to economic and cultural sustainability of fostering wine tourism activity in a Mediterranean mature mass tourism destination like the Balearic Islands. A causal model was designed linking winery visitors’ satisfaction with both the local wines and the visit to the winery and future purchasing intentions as well as the interest in the destination cultural offer, global satisfaction with the trip, and image of the destination. Field research was carried out within the wineries where a questionnaire was administered personally to a sample of 200 winery visitors. The managers of the wineries were contacted previously to ensure their cooperation in the research. The statistical method used for the analysis of the exploratory causal model was the Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression. Results indicate that there is a great growth potential for wine tourism activity in the islands with important positive externalities on gastronomic tourism and the overall image of the Islands. Results show that wine tourism might boost the sales and exports of wine in the medium and long term. Finally, it can be concluded that there are important synergies between rural tourism, mass tourism, and wine tourism in the islands which are still not sufficiently optimized, and that greater support to wine tourism development could contribute not only to a more sustainable rural development but also to a more sustainable tourist activity overall within a more diversified economy.
Application of Refined Kano’s Model to Shoe Production and Consumer Satisfaction Assessment
Authors: Lo Chi-Hung
Published: February 2021

Many industries are labor-intensive and energy- and resource-consuming. A sustainable development plan is necessary for the industries as industrial structures have been changing recently. Taiwan’s shoe industry also has experienced such changes and requires a sustainable product development plan for continuous development. Therefore, this study aims to propose a new method by introducing a model of sustainable product development to facilitate the sustainable development of the industry. By taking air-cushioned casual shoe production as an example, this study suggested the refined Kano quality model for exploring the product attributes that improved the customers’ satisfaction. The refined Kano model that was established with interviews and questionnaire surveys was effective to define the product attributes that contributed to satisfying the customers and understanding their perception of product attributes. In the air-cushioned casual shoe production, the model found function, design, innovation, marketing, and service to be important for manufacturers to develop products with limited. It also suggested the priority be put on the attributes of high value-added quality, key quality, and potential quality. The model helped manufacturers decide which product attributes they need to invest in and develop. The relation of product attributes and consumer satisfaction for a sustainable product development model was also found by using the refined Kano model. The result of this study is expected to apply to various industries for establishing an appropriate sustainable product development model.
Illumination Policies for Stichococcus sp. Cultures in an Optimally Operating Lab-Scale PBR toward the Directed Photosynthetic Production of Desired Products
Authors: Psachoulia Paraskevi , Chatzidoukas Christos
Published: February 2021

The light spectrum effect on the cultivation efficiency of the microalgae strain Stichococcus sp. is explored, as a means of potentially intensifying the biomass productivity and regulating the cellular composition. Stichococcus sp. batch culture experiments, within a 3 L bench-top photobioreactor (PBR), are designed and implemented under different light spectrum profiles (i.e., cool white light (WL), cool white combined with red light (WRL), and cool white combined with blue light, (WBL)). The obtained results indicate that the studied strain is capable of adapting its metabolite profile to the light field to which it is exposed. The highest biomass concentration (3.5 g/L), combined with intense carbohydrate accumulation activity, resulting in a respective final concentration of 1.15 g/L was achieved within 17 days using exclusively cool white light of increasing intensity. The addition of blue light emitting diodes (LED) light, combined with appropriately selected culture conditions, contributed significantly to the massive synthesis and accumulation of lipids, resulting in a concentration of 1.43 g/L and a respective content of 46.13% w/w, with a distinct impact on biomass, carbohydrates and proteins productivity. Finally, a beneficial contribution of red LED light to the protein synthesis is recognized and this can be conditionally amplified provided nitrogen sufficiency in the culture medium.
Spatial Econometric Analysis of Road Traffic Crashes
Authors: Sipos Tibor , Afework Mekonnen Anteneh , Szabó Zsombor
Published: February 2021

Keeping the basic principles of sustainable development, it must be highlighted that decisions about transport safety projects must be made following expert preparation, using reliable, professional methods. A prerequisite for the cost–benefit analysis of investments is to constantly monitor the efficiency of accident forecasting models and to update these continuously. This paper presents an accident forecasting model for urban areas, which handles both the properties of the public road infrastructure and spatial dependency relations. As the aim was to model the urban environment, we focused on the road public transportation modes (bus and trolley) and the vulnerable road users (bicyclist) using shared infrastructure elements. The road accident data from 2016 to 2018 on the whole road network of Budapest, Hungary, is analyzed, focusing on road links (i.e., road segments between junctions) by applying spatial econometric statistical models. As a result of this article, we have developed a model that can be used by decision-makers as well, which is suitable for estimating the expected value of accidents, and thus for the development of the optimal sequence of appropriate road safety interventions.
The Utilization of Supervised Classification Sampling for Environmental Monitoring in Turin (Italy)
Authors: Salata Stefano
Published: February 2021

In a world threatened by climate change, the need to observe the land transformation is crucial to set environmental policies. One of the most prominent issues of environmental monitoring is the availability of updated and reliable land use data. The last land-use release in Piedmont Region (Italy) is in 2010, while the most updated Normalized Difference Vegetation Index is in 2016. To overcome this limit, in this study, a supervised classification sampling has been applied on a Sentinel-2 image produced by the Copernicus Program on 29 September 2020, using Esri ArcGIS (ver.10.8 Redlands, California, US) by accessing via ONDA-DIAS services to L2A products. After land classification, three maps were generated—the Habitat Quality, the Habitat Decay, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. This study aimed at classifying the environmental status in five classes ranging from “critical” to “health” with a double perspective—(i) to make a comparative metropolitan assessment between municipalities and (ii) to evaluate the quality of urban public green areas in the city of Turin while defining a different kind of intervention. Results indicate that products derived from supervised classification sampling can be applied in a wide range of applications while reaching seasonal monitoring of the environmental status and delivering just-in-time solutions.
Integrating Japanese Local Government and Communities into the Educational Curriculum on Regional Sustainability Inside the UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks
Authors: Mammadova Aida
Published: February 2021

This study analyzes whether biosphere reserves (BR) and geoparks (GP) can serve as platforms to contribute to education for sustainable development by integrating local authorities and communities into the educational process. For two years, we conducted the integrated course named “UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks”, with a total number of 143 students. The curriculum was carefully designed together with the local government and community members. Both BR and GP increased the awareness and knowledge of regional sustainability and served as educational platforms to integrate the local government and communities inside the academic curriculum. Students replied that their knowledge about the BR and GP was raised by 83% and 92%, respectively. Practical field trips showed an increased awareness of the locals’ efforts towards regional sustainable development. Both BR and GP provided site-specific knowledge and functioned as the learning platform to teach about the linkage of human–nature interaction towards regional sustainable development. Most of the students expressed that BR helped them to analyze the situation at the issue-oriented community level (76%), whereas GP helped them to think broadly about the relation of humans with the Earth at the global level (89%).
Livestock Keepers’ Attitudes: Keystone of Effective Community-Based Breeding Programs
Authors: Zoma-Traoré Bienvenue , Probst Lorenz , Ouédraogo-Koné Salifou , Soudré Albert , Ouédraogo Dominique , Yougbaré Bernadette , Traoré Amadou , Khayatzadeh Negar , Mészáros Gábor , Burger Pamela Anna , Mwai Okeyo Ally , Sölkner Johann , Wurzinger Maria , Martin-Collado Daniel
Published: February 2021

Livestock keepers in southwestern Burkina Faso hold the local Lobi taurine breed, local Zebu cattle, and their crosses. Some communities in the region have begun to implement community-based cattle breeding programs (CBBPs), which involve animal tagging and recording and, potentially, also bull sharing. Based on the hypothesis that the participation of livestock keepers in CBBPs depends on their attitudes towards these programs, we used questionnaires to survey the attitudes of 125 farmers towards cattle breeding strategies and tools. Results were analyzed using principal component analysis. Farmers showed a highly positive attitude towards maintaining the features of their preferred cattle breed, but their attitudes varied substantially towards crossbreeding for breed improvement. Farmers generally agreed that performance was more important than animal appearance, and most of them were willing to cooperate with breeders’ associations but were skeptical about sharing their bulls with other farmers. The majority was reluctant to record performance data, which may be due to a capacity deficit and their confidence in being able to select the best animals based purely on phenotype. Our analysis suggests that breeders’ associations, as a key component of CBBPs, should lay down clear rules and obligations for their members from the outset. Timely consideration of farmers’ attitudes towards different breeding tools may improve their uptake and guarantee the sustainability of CBBPs.
An Appraisal of Communication Practices Demonstrated by Romanian District Public Health Authorities at the Outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Cernicova-Buca Mariana , Palea Adina
Published: February 2021

Communication during an ongoing crisis is a challenging task that becomes even more demanding during a public health crisis. Early in the start of the pandemic, global leaders called upon the public to reject infodemics and access official sources. This article focuses on the communicative aspects of health services management, with a particular focus on the communication strategy of the Romanian district public health authorities during the COVID-19 lockdown, as seen on official websites and social networks. The 15 most affected districts were selected, according to the officially reported health cases. The issued press releases and the posts on Facebook pages show an uneven experience on the part of district authorities in dealing with public information campaigns. In addition, the results of the study indicate a lack of sustainable communication approaches as well as the need of professional training and strategy in dealing with the public health crisis. From a communication point of view, a strategic approach on behalf of the public health sector is crucial to enhance the preparedness of appropriate institutions to act during emergencies and to respond to the needs of the media and the public with timely, correct, and meaningful information.
The Geo-Social Model: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Flow-Type Landslide Analysis and Prevention
Authors: Acuña Valentina , Roldán Francisca , Tironi Manuel , Juzam Leila
Published: February 2021

Landslide disaster risks increase worldwide, particularly in urban areas. To design and implement more effective and democratic risk reduction programs, calls for transdisciplinary approaches have recently increased. However, little attention has been paid to the actual articulation of transdisciplinary methods and their associated challenges. To fill this gap, we draw on the case of the 1993 Quebrada de Macul disaster, Chile, to propose what we label as the Geo-Social Model. This experimental methodology aims at integrating recursive interactions between geological and social factors configuring landslide for more robust and inclusive analyses and interventions. It builds upon three analytical blocks or site-specific environments in constant co-determination: (1) The geology and geomorphology of the study area; (2) the built environment, encompassing infrastructural, urban, and planning conditions; and (3) the sociocultural environment, which includes community memory, risk perceptions, and territorial organizing. Our results are summarized in a geo-social map that systematizes the complex interactions between the three environments that facilitated the Quebrada de Macul flow-type landslide. While our results are specific to this event, we argue that the Geo-Social Model can be applied to other territories. In our conclusions, we suggest, first, that landslides in urban contexts are often the result of anthropogenic disruptions of natural balances and systems, often related to the lack of place-sensitive urban planning. Second, that transdisciplinary approaches are critical for sustaining robust and politically effective landslide risk prevention plans. Finally, that inter- and trans-disciplinary approaches to landslide risk prevention need to be integrated into municipal-level planning for a better understanding of—and prevention of—socio-natural hazards.
An Approach to Accessible Serious Games for People with Dyslexia
Authors: Jaramillo-Alcázar Angel , Venegas Eduardo , Criollo-C Santiago , Luján-Mora Sergio
Published: February 2021

Dyslexia is a cognitive disorder that affects the evolutionary ability to read, write, and speak in people, affecting the correct learning of a large percentage of the population worldwide. In fact, incorrect learning is caused because the educational system does not take into consideration the accessibility parameters that people with dyslexia need to maintain a sustainable educational level equal to others. Moreover, the use of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, has been deployed in education programs, offering many benefits; however, the lack of accessibility of those devices creates new barriers to students with dyslexia that hinder their education. With the aim of reducing these barriers, this paper presents an approach to the development of accessible serious games games for children with dyslexia. As a case study, a serious game based on a previously proposed serious game development method and a new set of accessibility guidelines for people with dyslexia is presented. The main purpose of the serious video game is to improve the treatment of dyslexia, through the collection of data obtained from two puzzles designed to train certain cognitive areas that affect this disability. This article has a double contribution: on the one hand, the guidelines and the method that can help video game developers and therapists to develop accessible serious games for people with dyslexia and, on the other hand, the two specific serious games that can be used by therapists, family members and people with dyslexia themselves.
To Dine, or Not to Dine on a Cruise Ship in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Tripartite Approach towards an Understanding of Behavioral Intentions among Female Passengers
Authors: Radic Aleksandar , Lück Michael , Al-Ansi Amr , Chua Bee-Lia , Seeler Sabrina , Raposo António , Kim Jinkyung Jenny , Han Heesup
Published: February 2021

Given that cruise line companies are rushing to restart their operations with modified dining services, the aim of this research is to establish a conceptual framework that precisely outlines female passengers’ behavioral intentions towards dining on cruise ships in the time of the COVID-19 crisis. It does so by extending the theory of reasoned action (TRA) by including the social servicescape of the cruise ship dining experiencescape (stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) paradigm) and perceived health risk from COVID-19 (the prospect theory). The developed theoretical framework based on this tripartite approach has predictive power for intentions. Its effectiveness and comprehensiveness are also demonstrated. Despite the positive effect of the social servicescape on attitude and emotions and the positive attitude of female cruise travelers, the negative effect of the perceived health risk from COVID-19 appears to be the dominant factor that ultimately discourages the behavioral intentions of female cruise passengers towards dining on a cruise ship in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present research provides a crucial guiding framework that helps cruise academics and operators to maximize existing and potential passengers’ favorable decisions and behaviors for cruise ship dining.
Economic Transformation and Sustainable Development through Multilateral Free Trade Agreements
Authors: Jung Jaewon
Published: February 2021

For sustainable economic development, a continuous and successful economic transformation is critical, and supporting economic transformation requires a better understanding of the close interaction between technology and skill at the micro- and macro-levels. The technology-skill links should especially be important in today’s globalized world. This paper develops a large-scale global Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model by incorporating recent theoretical advances in international trade: Heterogeneous workers endogenously sort into different technologies based on their comparative advantage, and aggregate productivity is determined by skill-technology assignment in equilibrium. We then calibrate our model to a real-world data set, and investigate how multilateral free trade agreements affect individual member states, as well as outside countries and regions in the case of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Overall, the results show considerable real productivity gains and economic transformation effects, due to technology-upgrading mechanisms.
A Systemic Approach for Sustainability Implementation Planning at the Local Level by SDG Target Prioritization: The Case of Quebec City
Authors: Tremblay David , Gowsy Sabine , Riffon Olivier , Boucher Jean-François , Dubé Samuel , Villeneuve Claude
Published: February 2021

The success of the 2030 Agenda hinges on mobilization at the local level. The localization of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their targets involves adapting them to local contexts. This case study of Quebec City, Canada, illustrates how the use of a systemic sustainability analysis tool can help integrate SDGs in the building of a sustainable development strategy at the local level. Our approach focuses on the use of an SDG target prioritization grid (SDGT-PG) and begins with the mobilization and training of a group of officers representing various city services. We first used an original text-mining framework to evaluate SDG integration within existing strategic documents published by the city. The result provides a portrait of existing contributions to SDG targets and identifies potential synergies and trade-offs between services and existing policies. A citywide prioritization workshop was held to assess the relative importance of SDG targets for the city. Priorities were then identified by combining the importance of the targets as viewed by stakeholders, the current level of achievement of SDG targets as determined by the analysis of existing documents, and the jurisdiction and responsibilities given to Quebec City in regard to federal and provincial legislation. We identified the main focus areas and related SDG targets. Furthermore, we observed whether actions needed to be consolidated or new actions needed to be implemented. The identification of synergies and trade-offs within the city service actions provides information on the links to be made between the different municipal services and calls for partnerships with other organizations. The use of the SDGT-PG allows the vertical and horizontal integration of the SDG targets and demonstrates how participation and inclusion facilitate stakeholders’ appropriation of the applied sustainable development strategy.
Mobile Augmented Reality Heritage Applications: Meeting the Needs of Heritage Tourists
Authors: Yin Celine Zhao Ying , Jung Timothy , tom Dieck M. Claudia , Lee Maria Younghee
Published: February 2021

As competition intensifies, value co-creation with tourists is essential for successful implementation of mobile augmented reality (AR) heritage applications. This study therefore aims to identify heritage tourists’ needs and involvement when developing mobile AR heritage applications using a grounded theory approach. Since AR applications are still in their infancy in the tourism industry the grounded theory approach was employed. Fifty in-depth interviews were conducted in Macau’s World Heritage Sites. The interview transcripts were analyzed by the open coding method with the NVivo software, the process of axial coding and the selective coding method. This study generated new requirements for mobile AR heritage applications that reflect the needs of the Asian tourist market, which are different from those of the European tourist market. The characteristic of tourist empowerment and the association between co-creation and tourism were also identified. This study contributes to provide a theoretical framework for designing mobile AR heritage applications and has implications for mobile AR application developers and tourism practitioners.
Chilling and Heat Accumulation of Fruit and Nut Trees and Flower Bud Vulnerability to Early Spring Low Temperatures in New Mexico: Meteorological Approach
Authors: Djaman Koffi , Koudahe Komlan , Darapuneni Murali , Irmak Suat
Published: February 2021

Fruit and nut trees production is an important activity across the southwest United States and this production is greatly impacted by the local climate. Temperature is the main environmental factor influencing the growth and the productivity of the fruit and nut trees as it affects the trees’ physiology and the vulnerability of flower bud, flowers, and young fruit and nut to the low temperatures or spring frost. The objective of the present study is to estimate the chilling and heat accumulation of fruit and nut trees across New Mexico. Three study sites as Fabian Garcia, Los Lunas, and Farmington were considered and climate variables were collected at hourly time step. The Utah model and the Dynamic model were used to estimate the accumulated chilling while the Forcing model was used for the heat accumulation. The possible fruit and nut trees endodormancy and ecodormancy periods were also determined at the study sites. The results obtained chilling hours of 715 ± 86.60 h at Fabian Garcia, 729.53 ± 41.71 h at Los Lunas, and 828.95 ± 83.73 h at Farmington using the Utah model. The accumulated chill portions during trees’ endodormancy was 3.12 ± 3.05 CP at Fabian Garcia, 42.23 ± 5.08 CP at Los Lunas, and 56.14 ± 1.84 CP at Farmington. The accumulated heat was 8735.52 ± 1650.91 GDH at Fabian Garcia, 7695.43 ± 212.90 GDH at Los Lunas, and 5984.69 ± 2353.20 GDH at Farmington. The fruit and nut trees are at no risk of bud flowers vulnerability at Fabian Garcia while they are under high risk of bud flowers and or young fruit and nut vulnerability to low temperatures early spring as hourly temperature can still drop below 0 °C in April at the end of ecodormancy and flower blooming and young fruits and nuts development stage at Los Lunas and Farmington. Severe weather, especially frost conditions during winter and early spring, can be a significant threat to sustainable nut and fruit production in the northern New Mexico while high chilling requirement fruit and nut trees might not meet chill requirements in the southern New Mexico.