bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Tourism to the Part of Transboundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve “Mura-Drava-Danube”. A Case of Serbia, Croatia and Hungary
Authors: Trišić Igor , Privitera Donatella , Štetić Snežana , Petrović Marko D. , Radovanović Milan M. , Maksin Marija , Šimičević Dario , Stanić Jovanović Sara , Lukić Dobrila
Published: May 2022

Biosphere reserves are protected areas vital for the preservation of living and inanimate nature, including the protection of anthropogenic values and cultural heritage. The basins of the Mura, Drava, and Danube rivers stretch through Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Hungary, and Serbia and form a unique spatial unity. The Biosphere Reserve concept defines about 300,000 hectares of core and buffer zones and around 700,000 hectares of transition zones. This large, primarily marshy area is rich in natural and cultural heritage. This area is called “the Amazon of Europe” and represents the world’s first Transboundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, “Mura-Drava-Danube,” among five countries. This biosphere reserve is important for the preservation of the natural and cultural values of the entire region. Especially rare plant and animal representatives live in this unique geographical unity. Some species inhabit only this area. A total of 900,000 people living around this reserve have a rich cultural tradition and heritage that needs to be protected. The objective of the research is to examine the function that the selected protected areas have in the sustainable development of tourism. Quantitative methodology was used in the research. An analysis of the conducted questionnaire was performed using the SPSS v.21 software, as well as a comparative analysis of the attitudes of 1295 residents from three countries. Residents’ attitudes refer to the level of ecological, economic, socio-cultural, and institutional sustainability of this biosphere reserve as a tourist destination. The research results indicate that the four dimensions of sustainability have significant values and that the selected areas have an important function in the sustainable development of tourism.
Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Construction Work Progress: An On-Site Analysis from the Sarawak Construction Project, Malaysia
Authors: Gara Jawa Anak , Zakaria Rozana , Aminudin Eeydzah , Yahya Khairulzan , Sam Abdul Rahman Mohd , Loganathan  , Munikanan Vikneswaran , Yahya Muhamad Azani , Wahi Noraziah , Shamsuddin Siti Mazzuana
Published: May 2022

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the economy of the world as well as the construction industry in Malaysia. Many projects were plagued with time and cost overruns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Site work progress came to an abrupt halt, and productivity stagnated. With that in mind, this study was conducted on the basis of first-hand experience in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected the construction industry. This study investigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on construction projects in Sarawak, Malaysia. The target respondents were the clients, consultants, and contractors involved in projects under the purview of the Public Works Department Sarawak. The purpose of the research was to obtain a better understanding of the current situation, in readiness for a similar situation in future. To achieve the objectives of the research, a questionnaire survey of current ongoing projects was used for this study’s data collection purpose. To analyse the data, SPSS version 26 and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method were used to achieve frequency analysis and to determine the priority importance of the effects of this pandemic on those construction projects. The findings of this study provide necessary information to construction stakeholders in Sarawak on how to deal with such pandemics in the future and to create awareness, foster resiliency, connote preventive measures, avert delays, and manage progress control.
Design and Implementation of Machine Vision-Based Quality Inspection System in Mask Manufacturing Process
Authors: Park Minwoo , Jeong Jongpil
Published: May 2022

With the advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution, research on anomaly detection in the manufacturing process using deep learning and machine vision is being actively conducted. There have been various attempts to innovate the manufacturing site by adopting advance information technologies such as machine vision, machine learning, and deep learning in many manufacturing processes. However, there have been no cases of designing and implementing these technologies at the mask manufacturing site, which is essential to tackle COVID-19 pandemic. The originality of this paper is to implement sustainability in the mask manufacturing environment and industrial eco-system by introducing the latest computer technology into the manufacturing process essential for pandemic-related disasters. In this study, the intention is to establish a machine vision-based quality inspection system in actual manufacturing process to improve sustainable productivity in the mask manufacturing process and try a new technical application that can contribute to the overall manufacturing process industry in Korea in the future. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to specifically present hardware and software system construction and implementation procedures for inspection process automation, control automation, POP (Point Of Production) manufacturing monitoring system construction, smart factory implementation, and solutions. This paper is an application study applied to an actual mask manufacturing plant, and is a qualitative analysis study focused on improving mask productivity. “Company A” is a mask manufacturing company that produces tons of masks everyday located in Korea. This company planned to automate the identification of good and defective products in the mask manufacturing process by utilizing machine vision technology. To this end, a deep learning and machine vision-based anomaly detection manufacturing environment is implemented using the LAON PEOPLE NAVI AI Toolkit. As a result, the productivity of “Company A”’s mask defect detection process can be dramatically improved, and this technology is expected to be applied to similar mask manufacturing processes in the future to make similar manufacturing sites more sustainable.
Aerial Monitorization—A Vector for Ensuring the Agroecosystems Sustainability
Authors: Iagăru Pompilica , Pavel Pompiliu , Iagăru Romulus , Șipoș Anca
Published: May 2022

This paper is based on the modernization of work processes in agriculture by ensuring the efficient management of land and equipment and the acquisition of inputs given the specific natural variation in environmental conditions. Specifically, the paper highlights research from a dual perspective, descriptive and explanatory, according to the methodology of the case study conducted in the field of the agricultural enterprise SC AgriConsorțium SRL, located in the S–W of Romania, by adopting the spatial technology for the aerial monitorization of agricultural crops and for signalizing, in real time, the changes and vulnerabilities of the agroecosystem in order to function and develop sustainably. The research aims to promote spatial technologies to monitor crop growth resources, crop vegetation conditions, the real-time signaling of changes, and vulnerabilities in the agroecosystem. The research study’s results highlight the role of the aerial monitoring of crops and rapid signaling of changes in the agroecosystem, such as vegetation conditions, plant density, quality of applied work, and the destruction of crops by overgrazing for the rapid and relevant assessment of affected areas and damage. The case study of the paper is a modern, innovative, and sustainable tool for digitizing agricultural enterprises to obtain accurate information on changes in the agroecosystem and to adopt a geographical information system for recording and managing data specific to cultivated areas and their use in providing studies and reports necessary for state institutions, respectively, in order to support and guide the decision-making process. The obtained results are the basis for future research on the interpretation and use of information obtained by drones.
Legume Integration Augments the Forage Productivity and Quality in Maize-Based System in the Loess Plateau Region
Authors: Soe Htet Maw Ni , Wang Honglu , Yadav Vivek , Sompouviseth Thongsouk , Feng Baili
Published: May 2022

The changing climate, inadequate water supply, insufficient agricultural inputs, decreasing in agricultural arable land areas under forage crops of Northwestern Loess Plateau region, expanding livestock population, increasing demands for meat and milk production, and food and feed security concerns all insist on a necessary requirement in forage quality production. Cereal–legume mixed-cropping is a biological approach to enhancing herbage yield and quality of upgraded animal feed (forage and silage). However, little information exists about the appropriate mixing seeding ratios and its impacts on yield and quality. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the forage yield and nutritional quality of maize (Zea mays L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in mono-and mixed-cropping approaches at the seeding proportions of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 45:55, 25:75, and 0:100 in 2019 and 2020 in Northwestern Loess Plateau region. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was used in this experiment. The results indicated that forage quality was significantly affected by the mixture ratios. The land equivalent ratio (LER) of all mixed-cropping treatments greater than 1.0, in which maize–common bean at the 50:50 seeding ratio achieved higher LER (1.46) than that of other treatments, showing that mixed-cropping combination systems are better users of land resources. Laboratory forage quality analysis and Pearson correlation analysis showed that the relative feed value had highly positive correlation with total digestible nutrients and relative forage quality in mixed-cropping treatments. Our results showed that fresh forage yield and dry matter yield were higher in monocropped maize forage than in other intercropped forages, whereas crude protein yield was lower compared with other mixed cropping forages. After 60 days of ensiling, the highest organic acid profile and ammonia-nitrogen were observed in M25:CB75 silage compared with other silages. The highest ensilability of fermentation coefficient was also found in M50:CB50 compared with other intercropped silages. Regarding forage preservation, silage showed higher contents of crude protein, relative feed value and lower crude fiber, water-soluble carbohydrate neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber contents than forage. This study determined that the ratios of maize–common bean 25:75 and 50:50 were the most desirable mixture ratios among mixed-cropped forage and silage based on chemical composition and quality analysis for livestock feeding.
A Temporal Perspective in Eco2 Building Design
Authors: Schneider-Marin Patricia , Lang Werner
Published: May 2022

The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector has great potential and responsibility for reducing its considerable resource consumption and high share of global emissions. However, economic factors are often cited as barriers to more environmentally friendly solutions in building design. Hence, environmental and economic life cycle assessment (LCA and LCC) are of utmost importance in building design. They serve as the base methodologies for what we call the “Eco2” framework. In this context, monetary valuation of multiple environmental impacts allows to integrate the results as a basis for design decisions. A case study representative of small-scale office buildings in Germany illustrates the Eco2 framework and shows the influence of temporal parameters (discount rates and price changes), as well as of differing monetary valuation, on the ranking of design options. Varying the temporal parameters affects the ranking of different solutions for the structure and finishes of the case study building but not for its mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems and operation. However, the ratio of environmental life cycle cost (eLCC) to financial life cycle cost (fLCC) is significantly higher for MEP systems and operation than for the structure and finishes. This investigation shows that it is possible to achieve simultaneous emission and cost savings, whereas temporal factors can decisively influence decision making in design processes.
Defining the “Hip Factor”: Analysis of Location Properties, SNS Usage, and Other “Hip-Place” Characteristics That Influence Visitor Satisfaction
Authors: Ryu Saebae , Kim Saehim , Cho Mi-Jeong , Lee Myeong-Hun
Published: May 2022

A “hip place” (a shop, neighborhood, communal outdoor space, district, etc.) offers something unique, lively, and attractive to people. Business areas that are considered hip places often gain popularity through social network services, especially among young people. However, the recent decline of “hip” businesses has led to increased closure rates for small businesses and increased social costs individually and nationally. The purpose of the study was to clarify the characteristics that allow for the sustainability of hip businesses and the surrounding areas. This study analyzed location properties, SNS usage, and other “hip-place” characteristics that influence visitor satisfaction and explored the implications. A survey was directly conducted among millennials aged 20–39 years in the popular Eulji-ro 3 and 4 districts of Seoul, Korea, a place to gain popularity as a new “hip place”. This study focused on a comparison of factors influencing visitor satisfaction between users and non-users of Instagram and how Instagram usage behavior and location characteristics affect visitors’ “hip-place” satisfaction. Ordinal logistic regression was conducted; overall satisfaction was the dependent variable, and the location characteristics and Instagram usage behavior were independent variables. The results showed a difference in the satisfaction factors between Instagram users and non-users among hip-place visitors. Customer satisfaction included walking safety, cultural event experience, preference for a new place, quality, service, atmosphere, photo conformity, and uploading frequency. The results provide empirical evidence and implications for the management of future commercial areas and businesses considered as “hip places”.
Applying the Technology Acceptance Model to Elucidate K-12 Teachers’ Use of Digital Learning Platforms in Thailand during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Songkram Noawanit , Osuwan Hathaiphat
Published: May 2022

With the emergence of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020, educational institutions had to rapidly adapt from face-to-face to online learning to ensure continued education. Various digital learning platforms were tools for online teaching. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the acceptance of technology and behavioral intentions to use digital learning platforms of K-12. Toward this end, the study employed the technology acceptance model as a framework and was expanded with various variables, including technology self-efficacy, subjective norms, and facilitating conditions. An online questionnaire collected data from 519 K-12 teachers in Thailand. The structural equation modeling approach tested the proposed model. The results demonstrated that attitude and subjective norms significantly influenced behavioral intentions toward use, whereas perceived usefulness and ease of use directly influenced attitudes. Moreover, technology self-efficacy, subjective norms, and facilitating conditions influenced perceived ease of use. The findings can serve as a reference for teachers, school administrators, and policymakers in increasing the acceptance of digital learning platforms among future teachers.
The Tripartite Evolution Game of Environmental Governance under the Intervention of Central Government
Authors: Zhu Yongming , Niu Lanxiao , Zhao Zheyun , Li Jing
Published: May 2022

Environmental pollution management is about the sustainable development effects of enterprises and the quality of life of people. However, the frequent occurrence of various types of enterprises polluting the environment in recent years has revealed many problems, such as the lack of monitoring by relevant central agencies, the ineffective supervision by local governments, and the failure of public complaints. This paper considers the rent-seeking phenomenon of enterprises in pollution prevention and control, constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model between enterprises, local governments and central government, analyzes the evolutionary stability of each participant’s strategy choice, explores the relationship between the influence of each factor on the strategy choice of the three parties, and further analyzes the stability of the equilibrium point in the tripartite game system. The results show that there is no evolutionary equilibrium strategy in the current Chinese environmental governance system; the reward and punishment policies of the local government and central government have a guiding effect on the strategy choices of enterprises in a short period of time, but the guiding effect will gradually weaken after a period of time, and cannot completely curb the irregular strategies of enterprises; the dynamic reward scheme can effectively alleviate the fluctuation of the game system and make the strategy choices of enterprises converge to the ideal state.
The Determinants of the Growth of the European Bioplastics Sector—A Fuzzy Cognitive Maps Approach
Authors: Konti Aikaterini , Mamma Diomi , Scarlat Nicolae , Damigos Dimitris
Published: May 2022

The extensive use of plastics and the environmental burden associated with their disposal have attracted the attention of scientists, politicians and citizens in Europe. In this frame, the EU has adopted a European Strategy for Plastics aiming, on the one hand, at reducing the use of plastic and, on the other hand, promoting their reuse in the context of a circular economy directly linked with the recently adopted Bioeconomy Strategy. Bioplastics could be an alternative to the conventional plastics, but they still have a limited share in the market. In this paper, Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs), a soft computing technique for analysing complex decision-making problems, is applied to identify the factors acting as drivers or barriers towards a bio-based plastics industry, their relative importance and the interactions between them. Experts with diverse backgrounds (technical experts, policy makers, industry executives) were interviewed in order to capture their perceptions and create a collective FCM capturing the strong and the weak points of the system. The collective FCM has a total number of 38 factors, which reflect the different approaches and knowledge of the experts. Overall, the “bio-based plastics” system is influenced mainly by the following factors: “EU Legislation”, “Monomers purity”, “Properties of the product”, “Recycling potential”, “Research & Development”, “National Legislation” and “Production cost”. The effect of the most significant political, social and techno-economic factors on the potential growth of the bioplastics sector has also been examined via simulations. The analysis demonstrated that the model is affected more (is more sensitive) to shifts in technoeconomic factors.
Simulation-Assisted Learning about a Complex Economic System: Impact on Low- and High-Achieving Students
Authors: Fu Jingyuan , Sun Meng , Wang Minhong
Published: May 2022

Sustainable learning requires students to develop knowledge and skills for survival in increasingly complex and dynamic environments. The development of systems thinking skills for exploring complex dynamic systems is regarded as crucial to sustainable learning. To facilitate student thinking and learning about complex systems, computer simulations have been widely promoted. However, learning using computer simulations involves complex cognitive processes, which may impose a high level of cognitive demand on learners, especially on low achievers. It remains unclear whether and how high- and low-achieving students may benefit differently from learning with computer simulations. To address the gap, we conducted this study with university students who participated in simulation-assisted learning about the economy as a complex system. The results show that the students developed subject knowledge and systems thinking skills by the end of the study; high-achievers outperformed low-achievers in a subject knowledge test, but there were no significant differences between the two groups in their systems thinking skills, cognitive load, and affective experience. The findings indicate that both low- and high-achieving students can benefit from simulation-assisted learning of a complex system. In addition to developing systems thinking skills, there is a need to help students to improve the construction of their subject knowledge when learning with computer simulations.
The Evolution of Sustainability Ideas in China from 1946 to 2015, Quantified by Culturomics
Authors: Zhang Danqing , Huang Guowen , Zhang Jiaen , Hou Xiaoyu , Zhou Tianyi , Chang Xianyuan , Ge Ying , Chang Jie
Published: May 2022

Economy and ecology are two main aspects of human sustainable development. However, a comprehensive analysis of the status and trends of economic and ecological cognition is still lacking. Here, we defined economic and ecological concepts as cultural traits that constitute a complex system representing sustainability ideas. Adopting a linguistic ecology perspective, we analysed the frequency distribution, turnover and innovation rates of 3713 concepts appearing in China’s mainstream newspaper, People’s Daily, from 1946 to 2015. Results reveal that: (1) In the whole historical period, there were more economic concepts than ecological concepts both in amount and category. Economic concepts experienced stronger cultural drift than ecological concepts tested by the neutral model of cultural evolution; (2) popular economic concepts became more diversified, but popular ecological concepts became more uniform; (3) both economic concepts and ecological concepts attained more variation in their own disciplinary domains than in cross-disciplinary domains; and (4) as a platform of both giving information and opinion, a newspaper is subjected to cultural selection, especially reflected in the change in ecological concepts under the context of Chinese ecological civilization construction. We concluded with a discussion of promoting vibrant and resilient ecological knowledge in fostering sustainability activities and behaviours.
Urban Shrinking Cities in Romania and The Netherlands—A Possible Policy Framing
Authors: Țăruș Raisa , Dezsi Ștefan , Crăciun Andreea M. , Pop Florin , Tudorache Claudia E.
Published: May 2022

In the last decades of the 20th century, the patterns of urban shrinkage defined a worldwide phenomenon. They are visible in all developed regions, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, on the background of the economic growth trajectories and social health improvements. Despite this fact, the public discourse in a post-socialist country such as Romania is only focused on urban decline and its demographic dynamics sliding, when in fact urban shrinkage is more advanced, even to the point of becoming a selective phenomenon in developed countries such as The Netherlands. Our focus on urban shrinkage was driven by the fact that Romania can develop a policy framing regarding urban shrinkage, using example practices from a developed country such as The Netherlands. Moreover, it can learn how to deal with urban shrinkage effects by establishing certain differences which can cope with veritable lessons from both sides. This paper firstly investigates the urban shrinkage phenomenon observed in three cities in Romania and in three cities in The Netherlands. Secondly, it presents an analysis of demographic statistical data using the shift-and-share method to emphasize the persistence of urban shrinkage in the age structure of the total population of shrinking cities from both regions. Thirdly, it offers some lessons from both countries, finally presenting a mutual learning framework that can be applied to other regions in Europe.
Improving Understanding and Management of Uncertainty in Science-Informed Collaborative Policy Processes
Authors: Lilburne Linda , Robson-Williams Melissa , Norton Ned
Published: May 2022

Decision making in natural resource management must deal with uncertainty. This can be very challenging when there is high uncertainty in the system being managed, particularly when participatory processes are used that potentially involve a wide range of stakeholders with competing interests and values, and where technical resources are limited. In the first phase of the research, a formal review of how uncertainty was managed in a collaborative and community-centred policy process to set water quality and water quantity limits in the Selwyn Waihora catchment in New Zealand. Three recommendations for improvement were identified: (i) increase the transparency of the nature and level of uncertainty considered, (ii) expand the types or sources of uncertainty considered, and (iii) apply a systemic and systematic approach to identifying and prioritising uncertainties. In the second phase, this led to the development of a five-stage conceptual framework incorporating a number of steps and tools designed to facilitate understanding, communicating, and managing uncertainty. The framework was tested and refined using the data from the original Selwyn Waihora policy process. This paper describes our framework, which was found to support understanding, managing, and communicating uncertainty in collaborative processes tasked with developing new environmental policy, despite time and resource constraints.
Modeling the Impact of Weather and Context Data on Transport Mode Choices: A Case Study of GPS Trajectories from Beijing
Authors: Otim Timothy , Dörfer Leandro , Ahmed Dina Bousdar , Munoz Diaz Estefania
Published: May 2022

Over the years, researchers have been studying the effects of weather and context data on transport mode choices. Existing research studies are predominantly designed around travel surveys, but the accuracy of their findings relies on how travelers give accurate and honest answers. The proliferation of smartphones, however, now offers the possibility of utilizing GPS positioning data as an alternative information source, opening the potential to accurately model and better understand factors which influence transport mode choices, compared to travel surveys. The objective of this work is to develop a model to predict the transport mode choices based on GPS trajectories, weather and context data. We use 2671 GPS trajectories from the Geolife GPS trajectories dataset, weather data, such as temperature and air quality, and context data, such as rush hour, day/night time and onetime events, such as the Olympics. In the statistical analysis, we apply both descriptive and statistical models, such as the multinomial logit and probit models. We find that temperature has the most prominent effect among weather conditions. For instance, for temperatures greater than 25 °C, the walking share increases by 27%, and the bike share reduces by 21%, which is line with the results from several survey-based studies. In addition, the evidence of government policy on transport regulation is revealed when the air quality becomes hazardous, as people are encouraged to use environmentally friendly transport mode choices, such as the bike instead of the bus or car, which are known CO2 emitters. Our conclusion is that GPS trajectories can be used as a means to model passenger behavior, e.g. the choice of transport mode, in a quantitative way, which will support transport mode operators and policy makers in their efforts to design and plan the transport mode infrastructure to best suit the passengers’ needs.
Effect of Plant Buffer Zone–Antifouling Curtain Wall on Reducing Non-Point Source Pollution in Paddy Fields, China
Authors: Jin Binbin , Liu Xinna , Tan Junyi , Shao Xiaohou , Cheng Jing
Published: May 2022

In view of the nitrogen and phosphorus non-point source pollution caused by paddy field drainage in southern China, two paddy fields in Nanjing and Yuyao cities were selected to study the effect of plant buffer zone–antifouling curtain walls on reducing non-point source pollution. The results showed that the designed plant buffer zone–antifouling curtain wall systems could significantly reduce the concentration of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in drainage of the two paddy fields. Compared with paddy field drainage in Nanjing, the interception rate of TN in the plant buffer zone and antifouling curtain wall were 33.0% and 59.3%, respectively; the removal rates of TP were about 18.4% and 40.3%, respectively. In addition, the contents of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) were also significantly reduced. For the Yuyao experimental area, compared to the paddy field without the soil plant buffer zone (the control), the concentration of each indicator in the discharge water of the paddy fields with the soil plant buffer system operation mode was significantly reduced, the rejection rate of the TP, TN, total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), NO3-N and NH3-N were 64.28%, 70.66%, 83.73%, 65.22% and 80.69%, respectively. In summary, the construction of a plant buffer zone–antifouling curtain wall (soil plant buffer zone) has an obvious effect on the reduction of non-point source pollution in paddy fields, which could improve yield and fertilizer utilization. The plant buffer zone–antifouling curtain wall could be popularized and applied in local areas and southern China.
Evidence of the Anthropic Impact on a Crustacean Zooplankton Community in Two North Patagonian Lakes
Authors: Norambuena Juan-Alejandro , Poblete-Grant Patricia , Beltrán Jorge F. , De Los Ríos-Escalante Patricio , Farías Jorge G.
Published: May 2022

Lately, agriculture, livestock, forestry, and aquaculture activities have been greatly developed in Chilean North Patagonia, negatively impacting the balance of the environmental conditions in lakes and affecting the development and survival of several native species. The aim of this study was to assess the anthropic impact on a zooplankton community in two North Patagonian lakes. We collected samples from four sites belonging to Lake Icalma and Lake Llanquihue, including four replicates per site. Water samples were analyzed for physicochemical characteristics and zooplankton communities. We focused on the presence of Daphnia pulex, a species of zooplanktonic crustacean that performs a key role in capturing energy from primary producers to deliver it to final consumers such as fish. We found that Llanquihue showed higher total phosphorus, nitrogen, copper, iron, manganese, total dissolved solids (TDS), and conductivity (EC) than Icalma. Furthermore, ecological variables were greatly decreased due to total P, total N, manganese, copper, total dissolved solids, and conductivity, which changed the species dominance of the zooplankton community in Llanquihue, indicating some degree of anthropization. This study provides fundamental information on the anthropogenic impact on water quality, as well as on zooplankton diversity, highlighting the importance of monitoring the health of these North Patagonia freshwater ecosystems.
Factors Influencing Earthworm Fauna in Parks in Megacity Beijing, China: An Application of a Synthetic and Simple Index (ESI)
Authors: Xie Tian , Li Xuzhi , Wang Meie , Chen Weiping , Faber Jack H.
Published: May 2022

Complicated factors in urban areas have been reported to impact the density, biomass, and diversity of earthworm fauna. Urban parks provide essential habitats for earthworm fauna. However, how earthworm fauna are impacted by park traits, such as construction age, distance to city center, visitor volumes, sizes of greenspaces/parks, and attractiveness, etc., still remains unknown. These traits are well characterized by the impacts of urbanization intensity and administration quality of parks in megacities. Therefore, 16 parks with gradients of construction ages and geographical locations in Beijing city were selected for investigation. Furthermore, an earthworm synthetic and simple index (ESI) for characterizing earthworm community has been developed to compensate for the lack of robustness by using single ecological indexes. The results showed that earthworm population density (38.6 ind/m2) and biomass (34.0 g/m2) in parks were comparable to those in other land use types in Beijing. Ecological groupings were dominated by disturbance-tolerant endogeic and deep soil-inhabiting anecic groups, and most of them were adults. The earthworm population was influenced by urbanization intensity, while the earthworm community composition, species biodiversity, and ESI were affected by administration quality of parks. The soil moisture and microbial biomass carbon were the key factors in shaping earthworm assemblages. ESI could be employed as an effective indicator in depicting character of earthworm fauna. This study highlighted the impacts of park traits on earthworms in urban parks. The variation in park traits that influence earthworm fauna was probably attributed to soil properties.
Decomposition and Decoupling Analysis of Factors Affecting Carbon Emissions in China’s Regional Logistics Industry
Authors: Xu Guoyin , Zhao Tong , Wang Rong
Published: May 2022

This paper selected the data from 2010 to 2020 to measure the carbon emissions of the logistics industry in different regions of China, decomposed the influencing factors of carbon emissions in China’s logistics industry based on the LMDI model, and, finally, conducted a decoupling analysis of carbon emissions and the development of the logistics industry. The conclusions are as follows: (1) China’s carbon emission levels vary greatly from region to region, with the highest distribution pattern in the east and the lowest in the west, while the growth rate in the east is also the highest. (2) The level of economic development has the greatest impact on carbon emissions, and it has the effect of promoting carbon emissions in three regions; logistics development effects have the characteristics of first driving and then restraining emissions in the three major regions. The effect of energy intensity has great volatility. The effect of intensity in the eastern region dropped sharply in 2015, with negative effects after that year. Development of the logistics industry has limited the inhibition of carbon emissions in the central and western regions. Although the effect of the energy structure is negative, it failed the significance test. The effects of the energy structure began to show a downward trend in three regions after 2015. (3) The decoupling analysis showed that only 3 provinces are strongly decoupled, 20 provinces are weakly decoupled, and the regional carbon emissions are quite different.
Rethinking Sustainable Cities at Night: Paradigm Shifts in Urban Design and City Lighting
Authors: Zielinska-Dabkowska Karolina M. , Bobkowska Katarzyna
Published: May 2022

Since the establishment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, various perspectives on sustainable cities have been developed and adopted in order to achieve a better and more sustainable future. However, background research has revealed that these goals and targets are limited because they do not take into account the growing body of lighting-related research in diverse fields on the impact of outdoor illumination on humans, flora and fauna. Recently, exterior lighting has been also linked to environmental degradation and as an indirect contributor to the current climate change emergency. Therefore, this study aims, by using online interviews with over 50 experts who work in the field of artificial light at night (ALAN), to assess whether the SDG objectives adequately reflect the latest knowledge about sustainable cities. The Elsevier 2021 SDG mapping matrix was used to find the correlation between the keywords that define each SDG and the keywords used by a group of international experts. This work suggests there are missing targets in current SDGs, especially SDG 11, connected to sustainable cities and communities. It also offers useful guidance on how to rethink the existing approach of cities that aim for sustainability, by applying eight (8) key aspects of urban lighting for healthier and environmentally responsible outdoor illumination, by means of a correct design process, along with a five-step strategic plan of action. The crucial role of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration with experts has also been outlined, via the inclusion of new actors such as lighting professionals and researchers, who are currently absent in this important discourse.
Teachers and Learners’ Perceptions of E-Learning Implementation in Special Times: Evaluating Relevance and Internationalization Prospects at Saudi Universities
Authors: Shariq Mohammad , Lutfy Kh. , Alahdal Ameen , Abdullah Aldhali Fahad Ibraheem
Published: May 2022

The recent abrupt shift to a total e-learning modality has been a fresh yet daunting experience for educational institutions due to the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift has also raised the questions of relevance of educational modalities given the special times we are living in, as well as the happy possibility of universities gearing up for internationalization to prepare students for online learning. Before implementing these changes, however, in-depth study of the opinions and experiences of teachers and students at Saudi universities, among other parameters, is imperative. With this focus, the current study employs a mixed-methods research design from two universities in Saudi Arabia, namely Qassim University (QU) and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU). A purposive sample of 22 teachers and 54 students were the respondents, who were administered a questionnaire and interviewed at a later stage. Results showed that both teachers and students find the online teaching–learning experience challenging due to teacher-related, student-related and technology-related factors. The teachers rate themselves as being moderately competent in the use of technology tools for online learning, while students assess themselves as competent. Initiatives are offered by both students and teachers to improve the transition of universities to online education as well as to promote the quality of universities towards internationalization, particularly with living in the midst of a health crisis. The study has implications for curriculum implementers and designers committed to educational revolution. The outcomes of this proposed research can be the basis for relevance and internationalization initiatives of the selected universities in Saudi Arabia.
Electric Cars in Brazil: An Analysis of Core Green Technologies and the Transition Process
Authors: Yamamura Charles Lincoln Kenji , Takiya Harmi , Machado Cláudia Aparecida Soares , Santana José Carlos Curvelo , Quintanilha José Alberto , Berssaneti Fernando Tobal
Published: May 2022

This paper explores the transition to electric cars in Brazil. The country has been successful to reduce its carbon footprint using biofuels, but it is facing a dilemma in vehicle electrification. It cannot shift abruptly to battery electric vehicles, as current consumers are unable to afford them and investment in recharging infrastructure is uncertain. However, it has a significant manufacturing base, and it cannot isolate itself from global industrial trends. This study relies on the inductive case study method, identifying the core green technologies in vehicle electrification and extrapolating their trends, to explain how the transition process is feasible. The emergence of a dominant design (set of core technologies defining a product category and adopted by the majority of players in the market) in small and affordable segments is essential for the diffusion of electric cars in developing countries. Biofuel hybrid technologies may support the transition. The Brazilian industry can engage in electric vehicle development by designing small cars based on global architectures, targeting consumers in emerging markets. The article contributes by using a dominant design core technologies framework to explain and map the transition to electric vehicles in developing countries, supporting academic research, government, and industry planning.
Construction of a Tangible VR-Based Interactive System for Intergenerational Learning
Authors: Wang Chao-Ming , Shao Cheng-Hao , Han Cheng-En
Published: May 2022

The recent years have witnessed striking global demographic shifts. Retired elderly people often stay home, seldom communicate with their grandchildren, and fail to acquire new knowledge or pass on their experiences. In this study, digital technologies based on virtual reality (VR) with tangible user interfaces (TUIs) were introduced into the design of a novel interactive system for intergenerational learning, aimed at promoting the elderly people’s interactions with younger generations. Initially, the literature was reviewed and experts were interviewed to derive the relevant design principles. The system was constructed accordingly using gesture detection, sound sensing, and VR techniques, and was used to play animation games that simulated traditional puppetry. The system was evaluated statistically by SPSS and AMOS according to the scales of global perceptions of intergenerational communication and the elderly’s attitude via questionnaire surveys, as well as interviews with participants who had experienced the system. Based on the evaluation results and some discussions on the participants’ comments, the following conclusions about the system effectiveness were drawn: (1) intergenerational learning activities based on digital technology can attract younger generations; (2) selecting game topics familiar to the elderly in the learning process encourages them to experience technology; and (3) both generations are more likely to understand each other as a result of joint learning.
Rural Tourism and Sustainability: A Special Issue, Review and Update for the Opening Years of the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Lane Bernard , Kastenholz Elisabeth , Carneiro Maria João
Published: May 2022

Rural Tourism became a worldwide and growing activity during the late 1970s and early 1980s [...]
Autonomous Houses and Architecture of Cybernetics in the 1970s: Towards Limits and Undeveloped Potentials of the Sustainable
Authors: Medici Piero
Published: May 2022

In 1969, English researcher Gordon Pask published an article named “The Architectural Relevance of Cybernetics”, defining a theoretical framework concerning a cybernetic theory of architecture. Throughout the 1970s, the Cambridge Research Group designed the Autonomous House, a self-sufficient dwelling in terms of energy and food. Part of the Cambridge group approach relates to cybernetics. However, the group did not regard several aspects of cybernetics described in the theoretical framework of Pask. Through a literature review primarily focused on 1970s architectural magazines, this paper analyses which cybernetic aspects were not regarded in the Cambridge Autonomous House and other similar houses as case studies. Through an innovative analytical method, it demonstrates that some limitations of the house design, such as the main focus on costs and technologies, could have been reduced if aspects of cybernetics had been more incorporated. Using cybernetics as a lens represents a method which can be beneficial also in analysing today’s examples of sustainable and autonomous architecture.
Environmental Impacts of Boom-Corridor and Selectively Thinned Small-Diameter-Tree Forests
Authors: de la Fuente Teresa , Bergström Dan , Fernandez-Lacruz Raul , Hujala Teppo , Krajnc Nike , Laina Ruben , Nordfjell Tomas , Triplat Matevz , Tolosana Eduardo
Published: May 2022

European forest stands of small-diameter trees can provide industries with biomass as an alternative to fossil use. Small-tree harvesting is costly using conventional methods but using accumulating felling heads (AFH) in combination with a novel boom-corridor thinning (BCT) technique can increase harvester productivity and supply cost efficiency. This method has great potential to reduce costs, but its environmental impact compared with selective thinning (ST) needs to be determined. The objectives of this study were therefore to quantify and compare tree and soil damage as well as air, water and soil emissions for both BCT and ST in various European small-diameter-tree forests. Trials were performed in 84 study units (42 replications per thinning technique) across four countries. Damaged trees (with a diameter at breast height ≥ 7 cm) were measured after thinning and after forwarding. Harvesting emissions were calculated from a life cycle assessment. The percentage of remaining trees that had been damaged by the harvesting processes was 13% and 19% for BCT and ST, respectively, and the difference was significant. BCT exhibited the lowest emissions in all environmental impact categories considered, in all countries. Greenhouse gas emissions were on average 17% lower for BCT. BCT in small-diameter-tree stands therefore reduces the environmental impact of thinning operations compared with conventional methods, and results in less damage to the remaining trees.
How Do Corporate Social Responsibility Engagements Drive Consumer–Company Identification in Singapore?
Authors: Kuah Adrian T. H. , Xia Yi , Wang Pengji
Published: May 2022

Companies expend significant financial resources on corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to enhance their image. This study had two objectives. By drawing on three fundamental consumer values as moderators, the first aim was to discover how a company’s CSR engagement influences consumer–company identification (CCI) and consumers’ purchase intention for its products and services. The second was to uncover the type of consumer likely to identify with a company engaging in CSR activities. This study presents an exploratory analysis of social media postings by eight companies. An empirical study is conducted using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) based on survey data from 217 questionnaires collected in Singapore. This study is one of the first to consider what type of consumer would likely identify with a company performing CSR activities. Results show that local-community-focused CSR tends to influence the CCI of egoistic consumers, while environment-focused CSR activities, such as the creation of environmentally-friendly products, drive biospheric consumers’ identification. Broader humanity-focused CSR, such as fair-trade initiatives, significantly influences the CCI of egoistic consumers, but not of altruistic consumers. These findings demonstrate to other economies the significance of local and global companies’ CSR practices and how such activities should be aligned to the CCI of their customer base unique to the region.