bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Hydrocarbon Soluble, Molecular and “Complete” Al-Cocatalyst for High Temperature Olefin Polymerization
Authors: Urciuoli Gaia , Zaccaria Francesco , Zuccaccia Cristiano , Cipullo Roberta , Budzelaar Peter H. M. , Vittoria Antonio , Ehm Christian , Macchioni Alceo , Busico Vincenzo
Published: March 2023

The dinuclear aluminum salt {[iBu2(DMA)Al]2(μ-H)}+[B(C6F5)4]− (AlHAl; DMA = N,N-dimethylaniline) is the prototype of a new class of molecular cocatalysts for catalytic olefin polymerization, its modular nature offering easy avenues for tailoring the activator to specific needs. We report here, as proof of concept, a first variant (s-AlHAl) bearing p-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethylaniline (DMAC16) units, which enhances solubility in aliphatic hydrocarbons. The novel s-AlHAl was used successfully as an activator/scavenger in ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization in a high-temperature solution process.
A Mechanical Performance Study of Dual Cured Thermoset Resin Systems 3D-Printed with Continuous Carbon Fiber Reinforcement
Authors: Rahman Md Atikur , Hall Eric , Gibbon Luke , Islam Md Zahirul , Ulven Chad A. , La Scala John J.
Published: March 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM) is one of the fastest-growing manufacturing technologies in modern times. One of the major challenges in the application of 3D-printed polymeric objects is expanding the applications to structural components, as they are often limited by their mechanical and thermal properties. To enhance the mechanical properties of 3D-printed thermoset polymer objects, reinforcing the polymer with continuous carbon fiber (CF) tow is an expanding direction of research and development. A 3D printer was constructed capable of printing with a continuous CF-reinforced dual curable thermoset resin system. Mechanical performance of the 3D-printed composites varied with the utilization of different resin chemistries. Three different commercially available violet light curable resins were mixed with a thermal initiator to improve curing by overcoming the shadowing effect of violet light by the CF. The resulting specimens’ compositions were analyzed, and then the specimens were mechanically characterized for comparison in tensile and flexural performance. The 3D-printed composites’ compositions were correlated to the printing parameters and resin characteristics. Slight enhancements in tensile and flexural properties from some commercially available resins over others appeared to be the result of better wet-out and adhesion.
Debromination of Waste Circuit Boards by Reaction in Solid and Liquid Phases: Phenomenological Behavior and Kinetics
Authors: Conesa Juan A. , Gandon-Ros Gerard , Gómez-Rico María F. , Aracil Ignacio
Published: March 2023

The debromination of waste circuit boards (WCBs) used in computer motherboards and components has been studied with two different pieces of equipment. Firstly, the reaction of small particles (around one millimeter in diameter) and larger pieces obtained from WCBs was carried out with several solutions of K2CO3 in small non-stirred batch reactors at 200–225 °C. The kinetics of this heterogeneous reaction has been studied considering both the mass transfer and chemical reaction steps, concluding that the chemical step is much slower than diffusion. Additionally, similar WCBs were debrominated using a planetary ball mill and solid reactants, namely calcined CaO, marble sludge, and calcined marble sludge. A kinetic model has been applied to this reaction, finding that an exponential model is able to explain the results quite satisfactorily. The activity of the marble sludge is about 13% of that of pure CaO and is increased to 29% when slightly calcinating its calcite at only 800 °C for 2 h.
Recent Development and Future Prospective of Tiwari and Das Mathematical Model in Nanofluid Flow for Different Geometries: A Review
Authors: Zafar Mudasar , Sakidin Hamzah , Sheremet Mikhail , Dzulkarnain Iskandar B. , Hussain Abida , Nazar Roslinda , Khan Javed Akbar , Irfan Muhammad , Said Zafar , Afzal Farkhanda , Al-Yaari Abdullah
Published: March 2023

The rapid changes in nanotechnology over the last ten years have given scientists and engineers a lot of new things to study. The nanofluid constitutes one of the most significant advantages that has come out of all these improvements. Nanofluids, colloid suspensions of metallic and nonmetallic nanoparticles in common base fluids, are known for their astonishing ability to transfer heat. Previous research has focused on developing mathematical models and using varied geometries in nanofluids to boost heat transfer rates. However, an accurate mathematical model is another important factor that must be considered because it dramatically affects how heat flows. As a result, before using nanofluids for real-world heat transfer applications, a mathematical model should be used. This article provides a brief overview of the Tiwari and Das nanofluid models. Moreover, the effects of different geometries, nanoparticles, and their physical properties, such as viscosity, thermal conductivity, and heat capacity, as well as the role of cavities in entropy generation, are studied. The review also discusses the correlations used to predict nanofluids’ thermophysical properties. The main goal of this review was to look at the different shapes used in convective heat transfer in more detail. It is observed that aluminium and copper nanoparticles provide better heat transfer rates in the cavity using the Tiwari and the Das nanofluid model. When compared to the base fluid, the Al2O3/water nanofluid’s performance is improved by 6.09%. The inclination angle of the cavity as well as the periodic thermal boundary conditions can be used to effectively manage the parameters for heat and fluid flow inside the cavity.
Indolyl-Derived 4H-Imidazoles: PASE Synthesis, Molecular Docking and In Vitro Cytotoxicity Assay
Authors: Nikiforov Egor A. , Vaskina Nailya F. , Moseev Timofey D. , Varaksin Mikhail V. , Butorin Ilya I. , Melekhin Vsevolod V. , Tokhtueva Maria D. , Mazhukin Dmitrii G. , Tikhonov Alexsei Y. , Charushin Valery N. , Chupakhin Oleg N.
Published: March 2023

The strategy of the nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen (SNH) was first applied for the metal-free C-H/C-H coupling reactions of 4H-imidazole 3-oxides with indoles. As a result, a series of novel bifunctional azaheterocyclic derivatives were obtained in yields up to 95%. In silico experiments on the molecular docking were performed to evaluate the binding possibility of the synthesized small azaheterocyclic molecules to the selected biotargets (BACE1, BChE, CK1δ, AChE) associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. To assess the cytotoxicity for the synthesized compounds, a series of in vitro experiments were also carried out on healthy human embryo kidney cells (HEK-293). The leading compound bearing both 5-phenyl-4H-imidazole and 1-methyl-1H-indole moieties was defined as the prospective molecule possessing the lowest cytotoxicity (IC50 > 300 µM on HEK-293) and the highest binding energy in the protein–ligand complex (AChE, −13.57 kcal/mol). The developed compounds could be of particular interest in medicinal chemistry, particularly in the targeted design of small-molecule candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
Mechanism of Surface Wettability of Nanostructure Morphology Enhancing Boiling Heat Transfer: Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Guo Wenting , Zeng Liangcai , Liu Zhuoyuan
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the interaction mechanism between the solid–liquid–gas interface phenomenon caused by nanostructure and surface wettability and boiling heat transfer is described, and the heat transfer theory of single wettable nanostructure surface and mixed wettable nanostructure surface is proposed. Through molecular dynamics simulation, the thermodynamic model of the wettable surface of nanostructures is established. The nanostructures are set as four rectangular lattice structures with a height of 18 Å. The solid atoms are platinum atoms, and the liquid atoms are argon atoms. The simulation results show that with the increase of surface hydrophilicity of nanostructures, the fluid temperature increases significantly, and the heat transfer at the interface is enhanced. With the increase in surface hydrophobicity of nanostructures, the atoms staying on the surface of nanostructures are affected by the hydrophobicity, showing a phenomenon of exclusion, and the evaporation rate in the evaporation area of nanostructures is significantly increased. In addition, the mixed wettable surface is influenced by the atomic potential energy and kinetic energy of the solid surface, and when compared with the pure wettable surface under the nanostructure, it changes the diffusion behavior of argon atoms on the nanostructure surface, enhances the heat transfer phenomenon compared with the pure hydrophobic surface, and enhances the evaporation phenomenon compared with the pure hydrophilic surface. This study provides insights into the relationship between the vapor film and the heating surface with mixed wettability and nanostructures.
High-Transmission Neutron Optical Devices Utilizing Micro-Machined Structures
Authors: Kapahi Connor , Sarenac Dusan , Bleuel Markus , Cory David G. , Heacock Benjamin , Henderson Melissa E. , Huber Michael G. , Taminiau Ivar , Pushin Dmitry
Published: March 2023

Neutrons are a powerful probe in material science with unique penetrating abilities. A major challenge stems from the fact that neutron optical devices are limited to refractive indices on the order of n≈1±10−5. By exploiting advances in precision manufacturing, we designed and constructed micro-meter period triangular grating with a high-aspect ratio of 14.3. The manufacturing quality is demonstrated with white-light interferometric data and microscope imaging. Neutron-scattering experiment results are presented, showing agreement with refraction modelling. The capabilities of neutron Fresnel prisms and lenses based on this design are contrasted with existing neutron focusing techniques, and the path separation of a prism-based neutron interferometer is estimated.
Struggling to Maintain the Gender System and to Gain Domination: Martin Luther’s Correspondence Regarding “The Hornung Case” 1528–1530
Authors: Mikkola Sini
Published: March 2023

In this article, a case study is utilized to determine how personal relations and individual life events were used as tools in religious politics in the sixteenth century. The correspondence of sixteenth-century reformer Martin Luther is examined between 1528–1530 regarding Wolf and Katharina Hornung’s marriage and the role of Luther’s opponent, Joachim I Nestor, Elector of Brandenburg (1484–1535), in their case. By investigating Luther’s representation of this marital strife, the relationship between personal and political is examined to determine if and how he used the case as means of religious–political influencing. The main method used is careful close reading. At the explicit level, Luther’s aim in the case was to restore the Hornung marriage by bringing Wolf and Katharina back together. His letters suggest there was competition for Katharina between Wolf and Joachim, which actually, in his rhetoric, turned out to be a competition of two men representing different religious views: an evangelical one and a Catholic one. I will argue that in Luther’s efforts to maintain the marriage and the prevailing gender system, the underlying goal was to gain power over an opposing religious–political figure and to prove one’s own supremacy.
Perspectives on Lifespan Religious and Spiritual Development from Scholars across the Lifespan
Authors: Gale Megan , Hendricks Justin J. , Dollahite David C. , Marks Loren D.
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the article is to share our perspectives on the key influences of lifespan religious and spiritual development as scholars from across the lifespan (i.e., the four authors are from different generations, including Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Gen Z). Our perspectives are heavily influenced by our combined 60+ years of research experience in examining the connections between religion and family life. Our discussion is organized around Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological framework and the process-person-context-time model. Within this framework, the key factors we discuss that influence religious/spiritual development include (a) process (i.e., person-religion mismatch and family processes), (b) person (i.e., age, gender/sexual orientation, mental health, personal agency, and experience), (c) context (i.e., home environment, culture, and community), and (d) time (i.e., historical events and the duration of proximal processes). Where possible, we highlight underrepresented religious and ethnic groups. The key domains that we discuss that are influenced by religious/spiritual development include individual and relational outcomes. Finally, we suggest meaningful directions for future research. Given the significant contemporary dynamism in spiritual and religious identity and involvement, in this article, we discuss research and theory that can inform and assist scholars, religious leaders, parents, as well as youth and emerging adults.
Combating Daesh: Insights into Malaysia’s Counter-Terrorism Experience and the Deradicalisation of Former Detainees
Authors: Saidin Mohd Irwan Syazli , Khalid Kartini Aboo Talib
Published: March 2023

Malaysia is no exception when it comes to the Daesh threat. Several vulnerable Muslim populations have been previously targeted by Daesh via specific modus operandi to fulfil the terrorism agenda. Based on a persistent concern about Daesh-related issues and their consequences, this article critically explores the role of the security agency, the Counter-Terrorism Division within the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), in addressing Daesh radicalisation in Malaysia. It examines the process and effectiveness of the top down and ‘soft’ approaches undertaken by the RMP via the rehabilitation and deradicalisation of former Daesh detainees before they rejoin society. The research is qualitative, and is based on a focus group discussion and in-depth interviews with representatives from the Counter Terrorism Division, terrorism experts, government officials and former detainees. The findings show that the RMP’s efforts to curb Daesh intimidation have been effective in terms of decreasing the number of new terrorism incidents, militant recruitment and the establishment of networks and cells. The introduction of ‘Module 30′, which involves theological and psychological improvement, and civil order, along with vocational training and ‘lifelong-monitoring’, has significantly contributed to rehabilitating and deradicalising the majority of former Daesh convicts in Malaysia, such that they embrace peace and renounce violence and religious extremism.
Inverse Kinematic Solver Based on Bat Algorithm for Robotic Arm Path Planning
Authors: Slim Mohamed , Rokbani Nizar , Neji Bilel , Terres Mohamed Ali , Beyrouthy Taha
Published: March 2023

The bat algorithm (BA) is a nature inspired algorithm which is mimicking the bio-sensing characteristics of bats, known as echolocation. This paper suggests a Bat-based meta-heuristic for the inverse kinematics problem of a robotic arm. An intrinsically modified BA is proposed to find an inverse kinematics (IK) solution, respecting a minimum variation of the joints’ elongation from the initial configuration of the robot manipulator to the proposed new pause position. The proposed method is called IK-BA, it stands for a specific bat algorithm dedicated to robotic-arms’ inverse geometric solution, and where the elongation control mechanism is embedded in bat agents update equations. Performances analysis and comparatives to related state of art meta-heuristics solvers showed the effectiveness of the proposed IK bat solver for single point IK planning as well as for geometric path planning, which may have several industrial applications. IK-BA was also applied to a real robotic arm with a spherical wrist as a proof of concept and pertinence of the proposed approach.
Machine Learning-Based Improvement of Aerosol Optical Depth from CHIMERE Simulations Using MODIS Satellite Observations
Authors: Lemmouchi Farouk , Cuesta Juan , Lachatre Mathieu , Brajard Julien , Coman Adriana , Beekmann Matthias , Derognat Claude
Published: March 2023

We present a supervised machine learning (ML) approach to improve the accuracy of the regional horizontal distribution of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) simulated by the CHIMERE chemistry transport model over North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) AOD satellite observations. Our method produces daily AOD maps with enhanced precision and full spatial domain coverage, which is particularly relevant for regions with a high aerosol abundance, such as the Sahara Desert, where there is a dramatic lack of ground-based measurements for validating chemistry transport simulations. We use satellite observations and some geophysical variables to train four popular regression models, namely multiple linear regression (MLR), random forests (RF), gradient boosting (XGB), and artificial neural networks (NN). We evaluate their performances against satellite and independent ground-based AOD observations. The results indicate that all models perform similarly, with RF exhibiting fewer spatial artifacts. While the regression slightly overcorrects extreme AODs, it remarkably reduces biases and absolute errors and significantly improves linear correlations with respect to the independent observations. We analyze a case study to illustrate the importance of the geophysical input variables and demonstrate the regional significance of some of them.
High-Accuracy Spectral Measurement of Stimulated-Brillouin-Scattering Lidar Based on Hessian Matrix and Steger Algorithm
Authors: Liu Zhiqiang , Sun Jie , Zhang Xianda , Zeng Zhi , Xu Yupeng , Luo Ningning , He Xingdao , Shi Jiulin
Published: March 2023

The measurement accuracy of Brillouin scattering spectra is crucial for ocean remote sensing by Brillouin scattering lidar. Due to the limited resolution of ICCD cameras, the traditional processing methods remain at the pixel or partial sub-pixel level, which cannot meet the requirements of high-performance lidar. In this paper, to extract the frequency shift with high precision from stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) lidar, a novel spectral processing method with sub-pixel recognition accuracy is proposed based on the Hessian matrix and Steger algorithm combined with the least square fitting method. Firstly, the Hessian matrix and Frangi filter are used for signal denoising. Then, the center points of SBS spectra at the sub-pixel level are extracted using the Steger algorithm and are connected and classified according to the signal type. On that basis, the frequency shifts of Brillouin scattering are calculated by using the center and radii of interference spectra after through fitting by the least squares method. Finally, the water temperatures are inverted by using the frequency shifts of Brillouin scattering. The results show that the processing method proposed in this paper can accurately calculate the frequency shift of Brillouin scattering. The measured errors of frequency shift are generally at an order of MHz, and the inversion accuracy of water temperature can be as low as 0.14 °C. This work is essential to the application for remote sensing the seawater parameters by using the Brillouin lidar technique.
Ground-Based Measurements of Wind and Turbulence at Bucharest–Măgurele: First Results
Authors: Pîrloagă Răzvan , Adam Mariana , Antonescu Bogdan , Andrei Simona , Ştefan Sabina
Published: March 2023

Doppler wind lidar measurements were used for the first time in Romania to analyse the wind and turbulence statistics for a peri-urban site located at Măgurele, southwest of Bucharest. Vertical and scanning measurements between December 2019 and November 2021 were processed using an existing toolbox. The statistics over the two-year period were performed on seasonal and diurnal cycle bases. The analyses showed a diurnal cycle for the horizontal wind speed, with lower values during daytime. In the upper part of the planetary boundary layer (PBL), the wind speed is lowest during the day and highest at night (near surface, the behaviour is reversed). The diurnal cycle has variations during the year (from approximately 500 m during midnight winter to approximately 1250 m during summer noon). The wind direction during autumn shows similarities with the summer season, with prevailing directions from east and northeast. The winter season is characterised by westerly winds. The most variable diurnal wind direction is observed during summer, with nighttime westerly winds and changing directions (from northeast to west) during daytime. The ERA5 reanalysis shows similar patterns for wind speed with Doppler wind lidar (slightly underestimated) and direction. The planetary boundary layer classes over the altitude region analysed shows the predominant convection during daytime and non-turbulent behaviour during nighttime. To a lesser extent, the intermittent turbulent class is observed during the growth and the decay of the mixing layer.
Deep Learning-Based Apple Detection with Attention Module and Improved Loss Function in YOLO
Authors: Sekharamantry Praveen Kumar , Melgani Farid , Malacarne Jonni
Published: March 2023

Horticulture and agriculture are considered as the important pillars of any economy. Current technological advancements have led to the development of several new technologies which are useful in atomizing the agriculture process. Apple farming has a significant role in Italy’s agriculture domain where manual labor is widely employed for apple picking which can be replaced by automated robot mechanisms. However, these mechanisms are based on computer vision methods. These methods focus on detection, localization and tracking the apple fruits in given video frames. Later, appropriate actions can be taken to enhance the production and harvesting. Several techniques have been presented for apple detection, but complex background, noise and image blurriness are the major causes which can deteriorate the performance of the system. Thus, in this work, we present a deep learning-based scheme to detect apples which uses Yolov5 architecture in live apple farm images. We further improve the Yolov5 architecture by incorporating an adaptive pooling scheme and attribute augmentation model. This model detects the smaller objects and improves the feature quality to detect the apples in complex backgrounds. Moreover, a loss function is also incorporated to obtain the accurate bounding box which helps to maximize the detection accuracy. The comparative study shows that the proposed approach with the improved Yolov5 architecture achieves overall accuracy of 0.97, 0.99, and 0.98 in terms of precision, recall, and F1-score, respectively.
Research on Small-Scale Detection Instrument for Drinking Water Combined Laser Spectroscopy and Conductivity Technology
Authors: Tian Zhaoshuo , Chen Hao , Ding Qiping , Che Xiaohua , Bi Zongjie , Wang Ling
Published: March 2023

In order to realize rapid and accurate evaluation of drinking water quality, a small-scale water quality detection instrument is designed in this paper that can detect two representative water quality parameters: the permanganate index and total dissolved solids (TDS). The permanganate index measured by the laser spectroscopy method can achieve the approximate value of the organic matter in water, and the TDS measured by the conductivity method can obtain the approximate value of the inorganic matter in water. In addition, to facilitate the popularization of civilian applications, the evaluation method of water quality based on the percent-scores proposed by us is presented in this paper. The water quality results can be displayed on the instrument screen. In the experiment, we measured the water quality parameters of the tap water as well as those after the primary and secondary filtration in Weihai City, Shandong Province, China. The testing results show that the instrument can quickly detect dissolved inorganic and organic matter, and intuitively display the water quality evaluation score on the screen. The instrument designed in this paper has the advantages of high sensitivity, high integration, and small volume, which lays the foundation for the popularity of the detection instrument.
Smart Governance Toolbox: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Ruijer Erna , Van Twist Anouk , Haaker Timber , Tartarin Thierry , Schuurman Noel , Melenhorst Mark , Meijer Albert
Published: March 2023

Smart city projects rely upon dynamic and complex multi-stakeholder collaboration. This collaboration can be challenging. In this study, we use an instrumental lens and argue that tools can help public professionals in dealing with smart governance challenges. Building upon smart governance and collaborative governance models, we conceptualize smart governance as a toolbox. Based on our “smart governance toolbox”, we assess the variety of tools available for professionals to initiate and support multi-stakeholder collaboration by reviewing academic and grey literature. This review results in the identification of a broad range of tools that research and practice have developed. However, we also demonstrate that certain parts of the ‘smart governance toolbox’ remain almost empty: there are few tools for assessing the smart collaborative governance context, facilitating the collaborative structure, tackling technology issues, and measuring outcomes of smart city practices. Future design research should focus on developing instruments needed to make the smart governance toolbox complete.
Multidimensional Relative Poverty in China: Identification and Decomposition
Authors: Zou Wei , Cheng Xiaopei , Fan Zengzeng , Yin Wenxi
Published: March 2023

This paper aims to study the change and decomposition of multidimensional relative poverty in China. The data we use are from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). The data cover 12 provinces in China and span a long period, from reform to precise poverty alleviation. The results show that the multidimensional relative poverty index presents a change pattern of “gradual rise (1991–2004)-decline (2004–2011)-rise again (after 2011)”. The dimensions of education, income, and employment contribute more to multidimensional relative poverty, followed by health and living standards. Multidimensional relative poverty is more severe in rural areas, central and western regions, women, and the elderly. The “incidence of poverty effect” is the main factor in the changes in multidimensional relative poverty, and its contribution is higher than the “intensity of poverty effect”.
Investigating Factors Affecting Institutional Investors’ Green Bond Investments: Cases for Beijing and Shenzhen
Authors: Zenno Yoshihiro , Aruga Kentaka
Published: March 2023

We conducted a survey of institutional investors in Beijing and Shenzhen to analyze the factors affecting green bond (GB) investing in China, such as credit rating, GB issuer, fund use, liquidity, redemption term, certification label, and type of currency. We then compared the results for Beijing and Shenzhen, including factors that affected greenium and the two cities’ willingness to pay (WTP). Using a double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method, we find that higher credit ratings tend to increase Beijing investors’ WTP and that the use of GB proceeds affects Shenzhen investors’ WTP. We also find that investors place importance on the type of currency, length of redemption term, and liquidity when investing in GB, while the certification label does not have an impact on WTP. The WTP for GB was higher among Shenzhen investors than among Beijing investors. These findings provide important insights for the government and financial institutions to take the right action to expand the GB market and to establish a GB framework that induces the financial sector toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Visualizing Benefits of Case Management Software Using Utility Effect Chains
Authors: Arlinghaus Tim , Kus Kevin , Kajüter Rodrigues Patricia , Teuteberg Frank
Published: March 2023

Labor shortages lead to crucial investment decisions, such as selecting software supporting work processes. The healthcare sector stands out because of additional restructuring due to demographic changes. This is particularly true for the care sector; hence, customized case management software (CMSW) solutions for healthcare professionals are being developed. In an increasingly profit-oriented healthcare system, sustainability, cost-effectiveness and quantification of benefits of investments play a major role. We analyzed research dealing with the benefits of case and care management software and, additionally, interviewed case managers who use recently developed CMSW within a case study. We used utility effect chains to visualize and quantify the gathered benefits of an information system (IS) investment along with the healthcare system in Germany. The findings show that benefits from care management software need to be seen more holistically. Utility effect chains can serve as a helpful instrument for the visualization of indirect benefits in healthcare. The most significant benefits of CMSW were found to be various cost savings for each of the participating stakeholders, a reduction in redundant entries of patient data and the prevention of cost-intensive revolving door cases. Additionally, the insight into patient records reduces time-consuming communication among health experts and family caregivers.
Mechanical Properties of Concrete with Different Carya Cathayensis Peel Biochar Additions
Authors: Li Zhu , Xue Wen , Zhou Wenjian
Published: March 2023

Producing biochar by consuming biomass is an effective way to reduce the environmental impact from biomass waste. This study investigates the influence of biochar made of carya cathayensis peel biomass waste, which is a specific biomass in Zhejiang province, China, on concrete basic mechanical properties. The biochar was added into concrete mixtures in three different patterns, including: (1) additional filler at the ratio of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% by cement weight, (2) partial-cement replacement of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% by cement weight, and (3) partial sand replacement of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% by sand volume. The strength, porosity and microstructures of the biochar concrete were experimentally investigated and compared with the plain concrete. The highest strength increase appears in concrete with a biochar addition of 5 % sand-replacement volume, and the compressive strength and splitting strength increase by 16.7% and 27.4%, respectively. The ITZ between the biochar particles and the cementitious matrix were tighter and glossier than the ones between the sand and cementitious matrix. The findings suggest that biochar made from carya cathayensis peel can be applied as a sustainable admixture into concrete to improve the basic mechanical properties when used as a partial sand substitute. The optimized addition method suggested is that of replacing 5% to 10% of sand by volume. This study offers an interdisciplinary attempt at valorizing biomass waste in producing green building and construction materials.
Developing Adaptive Curriculum for Slum Upgrade Projects: The Fourth Year Undergraduate Program Experience
Authors: Daneshyar Ehsan , Keynoush Shahin
Published: March 2023

Slum formation is a visible outcome of population growth, rapid urbanization, economic and political policy. Currently, there are approximately one billion slum dwellers, representing approximately thirty percent of the global population. As evident, slums as a critical issue will remain in the upcoming decades. The discipline of architecture should consider the issue of a slum in its curriculum, especially within the design studios. This research attempts to integrate the slum topic within the fourth year undergraduate architecture curriculum and develop a pedagogical framework concerning architectural design projects that focuses on slum topic. The Graduation Research & Preparation (ARC 403) course and Graduation Project (ARC 402) course are modified in order to be responsive to the slum topic. The novelty of the framework can be categorized as follows: the proposed framework is context specific. It is based on an interdisciplinary approach to architecture and ethnography. It utilizes ethnographic tools for collecting data during fieldwork. It values research throughout the design process. A research-based approach prepares young architects for future complex challenges. It requires the young architects to utilize research and build an inventory of collected data, which can guide them during the design process as a reference point. It attempts to increase the awareness of the young architect regarding the discourse on social sustainability. It values social equity, quality of life, and well-being as core indicators of social sustainability and tries to integrate the indicators within the curriculum. The aforementioned indicators can guide young architects to reach strategic decisions to achieve sustainable design solutions.
Biocrude Production Using a Novel Cyanobacterium: Pilot-Scale Cultivation and Lipid Extraction via Hydrothermal Liquefaction
Authors: Gichuki Samson , Tabatabai Behnam , Sitther Viji
Published: March 2023

The use of renewable energy to reduce fossil fuel consumption is a key strategy to mitigate pollution and climate change, resulting in the growing demand for new sources. Fast-growing proprietary cyanobacterial strains of Fremyella diplosiphon with an average life cycle of 7–10 days, and a proven capacity to generate lipids for biofuel production are currently being studied. In this study, we investigated the growth and photosynthetic pigmentation of a cyanobacterial strain (SF33) in both greenhouse and outdoor bioreactors, and produced biocrude via hydrothermal liquefaction. The cultivation of F. diplosiphon did not significantly differ under suboptimal conditions (p < 0.05), including in outdoor bioreactors with growth differences of less than 0.04 (p = 0.035) among various batches. An analysis of the biocrude’s components revealed the presence of fatty acid biodiesel precursors such as palmitic acid and behenic acid, and alkanes such as hexadecane and heptadecane, used as biofuel additives. In addition, the quantification of value-added photosynthetic pigments revealed chlorophyll a and phycocyanin concentrations of 0.0011 ± 5.83 × 10−5 µg/µL and 7.051 ± 0.067 µg/µg chlorophyll a. Our results suggest the potential of F. diplosiphon as a robust species that can grow at varying temperatures ranging from 13 °C to 32 °C, while producing compounds for applications ranging from biofuel to nutritional supplements. The outcomes of this study pave the way for production-level scale-up and processing of F. diplosiphon-derived biofuels and marketable bioproducts. Fuel produced using this technology will be eco-friendly and cost-effective, and will make full use of the geographical location of regions with access to brackish waters.
How Will the Relationship between Technological Innovation and Green Total Factor Productivity Change under the Influence of Service-Oriented Upgrading of Industrial Structure?
Authors: Zhu Qingyan
Published: March 2023

Technological innovation is closely related to the green total factor productivity (GTFP), which has played an important role in China’s sustainable development goals. However, the relationship between technological innovation and GTFP may change due to the influence of economic factors such as the service-oriented upgrading of industrial structure. This study used a panel dual-threshold regression model to perform an empirical analysis in order to explore this change. We introduced dummy variables to divide the samples into three categories according to the threshold value for group regression. The results show that technological innovation will still promote GTFP under the influence of the service-oriented upgrading of industrial structure. However, this positive influence has a double threshold effect; that is, it led to a nonlinear nexus. The role of technological innovation in promoting GTFP will decrease when the service-oriented upgrading of industrial structures crosses the first and the second thresholds. Additionally, the promotion effect of technological innovation on GTFP in provinces with high levels of service-oriented upgrades of industrial structures is smaller than that in provinces with a low degree of service-oriented upgrading of industrial structures, and even tends to be 0. When the government guides technological innovation to promote the improvement of GTFP, it needs to reasonably consider the composition of industrial structure and coordinate with effective industrial policies.
Scenario-Based Multi-Objective Location-Routing Model for Pre-Disaster Planning: A Philippine Case Study
Authors: de Veluz Maria Rossana D. , Redi Anak Agung Ngurah Perwira , Maaliw Renato R. , Persada Satria Fadil , Prasetyo Yogi Tri , Young Michael Nayat
Published: March 2023

The demand for humanitarian supply chains grows daily as the incidence of calamities rises. Typhoons cause thousands of casualties each year. As a result, policymakers and governmental authorities must develop effective readiness and response measures as part of pre-disaster plans. This paper proposed a stochastic model for multi-objective location-routing for creating a humanitarian network for pre-disaster response. The model aims to minimize the overall costs of the network’s setup, the time required to travel through it, and the number of vehicles necessary for transferring affected individuals to evacuation centers. The model concentrates on pre-disaster scenarios in uncertainty. The provided model was implemented in an actual scenario in one of the Philippines’ provinces and solved using Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO), which is also contrasted with Multi-Objective Simulated Annealing (MOSA) and the ε-constraint approach. According to empirical findings, the model can be used to identify distribution hubs and evacuation centers and choose the best routes in unexpected and actual disaster scenarios. Given that the ideal number, location, and capacity of DCs and ECs are known in advance, government decision-makers can solve any potential shortages and problems during the disaster.
Evolutionary Game and Simulation Analysis of Collaborative Innovation Mechanisms of Industrial Internet Platform-Based Ecosystem
Authors: Zhao Huiyan , Wang Haijun , Jin Shutong , He Zitong
Published: March 2023

Digital platforms are transforming almost every industry today. To gain insight into the innovation mechanism of the industrial Internet platform-based ecosystem, combining its nature of sustainability, this paper investigates strategic factors, such as the intensity of platform governance, the eco-efficiency of cooperation, and the input costs of complementors. A platform ecological system game model comprised of the industrial Internet platform enterprise, industry chain complementors, and innovation chain complementors is then established. The results of game playing and simulation highlight four important facts as revealed by a Chinese COSMOPlat case. First, there are four evolutionary paths for collaborative relations among innovation entities in an ecosystem. Second, platform enterprise may utilize various strategies in the several stages of ecosystem evolution. Third, complementors in the industrial chain and innovation chain have different degrees of dependence on platform enterprise and distinct incentive factors. Finally, investment of platform enterprise in data security drives the construction and upgrading of the ecosystem. In this context, collaborative innovation in platform ecosystems is associated with a self-evolving, self-growing, self-driven, and sustainable cooperation and win–win mechanism. This study provides new ideas for the governance of the industrial Internet platform-based ecosystem.
A Multi-Faceted Approach to Improving Public Services in Low-Income Housing in Windhoek, Namibia
Authors: Adewunmi Yewande Adetoro , Chigbu Uchendu Eugene , Kahireke Uaurika , Simbanegavi Prisca , Mwando Sam , Issa Amin Ally , Hayford Samuel
Published: March 2023

The characteristics of low-income housing in Namibia include severe inequality in housing standards, heavy reliance on non-office jobs, overcrowding, and poor infrastructure. This study uses a survey and semi-structured interviews to investigate the improved service delivery of this low-income housing. It explores this through the perspectives of community-based facilities management, sustainability, and enterprise development. In particular, the study examines opportunities for enterprise development, the willingness to participate in the production and management of public services, and the current state of public services in selected settlements in Windhoek. The results show that a lack of access to fire safety, disaster prevention, recreation, green spaces and tourist facilities are gaps in service delivery. Residents are willing to participate in both the co-production and management of public services. The study also found that residents have the appropriate skills to enable their engagement in management and production, and suitable governance structures are put in place to foster trust. The study recommends a policy that requires community visioning focused on public service improvement. It also calls for renewed trends in low-income people’s participation in public service development processes. The study’s contribution to existing knowledge on this subject is that it produced a multi-faceted framework for improving public services in low-income housing that is based on principles (and actions) of sustainability and policy (and planning) of land/housing access and has the potential to lead to public service-based community wellbeing.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Labour Market in the Hotel Industry: Selected Conditions in Poland
Authors: Tokarz-Kocik Anna , Bera Anna , Drela Karolina , Malkowska Agnieszka
Published: March 2023

Examining selected aspects of labour market performance in the Polish tourism sector can extend our knowledge of hotel company attitudes in connection with COVID-19. The aims of this article are to present selected determinants of labour market performance in the Polish tourism sector (with particular emphasis on the hotel industry) in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic and to address the following research question: how did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the functioning of hotel companies in the key tourist region of Poland—Zachodniopomorskie province? The research methods used in the study included critical analysis of source literature, survey method, correspondence analysis method, and analysis of primary and secondary data, mainly from official statistics. The survey was conducted in January 2022. Information was collected from 129 respondents using surveys. The results of the research presented in the article reveal that the observed long-term upward trend in the national labour market has been halted by the pandemic and that (among the various accommodation facilities) hotels are the most vulnerable to changes in the tourism labour market. The authors’ contributions to the literature are the identification of the extent to which businesses from the hotel industry have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the determination of the impact of the pandemic on selected employment-related aspects of business operations in Zachodniopomorskie province.
Impact of Oil Price on Economic Growth of OECD Countries: A Dynamic Panel Data Analysis
Authors: Deyshappriya N. P. Ravindra , Rukshan I. A. D. D. W. , Padmakanthi N. P. Dammika
Published: March 2023

Crude oil usage in (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) OECD countries has been significantly higher since the early 1970s and therefore, oil can be considered as one of the driving forces of the OECD economies. Moreover, oil prices have been frequently fluctuating over time, creating adverse economic and social impacts. The study examines the impact of oil price on the economic growth of 38 OECD countries over the period 2000–2020, through four channel variables such as real interest rate, exchange rate, government expenditure and investment. A dynamic panel data analysis based on Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) is employed to accomplish the objective of the study. The study confirms that there is a mixed impact of oil price on economic growth. More specifically, an increase in oil price positively affects economic growth only through interest rates while the oil price hike negatively affects economic growth through all other channel variables such as exchange rate, government expenditure and investment. Since the total negative effect of oil price on economic growth outnumbers the positive effect, the net impact of an oil price hike on economic growth is negative. Hence, the study strongly recommends applying appropriate polices to reduce oil price fluctuations while encouraging the use of country-specific renewable energy sources.
Mechanism of Interaction of Backfill Mixtures with Natural Rock Fractures within the Zone of Their Intense Manifestation while Developing Steep Ore Deposits
Authors: Kuzmenko Oleksandr , Dychkovskyi Roman , Petlovanyi Mykhailo , Buketov Valentyn , Howaniec Natalia , Smolinski Adam
Published: March 2023

Mining systems for ore deposit extraction with the backfilling of the goaf solve the problem of preserving the surface and the complete extraction of rich ores. This paper considers the filling of mined-out stopes with a viscous fluidal solution for the formation of an artificial strong massif, which results in a conglomerate formed on contact with the ore deposit. It was established that exogenous fracturing at the Pivdenno-Belozirske deposit significantly affects the stability of the sides and ceilings in the chamber. This phenomenon can be observed at the first stage of processing. At chambers (the second stage of processing), the artificial rock mass is exposed. It has been established that the chamber mining systems do not ensure the operational stability of the vertical outcrop in the zones of exogenous intensive fracture of the rock mass, especially in the places where they intersect. The zonal location of intense fracture was established along the strike and dip of the steep ore deposit, as was its importance in the formation of rock fallouts. An analytical solution algorithm has been developed to determine the penetration of the backfilling mixture in the plane of the intersection of zones of intense cracking, with opposite azimuths of incidence at steep angles of macrocracking. The features of penetration into microcracks of the backfilling mixture used at the mine, which are affected by their granulometric and physicochemical compositions, have been determined. The influence of the height of the layer and the procedure of backfilling the chamber space in the liquid phase on the formation of the necessary pressure for the opening of a microcrack was studied. The priority of backfilling the exogenous macrocracks with significant gaps and those between tectonic blocks with mixtures has been analytically substantiated and confirmed by experimental methods of research in the mine.