bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of the Influencing Factors of the Romanian Agricultural Output within the Context of Green Economy
Authors: Florea Nicoleta Valentina , Duică Mircea Constantin , Ionescu Constantin Aurelian , Duică Anișoara , Ibinceanu Mihaela Cristina Onica , Stanescu Sorina Geanina
Published: September 2021

The objective of this study is to analyze the trends in agriculture and the factors affecting the output of agriculture (OA) in the EU and Romania in the context of green economy. The research used the quantitative (mathematical regression function, correlation matrix, and R-squared) and qualitative (the SWOT matrix of the agriculture sector in Romania) methods. The data on Romanian agriculture were gathered from Eurostat for the period of 2006–2019. The results showed that there is a direct and positive relationship between the OA and its influencing factors. Moreover, it revealed the negative relationships between the employees in agriculture (−0.58), air pollutants (−0.49), agriculture land (−0.42), irrigation norm (−0.39), agriculture training (−0.33) and the OA, and positive relationships between the area under organic farming (0.56), the average area per holding (0.56), the number of tractors (0.53) and the OA. Romania is a country where employment and agriculture areas are greater than in other EU countries; however, the results of our research highlight the significance of a careful analysis of the influencing factors, of making the difference between the thin line of sustainable performance, of developing new measures, of reducing risks, and of gaining new knowledge and agricultural skills, as an important activity, especially for Romania.
Replacing Work with Study: A Sustainable Development Strategy for Economically or Culturally Disadvantaged Students
Authors: Lee Yi-Chih
Published: September 2021

Education is one of the most effective ways to eradicate and reduce poverty, helping to eliminate it as well as to promote social mobility. Although universities have been extensively established in Taiwan, the country still faces the problem of a large difference in students’ academic ability and a widening gap in educational resources among families. This study mainly explored whether the strategy of encouraging learning instead of working for disadvantaged students is helpful to their learning effectiveness. The research samples were collected from the data of college students who participated in the higher education SPROUT project of Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. This study enrolled a total of 752 students categorized as disadvantaged. The results found that those students who participated in the project usually devoted more time to study and schoolwork, and so they passed more subjects in the schoolwork with better overall performance in learning. They also obtained the required licenses for employment and more student subsidies to improve their lives. Therefore, the conclusion of this study is that by participating in multiple counseling mechanisms such as schoolwork counseling, license counseling, or career counseling arranged by universities, disadvantaged students can increase their study time, which not only improves their schoolwork learning effects but also enhances their employability.
Actions Speak Louder than Words: Investigating the Interplay between Descriptive and Injunctive Norms to Promote Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Authors: Saleem Muhammad A. , Ismail Hina , Ali Rao Akmal
Published: September 2021

Environmental problems are escalating. Alternate fuel vehicles are a technologically viable solution to curb transport-related pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that cause environmental problems. Based on the theory of norms-driven behavior, this study explains how the underlying facets of subjective social norms (injunctive and descriptive) are linked with personal norms (integrated and introjected) and how this linkage leads to eco-socially conscious consumer behavior related to the choice and use of personal cars. Data were collected from 687 automobile customers from eight large cities in Pakistan. The partial least squares structural equation modeling approach was employed to test the hypothesized relationships of the study. The results showed that subjective norms are positively associated with personal norms, and both together lead to eco-socially conscious consumers’ behavior related to the choice and use of personal cars. Implications for marketers are suggested to promote alternate fuel vehicles and the eco-social use of personal cars.
The Influence of Environmental Self-Identity on the Relationship between Consumer Identities and Frugal Behavior
Authors: Gil-Giménez Domingo , Rolo-González Gladys , Suárez Ernesto , Muinos Gabriel
Published: September 2021

The need to reduce consumption is evident, and a way of achieving this is through austerity and frugal practices. The aim of this research was to advance the understanding of frugal behavior and its relation to consumer identities, and to analyze any possible mediating effects of environmental self-identity. In Study 1 (n = 492), the factor structure of the consumer identities scale was tested and three distinct identities were defined: moral, wasteful, and thrifty consumer identities. In Study 2 (n = 500), the influence of consumer identities on frugal behavior was studied and the possible mediating effect of environmental self-identity was analyzed. Environmental self-identity completely mediated the relationship between moral identity and frugal behavior and partially mediated the relationships of both wasteful and thrifty identities with frugal behavior. The model was able to predict 27.6% of the variance of environmental self-identity and 47.9% of the variance of frugal behavior, with a strong influence by the thrifty consumer identity. This emphasizes the economic dimension of frugal consumption patterns and the importance of considering how people view themselves, both as individuals and as consumers, in order to more effectively engage and maintain long-term sustainable frugal actions.
Reengineered Governance Process for Assessing Core Public Infrastructure Projects
Authors: Lin Yi-Shin , Chou Jui-Sheng , Chiou Chi-Hung
Published: September 2021

Although the global financial crisis has adversely affected finances, governments continue to prepare substantial budgets annually to promote major economic development projects. However, the projects that are actually implemented by the current system often encounter delays, low public usage after completion, or failure to achieve the original objectives or expected benefits. This issue demands that the government immediately establish the countermeasures needed for effective improvement. The objective of this study is to provide a mechanism for promptly terminating ineffective projects and for minimizing the risks of ineffective project execution and unused budgets. To achieve the goal of the efficient use of financial resources, this study applied a qualitative research method and the process of reengineering concepts to provide government agencies with standard operating procedures and to review checklists for project assessment. The analysis results can be applied to public infrastructure projects before or during execution and provide an exemplary urban policy evaluation model for a three-tier administration system. The contributions of this study aim to reduce the misuse and waste of national resources and to maximize the efficiency of resource use by developing a standard review procedure, effective assessment procedures, a checklist, and a review checklist that can serve as a reference for government agencies.
Interweaving Industrial Ecology and Ecological Modernization: A Comparative Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Han Feng , Feng Zhangcong , Wang Chao , Yang Nujie , Yang Dong , Shi Feng
Published: September 2021

Although industrial activity has brought about rapid economic growth, it also faces the dual challenges of resource constraints and environmental pressure. Industrial ecology (IE) and ecological modernization (EM) are two theories regarding the conceptualization and implementation of sustainable development that emerged from the natural and social sciences, respectively. Over the past three decades, scholars have conducted copious amounts of theoretical and applied research on IE and EM, but comparative studies from an interdisciplinary perspective on the relationship between the two remain relatively rare. On the basis of a bibliometric analysis, this study offers a comprehensive examination of the background, theoretical connotations, and main content of IE and EM, also exploring the role of both theoretical perspectives in the promotion of sustainable industrial development. The findings are fourfold: (1) the research on IE and EM has been increasing year by year, particularly in the past decade; (2) the research is mostly concentrated in developed countries such as the United States and European Union member nations, and contributions from China have increased significantly in recent years; (3) IE has a broader research community than EM and has evolved clearer and more specific research contents and methods; and (4) IE, which analyzes the problems of specific industrial systems, and EM, which constitutes a higher-level institutional policy design, exhibit a trend of cross-fertilization. This study provides a reference for building a more systematic and comprehensive theoretical system of ecological transformation and discusses the future research directions in this field.
Evaluation on the Change Characteristics of Ecosystem Service Function in the Northern Xinjiang Based on Land Use Change
Authors: Wang Yang , Shataer Remina , Xia Tingting , Chang Xueer , Zhen Hui , Li Zhi
Published: September 2021

Monitoring the interannual changes in land use and the temporal and spatial characteristics of the ecosystem services value (ESV) can help to comprehensively and objectively understand the distribution of regional ecological patterns. The mountain–oasis–desert transition zone in the northern Tianshan Mountain region of Xinjiang, China, is a geographically unique area with a highly sensitive ecosystem. As a data source, the study uses Landsat TM images from 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2018 along with GIS-extracted data to calculate the dynamic degree of land use. As well, the spatial and temporal patterns of land use change and ESV are quantitatively analyzed by using the equivalent factor method, sensitivity index, and spatial correlation studies. The results reveal the following: (1) From 1990 to 2018, the land use changes in the northern Tianshans are relatively drastic, mainly due to the increase in cultivated land, grassland and construction land, and the decrease in forest land, water, and unused land. (2) The ESV increases and then decreases, for a total loss of about 271.63 × 108 yuan. The largest decrease is in forest value, and the largest increase (around 129.94%) is in construction land. (3) The spatial distribution pattern of ESV in the northern Tianshans is apparent, showing high in the north and southwest, and low in the central and southeast portions of the study area. Additionally, there is a visible spatial correlation and aggregation in ESV. The present research can provide theoretical support for the environmental protection of the ecologically vulnerable area of the northern Tianshans as well as for further construction across the region.
Surrogate Safety Measures Prediction at Multiple Timescales in V2P Conflicts Based on Gated Recurrent Unit
Authors: Miani Matteo , Dunnhofer Matteo , Micheloni Christian , Marini Andrea , Baldo Nicola
Published: September 2021

Improving pedestrian safety at urban intersections requires intelligent systems that should not only understand the actual vehicle–pedestrian (V2P) interaction state but also proactively anticipate the event’s future severity pattern. This paper presents a Gated Recurrent Unit-based system that aims to predict, up to 3 s ahead in time, the severity level of V2P encounters, depending on the current scene representation drawn from on-board radars’ data. A car-driving simulator experiment has been designed to collect sequential mobility features on a cohort of 65 licensed university students who faced different V2P conflicts on a planned urban route. To accurately describe the pedestrian safety condition during the encounter process, a combination of surrogate safety indicators, namely TAdv (Time Advantage) and T2 (Nearness of the Encroachment), are considered for modeling. Due to the nature of these indicators, multiple recurrent neural networks are trained to separately predict T2 continuous values and TAdv categories. Afterwards, their predictions are exploited to label serious conflict interactions. As a comparison, an additional Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) neural network is developed to directly predict the severity level of inner-city encounters. The latter neural model reaches the best performance on the test set, scoring a recall value of 0.899. Based on selected threshold values, the presented models can be used to label pedestrians near accident events and to enhance existing intelligent driving systems.
Performance Improvement of Thermoelectric Air Cooler System by Using Variable-Pulse Current for Building Applications
Authors: Irshad Kashif
Published: September 2021

The thermoelectric air conditioning system (TE-AC) is a small, noiseless alternative to standard vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) systems. The cooling characteristics of a TE-AC system operating under two conditions, i.e., steady current and current pulses, are investigated in this study. This system consists of three thermoelectric modules, a heat sink, and an air circulation fan. The result shows that maximum temperature reduction in cooling side of TE-AC system was achieved at 6 A input current under steady state operation. The optimum performance of the TE-AC system under steady state operation depends upon the combined effect of the cooling load, Joule, Fourier, and Peltier heat. In TE-AC pulse operation, both current width and cooling load applied on the cold side of the thermoelectric module (TEMs) play an important role in achieving optimum cooling performance of the system. When normal input current operation (i.e., no current pulse) was compared to pulse-operated TE-AC system operation, it was found that pulse operation provides an additional average temperature reduction of 3–4 °C on the cold side of TEMs. Although on the hot side, it maintains a temperature in the range of 18 °C to 24 °C to reduce overshoot heat flux. The duration of operation is also important in determining pulse width and pulse amplitude. Minimum and overshoot peak temperature rises during each cycle for longer run operation. In the TE-AC system, the accumulated Joule heat during a current pulse frequently causes a temperature overshoot, which lasts much longer. As a result, the next current pulse was not released until the temperature of TE was restored to its initial value.
Evaluation of Results of City Sustainable Transformation Projects in the Fields of Mobility and Energy Efficiency with Real Application in a District in Valladolid (Spain)
Authors: García-Fuentes Miguel Á. , Antolín Javier , de Torre Cristina , Pérez Ana , Tomé Isabel , Mirantes María L. , López Fátima , Martín Javier , Gómez Jaime
Published: September 2021

This paper presents a novel evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of city transformation projects related to energy efficiency and sustainable mobility actions. The evaluation framework is part of an Urban Regeneration Model designed to accelerate the urban transformation toward the smart city concept, taking into account all aspects of sustainability. This model has been developed and validated in the three EU cities (Valladolid, Spain; Nottingham, United Kingdom; and Tepebaşı, Turkey) where interventions in the energy, mobility, and ICT fields have been deployed. This model relies on an Evaluation Framework to support its main phases considering two levels of evaluation: city level, to assess globally the smartness and sustainability of the city, and project level, to support the decision-making and assess the impacts of specific implementations. This paper is focused on the second level and its application through the evaluation-supporting tool STILE in the assessment of the energy efficiency and sustainable urban mobility actions implemented in the city of Valladolid. The assessment analysis has allowed assessing how the energy efficiency interventions carried out in the Valladolid district have reduced the energy consumption, increased the use of renewable energies, and reduced the CO2 emissions. In addition, it has allowed evaluating other aspects such as the air quality, thermal comfort, and energy bill, which have been also improved for the residents. Considering the analysis of the sustainable mobility interventions, the evaluation framework supports the assessment of the reduction of emissions and air pollutants and how the actions have converted electro-mobility into a real option for citizens. The evaluation of results after the implementation of this kind of actions is key to ensuring that successful actions can be replicated in other places achieving smarter and more sustainable cities.
Gardening for Food Well-Being in the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Giraud Esteve G. , El-Sayed Sara , Opejin Adenike
Published: September 2021

“Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness”, is what millions of Americans strive for. The onset of COVID-19 has highlighted the disparities that exist among Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, which are facing food access inequities. In this paper, we argue that engaging in growing food sustainably can improve food access, support food justice and enhance sense of purpose and well-being. We expand the notion of Food Well-Being (FWB) to include food producers—especially gardeners—and hypothesize that gardening has the potential to enhance FWB, regardless of the racial and socio-economic background. However, without policies tackling social and racial justice issues, structural barriers may hinder this potential. We use three studies to draw a rich profile of sustainable food gardeners in Arizona, USA and their well-being: (a) the children and teachers engaged in school gardens in the Phoenix metropolitan area; (b) sustainable gardeners and farmers in Phoenix and Tucson; (c) Arizona gardeners during the pandemic. The results show a connection between sustainable gardening and eudemonic well-being, and an impact on the five FWB dimensions (physical, intellectual, spiritual, emotional and social). However, without appropriate policies, funding and infrastructure, the impact might remain minimal, volatile and subject to tokenism.
An Introductory Energy Course to Promote Broad Energy Education for Undergraduate Engineering Students
Authors: DeWaters Jan , Powers Susan , Bilow Felicity
Published: September 2021

Engineering graduates must be prepared to support our world’s need for a clean and sustainable energy future. Complex problems related to energy and sustainability require engineers to consider the broad spectrum of interrelated consequences including human and environmental health, sociopolitical, and economic factors. Teaching engineering students about energy within a societal context, simultaneous with developing technical knowledge and skills, will better prepare them to solve real-world problems. Yet few energy courses that approach energy topics from a human-centered perspective exist within engineering programs. Engineering students enrolled in energy programs often take such courses as supplemental to their course of study. This paper presents an engineering course that approaches energy education from a socio-technical perspective, emphasizing the complex interactions of energy technologies with sustainability dimensions. Course content and learning activities are structured around learning outcomes that require students to gain technical knowledge as well as an understanding of broader energy-related impacts. The course attracts students from a variety of majors and grade levels. A mixed quantitative/qualitative assessment conducted from 2019–2021 indicates successful achievement of course learning outcomes. Students demonstrated significant gains in technical content knowledge as well as the ability to critically address complex sociotechnical issues related to current and future energy systems.
Sustainable Methodology for Operational and Formal Digital Skills Acquisition: A Case Study of e-Health Inclusion
Authors: Muñoz-Hernández Susana , Benac-Earle Clara , Herranz Nieva Angel , Gonzalez-McGuinness Mayte
Published: September 2021

This study explains the rationale of a methodology developed by the Universidad Politécnica of Madrid (UPM) group TechPeopleCare as applied to the e-Health Inclusion through ICT Training project partly funded by the European Institute of Technology EIT-Health in 2019. An initial sample of 168 participants with different lifestyles and migrant backgrounds, with high female participation, were recruited in three different countries by three different organisations following strict ethical protocols that limit the data that can be shared. The learning materials were aimed at people lacking the operational and formal skills to use digital media, for example, using a mouse, a keyboard, and navigating the Internet. This learning would enable these cohorts to become beneficiaries of e-Health interventions, such as making a doctor’s appointment, accessing a health record, finding the location of a health centre or the nearest open pharmacy. By the end of the training programme, we found that the motivation to learn was high. The possibility of reviewing learning content at the individual’s pace and without the need of an instructor was appreciated, especially by younger cohorts with migrant backgrounds. A majority reported being satisfied with their learning of the health systems, unique to each country, and willing to learn more regardless of the training method. However, allowing for individual and independent learning “by doing” appears more accessible to suit different lifestyles and more sustainable than traditional computer classes. Since social and digital inequality are intertwined, sustainable and innovative learning programmes in developing countries within communities specifically addressing the acquisition of operational and formal skills are a pre-condition to move forward and bridge the gap of being on the wrong side of the digital divide.
Model to Develop Skills in Accounting Students for a 4.0 Industry and 2030 Agenda: From an International Perspective
Authors: García Jorge Luis , de los Ríos Ignacio
Published: September 2021

Since countries around the world have adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the concept of Industry 4.0 was externalized at the World Economic Forum in 2016, many investigations have concluded that industries are advancing rapidly through emerging technology projects in a number of fields, enabling them to become more sustainable without neglecting clean and environmentally sound industrial processes. However, this research shows that new accounting graduates lack the key professional competencies required to perform professionally under sustainable accounting standards. Professors and experts agree that traditional teaching methods should be replaced by others that allow recent graduates to better adapt to this new industrial age of sustainability accounting. In this context, we performed an exhaustive analysis of 17 educational methods, in which Delphi was used to survey 46 experts from 26 universities around the world, along with 320 students. This research presents a hybrid model validated by 23 teachers involved directly in its application. In total, 54.82% of the graduates who participated in this model obtained higher marks in their final graduation exam than those who did not. Thus, these students showed greater development in their accounting skills, enabling them to face the complexities of their professional area in view of the 2030 agenda and the new industrial era.
Effectiveness of Chinese Regulatory Planning in Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change: Comparative Analysis Based on Q Methodology
Authors: Yin Chengzhi , Xiao Jianhua , Zhang Tianqi
Published: September 2021

With cities considered the main source of carbon emissions, urban planning could mitigate and help adapt to climate change, given the allocation and regulation of public policies of urban spatial resources. China’s regulatory planning remains the basis for building permission in the original urban and rural planning, and the new territorial spatial planning systems, determining the quality of urban plan implementation. Comprehensive regulatory plans effectively reduce carbon emissions. This study employs Q methodology to compare and analyze urban planners’ and practitioners’ perceptions of China’s regulatory planning in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The findings show that while regulatory planning is key, potential deficiencies include the gaps between regulatory from master plans, capacity shortages of designations and indicators, and unequal rights and responsibilities of local governments. However, mandatory indicators in regulatory planning, especially “greening rate,” “building density,” “land use type,” and “application of renewable energy technologies to the development of municipal infrastructure” could effectively mitigate climate change. “Greening rate” is the core indicator in regulatory planning since it provides empirical evidence for the “green space effect”. This study indicates that local customization of combined regulation of greening rate and green spaces could help mitigate and help China adapt to climate change.
Improvement of Container Terminal Productivity with Knowledge about Future Transport Modes: A Theoretical Agent-Based Modelling Approach
Authors: Mazloumi Mehdi , van Hassel Edwin
Published: September 2021

Despite all the achievements in improving container terminal performance in terms of equipment and container stacking systems (CSS), terminal operators are still facing several challenges. One of these challenges is the lack of information about further transportation modes of the container, which leads to extra movements of the container inside the stacking area. Hence, we aimed to examine factors that affect container handling processes and to evaluate a container terminal’s overall equipment effectiveness. This study used data from a container terminal at the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. An agent-based model was developed based on a block-stacking strategy to investigate two scenarios: (1) having information about further transportation modes and (2) a base scenario. The Overall Equipment Effectiveness Index (OEE) was also adopted to evaluate the container terminal’s effectiveness in both scenarios. Results showed that having information on further transportation mode significantly increased the container outflow, and the OEE index improved compared to the base scenario’s results. Therefore, we recommend an integrated data-sharing system where all the stakeholders can share their information with no fear of losing their market share.
Climate Change and Fisheries Regulation: What We Should Consider for the Future?
Authors: Zou Keyuan
Published: September 2021

Climate change and its effect on marine environment, especially ocean warming, acidification and sea level rise, impacts fisheries in different ways. However, fisheries and climate change are regulated by different international management mechanisms, which makes the current fisheries management system face challenges. Realizing this, the present paper is designed to consider whether international law should be introduced to apply better management of fisheries so as to cope with the issues arising from climate change. In addition, the paper highlights the importance of incorporating relevant principles into future fisheries regulations by examining an existing bilateral fishery agreements.
Fertilization Failed to Make Positive Effects on Torreya grandis in Severe N-Deposition Subtropics
Authors: Han Yini , Wang G. Geoff , Wu Tonggui , Chen Wenjing , Ji Yongliang , Jin Songheng
Published: September 2021

In managed orchards, fertilization brings out not only high productivity expectations but also severe environmental pollution. Because economic profit takes priority over environmental cost, increasing amounts of fertilizer have been used in mature subtropical Torreya grandis orchards. However, given the magnitude of global nitrogen deposition, it’s worth considering whether heavy fertilizer treatment is necessary. To elucidate the balance between T. grandis nutrient demands and fertilizer supply, we determined the C, N, and P concentrations of foliar and soil ([C], [N], [P]) at 9 orchards undergoing long-term fertilizer treatments in two scenarios of N and N + P addition with different intensity. After documenting the dynamic variation of plant growth, nutrients characteristic, and the corresponding resorption efficiency, we found that excessive N addition interfered T. grandis’ sensibility to P availability in this N-enrichment area, leading to an increasing foliar [P] and resorption efficiency (PRE) and decoupling plant C:N:P ratios. As a result, enhanced fertilizer supply failed to improve carbon accumulation, plant growth, and yield effectively. These results demonstrate that extra fertilization in the N-saturated study area highly reduced the economic and ecological efficiency of fertilizers. Thus, our research suggests that N addition in the studied orchards should be rejected, and we recommend organic management as a more conducive method to achieve sustainable development.
A Static Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Off-Grid Supply
Authors: Montisci Augusto , Caredda Marco
Published: September 2021

The electrification of the rural areas of the planet has become one of the greatest challenges for sustainability. In fact, it would be the key to guaranteeing development for the poorest areas of the planet from which most of the raw material for the food market derives. The paradigm of centralized production is not applicable in these territories, because the distribution network would involve unjustifiable costs. For this reason, many studies have been carried out to ensure that the energy supply (specifically electricity) for off-grid utilities is maintained, in order to guarantee energy autonomy while reducing dependence on specialist assistance for the management of the system. In this work, a hybrid system (HRES) is proposed that combines the exploitation of solar radiation, wind power, and biomass using static devices, in order to improve the system’s availability and limit the cost of operation and maintenance. The aim of the study is to define promising lines of research, which can improve the sustainability of renewable harvesting systems to supply off-grids users.
The Impact of Scarcity of Medical Protective Products on Chinese Consumers’ Impulsive Purchasing during the COVID-19 Epidemic in China
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Jiang Nan , Turner Jason James , Pahlevan Sharif Saeed
Published: September 2021

In 2020, during the peak period of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, the scarcity of medical protective products significantly influenced consumers’ impulsive purchasing and affected the public order. It is important to identify the effect of scarcity on consumers’ impulsive purchasing during this difficult time. However, scant research has been conducted on the impact of scarcity of medical protective products on Chinese consumers’ impulsive purchasing. This paper investigates the impact of the scarcity of medical protective products on consumers’ impulsive purchasing during the pandemic in China based on the theories of scarcity, S-O-R and bandwagon effect. Simultaneously, this study identifies the different mediating mechanisms (fear of missing out and perception) and the moderation (bandwagon) in the relationship between scarcity and impulsive purchasing. Finally, 509 validity data were collected by using an online questionnaire, and SmartPLS was used for data analysis. The findings present that the fear of missing out, perception and bandwagon dominate the scarcity effect on impulsive purchasing. The findings provide more information on consumers’ impulsive purchasing in the context of scarcity of medical protective products. Marketers and the Chinese government can adopt measures to reduce their effect, which may help maintain the public order during the epidemic.
Research of the Negative Influence of Dimmed LED Luminaires in Context of Smart Installations
Authors: Drgona Peter , Durana Peter , Betko Tibor
Published: September 2021

This article deals with the investigation of the negative impacts of dimmed public, industrial and office LED (light emitting diode) light installations. This approach is required due to the uncertain design of LED ballasts, while manufacturers do not implement the required PFC (power factor correction) function. Therefore, the focus is on a brief description of the principles of negative influences such as: low power factor, high inrush current and high total harmonic distortion based on direct confrontation with actual standards (IESC EN, NEMA, ENERGY STAR). Further, the behavior of LED drivers is explained under nominal load and dimmed up to critical level. Presented findings confirm issues reported by users from larger installations where LED fittings are dimmed over a certain level. The article includes recommendations for consumers and producers of LED fittings about main issues from the scientific and user points of view. Presented facts conclude on the necessity of studying the marginal operating state of LED fittings aiming at THD (total harmonic distortion), PF (real power factor) and inrush currents.
Sustaining Education with Mobile Learning for English for Specific Purposes (ESP): A Systematic Review (2012–2021)
Authors: Rafiq Karmila Rafiqah M. , Hashim Harwati , Yunus Melor Md
Published: September 2021

Mobile learning for English Language Teaching (ELT) has become an emerging trend to sustain education, providing the option to learn English for Specific Purposes (ESP). However, the review of mobile learning in ESP is scarce, despite its importance in sustaining education. Thus, this review systematically identifies the trends of mobile learning concerning ESP. Using three databases, namely Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Educational Resources Information Centre (ERIC), 28 articles were extracted out of 139, from 2012 to 2021, with exclusion and inclusion criteria taken into consideration. First, the significant findings portrayed that mobile apps are the most commonly used means of mobile learning. Second, vocabulary and language competency is more emphasised in mobile learning for ESP. Third, mobile learning in ESP mostly dominated the business field of studies. These three findings implied that there are still gaps in research on mobile learning and ESP. Generally, this review is valuable for practitioners to know which mobile learning tool is ready to be used and in identifying gaps for research in mobile learning and ESP, to sustain education for the future.
Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Aggregate Stability and Microbial Biomass in a Long-Term Fertilization Experiment (IOSDV)
Authors: Csitári Gábor , Tóth Zoltán , Kökény Mónika
Published: September 2021

The effect of two types of organic amendment (manure and straw incorporation) and various doses (0–200 kg N*ha−1) of mineral N fertilization on microbial biomass C (MBC), aggregate stability (AS), soil organic C (SOC) and grain yield were investigated in an IOSDV long-term fertilization experiment (Keszthely, Hungary). This study was conducted during years 2015–2016 in a sandy loam Ramann-type brown forest soil (Eutric Cambisol according to WRB). Organic amendments had a significant effect on AS, MBC and SOC, increased their values compared to the unamended control. The organic amendments showed different effects on AS and MBC. AS was increased the most by straw incorporation and MBC by manure application. The magnitude of temporal variability of AS and MBC differed. Presumably, the different effects of organic amendments and the different degrees of temporal variability explain why there was only a weak (0.173) correlation between AS and MBC. AS did not correlate with SOC or grain yield. MBC correlated (0.339) with SOC but not with the grain yield. The N fertilizer dose did not have a significant effect on AS and MBC, but had a significant effect on SOC and grain yield.
The Role of CSR and Ethical Leadership to Shape Employees’ Pro-Environmental Behavior in the Era of Industry 4.0. A Case of the Banking Sector
Authors: Wu Qiang , Cherian Jacob , Samad Sarminah , Comite Ubaldo , Hu Huajie , Gunnlaugsson Stefan B. , Oláh Judit , Sial Muhammad Safdar
Published: September 2021

The phenomenon of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an ever-evolving concept due to its multidimensionality. However, a plethora of studies have investigated CSR to achieve different organizational-related objectives, and its potential link to shape employee’s extra-role behavior, especially employee pro-environmental behavior (EB) in the era of Industry 4.0, is underexplored in the literature. To bridge this gap, the current study aims to explain the relationship between CSR and EB with the mediating role of ethical leadership (EL) in the banking sector of Pakistan. The data of the current survey were collected (n = 459) from different banking employees within the city of Lahore through a self-administered questionnaire (paper–pencil technique). The hypotheses were validated through the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique in AMOS. The empirical results of the current study confirmed that CSR positively relates to EB, and EL partially mediates this relationship. These findings are helpful for professionals to realize the significance of CSR and EL to shape EB in order to mitigate the environmental footprint of an organization.
Investigation of Fashion Sharing Platform for Sustainable Economy—Korean and International Fashion Websites before and after COVID-19
Authors: Lee Okkyung , Lee Yejin , Lee Heeran
Published: September 2021

In this study, we analyzed the changes in South Korean and international fashion sharing websites before and after the COVID-19 pandemic to suggest ways to use fashion sharing services for sustainable fashion. Additionally, we evaluate the usability and accessibility of the site to provide usable data when configuring the fashion sharing service site. Changes in various elements of 21 domestic and foreign fashion sharing websites were analyzed. Five websites were selected and assessed for their usability and accessibility using Likert scales. Results revealed that the sharing price was approximately 30% of the selling price, and international websites offered more diverse brands, items, and sizes than South Korean websites. Regarding usability, “Rent-It” and “Rent the Runway” scored high points, and “Rent the Runway” had a high average value for accessibility. Additionally, despite the given circumstances, only two South Korean and a few international websites seemed to be advertising about hygiene, on topics such as laundry and sterilization. Therefore, in South Korea, focusing on one or two shared items, securing a wide range of brands, items, and sizes, and advertising hygiene is essential. A fashion sharing website focused on effective usability, accessibility, and product hygiene will ensure sustainable fashion sharing remains stable.
The Role of the Public University of Navarre in Achieving the 1st SDG for the End of Poverty
Authors: Martínez-Virto Lucía , Pérez-Eransus Begoña
Published: September 2021

The end of poverty is the first of the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations. Universities are strategic spaces for promoting the SDGs, from training, research, and outreach capacity to implementing sustainable actions, helping to reduce inequalities and, significantly, promoting sustainable cities and communities. This article aims to answer how the Public University of Navarre contributes to promoting the 1st SDG, what mechanisms for the end of poverty endorses in its territory, and what can we learn from these experiences. To this end, a case study has been carried out based on qualitative techniques. This work analyzes the strategies implemented, such as incorporating social clauses for responsible recruiting, the development of applied research and teaching or network participation. From this example, some engaging lessons will be extracted to address this issue in other contexts, promoting their consolidation and identifying the obstacles that may hinder their spread.
The Relationship between Efficiency and Quality of Municipally Owned Corporations: Evidence from Local Public Transport and Waste Management in Poland
Authors: Jedynak Tomasz , Wąsowicz Krzysztof
Published: September 2021

Sustainable development requires the intervention of public authorities in areas where market mechanisms do not guarantee the proper allocation of goods. Some of these goods include public services such as local collective transport and municipal waste management. In many countries, the process of remunicipalizing these service provisions is underway and, in the modern model used in providing these services, municipally owned corporations (MOCs) play a special role. The specific nature of these companies (i.e., the duality of their objectives and that they are required to run classic economic calculations while they are assessed in terms of the quality of their services) encouraged the authors to formulate the primary goal of the study, which was to assess the link between the financial and operational efficiency of MOCs and the quality of their services. The present study’s authors developed a method for measuring the financial and operational efficiency of MOCs. In addition, a set of standards for assessing the quality of public service provision were defined, and opinion surveys were carried out to evaluate them. Subsequently, multi-criteria rankings of the efficiency and quality of services of the MOCs tested were drawn up using a synthetic variable based on the zero unitarization method (ZUM). A correlation of the analyzed variables was examined (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient) and simple line regression models were built. Our research showed that analyses of MOCs, when limited to their financial and operational aspects, are incomplete. According to the empirical analysis carried out, the financial and operational efficiency of MOCs does not translate to the quality of their services. Therefore, we believe that, in assessing the activities of MOCs, it is necessary to take into account criteria that measure the quality of meeting the needs of the local community in addition to financial criteria.
Pesticide and Toxic Metal Pollution in Waters, Fish and Wild Animals in Vojvodina, Serbia
Authors: Sabo Stanislav , Vukmirović Saša , Suđi Jan , Juriš Peter , Tomić Zdenko , Bjelović Sanja , Tomić Ljiljana , Sabo Ana
Published: September 2021

High concentrations of pesticides and toxic metal pollutants in the environment, often present in surface waters in nature, can accumulate in wild animals and are a significant public health concern. Serbia is a moderately developed, south European country in transition, with a long tradition in agriculture, particularly in the northern part, Vojvodina. Our study aimed to assess the presence of pesticides and to measure concentrations of toxic metals in the district of Backi Petrovac, Vojvodina. Water samples were analyzed from canals, ditches, fish from the canals and wild animals caught in the Backi Petrovac district. We identified nine pesticides in water samples. Of all detected pesticides, one was a hormonal disruptor. There were no pesticides in animals, fish and organs in a concentration above the limit of detection (LOD) in observed periods. The concentrations of toxic metals detected in superficial water (Cd, Pb, Hg, As, Mn, Cu) were below the permitted limits, as well as the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Hg, As and Mn in the whole bodies of fish. Concentrations in kidneys and livers of wild animals (rabbit and roe deer) were below the permitted limits, with the exception of cadmium, whose concentrations in some animal samples were above the permitted limit. Based on the obtained results, we concluded that in the developed agricultural region unencumbered by heavy industry, pollution by pesticides and heavy metals can be controlled.
Soil-Applied Boron Combined with Boron-Tolerant Bacteria (Bacillus sp. MN54) Improve Root Proliferation and Nodulation, Yield and Agronomic Grain Biofortification of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Mehboob Noman , Hussain Mubshar , Minhas Waqas Ahmed , Yasir Tauqeer Ahmad , Naveed Muhammad , Farooq Shahid , Alfarraj Saleh , Zuan Ali Tan Kee
Published: September 2021

Chickpea is widely cultivated on calcareous sandy soils in arid and semi-arid regions of Pakistan; however, widespread boron (B) deficiencies in these soils significantly decreases its productivity. Soil application of B could improve chickpea yield and grain-B concentration. However, optimizing suitable B level is necessary due to a narrow deficiency and toxicity range of B. Nonetheless, the co-application of B-tolerant bacteria (BTB) and synthetic B fertilizer could be helpful in obtaining higher chickpea yields and grain-B concentration. Therefore, this study optimized the level of soil applied B along with BTB, (i.e., Bacillus sp. MN54) to improve growth, yield and grain-B concentrations of chickpea. The B concentrations included in the study were 0.00 (control), 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 mg B kg−1 soil combined with or without Bacillus sp. MN54 inoculation. Soil application of B significantly improved root system, nodulation, yield and grain-B concentration, and Bacillus sp. MN54 inoculation further improved these traits. Moreover, B application at a lower dose (0.25 mg B kg−1 soil) with BTB inoculation recorded the highest improvements in root system (longer roots with more roots’ proliferation), growth, nodulation and grain yield. However, the highest grain-B concentration was recorded under a higher B level (0.75 mg B kg−1 soil) included in the study. Soil application of 0.25 mg B kg−1 with Bacillus sp. MN54 inoculation improved growth and yield-related traits, especially nodule population (81%), number of pods plant−1 (38%), number of grains plant−1 (65%) and grain yield (47%) compared with control treatment. However, the grain-B concentration was higher under the highest B level (1.00 mg kg−1 soil) with Bacillus sp. MN54 inoculation. In conclusion, soil application of 0.25 mg B kg−1 with Bacillus sp. MN54 inoculation is a pragmatic option to improve the root system, nodule population, seedling growth, yield and agronomic grain-B biofortification of chickpea.