bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep Learning-Based Synthesized View Quality Enhancement with DIBR Distortion Mask Prediction Using Synthetic Images
Authors: Zhang Huan , Cao Jiangzhong , Zheng Dongsheng , Yao Ximei , Ling Bingo Wing-Kuen
Published: October 2022

Recently, deep learning-based image quality enhancement models have been proposed to improve the perceptual quality of distorted synthesized views impaired by compression and the Depth Image-Based Rendering (DIBR) process in a multi-view video system. However, due to the lack of Multi-view Video plus Depth (MVD) data, the training data for quality enhancement models is small, which limits the performance and progress of these models. Augmenting the training data to enhance the synthesized view quality enhancement (SVQE) models is a feasible solution. In this paper, a deep learning-based SVQE model using more synthetic synthesized view images (SVIs) is suggested. To simulate the irregular geometric displacement of DIBR distortion, a random irregular polygon-based SVI synthesis method is proposed based on existing massive RGB/RGBD data, and a synthetic synthesized view database is constructed, which includes synthetic SVIs and the DIBR distortion mask. Moreover, to further guide the SVQE models to focus more precisely on DIBR distortion, a DIBR distortion mask prediction network which could predict the position and variance of DIBR distortion is embedded into the SVQE models. The experimental results on public MVD sequences demonstrate that the PSNR performance of the existing SVQE models, e.g., DnCNN, NAFNet, and TSAN, pre-trained on NYU-based synthetic SVIs could be greatly promoted by 0.51-, 0.36-, and 0.26 dB on average, respectively, while the MPPSNRr performance could also be elevated by 0.86, 0.25, and 0.24 on average, respectively. In addition, by introducing the DIBR distortion mask prediction network, the SVI quality obtained by the DnCNN and NAFNet pre-trained on NYU-based synthetic SVIs could be further enhanced by 0.02- and 0.03 dB on average in terms of the PSNR and 0.004 and 0.121 on average in terms of the MPPSNRr.
An Improved Online Self-Calibration Method Utilizing Angular Velocity Observation for Ultra High Accuracy PIGA-Based IMU
Authors: Zhang Yongfeng , Hu Shuling , Yang Gongliu , Zhou Xiaojun , Liu Hongwu
Published: October 2022

In the field of ultra high accuracy inertial measurement unit (IMU), pendulous integrating gyroscopic accelerometer (PIGA) has become a research hot spot due to its high-end performance. However, PIGA is sensitive to angular velocity, and the calibration process of PIGA-based IMU will be very complicated, which makes online self-calibration difficult to implement. To solve the above problems, we proposed an online self-calibration method utilizing angular velocity observation. The main contributions of this study are twofold: (1) An error analysis of PIGA is conducted in this paper, and the error model has also been simplified to suit the self-calibration model. (2) An improved online self-calibration method utilizing angular observation based on a simplified PIGA error model is proposed in this study. Experimental results show that the self-calibration method proposed in this study can improve the PIGA online calibration accuracy effectively (with the accuracy within 0.02 m/s/pulse), which can improve the dynamic accuracy of the PIGA.
Architecture of an Electrical Equivalence Pyranometer with Temperature Difference Analog Control
Authors: Dantas Evandson Claude Seabra , Segundo José Taunaí Dantas , Catunda Sebastian Yuri Cavalcanti , Belfort Diomadson Rodrigues , Freire Raimundo Carlos Silvérios , Silva Júnior Paulo Fernandes da
Published: October 2022

In this paper, an architecture of an electrical equivalence pyranometer with analog control of the temperature difference is presented. The classical electrical equivalence pyranometer employs a Wheatstone bridge with a feedback amplifier to keep the sensor operating at a constant temperature to estimate the incident radiation through the sensor thermal balance employing the electrical equivalence principal. However, this architecture presents limitations under ambient temperature variation, such as sensitivity variation. To overcome those limitations, we propose an architecture that controls the temperature difference between the sensor and ambient via an analog compensating circuit. Analytical results show an improvement near five times in sensitivity over the ambient temperature span and 76.3% increase of useful output voltage. A prototype was developed and validated with a commercial pyranometer, showing a high agreement on the measurement results. It is verified that the use of temperature difference, rather than constant temperature, significantly reduces the effect of ambient temperature variation.
Inkjet-Printed Temperature Sensors Characterized according to Standards
Authors: Jäger Jonas , Schwenck Adrian , Walter Daniela , Bülau André , Gläser Kerstin , Zimmermann André
Published: October 2022

This paper describes the characterization of inkjet-printed resistive temperature sensors according to the international standard IEC 61928-2. The goal is to evaluate such sensors comprehensively, to identify important manufacturing processes, and to generate data for inkjet-printed temperature sensors according to the mentioned standard for the first time, which will enable future comparisons across different publications. Temperature sensors were printed with a silver nanoparticle ink on injection-molded parts. After printing, the sensors were sintered with different parameters to investigate their influences on the performance. Temperature sensors were characterized in a temperature range from 10 °C to 85 °C at 60% RH. It turned out that the highest tested sintering temperature of 200 °C, the longest dwell time of 24 h, and a coating with fluoropolymer resulted in the best sensor properties, which are a high temperature coefficient of resistance, low hysteresis, low non-repeatability, and low maximum error. The determined hysteresis, non-repeatability, and maximum error are below 1.4% of the full-scale output (FSO), and the temperature coefficient of resistance is 1.23–1.31 × 10−3 K−1. These results show that inkjet printing is a capable technology for the manufacturing of temperature sensors for applications up to 85 °C, such as lab-on-a-chip devices.
Automated Firmware Generation for Compressive Sensing on Heterogeneous Hardware
Authors: Baeyens Rens , Denil Joachim , Steckel Jan , Laurijssen Dennis , Daems Walter
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a model-based firmware generator is presented towards complex sampling schemes. The framework is capable of automatically generating a fixed-rate Shannon-compliant acquisition scheme, as well as a variable-rate compressive sensing acquisition scheme. The generation starts from a model definition, which consists of two main components, namely an acquisition sequence to implement and the platform on which the sequence should be implemented. This model is then combined with the specifications to be transformed into a functional firmware. When generating firmware for compressive sensing (CS) purposes, the defined acquisition sequence is automatically generated to implement a pseudo-random sampling scheme in agreement with the defined undersampling factor. The evaluation of the generated firmware is done by means of an example use-case, including a proposed strategy for synchronization between CS setups. This research attempts to reduce the development complexity for embedded CS to lower the threshold towards effective usage in the field.
A Concise Tutorial on Functional Analysis for Applications to Signal Processing
Authors: Ghalyan Najah F. , Ray Asok , Jenkins William Kenneth
Published: October 2022

Functional analysis is a well-developed field in the discipline of Mathematics, which provides unifying frameworks for solving many problems in applied sciences and engineering. In particular, several important topics (e.g., spectrum estimation, linear prediction, and wavelet analysis) in signal processing had been initiated and developed through collaborative efforts of engineers and mathematicians who used results from Hilbert spaces, Hardy spaces, weak topology, and other topics of functional analysis to establish essential analytical structures for many subfields in signal processing. This paper presents a concise tutorial for understanding the theoretical concepts of the essential elements in functional analysis, which form a mathematical framework and backbone for central topics in signal processing, specifically statistical and adaptive signal processing. The applications of these concepts for formulating and analyzing signal processing problems may often be difficult for researchers in applied sciences and engineering, who are not adequately familiar with the terminology and concepts of functional analysis. Moreover, these concepts are not often explained in sufficient details in the signal processing literature; on the other hand, they are well-studied in textbooks on functional analysis, yet without emphasizing the perspectives of signal processing applications. Therefore, the process of assimilating the ensemble of pertinent information on functional analysis and explaining their relevance to signal processing applications should have significant importance and utility to the professional communities of applied sciences and engineering. The information, presented in this paper, is intended to provide an adequate mathematical background with a unifying concept for apparently diverse topics in signal processing. The main objectives of this paper from the above perspectives are summarized below: (1) Assimilation of the essential information from different sources of functional analysis literature, which are relevant to developing the theory and applications of signal processing. (2) Description of the underlying concepts in a way that is accessible to non-specialists in functional analysis (e.g., those with bachelor-level or first-year graduate-level training in signal processing and mathematics). (3) Signal-processing-based interpretation of functional-analytic concepts and their concise presentation in a tutorial format.
Multidimensional Chromatography and Its Applications in Food Products, Biological Samples and Toxin Products: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Amin Ruhul , Alam Faruk , Dey Biplab Kumar , Mandhadi Jithendar Reddy , Bin Emran Talha , Khandaker Mayeen Uddin , Safi Sher Zaman
Published: October 2022

Food, drugs, dyes, extracts, and minerals are all made up of complex elements, and utilizing unidimensional chromatography to separate them is inefficient and insensitive. This has sparked the invention of several linked chromatography methods, each of them with distinct separation principles and affinity for the analyte of interest. Multidimensional chromatography consists of the combination of multiple chromatography techniques, with great benefits at the level of efficiency, peak capacity, precision, and accuracy of the analysis, while reducing the time required for the analysis. Various coupled chromatography techniques have recently emerged, including liquid chromatography–gas chromatography (LC–GC), gas chromatography–gas chromatography (GC–GC), liquid chromatography–liquid chromatography (LC–LC), GCMS–MS, LCMS–MS, supercritical fluid techniques with chromatography techniques, and electro-driven multidimensional separation techniques. In this paper, the different coupled chromatography techniques will be discussed, along with their wide spectrum of applications for food, flavor, and environmental analysis, as well as their usefulness for the pharmaceutical, color, and dyes industries.
The Lock-in Effect of Marriage: Work Incentives after Saying “I Do”
Authors: Christl Michael , De Poli Silvia , Ivaškaitė-Tamošiūnė Viginta
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we use EUROMOD, the tax-benefit microsimulation model of the European Union, to investigate the impact of marriage-related tax-benefit instruments on the financial incentives to work of married couples. For each spouse, we estimate their individual marginal effective tax rate and net replacement rate before and after marriage. We show that the marriage bonus, which is economically significant in eight European countries, decreases the work incentives for women, particularly on the intensive margin. In contrast, for men the incentives on the intensive margin increase once they are married, pointing to the marriage-biased and gender-biased tax-benefit structures in the analysed countries. Our results suggest that marriage bonuses contribute to a lock-in effect, where second earners, typically women, are incentivised to work less, with negative economic consequences.
Mode of Collaboration between the Pharmaceutical Firms and Pharmacists: An Empirical Investigation of Social Media Marketing Activities
Authors: Awad Ala Shakeeb , Ertugan Ahmet , Hyusein Ayshe
Published: October 2022

This study aims to explain the antecedents of B2B customer satisfaction in the pharmaceutical industry of Jordan. The study mainly investigates the direct role of social media marketing on B2B pharmacy staff satisfaction through the lenses of the Kano model, value creation, and transaction efficiency. Purposive sampling was used to collect data from 573 pharmacy staff. Structural equation modelling and regression analysis were used to assess the constructed model’s validity. Results of the study show that the social media marketing construct had both direct and indirect impacts on B2B customer satisfaction. Specifically, the Kano model, value creation, and transaction efficiency’s mediating effect on the constructed model were found to be effective when building integrated marketing strategies for B2B customers in the pharmaceutical industry.
A Comparative Study of Forest Fire Mapping Using GIS-Based Data Mining Approaches in Western Iran
Authors: Mohammed Osama Ashraf , Vafaei Sasan , Kurdalivand Mehdi Mirzaei , Rasooli Sabri , Yao Chaolong , Hu Tongxin
Published: October 2022

Mapping fire risk accurately is essential for the planning and protection of forests. This study aims to map fire risk (probability of ignition) in Marivan County of Kurdistan province, Iran, using the data mining approaches of the evidential belief function (EBF) and weight of evidence (WOE) models, with an emphasis placed on climatic variables. Firstly, 284 fire incidents in the region were randomly divided into two groups, including the training group (70%, 199 points) and the validation group (30%, 85 points). Given the previous studies and conditions of the region, the variables of slope percentage, slope direction, altitude, distance from rivers, distance from roads, distance from settlements, land use, slope curvature, rainfall, and maximum annual temperature were considered for zoning fire risk. Then, forest fire risk maps were prepared using the EBF and WOE models. The performance of each model was examined using the Relative Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. The results showed that WOE and EBF are effective tools for mapping forest fire risks in the study area. However, the WOE model shows a slightly higher Area Under the Curve value (0.896) compared to that of the EBF model (0.886), indicating a slightly better performance. The results of this study can provide valuable information for preventing forest fires in the study area.
Biodiesel Production from Waste Palm Cooking Oil Using Immobilized Candida rugosa Lipase
Authors: Abdulla Rahmath , Derman Eryati , K.Mathialagan Thivyasri , Yaser Abu Zahrim , Abu Samah Mohd Armi , Gansau Jualang Azlan , Syed Najmuddin Syed Umar Faruq
Published: October 2022

Biodiesel production from Waste Palm Cooking Oil (WPCO) is of interest to substitute fossil derived diesel fuel, due to its renewable nature, cleaner emissions and non-toxic properties. Thus, in this study, biodiesel production through transesterification process was optimized using immobilized lipase from Candida rugosa and WPCO collected from the faculty’s cafeteria as a feedstock. Interaction between five operating factors: molar ratio of ethanol to oil, water content, lipase loading, reaction temperature and time on the biodiesel yield were investigated. It was observed that, with the optimal conditions of 10:1 molar ratio of ethanol to oil, 1 g water, temperature 40 °C, 0.8 g immobilized lipase and 32 h reaction time, a yield of 85.72% of biodiesel could be achieved. Thus, this study shows that WPCO, an environmental waste, can be utilized as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production using environmentally friendly biocatalysts such as immobilized lipase.
Stabilization of Soil Co-Contaminated with Mercury and Arsenic by Different Types of Biochar
Authors: Wei Yang , Li Risheng , Lu Nan , Zhang Baoqiang
Published: October 2022

Mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) are toxic and harmful heavy metals, with exceedance rates of 1.6% and 2.7%, respectively, in soils across China. Compared to soils contaminated with Hg or As alone, co-contaminated soils pose complex environmental risks and are difficult to remediate. Biochar is widely used as a soil amendment to adsorb and immobilize pollutants such as heavy metals. However, only a few studies have explored the efficiency of biochars produced from different crop straws to reduce the bioavailability of heavy metals in co-contaminated soils, and the effects on soil biological properties are often overlooked. The aim of this study was to investigate changes to the physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and heavy metal bioavailability of an industrial soil co-contaminated with Hg and As upon the addition of different biochars from reed, cassava, and rice straws (REB, CAB, and RIB, respectively). The soil was amended with 1% biochar and planted with spinach in pots for 30 days. RIB was more effective than REB and CAB in increasing the soil pH, organic matter content, and cation exchange capacity. RIB and CAB exhibited similar positive effects on the soil dehydrogenase, catalase, invertase, and urease activities, which were higher than those of REB. The exchangeable fraction of both metals decreased upon biochar addition, and the residual fraction showed the opposite trend. All biochar amendments reduced the bioconcentration factors of heavy metals (especially Hg) in plants and decreased the metal bioavailability in soil. RIB is the optimal amendment for the stabilization of soil co-contaminated with Hg and As.
Effects of Composting Yard Waste Temperature on Seed Germination of a Major Tropical Invasive Weed, Leucaena leucocephala
Authors: Pan Min , Hui Ling Chui , Law Caroline Man Yee , Auyeung Sen Mei
Published: October 2022

Composting is an environmental-friendly option for yard waste management, and produces products for improving soil quality. However, there is a weed dispersal risk if the compost contains many active weed seeds. This study assessed the potential of composting in minimizing the seed germination of a major tropical invasive weed, Leucaena leucocephala. The germination of the species was tested after two different sets of thermal treatments, i.e., (1) different constant temperatures (20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C, 60 °C, and 70 °C) for 5 days, and (2) composting temperature (simulating the temperature profile of a typical composting process) for 60 days. A three-month growth test was further conducted for the seeds treated with the composting temperature. The seeds were present either alone (N-seeds) or mixed with wood chips (W-seeds) when thermally treated. A constant temperature treatment of 70 °C suppressed the seed germination to a low rate. For the composting temperature treatment, the germination percentage of the N-seeds and W-seeds were reduced from around 60% to 22.7% and 12.7%, respectively. This preliminary study suggested that the temperature should reach as high as 70 °C in the composting process to guarantee the suppression of the germination of the seeds of L. leucocephala, particularly when the seeds are contained within seed pods during composting.
Using Industry 4.0’s Big Data and IoT to Perform Feature-Based and Past Data-Based Energy Consumption Predictions
Authors: Gumz Jonathan , Fettermann Diego Castro , Frazzon Enzo Morosini , Kück Mirko
Published: October 2022

Industry 4.0 and its technologies allow advancements in communications, production and management efficiency across several segments. In smart grids, essential parts of smart cities, smart meters act as IoT devices that can gather data and help the management of the sustainable energy matrix, a challenge that is faced worldwide. This work aims to use smart meter data and household features data to seek the most appropriate methods of energy consumption prediction. Using the Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) method, Python Platform, and several prediction methods, prediction experiments were performed with household feature data and past consumption data of over 470 smart meters that gathered data for three years. Support vector machines, random forest regression, and neural networks were the best prediction methods among the ones tested in the sample. The results help utilities (companies that maintain the infrastructure for public services) to offer better contracts to new households and to manage their smart grid infrastructure based on the forecasted demand.
The Socioeconomic Drivers of Ethical Food Consumption in Ecuador: A Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Vasco Cristian , Salazar Diego , Cepeda Darío , Sevillano Gustavo , Pazmiño Juan , Huerta Shirley
Published: October 2022

A significant body of research has analyzed the socioeconomic determinants of ethical consumption, nevertheless, most of those studies have been conducted in high-income countries. With data from a survey with national representation (n = 11,526), this study aimed at analyzing the socioeconomic factors shaping decisions of ethical consumption in Ecuador, a middle-income country, where agroecological production has been proposed as a strategy to reduce rural poverty while promoting sustainable agriculture. Price is the principal purchasing criterion for 78% of the households in the sample, while ecological/organic label and support to local farmers account for 11 and 3% of the sample, respectively. Brand is the principal buying criterion for 8% of the sample. Consistent with prior research, the results of a multinomial probit regression show that ecological consumers are statistically likely to be wealthier and more educated than their price-driven counterparts. Contrary to the findings of previous research in Ecuador, ecological consumers do exhibit environmental awareness. Those with support to local producers as their main purchasing driver are also featured by high levels of wealth and education, nevertheless, they are not as concerned about the environment as their ecological counterparts. The implications of these findings for policy are explored in the Discussion section.
Prospective Life Cycle Assessment and Cost Analysis of Novel Electrochemical Struvite Recovery in a U.S. Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authors: Morrissey Karla G. , English Leah , Thoma Greg , Popp Jennie
Published: October 2022

Nutrient recovery in domestic wastewater treatment has increasingly become an important area of study as the supply of non-renewable phosphorus decreases. Recent bench-scale trials indicate that co-generation of struvite and hydrogen using electrochemical methods may offer an alternative to existing recovery options utilized by municipal wastewater treatment facilities. However, implementation has yet to be explored at plant-scale. In the development of novel nutrient recovery processes, both economic and environmental assessments are necessary to guide research and their design. The aim of this study was to conduct a prospective life cycle assessment and cost analysis of a new electrochemical struvite recovery technology that utilizes a sacrificial magnesium anode to precipitate struvite and generate hydrogen gas. This technology was modeled using process simulation software GPS-X and CapdetWorks assuming its integration in a full-scale existing wastewater treatment plant with and without anaerobic digestion. Struvite recoveries of 18–33% were achieved when anaerobic digestion was included, with a break-even price of $6.03/kg struvite and $15.58/kg of hydrogen required to offset increased costs for recovery. Struvite recovery reduced aquatic eutrophication impacts as well as terrestrial acidification impacts. Tradeoffs between benefits from struvite and burdens from electrode manufacturing were found for several impact categories.
Models of Internationalization of Higher Education in Developing Countries—A Perspective of International Research Collaboration in BRICS Countries
Authors: Fan Xiaojie , Liu Hong , Wang Yang , Wan Yawen , Zhang Duanhong
Published: October 2022

This study explored the international research collaboration in BRICS’s leading universities and their performance in the past decade. Based on the literature on the international educational policies in BRICS countries and the world university rankings, we select the top research universities of each BRICS country. We use the Scopes database, and the timespan of our research covers 2012–2021 years, which allows us to identify the critical points in international research collaborations in terms of research scale, quantity, impact, collaborative networks, and subject areas. We find that all BRICS countries have increased their international collaboration and production of international collaborative publications at varying degrees of growth. The research quality and impact of international cooperation in scientific publications in China and India have rapidly improved and enhanced. The other three countries are improving their research impact, yet their research quality has been limited or declined worldwide. Meanwhile, geopolitical factors, disciplinary advantages, and scientific and technological development need to influence the paths of international research collaborations in developing countries. As they integrate within global higher education, BRICS countries are beginning to establish their own distinctive academic and scientific development paths by actively participating in the international academic discourse.
STBEAT: Software Update on Trusted Environment Based on ARM TrustZone
Authors: Huang Qi-Xian , Chiu Min-Yi , Yeh Chi-Shen , Sun Hung-Min
Published: October 2022

In recent years, since edge computing has become more and more popular, its security issues have become apparent and have received unprecedented attention. Thus, the current research concentrates on security not only regarding devices such as PCs, smartphones, tablets, and IoTs, but also the automobile industry. However, since attack vectors have become more sophisticated than ever, we cannot just protect the zone above the system software layer in a certain operating system, such as Linux, for example. In addition, the challenges in IoT devices, such as power consumption, performance efficiency, and authentication management, still need to be solved. Since most IoT devices are controlled remotely, the security regarding system maintenance and upgrades has become a big issue. Therefore, a mechanism that can maintain IoT devices within a trusted environment based on localhost or over-the-air (OTA) will be a viable solution. We propose a mechanism called STBEAT, integrating an open-source project with ARM TrustZone to solve the challenges of upgrading the IoT system and updating system files more safely. This paper focuses on the ARMv7 architecture and utilizes the security stack from TrustZone to OP-TEE under the STM32 board package, and finally obtains the security key from the trusted application, which is used to conduct the cryptographic operations and then install the newer image on the MMC interface. To sum up, we propose a novel software update strategy and integrated ARM TrustZone security extension to beef up the embedded ecosystem.
Effective Crisis Management during Adversity: Organizing Resilience Capabilities of Firms and Sustainable Performance during COVID-19
Authors: Hu Chenguang , Yun Kyung Hwan , Su Ziqi , Xi Chang
Published: October 2022

Drawing on crisis management and organizational resilience literature, this study adopts a firm’s capability-based perspective of organizational resilience to examine how different sets of firm-based resilient capabilities a firm has developed can help a firm achieve sustainable firm performance during a crisis. We took a configurational approach and applied the fsQCA method to examine how various combinations of a firm’s financial, cognitive, and behavioral capabilities as causal conditions can affect firm financial performance. For the empirical analysis, 21 listed Chinese film and television firms were selected. We collected information on financial capability from 2018 to 2020, and on cognitive and behavioral capabilities and firm size in 2020. This study obtains six configurations or paths that lead to the improved performance. Overall, the findings indicate that if a large firm has a low level of financial capability, it needs to leverage its cognitive capability instead of behavioral capability. A small firm with high financial capability needs to quickly leverage its cognitive capability but can use less behavioral capability. On the other hand, small firms with low financial capability need to utilize its behavioral capability to take quicker actions. With comprehensive analysis and multiple-perspective comparison of configurations, the study proposes various response strategic suggestions for firms with different sizes during the COVID-19 epidemic in China.
Mechanical Strength of Saline Sandy Soils Stabilized with Alkali-Activated Cements
Authors: Razeghi Hamid Reza , Ghadir Pooria , Javadi Akbar A.
Published: October 2022

Saline soils usually cannot satisfy the requirements of engineering projects because of their inappropriate geotechnical properties. For this reason, they have always been known as one of the problematic soils worldwide. Moreover, the lack of access to normal water has intensified the use of saline water resources such as seawater in many construction and mining projects. Although cement stabilization is frequently used to improve the engineering properties of saline soils, Portland cement’s usage as a binder is constrained by its negative consequences, particularly on the environment. In this line, the effects of NaCl on the microstructural and mechanical properties of alkali-activated volcanic ash/slag-stabilized sandy soil were investigated in this study. Moreover, the effects of binder type, slag replacement, curing time, curing condition, and NaCl content on the mechanical strength of stabilized soils were examined. In addition, microstructural analyses, including XRD, FTIR, and SEM–EDS mapping tests, were performed to understand the physical and chemical interaction of chloride ions and alkali-activated cements. The results show that alkali-activated slag can be a sustainable alternative to Portland cement for soil stabilization projects in saline environments. The increase in sodium chloride (NaCl) content up to 1 wt.% caused the strength development up to 244% in specimens with 50 and 100 wt.% slag, and adding more NaCl had no significant effect on the strength in all curing conditions. Microstructural investigations showed that the replacement of volcanic ash with slag resulted in the formation of C-S-H and C-A-S-H gels that reduced the porosity of the samples and increased mechanical strength. Furthermore, surface adsorption and chemical encapsulation mechanisms co-occurred in stabilized soil samples containing slag and volcanic ash.
Green Loans and Green Innovations: Evidence from China’s Equator Principles Banks
Authors: Huang Xijia , Guo Yiting , Lin Yuming , Liu Liping , Yan Kai
Published: October 2022

Green innovation is critical for promoting environmental protection but largely relies on the support of bank financing. How the participation of banks facilitates green innovation remains largely unexplored. Using a sample of A-share listed firms in China, this study examines the impact of new loans from Equator Principles banks on green innovations. Consistent with the framework of the stakeholder theory, we find that new loans from Equator Principles banks significantly foster green innovations of borrowing firms. Several robustness tests are conducted, and the conclusion remains valid. Further analysis shows that the relief of financial constraints of borrowing firms and the scrutiny of corporate financing projects by Equator Principles banks jointly contribute to the promotion of corporate green innovation. Heterogeneity tests indicate that new loans from Equator Principles banks are more effective in heavily polluting and more competitive industries and among firms with higher levels of executive education. Overall, our findings suggest that stakeholder engagement in environmental governance is an important means of improving corporate green innovations in emerging markets.
Buffer Capacity of Steel Shed with Two Layer Absorbing System against the Impact of Rockfall Based on Coupled SPH-FEM Method
Authors: Liu Chun , Liao Hongjun
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to find the optimal thickness combination of the two-layered absorbing system combinated with an expanded polystyrene (EPS) cushion and a soil layer in a steel shed under dynamic loadings. The coupled Smooth Particle Hydrodynamic method (SPH) and Finite Element Method (FEM) were introduced to simulate the impact of the rockfall against the steel shed with a two-layer absorbing system. By comparing the numerical results with test data, the coupled numerical model was well validated. Through the verified numerical model, a series of numerical experiments were carried out to find the optimal combination for the two-layered absorbing system. The values of the EPS layer thickness as a percentage of the total thickness were set as 0% (P1), 20% (P2), 40% (P3), 60% (P4), 80% (P5), and 100% (P6). The results show that the coupled FEM–SPH method was an effective method to simulate rockfall impacting the steel rock shed; P4 (0.6 m thickness EPS cushion and 0.9 m thickness soil layer) was the most efficient combination, which can significantly reduce the structural displacement response by 43%. A two-layered absorbing system can effectively absorb about 90% of the total energy. The obtained results yield scientifically sound guidelines for further research on the design of steel sheds against rockfall.
Psychometric Parameters of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory Adapted to Physical Education in a Sample of Active Adults from Austria
Authors: Cocca Armando , Veulliet Nellie , Niedermeier Martin , Drenowatz Clemens , Cocca Michaela , Greier Klaus , Ruedl Gerhard
Published: October 2022

Introduction. Intrinsic motivation is essential for establishing life-long positive behaviors. In Physical Education (PE), this variable may have a significant impact on students’ choice of adhering to an active lifestyle both in the short and long term. Many tools have been developed for the assessment of intrinsic motivation, among which the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) was built based on the Self-Determination Theory. The aim of this study is to examine a version of the IMI adapted to PE (IMI-PE). Methods. A total of 660 customers of a Sports Service Center responded to the IMI-PE and 39 individuals carried out a test–retest of the tool within two weeks. Results. The initial model including the original pool of items showed low indexes of goodness of fit. However, the removal of item 6, 8, 13, and 14 led to excellent parameters for the four-factor model (CFI = 0.96, and SRMR = 0.0420). Internal consistency and reliability analyses confirmed the robustness of such model. The final IMI-PE, comprising 14 items distributed into four factors, represents a robust assessment tool for the analysis of intrinsic motivation in PE.
Three-Party Evolutionary Game of Shared Manufacturing under the Leadership of Core Manufacturing Company
Authors: Liu Peng , Wei Xiaoling
Published: October 2022

Shared manufacturing provides a new development direction for the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry. This paper took a manufacturing company that masters core technology and has strong knowledge creation and spillover capabilities as the core manufacturing company. The core manufacturing company led two resource-complementary manufacturing companies in participating in shared manufacturing, and the additional benefits of each company participating in shared manufacturing were realized. Due to the bounded rational behavior of the participating companies and the difficulty in maximizing each’s own interests, this paper used the evolutionary game method and MATLAB to analyze the influencing factors of shared manufacturing among manufacturing companies. The goal of this study is to understand the decision-making behavior of manufacturing companies in a shared manufacturing context. The research results show that: The initial willingness to share, default losses, and excess income realized by the core manufacturing company as a result of delivering high service levels all contributed to the companies’ willingness to engage in shared production. The companies’ ability to participate in shared manufacturing was negatively impacted by cost-to-income ratio and speculative income. The allocation of additional income had a significant influence on the non-core enterprises’ decision-making: when the distribution ratio of additional income from non-core companies was low, non-core companies would be less willing to share. Although the additional income distribution ratio of core companies were high at the time, the service level of core companies would also decrease due to the reduction of non-core companies’ willingness to share.
Eastern Poland Consumer Awareness of Innovative Active and Intelligent Packaging in the Food Industry: Exploratory Studies
Authors: Stoma Monika , Dudziak Agnieszka
Published: October 2022

For some time, traditional food packaging has not been able to meet the current market demand in some segments. This is mainly due to the advancing market globalization, increasing product complexity, the changing and increasingly high expectations and needs of customers, increasing requirements for monitoring packaging materials and, consequently, food safety, as well as the revival of national and international initiatives to support the circular economy and minimize the carbon footprint of manufactured products. Therefore, smart packaging with increased functionality has become indispensable. On the one hand, this solution allows for the offering or adaptation of products that meet the stricter national and international regulatory requirements (in particular for food safety) and allows a tracking from the cradle to the grave; on the other hand, it can serve as a way to expand markets in the context of globalization. Moreover attention should be paid to the development of knowledge on environmental protection and the increasing environmental awareness of consumers. In connection with the above, in recent years there has been an increase in interest in the design and production of new packaging for food products based on the latest technical and technological solutions. It is primarily intelligent and active packaging that should be mentioned here. Hence, the aim of the article, as well as that of our own conducted research, was to analyze consumer attitudes and behaviors in the field of modern food packaging, as well as to check the level of awareness of consumers from Eastern Poland in relation to innovative active and intelligent packaging in the food industry. In addition, the intermediate aim was also to identify other factors influencing the attractiveness of food packaging and, consequently, increasing the willingness to buy them. To achieve these aims, a literature study was carried out, as well as empirical research using the diagnostic survey method, conducted among the inhabitants of South-Eastern Poland. Based on our own research, it can be concluded that the level of knowledge of the essence of intelligent and active packaging in Eastern Poland is still at a low level. Among the other factors increasing the attractiveness of packaging for food products, contemporary consumers from the analyzed region of Poland indicated primarily their environmental friendliness, the possibility of recycling, as well as the readability and transparency of the information contained on the packaging.
Safety Risk Identification Method for Railway Construction in Complex and Dangerous Areas
Authors: Wang Peng , Wei Qiang , Zhao Guotang , Wang Jingchun , Yin Yang
Published: October 2022

Safety risk identification is the premise and foundation of safety risk management for railway construction. However, due to some characteristics of railway projects, which include large volumes of work, complex construction environments, and long construction cycles, etc., the risk factors of railway projects are often hidden in all stages of engineering construction. It results in the comprehensive identification of safety risks of railway projects being usually difficult, and this problem is more serious when the railway is constructed in complex and dangerous areas. Therefore, to identify the safety risks comprehensively, this paper constructs a safety risk identification method applicable to railway construction in complex and dangerous areas. This method studies the spatial and temporal distribution of risks and their relationship with subprojects by using a work breakdown structure (WBS), a risk breakdown structure (RBS), grid-based management, and forming a safety risk identification matrix, which can help researchers analyze the characteristics of risks. In order to verify the effectiveness of the method, the A Railway, which is located in the western of China, was selected as a case study, and risk identification for its civil engineering was carried out. The research results show that in the construction process of the A Railway, the main types of safety risks suffered by various branch projects were different. In addition, some risk factors only appeared at specific times in space, and there is a strong interaction between these risk factors. Based on this method, safety risk identification can intuitively discover the spatial and temporal distribution of risk factors and analyze the interaction between risk factors, which can provide help for the formulation of targeted risk control measures.
Numerical Simulation Study of High-Pressure Air Injection to Promote Gas Drainage
Authors: Xu Wenjie , Zheng Xigui , Liu Cancan , Li Peng , Li Boyang , Shayanowako Kundai Michael , Wang Jiyu , Guo Xiaowei , Lai Guowei
Published: October 2022

Coal-accompanying gas is an essential resource, with numerous mining methods. The practice has proved that injecting high-pressure air into the coal seam can replace and flush the gas in the coal seam, effectively solving the problem of inadequate single gas drainage in soft and low permeability coal seams. This paper uses the finite element method to solve the model, simulate and study the gas drainage by high-pressure air injection in the bedding drilling, and establish a fluid-structure coupling model for gas drainage by high-pressure air injection. The competitive adsorption of N2, O2, and CH4, diffusion and migration of CH4 in coal matrix and fissure, matrix deformation caused by CH4 adsorption, and desorption and control of coal deformation by applied stress are considered in the model. When the fixed extraction time is 600 days (d), the optimal spacing between the extraction hole and injection hole is 12.5 m. The safe extraction effect and minimum drilling amount can be ensured. It provides a basis for guiding gas drainage by injecting high-pressure air on-site.
Influence of Hydraulic Model Complexity on Results of Water Age and Quality Simulation in Municipal Water Supply Systems
Authors: Zajkowski Artur , Kruszyński Wojciech , Bartkowska Izabela , Wysocki Łukasz , Krysztopik Anna
Published: October 2022

The age of water in the municipal water supply system is one of the main factors influencing water quality. To create a good quality hydraulic model, one must achieve a high level of calibration accuracy with real life measurement data. Before we start building our model, we must decide on the model’s level of detail, that is, its complexity. We must know if skeletonization of the network graph and different hydraulic timesteps have an influence on simulation results. This study strives to prove that this decision can lead to unforeseen problems during the calibration process, thus making it impossible to achieve the required calibration precision. In order to prove this, two different model variants were created with different levels of graph detail, and simulation data results were used to determine which model variant is best suited to achieve the highest fidelity simulation results. Following this, the chosen model was run with different hydraulic timestep settings, which made it possible to showcase the large influence this setting has on achieved results.
Coordination of Automobile Supply Chain Considering Relative Endurance Level under the Dual-Credit Policy
Authors: Xu Yuanyuan , Ma Xiuyan , Zhou Gengui
Published: October 2022

The implementation of the dual-credit policy has had a significant impact on the development of new energy vehicles. Considering the background of the dual-credit policy, this paper examines the concept that demand is influenced by price, consumer low-carbon preference, and concerns regarding endurance. First, we study the pricing decisions of a two-level automobile supply chain consisting of two manufacturers and one dealer and discuss the influence of the dual-credit policy on decision making. Two methods are then used to coordinate the supply chain, and the results are verified by numerical analysis. The results show that: (1) the stronger the concerns of consumers regarding a low-carbon preference and endurance, the better the development of new energy vehicles; (2) raising the integral calculation coefficient and the integral price can increase the demand for, and profits from, new energy vehicles, which can expand the market; and (3) the supply chain can be fully coordinated through Nash negotiations. This paper theoretically demonstrates the impact of factors such as car endurance on corporate decision making, guiding car companies to make pricing decisions based on market conditions.
Evaluation of Comprehensive Emergency Capacity to Urban Flood Disaster: An Example from Zhengzhou City in Henan Province, China
Authors: Li Xianghai , Li Mengjie , Cui Kaikai , Lu Tao , Xie Yanli , Liu Delin
Published: October 2022

In the context of climate change and urbanization, increasing flood disasters leads to severe losses and impacts on urban inhabitants. In order to enhance urban capacity to cope with floods and reduce losses, the comprehensive emergency-response capacity to flood disaster (CERCF) was studied in Zhengzhou City, which is seriously affected by floods. Firstly, the evaluation index system of flood emergency capacity was constructed from three aspects, including pre-disaster prevention capacity, during-disaster disposal capacity and post-disaster recovery capacity. Secondly, the weight of each index was calculated by the combination of the entropy weight method and the coefficient of variation method, and the evaluation model was established by the comprehensive index method. Thirdly, the CERCF of Zhengzhou City was classified into three grades by the Jenks natural-breakpoint classification method. Finally, the contribution model was used to reveal the contribution factors of flood emergency capacity in Zhengzhou city. The following beneficial conclusions were drawn: (1) The overall CERCF of Zhengzhou City was on a low level. The proportions of the study area at low, medium and high levels were 58.33%, 33.33% and 8.34%, respectively. Spatially, the CERCF was high in central regions and low in in the west and east parts of Zhengzhou City. (2) It was found that PDPC and PDRC made the greatest contribution, while DDDC has a relatively low contribution degree.