bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transformation of the Cultural Landscape in the Central Part of the Historical Region of Warmia in Poland
Authors: Mazur Anna , Kurowska Krystyna , Antolak Mariusz , Podciborski Tomasz
Published: July 2024

The study analyzed the cultural landscape of Dobre Miasto municipality, which is situated in north-eastern Poland, in the heart of the Warmia region. Cultural traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation and are presently being revived constitute the backbone of Warmia’s cultural heritage. The Warmian landscape comprises several distinctive components, including traditional settlement patterns dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, as well as cultural values (historical and architectural values, and the level of their preservation) that are being increasingly recognized and contribute to the region’s tourism potential. The growing awareness that the cultural landscape must be preserved for the future generations implies that landscape protection is no longer regarded as a niche problem that is of interest only to experts in the field, and that activities should also be initiated at the local level. The study aimed to specify measures that should be undertaken to protect the components of the cultural landscape and to propose strategies that will not only contribute to the appreciation of cultural values, but will also facilitate the promotion and preservation of cultural landscape components that are gradually disappearing from the rural fabric. This complex approach to the rational management of environmental resources can set an example for other lake regions with clearly defined historical roots and well-preserved cultural values. The resulting guidelines and conclusions can be useful for developing new planning documents and updating and validating the existing legal regulations on planning, development, land use, and protection of the cultural landscape.
Enhanced Environmental Sustainability for the Acoustic Absorption Properties of Cabuya Fiber in Building Construction Using Machine Learning Predictive Model
Authors: Bravo-Moncayo Luis , Puyana-Romero Virginia , Argotti-Gómez Marcelo , Ciaburro Giuseppe
Published: July 2024

Sustainability in construction is a growing concern due to the significant polluting waste generated before, during, and after a building’s life cycle. The use of natural materials can significantly reduce the environmental footprint in obtaining, manufacturing, transportation, execution, use, maintenance, and demolition of the building, especially when locally sourced. Natural fibers, in particular, can be used in room acoustics, offering good acoustic absorption while meeting sustainability goals. The objectives of this paper are to evaluate cabuya fiber, grown in Ecuador, as an acoustic absorbing material and to introduce a novel approach using machine learning to simulate the material’s acoustic properties. Eight samples of cabuya fiber, bound with a solution of water and Ca(OH)2, were prepared with thicknesses between 12 and 30.6 mm. The sound absorption coefficients (SACs) were calculated using an impedance tube, following international standards. A Gaussian regression model was built for the predictions. The results showed that the 30.6 mm sample achieved maximum absorption coefficients of 0.91 at 2 kHz and 0.9 at 5 kHz. The model predictions are very accurate, with a mean square error of just 0.0002. These findings offer valuable insights into using cabuya fiber and advanced predictive models to enhance building acoustic performance and reduce environmental impact.
Research on Comprehensive Performance Evaluation Method for Frontier Fundamental Research Project for Future Aircraft Engines
Authors: Qu Guixian , Yang Xu , Yuan Qiyu , Liu Zhenxin , Si Yang
Published: July 2024

The evaluation and management of frontier fundamental research projects for future advanced aircraft engines are challenging due to the need to balance assessing the innovative potential and technical risks with considering their long-term effects and inherent uncertainties. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation indicator system for evaluating frontier fundamental research projects for future advanced aircraft engines, integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) to balance innovative potential with technical risks. The AHP is used to determine weights for the evaluation indicator system based on a survey of technical experts. By incorporating expert ratings and weighted criteria, the FCE method synthesizes comprehensive evaluations and effectively avoids traditional scoring biases and simplistic averaging methods. A case study on a major project is conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in highlighting the significant achievements and potential for innovation gaps. The results show that the AHP-FCE method proves robust in identifying complex, prospective research, providing a strategic tool for policymakers to prioritize impactful aircraft engine research and ensuring investment in projects with significant breakthrough potential.
Recycling of Blended Fabrics for a Circular Economy of Textiles: Separation of Cotton, Polyester, and Elastane Fibers
Authors: Choudhury Khaliquzzaman , Tsianou Marina , Alexandridis Paschalis
Published: July 2024

The growing textile industry is polluting the environment and producing waste at an alarming rate. The wasteful consumption of fast fashion has made the problem worse. The waste management of textiles has been ineffective. Spurred by the urgency of reducing the environmental footprint of textiles, this review examines advances and challenges to separate important textile constituents such as cotton (which is mostly cellulose), polyester (polyethylene terephthalate), and elastane, also known as spandex (polyurethane), from blended textiles. Once separated, the individual fiber types can meet the demand for sustainable strategies in textile recycling. The concepts of mechanical, chemical, and biological recycling of textiles are introduced first. Blended or mixed textiles pose challenges for mechanical recycling which cannot separate fibers from the blend. However, the separation of fiber blends can be achieved by molecular recycling, i.e., selectively dissolving or depolymerizing specific polymers in the blend. Specifically, the separation of cotton and polyester through dissolution, acidic hydrolysis, acid-catalyzed hydrothermal treatment, and enzymatic hydrolysis is discussed here, followed by the separation of elastane from other fibers by selective degradation or dissolution of elastane. The information synthesized and analyzed in this review can assist stakeholders in the textile and waste management sectors in mapping out strategies for achieving sustainable practices and promoting the shift towards a circular economy.
Are We Back to Normal? A Bike Sharing Systems Mobility Analysis in the Post-COVID-19 Era
Authors: Cortez-Ordoñez Alexandra , Tulcanaza-Prieto Ana Belén
Published: July 2024

In recent years, numerous cities around the world have adopted bike sharing systems (BSSs). The increasing popularity of these transportation means is directly related to their eco-friendly and health advantages. Several factors affect how citizens make use of BSS, for instance, the size and configuration of a city, where docking stations are located, the associated prices, and others. Moreover, these systems have different usage patterns that vary according to the month, day, or hour but remain constant when compared yearly. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic modified mobility behaviors as various governments around the world implemented mobility restrictions to avoid the spread of the virus. The objective of this investigation is to determine if the usage patterns of BSSs have changed permanently or if we have recovered pre-pandemic levels and usage patterns. Given the special characteristics of each BSS, this study focuses on Barcelona’s BSS, called Bicing. To understand the impact of other BSSs, the further analysis of each system’s unique characteristics is necessary. The study employs bike usage information from the public open data service maintained by Barcelona City Hall, namely, the Open Data BCN website, from January 2019 to December 2023, and it covers mechanical and electrical bikes with more than 4 million records per month. The results show that usage patterns were similar before and after the pandemic; the usage increased in 2021 and 2022 and stabilized in 2023, registering a rise of 17.5% in Bicing usage from 2021 to 2023. However, bike type preferences have changed for reasons unrelated to the pandemic restrictions. The main limitation of this investigation is the lack of continuity in the data due to a change in the company that provides the service in Barcelona. For future research, data from other transportation means can be used to analyze all communication behavior in this city. Additionally, if data are available, a study by gender and age can be performed and used to improve the system for certain groups.
Implementation of a Gamification-Based Metaverse Exhibition: A Case Study of the Farewell Museum
Authors: Lee Joohun , Bae Jaehoon , Bae Yunkyung
Published: July 2024

The increasing adoption of metaverse exhibitions aims to overcome the limitations of traditional offline exhibitions by enhancing accessibility and creating imaginative spaces without temporal and spatial constraints. This study explores how incorporating gamification into metaverse exhibitions can leverage the strengths of online and offline experiences. By integrating metaverse elements and gamification, we designed an interactive metaverse space and evaluated its effectiveness through user feedback. Our findings indicate that guiding visitors to complete missions within the metaverse enhances their understanding of the offline exhibition narratives, thereby increasing their engagement with the exhibition themes. Furthermore, online experiences in the metaverse can stimulate interest in offline exhibitions, promoting visitor attendance. The metaverse space also encourages users to contribute personal stories to the exhibition content, fostering continuous content expansion. This approach strengthens the connection between online and offline exhibitions, increases visitor engagement, and promotes repeat visits, thereby addressing the limitations of traditional exhibitions. Additionally, metaverse exhibitions enhance the preservation and accessibility of cultural heritage through digital archiving, offering inclusive participation opportunities and promoting social sustainability. This study underscores the potential of metaverse exhibitions to evolve beyond technological innovation toward contributing to social sustainability.
Review: The Economics Landscape for Building Decarbonization
Authors: Madadizadeh Ali , Siddiqui Kamran , Aliabadi Amir A.
Published: July 2024

As efforts to mitigate climate change become increasingly urgent, the need to address the environmental impact of the built environment has gained significant attention. Buildings, as major contributors to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, have a substantial embodied and operational carbon footprint resulting from their construction materials, practices, and lifetime operation. This paper examines the economic landscape of strategies and policies aimed at reducing the embodied and operational carbon footprint of buildings on a global scale, with specific case studies from various national contexts. It delves into various innovative approaches, including economic analysis techniques, market instruments, market demands, and the role of government incentives to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. The study highlights the crucial role of government policies, financial incentives, and market forces in promoting sustainable practices and fostering the adoption of low-carbon alternatives. By shedding light on the economic dimensions of reducing the carbon footprint of buildings, this research aims to facilitate informed decision-making by policymakers, engineers, and other stakeholders, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and climate-resilient built environment.
Analysis of the Duration of Mandatory Lane Changes for Heavy-Duty Trucks at Interchanges
Authors: Zhang Min , Nie Yuhan , Zhang Chi , Wang Bo , Xi Shengyu
Published: July 2024

Due to the different driving characteristics of different vehicle models, inappropriate mandatory lane changes (MLCs) by heavy vehicles at interchanges often lead to serious traffic accidents. Therefore, this paper focuses on the impact of road geometric design on the MLC duration of heavy trucks by using full time-domain trajectory data. Specifically, we use the generalized additive time-varying Cox model to establish the MLC duration model of heavy trucks at interchanges, then analyze the combined influence of geometric elements. The results show that the consistency index of the model is 0.9, indicating that it has advantages in building models in complex environments. The length of the deceleration lane, ramp type, and curve radius have a significant impact on the validity and duration of MLCs. This finding provides a theoretical and methodological reference for the safety analysis of interchange areas and the refinement of road geometric design.
Remote Sensing Technologies for Mapping Ecosystem Services: An Analytical Approach for Urban Green Infrastructure
Authors: Di Palma Martina , Rigillo Marina , Leone Mattia Federico
Published: July 2024

Urban Green Infrastructures (UGIs) have gained increasing relevance in the field of climate adaptive design because of their capacity to provide regulating ecosystem services apt to respond to the impacts of global warming with short-term strategies. The effectiveness of UGIs in reducing climate risks depends on both the state of natural resources and the understanding of urban ecosystem processes over time. The implementation of analytic methods to better understand urban ecosystem dynamics, as well as the local effective potential of ESs, is crucial for addressing climate impacts in cities. The advances in remote sensing methodologies for mapping and monitoring urban ecosystems represent a key opportunity to deepen the ecological features of existing urban green areas as a potential planning asset to respond to climate impacts. Indeed, remote sensing technologies implement a new data-driven planning approach that enables models and simulations of different project scenarios by supporting planning decisions and reducing the risk of failures. According to these assumptions, this paper discusses the results of a literature review aimed at providing the current state of the art in applying remote sensing technologies for mapping and monitoring ecosystem services, focusing on operational opportunities in urban environments. It examines how remote sensing can depict ESs and ensure data quality and reliability for UGI design. The emphasis is on the potential of ESs to mitigate and adapt to heat wave risks which will be more frequent in the next decade, particularly in cities, as highlighted by the IPCC Report 2023. Therefore, UGIs are strategic tools for addressing heat wave impacts, necessitating a shift from empirical approaches to analytical, data-driven planning methods.
Explorations of Integrated Multi-Energy Strategy under Energy Simulation by DeST 3.0: A Case Study of College Dining Hall
Authors: Niu Yu , Xiong Yingying , Chai Lin , Wang Zhiqian , Li Linbin , Guo Congxiu , Wang Qiulin , Wang Xuhui , Wang Yuqi
Published: July 2024

Buildings characterized by high energy consumption necessitate the implementation of efficient multi-energy complementary systems to achieve energy conservation and emission reduction objectives. College dining halls use a lot more electricity than typical residential buildings, despite their relatively small size. The dining hall at the Dongshan Campus of Shanxi University is employed as a representative case study in this research. By utilizing DeST 3.0 software, a comprehensive dynamic load analysis is conducted to estimate the annual energy consumption of the dining hall, with the ultimate goal of an energy-saving system being proposed based on the analysis results. Leveraging DeST 3.0 software, dynamic load characteristics were assessed, revealing an annual energy consumption of 2.39 × 106 kWh for the dining hall. Cooling accounted for 0.91 × 106 kWh, while heating requirements amounted to 0.24 × 106 kWh. These findings illustrate peak power consumption trends, seasonal variations, and potential avenues for energy conservation. To satisfy the heating, cooling, and electricity demands of the dining hall, an integrated energy system incorporating solar and wind energy, as well as utilizing restaurant kitchen garbage as a biomass source, was proposed. This study compares two solar energy utilization systems: photothermal and photovoltaic, with total capacities of 2.375 × 106 kWh and 2.52 × 106 kWh, respectively. The research outcomes underscore that Strategy 2, which integrates a photovoltaic system with wind and biomass energy, emerges as the optimal approach for load management. Ultimately, this investigation demonstrates the feasibility and promise of constructing a hybrid renewable energy system within a college dining hall setting, aligning with sustainability objectives and global trends toward environmentally responsible energy solutions.
Approaching Environmental Sustainability through Energy Optimization in Polyisoprene Production
Authors: Mihelić-Bogdanić Alka , Špelić Ivana
Published: July 2024

The global energy crisis, forced by fossil fuel shortages and supply chain disruption, stimulates EU policymakers to find alternative energy replacement. Modifying the present polyisoprene footwear production plant into a hybrid system by combining different energy sources raises energy efficiency. The proposed hybrid system incorporates classical and solar-based technology, resulting in energy optimization by utilizing waste heat recovery. By installing an economizer for feeding water preheating using flue gas recovery, it results in the volume of the flue gases lowering from vFGP=1.7969 m3FG/kgP to vFGECOP=1.597 m3FG/kgP, or by 11.13%, while the flue gases’ temperature is lowered from 204 °C (477.15 K) to 50.99 °C (324.14 K). Further improvement in combining feed water and air preheating results in natural gas savings of 12.05%, while the flue gases’ exhaust temperature is decreased to 30.44 °C (303.59 K). The third option, using condensate heat recovery and feeding water preheating using flue gases, showed natural gas savings as much as 17.41% and exhaust flue gases cooling to 112.49 °C (385.64 K). The combination of condensate heat recovery, combustion air and feed water preheating results in the volume of the flue gases being lowered by 20.42% and natural gas savings by 20.24%, while the flue gases’ temperature is reduced to 45.11 °C (318.26 K). The proposed solar application in polyisoprene production predicts the hybrid system showing fuel savings ranging from 77.96% to 87.08% in comparison to the basic process. The greatest fuel savings of 87.08% is shown in a solarized polyisoprene footwear production plant with combustion air and feed water preheating combined with the condensate return system. Integrating the solar heat into the regular industrial process of polyisoprene production showed great potential and showed environmental sustainability through energy optimization in polyisoprene production.
Research on Coordination of Fresh Supply Chain Considering Supplier Misreporting and Consumer Return
Authors: Lin Zhijun , Chen Rui , Luo Laijun , Ren Haiping
Published: July 2024

Misreporting is prevalent in supply chain characterized by asymmetric information, and its impact on the supply chain is substantial and cannot be overlooked. In order to explore the impact of fresh supplier’s misreporting decisions on fresh supply chain, this paper takes the fresh supply chain with a single fresh supplier and a single e-commerce enterprise as the research object, and constructs five Stackelberg game models based on the differences of supply chain information transparency and power structure. Particularly, the effect of fresh-keeping level on the after-sales rate and market demand of the product is incorporated into the model, and the following conclusions are drawn by solving and analyzing the decision results of the different models: (1) When the supplier has the decision advantage, it will not choose to misreport. But when it loses the decision advantage, it will produce the misreporting behavior. Supplier misreporting is detrimental to the retailer and the supply chain; specifically, it can lead to lower fresh-keeping level and higher after-sales rates. (2) In the decentralized decision-making model, it is more beneficial for the supply chain that the supplier has the leading right of decision-making. In the absence of misreporting, the leader’s profit is always higher than that of the follower. When there is misreporting, even if the retailer is the dominant player, its profit is still lower than the manufacturer’s. (3) Both supply chain profit and fresh-keeping level are positively correlated with the coefficient of consumer perception of freshness and the coefficient of sensitivity to fresh-keeping technology, and are more significant under the centralized decision-making model. Furthermore, in response to supplier misreporting behavior, this paper achieves coordination in the fresh supply chain by designing a joint contract and confirms the effectiveness of this contract through an arithmetic analysis.
Industrial Sustainable Development: The Development Trend of Programmable Logic Controller Technology
Authors: Yao Kai-Chao , Lin Cheng-Lung , Pan Chih-Hsuan
Published: July 2024

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are indispensable for current and future industrial development, especially in smart factories, smart home technology, automated production lines, and machinery manufacturing. This study presents the trends in PLC software and hardware development through a technology roadmap and offers relevant suggestions to help industries achieve sustainable development, enhance market competitiveness, and provide references for research. Through expert interviews and fuzzy Delphi analysis, this study points out that future PLC development needs to focus on editing interfaces, syntax, Central Processing Units, Memory Units, and Communication Modules. Specific recommendations include visualizing regional/global label settings and connection settings, adding Python, JAVA, LabVIEW, and Scratch syntax, improving instruction execution speed, expanding program and expansion capacities, and adopting dual-channel Ethernet and connections to external networks and wireless networks. Fuzzy hierarchical analysis shows that Communication Modules are the most important component, followed by Central Processing Units and syntax expansion, and, finally, program and expansion capacity enhancements. These suggestions aim to promote product innovation and social environment demand evaluation, enhance product competitiveness, and achieve sustainable development goals.
A Systems Engineering Approach to Decarbonizing Mining: Analyzing Electrification and CO2 Emission Reduction Scenarios for Copper Mining Haulage Systems
Authors: Aydogdu Kemalcan , Duzgun Sebnem , Yaylaci Evren Deniz , Aranoglu Fatih
Published: July 2024

Due to climate change risks, the public, regulators, and investors require solid actions to minimize the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of mineral extraction and metals production. The mining sector considers alternatives to reduce its carbon footprint by transforming the business and adopting new technologies into operations. Given the capital intensity, technical characteristics, and business structure involved, a shift in the mining industry necessitates impartial insights into the trade-offs and risks. Considering the low-carbon transition trade-offs and risks in mining, this study presents the application of system dynamics modeling (SDM) in mining projects to analyze the impact of decarbonization alternatives with respect to carbon footprint and costs. A system dynamics model of an open-pit copper mine is developed to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as capital and operational costs, during the project life cycle. The change in GHG emissions in the business-as-usual scenario with diesel equipment haulage versus the alternative scenario with electric overland conveyor haulage is compared concerning GHG emissions and associated costs. The results unequivocally demonstrated that electrifying material mobility offers significant decarbonization in open-pit mining if the on-site electricity has a low emission factor. The findings also indicate that the substantial cost difference between electrification and diesel alternatives is another major obstacle to implementing electrification in an open-pit copper mine. This research proves that implementing SDM in the mining industry can offer impartial insights into decision-making and enable a thorough evaluation of options using quantitative criteria. It effectively assesses and communicates the trade-offs and risks of transitioning to low-carbon alternatives because it analyzes project variables quantitatively and holistically and is easy to run.
Straw Logistics Network Optimization Considering Cost Importance and Carbon Emission under the Concept of Sustainable Development
Authors: Mao Jia , Zhang Shiqi , Liu Jin
Published: July 2024

As biomass power generation projects progress, the supply chain of biomass resources has become a key link for the green development of biomass power facilities. The role of biomass recycling logistics in the sustainable development of biomass resources and power generation endeavors has grown increasingly significant. To realize environmentally friendly and economical straw logistics, it is imperative to establish an efficient, economic and sustainable straw recycling logistics network. Therefore, based on the weighting theory and top-down method, this study proposes a planning model aiming at minimum total cost and minimum carbon emission to locate the logistics network. The immune algorithm is applied to solve and analyze the proposed examples. It is concluded that under the condition that the total cost is reasonable, reducing transportation cost. The verification model can enhance the environmental and economic performance of straw logistics networks. From the perspective of theory and practice, we provide ideas for the optimization of relevant biomass logistics networks and promote the realization of low-carbon sustainable development of logistics networks.
Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management Scenarios in Metro Manila Using the Long-Range Energy Alternatives Planning-Integrated Benefit Calculator (LEAP-IBC) System
Authors: Jao Jazzie , Toyokan Maryfe , Vallar Edgar , Silva Liz , Galvez Maria Cecilia
Published: July 2024

Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) and municipal solid wastes (MSWs) have been found to be viable sources of clean energy. This study integrates the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines for methane flow rate estimation in the software Long-Range Energy Alternatives Planning-Integrated Benefit Calculator (LEAP-IBC) system to estimate and project the methane emissions coming from the waste generated by Metro Manila, disposed in sanitary landfills. It aims to analyze the environmental impacts of the emissions coming from the non-energy sector using the IBC feature of LEAP and by developing two scenarios with 2010 and 2050 as the base and end years: the baseline and methane recovery scenario, where the latter represents the solid waste management undertaken to counter the emissions. Under the baseline, 97.30 million metric tonnes of methane emissions are expected to be produced and are predicted to continuously increase. In the same scenario, the cities of Quezon, Manila, and Caloocan account for the biggest methane emissions. On the other hand, in the methane recovery scenario, the methane emissions are expected to have a decline of 36% from 127.036 to 81.303 million metric tonnes by 2025, 52% from 135.358 to 64.972 million metric tonnes by 2030, and 54% from 150.554 to 69.254 million metric tonnes by 2040. For the 40-year projection of the study under the 100-year global warming potential analysis, a total of 10,249 million metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent is avoided in the methane recovery compared to the BAU, and a maximum of 0.019 °C temperature increase can also be avoided. Moreover, electricity costs without LFG technology increase from 2.21 trillion to 8.75 trillion, while costs with LFG technology also rise but remain consistently lower, ranging from 2.20 trillion to 8.74 trillion. This consistent reduction in electricity costs underscores the long-term value and importance of adopting LFG technology, even as its relative savings impact diminishes over time. Finally, the fixed effects and random effects panel data regression analysis reinforces and asserts that the solid waste management is really improved by means of the methane recovery technology, leading the methane emissions to decrease.
A Study on Street Tree Planting Strategy in Pingtan Island Based on Road Wind Environment Simulation
Authors: Gao Siqi , Chen Qianxi , Chen Yuxing , Ye Jing , Chen Lingyan
Published: July 2024

In this paper, the landscape of typical roadway trees and their planting parameters on Pingtan Island are investigated and analyzed in the field. A three-dimensional model of street trees was created using AutoCAD 2020, and Ansys Fluent 2022 was used to simulate the wind condition of trees with various planting parameters under high wind circumstances. The study explores the stress and adaptability of roadway trees in the wind environment under different planting parameters, such as different heights, plant spacing, lower shrub heights, and two-row and three-row planting with different row spacings. The results show that the wind resistance of street trees is connected to the planting parameters and that modifying the appropriate planting parameters can improve the wind stability of road green space. The height of street trees is more suitable between 6.0~9.0 m. The planting spacing should be not less than 1.0 times the crown and not more than 1.75 times the crown. The form of planting has an important effect on wind resistance. Two rows of planting of street trees have a better utility and wind resistance, and a row spacing of 2.0~6.0 m is more appropriate. The height of the lower shrubs should be lower than the height of the first branch, with 0.5~1.0 m being more suitable. Based on the results of the data simulation and analysis, this paper proposes corresponding tree species selections and planting strategies for road green belts on Pingtan Island from the perspective of street tree species, planting parameters, and planting forms to provide references for the upgrading and planning of roadway tree landscapes on Pingtan Island as well as in similar climatic regions.
Exploring the Supporting Role of Finance in the Development of Clean Energy in China Based on the Panel Vector Autoregressive Model
Authors: Xu Guangyue , Zhang Lulu , Li Zhongzhou , Huang Zili , Jiang Hongyu , Marma Kyaw Jaw Sine
Published: July 2024

The efficient development and widespread utilization of clean energy hold global significance, particularly for developing countries like China, which has committed to carbon peak and neutrality targets. In this context, the financial sector plays a crucial role in supporting the renewable energy industry, ensuring a reliable energy supply for economic growth. To statistically assess the impact of financial characteristics—such as financial efficiency, financial size, and green finance—this paper employs a panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model with province-level data from China spanning the period 1991 to 2018. The key findings demonstrate that (1) financial factors significantly contribute to the development of clean energy in China, and among these factors, financial scale has a greater impact than financial efficiency and green finance; (2) there are distinct regional variations in how financial development affects the clean energy sector, and the role of financial scale is particularly pronounced in the central and western regions of China while the impact of financial efficiency on the clean energy industry is not significant across all regions; and (3) other drivers—including industrial structure, financial expenditure, and technological advancements—also spur the growth of the clean energy industry. However, due to diminishing marginal effects, the forces driving its growth may gradually diminish. Therefore, the article proposes critical policy suggestions for promoting clean energy development in China. These policies should consider the regional context and address both financial and non-financial aspects. Understanding the interplay between finance, regional dynamics, and clean energy development is crucial for achieving sustainable and resilient energy systems in China.
Green Nanotechnology: Paving the Way for Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Narayanan Kannan Badri , Bhaskar Rakesh
Published: July 2024

In the era of rising global population and environmental apprehension, the critical necessity is to bring sustainable solutions through innovations in modern science [...]
The Metaverse in Green Building Concept Learning, Creative Design Performance, and Learning Engagement
Authors: Chang Yu-Shan , Wang Yen-Yin , Tsai Hsin-Jou
Published: July 2024

Due to the rapid advancement of technology, environmental sustainability education has gained significant attention. This study aimed to explore the effect of the metaverse on green building concept learning, creative design performance, and learning engagement. This research was conducted with 61 students from a public high school, employing a quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent groups. The experimental teaching theme was green building education, where the experimental group used online metaverse with Minecraft-assisted teaching, while the comparison group used internet images for assistance. Our research results were as follows: 1. The metaverse had a large effect size on the example dimension of concept learning but no significant effect on the linkages, hierarchical structures, or cross-linking terms. 2. The metaverse significantly enhanced creative design performance, including value, usability, novelty, and elaboration. 3. The metaverse had a significant effect on learning engagement, particularly in learning attitudes.
On Shared Leadership Modeling: Contrasting Network and Dyadic Approaches
Authors: Coluccio Giuliani , Muñoz-Herrera Sebastián
Published: July 2024

Shared leadership is a dynamic phenomenon that has gained attention in behavioral science and management research over the last two decades. Network modeling is frequently employed to study this phenomenon, with the recent literature favoring a node-based approach over the traditional dyad-based approach. In this study, we investigate the differential impact of these approaches on shared leadership dynamics in student teams, specifically examining their effects on team task cohesion, team social cohesion, and team performance. We utilized multilevel structural equation modeling to compare node-based and dyad-based approaches in modeling shared leadership networks. Our findings indicate that increased leadership interactions positively influenced team performance and cohesion across both approaches. The dyad-based approach demonstrated a greater effect of leadership interactions on team performance, while leadership centrality significantly impacted performance exclusively in the node-based approach. This research contributes to the field by elucidating the differential impacts of node-based and dyad-based approaches, highlighting their strengths in capturing shared leadership dynamics and centrality effects. Our results underscore the critical importance of aligning theoretical foundations and research objectives with methodological choices in shared leadership studies. These insights enhance our understanding of shared leadership measurement and its implications for team outcomes, offering valuable guidance for future empirical investigations in this domain.
A Study of the Impact of Manufacturing Servitization on Firms’ Cost Stickiness
Authors: Bai Ming , Guan Hao , Hong Ye , Sun Haoyi
Published: July 2024

Since 2014, China has been actively promoting the transformation of manufacturing servitization, clarifying the importance of manufacturing servitization. This paper investigates the correlation between manufacturing servitization and cost stickiness, supplementing the research on the economic consequences of manufacturing servitization and the influencing factors of cost stickiness. This paper launches an empirical study with a sample of A-share manufacturing companies from 2014 to 2022. The research results show that, first, manufacturing servitization can inhibit enterprise cost stickiness; second, manufacturing servitization affects enterprise cost stickiness through the path of reducing enterprise adjustment costs, reducing managers’ optimistic expectations and reducing enterprise agency costs; third, the negative relationship between manufacturing servitization and cost stickiness is stronger among firms with a low level of internal control, a strong degree of financing constraints, a good quality internal information environment, a strong degree of competition in the market, and firms that are in capital-intensive manufacturing industries; fourth, the role of embedded servitization on enterprise cost stickiness is not significant, while hybrid servitization can have a significant negative effect on enterprise cost stickiness; and fifth, the impact of manufacturing servitization on enterprise cost stickiness mainly lies in the cost of material resources rather than the cost of human resources.
Microscopic Characterization of Individual Aerosol Particles in a Typical Industrial City and Its Surrounding Rural Areas in China
Authors: Su Yunfei , Long Yuhan , Yao Xunzhe , Chen Chunying , Sun Wei , Zhao Rui , Zhang Junke
Published: July 2024

Transmission electron microscopy was used to analyze individual aerosol particles collected in Lanzhou (urban site) and its surrounding areas (rural site) in early 2023. The results revealed that from the pre-Spring Festival period to the Spring Festival period, the main pollutants at the urban site decreased significantly, while the PM2.5 and SO2 concentrations increased at the rural site. During the entire sampling period, the main particles at the urban site were organic matter (OM), secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA), and OM-SIA particles, while those at the rural site were OM, SIA, and soot particles. The degree of external mixing of single particles in both sites increased from the pre-Spring Festival period to the Spring Festival period. The proportion of the OM particles increased by 11% at the urban site, and the proportion of SIA particles increased by 24% at the rural site. During the Spring Festival, the aging of the soot particles was enhanced at the urban site and weakened at the rural site. At the urban site, the SIA particle size was more strongly correlated with the thickness of the OM coating during the pre-Spring Festival period, while the correlation was stronger at the rural site during the Spring Festival.
Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from Food Matrices Using the CANARY Biosensor Assay
Authors: Tam Christina C. , Du Wen-Xian , Wang Yangyang , Flannery Andrew R. , He Xiaohua
Published: July 2024

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes a wide spectrum of diseases including hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Previously, we developed a rapid, sensitive, and potentially portable assay that identified STEC by detecting Shiga toxin (Stx) using a B-cell based biosensor platform. We applied this assay to detect Stx2 present in food samples that have been implicated in previous STEC foodborne outbreaks (milk, lettuce, and beef). The STEC enrichment medium, modified Tryptone Soy Broth (mTSB), inhibited the biosensor assay, but dilution with the assay buffer relieved this effect. Results with Stx2a toxoid-spiked food samples indicated an estimated limit of detection (LOD) of ≈4 ng/mL. When this assay was applied to food samples inoculated with STEC, it was able to detect 0.4 CFU/g or 0.4 CFU/mL of STEC at 16 h post incubation (hpi) in an enrichment medium containing mitomycin C. Importantly, this assay was even able to detect STEC strains that were high expressors of Stx2 at 8 hpi. These results indicate that the STEC CANARY biosensor assay is a rapid and sensitive assay applicable for detection of STEC contamination in food with minimal sample processing that can complement the current Food Safety Inspection Service (US) methodologies for STEC.
Characteristics of Subtype and Molecular Transmission Networks among Newly Diagnosed HIV-1 Infections in Patients Residing in Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China, from 2021 to 2023
Authors: Gao Ruihong , Li Wentong , Xu Jihong , Guo Jiane , Wang Rui , Zhang Shuting , Zheng Xiaonan , Wang Jitao
Published: July 2024

The HIV-1 pandemic, spanning four decades, presents a significant challenge to global public health. This study aimed to understand the molecular transmission characteristics of newly reported HIV infections in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China, to analyze the characteristics of subtypes and the risk factors of the transmission network, providing a scientific basis for precise prevention and intervention measures. A total of 720 samples were collected from newly diagnosed HIV-1 patients residing in Taiyuan between 2021 and 2023. Sequencing of partial genes of the HIV-1 pol gene resulted in multiple sequence acquisitions and was conducted to analyze their subtypes and molecular transmission networks. Out of the samples, 584 pol sequences were obtained, revealing 17 HIV-1 subtypes, with CRF07_BC (48.29%), CRF01_AE (31.34%), and CRF79_0107 (7.19%) being the dominant subtypes. Using a genetic distance threshold of 1.5%, 49 molecular transmission clusters were generated from the 313 pol gene sequences. Univariate analysis showed significant differences in the HIV transmission molecular network in terms of HIV subtype and household registration (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CRF79_0107 subtype and its migrants were associated with higher proportions of sequences in the HIV transmission network. These findings provide a scientific foundation for the development of localized HIV-specific intervention strategies.
Path Planning Algorithms for Smart Parking: Review and Prospects
Authors: Han Zhonghai , Sun Haotian , Huang Junfu , Xu Jiejie , Tang Yu , Liu Xintian
Published: July 2024

Path planning algorithms are crucial components in the process of smart parking. At present, there are many path planning algorithms designed for smart parking. A well-designed path planning algorithm has a significant impact on the efficiency of smart parking. Firstly, this paper comprehensively describes the principles and steps of four types of path planning algorithms: the Dijkstra algorithm (including its optimized derivatives), the A* algorithm (including its optimized derivatives), the RRT (Rapidly exploring Random Trees) algorithm (including its optimized derivatives), and the BFS (Breadth First Search) algorithm. Secondly, the Dijkstra algorithm, the A* algorithm, the BFS algorithm, and the Dynamic Weighted A* algorithm were utilized to plan the paths required for the process of smart parking. During the analysis, it was found that the Dijkstra algorithm had the drawbacks of planning circuitous paths and taking too much time in the path planning for smart parking. Although the traditional A* algorithm based on the Dijkstra algorithm had greatly reduced the planning time, the effect of path planning was still unsatisfactory. The BFS (Breadth First Search) algorithm had the shortest planning time among the four algorithms, but the paths it plans were unstable and not optimal. The Dynamic Weighted A* algorithm could achieve better path planning results, and with adjustments to the weight values, this algorithm had excellent adaptability. This review provides a reference for further research on path planning algorithms in the process of smart parking.
YOLO-ADual: A Lightweight Traffic Sign Detection Model for a Mobile Driving System
Authors: Fang Simin , Chen Chengming , Li Zhijian , Zhou Meng , Wei Renjie
Published: July 2024

Traffic sign detection plays a pivotal role in autonomous driving systems. The intricacy of the detection model necessitates high-performance hardware. Real-world traffic environments exhibit considerable variability and diversity, posing challenges for effective feature extraction by the model. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a detection model that is not only highly accurate but also lightweight. In this paper, we proposed YOLO-ADual, a novel lightweight model. Our method leverages the C3Dual and Adown lightweight modules as replacements for CPS and CBL modules in YOLOv5. The Adown module effectively mitigates feature loss during downsampling while reducing computational costs. Meanwhile, C3Dual optimizes the processing power for kernel feature extraction, enhancing computation efficiency while preserving network depth and feature extraction capability. Furthermore, the inclusion of the CBAM module enables the network to focus on salient information within the image, thus augmenting its feature representation capability. Our proposed algorithm achieves a mAP@0.5 of 70.1% while significantly reducing the number of parameters and computational requirements to 51.83% and 64.73% of the original model, respectively. Compared to various lightweight models, our approach demonstrates competitive performance in terms of both computational efficiency and accuracy.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ENDOCRINE COMPONENT OF PANCREAS AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF N-ACETYLCYSTEINE IN THE MODEL OF ACUTE RADIATION-INDUCED PANCREATITIS
Authors: Demyashkin Grigoriy Aleksandrovich , Ugurchieva Dali Ibragimovna , Yakimenko Vladislav Andreevich , Vadyukhin Matvey Anatol'evich
Published: July 2024

Studies of radiation-induced pancreatic lesions after irradiation with charged particles (electrons, protons) are rare. The effectiveness of certain antioxidants to reduce pancreatic radiation-induced damage is proved. However, the mechanisms of radiation-induced pancreatic damage have not been fully disclosed, and studies of its endocrine component after electron irradiation are rare.
The aim of the paper is to assess insulin and glucagon expression in pancreatic islets after administration of N-acetylcysteine in the model of acute post-radiation pancreatitis.
Materials and Methods. Wistar rats (Rattus Wistar; n=60) were divided into four experimental groups: Group 1 (n=10) – control; Group 2 (n=20) – fractional local electron irradiation; Group 3 (n=20) – N-acetylcysteine before electron irradiation; Group 4 (n=10) – N-acetylcysteine. All animals were removed from the experiment a week after the last fraction. Pancreatic fragments were prepared for morphological and immunohistochemical (with insulin and glucagon antibodies) studies. Analysis of variance was used for comparison. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed according to the Kruskal–Wallis test and a Bonferroni-corrected Mann-Whitney U test.
Results. In an immunohistochemical study, a week after electron irradiation (total radiation dosage – 25 Gy), decreased expression levels of insulin (2 points) and glucagon (1 point) were observed compared with the control group. In the group of pre-irradiation administration of N-acetylcysteine, a week after electron irradiation, the number of immunopositive insulocytes (2–3 points) and glucagonocytes (2 points) was close to control values.
Conclusion. Seven-day local irradiation with electrons (total radiation dosage – 25 Gy) leads to a decrease in the endocrine activity of insulocytes and glucagonocytes, which is partially preserved after pre-irradiation administration of N-acetylcysteine, indicating its protective effect.