bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact on Ecosystem Services and the Satisfaction Therewith of Community Forest Management in Northern Thailand
Authors: Thammanu Siriluck , Han Hee , Ekanayake E. M. B. P. , Jung Yoonkoo , Chung Joosang
Published: December 2021

Forest ecosystems provide myriad services that are beneficial to local livelihoods. Successful community forest management (CFM) enhances the provision, overall benefit, and effectiveness of the regulation of ecosystem services and contributes to forest conservation efforts. The study area was a deciduous forest in the Ban Mae Chiang Rai Lum Community Forest, which is located in Pa Mae Phrik National Forest Reserve in Thailand’s northern province of Lampang. A systematic sampling of the forest area was conducted, and survey plots were established. A field survey documented 197 plant species from 62 families. A questionnaire that focused on CFM engagement behavior and ecosystem service satisfaction levels was used to interview household representatives. The study found that levels of engagement and the effectiveness of forest management were directly related; increased CFM effectiveness leads to improved ecosystem services. Participation in CFM can improve ecosystem services and enhance livelihoods. Specifically, participation in decision making, forest fire management, check dam construction, benefit sharing, and in forming effective forest regulations positively impacted ecosystem services. In contrast, employing forest patrols adversely affected those services. This knowledge is useful for identifying policies and practices that can maximize ecosystem services to enhance livelihoods and safeguard the forest’s vitality.
Large-Area Full-Coverage Remote Sensing Image Collection Filtering Algorithm for Individual Demands
Authors: Chu Boce , Gao Feng , Chai Yingte , Liu Yu , Yao Chen , Chen Jinyong , Wang Shicheng , Li Feng , Zhang Chao
Published: December 2021

Remote sensing is the main technical means for urban researchers and planners to effectively observe targeted urban areas. Generally, it is difficult for only one image to cover a whole urban area and one image cannot support the demands of urban planning tasks for spatial statistical analysis of a whole city. Therefore, people often artificially find multiple images with complementary regions in an urban area on the premise of meeting the basic requirements for resolution, cloudiness, and timeliness. However, with the rapid increase of remote sensing satellites and data in recent years, time-consuming and low performance manual filter results have become more and more unacceptable. Therefore, the issue of efficiently and automatically selecting an optimal image collection from massive image data to meet individual demands of whole urban observation has become an urgent problem. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a large-area full-coverage remote sensing image collection filtering algorithm for individual demands (LFCF-ID). This algorithm achieves a new image filtering mode and solves the difficult problem of selecting a full-coverage remote sensing image collection from a vast amount of data. Additionally, this is the first study to achieve full-coverage image filtering that considers user preferences concerning spatial resolution, timeliness, and cloud percentage. The algorithm first quantitatively models demand indicators, such as cloudiness, timeliness, resolution, and coverage, and then coarsely filters the image collection according to the ranking of model scores to meet the different needs of different users for images. Then, relying on map gridding, the image collection is genetically optimized for individuals using a genetic algorithm (GA), which can quickly remove redundant images from the image collection to produce the final filtering result according to the fitness score. The proposed method is compared with manual filtering and greedy retrieval to verify its computing speed and filtering effect. The experiments show that the proposed method has great speed advantages over traditional methods and exceeds the results of manual filtering in terms of filtering effect.
An Investigation of Occupant Energy-Saving Behavior in Vernacular Houses of Behramkale (Assos)
Authors: Ergöz Karahan Ebru , Göçer Özgür , Göçer Kenan , Boyacıoğlu Didem
Published: December 2021

Despite its well-known potential to reduce energy use, the inquiry of whether vernacular architecture prompts its occupants to have energy-saving behavior has been neglected. This paper aims to investigate the influence of vernacular houses on the behavior of their occupants and other parameters affecting occupant behavior. Along with site observations, 117 surveys including multiple choice and open-ended questions were conducted with households living in vernacular houses and new houses in the historical settlement, Behramkale (Assos). A principal component analysis was conducted for the whole sample to determine whether there is a relationship between energy saving occupant behavior and energy use, household, and housing characteristics. Then further analyses were performed to explore the differences in descriptive properties of occupants. Household characteristics were found to be associated with occupant behavior. The females and married people tended to show more energy-saving behavior and sought to use their houses in more environmentally friendly ways. The older people were more likely to show no-cost energy-saving behavior. The households with high income and high-level education tended to invest in energy-efficient appliances but consumed more energy than other households. Besides the effects of household characteristics, historical heritage, and landscape values specific to the area influenced occupant behavior. Vernacular houses enabled the households to behave in a certain way and to continue the traditional daily habits related to sustainable, energy-saving behaviors.
The Impact of On-the-Job Consumption on the Sustainable Development of Enterprises
Authors: Wang Ping , Bu Hua , Sun Huaping
Published: December 2021

Under certain circumstances, on-the-job consumption is conducive to improving the resilience of the supply chain and the sustainable development ability of enterprises. Using China’s A-share listed companies from 2008 to 2019 as sample data in conjunction with the deconstructive analysis of on-the-job consumption, we used the multiple linear regression model of econometrics to deeply analyze the impact of on-the-job consumption on the sustainable development of enterprises, test the regulatory effect of innovation efficiency, and explore the governance effect of internal control and anti-corruption. Research shows that reasonable and excessive on-the-job consumption have positive and inhibitory effects, respectively, on the sustainable development of enterprises and the relationship between innovation efficiency and the sustainable development of enterprises. Compared to private enterprises, the positive effect of reasonable on-the-job consumption is smaller in state-owned enterprises, while the negative effect of excessive on-the-job consumption is larger in state-owned enterprises. Further research suggests that internal control can weaken the inhibitory effect of excessive on-the-job consumption on the positive relationship between the innovation efficiency and the sustainable development of enterprises, and the weakening effect is even greater after the implementation of anti-corruption policies. Anti-corruption policies and internal control can form a complementary force, effectively restrain the agency effect of excessive on-the-job consumption, and promote the sustainable development of enterprises. This research not only expands the research perspective of on-the-job consumption but also adds new theoretical explanations and empirical evidence for how to achieve the sustainable development of enterprises.
Cultivation and Biorefinery of Microalgae (Chlorella sp.) for Producing Biofuels and Other Byproducts: A Review
Authors: Kuo Chiu-Mei , Sun Yu-Ling , Lin Cheng-Han , Lin Chao-Hsu , Wu Hsi-Tien , Lin Chih-Sheng
Published: December 2021

Microalgae-based carbon dioxide (CO2) biofixation and biorefinery are the most efficient methods of biological CO2 reduction and reutilization. The diversification and high-value byproducts of microalgal biomass, known as microalgae-based biorefinery, are considered the most promising platforms for the sustainable development of energy and the environment, in addition to the improvement and integration of microalgal cultivation, scale-up, harvest, and extraction technologies. In this review, the factors influencing CO2 biofixation by microalgae, including microalgal strains, flue gas, wastewater, light, pH, temperature, and microalgae cultivation systems are summarized. Moreover, the biorefinery of Chlorella biomass for producing biofuels and its byproducts, such as fine chemicals, feed additives, and high-value products, are also discussed. The technical and economic assessments (TEAs) and life cycle assessments (LCAs) are introduced to evaluate the sustainability of microalgae CO2 fixation technology. This review provides detailed insights on the adjusted factors of microalgal cultivation to establish sustainable biological CO2 fixation technology, and the diversified applications of microalgal biomass in biorefinery. The economic and environmental sustainability, and the limitations and needs of microalgal CO2 fixation, are discussed. Finally, future research directions are provided for CO2 reduction by microalgae.
Guidelines on Unused Open Spaces between Buildings for Sustainable Urban Management
Authors: Lee Ji-ah , Lee Jong-ho , Je Min-hee
Published: December 2021

The side setback areas of buildings are generally underutilized urban spaces. Often, they are used as unauthorized commercial spaces, which lead to legal struggles and safety and sanitation hazards. However, the presence of these establishments implies a demand for using these spaces, and many argue that such structures enhance and vitalize cities. This study establishes a new direction for utilizing side setback areas that harmoniously meets the demands of city dwellers and business owners while ensuring safety and compliance with regulations. We examined the utilization status of 371 side setback areas in various districts of Seoul and surveyed 20 urban management experts. Th results indicate that at least 30% of all buildings in the study repeatedly violated laws regarding the use of their side setback spaces, and 100% of the experts agreed that the current regulatory system is inflexible. Our analysis suggests that reform is needed and offers tangible guidelines so that these generally underutilized spaces may become useful when safety and sanitation requirements are met. In the context of overpopulated urban spaces, side setback areas can be repurposed to meet the needs of urban residents while ensuring safety and sanitation.
Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for Nutraceuticals Greener Applications: The Cynara cardunculus Case Study
Authors: Borroni Michele , Pozzi Carlo Massimo , Daniotti Sara , Gatto Fabiana , Re Ilaria
Published: December 2021

Nutraceuticals are an ever-expanding market worldwide, facing the unstoppable transition towards a green economy. Developing economically feasible and sustainable alternatives to current raw materials for the extraction of nutraceuticals is, therefore, essential to reach these goals and, at the same time, achieve social and economic competitiveness. This paper intends to propose an economical and environmentally sustainable feedstock for chlorogenic acid (CGA) and inulin, whose current extraction from green coffee and chicory, respectively, is unsustainable. Our approach is based on the multi-criteria decision-making approach (MCDA), supported by the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), ranking the performance of competitor biomasses according to economic, social, and technological criteria. The results of this study highlight cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) as a promising raw material for the extraction of CGA and inulin in virtue of the high concentration, low-input growth regime, and the possibility of being grown on marginal lands. Nevertheless, cardoon biomass availability is currently scarce, extraction methods are underdeveloped, and consequently, the obtained product’s price is higher than the benchmark competitors. Policies and investments favoring sustainable cultivations could stimulate cardoon employment, linking economic advantages and land requalification while limiting phenomena such as desertification and food competition in the Mediterranean basin.
Electric Vehicle Assignment Considering Users’ Waiting Time
Authors: Ma Weimin , Chen Jiakai , Ke Hua
Published: December 2021

A one-way electric-car-sharing system is an environmentally friendly option for urban transportation systems, which can reduce air pollution and traffic congestion with effective vehicle assignment. However, electric vehicle assignment usually faces a dilemma where an insufficient battery level cannot fulfill the requests of users. It greatly affects assignment choices and order fulfillment rates, resulting in the loss of platform profit. In this study, with the assumption that the users agree to wait for a period of time during which electric vehicles can be charged to fulfill trip demands, we proposed a waiting-time policy and introduced users’ utility to measure user retention. Then, we set up a bi-level electric-vehicle assignment model with a waiting-time policy to optimize the assignment and waiting decisions. The numerical results show that under the waiting-time policy, we can achieve more profits, a higher trip fulfillment rate, and a significant improvement in vehicle utilization. It not only generates more profits for the platform but also provides a better service for users and lays a user foundation for the future development and operation.
Defining Natural Landscape Qualities of the Southern Part of the Krka National Park in Croatia
Authors: Bogovac Lara , Kamenečki Monika , Pereković Petra , Hrdalo Ines , Tomić Reljić Dora
Published: December 2021

The paper is based on a review of the established principles for evaluating the natural qualities of landscapes and developing procedures that can contribute to current methods, upgraded with indicators derived from the perception and attitudes of the public. They were implemented into an integrated model of natural landscape qualities. The method included modeling of the natural landscape qualities for the southern part of the Krka National Park in Croatia. The first evaluation model was based on a survey whose responses were processed and classified using the AHP method and GIS. The results showed that the respondents recognize the diversity of land cover and relief forms and the degree of their fragmentation as the highest natural landscape quality. The second step included overlapping the vulnerability model of natural landscape qualities and the model of perception of natural qualities. It was found that the implementation of perceived natural qualities in the evaluation process affects the model of vulnerability of landscape quality. It also indicates the possibility of implementing the perceived natural qualities of certain landscape types into the complete landscape evaluation process, which encompasses all values in the space, including human perception. Therefore, the whole procedure pointed out the importance of the implementation of perceived values into landscape evaluation, something which is also emphasized by the European Landscape Convention (ELC).
Two Level Trade Credit Policy Approach in Inventory Model with Expiration Rate and Stock Dependent Demand under Nonzero Inventory and Partial Backlogged Shortages
Authors: Shaikh Ali Akbar , Cárdenas-Barrón Leopoldo Eduardo , Manna Amalesh Kumar , Céspedes-Mota Armando , Treviño-Garza Gerardo
Published: December 2021

In present real life situations, the stock and expiration date directly impact on the demand of an item. In this context, this research work develops an inventory model for stock and expiration rate-dependent demand under a two-level trade credit policy. Specifically, the following three situations are studied: (i) trade credit policy without zero ending inventory; (ii) trade credit policy with zero ending inventory; (iii) trade credit policy with partial backlogged shortages. The proposed inventory model is formulated as a non-linear constrained optimization problem. Some theoretical results are derived, and an algorithm is stated in order to solve the proposed inventory model. The main objective of the inventory model is to determine the optimal cycle length, the optimal ending inventory level, and the optimal number of units displayed which maximize the total profit. Some numerical examples are solved. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is done with the aim to see the impacts of a variation of the input parameters on the decision variables and the total profit.
Effects of EFL Learning on L1 Chinese Lexis
Authors: Kong Wen , Guo Quan-Jiang , Dong Yin-Yan , Gao Xuesong (Andy)
Published: December 2021

The advocates of multi-competence theory argue that the L2 learners’ language system is unique because of the crosslinguistic influences of both languages. However, the influence of a foreign language on the learner’s L1 has not been extensively investigated. In order to address the gap, the present study sought to investigate the effects of EFL learning on written L1 Chinese at the lexical level. Two studies were conducted on 200 abstracts of MA theses written in Chinese, half on English literature written by Chinese-L1 English majors (EMs), and half on Chinese literature written by Chinese-L1 Chinese majors (CMs). The first study investigated the differences between the two groups in terms of the frequencies of nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, and conjunctions in the abstracts. The second study examined the differences in the lexical complexity and diversity between the two groups. The results reveal 12 significant differences in 27 investigated word classes and subclasses, as well as significant differences in lexical complexity, but no significant difference in lexical diversity. The identified differences are discussed from a multi-competence perspective.
Will Increasing Government Subsidies Promote Open Innovation? A Simulation Analysis of China’s Wind Power Industry
Authors: Gao Wei , Wang Daojuan
Published: December 2021

Keeping open innovation both stable and sustainable can be difficult when it involves cooperation between large enterprises. Some empirical studies suggest that subsidy policies can play a positive role. This study addresses two key questions that follow from this observation: first, if the intensity of a subsidy policy is increased, can it play a greater role in strengthening the stability of cooperation between firms? Second, what other factors play a mediating role in this effect? Utilizing a dynamic game model, this paper analyses influential factors such as absorptive capacity, frequency of engagement and technical value on cooperative stability, and investigates the role of innovation policy in the process of cooperation through a random number-driven simulation. The findings indicate that only when the absorption capacity and technological value of both partners meet a certain threshold is the probability of positive cooperative behavior improved. Otherwise, increased subsidies tend to foster negative cooperative behavior instead.
Space Thermoacoustic Radioisotopic Power System, SpaceTRIPS: The Magnetohydrodynamic Generator
Authors: Brekis Arturs , Alemany Antoine , Alemany Olivier , Montisci Augusto
Published: December 2021

Electricity production is a major problem for deep space exploration. The possibility of using radioisotope elements with a very long life as an energy source was investigated in the framework of an EU project “SpaceTRIPS”. For this, a two-stage system was tested, the first in which thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy by means of a thermoacoustic process, and the second where mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy by means of a magnetohydrodynamic generator (MHD). The aim of the present study is to develop an analytical model of the MHD generator. A one-dimensional model is developed and presented that allows us to evaluate the behavior of the device as regards both electromagnetic and fluid-dynamic aspects, and consequently to determine the characteristic values of efficiency and power.
How Did the Czech Fishing Union Convince over 99% of Czech Recreational Anglers to Report Their Harvested Fish and Their Fishing Visits into Their Angling Logbooks?
Authors: Lyach Roman
Published: December 2021

This study summarizes the recommendations regarding how to set a recreational angling reporting system where over 99% of the anglers report their harvested fish and their fishing visits. We conducted 40 in-depth interviews with anglers and managers of fisheries, where we asked about the reporting of harvested fish and fishing visits and about compliance with reporting and fishing rules. We achieved the high reporting rate by implementing a mandatory reporting system using angling logbooks, where anglers must write down all harvested fish and all fishing visits. The anglers must return the filled in angling logbooks to continue angling legally. The compliance of anglers with the fishing rules is enforced through field inspections by angling guards. The Czech Fishing Union explains the reasoning behind the fishing rules through local angling organisations where the fishery managers know the anglers personally, arguing that if the anglers do not comply with the angling rules, there will be no fish left to catch in the future. Keeping anglers informed regarding any changes to angling rules is critical for maintaining trust. The effective reporting system requires mandatory angling logbooks, but the communication between the Fishing Union and their anglers is essential to ensure that anglers comply with the system.
Efficiency of Different Moringa oleifera (Lam.) Varieties as Natural Coagulants for Urban Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Marzougui Nidhal , Guasmi Ferdaous , Dhouioui Sondes , Bouhlel Mohamed , Hachicha Mohamed , Berndtsson Ronny , Sleimi Noomene
Published: December 2021

There is a great need to find cheaper but still efficient treatment methods for wastewater. This study aimed to test the purifying performance of three different Moringa oleifera varieties that were cultivated in Tunisia on raw (RUW) and secondary treated urban wastewater (TUW). The seeds of the Mornag, Egyptian, and Indian varieties were powdered, added to the water (at concentrations of 0, 50, 100, and 150 mg·L−1), and stirred for 45 min at 120 rpm, and then left to settle for two hours. A physicochemical characterization of the wastewater was carried out before and after treatment. The investigated treatments decontaminated both types of urban wastewater. The best treatments were obtained with the Egyptian variety (at 150 mg·L−1), which excelled at the reduction of EC, TSS, BOD5, Cl, SO4, Ca, Na, Cd, and Fe in RUW and BOD5, EC, Na, Mg, Cl, and Cd in TUW. High amounts of TKN was found in both types of Moringa-treated wastewater, meaning that it could be used in agricultural irrigation, leading to less use of chemical nitrogen fertilizers and thus improving sustainability for crops, soils, animals, and humans. The Egyptian Moringa variety constitutes a cost-effective and environmentally friendly adsorbent that can be used as a replacement for more expensive treatment technologies.
The Evolution of AI-Driven Educational Systems during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Pantelimon Florin-Valeriu , Bologa Razvan , Toma Andrei , Posedaru Bogdan-Stefan
Published: December 2021

COVID-19 had a major impact on education, substantially stimulating the need for digital remote education. From paperback books to PDFs, from physical classes to e-conferencing, and from various traditional mechanisms of information transmission to systems that are driven by artificial intelligence and use adaptive learning approaches, all of these had to be adopted by both teachers and students. This paper analyzes the use of an adaptive learning system before and during the COVID-19 pandemic from a statistical point of view on a set of data gathered in Romania during a pilot project. The main data inputs are the number of students that enrolled for a certain course, the percentage of students that successfully completed it, and information about their age group, location and main area of interest. Our study finds that the use of artificial intelligence has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and, by analyzing the data obtained during the study, we managed to prove that artificial-intelligence-driven tools and systems have gained traction among all the parties involved in the educational process.
Design of a Spatial Data Model for the Sustainability of Population Sheltering Processes in the Czech Republic
Authors: Rak Jakub , Tomášek Pavel , Svoboda Petr
Published: December 2021

This article is focused on the creation of a data model of an information system to support the processes of population sheltering (PoS). PoS processes have undergone significant changes in the Czech Republic. The PoS system was transformed for the use of improvised shelters. For sustainable PoS, it is necessary to standardize the approach of crisis management staff. Key research hypotheses: the data model must respect the methodological framework of planning and implementation of the PoS, especially when used for the design and implementation of the improvised shelters; the standardization of residential buildings can be used to facilitate and streamline the sustainable process of planning of the PoS; the unified data model of the PoS can be considered suitable for standardization and development in the field of sustainable planning and implementation of the PoS. Softwares such as SW QGIS desktop 2.6.0, OpenStreetMap (OSM) spatial database, ESRI shapefile format, and S-JTSK/Krovak East North 5514 coordinate system were used for the verification of the spatial data model, and ASP.NET MVC 4.7.2 Microsoft SQL Server Express 2019, jQuery 3.3.1, Bootstrap 3.4.1, Kendo UI 2019.1.220, and virtual Windows Server 2016 were used for the implementation of the physical data model. The physical data model substantiates the benefits.
Sustainable Mulberry (Morus nigra L., Morus alba L. and Morus rubra L.) Production in Eastern Turkey
Authors: Can Ahmet , Kazankaya Ahmet , Orman Erdal , Gundogdu Muttalip , Ercisli Sezai , Choudhary Ravish , Karunakaran Rohini
Published: December 2021

In this study, a total of 55 wild-grown mulberry landraces belonging to Morus alba L., Morus rubra L., and Morus nigra L. species (Rosales order, Moraceae family, Morus L. genus) were sampled around the Van Lake basin, and some fruit characteristics were determined. All landraces are naturally grown in the Lake Van basin under pesticide-free conditions. As fruit character, phenolic compounds (gallic acid, catechin, quercetin, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, rutin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and phlorizin) and organic acids (malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid and ascorbic acid) were determined. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to determine the correlation between mulberry species in terms of biochemical compounds. As a result of PCA-biplot analysis, two variations were sufficient to explain the correlation between phenolic compounds and organic acids. This ratio reveals that mulberry species are separated with sharp boundaries in terms of biochemical compounds. Chlorogenic acid and rutin content were high in all mulberry landraces. The highest chlorogenic acid content was detected in landrace 65VN03 belonging to M. rubra (3.778 mg/g), 65GV12 belonging to M. nigra (3.526 mg/g), 13AD08 belonging to M. rubra (2.461 mg/g), and 13AH02 belonging to M. rubra (6.246 mg/g) landraces. In terms of organic acid content, malic acid was the dominant organic acid for genotypes. The rich bioactive compounds make M. alba, M. rubra, and M. nigra landraces as cultivar candidates for breeding purposes. It is a valuable source of bioactive agents that may have prevented humans from oxidative-stress-related diseases.
Greening the Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Planet: An Editorial Commentary
Authors: Yigitcanlar Tan
Published: December 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most popular and promising technologies of our time [...]
Steering Renewable Energy Investments in Favor of Energy System Reliability: A Call for a Hybrid Model
Authors: Kozlova Mariia , Lohrmann Alena
Published: December 2021

The global increase in electricity supply volatility due to the growing share of intermittent renewable energy sources together with recent extreme weather events draws attention to energy system reliability issues and the role of renewable energy sources within these systems. Renewable energy deployment strategies have already become a key element in debates on future global energy systems. At the same time, more extensive use of renewable energy sources implies a higher dependence on intermittent power, which puts the reliability of the electricity system at risk. Policymakers are introducing measures to increase the reliability of energy systems. Paradoxically, support for renewable energy and analyses of energy system reliability have been dealt with by two different and rarely overlapping research approaches. As a result, renewable energy promotion has often been designed without accounting for system reliability. To our knowledge, a model that captures those investment incentives and allows for tuning such financial support does not exist. This paper introduces a hybrid model that can potentially steer renewable energy investments in favor of energy system reliability. We demonstrate the idea of reliability-based support for renewable energy sources in action using a stylized case. Depending on the complementarity of different renewable energy power outputs available in the system, such reliability-based support can substantially reduce the necessity for greater backup capacity, can cut the overall costs of the energy system, and can reduce its environmental footprint.
The Use of Mobile Payment Systems in Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery: Primary Research on an Emerging Market for Experience Goods
Authors: Suyunchaliyeva Maiya M. , Nautiyal Raghav , Shaikh Aijaz A. , Sharma Ravishankar
Published: December 2021

This study investigated whether mobile payment services could drive post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery in the ‘experience goods’ sector (e.g., tourism) utilising Bandura’s self-efficacy or social cognitive theory. It explored the factors influencing the intention to continue using mobile payment services and the intention to recommend these to others. An empirical survey was conducted to assess the study variables, and the data obtained therefrom were analysed using the industry-standard Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining method. The study results suggest that personal innovativeness and perceived trust influence consumers’ intention to continue using mobile payment services and that perceived trust, personal innovativeness and outcome expectancy influence consumers’ intention to recommend the use of such services to others. The research findings have filled a research gap in emerging markets and can serve as the basis for formulating a winning marketing and operational strategy for nascent technologies such as mobile payment services. It would be naïve to extract findings from mature markets such as East Asia, the European Union and the United States and to apply these to developing markets. In addition, this study’s investigation of the variables that can influence the intention to continue using mobile payment services and to recommend the use of these to others goes into the heart of the sustainability issue because the study’s findings can help mobile payment service providers sustain the use of their applications and thus also sustain the advantages as such.
Optimal Green Operation and Information Leakage Decisions under Government Subsidy and Supply Uncertainty
Authors: Wu Junjian , Shang Jennifer
Published: December 2021

This study investigated optimal green operation and information leakage decisions in a green supply chain system. The system consists of one supplier, one leader retailer 1, one follower retailer 2, and the government. In this system, the government subsidizes each retailer based on the selling price of the product. The supplier is subject to a yield uncertainty process. The suppler decides whether to leak leader retailer 1′s order quantity to follower retailer 2 or not. In this study, we first built a Stackelberg game to address the equilibrium green operation decisions, when the supplier has and has not information leakage behavior, respectively. Subsequently, we identify the supplier’s information leakage equilibrium and how such behavior affects retailers’ ex ante profits, consumer surplus, and social welfare through a numerical study. Interestingly, we obtained the following results: (1) Supplier leaks are the unique equilibrium of the supplier. The product’s green degree and wholesale price at supplier’s equilibrium are higher under information leakage than under no information leakage. (2) The supplier’s information leakage behavior is good for leader retailer 1 and bad for follower retailer 2. (3) Information leakage behavior increases both consumer surplus and social welfare under certain conditions. (4) In general, key system parameters (e.g., the subsidy rate, supply uncertainty, supply correlation, and forecast accuracies) positively correlate with consumer surplus and social welfare in the same direction, while they affect retailer 1′s and retailer 2′s ex ante profit in the opposite direction. These findings provide useful insights for businesses to manage demand forecast information and make decisions on the green level of the product in green supply chain management.
Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Recycled Aggregate Concrete, Geopolymer Concrete, and Recycled Aggregate-Based Geopolymer Concrete
Authors: Imtiaz Lahiba , Kashif-ur-Rehman Sardar , Alaloul Wesam Salah , Nazir Kashif , Javed Muhammad Faisal , Aslam Fahid , Musarat Muhammad Ali
Published: December 2021

This study presents a life cycle impact assessment of OPC concrete, recycled aggregate concrete, geopolymer concrete, and recycled aggregate-based geopolymer concrete by using the mid-point approach of the CML 2001 impact-assessment method. The life cycle impact assessment was carried out using OpenLCA software with nine different impact categories, such as global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, ozone depletion potential, photochemical oxidant formation, human toxicity, marine aquatic ecotoxicity, and freshwater and terrestrial aquatic ecotoxicity potential. Subsequently, a contribution analysis was conducted for all nine impact categories. The analysis showed that using geopolymer concrete in place of OPC concrete can reduce global warming potential by up to 53.7%. Further, the use of geopolymer concrete represents the reduction of acidification potential and photochemical oxidant formation in the impact categories, along with climate change. However, the potential impacts of marine aquatic ecotoxicity, freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity, human toxicity, eutrophication potential, ozone depletion potential, and terrestrial aquatic ecotoxicity potential were increased using geopolymer concrete. The increase in these impacts was due to the presence of alkaline activators such as sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. The use of recycled aggregates in both OPC concrete and geopolymer concrete reduces all the environmental impacts.
How Does Sustainable Rural Tourism Cause Rural Community Development?
Authors: He Yugang , Gao Xiaodan , Wu Renhong , Wang Yinhui , Choi Baek-Ryul
Published: December 2021

Rural tourism has been developing vigorously, and rural community functions are becoming diversified in China. Therefore, this paper takes China as an example to explore how sustainable rural tourism affects rural community development in the long and short run over the period 1994–2020. Sustainable rural tourism can be measured using two indicators: total rural tourism revenue and number of rural tourists. Rural community development is measured by the number of rural community service institutions. Then, by incorporating other variables and using the autoregressive distributed lag bounds co-integration technique to perform an empirical analysis, we found that, whether in the long or short run, sustainable rural tourism always plays a positive and significant role in promoting rural community development. In particular, in the long run, rural infrastructure construction, rural ecological environment, agricultural fiscal expenditure, agricultural technological progress, and rural human capital are identified as the major forces behind rural community development. Meanwhile, in the short run, rural infrastructure construction, rural ecological environment, agricultural fiscal expenditure, agricultural technological progress, and rural human capital are also major drivers of rural community development. This paper contributes to the current literature by filling in the existing gaps in several aspects.
Being Innovative in Running an Online Food Research Project in Consumer Sciences during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mielmann Annchen
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged many higher education institutions to accelerate the implementation of teaching and learning through an online mode of delivery. The unpredicted shift to online learning created unprecedented challenges for Consumer Sciences students which usually perform laboratory-oriented research projects; however, any employable skills acquired during undergraduate studies should be transferable to new circumstances within different working contexts. The aim of this article is to provide educators with a basic 10-step approach to complete an online food research project and to consider students’ engagement, reflections and experiences. The article consists of three parts. The first part provides ten research steps to complete an online food research project, followed by students’ reflections of the research project. The second part presents the results on students’ online engagement with an e-learning platform. The third part presents the results of students’ experiences from the university’s student survey of the lectured module. Recommendations made from students’ reflections stimulated their higher-order thinking as they comprehended the value and importance of research, project based-learning and critical evaluation for future improvement. Educators are responsible for helping students discover their own support networks, to provide opportunities and events to share their values and work, and to motivate and encourage student engagement and reflective discussions in the online environment to stimulate higher-order thinking and enhance students’ professional and sustainable development.
Willingness to Stay of Tourism Lifestyle Entrepreneurs: A Configurational Perspective
Authors: Dias Álvaro , Silva Graça M.
Published: December 2021

Tourism lifestyle entrepreneurs play an essential role in the innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness of tourism destinations. Thus, the ability of a destination to attract and retain this type of entrepreneur is an essential factor in strategic decisions. The limited research on this class of entrepreneurs implies that decision makers have little information about the factors that contribute to their willingness to stay in a particular destination. To address this challenge, this study employs a mixed-method approach, combining a quantitative survey-based study with a qualitative study by means of in-depth interviews. Based on survey data and using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis, this study identifies three equifinal configurations of antecedent factors (entrepreneurial self-efficacy, community-centered strategy, community attachment, and place attachment) that lead to a willingness to stay. Place attachment is the single-core condition. Moreover, the findings show that TLEs are not a homogeneous group. On the contrary, these entrepreneurs are driven by different motives and personal backgrounds. These results represent important insights for the definition of more sustainable strategies in destinations.
Multi-Disciplinary Assessment of Napier Grass Plantation on Local Energetic, Environmental and Socioeconomic Industries: A Watershed-Scale Study in Southern Thailand
Authors: Nantasaksiri Kotchakarn , Charoen-amornkitt Patcharawat , Machimura Takashi , Hayashi Kiichiro
Published: December 2021

Napier grass is an energy crop that is promising for future power generation. Since Napier grass has never been planted extensively, it is important to understand the impacts of Napier grass plantations on local energetic, environmental, and socioeconomic features. In this study, the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model was employed to investigate the impacts of Napier grass plantation on runoff, sediment, and nitrate loads in Songkhla Lake Basin (SLB), southern Thailand. Historical data, collected between 2009 and 2018 from the U-tapao gaging station located in SLB were used to calibrate and validate the model in terms of precipitation, streamflow, and sediment. The simulated precipitation, streamflow, and sediment showed agreement with observed data, with the coefficients of determination being 0.791, 0.900, and 0.997, respectively. Subsequently, the SWAT model was applied to evaluate the impact of land use change from the baseline case to Napier grass plantation cases in abandoned areas with four different nitrogen fertilizer application levels. The results revealed that planting Napier grass decreased the average surface runoff and sediment in the watershed. A multidisciplinary assessment supporting future decision making was conducted using the results obtained from the SWAT model; these showed that Napier grass will provide enhanced benefits to hydrology and water quality when nitrogen fertilizers of 0 and 125 kgN ha−1 were applied. On the other hand, the benefits to the energy supply, farmer’s income, and CO2 reduction were highest when a nitrogen fertilization of 500 kgN ha−1 was applied. Nonetheless, planting Napier grass should be supported since it increases the energy supply and creates jobs while also reducing surface runoff, sediment yield, nitrate load, and CO2 emission.
Characterizing the Economic and Environmental Benefits of LNG Heavy-Duty Trucks: A Case Study in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Zhao Qian , Huang Wenke , Hu Mingwei , Xu Xiaoxiao , Wu Wenlin
Published: December 2021

Heavy-duty trucks (HDTs) in road freight are a primary contributor of PM2.5 and NOX emissions in many cities. Shenzhen, a megacity of China, has already made great efforts to promote the green transport transition, including via the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) HDTs program, which may be the largest alternative fuel vehicle promotion program in the world. In order to fully understand the actual efficiency of such program, the economic and environmental impacts of LNG HDTs were analyzed in this study. The results revealed that, while the capital cost of LNG HDTs is higher than that of diesel HDTs, the aggregated cost during the entire operation period of LNG HDTs is 10% to 17% lower than that of diesel HDTs. By replacing existing diesel HDTs mode (including China-I to China-V) with LNG HDTs (100%), environmental impact analysis showed that PM2.5 and NOX emissions could be reduced by 96.7% and 73.2% in the city level, respectively. Moreover, the environmental benefits of using purely LNG HDTs versus just China-V diesel HDTs were also compared, which indicated that LNG substitution is superior to China-V, with a reduction of 20.9% for PM2.5 and 35.4% for NOX, respectively. Overall, the effectiveness of the promotion of LNG HDTs is notable in Shenzhen, and these findings could provide references for other cities to promote LNG HDTs and beyond.
Spatial Characteristics of Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions of Water Deer in Korea Expressway
Authors: Park Hyomin , Kim Minkyung , Lee Sangdon
Published: December 2021

In recent decades, rapid industrial growth has accelerated the construction of new roads, which has led to the destruction and isolation of wildlife habitats. Newly constructed roads affect wildlife in many ways. In particular, fatal wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) have a direct impact on wildlife. A substantial number of WVCs occur every year on expressways, where vehicle speeds and vehicle traffic are significant. However, our understanding of the relative importance of the factors associated with areas in which large numbers of WVCs occur on the expressway remains poor. Therefore, herein, we analyze the spatial characteristics of WVCs. The effect of spatial distribution on the occurrence of WVCs was analyzed using the types of land cover in the areas where water deer appear (Cheongju, Boeun, and Sangju) and the areas in which WVCs occur along the Cheongju–Sangju Expressway (CSE). We identified the WVC hotspots by using CSE patrol data recorded between January 2008 and December 2019, and we analyzed the corresponding distribution patterns and land cover characteristics. Along the CSE, a total of 1082 WVCs occurred, out of which collisions involving water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) accounted for 91%. Water deer appear frequently in Forested Areas and Agricultural Land, but the WVC distribution in the Hotspots followed a highly clustered pattern, with a higher proportion of WVCs occurring in Used Areas (areas including buildings such as residential facilities, commercial and industrial facilities, and transportation facilities). Used Areas have a smaller cut slope compared to Forested Areas, and Used Areas are open terrains. Therefore, the occurrence of WVCs will be high given that wildlife can easily access the expressway. Based on these results, we can infer that the landscapes near the expressway influence the occurrence of WVCs. To establish an effective policy for reducing WVCs on a road, the WVC characteristics and spatial distribution of the road should be considered together. Further research on the wildlife ecology and land-use status of WVC hotspots is required to mitigate WVCs on expressways and protect human and animal life. Therefore, if the characteristics of WVC hotspots are analyzed considering the characteristics of various ecosystems, an appropriate WVC reduction plan can be established.
A Grounded Theory on Sustainable Circular Public Procurement in Germany: Specific Product Case and Strategies
Authors: Wurster Simone , Schulze Rita , Simon Ramona G. , Hoyer Stefan
Published: December 2021

By using its purchasing power to procure environmentally friendly goods and services, the public sector can significantly contribute to sustainability in production and consumption. The sector’s support is also needed for the development of a circular economy (CE), but the absence of a suitable procurement practice often constitutes a barrier. A pressing example for a global need to develop the CE further exists in the tyre context. By the end of 2030, the number of end-of-life tyres (ELT) is expected to rise significantly. This article analyses the role and situation of public procurement and the necessity of quality infrastructure elements to support a sustainable tyre CE in the European Union’s member state Germany. It relies on a multiple case case study-based Grounded Theory approach and 22 interviews with public procurement professionals. Five types of barriers for sustainable circular tyre procurement were identified, concerning regulatory, technical, social, market, and ecological aspects. Possible strategies to overcome them were developed, leading to 14 recommendations for German policymakers and public procurement organisations. In particular, the recommendations focus on the two quality infrastructure elements ‘standards’ and ‘labelling’, with four standardization aspects and eight labelling topics in total.