bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insertion of Sustainable Practices in Small and Medium-Sized Companies: Analysis of the Main Barriers in the Brazilian Metalworking Sector
Authors: de Oliveira Junior Gilberto Cassoli , de Souza Pinto Jefferson , Rampasso Izabela Simon , Leal Filho Walter , Serafim Milena Pavan , Anholon Rosley
Published: October 2021

The main objective of this study was characterised by analysing the barriers associated with the insertion of sustainable practices in small and medium-sized companies in the metalworking sector, considering the Brazilian reality. Thirteen barriers were previously listed from the literature, and information about them was collected from 24 experienced managers who know the realities of small and medium-sized companies in the sector. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The frequency distribution showed that in each barrier, there was more than 50% of the responses allocated in the upper range, that is, medium or intense observation, demonstrating that SMEs experience many difficulties in this theme. When comparatively analysed via Fuzzy TOPSIS, difficulties associated with lack of knowledge and financial resources/incentives that can support SMEs in adopting sustainable practices are highlighted. The main contribution of this study is to provide robust information that company managers and other researchers can use. In addition, the provided information can support more complex debates for structuring public policies.
Computational Valuation Model of Housing Price Using Pseudo Self Comparison Method
Authors: Choi Seungwoo , Yi Mun Yong
Published: October 2021

Hedonic pricing method (HPM), which is commonly used for estimating real estate property values, considers the property’s internal and external characteristics for its valuation. Despite its popularity, however, the method lacks the mechanism that directly reflects the target property’s price fluctuation and the real estate market’s volatility over time. To overcome these limitations, we propose Pseudo Self Comparison Method (PSCM), which reduces the real estate valuation problem to finding a pseudo self, which is defined as a housing property that can most closely approximate the characteristics of the target housing property, and adjusting its previous transaction price to be in sync with the real estate market change. The proposed PSCM is tested for two scenarios in which the volatility of the real estate market varies greatly, using the transaction data compiled from Seoul, the capital of South Korea, and its surrounding region, Gyeonggi. The study results show almost five times lower estimation errors when predicting housing transaction prices using the PSCM compared to the HPM in both scenarios and in both areas. The proposed method is particularly useful for mass valuation of apartments or densely located housing units.
Understanding Impact Sustainable Intention of S-Commerce Activities: The Role of Customer Experiences, Perceived Value, and Mediation of Relationship Quality
Authors: Rahardja Untung , Hongsuchon Tanaporn , Hariguna Taqwa , Ruangkanjanases Athapol
Published: October 2021

Business activities using social media are currently growing and its development has intrigued practitioners and academics. The purpose of doing this present research is to build a conceptual model, which connects the concepts of customer perceived value and customer experiences with the concept of customer relationship quality to produce sustainable customer intention in social media commerce. Considering the results of two exogenous constructions, namely customer perceived value and customer experience, it can be concluded that both have an impact on relationship quality and customer sustainable intention. In this study, there are six hypotheses, consisting of five accepted hypotheses and one rejected hypothesis. After doing a deeper analysis, it is revealed that good relationship quality determines the significance of sustainable customer intention. In addition, this conducted research examines and experimentally confirms the role of customer perceived value and the customer experience in determining relationship quality and sustainability of customers founded in social media commerce. The novelty shown in this study lies in the integration of two exogenous variables, namely customer perceived value and customer experience, with the variables of relationship quality and customer sustainability intention. Finally, the findings provide theoretical, managerial, and social value and impact for academics, practitioners, and society.
Techno-Economic Analysis and New Design of a Photovoltaic Power Plant by a Direct Radiation Amplification System
Authors: Khodayar Sahebi Hamed , Hoseinzadeh Siamak , Ghadamian Hossein , Ghasemi Mohammad Hadi , Esmaeilion Farbod , Garcia Davide Astiaso
Published: October 2021

Today, photovoltaic panels are used in various applications, and increasing their efficiency is of interest to many researchers. In this research, we try to increase the radiation density by increasing direct radiation to finally increase the energy production in photovoltaic power plants. The direct radiation amplification system is used to improve the photovoltaic efficiency. In this proposed system, energy and economics are analyzed by MATLAB software. Also, prototype testing and photovoltaic power plant testing are examined. The results show that by implementing this system in photovoltaic power plants, annual energy production can be increased. By adding this system to a photovoltaic power plant, the price of electricity produced in photovoltaic power plants will be increased from 13 ¢/kWh to 9 ¢/kWh, which shows a 31% reduction in the price of electricity per kilowatt-hour.
Adsorption-Release Characteristics of Phosphorus and the Community of Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms of Sediments in a Shallow Lake
Authors: Balaji Prasath Barathan , Lin Zhi-Rong , Su Yu-Ping , She Chen-Xing , Lin Hong , Zhang Chao-Wei , Yang Hong
Published: October 2021

One of the most challenging issues for developing countries in modern times is the care and management of clean, potable drinking water sources. Accordingly, this study singled out potential contributing factors to harmful algae blooms with a particular focus on phosphorus (P) release. The potential risks of P release for the drinking water from a lake in Fujian were assessed by investigating the spatial-temporal distribution of P, its exchange capacity, and its discharge capacity in sediment, including the community composition of phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs) and the phosphate’s initial migration effects on sediments. Different mixed materials, including soil aggregate distributions, sorbent, fractions, adsorption-desorption of P, and the community composition of PAOs were assessed. Total phosphorus (TP) content was measured at 24.4 ± 1.2 to 563.9 ± 38.2 mg/kg, but contents displayed some spatial differences. The dominant Ps found in the sample sediments were organic phosphorus and inorganic phosphorus associated with hydroxide Fe/Al-P, which accounted for 48.6% and 43.6%, respectively, of the TP content in the lake’s central waters. The TP concentration in vertical sediment ranged from 436.2 ± 21.3 to 602.9 ± 31.4 mg/kg. The TP spatio-temporal distribution inputs varied with rainfall (p < 0.05). P deposition occurred throughout most water bodies (p < 0.05), covering extensive areas and also decreasing at lower depths. Forty-four operational taxonomic unit (OTU) phosphorus-accumulating organism types from 11 phyla were detected in the sediment samples obtained from the Sanshiliujiao Lakes region. Proteobacteria also dominated compared to the organisms with the strongest PAOs. The diversity of PAOs in summer samples was significantly higher than that of the autumn samples. These findings provide a scientific foundation for determining the future discovery of the microbial mechanisms involved in the phosphorus metabolic cycle found in reservoir sediments. Various forms of phosphorus influenced the PAO diversity, especially Fe/Al-P. Thus, the abundance of PAOs in the sediment proved to be an essential component of the P cycle and may even play a key role in regional material circulation and in causing other environmental issues.
PARO as a Biofeedback Medical Device for Mental Health in the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Shibata Takanori , Hung Lillian , Petersen Sandra , Darling Kate , Inoue Kaoru , Martyn Katharine , Hori Yoko , Lane Geoffrey , Park Davis , Mizoguchi Ruth , Takano Chihiro , Harper Sarah , Leeson George W. , Coughlin Joseph F.
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading across the globe, and it could take years for society to fully recover. Personal protective equipment (PPE), various hygiene measures, and social distancing have been implemented to reduce “human to human” contact, which is an essential part of outbreak prevention. The pressure of the pandemic combined with decreased communication and social contact have taken a toll on the mental health of many individuals, especially with respect to anxiety and depression. Effective use of robots and technology as a substitute for—or in coordination with—traditional medicine could play a valuable role in reducing psychological distress now more than ever. This paper summarizes the results of a comprehensive review of clinical research on PARO, a therapeutic seal robot, which has been used extensively as a biofeedback medical device and socially assistive robot in the field of mental health. PARO has proven to be an effective and economical non-pharmacological intervention method for both mental and physical well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilization of PARO during these times has provided more data for consideration and has helped in mitigating the negative stigma surrounding using robots in therapeutic settings.
Waste Cooking Oil as a Sustainable Bio Modifier for Asphalt Modification: A Review
Authors: Elahi Zafreen , Mohd Jakarni Fauzan , Muniandy Ratnasamy , Hassim Salihudin , Ab Razak Mohd Shahrizal , Ansari Anwaar Hazoor , Ben Zair Mohamed Meftah
Published: October 2021

The rising demand for non-renewable resources such as asphalt binder is a significant issue in the pavement industry. Flexible pavement consumes a significant amount of asphalt binder, which has become a major issue in terms of environmental sustainability and from an economics viewpoint. Hence, researchers strive to find other alternatives to solve these problems, to enhance the performance and lifespan of flexible pavement. Biomass-based bio-oil, such as waste cooking oil (WCO), as a modifier has illustrated favorable effects for asphalt binder and mixture. However, in the pavement industry, its adoption as a modifier is still in an empirical stage. Hence, this paper aimed to give an overview by analyzing literature in-depth to reveal the potential of WCO as a modifier in the pavement industry. The low- and intermediate-temperature performance of the WCO-modified asphalt binder are superior. However, it compromises physical properties and high-temperature performance. Hence, it can be improved by controlling the quality of WCO or by further modification by additives such as ground tire rubber (GTR) and waste plastic. This paper also attempts to review available and potential physical and chemical technologies to minimize the negative effects of free fatty acid (FFA) and water content of WCO on modified asphalt binder properties. For WCO-modified asphalt mixture, the overall performance depends on the dose, quality of WCO, and type of additive added in the WCO-modified binder. Finally, future recommendations are provided to broaden the scope of WCO as a modifier in the forthcoming sustainable pavement industry.
Risk Assessment of Urban Rail Transit PPP Project Construction Based on Bayesian Network
Authors: Liu Zhansheng , Jiao Yueyue , Li Anxiu , Liu Ximei
Published: October 2021

In recent years, the accident rate of urban rail transit PPP (public–private partnerships) project under construction has been relatively high, and the issue of security risks has attracted great attention from all walks of life. Therefore, it is necessary to identify, analyze, and evaluate the issue of security risks of the urban rail transit PPP project. This paper takes the PPP project of urban rail transit as the object. Through offline interviews and surveys and online questionnaires, this paper focuses on identifying and analyzing the risks brought by the introduction of PPP mode to the urban rail transit project and its action mechanism. The risk evaluation method based on Bayesian network model is studied, which is described from three dimensions: risk occurrence probability, risk reasoning, and risk sensitivity. Finally, an example of Xuzhou Metro Line 3 is given to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. This study provides a reference basis for relevant practitioners and promotes the healthy development of the industry.
Socio-Scientific Inquiry-Based Learning as a Means toward Environmental Citizenship
Authors: Ariza Marta R. , Christodoulou Andri , van Harskamp Michiel , Knippels Marie-Christine P. J. , Kyza Eleni A. , Levinson Ralph , Agesilaou Andria
Published: October 2021

This paper draws on the meta-theory of Critical Realism providing a theoretical basis for the pedagogical approach of Socio-Scientific Inquiry-Based Learning (SSIBL) in supporting Education for Environmental Citizenship (EEC). We argue that while there are different configurations of EEC, inducting citizens in decision-making needs satisfies the following criteria: (a) relevant transdisciplinary knowledge, (b) a values orientation toward both the complexity of, and the necessity for, a sustainable world and (c) a confidence for, and commitment to, socio-political action at individual and collective levels. In order to provide a rich perspective about how SSIBL has been operationalized in various national contexts through specific teacher professional development, we present four cases purposefully selected as exemplars from different European countries (the Netherlands, Spain, the UK and Cyprus). The four cases provide powerful scenarios to discuss different ways in which the SSIBL approach can be implemented in teacher education to meet the criteria identified and, thus, promote informed and responsible action in relation to socio-environmental issues. The whole picture shows a consistent theoretical foundation and interesting opportunities for teacher education, as a relevant strategy to prepare teachers in taking risks and integrating SSIBL within school curricula to foster environmental citizenship.
A Critical Overview of the State-of-the-Art Methods for Biogas Purification and Utilization Processes
Authors: Atelge Muhamed Rasit , Senol Halil , Djaafri Mohammed , Hansu Tulin Avci , Krisa David , Atabani Abdulaziz , Eskicioglu Cigdem , Muratçobanoğlu Hamdi , Unalan Sebahattin , Kalloum Slimane , Azbar Nuri , Kıvrak Hilal Demir
Published: October 2021

Biogas is one of the most attractive renewable resources due to its ability to convert waste into energy. Biogas is produced during an anaerobic digestion process from different organic waste resources with a combination of mainly CH4 (~50 mol/mol), CO2 (~15 mol/mol), and some trace gasses. The percentage of these trace gases is related to operating conditions and feedstocks. Due to the impurities of the trace gases, raw biogas has to be cleaned before use for many applications. Therefore, the cleaning, upgrading, and utilization of biogas has become an important topic that has been widely studied in recent years. In this review, raw biogas components are investigated in relation to feedstock resources. Then, using recent developments, it describes the cleaning methods that have been used to eliminate unwanted components in biogas. Additionally, the upgrading processes are systematically reviewed according to their technology, recovery range, and state of the art methods in this area, regarding obtaining biomethane from biogas. Furthermore, these upgrading methods have been comprehensively reviewed and compared with each other in terms of electricity consumption and methane losses. This comparison revealed that amine scrubbing is one the most promising methods in terms of methane losses and the energy demand of the system. In the section on biogas utilization, raw biogas and biomethane have been assessed with recently available data from the literature according to their usage areas and methods. It seems that biogas can be used as a biofuel to produce energy via CHP and fuel cells with high efficiency. Moreover, it is able to be utilized in an internal combustion engine which reduces exhaust emissions by using biofuels. Lastly, chemical production such as biomethanol, bioethanol, and higher alcohols are in the development stage for utilization of biogas and are discussed in depth. This review reveals that most biogas utilization approaches are in their early stages. The gaps that require further investigations in the field have been identified and highlighted for future research.
Why Can’t I Work in a Green Way? Research on the Influencing Mechanism of Employees’ Labor Intentions
Authors: Liu Bei , Chen Hong , Jiang Shiyan , Sun Qingqing
Published: October 2021

Non-green labor patterns have a negative impact on health and organizational sustainable development. This research proposes a green labor style that takes the sustainable development of employees themselves as the premise, with the protection of their physical and mental health as a long-term goal, that is not only concerned with how to build a reasonable mechanism to guarantee the physical and mental health of employees, but also with the labor protection mechanism of the whole process, from production to output. On the basis of social cognitive theory and the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, this study recruited a sample of 884 Chinese employees to explore the mechanism of their willingness to conduct green labor, including factors such as institutional constraints, boundary management, and organization-based self-esteem (OBSE). The results show that high levels of institutional constraints curbed employee demand for green labor and, in employees, good boundary-management skills acted as a mechanism of resistance against negative constraints. Furthermore, individual OBSE, as a positive psychological resource, could buffer the negative impacts of the organizational scenarios on outcomes.
Properties of Cement-Based Materials Containing Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Glass Waste as Fine Aggregates—A Review
Authors: Bawab Jad , Khatib Jamal , El-Hassan Hilal , Assi Lateef , Kırgız Mehmet Serkan
Published: October 2021

Among many alternatives to replace sand in cement-based materials, cathode-ray tube (CRT) glass emerges as a suitable replacement for many reasons. This paper provides a state-of-the-art review on the use of cathode-ray tube (CRT) glass waste in cement-based concrete and mortar in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The new aspects of the research are the literature coverage up to 2021 which would make it distinct from other articles. This review would act as a catalyst to use CRT glass waste in concrete mixtures. A total of 61 papers from literature were analyzed with emphasis on the fresh, mechanical, and durability performance of cement-based materials containing CRT glass waste as fine aggregates. The analysis revealed that the majority of the studies agreed that replacing sand with CRT glass waste increased the consistency where the low permeability of the CRT glass caused this effect. Strength of cement-based materials, on the other hand, decreased due to the weaker bond between the cement paste and the aggregates. The low water absorption of the CRT glass defined its effect on the durability properties of cement-based materials, such as drying shrinkage and water absorption capacity, leading to an improved performance. In addition, CRT glass waste activated the alkali-silica reaction in cement-based materials causing undesirable expansion. Additionally, several investigations proposed solutions to mitigate the lead leaching associated with the lead content found in the CRT glass. In general, it was assessed that CRT glass waste could be a valid component in the production of sustainable cement-based materials, especially for radiation shielding applications. The recommendations for future research are also suggested.
Case Study on the Efficiency of Recycling Companies’ Waste Paper Collection Stations in Japan
Authors: Liu Xiaoyue , Yu Jeongsoo , Okubo Kazuaki , Sato Masahiro , Aoki Toshiaki
Published: October 2021

Each year, a large amount of waste paper (WP) is generated in Japan, and due to the change in lifestyle with the COVID-19 pandemic, the WP collection and recycling system in Japan faces new challenges. Although the government of Japan has installed WP collection systems, the efficiency of these traditional WP collection systems is too low, and this causes inconvenience to the governments, residents, and other stakeholders. On the other hand, some recycling companies in Japan are trying to establish a nontraditional WP collection system by setting their own WP collection stations in cooperative supermarkets. Yet, the efficiency of this new system has not been clarified. This research aims to investigate the current status, operational characteristics, and the role of recycling companies’ WP collection stations in the Japanese WP collection system. By performing trade area analysis and stepwise OLS regression, this research will evaluate WP collection stations’ efficiency. Moreover, this research will also discuss how the new WP collection system improves WP collection efficiency and residents’ convenience. The results show that WP collection stations efficiency is particularly high in large supermarkets with many parking spaces and long business hours, as well as in areas with many families with children. Recycling companies’ WP collection system could create a system, which can satisfy resident, government, and recycling company interests at the same time.
Enhancing Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation and Soybean Growth through Co-Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium and Pseudomonas Isolates
Authors: Tu Ting-Chen , Lin Shih-Han , Shen Fo-Ting
Published: October 2021

The present study was undertaken to explore acidotolerant rhizobial and non-rhizobial bacteria associated with root nodules of soybean (Glycine max L.). Genotypic and phenotypic characterization regarding nitrogen fixation, nodulation and other potentially plant growth-promotion traits were performed in several isolates. Influences of bacterial inoculation on symbiotic nitrogen fixation and soybean growth were evaluated through flask and pot experiments in a greenhouse. The highest nitrogen-fixing activity was recorded in isolate Bra6, which was closely related to Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens based on 16S rDNA, nifH, and nodD gene sequences. All the non-rhizobial Pseudomonas isolates possessed multiple plant growth-promoting traits, with various hydrolytic patterns toward plant constituents. In sterile water agar-containing flasks, Bra6 + Pse2 treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the number of nodules, fresh weight, and dry weight of both root and shoot. This also led to the increment of most of the nutrients in the soybean plant compared with the uninoculated control or sole inoculation of Bra6. In non-sterile strongly acidic soil-containing pots, co-inoculation with Bra6 and various Pseudomonas isolates showed distinctively positive effects on symbiotic nitrogen fixation and soybean growth. The highest symbiotic nitrogen-fixing activity; root and shoot biomass; as well as N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Cu, and Zn contents of soybean plant were observed in Bra6 + Pse2 treatment. Synergistic symbiosis occurred through co-inoculation with Bradyrhizobium and Pseudomonas isolates, which further enhanced nutrients’ acquisition and growth of soybean in the strongly acidic soils.
The Relationship between Artificial Intelligence and China’s Sustainable Economic Growth: Focused on the Mediating Effects of Industrial Structural Change
Authors: Fan Decheng , Liu Kairan
Published: October 2021

In recent years, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) has had a significant impact on economic development. This study examined the relationship between the level of AI development and economic growth in 28 Chinese provinces from 2005 to 2018, and we focused on the mediating role of the industrial structure. We found that the unreasonable state of the structure is an important reason behind the slowdown of China’s economic growth. The development of AI not only has a direct effect on economic growth, but can also improve economic slowdown by inhibiting industrial structure upgrading. Taking into account regional heterogeneity, we also conducted sub-regional regressions, and the results show that this mediating effect is particularly significant in the eastern, central, and western areas of China; the regression results also show that the development of AI technologies did not boost the economy before the 2008 financial crisis, but during the economic recovery period, the R&D and application of AI helped China’s economy to rebound. Thus, AI has gradually become an important power engine for high-quality and sustainable growth in China’s economy.
Effects of Air Pollution on Assaults: Findings from South Korea
Authors: Eum Jeongin , Kim Hyungkyoo
Published: October 2021

This study investigates the effects of concentration of air pollution on assault rates for 204 police districts of South Korea from 2001 to 2018. A series of panel spatial Durbin models for the concentration of ozone, fine dust, and nitrogen dioxide—three key air pollutants of the country—identify the significant impacts of air pollution on assault rates that vary from each other. Ozone is expected to induce more assaults both locally and regionally. Fine dust decreases assault rates of an area and also in neighboring areas. Nitrogen dioxide yields positive effects on the surrounding areas’ assault rates but not in area of pollution itself. Findings of this study suggest the need to incorporate active measures on air pollution and violent crime at both city and inter-city levels. They also propose the active sharing of information on air pollution and crime between cities and regions as a collaborative response.
Digital Twins in Civil Infrastructure Systems
Authors: Callcut Matthew , Cerceau Agliozzo Jean-Paul , Varga Liz , McMillan Lauren
Published: October 2021

This research explores the existing definitions, concepts and applications surrounding the efficient implementation and use of digital twins (DTs) within civil infrastructure systems (CISs). The CISs within the scope of this research are as follows: transportation, energy, telecommunications, water and waste, as well as Smart Cities, which encompasses all of the previous. The research methodology consists of a review of current literature, a series of semi-structured interviews and a detailed survey. The outcome of this work is a refined definition of DTs within CISs, in addition to a set of recommendations for both future academic research and industry best practice.
Fading Attraction of the Shrinking City: An Empirical Study from an Urban Resource Perspective
Authors: Wang Yuanping , Lin Mu , Gao Jingxin , Zhou Zhaoyin
Published: October 2021

The accelerated flow of resources and the population has resulted in the coexistence of the expansion and shrinkage of cities. The shrinking city is not a new thing, but it is a new problem that needs to be solved urgently in China. Urban resources reveal the direct cause of the shrinking city: attraction, which reflects the competition for external resources and the endowment of the intrinsic resources of cities. Therefore, this paper established the Urban Resource Degree (URD) model to measure the urban resource degree of the shrinking city. Factors were then selected to analyze the ways in which they influence the shrinking cities. Given the spillover effect and heterogeneity of the influencing factors, a Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) and a Spatiotemporal Geographically Weighted Regression Model (GTWR) were used to conduct a spatial spillover (SSA) and spatial heterogeneity (SHA) analysis of the URD of the shrinking cities in Northeast China. The results show that the ability gap to compete for and control resources between prefecture-level shrinking cities and county-level shrinking cities is narrowed. From the SSA and SHA perspectives, the influence factors can be categorized into three types: “High West–Low East and Negative–Positive Spillover”, “Low West and High East Positive–Negative Spillover”, “Low Northwest and High Southeast Negative Spillover”. Finally, policy implications are proposed to provide support for policy-making.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Reimagination of Multilateralism through Global Health Diplomacy
Authors: Gupta Nippun , Singh Bawa , Kaur Jaspal , Singh Sandeep , Chattu Vijay Kumar
Published: October 2021

The ongoing pandemic COVID-19 has made it very clear that no one is safe until everyone is safe. But how can everyone be safe when the pandemic has broken every nerve of the economy and put an extra burden on the already crippled healthcare systems in low-income countries? Thus, the pandemic has changed the orientation of domestic as well as global politics, with many geopolitical shifts. The exponential growing infected cases and more than four million deaths has demanded a global response in terms of multilateralism. However, declining multilateralism and the need for its reforms was a much-delayed response. Given this context, this paper aimed to link the decline of multilateralism in the face of the pandemic by highlighting various instances of its failure and success; and highlighting the need for its revival. The article critically examines and evaluates the responses of multilateralism and global health diplomacy (GHD) during the pandemic. The ongoing black swan kind of event (an unexpected event) has obligated global leadership to think in terms of the revival of multilateralism through GHD. Historically, multilateralism through GHD has been shown to play an important role in managing and combating pandemics. The article further discusses various theoretical aspects such as sovereignty and hegemonic stability theory as reasons for the failing of multilateralism. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of foresight in reviving multilateralism in the pursuit of a more sustainable future.
Prediction of the Energy Self-Sufficiency Rate of Major New Renewable Energy Types Based on Zero-Energy Building Certification Cases in South Korea
Authors: Wang Seongjo , Tae Sungho , Jang Hyeongjae
Published: October 2021

There is an increasing interest in new renewable energy sources for achieving net zero emissions. Consequently, the construction industry has mandated zero-energy building certification (ZEB), through the usage of new renewable energy. However, because of the variations in the energy self-sufficiency rate (ESR) among the new renewable energy types, incorrect ESR prediction at the design stage may lead to problems. Hence, in this study, the ESR and construction cost are analyzed for each new renewable energy capacity to predict the ESR of photovoltaic (PV), building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV), geothermal, and fuel cell systems. Passive and active technology elements of the ZEB cases in Korea are analyzed, and by establishing a standard model with the average value of each case, the ESR is calculated for each new renewable energy capacity, and the calculation formulas are derived. The results indicate that for the PV and BIPV systems, the rate of ESR increases with the capacity (kWp) and is constant at 0.54% and 0.34%, respectively. However, for the geothermal system and fuel cells, the average ESR is 0.016% and 1.46%, respectively, but as the rate of ESR increase with the capacity (kW) gradually decreases, the calculation formulas are derived with a log graph.
The Known Unknowns: What Citizen Science Projects in Germany Know about Their Volunteers—And What They Don’t Know
Authors: Moczek Nicola , Hecker Susanne , Voigt-Heucke Silke L.
Published: October 2021

The citizen science landscape in Germany offers an enormous range for participation. More than 170 projects currently present themselves on the national citizen science platform. In 2020, we conducted a survey among 140 projects (participation rate 56%), and they provided information on the organisational framework and characteristics (disciplines, initiators, funding, and project goals), as well as on the academic researchers and the volunteering citizen scientists involved. A surprising result was that the level of knowledge about the volunteers is very low overall. Many projects deliberately do not collect personal data (e.g., on socio-demographic variables, knowledge, and behaviour), partly for data-protection reasons and partly because they are unsure about how to collect it due to a lack of instruments and standards. We aim to illustrate the complexity of this issue and discuss various dilemmas arising between theoretical aspirations and the pragmatic and procedural realities in practice. We conclude with suggestions for developing project-specific strategies to increase diversity and inclusion. We argue that the task of conducting accompanying research on participant diversity cannot be borne by individual projects alone and consider the development and implementation of co-creative and qualitative approaches suitable for this purpose.
Application of Urban Scale Energy Modelling and Multi-Objective Optimization Techniques for Building Energy Renovation at District Scale
Authors: Haneef Fahad , Pernigotto Giovanni , Gasparella Andrea , Kämpf Jérôme Henri
Published: October 2021

Nearly-zero energy buildings are now a standard for new constructions. However, the real challenge for a decarbonized society relies in the renovation of the existing building stock, selecting energy efficiency measures considering not only the energy performance but also the economic and sustainability ones. Even if the literature is full of examples coupling building energy simulation with multi-objective optimization for the identification of the best measures, the adoption of such approaches is still limited for district and urban scale simulation, often because of lack of complete data inputs and high computational requirements. In this research, a new methodology is proposed, combining the detailed geometric characterization of urban simulation tools with the simplification provided by “building archetype” modeling, in order to ensure the development of robust models for the multi-objective optimization of retrofit interventions at district scale. Using CitySim as an urban scale energy modeling tool, a residential district built in the 1990s in Bolzano, Italy, was studied. Different sets of renovation measures for the building envelope and three objectives —i.e., energy, economic and sustainability performances, were compared. Despite energy savings from 29 to 46%, energy efficiency measures applied just to the building envelope were found insufficient to meet the carbon neutrality goals without interventions to the system, in particular considering mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. Furthermore, public subsidization has been revealed to be necessary, since none of the proposed measures is able to pay back the initial investment for this case study.
Does Face Consciousness Affect Tourist Behaviour at Festival Events? A Korean Perspective
Authors: Lee Kyung-Yur , Park Sang-Hyeon
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to (1) investigate whether face consciousness (or chemyon) and playfulness affect tourist behaviour and tourist satisfaction at a festival event from a South Korean perspective and (2) identify the moderating effects of both the frequency of visits and overnight trips. Structural equation modelling was conducted with a sample of 506 adults. The outcomes indicated that face consciousness and playfulness positively influenced tourist behaviour at festival events. In turn, these impacts were conducive to tourist satisfaction. However, the results were either positive or negative depending on specific tourist behaviour. Moreover, revisit travellers and overnight travellers exerted significant moderating impacts between certain paths. The integrative model can provide objective data for destination marketers and event organisers to support the enhancement of festival events in the post-COVID-19 era. The originality of this study lies in the initial attempt to adapt face consciousness to amalgamate tourist behaviour at festival events.
Destination Brand Experience: A Study Case in Touristic Context of the Peneda-Gerês National Park
Authors: Martins Hugo , Carvalho Paulo , Almeida Nuno
Published: October 2021

Based on the scientific literature, this paper emphasises the destination brand experience (DBE) (multidimensional construct and second-order factor) in order to analyse the implications it plays regarding visitors’ satisfaction, their intentions to revisit and their intentions to recommend it. In terms of methodology, a confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the model and the research hypotheses. The sample was composed of 507 tourists who visited the Peneda-Gerês National Park in Northern Portugal. Results showed an acceptable fit. The items of each construct were very strong. Positive significant results were found for all the considered hypotheses, particularly regarding the association of sensory DBE and behavioural DBE (subdimensions of the DBE scale) with satisfaction. The sensory DBE and affective DBE subdimensions of the DBE scale were meaningfully associated with visitors’ intentions to recommend. Satisfaction was a strong mediator for sensory DBE impact on their intention to revisit and to recommend, and a less strong effect was found for satisfaction as a mediator for behavioural DBE impact on intentions to revisit and to recommend. The theoretical contribution of this study aimed to deepen the analysis of the DBE construct in its multidimensional aspect and its relationship with other constructs. The results are discussed in relation to their theoretical and practical relevance.
Business Models 4.0 Using Network Effects: Case Study of the Cyfrowy Polsat Group
Authors: Niemczyk Jerzy , Trzaska Rafał , Wilczyński Maciej , Borowski Kamil
Published: October 2021

The aim of the research, the results of which are presented in the article, is to discover new knowledge allowing for the description and design of business models 4.0 using network effects. In their research, the authors reviewed the literature, carried out desk research and conducted an analysis of publicly available documents of selected companies from the Cyfrowy Polsat Group. The results of the study present the possibility of using the network effect in business models 4.0. The paper develops a framework for business model analysis from the perspective of Industry 4.0. The presented research will allow for an indication of the possibility of using a business model from the perspective of Industry 4.0, based on the theory of the network effect in building the value of network organizations.
Assessing International Development Cooperation: Becoming Intentional about Unintended Effects
Authors: Koch Dirk-Jan , Vis Jolynde , van der Harst Maria , Tendron Elric , de Laat Joost
Published: October 2021

International headlines often make mention of side effects of international cooperation, ranging from aid-fuelled corruption to the negative side effects of volunteer tourism. The OECD Development Assistance Committee, an international forum of many of the largest providers of aid, prescribes that evaluators should consider if an intervention has unintended effects. Yet the little that is known suggests that few evaluations of international cooperation projects systematically assess their unintended effects. To address this gap in assessing unintended effects, this study develops an operational typology of 10 types of unintended effects of international cooperation that have emerged in the literature and applies this to all 644 evaluations of the Netherlands’ development cooperation between 2000 and 2020 using structured text mining with manual verification. The results show that approximately 1 in 6 evaluations carefully considered unintended effects and identified 177 different ones. With the exception of 5, these could be classified in 9 of the 10 typologies, indicating that this typology can guide international development cooperation to systematically consider and assess its unintended effects. International development planners, researchers and evaluators are recommended to henceforth make use of and improve this operational typology.
Life Cycle Assessment of Fungal-Based Composite Bricks
Authors: Stelzer Lisa , Hoberg Friederike , Bach Vanessa , Schmidt Bertram , Pfeiffer Sven , Meyer Vera , Finkbeiner Matthias
Published: October 2021

Fungal-based composites as substitutes for construction materials might represent a promising solution to reduce the environmental burdens of the building industry. Such composites can be produced biotechnologically through the cultivation of multicellular fungi that form dense mycelia whilst growing into and onto residual plant biomass from agriculture and forestry. As comprehensive environmental assessments are missing, this paper conducts a life cycle assessment for fungal-based composite bricks considering the categories of climate change, eutrophication, acidification, smog, water scarcity, and land use. Electricity for sterilization, incubation, and the drying process led to 81.4% of a total 0.494 total kg CO2 eq. for climate change and 58.7% of a total 9.39 × 10−4 kg SO2 eq. for acidification. Further, hemp shives and grain mix were identified as hotspots for eutrophication (77.7% of 6.02 × 10−4 kg PO4−3 eq.) and land use (81.8% of 19.4 kg Pt eq.). However, the use of hemp shives, rapeseed straw, or poplar wood chips did not differ in the environmental impacts. Further, lab-scale production was compared with industrial scale-up, which is mostly characterized by energy efficiency showing reduced impacts for all considered categories, e.g., a decrease of 68% in climate change. Recycling should be included in future studies as well as considering the use and end-of-life phase.
Are Business Policy Measures in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic to Be Equally Valued? An Exploration According to SMEs Owners’ Business Expectations
Authors: Tchinda Charlie , Dejardin Marcus
Published: October 2021

A variety of public economic policy measures have been designed and implemented in an effort to enable SMEs to limit damages resulting from the adverse sanitary and economic shocks associated with COVID-19. The originality of our study is to propose a rating of the various economic policy measures, the rating being expressed by SMEs owners conditional to their business expectations. In so doing, our contribution is to highlight the policy measures to be implemented in order to support resilient and ambitious ventures with the most positive prospects, which are likely to contribute the most to economic recovery. We exploit an original and rich dataset derived from a survey conducted in May 2020 among a representative sample of more than 2100 Belgian (Walloon) SMEs. The Belgian experience is remarkable because the wide variety of measures it undertook echoes many of the measures taken by OECD countries. Our results suggest that the respondents have an overall positive evaluation of the various economic and social policy measures implemented by the Belgian authorities. More importantly, the rating by SME owners with the most favorable expectations are, however, significantly different than their counterpart. Measures helping firms to maintain their workforce are particularly highly rated by firms with the best prospects. It also appears that those firms prefer short-term and transitory measures.
Education for Sustainable Development: Impact and Blind Spots within Different Routes in Austrian Teacher Education
Authors: Hobusch Ulrich , Froehlich Dominik Emanuel
Published: October 2021

Education for sustainable development (ESD) is increasingly being perceived as the educational paradigm of our time. Here, teachers act as multipliers in the dissemination of that new paradigm into practice. The question arises, however, as to how far teachers themselves are exposed to ESD issues in their initial teacher training and education. In this exploratory, mixed-methods study, we investigate the exposure of students to ESD-related topics in different routes of teacher education in Austria. We do so by means of a quantitative survey instrument, which was specifically developed for this investigation in a qualitative pre-study. Within the investigated routes we note different distributions of ESD-related topics. These findings serve as a starting point for deeper analyses, as well as an impetus to question existing curricula in different teacher education routes with regard to different ESD-related topics.
The Role of Big Data in Aging and Older People’s Health Research: A Systematic Review and Ecological Framework
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Gao Xiaolu , Wu Danxian , Xu Zening , Wang Hongjie
Published: October 2021

Big data has been prominent in studying aging and older people’s health. It has promoted modeling and analyses in biological and geriatric research (like cellular senescence), developed health management platforms, and supported decision-making in public healthcare and social security. However, current studies are still limited within a single subject, rather than flourished as interdisciplinary research in the context of big data. The research perspectives have not changed, nor has big data brought itself out of the role as a modeling tool. When embedding big data as a data product, analysis tool, and resolution service into different spatial, temporal, and organizational scales of aging processes, it would present as a connection, integration, and interaction simultaneously in conducting interdisciplinary research. Therefore, this paper attempts to propose an ecological framework for big data based on aging and older people’s health research. Following the scoping process of PRISMA, 35 studies were reviewed to validate our ecological framework. Although restricted by issues like digital divides and privacy security, we encourage researchers to capture various elements and their interactions in the human-environment system from a macro and dynamic perspective rather than simply pursuing accuracy.
Whose Knowledge Counts? The Struggle to Revitalise Indigenous Knowledges in Guatemala
Authors: Bergström Johanna
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates the role of indigenous knowledge in relation to ideas of sustainability focusing on Guatemala. Previous research on environmental engagement and public understanding of science demonstrates the importance of including different perspectives, including traditional forms of knowledges such as for example indigenous knowledges. Environmental governance and management are areas in which indigenous peoples strive towards an acceptance of indigenous knowledge to be placed next to Western scientific knowledge. The struggle concerns the management and control of indigenous territories, but it also concerns the dismantling of a hierarchical understanding of knowledge, which lessens indigenous knowledge about ecosystems and about how to create a good life. Through the revitalization of indigenous knowledge and traditional practices, indigenous communities develop ideas and establishments to find paths towards socioecological balance. This paper studies indigenous groups’ understandings of indigenous knowledge, their struggle to revitalise knowledge and their efforts for it to become validated. It uses decolonial theory in its analysis and raises questions of power structures and hierarchies within academia.