bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pixel Intensity Resemblance Measurement and Deep Learning Based Computer Vision Model for Crack Detection and Analysis
Authors: Paramanandham Nirmala , Rajendiran Kishore , Poovathy J Florence Gnana , Premanand Yeshwant Santhanakrishnan , Mallichetty Sanjeeve Raveenthiran , Kumar Pramod
Published: March 2023

This research article is aimed at improving the efficiency of a computer vision system that uses image processing for detecting cracks. Images are prone to noise when captured using drones or under various lighting conditions. To analyze this, the images were gathered under various conditions. To address the noise issue and to classify the cracks based on the severity level, a novel technique is proposed using a pixel-intensity resemblance measurement (PIRM) rule. Using PIRM, the noisy images and noiseless images were classified. Then, the noise was filtered using a median filter. The cracks were detected using VGG-16, ResNet-50 and InceptionResNet-V2 models. Once the crack was detected, the images were then segregated using a crack risk-analysis algorithm. Based on the severity level of the crack, an alert can be given to the authorized person to take the necessary action to avoid major accidents. The proposed technique achieved a 6% improvement without PIRM and a 10% improvement with the PIRM rule for the VGG-16 model. Similarly, it showed 3 and 10% for ResNet-50, 2 and 3% for Inception ResNet and a 9 and 10% increment for the Xception model. When the images were corrupted from a single noise alone, 95.6% accuracy was achieved using the ResNet-50 model for Gaussian noise, 99.65% accuracy was achieved through Inception ResNet-v2 for Poisson noise, and 99.95% accuracy was achieved by the Xception model for speckle noise.
Multi-Target Tracking Based on a Combined Attention Mechanism and Occlusion Sensing in a Behavior-Analysis System
Authors: Zhou Xiaolong , Chan Sixian , Qiu Chenhao , Jiang Xiaodan , Tang Tinglong
Published: March 2023

Multi-object tracking (MOT) is a topic of great interest in the field of computer vision, which is essential in smart behavior-analysis systems for healthcare, such as human-flow monitoring, crime analysis, and behavior warnings. Most MOT methods achieve stability by combining object-detection and re-identification networks. However, MOT requires high efficiency and accuracy in complex environments with occlusions and interference. This often increases the algorithm’s complexity, affects the speed of tracking calculations, and reduces real-time performance. In this paper, we present an improved MOT method combining an attention mechanism and occlusion sensing as a solution. A convolutional block attention module (CBAM) calculates the weights of space and channel attention from the feature map. The attention weights are used to fuse the feature maps to extract adaptively robust object representations. An occlusion-sensing module detects an object’s occlusion, and the appearance characteristics of an occluded object are not updated. This can enhance the model’s ability to extract object features and improve appearance feature pollution caused by the short-term occlusion of an object. Experiments on public datasets demonstrate the competitive performance of the proposed method compared with the state-of-the-art MOT methods. The experimental results show that our method has powerful data association capability, e.g., 73.2% MOTA and 73.9% IDF1 on the MOT17 dataset.
Advanced Sensors Technologies Applied in Mobile Robot
Authors: Klančar Gregor , Seder Marija , Blažič Sašo
Published: March 2023

This special issue focuses on mobile robotic systems, where we are seeing a widespread increase in current applications as well as promising future applications enabled by the latest technologies in sensor development [...]
Wireless Single-Lead versus Standard 12-Lead ECG, for ST-Segment Deviation during Adenosine Cardiac Stress Scintigraphy
Authors: Fabricius Ekenberg Luna , Høfsten Dan Eik , Rasmussen Søren M. , Mølgaard Jesper , Hasbak Philip , Sørensen Helge B. D. , Meyhoff Christian S. , Aasvang Eske K.
Published: March 2023

Wearable wireless electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring is well-proven for arrythmia detection, but ischemia detection accuracy is not well-described. We aimed to assess the agreement of ST-segment deviation from single- versus 12-lead ECG and their accuracy for the detection of reversible ischemia. Bias and limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated between maximum deviations in ST segments from single- and 12-lead ECG during 82Rb PET-myocardial cardiac stress scintigraphy. Sensitivity and specificity for reversible anterior-lateral myocardial ischemia detection were assessed for both ECG methods, using perfusion imaging results as a reference. Out of 110 patients included, 93 were analyzed. The maximum difference between single- and 12-lead ECG was seen in II (−0.019 mV). The widest LoA was seen in V5, with an upper LoA of 0.145 mV (0.118 to 0.172) and a lower LoA of −0.155 mV (−0.182 to −0.128). Ischemia was seen in 24 patients. Single-lead and 12-lead ECG both had poor accuracy for the detection of reversible anterolateral ischemia during the test: single-lead ECG had a sensitivity of 8.3% (1.0–27.0%) and specificity of 89.9% (80.2–95.8%), and 12-lead ECG a sensitivity of 12.5% (3.0–34.4%) and a specificity of 91.3% (82.0–96.7%). In conclusion, agreement was within predefined acceptable criteria for ST deviations, and both methods had high specificity but poor sensitivity for the detection of anterolateral reversible ischemia. Additional studies must confirm these results and their clinical relevance, especially in the light of the poor sensitivity for detecting reversible anterolateral cardiac ischemia.
Comparative Effect of Varieties and Types of Containers on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Geranium (Palergonium graveolens)
Authors: Shagufta  , Noor-un-Nisa  , Jamali Fayaz Ali , Ahmad Waqas , Ul-Allah Sami , Wahocho Niaz Ahmed , Jamali Muzamil Farooque , Shah Syed Adnan
Published: March 2023

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér.) is an important commercial horticultural plant extensively used in outdoor landscaping. Seed emergence has always remained a problem in geranium due to its hard seed nature. Hence its germination and other emergence-related attributes need to be adequately tested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the germination and seedling growth of geraniums under different types of containers. In this regard, the seeds of two varieties of geranium viz. Large FID mixed and Star mixed were planted in different types of containers. The containers included black trays plastic pots, plastic bags, and nonwoven fabric bags. The seed emergence and other germination related parameters were significantly affected by the different types of containers. However, varieties exhibited similar responses for most germination and growth characteristics. Data were collected for seed germination, mean germination time, germination index and seedling vigor index. The type of containers showed a significant impact on seedling growth and development. The taller plants with more leaves and maximum biomass production were recorded from seeds sown in nonwoven fabric type bags. The results pertaining to varieties demonstrated that Star mixed showed better emergence and vigorous seedlings in comparison with large FID mixed. The taller seedlings with maximum leaves and shoot biomass were also recorded from Star mixed grown in nonwoven fabric type bags. Based on the results, it is concluded that germanium may be raised in nonwoven fabric bags for better seed emergence and seedling growth and development.
A Survey on Optimal Channel Estimation Methods for RIS-Aided Communication Systems
Authors: Drampalou Stamatia F. , Miridakis Nikolaos I. , Leligou Helen C. , Karkazis Panagiotis A.
Published: March 2023

Next-generation wireless communications aim to utilize mmWave/subTHz bands. In this regime, signal propagation is vulnerable to interferences and path losses. To overcome this issue, a novel technology has been introduced, which is called reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). RISs control digitally the reflecting signals using many passive reflector arrays and implement a smart and modifiable radio environment for wireless communications. Nonetheless, channel estimation is the main problem of RIS-assisted systems because of their direct dependence on the system architecture design, the transmission channel configuration and methods used to compute channel state information (CSI) on a base station (BS) and RIS. In this paper, a concise survey on the up-to-date RIS-assisted wireless communications is provided and includes the massive multiple input-multiple output (mMIMO), multiple input-single output (MISO) and cell-free systems with an emphasis on effective algorithms computing CSI. In addition, we will present the effectiveness of the algorithms computing CSI for different communication systems and their techniques, and we will represent the most important ones.
“Our Teaching Is Rocking Their Ontological Security”: Exploring the Emotional Labour of Transformative Criminal Justice Pedagogy
Authors: Duggan Marian , Bishop Charlotte
Published: March 2023

Feminist scholars teaching criminology, criminal justice, and law actively address issues of gendered and intersectional importance as crucial additions to degree programmes. Their inclusive acts illustrate a critical pedagogic approach to representing a diverse range of identities and experiences which is necessary to affect the kind of transformational learning that may resonate and impact upon graduate justice practitioners. However, the personal and professional impacts involved in seeking to effect positive developments in social and criminal justice often go unnoticed. This article presents empirical research findings exploring criminal justice tutors’ experiences of undertaking transformative teaching using feminist pedagogies. It provides insight into the lived experiences shared by scholars which highlights the affective nature of this work and offers recommendations for others navigating the neoliberal academy.
Gross Motor Development in Preschoolers through Conductivist and Constructivist Physical Recreational Activities: Comparative Research
Authors: Calero-Morales S. , Vinueza-Burgos G. C. , Yance-Carvajal C. L. , Paguay-Balladares W. J.
Published: March 2023

Developing gross motor function implies strengthening the basic body position and the balance associated with posture and mobility, for which different teaching models and psycho-pedagogical interventions are applied. Objective: to develop gross motor function in male preschoolers through physical recreational activities based on conductivist (Group 1) and constructivist (Group 2) teaching and determine the best teaching paradigm. Two basic skills were studied in two homogeneous independent samples (walking: w = 0.641; running: w = 0.556), selecting 25 children for each group (3–4 years) through the use of intentional sampling. The gross skills evaluation was based on norms established by the Education Ministry, including a mood assessment. Results: each group improved their basic skills in the post-test (Group 1: W = 0.001; W = 0.001. Group 2: W = 0.046; W = 0.038), but the conductivist paradigm was superior (w = 0.033; w = 0.027). Group 1 presented better indicators in the motor evaluations “Acquired” and “In Process” than Group 2, and lower percentages in the “Initiated” evaluation than Group 2 in the abilities “walking” as well as “running”, which were significantly different in the “Initiated” evaluation (p = 0.0469) for the walking ability, and significantly different in the “Initiated” and “Acquired” evaluations (p = 0.0469; p = 0.0341, respectively) for the running skill. Conclusions: The conductivist teaching model was superior in terms of gross motor function optimization.
Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of a Composite Joint with a Blind Bolt and T-stub
Authors: Hua Jincheng , Wang Xinwu , Liu Huanhuan , Sun Haisu
Published: March 2023

A detailed nonlinear finite element model was established based on completed experiments to investigate the behavior of a blind-bolted T-stub composite joint that connects a composite beam to a concrete-filled square tube column. This was accomplished by comparing the experimental results and the finite element simulation results using the hysteresis curve, failure mode, plastic deformation and strain development of the T-stub to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the finite element model. A parametric study was carried out on the base model to expand the library of test data. It was observed from the comparison that the proposed nonlinear FE model predicted the behavior of the composite joint. The wall thickness of the column and reinforcement ratio had a significant influence on the ultimate bending moment of the composite joint and the performance of the composite joint was mainly controlled by the reinforcement ratio when the concrete slab was under a positive bending moment. The flange of the T-stub, the web of the T-stub and the axial compression ratio had little effect on the performance of the composite joint.
Can Environmental Knowledge and Risk Perception Make a Difference? The Role of Environmental Concern and Pro-Environmental Behavior in Fostering Sustainable Consumption Behavior
Authors: Zeng Zhicheng , Zhong Wenjun , Naz Shumaila
Published: March 2023

Sustainable consumption is one of the goals of the ‘Sustainable Development Goals 2030′ set by the United Nations. The study is primarily interested in how sustainable consumption behavior can be fostered through environmental knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes. For environmental concern, the role of environmental knowledge is considered significant. Therefore, academia is powered by the desire to impart environmentally friendly attitudes and behaviors to students for sustainable consumption. The main purpose of this study was to measure the influence of environmental knowledge and environmental risk perceptions on the environmental concerns of university students. Likewise, how environmental attitudes act as a moderator in the association between environmental concern and pro-environmental behavior was also taken into account. The unit of analysis was the students enrolled in the universities of China. Following a deductive approach and positivist paradigm, and using SmartPLS, we deployed a structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique to test the relationships. The results exhibited that environmental knowledge and environmental risk perceptions are positively and significantly related with environmental concerns. Similarly, environmental concerns and pro-environmental behavior are positively and significantly related to sustainable consumption behavior. Environmental attitude appeared as a moderator in the relationship between environmental concerns and pro-environmental behavior. The theory of planned behavior was considered as the supporting theory for the investigated model, thereby providing empirical evidence for the theory. The study provided important implications and future directions.
Effects of Temperature, pH, and Salinity on Seed Germination of Acinos alpinus subsp. Meridionalis and FTIR Analysis of Molecular Composition Changes
Authors: Cherrate Mustapha , Radouane Nabil , Ezrari Said , Echchgadda Ghizlane , Maissour Abdellah , Makroum Kacem , Plavan Gabriel , Abd-Elkader Omar H. , Bourioug Mohamed
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to determine the impact of three abiotic factors (Temperature, pH, and salinity) on the metabolic activities (macromolecules) and germination rate of Acinos alpinus subsp. Meridionalis (Satureja) seeds. In vitro, seed germination tests were performed in an aqueous medium. They were monitored as a function of time at different levels of temperature, NaCl concentration, and pH. The best germination rate (85.3%) was achieved at 15 °C and pH = 7. However, the germination was nil at a higher temperature (more than 25 °C), acidic pH (pH < 3.5), and higher NaCl concentration (more than >7.5 g L−1). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed an important variability of the chemical composition of germinated seeds. Indeed, the comparison of the absorbance peaks of chemical compounds in the treatments versus the control revealed significant differences in their concentrations and structures, which may justify why seeds fail to germinate under some extreme abiotic conditions. The results of this study are expected to serve as a guide for the protocols to be adopted in the ex situ conservation of this species.
Thermodynamic Analysis of the Solubility of Propylparaben in Acetonitrile–Water Cosolvent Mixtures
Authors: Ortiz Claudia Patricia , Cardenas-Torres Rossember Edén , Herrera Mauricio , Delgado Daniel Ricardo
Published: March 2023

Parabens are substances used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Recent studies have indicated that these substances have toxic potential, cause endocrine disruption and can easily bioaccumulate; therefore, their physicochemical properties are of industrial, biological and environmental interest. Due to their potential use in the development of more efficient and cleaner processes, the design of environmental recovery strategies and more reasonable designs for solubility in cosolvent mixtures, studies of thermodynamic analysis and mathematical modeling are of great interest. This research studies the solubility of propylparaben in acetonitrile + water cosolvent mixtures at nine temperatures by UV/Vis spectrophotometry, analyzing the solid phase by differential scanning calorimetry to evaluate possible polymorphic changes. The solubility of propylparaben is an endothermic process, where phase separation occurs at intermediate mixtures, reaching its minimum solubility in pure water at 278.15 K and the maximum solubility in pure acetonitrile at 315.15 K. The experimental data are well-correlated with the va not Hoff, Apelblat and Buchowski–Ksiazaczak models. The results revealed that possible microheterogeneity of the MeCN + W mixture can generate phase separation in intermediate mixtures, possibly due to the formation of solvates or hydrates.
Artificial Intelligence and Public Values: Value Impacts and Governance in the Public Sector
Authors: Chen Yu-Che , Ahn Michael J. , Wang Yi-Fan
Published: March 2023

While there has been growth in the literature exploring the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and recognition of the critical importance of guiding public values, the literature lacks a systematic study focusing on public values as well as the governance challenges and solutions to advance these values. This article conducts a systematic literature review of the relationships between the public sector AI and public values to identify the impacts on public values and the governance challenges and solutions. It further explores the perspectives of U.S. government employees on AI governance and public values via a national survey. The results suggest the need for a broad inclusion of diverse public values, the salience of transparency regarding several governance challenges, and the importance of stakeholder participation and collaboration as governance solutions. This article also explores and reports the nuances in these results and their practical implications.
Spatial Spillover and Threshold Effects of High-Quality Tourism Development on Carbon Emission Efficiency of Tourism under the “Double Carbon” Target: Case Study of Jiangxi, China
Authors: Wang Liguo , Jia Guodong
Published: March 2023

High-quality tourism development under the “double carbon” target (the peaking of carbon emissions and achievement of carbon neutrality) is an important path to achieving low-carbon emissions in the tourism industry and is vital for improving the industry’s carbon emissions efficiency. Using spatial and temporal panel data for 11 prefecture-level cities in Jiangxi Province from 2000 to 2020, a spatial Durbin model and a threshold model were constructed to assess the spatial spillover and threshold effects that high-quality tourism development has on the carbon emission efficiency of the tourism industry. The three key results were as follows. (1) There is a non-linear relationship between the carbon emission efficiency of tourism and the high-quality development trend of tourism, with differences in spatial distribution. (2) Coordinated development, green development, and open development all have significant positive direct effects on the carbon emission efficiency of tourism. Innovation-driven and coordinated development have a positive spillover effect on the carbon emission efficiency of tourism. In contrast, green development, open development, and shared results have a negative spatial spillover effect. (3) When the scale of the tourism economy crosses the first threshold in the second stage and the structure of tourism investment crosses the second threshold in the third stage, the ability of the tourism quality development to enhance the tourism carbon emission efficiency is the largest. When the tourism investment structure and tourism carbon emission intensity cross a single threshold, the role of the tourism quality development level in enhancing the tourism carbon emission efficiency decreases. Accordingly, three types of countermeasures are proposed: solving development problems, tapping into positive spillovers, and scientifically describing the impact of thresholds. The ultimate goal of this is to provide theoretical references and innovative ideas for promoting green, low-carbon, and high-quality development of tourism in Jiangxi Province and elsewhere.
Comparing the Use of Educational Technology in Mathematics Education between South African and German Schools
Authors: Saal Petronella Elize , Graham Marien Alet
Published: March 2023

This mixed-method study investigated how primary school mathematics teachers in South Africa and Germany utilise educational technology. The perceptions of the principals and teachers regarding the use of educational technology and the obstacles to its integration were contrasted. In addition, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019 data from these countries were used to evaluate the relationship between educational technology and learner accomplishment. The results showed that teachers from both nations employed educational technology as a presentation-, reinforcement-, supplement-, and problem-solving tool, and also used it to stimulate the learning environment, as shown through semi-structured interviews and classroom observations. In addition, obstacles such as a lack of tablets/computers, technical support, and a lack of relevant continuous professional development impeded the incorporation of educational technology in mathematics by these teachers. Additionally, multi-level models revealed that access to a computer and internet connectivity at home correlated positively with German learners’ mathematics performances, while no statistically significant relationship was observed in South Africa. The results of this study have policy implications and are discussed at the end of this paper.
Semi-Open Multi-Distribution Center Path Planning with Time Windows
Authors: Song Qin
Published: March 2023

A well-planned robot dispatching platform reduces costs and increases efficiency for companies while also reducing carbon emissions and achieving sustainable development. At the moment, the solution to the difficulty of warehouse logistics is use of multiple distribution centers with autonomous mobile robots (AMR). To solve this problem, this paper establishes a semi-closed model of multiple distribution centers, considering the number of cycles and the number of vehicles. An improved ant colony algorithm is proposed to improve the heuristic function based on the node distance relationship to improve the quality of path search. Dynamic variable pheromone concentration and volatility factors are set to accelerate the convergence speed of the algorithm while effectively reducing the problem of the premature algorithm. The traditional ant colony algorithm and the improved ant colony algorithm are used to solve the established model. In addition, the results show that the traditional ant colony algorithm has a certain rate of dominance in the single-day cost of the closed distribution model, but the overall comprehensive cost is lower than that of the improved ant colony algorithm. The single-day cost of the semi-open multi-distribution center logistics and distribution model is lower than that of the closed multi-distribution center logistics and distribution model, and the 7 day average cost is reduced by 12%. The improved ant colony algorithm can save about 119 kWh of electricity under the same target volume requirement, which achieves the company’s goals of cost reduction and increased efficiency, as well as green and sustainable development.
Agricultural Support and Public Policies Improving Sustainability in Brazil’s Beef Industry
Authors: Molossi Luana , Hoshide Aaron Kinyu , de Abreu Daniel Carneiro , de Oliveira Ronaldo Alves
Published: March 2023

Since the dawn of Brazilian trade, extensive cattle farming has predominated. Brazil’s extensive pasture-based system uses pasture plants adapted to climate and soil conditions with limited use of purchased inputs. However, new technologies such as integrated crop and livestock systems have recently been adopted, with government support and public policies that are intended to encourage increased agricultural production in Brazil. Domestic and international stakeholders have prioritized sustainable agricultural development in Brazil’s beef sector to reduce deforestation and other natural-habitat conversions. This review provides an overview of beef production in Brazil, focusing particularly on (1) historical factors that have encouraged an extensive, low-intensity style of production and (2) how national public policies supporting agriculture have improved sustainability in Brazil’s beef industry. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, specific public policies for rural areas began to implement changes that addressed environmental concerns. Programs aimed at protecting secondary forests and increasing their areas are needed to offset the 42% of Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions that come from land-use change. To produce more beef with less environmental impact, cattle ranchers need to use their land more productively. Thus, public policy initiatives need to combat deforestation and preserve the environment and local communities, while sustainably intensifying Brazil’s beef production.
Finite Element Analysis of Continuously Reinforced Bonded Concrete Overlay Pavements Using the Concrete Damaged Plasticity Model
Authors: Park Hae-Won , Lee Jae-Hoon , Jeong Jin-Hoon
Published: March 2023

In this study, cracking patterns and widths were analytically investigated in a continuously reinforced bonded concrete overlay (CRBCO), as they developed due to temperature change and drying shrinkage, as the environmental load for the sustainable management of deteriorated concrete pavements. The parameters of the concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) model used for the nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) of the continuously reinforced concrete pavement were determined through comparison of the FEA results with the field crack survey results so as to be used in the nonlinear FEA of the CRBCO pavement. The total temperature change, which combines the actual temperature change with the temperature change converted from the drying shrinkage, considering stress relaxation, was adopted in the FEA as the environmental load applied to the CRBCO pavement. The locations and movements of the reflection and transverse cracks in CRBCO were investigated via FEA. The reflection cracks occurred in the overlay at all of the joints of the existing pavement. Only one secondary crack, with a width that was 5–6 times narrower than that of the reflection cracks, occurred between adjacent reflection cracks under various conditions. Thus, the crack width of the CRBCO was predominantly affected by joint movement in the existing pavement. In addition, the crack widths predicted by the CDP model were narrower than those predicted using the elastic model by approximately 10%. Therefore, crack movement in a CRBCO pavement can be reasonably predicted by the CDP model.
Towards Sustainability: Mapping Interrelationships among Barriers to Circular Bio-Economy in the Indian Leather Industry
Authors: Karuppiah Koppiahraj , Sankaranarayanan Bathrinath , Ali Syed Mithun
Published: March 2023

Increasing environmental awareness and stringent environmental norms of developed countries have demanded eco-friendly industrial practices from the leather industry. On the path to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), the concept of circular bio-economy (CBE) practices has gained significant attention from the leather industry with regards to waste management. CBE practices encourage the potential of recovering value from leather waste. However, the CBE concept has not been well received by the leather industries of developing countries for various reasons. Hence, this study aims to identify and evaluate various barriers to CBE practices from the context of the Indian leather industry. Twenty-five barriers to CBE practices in the leather industry are identified through literature review and interaction with managers. Then, a rough decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (R-DEMATEL) was utilized to reveal the interrelationships among the barriers to CBE practices. Restrictiveness to change, difficulty in forming a reliable supplier network, difficulty in developing customers, lack of vision, and unclear and partial understanding of the CBE concept have been identified as the five most critical barriers to CBE practices in the leather industry. Furthermore, in the current study, nine barriers fall into the cause group and sixteen barriers fall into the effect group. The outcome of the study reveals the causal interrelationships among the barriers to CBE practices to the industrial management and policymakers. This study is the first of its kind to analyze the barriers to CBE practices in the Indian leather industry context.
Implementing IPCC 2019 Guidelines into a National Inventory: Impacts of Key Changes in Austrian Cattle and Pig Farming
Authors: Hörtenhuber Stefan J. , Größbacher Verena , Schanz Lisa , Zollitsch Werner J.
Published: March 2023

This study examined enteric and excreta emissions from cattle and pigs with a focus on effects of changed feeding practices. We assessed the impact of a revision of the Austrian Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollutant Inventory (national method, NM), i.e., the implementation of the Tier2-method of the IPCC-2019 guidelines, to a more dynamic integration of past and present feeding practices. Cattle—in particular, dairy cows—had the highest contribution to enteric CH4 emissions and to nitrogen (Nex) and volatile-solid (VSex) excretion, independent of the assessment method (NM or IPCC-2019). These emissions as well as excreta quantities are directly associated with feeding. The most relevant changes from implementing IPCC-2019 were (i) reduced enteric CH4 over the entire time series and (ii) increased Nex and VSex, especially for the period from 1990 to 2005. Additionally, uncertainties in the emissions and excreta were analyzed and related to the quantities of protein consumed. From 1990 to 2020, favorable trends per unit of protein were shown due to increased performance and concomitantly reduced animal numbers. The changes were especially pronounced for CH4, Nex, and VSex from dairy cows (−40% to −46%) but also substantial for other cattle (−26% to −31%), breeding pigs (−12% to −28%), and partially growing-fattening pigs (−3% to −20%). Future mitigation potential may result from reduced dietary crude-protein content, especially in pigs, and the use of feed additives. Feed additives for ruminants with enteric CH4-mitigating effects showed a particularly high reduction potential for the total amount of greenhouse gases from the livestock sector.
Localizing and Monitoring Climate Neutrality through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Framework: The Case of Madrid
Authors: Ciambra Andrea , Stamos Iraklis , Siragusa Alice
Published: March 2023

Madrid’s Roadmap to Climate Neutrality by 2050 is the city’s strategy to attain a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and decarbonisation in 2050. This paper analyses the Roadmap to extract a concept of neutrality, as defined from the perspective of a local or regional government (LRG). It then runs a semantic comparison between the Roadmap’s policy lines and indicators and the metrics used in a sample of other LRGs voluntary local reviews on the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It assesses the extent to which the roadmap’s policy priorities and goals fit with the idea of climate neutrality and decarbonisation that other LRGs are monitoring. The paper also links the Roadmap with the SDGs, studying to what extent certain goals resonate with the climate neutrality dimension monitored therein and the other reviews in the sample. The paper suggests that there is still significant diversity in the way LRGs approach climate neutrality, although carbon emissions and sustainable transport remain common priorities. A large majority of indicators monitoring climate neutrality still refer to key climate-related SDGs, such as SDG 7, 11, 12, and 13, even though there is growing evidence that LRGs are diversifying the concept of decarbonisation policy with which they are working.
The Interest Shown by Potential Young Entrepreneurs in Romania Regarding Feasible Funding Sources, in the Context of a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Education
Authors: Zamfirache Alexandra , Suciu Titus , Anton Carmen Elena , Albu Ruxandra-Gabriela , Ivasciuc Ioana-Simona
Published: March 2023

Among the most important factors that favor the development of a sustainable business environment are the sources of financing and the skills developed by the higher education system, according to recent studies. To align with these, several universities have started providing entrepreneurship knowledge. Are these sufficiently well-known by the students in Romania? The current paper aims to carry out an in-depth analysis of concepts. The primary objective of this study is to explore the most relevant sources of entrepreneurial financing in the context of a sustainable entrepreneurial higher education. For such an endeavor, quantitative research was conducted, being designed and distributed through a questionnaire. Data were collected from a sample of 285 students of Transilvania University in Brasov interested in entrepreneurship. Results indicate that the main sources of entrepreneurial financing are retained earnings/profit, personal sources, supplier credits, European funds, loans (bank credits), leasing, and business angels. Evidence shows that most respondents assert great confidence in European funds. Notably, the entrepreneurial qualities of the founder are one of the enablers of a successful and sustainable business. Additionally, this research opens new ways of collaboration between the academic and the business environment to better train future professionals in the economic field.
Collaborative Adaptive Stewardship for Invasive Alien Plants Management in South Africa
Authors: Rawat Yashwant S. , Negi Vikram S. , Pant Shreekar , Bachheti Rakesh Kumar
Published: March 2023

This study examined the knowledge of Collaborative Adaptive Stewardship (CASt) to advance Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) management in South Africa. This concept promotes the involvement of private landowners and other stakeholders in the management and action processes, hence promoting social inclusivity, job creation, and sustainable biodiversity stewardship. It demonstrates that landowners are major stakeholders in IAPs management, thereby practising biodiversity stewardship in the 80% of privately owned lands of the country. The involvement of landowners in the management process aids in the prevention of further expansion of IAPs, the mitigation of risks (such as fire and flooding), and the maintenance of ecosystem functionality and landscape-scale connectivity. CASt fosters synergy among many stakeholders for the management of IAPs and long-term sustainable biodiversity stewardship. In South Africa, a number of landowners have entered into stewardship agreements as a result of incentives and subsidies for IAPs management. The benefits should be contingent on private landowner actions to IAPs management; this will support biodiversity stewardship. This study serves as a foundation for collaborative IAPs management and will be crucial in achieving long-term sustainability goals (e.g., economy, society and environment) to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Global Research Progress and Trends on Critical Metals: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Butu Alina , Rodino Steliana , Butu Marian
Published: March 2023

In the perspective of observing the latest worldwide and European strategies toward green transition and delivering a secured access to local resources, the objective of this study was to analyze the research progress on critical materials and, more specific, critical metals and review the future research hot-topics for critical metals. Consequently, a bibliometric analysis for the assessment of the current state of the art research, future trends as well as evolution through time of the critical metals research was performed in the present work. The study included four phases of work: (i) search string selection, (ii) data collection, (iii) data processing, and (iv) data interpretation. A total of 433 publications on critical metals were collected from Scopus database between 1977 and 2023, with an increasing yearly trend and a burst in 2013. The data retrieved showed a significant increase in publications related to the topic in the last 10 years. The results show that research interest is concentrated around six critical areas: (i) bioleaching as an important process of critical metal recovery, (ii) circular economy concepts and recovery of critical metals by urban mining from e-waste, (iii) resource recovery from waste landfills as urban mines, (iv) targeted studies on various critical elements (copper, zinc, gallium, silver, lithium), (v) rare elements as industry vitamins and, (vi) coal deposits and coal ashes as an alternative source of critical metals. This analysis could provide important guidance for further directions on the development of research for recovery of critical metals.
Consistency between Environmental Performance and Public Satisfaction and Their Planning Intervention Strategies: A Policy Text Analysis of Urban Environmental Planning
Authors: Wu Nan , Bao Cunkuan , Ma Weichun
Published: March 2023

The Chinese government has been working hard to improve environmental performance. However, considering that public feedback is not always complimentary, there is still room for improvement in its protection work. In China, environmental planning is the dominant direction of the government’s environmental governance. Therefore, an analysis of environmental planning could explain the policy incentives that lead to inconsistent performance and satisfaction, and could enable us to explore how to improve planning to more effectively achieve environmental governance goals. This study classified 37 Chinese cities into four types based on consistency in performance and satisfaction. Taking environmental planning policy as the research object, the planning work arrangements of different cities to improve environmental performance and public satisfaction were analyzed through hand-coding. Our study found that environmental planning in these cities puts more emphasis on basic and engineering arrangements that can effectively improve environmental performance, while work arrangements that involve improving public environmental satisfaction are relatively few. Moreover, (1) cities with high environmental performance and high public satisfaction have made relatively substantial arrangements in improving environmental performance and satisfaction during environmental planning; (2) cities with high environmental performance and low public satisfaction have a certain foundation for environmental governance, but tough governance or high public expectations weaken environmental satisfaction; (3) cities with low environmental performance and high public environmental satisfaction have low environmental performance values due to the huge energy consumption of resources or a lack of pollution disposal capacity; and (4) most of the cities with low environmental performance and low public environmental satisfaction share common geographical and historical environmental problems that make it challenging to considerably enhance public satisfaction and environmental performance in the short term. Based on the above findings, this paper believes that greater environmental governance can be achieved by promoting a change in environmental planning from the existing “elite” planning paradigm to a “participatory” planning model.
The Impact of Sustainable Supply-Chain Partnership on Bank Loans: Evidence from Chinese-Listed Firms
Authors: Ma Jiangming , Gao Di
Published: March 2023

With the rapid development of economic globalization, keeping the global supply chains sustainable is becoming increasingly important in improving supply chain performance and firm value. To fully understand the role of the supply chain relationship, it is necessary to comprehensively assess different characteristics of supply chain partnership in achieving sustainability goals. This study explores the implication of concentrated supply-chain partnership on loan features. Using a sample of Chinese-listed firms, we find that concentrated customer or supplier bases positively influence loan features, including loan size, loan maturity, and loan cost. We propose that concentrated customer and supplier bases influence the loan features through different mediators. Through mediating analysis, concentrated customer bases affect loan features through better corporate governance and lower operational risk, and concentrated supplier bases through lower operational cost and longer accounts payable cycle. The benefit of a concentrated chain partnership is more pronounced when customers or suppliers have a greater certification role, less uncertainty, and stronger geographical advantage. The results are robust to instrumental variable analysis, propensity-matched analysis, and alternative measures of chain partnership concentration. Findings in this study have important implications for understanding the sustainable supply-chain partnership management and loan decisions of banks in an emerging market.
Classification of Elastic Wave for Non-Destructive Inspections Based on Self-Organizing Map
Authors: Nakamura Katsuya , Kobayashi Yoshikazu , Oda Kenichi , Shigemura Satoshi
Published: March 2023

An arrival time of an elastic wave is the important parameter to visualize the locations of the failures and/or elastic wave velocity distributions in the field of non-destructive testing (NDT). The arrival time detection is conducted generally using automatic picking algorithms in a measured time-history waveform. According to automatic picking algorithms, it is expected that the detected arrival time from low S/N signals has low accuracy if low S/N signals are measured in elastic wave measurements. Thus, in order to accurately detect the arrival time for NDT, the classification of measured elastic waves is required. However, the classification of elastic waves based on algorithms has not been extensively conducted. In this study, a classification method based on self-organizing maps (SOMs) is applied to classify the measured waves. SOMs visualize relation of measured data wherein the number of classes is unknown. Therefore, using SOM selects high and low S/N signals adequately from the measured waves. SOM is validated on model tests using the pencil lead breaks (PLBs), and it was confirmed that SOM successfully visualize the classes consisted of high S/N signal. Moreover, classified high S/N signals were applied to the source localization and it was noteworthy that localized sources were more accurate in comparison with using all of the measured waves.
Empirical Research on The Impact of China’s Overseas Economic and Trade Cooperation Zones on the Development of Host Countries in the Global Value Chain
Authors: Qin Qing , Sun Churen
Published: March 2023

China’s Overseas Economic and Trade Cooperation Zones (COCZs) have become representative platforms of regional cooperation. However, there are few empirical studies exploring their economic and trade effects on host countries. In this study, we comprehensively investigate the impact of COCZs on the host country’s GVC participation and positions by constructing a difference-in-difference specification on the industrial level. The main conclusions are: Firstly, COCZs are prominent in promoting the participation in GVCs for host countries while restricting the rise of their positions in GVCs to some extent. The reason lies within the fact that the impact of COCZs on the GVC positions is affected by the host country’s factor endowment, innovation level, and business environment. Secondly, for developing countries, the construction of COCZs has a more significant positive effect on their GVC participation. For developed countries, the construction of COCZs can significantly promote their GVC positions. Thirdly, the construction of COCZs has a greater impact on the GVC participation and positions for countries with smaller difference in industrial structure with China, the leading industries in COCZs, and the advantageous industries of host countries.
A Study on the Sintering Mechanism of High-Strength Light Bricks Manufactured from Coal Gasification Slag
Authors: Liu Fang , Niu Guofeng , Guo Wentao
Published: March 2023

In this article, we report a way to produce sintered bricks from industrial coal gasification slag. Subsequently, we studied the impact of the addition of coal gasification slag and heat treatment on the density and compression strength of sintered materials with controlled variables. In addition, we implemented thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), an X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), and a scanning electron microscope (SEM), as well as optical and thermal measurement devices, to analyze the microscopic structures of sintered materials; this revealed the action mechanism of coal gasification slag on the microscopic morphology and performance of sintered bricks. The volumetric density and compression strength of the sintered bricks were found to be negatively correlated with the amount of coal gasification slag introduced, but positively correlated with the sintering temperature. When the firing temperature was 1150 °C and the addition amount of coal gasification slag was 45%, the sintered brick products, with a predominant crystalline phase of anorthites, could achieve a density of 1.5 g/cm3 and a compression strength of 30 MPa; this met the requirements of the China National Standard GB/T 5101-2017 for MU30 bricks. This report may help with the implementation of coal gasification slag.