bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Heterogeneous Environmental Policies Improve Environmental Quality While Promoting Economic Growth?
Authors: Chang Hongwang
Published: January 2023

The long-standing model of high energy consumption growth of China has put the country at a market disadvantage in terms of clean technological innovation and clean goods production. With the support of national policies, China’s environmental industry has achieved rapid development. However, the key to establishing a long-term effective mechanism is how to encourage enterprises to develop and use green and clean technologies. Thus, we construct a theoretical model related to environmental policies and then derive the impact of heterogeneous environmental policies on different research and development (R&D) approaches. The environmental and economic effects of heterogeneous environmental policies are then explored by incorporating environmental quality and economic growth into the model. Next, we evaluate the policy effect based on the panel data of prefecture-level cities in China from 2009 to 2016. In a further discussion, we measure the decoupling indices of carbon emissions and economic growth for each of the 281 prefecture-level cities in China using the Tapio model. Through theoretical derivation and empirical analysis, this paper provides a more comprehensive study of the green bias effect of environmental policies. The results show that environmental policies can significantly promote green technological innovation regardless of the R&D approach adopted by firms. The difference is that when firms conduct their own R&D, the sector’s R&D efficiency parameters determine the direction of technological innovation steering. When technological innovation is introduced externally, the substitution relationship between sectoral products determines whether environmental policy is effective. Finally, the combination of environmental regulation and government subsidies is more effective in green-biasing technological innovation.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices toward Plastic Pollution among Malaysians: Implications for Minimizing Plastic Use and Pollution
Authors: Coco Chin Ka Ker , Mahanta Janardan , Nath Tapan Kumar
Published: January 2023

Excessive production, consumption, and indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste contribute to plastic pollution, which has a negative impact on the environment and human health. The KAP (knowledge, attitude, and practices) study is thought to be useful in mitigating plastic pollution because understanding the public’s knowledge, attitude, and practices toward plastic pollution can help identify problems and challenges, allowing appropriate policy decisions to be made to set up plans or implement interventions. This study assesses Malaysians’ level of knowledge, attitude, and practices toward plastic pollution, as well as the variation of plastic pollution related to KAP among various socio-demographic groups. For this study, an online survey received 294 valid responses. Descriptive statistics, KAP scoring, and response cross-tabulation were calculated. This study received 294 valid responses via an online survey. Descriptive statistics, KAP scoring, and response cross-tabulation were estimated. A one-way analysis of variance, paired t-test, and binary logistic regressions was performed. Respondents’ overall knowledge score (95% CI mean score: 3.88–10.94 on a scale of 11) and practice score (95% CI 1.09–6.53 on a scale of 6) were poor across socio-demographics when a cut point of 80% was used. Older (>46 years) respondents seemed to have more knowledge than younger (18–30 years) respondents (odds ratio, OR 4.304; p < 0.01). However, respondents between the ages of 31 and 45 reported significantly (p < 0.01) higher attitudes (OR 4.019) and practices (OR 4.056; p < 0.05). Respondents with environmental-related university education had a higher likelihood of knowing about plastic pollution (OR 10.343; p < 0.01). To encourage good practices toward minimizing plastic use and pollution, conclusions are drawn about undertaking interventions such as raising environmental awareness, incorporating plastic pollution topics into formal and informal education, and providing recycling facilities in nearby communities.
The Effectiveness of Organizational Sustainability Messaging to New Hires: An Exploratory Analysis of Signal Cost, Perceived Credibility, and Involvement Intention
Authors: Carson Jack E. , Westerman James W.
Published: January 2023

A critical sustainability task is to communicate an organization’s sustainability values in a manner which yields favorable new hire perceptions and involvement. However, factors influencing the impact of sustainability messaging on new hire perceptions remain unexplored to the authors’ knowledge. This exploratory study explores these factors using an experimental vignette study design in which signal costliness and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were manipulated in the administration of a hypothetical new employee orientation presentation. The findings suggest that conditions in which extrinsic motivating factors were noted as the reason for organizational sustainability yielded higher perceived credibility and involvement intention among respondents. More costly sustainability messaging was detrimental to the perceived message credibility and employee involvement intentions.
Orthogonal Experimental Study on Remediation of Ethylbenzene Contaminated Soil by SVE
Authors: Zhang Shuangxia , Liu Zhixiang , Sun Ruhua , Liu Weijun , Chen Yongjun
Published: January 2023

Soil vapor extraction (SVE) technology has strong potential value in the decontamination of soils dominated by volatile contaminants. In this paper, in order to evaluate in detail the influence of the main factors on the efficiency of SVE, L9(34) orthogonal tests and response surface analysis were carried out using a self-developed one-dimensional SVE system model. A first-order kinetic reaction model was also employed to analyze the relationship between pollutant concentration and time. The thermal reaction unit of SVE technology with a scale consistent with the soil column of the indoor test was simulated using COMSOL simulation software. The obtained results indicate that the most important factors affecting the performance of SVE are time, temperature, and contaminant concentration, while the influence of the extraction flow rate is not significant. A first-order kinetic reaction model can be used to predict the half-life of contaminant concentrations. Combined with the desirability function, the optimal conditions for the removal of ethylbenzene from soil were: time 180 min, temperature 20 °C, extraction flow 6000 mL/min, and contaminant concentration 2%. The developed numerical model, 3D-SVE, nicely simulates laboratory findings. These results can provide ideas to improve the efficiency of SVE.
Exploring the Causal Effects of Outdoor Play on School Readiness of Preschoolers in the Klang Valley, Malaysia
Authors: Sia Mal Kong , Yew Wong Chin , Low Xin Wei
Published: January 2023

According to research, preschool physical environments (PPE) that promote outdoor play have a positive impact on children’s overall wellbeing, as well as their total developmental competence and academic learning, which then directly affects their school readiness prior to entering primary school. This study analyses the causative impacts of outdoor play on preschoolers’ school readiness for primary school in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Additionally, we attempted to extend a prior research conceptual model on outdoor play in studying the link between PPE and preschoolers’ school readiness. From June to August 2022, 84 private preschool operators from the Klang Valley took part in the survey to offer their viewpoints; however, only 72 completed questionnaires could be used for PLS-SEM analysis using SmartPLS 4. It has been discovered that outdoor play does, in fact, have a favorable, considerable impact on academic learning and school readiness. Other findings offer more proof of the causal links between outdoor play and children’s development. Important stakeholders, such as preschool providers, preschool designers, preschool educators, as well as parents, should make sure that appropriate outdoor play yards are provided in preschools for children’s full development and academic learning, as well as for preschoolers’ readiness for school.
High Penetration of Solar Photovoltaic Structure on the Grid System Disruption: An Overview of Technology Advancement
Authors: Hossain Md. Shouquat , Abboodi Madlool Naseer , Al-Fatlawi Ali Wadi , El Haj Assad Mamdouh
Published: January 2023

Solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation is distinct from conventional power generation systems. It is vital to comprehend the effect of an expanded control system on solar PV generation. This article discusses the advancement made to the module, which is critical to PV and electric power systems, to achieve a high PV penetration in the smart grid system. The first zone initiates the solar power energizing transformation, which transfers a controlled energy load to a grid system. The descriptive subsections consider the accessibility of electronic inverters, solar PV energies, and grid concepts, as well as their realizability. As a result, a case study was considered, where various scientists around the world participated, discussion ensued, and future suggestions were made. Finally, practical conclusions were drawn from the investigations. This paper infers that the improvement of appropriate methods is fundamental to the viability and effectiveness of overseeing a high infiltration of PV inside low-voltage (LV) conveyance systems. This review provides an overview of the current state, effects, and unique difficulties associated with PV penetration in LV appropriation systems. Nonetheless, grid innovation is not well developed, and it requires continuous research from various rational aspects.
Simultaneous Removal of As(III) and Fluoride Ions from Water Using Manganese Oxide Supported on Graphene Nanostructures (GO-MnO2)
Authors: Tolkou Athanasia K. , Trikkaliotis Dimitrios G. , Kyzas George Z. , Katsoyiannis Ioannis A. , Deliyanni Eleni A.
Published: January 2023

In the present research, the use of manganese oxides supported on graphene nanostructures (GO-MnO2), which support the synergistic action of adsorption and oxidation, in the combined removal of arsenic and fluoride from drinking water was studied. The simultaneous occurrence of fluoride and arsenic in groundwater is one of the major environmental problems, occurring mainly in anhydrous regions of Latin America and the world. These pollutants cause significant health problems and are difficult to remove simultaneously from drinking water. The structure of GO-MnO2 was characterized by the application of FTIR, EDS and SEM techniques. The effects of the adsorbent’s dosage, the pH value, the contact time and the initial concentrations of As(III) and F ions (F−) were examined with respect to the removal of As(III) and F ions. According to the results, the presence of arsenic enhances fluoride removal with increasing arsenic concentrations, and the presence of fluoride enhances arsenic removal with increasing fluoride concentrations, mainly at a neutral pH value. The co-presence removal efficiencies were 89% (a residual concentration of 1.04 mg/L) for fluoride and about 97% (a residual concentration of 2.89 μg/L) for arsenic.
Physical and Thermal Properties of Coarse-Fragment Soil in the Moraine-Talus Zone of the Qilian Mountains
Authors: Wang Xiqiang , Chen Rensheng , Sun Hongjie
Published: January 2023

Moraine-talus zone (hereafter referred to as MTZ) refers to the non-glacial area (including glacier mass supply area) above the upper boundary of alpine meadow in high mountains, where vegetation is sparsely distributed and coarse fragment (diameter > 2 mm) is widespread. The MTZ acts as the headwater region for many large river basins, and the freeze–thaw process of its coarse-fragment soil largely affects regional hydrological processes, carbon exchange, and ecosystem diversity. However, our knowledge of the physical and thermal properties of coarse-fragment soil in MTZs remains limited. Mainly distributed in the surroundings of Hala Lake, the area ratio of the MTZ in the Qilian Mountains is about 21%. On the basis of 170 samples collected from 22 soil profiles at a depth of 80 cm, coarse fragments dominated the compositions of soil textures in the MTZ, with relatively high volume proportion (about 63.3%) and mass proportion (about 75.0%). The mean volume and mass ratio of the coarse fragments tended to increase gradually from the surface to the deep soils and varied largely at different particle size ranges (i.e., 2–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–40, 40–60, and >60 mm). Thermal conductivity measurements for the 24 samples collected from three soil profiles in dry (Kdry) and water-saturated (Ksat) conditions indicated that Kdry increased rapidly with temperatures from −20 °C to 25 °C (with a 5 °C interval), which appeared to be closely related with soil porosity. Ksat did not obviously change with temperature at the two designated temperature ranges (i.e., from −20 °C to −5 °C and from 5 °C to 25 °C), but fluctuated largely at 0 °C, possibly due to the drastic phase change. More detailed experimental designs combined with more influential elements should be considered in future research to fully understand the thermal properties of coarse-fragment soil in the MTZ.
Automatic Obstacle Detection Method for the Train Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Yan Fei , Song Weina , Wang Rui , Li Gen
Published: January 2023

Automatic obstacle detection is of great significance for improving the safety of train operation. However, the existing autonomous operation of trains mainly depends on the signaling control system and lacks the extra equipment to perceive the environment. To further enhance the efficiency and safety of the widely deployed fully automatic operation (FAO) systems of the train, this study proposes an intelligent obstacle detection system based on deep learning. It collects perceptual information from industrial cameras and light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and mainly implements the functionality including rail region detection, obstacle detection, and visual–LiDAR fusion. Specifically, the first two parts adopt deep convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithms for semantic segmentation and object detection to pixel-wisely identify the rail track area ahead and detect the potential obstacles on the rail track, respectively. The visual–LiDAR fusion part integrates the visual data with the LiDAR data to achieve environmental perception for all weather conditions. It can also determine the geometric relationship between the rail track and obstacles to decide whether to trigger a warning alarm. Experimental results show that the system proposed in this study has strong performance and robustness. The system perception rate (precision) is 99.994% and the recall rate reaches 100%. The system, applied to the metro Hong Kong Tsuen Wan line, effectively improves the safety of urban rail train operation.
Gender and Culture Differences in Consumers’ Travel Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Chen Xianglan , Hao Yuanyuan , Duan Yachao , Zhang Qinghong , Hu Xiaoli
Published: January 2023

COVID-19, as a rampant health crisis, lies at the basis of fluctuating perceptions affecting decreased demand among travelers. Recent studies have witnessed a growth of interest in the interactions between tourists’ behaviors and other factors with the potential to moderate such behavior during travel. However, it remains to be discussed whether the influence of demographic aspects, especially cultural and gender differences, on tourism behaviors will be more prominent during COVID-19. The current empirical research aims to integrate demographic variables, including gender and culture, with tourists’ behavior in terms of their choice of companions, travel destinations, and mode of transportation. According to the research findings, people in other countries have greater desire to travel than Chinese tourists who, in any case, prefer to travel with friends. Tourists from other countries are more willing to travel by plane and by car. Males show a more positive attitude than females to these means of transportation. Moreover, the interactive effect of gender and nationality reveals that female travelers from mainland China put the train or bus top on their agenda. These theoretical findings have the potential to provide actionable insights into how policymakers and service providers can make adjustments to bring back tourism stifled by COVID-19.
The Effect of Product Placement Strategies on Customer Behavior: A Prospective of Foote, Cone and Belding (FCB) Grid Model
Authors: Zhang Xiaohong , Li Na , Wang Yanbo , Sun Yanqi
Published: January 2023

This paper explores the effect of product placement strategies on customer behavior in the Chinese context and the results will help companies in China select appropriate marketing strategies to achieve sustainable development. Following the Foote, Cone and Belding (FCB) grid model, we construct a product difference model in which products are classified into four types, namely High Involvement/Thinking, High Involvement/High Feeling, Low Involvement/Thinking, and Low Involvement/High Feeling. Further, we conduct a questionnaire survey to analyze the effect of product placement strategies on various behaviors, including awareness, recognition, attitude and purchase intention. The results of repeated measures of General Linger model suggest that Chinese customers accept product placement strategies. Furthermore, among the four product types, the positive effect of product placement strategies on customer behavior is more pronounced in the Low Involvement/High Feeling product type. However, the purchase intention of Chinese customers is stable and hard to change. The results also help the company to avoid misleading advertising and to design sustainable marketing strategies by applying more effective tools in terms of specific product types. As a result, the company will reduce financial expenditure to achieve sustainable development.
Opportunities for Water Reuse Implementation in Metropolitan Areas in a Complex Approach with an LCA Analysis, Taking Warsaw, Poland as an Example
Authors: Szalkowska Karolina , Zubrowska-Sudol Monika
Published: January 2023

Water shortages are currently becoming a more global than local issue. This paper aims to demonstrate a complex, universal urban water reuse system, allowing for a reduction of freshwater withdrawal. Opportunities for improvement were analyzed in the categories of municipal services: power and heat production, greenery irrigation, landscaping, street and public transport fleet cleaning. Technical possibilities were coupled with current international legislative requirements. Two scenarios for universal, complex water reuse systems in the municipal area were evaluated, including all essential city services. Results of the case study show that ozonation and filtration of treated wastewater should be sufficient to obtain the desired water quality for urban purposes. Current legislation mainly addresses agricultural water reuse, so their requirements should be adjusted to assess the water quality needed for other applications. When water is used in public spaces, constant monitoring for the presence of pathogens should be maintained due to the risk of human exposure. A life cycle assessment was conducted to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with the topic of water transportation in urban areas, which is infrequently considered in such studies. Two scenarios including different means of transport were compared. It was shown that with constant daily operation, it is necessary to build an independent water network, since the environmental impact of water delivery by tank lorries increases substantially.
Understanding the Complexity of Rural Tourism Business: Scholarly Perspective
Authors: Priatmoko Setiawan , Kabil Moaaz , Akaak Ali , Lakner Zoltán , Gyuricza Csaba , Dávid Lóránt Dénes
Published: January 2023

The aim of this paper is to identify and analyze the four core driving forces that shaped the complex picture of rural tourist businesses. These driving forces are marketability, participatory, crisis mitigation and sustainability. This study focused on the scholarly perspective to study and analyze the rural tourism businesses’ literature and its link with these four driving forces. By using the bibliometric analysis technique and VosViewer as a visualization tool, the results revealed that less than 50% of rural tourism literature was concerned with local businesses. Regarding the four driving forces, sustainability was the most linked force with the rural tourism businesses’ scientific production. Contrarily, a relatively small body of the rural tourism businesses’ literature discussed marketability, participatory and crisis mitigation, despite their significant role in the development of these local rural businesses. In addition, the results of this study showed the interest of rural tourism articles in the crisis mitigation pillar, especially recently after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heavy Metal and Metalloid Contamination in Food and Emerging Technologies for Its Detection
Authors: Mukherjee Anirban Goutam , Renu Kaviyarasi , Gopalakrishnan Abilash Valsala , Veeraraghavan Vishnu Priya , Vinayagam Sathishkumar , Paz-Montelongo Soraya , Dey Abhijit , Vellingiri Balachandar , George Alex , Madhyastha Harishkumar , Ganesan Raja
Published: January 2023

Heavy metal and metalloid poisoning in the environment and food has piqued the public’s interest since it poses significant hazards to the ecological system and human health. In food, several metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), tin (Sn), manganese (Mn), and aluminium (Al), and metalloids, including arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and selenium (Se), pose a severe threat to human health. It is of utmost importance to detect even minute quantities of these toxic elements and this must be efficiently determined to understand their risk. Several traditional and advanced technologies, including atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), spectrofluorimetry, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, e-tongues, electrochemical aptasensors, Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescence sensors, among other techniques, have proven highly beneficial in quantifying even the minute concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids in food and dietary supplements. Hence, this review aims to understand the toxicity of these metals and metalloids in food and to shed light on the emerging technologies for their detection.
Measuring Sustainable Tourism Lifestyle Entrepreneurship Orientation to Improve Tourist Experience
Authors: Antunes Mariana , Dias Álvaro , Gonçalves Francisco , Sousa Bruno , Pereira Leandro
Published: January 2023

This study develops a four-item scale to measure the impact of a tourism lifestyle entrepreneur on the touristic experience, and seeks to understand to what extent a tourist perceives, through what is provided, that a tourism business owner, is not a “common entrepreneur”. After an item generation, data was collected from two different surveys with 200 answers, and exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses were performed to test discriminant and nomological validity. The correlation between the variables was significant at level 0.01 and the coefficients were positive. Cronbach’s Alpha was acceptable with a value of 0.736. The results complemented existing literature on this topic and allowed further research to measure the perception of tourists in regard to tourism lifestyle entrepreneurship. From an interdisciplinary perspective, this manuscript presents insights for entrepreneurial management, tourism marketing and business sustainability. At the end, the limitations of the study are presented, and lines of investigation outlined for future research.
Characterizing Current THD’s Dependency on Solar Irradiance and Supraharmonics Profiling for a Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Power Plant
Authors: Roy Sukanta , Debnath Anjan , Tariq Mohd , Behnamfar Milad , Sarwat Arif
Published: January 2023

The rapidly increasing distributed energy resources (DERs) in power systems are now getting interconnected to set community grid structures, where power quality will be a major concern. The grid-to-grid (G2G) bidirectional power transfer among the distribution microgrid will not be considered commercially feasible unless the upstream harmonics are under the limits. The aggregation of such harmonics, measured as total harmonic distortion (THD), is feared to be beyond tolerable limits with the progression of rooftop grid-tied PV-like installations. Hence, this THD needs to be characterized with DER generation end variables. In this work, the photovoltaic (PV) DERs’ dependency on environment variables such as irradiance was profiled in the context of generating and injecting harmonics into the grid. A mathematical model of a grid-tied three-phase PV DER was developed as part of this correlation characterization, matching the fundamental unit structure of a 1.4 MW solar canopy located on the Florida International University (FIU) Miami campus. To determine the qualitative association with produced THD patterns, the model was evaluated with various irradiance settings. A real-time digital simulation (RTDS) platform was used to verify it. Following this confirmation, sets of data from power quality meters at the point of common coupling and FIU field sensors were utilized to validate further the correlation model. The results showed that the grid current’s THD exhibited a high correlation with the irradiance profile and its variation over time. The early morning and late afternoon periods of the day, associated with a low irradiance, constantly had higher harmonics generated from the PV DER. The midday THD was rather rational with partial shadings, hence a geolocation-dependent factor. These findings were verified by an RTDS and validated by real field data. In quantifying the THD injected by a single DER at a high-frequency (2–150 kHz) supraharmonics (SH) level, a 3% peak increment in magnitude was observed from the high-fixed to the low-fixed irradiance profile. The correlation characteristics depicted that the hybrid microgrid suffered from a daytime-dependent harmonic insertion from the grid-tied DER. This is a global problem unless specific measures are taken to mitigate the harmonics. The electrically notorious higher-frequency SH was found to increase proportionally. The G2G power transfer can be limited because of the higher THD in the early morning and late afternoon, which will also worsen because the numbers of grid-tied PV DERs (i.e., rooftop solar and industrial solar) are likely to increase rapidly soon. The community grid structure can thus have a controlled harmonics filtration setup purposefully designed to address the findings of this work, which also fall within the scope of our future research.
Real-Time Identification of Cyanobacteria Blooms in Lakeshore Zone Using Camera and Semantic Segmentation: A Case Study of Lake Chaohu (Eastern China)
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Wang Chongchang , Liu Yuchen , Wang Jindi , Qiu Yinguo
Published: January 2023

The surface water in the lakeshore zone is the primary area where cyanobacteria bloom floats intensively. In lake water environment monitoring, it has become pressing to accurately identify the distribution and accumulation coverage area of cyanobacteria blooms in the surface water of the lakeshore zone. This study proposes a real-time and dynamic monitoring technology for cyanobacteria blooms in surface water using a shore-based camera monitoring network. The specific work is as follows: Chaohu Lake, a large eutrophic lake in China, is selected as the research object. The multithreading technology is used to dynamically obtain the hourly video images of 43 cameras around Chaohu Lake. The semantic segmentation method is used to identify the cyanobacteria blooms in the video images, calculate the coverage of cyanobacteria blooms, and draw the spatial distribution map of cyanobacteria blooms in the lakeshore zone of Chaohu Lake. To improve the accuracy of cyanobacteria blooms recognition, we use the ResNet-50 network to integrate three semantic segmentation models, namely FCN, U-net, and DeeplabV3+. By comparing the cyanobacteria blooms results identified by the three methods, it is found that the boundary of the cyanobacteria blooms results identified by DeeplabV3+(ResNet-50) is clear, which is more consistent with the real spatial information of the distribution of cyanobacteria blooms and is more suitable for monitoring the hourly dynamic changes of cyanobacteria blooms in the Chaohu Lake lakeshore zone. The results demonstrated that the time requirement of monitoring cyanobacteria blooms in real time on an hourly basis could be met by utilizing technology that uses multiple threads. The OA (Overall Accuracy), MPA (Mean Pixel Accuracy), IOU (Intersection Over Union) of cyanobacteria blooms, and the IOU of water values of the DeeplabV3+(ResNet-50) were the highest, which were 0.83, 0.82, 0.71, and 0.74, and the RMSE between the predicted and real cyanobacterial blooms coverage of 43 cameras was 6.65%. The above values show that DeeplabV3+(ResNet-50) is this technology’s most suitable semantic segmentation model. This technique can provide technical support for the scientific development of a cyanobacteria blooms management plan in the lakeshore zone of Chaohu Lake by calculating the coverage area of cyanobacteria blooms and drawing the spatial distribution map of cyanobacteria blooms in the lakeshore zone.
How Leadership Influences Open Government Data (OGD)-Driven Innovation: The Mediating Role of Organizational Commitment
Authors: Zhou Mingle , Wang Yu , Jiang Hui , Li Min , Li Gang
Published: January 2023

Open government data (OGD) are considered a sustainable driver of firm innovation. Leadership is a crucial decision-maker for firms to employ OGD in innovation. The present study focuses on two of the most prominent leadership styles: transformational and transactional. Drawing on the Organizational Commitment Theory, we claim that affective and normative commitment are the two parallel mechanisms that explain how leadership promotes OGD-driven innovation in firms. Our results show that transformational leadership promotes OGD-driven radical innovation through affective commitment. In contrast, transactional leadership promotes OGD-driven incremental innovation through normative commitment. More importantly, we suggest that the OGD application stage moderates the effect of leadership on organizational commitment. Specifically, in the initial stage of the OGD application, higher transformational leadership triggers higher affective commitment in employees. In contrast, in the mature stage of OGD application, higher transactional leadership triggers higher normative commitment in employees.
Smallholder Views on Chinese Agricultural Investments in Mozambique and Tanzania in the Context of VGGTs
Authors: Pointer Rebecca , Sulle Emmanuel , Ntauazi Clemente
Published: January 2023

Based on a case study in each country, this study documents the views of Mozambican and Tanzanian smallholders regarding Chinese agricultural investments and the extent to which investors abide by their legitimate land tenure rights as defined by the Voluntary Guidelines for the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Forests and Fisheries in the Context of National Food Security (VGGTs). The VGGTs offer guidelines to government on how to protect the land tenure of rural communities when land is being acquired for large-scale land investments. The study also assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on smallholders. Due to COVID-19, instead of fieldwork, we conducted telephone interviews with 20 smallholders in Mozambique and 35 in Tanzania. The Mozambican case showed that even when land set aside for investors was not in dispute, smallholders still had unmet expectations, especially regarding investors’ corporate social responsibility activities. In the Tanzanian case, even though the land leased by the Chinese investor had been designated as general land, it had laid fallow for a long period, and smallholders had moved back onto the land, only to be displaced in 2017. Although smallholders’ views on the investment were mixed, the case underscored the need for government to assess current land use before allocating it to investors—regardless of how the land is classified and especially in areas where land shortages are creating conflict. The cases show that even if communities are consulted about proposed land investments, guidelines need to include clauses that allow for ongoing communications between investors, communities and government officials such that if communities are unsatisfied with the results of the investment, renegotiation is possible. Further, in the event of crises, such as COVID-19, investors should partner with communities and government to limit the extent of harm in communities as a result of the crisis.
Optimized Power Pads for Charging Electric Vehicles Based on a New Rectangular Spiral Shape Design
Authors: Benalia Nadir , Laroussi Kouider , Benlaloui Idriss , Kouzou Abdellah , Bensalah Abed-Djebar , Kennel Ralph , Abdelrahem Mohamed
Published: January 2023

Electric vehicles (EVs) can be charged wirelessly using inductive charging technology. This process has a number of advantages in terms of automation, safety in harsh environments, reliability in the event of natural disasters and adaptability. On the other hand, the inductive charger has many issues, including a complex design, sensitivity to misalignment, safety concerns, and a high cost. The transmitting and receiving coils are the primary causes of the cited problems. This paper presents an in-depth study of an electric vehicle charging system based on the magnetic coupling between two coils by introducing different materials to concentrate the magnetic flux and hence improving the overall efficiency of the charging system and its design. Three situations of the magnetic coupling between two identical rectangular coils as a function of both the horizontal (X axis) and vertical (Z axis) alignment are examined. In the first case, the analysis of the magnetic coupling between two copper coils separated by an air gap is presented. The results show that the magnitude of the fields decreases according to the distance between the transmitter and the receiver coils and the obtained coupling coefficient was very low with a high leakage flux which affected the performance of the charging system. In the second case, a straightforward shielding method that involves inserting a magnetic material of the ferrite type is proposed to overcome these problems. The use of ferrite magnetic shielding contributes to channeling the field lines as well as reducing leakage flux which makes the transmitted power higher. This perspective shows that simple shielding is still only a partial and insufficient solution. In the third situation, an aluminum sheet was consequently placed on the top of the ferrite to provide an adequate shielding structure. A 3D analysis of the self and mutual induction parameters separating the two coils as well as a magnetic field is also performed using the Ansys Maxwell software. The results highlight the significance of the enhanced proposed design.
Research on Dynamic Capability and Enterprise Open Innovation
Authors: Jia Hong-Jing , Zhuang Zi-Yin , Xie Yan-Xiang , Wang Yi-Xi , Wu Shi-Ying
Published: January 2023

Chinese firms urgently need to use open innovation models to access external knowledge, resources, and skills to improve their internal innovation performance and achieve innovation catch-up. Using a dataset of joint patent applications of Chinese-listed manufacturing firms from 2006–2018, we construct a panel fixed-effects model to empirically test the effect of dynamic capabilities on firms’ open innovation. The results show that dynamic capabilities can effectively promote firms’ open innovation activities. In addition, the different dimensions of dynamic capabilities, namely sense capabilities, absorptive capabilities, complementary capabilities, and coordinative capabilities, also have significant incentive effects on firms’ open innovation. The results of the extended analysis show that dynamic capabilities have heterogeneous effects on the open innovation activities of different types of firms. Specifically, the impact of dynamic capabilities on open innovation is stronger for private firms, large and medium-sized firms, and multinational firms. The findings of this paper can provide important theoretical support and management insights for governments and enterprises to effectively manage the “paradox of openness” problem, thereby enhancing the firm’s innovation capability and achieving major bottleneck breakthroughs in key and core technologies.
The Symmetric Formulation of the Temperature Shock Problem for a Small Spacecraft with Two Elastic Elements
Authors: Sedelnikov Andrey , Orlov Denis , Serdakova Valeria , Nikolaeva Alexandra
Published: January 2023

The paper considers the problem of a small-spacecraft elastic elements’ temperature shock that occurs when the spacecraft immerses into the Earth’s shadow or comes out of it. A small spacecraft with two elastic elements is simulated. In the first approximation, such a problem is considered to be a symmetric problem. Estimations of disturbing factors from the temperature shock in a symmetric formulation are obtained. The differences from the results for a small spacecraft with a single elastic element are analyzed. The results of the work can be used for promising small technological spacecraft development, as well as for solving problems of space debris removal and remote sensing of the Earth.
Spacelike Circular Surfaces in Minkowski 3-Space
Authors: Li Yanlin , Aldossary Maryam T. , Abdel-Baky Rashad A.
Published: January 2023

The approach of the paper is on spacelike circular surfaces in the Minkowski 3-space. A spacelike circular surface is a one-parameter family of Lorentzian circles with a fixed radius regarding a non-null curve, which acts as the spine curve, and it has symmetrical properties. In the study, we have parametrized spacelike circular surfaces and have provided their geometric and singularity properties such as Gaussian and mean curvatures, comparing them with those of ruled surfaces and the classification of singularities. Furthermore, the conditions for spacelike roller coaster surfaces to be flat or minimal surfaces are obtained. Meanwhile, we support the results of the approach with some examples.
Existence and Uniqueness Results for Different Orders Coupled System of Fractional Integro-Differential Equations with Anti-Periodic Nonlocal Integral Boundary Conditions
Authors: Alruwaily Ymnah , Aljoudi Shorog , Almaghamsi Lamya , Ben Makhlouf Abdellatif , Alghamdi Najla
Published: January 2023

This paper presents a new class of boundary value problems of integrodifferential fractional equations of different order equipped with coupled anti-periodic and nonlocal integral boundary conditions. We prove the existence and uniqueness criteria of the solutions by using the Leray-Schauder alternative and Banach contraction mapping principle. Examples are constructed for the illustration of our results.
Noether Symmetries and Conservation Laws in Static Cylindrically Symmetric Spacetimes via Rif Tree Approach
Authors: Farhan Muhammad , Subhi Aiadi Suhad , Hussain Tahir , Mlaiki Nabil
Published: January 2023

A new approach is adopted to completely classify the Lagrangian associated with the static cylindrically symmetric spacetime metric via Noether symmetries. The determining equations representing Noether symmetries are analyzed using a Maple algorithm that imposes different conditions on metric coefficients under which static cylindrically symmetric spacetimes admit Noether symmetries of different dimensions. These conditions are used to solve the determining equations, giving the explicit form of vector fields representing Noether symmetries. The obtained Noether symmetry generators are used in Noether’s theorem to find the expressions for corresponding conservation laws. The singularity of the obtained metrics is discussed by finding their Kretschmann scalar.
Some Novel Formulas of Lucas Polynomials via Different Approaches
Authors: Abd-Elhameed Waleed Mohamed , Napoli Anna
Published: January 2023

Some new formulas related to the well-known symmetric Lucas polynomials are the primary focus of this article. Different approaches are used for establishing these formulas. A matrix approach to Lucas polynomials is followed in order to obtain some fundamental properties. Particularly, some recurrence relations and determinant forms are determined by suitable Hessenberg matrices. Conjugate Lucas polynomials and generating functions are derived and examined. Several connection problems between the Lucas polynomials and other celebrated symmetric and non-symmetric orthogonal polynomials such as the first and second kinds of Chebyshev polynomials and their shifted counterparts are solved. We prove that several argument-type hypergeometric functions are involved in the connection coefficients. In addition, we construct new formulas for high-order derivatives of Lucas polynomials in terms of their original polynomials, as well as formulas for repeated integrals of Lucas polynomials.
Numerical Simulation and Control of Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems
Authors: Huang Shyh-Chour
Published: January 2023

Symmetry is presented in many mechanical systems and control design methods [...]
Optimization of Software Test Scheduling under Development of Modular Software Systems
Authors: Huang Tao , Fang Chih-Chiang
Published: January 2023

Software testing and debugging is a crucial part of the software development process since defective software not only incurs customer dissatisfaction but also might incur legal issues. However, the managers of a software development company cannot arbitrarily prolong their software debugging period due to their software testing budget and opportunity in the market. Accordingly, in order to propose an advantageous testing project, the managers should be aware of the influence of the testing project on cost, quality, and time to make the best decision. In this study, a new software reliability growth model (SRGM) with consideration of the testing staff’s learning effect is proposed to achieve better prediction. The methods of estimating the model’s parameters and the symmetric confidence intervals are also proposed in the study. Moreover, in the past, most of the SRGMs focused on a single software system. However, in practice, some software systems were developed using modular-based system engineering approaches. Therefore, traditional software testing work can be changed to multiple modular testing work in this scenario. Therefore, the manager can use this to dispatch multiple staff groups to perform the individual testing work simultaneously. The study proposes two mathematical programming models to handle the scheduling of modular testing work. Additionally, the design of a computerized decision support system is also proposed in the study for the application in practice.
Nuclear Structure Investigations of Even–Even Hf Isotopes
Authors: Vasileiou Polytimos , Mertzimekis Theo J. , Mavrommatis Eirene , Zyriliou Aikaterini
Published: January 2023

The mass region of rare-earth nuclei in the nuclear chart is riddled with well-deformed nuclei, exhibiting rotational properties and many interesting nuclear structure-related phenomena. The scarcity of experimental data as the neutron number increases and the exotic phenomena such as shape coexistence, which are strongly connected with the underlying symmetries of the Hamiltonian and are predicted to take place in this region, make this mass region a fertile ground for experimental and theoretical studies of nuclear structure. In this work, we investigate the structure of the even–even 162–184Hf (hafnium) isotopes through a calculation of various observables such as B(E2;01+→21+) reduced transition matrix elements and quadrupole moments. Six different nuclear models are employed in the calculations of the observables for these nuclei, the shapes of which deviate from spherical symmetry, and as such, are characterized by Hamiltonians, which break the rotational invariance of the exact nuclear many-body Hamiltonian. The results of the present study are expected to establish some concrete guidelines for current and future experimental endeavors. Along these lines, the results for the 162–180Hf isotopes are compared with existing experimental data where available, showing an overall good agreement.
Serum Angiopoietin-2 Predicts the Occurrence and Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C
Authors: Kawagishi Naoki , Suda Goki , Yamamoto Yoshiya , Baba Masaru , Furuya Ken , Maehara Osamu , Ohnishi Shunsuke , Yoshida Sonoe , Fu Qingjie , Yang Zijian , Hosoda Shunichi , Tokuchi Yoshimasa , Kitagataya Takashi , Ohara Masatsugu , Suzuki Kazuharu , Nakai Masato , Sho Takuya , Natsuizaka Mitsuteru , Ogawa Koji , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: January 2023

Progressive liver fibrosis after anti-HCV treatment is a risk factor for HCC. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) is associated with non-regression of liver fibrosis after direct-acting antiviral (DAA). This study evaluated the predictive value of serum Ang2 levels for HCC occurrence or recurrence after DAA administration. In this retrospective study, 310 HCV-infected patients treated with DAAs in 2014–2020 were screened and evaluated for HCC occurrence or recurrence every three–six months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age ≥ 75 years (HR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.34–6.33; p = 0.007) and baseline Ang2 level ≥ 464 pg/mL (HR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.18–6.37; p = 0.019) were significantly associated with HCC occurrence after DAA therapy. A high or low risk of HCC after DAA therapy could be distinguished by the combination of age and baseline Ang2 level. The cumulative incidences of de-novo HCC at two and four years were 0.8% and 3.8% in the low-risk group and 22.6% and 27.1% in the high-risk group, respectively. Baseline Ang2 level ≥ 402 pg/mL was significantly associated with HCC recurrence in patients who achieved sustained virological response with DAAs (HR: 3.68). In conclusion, serum Ang2 levels can predict HCC occurrence and recurrence after successful HCV eradication by DAAs.
Cytomegalovirus Anterior Uveitis: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Immunological Mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Jing , Kamoi Koju , Zong Yuan , Yang Mingming , Ohno-Matsui Kyoko
Published: January 2023

Little is known regarding anterior uveitis (AU), the most common ocular disease associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompetent populations. CMV AU is highly prevalent in Asia, with a higher incidence in men. Clinically, it manifests mainly as anterior chamber inflammation and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Acute CMV AU may resemble Posner–Schlossman syndrome with its recurrent hypertensive iritis, while chronic CMV AU may resemble Fuchs uveitis because of its elevated IOP. Without prompt treatment, it may progress to glaucoma; therefore, early diagnosis is critical to prognosis. Knowledge regarding clinical features and aqueous humor analyses can facilitate accurate diagnoses; so, we compared and summarized these aspects. Early antiviral treatment reduces the risk of a glaucoma surgery requirement, and therapeutic effects vary based on drug delivery. Both oral valganciclovir and topical ganciclovir can produce positive clinical outcomes, and higher concentration and frequency are beneficial in chronic CMV retinitis. An extended antiviral course could prevent relapses, but should be limited to 6 months to prevent drug resistance and side effects. In this review, we have systematically summarized the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects, and immunological mechanisms of CMV AU with the goal of providing a theoretical foundation for early clinical diagnosis and treatment.