bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Possibility of Reducing Individual Motorised Traffic through the Location of Collection Points Using the Example of Gdańsk, Poland
Authors: Chaberek Grazyna
Published: September 2021

Problems in urban areas at present are caused by the high traffic volumes of motor vehicles. Changing commercial behaviour into e-commerce reduces the need for individual customers to visit shopping centres and increases the need for freight transport to geographically dispersed consumers. In this case, one solution to reduce the number of lorry journeys may be collection points, such as a network of parcel lockers. However, the use of collection points has only a limited impact on reducing the number of cars on the streets because half of the journeys to parcel lockers are still made by car. This study assumes that consumers’ choice of how to collect their parcels depends on the available infrastructure and the time needed to reach the pick-up point, which depends on the distance from the place of residence/work/school. The purpose of this research was to analyse the location of collection points in relation to the alternative infrastructure and places of residence/work/school using Gdańsk, Poland, as an example. The analysis showed that collection points are usually easily accessible by car, are not always accessible by foot, and in only a few cases are easily accessible by bicycle.
Building on Vietnam’s Recent COVID-19 Success: A Job-Focused Analysis of Individual Assessments on Their Finance and the Economy
Authors: Dang Hai-Anh H. , Giang Long T. , Do Minh N. N.
Published: September 2021

Despite the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on income and employment loss around the globe, hardly any formal study exists on household finance and future economic expectations in poorer countries. We offer an early study that aims to fill this gap from the labor market angle. We implemented and analyzed a new web-based rapid assessment survey immediately after the removal of lockdown measures in Vietnam, a low-middle income country that has received widespread recognition for its successful fight against the pandemic. We find that having a job is strongly and positively associated with better finance and more income and savings, as well as more optimism about the resilience of the economy. Further disaggregating employment along the security dimension into different types of jobs such as self-employment and jobs with permanent and short-term contracts, we find those with permanent job contracts to have fewer job worries and better assessments for the economy. Individuals with good health tend to have more positive evaluations for their current and future finance, but there is mixed evidence for those with higher educational levels. These findings are relevant for the ongoing fight against the pandemic and post-outbreak labor policies, especially in a developing country context.
Adaptation of Industrial Revolution 4.0 in a Seaport System
Authors: Mohd Salleh Nurul Haqimin , Selvaduray Mahendrran , Jeevan Jagan , Ngah Abdul Hafaz , Zailani Suhaiza
Published: September 2021

As pillars of logistics, supply chains, and transport networks, seaports have led to a substantial demand for countless economic advantages. The sustainability and competitive advantage of seaport businesses depend on their ability to adapt to changing business requirements, while Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) is a current phenomenon that connects the global market through smart technologies involving cyber-physical systems to overcome global trade uncertainty. However, focusing only on growing economic benefits might lead to an ineffective sustainable implementation of IR 4.0 within a seaport system. Therefore, this paper compares the current status of IR 4.0 global implementation against the current Malaysian seaport system to ensure that the development of seaports in Malaysia is aligned with technological trends and global requirements. In addition, this paper investigates the critical sustainable factors (CSFs) for the implementation of IR 4.0 in Malaysian seaports. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is used to obtain the data from 13 domain experts, from various maritime stakeholders, which is further analysed by using Thematic Analysis. The result has shown that most seaports have started to initiate a fusion by focusing on IR 4.0 adaptation. In contrast, in Malaysia, the seaports in this country are still behind the global trend and are just starting to explore the concept of IR 4.0 instead of expanding to the next level (global benchmark). The current status and CSFs, for the implementation of IR 4.0 in Malaysian seaports, are presented in comparison to global requirements, and the marginal associations between them are shown. As a conclusion, by comparing a global seaport scenario with Malaysian seaports, the main considerations for sustaining the implementation of IR 4.0 in Malaysian seaports can be discovered.
The Role of Sustainable HRM in Sustainable Development
Authors: Duvnjak Barbara , Kohont Andrej
Published: September 2021

Achieving sustainability is becoming a primary agenda for many societies throughout the world. However, we are currently witnessing a surprising stagnation in progress toward this goal. Neoliberal values of individualism, privatization and competitive advantage are proving to be hard to breach. Hence, there is a pressing need for change. Through an extensive literature overview, the present paper identifies existing misconceptions and differences in the comprehension of concepts such as sustainable development, corporate social responsibility and the relationship between strategic human resource management (HRM) and sustainable HRM. It describes and acknowledges the hindrances that sustainable HRM faces in practice, with a particular focus on the predominant schema of strategic HRM and the misconception of corporate social responsibility. The aspiration of the paper is to pose a new model of sustainability by implementing sustainable HRM at the center of sustainable development and corporate accountability. The proposed model is intended as a measurement of the levels of sustainable development in which organizations find themselves and report on, and as a more comprehensive model of sustainable HRM, which has the potential to be applied in practice.
The Effect of Innovative Entrepreneurial Vitality on Economic Resilience Based on a Spatial Perspective: Economic Policy Uncertainty as a Moderating Variable
Authors: Wang Weilong , Wang Jianlong , Wulaer Shaersaikai , Chen Bing , Yang Xiaodong
Published: September 2021

This study measured the economic resilience of 269 prefecture-level cities in China by constructing an indicator evaluation system for the resilience, adjustment, and responsiveness of the economic system under external shocks. A dynamic spatial Durbin model and a moderating mediation model were employed to analyze empirically the impact of economic policy uncertainty and innovative entrepreneurial vitality on economic resilience using prefecture-level panel data from 2004 to 2018. The statistical results revealed that there were significant “snowball” effects and spatial spillover characteristics of economic resilience. Under the moderating effect of economic policy uncertainty, innovative entrepreneurial vitality was found to have a significant positive effect on economic resilience. Furthermore, innovative entrepreneurial vitality was found to enhance economic resilience significantly by upgrading the industrial structure, alleviating the income gap, and guiding economic agglomeration in the context of economic policy uncertainty. Moreover, the impacts of innovative entrepreneurial vitality and economic policy uncertainty on economic resilience, respectively, showed significant heterogeneities in terms of the cities’ regions and economic sizes. The above-mentioned results were found to be valid even after a series of robustness tests were carried out.
Investigating the Personalization–Privacy Paradox in Internet of Things (IoT) Based on Dual-Factor Theory: Moderating Effects of Type of IoT Service and User Value
Authors: Lee Ae-Ri
Published: September 2021

Despite people’s concerns over privacy leakage in the Internet of Things (IoT), the needs for personalized IoT services are increasing, creating a conflicting phenomenon viewed as the personalization–privacy (P–P) paradox. This study proposes a research model that utilizes dual-factor theory to investigate the P–P paradox in IoT. It aims to analyze the impact of the dual factor—personalization and privacy concerns related to IoT services—on the intention to use IoT. Further, the model includes four-dimensional motivated innovativeness and previous privacy-invasion experience as key antecedents of the dual factor. Particularly, this study examines the moderating effects of the type of IoT service and user value on the relationship between dual factor and usage intention. Data were collected using a web-based survey. The results showed that personalization had a significant impact on the intention to use IoT, whereas privacy concerns did not. The effects of all antecedents except social innovativeness were significant. The P–P paradox phenomenon appeared differently depending on the type of IoT service and user value. This study contributes to gaining a better understanding of the factors that influence the increase in IoT usage in terms of both protecting and appropriately using personal information for IoT services.
Which CSR Activities Are Preferred by Local Community Residents? Conjoint and Cluster Analyses
Authors: Panthong Siraprapa , Taecharungroj Viriya
Published: September 2021

Industrial estates (IEs) are important for economic growth, but they also negatively impact the living environment of local communities. To foster community acceptance, IEs and companies often implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. However, very few studies have explored the preferences of local communities. Therefore, the first objective of this research was to identify the CSR dimensions and activities preferred by local communities surrounding Amata City Industrial Estate in Chonburi, Thailand, while the second objective was to categorize residents based on their CSR preferences using K-means clustering. Data were collected from 309 residents and assessed using a choice-based conjoint analysis, with the two most preferred CSR dimensions identified as economy and environment. The results confirmed heterogeneity within a community. Seven segments were identified as wellness enthusiasts, sustainable developers, knowledge supporters, balanced conservators, nature lovers, utilitarian developers and economic persons. The findings should be beneficial for IE management in Thailand and could be used by companies and local governments to initiate citizen-centric CSR activities.
Research and Development Investment and Collaboration Framework for the Hydrogen Economy in South Korea
Authors: Lee Doyeon , Kim Keunhwan
Published: September 2021

South Korea developed its hydrogen strategies to achieve carbon neutrality and dominate the hydrogen economy amidst, and with the impetus, of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The government strives toward the goal via continuous investment in green hydrogen technologies, as well as strategic collaborations. To facilitate the transition into the hydrogen economy, this study presents a research and development (R&D) investment and collaboration framework as a national strategy. The framework offers abundant information to elucidate the technology, R&D spectrum, and regional dimensions of the strategy. Furthermore, the proposed framework was applied to the Korean hydrogen economy comprising 955 nationally funded projects worth USD 565.7 million. The statuses and trends of the government’s investment in nationally funded research projects are illustrated with regard to the value chains of the hydrogen economies of 16 regions, as well as nine technology clusters relating to the hydrogen economy, thereby determining the research organizations that played crucial roles in each cluster of the 16 regions between 2015 and 2020. The results indicate that the research organizations in Daejeon acquired the highest government R&D funding in many hydrogen-economy-related research fields, and that an R&D spectrum-based research/strategic collaboration is required to accomplish specialized complexes in the regions.
Review Paper: ‘Discourses on the Place of Mothers Rights where They Are Subject to Domestic Violence within Child Protection Work in England’
Authors: Littlechild Brian
Published: September 2021

This article examines the place of gendered relationships between parents with regard to child protection work in England, and the effects of this on mothers who are abused by their male partners. These areas are discussed within an emotionally, socially, and politically charged set of issues concerning to what extent the State should intervene, why, and how between parents and their children in terms of parental rights and child protection. In this way, the article examines fault lines in the Western world’s ideology of the family, and concepts and realities of parental, mothers’ and children’s rights. In examining dominant and competing discourses on parental rights in child protection work, the case is made for the need to disaggregate concepts and approaches away from parental rights per se, to viewing the possibility of needing to see fathers and mothers needs and rights as at times being in conflict. This becomes particularly problematic in relation to mothers’ rights to their own protection from abuse, and how this relates to professional interventions when both the mother and the children are being abused. It considers the need to acknowledge and foreground taking account of how the mother and child(ren) are experiencing the abuse, not how society and professionals might like to view the situation by way of an idealized view of families through a particular ideological lens.
The Coronavirus as a Disrupter of a Sustainable Small Early Childhood Family Business in Vietnam
Authors: Abeysekera Indra , Tran Kim Tien
Published: September 2021

Access to quality early childhood education is a sustainable development goal towards empowering people in an emerging economy. The purpose of this study is to examine how the coronavirus disease impacted a small early childhood business in Vietnam, which experienced two waves of attacks. Previous studies have examined mainly the impact of various factors under stable environments. This study differs in that COVID-19 brought sudden, lasting, and impactful changes to the business environment. The study uses a case-study research approach that invited a small business owner to write and share the biography of the business from the start to the date of the research study and analysed the content using the theory of planned behaviour. The shared belief systems of a business to succeed led the owner to invest loan funds and join the company that became successful with planned actions. Dependence on a rental property later stalled the business growth. The owners settled into a stable way of business thinking. The two waves of coronavirus pandemic in Vietnam that affected their business location dried up cash, forcing the business into voluntary liquidation. The impact of coronavirus disease on small business in an emerging nation, Vietnam, can bring out lessons of business survival and ways policymakers can assist companies in surviving considering their capital structures under destabilising business environments. The qualitative causes found for the theory of planned behaviour can become useful for a later quantitative investigation.
Analysis of Factors Influencing Plant–Microbe Combined Remediation of Soil Contaminated by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Zhao Lei , Lyu Cong , Li Yu
Published: September 2021

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are frequently detected in soil. Their biological toxicity and carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects pose a great threat to the ecological environment and human health. Firstly, the sources, physicochemical properties, and environmental hazards of PAHs are reviewed in this paper, and then their pollution status and different methods for their detection in soil are described in detail. The remediation technologies to treat pollution in the field and farmland are compared, and the technical status and factors influencing phytomicrobial remediation of PAHs in contaminated soil are evaluated in the most comprehensive way. The mechanisms of phytomicrobial remediation of PAHs-contaminated soil under different conditions are innovatively discussed. Additionally, the regulation mechanism of enzymes involved in plant and microbial degradation of PAHs in soils is studied. This is the first study on the regulation mechanism of degradation enzyme in a PAHs review. The aim of this paper is to review the pollution status, remediation technologies, mechanisms, and biodegradation actions of PAHs in soil. This review creatively provides reliable technical support for strengthening soil remediation and environmental management.
Employer Branding as a Talent Management Tool: A Systematic Literature Revision
Authors: Reis Isabel , Sousa Maria José , Dionísio Andreia
Published: September 2021

The aim of this paper is to present a systematic literature revision (SLR) that shows the relationship between the concept of employer branding (EB) and talent management (TM). Based on the EB model proposed by Backhaus and Tikoo in 2004, and the macro-contingent model for talent management introduced in 2019 by King and Vaiman, we intend both to analyse the theory correlating the EB concept and TM, and to identify TM dimensions that are reflected on the EB concept. A systematic literature revision was carried out using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) protocol in order to identify and sum up the most relevant studies of the last 10 years concerning these topics. Findings show that scientific literature on the subject grew considerably in the last four years, reflecting the rising concern over the creation of an employer brand at the organisational level. EB explores talent attraction and retention particularly, though, unexpectedly, is also becoming a concept explored by nations to attract a qualified workforce. Analysing selected articles, we may conclude that EB is clearly considered as a tool within the largest process of talent management.
The Synergic Effect of Whey-Based Hydrogel Amendment on Soil Water Holding Capacity and Availability of Nutrients for More Efficient Valorization of Dairy By-Products
Authors: Čechmánková Jarmila , Skála Jan , Sedlařík Vladimír , Duřpeková Silvie , Drbohlav Jan , Šalaková Alexandra , Vácha Radim
Published: September 2021

Agricultural production is influenced by the water content in the soil and the availability of nutrients. Recently, changes in the quantity and seasonal water availability are expected to impact agriculture due to climate change. This study aimed to test an agricultural product with promising properties to improve soil quality and water-holding capacity during agricultural application. Most of the traditional hydrogels are low-biodegradable synthetic materials with under-researched long-term fate in field soil conditions. The novel, biodegradable hydrogel made from acid whey and cellulose derivatives cross-linked with citric acid was used. The soil-improving effects were tested under controlled experimental conditions with the sandy artificial soil consisting of 10% finely ground sphagnum peat, 20% kaolinite clay, and 70% quartz sand. Soil pH, the content of organic carbon (Cox), total nitrogen (N), available forms of the essential macronutrients (P, K, Ca, and Mg), the cation exchange capacity (CEC), the maximum water capacity (MWC) and water holding capacity (WHC) were determined. The results showed a positive effect on water retention and basic soil properties after the different levels of hydrogel had been introduced into the soil. Generally, the addition of whey-based hydrogel increases the available nutrients concentration and water retention in soil.
Living Labs Past Achievements, Current Developments, and Future Trajectories
Authors: Schuurman Dimitri , Leminen Seppo
Published: September 2021

The year 2006 is the ‘official’ start of European Living Labs as the movement gained real momentum through European policy measures, culminating in the birth of the pan-European network ENoLL (European Network of Living Labs) [...]
Mobile Phone Buying Decisions among Young Adults: An Empirical Study of Influencing Factors
Authors: Tanveer Muhammad , Kaur Harsandaldeep , Thomas George , Mahmood Haider , Paruthi Mandakini , Yu Zhang
Published: September 2021

Owing to the novelty and dynamism of mobile phone shopping behavior of adults within the context of contemporary social, technological, and market norms necessitated the need to study this phenomenon frequently. In the same league, there is a pressing need to empirically examine the mobile shopping behavior of young adults in Pakistan. This paper examines the factors influencing mobile phone shopping behavior within the context of young adults in Pakistan. First, a questionnaire-based survey consisting of a five-point Likert scale was conducted. A total of 416 respondents provided their complete responses. Then, we employed the structural equation modeling (SEM) model using AMOS 24 to empirically test the hypothesized model. The empirical results revealed that price and attractiveness positively influence mobile phone buying behavior among young adults in Pakistan. On the other hand, Service Encounter, Convenience, Avoidance of Core Service Failure, and Response have negative but statistically insignificant influences on mobile phone buying behavior in Pakistan. This finding revealed that the mobile shopping behavior of young Pakistani adults is predominantly influenced by the price of mobile phones and their attractiveness. Therefore, it is highly recommended that companies need to offer affordable mobile phone prices. Additionally, the attractiveness of the mobile phone needs to be maintained at competitive prices.
Double Coating as a Novel Technology for Controlling Urea Dissolution in Soil: A Step toward Improving the Sustainability of Nitrogen Fertilization Approaches
Authors: El-Ghamry Ayman , El-Naggar El-Sayed , Elgorban Abdallah M. , Gao Bin , Ahmad Zahoor , Mosa Ahmed
Published: September 2021

This research introduces a novel technology for reducing ordinary urea (OU) dissolution by developing double-coated urea (DCU) using phosphate rock (PR) as an outer layer to reduce its hydrolysis and sodium thiosulfate (STS) as an inner layer to inhibit the urease enzyme and nitrification process. Due to the double coating, the nitrogen content of DCU was lower than that of the OU (36.7% vs. 46.5%). The ultramorphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the controlled coating of urea, resulting from the outer layer of PR, was due to the adhesive effect of urea formaldehyde (UF), which was used as a glue. In addition, the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of the DCU revealed its high degree of agglomeration. The mechanical hardness of DCU was higher compared to that of OU (1.38 vs. 1.08 kgf). The seven-day dissolution rate test showed that OU reached 100% dissolution on the fifth day. The rate of DCU, however, was significantly lower (32% dissolution in the seventh day). Cumulative NO3− and NH4+ losses from a clay soil sample reached 68.3% and 7.6%, respectively, with OU measuring 40.5% compared to 4.9% for DCU 70 days after application. Field experiments showed a significant improvement in the marketable yield and agronomic nitrogen efficiency (ANE) of maize grains and zucchini fruits fertilized with DCU. Furthermore, the macro and micronutrient concentrations in maize grains and zucchini fruits showed an increase in the plants fertilized with DCU. In summary, double coating can be introduced as a novel technique to control urea dissolution in soil.
Optimization of Emergency Supplies Scheduling for Hazardous Chemicals Storage Considering Risk
Authors: Lu Jianfeng , Wang Xiaoxia , Zhao Jiahong
Published: September 2021

Hazardous chemicals are harmful to the people around them during their storage, especially when an accident occurs. The allocation and scheduling of emergency materials, therefore, is an important imperative of emergency rescue services. Due to the harmful characteristics of dangerous goods, the storage risk of hazardous chemicals in emergency networks always exists, which threatens surrounding residents. To reduce the risk of hazardous chemicals storage in terms of emergency networks, the collaborative optimization of emergency materials allocation and scheduling from the perspective of risk is proposed in the present study. The risk assessment of dangerous goods storage in different stages is developed. Minimizing the total cost and risk, a bi-level programming model of emergency material allocation and scheduling for dangerous goods storage is formulated. Then, the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) condition is introduced to transform the proposed model, and the solution method is designed based on an augmented ε-constraint method. Finally, the computational case is provided to demonstrate the workability of the proposed model and method.
Towards a Sustainable Classroom Ecology: Translanguaging in English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in a Finance Course at an International School in Shanghai
Authors: Zhou Xiaozhou (Emily) , Li Chenke , Gao Xuesong (Andy)
Published: September 2021

Pedagogical translanguaging has emerged as an important strategy facilitating the sustainable use of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in educational settings. This mixed-method study, conducted in an EMI finance classroom at an international school in Shanghai, China, investigates the translanguaging practices of students in classroom interactions as well as their attitudes toward translanguaging as a communicative and pedagogical strategy. Drawing on video-assisted classroom observations and semistructured interviews, this study reveals that the participants’ translanguaging practices are motivated by ease of communication, facilitated by contextual resources, and reflect their strategic maneuvering of the linguistic resources in their repertoires. The data also suggest that the participants are generally positive about translanguaging as an aid in comprehension and for the enhancement of content learning. Some participants, however, expressed reservations about the acceptance of translanguaging as a standard, formal linguistic choice. The findings suggest that EMI teachers should recognize the linguistic resources of students in their entirety and incorporate them into classroom activities to promote biliteracy and the learning of academic content.
Study on Business Ecosystem Research Trend Using Network Text Analysis
Authors: Shin Matthew Minsuk , Jung Seunghye , Rha Jin Sung
Published: September 2021

The management environment is moving into a new phase with the changing global circumstances. The business ecosystem as a management strategy has been studied for the last 30 years since the concept was introduced. The purpose of this study was to analyze the research trend in business ecosystem by using network next analysis and to understand the concept, being one that is still being actively studied. Network text analysis is a commonly used method to analyze research trends by forming networks based on bibliographic data of the articles, namely, keywords. For the analysis, we collected the data and keywords from 340 research papers published in global academic journals related to business ecosystem on the basis of the Scopus database. Through keywords extraction and cleansing, we found that the keywords of “innovation”, “sustainability”, and “platform” were mentioned most frequently, and the research topics were correlated to each other. Moreover, we conducted degree centrality and betweenness centrality analysis along with clustering analysis by transforming the two-mode network into a one-mode network. Degree centrality involves analyzing the degree to which one keyword links to other keywords, and betweenness centrality shows the mediating effects of a keyword to other keywords. In the centrality analysis results, “innovation”, “sustainability”, “platform”, and “business model” showed the highest degree centrality, and “sustainability”, “innovation”, “China”, and “platform” had the highest betweenness centrality. Then, we classified the clusters of subtopics into five groups. The current study examined accumulated research and suggested a comprehensive understanding of the research trend in business ecosystem by incorporating a method enabling research trend analysis to secure objectivity. This research is expected to help researchers to review the research trend in business ecosystem and identify expandable topics for further studies.
Optimal Load Frequency Control of Island Microgrids via a PID Controller in the Presence of Wind Turbine and PV
Authors: Alayi Reza , Zishan Farhad , Seyednouri Seyed Reza , Kumar Ravinder , Ahmadi Mohammad Hossein , Sharifpur Mohsen
Published: September 2021

This article studied the load frequency control (LFC) of a multi-source microgrid with the presence of renewable energy sources. To maintain a sustainable power supply, the frequency of the system must be kept constant. A Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) controller is presented as a secondary controller to control the frequency of the microgrid in island mode, and the integral of squared time multiplied by error squared (ISTES) is used as a performance index. The use of the Craziness-Based Particle Swarm Optimization (CRPSO), which is an improved version of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), improves the convergence speed in optimizing the nonlinear problem of load and frequency controller design. The test microgrid is composed of the load and distributed generation units such as diesel generators, photovoltaics and wind turbines. The proposed controller provided the desired response to adjusting the microgrid frequency, achieving the final response after a short time and making it more stable and less oscillatory compared with the conventional system.
Influence of pH and Temperature on Struvite Purity and Recovery from Anaerobic Digestate
Authors: González-Morales Carolina , Fernández Belén , Molina Francisco J. , Naranjo-Fernández Darío , Matamoros-Veloza Adriana , Camargo-Valero Miller Alonso
Published: September 2021

The precipitation of struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O) from wastewater streams simultaneosuly recovers nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for reuse as fertilisers. Struvite crystallisation is controlled by pH, saturation index, temperature and other ions in the solution (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+ and CO32−). This work studies the effect of pH and temperature on phosphorus and nitrogen removal via struvite precipitation and the quality of the resulting precipitate product (i.e., crystal size, morphology and purity). Struvite was precipitated in batch reactors from the supernatant produced during anaerobic sludge dewatering at a wastewater treatment works, under controlled pH (8, 9 and 10) and temperature (25, 33 and 40 °C) conditions. The optimal P removal as struvite, reduction of the co-precipitation with Ca and the increase in particle size of the struvite precipitates were determined. The results showed that temperatures of 33 °C and 40 °C are not recommended for struvite precipitation—i.e., at 33 °C the purity is lower, and at 40 °C the ammonia losses are induced by volatilisation. At all pH-tests, the P removal efficiency was >93%, but the highest phosphate content and purity as struvite were obtained at a pH of 9.0. The optimum pH and temperature for the formation of large crystals (84 µm) and a high purity (>70%) of the struvite precipitates were 9 and 25 °C, respectively.
Safety of People with Special Needs in Public Transport
Authors: Bęczkowska Sylwia Agata , Zysk Zuzanna
Published: September 2021

Safety is one of the most important needs of all people, but especially those with limited mobility, who face barriers of all kinds on a daily basis. The article includes a review of organizational and legal solutions for the safety of people with special needs in public transportation, as well as preliminary research aimed at identifying and classifying barriers in public transportation that limit the independent movement of people with special needs. The obtained results will be used in the development of the methodology for assessing the degree of accessibility of the studied objects and will form the basis of guidelines formulated in order to modify the existing and design the future elements of the transport system according to the principles of universal design. The problem of the lack of accessibility of public transport is the center of interest of many entities. Its solution requires a complex approach in the design process, taking into account both engineering knowledge and knowledge of the needs and constraints of different user groups. The results obtained from the study will allow the categorization of public transport modes in terms of their accessibility.
Investigating Tensile Behavior of Sustainable Basalt–Carbon, Basalt–Steel, and Basalt–Steel-Wire Hybrid Composite Bars
Authors: Mirdarsoltany Mohammadamin , Rahai Alireza , Hatami Farzad , Homayoonmehr Reza , Abed Farid
Published: September 2021

One of the main disadvantages of steel bars is rebar corrosion, especially when they are exposed to aggressive environmental conditions such as marine environments. One of the suggested ways to solve this problem is to use composite bars. However, the use of these bars is ambiguous due to some weaknesses, such as low modulus of elasticity and linear behavior in the tensile tests. In this research, the effect of the hybridization process on mechanical behavior, including tensile strength, elastic modulus, and energy absorbed of composite bars, was evaluated. In addition, using basalt fibers because of their appropriate mechanical behavior, such as elastic modulus, tensile strength, durability, and high-temperature resistance, compared to glass fibers, as the main fibers in all types of composite hybrid bars, was investigated. A total of 12 hybrid composite bars were made in four different groups. Basalt and carbon T300 composite fibers, steel bars with a diameter of 6 mm, and steel wires with a diameter of 1.5 mm were used to fabricate hybrid composite bars, and vinyl ester 901 was used as the resin. The results show that, depending on composite fibers used for fabrication of hybrid composite bars, the modulus of elasticity and the tensile strength increased compared to glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer (GFRP) bars by 83% to 120% and 6% to 26%, respectively. Moreover, hybrid composite bars with basalt and steel wires witnessed higher absorbed energy compared to other types of hybrid composite bars.
Silvopastoral System in Morocco: Focus on Their Importance, Strategic Functions, and Recent Changes in the Mediterranean Side
Authors: Chebli Youssef , El Otmani Samira , Elame Fouad , Moula Nassim , Chentouf Mouad , Hornick Jean-Luc , Cabaraux Jean-François
Published: September 2021

In the Mediterranean basin, the silvopastoral system has always been part of the regional economy. Silvopastoral areas contribute significantly to the development of the ecological and socio-economic factors of territorial sustainability. However, little attention has been paid to reviewing the importance, historical evolution, socio-economic conditions, and climate change impact of the southern Mediterranean region of northern Morocco. This review casts light on research on the silvopastoral systems in Morocco with a focus on the Mediterranean side. Sixty-nine peer-reviewed publications were selected for this systematic review. The findings revealed that silvopastoral areas play a very important role in animal feeding in Morocco. Animals are managed traditionally on these woodlands where they graze throughout the year. The silvopastoral system has undergone several changes over recent decades. These changes have had a direct impact on ecosystems, causing a decline in biodiversity, forest degradation, and an increase in land use at the expense of silvopastoral areas, mainly in the Mediterranean region of northern Morocco. Consequently, the sustainability of the silvopastoral systems would undoubtedly be negatively affected. The review finishes with some crucial strategies and propositions that could be encouraged to support sustainable management actions of silvopastoral resources. In the conclusion, we outline the need to assess the realistic socio-economic and ecological benefits of silvopastoral systems to promote their sustainable development.
Evaluation of the Ecological Benefits of Recycling Multiple Metals from Lithium Battery Saggars Based on Emergy Analysis
Authors: Zhang Wenbiao , Li Zehong , Li Shaopeng , Dong Suocheng , Xia Bing , Wang Chunying
Published: September 2021

With the rapid development of China’s new energy industry, the use of lithium-ion batteries has increased sharply, and the demand for battery cathode metals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese has also increased rapidly. Scrapped ceramic saggars that are used to produce the cathode materials of lithium-ion batteries contain large amounts of nickel, cobalt, and manganese compounds; thus, recycling these saggars has high economic value and ecological significance. In this paper, the emergy method is used to analyze the ecological benefits of the typical Ni–Co-containing saggar recycling process in China. This paper constructs an ecoefficiency evaluation index for industrial systems based on emergy analysis to analyze the recycling of nickel and cobalt saggars. The ecological benefits are analyzed, and the following conclusions are drawn. (1) The Ni–Co-containing saggar recycling production line has good economic and ecological benefits. (2) The process has room for improvement in the energy use efficiency and clean energy use of the crystallization process and the efficiency of chemical use in the cascade separation and purification process. This study also establishes a set of emergy analysis methods and indicator system for the evaluation of the ecological benefit of the recycling industry, which can provide a reference for the evaluation of the eco-economic benefit of similar recycling industry processes.
A Flexible Cap-and-Trade Policy and Limited Demand Information Effects on a Sustainable Supply Chain
Authors: Gao Ying , Xu Jianteng , Xu Huixin
Published: September 2021

Carbon emission reduction is increasingly becoming a public consensus, with governments formulating carbon emission policies, enterprises investing in emission abatement equipment, and consumers having a low-carbon preference. On the other hand, it is difficult for industry managers to obtain all the demand information. Based on this, this paper aims to investigate operations and coordination for a sustainable system with a flexible cap-and-trade policy and limited demand information. Newsvendor and distribution-free newsvendor models are formulated to show the validity of limited information. Stackelberg game is exploited to derive optimal abatement and order quantity solutions under centralized and decentralized systems. The revenue-sharing and two-part tariff contracts are then proposed to coordinate the decentralized system with limited demand information. Numerical analyses complement the theoretical results. We list some major findings. Firstly, we discover that using abatement equipment can effectively reduce emissions and increase profits. Secondly, the distribution-free approach is effective and acceptable for a system where only mean and variance information is informed. Thirdly, the mean parameter has a greater impact on profits and emissions comparing with the other seven parameters. Finally, we show that both contracts may achieve perfect coordination, and the two-part tariff contract is more robust.
Non-Destructive Quality Measurement for Three Varieties of Tomato Using VIS/NIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Najjar Khadija , Abu-Khalaf Nawaf
Published: September 2021

The non-destructive visible/near-infrared (VIS/NIR) spectroscopy is a promising technique in determining the quality of agricultural commodities. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the ability of VIS/NIR spectroscopy (550–1100 nm) to distinguish between three different varieties of tomato (i.e., Ekram, Harver and Izmer), as well as to predict the quality parameters of tomato, such as soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), taste (SSC/TA) and firmness. Ninety intact samples from three tomato varieties were used. These samples were examined using VIS/NIR spectroscopy and quality parameters were also measured using traditional methods. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square (PLS) were carried out. The results of PCA showed the ability of VIS/NIR spectroscopy to distinguish between the three varieties, where two PCs explained about 99% of the total variance in both calibration and validation sets. Moreover, PLS showed the possibility of modelling quality parameters. The correlation coefficient (R2) and the ratio of performance deviation (RPD) for all quality parameters (except for firmness) were found to be higher than 0.85 and 2.5, respectively. Thus, these results indicate that the VIS/NIR spectroscopy can be used to discriminate between different varieties of tomato and predict their quality parameters.
Thixotropic Behavior in Defining Particle Packing Density of Highly Filled AP/HTPB-Based Propellant
Authors: Restasari Afni , Abdillah Luthfia Hajar , Ardianingsih Retno , Sitompul Hamonangan Rekso Diputro , Budi Rika Suwana , Hartaya Kendra , Wibowo Heri Budi
Published: September 2021

An alarming, asymmetric flame in rocket combustion originates from a composite solid propellant (CSP) containing defects. The defects are the result of a composition that exceeds the maximum particle packing density. Based on the structure analysis of CSP, the addition of plasticizer causes the correlation between the viscosity of CSP slurry and particle packing density to become uncertain. This work aims to investigate the influence of thixotropic behavior on the maximum particle packing density of CSP. A CSP with different thixotropic behavior was successfully produced using aluminum/plasticizer dioctyl adipate (DOA) of 12–24. During the curing process, viscosity and stress–growth were investigated. The structure of the CSP was defined using X-ray radiography. It is remarkably observed that the peak of thixotropy occurred at the 15th minute of the curing process. The particle packing density of CSP can be decisive for the relative viscosity at the peak time of thixotropic behavior. The CSP with the highest relative viscosity at the peak time was revealed to have voids in the upper part of the CSP. Thus, this parameter was proven to change the preceding parameter, viscosity that was measured at the end of mixing. Based on the stress–growth analysis, it is conceivable that the mechanism involves the time-dependent diffusion of DOA in weakening aluminum agglomerates.
Description of Dressed-Photon Dynamics and Extraction Process
Authors: Sangu Suguru , Saigo Hayato
Published: September 2021

Several interesting physical phenomena and industrial applications explained by the dressed photon have been reported in recent years. These require a novel concept in an off-shell science that deviates from the conventional optics, satisfying energy and momentum conservation laws. In this paper, starting from an original model that captures dressed-photon characteristics phenomenologically, the dynamics of the dressed photon in a nanomatter system and the mechanism for extracting internal degrees of freedom of the dressed photon to an external space have been examined by theoretical and numerical approaches. Our proposal is that basis states of the dressed photon can be transformed to the form that reflects the spatial distribution of the dressed-photon steady state in the system, and some of basis states with predetermined spatial distribution can relate to the dissipation components in the external space by means of the renormalization technique. From the results of numerical simulation, it is found that quasi-static states are regarded as the photon with light mass or massless, and the extraction of active states strongly affects the spatial distribution in a new steady state. The concept for extracting dressed-photon energy to an external space will contribute to a detailed understanding of dressed-photon physics and future industrial applications.
Thermal and Mesomorphic Investigations of 1:1 Supramolecular Assemblies of 4-[(4-(n-Alkoxy)phenylimino)methyl]benzoic Acids Having Symmetrical and Un-Symmetrical Terminal Chain Lengths
Authors: Alamro Fowzia S. , Ahmed Hoda A. , Mostafa Ayman M. , Naoum Magdi M.
Published: September 2021

Thermal and mesomorphic properties of possible 1:1 supramolecular complexes (SMCs) (Im/In) designed from two members of 4-[(4-(n-alkoxy)phenylimino)methyl]benzoic acid with symmetrical or un-symmetrical alkoxy terminal flexible chains (carbons of m and n = 6, 8 and 16), were analyzed by differential scan-calorimetry (DSC), thermogravemetric (TG) analysis, and their mesophases identified by polarized optical microscopy (POM). The equimolecular mixtures of the two acids possess symmetrical and un-symmetrical terminal lengths. The mesomorphic properties of the binary mixtures were examined as a function of the total alkoxy chain length on both sides. Results revealed that the nematic mesophase temperature range increases as the total terminal length increases for all designed un-symmetrical mixtures. A comparison was constructed between the formed SMCs and of those of the previously prepared 4-n-alkoxyphenylazo benzoic acids as well as the 4-n-alkoxy benzoic acids, to examine the impact of mesogenic core on the mesomorphic properties. The comparison indicated that as the mesogenic portion lengthens the thermal mesophase stability exhibits higher values of phase transition temperatures; whereas, the azo and Schiff base moieties exhibited near thermal properties.
Stone Duality for Kolmogorov Locally Small Spaces
Authors: Piękosz Artur
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we prove new versions of Stone Duality. The main version is the following: the category of Kolmogorov locally small spaces and bounded continuous mappings is equivalent to the category of spectral spaces with decent lumps and with bornologies in the lattices of (quasi-) compact open sets as objects and spectral mappings respecting those decent lumps and satisfying a boundedness condition as morphisms. Furthermore, it is dually equivalent to the category of bounded distributive lattices with bornologies and with decent lumps of prime filters as objects and homomorphisms of bounded lattices respecting those decent lumps and satisfying a domination condition as morphisms. This helps to understand Kolmogorov locally small spaces and morphisms between them. We comment also on spectralifications of topological spaces.