bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Source Model of the 2023 Turkey Earthquake Sequence Imaged by Sentinel-1 and GPS Measurements: Implications for Heterogeneous Fault Behavior along the East Anatolian Fault Zone
Authors: Li Shuiping , Wang Xin , Tao Tingye , Zhu Yongchao , Qu Xiaochuan , Li Zhenxuan , Huang Jianwei , Song Shunyue
Published: May 2023

On 6 February 2023, a devastating doublet of earthquakes with magnitudes of Mw 7.8 and Mw 7.6 successively struck southeastern Turkey near the border of Syria. The earthquake sequence represents the strongest earthquakes in Turkey during the past 80 years and caused an extensive loss of life and property. In this study, we processed Sentinel-1 and GPS data to derive the complete surface displacement caused by the earthquake sequence. The surface displacements were adopted to invert for the fault geometry and coseismic slip distribution on the seismogenic faults of the earthquake sequence. The results indicate that the coseismic rupture of the Turkey earthquake sequence was dominated by left-lateral strike slips with a maximum slip of ~10 m on the East Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ) and the Sürgü fault (SF). Significant surface ruptures are recognized based on the geodetic inversion, which is consistent with the analysis of post-earthquake satellite images. The cumulative released moment of the two earthquakes reached 9.62 × 1020 Nm, which corresponds to an event of Mw 7.95. Additionally, the interseismic fault slip rates and locking depths along the central and western segments of the EAFZ were estimated using the high-resolution long-term velocity field. The results reveal significant lateral variations of fault slip rates and locking depths along the central and western segments of the EAFZ. Generally, the estimated fault locking zone showed good spatial consistency with the coseismic fault rupture of the Mw 7.8 shock on the EAFZ. The static coulomb failure stress (CFS) change due to the Mw 7.8 earthquakes suggests that the subsequent Mw 7.6 event was certainly promoted by the Mw 7.8 shock. The stress transfers from the fault EAFZ to the fault SF were realized by unclamping the interface of the fault SF, which significantly reduces the effective normal stress on the fault plane. Large CFS increases in the western Puturge segment of the EAFZ, which was not ruptured in the 2020 Mw 6.8 and the 2023 Mw 7.8 earthquakes, highlight the future earthquake risk in this fault segment.
Mangrove Biodiversity Assessment Using UAV Lidar and Hyperspectral Data in China’s Pinglu Canal Estuary
Authors: Tian Yichao , Huang Hu , Zhou Guoqing , Zhang Qiang , Xie Xiaokui , Ou Jinhai , Zhang Yali , Tao Jin , Lin Junliang
Published: May 2023

Mangrove forests are a valuable resource for biological and species diversity, and play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity. However, traditional plant biodiversity survey methods, which rely on labor-intensive field surveys, are not suitable for large-scale continuous spatial observations. To overcome this challenge, we propose an innovative framework for mangrove biodiversity assessment and zoning management based on drone low-altitude remote sensing, integrating data such as vertical structure features and spectral diversity features extracted from on-site measurements, airborne LiDAR, and hyperspectral data. This study focuses on the Maowei Sea mangrove community, located in the estuary of China’s first Pinglu Canal since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Using the proposed framework, we construct an evaluation index for mangrove biodiversity at the levels of species diversity, ecosystem diversity, and landscape diversity, achieving a quantitative calculation of mangrove biodiversity and an evaluation of spatial distribution patterns. The results show that the biodiversity index of mangroves ranges from 0 to 0.63, with an average value of 0.29, and high-biodiversity areas are primarily concentrated in the southwest of the study area, while low-value areas are mainly located in the north. We also select the elevation and offshore distance of mangrove growth for the spatial zoning of biodiversity. The core area of biodiversity occupies the smallest area, at 2.32%, and is mainly distributed in areas with an elevation of 1.43–1.59 m and an offshore distance of 150.08–204.28 m. Buffer zones and experimental zones account for a significant proportion, with values of 35.99% and 61.69%, respectively. Compared to traditional methods for monitoring mangrove biodiversity, such as community field-sample surveys, the proposed method using unmanned-aerial-vehicle LiDAR and hyperspectral coupling technology to assess mangrove biodiversity and establish a zoning management framework is more conducive to formulating mangrove biodiversity conservation strategies. The study provides a feasible solution for the large-scale biodiversity mapping of mangroves in the Maowei Sea at the estuary of the Pinglu Canal.
Applicability Assessment of Passive Microwave LST Downscaling over Semi–Homogeneous Desert Underlying Surface Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Li Yongkang , Liu Yongqiang , Huang Wenjiang , Yan Yang , Tan Jiao , He Qing
Published: May 2023

The spatial and temporal resolution of remote sensing products in land surface temperature (LST) studies can be improved using the downscaling method. This is a crucial area of research as it provides basic data for the study of climate change. However, there have been few studies evaluating the applicability of downscaling methods using underlying surfaces of varying complexities. In this study, we focused on the semi–homogeneous underlying surface of Gurbantunggut Desert and evaluated the applicability of five classical, passive microwave, downscaling methods based on the machine learning of Catboost, using 365 days of AMSR–2 and MODIS data in 2019, which can be scanned once during the day and night. Our results showed four main points: (1) The correlation coefficients between feature vectors and the LST of the semi–homogeneous underlying surface were clearly different from those of the surrounding oases. The correlation coefficient of the semi–homogeneous underlying surface was high, and that of the surrounding oases was low. (2) At the same frequency, the correlation coefficient between vertically polarized BT and LST was greater than that between horizontally polarized BT and LST. Considering the semi–heterogeneous underlying surface, 23.8 GHz and 36.5 GHz may be more suitable for passive microwave LST retrieval than 89 GHz according to physical mechanisms. (3) The fine–scale LST downscaling accuracy achieved with all BT channels of AMSR–2 was higher than that achieved with the other four classical models. The day and night RMSE values verified with MYD11A1 data were 2.82 K and 1.38 K, respectively. (4) The correlation coefficients between downscaled LST and the soil temperature of the top layer of the site were the highest, with daytime–nighttime R2 values of 0.978 and 0.970, and RMSE values of 3.42 and 4.99 K, respectively. The all–channel–based LST downscaling method is very effective and can provide a theoretical foundation for the acquisition of all–weather, multi–layer soil temperature.
Mapping Groundwater Recharge Potential in High Latitude Landscapes Using Public Data, Remote Sensing, and Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Guerrón-Orejuela Edgar J. , Rains Kai C. , Brigino Tyelyn M. , Kleindl William J. , Landry Shawn M. , Spellman Patricia , Walker Coowe M. , Rains Mark C.
Published: May 2023

Understanding where groundwater recharge occurs is essential for managing groundwater resources, especially source-water protection. This can be especially difficult in remote mountainous landscapes where access and data availability are limited. We developed a groundwater recharge potential (GWRP) map across such a landscape based on six readily available datasets selected through the literature review: precipitation, geology, soil texture, slope, drainage density, and land cover. We used field observations, community knowledge, and the Analytical Hierarchy Process to rank and weight the spatial datasets within the GWRP model. We found that GWRP is the highest where precipitation is relatively high, geologic deposits are coarse-grained and unconsolidated, soils are variants of sands and gravels, the terrain is flat, drainage density is low, and land cover is undeveloped. We used GIS to create a map of GWRP, determining that over 83% of this region has a moderate or greater capacity for groundwater recharge. We used two methods to validate this map and assessed it as approximately 87% accurate. This study provides an important tool to support informed groundwater management decisions in this and other similar remote mountainous landscapes.
Study on the Method of Extracting Plasma Lines Based on Sanya Incoherent Scatter Radar
Authors: Hao Honglian , Zhao Biqiang , Yue Xinan , Ding Feng , Ning Baiqi , Zeng Lingqi
Published: May 2023

The plasma lines observed by Sanya incoherent scatter radar (SYISR) are dependent on the enhancement of Langmuir waves due to superthermal photoelectrons generated by solar EUV radiation. The plasma line power spectrum can be obtained using long-pulse and alternating-code transmission signals during the period from sunrise to noon almost every day. For the power spectrum of the long pulse, the CLEAN algorithm that has been applied in this field is used to verify the feasibility of this method for SYISR in only a few cases. However, it is difficult to deal with alternating code with such a low SNR using the general deconvolution method. The irreversible-migration filtering (IMF) method has been developed to separate signal noise from the measurements of the alternating code. Some experimental results from the SYISR measurements validate the excellent performance of the IMF method for alternating code. Additionally, an example observation of the electron density with a high time and range resolution is derived. The results show that plasma line detection can be a powerful new observational capability for SYISR as an ionospheric experimental mode for ionospheric calibration, when possible, which can be simultaneously measured with the ion line for constant radar calibration in the standard fitting of the ion line.
Isolated Myelopathy in Occult Breast Carcinoma with Negative Paraneoplastic Antibodies: A Case Report of a Rare Condition
Authors: Paciolla Loredana , Galli Giulia , Vecchio Domizia , Padelli Samuel , Comi Cristoforo , Cantello Roberto , Virgilio Eleonora
Published: May 2023

Isolated paraneoplastic myelopathy (IPM) is a rare neurological manifestation of systemic cancer and represents an intermediate-risk phenotype of disease according to the diagnostic criteria for Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes (PNS). Here, we present the case of a 47-year-old woman who developed subacute cervical myelopathy and was then diagnosed with breast cancer. Through this lens, we provide a discussion of current literature on IPM. Over four months, our patient developed progressive tetraparesis, hypoesthesia with C3 level, and urinary retention. The first MRI was negative, but a four-month-control MRI showed a T2-hyperintense spinal lesion (C2–C7 and T2–T4). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was normal. Infective and autoimmune screening, including onconeural, anti-MOG, and aquaporin-4 antibodies, was unremarkable. The total-body CT scan was negative, but total-body PET-CT scan evidenced an enlarged axillary lymph node, with the detection of breast cancer cells at fine-needle aspiration. Despite negative mammography, a breast MRI confirmed a mammary nodule, which was removed, and a ductal infiltrating breast carcinoma diagnosis was made. Her neurological condition partially improved after steroid therapy. Our final diagnosis was probable IPM, according to PNS criteria. This rare condition affects most frequently middle-aged women and is often associated with breast and lung cancer, even if two-thirds of patients’ cancer diagnosis is subsequent to the onset of neurological deficits. Clinical presentation is often subtle, and CSF analysis, neuroimaging, and onconeural autoantibodies could be negative or non-specific. However, if the suspect of paraneoplastic disease is strong, cancer should be searched thoroughly since early diagnosis and treatment are associated with a better outcome.
Leadership Opportunities in the School Setting: A Scoping Study on Staff Perceptions
Authors: Hannan Robert , Lafferty Niamh , Mannix McNamara Patricia
Published: May 2023

The focus of this study was to explore teachers’ and middle school leaders’ perspectives of promotional policies and practices within the schools where they work. As this was an initial scoping study, a qualitative approach was adopted. Fifteen teachers and/or middle school leaders participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. Themes that emerged from the data included a mix of perceptions, in that promotions were sometimes perceived to be based on appropriate measures of merit such as experience, but at other times were perceived to be unfair or based on cronyism, with female staff perceived to be at a disadvantage. Reasons for seeking out promotion were identified as predominantly being for personal ambition and increased salary. A dark side of promotions also emerged, and this referred to the breakdown of relationships with co-workers following promotions and implications for turnover. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.
Financial Crises Management in Light of Accounting Information Systems Success: Investigating Direct and Indirect Influences
Authors: Dalloul Mahmoud Hany M. , binti Ibrahim Zuraeda , Urus Sharina Tajul
Published: May 2023

The research’s purpose is to analyze the direct and indirect effects on financial crisis management in light of the accounting information system’s success in the local government context. The study adopted the positivist paradigm, a deductive quantitative approach, and a descriptive-analytical nature. Data were collected through the questionnaire, and the local authorities in Palestine represented the study population. The sample focused on the accounting and finance departments, and the analysis unit was based on the accounting information systems users. The study employed the techniques of Smart-PLS software in analyzing the data. The originality and novelty of the study mainly stem from the development of its own theory and model based on the fact that financial crisis management depends on accounting information systems. Establishing a model that clarifies accounting information system’s success–financial crisis management relationships, allowed examining that theory and relationships empirically. Empirical results and evidence prove the theory’s validity and the high reliability of its tested empirical model. The outcomes revealed the significant direct influence of the accounting information system’s success, with its dimensions system quality, information quality, service quality, system use, and user satisfaction, on the financial crisis management. In addition to the significant indirect influences of system quality and information quality on financial crisis management through the mediation of system use and user satisfaction. On the other hand, the system use and user satisfaction did not perform a mediating role in the influences between service quality and financial crisis management.
Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Factors Influencing Urban Tourism Market Network in Western China: Taking Chengdu as an Example
Authors: Xue Chen-Hao , Bai Yong-Ping
Published: May 2023

Urban tourism network attention is important for measuring the competitiveness of the urban tourism industry, tourism attraction, and cultural soft power. In this study, we explored the spatiotemporal patterns and factors influencing network attention in the tourist source market and discussed how tourism cities can increase network attention, thus improving the competitiveness of urban cyberspace and developing soft power. Taking Chengdu as a research case, we obtained data on its tourism network attention from 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) between 2011 and 2021. We measured the spatiotemporal characteristics of network attention using the inter-annual change index, seasonal concentration index, potential tourists’ concentration coefficient, and ESDA model and analyzed the factors affecting spatiotemporal changes in network attention using the geographic weighted regression (GWR) model. The results revealed that from 2011 to 2021, the network attention of Chengdu tourism showed an overall “M”-type fluctuation trend, with significant seasonal differences and disequilibrium and significant differences in space, signifying an overall “∩”-shaped distribution trend. This suggested a weak negative spatial correlation. Further, the number of mobile Internet users, people in higher education per 100,000 people, per capita gross domestic product, urbanization rate, and passenger throughput are important factors that affect the network attention of Chengdu tourism. Thus, these results can be used by cities in western China to optimize the network attention rating system of urban tourism, strengthen the promotion of urban image, build a sustainable city, and transform network traffic into effective economic growth.
A Case Study on Sustainable Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Authors: Javed Yasir , Alenezi Mamdouh
Published: May 2023

In contemporary academia, accreditation stands as a vital process for universities to uphold their reputation and deliver quality education to students. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) significantly contribute to this process by enabling institutions to assess their performance in crucial areas, such as student outcomes, faculty engagement, and research effectiveness. To achieve sustainable accreditation, universities necessitate a comprehensive data management system capable of handling extensive data and generating pertinent insights. High-quality education remains paramount for academic institutions to equip students with essential professional skills, thereby enabling societal economic advancement. A sustainable quality management system is an innovative approach emphasizing continuous improvement and long-term planning to enhance an organization’s overall performance and maintain a competitive edge within the sector. This paper presents a case study on sustainable quality assurance in higher education, underscoring the importance of KPIs in accreditation and the need for a robust data management system to ensure sustainability. Additionally, it highlights the significance of delivering high-quality education and the role of a sustainable quality management system in realizing this objective.
Post-Mining Multi-Hazard Assessment for Sustainable Development
Authors: Al Heib Mohamed Marwan , Franck Christian , Djizanne Hippolyte , Degas Marie
Published: May 2023

Today, most mines (coal, iron, and others) in Europe are already closed due to economic, environmental, and societal issues. Therefore, post-mining risk assessment and management remain crucial for mining authorities, policymakers, and planners. In the post-mining period, several hazards are likely to affect the surface areas in the closed mining sites. The impact of closed mines can lead to potentially damaging changes in surface and/or underground water flow, as well as the development of surface instabilities that can affect people or infrastructure, sometimes dangerously. The assessment of the different hazards must consider the interaction between the mining hazards and other risks (natural and technological). Thus, land use planning, particularly the rehabilitation of former mining sites, requires better tools to apprehend the multiplicity of hazards and their constraints. The paper presents a methodology considering the interactions between hazards around closed mines. After recalling the advantages of this multi-hazard analysis, the work consisted of, almost exhaustively, describing the three prominent families of hazards: mining, natural, and technological. Then, the possible interactions between hazards were described according to their nature (trigger or aggravating), their category (technical or regulatory), and their typology (dependent or independent). Finally, an attempt was proposed to evaluate the type and intensity of interactions between hazards. The multi-hazard assessment methodology was applied to a coal mine and showed the complexity and the utility of such a risk assessment analysis to improve risk management in closed mines.
Unlocking the Positive Impact of Bio-Swales on Hydrology, Water Quality, and Biodiversity: A Bibliometric Review
Authors: Chen Tong , Wang Mo , Su Jin , Li Jianjun
Published: May 2023

Bio-swales have gained significant attention as an effective means of stormwater management in urban areas, reducing the burden on conventional rainwater management systems. Despite this increasing interest, a comprehensive assessment of the status of bio-swale research is lacking. In response, this article employs two powerful information-visualizing software tools, the “Bibliometrix” R package and “CiteSpace”, to conduct a quantitative investigation of 323 English language sources published in the Web of Science prior to 2022. The objective is to provide a comprehensive examination of bio-swale research from multiple perspectives, shedding light on current advancements and future research trends. The findings reveal (1) a persistent annual increase in bio-swale-related publications and (2) the predominant focus on regulating services, such as hydrology, water quality, and biodiversity, with hot topics within these areas, including the influencing factors, climate, modeling, soil contaminants, and biodiversity at both macro and micro levels. Furthermore, our study concludes that future research necessitates interdisciplinary and interterritorial collaboration, a broader focus that encompasses the social, economic, ecological, and engineering aspects of bio-swales, and the adoption of diverse research methodologies. Given the currently limited research on biodiversity in bio-swales, this area holds the potential to become a future research hotspot. By harnessing the insights and findings of our study, researchers can gain a more profound understanding of the current state of bio-swale research and devise effective strategies to further propel this critical area of study.
Driveline Oscillation Damping for Hybrid Electric Vehicles Using Extended-State-Observer-Based Compensator
Authors: Chu Hongqing , Shi Wentong , Jiang Yuyao , Gao Bingzhao
Published: May 2023

Driveline oscillation is a significant concern in the context of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), because it can adversely affect the vehicles’ sustainability. The reason for this is that the oscillation not only diminishes the longevity of components due to high mechanical contact stress but also results in poor driving comfort, which in turn reduces customer satisfaction. To address the issue of driveline oscillation effectively, two critical challenges, namely the time-varying torque load and driveline backlash, need to be tackled. To this end, this study constructs a control-oriented model of a second-order system plus a dead zone for the driveline backlash. An extended state observer is designed in order to estimate the unmeasurable load torque. As such, an extended-state-observer-based compensator is proposed to suppress driveline oscillations for HEVs. To evaluate the control and observation performance of the proposed extended-state-observer-based compensator, simulation and engine-in-loop experiments are conducted. Results obtained in the time and frequency domains reveal that the proposed control scheme substantially reduces driveline oscillation.
Advancing Sustainability in the Power Distribution Industry: An Integrated Framework Analysis
Authors: Abdullah Fahad Bin , Iqbal Rizwan , Memon Falak Shad , Ahmad Sadique , El-Affendi Mohammed A.
Published: May 2023

This study examines the efficiency of Pakistan’s power distribution industry through an index that is experiencing financial and technical losses resulting in poor service quality, blackouts, and high tariffs. The index reveals a moderate decline from 2007–2015 and a decline to poor levels by 2022, with some improvement noted in reducing distribution losses and increasing recoveries. However, certain DISCOs have seen a decline in indicators such as reliability, quality service, safety, and recoveries, requiring continuous improvement. The study proposes a variety of measures to enhance the distribution sector’s performance, such as underground distribution, energy auditing, compliance with safety standards set by OSHA, addressing fuel scarcity to reduce load shedding, implementing smart metering and prepaid metering, and developing information technology infrastructure to interact with consumers.
Abiotic and Biotic Effects on Microbial Diversity of Small Water Bodies in and around Towns
Authors: Peng Chao , Li Pingping
Published: May 2023

Microbial communities play very important roles in pollutant treatment and absorption and material and energy cycling in wetlands. Among different wetland types, wetlands in and around towns are the most closely related to human life, but how human activities affect microbes in small water bodies has received little attention. In this study, nine small water bodies of three different landscape types were chosen in the Lishui District of Nanjing City, China. The microbial community characteristics of four different seasons were revealed by metagenomics in 2021, and the possible effects of abiotic and biological factors such as the effects of alien organisms on microbial communities were analyzed. The results showed significant differences in microbial community structure in different seasons and habitats. Abiotic and biological factors jointly affected the microbial communities, and the influence of water quality was greater than that of the habitat type and biological factors. This study shows that in addition to the water quality, the wetland biome structure, especially the abundance of alien species, may have an impact on microbial communities. The results emphasize that human activities such as land use and the introduction of alien species have significant impacts on the ecosystem structure and function.
Accepted Guidelines on the Potential of Water Budgets for Solving Droughts: A Case Study of Chum Saeng Sub-District, Satuek District, Buri Ram Province, Thailand
Authors: Chaiyason Teerajet , Laohavanich Juckamas , Yangyuen Suphan , Chiawchanwattana Cherdpong , Kaewwinud Nisanath , Khongthon Nirattisak , Kaewplang Siwa , Nontapon Jurawan , Kangrang Anongrit
Published: May 2023

Drought situations remain a serious problem in the northeast region of Thailand, especially in Buriram province. The official guidelines are not accepted by farmers within the area and are difficult to apply. Therefore, this research aims to find acceptable guidelines for water resource management in order to solve the problem of droughts in Chum Saeng Sub-District, Satuek District, Buriram Province, in which there are three water reservoirs (Nhong Chonlaprathan, Nhong Taban and Nhong Jabok-Takian). In this study, we applied the principles of water balance analysis to evaluate both storage capacity and water demand and we also used community participation to confirm this information. The physical data of the reservoirs considered here comprise water demands, hydrology and monthly rainfall. The evaluation of available water was divided into three parts: the highest rainfall, the lowest rainfall and the average rainfall. It was found that the available water of the three reservoirs would exceed the highest storage capacities of the reservoirs for the highest rainfall and average rainfall cases, whereas when water demands were incorporated, it was found that the available water would exceed the highest storage capacities of the reservoirs only in the highest rainfall case. In addition, the output of the analyses was approved and accepted by the participating communities. It was found that three guidelines were acceptable for including increasing storage capacities: (1) increasing the reserved volumes, (2) expanding the watershed area for collecting rainfall and (3) encouraging the expansion of potential agricultural areas.
Cross-Scale Analysis on the Working Performance of Micropile Group and Talus Slope System
Authors: Pei Zhenwei , Zhang Yanjun , Nian Tingkai , Xiao Shiguo , Liu Hongshuai
Published: May 2023

Micropile groups (MPGs), combined with the advantages of the anti-slip pile and anchor cable, offer an efficient support system that can be used as countermeasures for stabilizing the talus slopes. However, the performance of MPGs in stabilizing the talus slopes is rarely numerically investigated from the continuous-discontinuous viewpoints. To fulfil this knowledge gap, a numerical method coupled with the discrete element method (DEM) with the finite element method (FEM) is proposed first, and validated to be with good accuracy by the centrifuge model tests. A series of cross-scale analysis cases are then adopted to assess the behavior of MPG in the talus slopes, in which the influencing factors are also taken into account. The numerical results indicate that the MPGs reinforcement can significantly improve the stability of the talus slopes, avoiding the potential progressive shallow slip. For the MPGs with different pile spacing, the distribution laws of deformation and internal force are rather similar, but the one whose pile spacing is four times the pile diameter shows better performance. Moreover, the effective anchorage length of MPG is approximately 1/3 of the pile length, and the axial force distribution is influenced by the type of pile bottom constraint and the tangential contact between the micropile and the bedrock. Finally, the “bidirectional anchorage” attributed to the platform and the bedrock can greatly improve the performance of the MPG, which is a non-negligible part of the anti-slip mechanism of the MPG. This study is of great significance for facilitating the design of MPG in stabilizing the talus slopes.
Unveiling the Smart City Concept: Perspectives from an Emerging Market via the Social Representation Theory
Authors: Michelotto Flavia , Joia Luiz Antonio
Published: May 2023

This study aims to investigate the perception of citizens about the smart city construct since, so far, there is no consensus on what a “smart city” really is. As a result of this, the term has been used in different circumstances and with different names and is associated with several conceptual variants. Thus, the novelty of this work is based on capturing this perception and comparing it with the definition of the smart city found in the scientific literature in order to identify similarities and cognitive gaps and refine the smart city concept—a still open knowledge gap. For this purpose, the Social Representation Theory was used, operationalized by the evocation of words technique. The study was carried out in Brazil, herein considered as a proxy for other emerging markets with regard to smart cities. The results indicated a highly technocentric view on the part of citizens about the smart city concept. In addition, citizens did not realize some dimensions of smart cities that are often addressed in the scientific literature, such as People, Citizen Participation and Culture. Finally, it was noticed that most of the existing scientific literature on the definition of the smart city comes from developed countries rather than the Global South—curiously, where the largest urban agglomerations with the biggest problems to be faced are located. Thus, research on the concept of smart cities in developing countries is necessary, which is one of the motivations for the development of this work.
Misinformation as a Societal Problem in Times of Crisis: A Mixed-Methods Study with Future Teachers to Promote a Critical Attitude towards Information
Authors: Bernsteiner Angelika , Schubatzky Thomas , Haagen-Schützenhöfer Claudia
Published: May 2023

Global society is facing major challenges, which are to be met by pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Digitalization processes bring many opportunities for achieving SDGs, but they also bring pitfalls. For example, on one hand, social media makes it easier for more parts of society to participate. On the other hand, the ability to rapidly circulate unfiltered information can lead to the spread of misinformation and subsequently interfere with the achievement of SDGs. This effect could be observed during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to occur in the context of climate change. Young people are especially likely to be exposed to misinformation on social media. With this in mind, it is enormously important for schools to prepare young people to critically handle the overload of information available online. The aim of this study was to provide future middle and high school teachers with a fruitful approach to foster a critical attitude towards information in classrooms. To this end, we expanded an existing approach by implementing active, technique-based inoculation and technique-based debunking within the COVID-19 content framework in a teacher education course. This implementation was monitored by a mixed-methods study with n = 24 future middle and high school teachers who participated in two courses in subsequent semesters. By performing statistical analysis on pretests and posttests and qualitative content analysis on reflective journal entries, we found that future teachers’ self-efficacy expectations for detecting and debunking misinformation, as well as their debunking skills, increased throughout the courses. In addition, our results show that future teachers perceive active, technology-based inoculation as a helpful approach for their future teaching. They feel that this approach can be a way to implement education for sustainable development in schools with a focus on the promotion of critical thinking. In summary, we believe that the approach presented in this article may be beneficial for teaching the critical treatment of information in various thematic contexts.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Green Technology Innovation: The Moderating Role of Stakeholders
Authors: Chen Yixuan , Jin Shanyue
Published: May 2023

With economic globalization, sustainable development has become the preferred choice of enterprises facing fierce competition. Innovation is the primary driving force of development. As the driving force of sustainable development, green technology innovation (GTI) is crucial for enterprises. As a key influencing factor for green technological innovation, corporate social responsibility (CSR) behavior has received increasing attention. Based on stakeholder theory, stakeholders influence enterprises’ long-term strategic development goals. This study aims to examine the importance of CSR in advancing GTI and the involvement of stakeholders. Thus, this study selected Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2020 as research objects and used fixed-effects regression models. The results identify the positive effects of CSR on GTI. This study also divided the stakeholders into different groups and elucidated, from different stakeholder perspectives, the positive moderating effects of government environmental subsidies, investor attention, and executive environmental attention on the relationship between CSR and GTI. This study verifies the direct impact of CSR on GTI, enriches the theoretical foundations of stakeholder theory and resource-based theory, and provides practical suggestions for enterprises to improve their social and environmental performance and green development. It also reveals the cognitive roles of governments, investors, and executives in environmental protection and governance, which will help Chinese enterprises to better fulfil their social responsibility, improve their own green technological innovation, and achieve sustainable development.
Connected Vehicles and Digital Infrastructures: A Framework for Assessing the Port Efficiency
Authors: Belcore Orlando Marco , Di Gangi Massimo , Polimeni Antonio
Published: May 2023

In logistics and freight distribution, scheduling and cost efficiency are two crucial issues for transportation companies that look with favour at the innovation introduced by Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Moreover, an infrastructure level of service, safety and environmental defence are important for planners and public administrations. In this sense, terminal capacity and landside operations at the maritime infrastructure represent an interesting task for the community. Thus, this paper contributes to the research by: (i) proposing a generic framework for the integration of autonomous and connected vehicles with physical infrastructures; (ii) evaluating the opportunity to manage traffic arrivals according to vehicles’ priority and testing the effects of the introduction of a buffer zone outside the maritime port; (iii) improving efficiency and security within the terminal area by reducing waiting time and avoiding interference between flows. Moreover, the proposal for a discrete-event simulation model to assess terminal capacity in a ro-ro terminal is presented. Therefore, the paper contributes to some critical aspects towards sustainable development. First, regarding policy measures and actions, it proposes a valuable tool to assess what-if scenarios. Secondly, it represents a step forward in the process of smart corridor design for freight vehicles; in fact, it proposes a tool for managing landside operations at maritime ports and focuses on intervention in solving specific barriers and bottlenecks for freight who cross a ro-ro terminal daily. Furthermore, it offers a viable solution for managing connected vehicles in a context where full automation still needs to be achieved. The results evidenced the framework’s capability to deal with the traffic demand, thus improving the efficiency of the terminal landside operations.
The Impact of Women’s Empowerment on the Corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Disclosure
Authors: Dempere Juan , Abdalla Shahira
Published: May 2023

This research article examines the relationship between women’s empowerment and corporate ESG disclosure variables by analyzing 10,121 publicly traded companies listed worldwide with historical ESG data available in Bloomberg from 2016 to 2020. The paper seeks to answer whether corporate gender diversity directly affects companies’ ESG disclosure by using proprietary Bloomberg ESG disclosure scores and independent variables such as the female board and executive representation. Control variables, like the company’s return on equity, total debt ratio, and the natural logarithm of total assets as a proxy measurement of the firm’s size, are also included. Results provide evidence that policies that foster corporate gender diversity directly benefit from enhanced ESG-related disclosure, thus helping to trigger national dialogues about suitable corporate gender diversity strategies influencing firms’ ESG disclosure. This paper makes a unique contribution to the literature by being the first to analyze the effects of women’s empowerment on ESG disclosure using a globally representative sample. The evidence of the benefits of women’s empowerment associated with corporate ESG disclosure suggests that organizations with a more gender-diverse corporate board and executive team are more likely to have higher levels of ESG disclosure, as gender diversity increases the likelihood of organizational transparency and accountability, and can lead to improved corporate value. Governments should use this evidence to implement policies promoting women’s empowerment in the corporate world, ultimately leading to improved corporate ESG disclosure.
Comparative Spatial Vitality Evaluation of Traditional Settlements Based on SUF: Taking Anren Ancient Town’s Urban Design as an Example
Authors: Chen Jinliu , Wang Haoqi , Yang Zhuo , Li Pengcheng , Ma Geng , Zhao Xiaoxin
Published: May 2023

Sustainable urban forms (SUF) guide spatial creation, significantly revitalise the development of traditional settlements, and are an essential theoretical support for urban design. At the same time, the emergence of quantitative spatial analysis technology further promotes the visualised evaluation of the performance of spatial vitality in urban design. However, current research rarely studies the spatial vitality of traditional settlements with quantitative spatial analysis from the SUF perspective. Therefore, this research takes Anren Ancient Town in Chengdu, Western China, as an example to propose a design based on sustainable urban form theory to raise local spatial vitality. Then, it introduces the vitality evaluation system based on the urban form index (UFI) with three measurement methods: Space Syntax, Spacemate, and MXI, and conducts a comparative spatial vitality evaluation of Anren Ancient Town’s status quo to explain the process of how the design scheme came about. The results found that urban design proposals based on the principles of compactness, mixed land use and diversity in SUF design guidelines can effectively improve the vitality of traditional settlements. The high vitality of an urban settlement could be achieved by combining SUF-based design guidelines and UFI-based evaluation systems. The spatial vitality evaluation system based on the SUF could assist and optimise decision-making in design and act as a paradigm for urban design or urban regeneration in traditional towns.
On Effects of Personality Traits on Travelers’ Heterogeneous Preferences: Insights from a Case Study in Urumqi, China
Authors: Hu Jiangong , Pan Xiaofeng , Zhong Ming
Published: May 2023

Personality is a psychological concept which reflects people’s characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behavior. In this sense, it is straightforward to state that people’s behavior is fundamentally affected by their personalities. However, the concept of personality is rarely considered in most travel behavior studies. Given this fact, this paper aims to investigate the effect of personality traits on travelers’ heterogeneous preferences in the context of air itinerary choice. To this end, travelers’ stated choices for air itinerary and information reflecting travelers’ personality traits were collected. After defining specific personality traits based on the collected data, a hybrid choice model with interaction effects between travelers’ personality traits/socio-demographic characteristics and alternative-specific attributes were established and estimated and next the contributions of personality traits and socio-demographic characteristics to travelers’ choice behavior were compared and analyzed. The results confirmed the effects of personality traits on travelers’ heterogeneous preferences. However, the results also revealed that the magnitudes of such effects are not as great as the effects of socio-demographic characteristics.
Founding-Family Firms and CSR Performance in the Emerging Economy of India: A Socio-Emotional Wealth Perspective
Authors: Rehman Saif Ur , Hamdan Yacoub Haider
Published: May 2023

Family firms are considered a function of the family’s influence on the firm’s strategic choices by pursuing the family’s vision for the firm. Based on the premise of the socio-emotional wealth (SEW) theory, this study investigates whether they follow CSR as a strategic choice to grow and preserve SEW and embrace social norms. Using a sample of 88 publicly listed founder-controlled firms in India, this study found that more family member participation improves CSR performance. The relationship is more robust when participating members serve as owners and managers. Further, the relationship between family members is augmented when the member is a female participant. The findings of additional analyses show that family members are more attuned to environmental performance than the other two dimensions of CSR (social and governance). Finally, CSR is related to firm performance as assessed by ROA and Tobin Q. The findings support the socio-emotional wealth (SEW) theory as family members’ participation has incentives in choosing CSR as a strategic decision. CSR as a strategic choice offers economic and social benefits for family enterprises.
Adapting to the Impacts Posed by Climate Change: Applying the Climate Change Risk Indicator (CCRI) Framework in a Multi-Modal Transport System
Authors: Wang Tianni , Poo Mark Ching-Pong , Ng Adolf K. Y. , Yang Zaili
Published: May 2023

Climate change has threatened the infrastructure, operation, policymaking, and other pivotal aspects of transport systems with the accelerating pace of extreme weather events. While a considerable amount of research and best practices have been conducted for transport adaptation to climate change impacts, there is still a wide gap in the systematic assessment of climate risks on all-round transport modes (i.e., road, rail, sea, and air) with a comprehensive review and a quantitative scientific framework. This study aimed to critically review studies on how the transport sector has adapted to the impacts posed by climate change since the dawn of the 21st century. To support climate risk assessment in comprehensive transport systems, we developed a Climate Change Risk Indicator (CCRI) framework and applied it to the case of the British transport network. Focusing on a multi-modal transport system, this offers researchers and practitioners an invaluable overview of climate adaptation research with the latest tendency and empirical insights. Meanwhile, the developed CCRI framework elaborates a referable tool that enables decision-makers to employ objective data to realise quantitative risk analysis for rational transport adaptation planning.
Who Needs Zoom? Female Arab Students’ Perceptions of Face-to-Face Learning and Learning on Zoom
Authors: Assaly Ibtihal , Atamna Usnat
Published: May 2023

Zoom has been adopted by Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education as an alternative to face-to-face teaching/learning since the outset of COVID-19. The study explores female students’ perceptions of social presence, social interaction, and satisfaction in Zoom learning compared to face-to-face learning, along with the overall factors shaping their perceptions. All 228 participants were female students who learned via Zoom during the pandemic for at least one semester before switching back to face-to-face learning. A mixed-method design was used in the study, which included a questionnaire to learn about students’ perceptions and semi-structured interviews to gain in-depth understanding of the factors affecting their attitudes. The results indicate that students’ perceptions of social presence, social interaction, and satisfaction tended to be higher for face-to-face learning than Zoom learning. They also suggest a significant relationship between the students’ satisfaction and their perceptions of social presence and interaction. Furthermore, the students’ degrees and majors seem to have had a significant bearing on their level of satisfaction with Zoom learning. Finally, the findings of the thematic analysis of the interviewees’ responses show that there were other factors influencing the participants’ perceptions. Thus, an informed combination of face-to-face and Zoom learning is encouraged as a sustainable solution to enhance student satisfaction.