bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Speech Emotion Recognition Using Convolution Neural Networks and Multi-Head Convolutional Transformer
Authors: Ullah Rizwan , Asif Muhammad , Shah Wahab Ali , Anjam Fakhar , Ullah Ibrar , Khurshaid Tahir , Wuttisittikulkij Lunchakorn , Shah Shashi , Ali Syed Mansoor , Alibakhshikenari Mohammad
Published: July 2023

Speech emotion recognition (SER) is a challenging task in human–computer interaction (HCI) systems. One of the key challenges in speech emotion recognition is to extract the emotional features effectively from a speech utterance. Despite the promising results of recent studies, they generally do not leverage advanced fusion algorithms for the generation of effective representations of emotional features in speech utterances. To address this problem, we describe the fusion of spatial and temporal feature representations of speech emotion by parallelizing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and a Transformer encoder for SER. We stack two parallel CNNs for spatial feature representation in parallel to a Transformer encoder for temporal feature representation, thereby simultaneously expanding the filter depth and reducing the feature map with an expressive hierarchical feature representation at a lower computational cost. We use the RAVDESS dataset to recognize eight different speech emotions. We augment and intensify the variations in the dataset to minimize model overfitting. Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) is used to augment the RAVDESS dataset. With the spatial and sequential feature representations of CNNs and the Transformer, the SER model achieves 82.31% accuracy for eight emotions on a hold-out dataset. In addition, the SER system is evaluated with the IEMOCAP dataset and achieves 79.42% recognition accuracy for five emotions. Experimental results on the RAVDESS and IEMOCAP datasets show the success of the presented SER system and demonstrate an absolute performance improvement over the state-of-the-art (SOTA) models.
Validation of Estimators for Weight-Bearing and Shoulder Joint Loads Using Instrumented Crutches
Authors: Ghidelli Marco , Nuzzi Cristina , Crenna Francesco , Lancini Matteo
Published: July 2023

This research paper aimed to validate two methods for measuring loads during walking with instrumented crutches: one method to estimate partial weight-bearing on the lower limbs and another to estimate shoulder joint reactions. Currently, gait laboratories, instrumented with high-end measurement systems, are used to extract kinematic and kinetic data, but such facilities are expensive and not accessible to all patients. The proposed method uses instrumented crutches to measure ground reaction forces and does not require any motion capture devices or force platforms. The load on the lower limbs is estimated by subtracting the forces measured by the crutches from the subject’s total weight. Since the model does not consider inertia contribution in dynamic conditions, the estimation improves with low walking cadence when walking with the two-point contralateral and the three-point partial weight-bearing patterns considered for the validation tests. The shoulder joint reactions are estimated using linear regression, providing accurate values for the forces but less accurate torque estimates. The crutches data are acquired and processed in real-time, allowing for immediate feedback, and the system can be used outdoors in real-world walking conditions. The validation of this method could lead to better monitoring of partial weight-bearing and shoulder joint reactions, which could improve patient outcomes and reduce complications.
Leadership and the Promotion of Health and Productivity in a Changing Environment: A Multiple Focus Groups Study
Authors: Miño-Terrancle Julio , León-Rubio José M. , León-Pérez José M. , Cobos-Sanchiz David
Published: July 2023

Leaders that focus on preventing risks and promoting safe and healthy behaviors are essential to reducing workplace accidents and illnesses, particularly in a changing environment where technology and the complex interconnection of systems create emerging risks with unpredictable consequences for employee wellbeing and organizational productivity. In that sense, this multiple focus group study with 32 experts in occupational safety and health (OSH) aims at providing valuable insight into the most effective strategies for promoting health and productivity in a changing context. Results indicate that a safety and prevention culture is crucial for successful risk prevention and management, with commitment required from both top management and workers. Moreover, transformational leadership is identified as a key to achieving a safety and prevention culture. In addition, training is considered a pivotal mechanism to introduce appropriate safety practices into daily work routines. This requires an interdisciplinary, integrated, and collaborative perspective. Finally, integrating risk prevention into higher education prepares professionals to face current labor market challenges. These results can guide decision making for both training OSH professionals and introducing effective OSH practices in organizations.
From Late Bloomer to Booming: A Bibliometric Analysis of Women’s, Gender, and Feminist Studies in Portugal
Authors: Santos Caynnã , Monteiro Rosa , Lopes Mónica , Martinez Monise , Ferreira Virgínia
Published: July 2023

Women’s, Gender, and Feminist Studies (WGFS) in Portugal emerged relatively late compared to other European countries, and a systematic quantitative analysis of Portuguese research in this field is lacking. This article addresses this gap by conducting a pioneering bibliometric analysis of WGFS publications by scholars based in Portugal between 1995 and 2021, utilizing data from the Web of Science. The analysis reveals several key findings, including a significant growth in WGFS productivity in the 2010s, a high level of internationalization of Portuguese production, and the increasing prominence of specific themes and theoretical perspectives, such as LGBTQIA+ studies and intersectionality. By examining the trajectory of Portuguese scholarship in WGFS since the 1990s, this study provides valuable insights and opens important avenues for future research.
Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Agri-Food Systems in West Africa
Authors: El Bilali Hamid , Dambo Lawali , Nanema Jacques , Tietiambou Sheirita Reine Fanta , Dan Guimbo Iro , Nanema Romaric Kiswendsida
Published: July 2023

A growing body of evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic affected not only the functioning of food supply chains but also the performance and outcomes of agri-food systems. In this context, this paper analyses the scholarly literature dealing with the impacts of the pandemic on West African agriculture and food systems. A search carried out on the Web of Science in March 2023 returned 176 records and 87 eligible documents were included in the systematic review. The bibliometric analysis suggests a decreasing interest in the research field. Moreover, a large share of the eligible articles are authored by researchers based outside West Africa. There is a research gap, especially in Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Niger and Togo. Studies focus on the crop production subsector and consumption stage. The pandemic affected all four dimensions/pillars of food security (viz. availability, access, utilisation/use, and stability). However, most of the analysed documents focus on food access (economic accessibility and physical accessibility). Moreover, COVID-19 affected all the dimensions of agri-food systems (viz. environmental, economic, social, and political) but the analysed articles focus on the pandemic’s socio-economic impacts, especially those relating to food security and health. The promotion of research on the impacts of the pandemic on agri-food systems in West Africa is paramount to designing the evidence-based policies needed to improve the preparedness of the region for current and future crises and shocks.
Servitization, Digitalization or Hand in Hand: A Study on the Sustainable Development Path of Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: Xie Jifei , Ma Lulu , Li Jiamin
Published: July 2023

Using a new systematic method based on text mining and econometric analysis, this paper performs an empirical analysis on the text data and panel data of 195 enterprises in China’s 23 manufacturing sub-sectors from 2011 to 2020, constructs the evaluation index system of sustainable development ability (SDA) of manufacturing enterprises and then uses the non-parametric Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon tests of inter-group means and the polynomial Logit regression clustering to comparatively analyze the impacts of pure manufacturing (P-), servitization (S-), digitalization (D-) and digital servitization (DS-) paths on the SDA of manufacturing enterprises. The results show that, in terms of profitability as well as each social and environmental dimension, the S-, D- and DS-paths are better choices than the P-path, while, in terms of production ability, debt-paying ability and development ability, there may be “digitalization paradox” or “digital servitization paradox”, but no evidence of “servitization paradox” is found. According to the research results, enterprises should comprehensively evaluate their internal and external conditions, deeply understand the prerequisites and requirements of each development path, actively predict and respond to the risks and challenges they face, be fully prepared and maintain a cautious attitude.
Green Environmental Management System to Support Environmental Performance: What Factors Influence SMEs to Adopt Green Innovations?
Authors: Lutfi Abdalwali , Alqudah Hamza , Alrawad Mahmaod , Alshira’h Ahmad Farhan , Alshirah Malek Hamed , Almaiah Mohammed Amin , Alsyouf Adi , Hassan Mohammed Faisal
Published: July 2023

In the current era of high environmental uncertainty, the advancement of green technologies has led to innovative practices in the manufacturing sector, becoming the preferred approach for achieving sustainable development in today’s business markets. Manufacturing firms require green innovation to improve their environmental performance and monitor operations effectively, but the adoption and implementation of these innovations is still low among manufacturing industries. To bridge this gap, a study was conducted using resource-based view (RBV) theory and the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework to develop and validate a model that encourages firms to adopt green innovation. A survey was administered to 179 respondents from manufacturing firms, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The integrated constructs of the model—perceived benefits, top management support, coercive pressure, normative pressure, and mimetic pressure—all predicted green management accounting practices. Additionally, the study found that green management accounting practices directly and significantly impacted green environmental performance. The developed model provides clear implications for decision makers, highlighting the importance of adopting green practices and innovative technologies in order to enhance environmental performance. Advanced green technologies have shown a significant connection between green management accounting practices and environmental performance, particularly in developing economies.
Water Scarcity Management to Ensure Food Scarcity through Sustainable Water Resources Management in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alotaibi Bader Alhafi , Baig Mirza Barjees , Najim Mohamed M. M. , Shah Ashfaq Ahmad , Alamri Yosef A.
Published: July 2023

Saudi Arabia (SA) faces a water shortage, and it further challenges sustainable agriculture, industrial development and the well-being of people. SA uses more than 80% of its water resources for agricultural purposes. Groundwater extractions account for most of this demand, which is not sustainable. Hence, this study aims to analyze water management practices used in SA to propose viable and workable solutions to achieve sustainable management of scarce water resources. This study is based on a critical evaluation of information available on the water sector in SA. About 89% of the water demand in the Kingdom is non-sustainably met through over-pumping from groundwater resources and 9.3% by energy-intensive desalination. SA invested in dams and developed rainwater harvesting to enhance surface water availability and increase the recharge capacity of renewable aquifers. As there is a huge demand–supply gap, water demand management tools are the viable solutions leading to sustainability compared to supply enhancement that is capital intensive. A national agricultural policy, together with a water policy, can make agricultural systems more input efficient with higher productivity. Region-specific sustainable water resources management plans need to be implemented to match the demand–supply gap. Conjunctive water uses utilizing and prioritizing different water sources viz. harvested rainwater, treated wastewater, desalinized water, and groundwater, is vital in sustainable water resources management. In addition, climate change has exerted pressure on the available water resources and water uses as well as users, leading to adaptation for measures that are more sustainable in terms of water management. The most pressing problem SA faces in water resources management is the depletion and degradation of surface and subsurface water sources. SA has to implement many technological and legislative changes in addition to service management, conservation measures, paying a reasonable and justifiable price for water, and strengthening state agencies that will make water resources management in SA sustainable.
The Expression of the Country’s Modernisation in the Context of Economic Environmental Sustainability: The Case of Lithuania
Authors: Navickienė Olga , Meidutė-Kavaliauskienė Ieva , Činčikaitė Renata , Morkūnas Mangirdas , Valackienė Asta
Published: July 2023

In order to develop broader scientific discussions, the authors analyze a contemporary social phenomenon in the field of sustainability—the modernisation of the country in order to preserve the ecosystem, emphasizing one of the most important aspects of modernisation—the context of economic environmental sustainability. Underscoring the importance of this study, the research problem was identified by answering the questions of how the modernisation of the country manifests itself in the context of economic environmental sustainability and what are the consequences for the society. This article examines the factors behind the country’s modernisation through the lens of its citizens. The purpose is to analyze the development of modernisation in Lithuania from the perspective of a sustainable economic environment and to form a complex system of indicators for the formation of an effective governance of a modern country. The paper is based on a quantitative empirical study to support the structural perspective of modernisation of the country, to justify an integrated system of indicators for the formation of a modern country following an analysis of the country’s modernisation trends in terms of the economic environment. The scientific value of the study: the presents paper investigates the main determinants of economic environmental sustainability of the country (effectiveness of digitalisation, infrastructure, environment, and interoperability of natural resources); behavior in line with environmental trends of the EU and subjective factors (interest in opportunities and benefits of renewable energy) was investigated; provides a methodological framework for the methods used (descriptive statistics, factor analysis (FA) and path analysis (PA). A representative cross-sectional survey of 1015 respondents are selected as main research tool. Lithuania (Case Study) served as an empirical basis for the research.
The Controversial Link between CSR and Financial Performance: The Mediating Role of Green Innovation
Authors: Homayoun Saeid , Mashayekhi Bita , Jahangard Amin , Samavat Milad , Rezaee Zabihollah
Published: July 2023

The contentious relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP) has been extensively and yet inconclusively debated in the sustainability literature. We further investigate the link between CSR and CFP by examining the mediating role of green innovation performance (GIP). We perform pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) analysis on a panel data of UK firms from 2006 to 2017 provided by the ASSET4 database. We find that CSR is positively and significantly associated with CFP and that GIP plays a significant and positive mediating role in this relationship. Our findings contribute to the extant sustainability literature by using a comprehensive measure of CFP and addressing the mediating effects of GIP on the link between CSR and CFP. The results provide policy, practice, and research implications as investors demand more robust CSR information, regulators establish environmental and climate change rules, and companies focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of their green innovation practices and performance.
Meteorological Drought Assessment and Trend Analysis in Puntland Region of Somalia
Authors: Muse Nur Mohamed , Tayfur Gokmen , Safari Mir Jafar Sadegh
Published: July 2023

Drought assessment and trend analysis of precipitation and temperature time series are essential in the planning and management of water resources. Long-term precipitation and temperature historical records (monthly for 41 years, from 1980 to 2020) are used to investigate annual drought characteristics and trend analysis in Somalia’s northern region. Six drought indices of the normal Standardized Precipitation Index (normal-SPI), the log normal Standardized Precipitation Index (log-SPI), the Standardized Precipitation Index using the gamma distribution (Gamma-SPI), the Percent of Normal Index (PNI), the Discrepancy Precipitation Index (DPI), and the Deciles Index (DI) are used in this study for the annual drought assessment. The log-SPI, the gamma-SPI, the PNI, and the DPI could capture historical extreme and severe droughts that occurred in the early 1980s and over the last two decades. The results indicate that Somalia has gone through extended drought periods over the past quarter century, exacerbating the existing humanitarian situation. The normal-SPI, gamma-SPI, and PNI indicate less and moderate drought conditions, whereas log-SPI, DPI, and DI accurately capture historical extreme and severe drought periods; thus, these methods are recommended as annual drought assessment tools in the studied region. Not only are the PNI and DPI less correlated to each other, but their correlation coefficient (CC) with SPI-based drought indices are not as high as SPI-based indices which are close to unity. For the purpose of the trend analysis, the Mann Kendall (MK) test, the Spearman’s rho (SR) test, and the Şen test are used. Furthermore, the Pettitt test is implemented to detect the change points and the Thiel-Sen approach is used to estimate the magnitude of trend in the precipitation and temperature time series. The results indicate that there is overall warming in the region which has experienced a significant shift in trend direction since 2000. The trend analysis of annual precipitation data time series shows that Bossaso and Garowe stations have significant positive trends, while the Qardho station has no trend. In 1997 and 1998, respectively, abrupt changes in annual precipitation are detected at Qardho and Garowe stations. Due to the civil war of more than three decades in Somalia and the non-institutionalized governance to inform historical drought conditions in the country, determining the most appropriate meteorological drought index would help to develop a drought monitoring system for states and the entire country.
Health Equity in Climate Change and Health Policies: A Systematic Review
Authors: Khanal Sudeepa , Ramadani Lira , Boeckmann Melanie
Published: July 2023

The complex interconnections between climate change policies and health equity are well established, and policy research to understand the health impacts of climate change in multiple domains is growing. Policy analysis theories/frameworks are an important aspect of policy analysis. Many frameworks exist to understand the health equity considerations in policies across various disciplines and the health impacts of climate change-related policies in the health and climate change sectors. However, a closer examination is required to understand whether there is explicit attention to health equity issues in relation to climate change policies in an integrated way. This systematic review attempted to identify existing health equity-focused policy analysis frameworks for understanding health equity considerations in climate change and public health policies. Eight papers were identified through five database searches. Policy analysis frameworks exploring the integration of health equity and climate change are fragmented, and frameworks encompassing several aspects of the policy-making process could not be found. Problem framing and policy-focused solutions were common approaches to understanding health equity in climate change policies. Concepts of social determinants of health and social justice were central to the intersection of climate change and health equity.
Comparison of Two Types of Modified Zeolites and the Key Factors for Cd(II) Adsorption Processes in Micropolluted Irrigation Water
Authors: Shi Yan , Chen Weiwei , Yang Shipeng , Feng Changping , Wang Xin
Published: July 2023

Zeolites were modified by high-temperature roasting and chitosan loading, respectively. As a result, activated zeolite and chitosan-loading natural zeolite were obtained. They were used for the treatment of the micro-polluted irrigation water quality simulated by a low concentration (100 μg/L) of Cd(II) contamination. The static adsorption experiments showed that two types of modified zeolites were cost-effective and had high removal efficiency for low concentrations of Cd(II). The removal rates were 95.8% and 92.06%, respectively. The static adsorption experiments investigated the effects of modified zeolite dosage, pH, initial concentration of the solution, and adsorption time on the removal efficiency of cadmium ions. The dynamic adsorption experiments discussed the influence of factors such as dynamic adsorption medium type, influent filtration rate, and adsorbent amount on adsorption efficiency in the adsorption column. The dynamic adsorption experiments adopted intermittent operation to simulate the characteristics of micro-polluted irrigation water. The optimal operating conditions were determined as follows: single activated zeolite filter column or mixed medium (activated zeolite: chitosan loading natural zeolite = 4:1), filtration rate of 6 m/h, filter column height of 500 mm, adsorbent dosage of 30 g. The removal rate was more than 99.5%. The adsorption experiments were represented by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The adsorption results indicated that the adsorption of modified zeolite showed a better correlation with the Langmuir isotherm model than the Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption process was described by pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model being the predominant mechanism. The average concentration of Cd(II) in the effluent after filtration was 0.41 μg/L, which was far lower than the 0.01 mg/L stipulated in the standard for irrigation water quality (GB5084-2021), and met the requirements of the irrigation water quality standard. Activated zeolite and chitosan-loaded natural zeolite are good adsorbent materials that have broad application prospects in the treatment of micro-polluted irrigation water containing low concentrations of Cd(II).
Improving the Accuracy of Regional Engineering Disturbance Disaster Susceptibility by Optimizing Weight Calculation Methods—A Case Study in the Himalayan Area, China
Authors: Song Yewei , Guo Jie , Ma Fengshan , Liu Jia , Li Guang
Published: July 2023

The information value method is widely used in predicting the susceptibility of geological disasters. However, most susceptibility evaluation models assume that the weight of each influencing factor is equal, which is inconsistent with the actual situation. Therefore, this paper studies the optimization effect of weight calculation method on the information value model. Engineering disturbance disasters are developing in the Himalayan alpine valley in southeastern Tibet. First of all, this paper takes this as the research object and builds a database of engineering disturbance disasters in southeast Tibet through long-term on-site investigation. Then, the relationship between the influencing factors such as slope, aspect, relief, elevation, engineering geological rock formation, rainfall, temperature, and seismic peak acceleration and the distribution of engineering disturbance disasters is analyzed. Finally, the principal component analysis method and logistic regression method are employed to calculate the weight coefficients. Moreover, the susceptibility of engineering disturbance disasters is predicted using the information value model (IV-Only), as well as two weighted information value models (PCA-IV and LR-IV). In addition, the accuracy of these three susceptibility evaluation models is assessed based on two evaluation indexes. The results show that: compared with the equal weight method and the principal component analysis method, the logistic regression method has the highest accuracy. According to the weight coefficient, the control factors of engineering disturbance disasters in the Himalayan alpine canyon area are determined to be slope, aspect, rainfall, and elevation. The research results provide a reference method for the optimization of susceptibility evaluation model.
Environmental Protection Goes Digital: A Policy Perspective on Promoting Digitalization for Sustainable Development in China
Authors: Xie Fanbao , Guan Xin , Zhu Junfan , Ruan Jun , Wang Zeyu , Liu Hejian
Published: July 2023

In the current discourse surrounding economic and societal growth, much emphasis has been placed on the role and impact of digitalization. Despite this trend, research exploring the ecological implications of the digital economy remains scarce. To fill this research gap, our study aimed to investigate the correlation between the digital economy and carbon emissions, specifically examining the moderating impact of environmental regulations. For empirical analysis, we utilize the CRITIC methodology to establish a thorough set of indicators that can evaluate the performance of China’s digital economy. According to our empirical results, the digital economy seems to exert a moderating influence on the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and this negative impact is more pronounced in affluent and densely populated regions of China. The effectiveness of digitalization in reducing pollution can be enhanced by the enforcement of environmental regulations. This paper elucidates the potential mechanisms via which the digital economy affects carbon dioxide emissions, and constructs a framework for the mechanisms via which the digital economy affects the environment by influencing the carbon dioxide emissions, providing a new way for enterprises and governments to participate in environmental protection and expanding the content of research related to the digital economy.
Optimum Generated Power for a Hybrid DG/PV/Battery Radial Network Using Meta-Heuristic Algorithms Based DG Allocation
Authors: Abdelwareth Mohamed Els. S. , Riawan Dedet Candra , Chompoo-inwai Chow
Published: July 2023

This paper presents four optimization outcomes for a diesel generator (DG), photovoltaic (PV), and battery hybrid generating radial system, to reduce the network losses and achieve optimum generated power with minimum costs. The effectiveness of the four utilized meta-heuristic algorithms in this paper (firefly algorithm, particle swarm optimization, genetic algorithm, and surrogate optimization) was compared, considering factors such as Cost of Energy (COE), the Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP), and the coefficient of determination (R2). The multi-objective function approach was adopted to find the optimal DG allocation sizing and location using the four utilized algorithms separately to achieve the optimal solution. The forward-backward sweep method (FBSM) was employed in this research to compute the network’s power flow. Based on the computed outcomes of the algorithms, the inclusion of an additional 300 kW DG in bus 2 was concluded to be an effective strategy for optimizing the system, resulting in maximizing the generated power with minimum network losses and costs. Results reveal that DG allocation using the firefly algorithm outperforms the other three algorithms, reducing the burden on the main DG and batteries by 30.48% and 19.24%, respectively. This research presents an optimization of an existing electricity network case study located on Tomia Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Effect of Olivine Additive on the Shear Resistance of Fine-Grained Soils: A Sustainable Approach for Risk Mitigation and Environmental Impact Reduction
Authors: Tahir Abdelmaoula Mahamoud , Sert Sedat
Published: July 2023

Increasing urbanization has also accelerated the potential risks of hazards arising from problematic soils. At this end, it becomes inevitable to apply soil improvement methods, which are the most applicable and economical methods. Increasing the strength of clays, especially in undrained conditions where they exhibit low shear resistance, is essential for mitigating soil-induced hazards. This study aimed to improve the shear resistance of clays with a waste material named olivine, which has rarely been used in soils before. The undrained shear strength of the samples prepared at different curing times was determined at various confining pressures. Both olivine-added and potassium hydroxide (KOH)-activated olivine-added samples were tested in the same manner. It was proven that the olivine contribution alone was not sufficient over time, and higher shear resistance was obtained when olivine was activated with KOH. The samples treated with only olivine added to the resistance with olivine grains, whereas the samples activated with KOH added resistance with both olivine grains and chemical bonds up to a rate of 521% in the case of 20% olivine being used. Morphological and mineralogical analyses were performed to analyze the chemical bonds formed after the reaction. Stabilization with olivine substitutes a sustainable method of improvement that provides benefits such as reducing carbon dioxide emissions and controlling waste.
Does Digital Finance Improve Corporate ESG Performance? An Intermediary Role Based on Financing Constraints
Authors: Ning Yuxin , Zhang Yihan
Published: July 2023

Under the new trend of digitalization leading the era, the popularity and development of digital finance have become key components in promoting better corporate practices and investment activities such as social responsibility fulfillment. Against the backdrop of the government’s advocacy of high-quality economic development, this article uses data from China’s A-share-listed companies from 2011–2021, based on the Digital Finance Index of Peking University and ESG rating data of China Securities Corporation, in order to analyze the impact of the level of digital finance development on corporate ESG performance in China, and to explore the paths and heterogeneity of such impacts. The results of the empirical analysis show that the level of digital finance development has a significant positive impact on corporate ESG performance, with financing constraints playing a mediating role in this path. In the heterogeneity analysis, we find that this impact shows a more significant effect among non-state-owned enterprises as well as enterprises in the central and western regions. The findings of the article’s empirical tests show that the continuous development of digital finance helps enterprises enable social responsibility, which has certain implications for the synergy between financial institutions, government departments, and corporate entities to promote high-quality economic development.
Development Drivers of Rural Summer Health Tourism for the Urban Elderly: A Demand- and Supply-Based Framework
Authors: Zhang Puwei , Wu Li , Li Rui
Published: July 2023

In China, rural summer health tourism for the urban elderly (RSHTUE) is growing rapidly, but the drivers of RSHTUE development have not been systematically explored. First, this study conducted semi-structured interviews with operators, village leaders, local government staff, and elderly tourists in Zhongyuan Township, Jiangxi Province, China: a typical township for developing RSHTUE. Second, interview data were thematically coded to extract the preliminary drivers. Third, the preliminary drivers supported by the literature or original interview quotes were considered the final drivers. Lastly, subcategories and categories were extracted from the final drivers by thematic coding to form a framework of drivers for RSHTUE development. The results show that the framework driving RSHTUE development includes two categories: demand and supply. Nine demand drivers were clustered into four subcategories: economic, social, cultural, and natural. A total of 21 supply drivers were clustered into five subcategories: economic, social, political, cultural, and natural. This study enriches the knowledge of RSHTUE development drivers. The literature supporting each driver was systematically reviewed. RSHTUE-relevant participants can use these drivers to identify villages’ suitability for developing RSHTUE and to explore countermeasures for the sustainable development of RSHTUE. The literature on each driver can provide support for subsequent studies.
Technical Scheme for Cutting Seedlings of Cyclocarya paliurus under Intelligent Control of Environmental Factors
Authors: Yang Wanxia , Zhuang Jiaqi , Tian Yuan , Wan Shiying , Ding Siyu , Zhang Mei , Fang Shengzuo
Published: July 2023

Cyclocarya paliurus is a species with high economic, horticultural, and medicinal value. C. paliurus grows faster than other plants, increasing the demand for propagation through leaf and stem cuttings to produce seedlings. However, this species requires pre-control of environmental factors such as high temperatures (25–30 °C), humidity (80–90%), and specific light (2000 to 3000 lux) intensity levels during the cutting and seedling production process. However, it is difficult to predict suitable environments for the growth of C. paliurus. This study requires the use of big data technology to parameterize the method of intelligent control of the environment used in the process of making stakes and creating seedlings. Our main results were that an improved convolutional neural network and short long-term memory (LSTM) in big data technology were used with a new method, multipath hole convolution (MPCNN), to predict environmental factors in production of seedlings. Also, the research results show that the MPCNN and LSTM methods can accurately predict the necessary temperature, humidity, and light conditions in the production process of C. paliurus seedlings. For the prediction of environmental characteristics related to this species, the light characteristics have a high error distribution, but the method described here was able to accurately control this variation, with an error of less than 2%.
Influences on Greenways Usage for Active Transportation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zawawi Abdulrahman A. , Porter Nicole , Ives Christopher D.
Published: July 2023

Since the inception of the greenways concept, transportation has been one of its inherent qualities. Nevertheless, journal articles from the past three decades reported negligible active transportation (AT) impact of many greenway investments worldwide. Simultaneously, an international empirical evidence base of greenways usage for AT has not yet been established. Therefore, this research aimed to identify and analyze the influences on greenways usage for AT via a systematic review of published peer-reviewed journal articles from 1991 until 2021. The review used protocols of the PRISMA Statement in reporting and meta-analysis. Via two levels of screening criteria, results identified 162 articles that focused on greenway users and 27 (out of 162) articles that had AT as a main part of their study. The review specified patterns in the characteristics, perceptions, and travel behaviors of active commuters via greenways, which differed from other user types. Differences in use were also affected by weather and temporal factors, greenways’ location and characteristics, and contextual factors. A discussion of the findings identified four study types of greenway usage, highlighted methodological concerns of systematic reviews in this field, characterized transportation-led greenways, proposed a conceptual framework that illustrates where and when greenways would be considered routes for daily commutes, and suggested future work directions. These results improve the understanding of greenways usage, thereby informing their planning, design, and management to maximize their potential.
Rethinking National Competitiveness for Europe 2050: The Case of EU Countries
Authors: Bruneckienė Jurgita , Zykienė Ineta , Mičiulienė Ieva
Published: July 2023

The EU climate policy affects the competitiveness of both the European Union (EU) as a whole and individual member states, leading countries to search for new knowledge to increase their national competitiveness. However, there has been little empirical research about the implementation of green competitive strategies in the common European space from different countries’ perspectives. Using the Porter Hypothesis and system theory, this paper explores national competitive strategies that align with climate neutrality in the EU. We used index construction, clusterization, principal components analysis and trajectories change analysis to analyze data from the 24 EU countries from a 10-year period (2012–2021). The main findings reveal three green competitiveness profiles and five green competitiveness progress strategies in the EU. We found that EU countries have different strategies and conditions in terms of their transition towards climate neutrality and competitiveness, which ultimately lead to different rates of progress. Our results provide an initial basis for the development of nation-specific policies to achieve green competitiveness.
Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of Capacitor Voltage Balancing for Power Converters with Fewer Switches
Authors: Alghaythi Mamdouh L. , Irudayaraj Gerald Christopher Raj , Ramu Senthil Kumar , Govindaraj Praveenraj , Vairavasundaram Indragandhi
Published: July 2023

The multilevel inverter (MLI) has been developed as a powerful power conversion scheme for several processes, including renewable energy, transmission systems, and electric drives. It has become popular across medium- to high-power operations due to its many advantages, including minimum harmonic content, low switching losses, and reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI). In this paper, the capacitor voltage balancing technique-based pulse width modulation (PWM) has been proposed. The proposed PWM strategy offers several advantages, such as high-quality output waveforms with reduced harmonic distortion, improved efficiency, and better control over the output voltage. The Xilinx ISE 10.1 software was used for synthesizing, and the VHDL code was written for the proposed method. MATLAB software was used to simulate and hardware was used to verify the proposed system. The SPARTAN 3E FPGA was used for the generation of the PWM. This paper developed a 2 kW single-phase 15-level inverter that created an AC wave from the DC input voltage, with a total harmonic distortion (THD) of 8.02%, which was less than the THD achieved from other conventional MLI. The results indicate that MLI topologies with low total harmonic currents, fewer switches, and higher output voltage levels are better stabilized during load disturbance circumstances.
Quantum Mechanics of the Extended Snyder Model
Authors: Meljanac Stjepan , Mignemi Salvatore
Published: July 2023

We investigate a quantum mechanical harmonic oscillator based on the extended Snyder model. This realization of the Snyder model is constructed as a quantum phase space generated by D spatial coordinates and D(D−1)/2 tensorial degrees of freedom, together with their conjugated momenta. The coordinates obey nontrivial commutation relations and generate a noncommutative geometry, which admits nicer properties than the usual realization of the model, in particular giving rise to an associative star product. The spectrum of the harmonic oscillator is studied through the introduction of creation and annihilation operators. Some physical consequences of the introduction of the additional degrees of freedom are discussed.
An Investigation of the Transient Response of an RC Circuit with an Unknown Capacitance Value Using Probability Theory
Authors: Farooq-i-Azam Muhammad , Khan Zeashan Hameed , Ghani Arfan , Siddiq Asif
Published: July 2023

In this research, we investigate a resistor capacitor electric circuit that exhibits an exponentially decaying transient response. Due to uncertainty in the precise capacitance value, we treat the capacitance as a continuous uniformly distributed random variable. Using this approach, we derive the desired transient current response of the circuit as a function of the capacitance. Subsequently, we develop a probability model for the response current, expressed in terms of probability density function and cumulative distribution function. The model’s validity and correctness are verified, and it is further utilized for probabilistic analysis of the transient current. We demonstrate the application of the model for determining the probability of the transient current response reaching a specific value. By following the same procedure used to derive the probability model of the transient current, probability distributions for other circuit parameters, such as voltages and currents, can also be obtained. Furthermore, for parameters that are functions of the transient current, the probability model can also be obtained from the already derived probability model. To illustrate this, we derive the probability models of three other parameters in the circuit from the already obtained models. We also present examples to demonstrate the usage of the developed probability models.
Analysis of Customer Satisfaction in Tourism Services Based on the Kano Model
Authors: Zhou Kailin , Yao Zhong
Published: July 2023

Understanding customer needs is of great significance to enhance service quality and competitive advantage. However, for the tourism industry, it is still unclear how to mine service improvement strategies from tourist-generated online reviews. This paper aims to develop a data-driven approach to conduct a fine-grained dimension analysis of customer satisfaction with tourism services. First, this paper uses Latent Dirichlet Allocation to explore the key dimensions of tourist satisfaction from online reviews. Next, based on the Chinese sentiment dictionary, tourists’ emotional attitudes towards each service dimension can be identified. Then, the backpropagation neural network is used to measure the complex relationship between tourists’ sentiment orientations towards different dimensions and their satisfaction. Finally, according to the improved Kano model, multi-dimensional attribute classification is realized to support the strategic analysis of tourism service quality improvement. The proposed method is empirically verified through a real tourism review dataset. The results exhibit the theoretical and practical implications of our method.
An Adaptive Scheduling Mechanism Optimized for V2N Communications over Future Cellular Networks
Authors: Kanavos Athanasios , Barmpounakis Sokratis , Kaloxylos Alexandros
Published: July 2023

Automated driving requires the support of critical communication services with strict performance requirements. Existing fifth-generation (5G) schedulers residing at the base stations are not optimized to differentiate between critical and non-critical automated driving applications. Thus, when the traffic load increases, there is a significant decrease in their performance. Our paper introduces SOVANET, a beyond 5G scheduler that considers the Radio Access Network (RAN) load, as well as the requirements of critical, automated driving applications and optimizes the allocation of resources to them compared to non-critical services. The proposed scheduler is evaluated through extensive simulations and compared to the typical Proportional Fair scheduler. Results show that SOVANET’s performance for critical services presents clear benefits.
Air Quality, Pollution Perception, and Residents’ Health: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhu Jie , Lu Chuntian
Published: July 2023

Environmental and resident health issues associated with air pollution are an area of growing concern for both policy officials and the general public. In recent years, China has been accelerating the construction of a Beautiful China and a Healthy China, with the aim of protecting and improving the environment and ensuring public health. In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of air quality and air pollution perception on residents’ health. This study used the 2017 Chinese General Social Survey data to measure self-rated health, mental health, and air pollution perception. Using matched socioeconomic indicators and air pollution data, we analyzed the relationship between subjective perception of air pollution, objective air pollution data, and residents’ health. The results showed the following: (1) Air pollution perception has a significant negative impact on self-rated health and mental health. Thus, it needs more consideration to reduce environmental health risks. (2) Objective air pollution has a significant negative impact on mental health. At the same time, its effect on self-rated health was insignificant. These results provide empirical evidence supporting the Chinese government’s decision to invest more in combating air pollution and ensuring the health of Chinese residents.
Transmission of Microcystins in Natural Systems and Resource Processes: A Review of Potential Risks to Humans Health
Authors: Ren Xueli , Wang Yuting , Zhang Kenian , Ding Yi , Zhang Wanqing , Wu Mengyi , Xiao Beiqi , Gu Peng
Published: July 2023

The rapid rise of microcystins (MCs) poses a serious threat to global freshwater ecosystems and has become an important issue of global public health. MCs have considerable stability and are the most widely distributed hepatotoxins. It cannot only accumulate in aquatic organisms and transfer to higher nutrients and levels, but also be degraded or transferred during the resource utilization of cyanobacteria. No matter which enrichment method, it will lead to the risk of human exposure. This review summarizes the research status of MCs, and introduces the distribution of MCs in different components of aquatic ecosystems. The distribution of MCs in different aquatic organisms was summarized, and the potential risks of MCs in the environment to human safety were summarized. MCs have polluted all areas of aquatic ecosystems. In order to protect human life from the health threats caused by MCs, this paper also proposes some future research directions to promote MCs control and reduce human exposure to MCs.