bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“15-Minute City” and Elderly People: Thinking about Healthy Cities
Authors: Ulloa-Leon Felipe , Correa-Parra Juan , Vergara-Perucich Francisco , Cancino-Contreras Francisca , Aguirre-Nuñez Carlos
Published: March 2023

Considering the global scenario of population aging, which countries such as Chile are going through, the social problems that it means in terms of viability and quality of life for the elderly are increasing and are a cause for concern. For this reason, this study summarizes the results of investigating the accessibility of services and recreational spaces under the parameters of a “15-minute city” for the elderly people in the city of Santiago de Chile. The investigation employed a multivariate geostatistical analysis with a quantitative approach and was developed on a census block scale to test some of the principles of the 15-min city along with the principles on active aging of the elderly. The results are surprising, show a good territorial coverage for the study area and open the possibility of Santiago becoming a 15-min city for older adults. However, there are still several challenges in terms of public policies, from mental and physical health to the design of public spaces, which are fundamental to think about for cities of the future.
Optimizing Sampling Strategies for Near-Surface Soil Carbon Inventory: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Authors: Bettigole Charles , Hanle Juliana , Kane Daniel A. , Pagliaro Zoe , Kolodney Shaylan , Szuhay Sylvana , Chandler Miles , Hersh Eli , Wood Stephen A. , Basso Bruno , Goodwin Douglas Jeffrey , Hardy Shane , Wolf Zachary , Covey Kristofer R.
Published: March 2023

Soils comprise the largest pool of terrestrial carbon yet have lost significant stocks due to human activity. Changes to land management in cropland and grazing systems present opportunities to sequester carbon in soils at large scales. Uncertainty in the magnitude of this potential impact is largely driven by the difficulties and costs associated with measuring near-surface (0–30 cm) soil carbon concentrations; a key component of soil carbon stock assessments. Many techniques exist to optimize sampling, yet few studies have compared these techniques at varying sample intensities. In this study, we performed ex-ante, high-intensity sampling for soil carbon concentrations at four farms in the eastern United States. We used post hoc Monte-Carlo bootstrapping to investigate the most efficient sampling approaches for soil carbon inventory: K-means stratification, Conditioned Latin Hypercube Sampling (cLHS), simple random, and regular grid. No two study sites displayed similar patterns across all sampling techniques, although cLHS and grid emerged as the most efficient sampling schemes across all sites and strata sizes. The number of strata chosen when using K-means stratification can have a significant impact on sample efficiency, and we caution future inventories from using small strata n, while avoiding even allocation of sample between strata. Our findings reinforce the need for adaptive sampling methodologies where initial site inventory can inform primary, robust inventory with site-specific sampling techniques.
Urban Soil Pollution by Heavy Metals: Effect of the Lockdown during the Period of COVID-19 on Pollutant Levels over a Five-Year Study
Authors: Papadimou Sotiria G. , Kantzou Ourania-Despoina , Chartodiplomenou Maria-Anna , Golia Evangelia E.
Published: March 2023

When residents of Volos, a city in central Greece, are trying to recall their daily life after the end of the quarantine due to COVID-19, the soil pollution survey provided valuable insights, which are compared with a 4-year study carried out in that area before the pandemic period. Using appropriate indices, namely contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), ecological risk factor (Er), and potential ecological risk index (RI), and using geostatistical tools, maps were constructed for each metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn). Variations in the values of the contamination indices showed a significant redistribution in pollutant load from areas previously polluted by high vehicle traffic and the activities of the main port to the residential areas, where the habitants have their homes and playgrounds. The study showed that Cu, Zn, Pb, and Co concentrations increased during the pandemic period by 10%, 22.7%, 3.7%, and 23.1%, respectively. Ni’s concentration remained almost constant, while Cd, Cr, and Mn concentrations were decreased by 21.6%, 22.2%, and 9.5%, respectively. Fluctuations in the concentrations and corresponding contamination and ecological indices of the elements can serve as a means for highlighting potential sources of pollution. Therefore, although the pandemic period created anxiety, stress, and economic hardship for citizens, it may prove to be a valuable tool for investigating the sources of pollution in urban soils. The study of these results could potentially lead to optimal ways for managing the environmental crisis and solve persistent problems that pose risks to both the soil environment and human health.
Ecological Restoration of Engineering Slopes in China—A Review
Authors: Shen Yifan , Li Qi , Pei Xiangjun , Wei Renjie , Yang Bingmei , Lei Ningfei , Zhang Xiaochao , Yin Daqiu , Wang Shijun , Tao Qizhong
Published: March 2023

As the protection of the environment gains more public attention in China, a large number of engineering slopes, which are not conducive to the growth of vegetation and are prone to natural disasters caused by constructions, are in urgent need of restoration. Herein, we explain the theoretical basis for the ecological restoration of engineering slopes and introduce the technologies commonly used in this regard, including soil improvement, bioremediation, and ecological slope protection. The benefits and evaluation of the impact of ecological restoration of engineering slopes are also detailed. Finally, we discuss the current problems in ecological restoration and put forward some future research prospects. By summarizing the existing techniques and evaluation systems for ecological restoration, this study provides a reference for its implementation and evaluation, contributing to the long-term, stable, and rapid development of ecological restoration of engineering slopes.
Impact of Splitter-Island on Pedestrian Safety at Roundabout Using Surrogate Safety Measures: A Comparative Study
Authors: Karwand Zamir , Mokhtar Safizahanin , Suzuki Koji , Oloruntobi Olakunle , Shah Muhammad Zaly , Misnan Siti Hajar
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the splitter-island on pedestrian safety at roundabouts, considering the interaction between pedestrians and vehicles. Traffic accident statistics have traditionally been used to assess traffic safety. This method has severe limitations when used to investigate the impact of a particular feature of traffic facilities on safety at a microscopic level. Most previous research on surrogate safety measures (SSMs) had, on the other hand, focused on studying the safety of traffic operation conditions. The impact of a particular geometric feature of a roundabout on safety has so far received little attention in the literature. Therefore, we evaluated pedestrian safety in the presence and absence of physical splitter-islands by taking advantage of comparative statistical analysis (SA) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods. The Towa-Cho roundabout in Nagano prefecture in Japan was chosen for this study because it allows for five approaches, three with a splitter-island and two without. From 33-hr video data, a total of 343 and 183 potential pedestrian-vehicle conflicts were detected in three crosswalks with splitter-islands and two crosswalks without splitter-islands, respectively. The minimum time-to-collision (TTCmin), post-encroach-time (PET), maximum speed (MaxS), and maximum deceleration-to-safety (DTS) measures were monitored using particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) software for potential pedestrian-vehicle conflicts. It was found that geometric differences were significantly reflected by SSMs, and TTCmin was the most efficient among all. It was concluded that the splitter-island had a better safety performance than the roundabout approach.
Reducing Chromium Toxicity in Chinese Cabbage through Synergistic Effects of Silicon and Selenium: A Study of Plant Growth, Chromium Content, and Biochemical Parameters
Authors: Fu Xiuxian , Mehmood Sajid , Ahmed Waqas , Ou Wenjie , Suo Penghui , Zhang Qinwen , Fu Xiuhao , Sun Zhongyi , Li Weidong
Published: March 2023

Silicon (Si) and selenium (Se) have been found to reduce chromium (Cr) toxicity in plants, which is important for crop production and human health. However, there is limited understanding of the interaction between Si and Se in mitigating Cr toxicity and its mechanisms. This study investigated the impact of Si and Se on Cr-treated Chinese cabbage growth, Cr content, and biochemical parameters in a hydroponic experiment. The results showed that both Si and Se effectively alleviate Cr toxicity and have a strong synergistic effect. They reduced Cr content in cabbage by 73.99% and increased photosynthetic pigments by 62.50% and 47.51%, respectively. Antioxidant enzyme activity increased by 28.20 and 21.37%, while non-enzyme antioxidants such as proline and GSH decreased by 27.44 and 28.51%. It was observed that the addition of Si and Se to Chinese cabbage under Cr stress resulted in a 29.58 and 134.37% increase in soluble protein and soluble sugar, respectively, as well as improved nutrient contents (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg). This suggests that Si and Se can improve the physiological ecology of Chinese cabbage, reducing the effects of Cr stress and contributing to the global control of heavy metal pollution in food crops.
Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Game-Based Learning and Quality of Experience: A Novel and Secure Framework (B-AIQoE)
Authors: Wagan Asif Ali , Khan Abdullah Ayub , Chen Yen-Lin , Yee Por Lip , Yang Jing , Laghari Asif Ali
Published: March 2023

Game-based learning in schools and colleges, with the help of AI-enabled augmented intelligence techniques, is reported to improve children’s neurodevelopment, intellectual sensing, and specific learning abilities, according to US officials. There is currently a huge transformation from traditional assisted learning to augmented reality-enabled computer-based learning. Globally, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of game-based augmented learning in most schools and colleges. A few problems arise that create concern, such as the emerging effects of gaming on institutional premises, the disordering of children’s involvement after game-learning, the rate of learning and attendance, adaptation, and teachers’ experience. To address these individual aspects, we proposed a blockchain Ethereum-enabled, secure AI-based augmented game learning environment, called B-AIQoE, in which protected on-chain and off-chain channels are designed to handle all the transactions and exchanges among students before analysis in terms of color transition, redundancy, unethical transmission, and related vulnerabilities. On the other hand, the proposed system examines and analyzes the Quality of experience (QoE) and improves accessibility as it receives feedback from the students and teachers. For the purpose of automating game-based transactions, three different aspects are discussed, such as verifying and validating student-teacher registration, creating content for game-based learning and privacy, and updating students’ records and exchanges. Finally, this paper separates, analyzes, and discusses a list of emerging challenges and limitations and their possible solutions involved in creating the proposed system.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Mental Health Problems among Essential and Nonessential Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic, June 2021, in an Unstable and Developing Country: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Marić Nada , Popović Aleksandar , Medić Sonja Peričević , Španović Milorad , Maksimović Nataša
Published: March 2023

The two main goals of this research were to assess workers’ mental health (anxiety, depression, and job burnout syndrome) and examine factors related to mental health burdens in two groups of workers. The study was conducted as an online cross-sectional study. The target population consists of workers in essential activities who worked during the pandemic (health, defense, trade, finance, and media), as well as a group of workers who were particularly impacted by the protection measures and either worked under a different regime or were unable to work (caterers, musicians). A questionnaire was constructed for the needs of this research and the scales for anxiety, depression, and burnout syndrome were used. In total, 42.2% of non-essential workers and 39.5% of essential workers reported anxiety symptoms, circa 20% of non-essential activity workers and essential activity workers reported depression, and 28.9% of non-essential activity workers and 33.7% of essential activity workers reported burnout. A significant association has been found between certain sociodemographic and health characteristics of respondents, as well as financial stress (worry about losing a job), social stress, media stress, and respondents’ trust in competent authorities and COVID-19 prevention measures, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and burnout syndrome. The findings of this study pointed to mental health issues in other activities and highlighted the need for and importance of examining mental health in the population of non-essential activities. It is indicative of significant points that can be investigated in the future for prevention.
Is Unconventional the New Normal in Tourism?
Authors: Timothy Dallen J. , Michalkó Gábor , Irimiás Anna
Published: March 2023

The phenomenon of tourism, driven by individuals’ desire to experience something new, different, or otherly, has seen significant changes [...]
Study on the Adsorption Characteristics of Calcareous Sand for Pb(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Li Gang , Yan Deqiang , Zhang Jinli , Liu Jia
Published: March 2023

The adsorption characteristics of calcareous sand for heavy metals Pb(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) have been studied by batch testing in this study. The influence of the solid–liquid ratio, initial pH0 value, ionic strength, reaction time, temperature and initial concentration on adsorption has been investigated. Test results indicate that the initial pH and the solid–liquid ratio have a significant influence on the removal efficiency. At T = 30 °C, r = 1.0 g/L, and C0 = 1000 mg/L and for 12 h of reaction, the removal efficiencies of Pb(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) are 97.6%, 88.15% and 65.72%, respectively. The adsorption quantity is more than 80% of the maximum adsorption quantity within 60 min, and the equilibrium adsorption can be reached within 120 min. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model is suitable to simulate the dynamic adsorption process of calcareous sand, and the isothermal process is found to obey the Langmuir model. Calcareous sand has a very high adsorption capacity for Pb(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II), with a maximum adsorption quantity Qm reached 1052.95 mg/g, 1329.84 mg/g and 1050.56 mg/g, respectively. Thermodynamic test results indicate that the adsorption process is spontaneously exothermic and that low temperature is favorable to the adsorption reaction.
Digital Transformation and Export Quality of Chinese Products: An Analysis Based on Innovation Efficiency and Total Factor Productivity
Authors: Wang Fei , Ye Linwei
Published: March 2023

In recent years, Chinese manufacturing enterprises have competed to chase the wave of the “digital revolution”; digital empowerment has become an important strategic path of technological reform for many manufacturing enterprises. Based on the micro data of listed companies, this paper investigates the impact of digital transformation of Chinese listed companies on the quality of their export products. It is found that digital transformation can significantly improve the quality of enterprises’ export products. After a series of robustness tests, this conclusion is still valid, and there are two ways to improve innovation performance and total factor productivity. The export product quality enhancement effect of enterprise digital transformation also has the heterogeneity of ownership, region, and industry. Furthermore, this paper also examines the impact of digital transformation on the internal salary gap of enterprises, and finds that digital transformation may increase the internal salary gap of enterprises and form a “masking effect” on the quality of export products. To a certain extent, this paper deepens the understanding of the study of enterprise digital transformation on the quality of export products and its differences and provides certain guidance for enterprises to implement the strategy of digital transformation.
Effect of Shear Modulus on the Inflation Deformation of Parachutes Based on Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulation
Authors: Zhu Hong , Tao Jin , Sun Qinglin , Sun Hao , Duan Feng , Chen Zengqiang , Zeng Xianyi , Soulat Damien
Published: March 2023

Parachutes and other inflatable aerodynamic decelerators usually use flexible fabrics due to their lightweight and high load-carrying capacity. The behavior of fabrics during complex deformations is mainly influenced by their shear properties. The shear properties of fabric can be explained by the shear stiffness or shear modulus. The design optimization of these inflatable structures relies on a detailed knowledge of the mechanical properties of the fabric material. To investigate the effect of shear modulus on the inflatable shapes of parachute canopies, an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian coupling method based on the incompressible computational fluid dynamics solver and structural solver LS-DYNA is proposed. Finite element methods are used to describe continuous materials such as fabrics and airflow fields. The effects of the shear modulus on the inflated parachute shapes are investigated from the macroscopic and microscopic scales. A comparison analysis reveals that different shear moduli have little effect on the overall shape and in-plane shear strain of the parachute, while they have significant effects on the in-plane stress distribution and wrinkles of the parachute. The methods and conclusions of this paper can provide some reference for the materials design of parachutes in preforming stage.
Regenerated Cellulose Fibers (RCFs) for Future Apparel Sustainability: Insights from the U.S. Consumers
Authors: Chi Ting , Frattali Anastasia , Liu Hang , Chen Yini
Published: March 2023

An increasing number of apparel companies are inventing novel green technologies to produce regenerated cellulose fibers (RCFs) out of textile waste. RCF can significantly reduce virgin cotton production and decrease textile waste in incinerators or landfills. However, our knowledge on U.S. consumers’ willingness to purchase RCF-made apparel is still limited given its newness. To address the gap in the literature, this study aimed to identify the factors significantly influencing the U.S. consumers’ purchase intention toward RCF-made apparel. Building on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), a research model including attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, perceived consumer effectiveness, and past environmental behavior as predictors was proposed to investigate the U.S. consumers’ intention to purchase RCF-made apparel. The primary data were collected by a Qualtrics survey of U.S. consumers. A total of 544 eligible responses were gathered for data analysis and hypothesis testing. The multiple regression method was applied for determining the proposed statistical relationships. Attitude, perceived consumer effectiveness, and past environmental behavior positively affect U.S. consumers’ purchase intention toward RCF-made apparel, while the effects of subjective norm and perceived behavior control are insignificant. Attitude plays a partial mediating role between past environmental behavior and purchase intention toward RCF-made apparel. A higher level of consumer environmental behavior leads to a more positive attitude toward and a greater likelihood to purchase RCF-made apparel. The proposed research model exhibits a good explanatory power, accounting for 64.8% of variance in U.S. consumers’ purchase intention toward RCF-made apparel.
A Hybrid Time Series Model for Predicting the Displacement of High Slope in the Loess Plateau Region
Authors: Liu Xinchang , Liu Bolong
Published: March 2023

The physical and mechanical properties of the loess differ from other kinds of soil due to its collapsibility, which has resulted in the complex displacement development law of the loess slope. Therefore, the accurate estimation of the displacement of high slopes in a loess gully region is critical for the safety of people and in construction activities. In the present study, to improve the accuracy of traditional methods, the original cumulative displacement curve was decomposed into trend and fluctuation terms using Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) and Wavelet Decomposition (WD). Subsequently, the results were estimated using the Support Vector Machine (SVR) and Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM) optimized by Biogeography-based Optimization (BBO), respectively. To select the most appropriate model, SVR, LSTM, EMD-SVR-LSTM, EMD-BBO-SVR-LSTM, and WD-BBO-SVR-LSTM were employed to predict the deformation of a loess slope in the Loess Plateau of China. According to the results, the displacement increases rapidly at the starting stage, and then gradually stabilizes, which is the same as the trend in reality. On comparing the predicted results with field data, it was found that the models with decomposition algorithms achieved higher accuracy. Particularly, the determination coefficient of the EMD-BBO-SVR-LSTM model reaches 0.928, which has better algorithm stability and prediction accuracy than other models. In this study, the decomposition algorithm was applied to the loess slope displacement innovatively, and the appropriate machine learning algorithm adopted for the displacement components. The method improves the accuracy of prediction and provides a new idea for instability warning of loess excavation slopes. The research has implications for urban construction and sustainable development in loess mountainous areas.
Exploring the Patterns of Recreational Activity among Urban Green Spaces in Poland
Authors: Wajchman-Świtalska Sandra , Grabowska-Chenczke Olga , Woźniak Marcin
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the socio-demographic background, patterns of recreational activity, and their impact on mood regulation strategies used by urban green spaces (UGS) visitors in Poland. In our research approach, we collected data from 376 participants through an online survey. In the next step, we developed structural equation models: one general model and two additional models for men and women. We discovered that both socio-demographic characteristics, as well as the variety of visited green spaces impact people’s mood regulation strategies. In our research approach, latent variable places that consists of different types of green spaces is the key concept that positively affect mood regulation strategies; visiting more places reduces the tendency to decrease mood and increases the tendency to increase mood. Moreover, we identified some important gender similarities and differences. There is causation between the types of leisure activity and the frequency of a leisure activity among men and women. However, in the case of women, the frequency of a leisure activity is positively associated with the tendency to increase mood; in the case of men, the association is negative. The research results provide a deeper insight into of the patterns of green leisure that shape the subjective well-being of urban green space visitors in Poland.
Evaluation of the Flame-Retardant Performance and Fire Risk of Cellulose Building Finishing Material Due to the Particle Size of Expandable Graphite
Authors: Kim Yongjoo , Park Dongin , Rie Dongho
Published: March 2023

The burning of building finishing materials containing chemical substances can lead to the spread of fire with a large number of harmful substances. To prevent this, cellulose, an eco-friendly material that minimizes the generation of harmful substances, was chosen as the main material for building finishing materials. Wastepaper was recycled to extract cellulose, and a finishing material was manufactured by mixing in expandable graphite and magnesium hydroxide. The flame-retardant performance of the finishing material was evaluated by measuring the total heat emission rate using the ISO 5660-1 cone calorimeter, with the particle size of the expanded graphite as a variable. The measured physical properties value was used as the FDS parameter to evaluate the risk of fire. Results show that the cellulose-based building finishing material meets the life safety standard of NFSC 203 during the simulation time and has a FED value that does not exceed 0.001 at maximum. This confirms its effectiveness in providing safe egress time for residents.
Optimization of Recharge Schemes for Deep Excavation in the Confined Water-Rich Stratum
Authors: Wu Bo , Zhang Ke , Meng Guowang , Suo Xiao
Published: March 2023

With the excavation of a metro station in a confined water-rich stratum as our background, the sensitivity of four typical recharge parameters is analyzed by using numerical simulation. Based on the orthogonal analysis method, an optimal recharge scheme was obtained. The results show that the main influential factors of ground settlement and groundwater recovery are recharge pressure and recharge depth. The main influential factor of retaining structure deformation and influence radius of recharge is the distance between the recharge wells and the foundation pit. For the groundwater recharging of a deep excavation in the water-rich confined area of Jinan, China, the optimal effect can be achieved when setting recharge wells with a depth of 50 m arranged in a line with a spacing of 10 m at a horizontal distance of 20 m away from the retaining wall and recharge pressure is 40 kPa. With the same construction difficulty, the maximum settlement in optimized scheme decreased 71.19%, the flux of groundwater recovery increased 11.96%, the maximum horizontal displacement of the wall decreased 15.61%, and the influence radius of recharge enlarged 8.62% compared to original scheme.
Out of Print: What the Pandemic-Era Newspaper Crisis in Australia Teaches Us about the Role of Rural and Regional Newspapers in Creating Sustainable Communities
Authors: Muurlink Olav , Marx Elizabeth Voneiff
Published: March 2023

Print newspapers tend to form part of the conversation on sustainable development goals in terms of the ability to communicate goals to the public, but to what degree are print newspapers part of the solution to sustainable rural and regional communities in particular? The COVID-19 pandemic coincided with a global crisis in print journalism. This article takes Australia as an extreme case study of the collapse of print news, tracing both the immediate causes as well as the scale of the decline, and the impacts in terms of community conversation, building social capital, and improving governance, particularly in sub-populations such as the aged, and in digitally disadvantaged regional and remote communities. This paper uses a range of secondary and primary data sources to build a paradoxical picture of a revival of rural and regional journalism, a revival that is focused on survival rather than revisiting the activist origins of early independent rural and regional media in the country. The new papers include part of the traditional mission of print news—building social capital—but are less engaged in creating political and financial transparency. It is concluded that the new wave of rural and regional titles may be simply at an early stage of evolution, but with the digital divide in Australia reducing, they may have little time to evolve.
Day-to-Day Dynamic Traffic Flow Assignment Model under Mixed Travel Modes Considering Customized Buses
Authors: Chang Yulin , Wang Yijie , Sun Chao , Zhang Peng , Xu Wenqian
Published: March 2023

In recent years, customized buses (CBs), a new form of public travel mode between bus and car, has sprung up in China. Its characteristics include flexible routes, each person having a seat and point-to-point travel have attracted travelers who seek high-quality travel, especially car travelers, alleviating traffic congestion at peak periods and leading to a change in urban travel modes. In addition to providing new travel modes, an exclusive bus lane (EBL) is also an effective means to alleviate traffic congestion. Therefore, this paper establishes link impedance functions under mixed travel modes considering the EBL, including customized buses on different kinds of links, and then presents a day-to-day dynamic traffic flow assignment model based on stochastic user equilibrium (SUE). Some conclusions were summarized by numerical case studies. First, the parameter of travelers’ sensitivity to route travel time affects the speed of traffic flow evolution. When it increases to positive infinity, the final state of the traffic network moves from SUE to deterministic user equilibrium (DUE). Second, the parameter on the degree of dependence of travelers on previous experience can not only influence the value size of actual travel time, but also influence the direction of actual travel time evolution. Third, conventional buses and customized buses have higher transportation efficiency than cars, but if the proportion of conventional bus travelers is too large, the total travel time of all travelers in the traffic network may increase. Fourth, when travel demands increase, the proportion of travelers who choose public transit is required to increase to achieve minimum total travel time. Lastly, from the perspective of the whole traffic network in any case, the EBL is not always beneficial. It is recommended to set EBLs when conventional buses and customized bus flows are heavy, which can be judged based on the model established in this paper.
An Artificial-Intelligence-Based Renewable Energy Prediction Program for Demand-Side Management in Smart Grids
Authors: Arumugham Vinothini , Ghanimi Hayder M. A. , Pustokhin Denis A. , Pustokhina Irina V. , Ponnam Vidya Sagar , Alharbi Meshal , Krishnamoorthy Parkavi , Sengan Sudhakar
Published: March 2023

Technology advancements have enabled the capture of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) on a massive scale. Smart Grids (SGs) that combine conventional and RES are predicted as a sustainable method of power generation. Moreover, environmental conditions impact all RES, causing changes in the amount of electricity produced by these sources. Furthermore, availability is dependent on daily or annual cycles. Although smart meters allow real-time demand prediction, precise models that predict the electricity produced by RES are also required. Prediction Models (PMs) accurately guarantee grid stability, efficient scheduling, and energy management. For example, the SG must be smoothly transformed into the conventional energy source for that time and guarantee that the electricity generated meets the predicted demand if the model predicts a period of Renewable Energy (RE) loss. The literature also suggests scheduling methods for demand-supply matching and different learning-based PMs for sources of RE using open data sources. This paper developed a model that accurately replicates a microgrid, predicts demand and supply, seamlessly schedules power delivery to meet demand, and gives actionable insights into the SG system’s operation. Furthermore, this work develops the Demand Response Program (DRP) using improved incentive-based payment as cost suggestion packages. The test results are valued in different cases for optimizing operating costs through the multi-objective ant colony optimization algorithm (MOACO) with and without the input of the DRP.
An Approach for Designing an Optimal CNN Model Based on Auto-Tuning GA with 2D Chromosome for Defect Detection and Classification
Authors: Huynh Nhat-To , Ho Duong-Dong , Nguyen Hong-Nguyen
Published: March 2023

Defect detection and classification on the final products are necessary for the manufacturers to ensure the quality of the final product before delivering it to the end customers. With rapid changes in manufacturing technologies, most of the companies have changed their operation methods toward industry 4.0. On this road, developing an automatic detection system based on the surface images can enhance the productivity and ensure the quality of the product. However, only a few studies have developed the models for solving this problem. Due to its complicated structure and parameters, designing an optimal convolution neural network (CNN) is still a challenge. Thus, this study aims to propose an autotuning genetic algorithm with two-dimension chromosomes for designing an optimal CNN model efficiently. In particular, a two-dimension chromosome is developed to represent a CNN’s structure and parameters. To enhance the searching process, the crossover rate and mutation rate are tuned automatically according to the generation. A two-dimension crossover method is proposed to create offspring for selecting the next population. In addition, a case of ceramic textile manufacturing is constructed to validate the proposed approach. The accuracy of the proposed approach is up to 95.5 percent on the testing dataset.
Local Fiscal Pressure and Enterprise Environmental Protection Investment under COVID-19: Evidence from China
Authors: Liu Qiongzhi , Ren Jing
Published: March 2023

Increasing local fiscal pressure and insufficient enterprise environmental protection investment are considerable problems in China. Based on the data of A-share-listed companies in heavily polluting industries in China from 2015 to 2021, this paper uses COVID-19 as an exogenous shock of local fiscal pressure and investigates the impact of local fiscal pressure on enterprise environmental protection investment by the continuous DID method. The study found that local fiscal pressure significantly reduces enterprise environmental protection investment and has a greater impact on non-state-owned enterprises, large enterprises, enterprises located in the “two-control-zone” cities and enterprises located in cities with low fiscal self-sufficiency rates. The mechanism of analysis shows that local governments ease fiscal pressure by “increasing revenue” and “cutting expenditure”. The former increases the non-tax burden of enterprises, while the latter reduces enterprise environmental protection subsidies, which leads to a decrease in environmental protection investment. The findings of this paper indicate that it is necessary to focus on solving the local fiscal pressure dilemma to increase green investment and achieve green development.
Passenger Satisfaction Evaluation and Achieving Sustainable Integrated Urban Transport: Structural Equation Analysis Based on Macau Data
Authors: Zhao Shuhao , Ni Yumo , Sun Shunzhang , Chang Tian’ao
Published: March 2023

The sustainable development of urban transport is the key to sustainable urban development. This study analyses and identifies the evaluation indicators affecting Macau’s transport, and analyses the relationship between the relevant evaluation indicators and passenger satisfaction, thus contributing to the improvement and the sustainable development of Macau’s public transport services. This study uses a questionnaire to collect data. Based on the current situation of Macau’s social groups, the mainland students in Macau who were selected as the target group are significantly different from residents and tourists in Macau; their needs and perceptions of public transport are more intense. This group’s needs and perceptions of public transport are significantly different from those of residents and tourists. The set indicators of satisfaction with public transport in Macau reflect them. After analyzing and determining the evaluation indicators, structural equation modeling was applied to establish the structural models of Macau’s three public transport services. Finally, the shortcomings of the three public transport services were reflected through the standardized coefficient weights and passenger satisfaction. The study results show that the seating arrangement and smoothness of travel of Macau’s public transport services need to be improved, and the dial-a-ride service’s price setting and waiting time need to be improved. The price setting, convenience of hailing, and payment method of the taxi service need to be improved. In contrast, overall, the satisfaction level of the dial-a-ride service is significantly higher than that of the taxi service. Therefore, the findings of the study have important policy implications for relevant policymakers, who should not only focus on optimizing daily operations but, more importantly, on improving the shortcomings mentioned above, which are of great value in enhancing the passengers’ perception of public transport in Macau and are also crucial to achieving the sustainable development of public transport in Macau.
The Fear of the Known and Unknown in Being the Sustainable Business: Environmental Concern Reflected by Axfood (Sweden)
Authors: Shahzad Muhammad Babar , Dar Imran Bashir , Wazirali Raniyah
Published: March 2023

This research aims to examine the feasibility of adopting a corporate social responsibility strategy that prioritises environmental protection within the food distribution and retail sectors. The environmental strategy involves ecofriendly packaging, streamlined logistics, and conservative energy use. The company Axfood serves as a case study. The study involved public records observation, store visits, and discussions with the managers and head of CSR. The study employed a case study approach, utilising data collected from various sources and analysing it for depth and breadth of understanding to uncover systemic causes of environmental concern at Axfood. Three outcomes were derived from the practical experience gathered from observation, repeated store inspection, interviewing customers and store managers, and five conversations with top management. Recycling and cutting costs through energy efficiency allow businesses to compete based on low prices and high-quality products. It is not a long-term fix to have the market pressure businesses to prioritise products above social audits and unclear reports. Finally, the answer for future business is to learn from competitors and reach parity by having what others have while being distinctive in some respects, such as having a superior environmental conscience.
Digital Service Trade and Labor Income Share—Empirical Research on 48 Countries
Authors: Yeerken Alai , Deng Feng
Published: March 2023

Fast-paced digitization is affecting all aspects of life, including the way we trade. This study empirically analyzes the influence and mechanism of digital service trade on labor income share using 48 countries’ panel data from 2005 to 2019. The research results show that digital service trade has a positive effect on labor income share. Specifically, the impact of digital service trade on labor income share includes productivity effect, structural effect, and distribution effect. The results also show that the export of digital service trade is more conducive to increasing domestic labor income share than the import. The positive impact of digital service trade on labor income share in OECD countries is more significant than in non-OECD countries. At the same time, the digital service trade’s income distribution effect has heterogeneity due to differentiated national digital service trade barriers’ level. This paper discusses theoretically and empirically the impact of digital service trade on the share of labor income for the first time, and puts forward policy suggestions on formulating more open and win-win digital service trade policies, improving labor income, and promoting social equity and inclusive global trade.
Thoracic Sympathectomy for Primary Hyperhidrosis: Focus on Post-Operative Age-Related Quality of Life
Authors: Romano Gaetano , Davini Federico , Lenzini Alessandra , Zirafa Carmelina Cristina , Melfi Franca
Published: March 2023

Primary focal hyperhidrosis is an idiopathic condition characterized by excessive sweating, predominantly localized in the hands and armpits. This condition affects about 1% of the general population and it is often associated with a deterioration of the Quality of Life (QoL), especially in younger patients. Medical therapy, usually prescribed as a first approach, is associated with good results, but only in the short term. Surgery, on the other hand, is associated with a definitive resolution of the disease in most patients. Currently, there is no consensus on the timing of treatment and the final decision is often at the discretion of the physician and the patient. The aim of this study is to analyze the post-operative, age-related QoL in patients affected by primary hyperhidrosis treated by surgery by analyzing data of 56 patients who underwent biportal thoracoscopic sympathectomy between January 2016 and October 2019, dividing the patients into two groups: under and over the age of 25. The QoL was studied by administering the IIRS questionnaire pre-operatively and then six months after surgery. Data analysis demonstrated a lower complication rate in younger patients and equal post-operative outcomes in the two age groups.
Environmental Factors Linked to Reporting of Active Malaria Foci in Thailand
Authors: Prempree Preecha , Bisanzio Donal , Sudathip Prayuth , Kanjanasuwan Jerdsuda , Powell Isabel , Gopinath Deyer , Suttiwong Chalita , Pinyajeerapat Niparueradee , Poortinga Ate , Sintasath David , Shah Jui A.
Published: March 2023

Thailand has made substantial progress towards malaria elimination, with 46 of the country’s 77 provinces declared malaria-free as part of the subnational verification program. Nonetheless, these areas remain vulnerable to the reintroduction of malaria parasites and the reestablishment of indigenous transmission. As such, prevention of reestablishment (POR) planning is of increasing concern to ensure timely response to increasing cases. A thorough understanding of both the risk of parasite importation and receptivity for transmission is essential for successful POR planning. Routine geolocated case- and foci-level epidemiological and case-level demographic data were extracted from Thailand’s national malaria information system for all active foci from October 2012 to September 2020. A spatial analysis examined environmental and climate factors associated with the remaining active foci. A logistic regression model collated surveillance data with remote sensing data to investigate associations with the probability of having reported an indigenous case within the previous year. Active foci are highly concentrated along international borders, particularly Thailand’s western border with Myanmar. Although there is heterogeneity in the habitats surrounding active foci, land covered by tropical forest and plantation was significantly higher for active foci than other foci. The regression results showed that tropical forest, plantations, forest disturbance, distance from international borders, historical foci classification, percentage of males, and percentage of short-term residents were associated with the high probability of reporting indigenous cases. These results confirm that Thailand’s emphasis on border areas and forest-going populations is well placed. The results suggest that environmental factors alone are not driving malaria transmission in Thailand; rather, other factors, including demographics and behaviors that intersect with exophagic vectors, may also be contributors. However, these factors are syndemic, so human activities in areas covered by tropical forests and plantations may result in malaria importation and, potentially, local transmission, in foci that had previously been cleared. These factors should be addressed in POR planning.
Reactive Case Detection Strategy for Malaria Control and Elimination: A 12 Year Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis from 25 Malaria-Endemic Countries
Authors: Aidoo Ebenezer Krampah , Aboagye Frank Twum , Botchway Felix Abekah , Osei-Adjei George , Appiah Michael , Duku-Takyi Ruth , Sakyi Samuel Asamoah , Amoah Linda , Badu Kingsley , Asmah Richard Harry , Lawson Bernard Walter , Krogfelt Karen Angeliki
Published: March 2023

Reactive case detection (RACD) is the screening of household members and neighbors of index cases reported in passive surveillance. This strategy seeks asymptomatic infections and provides treatment to break transmission without testing or treating the entire population. This review discusses and highlights RACD as a recommended strategy for the detection and elimination of asymptomatic malaria as it pertains in different countries. Relevant studies published between January 2010 and September 2022 were identified mainly through PubMed and Google Scholar. Search terms included “malaria and reactive case detection”, “contact tracing”, “focal screening”, “case investigation”, “focal screen and treat”. MedCalc Software was used for data analysis, and the findings from the pooled studies were analyzed using a fixed-effect model. Summary outcomes were then presented using forest plots and tables. Fifty-four (54) studies were systematically reviewed. Of these studies, 7 met the eligibility criteria based on risk of malaria infection in individuals living with an index case < 5 years old, 13 met the eligibility criteria based on risk of malaria infection in an index case household member compared with a neighbor of an index case, and 29 met the eligibility criteria based on risk of malaria infection in individuals living with index cases, and were included in the meta-analysis. Individuals living in index case households with an average risk of 2.576 (2.540–2.612) were more at risk of malaria infection and showed pooled results of high variation heterogeneity chi-square = 235.600, (p < 0.0001) I2 = 98.88 [97.87–99.89]. The pooled results showed that neighbors of index cases were 0.352 [0.301–0.412] times more likely to have a malaria infection relative to index case household members, and this result was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The identification and treatment of infectious reservoirs is critical to successful malaria elimination. Evidence to support the clustering of infections in neighborhoods, which necessitates the inclusion of neighboring households as part of the RACD strategy, was presented in this review.