bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Evaluation of Primary Stability in Truncated Cone Implants with Different Macro-Geometries in Low-Density Polyurethane Blocks Simulating Maxillary Sinus Rehabilitations
Authors: Comuzzi Luca , Romasco Tea , Piattelli Adriano , Inchingolo Francesco , Mourão Carlos Fernando , Di Pietro Natalia
Published: August 2024

After tooth loss, particularly in the posterior maxilla, the alveolar ridges undergo bone resorption. Therefore, ensuring the appropriate quantity and quality of alveolar bone is crucial for accurate implant positioning and achieving optimal esthetic and functional results. This study aimed to evaluate biomechanical parameters (insertion torque: IT, removal torque: RT, and implant stability quotient: ISQ) of distinct truncated cone implant designs (Sinus-plant and SLC) on polyurethane blocks simulating type D3 and D4 bone. SLC implants exhibited significantly higher IT, RT, and ISQ values compared to Sinus-plant implants, except in the 10 pounds per cubic foot (PCF) density block with a cortical layer for the IT (24.01 ± 0.91 vs. 23.89 ± 1.66 Ncm). The IT values for SLC implants ranged from 13.95 ± 0.19 Ncm in the lowest density block to 37.94 ± 0.45 Ncm in the highest density block, consistently providing significantly higher primary stability with an ISQ of approximately 70 in the highest density block. Despite lower ISQ in the lowest density block (48.60 ± 0.52 and 48.80 ± 0.42 in buccolingual and mesiodistal directions), it was deemed acceptable considering the inadequate bone densities in the maxillary region. These findings on SLC suggest potential clinical advantages, including reduced procedure duration and costs, improved stability, and the possibility of immediate implant placement following sinus augmentation, thereby streamlining the rehabilitation process.
Systematic Review Protocol: Anhedonia in Youth and the Role of Internet-Related Behavior
Authors: Cangelosi Giovanni , Biondini Federico , Sguanci Marco Enrico , Nguyen Cuc Thi Thu , Palomares Sara Morales , Mancin Stefano , Petrelli Fabio
Published: August 2024

Background: Depression is a serious and debilitating condition with a rising prevalence. Anhedonia, a core symptom of depression, is notably significant and the second most weighted factor among the non-somatic concerns of depression, following depressed mood. The interaction between technology use, mood, emotions, depression, and anhedonia is a critical area of investigation. Aim: This study aims to develop a comprehensive Systematic Review Protocol to examine the emotional effects of Internet-related behavior in young people. Methods: A systematic review protocol was developed following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. The research question was formulated according to the PICOS framework. The search was conducted using PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and PsycInfo, supplemented by gray literature sources via Google Scholar. The methodological quality and risk of bias was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) framework. This systematic review protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework with the registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/SHNJU. Conclusions: The findings of this systematic review are expected to provide new evidence on the correlations between depression, Internet addiction, and anhedonia, contributing to the development of targeted intervention strategies and improving the understanding of young peoples’ emotional well-being.
Unity in Reason: Mendelssohn on the Conflict between Common Sense and Speculation
Authors: Sánchez de León Serrano José María
Published: August 2024

The paper aims to clarify Mendelssohn’s stance on speculative philosophy by connecting the conflict between common sense and speculation with the notion of approval-drive. It argues that Mendelssohn identifies a principle of existence in the faculty of approval, aligning common sense with the divine nature, thereby challenging the skepticism inherent in metaphysical speculation. By invoking God’s creative impetus, Mendelssohn demonstrates that the ontologically abundant world conceived by common sense is more consistent with the divine nature than the ontologically impoverished worlds envisioned by metaphysicians. This approach positions Mendelssohn within the tradition of Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz, emphasizing the role of the divine intellect as the guarantee of the accord between perceived and actual reality.
Meaning of Mystery as Process of Deification
Authors: Kuzhippallil George Thomas
Published: August 2024

“Mystery” is a term with divergent meanings in the religious and secular worlds. This term bears history in the philosophical and theological worlds. The meaning of the term includes concepts of secrecy, mysteriousness, incomprehensibility, and transcendence on the one hand and its connection with religious rituals on the other hand. This nature of the term recommends that we re-read its original meaning. This article tries to understand the connection of this term with archaic religious rituals based on mimetic theory. This article finds that the mysteriousness behind the archaic religious rituals is related to the scapegoat mechanism. The hidden process of deification in primitive religions and cultures is the reason behind the meaning of the term mystery. Using mimetic theory as a tool, this article asserts that only "revealed mysteries" remain in human history following the Christ-event and defines mystery as a process of deification.
The Māori and Ancient near Eastern Pantheons in the Context of Genesis 1 in te reo Māori
Authors: Drake Lyndon
Published: August 2024

The recent test translation of Te Paipera Tapu (the Bible in the Māori language) has aroused considerable debate for its use in Genesis 1 of the names of atua Māori (Māori divine beings). These names of atua have been used instead of names of features of the natural world, which stands in contrast to the use of other kupu Māori (Māori words) in the earlier translation and its revisions. In this paper, I outline relevant members of the Māori pantheon and of some ancient Near Eastern pantheons, which are not identical. I then discuss the Hebrew text of Genesis 1 in its ancient literary context, making proposals about the use of the names of atua Māori in translations.
Folk Spiritism: Between Communication with the Dead and Heavenly Forces
Authors: Radulović Nemanja
Published: August 2024

Examples of how Spiritism merged with local beliefs have been the subject of research in religious studies, ethnology, and folkloristics. Serbian Spiritism can also be viewed as such, but its history is an under-researched topic. We examine the syncretic product we will call ‘folk Spiritism’, being different from the ‘high Spiritism’ of elite and middle-class intellectuals. Folk Spiritism was part of a grassroots movement for Church reform in the first half of the 20th century. The difference between folk and high Spiritism is also confirmed in the emic perspective. Based on a closer reading of its texts, we can discern a better image of the dead and communication with them in the practice of folk Spiritism. We conclude that the difference between the traditional and Spiritist image of the dead is that the former causes fear, while the later brings comfort; folk Spiritism gave preference to communication with heavenly forces (God, Christ, Holy Mother, angels, saints) while retaining the traditional view of the dead.
Analyzing Thermal Environment Contributions and Driving Factors of LST Heterogeneity in Different Urban Development Zones
Authors: Zhang Youshui , Silva Carlos Alberto , Chen Mengdi
Published: August 2024

Analyzing the impacts of urban landscape patterns on the thermal environment has become one of the key research areas in addressing urban heat islands (UHIs) and improving the living environment. A case study was carried out in Fuzhou, Fujian Province of China, and bi-temporal Landsat imagery was selected to calculate land surface temperature (LST), percent impervious surface area (ISA), and fractional vegetation cover (FVC). The urban area was further divided into three concentric urban zones, ranging from the city center to the urban periphery, based on urban development densities. The spatial pattern of LST and its variance were analyzed and compared between different zones and different dates. The thermal environment contribution of different zones was also quantified to indicate the change in urban landscape patterns resulting from urban expansion in different zones. Furthermore, Geodetector was used to explore the single factors and interaction factors controlling the spatial patterns of LST in each zone. The results showed that (i) urban expansion primarily increased in Zone 2 and Zone 3, and the areal proportion of high and sub-high LST areas increased from 56.11% and 21.08% to 62.03% and 32.49% in Zone 2 and Zone 3, respectively, from 2004 to 2021; (ii) the heat effect contribution of Zones 2 and 3 reached from 75.16% in 2004 to 89.40% in 2021, indicating that the increase in ISA with >LSTmean was more pronounced in Zone 3 and Zone 2 during the period; (iii) the driving factors of LST spatial distribution were regionally different because of the different landscape patterns, and the explanatory power for the heterogeneity of LST in Zone 1 was weaker than in Zone 2 and Zone 3 in the study area; (iv) the interaction of different factors had a higher explanatory power in the spatial distribution of LST than a single factor in each zone because the distributions of land cover types are heterogeneous in urban areas. The results of this study can be used to improve urban planning for urban ecology and UHI mitigation.
A Novel Approach for Farmland Size Estimation in Small-Scale Agriculture Using Edge Counting and Remote Sensing
Authors: Du Jingnan , Xu Sucheng , Li Jinshan , Duan Jiakun , Xiao Wu
Published: August 2024

Accurate and timely information on farmland size is crucial for agricultural development, resource management, and other related fields. However, there is currently no mature method for estimating farmland size in smallholder farming areas. This is due to the small size of farmland plots in these areas, which have unclear boundaries in medium and high-resolution satellite imagery, and irregular shapes that make it difficult to extract complete boundaries using morphological rules. Automatic farmland mapping algorithms using remote sensing data also perform poorly in small-scale farming areas. To address this issue, this study proposes a farmland size evaluation index based on edge frequency (ECR). The algorithm utilizes the high temporal resolution of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to compensate for its spatial resolution limitations. First, all Sentinel-2 images from one year are used to calculate edge frequencies, which can divide farmland areas into low-value farmland interior regions, medium-value non-permanent edges, and high-value permanent edges (PE). Next, the Otsu’s thresholding algorithm is iteratively applied twice to the edge frequencies to first extract edges and then permanent edges. The ratio of PE to cropland (ECR) is then calculated. Using the North China Plain and Northeast China Plain as study areas, and comparing with existing farmland size datasets, the appropriate estimation radius for ECR was determined to be 1600 m. The study found that the peak ECR value for the Northeast China Plain was 0.085, and the peak value for the North China Plain was 0.105. The overall distribution was consistent with the reference dataset.
RobotSDF: Implicit Morphology Modeling for the Robotic Arm
Authors: Yang Yusheng , Liu Jiajia , Zhou Hongpeng , Kwabena Afimbo Reuben , Zhong Yuqiao , Xie Yangmin
Published: August 2024

The expression of robot arm morphology is a critical foundation for achieving effective motion planning and collision avoidance in robotic systems. Traditional geometry-based approaches usually suffer from the contradiction between the high demand for computing resources for fine expression and the insufficient detail expression caused by the pursuit of efficiency. The signed distance function addresses these drawbacks due to its ability to handle complex and arbitrary shapes and lower computational requirements. However, conventional robotic morphology methods based on the signed distance function often face challenges when the robot moves dynamically, since robots with different postures are modeled as independent individuals but the postures of robots are infinite. In this paper, we introduce RobotSDF, an implicit morphology modeling approach that can express the robot shape of arbitrary posture precisely. Instead of depicting a whole model of the robot arm, RobotSDF models the robot morphology as integrated implicit joint models driven by joint configurations. In this approach, the dynamic shape change process of the robot is converted into the coordinate transformations of query points within each joint’s coordinate system. Experimental results with the Elfin robot demonstrate that RobotSDF can accurately depict robot shapes across different postures up to the millimeter level, which exhibits 38.65% and 66.24% improvement over the Neural-JSDF and configuration space distance field algorithms, respectively, in representing robot morphology. We further verified the efficiency of RobotSDF through collision avoidance in both simulation and actual human–robot collaboration experiments.
A Platform for Ultra-Fast Proton Probing of Matter in Extreme Conditions
Authors: Volpe Luca , Cebriano Ramírez Teresa , Sánchez Carlos Sánchez , Perez Alberto , Curcio Alessandro , De Luis Diego , Gatti Giancarlo , Kebladj Berkhahoum , Khetari Samia , Malko Sophia , Perez-Hernandez Jose Antonio , Frias Maria Dolores Rodriguez
Published: August 2024

Recent developments in ultrashort and intense laser systems have enabled the generation of short and brilliant proton sources, which are valuable for studying plasmas under extreme conditions in high-energy-density physics. However, developing sensors for the energy selection, focusing, transport, and detection of these sources remains challenging. This work presents a novel and simple design for an isochronous magnetic selector capable of angular and energy selection of proton sources, significantly reducing temporal spread compared to the current state of the art. The isochronous selector separates the beam based on ion energy, making it a potential component in new energy spectrum sensors for ions. Analytical estimations and Monte Carlo simulations validate the proposed configuration. Due to its low temporal spread, this selector is also useful for studying extreme states of matter, such as proton stopping power in warm dense matter, where short plasma stagnation time (<100 ps) is a critical factor. The proposed selector can also be employed at higher proton energies, achieving final time spreads of a few picoseconds. This has important implications for sensing technologies in the study of coherent energy deposition in biology and medical physics.
Distributed Vibration Sensing Based on a Forward Transmission Polarization-Generated Carrier
Authors: Chen Ming , Rao Xing , Liu Kuan , Wang Yuhang , Chen Shuqing , Xu Lin , Xu Rendong , Chen George Y. , Wang Yiping
Published: August 2024

For distributed fiber-optic sensors, slowly varying vibration signals down to 5 mHz are difficult to measure due to low signal-to-noise ratios. We propose and demonstrate a forward transmission-based distributed sensing system, combined with a polarization-generated carrier for detection bandwidth reduction, and cross-correlation for vibration positioning. By applying a higher-frequency carrier signal using a fast polarization controller, the initial phase of the known carrier frequency is monitored and analyzed to demodulate the vibration signal. Only the polarization carrier needs to be analyzed, not the arbitrary-frequency signal, which can lead to hardware issues (reduced detection bandwidth and less noise). The difference in arrival time between the two detection ends obtained through cross-correlation can determine the vibration position. Our experimental results demonstrate a sensitivity of 0.63 mrad/με and a limit of detection (LoD) of 355.6 pε/Hz1/2 at 60 Hz. A lock-in amplifier can be used on the fixed carrier to achieve a minimal LoD. The sensing distance can reach 131.5 km and the positioning accuracy is 725 m (root-mean-square error) while the spatial resolution is 105 m. The tested vibration frequency range is between 0.005 Hz and 160 Hz. A low frequency of 5 mHz for forward transmission-based distributed sensing is highly attractive for seismic monitoring applications.
Emerging Hybrid Metal Halide Glasses for Sensing and Displays
Authors: Tang Wei , Xing Guansheng , Xu Xiuwen , Chen Bing
Published: August 2024

Glassy hybrid metal halides have emerged as promising materials in recent years due to their high structural adjustability and low melting points, offering unique merits that overcome the limitations of their crystalline and polycrystalline counterparts as well as other conventional amorphous semiconductors. This review article comprehensively explores the structural characteristics, electronic properties, and chemical coordination of hybrid metal halides, emphasizing their role in the glass transition from the crystalline phase to the amorphous phase. We examine the intrinsic disorder within the amorphous phase that facilitates light transmission and discuss recent advances in device architecture and interface engineering by optimizing the charge transport of glassy hybrid metal halides for high-quality applications. With full theoretical understanding and rational structural design, potential applications in displays, information storage, X-ray imaging, and sensing are highlighted, underscoring the transformative impact of glassy hybrid metal halides in the fields of materials science and information science.
Real-Time Sensing of Upper Extremity Movement Diversity Using Kurtosis Implemented on a Smartwatch
Authors: Cornella-Barba Guillem , Okita Shusuke , Li Zheng , Reinkensmeyer David J.
Published: August 2024

Wearable activity sensors typically count movement quantity, such as the number of steps taken or the number of upper extremity (UE) counts achieved. However, for some applications, such as neurologic rehabilitation, it may be of interest to quantify the quality of the movement experience (QOME), defined, for example, as how diverse or how complex movement epochs are. We previously found that individuals with UE impairment after stroke exhibited differences in their distributions of forearm postures across the day and that these differences could be quantified with kurtosis—an established statistical measure of the peakedness of distributions. In this paper, we describe further progress toward the goal of providing real-time feedback to try to help people learn to modulate their movement diversity. We first asked the following: to what extent do different movement activities induce different values of kurtosis? We recruited seven unimpaired individuals and evaluated a set of 12 therapeutic activities for their forearm postural diversity using kurtosis. We found that the different activities produced a wide range of kurtosis values, with conventional rehabilitation therapy exercises creating the most spread-out distribution and cup stacking the most peaked. Thus, asking people to attempt different activities can vary movement diversity, as measured with kurtosis. Next, since kurtosis is a computationally expensive calculation, we derived a novel recursive algorithm that enables the real-time calculation of kurtosis. We show that the algorithm reduces computation time by a factor of 200 compared to an optimized kurtosis calculation available in SciPy, across window sizes. Finally, we embedded the kurtosis algorithm on a commercial smartwatch and validated its accuracy using a robotic simulator that “wore” the smartwatch, emulating movement activities with known kurtosis. This work verifies that different movement tasks produce different values of kurtosis and provides a validated algorithm for the real-time calculation of kurtosis on a smartwatch. These are needed steps toward testing QOME-focused, wearable rehabilitation.
Monitoring and Ensuring Worker Health in Controlled Environments Using Economical Particle Sensors
Authors: Rodríguez Rama Juan Antonio , Presa Madrigal Leticia , Costafreda Mustelier Jorge L. , García Laso Ana , Maroto Lorenzo Javier , Martín Sánchez Domingo A.
Published: August 2024

Nowadays, indoor air quality monitoring has become an issue of great importance, especially in industrial spaces and laboratories where materials are handled that may release particles into the air that are harmful to health. This study focuses on the monitoring of air quality and particle concentration using low-cost sensors (LCSs). To carry out this work, particulate matter (PM) monitoring sensors were used, in controlled conditions, specifically focusing on particle classifications with PM2.5 and PM10 diameters: the Nova SDS011, the Sensirion SEN54, the DFRobot SEN0460, and the Sensirion SPS30, for which an adapted environmental chamber was built, and gaged using the Temtop M2000 2nd as a reference sensor (SRef). The main objective was to preliminarily assess the performance of the sensors, to select the most suitable ones for future research and their possible use in different work environments. The monitoring of PM2.5 and PM10 particles is essential to ensure the health of workers and avoid possible illnesses. This study is based on the comparison of the selected LCS with the SRef and the results of the comparison based on statistics. The results showed variations in the precision and accuracy of the LCS as opposed to the SRef. Additionally, it was found that the Sensirion SEN54 was the most suitable and valuable tool to be used to maintain a safe working environment and would contribute significantly to the protection of the workers’ health.
Design of Infinite Impulse Response Filters Based on Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Su Te-Jen , Zhuang Qian-Yi , Lin Wei-Hong , Hung Ya-Chung , Yang Wen-Rong , Wang Shih-Ming
Published: August 2024

The goal of this study is to explore the effectiveness of applying multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithms in the design of infinite impulse response (IIR) filters. Given the widespread application of IIR filters in digital signal processing, the precision of their design plays a significant role in the system’s performance. Traditional design methods often encounter the problem of local optima, which limits further enhancement of the filter’s performance. This research proposes a method based on multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithms, aiming not just to find the local optima but to identify the optimal global design parameters for the filters. The design methodology section will provide a detailed introduction to the application of multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithms in the IIR filter design process, including particle initialization, velocity and position updates, and the definition of objective functions. Through multiple experiments using Butterworth and Chebyshev Type I filters as prototypes, as well as examining the differences in the performance among these filters in low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass configurations, this study compares their efficiencies. The minimum mean square error (MMSE) of this study reached 1.83, the mean error (ME) reached 2.34, and the standard deviation (SD) reached 0.03, which is better than the references. In summary, this research demonstrates that multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithms are an effective and practical approach in the design of IIR filters.
Decentralized Incident Reporting: Mobilizing Urban Communities with Blockchain
Authors: Diallo El-hacen , Abdallah Rouwaida , Dib Mohammad , Dib Omar
Published: August 2024

This paper introduces an innovative response to the pressing challenge of rapid and effective incident detection and management in urban settings. The proposed solution is a decentralized incident reporting system (IRS) harnessing blockchain technology and decentralized data storage systems. By empowering residents to report incidents, the proposed IRS enables seamless real-time monitoring and intervention by relevant departments. Built on a blockchain foundation, the proposed solution ensures immutability, transparency, security, and auditability, enhancing data resilience and comprehensive applicability. The proposed system leverages the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) for the storage of incident proofs to manage the blockchain size effectively. Through the proposed IRS, transparency is upheld, enabling complete auditability of incident details and required interventions by citizens, societal bodies, and governmental bodies. Moreover, an incentive model is introduced to encourage active participation in incident reporting, thereby enhancing the system’s overall effectiveness and long-term sustainability. The proposed IRS integrates mobile technology to facilitate user engagement and data submission, essential for urban emergency management. Empirical validation using the Quorum–Raft blockchain demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed approach in terms of system throughput, incident reporting delay, blockchain size, and deployment cost. Specifically, the system maintains a latency of under 15 s even at high transaction rates, can handle up to 200 incidents per second, and is cost-effective, with deployment estimates for 16 organizations over five years being under 1.99 million USD. The method involves extensive testing with simulated incidents and user interactions to ensure robustness and scalability, showcasing the system’s potential for effective emergency management in urban environments.
“Groups Are Still a Problem … but a Different One!”: Reflecting on the Role Played by Non-Violent Extremist Groups in the Radicalisation Pathways of Individuals in the UK
Authors: Orofino Elisa
Published: August 2024

Non-violent (vocal) extremists are at the centre of inflamed debates in the UK as they use their freedom of speech to legally oppose key democratic values and national authorities while targeting specific groups in the society as alleged enemies. This paper aims to explore the radicalisation pathways of individuals in the UK who hold radical and extreme ideas but who have not (yet) committed any offence. More precisely, this paper aims to uncover the role (if any) played by non-violent extremist groups in pathways to radicalisation. To do so, this paper focuses on people supported by the Channel programme, the main early de-radicalisation programme within the Prevent Scheme. This paper innovatively uses first-hand data reflecting the views of Channel practitioners on radicalisation pathways. This study concludes that non-violent extremist groups (as structures) still play a role in familiarising/acculturating individuals with specific ideological concepts. However, the processes of identity building and resource mobilisation seem to be strongly agent-led when observing Channel population in the UK.
Unveiling the Power of Nation Branding: Exploring the Impact of Economic Factors on Global Image Perception
Authors: Dineri Eda , Bilginer Özsaatcı Fatma Gül , Kılıç Yunus , Çiğdem Şemsettin , Sayar Gökçen
Published: August 2024

Nation branding, which demonstrates countries’ power on an international platform, has gained prominence in the literature in recent years. How countries can build their strategies around these factors and make themselves attractive has become an issue of increasing interest to countries in recent years. Increasing a country’s role in the political arena, making the country more attractive to tourists, increasing the volume of foreign trade and foreign direct investment, and making the country more attractive in terms of skilled labor will improve its reputation and image, as perceived by other countries. The main objective of the study is to investigate the impact of foreign direct investment, tourism expenditure, human capital, and export on nation branding in the ten countries with the highest value in nation branding (USA, Germany, China, Japan, England, France, Italy, Canada, India, South Korea) applying the dynamic panel data model for the period 2010–2020. In the present study, we use the cross-sectional dependence, the slope homogeneity test, the CIPS unit root test, and the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) method, one of the dynamic panel data methods. This study examined the factors involved in nation branding and found a positive and statistically significant relationship between exports, foreign direct investment, tourism, human capital, and nation branding.
Environmental Penalties, Internal and External Governance, and Green Innovation: Does the Deterrence Effect Work?
Authors: Liu Yang , Tang Ling
Published: August 2024

There is a clear target and roadmap for the peaking of carbon emissions and achievement of carbon neutrality, and prior to this target being reached, penalties have been formulated to supervise enterprises and prompt green innovation. This study aimed to investigate the transmission mechanism between environmental penalties and green innovation using an empirical econometrical model and two sets of samples—punished firms and heavily polluting listed firms—amounting to 520 punished firms and 6043 firm-year observations. The main conclusions were threefold. Firstly, regarding the panel data, of the three parameters, namely, the times of penalties, the number of penalty fines, and the intensity of the penalty, only the number of penalty fines were statistically significant in terms of green innovation, indicating that only the hypothesis that, the higher the number of environmental penalties, the greater the green innovation that could be supported. Secondly, from a longitudinal perspective, there was one spontaneous effect on green patents, but the effect faded quickly in the second year after the punishment, indicating that firms did not seek green innovation as the solution for environmental penalties from a long-term perspective. Thirdly, the case number of external penalties in a province was significantly statistically associated with green innovation under an intertwined effect of the actual controller and shareholders. Therefore, there was a spillover of the deterrence effect from external penalties, with a higher number of penalty cases in a province corresponding to greater green innovation but with a very subtle coefficient. In addition, taking the median as the benchmark for group division, the group smaller than the median was statistically significant, while the group with a higher number of external penalties was not statistically significant, suggesting that firms were used to the penalties issued by environmental authorities.
Participatory Visual Methods and Artificial Intelligence-Driven Analysis for Sustainable Consumption Insights
Authors: Gul Kanwal , Fasih Syeda , Morande Swapnil , Ramish Muhammad
Published: August 2024

Sustainable consumption is crucial for mitigating global sustainability challenges. Understanding consumer behaviors and motivations, particularly in developing regions, is essential for designing effective interventions. This study pioneers an innovative methodology integrating participatory visual methods (photovoice) and artificial intelligence analysis to investigate food waste perceptions in an emerging economy context. Twenty-six university students participated in the study, documenting their lived experiences and perspectives on household food waste through photographs and narratives. The key results included 32% of participants expressing shock at the extent of food waste in their daily lives, while 28% showed relative indifference. AI-powered (Artificial Intelligence) computer vision and natural language processing were used to efficiently analyze the large visual and textual dataset. The mixed methods approach generated nuanced, situated insights into consumer attitudes, behaviors, and socio-cultural drivers of wastage. The key themes included low waste consciousness, aesthetic and convenience motivations, social norms, and infrastructural limitations. The participatory process proved effective for raising critical consciousness and uncovering consumption practice dynamics. AI analysis enabled rapid knowledge discovery from the qualitative data while mitigating researcher bias. This innovative integration of participatory methodologies and computational analytics advances sustainable consumption research by empowering marginalized voices and generating contextual insights from unstructured data. With further development, such human-centered AI approaches can transform the study and governance of sustainable consumption.
Spatial Distribution, Accessibility, and Influencing Factors of the Tourism and Leisure Industry in Qingdao, China
Authors: Sun Fengzhi , Xu Mingzhi , Li Zihan , Zhang Wei , Yang Yuxin
Published: August 2024

Analysing the spatial distribution patterns of the urban tourism and leisure industry is crucial for meeting the dual demands of residents and visitors for a better quality of life. Most existing studies on spatial distribution characteristics and the accessibility of leisure tourism have been carried out individually and lack the relationship between the tourism and leisure industry and accessibility. Based on Qingdao’s POI data, spatial visualisation methods and Geodetector are used to explore spatial distribution, accessibility, and influencing factors. (1) It is found that the overall and various types of the tourism and leisure industry in Qingdao exhibit clustered distribution, with an imbalance between coastal and inland areas. (2) There are notable spatial disparities in overall accessibility within Qingdao, with most regions falling within the 70-min isochrone. The spatial distribution of accessibility at the county level aligns with the overall accessibility patterns. (3) Various factors influence the spatial distribution of the tourism and leisure industry. Per capita disposable income is the primary factor affecting the spatial layout of Qingdao’s tourism and leisure industry. After interacting with other factors, GDP per capita and tourist trips become key influencing factors. These findings can promote the sustainable development of urban tourism in Qingdao and provide a valuable reference for other cities.
Cultivating Environmental Citizenship: Agriculture Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding the Role of Farm-Schools in Environmental and Sustainability Education
Authors: Goldman Daphne , Alkaher Iris
Published: August 2024

Agricultural education is a fertile framework for environmental and sustainability education (ESE). Hence, ‘farm-schools’, which are learning settings around agriculture, can and should play a crucial role in promoting ESE. Farm-school teachers are key to realizing this potential. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the perspectives of farm-school teachers concerning the role of farm schools in conducting ESE and their role as environmental and sustainability educators. The research employed a mixed methodology. Quantitative data from close-ended sections of the questionnaire enabled evaluation of the teachers’ environmental literacy and citizenship attributes, which are fundamental for their capacity to incorporate ESE within their teaching. Open-ended sections of the questionnaire and interviews provided in-depth information regarding the teachers’ perspectives and practices concerning ESE (content, values, and pedagogies) within the framework of farm schools. Findings indicate that these teachers have pro-environmental dispositions in their individual lives and as educators and that they incorporate ESE within their teaching, but they exhibit a relatively narrow perspective regarding ESE, focusing largely on content knowledge, with limited focus on values discourse. Providing professional development tailored to the specific attributes and needs of these agriculture teachers will strengthen their capacities in teaching the strategies inherent to ESE, such as facilitating in-depth critical discourse around socio-environmental dilemmas. This will contribute to realizing the full potential of farm schools in terms of contributing to the crucial area of ESE within the educational system, employing agriculture as the curricular platform.
Navigating Socio-Political Threats to Amazonian Peatland Conservation: Insights from the Imiria Region, Peru
Authors: Felipe Cadillo Melissa M. , Bennett Aoife
Published: August 2024

Tropical peatlands are critical for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation globally, yet in many parts of the world, they are being destroyed for anthropogenic uses with catastrophic environmental effects. Despite Peru’s status as home to the second largest area of peatlands in Latin America, significant gaps persist in understanding both the geographical distribution and the socio-political landscapes that shape them, exposing these ecosystems to risk of irreversible damage. Focusing on the Imiria region in Ucayali, Peru, where newly discovered peatlands intersect with Indigenous communities, this study, through participatory methods and qualitative analyses, explores the complex socio-political dynamics posing risks to these ecosystems. Our findings highlight a range of threats: (a) the emergence of new actors and land uses, including Mennonite colonies, coca settlements, and illegal resource extractors; (b) challenges posed by the state, encompassing changing legislation, a limited understanding of Indigenous needs and power dynamics, alongside insufficient strategies for peatland science and protection; and (c) a southward shift of socio-political and ecological problems towards peatland areas. We discuss how these dynamics exacerbate degradation risks and undermine Indigenous sovereignty, hindering conservation efforts. The study suggests pathways for ethical peatland conservation and emphasizes the need for further research in Ucayali, Peru.
Enhancing Soft Skills through Generative AI in Sustainable Fashion Textile Design Education
Authors: Jung Dawool , Suh Sungeun
Published: August 2024

This study explores the significance of incorporating soft skill training in fashion design education through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and examines various AI-based approaches for sustainable fashion textile design education employing a multifaceted methodology that encompasses empirical, quantitative, and qualitative methods. We investigate the aspects of Design Sprints, identify key soft skills that help students meet the complex demands of contemporary fashion design workplaces, propose a curriculum guide for AI textile design programs, and evaluate the soft skill training process. Participants included students who had completed basic fashion design courses over three to four semesters and had experience with the fashion design process. The findings confirmed that participants’ soft skills improved across four areas—digital competence, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, problem-solving and thinking skills, and communication—through the AI-based fashion textile design curriculum. This study validates the importance of integrating AI technology into educational programs to enhance essential soft skills in the digital fashion industry environment. Additionally, it emphasizes the necessity of developing AI technology-specialized design prompts while maintaining a balance between traditional design education and digital design education for sustainable fashion design education.
Stress at the Crossroads: Work–Family Conflict and Work Withdrawal Behavior
Authors: Choi Hyung-Min
Published: August 2024

This study examines supportive work–family culture as a predictor of work-to-family and family-to-work conflict and its impact on perceived stress and work withdrawal behavior, with the moderating role of work–-home segmentation preference. Data were collected from 564 employees in the South Korean hotel industry. Results demonstrated that supportive work–family culture was negatively related to work–family conflict, while both work-to-family and family-to-work conflict was positively related to perceived stress, which in turn was related to work withdrawal behavior. These findings highlight the importance of a supportive work–family culture for sustainable workforce management, promoting employee well-being, and reducing turnover. Additionally, the moderating effect of work–home segmentation preference was significant, indicating that as work–home segmentation preference increases, the negative impact of supportive work–family culture on both types of work–family conflict decreases. The study discusses the theoretical contributions and practical implications related to sustainable strategies in human resources management within the hotel industry.
Toward Sustainable Development: Exploring the Value and Benefits of Digital Twins
Authors: Weichbroth Paweł , Jandy Krystian , Zurada Jozef
Published: August 2024

The complexity and number of data streams generated by internal processes exceed the capabilities of most current simulation environments. Consequently, there is a need for the development of more advanced solutions that can handle any number of simultaneous simulations. One of the most promising ideas to address these and other challenges is the concept of a Digital Twin (DT), which refers to a digital representation or a virtual model designed to accurately reflect an intended or actual physical product, system, or process (i.e., a physical twin). As a Digital Twin spans the life-cycle of its physical twin, its development and application can bring considerable benefits to organizations seeking to improve existing processes as well as implement new ones. However, few studies have comprehensively examined the value and benefits of Digital Twins. To fill this gap, this study aims to provide a better understanding of this technology by reviewing the contemporary literature, with a particular focus on the documented case studies, as well as reported business and industrial deployments. The results obtained show that Digital Twins have proven beneficial for maintenance, cost reduction, optimization, simulation performance, monitoring, product life-cycle understanding, assessment validation, performance evaluation, product design, and safety and risk mitigation. In addition, when considering the human factor, DTs can facilitate education and training, team collaboration, and decision making. Undeniably, Digital Twins are a game changer for safer, faster, and more sustainable development.
Cell Penetrating Peptide Enhances the Aphidicidal Activity of Spider Venom-Derived Neurotoxin
Authors: Wu Wenxian , Ali Abid , Shen Jinbo , Ren Maozhi , Cai Yi , He Limei
Published: August 2024

HxTx-Hv1h, a neurotoxic peptide derived from spider venom, has been developed for use in commercial biopesticide formulations. Cell Penetrating Peptides (CPPs) are short peptides that facilitate the translocation of various biomolecules across cellular membranes. Here, we evaluated the aphidicidal efficacy of a conjugated peptide, HxTx-Hv1h/CPP-1838, created by fusing HxTx-Hv1h with CPP-1838. Additionally, we aimed to establish a robust recombinant expression system for HxTx-Hv1h/CPP-1838. We successfully achieved the secretory production of HxTx-Hv1h, its fusion with Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) forming HxTx-Hv1h/GNA and HxTx-Hv1h/CPP-1838 in yeast. Purified HxTx-Hv1h exhibited contact toxicity against Megoura crassicauda, with a 48 h median lethal concentration (LC50) of 860.5 μg/mL. Fusion with GNA or CPP-1838 significantly enhanced its aphidicidal potency, reducing the LC50 to 683.5 μg/mL and 465.2 μg/mL, respectively. The aphidicidal efficacy was further improved with the addition of surfactant, decreasing the LC50 of HxTx-Hv1h/CPP-1838 to 66.7 μg/mL—over four times lower compared to HxTx-Hv1h alone. Furthermore, we engineered HxTx-Hv1h/CPP-1838 multi-copy expression vectors utilizing the BglBrick assembly method and achieved high-level recombinant production in laboratory-scale fermentation. This study is the first to document a CPP fusion strategy that enhances the transdermal aphidicidal activity of a natural toxin like HxTx-Hv1h and opens up the possibility of exploring the recombinant production of HxTx-Hv1h/CPP-1838 for potential applications.
Enhancing Language Learning and Intergroup Empathy through Multi-User Interactions and Simulations in a Virtual World
Authors: Hoter Elaine , Yazbak Abu Ahmad Manal , Azulay Hannah
Published: August 2024

In an increasingly globalized world, the development of language skills and intercultural empathy has become crucial for effective communication and collaboration across diverse societies. Virtual worlds offer a unique and immersive environment to address these needs through innovative educational approaches. This study explores the impact of multi-user interactions, group work, and simulations within virtual worlds on language learning and the development of intergroup empathy. Two distinct research projects were conducted, involving 241 participants aged 19–45. The language learning study engaged 116 participants in diverse interactive experiences, while the intercultural study had 125 participants collaborating in multicultural groups and participating in perspective-taking simulations. Both studies employed qualitative data collection methods, including surveys, interviews, and observations. The findings suggest that the combination of networking strategies, collaborative learning, and simulations within virtual worlds contributes to improvements in learners’ language proficiency, confidence, and empathy towards diverse social groups. Participants reported increased motivation and engagement, which was attributed to the immersive and interactive nature of the virtual environments. These studies highlight the importance of collaboration and reflection in facilitating language acquisition and intercultural understanding. Technical challenges were identified as potential barriers to implementation. The results demonstrate the potential of virtual worlds to enhance language education and foster empathy in diverse societies, offering valuable insights for educators and researchers. However, the findings may be limited by the specific contexts and sample sizes of these studies, warranting further research to explore the generalizability and long-term impact of virtual world interventions and not exaggerate the main conclusions.