bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Pre-Earthquake Anomalies of Borehole Strain Network by Using Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve
Authors: Yu Zining , Hattori Katsumi , Zhu Kaiguang , Fan Mengxuan , Marchetti Dedalo , He Xiaodan , Chi Chengquan
Published: February 2021

In order to monitor temporal and spatial crustal activities associated with earthquakes, ground- and satellite-based monitoring systems have been installed in China since the 1990s. In recent years, the correlation between monitoring strain anomalies and local major earthquakes has been verified. In this study, we further evaluate the possibility of strain anomalies containing earthquake precursors by using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) prediction. First, strain network anomalies were extracted in the borehole strain data recorded in Western China during 2010–2017. Then, we proposed a new prediction strategy characterized by the number of network anomalies in an anomaly window, Nano, and the length of alarm window, Talm. We assumed that clusters of network anomalies indicate a probability increase of an impending earthquake, and consequently, the alarm window would be the duration during which a possible earthquake would occur. The Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) between true predicted rate, tpr, and false alarm rate, fpr, is measured to evaluate the efficiency of the prediction strategies. We found that the optimal strategy of short-term forecasts was established by setting the number of anomalies greater than 7 within 14 days and the alarm window at one day. The results further show the prediction strategy performs significantly better when there are frequent enhanced network anomalies prior to the larger earthquakes surrounding the strain network region. The ROC detection indicates that strain data possibly contain the precursory information associated with major earthquakes and highlights the potential for short-term earthquake forecasting.
Vision Transformers for Remote Sensing Image Classification
Authors: Bazi Yakoub , Bashmal Laila , Rahhal Mohamad M. Al , Dayil Reham Al , Ajlan Naif Al
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we propose a remote-sensing scene-classification method based on vision transformers. These types of networks, which are now recognized as state-of-the-art models in natural language processing, do not rely on convolution layers as in standard convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Instead, they use multihead attention mechanisms as the main building block to derive long-range contextual relation between pixels in images. In a first step, the images under analysis are divided into patches, then converted to sequence by flattening and embedding. To keep information about the position, embedding position is added to these patches. Then, the resulting sequence is fed to several multihead attention layers for generating the final representation. At the classification stage, the first token sequence is fed to a softmax classification layer. To boost the classification performance, we explore several data augmentation strategies to generate additional data for training. Moreover, we show experimentally that we can compress the network by pruning half of the layers while keeping competing classification accuracies. Experimental results conducted on different remote-sensing image datasets demonstrate the promising capability of the model compared to state-of-the-art methods. Specifically, Vision Transformer obtains an average classification accuracy of 98.49%, 95.86%, 95.56% and 93.83% on Merced, AID, Optimal31 and NWPU datasets, respectively. While the compressed version obtained by removing half of the multihead attention layers yields 97.90%, 94.27%, 95.30% and 93.05%, respectively.
Temperature Prediction Based on Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory and Convolutional Neural Network Combining Observed and Numerical Forecast Data
Authors: Jeong Seongyoep , Park Inyoung , Kim Hyun Soo , Song Chul Han , Kim Hong Kook
Published: February 2021

Weather is affected by a complex interplay of factors, including topography, location, and time. For the prediction of temperature in Korea, it is necessary to use data from multiple regions. To this end, we investigate the use of deep neural-network-based temperature prediction model time-series weather data obtained from an automatic weather station and image data from a regional data assimilation and prediction system (RDAPS). To accommodate such different types of data into a single model, a bidirectional long short-term memory (BLSTM) model and a convolutional neural network (CNN) model are chosen to represent the features from the time-series observed data and the RDAPS image data. The two types of features are combined to produce temperature predictions for up to 14 days in the future. The performance of the proposed temperature prediction model is evaluated by objective measures, including the root mean squared error and mean bias error. The experiments demonstrated that the proposed model combining both the observed and RDAPS image data is better in all performance measures for all prediction periods compared with the BLSTM-based model using observed data and the CNN-BLSTM-based model using RDAPS image data alone.
Reduced Graphene Oxide and Polyaniline Nanofibers Nanocomposite for the Development of an Amperometric Glucose Biosensor
Authors: Popov Anton , Aukstakojyte Ruta , Gaidukevic Justina , Lisyte Viktorija , Kausaite-Minkstimiene Asta , Barkauskas Jurgis , Ramanaviciene Almira
Published: February 2021

The control of glucose concentration is a crucial factor in clinical diagnosis and the food industry. Electrochemical biosensors based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and conducting polymers have a high potential for practical application. A novel thermal reduction protocol of graphene oxide (GO) in the presence of malonic acid was applied for the synthesis of rGO. The rGO was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. rGO in combination with polyaniline (PANI), Nafion, and glucose oxidase (GOx) was used to develop an amperometric glucose biosensor. A graphite rod (GR) electrode premodified with a dispersion of PANI nanostructures and rGO, Nafion, and GOx was proposed as the working electrode of the biosensor. The optimal ratio of PANI and rGO in the dispersion used as a matrix for GOx immobilization was equal to 1:10. The developed glucose biosensor was characterized by a wide linear range (from 0.5 to 50 mM), low limit of detection (0.089 mM), good selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. Therefore, the developed biosensor is suitable for glucose determination in human serum. The PANI nanostructure and rGO dispersion is a promising material for the construction of electrochemical glucose biosensors.
Advances in Unmanned Aerial System Remote Sensing for Precision Viticulture
Authors: Sassu Alberto , Gambella Filippo , Ghiani Luca , Mercenaro Luca , Caria Maria , Pazzona Antonio Luigi
Published: February 2021

New technologies for management, monitoring, and control of spatio-temporal crop variability in precision viticulture scenarios are numerous. Remote sensing relies on sensors able to provide useful data for the improvement of management efficiency and the optimization of inputs. unmanned aerial systems (UASs) are the newest and most versatile tools, characterized by high precision and accuracy, flexibility, and low operating costs. The work aims at providing a complete overview of the application of UASs in precision viticulture, focusing on the different application purposes, the applied equipment, the potential of technologies combined with UASs for identifying vineyards’ variability. The review discusses the potential of UASs in viticulture by distinguishing five areas of application: rows segmentation and crop features detection techniques; vineyard variability monitoring; estimation of row area and volume; disease detection; vigor and prescription maps creation. Technological innovation and low purchase costs make UASs the core tools for decision support in the customary use by winegrowers. The ability of the systems to respond to the current demands for the acquisition of digital technologies in agricultural fields makes UASs a candidate to play an increasingly important role in future scenarios of viticulture application.
Software-In-Loop Simulation of an Underwater Wireless Sensor Network for Monitoring Seawater Quality: Parameter Selection and Performance Validation
Authors: Clavijo-Rodriguez Alberto , Alonso-Eugenio Victor , Zazo Santiago , Perez-Alvarez Ivan
Published: February 2021

In this work, a real-time software-in-loop simulation technique was employed to test and analyse an underwater wireless sensor network. This simulation should facilitate the deployment of the real network and helps guarantee the network’s expected behaviour. We study duplicated packets, one-way delay, and power consumption to analyse the network’s leading parameters. Evaluating production-ready software in simulated conditions eases effective deployment. This method will ultimately allow us to establish these parameters, test the software before the deployment, and have an excellent understanding of the network’s behaviour.
Phase Compensation of the Non-Uniformity of the Liquid Crystal on Silicon Spatial Light Modulator at Pixel Level
Authors: Zeng Zhen , Li Zexiao , Fang Fengzhou , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: February 2021

Phase compensation is a critical step for the optical measuring system using spatial light modulator (SLM). The wavefront distortion from SLM is mainly caused by the phase modulation non-linearity and non-uniformity of SLM’s physical structure and environmental conditions. A phase modulation characteristic calibration and compensation method for liquid crystal on silicon spatial light modulator (LCoS-SLM) with a Twyman-Green interferometer is illustrated in this study. A method using two sequences of phase maps is proposed to calibrate the non-uniformity character over the whole aperture of LCoS-SLM at pixel level. A phase compensation matrix is calculated to correct the actual phase modulation of the LCoS-SLM and ensure that the designed wavefront could be achieved. Compared with previously known compensation methods, the proposed method could obtain the phase modulation characteristic curve of each pixel on the LCoS-SLM, rather than a mono look-up table (LUT) curve or multi-LUT curves corresponding to an array of blocks over the whole aperture of the LCoS-SLM. The experiment results show that the phase compensation precision could reach a peak-valley value of 0.061λ in wavefront and this method can be applied in generating freeform wave front for precise optical performance.
A Deep Learning Model for Predictive Maintenance in Cyber-Physical Production Systems Using LSTM Autoencoders
Authors: Bampoula Xanthi , Siaterlis Georgios , Nikolakis Nikolaos , Alexopoulos Kosmas
Published: February 2021

Condition monitoring of industrial equipment, combined with machine learning algorithms, may significantly improve maintenance activities on modern cyber-physical production systems. However, data of proper quality and of adequate quantity, modeling both good operational conditions as well as abnormal situations throughout the operational lifecycle, are required. Nevertheless, this is difficult to acquire in a non-destructive approach. In this context, this study investigates an approach to enable a transition from preventive maintenance activities, that are scheduled at predetermined time intervals, into predictive ones. In order to enable such approaches in a cyber-physical production system, a deep learning algorithm is used, allowing for maintenance activities to be planned according to the actual operational status of the machine and not in advance. An autoencoder-based methodology is employed for classifying real-world machine and sensor data, into a set of condition-related labels. Real-world data collected from manufacturing operations are used for training and testing a prototype implementation of Long Short-Term Memory autoencoders for estimating the remaining useful life of the monitored equipment. Finally, the proposed approach is evaluated in a use case related to a steel industry production process.
Antioxidant Properties of the Native Khechechuri Pear from Western Georgia
Authors: Gabour Sad Tamara , Djafaridze Indira , Kalandia Aleko , Vanidze Maia , Smilkov Katarina , Jacob Claus
Published: February 2021

Khechechuri is an endemic species of a pear spread over one region of Western Georgia, called Adjara. Pears are a dietary source of bioactive components such as polyphenols and triterpenic acid. In addition to highlighting its gastronomic value, the aim of the article was to examine and compare phenolic compounds, flavonoids, catechins, phenolic acids, and antioxidant activities in Khechechuri collected from various villages in the Adjara region, namely Adjaristskali, Merisi, Dandalo, Shuakhevi, and Khulo. Five parts of the fruit, the skin, edible pulp, whole pear (skin + pulp), juice, and pomace, were analyzed and the results compared. Our study indicated that the highest total phenolic content was found in the skin of West Georgian pear types (4650 mg/kg.) Moreover, the pomace showed significant amounts of total phenolic content in each of the Khechechuri samples analyzed. Flavonoids were found in each part of the Khechechuri pears, with the notable exception of the fruit juice. A positive correlation between the total phenolic content and the geographical altitude of where the fruits were collected was observed.
Uptake of Childcare Arrangements—Grandparental Availability and Availability of Formal Childcare
Authors: Biegel Naomi , Neels Karel , Van den Berg Layla
Published: February 2021

Grandparents constitute an important source of childcare to many parents. Focusing on the Belgian context, this paper improves our understanding of childcare decision-making by investigating how formal childcare availability and availability of grandparents affect childcare arrangements. By means of multinomial regression models we simultaneously model uptake of formal and informal childcare by parents. Combining linked microdata from the Belgian censuses with contextual data on childcare at the level of municipalities, we consider formal childcare availability at a local level, while including a wide array of characteristics which may affect grandparental availability. Results indicate that increasing formal care crowds-out informal care as the sole care arrangement, whereas combined use of formal and informal care becomes more prevalent. Characteristics indicating a lack of grandmaternal availability increase uptake of formal care and inhibit to a lesser extent the uptake of combined formal and informal care. While increasing formal care substitutes informal care use, the lack of availability of informal care by grandparents may be problematic, particularly for those families most prone to use informal care.
Identifying Factors for Selecting Land over Maritime in Inter-Regional Cross-Border Transport
Authors: Hanaoka Shinya , Matsuda Takuma , Saito Wataru , Kawasaki Tomoya , Hiraide Takashi
Published: February 2021

Several cross-border land corridor projects have been implemented worldwide, because land transport is a vital alternative to international maritime transport in inter-regional transport. Maritime transport generally costs less than land transport, but it is much slower. Nonetheless, land transport can be more appropriate than maritime under certain situations. This study aims to identify factors that can help select between these two modes in long-distance inter-regional cross-border transport; to this end, a Tobit model is employed to estimate the dependent variable, i.e., the land ratio of origin–destination pairs between countries and/or areas. Eight variables are identified as significant: distance, export of manufacturing commodity, landlocked country/area, neighboring country/area, country risk, infrastructure level, port-access time, and maritime transport frequency. We also find that geographical conditions, country relationship, and regulations are barriers for selecting land transport. However, cross-border land corridors contribute to the increase of land ratio.
Urban Public Service Analysis by GIS-MCDA for Sustainable Redevelopment: A Case Study of a Megacity in Korea
Authors: Chae Ji Seong , Choi Chang Hyun , Oh Jeong Hoon , Chae Young Tae , Jeong Jae-Weon , Lee Dongkyu
Published: February 2021

With the rapid industrialization and urbanization, suburban areas have been developed to accommodate the sudden demand of the population. However, recent problems such as low fertility and aging induces urban shrinkage by reducing the urban population and the economy in old areas around the suburbs. As urban shrinkage causes inequality among residents in terms of the opportunities to access public services, the enhancement of the accessibility of public services is crucial to achieve inclusive growth. This paper proposes a framework for supplying public services based on the transit-oriented development (TOD) concept with geographic information system (GIS) analysis technique. A total of 24 indices, 4 criteria for 6 public services, are measured and weighted by the entropy method to find vulnerable residential buildings with a poor environment in Jung-nang district, Seoul. With a spatial analysis based on this weight value of residential buildings and the TOD concept, old commercial buildings are selected as candidate buildings for public services. According to the derived results, one candidate building as a public service can improve the environment of 3% to 8% of vulnerable residential buildings. The proposed decision-making methods can provide a valuable reference for selecting the location of public services by computational analysis with GIS.
Exploring Water Landscape Adaptability of Urban Spatial Development Base on Coupling Coordination Degree Model A Case of Caidian District, Wuhan
Authors: Wang Min , Wang Kexin
Published: February 2021

Under the background of rapid urbanization, the study explored the adaptive relationship between urban spatial development and water landscape in different stages in Caidian District, Wuhan in order to reveal the characteristics and influencing factors of water landscape adaptability of urban spatial development and improve urban sustainability aiming at optimizing spatial development and improving water landscape function. Caidian District was seen as a complex adaptive system formed by the interaction between the base layer and the occupation layer. The assessment system of urban spatial development is constructed based on land use data and landscape pattern indices, and the coupling coordination degree model and correlation analysis were used to describe the characteristics of water landscape adaptability of urban spatial development. The results showed that: (1) the adaptation relationship between urban space and water landscape in Caidian District was becoming tense; (2) different spatial systems have unique adaptation cycles to water landscape; (3) the 1000 m buffer is the main area affected by water landscape adaptability of urban spatial development. This study provides a new perspective for the urban adaptability. Finally, improvement suggestions were put forward by three aspects of water landscape structure control, urban development control, and ecological space demarcation.
Education for Sustainable Development: The Impact of the Values in Mobile Phone Addiction
Authors: Merma-Molina Gladys , Gavilán-Martín Diego , Álvarez-Herrero Juan-Francisco
Published: February 2021

The key competences for sustainable development, among which is digital competence, will not be achieved without the integration of values in education. The objective of this research was to identify and analyze the relationships between the values taught in schools and mobile addiction. The study design was predictive correlational. The sample consisted of 1453 students of primary and secondary education (61.3% women; 38.7% men). The findings have shown a significant correlation between the values taught in schools and mobile phone addiction. It is concluded that the greater the formation of values, the less the mobile addiction. These correlations are especially significant regarding social values such as solidarity, inclusion, and justice, and personal values such as enthusiasm, patience, impartiality, openness of ideas, honesty, and balance. Likewise, there are significant differences depending on the educational stage; the younger the age, the less the mobile addiction.
Assessing Suitability of Human Settlements in High-Altitude Area Using a Comprehensive Index Method: A Case Study of Tibet, China
Authors: Ding Yanpeng , Shi Bin , Su Guijin , Li Qianqian , Meng Jing , Jiang Yongjian , Qin Yi , Dai Lingwen , Song Shuai
Published: February 2021

With the steady advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), how to build a sustainable environment for human settlements has become a hot topic of research for scholars from various countries. Rational space utilization and resource allocation are the keys to enhancing human well-being and achieving sustainable human settlements. A comprehensive human settlement environment evaluation system, which includes 14 indicators from the natural environment, infrastructure, and public services, was established in this study. The results showed that the habitat suitability area only accounted for 1.61% (2.05% after removing the nature reserve) and all centered on cities and radiated to the surrounding areas. A belt-like suitability distribution pattern of “Yi Jiang Liang He” (i.e., Brahmaputra, Lhasa, and Nianchu Rivers) is formed, and a point-like suitability distribution pattern of the Chamdo Karub District, Nagqu Seni District, and Ngari Shiquanhe Town are formed. The results of the driving factor analysis indicate that the level of public health development in infrastructure and various indicators in public services are the main factors influencing human settlement. There is not much difference in the natural environment in the populated regions, so the suitability of the natural environment is not a significant driving factor. In addition, the reliability of the assessment results was verified by a questionnaire survey of residents in the three regions, and the subjective satisfaction of the residents agreed with the ranking results of the objective evaluation. The evaluation results of this study provide theoretical and directional guidance for the improvement of human settlements on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. It will be a useful tool for evaluating human settlements in the region and has a reference significance for the formulation of macro-policy in high-altitude regions.
The Role of Donor Agencies in Promoting Standardized Project Management in the Spanish Development Non-Government Organizations
Authors: Moya-Colorado Agustín , León-Bolaños Nina , Yagüe-Blanco José L.
Published: February 2021

Project management is an autonomous discipline that is applied to a huge diversity of activity sectors and that has evolved enormously over the last decades. International Development Cooperation has incorporated some of this discipline’s tools into its professional practice, but many gaps remain. This article analyzes donor agencies’ project management approaches in their funding mechanisms for projects implemented by non-governmental organizations. As case study, we look at the Spanish decentralized donor agencies (Spanish autonomous communities). The analysis uses the PM2 project management methodology of the European Commission, as comparison framework, to assess and systematize the documentation, requirements, and project management tools that non-governmental organizations need to use and fulfill as a condition to access these donors’ project funding mechanisms. The analysis shows coincidence across donors in the priority given to project management areas linked to the iron triangle (scope, cost, and time) while other areas are mainly left unattended. The analysis also identifies industry-specific elements of interest (such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals) that need to be incorporated into project management practice in this field. The use of PM2 as benchmark provides a clear vision of the project management areas that donors could address to better support their non-governmental organization-implemented projects.
CSR as a Potential Motivator to Shape Employees’ View towards Nature for a Sustainable Workplace Environment
Authors: Kong Linghui , Sial Muhammad Safdar , Ahmad Naveed , Sehleanu Mariana , Li Zhihui , Zia-Ud-Din Malik , Badulescu Daniel
Published: February 2021

Prior studies in the contemporary literature have largely ignored the important role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in shaping employees’ views of self and nature. Although researchers have recently started to pay considerable attention to explore the link between CSR and environmental sustainability, determining how CSR can be effective in shaping the proenvironmental behavior of employees that is missing in the existing literature. The objective of the present research study is to test the impact of microlevel CSR activities to induce environmental performance of an organization with a mediating effect of employees’ pro-environmental behaviors. This study argues that CSR activities of an organization motivate the workers to rethink the relationship between self and nature; hence, they are encouraged to participate in activities that are helpful in terms of preserving the environment, such as participating in pro-environmental activities at the workplace. The proposed model of the study was tested in the banking sector of Pakistan and analyzed by using the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique in AMOS software. The results revealed that microlevel CSR activities, using employee proenvironmental behaviors as a mediator, directly and indirectly influence environmental performance of a bank. The results of the present study are helpful for policymakers of different banking institutions to understand how they can reduce the environmental footprint of their bank by using a well-planned CSR program that can induce transcendent emotions in employees to create a sustainable environment.
The Importance of Keeping Alive Sustainable Foraging Practices: Wild Vegetables and Herbs Gathered by Afghan Refugees Living in Mansehra District, Pakistan
Authors: Manduzai Ajmal K. , Abbasi Arshad M. , Khan Shujaul M. , Abdullah Abdullah , Prakofjewa Julia , Amini Mohammad H. , Amjad Muhammad S. , Cianfaglione Kevin , Fontefrancesco Michele F. , Soukand Renata , Pieroni Andrea
Published: February 2021

The issue of foraging for wild food plants among migrants and relocated communities is an important one in environmental studies, especially in order to understand how human societies rearrange their practices linked to nature and how they adapt to new socioecological systems. This paper addresses the complexity of Traditional/Local Environmental Knowledge (LEK) changes associated to wild vegetables and herbs across four different groups of Afghan refugees living in Mansehra District, NW Pakistan, since 1985. Via interviews with eighty study participants, forty-eight wild vegetables and herbs were recorded, representing both the past and present wild plant gastronomic heritage. The majority of the quoted wild plant ingredients were only remembered and no longer actively used, thus suggesting an important erosion of LEK. Moreover, the number of wild vegetables and herbs currently used by Afghan Pashtuns engaged in farming activities is much higher than those reported by the other groups. The findings indicate that practiced LEK, i.e., knowledge that is continuously kept alive via constant contact with the natural environment, is essential for the resilience of the biocultural heritage, which is, however, also influenced by the rearrangement of social life adopted by refugees after relocation.
Phosphate Removal Using Polyethylenimine Functionalized Silica-Based Materials
Authors: Xanthopoulou Maria , Giliopoulos Dimitrios , Tzollas Nikolaos , Triantafyllidis Konstantinos S. , Kostoglou Margaritis , Katsoyiannis Ioannis A.
Published: February 2021

In water and wastewater, phosphate anions are considered critical contaminants because they cause algae blooms and eutrophication. The present work aims at studying the removal of phosphate anions from aqueous solutions using silica particles functionalized with polyethylenimine. The parameters affecting the adsorption process such as pH, initial concentration, adsorbent dose, and the presence of competitive anions, such as carbonate, nitrate, sulfate and chromate ions, were studied. Equilibrium studies were carried out to determine their sorption capacity and the rate of phosphate ions uptake. The adsorption isotherm data fitted well with the Langmuir and Sips model. The maximum sorption capacity was 41.1 mg/g at pH 5, which decreased slightly at pH 7. The efficiency of phosphate removal adsorption increased at lower pH values and by increasing the adsorbent dose. The maximum phosphate removal was 80% for pH 5 and decreased to 75% for pH 6, to 73% for pH 7 and to 70% for pH 8, for initial phosphate concentration at about 1 mg/L and for a dose of adsorbent 100 mg/L. The removal rate was increased with the increase of the adsorbent dose. For example, for initial phosphate concentration of 4 mg/L the removal rate increased from 40% to 80% by increasing the dose from 0.1 to 2.0 g/L at pH 7. The competitive anions adversely affected phosphate removal. Though they were also found to be removed to a certain extent. Their co-removal provided an adsorbent which might be very useful for treating waters with low-level multiple contaminant occurrence in natural or engineered aquatic systems.
Colored Heirloom Corn as a Public Good: The Case of Tlaxcala, Mexico
Authors: Velázquez-Salazar Marisol , Scalzo Germán , Byker Shanks Carmen
Published: February 2021

Valorization of territories with diverse cultures and heritage has multiplied in recent years. This study analyzes the case of colored heirloom corn in Tlaxcala, Mexico, as a potential public good associated with the region’s biocultural heritage. The analysis conducted herein relies on a wide range of literature from relevant theory, including Geographical Indications, Global Value Chains, Community-Based Entrepreneurship, Public Goods, and Sustainable Development, in order to employ case study methodology. We leverage a novel approach to analyze the heirloom corn chain and its publicness. This chain reveals its status as a potential public good that clearly influences biocultural heritage, which has been preserved by several generations. To preserve colored heirloom corn in Tlaxcala, Mexico, a development strategy is needed that links actors and resources, involves the public sector, and furthers expansion of the private sector.
Thermal Inequity in Richmond, VA: The Effect of an Unjust Evolution of the Urban Landscape on Urban Heat Islands
Authors: Saverino Kelly C. , Routman Emily , Lookingbill Todd R. , Eanes Andre M. , Hoffman Jeremy S. , Bao Rong
Published: February 2021

The urban heat island (UHI) effect is caused by intensive development practices in cities and the diminished presence of green space that results. The evolution of these phenomena has occurred over many decades. In many cities, historic zoning and redlining practices barred Black and minority groups from moving into predominately white areas and obtaining financial resources, a practice that still affects cities today, and has forced these already disadvantaged groups to live in some of the hottest areas. In this study, we used a new dataset on the spatial distribution of temperature during a heat wave in Richmond, Virginia to investigate potential associations between extreme heat and current and historical demographic, socioeconomic, and land use factors. We assessed these data at the census block level to determine if blocks with large differences in temperature also had significant variation in these covariates. The amount of canopy cover, percent impervious surface, and poverty level were all shown to be strong correlates of UHI when analyzed in conjunction with afternoon temperatures. We also found strong associations of historical policies and planning decisions with temperature using data from the University of Richmond’s Digital Scholarship Lab’s “Mapping Inequality” project. Finally, the Church Hill area of the city provided an interesting case study due to recent data suggesting the area’s gentrification. Differences in demographics, socioeconomic factors, and UHI were observed between north and (more gentrified) south Church Hill. Both in Church Hill and in Richmond overall, our research found that areas occupied by people of low socioeconomic status or minority groups disproportionately experienced extreme heat and corresponding impacts on health and quality of life.
Visualizing Spatial Economic Supply Chains to Enhance Sustainability and Resilience
Authors: Han Yicheol , Goetz Stephan J. , Schmidt Claudia
Published: February 2021

This article presents a spatial supply network model for estimating and visualizing spatial commodity flows that used data on firm location and employment, an input–output table of inter-industry transactions, and material balance-type equations. Building on earlier work, we proposed a general method for visualizing detailed supply chains across geographic space, applying the preferential attachment rule to gravity equations in the network context; we then provided illustrations for U.S. extractive, manufacturing, and service industries, also highlighting differences in rural–urban interdependencies across these sectors. The resulting visualizations may be helpful for better understanding supply chain geographies, as well as business interconnections and interdependencies, and to anticipate and potentially address vulnerabilities to different types of shocks.
Distributed Manufacturing: A New Digital Framework for Sustainable Modular Construction
Authors: Turner Chris , Oyekan John , Stergioulas Lampros K.
Published: February 2021

This paper explores the notion of the modular building construction site as an applied instance of redistributed manufacturing; in so doing, this research seeks to reduce the environmental footprint of building sites, treating them as small digitally connected subunits. In seeking to provide a whole lifecycle appreciation of a construction project, it is noted that the presence of a framework to provide guidance on the consideration of Internet of Things (IoT) data streams and connected construction objects is currently lacking. This paper proposes use of embedded IoT enabled sensing technology within all stages of a modular building lifecycle. An expanded four-phase model of intelligent assets use in construction is proposed along with an outline of the required data flows between the stages of a given building’s entire lifecycle that need to be facilitated for a BIM (Buildings Information Modelling) representation to begin to describe a building project as a sustainable asset within the circular economy. This paper also describes the use of concrete as a modular sensing structure; proposing that health monitoring of the material in situ along with the recoding of environmental factors over time could help to extend the longevity of such structures.
Spatial Equity of Public Parks: A Case Study of Kabul City, Afghanistan
Authors: Mushkani Rashid A. , Ono Haruka
Published: February 2021

Accessibility, the size of the land area, the design and build quality, and the number of parks and their correlation with population density are key elements in fostering ecological spatial equity within cities. This study analyzed different spatial equity attributes of existing parks in Kabul City using onsite observations, measurement analyses, and mapping and buffering of satellite imagery using computer-aided design methods. The results revealed that, presently, 309 ha of urban land is covered by parks, which accounts for 0.78% of the total land area of 394.78 km2. On average, a quarter of city residents can access a park with basic amenities within 300 to 600 m of their residence, and parks currently provide a land coverage distribution per resident of 0.69 m2. However, the majority of parks lack certain amenities like playground and sports facilities desired by different user groups. This article also explored the inequitable distribution of parks at the city scale, underlining the scarcity or concentration of parks in certain areas and stressing the importance of allocating additional land for park provision.
Bioactive and Antimicrobial Properties of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) under Microwave Cooking
Authors: Salamatullah Ahmad Mohammad , Alkaltham Mohammed Saeed , Hayat Khizar , Ahmed Mohammed Asif , Arzoo Shaista , Husain Fohad Mabood , Alzahrani Abdulhakeem
Published: February 2021

Fruits and vegetables constitute a considerable amount of antioxidants and among them eggplant is a rich source of polyphenol compounds. This study investigated the bioactive and antimicrobial properties of eggplant under different degree of microwave cooking. The eggplant was cooked for 7 min (light cooked), 10 min (medium cooked), and 15 min (high cooked). The highest total polyphenol content was observed in the light cooked eggplant sample (27.35 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight (DW)) followed by high cooked sample (26.10 mg GAE/g DW), while the lowest total polyphenol content (2.79 mg GAE/g DW) was obtained for the uncooked (control) sample. The total polyphenol content of the samples ranged in the following order; light cooked > high cooked > medium cooked > uncooked. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging of eggplant ranged between 16.16% (control) and 47.88% (high cooked). The highest reducing power was exhibited by the light cooked (absorbance 1.708) eggplant sample followed by the high cooked (absorbance 1.597), while the lowest reducing power was shown by uncooked sample (absorbance 0.389). Moreover, antimicrobial studies showed that light cooked eggplant sample demonstrated broad-spectrum inhibition of growth in Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans. Slightly lower antimicrobial potential was exhibited by medium cooked eggplant sample while no antibacterial or antifungal activity was recorded for the extract of high cooked eggplant sample. Microwave cooking might be a method to enhance the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of eggplant.
Events and Festivals Contribution for Local Sustainability
Authors: Pereira Leandro , Jerónimo Carlos , Sempiterno Mariana , Lopes da Costa Renato , Dias Álvaro , António Nélson
Published: February 2021

Festivals can improve the image of host communities, making them an appealing destination and boosting local economy. However, it is hard to measure their actual impact, which is a key factor to justify governments’ initiatives. This study aims to verify how accurate direct expenditure analysis can be. First, the impact of new visitors’ expenditure is calculated based on a survey. Then, consumption indicators are used to forecast the actual economic impact of the festival. Finally, both results are compared. Even though the values gathered with consumption indicators are only a lower bound of the festival’s impact, this study found that assessing expenditure intentions during the festival leads to impact estimates that can be three times higher. The theoretical contribution of this study is to identify direct expenditure analysis weaknesses and how to reduce their effects.
Building Energy Model for Mexican Energy Standard Verification Using Physics-Based Open Studio SGSAVE Software Simulation
Authors: Guízar Dena Andrés Jonathan , Pascual Miguel Ángel , Fernández Bandera Carlos
Published: February 2021

The aim of the project detailed in this article was the development of an energy model for verifying Mexican energy standard compliance using the energy simulation engine EnergyPlus through Open Studio SGSAVE software. We aimed to improve the tool’s ability to increase the comfort of social housing through the implementation of the standard in a practical digital tool. The project followed a four-stage methodology. The first stage was the development of climatic zoning for the country. The second stage involved the research and classification of the main traditional construction systems. The third stage was extensive research on the actual state of Mexican energy verification and its legal framework. The standard studied was NOM-020-ENER-2011. The final stage was testing the verification method by introducing the energy Mexican rule into the proposed software with the zoning and construction systems catalogue. A base model of a social housing type was developed in the software. Then, this model was improved to respond to each representative climate zone. Both models were simulated and we verified if they met the requirements. The results were contrasted for determining if there were energy savings. As a conclusion, we found that the actual energy standard of Mexico needs to be changed and we suggest the implementation of the energy simulation engine Energy Plus for creating more complete reports. This will help with the practical improvements in social housing conditions.
Simulation of Groundwater Flow in an Aquiclude for Designing a Drainage System during Urban Construction: A Case Study in Madrid, Spain
Authors: Sanz de Ojeda Joaquín , Sanz Eugenio , Elorza Francisco Javier , Riaguas Cesar Sanz , Liaño Manuel de Pazos
Published: February 2021

A detailed hydrogeological study was carried out due to the recent occurrence of unexpected problems associated with the flooding of the water table during excavations in the area of a major urbanization work in Madrid. The numerous exploratory drilling excavations carried out allowed for the development of a conceptual model of the complex hydrogeological functioning in clay formations in an urban area. The clays have very little natural recharge, and the underground flow is highly conditioned by the topography and a fold-fault. Modelling with MODDFLOW confirmed and quantified this conceptual model and also allowed for the design of an efficient network of 1.5 km-long drainage trenches. The design of this drainage network was influenced by the difficult balance that must be respected in order not to contaminate the water with sulphates from the nearby gypsum substrate. This is to guarantee the quantitative and qualitative sustainability of the groundwater. The follow-up and monitoring of the water tables and the quality of the groundwater for more than a year after the excavation of the drainage trenches guaranteed the results of the research.
Learning from Failure and Success: The Challenges for Circular Economy Implementation in SMEs in an Emerging Economy
Authors: Cantú Andrea , Aguiñaga Eduardo , Scheel Carlos
Published: February 2021

While there is ample research on the barriers and enablers for implementing circular economy (CE) in large companies and developed economies, scant research exists concerning the factors impacting CE implementation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies. To address this gap, our research seeks to determine the internal and external barriers SMEs face when implementing CE initiatives in emerging economies and identify how they can leverage CE implementation through bottom-up approaches. We present a multiple-case study of five SMEs in Mexico. Our findings suggest that the lack of regional enabling conditions and unsuitability between the CE business strategy and the context can further exacerbate implementation barriers. In this sense, we found that in our study’s unsuccessful case, the company failed to align its business to the particularities of the markets where it operated. Contrary, successful initiatives adopted strategies that incorporated contextual attributes in their business models, such as available infrastructure, current regulations, or consumer characteristics. Our results provide lessons from both failing and successful CE initiatives implemented by SMEs in an emerging economy. This work intends to help practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to create the required enabling conditions to accelerate the transition toward a CE in these regions.
Digital Transformation and Environmental Sustainability: A Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Feroz Abdul Karim , Zo Hangjung , Chiravuri Ananth
Published: February 2021

Digital transformation refers to the unprecedented disruptions in society, industry, and organizations stimulated by advances in digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Presently, there is a lack of studies to map digital transformation in the environmental sustainability domain. This paper identifies the disruptions driven by digital transformation in the environmental sustainability domain through a systematic literature review. The results present a framework that outlines the transformations in four key areas: pollution control, waste management, sustainable production, and urban sustainability. The transformations in each key area are divided into further sub-categories. This study proposes an agenda for future research in terms of organizational capabilities, performance, and digital transformation strategy regarding environmental sustainability.
Promoting User Participation of Shared Mobility in the Sharing Economy: Evidence from Chinese Bike Sharing Services
Authors: Lou Liguo , Li Lin , Yang Sung-Byung , Koh Joon
Published: February 2021

User participation plays a critical role in the business success of shared mobility services. This study classifies user participation behavior into two different types (in- and extra-role participations), integrates the motivation–opportunity–ability (MOA) model and social exchange theory (SET) to identify key antecedents, and empirically examines the influences of user–user, user–provider, and user–service interaction-related factors on user participation in the context of bike sharing services. The results of structural equation model analysis with 438 bike sharing service users in China reveal that altruism, rewards, and user knowledge enhance both in- and extra-role participations, whereas perceived ease of use promotes only user in-role participation, and both user satisfaction and commitment increase only user extra-role participation. Rewards are also found to promote user satisfaction, ultimately increasing user commitment. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on value co-creation and customer cooperation behavior in the sharing economy and provides practical implications to both managers of bike sharing services and policymakers for urban transportation and ICT-enabled sustainable development.