bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Label Metric for Multi-Class Multi-Target Tracking under Hierarchical Multilevel Classification
Authors: Diao Jingdong , Zhou Qingrui , Wang Hui , Yang Ying
Published: November 2022

Aiming at multiple quantities and types of targets, multi-class multi-target tracking usually faces not only cardinality errors, but also mis-classification problems. Considering its performance evaluation, the traditional optimal subpattern assignment (OSPA) method tends to calculate a separate metric for each class of targets, or introduce other indexes such as the classification error rate, which decreases the value of OSPA as a comprehensive single metric. This paper proposed a hierarchical multi-level class label for multi-class multi-target tracking under hierarchical multilevel classification, which can synthetically measure the state errors, cardinality error, and mis-classification. The hierarchical multi-level class label is introduced as an attached label to finite sets based on the hierarchical tree-structured categorization. A Wasserstein distance type metric then can be defined among the distribution represented by any two labels. The proposed label metric is a mathematic metric, and its advantages are illustrated by examples in several cases.
ECO6G: Energy and Cost Analysis for Network Slicing Deployment in Beyond 5G Networks
Authors: Thantharate Anurag , Tondwalkar Ankita Vijay , Beard Cory , Kwasinski Andres
Published: November 2022

Fifth-generation (5G) wireless technology promises to be the critical enabler of use cases far beyond smartphones and other connected devices. This next-generation 5G wireless standard represents the changing face of connectivity by enabling elevated levels of automation through continuous optimization of several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as latency, reliability, connection density, and energy efficiency. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) must promote and implement innovative technologies and solutions to reduce network energy consumption while delivering high-speed and low-latency services to deploy energy-efficient 5G networks with a reduced carbon footprint. This research evaluates an energy-saving method using data-driven learning through load estimation for Beyond 5G (B5G) networks. The proposed ‘ECO6G’ model utilizes a supervised Machine Learning (ML) approach for forecasting traffic load and uses the estimated load to evaluate the energy efficiency and OPEX savings. The simulation results demonstrate a comparative analysis between the traditional time-series forecasting methods and the proposed ML model that utilizes learned parameters. Our ECO6G dataset is captured from measurements on a real-world operational 5G base station (BS). We showcase simulations using our ECO6G model for a given dataset and demonstrate that the proposed ECO6G model is accurate within $4.3 million over 100,000 BSs over 5 years compared to three other models that would increase OPEX cost from $370 million to $1.87 billion during varying network load scenarios against other data-driven and statistical learning models.
The Relationship between Creative Self-Efficacy, Achievement Motivation, and Job Burnout among Designers in China’s e-Market
Authors: Wu Xiuxiu , Siu Kin Wai Michael , Bühring Jörn , Villani Caterina
Published: November 2022

The e-market is prosperous in China, but the factors that stimulate or deter its development remain unclear. This study focuses on designers (interaction, user interface, product, and user experience designers) in the Chinese e-marketplace to examine the relationship between creative self-efficacy (CSE), achievement motivation (including motivation to approach success [MS], and motivation to avoid failure [MF]), and job burnout. Eighty-two questionnaires and eight in-depth interviews were used to collect data. The designers were found to be experiencing intermediate levels of job burnout. However, their achievement motivation and CSE were relatively high, and achievement motivation acted as an overarching factor that triggered CSE. The study contributes to the field by providing theoretical evidence showing how achievement motivation and job burnout influence designers’ CSE. We show the value of the need to increase employees’ achievement motivation, which builds CSE naturally. To conclude, we suggest that achievement motivation may be more critical for firms, as employees will handle their work seriously with a higher sense of responsibility.
Analysis of the Quality of Service in Gastronomic Festivals
Authors: Campoverde-Aguirre Ronald , Carvache-Franco Mauricio , Carvache-Franco Wilmer , Almeida-Cabrera María
Published: November 2022

Gastronomic festivals have become a pathway to promoting the gastronomy and culture of a tourist destination. However, there is no taxonomy for evaluating the quality of services in these types of festivals. For this reason, the present study aimed to propose a service quality evaluation model applicable to gastronomic festivals based on a review of commonly used models. The research was carried out at the Raíces Gastronomic Festival held in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in 2018. Six hundred valid questionnaires were obtained, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to identify the dimensions of the items. In addition, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to validate the proposed model. As a result, we obtained a questionnaire to evaluate the quality of services in gastronomic festivals based on tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, and adequacy dimensions. These findings contribute to expanding the academic literature on food festivals and provide a questionnaire to measure the service quality of this type of event.
Exploring Concurrent Relationships between Economic Factors and Student Mobility in Expanding Higher Education Achieving 2030
Authors: Lo Yu-Hsin , Chang Dian-Fu , Chang Angel
Published: November 2022

Student mobility is one of the most important indicators to reflect institutional internationalization in a sustainable higher education system. Student mobility issues have been addressed in previous studies, and the phenomenon was discussed in association with related factors persistently. Since higher education sustainable development has received much scholarly attention, monitoring student mobility flows to adjust international strategies is necessary. This study explored practical approaches to detect student mobility flows in the process of higher education expansion. Targeting Taiwan’s higher education system as an example, we addressed the topic of system expansion and the core issues of student mobility. Target series data were collected from 1950 to 2021, including the economic growth ratio, GDP per capita, higher education enrollment, gross enrollment ratio (GER), and the number of inbound and outbound students. The data were transformed with index formats, for example, the economic growth ratio, enrollment increasing ratio (IR), and net flow ratio. The cross-correlation function (CCF) and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) were used to determine the correlations of the series data and their future trends. The findings suggested that the system expansion, with GER and IR, might reflect fluctuated student mobility in economic growth. This study confirmed that the time series approaches work well in detecting the phenomena of higher education expansion and their effects on student mobility flow in the future.
Multi-Step Crude Oil Price Prediction Based on LSTM Approach Tuned by Salp Swarm Algorithm with Disputation Operator
Authors: Jovanovic Luka , Jovanovic Dejan , Bacanin Nebojsa , Jovancai Stakic Ana , Antonijevic Milos , Magd Hesham , Thirumalaisamy Ravi , Zivkovic Miodrag
Published: November 2022

The economic model derived from the supply and demand of crude oil prices is a significant component that measures economic development and sustainability. Therefore, it is essential to mitigate crude oil price volatility risks by establishing models that will effectively predict prices. A promising approach is the application of long short-term memory artificial neural networks for time-series forecasting. However, their ability to tackle complex time series is limited. Therefore, a decomposition-forecasting approach is taken. Furthermore, machine learning model accuracy is highly dependent on hyper-parameter settings. Therefore, in this paper, a modified version of the salp swarm algorithm is tasked with determining satisfying parameters of the long short-term memory model to improve the performance and accuracy of the prediction algorithm. The proposed approach is validated on real-world West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil price data throughout two types of experiments, one with the original time series and one with the decomposed series after applying variation mode decomposition. In both cases, models were adjusted to conduct one, three, and five-steps ahead predictions. According to the findings of comparative analysis with contemporary metaheuristics, it was concluded that the proposed hybrid approach is promising for crude oil price forecasting, outscoring all competitors.
Sustaining Forest Plantations for the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Authors: Koutika Lydie-Stella , Matondo Rosalie , Mabiala-Ngoma André , Tchichelle Viviane Sogni , Toto Mélanie , Madzoumbou Jean-Claude , Akana Juste Armand , Gomat Hugues Y. , Mankessi François , Mbou Armel Thongo , Matsoumbou Tiburce , Diamesso Alpiche , Saya Aubin Rachel , Nzila Jean de Dieu
Published: November 2022

Located in the hearth of Africa, the Congo basin is the world’s second largest rainforest ecosystem, spanning over nine countries including the Republic of the Congo. Nature-based solutions, i.e., afforestation, reforestation or agroforestry supplying wood energy, halting food insecurity, restoring land desertification and fostering mitigation and adaptation to climate warming, have been increasingly used in the past decades. Within this framework, Congolese coastal plains have been afforested using fast growing trees since the early 1950s. Due to the low forest productivity and soil fertility, sustainable management of these forest ecosystems (trees, soils and environment) have been performed. Improved germplasms, increased stand wood biomass and healthier soils have the potential to enhance wood and fuel wood energy supply, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, food security, restoration of land and ecosystem biodiversity. This meets ten out of the seventeen sustainable development goals (SDG #), specifically goals related to alleviating poverty (1) and hunger (2), improving health (3), education (4), sanitation and access to clean water (6). Other goals include providing affordable clean energy (7), sustainable production and consumption (12), action on climate change (13), life on land (15), and partnerships for goals (17). Nature-based solutions help to face important societal challenges meeting more than half of SDGs of the United Nations.
How Does Supply Chain Resilience Affect Supply Chain Performance? The Mediating Effect of Sustainability
Authors: Zhu Xinqiu , Wu Yenchun Jim
Published: November 2022

In recent years, interruption or failure events have occurred due to frequent natural disasters, the outbreak of COVID-19, policy environment turbulence, an increasingly complex business environment, and the increasingly fragile global supply chain. This has reduced the efficiency of supply chains and customer service quality and increased operating costs, creating new requirements for supply chain flexibility and sustainability. When investigating 21 companies based on 200 questionnaires and a structural equation model analysis, the results showed that the elasticity of the supply chain for supply chain sustainability, economic sustainability, social sustainability, and environment sustainability has an obvious positive effect: supply chain sustainability has an obvious positive effect on supply chain performance. Supply chain resilience has no direct positive effect on supply chain performance, but it has a strong indirect effect on supply chain performance under the mediating effect of supply chain sustainability. In view of this, in order to create sustainable supply chain development and improve the performances of supply chains, it is necessary to establish the awareness of risk prevention, root the risk culture in supply chain network organization, and improve supply chain resilience in multiple dimensions. Enterprises in the supply chain should continue to build their resilience and establish effective strategies to integrate supply chains. The intermediary role of sustainability in supply chains and of supply chain flexibility in supply chain performance shows the influence of economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable angles, such as the implementation of supply chain management, the maximization of the interests of the whole supply chain, improving the ability of supply chain enterprises to innovate and develop, establishing customer awareness, and enhancing humanistic ideas. Dynamic selection of supply chain partners while focusing on their green performance promotes the green development of supply chain enterprises.
What Makes Courier Service Creative?—From Managing Logistics to Managing Knowledge
Authors: Yao Liu , Mohd Shah Nurul Izzah , Mohamad Fazeeda , Cheng Jack Kie , An Hong Ki , Abdalla Ahmed N.
Published: November 2022

The recent online business blossom has stimulated the soaring demand for logistics service, or rather, courier service, which emerged as a robust momentum of economic growth worldwide. So, to satisfy the fast-changing online businesses, courier services have been urged to be more creative to ensure the desired efficient movement of goods and services along the supply chain, especially in logistics and parcel deliveries. How could the courier service be more creative? What makes courier service creative has not yet been fully explored. Therefore, this study aimed to unveil the antecedents of creativity of courier services from the perspective of managing knowledge which is regarded as the source of wisdom. Taking into consideration the logistical nature of courier service, the proposed framework integrates logistics into knowledge management, and focuses on empirically detecting its relationship with creativity in the context of Malaysia. The results prove that the logistics-related knowledge management (LRKM) affects creativity in a significant and positive manner. However, amongst the four select constructs, only the logistics-related knowledge dissemination (LRKD) followed by the logistics-related knowledge responsiveness (LRKR) are significant operational contributors in the development of creativity in courier services. The logistics-related knowledge generation (LRKG) and logistics-related shared interpretation (LRKS) have not yet appeared significant, which is mainly due to the current insufficient development of the courier service in Malaysia. It indicates that to further enhance creativity, courier service providers should attach importance on managing knowledge of logistics operation, especially in the respects of dissemination and responsiveness, while more efforts shall be exerted to the generation and shared interpretation as both are still having positive potentials towards creativity. This study is amongst the pioneers to cross-extend the theory of logistics management and knowledge management into the courier service industry, and it also expands the application of the theory of creativity into the courier service industry. Future study could further examine the inter-relationships among the detected constructs, the effects of creativity of courier service on the performance of e-business firms, and so on.
Designing Resource-Efficient and Environmentally Safe Cropping Systems for Sustainable Energy Use and Economic Returns in Indo-Gangetic Plains, India
Authors: Walia Sohan Singh , Babu Subhash , Gill Roopinder Singh , Kaur Tamanpreet , Kohima Noopur , Panwar Azad Singh , Yadav Dinesh Kumar , Ansari Meraj Alam , Ravishankar Natesan , Kumar Sanjeev , Kaur Karmjeet , Ansari Majhrool Hak
Published: November 2022

Achieving an economically feasible and environmentally robust model in agriculture while satisfying the expanding population’s food demands is a global challenge. Hence, a three-year (2014–2017) study was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana to design environmentally clean, energy-efficient, and profitable cropping systems. Twelve cropping systems viz., rice-wheat (CS1), basmati rice-hayola (transplanted)-mung bean (CS2), basmati rice-radish-maize (CS3), maize-potato-maize (CS4), maize + turmeric-barley + linseed (CS5), maize + turmeric-wheat + linseed (CS6), maize + radish-wheat + linseed-mung bean (CS7), groundnut + pigeon pea (5:1)-wheat + sarson (9:1) (CS8), maize + black gram-pea (bed) + celery (furrows) (CS9),: maize + pigeon pea-chickpea (bed) + gobhi sarson (furrows) (CS10), maize (green cobs) + vegetable cowpea + dhaincha (Sesbania spp.)-chickpea + gobhi sarson (CS11) and sorghum + cowpea (fodder)-wheat + gobhi sarson (9:1) (CS12) were tested in a four-times-replicated randomized block design. CS11 had the maximum system productivity (28.57 Mg ha−1), production efficiency (78.27 Kg Day−1 ha−1), irrigation water use efficiency (2.38 kg m−3), system net returns (4413.3 US$ ha−1), and benefit to cost (B:C) ratio (2.83) over others. In comparison to the CS1 system, this cropping system required ~78% less irrigation water for a unit economic production. However, the cultivation of CS12 registered the highest energy use efficiency (49.06%), net energy returns (6.46 × 103 MJ ha⁻¹), and global warming potential (GWP) (Mg CO2 e ha−1) at spatial scale. Among all the intensified systems, CS11 had the lowest GHGI (0.29 kg CO2 e kg−1). Furthermore, cultivation of CS6 resulted in the maximum bacterial and actinomycetes population in the soil, while CS5 yielded the highest fungal count (23.8 × 103 cfu g−1 dry soil) in soil. Our study suggests that the cultivation of CS11 is a resource-efficient, economically viable, and environmentally clean production system and could be a potential alternative to rice-wheat systems for developing a green economy policy for agricultural development in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India.
Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Single-Story Steel Building in Its Life Cycle: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Vela Silvia , Calderini Chiara , Rosasco Paolo , Strazza Carlo
Published: November 2022

In this study, the possibility of applying the Life Cycle Thinking approach to structural design, considering all aspects and phases of the structure’s life, is investigated. The idea is to develop a procedure for the analysis of the economic and environmental impacts of structures in their life cycle, including not only ordinary costs along life cycle phases but also the extraordinary costs resulting from damage and anticipated end-of-life caused by unexpected natural hazards. The building performance under extraordinary conditions is calculated according to a time-based Loss Assessment Analysis. Such analysis provides the probable performance of a building and its components over a given period of time, considering all the hazardous events that can occur in that period, the probability of occurrence of each event, and the related effects. The outlined approach is applied to a case study of a single-story steel office building located in Italy. Two LC scenarios, having a duration of 2 years and 50 years, are considered. Results show that contributions of environmental impacts and benefits related to end-of-life management and economic losses for natural hazards are significant and not negligible. It is highlighted that the greatest challenge faced when using such a comprehensive approach is represented by data availability and representativeness that deeply limits the possibility of its implementation.
Detecting Discontinuities in Steel Wire Ropes of Personal Lifts Based on the Analysis of Their Residual Magnetic Field
Authors: Mazurek Paweł , Roskosz Maciej , Kwaśniewski Jerzy , Wu Jianbo , Schabowicz Krzysztof
Published: November 2022

Steel wire rope is essential to many rope transport devices. As steel ropes are used, they become damaged, the identification of which is often very difficult or time-consuming. The criteria for retiring steel wire ropes are rigorous—sometimes, ropes that remain fit for further operation are replaced. This article aims to define a novel method of identifying the condition of steel ropes based on their residual magnetic field measurements and their potential use in other industries in the event of damage. This article presents a methodology for detecting discontinuities in steel ropes, which allows for determination of their suitability for further operation. The work uses a rope as a load-bearing element of a personal lift. The initial signal was recorded with a SpinMeter-3D magnetometer. The obtained results were subjected to the extraction of features, the analysis of which allowed identifying the damage. The obtained results enable us to conclude that this procedure is crucial in the context of sustainable development.
Aligning Engineering Education for Sustainable Development through Governance: The Case of the International Center for Engineering Education in China
Authors: Chen Huimin , Wang Sunyu , Li Yue
Published: November 2022

Engineering education plays a key role in the progress toward achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, engineering education faces many challenges worldwide, and the issues are becoming increasingly complicated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To deal with these challenges and achieve the SDGs by 2030, governance that aligns engineering education and SDGs is badly needed. The International Center for Engineering Education (ICEE) has taken a series of governance actions to align engineering education and sustainable development. This research presents the contribution of these governance actions, analyzes the governance types and their relevance to the SDGs, and explores the key mechanisms of these governance actions and challenges. This research can provide useful information for the global community to understand China’s participation in global engineering-educational governance and promote engineering education for sustainable development.
Self-Determination Theory and Online Learning in University: Advancements, Future Direction and Research Gaps
Authors: Rosli Mohd Shafie , Saleh Nor Shela , Md. Ali Azlah , Abu Bakar Suaibah
Published: November 2022

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) has been studied to comprehend human motivation, particularly in education. Numerous studies have been conducted at universities regarding online learning as a technology to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. On the basis of these expansions, however, there is a knowledge gap regarding what constitutes advancement, future direction, and research gaps regarding SDT in university online learning. This new systematic literature review analyzed 49 articles using PRISMA to bridge the knowledge gap. Currently, SDT research in online learning at university does not extensively integrate other theories and models, but there is a trend toward acceptance models and cognitive theories. Future research should incorporate additional SDT factors such as intrinsic motivation, external regulation, identified regulation, and amotivation in addition to autonomy, competence, and relatedness. As most research samples students, a research gap involving lecturers and mixed groups is suggested. The future is anticipated to be dominated by quantitative research, leaving qualitative and mixed methods as points of exploration. This review sheds light on the advancements, future direction, and research gaps regarding SDT in university-level online learning. It could serve as a basis for future research in SDT within the context of online education.
Testing the Catalysts of the Romanian Creative Economy—A Panel Data Analysis Approach
Authors: Florea Adrian-Gheorghe , Sava Diana-Cristina , Marcu Olivia Andreea
Published: November 2022

There have been several decades since the creative and cultural economy (CCE) was praised for its contributions to long-term socio-economic development and also for its sustainable approach concerning the main production factors involved by the creative industries—human intellect and talent—and cultural ones, and now, more than ever, the creative sector could be perceived as vital in facing and recovering from the several crises of recent years. In order to determine the “recipe” of a flourishing local CCE, our research continues analysing seven Romanian cities, by assessing several influential factors considered as catalysts of the CCE, such as: student populations, young populations, and local public expenditure on culture during 2008–2019 for the selected creative cities. In this paper, we will determine the connection between these catalysts of the local CCEs’ development as independent variables, and two economic dimensions, the number of employees and turnover, as the dependent variables. The determination of this correlation started by using the observation method and the method of multiple regression, but further investigation was needed, so the present paper deepens the research by approaching the panel data method. Our results prove an existing correlation between the analysed variables, some of them influencing positively, and others negatively.
Simulation-Based Comparison of PID with Sliding Mode Controller for Matrix-Converter-Based Dynamic Voltage Restorer under Variation of System Parameters to Alleviate the Voltage Sag in Distribution System
Authors: Soomro Abdul Hameed , Larik Abdul Sattar , Mahar Mukhtiar Ahmed , Sahito Anwar Ali
Published: November 2022

A constant power supply is a basic need for each consumer due to the increase in sensitive equipment day by day. As per IEEE standards, a 10% reduction in voltage from the supply voltage is not acceptable and may cause the failure of equipment. Previously, different techniques have been used to alleviate the voltage sag, such as STATCOM, DSTATCOM, SVC, and shunt capacitors, but these devices are connected in parallel, which compensates for the low value of voltage sag, and they have high maintenance costs involved. Compensation for the low and high values of voltage sag is possible through a series-connected device such as a dynamic voltage restorer. In this paper, a matrix converter is presented for DVR to convert AC to AC voltage directly and free from batteries, capacitors, and multiple conversions as needed in a voltage source inverter, resulting in a reduced cost of DVR topology. The DVR is meaningless in the absence of a controller, so it is necessary to select a suitable controller for the satisfactory operation of the DVR under a variation of system parameters. In this paper, the performance of a linear PID controller is analyzed and compared with a nonlinear controller, such as a sliding-mode controller, under variation of power system parameters inorder to select a robust controller that performs satisfactorily for DVR. Earlier trial-and-error methods were used to obtain the parameters of PID gains, but they require a large time to obtain the parameters of the PID gains and there is a chance of inaccuracy. A genetic algorithm was used to obtain the gain parameters, but it has more convergence time and the particle swarm optimization technique has involves less reliability. In this research paper, the sliding surface coefficient parameters such as and Ki for the PI sliding surface of SMC and PID gains are taken through an ant colony algorithm to obtain the robustness of the controllers. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the best DVR topology with reduced cost. MATLAB simulation software was utilized to analyze the performance of the DVR with PID and SMC controllers under different fault conditions and also the THD% of proposed controllers was analyzed through FFT.
Evaluation of SWMM-LID Modeling Applicability Considering Regional Characteristics for Optimal Management of Non-Point Pollutant Sources
Authors: Lee Jong Mun , Park Minji , Min Joong-Hyuk , Kim Jinsun , Lee Jimin , Jang Heeseon , Na Eun Hye
Published: November 2022

Urbanization and climate change have deteriorated the runoff water circulation and quality in urban areas worldwide. Consequently, low-impact development (LID) and green infrastructure (GI) techniques have been applied to manage impermeable land and non-point source pollutants. Herein, the impacts of urban characteristics, sewer system type, and precipitation intensity on surface runoff were analyzed using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) to derive an effective water circulation strategy for urban and complex areas through the optimal allocation of LID/GI strategies. The runoff rates were estimated to be 77.9%, 37.8%, and 61.7% for urban areas with separated and combined sewer systems and complex areas with combined sewer systems, respectively. During low rainfall, runoff was intercepted in areas with combined sewer systems, and runoff and pollutant load were lower than that in areas with separated sewer system. In contrast, wastewater was diluted during heavy rainfall; however, the total pollutant load was higher than in separated areas. The analysis of scenarios according to the regional distribution of each LID type resulted in high efficiency when combined sewers were applied during the distributed placement of catchment areas. Additionally, LID infrastructure was applied in areas with separated sewers when the placement was concentrated at the end of the basin.
Study on Mechanical Properties and Constitutive Relationship of Concrete Corroded by Hydrochloric Acid under Cyclic Load
Authors: Cheng Laixiu , Shi Liang , Yi Ling , Zhao Weizhuo
Published: November 2022

Most of the existing studies on acid corrosion of concrete have focused on the mechanical behavior of concrete structures under monotonic load or without load. To investigate the mechanical properties of in-service concrete components under cyclic load in an acid corrosion environment, six groups of concrete prism specimens with different acid corrosion degrees (corrosion duration) were designed and prepared by the accelerated corrosion test method. The monotonic and cyclic axial compression load tests on these specimens were conducted to investigate the effects of corrosion degree on the mechanical properties of concrete specimens. The experimental results indicated that hydrochloric acid corrosion has obvious effects on the failure characteristics and mechanical properties of concrete. The surface of corroded concrete was easier to crack and spall under load, and the concrete spalling area enlarged as the acid corrosion duration increased. The compressive capacity of concrete specimens reduced rapidly with the increase in corrosion duration. The stress–strain envelope curves for concrete with different corrosion duration under cyclic load were essentially similar to that of concrete under monotonic load. The degradation rate of the descending section for the stress–strain curves of corroded concrete under cyclic load was much larger than that under the monotonic load due to the accumulation of internal damage in concrete. The peak strain and ultimate strain of corroded concrete increased significantly with the increase in corrosion duration and enhanced by 55.7% and 77.9%, respectively, compared with the uncorroded concrete, whereas the peak stress and elastic modulus rapidly decreased and reduced by 53.3% and 74.1%, respectively. Moreover, based on the strength degradation depth, the concept of effective bearing cross-sectional area ratio was proposed to characterize the corrosion degree of concrete, and the correction coefficient of descending section for the effective bearing cross-sectional area ratio was introduced to establish the constitutive model of corroded concrete under cyclic load, and the results calculated by this model matched well with the experimental values. The research in this paper can provide the experimental and theoretical basis for seismic life cycle and fatigue redesign of concrete structures in acid corrosion environments or coastal areas.
Can Circular Economy Legislation Promote Pollution Reduction? Evidence from Urban Mining Pilot Cities in China
Authors: Shen Hongcheng , Liu Yi
Published: November 2022

Major economies, such as the United States, European Union (EU), Japan, and China have enacted Circular Economy Promotion Laws (CEPLs) to promote the development of the recycling industry. The Urban Mining Pilot Policy (UMPP) is an essential provision of the CEPL in China, which promotes a circular economy and environmentally friendly industries and society. In China, the Urban Mining Pilot City (UMPC) program facilitates the addressing of the negative environmental impacts of industrial and urban waste, and conservation of scarce primary resources, which are necessary for sustainable industrialization and urban sustainability in developing countries. In the present study, a time-varying difference-in-difference analysis of city-level panel data was conducted to investigate the impact of the UMPC program on pollution reduction in China. The results indicated that the UMPC program has improved municipal waste management efficiency and environmental quality significantly, with robust results across various models and datasets. Additionally, the mediation test showed the positive impacts of the UMPC program are mainly associated with the economy-of-scale effects. Finally, the UMPP had geographical and social-economic heterogeneous effects. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to quantify the impact of the UMPC program on recyclable solid waste management and pollution reduction in urban China, with potential contributions to resource and environmental economics.
Climate Variability, Temporal Migration, and Household Welfare among Agricultural Households in Tanzania
Authors: Chegere Martin Julius , Mrosso Theresia Livinus
Published: November 2022

Climate change has been one of the factors inducing people to migrate internally. As a result of climate change risks, the temporal migration strategy has been employed as an insurance strategy to cope with its impacts. This study analyses whether climate variability is a driving factor for temporal migration among agricultural households and whether such migration shields farmers from agricultural shocks. The study used three waves of the Tanzania National Panel Survey data and employed various descriptive and panel-data econometric techniques in the analyses. Results indicated that climate variability has no effect on overall agricultural production but has a significant effect on maize production, a staple food crop in Tanzania. Moreover, high market value from production was associated with a lower chance that climate variability forced a household member to migrate. In cases where climate change leads to temporal migration, the migrants may shield the household from large welfare losses by bringing back their earned income with new skills. More investments in adaptation to climate change can reduce temporal migration. This will facilitate retaining productive forces, thus boosting the rural economy where agriculture is commonly practiced.
Queue-Size Distribution in a Discrete-Time Finite-Capacity Model with a Single Vacation Mechanism
Authors: Kempa Wojciech M.
Published: November 2022

In the paper a finite-capacity discrete-time queueing system with geometric interarrival times and generally distributed processing times is studied. Every time when the service station becomes idle it goes for a vacation of random duration that can be treated as a power-saving mechanism. Application of a single vacation policy is one way for the system to achieve symmetry in terms of system operating costs. A system of differential equations for the transient conditional queue-size distribution is established. The solution of the corresponding system written for double probability generating functions is found using the analytical method based on a linear algebraic approach. Moreover, the representation for the probability-generating function of the stationary queue-size distribution is obtained. Numerical study illustrating theoretical results is attached as well.
Sustainable Operation Structures in the Cross-Border Enterprise Ecosystem under Tariff Fluctuations: A Systematic Evaluation
Authors: Zeng Ting , Yang Tianjian
Published: November 2022

In a business ecosystem, cross-border enterprises are vulnerable to disruptions such as tariff fluctuations. By modeling distribution structures, this paper explores how cross-border enterprises develop ecological advantages and improve their resilience. With system dynamics methodology, a cross-border enterprise ecosystem is modeled in the context of employing a distributor in a foreign jurisdiction overseeing product distribution (as a commissionaire or a fully fledged distributor). This study compares the dynamic performance of different distribution structures in response to tariff changes. The comparative results reveal that enterprises with distributors are more resilient to tariff fluctuations than those without distributors. This study proposes an effective measure to mitigate the disruptions caused by a tariff change; reducing transfer prices within a range can help to recover some of the lost profits and sales caused by a tariff increase. Moreover, this research provides practical implications on ideal operating structures for various purposes under tariff changes; implementing a commissionaire model leads to the highest profit, while implementing a fully fledged distributor model provides a more friendly market environment to customers. The provided insights have theoretical and practical value for policy makers, managers and investors to deal with a wide spectrum of strategic business ecosystem challenges.
Open-Source Photovoltaic—Electrical Vehicle Carport Designs
Authors: Vandewetering Nicholas , Hayibo Koami Soulemane , Pearce Joshua M.
Published: November 2022

Solar powering the increasing fleet of electrical vehicles (EV) demands more surface area than may be available for photovoltaic (PV)-powered buildings. Parking lot solar canopies can provide the needed area to charge EVs but are substantially costlier than roof- or ground-mounted PV systems. To provide a low-cost PV parking lot canopy to supply EV charging, in this study, we provide a full mechanical and economic analysis of three novel PV canopy systems: (1) an exclusively wood, single-parking-spot spanning system, (2) a wood and aluminum double-parking-spot spanning system, and (3) a wood and aluminum cantilevered system for curbside parking. All three systems can be scaled to any amount of EV parking spots. The complete designs and bill of materials (BOM) of the canopies are provided, along with basic instructions, and are released with an open-source license that will enable anyone to fabricate them. Analysis results indicate that single-span systems provide cost savings of 82–85%, double-span systems save 43–50%, and cantilevered systems save 31–40%. In the first year of operation, PV canopies can provide 157% of the energy needed to charge the least efficient EV currently on the market if it is driven the average driving distance in London, ON, Canada.
An Out-of-Town Trip in the Province of Rieti: A Multidimensional Analysis of the Tourism Attractiveness and Territorial Development of the Localities
Authors: Salustri Andrea
Published: November 2022

The Province of Rieti (Italy) hosts well-preserved historical villages rich in natural and cultural resources, as well as attractive food traditions. Consequently, being close to the Metropolitan City of Rome, many urban residents may consider it an ideal place for out-of-town trips integrating a mix of nature, taste, and culture. Based on these premises, the research answers the following questions: what are the most attractive destinations for out-of-town trips in the Province of Rieti? What territorial factors may negatively affect local tourism attractiveness? To answer these questions, a multidimensional quantitative analysis is developed at the municipal scale through the design and implementation of a composite index based on two dimensions (tourism attractiveness and territorial development). The results of the quantitative analysis suggest how the small municipalities located in the Province of Rieti are characterized by a heterogeneous mix of tourism attractiveness and territorial development, and most of them may be ideal destinations for out-of-town trips. However, supra-local development strategies (such as the Reatini Mountains strategy) are needed to narrow the territorial and socioeconomic distances from the poles of services and to elaborate a culturally sustainable local tourism offer that may foster entrepreneurship, increase welfare, and trigger rural development in the localities.
Genotoxic Biomonitoring in Children Living near the El Fraile Mine Tailings in Northern Guerrero State, Mexico
Authors: Calderon-Segura María Elena , Ramírez-Guzmán Alejandro , Talavera-Mendoza Oscar , Carbajal-López Yolanda , Martínez-Valenzuela María del Carmen , Mora-Herrera Martha Elena , Salinas-Alcántara Liliana , Hurtado-Brito Patricia
Published: November 2022

A genotoxic study was conducted with 101 elementary school children (56 girls and 45 boys) in the 6–7, 8–9, and 10–12 age ranges from El Fraile rural community, which is located beside the El Fraile mine tailings in Taxco of Alarcon City, in northern Guerrero State, Mexico. For this, we used the alkaline comet assay in exfoliated buccal mucosa cells, scoring three genotoxic parameters: tail intensity, tail moment, and tail length. Additionally, we detected oxidative DNA damage through urinary 8-OHdG levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also evaluated a control group consisting of 101 children in the same age ranges from Chilpancingo City, Guerrero, who had never lived near mining zones. Genotoxic results showed that there was a significant increase in three genotoxic parameters and urinary 8-OHdG levels in the exposed children group compared with the control group. Analysis of MANOVA revealed that boys aged 8 and 9 years had higher DNA damage than girls from the same exposure group, and Spearman’s analysis identified a positive correlation between DNA damage and sex and age. This study provides the first valuable genotoxic data in children living in areas with environmental pollution.
Astroparticle Constraints from the Cosmic Star Formation Rate Density at High Redshift: Current Status and Forecasts for JWST
Authors: Gandolfi Giovanni , Lapi Andrea , Ronconi Tommaso , Danese Luigi
Published: November 2022

We exploit the recent determination of the cosmic star formation rate (SFR) density at high redshifts z≳4 to derive astroparticle constraints on three common dark matter (DM) scenarios alternative to standard cold dark matter (CDM): warm dark matter (WDM), fuzzy dark matter (ψDM) and self-interacting dark matter (SIDM). Our analysis relies on the ultraviolet (UV) luminosity functions measured from blank field surveys by the Hubble Space Telescope out to z≲10 and down to UV magnitudes MUV≲−17. We extrapolate these to fainter yet unexplored magnitude ranges and perform abundance matching with the halo mass functions in a given DM scenario, thus, obtaining a redshift-dependent relationship between the UV magnitude and the halo mass. We then computed the cosmic SFR density by integrating the extrapolated UV luminosity functions down to a faint magnitude limit MUVlim, which is determined via the above abundance matching relationship by two free parameters: the minimum threshold halo mass MHGF for galaxy formation, and the astroparticle quantity X characterizing each DM scenario (namely, particle mass for WDM and ψDM, and kinetic temperature at decoupling TX for SIDM). We perform Bayesian inference on such parameters using a Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) technique by comparing the cosmic SFR density from our approach to the current observational estimates at z≳4, constraining the WDM particle mass to mX≈1.2−0.4(−0.5)+0.3(11.3) keV, the ψDM particle mass to mX≈3.7−0.4(−0.5)+1.8(+12.9.3)×10−22 eV, and the SIDM temperature to TX≈0.21−0.06(−0.07)+0.04(+1.8) keV at 68% (95%) confidence level. Finally, we forecast how such constraints will be strengthened by upcoming refined estimates of the cosmic SFR density if the early data on the UV luminosity function at z≳10 from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will be confirmed down to ultra-faint magnitudes.
Influence of Staphylococcus aureus Strain Background on Sa3int Phage Life Cycle Switches
Authors: Rohmer Carina , Dobritz Ronja , Tuncbilek-Dere Dilek , Lehmann Esther , Gerlach David , George Shilpa Elizabeth , Bae Taeok , Nieselt Kay , Wolz Christiane
Published: November 2022

Staphylococcus aureus asymptomatically colonizes the nasal cavity of mammals, but it is also a leading cause of life-threatening infections. Most human nasal isolates carry Sa3 phages, which integrate into the bacterial hlb gene encoding a sphingomyelinase. The virulence factor-encoding genes carried by the Sa3-phages are highly human-specific, and most animal strains are Sa3 negative. Thus, both insertion and excision of the prophage could potentially confer a fitness advantage to S. aureus. Here, we analyzed the phage life cycle of two Sa3 phages, Φ13 and ΦN315, in different phage-cured S. aureus strains. Based on phage transfer experiments, strains could be classified into low (8325-4, SH1000, and USA300c) and high (MW2c and Newman-c) transfer strains. High-transfer strains promoted the replication of phages, whereas phage adsorption, integration, excision, or recA transcription was not significantly different between strains. RNASeq analyses of replication-deficient lysogens revealed no strain-specific differences in the CI/Mor regulatory switch. However, lytic genes were significantly upregulated in the high transfer strain MW2c Φ13 compared to strain 8325-4 Φ13. By transcriptional start site prediction, new promoter regions within the lytic modules were identified, which are likely targeted by specific host factors. Such host-phage interaction probably accounts for the strain-specific differences in phage replication and transfer frequency. Thus, the genetic makeup of the host strains may determine the rate of phage mobilization, a feature that might impact the speed at which certain strains can achieve host adaptation.
How MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Technology Contributes to Microbial Infection Control in Healthcare Settings
Authors: Elbehiry Ayman , Aldubaib Musaad , Abalkhail Adil , Marzouk Eman , ALbeloushi Ahmad , Moussa Ihab , Ibrahem Mai , Albazie Hamad , Alqarni Abdullah , Anagreyyah Sulaiman , Alghamdi Saleh , Rawway Mohammed
Published: November 2022

Healthcare settings have been utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) since 2010. MALDI-TOF MS has various benefits over the conventional method of biochemical identification, including ease of use, speed, accuracy, and low cost. This approach can solve many of the obstacles to identifying bacteria, fungi and viruses. As technology advanced, more and more databases kept track of spectra, allowing species with similar morphological, genotypic, and biochemical traits to be identified. Using MALDI-TOF MS for identification has become more accurate and quicker due to advances in sample preparation and database enrichment. Rapid sample detection and colony identification using MALDI-TOF MS have produced promising results. A key application of MALDI-TOF MS is quickly identifying highly virulent and drug-resistant diseases. Here, we present a review of the scientific literature assessing the effectiveness of MALDI-TOF MS for locating clinically relevant pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses. MALDI-TOF MS is a useful strategy for locating clinical pathogens, however, it also has some drawbacks. A small number of spectra in the database and inherent similarities among organisms can make it difficult to distinguish between different species, which can result in misidentifications. The majority of the time additional testing may correct these problems, which happen very seldom. In conclusion, infectious illness diagnosis and clinical care are being revolutionized by the use of MALDI-TOF MS in the clinical microbiology laboratory.