bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Product Life Cycle Cost Estimating Models Based on Neural Networks and Parametric Techniques—A Case Study for Induction Motors
Authors: Leszczyński Zbigniew , Jasiński Tomasz
Published: October 2020

The cost estimation of a product’s life cycle is a key factor in the product design process. The research is based on an innovative model of artificial neural networks (ANNs) compared to a parametric estimation. Introducing modern elements of information technologies in the area of cost estimation for a production company is a vital element of its sustainability in the era of Industry 4.0. The presented modern product life cycle cost estimation tool in the form of ANN is a reliable source of forecast that is the basis for the product life cycle cost reduction program, which is a crucial element of sustainability. Research shows that ANNs are a viable alternative to parametric cost estimation. The percentage error between estimated and historical cost values is 8.05 times lower for ANN than for the parametric approach. ANN is an adequate cost estimation model for technologically complex products. The second contribution is using technical specifications required by the customer directly to estimate the cost of a product’s life cycle automatically. This can translate both into a reduction of the time needed to provide information to the client and the workload of engineers.
An Interpretative Matrix for an Adaptive Design Approach. Italian School Infrastructure: Safety and Social Restoration
Authors: Ingaramo Roberta , Pascale Luca
Published: October 2020

The Italian school infrastructure has suffered in recent decades from an immobility that has generated critical issues and shortcomings in the management of structures, safety adjustments, and innovations in the architectural and pedagogical model. This type of stasis, due to the scarcity of resources on a national scale and the decrease in the birth rate of the country, has meant that the buildings are largely inadequate from both a regulatory and socio/pedagogical point of view, with a level of degradation that is leading to a progressive abandonment of several structures, generating further insecurity at the urban level. In Italy, the current health emergency (SARS-CoV-2), with the necessity of wider spaces for social distancing and less numerous classes, has further highlighted the strongly problematic nature of an extensive and often obsolete school building heritage, raising the need to reevaluate heritage in terms of safety, accessibility, economic impact, and, last but not least, social cohesion. The paper proposes an approach that starts from the analysis of regulations and data on a national scale related to the structural and formal conditions of school buildings, interpreting and evaluating their safety with a holistic approach, to then proceed to the definition of a design survey matrix able to classify the selected cases and give an interpretative reading that includes the vastest number of characterizing factors. The Italian territory (between Abruzzo, Lazio, and Umbria) affected by the 2016 and 2017 earthquakes has been selected as a significant case study due to its obvious conditions of further criticality for the formulation of an evaluation methodology through an extensive field survey, cross-referenced with available data on the resilience of school structures and their role in the urban fabric, with the ultimate aim of identifying functional methods for their adaptation to a contemporary, safe, flexible, and shared school model with local communities.
Port City Sustainability: A Review of Its Research Trends
Authors: Zheng Ying , Zhao Jingzhu , Shao Guofan
Published: October 2020

In recent years, with the development of society, the awareness of environmental protection for people has been increasing. While ports promote the economic development and employment levels of port cities, they also have a negative impact on the environment of port cities. The sustainability of port cities is increasingly valued. Port cities face huge challenges, and their sustainability needs to be better understood. The purpose of this article is to review research on the sustainability of port cities. We used content analysis to classify and analyze the existing relevant literature, to learn about the hotspots and deficiencies of past research, and to propose future research directions. We found that port sustainability has become an increasingly important research topic during the past ten years. From the perspective of geographic research areas, European port cities are the hot spots for sustainability research. Regarding research fields, technologies, methods and measures to promote the sustainability of port cities are popular research topics. In terms of research methods, qualitative research plays an important role in the study of port city sustainability. Finally, guidance for future research on port city sustainability is proposed according to the review results.
Integrated and Consolidated Review of Plastic Waste Management and Bio-Based Biodegradable Plastics: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Mazhandu Zvanaka S. , Muzenda Edison , Mamvura Tirivaviri A. , Belaid Mohamed , Nhubu Trust
Published: October 2020

Cumulative plastic production worldwide skyrocketed from about 2 million tonnes in 1950 to 8.3 billion tonnes in 2015, with 6.3 billion tonnes (76%) ending up as waste. Of that waste, 79% is either in landfills or the environment. The purpose of the review is to establish the current global status quo in the plastics industry and assess the sustainability of some bio-based biodegradable plastics. This integrative and consolidated review thus builds on previous studies that have focused either on one or a few of the aspects considered in this paper. Three broad items to strongly consider are: Biodegradable plastics and other alternatives are not always environmentally superior to fossil-based plastics; less investment has been made in plastic waste management than in plastics production; and there is no single solution to plastic waste management. Some strategies to push for include: increasing recycling rates, reclaiming plastic waste from the environment, and bans or using alternatives, which can lessen the negative impacts of fossil-based plastics. However, each one has its own challenges, and country-specific scientific evidence is necessary to justify any suggested solutions. In conclusion, governments from all countries and stakeholders should work to strengthen waste management infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries while extended producer responsibility (EPR) and deposit refund schemes (DPRs) are important add-ons to consider in plastic waste management, as they have been found to be effective in Australia, France, Germany, and Ecuador.
The Impact of Individual Motivations and Social Capital on the Continuous Usage Intention of Mobile Social Apps
Authors: Lee Sangjae , Kim Byung Gon
Published: October 2020

Mobile social apps have experienced enormous growth as online personal networking media. Social exchange theory (for individual motivation), theories of collective action and social capital theory (for social capital) can be applied in order to understand how an individual’s behavior may exert effects on or receive influences from other users with regard to the continuance usage intention of mobile social apps. This study examines individual motivations and social capital affecting relationship quality in terms of trust in and satisfaction with mobile social apps and how these factors influence continuance usage intentions of mobile social apps. An online survey is used to collect 320 responses from users of mobile social apps. Our results indicate that promotional motivation and innovativeness affect relationship quality levels. Maintaining relational enhancement, social homogeneity, and social identity along with service usefulness have effects on the relationship quality level, which in turn affects continuance usage intention. Given the lack of studies regarding the application of the theories of collective action and social capital to gain a better understanding of continuance usage intentions, this study provides additional insight into how individual motivations and social capital affect continuous usage.
Destruction Decisions for Managing Excess Inventory in E-Commerce Logistics
Authors: Pourhejazy Pourya
Published: October 2020

The Internet has brought about new possibilities for innovation and radically changed business activities. Internet shopping is a prime example of increasing popularity, which is exacerbated due to the recent pandemic. It is expected that e-commerce will accommodate more than a quarter of the total retail sales worldwide in the next few years. Given the characteristics of e-commerce, inventory management is of paramount importance for an effective and timely response to the online customers’ demand. Despite its relevance, the issue of warehouse excess inventory is not sufficiently studied in the operations management literature. This study explores the factors, including sustainability and strategic considerations, that influence the inventory destruction decisions as one of the alternatives for managing excess inventory. Applying the Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method, the interrelationships between the decision factors are investigated and the decisive considerations are identified. Overall, the outcomes provide insights for the e-commerce practitioners and offer directions for modeling and managing inventory destruction decisions.
COVID-19 Drives Consumer Behaviour and Agro-Food Markets towards Healthier and More Sustainable Patterns
Authors: Borsellino Valeria , Kaliji Sina Ahmadi , Schimmenti Emanuele
Published: October 2020

This study examines the extant state of research into our understanding of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in its early stages on food-purchasing behaviour. As such, it includes a summary and categorisation of the findings, extending to consumption preferences worldwide. After the indiscriminate stockpiling of food, which was witnessed in many countries following the implementation of the lockdown, the impact of COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease-2019) on consumer habits has inversely varied in function of personal attitudes, individual and household experiences, and characteristics. Specific contexts, and the financial, economic, and logistic nature of these contexts, have also been found to be of relevance in examining the research relating to the coronavirus pandemic and food-purchasing behaviour. Concurrent with the pandemic, some worldwide trends have emerged—home cooking has been rediscovered, leading to an increase in the demand for staple foodstuffs, and purchases from small, local retailers and online food shopping have been accorded preferential treatment. Despite price volatility and concern about future household incomes, a significant proportion of consumers have shifted to buying healthier, more sustainable food. Moreover, food wastage has seen a notable decrease in volume. Such an occasion should be strategically exploited by manufacturers and retailers in satisfying this consumer demand. Finally, the COVID-19 crisis would seem to offer an unparalleled opportunity to re-engineer the agro-food market by driving the transition toward more sustainable supply and production patterns. Thus, stronger and more equitable partnerships between farmers, manufacturers, retailers, and citizens may be in the process of being forged.
Exploring Community Symbiotic Tourism Programs for the Utilization and Conservation of Ecology in Lava Stony Forest (Gotjawal) of Jeju Island, Korea
Authors: Hong Chang-Yu , Yoon Ran , Hwang Jung-Don , Jwa Min-Seok
Published: October 2020

According to our research findings, the future-oriented conservation of natural ecological resources in the Sahn-Yang Gotjawal area should be shaped and formed in a sustainable ecological way to improve the economy of the Sahn-Yang area. This study covers a systematic and quantitative assessment of the function, design, and purpose of establishing a regional eco-tourism program using the Sahn-Yang Gotjawal (Volcanic Lava Stony Forest) natural resources of Jeju Island, South Korea. Although citizens’ interest in Jeju Gotjawal has increased, reckless exploration and damage still occurred. There were improvements on the movement to preserve geological features and the ecosystem. However, unfortunately the negative effects of only seeking development opportunities without regard to the environment was realized as well. Through strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results (SOAR) analysis, various potential situations and conditions using the Sahn-Yang Gotjawal resources were analyzed with quantitative and qualitative techniques. In addition, through media analysis, the benefits and opportunities that the Gotjawal resources could provide the citizens were identified and the results were combined with SOAR analysis to present an integrated vision. In order to make wise use of Sahn-Yang Gotjawal, such as conserving, sustaining, and creating accessibility (guided by SESs), it is necessary to concentrate on the ‘strengths’ such as creating and maximizing attractions which can develop management programs such as preservation research and monitoring, as well as establishing sustainable usage of facilities such as visitors’ gathering spaces, exploration activities, and convenient facilities.
European Financial Services SMEs: Language in Their Sustainability Reporting
Authors: Ortiz-Martínez Esther , Marín-Hernández Salvador
Published: October 2020

In this study we concentrate on the segment of small companies in the financial sector in Europe. Services in this sector are developing rapidly and are not necessarily provided only by traditional banks and financial companies. Many nonfinancial companies provide financial services, and this may open the sector to additional risk. In this context, the aspects of both financial and nonfinancial reporting are important and need to be taken into consideration as a whole to provide a complex picture of a particular institution. The goal of this paper is to analyze sustainability reporting according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) by European financial services small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). First, we conducted a descriptive analysis of the features of nonfinancial information and its assurance, studying a sample of all European SMEs reporting according to the GRI from 2016 to 2018. Then, we chose only financial services SMEs to apply lexical analysis to their narrative reporting based on a corpus of 102,056 words. We conclude that nonfinancial information does not have the same importance as traditional financial information, and this sustainability reporting only complies with the minimum requirements. Thus, there is still a long way to go in this field.
Decarbonizing Transport in the European Union: Emission Performance Standards and the Perspectives for a European Green Deal
Authors: Haas Tobias , Sander Hendrik
Published: October 2020

The transport sector is a major driver of climate change both globally and in the European Union (EU). While the EU as a whole is showing declining carbon emissions, transport-related emissions are higher than in 1990. Car traffic is responsible for around 12 percent of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underlined the efforts to strengthen the decarbonization of the EU at the end of 2019 by publishing the European Green Deal (EGD) communication. In this paper, we analyze the controversy surrounding the emission performance standards for cars adopted in spring 2019. Car manufacturers must reduce the average carbon emissions of their fleets by 37.5% between 2021 and 2030. In this respect, the new emission performance standards are more ambitious than the previous ones. However, our argument is that without a major shift in the balance of power, extensive decarbonization and a departure from car-centered transport development will not be possible. Therefore, it is crucial for mobility research to critically engage with lobbying power in the EU and with concepts such as environmental leadership, which often underexpose the structural power of incumbent actors and existing path dependencies.
Measurement of the Income Difference of Rural Residents in Peri-Urbanized Areas and Its Influencing Factors: Evidence from Nanhai, Foshan, China
Authors: Xiang Zhenhai , Ban Pengfei , Yuan Qifeng
Published: October 2020

This study supplements research on peri-urbanized areas by introducing a quantitative analysis of rural income inequality, with particular attention being paid to geographical causes. It also contributes a community/village-scale case to the current knowledge of the quantitative analysis of rural income inequality, which is mainly based on the county, municipal and higher levels. A typical peri-urbanized area in the Pearl River Delta—namely, Nanhai District, Foshan City—was considered as an empirical case. Based on 10-year continuous data, from 2007 to 2016, we first analyzed the distribution and spatial autocorrelation between per-capita share dividend income (PCSDI) and per-capita net income (PCNI). Then, we used a Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model to explore the strength and direction of the relationship between PCSDI and the five selected driving factors. The results show that, during the study period, the rural income difference of PCSDI in Nanhai generally narrowed, whereas the income difference of PCSDI generally expanded, and the spatial distribution of PCNI was more unequal than that of the PCSDI. The GWR model shows that geo-location (GL) has the strongest impact on PCSDI, followed by the per-capita area of state-owned land (PCASOL); the density of the road coverage (DRC) and the density of the registered population (DRP) have the least effect on PCSDI. Except for the per-capita area of collective constructive land (PCACCL), which is a global variable, the correlation between the four other factors and PCSDI is geographically uneven.
Validation of the Smart City as a Sustainable Development Knowledge Tool: The Challenge of Using Technologies in Education during COVID-19
Authors: Olmos-Gómez María del Carmen , Luque-Suárez Mónica , Mohamed-Mohamed Soraya , Cuevas-Rincón Jesús Manuel
Published: October 2020

The objective of this research was to design and validate a questionnaire for teachers on the knowledge and use of smart city concepts and their usefulness in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic based on a sustainable approach at different educational levels. It is important to analyze the use of online education based on the construction of intelligent learning environments, which favor the interaction between the environment and the student. With a quasi-experimental methodology, the psychometric properties of the questionnaire were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM), and the model was adjusted through a multivariate regression analysis to relate response patterns to a set of latent factors that cannot be directly observed, but exist in continuous dimensions of the people evaluated, and to create a valid and reliable instrument as a measurement tool using a sample of n = 973 subjects. The sample distribution consisted of 22.36% primary school teachers, 59.01% high school teachers, and 18.56% university teachers. The results showed a high reliability and construct validity through two models, and adjustment of the original model produced better goodness-of-fit parameters. We conclude that the designed questionnaire is a useful and valid tool for understanding how teachers have approached online teaching during the pandemic and their knowledge and use of Smart City concepts.
Exporting and Firms’ Performance—What about Cooperatives? Evidence from Spain
Authors: Sala-Ríos Mercè , Farré-Perdiguer Mariona , Torres-Solé Teresa
Published: October 2020

This paper examines how exporting cooperatives evolve and differ from those that are focused on the domestic market. We use a Spanish firm-level panel data set spanning 26 years (1991–2016). We work with a wide set of variables that reflect cooperatives’ performance: sales, gross operating margin, productivity, wages, employment, capital intensity, skilled-labour intensity and R&D effort. The analysis deals with two working hypotheses: (i) Exporting cooperatives perform better than non-exporters, (ii) exporting boosts performance growth. With regard to the first one, we provide evidence that exporting cooperatives outperform those that are focused on the domestic market. Cooperatives that export are more productive, larger and pay higher wages than non-exporters. In addition, they are more capital- and skilled-labour intensive. The second hypothesis does not find such conclusive results. Only employment and skilled-labour intensity of exporters show significant faster performance growth than non-exporters. Results can lend weak support to the fact that exporting boosts performance growth.
Board/Executive Gender Diversity and Firm Financial Performance in Canada: The Mediating Role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Orientation
Authors: Ouni Zeineb , Ben Mansour Jamal , Arfaoui Sana
Published: October 2020

The objective of this study is to verify the effect of gender diversity on the board of directors (BD) and the executive committee (EC) of participating Canadian firms with regard to the financial performance and the mediating role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) orientation in this relationship. The study sample was composed of 133 Canadian firms, and the data cover an 18 year timeline (2002–2019), with 925 observations. This paper provides empirical support for the effect that gender diversity in turnover has on the financial performance of firms and explains 53% of its variance. In addition to supporting the beneficial effect of gender diversity on performance, the study reveals the mediating mechanism through the ESG orientation of companies explaining almost 4% of the total effect of gender diversity on performance. By analyzing two levels of diversity, the study revealed the superiority of the effect of gender diversity in BDs as compared to ECs. We discuss the theoretical and empirical implications of the results found, as well as the limitations and future prospects of research on the subject.
Research and Application of New Technology of Bionic Enhanced Wellbore and Strong Lubrication Water-Based Drilling Fluid
Authors: Quan Xiaohu , Jiang Guancheng , Luo Xuwu , He Yinbo , Dong Tengfei
Published: October 2020

After more than a century of development, drilling fluid technology has become capable of dealing with various extreme conditions. As the exploration and development targets shift towards complex oil and gas resources, however, the geological and surface conditions encountered get increasingly complex, which poses a greater challenge to drilling fluid. In this paper, bionics is introduced into the field of drilling fluids, imitating the characteristics, functions, structures, and principles of mussels and earthworms, and a bionic wall-fixing agent with side chains containing catechol functional groups to strengthen the wellbore is prepared. A bionic bonding lubricant that when making the direct friction between the two is changed to the sliding between the membranes is prepared. Compared with the advanced technology introduced from abroad, the strength of the rock is not only reduced but increased by more than 14%, the friction reduction rate is improved by 12.3%. Their mechanism of action and influencing factors are revealed from the macro and micro perspectives. Combined with the formation conditions encountered, other treatment agents are applied to develop a novel technology of bionic strengthened borehole and high lubricity water-based drilling fluid with comparable inhibition and lubricity to oil-based drilling fluid. In comparison with technology, the rate of well collapse is reduced by as much as 82.6%, the accident rate of stuck pipe is brought down by as much as 86.4%, the complication of stuck block is reduced by as much as 79.7%, and the overall cost is lowered by more than 30%. It is truly a safe, efficient, economic, environmentally friendly drilling fluid technology.
Mechanical Properties and Damage in Lignite under Combined Cyclic Compression and Shear Loading
Authors: Wu Haoshuai , Bai Haibo , Chen Yanlong , Pu Hai , Zhang Kai
Published: October 2020

In this paper, uniaxial cyclic compression and shear test was carried out for lignite samples. The effects of inclination angle (θ) and upper limit of cyclic stress (σmax) on mechanical properties of coal samples were analyzed, and the damage variables of coal samples were studied based on energy dissipation theory. The results show that the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of coal samples after uniaxial cyclic compression and shear tests decreases with the increase of the upper limit of cyclic stress and inclination angle. The shear stress component generated by the increase of inclination angle can effectively reduce the UCS and increase the damage degree of coal samples. With the increase of inclination angle, the failure mode of coal samples is changed from tensile failure (θ = 0°), the combined tensile failure and shear failure (θ = 5°) to shear failure (θ = 10°). The peak axial and radial strain of coal samples first increases rapidly and then stagnates. The peak volume strain rapid increases and then stagnates (θ = 0° and θ = 5°). When the inclination angle is 10°, the peak volume strain first decreases rapidly and then stagnates. Even if the upper limit of cyclic stress is lower than its UCS, it will still promote the propagation of micro cracks and the generation of new cracks and increase the internal damage of coal samples. With the increase of the cycle number, damage variables of coal samples after uniaxial cyclic compression and shear tests nonlinearly increase, and the growth rate decreases gradually.
Applying an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior to Sustainable Food Consumption
Authors: Alam Syed Shah , Ahmad Maisarah , Ho Yi-Hui , Omar Nor Asiah , Lin Chieh-Yu
Published: October 2020

The objective of this research is to identify factors affecting sustainable food consumption behavior among Malaysians. An extension of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) is used as the framework of the study. Perceived value is also added to the framework to gain an understanding of consumer’s personal factors’ effect on sustainable food consumption. This study tested eight hypotheses on sustainable food consumption behavior with empirical data from a sample of 220 adults. The regression analysis results show that social norm, perceived value, perceived consumer effectiveness, and attitude have significant impacts on intention to consumer sustainable food. Perceived availability, perceived consumer effectiveness and intention also have significant impacts on actual behavior. The findings of this study can provide certain grounds for understanding sustainable food consumption intention and behavior. Research limitations and some guidelines for further lines of research are presented. In a global context the findings of this study is important, as consumption patterns need to be changed to meet the climate challenge.
Acquirer’s Absorptive Capacity and Firm Performance: The Perspectives of Strategic Behavior and Knowledge Assets
Authors: Bae Yunjae , Lee Kyungsuk , Roh Taewoo
Published: October 2020

In this study, we underline the importance of the relationship between absorptive capacity and an acquiring firm’s post-merger performance following the acquisition of a target firm’s knowledge through cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBMAs). We analyzed CBMAs between developed countries to highlight how realized absorptive capacity plays a crucial part in a firm’s achievement of CBMA sustainability. Using United States CBMA transactions with other developed countries during 2000–2014, our findings suggest that an acquiring firm’s greater absorptive capacity leads to better post-merger performance. More interestingly, compared to for domestic M&As, the direct effect between absorptive capacity and post-merger performance was found to be more positively related in CBMA transactions, even when we applied propensity-score matching (PSM) and Heckman’s selection model to the same estimation. In addition, we introduce four moderating variables that could either intensify or lessen a firm’s effort to seek external knowledge for organizational growth. In terms of an acquiring firm’s strategic behavior, we find that paying in cash and past CBMA experiences positively influence a firm’s post-merger performance. For a target firm’s knowledge assets, we show that when a target firm possesses more strategic assets, they reinforce the acquiring firm’s post-merger performance, and when the target firm is in a high-tech industry, the acquiring firm’s post-merger performance is weakened. Our study contributes to the CBMA literature by incorporating the concept of a knowledge-based view and by empirically testing the different effects of absorptive capacity between domestic M&A and CBMA and how both strategic behavior and a target firm’s knowledge assets affect a firm’s post-merger performance related to CBMA sustainability.
A Thorough Analysis of Potential Geothermal Project Locations in Afghanistan
Authors: Mostafaeipour Ali , Hosseini Dehshiri Seyyed Jalaladdin , Hosseini Dehshiri Seyyed Shahabaddin , Jahangiri Mehdi , Techato Kuaanan
Published: October 2020

In recent decades, many countries have shown a growing interest in the use of renewable energies for power generation. Geothermal energy is a clean and environmentally friendly source of renewable energy that can be used to produce electricity and heat for industrial and domestic applications. While Afghanistan has undeniably good geothermal potential that can be utilised to alleviate the country’s current energy limitations, so far this potential has remained completely untapped. In this study, the suitability of 21 provinces for geothermal project implementation in Afghanistan was evaluated using multiple multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. The stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) method was used to weigh each criterion while the additive ratio assessment (ARAS) method was used to rank potential geothermal sites. The technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), the vlse kriterijumsk optimizacija kompromisno resenje (VIKOR), and the weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) methods were also used in this study. These rankings were then examined via sensitivity analysis which indicated that a 5% change in criteria weights altered the rankings in all methods except the VIKOR method. Volcanic dome density was ranked the most important criteria. All the methods identified Ghazni province as the most suitable location for geothermal project implementation in Afghanistan.
The Impacts of Urban Air Pollution Emission Density on Air Pollutant Concentration Based on a Panel Model
Authors: Baek Jong In , Ban Yong Un
Published: October 2020

In terms of urban planning, the impact of urbanization and high density on the environment is a major issue. This study intended to analyze the effect of spatial density characteristics of urban air pollution sources on urban air pollution concentration using a panel model. As the total population density, the number of cars registered per capita, and the total emission facility density increased, together with a closer distance to a thermal power plant, the nitrogen dioxide(NO2) concentration increased. Net population density was also found to have the greatest impact on the structure and density of emission sources of ozone(O3) followed by the number of cars registered per person and the total emission facility density. It was confirmed that particular matter(PM10) concentrations are strongly influenced in positive directions by the spatial density characteristics of emission sources that show significant differences between regions.
Perceiving Agency in Sustainability Transitions: A Case Study of a Police-Hospital Collaboration
Authors: Halinski Michael , Duxbury Linda
Published: October 2020

This paper explores how agency was used within a police-hospital collaboration to implement a planned change designed to increase the sustainability of a cross-sector collaboration. A longitudinal, qualitative case study involving pre-and-post interviews with 20 police officers and 20 healthcare workers allowed us to capture multiple perspectives of the planned change over time. Analysis of case study data reveals three major findings: (1) organizations with limited power can have agency in cross-sector collaborations when they are perceived to have legitimacy and urgency; (2) the extent to which the implementation of a planned change influences perceptions of agency depends on the organizational context of the perceiver; and (3) different levels of analysis (i.e., meso versus micro) support different conclusions with respect to the role of agency in the sustainability transition process. More broadly, our study highlights the role of perception when investigating agency within sustainability transitions.
Design Pattern Elicitation Framework for Proof of Integrity in Blockchain Applications
Authors: Saeedi Kawther , Almalki Monirah Dakilallah , Aljeaid Dania , Visvizi Anna , Aslam Muhammad Ahtisham
Published: October 2020

An emerging technology with a secure and a decentralized nature, blockchain has the potential to transform conventional practices in an efficient and dynamic manner. However, migrating to blockchain can be challenging due to the complexity of its infrastructure and processes. The complexity of building applications on blockchain has been highlighted by many studies, thus stressing the need to investigate practical solutions further. A commonly known software engineering concept, software design pattern contributes to the acceleration of software development. It offers a holistic reusable solution for commonly occurring problems in a given context. It helps to identify problems that occur repetitively and describes best practices to address them. The present study is one of the first investigations to inquire into design patterns for blockchain application. Seeking to reduce the complexity in understanding and building applications on blockchain, this paper identifies a design pattern elicitation framework from similar blockchain applications. Next, it provides a demonstration of the Proof of Integrity (PoI) pattern elicited from two different applications on the blockchain. The applicability of the pattern is evaluated by building a blockchain application to verify the integrity of the academic certificates and by explaining how this integrity has been achieved empirically.
An Assessment of Provision of Heterogeneous Services for Sustainable Cargo Transportation Process Management by Roads
Authors: Dzemydienė Dalė , Burinskienė Aurelija , Miliauskas Arūnas
Published: October 2020

The aim of this research is forwarded for assessment of provision possibilities of the multi-componential and heterogeneous services in the fast-changing topology of cargo transportation processes. The mobile intelligent services in current transport means require the development of complex infrastructure for multi-compositional service support. Our objectives are related to the investigation in data-transfer capabilities for heterogeneous service support, which is offering some improvements for developing the infrastructure of transportation of vehicles and helping in the administration of transport processes. This research aims to develop an approach for the assessment of infrastructure for sustainable management of cargo transportation processes by roads. Such assessment is multi-layered by including the management possibilities of cargo transportation logistic processes and electronic (smart, mobile) services using current innovative software and hardware of information communication technologies (ICT). Special attention is paid for road safety, more environment cleanable, and paperless management by assessing the integration of potentials and prospects of wireless, vehicle ad-hoc communication networks (VANET), and other communication possibilities. Some requirements are revealed for such type of infrastructure for the provision of heterogeneous services. The results of the development of infrastructure demonstrate the capacities of the potential of wireless networks for the provision of high-level of multi-component, heterogeneous services.
TOD Parking Demand Models for New Urban Areas in China
Authors: Mei Zhenyu , Kong Liang , Zheng Wenchao
Published: October 2020

At present, many new urban areas adopt the transit-oriented development (TOD) exploitation concept to achieve sustainable urban development, accurately predict parking demand under TOD exploitation, determine factors that influence demand, and establish demand models that are essential to the formation of a reasonable traffic structure in the new urban area. The present study aims to establish a scientific and reasonable parking demand model for TOD exploitation in new urban areas. Influencing factors of parking demand in new urban areas under the concept of TOD are determined, and a framework for a parking demand model is constructed. A travel cost measurement model for travel structures at different travel distances is established, considering travel cost as the core element, given that it affects the travel structure at different distances. Finally, taking the Hangzhou Bay New District as an example, the costs of various travel structures under TOD exploitation are calculated, and the reasonable parking demand is calculated. From the perspective of parking management, the concept of TOD is effectively supported.
The Link between Board Structure, Audit, and Performance for Corporate Sustainability
Authors: Bunget Ovidiu-Constantin , Mateș Dorel , Dumitrescu Alin-Constantin , Bogdan Oana , Burcă Valentin
Published: October 2020

The economic and social transformations, the bankruptcies recorded, and the financial crisis affecting all economies have increased the interest for the corporate governance concept. Our intention in this paper was to study the impact of corporate governance attributes on performance given the information published by the entities listed on five stock exchanges from Europe, namely the main market from Bucharest Stock Exchange (BSE) in Romania, the Athens Stock Exchange(ATHEX) main market in Greece, Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index (FTSE 100) from Great Britain, Spanish Stock Exchange 35 Index (IBEX 35) from Spain, and Warsaw Stock Exchange 20 Index (WIG 20) from Poland, between 2016–2018. Through mathematical modeling and multiple linear regression, we aimed to determine the extent to which corporate governance characteristics, firm characteristics, industry and stock market fixed effects, and random effects influence the performance of 226 entities included in our sample. The empirical findings revealed that CEO duality, the number of non-executive directors and women on board, audit committee, and audit opinion influenced performance measured by the Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) indicators. The ideas highlighted and the results obtained in this research contribute to the literature that analyzes the extent to which an effective governance determines the increase in performance, needed for a sustainable development.
Using RS Data-Based CA–Markov Model for Dynamic Simulation of Historical and Future LUCC in Vientiane, Laos
Authors: Faichia Cheechouyang , Tong Zhijun , Zhang Jiquan , Liu Xingpeng , Kazuva Emmanuel , Ullah Kashif , Al-Shaibah Bazel
Published: October 2020

Land use/cover change (LUCC) is one of the causes of global climate and environmental change. Understanding rapid LUCC in urbanized areas is vital for natural resources management for sustainable development. This study primarily considered Vientiane, the capital of Laos, which experienced rapid LUCC due to both natural and anthropogenic factors. The study used geographical information system (GIS) combined with ERDAS and TerrSet technologies to objectively process the ground surveyed and remotely obtained data in order to investigate the historical LUCC as well as predict future LUCC in the study area during the periods of 1995–2018 and 2030–2050, respectively. A comprehensive list of assessment factors comprised of both natural and anthropogenic factors was used for analysis using the cellular automata–Markov (CA–Markov) model. The results show a historical loss of intact forest of 24.36% and of bare land of 1.01%. There were also tremendous increases in degraded forest (11.36%), agricultural land (8.91%), built-up areas (4.49%) and water bodies (1.16%). Finally, the LUCC prediction results indicate the conversion of land use from one type to another, particularly from natural to anthropogenic use, in the near future. These changes demonstrate that the losses associated with ecosystem services will destructively impact human wellbeing in the city and other areas of the country. The study results provide the basic scientific knowledge for LUCC planners, urban designers and natural resources managers. They serve as a decision-making support tool for the establishment of sustainable land resource utilization policies in Vientiane and other cities of similar conditions.
Changing Levels of Myokines after Aerobic Training and Resistance Training in Post-Menopausal Obese Females: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kang Sunghwun , Park Il Bong , Lim Seung-Taek
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the levels of myokines in post- menopausal obese females (PMOF) after regular aerobic and resistance training. A community-based, randomized controlled trial study of 41 PMOF from Buk-gu Community Center in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea, was conducted from November 2017 through October 2018. These participants were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise group (n = 21) or a resistance exercise group (n = 20). The 12-week exercise program was conducted three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Body composition, physical fitness, and myokines were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. The two-way within-factor ANOVA revealed group × time interaction for body mass index (BMI, p < 0.05). In the resistance exercise group, muscle endurance (p < 0.001), power (p < 0.01), and agility (p < 0.001) improved significantly at 12 weeks compared to baseline and 6 weeks. In the aerobic exercise group, muscle strength (p < 0.05), flexibility (p < 0.05), muscle endurance (p < 0.001), and agility (p < 0.001) were greater at 12 weeks compared to baseline and 6 weeks. The levels of IL-6 (p < 0.001), IL-15 (p < 0.001), and BDNF (p < 0.001) were greater at 12 weeks compared to baseline and 6 weeks in both exercise groups. Aerobic exercise training and resistance exercise training changed the levels of myokines and improved body composition and physical fitness in PMOF. These findings provide preliminary evidence that PMOF need to exercise or perform physical activity to improve or maintain their levels of myokines and physical fitness.
An Assessment of Civil Nuclear ‘Enabling’ and ‘Amelioration’ Factors for EROI Analysis
Authors: King Nick , Jones Aled
Published: October 2020

Nuclear fission is a primary energy source that may be important to future efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The energy return on investment (EROI) of any energy source is important because aggregate global EROI must be maintained at a minimum level to support complex global systems. Previous studies considering nuclear EROI have emphasised energy investments linked to ‘enabling’ factors (upstream activities that enable the operation of nuclear technology such as fuel enrichment), have attracted controversy, and challenges also persist regarding system boundary definition. This study advocates that improved consideration of ‘amelioration’ factors (downstream activities that remediate nuclear externalities such as decommissioning), is an important task for calculating a realistic nuclear EROI. Components of the ‘nuclear system’ were analysed and energy investment for five representative ‘amelioration’ factors calculated. These ‘first approximation’ calculations made numerous assumptions, exclusions, and simplifications, but accounted for a greater level of detail than had previously been attempted. The amelioration energy costs were found to be approximately 1.5–2 orders of magnitude lower than representative ‘enabling’ costs. Future refinement of the ‘amelioration’ factors may indicate that they are of greater significance, and may also have characteristics making them systemically significant, notably in terms of timing in relation to future global EROI declines.
Identification of Educational Models That Encourage Business Participation in Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Medina Angela , Hernández Jesus C. , Muñoz-Cerón Emilio , Rus-Casas Catalina
Published: October 2020

In a scenario in which the labour market is increasingly competitive and there is a need to provide students with practical training, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) must promote the labour integration of students, by building their competences and shaping their skills in accordance with the strategic plans of companies. In the past, cooperation between companies and universities was based on informal agreements. Nowadays, companies are actively involved in the development of educational models. This is not only part of their corporate social responsibility, but also represents a business opportunity. In this context, the research performed to identify collaboration models between companies and HEIs that simplify the integration of training processes in companies is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify existing joint educational models between companies and HEIs and to propose a methodology that allows them to select the models most in line with their business. The methodology applies a multi-criteria selection procedure and, in a simple way, enables the businesses to identify how to increase their involvement. Model identification is based on a proposal of common features that uses indicators for involvement quantification. This study selected ten HEI-company cooperation models and subsequently applied the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to analyse the level of involvement that these models require of companies. Five models of different involvement levels were selected and detailed by their features.
An Empirical Analysis of Synergies and Tradeoffs between Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Ament Judith M. , Freeman Robin , Carbone Chris , Vassall Anna , Watts Charlotte
Published: October 2020

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a universal agenda that nations have committed to achieving by 2030. The challenge is substantial, with no country excelling across all SDGs. Using global UN data, we assess patterns of positive and negative correlations between indicators of SDG status and progress. For nearly 70% of SDG indicators, status is positively associated with GDP/capita. Progress on SDG indicators, however, occurs in both poorer and wealthier countries. When GDP/capita is controlled for, positive associations remain between health, environment and energy usage indicators. Economic growth is negatively associated with changes in some health and environment indicators. For SDGs targets to be achieved, major opportunities and conflicts will need to be identified, prioritized and acted upon.