bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in Humidity Nanosensors and Their Application: Review
Authors: Ku Chin-An , Chung Chen-Kuei
Published: February 2023

As the technology revolution and industrialization have flourished in the last few decades, the development of humidity nanosensors has become more important for the detection and control of humidity in the industry production line, food preservation, chemistry, agriculture and environmental monitoring. The new nanostructured materials and fabrication in nanosensors are linked to better sensor performance, especially for superior humidity sensing, following the intensive research into the design and synthesis of nanomaterials in the last few years. Various nanomaterials, such as ceramics, polymers, semiconductor and sulfide, carbon-based, triboelectrical nanogenerator (TENG), and MXene, have been studied for their potential ability to sense humidity with structures of nanowires, nanotubes, nanopores, and monolayers. These nanosensors have been synthesized via a wide range of processes, including solution synthesis, anodization, physical vapor deposition (PVD), or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The sensing mechanism, process improvement and nanostructure modulation of different types of materials are mostly inexhaustible, but they are all inseparable from the goals of the effective response, high sensitivity and low response–recovery time of humidity sensors. In this review, we focus on the sensing mechanism of direct and indirect sensing, various fabrication methods, nanomaterial geometry and recent advances in humidity nanosensors. Various types of capacitive, resistive and optical humidity nanosensors are introduced, alongside illustration of the properties and nanostructures of various materials. The similarities and differences of the humidity-sensitive mechanisms of different types of materials are summarized. Applications such as IoT, and the environmental and human-body monitoring of nanosensors are the development trends for futures advancements.
Lensless Three-Dimensional Imaging under Photon-Starved Conditions
Authors: Jang Jae-Young , Cho Myungjin
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we propose a lensless three-dimensional (3D) imaging under photon-starved conditions using diffraction grating and computational photon counting method. In conventional 3D imaging with and without the lens, 3D visualization of objects under photon-starved conditions may be difficult due to lack of photons. To solve this problem, our proposed method uses diffraction grating imaging as lensless 3D imaging and computational photon counting method for 3D visualization of objects under these conditions. In addition, to improve the visual quality of 3D images under severely photon-starved conditions, in this paper, multiple observation photon counting method with advanced statistical estimation such as Bayesian estimation is proposed. Multiple observation photon counting method can estimate the more accurate 3D images by remedying the random errors of photon occurrence because it can increase the samples of photons. To prove the ability of our proposed method, we implement the optical experiments and calculate the peak sidelobe ratio as the performance metric.
Condensed Phase Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry: A Direct Alternative to Fully Exploit the Mass Spectrometry Potential in Environmental Sample Analysis
Authors: Termopoli Veronica , Piergiovanni Maurizio , Ballabio Davide , Consonni Viviana , Cruz Muñoz Emmanuel , Gosetti Fabio
Published: February 2023

Membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) is a direct mass spectrometry technique used to monitor online chemical systems or quickly quantify trace levels of different groups of compounds in complex matrices without extensive sample preparation steps and chromatographic separation. MIMS utilizes a thin, semi-permeable, and selective membrane that directly connects the sample and the mass spectrometer. The analytes in the sample are pre-concentrated by the membrane depending on their physicochemical properties and directly transferred, using different acceptor phases (gas, liquid or vacuum) to the mass spectrometer. Condensed phase (CP) MIMS use a liquid as a medium, extending the range to new applications to less-volatile compounds that are challenging or unsuitable to gas-phase MIMS. It directly allows the rapid quantification of selected compounds in complex matrices, the online monitoring of chemical reactions (in real-time), as well as in situ measurements. CP-MIMS has expanded beyond the measurement of several organic compounds because of the use of different types of liquid acceptor phases, geometries, dimensions, and mass spectrometers. This review surveys advancements of CP-MIMS and its applications to several molecules and matrices over the past 15 years.
Cost-Effective Simultaneous Determination of τ- and π-Methylhistidine in Dairy Bovine Plasma from Large Cohort Studies Using Hydrophilic Interaction Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Sampsonidis Ioannis , Marinaki Maria , Pesiridou Anastasia , Gika Helen , Theodoridis Georgios , Siachos Nektarios , Arsenos Georgios , Kalogiannis Stavros
Published: February 2023

The isomeric metabolites τ- and π-methylhistidine (formerly referred to as 3- and 1-methylhistidine) are known biomarkers for muscle protein breakdown and meat protein intake, frequently used in studies involving humans and animals. In the present study, we report the development and validation of a simple HILIC-MS/MS method for individual determination of τ-MH and π-MH in a large cohort of blood plasma samples from dairy cows. Their separate determination was achieved mainly through a mass spectrometry fragment ion study, which revealed that the two isomers exhibited distinct mass spectrometric behaviors at different collision energies. Chromatographic conditions were optimised to achieve better separation, minimizing inter-channel interference to less than 1% in both directions. A simple and effective sample clean-up method facilitated low laboratory manual workload. The analytical method was validated for the determination of τ-MH and π-MH in bovine plasma within a concentration range of 80 to 1600 μg/L and provided good linearity (>0.99 for both curves) and precision (<10%). Overall, the developed method enabled the determination of the two isomers in an efficient and economic-friendly manner suitable for large cohort bovine studies (involving hundreds to thousands of samples) mainly to provide data for statistical use.
Emotional Exhaustion and Engagement in Higher Education Students during a Crisis, Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Experience in Italian Universities
Authors: Ghislieri Chiara , Sanseverino Domenico , Dolce Valentina , Spagnoli Paola , Manuti Amelia , Ingusci Emanuela , Addabbo Tindara
Published: February 2023

Italian university students face an uncertain future characterised by a competitive neoliberal academic environment with high demands and a weak labour market that often cannot hire those who are best qualified. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated students’ uncertainty and negatively affected their well-being. The purpose of this study is to explore perceptions of academic life during the pandemic and to examine the relationship between study load, reduced academic performance, internet addiction, academic self-efficacy, and engagement and emotional exhaustion. A sample of university students (N = 10,298) from 11 Italian universities completed a self-report questionnaire about their academic and personal lives between May and June 2021. We performed two multiple linear regressions and one ANOVA to highlight gender differences. Results indicate that female students reported lower levels of engagement and academic self-efficacy, and higher levels of exhaustion and study demands compared to male students, while older students generally appear to exhibit higher levels of well-being. Study load, reduced academic performance, and internet addiction showed a negative association with engagement, particularly the first two, and a positive association with exhaustion, while self-efficacy was positively associated with engagement and negatively associated with exhaustion. The results suggest the need to introduce additional forms of support, such as psychological support, internet addiction awareness courses or counseling services.
State Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis of HVDC System via KNN Algorithm with Knowledge Graph: A Practical China Power Grid Case
Authors: Chen Qian , Li Qiang , Wu Jiyang , He Jingsong , Mao Chizu , Li Ziyou , Yang Bo
Published: February 2023

Based on the four sets of faults data measured in the practical LCC-HVDC transmission project of China Southern Power Grid Tianshengqiao (Guangxi Province, China)–Guangzhou (Guangdong Province, China) HVDC transmission project, a fault diagnosis method based on the K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm is proposed for an HVDC system. This method can effectively and accurately identify four different fault types, aiming to contribute to construction of a future HVDC system knowledge graph (KG). First, function and significance of fault diagnosis for KG are introduced, along with four specific fault scenarios. Then, the fault data are normalized, classified into a training set and a test set, and labeled. Based on this, the KNN fault diagnosis model is established and Euclidean distance (ED) is selected as the metric function of the KNN algorithm. Finally, the training data are conveyed to the model for training and testing, upon which the diagnosis result obtained by the KNN algorithm with a knowledge graph is compared with that of the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm and Bayesian classifier (BC). The simulation results show that the KNN algorithm can achieve the highest diagnosis accuracy, with more than 83.3% diagnostic accuracy under multiple test sets among all three diagnosis methods.
Assessing the Role of Land-Use Planning in Near Future Climate-Driven Scenarios in Chilean Coastal Cities
Authors: León Jorge , Winckler Patricio , Vicuña Magdalena , Guzmán Simón , Larraguibel Cristian
Published: February 2023

This study reviews the degree to which land-use planning addresses climate change adaptation in Chilean Low Elevated Coastal Zones (LECZ). We first select 12 of the country’s most exposed coastal municipalities using a Municipal Exposure Index (MEI). Then, we conduct a content analysis of the communal regulatory plans (CRPs) using a “presumed exposure analysis”, which assumes that the inventory of assets within LECZ, according to the 2017 census, is a proxy of the exposure. Then, we conduct a more refined “hazard exposure analysis” by comparing changes in flooding levels between a historical period (1985–2004) and the RCP8.5 scenario (2026–2045). Using the latter approach, we show that flooding could affect large portions of the municipalities’ housing areas (3.7%), critical facilities (14.6%), and wetlands (22.7%) in the period 2026–2045. In the presumed exposure analysis, these percentages rise to 7.5%, 23.9%, and 24.9%, respectively. We find that CRPs also allow for a densification of exposed residential areas, whose density would increase by 9.2 times, on average, between the historical period and the RCP8.5 scenario. Additionally, only four municipalities define floodable zones as “risk areas”. Lastly, the difficulty in updating CRPs and their antiquity −21.25 years old on average could explain their ineffectiveness in implementing climate change adaptation strategies.
The Prediction of Fire Disaster Using BIM-Based Visualization for Expediting the Management Process
Authors: Kim Dahee , Cha Hee-sung , Jiang Shaohua
Published: February 2023

As buildings become larger and more complex, fire disaster management is of great concern. A building’s fire response and/or rescue system plays a pivotal role in minimizing fire victims and loss. To improve the current fire disaster management, it is important to link building (static) information, i.e., structural elements, fire escapes, and openings, with the fire (dynamic) information. When a building fire occurs, real-time fire information is required to be effectively linked with the on-site building information because the fire rescue teams, in most cases, are unfamiliar with the buildings. This study has proposed a Building Information Model (BIM)-based fire disaster management process which can digitally track the building data and the dynamic fire data simultaneously. To expedite this algorithm, an application program, i.e., Smart Fire Rescue Management (SFRM) has been developed using Revit™ software. A real-case project has been applied to evaluate the feasibility of the system. An expert survey has also been conducted to analyze the practical applicability. As a result, the system has been evaluated as exceptional, but it is necessary to upgrade the application from the practitioner’s viewpoint. The SFRM contributes to expediting the conventional disaster management process by enhancing the efficiency of the building fire response and/or rescue system.
Forecasting of Electricity Consumption by Household Consumers Using Fuzzy Logic Based on the Development Plan of the Power System of the Republic of Tajikistan
Authors: Tavarov Saidjon Shiralievich , Matrenin Pavel , Safaraliev Murodbek , Senyuk Mihail , Beryozkina Svetlana , Zicmane Inga
Published: February 2023

Seasonal fluctuations in electricity consumption, and uneven loading of supply lines reduce not only the energy efficiency of networks, but also contribute to a decrease in the service life of elements of power supply systems. To solve the problem of forecasting power consumption, it is proposed to use the theory of fuzzy sets to assess the effective development of the energy system of the Republic of Tajikistan. According to the statistical data of power consumption for the previous period, a fuzzy logic model with membership functions is proposed, which makes it possible to evaluate consumer satisfaction using the criteria unsatisfactory, satisfactory, conditionally satisfactory, and satisfactory, as well as the efficiency of the consumption mode of compliance using the criteria high, medium, and low, allowing the evaluation of the efficiency plan for the development of the energy system of the Republic of Tajikistan. To obtain and set more accurate data on electricity consumption, calculations were made for the winter period of the year. Based on the proposed calculation model of fuzzy logic, a quantitative component of electricity consumption, the corresponding satisfaction of the consumer, and the efficiency of the regime for nine cities of the Republic of Tajikistan were proposed in the form of diagrams of seasonal electricity consumption. The obtained seasonal power consumption makes it possible to improve the accuracy of estimating power consumption, thereby equalizing the balance of consumption and generation.
Shaping Tomorrow’s Arctic
Authors: Pfirman Stephanie , Fondahl Gail , Hovelsrud Grete K. , Mustonen Tero
Published: February 2023

This Special Issue “Shaping Tomorrow’s Arctic” explores the past, present and future of Arctic sustainability [...]
Empirical Analysis of the Carbon Accounting Information Disclosure (CAID) Affecting R&D Investment and Sustainable Development in State-Owned and Non-State-Owned Enterprises
Authors: So Michael
Published: February 2023

As a topic of interest, the quality of Carbon Accounting Information Disclosure (CAID) provides necessary support to enhance sustainability and investment in Research and Development (R&D). Does improving the quality of CAID have an impact on the R&D investment? Does the sustainability of enterprises play a moderating role in the quality of CAID and R&D investment? These are questions that deserve attention and discussion. This paper extracted 1407 samples from China’s markets from 2019–2021, carried out descriptive statistical analysis, analyzed the impact of CAID on R&D investment using multiple linear regression, verified the moderating effect of sustainability on the role of both, and finally conducted a robustness test. The study showed that the higher the quality of CAID, the greater the R&D investment of listed companies; the stronger the sustainability, the stronger the promotion of CAID quality on R&D investment. The findings were also applicable in State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), while the effect is not significant in non-State-Owned Enterprises. This paper made several recommendations. First, to enhance the company’s R&D investment, listed companies should enhance their CAID capability. Second, listed companies should improve their sustainability to ensure the effective performance of CAID. Third, the government should strengthen supervision and policy guidance to promote the continuous improvement of the CAID system to guide listed companies on the road to developing a low-carbon economy.
Technological Challenges and Opportunities to Plastics Valorization in the Context of a Circular Economy in Europe
Authors: Schultz Felix Carl , Reinhardt Robert Jaroslav
Published: February 2023

The transition to a fully-fledged circular economy (CE) has proven to be challenging for many industries. Despite possible competitive advantages of moving industries towards CE activities, their practical implementation is still limited. This communication article delivers ad interim an identification of technological challenges and opportunities for the European plastics industries to facilitate circularity ambitions. In applying the qualitative-empirical Gioia-method utilizing the GABEK-WinRelan tool, specific technological challenges and opportunities for plastics industries were identified. Major findings indicate that technological challenges for plastics are predominantly seen in (C1) secondary material contamination; (C2) recycling processing issues; (C3) production processing issues; (C4) production material quality issues; and (C5) end-product quality issues, while the opportunities lie in (O1) effective secondary material management; (O2) innovation for chemical recycling; (O3) innovation for production and processability; (O4) innovative materials; and (O5) innovative end-products. This article contributes to the contemporary debate of CE challenges and opportunities to plastics valorization by highlighting the promising role of chemical recycling on a monomer-level as a key facilitator to a circular plastics economy. Further, it was found that technological transitions must be coupled with compatible market incentive mechanisms guided by effective institutional structures.
ICT Adoption for Sustainable Logistics Development in the HoReCa and Wholesale Sectors
Authors: Ceynowa Weronika , Przybylowski Adam , Wojtasik Piotr , Ciskowski Łukasz
Published: February 2023

Applying Information and communication technologies (ICT) tools is crucial for businesses to stay competitive and sustainable. The aim of this study is to investigate the attitudes of the Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering sector (HoReCa) and wholesale companies towards using ICT tools to improve B2B communication and drive sustainable development. Through in-depth interviews with representatives from twenty HoReCa firms and seven wholesale suppliers, the ICT tool was found to be well received and could potentially improve the efficiency and sustainability of their cooperation. The hypothesis states that these sectors have significant potential to adopt novel tools to improve communication channels and make their logistics operations more sustainable. As part of the Incubator of Innovation 4.0 project grant at Gdynia Maritime University, a mobile application was developed to support the development of sustainable supply chains that minimize environmental impact, support long-term economic viability, and improve warehouse management and distribution channels for services and goods. This tool could facilitate the streamlining of processes and enable stakeholders to adapt to dynamic changes in the socio-economic environment, ultimately leading to more efficient and flexible operations.
Identification of Construction Inhibitors and Sustainable Construction Practices for Alternative Intersections and Interchanges
Authors: Bonilla Minerva , Rasdorf William
Published: February 2023

Despite the recent pandemic and sharp increases in fuel costs, portions of the current U.S. transportation infrastructure have reached their capacity, can no longer carry the increasing traffic volumes they are subjected to, nor can they sustain more. Thus, there is a need to enhance the current infrastructure by funding projects that promote more sustainable practices. Alternative intersections and interchanges (AIIs) can help to achieve this by providing significant improvements in traffic volumes while maintaining or improving safety. However, because they involve unique construction approaches that may be unfamiliar to construction professionals, the cost of AII projects are often perceived to be higher than for conventional designs. This research addressed this problem by identifying inhibitors to the construction of AIIs and enhancers that could improve their construction efficiency. To do so, an online survey was distributed and virtual interviews were conducted to gather knowledge from stakeholders (consultants, designers, and contractors) with experience building AII projects. The results were compiled and assessed to better understand the inhibitors that prevent AII projects from being selected and constructed. The results are promising and help DOTs, contractors, and consultants to focus their resources on minimizing inhibitors to improve project performance. The results show that utilities and right of way are the most prevalent inhibitors that prevent AII projects from being selected and constructed.
The Feasibility of Constructing a Greenhouse Gas Emission Assessment System in China and Its Legislative Path
Authors: Zhao Shen , Tian Yiyao
Published: February 2023

In order to achieve the ambitious carbon peak and neutrality targets, China is in the process of revising Environmental Impact Assessment Law. This study is devoted to the proposition of how to incorporate activities regulating greenhouse gas emissions into the legal system of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This study is inspired by the Embedding Theory, which provides the explanatory framework that allows economic activities to be regulated by political and social norms. This framework requires a relevance and cost analysis of the three indicators required to regulate economic activities: administrative support, technical support, and legal support. The results reveal that the structure of China’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment (GGEA) system and that of the EIA system are closely related and that the generation and transaction costs involved in the process of institution embedding are low. This result satisfies the requirements of the Embedding Theory for achieving institutional coupling. In conclusion, this study provides an outlook on the direction of the revision of China’s EIA Law from the perspective of building a rule of law pathway for GGEA with “4EM-3CS-3RC” as the core.
A Mini-Review on Syngas Fermentation to Bio-Alcohols: Current Status and Challenges
Authors: Ahuja Vishal , Bhatt Arvind Kumar , Ravindran Balasubramani , Yang Yung-Hun , Bhatia Shashi Kant
Published: February 2023

Biomass gasification produces syngas, mainly comprised of CO and H2 along with H2S, CO2, N2, and tar compounds. Inorganic carbon present in syngas as CO and CO2 can be utilized for the production of several value-added chemicals including ethanol, higher alcohols, fuels, and hydrogen. However, chemical sequestration operates at a high temperature of 300–500 °C and pressure of 3–5 MPa in the presence of heavy metal catalysts. Catalyst regeneration and the maintenance of high temperature and pressure increased the cost of operation. Microorganisms like algae and bacteria including Acetobacterium and Clostridium also have the potential to sequester carbon from the gas phase. Research has emphasized the production of microbial metabolites with a high market value from syngas. However, scale-up and commercialization of technology have some obstacles like inefficient mass transfer, microbial contamination, inconsistency in syngas composition, and requirement for a clean-up process. The current review summarizes the recent advances in syngas production and utilization with special consideration of alcohol and energy-related products along with challenges for scale-up.
Graph Representation of the 15-Minute City: A Comparison between Rome, London, and Paris
Authors: Barbieri Lorenzo , D’Autilia Roberto , Marrone Paola , Montella Ilaria
Published: February 2023

We studied the structure of the 15-minute city by measuring the distances from the services on spatial graphs. While the concept of the 15-minute city is rapidly spreading, its operative definition can be of help for planning and understanding the possibilities of the general idea. For three European cities (Rome, Paris, and London), we developed a method to calculate pedestrian travel time to reach services for all the possible paths on urban graphs, finding that the 15-minute city generally has multiple connected components and that the services have not necessarily been part of it. This algorithm was used to to make a quantitative comparison between the cities, showing that Paris and London have a stronger 15-minute characterization than Rome. By generalizing the method, it was possible to define a 15-minute urban index, which quantitatively characterizes this city feature. The results seem to be promising because, at the cost of the massive use of computational time, a digital model for the city can be generated: a planning tool to simulate urban solutions and a rigorous criterion for evaluating how much a city can be considered a 15-minute city.
Effectiveness of Agricultural Extension on Paddy Rice Farmer’s Baubau City, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Jamil Muhammad Hatta , Tika Nadine , Fudjaja Letty , Tenriawaru A. Nixia , Salam Muslim , Ridwan Muhammad , Muslim Ahmad Imam , Chand Nividita Varun
Published: February 2023

Agricultural extension workers play an essential role in the productivity of agricultural systems. Based on the actual conditions in the field, it can be seen that the level of extension services still needs to be higher due to a lack of human resources in the field of extension services. This research was conducted to determine the effectiveness of agricultural extension services andthe factors that influence the effectiveness of agricultural extension to farmers in Baubau City, Indonesia. The analytical method includes exogenous latent variables: human resources, technological progress, farming capital, farmer age, education, and farming experience. The effectiveness of agricultural extension is used as an endogenous latent variable. The research sample consisted of 110 rice farmers in Baubau City, and the Slovin formula was used to calculate the sample. The data collection for this research was carried out by distributing questionnaires to respondents, in-depth interviews, and direct observation in the city of Baubau. Using the AMOS application, quantitative analysis was carried out through structural equation modeling (SEM). The study results show that: (1) The factors that influence the effectiveness of agricultural extension in Baubau City are farming capital, farmer age, education, farming experience, and human resources, and (2) the influence of these factors on the effectiveness of agricultural extension is as follows: if the farming capital is high, human resources can be increased. In addition, the higher the farmer’s age, the lower the need for human resources. It is also noted that higher farmer education contributes to increased human capital, and increased experience in farming is associated with increased human capital. Thus, an increase in human resources will increase the effectiveness of agricultural extension. Significant factors that influence the effectiveness of agricultural extension in Baubau City, Southeast Sulawesi, are farming capital, farmer age, education, farming experience, and human resources.
Methodological Framework for Fostering the Implementation of Climate-Responsive Public Spaces and Streetscapes to Support Multifunctional Design
Authors: Gabor Anna , Reinwald Florian , Damyanovic Doris
Published: February 2023

The ongoing effect of climate change heating up urban areas is forcing cities to exploit the adaptation potential of their public open spaces. Streets and squares are important urban open spaces that can contribute to climate change adaptation through the targeted application of individual measures. In order to ensure the effective and appropriate application of climate-relevant measures for the public good, the city of Vienna relies on the development of a guideline that focuses on measures from the field of urban green and blue infrastructure (UGBI) (and a few technical measures (TM)) in the urban open space. In the future, this guideline will make it easier for city employees to select appropriate measures. In the context of an applied research project, existing and possible measures in Vienna were collected, examined, and assessed for their climate, ecological, and social sustainability based on the concept of ecosystem services (ES). The challenge here is to capture this broad topic of sustainability and climate change and to draw on a broad spectrum of knowledge from science and research, as well as directly from practice. The result is a methodological framework that can be used by other cities as a basis for the development of individual guidelines to foster climate-relevant measures and a critical analysis of the use of co-creation in the development of the framework.
How Does Green Finance Affect the Sustainable Development of the Regional Economy? Evidence from China
Authors: Ma Huizi , Miao Xuan , Wang Zhen , Wang Xiangrong
Published: February 2023

The continuous expansion of green finance makes it a new scheme to stimulate economic vitality, but its stimulation path remains to be explored. Using the panel data of 30 regions in China from 2016 to 2020, this research utilized an entropy method to evaluate green finance and the sustainable development of the regional economy (SDRE), and then discussed their coupling coordination relationship and regional heterogeneity. The results show that: (1) The developments of green finance and SDRE in the eastern coastal regions are generally better than that of China’s inland regions. (2) If green finance and SDRE are at a high level, their coupling coordination will be enhanced. Otherwise, the coordination effect will be weakened. (3) The influence of green finance on SDRE has evident regional heterogeneity, and the influence is positive in the echelon with a high degree of green finance.
Walkability and Bikeability for Sustainable Spatial Planning in the City of Novi Sad (Serbia)
Authors: Đorđević Tijana , Tomić Nemanja , Tešić Dajana
Published: February 2023

The global trend of increasing urbanization and motorization represents a major obstacle in the sustainable development and planning of cities. This trend did not bypass the city of Novi Sad (Serbia), which, despite good cultural and historical preconditions for the development of sustainable forms of transport, did not resist the sudden increase in the degree of motorization. The aim of this work is to present how favorable the existing structure of the city is for the development of sustainable types of traffic (mainly walking and cycling). Furthermore, this research aims to establish the link between bikeability and walkability and walking and cycling in the city through a survey questionnaire thus aiming to show how much the planned land use affects the increase or decrease in walkability and bikeability in the city of Novi Sad in order to establish whether the planning documents respect the principle of sustainability defined by law. The methodological procedure is adapted to European cities and the information base available in the researched area is based on the walkability and bikeability index. The results showed that the city of Novi Sad has the potential and morphology to support sustainable modes of transport, but the planning documents do not recognize the imperative of change towards sustainability.
Applying the Extended Technology Acceptance Model to Explore Taiwan’s Generation Z’s Behavioral Intentions toward Using Electric Motorcycles
Authors: Zhang Xiyu , Chang Minyen
Published: February 2023

With increasing global warming, environmental protection and green energy have become hotly discussed issues recently. Countries have proposed a net-zero carbon emission path, among which low-carbon transportation has been listed as the primary goal of each country. In Taiwan, which has the highest density of motorcycles in Asia, electric motorcycles are an environmentally friendly mobility solution that enjoys greater advantages for development because of their eco-friendly and energy-saving nature in the global context of environmental protection, energy conservation, carbon reduction, and sharing economies. This study applies the technology acceptance model and incorporates environmental concerns, value propositions, and government policies as variables to explore the behavioral intentions of Taiwan’s Generation Z toward using electric motorcycles. A total of 391 questionnaires were collected, and the correlation between variables was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The study revealed that: (1) consumers’ perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use positively influence their attitudes toward using electric motorcycles; (2) consumers’ environmental concerns do not influence their attitudes toward using electric motorcycles; and (3) consumers’ attitudes toward using electric motorcycles, value propositions, and government policies positively influence their behavioral intentions toward using electric motorcycles. The above findings will have theoretical and practical implications in terms of academic reference and the motorcycle industry.
Effect of Pressure Relief Hole Spacing on Energy Dissipation in Coal Seam at Various Mining Depths
Authors: Zhao Hongrui , Pan Yishan , Lyu Jinguo , Peng Yisheng , Li Shixu
Published: February 2023

The large diameter pressure relief borehole is one of the most effective technical means to prevent and control rockburst during deep mining. Based on the engineering background of rockburst mines, the mechanical model of coal energy dissipation of large diameter pressure relief holes is established by theoretical analysis, and the approximate formula for calculating energy dissipation of coal is obtained. Combined with numerical simulation methods, the energy accumulation and dissipation laws of coal under various mining depths and the various spacings of pressure relief holes is studied. The results show that the upper and lower ends of the pressure relief holes have the highest degree of energy dissipation and the largest range of energy dissipation. While the energy dissipation effect on the left and right sides of the pressure relief holes is poor, a high accumulation of elastic strain energy occurs at a certain distance on the left and right sides of the relief holes. The dissipated energy of the coal seam increases continuously with the increase in mining depth and the decrease in spacing of pressure relief holes. The dissipated energy rises especially suddenly when the hole spacing changes from 1.0 m to 0.5 m. For coal seams with high rockburst risk, the spacing of pressure relief holes can be set to be less than or equal to 0.5 m, which can greatly improve the energy dissipation effect of coal seams. The studies can provide a theoretical basis for the optimization parameters of pressure relief holes for rockburst prevention.
Investigating the Suitability of Waste Glass as a Supplementary Binder and Aggregate for Cement and Concrete
Authors: Stefanidou Maria , Kesikidou Fotini , Konopisi Stavroula , Vasiadis Thanasis
Published: February 2023

Multiple studies propose the incorporation of waste glass into concrete as a sustainable solution covering many aspects, including preserving natural resources, utilizing waste materials and reducing concrete cost. In the present study, the suitability of different types of flat glass waste from a local industry as a supplementary binder or aggregate was examined. Different protocols were followed based on the European and American Standards. The chemical composition, density, mineralogy and salts content of the samples were tested. For the use of the glass waste as a binder, the strength activity and pozzolanicity indexes were measured according to EN 450-1 and ASTM C593, respectively. For the use of the glass waste as aggregates, the granulometry and the flakiness and shape indexes of the samples were determined. Alkali-silica reaction, freeze-thaw and magnesium sulfate tests for the aggregates were also performed. It can be concluded that waste glass has a medium pozzolanic behavior and can be used as a supplementary cementitious material. Nonetheless, the chemical composition, as well as the purity, of waste glass play an important role for the binder and aggregate in the mixture.
Determinants of Sustainability Disclosure Quality among Plantation Companies in Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Latif Rohaida , Taufil Mohd Kamarun Nisham , Kamardin Hasnah , Mohd Ariff Arifatul Husna
Published: February 2023

This paper aims to examine the determinants of sustainability disclosure quality among plantation companies in Malaysia. Data analysis is based on all 44 listed plantation companies on Bursa Malaysia between 2016 and 2018. The study utilizes a content analysis adapted from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)—G4 guideline, Sustainability Accounting Standard Board guidelines, and Bursa Malaysia Guidelines 2018, to measure sustainability disclosure quality (SDQ). Results from ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis corrected for standard errors indicate that shariah-compliant status and internal mechanisms (board size, the presence of women directors, the existence of sustainability committees, and CEOs with business knowledge) significantly improve SDQ. Firm size, firm age, leverage, growth, and Big 4 auditors also significantly improve SDQ. The study provides useful insights into the importance of women directors and the presence of sustainability committees towards SDQ. This study contributes to the discussion that internal mechanisms (board size, independent boards, women directors, sustainability committees) and firm characteristics (shariah compliant, family ownership, CEO ownership, foreign ownership) can increase sustainability reporting and disclosure quality. The measurement of SDQ is novel in Malaysian context even though the methodology is often used in the literature.
The Impact of Technology Innovation on Urban Land Intensive Use in China: Evidence from 284 Cities in China
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhang Lin
Published: February 2023

How to improve the level of urban land intensive use (ULIU) has been of wide concern to academic circles. Technology innovation, as the internal driving force of economic development, has an important impact on ULIU. To clarify the impacts of technology innovation on ULIU, this study measures the ULIU level index of China from 2006 to 2019 from four dimensions: the input-output level of economic efficiency, the carrying capacity of ecological environment, the harmony of the man-land relationship and the rationality of relationships between regions. On this basis, as there are different production technologies and land use technologies between cities, the differences of ULIU in different regions are analysed. Using the spatial econometric model, this study empirically analyzes the impact of technology innovation on ULIU. In addition, considering the differences in geographical distribution, natural resource endowment and technological type, this study analyzes the heterogeneous impact of technology innovation on ULIU. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) The level of ULIU and technology innovation in China is increasing year by year. The level of ULIU and technology innovation in the eastern region is higher than that in the central and western regions. (2) From the spatial perspective, ULIU has a significant positive spatial spillover effect. (3) On the whole, technology innovation significantly improves the level of ULIU. (4) The impact of technology innovation in different regions, different types of cities and different types of technologies on ULIU is heterogeneous. Our results not only enrich the research on the relationship between technology innovation and ULIU, but also provide a reference for the formulation of relevant policies.
Fractal Characterization of Brass Corrosion in Cavitation Field in Seawater
Authors: Bărbulescu Alina , Dumitriu Cristian Ștefan
Published: February 2023

Cavitation is a physical process that produces complex effects on the machines and components working in conditions where it acts. One effect is the materials-mass loss by corrosion–erosion when components are introduced into fluids under cavitation. The analysis of the damages produced by cavitation is generally performed by using different destructive and non-destructive experimental techniques. Most studies on materials’ behavior in cavitation refer to the erosion–corrosion mechanism, and very few investigate the fissure propagation by fractal methods. None have investigated the fractal characteristics of the sample surface after erosion–corrosion or the multifractal characteristics of materials’ mass variation in time in a cavitation field. Therefore, this research proposes a computational approach to determine the pattern of materials’ damages produced by ultrasound cavitation. The studied material is a brass, introduced in seawater. Fractal and multifractal techniques are applied to the series of the absolute mass loss per surface and the sample’s micrography after corrosion. Such an approach has not been utilized for such a material in similar experimental conditions. This study emphasizes that the box dimension of the series of the absolute mass loss per surface is close to one, and its behaviour is close to a non-/monofractal. It is demonstrated that the material’s surface corrosion is not uniform, and its multifractal character is highlighted by the f(α)− spectrum and the multifractal dimensions, which have the following values: the capacity dimension = 1.5969, the information dimension = 1.49836, and the correlation dimension = 1.4670.
An Experimental Portuguese Social-Enterprise Project in Urban Agriculture: A Case Study on the Influence of the Interaction of Stakeholder Roles on Sustainable Governance
Authors: Parkes Michael Graham , O’Rourke Rebekah , Domingos Tiago , Teixeira Ricardo F. M.
Published: February 2023

An experimental urban-agriculture (UA) project was started in 2018 with multiple stakeholders in Lisbon, Portugal. The project involved setting up an indoor vertical farm in a university building. Early on, there were promising outcomes across the environmental, social and economic pillars of sustainability. However, the project was closed in 2022. Here, we carried out an analysis of the sustainability-governance pillar that aimed to provide some understanding of why the project did not proceed. We used role-constellation mapping of the 27 stakeholder groups engaged. We also carried out force-field analysis of the stakeholders and their desirable or problematic interactions across seven factors of governance. Results showed that although the parties engaged represented various project aims and dimensions, there was a failure to establish a network of stakeholders consistently engaged in governance practices at the outset and in an ongoing way. Inadequate project culture and a lack of critical governance factors led to a failure in conveying a strong sense of ownership of the project to the stakeholders. This case study raises the need for future UA projects to invest in good governance structures, the promotion of dialogue between the parties, and a shared culture, in order to become sustainable.
Using a Directional Distance Function to Measure the Environmental Efficiency of International Liner Shipping Companies and Assess Regulatory Impact
Authors: Liao Yi-Hui , Lee Hsuan-Shih
Published: February 2023

Maritime transport relies on a large amounts of fossil fuels. It provides cargo-carrying services but simultaneously emits enormous amounts of by-products such as CO2, which cause climate change. The IMO has adopted mandatory measures to reduce the shipping industry’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70% by 2050, relative to 2008. In this paper, we select 11 liner shipping companies as decision-making units (DMUs) that account for more than 80% of the world’s shipping capacity. Utilizing the directional distance function, we estimate their environmental efficiency in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The directional vector serves to expand desired outputs and contract undesirable outputs. The larger the distance, the farther the evaluated unit is from the production frontier, and the less environmentally efficient it is assessed. This study compares the impact of environmental regulations on liner shipping based on two methods of dealing with undesirable outputs. Since the results indicate the low overall environmental efficiency of liner shipping, firms should strengthen their decarbonization efforts to achieve environmental efficiency goals. Moreover, the results also demonstrate that environmental regulations significantly impact liner shipping companies and that they need to reduce by-product outputs to comply with regulations.
Installations for Civic Culture: Behavioral Policy Interventions to Promote Social Sustainability
Authors: Yamin Paulius , Artavia-Mora Luis , Martunaite Benita , Lahiri Shaon
Published: February 2023

Achieving more equitable, safer, and resilient societies—crucial dimensions of social sustainability—depends on durable transformations in people’s behavior. Traditional policy interventions attempt to influence people’s behavior in different ways, such as increased policing, fines, or awareness campaigns, but often have limited effects because they fail to systematically address local determinants of behavior. In this paper, we analyze two complex behavioral policy interventions to illustrate how installation theory can provide a framework to systematically analyze and design for large-scale behavioral change to support social sustainability. We focus on two of Antanas Mockus’ iconic “civic culture” interventions to reduce deaths in traffic accidents and domestic violence in Colombia. To study them, we collected intervention reports, citizens’ narratives, creators’ accounts and press articles to identify their main characteristics and behavioral techniques. In our results, we find that the civic culture approach used in these two interventions addresses physical, psychological and social determinants of behavior in ways that reduce reactance and promote mutual regulation and collective agency. By unraveling the essential factors of behavioral influence, installation theory and related frameworks provide a useful guide to structure, analyze and report interventions that address the behavioral components of social sustainability.