bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust Arm Impedocardiography Signal Quality Enhancement Using Recursive Signal Averaging and Multi-Stage Wavelet Denoising Methods for Long-Term Cardiac Contractility Monitoring Armbands
Authors: Escalona Omar , Cullen Nicole , Weli Idongesit , McCallan Niamh , Ng Kok Yew , Finlay Dewar
Published: June 2023

Impedance cardiography (ICG) is a low-cost, non-invasive technique that enables the clinical assessment of haemodynamic parameters, such as cardiac output and stroke volume (SV). Conventional ICG recordings are taken from the patient’s thorax. However, access to ICG vital signs from the upper-arm brachial artery (as an associated surrogate) can enable user-convenient wearable armband sensor devices to provide an attractive option for gathering ICG trend-based indicators of general health, which offers particular advantages in ambulatory long-term monitoring settings. This study considered the upper arm ICG and control Thorax-ICG recordings data from 15 healthy subject cases. A prefiltering stage included a third-order Savitzky–Golay finite impulse response (FIR) filter, which was applied to the raw ICG signals. Then, a multi-stage wavelet-based denoising strategy on a beat-by-beat (BbyB) basis, which was supported by a recursive signal-averaging optimal thresholding adaptation algorithm for Arm-ICG signals, was investigated for robust signal quality enhancement. The performance of the BbyB ICG denoising was evaluated for each case using a 700 ms frame centred on the heartbeat ICG pulse. This frame was extracted from a 600-beat ensemble signal-averaged ICG and was used as the noiseless signal reference vector (gold standard frame). Furthermore, in each subject case, enhanced Arm-ICG and Thorax-ICG above a threshold of correlation of 0.95 with the noiseless vector enabled the analysis of beat inclusion rate (BIR%), yielding an average of 80.9% for Arm-ICG and 100% for Thorax-ICG, and BbyB values of the ICG waveform feature metrics A, B, C and VET accuracy and precision, yielding respective error rates (ER%) of 0.83%, 11.1%, 3.99% and 5.2% for Arm-IG, and 0.41%, 3.82%, 1.66% and 1.25% for Thorax-ICG, respectively. Hence, the functional relationship between ICG metrics within and between the arm and thorax recording modes could be characterised and the linear regression (Arm-ICG vs. Thorax-ICG) trends could be analysed. Overall, it was found in this study that recursive averaging, set with a 36 ICG beats buffer size, was the best Arm-ICG BbyB denoising process, with an average of less than 3.3% in the Arm-ICG time metrics error rate. It was also found that the arm SV versus thorax SV had a linear regression coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.84.
The Five Controversies of Market-Driven Sustainable Neighborhoods: An Alternative Approach to Post-Occupancy Evaluation
Authors: Dessouky Nermin , Wheeler Stephen , Salama Ashraf M.
Published: June 2023

The increased involvement of the private sector in building sustainable communities is often met with skepticism from sustainability experts and academics. Although environmental experts and engineers may wish to focus on the technical design features and green rating of such projects to validate their sustainability, data are sometimes lacking, and social scientists may criticize projects’ social impacts and portray them as greenwashing sustainability. More holistic and evidence-based attempts are needed to understand post-occupancy performance in a way that targets the core obstacles to sustainability. This paper investigates the fundamental challenges of the market model of sustainable neighborhoods by using a qualitative post-occupancy evaluation method. We map core controversies through the lenses of different actors and ask how such challenges can be addressed in future developments. We interviewed 46 actors in The Sustainable City—a 590-unit residential development in Dubai. Through inductive analysis, we mapped five central controversies: The Branding Controversy; The Innovation Controversy; The Behavior Controversy; The Governance Controversy, and The Market Controversy. Such controversies appear fundamentally associated with the performance of privately developed sustainable neighborhoods. We present recommendations to resolve such controversies in future developments, including the clearer communication of goals and behavior expectations to residents, the ongoing education of residents, careful testing of technologies, the necessary steps by developers and local municipalities to promote affordability and equity, and resident representative committees in order to enhance civic agency.
Evaluation of Modern Architecture Criteria in the Context of Sustainability and Architectural Approach; Modern Period in North Nicosia
Authors: Beyaz Çağla , Erçin Çilen
Published: June 2023

Cyprus was affected by different civilizations throughout history. After the 1974 war on the island, both parts of the island were affected by social, economic, cultural, environmental, and political factors. It is known that, in 1960, the construction of buildings containing the criteria of the modern architectural period in the northern and southern parts of the island of Cyprus continued increasingly. Although the architectural approaches that emerged with the modern period have different trends, the basis of all of them is based on the criteria of modern architecture. The main purpose of this research is to examine the architectural criteria of Efruz Houses (Müdüroğlu Houses) built in the modern period in the Nicosia Kumsal region in the context of sustainability parameters and modern architectural approach. In the study, these houses will be examined in terms of social, cultural, environmental, and economic which are parameters of sustainability. In the methodological approach, theoretical, analytical, and practical approaches were followed. In the theoretical approach stage, modern architecture, modern architectural approaches, and sustainability issues are discussed. At the analytical approach stage, the current analysis of the modern period residences in the Kumsal/Nicosia region, which was determined as the subject of the study, was made. In the practical approach phase, data revealing the physical and environmental conditions of the selected buildings were collected. The collected data were evaluated over the modern period residences in the Kumsal region in the context of modern architectural approaches and sustainability parameters. In the findings section, which is the last stage of the study, modern period houses that change function and do not change function are evaluated in the context of modern architectural approaches and sustainability parameters, taking into account the criteria of modern architecture. The research and findings clearly observed that the ideal principles and approaches of the modern period are associated with the sustainability parameters that emerged in the modern period. In the study, the necessity of applying modern period approaches in sustainable designs emerges. In this context, modern architectural criteria should be integrated into today’s sustainable designs and applied in practice. It is targeted to contribute to the existing literature by revealing the importance and values of houses, sustainability parameters, and modern period approaches and criteria.
Determinants of Residents’ Support for Sustainable Tourism Development: An Empirical Study in Midyat, Turkey
Authors: Uslu Abdullah , Erul Emrullah , Santos José António C. , Obradović Sanja , Custódio Santos Margarida
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which residents’ perceptions of their place image can predict their perceptions of the impacts of tourism, and ultimately, to elucidate their support for sustainable tourism development in Midyat, Turkey. This city currently faces a range of negative impacts associated with tourism, such as inflation, high leakage, threats to family structures, environmental degradation, pollution, and crowding. At the same time, Midyat seeks to maximize the positive impacts of tourism, including job creation and employment, environmental protection, cultural and educational enrichment, and recreational opportunities. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a strategic shift in development. The study population consists of residents residing in Midyat, Turkey, from whom three hundred and fifty-six questionnaires were collected. PLS (Partial Least Squares) path analysis was utilized to analyze the research model constructed based on the literature. The results demonstrated that residents’ place image significantly predicted two out of three impacts of tourism, namely, socio-cultural and economic impacts. Additionally, residents’ perceptions of environmental and socio-cultural impacts were significant predictors of their support or opposition to sustainable tourism. While perceived environmental impacts have a positive effect on support for sustainable tourism, perceived economic impacts have a negative effect. This finding can guide tourism planners and professionals to make more informed decisions and take stronger steps toward sustainable tourism development. This study revealed that the quality of life, job opportunities, infrastructure, and economic income of Midyat’s residents are insufficient. However, the city is characterized by social attributes, such as friendliness, trust, and supportiveness. The results are limited to local residents, and using only one tourist stakeholder to assess sustainable tourism development is insufficient. Therefore, additional research must be performed to guarantee the involvement of other tourism stakeholders.
Deproteinization of Natural Rubber Latex and Its Pale-Colored Thin Films
Authors: Suksaeree Jirapornchai , Bumroongrat Chanin , Polraksa Nantanat , Taweepreda Wirach , Phaechamud Thawatchai , Pichayakorn Wiwat
Published: June 2023

The non-rubber components present in natural rubber latex can contribute to the dark color of dried films and may cause allergic reactions. This project aimed to develop light-color rubber films with minimal protein contamination. Various additives were incorporated, and a leaching procedure was implemented to address this issue. The evaluation focused on protein content, color changes, and swelling properties of thin natural rubber films. Texapon N70 proved effective as both a latex stabilizer and leaching agent, while Uniphen P-23 served as a preservative. The combined use of these additives facilitated the removal of soluble serum through appropriate incubation, leaching, and centrifugation processes. The introduction of additional centrifugation cycles improved deproteinization and color reduction; however, it led to a loss of rubber mass and an increase in manufacturing costs. Increasing the amount of Texapon N70 and introducing alkali potassium hydroxide (KOH) further enhanced the efficiency of deproteinization and color reduction. The optimal conditions determined in this investigation were as follows: 0.5% w/w Texapon N70, 0.5% w/w KOH, 1% w/w Uniphen P-23, a 60-min incubation period, and a single leaching cycle with distilled water. These conditions resulted in a 90.57 ± 1.20% decrease in protein contamination and a color change (ΔE) of 433.69 ± 20.23. This successful condition can be replicated and scaled up for further applications.
Sustainable Soundscape Monitoring of Modified Psycho-Acoustic Annoyance Model with Edge Computing for 5G IoT Systems
Authors: Segura-Garcia Jaume , Pérez-Solano Juan J. , Felici-Castell Santiago , Montoya-Belmonte José , Lopez-Ballester Jesus , Navarro Juan Miguel
Published: June 2023

Next-generation IoT systems will allow sustainable performance in long-term monitoring systems. This sustainability concept applies to soundscape description, as it allows monitoring in urban environments. In this work, the implementation of psycho-acoustic annoyance models in a 5G-enabled IoT system is proposed, applying two edge-computing approaches. A modified Zwicker’s model is adopted in this research, introducing a term that takes into account the tonal component of the captured sound. These implementations have been validated in a measurement campaign where several IoT devices have been deployed to evaluate different sound environments of a university campus. Then, the analysis of the sound-quality metrics is conducted in a different location, showing that if tonality is present in a noisy environment, it results in greater subjective annoyance. Moreover, the Just-Noticeable Difference of these results is derived from Zwicker’s psycho-acoustic annoyance to establish a limitation for this metric.
Measurement and Analysis of the Influence Factors of Tractor Tire Contact Area Based on a Multiple Linear Regression Equation
Authors: Jiang Chunxia , Lu Zhixiong , Dong Wenbin , Cao Bo , Shin Kyoosik
Published: June 2023

Tractor tire three-dimensional (3D) contact area is one of the significant concerns of the soil-tire coupling mechanism, and it influence soil compaction and the sustainable development of agriculture. In this study, we developed a method to measure the 3D contact area of a pneumatic tire using a laser profiler on a signal tire soil-bin testing facility. A 6.00-14 bias-ply tire with high lugs was driven on sandy loam soil in a soil-bin testing facility under different vertical loads, driving speeds, and inflation pressures. Then, we developed a multiple linear regression equation between the influence factors and tractor tire contact area. The results indicated that the contact area was impacted by the three factors involved in this study, and the inflation pressure significantly influenced results, and the combination of high speed (3 m/s), low inflation pressure (69 kPa), and high tire load (2.5 kN) led to a relatively high contact area on the soil-tire contact interface and possible severe soil compaction. Also, we found that the contact area varied in a quadratic manner with speed at a given inflation pressure and tire load and varied in a quadratic manner with inflation pressure at a given speed and tire load and varied linearly with the tire load for a given speed and inflation pressure.
Rebound Calculation for Deep Excavation in Soft Soil Based on Rebound-Recompression Method
Authors: Li Zhuofeng , Zhu Yiwei , Xu Chenggong , Yang Kaiwen , Xu Xiaobing , Fang Huajian
Published: June 2023

The excavation-induced stress relief and inward movement of the retaining wall will result in soil rebound deformation at the bottom of the excavation, adversely affecting nearby existing tunnels and foundation piles. Various existing methods for calculating the excavation rebound rely on rebound parameters and void ratio obtained from laboratory tests, without considering the effects of sampling, specimen preparation and laboratory procedures on the rebound parameters. As a result, a novel method is proposed in this article for calculating excavation rebound based on rebound-recompression method (RRM). This method first modifies initial void ratio (e0) and laboratory recompression index (CLR) used in traditional methods (TM) for calculation, based on field rebound and recompression curve proposed by the RRM, to in situ void ratio (ev0) and field recompression index (CFR). Then, the final rebound at the bottom of the excavation is calculated using a layered summation method. In addition, through two engineering examples, the proposed method is compared with existing calculation methods and measurements, demonstrating that this method is easy of calculate, yields reliable results, and can accurately predict the final soil rebound at the bottom of the excavation.
Optimizing Regression Models for Predicting Noise Pollution Caused by Road Traffic
Authors: Al-Shargabi Amal A. , Almhafdy Abdulbasit , AlSaleem Saleem S. , Berardi Umberto , Ali Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M.
Published: June 2023

The study focuses on addressing the growing concern of noise pollution resulting from increased transportation. Effective strategies are necessary to mitigate the impact of noise pollution. The study utilizes noise regression models to estimate road-traffic-induced noise pollution. However, the availability and reliability of such models can be limited. To enhance the accuracy of predictions, optimization techniques are employed. A dataset encompassing various landscape configurations is generated, and three regression models (regression tree, support vector machines, and Gaussian process regression) are constructed for noise-pollution prediction. Optimization is performed by fine-tuning hyperparameters for each model. Performance measures such as mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), and coefficient of determination (R2) are utilized to determine the optimal hyperparameter values. The results demonstrate that the optimization process significantly improves the models’ performance. The optimized Gaussian process regression model exhibits the highest prediction accuracy, with an MSE of 0.19, RMSE of 0.04, and R2 reaching 1. However, this model is comparatively slower in terms of computation speed. The study provides valuable insights for developing effective solutions and action plans to mitigate the adverse effects of noise pollution.
How Does Platform Labour Process Control Affect Courier’s Employment Mobility Intentions?—The Mediating Effects of Overtime Work and Job Autonomy
Authors: Zhang Bingbing , Yao Yin , Han Guangkui , He Jialiang , Xie Yu , Wang Xinyu
Published: June 2023

As one of the typical occupations in the new forms of employment generated by the platform economy, a courier has become an important channel for workers to achieve employment and increase their income. The labour process control of a courier by platforms has led to a decline in their employment experience and high mobility, which has affected the overall stability of employment. Using couriers as the research target, a questionnaire survey was conducted to explore the influence mechanism of platform labour process control on employment mobility intentions and the heterogeneity of this influence mechanism among different types of workers. The results show that among the three elements of platform labour process control, algorithmic control, incentive control, and evaluation control all have a significant, positive impact on the employment mobility intentions of couriers, with overtime work and job autonomy playing a partly mediating role respectively, job autonomy playing a significantly larger mediating role than overtime work, and part-time workers are more likely to be influenced by platform labour process control than full-time workers. On this basis, it provides a basis and reference for relevant government departments to implement effective regulation of platform enterprises, to control the degree of platform labour process control within a reasonable range, and to enhance the employment stability of workers, which has distinct theoretical and practical significance.
Will Trade Protection Trigger a Surge in Investment-Related CO2 Emissions? Evidence from Multi-Regional Input–Output Model
Authors: Liu Mengmeng , Wu Hao , Wang Haopeng
Published: June 2023

Current research has revealed that global trade promotes transnational investment and contributes to large amounts of CO2 emissions. Recently, trade protectionism has gradually emerged. This study aims to explore the effect of global trade protection on investment-related CO2 emissions. We construct an accounting framework for investment-related CO2 emissions under trade freedom and trade restriction based on the MRIO model for the first time, and investment-related CO2 emissions in 16 economies are determined in both trade freedom and trade restriction scenarios. The study uses normal trade and no-trade scenarios instead of free trade and restricted trade scenarios. Then, based on the comparison of the two scenarios, the effect of global trade protection on investment-related CO2 emissions is revealed from the three levels of country, section, and trade links. It is found that global trade protection would lead to an increase of up to 546.17 million tons in investment-related CO2 emissions under current trade structures. Transnational investment in the trade of end-stage intermediary goods contributed 81.6% of the total effect. In terms of countries, trade protection is quite disadvantageous to CO2 emission reduction in China and India, and their CO2 emissions would respectively increase by 105 million tons and 141.5 million tons compared to normal trade. The electricity, gas, and water supply sectors and the manufacturing sector are the main sectors for investment-related CO2 emissions. This study reveals the effect of trade freedom and trade protection on the environment of various countries from the viewpoint of investment-related CO2 emissions, which has important reference value for global CO2 emission reduction in the context of the evolving trade situation.
The Spatiotemporal Relationship between Tourism Eco-Efficiency and Economic Resilience from Coupling Perspectives in China
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Wu Xinyang
Published: June 2023

Efficiency and resilience are two essential challenges that require attention for high-quality development under the new normal. In this research, we measured tourism eco-efficiency using the Super-SBM model with undesirable output about data from 31 provinces in China from 2010 to 2019; economic resilience through the entropy weighted Topsis model; and finally, the coupling coordination degree (CCD) of tourism eco-efficiency and economic resilience. The findings showed that, from 2010 to 2019, the 31 provinces’ eco-efficiency values were low, with large and low variances in efficiency values among provinces with an uneven distribution. The economic resilience values of the 31 provinces were relatively low. Still, the economic resilience of each province had been relatively stable over the years, and the pattern of regional distribution of resilience values was generally consistent. The level of coupling coordination between tourism eco-efficiency and economic resilience was low in the 31 provinces, with low coordination type dominating, and the spatiotemporal patterns were the same. Its coupling coordination degree fluctuated and increased, but the increase was minor.
Towards Sustainable Drug Supply in China: A Bibliometric Analysis of Drug Reform Policies
Authors: Yan Shu , Pan Lizi , Lu Yan , Chen Juan , Zhang Ting , Xu Dongzi , Ouyang Zhaolian
Published: June 2023

As China has undergone a new round of healthcare reforms since 2009, the drug sector has been subjected to a series of reform measures that aim to ensure a sustainable supply of drugs with controlled expenditures. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of policy documents for the purpose of exploring the approaches within China’s drug reform. The analysis reveals that the National Health Commission (NHC) is the leading department of China’s drug reform, demonstrating that the core objective of drug reform is to ensure drug supply meets healthcare needs. The reform has evolved from its initial stage to the deepening and adjusting stage, with policy instruments becoming more interactive and involving greater numbers of implementers. Along with supply, drug quality and safety are the top concerns of the drug reform, followed by drug accessibility and affordability. Rational drug use is receiving greater attention in the deepening and adjusting stage. Environmental and demand-side instruments are being used more frequently in policies, while the utilization of supply-side instruments shows the opposite trend. Government departments at all levels play crucial roles in policy instrument implementation, with the significance of this function increasing. The participation of consumers in policy implementation is also rising. While medical institutions and enterprises are important implementers, their role is diminishing.
Spatial Distribution of Soil Heavy Metal Concentrations in Road-Neighboring Areas Using UAV-Based Hyperspectral Remote Sensing and GIS Technology
Authors: Gan Wenxia , Zhang Yuxuan , Xu Jinying , Yang Ruqin , Xiao Anna , Hu Xiaodi
Published: June 2023

Monitoring and restoring soil quality in areas neighboring roads affected by traffic activities require a thorough investigation of heavy metal concentrations. This study examines the spatial heterogeneity of copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) concentrations in a 0.113 km² area adjacent to Jin-Long Avenue in Wuhan, China, using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based hyperspectral remote sensing technology. Through this UAV-based remote sensing technology, we innovatively achieve a small-scale and fine-grained analysis of soil heavy metal pollution related with traffic activities, which represents a major contribution of this research study. In our approach, we generated 4375 spectral variates by transforming the original spectrum. To enhance result accuracy, we applied the Boruta algorithm and correlation analysis to select optimal spectral variates. We developed the retrieval model using the Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) regression method, selected from a set of four regression methods using the LOOCV method. The resulting model yielded R-square values of 0.325 and 0.351 for Cu and Cr, respectively, providing valuable insights into the heavy metal concentrations. Based on the retrieved heavy metal concentrations from bare soil pixels (17,420 points), we analyzed the relationship between heavy metal concentrations and the perpendicular distance from the road. Additionally, we employed the universal kriging interpolation method to map heavy metal concentrations across the entire area. Our findings reveal that the concentration of heavy metals in this area exceeds background values and decreases as the distance from the road increases. This research significantly contributes to the understanding of spatial distribution characteristics and pollution caused by heavy metal concentrations resulting from traffic activities.
Turkish Consumers’ Perceptions of Organic Milk and the Factors Affecting Consumption: The Case of Kocaeli, Türkiye
Authors: Can Bahar Aydın
Published: June 2023

The supply of organic products is critical in ensuring sustainable consumption in the face of increasing world population. The increasing awareness of individuals about healthy eating and re-liable food also increases the demand for organic products. The most commonly consumed product group among organic products, after fruits and vegetables, is milk and dairy products. This study aims to determine the perception of organic milk and the factors affecting organic milk consumption by consumers in the city center of the Kocaeli province. The data of the study were collected from 384 consumers with a survey using proportional sampling. The primary material of the study consisted of the data collected by the face-to-face survey method from milk consumers living in the center of Kocaeli province. The study demonstrated their sociodemographic structure with frequency distributions in the data obtained. In addition, statistical analysis methods, such as the chi-squared test and t-test factor analysis, were used for data evaluation. According to the research results, the rate of organic milk consumers was 78.91%. In addition, consumers stated that organic milk was expensive, tasty, and not widely available. Moreover, the most commonly consumed organic dairy products were yogurt, butter, and cheese. The factors influencing consumers about organic milk consumption were price, availability, reliability, and awareness. Increasing the consumption of organic milk is critical for ensuring sustainable consumption and the health of future generations. These results clearly demonstrate that we can increase organic milk consumption in Türkiye and create a fairer and more sustainable organic milk market by ensuring producers follow policies supporting organic milk production, investing in education, and organizing awareness programs for Turkish consumers.
Exploring Trends in Intangible Cultural Heritage Design: A Bibliometric and Content Analysis
Authors: Liu Sixuan , Pan Younghwan
Published: June 2023

This paper aims to explore the development of ICHD (intangible cultural heritage design), provide insights into its global trends, and foster its growth and advancement. The objectives are achieved through a mixed-methods approach that combines bibliometric methods and content analysis. This approach allows for a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the scientific literature related to ICHD. The findings of the work include an analysis of the most productive countries/regions, institutions, journals, and authors in the field of ICHD. In addition, it encompasses citation and co-citation analyses, aiding in the identification of influential scholars and esteemed journals within the domain as well as revealing collaborative patterns among researchers. The outcomes and implications for practice include a better understanding of the global trends in ICHD and insights into its growth and development. The research findings carry substantial theoretical and practical significance, leading to proposed avenues for future research. This paper significantly contributes to an enhanced understanding of the global landscape of ICHD, offering invaluable guidance and inspiration to researchers and practitioners alike.
More Green, Better Funding? Exploring the Dynamics between Corporate Bank Loans and Trade Credit
Authors: Du Qi’ang , Li Hongbo , Fu Yanyan , Fu Xintian , Wang Rui , Jia Tingting
Published: June 2023

As a critical aspect of corporate financing strategies, high-quality trade credit has been acknowledged as a favorable indicator for external stakeholders. Given the increasing prominence of sustainable development, it is worthwhile to explore whether an advanced environmental management system facilitates the attainment of financing for business operations. Therefore, to respond to this question, this study utilizes panel data spanning from 2012 to 2021, comprising Chinese listed firms in four energy and environment-related sectors, with the environmental dimension score of the CSI ESG scoring system employed for categorizing the sample into high and low environmental governance groups. The results reconcile the conflicting studies and find an inverted U-shaped effect between trade credit and corporate bank loans with lower levels of environmental governance. Within the domain characterized by higher environmental governance, the two are substituted for each other. In addition, this study introduces the Shapely decomposition method for the first time to quantify the contribution of trade credit to corporate bank loans. Drawing from these findings, we proposed practical advice to firms, financial institutions, and the government on how to choose between bank loans and trade credit against the background of sustainable development.
Financial and Banking Education of Consumers in the Context of Sustainable Development Society
Authors: Neacșu Nicoleta Andreea , Anton Carmen Elena , Baba Camelia Mirela , Popescu Anca
Published: June 2023

The paper addresses the consumer’s behaviour toward banking services, outlining the need to deepen and complete a financial-banking education. The purpose of the study is to identify the opinions of consumers of banking services regarding the collaboration relationship with financial-banking institutions from the perspective of financial education and sustainable development. In this regard, the authors carried out an analysis of the content of loan agreements using: the method of evaluation grids—a specific method of diagnostic analysis supplemented with in-depth interview—a qualitative research method. Our study highlights the role of financial-banking institutions in the sustainable development of social and economic life, marking the need for primary financial education for effective consumer-bank collaboration. The research results reflect the need to develop contractual relationships based on transparency, fairness, and better financial information and education of consumers. The obtained results are useful for decision-makers in banking institutions to develop lending policies according to customer expectations and for authorities to shape various social development policies.
Strategic Organizational Sustainability in the Age of Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Gomes Sofia , Lopes João M. , Travassos Mariana , Paiva Mariana , Cardoso Isaura , Peixoto Beatriz , Duarte Carolina
Published: June 2023

This study aims to explore the implementation of sustainability strategies in Portuguese SMEs. The methodology used in this study is qualitative, and it was carried out via multiple case studies, through interviews, with companies located in Portugal. The interviewed companies revealed their management practices regarding sustainable innovation and a business model focused on sustainable economic, social, and environmental criteria. Regarding the management of sustainable innovation, we assessed the interviewed companies as having accommodative and proactive strategies. Consequently, measures were presented at the level of sustainable management that companies may implement in their operations involving the participation of various stakeholders. This study is original not only for being exclusively related to SMEs but also because it is the first to consider the context of Portuguese companies, thereby contributing to the existing literature on this subject.
Modeling Structural Changes in Intra-Asian Maritime Container Shipping Networks Considering Their Characteristics
Authors: Shibuya Keigo , Shibasaki Ryuichi
Published: June 2023

In East Asia, where several large hub ports exist, maritime container shipping (MCS) has developed rapidly, and the MCS network has become more complex. This study develops a link prediction model that reproduces the changes in the structure of the intra-Asian oceangoing MCS network using graph theory. To improve the prediction accuracy, we propose a method that reflects the generation of a link considering the node and link characteristics of the MCS network, including the port performance and shipping distance between ports. Consequently, we conclude: (1) The intra-Asian oceangoing MCS network has expanded from 2011 to 2021 as the trading partners and trade volume have increased. (2) The usefulness of the proposed model is confirmed. In particular, the proposed model is good at predicting the new links between ports with short distances. (3) The prediction accuracy of link disappearance remains to be improved.
The Electric Scooter Collection Problem: A Case Study in the City of Vienna
Authors: Turan Belma , Wakolbinger Tina
Published: June 2023

The urban population has been growing rapidly, especially in the European Union. The trend of urbanization has led to an increased demand for mobility, through both passenger and goods transportation. One of latest trends in passenger transportation is electric scooters, which have been offered under a framework of shared mobility since 2017. This paper addresses an optimization problem emerging from the process of collecting e-scooters from the streets of Vienna during the night. One of the major planning issues for rental companies is the uncertainty of service times, i.e., the time needed to locate and load the e-scooters onto the vans. We formulated the e-scooter collection problem as an extension of the vehicle routing problem with the goal of minimizing the number of vans needed to collect the scooters and the distance traveled by vans, as well as penalizing belated collection. We proposed a solution method based on a large neighborhood search and solved problem instances generated based on real-world data. We then evaluated the impact of the service time uncertainty on the total system costs through a scenario analysis. Furthermore, we proposed a dynamic re-optimization policy that made use of real-time information on service times. We showed that the dynamic policy outperformed the static policy by 4–17% and could lead to reductions in delays of 49–54%, depending on the standard deviation.
A Study on the Demands of Physical and Medical Integration Services for the Elderly in the Dabei Quhou Community in Qingdao
Authors: Lin Qinqin , Wang Baihui , Zhang Xin , Wang Yawei , Zhao Hua , Yang Jiaqi
Published: June 2023

Clarifying service demands is a necessary prerequisite for promoting high-quality service development and sustainable supply. According to the charm quality theory and the logical system and basic viewpoints of the Kano model, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the needs of 241 elderly people (aged 60 and above) in the Dabei Quhou community, Chengyang District, Qingdao City, to understand the needs and willingness of elderly people in the community to integrate health promotion services. Statistical survey results on the division of the service demand level attribution, the level of satisfaction coefficient and dissatisfaction coefficient, the priority sequence of community sports, and medical integration health promotion service projects were addressed. Among the nineteen service demand items, there are four essential elements (M), three expected elements (O), eleven attractive elements (A), and one irrelevant element (I). Its service demand as a whole presents low dependence. On the basis of the hierarchical division of the health promotion service needs of physical and medical integration, based on the safety and convenience of maintaining a daily healthy life, the composition of each demand level presents the demand tendency that spans from basic function demand satisfaction to service function development and content-rich expansion. Secondly, given the convenience of service supply, there is a tendency for social public health promotion services to reach the community level.
Landslide Displacement Prediction Based on CEEMDAN Method and CNN–BiLSTM Model
Authors: Lin Zian , Ji Yuanfa , Sun Xiyan
Published: June 2023

Landslides are a typical geological disaster, and are a great challenge to land use management. However, the traditional landslide displacement model has the defect of ignoring random displacement. In order to solve this situation, this paper proposes a CNN–BiLSTM model that combines a convolutional neural network (CNN) model and a bidirectional long short-term memory network (BiLSTM) model. In this model, the CEEMDAN method is innovatively proposed to decompose landslide displacement. The GRA–MIC fusion correlation calculation method is used to select the factors influencing landslide displacement, and finally the CNN–BiLSTM model is used for prediction. The CNN–BiLSTM model was constructed to extract the temporal and spatial characteristics of data for landslide displacement prediction. Two new concepts that evaluate the state of a landslide and the trend of the landslide are proposed to improve the performance of the prediction model. Then, we discuss the prediction performance of the CNN–BiLSTM model under four different input conditions and compare it with seven other prediction models. The experimental prediction results show that the model proposed in this paper can be popularized and applied in areas with frequent landslides, and provide strong support for disaster prevention and reduction and land use management.
Effects of Different Kinds of Fertilizers on the Vegetative Growth, Antioxidative Defense System and Mineral Properties of Sunflower Plants
Authors: Alzain Mashail Nasser , Loutfy Naglaa , Aboelkassem Amany
Published: June 2023

Long-term use of inorganic fertilizers can increase soil acidity, be harmful to the environment, and leaving bad effects on human health. Organic fertilizer application is one of the safer alternatives with numerous benefits, such as supplying nutrients for plant growth. Sunflower is one of the most important grown oilseed crops in the world. Sunflower plants need a supply of essential nutrients for their optimal growth. As a result, the aim of this research is to explore the effect and mechanism of two organic fertilizers from different sources (sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), compost coupled with biofertilizer (CCB)) and NPK inorganic fertilizer as a control on enzyme activity, physiological traits, and the uptake of mineral contents and heavy metals in sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus L.). Fresh or dry mass (FM, DM), osmolytes and secondary metabolites, photosynthesis pigments, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules were all determined. Both sugarcane bagasse ash and compost coupled with biofertilizer resulted in a high value of fresh and dry mass, plant height, and chlorophyll content. The results revealed that the use of sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) and compost coupled with biofertilizer increased osmolyte contents (soluble proteins and soluble sugars), antioxidants system enzyme/molecule (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and TGS) and secondary metabolites. However, the highest value of proline, total free amino acids, and phenolic compounds in sunflower plants was determined after NPK fertilizer application. On the contrary, it lowered Na, Na/K ratio, and Cd content. Data showed that organic fertilizers enhanced the accumulation of Cl, PO4, and SO4 content in sunflower plants. Generally, CCB and SBA treatments increased Cu, Zn, and Pb accumulation in sunflower plants. Using organic fertilizers with chemical NPK fertilizer can improve the chemical, physical, and biological soil properties.
Mapping Groundwater Potential Zones in the Habawnah Basin of Southern Saudi Arabia: An AHP- and GIS-based Approach
Authors: Ghanim Abdulnoor A. J. , Al-Areeq Ahmed M. , Benaafi Mohammed , Al-Suwaiyan Mohammed S. , Aghbari Amran A. Al , Alyami Mana
Published: June 2023

The excessive depletion of groundwater resources and significant climate change have exerted immense pressure on global groundwater reserves. Owing to the rising global demand for drinking water, as well as its use in agriculture and industry, there is an increasing need to evaluate the capacity and effectiveness of underground water reservoirs (aquifers). Recently, GIS has gained significant attention for groundwater exploration because of its ability to provide rapid and comprehensive information about resources for further development. This study aims to assess and map the groundwater potential of a large basin located in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. Techniques such as GIS and AHP were employed in this study. To perform the delineation for the groundwater potential zones (GWPZ), seven thematic layers were prepared and analyzed. These layers include geology, slope, land use, lineament densities, soil characteristics, drainage density, and rainfall. These variables were carefully considered and examined to identify and categorize areas based on their respective groundwater potentials. The assigned weights to each class in the thematic maps were determined using the well-known analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. This methodology considered the characteristics of each class and their capacity to influence water potential. The results’ precision was verified by cross-referencing it with existing information about the area’s potential for groundwater. The resulting GWPZ map was classified into the following five categories: very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. The study revealed that approximately 42.56% of the basin is classified as having a high GWPZ. The low and moderate potential zones cover 36.12% and 19.55% of the area, respectively. Very low and very high potential zones were found only in a limited number of areas within the basin. This study holds global importance as it addresses the pressing challenge of depleting groundwater resources. With rising demands for drinking water, agriculture, and industry worldwide, the effective evaluation and management of underground water reservoirs are crucial. By utilizing GIS and AHP techniques, this study provides a valuable assessment and the mapping of groundwater potential in a large basin in southern Saudi Arabia. Its findings and methodology can serve as a model for other regions, supporting sustainable water resource management globally.
O-Modified Activated Carbon Fiber Electrode Efficiently Adsorption of Cu (II) in Wastewater
Authors: Xiao Zibo , Zhao Xinkun , Gu Junjie , Hu Zhe , Fan Hongkai , Chen Qingfeng
Published: June 2023

At present, wastewater discharged from many industries contains a large amount of Cu (II). In this study, an O-modified activated carbon fiber (O-ACF) with high adsorption activity was prepared by oxidation modification of activated carbon fiber with 20% nitric acid. O-ACF was used to adsorb Cu (II) in water. Electrode adsorption experiments showed that O-ACF had excellent electro-adsorption performance for Cu (II), and the maximum adsorption capacity was 48.60 mg/g, which was 1.63 times that of commercial activated carbon. After optimizing and adjusting the voltage (0.6–1.2 V), pH (2–10) and electrode plate spacing (5–20 mm), it was found that the most favorable working conditions for electro-adsorption of Cu (II) by O-ACF electrode were voltage of 1.0 V, solution pH of about 6, and electrode plate spacing of 10 mm. The kinetic model fitting showed that the adsorption effect of O-ACF on Cu (II) was mainly chemical adsorption. The intraparticle diffusion model further found that the adsorption of Cu (II) by O-ACF was influenced by membrane diffusion and internal diffusion. Adsorption regeneration experiment showed that O-ACF still maintained 95% adsorption performance for Cu (II) after 5 times of adsorption regeneration, which had good practicability. This study provides an excellent material for capacitive deionization system, which is expected to be applied in sewage treatment, seawater desalination and nutrient recovery.
Determination of Indicators of Implementation of Sea Transportation Safety Management System for Traditional Shipping Based on Delphi Approach
Authors: Wahid Ahmad , Jinca Muhammad Yamin , Rachman Taufiqur , Malisan Johny
Published: June 2023

The implementation of the safety management system (SMS) in traditional shipping in Indonesia, known as “Pelra”, has not been implemented. The nature of the operation pattern and characteristics of Pelra, which are still traditional (non-convention), means that international maritime rules such as SOLAS, MARPOL, LLC, Collreg, and STCW, as well as Indonesian government regulations related to shipping safety, are not suitable for Pelra. As a result, Pelra ship accidents continue to occur every year in Indonesian waters without any efforts to deal with safety management. The aim of this study is to find indicators to assess the implementation of Pelra’s SMS that adopt the specific characteristics of Pelra sea transportation. The analysis was conducted with a Delphi approach, based on expert opinion in the field of ship safety, which was tested using non-parametric statistics (Kendall’s W test). The consensus results obtained 9 factors described in 44 assessment indicators to implement SMS on Pelra vessels. Several new indicators were found, including indicators related to ship stability, ship construction, and safety and navigation equipment. The level of expert agreement from the concordance W coefficient value is in the range of 0.3 (moderately strong) to 0.7 (very strong), which suggests that these findings are valid and feasible to be used as assessment indicators in order to implement SMS Pelra.