bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HCM-LMB Filter: Pedestrian Number Estimation with Millimeter-Wave Radar in Closed Spaces
Authors: Li Yang , Li You , Wang Yanping , Lin Yun , Shen Wenjie , Jiang Wen , Sun Jinping
Published: September 2023

The electromagnetic wave transmitted by the millimeter-wave radar can penetrate flames, smoke, and the high-temperature field, and is the main sensor for detecting disaster victims in closed spaces. However, a moving target in the closed space will produce a considerable number of false detections in the point cloud data collected by the radar due to multipath scattering. The false detections lead to false trajectories generated by multi-target tracking filters, such as the labeled multi-Bernoulli (LMB) filter, which, therefore, leads to inaccurate estimation of the number of pedestrians. Addressing this problem, in this paper, a three-class combination of the clutter point clouds model is proposed: static clutter, non-continuous dynamic clutter (NCDC), and continuous dynamic clutter (CDC). The model is based on the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the CDC sequence captured by a two-dimensional (2D) millimeter-wave (MMW) radar. However, in open space, CDC appears infrequently in radar tracking applications, and thus has not been considered in multi-target tracking filters such as the LMB filter. This leads to confusion between the CDC point cloud collected by the high-resolution radar in closed spaces and the real-target point cloud. To solve this problem, the impact mechanism of the LMB filter on prediction, update, and state estimation is modeled in this paper in different stages based on the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of CDC. Finally, a hybrid clutter model-based LMB filter (HCM-LMB) is proposed, which focuses on scenes where NCDC and CDC are mixed. The filter introduces the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of NCDC based on the original LMB filter, and improves the prediction, update, and state estimation of the original filter by combining the impact mechanism model and the new CDC prediction, CDC estimation, and false trajectory label management algorithm. Experiments were conducted on pedestrians in building corridors using 2D MMW radar perception. The experimental results show that under the influence of CDC, the total number of pedestrians estimated by the HCM-LMB filter was reduced by 22.5% compared with that estimated by the LMB filter.
Black Carbon in a City of the Atacama Desert before and after the Start of the COVID-19 Lockdown: Ground Measurements and MERRA-2 Reanalysis
Authors: Liñán-Abanto Rafael N. , Arnott William Patrick , Paredes-Miranda Guadalupe , Ramos-Pérez Omar , Salcedo Dara , Torres-Muro Hugo , Liñán-Abanto Rosa M. , Carabali Giovanni
Published: September 2023

In this study, the temporal variations of black carbon (BC) were analyzed from November 2019 to September 2021, in Tacna, Peru. Ground measurements obtained with a photoacoustic extinctiometer (PAX BC) and NASA’s MERRA-2 reanalysis data (MERRA-2 BC) were used. The seasonal concentrations of PAX BC (mean ± standard deviation) were as follows: 0.70 ± 0.35, 0.73 ± 0.46, 0.70 ± 0.39, and 0.85 ± 0.46 µg m−3, for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively; while MERRA-2 BC values were 0.12 ± 0.11, 0.06 ± 0.02, 0.06 ± 0.02, and 0.11 ± 0.06 µg m−3, for the same seasons. We found a large discrepancy between these two techniques, as the PAX BC measurements were an order of magnitude higher than the MERRA-2 BC values. In addition, MERRA-2 did not record urban pollution events and did not present the BC weekend effect. The most frequent wind direction (81%) was from the southwest and the sources of greatest contamination were located to the northeast and southeast. The Mann–Kendall test confirmed a downward trend in PAX BC one week (37%) and two weeks (30%) after the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, and no trend in MERRA-2 BC. These results suggest that MERRA-2 underestimates the BC emissions from local sources.
SEL-Net: A Self-Supervised Learning-Based Network for PolSAR Image Runway Region Detection
Authors: Han Ping , Peng Yanwen , Cheng Zheng , Liao Dayu , Han Binbin
Published: September 2023

This paper proposes an information enhancement network based on self-supervised learning (SEL-Net) for runway area detection. During the self-supervised learning phase, the distinctive attributes of PolSAR multi-channel data are fully harnessed to enhance the generated pretrained model’s focus on airport runway areas. During the detection phase, this paper presents an improved U-Net detection network. Edge Feature Extraction Modules (EEM) are integrated into the encoder and skip connection sections, while Semantic Information Transmission Modules (STM) are embedded into the decoder section. Furthermore, improvements have been applied to the network’s upsampling and downsampling architectures. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed SEL-Net effectively addresses the issues of high false alarms and runway integrity, achieving a superior detection performance.
A Channel Rendezvous Algorithm for Multi-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Networks Based on Average Consensus
Authors: Wang Yunlu , Zhang Bo , Qin Shan , Peng Jinlin
Published: September 2023

Realizing the distributed adaptive network construction of multi-UAV networks is an urgent challenge, as they lack a reliable common control channel and can only maintain a limited sensing range in crowded electromagnetic environments. Multi-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) networks are gaining popularity in many fields. In order to address these issues, this paper proposes a multi-UAV network channel rendezvous algorithm based on average consistency. The goal of the algorithm is to adjust the communication channels of each UAV to converge on the same channel, since the communication link of the multi-UAV network is broken due to interference. The proposed memory-based average consistency (MAC) algorithm utilizes the network adjacency matrix as prior information. Furthermore, for the case where the adjacency matrix is unknown, this paper also proposes the Multi-Radio Average Consensus (MRAC) algorithm, which achieves a beneficial trade-off between rendezvous performance and hardware cost. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed MAC and MRAC algorithms provide superior network convergence time and scalability in networks of different densities. Finally, a hardware simulation platform based on a multi-UAV network was designed using a software-defined radio platform, and experimental simulations were performed to prove the effectiveness of the MAC algorithm in a real environment.
BSEMS—A Blockchain-Based Smart Energy Measurement System
Authors: Singh Manmeet , Ahmed Suhaib , Sharma Sparsh , Singh Saurabh , Yoon Byungun
Published: September 2023

The modern world’s increasing reliance on automated systems for everyday tasks has resulted in a corresponding rise in power consumption. The demand is further augmented by increased sales of electric vehicles, smart cities, smart transportation, etc. This growing dependence underscores the critical necessity for a robust smart energy measurement and management system to ensure a continuous and efficient power supply. However, implementing such a system presents a set of challenges, particularly concerning the transparency, security, and trustworthiness of data storage and retrieval. Blockchain technology offers an innovative solution in the form of a distributed ledger, which guarantees secure and transparent transaction storage and retrieval. This research introduces a blockchain-based system, utilising Hyperledger Fabric and smart contracts, designed for the secure storage and retrieval of consumers’ energy consumption data. Finally, a user-friendly web portal was designed and developed using the node.js framework, offering an accessible and intuitive interface to monitor and manage energy consumption effectively.
Custodial Grandchildren’s School Attendance and Academic Performance during COVID-19: The Role of Technology
Authors: Xu Yanfeng , Harrison Theresa M. , Chan Athena C. Y. , Lewis Ashlee A. , Levkoff Sue E. , Kunz Gina M.
Published: September 2023

Due to COVID-19, many schools switched to remote instruction, creating an urgency to address the technology needs of many families, including grandparent-headed families. Many grandparent-headed families (i.e., custodial grandparents) have limited access to digital devices and stable internet. Moreover, many of these grandparents lack the skills and confidence to use technology, which may affect both their grandchildren’s ability to attend school as well as their academic performance. This study investigates both the associations of grandfamilies’ access to technology and custodial grandparents’ comfort level with technology with their grandchildren’s academic attendance and performance during COVID-19. We analyzed cross-sectional survey data collected from grandparents raising grandchildren between March 2021 and February 2022 in the United States. Ordered logistic regression analyses were conducted using STATA. The key results suggested that grandfamilies’ more stable access to technology (OR = 1.54, p = 0.048) and grandparents’ high comfort level with technology (OR = 2.18, p = 0.003) during grandchildren’s remote learning were significantly associated with higher odds of grandchildren’s better school attendance. Similarly, more stable access to technology (OR = 1.53, p = 0.048) and higher comfort level with technology (OR = 1.67, p = 0.030) were significantly associated with higher odds of grandchildren’s better academic performance. The results imply the need to provide stable internet and digital devices to grandfamilies without access to these services or devices, as well as technical assistance and technical-related education workshops to custodial grandparents who are not tech-savvy.
Sociocultural Profile as a Predictor of Perceived Importance of Forest Ecosystem Services: A Case Study from Poland
Authors: Janeczko Emilia , Banaś Jan , Woźnicka Małgorzata , Zięba Stanisław , Banaś Katarzyna Utnik , Janeczko Krzysztof , Fialova Jitka
Published: September 2023

This paper assesses the priority of forest ecosystem services (FESs) and defines the sociodemographic profile of people who consider particular services to be an essential function of forests. The research material consists of the results of a questionnaire survey conducted on 1402 Polish respondents. Twelve different types of FESs were evaluated, to which respondents assigned relative priority (Ps) on a five-point Likert scale. The significance of differences in the importance of individual FESs was assessed using the Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA rank test, while a logistic regression model was used to profile respondents in terms of differences in perceptions of a particular FES. Regulating functions were considered the most important (Ps 0.87–0.94), followed by cultural functions (0.79–0.86), while provisioning functions (0.31–0.75) were deemed the least important. During the last decade, the trend in societal demand for FESs was upward. The greatest increase occurred for regulating functions and the lowest for provisioning (in the case of the supply of animal products, demand has actually decreased). Regulating functions are seen as very important by people with higher education, people who are satisfied with their financial status, and women; noise reduction is in particular valued by urban residents. Cultural functions are most valued by those satisfied with their financial status and people over 40. Provisioning functions are perceived as very important primarily by rural residents, often of low financial status, with the provision of animal products being more appreciated by men and the supply of mushrooms and berries by women. The greater appreciation of the importance of regulating and cultural functions (compared to provisioning ESs) suggests that local development planning should emphasize them much more strongly. In turn, identifying and estimating the demand for ecosystem services from the perspective of socioeconomic and demographic stakeholder profiles can provide valuable insight during planning for sustainable forest and ecosystem services.
A Non-Manipulated Variable Analysis of Solid-Phase Combustion in the Furnace of Municipal Solid-Waste Incineration Process Based on the Biorthogonal Numerical-Simulation Experiment
Authors: Chen Jiakun , Tang Jian , Xia Heng , Wang Tianzheng , Gao Bingyin
Published: September 2023

The operating conditions of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) are influenced by manipulated variables, such as the feed rate, primary air, and grate speed, as well as non-manipulated variables, such as municipal solid waste (MSW) particle size, mixing coefficient, emissivity, moisture content, and the ratio of C to O. Based on the actual data of an MSWI plant in Beijing, a non-manipulated variable single-factor analysis of solid-phase combustion in the furnace was carried out based on the biorthogonal numerical simulation experiment. First, a solid-phase combustion analysis of the MSWI process was performed for non-manipulated variables, with the main non-manipulated variables determined. Then, based on FLIC 2.3c software, the numerical model was established under benchmark operating conditions. Based on the biorthogonal experiment, several groups of numerical model inputs were designed to generate mechanism data in multi-operating conditions. Finally, a multi-condition numerical simulation experiment was used to study solid-phase combustion under different conditions and analyze non-manipulated variables. The simulation results showed that the maximum solid temperature was 1360 K under the benchmark operating condition and ranged from 1120 to 1470 K under five conditions. Large-size particles and large emissivity were beneficial to solid-phase combustion, while high moisture content and a large mixing coefficient weakened combustion. The results provide support for the subsequent optimal control of the whole MSWI process.
The Circular Economy Transition in Australia: Nuanced Circular Intermediary Accounts of Mainstream Green Growth Claims
Authors: Melles Gavin
Published: September 2023

Australia has recently declared its commitment to a Circular Economy. Policy and initiatives to date have focused on recycling and waste management and research to date has highlighted the need for more ambitious policy, clearer definitions, collaboration, and consensus on goals. There are also calls from some government and non-business sectors for more inclusive, circular models, including Doughnut Economics. In the context of a competing mainstream Circular Economy and inclusive circular society discourses, circular intermediary organizations and their representatives are key to achieving change. Compared to the green growth business narrative of policy and industry media, intermediary representatives are aware of the diversity of challenges and solutions for Australia. Based on semi-structured interviews with twenty representatives of circular intermediaries in Australia and thematic discourse analysis, this study finds Circular Economy, circular society, and de-growth discourses informing themes about government, business, growth, consumers, society, and policy present and future. Arguing for a more nuanced view of the discursive and practice-based complexities of the circular transition, the study concludes with recommendations for a more holistic policy and practice beyond the current circularity for circularity’s sake.
Evaluation of the Performance of the Horizontal Drain in Drainage of the Infiltrated Water from Slope Soil under Rainfall Conditions
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Wang Hao , Gao Zhiwei , Xiang Ke , Zhai Qian , Satyanaga Alfrendo , Chua Yuan Shen
Published: September 2023

It is known that rainwater infiltration is crucial for rainfall-induced slope failure because the infiltrated water can significantly weaken the shear strength of unsaturated soil. Horizontal drains are commonly used to provide appropriate drainage for the rainwater that percolates out of a slope. However, the effects of the length and location of the subsoil pipe on the performance of horizontal drains have not been extensively investigated. In this paper, a parametric analysis by using a numerical model was adopted to investigate the distribution of pore-water pressure in a slope. The results reveal that an inclination angle of 10–15 degrees and strategic placement at the slope toe and mid-slope provide optimal drainage performance, as compared to the effect of pipe length. Multi-layers of horizontal drain (based on 10 m length) are recommended for slopes with a height of more than 15 m.
Settlement Analysis of Ground Surface and Adjacent Building Caused by Driving and Expansion Excavation of Shield Tunnel Using Artificial Freezing Method
Authors: Guan Xiaoming , Wang Ruohui , Fu Hongxian , Feng Wei , Jin Xin , Li Shuqin , Xu Shaohui , Li Jiguang
Published: September 2023

The artificial freezing method can effectively improve the stability of strata and provide favorable conditions for the construction safety of shield tunnel in water-rich strata. Based on the frozen shield tunneling project of a metro station, which is close to important buildings, a reasonable freezing method and parameters are proposed in this paper. The simulation model was established by using Plaxis 3D finite element software (Version 2017). The numerical model was verified based on a large amount of field data. The characteristics of segment deformation, ground surface settlement and vertical displacement of buildings were compared between frozen layer and nonfrozen layer during shield tunnel excavation. It was found that segment deformation in the nonfrozen layer is three times that in the frozen layer. The surface settlement above the frozen layer is less than 2 mm. Expansion excavation of shield tunnel was carried out to meet the space function of subway station using artificial freezing method. The deformation of frozen layer was compared between full section excavation and partial excavation. It was found that the deformation of the former is 4.5 times that of the latter, so the partial excavation was chosen as the main research object. Subsequently, the characteristics of vertical displacement and surface settlement of buildings under partial excavation were studied. It was found that the vertical settlement of buildings away from the frozen layer is greater than that of buildings near the frozen layer. All settlement values meet the requirements, thus ensuring the feasibility of partial excavation and ensuring the safety of construction.
A Short-Term Wind Power Forecasting Model Based on 3D Convolutional Neural Network–Gated Recurrent Unit
Authors: Huang Xiaoshuang , Zhang Yinbao , Liu Jianzhong , Zhang Xinjia , Liu Sicong
Published: September 2023

Enhancing the accuracy of short-term wind power forecasting can be effectively achieved by considering the spatial–temporal correlation among neighboring wind turbines. In this study, we propose a short-term wind power forecasting model based on 3D CNN-GRU. First, the wind power data and meteorological data of 24 surrounding turbines around the target turbine are reconstructed into a three-dimensional matrix and inputted into the 3D CNN and GRU encoders to extract their spatial–temporal features. Then, the power predictions for different forecasting horizons are outputted through the GRU decoder and fully connected layers. Finally, experimental results on the SDWPT datasets show that our proposed model significantly improves the prediction accuracy compared to BPNN, GRU, and 1D CNN-GRU models. The results show that the 3D CNN-GRU model performs optimally. For a forecasting horizon of 10 min, the average reductions in RMSE and MAE on the validation set are about 10% and 11%, respectively, with an average improvement of about 1% in R. For a forecasting horizon of 120 min, the average reductions in RMSE and MAE on the validation set are about 6% and 8%, respectively, with an average improvement of about 14% in R.
Exploring the Transport Infrastructure Sustainability Performance: An Investigation of the Transportation Projects in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alghuson Moahd
Published: September 2023

In the Saudi Arabian construction projects, the transport infrastructure sustainability assessment has become a priority in recent years. The purpose of this research is to assess the sustainability performance of transport infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia. It specifically seeks to assess the effects of these initiatives on the environment, society, and economy, while highlighting their advantages and disadvantages as well as potential areas for development. A key objective of this evaluation is to provide thoughtful analysis and suggestions for improving Saudi Arabia’s transportation infrastructure development. The study was conducted using a Likert-scale questionnaire survey among 197 professionals in Saudi Arabia. The Cronbach’s alpha test was conducted to assess the validity of the survey. Moreover, statistical analysis using SPSS software 25 was used along with the Spearman correlation test to evaluate the respondent behavior of the survey. The investigation serves as a foundation for devising strategies and policies to promote sustainable transportation practices in Saudi Arabia. The study’s insights can guide effective planning and regulations that prioritize sustainability, environmental preservation, and public support. By focusing on these outcomes, transportation networks can be improved, environmental impacts reduced, construction methods enhanced, and safety ensured for workers and the public. A durable, effective, and environmentally conscious transportation infrastructure for Saudi Arabia’s present and future generations could be achieved by embracing sustainable transportation infrastructure and giving priority to the determined results.
Critical Issues of Optimal Reactive Power Compensation Based on an HVAC Transmission System for an Offshore Wind Farm
Authors: Rehman Asad , Koondhar Mohsin Ali , Ali Zafar , Jamali Munawar , El-Sehiemy Ragab A.
Published: September 2023

The reactive power (RP) control of the high voltage alternating current transmission system (HVAC TS) for offshore wind farms (OWFs) is a crucial task to assure the consistent and efficient operation of the system. The importance of RP compensation (RPC) in power system operation is to maintain voltage stability and reduce power losses. Offshore wind farms present unique challenges for power system operation due to their distance from the onshore grid, variable wind conditions, and complex electrical infrastructure. The HVAC TS is common for OWFs as it is well-suited for transmitting large amounts of power over long distances. In this paper, a literature-based analysis helps in improving the operation and reliability of OWFs, ultimately leading to greater renewable energy utilization. This paper concludes that optimal RPC is a critical task for ensuring the stable and efficient operation of HVAC TSs for OWFs. Advanced control and optimization techniques can help achieve an optimal RPC, thereby minimizing TLS and improving the overall system efficiency. Furthermore, the study investigates the possible benefits of incorporating novel technologies and approaches, such as RESs, into the power compensation process. By offering insightful information on how to optimize HVAC TSs for OWFs, for example, subsea power cables with multiple layers must be used to carry electricity from large offshore wind farms, the development of more sustainable and effective energy solutions is possible. The research concludes by stating that ensuring the steady and effective operation of HVAC TSs for OWFs is a crucial responsibility. Advanced optimization and control solutions can reduce TLS and increase system efficiency by assisting in achieving the optimal RPC.
Recycling of Tire Waste Using Pyrolysis: An Environmental Perspective
Authors: Afash Hisham , Ozarisoy Bertug , Altan Hasim , Budayan Cenk
Published: September 2023

End-of-life tires are a common and hazardous type of waste. According to estimates, over 2 billion tires are produced each year, and all of these tires will eventually be discarded as waste. Landfilling waste tires is strictly prohibited by the regulations of the European Union and the Environmental Protection Agency; they should be retreated and reused in an alternative scenario. As a waste-to-energy technology, pyrolysis can emerge as a useful technique to thermally degrade waste tires and produce useful byproducts in the form of liquid, gas, and char. The derived products can be filtered and used in further industries as biofuel substances. Pyrolytic oil has a high calorific value of 35–45 MJ/kg and can be used as an alternative to diesel to fuel specific vehicles. However, the environmental footprint of the technology has been widely neglected when using waste tires as feedstock. Made from synthetic and natural rubbers, tires contain a high amount of sulfur and styrene, which can cause toxic emissions and negatively affect the environmental sustainability of pyrolysis. This concept paper aims to elaborate the parameters of an operating rotary kiln reactor by reviewing previous life cycle assessment studies and applying the methodology to an industrial-scale pyrolysis plant in Northern Cyprus. Results found a maximum production yield of 45.6% oil at an optimal temperature of 500 °C. Influential parameters such as temperature, residence time, and heating rate are reviewed based on their overall contribution to the production yield and the environment. The outcome of this paper emphasizes the need in the literature to apply environmental analyses to industrial and commercial-scale reactors to test the sustainability of using pyrolysis as a tire waste management strategy. In addition, complex engineering concepts and tasks in waste recycling will be discussed in a broad and accessible manner, with the implications and future work discussed.
Discriminatory Pricing Strategy for Sustainable Tourism in Theme Parks considering Visitors’ Price Fairness and Service Value Perceptions
Authors: Wang Xiaohuan , Fan Zhi-Ping , Li Haibin , Li Yujie
Published: September 2023

With the increase in carbon emissions in the tourism industry, more tourism enterprises need to make sustained investments in clean energy and green technologies. From the perspective of theme park revenue and operational management, such investments mainly come from admission fees and in-park consumption. The objective of this study is to discuss the role of discriminatory pricing strategies in supporting sustainable tourism in theme parks. Based on transaction utility theory and equity theory, visitors’ price fairness perception and service value perception are incorporated into the visitor utility function. On this basis, a goal-programming-based discriminatory pricing model with three goals is proposed: achieving the established revenue target, achieving distributed justice between visitors with unequal status (advantaged visitors and disadvantaged visitors), and achieving distributed justice between visitors and theme parks. The research results show that, for one thing, the proposed discriminatory pricing model can enable theme parks to secure sufficient funds to invest in low-carbon activities (Goal 1) while for another, visitors’ satisfaction, brand loyalty, and willingness to revisit and sustainably consume in theme parks are improved by the realization of distributed justice through the discriminatory pricing strategy (Goals 2 and 3).
The Biffis Canal Hydrodynamic System Performance Study of Drag-Dominant Tidal Turbine Using Moment Balancing Method
Authors: Zhang Yixiao , Ng Eddie Yin Kwee , Mittal Shivansh
Published: September 2023

Drag-dominant tidal turbine energy holds tremendous clean energy potential but faces significant hurdles as unsuitability of the actuator disc model due to the varying swept blockage area, unaccounted bypass flow downstream interaction, and rotor parasitic drag, whereas blade element momentum theory is computably effective for majorly 3-blade lift-dominated aerofoil. This study validates a novel method to find the optimal TSR of any turbine with a cost-effective and user-friendly moment balancing algorithm to support robust tidal energy development. Performance analysis CFD study of Pinwheel and Savonius tidal turbines in a Biffis canal hydrodynamic system was carried out. Thrust and idle moment are analyzed as functions of only inlet fluid velocity and rotational speed, respectively. These relationships were verified through regression analysis, and the turbines’ net moment equations were established based on these parameters. In both simulation models, rotational speed and inlet velocity were proved excellent predictor variables (R2 value ≈ 1) for idle and thrust moments, respectively. The optimal TSR values for Pinwheel and Savonius turbines were 2.537 and 0.671, respectively, within an acceptable error range for experimental validation. The optimal basin efficiency (ηopt, TSR) values for Pinwheel and Savonius in the 12% blockage channel were (29.09%, 4.0) and (25.67%, 2.87), respectively. The trade-off between TSRopt and ηopt is the key instruction concerning electricity generation and environmental impact.
Are Firms More Willing to Seek Green Technology Innovation in the Context of Economic Policy Uncertainty? —Evidence from China
Authors: Chen Mo , Hu Xuhua , Zhang Jijian , Xu Zhe , Yang Guang , Sun Zenan
Published: September 2023

Frequent shifts in economic policies not only inject uncertainty into the economic landscape but also pose significant challenges to corporate endeavors in green technological innovation. Drawing on a dataset of Chinese A-share listed companies spanning 2008 to 2020, this research delves into the repercussions of economic policy uncertainty on the green technological pursuits of manufacturing firms and elucidates the underlying dynamics at play. The empirical evidence underscores a marked reluctance among companies to champion green technological innovation in the face of economic policy ambiguity, a stance that holds water even after rigorous robustness checks. Delving into the mechanisms, the study pinpoints heightened financial constraints and a diminishing risk appetite within the managerial ranks as pivotal deterrents steering firms away from green innovation projects amidst such uncertainty. Intriguingly, the adverse interplay between economic policy uncertainty and green innovation is especially accentuated in firms marked by tenuous government–business affiliations, pronounced monopolistic inclinations, lax intellectual property safeguards, minimal pollution footprints, and a skewed labor-to-capital composition. This investigation augments the scholarly discourse on the nexus between economic policy volatility and corporate green innovation, shedding light on strategic imperatives for emerging economies as they chart out future environmental blueprints and cultivate a conducive milieu for green innovation.
Untangling the Potential of Sustainable Online Information Sources in Shaping Visitors’ Intentions
Authors: Conteh Salamatu , Malik Moiz , Shahzad Mohsin , Shahid Sana
Published: September 2023

Tourism has gained enormous attention, and every country is determined to attract more visitors. Concerned stakeholders are trying to promote their country’s image and that of their tourist destinations. Travelers attain information from different sustainable sources, and these different sustainable sources might be critical in shaping the perceived image of a country. Not enough research has been conducted with respect to investigating the association between these perceived images and sustainable information sources regarding any country. Hence, this study tries to fill this research gap by integrating country and destination image, outbound travel motivation, and information sources to obtain relevant information. Considering the above-mentioned context, data were gathered from a survey completed by respondents who had visited a developing country, i.e., Pakistan. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was utilized to examine the validity of the data of 205 potential visitors. Our findings show that a country’s image has a significant favorable influence on destination image. Destination and country image favorably impact travelers’ intentions to visit a certain destination, though this is also partially mediated by outbound travel motivation. Furthermore, the critical role of sustainable information sources in shaping country and destination image is highlighted in this paper. The proposed model offers novel insights into the literature and can be used to assist in the design of appropriate marketing strategies for the tourism sector by incorporating perceived image, outbound travel motivation, and information sources. This research offers pertinent recommendations to enhance tourism. Though we feel our research makes a pertinent contribution to the literature, in the future, other researchers may test the proposed model by integrating the data from other Chinese cities to gain more insights.
Conditions for a Convergence between Digital Platforms and Sustainability in Agriculture
Authors: Chkarat Houda , Abid Tarek , Sauvée Loïc
Published: September 2023

Recent research has embraced the idea that digitalization is becoming a significant factor in addressing sustainability challenges. Digital platforms are becoming integral to this dynamic, opening a vast spectrum of possibilities that remain insufficiently explored. Alongside the growing expansion of digital platform initiatives, agriculture faces major sustainability concerns that constantly reshape the organizational patterns of farmers, consumers, and institutions. Despite recent research interest in the field of digital platforms, few studies highlight their potential for fostering sustainability. This article aimed to explore the conditions digital platforms need to fulfill to enhance sustainability in the agricultural realm. First, through a literature review on digital platforms and first-hand observations, a categorization of digital platforms in agriculture is sketched and their potential outcomes are explored within the theoretical framework of digital sustainability. Then, based on data gathered from semi-structured interviews with an expert panel, we provide insightful contributions on the convergence between digital platforms and sustainability. Our findings suggest that a comprehensive and holistic approach is necessary to unlock the potential of digital platforms in promoting sustainability in agriculture. By meeting the key conditions identified in this article, digital platforms can serve as powerful tools for driving sustainability in this critical sector. The theoretical implications of our research can contribute to advancing academic inquiry in the field of digital platforms and sustainability, while the practical implications can serve as valuable guidance for the development of digital platform initiatives that support sustainability pillars in agriculture.
Challenges for Post-Pandemic Virtual Education in Latin America: A Comparative Analysis of the Emergency Remote Higher Education Process in Chile, Mexico, and Ecuador
Authors: Remesal Ana , Villarroel Verónica
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Higher Education institutions all around the world to revise their praxis and update tools and numerous procedures. This study offers a comparative analysis of three Latin American students’ and instructors’ perspectives on a selection of both the pedagogical and emotional aspects of higher educational life that were affected. The report is about the participants’ perception of others’ empathy, their evaluation of the organization of teaching and learning and of collaborative learning experiences, their appreciation of the quality of learning assessment practices, and, eventually, their perception of learning. An exploratory study was carried out, based on survey research in Likert-scale form, responded to by 2742 students and 926 instructors. Significant differences were found among subsamples, with Chilean students and instructors having less favorable views in all dimensions compared with their Mexican and Ecuadorian counterparts; also, differences were found with respect to educational levels, discipline areas, and participants’ gender. This study contributes with a double-sided view of both protagonists’ perspectives (students’ and instructors’) to reinforce the importance of instructional design, instructor-student bond, meaningful and realistic assessments that allow for the application of knowledge, and opportunities for feedback in post-pandemic virtual education.
A Sustainable Approach to In Vitro Propagation and Conservation of Salvia dominica L.: A Wild Medicinal Plant from Jordan
Authors: Al-Qudah Tamara S. , Shibli Rida A. , Zatimeh Ahmad , Tahtamouni Reham W. , Al-Zyoud Firas
Published: September 2023

Salvia dominica L. is an important wild medicinal plant that grows in Jordan and neighboring countries, and this plant has been suffering from many threats in its wild environment. Therefore, this research aims to establish a comprehensive and sustainable approach via an in vitro propagation and conservation system for the S. dominica L. plant. Axillary buds were used to initiate the in vitro culture on Murashige and Skoog MS media supplemented with 0.5 mg L−1 of GA3. In vitro shoot proliferation and rooting were experimented on with different concentrations of cytokinins and auxins, respectively. Calli were induced in the dark on excised leaf discs (0.5 cm in diameter), and multiplication was experimented on with different growth regulators. Cryopreservation experiments were applied on the callused segments under different growth conditions via the vitrification technique. A full protocol was achieved for shoot proliferation with 6.3 shoots/explant using 1.2 mg L−1 of thidiazuron (TDZ), while rooting was achieved at 1.5 mg L−1 of NAA with 6.6 functional roots/explant. Acclimatization was completely successful for the rooted plants. The highest callus production with 5.81 g/calli was achieved using 1.5 mg L−1 of benzylaminopurine (BAP). Cryopreservation of the S. dominica calli was successfully achieved when a pure plant vitrification solution (PVS2) was used to dehydrate the calli for 20 min after immersion in the loading solution for 20 min with a 76.6% regrowth percentage. The loading and the plant vitrification solution type and duration were the most critical points in the regrowth of the cryopreserved calli. In conclusion, a successful protocol was set up for the in vitro propagation and conservation of S. dominica calli. This study has prompted us to perform further studies on sustainable in vitro production and conservation of critically endangered medicinal plants to implement a green environment protecting against surrounding threats.
Application of Autonomous Transportation Systems: Detection of a Potential Sub-Leasing Type of Carsharing
Authors: Yang Lide , Xie Jiemin , Sun Tuo , Wu Junxian , Hou Jinquan , Yang Shuangjian
Published: September 2023

Carsharing is regarded as an efficient way to reduce parking difficulty and road congestion, and the sub-leasing type of round-trip carsharing is an innovative way to enhance the efficiency of carsharing. Meanwhile, with the help of sub-leasing, the turnover rate of a parking lot increases, and the parking operator can earn a certain profit when the parking lot acts as a sub-leasing station. This study aims at extending the application of sub-leasing carsharing by suggesting an integrated framework of parking and sub-leasing based on the concept of autonomous transportation systems (ATSs), which are believed to be able to correctly sense demand, give proper reactions, and reduce operator workloads. A detection approach based on this ATS-based integrated framework is proposed to identify potential sub-leasing customers from the parking users, which is the main contribution of this study. Furthermore, this detection approach was tested using Shenyang parking data, and the parking lots with the greatest potential were analyzed in detail. The results show that 48.4% of parking activities had the potential to be transformed into sub-leasing activities. Of these potential activities, 52.7% were made by people who used a monthly payment scheme, and the promotion of sub-leasing should focus on these people.
Economic Resilience and Sustainable Finance Path to Development and Convergence in Romanian Counties
Authors: Oprisan Oana , Pirciog Speranta , Ionascu Alina Elena , Lincaru Cristina , Grigorescu Adriana
Published: September 2023

Economic resilience and sustainable finance are two interlinked and crucial issues for development and convergence in Romania’s counties increasing cohesion. These issues can contribute to sustainable and balanced growth of local and regional economies and to the reduction of inequalities in regional development. Economic resilience in counties refers to their capacity to adapt and survive in the face of unforeseen economic shocks or challenges, and sustainable finance refers to ensuring responsible management of financial resources to support long-term development and protect the environment. Identifying and understanding the significant variations in economic resilience and sustainable financing between counties is essential for the formulation of regional development policies and strategies. These variations provide valuable information about the vulnerabilities and opportunities of individual counties and guide resource allocation and investment decisions. The research provides new data and relevant information on the significant variations among counties in economic resilience and sustainable financing, using a Markov transition probability matrix and exploratory–visual method. This study on Romanian counties aims to provide valuable information for the formulation of public policies to support balanced economic development across the country. The results showed that economic diversification is essential to increase the resilience of the economy to shocks and fluctuations. Counties that have a diversified economic structure, with multiple sources of income and economic activities, are less vulnerable to the negative impact of economic or natural events. Governance and political stability are key factors in creating a favorable environment for investment and economic development. Well-managed government policies can help maintain macroeconomic stability and increase the resilience of the economy to external fluctuations.
Mechanical Performance of Mortars with Partial Replacement of Cement by Aluminum Dross: Inactivation and Particle Size
Authors: Parra-Molina Daniel , Rojas-Manzano Manuel Alejandro , Gómez-Gómez Adriana , Muñoz-Vélez Mario Fernando , Maury-Ramírez Aníbal
Published: September 2023

Although the use of primary aluminum dross as cement replacement has shown promising results in mortars and concretes, there is a knowledge gap between the effect of the secondary dross inactivation process and particle sizes on the mechanical properties and consistency. So, by using X-ray diffraction, laser granulometry, and scanning electron microscopy, this article describes first the inactivation process applied to a secondary aluminum dross. Second, this manuscript presents the fresh and hardened properties of mortar mixes containing 5, 10, and 20% inactivated secondary aluminum dross with three different particle sizes (i.e., fine, intermediate, and coarse). Mortar flow test results indicate that compressive and flexural strengths of mixes containing up to 20% fine and intermediate aluminum dross as cement replacement were satisfactory, respectively. These results have the potential to reduce the environmental and health impacts caused by cement production and secondary aluminum dross disposal, respectively. Moreover, the durability aspects of the mortar mixes, as well as the effectivity of the investigated inactivation process, are identified as future research topics.
Tourists’ Revisit Intention and Electronic Word-of-Mouth at Adaptive Reuse Building in Batavia Jakarta Heritage
Authors: Maulina Anita , Sukoco Iwan , Hermanto Bambang , Kostini Nenden
Published: September 2023

This study aims to analyze the impact of perceived price, experience quality, perceived authenticity, prior knowledge, and social influence on electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and revisit intention at Batavia Jakarta Heritage, with perceived value and revisit intention serving as the mediating variables. Batavia Jakarta Heritage is a tourism destination located in the old town of Jakarta, known for its cultural heritage buildings that have been adaptively reused since the colonial era. Furthermore, to gather relevant data on the tested variables, a questionnaire was distributed to 409 tourists who visited the destination. The primary data were analyzed using partial-least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with the assistance of SmartPLS v.3.2.9 software, and the obtained results showed that not all of the proposed hypotheses were accepted. Specifically, perceived price and perceived authenticity did not directly have an impact on revisit intention or eWOM, even when mediated. This study also proposed several recommendations for destination managers, stakeholders, and future study endeavors.
Plane Partitions as Sums over Partitions
Authors: Merca Mircea , Radu Iulia-Ionelia
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we consider complete homogeneous symmetric functions and provide a new formula for the number of plane partitions of n. This formula expresses the number of plane partitions of n in terms of binomial coefficients as a sum over all the partitions of n, considering the multiplicity of the parts greater than one. We obtain similar results for the number of strict plane partition of n and the number of symmetric plane partitions of n.
Dynamic Mechanism of Digital Transformation in Equipment Manufacturing Enterprises Based on Evolutionary Game Theory: Evidence from China
Authors: Dong Zhiyong , Dai Peichao
Published: September 2023

The digital transformation of equipment manufacturing enterprises is a gradual process in which enterprises, governments, and consumers form stakeholders. The equipment manufacturing enterprise is the executive body of digital transformation, the government is the maker of subsidy policies, and consumers are the users of digital products. The impact of the tripartite relationship on the efficacy of digital transformation requires further investigation. This article applies evolutionary game theory to scrutinize the propelling mechanism behind digital transformation in manufacturing firms specializing in equipment production. The research results show that (1) the intensity of government subsidies significantly affects the transformation progress of equipment manufacturing enterprises; (2) the increase in consumer preference accelerates the evolution speed of enterprises’ choice of implementing digital transformation strategies; and (3) the equipment manufacturing industry needs to improve the flexibility and adaptability of enterprises through flexible production so it relies more on digital technology to enable production and management services. However, as a result of constraints in data gathering, there is inadequate data to back up the sensitivity analysis in the case analysis section, potentially resulting in inadequate argumentation. Based on game theory and the simulation results, combined with the case analysis, three policy recommendations were proposed to strengthen the construction of the digital infrastructure, establish a dynamic adjustment mechanism for subsidies, and build a collaborative digital ecosystem for development.