bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LPASS-Net: Lightweight Progressive Attention Semantic Segmentation Network for Automatic Segmentation of Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Liang Han , Seo Suyoung
Published: November 2022

Semantic segmentation of remote sensing images plays a crucial role in urban planning and development. How to perform automatic, fast, and effective semantic segmentation of considerable size and high-resolution remote sensing images has become the key to research. However, the existing segmentation methods based on deep learning are complex and often difficult to apply practically due to the high computational cost of the excessive parameters. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end lightweight progressive attention semantic segmentation network (LPASS-Net), which aims to solve the problem of reducing computational costs without losing accuracy. Firstly, its backbone features are based on a lightweight network, MobileNetv3, and a feature fusion network composed of a reverse progressive attentional feature fusion network work. Additionally, a lightweight non-local convolutional attention network (LNCA-Net) is proposed to effectively integrate global information of attention mechanisms in the spatial dimension. Secondly, an edge padding cut prediction (EPCP) method is proposed to solve the problem of splicing traces in the prediction results. Finally, evaluated on the public datasets BDCI 2017 and ISPRS Potsdam, the mIoU reaches 83.17% and 88.86%, respectively, with an inference time of 0.0271 s.
Global Ionospheric Total Electron Content Completion with a GAN-Based Deep Learning Framework
Authors: Yang Kunlin , Liu Yang
Published: November 2022

The ionosphere serves as a critical medium for radio signal propagation in outer space. A good morphology of the global TEC distribution is very useful for both ionospheric studies and their relative applications. In this work, a deep learning framework was constructed for better spatial estimation in ionospheric TEC. Both the DCGAN and WGAN-GP were considered, and their performances were evaluated with spatial completion for a regional TEC. The performances were evaluated using the correlation coefficient, RMSE, and MAE. Moreover, the IAAC rapid products were used to make comparisons. The results show that both the DCGAN and WGAN-GP outperformed the IAAC CORG rapid products. The spatial TEC estimation clearly goes well with the solar activity trend. The RMSE differences had a maximum of 0.5035 TECu between the results of 2009 and 2014 for the DCGAN and a maximum of 0.9096 TECu between the results of 2009 and 2014 for the WGAN-GP. Similarly, the MAE differences had a maximum of 0.2606 TECu between the results of 2009 and 2014 for DCGAN and a maximum of 0.3683 TECu between the results of 2009 and 2014 for WGAN-GP. The performances of the CORG, DCGAN, and WGAN-GP were also verified for two selected strong geomagnetic storms in 2014 and 2017. The maximum RMSEs were 1.8354 TECu and 2.2437 TECu for the DCGAN and WGAN-GP in the geomagnetic storm on 18 February 2014, respectively, and the maximum RMSEs were 1.3282 TECu and 1.4814 TECu in the geomagnetic storm on 7 September 2017. The GAN-based framework can extract the detailed features of spatial TEC daily morphologies and the responses during geomagnetic storms.
A Motion-Correction Method for Turbulence Estimates from Floating Lidars
Authors: Peña Alfredo , Mann Jakob , Angelou Nikolas , Jacobsen Arnhild
Published: November 2022

Estimates of atmospheric turbulence performed by both fixed and floating vertically profiling, conically scanning wind lidars are affected by the measurement volume and turbulence structure, among others. We study this phenomenon by simulating the lidar measurements within synthetic fields of atmospheric turbulence. We use the simulations’ framework to assess the impact of buoy motions on turbulence estimation. Simulation results show that the buoy’s translational motions impact turbulence estimates the most. We also apply the simulation framework to analyze measurements from a floating lidar measuring nearby an offshore meteorological mast for a period of six months. The analysis of measurements is presented both without and with motion compensation. In general, we find from both simulations and measurements that the buoy motions do not impact the mean horizontal wind speed significantly, in agreement with previous studies. However, both simulations and measurements show that the standard deviation of the horizontal velocity is overestimated by the floating lidar. When we correct the measurements based on compensation factors derived from the simulations, the mean bias of the horizontal wind speed standard deviation changes from 18–19% to 5–21%, with large reductions at the first four heights closest to the surface and a slight increase at the highest vertical level.
Coastal Summer Freshening and Meltwater Input off West Greenland from Satellite Observations
Authors: Castelao Renato M. , Medeiros Patricia M.
Published: November 2022

Coastal waters off west Greenland are strongly influenced by the input of low salinity water from the Arctic and from meltwater from the Greenland Ice Sheet. Changes in freshwater content in the region can play an important role in stratification, circulation, and primary production; however, investigating salinity variability in the region is challenging because in situ observations are sparse. Here, we used satellite observations of sea surface salinity (SSS) from the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission produced by LOCEAN and by the Barcelona Expert Center (SMOS LOCEAN and SMOS BEC) and from the Soil Moisture Active Passive mission produced by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (SMAP JPL) as well as by Remote Sensing Systems (SMAP RSS) to investigate how variability in a narrow coastal band off west Greenland is captured by these different products. Our analyses revealed that the various satellite SSS products capture the seasonal freshening off west Greenland from late spring to early fall. The magnitudes of the freshening and of coastal salinity gradients vary between the products however, being attenuated compared to historical in situ observations in most cases. The seasonal freshening off southwest Greenland is intensified in SMAP JPL and SMOS LOCEAN near the mouth of fjords characterized by large inputs of meltwater near the surface, which suggests an influence of meltwater from the Greenland Ice Sheet. Synoptic observations from 2012 following large ice sheet melting revealed good agreement with the spatial scale of freshening observed with in situ and SMOS LOCEAN data. Our analyses indicate that satellite SSS can capture the influence of meltwater input and associated freshwater plumes off coastal west Greenland, but those representations differ between products.
Failure Mechanism Analysis of Mining-Induced Landslide Based on Geophysical Investigation and Numerical Modelling Using Distinct Element Method
Authors: Li Jun , Li Bin , He Kai , Gao Yang , Wan Jiawei , Wu Weile , Zhang Han
Published: November 2022

Underground mining activity in the karst mountain in southwestern China has induced several large-scale rocky landslides and has caused serious casualties. At present, there is a lack of systematic research on the formation mechanism of landslides in this area using multi-method fusion technology. First, the orthophoto images of the landslide area obtained by UAV photography were used to analyze the deformation characteristics of the landslide. Second, the failure characteristics of the strata overlying the goaf were analyzed by geophysical detection. Finally, the deformation response characteristics of the mountain under underground mining were analyzed by UDEC numerical simulation. The results revealed that during the underground mining, the failure process of the mountain occurred in four stages: fracture expansion, subsidence and collapse, shear sliding, and multi-level sliding. Gently dipping soft–hard alternant strata and a blocky rock mass structure formed the geological foundation of the landslides. Underground mining accelerated the fracturing of the overlying strata and the formation of a stepped penetrating sliding surface. Tensile movement of the structural planes of hard sandstone in the free face, and shear sliding of the weak mudstone layer, were the main causes of the landslides. The slope instability mode was tension-shear fracturing, shear sliding, back toppling, and compressive shear failure. In addition, the fracture propagation in the overlying strata and damaged geological structure revealed by the geophysical detection were consistent with the simulation results. This study provides ideas for the precise countermeasures of disaster prevention and mitigation for similar landslides in this area.
Comparative Study of the Phytochemical Profiles of the Rhizomes of Cultivated and Wild-Grown Polygonatum sibiricum
Authors: Pan Zhibin , Cheng Weiqing , Liu Zhibin , Wu Weibin , Yang Bin , Lin Junhan
Published: November 2022

The rhizome of Polygonatum sibiricum is a traditional Chinese medicine material and also a popular functional food consumed in China. Due to the increasing demand and overexploitation, the use of the cultivated plant is growing rapidly. However, the difference in phytochemical profile and health benefit between the cultivated and wild-grown P. sibiricum has not been revealed yet. The objectives of this study are to compare the phytochemical profiles of two types of P. sibiricum, i.e., the cultivated and the wild-grown types, by using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS based untargeted metabolomics approach. We tentatively identified 190 phytochemicals belonging to alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids from both two types of samples. In general, there is distinctive difference in phytochemical profiles between these two types of samples. Specifically, 33 phytochemicals showed significant differences. Of these phytochemicals, 22 compounds, such as laetanine, p-coumaroyl-beta-D-glucose, geniposide, medicagenic acid, were significantly higher in cultivated type; 11 compounds, such as vicenin-2, kaempferol 7-neohesperidoside, vanillic acid, and obacunone, were significantly higher in wild-grown type samples. This study will expand our knowledge regarding the cultivated of P. sibiricum and facilitate its further application in pharmaceutical and food industries.
Smart and Sentient Retail High Streets
Authors: Torrens Paul M.
Published: November 2022

Here, we examine the extension of smart retailing from the indoor confines of stores, outward to high streets. We explore how several technologies at the union of retail intelligence and smart city monitoring could coalesce into retail high streets that are both smart and sentient. We examine the new vantages that smart and sentient retail high streets provide on the customer journey, and how they could transform retailers’ sway over customer experience with new reach to the public spaces around shops. In doing so, we pursue a three-way consideration of these issues, examining the technology that underpins smart retailing, new advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning that beget a level of street-side sentience, and opportunities for retailers to map the knowledge that those technologies provide to individual customer journeys in outdoor settings. Our exploration of these issues takes form as a review of the literature and the introduction of our own research to prototype smart and sentient retail systems for high streets. The topic of enhancing retailers’ acuity on high streets has significant currency, as many high street stores have recently been struggling to sustain custom. However, the production and application of smart and sentient technologies at hyper-local resolution of the streetscape conjures some sobering considerations about shoppers’ and pedestrians’ rights to privacy in public.
Development and Implementation of an Intergenerational Bonding Program in a Co-Located Model: A Case Study in Singapore
Authors: Yeh I-Ling , Wong Sebastian Ye Xun , Safaruan Lydia Safrina Binte , Kang Yuan Qi , Wong May S. T. , Wilson Ingrid M.
Published: November 2022

There is a well-established body of evidence that intergenerational bonding programs (IGPs) can improve the overall well-being of older adults and strengthen relationships and understanding between generations. There is limited literature on the experience of IGPs in an Asian context, despite many of these countries facing faster rates of population ageing than other Western countries. In Singapore, intergenerational bonding is a priority in national efforts to encourage successful ageing. This paper presents a case study of the development and implementation of a co-located (shared site) model IGP in Singapore. Drawing on interviews with key stakeholders, the aim of this case study is to present the realities of the evolution of an IGP from conceptualisation through to implementation, and used the nursing home’s COVID-19 experience to illustrate issues of sustainability affecting IGPs with vulnerable populations. The findings will inform the development and implementation of similar future programs.
Proximal and Remote Sensing Data Integration to Assess Spatial Soil Heterogeneity in Wild Blueberry Fields
Authors: Johnston Allegra , Adamchuk Viacheslav , Cambouris Athyna N. , Lafond Jean , Perron Isabelle , Lajeunesse Julie , Duchemin Marc , Biswas Asim
Published: November 2022

Wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) are often cultivated uniformly despite significant within-field variations in topography and crop density. This study was conducted to relate apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa), topographic attributes, and multi-spectral satellite imagery to fruit yield and soil attributes and evaluate the potential of site-specific management (SSM) of nutrients. Elevation and ECa at multiple depths were collected from two experimental fields (referred as FieldUnd, FieldFlat) in Normandin, Quebec, Canada. Soil samples were collected at two depths (0–0.05 m and 0.05–0.15 m) and analyzed for a range of soil properties. Statistical analyses of fruit yield, soil, and sensor data were used to characterize within-field variability. Fruit yield showed large variability in both fields (CVUnd = 54.4%, CVFlat = 56.5%), but no spatial dependence. However, several soil attributes showed considerable variability and moderate to strong spatial dependence. Elevation and the shallowest depths of both the Veris (0.3 m) and DUALEM (0.54 m) ECa sensors showed moderate to strong spatial dependence and correlated significantly to most soil properties in both study sites, indicating the feasibility of SSM. In place of management zone delineation, a quadrant analysis of the shallowest ECa depth vs. elevation provided four sensor combinations (scenarios) for theoretical field conditions. ANOVA and Tukey–Kramer’s post hoc test showed that the greatest differentiation of soil properties in both fields occurred between the combinations of high ECa/low elevation versus low ECa/high elevation. Vegetation indices (VIs) obtained from satellite data showed promise as a biomass indicator, and bare spots classified with satellite imagery in FieldUnd revealed significantly distinct soil properties. Combining proximal and multispectral data predicted within-field variations of yield-determining soil properties and offered three theoretical scenarios (high ECa/low elevation; low ECa/high elevation; bare spots) on which to base SSM. Future studies should investigate crop response to fertilization between the identified scenarios.
Impacts of Landfill Leachate on the Surrounding Environment: A Case Study on Amin Bazar Landfill, Dhaka (Bangladesh)
Authors: Hredoy Rysul Hasan , Siddique Md. Abu Bakar , Akbor Md. Ahedul , Shaikh Md. Aftab Ali , Rahman Md. Mostafizur
Published: November 2022

Currently, a total of about 15,000 tons/day of waste is generated in the entire Dhaka city with an average per capita waste generation of 0.641 kg/day. Only 37% of this waste is collected and dumped into the two sanitary landfill sites, which is the only waste management system in Dhaka. To investigate the impact of landfill leachate of Amin Bazar landfill on the environmental compartments, a total of 14 composite samples (two leachates, three surface water, three groundwater, three soil, and three plants) were collected and analyzed for physicochemical parameters and heavy metal(loid)s concentration. Based on the result of physicochemical parameters, all results were found higher in the leachate samples than the permissible limit. The heavy metal(loid)s in leachate samples have a value of high levels of contamination. Surface water, groundwater, soil, and vegetation are all polluted as a result of high levels of metal contamination. Although the Water Quality Index values of the samples based on heavy metal(loid)s concentrations were within the acceptable range, heavy metal concentrations in the soil and plants were quite high. The concentrations of lead (Pb—8 mg/kg), cadmium (Cd—0.4 mg/kg), chromium (Cr—2.26 mg/kg), and cobalt (Co—1.72 mg/kg) in all plant samples were found to be higher than the allowable limit. The individual concentration of arsenic (As—0.021 mg/L) in the leachate was higher than the maximum allowed limit. Inverse Distance Weighted analysis through ArcGIS showed that landfill leachate has the maximum probability of contaminating the surrounding environment with heavy metal(loid)s. Results showed that samples collected near the landfill have higher concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s than others, which establishes the contribution of landfill leachate in contaminating the environment with heavy metal(loid)s. The improper leachate management of landfill has a high impact on the environment.
Exploring the Hotel Experience in a Cultural City through a UGC Analysis
Authors: Sánchez-Vargas Elena , Campón-Cerro Ana María , Prado-Recio Elvira , Pasaco-González Bárbara Sofía , Moreno-Lobato Ana
Published: November 2022

A large amount of information is generated on social platforms linked to tourism activity. It is necessary to explore this information using analysis techniques based on Big Data since the result greatly values decision-making. This paper aims to evaluate the titles of the reviews published on Tripadvisor about 3 and 4-star hotels of a World Heritage City (Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain) to outline the attributes most valued by tourists. Content analysis was performed using the user-generated content (UGC) in Tripadvisor, together with techniques that facilitated the processing of the data to discover the most important characteristics assessed by clients during their stays. The analysis shows a positive evaluation of the hotels in the city of Cáceres, highlighting the hotel stay, location, service, and value for money as the most outstanding elements. Based on the results obtained, a recommendation for hotel managers is to focus their communication strategies on location, quality, and price factors. It is worth noting the importance that the implementation of Big Data techniques of analysis has for the sector, allowing for better knowledge of clients and helping to maintain a competitive position in the market.
Strategic Approaches to the Development of Complex Organisational Ecosystems: The Case of Lithuanian Clusters
Authors: Grumadaitė Kristina , Jucevičius Giedrius
Published: November 2022

The development of complex organisational ecosystems that reflect complex adaptive systems (CASs) calls for radically different strategic approaches with respect to the case of classical, stable hierarchical systems. A need for such strategic approaches especially increases in the contexts that lack cooperation traditions and trust and often require an explicit or implicit leadership in order to encourage and maintain development. However, the scientific literature still gives limited attention to strategic approaches to development by emphasising the latter’s dynamism. In order to contribute to filling this research gap, a qualitative, multiple case study of nine Lithuanian clusters representing a variety of industrial settings was conducted to reveal the enablement of the development of complex organisational ecosystems. The performed research enabled to reveal different strategic approaches in two different stages of the development of complex organisational ecosystems. In the initial stage, the experimentation strategic approach, the external agent strategic approach and the strategic approach of the ad hoc clustering of fellow professionals can be distinguished. In later stages, strategies that vary by the degree of involvement of the ecosystem members, such as the strategic approach of self-organisation, the strategic approach of coordinated self-organisation and the strategic approach of active coordination, are more explicit.
Effect of Indoor Environment on Occupant Air Comfort and Productivity in Office Buildings: A Response Surface Analysis Approach
Authors: Kaushik Amit Kant , Arif Mohammed , Syal Matt M. G. , Rana Muhammad Qasim , Oladinrin Olugbenga Timo , Sharif Ahlam Ammar , Alshdiefat Ala’a Saleh
Published: November 2022

Indoor air quality is a significant factor influencing occupant comfort, health and productivity. Indoor air comfort and its relationship to occupant comfort and productivity are widely documented. Statistical correlation between the two has been highlighted in scientific literature. This paper investigates any unique correlations between non-air quality parameters (such as lux level, temperature, and noise level) and indoor air comfort and presents a study investigating the effect of indoor environmental quality on occupant air comfort and productivity. This study was conducted by collecting data on indoor environmental parameters using remote sensors and an online survey for occupant responses for twelve months. Data analysis was performed using Response Surface Analysis to present mathematical relationships between indoor environmental quality parameters and occupant air comfort. Results show that carbon dioxide up to 600 ppm, VOC up to 25% (by volume) and humidity up to 60% have a positive impact on occupant air comfort and productivity. Our research highlighted that some non-air quality parameters, such as outdoor temperature and lux levels, affect occupant air comfort. These results would enable built environment professionals to design and operate offices (subtropical desert climate) conducive to occupant comfort and productivity.
Study on the Influencing Factors of Energy Consumption of Nearly Zero Energy Residential Buildings in Cold and Arid Regions of Northwest China
Authors: Yang Jieyuan , Yuan Hao , Yang Jingbo , Zhu Ruilin
Published: November 2022

There are many factors influencing the energy consumption of buildings in complex working conditions. In order to study the factors influencing the energy consumption of residential buildings with nearly zero energy in cold and arid regions of northwest China, factors such as the roof heat transfer coefficient (KR), exterior wall heat transfer coefficient (KE), ground heat transfer coefficient (KG), exterior window heat transfer coefficient (KEW), north window wall ratio (WWRN), south window wall ratio (WWRS), east west window wall ratio (WWRWE), building orientation (BO), and ventilation times (VT) are taken as the influencing factors in this paper. Using the orthogonal test, 135 building energy consumption calculation models were built in DeST, and the influence of 9 factors on building energy consumption in 5 types of regions (severe cold region A (1A), severe cold region B (1B), severe cold region C (1C), cold region A (2A), and cold region B (2B)) were analyzed. The conclusions are as follows: in the process of realizing nearly zero energy of residential buildings in the cold and arid regions of northwest China, the KR, KE, KG, KEW, WWRN, WWEWE should be reduced as much as possible in the five regions. The 1A,1B,1C regions should increase WWEWE and VT, with BO of about 15° east of due north and VT of about 5, 8, and 10 times per hour, respectively. The WWES, BO and VT for the 2A region should be set at round 0.45, north-south, and about 10 times per hour, respectively. For the 2B region, WWES should be set at around 0.45, BO around 15° east of due north, and VT as low as possible within the scope of the ‘technical standard for nearly zero energy buildings’.
Multimodal Access to Minor Places in Heritage-Rich Landscapes: GIS Mapping to Define Slow-Tourism Routes from the Stations in the Railway Networks in-between Turin and Milan
Authors: Rolando Andrea , Scandiffio Alessandro
Published: November 2022

The extraordinary richness of the natural and built heritage, widespread in the landscape which surrounds infrastructures, allows searching for new ways to access the places in a more sustainable way, by exploiting multimodal accessibility between train and bike. The current research shows how the territories in-between the cities of Turin and Milan, characterized by a complex historical landscape, could be enhanced in terms of sustainable tourism by exploiting the potential of the existing railway network and the widespread network of local roads, which make many unique places in these territories easily accessible. A GIS method based on a quantitative approach has been defined, to perform the spatial analysis by mapping the most significant nodes in the railway network, in the most attractive heritage areas localized in the surrounding landscape of infrastructures, to trace slow-tourism routes which can be used both by inhabitants and tourists to move across places in a more sustainable way. The research finds the most attractive heritage areas in the surroundings of local railways, and maps slow-tourism routes that connect local railway stations to surrounding heritage, within 15 min of cycling. The GIS-based method can support decision makers in the definition of new territorial development strategies, with the aim of enhancing the livelihood of the inner and fragile areas of the country that are crossed by the railways.
Systematic Modeling and Policy Analysis on the Urban Water–Energy Nexus for Sustainable Resources Management
Authors: Wang Yongsheng , Kou Chenhuan , Zhai Xujun
Published: November 2022

Urbanization in developing countries has imposed great pressure on the availability of water and energy (WE) resources, while single-sector strategies may cause several unanticipated consequences. To find sustainable solutions for resource management, this study develops an integrated approach to assess urban WE from a nexus perspective. With the city Shenzhen as a case study, the existing WE nexus on the supply and demand sides of urban areas is first quantified. Subsequently, a system dynamics model (SDM) is constructed to reveal the complex interactions in the urban nexus, and the trends of WE supply and demand by 2035 are simulated. To narrow the potential resources gap, a policy analysis considering the interest and influence of various stakeholders is conducted to formulate policy scenarios. As revealed from the results, the resources gap will expand continuously by 2035, especially for water resources. Compared to the demand side, the policies implemented on the supply side exhibit a better performance, and the scenario of import expansion could independently achieve the desirable result. Moreover, as the demand side displayed more complexities, the implementation of future policies should rigorously weigh the priorities and difficulties of a range of stakeholders’ involvements.
Technology Transfer, Sustainability, and Development, Worldwide and in Romania
Authors: Craiut Lisa , Bungau Constantin , Bungau Tudor , Grava Cristian , Otrisal Pavel , Radu Andrei-Flavius
Published: November 2022

Technology transfer (TT) is a mechanism designed to accurately make knowledge, innovations, and advancements available to the general population. TT is conducted through scientific papers, educational and governmental initiatives, and the commercialization of technology. The TT process per se is complex, involving many stakeholders and factors that can impact implementation. Feasibility studies are needed to assess the types of technology that can be transferred, the economic options to be chosen, and to stimulate the receptive part, making understandable the whole transfer flow. Furthermore, TT involves a dynamic mechanism that has advanced with the development of technology, with different linear, non-linear, and alternative models being proposed and scientifically validated, and with the possibility of addressing different perceptions of the factors involved. The international TT level, as well as the level of innovation in the economic context, differs from nation to nation. The need for this paper is based on the lack of a comprehensive detailed presentation of the TT infrastructural concept, approached in a novel and in-depth way by assessing international TT, technology flow, technology distribution and expansion, collaborative networks, TT centers and TT models, regional operational programs etc., all of which are related to national/international legislation and sustainable development. The deficit of representation and implementation of this concept in Romania was also covered, the assessment providing the current status and suggesting the need to develop and optimize the implementation of TT in this country.
Does Green Finance and Water Resource Utilization Efficiency Drive High-Quality Economic Development?
Authors: Wang Rong , Wang Fayuan , Bie Fan
Published: November 2022

Achieving the improvement of water resource efficiency is the common key foundation for the country to promote the adjustment of the energy structure, promote the development of low-carbon technology and environmental protection, cope with global climate change, and achieve the strategic goal of “carbon peaking and carbon neutralization”. The study explores the role of green finance and water resource utilization efficiency in high-quality economic development (HQED). The development index of resource utilization efficiency constructs an indicator system of HQED from three dimensions of HQED capability, structure, and benefit, constructs a spatial lag model, introduces a nested matrix, and empirically studies their spatial effect. The mediating effect of water resource utilization efficiency was verified using the mediating effect model. According to the empirical analysis, the results are as follows: (1) green finance and water resource utilization efficiency are important influencing factors for promoting HQED, and green finance can promote HQED with direct short-term effects but no direct effects in the long term; (2) the short-term direct effect of water resource utilization efficiency can also improve HQED and has no effect in the long term; (3) the short-term effect of the interaction term of green finance and water resource utilization efficiency exists as a negative effect, but the long-term, indirect, and total effect cannot affect HQED; (4) green finance and water resource utilization efficiency show no spatial effect on HQED; green finance has an incomplete intermediary role in promoting HQED.
The Effectiveness of Providing Shell Substrate for the Restoration of Adult Mussel Reefs
Authors: Benjamin Emilee D. , Hillman Jenny R. , Handley Sean J. , Toone Trevyn A. , Jeffs Andrew
Published: November 2022

Providing benthic substrate is the most common method used for oyster reef restoration. The physical relief from the seabed, increased habitat complexity, and attachment surfaces have been shown to improve oyster health, recruitment, and survival. While the addition of shell material is an effective substrate for oyster restoration, its usefulness in mussel restoration has been understudied. This study tested the effectiveness of adding shell substrate to two different types of soft sediment for the restoration of adult green-lipped mussels. Over 10 t of shell was used to create a 10 cm layer on the seabed in replicated experimental plots at the two locations. 10 t of live adult mussels were deployed onto the shell substrate and an additional 10 t of mussels onto adjacent soft sediment control plots. A year after deploying the live mussels, mussel survival across all plots was 80.6 ± 6.5%, with no differences between mussel plots with or without the added shell substrate for either of the two locations. This study emphasizes the importance of context-dependency, revealing promising avenues for future research, and indicates that for adult green-lipped mussels the addition of a shell substrate appears to provide little advantage for adult mussel restoration at high deployment densities.
Taking Risks to Make Profit during COVID-19
Authors: Chen Yasheng , Wu Zhuojun
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted substantial losses on a large number of enterprises and brought about the risk of unsustainable operations across the world. However, certain enterprises still managed to grow against the trend prevailing during the epidemic and succeeded in taking risks to make profits. This study discusses how global enterprises adopt a proactive risk management approach to transform crises into sustainable business performance during the period starting from the epidemic outbreak to normalization. By mainly obtaining research data from the Internet news media and official websites of the enterprises using content analysis technique, this paper chose case studies, from December 2019 to December 2021, of eight different companies, namely: BYD (China, Asia), Mafengwo (China, Asia), Xiamen Airlines (China, Asia), Zhijiang Bio (China, Asia), The Bund (United States, America), Walmart (United States, America), Qantas Airways (Australia, Oceania), and Honotel Group (France, Europe), from different industrial sectors including manufacturing, tourism, transportation, technical services, catering, retail, airlines, and accommodation, respectively. The study results show that each enterprise specifically incorporates the method of proactive risk management, to deal with a sudden crisis and take risks to make profits during the epidemic. The study findings provide a feasible way for enterprises to cope with sudden crises and enhance their ability to maintain sustainable operations.
On the Sustainability of Shared Mobility Since COVID-19: From Socially Structured to Social Bubble Vanpooling
Authors: Haddad Hedi , Bouyahia Zied , Horchani Leila
Published: November 2022

Public and shared transportation are among the sectors that have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as they were perceived to be risky environments for disease transmission. Given that the end of the pandemic is not certain and in order to anticipate future pandemics, attempts have been made to design public and shared mobility systems that are pandemic resilient, avoiding the social and economic burdens of disrupting transportation services. In this paper, we introduce a new ridesharing form based on a novel concept called social bubble vanpooling (SBV) which tries to provide a trade-off between minimizing the risk of exposure of riders to communicable diseases, minimizing the operational costs of ridesharing operators, and providing public health authorities with full contact-tracing capability in ridesharing-related cases, if needed. We propose a new clustering approach where riders are pooled into social bubbles composed of people who are spatio-temporally connected and have similar vulnerability levels with respect to a communicable diseases. We used individual agent-based simulation experiments based on a data sample collected from a real population of riders, and we compared the performance of the proposed SBV with trip-based and long committed ridesharing models. We found that (1) enforcing contact tracing and quarantine is more effective in controlling the spread of the disease when the bubble-based ridesharing scheme is adopted as a commuting mode and (2) it is possible to sustain transportation services without compromising the efforts to mitigate the spread of the pandemic. The proposed ridesharing model appears to be a viable solution when the mobility of individuals is subject to tight restrictions to stop the spread of a communicable airborne disease (such as COVID-19). The flexibility of the model allows maintaining transportation services with profitable operational costs while upholding the precautionary measures to fight the pandemic.
Environmental Life Cycle Assessment in Organic and Conventional Rice Farming Systems: Using a Cradle to Farm Gate Approach
Authors: Amirahmadi Elnaz , Moudrý Jan , Konvalina Petr , Hörtenhuber Stefan Josef , Ghorbani Mohammad , Neugschwandtner Reinhard W. , Jiang Zhixiang , Krexner Theresa , Kopecký Marek
Published: November 2022

The rising demand for agricultural products and expanding public awareness of environmental friendliness have led to the adoption of the organic farming system rather than the conventional one. The life cycle assessment (LCA) concept is a frequently used method to examine the environmental impacts of any activity across its entire life cycle. This research is the first use of LCA for the impacts of vermicompost and cattle manure as organic fertilizers in rice farming. The main goal of this study was to compare the environmental impacts of conventional and organic rice farming. This paper uses midpoint attributional LCA to analyze environmental damages during rice production. The four primary harm categories used in this strategy to categorize the environmental effects were: (1) climate change, (2) human health, (3) ecosystem quality, and (4) resources. The inventory data for the agricultural stage were obtained through farmer interviews. The system boundaries were set to cradle to farm gate, and 1 ton of final product (dry matter) was used as the functional unit. The results show that in all main damage categories, except for particulate matter formation, stratospheric ozone depletion, mineral resource scarcity, and freshwater eutrophication, conventional rice production has higher environmental impacts than organic rice production. Overall, organic rice production is more effective in diminishing the negative environmental effects of farming compared to conventional rice production.
Capacity-Building Model to Promote Innovation and Sustainability in the Portuguese Agro-Industrial Sector
Authors: Paiva Teresa , Ribeiro Maximiano P. , Coutinho Paula
Published: November 2022

The characteristics of the Portuguese agro-industrial sector limit the adoption and promotion of innovation. A business-sector characterisation was carried out to identify needs and business behaviour. Capacity, in terms of skills and knowledge, motivation and opportunities, is the main factor in innovation and sustainability adoption and the alteration of the behaviours of people or organisations. Collaborative business practices to enhance networking and knowledge sharing and the diversity of skills and competencies, along with several pedagogical methods, within innovation and sustainability training, were outlined. Throughout a benchmarking methodology that analysed various courses and pedagogies in this type of training, it was possible to incorporate reflexive practices and action-oriented training to engage in transformative actions and the work community’s capacity-building creation. Thus, a model was designed to be able to promote the capacity for innovation and sustainability in the Portuguese agro-industrial sector, with training activities targeting its specific characteristics. It is focused on problem solving, technical exercise, and task performance, aligned with the multidisciplinary perspective needed to achieve a vision based on systemic, critical, and reflective thinking and able to answer the future market demand. Therefore, it will be possible for the Portuguese agro-industrial SMEs to establish partnerships and networks that will induce the incorporation of innovation and sustainable practices.
Plant Probiotic Endophytic Pseudomonas flavescens D5 Strain for Protection of Barley Plants from Salt Stress
Authors: Ignatova Lyudmila , Usmanova Aizhamal , Brazhnikova Yelena , Omirbekova Anel , Egamberdieva Dilfuza , Mukasheva Togzhan , Kistaubayeva Aida , Savitskaya Irina , Karpenyuk Tatyana , Goncharova Alla
Published: November 2022

Soil salinity has become a global issue that is directly related to land degradation and results in many changes in climate, ecosystem services, and biodiversity. The present study focuses on the investigation of beneficial properties of a plant probiotic bacterial strain as an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to promote crop growth in saline soil. The endophytic halotolerant strain Pseudomonas flavescens D5 isolated from common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) was able to grow on a medium containing 15% NaCl; produced indole-3-acetic acid (45.2 μg mL−1) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (1.72 g L−1); and had amylolytic, cellulolytic, and proteolytic activities. Polyhydroxyalkanoate had a pronounced antifungal activity against Fusarium graminearum, F. solani, F. oxysporum, and Alternaria alternata. Under salt stress conditions, inoculation with Ps. flavescens D5 increased the shoot biomass of barley plants by 8–30%, root biomass by 7–20%, chlorophyll a by 18–52%, and chlorophyll b by 7–15%. The content of proline decreased by 1.5–1.8 times. An increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase) was determined. In inoculated plants growing in saline soil, the content of Na+ ions was lower by up to 54.8% compared to control. This strain is promising for stimulating plant growth and protecting them from diseases and other adverse environmental factors, including salt stress.
Institutions, Culture, or Interaction: What Determines the Financial Market Development in Emerging Markets?
Authors: Khan Muhammad Asif , Haddad Hossam , Odeh Mahmoud , Haider Ahsanuddin , Khan Mohammed Arshad
Published: November 2022

In this research, we examine how the quality of institutions promotes financial market development (FMD) in 21 emerging markets (classified by the Financial Times Stock Exchange Group). The moderating role of culture is also empirically tested. For this purpose, a balance panel dataset of 21 emerging markets from 1984 to 2020 is utilized from various secondary data sources. The study applies two-stages least square regression with the instrumental variable, and lag transformation to overcome the endogeneity problem in the nexus of institutions and finance, which is least focused on in prior literature. The empirical findings show that institutional quality and the national culture promote FMD in these economies. The main findings are consistent with law and finance, and financial socialization theories. We argue that academics, policymakers, and researchers should comprehend the critical role of institutional and cultural indicators in forming an effective financial system that may lead to sustainable economic development. This research contributes to the literature on emerging markets in this helpful paradigm. We conclude that quality institutions play a critical role in magnifying the FMD of emerging markets. It is crucial to comprehend the connection between FMD and institutions, as the growth dividend from financial development can be boosted by strengthening institutions and understanding the culture. Our results are robust to alternative measures of institutions and FMD and the correction of potential endogeneity.
Consumer Social and Psychological Factors Influencing the Use of Genetically Modified Foods—A Review
Authors: Siddiqui Shahida Anusha , Asif Zarnab , Murid Misbah , Fernando Ito , Adli Danung Nur , Blinov Andrey Vladimirovich , Golik Alexey Borisovich , Nugraha Widya Satya , Ibrahim Salam A. , Jafari Seid Mahdi
Published: November 2022

Due to rapid globalization in the world, the understanding of cultural differences, such as beliefs, values, ways of thinking, and perceptions about new technologies in food processing have also increased. Since the 1990s, when genetically modified (GM) foods were introduced into the food supply, they have provoked many debates. In this review, it was identified and discussed how social and psychological factors influence public attitudes to GM foods and the perceptions of consumers in using GM foods. According to this review, GM foods are deemed unnatural and artificial, thus affecting the overall acceptance of their application. Due to the concerns about their effects on the environment and human health, people expect an assessment of the known or possible dangers, as well as the preventative management of the risks. Providing adequate information about GM foods via a compulsory labeling policy may serve as an appropriate way to increase public awareness and acceptance of GM foods.
Coupling and Coordination Relationship between Economic and Ecologic-Environmental Developments in China’s Key State-Owned Forest Areas
Authors: Jiang Yue , Wang Yufang , Wang Rui
Published: November 2022

China’s key state-owned forest areas are important ecological conservation areas and its forest management belongs to several forest industry groups. Therefore, the ecological improvement and economic development of the key state-owned forest areas should be balanced. This study developed an integrated evaluation model of coupling and coordination, by employing the data of the key forest areas from 2001 to 2019, to investigate the coupling and coordination relationship between the efficiency of economic development and the level of ecological development, using the DEA model. The results suggest that the indices of ecological development in the key state-owned forest areas increased from 2001 to 2019, and especially in 2015, to a better status, due to the policy of completely stopping logging. The other finding was that the coupling degree between the efficiency of economic development and the level of ecological development was in an antagonistic stage, which showed a slow upward trend of the coupling degree and coupling coordination degree and then evolved to a medium and high coordination coupling situation. The reason was that, with the implementation of the ecological protection policy and the industrial transformation of the forest industry group, the ecological environment improved and the development of enterprises was further optimized. Moreover, this study further identified the main factors that affect the coupling and coordination degree of the key state-owned forest areas, including the proportion of tertiary industry, economic growth rate, forest park area, and investment in wildlife and plant protection and natural resource conservation areas. The factors were divided into three principal components. The most significant impact on the economic and ecological coupling coordination of the key state-owned forest areas was the first principal component, meaning that ecological improvement was the most important factor. The second principal component was mainly social coupling coordination, while the third principal component had little effect on economic and ecological coupling coordination.