bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial Literacy and Sustainable Consumer Behavior
Authors: Muñoz-Céspedes Ester , Ibar-Alonso Raquel , de Lorenzo Ros Sara
Published: August 2021

A more sustainable society and economy also implies more sustainable behavior in terms of the consumption of financial products. A possible change in this behavior can be brought about when there is a change in the demand. In other words, more sustainable consumption of financial products is directly related to financial literacy. However, the latter’s definition, object, and scope are far from being agreed upon internationally. One objective of this work was to explore the different interpretations of financial literacy in academic literature. In this exploration we delved into the evolution of the term, and how, in what context, and with what other concepts the term is used in social networks. Scientometric techniques were used for the analysis and review of the literature. The NLP technique was used to analyze comments on social networks. With this technique, ten feelings that were specially selected were analyzed. Positivity, confidence, and anticipation predominated among them. We conclude that it is important to emphasize that greater attention must be given to financial literacy, from both private and public sectors, so that it can be used to drive more sustainable behavior by individual consumers. Finally, a new definition of financial literacy is proposed.
Aircrafts On-Ground Dynamics Models and Simulation Software: State-of-the-Art
Authors: Correia Diogo , Ferreira Adelino
Published: August 2021

The aircraft is a means of transportation that operates mainly in the air; however, it starts and ends its journey on the ground. Due to the aircraft’s structural complexity, simulation tools are used to understand and to predict its behavior in its movements on the ground. Simulation tools allow adjusting the observation parameters to gather a greater amount of data than real tests and explore interactions of the aircraft and their individual components with external objects such as pavement imperfections. This review aims to collect information on how to simulate the aircraft interaction with traffic-dependent energy harvesting systems. The specifications and framework to be met by a conceptual design are explored. The different configurations for simulating the aircraft configuration result in the selection of the two-mass-spring-damper model. For the components, especially the landing gear, a deployable element for on-ground movements, several existing models capable of translating the tire are also presented, resulting in a selection of point-contact, Fiala and Unified semi-empirical models. It is verified which software can address the proposed simulation, such as GearSim from SDI-Engineering and Matlab/Simulink/Simscape Multibody from MathWorks.
Learning Environmental Issues from a Secondary School Curriculum: The Case of Learners in Mamelodi Township, South Africa
Authors: Ndzimbomvu Nosipho T. , Rampedi Isaac T. , Kemp Marthie E.
Published: August 2021

In South Africa, the National Curriculum Statement-Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (NCS-CAPS), which came into effect in 2011, was expected to play a critical role in raising environmental literacy among school learners. However, no detailed studies have evaluated its effectiveness in fulfilling this role, especially within schools in peri-urban areas. Consequently, this paper evaluated the level of environmental awareness, perceptions, and participation amongst secondary school learners in the peri-urban area of Mamelodi Township. Primary data for this evaluation research were collected from Grade 9 and Grade 11 secondary school learners by means of a close-ended questionnaire. The results revealed the important role played by school subjects such as Geography, Biology, and Life Orientation while other school subjects were less frequently acknowledged by the learners. The research also revealed the different sources of environmental learning, environmental awareness, as well as environmental problems that the learners were familiar with. However, in some instances, there were statistically significant differences between Grade 9 and Grade 11 learners, thus indicating differences in the learning content and the degree to which environmental education was taught in the different grades.
Low Sensitivity Predictive Control for Doubly-Fed Induction Generators Based Wind Turbine Applications
Authors: Abdelrahem Mohamed , Hackl Christoph , Kennel Ralph , Rodriguez Jose
Published: August 2021

In this paper, a deadbeat predictive control (DBPC) technique for doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs) in wind turbine applications is proposed. The major features of DBPC scheme are its quick dynamic performance and its fixed switching frequency. However, the basic concept of DBPC is computing the reference voltage for the next sample from the mathematical model of the generator. Therefore, the DBPC is highly sensitive to variations of the parameters of the DFIG. To reduce this sensitivity, a disturbance observer is designed in this paper to improve the robustness of the proposed DBPC scheme. The proposed observer is very simple and easy to be implemented in real-time applications. The proposed DBPC strategy is implemented in the laboratory. Several experiments are performed with and without mismatches in the DFIG parameters. The experimental results proved the superiority of the proposed DBPC strategy over the traditional DBPC technique.
Sustainable Indigenous Fishing in the Pre-Contact Caribbean: Evidence and Critical Considerations from Carriacou, Grenada
Authors: Giovas Christina M.
Published: August 2021

Multiple studies reveal pre-1492 anthropogenic impacts on Caribbean fisheries that are consistent with overfishing, including changes in targeted prey, shifts in marine habitats exploited, and decreases in the average body size of taxa. At the Indigenous Caribbean village of Sabazan (AD 400–1400) on Carriacou, Lesser Antilles, post-AD 800 declines in fishing, increased mollusk collection, and changes in resource patch emphasis accord with the archaeological correlates of resource depression predicted by foraging theory models from behavioral ecology. Here, I apply foraging theory logic and abundance indices incorporating body size and fish habitat to test the predictions of expanded diet breadth, declining prey body size, and shifts to more distant fishing patches that are typically associated with overfishing. Results uphold a significant decrease in overall fishing, which may be due to habitat change associated with the Medieval Warm Period. Indices of fish size and resource patch use do not meet foraging theory expectations for resource depression, however. Instead, they suggest an absence of resource depression in the Sabazan fishery and at least 600 years of sustainable fishing. I review similar findings for other Caribbean archaeological sites with either negative evidence for fisheries’ declines or quantitatively demonstrated sustainable fishing. These sites collectively serve as a critical reminder of the heterogeneous trajectories of Indigenous social–ecological systems in the pre-contact Caribbean and the need for meta-level analyses of the region’s ancient fisheries. I discuss the application of the sustainability concept in archaeological studies of fishing and conclude that a more critical, explicit approach to defining and measuring sustainability in ancient fisheries is needed.
Promoting Green Real Estate Development by Increasing Residents’ Satisfaction
Authors: Zhang Li , Fan Yue , Yang Xiaochun , Zhang Jiahao
Published: August 2021

Green real estate is a new form of development that seeks to reduce the negative impact of real estate construction on the environment and society. It offers various forms of environmental and social utility and also bears higher construction costs. Residents’ satisfaction and willingness to pay (WTP) are therefore of great significance for the progress of green real estate. However, residents’ satisfaction with green residential areas and its correlation with WTP has been insufficiently researched. This study draws on face-to-face interviews conducted with 614 households in Qingtangwan (an exemplary green real estate project in Beijing) to extract information about residents’ satisfaction and WTP. With regard to satisfaction, it identifies five main components, specifically the operation and maintenance of residential areas, indoor and outdoor comfort, building quality, sustainable community attachment, and public facility accessibility (this last category had lower satisfaction). In terms of WTP, residents’ mean WTP was found to be CHY 204.23 per month, which is approximately USD 31.19. In addition to the bid value, the indoor and outdoor comfort, building quality, sense of community, and public facility accessibility were all found to be significantly related to residents’ WTP. Relevant policy recommendations for promoting this development mode included the establishment of public funds, the regular collection and disclosure of information about residents’ satisfaction, phased rent increases, and the enhancement of community cultural construction.
Displacement Induced by Climate Change Adaptation: The Case of ‘Climate Buffer’ Infrastructure
Authors: Warner Jeroen Frank , Wiegel Hanne
Published: August 2021

Climate buffer infrastructure is on the rise as a promising ‘green’ climate adaptation strategy. More often than not, such infrastructure building is legitimized as an urgent technical intervention—while less attention is paid to the distribution of costs and benefits among the affected population. However, as this article shows, adaptation interventions may directly or indirectly result in the relocation or even eviction of households or communities, thereby increasing vulnerabilities for some while intending to reduce long-term climate vulnerabilities for all. We argue that this raises serious, if underappreciated, ethical issues that need to be more explicitly addressed in adaptation policy making. We illustrate our conceptual argument with the help of three examples of infrastructural ‘climate buffers’: Space for the River projects in the Netherlands, the Diamer–Bhasha dam in Pakistan and the coastal protection plan in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Exploring Tourism Recovery in the Post-COVID-19 Period: An Evolutionary Game Theory Approach
Authors: Yan Hui , Wei Haixiang , Wei Min
Published: August 2021

This study aims to explore the process of tourism recovery in the post-COVID-19 period and the role of stakeholders in promoting such a process. Using evolutionary game theory, this study analyzes the behavior interactions and game equilibrium of stakeholders in the development of tourism by constructing an evolutionary game model amongst governments, tourists and tourism enterprises. Then, the influences of different evolution paths and major parameters affecting stakeholders’ strategy selection are discussed. With the aim of illustrating the role of the stakeholders in the tourism sector’s economic recovery under the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the numerical experiment was conducted using the MATLAB 2016 software. The results show that the development and change of the emergent public health events affect tourism stakeholders’ behavior strategy. Moreover, the strategic choices of each player, including governments, tourism enterprises and tourists, are also constantly evolving at different stages of the pandemic.
Evolution of the Spatial Pattern of the Assets and Environmental Liabilities Conversion Rate and Its Influencing Factors
Authors: Chen Xiaofang , Xia Wenlei , Huang Yuan , Li Mingze , Wan Wei
Published: August 2021

With the extensive development of the economy, environmental degradation has become a serious global issue. How to ensure the sustainable development of regional environments has drawn widespread attention from governments, academia, and the public. As an index to measure the efficiency of financial expenditure on the environment by local governments, the assets and environmental liabilities conversion rate (AELCR), along with the spatial pattern changes it presents and the factors it is affected by, is worthy of in-depth study. This study took the AELCRs of 31 provinces in China from 2012 to 2017 as the research objects, analyzed their spatial patterns and evolution using GeoDa software, and explored their spatial distribution using a spatial econometric model. The results show that, on the whole, China’s provinces were characterized by unbalanced economic development and large gaps in development levels, and there were significant differences in the efficiencies of fiscal expenditure for environmental protection between regions. Overall, there was a negative correlation between China’s neighboring provinces, and there was strong heterogeneity between provinces with a low conversion efficiency and the surrounding provinces. Locally, most provinces did not show significant spatial correlation, while the local similarities of the AELCRs decreased from 2012 to 2017, and the heterogeneities increased. Through the analysis of influencing factors, it was found that the urbanization level and provincial R&D investment positively increased the AELCRs, where the positive impact of urbanization was more obvious; resource tax and urban infrastructure investment were negatively correlated with the conversion rates, and the negative impact of resource tax was greater. The findings of this study provide important theoretical and practical implications for local governments to reasonably allocate environmental expenditure and improve their conversion rate of assets and environmental liabilities.
Conceptualizing Personhood for Sustainability: A Buddhist Virtue Ethics Perspective
Authors: Becker Christian U. , Hamblin Jack
Published: August 2021

This conceptual paper addresses the role the individual plays in sustainability against the backdrop of the ethical dimensions of sustainability. We discuss the relevance of moral personhood as a basis for sustainability and develop a model of personhood for sustainability. The paper outlines the ethical dimensions of sustainability and discusses the role of individual morality for sustainability from a virtue ethics perspective. We employ a Buddhist virtue ethical approach for conceptualizing a model of the sustainable person that is characterized by sustainability virtues, interdependent personhood, and an inherent concern for the wellbeing of others, nature, and future beings. In contrast to many Western-based conceptions of the individual actor, our model of sustainable personhood conceptualizes and explains a coherent and inherent individual motivation for sustainability. The paper contributes to the methodological question of how to best consider the individual in sustainability research and sustainability approaches and suggests a conceptual basis for integrating individual, institutional, and systemic aspects of sustainability.
NBS Impact Evaluation with GREENPASS Methodology Shown by the Case Study ‘Fischbeker Höfe’ in Hamburg/Germany
Authors: Scharf Bernhard , Kogler Martha , Kraus Florian , Garcia Perez Igone , Gutierrez Garcia Laura
Published: August 2021

The implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) in urban regeneration aims to improve citizens’ health and well-being. Therefore, tools need to be applied to identify the most suitable and efficient location and type of NBS. Within the CLEVER-cities H2020 project, the Greenpass method has been chosen to evaluate different design solutions regarding thermal comfort and physiological equivalent temperature (PET), energy, water and air fluxes. The Greenpass system comprises of standardized tools, reports and a unique set of Key Performance Score (KPS) and Key Performance Indicators (KPI). This paper deals with the impact assessment of NBS by the use of the innovative Greenpass system for the CLEVER-cities project ‘Fischbeker Höfe’ in Hamburg, Germany to ensure human health and well-being improvements for the citizens. To that end and considering the climate change context, thermal comfort is a KPI with high relevance in terms of the NBS co-benefits. Based on the PET within a project area Greenpass calculates the Thermal Comfort Score (TCS). The share of the different PET classes within the project area is multiplied with a weighting factor and summarized to the TCS. The results of the climate resilience analysis of the urban development area ‘Fischbeker Höfe’ in Hamburg are presented and discussed in comparison to a conventional architecture that disregards NBS, showing improvement with regards to four out of five KPS. Based on the evaluation results, advice is given to the co-creative design team on how to further improve the design towards climate resilience. The Greenpass system has proven to be a powerful and tailored tool to support climate resilient urban design and architecture. It provides a standardized and comprehensible but still scientific basis for decisions in a highly efficient and understandable way.
A Dialogical Approach to Readiness for Change towards Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions: The Case of the SDGs Seminars at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Authors: Ezquerra-Lázaro Irene , Gómez-Pérez Asunción , Mataix Carlos , Soberón Miguel , Moreno-Serna Jaime , Sánchez-Chaparro Teresa
Published: August 2021

The transformation for sustainability requires a paradigm shift towards systems thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration, which entails, above all, a process of cultural change affecting individual mindsets, organizations and society as a whole. Sustainability in higher education institutions (HEIs) has been a recurrent research field in the past decades. However, little attention has been paid to the processes of internal and cultural change and, in particular, to the first steps to prepare academic communities for change. Understanding “readiness for change” as a core organizational competency to overcome continuous environmental changes and considering the diluted hierarchy at HEIs, this article proposes the adoption of dialogical and developmental approaches in a single action case, the SDGs Seminars at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. This methodology was used to diagnose organizational and individual readiness for change considering cognitive, affective and behavioural components, and to identify consequences in organizational structures and culture. Our findings reveal that reframing dialogical spaces in HEIs to experience a collaborative and sustainability culture can unlock change, breaking down organizational silos, reducing resistances and engaging academic communities in the cocreation of institutional strategies. Furthermore, the case suggests that acting at the group level has impacts both on the individual and institutional levels.
The Gastronomic Experience: Motivation and Satisfaction of the Gastronomic Tourist—The Case of Puno City (Peru)
Authors: Cordova-Buiza Franklin , Gabriel-Campos Edwin , Castaño-Prieto Lucía , García-García Lucía
Published: August 2021

Gastronomy is a fundamental aspect of culture in daily life, through which tourists can discover the cultural heritage of the places they visit. Therefore, culinary pleasure is a decisive factor in choosing a travel destination; at the same time, it is essential for shaping tourists’ satisfaction regarding their travel experience. This research seeks to study the gastronomic experiences of foreign tourists visiting the city of Puno (Peru) during the celebration of the festival of the Virgen de la Calendaria, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage event by UNESCO. The results of this research highlighted the existence of three groups of tourists (referred to as survivors, enjoyers and experiencers) based on their perceptions of gastronomic experiences in the city. We also concluded that there are significant differences in each of the groups in terms of their motivation for visiting the city, based on gastronomy. Finally, the results allow us to conclude that the levels of tourist satisfaction are different, depending on their attitude toward gastronomy, as classified by the groupings obtained.
Empirical Detection and Quantification of Price Transmission in Endogenously Unstable Markets: The Case of the Global–Domestic Coffee Supply Chain in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Huffaker Ray , Griffith Garry , Dambui Charles , Canavari Maurizio
Published: August 2021

Price transmission through global–domestic agricultural supply chains is a fundamental indicator of domestic market efficiency and producer welfare. Conventional price-transmission econometrics test for a theory-based spatial-arbitrage restriction that long-run equilibrium prices in spatially distinct markets differ by no more than transaction costs. The conventional approach is ill-equipped to test for price transmission when endogenously unstable markets do not equilibrate due to systematic arbitrage-frustrating frictions including financial and institutional transaction costs and biophysical constraints. We propose a novel empirical framework using price data to test for market stability and price transmission along international-domestic supply chains incorporating nonlinear time series analysis and recently emerging causal-detection methods from empirical nonlinear dynamics. We apply the framework to map-out and quantify price transmission through the global-exporter–processor–producer coffee supply chain in Papua, New Guinea. We find empirical evidence of upstream price transmission from the global market to domestic exporters and processors, but not through to producers.
Role of Model Predictive Control for Enhancing Eco-Driving of Electric Vehicles in Urban Transport System of Japan
Authors: Nie Zifei , Farzaneh Hooman
Published: August 2021

Electrification alters the energy demand and environmental impacts of vehicles, which brings about new challenges for sustainability in the transport sector. To further enhance the energy economy of electric vehicles (EVs) and offer an energy-efficient driving strategy for next-generation intelligent mobility in daily synthetic traffic situations with mixed driving scenarios, the model predictive control (MPC) algorithm is exploited to develop a predictive cruise control (PCC) system for eco-driving based on a detailed driving scenario switching logic (DSSL). The proposed PCC system is designed hierarchically into three typical driving scenarios, including car-following, signal anticipation, and free driving scenario, using one linear MPC and two nonlinear MPC controllers, respectively. The performances of the proposed tri-level MPC-based PCC system for EV eco-driving were investigated by a numerical simulation using the real road and traffic data of Japan under three typical driving scenarios and an integrated traffic situation. The results showed that the proposed PCC system can not only realize driving safety and comfortability, but also harvest considerable energy-saving rates during either car-following (16.70%), signal anticipation (12.50%), and free driving scenario (30.30%), or under the synthetic traffic situation (19.97%) in urban areas of Japan.
Factors Affecting Learners’ Academic Success in Online Liberal Arts Courses Offered by a Traditional Korean University
Authors: Choi Hee-Jun
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to empirically examine the factors affecting full-time undergraduate students’ satisfaction and academic performance measured by grades using an existing large administrative dataset. The sample consisted of 21,662 undergraduate students who took online liberal arts courses offered by a large traditional Korean university in the spring semester of 2020. The theoretical framework of this study was formulated by selectively adopting and slightly modifying some of the factors from Choi’s conceptual model for adult dropout from online degree programs. The findings indicated that gender, previous GPA, campus, type of online course, the relevance of the course, adequacy of assignments and assessments, learner-instructor interaction, and learner-content interaction significantly affect students’ degree of satisfaction with online liberal arts courses. This study also found that students who considered the course less relevant to their goals or interests, had a low previous GPA, had frequent learner-instructor interactions, few learner-content interactions, and a low level of course satisfaction are more likely to earn a grade of B, C, or lower than to receive an A in online liberal arts courses.
Coagulation-Flocculation of Aquaculture Wastewater Using Green Coagulant from Garcinia kola Seeds: Parametric Studies, Kinetic Modelling and Cost Analysis
Authors: Igwegbe Chinenye Adaobi , Ighalo Joshua O. , Onukwuli Okechukwu Dominic , Obiora-Okafo Ifeoma Amaoge , Anastopoulos Ioannis
Published: August 2021

To achieve sustainability, it is necessary to use proper treatment methods to reduce the pollutant loads of receiving waters. This study investigates the coagulative reduction of turbidity, COD, BOD and colour from aquaculture wastewater (AW) using a novel Garcinia kola seeds coagulant (GKC). This coagulant was obtained from extraction of Garcinia kola seeds and analysed for its spectral and morphological characteristics through FTIR and SEM. The kinetics of coagulation-flocculation were also investigated in terms of total dissolved and suspended solids (TDSP). The seeds had 11.27% protein and 68.33% carbohydrate, showing usability in adsorption/charges neutralisation as a coagulant to reduce particles. Maximal turbidity reduction = 81.93%, COD = 75.03%, BOD = 72.84% and colour = 56.69% at 0.3 g GKC/L, pH 2, 60 min and 303 K were achieved. Von Smoluchowski’s second-order peri-kinetics theory was used to fit the results, giving R2 > 0.9. At a coagulation order (α) of 2, the reaction rate (KC) and half-life (τS1/2) were 0.0003 L/g·min and 25.3 min at the optimal conditions. The sorption data better fit the Lagergren compared to the Ho adsorption model. Furthermore, the net cost of using GKC to handle 1 L of AW (including electricity and material costs) was calculated to be 1.57 EUR, and the costs of 0.3 g/L GKC preparation and energy were 0.27 and 1.30 EUR, respectively. In summary, these seeds can be used to pre-treat AW.
Optimal Pricing and Greening Strategy in a Competitive Green Supply Chain: Impact of Government Subsidy and Tax Policy
Authors: Barman Abhijit , Das Rubi , De Pijus Kanti , Sana Shib Sankar
Published: August 2021

With the expanding awareness of worldwide governments to ecological issues, the idea of protecting the environment has been initiated into the supply chain. The role of government in green supply chain management has become especially significant. This paper proposes a green supply chain model with a duopoly structure, in which two manufacturers separately produce green and non-green items sold through a common retailer. The government looks for social advantages and decides subsidies for the green item and taxes for non-green items. Using a centralized and decentralized model, two cases of government interference and no government interference are analyzed with customer green preference. This study focuses on exploring the pricing strategy, greening strategy and comparing the optimal decisions in all the cases to maximize the overall profitability of the supply chain. Numerical results and sensitivity analysis illustrate how the government subsidy on green products and tax policy in non-green products can influence the profitability of supply chain members. The research finding can give valuable experiences to channel members of the supply chain to settle optimum choices with and without government interference by enhancing the green and non-green item market competition. Among the competitive duopoly structure, the centralized model makes more profit and leads to manufactured eco-friendly items.
Current Status and Recent Stand Structure Dynamics in Mixed Silver Fir—European Beech Forests in Croatian Dinarides: Are There Differences between Managed and Unmanaged Forests?
Authors: Čavlović Jura , Andabaka Marijana , Božić Mario , Teslak Krunoslav , Beljan Karlo
Published: August 2021

The environmental, social and economic potential of Dinaric uneven-aged forests along with the complex stand dynamics influenced by different long-term management approaches and environmental factors require comprehensive forest monitoring. This study aimed to explore differences in the current status and recent past dynamics of stand structures between unmanaged and managed mixed fir-beech forests in the Croatian part of the Dinaric Alps using large-scale data from an established monitoring system. From the 74 permanent sample plots distributed within the forest type measured in 2008 and re-measured in 2019, we stratified four strata (types of management regimes): (1) forests out of regular management and tree harvest for at least 30 years, (2) managed state forests on carbonate bedrock, (3) managed state forests on non-carbonate bedrock and (4) managed private forests. In each sample plot, 34 structural attributes were computed to assess indicators of their current status and recent past dynamics of stands in the studied forests. An increasing Q shape diameter distribution with a high number of large and very large trees characterize unmanaged forests and managed forests on non-carbonate bedrock. In managed state forests and private forests, variable (rotated sigmoid) and constant (negative exponential) results were obtained, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) distinguished managed and unmanaged forests with decreasing harvest volume and recruitment, increasing basal area, number of very large trees, average diameter at breast height (DBH), crown defoliation of firs and basal area of died beech trees. The current structure, recent and expected stand dynamics in the unmanaged forests (accumulation of standing volume, increase of large diameter trees and large snags, large share of beech, large mean DBH) can be recognized as old-growth attributes. The differences between the studied forest types, potential of both unmanaged and state managed fir-beech forests and approaches to sustain multifunctional forest management in the Dinaric region were discussed.
Stakeholder Perspectives on Blue Mussel Farming to Mitigate Baltic Sea Eutrophication
Authors: Žilinskaitė Emilija , Blicharska Malgorzata , Futter Martyn
Published: August 2021

Here, we present an application of systems thinking to controlling Baltic Sea eutrophication—a wicked environmental problem characterized by multiple stakeholder perspectives and no single, agreed upon solution. The Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted waterbodies in the world. More than 40 years of land-based (linear) measures have failed to adequately control eutrophication, yet internal (circular) measures are rarely used. Farming native blue mussels for nutrient capture has been proposed as one measure for eutrophication control, but the relevant stakeholders disagree as to its environmental, social and economic benefits. Here, we present the views of four Swedish stakeholder groups—academics, entrepreneurs, municipal government employees and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—on the sustainability of native blue mussel farming, a circular measure for eutrophication control. Using semi-structured interviews, we elicited stakeholder perspectives on the environmental, economic and social dimensions of blue mussel farming. The interviewees generally agreed that blue mussel farming is not currently economically sustainable, but that it can contribute to the social sustainability of coastal regions. Academics were skeptical of the environmental benefits, claiming that farms could reinforce eutrophication, whereas the remaining stakeholder groups argued for its potential to mitigate eutrophication. In a roundtable discussion conducted one year after the original interviews, all stakeholder groups agreed that blue mussel farming alone will not fix Baltic Sea eutrophication, but can be part of the solution together with land-based measures. All groups also agreed on the need for cautious upscaling, continuous environmental monitoring and constant improvement if blue mussel farms are to be part of a “toolkit” for eutrophication control. Our results highlight the fact that wicked environmental problems can be addressed when multiple stakeholder groups with differing perspectives have the opportunity to achieve consensus through dialog.
On the Hibernating Electronic Waste in Rio de Janeiro Higher Education Community: An Assessment of Population Behavior Analysis and Economic Potential
Authors: D’Almeida Felipe Seabra , de Carvalho Roberto Bentes , dos Santos Felipe Sombra , de Souza Rodrigo Fernandes Magalhães
Published: August 2021

Brazil is the second largest producer of electronic waste in the Americas, with a production that grows each year and only 10% of it being treated in its own way. Additionally, given the typical chemical composition of this type of residue, it can be possible to recover valuable metals, such as copper, gold, silver, and platinum. Presently, Brazil does not have an industrial plant devoted to such extractive activity using electronic waste, with most of its treatment carried out abroad. The research hypothesis of this manuscript is that universities and their communities could develop sources of raw materials for such extraction processes and, therefore, deserve attention for the creation of collection points and partnerships. In this context, there is a need to understand this community behavior regarding the acquisition, storage, and disposal of electronic equipment, as well as information about topics related to electronic waste management and recycling. To implement such a study for the higher education community in Rio de Janeiro, a form was created covering several topics on the subject, which was disseminated among the teachers, students, employees, and family members of two main state universities. It was determined that the studied group has more than 16.96 million mobile phones in hibernation, in addition to other equipment, with an estimated stockpile value of USD 67.45 million for the studied group in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. If extrapolated to all of Brazil, this could be as high as USD 797.50 million for the studied group. This information will be used in future projects to assess the economic potential of an industrial plant dedicated to metal recovery in Brazil. However, the present study also identified an important lack of knowledge regarding proper waste disposal and solid waste policies among this well-educated group. It became clear that without appropriate information regarding collection points and knowledge on how to deal with obsolete devices, the access to this source of raw material could be a hinderance to future extraction projects in the area.
The Complementary Currency Zielony in Poland and Its Importance for the Development of Local Economy Entities during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown
Authors: Stępnicka Nina , Zimon Grzegorz , Brzozowiec Dariusz
Published: August 2021

The article aims to present how the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown affects the functioning and circulation of complementary currencies in entities that have joined the complementary currency system with a special focus on the complementary currency Zielony (PLZ) in Poland. The main research problem of the paper is formulated in the form of a question concerning the impact of the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of the Zielony in Poland in commercial transactions by entities belonging to the local currency system. In order to achieve the objective and solve the main problem, the article uses such research methods as: the method of critical analysis of literature, historical method, statistical method, comparative method, observational method, free expert interview, as well as analysis and synthesis, deduction and induction and abstraction. We conducted a critical analysis of the literature and analysis of statistical data of the complementary currency Zielony in Poland in the period from March 2015 to June 2021, and the results of the expert interview showed that this currency is not a tool to support the functioning of local economy entities during non-financial crises, such as COVID-19 pandemic. This is influenced by, among other things, full or partial lockdown and other restrictions on the functioning of commercial entities during a pandemic. The consequences of such solutions include the weakening of economic activity and a decrease in the value of turnover of entities operating in various sectors of the local economy, especially entities of a service nature, which constitute about 80% of the structure of the Zielony complementary currency system in Poland. The main conclusion resulting from the conducted research is as follows: the complementary currency Zielony in Poland can influence the creation of local entrepreneurship and sustainable development and support the activities of the sector of small- and medium-sized enterprises, but these benefits are possible to achieve primarily in conditions of stable and undisturbed functioning of the economy. The realization of the payment function of the complementary currency, the Zielony, and its use in payments of entities belonging to those industries covered by lockdown and other administrative restrictions is impossible (or insignificant) at this time due to the absence (or hindered) of its circulation in the economy. The research results and conclusions presented in the article meet the assumptions of the application objective and can provide the entities of the micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprise sector with knowledge about the dependencies resulting from the use of the complementary currency in the lockdown period by the entities that implement the assumptions of the system of complementary currencies.
Smart City Collaboration: A Review and an Agenda for Establishing Sustainable Collaboration
Authors: Mills David E. , Izadgoshasb Iman , Pudney Steven G.
Published: August 2021

Collaboration is problematic in the public sector, yet many smart city theorists advocate relationships fully dependent upon collaboration to address the intense complexity encountered by city governments and achieve city objectives of quality of life, efficiency, effectiveness, and economic and environmental sustainability. Skeptical, we inductively drew together the widely dispersed theoretical tenets of smart city collaboration into a framework of collaborative relationships and tested this framework using secondary evidence as to practice in greater Amsterdam. Mostly authentic collaborative relationships were explicated. Theory is extended by clarifying the roles of actors, especially the role of city government as actor and steward of the collaborative ecosystem. Future research should unpack the factors that impact the sustainability of smart city collaborations.
Why and When Supervisor Developmental Feedback Impact Innovative Behavior: Perspective of Self-Regulation Theory
Authors: Li Zhongqiu , Duan Caiquan , Lyu Zhuo , Xu Xin
Published: August 2021

In this study, we examined how supervisor developmental feedback influences employees’ innovative behavior. A multi-time survey method was used in this study to collect data from 310 employees in Chinese enterprises. The research results show that supervisor developmental feedback has positive effects on employee innovative behavior via the mediating effect of self-goal-setting. We further found that uncertainty avoidance strengthens the positive relationship between supervisor developmental feedback and the self-goal-setting of employees. Our study offers a new account based on self-regulation perspective for understanding feedback.
Estimation of Magnitude and Heat Release Rate of Fires Occurring in Historic Buildings-Taking Churches as an Example
Authors: Chang Wen-Yao , Tang Chieh-Hsin , Lin Ching-Yuan
Published: August 2021

Historical buildings often fail to meet today’s building and fire protection regulations due to their structure and space restrictions. For this reason, if such buildings encounter fire, serious damage will be resulted. The fire of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris (Notre-Dame de Paris) in April 2019 highlights the seriousness of this problem. In this study, the historical building of “Tamsui Church” was selected as an example. The Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) was adopted to analyze the scale of damage and possible hazards when the wooden seats in the church are on fire, and improvement measures were proposed to ensure that such buildings can be used under safer conditions. It was found that the existing seat arrangement will cause the spreading of fire, and the maximum heat release rate is 2609.88 kW. The wooden roof frame above the fire source will also start to burn at 402.88 s (6.6 min) after the fire, which will lead to a full-scale fire. To maintain the safety of the historical building, it is necessary to add active firefighting equipment (smoke detector and water mist system).
Do Students Prioritize Majors or Specific Colleges? Analyzing the Factors That Influence Preferences in China
Authors: Guo Congbin , Guo Mengchao , Hao Xiaowei
Published: August 2021

China’s college entrance examination has always been regarded as a system that promotes social stability and sustainable development. Students with different characteristics may have dissimilar professional aspirations. Due to the increasing popularity of higher education in China, these characteristics may constitute new influences among students’ professional priorities and educational preferences, and it is interesting to explore how such characteristics, especially family backgrounds, affect these choices. Compared to previous investigations, this study conducted a more systematic and quantitative empirical examination of family background. Accordingly, we used data obtained through a survey on higher education reform conducted by the Graduate School of Education at Peking University. Results showed that family backgrounds significantly influenced student priorities when deciding whether majors or specific colleges were most important. When deliberating over the “unpopular majors” offered at higher-level colleges/universities and the “popular majors” offered at relatively lower-level colleges, students with comparatively advantageous family backgrounds were more likely to prioritize specific colleges; that is, they were more willing to choose higher-level colleges than “popular majors” at lower-level colleges. Conversely, students with relatively disadvantaged family backgrounds were more likely to prioritize majors; that is, they were more willing to forego higher-level colleges/universities in favor of “popular majors” at relatively lower-level colleges.
Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields in Diagnostics of Low-Speed Electrical and Mechanical Systems
Authors: Oravec Milan , Lipovský Pavol , Šmelko Miroslav , Adamčík Pavel , Witoś Mirosław , Kwaśniewski Jerzy
Published: August 2021

The magnetic field created by technical devices is a source of information. This information could be used in contactless diagnostics and predictive maintenance or for resolving problems along with standard NDT (nondestructive testing) methods, especially if we consider large, slow-speed devices, such as electromotors, transmissions, or generators. Identification of causalities of device failure processes with near magnetic field is one of the suitable NDT methods improving sustainability of systems. The measurements presented in the article were performed with the VEMA 04 fluxgate vector magnetometer with the DC-250 Hz bandwidth and 2 nT sensitivity. Postprocessing of the results was performed in the means of standard methods of discrete Fourier Transform, spectrogram creation and Wavelet Transform. The article presents data gathered during the measurement of a pair of extraction fans with power of 140 kW each and maximum revolutions up to 740 rev/min controlled by frequency converters and a single semi-Kaplan water power plant with 400 kW peak power at 1005 rev/min maximum generator speed. The measurements were performed before and after repairs of one of the ventilators in the ventilation system at 60% and 100% of maximal output power. The rotating magnetic fields of the fan electromotor stator, fan rotor revolutions, rotor slip frequency and ball-bearing frequencies were identified in frequency spectrums in the distance of 700 mm from fan electromotor axis in both cases. During the measurements on the semi-Kaplan turbine, the changes in states of mechanical and electrical components of the machine were monitored in the magnetic fields with increase of the power in the range of 0–95%, before and after phasing to the electrical grid. Standard processing methods, Discrete Fourier Transform, spectrograms and Discrete Wavelet Transform were used. In the spectrograms of the measured magnetic fields, the 1st–4th harmonics of the turbine shaft, generator shaft and also their side frequencies were identified. Significant changes of magnetic fields in time were identified in the area of 60–95% power. With the help of the Wavelet, transform intervals were identified where it is desirable to operate the turbine. The analyses of magnetic fields measurements performed on the power plant were compared with vibro-diagnostic principles.
Durability Behavior of Mortars Containing Perlite Tailings: Alkali–Silicate Reaction Viewpoint
Authors: Neto Roberto Evaristo de Oliveira , Cartaxo Juliana de Melo , Rodrigues Alisson Mendes , Neves Gelmires de Araújo , Menezes Romualdo Rodrigues , da Costa Fabiana Pereira , Barros Sâmea Valensca Alves
Published: August 2021

Tailing incorporation into mortars has been the subject of much research in recent years. Despite this, most of these studies did not investigate the harmful effects resulting from the exposure of such mortars to an environment containing aggressive agents. This work investigated the effects of perlite tailing addition into mortars containing cement CP V-ARI MAX and hydrated lime. The raw materials were subjected to chemical characterization (X-ray fluorescence (XRF)) and mineralogical (X-ray diffraction (XRD)), while the samples immersed in 1 N NaOH solution were characterized by XRD, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and compression strength (CS). The results showed the harmful effects of incorporating perlite tailings into the mortar investigated. Such a degradation was proven by linear expansion and compressive strength experiments accomplished in the samples after the test of resistance to an alkali–silicate reaction.
Sustainable Development of Apple Snack Formulated with Blueberry Juice and Trehalose
Authors: Castagnini Juan Manuel , Tappi Silvia , Tylewicz Urszula , Romani Santina , Rocculi Pietro , Dalla Rosa Marco
Published: August 2021

Novel products that carry concrete and relevant health benefits, with texture and flavor not substantially different from already available products, are generally well accepted by consumers. Vacuum impregnation is a non-thermal technology that allows the enrichment of fruit with different ingredients in solution. The characteristic of the resulting product is a combination of both the solid matrix and the impregnation solution. This work aimed at: (i) evaluating the effect of trehalose on anthocyanin retention after drying of apple snacks vacuum impregnated with blueberry juice; (ii) modelling the air-drying kinetic, proposing an image analysis approach to monitor the drying process. Four mathematical models successfully fitted the drying experimental data, obtainingequations that could be used in the implementation of this process at industrial scale. The drying kinetics of samples impregnated with blueberry juice and trehalose were faster when compared to the control sample. Samples impregnated with blueberry juice and 100 g/kg of trehalose retained nearly four times more anthocyanin after drying when compared to the control.