bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unique Characteristics of Pulse-Echo Sensing Systems for Ultrasonic Immersion Testing in Harsh Environments
Authors: Sha Gaofeng , Bozek Andrew R. , Tittmann Bernhard R. , Lissenden Cliff J.
Published: December 2024

Ultrasound is an excellent way to acquire data that reveal useful information about systems operating in harsh environments, which may include elevated temperature, ionizing radiation, and aggressive chemicals. The effects of harsh environments on piezoelectric materials have been studied in much more depth than the other aspects of ultrasonic transducers used in pulse-echo mode. Therefore, finite element simulations and laboratory experiments are used to demonstrate the unique characteristics of pulse-echo immersion testing. Using an aluminum nitride piezoelectric element mounted on a vessel wall, characteristics associated with electrode thickness, couplant, backing material, and an acoustic matching layer are investigated. Considering a wave path through a vessel wall and into a fluid containing a target, when the travel distance in the fluid is relatively short, it can be difficult to discern the target echo from the reverberations in the vessel wall. When an acoustic matching layer between the vessel wall and the fluid does not suffice, a simple subtractive signal-processing method can minimize the reverberations, leaving just the target echoes of interest. Simulations and experiments demonstrate that sufficient target echoes are detected to determine the time of flight. Furthermore, a simple disc-like surface anomaly on the target is detectable.
Energy-Efficient Cooperative Transmission in Ultra-Dense Millimeter-Wave Network: Multi-Agent Q-Learning Approach
Authors: Kim Seung-Yeon , Ko Haneul
Published: December 2024

In beyond fifth-generation networks, millimeter wave (mmWave) is considered a promising technology that can offer high data rates. However, due to inter-cell interference at cell boundaries, it is difficult to achieve a high signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) among users in an ultra-dense mmWave network environment (UDmN). In this paper, we solve this problem with the cooperative transmission technique to provide high SINR to users. Using coordinated multi-point transmission (CoMP) with the joint transmission (JT) strategy as a cooperation diversity technique can provide users with higher data rates through multiple desired signals. Nonetheless, cooperative transmissions between multiple base stations (BSs) lead to increased energy consumption. Therefore, we propose a multi-agent Q-learning-based power control scheme in UDmN. To satisfy the quality of service (QoS) requirements of users and decrease the energy consumption of networks, we define a reward function while considering the outage and energy efficiency of each BS. The results show that our scheme can achieve optimal transmission power and significantly improved network energy efficiency compared with conventional algorithms such as no transmit power control and random control. Additionally, we validate that leveraging channel state information to determine the participation of each BS in power control contributes to enhanced overall performance.
An Improved Neural Network Model Based on DenseNet for Fabric Texture Recognition
Authors: Tan Li , Fu Qiang , Li Jing
Published: December 2024

In modern knitted garment production, accurate identification of fabric texture is crucial for enabling automation and ensuring consistent quality control. Traditional manual recognition methods not only demand considerable human effort but also suffer from inefficiencies and are prone to subjective errors. Although machine learning-based approaches have made notable advancements, they typically rely on manual feature extraction. This dependency is time-consuming and often limits recognition accuracy. To address these limitations, this paper introduces a novel model, called the Differentiated Leaning Weighted DenseNet (DLW-DenseNet), which builds upon the DenseNet architecture. Specifically, DLW-DenseNet introduces a learnable weight mechanism that utilizes channel attention to enhance the selection of relevant channels. The proposed mechanism reduces information redundancy and expands the feature search space of the model. To maintain the effectiveness of channel selection in the later stages of training, DLW-DenseNet incorportes a differentiated learning strategy. By assigning distinct learning rates to the learnable weights, the model ensures continuous and efficient channel selection throughout the training process, thus facilitating effective model pruning. Furthermore, in response to the absence of publicly available datasets for fabric texture recognition, we construct a new dataset named KF9 (knitted fabric). Compared to the fabric recognition network based on the improved ResNet, the recognition accuracy has increased by five percentage points, achieving a higher recognition rate. Experimental results demonstrate that DLW-DenseNet significantly outperforms other representative methods in terms of recognition accuracy on the KF9 dataset.
A Crop Water Stress Index for Hazelnuts Using Low-Cost Infrared Thermometers
Authors: McCauley Dalyn , Keller Sadie , Transue Kody , Wiman Nik , Nackley Lloyd
Published: December 2024

Incorporating data-driven technologies into agriculture presents a promising approach to optimizing crop production, especially in regions dependent on irrigation, where escalating heat waves and droughts driven by climate change pose increasing challenges. Recent advancements in sensor technology have introduced diverse methods for assessing irrigation needs, including meteorological sensors for calculating reference evapotranspiration, belowground sensors for measuring plant available water, and plant sensors for direct water status measurements. Among these, infrared thermometry stands out as a non-destructive remote sensing method for monitoring transpiration, with significant potential for integration into drone- or satellite-based models. This study applies infrared thermometry to develop a crop water stress index (CWSI) model for European hazelnuts (Corylus avellana), a key crop in Oregon, the leading hazelnut-producing state in the United States. Utilizing low-cost, open-source infrared thermometers and data loggers, we aim to provide hazelnut farmers with a practical tool for improving irrigation efficiency and enhancing yields. The CWSI model was validated against plant water status metrics such as stem water potential and gas exchange measurements. Our results show that when stem water potential is below −6 bar, the CWSI remains under 0.2, indicating low plant stress, with corresponding leaf conductance rates ranging between 0.1 and 0.4 mol m2 s−1. Additionally, un-irrigated hazelnuts were stressed (CWSI > 0.2) from mid-July through the end of the season, while irrigated plants remained unstressed. The findings suggest that farmers can adopt a leaf conductance threshold of 0.2 mol m2 s−1 or a water potential threshold of −6 bar for irrigation management. This research introduces a new CWSI model for hazelnuts and highlights the potential of low-cost technology to improve agricultural monitoring and decision-making.
Myoelectric-Based Estimation of Vertical Ground Reaction Force During Unconstrained Walking by a Stacked One-Dimensional Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory Model
Authors: Mengarelli Alessandro , Tigrini Andrea , Scattolini Mara , Mobarak Rami , Burattini Laura , Fioretti Sandro , Verdini Federica
Published: December 2024

The volitional control of powered assistive devices is commonly performed by mapping the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the lower limb to joints’ angular kinematics, which are then used as the input for regulation. However, during walking, the ground reaction force (GRF) plays a central role in the modulation of the gait, providing dynamic stability and propulsion during the stance phase. Including this information within the control loop of prosthetic devices can improve the quality of the final output, providing more physiological walking dynamics that enhances the usability and patient comfort. In this work, we explored the feasibility of the estimation of the ground reaction force vertical component (VGRF) by using only the EMG activities of the thigh and shank muscles. We compared two deep learning models in three experiments that involved different muscular configurations. Overall, the outcomes show that the EMG signals could be leveraged to obtain a reliable estimation of the VGRF during walking, and the shank muscles alone represent a viable solution if a reduced recording setup is needed. On the other hand, the thigh muscles failed in providing performance enhancements, either when used alone or together with the shank muscles. The results outline the feasibility of including GRF information within an EMG-driven control scheme for prosthetic and assistive devices.
Adaptations of Rice Seed Germination to Drought and Hypoxic Conditions: Molecular and Physiological Insights
Authors: Kunwar Uttam Bahadur , Wen Jiancheng , Subedi Roshan , Bist Naresh Singh , Pandit Naba Raj
Published: December 2024

Seed germination is crucial for plant survival, crop stand establishment, and achieving optimal grain yield. The main objective of this review is to explore the physiological and molecular mechanisms governing rice seed germination under aerobic (water stress) and anaerobic (hypoxic) conditions in direct-seeded rice (DSR) systems. Moreover, it discusses the recent genomic advancements and innovations to improve rice seed germination. Here, we discuss how coleoptile and mesocotyl elongation plays a vital role in anaerobic germination (AG) and the function of raised antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in maintaining Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) homeostasis for stabilizing seed germination in water-scarce conditions. This study comprehensively highlights the functions and dynamics of phytohormones—GA (gibberellic acid) and ABA (abscisic acid)—key regulatory genes, transcription factors (TFs), key proteins, and regulatory metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), in regulating seed germination under both conditions. Conventional agronomic and cultural practices, such as seed selection, seed priming, seed coating, and hardening, have proven to improve seed germination. Moreover, the utilization of molecular and novel approaches—such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR-Cas9) mediated genome editing, marker-assisted selection (MAS), genome-wide associations studies (GWAS), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), multi-omics, RNA sequencing—combined with beneficial quantitative trait loci (QTLs) has expanded knowledge of crop genomics and inheritance. These advancements aid the development of specific traits for enhancing seed germination in DSR.
Labiaplasty: A Qualitative Analysis of Online Discourse on Labia Minora
Authors: Ortega-Sánchez Isabel , Lucha-López María Orosia , Monti-Ballano Sofía
Published: December 2024

In recent years, the practice of female genital cosmetic surgery, particularly labiaplasty, has increased in Spain, as reported by aesthetic surgery associations. The aim of this article is to describe and represent the labia minora in online information and assess whether it includes elements that may contribute to body dysmorphia. To achieve this, a qualitative content analysis was conducted on the most accessible Spanish-language websites, selected based on their PageRank. The results show that 71.4% of the analyzed websites promote labial reduction, with the majority being commercial sites from medical aesthetic centers. A significant bias towards the medicalization of female genital diversity is revealed, contributing to the creation of the problem: labial hypertrophy is presented as a pathological condition without objective medical criteria, while critical information regarding risks is often omitted. There is a need to reassess the representations, assumptions, and sociocultural values that inform these medical practices and influence their narratives.
Gender Bias Versus Gender Violence in Higher Education: A Critical Analysis of the Literature in Social Sciences and Humanities (2018–2022)
Authors: Matus Claudia , Riberi Valentina , Rojas Fernanda
Published: December 2024

While gender inequality continues to be widely reported as a problem and global priority, there has been a general pattern of progress in the last 25 years. In the academic world, this has meant an increase in women’s enrollment in higher education and the female academic workforce. Despite visible progress, significant problems remain, particularly gender violence within academia, which is often underexplored or understudied. From queer feminist studies of science frameworks, we conduct a scoping literature review that aims to identify knowledge gaps. It highlights the consequences for policymakers of focusing on biases instead of most structural ones by reviewing literature in the social sciences and humanities, expanding the focus of gender issues of bias and violence beyond the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The findings from 43 articles show that gender bias is more commonly discussed (79%) than gender-based violence (21%) in publications between 2018 and 2022. We conducted a thematic analysis to identify the main topic addressed. Later, we discuss the consequences for policymaking when the focus is on “bias” versus “violence”. We state that the overemphasis on “gender bias” does not transform the binary reasoning about gender, which is the basis of gender violence.
Bridging Boundaries to Acquire Research and Professional Skills: Reflecting on the Impact and Experiences of Technology-Enabled Collaborative Cross-Institutional and Transnational Social Work Placement Projects
Authors: Rose Joanne , Halton Carmel , Morley Louise , Short Monica
Published: December 2024

Worldwide, social work educators’ teaching and learning practices are founded on social justice principles and recognised for their evidence-based, interpersonal, cross-cultural, and problem-solving approaches. Placements are integral to social work education preparing students for practice. Learning experienced on such placements, particularly those involving research, can assist students to develop a broad understanding of diversity, inequality, and anti-oppressive practice in local, national, or international contexts. Technology-enhanced, online research opportunities have revolutionised research placements. This article offers a reflective dialogue on the insights gained from two transnational, technology-enhanced social work research-based placements. The first example reviews three student-led, rural-focused inquiries completed in Australia and Ireland; the second pertains to students physically situated in Ireland and who engaged in collaborative online projects while completing their USA-based social work placements online. The authors reflect on the experiences and the skills the students developed and how the application of technology helped meet an increasing need for environmentally sustainable practices in teaching, learning, and research on placement. Publicly available student reflections on significant knowledge and practice benefits gained from their transnational experiences are considered. The study highlights how reflective practice assisted in the enactment of research in online contexts.
A Comparison of Physical Activity and Exercise Recommendations for Public Health: Inconsistent Activity Messages Are Being Conveyed to the General Public
Authors: Dalbo Vincent J. , Carron Michael A.
Published: December 2024

We examined the similarities and differences between government-supported public health activity recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Health Service (NHS), the Department of Health and Aged Care (DHAC), and one of the most renowned public health activity recommendations, the 10,000 Steps Program. The findings derived from our evaluation suggest a lack of consistency in public health activity recommendations, including the nomenclature used to describe aerobic activity, the amount of time required per week to meet the minimum recommendation for moderate and vigorous activity, and variations in the intensities required to meet aerobic activity recommendations. We also found that moderate-intensity activity (3.0 to less than 6.0 METS) is achieved across the lifespan with normal (i.e., mean), rather than vigorous, walking speeds; this suggests the MET level for moderate-intensity activity may need to be re-examined. The suggested strength activities must also be considered to ensure that the activities maintain or improve strength in the general public. Among the reviewed recommendations, none distinguished between physical activity and exercise, which may contribute to the low levels of exercise participation among the general public. Since exercise is medicine, the most recognized government-supported public health activity recommendations should place a greater emphasis on exercise over physical activity. Moreover, given the low levels of activity in the general public, more care should be given to provide a consistent, clear, and direct message regarding activity recommendations.
Minimally Invasive Distal Metatarsal Osteotomies for Metatarsalgia Treatment: A Review
Authors: Suárez-Ortiz Mario , Mora-Pardo Sofía , López-Vigil Miguel , Muñoz-Piqueras Francisco , Martínez-Nova Alfonso
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Metatarsalgia is a very common pathology in podiatric consultations, whose main aetiological factor is biomechanical alterations. Given the failure of conservative treatments, minimally invasive osteotomies of the distal metatarsal are becoming more popular, providing comparable results to open surgical techniques and with a lower rate of complications. Objectives: To determine clinical improvement and patient satisfaction after minimally invasive distal metatarsal osteotomy (DMMO) as a surgical treatment for central metatarsalgia at present. Methodology: The databases used for this systematic review were PubMed, Scielo, Cochrane Library, WOS and Scopus. We included articles that studied the efficacy of DMMO for primary metatarsalgia and excluded studies whose patients had more than one pathology or used other surgical techniques. Results: We identified 10 articles, 5 prospective studies, 4 retrospective studies and 1 cross-sectional, non-randomized, analytical study published between 2015 and 2021. The total number of subjects was 366, with a mean age of 61 years. The majority of subjects were women. They presented with symptomatology compatible with primary metatarsalgia for a minimum of 6 months and had failed conservative treatment. Conclusions: DMMO osteotomies for central metatarsals offer excellent post-surgical results for the treatment of central metatarsalgia in the assessment scales (AOFAS, MOXFQ etc.) of the articles analyzed and therefore an evident clinical improvement with benefits in terms of MTF mobility and reduction of surgical time, as well as a high degree of satisfaction in the patients who received this intervention that can be considered as excellent.
Application of Two-Step Entropy–TOPSIS Method and Complete Linkage Clustering for Water-Pumping Windmill Investment on Thailand Peninsula
Authors: Klongboonjit Sakon , Kiatcharoenpol Tossapol
Published: December 2024

This study focuses on identifying suitable areas for the installation of water-pumping windmills in Thailand, which require wind speeds of at least 4 m/s to operate efficiently. A simple combined approach is introduced, integrating the Entropy–TOPSIS method complete linkage clustering to prioritize and categorize potential locations. Out of 271 initial areas, 28 have been selected based on their ability to meet the 4 m/s wind speed threshold. The Entropy–TOPSIS method first evaluates these areas based on monthly wind speed and agricultural area. The analysis reveals that regions with higher wind speeds generally score better for wind energy potential, while areas with larger agricultural spaces tend to score higher for farming suitability. The final integrated scores show that agricultural area is more significant, with a weight of 0.7788, compared to the wind speed weight of 0.2212. The areas are then ranked, and complete linkage clustering groups them into six categories, from the most to the least suitable for windmill installation. A sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of the clustering method, as the group composition remains stable despite minor changes in weight adjustments. This approach simplifies decision-making for sustainable energy investments in Thailand agriculture sector.
4-Years into the Pandemic Impacts: A Holistic Reflection and Educational Lessons Learnt in the Tourism and Agriculture Sectors
Authors: Yu Yang , Zhang Fan , Adu-Poku Kofi Asamoah , Appiah Desmond
Published: December 2024

With the continual mutations of new variants in recent years, COVID-19 has adapted to coexist with humanity for decades to come. However, our understanding of the extent and longevity of the pandemic remains vague. Although the immediate repercussions of the pandemic on various sectors of the global economy still linger and could even last longer than was anticipated, four years into the pandemic provides an opportune time to examine key trends in research and strategies crucial to combating the effect in the long term. To that end, this study critically provides timely reflections on COVID-19’s impact on the tourism and agriculture industries highlighting their interdependence. It further examines key advancements, challenges, and prospects that have come to light during the pandemic era while reflecting on pre-, during-, and post-pandemic developments. Specifically, the review delves into the various dimensions and facets of these impacts, exploring how the pandemic affects the changing landscape in tourism and agriculture in the post-pandemic era, as well as the efficacy of the coping strategies. We proposed key novel strategies for ensuring the robustness of tourism and agriculture industries, integrating lessons from past crises into short-term, medium-term, and long-term solutions. It is worth noticing that the research outcomes align with the Sustainable Development Goals on sustainable production and consumption. The proposed strategies provide a solid foundation to fortify other industries in the face of subsequent crises of a similar kind. This review concludes by offering insightful perspectives on potential areas of investigation and recommendations during emergency crises.
Rare Earth Elements Induce Drought Tolerance in Dicranopteris pedata from Ion-Adsorbed Rare Earth Mining Area in Southern China
Authors: Feng Liujun , Chen Zhiqiang , Wang Haiyan , Chen Zhibiao , Chen Zuliang
Published: December 2024

The ion adsorption rare earth (IARE) mining areas in southern China frequently experience severe seasonal drought, posing significant challenges to plant growth. This study investigates the hypothesis that rare earth elements (REEs) present in these mining areas induce drought resistance in Dicranopteris pedata (D. pedata). An experiment was designed with three drought stress intensities (0%, 5%, and 10% PEG6000) and three levels of rare earth element (REE) addition (none, low, and high). After 72 h of drought stress, physiological indices and metabolomic profiles of D. pedata were examined. The results showed that under drought conditions, the REE additions increased the catalase and peroxidase activities of D. pedata by 99.04% and 81.25%, respectively, and the contents of proline, soluble proteins, and soluble sugars by 97.52%, 71.24%, and 61.81%, respectively. Metabolomic analysis revealed up-regulation of lipid and lipid-like molecules, as well as flavonoid metabolism, which contribute to improved drought resistance in D. pedata under stress. Furthermore, REE addition further up-regulated flavonoid and anthocyanin synthesis compared to drought stress alone, enhancing the plant’s resilience to drought. These findings suggest that D. pedata responds to drought stress by modulating enzyme activities, osmoregulatory substances, and metabolic pathways upon REE exposure. This study underscores the dual role of REEs in enhancing both the drought tolerance and enrichment capacity of D. pedata in IARE mining areas, which is crucial for sustaining plant growth amidst drought stress, and provides new ideas for the ecological restoration and sustainable development of IARE mining areas.
Effects of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Entry into Force on Aquatic Products Trade Among Parties
Authors: Xue Fei , Chen Tinggui , Xu Minghao
Published: December 2024

Asia accounted for 167.1 million tons of global fisheries and aquaculture production, 75 percent of the world’s total. Seafood, especially aquaculture products, is a dominant and growing sector and crucial in the Asia-Pacific region for ensuring global food security, supporting sustainable livelihoods, reducing poverty for small-scale fisheries, and promoting environmental sustainability. However, amidst the current backdrop of the World Trade Organization (WTO)‘s inefficiency and dysfunctional mechanism, coupled with a slowdown in global economic growth and the resurgence of trade unilateralism and protectionism, these challenges have created significant barriers to trade, limiting market access and hindering the sustainable growth of the seafood industry. The implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) offers Asia-Pacific economies a promising opportunity to expand trade and stimulate economic growth sustainably. In this study, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential effects of the RCEP on aquatic products trade among the parties. A key marginal contribution in our study is that we adjusted the existing tariff rates under other FTAs to the same period as tariff rates under RCEP and compared the concession rates between these different FTAs to clearly illustrate the potential tariff effects of RCEP. On the non-tariff side, we analyze specific provisions in the RCEP agreement that could potentially affect aquatic products trade and evaluate their possible impacts. The results showed that, as of 2022, in almost all RCEP parties, the average tariffs under the RCEP agreement are generally higher than those under other existing FTAs, which indicates that the tariff concession efforts under RCEP are limited for most parties. However, due to certain progressiveness compared to other FTAs in terms of its provisions on non-tariff measures, such as rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) regulations, etc., RCEP has the potential to benefit a broader range of countries and products, making market access more convenient and inclusive for the seafood industry.
Does the Classified Reform of Chinese State-Owned Enterprises Alleviate Environmental, Social and Governance Decoupling?
Authors: Zhao Hongyang , Wang Dongmei , Zhang Zhihong , Hao Xiangrong
Published: December 2024

Accurate disclosure and proactive engagement in ESG practices are essential for achieving high-quality economic development, particularly as China addresses significant challenges during its reform journey. The Classified Reform of State-Owned Enterprises (CRSOE) is a strategic initiative by the Chinese government aimed at fostering this development. Our study leverages the implementation of the CRSOE as an exogenous shock, employing the difference-in-differences approach to assess the policy’s governance impact on ESG decoupling from the perspective of ownership heterogeneity. The policy was found to alleviate ESG decoupling, particularly pronounced among SOEs with special functions. The governance effect is achieved by reducing the aspiration–performance gap. Specifically, the policy effectively narrows the disparity between a company’s actual performance and the expected performance based on the industry average, thereby mitigating ESG decoupling. However, the policy’s impact can be weakened by factors such as political connections among executives and media attention. Furthermore, the CRSOE effectively addresses greenwashing practices within ESG decoupling, with a particularly strong effect on SOEs that fail to disclose ESG information in alignment with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the broader implications and underlying mechanisms of the policy. Therefore, building on the assessment of how the CRSOE policy impacts ESG decoupling, we also examine the mechanisms through which this policy operates and how its effectiveness varies under different conditions of heterogeneity. By extending the application of principal-agent theory and performance feedback theory, our research suggests that policymakers should prioritize market-driven reforms for fully competitive SOEs and promote a stronger emphasis on non-financial goals. Additionally, it is essential to mitigate the undue influence of political promotions on the management of all SOEs.
Quadripartite Evolutionary Game of Incentives for Green Retrofitting of Historical Buildings
Authors: Zheng Dong , Xu Hejun , Ali Shoaib , Jia Zhifu , Ma Xiaojun
Published: December 2024

Green retrofitting is a potent strategy to improve energy efficiency and support the cultural conservation of historical buildings. China has many historical buildings with significant potential for green retrofitting. Nevertheless, the Chinese green retrofit industry remains in its early stages due to the lack of a comprehensive promotion mechanism. Drawing upon evolutionary game theory, an evolutionary game model was formulated to analyze the interplay among governmental regulators, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), the owners of historical buildings, and tourists. At an extreme disturbance intensity of 100%, a striking decline is observed in the likelihood of ESCOs maintaining the “green retrofit” strategy, with the probability dropping to a minimum of 24.68%. Under specific conditions however this interplay attains an optimal equilibrium state, denoted as (1,1,1,1). It is concluded that governmental regulators exhibit a greater degree of stability compared to other stakeholders, as they maintain their strategies despite external disturbances. Therefore, it is recommended that effective incentives and regulatory frameworks should consider the sensitivities of non-regulatory stakeholders to enhance the success of green retrofitting projects for historical buildings.
Rowing in the Same Direction Using MIX—A Tool to Initiate the Melding of Individual Disciplinary Experts into an Integrated Interdisciplinary Team
Authors: Mather Martha E. , Bergtold Jason S. , Caldas Marcellus M. , Bernick Ethan M. , Moore Trisha L. , Granco Gabriel , Sheshukov Aleksey Y. , Ciampitti Ignacio A.
Published: December 2024

A common problem for interdisciplinary sustainability research is that scientists trained in different disciplines are often not rowing their boat effectively in the same direction. Sustainability tools can aid the implementation of this team-melding process. Here, our purpose is to illustrate our Multi-step Integrated graphical and structured discussion eXercise (MIX) tool that transforms diverse disciplinary experts into an interdisciplinary team. We use a visual puzzle-solving approach based on the blind men and the elephant metaphor (BMEM) because this story illustrates the shortcomings of siloed viewpoints and the need to integrate multiple perspectives. Our six-step MIX tool provides step-specific objectives, group activities, discussion questions, and learning outcomes. Activities promote experiential learning for team problem solving. The step-specific structured discussions are designed to get each individual to change their focus from their own discipline (i.e., an elephant trunk, tail, leg, or other isolated pieces of the whole animal) to the team’s interdisciplinary goal (i.e., the whole elephant or the entire multi-faceted problem). In our example proof of concept, we show that a narrow focus on only economic yield (trunk), ecological conservation (legs), or human values (tail) misrepresents the biologically involved sustainability problem (elephant) and blocks innovative solutions.
A Meta-Indicator for the Assessment of Misleading Sustainability Claims
Authors: Parastatidou Georgia , Chatzis Vassilios
Published: December 2024

In order to address environmental and climate change in a sustainable manner, it is necessary for corporations to make commitments in accordance with sustainable principles, which can be communicated through the use of indicators. Many indicator-based sustainability assessments neglect the supply chain stages by reporting results with incomplete and misleading information. Indicators are sometimes manipulated to the benefit of companies, a strategy known as “greenwashing”. One method of misleading is to transfer the non-sustainable activities of one company to other related companies. With such practices, the question of how to measure sustainability remains unclear. This paper proposes and defines the sustainability meta-indicator (SmI) which can serve as a tool for the assessment of misleading sustainability claims. Its value depends on the sustainability indicators of the other collaborating companies where the company in question pays money, and the corresponding amount of paid money. The results of using SmI on synthetic data demonstrate that the proposed meta-indicator facilitates the evaluation of misleading sustainability claims. The aim of the SmI is to satisfy consumers’ need for information about the sustainability of a company’s products or services. In addition, it can be used as a communication mechanism to enhance the value of companies and support new partnerships and business strategies. For policymakers, this meta-indicator serves as a tool to support measures against misinformation and misleading consumers.
Willingness to Pay in Tourism and Its Influence on Sustainability
Authors: Ezeh Precious Chikezie , Dube Kaitano
Published: December 2024

Financial support for environmental causes is more urgent than ever before. Thus, understanding consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for tourism is vital for policymakers, businesses, and researchers. This bibliometric study examined the trend of research on willingness to pay and tourism using 428 articles published in the Scopus indexed database between 1994 and 2023. The articles were extracted using the keywords “Willingness to pay tourism”. A Microsoft Excel sheet was used in the descriptive analysis, and a VOSviewer version 1.6.20 was used for the citation and co-occurrence analysis. The study found that willingness to pay is a complex aspect of environmental economics and tourism behaviour that is shaped by various aspects. Amongst other things, willingness to pay is shaped by aspects such as tourist biogeography, amongst others is the level of environmental awareness, environmental sensitivity, and education. In many respects, it is shaped by demographic factors such as age, gender, income bracket, and area of origin. Even though the major thrust of willingness to pay was anchored on sustainability and environmental protection, recent events in the mold of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and technological innovation have played major roles in shaping tourists’ behaviour. Given the emerging thrust and focus, there is a need to respond to geographic knowledge gaps in tourism hotspots to understand how this will shape tourism sustainability from a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) perspective going forward. In doing so, it will be critical to ensure continued fostering and understanding of how tourists’ willingness to pay for tourism destinations can lead to better design, marketing, and managed services to create memorable experiences that drive consumer loyalty.
Enhancing Heat Transfer Efficiency Through Controlled Magnetic Flux in a Partially Heated Circular Cavity Using Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanofluid and an Internal Square Body
Authors: Alatawi Eid S.
Published: December 2024

Applications including aircraft systems and electronics cooling depend on effective heat transfer. This study investigates magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) free convection and thermal radiation for heat transfer in a circular cavity filled with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanofluid and containing a square obstruction. This study examines the impact of the internal geometry on heat transfer and fluid flow dynamics under three distinct boundary conditions, and it presents a comprehensive analysis based on a wide range of Hartmann (Ha) and Rayleigh (Ra) numbers. MWCNT nanofluid with high thermal conductivity was employed to enhance heat transfer efficiency, using a solid volume fraction (SVF) of 4% for MWCNTs and assuming Newtonian behavior for computational simplification. Magnetic properties were imparted to the nanofluid by assuming the dispersion of carbon nanotubes in a base fluid containing magnetic nanoparticles. Other walls were insulated, the bottom wall was heated, and a magnetic field (MF) with Ha ranging from 0 to 100 was applied. It was observed that raising Ra from 103 to 106 improved the Nusselt number (Nu) from 0.08 to 7.1 using the Galerkin finite element method. Ha increased from 0 to 100 and reduced Nu by 35%. Three boundary conditions for the square body showed that the heated conditions provided the largest Nu. By means of an increase in SVF from 0 to 0.04, the MWCNT nanofluid improved heat conductivity by 18%. Radiation effects with the radiation parameter Rd = 0.5 increased heat transmission by 22%. These results underline the importance of considering MHD and nanofluid characteristics in maximizing heat transfer for commercial purposes, and the approaches employed in this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the behavior of thermal systems under the influence of MHD and internal geometry.
Evaluation of Tree-Based Voting Algorithms in Water Quality Classification Prediction
Authors: Li Lili , Wei Jianhui
Published: December 2024

Accurately predicting the state of surface water quality is crucial for ensuring the sustainable use of water resources and environmental protection. This often requires a focus on the range of factors affecting water quality, such as physical and chemical parameters. Tree models, with their flexible tree-like structure and strong capability for partitioning and selecting influential water quality features, offer clear decision-making rules, making them suitable for this task. However, an individual decision tree model has limitations and cannot fully capture the complex relationships between all influencing parameters and water quality. Therefore, this study proposes a method combining ensemble tree models with voting algorithms to predict water quality classification. This study was conducted using five surface water monitoring sites in Qingdao, representing a portion of many municipal water environment monitoring stations in China, employing a single-factor determination method with stringent surface water standards. The soft voting algorithm achieved the highest accuracy of 99.91%, and the model addressed the imbalance in original water quality categories, reaching a Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) of 99.88%. In contrast, conventional machine learning algorithms, such as logistic regression and K-nearest neighbors, achieved lower accuracies of 75.90% and 91.33%, respectively. Additionally, the model’s supervision of misclassified data demonstrated its good learning of water quality determination rules. The trained model was also transferred directly to predict water quality at 13 monitoring stations in Beijing, where it performed robustly, achieving an ensemble hard voting accuracy of 97.73% and an MCC of 96.81%. In many countries’ water environment systems, different water qualities correspond to different uses, and the magnitude of influencing parameters is directly related to water quality categories; critical parameters can even directly determine the quality category. Tree models are highly capable of handling nonlinear relationships and selecting important water quality features, allowing them to identify and exploit interactions between water quality parameters, which is especially important when multiple parameters together determine the water quality category. Therefore, there is significant motivation to develop tree model-based water quality prediction models.
Entrepreneurial Orientation and Performance Outcomes in Palestinian SMEs: The Role of Absorptive Capacity and Industry Type
Authors: Jallad Mohammed Nawaf , Karadas Georgiana
Published: December 2024

Entrepreneurship lies at the heart of Small and Medium Enterprises, serving as the driving force behind their inception and development. By examining the mediating role of absorptive capacity and the moderating effect of industry type, this paper looks at how an entrepreneurial orientation affects business sustainability performance, knowledge management capacity, and innovation performance. This study will examine this critical role played by entrepreneurial orientation in SMEs’ success in a competitive business environment. A quantitative research method was used with questionnaires sent to 303 manufacturing SME owners or managers in the North West bank of Palestine. The demographic background of the participants was varied, and contributed to this diverse description of the manufacturing sector. The hypothesized relationships were tested using PLS structural equation modeling. The research findings indicate that entrepreneurial orientation influences absorptive capacity, business sustainability performance, and knowledge management capacity and innovation performance directly and significantly. These findings were consistent with the study’s hypothesis that absorptive capacity mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and both business sustainability performance and knowledge management capability, as well as innovation performance. Furthermore, the nature of the industry influences the relationship between absorptive capacity and business sustainability performance. This research is original and of great value because it relies on the managers’ knowledge about the application of entrepreneurial orientation in order to improve the results of SMEs. Since the appropriate moderating variables differ across industry types, it may be best for each industry to develop industry-specific benchmarks and standards for industry-level business sustainability performance that the SMEs can use to see what pertains to them and what are the opportunities, and then compare the success of this industry to what they are in.
Influencing Factors and Formation Mechanism of Brand Preference in Community E-Commerce
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Guo Chunrong
Published: December 2024

The deep integration of social media and e-commerce has fueled the rapid growth in community e-commerce, which has become a major trend in global e-commerce development. Researching the formation of brand preference in community e-commerce can promote the sustainable development of these brands. The distinctive social networking features and group interaction methods of community e-commerce offer new perspectives on the formation of brand preferences. In this paper, a model of factors influencing brand preference in community e-commerce is developed, where community platforms, product value, e-commerce services, content quality, and community interaction serve as antecedent variables; community experience and brand image act as mediating variables; and brand preference is the dependent variable. The model is empirically tested using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that community interaction, e-commerce services, product value, content quality, and community platforms significantly affect the community experience in e-commerce. Moreover, community interaction, product value, and content quality have significant impacts on brand image in community e-commerce. Both community experience and brand image positively influence brand preference.
Strategic Implementation of Social Support for Expatriate Management in Thailand’s Hospitality Sector
Authors: Kiti Kanokon , Wang Guofeng , Arku Jason Kobina , Ankrah Shadrach Twumasi , Aliyu Danmaraya Mubarak
Published: December 2024

This study explores the strategic implementation of social support enablers to address expatriate turnover and the shortage of skilled labour in Thailand’s hospitality industry, particularly in the post-COVID-19 context. By integrating Social Support Theory, Cultural Intelligence Theory, and Social Capital Theory, this research identifies and prioritises key enablers essential for expatriate success. We employed a novel three-phase methodology, which included a literature review, a hybrid Best–Worst Method (BWM), Grey Relational Analysis (GRA), and semi-structured interviews with experts. The findings reveal a hierarchical framework of social support enablers, with health and psychological adjustment support, work–life balance initiatives, career development opportunities, and national support for the host country emerging as top priorities. Implementing these enablers effectively addresses expatriates’ adaptation challenges and significantly enhances their performance, well-being, and retention. This study contributes to the literature by providing the first empirically derived, prioritised approach to social support enablers implementation and practical guidance for developing holistic support systems in multicultural hospitality environments. Focusing on Thailand, the methodology and framework offer a robust foundation for future cross-cultural comparisons in expatriate management research.
Feasibility of Using Hypothetical Fractal Structures to Determine Water Outflow Zones After a Pipe Failure
Authors: Iwanek Małgorzata , Suchorab Paweł
Published: December 2024

Failures of water supply pipes are undesirable events with a random nature, yet they are an inevitable part of the operation of water infrastructure. Therefore, ongoing research is being conducted to develop methods for minimising their effects or securing underground infrastructure. One of the methods of limiting the effects of the suffosion phenomenon is determination of the water outflow zone, within which water will possibly flow to the soil surface after a pipe leak. The aim of this paper was to assess hypothetical structures created by outflowing water in terms of their potential use in determining the water outflow zone on the soil surface after a water pipe failure. Based on the laboratory test results, the Monte Carlo method was applied to generate the hypothetical population of points representing the places of water outflow. Three parameters characterising hypothetical structures were analysed: fractal dimension, length of a section, and the product of above parameters. The conducted research showed that it is possible to build a reliable hypothetical structure that allows for estimating the water outflow zone radius, knowledge of which would facilitate sustainable management of the water supply network by water utilities by enabling the estimation of the water outflow zone radius in practice.