bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental Sustainability Approaches and Positive Energy Districts: A Literature Review
Authors: Marotta Ilaria , Guarino Francesco , Longo Sonia , Cellura Maurizio
Published: December 2021

During the last decade, increasing attention has been paid to the emerging concept of Positive Energy Districts (PED) with the aim of pushing the transition to clean energy, but further research efforts are needed to identify design approaches optimized from the point of view of sustainable development. In this context, this literature review is placed, with a specific focus on environmental sustainability within innovative and eco-sustainable districts. The findings show that some sustainability aspects such as sustainable food, urban heat islands mitigation and co-impacts, e.g., green gentrification, are not adequately assessed, while fragmented thinking limits the potential of circularity. In this regard, targeted strategies should be developed. On the other hand, the Key Performance Indicators framework needs some integrations. In this direction, indicators were suggested, among those defined in the Sustainable Development Agenda, the main European standards and initiatives and the relevant literature experiences. Future outlooks should be directed towards: the harmonization of the Life Cycle Assessment in PEDs with reference to modeling assumptions and analysis of multiple impacts; the development of dynamic environmental analyses taking into account the long-term uncertainty due to climate change, data availability and energy decarbonization; the combination of Life Cycle Assessment and Key Performance Indicators based techniques, from a holistic thinking perspective, for a comprehensive design environment and the analysis of the contribution of energy flexibility approaches on the environmental impact of a project.
Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Educational Game for Learning Topology Relations at Schools: A Case Study
Authors: Safari Bazargani Jalal , Sadeghi-Niaraki Abolghasem , Choi Soo-Mi
Published: December 2021

Education has always been modified by employing different technologies to enhance the knowledge acquisition and performance of students. Virtual Reality (VR) along with the Game Industry is among those evolving technologies for educational applications. This study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate an immersive VR-based Educational Game (IVREG) for learning topology relations. Topology relations are one of the fundamental topics which exist in Geospatial Information Science (GIS); due to the great capabilities offered by GIS, learning these basic topis is of great importance. A total of thirty-seven male middle-school students participated in this study. A total of four questionnaires were designed to evaluate the suitability of the proposed learning environment and its components at schools, particularly for learning geospatial topics. In conclusion, students found the IVREG useful and effective in classrooms. Additionally, the results showed that the components, namely the integrated pedagogical approach, gamification, and VR technology, were all suitable for being used at schools. On a final note, however, the study indicated that the immersion aspect of such learning environments should be enhanced in future studies.
Minimizing Macro-Level Uncertainties for Quality Assurance in Reverse Logistics Supply Chains of Demolition Waste
Authors: Wijewickrama Madduma Kaluge Chamitha Sanjani , Chileshe Nicholas , Rameezdeen Raufdeen , Ochoa Jose Jorge
Published: December 2021

In light of the increasing detrimental effects on sustainability, the reverse logistics supply chain (RLSC) has emerged as one of the remedies in the construction industry, whereby the bulk of demolition waste (DW) is returned into the production cycle. Quality assurance (QA) plays an important role in RLSCs, which needs an information-rich environment enriched with external stakeholders’ influence strategies. However, due to ineffective external stakeholders’ influence, useful information is not available, making macro-level uncertainties for QA. Given this, the current study aimed to identify the macro-level uncertainties for QA in the RLSC of DW. The study used a qualitative approach involving 21 semi-structured interviews representing five external stakeholder categories. The study found the regulatory uncertainties are the root causes that propagate through incentivizing and contractual uncertainties to influence QA in the RLSC. The external stakeholders could employ measures such as ‘reforming regulatory instruments’, ‘employing effective incentivizing schemes’ and ‘active involvement of forward supply chain actors’ to minimize uncertainties at their source. The external and internal stakeholders can use these findings as a roadmap to determine suitable measures to overcome macro-level uncertainties in the RLSC. Furthermore, the study paved an avenue to integrate stakeholder theory and organizational information processing theory (OIPT) in future research.
Towards a Rural Revitalization Strategy for the Courtyard Layout of Vernacular Dwellings Based on Regional Adaptability and Outdoor Thermal Performance in the Gully Regions of the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Zhang Tao , Hu Qinian , Ding Qi , Zhou Dian , Gao Weijun , Fukuda Hiroatsu
Published: December 2021

In the context of the Chinese rural revitalization strategy, the unique residential characteristics of local vernacular dwellings formed by profound historical and cultural accumulation, climate characteristics, and residential lifestyle have undergone profound change in the gully regions of the Loess Plateau. Accordingly, the contradictions of traditional vernacular dwelling protection, increasing living requirements, and ecological protection have intensified. In this paper, with the aim of optimizing courtyard layout for vernacular dwellings, the thermal performance and regional adaptability of different courtyard layouts were analyzed using Ladybug and Honeybee tools. According to the thermal simulation within the courtyard, the current optimal layout type was determined, and then, several ecological optimization designs were proposed for the further improvement of it. The results revealed that the improved vernacular dwelling model has better regional adaptability, which corresponds to the local living culture and living habits, saves land resources, and provides a better thermal comfort performance. This research not only has a positive function for the protection of local architectural culture, but also plays an essential role in improving residents’ living comfort and living standards. We hope that the research results are meaningful and can be used as a reference for future rural construction in the Loess Plateau.
An Air Route Network Planning Model of Logistics UAV Terminal Distribution in Urban Low Altitude Airspace
Authors: Li Shan , Zhang Honghai , Li Zhuolun , Liu Hao
Published: December 2021

Traditional terminal logistics distribution in urban areas is mainly concentrated on the ground, which leads to increasingly serious air pollution and traffic congestion. With the popularization of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) techniques and the reform of low altitude airspace, terminal logistics distribution is expected to be carried out by drones. Therefore, it is of great significance to construct a reasonable air route network for logistics UAV to ensure the safety and efficiency of operations. In this paper, a single route planning model and an air route network planning model for UAV were constructed by fully considering the complex urban low altitude environment, the flight performance of UAV and the characteristics of logistics tasks to regulate the flights of drones. Then, taking Jiangjun Road Campus of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics as an example, the improved cellular automata (CA) was adopted to search for the optimal route between different waypoints, and the optimal spanning tree algorithm was used to construct the route network. The experimental results demonstrated that the improved CA could greatly reduce search time and obtain the optimal route while enhancing safety. With the satisfaction of the voyage, the needs of logistics and distribution constraints, a network that had smaller intersection points and redundancy was generated. The models and core ideas proposed in this paper can not only regulate operation of drones but also provide a solid foundation for the distribution of logistics UAV in the future.
Different Charging Strategies for Electric Vehicle Fleets in Urban Freight Transport
Authors: Kin Bram , Hopman Meike , Quak Hans
Published: December 2021

The transition from diesel-driven urban freight transport towards more electric urban freight transport turns out to be challenging in practice. A major concern for transport operators is how to find a reliable charging strategy for a larger electric vehicle fleet that provides flexibility based on different daily mission profiles within that fleet, while also minimizing costs. This contribution assesses the trade-off between a large battery pack and opportunity charging with regard to costs and operational constraints. Based on a case study with 39 electric freight vehicles that have been used by a parcel delivery company and a courier company in daily operations for over a year, various scenarios have been analyzed by means of a TCO analysis. Although a large battery allows for more flexibility in planning, opportunity charging can provide a feasible alternative, especially in the case of varying mission profiles. Additional personnel costs during opportunity charging can be avoided as much as possible by a well-integrated charging strategy, which can be realized by a reservation system that minimizes the risk of occupied charging stations and a dense network of charging stations.
IFMIF-DONES as Paradigm of Institutional Funding in the Way towards Sustainable Energy
Authors: Esteban Rafael , Troya Zaida , Herrera-Viedma Enrique , Peña-García Antonio
Published: December 2021

Although actions promoting sustainable energy production and consumption have been widely approached in the literature, the management of the big scientific projects devoted to these actions have not been considered as a matter of study from the perspective of sustainable development, but almost exclusively from the scientific or technical ones. Experiences all over the world are increasingly demonstrating that the impact of the project phase is more critical than expected. In this sense, the joint international research on clean and more efficient nuclear power, especially fusion, is currently focused on two large projects: ITER and IFMIF-DONES. Although ITER is step by step advancing, IFMIF-DONES still has a long way before it is actually implemented and its main target (the evaluation of the materials to build the future nuclear fusion reactors) is achieved. In this work, the different steps focused on IFMIF-DONES funding and management planning up to date are analysed and, departing from them, some key points on the future development of the project are proposed.
Role of Wireless Aided Technologies in the Solid Waste Management: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Akram Shaik Vaseem , Singh Rajesh , Gehlot Anita , Rashid Mamoon , AlGhamdi Ahmed Saeed , Alshamrani Sultan S. , Prashar Deepak
Published: December 2021

Currently, a smart city is an emerging field in urban cities to improve the quality of life through information and communication technology (ICT). In general, the traditional solid waste management (SWM) approach taken by municipal authorities for waste collection in urban areas must be enhanced to achieve the green and smart city goals. This article is primarily focused on the progress of ICT technologies in solid waste management. With that aim, a thorough analysis is carried out in the article, and from the analysis, we have identified distinct ICT technologies that have been implemented in SWM. The function, application, and limitations of each technology are presented in the article. From the review, it is concluded that the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) plays a significant role in minimizing the negative impact of waste on the environment. It is also identified that selection of the appropriate wireless communication protocol is critical during the implementation of IoT-based system because the sensor node at the bins is battery-powered. In addition, it is analysed that blockchain technology plays an essential role in realizing the waste–money model, as this model includes transactions between users and recyclers. Finally, in this article, we propose that the waste-to-money model, local network and gateway architecture, vision node, and customized prototype improve solid waste management system in terms of communication, energy consumption, and real-time monitoring.
How Does Family Involvement Affect Environmental Innovation? A Socioemotional Wealth Perspective
Authors: Han Joohee , Lee Juil , Kim Sang-Joon
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine how family involvement affects the environmental innovation of firms. While prior studies have shown that family involvement can enhance environmental performance, these environmental performances have been portrayed as firm activities to prevent environmental issues, such as air pollution, CO2 emissions, etc. We maintain that environmental performance should be more proactive and enable firms to transform their activities more fundamentally towards environmental protection. In this sense, we consider environmental innovation, i.e., technological development to address environmental issues, as a proactive measure enacting firm activities to address environmental issues. Furthermore, we determine whether and how family involvement can motivate firms to develop technologies for environmental performance. To illuminate this relation, we utilized a socioemotional wealth perspective, which provides useful insights into how family-controlled firms behave differently in comparison to non-family firms. Building on this socioemotional wealth approach, we suggest that family involvement helps firms engage in environmental innovation. In this study, we also explore how the positive link between family involvement and environmental innovation is dependent on family interlocks—the circumstance wherein a firm’s family directors are affiliated with the boards of directors of other firms. Specifically, we suggest that an increase in a firm’s family interlocks would strengthen the positive relationship between family involvement and environmental innovation. To test our ideas, we used a sample of 623 US public firms ranging from 1996 to 2010, which yielded 5047 firm-year observations. We find that family involvement facilitates the environmental innovation of firms. We also find that family interlocks intensify the positive effect of family involvement on environmental innovation. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and empirical implications of our results.
The Relevance of Videos as a Practical Tool for Communication and Dissemination in Horizon2020 Thematic Networks
Authors: Feo Elena , Mareen Hannes , Burssens Sylvia , Spanoghe Pieter
Published: December 2021

Thematic networks (TNs) are Horizon2020 projects promoted by the European Innovation Partnership Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) that collect existing knowledge and best practices on a given theme in agriculture and forestry. Their purpose is to make these available in easily understandable formats for users such as farmers/foresters and advisors. Videos are a powerful tool for communication and dissemination about project outcomes; thus, they are frequently used as part of project activities. Despite the large number of videos that have been produced by TNs, only a few have reached a high number of views. Hence, most have not reached a wide public, decreasing the impact of TNs’ outputs. This paper analyzes several characteristics of TN videos in order to suggest best practices. That is, we investigated whether each characteristic influences the number of views or average percentage watched. Using the analysis, we suggest several best practices. For example, future TNs should show practical content prioritizing farmers as a speaker and translate videos in more than one language. Better involvement of project partners increases the contact with farmers; thus, outcomes are more easily spread, and the chance of being applied increases. To increase the visibility of videos, a user-friendly digital knowledge platform linked to demonstration activities and peer-to-peer exchange will improve the sharing of knowledge. This will further enhance a TN’s impact and sustainability in agricultural and forestry innovation in the longer term.
A Novel Optimization Method for Conventional Primary and Secondary School Classrooms in Southern China Considering Energy Demand, Thermal Comfort and Daylighting
Authors: Xu Yizhe , Yan Chengchu , Qian Hao , Sun Liang , Wang Gang , Jiang Yanlong
Published: December 2021

The classroom environment is of great significance for the health of primary and secondary school students, but a comfortable indoor environment often requires higher energy consumption. This paper presents a multi-objective optimization method based on an artificial neural network (ANN) model, which can help designers efficiently optimize the design of primary and secondary school classrooms in southern China. In this optimization method, first, the optimization objectives and variables are determined according to building characteristics, and the physical model is established through simulation software (EnergyPlus) to generate the sample space. Second, sensitivity analysis is carried out for each optimization variable, and the physical model is modified according to the results to regenerate the sample space. Third, the ANN model is trained by using the regenerated sample space, and the Pareto optimal solution is generated through the use of the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II). Finally, the effectiveness of the multi-objective optimization method is proven through a typical case of primary and secondary school classrooms in Nanjing, China. The results show that, compared with the benchmark scheme, TES decreased by 810.8 kWh at most, PT increased by 47.8% at most and DI increased by 4.2% at most.
A Life-Cycle Approach to Integrate Environmental and Mechanical Properties of Blended Cements Containing Seashell Powder
Authors: Soltanzadeh Fatemeh , Behbahani Ali E. , Pereira Eduardo N. B. , Teixeira Carlos A.
Published: December 2021

The adverse consequences of producing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) on the environment have introduced cement production as the fourth largest source of anthropogenic carbon emissions after petroleum, coal, and natural gas. Managing and reducing the environmental concerns regarding the impacts of cement production on the environment, namely the depletion of non-renewable fuel resources, consumption of natural raw materials, and releasing huge amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere should be, therefore, one of the key priorities of the cement industry. Application of locally available minerals and wastes that can be blended with OPC as a substitute could considerably reduce the environmental impact. The present study evaluates the potentiality of waste seashell to be used as an additive in the production of blended cement through a modified life cycle approach integrating environmental and mechanical performances. In this regard, 34 cements consisting of different blends of OPC, seashell powder (within the range of 4–30% by OPC mass), and natural pozzolan (up to 30% by OPC mass) were tested to identify the optimal dosage of OPC substitution. Environmental impacts of the cements were assessed through life-cycle analysis. The possibility of mitigating the carbon dioxide emissions in the production of cements, with similar mechanical performance compared to that of OPC, was evaluated by considering both the mechanical and environmental results. The outcome of this study introduced more environment-friendly and sustainable options for future cements.
Business Environment, CRM, and Sustainable Performance of Construction Industry in New Zealand: A Linear Regression Model
Authors: Alqudah Hamzah E. , Poshdar Mani , Oyewobi Luqman , Rotimi James Olabode Bamidele , Tookey John
Published: December 2021

Increasing fragmentation of the construction industry makes it riskier and more competitive. Construction management researchers have become intrigued by the factors influencing performance differentials due to such fierce competition. This study examines the relationships between the business environment and customer relationship management and their effect on construction organisations sustainable performance. It develops a model to explain performance differential between construction organisations in New Zealand by using the linear regression technique. A questionnaire was administered to professionals within construction organisations. A total of 101 usable responses were analyzed for descriptive statistics and correlations. Following the balanced scorecard performance metric, the organisations’ sustainable performance was measured using customers, financials, internal processes, and growth and learning metrics. Results indicated that environmental dynamism had a significant regression with internal business processes and perspectives on learning and growth, with 0.259 and 0.607, respectively. CRM was significantly associated with financial (0.327), customer (0.373), and internal business process (0.451) perspectives. This study provides an integrative framework to construction enterprises, and determinants of organisational sustainable performance, which are substantial developments in the current literature on CRM practices. Given the significance of the construction sector to the global economy, ecology, and social well-being, its sustainable performance can lead to a sustainable future for communities
Corporate Social Responsibility and Bond Price at Issuances: U.S. Evidence
Authors: Zhao Hong , Du Wei , Shen Hao , Zhen Xinting
Published: December 2021

Bondholders are arm’s-length lenders with limited insider information. In this paper, we explore whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities could work as an information channel for bondholders to better understand the riskiness of bond-issuing firms. We find a significant negative relation between CSR scores and corporate bond yield spread, especially for firms which invest heavily in diversity and community relations, suggesting that CSR firms are less risky. The result is robust to different model specifications and endogeneity issues. In addition, the negative relation between the CSR score and bond yield spread is significant only if a firm has a strong internal governance mechanism.
Cost Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Wastewater Reuse from Secondary and Tertiary Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: AbdelMoula Sara , Sorour Mohamed T. , Aly Samia A. Abdelrahman
Published: December 2021

Irrigation with reclaimed water is a widespread solution to coping with water scarcity, especially in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This paper presents a systematic evaluation approach of six treatment alternatives proposed for Alexandria WWTP in Egypt as an applied example. This approach evaluates the effluent quality and cubic meter price from the proposed treatment alternatives while managing the health risks associated with reclaimed water irrigation. Rotavirus, Salmonella, Giardia duodenalis, and Ascaris were studied as waterborne pathogens. A quantitative microbial risk assessment model was used for the estimation of annual infection risks. The exposure scenarios include farmers and vegetable consumers. Activated sludge provided the lowest costs; however, it gave the lowest efficiencies and highest health risks. On the other hand, the highest efficiency and lowest health risks were obtained by the membrane bioreactor. The resulting price of a cubic meter of treated wastewater, used in irrigation, ranged from 0.082 to 0.133 USD. Irrigation using tertiary-treated wastewater achieved the target infection risk for unrestricted irrigation without using advanced treatment facilities. The results of this study could give a comprehensive view of reusing wastewater to decision-makers to address both water and food poverty not only in Egypt but also in other countries in MENA with similar economic and agro-ecological conditions.
Operational Performance Evaluation of Korean Ship Parts Manufacturing Industry Using Dynamic Network SBM Model
Authors: Park Sungmin , Kim Pansoo
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze the efficiency and productivity of the Korean ship parts manufacturing industry. To this end, the manufacturing process was divided into two stages (operating activities, financial activities), and the Dynamic Network SBM model and Malmquist Productivity Index were used. We collected analysis data from KIS-VALUE, and analyzed 40 companies from 2014 to 2020. As a result of the analysis, from 2014 to 2017, the average operating efficiency was 0.7825, the average financial efficiency was 0.5208, and the average total efficiency was 0.4537. It was found that improving efficiency requires improving both activities simultaneously, rather than focusing on a specific activity. Operating activities DMI was 1.0025, financial activities DMI was 0.9236, and OMI was 0.9464. In order to improve OMI, it is necessary to improve the financial activities DMI, which is the cause of the decrease in productivity. In order to improve financial activities DMI, government policy or technology change to improve DFS was found to be necessary. Finally, the effect of environmental factors on efficiency was analyzed by tobit regression. It was found that Firm Size had a negative (−) effect on efficiency, and Firm Age had a positive (+) effect on efficiency. The analysis results of this study will help to understand the relationship between input and output, which has been treated as a black box in the manufacturing industry, in two stages; and this will serve as a guideline for those working in Korea’s ship parts manufacturing industry to establish policies.
Variability in Human Mobility during the Third Wave of COVID-19 in Japan
Authors: Ando Takafumi , Sato Toshihisa , Hashimoto Naohisa , Tran Yen , Konishi Naoki , Takeda Yuji , Akamatsu Motoyuki
Published: December 2021

Understanding factors regarding individual variability in human mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic would help inform future political and medical decisions. Particularly, understanding environmental factors would provide effective evidence for future urban development and the construction of a mobility service. Given the limited related evidence thus far, we investigated inter-individual variability in human mobility regarding life space during COVID-19 in Japan. We conducted an online survey to assess human mobility, demographics, and personality, and city structure surveys for objective environmental factors. Human mobility was assessed using the Life Space Assessment (LSA) questionnaire. Result revealed that the total LSA score was significantly higher in people who were men, middle-aged, working, living with their children, public transportation users, bicycle users, and car drivers, and those having a higher score for extraversion and ego resiliency and a lower score for conscientiousness. People living in the city with high traffic on the roads between plains and mountains had a higher LSA score, and had a lower score where there were many plains with a consistent road density, revealing diverse individual and environmental factors associated with human mobility during the pandemic. Thus, political decisions for urban development should consider these characteristics, the pandemic, and individual convenience.
Construct Dimensionality of Personal Energy at Work and Its Relationship with Health, Absenteeism and Productivity
Authors: Klijn Alexandra F. J. , Tims Maria , Lysova Evgenia I. , Khapova Svetlana N.
Published: December 2021

Personal energy at work has become a popular topic among HRM scholars and practitioners because it has proven to impact performance. Based on the outcomes of previous research and the call for further exploration of the construct of personal energy at work, we executed this quantitative study. We explored the factor structure of the construct and its relationships with health and productivity by examining the construct that addresses four dimensions: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual energy. Data were collected from 256 employees in an international health tech company and used to analyze construct dimensionality and relationships with health, absenteeism and productivity. The results provided support for the four-dimensional structure of personal energy at work and show that the construct of personal energy at work is related to the outcomes of health, absenteeism and productivity. Implications for theory and practice, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.
Understanding the Informal Morphology of Villages-in-the-City: A Case Study in Hanoi City, Vietnam
Authors: Thinh Ngo Kien , Gao Yun
Published: December 2021

This paper explores the production of space in the villages-in-the-city (ViCs) through a morphological perspective. During the urbanization process, rural villages originally located in the peri-area of a metropolis are eventually merged into the urban landscape. Due to lack of proper planning, these villages have faced serious criticism due to informality, self-organized development and sub-standard living conditions, and planning policies tend to focus on demolition rather than on incrementally upgrading ViCs on the same site. In this paper, we focus on the fluidity of spaces in ViCs by drawing on a case study in Hanoi, Vietnam. The key research methods are mapping, observation and visual recording. The findings illustrate how informal urbanism works in ViCs regarding spatial structure, public/private interfaces and incremental upgrading. On a theoretical level, this research helps to enrich the description of the morphological characteristics of ViCs with relation to the effects of rapid urbanization. On a practical level, this study contributes to the ways in which researchers and planners can engage with incremental changes in the integrated village.
Flow Simulation and Storage Assessment in an Ungauged Irrigation Tank Cascade System Using the SWAT Model
Authors: Ramabrahmam Koppuravuri , Keesara Venkata Reddy , Srinivasan Raghavan , Pratap Deva , Sridhar Venkataramana
Published: December 2021

In the semi-arid regions of South Asia, tank systems are the major source of irrigation. In India, the Telangana state government has initiated the Mission Kakatiya program to rejuvenate irrigation tank systems. Understanding the hydrological processes that supply water to these systems is critical to the success of these types of programs in India. The current study attempted to comprehend the hydrological processes and flow routing in the Salivagu watershed tank cascade system in Telangana. There are a lot of ungauged tank cascade systems in this region. Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), a physically-based model, was used to simulate flow patterns in the Salivagu watershed with and without tank systems. The geospatially extracted area and volume were used for this study provided by WBIS-Bhuvan-NRSC. Additionally, the Katakshapur Tank Cascade System (KTCS) was chosen to analyze the water availability in each tank using the water balance approach. The Salivagu watershed flow simulation without tanks overestimated streamflow. The volume difference in flow between with and without tank was 606 Mm3, 615.9 Mm3, and 1011 Mm3 in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. The SWAT simulated volumes of the Ramchandrapur and Dharmaraopalle tanks in KTCS were merely satisfied because the tank size was less than 0.7 km2 and the storage capacity was up to 1 Mm3. Due to tank sizes more than 0.8 km2 and capacities greater than 2 Mm3, the Mallampalli and Katakshapur tank simulation findings were in good agreement with WBIS-Bhuvan-NRSC. This research advances our understanding of the hydrological processes in ungauged cascading tank systems in tropical semi-arid regions.
Gender-Responsive Participatory Variety Selection in Kenya: Implications for Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Breeding in Kenya
Authors: Nchanji Eileen Bogweh , Lutomia Cosmas Kweyu , Ageyo Odhiambo Collins , Karanja David , Kamau Eliezah
Published: December 2021

Participatory variety selection (PVS) is the selection of new varieties among fixed lines by farmers under different target environments. It is increasingly being used to select and promote new crop breeding materials in most African countries. A gender-responsive PVS tool was piloted in Embu and Nakuru in the first and second cropping seasons of 2019 to understand similarities and differences between men’s and women’s varietal and trait preferences for biofortified released varieties and local bean varieties (landraces). Pooled results indicate that varietal and trait preferences between men and women farmers were slightly different but followed gendered roles and division of labor. Women farmers have a higher preference for landraces compared to men due to their availability, affordability and accessibility. Preferences for bean varieties differed between men and women across the two counties. High yielding was the most prioritized trait by both men and women for Mwitemania, Nyota, and Angaza. The findings support the long-held assumption that men prefer market-oriented traits, but women have a greater range of concerns thus less market oriented than men. For Nyota, men’s preferences were shaped by market traits, while women’s preferences were based on the variety being early maturing, resistant to pests and diseases, marketable, and fast cooking. For other varieties, men preferred Mwitemania because it is high yielding, early maturing, resistant to pests and diseases, and marketable. In contrast, women preferred Mwitemania because of seed availability, fast cooking, and early maturing. However, men’s and women’s varietal preferences for Angaza were similar, with them reporting early maturing, resistance to pests and diseases, and marketability as attractive traits. Sociodemographic characteristics such as education, age, marital status, and land ownership underlined the differences in trait preferences. Despite having attractive traits for both men and women, Nyota increased drudgery, displaced women from their usual activities, and required additional inputs by women, signaling possible adoption tradeoffs. However, Nyota, Angaza, and Mwitemania can provide the opportunity to increase employment for women. This study calls for gender integration at the design stage of any breeding system to ensure men and women farmers have access to varieties they prefer for food and income generation.
Examining the Constraints on Yachting Tourism Development in China: A Qualitative Study of Stakeholder Perceptions
Authors: Yao Yunhao , Zheng Ruoquan , Parmak Merle
Published: December 2021

Clarifying the current constraints facing the development of yachting tourism in China is key to ensuring the healthy development of this niche industry. This study uses grounded theory as a theoretical basis to conduct qualitative research and applies semi-structured interview techniques to examine stakeholders’ views on the constraints on the development of yachting tourism in China, from the perspectives of both yachting supply and demand. MAXQDA2020 qualitative analysis software was used to determine the main constraints. The study identified seven of these constraints, including policies and regulations, government behaviors, the social development environment, marketing, infrastructure, expertise and manpower, and culture. Based on these constraints, and the recommendations for improving yachting tourism proposed by the interviewed stakeholders, the study offers seven strategies for the further development of yachting tourism, which have practical significance for this development both in China and abroad.
The Landscape of Risk Perception Research: A Scientometric Analysis
Authors: Goerlandt Floris , Li Jie , Reniers Genserik
Published: December 2021

Risk perception is important in organizational and societal governance contexts. This article presents a high-level analysis of risk perception research using Web of Science core collection databases, scientometrics methods and visualization tools. The focus is on trends in outputs, geographical and temporal trends, and patterns in the associated scientific categories. Thematic clusters and temporal dynamics of focus topics are identified using keyword analysis. A co-citation analysis is performed to identify the evolution of research fronts and key documents. The results indicate that research output is growing fast, with most contributions originating from western countries. The domain is highly interdisciplinary, rooted in psychology and social sciences, but branching into domains related to environmental sciences, medicine, and engineering. Significant research themes focus on perceptions related to health, with a focus on cancer, human immunodeficiency virus, and epidemiology, natural hazards and major disasters, traffic accidents, technological and industrial risks, and customer trust. Risk perception research originated from consumer choice decisions, with subsequent research fronts focusing on understanding the risk perception concept, and on developing taxonomies and measurement methods. Applied research fronts focus on environmental hazards, traffic accidents, breast cancer and, more recently, e-commerce transactions and flood risk. Based on the results, various avenues for future research are described.
Contextual Route Recommendation System in Heterogeneous Traffic Flow
Authors: Nasution Surya Michrandi , Husni Emir , Kuspriyanto Kuspriyanto , Yusuf Rahadian , Yahya Bernardo Nugroho
Published: December 2021

The traffic composition in developing countries comprises of variety of vehicles which include cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles. Motorcycles dominate the road with 77.5% compared to other types. Meanwhile, route recommendation such as navigation and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is limited to particular vehicles only. In this research, we propose a framework for a contextual route recommendation system that is compatible with traffic conditions and vehicle type, along with other relevant attributes (traffic prediction, weather, temperature, humidity, heterogeneity, current speed, and road length). The framework consists of two phases. First, it predicts the traffic conditions by using Knowledge-Growing Bayes Classifier on which the dataset is obtained from crawling the public CCTV feeds and TomTom digital map application for each observed road. The performances of the traffic prediction are around 60.78–73.69%, 63.64–77.39%, and 60.78–73.69%, for accuracy, precision, and recall respectively. Second, to accommodate the route recommendation, we simulate and utilize a new measure, called road capacity value, along with the Dijkstra algorithm. By adopting the compatibility, the simulation results could show alternative paths with the lowest RCV (road capacity value).
Spatiotemporal Evolution Patterns of “Production-Living-Ecological” Spaces and the Coordination Level and Optimization of the Functions in Jilin Province
Authors: Wei Lanyi , Zhang Yanjun , Wang Lingzhi , Mi Xiaoyuan , Wu Xuying , Cheng Zilang
Published: December 2021

The coordinated development of the territorial spatial pattern and its function is an important prerequisite for the realization of regional high-quality development. This paper aims to reveal the evolutionary characteristics of the spatial–temporal pattern and the coupling coordination level of the “production-living-ecological” spaces (PLES) in Jilin Province from 1998 to 2018 by using the entropy method, a coupling coordination model and spatial analysis methods, and proposes the optimization paths for the four regions of the province. The results indicate that the scale of the ecological space was the largest, mainly concentrated in the eastern region. The production space was mainly concentrated in the central and western regions, and the scale of the living space was the smallest, but increased slightly, mainly concentrated in the central regions. The PLE functions in every county and city are at the coupling coordination levels of mild and moderate imbalance. Eastern Jilin should take the ecological function as the lead, and should improve the production and living functions; Central Jilin should maintain the production and living functions and improve the ecological function; Western Jilin should strengthen ecological restoration and accelerate the transformation and development of the green production function. This study can provide references for the optimization of the provincial territorial space layout in order to improve the regional territorial space coordination and sustainable development.
Impact of Decentralization and Rail Network Extension on Future Traffic in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region
Authors: Kii Masanobu , Vichiensan Varameth , Llorca Carlos , Moreno Ana , Moeckel Rolf , Hayashi Yoshitsugu
Published: December 2021

In many large cities in developing countries, investments in transportation infrastructure are insufficient for the growing population, resulting in chronic traffic congestion and overcrowding. The urban population of developing countries is expected to increase further toward the middle of this century, and urban planning and transportation policies that foresee future population changes and economic growth are necessary to make these cities more sustainable. Bangkok is one of the most congested metropolitan areas in the world, and transport projects such as the extension of the public transportation system are being implemented. However, due to the monocentric urban structure, both road and rail traffic is extremely congested during peak hours, which impedes some economic activities and personal interaction. In this study, we simulate the impact of urban and transportation measures in Bangkok from today to 2050. In addition to the expansion of the planned rail transit network, we evaluate the effects of a land use scenario in which sub-centers are established to develop a polycentric urban structure. The impact of alternative zoning and transportation policies and projects in Bangkok is discussed. Although this study is focused on Bangkok, the findings are assumed to be transferable to other large cities in developing countries.
Mixing Sodium-Chloride-Rich Food Waste Compost with Livestock Manure Composts Enhanced the Agronomic Performance of Leaf Lettuce
Authors: Yang Jun-Woo , Luyima Deogratius , Park Seong-Jin , Kim Seong-Heon , Oh Taek-Keun
Published: December 2021

Food waste generated at the consumer level constitutes a gigantic portion of the total amount of food wasted/lost and valorisation is touted as the most sustainable way of managing the generated waste. While food waste valorisation encompasses several methods, composting is the cheapest technique that can produce stabilised carbon-rich soil amendments. The food waste generated at the consumer level, however, is laden with sodium chloride. The compost produced from such waste has the potential of inducing saline and or sodic conditions in the soil, resultantly impeding proper crop growth and yield. Due to the scarcity of plausible means of eradicating sodium chloride from the food waste before composting, the idea of mixing the composted food waste with other low sodium chloride-containing composts to produce a food waste compost-containing amalgam with a high fertiliser potential was mulled in this study. The study then assessed the effects of mixing sodium-chloride-rich food waste compost with the nutritious and low sodium chloride-containing livestock manure composts on the yield and quality of leaf lettuce. Mixing food waste compost with livestock manure composts in the right proportions created mixed composts that produced a higher lettuce yield than both the pure livestock manure composts and food waste compost. The mixed composts also produced leaf lettuce with higher chlorophyll content and, thus, better marketability and lower nitrate content (with higher health value) than the pure livestock manure composts.
Changes in Volatile Organic Compounds from Salt-Tolerant Trichoderma and the Biochemical Response and Growth Performance in Saline-Stressed Groundnut
Authors: Yusnawan Eriyanto , Taufiq Abdullah , Wijanarko Andy , Susilowati Dwi Ningsih , Praptana Raden Heru , Chandra-Hioe Maria V. , Supriyo Agus , Inayati Alfi
Published: December 2021

Soil salinity is one of the major obstacles that is limiting the growth and yield of groundnut. This study aims to investigate the effect of growth-promoting fungi, Trichoderma, on groundnut plants that were cultivated in saline conditions. Five different Trichoderma isolates were grown in four different NaCl concentrations. Selected Trichoderma were then applied to the groundnut seeds and their growth and development were monitored during the study. Growth inhibition, volatile organic compounds, chlorophylls, carotenoids, total phenolics and flavonoids, and minerals were assessed between the Trichoderma treatments. Increasing the salt concentration from 0.25–0.75 M decreased the growth of the Trichoderma isolates. The amounts and profiles of the volatile organic compounds from the T. asperellum isolate were significantly different to those in the T. virens isolate. In the vegetative growth stage, increased chlorophyll content was recorded in both the T. asperellum and T. virens-treated groundnut. The leaves that were obtained from the groundnut that was treated with T. virens T.v4 contained significantly higher indole-3-acetic acid (420 µg IAA/g) than the same plants’ roots (113.3 µg IAA/g). Compared to the control groundnut, the T. asperellum T.a8-treated groundnut showed increased phenolics (31%) and flavonoids (43%) and increased shoots and biomass weight at the generative growth stage. This study demonstrates that Trichoderma, with their plant growth promotion ability, could potentially be used to improve the growth of groundnut growing under salinity stress. Importantly, salt-tolerant Trichoderma could be regarded as a beneficial and sustainable way to improve the survival of salt-sensitive crops.