bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural Source Zone Depletion (NSZD) Quantification Techniques: Innovations and Future Directions
Authors: Pishgar Roya , Hettiaratchi Joseph Patrick , Chu Angus
Published: June 2022

Natural source zone depletion (NSZD) is an emerging technique for sustainable and cost-effective bioremediation of light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) in oil spill sites. Depending on regulatory objectives, NSZD has the potential to be used as either the primary or sole LNAPL management technique. To achieve this goal, NSZD rate (i.e., rate of bulk LNAPL mass depletion) should be quantified accurately and precisely. NSZD has certain characteristic features that have been used as surrogates to quantify the NSZD rates. This review highlights the most recent trends in technology development for NSZD data collection and rate estimation, with a focus on the operational and technical advantages and limitations of the associated techniques. So far, four principal techniques are developed, including concentration gradient (CG), dynamic closed chamber (DCC), CO2 trap and thermal monitoring. Discussions revolving around two techniques, “CO2 trap” and “thermal monitoring”, are expanded due to the particular attention to them in the current industry. The gaps of knowledge relevant to the NSZD monitoring techniques are identified and the issues which merit further research are outlined. It is hoped that this review can provide researchers and practitioners with sufficient information to opt the best practice for the research and application of NSZD for the management of LNAPL impacted sites.
Prospects of Catalysis for Process Sustainability of Eco-Green Biodiesel Synthesis via Transesterification: A State-Of-The-Art Review
Authors: Ameen Maria , Ahmad Mushtaq , Zafar Muhammad , Munir Mamoona , Mujtaba Muhammad Mujtaba , Sultana Shazia , . Rozina , El-Khatib Samah Elsayed , Soudagar Manzoore Elahi M. , Kalam M. A.
Published: June 2022

Environmental pollution caused by conventional petro-diesel initiates at time of crude oil extraction and continues until its consumption. The resulting emission of poisonous gases during the combustion of petroleum-based fuel has worsened the greenhouse effect and global warming. Moreover, exhaustion of finite fossil fuels due to extensive exploitation has made the search for renewable resources indispensable. In light of this, biodiesel is a best possible substitute for the regular petro-diesel as it is eco-friendly, renewable, and economically viable. For effective biodiesel synthesis, the selection of potential feedstock and choice of efficient catalyst is the most important criteria. The main objective of this bibliographical review is to highlight vital role of different catalytic systems acting on variable feedstock and diverse methods for catalysis of biodiesel synthesis reactions. This paper further explores the effects of optimized reaction parameters, modification in chemical compositions, reaction operating parameters, mechanism and methodologies for catalysts preparation, stability enhancement, recovery, and reusability with the maximum optimum activity of catalysts. In future, the development of well-planned incentive structures is necessary for systematic progression of biodiesel process. Besides this, the selection of accessible and amended approaches for synthesis and utilization of specific potential catalysts will ensure the sustainability of eco-green biodiesel.
Improved Performance of Asphalt Concretes using Bottom Ash as an Alternative Aggregate
Authors: Buritatum Apinun , Suddeepong Apichat , Horpibulsuk Suksun , Akkharawongwhatthana Kongsak , Yaowarat Teerasak , Hoy Menglim , Bunsong Chalermphol , Arulrajah Arul
Published: June 2022

Road networks are major infrastructures that support the economic development in both developed and developing countries. Bottom ash (BA) is a by-product from coal-fired powerplants, which is composed of a lipophilic molecule with effective reactivity to bituminous binder. BA was adopted in this research, as a green fine aggregate, to improve the mechanistic performance of asphalt concretes in this research. The effect of BA-replacement ratio (0%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%, by total weight of natural fine aggregate) on the Marshall stability and flow, indirect tensile strength (ITS), and mechanistic performance of BA-asphalt concrete, were examined. The mechanistic performance tests included the indirect-tensile condition (indirect tensile resilient modulus (IT Mr), indirect tensile fatigue life (ITFL)) and compressive condition (permanent deformation (PD), rut depth, and skid resistance). BA replacement improves the Marshall stability and flow, strength index, and ITS, up to the optimum BA-replacement ratio, of 5%. The change in IT Mr was found to be linearly proportional to the change in ITS, for all BA-replacement ratios. The ITFL is dependent upon the repeated stress level and can be estimated in terms of IT Mr. For the compressive condition, the PD, rutting, and skid resistances were found to be improved by the BA replacement. The lowest PD and rut depth as well as the highest skid resistance, for IT Mr and ITFL, were found at the optimum BA-replacement ratio, of 5%. The outcome of this research will promote the usage of BA as a cleaner additive in asphalt concrete pavement, which is useful in terms of engineering and environmental perspectives.
Sustainable and Innovative Cross-Border Regional Development with Focus on Tourism in the Danube Basin—A Case-Study of Szigetköz and Csallóköz (Žitný Ostrov)
Authors: Kézai Petra Kinga , Dömötör Mihály , Fekete Dávid
Published: June 2022

The current paper aims to analyze the Hungarian–Slovakian cross-border area (Szigetköz, Csallóköz) and unearth the region’s latent economic development potential. The study area with its unique natural environment has recently aroused the interest of many fields. Szigetköz is a fresh spot in the agglomeration of two large cities: Győr and Mosonmagyaróvár. What could be the economic bases and social factors that can awaken the area from its sleeping rose dream? Along with this issue, we explore socio-economic development opportunities. The exploratory research is based on content analysis of strategic documents and in-depth interviews with the settlement’s mayors. The results show that, although the overwhelming majority of settlements have a more moderate population loss and an abundance of economic opportunities relative to other Hungarian settlements, there are several gaps and negative processes that operate beneath the surface.
Weighting of Firefighting Turnout Gear Risk Factors According to Expert Opinion
Authors: Chang Tsui-Yuan , Lu Hsi-Peng , Luor Tain-Yi , Chang Ping-Wu
Published: June 2022

Firefighters in Taiwan often wear expired protective clothing, which raises concerns regarding their safety. Extending the service life of fire protective clothing can improve firefighter safety and ensure environmental sustainability. In this study, an analytic hierarchy process was used to understand which risk factors should be prioritized in the design of firefighting turnout gear. We surveyed 30 experts in the field of firefighting and safety management on the importance of various risk factors related to turnout gear. A risk level of 70% was taken as the threshold of tolerable risk. The rankings of the weighted risk factors demonstrate that eliminating 12 of the 28 risk factors will result in 73% safety. These 12 factors are, in order of maximum risk, insufficient flame resistance, insufficient heat resistance, putting on the suit components in the wrong order, insufficient resistance to tears and punctures, poor agility, heavy overall weight, insufficient water resistance, lack of flame-retardant fibers, high levels of toxicity, insufficient internal circulation, no air filtration device, and poor air permeability. Consideration of these factors in the design of fire protective clothing can extend service life, help achieve sustainable development goals, and ensure firefighters’ safety.
Do Citizens Understand the Benefits of Transit-Oriented Development? Exploring and Modeling Community Perceptions of a Metro Line under Construction in Thessaloniki, Greece
Authors: Papagiannakis Apostolos , Yiannakou Athena
Published: June 2022

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is an integrated urban and transport planning approach that aims to mitigate urban sprawl and car use, enhance neighborhood livability, increase public transport use, and promote sustainable mobility. Although TOD is widely accepted by academics, planners, and policymakers, the question of how citizens acknowledge its expected benefits remains open. This paper explores citizen satisfaction and perceptions of their neighborhood and investigates their awareness of TOD’s potential for sustainable revitalization and regeneration of metro areas in Thessaloniki, a compact Mediterranean city that is introducing a new urban rail system. Our research is based on a questionnaire survey, conducted within the catchment areas of two future metro stations, which present different spatial and socio-economic characteristics. For the data analysis, we use inferential statistics analysis and ordinal logistics regression to investigate the variations in citizens’ perceptions. Findings reveal that even if there is a statistical difference between people’s perceptions regarding the main spatial features of their neighborhoods, respondents in both areas express similar major concerns about public space, walkability issues, transit quality, and the positive effects that the metro could offer regarding urban revitalization and development. Furthermore, age, income, and personal travel behaviors appear to be significantly related to the level of satisfaction with public transport and the willingness to increase transit use because of the metro. We argue that citizens’ pre-construction surveys can support local policy makers in tailing and optimizing a TOD project implementation based on the community’s needs and priorities. Such surveys operate as knowledge production platforms to strengthen policy efficiency and reinforce the feelings of trust between citizens and local policy makers.
A Car-Following Model Based on Trajectory Data for Connected and Automated Vehicles to Predict Trajectory of Human-Driven Vehicles
Authors: Qu Dayi , Wang Shaojie , Liu Haomin , Meng Yiming
Published: June 2022

Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) have been rapidly developed, which, inevitably, renders that human-driven and autonomous vehicles share the road. Thus, trajectory prediction is an important research topic, which helps each CAV to efficiently follow a Human-Driven Vehicle (HV). In a wider scope, trajectory prediction, also, helps to improve the throughput of traffic flow and enhance its stability. To realize the trajectory prediction of Connected and Automated Vehicles to Human-Driven Vehicles, a car-following model, which is based on trajectory data, was established. Adding deep neural networks and an Attention mechanism, this paper established a data-driven car-following model, based on CNN-BiLSTM-Attention for CAV, to predict trajectory, by referring to the modeling idea of the traditional car-following model. The trajectory data in the next-generation-simulation (NGSIM) datasets that match the car-following characteristics were selected. In addition, noise-reduction pre-processing of the trajectory data was performed, to make it match the actual car-following situation. Experiments, for selecting the optimal structure of the model and the method of trajectory prediction, were carried out. The data-driven car-following models, such as LSTM, GRU, and CNN-BiLSTM, were selected for comparative analysis of trajectory prediction. The results show that the CNN-BiLSTM-Attention model has the smallest MAE and MSE as well as the largest R2. The CNN-BiLSTM-Attention model has the highest accuracy in vehicle-trajectory prediction. The model can, effectively, realize vehicle-trajectory prediction and provide a theoretical basis for vehicle-trajectory-based velocity guidance of Human-Driven Vehicles. In the future, the model can, also, provide the theoretical basis for Connected and Automated Vehicles, to make car-following decisions in mixed traffic flow.
Effects of a Strategic Self-Talk Intervention on Attention Functions and Performance in a Golf Task under Conditions of Ego Depletion
Authors: Galanis Evangelos , Nurkse Laur , Kooijman Jelle , Papagiannis Eleftherios , Karathanasi Athanasia , Comoutos Nikos , Theodorakis Yannis , Hatzigeorgiadis Antonis
Published: June 2022

States of reduced self-control described as ego depletion have been shown to impair sport task performance. Recently, self-talk has emerged as a successful method to counteract ego depletion effects in cognitive tasks. Extending this line of research, the present study examined the effects of a self-talk intervention on attention functions and performance in a golf-putting task under conditions of ego depletion. Two studies were conducted; the first involved a simple putting task, whereas in the second, a divided attention factor was introduced in addition. Participants in the first experiment were 62 sport science students (30 females and 32 males, Mage = 18.58, SD = 1.03) who were randomly assigned into experimental (n = 31) and control (n = 31) groups. Participants in the second experiment were 54 sport science students (27 females and 27 males, Mage = 19.91, SD = 1.04) who were randomly assigned into experimental (n = 27) and control (n = 27) groups. Both experiments were completed in a single session that lasted approximately 60 min. All participants were tested individually. The procedures included (a) baseline performance assessment consisting of two sets of ten putts, (b) practice period, consisting of six sets of five putts, during which the experimental group was also introduced to the use of strategic self-talk, (c) an ego-depleting task, and (d) final performance assessment, which was identical to the baseline. The results showed that in both experiments, performance of the experimental group increased from baseline to final assessment (experiment 1, p < 0.001; experiment 2, p = 0.023), whereas that of the control group had no significant change (experiment 1: p = 0.241; experiment 2: p = 0.407). The findings showed that self-talk is an effective strategy for buffering the effects of ego depletion and suggest that improved attention functions are a viable mechanism for explaining the facilitating effects of self-talk on sport performance tasks.
The Role of Regulation in the Development and Internationalization of Social Firms
Authors: Montoya Miguel A. , Cervantes Mauricio
Published: June 2022

We seek to understand the drivers of the internationalization of emerging-market social firms. To accomplish this, we conducted a case study analysis of the Mexican multinational Farmacias Similares. The firm created a chain of pharmacies that sold generic medicines to poor consumers and included a low-cost doctor next to the pharmacy to address the lack of widespread medical insurance. It then became a multinational by expanding in Latin America. The analysis of the case reveals three insights. First, innovations addressing development challenges can be separated into two types, social and frugal, depending on whether they solve public-good or low-income problems. Second, changes in industry regulation facilitate the development of social firms and sustainable development within the country. Third, differences in regulations across countries constrain the internationalization of social innovations more than frugal innovations of emerging-market social firms.
Ecohealth Villages: A Framework for an Ecosystem Approach to Health in Human Settlements
Authors: Orlando Laura F. , DePinto Anthony J. , Wallace Kiri Joy
Published: June 2022

As life emerged on Earth, it began to affect its environments. It still does. The complex interactions between living things and their environments mediate the character of both. Today, this is apparent in the global impacts humans have made on ecosystems, with resultant reciprocal impacts on human health. This paper is concerned with that reciprocity, which may be considered as a link between ecosystems and human populations. We will distinguish an ecosystem approach to human health—or ecohealth—from One Health and planetary health perspectives. We will also propose a conceptual framework that can be used to distinguish human settlements as Ecohealth Villages. Broadly defined, an Ecohealth Village is a settlement that recognizes the interactions between healthy ecosystems and the health of people who live, work, learn, and play in it. The key principles of an Ecohealth Villages are as follows: community ownership, ecological restoration, sustainability, social and gender equity, integrated perspectives, and traditional practices and knowledge. Together, they support a holistic, ecosystem approach to health in human settlements, as demonstrated in case studies from Mexico and Aotearoa New Zealand.
An Analysis of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement from a Single Source—Case Study: A Secondary Road in Romania
Authors: Cadar Rodica Dorina , Boitor Rozalia Melania , Dragomir Mihai Liviu
Published: June 2022

The paper presents a comprehensive analysis on reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) milling material collected from a single source, namely from a secondary road in Romania, county road DJ109. The following characteristics are investigated: particle size, binder content, material variability and uniformity, and the clustering phenomena. Variability is demonstrated using the results of particle size gradation and binder content. The coefficient of uniformity and the coefficient of curvature demonstrate that the RAP used in this research is a well-graded material. However, the visual analyses conducted on RAP highlight the presence of RAP particle agglomeration and the need for further testing. The study presents three different experimental phases: (i) RAP-milling old asphalt pavement, RAP; (ii) RAP milling after binder extraction, RAPabe; and (iii) RAP after Los Angeles crushing, RAPac. After processing, the coarse part (C) had a great influence on the fine part (F), and F/C ratio increased, respectively, from 0.4 to 1.5 and 1.61. Material variability on the extended site, the difference between the design values and particle size, as well as the existing clustering process indicated that RAP material collected from secondary roads must be pre-processed prior to its storage and reuse in the recycling process. Considering that secondary roads represent 71% of the overall network of asphalt course roads in Romania, and around 24,000 km of roads are in need of at least extensive maintenance (wearing asphalt courses) or rehabilitation, RAP is a highly recyclable material. Therefore, this study provides advice and guidance for re-using RAP in new pavement mixtures.
The Suburbanization and Revitalization of Industrial Land in Shanghai, China
Authors: Li Jihong , Li Kaiming , Qiu Rongxu
Published: June 2022

Land use efficiency is one of the critical indicators of sustainable development. Increasing land use efficiency can help build a more compact urban form and reduce the urban footprint. Industrial development is often considered a major driving force of urban land use expansion and use change. Both industrial development and urban land use change are constrained and facilitated by urban planning and management, constantly shaping the spatial trajectory of urban transformation. Taking the suburbanization and revitalization of industrial land uses in Shanghai as a case study, this research uses thematical analysis and geospatial data change detection methods to investigate how the evolution of industrial spatial structure leads to urban land use growth, and how urban planning and governance reconfigure the industrial spatial structure of a city through revitalization. This study found that the unplanned suburbanization of industrial land use brought about significant residential and commercial land use expansion. The city was able to consolidate its industrial land uses by adopting the designated industrial blocks strategy to curb the sprawl of industrial land use and enhance land use efficiency. With the transformation of industry structure, the city achieved great success in transforming underutilized industrial land in the city’s central area and consolidating scattered industrial land into industrial blocks in the city’s suburban areas.
Does Gender Matter? Effect of Colleagues’ Support on Work Engagement of Salespeople
Authors: Wut Tai Ming , Xu Jing (Bill) , Lee Stephanie Wing
Published: June 2022

Salespeople suffer from work pressure in their workplace. Hence, an important issue in sales management is how to increase salesperson confidence and motivate them to work harder. This study examines social support from management and peers on sales employees using the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory. A cross-sectional survey was then conducted among 140 female and male salespersons from the insurance/financial/retail industries during the pandemic period in Hong Kong. It was found that management support was important for the work engagement of salespeople. Self-confidence can be improved through consultation with managers. Female salespersons prefer sharing their concern with managers from another department, whereas male salespersons opt for managers from the same department. Peer support from sales colleagues of the same department was not preferred. Emotional support for female salespeople and cognitive support for male salespeople should be provided.
Ethical Leadership, Bricolage, and Eco-Innovation in the Chinese Manufacturing Industry: A Multi-Theory Perspective
Authors: Xuecheng Wei , Iqbal Qaisar
Published: June 2022

The integrated correlations of ethical leadership, environmental innovation, sustainable performance, and entrepreneurial bricolage were examined using the upper echelons and effectuation theories. The research utilised data from 223 manufacturing firms in north-eastern China, which indicated a 74.33 per cent response rate. The partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis exposed the significant positive impact of ethical leadership on environmental innovation and of the latter on sustainable performance. Furthermore, the current findings support the significant indirect effect of ethical leadership on sustainable performance through environmental innovation. The empirical results suggest an amplified impact of ethical leadership on environmental innovation, suggesting increasing bricolage values. Accordingly, the implications and limitations of the present study are elucidated in the final section of this article.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Risk Management in Foreign Direct Investment: Insights and Implications
Authors: Pan Lili , Wang Lin , Feng Qianqian
Published: June 2022

Aiming to identify the intellectual structure of risk management in foreign direct investment and its evolving trends, this paper introduces bibliometric analysis to systematically review the 1231 articles published between 1995 and 2022. Through the analysis of publication trends, influential indicators, cooperative networks, and citations, we draw the following important conclusions. From 1995 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of scientific production in the field reached 21.4%, with scholars from the United States and China contributing the most. Regarding the cooperation network, its structure is relatively dispersed, and the deep cooperation among a wide range of researchers has not yet been formed. As for research topics, the popularity of interest in environmental protection, carbon dioxide emissions, energy consumption, and climate change has increased significantly in recent years. Moreover, this paper points out that future research directions include new risks and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of climate risks on foreign direct investment. These results are helpful for scholars to systematically understand the current research status, research frontiers, and future trends of risk management in foreign direct investment.
Location, Location, Location: Modelling of Noise Mitigation by Urban Woodland Shows the Benefit of Targeted Tree Planting in Cities
Authors: Fletcher David H. , Garrett Joanne K. , Thomas Amy , Fitch Alice , Cryle Phil , Shilton Simon , Jones Laurence
Published: June 2022

Noise pollution from road traffic is ubiquitous in modern cities and is the second greatest environmental risk to health in Western Europe. Urban woodland can provide substantial noise mitigation if located properly, yet such considerations are often absent from the urban planning process. Current approaches for quantifying this important ecosystem service (ES) do not account adequately for important spatial factors and are unable to identify effectively the best locations to place new woodland for noise mitigation. We present new methods, in which we exploit the concept of least-cost-distance, to map and value the mitigating effect of urban woodland, and to identify optimal locations to place new woodland. Applying these methods, we show that urban woodland currently provides Birmingham City (UK) with over GBP 3.8 million in noise mitigation benefits, annually. We also show that our new ‘opportunity’ mapping methods effectively identify the best locations for new woodland, achieving close to a maximum service with less than a quarter of the additional woodland needed to achieve it. This has important implications for the design and implementation of urban tree planting for noise mitigation, and these methods can be adapted for other ES, allowing consideration of multiple service outcomes.
Innovative Approach to Assist Architecture Teachers in Choosing Practical Sessions
Authors: Pons-Valladares Oriol , Hosseini S. M. Amin , Franquesa Jordi
Published: June 2022

This article presents the first results of the project Architecture 360, which focuses on learning alternatives for developing working skills in higher education courses, and specifically construction competences for architecture students. The project aims to help teachers to choose the best learning solutions for their classes from numerous alternatives of strategies, dynamics and activities. The assistance is based on developing a new approach that combines several methods (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT); multi-criteria decision-making; Delphi; and the Knapsack problem) and draws from teachers’ experience, a panel of experts’ expertise, the revised Bloom Taxonomy and neuroscience for education. The new approach to assisting university teachers in choosing the best practical learning alternatives was successfully developed and validated for the case study of a course at Barcelona Architecture School. In general, the approach defined the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of 26 learning alternatives. In the case study, the following optimized set of alternatives were identified: blended learning, challenge-based learning, reflective learning, videos of real cases, case studies, site visits, interactive simulation and gamification. Moreover, 23 activities were analysed. It was concluded, for instance, that active alternatives would improve implementation, including teachers’ available teaching materials and dedication outside class.
Suitability of Selected Plant Species for Phytoremediation: A Case Study of a Coal Combustion Ash Landfill
Authors: Szwalec Artur , Mundała Paweł , Kędzior Renata
Published: June 2022

Coal bottom and fly ash waste continue to be generated as a result of energy production from coal in the amount of about 750 million tonnes a year globally. Coal is the main source of energy in Poland, and about 338 million tonnes of combustion waste has already been landfilled. The aim of the research was to identify factors determining the Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu phytostabilisation by vegetation growing on a coal combustion waste landfill. Soil and shoots of the following plants were analysed: wood small-reed, European goldenrod, common reed; silver birch, black locust, European aspen and common oak. The influence of the location where the plants grew and the influence of the interaction between the two factors (species and location) were significant. The tree species were more effective at accumulating heavy metals than the herbaceous plants. European aspen had the highest Bioaccumulation Factor (BCF) for cadmium and zinc. A high capacity to accumulate these elements was also demonstrated by silver birch, and in the case of cadmium, by common oak. Accumulation of both lead and copper was low in all plants. The Translocation Factors (TF) indicated that the heavy metals were accumulated mainly in the roots. European aspen, silver birch and European goldenrod were shown to be most suitable for stabilization of the metals analysed in the research.
Effects of Agrivoltaic Systems on the Surrounding Rooftop Microclimate
Authors: Teng Jerome Wei Chiang , Soh Chew Beng , Devihosur Shiddalingeshwar Channabasappa , Tay Ryan Hong Soon , Jusuf Steve Kardinal
Published: June 2022

Agrivoltaic systems have the potential to maximize the usefulness of spaces in building rooftops. Urban farming systems improve the microclimatic conditions, which are beneficial to solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, as they lower the operating temperatures, resulting in a higher operating efficiency. Microclimate simulations by means of ENVI-met simulation showed that between 0800 h and 1800 h, PV temperatures in the plot that has crops below the PV system were on average lower by 2.83 °C and 0.71 °C as compared without crops on a typical sunny and cloudy day, respectively. Hence, we may see PV efficiency performance improvement of 1.13–1.42% and 0.28–0.35% on a sunny day and cloudy day, respectively. Data collected from a physical prototype of an agrivoltaic system suggested that evaporative cooling was responsible for the reduction in ambient temperatures. The presence of crops growing underneath the PV canopy resulted in the agrivoltaic prototype generating between 3.05 and 3.2% more energy over the day as compared to a control system with no crops underneath.
Fiscal Decentralization, Good Governance and Regional Development—Empirical Evidence in the European Context
Authors: Onofrei Mihaela , Oprea Florin , Iaţu Corneliu , Cojocariu Lenuţa , Anton Sorin Gabriel
Published: June 2022

The nexus between local governments’ budgets and regional growth is a complex one, with organic interconnections, ideally offering better outcomes, both in the matter of (local) fiscal consolidation and the welfare of societies. In this study, we analyze the impact of local fiscal consolidation efforts (as reflected by the budget indicators regarding local revenues and expenditures for the countries involved) on regional development, using a sample of 21 EU Member States and a timescale between 2001 and 2019, based on specific data reported by Eurostat and the World Bank. By employing the Generalized Linear Model (GLM), the results show that some of the considered indicators have a statistically significant positive influence on the GDP per capita at the regional level, thus highlighting the important role of sound local public finances in achieving the objectives of regional development. Based on our findings, we recommended some improvements regarding the practice of local fiscal policy in order to enhance the role of fiscal consolidation in sustaining regional development within the subject countries.
Territorial Approach and Rural Development Challenges: Governance, State and Territorial Markets
Authors: Kato Karina Yoshie Martins , Delgado Nelson Giordano , Romano Jorge Osvaldo
Published: June 2022

The way we produce food is at the heart of some of the current main global challenges. We are witnessing increasing social inequalities and the accentuation of hunger around the world, especially in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. At the same time, malnutrition and effects of climate change are endangering both the health of people and nature, putting life and the planet itself at risk. In general, specialists agree that the solutions to the current crisis involve the transformation of hegemonic food production chains (globalized and industrialized) and the strengthening of more territorialized food systems. The present paper reflects on how the territorial approach (extensively promoted by the State in Latin America countries in the 21st century) can be collaboratively used to create territorial food markets that are more autonomous, sustainable, and connected with nature and territorial resources. Our hypothesis is that territorial development reinforces more sustainable food systems that increase the resilience of territories facing the current challenges of rural development. The methodology involves a thematic and selective literature review, the analysis of secondary indicators, and conducting online interviews. Our analysis focused on Latin America, one of the most advanced areas in territorial development policies. We situated our research in the Borborema Territory (Paraíba, Brazil), which is a significant case study for understanding the dynamics of territorialization (and deterritorialization) of agroecological production systems that are geared towards family farming. It is also, in our opinion, a concrete case that suggests how territorialized and more localized food systems show greater resilience in the face of adversity, which can be observed in the territorial actors’ ability to react to deterritorialization drivers that are emphasised in periods of crisis. Our main findings suggest that territorial development, by placing territory, resources, and territorial actors and institutions at the core of rural development strategies, reinforces territorialized food systems centred in small circuits of production–consumption. These alternative food systems not only contribute to social and environmental sustainability but enhance territorial development by expanding opportunities for territorial actors by diversifying the territorial economy and creating more crisis-resilient territories.
Powerline Corridors Can Add Ecological Value to Suburban Landscapes When Not Maintained as Lawn
Authors: Garfinkel Megan , Hosler Sheryl , Whelan Christopher , Minor Emily
Published: June 2022

Electric powerline corridors are informal green spaces that encompass large areas of land and have the potential to support biodiversity in urban and suburban landscapes. However, the extent to which these corridors provide novel habitats compared to the surrounding landscape is unclear. Biodiversity in corridors is often compared to that of “natural” habitats despite the fact that the corridors are subject to frequent vegetation management. In urban and suburban landscapes, residential yards may provide a more appropriate comparison because they are a dominant type of green space and are also characterized by frequent vegetation management. We conducted a study of the biodiversity in suburban powerline corridors in northern Illinois, USA, and compared it to the biodiversity found in nearby residential yards. Our goal was to determine whether powerline corridors added ecological value to these suburban landscapes. We included three different management styles of powerline corridors: (1) frequently mowed and kept as lawn, (2) brush mowed on a five-year cycle (“old-field”), and (3) restored and/or maintained as native prairie. We measured the species richness and composition of plants, birds, and insect pollinators in corridors and yards. The corridor management types and comparison yards differed significantly in the richness of all three taxa, with old-field and/or prairie sites having greater species richness than mown corridors and/or comparison yards. Community composition also differed by management category. While the species richness of old-field sites tended to be high, prairie sites generally had more species of conservation interest. Our study shows that both old-field- and prairie-managed powerline corridors add habitat value to Midwestern U.S. suburban landscapes by providing alternative habitat types that support many species. Nonetheless, we suggest that managers looking to specifically support native and/or grassland specialist species in this region should manage sites as prairies when possible.
LAYERS: A Decision-Support Tool to Illustrate and Assess the Supply and Value Chain for the Energy Transition
Authors: Heidrich Oliver , Ford Alistair C. , Dawson Richard J. , Manning David A. C. , Mohareb Eugene , Raugei Marco , Baars Joris , Rajaeifar Mohammad Ali
Published: June 2022

Climate change mitigation strategies are developed at international, national, and local authority levels. Technological solutions such as renewable energies (RE) and electric vehicles (EV) have geographically widespread knock-on effects on raw materials. In this paper, a decision-support and data-visualization tool named “LAYERS” is presented, which applies a material flow analysis to illustrate the complex connections along supply chains for carbon technologies. A case study focuses on cobalt for lithium-ion batteries (LIB) required for EVs. It relates real business data from mining and manufacturing to actual EV registrations in the UK to visualize the intended and unintended consequences of the demand for cobalt. LAYERS integrates a geographic information systems (GIS) architecture, database scheme, and whole series of stored procedures and functions. By means of a 3D visualization based on GIS, LAYERS conveys a clear understanding of the location of raw materials (from reserves, to mining, refining, manufacturing, and use) across the globe. This highlights to decision makers the often hidden but far-reaching geo-political implications of the growing demands for a range of raw materials that are needed to meet long-term carbon-reduction targets.
Polycentric Collaborative Governance, Sustainable Development and the Ecological Resilience of Elevator Safety: Evidence from a Structural Equation Model
Authors: Ding Rijia , Ren Chongbao , Hao Suli , Lan Qi , Tan Mingbo
Published: June 2022

The goal of public security and safety under the concept of sustainable development has been transformed into the maximization of the comprehensive goal of economic, environmental, and social security and safety. The polycentric collaborative governance mode is a crucial approach for the reform of government regulation. Social–ecological resilience has become a typical paradigm in the field of risk governance. Polycentric collaborative governance and safety resilience are the foundation and booster of elevator safety governance. In this paper, we expound on the system elements and mechanisms of polycentric collaborative governance and ecological resilience of elevator safety under the guidance of sustainable development by using a conceptual framework method. On this basis, we explore the influence degree and mechanism of elevator safety polycentric collaborative governance on elevator safety ecological resilience under the guidance of sustainable development by constructing a structural equation model based on micro-survey data. The results show that (1) the polycentric collaborative governance subject composed of the government, business, society, and the public is the key force to enhancing the ecological resilience of elevator safety; (2) enhancing the ecological resilience of elevator safety has a significant direct promoting effect on improving the mitigation, recovery, learning, and coping ability of elevator safety; (3) improving the learning ability has a significant direct promoting effect on improving the mitigation, recovery, and coping ability of elevator safety; (4) improving the coping ability has a significant direct promoting effect on improving the mitigation and recovery ability of elevator safety; (5) improving the mitigation ability has a significant direct promoting effect on improving the recovery ability of elevator safety. Therefore, in the process of elevator safety governance under the guidance of sustainable development, we should not only adhere to the polycentric collaborative governance mode but also attach importance to the ecological resilience governance paradigm of elevator safety, which together can improve the elevator quality and safety level.
Analytical Solution of the Mixed Traffic Flow Cellular Automaton FI Model with the Next-Nearest-Neighbor Interaction
Authors: Zhang Yanxin , Xue Yu , Qiao Yanfeng , Cen Bingling
Published: June 2022

Based on a one-dimensional (1D) traffic flow cellular automaton (CA) FI model, a deterministic next-nearest-neighbor interaction FI model (NIFI model) is proposed. Using the mean-field analysis, the analytical solution of the NIFI model in one-dimensional traffic flow is derived under periodic boundary conditions. For the mixed traffic flow, the occupancy and the mixing ratio are introduced to describe the mixing effect. Similarly, using the mean-field method, the exact solution of the mixed traffic flow is derived from the long-time evolution to reach the steady state. The numerical simulations are carried out for the mixed traffic flow with different vehicle lengths, maximum velocities, and mixing ratios to verify the analytical solutions. The results show that the numerical simulation results agree well with the analytical solution.
Correction: Della Posta et al. COVID-19, Economic Policies and Public Debt Sustainability in Italy. Sustainability 2022, 14, 4691
Authors: Della Posta Pompeo , Marelli Enrico , Signorelli Marcello
Published: June 2022

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [...]
Improving Construction Safety: Lessons Learned from COVID-19 in the United States
Authors: Ko Chien-Ho , Abdulmajeed Hani A.
Published: June 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, construction accidents in the United States (US) dropped dramatically compared to previous years. This research uses Saunders’ research onion approach to conduct a deep and systematic analysis of pre- and post-COVID-19 data to understand this phenomenon. The proposed research framework examines safety and prevention measures implemented by the US government, using data collected from various US government agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and US Bureau of Labor Statistics. COVID-19’s effects on construction site health and safety were analyzed and ranked in order of efficacy in a hierarchy of control, and findings reveal a number of safety measures that can potentially be implemented to promote improved construction safety even after COVID-19 is over.
A Study on the Perception of Authenticity of Tourist Destinations and the Place Attachment of Potential Tourists—The Case of Ding Zhen’s Endorsement of Ganzi, Sichuan
Authors: Cong Guodong , Zhang Huan , Chen Tinggui
Published: June 2022

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which has lasted for more than two years and significantly affected tourism, people’s yearning for better tourism has never weakened, and China’s Dual Carbon Strategy further enhanced their desire. At the end of 2020, Ding Zhen shot to stardom on the Internet because of his rugged good looks, further improving the reputation of Ganzi, Sichuan Province, and demonstrating tourists’ desire to appreciate authentic destinations. The following are worthy of research: the factors affecting tourists’ perceptions of the authenticity of destinations, the relationship between perceptions of authenticity and place attachment in potential tourists, and methods to strengthen the authenticity of a destination to enhance the place attachment of potential tourists. Taking Ganzi and Ding Zhen as the research subjects, this paper uses a co-occurrence network map analyzing the four kinds of authenticity perceived for tourist destinations, based on user-generated content, and uses the term frequency-inverse document frequency method to further calculate the weight score of factors. Finally, the paper verifies the influence of each dimension on place attachment by calculating comment sentiment scores. The results show that (1) natural landscapes, human characteristics, and preferential measures significantly impacted the perception of authenticity among potential tourists; (2) among the four kinds of authenticity perceptions, humanistic authenticity was the major promoting factor by which potential tourists formed place attachment. Based on the research results, the paper puts forward a series of suggestions to improve tourists’ emotional attachment to destinations, including creating cultural symbols of local differences, adopting preferential policies for local tickets in a timely manner, and emphasizing nature protection.
Predicting Pedestrian Crashes in Texas’ Intersections and Midblock Segments
Authors: Zuniga-Garcia Natalia , Perrine Kenneth A. , Kockelman Kara M.
Published: June 2022

This study analyzes pedestrian crash counts at more than one million intersections and midblock segments using Texas police reports over ten years. Developing large-scale micro-level analyses is challenging due to the lack of geographic information and characterization at a statewide scale. Therefore, key contributions include methods for obtaining many points and related variables across a vast network while controlling for traffic control variables (signalized intersections), highway design details, traffic attributes, and land use information across multiple sources. The analytical framework includes a method to estimate the intersection and midblock segments’ geometry and characteristics, data processing of historical pedestrian crashes and mapping to the estimated geometry, and the development of predictive models. A negative binomial model for crash counts across the state of Texas and within the city of Austin suggests that signalized intersections, arterial roads, more lanes, narrower or non-existent medians, and wider lanes coincide with higher crash rates per vehicle-mile traveled (VMT) and per walk-mile traveled. The analysis suggests that daily VMT increases the likelihood of pedestrian crashes, and midblock segments are more vulnerable than intersections, where one standard deviation increase in VMT caused an increase in crashes at intersections and midblock sections of 52% and 187%, respectively. Furthermore, the number of intersection crashes in Austin is higher than in the rest of Texas, but the number of midblock crashes is lower. Analysis of the Austin area suggests that the central business district location is critical, with midblock crashes being more sensitive (240%) in this area than intersection (78%) crashes. Moreover, a significant inequity was found in the area: an increase of USD 41,000 in average household income leads to a reduction of 32% (intersections) and 39% (midblock) in pedestrian crash rates.
Political Trust and Support for a Tax Increase for Social Welfare: The Role of Perceived Tax Burden
Authors: Lim Jae-Young , Moon Kuk-Kyoung
Published: June 2022

Recent decades have seen a rapid increase in social welfare spending in South Korea. Along with rapid population aging and increased demands for social welfare programs, securing a sustainable level of taxation is becoming urgent. Thus, this study explores the factors associated with individuals’ support for a tax increase for social welfare expansion, focusing on political trust. This study also explores the role of perceived tax burden in moderating the linkage between political trust and individuals’ support for a tax increase for social welfare expansion. Using ordered probit and the 2019 National Survey of Tax and Benefit, this study found that political trust is positively associated with support for a tax increase for social welfare expansion. However, the positive effect of political trust decreases when individuals perceive their tax burdens as high. This study offers implications of the findings for policymakers such as simplifying tax codes and improving tax fairness for taxpayers.