bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Ecological Design of Marine Urban Green Space Plant Landscaping Based on the Concept of Sustainability
Authors: Yuan Jingwen , Kim Chul Soo
Published: March 2024

With global climate change and accelerating urbanization, marine cities face unique environmental challenges. Ecological landscape creation is a form of design planning guided by the disciplines of landscape ecology and ecological aesthetics in the process of urban planning and construction. It seeks a design that can maintain the virtuous cycle of the ecosystem and at the same time maintain the spatial equilibrium of the dynamic development of urban landscapes, so as to make them have good ecological functions and corridor functions. The aim of this study is to explore the ecological design methods of plant landscaping in marine urban green spaces under the concept of sustainability. We first reviewed the concept of sustainable development and its application to urban green space design, especially the special requirements in the marine urban environment. This research focuses on how to select plant species that are adapted to the marine climate and how to promote biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and improve the quality of life of urban residents through eco-design approaches. Through the analysis of a number of domestic and international cases of green spaces in marine cities, we found that effective eco-design is not only about choosing the right plant species but also includes the rational management of water resources, soil protection, and ecosystem restoration, among other aspects. This study also points out that public participation and interdisciplinary cooperation play a crucial role in the ecological design process. Finally, this paper carries out a specific analysis of the landscape model landscape evaluation system for the ecological design of plant landscaping in marine urban green spaces and experimentally verifies that, compared with other styles, the experience of the European-style landscape is good overall. However, the view openness rating of the European style landscape is only about 0.42, and the best plant landscaping is the mixed mode of alkali poncho and salt poncho. This study aims to provide a practical reference and guidance for urban planners, landscape architects, and environmentalists.
Yield, Quality, and Nitrogen Leaching of Open-Field Tomato in Response to Different Nitrogen Application Measures in Northwestern China
Authors: Mao Xinping , Gu Jialin , Wang Fang , Wang Kun , Liu Ruliang , Hong Yu , Wang Ying , Han Fengpeng
Published: March 2024

The overuse of fertilizers in open-field tomato leads to soil deterioration through nutrient leaching and increases the risk of agricultural non-point source contamination. Currently, the combined effects of different fertilization methods on soil nitrogen leaching and tomato production are still unclear. Therefore, the most effective fertilization method for open-field tomato should be discovered by examining how different fertilization methods affected tomato yield and quality, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and soil nitrogen leaching. Compared with CK (no fertilization), fertilization significantly increased the yield, total sugar (TS), total soluble solids (TSS), and vitamin C (vC) contents of fruits (p < 0.05), and OPT (optimal fertilization, controlled release nitrogen application, 240 kg ha−1) had the largest effect on increasing yield, quality, and net profit. However, when the fertilizer application rate reached 375 kg ha−1, these indices decreased. Nitrogen leaching concentrations, leaching amount, and titratable acids (TAs) increased with increased nitrogen application rates. Compared with other treatments, OPT reduced the total leaching amounts of total nitrogen (TN), nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N), and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) by 30.09–51.79%, 24.89–50.03%, and 30–65%, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that OPT achieved the highest overall score in terms of yield, quality, and nitrogen leaching conditions. The partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) further reveals that applications of high amounts of nitorigen have a positive effect on soil nitrogen leaching. The amount of nitrogen leaching vegetatively affects tomato yield and quality, while plant uptake of nitrogen positively affects tomato production. These findings confirm the importance of using controlled-release fertilizers and reducing nitrogen inputs to control nitrogen leaching and enhance open-field tomato yields.
Analysis of Erect-Panicle Japonica Rice in Northern China: Yield, Quality Status, and Quality Improvement Directions
Authors: Yan Bingchun , Jiang Xinmei , Xu Zhengjin , Chen Wenfu , Cheng Xiaoyi , Xu Hai
Published: March 2024

China is the only country that extensively cultivates the indica and japonica rice varieties, with the largest japonica rice production area being in northeast China. A study of the relationship between the yield and quality of japonica rice and the effect of nitrogen fertilizer application on this relationship is important. In this paper, we aimed to assess the current yield and quality of japonica rice in northeast China. We selected erect-panicle varieties as the test materials. Field experiments were conducted using different nitrogen fertilizer levels for two consecutive years to analyze the rice varieties’ yield, quality, interrelationship, and nitrogen fertilizer response. The average yield following high- and low-nitrogen treatments exceeded 10,000.00 kg/hm2, with a maximum of 12,285.63 kg/hm2. The high-yield–high-nitrogen treatment group had more panicles, a higher seed-setting rate, and a higher 1000-grain weight than the other groups. The high-yield–low-nitrogen group had a higher number of panicles and seed-setting rate than the other groups. The low-yield–high-nitrogen group had a lower number of whole grains, grain length-to-width ratio, and taste value than the other groups. The low-yield–low-nitrogen group had fewer primary branches than the other groups; excluding the primary branch-setting rate and 1000-grain weight, the values of the other panicle traits of the group were significantly higher than those of the other groups. The high-nitrogen–high-flavor group had lower panicle and spikelet numbers and higher spikelet fertility rates than the other groups. The low-nitrogen–high-flavor group had higher spikelet fertility rates and 1000-grain weight than the other groups. Compared to the other groups, the low-nitrogen–high-flavor group had a higher head rice yield, and the high-nitrogen–high-flavor group had a lower chalkiness rate. The main goal of the breeding and cultivation of high-yield and high-quality erect-panicle japonica rice in northern China is to achieve “dual high, dual low, and one high and one low” conditions, signifying a high yield with high or low nitrogen levels, low protein and amylose contents, high head rice rates, and low chalkiness. This study provides a new technique for enhancing the taste of northern erect-panicle japonica rice to promote the sustainable, high-yield, and high-quality development of japonica rice in northern China.
Comprehensive Analysis of Autophagy-Related Genes in Rice Immunity against Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Xie Xuze , Pei Mengtian , Liu Shan , Wang Xinxiao , Gong Shanshan , Chen Jing , Zhang Ye , Wang Zonghua , Lu Guodong , Li Ya
Published: March 2024

Rice blast disease, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is a significant threat to rice production. Resistant cultivars can effectively resist the invasion of M. oryzae. Thus, the identification of disease-resistant genes is of utmost importance for improving rice production. Autophagy, a cellular process that recycles damaged components, plays a vital role in plant growth, development, senescence, stress response, and immunity. To understand the involvement of autophagy-related genes (ATGs) in rice immune response against M. oryzae, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 37 OsATGs, including bioinformatic analysis, transcriptome analysis, disease resistance analysis, and protein interaction analysis. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the promoter regions of 33 OsATGs contained cis-acting elements responsive to salicylic acid (SA) or jasmonic acid (JA), two key hormones involved in plant defense responses. Transcriptome data showed that 21 OsATGs were upregulated during M. oryzae infection. Loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that OsATG6c, OsATG8a, OsATG9b, and OsATG13a contribute to rice blast resistance. Additionally, through protein interaction analysis, we identified five proteins that may interact with OsATG13a and potentially contribute to plant immunity. Our study highlights the important role of autophagy in rice immunity and suggests that OsATGs may enhance resistance to rice blast fungus through the involvement of SA, JA, or immune-related proteins. These findings provide valuable insights for future efforts in improving rice production through the identification and utilization of autophagy-related genes.
The Initial Stage of Climatic Aging of Basalt-Reinforced and Glass-Reinforced Plastics in Extremely Cold Climates: Regularities
Authors: Kychkin Anatoly K. , Gavrilieva Anna A. , Kychkin Aisen A. , Lukachevskaya Irina G. , Lebedev Mikhail P.
Published: March 2024

Detailed analyses of the reasons for changes in the mechanical parameters of fiberglass exposed to different climatic zones have been made available in the literature; however, such detailed studies of basalt plastic do not yet exist. It is possible to make reasonable conclusions on the climatic resistance of reinforced plastics by monitoring the deformation–strength characteristics in combination with fractographic and DMA analyses of the solar- and shadow-exposed parts of the plastics; additionally, one can conduct analyses of the IR spectrum and the moisture sorbtion kinetics. As a starting point for the climatic aging of polymer composite materials, it is necessary to accept the time of exposure in which the maximum values of the elastic strength properties of polymeric materials are achieved. Based on the results of the DMA analysis, it was found that, unlike basalt-reinforced plastics (where the material is post-cured exclusively at the initial stage of the exposure), in glass-reinforced plastic, a process of destruction occurs. The formation of internal stresses in the material and their growth were determined through observing the duration of climatic exposure. The formation of closed porosity, depending on the duration of exposure, can be assessed using the values of the increase in the average moisture content. A set of experimental studies has established that glass-reinforced plastics are subject to greater destruction under the influence of a very cold climate than the basalt-reinforced plastic.
Nonwoven Reinforced Photocurable Poly(glycerol sebacate)-Based Hydrogels
Authors: Phillips Michael , Tronci Giuseppe , Pask Christopher M. , Russell Stephen J.
Published: March 2024

Implantable hydrogels should ideally possess mechanical properties matched to the surrounding tissues to enable adequate mechanical function while regeneration occurs. This can be challenging, especially when degradable systems with a high water content and hydrolysable chemical bonds are required in anatomical sites under constant mechanical stimulation, e.g., a foot ulcer cavity. In these circumstances, the design of hydrogel composites is a promising strategy for providing controlled structural features and macroscopic properties over time. To explore this strategy, the synthesis of a new photocurable elastomeric polymer, poly(glycerol-co-sebacic acid-co-lactic acid-co-polyethylene glycol) acrylate (PGSLPA), is investigated, along with its processing into UV-cured hydrogels, electrospun nonwovens and fibre-reinforced variants, without the need for a high temperature curing step or the use of hazardous solvents. The mechanical properties of bioresorbable PGSLPA hydrogels were studied with and without electrospun nonwoven reinforcement and with varied layered configurations, aiming to determine the effects of the microstructure on the bulk compressive strength and elasticity. The nonwoven reinforced PGSLPA hydrogels exhibited a 60% increase in compressive strength and an 80% increase in elastic moduli compared to the fibre-free PGSLPA samples. The mechanical properties of the fibre-reinforced hydrogels could also be modulated by altering the layering arrangement of the nonwoven and hydrogel phase. The nanofibre-reinforced PGSLPA hydrogels also exhibited good elastic recovery, as evidenced by the hysteresis in compression fatigue stress–strain evaluations showing a return to the original dimensions.
Calcium Ion Deposition with Precipitated Calcium Carbonate: Influencing Factors and Mechanism Exploration
Authors: Feng Wenhui , Ng Zhi Yee , Chen Han , Zhang Jiasong , Xu Dan , He Ying , Wei Hongyuan , Dang Leping
Published: March 2024

In order to apply precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) in the detergent industry, its ability to deposit calcium ions in hard water is an important process. In this work, the calcium ion deposition in the presence of PCC from different sources is investigated to reveal the influencing factors and mechanism of nucleation and crystal growth of CaCO3. SEM, XRD, Malvern particle size analysis, and calcium electrodes are used to evaluate the effects of PCC morphology, saturation of Ca2+, and PCC additive amount on the deposition behavior of CaCO3. Through SEM and Malvern particle size analysis, it is found that the precipitation of calcium ions is obviously accelerated by PCC acting as seeds. Moreover, calcium ions are effectively adsorbed on (211) crystal facets, thus prismatic and scalenohedral PCC crystals exhibit better adsorption performance than irregular cubic PCC ones. In addition, XRD demonstrates that PCC reduces or even eliminates the formation of crystals such as vaterite, displaying high deposition capacity under complex water conditions (slightly acidic or highly alkaline pH, low magnesium ion concentration (<0.01 M), and temperatures of 0–60 °C), forming thermodynamically stable calcite in water, which significantly controls the instability of the washing process.
A Comprehensive Investigation of the Relationship between Fractures and Oil Production in a Giant Fractured Carbonate Field
Authors: Kharrat Riyaz , Kadkhodaie Ali , Azizmohammadi Siroos , Misch David , Moghadasi Jamshid , Fardin Hashem , Saedi Ghasem , Rokni Esmaeil , Ott Holger
Published: March 2024

This study examines the connections between various fracture indicators and production data with an example from one of the giant fields in the Middle East producing complex fractured carbonate lithologies. The field under study hosts two reservoirs with a long development and production history, including carbonates from the Asmari and Bangestan Formations. A fracture intensity map was generated based on the interpretation of image logs from 28 wells drilled within the field. Mud loss data were collected and mapped based on the geostatistical Gaussian Random Function Simulation (GRFS) algorithm. Maximum curvature maps were generated based on Asmari structural surface maps. Comparing the results shows a good agreement between the curvature map, fault distribution model, mud loss map, fracture intensity map, and productivity index. The results of image log interpretations led to the identification of four classes of open fractures, including major open fractures, medium open fractures, minor open fractures, and hairline fractures. Using the azimuth and dip data of the four fracture sets mentioned above, the fracture intensity log was generated as a continuous log for each well with available image log data. For this purpose, the fracture intensity log and a continuous fracture network (CFN) model were generated. The continuous fracture network model was used to generate a 3D discrete fracture network (DFN) for the Asmari Formation. Finally, a 3D upscaled model of fracture dip and azimuth, fracture porosity, fracture permeability, fracture length, fracture aperture, and the sigma parameter (the connectivity index between matrix and fracture) were obtained. The results of this study can illuminate the modeling of intricate reservoirs and the associated production challenges, providing insights not only during the initial production phase but also in the application of advanced oil recovery methods, such as thermal recovery.
Mechanical Analysis of the Forces Involved in a Pilot-Scale Blast Furnace Raceway Formation by Means of CFD/DEM Simulations
Authors: Romano Francis , Izard Edouard , Fede Pascal
Published: March 2024

The CFD/DEM approach was used for investigating the forces playing a role in a furnace raceway formation and stability. The configuration is an actual pilot-scale hot blast furnace filled only with coke particles. In such a system, the raceway was unstable, with successively a growing phase and a collapse. The CFD/DEM numerical simulations were coupled with a core-shrinking model to mimic coke particle combustion. However, the kinetic reactions and heat transfers were not numerically predicted. Instead, the characteristic combustion timescale of one coke particle was imposed, and the combustion zone was adjusted to match the global combustion measured in the pilot-scale experiment. The results showed that the standard contact model was not enough to resist the pressure exerted by the granular weight on the raceway. However, the addition of a cohesive force, through the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) model, allowed the qualitative reproduction of the gas pressure fluctuations and the collapse cycles in accordance with the experiment. A sensitivity analysis of the flow rate showed that CFD/DEM is able to reproduce quantitatively the time between two collapses, as observed in the experiment. Predicted raceway size and shapes are also in agreement with the experimental observations in the range of investigated parameters.
Integrating the PROSAIL and SVR Models to Facilitate the Inversion of Grassland Aboveground Biomass: A Case Study of Zoigê Plateau, China
Authors: Wang Zhifei , He Li , He Zhengwei , Wang Xueman , Li Linlong , Kang Guichuan , Bai Wenqian , Chen Xin , Zhao Yang , Xiao Yixian
Published: March 2024

Grasslands play a vital role in the global ecosystem. Efficient and reproducible methods for estimating the grassland aboveground biomass (AGB) are crucial for understanding grassland growth, promoting sustainable development, and assessing the carbon cycle. Currently, the available methods are limited by their computational inefficiency, model transfer, and sampling scale. Therefore, in this study, the estimation of grassland AGB over a large area was achieved by coupling the PROSAIL model with the support vector machine regression (SVR) method. The ill-posed inverse problem of the PROSAIL model was mitigated through kernel-based regularization using the SVR model. The Zoigê Plateau was used as the case study area, and the results demonstrated that the estimated biomass accurately reproduced the reference AGB map generated by zooming in on on-site measurements (R2 = 0.64, RMSE = 43.52 g/m2, RRMSE = 15.13%). The estimated AGB map also maintained a high fitting accuracy with field sampling data (R2 = 0.69, RMSE = 44.07 g/m2, RRMSE = 14.21%). Further, the generated time-series profiles of grass AGB for 2022 were consistent with the trends in local grass growth dynamics. The proposed method combines the advantages of the PROSAIL model and the regression algorithm, reduces the dependence on field sampling data, improves the universality and repeatability of grassland AGB estimation, and provides an efficient approach for grassland ecosystem construction and planning.
Evaluating the Polarimetric Radio Occultation Technique Using NEXRAD Weather Radars
Authors: Paz Antía , Padullés Ramon , Cardellach Estel
Published: March 2024

Currently, it remains a challenge to effectively monitor areas experiencing intense precipitation and the associated atmospheric conditions on a global scale. This challenge arises due to the limitations on both active and passive remote sensing methods. Apart from the lack of observations in remote areas, the quality of some observations deteriorates when heavy precipitation is present, making it difficult to obtain highly accurate measurements of the thermodynamic parameters driving these weather events. However, there is a promising solution in the form of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Polarimetric Radio Occultation (PRO) technique. This approach provides a way to assess the large-scale bulk-hydrometeor characteristics of regions with heavy precipitation and the meteorological conditions associated with them. PRO offers vertical profiles of atmospheric variables, including temperature, pressure, water vapor pressure, and information about hydrometeors, all in a single fine-vertical resolution observation. To continue validating the PRO technique, we make use of polarimetric weather data from Next Generation Weather Radars (NEXRAD), focusing on comparing specific differential phase shift (Kdp) structures to PRO observable differential phase shift (ΔΦ). We have seen that PAZ and NEXRAD exhibit a good agreement on the vertical structure of the observable ΔΦ and that their combination could be useful for enhancing our understanding of the microphysics underlying heavy precipitation events.
Multi-Dimensional Fusion of Spectral and Polarimetric Images Followed by Pseudo-Color Algorithm Integration and Mapping in HSI Space
Authors: Guo Fengqi , Zhu Jingping , Huang Liqing , Li Feng , Zhang Ning , Deng Jinxin , Li Haoxiang , Zhang Xiangzhe , Zhao Yuanchen , Jiang Huilin , Hou Xun
Published: March 2024

Spectral–polarization imaging technology plays a crucial role in remote sensing detection, enhancing target identification and tracking capabilities by capturing both spectral and polarization information reflected from object surfaces. However, the acquisition of multi-dimensional data often leads to extensive datasets that necessitate comprehensive analysis, thereby impeding the convenience and efficiency of remote sensing detection. To address this challenge, we propose a fusion algorithm based on spectral–polarization characteristics, incorporating principal component analysis (PCA) and energy weighting. This algorithm effectively consolidates multi-dimensional features within the scene into a single image, enhancing object details and enriching edge features. The robustness and universality of our proposed algorithm are demonstrated through experimentally obtained datasets and verified with publicly available datasets. Additionally, to meet the requirements of remote sensing tracking, we meticulously designed a pseudo-color mapping scheme consistent with human vision. This scheme maps polarization degree to color saturation, polarization angle to hue, and the fused image to intensity, resulting in a visual display aligned with human visual perception. We also discuss the application of this technique in processing data generated by the Channel-modulated static birefringent Fourier transform imaging spectropolarimeter (CSBFTIS). Experimental results demonstrate a significant enhancement in the information entropy and average gradient of the fused image compared to the optimal image before fusion, achieving maximum increases of 88% and 94%, respectively. This provides a solid foundation for target recognition and tracking in airborne remote sensing detection.
Monitoring Water Quality Indicators over Matagorda Bay, Texas, Using Landsat-8
Authors: Bygate Meghan , Ahmed Mohamed
Published: March 2024

Remote sensing datasets offer a unique opportunity to observe spatial and temporal trends in water quality indicators (WQIs), such as chlorophyll-a, salinity, and turbidity, across various aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we used available in situ WQI measurements (chlorophyll-a: 17, salinity: 478, and turbidity: 173) along with Landsat-8 surface reflectance data to examine the capability of empirical and machine learning (ML) models in retrieving these indicators over Matagorda Bay, Texas, between 2014 and 2023. We employed 36 empirical models to retrieve chlorophyll-a (12 models), salinity (2 models), and turbidity (22 models) and 4 ML families—deep neural network (DNN), distributed random forest, gradient boosting machine, and generalized linear model—to retrieve salinity and turbidity. We used the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE), correlation coefficient (r), and normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) to assess the performance of empirical and ML models. The results indicate that (1) the empirical models displayed minimal effectiveness when applied over Matagorda Bay without calibration; (2) once calibrated over Matagorda Bay, the performance of the empirical models experienced significant improvements (chlorophyll-a—NRMSE: 0.91 ± 0.03, r: 0.94 ± 0.04, NSE: 0.89 ± 0.06; salinity—NRMSE: 0.24 ± 0, r: 0.24 ± 0, NSE: 0.06 ± 0; turbidity—NRMSE: 0.15 ± 0.10, r: 0.13 ± 0.09, NSE: 0.03 ± 0.03); (3) ML models outperformed calibrated empirical models when used to retrieve turbidity and salinity, and (4) the DNN family outperformed all other ML families when used to retrieve salinity (NRMSE: 0.87 ± 0.09, r: 0.49 ± 0.09, NSE: 0.23 ± 0.12) and turbidity (NRMSE: 0.63± 0.11, r: 0.79 ± 0.11, NSE: 0.60 ± 0.20). The developed approach provides a reference context, a structured framework, and valuable insights for using empirical and ML models and Landsat-8 data to retrieve WQIs over aquatic ecosystems. The modeled WQI data could be used to expand the footprint of in situ observations and improve current efforts to conserve, enhance, and restore important habitats in aquatic ecosystems.
Making Sense of Critical Suicide Studies: Metaphors, Tensions, and Futurities
Authors: Cesar Riani Costa Luiza , White Jennifer
Published: March 2024

Critical suicide studies is a relatively new area of research, practice, and activism, which we believe can offer creative new vantage points with which to ‘think’ suicide into the future. We present findings from a qualitative research study undertaken to understand how critical suicide studies is being conceptualized by those who draw from this orientation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine scholars, practitioners, activists, and/or those with lived and living experience of suicidality. To analyze the data, we used reflexive thematic analysis and drew on a social constructionist orientation. We discovered that metaphors were an important way of conceptualizing and reflecting upon critical suicide studies. Four themes were generated: critical suicide studies is a site of respite and fortification; critical suicide studies is a felt experience; critical suicide studies is a desire line; critical suicide studies is yearning. We contend that the dominant language available to describe suicide and suicide prevention might not be adequate for expressing the complexities and contradictions of suicide prevention practice or suicide’s ultimate unknowability. We call for more diverse, inclusive, and expansive frameworks for understanding and responding to suicide and show the potential of joining other critical scholars and social movements to build a more just, caring, and inclusive world.
Novel Concept for the Expansion of the Fibula Bone as an Autologous Bone Graft: Experimental Tests on an Animal Implant Prototype—In Memoriam Volker Buehren
Authors: Militz Matthias , Buehren Volker , Miethke Christoph , Gabler Carolin , Mauck Josephine , Mittelmeier Wolfram , Bialas Robert , Bader Rainer
Published: March 2024

The current reconstructive surgical procedures implemented after the resection of extended bone segments are associated with high complication rates and long-term treatments. By transplanting an autologous, vascularized and stabilized bone segment, these challenges can be managed. Thus, we propose a novel procedure to expand the currently available autologous bone grafts to the dimensions of the recipient bone using an implantable device. The objective of the present study was to characterize the feasibility of developing an implant prototype for fibula expansion in an in vitro model using a porcine fibula. A balloon catheter, as the part of the implant responsible for expansion, was proven to expand while being periodically filled with sodium chloride. Therefore, the expansion of the balloon catheter was analyzed in an experimental test setup with a 3D-printed porcine fibula with a closure film simulating callus formation to simulate the in vivo situation. Our experimental testing proved the successful expansion of the porcine fibula by the balloon catheter. Hence, the feasibility of the concept for subsequent animal testing was confirmed.
Impact of Consumer Subsidy Considering Subsidy Threshold on New Energy Vehicle Firms and Environmental Benefits
Authors: Chen Yurong , Zhang Juan
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates a competitive market consisting of two new energy vehicle (NEV) firms with a technology gap and consumers with green preferences. By employing a Hotelling model, we obtain the equilibrium outcomes of two competing firms without and with segmented consumer subsidy (SCS) following Nash game theory. We further explore the incentive effect, effective scope of SCS policy and the impacts of subsidy threshold and technology improvement on it, which fills the gap in the literature and provides managerial insights. We find that SCS can only play a role when the threshold is intermediate, and the government can expand the effective scope of subsidies by cultivating consumers’ green preferences and strengthening the intensity of subsidies. Moreover, the government can change the competitiveness and green level gap of two firms through the threshold. When threshold is small (large), increasing it can narrow (expand) the green level gap between two firms but widen (narrow) the market gap. We also find that implementing an SCS policy has a positive impact on environmental benefits and technological improvement is more likely to cause environmental damage. However, the government can effectively decrease the degree and probability of damage by raising the subsidy threshold and reducing the subsidy amount.
Correction: Sundermann, A.; Fischer, D. How Does Sustainability Become Professionally Relevant? Exploring the Role of Sustainability Conceptions in First Year Students. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5155
Authors: Sundermann Anna , Fischer Daniel
Published: March 2024

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [...]
A New Climatology of Vegetation and Land Cover Information for South America
Authors: Alves Laurizio Emanuel Ribeiro , Gonçalves Luis Gustavo Gonçalves de , Ávila Álvaro Vasconcellos Araújo de , Galetti Giovana Deponte , Maske Bianca Buss , Nascimento Giuliano Carlos do , Correia Filho Washington Luiz Félix
Published: March 2024

Accurate information on vegetation and land cover is crucial for numerical forecasting models in South America. This data aids in generating more realistic forecasts, serving as a tool for decision-making to reduce environmental impacts. Regular updates are necessary to ensure the data remains representative of local conditions. In this study, we assessed the suitability of ‘Catchment Land Surface Models-Fortuna 2.5’ (CLSM), Noah, and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) for the region. The evaluation revealed significant changes in the distribution of land cover classes. Consequently, it is crucial to adjust this parameter during model initialization. The new land cover classifications demonstrated an overall accuracy greater than 80%, providing an improved alternative. Concerning vegetation information, outdated climatic series for Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Greenness Vegetation Fraction (GVF) were observed, with notable differences between series, especially for LAI. While some land covers exhibited good performance for GVF, the Forest class showed limitations. In conclusion, updating this information in models across South America is essential to minimize errors and enhance forecast accuracy.
Formulating Eco-Friendly Foamed Mortar by Incorporating Sawdust Ash as a Partial Cement Replacement
Authors: Majeed Samadar S.
Published: March 2024

Utilizing sawdust efficiently to produce construction materials can help safeguard the environment and decrease costs by minimizing the need for traditional resources and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Additionally, recycling sawdust plays an essential role in creating a sustainable ecosystem. Hence, this study aimed to examine the potential use of sawdust ash (SDA) as a partial cement replacement on foamed mortar (FM) properties, including its fresh, mechanical, transport, thermal, and microstructural properties. A variety of FM mixtures were tested for workability, density, consistency, intrinsic air permeability, porosity, split tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength, and thermal conductivity by replacing cement with SDA at varying percentages of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. The results revealed that FM’s workability was reduced by the introduction of SDA with a higher percentage cement replacement, while the density of the FM mixtures was reduced due to SDA’s specific gravity being lower than that of cement. A linear improvement was observed in the air permeability, sorptivity, and porosity of FM–SDA composites with an increased SDA percentage to 20%. It is notable that these properties started to deteriorate once the cement replacement by SDA surpassed 30%. A noticeable improvement of mechanical strength properties of the FM was found at 20% of SDA content, but they deteriorated when the SDA content was more than 30%. FM blends with higher SDA contents exhibited larger and more apparent voids, according to SEM analysis. In conclusion, incorporating sawdust into formulations emerges as a viable method for FM production. This approach not only mitigates the environmental impact of sawdust disposal but also reduces the need for extracting natural resources in construction material manufacturing.
Concrete CFRP-Reinforced Beam Performances, Tests and Simulations
Authors: Cazacu Christiana Emilia , Dumitriu Cristian Ștefan , Bărbulescu Alina
Published: March 2024

Nowadays, the increasing necessity of consolidating and renewing buildings represents a big challenge for engineers. Structural consolidation using composite materials glued on the damaged surface using high-performance adhesives could be a viable technical solution. In this context, this article’s aim is twofold. First, it presents the experimental results of the investigations performed on three types of reinforced concrete (RC) beams—without consolidation (G1), consolidated with carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) lamella of SikaCarboDur (G2), and consolidated with CFRP fabrics (G3)—to determine their behavior under different loads. Second, a numerical study was performed using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to compare and confirm the experimental results (stress, displacement). The numerical simulation shows that the stress in the areas covered by wraps is approximately 20% lower than in those without wraps.
Evaluating the Impact of Learning Management Systems in Geographical Education in Primary School: An Experimental Study on the Importance of Learning Analytics-Based Feedback
Authors: Tirado-Olivares Sergio , Cózar-Gutiérrez Ramón , González-Calero José Antonio , Dorotea Nuno
Published: March 2024

Traditionally, educational processes were focused on learning theoretical geography content, often supplemented with hands-on activities. However, advances in technology have enabled the integration of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) such as Moodle, which enable students to learn at their own pace, receive instant and individualized feedback about their daily academic performance, and gather more daily information individually based on techniques such as Learning Analytics (LAs). Despite these benefits, there is a lack of evidence supporting this educational approach in primary education. This experimental study, involving 80 fifth-grade students, aims to address this gap while investigating the territorial and socio-economic organization of their environment and comparing two types of feedback provided: simply the correct answer (control group), and more extensive (experimental group). The findings suggest that the implementation of Moodle tasks facilitates learning, irrespective of the type of feedback provided. However, students rated activities higher in terms of usefulness and satisfaction with the teaching–learning process when extensive feedback was provided. Additionally, the daily data collected proved useful for teachers in predicting students’ final outcomes. These results highlight the potential benefits of carrying out activities in Moodle, despite their short duration, particularly at this academic level and within this knowledge domain.
Optimal Design of Resilient Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Supply Chain Networks under Facility Disruption
Authors: Lei Weidong , Zhang Wenjing , Zhu Jiawei
Published: March 2024

In recent years, various kinds of carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage supply chain network design (CCUS SCND) problems have been extensively studied by scholars from the supply chain management community and other fields. The existing works mainly focus on the various deterministic or uncertainty problems; few works consider the CCUS SCND resilience problem in the context of utilization/storage facility disruptions due to unexpected natural disasters or other geological anomaly events. This paper aims to study the CCUS SCND resilience problem under utilization/storage facility capacity disruption risk. We propose a stochastic mixed-integer linear programming model for the considered problem. In the considered problem, the main decisions related to the following areas are taken into account: supply chain design and planning; facility disruption risk handling, including the optimal determination of facility locations and the matching of carbon dioxide emission sources and utilization/storage facilities; carbon dioxide normal transportation planning; and transshipment planning for various disruption scenarios. Finally, an experimental study comprising a case study from China is conducted to validate the effectiveness and performance of our proposed model. The obtained results show that the supply chain networks for the case study obtained by our proposed model are efficient, cost-effective and resilient in mitigating various kinds of utilization/storage facility disruption scenarios, showing the model can be applied to large-scale CCUS projects to help managers effectively deal with disruption risks. Future research should consider multiple disruption events and propose multiple effective resilience strategies.
Evaluation and Analysis of Synergy between Energy and Environmental Policies in Coal Resource-Rich Areas
Authors: Yan Xiaoxia , Wang Xing
Published: March 2024

The policy synergy of coal resource-rich areas directly affects the process of regional green transformation and high-quality development. Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia are important coal energy bases, and studying the energy and environmental policies of these three provinces is of great significance to sustainable development. Using social network analysis, the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model and textual similarity methods, we conducted a synergistic study of policy issuance subjects and policy text contents of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia from both horizontal and vertical perspectives. The results show that: (1) in the policy subject dimension, Shanxi had the highest degree of synergy, but overall the synergy in all three provinces was insufficient, and the number of multi-subject joint texts was relatively small; (2) in the policy content dimension, the textual similarity and goal consistency between Inner Mongolia and the Central Government were better than that of Shaanxi and Shanxi. Therefore, the region of “Shanxi–Shaanxi–Inner Mongolia” should improve the synergistic ability of policy issuance subjects; it should also pay attention to the linkage and refinement of the policy content, and make flexible innovations based on the compatibility with the Central policy incentives, to better promote the low-carbon and green transformation of coal resource-rich areas.
The Thermal Properties of an Active–Passive Heat Storage Wall System Incorporating Phase Change Materials in a Chinese Solar Greenhouse
Authors: Guan Yong , Chen Yan , Zhou Lu , Wei Zhixiong , Hu Wanling , Yang Yuchao
Published: March 2024

The use of renewable energy for food and vegetable production is a potential sustainable method to reduce fossil energy consumption. Chinese solar greenhouses (CSGs) are horticultural facility buildings in the northern hemisphere that use solar energy to produce off-season vegetables in winter. The north wall heat storage and release capacity of CSG has a significant impact on the indoor thermal–humidity environment. However, common traditional solar greenhouses commonly have problems such as insufficient heat storage and release, thick temperature stability zones inside the walls, and inability to dynamically regulate the entire greenhouse environment. Therefore, a novel active–passive heat storage wall system (APHSWS) incorporating phase change materials has been developed to promote the thermal performance of the CSG and its internal temperature of the thermal storage wall in this paper. Through experimental and simulation methods, the heat storage and release of the APHSWS and its impact on the greenhouse environment are investigated. The findings indicate that the APHSWS has increased the wall heat storage and release capacity, compared to the ordinary greenhouse without the APHSWS, in three typical weather conditions in winter (i.e., sunny, overcast, and cloudy); the average temperature of greenhouse with the APHSWS has increased in indoor air temperature, wall surface temperature, and soil surface temperatures of 1.58–6.06 °C, 2.71–6.58 °C, 0.91–6.39 °C, respectively; and during the experiment, the greenhouse with the APHSWS has a monthly average daily effective accumulated temperature of 1.39 times, 1.18 times, 0.60 times, and 0.20 times that of the ordinary greenhouse without the APHSWS from December to March of the next year, respectively. Under typical sunny conditions, the greenhouse wall heat storage capacity increased by 1.59–2.44 MJ/m2 and the heat release capacity increased by 0.97–1.17 MJ/m2. At the direction of wall thickness, the temperature at each point inside the wall with the APHSWS is always higher than that of ordinary wall without the APHSWS. In addition, the operating cost of the APHSWS in winter is analyzed.
Self-Employed Workers and the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: An Overview of Their Social Benefit Entitlements across 31 European Countries
Authors: Mațcu-Zaharia Mara , Horodnic Ioana Alexandra , Williams Colin C. , Nistor George Cristian
Published: March 2024

One of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8). While the actions suggested to reach this goal target numerous actors in the labor market, such as entrepreneurs running small and medium-sized enterprises, unemployed people, students and young people, persons with disabilities, children and adults forced to work, and migrant workers, these are not the only important groups to focus on. This paper discusses a group receiving less attention: self-employed workers. Through a review of literature and the legislative framework on the social benefits of self-employment across 31 European countries, challenges to the self-employed achieving decent work are identified. The most prominent challenges are that, in many countries, these workers lack social protection against unemployment or accidents at work and that the conditions for their entitlement to social benefits are more demanding than for employees. These constitute impediments to achieving SDG 8‘s goal of “decent work for all”, and SDG 10′s aim to “reduce inequalities”.
Index for Quantifying ‘Order’ in Three-Dimensional Shapes
Authors: Shimizu Takahiro , Okamoto Masaya , Ieda Yuto , Kato Takeo
Published: March 2024

In this study, we focused on assessing the symmetry of shapes and quantifying an index of ‘order’ in three-dimensional shapes using curvature, which is important in product design. Specifically, the target three-dimensional shape was divided into two segments, and the Jensen–Shannon distance was calculated for the distribution of the Casorati curvatures in both segments to determine the similarity between them. This was proposed as an indicator of the ‘order’ exhibited by the shape. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed index, sensory evaluation experiments were conducted on three shapes: extruded, rotated, and vase. For the rotated shape, the coefficient of determination between the proposed index and the sensory evaluation value of ‘order’ on a 5-point Likert scale was found to be less than 0.1. The reason for the poor correlation coefficient of determination may be attributed to the bias in human perception, where individuals tend to perceive mirror symmetry with respect to the plane that includes the vertical axis when recognizing the mirror symmetry of an object. In contrast, for the extruded and vase shapes, the coefficients of determination were 0.36 and 0.66, respectively, supporting the validity of the proposed index. Nonetheless, the coefficient of determination decreased slightly for familiar extruded shapes and asymmetric vase shapes. In future research, our aim is to quantify ‘aesthetic preference’ by combining the ‘order’ and ‘complexity’ indexes.
Effect of Environmental Variables on Zooplankton in Various Habitats of the Nile River
Authors: Yousef Ebtesam A. , El-Mallah Almahy M. , Abdel-Baki Abdel-Azeem S. , Al-Quraishy Saleh , Reyad Abdulrahman , Abdel-Tawab Heba
Published: March 2024

The present study investigated the effect of environmental variables on the abundance and distribution of zooplankton in different habitats along the Nile River in Shattura Village. Zooplankton samples were collected from three distinct sites along the Nile River in Shattura Village, each exhibiting different environmental characteristics: Site 1 with vegetation, site 2 lacking vegetation, and site 3 being a drain canal. The study spanned from spring 2020 to winter 2021, during which the physico-chemical parameters of the water were analyzed. Rotifera constituted the majority of the zooplankton (54.73%), followed by Cladocera (20.59%), Copepoda (13.1%), and Ostracoda (8.9%). Among the 52 identified zooplankton species, Rotifera comprised 18 species, Cladocera 13 species, Copepoda 10 species, and Ostracoda 11 species. Site 1 exhibited the highest zooplankton density (44.08%), attributed to the presence of vegetation, followed by site 3 (37.18%), influenced by agricultural drains, and site 2 had the lowest density (18.73%). Zooplankton abundance peaked in summer and declined in winter. Notably, Rotifera abundance increased in populated sites (site 3), whereas other zooplankton groups thrived in less populated areas. Correlation analyses revealed positive associations between Rotifera and Cladocera with electric conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca), and sulfate (SO4). Conversely, Copepoda showed positive correlations with water transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, and biological oxygen demand (BOD). Overall, seasonal variations significantly impacted the zooplankton community, with Rotifera dominating and Ostracoda being the least abundant. High values of the Shannon–Weaver diversity index, richness, and evenness suggested ample food resources and favorable growth conditions. Transparency, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and BOD were identified as the key influencing parameters on zooplankton abundance. Additionally, vegetation and agricultural drains strongly influenced total zooplankton levels.