bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Youth Religiosity: Research Among Catholic Confirmands in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Split–Makarska (Croatia)
Authors: Žuro Doris , Garmaz Jadranka , Stanić Sanja
Published: December 2024

This paper presents research on some aspects of youth religiosity among Catholic Confirmation candidates in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Split–Makarska, Croatia, as part of a broader 2020 study aimed at assessing confirmands’ satisfaction with Confirmation preparation. However, this paper specifically focuses on selected variables related to youth religiosity. Conducted on a sample of 473 confirmands using a non-probabilistic sampling method, this study employed a survey to measure some aspects of personal and actual religiosity, including indicators such as religious self-identification, the importance of faith, the frequency of Mass attendance, and the frequency of personal and family prayer. Findings reveal that confirmands with a strong religious self-identification are more engaged in religious practices, with frequent Mass attendance and the practice of both personal and family prayer. Sociodemographic variables, including gender and parental education, did not show a significant effect on these aspects of youth religiosity, while settlement size correlated with religious self-identification and the frequency of Mass attendance. Confirmands from smaller, but not from the smallest settlements, demonstrated higher religiosity, consistent with modernization theory, which suggests that urban settings may encourage secularization trends. These findings highlight the importance of pastoral strategies that support both communal and personalized expressions of faith, emphasizing the need for further research to understand evolving patterns of youth religiosity within the Croatian context.
A Framework for Preaching About Racial–Ethnic Identity in Christian Congregations
Authors: Alcántara Jared E.
Published: December 2024

The central question of this article is, how can preachers in multicultural congregations develop an interculturally competent homiletical framework for explications of racial–ethnic identity? This question will be answered in two parts with a special interest in how identity is shaped in minoritized communities: first, through the recognition of intercultural identity construction in dialog with social psychology of race and intercultural communication theory, and, second, through the redistribution of knowledge and wisdom in these fields to build an interculturally competent homiletical framework. In the conclusion, we will consider the implications of this study and discuss opportunities for further research.
Trajectory PHD and CPHD Filters for the Pulse Doppler Radar
Authors: Zhang Mei , Zhao Yongbo , Niu Ben
Published: December 2024

Different from the standard probability hypothesis density (PHD) and cardinality probability hypothesis density (CPHD) filters, the trajectory PHD (TPHD) and trajectory CPHD (TCPHD) filters employ the sets of trajectories rather than the sets of the targets as the variables for multi-target filtering. The TPHD and TCPHD filters exploit the inherent potential of the standard PHD and CPHD filters to generate the target trajectory estimates from first principles. In this paper, we develop the TPHD and TCPHD filters for pulse Doppler radars (PD-TPHD and PD-TCPHD filters) to improve the multi-target tracking performance in the scenario with clutter. The Doppler radar can obtain the Doppler measurements of targets in addition to the position measurements of targets, and both measurements are integrated into the recursive filtering of PD-TPHD and PD-TCPHD. PD-TPHD and PD-TCPHD can propagate the best augmented Poisson and independent identically distributed multi-trajectory density approximation, respectively, through the Kullback–Leibler divergence minimization operation. Considering the low computational complexity of sequential filtering, Doppler measurements are sequentially applied to the Gaussian mixture implementation. Moreover, we perform the L-scan implementations of PD-TPHD and PD-TCPHD. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithms in the scenario with clutter.
New Hyperspectral Geometry Ratio Index for Monitoring Rice Blast Disease from Leaf Scale to Canopy Scale
Authors: Zheng Qiong , Chen Yihao , Xia Qing , Zhang Yunfei , Li Dan , Jiang Hao , Wang Chongyang , Zhao Longlong , Huang Wenjiang , Dong Yingying , Wang Chuntao
Published: December 2024

Rice blast is a highly damaging disease that greatly impacts both the quality and yield of rice. Timely identification and monitoring of this disease are essential for effective agricultural management and for ensuring optimal crop performance. The spectral vegetation index has been widely used in the identification of crop diseases. However, a limitation of these indices is that they cannot identify diseases at different scales. This study aimed to address these issues by developing the rice blast-specific hyperspectral Geometry Ratio Vegetation Index (GRVIRB) for monitoring rice blast disease at the leaf and canopy scales. The sensitive bands for identifying rice blast disease were 688 nm, 756 nm, and 1466 nm using the successive projection algorithm. Based on these three sensitive bands and the spectral response mechanism of rice blast, the GRVIRB was designed. GRVIRB demonstrated high classification accuracy using SVM (support vector machine) and LDA (Linear Discriminant Analysis) models in leaf-scale and canopy-scale datasets from 2020 and 2021, surpassing the current vegetation indices of rice blast detection. It is demonstrated that the GRVIRB has excellent robustness and universality for rice blast detection from leaf to canopy scales in different years. Additionally, the research suggests that the new hyperspectral vegetation index can serve as a valuable reference for studies conducted at both unmanned aerial vehicle and satellite scales.
UAV-Based 3D-Calibration of Thermal Cameras for Bat Flight Monitoring in Large Outdoor Environments
Authors: Happ Christof , Sutor Alexander , Hochradel Klaus
Published: December 2024

The calibration of 3D cameras is one of the key challenges to successfully measure the nightly 3D flight tracks of bats with thermal cameras. This is relevant around wind turbines to investigate the impact wind farms have on their species. Existing 3D-calibration methods solve the problem of unknown camera position and orientation by using a reference object of known coordinates. While these methods work well for small monitoring volumes, the size of the reference objects (e.g., checkerboard patterns) limits the distance between the two cameras and therefore leads to increased calibration errors when used in large outdoor environments. To address this limitation, we propose a calibration method for tracking flying animals with thermal cameras based on UAV GPS tracks. The tracks can be scaled to the required monitoring volume and accommodate large distances between cameras, which is essential for low-resolution thermal camera setups. We tested our method at two wind farms, conducting 19 manual calibration flights with a consumer UAV, distributing GPS points from 30 to 260 m from the camera system. Using two thermal cameras with a resolution of 640 × 480 pixels and an inter-axial distance of 15 m, we achieved median 3D errors between 0.9 and 3.8 m across different flights. Our method offers the advantage of directly providing GPS coordinates and requires only two UAV flights for cross-validation of the 3D errors.
Invariant Feature Matching in Spacecraft Rendezvous and Docking Optical Imaging Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Guo Dongwen , Wu Shuang , Weng Desheng , Gao Chenzhong , Li Wei
Published: December 2024

In spacecraft rendezvous and docking, traditional methods that rely on inertial navigation and sensor data face challenges due to sensor inaccuracies, noise, and a lack of multi-approach assurance. Focusing on exploring a new approach as assistance, this study marks the first application of deep learning-based image feature matching in spacecraft docking tasks, introducing the Class-Tuned Invariant Feature Transformer (CtIFT) algorithm. CtIFT incorporates an improved cross-attention mechanism and a custom-designed feature classification module. By using symmetric multi-layer cross-attention, it gradually strengthens inter-feature relationships perception. And, in the feature matcher, it employs feature classification to reduce computational load, thereby achieving high-precision matching. The model is trained on multi-source datasets to enhance its adaptability in complex environments. The method demonstrates outstanding performance across experiments on four spacecraft docking video scenes, with CtIFT being the only feasible solution compared to SIFT and eight state-of-the-art network methods: D2-Net, SuperPoint, SuperGlue, LightGlue, ALIKED, LoFTR, ASpanFormer, and TopicFM+. The number of successfully matched feature points per frame consistently reaches the hundreds, the successful rate remains 100%, and the average processing time is maintained below 0.18 s per frame, an overall performance which far exceeds other methods. The results indicate that this approach achieves strong matching accuracy and robustness in optical docking imaging, supports real-time processing, and provides new technical support for assistance of spacecraft rendezvous and docking tasks.
Pragmatically Mapping Phragmites with Unoccupied Aerial Systems: A Comparison of Invasive Species Land Cover Classification Using RGB and Multispectral Imagery
Authors: Evans Alexandra Danielle , Cramer Jennifer , Scholl Victoria , Lentz Erika
Published: December 2024

Unoccupied aerial systems (UASs) are increasingly being deployed in coastal environments to rapidly map and monitor changes to geomorphology, vegetation, and infrastructure, particularly in difficult to access areas. UAS data, relative to airplane or satellite data, typically have higher spatial resolution, sensor customization, and increased flexibility in temporal resolution, which benefits monitoring applications. UAS data have been used to map and monitor invasive species occurrence and expansion, such as Phragmites australis, a reed species in wetlands throughout the eastern United States. To date, the work on this species has been largely opportunistic or ad hoc. Here, we statistically and qualitatively compare results from several sensors and classification workflows to develop baseline understanding of the accuracy of different approaches used to map Phragmites. Two types of UAS imagery were collected in a Phragmites-invaded salt marsh setting—natural color red-green-blue (RGB) imagery and multispectral imagery spanning visible and near infrared wavelengths. We evaluated whether one imagery type provided significantly better classification results for mapping land cover than the other, also considering trade-offs like overall accuracy, financial costs, and effort. We tested the transferability of classification workflows that provided the highest thematic accuracy to another barrier island environment with known Phragmites stands. We showed that both UAS sensor types were effective in classifying Phragmites cover, with neither resulting in significantly better classification results than the other for Phragmites detection (overall accuracy up to 0.95, Phragmites recall up to 0.86 at the pilot study site). We also found the highest accuracy workflows were transferrable to sites in a barrier island setting, although the quality of results varied across these sites (overall accuracy up to 0.97, Phragmites recall up to 0.90 at the additional study sites).
Perception and Contribution of Public Relations to Society: What Does the Public Think? Insights from Türkiye
Authors: Görpe Tevhide Serra , Öksüz Burcu
Published: December 2024

The aim of this study is to understand how the public perceives public relations and why it is perceived in that way by society. This research is related to the perception of public relations and is conducted in Türkiye. Semi-structured interviews with 30 people from different occupations/professions are conducted to identify their views on public relations. In addition to the perception of public relations, this study aims to find out the contribution of public relations to the organizations and society. Findings state that public relations is considered to have an important function for the organization and society. The Turkish participants of the study have an idea of public relations and are accurately describing some aspects of public relations. Their view is not negative, and they think that public relations contributes to society because it provides information to society from organizations. They also state that public relations should pay attention to the values of society. However, the public relations practitioner is perceived to favor the interest of the organization when a conflict between the organization and the public occurs.
Psychosocial Demands in Death Care During COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study on Italian Workers
Authors: Grandi Annalisa , King Nigel , Colombo Lara
Published: December 2024

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the long-established approach to death. Among the workers who suffered most from the effects of this new situation are those in death care, who had to take care of the disposal of bodies throughout the pandemic. This study explores the experiences of these professionals to better understand the difficulties they faced in their daily work during the first wave of the pandemic. The narratives of 29 Italian death care professionals were collected. The data were analysed using Template Analysis, and four main themes were identified: the changes in funeral practices, the management of the increased workload, stigmatisation and a lack of support. The results of this study have also shown that institutions and the public know too little about the death care system, a factor that significantly influenced the difficulties faced by these professionals in coping with the pandemic.
Evaluation of Competitiveness of e-Commerce Websites in Kazakhstan
Authors: Kanat Gulnar , Yang Zhaoping , Wang Cuirong , Akbar Imanaly , Mominov Serik
Published: December 2024

Adopting advanced e-commerce practices is essential for enhancing user engagement and business performance, particularly in tourism. This study evaluates the e-commerce adoption of Kazakhstan’s tourism websites using an innovative Integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (IMCDA) methodology. Traditional evaluation methods overlook the interplay between website functionality, user experience, and strategic objectives. To address this gap, the IMCDA framework integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches by combining advanced Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques, including SPOTIS, ESP-COMET, RANCOM, and SITW, with content analysis and logistic regression. The study assessed 77 tourism websites, categorized into Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), Official Tourism Websites (OTWs), and Attraction Websites (AWs), based on 34 e-commerce features grouped into dimensions such as product information, functionality, reservations, payment systems, and customer relationship management (CRM). The findings reveal that OTAs significantly outperform OTWs and AWs in most dimensions, especially in online booking and CRM functionalities. At the same time, AWs lag in key e-commerce features like reservations and payment systems. This research highlights critical gaps in Kazakhstan’s tourism e-commerce ecosystem. It provides actionable recommendations, including enhancing CRM tools, integrating advanced booking systems, and leveraging collaborations with local financial technology providers like Kaspi Pay. The IMCDA framework offers a robust, adaptable evaluation model with practical implications for digital transformation and competitiveness in the tourism industry. This study contributes to advancing digital maturity in Kazakhstan’s tourism sector by addressing these gaps. It sets the foundation for future research to explore innovative strategies in e-commerce adoption across various regions and industries.
Analysis and Recommendations on the Current State of Renewable Energy Development in Tibet
Authors: Meng Yue , Gao Boyang , Duan Yuwen , Wang Yiyuan , Li Huanyu
Published: December 2024

Tibet, with its abundant hydraulic, solar, and wind resources, stands at the forefront of China’s renewable energy development. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of clean energy development in Tibet, highlighting the region’s vast potential and the challenges it faces. We find that, while Tibet has made significant strides in harnessing its natural endowments, infrastructural limitations, seasonal fluctuations, and technological hurdles constrain the development of clean energy. This paper offers a multifaceted set of recommendations aimed at accelerating clean energy development in Tibet, including policy reforms, infrastructure enhancements, and technological innovations. Our study’s unique contributions lie in its holistic approach to clean energy development, its detailed analysis of the regional energy policies, and its forward-looking recommendations that balance ecological protection with energy security. By adhering to the principle of ecological priority and conducting innovative research in clean energy development, Tibet can leverage its carbon sequestration capabilities for environmental protection while promoting sustainable economic and social development. This paper provides valuable insights for policymakers and scholars, offering a roadmap for the sustainable development of Tibet’s economy and a reference for similar regions embarking on clean energy transitions.
Research on the Mechanism of Coal-Wall Spalling and Flexible Reinforcement in Soft-Coal Seams Based on the Mogi–Coulomb Criterion
Authors: Zhao Wenjie , Zhao Hongbao , Gao Lu , Liu Yubing
Published: December 2024

The problem of soft coal-seam wall spalling is more prominent in the deep mining process, which seriously restricts the safety and sustainability of mining. The horizontal ground stress is usually ignored in the analysis of the coal-wall spalling mechanism. In this paper, based on the Mogi–Coulomb criterion and limit-equilibrium analysis, it is found that the traces of coal siding can be approximated as linear. The safety-stability coefficient of a soft-coal wall under the limit-equilibrium condition is obtained by applying the Mogi–Coulomb criterion. The coal stability of different positions is quite different. The coal with greater cohesion is more stable. In this regard, the cohesion of the coal can be improved through flexible reinforcement so as to improve the stability of the coal body. The control mechanism of the grouting and flexible rope reinforcing technology for the coal-wall spalling in the soft-coal seam is revealed. The safety-stability coefficient of the reinforced coal wall and the limit-stability coefficient are deduced. The reinforcement effect is related to the aperture ratio, the ultimate tensile force of the flexible rope, and the layout spacing. Reasonable aperture ratio, layout spacing, and flexible rope selection are key to reinforcement. This study has important guiding significance for the sustainability and safety of mining by revealing the mechanism of coal-wall spalling and reinforcement.
Ecological Zoning Study on the Coupling of Land Use Intensity and Landscape Ecological Risk in Western Jilin: A Production–Living–Ecological Space Perspective
Authors: Rina Su , Bole Yi , Tong Zhijun , Zhi Feng , Xu Jiarong , Ma Bing , Liu Xingpeng , Zhang Jiquan
Published: December 2024

Ecological zoning is essential for optimizing regional ecological management and improving environmental protection efficiency. While previous studies have primarily focused on the independent analysis of land use intensity (LUI) and landscape ecological risk (LER), there has been limited research on their coupled relationship. This study, conducted in the Western Jilin (WJL), introduces an innovative ecological zoning method based on the Production–Living–Ecological Space (PLES) framework, which explores the interactions between LUI and LER, filling a gap in existing research. The method employs a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to construct an LUI-ERI coupling model, which is used to delineate ecological zones. The results indicate that: (1) The PLES in the study area is predominantly production space (PS), with the largest area of transfer being production ecological space (PES) 2784.23 km2, and the most significant transfer in being PS 3112.33 km2. (2) Between 2000 and 2020, both LUI and LER exhibited downward trends, with opposite spatial distribution characteristics. The “middle” intensity zone and “highest” risk zone were the dominant LUI and LER types, covering approximately 46% and 45% of the total area, respectively. (3) The coupling coordination degree between LUI and LER showed a polarized trend, with an overall upward trajectory from 2000 to 2020. (4) The ecological zoning of the WJL can be categorized into an ecological core protection (ECP) zone, ecological potential governance (EPG) zone, ecological comprehensive monitoring (ECM) zone, ecological optimization (EO) zone, and ecological restoration (ER) zone, with the ecological core protection area occupying 61.63% of the total area. This study provides a novel perspective on ecological zoning and offers a systematic scientific basis for regional ecological management and spatial planning.
Study on the Spatiotemporal Evolution of Habitat Quality in Highly Urbanized Areas Based on Bayesian Networks: A Case Study from Shenzhen, China
Authors: Zhang Wei , Lu Xiaodong , Xie Zhuangxiu , Ma Jianjun , Zang Jiaming
Published: December 2024

Rapid urbanization presents significant challenges to biodiversity through habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss. This study focuses on Shenzhen, China, a highly urbanized region experiencing substantial land use changes and facing a considerable risk of biodiversity decline, to investigate the dynamics of habitat quality over two critical periods: 2010–2015 and 2015–2020. Using the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs) model for habitat quality assessment and Bayesian networks to analyze causal relationships, this research offers an innovative comparison between habitat recovery and degradation across these two phases. Results indicate that from 2010 to 2015, localized habitat recovery was achieved on 0.53% of the land area due to restoration policies, yet the overall trend remained negative. During the 2015–2020 period, habitat degradation intensified (7.19%) compared to recovery (5.7%); notably, 70.6% of areas that had been previously restored are now experiencing degradation once again. This re-degradation highlights the instability of earlier restoration efforts under ongoing urban pressure. By integrating spatial analysis with Bayesian network modeling, this study provides offers a nuanced understanding of where and why initial recovery efforts were unsuccessful, identifying areas susceptible to persistent degradation. The research emphasizes that urban expansion—particularly the development of construction land, was the primary driver of habitat degradation, while ecological sensitivity played a crucial role in determining the long-term success of recovery efforts. This approach provides valuable insights for designing more effective, sustainable conservation strategies in rapidly urbanizing regions.
Physical, Textural and Sensory Properties of Spreadable Processed Whey Cheese as Affected by Addition of Polysaccharides
Authors: Chatziantoniou Soumela E. , Thomareis Apostolos S.
Published: December 2024

Different polysaccharides, namely xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum (LBG), and κ-carrageenan, were used as stabilizers, individually or in mixtures (50:50), to prepare spreadable processed whey cheese (PWC) samples of constant chemical composition and pH. The impact of polysaccharides on the physical, textural, and sensory characteristics of PWC samples was examined, revealing significant differences (p < 0.05) in all assessed properties among the samples. PWC samples had an off-white color with a slight yellowish hue. All samples were stable emulsion gels, with free oil formation values ranging between 4% and 12%. Textural properties, as determined by texture profile analysis, were highly correlated with physical and sensory attributes. The PWC samples made with xanthan gum, guar gum, LBG, xanthan gum + guar gum, and κ-carrageenan + xanthan gum were less hard, while they were rated by panelists as having increased fattiness, stickiness, as well as texture and overall acceptability. The sample that contained xanthan gum was the softest and the most cohesive, adhesive, springy, stringy, and gummy compared to the other PWC samples. In contrast, brittleness and increased hardness were exhibited by the samples prepared with κ-carrageenan, κ-carrageenan + guar gum, κ-carrageenan + LBG, and xanthan gum + LBG, which were judged unsuitable for spreading by the panelists. In conclusion, the development of such cheeses aims not only at the production of flavorsome and nutritious products, but also at sustainability, as it utilizes whey, which is a by-product of cheese making.
Biosorption, Recovery and Reuse of Cu(II) by Penicillium sp. 8L2: A Proposal Framed Within Environmental Regeneration and the Sustainability of Mineral Resources
Authors: Muñoz Cobo Antonio Jesus , Espinola Lozano Francisco , Moya Vilar Manuel , Martin Valenzuela Celia , Ruiz Ramos Encarnación
Published: December 2024

The copper contamination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is a major global environmental problem. Copper is a metal used in many industrial and agricultural processes that is bioaccumulative and highly toxic, making its elimination, recovery and reuse of great interest for environmental sustainability. At the same time, the use of ubiquitous microorganisms is presented as a crucial tool in the field of the sustainability of mineral resources, which in many cases end up as bioaccumulative pollutants, since they can allow the recovery of metallic ions present in low concentrations and, in parallel, the reconversion of these into crystalline species that can be used in other technological fields. The potential of a ubiquitous microorganism, Penicillium sp. 8L2, to retain Cu(II) ions was investigated, as well as the ability of its cellular extract to synthesize CuO nanoparticles, which were subsequently evaluated as biocidal agents against five microorganisms. A response surface methodology was used to determine the optimal operating conditions of the biosorption process, setting the pH at 4.8 and the biomass concentration at 0.8 g/L and obtaining a maximum biosorption capacity at equilibrium of 25.79 mg/g for the Langmuir model. Different analytical techniques were used to study the biosorption mechanisms, which revealed the presence of surface adsorption and intracellular bioaccumulation phenomena involving different functional groups. The fungal cell extract allowed the successful synthesis of CuO-NPs with an average size of 22 nm. The biocidal tests performed with the nanoparticles showed promising values of minimum inhibitory concentrations between 62.5 and 500 µg/mL. Penicillium sp. 8L2 showed good potential for its application in the field of heavy metal bioremediation and for the green synthesis of nanoparticles useful in biomedicine.
The Hierarchy of Factors Important for Work Engagement in Different Types of Remote Working
Authors: Tarnowska Katarzyna , Pawlak Justyna , Moczulska Marta , Winkler Renata
Published: December 2024

The growing popularity of remote and hybrid work has changed the dynamics of how teams function and accomplish work tasks, creating opportunities to align work practices with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Remote work not only promotes labor market inclusion by eliminating barriers such as those of transportation but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with daily commuting. However, despite the advantages of remote work, researchers and practitioners point to the problem of unstable engagement among remote workers. This study examines the key factors influencing work engagement in remote and hybrid work models, looking at how these factors vary depending on the degree of remote work and the nature of the work. Based on a systematic review, 14 critical factors influencing engagement were identified, followed by the development of a questionnaire and the analysis of responses from 181 employees representing various remote work models. The results obtained in the survey indicate the universal importance that work–life balance, open access to organizational knowledge, and a personalized work environment have for building work engagement. At the same time, the extent of remote work, the form of employment, and team integration methods influence the importance of other factors, revealing differences between fully remote and hybrid employees. The findings underline that building effective strategies to foster engagement should be based on adapting the actions taken to specific work conditions.
Spatiotemporal Evolution and Obstacle Factor Analysis of Coupling Coordination Between Economic Resilience and Green, Low-Carbon Development in China
Authors: Ding Shujuan , Fan Zhenyu
Published: December 2024

To achieve economic resilience and green, low-carbon development are two goals of China’s high-quality economic development. This paper uses the entropy weight method and coupling coordination degree model to estimate the coupling coordination level of economic resilience and green, low-carbon development. Kernel density estimation, Moran index, Dagum Gini coefficient, Markov chain, and obstacle degree model are used to explore the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and obstacle factors. The results are as follows. (1) The coupling coordination degree between China’s economic resilience and green, low-carbon development has increased overall. However, the eastern region has the highest, and the central region has the fastest growth. (2) The coupling coordination degree shows positive spatial autocorrelation, with most provinces exhibiting high–high or low–low aggregation characteristics. (3) The contribution of imbalance mainly comes from inter-regional differences, but the contribution of intra-regional differences to imbalance is increasing. (4) The spatio-temporal evolution pattern is generally better, and the probability of the coupling coordination degree maintaining the initial state is the largest. The neighborhood’s state affects the transition probability but does not affect that of high-level provinces. (5) Innovation capacity is the main obstacle to improving economic resilience, and per capita water resources are the main obstacle to green and low-carbon development. Finally, this paper puts forward suggestions for creating a good innovation environment, increasing R&D investment, promoting green technology progress, optimizing regional cooperation and resource allocation, and promoting industrial green transformation.
Assessment of Multiple Citizen Science Methods and Carbon Footprint of Tourists in Two Australian Marine Parks
Authors: Smith Adam K. , DiBattista Joseph D. , Tol Samatha J. , Kustra Leona , Stacey Joanne , Massey Toni , Hardisty Paul E.
Published: December 2024

Citizen or community science (CS) projects in the marine environment rarely consider carbon footprint and sustainability. In this case study, we assessed the effectiveness of ten CS methods used by tourists in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) and Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP) who participated in the 2023 Citizen Science of the Great Barrier Reef expedition and the carbon footprint associated with these field methods. We also assessed the baseline coral reef knowledge of the tourists, observations of marine species, and the communication of our results to the public. Specifically, the tourists utilised up to ten methods: iNaturalist, CoralWatch, Great Barrier Reef Census, Eye on the Reef (EoR), environmental DNA (eDNA) testing kits, photogrammetry, social surveys, and Red Map, as well as marine debris and marine vegetation collections. A total of 10,421 data points were collected across 14 days, including 5390 records (52% of the total) uploaded to iNaturalist, comprising 640 plant and animal species. Public awareness of the CS expedition reached over 700,000 people based on estimates from advertising, media, social media, family and friends, and conference presentations. We estimated the total carbon footprint for the expedition as 268.7 tonnes of CO2 or 4.47 tonnes of CO2 per person, equivalent to AUD 112 needed to offset this input. Based on these results, our recommendations to leverage CS methods include governmental review strategies, temporal replication to allow for the measurement of changes through time, integrating sustainability into CS ecotourism platforms, and encouraging broad participation.
Analysis of Zero-Waste City Policy in China: Based on Three-Dimensional Framework
Authors: Zhou Yifei
Published: December 2024

This paper proposes the PDDS model and constructs a three-dimensional analysis framework of policy objectives–policy tools–value chain in order to provide an in-depth analysis of 224 waste-free city policy texts released by China from 2019 to 2024. This study finds that China’s waste-free city policy objectives are macro-oriented, with specific objectives and milestones accounting for a relatively low proportion. Furthermore, there is a structural imbalance in policy tools, with environmental tools dominating and supply- and demand-based tools lagging behind. Additionally, support for each link in the value chain is uneven, with emphasis on the waste generation and disposal link, but the collection and regulation link is weak. In the three-dimensional analysis, China’s waste-free city policy exhibits a pattern of “overall goal leadership + environment-oriented policy tools + green industrial upgrading”. This study proposes a number of refinements to the policy objectives, improvements to the structure of policy instruments, enhanced synergies among the various segments of the value chain, and an increase in the aggregation effect of the policy objectives, instruments, and the evaluation chain. These changes are intended to promote the optimisation of waste-free city policies and the sustainable development of the environment in China and other countries.
Evolution of Spatial Patterns and Influencing Factors of Sports Tourism Development in Yangtze River Delta Region
Authors: Tai Pengfei , Cheng Maoteng , Jiang Fugao , Li Zhaojin , Wang Qiaojing
Published: December 2024

The development of sports tourism is of great significance in promoting regional cultural exchanges, boosting economic development, accelerating the construction of national fitness, promoting the development of the sports industry, and advancing ecological environmental protection. With the integrated application of exploratory spatial data analysis and gray correlation analysis model, this article takes the Yangtze River Delta region as the research object and comprehensively explores the pattern evolution characteristics and influencing factors of its sports tourism development space. The study found that (1) the total amount of sports tourism resources in the Yangtze River Delta region has accumulated in fluctuation and iteration, and the types are constantly enriched; (2) the spatial pattern of sports tourism resources in the Yangtze River Delta region shows the evolution characteristics of “agglomeration–dispersion–agglomeration” over time; (3) the spatial evolution hot spots of sports tourism resources in the Yangtze River Delta region have experienced the following characteristics “unipolar-multipolar-area-wide-suburban”, and the center of gravity of spatial evolution has experienced the process of east–west linear development and north–south diffusion; and (4) the spatial development of sports tourism in the Yangtze River Delta region has experienced the process of “policy + sports + transportation” drive, “economic + social” drive, economic drive, and total-factor drive in different periods. The results of the study can help optimize the allocation of sports and tourism resources in the Yangtze River Delta region, further realize the in-depth integration and development of sports, culture, and tourism, and enhance the regional economy and public service level.
Possibilities of Improving the Emission Characteristics of Passenger Cars by Controlling the Concentration Levels of Combustion-Generated BTEX Components
Authors: Adamović Dragan , Adamović Savka , Čepić Zoran , Morača Slobodan , Mihailović Aleksandra , Mijailović Ivan , Stošić Milena
Published: December 2024

Replacing the alkyl lead derivatives with aromatic hydrocarbons and additives in modern reformulated fuels to improve internal combustion engine performance, lower fuel consumption, increase power, and improve emission characteristics have resulted in the emission of large quantities of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) compounds into the atmospheric compartment. In this research, how the different working regimes of an experimental engine affect the BTEX compound concentration levels was observed to evaluate the quantities emitted during the movement of a passenger car in urban driving conditions. The target compounds were analyzed in exhaust gas samples using the Photovac Voyager-mobile GC (Waltham, MA, USA). This experimental research demonstrates that optimizing engine operational parameters significantly reduces the concentration levels of BTEX compounds in exhaust gas mixtures by adjusting specific working regimes, contributing to better emission characteristics and promoting sustainable transportation solutions. The most significant effect of the independent increase in air quantity in the feed mixture is realized through the decrease in concentration levels of toluene in the exhaust gas mixture of approximately 81%. A significant reduction in concentration levels is achieved with m,p-xylene (79%) and o-xylene (79%) as well, whilst the lowest effect has been noted with benzene (73%) and ethylbenzene (71%).
Advancements in Marine Vessel Design: A Twenty-Four-Year Bibliometric Survey on Technological, Environmental, and Sustainable Progress
Authors: Ma Feng , Bao Haoran , Nikolaeva Anna , Xia Jun , Guan Zheng
Published: December 2024

Marine vessel design plays a key role in optimizing global trade, environmental sustainability, and technological advancements in naval architecture. However, a comprehensive review of research trends, key advancements, and future directions in sustainable marine vessel design has been lacking. This study addresses this gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis of 1701 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection database from 2000 to 2024. Using CiteSpace and VOSviewer, this research explores global research patterns, key institutions, and the evolution of thematic areas in sustainable marine vessel design over the last 24 years. The results reveal significant contributions from countries such as China, the USA, and South Korea, emphasizing sustainable technologies, safety, structural integrity, and intelligent systems in vessel design. Key research hotspots include “optimization”, “modeling”, “simulation”, and “computational fluid dynamics (CFD)”, reflecting the growing use of advanced technologies to improve vessel efficiency, environmental sustainability, and safety. This study also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration involving structural engineering, fluid mechanics, materials science, and environmental science. By mapping the historical landscape, current dynamics, and future directions of sustainable marine vessel design, this study aims to provide a foundation for advancing scientific discourse and practical applications in this field.
Developing a Hybrid Approach with Whale Optimization and Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for Enhancing Security in Smart Home Environments’ Sustainability Through IoT Devices
Authors: Jothi Kavitha Ramaswami , Vaithiyanathan Balamurugan
Published: December 2024

Even while living circumstances and construction techniques have generally improved, occupants of these spaces frequently feel unsatisfied with the sense of security they provide, which leads to looking for and eventually enacting ever-more-effective safety precautions. The continuous uncertainty that contemporary individuals experience, particularly with regard to their protection in places like cities, prompted the field of computing to design smart devices that attempt to reduce threats and ultimately strengthen people’s sense of protection. Intelligent apps were developed to provide protection and make a residence a smart and safe home. The proliferation of technology for smart homes necessitates the implementation of rigorous safety precautions to protect users’ personal information and avoid illegal access. The importance of establishing cyber security has been recognized by academic and business institutions all around the globe. Providing reliable computation for the Internet of Things (IoT) is also crucial. A new method for enhancing safety in smart home environments’ sustainability using IoT devices is presented in this paper, combining the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) with Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DCNNs). WOA-DCNN hybridization seeks to enhance safety measures by efficiently identifying and averting possible attacks in real time. We show how effective the proposed approach is in defending smart home systems from a range of safety risks via in-depth testing and analysis. By providing a potential path for protecting smart home surroundings in a world that is growing more linked, this research advances the state of the art in IoT security.
Dual-Channel Supply Chain Pricing Coordination and Channel Selection with Reference Quality Effect Under Blockchain Traceability
Authors: He Quanfeng , Zhang Tianrui , Wang Jiangtao , Li Jingxuan
Published: December 2024

This paper uses symmetry to develop a dual-channel supply chain network model, both with and without blockchain technology, ensuring that the solutions for pricing and channel selection are symmetric in both modes. And, in the model that does not employ blockchain technology, mechanisms are used to make the benefits of centralized and decentralized decision-making symmetrical. Consumers often have varied psychological expectations when choosing products. This paper considers the reference quality effect, where consumers establish a reference quality before making a purchase decision. However, the lack of transparency in product sales across supply chain channels can lead to a disparity between actual and expected product quality, impacting market demand and brand reputation. Therefore, manufacturers must balance increasing profits with meeting consumer demand for product traceability. This paper focuses on a dual-channel supply chain model involving manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Firstly, the pricing issues and channel selections under centralized decision-making and a Stackelberg game with decentralized decision-making are comparatively analyzed in the mode of without adopting blockchain technology and adopt two-part pricing contract to coordinate. Secondly, the impact of blockchain technology on pricing is examined when it is adopted. Thirdly, pricing issues and channel selection strategies based on actual product quality in the dual-channel supply chain are compared under both models. Finally, numerical simulations validate the findings. The study found that: (1) the reference quality effect has a cross-positive influence on the equilibrium price and profit of a dual-channel supply chain; (2) the two-part pricing contract can mitigate the double-marginal effect and enhance profits; and (3) the adoption of the blockchain technology leads to increased equilibrium prices and total profits in the dual-channel supply chain compared to not using it. This paper offers a theoretical foundation for manufacturers and retailers to develop effective pricing and channel selection strategies in dual-channel operations to achieve higher returns.
Convergence Rates of Partial Truncated Numerical Algorithm for Stochastic Age-Dependent Cooperative Lotka–Volterra System
Authors: Zhang Mengqing , Zhu Quanxin , Tian Jing
Published: December 2024

We present a numerical algorithm for a stochastic age-dependent cooperative Lotka–Volterra system that incorporates a partially truncated function. Since it is challenging to obtain the real solution for this system, and traditional numerical algorithms often experience blow-up phenomena, we design a partially truncated algorithm to ensure the solution remains well behaved. We further establish the convergence of the algorithm and obtain its convergence order. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate our theoretical findings.
Investigation into Damage Characteristics and Ballistic Performance of In-Contact Multi-Layer Steel Targets Subjected to High-Velocity Impact by Explosively Formed Projectiles
Authors: Chen Peng , Li Wenbin , Li Yiming , Li Weihang , Guo Zhiwei , Yin Guixiang
Published: December 2024

Given the significantly large deformation and high strain exhibited by explosively formed projectiles (EFP) in penetration, their penetration performance into multi-layer targets differs from that of ordinary bullets or rigid projectiles. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the ballistic performance and the damage mechanism of target deformation when an EFP penetrates a multi-layer target. This study conducted high-velocity impact tests of EFPs on four types of multi-layer steel targets, analyzing the damage morphology and deformation characteristics of multi-layer steel targets subjected to EFP penetration from both macro and micro levels. To investigate the anti-penetration performance of more target combinations at different EFP velocities, an accurate symmetrical finite element model of EFP penetration into multi-layer targets was established using Autodyn 16.0 finite element software and the SPH-FEM algorithm based on the symmetrical characteristics of the EFP and target structure. The experimental and simulation results showed that for a three-layer composite target, when the thickness of the middle layer remained constant, using the target layers with a front–rear target thickness ratio of less than one was beneficial for enhancing the anti-penetration performance of the targets against EFPs; when the EFP velocity was low and the residual velocity for penetrating a single-layer target was no more than 200 m/s, the anti-penetration performance of the two-layer target was optimal. When the EFP velocity exceeded 1500 m/s, the single-layer target exhibited the best anti-penetration performance to the EFP, and the more layers, the smaller the ballistic resistance. When the number of layers was more than six, the ballistic resistance of the multi-layer targets gradually tended to remain constant.