bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multi-Dimensional Clustering Applied to Classify the Typology of Urban Public Parks in Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand
Authors: Kongphunphin Chompoonut , Srivanit Manat
Published: October 2021

Public parks are public spaces that support community activities and enhance the environmental quality of a city. Depending on the local urban context in terms of socio-economic conditions and location, the physical characteristics and particular uses of each public park may vary from each other. Accordingly, urban public parks and their uses reflect the characteristics of communities and neighborhoods where the public parks are located. The aim of this study is to apply analytical approaches using a multi-dimensional clustering method to classify multivariate characteristics of public parks into typologies that combine a set of criteria related to internal park attributes and external physical environments around parks in an urban context of Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand. An analysis of a multi-dimensional data set from 30 public parks resulted in six identified clusters of characteristics of urban park areas. The study demonstrates how the context-specific typology can assist local urban planners, policymakers, and government authorities when considering management strategies for public parks in Bangkok areas.
“... Inconceivable, Unrealistic and Inhumane”. Internet Communication on the Flood Disaster in West Germany of July 2021 between Conspiracy Theories and Moralization—A Neopragmatic Explorative Study
Authors: Kühne Olaf , Koegst Lara , Zimmer Marie-Luise , Schäffauer Greta
Published: October 2021

The aim of this article is an explorative study of the debate on the flood in the western part of Germany in July 2021, based on the comments found below the coverage of a German public television channel (ZDF) published on YouTube. Based on the neopragmatic framing of the analysis by connecting morality and mass media according to Luhmann, as well as Dahrendorf’s conflict theory, four patterns of interpretation were identified which illustrate a high moralization of the conflict: conclusions drawn from the storm (e.g., of a political nature, references to COVID-19, etc.), far-reaching, predominantly negative interpretations that place the storm and its consequences in the context of other negatively interpreted aspects, as well as rational and empathetic interpretations regarding expressions of sympathy and offers of help, and, ultimately, interpretations that range from climate change and planning failures to various conspiracy-theoretical claims of responsibility for the flooding. All in all, a transformation from conflicts of interest and facts to conflicts of identity and values is taking place, revealing two utopias: the utopia in which man and nature are in harmonic unity, as well as the utopia of the satisfaction of individual (material) needs in a stable material-spatial and legal framework. Science has an instrumental application in both utopias.
Evaluation Model for Particulate Matter Emissions in Korean Construction Sites
Authors: Kim Hyunsik , Tae Sungho
Published: October 2021

Particulate matter (PM) has caused serious environmental issues in Asia, and various policies for systematic management of PM based on evaluation of the characteristics of emissions are being discussed. In Korea, where the damage of PM from construction sites is severe, only regulatory policies according to the concentration are being implemented; however, there is no policy for the quantitative management of PM. Therefore, this study aimed to derive and propose an emission evaluation model to be used for the establishment of management policies for construction site PM emissions in South Korea by assuming structures as manufactured products. Therefore, this study derived a method of calculating the PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SOx, and VOCs emission factors for each type of equipment in construction sites and then estimated annual total emissions. In addition, this paper put forth a method for offsetting emission permission standards as the criteria for evaluating the adequacy of the estimated emissions. Finally, a model algorithm was proposed for evaluating emissions in advance during the construction planning phase by comparing the PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SOx, and VOCs emissions in construction sites with established standards; the supplementary point of the algorithm is discussed for further studies.
Value-Added Metabolites from Agricultural Waste and Application of Green Extraction Techniques
Authors: Amran Muhammad Azri , Palaniveloo Kishneth , Fauzi Rosmadi , Satar Nurulhuda Mohd , Mohidin Taznim Begam Mohd , Mohan Gokula , Razak Shariza Abdul , Arunasalam Mirushan , Nagappan Thilahgavani , Sathiya Seelan Jaya Seelan
Published: October 2021

The agricultural sector generates approximately 1300 million tonnes of waste annually, where up to 50% comprising of raw material are discarded without treatment. Economic development and rising living standards have increased the quantity and complexity of waste generated resulting in environmental, health and economic issues. This calls for a greener waste management system such as valorization or recovery of waste into products. For successful implementation, social acceptance is an essential component with involvement of all local stakeholders including community to learn and understand the process and objective of the implementation. The agricultural waste product manufacturing industry is expected to increase with the growing demand for organic food. Thus, proper livestock and crop waste management is vital for environmental protection. It will be essential to successfully convert waste into a sustainable product that is reusable and circulated in the system in line with the green concept of circular economy. This review identifies the commercially produced crops by-product that have been considered for valorization and implemented green extraction for recovery. We highlight the importance of social acceptance and the economic value to agricultural waste recycling. Successful implementation of these technologies will overcome current waste management problems, reduce environmental impacts of landfills, and sustainability issue for farm owners.
The Interim Evaluation of Training Processes: The Case of the Second Level Professional Master’s Program in Family and Community Mediation
Authors: Molgora Sara , Fusar Poli Chiara , Tamanza Giancarlo
Published: October 2021

This contribution illustrates the training evaluation system developed within the Master’s Program in Family and Community Mediation at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. This is an interim evaluation which focuses on the training process and which considers the collaboration with the subjects of the training to be fundamental. The peculiarity of this work concerns the possibility of inserting research within the training process, following a logic of mutual enrichment both in terms of content and learning. The contribution illustrates in detail the outcome and the process evaluation system, defining the perspective, the objectives, and the methodology of implementation. In particular, the outcome evaluation focuses on the distal and proximal outcomes of the training, while the process analysis focuses on the dynamics within the group of participants. Preliminary findings from 33 participants highlighted that the majority of participants (19) have a “regular” profile, that is, they appreciate both the theoretical contents, as well as the practical activities proposed during the training program. As for the process, the findings showed the importance of reflexivity as a major factor of change. Although these findings are referred to the specific experience of a particular group, and so further evaluations involving different training groups and other training processes are needed, this training evaluation system sheds light on both the topic and the context in which training is delivered. The integration between different points of view and several levels of analysis allows the researchers to deepen the individual path of each participant as well as to obtain feedbacks on the progress of the training group as a whole and allows participants to better understand their contexts of work thanks to the use of reflexivity. This can guarantee a sustainable growth both at individual and interpersonal level.
Analysis of Hybrid Grid-Connected Renewable Power Generation for Sustainable Electricity Supply in Sierra Leone
Authors: Conteh Foday , Takahashi Hiroshi , Hemeida Ashraf Mohamed , Krishnan Narayanan , Mikhaylov Alexey , Senjyu Tomonobu
Published: October 2021

The provision of electricity in a reliable and sustainable manner in provincial towns and villages in the small West Africa state of Sierra Leone requires the adoption of appropriate technologies. The rapid increase in electricity demand has generated great interest in how to tackle a possible long-lasting energy deficiency in the country. This paper aims at analyzing the techno-economic feasibility of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) for the sustainable rural electrification of Lungi Town, Port Loko District, Sierra Leone. Optimization, economic, reliability, and sustainability analyses were carried out using a genetic algorithm (GA), with the main objectives of minimizing the loss of power supply probability (LPSP) and cost of energy (COE). Three different case scenarios were configured, using a diesel generator (DG), wind/PV/DG/battery, and wind/PV/battery. Various combinations of these case scenarios were compared to determine which option was the most economically viable. In order to determine the case scenario with the lowest LPSP and COE, the operations and maintenance costs of the three cases were calculated. Using only DG for case one, the operations and maintenance cost amounted to USD 1050,348.12/year. The operation and maintenance cost for case two, which included wind/PV/DG/battery, was found to be USD 561,674.06/year. The operations and maintenance cost for case three, which included wind/PV/battery, was found to be USD 36,000/year. In standalone microgrids, however, the use of renewable energy sources is not reliable due to the uncertainty of renewable energy sources. Consequently, the simulation results show that the wind/PV/DG/battery-based HRES is the most cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable for the specific location in comparison to the current traditional method of electricity generation. Since there is abundant solar radiation with substantial wind speeds across the country, this HRES can be applied in most rural and remote areas in place of the current diesel generators (DGs) that are widely deployed in the country.
Exogenous Salicylic Acid Alleviates Freeze-Thaw Injury of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) Leaves
Authors: Min Kyungwon , Lee Sang-Ryong
Published: October 2021

Freezing tolerance and physiological/biochemical changes were investigated for cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. ‘Myeong-Sung’) leaves treated with 0.5 mM salicylic acid (SA) by sub-irrigation. SA treatment did not interfere with leaf-growth (fresh/dry weight, and leaf-area), rather promoted growth (leaf-area) as compared to the control. Temperature-controlled, laboratory-based freeze-thaw assays revealed that SA-treated leaves were more freeze-tolerant than controls as evident by less ion-leakage as well as malondialdehyde content after freeze-thaw stress treatments (−2.5 and −3.5 °C). SA treatment also significantly alleviated freeze-induced oxidative stress as evidenced by the lower accumulation of O2•− and H2O2, concomitant with higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) relative to the control. Specifically, SA-treated leaves had a greater abundance of compatible solute (proline) and secondary metabolites (phenolic/flavonoid contents). These changes, together, may improve freezing tolerance through protecting membranes against freeze-desiccation and mitigating freeze-induced oxidative stress.
COVID-19: Business Innovation Challenges
Authors: Gorzelany-Dziadkowiec Magdalena
Published: October 2021

The goal of this paper was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the readiness and ability to innovate in business. The paper’s objective and research questions were pursued with a traditional literature review and an original diagnostic survey using an original questionnaire with a respondent data section and close-ended questions. Responses were collected using the CAWI technique. The primary conclusion was that businesses disturbed by the COVID-19 pandemic were more able to innovate in terms of products and management than those that remained unaffected. Regarding theoretical implications, the author proposed a business model for enterprises operating in the COVID-19 environment. The implications of the model are the practical results of the research.
Tourism towards Sustainability and Innovation: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Santos Vasco , Sousa Maria José , Costa Carlos , Au-Yong-Oliveira Manuel
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we analyze the progress of tourism towards sustainability and innovation through a systematic literature review summarizing the last five years of research strictly focused on innovation and sustainability applied to tourism. This research comprises a range of theories, practices, methods, and results pursuing innovation and sustainability across different levels, stages, and drivers, and in many tourism contexts. Wide, in-depth, and structured analysis, evaluation, and examination (using the PRISMA and VOSviewer tools) of a final sample of 50 scholarly papers from 27 journals, published between 2017 and the first quarter of 2021, were undertaken. Current publications emphasize qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods, as well as statistical and econometric methods, such as descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. This study categorizes the four major topics identified, sustainability, innovation, sustainable development, and sustainable tourism, which comprised the contextual dimensions and relevant stages of the subject areas examined. This systematic literature review highlights advances and the significantly increasing overall number of papers over recent years. Currently, sustainability is in a more advanced state compared to innovation. The outcomes highlight that the indicators of sustainability and innovation still need further analysis within the tourism context. However, more concrete process indicators are needed for continuous improvement of the front-end of innovation and sustainable tourism. The results help in better understanding the sustainability and innovation process as applied to tourism. In particular, this study explores further direct linkages between sustainability and innovation and tourism, discussing and providing new future directions aligned with the closing remarks as well as a strategic agenda for future action post-COVID-19.
Assessing Employee Engagement in a Post-COVID-19 Workplace Ecosystem
Authors: Surma Martyna , Nunes Richard , Rook Caroline , Loder Angela
Published: October 2021

This article has aimed to better understand employee engagement in a post-COVID-19 workplace ecosystem. We identified a knowledge gap in the relationship between employee engagement and the physical workplace environment through an interdisciplinary literature review. We subsequently tested this gap by comparing employee engagement metrics proposed by leading academics in the field of organisational psychology with a sample of commonly used real estate industry approaches to monitoring workplace design/management. We focused specifically on industry-projected post-COVID-19 workplace ecosystem scenarios, and the results suggest that traditional employee engagement metrics and industry approaches to monitoring workplace design and management do not fully reflect the recent shift to hybrid work patterns. We shed light on the implications that this can have on our existing knowledge of “sustainable” property markets in a wider city context.
The Impact of Service Learning in the Development of Student Teachers’ Socio-Educational Commitment
Authors: Asenjo Juan Tomás , Santaolalla Elsa , Urosa Belén
Published: October 2021

This research arises from the university’s need to contribute to the training of professionals, especially teachers, who, in turn are committed to contribute to a more sustainable and socially just world at the institutions for which they are professionals. In this context, a pedagogical approach emerges to promote the development of the civic and social competences of higher education students’ using the methodology of Service Learning. The aim of this study is to analyse the acquisition and development of the socio-educational commitment and self-efficacy variables of student teachers based on their participation in Service Learning programmes, comparing this with the results of carrying out university volunteering activities. A quantitative correlational study was carried out with preservice teachers (N = 207). The basic hypothesis is that the results would be in favour of the participation in Service Learning activities on the fundamental variables of the study: socio-educational commitment, teaching self-efficacy and self-efficacy in the creation of instructional materials. For this purpose, a specific scale was designed to measure Teachers’ socio-educational commitment with favourable psychometric characteristics. The results show sufficient empirical evidence (p < 0.01) for the development of socio-educational commitment and self-efficacy variables in favour of those who participated in Service Learning programmes.
Spanish Tourist Sector Sustainability: Recovery Plan, Green Jobs and Wellbeing Opportunity
Authors: Arnedo Esther González , Valero-Matas Jesús Alberto , Sánchez-Bayón Antonio
Published: October 2021

This paper presents an overview on political economy and economic policies into the European Green Deal framework and the Spanish recovery plan, with special attention to the tourism sector and actual opportunities for green jobs in the Spanish tourism market. Firstly, there is a literature review, combining the scientific production with professional and institutional literature, to understand the topic development, from the former restrictive point to the wider current view. Secondly, a case study about the green jobs opportunity in the Spanish hotel industry is presented, taking into account wellbeing economics, for the renewal of the Spanish tourism industry. Methodology combines the qualitative analysis of literature and the qualitative review of the CSR reports from top Spanish hotel chains as well as the feedback of sustainability experts at the hotel industry. This paper provides valuable information to improve the sectorial recovery plan and coordinate the policymakers and the business managers and entrepreneurs.
Investigating the Determinants of Greek Households Food Waste Prevention Behaviour
Authors: Kritikou Theodora , Panagiotakos Dimosthenis , Abeliotis Konstantinos , Lasaridi Katia
Published: October 2021

Food waste prevention is globally an urgent policy priority. Multiple studies have demonstrated that in the developed world, households are the main producers of food waste along the food supply chain, being responsible for about half of the edible food wasted. This study aims to analyse consumers’ food waste behaviour and identify the factors that influence food waste generation in Greek households. A survey of 921 Greek households was conducted using a structured questionnaire based on the explanatory framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, which is currently the most widely used cognitive model in environmental psychology. The study investigated the validity of relations between the main model parameters (attitude towards food waste, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intention, and self-reported behaviour), in addition to knowledge regarding food waste prevention, general environmental knowledge, planning and shopping habits and demographic characteristics. Results demonstrated that food waste prevention Intention and food provisioning habits are direct determinants of food waste generation Behaviour. Intention was predominantly determined by General Environmental Attitude, followed by Perceived Behavioural Control, Attitude towards Food Waste, and Consequences/Outcomes of waste prevention, while Subjective Norms did not exert a statistically significant influence, indicating that formal and informal environmental education can positively influence food waste prevention behaviour through a combination of experiential actions and instruction. The findings of the study can inform policymaking and support the development of effective campaigns for food waste prevention at the consumption stage.
Land to the Tiller: The Sustainability of Family Farms
Authors: Fuller Anthony M. , Xu Siyuan , Sutherland Lee-Ann , Escher Fabiano
Published: October 2021

This paper on family farms is in the form of an historical review complemented by current and future perspectives from North America, China, Brazil and Europe. The literature review demonstrates the multiple discourses, concepts and methodologies which underpin contemporary understandings of the family farm. The authors argue that family-based farming units are ubiquitous in most agricultural systems and take on many different forms and functions, conditioned by the structure of agriculture in different locations and political systems. Our review accepts this diversity and seeks to identify some key elements that inform our understanding of the sustainability of family farming, now and in the future. The term ‘family’ is the differentiating variable and behooves a sociological approach. However, economists can view the family farm as an economic unit, a business and even a firm. Geographers see family farms consigned to the margins of good land areas, and political scientists have seen family farms as a class. What emerges is a semantic enigma. As an imaginary term, ‘family farming’ is useful as a positive, universally valued ideal; as a definable entity on the ground, however, it is difficult to classify and measure for comparative policy and research purposes. This ambiguity is utilized by governments to manage the increasing capitalization of farm units while projecting the image of wholesome production of food. The case studies demonstrate the diversity of ways in which family farming ideologies are being mobilized in contemporary agrarian change processes. The notion of ‘land to the tiller’ is resonant with historic injustices in Scotland and Brazil, where family-based agriculture is understood as the ‘natural’ order of agricultural production and actively supported as an historic ideal. In contrast, in the Chinese context, ‘land to the tiller’ is a political means of increasing capital penetration and economic sustainability. Evidence from China, Brazil and Scotland demonstrates the active role of governments, coupled with symbolic ideologies of farming, which suggest that the longevity (i.e., sustainability) of family farming will continue.
Comparative Analyses of Glyphosate Alternative Weed Management Strategies on Plant Coverage, Soil and Soil Biota
Authors: Hudek Lee , Enez Aydin , Bräu Lambert
Published: October 2021

Glyphosate-based foliar spray herbicides are the most common method for urban weed control due to their broad-spectrum and efficacy for burndown applications. As interest in glyphosate alternatives has increased in recent years, this project assessed the efficacy of the following non-glyphosate-based alternative weed management strategies: glufosinate, imazapyr, MCPA + dicamba, prodiamine, pine oil, clove oil, nonanoic acid, acetic acid + hydrochloric acid and steam against untreated (negative) controls and glyphosate-treated sites. Across all four seasonal treatments (winter, spring, summer and autumn), glyphosate and glufosinate reduced weed coverage (>65% after 4 and 12 weeks); imazapyr reduced weed coverage by >80% after 12 weeks; and steam reduced weed coverage by >80% after 4 weeks, and after 12 weeks showed to reduce weed coverage by >20% after the second application. The MCPA + dicamba, prodiamine, pine oil, clove oil, nonanoic acid and acetic acid + hydrochloric acid treatments had mixed impacts on weed coverage. Minimal alterations to soil physicochemical properties were observed across the two sites for all treatments. Assessment of impacts the different weed management strategies had on arthropod and microbial relative abundance showed minimal alterations; with only steam observed to reduce relative microbial abundance. Glufosinate, imazapyr and steam may be considered alternatives to glyphosate for reducing weed coverage but may not be as effective or have undesirable off-target effects. Overall, glyphosate provided the most consistent weed reduction at both sites over 12 weeks, without any recorded negative off-target or soil biota impacts.
Influence of Circular Economy Phenomenon to Fulfil Global Sustainable Development Goal: Perspective from Bangladesh
Authors: Azizuddin Muhammad , Shamsuzzoha Ahm , Piya Sujan
Published: October 2021

This paper highlights the extent of the relationships between circular economy (CE) practices and the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the paper takes part in academic debates regarding CE and SDGs. It qualitatively investigates national governments’ policy response and practices, with a focus on Bangladesh. The study finds varying degrees of momentum in the national policy response to SDGs and thus, it answers two research questions: (i) what is the relevance of CE practices to the United Nations (UN) SDGs? (ii) What are the responses from the Bangladeshi government to fulfil the UN SDGs regarding sustainable consumption and production with CE? As CE is a global trend, the research suggests that broad, conscientious connection and collaboration at the national level are essential. The findings implicate national governments in developing countries and UN SDGs for their policies and programme reassessment, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sustainable development.
Sustainable Decision-Making Approach for Dual-Channel Manufacturing Systems under Space Constraints
Authors: Mala P. , Palanivel M. , Priyan S. , Anbazhagan N. , Acharya Srijana , Joshi Gyanendra Prasad , Ryoo Joohan
Published: October 2021

In response to the digital revolution, nowadays, many companies operate online and offline businesses in parallel to ensure their future competitiveness. This research examines the inventory strategy for multi-product vendor-buyer supply chain systems, considering space constraints and carbon emissions, in order to improve competence in managing online and offline integrated orders. We amalgamate costs and emissions in transport and storage. Here, we divide the warehouse of the buyer into two stages: one for satisfying online orders and the other for satisfying offline orders. We also assume that additional crashing costs reduce the lead times for receiving products in the buyer’s warehouse. This study demonstrates a mathematical model in the form of a constrained non-linear programme (NLP) and derives a Lagrangian multiplier method to solve it. An iterative solution procedure is designed in order to attain sustainable manufacturing decisions, which are illustrated numerically.
Dynamic Absorptive Capability and Innovation Performance: Evidence from Chinese Cities
Authors: Jiao Meiqi , Du Debin , Shi Wentian , Hou Chunguang , Gui Qinchang
Published: October 2021

Absorptive capability is the capability of actors to acquire, assimilate and exploit external knowledge. In this paper, we consider absorptive capability to be multi-dimensional and to have three dimensions. Although a sufficient amount of work in the literature discusses dynamic absorptive capability, empirical studies are relatively rare. At the urban or regional levels, related empirical studies are even fewer. In this paper, we build a framework of the dynamic absorptive capability at the urban level by using 339 Chinese cities at the prefecture level and above as our sample. In order to take the geographical distance into consideration, we use a Spatial Durbin Model to measure the effects of the acquirement, assimilation, and exploitation of absorptive capability. The results show that all of the core variables (acquirement, assimilation, and exploitation) have significant positive impacts on innovation performance. Additionally, the two control variables (R&D personnel and R&D investment) have significant positive impacts on innovation performance. In this way, the role performed by multidimensional absorptive capability in fostering innovation performance is highlighted, and some policy recommendations are provided.
Spatial Integration of Non-Motorized Transport and Urban Public Transport Infrastructure: A Case of Johannesburg
Authors: Risimati Brightnes , Gumbo Trynos , Chakwizira James
Published: October 2021

Sustainability of transport infrastructure integration begins with involving an all-inclusive transportation chain instead of only focusing on one part of the journey. This is achieved by facilitating spatial integration between diverse transport modalities to allow for a multiplicity of travel opportunities. This paper unpacks the extent of the spatial integration of non-motorized transport and urban public transport infrastructure within the city of Johannesburg in South Africa. Cycling activity datasets derived from Strava Metro and the spatial data of urban public transport infrastructures were collected to demonstrate existing spatial patterns and infrastructure connectivity. Exploratory spatial data analysis and focal statistics analysis were central in the data processing. The findings reveal that cycling activities are separated from urban public transport infrastructure, and the city of Johannesburg’s transport system is characterized by spatially fragmented commuting and cycling operations, with limited to no sharing of infrastructure. Most public transport stations are not easily accessible for non-motorized transport and are characterized by inadequate cycling facilities. In conclusion, the identification of an urban public transportation catchment area becomes essential for developing cities such as Johannesburg. This can be used as tool for planning infrastructural upgrades and forecasting potential public transport ridership while also assessing the impacts of investments in transit planning. There is thus a need to integrate motorized urban public transport and cycling infrastructural developments toward promoting multi-mobility and infrastructure sharing.
Scenarios of Bioenergy Recovery from Organic Fraction of Residual Municipal Waste in the Marche Region (Italy)
Authors: Boccarossa Massimiliano , Di Addario Martina , Folino Adele , Tatàno Fabio
Published: October 2021

In the Marche Region (Central Italy), the residual municipal waste (RMW) is commonly processed in mechanical biological treatment (MBT) systems. In these systems, following a first mechanical selection, the undersize organic fraction from RMW (us-OFRMW) undergoes a partial aerobic biological treatment before being landfilled as a biostabilised fraction (bios-OFRMW) without dedicated energy or material recovery. Alternative us-OFRMW management scenarios have been elaborated for this region, at both present (reference year 2019) and future (reference year 2035) time bases. In the first scenario, the potential bioenergy recovery through anaerobic digestion (AD) from the us-OFRMW was evaluated. The second scenario aimed at evaluating the residual methane generation expected from the bios-OFRMW once landfilled, thus contributing also to the potential environmental impact connected with landfill gas (LFG) diffuse emissions from the regional landfills. The diversion to AD, at the present time, would allow a potential bioenergy recovery from the us-OFRMW equal to 4.35 MWel, while the alternative scenario involves greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions equal to 195 kg CO2 eq. per ton of deposited bios-OFRMW. In the future, the decreased amount of the us-OFRMW addressed to AD would still contribute with a potential bioenergy recovery of 3.47 MWel.
Bioeconomic Assessment of an Alley Cropping Field Trial in North Carolina, U.S.: Tree Density, Timber Production, and Forage Relationships
Authors: Dunn Kenneth , Unruh Snyder Lori , McCarter James , Frey Gregory , Idassi Joshua , Schnake David , Cubbage Frederick
Published: October 2021

Silvopasture, the combination of trees, forage, and livestock, is a management practice that is gaining interest throughout the southeastern U.S. This research analyzed a hay-based alley cropping field trial that is transitioning into a silvopasture system. We planted four different tree spacings—2.4 × 2.4 m, 2.4 × 3.0 m, 3.0 × 3.0 m, and 1.8 × 3.0 m (8 × 8 ft, 8 × 10 ft, 10 × 10 ft, and 6 × 10 ft)—of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and used secondary data for the possible planting of two different grass species—big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). Tree inventories, forage samples, biometric modeling, and economic analysis of forage and timber monocultures and mixed systems were analyzed with discounted cash flow and capital budgeting analyses. Tree growth on the pasture site was exceptionally fast, generating high projected returns for timber monocultures, which exceeded returns for monoculture grass crops. Projected timber stand returns had the greatest Net Present Values (NPV) at the 4% discount rate, ranging between USD 3196 and USD 3552 per ha (USD 1294 and USD 1438 per ac) for a 2.4 × 3.0 m or 2.4 × 2.4 m tree spacing yield. Representative grass yields were obtained from secondary sources and had lower productivity, with switchgrass having the highest returns at USD 2581 per ha (USD 1045 per ac). Optimal NPVs for mixed silvopasture stands ranged between about USD 1500 per ha and USD 3500 per ha (USD 600/ac and USD 1400/ac), depending on the tree spacing within bands, the alley spacing, and the degree of competition between trees and grasses.
Teaching Case: Social Entrepreneurs and Impact Investors: A Match Made in Heaven?—Case Study of Le Champignon de Bruxelles
Authors: Van Doninck Freek , Vanderstraeten Johanna , Paeleman Ine , Van Liedekerke Luc
Published: October 2021

This teaching case addresses the strategic choices of social entrepreneurs and the issues they face in search of funding. In the heart of Europe’s capital, Brussels, two aspiring entrepreneurs founded Le Champignon de Bruxelles to produce exotic mushrooms. Being true social entrepreneurs, they use a recycled substrate—brewery dredge—to do so, as such, minimizing the distance the mushrooms travel from farm to plate. After the typical “entrepreneur-in-the-basement” start, they are now at a turning point. They established themselves as a serious player in the market, producing over 6000 kg of mushrooms every month. This journey, however, did not come without its challenges. Along the way, they struggled to reconcile their idealistic mindset with the realities of the economic system and adopted a more pragmatic approach in response. At the moment, they are at a decisive moment in the company’s development and are contemplating whether their current business model should be diversified and internationalized.
Social Sustainability and Ulaanbaatar’s ‘Ger Districts’: Access and Mobility Issues and Opportunities
Authors: Hamiduddin Iqbal , Fitzpatrick Daniel , Plueckhahn Rebekah , Sangi Uurtsaikh , Batjargal Enkhjin , Sumiyasuren Erdenetsogt
Published: October 2021

This paper explores the concept of social sustainability in Ulaanbaatar’s ger districts in relation to access and mobility. Although ger districts are well-established in Mongolian culture as ephemeral encampments with transient residents, contemporary ger districts have become large and permanent residential districts that are now home to an estimated one-third of the country’s population. The more recent growth of the ger districts has taken place in three decades since Mongolia embraced market-based liberal economics, coinciding with waves of socially and economically-motivated urbanisation. More recently, difficult environmental conditions in rural Mongolia have created new waves of migration. The unfolding situation means that the ger districts have grown with little of the forward planning present in other built areas of the city. In turn, this has led to significant imbalances in the provision of transport services into the ger districts and the problems of access and mobility that this paper has highlighted. This paper has identified community-based local transport and delivery services as one potential means for addressing existing access and mobility shortcomings. Such approaches could provide temporary or complementary services alongside other public policy approaches.
An Ecological Sustainability Assessment Approach for Strategic Decision Making in International Shipping
Authors: Wu Xiaofang , Yang Hsi-Chi
Published: October 2021

Relatively little attention is currently paid to understanding the ecological impacts of international shipping, although ecological sustainability has become a necessary condition for developing international trade. Sustainability assessment, which identifies the sustainability-oriented effects of developmental activities for supporting decision-making, has been widely used. This study attempts to propose an ecological sustainability assessment approach to serve international shipping development based on the general assessment steps initiated by the OECD and the multi-dimensional decision making (MDDM) model. Compared with the existing sustainability assessment methods, the proposed approach is unlikely to be restricted to data acquisition, indicators evaluation, or causal recognition. Through a case study, the results recommend not only to prioritize avoiding the negative impacts of international shipping on noise, air, plants, water, and animals but also to promote continuous improvement of the local ecosystem and international shipping, particularly in the conditions of sediment and micro-organism communities of Xiamen. This proposed approach as a supplement to the current sustainability assessment methodology helps to make informative and integrative strategic sustainability decisions associated with international shipping.
Time Series Modeling Analysis of the Development and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Spa Tourism in Slovakia
Authors: Šenková Anna , Košíková Martina , Matušíková Daniela , Šambronská Kristína , Kravčáková Vozárová Ivana , Kotulič Rastislav
Published: October 2021

Natural healing resources in the form of mineral and thermal waters and climatic conditions, together with a rich history and modern medical procedures, rank Slovakia among the important European countries in the field of spas. At the same time, spa tourism has a significant economic benefit for the country. This study examined the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on spa tourism in Slovakia. The Box-Jenkins methodology was used to model and forecast the time series for selected indicators. The analysis used monthly data on the capacity and performance of spa facilities for 2006–2019 and compared the forecast development for 2020–2021 with the reality as affected by the pandemic. Despite the high quality of the models, the methodology used did not take into account an unexpected event such as a pandemic. Therefore, the models were quite inaccurate and had little predictive value. At the same time, it is clear that the pandemic significantly affected spa tourism.
Shifts in Bacterial Community Associated with Green Manure Soybean Intercropping and Edaphic Properties in a Tea Plantation
Authors: Shen Fo-Ting , Lin Shih-Han
Published: October 2021

The continuous cultivation with excessive application of agrochemicals has led to the deterioration of soils. Incorporating leguminous green manure (GM) was found to improve the physicochemical and biological properties of soils. However, the influence of GM soybean intercropping on the temporal distribution of bacterial communities in strongly acidic soils is less explored. In this study, a nine-month field trial of soybean intercropping was conducted in a deteriorated tea plantation. This was used to test the hypothesis that GM treatment ameliorates tea-cultivated environments through changing bacterial communities as well as edaphic properties. GM treatment was demonstrated to increase both functional and population diversity during all the months that were considered. An alteration of life strategies exhibited by bacterial communities in GM treatment was observed, which shifted from oligotrophy (Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and the candidate phylum WPS-2) to copiotrophy (Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria). This also contributed to the remarkable increase in metabolic potential of bacterial communities toward all six carbon source categories. The potentially versatile organic matter decomposers and/or plant growth-promoting bacteria, such as Burkholderiaceae, Chitinophagaceae, Sphingobacteriaceae, and Sphingomonadaceae bacteria, were identified as the most effective biomarkers in GM treatment. These bacterial groups showed strong correlation with soil pH; organic matter; and available K, Ca, and Mg. The increased diversity, metabolic potential, and copiotrophic taxa provided insight into the benefits brought by soybean intercropping, with enhanced community stability, facilitated nutrient cycling, and microbe–plant interactions in the strongly acidic tea plantation.
Implicit Hybrid Fractional Boundary Value Problem via Generalized Hilfer Derivative
Authors: ‬Boutiara Abdellatif , ‬Abdo Mohammed S. , ‬Almalahi Mohammed A. , Ahmad Hijaz , Ishan Amira
Published: October 2021

This research paper is dedicated to the study of a class of boundary value problems for a nonlinear, implicit, hybrid, fractional, differential equation, supplemented with boundary conditions involving general fractional derivatives, known as the ϑ-Hilfer and ϑ-Riemann–Liouville fractional operators. The existence of solutions to the mentioned problem is obtained by some auxiliary conditions and applied Dhage’s fixed point theorem on Banach algebras. The considered problem covers some symmetry cases, with respect to a ϑ function. Moreover, we present a pertinent example to corroborate the reported results.
Hybrid Ensemble Deep Learning-Based Approach for Time Series Energy Prediction
Authors: Phyo Pyae Pyae , Byun Yung-Cheol
Published: October 2021

The energy manufacturers are required to produce an accurate amount of energy by meeting the energy requirements at the end-user side. Consequently, energy prediction becomes an essential role in the electric industrial zone. In this paper, we propose the hybrid ensemble deep learning model, which combines multilayer perceptron (MLP), convolutional neural network (CNN), long short-term memory (LSTM), and hybrid CNN-LSTM to improve the forecasting performance. These DL architectures are more popular and better than other machine learning (ML) models for time series electrical load prediction. Therefore, hourly-based energy data are collected from Jeju Island, South Korea, and applied for forecasting. We considered external features associated with meteorological conditions affecting energy. Two-year training and one-year testing data are preprocessed and arranged to reform the times series, which are then trained in each DL model. The forecasting results of the proposed ensemble model are evaluated by using mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Error metrics are compared with DL stand-alone models such as MLP, CNN, LSTM, and CNN-LSTM. Our ensemble model provides better performance than other forecasting models, providing minimum MAPE at 0.75%, and was proven to be inherently symmetric for forecasting time-series energy and demand data, which is of utmost concern to the power system sector.
Delayed Renewal Process with Uncertain Random Inter-Arrival Times
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Shi Gang , Sheng Yuhong
Published: October 2021

An uncertain random variable is a tool used to research indeterminacy quantities involving randomness and uncertainty. The concepts of an ’uncertain random process’ and an ’uncertain random renewal process’ have been proposed in order to model the evolution of an uncertain random phenomena. This paper designs a new uncertain random process, called the uncertain random delayed renewal process. It is a special type of uncertain random renewal process, in which the first arrival interval is different from the subsequent arrival interval. We discuss the chance distribution of the uncertain random delayed renewal process. Furthermore, an uncertain random delay renewal theorem is derived, and the chance distribution limit of long-term expected renewal rate of the uncertain random delay renewal system is proved. Then its average uncertain random delay renewal rate is obtained, and it is proved that it is convergent in the chance distribution. Finally, we provide several examples to illustrate the consistency with the existing conclusions.
Changes in Facial Shape throughout Pregnancy—A Computational Exploratory Approach
Authors: Marcinkowska Urszula Maria , Ziomkiewicz-Wichary Anna , Nowak-Szczepanska Natalia , Kornafel Danuta , Kozieł Sławomir , Danel Dariusz P.
Published: October 2021

Facial cognition serves an important role in human daily interactions. It has been suggested that facial shape can serve as a signal for underlining biological condition, and that it is correlated with, among others, health, fertility, and attractiveness. In this study, 14 women were photographed during three consecutive trimesters of pregnancy, and the levels of their facial sexual dimorphism, asymmetry, and averageness were computed. Facial sexual dimorphism in first trimester was higher than in the second trimester (F(2, 22) = 5.77; p = 0.01; ηp2 = 0.34, post-hoc Tukey HSD test p = 0.007). Similar pattern was visible for asymmetry (F(2, 22) = 3.67; p = 0.04; ηp2 = 0.25, post-hoc Tukey HSD test p = 0.05). No statistically significant changes in measurement of averageness were observed. Results from Bayesian complementary analyses confirmed the observed effects for sexual dimorphism. The evidence for trimester differences in asymmetry and averageness was inconsequential. Based on the preliminary results of this exploratory study, we suggest that previously found decrease in observed facial attractiveness during pregnancy can be related to the decrease in computed facial femininity (possibly mediated by the changes in facial adiposity).
On q-Starlike Functions Defined by q-Ruscheweyh Differential Operator in Symmetric Conic Domain
Authors: Zainab Saira , Raza Mohsan , Xin Qin , Jabeen Mehwish , Malik Sarfraz Nawaz , Riaz Sadia
Published: October 2021

Motivated by q-analogue theory and symmetric conic domain, we study here the q-version of the Ruscheweyh differential operator by applying it to the starlike functions which are related with the symmetric conic domain. The primary aim of this work is to first define and then study a new class of holomorphic functions using the q-Ruscheweyh differential operator. A new class k−STqτC,D of k-Janowski starlike functions associated with the symmetric conic domain, which are defined by the generalized Ruscheweyh derivative operator in the open unit disk, is introduced. The necessary and sufficient condition for a function to be in the class k−STqτC,D is established. In addition, the coefficient bound, partial sums and radii of starlikeness for the functions from the class of k-Janowski starlike functions related with symmetric conic domain are included.
On (2-d)-Kernels in Two Generalizations of the Petersen Graph
Authors: Bednarz Paweł , Paja Natalia
Published: October 2021

A subset J is a (2-d)-kernel of a graph if J is independent and 2-dominating simultaneously. In this paper, we consider two different generalizations of the Petersen graph and we give complete characterizations of these graphs which have (2-d)-kernel. Moreover, we determine the number of (2-d)-kernels of these graphs as well as their lower and upper kernel number. The property that each of the considered generalizations of the Petersen graph has a symmetric structure is useful in finding (2-d)-kernels in these graphs.