bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using the Sustainable Development Goals to Evaluate Possible Transport Policies for the City of Curitiba
Authors: Leite de Almeida Constança Martins , Silveira Semida , Jeneulis Erik , Fuso-Nerini Francesco
Published: November 2021

Cities across the world are becoming more engaged in tackling climate change and contributing to the achievement of international agreements. The city of Curitiba in Brazil is no exception. In December 2020, the city published PlanClima (Plano Municipal de Mitigação e Adaptação às Mudanças Climáticas), a climate plan developed with local and international organizations. PlanClima aims to guide policies and actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This study focuses on selecting and qualitatively evaluating transport policies that contribute to the city’s 2030 climate and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With PlanClima’s analysis for the transport sector in mind, nine targets for 2030 are identified and connected to different transport policies. To evaluate the possible interactions between the policies and the different dimensions of the SDGs, four types of linkages were designed: essential, uncertain, limited, and opposite. These categories were developed to evaluate the several dimensions in which a policy can have a positive or negative impact. The results show that the implementation of zero emission zones/low emission zones, green public procurement, subsidy schemes for the uptake of clean vehicle technology, and the digitalization of the transport system through smarter public transport and digital platforms that couple bike sharing, taxis, and public transport are some of the measures that can contribute to the achievement of Curitiba’s targets and ensure a positive impact on the sustainable development of the city. The study highlights how different policy instruments can contribute to achieve the city’s targets, thus providing guidance to policymakers.
Time-Use and Spatio-Temporal Variables Influence on Physical Activity Intensity, Physical and Social Health of Travelers
Authors: Ali Mujahid , Dharmowijoyo Dimas Bayu Endrayana , de Azevedo Afonso R. G. , Fediuk Roman , Ahmad Habil , Salah Bashir
Published: November 2021

Using a multi-dimensional three-week household time-use and activity diary, this study aims to investigate the interaction between time-use and activity travel participation, built environment, leisure-time physical activity, travel parameters, and physical intensity on physical and social health. The relationship between time-use and activity travel participation is complex. Therefore, physical activity (PA) intensity is assumed to intermediate the relationship between endogenuous and exogenous variables. This study use a comprehensive set of data that was collected at a household level for twenty-one (21) consecutive days. A total of 732 individuals and 191 households were recorded, representing 0.029% total population of Bandung Metropolitan Area (BMA). The data analyzed with descriptive and linear regression analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 26.0.0 software (IBM: Armonk, NY, USA). An advanced model, such as the hierarchical Structural Equation Model (SEM), is used to validate the relationship between activity patterns and health parameters. The estimated results indicate that a minute increase in public transport mode has an 8.8% positive correlation with physical health and 9.0% with social health. Furthermore, an increase in the one-minute duration of in-home maintenance and out-of-home leisure activities are positively correlated by 2.9% and 3.2%, respectively, with moderate-intensity PA and by 4.5% and 1.8% strenuous-intensity PA. Additionally, high accessibility and availability of basic amenities at a walkable distance and using auxiliary time in social activities are significantly correlated with better physical and social health. Moreover, this study adopted multidisciplinary approaches for better transport policy and a healthier society with a better quality of life.
Green Premium in the Tokyo Office Rent Market
Authors: Onishi Junichiro , Deng Yongheng , Shimizu Chihiro
Published: November 2021

More than 10 years have passed since studies on green buildings gained attention in the academic and industrial literature. Many studies report the economic value of green buildings, mainly in the U.S. and European markets. An empirical clarification of the dynamics of green premiums has significant implications for future urban sustainability. This study constructed a dataset of Tokyo office rents from 2009 to 2019. We estimated the green office rental premium using a hedonic approach. Our results show that, on average, an office property with a green label gains a premium of approximately 6.5% on contract rents. The Tokyo office market is heterogeneous, and endogeneity is an issue when identifying the green premium. We addressed the endogeneity issue with propensity score clustering. As a result of our estimation, the premium was approximately +5.4% for medium-sized old buildings and +2.6% for large-sized new buildings.
The ‘Cod-Multiple’: Modes of Existence of Fish, Science and People
Authors: Schwermer Heike , Blöcker Alexandra M. , Möllmann Christian , Döring Martin
Published: November 2021

Fish represent a politically regulated, scientifically researched, industrially processed, commercially marketed and socially contested living marine resource. Related to this, the incorporation of resource users and stakeholders into fisheries management is particularly important. Such involvement has recently improved in terms of frequency, but institutional frameworks often result in a lack of recognition and integration of the diverse ‘knowledges’ of stakeholders involved. Against this background, we aim to uncover the potentials of additional knowledge types for management purposes, paving the way toward a more collaborative management. We first conducted qualitative expert interviews with different stakeholder groups (e.g., commercial fisheries, eNGO and administration) to map various ‘knowledges’ about cod (Gadus morhua), a major resource species in the Western Baltic Sea to reveal the various experiences and epistemologies revolving around it. The second analytical step consisted of examining how these ‘knowledges’ structure, inform and often enter into conflict with perspectives on and assessments of fisheries management. Potentials were identified regarding enhanced stakeholder engagement in management processes that provide food for thought to seek change in sustainable management of fish stocks in the future. Our study is a pointer to the need to transform fisheries management in a more social and participatory way. We argue that sustainable natural resource management cannot be designed solely by integrating more ‘knowledges’ (knowledge sharing) but requires the creation of social contexts and institutions with stakeholder empowerment at the local level (power sharing) to sustainably manage natural resources such as commercially importance fish stocks.
Pricing and Coordination Strategies in a Dual Channel Supply Chain with Green Production under Cap and Trade Regulation
Authors: Taleizadeh Ata Allah , Shahriari Milad , Sana Shib Sankar
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we consider a two level dual channel green supply chain consisting of a retailer and a manufacturer with a separate sales channel for the manufacturer. The manufacturer uses green technology in its production and is required to produce in accordance with the cap and trade regulation. Using game theory, we compare cases where members decide to compete or cooperate with each other in terms of pricing and production. Our main contributions are studying the dual channel supply chain model where a manufacturer is regulated by the cap and trade system, using green production and also on their decision as to whether to compete or cooperate with a value-adding retailer. We also investigated the impact of green production on lowering the amount of carbon emissions produced. In the present study, supply chain members are advised to cooperate with each other in order to achieve the environmental benefits of the cap and trade system and, to avoid market failure, we further recommend that manufacturers should invest in green technologies for their production.
Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 Disruption on the Decarbonisation Agenda at Airports: Grounded or Ready for Take-Off?
Authors: Hemmings Peter , Mulheron Michael , Murphy Richard J. , Prescott Matt
Published: November 2021

COVID-19 has had wide-ranging impacts on organisations with the potential to disrupt efforts to decarbonise their operations. To understand how COVID-19 has affected the climate change mitigation strategies of Airport Operators (AOs), questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with Sustainability Managers were undertaken in late 2020 amidst a period of disruption. While all reported that COVID-19 impacted delivery of interventions and projects to mitigate climate change, the majority stated that it would not impact their long-term climate goals, such as Net Zero by 2050. The most popular climate change mitigation interventions AOs intend to deploy between now and 2030 are on-site renewables and Electric Vehicles and related infrastructure. Engineered carbon removal interventions were considered highly unlikely to be deployed in this timeframe, with potential implications for Net Zero decarbonisation pathways. Despite the severe impacts of COVID-19 on the sector, results indicate that AOs remain committed to decarbonisation, with climate change action remaining the key priority for airports. Given ongoing financial and resource constraints, AOs will need to explore new business models and partnerships and nurture collaborative approaches with other aviation stakeholders to not only maintain progress toward Net Zero but “build back better”. Government support will also be needed to stimulate the development of a sustainable, resilient, low-carbon aviation system.
A Visualization Method of the Economic Input–Output Table: Mapping Monetary Flows in the Form of Sankey Diagrams
Authors: Chong Chinhao , Zhang Xi , Kong Geng , Ma Linwei , Li Zheng , Ni Weidou , Yu Eugene-Hao-Chen
Published: November 2021

The input–output table and input–output method have been widely used to understand complex economic structures and are often used in cross-disciplinary research between economics and other disciplines, such as analysis of embodied energy, carbon footprints, the water–food nexus, etc. However, when researchers present these results to audiences, especially policymakers, they often lack an effective visualization tool to present (1) the full picture of the input–output table; (2) the complicated upstream–downstream nexus, and (3) the input–output relationships between the economic sectors. Therefore, a better visualization method is developed to solve this problem. We propose mapping an input–output table into a Sankey diagram, a so-called monetary allocation Sankey diagram. We first designed the mapping structure of a monetary allocation Sankey diagram according to the general structure of an economic monetary input–output table to establish the correspondence nexus between the table and diagram. We used China as a case study to demonstrate the usage of the monetary allocation Sankey diagram. The purpose of the monetary allocation Sankey diagram is to help people understand the input–output table in a short time and quickly grasp the big picture of the economic system. To verify whether this goal is achieved, we presented and applied these Sankey diagrams on different occasions and obtained evaluations from scholars from different academic backgrounds. The evaluation shows that the monetary allocation Sankey diagram is not only a visualization result of the input–output table but also a miniature model of the economic system, which allows people to “truly observe” the complex input–output relationship and upstream–downstream nexus in the economic system. Researchers can quickly grasp the main features of the economic system by observing the miniature model, or they can use this miniature model as an auxiliary tool to introduce the economic system and its inherent complex relationships to the audience.
Evolutionary Game Analysis on Last Mile Delivery Resource Integration—Exploring the Behavioral Strategies between Logistics Service Providers, Property Service Companies and Customers
Authors: Zhou Lin , Chen Yanping , Jing Yi , Jiang Youwei
Published: November 2021

As resource integration plays a significant part in improving operational efficiency in the last mile delivery industry, there is an increasing popularity for logistics service providers (LSPs) to collaborate with property service companies (PSCs). Based on the evolutionary game theory, considering the dual role of PSCs when collaborating with LSPs, a trilateral evolutionary game model between PSCs, LSPs, and customers (Cs) is established to analyze the strategic choices and explore the influencing factors on the tripartite strategy. The results show that (1) There are optimal profit allocation coefficients and cost-sharing coefficients to cause the system to reach a steady state. (2) The integration cost between LSPs and PSCs and the home delivery cost inhibit the strategic integration of the two enterprises. (3) PSCs are more sensitive to their benefits and costs than LSPs in the process of resource integration. (4) More precisely evaluating their potential loss caused by temporary integration will help the tripartite to make a more scientific choice of strategic behavior. (5) The increase of community premium income helps to improve the enthusiasm of Cs supporting strategic integration. (6) The behavior and decision-making choices of the three game players affect each other in the last mile delivery resource integration. (7) The indirect benefits, such as advertising during their integration, play a positive role. Finally, the MATLAB2020a software is applied to simulate and analyze the impact of key factors on strategy evolution, and we propose several useful suggestions to promote the development of last mile delivery resource integration.
Influence of Interpersonal Processes on the Performance of Primary Health Care Organizations
Authors: Čučković Duško , Ćosić Ilija , Delić Milan , Miškić Miroslav , Ranisavljev Kovačev Slavica
Published: November 2021

Processes in the health sector include diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, education of patients, and all other interactions between qualified medical personnel and patients. Interpersonal processes pertain to the psychosocial aspect of said activities and include variables that describe communication, continuity, patient awareness, and the degree of patient involvement and influence the performance of health institutions in primary health care (PHC). The dimensions of importance for researching the influence of indicators of interpersonal processes on the performance of PHC organizations were identified, taking into account the underlying theory and specifics and characteristics of PHC. This paper studies the influence that patient-centeredness, as a dominant dimension that encompasses interpersonal processes, has on effectiveness, i.e., outcomes presented through health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Data on the factors of importance for this research subject were collected in the Republic of Serbia, while data analysis was carried out using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The research results show a complex relationship between indicators of interpersonal processes, highlight the importance of this group of processes for increasing the effectiveness of PHC organizations, and demonstrate the influence of interpersonal processes on the performance of PHC organizations.
Assessment of the Heavy Metals Pollution and Ecological Risk in Sediments of Mediterranean Sea Drain Estuaries in Egypt and Phytoremediation Potential of Two Emergent Plants
Authors: El-Amier Yasser A. , Bessa Armel Zacharie Ekoa , Elsayed Ashraf , El-Esawi Mohamed A. , AL-Harbi Mohammad S. , Samra Bassem N. , Kotb Wafaa K.
Published: November 2021

Environmental pollution and its eco-toxicological impacts have become a large and interesting concern worldwide as a result of fast urbanization, population expansion, sewage discharge, and heavy industrial development. Nine heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Co) were evaluated in 20 sediment samples from the estuaries of four major drains along the Mediterranean shoreline (Nile Delta coast) to determine the possible ecological effect of high heavy metal concentrations as well as roots and shoots of two common macrophytes (Cyperus alopecuroides and Persicaria salicifolia). For sediment, single- and multi-elemental standard indices were used to measure ecological risk. Data revealed high contents of heavy metals, for which the mean values of heavy metals in sediment followed a direction of Fe > Mn > Co > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd, Fe > Mn > Co > Ni > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd and Fe > Mn > Zn > Co > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd for drains stream, estuaries, and Mediterranean coast, respectively. Mn, Cr, Zn, and Pb were found to be within Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines (CSQGD) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Guidelines (US-EPA) limitations, except for Zn and Pb in drain streams, which were above the US-EPA limits, whereas Cd, Co, Cu, and Ni indicated a high ecological risk index. This high quantity of contaminants might be linked to unabated manufacturing operations, which can bio-accumulate in food systems and create significant health issues in people. C. alopecuroides root demonstrated a more efficient accumulation of all metals than the shoot system. For most heavy metals, C. alopecuroides had the highest root BAF levels with the exception of Ni and Pb in P. salicifolia. As a result, C. alopecuroides might be employed as a possible phytoextractor of these dangerous metals, while P. salicifolia could be used as a hyper-accumulator of Ni and Pb. The policymaker must consider strict rules and restrictions against uncontrolled industrial operations, particularly in the Nile Delta near water streams.
Sustainable Masonry Mortars with Fly Ash, Blast Furnace Granulated Slag and Wheat Straw Ash
Authors: Šupić Slobodan , Bulatović Vesna , Malešev Mirjana , Radonjanin Vlastimir , Lukić Ivan
Published: November 2021

Due to greenhouse gas emissions, the production of cement clinker is considered unsustainable and many attempts are being made to replace cement with alternative materials sourced from agriculture, industry and other urban practices, such as construction and demolition works. The aim of this paper is to analyze the effects of cement substitution by locally available waste materials in Serbia, such as fly ash (FA), blast furnace granulated slag (BFGS) and wheat straw ash (WSA), up to the 50% replacement volume rate in cement–lime mortars. As the effective application of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in cement-based materials requires a comprehensive insight into their properties, a characterization of materials involving all relevant physical, chemical and mechanical tests is conducted. Ten different mortar mixed with ingredients of a volume ratio 1:2:4 (cementitious powder/lime/sand) were designed and their consistency, bulk density, capillary water absorption, flexural strength, compressive strength and thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) results were examined to determine the influence of the abovementioned SCMs on mortar properties. Research findings highlight the possibility of replacing cement with slag (50%), fly ash (30%) or wheat straw ash (30%) while maintaining its performance and improving the economic and environmental impacts of masonry mortar production.
Modelling of Railway Sleeper Settlement under Cyclic Loading Using a Hysteretic Ballast Contact Model
Authors: Talebiahooie Elahe , Thiery Florian , Meng Jingjing , Mattsson Hans , Nordlund Erling , Rantatalo Matti
Published: November 2021

Ballasted tracks are common in the railway system as a means of providing the necessary support for the sleepers and the rails. To keep them operational, tamping and other maintenance actions are performed based on track geometry measurements. Ballast particle rearrangement, which is caused by train load, is one of the most important factors leading to track degradation. As a result, when planning maintenance, it is vital to predict the behaviour of the ballast under cyclic loading. Since ballast is a granular matter with a nonlinear and discontinuous mechanical behaviour, the discrete element method (DEM) was used in this paper to model the ballast particle rearrangement under cyclic loading. We studied the performance of linear and nonlinear models in simulating the settlement of the sleeper, the lateral deformation of the ballast shoulder and the porosity changes under the sleeper. The models were evaluated based on their ability to mimic the ballast degradation pattern in vertical and lateral direction. The linear contact model and the hysteretic contact model were used in the simulations, and the effect of the friction coefficient and different damping models on the simulations was assessed. An outcome of this study was that a nonlinear model was proposed in which both the linear and the hysteretic contact models are combined. The simulation of the sleeper settlement and the changes in the porosity under the sleeper improved in the proposed nonlinear model, while the computation time required for the proposed model decreased compared to that required for the linear model.
Sustainable Math Education of Female Students during a Pandemic: Online versus Face-to-Face Instruction
Authors: AbdelSalam Hanadi Mohamed , Pilotti Maura A. E. , El-Moussa Omar J.
Published: November 2021

The present study was driven by the assumption that a key feature of sustainable education is its ability to preserve standards of quality even amid unforeseen, potentially disruptive events. It asked whether students’ academic success in math general education courses differed between synchronous online (during the COVID-19 pandemic) and face-to-face (before the pandemic), under the ancillary assumption that computational competency, a pillar of sustainable education, shapes enduring success in a variety of professional fields. As the early identification of at-risk students and ensuing remedial interventions can bring about academic success, the study also investigated the predictive validity of students’ initial performance in online and face-to-face math courses. Two general education courses (introductory calculus and statistics), taught by the same instructor, were selected. Class grades did not differ between instructional modes, thereby providing no evidence for the widespread concern that the switch to the online mode had damaged learning. Yet, during the semester, test and homework performance were differentially sensitive to modes of instruction. Furthermore, both test and homework performance during the first half of the semester predicted class grades in online courses, whereas only test performance predicted class grades in face-to-face courses. These results suggest that sustainable math education in times of crisis is feasible and that educators’ consideration of the differential predictive value of test and homework performance may aid its attainment.
Analysis of Building Archetypes for Optimising New Photovoltaic Energy Facilities: A Case Study
Authors: Fernández-Agüera Jesica , Domínguez-Amarillo Samuel , García-Cortés Nerea , Campano Miguel Ángel
Published: November 2021

Fuel poverty rates are high in southern Europe, particularly in social housing, despite the enormous potential for capturing solar power inherent in the roofs of apartment buildings. The in situ generation, distribution and consumption of photovoltaic energy carry obvious advantages including vastly improved efficiency attendant upon the reduction in distribution-related losses and costs, and the energy empowerment afforded lower income communities. The primary drawback is the imbalance between photovoltaic production patterns and users’ actual needs (peak consumption vs. peak generation). That mismatch is difficult to reconcile without resorting to energy storage or net metering, both of which entail grid involvement and greater management complexity. The present study introduces a methodology for analysing residential archetypes to determine the values of the parameters essential to optimising photovoltaic energy production and use. The aim is to determine where excess generation can be shared with other users in the vicinity and optimally pool residential rooftop facilities to meet community-scale energy demand, ultimately enhancing such disadvantaged neighbourhoods’ self-sufficiency. The case study discussed defines archetypes for just such a neighbourhood in Madrid, Spain. The solar energy production potential of the example is promising for its application in large southern European cities, with self-sufficiency rates obtained ranging from 15% to 25% and self-consumption rates from 61% to 80%.
Challenges for Collecting Questionnaire-Based Onsite Survey Data in a Niche Tourism Market Context: The Case of Wine Tourism in Rural Areas
Authors: Cunha Diana , Kastenholz Elisabeth , Lane Bernard
Published: November 2021

Questionnaire-based surveys are among the most widespread data collection methods in tourism research. However, the special features of rural tourism, with frequently spontaneous, non-massive visitation patterns and sparse visitor numbers, pose challenges to onsite questionnaire administration. Researchers must address these problems to make sample recruitment easier and more effective, while maintaining the goals of representativeness of population and data validity. Using the rural wine tourism context, this article identifies the major challenges for questionnaire-based onsite surveys and suggests best practice procedures. Challenges are discussed using three complementary perspectives: of the supply agents, of the research subjects (the visitors) and of the researchers. The article presents the theory and case study-inspired reflection on the potential strategies of overcoming these challenges and guaranteeing the largest possible number of visitors surveyed in contexts where visitors are few. The discussion includes the questionnaire’s characteristics; the physical setting of its administration; the researchers involved; the visitors approached; the social interactions and influences occurring during the process. Issues with the future use of alternative online forums are also discussed.
The Spatial Distribution and Influencing Factors of Urban Cultural and Entertainment Facilities in Beijing
Authors: He Dan , Chen Zixuan , Ai Shaowei , Zhou Jing , Lu Linlin , Yang Ting
Published: November 2021

Cultural and entertainment facilities are an important mainstay for urban development and the well-being of urban residents. Studying their spatial distribution is thus of great significance for improving urban functions and shaping urban characteristics. This paper uses the Simpson index, grid method, kernel density, nearest neighbor analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis to present in detail the spatial pattern, hotspot distribution and clustering characteristics of urban cultural and entertainment facilities in Beijing. With the help of the spatial lag model, the main factors affecting the spatial distribution of the facilities are explored. The results are as follows: Different types of cultural and entertainment facilities have different spatial agglomeration effects, which are closely related to the historical background of Beijing, industrial distribution, and the living needs of residents; the facilities generally present a spatial distribution with prominent centrality, strong clustering and significant heterogeneity; and financial insurance institution density, building density, securities company density, housing rent and distance to nearest scenic spot are the main factors affecting the distribution of the facilities. Analyzing the distribution characteristics and influencing factors of urban cultural and entertainment facilities in Beijing will provide typical cases and decision-making references that can underpin the informed layout and planning of urban cultural and entertainment industries and facilities.
An Evidence-Based Approach on Academic Management in a School of Public Health Using SMAART Model
Authors: Joshi Ashish , Gertner Robyn , Roberts Lynn , El-Mohandes Ayman
Published: November 2021

Data-driven modeling, action, and strategies have become popular, and the education community has witnessed increased interest in data-driven decision-making (DDDM). DDDM values and prioritizes decisions supported by high-quality, verifiable data that has been effectively processed and analyzed. The objective of our study is to describe the design, development, and implementation of a data-driven, evidence-based model of academic development in the context of CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) utilizing SMAART (Sustainability Multisector Accessible Affordable Reimbursable Tailored) model. The alignment of academic and student affairs within CUNY SPH brought with it several challenges. Defining roles and responsibilities across different student and academic affair units with a goal of collaborative leadership model and lack of meaningfulness were key challenges. It was important to listen to the experiences and recommendations of various individuals performing various functions in different capacities. A unified framework of key data indicators was needed to create a transparent and equitable model. An innovative interactive SMAART SPH dashboard designed, developed, and implemented to guide data-driven, evidence-based decision-making. Institutions can use a large amount of data from various sources to improve students’ learning experience, enhance research initiatives, support effective community outreach, and develop campus infrastructure to bring in sustainability.
An Assessment of the Optimal Capacity and an Economic Evaluation of a Sustainable Photovoltaic Energy System in Korea
Authors: Lee Young Hun , Jeong In Wha , Sung Tae Hyun
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this study is to conduct an economic evaluation of a photovoltaic-energy storage system (PV–ESS system) based on the power generation performance data of photovoltaic operations in Korea, and to calculate the optimal capacity of the energy storage system. In this study, PV systems in Jeju-do and Gyeongsangnam-do were targeted, PV systems in this area were assumed to be installed on a general site, and the research was conducted by applying weights based on the facility’s capacity. All the analyses were conducted using the actual amount of Korea power exchange (KPX) transactions of PV systems in 2019. In order to calculate the optimal capacity of the power conditioning system (PCS) and the battery energy storage system (BESS) according to global horizontal irradiation (GHI), PV systems with a minimum/maximum/central value were selected by comparing the solar radiation before the horizontal plane for three years (2017–2019) in the location where the PV systems was installed. As a result of the analysis, in Jeju-do, if the renewable energy certificate(REC) weight decreased to 3.4 when there was no change in the cost of installing a BESS and a PCS, it was more economical to link to the BESS than the operation of the PV system alone. In Gyeongsangnam-do, it was revealed that if the REC weight was reduced to 3.4, it was more likely to link to the BESS than the operation of the PV system alone.
Spatial and Seasonal Characteristics of Air Pollution Spillover in China
Authors: Yu Baocheng , Fang Wei , Huang Shupei , Liu Siyao , Qi Yajie , Han Xiaodan
Published: November 2021

Air pollution spillover can cause air pollution to negatively affect neighboring regions. The structure of air pollution spillover varies with changes in season and space. Researching the spatial and seasonal characteristics of air pollution spillover is beneficial for determining air pollution prevention and control policies. First, this paper uses the GARCH-BEKK model to correlate the air pollution spillover among cities. Second, a complex network is constructed, and cities that have stronger spillover correlations are grouped into the same region. Finally, motifs are analyzed regarding the spillover relationships among regions. This paper also compares the structure of air pollution spillover during various seasons. This study determines that every season has a core region where the air pollution spillover exits the region. The core region in the spring is western East China, in the summer it is northern East China, in the autumn it is northern East China, and in the winter it is northern North China. These regions interact with most other regions. Furthermore, in spring and winter, the phenomena of air pollution spillover between regions are stronger than those in summer and autumn. We can weaken the air pollution spillover by controlling the air pollution in core regions.
An Exploration of the Relationships between Nostalgia, Involvement, and Behavioral Intention in Diaspora Tourism
Authors: Zeng Yanfang , Xu Rui
Published: November 2021

Diaspora tourism has become a significant market niche under globalization, but diaspora tourism to China has been less studied. This paper explores the relationships between nostalgia, involvement, and behavioral intention in diaspora tourism of the Chinese diaspora. By investigating 303 overseas Chinese, we use quantitative methodologies to measure the nostalgia of the Chinese diaspora and identify three segments of Chinese diasporic tourists based on their nostalgia: extremely nostalgic, nostalgic, and moderately nostalgic. Demographic features of each segment and attitude toward home-return travel are depicted. The findings suggest that the level of nostalgia has influences on the perception of home-return travel for the diaspora. For the strongly nostalgic groups, home-return travel is an important way to build and express their identity. For the moderately nostalgic group, home-return travel is regarded as a pleasure-driven activity. This study extends the theoretical understanding of diaspora nostalgia and also has practical implications for the marketing and construction of destinations.
Assessing Retail Biomass Electricity Efficiency in Japan: Focus on Average Cost and Benefit
Authors: Irie Noriko , Kawahara Naoko
Published: November 2021

Biomass utilisation has been one of the most pertinent topics in the field of sustainability. An example of biomass resource usage is renewable electricity (REL) using bioresources (Bio-REL). Although Bio-REL is widely disseminated globally, existing research suggests that it may be less economically efficient than other REL sources. The cost of Bio-REL has not changed in recent years, but the cost of solar or photovoltaic (PV) REL has been significantly reduced. Some studies also assert that retail Bio-REL is preferred less than PV-REL. As this is not well established in the literature, this study analysed the average levelised costs of energy (LCOE) and preferences for retail Bio-REL and PV-REL while focusing on the case of Japan. The results indicate that the average LCOE of retail Bio-REL was 1.4 times greater than that of PV-REL, while the willingness to pay (WTP) for Bio-REL was about half. The analysis has considerable relevance for countries other than Japan with comparative cost and preference for both REL sources. The research raises an important issue regarding the efficiency of the strategy of REL dissemination and proposes that a comprehensive economic analysis of the social benefits of Bio-REL be conducted.
Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis Affect Housing Prices Evenly in the U.S.?
Authors: Li Xinba , Zhang Chuanrong
Published: November 2021

While it is well-known that housing prices generally increased in the United States (U.S.) during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no research conducted to understand the spatial patterns and heterogeneity of housing price changes in the U.S. real estate market during the crisis. There has been less attention on the consequences of this pandemic, in terms of the spatial distribution of housing price changes in the U.S. The objective of this study was to explore the spatial patterns and heterogeneous distribution of housing price change rates across different areas of the U.S. real estate market during the COVID-19 pandemic. We calculated the global Moran’s I, Anselin’s local Moran’s I, and Getis-Ord’s Gi∗ statistics of the housing price change rates in 2856 U.S. counties. The following two major findings were obtained: (1) The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis on housing price change varied across space in the U.S. The patterns not only differed from metropolitan areas to rural areas, but also varied from one metropolitan area to another. (2) It seems that COVID-19 made Americans more cautious about buying property in densely populated urban downtowns that had higher levels of virus infection; therefore, it was found that during the COVID-19 pandemic year of 2020–2021, the housing price hot spots were typically located in more affordable suburbs, smaller cities, and areas away from high-cost, high-density urban downtowns. This study may be helpful for understanding the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the real estate market, as well as human behaviors in response to the pandemic.
The Use of Selected Landscape Metrics to Evaluate the Transformation of the Rural Landscape as a Result of the Development of the Mining Function—A Case Study of the Puchaczów Commune
Authors: Barwicka Sylwia , Milecka Małgorzata
Published: November 2021

Landscape metrics have been used for years in research on the evolution of landscapes. They are also important in the process of monitoring changes taking place in the functional and spatial structure of rural areas. The main aim of this article is to assess the transformation of the rural landscape of the Puchaczów commune, which is based on a comparative analysis of selected landscape metrics. In the Puchaczów commune, due to the availability of raw materials, a mining industry has developed, which has a decisive influence on the development of the region. The study included schemes of the commune’s land cover from four periods: the pre-war period, the 1960s and the 1970s (i.e., shortly before the construction of the hard coal mine), 1990–2000, and 2020. Then, for the given time frames, with the help of the FRAGSTATS version 4.2 program, the following landscape indicators were calculated: the percentage of the landscape coverage by particular land cover units, the number of patches, the mean class area, the Shannon diversity index, and the Simpson diversity index. A comparative analysis of landscape metrics showed that the landscape of the Puchaczów commune was constantly transformed in the years 1937–2020. Despite the decrease in the area of agricultural land, agricultural production remains the dominant function of the commune. The percentage of industrial areas is the smallest, but the metric values do not reflect the enormous environmental impact of the mine. A broader description of the changes taking place in the landscape of the Puchaczów commune can therefore be obtained only by combining research with the use of landscape metrics and analyses of the impact of land cover units on the environment.
Invertebrate and Plant Community Diversity of an Illinois Corn–Soybean Field with Integrated Shrub Willow Bioenergy Buffers
Authors: Zumpf Colleen , Quinn John , Cacho Jules , Grasse Nora , Negri Maria Cristina , Lee DoKyoung
Published: November 2021

Perennial bioenergy crop production within intensively managed agricultural landscapes has the potential to improve the sustainability, resiliency, and diversity of these landscapes. Perennial crops are ideal because of their high production potential on marginal lands relative to grain crops (e.g., corn and soybean) and their ability to provide additional ecosystem service benefits. When agricultural landscapes are designed to target specific services, determining the non-targeted services of perennial bioenergy crops can further promote their adoption. This 3-year study addresses this proposition by evaluating the canopy invertebrates and understory plant (non-target crop) communities using bee bowls and point measurement of ground coverage, respectively, within a grain field integrated with shrub willow buffer systems designed for nutrient loss reduction. Greater plant diversity and richness were observed under willow than under grain, resembling that of the surrounding riparian community with more perennial, native species. However, the same relationship did not hold true for invertebrates, with seasonality having a significant influence resulting in similar communities observed in willow and grain plots. The presence of unique plant and invertebrate species in both willow and grain crops as well as foraging pollinators on both crop and non-target crop species highlights the importance of habitat heterogeneity for supporting biodiversity and the potential benefits of buffer bioenergy landscape designs.
EnviRobots: How Human–Robot Interaction Can Facilitate Sustainable Behavior
Authors: Scheutz Clara , Law Theresa , Scheutz Matthias
Published: November 2021

Environmental psychology aims to study human behavior with regard to the environment and how psychological techniques can be used to motivate behavior change. We argue that these concepts can be applied to interactive robots designed for other tasks, which then enables them to encourage sustainability behaviors in humans. We first present a literature review on the current state of social robots that are used to encourage sustainable behaviors. We next present eight hypothetical scenarios which are informed by the progress that has already been made in social robots in sustainability, as well as notable gaps where further environmental psychological concepts could be utilized. These scenarios encompass possible robots that range from limited sensing and no manipulation capabilities, to more sophisticated sensing and no manipulation, to sophisticated sensing and manipulation capabilities. We present these scenarios in which human–robot interaction could potentially result in pro-environmental behavioral changes in humans as recommendations for robot designers interested in helping design social robots for sustainability.
The Giant Leap for Smart Cities: Scaling Up Smart City Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) Initiatives
Authors: Kuguoglu Berk Kaan , van der Voort Haiko , Janssen Marijn
Published: November 2021

Despite the promise of AI and IoT, the efforts of many organizations at scaling smart city initiatives fall short. Organizations often start by exploring the potential with a proof-of-concept and a pilot project, with the process later grinding to a halt for various reasons. Pilot purgatory, in which organizations invest in small-scale implementations without them realizing substantial benefits, is given very little attention in the scientific literature relating to the question of why AI and IoT initiatives fail to scale up for smart cities. By combining extensive study of the literature and expert interviews, this research explores the underlying reasons why many smart city initiatives relying on Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) fail to scale up. The findings suggest that a multitude of factors may leave organizations ill prepared for smart city AIoT solutions, and that these tend to multiply when cities lack much-needed resources and capabilities. Yet many organizations tend to overlook the fact that such initiatives require them to pay attention to all aspects of change: strategy, data, people and organization, process, and technology. Furthermore, the research reveals that some factors tend to be more influential in certain stages. Strategic factors tend to be more prominent in the earlier stages, whereas factors relating to people and the organization tend to feature later when organizations roll out solutions. The study also puts forward potential strategies that companies can employ to scale up successfully. Three main strategic themes emerge from the study: proof-of-value, rather than proof-of-concept; treating and managing data as a key asset; and commitment at all levels.
Sustainability Labels on Olive Oil: A Review on Consumer Attitudes and Behavior
Authors: Erraach Yamna , Jaafer Fatma , Radić Ivana , Donner Mechthild
Published: November 2021

Product labeling is a way to inform consumers and increase their awareness about sustainability attributes of products. It guarantees the use of specific production conditions, promotes market incentives and highlights environmental, social and/or ethical product attributes. This study provides a literature review of sustainability labels on olive oil including consumer attitudes and behavior towards this product. Results show that consumers have positive attitudes towards olive oil carrying sustainability labels and are willing to pay more for olive oil carrying those labels. However, the major drivers of this behavior are far from being related to sustainability. This insight jeopardizes the main objective of those labels and suggests more clarifications about the information delivered by them. More in-depth investigations are needed about the drivers of consumer behavior towards olive oil carrying sustainability labels.
The Estimation of the Willingness to Pay for Air-Quality Improvement in Thailand
Authors: Tantiwat Waranan , Gan Christopher , Yang Wei
Published: November 2021

Thailand has experienced severe air-quality problems for the past 10 years. Complicating this situation, the Thai government allocates an insufficient budget for the management of air pollution. Using the contingent valuation method, this paper estimates the willingness to pay for air-quality improvement in Thailand to reveal the benefits that people will gain if air-quality improves. The results show that the total benefits from air-quality improvement would be 18.8 billion baht in 2020. The Thai government can use these findings as a guideline to redistribute its budget to address air pollution more effectively.