bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intergroup Sensitivity and Promoting Sustainable Consumption: Meat Eaters Reject Vegans’ Call for a Plant-Based Diet
Authors: Thürmer J. Lukas , Stadler Juliane , McCrea Sean M.
Published: February 2022

Reducing meat consumption can make immediate contributions to fighting the climate crisis. A growing minority adheres to meat-free diets and could convince others to follow suit. We argue, however, that recipients’ social identification as meat eaters may impede the effectiveness of such calls (i.e., an intergroup sensitivity effect based on dietary groups). Indeed, meat eaters in our experiment (N = 260) were more likely to reject calls for dietary change from a vegan than from a fellow meat eater. This effect was also evidenced in evaluations of and engagement with an initiative to promote a vegan diet (“Veganuary”), providing some indication for behavioral impact. In contrast, our societal dietary norm manipulation had no consistent effects on observed outcomes. Exploratory moderation analyses show a limited impact of participants’ social identification as meat eaters but highlight the role of peoples’ general willingness to engage in environmentally friendly behavior. We discuss theoretical and practical implications, including how our results challenge existing approaches to promoting a meat-reduced diet.
Exploring Farmers’ Insight on Cropping Pattern for Sustainable Crop Production in Char Area of Bangladesh
Authors: Sarker Uttam Kumer , Kaysar Md. Salahuddin , Uddin Md. Romij , Hossain Md. Alamgir , Hassan Sabry , Hassan Mohamed M.
Published: February 2022

Bangladesh is principally an agricultural country, where most people depend primarily upon their own farm production for endurance. In the char area, agriculture is multifaceted and labor-intensive, with a non-developed market, few technologies, and insufficient resources. Moreover, agroecological situations are multifarious for crop production. A study was performed in the chars of Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, and Lalmonirhat districts of Bangladesh to determine the existing situation of cropping patterns, farmers’ problems with crop cultivation, and probable solutions to minimize risk in crop production. Farmers, local leaders, and dealers, as well as both government and non-government personnel, were occupied in the study to congregate information on different aspects of crop production. The study indicated that the most dominant cropping pattern was T. Aman-Maize-Jute. Flood is the major climatic risk alleged by char dwellers. Additionally, char respondents are vulnerable, with more landless farmers, and dominated by crop cultivation compared to other professional work. In response to the accessible crop production risks, the char peoples are suggested to utilize some adjustment strategies in agriculture, such as implementing new or alternative cropping practices, rapid disease and pest management techniques, and cultivating short-duration varieties. The other outcomes of the study were designed to implement program planning and livelihood development of char people through attaining food security.
Improvement of the Crude Glycerol Purification Process Derived from Biodiesel Production Waste Sources through Computational Modeling
Authors: Oliveira Matheus , Ramos Ana , Monteiro Eliseu , Rouboa Abel
Published: February 2022

Considering waste as a possible new resource for useful purposes is one of the strategies included in the circular economy principles. In fact, industrial processes are seen as great contributors to the formation of waste streams. With the aim to attain more sustainable and resilient systems, in this study, a process flow chart was elaborated in an Aspen Plus computer simulator, to obtain the production of pure glycerol from crude glycerol (a by-product of biodiesel production). This process occurs through fractional vacuum distillation, the methanol recovery route in the deacidification process and the removal of methanol from the reaction medium. The separation stages of the crude glycerol implemented enabled a degree of purification of 99.77%, meeting the specifications of the pharmaceutical use. The developed model allowed for the optimization of the purification process, raising by 40% the mass flow rate of pure glycerol. A conclusion could be drawn that the use of crude glycerol is an excellent option for the development of new products with greater added-value, contributing to the zero waste principles and to the circular economy.
Transformation, Fluxes and Impacts of Dissolved Metals from Shallow Water Hydrothermal Vents on Nearby Ecosystem Offshore of Kueishantao (NE Taiwan)
Authors: Mei Kang , Wang Deli , Jiang Yan , Shi Mengqiu , Chen Chen-Tung Arthur , Zhang Yao , Tang Kai
Published: February 2022

Hydrothermal vents are one of the important sources of major or trace elements in the ocean. The elemental fluxes, however, may be dynamic due to coastal processes and hydrothermal plumes, especially in shallow-water hydrothermal vents. We collected water samples by using the trace-metal clean technique inside and outside two shallow-water hydrothermal vents (white vent: low temperature, high pH; and yellow vent: high temperature, low pH) off Kueishantao Islet, Taiwan, China via SCUBA divers. We analyzed these samples for their hydro-chemical parameters and dissolved elements (Fe, Mn, Mg, V, Cu, and Mo) thereafter. Our results show that dissolved metals’ concentrations were significantly different between the two vents, with higher Mn and Fe in the White Vent than in the Yellow Vent, likely due to the decreased affinity of the dissolved metals for particles in the white vent. We estimated the plume fluxes of dissolved metals from the hydrothermal mouth by multiplying in situ hydrothermal discharge flowrates with metals’ concentrations inside the vents, which were: 1.09~7.02 × 104 kg Mg, 0.10~1.23 kg Fe, 0.08~28 kg Mn, 33.4~306 g V, 2.89~77.7 g Cu, and 54.3~664 g Mo, annually. The results further indicate that such plumes probably have impacted nearby seawater due to coastal currents and particle desorption during transport. Furthermore, the concentrations of biogenic elements could be further modified in seawater, and potentially impact nearby ecosystems on a larger scale. Our study provides information with which to further understand metal redeployment in submarine shallow nearby ecosystems.
Transitioning to a Circular Economy: A Systematic Review of Its Drivers and Barriers
Authors: Tan Jovan , Tan Fabien Jianwei , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: February 2022

Advancing societal’s progress to achieve circularity is imperative as our linear (take, make, waste) economic model is highly unsustainable. It depletes our natural resources and substantially contributes to pollution and global greenhouse gas emissions. Our continued participation in the linear economy will also expose businesses to volatile resource prices and supply disruptions resulting from the scarcity of critical materials and geopolitical factors. Hence, there are compelling reasons for businesses to transit and participate in the circular economy. However, anecdotal evidence suggests limited practical implementations. Therefore, this systematic review aims to determine the most significant drivers and barriers that influence business leaders to transform their businesses for participation in the circular economy. By clarifying the most influential factors and their characteristics, we can introduce effective measures to encourage or mitigate them. This review takes a transdisciplinary approach to discuss salient and consequential ideas with depth and completeness. Its associated practical and managerial implications are also thoroughly discussed.
The Use of Drones for Last-Mile Delivery: A Numerical Case Study in Milan, Italy
Authors: Borghetti Fabio , Caballini Claudia , Carboni Angela , Grossato Gaia , Maja Roberto , Barabino Benedetto
Published: February 2022

The increasing use of e-commerce introduces major challenges for last-mile delivery, which is critical to ensure smooth functioning of supply chains. Besides the speed and cost of delivery, which are the most important factors for last-mile logistics, environmental and social sustainability factors are taking on an increasingly important role, especially in urban areas. In this perspective, last-mile delivery by drones could be a good choice both in terms of transport speed and sustainability. Being electrically powered, drones can reduce environmental impact; moreover, they enable the reduction of road congestion since they do not interfere with land infrastructures. The goal of this study is to analyse the viability of drones for last-mile delivery in the Italian city of Milan. A stated preference survey was carried out to assess end-user propensity towards drones. Using these results, a goods delivery service by drones was designed. Furthermore, a preliminary financial analysis was performed to evaluate the benefits for a company that would provide such a transport service. Findings show that last-mile delivery by drones can be successfully used to deliver small and light packages, reducing environmental and social impacts, and ensuring profits for the transport provider.
Multitemporal Total Coliforms and Escherichia coli Analysis in the Middle Bogotá River Basin, 2007–2019
Authors: Castro Fernández Mario Fernando , Cárdenas Manosalva Ileana Romea , Colmenares Quintero Ramón Fernando , Montenegro Marín Carlos Enrique , Diaz Cuesta Yeffer Edilberto , Escobar Mahecha Daniela , Pérez Vásquez Paula Andrea
Published: February 2022

Currently, one of the main environmental problems that need to be addressed is the pollution inflicted upon different ecosystems by anthropic activities. One example of this problem can be seen in the Bogotá River, a major river in the Cundinamarca department of Columbia and the main water source supplying the Bogotá savannah, which reaches the Colombian capital city. The Bogotá River is highly affected by effluents and wastewater of domestic and industrial origin, among others. These pollutants are generated and accumulated throughout the entire basin, without ever receiving any type of treatment. The pollution levels to which the Bogotá River is subjected can be determined with the calculation of environmental indices, including microbiological contamination indicators such as total coliforms (TC) and fecal coliforms, which include Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Serratia, Edwardsiella, and Citrobacter bacteria, living as independent saprophytes. This paper assesses the quality of the water in the Bogotá River, using microbiological indicators and data provided by the Regional Autonomous Corporation (CAR) of Cundinamarca to assess water samples, extracted based on the climatic bimodality exhibited in the basin in dry and wet seasons. The scope of this study was limited to the 35 monitoring Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca (CAR) stations located throughout the middle basin. For these purposes, a multitemporal analysis of the TC and Escherichia coli variables was conducted for the 2007–2019 period, which evidenced the contamination levels in this section of the water body. In broad terms, the current state of the middle section of the Bogotá River basin is unacceptable, due to the different activities occurring within its riparian buffer zone, such as uncontrolled domestic, industrial, and/or commercial wastewater discharges. To optimize water treatability, the continuous improvement of existing treatment plants is expected, as well as the implementation of new sustainable treatment alternatives aimed at improving water quality.
The Outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic in Relation to Sense of Safety and Mobility Changes in Public Transport Using the Example of Warsaw
Authors: Kłos-Adamkiewicz Zuzanna , Gutowski Piotr
Published: February 2022

Worldwide, many different actions have been taken by local and national governments to control the spread of COVID-19. The impact of these measures can be seen in different areas, especially in passenger transport and travel behaviour. This study examines the changes that have occurred in travel behaviour, using the example of the capital city of Warsaw, Poland, in relation to measures undertaken to control the spread of COVID-19 and the sense of safety among passengers that was supposed to be provided by public transport organisers. Data were collected through an online survey questionnaire that included questions about past (before COVID-19) and present (during COVID-19) travel behaviour, mode choice and the frequency of trips by public transport users in Warsaw. The results showed significant changes in mobility and travel behaviour along with most common threats seen by public transport users. There was a major shift from public to individual modes of transport in the city area. The outcomes of this study could play a significant role in transport planning in the case of any other situation that affects public transport on such a level as the COVID-19 pandemic has. In particular, local and national authorities could use this knowledge for better planning for any type of lockdowns.
Feedbacks and Trade-Offs in the Use of Wetland Ecosystem Services by Local Communities in Rural Zimbabwe
Authors: Mandishona Emmah , Knight Jasper
Published: February 2022

Rural wetlands, especially in developing countries, have been exploited for different ecosystem services because they are considered safety nets for food production and are important for livelihood strategies and human wellbeing. However, there are gaps in knowledge of the ecosystem services provided by small, valley bottom wetlands, especially in dryland areas and how these services are used and managed by local communities. This study focuses on the ecosystem services of valley bottom wetlands in Zindi, the Honde Valley, in rural eastern Zimbabwe. Ethnographic observations of wetland users’ activities and individual interviews with local residents and village heads were undertaken in this study, focusing on how people make use of the different ecosystem services that are derived from these wetlands. Results show that the wetlands are mainly utilised for provisioning services, but that these are related to the availability and properties of supporting and regulatory services in the wetland environment. All of these services are also strongly mediated by the traditional cultural contexts and values held by local communities. The results show that the exploitation of some ecosystem services leads to negative impacts on the availability or properties of others, and this means that there are trade-offs in the uses and management by individuals and communities as a whole. These feedbacks and trade-offs are not well explored in most studies but are critical in considering community responses to changing wetland resources, in particular under climate change. This study recommends that policymakers should include small and often hitherto overlooked wetlands in their management plans, since they are critical for supporting rural livelihoods. It is also important that wetland management plans aim to improve the range and sustainability of ecosystem services available and avoid the need for unnecessary trade-offs in their use by local communities.
Real-Time Energy Management and Load Scheduling with Renewable Energy Integration in Smart Grid
Authors: Albogamy Fahad R. , Khan Sajjad Ali , Hafeez Ghulam , Murawwat Sadia , Khan Sheraz , Haider Syed Irtaza , Basit Abdul , Thoben Klaus-Dieter
Published: February 2022

With the smart grid development, the modern electricity market is reformatted, where residential consumers can actively participate in the demand response (DR) program to balance demand with generation. However, lack of user knowledge is a challenging issue in responding to DR incentive signals. Thus, an Energy Management Controller (EMC) emerged that automatically respond to DR signal and solve energy management problem. On this note, in this work, a hybrid algorithm of Enhanced Differential Evolution (EDE) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) is developed, namely EDGE. The EMC is programmed based with EDGE algorithm to automatically respond to DR signals to solve energy management problems via scheduling three types of household load: interruptible, non-interruptible, and hybrid. The EDGE algorithm has critical features of both algorithms (GA and EDE), enabling the EMC to generate an optimal schedule of household load to reduce energy expense, carbon emission, Peak to Average Ratio (PAR), and user discomfort. To validate the proposed EDGE algorithm, simulations are conducted compared to the existing algorithms like Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO), GA, Wind Driven Optimization (WDO), and EDE. Results illustrate that the proposed EDGE algorithm outperforms benchmark algorithms in energy expense minimization, carbon emission minimization, PAR alleviation, and user discomfort maximization.
Impacts of Delivery Charge on the Possibility of Consumers Using Online Food Delivery
Authors: Wu Yongzhong , Lu Yikuan , Huang Simin
Published: February 2022

With the maturity of the online food delivery (OFD) industry in China, the growth of the market in recent years is mainly driven by the increase of the usage frequency of existing users rather than the number of new users. The usage frequency of users is affected by various factors, with the delivery charge as one of the most significant ones. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of delivery charge and other factors on the probability of consumers choosing to use OFD service. In this study, 391 questionnaire records from China were collected, based on which a logistic regression model was established. The results of the model show that age, occupation, monthly income, city tier of residence, location and time period of usage, and delivery charges all play a role on the probability of consumers using the service, and the delivery charge has the greatest impact. For every one yuan increase in the delivery charge, consumers will be less likely to choose “certainly” of using OFD (OR: 0.435; 95% CI: 0.415, 0.455). Sensitivity analysis shows that when the delivery charge changes between 2~5 yuan, it has the greatest impact on the probability of consumers using the service. The analysis further shows that delivery charge has different impacts under different scenarios composed of three key factors, i.e., the city tier of residence, locations of usage, and time period of usage. From a management perspective, these findings help to understand the behavior of OFD consumers and provide insights for the OFD operators to establish best pricing strategies for long-term economic sustainability.
Is an Intergenerational Program Effective in Increasing Social Capital among Participants? A Preliminary Study in Korea
Authors: Kim Junghyun , Chung Soondool
Published: February 2022

The rapid growth of the aging population and low economic growth have intensified generational conflicts, especially in the workplace. Social capital is one option that can solve generational conflicts by encouraging cooperation among colleagues. This study aims to explore the impact of the intergenerational program, Sedae Ieum Madang, on perceived social capital among participants in Korea. To measure the impact of the program, a one-group pretest/posttest design was applied, and a purposive sampling method was adopted to recruit participants. The final sample size was 53, including 30 older adults and 23 young adults. In items that measured participants’ level of trust in colleagues, the subindex of social capital was compared between before and after the program. Each item relates to peoples’ experience of social support in workplaces, as suggested in the swAge model. According to the measurement, peoples’ level of trust in their colleagues changed; only the older generation’s trust in their colleagues increased, while that of the younger generation did not. The results of this study show that the intergenerational program is effective in encouraging the older generation to trust their colleagues and fostering mutual support between younger and older generations, which is important in developing sustainable work environments.
Mediator Acceptability for Sustainable Trading Management: Scale Development and Validation
Authors: Yang Chunzi , Ha Hong-Youl
Published: February 2022

This study develops and empirically validates a multidimensional scale for measuring mediator acceptability (MEDACCEPT) from a sustainable trading perspective. Moreover, it examines the developed scales’ ability to evaluate the impact of mediator selection. Data are collected from a professional research firm using 265 respondents who have mediation experience in export or import industrial areas. Although we initially identify seven dimensions, the research findings empirically identify the following five primary dimensions that drive mediator acceptability: status, legal expertise, procedural justice, restorative justice, and perceived confidentiality. Interestingly, while traditional mediation literature highlights the importance of a mediator’s skill and cultural expertise, our scales exclude these two constructs. The MEDACCEPT scales are salient only to firms that trade physical products, suggesting further research directions.
Research on the Sustainable Development and Dynamic Capabilities of China’s Aircraft Leasing Industry Based on System Dynamics Theory
Authors: Lin Weiwei , Lu Jing , Zhu Jinfu , Xu Li
Published: February 2022

The Boeing 737 MAX crisis and COVID-19 pandemic have seriously influenced the development of China’s aircraft leasing industry in the past two years. This paper applies system dynamics theory to explore the sustainable development of China’s aircraft leasing industry. It analyses the dynamic mechanism and constructs a system dynamics model. Based on China’s macroeconomic data and historical data from the financial, aviation, and leasing industries, it aims to stimulate the development of China’s aircraft leasing industry in the next five years. Through sensitivity analysis, this research finds that changes in GDP growth have the most obvious impact on the sustainable development of China’s aircraft leasing industry. Reducing the average financing cost and the income tax rate of aircraft leasing companies, increasing their investment in talent, and controlling risk will increase the market share of China’s aircraft leasing companies and promote the development of the industry. However, increasing the number of aircraft leasing companies has little effect on market share. On this basis, this paper proposes policy recommendations to promote the sustainable development of China’s aircraft leasing industry.
Smart City Projects Boost Urban Energy Efficiency in China
Authors: Tu Zhengge , Kong Jiayang , Shen Renjun
Published: February 2022

Policy makers around the world are turning to smart city projects in an effort to address the challenges of population growth, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Previous studies have evaluated the effect of smart city projects on air quality. However, evidence on the impact of the projects on energy efficiency remains unclear. This study gathered prefecture-level city panel data in China, and used three strategies, namely a difference-in-differences estimator, a matching difference-in-differences estimator, and a counterfactual model using a machine learning algorithm, to assess the impact of smart city projects on energy efficiency. This study reported similar results across these strategies above. That is, after the introduction of a smart city project, energy efficiency had a remarkable and sizeable increase, ranging from 4 to 7 per cent. Moreover, this study shows that the effects of smart city projects increased over time. In addition, this study found that the effects varied according to the characteristics of the cities.
What Can Support Cross-Border Cooperation in the Blue Economy? Lessons from Blue Sector Performance Analysis in Estonia and Finland
Authors: Tverdostup Maryna , Paas Tiiu , Chebotareva Mariia
Published: February 2022

Cross-border cooperation creates possibilities for improving the economic performance of the economies of different countries and allows for the efficient use of resources by considering sector-specific conditions for cooperation. The objective of this paper is to provide a methodological framework for analysing the economic performance of selected blue sectors, suggesting additional information for the development of cross-border cooperation in two neighbouring countries: Estonia and Finland. The analysis of the economic performance of the selected blue sectors relies on the Amadeus database for both countries, the implementation of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and the calculation of partial productivity measures. The results of the study show that, on average, blue sectors report good performance indicators in coastal regions, but there are also some signs of imperfect efficiency. The common pattern of imperfectly efficient blue sectors in both countries is due to an excess of some fixed assets, which convey extra costs for business activities and, to some extent, generate excessive environmental pressures. The special nature of a shared blue economic area between Estonia and Finland stipulates close cross-border cooperation as an important tool to improve the performance of the imperfectly efficient sectors through shared “best practice” operations, technologies, and infrastructures. However, the lack of appropriate cross-border statistical data restricts analytical opportunities and the development of policy recommendations.
Climate Change Beliefs, Personal Environmental Norms and Environmentally Conscious Behaviour Intention
Authors: Perera Chamila R. , Kalantari Hassan , Johnson Lester W.
Published: February 2022

Purpose—The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between climate change beliefs, personal environmental norms and environmentally conscious behaviour. This study also investigates how the relationship between climate change beliefs and environmentally conscious behaviour is mediated by environmental identity. Design/methodology/approach—A survey conducted online involving 564 Australians informs the findings. Data analysis is performed using AMOS, a structural equation modelling package. Findings—This study finds strong positive relationships between climate change beliefs, personal environmental norms and environmentally conscious behaviour. The relationship between climate change beliefs and environmentally conscious behaviour is partially mediated by environmental identity. In addition, this study also finds that the relationships between personnel environmental norms, and environmental identity and environmentally conscious behaviour are partially mediated by climate change beliefs. Further, both personal environmental norms and climate change beliefs play stronger roles than environmental identity in environmentally conscious behaviour. Originality—This study engages in a scholarly conversation which claims the predictability of personal environmental norms in environmentally conscious behaviour. It adds value by establishing boundary conditions to some conversations in the field of study that claim environmental identity can be a better predictor of environmentally conscious behaviour. Research implications and limitations—This study postulates an integrated framework of value, beliefs and norms and the norm activation model to investigate environmentally conscious behaviour. This study findings are limited to a survey which involved an Australian sample. Practical implications—This study provides valuable implications for environmentally conscious businesses and policy makers. This study stresses the importance of highlighting climate change beliefs to enhance increased environmentally conscious behaviour engagement. It is, however, strongly recommended to focus on personal environmental norms as well because they play a stronger role in environmentally conscious behaviour engagement than climate change beliefs and strengthen climate change beliefs. This is important especially when conversations on the adverse effects of climate change and strategies to combat them are clouded by some political debates.
Examining Whether Government Environmental Regulation Promotes Green Innovation Efficiency—Evidence from China’s Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Wu Feng , Fu Xiaopeng , Zhang Ting , Wu Dan , Sindakis Stavros
Published: February 2022

Based on the panel data of 11 provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2005 to 2018, this paper uses the SBM-DEA efficiency model with undesired output to measure the green innovation efficiency of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The panel Tobit empirical analysis model was used to quantitatively analyze the impact of three different forms of government environmental regulations on the efficiency of green innovation. The research results show that the government’s mandatory environmental regulations and government financial subsidies for green innovation technology are two regulatory methods that positively promote the efficiency of regional green innovation, but government investment in environmental governance has a negative impact on the efficiency of regional green innovation. Then the study found that this negative impact has a significant inflection point effect: when it exceeds a certain threshold, the negative impact turns into a positive effect. At the same time, the impact of environmental regulations on the efficiency of green innovation has significant regional heterogeneity, and the three environmental regulations have a greater impact on downstream provinces and cities.
How Many Real Islands Have Existed along a Mid-Danube Section during the Past 250 Years?
Authors: Ádám Szilvia , Malatinszky Ákos
Published: February 2022

The consequences of river regulation work and other human interventions from the past can still be followed and cause various effects on the Danube river, especially on the formation and state of the islands. We aimed to compile an inventory of the islands along the Hungarian Danube stretch between Vének (1797 rkm) and Budapest (1647 rkm) during the past 250 years, focusing on their landscape history. Real islands were defined as gravel bars that are permanently covered with pioneer woody vegetation, constantly surrounded by water (side-branch is not closed), and their surface remains unflooded at an average water level. We identified 123 real islands that existed on this 150 km long river stretch in the last centuries. These were real islands for a shorter or longer period between the 18th and the 21st century. A total of 66 of them existed at the same time about 200 years ago, i.e., before the large-scale water regulation works, while today this number is only 18, meaning that 73% of current potential Danube islands are at a stage of side-branch succession. Before the river regulation works, the natural successional changes of a real island occurred over hundreds of years, but today they happen rapidly. The formation of new islands became very limited compared to the past due to the lack of sediments and the altered river dynamics. In order to conserve this unique ecological corridor and green infrastructure element in the long run, and restore its damaged floodplain habitats, no more hard-tech interventions should be allowed in the fluvial system. These aspects need to be taken into consideration in decision-making processes with an integrated approach.
Measuring Sustainable Intensification Using Satellite Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Areal Francisco J. , Yu Wantao , Tansey Kevin , Liu Jiahuan
Published: February 2022

Farm-level sustainable intensification metrics are needed to evaluate farm performance and support policy-making processes aimed at enhancing sustainable production. Farm-level sustainable intensification metrics require environmental impacts associated with agricultural production to be accounted for. However, it is common that such indicators are not available. We show how satellite-based remote sensing information can be used in combination with farm efficiency analysis to obtain a sustainable intensification (SI) indicator, which can serve as a sustainability benchmarking tool for farmers and policy makers. We obtained an SI indicator for 114 maize farms in Yangxin County, located in the Shandong Province in China, by combining information on maize output and inputs with satellite information on the leaf area index (from which a nitrogen environmental damage indicator is derived) into a farm technical efficiency analysis using a stochastic frontier approach. We compare farm-level efficiency scores between models that incorporate environmental damage indicators based on satellite-based remote sensing information and models that do not account for environmental impact. The results demonstrate that (a) satellite-based information can be used to account for environmental impacts associated with agriculture production and (b) how the environmental impact metrics derived from satellite-based information combined with farm efficiency analysis can be used to obtain a farm-level sustainable intensification indicator. The approach can be used to obtain tools for farmers and policy makers aiming at improving SI.
Ecosystems Services and Green Infrastructure for Respiratory Health Protection: A Data Science Approach for Paraná, Brazil
Authors: Pimentel da Silva Luciene , da Fonseca Murilo Noli , de Moura Edilberto Nunes , de Souza Fábio Teodoro
Published: February 2022

Urban ecosystem services have become a main issue in contemporary urban sustainable development, whose efforts are challenged by the phenomena of world urbanization and climate change. This article presents a study about the ecosystem services of green infrastructure towards better respiratory health in a socioeconomic scenario typical of the Global South countries. The study involved a data science approach comprising basic and multivariate statistical analysis, as well as data mining, for the municipalities of the state of Paraná, in Brazil’s South region. It is a cross-sectional study in which multiple data sets are combined and analyzed to uncover relationships or patterns. Data were extracted from national public domain databases. We found that, on average, the municipalities with more area of biodiversity per inhabitant have lower rates of hospitalizations resulting from respiratory diseases (CID-10 X). The biodiversity index correlates inversely with the rates of hospitalizations. The data analysis also demonstrated the importance of socioeconomic issues in the environmental-respiratory health phenomena. The data mining analysis revealed interesting associative rules consistent with the learning from the basic statistics and multivariate analysis. Our findings suggest that green infrastructure provides ecosystem services towards better respiratory health, but these are entwined with socioeconomics issues. These results can support public policies towards environmental and health sustainable management.
Effects of Processing and Storage Conditions on Functional Properties of Powdered Blueberry Pomace
Authors: Calabuig-Jiménez Laura , Hinestroza-Córdoba Leidy Indira , Barrera Cristina , Seguí Lucía , Betoret Noelia
Published: February 2022

Promoting a circular economy through valorisation of food processing waste into functional ingredients is a challenge today. The combination of hot air drying with milling is a cheap and highly available option for obtaining powdered products from blueberry pomace, a residue with a large amount of fibre and a high proportion of polyphenols from the fruit. The objective of this work was to analyse the effect of drying temperature (60 °C and 70 °C) and granulometry (coarse and fine) on physicochemical properties, including antioxidant properties and monomeric anthocyanins content. The potential prebiotic effect of blueberry pomace powders, as well as their water and oil interaction properties, were also assessed. Stability of physicochemical properties over 20 weeks of storage was also evaluated. Powders obtained showed a total fibre content higher than 30% with a good proportion between insoluble and soluble fractions and a high retention of monomeric anthocyanins from fresh pomace (75% at 60 °C and 66% at 70 °C). The powders showed good water interaction properties and interesting technological properties, such as solubility and hygroscopicity, which were not affected by differences in particle size. Stability of powders’ physicochemical properties was evidenced throughout the storage period.
Water Level Prediction through Hybrid SARIMA and ANN Models Based on Time Series Analysis: Red Hills Reservoir Case Study
Authors: Azad Abdus Samad , Sokkalingam Rajalingam , Daud Hanita , Adhikary Sajal Kumar , Khurshid Hifsa , Mazlan Siti Nur Athirah , Rabbani Muhammad Babar Ali
Published: February 2022

Reservoir water level (RWL) prediction has become a challenging task due to spatio-temporal changes in climatic conditions and complicated physical process. The Red Hills Reservoir (RHR) is an important source of drinking and irrigation water supply in Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, India, also expected to be converted into the other productive services in the future. However, climate change in the region is expected to have consequences over the RHR’s future prospects. As a result, accurate and reliable prediction of the RWL is crucial to develop an appropriate water release mechanism of RHR to satisfy the population’s water demand. In the current study, time series modelling technique was adopted for the RWL prediction in RHR using Box–Jenkins autoregressive seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) and artificial neural network (ANN) hybrid models. In this research, the SARIMA model was obtained as SARIMA (0, 0, 1) (0, 3, 2)12 but the residual of the SARIMA model could not meet the autocorrelation requirement of the modelling approach. In order to overcome this weakness of the SARIMA model, a new SARIMA–ANN hybrid time series model was developed and demonstrated in this study. The average monthly RWL data from January 2004 to November 2020 was used for developing and testing the models. Several model assessment criteria were used to evaluate the performance of each model. The findings showed that the SARIMA–ANN hybrid model outperformed the remaining models considering all performance criteria for reservoir RWL prediction. Thus, this study conclusively proves that the SARIMA–ANN hybrid model could be a viable option for the accurate prediction of reservoir water level.
Supply Chain Management Strategy and Capital Structure of Global Information and Communications Technology Companies
Authors: Son Insung , Kim Sihyun
Published: February 2022

Supply chain management (SCM) plays an important role in international work distribution mechanisms. This phenomenon has shifted to an SCM-to-SCM competition rather than corporate-to-corporate competition in the global market. Apple and Samsung Electronics are the two major global information and communications technology (ICT) companies, each choosing different SCM strategies to stabilize production while minimizing inventory and maintaining ongoing partnerships with suppliers. To analyze the relationship between strategic differences in SCM structure of the ICT companies and capital, while employing the generalized method of moments, this study analyzed partnerships with suppliers from a financial perspective for long-term growth and stable production. Results identified that the target debt ratio of Apple’s parts suppliers was 38%, which was slightly higher than that of US companies (33%). In the relationship between capital structure and SCM structures, the company’s debt ratio decreases if the strength of the strategic alliance and the strength of the horizontal integration of global parts suppliers are higher. Specifically, Apple’s parts suppliers with non-equity alliances, such as technological and R&D alliances, have reduced debt ratios more than companies with equity alliances. In the case of Samsung Electronics’ parts suppliers, primary vendors had a lower debt ratio than secondary vendors. These results indicates that if the strength of the vertical integration with the international strategic alliances is greater, they are more likely to adopt a lower debt ratio policy. Identifying the relationship between SCM strategic difference and capital structure, this study provides valuable insights for corporate sustainability.
Exploring Differentiated Conservation Priorities of Urban Green Space Based on Tradeoffs of Ecological Functions
Authors: Li Huiying , Liu Dianfeng , He Jianhua
Published: February 2022

Urban green space (UGS) can simultaneously provide social and ecological benefits for humans. Although numerous studies have evaluated the multifunctional benefits of urban green space, few of them have determined the differentiated conservation priorities of UGS towards the tradeoff relationship of multiple UGS functions. Here, we proposed an integrated framework to explore the targeted conservation strategies of UGS patches. Specifically, the circuit theory model and gravity floating catchment area method were adopted to evaluate ecological connectivity and spatial accessibility of UGS under multiple scenarios in terms of different species dispersal distances and resident travelling modes, and Pareto ranking analysis was utilized to identify conservation priorities of UGS. Wuhan City in central China was taken as a case study. The results show that Wuhan exhibits low synergic relationship of ecological connectivity and spatial accessibility of UGS, and only approximately 7.51% of UGS patches on average rank high. Based on the frequency of UGS Pareto ranks under different scenarios, the differentiated conservation strategy was developed, which identified 10 key green areas that need to be protected and 11 green areas that need to be restored. This work is expected to provide an applicable framework to identify key UGS patches and assist in urban planning and layout optimization of multifunctional UGS in Wuhan, China.
Impacts of Crapemyrtle Bark Scale on Consumers and the Horticulture Industry
Authors: Marwah Pulkit , Zhang Yu Yvette , Gu Mengmeng
Published: February 2022

In this study, we conducted a nationwide online survey, including discrete choice scenarios, to understand consumers’ purchasing behavior for flowering trees and shrubs for home landscapes in the US. In particular, we studied crapemyrtle, which is the most popular summer flowering tree in the US. This research evaluates the change in consumer willingness to pay for crapemyrtle plants due to pest infestation damage. Our study showed that the consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for crapemyrtles will decrease, due to the changes in their attributes, such as flower density and bark color, if infested by crapemyrtle bark scale (CMBS). We also analyzed the effect of consumers’ personal characteristics, including their risk attitude, on their willingness to pay for crapemyrtle plants.
Identification and Characterization of Supply Chain Operational Risk Profiles in Manufacturing Companies
Authors: Pham Hai Thanh , Verbano Chiara
Published: February 2022

Research on the interactions between risk, integration, and performance in supply chains (SCs) is increasingly attracting attention of researchers in recent years. Although risk usually has negative effects on performance, limited evidence has been provided to show whether companies differently exposed to operational risk (i.e., high, moderate, or low exposure) also have different levels of integration and operational performance. Therefore, this study aims to identify and characterize different profiles of operational risk (i.e., supply, manufacturing, and demand risks) between manufacturing companies along with considering contextual factors such as company size and industry type. Data are collected from the fourth round of the High Performance Manufacturing Project and subsequently analyzed by cluster analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Three different clusters have been identified: Two clusters are moderately and highly impacted by operational risk, respectively, while the other cluster is almost not impacted by manufacturing risk but highly impacted by supply risk and demand risk. The results also indicate that companies with different profiles of operational risk have different levels of integration and operational performance. An important contribution of the current study is the development of a hypothesized framework of interactions between operational risk, integration, and operational performance to provide opportunities for further research.
Analysis of Behavior Characteristics for Pedestrian Twice-Crossing at Signalized Intersections Based on an Improved Social Force Model
Authors: Guo Yongqing , Ma Siyuan , Wei Fulu , Lu Liqun , Sun Feng , Wang Jie
Published: February 2022

At urban signalized intersections, pedestrian twice-crossing is usually viewed as a complex human behavior, since there are many factors influencing it. Mostly, pedestrians engage in a complicated cognitive process of perception, attention and decision-making. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the major factors affecting this behavior, and develop an effective pedestrian dynamic model, in order to increase the safety and efficiency of crossing streets. This study proposes a force-based model of pedestrian dynamics by improving the classic social force model, in order to determine the influencing factors and quantify the forces acting on pedestrians crossing in two stages at signalized intersections. Through analyzing the characteristics of pedestrian twice-crossing behavior, the social force model was enhanced by providing a new component of the green signal countdown. The improved model includes four parts of the self-driving force in the ideal state, the repulsive and attractive forces generated by surrounding pedestrians, the resistance of the crosswalk boundary line, and the force produced by the green signal countdown. Each part was considered with qualitative analysis and quantitative calculation. The results show that the proposed model can achieve high accuracy in measuring the forces acting on pedestrian twice-crossing. The findings of this study have great implications for designing pedestrian facilities and optimizing pedestrian signal timings, helping thus to increase the mobility and safety of pedestrian twice-crossing.
Modeling and Economic Operation of Energy Hub Considering Energy Market Price and Demand
Authors: Kang Il-oh , You Hyunseok , Choi Kyungshik , Jeon Sung-kook , Lee Jaehee , Lee Dongho
Published: February 2022

This paper discusses the economic operation strategy of the energy hub, which is being established in South Korea. The energy hub has five energy conversion devices: a turbo expander generator, a normal fuel cell, a fuel cell with a hydrogen outlet, a small-scale combined heat and power device, and a photovoltaic device. We are developing the most economically beneficial operation strategy for the operators who own the hub, without making any systematic improvements to the energy market. First, sixteen conversion efficiency matrices can be achieved by turning each device (except the PV) on or off. Next, even the same energy must be divided into different energy flows according to price. The energy flow is controlled to obtain the maximum profit, considering the internal load of the energy hub and the price fluctuations of the energy market. Using our operating strategy, the return on investment period is approximately 9.9 years, which is three years shorter than that without the operating strategy.