bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the Evaluation of Green Technology Innovation Efficiency and Its Influencing Factors in the Central Plains City Cluster of China
Authors: Dong Xu , Fu Wensi , Yang Yali , Liu Chenguang , Xue Guizhi
Published: September 2022

Green technology innovation, containing economic, social and ecological triple value effects, plays an important role in promoting regional high-quality development. In this paper, we take the Central Plains city cluster, one of China’s top ten national city clusters, as the research object and use the super-efficiency SBM-DEA model to measure and analyze its green technology innovation efficiency. The panel spatial Durbin model (SDM) is used to empirically investigate the market-based, policy and social factors that affect green technology innovation efficiency in the Central Plains city cluster. The main findings are as follows: (1) The green technology innovation efficiency in the Central Plains city cluster shows a fluctuating upward trend from 2009 to 2019, and the spatial differences are obvious, but this spatial difference has converged somewhat over time; (2) Economic development and industrial structure upgrading are the dominant market forces driving green technology innovation efficiency in the Central Plains city cluster, while opening up and enterprise performance hurt the efficiency of green technology innovation; (3) By strengthening environmental regulation and fiscal expenditures on science and technology, the government plays a guiding role in promoting green technology efficiency; (4) Human capital can provide talent support for green technology innovation to effectively promote the efficiency of green technology innovation in the Central Plains city cluster, while the impact of urbanization on green technology innovation efficiency is not significant; (5) In addition to urbanization, the market-based, policy, and social factors that affect green technology innovation efficiency in the Central Plains city cluster also present significant spatial spillover effects. To further promote green technology innovation efficiency in the Central Plains city cluster in the future, we should significantly promote the green transformation and upgrading of industrial structure, improve the quality of opening up to the outside world, strengthen environmental supervision and optimize its governance model, increase government support for green innovation, improve the talent cultivation and introduction system, and mobilize enterprises’ enthusiasm for green technology innovation.
Using Gamified Strategies in Higher Education: Relationship between Intrinsic Motivation and Contextual Variables
Authors: López-Martínez Ana , Meroño Lourdes , Cánovas-López María , García-de-Alcaraz Antonio , Martínez-Aranda Luis Manuel
Published: September 2022

The application of Information and Communication Technologies in the classroom encourages student learning by increasing their motivation and promoting collaborative teamwork. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences on intrinsic motivation of university students considering contextual variables when working specific contents through digital tools and virtual gamified strategies. Nine hundred and nineteen university students (18–21 years old) participated in the study. A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed considering four different variables: gender, working language, subject nature and academic degree. The applications used were Kahoot and Vevox and student motivation was assessed through an adapted version to the university context of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) Questionnaire. A higher score for bachelor´s degree compared to vocational training for the dimensions interest-enjoyment and effort-importance, together with a lower level in tension-pressure were revealed. Only the effort dimension was different between genders, being higher for female. Practical subjects showed higher values in bachelor´s degree for interest, competence, effort, and lower scores concerning tension-pressure. Finally, the teaching in Spanish revealed better scores in all dimensions compared to English, especially when the subject nature is practical. In line with previous results, university students showed good levels of intrinsic motivation when virtual gamified tools were used.
A Novel AHP-PRISM Risk Assessment Method—An Empirical Case Study in a Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Bognár Ferenc , Benedek Petra
Published: September 2022

Risk assessment methods are a continuously developing field in research and practice. Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods, like AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process), have a significant role in traditional risk assessment development. The PRISM (Partial Risk Map) methodology is a novel risk assessment method aiming at safety and reliability-sensitive operational fields. Since the PRISM method initially applies deterministic evaluation scales just like many traditional risk assessment techniques, this research focuses on developing the PRISM method by combining it with AHP. Thus, the new AHP-PRISM method can create more sensitive rankings than the original method, and the consistency of the expert group can also be tested after the assessment. By applying the consistency test, the reliability of the assessment can be described, which is necessary for a safety culture environment. Based on a real-life case study in a nuclear power plant (NPP), the new AHP-PRISM method is tested.
“Sustainable or Unsustainable” in Higher Education Internationalization Development: Exploring the Post-Doctoral System in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Authors: Li Jian , Xue Eryong
Published: September 2022

The current reforms in the internationalization of the post-doctoral system in China’s higher education institutions is implemented using both governmental and institutional policies, especially in the humanities and social sciences. These reforms are situated in evolving strategies for the internationalization of China’s post-doctoral system. This study explored various stakeholder perspectives on this internationalization process; we analyzed 34 institutional post-doctoral recruitment documents and the transcripts from 36 interviews we conducted with academics, university senior administrators, and vice presidents. The findings suggest that internationalizing the post-doctoral system in the humanities and social sciences still faces challenges and difficulties: the postdocs’ role ambiguity as “temporary researchers” without the “iron rice bowl”; non-guaranteed funding, which creates a “survival of the fittest” postdoc environment; quality versus quantity of work positioning “paper as the primary productivity”; and governance and management disorder being seen as “shifting from management to service”. The internationalization of the post-doctoral system still embodies ambiguities and dilemmas. Suggestions are offered for future research in the last.
Can Tanker Water Services Contribute to Sustainable Access to Water? A Systematic Review of Case Studies in Urban Areas
Authors: Zozmann Heinrich , Morgan Alexander , Klassert Christian , Klauer Bernd , Gawel Erik
Published: September 2022

Tanker water markets (TWM) supply water services in many urban areas, including those unconnected to public infrastructures. Notwithstanding, they have been associated with outcomes in conflict with sustainability goals of water policy, e.g., through inequitable and unaffordable supply or by contributing to groundwater overexploitation. So far, the literature dedicated to TWM has primarily conducted case studies embedded in diverse local contexts, which impedes the comparison and transfer of insights. In this article, we systematically summarize existing empirical knowledge on TWM and assess to what extent normative claims about the impacts of TWM on sustainability goals are supported by evidence. We use the concept of sustainable access, which combines notions of what constitutes access to water and what characterizes sustainable supply of services. The available evidence suggests that TWM have two key functions in urban water systems: (1) They provide services at otherwise unavailable levels, particularly with respect to the temporal availability and spatial accessibility of the service, and (2) they extend access to areas without or with low-quality network supply, typically low-income communities on the fringe of cities. From the perspective of sustainable access, we find that TWM can provide high service levels and thus fill a specific gap in the landscape of urban water services. Due to comparatively high prices, however, it is unlikely that these services are affordable for all. The combination of heterogeneous access to cheaper (subsidized) piped water and marginal pricing in TWM results in allocation outcomes that are not coherent with existing notions of equitable access to water. However, there is little convincing evidence that TWM necessarily result in unsustainable water use. The literature indicates that urban water governance in the studied areas is frequently characterized by a lack of effective institutions, which impedes the regulation or formalization of TWM.
Spatial-Temporal Evolution and Influencing Mechanism of Traffic Dominance in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Wang Dongchuan , Wang Kangjian , Wang Zhiheng , Fan Hongkui , Chai Hua , Wang Hongyi , Long Hui , Gao Jianshe , Xu Jiacheng
Published: September 2022

Transportation is an important resource for the sustainable development of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is of great practical significance to evaluate and study the law and mechanism of spatial and temporal differentiation of traffic dominance degree. Based on the methods of the Origin-Destination cost matrix, least squares method, and geographically weighted regression, this paper establishes a traffic dominance evaluation system at the county scale and discusses the spatial pattern and influence of traffic dominance in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from 2015 to 2019. The results show that: (1) The overall traffic construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has been accelerated, and the traffic accessibility between counties has been significantly enhanced; (2) The traffic dominance of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is significantly different from east to west, and the central area, with “Xining-Lhasa” as the axis, expands to the outer circle with an irregularly decreasing spatial pattern; and (3) The effect of rapid urbanization development and population carrying capacity enhancement on the traffic dominance of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has gradually increased, and the effect of elevation has been weakening from 2015 to 2019.
Development of an Interactive Web-Based Knowledge Management Platform for Major Maintenance Activities: Case Study of Cement Manufacturing System
Authors: Iheukwumere-Esotu Lilian Ogechi , Yunusa-Kaltungo Akilu
Published: September 2022

The expectations of organizations within industries that perform MoOSTs when adopting knowledge management (KM) as part of their organizational process are to improve the ability to execute their core business functions in the process of capturing as well as retaining expert knowledge. However, existing literature is limited in MoOSTs-specific knowledge management systems (KMS) that can assist with experience capturing, collation and transfer. This is partly due to the challenges associated with the ability to design, implement and test the efficacy of such KMS in practice, owing to many intricately identified knowledge barriers within MoOSTs. In this study, through a cement manufacturing process case study, a proposal depicting a typical KM process within MoOSTs is presented along with an early stage interactive web-based KMS for MoOSTs. The developed KMS is termed MoOSTs knowledge platform (MoOSTsKP). The MoOSTsKP was evaluated by experts for its fluidity, resilience, and adaptability to different MoOSTs organizations, which are crucial elements for integration into existing MoOSTs information technology (IT) systems. The MoOSTsKP is identified with having many benefits including prioritization of MoOSTs activities based on an in-built criticality assessment model, which enables MoOSTs experts to instantly identify priority knowledge classes and in turn rationalise the workload associated with knowledge capture and reuse. Based on expert opinions, it is envisaged that the proposed MoOSTsKP would contribute immensely towards the alleviation of challenges associated with incessant loss of vital expertise.
From Biogas to Hydrogen: A Techno-Economic Study on the Production of Turquoise Hydrogen and Solid Carbons
Authors: Swartbooi Ashton , Kapanji-Kakoma Kutemba K. , Musyoka Nicholas M.
Published: September 2022

Biogas is a renewable feedstock that can be used to produce hydrogen through the decomposition of biomethane. However, the economics of the process are not well studied and understood, especially in cases where solid carbons are also produced, and which have a detrimental effect on the performance of the catalysts. The scale, as well as product diversification of a biogas plant to produce hydrogen and other value-added carbons, plays a crucial role in determining the feasibility of biogas-to-hydrogen projects. Through a techno-economic study using the discounted cash flow method, it has been shown that there are no feasible sizes of plants that can produce hydrogen at the target price of USD 3/kg or lower. However, for self-funded anaerobic digestor plants, retrofitting modular units for hydrogen production would only make financial sense at biogas production capacities of more than 412 m3/h. A sensitivity analysis has also shown that the cost competitiveness is dependent on the type of carbon formed, and low-grade carbon black has a negative effect on economic feasibility. Hydrogen produced from biogas would thus not be able to compete with grey hydrogen production but rather with current green hydrogen production costs.
Drivers of BIM-Based Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Buildings: An Interpretive Structural Modelling Approach
Authors: Onososen Adetayo , Musonda Innocent , Tjebane Motheo Meta
Published: September 2022

Building Information Modelling (BIM) for life cycle sustainability assessment is an emerging development considered valuable given its importance in enhancing the environmentally friendly performance of buildings by delivering eco-efficient structures. However, despite its benefits, adoption is low. Thus, this study examines the key drivers of a building’s BIM-based life cycle sustainability assessment. An interpretive structural modelling approach and Matrice d’Impacts croises-multipication applique a classement (MICMAC) analysis were adopted for this study. Nineteen key drivers were categorized into a seven-level ISM model, which revealed that the successful implementation of the driving factors for BIM-based LCSA would increase its adoption and encourage users to be proactive in exploring solutions, exerting best efforts, and advancing its usage. The primary drivers, such as organizational readiness, personal willingness to use, procurement methods, and organizational structure, amongst others, are crucial for discussing BIM-based LCSA adoption strategies and making guidelines and design decisions to guide the process. This paper therefore contributes to the growing discussion on BIM from the viewpoint of an assessment of a building’s life cycle sustainability. The study concludes that organizational, governmental, and institutional support, as well as capacity development, are essential to driving BIM-Based LCSA.
Role of Ethical Leadership in Improving Employee Outcomes through the Work Environment, Work-Life Quality and ICT Skills: A Setting of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Authors: Khan Maria , Mahmood Asif , Shoaib Muhammad
Published: September 2022

The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a multi-billion transformative project. It is expected that the CPEC will cause a massive change in every sphere of life in Pakistan, especially in business organizations. The successful accomplishment of such a huge project depends upon the sustainable performance of the organizations associated with the project, and the sustainable performance of the organizations largely depends upon their work environment and quality of work life. As most of the organizations associated with CPEC employ a workforce from both countries, i.e., China and Pakistan, creating a work environment fit in such a cross-cultural setting is quite challenging. In this context, this study investigates the role of ethical leadership, workplace environment, quality of work-life and ICT skills (as a moderator) on job-related outcomes, such as job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and team spirit. The data were collected employing the snowball sampling technique from 609 upper and middle-level employees working in organizations connected with CPEC projects. Obtained results were subsequently analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique with the help of AMOS. The results uncover the positive association between variables as represented in the model, and further revealed that ethical leadership positively enhances the work environment dimensions: relationships, personal growth, and system maintenance and change. Furthermore, these factors are also considered vital in developing the quality of work-life, which eventually raises the employee’s job outcomes. Moreover, the study provides empirical justification for managers that ICT skill development is an important catalytic factor that enhances employee job outcomes. The study is invaluable for managers and policymakers in understanding the enablers of productivity for organizations operating in the context of the megaproject (CPEC).
ELF-MF Exposure, Actual and Perceived, and Associated Health Symptoms: A Case Study of an Office Building in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Authors: Raz-Steinkrycer Liran Shmuel , Dubnov Jonathan , Gelberg Stelian , Jia Peng , Portnov Boris A.
Published: September 2022

Empirical studies link exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) to several health symptoms. However, it is unclear whether these symptoms are associated with actual or perceived exposure. In this study we attempted to answer this question by studying the health complaints of employees working in a multi-story office building located near a major high-voltage power line. ELF-MF measurements were conducted in the building using a triaxial sensor coil device on all 15 floors. In parallel, questionnaires were administered to evaluate the prevalence of various health symptoms among the employees. Multivariate logistic regressions were used next to quantify the associations between actual and perceived ELF-MF exposure and the employees’ health complaints. The analysis revealed that feelings of weakness, headache, frustration, and worry were associated with both measured and perceived ELF-MF exposure (p < 0.01), while perceived ELF-MF exposure was also found to be associated with eye pain and irritation (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2–1.6), sleepiness (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1–1.5), dizziness and ear pain (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0–1.4). We conclude that high-voltage power lines produce both physiological and psychological effects in nearby workers, and, hence, proximity to such power lines should become a public health issue.
Evaluation of Reference Genes for Gene Expression Analysis in Eichhornia crassipes
Authors: Xu Jing , Li Jing , Gao Tianpeng
Published: September 2022

Eichhornia crassipes is a notorious invasive aquatic weed, causing enormous ecological and economic losses worldwide. However, it has great potential in agriculture, industry, medical care, and other areas. While being such an important plant, it is poorly understood from the molecular perspective. Aiming to select suitable reference genes for gene expression quantification in E. crassipes, this study favors future research at the molecular level. In this work, 12 candidate reference genes were selected. Their expression stability in samples of different tissues, samples treated with various hormones, samples supplied with different levels of phosphorus (P), and pooled samples, were analyzed using GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder. Meanwhile, the optimal number of reference genes was calculated by GeNorm. The results showed that eIF and ElF1a were the two most stable reference genes in all samples and in tissue samples. In response to hormone treatments, Actin and eIF are the best choices of internal controls. In the case of P treatments, TUA and H2A are recommended to be used as reference genes. Overall, results from this work suggest different reference genes should be applied in qRT-PCR on E. crassipes, according to the specific experimental setup.
Research on Direct Yaw Moment Control of Electric Vehicles Based on Electrohydraulic Joint Action
Authors: Zhang Lixia , Yan Taofeng , Pan Fuquan , Ge Wuyi , Kong Wenjian
Published: September 2022

To solve the problem of lateral instability of the vehicle caused by insufficient lateral force of the tires due to the insufficient torque provided by the motor to the tire when the vehicle turns sharply or avoids obstacles in an emergency, a layered control method is used to design a lateral stability control system. The upper decision layer selects the yaw rate and the sideslip angle of the center of mass as the control variables and uses the joint state deviation of the yaw rate and the sideslip angle of the center of mass and the rate of change of the deviation as the input of the sliding mode variable structure controller to calculate the additional yaw moment required to maintain vehicle stability. The lower torque distribution layer realizes the distribution of torque through the electro-hydraulic coordinated control method: the torque distribution rule based on real-time load transfer calculates the torque corresponding to the control wheel and generates the torque through the hub motor and transmits it to the wheel. When the torque output from the motor cannot provide sufficient torque for the vehicle, hydraulic braking is used as a compensating control, and the difference between the required yaw torque and the motor-generated yaw torque is used as the required torque for hydraulic control to calculate the wheel cylinder pressure required to brake the wheels. Based on the joint simulation model of MATLAB/Simulink and Carsim, the sine and double shift line working condition are selected for stability simulation experiments. From the simulation results, it can be seen that the yaw rate and sideslip angle of the center of mass of the vehicle with sliding mode control and electro-hydraulic coordinated control almost coincide with the ideal value curve, which are both smaller than the output parameters of the uncontrolled vehicle. From the perspective of the motor output torque, compared with pure motor control, the effect of electro-hydraulic coordinated control is better, and the hydraulic system can compensate for the braking torque in time and enhance the lateral stability of the vehicle. The designed control strategy can make the yaw rate and the sideslip angle of the center of mass of the vehicle follow the reference value better, which can effectively avoid the vehicle sideslip and instability and improve the vehicle yaw stability and driving safety. However, due to the limitations of experimental equipment, the proposed method could not be applied to the real vehicle test. The real vehicle test can better test the control effect of the proposed method.
Neuro-Cybernetic System for Forecasting Electricity Consumption in the Bulgarian National Power System
Authors: Yotov Kostadin , Hadzhikolev Emil , Hadzhikoleva Stanka , Cheresharov Stoyan
Published: September 2022

Making forecasts for the development of a given process over time, which depends on many factors, is in some cases a difficult task. The choice of appropriate methods—mathematical, statistical, or artificial intelligence methods—is also not obvious, given their great variety. This paper presented a model of a forecasting system by comparing the errors in the use of time series on the one hand, and artificial neural networks on the other. The model aims at multifactor predictions based on forecast data on significant factors, which were obtained by automated testing of different methods and selection of the methods with the highest accuracy. Successful experiments were conducted to forecast energy consumption in Bulgaria, including for household consumption; industry consumption, the public sector and services; and total final energy consumption.
Large-Grain and Semidwarf Isogenic Rice Koshihikari Integrated with GW2 and sd1
Authors: Tomita Motonori , Ebata Hideumi , Nakayama Kohei
Published: September 2022

Intending to contribute to sustainable agriculture by “New Green Revolution,” we developed a large-grain/semidwarf isogenic line “Koshihikari sd1GW2” that incorporates both the large-grain gene GW2 and semidwarf gene sd1. GW2 homozygous B3F2 plant with the genomic background of Koshihikari was backcrossed twice with “Koshihikari sd1.” Koshihikari sd1GW2 fixed in BC5F3 was found to be 12.6 cm shorter than Koshihikari. Whole-genome sequencing proved one deletion in GW2 at 8,147,416 bp on chromosome 2 and the SNPs in sd1 at 38,267,510 bp on chromosome 1. The size of the DNA fragments integrated with each gene was determined as the distance between both ends of SNP clusters. Through the backcrossing from BC4 to BC5, the DNA fragment integrated with GW2 decreased by 148,139 bp. The thousand-grain weight of Koshihikari sd1GW2 (27.8 g) was 18% greater than that of Koshihikari (23.6 g), and the grain yield of Koshihikari sd1GW2 (42.6 kg/a) was 0.5% higher than that of Koshihikari (42.4 kg/a). Our results suggested that Koshihikari sd1GW2 will be less susceptible to lodging by typhoons, cyclones, and heavy rainfall, ordinarily a concern in heavier panicle weight cultivars. We successfully integrated GW2 with sd1 for the first time, specifically in the genome of the leading, globally produced Japonica cultivar Koshihikari.
Targeting Sustainable Transportation Development: The Support Vector Machine and the Bayesian Optimization Algorithm for Classifying Household Vehicle Ownership
Authors: Xu Zhiqiang , Aghaabbasi Mahdi , Ali Mujahid , Macioszek Elżbieta
Published: September 2022

Predicting household vehicle ownership (HVO) is a crucial component of travel demand forecasting. Furthermore, reliable HVO prediction is critical for achieving sustainable transportation development objectives in an era of rapid urbanization. This research predicted the HVO using a support vector machine (SVM) model optimized using the Bayesian Optimization (BO) algorithm. BO is used to determine the optimal SVM parameter values. This hybrid model was applied to two datasets derived from the US National Household Travel Survey dataset. Thus, two optimized SVM models were developed, namely SVMBO#1 and SVMBO#2. Using the confusion matrix, accuracy, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and area under the ROC, the outcomes of these two hybrid models were examined. Additionally, the results of hybrid SVM models were compared with those of other machine learning models. The results demonstrated that the BO algorithm enhanced the performance of the standard SVM model for predicting the HVO. The BO method determined the Gaussian kernel to be the optimal kernel function for both datasets. The performance of the SVM#1 model was improved by 4.27% and 5.16% for the training and testing phases, respectively. For SVM#2 model, the performance of this model was improved by 1.20% and 2.14% for the training and testing phases, respectively. Moreover, the BO method enhanced the AUC of the SVM models used to predict the HVO. The hybrid SVM models also outperformed other machine learning models developed in this study. The findings of this study showed that SVM models hybridized with the BO algorithm can effectively predict the HVO and can be employed in the process of travel demand forecasting.
Sustainable Adsorbents from Plant-Derived Agricultural Wastes for Anionic Dye Removal: A Review
Authors: Haque Abu Naser Md Ahsanul , Sultana Nigar , Sayem Abu Sadat Muhammad , Smriti Shamima Akter
Published: September 2022

The extensive use of dyes in numerous industries results in massive dye discharge in the wastewater, which is a major cause of water pollution. Globally, the consumption of dyes is near seven hundred thousand tons across different sectors, of which around 10–15% goes into the wastewater. Among the dye kinds, anionic dyes make up the main proportion, having a 32–90% share in the wastewater. Different plant-derived wastes, which are sustainable given their natural abundance, effectiveness, and low cost, are frequently proposed for dye separation. However, these adsorbents are inherently more suitable for cationic dyes than anionic dyes. In recent years, the modification of these wastes has been progressively considered to suit them to anionic dye removal. These modifications involve mechanical, thermal, or chemical treatments, or combinations. These attempts propose two-way benefits, as one abundant waste is being used to cure another severe problem, and eventually both could be diminished. This review has a key focus on the evaluation of plant-derived adsorbents and their modifications, and particularly for anionic dye adsorption. Overall, the mechanism of adsorption and the suitability of the current methods are discussed, and their future potential is explored.
A Study on the Walkability of Zijingang East Campus of Zhejiang University: Based on Network Distance Walk Score
Authors: Mu Te , Lao Yanqing
Published: September 2022

Due to the generally poor planning of new university campuses in China today, students living in these places normally do not walk as often as they should, and with studies showing the significant impact of walking on physical health and productivity, there is an urgent need to improve university walkability. Walkability is a valuable tool for assessing the level of support for walking in a region, and there are few studies on walkability on university campuses. In this paper, we used a network distance-based Walk Score to evaluate and analyze the walkability of the Zijingang east campus, Zhejiang University. We improved some of the parameters of the Walk Score based on the actual travel characteristics of the students, formed a new calculation method based on a geographic information system (GIS) applicable to the university campus, and evaluated the applicability of this method. The results show that the new method can reflect the actual walking experience and provide a helpful design reference for designers. We also found that optimizing the distribution of facilities is very effective using the feature of the attenuation function.
Impact of Strategy Change on Business Process Management
Authors: Bubenik Peter , Capek Juraj , Rakyta Miroslav , Binasova Vladimira , Staffenova Katarina
Published: September 2022

In the pursuit of economic survival in the current competitive conditions with the aim of long-term prosperity and sustainability in the market, many companies today approach significant strategic changes in the management of their business. The purpose of this study is the design of a systematic procedure for implementing strategy changes into internal business processes for a project-oriented production type of organization. The proposed methodology contains steps where the selection and verification of key performance indicators at individual levels of management takes place. Furthermore, their monitoring and quantification of the impact of the change in strategy on internal company processes. The result of the study explains how the management can monitor and evaluate the chosen processes in accordance with the fulfilment of the chosen strategy of the company, which supports the systematic introduction of changes in the processes with the aim of sustaining the company’s performance.
A Cooperative Merging Control Method for Freeway Ramps in Connected and Autonomous Driving
Authors: Wu Jiaxin , Wang Yibing , Zhang Zhao , Wen Yiqing , Zhong Liangxia , Zheng Pengjun
Published: September 2022

The highway on-ramp merging area is one of the major sections that form traffic bottlenecks. In a connected vehicle environment, V2V and V2I technologies enable real-time exchange of information, including position, speed, and acceleration. To improve the efficiency of vehicle merging at the on-ramp, this study proposes a cooperative merging control strategy for network-connected autonomous vehicles. First, the central controller designs the merging sequence and safety space for vehicles passing through the confluence point. Then, a trajectory optimization model was constructed based on vehicle longitudinal dynamics, and the PMP algorithm was used to determine the optimal control input. Finally, all vehicles follow the optimal trajectory so that the ramp vehicles merge smoothly into the mainline. Simulations verify that the proposed algorithm performs better than FIFO, with 13.2% energy savings, 41.4% increase in average speed, and 50.4% reduction in travel time over the uncontrolled merging scenario. The method is further applied to different traffic flow conditions and the results show that it can significantly improve traffic safety and mobility, while effectively reducing vehicle energy consumption. However, the traffic operation improvement is not satisfactory under low traffic demand.
Coordinated Development of Renewable Energy: Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Lian Wenwei , Wang Bingyan , Gao Tianming , Sun Xiaoyan , Zhang Yan , Duan Hongmei
Published: September 2022

The utilization of renewable energy (RE) is a meaningful way to realize the low-carbon transformation of energy systems. However, due to the imbalance of resources, economy, technology, society, and environment among regions, the coordinated development of regional RE may be restricted by different factors, which brings challenges to the formulation of relevant development policies. This paper focuses on the development of RE in 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2019. It uses the AHP-EM integrated evaluation model to evaluate the constructed multilayer indicator system for the comprehensive development of RE. The characteristics of the coupling and coordination relationship between indicators are explored, and the critical driving factors affecting the coordinated development and change in RE in different regions are quantitatively identified through the logarithmic mean Divisia index method. The results show that the comprehensive development level of RE in each province is relatively low, and the relatively high-level areas gradually move eastward in terms of spatial distribution. The degree of coupling and coordination between indicators is still in a low-level coupling stage, and RE in each region has not achieved coordinated development. In addition, the comprehensive development of regional RE is consistent with the spatial evolution characteristics of the degree of coordination among indicators, emphasizing the importance of coordinated development among indicators for RE. These findings will provide broader insights for improving the comprehensive development level of regional RE and formulating differentiated policies.
Analysis of the Problem of Waste in Relation to Food Consumers
Authors: Żukiewicz Konrad , Dudziak Agnieszka , Słowik Tomasz , Mazur Jacek , Łusiak Patrycja
Published: September 2022

The global demand for food continues to increase. It is estimated that about 680 million people lack food access and suffer from malnutrition. On the other hand, in the current market, access to food is common and ever easier. Nevertheless, we are increasingly faced with the phenomenon of waste, which refers to the deliberate disposal of food that is fit for human consumption. This article focuses on a very important problem related to food waste, in relation to one of the main groups affected, i.e., consumers. Indeed, it is their awareness and behavior in the context of food waste and in relation to the environment, as well as future approaches to social sustainability, that are of the utmost importance. The study was conducted on a group of 384 respondents—the research sample was differentiated by sex and place of residence. The method used in the study was the analysis of correspondence, using data from the proprietary questionnaire, conducted on a group of adults, i.e., consumers, purchasing food. Respondents were asked about the issues related to the fact of wasting food, the frequency of this phenomenon and the main reasons why they do it. It should be emphasized that the respondents notice the problem by admitting that food is wasted in their households for various reasons. Conclusions resulting from the conducted statistical analysis and the analysis of the literature indicate that the main reason for wastage is that the use-by date has passed. Here arises the question as to why this fact comes about; maybe we buy too much food, which means that we are not able to ensure that the deadline for its consumption is not passed.
Decolonising Flooding and Risk Management: Indigenous Peoples, Settler Colonialism, and Memories of Environmental Injustices
Authors: Parsons Meg , Fisher Karen
Published: September 2022

This paper examines the history of settler-colonialism and how settler-colonial-led policies and projects to remake the landscapes and waterscapes of Aotearoa New Zealand resulted in the production of Indigenous environmental injustices. Underpinned by theorising on ecological justice and decolonisation, we draw on archival sources and oral histories of Māori and Pākehā (European) individuals living in a single river catchment—the Waipā River—to trace how actions to remove native vegetation, drain wetlands, introduce exotic biota, and re-engineer waterways contributed to intensifying incidence of floods. While Pākehā settlers interpreted environmental transformation as inherently positive, Indigenous Māori perceived it as profoundly negative, a form of ecological dispossession. We demonstrate that while Pākehā narrated floods as disaster events, Māori viewed colonisation as the true disaster, with floods and fires merely products of settlers’ mistreatment of the environment. Moreover, the colonial government’s efforts to control floods resulted in Māori being further alienated from and losing access to their rohe (ancestral lands and waters) and witnessing the destruction of their taonga (treasures including forests, wetlands, and sacred sites). For Māori of the Waipā catchment, flood risk management regimes were far more destructive (socially, economically and spiritually) than flood events.
Exploring the Influence of Perceived Epidemic Severity and Risk on Well-Being in Nature-Based Tourism—Taking China’s Post-1990 Generation as an Example
Authors: Wang Dan , Liu Hsi-Lin , Shen Ching-Cheng
Published: September 2022

The impacts of perceived risk (PR) and perceived severity (PS) on personal well-being (WB) during the COVID-19 epidemic have often been overlooked, especially in the context of China’s post-1990 generation. Therefore, this research intends to explore how members of the post-1990 generation obtain personal benefits through PR through the Attention Restoration Theory (ART). A total of 276 online questionnaires were collected by snowball sampling and analyzed in SPSS 21.0. This research found that PR, NC, and the ART are mediating variables which affect WB. The higher the PR, the more likely it is that the post-1990 generation will engage in nature tourism. These discoveries undoubtedly demonstrate a breakthrough in the theoretical gap, and provide a proposal for the sustainable development of China’s tourism industry.
Transient Characteristic Analysis of Variable Frequency Speed Regulation of Axial Flow Pump
Authors: Zuo Zilei , Tan Linwei , Shi Weidong , Chen Cheng , Ye Jincheng , Francis Egbo Munachi
Published: September 2022

In order to explore the influence of different rotational acceleration on the transient internal and external flow characteristics of the axial flow pump and improve the performance of the pump, numerical simulations and experiments were used to analyze the variable frequency speed regulation characteristics of the axial flow pump. Taking three-dimensional turbulent numerical simulation as the main research method and CFX as the calculation platform, three variable frequency speed regulation methods were used to conduct transient numerical simulation; keep the acceleration constant, increased and decreased; and obtain the real-time pump performance curve and pressure characteristic curve. Uniform acceleration and deceleration with constant acceleration maintained the stable change and good stability of head and shaft power, and the pressure change was the most stable in the process. The acceleration and deceleration with decreasing acceleration ran most smoothly at high speed, and the frequency conversion effect was the best. At the same time, the transition to steady-state operation was also the most stable. The research in this paper can provide reference for the stable operation of variable frequency speed regulation of the axial flow pump.
Predicting Monthly Runoff of the Upper Yangtze River Based on Multiple Machine Learning Models
Authors: Li Xiao , Zhang Liping , Zeng Sidong , Tang Zhenyu , Liu Lina , Zhang Qin , Tang Zhengyang , Hua Xiaojun
Published: September 2022

Accurate monthly runoff prediction is significant to extreme flood control and water resources management. However, traditional statistical models without multi-variable input may fail to capture runoff changes effectively due to the dual effect of climate change and human activities. Here, we used five multi-input machine learning (ML) models to predict monthly runoff, where multiple global circulation indexes and surface meteorological indexes were selected as explanatory variables by the stepwise regression or copula entropy methods. Moreover, four univariate models were adopted as benchmarks. The multi-input ML models were tested at two typical hydrological stations (i.e., Gaochang and Cuntan) in the Upper Yangtze River. The results indicate that the LSTM_Copula (long short-term memory model combined with copula entropy method) model outperformed other models in both hydrological stations, while the GRU_Step (gate recurrent unit model combined with stepwise regression method) model and the RF_Copula (random forest model combined with copula entropy method) model also showed satisfactory performances. In addition, the ML models with multi-variable input provided better predictability compared with four univariate statistical models, and the MAPE (mean absolute percentage error), RMSE (root mean square error), NSE (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient), and R (Pearson’s correlation coefficient) values were improved by 5.10, 4.16, 5.34, and 0.43% for the Gaochang Station, and 10.84, 17.28, 13.68, and 3.55% for the Cuntan Station, suggesting the proposed ML approaches are practically applicable to monthly runoff forecasting in large rivers.
Smart Traffic Data for the Analysis of Sustainable Travel Modes
Authors: Christoforou Zoi , Gioldasis Christos , Valero Yeltsin , Vasileiou-Voudouris Grigoris
Published: September 2022

We present and validate the image analysis algorithm μ-scope to capture personal mobility devices’ (PMDs) movement characteristics and extract their movement dynamics even when they interact with each other and with pedestrians. Experimental data were used for validation of the proposed algorithm. Data were collected through a large-scale, semicontrolled, real-track experiment at the University of Patras campus. Participants (N = 112) included pedestrians, cyclists, and e-scooter drivers. The experiment was video recorded, and μ-scope was used for trajectory extraction. Some of the participants had installed, beforehand, the Phyphox application in their smartphones. Phyphox accurately measures x-y-z acceleration rates and was used, in our case, as the baseline measurement (i.e., “ground truth”). Statistical comparison between Phyphox and camera-based measurements shows very low difference in most cases. High pedestrian densities were the only case where relatively high root mean square errors were registered. The proposed algorithm can be thus considered capable of producing reliable speed and acceleration estimates. Low-quality conventional smartphone cameras were used in this experiment. As a result, the proposed method can be easily applied to all urban contexts under normal traffic conditions, but eventually not in the case of special or emergency events generating very high pedestrian densities.
Has China Established a Green Patent System? Implementation of Green Principles in Patent Law
Authors: Wang Ye
Published: September 2022

The goal of high-quality economic development proposed by China has defined the sustainable development concepts of innovation, coordination, green, openness and sharing. Changes in economic development strategies affect corresponding changes in the legal system. The green patent system has an important impact on sustainable development. This paper looks for evidence at the system level from the three aspects of patent application protection, patent licensing and patent infringement relief, and proves the penetration of the green principle in the patent system, which is mainly reflected in the following points: (1) in terms of patent application, concrete public interest clauses, exclusion of non-green technologies from patentable objects, and open green channels for green technology patent applications to speed up examination; (2) in terms of patent licensing, exploration of the application of compulsory patent licensing to green patents for environmental protection, and improvement of patent open licensing to encourage the open sharing of green patents; (3) in terms of patent infringement remedies, the introduction of the green principle at an appropriate time to limit the right to stop infringement claims, and the application of punitive damages for intentional infringement and serious damage to the ecological environment. The conclusion is that China is currently working to establish a green patent framework, but the specific details have yet to be perfected, and the impact of legislative changes on green technology development remains to be seen. The above steps have gradually established the preliminary structure of green patents.
Pathways to Greener Pastures: Research Opportunities to Integrate Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainable Business Process Management Based on a Systematic Tertiary Literature Review
Authors: Fritsch Andreas , von Hammerstein Johanna , Schreiber Clemens , Betz Stefanie , Oberweis Andreas
Published: September 2022

Sustainable Business Process Management (BPM) is a research field that aims to improve the sustainability performance of organizations’ operations. With its focus on business processes, it has the potential to bring sustainability considerations from external reporting to the core of organizations. We present a systematic tertiary literature study to provide a catalog of existing literature reviews and primary work and to give a consolidated overview of the state and research needs of the field. We find that Sustainable BPM research has focused on modeling approaches and most of the work so far is largely conceptual, with a limited sustainability perspective. Based on these findings, we propose an integration of BPM and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), an established and rigorous method for sustainability analysis. We present research opportunities to show how both disciplines can synergize and leverage methods and techniques for business process automation and innovation to effectively improve the sustainability performance of organizations.