bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial, Transparency, and Mechanical Properties of Cationic Radical Initiator Triggered Polystyrene Sheets Obtained by Thermal Blending
Authors: Maruyama Hiroki , Kishi Akihiro , Konoeda Yuki , Ito Hiroshi , Tsuji Toshikazu
Published: November 2024

Polystyrene (PS) is widely used because of its transparency, mechanical strength, and ease of production. With rising health concerns, antibacterial PS is increasingly sought after, but few polymer-based antibacterial agents have been prepared to date. In this study, polystyrene was synthesized using a cationic radical initiator, 2,2′-azobis-[2-(1,3-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium-2-yl)] propane triflate (ADIP), and evaluated as an antibacterial additive. The PS polymerized with ADIP (ADIP-PS) was prepared with number-average molecular weights (Mn) from 15,000 to 40,000. Further, blending 5–10% ADIP-PS with an Mn of 23,000 into general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) provided antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus while maintaining the transparency and strength of GPPS. Surface analysis revealed hydrophilic properties and exposed cationic groups, as confirmed by contact angle measurement and anionic dye titration, respectively. In addition, the antibacterial activity increased with higher cationic group concentrations, particularly at lower molecular weights. This method presents a promising approach to introducing antibacterial properties to PS products.
Robust Brewed Tea Waste/Reduced Graphene Oxide Hydrogel for High Performance Flexible Supercapacitors
Authors: Wu Dan , Zhou Jiajia , Deng Wuqiang , He Guowen , Liu Zheng
Published: November 2024

Tea waste contains various substances with phenolic hydroxyl groups, including lignin, tannins, tea polyphenols, etc., which are rarely utilized. In this study, tea waste was directly dispersed with graphene oxide to prepare tea waste/reduced graphene oxide (TW/rGO) hydrogel through a one-step hydrothermal method. The prepared hydrogel presented a continuous three-dimensional porous structure and exhibited good mechanical properties with a compressive strength of 53.4 ± 4.0 kPa. It also showed excellent electrochemical performance as an electrode material. Its specific capacitance reached 434.7 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, and its capacitance retention was 55.8% when the current density was increased to 100 A g−1. In addition, an TW/rGO assembled all-solid-state supercapacitor demonstrated a superior specific capacitance of 372.8 F g−1 and a competitive energy density of 12.9 Wh kg−1 at 1 A g−1.
Biodegradable Food Packaging Films Using a Combination of Hemicellulose and Cellulose Derivatives
Authors: Hussain Syed Ammar , Yadav Madhav P. , Sharma Brajendra K. , Qi Phoebe X. , Jin Tony Z.
Published: November 2024

This study aims to develop biodegradable films by combining hemicellulose B (HB) with methylcellulose (MC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at two mass ratios, HB/MC 90/10 and HB/CMC 60/40. The effect of plasticizers, glycerol (GLY) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), on these films’ mechanical and physicochemical properties was also investigated. Results showed that the film thickness increased with the addition of GLY and PEG. Moisture content was lower in plasticized films, possibly contributing to better storage. Plasticizers also induced more pronounced color changes, intensifying the lightness and yellowness. Physical attributes such as peel ability, foldability, and transparency were also noticeably improved, particularly in films with higher GLY and PEG concentrations. Additionally, plasticizers enhanced the mechanical properties more significantly in the HB/CMC films, as evidenced by improved tensile stress, elongation at break, elastic modulus, and toughness. However, oxygen and water vapor permeabilities, two of the most critical factors in food packaging, were reduced in the HB/MC films with plasticizers compared to the HB/CMC counterparts. The findings of this study bear significant implications for developing sustainable packaging solutions using hemicellulose B isolated from agricultural material processing waste. These biopolymer-based films, in conjunction with biobased plasticizers, such as glycerol biopolymer, can help curtail our reliance on conventional plastics and alleviate the environmental impact of plastic waste.
The Effects of Intensity, Exposure Time, and Distance of Polymerization Light on Vickers Microhardness and Temperature Rise of Conventional Resin-Based Composite
Authors: Duratbegović Damir , Pervan Nedim , Jakupović Selma , Kobašlija Sedin
Published: November 2024

(1) Background: This study investigates the effects of curing light intensity, exposure time, and distance on the Vickers microhardness (VMH), hardness bottom-to-top ratio (HR), and temperature rise (TR) of conventional dental resin-based composite (RBC). (2) Materials and Methods: Specimens of one conventional RBC (Tetric EvoCeram, Ivoclar Vivadent) were cured with 12 different curing protocols (CPs), created with three different light intensities (Quartz Tungsten Halogen 300 mW/cm2, LED 650 mW/cm2, LED 1100 mW/cm2), two exposure times (20 and 40 s), and two distances of curing tip (0 and 8 mm). The VMH of top (VMH-T) and bottom (VMH-B) surfaces was measured. The hardness bottom-to-top ratio (HR) was calculated from VMH-B and VMH-T. The HR below 80% was rated as inadequate polymerization. The TR at the depth of 2 mm within the RBC was measured using a K-type thermocouple. Data were analyzed using Levene’s test and the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. (3) Results: Exposure time and distance significantly influenced VMH-B and HR. Increased distance significantly reduced VMH-B, HR, and TR. CPs 300 mW/cm2/8 mm/20 s and 650 mW/cm2/8 mm/20 s produced inadequate polymerization (HR < 80%). Prolonged exposure time produced higher values of VMH-B and HR. The TR was significantly influenced by light intensity and distance. (4) Conclusions: Suboptimal light intensity (<800 mW/cm2) can produce inadequate polymerization at the lower side of the composite layer when used from a distance. Prolonged irradiation can improve the polymerization to a certain extent. Clinicians are advised to monitor the intensity of the LCUs in order to optimize the photopolymerization process. Caution is required when polymerizing with high-intensity curing light in direct contact with the RBC with longer exposure times than recommended.
The Concept of Divine Revelation According to Ibn Sînâ and Al-Ghazālī: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Erdoğan İbrahim Halil , Eryücel Sema
Published: November 2024

This article examines the conceptions of divine revelation held by two prominent figures in Islamic thought, Ibn Sīnā and Al-Ghazālī, through a comparative lens within the context of metaphysical and epistemological processes. Ibn Sīnā views divine revelation as a metaphysical process occurring at the highest level of intellect. According to him, divine revelation is an abstract reflection of divine knowledge transmitted to the prophet’s imaginative faculty through the Active Intellect. This process, explained within a philosophical framework, is grounded in the development of human intellectual capacity. In contrast, Ghazālī defines divine revelation as a mystical experience and considers it a divine encounter beyond the limits of human reason. For Ghazālī, divine revelation manifests as an expression of God’s attribute of speech and occurs solely by divine will. Moreover, this experience cannot be fully comprehended by reason. Ghazālī’s approach, imbued with Sufi depth, regards divine revelation as an integral part of spiritual growth. This article explores the fundamental similarities and differences between these two thinkers’ understandings of divine revelation and metaphysics. By analyzing how Ibn Sīnā’s reason-based approach intersects and diverges from Ghazālī’s intuition and inspiration-based Sufi approach, this study provides an in-depth examination of how the concept of divine revelation has been shaped within Islamic theology and philosophy, highlighting the contributions of both thinkers to the discourse on divine revelation.
Decoupling and Insensitivity of Greenness and Gross Primary Productivity Across Aridity Gradients in China
Authors: Li Yuzhen , Yuan Xiuliang , Zheng Lei , Zhang Wenqiang , Zhang Yue
Published: November 2024

The ecosystem’s gross primary productivity (GPP) and greenness, as indicated by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), are both essential ecological indicators used to evaluate how ecosystems responded to climate variability. However, the relationships between NDVI and GPP under the influence of drying and wetting and its characteristics along aridity (AI) gradients were not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the relationships of the NDVI-GPP (i.e., the strength of the coupling and the sensitivity, as quantified by the coefficient of determination (R2) and slope of the linear regression, respectively) along the aridity gradients during the growing season from 1982 to 2018 in China. The results show that the coupling between NDVI and GPP was stronger (i.e., high R2) in semi-arid regions (0.24) compared to humid and hyper-humid regions (R2 values were 0.11). For different plant functional types (PFTs), decoupling occurred in ENF with a determination coefficient value (R2) of 0.04, whereas GRA shows a higher coupling with an R2 of 0.20. The coupling trend experienced a shift in semi-arid regions, characterized by an aridity index (AI) ranging from 0.20 to 0.50. Additionally, the sensitivity of GPP to NDVI also decreased with increasing aridity. The slope values were 0.19, 0.21, 0.24, 0.20, 0.11, and 0.11 in hyper-arid, arid, semi-arid, dry sub-humid, humid, and hyper-humid, respectively. What is more, asynchronous changes in vegetation productivity and greenness can be detected by capturing the inter-annual variability (IAV) of NDVI and GPP. The IAV of GPP steadily decreased with the aridity gradients, while the IAV of NDVI present fluctuated, suggesting that NDVI was more variable than GPP under the influence of drying and wetting conditions. Our study suggests that there may be a stronger trade-off between ecosystem greenness and photosynthesis in more humid areas.
Lightning Detection Using GEO-KOMPSAT-2A/Advanced Meteorological Imager and Ground-Based Lightning Observation Sensor LINET Data
Authors: Lee Seung-Hee , Suh Myoung-Seok
Published: November 2024

In this study, GEO-KOMPSAT-2A/Advanced Meteorological Imager (GK2A/AMI) and Lightning NETwork (LINET) data were used for lightning detection. A total of 20 lightning cases from the summer of 2020–2021 were selected, with 14 cases for training and 6 for validation to develop lightning detection algorithms. Since these two datasets have different spatiotemporal resolutions, spatiotemporal matching was performed to use them together. To find the optimal lightning detection algorithm, we designed 25 experiments and selected the best experiment by evaluating the detection level. Although the best experiment had a high POD (>0.9) before post-processing, it also showed over-detection of lightning. To minimize the over-detection problem, statistical and Region-Growing post-processing methods were applied, improving the detection performance (FAR: −19.14~−24.32%; HSS: +76.92~+86.41%; Bias: −59.3~−66.9%). Also, a sensitivity analysis of the collocation criterion between the two datasets showed that the detection level improved when the spatial criterion was relaxed. These results suggest that detecting lightning in mid-latitude regions, including the Korean Peninsula, is possible by using GK2A/AMI data. However, reducing the variability in detection performance and the high FAR associated with anvil clouds and addressing the parallax problem of thunderstorms in mid-latitude regions are necessary to improve the detection performance.
Multispectral Images for Drought Stress Evaluation of Arabica Coffee Genotypes Under Different Irrigation Regimes
Authors: da Silva Patrícia Carvalho , Ribeiro Junior Walter Quadros , Ramos Maria Lucrecia Gerosa , Lopes Maurício Ferreira , Santana Charles Cardoso , Casari Raphael Augusto das Chagas Noqueli , Brasileiro Lemerson de Oliveira , Veiga Adriano Delly , Rocha Omar Cruz , Malaquias Juaci Vitória , Souza Nara Oliveira Silva , Roig Henrique Llacer
Published: November 2024

The advancement of digital agriculture combined with computational tools and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has opened the way to large-scale data collection for the calculation of vegetation indices (VIs). These vegetation indexes (VIs) are useful for agricultural monitoring, as they highlight the inherent characteristics of vegetation and optimize the spatial and temporal evaluation of different crops. The experiment tested three coffee genotypes (Catuaí 62, E237 and Iapar 59) under five water regimes: (1) FI 100 (year-round irrigation with 100% replacement of evapotranspiration), (2) FI 50 (year-round irrigation with 50% evapotranspiration replacement), (3) WD 100 (no irrigation from June to September (dry season) and, thereafter, 100% evapotranspiration replacement), (4) WD 50 (no irrigation from June to September (water stress) and, thereafter, 50% evapotranspiration replacement) and (5) rainfed (no irrigation during the year). The irrigated treatments were watered with irrigation and precipitation. Most indices were highest in response to full irrigation (FI 100). The values of the NDVI ranged from 0.87 to 0.58 and the SAVI from 0.65 to 0.38, and the values of these indices were lowest for genotype E237 in the rainfed areas. The indices NDVI, OSAVI, MCARI, NDRE and GDVI were positively correlated very strongly with photosynthesis (A) and strongly with transpiration (E) of the coffee trees. On the other hand, temperature-based indices, such as canopy temperature and the TCARI index correlated negatively with A, E and stomatal conductance (gs). Under full irrigation, the tested genotypes did not differ between the years of evaluation. Overall, the index values of Iapar 59 exceeded those of the other genotypes. The use of VIs to evaluate coffee tree performance under different water managements proved efficient in discriminating the best genotypes and optimal water conditions for each genotype. Given the economic importance of coffee as a crop and its susceptibility to extreme events such as drought, this study provides insights that facilitate the optimization of productivity and resilience of plantations under variable climatic conditions.
An Evolving Multivariate Time Series Compression Algorithm for IoT Applications
Authors: Costa Hagi , Silva Marianne , Sánchez-Gendriz Ignacio , Viegas Carlos M. D. , Silva Ivanovitch
Published: November 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming how devices interact and share data, especially in areas like vehicle monitoring. However, transmitting large volumes of real-time data can result in high latency and substantial energy consumption. In this context, Tiny Machine Learning (TinyML) emerges as a promising solution, enabling the execution of machine-learning models on resource-constrained embedded devices. This paper aims to develop two online multivariate compression approaches specifically designed for TinyML, utilizing the Typicality and Eccentricity Data Analytics (TEDA) framework. The proposed approaches are based on data eccentricity and do not require predefined mathematical models or assumptions about data distribution, thereby optimizing compression performance. The methodology involves applying the approaches to a case study using the OBD-II Freematics ONE+ dataset, which is focused on vehicle monitoring. Results indicate that both proposed approaches, whether parallel or sequential compression, show significant improvements in execution time and compression errors. These findings highlight the approach’s potential to enhance the performance of embedded IoT systems, thereby improving the efficiency and sustainability of vehicular applications.
Design of Intelligent Socks Suitable for Early Warning of Suffocation in Infants and Young Children
Authors: Ren Xiangfang , Shen Lei , Zhao Ribing
Published: November 2024

The decline in birth rates has raised concerns about the safety of infants and young children (0–18 months), particularly those who suffer suffocation or even death during sleep from their own or external causes. How to ensure that infants and young children can safely pass through this dangerous period after birth is the focus of this project. This article focuses on sleeping infants and young children as the subject of research. Blood oxygen sensors and heart rate sensors attached to socks are used to monitor changes in blood oxygen and heart rate when infants and young children experience asphyxia. The changes are then transmitted via Bluetooth to a mobile app and an alarm sound is generated to act as a good warning. At the same time, the researchers received good feedback from testing the garments on two babies and toddlers, indicating they provide an effective warning.
The Optical Parameter Optimization for Brain Implant Alzheimer Sensor Using Phototherapy Angle and Wavelength Simulation (PAWS) Methodology
Authors: Cho So-Hyun , Won Chang-Hee , Kim Chang-Hyun , Lee Jong-Ha
Published: November 2024

Photonic therapy is emerging as a promising method in neuroscience for addressing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study uses computational simulations to investigate the impact of specific wavelengths emitted by photodiodes on the light absorption rates in brain tissue for brain implant sensors. Additionally, it presents a novel methodology that enhances light absorption via multi-parameter optimization. By adjusting the angle and wavelength of the incident light, the absorption rate was significantly enhanced using four photodiodes, each emitting at 660 nm with a power input of 3 mW. Notably, an incident angle of 20 degrees optimized light absorption and minimized thermal effects on brain tissue. The findings indicate that photodiodes within the near-infrared spectrum are suitable for low-temperature therapeutic applications in brain tissues, affirming the viability of non-invasive and safe photonic therapy. This research contributes foundational data for advancing brain implant photonic sensor design and therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, it establishes conditions for achieving high light absorption rates with minimal heat generation, identifying optimal parameters for efficient energy transfer.
Application of Imaging Algorithms for Gas–Water Two-Phase Array Fiber Holdup Meters in Horizontal Wells
Authors: Li Ao , Guo Haimin , Niu Yue , Lu Xin , Zhang Yiran , Liang Haoxun , Sun Yongtuo , Guo Yuqing , Wang Dudu
Published: November 2024

The flow dynamics of low-yield horizontal wells demonstrate considerable complexity and unpredictability, chiefly attributable to the structural attributes of the wellbore and the interplay of gas–water two-phase flow. In horizontal wellbores, precisely predicting flow patterns using conventional approaches is often problematic. Consequently, accurate monitoring and analysis of water holdup in gas–water two-phase flows are essential. This study performs a gas–water two-phase flow simulation experiment under diverse total flow and water cut conditions, utilizing air and tap water to represent downhole gas and formation water, respectively. The experiment relies on the measurement principles of an array fiber holdup meter (GAT) and the response characteristics of the sensors. In the experiment, GAT was utilized for real-time water holdup measurement, and the acquired sensor data were analyzed using three interpolation algorithms: simple linear interpolation, inverse distance weighted interpolation, and Gaussian radial basis function interpolation. The results were subsequently post-processed and visualized with 2020 version MATLAB software, generating two-dimensional representations of water holdup in the wellbore. The study findings demonstrate that, at total flow of 300 m3/d and 500 m3/d, the simple linear interpolation approach yields superior accuracy in water holdup calculations, with imaging outcomes closely aligning with the actual gas–water flow patterns and the authentic gas–water distribution. As total flow and water cut increase, the gas–water two-phase flow progressively shifts from stratified smooth flow to stratified wavy flow. In this paper, the Gaussian radial basis function and inverse distance weighted interpolation algorithms exhibit superior accuracy in water holdup calculations, effectively representing the fluctuating features of the gas–water interface and yielding imaging outcomes that align more closely with experimentally observed gas–water flow patterns.
An Economically Sustainable Glass Recycling Business Model in Puerto Rico: A Conceptual Solution for Regions Without Government Recycling Programs
Authors: Davis John-Michael , Bauza-Mora José , Cain Douglas , Harnisch-Weidauer Leah , Matthews Claire , Sunil Priyankha
Published: November 2024

In Puerto Rico, less than 5% of glass waste is recycled annually compared to a US national average of 25%. In regions like Puerto Rico, where government glass recycling programs are absent, glass presents a challenging waste stream to profitably recycle due to high transportation costs and low market prices, with few scalable models identified in the literature. This study emerged from a multi-year shared action learning partnership between Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Puerto Rico Project Center and the Corporación del Proyecto ENLACE, a community development NGO serving the Caño Martín Peña communities in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Based on online research and interviews with 16 key stakeholders, we describe an economically sustainable glass recycling business model designed for the Caño Martín Peña communities that offers broader applicability for similar contexts. The business model achieves three goals: (1) it offers a free and convenient glass-collection service for the Caño Martín Peña communities; (2) it generates local employment opportunities in a low-income region; and (3) it operates in an economically sustainable manner. The viability of the glass-recycling business model is premised on strategic partnerships with government agencies, recycling companies, glass-sand markets, and local businesses.
Correction: Kubicki, M.; Park, H. Metal-Plated Connections in Sustainable Lightweight Construction: A Weak Link in Fire Conditions? Sustainability 2024, 16, 6923
Authors: Kubicki Michael , Park Haejun
Published: November 2024

The authors would like to make the following corrections to the published paper [...]
Toward the Construction of a Sustainable Society: Assessing the Temporal Variations and Two-Dimensional Decoupling of Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Anhui Province, China
Authors: Zhang Kerong , Jiang Liangyu , Liu Wuyi
Published: November 2024

This study comprehensively assessed carbon dioxide emissions over a span of two decades, from 2000 to 2020, with the decomposition and decoupling analyses considering multiple influence factors across both short-term and long-term dimensions. The results revealed great fluctuations in the decoupling analysis index (DAI) for subjected sectors such as natural resource processing, electricity, gas, water, textiles, machinery, and electronics manufacturing. Of note, significantly changed sectoral DAIs were observed in urban traffic and transportation, logistics warehousing, and the postal industry within Anhui Province. In contrast, the DAIs of other sectors and social services exhibited a weak decoupling state in Anhui Province. The industrial sectors responsible for mining and textiles and the energy structure encompassing electricity, gas, and water emerged as the primary contributors to carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, the efficiency of the socio-economic development (EDE) was identified as the principal driver of carbon dioxide emissions during the observed period, while the energy consumption intensity (ECI) served as the putative crucial inhibiting factor. The two-dimensional decoupling of carbon dioxide emissions attributable to the EDE demonstrated a gradual transition from industrial sectors to buildings and tertiary industries from 2000 to 2020. In the future, the interaction between urban carbon dioxide emissions and the socio-economic landscape should be optimized to foster integrated social sustainable development in Anhui Province.
Drying Performance of a Combined Solar Greenhouse Dryer of Sewage Sludge
Authors: Berroug Fatiha , Bellaziz Yassir , Tagnamas Zakaria , Bahammou Younes , Faraji Hamza , Bougayr El Houssayne , Ouazzani Naaila
Published: November 2024

The solar drying of sewage sludge in greenhouses is one of the most used solutions in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, it presents challenges, particularly in terms of efficiency and drying time. In this context, the present study explores the drying performances of an innovative Combined Solar Greenhouse Dryer (CSGD) for sewage sludge. The system integrates rock bed storage (RBS), a solar air collector (SAC), and a solar greenhouse dryer (SGD). A numerical model, developed using TRNSYS software, predicts the drying kinetics of sewage sludge through hourly dynamic simulations based on the climatic conditions of Marrakesh, Morocco. Experimental validation confirmed the accuracy of the model. The results reveal that integrating the SAC with the SGD during the day and the RBS with the SGD at night significantly enhances the drying efficiency of the sewage sludge. During daylight hours, the SAC generates hot air, reaching maximum temperatures of 64 °C in January and 109 °C in July. Concurrently, the outlet air temperature of the RBS rises notably during the day, corresponding to the charging phase of the storage unit. Moreover, during the night, the RBS air temperature exceeds ambient temperatures by approximately 7–16 °C in January and 11–37 °C in July. This integration leads to a substantial reduction in drying time. The reduction in sewage sludge water content from 4 kg/kg of dry solid (20% dry solid content) to 0.24 kg/kg of dry solid (80% dry solid content) is related to a decrease in the drying time from 121 h to 79 h in cold periods and from 47 h to 27 h in warm periods. The drying process is significantly enhanced within the greenhouse, both during daylight and nocturnal periods. The CSGD system proves to be energy-efficient, offering an effective, high-performance solution for sewage sludge management, while also lowering operational costs for WWTPs. This innovative solar drying system combines a thermal storage bed and a solar collector to enhance drying efficiency, even in the absence of sunlight.
Exploring the Factors Influencing Tourists’ Satisfaction and Continuance Intention of Digital Nightscape Tour: Integrating the Design Dimensions and the UTAUT2
Authors: Rui Liang , Li Keyi , Jiang Mu , Jiang Xiaopu
Published: November 2024

Digital transformation is a crucial option for nightscape tour to balance high-quality experiences and sustainable development in the new era. Tourists’ satisfaction and continuance intention are essential to the development of digital nightscape tour, but related research is insufficient. For this reason, by using the Chinese digital nightscape tour as a case study, this research integrates the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) and the design dimensions (ambience, spatial layout, innovation, and cultural contact) to investigate the factors influencing tourists’ satisfaction and continuance intention. The research employed a convenience sampling method, selecting typical Chinese tourists who had experienced the digital nightscape tour as survey participants. A total of 650 responses were obtained. The results of Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) found that, firstly, UTAUT2, satisfaction, and ambience all directly predict continuance intention positively, with satisfaction having the strongest impact. Secondly, among the four variables of UTAUT2, social influence has the strongest impact on continuance intention. Thirdly, the design dimensions of the digital nightscape tour are very important, which indirectly affect continuance intention through satisfaction, with ambience having the greatest influence on continuance intention. The research conclusions help support the high-quality development of the digital nightscape tour.
The Influence of Emotional Competencies on the Entrepreneurship Intentions of University Students in Colombia
Authors: López Sánchez Lina , Salcedo Plazas Luis , Rodríguez Ariza Lázaro
Published: November 2024

The main objective of this article is to analyze the effect of a group of predictors on entrepreneurial intention from the perspective of emotional competencies. To achieve this aim, a sample of 996 students belonging to ten public and seven private universities was selected, with each university having been granted high-quality accreditation by the Colombian Ministry of Education. The theoretical approach was based on Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the empirical analysis was based on structural equation models. Eight hypotheses were tested, with entrepreneurial intention as the dependent variable and emotional competencies, subjective norms, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial attitude as independent variables. The information was obtained by applying a questionnaire with a Likert scale to students of subjects related to entrepreneurship. From the findings of the study, it is concluded that in the two ecosystems analyzed (public and private), emotional competencies (EC) have neither a direct influence on entrepreneurial intention (EI) nor an indirect one since no significant influence is observed between emotional competencies and entrepreneurial attitude; however, a direct and positive effect was recorded between the self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitude constructs on entrepreneurial intention. In addition, it is observed that subjective norms (SN) do not directly affect EI, but they do influence it indirectly, being mediated by entrepreneurial attitude and self-efficacy. The contribution of this study is focused on obtaining a better understanding of the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Colombia, which will make it possible to foster strategies for the generation of youth employment and public policies to promote various entrepreneurial initiatives. This could be based on government regulations adopted in the last decade, which are still under development, and the broad participation of university students and research groups of higher education institutions. Furthermore, given the dearth of research examining the impact of emotional competencies on the entrepreneurial intentions of young Colombian university students, this study aims to bridge the existing knowledge gap, thereby contributing to the development of a more robust body of literature that can inform the design and implementation of educational strategies and public policies aimed at fostering entrepreneurship within the university ecosystems of this country.
The Path to Sustainability: Psychological and Environmental Variables of Adolescents’ Transportation Choices
Authors: Lehmann Bannach Eduarda , Bourgeois-Bougrine Samira , Bianchi Alessandra , Delhomme Patricia
Published: November 2024

Since adolescents are the adults of tomorrow, they are key players in increasing climate change awareness and the adoption of environmentally friendly transportation. Therefore, it is essential to understand the current and future transportation choices of adolescents in order to provide sustainability guidance to schools and communities. To this aim, a questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior was administered at school to 382 Brazilian students with an average age of 16.36 years. Regarding the results on current transportation choices, students attending public schools commute more often without adult supervision than those attending private schools and tend to travel in a more environmentally friendly manner. In terms of future transportation choices, attitudes, subjective norms, and active participation in environmental groups have a significant impact on adolescents’ intentions to choose a more sustainable mode of transport to get to work in 15 years’ time. Taking into account the socio-economic level, the results are discussed in terms of the need for awareness raising, such as education for sustainable development, and possible interventions to encourage more environmentally friendly transport choices.
Environmental Impact of Poultry Manure Gasification Technology for Energy and Ash Valorization
Authors: Boakye-Yiadom Kofi Armah , Ilari Alessio , Bisinella Valentina , Duca Daniele
Published: November 2024

Thermochemical technologies offer potential solutions for energy recovery and mitigating the environmental impacts of biomass waste. Poultry manure (PM), a nutrient-rich biomass but also a potentially problematic biomass waste, presents an opportunity for recovery and recycling. This study compares the environmental performance of a real-scale novel gasification technology called Chimera (designed and developed through an EU LIFE program) in locally treating PM with anaerobic digestion (AD) and incineration. Using life cycle assessment (LCA), the potential environmental impacts of the technologies were assessed using the Environmental Footprint (EF) 3.0 midpoint life cycle impact assessment method. We performed an attributional LCA with substitution. The selected functional unit (FU) is the treatment of one tonne (1000 kg) PM at 40% dry matter in the Netherlands in 2021 for 20 years. The LCA results of the three technologies compared showed that no single technology outperformed the other across all the impact categories. Climate change scores for the various technologies were −383 (incineration), −206 (Chimera), and −161 (anaerobic digestion) kg CO2 eq./FU. The results were influenced mainly by the potential utilization of the substituted heat and electricity. This study expands the existing literature on environmental sustainability assessments of PM treatment technologies. It underscores the prospects for these technologies to promote circularity while also indicating the bottlenecks for the potential environmental impacts and highlighting the most sensitive aspects that can influence the environmental performance of these technologies.
Multi-Objective Optimal Integration of Distributed Generators into Distribution Networks Incorporated with Plug-In Electric Vehicles Using Walrus Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Eisa Mohammed Goda , Farahat Mohammed A. , Abdelfattah Wael , Lotfy Mohammed Elsayed
Published: November 2024

The increasing adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) leads to negative impacts on distribution network efficiency due to the extra load added to the system. To overcome this problem, this manuscript aims to optimally integrate distributed generators (DGs) in radial distribution networks (RDNs), while including uncoordinated charging of PEVs added to the basic daily load curve with different load models. The main objectives are minimizing the network’s daily energy losses, improving the daily voltage profile, and enhancing voltage stability considering various constraints like power balance, buses’ voltages, and line flow. These objectives are combined using weighting factors to formulate a weighted sum multi-objective function (MOF). A very recent metaheuristic approach, namely the Walrus optimization algorithm (WO), is addressed to identify the DGs’ best locations and sizes that achieve the lowest value of MOF, without violating different constraints. The proposed optimization model along with a repetitive backward/forward load flow (BFLF) method are simulated using MATLAB 2016a software. The WO-based optimization model is applied to IEEE 33-bus, 69-bus, and a real system in El-Shourok City-district number 8 (ShC-D8), Egypt. The simulation results show that the proposed optimization method significantly enhanced the performance of RDNs incorporated with PEVs in all aspects. Moreover, the proposed WO approach proved its superiority and efficiency in getting high-quality solutions for DGs’ locations and ratings, compared to other programmed algorithms.
Environmental Regulation, Government-Business Relations, and Corporate Green Innovation: Evidence from Low-Carbon City Pilot Policy
Authors: Hua Weiqi , Liu Chenglan , Li Chunzhong
Published: November 2024

Environmental degradation and economic development have long been seen as incompatible, posing a pressing challenge for society. Government–business collaboration stands as an effective avenue for addressing environmental issues. This paper, using the 2007–2021 Low-Carbon City Pilot (LCCP) program in China as a quasi-natural experiment, explores the impact of governmental environmental regulations on corporate green innovation and examines the moderating role of government–business collusion. The findings indicate that the LCCP policy has effectively promoted corporate green technological innovation, with results remaining robust across various sensitivity tests. Heterogeneity analysis further reveals that the policy’s impact is more pronounced in the eastern regions, state-owned enterprises, and low-tech industries. Moreover, government–business collusion significantly undermines the benefits of green innovation, though this effect is partially alleviated when local government officials are replaced. Under the influence of government environmental regulation, green innovation fosters the sustainable development of enterprises. However, the formation of collusion between government and business diminishes the incentive for companies to take on environmental and social responsibilities. The study enriches the existing literature on environmental policy factors and offers both theoretical and practical insights for the government in formulating relevant environmental policies and promoting corporate green innovation.
Will Informal Institutions Affect ESG Rating Divergence? Evidence from Chinese Confucian Culture
Authors: Tian Yajuan
Published: November 2024

As the concept of “dual carbon” deepens, the ESG rating system has emerged as a means of measuring corporate value and providing information for investment decisions. However, the standards set by different rating agencies vary, leading to discrepancies in ESG ratings. Confucian culture, as an informal institution, may indirectly influence these rating discrepancies by shaping corporate behavior. Therefore, this paper takes traditional culture as the starting point to explore the intrinsic relationship between Confucian culture and corporate ESG rating divergence, with the aim of providing empirical support for improving China’s ESG rating system. This study focuses on non-financial listed companies in the Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares from 2010 to 2022, analyzing the relationship between the extent of Confucian cultural influence on companies and ESG rating divergence. The research findings indicate the following: (1) There is a positive correlation between Confucian culture and corporate ESG rating divergence. (2) The impact of Confucian culture on ESG rating divergence is significantly greater in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) than in non-state-owned enterprises. (3) This influence is more pronounced in highly polluting industries compared to non-highly polluting industries. (4) The effect is more significant in companies with older CEOs than younger CEOs. (5) This influence is more evident in companies required to disclose social responsibility information compared to those that do so voluntarily. After conducting a series of robustness checks, the conclusions of the paper remain robust.
Integrating Playful Learning to Enhance Education for Sustainability: Case Study of a Business School in Slovenia
Authors: Bradač Hojnik Barbara
Published: November 2024

Business schools play a pivotal role in training future leaders equipped to tackle complex challenges in sustainable development. This study investigates the effects of integrating playful learning methodologies into sustainable entrepreneurship education, aligning with the goals of education for sustainable development and Sustainable Development Goals. The research involved a quantitative approach, utilizing pre- and post-intervention surveys targeting 50 business school students to assess changes in their knowledge of sustainable entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial skills, and engagement levels. Results from descriptive statistics and paired t-tests revealed significant enhancements; knowledge scores increased from an average of 3.01 to 3.70 (t(49) = −23.04, p < 0.001), skills scores from 3.19 to 3.90 (t(49) = −20.88, p < 0.001), and engagement scores from 3.40 to 4.00 (t(49) = −16.28, p < 0.001), indicating statistically significant improvements across all measured domains. These findings suggest that playful learning methodologies can profoundly enrich the educational experience, making it more dynamic and impactful. The study underscores the potential of such pedagogical strategies in fostering a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and cultivating essential competencies among future business leaders. This research has significant implications for curriculum design, advocating for the inclusion of interactive and experiential learning methods to improve educational outcomes and better prepare students for the complex challenges of sustainable development.
Renewing Our Focus on Vulnerable Populations Among People Living with HIV
Authors: Ayieko James , Thorp Marguerite , Ghebremichael Musie
Published: November 2024

The global HIV landscape has changed over the past few decades, with great milestones achieved in both HIV treatment and prevention [...]
The Transcriptional Program of Staphylococcus aureus Phage K Is Affected by a Host rpoC Mutation That Confers Phage K Resistance
Authors: Kongari Rohit , Ray Melissa D. , Lehman Susan M. , Plaut Roger D. , Hinton Deborah M. , Stibitz Scott
Published: November 2024

To better understand host–phage interactions and the genetic bases of phage resistance in a model system relevant to potential phage therapy, we isolated several spontaneous mutants of the USA300 S. aureus clinical isolate NRS384 that were resistant to phage K. Six of these had a single missense mutation in the host rpoC gene, which encodes the RNA polymerase β’ subunit. To examine the hypothesis that mutations in the host RNA polymerase affect the transcription of phage genes, we performed RNA-seq analysis on total RNA samples collected from NRS384 wild-type (WT) and rpoCG17D mutant cultures infected with phage K, at different timepoints after infection. Infection of the WT host led to a steady increase of phage transcription relative to the host. Our analysis allowed us to define 53 transcriptional units and to categorize genes based on their temporal expression patterns. Predicted promoter sequences defined by conserved −35, −10, and, in some cases, extended −10 elements, were found upstream of early and middle genes. However, in many cases, sequences upstream of late genes did not contain clear, complete, canonical promoter sequences, suggesting that factors in addition to host RNA polymerase are required for their expression. Infection of the rpoCG17D mutant host led to a transcriptional pattern that was similar to that of the WT at early timepoints. However, beginning at 20 min after infection, transcription of late genes (such as phage structural genes and host lysis genes) was severely reduced. Our data indicate that the rpoCG17D mutation prevents the expression of phage late genes, resulting in a failed infection cycle for phage K. In addition to illuminating the global transcriptional landscape of phage K throughout the infection cycle, this study will inform our investigations into the basis of phage K’s control of its transcriptional program as well as mechanisms of phage resistance.
Numerical Modeling of Instream Flow for Corbicula Habitat Preservation in Aquatic Ecosystem of Seomjin River Estuary, South Korea
Authors: Jung Chunggil , Lee Gayeong , Park Jongyoon
Published: November 2024

South Korea’s River Act mandates the maintenance of instream flow to support river ecosystems. This regulation has evolved from early river management practices to more advanced, systematic approaches, including the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM). Despite these advancements, river management in South Korea, particularly in the Seomjin River Basin, continues to face numerous challenges. In this study, a three-dimensional numerical model was developed to simulate the hydrodynamic and salinity conditions of the Seomjin River Estuary. This study proposes optimal instream flows to support critical habitats for the Corbicula bivalve, which has seen a significant decline due to salinity intrusion by environmental changes. Using the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC), the model simulates salinity and river discharge with calibration and validation by incorporating historical data. Subsequently, this study evaluates how river discharge affects salinity in four major Corbicula habitats (Dugok, Shinbi, Mokdo, and Hwamok). Finally, we determine the minimum flow (instream flow) needed to sustain Corbicula habitats. In short, this study found that the minimum flow rates (instream flow) required to meet target salinities varied significantly across these sites and under different tidal conditions. These findings highlight the necessity of adapting river flow management practices to preserve the ecological health for Corbicula in the Seomjin River Estuary. Furthermore, this study suggests integrating an additional water supply to be used with local water management plans by suggesting short-term and long-term alternatives in order to sustain adapting river minimum flow (instream flow).
Armoured brain
Authors: Srivastava Chhitij , Yadav Awdhesh Kumar , Sharma Mitrajit
Published: November 2024

Calcified chronic subdural hematoma is a rare but known entity, estimated to represent 0.3-2.7% of chronic subdural hematomas. Although surgical treatment is unanimous for chronic subdural hematomas, therein lies some debate on surgical evacuation of calcified chronic subdural hematomas. We report a case of an 18-year-old male presenting after 17 years of VP shunt with calcified chronic SDH. He presented with only mental retardation and no other neurological deficit and as such he was managed conservatively and discharged with close follow-up. We believe that surgical treatment should only be used in circumstances when it is symptomatic, essential, and viable, and will eventually lead to the patient's neurological improvement based on the cases mentioned in the literature. Our personal experience with this case is that the non-surgical procedure sometimes is able to provide good outcomes, especially when the extracranial problems are managed carefully and the patient doesn’t complain of any neurological deficit.