bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of Breathing Signals According to Human Motions by Combining 1D Convolutional Neural Network and Embroidered Textile Sensor
Authors: Kim Jiseon , Kim Jooyong
Published: June 2023

Research on healthcare and body monitoring has increased in recent years, with respiratory data being one of the most important factors. Respiratory measurements can help prevent diseases and recognize movements. Therefore, in this study, we measured respiratory data using a capacitance-based sensor garment with conductive electrodes. To determine the most stable measurement frequency, we conducted experiments using a porous Eco-flex and selected 45 kHz as the most stable frequency. Next, we trained a 1D convolutional neural network (CNN) model, which is a type of deep learning model, to classify the respiratory data according to four movements (standing, walking, fast walking, and running) using one input. The final test accuracy for classification was >95%. Therefore, the sensor garment developed in this study can measure respiratory data for four movements and classify them using deep learning, making it a versatile wearable in the form of a textile. We expect that this method will advance in various healthcare fields.
Correlative Method for Diagnosing Gas-Turbine Tribological Systems
Authors: Deliś Maciej , Kłysz Sylwester , Przysowa Radoslaw
Published: June 2023

Lubricated tribosystems such as main-shaft bearings in gas turbines have been successfully diagnosed by oil sampling for many years. In practice, the interpretation of wear debris analysis results can pose a challenge due to the intricate structure of power transmission systems and the varying degrees of sensitivity among test methods. In this work, oil samples acquired from the fleet of M601T turboprop engines were tested with optical emission spectrometry and analyzed with a correlative model. Customized alarm limits were determined for iron by binning aluminum and zinc concentration into four levels. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with interaction analysis and post hoc tests was carried out to study the impact of aluminum and zinc concentration on iron concentration. A strong correlation between iron and aluminum, as well as a weaker but still statistically significant correlation between iron and zinc, was observed. When the model was applied to evaluate a selected engine, deviations of iron concentration from the established limits indicated accelerated wear long before the occurrence of critical damage. Thanks to ANOVA, the assessment of engine health was based on a statistically proven correlation between the values of the dependent variable and the classifying factors.
Conventional Platinum Metal Implants Provoke Restenosis Responses in Atherogenic but Not Healthy Arteries
Authors: Morath Lea M. , Guillory Roger J. , Oliver Alexander A. , Liu Shu Q. , Bocks Martin L. , Levy Galit Katarivas , Drelich Jaroslaw W. , Goldman Jeremy
Published: June 2023

Platinum-containing stents are commonly used in humans with hypercholesterolemia, whereas preclinical stent evaluation has commonly been performed in healthy animal models, providing inadequate information about stent performance under hypercholesterolemic conditions. In this investigation, we used an ApoE−/− mouse model to test the impact of hypercholesterolemia on neointima formation on platinum-containing implants. We implanted 125 μm diameter platinum wires into the abdominal aortas of ApoE−/− and ApoE+/+ mice for 6 months, followed by histological and immunofluorescence examination of neointimal size and composition. It was found that ApoE−/− mice developed neointimas with four times larger area and ten times greater thickness than ApoE+/+ counterparts. Neointimas developed in the ApoE−/− mice also contained higher amounts of lipids quantified as having 370 times more coverage compared to ApoE+/+, a 3-fold increase in SMCs, and a 22-fold increase in macrophages. A confluent endothelium had regenerated in both mouse strains. The ApoE−/− mice experienced luminal reductions more closely resembling clinically relevant restenosis in humans. Overall, the response to platinum arterial implants was highly dependent upon the atherogenic environment.
Personality Development and Behavior in Adolescence: Characteristics and Dimensions
Authors: Milenkova Valentina , Nakova Albena
Published: June 2023

This article aims to present the specifics and characteristics of personality development during adolescence in light of the family’s influence on the adolescent’s self-esteem, self-perception, and behavior. Self-concept holds a particular importance in an individual’s psychological and social development and expression. Self-concept contributes to an individual’s communication, personal confidence, and independence. The objectives of the article are as follows: to trace some basic aspects of the influence of family on personality and its formation; to present concrete empirical dimensions of the Self-concept of students in a Bulgarian environment as well as their relationships with their parents; to show whether there are differences among the main ethnic groups in terms of their Self-concept and parental influence. The empirical analysis of the article is based on research conducted with secondary school students in 2018 within the framework of the “Modern Bulgarian Education: Status and Deficits” project, of which there were 130 Bulgarian, 70 Turk, and 70 Roma students aged 14–16 and of both sexes. The students were randomly selected from several Bulgarian secondary schools. To establish Self-images and the formation of various qualities, we used a method highlighting the types of personality tests used to register Self-concept profiles, including various personal qualities in different areas of personality expression. Students rate the qualities as real and as their desire to possess them on a five-degree scale from “1”—I do not possess at all to “5”—I completely possess the corresponding quality. The survey results showed that young people to a large extent tend to strive for the construction of their Self-image as open to sociability, contacts, and communication to attain affirmation among peers and autonomy. The article also analyzes assessments of parents’ involvement in children’s lives as well as the importance of family as a value. The main conclusion of the article is that upbringing in the family is key to the development of a child’s Self-concept and success, the value structure and emotional state, as well as overall personal activity.
Re-Imagining Community and School through Youth and Artists’ Critical Superhero Storytelling
Authors: Enciso Patricia , Krone Beth , Solange Gabrielle
Published: June 2023

In this article, we describe the methods and pedagogy that guided a superhero storytelling project, located in a midwestern middle school library, where youth were invited to work with a university-based research team and community-based artists who actively displaced historically formed practices of surveillance and silencing in the service of amplifying youth artistry and knowledge production. We recognize that school practices in many schools, by virtue of their complicity with hierarchical and evaluative mandates, undermine open and exploratory forms of youth expression. The arts-based project we describe, informed by a ten-year history of small-scale storytelling projects in the same school, offers a theoretical and related pedagogical framework for working with community-based artists to re-imagine and remake oppressive relational, epistemological, and material practices in school spaces. At the center of our report are two groups of youth and the artists and educators who supported them as they invented superheroes and activated the imaginative potential of their local community spaces for their storytelling.
Internet Development and Urban–Rural Consumption Inequality: Evidence from Chinese Cities
Authors: Zhu Jian , Li Zifang , Wang Hui
Published: June 2023

The impact of the digital dividends from Internet development on urban and rural residents is influenced by the existing urban–rural dual structure, resulting in heterogeneous and time-varying impacts on urban–rural consumption inequality. This study aims to investigate the nonlinear effect and mechanism of the Internet development on urban–rural consumption inequality in China. Using panel data from 263 prefecture-level cities between 2016 and 2019, we employ a two-way fixed effect model and a threshold model to examine this relationship. The findings of our study are as follows: (a) Internet development exhibits a U-shaped relationship with urban-rural consumption inequality. This U-shaped relationship is statistically consistent and stable in the whole country and in cities outside the five major urban agglomerations. (b) The level of urbanization acts as a threshold for the relationship between Internet development and urban–rural consumption inequality. (c) The influence of Internet development on urban–rural consumption inequality operates through its impact on income inequality and premature industrial structure. To effectively harness the positive impact of Internet development in reducing urban–rural consumption inequality, several key aspects deserve attention: acknowledging regional disparities and leveraging the Internet’s positive impact on urban–rural consumption inequality, considering the joint effects of Internet and urbanization developments, addressing digital divides among vulnerable groups, and promoting effective integration between the Internet and industry, particularly in manufacturing.
Can “Smart Homework” Achieve the Goal of Chinese “Double Reduction” Policy to Reduce Burden and Improve Quality?—The Positive and Negative Effects of “Smart Homework” on Students
Authors: Zhang Weiping , Xiao Siyu , Fu Weidong
Published: June 2023

The application of information technology provides technical support for achieving the requirements of reducing burden and improving quality in the Chinese “Double Reduction” Policy. Based on the analysis of the mechanism and path of “Smart Homework” (an educational tool that applies artificial intelligence technology) to reduce the burden and improve the quality of Chinese Jiangxi Province by using the literature, this paper investigates 78 counties and cities of this province and finds that this tool can reduce the burden of primary and secondary school students’ homework, improve the completion of homework, reduce the willingness to participate in after-school tutoring, and improve the self-efficacy and learning investment, so as to achieve the goal of the Chinese “Double Reduction” Policy, but at the same time, the lack of convenience in using intelligent products has caused psychological anxiety for a small number of students. The psychological mechanism of reducing burden and improving quality is in line with the principle revealed by the Yerkes–Dodson law; that is, as learning anxiety decreases, the impact of psychological stress on learning efficiency increases. The appropriate psychological stress enhanced the impact of psychological pressure on learning efficacy and engagement, and improved learning efficiency. The article believes that, first, based on the principle of a three-layer structure of homework burden, the use of “Smart Homework” achieves the reduction of homework burden from three aspects: surface layer, inner layer, and core layer. Second, “Smart Homework” reduces the willingness to participate in extracurricular tutoring and, to some extent, reduces the burden of extracurricular tutoring. Third, “Smart Homework” can help students better complete homework and improve learning efficiency.
Comparative Study between Dietary Nanoelemental, Inorganic, and Organic Selenium in Broiler Chickens: Effects on Meat Fatty Acid Composition and Oxidative Stability
Authors: Giamouri Elisavet , Fortatos Efstathios , Pappas Athanasios C. , Papadomichelakis George
Published: June 2023

The present study investigated the impact of dietary supplementation with nano-elemental, inorganic, and organic selenium (Se) on the Se content, fatty acid (FA) composition, and oxidative stability of meat in 150 one-day-old broiler chickens. The broiler chickens were allotted into three groups: control (C), SS+SY, and SeNP. The C group received a control diet without any added Se, while the SS+SY and SeNP groups were fed diets containing 0.4 mg Se/kg from a combination of sodium selenite and selenium yeast (SS+SY at a 1:1 ratio) or elemental Se nanoparticles (SeNP), respectively. Breast meat samples were collected from 10 broiler chickens per diet group (2 per replicate) at 42 days of age for the analysis of Se content, FA composition, and oxidative stability. The findings of the study revealed that the Se levels in the breast tissue significantly increased (p < 0.05) and the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress, decreased (p < 0.05) with the inclusion of SS+SY and SeNP in the diet. Furthermore, the levels of 22:6n − 3 (docosahexaenoic acid) and total n − 3 FA significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the breast meat of broiler chickens supplemented with SeNP compared to the C and SS+SY groups. In conclusion, both dietary supplementation with SeNP and SS+SY had a positive impact on the Se content and oxidative stability of the breast meat. However, SeNP supplementation resulted in a more desirable modification of the FA composition. These findings suggest that SeNP may offer a sustainable alternative to traditional forms of Se supplementation.
Co-Development of a Tool to Aid the Assessment of Biomass Potential for Sustainable Resource Utilization: An Exploratory Study with Danish and Swedish Municipalities
Authors: Martin Andreas Dyreborg
Published: June 2023

In the future, there will be an increased demand for biomass to replace energy and products of fossil origin with renewable alternatives. Such a transition requires action at both the national and local level. Municipalities as key actors need tools to increase the utilization of biomass. One such tool is a means to assess biomass’ potential for use. Consequently, this study investigated how a tool to aid the “assessment of biomass potential” (ABP) could support municipalities in Sweden and Denmark to increase biomass utilization. Ten workshops were organized to gain insights into how ABP could be adopted in municipalities. A blueprint of an ABP was developed to aid discussions around four themes: (1) how should the ABP be adopted, (2) which parameters to include, (3) which departments should be involved, and (4) how complex should it be. Many workshop participants saw the biggest benefit of an ABP would be in supporting the municipalities’ climate action plans and helping build up the goals and scopes related to biomass utilization. However, for successful adoption of the ABP, many departments need to be involved, which would require building up staff competences. This study shows that ABP could support the increased utilization of biomass.
Disaster Risk Management and Spatial Planning: Evidence from the Fire-Stricken Area of Mati, Greece
Authors: Dandoulaki Miranda , Lazoglou Miltiades , Pangas Nikos , Serraos Konstantinos
Published: June 2023

The debate over spatial planning highlights the need for more interdisciplinary, strategic, and collaborative methods to achieve broad policy goals such as resilience and sustainability. Risk-based planning is gaining importance due to the rising vulnerability of urban infrastructure. Incorporating disaster risk management into spatial planning requires a geographically based strategy for reducing catastrophe risk. This article outlines the role of spatial planning in the reconstruction of the Mati settlement in Attica, Greece, that was devastated by a forest fire in 2018. It presents a set of proposals that relate to the urban reorganization of the area and considers disaster risk reduction and disaster management, as well as sustainability issues relating to mobility, the management of the natural environment, and the recovery of the coastline as a public resource. The basis for this article is the contribution of the Urban Planning Research Laboratory of the National Technical University of Athens/School of Architecture to the preparation of the Special Urban Plan for the fire-stricken area of Mati, Attica, on behalf of the Technical Chamber of Greece.
Characterization of Cross-Linking in Guar Gum Hydrogels via the Analysis of Thermal Decomposition Behavior and Water Uptake Kinetics
Authors: Lan Yanjiao , Xie Zhoujian , Wang Ting , Lu Jianfang , Li Pengfei , Jiang Jianxin
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to explore a test method for evaluating the effective cross-linking density of hydrogels. A guar gum–epichlorohydrin hydrogel (GEH) was prepared using guar gum (GG) as the raw material and epichlorohydrin (ECH) as the cross-linking agent. The thermal and mechanical properties, equilibrium swelling rate (ESR), water uptake (WU), and mass cross-linking degree of the hydrogels were assessed. Furthermore, the diffusion behavior of water molecules in the freeze-dried GEH was investigated. The experimental results showed the significance of the initial decomposition temperature (Ti) and final decomposition temperature (Tf) of the freeze-dried GEHs in determining the effective cross-linking density. The water uptake kinetics of the freeze-dried GEH was consistent with the linear fitting of the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and nonlinear fitting of the Fickian diffusion model, suggesting that chemisorption dominated the water absorption process in the GEH. Therefore, the effective cross-linking density of the hydrogels could be determined from the thermodynamic analysis and the diffusive behavior of water molecules in the gels. The thermal stability and water diffusion kinetics of the hydrogels were closely linked to the effective cross-linking density and pendant modification.
Can Co-Creating and Participating in a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Develop Climate Change Leaders?
Authors: Zint Michaela T. , Porter Paige , Bellino Michelle J.
Published: June 2023

There is an urgent need to develop climate leaders who can inspire and support mitigation and adaptation actions. This exploratory study assessed the experiences of two student populations: (1) remote learners who participated in, and (2) student co-creators who co-designed, the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community and Political Action (AoC). It examines the extent to which participation and involvement in the course facilitated the development of climate leadership practices of both populations. MOOC remote learners’ answers to discussion prompts (2099 responses from 705 learners) and student co-creators’ interview responses (n = 10, r = 83%) were qualitatively analyzed, informed by Kouzes and Posner’s (2018) five key practices of effective leaders. Findings suggest that remote learners and student co-creators engaged in these key leadership practices to varying degrees. For example, both groups “modeled the way” by taking climate change action consistent with their values and “inspired a shared vision” by conveying desired futures for the planet. Both remote learners and student co-creators attributed these practices to a range of features embedded in the MOOC (e.g., being prompted to research and take mitigation and adaptation actions) and the process of co-creation (e.g., having the agency to creatively and collaboratively produce course content). Given the positive potential for both populations, this paper argues for more research, including experimental studies, to learn how MOOCs and co-creation processes can best be designed to support participants’ climate leadership development.
The Combined Application of Biochar and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Enhanced the Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil and Rice Productivity in Indonesia
Authors: Mulyadi  , Jiang Ligeng
Published: June 2023

Plant productivity, soil quality, and nitrogen uptake can be increased via the combined application of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Here, we evaluate the effects of the combination of four different rates of biochar (B) (B0: 0 t ha−1, B1: 20 t ha−1, B2: 40 t ha−1, and B3: 60 t ha−1) and four rates of AMF (M) (M0: 0 g polybag−1, M1: 15 g polybag−1, M2: 30 g polybag−1, and M3: 45 g polybag−1) on the rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Trisakti, grown in polybags using a completely randomized design with three replications. Our results show that the combination of 60 t Biochar ha−1 and 45 g AMF polybag−1 (B3M3) was the best treatment for improving some parameters, such as soil porosity (with the highest values of 68.25 and 68.45%), BD (0.88 and 0.88 g cm−3), pH (6.77 and 6.76), SOM (3.05 and 3.02%), TN (0.48 and 0.47%), AP (31.04 and 31.15 ppm), AK (235.11 and 235.20 ppm), plant height (116.78 and 117 cm), SPAD chlorophyll at maturity stage (43.59 and 43.88), flag leaf area (15.12 and 15.33 cm2), root length (42.10 and 42.17 cm), root volume (53.79 and 53.08 cm3), and shoot dry matter (59.29 and 59.66 g), in the early and late season, respectively. However, the combination of 20 t Biochar ha−1 and 45 g AMF polybag−1 (B1M3) was the best treatment for enhancing the tiller number with the maximum values (52.67 and 53.22), flowering day (67 and 66 day), root dry matter (32.37 and 32.51 g), panicle number (34.67 and 35.21), panicle length (21.44 and 21.67 cm), 1000 grain weight (41.26 and 41.37 g), and nitrogen uptake (32.37 and 32.51 g polybag−1), in the early and late season, respectively. These findings indicate that rice growth and productivity, the physical and chemical soil characteristics, and nitrogen uptake were better with the combined application of biochar and AMF treatments than sole biochar, sole AMF, or the control treatments.
Spatial Distribution of Water Risk Based on Atlas Compilation in the Shaanxi Section of the Qinling Mountains, China
Authors: Ke Xinyue , Wang Ni , Yu Long , Guo Zihan , He Tianming
Published: June 2023

Global climate change and rapid socio-economic development have increased the uncertainty in water resource systems and the complexity of water risk issues. Analyzing water risk and its spatial distribution is integral to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, as this contributes to effective water resource partition management. In this paper, a compiling method of risk atlas with multiple layers is proposed, and the water risk system is divided into five sub-systems including the risk of resource, management, engineering, quality, and disaster. The information used for the risk atlas is calculated by a risk evaluation model based on a Pressure–State–Response (PSR) framework, hierarchical cluster, and set pair analysis (SPA). Risks in the Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi (as a case study) are evaluated and visualized. The results show that grades IV and V of engineering, disaster, and resource risk exceed 40%, indicating that they require prior control. The quality and management risks are not major, but there is still room for improvement. Overall, the risk atlas can effectively and objectively reflect the spatial distribution of water risk and provide a basis for the layout of water risk control measures.
Monitoring and Assessing Urbanization Progress in Thailand between 2000 and 2020 Using SDG Indicator 11.3.1
Authors: Bhandari Roshan , Xue Wenchao , Virdis Salvatore G. P. , Winijkul Ekbordin , Nguyen Thi Phuoc Lai , Joshi Suraj
Published: June 2023

Urbanization, generally across developing countries, is accelerating at an ever-increasing pace along with population growth. The growth of built-up space is often disproportionate with the population growth rate, creating multiple stresses to the environment and hindering sustainable development. To account for this disproportionality, the SDG 11.3.1 indicator “Ratio of land consumption rate (LCR) to Population growth rate (PGR)” was developed to achieve SDG 11 and its integrated SDGs. This study assessed the variations in the LCR, PGR, and LCRPGR from 2000~2020, taking four different intervals of 5 years across Thailand, its provinces and regions by adopting the methodology recommended by UN-Habitat. A combined approach of remote sensing and statistical analysis was employed for assessing urban land use efficiency, the growth of built-up space and the relationship between the LCR and PGR in temporal as well as spatial dimensions. It was found that urban expansion is disproportionate with the PGR in most of the provinces and during a majority of the time intervals with the average LCRPGR of 0.70 (2000~2005), 1.6 (2005~2010), 0.40 (2010~2015) and 1.12 (2015~2020). Some of the studied periods (2005~2010 and 2015~2020) were dominated by the increasing built-up space in Thai provinces and regions as compared to the population growth rate, leading to higher per capita land consumption, and some experienced greater population growth, and rising urban compactness, while a few provinces tended towards stability, which was influenced by demographic factors and economic development. The average annual growth rate of built-up areas has declined in recent years across all the regions of Thailand. Further, this study is pivotal for urban planners and policymakers to promote more sustainable growth in Thai provinces and regions.
Sports Tourism Sustainability in Times after COVID-19: Analysis of the Behavior of Participatory Event Consumers
Authors: Du Juan , Zheng Guifeng
Published: June 2023

People mostly engage in sports to participate in tourism activities, and it is therefore worthy of deep consideration why people are so enthusiastic and what their internal motivation is, especially in the context of the normalization of COVID-19 prevention. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-expressiveness and subjective well-being from the perspective of consumers in participatory sports events. Methods: We developed a self-expressive model for consumers in participatory sports events based on the eudaimonistic identity theory, taking samples of non-local individuals who participated in the Fuzhou International Marathon in 2021. Results: (1) Self-expressive model assumes that a consumer’s participation in sports activities is symbolic of their identity and status. (2) Consumers self-expressiveness relies on perceived difficulty of the activity, effort perception, importance perception, and potential for self-realization. (3) Self-expressiveness moderates the relationship between hedonic enjoyment and subjective well-being. As self-expressiveness is highly related to hedonic enjoyment, it plays an important role in personal happiness. Conclusions: (1) Sporting event managers should attach great importance to the formulation and implementation of self-expressive activities to enhance the events, encourage consumers to participate in competitions of medium difficulty, and absorb competitive alternatives or activities of different difficulty levels. (2) They should highlight the realization of the “ideal self” and pay attention to the skill-level training of consumers. (3) They should plan diversified target plans (entertainment, experience, or learning skills) to respond to consumers with different target orientations.
What Does the Concept of Resilience in Tourism Mean in the Time of COVID-19? Results of a Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Lamhour Oumaima , Safaa Larbi , Perkumienė Dalia
Published: June 2023

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on tourism, giving significant importance to resilience strategies for this sector. Indeed, over the past three years, an increasing amount of research has been conducted on tourism resilience without any overall analysis of these publications. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis in order to identify research trends in the field as well as explore the various gaps in the literature on the subject studied during and after the pandemic. A selection of 114 Scopus-indexed articles published between 2020 and early 2023 on tourism resilience was analyzed by two bibliometric tools, VOS viewer and R bibliometrix. The results show that China, the United States, and Spain are the leading countries in this field of research. The articles’ authors, the affiliations, and the countries involved in research in this field were not able to compose a close, extensive, and collaborative network. The journal Sustainability (Switzerland), published by MDPI, is at the top of the list. This work identifies three dominant study themes: (1) tourism and sustainable resilience; (2) livelihood resilience; and (3) community resilience. This study provides a benchmark for future researchers with new study directions in the field of tourism resilience.
On the Reason to Implement a Sustainable Urban Drainage Nature-Based Solution to Decrease Flood Threat: A Survey
Authors: Piazza Paola , Ursino Nadia
Published: June 2023

Systematic interviews to technicians in charge of urban drainage were undertaken to assess the distribution of nature-based solutions (NBSs) for hydraulic risk mitigation in the Veneto region (Italy) and to investigate interventions that are priorities to address the challenges of urban growth and hydraulic risk. Specifically, this paper investigated stakeholders’ preference for green and gray infrastructure and for some NBSs in particular among those more frequently adopted, where they are predominantly implemented, and why. The results were interpreted in the context of significant geomorphological, socioeconomic, and regulatory parameters and how they relate to NBS implementation. The survey demonstrated that, among technical experts in one of Italy’s most developed regions, there may be a certain skepticism about the effectiveness of NBSs in counteracting the hydraulic risk of flooding, the close interrelation between political decisions in favour of NBS and the constrains of national and regional legislation, and the willingness to involve the population in the decision-making process. Further investigation showed that what (de)motivates the use of NBSs may be a partial disconnection between the academic, technical, and administrative sectors.
Research on the Influence Mechanism of Factor Misallocation on the Transformation Efficiency of Resource-Based Cities Based on the Optimization Direction Function Calculation Method
Authors: Yu Runqun , Luo Zhuoyang
Published: June 2023

Reasonable evaluation of the transformation efficiency of resource-based cities can provide a reliable basis for correcting factor misallocation and optimizing factor allocation. This study improves the directional distance function from the aspects of direction vector endogeneity, relative distance and exogenous weight. Based on the improved model, the data of China’s prefecture-level cities from 2003 to 2018 are used to measure and compare the transformation efficiency of resource-based cities and non-resource-based cities. By setting different exogenous weights, the transformation efficiency considering the total factor and the transformation efficiency only considering the energy factor are obtained. Further comparative analysis shows that the two transformation efficiencies of resource-based cities are lower than those of non-resource-based cities, and the two keep the same change trend. Whether it is a resource-based city or a non-resource-based city, the level of transformation efficiency that only considers energy factors is lower. Further, this study decomposes the transformation efficiency of resource-based cities according to the three dimensions of transformation efficiency and finds that the energy efficiency, output efficiency and environmental efficiency of China’s resource-based cities are different, and the transformation efficiency in the three dimensions of energy conservation, economic growth and environmental friendliness is also different.
Brand Management and Innovation Management in the Age of Sustainable Development
Authors: Mingaleva Zhanna , Vukovic Natalia
Published: June 2023

Issues of sustainable development, successful achievement of the SDGs, solving the problems of production and promotion of green products, goods and technologies, expanding the use of green brands and many other aspects related to life and production in the Age of Sustainable Development remain the most relevant and frequently discussed topics in recent years [...]
Cross-Regional Allocation of Human Capital and Sustainable Development of China’s Regional Economy—Based on the Perspective of Population Mobility
Authors: Li Peng , Li Xiangrong , Yuan Gonglin
Published: June 2023

Using the panel data of cities at the prefecture level and above in China, based on the endogenous growth theory, this study aims to explore the influence of the cross-regional allocation of human capital on regional economic sustainable development. Least squares estimation and stepwise regression methods were adopted for an empirical test, and the results showed that (1) the cross-regional allocation of human capital can significantly promote regional economic sustainable development; (2) labor productivity, industrial structure, and regional innovation capacity play mediating roles in the relationship between the cross-regional allocation of human capital and regional economic sustainable development; (3) household registration policy plays a negative moderating role in the influence of cross-regional allocation of human capital on regional economic sustainable development; (4) after considering the potential endogenous problems and conducting additional robustness analysis, including changing the independent variable and changing the dependent variable, our main results remain robust and reliable. With the development of the economy, the cross-regional allocation of human capital plays an important role in regional economic sustainable development. Thus, in order to improve regional economic sustainable development, it is imperative for governments to promote a reform of the household registration system, to guide the rational mobility of population, and to optimize the regional allocation of human capital.
Life Cycle Analysis of a Novel Process from the Automotive Industry in Mexico for Recycling Nylon 6,6 into Polymeric Coatings
Authors: Rodríguez Maria del Pilar , Vázquez-Vélez Edna , Martinez Horacio , Torres-Islas Alvaro
Published: June 2023

Sustainability has converted the topic of the humanity and life-cycle analysis (LCA) is one of the main methods for evaluating the impact of each product, process, and system. Polymers, especially nylon 6,6, have found substantial relevance in several areas such as automobiles, packaging, food, batteries, etc., in the last years and estimation of their impact on the environment as well as persons from their increased disposal is of intense importance. LCA procedures are being employed to investigate the same in terms of several ecosystems, resources, and human-based restrictions but there are still some limitations to the same. This paper presents an overview of using recycled nylon 6,6 coating as an alternative to the traditional way of final disposal of this polymer, focusing on its life cycle, production, coating characterization, data reproducibility, and limitations. OpenLCA software was used for the LCA of the recycled coating formation processes. EIA09 software was employed to estimate the environmental impact assessment. Results obtained using EIA09 software show that the recycled nylon 6,6 coating has a low environmental impact with respect to soil contamination. This result shows a clear advantage of plastic recycling compared to the traditional final disposal.
Relaxation Functions Interpolating the Cole–Cole and Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts Dielectric Relaxation Models
Authors: Duan Lingjie , Duan Junsheng , Li Ming
Published: June 2023

To describe non-Debye relaxation phenomena observed in dielectric materials, the Cole–Cole (CC) relaxation model in the frequency domain and the Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts (KWW) relaxation model in the time domain were introduced in the physics of dielectrics. In this paper, we propose a new relaxation model with two parameters besides a relaxation time by expressing the relaxation function in the time domain in terms of the Mittag–Leffler functions. The proposed model represents a group of non-Debye relaxation phenomena and shows a transition between the CC and the KWW models. The relaxation properties described by the new model are analyzed, including the response function, the normalized complex dielectric permittivity, dielectric storage and loss factors as well as the relaxation frequency and time spectral functions. The presented relaxation function has a concise form and is expected to be applied to more complex relaxation phenomena.
Legendre Series Analysis and Computation via Composed Abel–Fourier Transform
Authors: De Micheli Enrico
Published: June 2023

Legendre coefficients of an integrable function f(x) are proved to coincide with the Fourier coefficients with a nonnegative index of a suitable Abel-type transform of the function itself. The numerical computation of N Legendre coefficients can thus be carried out efficiently in O(NlogN) operations by means of a single fast Fourier transform of the Abel-type transform of f(x). Symmetries associated with the Abel-type transform are exploited to further reduce the computational complexity. The dual problem of calculating the sum of Legendre expansions at a prescribed set of points is also considered. We prove that a Legendre series can be written as the Abel transform of a suitable Fourier series. This fact allows us to state an efficient algorithm for the evaluation of Legendre expansions. Finally, some numerical tests are illustrated to exemplify and confirm the theoretical results.
Geometric Numerical Methods for Lie Systems and Their Application in Optimal Control
Authors: Blanco Díaz Luis , Sardón Cristina , Jiménez Alburquerque Fernando , de Lucas Javier
Published: June 2023

A Lie system is a nonautonomous system of first-order ordinary differential equations whose general solution can be written via an autonomous function, the so-called (nonlinear) superposition rule of a finite number of particular solutions and some parameters to be related to initial conditions. This superposition rule can be obtained using the geometric features of the Lie system, its symmetries, and the symmetric properties of certain morphisms involved. Even if a superposition rule for a Lie system is known, the explicit analytic expression of its solutions frequently is not. This is why this article focuses on a novel geometric attempt to integrate Lie systems analytically and numerically. We focus on two families of methods based on Magnus expansions and on Runge–Kutta–Munthe–Kaas methods, which are here adapted, in a geometric manner, to Lie systems. To illustrate the accuracy of our techniques we analyze Lie systems related to Lie groups of the form SL(n,R), which play a very relevant role in mechanics. In particular, we depict an optimal control problem for a vehicle with quadratic cost function. Particular numerical solutions of the studied examples are given.
Wavelet Multiscale Granger Causality Analysis Based on State Space Models
Authors: Zhang Qiyi , Zhang Chuanlin , Cheng Shuangqin
Published: June 2023

Granger causality (GC) is a popular method in causal linkage recovery and has been applied to various fields, such as economics and neuroscience. While the conventional Granger causality model is capable of identifying symmetrical causal relationships among variables, it is the asymmetric Granger causality that provides a more comprehensive perspective of the short- and long-term interactions between variables, which is of greater value for empirical study. Traditional vector autoregressive models lack the ability to explore multiscale information flow and are affected by the moving average component. Therefore, by combining the wavelet-based approach and state space model, we propose a new Granger causality analysis method to overcome the inherent limitation of vector autoregressive models and extend to multiscale causality exploration. Two simulations were conducted to compare the proposed approach to an existing wavelet-based method, and five evaluation indicators were utilized. The results indicate that the proposed method efficiently identifies the accurate asymmetric causalities at varying scales, while improving accuracy and reducing bias as compared to the current wavelet-based method. In conclusion, the combination of the wavelet approach and state space method enhances the multiscale causality detecting capability and can potentially contribute to multiscale Granger causality research.
Research on the Mechanism of the Role of Big Data Analytic Capabilities on the Growth Performance of Start-Up Enterprises: The Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Opportunity Recognition and Exploitation
Authors: Chen Xinqiang , Chen Weijun , Chen Jiangjie
Published: June 2023

With the advent of the era of big data, the application of big data analytics in entrepreneurial activities has become increasingly prevalent. However, research on the relationship between big data analytic capabilities and entrepreneurial activities is still in its infancy, and the mechanism by which the two interact remains unclear. Drawing on resource-based theory and entrepreneurial process theory, this research examines the impact mechanism of big data analytic capabilities on the growth performance of start-up enterprises and explores the mediating role of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial opportunity exploitation. Empirical analysis reveals that big data analytic capabilities have a significant positive impact on the growth performance of start-up enterprises; entrepreneurial opportunity exploitation plays a mediating role in the relationship between big data analytic capabilities and the growth performance of start-up enterprises, but entrepreneurial opportunity recognition does not show a significant mediating effect between the two; and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial opportunity exploitation play a chain-mediated role in the relationship between big data analytic capabilities and the growth performance of start-up enterprises. These research findings enrich the study of digital entrepreneurship and provide valuable references for the entrepreneurial practice of start-up enterprises.
A Universality–Distinction Mechanism-Based Multi-Step Sales Forecasting for Sales Prediction and Inventory Optimization
Authors: Li Daifeng , Li Xin , Gu Fengyun , Pan Ziyang , Chen Dingquan , Madden Andrew
Published: June 2023

Sales forecasting is a highly practical application of time series prediction. It is used to help enterprises identify and utilize information to reduce costs and maximize profits. For example, in numerous manufacturing enterprises, sales forecasting serves as a key indicator for inventory optimization and directly influences the level of cost savings. However, existing research methods mainly focus on detecting sequences and local correlations from multivariate time series (MTS), but seldom consider modeling the distinct information among the time series within MTS. The prediction accuracy of sales time series is significantly influenced by the dynamic and complex environment, so identifying the distinct signals between different time series within a sales MTS is more important. In order to extract more valuable information from sales series and to enhance the accuracy of sales prediction, we devised a universality–distinction mechanism (UDM) framework that can predict future multi-step sales. Universality represents the instinctive features of sequences and correlation patterns of sales with similar contexts. Distinction corresponds to the fluctuations in a specific time series due to complex or unobserved influencing factors. In the mechanism, a query-sparsity measurement (QSM)-based attention calculation method is proposed to improve the efficiency of the proposed model in processing large-scale sales MTS. In addition, to improve the specific decision-making scenario of inventory optimization and ensure stable accuracy in multi-step prediction, we use a joint Pin-DTW (Pinball loss and Dynamic Time Warping) loss function. Through experiments on the public Cainiao dataset, and via our cooperation with Galanz, we are able to demonstrate the effectiveness and practical value of the model. Compared with the best baseline, the improvements are 57.27%, 50.68%, and 35.26% on the Galanz dataset and 16.58%, 6.07%, and 5.27% on the Cainiao dataset, in terms of the MAE (Mean Absolute Error), MAPE (Mean Absolute Percentage Error), and RMSE (Root Mean Squared Error).
Investigation of the Molecular Epidemiology and Evolution of Circulating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Thailand from 2020 to 2022 via Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Puenpa Jiratchaya , Sawaswong Vorthon , Nimsamer Pattaraporn , Payungporn Sunchai , Rattanakomol Patthaya , Saengdao Nutsada , Chansaenroj Jira , Yorsaeng Ritthideach , Suwannakarn Kamol , Poovorawan Yong
Published: June 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious condition caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which surfaced in Thailand in early 2020. The current study investigated the SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating in Thailand and their evolutionary history. Complete genome sequencing of 210 SARS-CoV-2 samples collected from collaborating hospitals and the Institute of Urban Disease Control and Prevention over two years, from December 2020 to July 2022, was performed using next-generation sequencing technology. Multiple lineage introductions were observed before the emergence of the B.1.1.529 omicron variant, including B.1.36.16, B.1.351, B.1.1, B.1.1.7, B.1.524, AY.30, and B.1.617.2. The B.1.1.529 omicron variant was subsequently detected between January 2022 and June 2022. The evolutionary rate for the spike gene of SARS-CoV-2 was estimated to be between 0.87 and 1.71 × 10−3 substitutions per site per year. There was a substantial prevalence of the predominant mutations C25672T (L94F), C25961T (T190I), and G26167T (V259L) in the ORF3a gene during the Thailand outbreaks. Complete genome sequencing can enhance the prediction of future variant changes in viral genomes, which is crucial to ensuring that vaccine strains are protective against worldwide outbreaks.
Virome Profiling, New Virus Identification and the Prevalence and Distribution of Viruses Infecting Chieh-Qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. chieh-qua How) in China
Authors: Che Haiyan , Ma Yuxin , Lin Yating , Feng Tuizi , Luo Daquan , Long Haibo
Published: June 2023

The cucurbit vegetable chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida var. chieh-qua How) is an important crop in South China and southeast Asian countries. Viral diseases cause substantial loss of chieh-qua yield. To identify the viruses that affect chieh-qua in China, ribosomal RNA-depleted total RNA sequencing was performed using chieh-qua leaf samples with typical viral symptoms. The virome of chieh-qua comprises four known viruses (melon yellow spot virus (MYSV), cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV), papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV) and two novel viruses: cucurbit chlorotic virus (CuCV) in the genus Crinivirus and chieh-qua endornavirus (CqEV) in the genus Alphaendornavirus. The complete genomes of the two novel viruses in chieh-qua and three other isolates of CuCV in pumpkin, watermelon and cucumber were determined and the recombination signals of pumpkin and watermelon isolates of CuCV were detected. A reverse transcriptase PCR indicated that the dominant viruses of chieh-qua in Hainan are MYSV (66.67%) and CCYV (55.56%), followed by CuCV (27.41%), WSMoV (7.41%), cucumber mosaic virus (8.15%), zucchini yellow mosaic virus (6.67%), PRSV (6.67%) and CqEV (35.56%). Our findings support diagnostic and prevalence studies of viruses infecting chieh-qua in China, enabling sustainable control strategies for cucurbit viruses worldwide.