bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kalman-Filter-Based Learning of Characteristic Profiles of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Arima Masahito , Lin Lei , Fukui Masahiro
Published: July 2022

The main analyzed aspect of lithium-ion battery (LIB) degradation so far has been capacity fading. On the other hand, interest in efficiency degradation has also increased in recent years. Battery aggregation, which is expected to absorb the surplus of variable renewable energies such as photovoltaic energy, is affected by efficiency degradation in terms of the decreases in the economic gain and renewable energy use. Reusable LIBs could be used as aggregation components in the future; naturally, the variety of charge–discharge efficiencies might be more complex. To improve the operation efficiency of aggregation, including that obtained using reusable LIBs, we propose the Kalman-filter-based quasi-unsupervised learning of the characteristic profiles of LIBs. This method shows good accuracy in the estimation of charge–discharge energy. It should be emphasized that there are no reports of charge–discharge energy estimation using the Kalman filter. In addition, this study shows that the incorrect open-circuit voltage function for the state of charge, which is assumed in the case of a reused battery, could be applied as the reference for the Kalman filter for LIB state estimation. In summary, it is expected that this diagnosis method could contribute to the economic and renewable energy usage improvement of battery aggregation.
Bridge Health Monitoring Using Strain Data and High-Fidelity Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Ghahremani Behzad , Enshaeian Alireza , Rizzo Piervincenzo
Published: July 2022

This article presented a physics-based structural health monitoring (SHM) approach applied to a pretensioned adjacent concrete box beams bridge in order to predict the deformations associated with the presence of transient loads. A detailed finite element model was generated using ANSYS software to create an accurate model of the bridge. The presence of concentrated loads on the deck at different locations was simulated, and a static analysis was performed to quantify the deformations induced by the loads. Such deformations were then compared to the strains recorded by an array of wireless strain gauges during a controlled truckload test performed by an independent third party. The test consisted of twenty low-speed crossings at controlled distances from the bridge parapets using a truck with a certified load. The array was part of a SHM system that consisted of 30 wireless strain gauges. The results of the comparative analysis showed that the proposed physics-based monitoring is capable of identifying sensor-related faults and of determining the load distributions across the box beams. In addition, the data relative to near two-years monitoring were presented and showed the reliability of the SHM system as well as the challenges associated with environmental effects on the strain reading. An ongoing study is determining the ability of the proposed physics-based monitoring at estimating the variation of strain under simulated damage scenarios.
Advanced Treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using Thermally Activated Persulfate Oxidation
Authors: Bashir Mohammed , Sheen Ong , Ng Choon , Abujazar Mohammed , Alazaiza Motasem , Abu Amr Salim
Published: July 2022

Advanced treatment of biologically processed palm oil mill effluent (BIOTPOME), which possesses a potential danger to the water sources is required to meet the Malaysian discharge standard, as BIOTPOME contains high level of chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids and oil and grease even after going through conventional treatment process. The significant but insufficient treatment efficiency of ponding system in Malaysia urged an alternative method to treat the recalcitrant organic compounds. Thus, post-treatment of BIOTPOME using oxidation by thermally activated persulfate process was proposed to solve this issue. In order to maximize the removal of COD and color, the central composite design (CCD) module of the response surface approach was used to optimize the interactions of the process variables temperature, S2O82−/COD ratio, and reaction time. In order to identify the significant terms of interacting process factors, CCD performed a batch study from which statistical models of responses were created. All models were confirmed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) showing significances with Prob > F less than 0.1. The optimal performance was obtained at the temperature of 67.4 °C, S2O82−/COD ratio of 9.8 and reaction time of 120 min, rendering COD removal of 85.65% and color removal of 85.74%. The total cost for the treatment process was RM0.94 per liter.
Self-Confidence of Venezuelan Migrant Entrepreneurs in Colombia
Authors: Albornoz-Arias Neida , Santafé-Rojas Akever-Karina
Published: July 2022

This study determines the personality and behavioural factors related to pull motivation that explains the self-confidence of Venezuelan migrant entrepreneurs. Using a quantitative approach, this study conducted a survey with 88 migrants who own productive units in the urban area of Gramalote, North of Santander, in Colombia. This study examines the association between the variable ‘perception of having self-confidence’ with demographic and motivational contextual factors. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the evidence of a statistically significant association between the variables. The findings of the multivariate multinomial logistic regression model suggest that the factors related to a high level of self-confidence are gender, perception of ability to take advantage of opportunities, perception of demanding efficiency and quality and perception of taking risks. These factors are to be considered in the policies of the Colombian state regarding education programmes and the formalisation of the labour market with a gender approach in a post-pandemic context. Given that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a crisis in countless aspects, one of which was in the labour market, this study is relevant because it analyses self-confidence as a driver of entrepreneurial development.
Bibliometric Analysis of Smart Public Governance Research: Smart City and Smart Government in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Vujković Petra , Ravšelj Dejan , Umek Lan , Aristovnik Aleksander
Published: July 2022

The concept of smart public governance (SPG) is gaining attention among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners around the world, especially in response to the modernisation of public administration through emerging technologies in both local (smart city) and national (smart government) levels. Spurred by the noticeable lack of understanding of the SPG concept, the paper aims to comprehensively examine the SPG research by considering the characteristic differences between the smart city and smart government concepts. Bibliometric analysis is based on the Scopus database, containing 775 documents published in the last two decades and facilitated by several established and innovative bibliometric approaches. The results reveal the growth of SPG research over time. Despite the smart city concept being the dominant focus in the SPG research, the smart government concept has been becoming more relevant in recent years, as indicated by some prominent documents published in reputable journals like Government Information Quarterly. Moreover, Anglo-Saxon countries are chiefly engaged in SPG research. However, New Zealand and South Korea are identified as countries with a stronger focus on the smart government concept. The results show the smart city concept is connected with several smart-related initiatives (e.g., smart transportation, smart living, smart energy, etc.), while the smart government concept is primarily associated with smart (de)regulation and smart grid. The findings may add to the understanding of the future development of SPG research, on both local and national levels.
Challenges with Complex Situations in the Teaching and Learning of Social Sciences in Initial Teacher Education
Authors: Yáñez de Aldecoa Cristina , Gómez-Trigueros Isabel María
Published: July 2022

This article not only presents a paradigm shift as a methodological model for teaching heritage and social sciences (SSCC), but also offers a methodological foundation for the challenge-based learning (CBL) methodology. We present various educational innovations in social science teaching and cultural heritage education based on the use of CBL during initial teacher training at the University of Andorra. These methodological proposals take into account the TPACK model (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) based on the interrelation of three types of knowledge: pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), technological content knowledge (TCK), and technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK). This set of best practices requires students to respond to a complex social challenge by designing and creating specific educational proposals for tackling content and learning through gamification. Students work on the various dimensions of the SSCC, thereby developing spatial competency, teaching competency, and competency in democratic citizenship. ICTs are included throughout in order to develop students’ digital competency. As a result, students feel empowered through having acquired the different competencies and developed an awareness of the value of cultural heritage as a cornerstone of democratic citizenship.
A Study on Hydrochemical Characteristics and Evolution Processes of Groundwater in the Coastal Area of the Dagujia River Basin, China
Authors: Wei Aihua , Chen Yuanyao , Deng Qinghai , Li Duo , Wang Rui , Jiao Zhen
Published: July 2022

Groundwater resource is vital for industrial, drinking and irrigation purposes in the Dagujia river basin, China. The objective of this work was to comprehensively assess the hydrochemical characteristics and evolution processes of the Quaternary aquifer (QA) and the bedrock aquifer (BA) of the basin using statistical methods and hydrochemical plots. In total, 56 groundwater samples were collected from the QA (34 samples) and BA (22 samples). In addition, statistical methods combined with the geographic information system were used to identify the hydrochemical parameters of groundwater, as well as its spatial distribution in the Dagujia river basin. The Piper diagram showed that Ca-Na-HCO3 was the dominant groundwater facies type, while nine QA samples collected near the coastal line showed the Na-Cl facies type. On the other hand, the Gibbs diagram showed that most samples fell in the rock dominance zone. The principal component analysis results showed that the water–rock interaction and anthropogenic activities are the controlling factors, which is consistent with the results obtained using other methods. The results of this study indicated that rock weathering controls the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater, while anthropogenic contamination and sea water intrusion are becoming increasingly serious issues for both QA and BA in the Dagujia river basin. Therefore, both Quaternary and bedrock aquifers require more attention.
Factors Affecting the Adoption of IoT-Based Smart Campus: An Investigation Using Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP)
Authors: Sneesl Radhwan , Jusoh Yusmadi Yah , Jabar Marzanah A. , Abdullah Salfarina , Bukar Umar Ali
Published: July 2022

The advancement of technology is making university campuses smarter every single day. Despite the benefits of these advanced technologies, the literature concerning the adoption of smart campuses is significantly lacking increased knowledge to provide effective smart campus solutions. This study aims to prioritize the adoption factors of an IoT-based smart campus. The study applied an analytical hierarchical process (AHP) on 25 factors drawn from the literature. The factors were classified into technology specific factors (TSF), organizational specific factors (OSF), environmental specific factors (ESF), and end-user specific factors (USF). Based on the results obtained, the most significant contributing factors were government support, privacy concerns, social influence, facilitating conditions, and service collaboration, whereas the least significant contributing factors were enjoyment, availability, reliability, mobility, and compatibility. Moreover, based on the global ranking computation, 12 factors from the OSF, ESF, and USF categories appeared to be more significant than TSF. The findings of this study could help university administrators, manufacturers, and policy-makers to understand the critical factors of smart campuses in order to improve the adoption and utilization of these solutions effectively.
New Strategy for Innovative RD&D in View of Stakeholder Interaction during Climate Technology Transfer
Authors: Lee Woo-Jin , Mwebaza Rose
Published: July 2022

To tackle the global climate change issues, many countries have been interested in technology research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) during climate technology development and transfer processes in terms of technology innovation. According to our previous staged innovation model, technology RD&D is regarded as a crucial stage enabling the transition from technology-push to market-pull innovation. However, the strategic operation of RD&D during the climate technology transfer processes is still inactive. Thus, in the present work, we first elucidated innovative features by reviewing the RD&D activities during the climate technology transfer processes in terms of three elements of innovation: technology, market, and regulation. Moreover, innovative barriers to participating in the RD&D projects were identified by analyzing brief survey for various stakeholders from academia, private sectors, and governments. Based on both findings from case study and survey, new strategies were proposed for innovative RD&D facilitation, considering the interactions between the technology transfer matchmaker and Triple Helix during transferring climate technology.
Where Are Potential Areas for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)—Exploring the Demands for Built Environment for TOD Planning
Authors: Xia Jiyang , Zhang Yue
Published: July 2022

Sustainable urban growth advocates the implementation of transit-oriented development (TOD) to optimize urban spatial structure. The bilateral planning concept of TOD emphasizes the importance of discovering areas with existing TOD features but poor public transit service (potential TOD areas) and further introducing transit connectivity or conducting TOD policy in such areas to facilitate sustainable transportation. However, current studies that are devoted to discovering potential TOD areas remain scarce. In this study, we find that random forest (RF) is an optimal algorithm that can effectively identify potential TOD regions in Hong Kong. We propose an RF-mediated machine learning model (RF-TPI model) and reveal underlying mechanisms of specific indicators. After iteratively learning the typical features of TOD areas in Hong Kong, the developed RF-TPI model shows great capacity to identify potential TOD areas, with satisfactory model performances (accuracy score: 0.89, precision score: 0.81). Further investigation on manifestations of indicators by the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) interpreter demonstrates the intricate, significant nonlinear and threshold effects of distinct indicators. Conclusively, we highlight that random forest would be a prospective tool for identifying potential TOD areas to aid TOD strategy in urban sustainable endeavors.
Geodetector-Based Livability Analysis of Potential Resettlement Locations for Villages in Coal Mining Areas on the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Tang Jingya , Sui Lichun
Published: July 2022

The resettlement of residents within the construction area of large projects is an important task related to people’s welfare. Livability is often used as an evaluation indicator when selecting resettlement areas. According to the results of the China Development Plan and 300 questionnaires, the human settlement factors that constitute livability include the living environment, ecological health, infrastructure, public facilities, and economic development, data on which can only be obtained from existing villages, and therefore cannot be used to directly assess the livability of potential resettlement areas. In fact, these human settlement factors are formed by the complex influences of numerous geographical factors (e.g., slope, slope orientation, accessibility, etc.), and it is scientific and reliable to use these geographical factors, which can be determined for each location, to carry out the livability assessment of potential resettlement areas. To this end, this paper takes the village resettlement project in the Dafosi coal mining area on the Loess Plateau of China as an example, calculates the livability scores of the existing villages around the coal mine using the entropy weighting method, and quantitatively analyzes the relationship between the livability scores and the selected geographic factors using a spatial correlations analysis method named Geodetector. It further uses the weighted overlayed function to superimpose the main geographic factors in order to obtain a livability grading map of the potential resettlement area. The results were successfully applied to the above resettlement project. We also verified the accuracy of this paper’s assessment method by adding 184 natural villages, and the method can be applied to other types of resettlement area livability assessment.
Carving out a Niche in the Sustainability Confluence for Environmental Education Centers in Cyprus and Greece
Authors: Eliades Filippos , Doula Maria K. , Papamichael Iliana , Vardopoulos Ioannis , Voukkali Irene , Zorpas Antonis A.
Published: July 2022

Given the environmental issues that today’s societies confront, such as climate change, waste management, ecosystem deterioration, etc., environmental education is becoming increasingly important. Adoption of environmental education as an integral part of the educational system is required for the Environmental Education Center (EEC) to be able to provide knowledge, skills, and values so that society can become active and environmentally responsible through awareness-raising. According to the scholarly published research, EECs can positively affect local communities and create an environmentally friendly culture. In addition, given that EECs can even play a significant part in the development of lifelong learning activities at the education and sustainable development nexus, it is considered critical to establishing future potentials and dynamics. Thus, aiming to analyze EECs’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) within our complex and ever-evolving world, educators, students, and other fellow citizens in Cyprus and Greece participated in a survey in which they were asked to fill in a questionnaire, specifically developed for each group category. The findings of this study provide a deeper understanding of the implications arising as a result of effective environmental education absence, as well as the importance of a holistic approach through EECs. Moreover, it offers the research community a solid framework for future innovation in citizen engagement and training.
Assessing the Impact of Entrepreneurial Education on Entrepreneurial Intentions among Romanian Doctoral Students and Postdoctoral Researchers
Authors: Hatos Roxana , Cioban Smaranda , Bea Gyarmati , Dodescu Anca , Hatos Adrian
Published: July 2022

In the context of the intensely debated topic of the impact of entrepreneurship education on students’ entrepreneurial intentions, the current paper presents findings of the entrepreneurial intentions of a group of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers from different fields of study enrolled in the SmartDoct project—an entrepreneurship education project co-financed through the European Social Fund and implemented by the University of Oradea, Romania, between 2019 and 2022. Our paper investigates individual-level determinants of the intention to become an entrepreneur, grounding in the social-cognitive, planned behaviour, and human capital theories. Using content analysis of semi-structured interviews, the paper offers insights into the narratives related to the entrepreneurial intentions of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, including relevant suggestions regarding the impact of gender, field of study, perceived influence of behavioural control, social norms concerning social support, and of the role models. Our results document the capacity of entrepreneurial programmes to encourage business initiation via stimulating entrepreneurial self-efficacy, the importance of perceived behavioural control on explaining entrepreneurial intention, and the value of social support and of role models, as well as the salience of the gender and field of study in explaining the net effect of entrepreneurial training in the case of students enrolled in advanced research programmes.
Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Correlation among Tourism, CO2 Emissions, and Economic Growth in China
Authors: Chen Lingling , Yi Lin , Cai Rongrong , Yang Hui
Published: July 2022

Elucidating the correlation among tourism, CO2 emissions, and economic growth from a spatiotemporal standpoint is of utmost significance for the tourism industry responding to China’s “double-carbon” goal. This study expansively uses the bottom-up approach, Theil index, Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA), and Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method to calculate tourism CO2 emissions (TE) at different spatial scales in China during 2000–2019, and based on the TE, we further analyze the spatial heterogeneity of the TE intensity (TEI) and examine the spatiotemporal effects of driving factors on TE increases. The results revealed that (i) China’s TE increased from 3714.06 × 104 t to 19,396.00 × 104 t, and the TEI declined from 47 to 9 g/yuan during 2000–2019. (ii) The high-TEI provinces varied from agglomerative distribution in the north by western region to scattered distribution in the eastern region. (iii) China’s TEI exhibited increasing spatial differences, primarily within regions during 2000–2009, which also distributed with both the global and local agglomeration in space before 2014, and since then, only the local agglomeration enhanced and characterized by diffusing low–low (L–L) agglomeration from the east to the central and west regions. (iv) The tourism industrial scale and the industrial economy exerted cumulative effects on TE increases, and the energy intensity and energy structure exerted reduction effects. The spatial structure played different roles on TE among the regions. Policy implications are also discussed depending on the study results.
Detection of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks in IOT Based Monitoring System of Banking Sector Using Machine Learning Models
Authors: Islam Umar , Muhammad Ali , Mansoor Rafiq , Hossain Md Shamim , Ahmad Ijaz , Eldin Elsayed Tag , Khan Javed Ali , Rehman Ateeq Ur , Shafiq Muhammad
Published: July 2022

Cyberattacks can trigger power outages, military equipment problems, and breaches of confidential information, i.e., medical records could be stolen if they get into the wrong hands. Due to the great monetary worth of the data it holds, the banking industry is particularly at risk. As the number of digital footprints of banks grows, so does the attack surface that hackers can exploit. This paper aims to detect distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks on financial organizations using the Banking Dataset. In this research, we have used multiple classification models for the prediction of DDOS attacks. We have added some complexity to the architecture of generic models to enable them to perform well. We have further applied a support vector machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) and random forest algorithms (RF). The SVM shows an accuracy of 99.5%, while KNN and RF scored an accuracy of 97.5% and 98.74%, respectively, for the detection of (DDoS) attacks. Upon comparison, it has been concluded that the SVM is more robust as compared to KNN, RF and existing machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) approaches.
Rebound Effects in Irrigated Agriculture in Uzbekistan: A Stakeholder-Based Assessment
Authors: Hamidov Ahmad , Kasymov Ulan , Djumaboev Kakhramon , Paul Carsten
Published: July 2022

There is wide consensus among scholars and practitioners that improved irrigation technologies increase farm productivity and improve resource use efficiency. However, there is also growing empirical evidence that efficiency improvements in irrigation water use may create rebound effects, i.e., they may trigger changes in farmers’ behavior that partly or fully offset the technical water savings expected under ceteris paribus conditions. In extreme cases, total water consumption may even increase. We studied the impacts of introducing water-saving irrigation technologies in Uzbekistan and used structured stakeholder interviews for an expert-based assessment of potential rebound effects. Our findings contribute to the understanding of impacts of technological and institutional responses to environmental and economic pressures in sustaining water resources. The study demonstrates that although the objective of increasing irrigation efficiency may be achieved, the actual water savings under Uzbek conditions are likely to be reduced due to rebound effects. Unless there are effective policy interventions, we expect rebound effects through an increase in water supply for crops that compensates for current shortages of irrigation water availability, an increase in irrigated area, a switch to more water-intensive crops, and overall economic growth. The findings of this paper provide a reference point for estimating the water-saving potential and for evaluating and adapting policies.
A Comparative Analysis of Technical Efficiency and Profitability of Agribusiness and Non-Agribusiness Enterprises in Eastern DRC
Authors: Nyamuhirwa Dieu-Merci Akonkwa , Awotide Bola Amoke , Kusinza Doux Baraka , Bishikwabo Valery Kasereka , Mignouna Jacob , Bamba Zoumana , Dontsop Nguezet Paul-Martin
Published: July 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine whether agribusiness could be competitive compared to non-agribusiness employment opportunities in terms of technical efficiency and profitability. We used data collected on all seven operating cassava community processing centers (CCPCs) and 150 comparable non-agribusiness enterprises in South Kivu province. A Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), as well as cost–benefit ratios and net monthly revenue, were used to examine technical efficiency and profitability. Our results showed that agribusiness was more competitive than non-agribusiness in terms of technical efficiency and profitability. The cost–benefit ratio shows that every dollar invested in agribusiness earns investors US $2.8, while it earns investors in non-agribusiness US $2.1. Moreover, technical efficiency increases significantly with agribusiness. These results show that agribusiness can compete with other non-agribusiness activities, and it remains a solution to youth unemployment in the region.
Effect of Salinity and Temperature on the Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Desert Forage Grass Lasiurus scindicus Henr.
Authors: Malik Jahangir A. , AlQarawi AbdulAziz A. , AlZain Mashail N. , Dar Basharat A. , Habib Muhammad M. , Ibrahim Salah Nasser S.
Published: July 2022

Lasiurus scindicus Henr. is one of the most important forage grass species of the Arabian deserts. Temperature and soil salinity are well known to influence the germination and seedling development of various forage species. Therefore, in the current study, the effect of temperature and salinity and their interaction on the germination parameters, seedling growth, and physiological parameters of L. scindicus were evaluated. For this reason, L. scindicus seeds were treated with five salinity concentrations (i.e., 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl) and incubated at two temperature levels (T1 = 25/20 °C, D/N and T2 = 35/30 °C, D/N). The results indicated that the salinity and temperature significantly affected the germination indices, seedling growth parameters, chlorophyll, and proline content. The highest germination percentage (GP; 90%) was recorded in the non-saline-treated seeds incubated at T1. The seeds at T2 under the non-saline treatment exhibited an increased germination rate (GR = 17.5%). The interactive effect of salinity and temperature on germination and growth parameters was significant, indicating that the germination response to salinity depends on temperature. The germination of seeds treated with 200 mM NaCl was completely inhibited at both temperatures T1 and T2. However, the ungerminated seeds at both T1 (85%) and T2 (78%) restored their germination abilities after they were transferred to distilled water. Also, the seed vigor index (SVI) constantly showed a decline with the increasing salinity levels especially at T2, which was lowest when seeds were treated with 150 mM salinity. Growth parameters (i.e., aRL, aSL, RDW, SDW, SB, and SLA) and the chlorophyll content showed a similar pattern as that of germination. However, the proline content (shoot proline and root proline) showed a progressive increase with increasing salinity and temperature. All of these characteristics indicate that L. scindicus seeds were not able to germinate under extreme salinity and temperature conditions but remained viable in a state of enforced dormancy. This is most likely an important adaptive strategy of this species for survival in the high-saline changing habitats of the arid region of Saudi Arabia, and thus, it can be an excellent choice for restoring degraded rangelands and salinity-inflicted abundant farmlands for forage agriculture.
Challenges and Perspectives of Social Farming in North-Eastern Italy: The Farmers’ View
Authors: Galardi Morgana , Filugelli Lorena , Moruzzo Roberta , Riccioli Francesco , Mutinelli Franco , Espinosa Diaz Salomon , Contalbrigo Laura
Published: July 2022

In the European framework of multifunctional agriculture, Social Farming (SF) has constantly been spreading. In Italy, these practices are legally connected to Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI), creating new perspectives and challenges for farmers and their territories. In this paper, we report the results of a pilot study conducted in the Veneto Region to understand farmers’ opinions about the opportunities and challenges of SF and AAI. Participants were convened by the Italian farmers’ trade organization Coldiretti. All of them provide social/healthcare services on their farms, including human–animal interaction, and have attended the regional training courses for Social Farming providers. Data were collected during two focus groups that were videotaped and subsequently analyzed by two researchers to categorize and dope out relevant topics. Results show a mismatch between what is stated by national and regional laws and the current situation reported by farmers. They are faced with many economic challenges as well as barriers in their relationship with traditional healthcare services. However, farmers have a strong motivation and believe in the benefits that AAI and SF offer to society in rural and urban areas.
Promoting Sustainability through Assessment and Measurement of Port Externalities: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Paths
Authors: Styliadis Theodore , Angelopoulos Jason , Leonardou Panagiota , Pallis Petros
Published: July 2022

In an attempt to mitigate and balance economic, environmental, and societal externalities that ports exert, port sustainability is becoming increasingly important as a key priority. This work embarks on an effort to explore the boundaries, provide a holistic view, and establish a knowledge map of contemporary research in the field of port externalities and impacts, by conducting a systematic literature review (SLR) by carrying out a three-stage procedure (planning, execution, and reporting), enhancing objectivity, while limiting errors and bias. The literature under study pertains to research domains focusing on: (a) identifying port externalities and impacts, (b) utilizing metrics and indicators to measure and quantify the positive or negative impact of port externalities, and (c) promoting an inclusive framework for sustainable port development. Our results include, among others, the classification of methodologies and particularly, of indicators established per type of externality to measure and monitor sustainable port performance, as well as identification of trends and gaps within the contemporary literature. We find considerable room for exploring new concepts and research paths within the domain of port impacts and externalities, both within individual dimensions of sustainability (economic, social, environmental), and on a multidisciplinary level.
Referencing Historical Practices and Emergent Technologies in the Future Development of Sustainable Textiles: A Case Study Exploring “Ardil”, a UK-Based Regenerated Protein Fibre
Authors: Auerbach George Hannah , Stenton Marie , Kapsali Veronika , Blackburn Richard S. , Houghton Joseph A.
Published: July 2022

We are currently experiencing a global environmental crisis. Our waste culture is leading to huge irreversible damage to our planet and ecosystems. This is particularly evident in both the textile and food sectors, with a system-wide restructuring as to how we consume and source materials becoming ever more urgent. By considering our waste as resource, we can access a vast source of raw materials that is now being recognised as such. Viable materials in the form of waste have the potential for conversion into textiles. However, this proposed solution to our contemporary crisis is not new technology. Throughout the 20th century, science and industry have researched and developed materials from food waste to meet global demand for textiles in times of need, with a major development during the world wars being the invention of regenerated protein fibres (RPFs). For various reasons, this research was abandoned, but much of the development work remains valid. This research critically analyses work that has previously been done in the sector to better our understanding of the historical hindrances to the progression of this technology. By applying modern thinking and scientific advances to historical challenges, there is the potential to overcome previous barriers to utilising food waste as a resource. One of the key influences in the discontinuation of RPFs was the rise of petrochemical textiles. Our current understanding of the detriment caused by petrochemicals warrants a further review of historical emergent technologies. This paper uses Ardil fibre as a case study, and shows that there is a clear disparity between the location of historic research and where the research would now be helpful. Ardil was a British-made product, using peanuts sourced from the British Empire as the source of protein. Techniques used in the processing of Ardil could be better utilised by countries and climates currently producing large amounts of peanut byproducts and waste. Through this research, another historical concern that thwarted Ardil’s acceptance as a mainstream fibre was discovered to be its poor tensile strength. However, contemporary garment life cycles are far shorter than historical ones, with built-in obsolescence now being considered as a solution to fast fashion cycles by matching the longevity of the fibre to the expected use phase of the garment, but ensuring suitable disposal methods, such as composting. This research highlights the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration between sectors, with a specific focus on the wealth of valuable information available within historical archives for modern sustainability goals.
Driving Factors and Mechanisms of AMT Application Levels for Equipment Manufacturing Enterprises: Based on Programmatic Grounded Theory
Authors: Wang Guilian , Zhang Liyan , Guo Jing
Published: July 2022

As a major part of the global manufacturing industry attaining technological upgrades, the adoption and application of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) plays a vital role in the development of enterprises. Thus, it is of the utmost significance to examine the driving factors that affect AMT application levels in equipment manufacturing enterprises. Through extensive interviews, the use of the qualitative research method of grounded theory, and the three-stage coding of the interview data from intelligent manufacturing pilot demonstration enterprises and projects, this study identified the key influencing factors for the AMT application levels of equipment manufacturing enterprises. We obtained 46 concepts and extracted 18 key categories and 6 main categories. Then, the logical relationships between the main categories were established. Finally, a driving factor model for the AMT application levels of equipment manufacturing enterprises was constructed. The results reveal that the driving factors that affect the AMT application levels of equipment manufacturing enterprises can be summarized as capability factors (technical capability, market capability, and management capability), motivation factors (material incentives and development incentives), and opportunity factors (external stakeholders). Overall, this study proposed a mechanism from the three aspects of ability, motivation, and opportunity.
Durable Icephobic Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces (SLIPS) Using Flame- and Cold-Spraying
Authors: Khammas Ruqaya , Koivuluoto Heli
Published: July 2022

Icing and ice accretion cause severe problems in different industrial sectors, e.g., in aircrafts, aviation traffic, ships, solar panels, and wind turbines. This can lead to enormous economic losses and serious safety issues. Surface engineering can tackle these problems by designing surface structures to work as icephobic coatings and, this way, act as passive anti-icing solutions. In this research, slippery liquid-infused porous structures were fabricated using flame- and cold-spraying to produce polymer (LDPE and PEEK) coatings, and impregnated with a silicone lubricant. Microstructural details, surface properties, wetting behavior, and cyclic icing–deicing behavior were evaluated via ice adhesion measurements, which show the potential performance of SLIPS designs. All these SLIPS showed low or medium-low ice adhesion after the first icing-deicing cycle and the best candidate showed stable performance even after several icing-deicing cycles.
Towards Quality Digital Learning: Lessons Learned during COVID-19 and Recommended Actions—The Teachers’ Perspective
Authors: Guzzo Tiziana , Boffo Stefano , Ferri Fernando , Gagliardi Francesco , Grifoni Patrizia
Published: July 2022

The research focuses on identifying challenges and lessons from distance learning experiences in Italy during COVID-19, on opportunities emerging from a more digitalized school in the post-COVID-19 crisis, and on preparedness for potential future emergencies. The study aims to analyze different teachers’ experiences, perceptions, and perspectives on distance learning and provide suggestions for addressing crises and emergencies. An online survey based on a semi-structured questionnaire was conducted targeting primary and secondary school teachers and including schools whose students are only from urban contexts and schools where students are also from rural areas. The main results indicated that teachers were resilient and proactive and found strategies and good practices to deal with distance learning, although several open technological and pedagogical challenges remain unsolved. Finally, some recommended priority actions for stakeholders and policymakers have been provided to face these challenges and ensure inclusive and equitable quality education.
Innovation and High-Quality Development of Enterprises—Also on the Effect of Innovation Driving the Transformation of China’s Economic Development Model
Authors: Huang Heng , Qi Baolei , Chen Long
Published: July 2022

Taking the A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2013 to 2020 as the research object, this paper discusses the impact of innovation on high-quality development at the enterprise level and evaluates the effectiveness of the current transformation of innovation driving China’s economic development mode. It is found that innovation inhibits the improvement of total factor productivity of enterprises overall and hinders the high-quality development of enterprises. This result also shows that China’s innovation driven economic development mode transformation has not achieved actual effect. The reason is that China is still in the dilemma that low-quality innovation occupies the dominant position of enterprise innovation. The inhibitory effect of low-quality innovation masks the promoting effect of high-quality innovation, which makes the net effect of innovation on enterprise productivity being inhibitory, and this inhibition is characterized by a loss of efficiency, which is caused by a mismatch of resources. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the inhibition effect of innovation is stronger in eastern enterprises, non-state-owned enterprises and the early implementation of innovation driven strategy. It is also found that the promotion effect of high-quality innovation on executive compensation is stronger than that of low-quality innovation, which indicates that carrying out low-quality innovation is an irrational and short-sighted behavior. The study provides important insights for China to optimize and improve innovation policies and to promote the shift of the overall innovation structure to high-quality innovation.
Aging Passenger Car Fleet Structure, Dynamics, and Environmental Performance Evaluation at the Regional Level by Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Barjoveanu George , Dinita Florenta , Teodosiu Carmen
Published: July 2022

The need to limit climate change and to improve air quality clearly is a driver for technology and policy changes in the transport sector. This study investigates how this technology shift at the European level ages personal car fleets at the regional level in Romania through second-hand imports. It also asks what how the situation will evolve in terms of environmental impacts. The study presents an in-depth assessment of the environmental performance and evolution of the passenger car fleet in Iasi County (Romania). The analysis is based on the car fleet structure and dynamic statistics, and uses the Copert 5.5 model to estimate the specific use-phase emissions, which subsequently are used as input data into an LCA analysis. The study considers three scenarios regarding fleet evolution and environmental performance, and focuses solely on the use phase of passenger cars. It models exhaust emissions in various driving situations (rural, urban, hot-cold operation, and peak-offpeak traffic values) and considers the current environmental performance classes and age of vehicles in the fleet. The results show that by considering these vehicle performance aspects, impacts are better represented. The no-change scenario would lead to a 2.5 times increase of global warming impacts by 2035 as compared to 2020, while by limiting the import of used cars and increasing the share of electric and hybrid vehicles would lead to mitigating these impacts.
Influence of Functional Feed Supplements on the Milk Production Efficiency, Feed Utilization, Blood Metabolites, and Health of Holstein Cows during Mid-Lactation
Authors: AlSuwaiegh Shaker B. , Almotham Abdalrahman M. , Alyousef Yousef Mohammad , Mansour Abdallah Tageldein , Al-Sagheer Adham A.
Published: July 2022

A 70-day feeding trial was performed to assess the effect of feeding a mixture of functional feed supplements (FFS; contains encapsulated cinnamaldehyde, condensed tannins, capsaicin, piperine, and curcumin) during mid-lactation on the milk production and composition, feed intake, and blood profile of multiparous dairy cows. Sixty Holstein dairy cows (116.1 ± 17.1 days in milk, 606 ± 9.3 kg BW, and 45.73 ± 6.7 kg/d milk production) were distributed into two trial groups: control (CON: n = 30), which received a basal diet; and FFS (n = 30) treatment, which received a basal diet fortified with the FFS at a rate of 35 g/day/head. The results revealed that daily milk production (p = 0.01) and solids-not-fat yield (p = 0.05) were significantly higher in dairy cows that had received FFS compared with the control group. In addition, the 3.5% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, lactose and protein yields, and milk energy output tended to be higher (p ≤ 0.10) in dairy cattle that consumed FFS during the experimental period. Significant treatment x period interactions were identified (p ≤ 0.02) with respect to feed efficiency and somatic cell count. Dry matter intake tended to be greater (p = 0.064) in dairy cattle that consumed FFS during weeks 0–2 and 2–4 of the trial period. Most serum biochemical parameters were not changed (p ≥ 0.114) between FFS and control cows. However, a greater concentration of serum albumin (p = 0.007) was observed in cows fed diets supplemented with FFS. In summary, supplementing FFS to lactating Holstein cows during mid-lactation was associated with enhanced lactation performance, feed efficiency, and a tendency to increase feed intake, with no obvious adverse effects.
Occurrence of Trace Heavy Metals in Leaves of Urban Greening Plants in Fuxin, Northeast China: Spatial Distribution & Plant Purification Assessment
Authors: Yang Qili , Guo Jing , Wang Dongli , Yu Yong , Dou Weili , Liu Zhiwen , Xu Qiaohong , Lv Gang
Published: July 2022

Trace element analysis, in the leaves of five kinds of greening plants (Buxus, Picea, Pine, Juniperus and Platycladus) from eight uniform distribution sites in Fuxin, a typical traditional resource-based city in northeast China, was carried out to study the purification ability difference of urban greening plants and spatial distribution tendency of heavy metal elements in the whole city area. In terms of the purification ability analysis, Platycladus had a better environmental purification capacity for Cd, As, Pb and Cr. Juniperus also showed a certain environmental purification potential for As, Pb and Cu. Furthermore, Mn has the highest point mean of element content in all plants, ranging from 64.044–114.290 µg/g, and the MnPA content of Buxus and Juniperus was 60% higher than that of the other three plants, which showed a better Mn purification effect. In terms of the spatial distribution tendency analysis, point pollution source location and the urban climate factors (mainly for the wind factor) were the main controlling factors. However, the specificity of Mn distribution suggested that its polluting behavior had a close relation with minerals transportation during exploiting and transferring in the city’s coal mining industry in the past.
Application of Feature Selection Based on Multilayer GA in Stock Prediction
Authors: Li Xiaoning , Yu Qiancheng , Tang Chen , Lu Zekun , Yang Yufan
Published: July 2022

This paper proposes a feature selection model based on a multilayer genetic algorithm (GA) to select the features of a high stock dividend (HSD) and eliminate the relatively redundant features in the optimal solution by using layer-by-layer information transfer and two-dimensionality reduction methods. Combining the ensemble model and time-series split cross-validation (TSCV) indicator as the fitness function solves the problem of selecting the fitness function for each layer. The symmetry character of the model is fully utilized in the two-dimensionality reduction processes, according to the change in data dimensions and the unbalanced characteristics of the HSD, setting the corresponding TSCV indicators. We built seven ensemble prediction models for actual stock trading data for comparison experiments. The results show that the feature selection model based on multilayer GA can effectively eliminate the relatively redundant features after dimensionality reduction and significantly improve the balancing accuracy, precision and AUC performance of the seven ensemble learning models. Finally, adversarial validation is used to analyze the differences in the balanced accuracy of the training and test sets caused by the inconsistent distribution of the data sets.