Sustainability

22 pages, 6424 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Performance of Amorphous Metallic Fiber-Reinforced and Rubberized Thin Bonded Cement-Based Overlays

by Ayesha Javed, Syed Asad Ali Gillani, Wasim Abbass, Muhammad Rizwan Riaz, Rashid Hameed, Safeer Abbas, Abdelatif Salmi and Ahmed Farouk Deifalla

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8226; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138226 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2466

Abstract

To improve the flexural behavior of thin bonded cement-based overlays, this study was carried out on the use of repair material incorporating amorphous metallic fibers (AMFs) in combination with the rubber aggregates obtained from grinding of worn-out tires. For this study, sixteen mortar [...] Read more.

To improve the flexural behavior of thin bonded cement-based overlays, this study was carried out on the use of repair material incorporating amorphous metallic fibers (AMFs) in combination with the rubber aggregates obtained from grinding of worn-out tires. For this study, sixteen mortar mix compositions were prepared to contain AMFs and/or rubber aggregates to be used as overlay material while the substrate used was plain cement mortar. Rubber aggregates were incorporated at three different replacement ratios (i.e., 10%, 20% and 30%) by an equivalent volume of sand, and AMFs were added in three different dosages (i.e., 10 kg/m³, 20 kg/m³ and 30 kg/m³). In this study, composite beams (500 × 100 × 140 mm) comprising substrate (500 × 100 × 100 mm) and repair layer (500 × 100 × 40 mm) were prepared and investigated under flexural loading. Experimental results showed that the increase in rubber content resulted in a decrease compressive strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity. Rubberized fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (30R30F) exhibited higher flexural toughness and the flexural toughness improved up to 400%. Toughness and maximum deflection of composite beams enhanced significantly due to synergetic effect of AMF and rubber aggregates. It was observed that before peak load, rubber plays its role by delaying the micro-crack propagation. Results also revealed that the steel fibers reinforcement plays an important role in restraining the crack openings under flexure loading. In the post-peak region, steel fibers control the cracks from propagating further by bridging action and provide higher post-peak residual strength. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Concrete with Recycled and Sustainable Materials)

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22 pages, 10999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design Method for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrain Configuration with a Single Motor

by Bo Huang, Minghui Hu, Li Zeng, Guangshun Fu and Qinglong Jia

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8225; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138225 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2551

Abstract

Existing design methods for hybrid power system configurations obtain new solutions based on experience, structure improvement or optimization, exhaustive searching, and the screening of schemes at the expense of less innovation and less efficiency. Furthermore, these methods lack mechanisms involving automotive theory to [...] Read more.

Existing design methods for hybrid power system configurations obtain new solutions based on experience, structure improvement or optimization, exhaustive searching, and the screening of schemes at the expense of less innovation and less efficiency. Furthermore, these methods lack mechanisms involving automotive theory to guide powertrain configuration design. In this study, a design method of configuration with a single motor based on basic schemes of speed and torque decoupling was proposed from the perspective of the hybrid electric vehicle fuel-saving mechanism. First, the coupling characteristics of speed and torque in the basic scheme were analyzed from four perspectives. Thereafter, new configurations that meet operation requirements were derived via configuration reconstruction, which combined the better basic schemes with brakes, clutches, and transmissions. A multidimensional evaluation and screening method based on dynamic performance, economic performance, and adaptability was built. A comparison of S-4 with Toyota Hybrid System, which was performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the design method, revealed that both configurations perform similarly in terms of economic performance, but the dynamic performance of the S-4 is greater by approximately 50%. The times required to attain 100 km/h from 0 km/h for THS and S-4 are 13.5 s and 6.69 s, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Research in Intelligent New Energy Vehicles)

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19 pages, 1123 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Consumption Context on Indulgent Versus Healthy Yoghurts: Exploring the Relationship between the Associated Emotions and the Actual Choices

by Petjon Ballco, Betina Piqueras-Fiszman and Hans C. M. van Trijp

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8224; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138224 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2554

Abstract

This work examines the associated emotions of consumers transmitted from extrinsic attributes (fat-related nutrition claims (full-fat, low-fat, and fat-free) and ingredient features (plain, berries, and double chocolate chunk)) labelled on yoghurt packages. It differentiates by consumption context (health versus indulgent) at the time [...] Read more.

This work examines the associated emotions of consumers transmitted from extrinsic attributes (fat-related nutrition claims (full-fat, low-fat, and fat-free) and ingredient features (plain, berries, and double chocolate chunk)) labelled on yoghurt packages. It differentiates by consumption context (health versus indulgent) at the time of the survey and studies the relationship between the associated emotions (e.g., positive versus negative) attached to extrinsic attributes and the actual choices. The research was conducted in the Netherlands in 2019, with 209 regular consumers of yoghurt. Participants were divided into two treatments according to each consumption context and a control group (no context); they were instructed to imagine purchasing yoghurt to consume it as a healthy snack or as a dessert or received no instructions. After choosing their preferred option from a discrete choice experiment, participants indicated how the choice made them feel from a list of emotions. The results revealed significant differences between positive emotional profiles for choosing healthy (low-fat) yoghurts with berries and negative profiles for choosing less healthy alternatives (full-fat) with double chocolate chunk sensory features. The findings from a random parameter logit model showed that participants who continuously chose the same type of yoghurt in all choice tasks selected mostly positive rather than negative emotions. The overall findings suggest that the associated emotions affect yoghurt choices. However, the emotions were mainly affected by the consumption context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumer Behavior as a Central Component Strategy towards Sustainable Food Choices)

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32 pages, 10143 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Robust Control of Frequency Variations for a Multi-Area Power System in Smart Grid Using a Newly Wild Horse Optimized Combination of PIDD² and PD Controllers

by Mohammed Khudhair, Muhammad Ragab, Kareem M. AboRas and Nabil H. Abbasy

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8223; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138223 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2621

Abstract

This paper proposes a new combined controller, the proportional integral derivative-second derivative with a proportional derivative (PIDD²-PD), to improve the frequency response of a multi-area interconnected power system with multiple generating units linked to it. The optimum gains of the presented [...] Read more.

This paper proposes a new combined controller, the proportional integral derivative-second derivative with a proportional derivative (PIDD²-PD), to improve the frequency response of a multi-area interconnected power system with multiple generating units linked to it. The optimum gains of the presented controller are well-tuned using a wild horse optimizer (WHO), a modern metaheuristic optimization approach. The main study is a two-area-linked power system with varied conventional and renewable generating units. The physical constraints of the speed turbines and governors are considered. The WHO optimization algorithm is proven to outperform various other optimization approaches, such as the whale optimization algorithms (WOA) and chimp optimization algorithms (ChOA). The efficacy of the proposed WHO-based PIDD²-PD controller is evaluated by comparing its performance to other controllers in the literature (cascaded proportional integral derivative-tilted integral derivative (PID-TID), integral derivative-tilted (ID-T) controller). Multiple and varied scenarios are applied in this work to test the proposed controller’s sturdiness to various load perturbations (step, random, and multi-step), renewable energy source penetration, and system parameter variations. The results are provided as time-domain simulations run using MATLAB/SIMULINK. The simulation results reveal that the suggested controller outperforms other structural controllers in the dynamic response of the system in terms of settling time, maximum overshoot, and undershoot values, with an improvement percentage of 70%, 73%, and 67%, respectively. Full article

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17 pages, 377 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Did China’s “National Sustainable Development Plan of Resource-Based Cities” Promote Economic Growth?

by Jiaxin Wang

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8222; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138222 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2713

Abstract

This study utilizes a difference-in-difference (DID) regression model to evaluate the impact of China’s “National Sustainable Development Plan of Resource-Based Cities (2013–2020)” on economic growth in resource-based cities. The analysis is based on the data covering 329 Chinese cities during 2006–2019. Economic growth [...] Read more.

This study utilizes a difference-in-difference (DID) regression model to evaluate the impact of China’s “National Sustainable Development Plan of Resource-Based Cities (2013–2020)” on economic growth in resource-based cities. The analysis is based on the data covering 329 Chinese cities during 2006–2019. Economic growth is measured by the annual growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP). It was found that the policy had a significantly negative impact on economic growth. Further analysis suggests that the policy depressed innovation in resource-based cities, and these cities did not expand their labor and capital inputs. These two phenomena can help explain why the policy’s effect on economic growth was negative, rather than positive. Moreover, our study reports that the effect of the policy was heterogeneous across different cities, depending on their development stages and spatial locations. Overall, our study detects an undesirable effect of the policy. The research findings call for more actions to promote macroeconomic growth during the process of economic transformation in China’s resource-based cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Sustainability of the Economy)

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19 pages, 920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness of Social Participation Courses Applied in the Disaster Prevention for Taiwanese K-12 Education

by Wen-Jye Shyr, Wei-Sho Ho, Jie-Ru Chen, Li-Ya Chang and I-Min Chen

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8221; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138221 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2319

Abstract

The development of disaster prevention literacy is not listed as a compulsory course in the K-12 education system in Taiwan, and there are very few academic departments that focus mainly on disaster prevention education in the domestic higher education system. For Taiwan, where [...] Read more.

The development of disaster prevention literacy is not listed as a compulsory course in the K-12 education system in Taiwan, and there are very few academic departments that focus mainly on disaster prevention education in the domestic higher education system. For Taiwan, where disasters are relatively frequent, it is indispensable for every citizen to have the proper disaster prevention knowledge and response skills. In recent years, education courses related to disaster prevention have been gradually set up in general education courses in universities and colleges in response to the trend. This study took students of the elective courses on disaster prevention education in the general education courses of universities as the experimental subjects. Supplemented by the social participation course operation model, the cooperation of team members during the course can bring students a different experiential value to further achieve the teaching goal of improving learning achievement and feedback. It was found from the research results that: (1) the appropriate disaster prevention course arrangement can bring positive and significant effects on the dimensions of perceived experience and team interaction; (2) the learning mode of the university disaster prevention education course, combined with the social participation course operation model, was helpful to the improvement of experiential value and learning achievement; (3) the mediation regression analysis showed the cooperation mode of group team members’ interaction did have a partial mediation effect in terms of experiential value, as well as learning achievement and feedback compared with the traditional pure classroom teaching model. The research results indicated that the teaching effectiveness of the disaster prevention education course for college students with the social participation course operation model was good. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effectiveness of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Kindergarten, School and University: Empirical Educational Research Perspectives)

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52 pages, 27224 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Efficiency and Sensitivity Analysis of AC and DC Power Distribution Paradigms for Residential Localities

by Hasan Erteza Gelani, Faizan Dastgeer, Sayyad Ahmad Ali Shah, Faisal Saeed, Muhammad Hassan Yousuf, Hafiz Muhammad Waqas Afzal, Abdullah Bilal, Md. Shahariar Chowdhury, Kuaanan Techato, Sittiporn Channumsin and Nasim Ullah

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8220; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138220 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3470

Abstract

The new millennium has witnessed a pervasive shift of trend from AC to DC in the residential load sector. The shift is predominantly due to independent residential solar PV systems at rooftops and escalating electronic loads with better energy saving potential integrated with [...] Read more.

The new millennium has witnessed a pervasive shift of trend from AC to DC in the residential load sector. The shift is predominantly due to independent residential solar PV systems at rooftops and escalating electronic loads with better energy saving potential integrated with diminishing prices as well as commercial availability of DC-based appliances. Comprehensive sensitivity analysis considering the real load profile is missing in the present body of knowledge. In order to fill that gap, this paper is an attempt to include a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of the DC distribution system and its simulation-based comparison with its AC counterpart, considering the real load profile. The paper uses the Monte Carlo technique and probabilistic approach to add diversity in residential loads consumption to obtain an instantaneous load profile. Various possible scenarios such as variation of standard deviation from 5% to 20% of mean load value, PV capacity variation from 1000 W to 9000 W, and variation in power electronic converter (PEC) efficiencies are incorporated to make the system realistic as much as possible maintaining a fair comparison between both systems. The paper concludes with the baseline efficiency advantage of 2% to 3% during the day for the case of the DC distribution system as compared to the AC distribution system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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24 pages, 17810 KiB

Open AccessArticle

RUSLE Model Evaluation of the Soil and Water Conservation Ratio of the Guizhou Province in China between 2000 and 2019

by Fayong Fang, Qian Fang, Wanyang Yu, Chunhua Fan, Ruyi Zi and Longshan Zhao

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8219; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138219 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2560

Abstract

The soil and water conservation ratio (SWCR), which is a quantitative index for measuring the control degree of soil and water loss, is equal to the percentage of the land areas with a slight erosion intensity in the study area. The dynamic change [...] Read more.

The soil and water conservation ratio (SWCR), which is a quantitative index for measuring the control degree of soil and water loss, is equal to the percentage of the land areas with a slight erosion intensity in the study area. The dynamic change in the SWCR reflects the dynamic process of realizing a specific soil and water conservation goal in a certain stage. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the change in the SWCR in the Guizhou Province in this century and to analyze its causes. The temporal and spatial variations of soil erosion intensity and SWCR were measured based on GIS technology and revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). The results showed that the spatial pattern of soil erosion intensity in the Guizhou Province was high in the west and low in the southeast, and that the soil erosion characteristics were obviously different between karst and non-karst areas. In the karst areas, the land with a moderate and above erosion intensity (>3 t hm⁻² y⁻¹ in the karst area; >25 t hm⁻² y⁻¹ in the non-karst area) accounted for 28.20–34.78% of the total area, while only accounting for 2.39–2.72% in the non-karst areas. From 2000 to 2019, the mean intensity of soil erosion decreased from 13.97 to 10.83 t hm⁻² y⁻¹, and the SWCR increased from 32.95% to 35.31%. According to the change in erosion intensity grades, 22.30% of the whole province’s erosion grade changed from high to low, especially in the west, with a high erosion intensity. Meanwhile, about 11.99% of the land in the central, eastern and southeastern regions, was where the erosion intensity showed a slight increase and the spatial distribution showed sporadic patch distribution characteristics, which may be related to an increase in infrastructure investment in the Guizhou Province in recent years. A large number of production and construction projects caused the destruction of surface vegetation and also caused patchy soil erosion. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the soil erosion and the SWCR in the Guizhou Province between 2000 and 2019 were mastered through this study, and our results provide an important basis for further scientific and reasonable soil and water conservation planning work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Soil Conservation Practices on Sediment Yield)

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12 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Technical College Students’ Practical Performance Anxiety during Online Learning: Difference in Gender and Average Time of Online Learning

by Xu Zhang, Fangyi Zhou and Jinlei Xu

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138218 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1912

Abstract

The person-artifact-task model provided us with a method to consider the practical performance anxiety (PPA) of technical college students who were working on a computer-related task via online learning. This study investigated 474 technical college students’ PPA in online courses without hands-on demonstration [...] Read more.

The person-artifact-task model provided us with a method to consider the practical performance anxiety (PPA) of technical college students who were working on a computer-related task via online learning. This study investigated 474 technical college students’ PPA in online courses without hands-on demonstration (PPAOC-without-HD) and with hands-on demonstration (PPAOC-with-HD), and it explored whether their PPA varied according to gender and average time spent on online learning. The results indicated that the students’ two types of PPA (PPAOC-without-HD and PPAOC-with-HD) varied significantly by gender and across the different online learning time groups. The average levels of participants’ two types of PPA were both high, and their PPAOC-without-HD was higher than their PPAOC-with-HD. Both types of PPA for females were significantly higher than those for males. Participants’ PPAOC-with-HD showed a significant difference for the average time of online learning. The findings of this study will be of value to educators who need to design and carry out online learning courses for technical college students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Covid-19 on Students and Teachers in Higher Education Institutions. Proposals and Policies for Improvement)

13 pages, 6199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transforming Residential Interiors into Workspaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Begüm Ulusoy and Rengin Aslanoğlu

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8217; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138217 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2485

Abstract

Residential interiors (RIs) have been designed by anonymous designers throughout history and have reflected their users’ identity, culture, and habits until modern times, although design and architecture courses rarely involve residential interiors in their curriculums. Therefore, decision-makers (architects, interior architects, designers, and users) [...] Read more.

Residential interiors (RIs) have been designed by anonymous designers throughout history and have reflected their users’ identity, culture, and habits until modern times, although design and architecture courses rarely involve residential interiors in their curriculums. Therefore, decision-makers (architects, interior architects, designers, and users) took them for granted. However, COVID-19 forced revisiting this approach towards RIs and they faced a gap in the literature helping them to design these interiors, especially workspaces, in order to improve their users’ experience. In connection with previous studies, which explored creativity in workspaces, this study aims to compile colour-related literature work on workspaces in RIs (WRI) which will require further attention from interior architects to reconsider the discipline under new normal conditions. Providing a framework for WRIs in terms of function and activity might lead to the semantics of RIs in future studies. This study’s findings contribute to the interpretation and understanding of new normal workspace interiors after the COVID-19 pandemic so it will be beneficial for decision-makers in addition to researchers who aim to investigate this topic in future studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic)

20 pages, 2266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Consumer Perceptions about the Value of Short Food Supply Chains during COVID-19: Atlantic Canada Perspective

by Melissa Maas, Gumataw Kifle Abebe, Christopher M. Hartt and Emmanuel K. Yiridoe

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8216; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138216 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3361

Abstract

The recent global COVID-19 pandemic has revealed weaknesses in the global food system, with short food supply chains (SFSCs) and long food supply chains (LFSC) being impacted differently. This raises the question as to whether the pandemic has contributed to a greater interest [...] Read more.

The recent global COVID-19 pandemic has revealed weaknesses in the global food system, with short food supply chains (SFSCs) and long food supply chains (LFSC) being impacted differently. This raises the question as to whether the pandemic has contributed to a greater interest in and demand for locally produced foods. To answer this question, a study was undertaken to explore how consumers perceive SFSCs in delivering social, economic, and environmental benefits and whether these perceptions have been enhanced during the pandemic. A survey was carried out among consumers in Atlantic Canada who purchase food from SFSCs. Based on 80 valid responses, the findings revealed that consumers perceive SFSCs to deliver more social benefits post-pandemic than they thought SFSCs did before the pandemic. Supporting the local economy, food safety, freshness, and product quality are key motivators of shopping from SFSCs. Consumer perceptions about the sustainability of SFSCs did not vary much based on sociodemographic factors. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly alter consumer spending and frequency of shopping from SFSCs. This may affect the SFSCs’ ability to expand operations beyond current levels and suggest the complementarity between SFSCs and LFSCs for more sustainable consumption patterns. The study provides valuable insights into the attractiveness of the local food businesses and the effect of unexpected events such as COVID-19 on consumer behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agro-Food Productions: Marketing Strategies and Consumers’ Behavior)

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16 pages, 1011 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measuring the Policy Effectiveness of China’s New-Energy Vehicle Industry and Its Differential Impact on Supply and Demand Markets

by Di Wang and Yuman Li

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8215; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138215 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4111

Abstract

To promote the precise governance of China’s new-energy vehicle (NEV) industry, this paper quantitatively analyzes 204 policy texts on the NEV industry in China since 2007 and constructs an evaluation system of policy effectiveness from three dimensions of policy attributes, policy objectives, and [...] Read more.

To promote the precise governance of China’s new-energy vehicle (NEV) industry, this paper quantitatively analyzes 204 policy texts on the NEV industry in China since 2007 and constructs an evaluation system of policy effectiveness from three dimensions of policy attributes, policy objectives, and policy measures to reveal the effectiveness and evolutionary trends of China’s NEV industry policies. In addition, this paper explores the two-way effects of different types of policy measures on the NEV supply and demand markets through an econometric model to reveal the differential impact effectiveness of various policy instruments in China’s NEV industry. The results indicate that China’s NEV industry has changed from “government-driven” to “government-driven + market-driven”, and the multi-sectoral policy coordination needs to be further improved; the dynamic evolution over the years reveals a similar pattern of change in the total effectiveness of policy issuance as influenced by the number of policies; the quantity of patents in China is large but the quality of patents is insufficient, and an overall problem of low level of core technology is being faced; taxation and subsidy measure, technical innovation measures, social guidance measures, and environmental support measures all effectively promote the development of the supply-side market, while taxation and subsidy measures, social guidance measures and legal regulation measures can better promote the development of the demand-side market; the impact of financial support measures on both supply and demand-side markets is not significant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Impact Assessment and Renewable Energy Technologies)

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15 pages, 779 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Safety Risks of Primary and Secondary Schools in China: A Systematic Analysis Using AHP–EWM Method

by Jincang Yang, Xueqin Dong and Sishi Liu

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8214; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138214 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2656

Abstract

Owing to the frequent accidents in primary and secondary schools (PSS) in China in the past decades, a systematic analysis of indicators influencing safety risks in PSS is critical to identifying preventive measures. A two-hierarchy structure of indicators was identified by analyzing various [...] Read more.

Owing to the frequent accidents in primary and secondary schools (PSS) in China in the past decades, a systematic analysis of indicators influencing safety risks in PSS is critical to identifying preventive measures. A two-hierarchy structure of indicators was identified by analyzing various cases, intensive interviews, and related previous literature. A combination of the analytic hierarchy process and the entropy weight method was developed to synthetically assess the primary and secondary risk indicators through a case study of Ma Shan School in China. The results are as follows: (1) the primary risk indicators, namely, natural disasters, public health, facility safety, accidental injury, public security, school bullying, and individual health constitute the evaluation framework of the safety risks in PSS. (2) Public health risks and accidental injury risks are the most critical factors that should be prioritized. In addition to providing academic implications, several managerial implications are proposed for these stakeholders to reduce the safety risks in PSS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Health, Well-Being and Sustainability)

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18 pages, 976 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Service Trust and Customer Loyalty in China’s Hotel Services: The Causal Role of Commitment

by Jialei Xu

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8213; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138213 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3103

Abstract

The hotel industry experienced substantial economic losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is only recently that there has been a return to normal. In order to recover those losses, hotel managers are taking competitive actions focused on customer trust as a factor [...] Read more.

The hotel industry experienced substantial economic losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is only recently that there has been a return to normal. In order to recover those losses, hotel managers are taking competitive actions focused on customer trust as a factor of utmost importance to guarantee customer commitment so that uncertainty and risk can be reduced. In particular, it is necessary to confirm the importance of relationship quality management for target customers in order to secure long-term profits for upscale hotels. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to confirm the antecedents of service trust, the effect of service trust on loyalty through commitment factors, and the moderating effect of length of relationship. For this purpose, a total of 303 questionnaires were collected from Chinese consumers who have experienced upscale hotel service, and empirical analysis was conducted on the data using structural equation model analysis. The results of this study confirmed the importance of trust in front-line employees to build service trust, the different influences of factors of commitment and loyalty, and the moderating effect of length of relationship. Furthermore, efficient customer relationship management can be achieved by classifying the customer’s commitment type. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)

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16 pages, 908 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Forms of the Economic Effects of Renewable Energy Consumption: Evidence from China

by Yugang He and Panpan Huang

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138212 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2611

Abstract

Renewable energy’s economic effects have been hotly debated, as it is a promising energy source. However, scholars have not achieved an agreement on this hot topic. Therefore, this article re-examines the direct and indirect economic effects of renewable energy consumption in China from [...] Read more.

Renewable energy’s economic effects have been hotly debated, as it is a promising energy source. However, scholars have not achieved an agreement on this hot topic. Therefore, this article re-examines the direct and indirect economic effects of renewable energy consumption in China from 1990 to 2020. Using the Granger causality test to conduct empirical analysis, the result suggests there is a bidirectional causality between renewable energy consumption and economic growth. Then, the mediation model is used for further analysis. The results suggest that economic growth is positively affected by renewable energy consumption. Meanwhile, renewable energy consumption can also indirectly affect economic growth through gross capital formation, the labor force, trade openness, research and development expenditure, and foreign direct investment. Based on the evidence this article provides, policymakers can issue corresponding policies to maintain sustainable economic growth while minimizing environmental pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Renewable Energy and Economic Development)

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11 pages, 564 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Teachers’ Awareness of Disaster Prevention and Concerns about Disaster Preparedness

by Hiromi Kawasaki, Satoko Yamasaki, Mina Kurokawa, Hiroshi Tamura and Kei Sonai

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8211; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138211 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4507

Abstract

Disaster preparedness in schools is critical for the health and well-being of students and staff. To enhance disaster preparedness, awareness of disaster prevention should be raised among teachers. The aim of the current study was to assess disaster prevention awareness among teachers and [...] Read more.

Disaster preparedness in schools is critical for the health and well-being of students and staff. To enhance disaster preparedness, awareness of disaster prevention should be raised among teachers. The aim of the current study was to assess disaster prevention awareness among teachers and to clarify the relationship between disaster prevention awareness and concern regarding disaster preparedness. Teachers from special needs schools, for which disaster preparedness is particularly important, were selected. Study questionnaires were sent to 1310 schools for children with special health care needs across 47 Japanese prefectures. Five-hundred-and-thirty-one complete responses were obtained. The disaster preparedness in the schools was insufficient. Teachers were concerned about child management, life saving, life maintenance, evacuation shelter management, and school management. There was a positive correlation between disaster prevention awareness and concern about disaster (r = 0.217, p-value = 0.000). The disaster awareness scale items “A sense of crisis about disaster” and “Anxiety” were positively correlated with concern about disaster, whereas “Imagining the disaster situation” was negatively correlated with concern about disaster. The current study analyzed the relationship between disaster prevention awareness and concern regarding disaster preparedness, which is relevant for the practice and indicates the importance of imagination strengthening. Full article

18 pages, 3436 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Recognition Methods of Modeling Design Features of Light and Micro Vehicle-Mounted UAV: Based on Support Vector Regression and Kano Model

by Hao Yang, Yunxiang Huo, Ruoyu Jia, Feng Sha, Naiqi Hu, Linglan Yu and Yueran Wang

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8210; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138210 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2027

Abstract

In the era of Industry 4.0, intelligent algorithms provide an effective way to make design methods more sustainable through mining people’s demands continuously, especially in the field of evaluating and predicting the user preferences of phasic or interim design schemes. Vehicle-mounted unmanned aerial [...] Read more.

In the era of Industry 4.0, intelligent algorithms provide an effective way to make design methods more sustainable through mining people’s demands continuously, especially in the field of evaluating and predicting the user preferences of phasic or interim design schemes. Vehicle-mounted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are of significance in mobility experience and traffic surveys. However, as a new type of product, UAVs lack general rules in modeling design and the process of development decision making presents some fuzzy characteristics, which make the evolution and iteration of modeling design more complex. Based on the theories of Kansei Engineering, this study utilized support vector regression (SVR) to establish a correlation model between design factors and preference degree. Because the perceptual evaluation knowledge is fuzzy and uncertain, the paper applied cross-validation and grid search methods to find the optimal parameters. The parameters of the SVR model were adjusted to meet the need for stable learning and for endurance of the noise from subjective experience data to improve the prediction effect and generalization ability. In addition, by means of the Kano model, the customers’ cognition of demand types was quantified to obtain the prioritization of UAV modeling design elements, as well as to compare with the preference scores to validate the feasibility of this research. It was found that the SVR model proposed in the study could effectively predict user preference (R² = 0.763, RMSE = 0.057). For the UAVs with a higher preference score, the modeling characteristics were consistent with the attractive, one-dimensional or must-be quality elements in the results of the Kano model, which verified the reliability of the study. The conclusion is expected to provide a sustainable design method for vehicle-mounted UAVs commonly used in citizen travel and outdoor activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Industrial Design Engineering for Industry 4.0)

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30 pages, 13290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrated Statistical-Machine Learning Approach for Runoff Prediction

by Abhinav Kumar Singh, Pankaj Kumar, Rawshan Ali, Nadhir Al-Ansari, Dinesh Kumar Vishwakarma, Kuldeep Singh Kushwaha, Kanhu Charan Panda, Atish Sagar, Ehsan Mirzania, Ahmed Elbeltagi, Alban Kuriqi and Salim Heddam

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8209; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138209 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 5405

Abstract

Nowadays, great attention has been attributed to the study of runoff and its fluctuation over space and time. There is a crucial need for a good soil and water management system to overcome the challenges of water scarcity and other natural adverse events [...] Read more.

Nowadays, great attention has been attributed to the study of runoff and its fluctuation over space and time. There is a crucial need for a good soil and water management system to overcome the challenges of water scarcity and other natural adverse events like floods and landslides, among others. Rainfall–runoff (R-R) modeling is an appropriate approach for runoff prediction, making it possible to take preventive measures to avoid damage caused by natural hazards such as floods. In the present study, several data-driven models, namely, multiple linear regression (MLR), multiple adaptive regression splines (MARS), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF), were used for rainfall–runoff prediction of the Gola watershed, located in the south-eastern part of the Uttarakhand. The rainfall–runoff model analysis was conducted using daily rainfall and runoff data for 12 years (2009 to 2020) of the Gola watershed. The first 80% of the complete data was used to train the model, and the remaining 20% was used for the testing period. The performance of the models was evaluated based on the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), and percent bias (PBAIS) indices. In addition to the numerical comparison, the models were evaluated. Their performances were evaluated based on graphical plotting, i.e., time-series line diagram, scatter plot, violin plot, relative error plot, and Taylor diagram (TD). The comparison results revealed that the four heuristic methods gave higher accuracy than the MLR model. Among the machine learning models, the RF (RMSE (m³/s), R², NSE, and PBIAS (%) = 6.31, 0.96, 0.94, and −0.20 during the training period, respectively, and 5.53, 0.95, 0.92, and −0.20 during the testing period, respectively) surpassed the MARS, SVM, and the MLR models in forecasting daily runoff for all cases studied. The RF model outperformed in all four models’ training and testing periods. It can be summarized that the RF model is best-in-class and delivers a strong potential for the runoff prediction of the Gola watershed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Water Resource and Environmental Monitoring)

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17 pages, 2986 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Community-Engaged Learning in Engineering Education for Sustainable Development

by Jamie Goggins and Magdalena Hajdukiewicz

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8208; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138208 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5531

Abstract

This paper presents the positive experience of facilitating over 300 community-engaged engineering projects at an Irish higher-education institution. The projects are framed by a research orientation, a commitment to civic engagement, and building university–community partnerships, city–university partnerships, and partnerships with other official agencies, [...] Read more.

This paper presents the positive experience of facilitating over 300 community-engaged engineering projects at an Irish higher-education institution. The projects are framed by a research orientation, a commitment to civic engagement, and building university–community partnerships, city–university partnerships, and partnerships with other official agencies, so that community users can provide real learning problems and contexts for students and researchers and benefit from the results. The paper highlights how well the outlined approach fits with the ideas of engaged scholarship and civic professionalism, and facilitates sustainable development. Students recognise the long-term value of engaging with community partners, understanding their future role in the community as engineers, reinforcing the idea that their work can respond directly to real needs in the community, while promoting the sustainability agenda at the same time. The approach presented in this study will not only enable the development of future models for embedding sustainability in engineering programs, but will also equip future engineers with transferable skills to ensure that sustainable development goes beyond university courses and is practiced every day. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainability and Universities: Their Contribution to Reach the 17th SDGs)

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25 pages, 1307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Last Mile Logistics Innovations in the Courier-Express-Parcel Sector Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Łukasz Sułkowski, Katarzyna Kolasińska-Morawska, Marta Brzozowska, Paweł Morawski and Tomasz Schroeder

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8207; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138207 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 6426

Abstract

The development of the e-commerce market worldwide, which was already dynamic, was accelerated by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Millions of incoming orders required analogue support from the CEP sector (courier-express-parcels sector) to provide the desired “customer experience”. In the context of whether the habit [...] Read more.

The development of the e-commerce market worldwide, which was already dynamic, was accelerated by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Millions of incoming orders required analogue support from the CEP sector (courier-express-parcels sector) to provide the desired “customer experience”. In the context of whether the habit of shopping in virtual reality will become permanent, it is worth considering what shape the logistics services will take in the last mile after the pandemic? Or, will customers return to shopping in the real world? A subject for these considerations was an analysis of the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic on the technologization of last mile logistics services, resulting in an increase in the level of “customer experience”, with Poland as an example. The research methods used were participant observations and critical analysis of collected materials. The obtained results made it possible to conduct a descriptive and explanatory nomothetic study based on an Internet questionnaire. The authors formulated a diagnosis about the possibilities of using the potential of customer experience for the development of enterprises based on technologization of last mile deliveries. The recommendations can be used by scientists and managers in the CEP industry to redefine business models based on the technology of logistics customer service processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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15 pages, 10847 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Bibliometric Analysis of Blockchain Technology Research Using VOSviewer

by Aleksandra Kuzior and Mariya Sira

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8206; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138206 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 86 | Viewed by 8971

Abstract

Blockchain technology remains popular for several reasons. The main one is that it has facilitated the rise of digital currencies over the past several years and many other uses of non-crypto currency. There is a belief that the technology itself could far exceed [...] Read more.

Blockchain technology remains popular for several reasons. The main one is that it has facilitated the rise of digital currencies over the past several years and many other uses of non-crypto currency. There is a belief that the technology itself could far exceed cryptocurrencies by its impact. Thus, researchers are still discovering the real potential of blockchain. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive blockchain analysis with a bibliometric study. The data was retrieved from the Scopus database and was analyzed using the VOSviewer software, developed at Leiden University’s Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS), Leiden University, the Netherlands. The study is based on the analysis of 1842 documents published in the 2007–2021 period using Scopus. From the visualization, three main groups of six clusters are generated. The red area includes topics related to blockchain technology, supply chain management, and sustainable development. The green cluster stands for such keywords as blockchains, smart contracts, electronic money, and Bitcoin and Ethereum. The blue cluster area focuses on issues related to artificial intelligence, big data, health care, and COVID-19. The analysis helps to improve the quality of the review by directing researchers to the most significant documents and mapping areas of publications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Sustainable Information and Communications Technology)

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19 pages, 1999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Analysis of Public–Private Partnership Waste-to-Energy Incineration Projects from the Perspective of Rural Revitalization

by Guoxian Cao, Chaoyang Guo and Hezhong Li

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8205; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138205 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2750

Abstract

In China, more and more waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration plants are being delivered through public–private partnership (PPP) schemes in rural areas, which are focused on rural revitalization. These can not only deal with the ever-increasing solid waste but also provide renewable energy and thus [...] Read more.

In China, more and more waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration plants are being delivered through public–private partnership (PPP) schemes in rural areas, which are focused on rural revitalization. These can not only deal with the ever-increasing solid waste but also provide renewable energy and thus benefit local societies. However, they usually endure a lot of risks due to long concession periods and complex contractual relationships. This research investigates the risk management of PPP WTE incineration projects from the perspective of rural revitalization. First, a preliminary list of 36 risks was derived based on a literature review. Second, a focused group discussion with eight experts was held to obtain the final list of 36 risk factors, taking into account rural revitalization. Third, a structured questionnaire survey was conducted to consult the risk frequency and risk severity. A total of 100 valid questionaries were collected. Finally, risk analysis and discussion were provided on the basis of the survey. The top 10 risks are rural appearance, payment risk, local employment, local economic development, local government succession, operation cost overrun, waste supply, construction cost overrun, revenue risk and price change risk. It indicates that (1) PPP WTE incineration projects can effectively promote rural development; (2) government authorities play a significant role in the sustainable development of PPP WTE incineration projects; and (3) the risk preference of rural PPP WTE incineration projects is social, economic and environmental risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Transition in Transport Energy Consumption: The Charging/Discharging Infrastructure and Self-Containing Transport Energy System of New Energy Vehicles)

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17 pages, 2787 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial-Temporal Characteristics of Ecosystem Service Values of Watershed and Ecological Compensation Scheme Considering Its Realization in Spatial Planning

by Ziyong Su, Zhanqi Wang and Liguo Zhang

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8204; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138204 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1910

Abstract

A reasonable ecological compensation scheme for watersheds is beneficial for water resource protection and ecological sustainability. The existing literature has few watershed ecological compensation (WEC) schemes based on long-term observation and large spatial scale analysis of ecosystem service value (ESV) and considering its [...] Read more.

A reasonable ecological compensation scheme for watersheds is beneficial for water resource protection and ecological sustainability. The existing literature has few watershed ecological compensation (WEC) schemes based on long-term observation and large spatial scale analysis of ecosystem service value (ESV) and considering its realization in spatial planning. Therefore, in order to establish a WEC scheme and integrate it into spatial planning, we take the Middle Route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project (MRSNWDP), a water resource area protecting the water resources at a huge local economic development cost, as a case study, and calculate the change trend and change range of the watershed’s total ESV from 1990 to 2015, thus, forming the WEC scheme. The results show the total ESV in the study area shows a slight downward fluctuation trend from 1990 to 2015, decreasing by 3310.70. The total ESV in most types of ecosystem service (ES) functions is relatively reduced except for the increase in functions of water conservation, waste treatment, and entertainment and culture. In addition, the change rate of total ESV has been in a high-value agglomeration, and the ES capabilities have been increasing since 2000, while the growth trend of the ES capabilities has been weak, and the high-value agglomeration has been expanding from the core area of Danjiangkou reservoir to the upstream and surrounding areas since 2005. We formulate a WEC scheme according to the partition idea of spatial planning that the priority compensation area accounts for 25.34% of the total study area, and the second priority compensation area, the general compensation area, and the potential compensation area account for 25.34%, 47.48%, and 12.80%, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability)

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9 pages, 3025 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Root Water Uptake Patterns for Nitraria during the Growth Period Differing in Time Interval from a Precipitation Event in Arid Regions

by Haibiao Dong, Jing Hao, Zongyu Chen, Guanghui Zhang, Mingjiang Yan and Jinzhe Wang

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8203; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138203 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1685

Abstract

Vegetation root water uptake is one of the most central water transport processes along the soil-vegetation-atmosphere interface particularly in (semi-)arid ecosystems. The identification and quantification of root activities and water uptake patterns of arid vegetation remain challenging. This paper aims at the quantitative [...] Read more.

Vegetation root water uptake is one of the most central water transport processes along the soil-vegetation-atmosphere interface particularly in (semi-)arid ecosystems. The identification and quantification of root activities and water uptake patterns of arid vegetation remain challenging. This paper aims at the quantitative examination of water uptake behaviors of Nitraria, a prevalent desert species in arid environments, during the growth phase via a multivariate linear mixed model based on water stable isotopes, with a main focus on the time interval from a precipitation pulse. The observations indicate that the precipitation events exert periodic significant pulse-effects on vegetation water uptake through direct absorption (contribution of almost 75%) and activation of deep root activity at a certain depth. While in most occasions without rainfall, Nitraria relies on its extremely extensive shallow roots in surface-near lateral zone (contribution of about 60%) to extract massive soil as well as the hydraulic lifting mechanism to survive drought. Achievements would be beneficial to enhancing the understanding of entangled water transport processes and eco-hydrological feedbacks along soil-vegetation interface in arid ecosystems and contribute to a scientific allocation to water resources with the consideration of ecological protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Isotope Techniques on Water Resources Management)

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22 pages, 725 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Flow Experience, Perceived Value and CSR in Craft Beer Consumer Loyalty: A Comparison between Mexico and The Netherlands

by Cristobal Rodolfo Guerra-Tamez and María-Laura Franco-García

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8202; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138202 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3520

Abstract

Craft beer production enterprises are categorized as micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Mexico and the Netherlands. As MSMEs, they encounter challenges to achieving consolidation; one main challenge is linked to deficient consumer-loyalty development. This work explores and compares the effects of [...] Read more.

Craft beer production enterprises are categorized as micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Mexico and the Netherlands. As MSMEs, they encounter challenges to achieving consolidation; one main challenge is linked to deficient consumer-loyalty development. This work explores and compares the effects of experience of flow, perceived value and CSR in the development of loyalty in two different population samples of craft beer consumers: Mexico and the Netherlands. In total, 452 surveys were collected during experiential events, and the data were analyzed using multivariate partial-least-square (PLS) structural equation modeling. Our model results indicate that attention, concentration and notion of time influence flow experience in the same way in both countries. Experiential factors are stronger for the Mexican population. For the case of the Netherlands, perceived value had a higher effect on loyalty development and a lower impact on experiential factors. The CSR variable was only significant for the Dutch sample. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Consumer Behaviour)

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21 pages, 3826 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Post-Soviet Suburbanization as Part of Broader Metropolitan Change: A Comparative Analysis of Saint Petersburg and Riga

by Guido Sechi, Dmitrii Zhitin, Zaiga Krisjane and Maris Berzins

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8201; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138201 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3177

Abstract

Studies on post-socialist suburbanization, which originally focused on demand side dynamics and linear narratives of modernization, have progressively adopted more holistic approaches that consider the various dimensions and factors behind the phenomenon. However, there are still significant gaps and shortcomings affecting this research [...] Read more.

Studies on post-socialist suburbanization, which originally focused on demand side dynamics and linear narratives of modernization, have progressively adopted more holistic approaches that consider the various dimensions and factors behind the phenomenon. However, there are still significant gaps and shortcomings affecting this research domain; studies encompassing demand side and supply side dynamics are rare, and so are comparative perspectives. The phenomenon has rarely been analyzed in the context of broader metropolitan change, together with other dynamics such as inner-city gentrification, degradation, or maintenance/regeneration of socialist era residential neighborhoods. This study addresses the mentioned gaps through a multi-dimensional comparative pilot analysis of suburban dynamics in Saint Petersburg and Riga. The analysis encompasses the spatial extent of demographic, socioeconomic, and housing market dynamics within the broader context of metropolitan change. The findings reveal a picture of a demographically and economically significant phenomenon with remarkable implications for macro- and micro-level socio-spatial segmentation; the distinctive features between the two cases are primarily due to migration dynamics and the short/medium term effects of the 2008 financial crisis on the real estate market and industry. Overall, the suburban option appears to be an attractive option for the demand side (in terms of an economic trade-off or societal aspiration) as well as a safe and profitable option for developers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Cultural Heritage in Promoting the Sustainable Development of Cities and Territories)

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17 pages, 4215 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Full Waveform Prediction of Blasting Vibration Using Deep Learning

by Yunsen Wang, Guiping Zheng, Yuanhui Li and Fengpeng Zhang

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8200; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138200 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2286

Abstract

Blasting vibration could cause dynamic instability of rock masses within a critical steady state. To control the blasting vibration, it is necessary to understand the complete dynamic response process of the rock masses under the blasting vibration. The Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) technique [...] Read more.

Blasting vibration could cause dynamic instability of rock masses within a critical steady state. To control the blasting vibration, it is necessary to understand the complete dynamic response process of the rock masses under the blasting vibration. The Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) technique uses blast monitoring data to predict the full waveform of the blast vibration. Based on the LSTM, a new full waveform prediction model is proposed in this study. To verify the feasibility of the proposed model, the sample data were constructed using the well-known linear blast wave superposition prediction formula. The full waveform prediction model is trained and the predicted waveform and the actual waveform are then evaluated and compared. The loss function is calculated and discussed, which verifies the feasibility of the prediction method. In addition to the numerical research, the actual blasting vibration data are also used for verification. The parameters, such as sequence size, training algorithm, and some hidden layer nodes, are discussed and optimized. The results show that the proposed full waveform prediction model based on LSTM can predict the full blasting waveform. This study provides a new idea for the prediction and control of blasting vibration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Intelligent and Sustainable Mining)

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15 pages, 4437 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Novel QAPEX Analysis System Using Open-Source GIS

by Jayoung Koo, Jonggun Kim, Jicheol Ryu, Dong-Suk Shin, Seoro Lee, Min-Kyeong Kim, Jaehak Jeong and Kyoung-Jae Lim

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8199; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138199 - 5 Jul 2022

Viewed by 2038

Abstract

The Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model has been used for farm/small watershed management, and the ArcAPEX interface was developed using the ArcGIS extension. However, the interface requires a paid license and limits dynamic applications that reflect various agricultural farming practices. In this study, [...] Read more.

The Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model has been used for farm/small watershed management, and the ArcAPEX interface was developed using the ArcGIS extension. However, the interface requires a paid license and limits dynamic applications that reflect various agricultural farming practices. In this study, a novel APEX model interface using Quantum GIS, the QAPEX analysis system, was developed by incorporating open-source-based GIS software for the simulation of water quality impacts of various best management practices reflecting local farming activities. The watershed delineation process running on the QAPEX interface is more flexible than that on the ArcAPEX interface, which renders simulations on hydrology and water quality with considerable precision. The newly developed system can be used to visually interpret simulation results (e.g., flow and load duration curve functions). Therefore, the open-source-based model can be used to derive data for sustainable agricultural policies, with a focus on the field-level application of management practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Planning and Modeling)

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31 pages, 558 KiB

Open AccessReview

Social Sustainability in Production Planning: A Systematic Literature Review

by Marco Trost, Thorsten Claus and Frank Herrmann

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8198; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138198 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2916

Abstract

Sustainable production includes economic, environmental, and social aspects. However, social sustainability has received less attention, especially compared to the economic aspects. Next to technical and organizational measures, social improvements within supply chains can also be achieved through suitable production planning. Within production planning, [...] Read more.

Sustainable production includes economic, environmental, and social aspects. However, social sustainability has received less attention, especially compared to the economic aspects. Next to technical and organizational measures, social improvements within supply chains can also be achieved through suitable production planning. Within production planning, production programs are determined, and the assignment of available resources (e.g., employees) is specified. Thus, the utilization and workload of employees are defined. This systematic literature review investigates to what extent such employee-related social aspects are reflected in production planning and discusses whether economic aspects dominate them. For this, a Scopus database search was carried out and 76 identified approaches were analyzed and categorized regarding the occurring employee-related social aspects and their implementation. Thus far, the approaches mainly consider single aspects on single planning levels. A consideration of a broad set of aspects along the entire production planning has rarely been studied. In particular, health and safety aspects are considered on the levels of assembly line balancing and job rotation. However, their impact is primarily determined by the specific settings of the decision-maker. To support decision-makers, only a few studies have investigated the effects based on real application scenarios. Further potential might be an extended modeling of social and economic interdependencies and a consideration of employee-related social aspects in medium- to long-term production planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Manufacturing Operations and Supply Chain Management)

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14 pages, 497 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adaptive Individual Differences in Math Courses

by Maura A. E. Pilotti, Hanadi Abdelsalam, Farheen Anjum, Imad Muhi, Sumiya Nasir, Ibtisam Daqqa, Gunner D. Gunderson and Raja M. Latif

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8197; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138197 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2035

Abstract

A higher education that can be defined as sustainable ensures the acquisition of competencies that are necessary to address the current and future needs of the society in which it exists. Because math competencies are an essential component of college students’ academic and [...] Read more.

A higher education that can be defined as sustainable ensures the acquisition of competencies that are necessary to address the current and future needs of the society in which it exists. Because math competencies are an essential component of college students’ academic and professional success, poor performance outcomes are particularly problematic in the context of an education that aims to be sustainable. This research sought to identify dispositions that are predictive of math performance in the post-pandemic world to develop an early detection system for at-risk students of an understudied population (college students of Middle Eastern descent from Saudi Arabia). It specifically targeted female and male students in STEM or non-STEM majors who were enrolled in a math course of the general education curriculum. During the second semester of a return to entirely face-to-face instruction, their self-efficacy, math learning anxiety, math evaluation anxiety, and preference for morning or evening study activities were surveyed. In the post-pandemic world of this understudied population, the math performance of STEM male and female students was hurt by concerns about learning math. The math performance of non-STEM male students benefited from self-efficacy, whereas that of non-STEM female students was unaffected by any of the dispositions surveyed in the present investigation. These findings suggest that individual difference measures can inform early interventions intended to address performance deficiencies in selected groups of students with the overreaching goal of ensuring a sustainable education for all. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Education and Approaches)

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