Sustainability

9 pages, 5577 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Biofabricated Aluminium Oxide Nanoparticles Derived from Citrus aurantium L.: Antimicrobial, Anti-Proliferation, and Photocatalytic Efficiencies

by Punitha Nagarajan, Vijayakumar Subramaniyan, Vidhya Elavarasan, Nilavukkarasi Mohandoss, Prathipkumar Subramaniyan and Sekar Vijayakumar

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1743; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021743 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2461

Abstract

A current strategy in material science and nanotechnology is the creation of green metal oxide nanoparticles. Citrus aurantium peel extract was used to create aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al₂O₃ NPs) in an efficient, affordable, environmentally friendly, and simple manner. Various characterisation [...] Read more.

A current strategy in material science and nanotechnology is the creation of green metal oxide nanoparticles. Citrus aurantium peel extract was used to create aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al₂O₃ NPs) in an efficient, affordable, environmentally friendly, and simple manner. Various characterisation methods such as UV-vis spectrophotometer (UV), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were utilised to assess the morphology of Al₂O₃ NPs. The elemental composition was performed by EDX analysis. Using the well diffusion method, Al₂O₃ NPs’ antimicrobial properties were used against pathogenic organisms. The antiproliferation efficacy of a neuronal cell line was investigated using the MTT assay. The photocatalytic activities were studied against methylene blue dye. In this study, Al₂O₃ NPs were found to have an average crystallite size of 28 nm in the XRD, an absorption peak at 322 nm in the UV spectrum, and functional groups from 406 to 432 in the FT-IR spectrum, which were ascribed to the stretching of aluminium oxide. Antimicrobial efficiencies were observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa [36 ± 2.12], Staphylococcus aureus [35 ± 1.23], Staphylococcus epidermis [27 ± 0.06], Klebsiella pneumonia [25 ± 1.65], Candida albicans [28 ± 1.06], and Aspergillus niger [27 ± 2.23], as well as the cell proliferation of a PC 12 cell line (54.09 at 31.2 μg/mL). Furthermore, photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye decreased up to 89.1 percent after 150 min. The current investigation concluded that biosynthesised Al₂O₃ NPs exhibit feasible antimicrobial, anti-proliferative, and photocatalytic behaviours. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Bio-Based Nanomaterials for Various Biological Applications)

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32 pages, 1128 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fruit and Non-Starchy Vegetable Acquisition and Supply in Solomon Islands: Identifying Opportunities for Improved Food System Outcomes

by Penny Farrell, Michael K. Sharp, Erica Reeve, Tom D. Brewer, Anna K. Farmery, Jillian Tutuo, Jessica R. Bogard, Samson Kanamoli and Anne Marie Thow

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1742; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021742 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2880

Abstract

The Pacific Guidelines for Healthy Living recommend consuming a minimum of five servings of fruit and/or non-starchy vegetables each day, however, diets in Solomon Islands stray from the regional and global trend of healthy diets high in fresh fruit and vegetables. Our study [...] Read more.

The Pacific Guidelines for Healthy Living recommend consuming a minimum of five servings of fruit and/or non-starchy vegetables each day, however, diets in Solomon Islands stray from the regional and global trend of healthy diets high in fresh fruit and vegetables. Our study drew on multiple sources of data and a food systems framework to show a country-wide picture of the role and benefits offered by fruit and non-starchy vegetables in Solomon Islands. First, we analysed data on fruit and non-starchy vegetable consumption and matched this to the data on supply. Second, we used a policy documentary analysis to highlight opportunities for the roles of fruit and non-starchy vegetables in the Solomon Island food system to advance progress in multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Key findings related to supply were the findings that domestic production of fruit and non-starchy vegetables is insufficient to meet per capita requirements, which coupled with our finding that per capita national level supply through imports is inconsequential, thus highlighting important undersupply issues for the nation. The food environment analysis indicated multiple further challenges hampering fruit and non-starchy vegetable consumption. Integrated with our analysis of policy, these revealed several opportunities, including improving affordability of this healthy commodity, enhancing livelihood equitability of supply chains, and strengthening environmentally sustainable agricultural practices that support increased production. Full article

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23 pages, 480 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Adaptive Tabu Search Algorithm for Solving the Two-Dimensional Loading Constrained Vehicle Routing Problem with Stochastic Customers

by Zheng Zhang, Bin Ji and Samson S. Yu

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1741; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021741 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2170

Abstract

In practical logistic distributions, uncertainties may exist in each distribution process, and sometimes suppliers have to take undesirable measures to deal with the subsequent schedule variances. In light of the uncertainty of customers in logistics distribution and the widely applied two-dimensional loading patterns [...] Read more.

In practical logistic distributions, uncertainties may exist in each distribution process, and sometimes suppliers have to take undesirable measures to deal with the subsequent schedule variances. In light of the uncertainty of customers in logistics distribution and the widely applied two-dimensional loading patterns in transportation, we propose and formulate a two-dimensional loading-constrained vehicle routing problem with stochastic customers (2L-VRPSC), where each customer has a known probability of presence and customers’ demands are a set of non-stackable items. A stochastic modeling platform of 2L-VRPSC is established based on a Monte Carlo simulation and scenario analysis to minimize the expected total transportation cost. To achieve this, an enhanced adaptive tabu search (EATS) algorithm incorporating the multi-order bottom-fill-skyline (MOBFS) packing heuristic is proposed, where the EATS algorithm searches for the optimal routing combination and the MOBFS checks the feasibility of each route and guides the EATS to search for feasible solutions. The widely used two-dimensional loading-constrained vehicle routing problem (2L-VRP) benchmarks under different loading configurations considering items’ sequential and rotation constraints are applied for experiments, which demonstrates the comparable efficiency of the proposed EATS-MOBFS for solving 2L-VRP. Furthermore, the results and analysis of experiments based on the new 2L-VRPSC instances verify the versatility of the proposed solving approach, which is capable of providing more practical solutions to some real-life scenarios with customers’ uncertain information. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maritime and Inland Waterways Transportation)

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34 pages, 35867 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Offshore Renewable Energy in South America: Current Status and Future Perspectives

by Milad Shadman, Mateo Roldan-Carvajal, Fabian G. Pierart, Pablo Alejandro Haim, Rodrigo Alonso, Corbiniano Silva, Andrés F. Osorio, Nathalie Almonacid, Griselda Carreras, Mojtaba Maali Amiri, Santiago Arango-Aramburo, Miguel Angel Rosas, Mario Pelissero, Roberto Tula, Segen F. Estefen, Marcos Lafoz Pastor and Osvaldo Ronald Saavedra

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1740; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021740 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5605

Abstract

This paper addresses the current status and future research and development perspectives associated with technologies to harness offshore renewable energy, including offshore wind, waves, tides, ocean currents, and thermal and salinity gradient, in South America (SA). It focuses on five countries: Argentina, Brazil, [...] Read more.

This paper addresses the current status and future research and development perspectives associated with technologies to harness offshore renewable energy, including offshore wind, waves, tides, ocean currents, and thermal and salinity gradient, in South America (SA). It focuses on five countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay. At first, a comprehensive survey presents the number of scientific papers classified based on the resource to show the tendency and importance of such subjects in the academic community. Each country’s electricity matrix and grid connection are shown to understand the region’s renewable source participation situation. The potential of offshore renewable resources is addressed by considering the published technical papers in scientific journals. The main conflicts and synergies associated with ocean space utilization are presented by considering the exclusive economic zone of each country. The status of the regulatory frameworks to promote and development of offshore renewable energies is presented. Two sections are dedicated to presenting the active, decommissioned and planned projects, research groups and laboratory infrastructures to develop the technologies. The last section discusses the future perspectives on the development of this sector in SA. It is observed that SA, with more than 25,000 km of coastline, has a great potential for offshore renewable energy; however, so far, these resources have not been explored commercially. Larger investment in the sector, establishing an adequate legal framework and deploying full-scale demonstration projects at sea are necessary for the commercialization of such technologies in SA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acceleration of Renewable Energies Expansion and Harvesting Technologies)

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24 pages, 4996 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessing Shock Propagation and Cascading Uncertainties Using the Input–Output Framework: Analysis of an Oil Refinery Accident in Singapore

by Pradeep V. Mandapaka and Edmond Y. M. Lo

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1739; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021739 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1546

Abstract

The impacts of shock events frequently cascade beyond the primarily affected sector(s), through the interdependent economic system, and result in higher-order indirect losses in other sectors. This study employed the inoperability input–output model (IIM) and the dynamic IIM (DIIM) to model recovery of [...] Read more.

The impacts of shock events frequently cascade beyond the primarily affected sector(s), through the interdependent economic system, and result in higher-order indirect losses in other sectors. This study employed the inoperability input–output model (IIM) and the dynamic IIM (DIIM) to model recovery of sectors after a shock event and quantify associated total losses. Considering data limitations and uncertainties regarding sectoral recovery time, a key variable in DIIM, a probabilistic approach is used for modelling uncertainty in recovery times. The event analyzed is the 2011 oil refinery fire accident in Pulau Bukom (PB) island, Singapore, which caused the refinery to shut down for 11 days and be partially operational for several days thereafter. The impacts are assessed using the regrouped 15-sector Singapore IO data of year 2010, with manufacturing sector as the directly affected sector. The initial economic impact of the PB refinery fire is assessed in the top-down framework using the refinery’s contribution to the manufacturing sector and nation’s GDP. The higher-order losses are quantified considering different recovery paths for the directly affected sector and accounting for its inventory. Simulation experiments using synthetic IO tables are also carried out to understand relationship between recovery characteristics of directly and indirectly affected sectors. The results from IIM analysis show that the indirect losses are about 35–38% of direct losses. The DIIM analysis reveal that the utilities sectors (e.g., electricity, water supply and treatment) suffer the largest inoperability among indirectly affected sectors for a given direct damage to the manufacturing sector. The results also illustrate the dependence of overall losses on the recovery path of the directly affected sector, and associated uncertainties in sectoral recovery times. Full article

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14 pages, 1771 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Motivation and the Role of the Night of the Museums Event: Case Study in Oradea Municipality, Romania

by Grigore Vasile Herman, Vasile Grama, Alexandru Ilieș, Bahodirhon Safarov, Dorina Camelia Ilieș, Ioana Josan, Makhina Buzrukova, Bekzot Janzakov, Donatella Privitera, Olivier Dehoorne and Tudor Caciora

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1738; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021738 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1944

Abstract

Cultural events are relevant attractions in contemporary cities that can be understood as celebrations, but also as agents of urban change. The primary objective of this study is to identify emerging themes in the area of cultural events, especially the Night of Museums, [...] Read more.

Cultural events are relevant attractions in contemporary cities that can be understood as celebrations, but also as agents of urban change. The primary objective of this study is to identify emerging themes in the area of cultural events, especially the Night of Museums, and to highlight the relationships among museums as places of learning and aesthetic satisfaction. To reach this goal, an exploratory and descriptive study was conducted. Multinomial logistic regression (MLR) and Regression Analysis were further performed. The results show that physical environment and situational interactions play a decisive role in contextual perception of the importance of events. Curiosity, gratuity, the need to learn and spending free time in the most pleasant way are just a few reasons that lead citizens to direct their attention in a special way. Additionally, this study not only limited to cultural tourism, but also contributes to literature in the area of economy, sustainability and environment. Moreover, our findings have implications for policy makers to identify practices and education that can improve the understanding of cultural and social value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Festivals and Events)

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21 pages, 1556 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Restrictive Factors of Vigorous Promotion of Prefabricated Buildings in Yancheng under the Background of “Double Carbon”

by Houchao Sun, Yuwei Fang, Minggan Yin and Feiting Shi

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1737; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021737 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1948

Abstract

In the field of construction, the promotion of prefabricated buildings has been strongly supported by the state due to its low-carbon, environmental protection and high-efficiency characteristics. The process of design, prefabrication, and installation, is restricted by factors such as unsound policy standards, insufficient [...] Read more.

In the field of construction, the promotion of prefabricated buildings has been strongly supported by the state due to its low-carbon, environmental protection and high-efficiency characteristics. The process of design, prefabrication, and installation, is restricted by factors such as unsound policy standards, insufficient technological innovation, lack of professional talents, and high costs, which have led to the slow development of prefabricated buildings in China. The main factors that restrict the development of prefabricated buildings in Yancheng are identified from the researcher’s point of view by literature review and questionnaire survey method. The degree of centrality and cause of each constraint has been analyzed by the decision-making laboratory method (DEMATEL), and the interpretation structure method (ISM) was used to build a multi-level hierarchical structure model of constraints, the logical relationship, hierarchical relationship and relative importance of each constraint are clarified. It is concluded that industry policies, imperfect standards and insufficient government publicity are the fundamental reasons to hinder the development of prefabricated buildings in Yancheng. According to the order of the centrality, the main restrictive factors are determined, which benefits the establishment of the homologous counterplan for the vigorous promotion of prefabricated buildings in Yancheng. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy Strategies for Sustainable Development: Applications and Impacts)

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18 pages, 15936 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Planning, Environmental Activism, and Politics—Case Study of the Jadar Project for Lithium Exploitation in Serbia

by Nebojša Stefanović, Nataša Danilović Hristić and Jasna Petrić

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1736; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021736 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2713

Abstract

It is an indisputable fact in the world today that lithium is one of the key chemical elements of the future, one that is critically important for the development of renewable energy sources, electromobility, green industry, and the overall sustainability of our planet. [...] Read more.

It is an indisputable fact in the world today that lithium is one of the key chemical elements of the future, one that is critically important for the development of renewable energy sources, electromobility, green industry, and the overall sustainability of our planet. Lithium ore, in the form of jadarite, was discovered in Western Serbia in 2004, with an estimated 10% of the world’s reserves. This paper presents the basic elements and methodology of the spatial plan for implementing the Jadar project for the exploitation and processing of the mineral jadarite in Serbia and the accompanying strategic assessment of the plan’s impact on the environment, which was carried out by the authors of this paper. The procedure for public participation during the development of the plan was analyzed, as well as the subsequent campaign by environmental activists against the exploitation of lithium, and the political decision to invalidate the plan and stop the project. The aim of the paper is to point out the dilemma that arises, in the opinion of the authors, when the problem of lithium exploitation in the initial stages is moved from the domain of spatial planning to the domain of strictly environmental activism, and, in the end, the political domain. The authors take the position that if there is no plan for development, there is no foundation on which to develop and monitor the environmental dimension of development, direct the subsequent design process, or assess the environmental impact for each of the planned facilities, after which process it is possible to make final, binding decisions of a technical, legal, or financial nature. The basic conclusion is that the issue of the potential exploitation of lithium, the most important aspect of which is its environmental impact, must be considered and resolved in several steps, while the role of spatial planning cannot be neglected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Planning and Sustainable Energy Development)

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13 pages, 505 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Key Pathways to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Three Polar Regions

by Wang Shijin, Qiang Wenli and Liang Qiaoxia

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1735; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021735 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2280

Abstract

Due to the local and natural characteristics of high latitude and altitude in the Three Polar Region (TPR)—that is, the Antarctic, the Arctic, and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP)—this region has been significantly affected by climate change and related disasters. Thus, the sustainable development [...] Read more.

Due to the local and natural characteristics of high latitude and altitude in the Three Polar Region (TPR)—that is, the Antarctic, the Arctic, and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP)—this region has been significantly affected by climate change and related disasters. Thus, the sustainable development pathway for the TPR is different from that of other regions. The Antarctic region, as a public territory, experiences sustainability problems that are mainly the result of the integrated impact of tourism and scientific and commercial fishing activities on the continent and ocean. Understanding how to build a shared, co-built, and co-governed, legally binding and equal international multilateral partnership or treaty, and thereby reducing the impact on water life and on land life, is the key pathway to achieving the Antarctic sustainable development goals (SDGs). The Arctic region has both a high level of development at the national level and a low level of development within the country, including the livelihood of indigenous people. Learning how to effectively deal with the domestic development imbalance in the future is a key pathway to achieving Arctic SDGs. The QTP has a fragile ecology and a single industry. As a relatively poor area in China, the ability to promote ecological protection and improve people’s welfare through ecological policies is a key pathway to achieving the SDGs in the QTP. At the same time, the TPR also needs to enhance its climate resilience through climate action to mitigate the impacts of climate change. On this basis, to fully achieve the SDGs in support of the TPR, it is necessary to establish and pursue multilateral cooperation in science research, infrastructure, commerce, energy, and mining trades. As an important part of the climate system, spatial and temporal changes in the TPR have direct and indirect impacts on the global climate and other spheres (e.g., Anthroposphere) and also affect the global sustainable development process. Therefore, through the TPR’s linkage and multilateral cooperation, the region can simultaneously enter the global sustainable development track. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)

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15 pages, 3458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How May New Energy Investments Change the Sustainability of the Turkish Industrial Sector?

by Hasan Yildizhan, Cihan Yıldırım, Shiva Gorjian and Arman Ameen

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1734; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021734 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1652

Abstract

Utilization of renewable energy in the Turkish industrial sector is becoming more important nowadays. The tendency toward renewable energy can be clearly seen with newly planned energy investments. The energy appearance of the Turkish industrial sector for past two decades and ongoing energy [...] Read more.

Utilization of renewable energy in the Turkish industrial sector is becoming more important nowadays. The tendency toward renewable energy can be clearly seen with newly planned energy investments. The energy appearance of the Turkish industrial sector for past two decades and ongoing energy projects are discussed in this study with the help of sustainability indicators. The sustainability index is based on advanced exergy analysis and shows the environmental impact of production processes and measures the transformation of energy resources in the Turkish industrial sector. This index was approximately 2.03 in 2000 and it improved to 2.25 in 2008, and then remained constant with minor fluctuations until 2019. Depending on the fulfillment of the continuing fossil, nuclear, and recommended renewable energy investment scenarios, the sustainability index may change to between 1.96 and 2.17 by 2023. None of the ongoing investments will make a major improvement in the sustainability of the industrial sector; therefore, a major shift toward the use of more renewable energy is urgently needed. Establishing solar or wind energy microgrids plants may improve the sustainability indicators drastically, therefore, encouragement of their investments is very important. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Effects Assessment of Clean Energy Technologies and Sustainable Development)

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0 pages, 1372 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Harvesting on Airport Pavements Ambient Dependent: Ponta Delgada Airport Case Study

by Diogo Correia and Adelino Ferreira

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1733; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021733 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1737

Abstract

Energy transition is an important issue for countries trying to meet their greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets. To achieve this reduction, the Portuguese government has budgeted a total of EUR 116 M to aid energy transition in the Autonomous Region of the Azores [...] Read more.

Energy transition is an important issue for countries trying to meet their greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets. To achieve this reduction, the Portuguese government has budgeted a total of EUR 116 M to aid energy transition in the Autonomous Region of the Azores by 2029. This work presents a solution for producing electricity using photovoltaic panels (PV) to settle in the top of the airport pavement. In addition to producing sustainable electricity, the implementation of panels in the civil airport infrastructure allows us to address the reduction of emissions in the ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and the Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) program. Currently, PV panels are unable to support the weight of aircraft so the installation must be in the areas of the pavement where there is no regular aircraft traffic. As a result of the study, a production of about 9 GWh/year was achieved with an LCOE of 143 EUR/MWh, reducing emissions to about 6-ton CO₂/year. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality of Global Air-Transport Industry)

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23 pages, 5962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association between Street Built Environment and Street Vitality Based on Quantitative Analysis in Historic Areas: A Case Study of Wuhan, China

by Han Zou, Ruichao Liu, Wen Cheng, Jingjing Lei and Jing Ge

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1732; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021732 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2557

Abstract

Over the past decade, enhancing the quality of cities and building vibrant urban streets has become a hot topic in urban planning in China. Although there are many studies on how the built environment affects street vitality, the unique built environment of the [...] Read more.

Over the past decade, enhancing the quality of cities and building vibrant urban streets has become a hot topic in urban planning in China. Although there are many studies on how the built environment affects street vitality, the unique built environment of the street space in historic areas, as the core node of the city, has not been fully explored. This study constructs an association model between the street built environment (SBE) and street vitality in historic areas and evaluates the influence of SBE on street vitality by spatial analysis and statistical analysis methods using POI data, road network data, and Baidu heat map data, taking Wuhan, China, as an example. The results showed that (1) appropriate built environment development intensity, street width-to-height ratio, and facade ratio of historic buildings on the street frontage all can promote street vitality; (2) the spatial distribution of historic buildings converted to commercial functions in historic areas has a high consistency with the spatial distribution of street vitality, and the consistency is significantly higher than that of general urban streets; (3) historic buildings converted to residential functions and those in vacancy or under renovation in historic areas have a significant inhibitory effect on street vitality; and (4) the spatial distribution of transportation facilities and the spatial distribution of street vitality are mutually exclusive in historic areas. This study proposes a method for studying the SBE and street vitality in historic areas and initially explores the relationship between the influences of the SBE on street vitality in historic areas. Since the functional replacement of historic buildings can affect the street vibrancy in historic areas, our findings suggest moderating commercial renovation rather than simply repairing or maintaining the status for enhancing the street vitality. Moreover, the intervention of transportation facilities will reduce the street vitality in historic areas, which provides a basis for the strategy of renewing historic areas into pedestrian street spaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Behavior, Urban Health and Sustainability)

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26 pages, 7295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Research of Recyclable Composite Metamaterial Structures Made of Plastic and Rubber Waste to Reduce Indoor Noise and Reverberation

by Andrej Naimušin and Tomas Januševičius

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1731; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021731 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1823

Abstract

According to the Waste Management Policy of the European Union, the recycling and reuse of various wastes is considered the most ecological and advanced waste disposal technology with the lowest impact on the environment. By applying circular economy principles, plastic waste will extend [...] Read more.

According to the Waste Management Policy of the European Union, the recycling and reuse of various wastes is considered the most ecological and advanced waste disposal technology with the lowest impact on the environment. By applying circular economy principles, plastic waste will extend its life cycle and be used as secondary raw materials to create structures with good sound insulation and absorption properties. Structures created from metamaterial with plastic were studied for their sound-absorbing properties in an impedance tube. A combined 100 mm long resonator design with a 2.0 mm perforation, 20 mm thick plate, regardless of whether it is an “X”- or “O”-shaped resonator, achieved a good sound absorption peak at 315 Hz of 0.94. When the combined structures of 50 mm long “X”- and “O”-shaped designs were compared, different sound absorption peaks at high frequencies were achieved. A slightly better sound absorption peak of 0.95 was achieved at 500 Hz with the “O”-shaped resonator and 0.93 at 630 Hz with the “X”-shaped resonator. The results show that the combined plastic and rubber structures can be integrated into building structures and be used as an alternative to improve building acoustics and reduce noise and reverberation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building Design, Technological Innovation and Green Project Management)

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12 pages, 1816 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Term Prediction of the Wind Speed Based on a Learning Process Control Algorithm in Isolated Power Systems

by Vadim Manusov, Pavel Matrenin, Muso Nazarov, Svetlana Beryozkina, Murodbek Safaraliev, Inga Zicmane and Anvari Ghulomzoda

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1730; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021730 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1486

Abstract

Predicting the variability of wind energy resources at different time scales is extremely important for effective energy management. The need to obtain the most accurate forecast of wind speed due to its high degree of volatility is particularly acute since this can significantly [...] Read more.

Predicting the variability of wind energy resources at different time scales is extremely important for effective energy management. The need to obtain the most accurate forecast of wind speed due to its high degree of volatility is particularly acute since this can significantly improve the planning of wind energy production, reduce costs and improve the use of resources. In this study, a method for predicting the speed of wind flow in an isolated power system of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), based on the use of a neural network with a learning process control algorithm, is proposed. Predicting is performed for four seasons of the year, based on hourly retrospective meteorological data of wind speed observations. The obtained wind speed average error forecasting ranged from 20–28% for a day ahead. The prediction results serve as a basis for optimizing the energy consumption of individual generating consumers to minimize their financial and technical costs. In addition, this study takes into account the possibility of exporting electricity to a neighboring country as an additional income line for the isolated GBAO power system during periods of excess energy from hydropower plants (March–September), which is a systematic vision of solving the problem of improving energy efficiency in the conditions of autonomous power supply. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power System Challenges toward Renewable Energies’ Integration)

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16 pages, 5368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Why Do Farmers Support Stable Land Ownership? Marketization with Chinese Characteristics

by Ximing Zhang, Xiao Li and Hui Wang

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1729; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021729 - 16 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1177

Abstract

Recent debates regarding marketization have focused on the relationship between the state and the market, while the grassroots and their everyday experiences have arguably been understudied. In this paper, we study marketization with the example of land marketization in China. Out of concern [...] Read more.

Recent debates regarding marketization have focused on the relationship between the state and the market, while the grassroots and their everyday experiences have arguably been understudied. In this paper, we study marketization with the example of land marketization in China. Out of concern for the grassroots’ perspective, we investigate Chinese farmers’ perceptions with regard to stable land ownership of farmland, which are essential for land marketization in the backdrop of intensive land use conversion in China’s urban periphery. Approximately 1200 farmer households were interviewed around 12 cities in mainland China. An ordered probit regression analysis of the survey results reveals a series of factors that explain the individual farmers’ preference for stable land ownership. Among others, the decreasing size of farmer household and rural women’s insecure property rights in farmland are identified as two grassroots-based characteristics underpinning China’s ongoing transition to a more market-based farmland use institution. An important theoretical implication of our research is that the mainstream literature perhaps over-attributes China’s marketization to the state and the market, while under-evaluating the spontaneous support from bottom-up. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Landscape Stability and Sustainable Land Management)

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14 pages, 3376 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Application of Machine Learning to Estimate and Evaluate the Energy Consumption in an Office Room

by Kuang-Sheng Liu, Iskandar Muda, Ming-Hung Lin, Ngakan Ketut Acwin Dwijendra, Gaylord Carrillo Caballero, Aníbal Alviz-Meza and Yulineth Cárdenas-Escrocia

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1728; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021728 - 16 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1734

Abstract

There are no exact criteria for the architecture of openings and windows in office buildings in order to optimize energy consumption. Due to the physical limitations of this renewable energy source and the lack of conscious control over its capabilities, the amount of [...] Read more.

There are no exact criteria for the architecture of openings and windows in office buildings in order to optimize energy consumption. Due to the physical limitations of this renewable energy source and the lack of conscious control over its capabilities, the amount of light entering offices and the role of daylight as a source of energy are determined by how they are constructed. In this study, the standard room dimensions, which are suitable for three to five employees, are compared to computer simulations. DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus are utilized to simulate the office’s lighting and energy consumption. This study presents a new method for estimating conventional energy consumption based on gene expression programming (GEP). A gravitational search algorithm (GSA) is implemented in order to optimize the model results. Using input and output data collected from a simulation of conventional energy use, the physical law underlying the problem and the relationship between inputs and outputs are identified. This method has the advantages of being quick and accurate, with no simulation required. Based on effective input parameters and sensitivity analysis, four models are evaluated. These models are used to evaluate the performance of the trained network based on statistical indicators. Among all the GEP models tested in this study, the one with the lowest MAE (0.1812) and RMSE (0.09146) and the highest correlation coefficient (0.90825) is found to be the most accurate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Effects Assessment of Clean Energy Technologies and Sustainable Development)

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19 pages, 809 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Does Digital Economy Promote the Geographical Agglomeration of Manufacturing Industry?

by Meijuan Wang, Mingzhi Zhang, Haiqian Chen and Donghua Yu

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1727; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021727 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2584

Abstract

With the acceleration of informatization, the spatial layout of economic activities has gradually shifted from “transportation cost + labor force” to “information + technology”. As a new generation of information, the digital economy has a profound impact on the spatial layout of the [...] Read more.

With the acceleration of informatization, the spatial layout of economic activities has gradually shifted from “transportation cost + labor force” to “information + technology”. As a new generation of information, the digital economy has a profound impact on the spatial layout of the manufacturing industry. Based on the data of China’s listed manufacturing companies from 2001 to 2020, this paper aims to assess the effect of the digital economy on manufacturing agglomeration and identify the transmission mechanism of this effect. The results show the following: (1) The digital economy significantly promotes the geographical agglomeration of the manufacturing industry, which is still valid on the basis of a series of robustness and endogeneity tests. (2) Mechanism analysis shows that the digital economy promotes manufacturing agglomeration by reducing transaction costs, increasing market potential and enhancing knowledge spillover. (3) Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect is more significant in the samples of large enterprises, high-tech manufacturing, central and western regions, small and medium-sized cities and the west side of the “Hu Huanyong Line”, which will greatly help the layout of the manufacturing industry break through the “Hu Huanyong Line” to achieve balanced development. (4) Globalization, localization and human capital play a significant positive moderating role in the process. This paper provides microevidence for the integration of digitalization and industrialization. Furthermore, it has important implications for the formulation of digital economy policy, the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry and the continuous promotion of regional coordinated development. Full article

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17 pages, 1632 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Management of Household Plastic Waste in Wollongong, Australia: The Role of Selective Waste Collection Systems

by Marcella Bernardo, Hugh Forehead, Isabella De Carvalho Vallin and Sylmara L. F. Gonçalves-Dias

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1726; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021726 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2930

Abstract

In addition to increasing requirements to adopt more circular economy approaches, Australian municipal waste management systems also face challenges due to the loss of capacity to export waste overseas. Accordingly, these systems will require effective sorting and collecting of waste. Selective Waste Collection [...] Read more.

In addition to increasing requirements to adopt more circular economy approaches, Australian municipal waste management systems also face challenges due to the loss of capacity to export waste overseas. Accordingly, these systems will require effective sorting and collecting of waste. Selective Waste Collection (SWC) is the collecting and sorting of household recyclable waste. The study aimed at investigating how SWC systems in an Australian municipality (Wollongong) are organised and their role in the proper management of household plastic waste. For this purpose, we mapped the household plastic waste management system and characterised every SWC system in terms of, e.g., weight and type of plastic collected. We estimated that only about 20% of the household plastic waste generated in 2018–2019 was collected via the SWC systems. Our investigation enabled us to estimate Wollongong’s household plastic waste generation, recycling rate, and final disposal; identify the gaps in knowledge and challenges faced by the systems; and offer recommendations to overcome them. The challenges include contamination, insufficient community awareness, and lack of consistent waste data. Our recommendations include a transition from a commingled to a non-commingled system. The results provide a useful approach and crucial information for performance evaluation, strategy, and planning purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Towards the Full Inclusion of Waste Management into Circular Economy)

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27 pages, 16852 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wave Energy in Brittany (France)—Resource Assessment and WEC Performances

by Nicolas Guillou, George Lavidas and Bahareh Kamranzad

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021725 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2182

Abstract

Refined numerical wave energy resource assessments are required to reduce uncertainties in the evaluation of available power and energy production. However, to restrict the computational cost, a great part of wave hindcast simulations cover a limited time range (below ten years) or rely [...] Read more.

Refined numerical wave energy resource assessments are required to reduce uncertainties in the evaluation of available power and energy production. However, to restrict the computational cost, a great part of wave hindcast simulations cover a limited time range (below ten years) or rely on coarse spatial resolutions while routinely ignoring tide-induced modulations in wave conditions. Complementing resource assessments conducted in the North-West European shelf seas, we here exploited a 27-year hindcast database (1994–2020) set up at a spatial resolution of 200 m along the coast of France and integrating the effects of tidal currents on waves. This evaluation was conducted in three water depths from offshore to nearshore (60, 40 and 20 m) around Brittany, one of the most energetic regions along the coast of France. We investigated the performances of a series of thirteen state-of-the-art wave energy converters with respect to installation depth range. Beyond confirming the interest of western Brittany in energy exploitation, the results exhibited the first ranking between devices, thus promoting the interests of Oceantec in offshore waters (60 m), Wave Dragon in intermediate waters (40 m), and Oyster and WaveStar C6 in shallow waters (20 m). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Wave Energy Resources in the Sea)

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21 pages, 3588 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Impact of Road Network on Urban Landscape Ecological Risk Based on Corridor Cutting Degree Model in Fuzhou, China

by Zichun Yan, Ninglong You, Lu Wang and Chengwei Lan

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1724; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021724 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1552

Abstract

The rapidly expanding road network has resulted in the separation of the urban ecological landscape. To assess the potential implication of the road systems on the landscape ecological risk, the corridor cutting degree model based on roadway impact zones was introduced, and the [...] Read more.

The rapidly expanding road network has resulted in the separation of the urban ecological landscape. To assess the potential implication of the road systems on the landscape ecological risk, the corridor cutting degree model based on roadway impact zones was introduced, and the effects of the road system on the landscape pattern change were analyzed in Fuzhou City, China, in 2000, 2010, and 2020. Meanwhile, through spatial auto-correlation analysis and a geographical detector model, it was shown that there was a link between the characteristics of the road network and the temporal and spatial distribution of landscape ecological risk index, and the main determinants of landscape ecological risk were identified. The outcome indicated that (1) the intermediate cutting had the greatest impact on the ecological landscape of the four corridor cutting modes of the road network. Furthermore, the land types with a higher corridor cutting degree index were woodland, cultivated land, and grassland, accounting for 35.23%, 33.61%, and 5.95% of the total cutting areas, respectively, and the landscape fragmentation was relatively serious. (2) Fuzhou’s landscape ecological risk has significantly increased over the past 20 years, with sub-high-risk and high-risk areas experiencing increases of 9.47% and 7.63%, respectively, and the spatial distribution pattern being primarily high-high and low-low clustering. (3) Corridor cutting degree index (CCI) and distance from sampling point to road (shortest distance) were two key factors that altered the geographic distribution of ecological risk in the landscape, and they showed a positive and negative connection, respectively. (4) In the geographic distribution of landscape ecological risk, the interaction between CCI and land type, or shortest distance and land type, was much higher than that of other components, with an explanation rate of more than 22%. The study findings could provide a scientific basis for integrated transportation and ecological restoration strategies in national space. Full article

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11 pages, 1259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Government Policies on the Adoption of Biomass Power: A System Dynamic Perspective

by Zhao Xin-gang, Wang Wei, Hu Shuran and Liu Xuan

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1723; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021723 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1595

Abstract

As a kind of renewable energy, biomass power has great development potential in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, under the background of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, the diffusion of biomass power generation technology has practical significance. To address these issues, this paper [...] Read more.

As a kind of renewable energy, biomass power has great development potential in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, under the background of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, the diffusion of biomass power generation technology has practical significance. To address these issues, this paper constructs a system dynamics model to study the impact of different policy effects on the diffusion of biomass power generation technologies. The results show that the feed-in tariff policy can significantly promote the installed capacity growth of biomass power generation projects; on the other hand, carbon emission trading increases the investment value of projects and promotes the growth of the installed capacity of biomass power generation projects, to a certain extent, so relevant policies need to be improved to achieve the promotion of biomass power generation technology in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Clean and Low Carbon Energy)

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25 pages, 1152 KiB

Open AccessReview

Assessment of Benefits and Risk of Genetically Modified Plants and Products: Current Controversies and Perspective

by Bimal Kumar Ghimire, Chang Yeon Yu, Won-Ryeol Kim, Hee-Sung Moon, Joohyun Lee, Seung Hyun Kim and Ill Min Chung

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1722; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021722 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 27587

Abstract

Genetic transformation has emerged as an important tool for the genetic improvement of valuable plants by incorporating new genes with desirable traits. These strategies are useful especially in crops to increase yields, disease resistance, tolerance to environmental stress (cold, heat, drought, salinity, herbicides, [...] Read more.

Genetic transformation has emerged as an important tool for the genetic improvement of valuable plants by incorporating new genes with desirable traits. These strategies are useful especially in crops to increase yields, disease resistance, tolerance to environmental stress (cold, heat, drought, salinity, herbicides, and insects) and increase biomass and medicinal values of plants. The production of healthy plants with more desirable products and yields can contribute to sustainable development goals. The introduction of genetically modified food into the market has raised potential risks. A proper assessment of their impact on the environment and biosafety is an important step before their commercialization. In this paper, we summarize and discuss the risks and benefits of genetically modified plants and products, human health hazards by genetically transformed plants, environmental effects, Biosafety regulations of GMO foods and products, and improvement of medicinal values of plants by the genetic transformation process. The mechanisms of action of those products, their sources, and their applications to the healthcare challenges are presented. The present studies pointed out the existence of several controversies in the use of GMOs, mainly related to the human health, nutritions, environmental issues. Willingness to accept genetically modified (GM) products and the adoption of biosafety regulations varies from country to country. Knowledge about the gene engineering technology, debate between the government agencies, scientist, environmentalist and related NGOs on the GM products are the major factors for low adoptions of biosafety regulation. Therefore, the genetic transformation will help in the advancement of plant species in the future; however, more research and detailed studies are required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Response and Mechanism of Crops to Abiotic Stresses)

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15 pages, 2415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Graduate Student Expansion and Innovative Human Capital on Green Total Factor Productivity

by Hao Yao, Xiulin Gu and Qing Yu

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1721; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021721 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1718

Abstract

Using data from 30 provinces and cities in China from 2005–2018, panel regression models, mediation models, quantile regressions and threshold regressions were used to examine the relationship between graduate student size expansion, innovative human capital and green total factor productivity (GTFP) and analyze [...] Read more.

Using data from 30 provinces and cities in China from 2005–2018, panel regression models, mediation models, quantile regressions and threshold regressions were used to examine the relationship between graduate student size expansion, innovative human capital and green total factor productivity (GTFP) and analyze the influence mechanisms and heterogeneity among them. The results of the study are as follows: First, graduate student expansion and innovative human capital are the driving force for GTFP growth in China, and graduate student size expansion indirectly boosts GTFP by promoting the supply of innovative human capital, with a 73% mediating effect. Second, the effects of graduate student expansion and innovative human capital on GTFP show a trend of diminishing marginal benefits, and the estimated coefficient of the effect of graduate student scale share on GTFP has an inverted U-shaped relationship. Third, there is a significant threshold feature of industrial structure upgrading in the influence of graduate student scale expansion on GTFP. The study makes suggestions in terms of expanding of the graduate students, rationalizing the enrollment structure of universities, optimizing the regional industrial structure and creating a social innovation environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Education and Green Behavior)

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26 pages, 835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measuring the SDGs in Refugee Camps: An Insight into Arab States Bordering Syria

by Mai Wardeh and Rui Cunha Marques

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1720; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021720 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2447

Abstract

With the increasing refugee crisis worldwide, a great promise lies in the 2030 agenda to help ‘leave no one behind.’ This article aims to take stock of implementing the 2030 Agenda in the refugee camps of the Arab Middle East based on empirical [...] Read more.

With the increasing refugee crisis worldwide, a great promise lies in the 2030 agenda to help ‘leave no one behind.’ This article aims to take stock of implementing the 2030 Agenda in the refugee camps of the Arab Middle East based on empirical data from Syrian refugees and Iraqi IDPs collected using a questionnaire distributed in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. SDGs’ indices were calculated using arithmetic mean and principal component analysis methods. Our study finds that the progress toward achieving the SDGs is diverse in three locations, mainly due to the policy applied in the host country. The respondents in Iraq ranked the best at social and economic sustainability, Jordan ranked the best at environmental sustainability, and Lebanon was the furthest left behind in the three dimensions. SDG7 has a high performance, but accelerating the progress toward achieving the remaining SDGs is essential. Without the substantial efforts of all stakeholders, the 2030 agenda will not be accomplished. Full article

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17 pages, 6000 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on Phosphogypsum-Amended Red Mud as Road Base Material

by Huajin Wang, Minglei Shi, Xintao Tian, Changyun Yu and Xuyang Du

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1719; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021719 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1273

Abstract

Red mud is a byproduct of the aluminum oxide refining process that is an industrial waste residue. The storage of red mud can seriously contaminate the soil, water system, and atmosphere while also taking up a lot of valuable land resources. However, the [...] Read more.

Red mud is a byproduct of the aluminum oxide refining process that is an industrial waste residue. The storage of red mud can seriously contaminate the soil, water system, and atmosphere while also taking up a lot of valuable land resources. However, the use of stabilized/amended red mud technology in road engineering is relatively limited. Consequently, this research investigates how additives (cement, lime, and phosphogypsum) affect the strength of amended red mud as road base material. Additionally, it examines the effects of dry–wet and freeze–thaw cycles on the UCS, pH, dry density, and evolution of micropore structure in amended red mud with different phosphogypsum content. The findings reveal that, after five dry–wet and freeze–thaw cycles, the samples with 2% phosphogypsum content have a strong assurance rate of more than 85%. The percentage of micropores (0.01–0.1 μm) is reduced, although the percentage of small pores (0.1–1 μm) and medium pores (1–10 μm) is increased by dry–wet and freeze–thaw cycles. The cumulative mercury intake rises as the percentage increases, and the dry–wet cycle has a greater impact on the strength of amended red mud than the freeze–thaw cycle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Materials)

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20 pages, 8557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Machine Learning Algorithms for Metro Ridership Based on Urban Land Use Policies in Support of Transit-Oriented Development

by Aya Hasan AlKhereibi, Tadesse G. Wakjira, Murat Kucukvar and Nuri C. Onat

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1718; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021718 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3137

Abstract

The endeavors toward sustainable transportation systems are a key concern for planners and decision-makers where increasing public transport attractiveness is essential. In this paper, a machine-learning-based predictive modeling approach is proposed for metro ridership prediction, considering the built environment around the stations; it [...] Read more.

The endeavors toward sustainable transportation systems are a key concern for planners and decision-makers where increasing public transport attractiveness is essential. In this paper, a machine-learning-based predictive modeling approach is proposed for metro ridership prediction, considering the built environment around the stations; it is in the best interest of sustainable transport planning to ultimately contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). A total of twelve parameters are considered as input features including time of day, day of the week, station, and nine types of land use density. Hence, a time-series database is used for model development and testing. Several machine learning (ML) models were evaluated for their predictive performance: ridge regression, lasso regression, elastic net, k-nearest neighbor, support vector regression, decision tree, random forest, extremely randomized trees, adaptive boosting, gradient boosting, extreme gradient boosting, and stacking ensemble learner. Bayesian optimization and grid search are combined with 10-fold cross-validation to tune the hyperparameters of each model. The performance of the developed models was validated based on the test dataset using five quantitative performance measures. The results demonstrated that, among the base learners, the decision tree showed the highest performance with an R² of 87.4% on the test dataset. KNN and SVR were the second and third-best models among the base learners. Furthermore, the feature importance investigation explains the relative contribution of each type of land use density to the prediction of the metro ridership. The results showed that governmental land use density, educational facilities land use density, and mixed-use density are the three factors that play the most critical role in determining total ridership. The outcomes of this research could be of great help to the decision-making process for the best achievement of sustainable development goals in relation to sustainable transport and land use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Assessment of Emerging Mobility Technologies)

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18 pages, 1658 KiB

Open AccessReview

Social Life Cycle Assessment in Municipal Solid Waste Management Systems with Contribution of Waste Pickers: Literature Review and Proposals for New Studies

by Flávio Mattos and João Luiz Calmon

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1717; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021717 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2104

Abstract

Since the publication of the Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) of Products by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) in 2009, there has been an increase in publications and research using this [...] Read more.

Since the publication of the Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) of Products by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) in 2009, there has been an increase in publications and research using this tool to assess the positive or negative social impacts of products and services. This can be done by assessing all processes in the material supply chain, thereby identifying and quantifying the respective social impacts to inform decision makers. Because raw materials can come from different countries, some production processes may use recyclable or reusable materials handled by waste pickers in order to return them to the production chain. Since these waste pickers earn their living from collecting and selling these materials, the social impacts of the final product integrate the social evaluation results of the processes involving these materials. Thus, this article aims to survey the characteristics of current S-LCA models applied to Municipal Solid Waste Management Systems (MSWMS) that include waste pickers and their organizations, in order to identify research opportunities to expand the understanding and application of this tool. In this study, 33 articles were selected, using a systematic review methodology. Analyzing these articles has revealed possible paths to improve the choice of elements for S-LCA models applied to MSWMS that involve waste pickers or equivalents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Waste and Recycling)

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20 pages, 2640 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of FDI Agglomeration on Carbon Emission Intensity: Evidence from City-Level Data in China

by Yunyun Wu and Han Xu

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1716; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021716 - 16 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1330

Abstract

How to accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions in the context of the “double carbon” target has become a key concern for all sectors of society. This paper firstly analyzes the influence mechanism of foreign direct investment (FDI) agglomeration on carbon emission intensity, [...] Read more.

How to accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions in the context of the “double carbon” target has become a key concern for all sectors of society. This paper firstly analyzes the influence mechanism of foreign direct investment (FDI) agglomeration on carbon emission intensity, from a theoretical perspective. Then, based on a panel data of 270 cities in China from 2006 to 2019, this paper uses ArcGIS software to visually analyze the spatial and temporal characteristics of FDI agglomeration and carbon emission intensity, and constructs traditional fixed effect models and spatial econometric models for empirical analysis. The results show that, first, FDI agglomeration has a significantly positive impact on the carbon emission intensity of local and neighboring cities with crowding effect. Second, the level of technological innovation can mitigate the crowding effect of FDI agglomeration on carbon emission intensity in local and neighboring cities. Third, there is a negative spatial autocorrelation between the local carbon emission intensity and the carbon emission intensity of neighboring cities. Fourth, the crowding effect of FDI agglomeration on carbon emission intensity is mainly concentrated in the central and western regions. Based on the research conclusions, this paper puts forward corresponding countermeasure suggestions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards an Ecological Economics of Sustainability: From the Perspective of Environmental Regulation Policies and Pollutant Emissions Governance)

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15 pages, 5251 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Heterogeneity of Sustainable Land Use in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area in the Context of the Carbon Cycle: GIS-Based Big Data Analysis

by Xiaolong Chen, Fang Chen, Fangyuan Cui and Wachio Lei

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1715; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021715 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1902

Abstract

The primary object of this study is to survey the spatial heterogeneity of sustainable land use in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, The introduction of GIS technology into the evaluation index system under the traditional concept of circular economy, combined with the [...] Read more.

The primary object of this study is to survey the spatial heterogeneity of sustainable land use in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, The introduction of GIS technology into the evaluation index system under the traditional concept of circular economy, combined with the “double carbon target” and the methods of entropy weight analysis and superposition analysis led to the establishment of the evaluation index system for sustainable land use in the GIS model. The evaluation’s findings indicate that: (1) Spatially, the horizontal gravity center of sustainable land use in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area changed dimensionally from 2010 to 2021, and the spatial gravity center shifted from north to south. (2) In terms of time characteristics, sustainable land use showed a steady upward trend in the 11 years from 2010 to 2021. (3) There were regional differences and uneven development levels in the comprehensive evaluation of sustainable land use in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. It shows that there are great differences in the degree of social and economic development among federation-level cities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. From the current research on the sustainable use of land resources, the evaluation of sustainable use of land based on the concept of a circular economy is less favorable. Thus far, there has been no case study on land sustainability in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area based on carbon cycles. In this study, the results are systematically sorted out, and the influencing factors are analyzed in depth to provide theoretical guidance on the sustainable and circular development of society, culture, and economy in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainability in Geographic Science)

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14 pages, 2280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Emerging Technologies for the Production of In Vitro Raised Quality Rich Swertia chirayita by Using LED Lights

by Rolika Gupta and Hemant Sood

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021714 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1539

Abstract

The major bioactive compounds in S. chirayita are amarogentin (most bitter compound) and mangiferin, which contribute to its medicinal value due to its antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial and antimalarial properties. In this study, we developed a light emitting diode (LED)–based culture setup as an [...] Read more.

The major bioactive compounds in S. chirayita are amarogentin (most bitter compound) and mangiferin, which contribute to its medicinal value due to its antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial and antimalarial properties. In this study, we developed a light emitting diode (LED)–based culture setup as an alternative to the existing white fluorescent lamps (WFL) used as a light source in the tissue culture conditions of the plants. The in-vitro raised plants of S. chirayita cultivated under LED lights showed a higher accumulation of shoot biomass and secondary metabolites as compared with plants growing under WFL. In the LED lights experiment, red LED accounted forthe maximum biomass accumulation (3.56 ± 0.04 g L⁻¹), and blue LED accounted for the accumulated maximum content of amarogentin (8.025 ± 0.04 µg mg⁻¹ DW), total phenolics (22.33 ± 1.05 mg GA g⁻¹ DW), total flavonoids (29 ± 1.03 mg QE g⁻¹ DW) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (50.40 ± 0.16%) in comparison with other light conditions. From the findings, we propose LED lightning as a more sustainable, eco-friendly and reliable source for the enormous production of quality rich secondary metabolites in shoot cultures of S. chirayita than the traditionally used fluorescent lights. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Smart Cities and Societies Using Emerging Technologies)

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