This article consists of an experimental description about how the memory effect intervenes on hydrates formation. In particular, carbon dioxide hydrates were formed in a lab–scale apparatus and in presence of demineralized water and a pure quartz porous medium. The same gas-water mixture was used. Half of experiments was carried out in order to ensure that the system retained memory of previous processes, while in the other half, such effect was completely avoided. Experiments were characterized thermodynamically and kinetically. The local conditions, required for hydrates formation, were compared with those of equilibrium. Moreover, the time needed for the process completion and the rate constant trend over time, were defined. The study of these parameters, together with the observation that hydrates formation was quantitatively similar in both types of experiments, allowed to conclude that the memory effect mainly acted as kinetic promoter for carbon dioxide hydrates formation. Full article

Rural tourism has been developing vigorously, and rural community functions are becoming diversified in China. Therefore, this paper takes China as an example to explore how sustainable rural tourism affects rural community development in the long and short run over the period 1994–2020. Sustainable rural tourism can be measured using two indicators: total rural tourism revenue and number of rural tourists. Rural community development is measured by the number of rural community service institutions. Then, by incorporating other variables and using the autoregressive distributed lag bounds co-integration technique to perform an empirical analysis, we found that, whether in the long or short run, sustainable rural tourism always plays a positive and significant role in promoting rural community development. In particular, in the long run, rural infrastructure construction, rural ecological environment, agricultural fiscal expenditure, agricultural technological progress, and rural human capital are identified as the major forces behind rural community development. Meanwhile, in the short run, rural infrastructure construction, rural ecological environment, agricultural fiscal expenditure, agricultural technological progress, and rural human capital are also major drivers of rural community development. This paper contributes to the current literature by filling in the existing gaps in several aspects. Full article

There are several methods available for modeling sustainable supply chain and logistics (SSCL) issues. Multi-objective optimization (MOO) has been a widely used method in SSCL modeling (SSCLM), nonetheless selecting a suitable optimization technique and solution method is still of interest as model performance is highly dependent on decision-making variables of the model development process. This study provides insights from the analysis of 95 scholarly articles to identify research gaps in the MOO for SSCLM and to assist decision-makers in selecting suitable MOO techniques and solution methods. The results of the analysis indicate that economic and environmental aspects of sustainability are the main context of SSCLM, where the social aspect is still limited. More SSCLMs for sourcing, distribution, and transportation phases of the supply chain are required. Additionally, more sophisticated techniques and solution methods, including hybrid metaheuristics approaches, are needed in SSCLM. Full article

Improving the efficiency and quality of construction mainly depends on the cost of building materials, which is about 55–65% of total capital-construction costs. The study aimed to obtain geopolymer fine-grained concrete with improved quality characteristics that meet the construction field’s sustainable development criteria and that have environmental friendliness, economic efficiency, and advantages over competing analogues. The dependences of strength characteristics on various compositions of geopolymer concrete were obtained. It was found that the most effective activator is a composition of NaOH and Na₂SiO₃ with a ratio of 1:2. The increase in the indicators of the obtained geopolymer concrete from the developed composition (4A) in relation to the base control (1X) was 17% in terms of compressive strength and 24% in tensile strength in bending. Polynomial equations were obtained showing the dependence of the change in the strength characteristics of geopolymer concrete on the individual influence of each of the activators. A significant effect of the composition of the alkaline activator on the strength characteristics of geopolymer fine-grained concrete was noted. The optimal temperature range of heat treatment of geopolymer concrete samples, contributing to the positive kinetics of compressive strength gain at the age of 28 days, was determined. The main technological and recipe parameters for obtaining geopolymers with the desired properties, which meet the ecology requirements and are efficient from the point of view of economics, were determined. Full article

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the use of e-learning among students in higher education during the Corona Virus disease, during the 2019 season (COVID-19). A poll of 395 students from the student’s university was used to conduct the research. The study’s theoretical foundation was an expanded Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which included task-technology fit and students’ engagement, as well as external elements such as experience (EXP), technology anxiety (TEA), and facilitating conditions (FC). The suggested model was tested and evaluated using SEM-PLS. The investigation demonstrated that the suggested TAM-based scale effectively describes factors impacting students’ use of E-learning during the pandemic. According to the findings, students’ engagement (SEN), EXP, TEA, and FC have a favorable impact on task–technology fit (TTF) and perceived ease of use (PEOU), resulting in a good impact on TTF and usage of an e-learning system for educational sustainability (EA). Finally, the TTF fit and convenience of use of eLearning in education have a positive impact on the behavioral intention to use an e-learning system for educational sustainability and the adoption process. As a result, higher education institutions should use eLearning as a sustainability learning strategy. Full article

China attaches importance to the combination of credit policy and environmental protection, tries to use credit policy tools to protect ecology and pollution prevention, and prevent environmental credit risk. With the proposal of the goal of “carbon peak and carbon neutralisation” (“double carbon”), green credit is also regarded as an important policy tool to achieve this goal. Firstly, this paper selects the time series data of green credit at the national level from 2013 to 2019 according to the official statistics and evaluates the coupling and coordinated development of credit system and environmental system based on the coupling coordination model. The results show that the two systems show well-coordinated development, but the interaction has annual fluctuations. Secondly, by calculating the provincial carbon emissions and green credit panel data from 2005 to 2019, the dynamic internal mechanism is analysed based on Panel Vector Autoregression (PVAR) model. It is found that green credit has a significant inhibitory effect on carbon emissions. The research results of this paper provide an overall evaluation of the quantity and quality of green credit for China’s banking industry. It also provides reasonable and effective support for green credit as a policy tool to promote realising the “double carbon” goal. In addition, China should maintain the consistency, stability and durability of green credit policy and continue to contribute to the low-carbon transformation of the economy and society. Full article

The remediation of heavy metals (HMs) in soil is always an important topic, as environmental contamination by HMs is of serious concern. Numerous potential advantages, especially integrated with biochar produced from various biomass, might provide an ecologically beneficial tool for achieving the UN’s sustainable development objectives for greener soil remediation. The aim of this study was to address how the soil-science professions may best successfully utilize biochar for greener remediation of HMs-contaminated soils. In this context, the biochar preparation method from different agricultural feedstock, and its use as a soil amendment for remediation of HMs-contaminated soil, were discussed. Furthermore, biochar-based nanocomposites containing functional materials have lately attracted much interest because of the unique properties emerging from their nanoscale size compartment, and present good promise in terms of reactivity and stability. The utility and potency of biochar-based nanocomposites, on the other hand, are determined by their ability to adapt to particular site circumstances and soil qualities. This overview summarized the current advances in the application for the remediation of HMs-polluted soils. Future views on the usage and possibilities for deploying biochar-based nanocomposites in polluted soils were discussed. Full article

Innovativeness is a characteristic of digital technologies (DT), and they have been assuming an important role in economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Therefore, DT are relevant contributors for sustainable development goal (SDG) achievements. This study aims to compare the preference for artificial intelligence-driven digital technologies (AI-Driven DT) to achieve SDGs in Brazil and Portugal. An independent sample t-test analysis and Levene test are performed to identify potential artificial intelligence-driven digital technologies (AI-Driven DT) as favorable facilitators for SDG achievements in Brazil and Portugal. Based on the findings, a broader analysis is provided, to (i) indicate potential favorable SDGs, (ii) discuss differences between the countries in AI-Driven DT preferences in each SDG, and (iii) make recommendations for potential technologies that could receive more attention and investments in both regions to make emergent digital technologies succeed, with a particular emphasis on cleaner production. The analysis is organized into three dimensions: economic, social, and environment. At the end, a closing discussion is provided about the key guidelines and prospects that could be adopted to keep a strong and positive shift of AI-Driven DT developments and applications towards fully supporting the attainment of the SDG of United Nations Organization (ONU) Agenda 2030. Full article

Due to the restructuring of the power system, customers always try to obtain low-cost power efficiently and reliably. As a result, there is a chance to violate the system security limit, or the system may run in risk conditions. In this paper, an economic risk analysis of a power system considering wind and pumped hydroelectric storage (WPHS) hybrid system is presented with the help of meta-heuristic algorithms. The value-at-risk (VaR) and conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) are used as the economic risk analysis tool with two different confidence levels (i.e., 95% and 99%). The VaR and CVaR with higher negative values represent the system in a higher-risk condition. The value of VaR and CVaR on the lower negative side or towards a positive value side indicates a less risky system. The main objective of this work is to minimize the system risk as well as minimize the system generation cost by optimal placement of wind farm and pumped hydro storage systems in the power system. Sequential quadratic programming (SQP), artificial bee colony algorithms (ABC), and moth flame optimization algorithms (MFO) are used to solve optimal power flow problems. The novelty of this paper is that the MFO algorithm is used for the first time in this type of power risk curtailment problem. The IEEE 30 bus system is considered to analyze the system risk with the different confidence levels. The MVA flow of all transmission lines is considered here to calculate the value of VaR and CVaR. The hourly VaR and CVaR values of the hybrid system considering the WPHS system are reported here and the numerical case studies of the hybrid WPHS system demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. To validate the presented approach, the results obtained by using the MFO algorithm are compared with the SQP and ABC algorithms’ results. Full article

Ecosystem services are essential for cities and are key factors in achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Such services are best delivered through green infrastructure, which works in resourceful, multifunctional, synergistic, and environmentally sensitive ways to deliver ecosystem services and provide alternative cleaner pathways for the delivery of multiple urban services. It is unclear if current research supports the necessary linkages between ecosystem services, cities, and green infrastructure in order to achieve the SDGs. To answer this question, we conducted a systematic review analysing 3392 studies on the SDGs from the WoS database. The contents of 66 of those with relevance to ecosystem services and urban research were reviewed in depth. We applied network-analytic methods to map the relationships of different knowledge clusters of SDGs research (1) across time, (2) across disciplines, and (3) in relation to ecosystem services and cities. The results of our analysis show that research on the SDGs have developed stronger networks from 2010–2018, but this research has not been sustained. Further, whilst research on cities now occupies a central place in the SDGs literature, research on ecosystem services only shows tentative links to both green-infrastructure research and SDGs research. Such literature on urban green infrastructure remains peripheral to the central challenge of sustainable urban transitions. We conclude that when it comes to the SDGs, research articles typically consider urban services independently of green infrastructure. Further, it suggests that green infrastructure is not generally considered as a sustainable alternative to conventional urban infrastructures. To address this serious shortcoming, we recommend transdisciplinary approaches to link urban ecosystem and urban green infrastructure research to the 2030 global sustainability agenda. Full article

The feasibility of using Robinia pseudoacacia in phytoremediation of sterile dumps was determined. The potential of Robinia pseudoacacia seeds to grow in a medium contaminated with high concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Cu was firstly evaluated by applying germination tests on acacia seeds in the presence of various extractants prepared by mixtures of sterile material (SM) collected from the “Radeș” dump (Romania), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and dehydrated sludge (DS) from Someș Water Treatment Plant (Cluj Napoca, Romania), fertilizer (N.P.K.), and potassium monobasic phosphate (KH₂PO₄-99.5%). The results indicated that Robinia pseudoacacia seeds grow much better in an acidic than in a neutral medium and in the absence of carbonates. The capacity of metal uptake from SM by Robinia pseudoacacia and the development of the plants were then investigated at the laboratory scale. During the phytoremediation process, 92.31% of Cu was removed from SM, and the development of the Robinia pseudoacacia plants was favorable. However, although the results of the present study indicated that Robinia pseudoacacia can be successfully used in the phytoremediation of sterile dumps, making a sustainable decision for the current situation of sterile dumps located in mining areas may be difficult because an optimal point between people, profit, planet, and diverse ethical views must be found. Full article

Big Data Adoption (BDA) has already gained tremendous attention from executives in various fields. However, it is still not well explored in the education sector, where a large amount of academic data is being produced. Therefore, integrating Technology Organization Environment (TOE) and Diffusion of Innovation (DOI), this study aims to develop a theoretical model to identify the factors that influence BDA in the higher education sector. To do so, significant technology-, organization-, and environment-related factors have been extracted from previous BDA studies. Meanwhile, the moderating effects of the university size and the university age are added into the developed model. A sample of 195 data was collected from the managerial side of virtual university (VU) campuses in Pakistan using an online survey questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the research model and developed hypotheses. The results showed that relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, top management support, financial resources, human expertise and skills, competitive pressure, security and privacy, and government policies are significant determinants of BDA. However, the results did not support the influence of IT infrastructure on BDA. Based on the findings, this study provides guidelines for the successful adoption of big data in higher education sector. This study can serve as a piece of help to the ministry of education, administrators, and big data service providers for the smooth adoption of big data. Full article

Manufacturing of building materials and construction of buildings make up 11% of the global greenhouse gas emission by sector. Mass timber construction has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by moving wood into buildings with designs that have traditionally been dominated by steel and concrete. The environmental impacts of mass timber buildings were compared against those of functionally equivalent conventional buildings. Three pairs of buildings were designed for the Pacific Northwest, Northeast and Southeast regions in the United States to conform to mass timber building types with 8, 12, or 18 stories. Conventional buildings constructed with concrete and steel were designed for comparisons with the mass timber buildings. Over all regions and building heights, the mass timber buildings exhibited a reduction in the embodied carbon varying between 22% and 50% compared to the concrete buildings. Embodied carbon per unit of area increased with building height as the quantity of concrete, metals, and other nonrenewable materials increased. Total embodied energy to produce, transport, and construct A1–A5 materials was higher in all mass timber buildings compared to equivalent concrete. Further research is needed to predict the long-term carbon emissions and carbon mitigation potential of mass timber buildings to conventional building materials. Full article

The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) has transformed the tourism sector to an unprecedented extent, creating new challenges and new development paths. Although the recovery of tourism is fraught with uncertainties, the changes in tourists’ travel habits offer a unique opportunity for tourism to recover in a way that respects the principles of sustainable development. Several international studies suggest that the pandemic has significantly transformed tourists’ travel habits and destination choices, making them more environmentally conscious and shifting their preferences towards inland destinations close to nature. To test these claims, we examined tourists’ destination choices and the factors influencing them in a sample of 500 respondents in Hungary before the pandemic and after the restrictions on travel, businesses, gatherings, and mask requirements were lifted in the summer of 2021. Our results show that there was no significant change in the destination choices of the tourists surveyed. The main influences were the aspects of safety and comfort; the consideration of environmental concerns, despite our assumptions, did not play a significant role. Full article

Recent advances in technology have made truly open and accessible government significantly more realisable. One of the ways in which governments are using this technology is in the implementation of online portals that allow open (i.e., public and unrestricted) access to data and use of data. Such portals can be used by citizens and professionals to facilitate improved decision-making across a wide range of areas, from car-parking to promoting entrepreneurialism. However, the existence of portals per se is not enough. To maximise their potential, users must also feel that they are both accessible and usable. To gain insights into the current state of usability of OGD portals for professionals working in data-related areas, a comparative study of the portals of the G7 group was carried out, using a mixed methodology. This is the first specific comparison of these portals for such users, as well as the first study to add a user-centred qualitative dimension to the research. The study’s findings showed that the G7 countries are not maximising the potential of their portals or collaborating effectively. Addressing these issues, and building better cross-national consistency, would help to improve the value delivered by investment in OGD portals. The study also further supported an existing user-centred, heuristic evaluation framework for application to a more specific user group, as well as more generally. Full article