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1 – 10 of 235The social acceptance of wind energy is increasingly conditioning the Italian Government and regions to authorize the construction of these plants. The proposal of offshore wind…
Abstract
Purpose
The social acceptance of wind energy is increasingly conditioning the Italian Government and regions to authorize the construction of these plants. The proposal of offshore wind farm in the south-west of Sardinia has raised many perplexities both from the marine environmental point of view and from concern about increasing the electricity production in a region that already exports electricity to the peninsula. The purpose of this study is to evaluate what are the factors that most affect the coastal residents’ acceptability of an offshore wind farm.
Design/methodology/approach
The data is based on a Sardinia-wide in-person survey with about 512 participants in the period between May and June 2023. Respondents were selected randomly from five different locations in Carloforte region. Multiple regression analysis investigates the factors that influenced acceptability to construction and development of offshore wind power plant. Four independent variables were selected in the regression models such as (i) interest towards wind energy, (ii) attitude towards renewable energy production, (iii) perceived regional energy policy and (iv) attitude towards offshore wind farm. The dependent variables are the rates of coastal local residents’ acceptance of offshore wind farm for respondents in five coastal towns.
Findings
Fishermen and summer tourism operators’ respondents expressed significant reluctance to accept the new project because they perceive a strong risk of environmental impact on both tuna fishing and marine recreational activities in the vicinity. The distance between the turbines at sea and local residents along the coast and surrounding small islands does not have an influence to accept wind energy. The energy policy of the Region of Sardinia, which is perceived by respondents as an expansive energy policy in the production of electricity that exceeds their needs, not being accompanied by a scenario of reducing that from fossil fuels, is the variable that led about 70% of respondents to express a negative opinion towards this project.
Research limitations/implications
A potential problem associated with the survey is that local response produced sample selection bias. The proportion of respondents with secondary education and no school certificate is quite high. It is possible that respondents who provided valid questionnaires were more low-educated and therefore, the sample may be biased towards lower-educated people. While this does not invalidate the results of this study, it is important to note that the sample was on average less educated than the overall population in Italy. In addition, people with lower incomes were more likely to complete the questionnaires; the results are more representative of a portion of the population with incomes below the national average.
Practical implications
Results showed how coastal communities are in favour of wind energy within their island, but not within a marine protected area that is considered unique for its beauty and marine ecosystem. Wind energy developers should, before submitting a proposal for an offshore wind farm project, consider among other things the long approval time and understand the activities carried out by local communities and their attachment to those places. Politicians and developers should develop a coherent energy transition policy based on a long-term vision of zero emissions, because according to the findings of this study, it was the regional energy policy that is the most controversial reason for residents to reject the project.
Originality/value
The contribution of this study is to fill a part of the research gap linking to ongoing energy transitions. In particular, this study analysed for the first time in Italy the acceptability level of an offshore renewable energy project considering the environmental implications and risks in the fragile marine ecosystem of Carloforte waters. This study also made it possible to analyse the impact of the regional energy policy on the acceptability of residents towards the development of offshore wind farms, which is scarcely discussed in the literature.
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Reima Daher Alsemiry, Rabea E. Abo Elkhair, Taghreed H. Alarabi, Sana Abdulkream Alharbi, Reem Allogmany and Essam M. Elsaid
Studying the shear stress and pressure resulting on the walls of blood vessels, especially during high-pressure cases, which may lead to the explosion or rupture of these vessels…
Abstract
Purpose
Studying the shear stress and pressure resulting on the walls of blood vessels, especially during high-pressure cases, which may lead to the explosion or rupture of these vessels, can also lead to the death of many patients. Therefore, it was necessary to try to control the shear and normal stresses on these veins through nanoparticles in the presence of some external forces, such as exposure to some electromagnetic shocks, to reduce the risk of high pressure and stress on those blood vessels. This study aims to examines the shear and normal stresses of electroosmotic-magnetized Sutterby Buongiorno’s nanofluid in a symmetric peristaltic channel with a moderate Reynolds number and curvature. The production of thermal radiation is also considered. Sutterby nanofluids equations of motion, energy equation, nanoparticles concentration, induced magnetic field and electric potential are calculated without approximation using small and long wavelengths with moderate Reynolds numbers.
Design/methodology/approach
The Adomian decomposition method solves the nonlinear partial differential equations with related boundary conditions. Graphs and tables show flow features and biophysical factors like shear and normal stresses.
Findings
This study found that when curvature and a moderate Reynolds number are present, the non-Newtonian Sutterby fluid raises shear stress across all domains due to velocity decay, resulting in high shear stress. Additionally, modest mobility increases shear stress across all channel domains. The Sutterby parameter causes fluid motion resistance, which results in low energy generation and a decrease in the temperature distribution.
Originality/value
Equations of motion, energy equation, nanoparticle concentration, induced magnetic field and electric potential for Sutterby nano-fluids are obtained without any approximation i.e. the authors take small and long wavelengths and also moderate Reynolds numbers.
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Christopher Amoah and Jeanne Smith
This study aims to examine the challenges for green retrofitting implementation in existing residential buildings to lower the running cost and achieve a better energy-efficient…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the challenges for green retrofitting implementation in existing residential buildings to lower the running cost and achieve a better energy-efficient system.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a qualitative approach by interviewing conveniently selected 16 construction professionals, made up of architects, quantity surveyors and engineers. Data received were analysed using the content analysis method.
Findings
The findings revealed that the main barriers to incorporating green retrofitting in the existing residential buildings as the nature of the existing structures, limited knowledge, not being a priority and high costs involved in the process. Moreover, other factors influencing property developers’ decision to apply energy-efficient principles in a residential home include cost (initial capital and maintenance), level of knowledge, nature of the climate in the area, local legislation, more independence and increasing the property’s market value and environmental aspect.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to South Africa; thus, the literature available was limited.
Practical implications
People’s perceptions, either wrong or correct, affect their ability to make an informed decision to adopt green retrofitting principles, thereby denying them the opportunity to reap the associated benefits. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the construction industry stakeholders and government to increase educational opportunities for property owners on the importance of green retrofitting.
Originality/value
This study provides the occupants with the possible barriers and problem areas with implementing these principles. They will thus make an informed decision when implementing sustainable design methods.
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Gustavo Schiavo and Annibal Scavarda
This study aims to evaluate how corporate governance focused on meeting the legal requirements applied in poultry slaughterhouses contributes to the advancement of the Sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate how corporate governance focused on meeting the legal requirements applied in poultry slaughterhouses contributes to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the environmental pillar and identify vulnerabilities in this governance framework.
Design/methodology/approach
This research was qualitative and was structured with the following steps: literature review, selection of companies and documentary research on licenses applied to these companies.
Findings
The assessment demonstrates that the governance strategy based on legal aspects contributes to progress in indicators related to SDGs such as clean water, climate action, life below water and life on land. However, it falls short when addressing SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy. Another vulnerability of this governance model is that legislation establishes metrics and indicators individually for each link in the poultry industry chain.
Research limitations/implications
Assessment of the corporate governance of poultry slaughterhouses, focusing on legality and analyzing vulnerabilities in the legal aspects of the poultry industry concerning the SDGs that encompass the environmental pillar.
Practical implications
The results provide valuable information for policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders in the segment, suggesting the need to align legislation with SDGs or adopt incentive policies to encourage the spontaneous advancement of SDGs in the poultry industry.
Originality/value
Considering the need for progress toward a more sustainable world and the trend of organizations focusing their efforts on complying with local legislation, this study aims to contribute to understanding how the legal requirements applied in practice are prepared to support the advancement of the SDGs.
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Brahim Gaies and Najeh Chaâbane
This study adopts a new macro-perspective to explore the complex and dynamic links between financial instability and the Euro-American green equity market. Its primary focus and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study adopts a new macro-perspective to explore the complex and dynamic links between financial instability and the Euro-American green equity market. Its primary focus and novelty is to shed light on the non-linear and asymmetric characteristics of dependence, causality, and contagion within various time and frequency domains. Specifically, the authors scrutinize how financial instability in the U.S. and EU interacts with their respective green stock markets, while also examining the cross-impact on each other's green equity markets. The analysis is carried out over short-, medium- and long-term horizons and under different market conditions, ranging from bearish and normal to bullish.
Design/methodology/approach
This study breaks new ground by employing a model-free and non-parametric approach to examine the relationship between the instability of the global financial system and the green equity market performance in the U.S. and EU. This study's methodology offers new insights into the time- and frequency-varying relationship, using wavelet coherence supplemented with quantile causality and quantile-on-quantile regression analyses. This advanced approach unveils non-linear and asymmetric causal links and characterizes their signs, effectively distinguishing between bearish, normal, and bullish market conditions, as well as short-, medium- and long-term horizons.
Findings
This study's findings reveal that financial instability has a strong negative impact on the green stock market over the medium to long term, in bullish market conditions and in times of economic and extra-economic turbulence. This implies that green stocks cannot be an effective hedge against systemic financial risk during periods of turbulence and euphoria. Moreover, the authors demonstrate that U.S. financial instability not only affects the U.S. green equity market, but also has significant spillover effects on the EU market and vice versa, indicating the existence of a Euro-American contagion mechanism. Interestingly, this study's results also reveal a positive correlation between financial instability and green equity market performance under normal market conditions, suggesting a possible feedback loop effect.
Originality/value
This study represents pioneering work in exploring the non-linear and asymmetric connections between financial instability and the Euro-American stock markets. Notably, it discerns how these interactions vary over the short, medium, and long term and under different market conditions, including bearish, normal, and bullish states. Understanding these characteristics is instrumental in shaping effective policies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including access to clean, affordable energy (SDG 7), and to preserve the stability of the international financial system.
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Kurukulasuriya Dinesh Udana Devindra Fernando and Nawalage Seneviratne Cooray
Introduction: In the context of Sri Lanka, this study compares how institutions and financial development (FD) affect economic growth (EG) and inclusive growth (IG).Purpose: The…
Abstract
Introduction: In the context of Sri Lanka, this study compares how institutions and financial development (FD) affect economic growth (EG) and inclusive growth (IG).
Purpose: The well-structured administration and judicial system at the provincial level have been established against the socioeconomic vulnerabilities in the country for an extended period. Still, the country as a whole and provincial level is experiencing huge income and social inequality, though there are required provisions for enhancing the well-being of the people.
Methodology: The study consists of data from the nine provinces from 2013 to 2019. The analysis used the Dynamic Spatial Durbin Model (D-SDM) to explore the spatial dependencies between the provinces. Two models were developed: the interaction of the financial service activities (FSA) and insurance, reinsurance, and pension (INPEN), representing the FD with the EG and IG with and without. The IG index was estimated by principal component analysis (PCA) using indicators of the four dimensions. The results indicated spatial dependency among FD’s interaction with EG when provincial tax (PROTAX) and provincial expenses (PROEXP) are the provincial institutions.
Findings: The IG model results showed the IG’s spatial dependency moderated by the FD and only the IG model between the provinces. PROEXP showed a significant positive spillover impact among provinces towards the IG.
Practical Implications: The finding inform economic policy making while identifying weaknesses in existing local governments. Attention must be given to how poverty can be reduced, enhancing the well-being of the people with the proper channelling of finance and government institutional mechanisms.
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This paper aims to prepare a new donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A) and acceptor–π– D–π–A (A–π–D–π–A) phenothiazine (PTZ) in conjugation with vinyl isophorone (PTZ-1 and PTZ-2) were…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to prepare a new donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A) and acceptor–π– D–π–A (A–π–D–π–A) phenothiazine (PTZ) in conjugation with vinyl isophorone (PTZ-1 and PTZ-2) were designed and their molecular shape, electrical structures and characteristics have been explored using the density functional theory (DFT). The results satisfactorily explain that the higher conjugative effect resulted in a smaller high occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap (Eg). Both compounds show intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) transitions in the ultraviolet (UV)–visible range, with a bathochromic shift and higher absorption oscillator strength, as determined by DFT calculations.
Design/methodology/approach
The produced PTZ-1 and PTZ-2 sensors were characterized using various spectroscopic methods, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H/13CNMR). UV–visible absorbance spectra of the generated D–π–A PTZ-1 and A–π–D–π–A PTZ-2 dyes were explored in different solvents of changeable polarities to illustrate positive solvatochromism correlated to intramolecular charge transfer.
Findings
The emission spectra of PTZ-1 and PTZ-2 showed strong solvent-dependent band intensity and wavelength. Stokes shifts were monitored to increase with the increase of the solvent polarity up to 4122 cm−1 for the most polar solvent. Linear energy-solvation relationship was applied to inspect solvent-dependent Stokes shifting. Quantum yield (ф) of PTZ-1 and PTZ-2 was also explored. The maximum UV–visible absorbance wavelengths were detected at 417 and 419 nm, whereas the fluorescence intensity was monitored at 586 and 588 nm.
Originality/value
The PTZ-1 and PTZ-2 dyes leading to colorimetric and emission spectral changes together with a color shift from yellow to red.
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Luís Jacques de Sousa, João Poças Martins, Luís Sanhudo and João Santos Baptista
This study aims to review recent advances towards the implementation of ANN and NLP applications during the budgeting phase of the construction process. During this phase…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to review recent advances towards the implementation of ANN and NLP applications during the budgeting phase of the construction process. During this phase, construction companies must assess the scope of each task and map the client’s expectations to an internal database of tasks, resources and costs. Quantity surveyors carry out this assessment manually with little to no computer aid, within very austere time constraints, even though these results determine the company’s bid quality and are contractually binding.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper seeks to compile applications of machine learning (ML) and natural language processing in the architectural engineering and construction sector to find which methodologies can assist this assessment. The paper carries out a systematic literature review, following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, to survey the main scientific contributions within the topic of text classification (TC) for budgeting in construction.
Findings
This work concludes that it is necessary to develop data sets that represent the variety of tasks in construction, achieve higher accuracy algorithms, widen the scope of their application and reduce the need for expert validation of the results. Although full automation is not within reach in the short term, TC algorithms can provide helpful support tools.
Originality/value
Given the increasing interest in ML for construction and recent developments, the findings disclosed in this paper contribute to the body of knowledge, provide a more automated perspective on budgeting in construction and break ground for further implementation of text-based ML in budgeting for construction.
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Even though sustainability appears to be a relevant driver for the relocation of production, this has only to a limited extent been studied as an independent motive or a result of…
Abstract
Even though sustainability appears to be a relevant driver for the relocation of production, this has only to a limited extent been studied as an independent motive or a result of backshoring. This study explores the literature on backshoring and sustainability and discusses some empirical cases to shed light on the connection between sustainability and backshoring. This study argues that sustainability issues may require a broader perspective than the dominant economic logic framing previous studies on backshoring. Institutional theory is suggested as a theoretical framework for analyzing how sustainability can play a role in companies’ backshoring decisions.
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Farooq H. Ali, Mushtaq F. Almensoury, Atheer Saad Hashim, Qusay Rasheed Al-Amir, Hameed K. Hamzah and M. Hatami
This paper aims to study the effect of concentric hot circular cylinder inside egg-cavity porous-copper nanofluid on natural convection phenomena.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the effect of concentric hot circular cylinder inside egg-cavity porous-copper nanofluid on natural convection phenomena.
Design/methodology/approach
The finite element method–based Galerkin approach is applied to solve numerically the set of governing equations with appropriate boundary conditions.
Findings
The effects of different range parameters, such as Darcy number (10–3 = Da = 10–1), Rayleigh number (103 = Ra = 106), nanoparticle volume fraction (0 = ϑ = 0.06) and eccentricity (−0.3 = e = 0.1) on the fluid flow represent by stream function and heat transfer represent by temperature distribution, local and average Nusselt numbers.
Research limitations/implications
A comparison between oval shape and concentric circular concentric cylinder was investigated.
Originality/value
In the current numerical study, heat transfer by natural convection was identified inside the new design of egg-shaped cavity as a result of the presence of a circular inside it supported by a porous medium filled with a nanofluid. After reviewing previous studies and considering the importance of heat transfer by free convection inside tubes for many applications, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current work is the first study that deals with a study and comparison between the common shape (concentric circular tubes) and the new shape (egg-shaped cavity).
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