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Assessing the Role of Democratic Innovations in Environmental Sustainability: A Systematic Literature Review
No full textAddressing the climate crisis requires innovative governance mechanisms that integrate citizen participation with environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. While democratic innovations have gained traction in climate governance, their capacity to drive systemic environmental change remains underexplored. This study identifies how they contribute to environmental sustainability by mapping their linkages to specific Sustainable Development Goals. Based on a systematic literature review, the study examines the environmental dimensions of democratic innovations and the policy domains through which they incorporate sustainability goals. Findings reveal that democratic innovations influence public perception and policy, revealing their capacity to reshape governance frameworks and align local priorities with climate policies. However, institutional constraints, fragmented policy uptake, and varying national governance capacities hinder their full potential. Strengthening the political embedding of participatory processes and fostering cross-sectoral integration is essential to ensure that democratic innovations contribute to long-term and transformative sustainability transitions
AviBERT: Transformer-based Aircraft Text Classification AviBERT: Transformer Tabanli Hava Araci Metni Siniflandirma
No full textIn recent years, transformer-based models pre-trained on extensive corpora have played a critical role in the advancement of Natural Language Processing methodologies. Particularly, methods based on BERT have demonstrated remarkable performance across various tasks by offering robust capabilities in deeply understanding texts semantically. However, despite these advancements, there is a notable scarcity of studies applying these technologies in the aviation sector. This paper develops a multi-class classification model for aviation-specific texts using variants of BERT. The study encompasses the processes of collecting web content related to aircraft, labeling and model training. The details of the dataset are explained and the outcomes of the study are assessed based on the macro F1-score and accuracy of different models
Re-manifesting the architectural manifesto: Claude Parent and Paul Virilio’s Architecture Principe magazine, 1966–1996
No full textDesigning for enhanced trust through feedback mechanisms for takeover scenarios in semi-autonomous vehicles
No full textFanNet: A mesh convolution operator for learning dense maps☆
No full textIn this paper, we introduce a fast, simple and novel mesh convolution operator for learning dense shape correspondences. Instead of calculating weights between nodes, we explicitly aggregate node features by serializing neighboring vertices in a fan-shaped order. Thereafter, we use a fully connected layer to encode vertex features combined with the local neighborhood information. Finally, we feed the resulting features into the multi-resolution functional maps module to acquire the final maps. We demonstrate that our method works well in both supervised and unsupervised settings, and can be applied to isometric shapes with arbitrary triangulation and resolution. We evaluate the proposed method on two widely-used benchmark datasets, FAUST and SCAPE. Our results show that FanNet runs significantly faster and provides on-par or better performance than the related state-of-the-art shape correspondence methods
Methodological framework for assessing the reliability indices of composite bridge superstructures considering the degradation of shear connectors: aspects of technical implementation
No full textThe paper presents the methodological framework and technical aspects of reliability indices assessing of composite bridge superstructures considering the degradation of stud shear connectors. This study is a continuation of the previous ones, which established diagrams illustrating the time-dependent decline in the reliability index of a simple composite beam. A distinguishing feature of this reliability assessment task is the nonlinear approach of the calculation model, which allows for accounting for damage accumulation in stud shear connectors and the resultant reduction in their longitudinal stiffness. In the case of composite structures that are more intricate than simple beams (such as continuous beams and any spatial systems), the complexity of the calculation framework escalates considerably due to increased uncertainty surrounding the identification of critical point locations and load case pairs' definitions for critical stress range values. Furthermore, considering the extensive list of input data within a probabilistic framework, it becomes imperative to select an efficient method for determining the reliability index to optimize computational resources. The paper proposes guidance to practicing engineers and researchers for developing a methodological framework for reliability analysis and presents illustrative examples that demonstrate the implementation of algorithms
When the walls disappear: Role-based sociomaterial dynamics in coworking spaces
No full textCoworking spaces (CWS) have emerged as pivotal sites in contemporary workpractices, offering flexible environments for diverse groups such as freelancers,entrepreneurs, remote workers, and employees of incumbent firms (Bouncken et al.,2020). CWS, where numerous diverse companies share a physical environment withno rigid boundaries, enable proximity and interaction, resulting in a vibrant hub whereinformal exchanges, collaboration, and knowledge sharing can thrive. The absence ofstrict physical separateness encourages spontaneous and serendipitous interactions,with the exposure to the activities, conversations, and ideas of other entities in thespace often sparking unintentional insights and learning. The literature underscoresthe role of community and collaboration within these spaces, where curatedrelationships and managed dynamics foster innovation and knowledge exchange(Yacoub & Haefliger, 2022; Bouncken et al., 2018; Spinuzzi, 2012). As part ofinnovation ecosystems, CWS facilitate entrepreneurial activities, serving as a hub forstartups, knowledge sharing, and creative synergies (Capdevila, 2015; Avdikos &Merkel, 2020).The co-location of diverse members from different organizations fostersinformal interactions, which emerge through unplanned connections and relationships(Blagoev et al., 2019). While analyzing such interactions and emerging practices iscrucial to understanding the dynamics within CWS, extant research literaturepredominantly focuses on independent and entrepreneurial actors (Johns et al., 2024),often overlooking the unique experiences of employees from tenant firms. Howell(2022) notes that founders who create their own ventures and employees who work inthese ventures are different in many ways. Since founders are more emotionallyinvested in their ventures, the impromptu interactions and community in CWS are awelcome relief and a source of literal ideas and tactics, whereas the employees do not2rely on the community as much (Howell, 2022). Accordingly, this research seeks toanswer the question: How do the role positions of different organizational actorsinfluence the emergence of informal social and material interactions?To address this question, we conducted a qualitative inductive study (Corbin &Strauss, 2008) in a university-affiliated coworking space. The coworking space hoststechnology startups from diverse verticals, where founders, co-founders, andemployees share a boundaryless office environment. This unique setting offers fertilegrounds for examining our focal inquiry into the dynamics of coworking interactionsfrom the perspectives of founders and their employees. Adopting a sociomaterialityperspective (Leonardi, 2013), we explore the interplay between incumbentorganizational actors and the materiality of the coworking space, shedding light onhow these interactions shape creative and collaborative practices.</p
Establishment of self-reported hearing cut-off value on the Chinese version of short form of speech, spatial and qualities of hearing scale (SSQ12)
No full textObjective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Chinese version of Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (C-SSQ12) in the Chinese Mandarin-speaking population and to determine its screening cut-off value by comparing measured pure-tone average (PTA), the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening Version (HHIE-S) scores and C-SSQ12 scores. Design: All participants completed the C-SSQ12 questionnaire and underwent the pure-tone audiometry. Older subjects aged >= 60 years completed the HHIE-S questionnaire. The optimal cut-off value for the C-SSQ12 as a hearing screening tool was calculated by comparing different cut-offs and hearing thresholds. Study sampleA total of 300 subjects were recruited. Results: There was a negative correlation between C-SSQ12 scores and HHIE-S scores (r = -0.749). C-SSQ12 scores were negatively correlated with PTA (r = -0.507; r = -0.542). The best cut-off value for the C-SSQ12 was 6.0, with a sensitivity of 78.2%, specificity of 80.3%, positive predictive value of 63.7% and negative predictive value of 97.0% (PTA > 40dBHL for bilateral ears). Conclusions: Compared to mild hearing loss, the C-SSQ12 is a reliable and validated hearing screening tool with increased sensitivity for detecting moderate-to-severe hearing loss
Flue gas induced lithium carbonate crystallization from industrial black mass
No full textSpent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a valuable secondary source of lithium, but conventional recovery methods using sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) often result in sodium contamination, limiting the purity of recovered lithium carbonate (Li2CO3). The present study introduces a novel process for lithium recovery from industrial black mass (BM) using a CO2 blend, which addresses the issue of sodium contamination. Lithium was selectively extracted from an industrial black mass through water leaching. The feasibility of Li2CO3 crystallization with CO2 blend injection was first demonstrated using synthetic lithium hydroxide (LiOH), revealing that high reaction temperatures and precise pH control are essential for maximizing lithium recovery, with optimal recovery occurring near the pH maximum. In-situ focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) confirmed Li2CO3 dissolution during excess CO2 injection. Finally, Li2CO3 was recovered from the concentrated water leachate via gas-liquid reactive crystallization using the CO2 blend, achieving a purity exceeding 99.8 %
Improving mental health and well-being in emerging adults with emotion efficacy training
No full textTraditional mental health paradigms have primarily focused on symptom reduction as a measure of well-being. However, emerging research suggests the absence of psychological symptoms does not necessarily equate to well-being, highlighting the need for a broader assessment of mental health. Emotion efficacy, defined as the ability to experience and respond to a full range of emotions in a contextually adaptive, values-consistent manner, plays a crucial role in both emotional regulation and overall well-being. This is particularly relevant during emerging adulthood, a developmental stage associated with heightened emotional challenges and increased vulnerability to mental health issues, where strengthening emotional functioning may yield significant benefits. This exploratory study examined the effects of Emotion Efficacy Training (EET), a process-based, transdiagnostic intervention, using a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up experimental design with emerging adults. Participants in the EET intervention group exhibited (a) significantly higher emotion efficacy and (b) greater emotional, social, and psychological well-being compared to the control group. While not the primary aim of the study, participants also reported lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress following the intervention. These findings suggest that increasing emotion efficacy may support both improvements in well-being, as well as reductions in psychological distress, highlighting the potential value of process-based interventions that foster adaptive emotional engagement and regulation