Systems最新文献

{"title":"Why Is Reducing the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico Such a Complex Goal? Understanding the Structure That Drives Hypoxic Zone Formation via System Dynamics","authors":"Luis Mier-Valderrama, Jorge Ledezma, Karl Gibson, Ambrose Anoruo, Benjamin Turner","doi":"10.3390/systems12090326","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12090326","url":null,"abstract":"The Northern Gulf of Mexico hosts a severe dead zone, an oxygen-depleted area spanning 1,618,000 hectares, threatening over 40% of the U.S. fishing industry and causing annual losses of USD 82 million. Using a System Dynamics (SD) approach, this study examined the Mississippi–Atchafalay nd a River Basin (MARB), a major contributor to hypoxia in the Gulf. A dynamic model, developed with Vensim software version 10.2.1 andexisting data, represented the physical, biological, and chemical processes leading to eutrophication and simulated dead zone formation over time. Various policies were assessed, considering natural system variability. The findings showed that focusing solely on nitrogen control reduced the dead zone but required greater intensity or managing other inputs to meet environmental goals. Runoff control policies delayed nutrient discharge but did not significantly alter long-term outcomes. Extreme condition tests highlighted the critical role of runoff dynamics, dependent on nitrogen load relative to flow volume from upstream. The model suggests interventions should not just reduce eutrophication inputs but enhance factors slowing down the process, allowing natural denitrification to override anthropogenic nitrification.","PeriodicalId":36394,"journal":{"name":"Systems","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142227760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhanced Medical Education for Physically Disabled People through Integration of IoT and Digital Twin Technologies","authors":"Abhishek Kumar, Abdul Khader Jilani Saudagar, Muhammad Badruddin Khan","doi":"10.3390/systems12090325","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12090325","url":null,"abstract":"This research presents an innovative approach to revolutionize IoT service development in medical education, specifically designed to empower individuals with physical disabilities. By integrating digital twin technology, we offer dynamic virtual representations of tangible assets, facilitating real-time simulation, monitoring, and feedback. A unique visual response algorithm has been developed to enhance the processing of visual vector data, resulting in a more efficient IoT service development process. Our method demonstrates superior performance over traditional techniques, particularly in achieving higher intrinsic variable merging values, which is critical for accurate and accessible visualization. The practical applications of this technology are highlighted through case studies that demonstrate how physically disabled students can benefit from interactive and immersive educational experiences. For instance, students can engage with the digital twins of medical equipment, allowing them to practice procedures and gain hands-on experience in a virtual environment without physical barriers. This approach not only improves accessibility but also personalizes learning experiences, adapting to the unique needs of each student. The research underscores the importance of inclusive design in developing IoT services, ensuring higher inclusivity rates and addressing diverse learning patterns. The findings suggest that the integration of IoT and digital twin technologies can significantly enhance medical education, making it more accessible, effective, and inclusive for physically disabled individuals. This study lays the groundwork for future advancements in this field, highlighting the potential for ongoing technological innovations to further transform medical education.","PeriodicalId":36394,"journal":{"name":"Systems","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142225914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From Learning Ecologies to a Social Ecosystem Model for Learning and Skills","authors":"Ken Spours","doi":"10.3390/systems12090324","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12090324","url":null,"abstract":"The growing relevance of socio-ecological systems (SESs) thinking reflects both the challenges of an anthropogenic poly crisis and attempts to understand the complexities of societal development in an era of globalisation. The article begins by suggesting there are two related variants of SES thinking—relationships between the natural and human worlds (Variant 1) and whole social and human system analysis using metaphorical transfer and theorisation of natural ecological principles (Variant 2). This article elaborates Variant 2 through the development a social ecosystem model (SEM) applied to post-compulsory education and skills development. An exploration of the SEM is conducted through a review of the literatures on ‘Learning Ecologies’ to assess the strengths and limitations of this human ecological approach. Perceived limitations are addressed by the development of the SEM that adds a political economy dimension to the learning ecological model, which is then applied to the field of learning and skills in the English context in support of an inclusive and place-based approach to vocational education and training (VET). The article concludes by suggesting that the SEM can be further expanded by its application to transitioning to more sustainable futures, being developed by scholars of indigenous communities and populations of the Global South, that arguably brings Variant 2 of SESs thinking closer to Variant 1.","PeriodicalId":36394,"journal":{"name":"Systems","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142225915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving Transfer Connectivity in Railway Timetables Based on Closeness Centrality: The Case of the European International Network","authors":"Laura Calzada-Infante, Belarmino Adenso-Díaz, Santiago García Carbajal","doi":"10.3390/systems12090327","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12090327","url":null,"abstract":"Could the connectivity of a global railway network increase through small changes in the timetable services? When designing railway schedules, transfer connections to intermediate stations may not be the primary focus considered. However, they may have an important influence on connectivity. In this paper, we study the potential improvement in connections by introducing small changes to the current schedules, using real timetables from all international railway services in Europe. The modelling was completed using the Complex Networks methodology and performance was measured based on total closeness centrality. Various factors are considered to calibrate the necessary amendments to provide a better traveller service, including connection times at stations and different allowed levels of schedule changes. The results indicate that by changing the schedule of only 1% of the services by at most 10 min, the connectivity improvement is remarkable. Railway companies should consider this result in order to expand the potential use of the international railway service at a time when public transportation must be encouraged.","PeriodicalId":36394,"journal":{"name":"Systems","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142225916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Systemic View of the Role of Higher Educational Institutions in the Great Reset","authors":"Mirjana Pejić Bach, Dalia Suša Vugec, Sarwar Khawaja, Fayyaz Hussain Qureshi, Dorian Fildor","doi":"10.3390/systems12090323","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12090323","url":null,"abstract":"The Great Reset is a concept proposed by the World Economic Forum to rebuild the global economy sustainably following the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising stakeholder capitalism, greener practices, and more equitable social contracts. However, most of the literature focuses on the role of business and government actors in the Great Reset. At the same time, research that considers the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) is lacking. However, HEIs have the significant capacity to support various aspects of the Great Reset. In this work, we examine different mechanisms by which HEIs could bring change, such as fostering the growth of workforce skills, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, participating in community development and others. A survey on a sample of university professors, postdoctoral researchers, and research assistants has been conducted with the goal of evaluating the degree to which HEIs have played a role in influencing economic recovery after COVID-19, leveraging the industry 4.0, enhancing regional development, revitalising global cooperation, formulating sustainable business models, restoring environmental well-being, and restructuring social contracts, skills, and employment opportunities. A two-step cluster analysis has been conducted, indicating that HEIs played different roles in the Great Reset process, being the Leaders, Followers and Laggers. We found a significant difference between the various groups of respondents according to their scientific field, position, and region regarding the perception of the role played by their HEIs in influencing economic recovery after COVID-19. The position of the respondents contributed to their perception of the role that their HEIs participated in the process of the Great Reset, with the assistant professors perceiving the most often that their HEIs are Leaders. Additionally, the scientific field and region of the HEI also impacted their role in the Great Reset, with the HEIs from technology and countries outside of Europe being the Leaders most often. On the other hand, Followers and Laggers were equally from social sciences and other fields and European countries.","PeriodicalId":36394,"journal":{"name":"Systems","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142225917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global Governance of the Space System: A Multilevel Governance Analysis","authors":"Francisco Del Canto Viterale","doi":"10.3390/systems12090318","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12090318","url":null,"abstract":"The proliferation of new and more diverse number of actors in the space industry in recent decades has created a more complex, decentralized, and unpredictable global governance of the space system. In the contemporary era, space activities are conducted by a diverse multitude of actors, engaging in a multiplicity of interactions across a variety of levels and arenas. Although there is a substantial body of literature addressing the global governance of space, few of these works have analyzed the multilevel governance of the current space system. The primary hypothesis of this research is that the governance of the space system has become more fragmented, decentralized, and distributed across multiple levels or arenas. This research emphasizes the necessity of utilizing systems approaches and an International Relations (IR) perspective to analyze the global governance of the space system. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to examine the key characteristics of the 21st-century space system using a multilevel governance framework (MLG) and to assess the relevance and implications of each level. This paper contributes to the emerging field of global space governance by applying a MLG framework to the space system. The result is a comprehensive, multilevel analysis of the contemporary space system, identifying, describing, and explaining the role of the space actors in various levels of analysis (international, regional, national, and subnational).","PeriodicalId":36394,"journal":{"name":"Systems","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142225919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How to Promote Traditional Automobile Companies’ Intelligent-Connected Transformation under the New Dual-Credit Policy? A Tripartite Evolutionary Game Analysis Combined with Funding Time Delay","authors":"Dan Zhao, Yekai Li, Jian Wang, Jinhuan Tang","doi":"10.3390/systems12090319","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12090319","url":null,"abstract":"Based on the interactive integration between smart cities and intelligent transportation, this paper discusses how traditional automobile companies achieve intelligent-connected transformation and how to promote the development of intelligent connected vehicles. First, we construct a tripartite evolutionary game model of traditional automobile companies, internet companies, and financial institutions under the dual-credit policy. Second, we define an ideal event and analyze the impacts of cost factors, market factors, and policy factors on system evolution. Finally, funding time delay is combined with the evolutionary game analysis. Results indicate that: (1) Compared with traditional automobile companies and internet companies, financial institutions are more sensitive to the profit-sharing coefficient and cost-sharing coefficient; (2) The probability of an ideal event is more sensitive to credit trading price than new energy vehicle (NEV) credit accounting coefficients and the NEV credit ratio requirement; (3) The government should fully consider the linkage between policy factors and market factors, and it is unreasonable for the government to consider the range of any factor alone; (4) Both the financing amount and regulatory cost have specific threshold ranges within which tripartite collaboration can be facilitated.","PeriodicalId":36394,"journal":{"name":"Systems","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142225920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Role of Autonomous Trucks in Addressing Challenges within the Trucking Industry: A Comprehensive Review","authors":"Ali Hasiri, Amirhassan Kermanshah","doi":"10.3390/systems12090320","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12090320","url":null,"abstract":"The trucking industry, a vital part of the economic structure, faces numerous challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions, labor-related issues, fluctuating fuel costs, and safety concerns. These challenges intensify as the industry expands to meet growing demand. The advent of artificial intelligence has led to the development of autonomous trucks, which are seen as a promising solution to these ongoing issues. This study is the first comprehensive review of literature on autonomous trucks, organized by theme and research method. Studies are initially categorized based on the timeline of the issues investigated, divided into two main subcategories: foundational aspects of autonomous truck implementation and practical implementation and economic analysis of autonomous trucks. Research on the foundational aspects of autonomous trucks is further divided into four categories: (1) Acceptance surveys, (2) Identification of barriers, (3) Core technologies for autonomous trucks implementation, and (4) Predictions of adoption rates. Research on practical and economical aspects of autonomous trucks falls into three subcategories: (1) Infrastructure, (2) Systemic performance optimization, and (3) Cost estimation. To enhance the accuracy of this review, a more detailed classification was conducted on two specific subcategories: core technologies for autonomous truck implementation and systemic performance optimization. Additionally, the studies were also categorized based on their research methods and assumptions, which include accurate descriptions of autonomous technology, data collection methods, assumptions about the study environment, the fuel type of autonomous trucks, and approach to analysis: simultaneous or separate. This comprehensive review of the literature offers a roadmap for researchers, aiding them in identifying unique and novel research topics, thereby propelling the advancement of autonomous trucks as a viable solution to numerous challenges in the trucking industry.","PeriodicalId":36394,"journal":{"name":"Systems","volume":"61 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142225937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation and Decision of a Seat Color Design Scheme for a High-Speed Train Based on the Practical Color Coordinate System and Hybrid Kansei Engineering","authors":"Xuan-Hui Xie, Yunpeng Xu, Shilin Guo, Hongyang Zhu, Huiran Yan","doi":"10.3390/systems12080316","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12080316","url":null,"abstract":"Color is an important visual element of high-speed train seats, which has a significant impact on passenger travel experience. In order to solve the problem that color design relies on the subjective experience of designers, this study aims to establish an effective evaluation and decision method for seat color design in a high-speed train based on the Practical Color Coordinate System (PCCS) and hybrid Kansei Engineering. Firstly, we created a series of design schemes based on the typical colors in the PCCS. Secondly, a new hybrid Kansei Engineering system was constructed; in this system, forward Kansei Engineering was constructed with Factor Analysis (FA) and Multidimensional Scaling Analysis (MDS) to analyze the cognitive feature of color sample. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Independent Weight Coefficient Method (IW) were used to calculate comprehensive weights, and backward Kansei Engineering was constructed with the TOPSIS to optimize and evaluate color design schemes. Finally, the design and evaluation methods were illustrated with a case. The results showed that (1) the three main influencing factors of seat color design for high-speed trains included function, aesthetics and experience, and comfort and harmony; two other potential factors included calmness and relaxation. (2) In the PCCS, warm colors have a better esthetic, while cool colors are calmer. Tones with medium brightness and saturation such as It- and Sf-tones are the optimal choice, while the V-tone is not suitable for seat color design. The effectiveness of this method is verified by a case study, which provides a reference for seat color design evaluation and optimization of high-speed trains.","PeriodicalId":36394,"journal":{"name":"Systems","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142225941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research on Safety Decision-Making Behavior in Megaprojects","authors":"Xuekelaiti Haiyirete, Xiaochang Gan, Jian Wang","doi":"10.3390/systems12080315","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12080315","url":null,"abstract":"This research takes the construction companies and supervision units of megaprojects as the research objects and studies safety issues in construction decision-making for megaprojects. Using evolutionary game theory, we construct an evolutionary game model of safety decision-making behavior for construction companies and supervision units based on the bounded rationality assumption. The interaction and dynamic patterns of safety behaviors between the two construction entities are analyzed. Additionally, system dynamics Vensim PLE 10.2.1 software is employed to simulate and analyze the behavior of single entities as well as the impact of exogenous variables on the safety decision-making choices of both units. The research results indicate that positive choices in safety behavior decision-making contribute to enhancing the stability of megaproject construction. Exogenous variables significantly influence the safety behavior decisions of both the construction companies and the supervision units in megaprojects. An increase in cooperation benefits between the two parties fosters their active collaboration in completing mega engineering projects. This research promotes cooperation between construction companies and supervision units during a construction process and provides a reference for the safe and orderly implementation and development of megaprojects.","PeriodicalId":36394,"journal":{"name":"Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142225938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}