Human-Scale Sustainability Assessment of Urban Intersections Based upon Multi-Source Big Data

Research on the construction of weaponry indicator system and intelligent evaluation methods

To decrease subjective interference and improve the construction efficiency of the traditional weapon and equipment index system, an index system construction method based on target detection is proposed in combination with the equipment test video data. The three-level index system of combat effectiveness of a certain type of equipment is established, and various intelligent assessment methods are proposed. Firstly, an optimaized IPSO-BP network model is proposed, in which dynamic weights are set to improve the particle search network, and adaptive learning factors are introduced to optimize the update speed. Secondly, an improved DS evidence-parallel neural network assessment method is proposed, setting multiple parallel neural networks with different parameters, and improving the angle cosine to weaken the numerical nonlinear attributes in DS evidence fusion and increase the model's assessment operation stability. Thirdly, the three types of view features corresponding to the index item images are extracted to train the base classifiers. The integrated CNN network based multi-view feature integration assessment model is constructed and the improved residual network block is introduced to optimize the network gradient. Comparison with existing evaluation methods shows that the proposed methods achieve efficient and intelligent construction and evaluation of the indicator system and enrich the evaluation of indicator data.

Multi-scenario simulation of ecological risk assessment based on ecosystem service values in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

In this study, a framework for ecological risk assessment based on ecosystem service values and risk probability was established. Remote sensing was used to estimate the value of ecosystem services at the regional scale. Considering the natural and anthropogenic factors and using the entropy weight method to assign weights, probability index was constructed. In addition, multiple scenarios based on the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) method were simulated to reduce subjective uncertainty in the assessment. The results showed that the ecosystem service values generated by the gas regulation value accounted for the largest proportion, with a ratio of 46% in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. From 2005 to 2015, the value of ecosystem services decreased, falling by 2.5 × 10⁷ Yuan. The level of ecological risk was relatively high, with a corresponding area ratio of 32.89%. Spatially, the areas with high risk were concentrated in the southeastern areas, and areas with relatively low risk were distributed in the western and northern areas. This high risk was probably caused by urbanization which was characterized by reduction of farmland and increase in impervious surface. Multi-scenario simulation showed that the areas of unstable ecological risk zones covered 30% and were mainly concentrated in the surroundings of developing cities. In areas of unstable risk distribution, the relationship between development and protection should be considered. This framework increases the reliability and practicability of ecological risk assessment results and has potential application value for regional risk control in the context of urbanization.

SDGs-Based River Health Assessment for Small- and Medium-Sized Watersheds

A river health assessment index system was established, focusing on the realistic needs of county sustainable development and the refined management of small- and medium-sized watersheds. The index system takes into consideration the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the vulnerability characteristics of small- and medium-sized watershed ecosystems and consists of 15 indicators in four areas: clean water, sanitation, the present status of biodiversity and threats to biodiversity. This paper uses the minimum discrimination information principle to construct a dynamic combination-weighting technology composed of a subjective weighting method (document frequency method) and an objective weighting method (entropy weight method). Using the fuzzy matter-element analysis theory, a comprehensive river health assessment technology system was constructed. Baoxing County was chosen as the research area and the results reveal that: (1) Key indicators are the biodiversity index of fish, water use intensity, endemic or indicative species retention, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) emissions. (2) The Euclid approach degree of Baoxing County indicates that the entire river is in a moderate state of health. In the future, towns must take targeted measures to coordinate the relationship between the ecological environment and socio-economic development, and enhancement and releasing must be prioritised.

A new model framework for sponge city implementation: Emerging challenges and future developments

Sponge City concept is emerging as a new kind of integrated urban water systems, which aims to address urban water problems. However, its implementation has encountered a variety of challenges. The lack of an integrated comprehensive model to assist Sponge City planning, implementation and life cycle assessment is one of the most challenging factors. This review briefly analyses the opportunity of existing urban water management models and discusses the limitation of recent studies in the application of current integrated models for Sponge City implementation. Furthermore, it proposes a new Sponge City model framework by integrating four main sub-models including MIKE-URBAN, LCA, W045-BEST, and MCA in which environmental, social, and economic aspects of Sponge City infrastructure options are simulated. The new structure of Sponge City model that includes the sub-model layer, input layer, module layer, output layer, and programing language layer is also illustrated. Therefore, the proposed model could be applied to optimize different Sponge City practices by not only assessing the drainage capacity of stormwater infrastructure but also pays attention to multi-criteria analysis of urban water system (including the possibility of assessing Sponge City ecosystem services for urban areas and watershed areas) as well. Balancing between simplification and innovation of integrated models, increasing the efficiency of spatial data sharing systems, defining the acceptability of model complexity level and improving the corporation of multiple stakeholders emphasizing on possible future directions of a proper Sponge City design and construction model.

Evaluation of the Development Capability of the New Energy Vehicle Industry: An Empirical Study from China

In order to alleviate the pressures of environmental pollution and the energy crisis, and to lay out and capture huge emerging markets as soon as possible, all countries in the world are vigorously developing new energy vehicles (NEVs). This paper analyzes the factors influencing the development capability of the NEV industry from the aspects of autonomy, controllability, and stability, and constructs an evaluation index system. Based on the improved entropy method and the catastrophe progression method, we establish an evaluation model for the development capability of China’s NEV industry and comprehensively evaluate the development capability of 15 new energy auto companies. An empirical analysis finds that the outlook for the overall development capability of China’s NEV industry is not optimistic, and there is a big gap in the industry, lacking core technology and independent innovation capability. We propose countermeasures such as increasing research and development (R&D) investment and innovation, and improving policy support.

The Missing Variable in Big Data for Social Sciences: The Decision-Maker

The value of big data for social sciences and social impact is professed to be high. This potential value is related, however, to the capacity of using extracted information in decision-making. In all of this, one important point has been overlooked: when “humans” retain a role in the decision-making process, the value of information is no longer an objective feature but depends on the knowledge and mindset of end users. A new big data cycle has been proposed in this paper, where the decision-maker is placed at the centre of the process. The proposed cycle is tested through two cases and, as a result of the suggested approach, two operations—filtering and framing—which are routinely carried out independently by scientists and end users in an unconscious manner, become clear and transparent. The result is a new cycle where four dimensions guide the interactions for creating value.