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A cross-domain intelligent software-defined network (SDN) routing method based on a proposed multiagent deep reinforcement learning (MDRL) method is developed.

First, the network is divided into multiple subdomains managed by multiple local controllers, and the state information of each subdomain is flexibly obtained by the designed SDN multithreaded network measurement mechanism. Then, a cooperative communication module is designed to realize message transmission and message synchronization between the root and local controllers, and socket technology is used to ensure the reliability and stability of message transmission between multiple controllers to acquire global network state information in real time. Finally, after the optimal intradomain and interdomain routing paths are adaptively generated by the agents in the root and local controllers, a network traffic state prediction mechanism is designed to improve awareness of the cross-domain intelligent routing method and enable the generation of the optimal routing paths in the global network in real time.

Experimental results show that the proposed cross-domain intelligent routing method can significantly improve the network throughput and reduce the network delay and packet loss rate compared to those of the Dijkstra and open shortest path first (OSPF) routing methods.

Message transmission and message synchronization for multicontroller interdomain routing in SDN have long adaptation times and slow convergence speeds, coupled with the shortcomings of traditional interdomain routing methods, such as cumbersome configuration and inflexible acquisition of network state information. These drawbacks make it difficult to obtain global state information about the network, and the optimal routing decision cannot be made in real time, affecting network performance. This paper proposes a cross-domain intelligent SDN routing method based on a proposed MDRL method. First, the network is divided into multiple subdomains managed by multiple local controllers, and the state information of each subdomain is flexibly obtained by the designed SDN multithreaded network measurement mechanism. Then, a cooperative communication module is designed to realize message transmission and message synchronization between root and local controllers, and socket technology is used to ensure the reliability and stability of message transmission between multiple controllers to realize the real-time acquisition of global network state information. Finally, after the optimal intradomain and interdomain routing paths are adaptively generated by the agents in the root and local controllers, a prediction mechanism for the network traffic state is designed to improve awareness of the cross-domain intelligent routing method and enable the generation of the optimal routing paths in the global network in real time. Experimental results show that the proposed cross-domain intelligent routing method can significantly improve the network throughput and reduce the network delay and packet loss rate compared to those of the Dijkstra and OSPF routing methods.

This chapter critically evaluates whether football can attain recognition as a national sport in China. Article No. 11, released by the Chinese government in 2015, aimed to develop a new national strategy centralised on the sport of football to foster consumption and enhance national soft power. Consequently, this also means encouraging Chinese football fans to support the national football team. Comparing the significance of local football clubs and the national football team to Chinese football fans is deemed meaningless and unable to generate useful information to comprehend Chinese people's attitudes towards local and national communities. Through literature comparisons with established Chinese national sports such as Chinese martial arts, badminton and table tennis, the discussion reveals that football currently falls short of meeting the general criteria of invention and popularity to be considered a Chinese national sport. In the specific Chinese context, it also proves that football fails to meet the criterion of politics, hindering its identification as a national sport. Consequently, the chapter rebuts the assumption and advocates for the validity of comparing how fans assess their fandom for local and national football teams.

The purpose of this study is to explore the interfacial adhesion between superhydrophobic coatings FC-X (X = 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) and the concrete substrate, along with the impact of FC-X on the water repellency characteristics of the concrete substrate.

One synthetic step was adopted to prepare novel F-SiO₂ NP hybrid fluororesin coating. The impact of varying mass fractions of F-SiO₂ NPs on the superhydrophobicity of FC-X was analyzed and subsequently confirmed through water contact angle (WCA) measurements. Superhydrophobic coatings were simply applied to the concrete substrate using a one-step spraying method. The interfacial adhesion between FC-X and the concrete substrate was analyzed using tape pasting tests and abrasion resistance measurements. The influence of FC-X on the water repellency of the concrete substrate was investigated through measurements of water absorption, impermeability and electric flux.

FC-4% exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity, with a WCA of 157.5° and a sliding angle of 2.3°. Compared to control sample, FC-X exhibits better properties, including chemical durability, wear resistance, adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, water resistance and impermeability.

This study offers a thorough investigation into the practical implications of enhancing the durability and water repellency of concrete substrates by using superhydrophobic coatings, particularly FC-4%, which demonstrates exceptional superhydrophobicity alongside remarkable chemical durability, wear resistance, adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, water resistance and impermeability.

Through the examination of the interfacial adhesion between FC-X and the concrete substrate, along with an assessment of FC-X’s impact on the water repellency of the concrete, this paper provides valuable insights into the practical application of superhydrophobic coatings in enhancing the durability and performance of concrete materials.

This study aims to propose a new composite metal fin structure to enhance heat transfer efficiency during the phase change energy storage (PCES) process in a hot water oil displacement system.

PCES numerical unit is developed by varying the radii of annular fins and the number of corrugated fins. The impact of the finned structure on melting characteristics, energy storage performance and rate of heat storage is analyzed.

This study indicate the presence of non-uniform melting behavior in PCES unit during the heat charging process, which can be mitigated by increasing the number of corrugated fins and the radius of annular fins.

The impact of the finned structure on melting characteristics, energy storage performance and rate of heat storage is analyzed. This study indicates the presence of non-uniform melting behavior in PCES unit during the heat charging process, which can be mitigated by increasing the number of corrugated fins and the radius of annular fins.

This paper explores whether fintech paves the way for the transition to carbon neutrality in the context of China’s climate policy uncertainty (CCPU) and the influence of the ocean carbon sink market.

We apply a novel wavelet analysis technique to investigate the time-frequency dependence between the CCPU index, the CSI (China Securities Index) Fintech Theme Index (CFTI) and the Carbon Neutral Concept Index (CNCI).

The empirical results show that CCPU and CFTI have a detrimental effect on CNCI in high-frequency bands. Furthermore, in low-frequency domains, the development of CFTI can effectively promote the realization of carbon neutrality.

Our findings show that information from the CCPU and CFTI can be utilized to forecast the movement of CNCI. Therefore, the government should strike a balance between fintech development and environmental regulation and, hence, promote the use of renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions, facilitating the orderly and regular development of the ocean carbon sink market.

The development of high-quality fintech and positive climate policy reforms are crucial for achieving carbon neutrality targets and promoting the growth of the marine carbon sink market.

This research investigates the dark sides of virtual work climate by examining how blurred work-nonwork boundaries serve as a turning point leading to amotivation at work.

This quantitative study involved 487 employees from small and medium-sized enterprises in China who completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method.

The study found that virtual work climate positively influences workplace flexibility. However, blurred work-nonwork boundaries mediate the relationship between workplace flexibility and psychological demands, transforming the positive effects of virtual work climate in terms of flexibility into negative outcomes. Psychological demands from both work and nonwork domains contribute to amotivation at work.

The study provides practical insights for managers on satisfying employees’ needs for flexible working arrangements within a virtual work climate by advocating for clear policies that establish distinct work-nonwork boundaries, thereby ensuring employee motivation is not compromised.

This research unveils the dark sides of the virtual work climate, extending the self-determination through the lens of the “too-much-of-a-good-thing” theory. The findings suggest that blurred work-nonwork boundaries may be the turning point where the virtual work climate leads to amotivation at work.

This chapter explores the present state of the worldwide tourism sector and its complex phenomenological interconnection with climate change. This analysis emphasizes the significant environmental consequences resulting from the rise of tourism, which can be attributed to the exponential growth facilitated by enhanced connectivity and the concurrent increase in disposable incomes. It thoroughly analyses the primary factors that contribute to the environmental impact of the sector, which encompasses emissions from transportation, infrastructure development, waste generation, and resource usage. Furthermore, this analysis sheds light on the obstacles encountered in the process of shifting toward sustainability, including limited knowledge and understanding, deficiencies in policy implementation, and reluctance to embrace transformation within the sector. However, it also provides insights into numerous activities and solutions currently in progress to alleviate the environmental impact of the industry. The aforementioned approaches encompass the implementation of sustainable tourism practices, legislation revisions, and advancements in technology. This chapter concludes by highlighting the imperative need for a collaborative initiative including governmental bodies, industrial participants, and tourists to establish a harmonious equilibrium between the pursuit of economic expansion and the protection of the environment. The future trajectory of global tourism is contingent upon the adoption of sustainable practices, which are crucial for fostering a healthy coexistence between the tourism industry and the environment.

This research aims to examine how decision-makers’ demographic traits affect the integration of foreign workforce into Tirolean (Austria) companies. With continuous world migrations, Tirol experiences a great inflow of foreign workforce. While integrating into the workforce, the foreign workers interact with various decision-makers whose demographic traits (e.g., age, gender, nationality) potentially influence the success of the integration process. To gather data on the integration levels of a foreign workforce, the author conducted a questionnaire. Furthermore, several statistical analyses were run to determine if the relationship between demographic characteristics and integration success exists. The study reveals that demographic characteristics influence decision-makers’ acceptance of expatriates, as well as their recruitment, integration, and training and development outcomes. The empirical results indicate the strength of relationships identified through analyses. The study is limited to geographical, as well as the scope of the sample size, as the data are obtained from Tirol only. In addition, the results from the study serve as a basis for future discussions and research.

The higher education industry has undergone major transformation because of the COVID-19, including a move away from globalization. Deglobalization is the process of reducing global interconnectedness and increasing self-reliance, often through the imposition of trade barriers and the localization of economic activity (Eftimie, 2017). Many nations have had to resort to placing travel restrictions and virtually closed their borders during the pandemic time, making it even more challenging for overseas students to pursue higher education abroad. Additionally, the pandemic has increased opportunities towards online education, making it simpler for students to receive quality education from their home countries making it possible for students who may not have been able to otherwise attend in-person classes (Ashour et al., 2021). This trend has also been influenced by political and economic forces like nationalism, protectionism, and international economic difficulties. Higher education institutions are consequently putting more emphasis on partnerships and collaborations at the local and regional levels (James, 2017; Pan, 2021).

Many countries and regions have recognised the potential of automated transport as a solution to cover mobility needs in a sustainable way. They have implemented dedicated strategies and allowed trial operations of Automated Vehicles (AVs) within their national frameworks.

This chapter conducts an analysis of the legal frameworks for AV trial operations in 11 European countries. It reviews existing laws and regulations and includes results from an online survey with national stakeholders and experts experienced in AV testing.

The results reveal very different approaches among European countries. Moreover, results indicate a stronger focus on technical safety aspects of the vehicles rather than on operational procedures and mobility integration, such as incorporating AV services into existing public transport systems.

This high level of disparity between the different European legal frameworks poses a considerable barrier to a rollout of the technologies and methodologies for AVs without cross-border and cross-supplier conflicts. Furthermore, when moving to the deployment of real services in the near future a common European framework and a stronger focus on operational procedures are essential for the implementation of automated transport services in order to cover the mobility needs of people in a more sustainable way (e.g. first/last mile to public transport).

European countries should further integrate operational aspects in the terms of services that are integrated in public transport, align deployment of AVs with national and local sustainability goals and focus on use cases beyond private vehicles to foster the transition to a more sustainable future of transport.