The concept of sustainable urban mobility has gained increasing attention in recent years due to the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and environmental degradation. The objective of this study is to explore the role of on-demand transportation in promoting sustainable urban mobility, incorporating insights from customer interests and demands through survey analysis. To fulfill this objective, a mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review with survey analysis of customer interests and demands regarding on-demand transportation services. This study combines a systematic literature review and a targeted survey to provide a comprehensive analysis of sustainable urban mobility, addressing gaps in understanding customer preferences alongside technological and financial considerations. The literature review encompassed various aspects including technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, user preferences, and environmental impacts. The survey analysis involved collecting data on customer preferences, satisfaction levels, and suggestions for improving on-demand transportation services. The findings of the study revealed significant insights into customer interests and demands regarding on-demand transportation services. Analysis of survey data indicated that factors such as convenience, affordability, reliability, and environmental sustainability were key considerations for customers when choosing on-demand transportation options. Additionally, the survey identified specific areas for improvement, including service coverage, accessibility, and integration with existing transportation networks. By providing flexible, efficient, and environmentally friendly transportation options, on-demand services have the potential to reduce congestions, improve air quality, and enhance overall urban livability.

The paper demonstrates the importance of subnational data on housing to be systematically reported and added to country typologies. We asked which national and local level characteristics of housing regimes can serve as benchmarks for reasonable country groupings. The aim of this paper is to (1) develop a methodological tool enabling the comparison of conditions for housing policy implementation on national and subnational levels and (2) identify the group of countries where conditions for housing policy implementation on national and subnational levels tend to be comparable. This country classification can be used as a practical instrument for comparative analyses and policy learning. As a conceptual framework, we used the international comparative Housing research 2.0 launched by Hoekstra in 2020. For our analysis, we selected 15 basic factors that were tested in 24 European countries. We have identified three key factors having an impact on housing policy implementation: decentralisation level in housing, local budget housing expenditure and the information on which governance level has core competencies within housing. The numeric database has been run through a k-means cluster analysis. Five distinct types of countries with similarities in conditions for housing policy implementation on national and subnational level have been identified and described.

The consensus is that price stability promotes sustainable economic growth while excessive inflation harms growth. This study assesses the linkage between inflation and economic growth in South Africa to determine the optimal inflation rate threshold for the sustainable growth of the economy. Quarterly data from 1995 to 2022 was analysed through the ARDL and threshold regressions. The ARDL and threshold regressions estimate established a relationship between inflation and economic growth and computed the optimal inflation rate threshold for economic growth at 6 percent. The results also established that both the repo rate (repurchase rate) and real effective exchange rate have a negative relationship with economic growth. The Toda-Yamamoto causality test result indicated a unidirectional causality runs from inflation to economic growth. These results are crucial for the South African Reserve Bank to discharge its monetary policy functions to attain and maintain price stability. Therefore, this study offers the Bank a roadmap for targeting an inflation rate that aligns with the nation’s long-term objectives for sustainable economic growth.

This paper aims to advance the knowledge in the domain of youth entrepreneurship and empowerment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The rationale is to address the gap in knowledge on entrepreneurship and youth empowerment in the UAE by analyzing strategies and initiatives that support empowering millennials to achieve sustainable development, with the aim of promoting youth entrepreneurship and supporting sustainable economic development. The primary research question guiding this study is: “What strategies and initiatives in the UAE foster the empowerment of the millennial generation for sustainable development?” This study relies on a mixed methodology that combines a descriptive approach, content analysis, and data meta-analysis, with the aim of exploring the relationship between youth entrepreneurship and sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. with a focus on the future sustainability leaders (FSL) program. While the FSL program demonstrates its significance in promoting youth entrepreneurship and empowerment, it also reveals certain limitations in its design and implementation that may hinder sustainable economic development. To address these challenges and support youth entrepreneurship, the paper proposes three essential action-oriented approaches: promoting participatory diversity and engagement, managing entrepreneurship drivers, and ensuring access to essential support mechanisms. These recommendations are intended to guide multilateral agencies, voluntary sectors, and private entities in the UAE in designing, evaluating, and implementing effective youth entrepreneurship programs. This paper underscores the importance of continued discourse and critical input to refine existing theories and establish a normative framework for youth entrepreneurship and empowerment. Such efforts are crucial for poverty reduction, sustainable development, and the promotion of intergenerational equity.

Quantum dot can be seen as an amazing nanotechnological discovery, including inorganic semiconducting nanodots as well as carbon nanodots, like graphene quantum dots. Unlike pristine graphene nanosheet having two dimensional nanostructure, graphene quantum dot is a zero dimensional nanoentity having superior aspect ratio, surface properties, edge effects, and quantum confinement characters. To enhance valuable physical properties and potential prospects of graphene quantum dots, various high-performance nanocomposite nanostructures have been developed using polymeric matrices. In this concern, noteworthy combinations of graphene quantum dots have been reported for a number of thermoplastic polymers, like polystyrene, polyurethane, poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl alcohol), and so on. Due to nanostructural compatibility, dispersal, and interfacial aspects, thermoplastics/graphene quantum dot nanocomposites depicted unique microstructure and technically reliable electrical/thermal conductivity, mechanical/heat strength, and countless other physical properties. Precisely speaking, thermoplastic polymer/graphene quantum dot nanocomposites have been reported in the literature for momentous applications in electromagnetic interference shielding, memory devices, florescent diodes, solar cells photocatalysts for environmental remediation, florescent sensors, antibacterial, and bioimaging. To the point, this review article offers an all inclusive and valuable literature compilation of thermoplastic polymer/graphene quantum dot nanocomposites (including design, property, and applied aspects) for field scientists/researchers to carry out future investigations on further novel designs and valued property-performance attributes.

This paper aims to verify the possibility of utilising water-in-diesel emulsions (WiDE) as an alternative drop-in fuel for diesel engines. An 8% WiDE was produced to be tested in a four-stroke, indirect injection (IDI) diesel engine and compared to EN590 diesel fuel. An eddy current brake and an exhaust gas analyser were utilised to measure different engine parameters such as torque, fuel consumption, and emissions at different engine loads. The results show that the engine running on emulsified fuel leads to a reduction in torque and power, an increase in the specific fuel consumption, and slightly better thermal efficiency. The highest percentual increment of thermal efficiency for WiDE is obtained at 100% engine load, 5.68% higher compared to diesel. The emissions of nitric oxide (NO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are reduced, but carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) emissions are increased, compared to traditional diesel fuel. The most substantial decrease in NO and CO₂ levels was achieved at 75% engine load with 33.86% and 25.08% respectively, compared to diesel.