bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sources of the Trace Metals Contaminating Soils in Recreational Forest and Glade Areas in Krakow, a Large City in Southern Poland
Authors: Solek-Podwika Katarzyna , Ciarkowska Krystyna
Published: August 2024

Soil pollution mainly results from particulate matter falling from the atmosphere; for example, PM10 and PM2.5 originate from anthropogenic sources. Krakow is both an industrial and touristic city. The aim of this research was to establish the sources and find the main drivers of trace metal (TM) soil contamination in the recreational city park in Krakow. This study was performed on forest soils and glades located near built-up areas and 100 m above built-up areas. The contents of lead, cadmium, zinc, chromium, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available nutrients, dehydrogenases, urease, and invertase activities in the soils were determined. Geo-accumulation, pollution load, Nemerov pollution indices, and potential ecological risk were calculated. Our results indicated low emissions (house heating and traffic) as the main sources of pollution. TM pollution was higher in the soils of built-up areas than in soils located 100 m above built-up areas, and forest soils were more polluted with TMs than glade soils. Activities undertaken as part of the sustainable development of the city should aim to reduce low emissions.
The Impact of Global Value Chain Reconstruction on the Innovative Latitude High-Quality Development of Reverse OFDI in China—From the Perspective of Jiangsu Province
Authors: Huang Chuanrong , Zhu Xiyue
Published: August 2024

Based on the current unpredictable patterns of globalization and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, global value chains (GVCs) are undergoing restructuring. The resolution of the 20th Communist Party of China National Congress emphasizes high-quality development and the “going out” strategy. It highlights the crucial role of global value chain reconstruction in driving the high-quality development of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). Innovation is crucial in reaching this high-quality development objective. This study uses Jiangsu Province in China as a case study to estimate the relationship between the innovative direction of the high-quality development indicator score system for Jiangsu Province’s reverse OFDI and global value chain restructuring from 2007 to 2021. The findings indicate that global value chain restructuring has a suppressive effect on the innovative direction of high-quality development in Jiangsu’s reverse OFDI. Additionally, further heterogeneity analysis reveals that urbanization levels mitigate the negative impact of global value chain restructuring on the innovative direction of high-quality development in Jiangsu’s reverse OFDI.
Digital Financial Capability and Entrepreneurship in China: A Digital Economy Perspective
Authors: Wang Yiwei
Published: August 2024

The digital economy is the fastest-growing sector in the world today, and will also be the key development direction of China in the future. The level of digital financial capability (DFC) determines whether households can fully embrace the inclusivity of digital finance and seize the business opportunities presented by the digital economy. Hence, we utilized panel data from the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) and built a probit model with two-way fixed effects. The results revealed that DFC has a positive impact on household entrepreneurship through both supply- and demand-side mechanisms. The results also revealed that DFC has not only catalyzed the evolution of digital business models but has also enhanced the digital business performance of enterprises. The analysis of heterogeneity confirms that DFC can promote entrepreneurship in rural settings and in the retail and restaurant sectors. This research has important theoretical contributions and policy suggestions for governments to help them pay attention to the inclusive role of DFC in developing the digital economy.
Evaluation of Climate Suitability for Maize Production in Poland under Climate Change
Authors: Król-Badziak Aleksandra , Kozyra Jerzy , Rozakis Stelios
Published: August 2024

Climatic conditions are the main factor influencing the suitability of agricultural land for crop production. Therefore, the evaluation of climate change impact on crop suitability using the best possible methods and data is needed for successful agricultural climate change adaptation. This study presents the application of a multi-criteria evaluation approach to assess climate suitability for maize production in Poland, for a baseline period (BL, 1981–2010) and two future periods 2041–2070 (2050s) and 2071–2100 (2080s) under two RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) scenarios: RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The analyses incorporated expert knowledge using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) into the evaluation of criteria weights. The results showed that maturity and frost stress were the most limiting factors in assessing the climatic suitability of maize cultivation in Poland, with 30% and 11% of Poland classified as marginally suitable or not suitable for maize cultivation, respectively. In the future climate, the area limited by maturity and frost stress factors is projected to decrease, while the area of water stress and heat stress is projected to increase. For 2050 climate projections, water stress limitation areas occupy 7% and 8% of Poland for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively, while for 2080 projections, the same areas occupy 12% and 32% of the country, respectively. By 2080, heat stress will become a limiting factor for maize cultivation; according to our analysis, 3% of the Polish area under RCP8.5 will be marginally suitable for maize cultivation because of heat stress. The overall analyses showed that most of Poland in the BL climate is in the high suitability class (62%) and 38% is moderately suitable for maize cultivation. This situation will improves until 2050, but will worsen in the 2080s under the RCP8.5 scenario. Under RCP8.5, by the end of the century (2080s), the highly suitable area will decrease to 47% and the moderately suitable area will increase to 53%.
Carbon Footprint Quantification and Reduction Potential of Ecological Revetment in Water Net Region of China: Case Study in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province
Authors: Liu Kun , Zhou Binrong , Yang Zijie , Zhang Yusheng , Ding Dianyuan
Published: August 2024

With emphasis on constructing low-carbon cities, the renovation of the riverbank highlights energy conservation and carbon reduction. However, methods and standards for quantifying carbon emissions during ecological river channel construction are currently lacking. There is a scientific gap in research into carbon footprint assessment and reduction potential in ecological revetment technologies in water networks of China. This study attempts to clarify the carbon emission factors of different ecological revetment technologies and explore the carbon reduction potential during the construction stage of ecological rivers from the river revetment design, construction process and materials. The results show that in the carbon emission factors of six ecological revetment technologies, building materials have the largest adjusting potential for carbon reduction. The concrete material is responsible for 55.37–95.86% of carbon emissions in six ecological river technologies, with an average proportion of 69.96%. Accordingly, the concrete material emerges as the primary contributor to carbon emissions in ecological river engineering, followed by gasoline truck transportation and earthwork excavation. Moreover, the carbon emissions from ecological frame structures were the largest, followed by those of block structures, gabion structures, planted concrete and interlocking blocks and the wooden stake structure has the smallest carbon footprint. The choice of ecological revetment technologies is not only related to the realisation of regional water conservancy functions, but it also affects the carbon emissions of water conservancy projects. Engineers and decision-makers should pay great attention to the optimal design of the project, selection of low-carbon materials, energy saving and emission reduction in the construction process. This research not only provides guidance for design units in selecting appropriate river revetment technologies but also offers a theoretical foundation and data support for construction units to optimise their construction process management.
Fusion of Hierarchical Optimization Models for Accurate Power Load Prediction
Authors: Wan Sicheng , Wang Yibo , Zhang Youshuang , Zhu Beibei , Huang Huakun , Liu Jia
Published: August 2024

Accurate power load forecasting is critical to achieving the sustainability of energy management systems. However, conventional prediction methods suffer from low precision and stability because of crude modules for predicting short-term and medium-term loads. To solve such a problem, a Combined Modeling Power Load-Forecasting (CMPLF) method is proposed in this work. The CMPLF comprises two modules to deal with short-term and medium-term load forecasting, respectively. Each module consists of four essential parts including initial forecasting, decomposition and denoising, nonlinear optimization, and evaluation. Especially, to break through bottlenecks in hierarchical model optimization, we effectively fuse the Nonlinear Autoregressive model with Exogenous Inputs (NARX) and Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) networks into the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model. The experiment results based on real-world datasets from Queensland and China mainland show that our CMPLF has significant performance superiority compared with the state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods. CMPLF achieves a goodness-of-fit value of 97.174% in short-term load prediction and 97.162% in medium-term prediction. Our approach will be of great significance in promoting the sustainable development of smart cities.
The Pandemic and Counterurbanization: A Comparison of Sweden and Slovenia
Authors: Westlund Hans , Gorišek Maruša , Podmenik Darka , Rebernik Maša
Published: August 2024

Based on the concept of teleworkability, its sluggish determinants of industry structure and workplace culture, and the change in people’s valuation of rural amenities that happened during the pandemic, this paper analyzes their possible influence on counterurbanization during the pandemic in Sweden and Slovenia. We found signs of open (migration) as well as “hidden” counterurbanization (unregistered rural living) in both countries, stronger in Sweden than in Slovenia, and we found indications that industrial structure and national workplace cultures contributed to differences in the strength of the counterurbanization. In both countries, we found indications that the pandemic contributed to a shift in people’s relative valuation of rural vs. urban amenities. Thus, while the sluggish factors contributed to differences in teleworkability between Sweden and Slovenia, the chock implied similar reactions in the shift of the valuation of amenities. Ever since the counterurbanization of the 1970s, studies of the phenomenon have almost solely been completed within countries, and the few international comparisons that have been completed have been based on comparing the results of the national studies. This study is one of the very first ones that compares counterurbanization and its driving forces in two countries within the same analytical framework.
A Review of the Benefits of the Sustainable Utilization of Shrimp Waste to Produce Novel Foods and the Impact on Human Health
Authors: Fotodimas Ioannis , Ioannou Zacharias , Kanlis Grigorios
Published: August 2024

In recent years, there has been an increase in the industrial processing of shrimp, aiming to cover the increasing demand for shrimp products for human consumption, and, consequently, an increase in shrimp by-products as shrimp waste. This waste includes the cephalothoraxes, heads, shells, tails, pleopods, and exoskeleton appendages of processed shrimps. The appropriate method for the enzymatic hydrolysis of shrimp waste can recover its bioactive substances, including carotenoids. Thus, these xanthophylls and carotenes are of high financial interest and have high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. Therefore, these substances can be incorporated into fish feed as ingredients that improve fish health and simultaneously lead to the production of aquaculture fishes similar in coloration to the wild ones. Thus, the consumption of such novel food acts as a preventive factor for human health. In this regard, β-carotene has antioxidant and fat-soluble activities owing to vitamin A sufficiency and has an anti-cancer effect, too. Canthaxanthin can be used as a product for personal care and as a natural tanning agent for human skin. Zeaxanthin and lutein have positive effects on various eye and heart diseases, neuronal damage, human skin diseases, and certain types of cancer. Astaxanthin also has anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to highlight the sustainable utilization of shrimp waste via enzymatic hydrolysis, the benefits of a fish diet enriched with astaxanthin, the consumption of fish enriched with carotenoids, and the effects of carotenoids on human health. The problem of shrimp waste disposal affects the environment, does not contribute to sustainable development, and is directly related to the phenomenon of environmental change.
Evaluation of Age-Appropriate Public Seats in Comprehensive Parks and Sustainable Design Strategies Based on the Kano-Importance–Performance Analysis Model
Authors: Lin Jingjing , Li Xinyang , Lin Jinghan
Published: August 2024

As the proportion of the world’s elderly population continues to increase, the need for age-appropriate public facilities is rising. This study investigated the key elements affecting older people’s satisfaction with public seating in parks and proposed a sustainable design strategy based on the evaluation and analysis. An evaluation system of age-appropriate public seating containing 20 indicators was constructed. The theory of attractive quality (the Kano model) was used to classify the demand for public seating and to clarify the logical relationship between the role of each element in the satisfaction of public seating in parks. Then, a matrix analysis of importance and satisfaction was carried out with importance–performance analysis (IPA) to determine the direction of improvement. The results of both were comprehensively analyzed to determine the elements requiring critical improvement, and the order of maintenance and improvement. This research shows that public seat design should consider several key factors, including setting density, backrest support, good appearance, helping handrails, bright colors, and so on. This study provides suggestions for maintaining and improving the diversity of public seats in comprehensive parks, including sustainable resource integration and sustainable product recycling. The outcomes were expected to guide the improvement in the construction of age-appropriate public facilities in comprehensive parks within existing built-up areas and to increase the satisfaction of public seating use in comprehensive urban parks.
Enhancing Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure Management: A High-Accuracy, FPGA-Based System for Emergency Vehicle Classification
Authors: Mani Pemila , Komarasamy Pongiannan Rakkiya Goundar , Rajamanickam Narayanamoorthi , Shorfuzzaman Mohammad , Abdelfattah Waleed Mohammed
Published: August 2024

Traffic congestion is a prevalent problem in modern civilizations worldwide, affecting both large cities and smaller communities. Emergency vehicles tend to group tightly together in these crowded scenarios, often masking one another. For traffic surveillance systems tasked with maintaining order and executing laws, this poses serious difficulties. Recent developments in machine learning for image processing have significantly increased the accuracy and effectiveness of emergency vehicle classification (EVC) systems, especially when combined with specialized hardware accelerators. The widespread use of these technologies in safety and traffic management applications has led to more sustainable transportation infrastructure management. Vehicle classification has traditionally been carried out manually by specialists, which is a laborious and subjective procedure that depends largely on the expertise that is available. Furthermore, erroneous EVC might result in major problems with operation, highlighting the necessity for a more dependable, precise, and effective method of classifying vehicles. Although image processing for EVC involves a variety of machine learning techniques, the process is still labor intensive and time consuming because the techniques now in use frequently fail to appropriately capture each type of vehicle. In order to improve the sustainability of transportation infrastructure management, this article places a strong emphasis on the creation of a hardware system that is reliable and accurate for identifying emergency vehicles in intricate contexts. The ResNet50 model’s features are extracted by the suggested system utilizing a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and then optimized by a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA). A CatBoost (CB) classifier is used to categorize automobiles based on these features. Overtaking the previous state-of-the-art accuracy of 98%, the ResNet50-MOP-CB network achieved a classification accuracy of 99.87% for four primary categories of emergency vehicles. In tests conducted on tablets, laptops, and smartphones, it demonstrated excellent accuracy, fast classification times, and robustness for real-world applications. On average, it took 0.9 nanoseconds for every image to be classified with a 96.65% accuracy rate.
Applying Material Flow Analysis for Sustainable Waste Management of Single-Use Plastics and Packaging Materials in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Choi Hyeong-Jin , Hwang Donggun , Yoon Young-Sam , Jeon Tae-Wan , Rhee Seung-Whee
Published: August 2024

This study involves a material flow analysis (MFA) of single-use plastics (SUPs) and packaging materials in the Republic of Korea, focusing on their short lifespans and significant contributions to plastic waste. Based on the MFA results, recommended policies for managing packaging materials and SUPs were proposed. In 2021, 6.340 Mt of synthetic resin were produced, with 39.7% (2.518 Mt) utilized for packaging materials and SUPs. The per capita consumption of these materials was 48.7 kg/year, surpassing global averages. The separate collection rate was 54.6%, with films (26.2%) and manufacturing facilities (10.6%) exhibiting the lowest rates. The overall recycling rate was 52.7%, and 981 t of recycled waste was directly placed in soil. The reliability of the MFA results was estimated to be 83.1%, which is an improvement compared to previous studies. Recommendations include reducing plastic use, expanding recycling infrastructure, raising public awareness, and implementing stricter regulations to control soil contamination.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Solar Array Simulators in Reproducing the Characteristics of Photovoltaic Modules
Authors: Cavalcante Junior Valdemar Moreira , Neto Rafael C. , Barbosa Eduardo José , Bradaschia Fabrício , Cavalcanti Marcelo Cabral , Azevedo Gustavo Medeiros de Souza
Published: August 2024

The search for energy alternatives in the face of growing global demand highlights solar energy as a promising and sustainable option that is fundamental in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. In this context, inverters play a key role in connecting and distributing solar energy, requiring certification through specific tests. Given environmental unpredictability and economic challenges, the use of Solar Array Simulators (SASs) is recommended to accurately replicate the behavior of photovoltaic modules under various conditions. This study analyzes the static and dynamic performances of SASs with the aim of ensuring a faithful reproduction of module behavior in real situations under both steady-state and transient conditions. The primary focus is to ensure that experimental results are reliable and representative, promoting the implementation of more efficient energy solutions. Additionally, this study discusses the importance of optimizing inverter controllers to reflect the more realistic dynamics provided by SASs.
Environmental Sustainability in BRICS Economies: The Nexus of Technology Innovation, Economic Growth, Financial Development, and Renewable Energy Consumption
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Li Jian-Qiao , Zia Muhammad Azam , Hashim Muhammad , Bhatti Uzair Aslam , Bhatti Mughair Aslam , Hasnain Ahmad
Published: August 2024

The long-term development goals of most countries face significant challenges in reducing emissions, improving environmental sustainability, and mitigating the negative effects of climate change. This study looks at how the ecological sustainability of BRICS countries is affected by economic growth, financial development, new technologies, and renewable energy consumption with the mediating effect of trade openness. The study covers the years 2004–2023, and it was based on fixed-effect models that use static panel data. Data were collected from the World Development Indicators website. The countries and time frame for this study were selected on the basis of data availability. These findings show that the use of renewable energy sources, technological innovation, and financial development all have a significant and positive impact on environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, environmental sustainability is significantly and negatively impacted by economic growth. Furthermore, trade openness functions as a significant mediator between them. Based on empirical evidence, the paper suggests that the BRICS nations seek sustainable economic development. Moreover, government agencies need to accurately evaluate the connection between financial development and emission reduction when formulating programs to cut emissions.
Determining the Factors to Improve Sustainable Performance in a Medium-Sized Organization
Authors: Núñez-Ríos Juan E. , Sánchez-García Jacqueline Y.
Published: August 2024

Small- and medium-sized organizations rely heavily on their internal configuration to achieve sustainable performance. However, their internal structure often represents an obstacle to achieving that goal. To help organizations achieve sustainable performance, we develop a research framework using the viable system model (VSM) to evaluate the relationship between organizational factors. We adopt a systems perspective: (1) The VSM serves as a theoretical foundation to define factors to be evaluated through a conceptual model; (2) social network analysis to obtain information for the conceptual model; (3) partial least squares path modeling to test the proposed model with 150 employees; and (4) VSM to suggest changes. The nine hypotheses are supported, suggesting that improving sustainable performance is related to adopting a network structure and focusing on relational factors to reduce inconsistencies between operations and coordination systems. This article differs from previous studies, as it proposes a methodological coupling to assist decision-makers in improving organizational balance and performance. Additionally, it can encourage academics to reconsider structural factors, enabling them to allocate resources more precisely and enhance effectiveness.
Evaluating the Ecological Footprint of Biomass Energy: Parametric and Time-Varying Nonparametric Analyses
Authors: Karmaker Shamal Chandra , Sen Kanchan Kumar , Halder Shaymal C. , Chapman Andrew , Hosan Shahadat , Rahman Md. Matiar , Saha Bidyut Baran
Published: August 2024

The growing discourse surrounding biomass energy’s environmental ramifications has ignited debate among policymakers. While biomass remains a primary and readily accessible energy source, various studies have extensively examined its implications for health and the economy. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding its role in mitigating climate change. This study delves into the ecological footprint implications of biomass energy consumption in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, spanning from 1990 to 2017. While the existing literature predominantly relies on parametric methodologies, offering estimates of biomass energy’s average impact on ecological footprints, it fails to capture temporal variations in this relationship. Consequently, this study employs both parametric and nonparametric time-varying techniques to elucidate the evolving impact of biomass energy utilization on ecological footprints across the studied nations. Findings from both analytical approaches converge to suggest that biomass energy usage amplifies the ecological footprint of OECD nations. Notably, the nonparametric analysis underscores the dynamic nature of this relationship over time. Based on these insights, policy recommendations are given to mitigate the adverse environmental consequences of biomass energy usage while exploring cleaner alternative energy sources.
Satellite Autonomous Mission Planning Based on Improved Monte Carlo Tree Search
Authors: Li Zichao , Li You , Luo Rongzheng
Published: August 2024

This paper improves the timeliness of satellite mission planning to cope with the rapid response to changes. In this paper, satellite mission planning is investigated. Firstly, the satellite dynamics model and mission planning model are established, and an improved Monte Carlo tree (Improved-MCTS) algorithm is proposed, which utilizes the Monte Carlo tree search in combination with the state uncertainty network (State-UN) to reduce the time of exploring the nodes (At the MCTS selection stage, the exploration of nodes specifically refers to the algorithm needing to decide whether to choose nodes that have already been visited (exploitation) or nodes that have not been visited yet (exploration)). The results show that this algorithm performs better in terms of profit (in this paper, the observation task is given a weight of 0–1, and each planned task will receive a profit; that is, a profit will be assigned at the initial moment) and convergence speed compared to the ant colony algorithm (ACO) and the asynchronous advantage actor critic (A3C).
Vitamin C Improves Oocyte In Vitro Maturation and Potentially Changes Embryo Quality in Cattle
Authors: Wang Yueqi , Wang Aibing , Liu Hongmei , Yang Rui , Zhang Boyang , Tang Bo , Li Ziyi , Zhang Xueming
Published: August 2024

To obtain high-quality bovine oocytes, the effects of vitamin C (VC) on the IVM of bovine oocytes and early embryo development were investigated. The results showed the following. (1) The IVM medium containing 50 µg/mL VC improved the oocyte maturation rate but did not affect the parthenogenetic embryo development. (2) The IVC medium containing 20 µg/mL VC improved the cleavage rate of the IVF embryos and enhanced the mRNA transcriptions of pluripotency gene Oct4, Sox2, Cdx2, and Nanog in the blastocysts but had no effects on the blastocyst rate. (3) Combining supplementation of 50 µg/mL VC in IVM medium + 20 µg/mL VC in IVC medium (named as VC 50/20, similar hereinafter) elevated the cleavage rate of IVF embryos and enhanced the mRNA expressions of Oct4, Sox2, Cdx2, and Nanog in the blastocysts. (4) Combination of VC 0/20 and VC 50/20 enhanced the transcription of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and VC 50/0 weakened the transcription of pro-apoptotic gene Bax, while VC 0/40 and VC 0/60 increased Bax expression and diminished the Bcl-2/Bax ratio in blastocysts. Together, employing 50 µg/mL VC improves the IVM of bovine oocytes and combination of VC 50/20 potentially changes bovine embryo quality by enhancing the expressions of the pluripotency genes and regulating the expressions of apoptosis-related genes.
Preclinical Efficacy of Cap-Dependent and Independent mRNA Vaccines against Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus-1
Authors: Huang Jing , Hu Yaping , Niu Zikang , Hao Wei , Ketema Hirpha , Wang Zhipeng , Xu Junjie , Sheng Le , Cai Yuze , Yu Zhenghong , Cai Yafei , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2024

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an RNA virus associated with severe economic losses in animal production. Effective vaccination and viral surveillance are urgent for the prevention and control of BVDV infection. However, the application of traditional modified live vaccines and inactivated vaccines is faced with tremendous challenges. In the present study, we describe the preclinical efficacy of two BVDV mRNA vaccines tested in mice and guinea pigs, followed by a field trial in goats, where they were compared to a commercial vaccine (formaldehyde inactivated). The two mRNAs were engineered to express the envelope protein E2 of BVDV-1, the most prevalent subtype across the world, through a 5′ cap-dependent or independent fashion. Better titers of neutralizing antibodies against BVDV-1 were achieved using the capped RNA in the sera of mice and guinea pigs, with maximum values reaching 9.4 and 13.7 (by −log2), respectively, on the 35th day post-vaccination. At the same time point, the antibody levels in goats were 9.1 and 10.2 for the capped and capless RNAs, respectively, and there were no significant differences compared to the commercial vaccine. The animals remained healthy throughout the experiment, as reflected by their normal leukogram profiles. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that mRNA vaccines have good safety and immunogenicity, and we laid a strong foundation for the further exploitation of efficient and safe BVDV vaccines.
Causes and Effects of Scale Deposition in Water Supply Pipelines in Surakarta City, Indonesia
Authors: Amin Saiful , Kazama Shinobu , Sawangjang Benyapa , Takizawa Satoshi
Published: August 2024

Globally, scale deposition in water supply pipelines is one of the major problems faced by water utilities. This research aimed to determine the causes and effects of scale deposition in the water supply pipelines in Surakarta City, Indonesia. The total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, manganese, and alkalinity in groundwater were higher than those in the surface water and spring water; thus, the supply areas from groundwater were identified using TDS at the taps. The three scaling indicators, i.e., the Langelier saturation index (LSI), the Ryznar stability index (RSI), and the Puckorius scaling index (PSI), indicated moderate calcium carbonate scaling. However, elemental analysis of eight scale samples using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) revealed that the major components of scale were either manganese (50.1–80.8%) or iron (45.6–63.8%), whereas calcium (3.0–7.8%) was a minor component. Because only five of twenty groundwater sources were chlorinated before distribution, it is estimated that dissolved manganese is oxidized by manganese-oxidizing bacteria. The manganese deposition rate in the networks was estimated to be 1660 kg/year using the manganese concentration at groundwater sources and in customers’ taps. These results suggest the importance of the elemental analysis of scale and avoidance of overreliance on scale indicators.
Targeting Macrophytes: Optimizing Vegetation Density to Enhance Water Quality within Constructed Wetlands
Authors: McBrady Austin Johnathon , Den Walter
Published: August 2024

This study of constructed wetland design investigated relationships between macrophyte species selection and planting density for water quality improvement. A lab-scale wetland was compared against a pilot-scale wetland in San Antonio, Texas, at Mitchell Lake to measure differences in effluent water quality improvement using three native macrophyte species. Using a novel, two-phase method, a targeting macrophyte was identified from among Olney’s bulrush (Schoenoplectus americanus), hardstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus), and California bulrush (Schoenoplectus californicus), based on its marked capability for improving water quality factors, then it was planted in varied majority densities to compare differences in treatment effectiveness. The results showed that the planting density with 50% giant bulrush, 25% Olney’s bulrush, and 25% hardstem improved conductivity removal by 34% and increased dissolved oxygen by 3713% as compared to the Mitchell Lake pilot-scale results. The 70% and 90% majority density plantings (giant bulrush) were not shown to be as effective for the tested parameters, indicating diminishing returns as the vegetation density increasingly becomes a monoculture within the system. The results of this study showed that this complementary approach to wetland design displayed significant improvement in certain treatment parameters than the evenly planted species distribution of the pilot study. These findings demonstrate that the constructed wetland design can be optimized by selecting and planting macrophytes based on their effectiveness in targeting site-specific water quality concerns by capitalizing on their individual traits within complex wetland systems.
Infecção latente pelo Mycobacterium tuberculosis em trabalhadores da saúde na Bahia
Authors: Oliveira Andressa Souza , Pereira Leticia Cerqueira , Santos Pedro Nascimento Prates , Silva Maria Yaná Guimarães , Souza Fernanda de Oliveira , Helioterio Margarete Costa , Andrade Kaio Vinicius Freitas de , Araújo Tânia Maria de
Published: August 2024

Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de positividade do Teste Tuberculínico (TT) no rastreamento da infecção latente pelo Mycobacterium tuberculosis (ILTB) e identificar fatores associados entre trabalhadores da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) e média complexidade no segundo maior município do Estado da Bahia. Métodos: Inquérito epidemiológico, com 370 participantes, que avaliou dados sociodemográficos, ocupacionais, consumo de tabaco, álcool e variáveis relacionadas à tuberculose (TB), no período de abril/2021 a março/2022. Aplicou-se o TT por via intradérmica, com leitura após 72h. Resultados: A prevalência de positividade do TT foi de 41,3% e 17,6% para TT ≥ 5mm e TT ≥ 10mm, respectivamente. Para TT ≥ 5mm, as variáveis associadas foram: possuir cicatriz da vacina Bacilo Calmette-Guérin (BCG) e contato prévio com pessoas com TB. Conclusão: A prevalência de positividade do TT foi elevada entre os participantes do estudo. Fazem-se necessárias medidas de proteção ambiental, coletiva e individual para redução do risco de ILTB.
influências do uso excessivo das tecnologias na infância e na adolescência
Authors: Faustino Mariana Elisa , Lima Carla da Conceição de
Published: August 2024

Este artigo faz um recorte do Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (TCC) intitulado As influências do uso excessivo das tecnologias na infância e na adolescência apresentado no Curso de Licenciatura em Pedagogia da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri no ano de 2024. O objetivo deste artigo é investigar em que medida as considerações apresentadas por Michel Desmurget se enquadram no contexto brasileiro, especificamente em relação ao acesso e uso da tecnologia. Trata-se de uma pesquisa com abordagem metodológica qualitativa, que utilizou como instrumento a análise documental, especificamente os relatórios das pesquisas TIC Kids Online 2023 e TIC Domicílios 2023, desenvolvidas pelo Centro Regional de Estudos para o Desenvolvimento da Sociedade da Informação (CETIC). Constatamos que há um uso excessivo das tecnologias pelas crianças e jovens do Brasil, que utilizam a telas para uso recreativo mais de uma vez por dia. O tempo de uso das telas é maior para crianças e adolescentes que advém de classes mais favorecidas e a frequência de uso das tecnologias varia de acordo com a condição socioeconômica do aluno e com a região em que vive.
FAMILIA CONTEMPORANEA:
Authors: Arias Rojas Juana Eugenia , Nuñez Zuñiga Lorena
Published: August 2024

El texto aborda los cambios en la estructura familiar en Chile y cómo estos desafían el trabajo social. Desde la época colonial hasta la actualidad, la familia ha evolucionado, reflejando cambios en el matrimonio, los roles de género y la sociedad en general. La dictadura y el neoliberalismo han introducido nuevos desafíos, como el consumismo y la desigualdad. Se han realizado cambios legales importantes, como la legalización del divorcio y el acuerdo de unión civil. Para el trabajo social, esto implica una actualización constante y la comprensión de la diversidad familiar, así como el fomento del desarrollo individual y ciudadano. Se plantea la pregunta sobre el papel del trabajo social en mantener a la familia como un refugio sólido y seguro en medio de estos cambios.
FAMILIAS DIVERSAS:
Authors: Olaya Eucaris
Published: August 2024

El texto aborda la experiencia de encuentros académicos durante la pandemia de COVID-19, donde se discutieron las complejidades de las relaciones erótico-afectivas en familias diversas. Destaca la importancia de la solidaridad y la generosidad durante este tiempo. Además, se comparten hallazgos de investigaciones sobre identidades LGBT+ en el ámbito educativo, señalando tensiones familiares y la necesidad de políticas inclusivas.
PROJETO DE PESQUISA INTERDISCIPLINAR E INTERCONTINENTAL - INTERFACES DO COVID-19:
Authors: Rojas Acosta Ana
Published: August 2024

Este artigo descreve uma pesquisa multicêntrica iniciada em 2021 pelo Núcleo de Estudos, Pesquisa e Extensão em Famílias e Políticas Públicas (NEF), com foco na situação gerada pela pandemia de Covid-19 e prevista para continuar até 2025. Ele destaca a importância da intervenção do Serviço Social diante das necessidades das populações vulneráveis e a implementação urgente de políticas públicas, especialmente durante crises como a atual pandemia.
O objetivo da pesquisa é analisar o avanço de políticas inclusivas e distributivas no contexto da gestão de políticas para famílias vulneráveis em relação à Covid-19. Utilizando uma abordagem predominantemente bibliográfica e documental, qualitativa e dialética-crítica, a pesquisa examina a trajetória das políticas públicas e do sistema de proteção social em países da América Latina e Europa, como Argentina, Bolívia, Chile, Colômbia, Brasil e Peru, além da Inglaterra e Espanha.
A coleta e análise de dados incluem legislação existente, documentos técnicos e políticos, entrevistas com gestores e usuários de programas de políticas públicas e grupos de discussão. O objetivo é contribuir para aprimorar o atendimento às famílias vulneráveis durante a pandemia e além, propondo políticas mais abrangentes e sustentáveis.
COVID-19:
Authors: Rojas Acosta Ana
Published: August 2024

O texto analisa como a pandemia de Covid-19 afetou famílias vulneráveis no Brasil, destacando a má distribuição de renda e a falta de investimentos em áreas essenciais como educação, saúde e assistência social, fatores que agravaram essa vulnerabilidade. A ausência de políticas públicas adequadas durante a pandemia piorou a situação. Utilizando os conceitos de "VUCA" (Volatilidade, Incerteza, Complexidade e Ambiguidade) e "BANI" (Fragilidade, Ansiedade, Não Linearidade e Incompreensibilidade), o texto aborda a necessidade de adaptação das instituições a um mundo em constante transformação. Para enfrentar esses desafios, o texto recomenda: 1. Fortalecimento das políticas públicas para garantir acesso a serviços essenciais. 2. Investimento em capacitação e geração de emprego para aumentar a autossuficiência das famílias. 3. Melhoria no acesso aos serviços de saúde, especialmente em áreas vulneráveis. 4. Promoção da educação com oportunidades igualitárias para todas as crianças. 5. Estabelecimento de parcerias entre diferentes setores. O texto conclui que são necessários esforços colaborativos contínuos para construir um futuro mais justo e inclusivo, reconhecendo a complexidade e a interconexão das questões exacerbadas pela pandemia.
LA POLÍTICA HABITACIONAL Y REGENERACIÓN URBANA: RECONOCIENDO Y REPARANDO UNA DEUDA HISTÓRICA CON FAMILIAS CHILENAS
Authors: Arias Rojas Juana Eugenia , Córdova González Narla , Núñez Zúñiga Lorena , Orellana Acuña Pamela , Miranda Díaz Carlos
Published: August 2024

El texto aborda la política social y el Programa de Regeneración, iniciativa del Ministerio de la Vivienda y Urbanismo de Chile, destinada a familias de conjuntos habitacionales en la periferia de la región metropolitana de Santiago, que recibieron viviendas sociales a partir de los años 90 y enfrentaron altos niveles de criticidad social, urbana y de habitabilidad.
El artículo contextualiza la cuestión de la vivienda social en Chile y las políticas públicas vigentes, destacando la complementación a la subsidiariedad y mercantilización, inaccesibles para la población vulnerable. Analiza el proceso de implementación del programa de regeneración, enfocándose en la intervención social, la inclusión de las familias afectadas y la interacción con profesionales y técnicos del SERVIU.
Por último, describe la resignificación del trabajo social, que transita de una identidad basada en el saber institucional a una identidad construida con base en el saber colectivo de otros profesionales y de las propias familias, creando un conocimiento específico del trabajo social contemporáneo.
El DESARROLLO SUSTENTABLE URBANO Y SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA EN LA POBLACIÓN DEL CONURBANO SUR DE BUENOS AIRES EN LA SITUACIÓN DE PANDEMIA COVID 19
Authors: Trotta Miguel Edgardo Vicente
Published: August 2024

El texto aborda el empeoramiento de las condiciones de seguridad alimentaria en Argentina, especialmente en la conurbación sur, durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Las organizaciones autogestionadas han buscado satisfacer las necesidades alimentarias de la población a través de emprendimientos agroecológicos sostenibles. Estas iniciativas tienen como objetivo preservar los recursos naturales y mitigar el daño ambiental, mientras que los movimientos sociales y las políticas de cogestión con los gobiernos locales promueven alternativas para la autogestión de la producción y distribución de alimentos. El objetivo principal del trabajo es describir la situación alimentaria en Argentina en el período posterior a la pandemia, especialmente en la conurbación de Buenos Aires, donde la pobreza está más concentrada.
LA SOBERANÍA ALIMENTARIA, LA AGROECOLOGÍA Y LA REFORMA AGRARIA:
Authors: Coxshall Wendy
Published: August 2024

En el libro "Sitopia: Cómo los alimentos pueden salvar el mundo" (2020), Carolyn Steel enfatiza cómo el actual sistema global de alimentos es responsable de los impactos negativos en el clima y la salud del planeta. Sugiere que los alimentos pueden ser una lente poderosa para entender las conexiones entre diferentes aspectos de la vida humana. Steel aboga por una filosofía que nos anime a imaginar y crear narrativas completas y optimistas, capaces de contribuir a la preservación de nuestro planeta.
El texto también destaca la importancia de la agroecología y la soberanía alimentaria como conceptos fundamentales para repensar y transformar los patrones de vida generados por el sistema global de alimentos, conocido por ser desigual, injusto e insostenible. La agroecología, al integrar ciencia, práctica y movimiento social, emerge como una herramienta poderosa para cambiar este sistema. Inicialmente centrada en los problemas generados por la agricultura industrial, este enfoque ha evolucionado para incluir cuestiones de equidad en los mercados y ha adquirido una dimensión política y económica, con el objetivo de transformar el sistema alimentario global capitalista y preservar el medio ambiente.
Prefacio Volume 2
Authors: Brant de Carvalho Maria do Carmo
Published: August 2024

Este número da revista discute a proteção social durante a pandemia. A primeira parte inclui artigos em espanhol e português sobre políticas públicas voltadas para famílias vulneráveis e segurança alimentar, abordando o impacto da Covid-19 e a resposta das políticas sociais. É destaque a pesquisa interdisciplinar e os desafios específicos enfrentados em diferentes regiões. A segunda parte foca em práticas interventivas de trabalho social, com pesquisas de mestrado que analisam políticas de inserção ao mercado de trabalho e a educação permanente no sistema de assistência social. A pandemia destacou a necessidade de políticas sociais mais robustas e serviços socioassistenciais amplos para enfrentar a pobreza e a desigualdade.
O COTIDIANO DA ASSISTÊNCIA SOCIAL EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA E PÓS-PANDEMIA:
Authors: Brant de Carvalho Maria do Carmo
Published: August 2024

A assistência social no Brasil é uma política importante no combate à pobreza, sendo reconhecida como uma importante ferramenta de proteção social. Inclui programas como o Bolsa Família, agora renomeado como Auxílio Brasil, e o Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC), que buscam fornecer suporte financeiro para famílias em situação de vulnerabilidade. No entanto, recentemente, observou-se uma regressão na política social devido à austeridade fiscal, resultando em redução de recursos e impactando negativamente os serviços públicos. A pandemia da Covid-19 agravou ainda mais a crise, aumentando o desemprego e a pobreza. A assistência social desempenha um papel crucial no fornecimento de ajuda durante a crise, distribuindo socorros assistenciais e fortalecendo as redes locais de solidariedade.
Palavras chaves: Assistência Social, Pobreza, Bolsa Família-Auxilio Brasil, Pandemia da Covid-19
EL DESARROLLO URBANO INTEGRAL Y DESARROLLO POLICÉNTRICO:
Authors: Trotta Miguel Edgardo Vicente
Published: August 2024

Este artículo analiza las condiciones para promover políticas de desarrollo equilibrado en los territorios, utilizando el policentrismo como estrategia central. El policentrismo implica la descentralización de núcleos económicos y políticos en una ciudad o territorio, integrando servicios y recursos en una red sinérgica para cubrir las necesidades colectivas. Se destaca la necesidad de construir múltiples centros en los municipios para lograr un desarrollo equilibrado y evitar la concentración de recursos en áreas centrales. La inversión pública es crucial para promover un desarrollo urbano equilibrado, mientras que la inversión privada sigue a la pública y se concentra en áreas previamente consolidadas. La investigación se ha realizado en varios partidos del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, destacando el papel de las políticas públicas en la promoción del desarrollo urbano. Se planea continuar la investigación en otros municipios para comprender mejor cómo las migraciones afectan el desarrollo urbano. Las políticas públicas son fundamentales para revertir las tendencias monocéntricas y garantizar los derechos humanos y la justicia social en la región del conurbano sur.