bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Air Quality Monitoring in Coal-Centric Cities: A Hybrid Approach
Authors: Mora Simone , deSouza Priyanka , Duarte Fábio , Wang An , Paul Sanjana , Berrones Antonio , Ratti Carlo
Published: August 2023

Despite the increasing time sensitivity of climate change, many cities worldwide still heavily rely on coal. The extraction, processing, transport, and usage of coal lead to deteriorated air quality, resulting in complex environmental and public health problems for the local communities. Mapping different pollution sources in coal-centric cities is not trivial due to the hyperlocal nature of air pollution and the often low-density network of air quality monitors. This study explores the air quality issues surrounding coal-centric cities using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data from reference-grade air quality monitors, low-cost sensors (LCSs) deployed on citizens’ vehicles, and community engagement activities. It explores how LCSs can be used to characterize air quality at a high spatio-temporal resolution and how this information can be used to decode people’s perceptions of air quality issues and elicit local knowledge. We evaluated our approach in Sparwood (Canada), and Oskemen (Kazakhstan) which are very different cities, but are both heavily dependent on coal. LCSs have been proven an efficient tool to identify pollution hotspots that traditional reference monitors miss, while workshop-based activities making use of data maps and coding tools have successfully elicited information about pollution sources from non-experts, helping collaborative sense-making and informing new LCS deployment strategies. Understanding air quality in coal-centric cities as a complex socio-technical phenomenon can enable the coal industry, city officials, and residents to engage in addressing air quality issues.
Experimental Study on the Mechanical Characteristics of Thin-Bedded Rock Masses Due to Water-Absorption Softening and Structural Effects
Authors: Xu Huichen , Miao Chengyu , Zhao Chengwei , Wang Dong , Sun Xiaoming
Published: August 2023

The efficient exploitation of deep-buried resources and the penetration of deep tunnels are related to the sustainable development of energy and security, and the stability of the surrounding rock of deep-buried tunnels is an important issue to study. Therefore, the mechanical characteristics of thin-bedded rock masses due to water-absorption softening and structural effects were studied. The results show that the uniaxial compressive strength tends to decrease first and then increase with the rise in layer inclination, and an overall U-shaped distribution is presented. The water-absorption and softening mechanism of slate, which is a typical thin-bedded rock masses, involves water entering the slate along the weak surface of the layer. Then, the expansion of water absorption and the expansion perpendicular to the layer caused by the action of clay minerals causes cracks along the layer surface near the weak surface of the layer, which is macroscopically manifested as a decrease in strength. Through the single weak-surface theory, the layer-inclination range of 25–79° is determined for shear failure. The universal distinct element code can accurately and intuitively reflect the failure mode of rock samples affected by moisture content and structural effects.
Leadership towards Sustainability: A Review of Sustainable, Sustainability, and Environmental Leadership
Authors: Boeske Jane
Published: August 2023

Leadership and sustainability have been researched and examined concurrently. There is considerable knowledge regarding sustainable, sustainability, and environmental leadership as separate areas of research and as effective leadership styles that facilitate the achievement of sustainability outcomes. While these research streams have developed alongside each other, there is limited knowledge about the similarities and differences between each of these three leadership approaches. To resolve this problem, the purpose of this paper is to review and compare key leadership themes from each sustainable, sustainability, and environmental leadership approach by: (a) identifying key leadership findings, (b) highlighting areas of similarity and difference, and (c) developing an integrated framework of leadership behaviors used to influence and direct organizations towards improved organizational performance with a view to understanding leadership towards sustainability. This comprehensive review is structured around a framework of three theoretical approaches: sustainable, sustainability, and environmental leadership, due to their currency in the literature and relationship to achieving sustainability goals. This review is needed to integrate the fragmented literature, build on and organize current knowledge, and develop a unified framework that combines findings on leadership practices and behaviors in terms of the types of leadership required for achieving sustainability performance. As such, this paper seeks to make a significant contribution to the scholarly literature by unifying existing frameworks and clarifying points of similarity and differentiation under the umbrella of ‘leadership towards sustainability’. Hence, this paper seeks to be among the first to appraise and connect these three leadership approaches, thus filling a gap in the literature.
Understanding Innovation Resistance on the Use of a New Learning Management System (LMS)
Authors: Kim Sunyoung , Park Taejung
Published: August 2023

As innovation barriers and inertia work against the application of new technologies in educational settings, reducing them will help overcome innovation resistance and increase the acceptance and adoption of this technology. This study aims to examine what types of innovation barriers and inertia there are (as perceived by users), how the types of users who perceive innovation resistance could be divided, and which characteristics differ depending on the type of user in a situation where a university adopts a new LMS as a learning technology tool for innovation. This study derived risk barriers, usage/value/tradition barriers, image barriers, and inertia as four factors that affect innovation resistance. The results of the study suggest that new LMS-related personalized support and training programs should be developed according to the specific needs and characteristics of each user cluster.
Identifying Factors Influencing Consumers’ Choice of Disposal Channels Regarding Children’s Clothing in China
Authors: Guo Wenjun , Kim Eunyoung
Published: August 2023

The disposal of undesired clothing, a crucial phase in consumers’ post-purchase decision-making process, significantly impacts the environment. However, behavior regarding the disposal of children’s clothing, a hitherto unexplored research area, differs from that of adults’ clothing due to the unique physical features of children. Investigating consumers’ behavior regarding the disposal of children’s clothing is thus essential. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify factors influencing consumers’ choice of disposal channels regarding children’s clothing in China. Specifically, the study seeks to answer two sub-questions: (1) What are the factors that influence consumers’ choice of conventional disposal channels for children’s clothing? and (2) what is the usage status of online clothing recycling platforms among consumers, and what are the barriers and facilitators for their adoption? Data were collected through a combination of quantitative closed-ended questions and a qualitative open-ended question from an online survey involving 259 mothers of children aged 4 to 12 years. The quantitative data were analyzed using binary logistic regression, whereas the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis and Chi-square by employing the capability, opportunity, and motivation–behavior model (COM-B). The findings show that Chinese consumers’ choice of conventional disposal channels for children’s clothing is influenced by reasons related to poor fit and clothing damage, mother’s age, and family’s annual family income level. Moreover, the study reveals that online clothing-recycling platforms as an emerging disposal channel are not widely accepted due to various barriers, including psychological capability, physical opportunity, social opportunity, and reflective motivation. Therefore, the insights gained from this study provide guidance to consumers, recyclers, public policymakers, and practitioners in the children’s clothing industry towards children’s clothing disposal, aiming to promote sustainable disposal behavior.
Enhancing Business Performance through Circular Economy: A Comprehensive Mathematical Model and Statistical Analysis
Authors: Feng Xiaoli , Goli Alireza
Published: August 2023

In today’s dynamic and competitive free market, businesses strive to gain a distinct competitive advantage, enabling them to seize opportunities and overcome potential threats. Achieving and sustaining superior performance has become a fundamental objective for companies. Accordingly, the main objective and contribution of this research is to delve into the profound impact of circular economy practices, which are known to foster sustainability and resource efficiency, on financial performance—an essential metric for evaluating a company’s success. Through the development of a proposed mathematical model, we simulate and quantify the influence of circular economy practices on financial outcomes, capturing the intricate relationship between the two. Employing state-of-the-art optimization methods and statistical analysis, our analysis reveals that the implementation of circular economy principles significantly impacts financial performance, contributing to 15.7% of its variance. Interestingly, production diversity, while critical for corporate governance, does not exert a statistically significant influence on financial performance. Notably, although production diversity remains a pivotal aspect of effective corporate governance, our analysis indicates that it does not wield a statistically significant impact on financial performance. Moreover, the combined synergy of circular economy practices and financial performance unveils a noteworthy 24.8% variance in overall company performance, underscoring the intricate interdependence of these pivotal elements. By harnessing state-of-the-art modeling techniques and meticulous analysis, this research yields profound insights into the intricate interplay between circular economy practices and financial performance. This illumination empowers businesses to discern potential pathways for harnessing competitive advantages and nurturing sustainable growth in the dynamic tapestry of today’s business landscape.
Analysis of Ningxia Hui Autonomous District’s Gray Water Footprint from the Perspective of Water Sustainability
Authors: Yue Chen , Qian Yong , Liu Feng , Cui Xiangxiang , Meng Suhua
Published: August 2023

Gray water footprint (GWF) is an effective method to evaluate the degree of water pollution and water quality. It is the amount of freshwater needed to dilute water pollutants to meet ambient water quality standards. Accounting and analyzing the GWF will be significant for promoting an improved water environment and sustainable water ecology in Ningxia Autonomous District. We accounted for the GWF of all cities in Ningxia from 2012 to 2020 and evaluated its spatial-temporal variations by the GWF accounting method proposed by Hoekstra. Then, the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method was applied to investigate the contributions of four driving factors: the population scale effect, economic development effect, technological effect, and industrial structure effect. And then, the changes in the GWF in the Ningxia region were analyzed. The results showed that the GWF in the Ningxia region changed from 79.21 × 108 to 29.09 × 108 m3/yr during 2012–2020, making a significant decreasing trend. Among all cities, Wuzhong City contributes the most in terms of the GWF. More specifically, economic development and technology structure are the positive and negative drivers of the GWF, respectively. The water pollution levels in Ningxia (0.49–1.3) indicated that the waste assimilation capacity has fallen short of taking up the pollutant load, which had an unfavorable impact on the groundwater according to actual water quality data. NO3-N and NH3-N are detected in the groundwater throughout the Ningxia region, with the highest NH3-N content in the groundwater in Yinchuan, which almost exceeded the groundwater quality standard of category III. Above all, this study reflected the current water pollution situation better by combining the GWF with actual water quality data in Ningxia. The finding of this study is valuable for addressing water quality threats and developing sustainable development.
A Review on Biohydrogen Sources, Production Routes, and Its Application as a Fuel Cell
Authors: Samrot Antony V. , Rajalakshmi Deenadhayalan , Sathiyasree Mahendran , Saigeetha Subramanian , Kasipandian Kasirajan , Valli Nachiyar , Jayshree Nellore , Prakash Pandurangan , Shobana Nagarajan
Published: August 2023

More than 80% of the energy from fossil fuels is utilized in homes and industries. Increased use of fossil fuels not only depletes them but also contributes to global warming. By 2050, the usage of fossil fuels will be approximately lower than 80% than it is today. There is no yearly variation in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere due to soil and land plants. Therefore, an alternative source of energy is required to overcome these problems. Biohydrogen is considered to be a renewable source of energy, which is useful for electricity generation rather than relying on harmful fossil fuels. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of sources and technologies and has numerous applications including electricity generation, being a clean energy carrier, and as an alternative fuel. In this review, a detailed elaboration about different kinds of sources involved in biohydrogen production, various biohydrogen production routes, and their applications in electricity generation is provided.
Uneven Distribution of Urban Green Spaces in Relation to Marginalization in Mexico City
Authors: Ayala-Azcarraga Cristina , Diaz Daniel , Fernandez Tania , Cordova-Tapia Fernando , Zambrano Luis
Published: August 2023

The present study examines the spatial distribution and level of accessibility of urban green spaces (UGSs) within the context of Mexico City, with a particular focus on their relationship with marginalization. The study examined five distinct categories of UGSs based on their size and subsequently analyzed their total surface area per capita in relation to their correlation with the marginalization index. The data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis, and correlations were computed to investigate the relationships between variables. We found 1353 UGSs accessible for public use with a total area of 2643 ha. Seventy-four percent of them had <1 ha of surface area, and 51% were located in only three municipalities that were mostly middle- and high-income. These municipalities concentrated a higher area of green spaces per capita. We found a negative correlation between the marginality index and the area of UGSs per municipality; the lower the marginality index was, the higher the area of green spaces. These results suggest that a bad distribution of UGSs can increase environmental injustice since urban environmental services are unequally distributed, affecting particularly marginalized populations. This research is a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge regarding the accessibility of UGSs in Mexico City, particularly in connection to marginalized communities. It emphasizes the significance of this topic in the context of environmental justice, urban sustainability, and the formulation of urban policy decisions. By engaging with these concerns, individuals can strive to foster a city that promotes fairness and well-being for all of its residents.
An Integrated Approach of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process and Super Slack-Based Measure for the Logistics Industry in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thi Kim Lien , Nguyen Thi Lan Huong , Ngo Tri Long , Hoang Bang An , Le Hong Huyen , Tran Thi Thanh Hong
Published: August 2023

In the context of economic development and international economic integration, Vietnam’s logistics industry is developing to meet market demands for the transportation of goods; thus, many logistics enterprises have been formulated and expanded in recent years. This research aims to measure the efficiency of logistics enterprises and recommend a feasible solution to improve their future performance by integrating a super slack-based measure model (super-SBM) in data envelopment analysis and fuzzy analytic hierarchy processes (fuzzy AHP) in multi-criteria decision-making. The super-SBM model was utilized to conduct the efficiency scores of logistics enterprises from 2016 to 2022 based on calculating the ratio between input and output variables; the empirical result determined each enterprise’s effectiveness and ineffectiveness. Next, the fuzzy AHP method evaluated and ranked criteria that directly impacted the operational process of logistics enterprises based on experts’ opinions; the examined result suggested a feasible direction to improve future business efficiency. The proposed hybrid models are a helpful solution for efficiency determination and determining the development direction for logistics enterprises. An overall picture of the logistics enterprises was also drawn to describe their operational business process.
Health Data Sharing towards Knowledge Creation
Authors: Elvas Luís B. , Ferreira João C. , Dias Miguel Sales , Rosário Luís Brás
Published: August 2023

Data sharing and service reuse in the health sector pose significant privacy and security challenges. The European Commission recognizes health data as a unique and cost-effective resource for research, while the OECD emphasizes the need for privacy-protecting data governance systems. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to health data access in a hospital environment, leveraging homomorphic encryption to ensure privacy and secure sharing of medical data among healthcare entities. Our framework establishes a secure environment that enforces GDPR adoption. We present an Information Sharing Infrastructure (ISI) framework that seamlessly integrates artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities for data analysis. Through our implementation, we demonstrate the ease of applying AI algorithms to treated health data within the ISI environment. Evaluating machine learning models, we achieve high accuracies of 96.88% with logistic regression and 97.62% with random forest. To address privacy concerns, our framework incorporates Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs). Data producers and consumers (prosumers) have the flexibility to express their prefearences for sharing and analytics operations. Data-centric policy enforcement mechanisms ensure compliance and privacy preservation. In summary, our comprehensive framework combines homomorphic encryption, secure data sharing, and AI-driven analytics. By fostering collaboration and knowledge creation in a secure environment, our approach contributes to the advancement of medical research and improves healthcare outcomes. A real case application was implemented between Portuguese hospitals and universities for this data sharing.
Unveiling Vaccine Hesitancy on Twitter: Analyzing Trends and Reasons during the Emergence of COVID-19 Delta and Omicron Variants
Authors: Cotfas Liviu-Adrian , Crăciun Liliana , Delcea Camelia , Florescu Margareta Stela , Kovacs Erik-Robert , Molănescu Anca Gabriela , Orzan Mihai
Published: August 2023

Given the high amount of information available on social media, the paper explores the degree of vaccine hesitancy expressed in English tweets posted worldwide during two different one-month periods of time following the announcement regarding the discovery of new and highly contagious variants of COVID-19—Delta and Omicron. A total of 5,305,802 COVID-19 vaccine-related tweets have been extracted and analyzed using a transformer-based language model in order to detect tweets expressing vaccine hesitancy. The reasons behind vaccine hesitancy have been analyzed using a Latent Dirichlet Allocation approach. A comparison in terms of number of tweets and discussion topics is provided between the considered periods with the purpose of observing the differences both in quantity of tweets and the discussed discussion topics. Based on the extracted data, an increase in the proportion of hesitant tweets has been observed, from 4.31% during the period in which the Delta variant occurred to 11.22% in the Omicron case, accompanied by a diminishing in the number of reasons for not taking the vaccine, which calls into question the efficiency of the vaccination information campaigns. Considering the proposed approach, proper real-time monitoring can be conducted to better observe the evolution of the hesitant tweets and the COVID-19 vaccine hesitation reasons, allowing the decision-makers to conduct more appropriate information campaigns that better address the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.
Impact of a COVID-19 Outbreak in an Elderly Care Home after Primary Vaccination
Authors: Mauriz Elba , Fernández-Vázquez José P. , Díez-Flecha Cristina , Reguero-Celada Sofía , Fernández-Villa Tania , Fernández-Somoano Ana , Caylà Joan A. , Lozano-García Jesús A. , Vázquez-Casares Ana M. , Martín-Sánchez Vicente
Published: August 2023

Elderly care home residents are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to immune-senescence, pre-existing medical conditions, and the risk of transmission from staff and visitors. This study aimed to describe the outcomes of a COVID-19 outbreak in a long-term care facility for elderly persons following the initial vaccination. A single-center, retrospective, observational design was used to analyze the variables associated with hospitalization and death rate by logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Sixty-eight residents received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite being negative six days after vaccination, the performance of a second test 4 days later revealed 51 positives (75.0%) among residents and 18 among workers (56.3%). A total of 65 of the 68 residents (95.58%) had positive results with symptoms, whereas 34.9% required hospitalization, and 25.8% died. The best-fitting model to explain the distribution of cases reflects three points at the time of infection.. The time from vaccination to symptom onset explains the hospitalization and mortality rates since a day elapsed halves the risk of hospitalization (aOR = 0.57; CI = 0.38−0.75) and the risk of death by a quarter (aOR = 0.74; CI = 0.63−0.88). Nursing homes present an elevated risk of transmission and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although vaccination reduces the risk of hospitalization and death, extreme prevention and control measures are essential in these institutions despite the high vaccination coverage.
Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination: Staff and Patient Perspectives at Six Health Facilities in Sierra Leone
Authors: Joseph Stefanie A. , Jerome Jean Gregory , Boima Foday , Pognon Pierre Ricard , Fejfar Donald , Dibba Yusupha , Lavalie Daniel , Barrie Mohamed Bailor , Oteju Aramide , Sheku Mohamed , Mahmoud Mariama , Mattia Jusu , Barnhart Dale A.
Published: August 2023

Sierra Leone is a West African country with a population of over 8 million. With more than half of Sierra Leone’s population living in rural areas, it is important to understand rural populations’ access to and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. In November 2021, the rate of vaccination coverage in Sierra Leone was only 7% for one dose and 4% for two doses. Understanding perspectives of health facility staff and patients can help strengthen future vaccine campaigns. We conducted a cross-sectional study, between March 2022 and May 2022, of clinical staff, non-clinical staff, and adult (>18 years) patients/caregivers attending six Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) facilities supported by Partners In Health, four in the Kono district and two in the Western Urban Area district, the capital of Sierra Leone. We assessed the opportunity to vaccinate, vaccine uptake, and intention to vaccinate. Out of the 2015 participants, 11.4% were clinical staff, 18.8% were non-clinical staff, and 69.8% were patients/caregivers. Less than half of the patients/caregivers had the opportunity to be vaccinated (42%), and 22% of patients/caregivers were fully vaccinated. Among the unvaccinated population, 44% would refuse a vaccine if offered to them at no cost. Lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines and to official education messaging, especially for patients and caregivers, is still an underlying problem in Sierra Leone for vaccine uptake, rather than a lack of willingness to be vaccinated.
Recommended Interventions to Improve Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Uptake among Adolescents: A Review of Quality Improvement Methodologies
Authors: Khalid Karniza , Lee Kun Yun , Mukhtar Nur Farihan , Warijo Othman
Published: August 2023

Background: Routine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake continues to be suboptimal since its recommendation in 2006 for girls and in 2011 for boys. This paper aims to review published quality improvement (QI) methodologies on interventions to improve HPV vaccine uptake among adolescents. Methods: Science Direct and Scopus databases were searched for QI initiatives evaluating the effect of multimodal interventions to improve HPV vaccination rates (initiation and/or completion of series) among adolescents. Studies that included an outcome of interest among adolescents aged 10 to 18 years old were included. Two investigators worked independently to screen for potential articles and a designated investigator extracted data on study characteristics and evaluated the outcomes. Results: A preliminary search yielded a total of 523 articles and 13 were included in the final analysis. Common strategies were provider-specific (i.e., webinar, telementoring, train-the-trainer approach) and patient- and/or parent-specific interventions (i.e., reminder emails, phone calls and text messages, social events), with an emphasis on education and knowledge empowerment. System-level interventions such as policy changes and revised protocols were less commonly prescribed despite being associated with a more significant weight on the overall outcome. Conclusions: Creative, sustainable, and economical multilevel interventions that focus not only on provider training and public education but also incorporate local policies and system enhancements can substantially improve HPV vaccination coverage among adolescents.
Water and Environmental Resources: A Multi-Criteria Assessment of Management Approaches
Authors: Armas Vargas Felipe , Nava Luzma Fabiola , Gómez Reyes Eugenio , Olea-Olea Selene , Rojas Serna Claudia , Sandoval Solís Samuel , Meza-Rodríguez Demetrio
Published: August 2023

The present study applied a multi-criteria analysis to evaluate the best approach among six theoretical frameworks related to the integrated management of water–environmental resources, analyzing the frequency of multiple management criteria. The literature review covers the period from 1990 to 2015, with a notable presence of the theoretical frameworks of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), Ecohealth, Ecosystem Approach (EA), Water Framework Directive (WFD), and, to a lesser extent, the Watershed Governance Prism (WGP) and the Sustainability Wheel (SW). The multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods applied include AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process), TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), and PROMETHEE (Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations). Twenty-five criteria were analyzed, such as governance, participation, sustainability, decentralization, and health and well-being, among others. We started with five criteria for evaluating the hierarchy of the six theoretical frameworks using the AHP method. Subsequently, we again evaluated the five criteria using the TOPSIS and PROMETHEE methods to calibrate the results with the AHP. Then, using word counting, we evaluated the best approach, applying 10, 15, 20, and 25 more criteria. Our results indicate that the best integrated management alternative was the WFD, which fulfilled 47% of the management criteria. Second, with 45%, was the WGP, and third was IWRM, with 41%; less successful approaches to the criteria were demonstrated by the EA, SW, and Ecohealth methods. By applying this methodology, we demonstrated an excellent structured tool that can aid in the selection of the most important issue within a given sector.
Effect of Ridging Shapes on the Water–Salt Spatial Distribution of Coastal Saline Soil
Authors: Qi Ji , Sun Kaixiao , Pan Yinghua , Hu Qiuli , Zhao Ying
Published: August 2023

The Yellow River Delta, located in China, experiences prevalent soil salinization and serves as a crucial ecological management zone within the Yellow River Basin. The shallow groundwater depth and high mineralization contribute to salt accumulation in the soil, which has a negative impact on crop growth. The sustainable use of saline land in the Yellow River Delta hinges on managing the soil salinity within the crop root zone. This study investigated the spatial distribution of soil salinity in coastal saline soil in the Yellow River Delta under various ridging configurations: triangular, arch, and trapezoidal, using flat land as a control. It also examined the impact of evaporation on soil salinity migration. The findings revealed that the ridge–furrow system successfully caused salt to accumulate in the superficial layer of the ridge. Among the three ridge shapes, the triangular ridge was the most effective at concentrating salt on the ridge surface, with 54.04% of the salt mass accumulation in the ridge’s top layer (0–1 cm) and with the furrow bottom achieving a maximum desalination rate of 93.07%. The results implied that the triangular ridge fostered a favorable soil environment for crop growth by minimizing the salt content in the furrow. This research provides a theoretical foundation for the sustainable advancement of saline–alkali agriculture in the Yellow River Delta, which can lead to higher crop yields and better land management practices.
Effects of Groundwater Depth on Vegetation Coverage in the Ulan Buh Desert in a Recent 20-Year Period
Authors: Lu Ting , Wu Jing , Lu Yangchun , Zhou Weibo , Lu Yudong
Published: August 2023

As a typical desert in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the Ulan Buh Desert has a dry climate and scarce precipitation all year round. Groundwater has become the main factor limiting the growth of vegetation in this region. It is of great significance to study the influence of groundwater depth on the spatial distribution pattern of vegetation in this region. Based on the PIE-Engine platform and using long-term time-series Landsat data, this paper analyzed the spatial–temporal distribution characteristics and trends in vegetation coverage in the Ulan Buh Desert in the last 20 years using a pixel dichotomy model and the image difference method. The Kriging interpolation method was used to interpolate the groundwater depth data from 106 monitoring wells in the Ulan Buh Desert over the past 20 years, and the spatial distribution characteristics of groundwater depth in the Ulan Buh Desert were analyzed. Finally, the correlation coefficient between changes in vegetation coverage and changes in groundwater depth was calculated. The results showed the following: (1) The vegetation coverage in the Ulan Buh Desert was higher in the periphery and lower in the center of the desert. The overall vegetation level showed an increasing trend year by year; the growth rate was 4.73%/10 years, and the overall vegetation cover showed an improving trend. (2) The overall groundwater depth in the Ulan Buh Desert was deep in the southwest and shallow in the northeast. In the past 20 years, the groundwater depth in the Ulan Buh area has become shallower, and the ecological condition has gradually improved. (3) On the whole, the vegetation coverage varied with the groundwater depth, and the shallower the groundwater depth, the greater the vegetation coverage. When the groundwater depth increased to more than 4 m, the change in the groundwater depth had a significant effect on the vegetation coverage. However, when the groundwater depth was greater than 6 m, the change in the groundwater depth had no significant effect on the change in vegetation coverage.
Study on Water and Salt Transport under Different Subsurface Pipe Arrangement Conditions in Severe Saline–Alkali Land in Hetao Irrigation District with DRAINMOD Model
Authors: Tian Feng , Miao Qingfeng , Shi Haibin , Li Ruiping , Dou Xu , Duan Jie , Liu Jing , Feng Weiying
Published: August 2023

As an effective method to improve saline–alkali land, the drainage from subsurface pipes has been extensively studied in typical arid and semi-arid agricultural areas (Hetao Irrigation District). However, there are few studies on the improvement of subsurface pipe layout and the long-term soil salinization control in the process of leaching and soil amendment with subsurface pipes in this area. This study investigated the water and salt migration in the process of amending the heavy saline soil. Field experiments growing sunflowers and numerical model calculation were combined in this research. It was found in the field experiment that the salt concentration in the surface pipe drainage was positively correlated with the salt content in the soil and the depth of the pipe, while it was negatively correlated with the amount of irrigation water and the spacing of crops. Thus, the soil desalting rate (N) and salt control rate (SCR) were positively correlated with the depth of the pipe, and they were negatively correlated with the spacing. The leaching effect of irrigation would decrease when the soil salt content decreased. On the basis of field experiments, the DRAINMOD model and drainmod equation were used to calculate the water and salt migration in 38 different field plots during 2019 and 2020. When N was the same, the soil salinity in several plots with large burial depth could be controlled below the salt tolerance threshold of sunflowers during the growth period in the second year. The quantitative relationship between N and SCR, soil salt content before leaching, water amount of leaching, pipe spacing and buried depth was already established. These results can help develop strategies for desalination and salt control in the soil in the arid and semi-arid areas with the optimal layout of subsurface pipes.
Processing of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for the Removal of Pollutants from Water/Wastewater Application
Authors: Singh Rashmi , Samuel Melvin S. , Ravikumar Madhumita , Ethiraj Selvarajan , Kirankumar Venkatesan Savunthari , Kumar Mohanraj , Arulvel R. , Suresh Sagadevan
Published: August 2023

In both the inorganic and organic worlds, carbon-based nanomaterials, such as benzene, diamond, graphite, fullerene, and carbon nanotubes, are abundant. In science laboratories, carbon is the focal point of activity. In this overview, the synthesis, characteristics, and several uses of graphene—including energy conversion, energy storage, electronics, and biosensing—were explored with a focus on ecologically friendly production techniques. This article also discusses recent advancements in the detection and treatment of organic contaminants and heavy metals utilizing nanomaterials. In this article, we outline some recent developments in the creation of innovative nanomaterials and nanostructures and methods for treating organic contaminants and heavy metals in water. The essay presents the current state of the field and, in our opinion, should be helpful to anybody interested in nanomaterials and related materials.
Evaluation of the Effect of Surface Irregularities on the Hydraulic Parameters within Unlined Dam Spillways
Authors: Jalili Kashtiban Yavar , Saeidi Ali , Farinas Marie-Isabelle , Patarroyo Javier
Published: August 2023

Erosional incidents have heightened the necessity of studies regarding rock mass erosion in unlined dam spillways. Enhanced comprehension of hydraulic erodibility necessitates an investigation into the geomechanical and hydraulic aspects of erosional phenomena. Controlled blasting is commonly employed to establish unlined spillways in rock masses, and this process results in irregularities along the spillway surface profile. Recent research has identified key geometric parameters of rock masses that impact erosion in unlined spillways, such as joint opening, dip and dip direction, and joint spacing. However, the effect of spillway surface irregularities on hydraulic parameters remains uncertain. Numerous studies have examined the surface roughness of rock at the millimeter scale within the domain of hydraulic engineering. Despite these efforts, a noticeable gap persists in our understanding of how surface irregularities specifically exert influence over hydraulic parameters. Currently, there is a lack of a clear equation or methodology to incorporate irregularities into hydraulic erosive parameters. The main aim of this study is to show how such irregularities affect the hydraulic parameters. This study is dedicated to emphasizing the importance of considering these irregularities. Building upon the findings obtained, the core aim of this research is to facilitate the formulation of an equation in future investigations that effectively accounts for these irregularities when calculating hydraulic erosive parameters. To assess the significance of surface irregularities in unlined spillways, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with ANSYS-Fluent software was employed to analyze 25 configurations of spillway surface irregularities and their effects on various factors, including pressure (total, dynamic, and static pressures), shear stress, flow velocity, and energy. The findings indicated that irregularities significantly influenced the hydraulic parameters. Specifically, an increased irregularity height led to a decrease in maximum velocity, total pressure, and shear stress. Conversely, total energy loss increased, amplifying the rock mass’s vulnerability to erosion due to these irregularities.
Risk Reduction Measures and Monitoring Analysis of Deep Foundation Pit with Water in a Metro Station in Hefei
Authors: Wang Dengqun , Ye Shuaihua , Zhang Jun
Published: August 2023

The construction of an urban metro will inevitably involve deep excavation. Risk assessment before deep excavation, risk reduction measures, and real-time monitoring during excavation can effectively ensure the safety of deep excavation. Taking the deep excavation pit of Lingbi Road Station of Hefei Rail Transit Line 8 as the research object, this paper first analyses and evaluates the self-risk, groundwater risk, and surrounding environmental risk of the deep excavation pit, and gives the corresponding measures to reduce the risk of the deep excavation pit. Then, the monitoring content of the excavation process is determined according to the environment of the excavation, the hydrogeological conditions, and the type of supporting structure, and the monitoring scheme is designed. Finally, the entire excavation process is monitored in real time. By analyzing the monitoring data of 13 projects, such as horizontal displacement of the wall top, axial support force, groundwater level, etc., it is found that the monitoring values of 13 projects do not exceed the control value. This proves that the composite internal bracing structure of the underground diaphragm wall is suitable for deep foundation pit support in the Hefei area, as the selection of the water-bearing deep foundation pit support structure, the value of the support structure parameters, and the design of the foundation pit dewatering scheme are all reasonable. The study of this paper also serves as a case reference for the support design of water-bearing deep excavation of subway station in Hefei area.
Monitoring Analysis of a Deep Foundation Pit with Water Supported by Cast-in-Place Pile and Internal Bracing in a Soft Soil Area of Fuzhou
Authors: Tu Bingxiong , Zheng Jinhuo , Shen Minglong , Ni Weilong
Published: August 2023

In addition to selecting an effective support structure to control deformation, precipitation and water stopping should also be considered when designing a support scheme for water-bearing foundation pits in soft soil areas. This paper presents a detailed description of the foundation pit support scheme, the precipitation and water-stopping scheme, and the monitoring scheme of the foundation pit project of Taijiang Square in Fuzhou. During the construction of the foundation pit, the monitoring data of 12 items such as the deep horizontal displacement of the enclosure pile, the horizontal displacement at the top of the foundation pit, the settlement at the top of the foundation pit, the axial force of the internal bracing, and the axial force of the enclosure pile were obtained through 12 months of monitoring. The analysis of the monitoring data for each item led to the following two main findings. The first finding is that, during the construction of the pit, the monitoring values of the 12 monitoring items did not exceed the alarm values, which proves that the support scheme of the cast-in-place pile enclosure structure and internal bracing can meet the design requirements of deep foundation pits in soft soil areas. The second finding is that tube-well dewatering is an effective way to lower the groundwater level in water-containing deep foundation pits in soft soil areas, and double-wheel deep-mixing water-stopping curtain walls can effectively control the infiltration of groundwater outside the water-containing deep foundation pits in soft soil areas. This foundation pit project is representative, and it provides a good reference case for the design of water-bearing deep foundation pit projects in soft soil areas.
Synthesis of Poly(aniline-co-benzene)-Based Hypercrosslinked Polymer for Hg(II) Ions Removal from Polluted Water: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies
Authors: Aljboar Mashael T. , Alghamdi Abdulaziz Ali , Al-Odayni Abdel-Basit , Al-Zaben Maha I. , Al-Kahtani Abdullah , Saeed Waseem Sharaf
Published: August 2023

The aim of this work was to investigate the adsorption performance of a highly crosslinked poly(aniline-co-benzene) (PAB) copolymeric network. This hypercrosslinked polymer (HCP) was obtained via the Friedel–Craft reaction in the presence of FeCl3 as an alkylation catalyst. The HCP was characterized using FTIR, SEM, TGA-DTA-DSC thermograms, and BET surface area. The analysis revealed a major mesoporous (an average pore diameter of 4.96 nm) structure, a surface area of 987 m2/g, and adequate chemical and thermal stability, thus supporting its potential as an adsorbent. The PAB HCP capability as an adsorbent for removing mercury ions (Hg2+) from wastewater was examined, and the data obtained were kinetically and thermodynamically modeled. The data were found to fit PFO well (R2 = 0.999), suggesting a physisorption process and a rate-limiting step involving the diffusion process, as proven with IPD and LFD models. The adsorption of Hg2+ on PAB was spontaneous (ΔG° is negative; −4.41 kJ/mol at 298 K), endothermic (ΔH° is positive; 32.39 kJ/mol), and random (ΔS° is positive; 123.48 J/mol·K) at the adsorption interface. The thermodynamic analysis also suggested a physical adsorption mechanism (ΔG° between −20 and 0 kJ/mol). These findings promote the potential application of PAB HCP as an efficient adsorbent for removing Hg2+ ions and other heavy metal ions from polluted environments.
PENGGUNAAN MHEALTH PADA PASIEN PASCA RAWAT INAP PENYAKIT KRONIS: LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Febiarthy Anggy , Martha Evi
Published: August 2023

Penyakit tidak menular (PTM) kronis masih menjadi masalah kesehatan global. Pasien dalam kondisi medis kronis seringkali mengalami kesulitan dalam manajemen penyakitnya secara mandiri terutama setelah keluar dari rumah sakit. Kesenjangan informasi dan kemampuan pasien dalam memelihara dan meningkatkan kondisi kesehatan pasca rawat inap menjadi tantangan tersendiri. Salah satu upaya penanganan penyakit kronis bagi pasien pasca rawat inap adalah pemanfaatan teknologi kesehatan mobile (mHealth). Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui manfaat dan tantangan penggunaan mHealth dalam pengelolaan mandiri penyakit kronis pada pasien pasca rawat inap. Metode yang digunakan adalah literature review penelusuran artikel pada electronic database yaitu ProQuest, Scopus, dan PubMed dengan tahun publikasi 2019-2023.  Hasil review 7 artikel terpilih menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan mHealth pada pasien pasca rawat inap penyakit kronis dapat memfasilitasi pasien dalam perubahan perilaku dan memudahkan interaksi dengan tenaga kesehatan. Selain itu juga berpotensi untuk mengurangi readmisi pasien dan menurunkan biaya perawatan. Adapun yang menjadi tantangan dalam penggunaan mHealth pada pasien pasca rawat inap penyakit kronis adalah rendahnya kepatuhan karena kehilangan minat, ketidaknyamanan saat menggunakan perangkat, kelelahan, status sosial ekonomi dan budaya pasien. Opsi pembuatan mHealth menggunakan strategi gamifikasi untuk meningkatkan motivasi intrinsik perlu dipertimbangkan, namun rekomendasi tentang komponen keceriaan, personalisasi, umpan balik kinerja dan keamanan juga penting. Oleh karena itu, perlu diperhatikan untuk mengkaji preferensi pasien, keterlibatan profesional kesehatan dan perancang mHealth serta kampanye komunikasi yang menekankan tentang pertukaran informasi yang dapat diandalkan dan benar.
Lawn Management Practices and Perceptions of Residents in 14 Sandpit Lakes of Nebraska
Authors: Sewell Sarah , McCallister Dennis , Gaussoin Roch , Wortmann Charles
Published: August 2023

The sandpit lakes of eastern Nebraska have become an area of concern due to toxic algae blooms and associated water quality problems. During the spring of 2006, surveys were distributed to residents of 14 sandpit lake communities throughout Nebraska in order to generate information on lawn management practices, perceptions and attitudes. The survey was used to provide insight to current residential lawn care practices. The majority of respondents fertilize their lawn at least once each year. However, because only 3% of respondents have ever had their soil tested, education effort should focus on proper lawn management (particularly fertilization) practices.
Evaluation of an Electronic Horse Owner Newsletter
Authors: Martinson Krishona , Wieland Elizabeth , Bartholomay Tom
Published: August 2023

The University Minnesota developed an electronic equine newsletter. An on-line survey was developed to determine the effectiveness and impacts of the newsletter. A majority of respondents stated that the newsletter improved their ability to make informed decisions, resulted in changes in management of horse health and nutrition, and led to improvements in communication with veterinarians. According to survey results, the newsletter had impact, resulted in positive behavior change in subscribers, and can be used to improve future educational programs. The authors believe this is the first survey investigating a content-based newsletter for a livestock audience.
Opportunities for Planned County-Based Wildlife Programming
Authors: Kleist Andrea , Moorman Christopher , DePerno Christopher , Bardon Robert
Published: August 2023

Extension personnel trained in agricultural fields may not adequately meet client needs in natural resources-related topics. To help guide strategies to improve planned wildlife programming, we conducted a survey of North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service county agents. Forty-six of 101 county agents responded, with 62% of respondents indicating lack of training limited their abilities to conduct wildlife programming. Development of seminars and educational resources by university-based Extension specialists may help county agents conduct formal programming related to wildlife conservation. Additionally, county agents can partner with local natural resource management professionals to develop and conduct wildlife-related programming.