bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Biodiversity Monitoring Case Study in Viticulture: Manual and Digitalized Collaborative Methodology to Pursue the European Commission’s Sustainable Challenges
Authors: Luglio Sofia Matilde , Bucalossi Ginevra , Lisci Riccardo , Frasconi Christian , Lombardo Stefania , Vieri Marco , Pagliai Andrea , Sarri Daniele
Published: April 2024

The European Commission (EC) promotes policies addressing the needs of a growing human population while adhering to ecological principles that ensure ecosystem sustainability. Viticulture, one of the most widespread cultivations in the world, is, at the same time, one of the most environmentally impactful cultivations. Many studies have been conducted worldwide to identify more sustainable practices because vine monoculture, when repeated for long periods in the same territory, combined with low attention to the agronomic balance of vineyards, is causing biodiversity loss. The study aims to implement analytics for the accounting of biodiversity supported by digital tools like smart applications and digital platforms. Two farms were analyzed in a vacated area for red wine production in the center of Tuscany (Italy). A conventional biodiversity assessment protocol was used to evaluate the magnitude of biodiversity. Smartphone applications and a digital database creation platform supported this. The results highlighted an overall low level of biodiversity from a biodiversity perspective, while the use of smart applications and digital platforms represents an efficient tool for mitigating recognition errors in flora and fauna assessments and a powerful instrument for monitoring and tracking farm biodiversity. The study provides an overview of biodiversity status in a wine production area and a methodology to make its assessment easier and more reliable.
How Could Digital Transformation Help Medium-Sized Enterprises Access Thailand’s New Capital Market Financing (LiVEx) to Support Sustainable Growth in the Digital Economy Era?
Authors: Tanapaisankit Rhatsarun , Sirisunhirun Somboon , Amornsiriphong Somsak , Rugchatjaroen Krish , Ploywan Phut
Published: April 2024

In today’s modern era, digital transformation serves as a crucial element for organizations to gain a competitive edge and optimize their operating systems. However, medium-sized enterprises in Thailand face difficulties in accessing capital market financing, despite its significance in promoting the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises according to the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan. One potential solution to this issue is digital transformation, which can help these enterprises achieve their strategic business objectives and find a reliable source of funding while enhancing their reputation and credibility, thereby contributing to the growth of the economy as a whole. This study utilized a mixed-methods approach to explore how digital transformation can assist medium-sized enterprises in accessing LiVEx, a new capital market for Thai SMEs. We conducted extensive research and interviewed 12 senior executives across three groups, government agencies, LiVEx-listed companies, and social associations, to develop a questionnaire and conceptual model. Data collected from 360 individuals working in medium-sized enterprises in Thailand collected using an online questionnaire were then analyzed, using CFA and SEM techniques to validate the model. Our study emphasizes the importance of digital literacy, digital usage, and digital advocacy in the success of digital transformation in accessing Thai capital market financing. These findings serve as a valuable knowledge repository for future research.
Experimental Study on the Mechanical Strength, Deformation Behavior and Infiltration Characteristics of Coral Sand
Authors: Lv Chenwei , Wu Haoliang , Shi Minglei , Zhang Dingwen
Published: April 2024

In this investigation, coral sand is presented as a sustainable substitute for conventional river and machine-manufactured sand. This study comprehensively investigated the macro-scale strength, deformation, and permeability characteristics of coral sand, alongside analyzing the mechanical behavior, deformation, and permeability under various conditions and in relation to distinct particle characteristics. It revealed that coral sand primarily consists of biotite and high-Mg calcite, featuring abundant internal pore space. Its compressive properties resemble clayey soils, displaying minimal unloading rebound and predominant plastic deformation during compression. In direct shear tests, the stress–strain relationship follows an approximate hyperbola, with no pronounced strain softening. Describing particle fragmentation in the process proves challenging, making indicators like internal friction angle less applicable in engineering. Triaxial tests indicate a rapid initial bias stress increase, followed by a gradual decrease post-stress peak, suggesting a strain softening phenomenon. As surrounding pressure rises, the axial strain needed to reach peak strength also increases. The permeability coefficient of coral sand correlates linearly with pore ratio increase, represented by 10e. The complex interaction of multiple factors influences the strength, deformation, and permeability of coral sand blown fill mixes, with specimen porosity having the greatest impact. The design and construction of high-weight foundation elements in coral sand blown fill projects should consider porosity effects.
Condition Information Entropy and Rough Set Method Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Applied in the Natural Quality Evaluation of Cultivated Land
Authors: Yu Hongmei , Yu Zhaokun , Zhang Xubing
Published: April 2024

The evaluation of the natural quality of cultivated land is crucial for preserving arable land and achieving a balance between the quantity and quality of arable land. Therefore, a timely assessment of the natural quality of cultivated land is needed to monitor its changes. However, current methods often focus on a single specified crop, neglecting the variations that occur across different specified crops. Since the indicator weight recognition method is only suitable for a single crop, this paper proposes a novel model evaluating the natural quality of cultivated land based on the method of “hidden light–temperature index and yield ratio coefficient”. In addition, the condition information entropy and rough set method based on particle swarm optimization (CIERS-PSO) were proposed to evaluate the natural quality of cultivated land in Enshi. Firstly, condition information entropy and rough set are adopted to determine the importance of the indicator automatically. Then, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is utilized to obtain the optimal weights of the first-level and second-level indicators. Finally, the proposed model and evaluation method were adopted to evaluate the natural qualities of the cultivated land. The experimental results demonstrated that the combination of the “hidden light–temperature index and yield ratio coefficient” model and the CIERS-PSO method can automatically identify the indicator weights for the evaluation of natural quality in multi-crop cultivated land. It could obtain better evaluation accuracy even if the sample size is small.
Quantifying the Sustainability of Football (Soccer) Pitches: A Comparison of Artificial and Natural Turf Pitches with a Focus on Microplastics and Their Environmental Impacts
Authors: Zeilerbauer Lukas , Lindorfer Johannes , Fuchs Pauline , Knöbl Melanie , Ravnås Asle , Maldal Trygve , Gilje Eimund , Paulik Christian , Fischer Jörg
Published: April 2024

Recently, the European Commission announced their intention to restrict intentionally added microplastics to reduce the amount emitted by 0.5 million tons per year. Findings on microplastics indicate toxic behavior for biota, yet many mechanisms remain in the dark. Microplastics also pose a challenge in life cycle assessment as methods are actively being developed. Considering this recent decision, an anticipatory life cycle assessment was performed, comparing the impacts of natural grass pitches with artificial grass pitches using bio-based infill materials as well as polymeric ones made from recycled and virgin materials. The aim was to confirm if microplastics are in fact a considerable environmental hazard when compared to more traditional impacts. The microplastics’ impact was modeled after the MarILCA group’s work on the new midpoint of physical effects on biota. The results showed that the influence of the microplastics remains negligible when using the method provided. For most midpoint categories, the wood-based infill showed the best results, often closely tied with the infill made from recycled rubber from tires. A sensitivity analysis revealed that neither the physical effects on biota nor the greenhouse gas emissions from degradation in a marine environment are deciding factors when assessing the endpoint of ecosystem damage.
Ethics of Manufacturing and Supplying Bottled Water: A Systematic Review
Authors: Silva Jorge Alejandro
Published: April 2024

Bottled water is one of the most consumed healthy beverages in the world. At a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%, bottled water sales may surpass USD 500 billion by 2030. While this indicates how popular bottled water is among consumers, it does not underscore various ethical concerns raised against the product and its business concept. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the ethics of manufacturing and supplying bottled water. It uses a systematic review of the literature through the PRISMA method to determine the major ethical concerns surrounding these topics. A total of 107 articles were identified, and 31 were subjected to further reviews and analysis. The study found that the manufacturing and supply of bottled water may be unethical if it ends in deliberate pollution and artificial scarcity. Water is an essential product that should be made available and accessible freely to support lives. The use of bottled water has benefits because pollution is removed during processing, which prevents the spread of diseases. In addition, it is practical to transport and consume it. Water bottlers, however, seek to convert water into an exclusive product for profits. This draws attention to the ethics of justice, care, and professionalism which collectively protect consumers against corporate greed and exploitation. Water bottlers contribute to significant environmental pollution and have done little to recycle or reuse plastics to minimize the potential environmental damage. More than 80% of plastic bottles end up in waste and may be washed down into the oceans where they affect the marine ecosystem.
Preliminary Investigation of the Remnants of Low-Latitude Glacial Activity on the Southeastern Margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Pan Yiwen , Zhang Shitao , Chen Jianping , Zhang Cheng , Wu Shuangshuang
Published: April 2024

The formation of Quaternary glaciers represented a pivotal event in the climatic and geological history of the Tibetan Plateau. However, due to the scarcity of direct evidence for low-latitude glaciation, the timing and extent of late Quaternary glaciation on the Tibetan Plateau remain controversial. This study focuses on the Liangwang Mountains, which are located in the southeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau and has a maximum elevation of 2820 m, as the subject of investigation. Through a comprehensive application of glacial landform analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-based micromorphology analysis of quartz sand, and spore-pollen data analysis, we uncovered evident signs of glacial activity in this region during the Quaternary period. Our research identified typical glacial landforms such as cirques, U-shaped valleys, fluted moraines, and terminal moraines. Additionally, spore-pollen analysis revealed a high frequency of fir pollen, indicating cold climatic conditions during that time. Furthermore, the micromorphology analysis of quartz sand further corroborated the glacial origin of these deposits. Based on these combined findings, our study confirms that the Liangwang Mountains experienced glaciation during the Quaternary period, making them glacial relics at the lowest latitude currently known in mainland China. This discovery provides a valuable reference for understanding the paleoclimate and glacial history of the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding regions.
Carbonation of Recycled Concrete Aggregates for New Concrete and Concrete Fines to Make Cement-Free Hollow Blocks
Authors: Bergmans Jef , Kazemi Kamyab Hadi , Ghosh Debabrata , Van Mierloo Peter , Carens Hilde , Nielsen Peter
Published: April 2024

Mineral carbonation provides a way to increase the recycling of concrete waste in added-value products, and contributes to the principles of the circular economy. At present, most concrete waste is still downcycled. The high water absorption of recycled concrete aggregates, among other factors, impedes their recycling in the concrete industry. The quality of coarse recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) can, however, be enhanced by carbonation. Even when starting with high-grade RCA obtained from a selective demolition process, the carbonation process can decrease the water absorption of the RCA to as low as 3.0%. Concrete with a 50% replacement rate of carbonated RCA can be produced without a significant compressive strength reduction. The research further shows that carbonation can be performed at atmospheric pressure and low CO2 concentrations (e.g., 10%). The recycled concrete fines (RCF, 0–4 mm) in combination with 25% stainless steel slag were used to make zero-cement hollow blocks (39 × 19 × 9 cm) by carbonation curing without using any hydraulic binder. The hollow blocks have a compressive strength of 15.4 MPa at the lab scale. Both technologies were demonstrated on a pilot scale. In both processes, CO2 is immobilized in the resulting construction product. The developed production processes use less primary raw materials and cause less greenhouse-gas emissions than the production of traditional concrete products.
Personality-Traits Taxonomy and Operational and Environmental Performance: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Small and Medium Scale Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: Adeniji Chinyerem Grace , Salau Odunayo Paul , Joel Opeyemi Olunike , Onayemi Oluwakemi Oluwafunmilayo , Alake Oluwakemi Rebecca
Published: April 2024

This research aimed to assess the operational and environmental performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria in relation to their adoption of personality-traits taxonomy (i.e., conscientiousness, openness to experience, extraversion, neuroticism or emotional resilience and agreeableness). The survey-based study involved the entire population of SME operators in South West Nigeria, totaling 1842 individuals (i.e., entrepreneurs). Through the use of stratified random-selection methods, a sample size of 420 was chosen. Data was collected, and both structural and measurement models were used to assess it. The results of the study demonstrate that personality traits have a significant influence on how successful SMEs function. The results also demonstrate that personality traits have a positive impact on SMEs’ environmental performance. These findings suggest that sustaining operational and environmental performance may be accomplished by resource allocation, promoting diversity and inclusion, and employing trustworthy assessment methods. To enhance both their overall operational performance and their environmental performance in particular, the study advises SME operators in Nigeria to undertake proper management of personality traits for sustainability. The paper recommends for greater research on this subject and emphasises the necessity of understanding how personality factors impact operational and environmental performance in Nigerian SMEs.
Intelligent Wearable Technologies for Workforce Safety in Built Environment Projects in South Africa
Authors: Aghimien Lerato , Ngcobo Ntebo , Aghimien Douglas
Published: April 2024

In a quest for the safe and sustainable delivery of built environment projects in South Africa, this study explored intelligent wearable technologies (IWTs). A post-positivism philosophical stance was adopted by surveying 165 built environment experts. The technology–organisation–environment (T–O–E) framework was also employed in understanding the critical factors influencing the use of IWTs in the study area. Data analyses used mean scores, the Kruskal–Wallis H-test, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling (SEM) with appropriate model fit indices. It was found that, albeit at a slow pace, IWTs such as smart safety vests embedded with indoor GPS/sensors, smartwatches, and smart safety helmets are gradually gaining popularity within the South African built environment. SEM revealed that while all the assessed T–O–E factors are important to the increased use of IWTs within the study area, the environment- and technology-related factors will significantly impact how individuals and organisations use these beneficial wearable technologies. This study contributes to the existing discourse on intelligent technologies for the safety of the built environment workforce from the South African perspective, where such studies have received less attention.
Evaluating the Contribution of Lean Construction to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Hasan Sada , Işık Zeynep , Demirdöğen Gökhan
Published: April 2024

The construction industry is scrutinized and criticized for its impact on environmental degradation. Nowadays, while the lean construction philosophy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to alleviate the adverse environmental effects of the construction industry, their synergies remain unclear and ambiguous. Therefore, this study aims to explore the synergies between lean construction principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their combined efficacy in mitigating the environmental footprint of the construction industry. In the study, a comprehensive three-step methodology, involving a literature review, focus group discussions, and quantitative Delphi technique analysis, was employed. The analysis uncovers that SDGs (ensuring clean water and sanitation, promoting clean energy, fostering economic growth and decent work, improving infrastructure and innovation, building sustainable cities and communities, promoting responsible consumption and production, conserving oceans, and preserving terrestrial ecosystems) have 63 extremely important linkages and 251 very important linkages with lean construction principles. The analysis results indicate that the synergies are categorized under economic (39%), environmental (42%), and social (19%) factors. Moreover, the strategic triad of lean principles, i.e., “Reducing non-value-adding, focusing on all processes, and continuous improvement”, emerged as key in fostering extremely important interactions. This study’s novelty lies in its integrating of Koskela’s lean principles with the 17 SDGs and 169 targets of Agenda 2030, offering strategic insights for aligning construction processes with the broader 2030 agenda for enhanced sustainability in the construction industry. The findings contribute to finding out the how lean construction principles serve the SDGs.
How Can We Remove Psychological Entrepreneurship Barriers on Entrepreneurship Intention for Health Organizations in the Future?
Authors: Akkaya Bülent , Popescu Catalin , Üstgörül Sema
Published: April 2024

Entrepreneurial orientation significantly influences business financial performance, particularly in global markets, making it pivotal across economies. Developed nations provide a conducive environment for entrepreneurship, supported by educational systems and skill development programs. Conversely, in developing countries, cultural and social disparities create unique challenges, shaping entrepreneurial intentions. Psychological barriers such as risk aversion, fear of failure, and resistance to change hinder potential entrepreneurs, particularly in health science faculties. A study conducted in Turkey aimed to explore these barriers among health science students. Data collected from 788 students revealed that psychological factors explained 72% of entrepreneurial intentions. Regression analysis confirmed the significance of risk avoidance, fear of failure, attitude towards change, and stress avoidance in shaping intentions. Despite these barriers, heightened entrepreneurial intentions among health students were associated with greater success in overcoming obstacles. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing psychological barriers in fostering innovative and entrepreneurial healthcare professionals. By understanding these dynamics, educational institutions, policymakers, and healthcare practitioners can better support the development of an entrepreneurial healthcare workforce. The intersection of healthcare and entrepreneurship presents opportunities for transformative solutions, potentially enhancing patient outcomes and advancing the healthcare sector. Despite challenges, emerging trends suggest a growing interest in leveraging innovation for positive change in healthcare, highlighting the potential for impactful contributions to the industry’s evolution.
The Potential of Chitosan-Based Composites for Adsorption of Diarrheic Shellfish Toxins
Authors: Leal Joana F. , Amado Patrícia S. M. , Lourenço João P. , Cristiano Maria L. S.
Published: April 2024

Okadaic acid (OA) is one of the most potent marine biotoxins, causing diarrheal shellfish poisoning (DSP). The proliferation of microalgae that produce OA and its analogues is frequent, threatening human health and socioeconomic development. Several methods have been tested to remove this biotoxin from aquatic systems, yet none has proven enough efficacy to solve the problem. In this work, we synthesized and characterized low-cost composites and tested their efficacy for OA adsorption in saltwater. For the synthesis of the composites, the following starting materials were considered: chitosan of low and medium molecular weight (CH-LW and CH-MW, respectively), activated carbon (AC), and montmorillonite (MMT). Characterization by vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and microscopy revealed differences in the mode of interaction of CH-LW and CH-MW with AC and MMT, suggesting that the interaction of CH-MW with MMT has mainly occurred on the surface of the clay particles and no sufficient intercalation of CH-MW into the MMT interlayers took place. Among the composites tested (CH-LW/AC, CH-MW/AC, CH-MW/AC/MMT, and CH-MW/MMT), CH-MW/MMT was the one that revealed lower OA adsorption efficiency, given the findings evidenced by the structural characterization. On the contrary, the CH-MW/AC composite revealed the highest average percentage of OA adsorption (53 ± 11%). Although preliminary, the results obtained in this work open up good perspectives for the use of this type of composite material as an adsorbent in the removal of OA from marine environments.
Two-Pion Bose–Einstein Correlations in Au+Au Collisions at sNN = 3 GeV in the STAR Experiment
Authors: Kraeva Anna
Published: April 2024

The correlation femtoscopy technique makes it possible to estimate the geometric dimensions and lifetime of the particle emission region after the collision of ions. Measurements of the emission region characteristics not only at midrapidity but also at backward (forward) rapidity can provide new information about the source and make it possible to impose constraints on the heavy-ion collision models. This work is devoted to revealing the dependence of the spatial and temporal parameters of the emission region of identical pions in Au+Au collisions at sNN = 3 GeV from the fixed-target program of the STAR experiment. The extracted femtoscopic radii, Rout, Rside, Rlong, Rout−long2, and the correlation strength, λ, are presented as a function of collision centrality, pair rapidity, and transverse momentum. Physics implications will be discussed.
Accumulation Dynamics of Defective Genomes during Experimental Evolution of Two Betacoronaviruses
Authors: Hillung Julia , Olmo-Uceda María J. , Muñoz-Sánchez Juan C. , Elena Santiago F.
Published: April 2024

Virus-encoded replicases often generate aberrant RNA genomes, known as defective viral genomes (DVGs). When co-infected with a helper virus providing necessary proteins, DVGs can multiply and spread. While DVGs depend on the helper virus for propagation, they can in some cases disrupt infectious virus replication, impact immune responses, and affect viral persistence or evolution. Understanding the dynamics of DVGs alongside standard viral genomes during infection remains unclear. To address this, we conducted a long-term experimental evolution of two betacoronaviruses, the human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) and the murine hepatitis virus (MHV), in cell culture at both high and low multiplicities of infection (MOI). We then performed RNA-seq at regular time intervals, reconstructed DVGs, and analyzed their accumulation dynamics. Our findings indicate that DVGs evolved to exhibit greater diversity and abundance, with deletions and insertions being the most common types. Notably, some high MOI deletions showed very limited temporary existence, while others became prevalent over time. We observed differences in DVG abundance between high and low MOI conditions in HCoV-OC43 samples. The size distribution of HCoV-OC43 genomes with deletions differed between high and low MOI passages. In low MOI lineages, short and long DVGs were the most common, with an additional cluster in high MOI lineages which became more prevalent along evolutionary time. MHV also showed variations in DVG size distribution at different MOI conditions, though they were less pronounced compared to HCoV-OC43, suggesting a more random distribution of DVG sizes. We identified hotspot regions for deletions that evolved at a high MOI, primarily within cistrons encoding structural and accessory proteins. In conclusion, our study illustrates the widespread formation of DVGs during betacoronavirus evolution, influenced by MOI and cell- and virus-specific factors.
Zooplankton Temporal, Longitudinal, and Vertical Diversity Patterns in the Floodplains of the Western Amazon
Authors: Sánchez Fernando , Cuesta Francisco , Echevarría Gabriela
Published: April 2024

The Western Amazon is a highly biodiverse area. Zooplankton diversity studies in the region have been primarily conducted in Peru and Colombia, with limited research in the Ecuadorian Amazon. To address this gap, our research aimed to enhance taxonomic knowledge and understand zooplankton diversity patterns in the Napo and Pastaza lower basins at different spatial and temporal scales. Two sampling expeditions were conducted in the high waters of 2021 and rising waters of 2022. Dry conditions in 2021 led to lower-than-expected water levels. The study identified 107 zooplankton species, revealing variations in richness and composition between years, lakes, and depth strata. Grande Lake, deeper and wider than Delfincocha, exhibited significant turnover variations across strata in both seasons. Despite a relative longitudinal homogenization between channels and floodplains during high waters, beta diversity across vertical and temporal gradients highlighted complex dynamic zooplankton communities in both lakes. In addition, we include the first records of 44 taxa for the Ecuadorian Amazon and 36 for Ecuador. These findings emphasize the need for targeted research and conservation efforts in the face of escalating environmental threats to the Western Amazon.
Advances in Water Resource Management: An In Situ Sensor Solution for Monitoring High Concentrations of Chromium in the Electroplating Industry
Authors: Mossotti Giulia , Piscitelli Andrea , Catania Felice , Aronne Matilde , Galfré Giulio , Lamberti Andrea , Ferrero Sergio , Scaltrito Luciano , Bertana Valentina
Published: April 2024

Concerning environmental safety and mitigating the risk of water pollution, the electroplating industry, historically reliant on the use of elevated concentrations of heavy metals to achieve high-quality products, faces a crucial challenge in monitoring wastewater enriched with these metals, notorious for their adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Chromium, in both oxidation states Cr (III) and Cr (VI), emerges as a prominently employed metal, yielding noteworthy outcomes throughout the galvanisation process. This research showcases the prototype of an automatic in situ sensor tailored to industry sustainability efforts to facilitate real-time monitoring and efficient water management. This custom sensor, characterized by sensitivity, reliability, and user-friendliness, utilizes UV-Vis colorimetric principle to detect Cr in both oxidation forms ranging from grams per litre (g/L) to parts per million (ppm). This is made possible by the unique vibrant colours induced by chromium ions, enabling the precise measurement of analyte concentrations. Thanks to 3D printing, this sensor system interacts with customized parts, designed and validated through simulation processes, for filtering out particulate that may interfere with the analysis. The outcome represents a synergistic blend of technology and environmental responsibility, aligning industrial processes with the goal of safeguarding water resources and ecosystems.
Applying a Holistic Approach to Environmental Flow Assessment in the Yen River Basin
Authors: Tong Tuan Phuc , Hoang Son Thanh , Bui Dung Quang , Ha Ngoc Trong , Nguyen Linh Ha , Nguyen Lan Minh , Tran Chau Kim
Published: April 2024

Environmental flow assessment is an essential tool in water resource management. This study employs a holistic approach to evaluate the environmental flow in the Yen Basin, Thanh Hoa, Vietnam. Based on information gathered from a field survey, the Yen River system is divided into five reaches, and environmental objectives and ecological assets are identified in each reach. Hydrological and hydraulic mathematical models are applied to simulate the flow regime in the river, demonstrating their potential to assess environmental flow, especially in basins with limited data. The detailed results from the mathematical model facilitate selecting environmental flow components to address specific objectives for each river reach. By analyzing and selecting the flow regime, this study aims to ensure environmental protection while also considering basin development requirements, laying the groundwork for defining prescribed flow regimes in basin water management.
Life Cycle Assessment Methodology Applied to a Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authors: Viotti Paolo , Tatti Fabio , Bongirolami Simona , Romano Roberto , Mancini Giuseppe , Serini Francesca , Azizi Mona , Croce Lavinia
Published: April 2024

Wastewater treatment plants are highly energy-intensive systems. This research uses Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to determine the impacts generated during the operation of a wastewater treatment plant. Three different scenarios are analyzed: a baseline scenario that considers a conventional activated sludge treatment technology exploiting data from an existing plant located in central Italy, a second scenario that involves the implementation of MBR technology applied to the baseline scenario, and finally a third scenario that consists of the addition of an anaerobic digester that allows energy recovery from biogas production, followed by a photovoltaic plant capable of supplying the plant energy demand. Global warming potential, eutrophication, and acidification are the environmental categories considered most relevant to emissions. The results showed that the effluent had the highest impact in terms of CO2 equivalent in all three situations due to the presence of N2O. Since emissions from biological processes, transportation, and wastewater are almost similar in all three scenarios, it is preferable to focus on the environmental impacts associated with energy consumption. The third scenario involves careful resource management and the use of treatment technologies that allow for a reduction in the use of nonrenewable energy sources in favor of renewable ones.
Stability Analysis of Cofferdam with Double-Wall Steel Sheet Piles under Wave Action from Storm Surges
Authors: Zhu Yan , Bi Jingchao , Xing Haofeng , Peng Ming , Huang Yu , Wang Kaifang , Pan Xinyu
Published: April 2024

Double-wall steel sheet piles (DSSPs) are widely used in large-span cofferdams for docks due to their good performance against wave action during storm surges. This paper describes a study of the dynamic behavior of a DSSP cofferdam under wave action through flume tests and a numerical simulation that combined computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the finite element method. The influences of the water level and wave height on the DSSP cofferdam were investigated experimentally and numerically. Tall waves in shallow water broke upon and impacted the seaside pile with large dynamic wave pressure, dramatically increasing the stress and displacement of the seaside pile. The overlap of the traveling and reflected waves increased the excess pore water pressure near the seaside pile due to taller overlapped waves and higher wave frequency. The DSSP cofferdam failed under the combined actions of the dynamic wave pressure and erosion of the landside seabed. The leakage and overflow of the breaking waves resulted in significant erosion of the landside seabed and greatly weakened the support of the seabed. The dynamic wave pressure then pushed the DSSP cofferdam until it failed. The simulation with the combined methods of CFD and FEM resulted in trends that were similar to those of the test measurements. Compared to the quasi-static method and pseudo-dynamic method, the results of the simulation via the present method were much closer to the test results because the simulation included the effects of breaking waves. The reinforced measure worked well to prevent the DSSP cofferdam in a sandy seabed foundation from continuous failures of deformation–leakage–erosion–tilting. However, it failed in a clay interlayer seabed foundation due to the large settlement.
Life Cycle Assessment as a Decision-Making Tool for Photochemical Treatment of Iprodione Fungicide from Wastewater
Authors: Dogan Kubra , Turkmen Burcin Atilgan , Arslan-Alaton Idil , Germirli Babuna Fatos
Published: April 2024

Water contamination with various micropollutants is a serious environmental concern since this group of chemicals cannot always be removed efficiently with advanced treatment methods. Therefore, alternative chemical- and energy-intensive oxidation processes have been proposed for the removal of refractory and/or toxic chemicals. However, similar treatment performances might result in different environmental impacts. Environmental impacts can be determined by adopting a life cycle assessment methodology. In this context, lab-scale experimental data related to 100% iprodione (a hydantoin fungicide/nematicide selected as the model micropollutant at a concentration of 2 mg/L) removal from simulated tertiary treated urban wastewater (dissolved organic carbon content = 10 mg/L) with UV-C-activated persulfate treatment were studied in terms of environmental impacts generated during photochemical treatment through the application of a life cycle assessment procedure. Standard guidelines were followed in this procedure. Iprodione removal was achieved at varying persulfate concentrations and UV-C doses; however, an “optimum” treatment condition (0.03 mM persulfate, 0.5 W/L UV-C) was experimentally established for kinetically acceptable, 100% iprodione removal in distilled water and adopted to treat iprodione in simulated tertiary treated wastewater (total dissolved organic carbon of iprodione + tertiary wastewater = 11.2 mg/L). The study findings indicated that energy input was the major contributor to all the environmental impact categories, namely global warming, abiotic depletion (fossil and elements), acidification, eutrophication, freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity, human toxicity, ozone depletion, photochemical ozone creation, and terrestrial ecotoxicity potentials. According to the life cycle assessment results, a concentration of 21.42 mg/L persulfate and an electrical energy input of 1.787 kWh/m3 (Wh/L) UV-C light yielded the lowest undesired environmental impacts among the examined photochemical treatment conditions.
Water Footprint Assessment and Virtual Water Trade in the Globally Most Water-Stressed Country, Qatar
Authors: Higazy Nayla , Merabet Sarah , Khalifa Razan , Saleh Aya , Al-Sayegh Shaikha , Hosseini Hoda , Wahib Sara , Alabsi Rana , Zarif Lubna , Mohamed Mohamed Shareif , Ben Hamadou Radhouane
Published: April 2024

Qatar is a severely water-stressed country. Despite Qatar’s aridity and its lack of freshwater resources, its per capita water consumption is one of the highest in the world, and it is expected to increase in the coming decades. Therefore, understanding water consumption and use through space and time becomes paramount. By employing water footprint assessment (WF) and analysis of virtual water trade (VWT), this research comprehensively examines Qatar’s water consumption patterns both domestically and internationally on a sectorial level (agricultural, industrial and urban sectors) between 2010 and 2021. The findings show that, internally, the urban sector contributed the most to the WF, followed by the industrial and the agricultural sectors with an annual average WF of 3250, 1650, and 50 million m3/y, respectively. Although Qatar exports large amounts of VW (1450 million m3/y), its VW imports (7530 million m3/y) are very high, reflecting the country’s agricultural demand, making Qatar a net VW importing country. Qatar exhibits a national WF of consumption of 11,900 million m3/y, with a water dependency index of 56% and a self-sufficiency index of 44%. Additionally, Qatar has a significant water export fraction of 20%, while only 3% of its water consumption relies on its natural resources. This study pinpoints sectors and areas where WFs can be reduced; the outcomes serve as a foundation for strategic planning, enabling Qatar to make informed decisions to optimize its water resources, enhance water use efficiency, and secure a sustainable water future in the face of escalating water stress. This study’s methodology and findings not only pave the way for more efficient water resource management in Qatar, but also offer a replicable framework for other arid and semi-arid countries to assess and optimize their water footprint and virtual water trade, contributing significantly to global efforts in sustainable water use.
Tree-Ring Inferred Drought Variations in the Source Region of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Mekong Rivers over the Past Five Centuries
Authors: Xing Pei , Bai Mengxin , Zhang Qi-Bin , Lyu Lixin
Published: April 2024

The climate in the source region of the Yangtze River, Yellow River, and Mekong River is of great research interest because of its sensitivity to global change and its importance in regulating water resources to densely populated and vast areas downstream. A five-century long record of spring (May–June) for the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) was reconstructed for this region using tree-ring width chronologies of Qilian juniper (Juniperus przewalskii Kom.) from five high-elevation sites. The reconstruction explained 46% variance in the PDSI during the instrumental period 1955–2005. The reconstructed PDSI showed that the occurrence of dry extremes became frequent during the last century relative to the previous four centuries. The standard deviation of the reconstructed PDSI in the 100-year window showed that the recent century held apparent high values of standard deviation in the long-term context. Sustained droughts occurred in periods 1582–1631, 1737–1757, 1772–1791, 1869–1891, 1916–1939, and 1952–1982, whereas relatively wet intervals were observed in 1505–1527, 1543–1564, 1712–1736, 1792–1816, 1852–1868, 1892–1915, and 1983–2008. Notably, in the context of the past five centuries, the study region showed an increased inter-annual variability in the recent century, suggesting an intensified hydroclimatic activity possibly associated with global warming. Moreover, through diagnostic analysis of atmospheric circulation, we found that the negative phase East Asian–Pacific teleconnection pattern may be likely to trigger drought in the study region.
Water Budget for Lake Trafford, a Natural Subtropical Lake in South Florida: An Example of Enhanced Groundwater Influx in a Subtropical Lake Subsequent to Organic Sediment Dredging
Authors: Thomas Serge , Lucius Mark A. , Kim Jong-Yeop , Everham Edwin M. , Dettmar Dana L. , Missimer Thomas M.
Published: April 2024

A very detailed water budget analysis was conducted on Lake Trafford in South Florida. The inflow was dominated by surface water influx via five canals (61%), with groundwater influx constituting 12% and direct rainfall constituting 27%. Lake discharge was dominated by sheet flow (69%) and evapotranspiration (30.5%), with groundwater recharge of the hydraulically connected unconfined aquifer accounting for only 0.5%. The removal of 30 M tons (4.4 × 106 m3) of organic sediment impacted the groundwater influx, causing enhanced groundwater flow into the deeper parts of the lake and mixed flow along the banks, creating a rather unusual pattern. The large number of groundwater seepage meters used during this investigation led to a very reliable set of measurements with occasional failure of only a few meters. A distinctive relationship was found between the wet-season lake stage, heavy rainfall events, and pulses of exiting sheet flow from the lake. Estimation of the evapotranspiration loss using data collected from a weather station on the lake allowed the use of three different models, which, when averaged, produced results comparable to Lake Okeechobee (South Florida). A limitation of this investigation was the inability to directly measure sheet-flow discharges, which had to be estimated as a residual within the calculated water budget.
Study on the Synergistic Effects of Karst Carbon Sink and Vegetation Carbon Sink in Watersheds under Different Geological Backgrounds—A Case Study of Darongjiang and Lingqu Watersheds
Authors: Wang Xue , Tang Xiangling , Yu Shi , Zhong Xuemei
Published: April 2024

In this study, the hydrochemistry-runoff method and remote sensing estimation method were used to calculate the karst carbon sink flux (KCSF) and the forest vegetation carbon sequestration flux (FVCSF) in Darongjiang (DRJ) and Lingqu (LQ) watersheds. The results show the following: (1) The KCSF in DRJ and LQ watersheds is 238.43 × 105 t·y−1 and 353.44 × 105 t·y−1, respectively. Influenced by changes in flow rate, the two watersheds both show that their KCSF is higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. (2) The FVCSF in DRJ and LQ watersheds was 680.78 × 107 t·y−1 and 229.63 × 107 t·y−1, respectively. Through comparison, it can be seen that the FVCSF is much higher than the KCSF in both watersheds, but the FVCSF and the KCSF are at the same order of magnitude. (3) Through further analysis of the influence factors on the FVCSF and the KCSF, we found that the highest values of FVCSF are mainly distributed around Kitten Mountain on the upper reach and along the LQ watershed. That may be because most of the upper reach areas are mountainous forestland, and the strong weathering of rocks in the LQ watershed promotes the development of forest vegetation carbon sequestration. Therefore, it can be inferred that there is a certain synergistic effect between the karst carbon sink (KCS) and the forest vegetation carbon sequestration (FVCS) in the study area, and such a synergistic effect is caused by rock weathering.
Long-Term Care Healthcare-Associated Infections in 2023: An Analysis of 23,970 Reports
Authors: Kepner Shawn , Bennett Amanda , Jones Rebecca
Published: April 2024

Background

The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS) is the largest database of patient safety event reports in the United States. In addition to over 4.7 million acute care reports, the PA-PSRS database contains more than 420,000 long-term care (LTC) healthcare-associated infection (HAI) reports.

Methods

LTC HAI data from PA-PSRS were extracted on March 1, 2024. Infection counts were calculated based on report submission date and rates were calculated based on infection confirmation date. Reports submitted by LTC facilities and specific care areas were included for infection rates each month if resident and device days were also entered in PA-PSRS for the facility and care area.

Results

A total of 23,970 infection reports were submitted by Pennsylvania’s LTC facilities in 2023, representing an 18.6% increase from 2022. The overall infection rate increased by 11.4%, from 0.88 in 2022 to 0.98 in 2023, and all six regions of the state had an increase in infection rate. The Northeast region had the highest rate, with 1.28 reports per 1,000 resident days, and the Southeast region had the lowest rate, at 0.72. The overall rate increase was driven by rates of urinary tract infection (UTI) and skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), which increased by 20.1% and 17.4%, respectively. Within the UTI infection type, symptomatic urinary tract infection (SUTI) rates increased by 21.1% and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates increased by 11.8%.

Conclusion

There was an increase in the total number and rate of infections reported to PA-PSRS in 2023.
Optimalisasi Poskestren Al-Hidayah, Sidoarjo dengan deteksi tumbuh kembang dan pembentukan kader Remaspro (Remaja Sadar Kesehatan Reproduksi)
Authors: Rahayu Esty Puji , Nisa Fauziyatun , Dwi Andriani Ratna Ariesta , Delina Lini
Published: April 2024

Background, Many problems are experienced by adolescents especially adolescent women, for example, nutritional problems, anemia, menstruation, lack of concentration in learning and others. This does not rule out the possibility of also being experienced by female students in Islamic boarding schools. One way to improve the understanding of reproductive health and sexuality can be by optimizing poskestren (Pesantren Health Post). The purpose of this community service is to optimize the Al Hidayah Poskestren with Remaspro cadres and monitor the growth and development of female students by providing reproductive health education. Mitra is located on the outskirts of Sidoarjo district. The number of female students in the Pesantren is approximately 230 people, while the existing Poskestren is not optimal and the place is inadequate. This pesantren is also a pesantren that does not maintain the cleanliness of the environment, starting from the place to dry clothes, canteens, rooms, bathrooms and poskestrennya itself. In Poskestren, there are also no administrators or cadres who deal with reproductive problems, because reproductive and sexuality problems are indeed considered taboo and are not studied in depthMethods: In this community service we provide education and train remaspro cadres about adolescent reproductive health and all its problems, train remaspro cadres about physical examinations focused on adolescents (early detection of anemia), conduct Hb level examinations, form the management of Poskestren. The appointed Remaspro cadres are also the administrators of the Poskestren, which numbers 24 female students. After that, counseling was carried out to all students about menstruation, adolescent nutritional status, and adolescent personal hygiene. Results and discussion. Based on the results of the Hb level examination, there were adolescents who were anemic, around 12.6% of adolescents had anemia. Based on interviews with teenagers who have anemia, they said that during the examination, they were menstruating, besides that they also stated that they did not like vegetables.Conclusion. Based on the results of monitoring and evaluation after the implementation of community service, it can be concluded that there is an increase in knowledge about menstruation, adolescent nutrition and anemia in adolescents. Further activities can develop Poskestren activities, for example peer teaching about juvenile delinquency and the dangers of cigarettes in students