bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Business Overall Performance and Sustainability Effectiveness: An Indicator to Measure Companies’ Lean–Green Compliance
Authors: Abreu M. Florentina , Alves Anabela C. , Moreira Francisco
Published: May 2024

Within a lean context, the aim is to eliminate all forms of waste, including environmental waste, to improve productivity and reduce costs. Key to achieving this objective are operational performance and sustainability indicators. Lean companies must prioritize both operational performance and sustainability, remaining cognizant of their current status. With this in mind, the authors sought to ascertain whether lean companies demonstrate enhanced sustainability. Thus, the authors raised the following research question: does a lean company exhibit greater sustainability? However, these indicators have traditionally been measured independently, and few studies have indicated the need for a global indicator that could simultaneously address both. Such a global indicator would enable a clearer assessment and understanding of the trade-offs between operational performance and sustainability. This paper introduces such an integrated indicator, aiming to measure companies’ lean–green compliance by intertwining sustainability issues with overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). The authors have termed this indicator business overall performance and sustainability effectiveness (BOPSE). Its primary goal is to evaluate business effectiveness by considering both operational performance and sustainability compliance. The sustainability strand was drawn from, adapted, and simplified based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This development was framed in a lean–green environment, emphasizing continuous efforts to identify and reduce all sources of lean waste, alongside the waste prevention perspectives of cleaner production, environmental compliance, and social responsibility, which play crucial roles in shaping the factories of the future. This paper presents the background and development of the BOPSE model. To answer the research question, two research methods were undertaken: a survey and case studies. The model was applied in three distinct case studies, demonstrating its usefulness in discerning varying levels of lean–green compliance through this integrated indicator.
The Impact of Intellectual Capital on Sustainable Performance: Banking Sector in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sayed Omer Ahmed , Nefzi Aida
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the impact of intellectual capital on the sustainable performance of banks in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the period from 2012 to 2022. Utilizing data from 10 major Saudi banks, the research examines how different components of intellectual capital—Human capital efficiency (HCE), Structural capital efficiency (SCE), and Capital employed efficiency (CEE)—influence key financial performance indicators such as return on equity (ROE) and Net profit margin (NPM). The study is grounded in the resource-based view of the firm, which suggests that a firm’s internal resources can provide a sustainable competitive advantage. The analysis employs panel data techniques, including fixed and random effect models, to assess the relationships between intellectual capital components and bank performance while controlling for variables like bank size (SIZE), financial leverage (LEV), gross domestic product growth (GGDP), inflation (INF), and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (COV). The findings reveal that intellectual capital significantly enhances bank performance in Saudi Arabia, with human capital efficiency showing the most decisive influence on ROE and NPM. Structural capital and capital employed efficiency also contribute positively but vary in their impact on different performance measures. This research contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of the role of intellectual capital in promoting sustainable banking practices. It underscores the importance of the strategic management of intellectual capital in enhancing financial performance and achieving sustainability goals, particularly in the context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The study’s insights are relevant for bank managers and policymakers who leverage intellectual capital for economic diversification and sustainable development.
Direct and Spillover Effects: How Do Community-Based Organizations Impact the Social Integration of Passive Migrants?
Authors: Yang Caining , Xu Hongyu
Published: May 2024

With the rapid process of urbanization and constant changes in ecological environments, passive migration programs have been popularized among many governments worldwide as a prevalent adaptation strategy. Poverty alleviation resettlement (PAR) emerges as one of China’s flagship initiatives, as the government has shifted its focus from investing in villages with harsh natural conditions to the construction of centralized high-density resettlement communities in small counties and peri-urban regions. The sustainability and well-being of migrants within resettlement communities play a vitally important role in the effectiveness of this program. In line with the integration theory, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and a household survey covering 287 PAR migrant households were conducted to analyze how community-based organizations (CBOs) influence the social integration of PAR migrants. The findings are as follows: (1) Both participants and non-participants in CBOs show higher levels of neighborhood interaction, behavioral adaptation, and identity recognition. However, no significant advantage is yielded by their economic integration. (2) The mechanism of CBOs impacting the social integration of migrants varies between participants and non-participants. The social integration of those migrants participating in a CBO experience increased through cooperation-based social interaction, adherence to organizational norms, and enhanced self-efficacy. In contrast, the social integration of non-participants in CBOs within the same community results from such mechanisms as service delivery-based social interaction, social learning, and community solidarity. Therefore, this article highlights the significance attached to developing CBOs as a sustainable development strategy for passive migrants. Additionally, to better support passive migrants in eliminating poverty, governments are advised to implement sustainable economic support plans through CBOs, with a particular focus on long-term employment assistance programs.
Coupling and Coordination Analysis of Digital Economy and Green Agricultural Development: Evidence from Major Grain Producing Areas in China
Authors: Yang Hui , Xu Xiangda
Published: May 2024

Analyzing the coupled coordination of the digital economy (DE) and agricultural green development (AGD) and exploring the main influencing factors affecting their coupled coordination are key to achieving high-quality and sustainable development in agriculture. These measures are also crucial for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we constructed a comprehensive evaluation system including two subsystems, DE and AGD, and firstly measured the development of DE and AGD and their trends in 13 provinces in China’s main grain-producing areas during the decade from 2012 to 2021 using EW-TOPSIS. Secondly, the coupling coordination development (CCD) model was used to analyze the static results and dynamic evolution process of CCD of the DE and AGD subsystems in the study area. Finally, the gray correlation degree (GCD) model was used to identify the main influencing factors in the interaction between the two systems in 2012 and 2021. The results show the following: (1) The development levels of DE and AGD generally rose during the study period, but the development level gap between regions was obvious, and the development of DE relatively lagged behind. (2) The level of CCD increased year by year, and the overall process changed from “uncoordinated” to “coordinated”. (3) At the beginning of the study period, the development achievements of DE had a great impact on the process of AGD. The application of advanced agricultural technology in the AGD system and the process of agricultural industry upgrading had a profound impact on the development of DE. However, a decade later, the main factors had changed. This paper analyzes the results of the above empirical study in time and space, aiming to provide policymakers with new working ideas to achieve the SDGs.
Exploring the Spatio-Temporally Heterogeneous Impact of Traffic Network Structure on Ride-Hailing Emissions Using Shenzhen, China, as a Case Study
Authors: Gao Wenyuan , Zhao Chuyun , Zeng Yu , Tang Jinjun
Published: May 2024

The rise of ride-hailing services presents innovative solutions for curbing urban carbon emissions, yet poses challenges such as fostering fair competition and integrating with public transit. Analyzing the factors influencing ride-hailing emissions is crucial for understanding their relationship with other travel modes and devising policies aimed at steering individuals towards more environmentally sustainable travel options. Therefore, this study delves into factors impacting ride-hailing emissions, including travel demand, land use, demographics, and transportation networks. It highlights the interplay among urban structure, multi-modal travel, and emissions, focusing on network features such as betweenness centrality and accessibility. Employing the COPERT (Computer Programme to Calculate Emissions from Road Transport) model, ride-hailing emissions are calculated from vehicle trajectory data. To mitigate statistical errors from multicollinearity, variable selection involves tests and correlation analysis. Geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) with an adaptive kernel function is designed to understand key influencing mechanisms, overcoming traditional GTWR limitations. It can dynamically adjust bandwidth based on the spatio-temporal distribution of data points. Experiments in Shenzhen validate this approach, showing a 9.8% and 10.8% increase in explanatory power for weekday and weekend emissions, respectively, compared to conventional GTWR. The discussion of findings provides insights for urban planning and low-carbon transport strategies.
MultiFuzzTOPS: A Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model Using Type-2 Soft Sets and TOPSIS
Authors: Manzoor Shumaila , Mustafa Saima , Gulzar Kanza , Gulzar Asim , Kazmi Sadia Nishat , Akber Syed Muhammad Abrar , Bukhsh Rasool , Aslam Sheraz , Mohsin Syed Muhammad
Published: May 2024

Effective and optimal decision-making can enhance system performance, potentially leading to a positive reputation and financial gains. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) is an important research topic widely applied to practical decision-making problems. Using the basic idea of symmetry to balance the arrangement where elements or features have an equality or similarity in distribution, MCDM provides robust decisions in such multi-dimensional complex issues. This study proposes MultiFuzzTOPS, a decision-making model to deal with complexity of multi-criteria decision-making. The proposed MultiFuzzTOPS leverages the fuzzy logic and soft sets such as type-2 soft sets (T2SS) and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) for decision-making. We validate the proposed model by implementing it to solve the pesticide selection problem in food science by considering various criteria for the selection of pesticides. Our proposed MultiFuzzTOPS recommends the best pesticide compared with its counterparts because it covers the maximum information for the selection of the best alternative. Results are ranked on the basis of the Hamming distance and similarity coefficient. We also validate the effectiveness by performing the sensitivity analysis, and the validation shows the reliability and effectiveness of our proposed model.
Challenges of Diphtheria Toxin Detection
Authors: Prygiel Marta , Mosiej Ewa , Polak Maciej , Krysztopa-Grzybowska Katarzyna , Wdowiak Karol , Formińska Kamila , Zasada Aleksandra A.
Published: May 2024

Diphtheria toxin (DT) is the main virulence factor of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis. Moreover, new Corynebacterium species with the potential to produce diphtheria toxin have also been described. Therefore, the detection of the toxin is the most important test in the microbiological diagnosis of diphtheria and other corynebacteria infections. Since the first demonstration in 1888 that DT is a major virulence factor of C. diphtheriae, responsible for the systemic manifestation of the disease, various methods for DT detection have been developed, but the diagnostic usefulness of most of them has not been confirmed on a sufficiently large group of samples. Despite substantial progress in the science and diagnostics of infectious diseases, the Elek test is still the basic recommended diagnostic test for DT detection. The challenge here is the poor availability of an antitoxin and declining experience even in reference laboratories due to the low prevalence of diphtheria in developed countries. However, recent and very promising assays have been developed with the potential for use as rapid point-of-care testing (POCT), such as ICS and LFIA for toxin detection, LAMP for tox gene detection, and biosensors for both.
Identifying the Impact Factors on the Land Market in Nepal from Land Use Regulation
Authors: Subedi Nab Raj , McDougall Kevin , Paudyal Dev Raj
Published: May 2024

Measuring the impact of land use regulation on the land market involves identifying and classifying relevant impact factors related to the land market. The objective of this study was to identify land market impact factors in the context of the introduction of land use regulation in Nepal. Through a combination of desktop review and the incorporation of stakeholder perspectives, the paper presents a new approach for determining land market impact factors due to land use regulation where both generic and country issues are considered. A desktop review was carried out to identify a preliminary set of impact factors, which were reclassified through intuitive analysis based on the degree of thematic closeness. Perspective-based impact factors were identified through the qualitative analysis of primary data collected through semi-structured interviews with the Nepalese land market stakeholders. These independently derived impact factors were compared with the desktop literature review impact factors, resulting in 14 land market impact factors across four dimensions, including transaction cost, valuation, mortgage availability, taxation, and compensation across the economic dimension; lot size, subdivision restrictions, and coordination across the institutional dimension; awareness, expectation, and proximity across the social dimension; and risk reduction, quality of residential land, and suitability of zoning classification across the environmental dimension. There was significant overlap and commonality across factors identified from both the literature review and semi-structured interviews. The land market impact factors determined in this study may be adapted and generalized across other countries and could be utilized to better understand the impacts of land policy decisions on urban planning and development. Further research is recommended on the process to operationalize the use of these factors to quantify the impact of land use regulation on different land markets.
Gene Regulatory Network Analysis of Post-Mortem Lungs Unveils Novel Insights into COVID-19 Pathogenesis
Authors: Bloomquist Ryan , Mondal Ashis K. , Vashisht Ashutosh , Sahajpal Nikhil , Jones Kimya , Vashisht Vishakha , Singh Harmanpreet , Farmaha Jaspreet , Kolhe Ravindra
Published: May 2024

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has emerged as one of the most significant global health crises in recent history. The clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients have revealed the possibility of immune activity changes contributing to disease severity. Nevertheless, limited information is available regarding the immune response in human lung tissue, which is the primary site of infection. In this study, we conducted an extensive analysis of lung tissue to screen for differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs in five individuals who died due to COVID-19 and underwent a rapid autopsy, as well as seven control individuals who died of other causes unrelated to COVID-19. To analyze the host response gene expression, miRNA microarray and Nanostring’s nCounter XT gene expression assay were performed. Our study identified 37 downregulated and 77 upregulated miRNAs in COVID-19 lung biopsy samples compared to the controls. A total of 653 mRNA transcripts were differentially expressed between the two sample types, with most transcripts (472) being downregulated in COVID-19-positive specimens. Hierarchical and PCA K-means clustering analysis showed distinct clustering between COVID-19 and control samples. Enrichment and network analyses revealed differentially expressed genes important for innate immunity and inflammatory response in COVID-19 lung biopsies. The interferon-signaling pathway was highly upregulated in COVID-19 specimens while genes involved in interleukin-17 signaling were downregulated. These findings shed light on the mechanisms of host cellular responses to COVID-19 infection in lung tissues and could help identify new targets for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection.
First Characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii-Specific Filamentous Phages
Authors: Narancic Jelena , Gavric Damir , Kostanjsek Rok , Knezevic Petar
Published: May 2024

Filamentous bacteriophages belonging to the order Tubulavirales, family Inoviridae, significantly affect the properties of Gram-negative bacteria, but filamentous phages of many important pathogens have not been described so far. The aim of this study was to examine A. baumannii filamentous phages for the first time and to determine their effect on bacterial virulence. The filamentous phages were detected in 15.3% of A. baumannii strains as individual prophages in the genome or as tandem repeats, and a slightly higher percentage was detected in the culture collection (23.8%). The phylogenetic analyses revealed 12 new genera within the Inoviridae family. Bacteriophages that were selected and isolated showed structural and genomic characteristics of the family and were unable to form plaques. Upon host infection, these phages did not significantly affect bacterial twitching motility and capsule production but significantly affected growth kinetics, reduced biofilm formation, and increased antibiotic sensitivity. One of the possible mechanisms of reduced resistance to antibiotics is the observed decreased expression of efflux pumps after infection with filamentous phages.
The Relationship between Reference Crop Evapotranspiration Change Characteristics and Meteorological Factors in Typical Areas of the Middle of the Dry-Hot Valley of Jinsha River
Authors: Luo Zhifeng , Sun Yongyu , Tang Guoyong , He Zhenmin , Peng Lingxiao , Qi Danhui , Ou Zhaorong
Published: May 2024

Reference crop evapotranspiration (ET0) is a key factor in ecohydrological processes. Studying the variation trend of ET0 in arid river valleys and its influencing factors is not only helpful to understanding the response of dry and hot river valleys to hydrological processes under the background of climate change but also has important guiding significance for the efficient allocation of soil and water resources and the stable maintenance of the ecosystem in this area. Based on the daily meteorological data of three representative meteorological stations in the middle Dry-hot Valley of the Jinsha River from 1988 to 2019, the ET0 variation and its influencing factors in the middle Dry-hot Valley of the Jinsha River are analyzed by quantitative and qualitative methods. The results showed that (1) the ET0 in the middle and middle of the Dry-hot Valley of Jinsha River showed a significant fluctuating trend (Z > 1.98), and the linear change rates were examined in Huaping, Yuanmou, and Panzhihua. (2) Grey correlation analysis and principal component analysis mutually verify that daily mean temperature is the most influential meteorological factor. (3) The sensitivity of ET0 to the change in meteorological factors in the middle section and its sub-sections is as follows: daily average temperature, daily relative humidity, daily average wind speed, and sunshine hours. ET0 is the most sensitive to the change in daily average temperature, followed by the strengthening of daily average wind speed and the reduction in daily relative humidity, and the sensitivity of ET0 to the change in sunshine hours is the least. (4) Among the regions, the meteorological factors that contributed the most to the increase in ET0 in Huaping, Panzhihua, and Yuanmou were daily average wind speed (6.086%), daily average wind speed (8.468%) and daily average temperature (3.869%), respectively. The meteorological factors that contributed the least were sunshine hours.
Estimating Increased Transient Water Storage with Increases in Beaver Dam Activity
Authors: Hafen Konrad C. , Wheaton Joseph M. , Roper Brett B. , Bailey Philip , Macfarlane William W. , Neilson Bethany T. , Tennant Christopher J.
Published: May 2024

Dam building by beaver (Castor spp.) slows water movement through montane valleys, increasing transient water storage and the diversity of residence times. In some cases, water storage created by beaver dam construction is correlated to changes in streamflow magnitude and timing. However, the total amount of additional surface and groundwater storage that beaver dams may create (and, thus, their maximum potential impact on streamflow) has not been contextualized in the water balance of larger river basins. We estimate the potential transient water storage increases that could be created at 5, 25, 50, and 100% of maximum modeled beaver dam capacity in the Bear River basin, USA, by adapting the height above nearest drainage (HAND) algorithm to spatially estimate surface water storage. Surface water storage estimates were combined with the MODFLOW groundwater model to estimate potential increases in groundwater storage throughout the basin. We tested four scenarios to estimate potential transient water storage increases resulting from the construction of 1179 to 34,897 beaver dams, and estimated surface water storage to range from 57.5 to 72.8 m3 per dam and groundwater storage to range from 182.2 to 313.3 m3 per dam. Overall, we estimate that beaver dam construction could increase transient water storage by up to 10.38 million m3 in the Bear River basin. We further contextualize beaver dam-related water storage increases with streamflow, reservoir, and snowpack volumes.
Water Quality from Natural Sources for Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategies: Galapagos, Ecuador
Authors: Carrión-Mero Paúl , Morante-Carballo Fernando , Briones-Bitar Josué , Jaya-Montalvo María , Sánchez-Zambrano Emily , Solórzano Joselyne , Malavé-Hernández Jenifer , Montalván Toala Francisco Javier , Proaño Jaime , Flor-Pineda Ángel , Espinel Ramón
Published: May 2024

Water is an essential element for agricultural sustainability. In volcanic islands, freshwater sources are limited, challenging the local farming water supply. Rainfall dependence in the Galapagos Islands limits continuous agriculture, and despite using natural water sources, their irrigation quality is little known. This study aimed to carry out a control–diagnosis of irrigation water quality of the natural sources of the four agrarian islands of the Galapagos, considering water quality parameters for the proposal of sustainability strategies in the water and agricultural context. The workflow included (i) freshwater supply situation diagnosis, (ii) physicochemical parameters measurement and hydrochemical characterisation, and (iii) irrigation analysis and sustainability strategies configuration. Results indicated that of the 34 sources analysed, 55.88% are suitable for irrigation and are located in San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. The remaining 44.12% showed problems with parameters such as faecal coliforms, salinity, metals, carbonates, BOD5, and COD above the national permitted limits. Six strategies for water and agricultural sustainability are proposed, including periodic water monitoring, academy–government–community projects, community water board creation, water sowing and harvesting systems, effective management of effluent, and agricultural strengthening. The study guides comprehensive hydric management initiatives to benefit agrarian development and food security, aligning with SDGs 2 and 6.
Numerical Simulation of Rainfall-Induced Erosion on Infiltration and Slope Stability
Authors: Cheng Qunzhi , Hou Kepeng , Sun Huafen , Niu Xiangdong
Published: May 2024

In slopes where a mixture of coarse and fine particles is present, the infiltration of rainfall can cause the migration of fine particles. This migration alters the hydraulic properties of the soil and has implications for slope stability. In this study, the slope under investigation is a tailings dam composed of loosely consolidated soil with a wide particle size distribution. Due to rainfall infiltration, fine particles tend to migrate within the voids of the coarse particle framework, leading to changes in hydraulic properties and inducing slope instability. The classical internal erosion constitutive model, known as the Cividini and Gioda erosion criterion, is commonly used to predict the behavior and effects of fine particle erosion in geotechnical engineering. However, certain parameters in this erosion criterion equation, such as long-term density, are challenging to obtain through experiments. To investigate the coupled evolution of seepage and erosion within landfill slopes under the influence of rainfall infiltration and to understand the mechanisms of slope instability, this research assumes the erosion of fine particle suspension and adopts the Worman and Olafsdottir erosion criterion to establish a coupled model of unsaturated seepage and internal erosion. The developed model simulates the coupled response of seepage and erosion in unsaturated landfill slopes under three different rainfall intensities. It is then combined with the infinite slope model to quantitatively analyze the impact of fine particle migration on soil permeability and slope stability. The numerical simulations provide the following findings: The Worman and Olafsdottir erosion criterion, unlike the Cividini and Gioda erosion criterion, only requires the determination of the soil’s gradation curve to estimate the erosion rate. Internal erosion primarily occurs within the leading edge of moisture penetration, accelerating the advancement of the wetting front and reducing slope stability. When the rainfall intensity is lower than the saturated permeability coefficient, the influence of internal erosion can be disregarded. However, under rainfall intensities equal to or greater than the saturated permeability coefficient, considering internal erosion results in a difference in the depth of the wetting front of up to 34.2 cm after 6 h in the R2 scenario. The safety factor without considering internal erosion is 1.12, whereas considering internal erosion yields safety factors between 1.08 and 1.09. In the R3 scenario, the difference in the depth of the wetting front reaches 53.8 cm after 6 h, with a safety factor of 1.12 without considering internal erosion and safety factors between 1.06 and 1.07 when considering internal erosion.
Hydrochemical Characteristics, Mechanisms of Formation, and Sources of Different Water Bodies in the Northwest Coal–Electricity Agglomeration Area
Authors: Han Xuan , Huang Lei , Gan Junli , Yang Mengfan , Zhu Guangyan , Li Yanna , Xu Jiang
Published: May 2024

Water resources are relatively scarce in Northwest China. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the hydrochemical characteristics and sources of different water bodies in the Northwest Coal–Electricity Agglomeration area, and the utilization of water resources in the region. Hydrochemical diagrams and correlation analysis were applied to data obtained through the collection of 40, 14, and 42 surface water, shallow groundwater, and deep groundwater samples, respectively. The Positive Definite Matrix Factor Decomposition (PMF) model was used to explore the origins of ions in different water bodies. The results show the following: (1) The rank of anions in surface water, shallow groundwater, and deep groundwater in water bodies of the Bulianta mining area during the wet period according to concentration was as follows: SO42− > Cl− > HCO3− > NO3−; that of cations was as follows: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+; (2) The chemical composition of surface water is mainly regulated by the dissolution of evaporites; that of shallow groundwater was regulated by silicates; that of deep groundwater was mainly regulated by the hydrolysis of silicates and the dissolution of evaporites; (3) Four main sources of ions in different water bodies were identified, namely agricultural activities, rock weathering, primary geology, and unknown sources. Two natural factors, namely rock weathering and primary geology, and human activities contributed to 35.2% and 38.8% of ions in shallow groundwater, respectively. Rock weathering and human activities contributed to 20.6% and 63.9% of ions of deeper groundwater, respectively. This study can provide a basis for the conservation and rational planning and utilization of water resources in the Northwest Coal–Electricity Agglomeration area.
Post-Removal of Phosphorus from Biologically Treated Wastewater and Recovering It as Fertilizer: Pilot-Scale Attempt—Project PhoReSe
Authors: Kalaitzidou Kyriaki , Mitrakas Manassis , Zouboulis Anastasios
Published: May 2024

The major issue of raw materials’ depletion, and more specifically, of phosphorous (an important fertilizer) has currently become an emergent aspect due to expected depletion problems needing immediate handling. This was the reason for the implementation of the PhoReSe project that aimed to remove and recover phosphorus from the secondary (biologically treated) effluent of a municipal wastewater (biological) treatment plant (WWTP “AINEIA”, located near Thessaloniki, N. Greece), treating the wastewaters of the nearby touristic area. Regarding the phosphorous supplementary removal and recovery treatment options, two methods were examined, initially at the laboratory scale (batch experiments), i.e., (1) the adsorption of phosphorous, and (2) the chemical precipitation of phosphorus. Both methods were further applied at the pilot scale by initially performing the adsorption of phosphorous onto the AquAsZero commercial sorbent, which is a mixed manganese iron oxy-hydroxide, followed by the chemical precipitation of phosphorous implemented after the desorption process of the previously saturated adsorbent. The final precipitate of this procedure was examined as an alternative/supplementary fertilizer, this way returning phosphorus into the natural cycle. These experiments, as applied successfully in at the pilot scale, set the basis for larger-scale relevant applications for similar WWTP facilities.
Leakages in Water Distribution Networks: Estimation Methods, Influential Factors, and Mitigation Strategies—A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Serafeim Athanasios V. , Fourniotis Nikolaos Th. , Deidda Roberto , Kokosalakis George , Langousis Andreas
Published: May 2024

While only a minimal fraction of global water resources is accessible for drinking water production, their uneven distribution combined with the climate crisis impacts leads to challenges in water availability. Leakage in water distribution networks compounds these issues, resulting in significant economic losses and environmental risks. A coherent review of (a) the most widely applied water loss estimation techniques, (b) factors influencing them, and (c) strategies for their resilient reduction provides a comprehensive understanding of the current state of knowledge and practices in leakage management. This work aims towards covering the most important leakage estimation methodologies, while also unveiling the factors that critically affect them, both internally and externally. Finally, a thorough discussion is provided regarding the current state-of-the-art technics for leakage reduction at the municipal-wide level.
Investigation of the Influence of Reed Vegetation on the Hydraulic Characteristics of the Huai River Inflow Channel
Authors: Zhang Jin , Cheng Li , Zhang Bowen , Yuan Mingbin , Jia Shuo , Miao Deyin , Huang Caian
Published: May 2024

When there is vegetation on the beach or main channel bed, it will have a significant impact on the river channel. This study was based on physical model experiments to investigate the flow conditions of the Jinhu section of the Huaihe River estuary, revealing the influence of reed vegetation on water flow resistance. A new comprehensive roughness formula was proposed, and the predictive effectiveness of the formula was verified. The theoretical results indicate that under the condition of vegetation not being submerged, the comprehensive roughness is directly proportional to the square root of vegetation density in areas with vegetation coverage, the square root of water surface vegetation coverage, and the 2/3 power of the hydraulic radius. The bottom slope does not affect it. Under the condition of vegetation inundation, the comprehensive roughness is smaller than that under the condition of no inundation. The experimental prediction results of the influence of reeds on roughness indicate that the measured roughness values and theoretical roughness calculation values are in good agreement. Under the same operating conditions, the roughness gradually decreases with an increase in flow rate. Under the full-reed working condition, the calculated roughness value and the measured roughness value have the same trend of change, both decreasing with the increase in flow rate. The experimental prediction results of the influence of reeds on the relationship between water level and flow rate show that the roughness value of 0 increases with the increase in reed grass surface coverage rate Ki, and an increase in Ki can lead to an increase in comprehensive roughness.
Groundwater Depletion. Are Environmentally Friendly Energy Recharge Dams a Solution?
Authors: Kazakis Nerantzis , Karakatsanis Diamantis , Ntona Maria Margarita , Polydoropoulos Konstantinos , Zavridou Efthymia , Voudouri Kalliopi Artemis , Busico Gianluigi , Kalaitzidou Kyriaki , Patsialis Thomas , Perdikaki Martha , Tsourlos Panagiotis , Kallioras Andreas , Theodossiou Nicolaos , Pliakas Fotios-Konstantinos , Angelidis Panagiotis , Mavromatis Theodoros , Patrikaki Olga , Voudouris Konstantinos
Published: May 2024

Groundwater is a primary source of drinking water; however, groundwater depletion constitutes a common phenomenon worldwide. The present research aims to quantify groundwater depletion in three aquifers in Greece, including the porous aquifers in the Eastern Thermaikos Gulf, Mouriki, and the Marathonas basin. The hypothesis is to reverse the phenomenon by adopting an environmentally acceptable methodology. The core of the suggested methodology was the simulation of groundwater using MODFLOW-NWT and the application of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) by using water from small dams after the generation of hydropower. Surface run-off and groundwater recharge values were obtained from the ArcSWAT simulation. The predicted future climatic data were obtained from the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), considering the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and the climate model REMO2009. Groundwater flow simulations from 2010 to 2020 determined the existing status of the aquifers. The simulation was extended to the year 2030 to forecast the groundwater regime. In all three sites, groundwater depletion occurred in 2020, while the phenomenon will be exacerbated in 2030, as depicted in the GIS maps. During 2020, the depletion zones extended 11%, 28%, and 23% of the aquifers in Mouriki, the Eastern Thermaikos Gulf, and the Marathonas basin, respectively. During 2030, the depletion zones will increase to 50%, 42%, and 44% of the aquifers in Mouriki, the Eastern Thermaikos Gulf, and the Marathonas basin, respectively. The simulation was extended to 2040 by applying MAR with the water from the existing dams as well as from additional dams. In all sites, the application of MAR contributed to the reversal of groundwater depletion, with a significant amount of hydropower generated. Until 2040, the application of MAR will reduce the depletion zones to 0.5%, 9%, and 12% of the aquifers in Mouriki, the Eastern Thermaikos Gulf, and the Marathonas basin, respectively. Apart from over-pumping, climatic factors such as long periods of drought have exacerbated groundwater depletion. The transformation of dams to mini-scale hydropower facilities combined with MAR will benefit clean energy production, save CO2 emissions, and lead to an economically feasible strategy against groundwater depletion.
Do Submerged Macrophytes Influence the Response of Zooplankton and Benthic Ostracoda to NaCl Salinity Gradients in Shallow Tropical Lakes?
Authors: Chen Tao , Yin Liyan , Li Wei , Huang Jiaquan , Zhang Xiaohang , Cao Yu
Published: May 2024

Both the increasing salinity levels and the decline of submerged macrophytes represent growing concerns in global freshwater ecosystems, posing a threat to water quality and various aquatic organisms. However, there is a limited understanding of the interactive effects of salinity and submerged macrophytes on zooplankton and benthic Ostracoda in tropical zones. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a controlled experiment spanning 6 months, comparing the biomass of zooplankton (including copepods, cladocerans, and rotifers) and benthic Ostracoda in mesocosms with three levels of salinity, at the presence or absence of submerged macrophytes. Our results showed that in tropical zones, both zooplankton and benthic Ostracoda biomass exhibited a noteworthy decrease in response to increasing salinity, but the presence of submerged macrophytes did not have a significant influence on the zooplankton biomass. However, the presence of submerged macrophytes had a positive effect on the benthic Ostracoda biomass. Interestingly, submerged macrophytes had a strong interaction with salinity on the Ostracoda biomass, which increased with macrophyte presence under intermediate salinity conditions (2 g/L). In summary, our study sheds light on the interplay between salinity, submerged macrophytes, and the biomass of zooplankton and benthic Ostracoda in tropical freshwater ecosystems.
Quelques chants de Mongolie du Nord
Authors: Tulisow Jerzy
Published: May 2024

L'auteur présente six chants darxad et tuxalar qu'il a recueillis personnellement en 1967-1969, accompagnés de leur traduction et d'un bref lexique.
Aux origines de la femme-renarde en Chine
Authors: Mathieu Rémi
Published: May 2024

Un certain nombre de caractéristiques physiques et comportementales du renard sont à l'origine d'une croyance assez tôt attestée en Chine, croyance selon laquelle cet animal pourrait se transformer en femme fatale et celle-ci en renard. Le fait qu'il puisse dévorer les cadavres a pu inciter à penser qu'il s'emparait aussi de leur âme. Sa beauté, sa ruse, la sensualité de son comportement amoureux ont été assimilés à celles d'une femme belle mais asociale. La conjonction de ces deux aspects de son personnage explique sans doute la naissance, aux alentours du IIIe siècle, de la "femme-renarde" dans la littérature fantastique chinoise
Le renard, la morte et la courtisane dans la Chine classique
Authors: Levi Jean
Published: May 2024

Entre les IVe et VIe siècles de notre ère, l'image du renard, sous les traits de la femme renarde, vient se confondre avec la morte amoureuse. Plus tard, sous les Tang, au moment où s'affirme dans la littérature lettrée le thème de la courtisane, la renarde lui emprunte un certain nombre de caractéristiques, en sorte que les deux figures deviennent homologues. Cette étude se propose de montrer que les trois figures : morte, renarde et courtisane, qui appartiennent au même ensemble paradigmatique, ne sont que trois façons d'envisager l'alternative — posée d'emblée comme illusoire — au système traditionnel de l'alliance matrimoniale
À propos de l’orthographe du mongol en alphabet latin
Authors: Loubsangjab Tchoï.
Published: May 2024

This paper deals with the rules for writing modern Mongolian in Latin script ; these rules have already been investigated in a book published in Czecoslovakia.

The author discusses the transcription adopted for some consonants and long vowels, then justifies the deliberate preservation in writing of all short vowels and illustrates his position through examples taken from the adjunction to the root of suffixes of noun cases. In conclusion, he draws Mongolists' attention to the practibility of such a notation in transcribing non only the Xalx but also the other Mongolian dialects.
Piquets d'attache pour chevaux célestes
Authors: Delaby Laurence
Published: May 2024

Bought in a sale by auction in Paris (1977), this item of mammoth ivory was a Siberian shaman's stick according to the words of the curios amateur who was selling his collection. This kind of sceptre, ancient (18th century ?) and extremely ornamented, is undoubtedly Yakut style, but for what use? The author suggests an hypothesis : a stake for celestial horses.
Rites de mariage bouriates
Authors: Basaeva Klara Doržievna , Baldaev Sergej Petrovič , Xangalov M.N.
Published: May 2024

L’auteur traduit et présente quatre descriptions de rituels de mariage bouriates, illustrant par leurs variations l’état d’hésitation entre deux types de formule d’échange matrimonial qui caractérise cette société à la charnière des XIXe et XXe siècles.
Quand les Ouïgours jouent et s’amusent
Authors: Trebinjac Sabine
Published: May 2024

We show that having fun and performing music should be distinguished in Uyghur musical life. This supposes a distinction or even hierarchy among repertoires and demonstrates that, in China, there is a fundamental distinction between tradition and traditionalism
Marcher, danser, jouer. La prestation des troupes processionnelles à Taiwan
Authors: Allio Fiorella
Published: May 2024

In Taiwan, processions preserve elements of the local Han folk culture and shape its new forms of expression. This paper is devoted to territorial processions organised by cult communities, in which the inhabitants of adjacent villages gather. Each village is represented in the procession — grandiose and colourful — by a delegation called “battalion”, composed of a palankeen (supporting the statues of the deities) and of a performing troupe, called “at the head of the battalion” (martial arts, scenes of dances and songs, acrobatics and allegorical floats). Each troupe must perform in all the villages located along the route of the procession. Each family pays a contribution to the temple, provides performers for the troupes and gives food to the participants.

The author explains the terminology of “play” in Chinese, brings out the “playing” elements present in the procession, then describes the main theatrical plays performed by the troupes. After discussing the existing classifications, particularly those comparing the procession troupes with Chinese opera, she uses the local distinction between martial and non-martial troupes. Their performances complement each other through acts of exorcism and propitiation, in a “warm and noisy atmosphere”, and together they secure the renewal of Life (biological, social and symbolic life) to the benefit of the communities taking part in the procession ritual.
« Yeux de pierre ». Rite et jeu en contexte hindou
Authors: Van Woerkens Martine
Published: May 2024

In Eyes of stone (a documentary by Nilita Vachani), Shanta, a young woman from Rajasthan, is possessed by evil spirits. Placing herself under the protection of the goddess Bhankya Mata, Shanta is finally cured after a long and painful procedure. She is again possessed, this time for a very short moment, by the goddess herself Speaking the word of the goddess, she admonishes her husband, the main cause of her sufferings. After studying the text and context of these two episodes of possession, the author relates them respectively to the notions of sacrifice and avatara. One is led to the conclusion that the idea of “mimesis”, play, is not relevant within the Hindu representation of ritual.
Ispitivanje otpornosti na plošno habanje 3D ispisanih ispitnih tijela iz akrilonitril/butadien/stirena postupkom taložnog očvršćivanja
Authors: Kutnjak-Mravlinčić Suzana , Ercegović Ražić Sanja , Sutlović Ana , Godec Damir
Published: May 2024

Postupci aditivne proizvodnje značajni su u razvoju suvremene proizvodnje stoga se provode mnoga istraživanja kako bi se utvrdila ili poboljšala svojstva 3D ispisanih tvorevina u skladu sa željenom primjenom. U radu je ispitana otpornost na habanje ispitnih tijela izrađenih iz akrilonitril/butadien/stirena (ABS) postupkom taložnog očvršćivanja (e. Fused Deposition Modeling – FDM) s ciljanom primjenom izrade potpetica cipela ili donjišta obuće. Ispitivanje je provedeno postupkom nahabavanja prema Martindaleu na 3D ispisanim ABS ispitnim tijelima obojenim disperznim bojilima postupkom iscrpljivanja i 3D ispisanim ispitnim tijelima bojenim u masi originalnog ABS polimera. Prema normi HRN EN ISO 12947-3:2008. Određivanje otpornosti na habanje metodom po Martindaleu: Određivanje gubitka mase, u rezultatima su prikazani gubitak mase u % i promjena debljine ispitnog tijela u %. Otpornost na habanje ispitana je na podlogama različite finoće kojima su simulirane vanjske i unutrašnje površine uskladu s ciljanom primjenom. Odabrano je šest habajućih podloga i za svaku podlogu ispitana su tri ispitna tijela. Rezultati ispitivanja pokazali su veću otpornost na habanje ispitnih tijela bojanih u masi (original ABS polimer u boji) u odnosu na ispitna tijela naknadno bojana disperznim bojilima
Farklı Çözücülerle Hazırlanan Elettaria Cardamomum (L.) Maton Ekstraktlarının Antibakteriyel Aktivitelerinin İncelenmesi
Authors: Taner Saraçoğlu Hatice
Published: May 2024

Bu çalışmanın amacı Elettaria cardamomum’un tohumlarından hazırlanan ekstraktların çeşitli bakterilere karşı olan antibakteriyel aktivitelerinin belirlenmesidir. Bu çalışmada, Elettaria cardamomum bitkisinin tohumlarından farklı çözücüler (etanol, aseton, etil asetat, kloroform, soğuk su, sıcak su) kullanılarak ekstraktları hazırlanmıştır. Ekstraktların beş patojen bakteri suşuna (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 29853) karşı olan antibakteriyel aktiviteleri disk difüzyon yöntemi kullanılarak belirlenmiştir. Çalışma sonuçları etanol, aseton, etil asetat ve kloroform ekstraktlarının Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 ve Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603 bakterilerine karşı farklı derecelerde antibakteriyel aktiviteye sahip olduğunu göstermiştir. Çalışmadaki tüm ekstraktlar Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 ve Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 29853 bakterilerine karşı antibakteriyel aktivite göstermemiştir. En yüksek antibakteriyel aktiviteyi etil asetat ekstraktı Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 bakterisine karşı göstermiştir.