bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of Emerging Renewable Hydrogen Policy through an Energy Democracy Lens: The Case of Australia
Authors: Beasy Kim , Lodewyckx Stefan , Gale Fred
Published: March 2024

As part of reducing carbon emissions, governments across the world are working on measures to transition sectors of the economy away from fossil fuels. The socio-technical regimes being constructed around the energy transition can encourage energy centralisation and constrain actor engagement without proper policy and planning. The energy transition is liable to have significant impacts across all of society, but less attention has been given to the role of democratic participation and decision-making in the energy system during this time. Using the energy democracy framework developed by Kacper Szulecki, we employ content analysis to investigate how Australia’s renewable hydrogen strategies at the Commonwealth and state levels engage with the broader objective of democratising energy systems. Based on our findings, we recommend ways to support a renewable hydrogen regime in Australia in line with the principles of energy democracy, such as community engagement, built-in participation, popular sovereignty, community-level agency, and civic ownership. This study provides a perspective on the energy transition that is often overlooked, and a reminder to policymakers that the topology of an energy transition can take many forms.
Experimental Monitoring of Dynamic Parameters of the Sub-Ballast Layers as a Prerequisite for a High-Quality and Sustainable Railway Line
Authors: Ižvolt Libor , Dobeš Peter , Papánová Zuzana , Mečár Martin
Published: March 2024

Monitoring dynamic load transfer from train traffic to sub-ballast layers is crucial for verifying the reliability and safety of railway lines, assessing the design cost-effectiveness and achieving minimum environmental impact. For this purpose, measurements in labs, in situ or modeling the influence of dynamic loads on the immediate and long-term roadway quality are often performed using suitable software. The available test sections enabled monitoring of the dynamic loads and optimizing the critical spots where increased dynamic effects from railway traffic may occur. The subject of this paper is the calibration of the sensors installed in the different test sections of the trans-European corridor number V. As a result, the necessary input parameters for the subsequent numerical modeling of the dynamic effects on the track substructure and vibration propagation on the available sections of the upgraded railway line were obtained. The sensor calibration was carried out on the experimental field, part of the Experimental Basis of the Department of Railway Engineering and Track Management. As part of the calibration, the sensitivity of the sensors embedded in the track bed to the applied dynamic loads resulting from the impact effects of the lightweight deflectometer was assessed. The result of the calibration was the demonstration of sufficient sensitivity of the sensors and their suitability for implementation in an actual railway track structure, with the aim of obtaining relevant values of the response of the sub-ballast layers to dynamic loads and assessing the operational impacts on the sustainable environment. Also, the main result of the research was the possibility of using the theoretical–experimental route to optimize the layers of the railway body.
Optimal Energy Storage Configuration of Prosumers with Uncertain Photovoltaic in the Presence of Customized Pricing-Based Demand Response
Authors: Pan Luwen , Chen Jiajia
Published: March 2024

Setting an acceptable pricing strategy to attract prosumers to participate in demand response and orderly configure energy storage is a critical topic for virtual power plants (VPPs) in improving sustainable development. Based on this, this paper proposes a two-layer iterative optimization to develop a customized pricing-based demand response for energy storage with uncertain photovoltaic (PV) for prosumers. In the upper layer, the VPP formulates a customized price consisting of a two-part electricity price, on-grid electricity price and auxiliary service price according to the load characteristics of prosumers, so as to make the power supply and demand of prosumers more controllable. In the lower layer, prosumers adjust their energy storage configurations and energy consumption behavior according to the price signal, considering the uncertainty of PV. The research shows that the proposed optimization approach can encourages prosumers to configure energy storage, and explore user-side flexibility resources. The full utilization of energy storage has increased the PV output of the prosumers by 10%, and its benefits have also increased by 7%.
The Role of Packaging in Sustainable Omnichannel Returns—The Perspective of Young Consumers in Poland
Authors: Hadaś Łukasz , Domański Roman , Wojciechowski Hubert , Majewski Arkadiusz , Lewandowicz Jacek
Published: March 2024

The e-commerce market is continuously expanding; thus, many businesses are implementing their own omnichannel strategies. Many stores offer very liberal return policies that exceed statutory obligations to boost their revenue. Consumers are becoming used to new return opportunities, which leads to an increased percentage of returned orders. As a result, the sustainability of the delivery process of purchases made through omnichannel is jeopardized. The aim of this work was to assess the attitude of young consumers towards packaging in omnichannel returns. This study involved 446 young consumers (aged 18–25) and focused on delivery and return processes with emphasis on the packaging. It was found that the most common method of delivery is through parcel lockers (49%), although consumers usually have the possibility to choose from at least three different delivery options (77%). The product is shipped in a box in two out of every three cases, while filling of the package is below 80% in half of them. Consumers also prefer to return their goods in parcel lockers (45%), but they often cross channels and use different return options (to the way it was delivered). Consumers want to return their products in the same packaging, but this is usually only possible when the package is delivered in a box. Young consumers are pragmatic with their deliveries and returns, but environmental aspects are also very important to them.
App-Based Digital Health Equity Determinants According to Ecological Models: Scoping Review
Authors: Park Na-Young , Jang Sarang
Published: March 2024

Technological advances have increased the availability of diverse digital health services. However, digital health benefits are not equally accessible. Recent studies have focused on digital health equity. Researchers are progressively identifying digital determinants of health (DDoH) to address potential health disparities stemming from digital health. This study investigated the determinants of disparities in app-based digital health within the framework of an ecological model. The method proposed by Arksey and O’Malley was adopted in this review. The PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched from January 2016 to December 2021. Two reviewers independently screened and selected topics according to the guidelines for the scope of the topic. A consensus was reached to reconcile the differences, and the findings were collated, synthesized, summarized, and reported. This study identified 21 studies pertaining to health equity in app-based digital health. Seven countries were included in this study. Health inequities caused by the adoption of app-based digital health can be reflected in the following three levels according to the ecological model. At the individual level (N = 20), it was influenced by sociodemographic characteristics and digital literacy factors. At the interpersonal level (N = 10), factors such as feedback mechanisms, monitoring, communication modalities, technology-sharing practices, and standardized design were observed. At the community or social level (N = 7), disparities were noted in residential locality, integrated network infrastructure, and Internet accessibility. Finally, digital health policies should consider determinants of digital health inequalities. Ensuring health equity in digital health requires the equitable implementation and measurement of health outcomes through an equity lens. Based on the findings of this study, it is essential to maintain a continued focus on digital health to prevent the further widening of health disparities.
Towards Social Justice: Investigating the Role of Labor, Globalization, and Governance in Reducing Socio-Economic Inequality within Post-Communist Countries
Authors: Nae Tamara Maria , Florescu Margareta-Stela , Bălășoiu Gabriela-Ioana
Published: March 2024

In the midst of contemporary global challenges, including the repercussions of the pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and transitional shifts, a notable surge in attention toward income inequality has materialized, garnering significant focus from both national and international entities. The urgency surrounding this issue is amplified by the imperative need for economic sustainability, recognizing poverty and inequalities as fundamental global security threats. Particularly within Europe, the persistent disparities in living standards, evident across and within countries, serve as potent indicators of enduring poverty and inequality. These concerns underscore potential barriers to the European Union’s pursuit of convergence and cohesion, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which prioritize addressing poverty (SDG 1) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10) for sustainable development. This study aims to scrutinize the dynamics of income inequality, concentrating on post-communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Employing panel data analysis, the research identifies and tests variables influencing income inequality in the region, specifically emphasizing labor market structures, globalization, economic development, and governance mechanisms, which hold particular relevance for the region’s context. The primary findings underscore the potential impact of enhancing these sectors in mitigating income inequality within the specified region. These insights provide a foundation for informed policy-making, presenting opportunities to address and mitigate inequalities effectively. They pave the way for fostering pathways toward greater equality and equitable socio-economic development within post-communist nations, ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Application of Virtual Reality (VR) Technology in Mining and Civil Engineering
Authors: Strzałkowski Paweł , Bęś Paweł , Szóstak Mariusz , Napiórkowski Mateusz
Published: March 2024

Virtual reality (VR) is one of the most innovative technologies that allows the development of a computerised, three-dimensional image that imitates reality. With this solution, it is possible to show different objects and even simulate a sequence of actions. The application of virtual reality technology in industries with high accident rates, such as mining and construction, contributes to sustainability by enhancing occupational health and safety (OHS) practices. However, it should be emphasised that the application of VR in these industries is much broader and includes aspects such as visualisation, monitoring and design. This research contributes to sustainability by identifying research gaps, providing an in-depth systematic review of the use of virtual reality technology and outlining the potential of VR technology to advance safety practices in mining and construction, thereby promoting the well-being of workers, reducing accidents and minimising negative environmental impacts associated with workplace incidents. Based on the analyses performed, the future of VR technology for improving work processes in terms of the safety, efficiency and profitability of implementation is outlined. The results of this study provide a comprehensive framework for identifying research gaps in this area to advance research in the academic community and to improve safety in mining and construction workplaces.
Updated Predictive Models for Permanent Seismic Displacement of Slopes for Greece and Their Effect on Probabilistic Landslide Hazard Assessment
Authors: Sotiriadis Dimitris , Klimis Nikolaos , Dokas Ioannis M.
Published: March 2024

Earthquake-triggered landslides have been widely recognized as a catastrophic hazard in mountainous regions. They may lead to direct consequences, such as property losses and casualties, as well as indirect consequences, such as disruption of the operation of lifeline infrastructures and delays in emergency response actions after earthquakes. Regional landslide hazard assessment is a useful tool to identify areas that are vulnerable to earthquake-induced slope instabilities and design prioritization schemes towards more detailed site-specific slope stability analyses. A widely used method to assess the seismic performance of slopes is by calculating the permanent downslope sliding displacement that is expected during ground shaking. Nathan M. Newmark was the first to propose a method to estimate the permanent displacement of a rigid body sliding on an inclined plane in 1965. The expected permanent displacement for a slope using the sliding block method is implemented by either selecting a suite of representative earthquake ground motions and computing the mean and standard deviation of the displacement or by using analytical equations that correlate the permanent displacement with ground motion intensity measures, the slope’s yield acceleration and seismological characteristics. Increased interest has been observed in the development of such empirical models using strong motion databases over the last decades. It has been almost a decade since the development of the latest empirical model for the prediction of permanent ground displacement for Greece. Since then, a significant amount of strong motion data have been collected. In the present study, several nonlinear regression-based empirical models are developed for the prediction of the permanent seismic displacements of slopes, including various ground motion intensity measures. Moreover, single-hidden layer Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models are developed to demonstrate their capability of simplifying the construction of empirical models. Finally, implementation of the produced modes based on Probabilistic Landslide Hazard Assessment is undertaken, and their effect on the resulting hazard curves is demonstrated and discussed.
Investigating the Impact of Multiple Factors on CO2 Emissions: Insights from Quantile Analysis
Authors: Sobirov Yuldoshboy , Makhmudov Sardorbek , Saibniyazov Mukhammadyusuf , Tukhtamurodov Akobir , Saidmamatov Olimjon , Marty Peter
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the impacts of alternative energy use, urbanization, GDP, agriculture, ICT development, and FDI on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the 14 leading CO2-emitting countries in Asia. This research comprises various econometric techniques, including MMQR, FMOLS, DOLS, and Driscoll–Kraay, to extend the data analysis from 1996 to 2020. The findings provide significant support for an inverted U-shaped link between economic expansion and environmental deterioration, known as the environmental Kuznets curve. Moreover, this paper verifies that the GDP square, renewable energy use, and agriculture are shown to help to decrease pollution, as indicated by the research findings. On the contrary, urbanization and the GDP are demonstrated to be variables that contribute to carbon emissions. Furthermore, the panel quantile regression models validate that the impacts of each explanatory variable on CO2 emissions vary across various quantiles. Finally, this analysis provides valuable suggestions to scholars, environmentalists, politicians, and authorities for identifying and mitigating the main cause of emissions.
Identification of Barriers to Sustainable Manufacturing Implementation—The Perspective of Manufacturers of Parts and Components for Agricultural Transport
Authors: Niewiadomski Przemysław , Stachowiak Agnieszka
Published: March 2024

Sustainable manufacturing involves executing manufacturing processes in a way that follows the sustainable development principles, striving to combine economic, ecologic and social goals. The expected benefits of sustainable manufacturing are a lower cost and an improved environmental impact and well-being of employees. The main goal of the research was to identify barriers to the implementation of sustainable manufacturing principles. Achieving the main goal required the implementation of partial goals: (G1) designing the research tool based on the specific features of sustainable manufacturing identified based on the literature research; (G2) identifying of barriers that limit and/or prevent the implementation of sustainable manufacturing; and (G3) assessing the significance of individual factors limiting (preventing) implementation. The research was conducted in the agricultural transport sector and the subjects of the research were manufacturers of parts and subassemblies for agricultural transport. The ranking of limitations and barriers enables the definition of recommendations for companies willing to implement sustainable manufacturing concepts.
Coordinated Configuration of SOPs and DESSs in an Active Distribution Network Considering Social Welfare Maximization
Authors: Liu Guocheng , Sun Weiqing , Hong Haoyun , Shi Gang
Published: March 2024

In recent years, the penetration rate of intermittent distributed generation (DG) in active distribution networks has been steadily increasing, leading to prominent issues such as voltage violations and network congestion. Coordinated operation of soft open points (SOPs) and distributed energy storage systems (DESSs) enable flexible resource management in both spatial and temporal dimensions, allowing real-time voltage regulation and flow control. This enhances the controllability, sustainability, and economic efficiency of the distribution network, ultimately improving user satisfaction. The optimization of this coordinated configuration has become a central challenge in research. Taking the different characteristics of DESSs and SOPs into account, this paper proposes a coordinated configuration method by introducing local marginal price (LMP) under the configuration scheme. The framework is modeled as a three-level problem, including planning and operation levels. Initially, typical scenarios are generated to address the uncertainty of distributed generation operation. At the upper level, the DESS configuration is optimized to minimize annual operational costs, while at the middle level, SOPs are planned based on the annual comprehensive operational cost of the distribution network. At the lower level, the objective is set as social welfare maximization to reflect user satisfaction by incorporating LMP as a planning indicator. It is then transformed and solved as a mixed-integer second-order programming model with a hybrid optimization algorithm. The model is established with the modified IEEE 33-node distribution system as a case study to validate the feasibility of the proposed configuration method. The case study results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in optimally configuring SOPs with DESSs to reduce overall annual operating costs and enhance the economic efficiency of the system.
Impact of Internet of Things Adoption on Organizational Performance: A Mediating Analysis of Supply Chain Integration, Performance, and Competitive Advantage
Authors: Mashat Reem M. , Abourokbah Safinaz H. , Salam Mohammad Asif
Published: March 2024

Companies, in emerging economies and beyond, struggle to develop integration mechanisms that deliver supply chain performance and competitive advantages. Those striving for organizational performance by streamlining supply chain processes must assess the challenges and benefits of employing technologies for supply chain integration. This study’s objective is to analyze the supply chain integration antecedents required to enable supply chain performance, competitive advantages, and organization performance. Although prior research indicates that the Internet of Things (IoT), as one of the enabling technologies, plays an instrumental role in enhancing organization performance through supply chain integration, no empirical tests have been performed before. Therefore, this study examines the direct and indirect effects of the IoT’s impact on organizational performance through different mediating variables—supply chain integration, supply chain performance, and competitive advantages. This study uses survey data from Saudi Arabian companies that adopted IoT-based applications in their supply chains. The results from partial least squares structural equation modeling indicate that the benefits and challenges of IoT adoption significantly affect supply chain integration. Moreover, supply chain integration partially mediates the relationship between IoT, supply chain performance, and competitive advantages while supply chain performance and competitive advantages mediate the relationship between supply chain integration and organization performance. This study offers theoretical implications regarding how dynamic capabilities are associated with supply chain integration and how they influence organizational performance; it also reveals valuable managerial insights.
Production Decision Model for the Cement Industry in Pursuit of Carbon Neutrality: Analysis of the Impact of Carbon Tax and Carbon Credit Costs
Authors: Tsai Wen-Hsien , Lin Wei-Hong
Published: March 2024

One of the solutions to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 is to try to reduce the carbon emission by using the carbon tax or carbon credit (carbon right). This paper examines the impact of carbon taxes and carbon credit costs on the cement industry, focusing on ESG indicators and corporate profits. Utilizing Activity-Based Costing and the Theory of Constraints, a production decision model is developed and analyzed using mathematical programming. The paper categorizes carbon tax models into continuous and discontinuous progressive tax rates, taking into account potential government policies like emission tax exemptions and carbon trading. It finds that reducing emission caps is more effective than increasing carbon tax rates in curbing emissions. These insights can assist governments in policy formulation and provide a reference framework for establishing carbon tax systems.
Enhancing Critical Digital Literacy of Preservice Preschool Teachers through Service Learning: The Moderator of Online Social Capital
Authors: Lo Hua-Chen , Wang Tzu-Hua , Chen Ru-Si
Published: March 2024

This research delves into the examination of the correlation between service learning and critical digital literacy among preservice preschool teachers in Taiwan, with a particular emphasis on the role of online social capital. The survey took place in Taiwan with preservice preschool teachers who willingly completed a questionnaire. Initially, there were 416 data samples for further statistical analysis. This study utilizes literature reviews and theoretical reflections to examine the observed variables and factors in the “Service Learning and Critical Digital Literacy Scales” (SLCDL) questionnaire. To assess these aspects, a Chinese questionnaire is used, covering “service learning”, “critical digital literacy”, and “online social capital”. Using partial least squares analysis, researchers investigate the intricate interplay of online social capital in shaping the nexus between service learning experiences and the advance of critical digital literacy competencies. These results showed that service learning increased critical digital literacy among preservice preschool teachers, and online social capital played a mediating role in this relationship between service learning and critical digital literacy. We should actively encourage preservice preschool teachers to increase their critical awareness by understanding vulnerability and experiencing reality from the perspective of community partners. In addition, we need to provide more service learning opportunities that incorporate online social capital to enhance their critical digital literacy.
Diamond-Type Dirac Dynamic System in Mathematical Physics
Authors: Gulsen Tuba , Yar Ayşe Çiğdem , Yilmaz Emrah
Published: March 2024

In order to merge continuous and discrete analyses, a number of dynamic derivative equations have been put out in the process of developing a time-scale calculus. The investigations that incorporated combined dynamic derivatives have led to the proposal of improved approximation expressions for computational application. One such expression is the diamond alpha (⋄α) derivative, which is defined as a linear combination of delta and nabla derivatives. Several dynamic equations and inequalities, as well as hybrid dynamic behavior—which does not occur in the real line or on discrete time scales—are analyzed using this combined concept. In this study, we consider a ⋄α Dirac system under boundary conditions on a uniform time scale. We examined some basic spectral properties of the problem we are considering, such as the simplicity, the reality of eigenvalues, orthogonality of eigenfunctions, and self adjointness of the operator. Finally, we construct an expression for the eigenfunction of the ⋄α Dirac boundary value problem (BVP) on a uniform time scale.
Expanding the Biosynthetic Toolbox: The Potential and Challenges of In Vitro Type II Polyketide Synthase Research
Authors: Rivers Max A. J. , Lowell Andrew N.
Published: March 2024

Type II polyketide synthase (PKS) systems are a rich source of structurally diverse polycyclic aromatic compounds with clinically relevant antibiotic and chemotherapeutic properties. The enzymes responsible for synthesizing the polyketide core, known collectively as the minimal cassette, hold potential for applications in synthetic biology. The minimal cassette provides polyketides of different chain lengths, which interact with other enzymes that are responsible for the varied cyclization patterns. Additionally, the type II PKS enzyme clusters offer a wide repertoire of tailoring enzymes for oxidations, glycosylations, cyclizations, and rearrangements. This review begins with the variety of chemical space accessible with type II PKS systems including the recently discovered highly reducing variants that produce polyalkenes instead of the archetypical polyketide motif. The main discussion analyzes the previous approaches with an emphasis on further research that is needed to characterize the minimal cassette enzymes in vitro. Finally, the potential type II PKS systems hold the potential to offer new tools in biocatalysis and synthetic biology, particularly in the production of novel antibiotics and biofuels.
Human Biomonitoring Guidance Values for Deoxynivalenol Derived under the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU)
Authors: Mengelers Marcel J. B. , van den Brand Annick D. , Zhao Shensheng , Hoogenveen Rudolf , Ougier Eva
Published: March 2024

The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) was one of the priority substances in the European Joint Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) project. In this study, to better interpret the actual internal exposure of DON in the general population and safeguard public health, human biomonitoring guidance values of DON for the general population (HBM-GVGenPop) were derived. The HBM-GVGenPop of DON was based on either the total DON (DON and its glucuronides) or DON’s main metabolite (DON-15-GlcA) levels in 24-h urine samples, resulting in a HBM-GVGenPop of 0.023 µg/mL for the total DON or a HBM-GVGenPop of 0.020 µg/mL for DON-15-GlcA. The use of 24-h urine samples is recommended based on the fact that DON and its metabolites have a short elimination half-life (T1/2), and 95% of the cumulative amount was excreted within 12 h after DON intake. The T1/2 for DON, DON-15-GlcA, and total DON were estimated to be 2.55 h, 2.95 h, and 2.95 h, respectively. Therefore, a 24-h urine sample reflects almost all of the DON exposure from the previous day, and this type of sample was considered for the derivation of a HBM-GVGenPop for DON.
A Simple Direct Empirical Observation of Systematic Bias of the Redshift as a Distance Indicator
Authors: Shamir Lior
Published: March 2024

Recent puzzling observations, such as the H0 tension, large-scale anisotropies, and massive disk galaxies at high redshifts, have been challenging the standard cosmological model. While one possible explanation is that the standard model is incomplete, other theories are based on the contention that the redshift model as a distance indicator might be biased. These theories can explain the recent observations, but they are challenged by the absence of a direct empirical reproducible observation that the redshift model can indeed be inconsistent. Here, I describe a simple experiment that shows that the spectra of galaxies depend on their rotational velocity relative to the rotational velocity of the Milky Way. Moreover, it shows that the redshift of galaxies that rotate in the opposite direction relative to the Milky Way is significantly smaller compared with the redshift of galaxies that rotate in the same direction relative to the Milky Way (p < 0.006). Three different datasets were used independently, each one was prepared in a different manner, and all of them showed similar redshift bias. A fourth dataset of galaxies from the Southern Galactic pole was also analyzed and shows similar results. All four datasets are publicly available. While a maximum average z difference of ∼0.012 observed with galaxies of relatively low redshift (z < 0.25) is not extreme, the bias is consistent and canpotentially lead to explanations to puzzling observations such as the H0 tension.
Duplex Droplet Digital PCR Assay for Quantification of Hepatitis E Virus in Food
Authors: La Bella Gianfranco , Basanisi Maria Grazia , Nobili Gaia , D’Antuono Anna Mattea , Suffredini Elisabetta , La Salandra Giovanna
Published: March 2024

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) represents an emerging risk in industrialized countries where the consumption of contaminated food plays a pivotal role. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) is one of the most suitable methods for the detection and quantification of viruses in food. Nevertheless, quantification using RT-qPCR has limitations. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) provides the precise quantification of nucleic acids without the need for a standard curve and a reduction in the effect on virus quantification due to the presence of inhibitors. The objectives of the present work were (i) to develop a method for the absolute quantification of HEV in swine tissues based on ddPCR technology and provide internal process control for recovery assessment and (ii) to evaluate the performance of the method by analyzing a selection of naturally contaminated wild boar muscle samples previously tested using RT-qPCR. The method was optimized using a set of in vitro synthesized HEV RNA and quantified dsDNA. The limit of detection of the developed ddPCR assay was 0.34 genome copies/µL. The analysis of the wild boar samples confirmed the validity of the ddPCR assay. The duplex ddPCR method showed no reduction in efficiency compared to individual assays. The method developed in the present study could represent a sensitive assay for the detection and absolute quantification of HEV RNA in food samples with the advantage of presenting the co-amplification of internal process control.
Rainfall Runoff and Nitrogen Loss Characteristics on the Miyun Reservoir Slope
Authors: Wang Na , Wang Lei , Jin Liang , Wu Jiajun , Pang Min , Wei Dan , Li Yan , Wang Junqiang , Xu Ting , Yang Zhixin , Xie Jianzhi
Published: March 2024

Rainfall intensity and slope gradient are the main drivers of slope surface runoff and nitrogen loss. To explore the distribution of rainfall runoff and nitrogen loss on the Miyun Reservoir slopes, we used artificial indoor simulated rainfall experiments to determine the distribution characteristics and nitrogen migration paths of surface and subsurface runoff under different rainfall intensities and slope gradients. The initial runoff generation time of subsurface runoff lagged that of surface runoff, and the lag time under different rainfall intensity and slope conditions ranges from 3.97 to 12.62 min. Surface runoff rate increased with increasing rainfall intensity and slope gradient; compared with a rainfall intensity of 40 mm/h, at a slope of 15°, average surface runoff rate at 60 and 80 mm/h increased by 2.38 and 3.60 times, respectively. Meanwhile, the subsurface runoff rate trended upwards with increasing rainfall intensity, in the order 5 > 15 > 10°. It initially increased and then decreased with increasing slope gradient, in the order 5 > 10 > 15°. Total nitrogen (TN) loss concentration of surface runoff shows a decrease followed by a stabilization trend; the concentration of TN loss decreases with decreasing rainfall intensity, and the stabilization time becomes earlier and is most obvious in 5° slope conditions. TN loss concentration in subsurface runoff decreased with increasing rainfall intensity, i.e., 40 > 60 > 80 mm/h. The surface runoff rainfall coefficient was mainly affected by rainfall intensity, a correlation between αs and slope gradients S was not obvious, and the fitting effect was poor. The subsurface runoff rainfall coefficient was mainly affected by slope gradient, the R2 of all rainfall intensities was <0.60, and the fitting effect was poor. The main runoff loss pathway from the Miyun Reservoir slopes was surface runoff, which was more than 62.57%. At the same time, nitrogen loss was subsurface runoff, more than 51.14%. The proportion of surface runoff to total runoff increases with the increase of rainfall intensity and slope, with a minimum of 62.57%, and the proportion of nitrogen loss from subsurface runoff also decreases with increasing rainfall intensity but does not change with slope gradient. The order of different runoff modulus types was mixed runoff (surface and subsurface runoff occur simultaneously) > surface runoff > subsurface runoff. The surface and mixed runoff modulus increased significantly with increasing rain intensity under different rain intensities and slope gradients. Overall, rainfall intensity significantly affected slope surface runoff, and slope gradient significantly affected nitrogen loss.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of the “River Chief System”: An Empirical Study Based on the Water Quality Data of Coastal Rivers in Guangdong Province
Authors: Yang Kun , Yao Jinrui , Huang Yin , Ling Huiyan , Yang Yu , Zhang Lin , Chen Diyun , Liu Yuxian
Published: March 2024

The river chief system (RCS) is an innovative reform in China for strengthening the management of rivers and lakes. It is an important means of curbing the current severe water-environment situation. However, the policy impact of the RCS is still inconclusive in the existing literature. Using monthly data spanning from January 2015 to March 2022 from 25 water quality monitoring stations in rivers flowing into the sea across 13 prefecture-level cities in Guangdong Province, this study adopted regression discontinuity to evaluate the policy effects of the RCS on water quality. The results show that after the RCS’s full implementation in Guangdong Province, the concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) increased and water quality indicators, such as permanganate index (CODMn), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total phosphorus (TP), decreased; NH3-N showed the largest decrease. These findings indicate that the RCS may contribute to a measurable improvement in reducing water pollution. However, no statistically significant changes in pH and total nitrogen (TN) were found, which indicates that the RCS fell short of achieving the policy effect of comprehensive water-pollution control. Therefore, in order to improve the RCS, it is necessary to refine the existing water-quality assessment indicators and to establish an evaluation system centered on the ecological health of rivers and lakes. Additionally, a paradigm shift from an administrative-boundary-based river management model to an overarching, holistic river-basin-based management approach is crucial for actualizing the holistic governance goals of the RCS.
Multiscale Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Drought within the Yellow River Basin (YRB): An Examination of Regional Variability and Trends
Authors: Jin Lei , Chen Shaodan , Liu Mengfan
Published: March 2024

Drought, as a recurring extreme climatic event, inflicts diverse impacts on ecological systems, agricultural productivity, water resources, and socio-economic progress globally. Discerning the drought patterns within the evolving environmental landscape of the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is imperative for enhancing regional drought management and fostering ecological conservation alongside high-quality development. This study utilizes meteorological drought indices, the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and the self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI), for a detailed spatiotemporal analysis of drought conditions. It examines the effectiveness of these indices in the basin’s drought monitoring, offering a comprehensive insight into the area’s drought spatiotemporal dynamics. The findings demonstrate the following: (1) SPEI values exhibit distinct fluctuation patterns at varying temporal scales, with more pronounced fluctuations at shorter scales. Drought years identified via the 12-month SPEI time scale include 1965, 1966, 1969, 1972, 1986, 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2006. (2) A modified Mann–Kendall (MMK) trend test analysis of the scPDSI time series reveals a worrying trend of intensifying drought conditions within the basin. (3) Correlation analysis between SPEI and scPDSI across different time scales yields correlation coefficients of 0.35, 0.54, 0.69, 0.76, and 0.62, highlighting the most substantial correlation at an annual scale. Spatial correlation analysis conducted between SPEI and scPDSI across various scales reveals that, within diverse temporal ranges, the correlation peaks at a 12-month time scale, with subsequent prominence observed at 6 and 24 months. This observed pattern accentuates the applicability of scPDSI in the monitoring of medium- to long-term drought phenomena.
Performance Study on Brackish Water Desalination Efficiency Based on a Novel Coupled Electrodialysis–Reverse Osmosis (EDRO) System
Authors: Fu Caixia , Li Fujun , Li Hui , Yi Xuenong
Published: March 2024

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a commonly used desalination technology, but due to high requirements concerning the quality of the feed water, there still exists permeate flux related to the operating conditions, and the solute removal rate is low. Electric fields have a facilitating effect on RO desalination performance. Previous studies have focused on investigating the combination of RO and electrodialysis (ED) processes separately, without directly exploiting their interactions. To address this issue, this study proposes a novel coupling device that combines both RO and ED technologies in a single unit and investigates their mutual enhancement effects on brackish water desalination. The results show that the coupled EDRO system can mutually enhance the performance of RO and ED processes. The permeate flux ratio of the RO membrane increased with increasing voltage, reaching a maximum value of 23.7% at a feed concentration of 10,000 mg/L. The solute rejection by the ion-exchange membrane also increased with increasing pressure, reaching a maximum value of 14.95% at the same feed concentration. In addition, the specific energy consumption of the coupled system was also reduced compared to a standalone operation, with maximum reductions of 9.5% and 19.2% for RO and 2.5% and 3.4% for ED at 5000 and 10,000 mg/L feed concentrations, respectively.
Geometry, Extent, and Chemistry of Fermentative Hot Spots in Municipal Waste Souk Sebt Landfill, Ouled Nemma, Beni Mellal, Morocco
Authors: El Mouine Yousra , El Hamdi Amal , Bousouis Abderrahim , El Jarjini Youssouf , Touzani Meryem , Valles Vincent , Barbiero Laurent , Morarech Moad
Published: March 2024

The presence of fermentative hotspots in municipal waste dumps has been reported for several decades, but no study has focused on their size and shape. The uncontrolled landfill of Soub Sekt, covering an area of about 8 hectares in the Tadla plain in Morocco, is the source of a permanent pollution plume in the groundwater, detected by self-potential (SP) measurements. The study aims to detect and characterize these hotspots as well as the leachates that form within them. These hotspots are typically circular and smaller than 3 m in size, and they are concentrated within recent waste deposits. Intense electron transfer activities, particularly during redox reactions leading to metal solubilization, result in very low SP values (down to −60 mV), facilitating their detection. Several successive field campaigns suggest that they are active for 2–3 weeks. Due to the low permeability of the soils, highly mineralized leachates (average Electrical Conductivity 45 mS cm−1) rich in organic ions accumulate on the soil surface at the base of the waste windrows. There, they evolve by concentration due to evaporation and oxidation due to slow diffusion of atmospheric O2. Despite the small size of the hotspots generating the leachates, the accumulation of leachates in ponds and the low soil permeability limits the percolation rate, resulting in moderate but permanent groundwater pollution.
Pharmaceutical Contaminants in Wastewater and Receiving Water Bodies of South Africa: A Review of Sources, Pathways, Occurrence, Effects, and Geographical Distribution
Authors: Munzhelele Elisa Pandelani , Mudzielwana Rabelani , Ayinde Wasiu Babatunde , Gitari Wilson Mugera
Published: March 2024

The focus of this review article was to outline the sources, pathways, effects, occurrence, and spatial distribution of the most prescribed pharmaceuticals in wastewater and receiving waters of South Africa. Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus were used to gather data from different regions. A zone-wise classification method was used to determine the spatial distribution and data deficiencies in different regions of South Africa. This review revealed that over 100 pharmaceutical compounds have been reported in South Africa’s various water sources and wastewater, with most studies and highest concentrations being documented in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal. The pharmaceutical concentration in water samples ranged from ng/L to µg/L. Aspirin, ketoprofen, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, erythromycin, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, acetaminophen, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, carbamazepine, atenolol, pindolol, efavirenz, and zidovudine residues were among the frequently detected pharmaceutical residues in water bodies and wastewaters of South Africa. Based on the spatial distribution data, Gauteng has the highest number of pharmaceuticals (108) detected in waste and surface water, with the Northern Cape having no monitoring evidence. Therefore, to precisely ascertain the geographical distribution of pharmaceutical contaminants in South Africa, this review recommends that further research be carried out to track their occurrence in aquatic environments and WWTP, especially in isolated regions like Limpopo.
Social Drivers of Flood Vulnerability: Understanding Household Perspectives and Persistence of Living in Flood Zones of Metro Manila, Philippines
Authors: Dulawan Judy Marie Tayaban , Imamura Yoshiyuki , Amaguchi Hideo , Ohara Miho
Published: March 2024

Urban populations, especially vulnerable communities, are facing increasing flood risks due to the rising frequency of floods caused by climate change and rapid growth. Effective mitigation requires moving beyond physical and environmental approaches to embrace social dimensions. This study examined the prevailing social drivers of floods in flood-prone communities in Metro Manila, Philippines using social data acquired through a door-to-door household survey. Responses were assessed using exploratory and combined qualitative and quantitative analyses. The findings of this study show that the decision to remain in flood-prone areas is influenced by attachment to homes and acclimatization to the environment, convenience of accessible amenities to fulfill basic needs, livelihood dependence, economic considerations, house ownership, and perceived safety from floods. When choosing a place to live, the complex tradeoffs of residents are reflected, wherein daily economic concerns outweigh the possible flood damage. By understanding the social drivers of residency, policymakers and community leaders can develop targeted interventions and formulate strategies to address the root causes of the problem, leading to effective interventions and enhancing the resilience of urban communities.
Kitas Jurgis Baltrušaitis
Authors: Žalys Vytautas
Published: March 2024

The article examines and discusses the diplomatic activities and accomplishments of Jurgis Baltrušaitis, the long-standing envoy of Lithuania to the Soviet Union. The study is focused on several problematic moments of the envoy’s work in Moscow, especially the unique environment in which Baltrušaitis’s geopolitical views took shape and which later seemed to have influenced his diplomatic activities. The archival materials used in the article (they include Baltrušaitis’s political reports and his diplomatic correspondence) reveal the Lithuanian envoy’s controversial position regarding relations with the USSR. The study also discusses Baltrušaitis’s tense relations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the reasons for the constant conflicts with the leadership of Lithuania, analyses the algorithms of the envoy’s communications with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and provides an assessment of the results of the ‘geopolitical mission’ that Jurgis Baltrušaitis aspired to achieve.
Regularities of oogenesis and spermatogenesis of commercially valuable fish species in the water bodies of the Dagestan part of the Middle Caspian Sea
Authors:   Dagestan State Agrarian University named after M.M. Dzhambulatov, Russia, Makhachkala, Gadzhimuradov G.Sh.
Published: March 2024

Based on our own research and literature data, it was proved that the features of vacuole location, size, and variability in the periods of early and late trophoplasmic growth require the closest attention. There are also certain inconsistencies of gametogenesis between different species of fish within the family. These consist in the fact that for fish species that have a shorter spawning period (roach, pike and perch), the general specificity of the annual cycles of development of the sex glands is characterized by the absolute termination of spermatogenesis by the period of the beginning of spawning, the absence of maturation or new formation of sexual products in this process. Individuals with extended spawning (for gouster and silver carp) are characterized by such features as the presence of an additional wave of spermatogenesis, which begins and ends during the spawning period, the incomplete development of sexual products by the beginning of spawning and the continuation of the process of their maturation in individual cysts of the testes throughout the spawning period (for bream and fish), continuous spermatogenesis,which allows the use of reproductive products at any time from spring to fall of the annual cycle, and under favorable conditions — throughout the year (for carp and catfish). In the experimental aspect, the obtained results can be applied in conducting a large-scale selection of female fish, based on the size of ovulated oocytes and individual selection according to the average statistical size of the latter. In fishery plan the above mentioned is required in connection with obtaining eggs from fish with batch spawning and asynchronous development of oocytes.