Search Results (16)

This study employs a thorough methodology to define water sustainability criteria for the development of new pig farms on the karst aquifer of Yucatan, Mexico. The integrated approach entails a field campaign to assess water quality from the aquifer (wells and cenotes) and effluents from designated pig farms to evaluate adherence to environmental regulations, alongside the utilisation of an extensive pig farm database that includes pig populations by the municipality in Yucatan. The water sustainability of pig farming in Yucatan was analysed by evaluating the nitrogen greywater footprint and water pollution levels for this municipality sector. The intensive pig farming practices in Yucatan significantly contribute to water contamination through nutrient runoff, namely nitrogen and phosphorus. Moreover, the breach of environmental regulations concerning pig farm effluents is demonstrated. This highlights the urgent need to regulate and monitor the expansion of new pig farms in Yucatan. Results introduce evidence-based criteria and their thresholds for achieving water sustainability in the pig sector at the municipal level (Pigs/ha = 1.0 and WPL < 1.1). This facilitated a concerted effort between national and state authorities to limit the proliferation of pig farms in order to safeguard the aquifer’s water quality. Full article

In recent years, Estonian employers, upper secondary schools, and other stakeholders have devised various new collaborative measures to effectively integrate workplace learning (WPL) and school education. These efforts are aimed at enhancing the key competences of students. However, the educational purpose and effectiveness of the various initiatives are unknown. The main aim of this research is to explore what kinds of practises are applied in Estonian upper secondary schools to integrate formal education and WPL, and the experiences and requirements of schools and employers in this area. The empirical study is based on individual and focus group interviews conducted with upper secondary school teachers, head teachers, and employers. A phenomenological approach and inductive thematic analysis were used to examine current practises. The results of the study show that workplace learning is integrated into school learning mainly for the development of key competences and career competencies. An important part of the learning process is reflecting on experiences implemented via institutional cooperation. In core or foundation subjects, especially STEM subjects, the topics of work life or recognition of work experience are rarely encountered in school. Full article

A short tribute to pioneers in the development of the plastic design of metal thin-walled cross-sections is presented. This large study investigates altogether fourteen steel and four extruded aluminum cross-sections in detail. Six groups of the cross-sections with various shapes consist of four I-shaped doubly symmetric sections with or without lips; three monosymmetric sections with an axis of symmetry z including T- and diamond sections; four monosymmetric channels with or without lips; two point-symmetric Z-sections; and four asymmetric sections. The four extruded aluminum cross-sections are an I 200a section, a diamond section, and closed oblique and irregular sections. For all 18 cross-sections, the plastic section moduli of three kinds were calculated, namely W_pl,y,nB and W_pl,z,nB for bimoment not considered as a constraint; W_pl,y, W_pl,z, and W_pl,w for bimoment considered as a restraint; and maximum values W_pl,y,max, W_pl,z,max, and W_pl,w,max. The values of cross-section plastic resistances N_pl, M_pl,y,Rd, M_pl,z,Rd, and B_pl are calculated in numerical examples too. The values of cross-section properties are calculated in different ways to verify the correctness of the results. The following methods of calculation are used: the rules given in Eurocode EN 1993-1-1:2022; MathCad programs; and freeware. Recommendations for educational institutes and designers in practice are given, including simple formulae for all cross-sectional properties for doubly and monosymmetric I-shaped sections, channels, and Z-sections. The formulae are presented in three tables containing formulae in dimensionless form convenient for parametrical studies and formulae for direct design. The background of the Eurocode rules given in EN 1993-1-1:2022 is explained together with recommendations for how to avoid the problems with using them. Full article

The present work aimed to prepare novel bio-based composites by adding fillers coming from agro-wastes to an acrylate epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) resin, using liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing. Different photocurable formulations were prepared by varying the reactive diluents, iso-bornyl methacrylate (IBOMA) and tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (THFA). Then, two fillers derived from different industrial wastes, corn (GTF) and wine (WPL-CF) by-products, were added to the AESO-based formulations to develop polymer composites with improved properties. The printability by LCD of the photocurable formulations was widely studied. Bio-based objects with different geometries were realized, showing printing accuracy, layer adhesion, and accurate details. The thermo-mechanical and mechanical properties of the 3D-printed composites were tested by TGA, DMA, and tensile tests. The results revealed that the agro-wastes’ addition led to a remarkable increase in the elastic modulus, tensile strength, and glass transition temperature in the glassy state for the systems containing IBOMA and for flexible structures in the rubbery region for systems containing THFA. AESO-based polymers demonstrated tunable properties, varying from rigid to flexible, in the presence of different diluents and biofillers. This finding paves the way for the use of this kind of composite in applications, such as biomedical for the realization of prostheses. Full article

The inverse Gaussian distribution, known for its flexible shape, is widely used across various applications. Existing confidence intervals for the mean parameter, such as profile likelihood, reparametrized profile likelihood, and Wald-type reparametrized profile likelihood with observed Fisher information intervals, are generally effective. However, our simulation study identifies scenarios where the coverage probability falls below the nominal confidence level. Wald-type intervals are widely used in statistics and have a symmetry property. We mathematically derive the Wald-type profile likelihood (WPL) interval and the Wald-type reparametrized profile likelihood with expected Fisher information (WRPLE) interval and compare their performance to existing methods. Our results indicate that the WRPLE interval outperforms others in terms of coverage probability, while the WPL typically yields the shortest interval. Additionally, we apply these proposed intervals to a real dataset, demonstrating their potential applicability to other datasets that follow the IG distribution. Full article

Agricultural non-point source (ANPS) pollution has emerged as a significant factor influencing water quality within watersheds. Understanding the spatial distribution and composition of ANPS is crucial for effective river water quality management. Based on the statistical data of 28 districts and counties in the Tuojiang River Basin (TJRB), the load distribution characteristics of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) from ANPS were studied in this work by using the pollutant discharge coefficient method. In 2018, ANPS contributed 60,888.92 tons of TN and 20,085.98 tons of TP to the TJRB. By 2019, the TN load had decreased to 57,155.44 tons, while the TP load increased to 21,659.91 tons. Spatially, TN and TP loads follow a pattern of being lowest in the upstream, intermediate in the downstream, and highest in the middle reaches. Planting sources emerged as the primary contributors to TN and TP loads from ANPS in the TJRB, accounting for 61.43% and 77.39%, respectively. Rural living sources made a lesser contribution, at 20.23% for TN and 9.15% for TP, while poultry and livestock farming sources accounted for 18.34% of TN and 13.46% of TP loads. The analysis of grey water footprint (GWF) and water pollution level (WPL) revealed that TN and TP loads continued to exert significant pressure on the TJRB’s water environment throughout the study period. These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing water quality management in the TJRB. Full article

Workplace learning (WPL) is a complex phenomenon involving the intertwined processes of working and learning. Recent studies have shown the importance of sustainable perspectives in WPL situations. In the literature, sustainable development is still predominantly referred to environmental, economic and social sustainability. In this study, sustainable perspectives denote the widespread use of previous knowledge, the rapid application of new knowledge and the effects of this knowledge on well-being, thus leaning on human sustainability. The purpose of this study is to examine conceptions of WPL among Finnish police supervisors and to reveal whether sustainable learning perspectives manifest. Eight thematic interviews were analysed using phenomenographic and theory-driven content analyses. The analysis produced six main categories of WPL, and sustainable learning perspectives manifested in all categories. This study confirms previous findings regarding WPL and presents similarities in sustainable learning perspectives to those found in previous research. Learning outcomes can be improved by understanding WPL conceptions and sustainable learning perspectives; thus, the findings of this study can help organisations, supervisors and human resources better plan and implement sustainable WPL possibilities for employees and their careers. Full article

Nitrogen (N) is an important component of plant development, yet its application and contamination are a global issue. Diffuse source pollution and its effects on ecosystem health are notoriously difficult to track and control. This paper answers the Sustainable development Goal 6 goal focused on reducing water pollution by improving the understanding of nitrate emissions to groundwater and their resulting water pollution level in the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy. The Grey water footprint (GWF) and water pollution level (WPL) were used as indicators and geospatial maps were constructed in order to determine if N levels exceeded groundwater quality demand from 2014 to 2020. Moreover, a selection of specific agricultural sites in the Piacenza district has been performed to better understand the potential anthropogenic nitrate pollution due to the agricultural sector. In the selected sites, the predicted nitrate pollution due to agricultural practice has been compared with the nitrate concentration measured in samples collected across the period 2015–2018. The regional results show that approximately 70% of the analysed sites resulted in a total N load exceeding the estimated agricultural load to groundwater. The analysis conducted in three selected wells in the Piacenza district shows the sporadic exceedances of the legal limit and demonstrates the presence of anthropogenic pressures of various natures insisting on the surrounding area and confirms a potential non-agricultural point or diffuse pollution source. Full article

Three-dimensional human pose estimation from depth maps is a fast-growing research area in computer vision. The distal joints of the human body are more flexible than the proximal joints, making it more difficult to estimate the distal joints. However, most existing methods ignore the difference between the distal joints and proximal joints. Moreover, the distal joint can be constrained by the proximal joint on the same kinematic chain. In our work, we model the human skeleton as the tree structure called the human-tree. Then, motivated by the WPL (weighted path length) in the data structure, we propose a WPL-based loss function to constrain the distal joints with the proximal joints in a global-to-local manner. Extensive experiments on benchmarks demonstrate that our method can effectively improve the performance of the distal joints. Full article

The association between sustainability and learning in organizations and workplaces represents a current articulated grand challenge for human resource development (HRD) and learning studies and practice, which calls for integrated inquiries. However, studies of learning in organizations and workplaces deal with sustainability in scattered and diverse ways that promote calls for more integrated understandings of the different approaches and associations. This article outlines the results from a scoping thematic review mapping out leading perspectives within the research fields of HRD, organizational learning (OL) and workplace learning (WPL). This article thus explores the perspectives that have been used in approaching sustainability in OL and WPL studies. The analysis of the identified studies shows that OL and WPL research has utilized four different perspectives in the approach to sustainability associated with learning: (1) balance perspective, (2) dimensional perspective, (3) integral perspective, and (4) outcome perspective. Findings are discussed with the purpose of producing a deeper understanding of how sustainability and OL and WPL are associated. In so doing, this scoping review clarifies and deepens existing knowledge and themes, and provides potential for future practical action and theoretical advancement for HRD and learning studies. Full article

Windage power loss (WPL) is significant and cannot be neglected in a study on transmission efficiency and reducing the energy consumption of high-speed gear. The influence mechanism of the baffle on the reduction of WPL needs to be further studied. Based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology, this paper puts stress on analyzing the influence of axial and radial baffles on viscous and pressure effects in WPL and the influence of baffles with groove structures on reducing WPL. The numerical calculation model of windage torque considering the baffle’s regulation is established, and the calculation results of WPL with different baffle configurations are obtained. The results indicate that the radial baffle mainly reduces pressure loss, while power loss caused by the viscous effect is mainly affected by the axial baffle. The baffle with the smallest clearance achieves the most significant suppression effect on windage. On this basis, adding groove structures to a smooth baffle can have a positive or negative impact on reducing WPL, and the baffles with circular grooves can further promote the reduction of WPL by 8.2%, compared with smooth baffles. This paper provides a reference for the optimal design of baffles in engineering applications. Full article

Meiosis is critically different from mitosis in that during meiosis, pairing and segregation of homologous chromosomes occur. During meiosis, the morphology of sister chromatids changes drastically, forming a prominent axial structure in the synaptonemal complex. The meiosis-specific cohesin complex plays a central role in the regulation of the processes required for recombination. In particular, the Rec8 subunit of the meiotic cohesin complex, which is conserved in a wide range of eukaryotes, has been analyzed for its function in modulating chromosomal architecture during the pairing and recombination of homologous chromosomes in meiosis. Here, we review the current understanding of Rec8 cohesin as a structural platform for meiotic chromosomes. Full article

To investigate differences in American Quarter Horses conformation suggesting specialization and subpopulations within the breed, a total of 45 horses were studied. These horses were classified according to their specific sport discipline: Western Pleasure (WPL, n = 15), Hunter under Saddle (HUS, n = 15), and Reining (RN, n = 15). Fifteen linear traits (comprising lengths, angles, and circumferences) were measured analogically and photometrically. Afterwards, 9 ratios and differences were calculated, so that a total of 24 traits were examined. The results showed significant differences between horses depending on their sport discipline. HUS horses were significant taller and were characterized by higher values in (nearly) all length traits; they were followed by WPL and RN horses. RN horses displayed the lowest values in length traits but the largest difference between height at withers and height at croup. Nine parameters were analyzed through correlations to the height at withers; all differences were significant, with high to moderate correlation coefficients. The detected differences between the groups support recent studies on the conformation and genotype of subpopulations within a breed and reveal new findings in relation to the selected disciplines. Image analysis worked well and provided reliable data; therefore, this method can be used to examine horses in a time-efficient manner, reducing the stress caused to the animal. Further studies are required to gain more information and to associate the features of AQH anatomic structures with successful performance. Full article

Modern technology and life-style advancements have increased the demand for clean water. Based on this trend it is expected that our water resources will be under stress leading to a high probability of scarcity. This study aims to evaluate the environmental impacts of selected traditional food manufacturing products namely: tempe, lemang, noodle laksam, fish crackers and salted fish in Malaysia. The cradle-to-gate approach on water footprint assessment (WFA) of these selected traditional food products was carried out using Water Footprint Network (WFN) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Freshwater eutrophication (FEP), marine eutrophication (MEP), freshwater ecotoxicity (FETP), marine ecotoxicity (METP) and water consumption (WCP), LCA were investigated using ReCiPe 2016 methodology. Water footprint accounting of blue water footprint (WF_blue), green water footprint (WF_green) and grey water footprint (WF_grey) were established in this study. It was found that total water footprint for lemang production was highest at 3862.13 m³/ton. The lowest total water footprint was found to be fish cracker production at 135.88 m³/ton. Blue water scarcity (WS_blue) and water pollution level (WPL) of these selected food products were also determined to identify the environmental hotspots. Results in this study showed that the WS_blue and WPL of these selected food products did not exceed 1%, which is considered sustainable. Based on midpoint approach adopted in this study, the characterization factors for FEP, MEP, FETP, METP and WCP on these selected food products were evaluated. It is recommended that alternative ingredients or product processes be designed in order to produce more sustainable lemang. Full article

On the basis of 17 interviews with employers and 272 survey responses from employees, we explore the perceptions of a Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) in Cardiff, with the aim of understanding if a WPL would be an acceptable traffic demand management policy to tackle traffic congestion. We find that employers would not be very supportive of a WPL, whilst employees would, provided employers were to absorb the costs. Despite this support, the majority of those who drive to work would not be prepared to change mode. An important theme throughout the study was the perception of public transport and active travel provision in Cardiff being inadequate. Most study participants felt that investment in public transport and active travel is needed before a WPL is introduced. We conclude that, although a WPL would not be overwhelmingly acceptable to employers and employees, it would be more acceptable than congestion charging, and there is a possibility that acceptability could be increased with the help of feedback from a public consultation. Full article