Bilingual Publishing Co. (BPC): E-Journals
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Sustainability of Bridges: Risk Mitigation for Natural Hazards
No full textBridges serve as essential parts of transportation infrastructure, facilitating the movement of people and goods across rivers, valleys, and other obstacles. However, they are also susceptible to a wide range of natural hazards, including floods, earthquakes, and landslides, which can damage or even collapse these structures, leading to severe economic and human losses. A risk index has been developed to address this issue, which quantifies the likelihood and severity of natural hazards occurring in a specific location. The application of risk indices for natural hazards in bridge management involves a data collection process and mathematical modelling. The data collection process gathers information on bridges’ location, condition, and vulnerability, while mathematical modelling uses the data to assess the risk of natural hazards. Overall, risk indices provide a quantitative measure of the vulnerability of bridges to natural hazards and help to prioritize maintenance and repair activities. Mitigation measures are then evaluated and implemented based on the risk assessment results. By using this tool, the UBMS research group has developed an algorithm for risk assessment which will be essential in the decision-making process, specifically focused on enhancing Fund Optimization, Deterioration Modelling, and Risk Analysis. These developments effectively fulfill the primary objectives associated with addressing and mitigating hazards. This development also helps bridge managers understand the potential threats posed by natural hazards and allocate resources more efficiently to ensure the safety and longevity of critical transportation infrastructure
Navigating Eutrophication in Aquatic Environments: Understanding Impacts and Unveiling Solutions for Effective Wastewater Management
No full textEutrophication is the term used to describe the presence of natural and artificial nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen in aquatic ecosystems. The water quality in various bodies of water such as ponds, lakes, rivers, etc. is deteriorating as a result of an abundance of plant nutrients in these water sources. Over-enrichment of aquatic ecosystems with nutrients is a major hazard to the well-being of aquatic ecosystems worldwide. In addition, the circulations have lowered the requirements for home and agricultural consumption of water. The main origins of these plant nutrients within aquatic ecosystems stem from the discharges of industries engaged in activities like livestock farming, agriculture, fertilizer production, manufacturing of textiles, and clothing production. Therefore, a variety of methods and approaches have already been developed as safety measures to avoid the negative consequences of water tainted with those undesired minerals. Eutrophication presents many obstacles, but with the right public awareness campaign and global scientific efforts, its negative impacts may be lessened. This research seeks to pinpoint the primary origins of plant nutrients within the aquatic ecosystem and explore potential triggers for eutrophication. Additionally, it proposes innovative regulatory methods and offers suggestions for sustainable wastewater management practices
Energy Emissions Profile and Floating Solar Mitigation Potential for a Malaysia's State
No full textThe establishment of the National Low Carbon City Master Plan (NLCCM) by Malaysia's government presents a significant opportunity to minimize carbon emissions at the subnational or local scales, while simultaneously fostering remarkable economic potential. However, the lack of data management and understanding of emissions at the subnational level are hindering effective climate policies and planning to achieve the nationally determined contribution and carbon neutrality goal. There is an urgent need for a subnational emission inventory to understand and manage subnational emissions, particularly that of the energy sector which contribute the biggest to Malaysia's emission. This research aims to estimate carbon emissions for Selangor state in accordance with the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC), for stationary energy activities. The study also evaluates the mitigation potential of Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) proposed for Selangor. It was found that the total stationary energy emission for Selangor for the year 2019 was 18,070.16 ktCO2e, contributed the most by the Manufacturing sub-sector (40%), followed by the Commercial and Institutional sub-sector; with 82% contribution coming from the Scope 2 emission. The highest sub-sector of Scope 1 emissions was contributed by Manufacturing while Scope 2 emissions from the Commercial and Institutional. Additionally, the highest fuel consumed was natural gas, which amounted to 1404.32 ktCO2e (44%) of total emissions. The FSPV assessment showed the potential generation of 2.213 TWh per year, by only utilizing 10% of the identified available ponds and dams in Selangor, equivalent to an emission reduction of 1726.02 ktCO2e, offsetting 11.6% Scope 2 electricity emission. The results from the study can be used to better evaluate existing policies at the sub-national level, discover mitigation opportunities, and guide the creation of future policies
Attitudes of the Host Population towards Syrian Refugees: A New Theoretical Perspective
No full textThis study delves into the nuanced attitudes of the host community in Izmir, Turkey, towards Syrian refugees, employing a robust threat and benefit theoretical model. It scrutinizes the multifaceted factors contributing to perceived threats and benefits, elucidates the reasons behind the variation in these attitudes, identifies the individuals responsible for holding these perspectives, pinpoints the specific contexts in which they manifest, examines the temporal dimension of these attitudes, and dissects the profound impact they have on mutual adaptation processes and the formulation of migration policies. A diverse group of 34 participants from the host community actively engaged in semi-structured interviews, comprising 16 females and 18 males across an age spectrum spanning 19 to 64 years. Thematic analysis methodically uncovered that economic and demographic considerations prominently constitute the bedrock of perceived threats, while conversely, the study illuminated financial contributions as pivotal benefits. The in-depth understanding garnered from this study holds significant promise for fostering enduring mutual adaptation between the host and refugee communities, thereby cultivating a more harmonious coexistence. Additionally, this nuanced insight informs the strategic development of immigration policies, ensuring they align with the evolving dynamics of this complex relationship
Diversity of Flower Opening Time and Duration in Rice (Oryza sativa ssp. indica) Landraces of South and Southeast Asia in Different Cultivation Seasons
No full textDifferent cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa) open at different times of the day, and the overlap of anthesis time in rice between the neighbouring cultivars is of crucial importance to the degree of cross pollination in rice. Nevertheless, none of the past experiments with cross pollination between different rice cultivars ever reported the respective flower opening time (FOT) and flower exposure duration (FED) of the parent cultivars, until recently. The authors present here the first record of FOT and FED of 1114 indica rice landraces of South and Southeast Asia, growing during summer and winter seasons in three consecutive years. The authors also present an analysis of the influences of the growing season on the anthesis behaviour, and present the first records of the FOT and FED variability on sunny and cloudy days of a large number of landraces. The data show that rice florets tend to open earlier in the morning (that is, take a shorter time to anthesis after sunrise) on sunny days than on cloudy days, and also significantly later during long day seasons (spring and summer) than during short day season (winter); and that FED is inversely related to both FOT and the length of duration from sunrise to first flower opening. The wide ranges of FOT (8:50 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.) and FED (15 to 194 minutes) also suggest the ample time window for receiving pollen from neighbouring cultivars with different FOT, enhancing the chances of cross pollination between hundreds of rice landraces with FOT and FED overlaps
Relationship and Variability of Atmospheric Precipitation Characteristics in the North-West of Ukraine
No full textThe paper deals with the issues of differentiation of atmospheric precipitation into gradations according to their characteristics and established meteorological practices. The division of atmospheric precipitation into gradations allows one to have an idea of the possible consequences of their fallout on life in the area. The dependence of the average intensity of precipitation on their duration for the entire series of observations is not described by a power-law dependence with a sufficient degree of reliability, and when differentiating into gradations according to the amount of precipitation (< 2.5 mm, 2.5-10 mm, ≥ 10 mm), the dependences are obtained with a high degree of correlation. The scatter of points can be explained by the presence of intermediate categories of precipitation, which does not take into account the accepted division of the data. Thus, for large values of the amount of precipitation, the existence of a separate curve is possible, since the existing classifications of precipitation imply the division of heavy showers into separate gradations. Differentiation of rains by their duration shows a stronger stratification of the field of points for shorter rains (up to 60 minutes). This stratification of the field of points is successfully differentiated into shorter segments of 20, 30 minutes. Associated with the greater heterogeneity of shorter precipitation, it can be both rains of low intensity and heavy downpours of short duration. The probability of the position of the maximum intensity of precipitation during rain has more significant differences for precipitation less than 2.5 mm (the curves are more curved). For rains with a precipitation amount of 2.5 mm or more, the probability curves approach straight lines, which is associated with greater heterogeneity of precipitation less than 2.5 mm
Variation of Dynamical Parameters with Upper Tropospheric Potential Vorticity in Tropical Cyclone over the North Indian Ocean Using WRF Model
No full textMeteorologists are experiencing many challenges in the reliable forecasting of the track and intensity of tropical cyclones (TC). Uses of the potential vorticity (PV) technique will enrich the current forecasting system. The use of PV analysis of TC intensification over the North Indian Ocean (NIO) is rare. In this study, the authors analyze the behaviour of upper-level PV with dynamic parameters of TCs over NIO. The authors used NCEP FNL reanalysis 1 × 1 degree data as input in WRF model version 4.0.3 with one-way nesting between the parent and child domains. The authors used a coupling of the Kain-Fritsch (new Eta) scheme and the WSM 6-class graupel scheme as cumulus and microphysics options to run the model. The authors found that at least one potential vorticity unit (PVU) (1 PVU = 10–6 m2 s –1KKg–1) upper PV is required to maintain the intensification of TC. Larger upper PV accelerates the fall of central pressure. The high value of upper PV yields the intensification of TC. The wind shear and upper PV exhibited almost identical temporal evolution. Upper PV cannot intensify the TCs at negative wind shear and shear above the threshold value of 12 ms–1. The upper PV and geopotential heights of 500 hPa change mutually in opposite trends. The upper PV calculated by the model is comparable to that of ECMWF results. Therefore, the findings of this study are admissible
Innovating Pedagogical Practices through Professional Development in Computer Science Education
No full textRecent advancements in technology have opened up new avenues for educators to facilitate teaching and leverage more learning access in the digital age. As the demand for computational skills continues to grow in preparation for future careers, both teachers and students face the challenge of developing problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills within an emerging digital landscape. Technology adoption, big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence pose ongoing challenges for both teachers and students in adapting to the changing workforce development landscape. To tackle these challenges, the paper highlights the importance of exploring the implications of learning sciences in classroom teaching, developing a holistic vision for professional development in education, and understanding the complexities of teacher change. To effectively implement these components, it is crucial to adopt design approaches that prioritize student ownership in education and embrace the principles of inclusive education to reconceptualize the teaching practices in education and technology
The Impact of Information Technology on Service Quality, Satisfaction, and Customer Relationship Management (Case Study: IT Organization Individuals)
No full textRecent research and studies have shown that Information Technology (IT) has a significant impact on service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer relationship development. With the proliferation and penetration of technology in all aspects of life, organizations are responding to the implications and opportunities that IT creates in relation to customer services. The main objective of using information technology in organizations is to increase customer satisfaction, service quality, and customer relationship management, which the authors will focus on here. Enhancing service quality, improving customer satisfaction, and establishing close and sustainable customer relationships are key advantages of leveraging information technology in this field. This article examines the impact of information technology on service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer relationship development and provides strategies and models for organizations to improve customer satisfaction and establish closer connections with them through the use of information technology. Seventy individuals from the IT field were used to evaluate the proposed model. The proposed model was compared with three models: SEM, regression, and decision tree, and the results demonstrated better performance of this approach