4653 research outputs found
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Rainfall-Runoff Simulation in Ungauged Tributary Streams Using Drainage Area Ratio-Based Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline and Random Forest Hybrid Models
No full textFor various reasons, it is not always possible to obtain adequate and reliable long-term streamflow records in a river basin. It is known that streamflow records are even shorter when the stations located on tributary channels are of the interest. Hence, it is necessary to develop dependable streamflow estimation models for the tributary streams that play a key role in the micro-hydrology of the basin. In this study, rainfall-runoff models are developed to estimate the daily streamflow in ungauged tributary streams. Precipitation and streamflow in the most similar gauging station on the main channel and lagged values up to three days before on the same tributary station are used as the input variables of the allocated models. To select the most similar gauging station, a similarity index criterion is developed and used in the analysis. Then, two scenarios based on the streamflow or the corresponding set of direct runoff and base-flow in the same station are used. By applying multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) and random forest (RF) methods, several rainfall-runoff models are developed and evaluated based on determination coefficient, mean absolute percentage error, root mean square error, relative peak flow, scatter plot and time series plot. Alternatively, the MARS and RF models are combined with a drainage area ratio (DAR) model to produce the DAR-MARS and DAR-RF models. It is concluded that the direct runoff in the mainstream is more effective on the streamflow of the tributary station, while the integration of models with DAR enhanced the capabilities of the models in estimation of extreme values in the streamflow time series.Geochemistry & Geophysic
Recommendations for the transformation of patient rooms into isolated patient rooms in the process of the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textIn order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and improve the treatment process, interest in hospital design and in-hospital transformation has increased worldwide. Since Covid-19 is not believed to be the last infectious health threat for communities around the world, it is of great importance to study existing hospital adaptations and work on obtaining more planning and design strategies for treatment and wellbeing areas. In this study it is aimed to make constructive recommendations on the basis of in-space planning and mechanical ventilation, which can be applied in hospital transformations for pandemic processes. Published guidelines and literature studies for hospitals to prevent the spread of infection have been examined, structured and unstructured interviews were conducted with architects and engineers specialized in hospital design. Also, a survey was conducted with 35 hospital workers and 4 people from the hospital management to analyze the changes made in the hospital during the Covid-19 process. Afterwards, the design plans of one of the two private hospitals studied in Turkey and the steps that can be applied in the transformation of patient rooms were explained in this article with the case study. Interdisciplinary work was carried in order to ensure infection control in hospital transformations, since it is required to make in-hospital space planning (separation/ transformation of spaces, interior zoning) and ventilation (filtration, zoning of mechanical ventilation) in harmony. Suggestions were developed that could play a role in ensuring the consistency of mechanical and architectural planning in order to successfully complete hospital transformation practices to prevent the spread of infections in pandemic processes. As the transformation scenarios in this study were performed through an exemplary private hospital room in accordance with the criteria of the Turkish Ministry of Health, ventilation plans on the standard room project were detailed and shown in the conclusion section, where the transformation steps can also be adapted to other hospitals.Engineering, Multidisciplinar
Identifying the Drivers of Circular Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review for the Current State of the Food Supply Chain to Be Sustainable and Circular
No full textThe resilience of food systems is jeopardized by using food packaging materials that have adverse impacts on the environment, food quality, food safety, shelf-life, food loss, and waste. Therefore, a transition into a more sustainable system can only be possible by adopting circular economy principles and practices that can facilitate the elimination of unsustainable packaging, irresponsible disposal behaviors, and waste management. This paper mainly focuses on circular packaging practices in the existing literature to reveal the drivers of circular food packaging applications. The study also displays the triple combinations of material-sector, material-CE, and sector-CE principles. As a methodology, a systematic literature review (SLR) has been used for this study. Furthermore, this study investigates the literature findings, such as the most frequently mentioned food sector and sub-sector, CE principles, materials adopted for food packaging, and so on. The primary contribution of this study to the body of literature is the synthesis and mapping of the literature as a whole from the perspectives of CE principles, both sector-based and national, and the materials used through circular food packaging, and the attempt to facilitate this transition into a more circular system by outlining the drivers of circular food packaging.Green & Sustainable Science & Technology || Environmental Sciences || Environmental Studie
Exergy and sustainability-based optimisation of flat plate solar collectors by using a novel mathematical model
No full textA novel mathematical model was used to estimate optimum tilt and azimuth angles, considering exergoeconomic and sustainability aspects. This approach made the solar collector's performance evaluation independent of experimental precision. The optimal angles of 41.191degree celsius, 10.038degree celsius for Izmir maximised the total surface radiation, exergetic efficiency, exergetic sustainability index, and minimised the destruction and cost rates due to the enhanced useful exergy stream. However, for thermal efficiency maximisation, useful collected solar energy and total surface radiation competed, leading to lower tilt and azimuth angles (0, -0.008). A multi-objective optimisation process chose the pair (0, 259.428) to maximise first law efficiency and exergoeconomic factor.Thermodynamics || Energy & Fuel
Financial development and the energy net-zero transformation potential
No full textClimate change urgently requires a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. However, this energy transition demands a dynamic balance between the energy system and the economy and climate, in which adequate financing is a key factor. This study analyzed data from 285 cities in China from 2004 to 2020 empirically to assess the energy net-zero transformation potential (ENTP) and the relationship between financial development (FD) and ENTP. The findings demonstrate that FD can improve urban ENTP, but this depends on the scale of the city, level of economic development, and resource endowment. Moreover, a nonlinear relationship exists be-tween FD and ENTP. After FD reaches a certain level, it needs to shift to green finance, which should not be unilaterally emphasized in underdeveloped financial markets. Finally, FD has a spatial effect on ENTP, and the FD of neighboring regions can improve regional ENTP, which provides the possibility for regional cooperation. The results also provide insights into the financial instruments that can facilitate ENTP implementation.Economic
The effect of collaborative activities on tertiary-level EFL students' learner autonomy in the Turkish context
No full textThis quasi-experimental study investigates the effects of collaborative activities on tertiary-level EFL students' learner autonomy in Turkey. To achieve this aim, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected with the help of a learner autonomy questionnaire, index cards filled out by the students, the instructor's journal, and an interview with the instructor of the experimental group. Two groups of 40 students in total from the preparatory program of a central Anatolian university were appointed as experimental and control groups. The results of the quantitative data analysis revealed that, after the implementation of collaborative activities in three consecutive weeks, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of their autonomy level || the students in the experimental group scored higher than those in the control group, which implies that they showed more autonomous skills in areas such as motivation, curiosity to learn, risk-taking, problem solving and decision making skills to improve learning. The results of the qualitative data analysis revealed that collaborative activities employed in this study (e.g., problem-solving activity, role-play, games) allowed participants to learn from each other, and gain a sense of responsibility. The overall results suggested that collaborative learning practices could be implemented to help EFL students increase their learner autonomy level. Additionally, curriculum and assessment methods of educational institutions might be revised to include more collaborative activities.Education & Educational Researc
Responsible Innovation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study from Turkiye
No full textHealth Policy & Services || Public, Environmental & Occupational Health || Managemen
Role of ethnic conflicts, regularization and natural resource abundance in sustainable development
No full textThis study sheds light on the critical role of natural resources, ethnic conflicts, and institutional factors in promoting sustainable development in developing countries and has significant implications for resource policy. It employs both static and dynamic panel data approaches to analyze a unique dataset of 55 developing economies from 1991 to 2021. The results indicate that natural resource abundance per capita, including oil per capita, coal per capita, and forests, as well as ethnic conflicts and institutional regulations, significantly impact sustainable development. Moreover, the study reveals that ethnic conflicts and regulations positively moderate the impact of natural resource abundance on sustainable development. The research also demonstrates that different factors have distinct effects at various quantiles using the bootstrap method. These findings have significant implications for resource policy, emphasizing the need for policymakers to address ethnic conflicts and implement regulatory measures for natural resource markets to foster sustainable development policies in developing nations.Environmental Studie
ENHANCING DAYLIGHT AVAILABILITY IN HISTORICAL BUILDINGS THROUGH TUBULAR DAYLIGHT GUIDANCE SYSTEMS: A SIMULATION-BASED STUDY
No full textThis simulation -based study investigates the po-tential of tubular daylight guidance systems (TDGS) to enhance daylight availability in historical build-ings. Historical buildings often face challenges in providing sufficient daylight to non-lit areas with-out altering the building's facade. TDGS offer a pas-sive, building-integrated solution that redirects day light to target areas while preserving the building's originality. The study focuses on a historic passage building without ground floor openings and aims to improve visual comfort and daylight availabil-ity. Climate Studio software is used to assess the current daylighting conditions and to simulate vari-ous scenarios for TDGS implementation. The study considers four TDGS alternatives with different di-ameters, evaluating their impact on useful daylight illuminance (UDI) and spatial daylight autonomy (sDA). The findings reveal significant increases in UDI and sDA, ranging from 68.7 % to 403.7 %, and from 79.9 % to 1813.6 %, respectively, depending on the tube diameter. These results underscore the importance of daylight tube diameter in increasing the availability and distribution of useful daylight. The study emphasizes the potential of TDGS to op-timize daylighting experiences in historical build-ings with limited daylight.Engineering, Electrical & Electronic || Optic
Scenario-Based Cellular Automata and Artificial Neural Networks in Urban Growth Modeling
No full textThe speed at which cities are growing and developing today cannot be disregarded. Human activities and natural causes are both contributors to urban growth. The relationship between these factors is complex and the complexity makes it difficult for the human mind alone to understand cities. A model that helps reveal the complexity is needed for urban studies. Main objective of this study is to understand the effects of urban planning strategies on the future of the city by utilizing a Cellular Automata and Artificial Neural Networks based simulation model. Driving factors of urban growth according to development scenarios were used in the simulation process. Six different development scenarios were formulated according to the strategic plan of Izmir. Land use and driving factor data used in simulating scenarios were acquired from EarthExplorer and OpenStreetMap databases, and produced in QGIS. Future Land Use Simulation Model (FLUS) based on Cellular Automata (CA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) was used. The results were assessed both by using FRAGSTATS which helped calculate fractal dimensions and visual analysis. Fractal dimension results of each scenario showed that the simulation model respected the overall urban complexity. A closer look at each scenario indicated the diverse local growth possibilities for different scenarios. The results show that urban simulation models when used as decision support tools promise a more inclusive and explicit planning process.Multidisciplinary Science