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Found 6341 publications
Introduction of a Novel Structure for a Light Unmanned Free Balloon’s Payload: A Comprehensive Hybrid Study
Publication Name: Sensors
Publication Date: 2024-05-01
Volume: 24
Issue: 10
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Payloads for light unmanned free balloons must meet several safety requirements such as being able to protect the inner electronics in order to extract scientific data and to reduce the chance of inflicting personal injury in case of an accidental fall. This article proposes a novel payload structure, which exhibits the form of a dodecahedron. The actual form was determined by carrying out theoretical drop tests on different polyhedrons using the finite element method (FEM). From the simulations, it could be deduced that the dodecahedron was the optimal choice, since the duration of the impact was longer, while the impact force was slightly lower. The payload was produced by additive technologies; therefore, after performing tensile tests on probable materials, PLA was selected as the optimal candidate. The theoretical results about the dodecahedron’s ability were validated by laboratory and real-life drop tests, where the new payload was subjected to 56% less impact force under a 78% longer collision time compared to a classic, rectangular cuboid design. Based on these tests, it was demonstrated that the new structure is safer and it is applicable.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/s24103182
Resource savings, recycling and utilization, and energy transition: Introduction
Publication Name: Geoscience Frontiers
Publication Date: 2024-05-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 3
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
No description provided
Open Access: Yes
Asymmetric nexus between renewable energy, economic progress, and ecological issues: Testing the LCC hypothesis in the context of sustainability perspective
Publication Name: Gondwana Research
Publication Date: 2024-05-01
Volume: 129
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 465-475
Description:
This paper examines the load capacity curve hypothesis by the tourism and renewable energy from top tourism economies in the World. We employ the data from 2000 to 2020 and applied the panel GMM and panel quantile regression to arrive at our empirical findings. The results of the two models demonstrate the non-validity of the Load Capability Curve (LCC) hypothesis and the significant role of touristic arrival (TRA) and greener energy consumption (GEC) on the load capacity factor (LCP) by contrasting the ecological footprint per capita and bio-capacity. Furthermore, renewable and clean energy is recommended to address air pollution and climatic vulnerability. Thus, the empirical results of the current study provide acumens for policymakers of top tourism economies to consume green innovation technologies to counterbalance the environmental and socio-economic issues induced by the tourism sector without halting economic growth and sustainable tourism development. The study discusses policy-related implications for sustainable development.
Open Access: Yes
Futuristic advancements in phytoremediation of endocrine disruptor Bisphenol A: A step towards sustainable pollutant degradation for rehabilitated environment
Publication Name: Waste Management
Publication Date: 2024-04-30
Volume: 179
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 216-233
Description:
Bisphenol A (BPA) accumulates in the environment at lethal concentrations because of its high production rate and utilization. BPA, originating from industrial effluent, plastic production, and consumer products, poses serious risks to both the environment and human health. The widespread aggregation of BPA leads to endocrine disruption, reactive oxygen species-mediated DNA damage, epigenetic modifications and carcinogenicity, which can disturb the normal homeostasis of the body. The living being in a population is subjected to BPA exposure via air, water and food. Globally, urinary analysis reports have shown higher BPA concentrations in all age groups, with children being particularly susceptible due to its occurrence in items such as milk bottles. The conventional methods are costly with a low removal rate. Since there is no proper eco-friendly and cost-effective degradation of BPA reported so far. The phytoremediation, green-biotechnology based method which is a cost-effective and renewable resource can be used to sequestrate BPA. Phytoremediation is observed in numerous plant species with different mechanisms to remove harmful contaminants. Plants normally undergo several improvements in genetic and molecular levels to withstand stress and lower levels of toxicants. But such natural adaptation requires more time and also higher concentration of contaminants may disrupt the normal growth, survival and yield of the plants. Therefore, natural or synthetic amendments and genetic modifications can improve the xenobiotics removal rate by the plants. Also, constructed wetlands technique utilizes the plant's phytoremediation mechanisms to remove industrial effluents and medical residues. In this review, we have discussed the limitations and futuristic advancement strategies for degrading BPA using phytoremediation-associated mechanisms.
Open Access: Yes
Blockchain technology in the renewable energy sector: A co-word analysis of academic discourse
Publication Name: Heliyon
Publication Date: 2024-04-30
Volume: 10
Issue: 8
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The transformative potential of blockchain technology in the renewable energy sector is increasingly gaining recognition for its capacity to enhance energy efficiency, enable decentralized trading, and ensure transaction transparency. However, despite its growing importance, there exists a significant knowledge gap in the holistic understanding of its integration and impact within this sector. Addressing this gap, the current study employs a pioneering approach, marking it as the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis in this field. We have systematically examined 390 journal articles from the Web of Science database, covering the period from 2017 through the end of February 2024, to map the current landscape and thematic trajectories of blockchain technology in renewable energy. The findings highlight several critical thematic areas, including blockchain's integration with smart grids, its role in electric vehicle integration, and its application in sustainable urban energy systems. These themes not only illustrate the diverse applications of blockchain but also its substantial potential to revolutionize energy systems. This study not only fills a crucial gap in existing literature but also sets a precedent for future interdisciplinary research in this domain, bridging theoretical insights with practical applications to fully harness the potential of blockchain in the renewable energy sector.
Open Access: Yes
Silt erosion and cavitation impact on hydraulic turbines performance: An in-depth analysis and preventative strategies
Publication Name: Heliyon
Publication Date: 2024-04-30
Volume: 10
Issue: 8
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The primary issues in the Himalayan Rivers are sediment and cavitation degradation of the hydroelectric power turbine components. During the monsoon season, heavy material is transported by streams in hilly areas like the Himalayas through regular rainfalls, glacial and sub-glacial hydrological activity, and other factors. The severe erosion of hydraulic turbines caused by silt abrasion in these areas requires hydropower facilities to be regularly shut down for maintenance, affecting the plant's overall efficiency. This article provides an in-depth examination of the challenges that can lead to cavitation, silt erosion, and a decrease in the efficiency of various hydroelectric turbines, and it demands attention on the design, manufacture, operation, and maintenance of the turbines. This study's main objective is to critically evaluate earlier theoretical, experimental, and numerical evaluation-based studies (on cavitation and silt erosion) that are provided and addressed throughout the study. As a part of this study, various strategies for mitigating the effects of these problems and elongating the time that turbine may be utilized before they must be replaced have been provided.
Open Access: Yes
Analysis of beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines among the adult Hungarian population from a health communication perspective
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2024-04-28
Volume: 165
Issue: 17
Page Range: 664-671
Description:
Introduction: The COVID-19 vaccination uptake rate was lower among the Hungarian population compared to the European Union average. Among residents of deprived settlements in Hungary, vaccine uptake was by 38.2% lower than the national average. A major obstacle to the vaccination program was public mistrust. Objective: To explore the beliefs of the population regarding COVID-19 vaccination and to identify mass media sources used for obtaining information about the pandemic. Method: The analyzed data came from a cross-sectional online survey, which was conducted from November 15 to 26, 2022. The effective sample size of the anonymous data collection was 1222 Hungarian adults. Questions regarding the refusal of COVID-19 vaccination, sociodemographic variables, 5 positive and 5 negative attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19, and questions regarding mass media used for obtaining information were involved in this study. Frequentist statistical methods and Hornik-Woolf method were applied. Results: A successful increase in the agreement with the statement "The vaccinated also protect the health of those around them" could have achieved the highest increase in the vaccination rate among the Hungarian adult population. Respondents identified television, online news portals, government online communication, and radio as primary sources of information about COVID-19. Significantly more vaccine refusers sought information on closed Facebook pages and on YouTube compared to vaccine acceptors. Conclusion: In line with international findings, emphasizing community interest could have been an effective general approach in the promotion of COVID-19 vaccination in Hungary. For the preparation of future mass-vaccination campaigns, complex health communication research, planning and testing are recommended.
Open Access: Yes
Integrating push-out test validation and fuzzy logic for bond strength study of fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete
Publication Name: Construction and Building Materials
Publication Date: 2024-04-26
Volume: 425
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This study offers a comprehensive analysis of Fiber-Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (FRSCC) with a focus on shear bond strength influenced by specific compositions of microsilica, zeolite, slag, and polypropylene fibers. Twenty distinct FRSCC mixes underwent extensive testing, including 28-day compressive strength, tensile strength assessments, and push-out and slant shear tests. A significant outcome is the strong correlation between the push-out and slant shear test results, exemplified by an R² value of 0.88, confirming the push-out test as a viable and practical alternative for bond strength assessment. Experimentally, fibers were found to enhance tensile strength, with the inclusion of 15% microsilica and slag further amplifying this effect, highlighting the critical role of precise pozzolan selection in achieving optimal mechanical performance and workability in FRSCC. Furthermore, the study introduces a fuzzy logic system for predicting shear bond strength, achieving high predictive accuracy with R² values reaching up to 0.96, depending on the t-norms utilized. This research not only validates the push-out test as a reliable method for evaluating shear bond strength in FRSCC but also demonstrates the efficacy of the fuzzy logic approach, representing a groundbreaking contribution in both computational analysis and practical methodology for concrete structural integrity.
Open Access: Yes
Nexus between climate change, agricultural output, fertilizer use, agriculture soil emissions: Novel implications in the context of environmental management
Publication Name: Journal of Cleaner Production
Publication Date: 2024-04-15
Volume: 450
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
In evaluating the influence of greenhouse gases (GHGs) on climate change, the effectiveness of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) is intricately tied to their atmospheric turnover rates, which play a crucial role in their heat-trapping capacity. Understanding the dynamics of how these gases cycle through the atmosphere is essential for assessing their respective contributions to the greenhouse effect and, consequently, their impact on global warming and climate change. The prime objective of this research is to examine the role of climatic change, agriculture output, and fertilizer use on the agriculture soil's greenhouse gas emissions. In doing so, the present study has focused on the temperature of land, fertilizer consumption, crop and livestock production, and energy used in agriculture soils on the pollution level of agricultural soils. The study further delineates the intricate interdependencies between climate change factors and GHG emissions using novel econometric methodologies, specifically the PMG-ARDL, SC-ARDL, and Dumitrescu Hurlin Panel Causality frameworks. In doing so, we use a large panel dataset spanning 1990 to 2020. The estimations show that climate change, as measured by variations in terrestrial temperature, has a discernible and positive impact on GHG emissions over the short and long term. Energy consumption and livestock production positively correlate with GHG emissions, with the former having a more pronounced effect. The implications of fertilizer usage and overall crop yield become noticeably significant in the long term. It emphasizes the importance of using a diachronic perspective when assessing GHG emissions in the agricultural sector. It is also worth noting that agricultural land use appears to negatively impact GHG emissions, emphasizing the importance of implementing sustainable land management practices to mitigate adverse environmental consequences. The study also explores the causality between climate change, agricultural practices, and GHG emissions, revealing a bidirectional association between climatic change and soil emissions. Additionally, unidirectional causation is observed from fertilizer consumption and crop production to emissions, underscoring the importance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices to reduce emissions. The findings offer valuable insights for governments and researchers to create sustainability-related strategies for dealing with climate change issues, safeguarding natural resources, and ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture.
Open Access: Yes
