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Found 6327 publications
Performance evaluation of machine learning algorithms to assess soil erosion in Mediterranean farmland: A case-study in Syria
Publication Name: Land Degradation and Development
Publication Date: 2023-06-01
Volume: 34
Issue: 10
Page Range: 2896-2911
Description:
The development of new techniques, such as machine learning (ML), can provide better insight into the processes and drivers of soil erosion and runoff. However, the performance of these techniques to assess soil erosion in agricultural landscapes is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of four machine learning algorithms, generalized linear model (GLM), Random Forest (RF), elastic net regression (EN) and multiple adaptive regression splines (MARS), in predicting soil erosion and runoff in Syria. Soil erosion and runoff were measured on three experimental plots (2.25 m × 1.50 m × 0.50 m, 0.10 m depth in the soil), combined with three different slopes and land use types: RS (8%, olive), SS (12%, citrus), KS (20%, pomegranate). Both erosion and runoff were determined after rainfall events of >10 mm between October 2019 and April 2020. Based on 24 effective rainfall events, the average soil erosion was 0.18 ± 0.14 kg m−2 per event in KS, 0.14 ± 0.11 kg m−2 per event in SS, and 0.12 ± 0.10 kg/m2 per event in RS. Regression analysis indicated strong relationship between the rainfalls and the runoff, the highest connection was recorded in the KS plot (r2 = 0.85; p < 0.05 n = 24). The analysis of covariance indicated that only the runoff had a significant impact on soil erosion (p = 0.02) with a medium effect (ε2p = 0.26). However, the impacts of rainfall events and slope categories on soil erosion were limited (ε2p < 0.01) and not significant (p > 0.05). ML techniques were usually efficient in the prediction, the RF and MARS models were the most accurate: RF had the strongest correlation with the measured values (r = 0.85) with a low estimation error (0.06 kg m−2), but MARS's standard deviation (SD) was closer to the recorded values' SD. GLM and EN were the weakest predictor models. Modeled values of the slightest slope (8%) had the worst accuracies, and the predictions of the 12% slope were the best in all models. This study provides important insights into the usefulness of machine learning techniques and algorithms in predicting the rate of soil erosion and runoff in agricultural dominated landscapes. We highlighted that the RF and MARS algorithms were better predictors of soil erosion and runoff in the coastal region of Syria.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1002/ldr.4655
The Revival of Regional Cooperation in Central Asia in the Perspective of Hungary's Eastern Opening Policy
Publication Name: Economic and Regional Studies Studia Ekonomiczne I Regionalne
Publication Date: 2023-06-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Page Range: 241-256
Description:
Subject and purpose of the work:: This study explores the specifics of strengthening Central Asian regional cooperation and its potential opportunities according to Hungary's Eastern Opening Policy. Materials and methods:: A two-pronged approach was used to conduct this study, which included a comprehensive literature review of relevant academic publications on regional cooperation, as well as an examination of cooperation projects to identify specific characteristics. Results are explicated using descriptive methodology for the analysis. Results:: Central Asian regional integration differs from the traditional model, emphasising the importance of historical factors and the strengthening of Turkish ethnic identity as a foundation for unification efforts. Conclusions:: Foreign economic engagement in Central Asia requires a continuous and assertive presence, along with the development of mutual trust due to the region's unique historical, cultural and geopolitical context. These tendencies and intentions have been recognised by Hungarian foreign strategy - in line with the Eastern Opening Policy - with good sense and at a good pace.
Open Access: Yes
Spatial and Heterogeneity Analysis of Environmental Taxes’ Impact on China’s Green Economy Development: A Sustainable Development Perspective
Publication Name: Sustainability Switzerland
Publication Date: 2023-06-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 12
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Environmental taxation is an important tool used by governments to promote resource conservation and environmental protection. Given the current global constraints on resources and increasing environmental degradation, exploring how environmental taxes can effectively stimulate the development of a green economy is of utmost importance. This study utilized panel data from 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China, covering the period from 2006 to 2020. The research findings indicate a spatial correlation between environmental taxes and green economic efficiency in China, with the former significantly promoting the development of the latter. A heterogeneity analysis revealed varying impacts of different taxes on the efficiency of green economic development in different regions. Controlling for variables, the study results demonstrated a negative correlation between industrial structure and green economic efficiency, with a significance level of 1%. Additionally, no correlation was found between pollution control efforts and green economic benefits. The effects of different taxes on regional efficiency varied, and industrial structure exhibited a negative correlation with green economic efficiency. This study recommends strengthening intergovernmental coordination, improving tax policies, optimizing industrial structure, and enhancing the pollution control efficiency of local governments to promote China’s green economy.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/su15129332
Examination of the Emission of Gas-Phase Components, Including Some Not-Conventional Ones from a Parking Heater, While Increasing the Bioethanol Content of the Fuel
Publication Name: Energies
Publication Date: 2023-06-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 12
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The air pollutant emissions of a motor vehicle do not only mean the emissions from the engine used for propelling the vehicle. Another possible source is the passenger compartment heater. In the focus of our research, we investigated the effect of mixing gasoline-powered cabin air and ethanol (E10, E30, E100 on a volumetric basis) on the emissions of the equipment. Among the pollutant components examined, there were conventional components and so called not-conventional components. The chosen length of the test was 1800 s, while the intake air parameters temperature (tin ) and relative humidity (h) have been kept constant (tin = 15 °C, h = 30%). Bioethanol mixing has a significant reducing effect on NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and CO2 (carbon dioxide). As for the components CO (carbon monoxide), THC (total hydrocarbons), CH4 (methane) and N2 O (nitrous oxide), the values of the components reach usable values only in the start-up and burnout phases, while in the stable-operation phase, their values are outside the limit of detectability. A small part of THC is only CH4 ; a more significant part is NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbons). The results of the developed vehicle fleet model for calculating the GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions of a vehicle fleet equipped with such a device showed that the fleet’s GHG emissions are less than 1% of the annual emissions from the combustion of transport fuel.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/en16124786
Mental and physical health of yoga practitioners women in relation to exercise parameters
Publication Name: Mentalhigiene Es Pszichoszomatika
Publication Date: 2023-05-19
Volume: 24
Issue: 1
Page Range: 58-74
Description:
Introduction: Numerous international studies have shown that yoga practice has a positive effect on the physical and mental condition of healthy people and can play a role in the complementary treatment of certain diseases with appropriate guidance. Research on yoga practitioners has found positive correlations between several health indicators and the frequency of yoga practice and, in part, the yoga practice time. In terms of women s health, yoga has been shown to have a positive effect in relieving depression, anxiety and stress and several somatic symptoms. Objective: The aim of our study is to assess the subjective mental and physical symptoms of the health of Hungarian women practicing yoga, and to examine the associations between these variables between groups separated by yoga time and frequency. Methods: The study sample consisted of 457 healthy women with a mean age of 42.28 years (SD = 11.72), yoga practitioners 72%, and yoga instructors 27.7%. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Self-rated Health, and the Patient Health Questionnaire Somatic Symptom Severity Scale (PHQ-15) were used to measure the variables. Differences between the formed groups were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: We found a statistically significant difference between the three yoga time groups (beginner 1-6 months, intermediate 7-35 months, advanced ≥3 years) in depression (x2(2, n = 457) = 23.205, p < 0.001), anxiety (x2( 2, n = 457) = 9.489, p = 0.009), stress (x2(2, n = 457) = 27.224, p < 0.001), positive affect (x2(2, n = 456) = 7.689, p = 0.021), negative affect (x2( 2, n = 456) = 46.177, p < 0.001), self-rated health (x2(2, n = 457) = 28.862, p < 0.001) and somatic symptoms (x2(2, n = 455) = 26.022, p < 0.001) score. We also found a significant differences between the two yoga frequency groups (1-2 times per week and 3-7 times per week) in depression (U(1) = 19148.50, n1 = 161, n2 = 295, Z =-3.508, p < 0.001), stress (U(1) = 19588.50, n1 = 161, n2 = 295, Z =-3.107, p = 0.002), positive affect (U(1) = 18189.00, n1 = 161, n2 = 294, Z =-4.090, p < 0.001), negative affect (U(1) = 18456.50, n1 = 161, n2 = 294, Z =-3.894, p < 0.001), self-rated health (U(1) = 18244.00, n1 = 161, n2 = 295, Z =-4.873, p < 0.001) and somatic symptoms (U(1) = 19777.50, n1 = 160, n2 = 294, Z =-2.817, p = 0.005). A medium effect size difference was observed for negative affectivity and small effect size differences were observed for the other measured variables. Conclusions: Yoga could be recommended for relieving depression, anxiety, stress, and somatic symptoms, as well as a possible coping strategy for dealing with stress for healthy women. The results suggest that prolonged yoga practice (in years) or repeated physical exercises of yoga (asana) several times a week (3 or more times) may provide the greatest health benefits.
Open Access: Yes
The overall imperfection method for fire design situation
Publication Name: Engineering Structures
Publication Date: 2023-05-15
Volume: 283
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
In this paper the Overall Imperfection Method, which is a well validated method for the assessment of the global stability resistance of thin-walled steel structural members with any load and supporting conditions, is used for fire design situation. The method uses equivalent initial geometrical imperfection in the shape of relevant elastic global buckling mode. The assessment of the global stability resistance is performed by geometrically nonlinear analysis and by checking of cross-sectional resistance using reduced elastic moduli in the analysis and reduced design strength for the cross-section checking. The validation of the method is carried out through the analysis of more thousands different structural members with hot-rolled I cross-sections. The reference values for the safety study are calculated by geometrically and materially nonlinear analysis with imperfections.
Open Access: Yes
Water Use Efficiency and Productivity of Irrigated Rice Cultivation in Nigeria: An Application of the Stochastic Frontier Approach
Publication Name: Sustainability Switzerland
Publication Date: 2023-05-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 10
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
In the face of declining water resources and low agricultural water productivity, it is vital to increase agricultural production efficiency and efficiency of water usage. The efficacy of irrigating rice fields in Nigeria is evaluated here using a stochastic frontier analysis. This is a parametric frontier that is assumed to have half-normal distribution, allowing the model to be separated from normal errors in a composite error model. Samples of 382 surveys were used in the study; out of the total number, 361 surveys were retrieved and used for the analysis. The analytical tools used in the study are: gross margin, water productivity analysis, and stochastic frontier approach. The results indicate an average yield of 4.69 and 4.94 tons/hectare, and net farm income of $415 and $364 for the farmers using canal irrigation and farmers using tube wells, respectively. The results also showed physical and economic water productivity of 0.51 kg/m3 and $0.11/m3 for canal water users, and 0.568 kg/m3 and $0.10/m3 for tube well users. The canal water users had a mean irrigation water use efficiency of 0.76, compared to 0.70 for the tube well users. The study recommends that effective extension services and their coverage be enhanced to provide adequate training to rice farmers on water use efficiency and the transfer of innovations and farming technologies to farmers.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/su15107824
Study of Bonding between Façade Stones and Substrates with and without Anchorage Using Shear-Splitting Test—Case Study: Travertine, Granite, and Marble
Publication Name: Buildings
Publication Date: 2023-05-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 5
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This paper presents an investigation into the bond strength of three common façade stones, namely, travertine, granite, and marble, to a concrete substrate using a shear-splitting test. The effects of anchorage, the number of curing days, and the presence of an anti-freezing agent in cement–sand mortar on bond strength were studied. The results show that the number of curing days had a significant impact on the bond strength between the stones and the substrates. The presence of an anti-freezing agent and accelerator increased bonding during the initial days, but this effect gradually decreased. The use of anchorage had a positive effect on the bond strength, particularly with fewer curing days. Granite had the lowest bond strength when no anchorage was used due to its low permeability. Based on the findings, a novel fuzzy logic approach was proposed to predict the bond strength. This study provides valuable insights into improving the bonding of façade stones to substrates and can aid in the safe and efficient use of these materials in construction.
Open Access: Yes
Crisis Resilience of Startup Companies (The Case of Hungary among the Visegrad Countries with a Focus on the Pandemic)
Publication Name: Sustainability Switzerland
Publication Date: 2023-05-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 9
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The study examines the crisis resilience of startup companies in Hungary among the Visegrad countries as a result of the pandemic situation. It aims to provide guidance on what support is needed for startups in the post-crisis period to re-launch the economy and to contribute to the region’s economy with positive results. The research was carried out in two stages: first, in 2021 through an online survey, and then, in 2022 in-depth interviews due to the economic crisis caused by COVID-19 and the Russian–Ukrainian war. A mixed research methodology was used, which comprised an online questionnaire administered in the Crunchbase database (n = 97) and in-depth interviews among startup founders and experts of the startup ecosystem (n = 22). The research summarizes the V4 countries’ measures to protect entrepreneurship with a particular focus on startups. The research found that a crisis such as a pandemic did not have a uniformly negative impact on startups. The winners of the economic crisis are startups in IT, healthcare (Medtech. health-tech), e-commerce and digital education, while those who fared worst are startups in tourism and hospitality. The positive impact of the crisis has been a cleansing of the startup ecosystem. Business support measures supported the viable startups and helped them survive.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/su15097108
