Area Growth Research Articles

Interannual spatio-temporal evolution of the supraglacial lakes on the Belvedere Glacier between 2000 and 2023

Understanding of the formation and evolution of supraglacial lakes in high mountain regions is crucial for accurately assessing their impact on glacier behaviour, hydrology, and potential hazards such as outburst floods. This article examines the annual spatio-temporal evolution of supraglacial lakes on the Belvedere Glacier between 2000 and 2023. Very high-resolution aerial photography and high-resolution satellite imagery were used to identify supraglacial lakes as small as 37 m2 and narrow bands of ice-marginal lakes. The mapping revealed that the well-known Lake Effimero is stable in its position but unstable in size, with variations from 428 m2 to 99.7 × 103 m2. These changes are potentially due to snowmelt or glacier dynamics. In 2002, the area of Effimero was at its largest extent observed during the study period. The first appearance of the Lake Effimero was revelated by the Landsat imagery on 27 May 2001, which differed from the findings of other studies. New lakes were observed to form in a manner independent of Effimero formation, exhibiting a consistent annual occurrence with nearly linear area growth up to 9.7 × 103 m2 in 2023. The formation of the lakes is shown to be influenced by their morphological characteristics.

Global impact of seawater intrusion on coastal agriculture

Abstract Coastal agriculture faces escalating threats from seawater intrusion (SWI), jeopardizing global food security through freshwater scarcity, soil salinization and crop damage. However, research on SWI often fails to consider its impact on coastal agriculture. Linking georeferenced SWI data with cropland presence, this review examines SWI's global distribution and primary drivers. Major attested hotspots include the Mediterranean, South and South-East Asia, and the Bohai Sea region in China. Approximately 87 Mha of cropland globally are vulnerable due to low elevation and coastal proximity, including regions where little to no literature has documented SWI. Main drivers include sea-level rise, drought, groundwater depletion, river modifications, tidal flooding and subsidence. Projections of sea-level rise indicate cropland of North America, the Indian Subcontinent, and South-East Asia as high-risk for SWI. Additionally, regions like South-East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent are expected to experience significant demographic growth in coastal areas. Understanding present and future SWI dynamics is crucial for designing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies in coastal agriculture to support food supply.

Can regional revitalization policies boost tourism growth in underdeveloped areas? Evidence from China’s revolutionary base areas

Regional policies and support represent essential factors facilitating regional tourism development. The paper constructs a difference-in-differences (DID) model design to explore the impact of a regional revitalization policy, the policy on Several Opinions on Supporting the Revitalization and Development of Gannan and Other Former Central Soviet Areas, on tourism development in the relevant area. Treating this implementation as a quasi-natural experiment, we show that the policy significantly contributes to tourism development. We further identify the mechanism of the policy-tourism causal relationship through the mediation effect model. Results indicated that the regional revitalization policy fosters tourism development by promoting economic growth and transportation accessibility. Lastly, province-based heterogeneity analysis recognized a stronger policy effect in Guangdong and Fujian Provinces, which witnessed higher economic levels. Several implications were provided based on the empirical evidence.

KAJIAN PERKEMBANGAN POLA RUANG FISIK SPASIAL PERMUKIMAN KUMUH DI KAWASAN KARYA MAKMUR, DENPASAR

A livable settlement is a target within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at creating resilient, inclusive, safe, and sustainable cities and communities. The Karya Makmur area in Denpasar is one of the regions facing significant slum settlement issues. This study aims to identify spatial and physical changes in the area over the past 18 years (2006-2023) and uncover the factors driving the development of slum settlements in this region. A qualitative approach was used, combining map overlay analysis (superimposed analysis) with field data validation. Results indicate that Karya Makmur has undergone major transformations in land use patterns, buildings, and circulation, while showing minor changes in settlement characteristics. The densification process driven by urbanization is identified as the primary factor contributing to the rapid growth of slum areas in this region. This research aims to contribute to future efforts in slum area improvement and planning

Impacts of phosphate-solubilizing bacterium strain MWP-1 on vegetation growth, soil characteristics, and microbial communities in the Muli coal mining area, China

Due to the cold climate and low soil nutrient content, high-altitude mining areas are challenging to restore ecologically. Their poor nutrient content may be ameliorated by introducing specific microorganisms into the soil. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a highly efficient phosphate solubilizing bacterium MWP-1, Pseudomonas poae, on plant growth, soil nutrients in remedying the soil of the high-altitude Muli mining area in Qinghai Province, and analyze its impact on microbial communities through high-throughput sequencing soil microbial communities. The results showed that MWP-1 significantly increased the content of soil available phosphorus by >50%, soil organic matter and total nitrogen by >10%, and significantly increased the height, coverage, and aboveground biomass of vegetation by >40% in comparison with the control (p < 0.05). MWP-1 mainly affected the composition of the soil bacterial communities at the taxonomic level below the phylum. Its impact on soil fungal communities occurred at the phylum and below taxonomic levels. In addition, MWP-1 also significantly improved the diversity of soil bacterial and fungal communities (p < 0.05), and changed their functions. It also significantly altered the relative abundance of genes regulating phosphorus absorption and transport, inorganic phosphorus dissolution and organic phosphorus mineralization in the bacterial community (p < 0.05). It caused a significant increase in the relative abundance of the genes regulating nitrogen fixation and nitrification in nitrogen cycling (p < 0.05), but a significant decrease in the genes regulating phospholipase (p < 0.05). Although sequencing results indicated that Pseudomonas poae did not become the dominant species, its dissolved phosphorus elements can promote plant growth and development, enrich soil nutrient content, and affect the succession of microbial communities, enhance ecosystem stability, with an overall positive effect on soil remediation in the mining area.

Use of integrated population models for assessing density-dependence and juvenile survival in Northern Bobwhites (Colinus virginianus).

Management of wildlife populations is most effective with a thorough understanding of the interplay among vital rates, population growth, and density-dependent feedback; however, measuring all relevant vital rates and assessing density-dependence can prove challenging. Integrated population models have been proposed as a method to address these issues, as they allow for direct modeling of density-dependent pathways and inference on parameters without direct data. We developed integrated population models from a 25-year demography dataset of Northern Bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) from southern Georgia, USA, to assess the demographic drivers of population growth rates and to estimate the strength of multiple density-dependent processes simultaneously. Furthermore, we utilize a novel approach combining breeding productivity and post-breeding abundance and age-and-sex ratio data to infer juvenile survival. Population abundance was relatively stable for the first 14 years of the study but began growing after 2012, showing that bobwhite populations may be stable or exhibit positive population growth in areas of intensive management. Variation in breeding and non-breeding survival drove changes in population growth in a few years; however, population growth rates were most affected by productivity across the entire study duration. A similar pattern was observed for density-dependence, with relatively stronger negative effects of density on productivity than on survival. Our novel modeling approach required an informative prior but was successful at updating the prior distribution for juvenile survival. Our results show that integrated population models provide an attractive and flexible method for directly modeling all relevant density-dependent processes and for combining breeding and post-breeding data to estimate juvenile survival in the absence of direct data.

River Restoration and Revitalisation in Urban Areas: Exploring Opportunities for the Elassonitis River in Elassona, Greece

Throughout history, the role of rivers in urban areas has been vital and complex. Water elements have defined and embodied urban areas' structure, character, growth, economic relations, and social and environmental dynamics. Today, local authorities focus on restoration and revitalization projects in urban rivers as key urban elements for sustainable development. These efforts aim to enhance citizens' cultural memory and integrate rivers as essential elements of urban environments. The paper argues the importance of water elements in urban regeneration projects. It explores the possibilities for river restoration and revitalization through a case study of the Elassonitis River in the urban area of Elassona, Greece. We aim to identify the river's role in the community's life and the opportunities arising from its restoration. The methods used include surveys with the local community. The surveys detail the community's perceptions, needs, and expectations regarding river restoration. Lastly, it highlights the benefits of integrating water elements into urban regeneration, including environmental, social, and economic benefits. The case study of the Elassonitis River can influence similar projects in other regions, demonstrating the potential for rivers to become central elements of sustainable urban development.

Study of the applicability of ACdSe (A – Co, Ni) thin films as catalysts for heavy metal capture

Expansion of the possibilities of using photoactive thin films with a unique combination of optical and morphological characteristics as a basis for creation of highly efficient catalysts for the aqueous media purification is one of the promising research areas in modern materials science, which has both fundamental significance and potential for practical application. This study examines the prospects for using modified thin CdSe films by substituting nickel or cobalt for cadmium and selenium as a basis for creating highly efficient catalysts for the aqueous media purification from heavy metals such as arsenic, manganese and iron. A rather inexpensive electrochemical synthesis method was proposed as a method for obtaining thin films, in which the substitution effect is achieved by addition of nickel or cobalt sulfates to the electrolyte, which allows obtaining films with an equally probable distribution of elements in the composition of the synthesized films. Optical spectroscopy methods were used as methods for characterization of the initial samples, which made it possible to establish the dependences of the change in the band gap and absorption bands on the composition of the synthesized films, as well as to anticipate the influence of morphological features on optical absorption. During the conducted studies it was established that partial substitution of nickel and cobalt for cadmium and selenium in the composition of films results in growth in the adsorption efficiency of heavy metals, alongside operation stability maintenance of modified films during cyclic tests. At the same time, enhancement of the adsorption efficiency of heavy metals for modified films is due to both an alteration in the optical properties of the films and morphological features associated with the specific surface area growth due to a reduction in the grain size and a more developed surface.

Integrating 4IR technologies in microgrid development: Implications for sustainable economic growth in rural areas of Nigeria

Integrating Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in microgrid development offers significant potential to drive sustainable economic growth in rural areas of Nigeria. This paper explores how advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain can be leveraged to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of microgrids, which are critical for providing reliable electricity in underserved regions. The integration of 4IR technologies can optimize energy generation and distribution, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and decentralized energy management. These innovations not only improve the operational efficiency of microgrids but also facilitate the creation of new economic opportunities by powering local industries, supporting agricultural productivity, and enabling digital services in rural areas. Furthermore, the deployment of 4IR-enhanced microgrids can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of energy systems in rural communities by promoting the use of renewable energy sources. This contributes to Nigeria's broader sustainability goals and aligns with global efforts to combat climate change. The study also examines the socio-economic impacts of microgrid development, including job creation, improved quality of life, and the empowerment of local communities through increased access to electricity. The findings suggest that integrating 4IR technologies in microgrid development can play a pivotal role in addressing energy poverty, fostering economic resilience, and promoting inclusive growth in rural Nigeria. This research underscores the need for supportive policies, investment in technological infrastructure, and capacity-building initiatives to fully realize the potential of 4IR technologies in transforming rural energy systems. The implications for sustainable economic growth are profound, offering a pathway for rural areas to leapfrog into a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Training to Build a Creative and Innovative Young Entrepreneur Mindset

The community service activity Training to Build a Creative and Innovative Entrepreneurial Mindset for Young Entrepreneurs aimed to enhance innovation and creativity among beginner entrepreneurs in Banda Aceh. The program involved 100 participants and was conducted using the service learning method, which included practical sessions, group discussions, and business simulations. Pre-test and post-test evaluations showed an average improvement of 40% in understanding innovation concepts, technology adoption, and strategic business planning. Despite challenges such as limited digital infrastructure, the results demonstrated that participants were able to develop innovation-driven business plans. This program contributes to achieving the SDGs, particularly in the areas of decent work and economic growth, as well as industry, innovation, and infrastructure. It is hoped that this activity can serve as a model for future community service programs focused on entrepreneurial development.

Urban energy efficiency: A path towards sustainable futures in the age of energy transition

As cities are faced with increasing resource and environmental problems, sustainable urban growth is progressively becoming dependent on enhancing Green Financial Performance (GFP). Although China's new energy transition program represents an exciting paradigm change in the field of green energy, there needs to be more analysis on its impact on environmentally responsive economic development. This study evaluates the GFP of 255 Chinese cities using the non-radial distance's role approach, using city level panel data from 2005 to 2021. Based on the analysis, the results are then utilized to give quasi-experimental observations about the impact of the New Energy Demonstration City (NEDC) policy on urban GFP. China's NEDC policy has been shown to enhance green economic growth in urban areas, with 2% greater GFP in demonstration cities. This approach promotes sustainability using eco-finance, technology, and industry, although its effects differ depending on geography and available resources. The results remain stable, even after extensive robustness testing. According to a heterogeneity study, GFP of the central and western region, along with non-resource cities are more strongly impacted by the NEDC policy. Analysis of the policy's underlying mechanisms reveals that progress in technical innovation, upgrading industries and development of green finance are the primary forces behind the policy's beneficial effects. The NEDC policy can strike a good balance between environmental and economic nexus, thereby becoming a model for sustainable urban development.

An IoT-Enabled System for Prioritizing Emergency Vehicles and Detecting Accidents in Smart Traffic Management

Abstract—With the growth of urban areas and the rising number of vehicles, managing traffic congestion has become increasingly difficult, especially when it comes to ensuring prompt clearance for emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars. This paper introduces a Smart Traffic Management System powered by IoT, which leverages camera modules and machine learning algorithms to identify and prioritize emergency vehicles. Ambulances receive the highest priority, followed by fire trucks and police vehicles. The system adapts traffic signals dynamically by detecting emergency vehicles in real-time, and also enhances traffic flow using IR sensors to monitor vehicle density. Additionally, the system includes an Accident Detection Module that leverages intelligent accelerometer sensors to detect road accidents, using data on speed, pressure, and distance. This holistic approach ensures that emergency lanes are cleared efficiently and improves traffic mobility in urban environments. The proposed system significantly enhances the efficiency of traffic management compared to conventional methods, offering a comprehensive solution for reducing congestion, improving emergency response times, and minimizing accident fatalities. Index Terms—IoT, smart traffic management, machine learning, emergency vehicle detection, traffic signal optimization, IR sensors, accident detection, accelerometer sensors, real-time data processing, urban mobility, SCATS (Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System), IoT-Enabled Smart Traffic Management System (ISTMS).

Image Analysis Characterizes Phenotypic Variation in the Growth of Mushroom-Forming Fungus Schizophyllum commune.

Schizophyllum commune, a common wood-decay mushroom known for its extremely high genetic variation and as a rare cause of human respiratory diseases, could be a promising model fungus contributing to both biology and medicine. To better understand its phenotypic variation, we developed an image analysis system that quantifies morphological and physiological traits of mycelial colonies in Petri dishes. This study evaluated growth of six wild and one clinical isolates of Japanese S. commune, subjected to different temperatures and glucose concentrations, including a condition mimicking the human respiratory environment. Our analysis revealed that combinations of two growth indices, area and whiteness, and profiling by clustering algorithms highlighted strain-specific responses. For example, the clinical isolate was the whitest under the respiratory-like condition. We also found that the growth rate was strongly determined by glucose concentration, while the effects of temperature on growth varied among the strains, suggesting that while glucose preference is common in this species, responses to temperature differ between strains. This system showed sufficient sensitivity to detect variation in mycelial growth. Our study provides a key to unraveling morphological and physiological traits behind the high polymorphisms in S. commune, including the ability to colonize the human respiratory tract.

Impact of Human Resource Development Practices on Employee Performance in Ghana's Community Banking Sector

Aim – This study investigates the influence of Human Resource Development (HRD) practices on employee performance in community banks, with a specific focus on the mediating role of employee competence. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted an explanatory research design aligned with a positivist epistemology. Data was collected over three months using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to a sample of 254 employees selected through a stratified random sampling technique from the three leading community banks in Ghana's Ashanti region. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was then employed to analyze the collected data. Findings – The analysis revealed significant positive relationships between HRD practices and both employee performance and competence. Furthermore, the study confirms that employee competence mediates the relationship between HRD practices and employee performance. Limitation – The study employs a cross-sectional design, limiting the ability to establish definitive causal relationships. Practical implications – Community banks can leverage this research to design and implement targeted HRD programs that enhance employee skills and knowledge, leading to improved performance and ultimately contributing to the financial well-being of rural communities. Findings on the mediating role of employee competence suggest that HRD practices should go beyond just training and development, encompassing initiatives that foster a learning culture and encourage knowledge application within the organization. The study's focus on community banks in Ghana extends the generalizability of HRD practices research to developing economies, informing HR strategies for these institutions. Originality/value – This study emphasizes the vital role of well-planned HRD interventions in community banks, specifically in enhancing employee skills and knowledge for improved organizational performance. It provides valuable insights into HRD practices within these institutions, highlighting its potential to drive financial inclusion and support economic growth in rural areas. Additionally, the study advances knowledge on HRD-performance dynamics in an underexplored context: community banks in developing economies.

Assessment of climate change impacts on large brown seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) growth in the Sanriku coastal area, Japan

Assessment of climate change impacts on large brown seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) growth in the Sanriku coastal area, Japan

The Effects of Microplastics on Musculoskeletal Disorder; A Narrative Review.

The physical health impacts of microplastics have received increasing attention in recent years. However, limited data impedes a full understanding of the internal exposure to microplastics, especially concerning the musculoskeletal system. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent literature regarding the effects of microplastics on the musculoskeletal system. Microplastics have been shown to cause abnormal endochondral ossification and disrupt the normal function of pre-osteoblasts, osteocyte-like cells, and pre-osteoclasts through gene mutations, endoplasmic reticulum stress induction, and reduced autophagosome formation in bone growth areas. Although there are few reports on their effects on muscle, it has been noted that microplastics inhibit energy and lipid metabolism, decrease type I muscle fiber density, impair muscle angiogenesis, cause muscle atrophy, and increase lipid deposition. Only a few recent studies have shown that microplastics interfere with the normal function of bone growth-related cells and reduce muscle mass and quality. This review underscores the need for further research into other parts of the musculoskeletal system and studies using human tissues at the disease level.

Statistical Study on Growth and Instability of Area, Production and Productivity of Selected Cereal, Millet and Oilseed Crop of Odisha

Background : The growth rate in agriculture refers to the increase in agricultural productivity over a specific period of time where as Instability is the fluctuations and uncertainties in various factors that affect the agricultural sector which creates major challenges for farmers and the farming industry. The present study is conducted to examine the growth and instability in area, production and productivity of selected cereal, millet and oilseed crop of Odisha. Methods: The whole study period is divided into two subperiod, period I (1970-71 to 1994-95) and Period II (1995-96 to 2019-20). The Cuddy Della Valle Instability Index (CDVI), Coppock’s Instability Index (CII) and coefficient of variation (CV) are used to measure the instability in the area, production and productivity of maize, jowar and sesamum. Whereas the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is used to measure the growth rates. Result: For whole study period, the CAGR showed a rise in the area and production of both sesame and maize over time. Highest value of CAGR is found in maize production for both the period- I and period-II. The CAGR for the productivity of jowar is found to be significantly negative for the whole period. The largest value of the Cuddy Della Valle volatility Index was observed in maize productivity, indicating the higher degree of instability.maximum instability observed in production of maize due to the lowest value of CII and CV. Productivity of jowar is found to be more stable and consistent followed by the productivity of sesame due to the lowest value of the coefficient of variation.

A Qualitative Study of School Mental Health Providers’ Experiences with Chart Notes: Perceived Utility, Burden, and Areas for Growth

ABSTRACT Background Despite the ubiquity of chart notes and their well-known impact on medical providers’ job stress and satisfaction, little is known about how mental health providers interact with and are impacted by documentation requirements, particularly in school environments. Objective This qualitative study sought to investigate school mental health providers’ perspectives on and experiences with documentation. Method Four focus groups with eight school mental health providers were conducted. Providers were asked about their current documentation practices and desired changes to their electronic health record system. Recordings of focus groups were transcribed and analyzed for themes using a rapid qualitative analytic approach. Results Key themes revolved around the purpose, features, time demands, training needs, and writing processes surrounding chart notes. Providers reported spending substantial time and energy on documentation and viewed chart notes primarily as a billing requirement, but also valued their utility for treatment planning, outcome monitoring, and clinical accountability. Providers expressed frustration with redundant data entry, lack of protected time for documentation, insufficient training for and communication around updates to documentation requirements, and strained interactions with supervisors during editing. Providers highlighted scheduling protected work time for documentation, enhancing documentation training with a focus on habit formation, standardizing supervisory expectations and providing documentation specific training for supervisors, and redesigning electronic health record interfaces with automation and checklists as strategies that could improve their experiences with chart notes. Conclusions Providers highlighted the ways current training and supervision practices, time constraints, and electronic health record functionality contribute to job stress and burnout while also noting the value of documentation for treatment planning and processing difficult emotions. Roadmaps outlining further research that is needed to understand these suggestions from providers in the larger context of clinical documentation, as well their potential benefits and tradeoffs for providers and other stakeholders, are discussed.

Inventário e Análise da Arborização de praças no município de Campo Belo, MG

Due to the population growth in urban areas, it is necessary to rethink city planning. Parks, as accessible green spaces, play an important role in providing leisure, social interaction, education, and ecosystem services, contributing to improving quality of life.he objective was to carry out a qualitative and quantitative inventory of trees located in Cônego Ulisses and Menotti d’Áurea squares in Campo Belo, Minas Gerais. On-site data collection included identification, measurement (DBH, height, and cankers), and visual assessment (inadequate pruning, mechanical damage, apparent nutritional deficit, and pests). By cross-referencing the data, a classification of the trees' phytosanitary status was conducted. A total of 257 trees were found, with 70% belonging to native species and classified as large-sized. Only 3.5% of the trees showed apparent nutritional deficits. Regarding pests, 4.66% suffered attacks by termites, 5.44% by borers, and two individuals were attacked by caterpillars. It was observed that 10.89% had larger canker dimensions. It was noted that 43.97% of the trees were pruned irregularly, outside of the recommended technical standards, and three species suffered mechanical damage due to vandalism. It was identified that 52% of the trees classified under criterion III (precarious tree) were Pau Ferro. The inventory in the squares showed a predominance of native species, but planning for the planting of new specimens should respect specific diversity criteria. Monitoring needs to be carried out, and replanting planning should prioritize the replacement of precarious trees. Training should be provided for professionals performing pruning, and environmental education strategies should be developed for the population.

Contact area and tissue growth dynamics shape synthetic juxtacrine signaling patterns

Cell-cell communication through direct contact, or juxtacrine signaling, is important in development, disease, and many areas of physiology. Synthetic forms of juxtacrine signaling can be precisely controlled and operate orthogonally to native processes, making them a powerful reductionist tool with which to address fundamental questions in cell-cell communication in vivo. Here, we investigate how cell-cell contact length and tissue growth dynamics affect juxtacrine signal responses through implementing a custom synthetic gene circuit in Drosophila wing imaginal discs alongside mathematical modeling to determine synthetic Notch (synNotch) activation patterns. We find that the area of contact between cells largely determines the extent of synNotch activation, leading to the prediction that the shape of the interface between signal-sending and signal-receiving cells will impact the magnitude of the synNotch response. Notably, synNotch outputs form a graded spatial profile that extends several cell diameters from the signal source, providing evidence that the response to juxtacrine signals can persist in cells as they proliferate away from source cells, or that cells remain able to communicate directly over several cell diameters. Our model suggests that the former mechanism may be sufficient, since it predicts graded outputs without diffusion or long-range cell-cell communication. Overall, we identify that cell-cell contact area together with output synthesis and decay rates likely govern the pattern of synNotch outputs in both space and time during tissue growth, insights that may have broader implications for juxtacrine signaling in general.