Environmental Aspects Research Articles

Bridging barriers: advances and challenges in modeling biological barriers and measuring barrier integrity in organ-on-chip systems.

Biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier, skin, and intestinal mucosal barrier play key roles in homeostasis, disease physiology, and drug delivery - as such, it is important to create representative in vitro models to improve understanding of barrier biology and serve as tools for therapeutic development. Microfluidic cell culture and organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems enable barrier modelling with greater physiological fidelity than conventional platforms by mimicking key environmental aspects such as fluid shear, accurate microscale dimensions, mechanical cues, extracellular matrix, and geometrically defined co-culture. As the prevalence of barrier-on-chip models increases, so does the importance of tools that can accurately assess barrier integrity and function without disturbing the carefully engineered microenvironment. In this review, we first provide a background on biological barriers and the physiological features that are emulated through in vitro barrier models. Then, we outline molecular permeability and electrical sensing barrier integrity assessment methods, and the related challenges specific to barrier-on-chip implementation. Finally, we discuss future directions in the field, as well important priorities to consider such as fabrication costs, standardization, and bridging gaps between disciplines and stakeholders.

Visitors’ attraction and co-creation at World Expo – a qualitative study unveiling visitors’ delight and engagement with immersive technology

ABSTRACT Global business events like World Expo attract massive numbers of visitors to attend this event. The present study investigates internal and external factors that attracted visitors to attend World Expo – Dubai 2022 and uncovers the core elements of these factors which are important for the strategic & planning context too. To this end, the attendees of this Expo were interviewed using the in-depth interview technique. The results revealed that internal factors such as functional, mechanic, and human cues affect visitors’ perception, whereas external factors, which include technological, socio-cultural, political, economic, and environmental aspects, contribute to the collaborative process of shaping visitor experience. The results also demonstrate that strategic planning and marketing strategies align with the AIDA model and that technological integration can help attract more visitors to Business-Expo, thereby boosting local tourism. Taken together, our findings provide meaningful implications for marketers, stakeholders, and governments.

Vehicle Platooning: A Detailed Literature Review on Environmental Impacts and Future Research Directions

This paper provides a detailed literature review of the environmental implications of vehicle platooning, a topic gaining significant attention in transportation. While previous reviews have focused on the safety, planning, fuel economy, and microsimulation aspects of platooning, this paper delves into environmental aspects. It identifies a lack of research adopting a holistic approach to transport and environmental benefits and emphasizes the need for further research to enhance vehicle efficiency and improve air quality and health conditions. This study traces the historical evolution of platooning, highlighting the shift in research focus over the decades. It advocates for more research on platooning’s environmental aspects, particularly pollutant emissions and air quality. The primary contributions of this work are threefold and include the following: firstly, it delineates simulation methodologies for platooning and the associated pollutant emissions; secondly, it offers a critical assessment of the existing literature on vehicle emissions, fuel consumption, and energy savings; and thirdly, it illuminates the prospective research challenges within the specialized domain of vehicle platooning.

Status of photovoltaic water pumping systems In Iran: A comprehensive review

ABSTRACT This study investigates the current status of photovoltaic water pumping systems (PVWPSs) in Iran, a country endowed with significant solar irradiation potential, notably in its southern and central regions. Despite this potential, there is a scarcity of comprehensive studies on solar water pumping systems within the country. This purpose of this study is to conduct a thorough review of the existing literature to assess the state of solar water pumping in Iran. The adoption of PVWPS across various provinces demonstrates the system's versatility, proving effective in both highly sunny and less irradiated regions. Iran's widespread utilization of PVWPS is attributed to its ample irradiations, even in its northern areas, which possess lower solar irradiance levels. There are limited comprehensive studies encompassing technical, economic, environmental, and social aspects of solar PV water pumping projects in Iran. Most of the research has been conducted during the last few years, indicating an increased recognition of the possible advantages of this technology. Finally, this review provides valuable insights for researchers and farmers, showcasing the benefits of solar PVWPS. It sets the stage for further innovation and implementation in the country's agricultural landscape, emphasizing the need for continued exploration and adoption of this sustainable approach.

Modern successful global solutions in environmentally friendly urban delivery and their application in Ukraine

Nowadays the issue of reducing environmental pollution is on the agenda of all countries. Among the areas that have huge negative consequences for nature, logistics and supply chains take their place. Today, there are many concepts and scientific currents that recognize the need to account for the environmental component in urban logistics. Environmental aspects are used when evaluating the efficiency of investment projects, developing new models of vehicles, calculating taxes and insurance payments, and when searching for the best delivery schemes. The goal of the work. Taking into account the world experience in research on the chosen topic, the purpose of this study is to consolidate the world's successful experience in environmentally friendly urban delivery and assess their applicability in Ukraine. Technologies and methods that allow reducing the negative impact of motor vehicles on the environment include: The technology of off-peak delivery, which allows you to improve the speed mode of the car. With off-peak delivery, the probability of traffic jams is minimized, which makes the speed of movement the maximum permissible in the city (and, accordingly, the most environmentally friendly). Although night delivery is currently not possible in Ukraine due to the curfew, late and early delivery is still available, allowing you to successfully bypass traffic jams. Use of consolidation centers. The economic idea of consolidation of freight transportation is to use the effect of scale - the greater the carrying capacity of the vehicle, the lower the specific costs for transportation of a unit of production. Currently, the construction of the consolidation center is being evaluated from the point of view of the impact of the supply chain on the environment. At the same time, the existence of a consolidation center near or within the city allows to organize delivery by vehicles with zero or low level of environmental pollution. Use of Parcel Delivery Lockers. Delivery lockers are usually installed in places where the maximum flow of residents is concentrated, which makes it possible to create additional comfort for users due to the possibility of choosing the point closest to their own home or place of work. This method eliminates up to two thirds of harmful emissions into the air. The number of post machines and the area covered by them increases year by year, which allows us to talk about the success of this technology. According to the results of 2022, such major players of express delivery as "Nova Poshta" (now “Nova”), "Ukrposhta" and "Meest" will continue to work with post delivery lockers in Ukraine. Use of more environmentally friendly types of transport. The use of hybrid, electric or non-motorized vehicles is increasingly used in last-mile logistics. Electric vehicles, mopeds, two- or three-wheeled bicycles with a large trunk or cargo body can be considered environmentally friendly types of urban logistics. Such vehicles have practically zero emissions of harmful substances, they are much more maneuverable and do not require a lot of space for unloading, loading and parking. Implementation of zones with low (zero) air pollution. Zones with zero or low emissions have long been used in developed countries. There are no generally accepted technologies for calculating the territory that requires restrictions on the movement of transport, as well as for calculating the cost of such movement. Usually it depends on the will of the local authorities, the wishes of the residents and the well-being of the region. Prohibition on the use of motor vehicles. Some local authorities introduce a complete ban on the use of motor vehicles within certain parts of the city. Usually these are historical centers with dense buildings and a large number of tourists. Sometimes such drastic measures are combined with night delivery technology. If this is not possible, the only alternative is delivery by small, usually two- or three-wheeled, zero-emission vehicles. Improvement of traffic management. Competently designed organization of road traffic can reduce the pressure on the environment. The use of an intelligent transport system in smart cities allows you to perform important tasks like detection of transport accidents; automated control of the ramp, traffic lights and parking, etc. Improvement of road conditions. This refers to the quality of the road surface, markings, cleanliness of the road surface, etc. Improvement of road conditions indirectly affects the improvement of environment of the region. Summing up the results of the research, successful global practices in environmental friendly urban logistics are highlighted, which are applied and have prospects for application in Ukraine. It was concluded that there is a huge potential of using world experience in urban logistics of Ukraine. This will bring Ukrainian logistics and urban supply chains to a new level, increasing the level of health and general satisfaction of the citizens.

Transforming Halal Training Through Gamification and Immersive Technology to Empower Talents

With a 4-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.5%, the Halal economy is estimated to reach US$2.8 trillion by 2025. To obtain and retain Halal certification, businesses must guarantee that their workers are knowledgeable and skilled. Implementing Halal-toyyiban in businesses can be complex, especially when the manufacturing entities are owned and managed by non-Muslims. Therefore, developing a Halal training programme is crucial. The main challenge is ensuring that trainees can retain and recall what they have learned, ultimately changing their work culture and mindset. To address this challenge, corporate Halal training programmes must include built-in learning retention elements, such as gamification through games. Gamification can enhance employee engagement and safety awareness, reduce training costs, and lower learning curves. Moreover, recent technological advancements in Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and gamification enhance user experience and performance in various domains. AR and MR are viable options as they can include aspects of the current environment in real-time and present a combination of the virtual world and reality. This study explores the viability of AR and MR gamified Halal training to empower Halal workers for businesses’ sustainability and expansion. The study reviews and analyses published literature from bibliographic and other acknowledged sources. Consequently, the authors discovered that while AR and gamification have been used extensively, combining both to enhance experiential learning and immersive experience is in its infancy. The findings suggest that leveraging these options can lead to future-oriented Halal training that improves experiential and immersive learning and is accessible anytime and anywhere.

Analysis of Driving Behavior in Weak Lane Disciplined Traffic at the Merging and Diverging Sections using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Data

The complexity of vehicular interactions at the merging and diverging sections is more severe due to the multiple decisions the driver has to make in a short time. The present study investigates and quantifies the driving behavior at the toll plaza’s merging and diverging sections. High-quality trajectory data for more than 7500 vehicle trajectories was derived from traffic video footage recorded by two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) operating concurrently upstream and downstream of the toll plaza. The data was extracted at 5Hz, generating more than 5 million data points for the study. This approach facilitated a comprehensive and simultaneous capture of traffic dynamics. Various macroscopic and microscopic traffic parameters, like lateral and longitudinal speeds, following time, perception time, longitudinal standstill distance, and lateral clearance in the upstream and downstream sections, have been determined under weak lane disciplined traffic conditions. The mean speed in the merging section is 33.13% lower than in the diverging section. Additionally, the average lateral speed in the merging section is 1.65km/h, in contrast to 2.08km/h in the diverging section, reflecting a 26% increase. The lane changing and merging is prominent only up to 120m to 140m from the toll plaza in the merging section, and for diverging, 100m to 200m towards the toll plaza. The average following time in the diverging section is 5.7s; for the merging section, it is 6.94s, which is 13.86% higher. The average perception time for the diverging section is 15.32s; for the merging section, it is 13.13s, which is 14.29% lower. It has been observed that lateral clearance has a concave relationship with the speed in the merging section, whereas a convex relationship is in the diverging section due to the geometrical changes. The results presented in the study are expected to imitate heterogeneous traffic conditions observed in the field more realistically and will accelerate the understanding of behavioral aspects in complex interactive environments like that at merging and diverging sections of toll plazas.

The Potential Perspective of Processing Rice Husk as SiO<sub>2</sub> Source to Tetraalkoxysilane in Indonesia

Tetra-alkoxysilane (TROS) is one of the useful chemicals and it can be processed to produce semiconductor and photovoltaic devices. Now, the transformation of silica (SiO2) to TROS is garnering interest due to the potential of extracting it from biomass. As the 14th largest country, Indonesia possesses an abundant source of SiO2 from mining activities and agricultural waste, notably rice husk (RH). However, only a little concrete action is planned for leveraging RH into a more valuable industrial substance. This review will explain two routes for TROS—conventional and direct—comparing their respective benefits and drawbacks. Additionally, it presents a simulation of various scenarios for scaling TROS production to an industrial level, considering technoeconomic and environmental assessment aspects. The focus then shifts to Indonesia’s strategic trajectory for 2045, offering recommendations to enhance resource utilization for economic and national development.

The influence of diverse climate on the 3E analysis of energy, exergy, and environmental aspects of a hybrid module of thermoelectric generator and photovoltaic cells

The increasing demand for energy and the efforts to meet this demand cleanly have drawn experts' attention towards renewable energy sources such as solar energy. In this article, a novel hybrid system consisting of a thermoelectric module for converting the heat from a solar module into electrical energy, coupled with a solar cell, has been utilized to maximize energy utilization. This unique integration of thermoelectric and photovoltaic technologies has been shown to take advantage of the fact that the thermoelectric module reduces the temperature of the solar module, consequently increasing its efficiency. The results of this study have been examined in five different cities and for five different climate types through three energy, exergy, and environmental analyses, which were conducted under two distinct scenarios. The PVSyst software was used to simulate environmental conditions and solar cell performance, while MATLAB was employed to code and connect the solar cell and thermoelectric modules. In the first scenario, by varying the thermoelectric merit constant and the intensity of solar radiation, it has been observed that the placement of the thermoelectric module increases the energy and exergy efficiency by approximately 5 % and 4 % respectively, and carbon dioxide pollution is reduced by 194 tons on a specific day of the month (July). Moreover, in the second scenario, by examining the hybrid system in the city of Ahvaz and determining the material and quantity of the thermoelectric and solar cell modules, it has been found that the energy and exergy efficiency of the hybrid system (in the maximum state) reach 20.12 % and 21.23 % respectively, in May. This system in the city reduces carbon dioxide pollution by approximately 41 tons on a specific day of the month (maximum reduction).

Incorporating ecological economics into engineering education

Engineering students require an education which facilitates the development not just of functional design of technological artefacts and processes, but they also need to be equipped to understand and engage with their wider implications and context. Consequently, as part of the formation of sustainability informed engineers, there is a clear necessity to integrate the socio-economic aspects of sustainability in order to posit technology in appropriate contextualised settings. The chemical engineering degree programme at University College Cork incorporates a strong emphasis on integrating the socio-economic dimension of sustainability within the programme. This paper focuses on ecological economics, and how it can connect with engineering and why it is important that engineering students receive a grounding in ecological economics. It outlines the content of a five-lecture series on ecological economics given to fifth-year chemical engineering students. This includes environmental aspects, such ecological limits analysis and the use of strategies, including economic, to move unsustainable natural resource use and emissions discharges to within their ecological limits. It explores social aspects and the critical barriers to transitioning to a sustainable economy, as well as the impact of ecological economics on engineering. Finally, three consecutive final year classes were surveyed to elicit their feedback on being taught ecological economics and to test the hypothesis that the inclusion of ecological economics appreciably enhances students’ ability to engage productively with sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); a key accreditation and professional requirement for contemporary engineering graduates. Overall, most students enjoyed the material, stating that is of value to engineering students, and they provided a useful qualitative assessment of the content.

Smart Energy Systems Based on Next-Generation Power Electronic Devices

Power electronics plays a key role in the management and conversion of electrical energy in a variety of applications, including the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydrogen energy, as well as in electric vehicles, industrial technologies, homes and smart grids. These technologies are essential for the successful implementation of the green transition, as they help reduce carbon emissions and promote the production and consumption of cleaner and more sustainable energy. The present work presents a new generation of power electronic devices and systems, which includes the following main aspects: advances in semiconductor technologies, such as the use of silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN); nanomaterials for the realization of magnetic components; using a modular principle to construct power electronic devices; applying artificial intelligence techniques to device lifecycle design; and the environmental aspects of design. The new materials allow the devices to operate at higher voltages, temperatures and frequencies, making them ideal for high-power applications and high-frequency operation. In addition, the development of integrated and modular power electronic systems that combine energy management, diagnostics and communication capabilities contributes to the more intelligent and efficient management of energy resources. This includes integration with the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) for automated task solving and work optimization.

Caries experience, obesity and demographic factors in school children: A cluster analysis.

To determine the association between caries experience, obesity, and socioeconomic and environmental factors in 2, 5 and 12 years-old schoolchildren. Secondarily, the influence of school infrastructure was assessed. Primary data from 1762 schoolchildren from the municipality of Cajamar (SP, Brazil) and socioeconomic and environmental secondary data (Brazilian Census 2010, School Census, Prova Brasil/2017) were used. Caries and treatment experience (dmft/DMFT indices), dental occlusion, visible biofilm, weight and height were assessed. Caries experience was found in 6.5%, 40.2% and 46.5% of children at 2, 5 and 12 years, respectively. At 12y, greater caries experience was observed among children financially assisted by the Bolsa Família governmental program. Excess weight was found in 30%, 35% and 34% at 2, 5 and 12 years. At 2 and 5 years, the highest dental caries indices were associated with disadvantageous socioeconomic indicators (households water supply and sewage system, garbage collection, literate head and income), while overweight was associated with female sex and better socioeconomic aspects. At 12y, the group with obesity was characterized by low dmf+DMFT index and better household aspects, while the group with greater dmf+DMFT index comprised normal-weight children. A correlation between the percentage of caries experience and student/employee ratio of the school was observed. An association between disadvantageous socioeconomic and environmental aspects and dental caries was observed, while obesity was associated with better socioeconomic status of the schoolchildren. While no direct association was found between obesity and dental caries, the results emphasize the influence of socioeconomic/environmental variables on health outcomes.

Non-financial disclosure and firm performance: Insights from listed consumer goods manufacturing companies in Nigeria

In the dynamic landscape of corporate reporting and stakeholder engagement, the significance of non-financial disclosure has gained considerable prominence. As businesses strive for sustainable growth and investors increasingly recognize the value of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, understanding the nexus between non-financial disclosure and firm performance becomes pivotal. This study endeavors to explore this relationship within the context of listed consumer goods manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study encompassed a population of 21 listed consumer goods manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The sample size was 21 firms, determined through census sampling techniques. The research spanned from 2013 to 2022. FGLS regression model was used to examine the relationship between the variables studied. The results found that environmental disclosure and social disclosure had a positive and significant effect on the firm’s performance. While governance disclosure had a negative and significant effect on the firm’s performance. This implies that firms that engage in robust non-financial disclosure practices tend to experience better overall performance. The study concludes that non-financial disclosure, encompassing environmental, social, and governance aspects, plays a pivotal role in influencing the performance of listed consumer goods manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Firms are encouraged to enhance their ESG reporting frameworks, aligning with stakeholder expectations and global sustainability trends.

The multifaceted perspectives of future business continuity- aftermath of COVID 19

"The Multifaceted Perspectives of Future Business Continuity- aftermath of COVID-19" explores the diverse and complex dimensions of business continuity in the post-pandemic era. This study examines the various challenges and opportunities faced by organizations as they navigate the aftermath of COVID-19 and adapt to the new normal. It examines the multifaceted perspectives that encompass economic, technological, social, environmental, and organizational aspects, shedding light on the potential strategies and innovative solutions that can enhance resilience and ensure sustainable business continuity. The findings highlight the critical importance of agility, digital transformation, stakeholder collaboration, risk management, and adaptive leadership in shaping the future of business continuity. The study uses mixed methodology to capture the expert opinion and the stakeholder’s views on this topic.

Investigation on energy, economic, and environmental aspects of double-pass solar air heater.

Numerous research studies have found that a double-pass solar air heater (DPSAH) performs better than a single-pass solar air heater (SAH). This suggested study aims to evaluate the performance of a DPSAH setup in Southern Tamil Nadu, India. Several artificial roughness features have been incorporated into the solar black-coated absorber plate for this examination. Broken ribs with semi-circular and semi-polygonal shapes are used and explicitly tested on the absorber plate. Next, the efficiency of these rib designs is contrasted with a typical flat plate DPSAH. These studies also employ three different mass flow rates (0.01kg/s, 0.02kg/s, and 0.03kg/s), enabling a thorough assessment of the DPSAH system's performance at each rate. These studies' findings demonstrate that adding artificial roughness to the solar collector plate has a beneficial effect on the turbulence of fluid flows. As a result, this innovation increases the double-pass solar air heater's (DPSAH) heat transfer rate. It is noteworthy that compared to the DPSAH with flat plates, both rib designs perform better. It is important to remember that the semi-polygonal ribs function better than the semi-circular ones. The average efficiency values for the semi-polygonal rib structure are 17.1%, 18.7%, and 19.1% greater than those seen for flat plates. These efficiency values are additionally 4.4%, 7.4%, and 8.7% higher than those attained with the semi-circular rib topologies at flow rates of 0.01kg/s, 0.02kg/s, and 0.03kg/s, respectively. The study goes into considerable detail on how particular rib patterns can be advantageous economically and environmentally.

Option of last resort or pragmatic solution? Social perspectives on onsite wastewater treatment systems in northern Argentina

ABSTRACT The unplanned and rapid expansion of metropolitan areas reduces accessibility to existing and often outdated centralized water and wastewater systems. In this context, sanitation policies that focus exclusively on centralized systems become expensive and unfeasible. Using Q methodology, we identified three different social perspectives on onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) in the metropolitan area of the Lerma Valley in northern Argentina. We focused our analysis on the legal, environmental, and technical aspects of onsite sanitation. The perspectives found were: ‘OWTS have advantages’, ‘Hard path for sewerage’, and ‘Process before technology’. We describe the perspectives identified and we provide an analysis of their differences and similarities to discuss their possible policy implications for our study area and comparable regions in the country and beyond.

Microscopic and Molecular Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp. in Human in Babylon Province, Iraq

Background: Considering the importance of Cryptosporidium spp. to public health and the country's economic situation due to the threat of an outbreak and economic losses. Objectives: this study aimed to detect Cryptosporidium spp. in human in Babylon province using traditional and molecular techniques. Methods: this study was conducted in Babylon province from September, 2023 to March, 2024.a total of 100 human stool samples were examined microscopically for detection of Cryptosporidium spp. from both diarrheal and non-diarrheal patients attend hospitals and public health centers laboratories. Results: by using microscopic examination. The rate of infection with Cryptosporidium spp. was (25/100), 25%. According to sex, the highest infection rate in humans was in males (17/59),28.81% compared to females (8/41) ,19,51%. was recorded in the rate of infection between age groups, the highest rate (13/28), 46.42% observed in < 5years of human. Rural area revealed the highest rate of infection than urban area in human (16/44),36.63%. In molecular diagnosis, DNA extraction was performed for 50 stool samples human 28% (14/50) C hominis 10% (5/50) C parvum 18% (9/50) by nested PCR, in order to investigate the genotypes of Cryptosporidium spp. from human in Babylon, five Cryptosporidium spp. isolates. were genetically characterized by SSU-rDNA gene sequencing. The results showed C parvum (1/5) C hominis (4/5). Conclusion: these findings suggested that infection of humans by zoonotic genotypes were the most common genotypes detected in all human samples in Babylon province, to enhance the effectiveness of the One Health approach in preventing Cryptosporidium spp. infection, it is crucial to have a deeper understanding of the environmental, epidemiological, and etiological aspects linked to Cryptosporidium infection. This knowledge will aid in the development of more effective risk management strategies. The future One Health plan seeks to incorporate diverse and interdisciplinary expertise.

Using sustainability pillar indicators to evaluate the management effectiveness of three protected areas in the state of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia

The existing methodologies to measure management effectiveness of protected area have often been focus on identifying weaknesses and strengths to set priorities in terms of policy intervention, resource distribution and adaptive management. It is not adequately captured the extent of protected area sustainability as a conservation site even though management effectiveness is influenced by the interaction of environment, socioeconomics and governance, which are pillars of sustainability. Thus, the objective of this study was to propose a methodology based on sustainability pillar indicators to evaluate management effectiveness, using three protected areas in Peninsular Malaysia as case studies: Sungai Dusun, Bukit Kutu and Klang Gate wildlife reserves. In this study, a questionnaire survey was used to evaluate the management effectiveness of the study sites. The evaluation framework of the questionnaire was based on six components of management effectiveness and indicators from three sustainability pillars or aspects: environment, socioeconomics and governance. Respondents of the survey consisted of local residents in each study site and management staff involved in the management of the protected areas. Each indicator from different aspects of evaluation was assigned a selected parameter to be rated by the respondents from ‘1’ (strongly disagree) to ‘5’ (strongly agree). Based on the rating values the percentage of optimum value was calculated to determine the overall management rating for each study site which interpreted according to five management levels from ‘unsatisfactory’ to ‘very satisfactory’. The percentage of optimum values revealed that the environment and governance aspects of all study sites had moderately satisfactory while for socioeconomic only Klang Gate had moderately satisfactory but satisfactory for Bukit Kutu and Sungai Dusun. The overall percentage of optimum revealed that the management effectiveness level of all reserves was moderately satisfactory. However, Sungai Dusun had the highest percentage of optimum (71.3%), followed by Bukit Kutu (67.7%) and Klang Gate (66.5%). In conclusion, the sustainability level of the reserves is still functioning as intended despite deficiencies especially in governance aspect. Thus, the proposed methodology is simple and has adoptable way to measure both management effectiveness and capture the sustainability of the protected areas.

Enhancing human well-being and comfort: Optimizing the integration of plants in buildings

The escalating challenges posed by greenhouse effects and the imperative for sustainable solutions have garnered global attention towards mitigating environmental harm, with buildings emerging as significant contributors to carbon emissions. This case study meticulously examines the Shunde Country Garden Headquarters Building, a visually captivating exemplar of plant integration within architectural frameworks. While the initial design emphasizes aesthetics and sustainability, a deeper exploration uncovers shortcomings in considering the well-being of occupants. The integration of plants into building structures holds promise in carbon absorption and reduced energy consumption, making a positive contribution to sustainability. However, the Shunde case underscores challenges such as insufficient natural light, poor ventilation, and elevated indoor humidity levels. These issues highlight the critical necessity of aligning architectural designs with human experiences, transcending mere aesthetics and sustainability. This study also reveals a noticeable oversight in the social dimension of buildings integrated with plants within existing certifications and architectural practices. While certifications like LEED, WELL, Envision, and BREEAM primarily evaluate sustainability from a conventional standpoint, architects often prioritize aesthetics over the living experiences of occupants. The absence of comprehensive guidelines addressing human well-being and comfort impedes the widespread adoption of Vertical Greenery Systems (VGS). In response, this project aims to propose a design guideline that holistically considers environmental, economic, and social aspects. By accentuating occupants' comfort and well-being, the objective is to unlock the practical potential of VGS across various countries. The proposed design guideline encompasses environmental, economic, and social considerations. It delves into lighting, support, and landscape elements for the environment, and addresses economic aspects such as potential, construction, design, and landscape economy. Importantly, the social aspect takes precedence in the guideline, concentrating on innovation, location, and landscape. By addressing environment, economy, and society, this paper endeavors to elevate the impact of Vertical Greenery Systems on human well-being and comfort, fostering a sustainable and harmonious relationship between architecture and nature.

Sound Absorption Evaluation and Analysis Of Different Hemp Fiber Types

In recent years, the global conversation surrounding sustainable practices and environmentally friendly alternatives has gained significant momentum. Hemp fiber presents a compelling alternative to conventional sound-absorbing materials, such as fiberglass, foam, and mineral wool. Hemp fiber offers a plethora of positive environmental aspects from mitigating deforestation to reducing carbon emissions. In this study, six different types of hemp fiber samples were tested: Bleached hemp fiber (BHF), Cottonized hemp fiber (CHF), Boiled Cottonized hemp fiber (BCHF), Decorticated well stripped hemp fiber (DWSHF), Decorticated short, not combed hemp fiber (DSNCHF) and Decorticated short hemp fiber with 40% hurds (DSHFH). The sound absorption was measured using the impedance tube, transfer function method in accordance with ISO 10534-2 standard. The hemp fiber samples were changed in thickness of 20, 40, 60 mm and density from 50 to 250 kg/m3 in steps of 50 kg/m3. It has been found that all of hemp fiber types absorbs sounds of medium (600-2000 Hz) and high (2500-5000 Hz) frequencies very well. The sound absorption coefficient reaches up to 0.99 at medium and high frequencies. Absorption peaks occur at frequencies of 1000, 1250, 1600, 2500, 3150, 4000, 5000 Hz, depending on the measured fiber thickness, density, and type of measured fiber. It has been determined that in all cases, increasing the thickness of the hemp fiber sample increases sound absorption at lower frequencies. Sound absorption at lower frequencies also generally increases when using denser fibers, but this also depends on the type of hemp fiber being studied. Peaks in the sound absorption coefficient of 0.96-0.99 were mostly achieved when testing fibers with densities of 50, 100, and 150 kg/m3.