Environmental Effects Research Articles

Effect Of Different Exercise Environments On Sweat Metrics In Cross-country Athletes

Effect Of Different Exercise Environments On Sweat Metrics In Cross-country Athletes

RS-SLAM: real time semantic slam with driverless car using LiDAR-camera-IMU sensing

Abstract Accurate and robust Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology is a critical component of driverless cars, and semantic information plays a vital role in their analysis and understanding of the scene. In the actual scene, the moving object will produce the shadow phenomenon in the mapping process. The positioning accuracy and mapping effect will be affected. Therefore, we propose a semantic SLAM framework combining LiDAR, IMU, and camera, which includes a semantic fusion front-end odometry module and a closed-loop back-end optimization module based on semantic information. An improved image semantic segmentation algorithm based on Deeplabv3+ is designed to enhance the performance of the image semantic segmentation model by replacing the backbone network and introducing an attention mechanism to ensure the accuracy of point cloud segmentation. Dynamic objects are detected and eliminated by calculating the similarity score of semantic labels. A loop closure detection method based on semantic information is proposed to detect key semantic features and use threshold range detection and point cloud re-matching to establish the correct loop closure detection, and finally reduce the global cumulative error and improve the global trajectory accuracy using graph optimization to ultimately obtain the global motion trajectory and realize the construction of 3D semantic maps. We evaluated it on the KITTI dataset and collected a dataset for evaluation by ourselves, which includes four different sequences. The results show that the proposed framework has good positioning accuracy and mapping effect in large-scale urban road environments.

Synergistic Effect of Learning Environments, and Familial Factors on Generation Z Learners’ Academic Achievement in Science

This descriptive-predictive study examined the interplay among learning environment factors (school, home, and community), familial factors (socioeconomic status and family relations), and academic achievement of 186 randomly selected Generation Z (Gen Z) learners. Factorial analysis demonstrated significant impacts of school and home learning environments on science academic achievement, while the community environment, in isolation, lacked significant effect. Interaction effects emphasized synergies between school and community, as well as school and home environments. However, there was an absence of a three-way interaction, suggesting limited combined impact. Analysis of data further unveiled a significant, large main effect of family relations on academic achievement, while economic and social status showed no significant impact. The interaction between family relations and social status was statistically significant which indicates a more substantial combined influence on science academic achievement than individual factors. Multiple linear regression analysis identified four significant predictors – positive family relations, higher family social status, and robust home, and community support – contributing to a model explaining 49.4% of variance in their science academic achievement. These results emphasize the importance of nurturing home and community environments, alongside fostering strong family relationships, as pivotal factors in Generation Z learners' academic pursuits.

Environmental and Social Welfare Effects of Aviation Liberalization: Evidence from Central Asia and China Market

We investigate the effects of international aviation liberalization between China and Central Asia on environment and social welfare. Based on monthly international air traffic data between Central Asia and China, we estimate a random-coefficients discrete choice model and perform a counterfactual analysis to quantify the effects of improved air connectivity, mainly considering that the ratio of direct and connecting aviation services between Central Asia and Beijing is the same as those between Central Asia and Russia, between Central Asia and other former Soviet Union countries and between Central Asia and other Asian countries. The main findings are as follows. First, improving air connectivity intensifies competition in the market, resulting in a decrease in the passenger-weighted average airfares between Central Asia and Beijing by 0.86-5.15 US dollars (USD) in 2012 and an increase in the total number of passengers by 2,930-20,790. Second, improving air connectivity increases total carbon emissions (CO2) between Central Asia and Beijing by 0.78-6.11 million kilograms (kg) in 2012 but also drives down per capita CO2 emissions in this market by 0.78-2.38 kg. Third, while increasing total environmental externality costs, improving air connectivity significantly enhances consumer welfare and airline profits, resulting in a net social benefit of 14.02-44.12 million USD between Central Asia and Beijing in 2012. Finally, several policy implications are discussed.

Bimetallic Cu11Ag3 Nanotips for Ultrahigh Yield Rate of Nitrate-to-Ammonium.

Electrochemical reduction of nitrate to ammonia (NRA) offers a sustainable approach for NH3 production and NO3- removal but suffers from low NH3 yield rate (<1.20 mmol h-1 cm-2). We present bimetallic Cu11Ag3 nanotips with tailored local environment and tip-enhanced effects, which achieve an ultrahigh NH3 yield rate of 2.36 mmol h-1 cm-2 at a low applied potential of -0.33 V vs. RHE, a high Faradic efficiency (FE) of 98.8%, and long-term operation stability at 1800 mg-N L-1 NO3-, outperforming most of the recently reported catalysts. At a NO3- concentration as low as 15 mg-N L-1, it still delivers a high FE of 86.9% and an NH3 selectivity of 93.8%. Operando ATR-FTIR spectra, finite-element method, and DFT calculations reveal that the Cu11Ag3 exhibits reduced adsorption energy barrier of *N intermediates, favorable water dissociation for *H generation and high energy barrier for H2 formation, while its tip-enhanced enrichment promoting NO3- accumulation.

Widespread plant species temporal variation along environmental and microclimate gradients in Norwegian mountains in a climate change context

The effect of climate change on mountain vegetation is influenced by environmental factors and site effects. To monitor the effect of climate change we therefore need to understand species' sensitivity to microclimate and environmental gradients. The objective of this study is to study widespread plant species' temporal and spatial variation along environmental and microclimate gradients in Norwegian mountains along a coast–inland gradient. Occurrence and abundance of plant species were surveyed in 110 study plots in four mountains at two points in time, seven years apart. Of the 222 plant species registered, Salix herbacea, Phyllodoce caerulea, Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Vaccinium myrtillus, Avenella flexuosa, and Empetrum nigrum were widespread across all mountains. These species responded differently to environmental and microclimate gradients, and abundance data were more sensitive than occurrence data. During the short time span we observed some indications of response which might support the assumption that boreal species outcompete alpine species in the forest transition zone, but our data do not indicate this effect at higher altitudes. Monitoring of climate change in mountains needs to include plots along environmental and microclimate gradients as well as an abundance of a set of widespread plant species that represent regional, local environmental, and climate gradients. However, when monitoring perennial plant species, the need for long‐term monitoring projects is high because such species develop slowly over several decades.

Performance of geocell reinforced rubber sand mixtures under undrained triaxial test

Large quantities of scrap tires are produced by the automobile industry each year, which causes disposal challenges and impacts the environment. However, scrap tires exhibit various properties, including tensile strength, abrasion resistance, durability, thermal conductivity, elasticity, and more. Due to their versatile characteristics, these scrap tires can be utilized as construction materials for various civil engineering works to reduce their negative environmental effects and conserve natural resources. This study aims to understand the shear strength behaviours exhibited by geocell-reinforced mixtures of rubber and sand through the unconsolidated undrained triaxial test. Various parameters, including rubber sizes (425 μm to 12 mm), rubber contents (10% to 40% by volume), confining pressures (50 to 300 kPa), and geocell heights (0.2H to 0.8H, where H is the height of triaxial sample), were systematically examined to understand their impact on shear strength characteristics. The experimental findings reveal that deviatoric stress is enhanced with increasing confining pressure and rubber sizes. The maximum benefits of the rubber-sand mixture were observed at 30% rubber content. Geocell-reinforced rubber sand mixture has a higher shear strength with respect to the unreinforced mixture. Furthermore, the energy absorption capacity of the geocell-reinforced rubber sand mixtures was much better as compared to either the clean sand or rubber-sand mixture. The findings of this research demonstrate that geocellreinforced rubber sand mixtures are suitable for various geotechnical engineering works.

Income-based environmental effects of family food consumption and the affordability towards healthy diets

Environmentally sustainable diets are attracting increasing attention, but the environmental impact of diets with different income residents is still poorly understood. Based on the environmental footprint method, we explored the environmental impact of food consumption in China from 2000 to 2020, and used the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) model to investigate its driving factors. Furthermore, we constructed a multi-objective optimization model, incorporating the affordability indicator, to optimize a healthy diet pattern. The results show that: (1) The food diversity index (FDI) was directly proportional to income, and geographically, the FDIs of economically developed provinces were higher than that of economically developing provinces. (2) The environmental footprint caused by food consumption was gradually increasing, with 60 % of the carbon footprint of low-income residents coming from grain and pork. (3) Dietary affordability was a major factor in increasing environmental footprint. High-income residents had greater access to milk, meat, etc., which had a greater negative environmental impact. We put forward suggestions on dietary optimization and affordability for different income residents, with a view to achieving nutritional and healthy diets of Chinese while generating minimum resource and environmental load, and promoting the transformation of the agro-food system.

Global value chain embedding and enterprise energy efficiency: A worldwide firm-level analysis

Global value chain embedding brings growth opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, despite their continuously controversial environmental effects. This study examines the impact of global value chain embedding on the energy efficiency of small and medium-sized enterprises using a worldwide firm-level micro data. Results support that global value chain embedding significantly improves enterprise energy efficiency, and this conclusion holds even after self-selection and endogeneity are considered. Global value chain embedding promotes enterprise innovation and labor productivity through market scale and induced learning effects and improves the energy efficiency. Moreover, the evidence only supports the lock-in effect of low value-added, while the lock-in hypothesis of pollution link and foreign technology is invalid. The positive impact of global value chain embedding on energy efficiency is greater for non-high-tech industries, mainly coming from export learning effect and innovation effect. Furthermore, there is no industry heterogeneity in the lock-in effect. Country heterogeneity in the effect of global value chain embedding on energy efficiency characteristics of regional embedding and industrialization, but not to economic development and human capital.

Abutilon indicum-Mediated Green Synthesis of NiO and ZnO Nanoparticles: Spectral Profiling and Anticancer Potential Against Human Cervical Cancer for Public Health Progression

BackgroundIntegrating nanomedicines for targeted cancer treatment and pursuing medicinally valuable components from nature are crucial for sustainable, potent alternatives to synthetic drugs in combating fatal diseases like cancer. Hence, a green synthesis of nickel oxide (NiO NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has been carried out by using the leaf extract of medicinally important plant Abutilonindicum. This sustainable approach to medical developments not only reduces the environmental effect of standard synthesis methods and offers new options for novel cancer therapeutics, but it also advances public health by using natural resources in a sustainable manner. MethodsThe synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by employing spectro-analytical techniques like UV-vis, FT-IR, SEM and powder XRD. Synthesized nanparticles were evaluated in the human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). ResultsNi-O stretching vibrations were observed at 402cm-1, whereas that of Zn-O stretching was observed at 409cm-1in the FT-IR spectrum, confirming the formation of nanoparticles. The XRD pattern revealed the crystallite size range of 1.35-2.84nm for NiO NPs and 7.71-56.80nm for ZnO NPs. The morphology of the nanoparticles, as indicated by the SEM images, was rod-like for NiO NPs and rock-shaped for ZnO NPs. Further, the cancer cell growth inhibition activity of the nanoparticles was examined by MTT assay against human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) proliferation and compared with cisplatin. MTT assay elucidated the significant anticancer efficacy of the synthesized nanoparticles, showcasing low IC50 values of 29±0.5µg/ml for NiO NPs and 32±0.7µg/ml for ZnO NPs. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of the NiO NPs was investigated using the Trypan blue dye exclusion technique, emphasizing the pronounced cytotoxic impact of NiO NPs on cancer cell viability. The outcomes underscore the notable anticancer properties of plant extract mediated metal nanoparticles as promising contenders for advancing cancer treatment modalities.

Mechanistic Insights into the Removal of Surfactant-Like Contaminants on Mesoporous Polydopamine Nanospheres from Complex Wastewater Matrices.

The detrimental environmental effects of surfactant-like contaminants (SLCs) with distinctive amphiphilic structures have garnered significant attention, particularly since perfluorooctanesulfonate was classified as a persistent organic pollutant. Despite the numerous absorbents developed for SLCs removal, the underlying interaction mechanisms remain speculative and lack experimental validation. To address this research gap, we elucidate the mechanistic insights into the selective removal of SLCs using mesoporous polydopamine nanospheres (MPDA) fabricated via a novel soft-template method. We employed low-field nuclear magnetic resonance to quantitatively characterize the hydrophilicity of the absorbents using water molecules as probes. The results demonstrated that MPDA with uniform mesopores exhibited a remarkable threefold enhancement in SLCs' adsorption capacity compared to conventional polydopamine particles via intraparticle diffusion. We further demonstrated the dominant effects of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions on the selective removal of SLCs with MPDA by regulating the isoelectric pH value and performing a comparative analysis. The mechanism-inspired SLC-removal strategy achieved an average removal rate of 76.3% from highly contaminated wastewater. Our findings offer new avenues for applying MPDA as an efficient adsorbent and provide innovative and mechanistic insights for targeted SLC removal in complex wastewater matrices.

Prospects for increasing the functionality of milk-containing products through the use of non-traditional plant raw materials

It is an undeniable fact that nutrition is an important and integral part of human life. Unfortunately, nutrition is not always complete and balanced. It has been established that only rational nutrition is the lever by which it is possible to ensure normal growth and development of the body. Food industry enterprises are trying to create exactly such conditions for adequate human adaptation to the regalia of the surrounding world, namely, they develop and produce specialized products that contribute not only to disease prevention, but also to a stable increase in mental and physical performance. Moreover, these activities do not contradict the state policy in terms of improving the health of the population, through the introduction of healthy nutrition products into the retail network, through various assistance to manufacturing enterprises (subsidies, grant support). Regarding manufacturers of milk-containing food products, the importance of which is undeniable, they quite actively promote product lines for certain segments of the population, for example, children, pregnant and lactating women and the elderly. The main objective of the research is to develop a technology for a milk-containing product (drinking yoghurt) that includes several functions important for humans, namely, functional, diabetic, probiotic ones. The product is given the specified functions by including scientifically substantiated components in the recipe, including those from non-traditional raw materials. Standard and individual research methods have been used to confirm the quality indicators of the finished product. The main results of the research include determining the type of plant material that meets the specified requirements and characteristics and contributes to giving the finished product additional properties (prebiotic, functional, diabetic). The final result of the research is obtaining a product that helps increase the body resistance to the negative environmental effects. The use of secondary plant materials for food purposes, which contributes to the design of a food product with a certain quality composition and specified consumer properties, in comparison with existing analogues, can be considered the novelty of the research.

Методика оценки экологического эффекта от применения биотоплив

Purpose: the fight for ecology in the transport sector is ensured by improving the design of vehicles and engines, the working processes of internal combustion engines, as well as the use of alternative fuels. To determine the rational use of biofuels in vehicles, it is necessary to assess the environmental effect that will be achieved when using them. Methods: the existing methods of estimating exhaust gas emissions from motor vehicles are considered. Based on them, improvements have been made, which include the introduction of additional coefficients that take into account changes in the environmental load depending on the percentage of biofuels mixed with traditional hydrocarbon fuels. Results: the calculation of the environmental effect from the use of biofuels was carried out using the example of adding biodiesel to petroleum diesel fuel, for which, based on statistical data from the US Environmental Protection Agency and data, WE established dependences of changes in annual emissions of harmful substances and carbon dioxide for a heavy-duty cargo vehicle. In addition to the calculation, the article presents graphs of emissions of harmful substances, taking into account their relative aggressiveness and the amount of carbon dioxide released during the combustion of biodiesel mixtures. Practical significance: The proposed method for calculating the environmental effect makes it possible to estimate the volume of emissions of harmful substances and carbon dioxide depending on the concentration of biofuels mixed with traditional fuels. Such an approach can provide an overall picture of the effect of using biodiesel, and at the same time, the coefficients used need to be clarified.

Research on the Simulation and Optimization of Wind Environment in School Canteen based on Airpak

In order to explore the ventilation status of the school canteen, maintain the freshness of the air in the densely populated area, investigate the natural ventilation situation, formulate the corresponding natural ventilation strategy, and maintain a good ventilation effect, the simulation and optimization study of the canteen wind environment was carried out based on Airpak, and the simulation results were evaluated according to the analysis and evaluation of indoor wind environment parameters, and the ventilation strategy was optimized.

Influence of Clinical Nursing Competency and Nursing Working Environment of Psychiatric Nurses on Person-Centered Care

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine effects of clinical competency and working environment of psychiatric nurses on person-centered care.Methods: This study was conducted in five hospitals located in Daegu city and Gyeongsang-do of South Korea. Participants were 153 psychiatric nurses who had experienced psychiatric nursing practice for at least 12 months. Data were collected from November 15, 2023 to December 31, 2023 using a structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed through multiple regression analysis using the SPSS 21.0 program.Results: Participants had a person-centered care score of 3.93 out of 5, a clinical competence score of 3.58 out of 5, and a working condition score of 3.08 out of 4. Regression analysis showed that clinical competence (β=.47, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.001) and working conditions (β=.38, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.001) were factors affecting person-centered care, with an explanatory power for person-centered care of 49.8% (F=36.42, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.001).Conclusion: To enhance person-centered nursing competency of psychiatric nurses, it is essential to enhancing their working conditions and improving their clinical competence.

Pengaruh Kompensasi dan Lingkungan Fisik terhadap Kepuasan Kerja dan Kinerja Karyawan

This research proposal was put forward to identify how the effect of compensation on job satisfaction, the effect of the physical environment on job satisfaction, the effect of job satisfaction on employee performance. The type of research that will be carried out is explanatory research or explanatory research where this research aims to analyze the relationship between exogenous variables and endogenous variables. Exogenous variables in this study include compensation, physical environment and work satisfaction, while the endogenous variables are employee performance. The population to be analyzed in this research proposal is 133 production and office employees of CV Garuda Plastik in the Demak area. The sample in this study was determined using a purposive sampling method with a total of 100 respondents. For the research analysis method used is a quantitative analysis method using multiple linear regression analysis. The supporting application program used is SPSS 22. The results of the study show that compensation has a positive and significant effect on job satisfaction. The physical environment has a positive and significant effect on job satisfaction. Job satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on employee performance

INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY: HOW DID A JUNIOR DENTISTRY COMPANY ACHIEVE THESE GOALS?

Climate change, driven by human activities, has caused serious impacts on natural and human systems, demanding sustainable practices, including in dentistry. The Junior Dentistry Company of UEM created an Ecopoint for the disposal of used toothbrushes, aiming to promote environmental awareness and the reuse of materials. This article discusses the implementation of the Ecopoint, its environmental and social effects, and how this initiative can inspire other sustainable actions in the area.

The phenotypic and demographic response to the combination of copper and thermal stressors strongly varies within the ciliate species, Tetrahymena thermophila.

Copper pollution can alter biological and trophic functions. Organisms can utilise different tolerance strategies, including accumulation mechanisms (intracellular vacuoles, external chelation, etc.) to maintain themselves in copper-polluted environments. Accumulation mechanisms can influence the expression of other phenotypic traits, allowing organisms to deal with copper stress. Whether copper effects on accumulation strategies interact with other environmental stressors such as temperature and how this may differ within species are still unsolved questions. Here, we tested experimentally whether the combined effect of copper and temperature modulates traits linked to demography, morphology, movement and accumulation in six strains of the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. We also explored whether copper accumulation might modulate environmental copper concentration effects on phenotypic and demographic traits. Results showed high intraspecific variability in the phenotypic and demographic response to copper, with interactive effects between temperature and copper. In addition, they suggested an attenuation effect of copper accumulation on the sensitivity of traits to copper, but with great variation between strains, temperatures and copper concentrations. Diversity of responses among strains and their thermal dependencies pleads for the integration of intraspecific variability and multiple stressors approaches in ecotoxicological studies, thus improving the reliability of assessments of the effects of pollutants on biodiversity.

Bayesian approach to estimate variance components and genetic parameters of average daily gains and Kleiber ratios in crossbred cattle.

The present study aimed to estimate variance components and genetic parameters of the average daily gains from birth to 3-months (ADG1), 3- to 6-months (ADG2), 6- to 9-months (ADG3) and 9- to 12-months (ADG4) of age and corresponding Kleiber ratios (KR1, KR2, KR3 and KR4, respectively) in Jersey crossbred calves. Data for this study were collected from National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India during 2013 to 2021. Genetic parameters for the traits were estimated using Bayesian procedure through Gibbs sampling by fitting six animal models. The deviance information criterion (DIC) was employed to determine the most appropriate model for each trait under investigation. Direct heritability estimates for ADGs and KRs ranged from 0.19 (ADG3) to 0.59 (ADG2) and 0.14 (KR3) to 0.72 (KR1), respectively. Significant maternal heritability ( ) was observed for average daily gains (17-24%) and Kleiber ratios (13-18%) at different age intervals under the best model. Estimates of permanent environmental effects ( ) of dam for ADG1, ADG2, KR2 and KR4 were only 1-4% of the total phenotypic variance in this study. Large negative estimates of correlations, ranging from -0.87 to -0.98, between direct and maternal ) effects for ADGs and KRs (except KR3) at different age intervals were observed. Total heritability ( ) and maternal repeatability ) of the studied traits ranged 0.05-0.28 and 0.01-0.14, respectively. The moderate to high heritability estimates for all traits in this study indicate the possibility of genetic progress for these traits through selective breeding program.

Examining the impact of climate change on local ecosystems and communities

We examine the particular impacts of rising temperatures, changed precipitation patterns, and an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events using climate models, field data, and socioeconomic analysis. The results of our investigation show that phenology, biodiversity, and species distributions are all significantly changing in the local ecosystems. Ecosystem services including pollination, water purification, and carbon sequestration are being hampered by these changes. One of the most important environmental issues facing humanity in the twenty-first century is climate change. The world's wealthiest and poorest nations are both impacted by climate change. In areas that are susceptible, for instance, shorter growing seasons and more frequent droughts are reducing agricultural productivity and leading to food insecurity. In addition to the environmental effects, local residents have substantial financial challenges. According to economic assessments, climate-related calamities such as floods and droughts have a substantial financial impact on both infrastructure and people. Particularly impacted are communities that depend on agriculture and natural resources, which has a big impact on their standard of living and economic stability. Our research also demonstrates how different adaptation tactics, including as water conservation and sustainable land management, can improve community resilience. Another important component of our research is the effects on health. We see a rise in climate-sensitive health outcomes, especially in areas with poor access to healthcare, such as vector-borne infections and heat-related illnesses. The mediating function of socioeconomic factors, such as income and education levels, on these health outcomes is significant. Our results highlight the necessity of focused interventions and policies to improve adaptive ability and reduce health risks. The study's finding highlights how intricately local ecosystems and communities are impacted by climate change. By providing a comprehensive analysis, our aim is to inform stakeholders and policymakers about workable mitigation and adaptation strategies. Future research should focus on longer observation periods and developing comprehensive approaches to address the complex issues caused by climate change. The paper concludes that although policy frameworks are necessary, their implementation and enforcement are hampered by Africa's poor governance structure and lack of political will.