Environmental Measures Research Articles

Technical specification IEC/TS 61400-11-2: measurement of wind turbine noise characteristics in receptor position - an overview

To facilitate the development of wind energy, a Technical Specification has been developed by the IEC project team PT61400-11-2, giving guidance on how to assess the noise characteristics from a wind farm in the surroundings through measurements and assessment at the receptor position. This includes physical characteristics like sound pressure levels, wind speed, amplitude modulation, tonality, amongst others. In writing the Technical Specification, the expert group intended to collect experience and knowledge from existing methods and standards. The TS is written as an operational guideline for conducting measurements for authorities and measurement institutes, tailored to the specific intentions of the measurements. It will be of particular interest in countries where no guidance on wind farm noise measurements is available but also in countries where guidance and legislation of environmental noise measurements may not be sufficiently adapted for wind turbine noise specifics. An overview of the content of the document will be presented along with the considerations and choices made during extensive discussions by the international expert group stemming from acoustic measurement institutes, wind turbine manufacturers, wind farm developer, site operators and academia.

Optimisation strategies for indoor acoustic environment in Elderly apartments from a multi-sensory perspective

As ageing intensifies, the perceptual evaluation of the elderly is increasingly valued. Research has shown that appropriate soundscape can have a positive effect on environmental perception, but current soundscape design in elderly apartments pays more attention to auditory perception and often neglects the comprehensive impact of multi-sensory. This study was conducted in two elderly apartments in Wuxi and Jinan through physical environment measurements, comparative experiments and questionnaires. The study tested the indoor physical environment and collected the elderly's perceptual evaluation of each physical environment index. Combined with acoustic and olfactory environment comparative experiments, the study proposed strategies for optimising indoor acoustic and olfactory environment to meet the comfort level of the Chinese elderly. The participants were aged 70-90 years old and about 100 questionnaires were obtained. The results of the study found that the acoustic environment of elderly apartments, which is mainly based on natural sound, better enhances elderly's perceptual evaluation of the indoor environment; there are differences in the physical environment needs of older people for different functional rooms.; comfortable odours significantly enhance elderly's overall evaluation of the environment; and different physical environment indexes interact with elderly's perception.

A-261 Outcome of a survey on dengue lateral flow immunoassay test kit reading and interpretation by medical laboratory staff in a hospital laboratory

Abstract Background Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) tests, first introduced in 1959, are now the mainstay of clinical laboratories. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) is a 795-bed acute care general hospital located in the north of Singapore. The Department of Laboratory Medicine has been using dengue LFIA test kits for the detection of dengue NS1 antigen, IgM antibodies and IgG antibodies. While kits are cost-effective, user-friendly and provide rapid results, there is subjectivity in reading and interpretation of results. Methods We conducted a survey to assess test reading and interpretation by medical laboratory staff. Six serum and plasma specimens were analysed using Bioline™ Dengue IgG/IgM WB test device. Test kits at the end-point of sample incubation were photographed in both well-lit and dim conditions. A survey questionnaire was prepared using an online form builder tool using the photographs. Staff were invited to participate in the survey. They were allowed to report the result as ‘Positive’, ‘Negative’ or ‘Equivocal’. Results A total of sixteen responses were received. Results were 100% concordant for all 6 specimens in both well-lit and dim conditions. For one case, under a well-lit condition, 15 staff reported the result as ‘Positive’ while one staff reported ‘Equivocal’. Most of the reported results for samples with no consensus is split between ‘Positive’ and ‘Equivocal’. Conclusions Dengue viruses of all 4 known serotypes are endemic in Singapore. Positive results are tracked on a national level to identify areas of high dengue infection for intensive environmental and vector control measures. Hence, accurate reporting and identification of patients with dengue infection is important. Our survey shows that lighting conditions do not affect the interpretation of LFIA results. Reading and interpretation of dengue LFIA test kits however, remain dependent on user interpretation and newer test kits with optical readers may be useful in mitigating this.

Medical students’ perception on their educational environment by using Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure at a Malaysian medical school

Background Optimal educational environment in medical school has been shown to have desirable effects on medical students. In providing this environment, the input from medical students is proven to be a necessity. Objectives: The objective of this study is to obtain the perception of preclinical and clinical students on their current educational environment. Methods A cross-sectional study using self-administered Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire was conducted among medical students in UiTM to measure their perception on educational environment. DREEM consisted of 50 items grouped into five subscales which addressed different aspects of educational environment: students’ perception of learning (SPoL), teachers (SPoT), atmosphere (SPoA), academic self-perception (SASP) and social self-perception (SSSP). Results A total of 894 out of 1165 students completed the questionnaire. The overall mean score of DREEM was described as more positive than negative (mean score: 131.81/200), with significant difference between pre-clinical and clinical students in SPoL and SSSP subscales. SPoL was interpreted as having a more positive perception (mean score: 33.06/48), SPoT as moving in the right direction (mean score: 30.11/44), SASP as feeling more on the positive side (mean score: 20.75/32), SPoA as having a more positive attitude (mean score: 30.72/58, and SSSP as not too bad (mean score: 17.17/28). Educators were perceived as being knowledgeable, encouraging students to participate, and wellprepared for class. Students also perceived that they have good friends, learnt a lot on empathy and the knowledge taught was relevant for future career. All students perceived that educators were authoritarian, overemphasized on factual learning, and they were unable to memorise all. Clinical students viewed educators to be angry in class, too tired to enjoy the course, stressful and lonely. Conclusion In conclusion, the educational environment was viewed positively by the students with clinical students having more areas of concern when compared to pre-clinical students. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 23 No. 04 October’24 Page : 1168-1177

Twin Transitions Across Enterprises: Do Digital Technologies and Sustainability Go Together?

This paper examines linkages between digitalisation and information and communication technology (ICT)-related environmental sustainability business practices. Using a unified modelling framework and firm-level data from Ireland over 2020-2022, it provides novel evidence on complementarities between the use of digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) and the propensity of firms to adopt ICT-related environmental sustainability measures. The results indicate that the adoption of ICT-related sustainability measures has been uneven across groups of firms, sectors, and regions. The descriptive evidence shows that the most adopted measures are disposing of or recycling ICT equipment while the least adopted measures are measures to reduce the energy consumption of ICT equipment. The estimation results indicate that digitalisation is associated with a higher propensity of firms to adopt ICT-related sustainability practices over and above other firm characteristics such as firm size, employing ICT specialists, and investing in intangible assets. Firms using AI are more likely to adopt ICT-related sustainability practices. Taken together, the results of this paper suggest that targeted policy measures to incentivize more firms, in particular small and medium-sized, to adopt digital technologies and ICT-related environmental sustainability measures, could foster the twin digital and green transitions.

An Economical Open‐Source Lagrangian Drifter Design to Measure Deep Currents in Lakes

AbstractThe objective was to construct and test an economical, accurate, and open‐source Lagrangian drifter design suitable for lakes <200 km2. Lagrangian drifters are used to trace water currents in marine and freshwater settings and comprise of a low‐friction surface float containing instrumentation for location and environmental measurement, tethered to a high‐friction drogue at the depth of interest. Oceanic drifters are robust but expensive, and this design tailored to inland lake waterbodies fills a durability and cost gap for lake environments. Water‐following characteristics were tested using theoretical drag coefficient calculations, practical drag measurements, and comparison of wind and drifter vectors while deployed on two deep inland lakes (maximum area 175 km2) in the Finger Lakes region of New York, USA. The ratio of drag between float and drogue met or exceeded the minimum value of 40 recommended in the literature, and the vectors of wind and drifter during deployment were independent of one another, meaning the device accurately traced the movement of water currents at depth without undue influence of wind and waves. Each device cost USD $265 in 2021 and was built from materials readily available at hardware and sporting goods stores, allowing their use by research institutions and communities with smaller budgets. This design reliably measured lake currents at sampling depths that ranged from 2 to 30 m. We anticipate that this design will have application to a wide range of hydrodynamic and ecological research where empirical insights to physical processes like lake currents are sought by scientists and managers.

Application of the VMM ASIC for SiPM-based calorimetry

Highly integrated multichannel readout electronics is crucial in contemporary particle physics experiments. A novel silicon photomultiplier readout system based on the VMM3a ASIC was developed, for the first time exploiting this chip for calorimetric purposes. To extend the dynamic range the signal from each SiPM channel was processed by two electronics channels with different gain. A fully operational prototype system with 256 SiPM readout channels allowed the collection of data from a prototype of the ALICE Forward Hadron Calorimeter (FoCal-H Prototype 2). The design and the test beam results using high energy hadron beams are presented and discussed, confirming the applicability of VMM3a-based solutions for energy measurements in a high rate environment.

C-type two-thermocouple sensor design between 1000 and 1700 °C.

At the present stage of transient ultra-high-temperature energy release of boron-containing warm-pressure explosives, single thermocouples are often used for multi-point measurements in the process of their temperature field changes, and the results of their temperature field reconstruction are not satisfactory due to the limited consistency of the thermocouples. Aiming at the above-mentioned problems, a C-type two-thermocouple suitable for transient temperature measurement in high-temperature environments is designed; the system characterization of the two-thermocouple is carried out by using the blind system identification method of the inter-relationships; the identification process is evaluated by a new cost function; and the optimal solution on the new cost function is realized by using the gradient descent method. The temperature reconstruction of the two-thermocouple output excited by the simulated heat source is carried out by using the auto-regressive with extra inputs model, and the feasibility of the reconstruction results is verified. In the experimental part, a thermocouple dynamic characteristic calibration system based on a high-temperature furnace is constructed and experimental validation is carried out in the high-temperature furnace to compare the effects of different exposure lengths and different wire diameters on the output of the two-thermocouple, and as a result, the outputs are corrected and analyzed. The results show that two-thermocouple methods with different combinations of wire diameters are better for temperature measurement, with a reconstructed root mean squared error of 0.0162 and a goodness of fit of 89.13%.

Change pattern relationships in event logs

Process mining utilises process execution data to discover and analyse business processes. Event logs represent process executions, providing information about the activities executed. In addition to generic event attributes like activity name and timestamp, events might contain domain-specific attributes, such as a blood sugar measurement in a healthcare environment. Many of these values change during a typical process quite frequently. We refer to those as dynamic event attributes. Change patterns can be derived from dynamic event attributes, describing if the attribute values change from one activity to another. So far, change patterns can only be identified in an isolated manner, neglecting the chance of finding co-occuring change patterns. This paper provides an approach to identifying relationships between change patterns by utilising correlation methods from statistics. We applied the proposed technique on two event logs derived from the MIMIC-IV real-world dataset on hospitalisations in the US and evaluated the results with a medical expert. It turns out that relationships between change patterns can be detected within the same directly or eventually follows relation and even beyond that. Further, we identify unexpected relationships that are occurring only at certain parts of the process. Thus, the process perspective reveals novel insights on how dynamic event attributes change together during process execution. The approach is implemented in Python using the PM4Py framework.

Optical fiber sensors for acoustic emission monitoring

Acoustic emission sensors are most of the time based on piezoelectric sensors, which may not be suited for harsh environments or be too bulky to integrate a large number of them. We present here a system based on Fiber Bragg gratings on optical fibers to measure acoustic emission events. The use of such sensors enables a low intrusivity and measurements in extreme environments. The system is designed to enable measurements under varying environmental conditions, enabling its use in real applications.

Galactic cosmic ray environment predictions for the NASA BioSentinel Mission, part 2:Post-mission validation

The BioSentinel CubeSat was deployed on the Artemis-I mission in November 2022 and has been continuously transmitting physical measurements of the space radiation environment since that time. Just before mission launch, we published computational model predictions of the galactic cosmic ray exposure expected inside BioSentinel for multiple locations and configurations. The predictions utilized models for the ambient galactic cosmic ray environment, radiation physics and transport, and BioSentinel geometry. Now that the nominal six-month BioSentinel mission has completed and some additional time has passed, those pre-launch predictions and additional model components can be validated. Dose-rate and linear energy transfer (LET) spectral measurements from the on-board dosimeter are presented along with a summary of the computational models used to calculate exposure quantities of interest. Sensitivity tests are performed to gauge the impact of various model choices on these quantities. Satellite data collected during the BioSentinel mission are used to provide some measure of independent validation for the galactic cosmic ray model used in the present calculations. It is shown that the combined models are in excellent agreement with the measured dose-rate. Model calculations agree well with measurement below ∼10 keV/µm and underpredict at higher LET. It is argued that the underprediction is likely due to detector response or low energy anomalous cosmic ray contributions able to reach the thinly shielded side of the on-board dosimeter.

Determinants of information asymmetry in agri-food supply chains

PurposeWith its presence, which can create inefficiencies, uncertainties and risks, information asymmetry poses a significant challenge to successfully managing the agri-food supply chain (AFSC). Understanding the variables that influence information asymmetry is crucial for devising more effective strategies to mitigate it. This study, therefore, explores the variables that influence information asymmetry in the AFSC.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative analysis was conducted, relying on semi-structured interviews with 17 experts representing different actors in the AFSC (e.g. seed producers, retailers, etc.) in Germany. The collected data was analysed using the GABEK® method.FindingsThe study confirms that the influencing variables derived from the existing theory, such as price performance, digitalisation, environmental, process and quality measures, contribute to information asymmetry. It further reveals new variables that associate with information asymmetry, including documentation requirements, increasing regulation, consumer behaviour, incorrect data within the company as well as crises, political conflicts and supplier–buyer conflicts. Furthermore, the study shows that supply chain actors counteract asymmetry by focusing on social behaviour and monitoring suppliers through key performance indicators, employees and social aspects.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was limited to the universal influence of the variables on information asymmetry in the AFSC, making the magnitude of the influence and its context-specific nature unexplained.Originality/valueThis study is one of the very few that examines information asymmetry across the AFSC from the perspective of different actors, providing a more overarching and deeper understanding of information asymmetry.

Synthesis and characterisation of waste-derived biodiesel and enhancement of its energy and environmental metrics using cetane improver: an experimental study

The primary objective of this study is to produce Bauhinia monandra biodiesel (BMB) using seed waste and improve its energy and environmental properties by integrating a cetane enhancer. The methyl ester of biooil was obtained using the transesterification method, and the properties were analyzed. Different quantities of BMB were combined with diesel fuel, and 2-ethyl hexyl nitrate (EHN) was introduced to the blend of 30% BMB-diesel fuel to improve both energy and environmental performance measurements. The research findings indicate that the FAME and physicochemical properties of BMB are comparable to those of diesel fuel. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of the engine decreases by 4.2% for 30% BMB blended fuel, whereas hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and smoke emissions decrease by 11.6%, 6.7%, and 10.5%, respectively. As the concentration of BMB increases, there is a reduction in both the maximum value of in-cylinder pressure and the net heat release rate. Conversely, brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and NOx emissions increase by 5.7% and 4.7%, respectively. The incorporation of EHN in the test fuel enhances BSFC and BTE by 4.2% and 4.3%, respectively, whereas NOx, HC, and CO emissions are reduced by 5.2%, 9.2%, and 9.9%, respectively.

Research on the calibration method of winding deformation tester

Abstract The focus of this paper is the calibration method and process for winding deformation tester, encompassing its working principle, metrological characteristics, calibration conditions and measurement methods. The calibration conditions are divided into environmental conditions and measurement standards and other equipments. The measurement methods are divided into indication error of scanning frequency and indication error of amplitude ratio. The key steps in the calibration process are elaborated, including the selection of standard equipments, error analysis, data processing. The method’s feasibility is verified through experiments.

Development of a georeferenced atlas of energy renovation in residential buildings using GIS tool

Abstract This paper presents a method for modelling the energy needs for heating the residential building stock on a macro scale. The method is based on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to manage various existing geolocalised databases and the collection of field data. It combines the calculation of energy demand with the estimation of solar gains received by the building envelope. In order to estimate the heat energy balance, a description of the building geometry is necessary. The geometrical characteristics of the envelope are extracted from the building entities information available in the spatial database. These parameters are then enriched and cross-referenced with other data gathered from the government’s complex taxation files. The TABULA buildings typology was chosen because it is an exhaustive European classification adapted for use in GIS utilities. The objective of this work is to produce a georeferenced atlas that can identify potential energy savings on large zones, such as urban areas. An understanding of energy consumption at this scale is crucial for the effective management of massively scaled energy-saving solutions. The atlas will promote energy efficiency in the residential sector and guide environmental policy measures by identifying priority areas for renovation.

Деятельность российских нефтегазовых компаний в Арктике: теория и практика резильентности в эпоху декарбонизации

Addressing global climate change presents a shared challenge, particularly for the development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF) and for industrial companies operating in the region, including oil and gas producers. Given the strategic role of hydrocarbon development in the AZRF for ensuring Russia’s energy security and the responsibility of oil and gas companies in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is critical to examine their role in enhancing the resilience of the AZRF amidst global decarbonization efforts. This article aims to provide a theoretical and practical analysis of the relationship between organizational and territorial resilience in the context of climate change. It focuses on the measures taken by Russian oil and gas companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the anthropogenic impact of their operations in the AZRF. The empirical basis for this study is drawn from the corporate reports of the largest Russian oil and gas companies. Through a review of contemporary Russian and international research, key risks to the resilience of economic systems in the AZRF are identified. A conceptual framework is proposed, highlighting the role of oil and gas companies in supporting the resilience of the AZRF, particularly through decarbonization initiatives aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change, such as permafrost thawing. Content analysis has been used to categorize the environmental and industrial safety measures, as well as decarbonization efforts, undertaken by Russian oil and gas companies in the AZRF. The study concludes by outlining the various decarbonization scenarios and strategies implemented by these companies in the AZRF.

The role of early life factors and green living environment in the development of gut microbiota in infancy: Population-based cohort study

ObjectiveEarly life microbial exposure influences the composition of gut microbiota. We investigated how early life factors, and the green living environment around infants’ homes, influence the development of gut microbiota during infancy by utilizing data from the Steps to Healthy Development follow-up study (the STEPS study). MethodsThe gut microbiota was analyzed at early (∼3 months, n = 959), and late infancy (∼13 months, n = 984) using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, and combined with residential green environment, measured as (1) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, (2) Vegetation Cover Diversity, and (3) Naturalness Index within a 750 m radius. We compared gut microbiota diversity and composition between early and late infancy, identified significant individual and family level early life factors influencing gut microbiota, and determined the role of the residential green environment measures on gut microbiota development. ResultsAlpha diversity (t-test, p < 0.001) and beta diversity (PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.095, p < 0.001) differed between early and late infancy. Birth mode was the strongest contributor to the gut microbiota community composition in early infancy (PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.005, p < 0.01) and the presence of siblings in late infancy (PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.007, p < 0.01). Residential green environment showed no association with community composition, whereas time spend outdoors did (PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.002, p < 0.05). Measures of greenness displayed a statistically significant association with alpha diversity during early infancy, not during late infancy (glm, p < 0.05). In adjusted analysis, the associations remained only with the Naturalness Index, where higher human impact on living environment was associated with decreased species richness (glm, Observed richness, p < 0.05). ConclusionsThe role of the residential green environment to the infant gut microbiota is especially important in early infancy, however, other early life factors, such as birth mode and presence of sibling, had a more significant effect on the overall community composition.

Production and utilization of pseudocobalamin in marine Synechococcus cultures and communities.

Cobalamin influences marine microbial communities because an exogenous source is required by most eukaryotic phytoplankton, and demand can exceed supply. Pseudocobalamin is a cobalamin analogue produced and used by most cyanobacteria but is not directly available to eukaryotic phytoplankton. Some microbes can remodel pseudocobalamin into cobalamin, but a scarcity of pseudocobalamin measurements impedes our ability to evaluate its importance for marine cobalamin production. Here, we perform simultaneous measurements of pseudocobalamin and methionine synthase (MetH), the key protein that uses it as a co-factor, in Synechococcus cultures and communities. In Synechococcus sp. WH8102, pseudocobalamin quota decreases in low temperature (17°C) and low nitrogen to phosphorus ratio, while MetH did not. Pseudocobalamin and MetH quotas were influenced by culture methods and growth phase. Despite the variability present in cultures, we found a comparably consistent quota of 300 ± 100 pseudocobalamin molecules per cyanobacterial cell in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, suggesting that cyanobacterial cell counts may be sufficient to estimate pseudocobalamin inventories in this region. This work offers insights into cellular pseudocobalamin metabolism, environmental and physiological conditions that may influence it, and provides environmental measurements to further our understanding of when and how pseudocobalamin can influence marine microbial communities.

Community profiles in northeastern and central Pennsylvania characterized by distinct social, natural, food, and physical activity environments and their relation to type 2 diabetes.

Understanding geographic disparities in type 2 diabetes (T2D) requires approaches that account for communities' multidimensional nature. In an electronic health record nested case-control study, we identified 15,884 cases of new-onset T2D from 2008 to 2016, defined using encounter diagnoses, medication orders, and laboratory test results, and frequency-matched controls without T2D (79,400; 65,069 unique persons). We used finite mixture models to construct community profiles from social, natural, physical activity, and food environment measures. We estimated T2D odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic generalized estimating equation models, adjusted for sociodemographic variables. We examined associations with the profiles alone and combined them with either community type based on administrative boundaries or Census-based urban/rural status. We identified four profiles in 1069 communities in central and northeastern Pennsylvania along a rural-urban gradient: "sparse rural," "developed rural," "inner suburb," and "deprived urban core." Urban areas were densely populated with high physical activity resources and food outlets; however, they also had high socioeconomic deprivation and low greenness. Compared with "developed rural," T2D onset odds were higher in "deprived urban core" (1.24, CI = 1.16-1.33) and "inner suburb" (1.10, CI = 1.04-1.17). These associations with model-based community profiles were weaker than when combined with administrative boundaries or urban/rural status. Our findings suggest that in urban areas, diabetogenic features overwhelm T2D-protective features. The community profiles support the construct validity of administrative-community type and urban/rural status, previously reported, to evaluate geographic disparities in T2D onset in this geography.

INTERNATIONAL LEGAL REGULATION OF PRINCIPLES IN THE FIELD OF CLIMATE PROTECTION

The article carried out comprehensive theoretical studies of foreign legislation in Environmental Protection. Principles in the field of climate protection are of great importance in the world. This is because climate change is contributing to an increase in the incidence of natural disasters. Environmental protection measures are provided for by the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change, the Paris agreement on climate change, the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change, the United Nations Environment and Development Conference. In developed countries, special principles have been introduced in the Prevention of environmental conditions, environmental safety and climate disasters based on international legal acts. The new principles of climate protection are aimed at preventing damage to the environment, preserving the environment, and using natural resources more efficiently. The legal principles of climate protection contribute to ensuring environmental safety, preventing harmful effects on natural resources, improving the quality of life of people through careful use of Natural Resources and other natural resources. The Paris Agreement is the first treaty ratified in the world, adopted by all heads of state at the United Nations conference on climate change. The main goal of the Paris Agreement is considered to be the management of the environment by developing states through the effective organization of several measures aimed at combating climate change. By conducting a legal analysis of various solutions of international organizations, the authors proposed important and effective principles that contribute to solving climate change problems.