Siting Of Facilities Research Articles

Gender differences in the effects of urban environment on nighttime exercise behaviours: a qualitative study

ObjectiveWith the acceleration of urbanization, nighttime exercise behaviours have rapidly emerged. Existing research indicates a correlation between urban environments and physical activity; however, studies focusing specifically on nighttime are still insufficient, particularly regarding gender differences. This study aims to identify the key factors in urban environments that influence residents’ nighttime exercise behaviours and to explore the gender differences within these influences.MethodsPurposeful sampling was employed to conduct semi-structured interviews with 30 residents who regularly engage in nighttime exercise. All transcribed interviews were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological data analysis method.ResultsThe findings revealed that physical environment and environmental perception are the two primary factors influencing nighttime exercise behaviour. These factors are further divided into 10 specific sub-themes: lighting, green spaces, site facilities and layout, traffic coherence, entertainment facilities, smart sports equipment, sense of safety, convenience, pleasure, and sense of belonging.ConclusionFemales demonstrate a heightened sensitivity to the perception of the physical environment, placing greater emphasis on the feelings and experiences it provides. Males, on the other hand, focus more on the direct impact of the physical environment, such as its specific effects on exercise performance. Future urban planning and public policy should give greater consideration to gender differences in the use of urban exercise facilities, ensuring that nighttime exercise environments meet the needs of residents of different genders. This approach will contribute to enhancing overall community vitality and improving residents’ health.

Socialist urbanism and cultural infrastructure facilities in China: Cities of the Pearl River Delta and the Guangzhou cultural infrastructure facilities plan, 2003–07

The construction of “cultural infrastructure facilities” (wenhua jichu sheshi) in China – auditoria, exhibition halls, libraries, museums, performance centers – for state administration of culture and information originated in the 1950s with Sino-Soviet exchange and has continued throughout the reform era. However, scholarship on urban development in China, embedded in discourses of capitalism and modern planning, generally does not recognize this category of infrastructure construction by contemporary city governments. To address the lacunae, this article analyzes the history of cultural infrastructure facilities in socialist urbanism, their transfer to the People’s Republic of China from the Soviet Union, the conditions of socialist realism, and the continuity of cultural infrastructure construction since the 1980s. Evidence from the Guangzhou Cultural Infrastructure Facilities Projects Plan (2003 – 07) and cultural facilities sites in the new city center projects of Shenzhen, Shunde, and Dongguan demonstrate how the party-state prioritizes the planning and construction of cultural infrastructure facilities. Contemporary architectural designs for new cultural buildings represent the international aesthetic of reform while cultural facilities continue to house and display party-sanctioned culture and information for the people.

Examining Disparities in PFAS Plasma Concentrations: Impact of Drinking Water Contamination, Food Access, Proximity to Industrial Facilities and Superfund Sites.

Most of the US population is exposed to per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) through various environmental media and these sources of PFAS exposure coupled with disproportionate co-localization of PFAS-polluting facilities in under-resourced communities may exacerbate disparities in PFAS-associated health risks. We leveraged two cohorts in Southern California with 8 PFAS concentrations measured in plasma. We obtained PFAS water testing data from the Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule and state monitoring data, census tract-level information on food access using the Food Access Research Atlas, the location of Superfund sites on the National Priorities List, and data on facilities known to release PFAS pollutants. These data were then spatially linked to the participants' home addresses. In the first cohort, we found that detections of PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS in drinking water were associated with 1.54 ng/mL (95% CI: 0.77, 2.32), 0.47 ng/mL (0.25, 0.68), and 1.16 ng/mL (0.62, 1.71) increase in plasma PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS. The presence of Superfund sites was associated with higher plasma concentrations of PFOS, PFHxS, PFPeS, and PFHpS (betas [95% CIs]: 0.96 [0.21, 1.71], 0.9 [0.22, 1.58], 0.04 [0.02, 0.06] and 0.05 [0.02, 0.09], respectively). Each additional PFAS-polluting facility present in the neighborhood was associated with a 0.9 ng/mL (0.03, 0.15) increase in the concentration of PFOS. In the other cohort, we found that the presence of Superfund sites was associated with higher plasma PFDA, PFHpS, PFOS (betas [95% CIs]: 0.03 [0.01, 0.06], 0.05 [0.01, 0.09], and 1.96 [0.31, 3.62]). Neighborhood low access to food was associated with a 2.51 ng/mL (0.7, 4.31) increase in plasma PFOS, 0.6 ng/mL (0.16, 1.06) increase in plasma PFOA and 0.06 (0.02, 0.1) increase in plasma PFHpS. Reducing sources of PFAS exposure in under-resourced neighborhoods may help reduce disparities in human exposure levels.

The Ones and Zeros of Carbon Capture

Leading services companies and specialty software firms alike have launched various tools and digital suites to assist carbon capture and storage (CCS) project operators with everything from ideal siting of facilities and pipelines to the efficient operations and around-the-clock monitoring of those facilities. CCS holds the promise of big business if industry can efficiently and economically operate at scale the slate of planned facilities. Oil and gas companies have been making investments in the space with aims to become leaders in a segment—ironic since the petroleum business is also one of the emitters of CO2 into the atmosphere. Last month, supermajor ExxonMobil executed the largest offshore CO2 storage lease in the US with the Texas General Land Office. The 271,000-plus-acre site complements the onshore CO2 storage portfolio ExxonMobil is developing and further solidifies the US Gulf Coast as a CCS leader, according to the operator. In an October 2024 report, the US Department of Energy (DOE) issued a draft strategy for carbon management technologies through 2030, stating that carbon capture and direct air capture are “essential” to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The report says CCS projects will grow dramatically over the next decade and beyond, adding that 18 CCS facilities are operating now in the US. DOE’s near-term CCS strategy through 2030 incorporates focusing research, development, demonstration, and deployment funding on priority use cases; building out CO2 transportation and storage infrastructure where it likely will be needed most in the future; supporting the implementation of effective and evidence-driven policies and regulations related to carbon management at other federal agencies; engaging communities and workers to ensure projects deliver benefits and mitigate potential risks to public health and the environment; and supporting climate diplomacy efforts to accelerate the adoption of carbon management at scale globally in a way that aligns with the Paris Agreement. “DOE is funding a variety of technologies to assist in decarbonization in the industrial and power sectors,” the report explained. “These approaches include carbon management as well as electrification, fuel switching, materials substitution, efficiency, and other emissions-reductions measures. In parallel, DOE is working to envision and develop transformative emissions reductions approaches that will create new options in the long term.” The US government has been an active participant in making funding available for the advancement of CCS technologies. In 2024 alone, almost $3.5 billion was made available between two separate programs—CCS large-scale pilot projects ($937 million) and CCS demonstration projects ($2.5 billion)—as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In June 2023, ceremonial shovels were plunged into the dirt in Ector County, Texas, to mark the start of construction for the largest direct air capture facility in the world, designed to capture 500,000 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere every year. Occidental subsidiary OnePointFive’s $1-billion Stratos project is located on a 65-acre site made up of a network of air contactors, pellet reactors, a centrifuge, and a calciner—all known components that operate in other industries.

Incorporating Diurnal and Meter-Scale Variations of Ambient CO2 Concentrations in Development of Direct Air Capture Technologies.

To be implemented on climate-relevant scales, direct air capture of CO2 (DAC) will require large capital-intensive facilities and careful attention to cost minimization. In making decisions among potential sites for DAC facilities, all of the factors that will impact process cost and efficiency should be considered. In this paper we focus on a factor that has previously received little attention in the DAC community, namely variations in atmospheric conditions on hourly time scales and length scales of meters. We present data curated from extensive previous studies of biosphere-atmosphere fluxes with observations of CO2 concentration, temperature, and relative humidity (RH) with hourly resolution from many sites in North America. These include locations where typical diurnal variations in CO2 concentration during summer months exceeds 150 ppm. These variations are larger than the seasonal variations that exist between averaged CO2 concentrations in winter and summer, and they are highly correlated with diurnal variations in temperature and RH. Diurnal variations are dependent on the height above ground at which CO2 concentrations are measured, with smaller variations existing at heights of 10 m or more than at ground level. We illustrate the potential implications of these short-term variations for the operation and optimization of a DAC process with process-level calculations for a specific adsorption-based process using amine-rich adsorbents.

Research on the implementation of integrated coastal management principles in Taiwan to mitigate disputes related to nuclear waste disposal

Taiwan's nuclear power plants are situated in coastal regions characterized by abundant socio-economic and ecological significance. In the context of managing high-level radioactive waste storage and disposal in the future, alongside technical considerations, there exist challenges related to public acceptance and communication. Radioactive waste management, including the siting of storage or disposal facilities, is a socially sensitive matter. The storage and disposal of radioactive waste represent a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive approach spanning multiple disciplines. One of the functions of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) is to coordinate conflicts related to coastal use. The concept has been progressively embraced and implemented by nations globally. This study employs grounded theory to examine the perspectives of the interviewed stakeholders. It subsequently introduces the principles of integrated coastal management for conflict resolution post-compilation. The study utilizes the principles and mechanisms of integrated coastal management to address or alleviate the challenges related to radioactive waste management in our country. Issues concerning conflict in relation to storage and disposal.

The Influence of Logistics Activity on Sustainable Performance of Air Cargo Business in Thailand

This research applies logistics management concepts to sustainable business operations in the context of air cargo businesses in Thailand. The study aims to understand how logistics activities impact the sustainable performance of air cargo businesses. The objectives of this study were to examine: 1) logistics activities in air cargo businesses in Thailand, and 2) the influence of logistics activities on the sustainable performance of the air cargo business. This study consists of descriptive research, utilzing a questionnaire for data collection. The sample consisted of 424 employees of air cargo businesses operating in Thailand. The findings reveal that all 9 logistics activities significantly influenced the sustainable performance of air cargo businesses in Thailand, in terms of economic, social, and environmental performance, where Customer Services and Support (CSS) had the highest average value with a mean value of 5.90 (S.D. = 0.723). Regarding the results of the study of influences, Facilities Site Selection, Warehousing, and Storage (FWS) was found to strongly impact Economic Performance (ECOP) with a β value of .740. Meanwhile, Reverse Logistics (RL) had the greatest impact on Social Performance (SOCP) with a β value of 0.843, and Transportation (TRAN) had the greatest influence on Environmental Performance (ENVP), with a β value of 0.749. The findings can support the introduction of business guidelines to enhance competitiveness and enable the achievement of sustainable success, offering encouragement for Thailand as a key air cargo hub for Southeast Asia. Moreover, the study can be used to enhance academic knowledge in the field of logistics and contribute to the future sustainable performance of the air cargo business.

Provider costs of treating opioid dependence with extended-release buprenorphine in Australia.

The costs of providing medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence can determine its scale of provision. To provide estimates of the costs of extended-release buprenorphine (BUP-XR), we performed a bottom-up costing analysis of provider operational treatment costs. Data were collected in a single-arm open label trial of BUP-XR injections conducted in specialist public drug treatment services and primary care private practices in three Australian states (the CoLAB study). The unit costs of resources used for each activity were combined with quantities used at each participating facility to arrive at the average annual cost per client. One hundred participants across the six health facility sites received monthly subcutaneous BUP-XR injections administered by a health-care practitioner. The average cost of providing 1 year of treatment per participant was $6656 ($6026-$8326). Screening cost (initial assessment and medical history) was $282 while monthly follow-up appointments cost $531 per client. The main cost driver was the monthly treatment costs accounting for 79% of the average annual client cost, with medication costs comprising 95% of this cost. With medication costs making up the largest proportion of treatment costs, treatment using BUP-XR has the potential to free up other health system resources, for example, staff time. The costs reported in this study can be used in an economic evaluation to estimate the net benefit or cost-effectiveness of BUP-XR especially when compared to other opioid agonist treatments.

교정시설의 지역사회 수용태도의 영향 요인

The overcrowding and aging of correctional facilities must be seriously addressed in order to protect the human rights of prisoners and the safety of the public, and it is currently necessary to relocate existing facilities or build new ones every year in order for Korean correctional facilities to fulfil their role. However, new construction and relocation has not been carried out in a timely manner due to ongoing local opposition to the siting of correctional facilities. This study was conducted to investigate the attitudes of residents in neighborhoods without correctional facilities and to identify factors that influence their acceptance of correctional facilities. Specifically, based on the results of the literature review, the following variables were identified as factors that directly or indirectly influence residents' attitudes: local image damage, trust in government, need for facilities, and fear of crime. The relative magnitude of their influence was compared, and policy implications related to the siting of correctional facilities were suggested. The study found that residents' perceptions of a correctional facility being located in a neighborhood are negatively related to the perceived damage to the neighbourhood's image, and that higher perceptions of fear of crime are positively related to the perception of siting of a correctional facility. However, the more residents perceive the need for correctional facilities, the more negatively they perceive the community location of correctional facilities, which can be interpreted as a confirmation of the NIMBY phenomenon suggested by previous studies. And policy suggestions and limitations are presented.

Empowering the solar energy landscape: The techno-economic analysis of grid-connected PV power plants in Uganda

Solar PV power is still under-utilized despite the abundance of solar radiation in Uganda. There is need for empowering renewable energy landscape through unlocking the technical and economic feasibility of solar photovoltaic power. We analyzed data from 56 locations for the techno-economic and environmental assessment of photovoltaic power facilities in Uganda. This was based on weather data availability and accessibility to the national power grid. Analysis of the energy generation and different input factors was done using PVsyst 7.2. A three stage approach to losses was adopted: absorption of sunlight, conversion to DC and DC to AC conversion. Findings indicate that most of the countryside is suitable for construction of large scale grid-connected photovoltaic power facilities. Due to longer sunshine duration and stronger Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) which are associated with high energy yield, northern Uganda performed better than the rest of the country, making it a preferential siting for large scale grid-connected photovoltaic facilities. South western Uganda performed the poorest. After a thorough energy accounting and a list of all performance metrics, the viability of investing in grid-connected photovoltaic power facilities was assessed.

Strategic Siting of Direct Air Capture Facilities in the United States

Direct air capture (DAC) systems that capture carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere are garnering considerable attention for their potential role as negative emission technologies in achieving net-zero CO2 emission goals. Common DAC technologies are based either on liquid–solvent (L-DAC) or solid–sorbent (S-DAC) to capture CO2. A comprehensive multi-factor comparative economic analysis of the deployment of L-DAC and S-DAC facilities across various United States (U.S.) cities is presented in this paper. The analysis considers the influence of various factors on the favorability of DAC deployment, including local climatic conditions such as temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentrations; the availability of energy sources to power the DAC system; and costs for the transport and storage of the captured CO2 along with the consideration of the regional market and policy drivers. The deployment analysis in over 70 continental U.S. cities shows that L-DAC and S-DAC complement each other spatially, as their performance and operational costs vary in different climates. L-DAC is more suited to the hot, humid Southeast, while S-DAC is preferrable in the colder, drier Rocky Mountain region. Strategic deployment based on regional conditions and economics is essential for promoting the commercial adoptability of DAC, which is a critical technology to meet the CO2 reduction targets.

Assessment of bioenergy plant locations using a GIS-MCDA approach based on spatio-temporal stability maps of agricultural and livestock byproducts: A case study

Addressing the global challenge of energy sustainability and global directives on farming emissions, the United Nations, the European Union, and China have led with strict targets for clean energy, renewable share growth, and carbon neutrality, highlighting a commitment to collective sustainability. This work is situated within the ambit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), advocating for a transition towards renewable energy sources. With substantial and accessible bioenergy resources, notably in Hubei Province, China, biogas technology has emerged as an emission-cutting solution. This research, focused on the Jianghan Plain, employs an integrated approach combining spatial analyses with machine learning tools to evaluate crop yield stability over two decades, with the aim of maximising the biogas yield from agricultural byproducts, i.e., crop straw and livestock manure. Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), which is informed by grey-based DEMATEL, 9 constraints and 13 environmental, social, and economic criteria were assessed to identify optimal sites for biogas facilities. The findings underscore the significant bioenergy potential of agricultural byproducts from the plain of 6.3 × 1012 kJ/year at an 11.4 kJ/m2 density. Stability analyses revealed consistent biomass availability, with rice in Gongan and Shayang and wheat in Jiangling being the primary contributors. Through the MCDA, 45–66 optimal biogas plants were identified across 4 critical counties (Zhongxiang, Shangyang, Jingshan, and Yichen), balancing the energy supply and demand under various stable scenarios. Furthermore, this study demonstrated the criticality of moderate biomass stability for stakeholder consensus and identified areas of high stability essential for energy demand fulfilment. Theoretically, this study offers a practical model for bioenergy resource exploitation that aligns with global sustainability and carbon neutrality goals to address the urgent need for renewable energy solutions amidst the global energy crisis. Practically, this study sets a precedent for policy and planning in environmental, agricultural, and renewable sectors, signifying a step forwards in achieving environmental sustainability and an energy-efficient future.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ALGORITHM FOR CALCULATING COMPONENT COMPOSITION TO IMPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OFFSHORE OIL FIELDS IN THE NORTH CASPIAN BASIN

The paper presents an algorithm to reconstruct the component composition of the mixture based on the results of production modeling in the black oil format and a fixed set of tables with the results of phase equilibrium calculations in a given pressure range. The approach is based on analyzing the ratio of flow rates for each phase and the ratio between average reservoir pressure and saturation pressure. The algorithm takes into account the possibility of oil degassing when saturation pressure decreases, as well as gas breakthrough of gas caps to the bottoms of producing wells.Implementation of the method is based on a unified thermodynamic model of multilayer reservoir, built on the principles of a single set of HC mixture components and uniform parameters of the equation of state on a set of fluid samples for all modeling stages: reservoir model, model of the gathering system and site facilities. In addition to steady-state flow calculations performed together with reservoir modeling, the unified model is planned to be used for dynamic flow calculations in the corresponding simulator (well start/stop), which will allow solving production problems in the process of operation of wells with complex completions.The conversion algorithm is automated using modern high-level tools: Python and data automation components from MS Excel, which eliminates the need for manual data input at all stages and makes it possible to obtain the estimated component composition of produced fluid for any set of wells and for any time step within the forecasting horizon.The obtained compositions are used to verify the reproduction of the main controlled parameters (oil density and gas oil ratio) and can be used for subsequent calculations of fluid transportation and treatment systems.The implemented algorithm has been tested for stability at different ratios of gas and oil flow rates by wells and meets the practical requirements of engineering calculations — the error of oil density is not higher than 2 % and gas factor is not higher than 10 %.

Benefits of customizing dust hazard controls to meet your needs

AbstractThe OSHA Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP), recent studies commissioned by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Research Foundation and U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), as well as emphasis by insurance companies have brought more urgency to combustible dust safety. NFPA standards are being revised for consistency and clarity of standards for combustible dust safety. While that is a significant improvement from conditions of past decades, the situation can be improved even more by implementing risk‐based methods to help develop application‐specific explosion protection. Many facilities that handle combustible particulate solids follow prescriptive requirements of applicable NFPA standards, especially for new installations. Decisions are often driven primarily by meeting codes and standards with minimum capital cost. Legacy installations that do not meet current standards typically claim “grandfather” status as the reason for not implementing the current standard requirement or good engineering practice. The goal of this paper is to present a method of adapting the familiar process safety risk matrix to assess likelihood of a deflagration event rather than the overall the risk of a consequence. This method provides an objective basis to assist staff of a legacy facility to make decisions to prioritize capital improvement projects, to follow current good engineering practice, and to stop relying on “grandfather” status. This paper makes the broad, practical assumption that any deflagration event has serious consequences. The magnitude of those consequences may vary based on facility siting, deflagration area of effect, population of personnel in the affected area, or business criticality of affected equipment and structures. Decisions based solely on the likelihood matrix may inadvertently prioritize a more likely, but less consequential, concern over an event that may put multiple people at risk, or have serious commercial implications. Methods such as Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) are useful to more comprehensively understand risks. Flexible, outside‐the‐box thinking in applying safeguards, Independent Protection Layers (IPLs), administrative controls, and facility siting may provide a better solution than merely following prescriptive code without making the effort to fully understand the hazard.

Computational and Experimental Substantiation of Strengthening Reinforced Concrete Structures with Composite Materials of Power Plants under Seismic Action

In Russia, a significant number of power facilities built in the 1960s and 1970s are located in regions where seismic effects were revised upward. This has led to an increase in the seismicity of the sites of facilities’ locations by magnitude 1–2 (MSK-64) in comparison with the data of design documentation. During the long-term operating period of power facilities, the load-bearing capacity of building structures, as a rule, decreases. This article presents the results of computational and experimental studies of reinforced concrete structures of thermal power plants and hydroelectric power plants for seismic effects in the range of magnitude 4–10 (MSK-64). The computational studies were carried out using ANSYS 16.0 software, and experimental studies were carried out on stands modeling seismic impacts with the help of hydraulic cylinders. The results of the studies showed that cracking of reinforced concrete structures without strengthening occurs at magnitude 6.0 (MSK-64) of seismic impact, and destruction occurs at magnitude 7.5. Thus, the seismic resistance of structures without reinforcement does not meet the requirements for seismic resistance, and strengthening is required. This study considers a variant of strengthening based on external composite reinforcement with CFRP. It is shown that the strengthening of structures with composite material increases their earthquake resistance up to magnitude 9–10 (MSK-64). This article presents recommendations on the CFRP strengthening of building structures of power facilities, both after receiving damage under seismic impact and in a planned manner to increase seismic resistance. The novelty of this work lies in the fact that quantitative results of increasing the seismic resistance of structures depending on the placement and number of layers of composite material are given.

GeoGPT: An assistant for understanding and processing geospatial tasks

Decision-makers in GIS often need to combine multiple spatial algorithms and operations to solve geospatial tasks. While professionals can understand and solve these tasks by using GIS tools sequentially, developing workflows for various tasks can be inefficient, as even slight differences in tasks require corresponding adjustments in the workflow. Recently, large language models (e.g., ChatGPT) presented a strong performance in semantic understanding and reasoning. Especially, AutoGPT can further extend the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) by automatically reasoning and calling externally defined tools. Inspired by these studies, we attempt to increase the efficiency of developing workflows for handling geoprocessing tasks by integrating the semantic understanding ability inherent in LLMs with mature tools within the GIS community. Specifically, we develop a new framework called GeoGPT that can conduct geospatial data collection, processing, and analysis in an autonomous manner. In this framework, a LLM is used to understand the demands of users, and then think, plan, and execute defined GIS tools sequentially to output final effective results. In this process, our framework is user-friendly, accepting natural language instructions as input and adapting to various geospatial tasks, which can serve as an assistant for GIS professionals. A systemic evaluation and several cases, including geospatial data crawling, spatial query, facility siting, and mapping, validate the effectiveness of our framework. Though limited cases are presented in this paper, GeoGPT can be further extended to various tasks by equipping with more GIS tools, and we think the paradigm of “foundational plus professional” implied in GeoGPT provides an effective way to develop next-generation GIS in this era of large foundation models.

Fine tuning dual active sites in modulating cascade electrocatalytic nitrate reduction over covalent organic framework

Conversion of NO3− to NH3 proceeds stepwise in natural system under two different enzymes involving intermediate NO2−. Artificial electro-driven NO3− reduction also faces the obstacle of low faradaic efficiency due to insufficient utilization of this intermediate. Herein, we demonstrate a bimetallic COF-based electrocatalyst for the cascade catalysis of NO3−-to-NO2−-to-NH3 for the first time. TpBpy-Cu2Co4 exhibits a significantly improved performance, with an enhancement factor of 1.4–2 compared to monometallic TpBpy-M. The NH3 yield rate achieves 25.6 mg h−1 mgcat.−1 at −0.55 V vs RHE over TpBpy-Cu2Co4, together with excellent faradaic efficiency (93.4 %). This achievement demonstrates cascade catalysis between Co and Cu units, and their distinct roles are investigated through electrochemical experiments and theory calculations. In electrocatalytic process, Cu site facilities *NO3-to-*NO3H step, while the Co site significantly decreases the energy barrier of *NHOH-to-*NH. The present work provides a valuable inspiration in designing efficient catalysts for cascade reaction.

Urban drone stations siting optimization based on hybrid algorithm of MILP and machine learning

Urban environments, characterized by high population density and intricate infrastructures, are susceptible to a range of emergencies such as fires and traffic accidents. Optimal placement and distribution of fire stations and ambulance centers are thus imperative for safeguarding both life and property. An investigation into the distribution inefficiencies of emergency service facilities in selected districts of Chengdu reveals that imbalanced distribution of these facilities results in suboptimal response times during critical incidents. To address this challenge, a two-stage clustering method, incorporating X-means and K-means algorithms, is employed to identify optimal number and locations for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) fire stations and drone ambulance centers. A Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model is subsequently constructed and solved using the Gurobi optimization platform. Bayesian optimization—a machine learning technique—is exploited to elucidate the interplay between response speed and service capacity of these UAV-based emergency service stations under an optimized layout. Results affirm that integration of MILP and machine learning provides a robust framework for solving complex problems related to the siting and allocation of emergency service facilities. The proposed hybrid algorithm demonstrates substantial potential for enhancing emergency preparedness and response in urban settings.

Population size and nesting peculiarities of the black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus (Linnaeus, 1766) on the territory of water treatment facilities

Background. Today, the black-headed gull inhabits man-made areas of wastewater treatment facilities (WTF) to comensate for the the reduction of natural aquatic and wetland habitats. Over the last decade, a nearly tenfold increase in its population has been recorded, despite a low reproduction rate. This fact indicates the lack of stability in the bird population, necessitating thorough research. Materials and Methods. The analysis of the population size and biological charac­teristics of black-headed gulls involved censuses and observations at the WTF of the city of Kharkiv using conventional methods during the spring-summer periods of 2020–2021 and 2023. Results. The population of the black-headed gull reached its peak in the third decade of May 2020 (2637 individuals) and 2023 (2124 individuals), as well as in the second decade of May 2021 (3949 individuals). The maximum nesting density was observed on sludge sites (SS) of wastewater treatment facilities that are most similar to natural habitats, where dried mud alternates with water patches and vegetation at the bottom and around the perimeter (Type V): 236.7±26.7 pairs/ha in 2020 and 242.9±28.5 pairs/ha in 2021. The majority of nests were found in the first decade of May 2021 and the third decade of May 2020. The black-headed gull forms mixed-species, occasionally monospecific subcolonies. Nesting in association with it were: Sterna hirundo, Anas platyrhynchos, Spatula clypeata, Vanellus vanellus, Charadrius dubius, Himantopus himantopus, Fulica atra, Gallinula chloropus, and Aythya ferina. The size of the complete black-headed gull clutch was 3.1±0.4 eggs (n = 190). The egg dimensions were 50.9±2.1 ´ 36.2±1.1, with a mass of 34.6±2.8 g. Regarding shell coloration, five types of background colors were identified. Mass egg laying occurred from the third decade of April to the first decade of May, constituting 40.3 % (n = 993) in 2020 and 62.3 % (n = 1757) in 2021. The egg-laying period extended from April to July, with the latest non-incubated clutches recorded in the first decade of July (3.07.2020). The first chicks were found in nests in the first decade of May, while mass hatching occurred in the second half of May. The latest registration dates of the birds on nesting territories were in the second decade of July for 2020 and 2023, and the first decade of August for 2022. The nesting season duration varied from 125 to 140 days in different years. Autumn migration commenced with summer relocations and concluded from late October to early November. The reproductive success – the percentage of nestlings that fledged and successfully achieved flight – constituted 29.2 % (n = 2404 of laid eggs) in 2020, and 15.5 % (n = 6138) in 2021. The majority of offspring perished due to changes in water levels (prolonged rainfall or industrial wastewater discharge), predation, disturbance factors, etc. Conclusion. The colonial nesting of the black-headed gull creates favorable conditions for the habitation and reproduction of various bird species, including rare ones, which is essential for their conservation.

Understanding Washington State’s Low Uptake of Lung Cancer Screening in Two Steps: A Geospatial Analysis of Patient Travel Time and Health Care Availability of Imaging Sites

BackgroundEarly detection of lung cancer reduces cancer mortality; yet uptake for lung cancer screening (LCS) has been limited in Washington State. Geographic disparities contribute to low uptake, but do not wholly explain gaps in access for underserved populations. Other factors, such as an adequate workforce to meet population demand and the capacity of accredited screening facility sites must also be considered. Research QuestionWhat proportion of the eligible population for LCS have access to LCS facilities in Washington State? Study Design and MethodsWe used the enhanced two-step floating catchment (E2SFCA) model to evaluate how geographic accessibility in addition to availability of LCS imaging centers contribute to disparities. We used available data on radiologic technologist volume at each American College of Radiology (ACR) accredited screening facility site to estimate each site’s capacity to meet potential population demand. Spearman rank correlation coefficients of the spatial access ratios (SPARs) were compared with the 2010 Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes and Area Deprivation Index (ADI) quintiles to identify characteristics of populations at risk for lung cancer with greater and lesser levels of access. ResultsA total of 549 radiologic technologists were identified across the 95 ACR accredited screening facilities. We observed that 95% of the eligible population had proximate geographic access to any ACR facility. However, when we incorporated the E2SFCA method, we found significant variation of access for eligible populations. The inclusion of the availability measure attenuated access for most of the eligible population. Furthermore, we observed that rural areas were substantially correlated and areas with greater socioeconomic disadvantage were modestly correlated with lower access. InterpretationRural and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas face significant disparities. The E2SFCA models demonstrated that capacity is an important component and how geographic access and availability jointly contribute to disparities in access to LCS.