Internal Environment Research Articles

Effect of suspended solids from anaerobic digested wastewater on performance and microbial community of autotrophic nitrogen removal process

Most anaerobically digested wastewaters have high concentrations of suspended solids, while little is known about whether they adversely affect the performance of the autotrophic nitrogen removal process. In this work, using air-lift internal circulation reactor we studied the effect of suspended solids on the autotrophic nitrogen removal process by adding 600–900 mg/L suspended solids from digested swine wastewater to the influent (R–SS). The results showed that during the formation of autotrophic nitrogen removal granular sludge, suspended solids containing Ca, Mg, Cu P, and Pb can enter the granular sludge, occupy the ecological niche of anammox bacteria, lead to loose internal structure, and damage the internal anoxic environment. It then reduces the settling performance in the R–SS, causes heavy wash-out of granular sludge from the R–SS reactor (2.5 times more than the control, R–CK), and finally reduces the maximum nitrogen removal rate of the autotrophic nitrogen removal process from 5.16 kg N/m3/d to 4.31 kg N/m3/d. Meanwhile, the metagenomic analysis showed that suspended solids reduce the relative abundance of reads from key nitrogen genes of anammox bacteria yet increases reads from both nitrite-oxidizing and denitrifying bacteria, especially nir and nor genes. Further analysis of 16 highly abundant genomes assembled via metagenomics showed that suspended solids decrease the relative abundance of Kuenenia_seed103, an anammox bacterium, from 13.36% (R–CK) to 11.03% (R–SS). Since suspended solids can act as a carbon source for denitrifiers to compete with nitrite or nitric oxide with anammox bacteria, the denitrifier community has progressed from a simple denitrifier consisting of only one or two denitrification steps (nar or nos) that acts as an ammonia and nitrite sink to a complete one that directly reduces nitrite to nitrogen gas. This study will lay a good foundation for its application in wastewater treatment.

An RTK UAV-Based Method for Radial Velocity Validation of Weather Radar

The quality of weather radar affects the reliability and effectiveness of monitoring severe convective weather. Therefore, rigorous calibration and validation are the foundation for the quantitative application of weather radar. Among the available methods, radial velocity validation is of great significance for reducing the false alarm rate in the identification of tornadoes and thunderstorms. Based on the traditional method that utilizes internal and external instrument radar velocity measurements, we propose a weather radar radial velocity validation method that uses RTK UAV to simulate external targets. In addition, according to the characteristics of the UAV application scenarios, we introduce the evaluation parameter of optimal absolute accuracy to supplement the original parametric system. The experimental results show that the evaluation parameter of optimal absolute accuracy can effectively reduce the interference caused by the systematic deviation of the UAV due to the internal and external environment, which can affect the validation results. When the UAV velocity is not greater than 10 m/s, the optimal absolute accuracy of the radial velocity validation is less than 0.05 m/s, which is essentially consistent with the external instruments’ measurement results. This method can be effectively applied to the procedural handling of weather radar radial velocity validation. It is significant for ensuring the accuracy and quality of weather radar radial velocity measurements and improving the effectiveness of radar velocity data applications.

Shopping Center Marketing Strategy in Increasing Visitor Traffic in Manokwari City Mall

This research aims to analyze marketing strategies in increasing visitor traffic at the Manokwari City Mall Shopping Center as one of the well-known shopping centers in Manokwari Regency. The formulation of the problem in this research is what the marketing strategy is at the City Mall shopping center in Manokwari City and what is the company's SWOT analysis. This research is field research using descriptive qualitative methods and SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threat) analysis as a tool for identifying the company's internal and external environment. In this research, researchers made observations, then collected data through in-depth interviews with managers and the company's marketing division, as well as documentation to support the research. The research results show that Manokwari City Mall has shown success in increasing visitor traffic, although this increase is not of great value, it is able to provide changes at a better level than the previous year. From the results of the SWOT analysis diagram, it shows that the company is in the SO area, meaning that Manokwari City Mall in carrying out its marketing must be aggressive by taking advantage of existing opportunities and strengths. This aggressive strategy includes carrying out maximum and creative promotions, establishing new collaborations with investors and tenants, or utilizing technology and the environment as marketing support tools. Apart from that, the provision of events and outreach to the community must always be improved so that more and more people visit Manokwari City Mall

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF A TRANSPORT ENTERPRISE: ASSESSMENT, PROJECT, AND MECHANISM OF STRATEGY INTEGRATION

The aim of this study is to improve the methodology for assessing the level of sustainable development of a transport enterprise, as well as to develop a project and mechanism for integrating the strategy of sustainable development as one of the functional strategies of the marketing management concept for harmonizing interests with stakeholders. To achieve the set goal, a number of modern interdisciplinary research methods and techniques were used, including abstract-logical methods such as analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction; generalization - for reviewing information sources, studying domestic and foreign experience; systemic analysis - for a comprehensive understanding of the research object and a complex analysis of relationships between elements within the defined problem as a whole; problem-oriented approach - for scientific justification of the methodology for assessing the level of sustainable development of a transport enterprise. The study discusses widely accepted methodological approaches to assessing sustainable development, one of which was taken as a basis, slightly modified and supplemented with indicators reflecting the content of the marketing management concept, taking into account the interests of stakeholders, and improved in terms of mathematical logic. It was proposed to distinguish a separate component of sustainability – risk sustainability, which generally refers to the internal property of a system that contributes to preserving its integrity in the face of various disruptive influences from the external and internal environment. Furthermore, based on the improved methodology for assessing the level of sustainable development of a transport enterprise, a project "Designing Sustainable Development of a Transport Enterprise" has been launched. Its goal is to integrate the principles of the concept of sustainable development into the enterprise's marketing management system. The implementation of the developed functional strategy for managing the sustainable development of a transport enterprise is based on the Balanced Scorecard toolkit, which allowed presenting goals for each area of sustainable development in the form of a hierarchy and decomposition, aligning general and specific interests, taking into account the interests, goals of the enterprise, and key stakeholders. Measures were also taken, including the use of marketing communication tools, for reflexive interaction with stakeholders, operational controlling to align interests, processes, and goals of marketing management. The theoretical conclusions, approaches, and recommendations proposed in the article can be used to assess the level of sustainable development of a transport enterprise and to implement a mechanism for integrating the strategy of sustainable development and the marketing management system based on the Balanced Scorecard toolkit and controlling to harmonize the goals of market-oriented enterprise management and the goals, interests of key stakeholders.

Corrosion-based failure analysis of steel saltwater pipes: A Hong Kong case study

Effective functioning of saltwater supply system is essential to Hong Kong government agencies. However, it has been frequently observed that steel saltwater pipes suffered from severe internal corrosion and consequently early burst accidents, which may cause high economic loss and safety concerns to the public. Therefore, by taking a sample saltwater pipe made of DN450 mild steel with internal and external walls coated with fusion bonded epoxy in Hong Kong, this paper investigates the root causes and failure mechanism for the internal corrosion of this failed steel saltwater pipe through laboratory experiments and numerical simulation analysis. Two hypotheses are proposed and validated: (1) cathodic delamination of the epoxy lining, and (2) delamination of the epoxy lining due to external mechanical loads. The results verify that the sample saltwater pipe failed due to the cathodic delamination of the epoxy lining, and the electrochemical corrosion of the inner pipe wall. Moreover, it can be concluded that external mechanical load has few significant impacts on the damage of the epoxy lining for this sample pipe. This study exemplifies the importance of an in-depth analysis on the internal corrosion of steel water pipes, especially in a highly-corrosive internal environment.

Integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Factors in Financial Reporting: A Global Perspective

The integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations in financial reporting is increasingly receiving significant attention, driven by increasing investor demand and corporate social responsibility. Internal factors in an organization, such as the composition of the board of directors, financial performance, internal control system, corporate governance, and institutional environment, have a significant influence on ESG integration. This research analyzes the role of internal factors in influencing ESG practices, highlighting the importance of diverse leadership, financial stability, effective control systems, disclosure transparency, and a stable institutional environment. By paying attention to these factors, companies can improve their ESG practices, reduce risks, and make a greater contribution to sustainable economic, social, and environmental development.

Performance of Reflective Film on the Light Environment of Chinese Solar Greenhouse

To enhance the utilization of solar energy in Chinese solar greenhouses (CSGs), a new method for optimizing the internal lighting environment of CSGs using reflective films is proposed. The influence of different positions and angles of reflecting film on solar radiation in greenhouses was studied, using the solar radiation on the inside surface of the CSG as an evaluation index. According to the findings, total solar radiation increased by 5.33% when the reflective film was positioned on the north roof at an angle of 0°. The light interception on the north wall decreased from 7.91% to 10.54% when the angle was raised from 15° to 25°. The crop canopy was not significantly affected by the reflective film’s various placements and angles, and the benefits of additional light were insufficient to compensate for the drawbacks of crop shading. This result provides a theoretical basis for the application of reflective films in relevant agricultural facilities. Reasonable installation of reflective film in the greenhouse can increase the light interception of plants inside the greenhouse and further increase the income of farmers.

Examining the impact of leadership on job satisfaction in Greek luxury hotels

The purpose of this study is to examine whether leadership style affects the professional satisfaction of employees in the field of hospitality and specifically in luxury hotels in Greece. A quantity survey was conducted measuring the characteristics and behavior of leaders, and employee satisfaction. The originality of the article derives from the thorough study of the individual forms of leadership’s effect on job satisfaction in Greek luxury hotels, presenting existing organizational data during a strenuous period of pandemic and financial crisis leading to significant changes in the internal and external environment of hotel companies.

Artificial intelligence applications implication for ESG performance: can digital transformation of enterprises promote sustainable development?

Purpose In the global context, artificial intelligence (AI) technology and environmental, social and governance (ESG) have emerged as central drivers facilitating corporate transformation and the business model revolution. This paper aims to investigate whether and how the application of AI enhances the ESG performance of enterprises. Design/methodology/approach This study uses panel data from Chinese A-share listed companies spanning the period from 2012 to 2022. Through a multivariate regression analysis, it examines the impact of AI on the ESG performance of enterprises. Findings The findings suggest that the application of AI in enterprises has a positive impact on ESG performance. Internal control systems within the organization and external information environments act as mediators in the relationship between AI and corporate ESG performance. Furthermore, corporate compliance plays a moderating role in the connection between AI and corporate ESG performance. Originality/value This paper underscores the pivotal role played by AI in enhancing corporate ESG performance. It explores the pathways to improving corporate ESG behavior from the perspectives of internal control and information environments. This discussion holds significant implications for advancing the application of AI in enterprises and enhancing their sustainable governance capabilities.

РОЗРОБКА ПРОГРАМИ РОЗВИТКУ АГРАРНОГО ФАКУЛЬТЕТУ

The article considers the relevance of the strategic development of educational institutions. The essence of the concept of «agrarian faculty development program» as a means of directing and integrating the team's efforts to increase the efficiency of the work of the structural division and the university as a whole, which is developed on the basis of an in-depth analysis of the state of the educational system and determines the main ways of its modernization, is defined; a generalized long-term plan for the implementation of the mission and the achievement of the goal by the faculty community. It is emphasized that strategic management is a type of management of an educational institution, according to which: fulfillment of the formulated mission and set goals is guaranteed; successful operation is ensured in the long term; flexible response to changes in the internal environment is ensured; the organization is able to respond to the challenge of the external environment; human potential is perceived as the main value of the organization; the organization's activities are focused on satisfying consumer requests. It is noted that the strategic management of the organization is designed to ensure not only its functioning, but also its development in the future. This approach caused the direction of all management actions to update the educational system, the joint activities of all participants in the educational process to achieve the set goals. It is emphasized that the program is based on values embodied in the life of the faculty: humanism, quality, national consciousness, professionalism, creativity. It was emphasized that openness, inclusiveness, the right to criticism and attention to criticism are the main principles of the faculty's activity. It is emphasized that the implementation of the agricultural faculty development program took place in two stages: defining the mission of the faculty; development of a development program.

Antibacterial mechanism of ultrasound combined with thymol against Shewanella putrefaciens: implications for cell integrity and biofilm control

SummaryThe study aimed to assess the in vitro antibacterial effect of thymol (Thy) in conjunction with ultrasound (US) on Shewanella putrefaciens (S. putrefaciens). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Thy against S. putrefaciens were 0.50 and 1.00 mg mL−1, respectively. US was found to augment the antibacterial efficacy of Thy, resulting in a significant reduction of 2.36 log CFU mL−1 in the total colony count of S. putrefaciens, ensuring that the bacterial population maintained a consistently low growth rate. Quantitative detection of crystal violet revealed that the combined treatment exhibited a pronounced inhibitory effect on biofilm formation, with a clearance rate of mature biofilms reaching 91.60%. Alkaline phosphatase (AKPase), lactate dehydrogenase (LDHase), UV absorbing substance permeability, and other indicators were employed to measure changes in the bacterial cell membrane and internal environment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was further used to observe the bacteria morphology before and after treated by US and Thy, a notable collapse of bacterial cells was observed, accompanied by ruptured outer membranes, damaged cell walls, and extensive leakage of cellular contents. This study presents a novel approach for controlling bacterial growth in food preservation methods.

Indoor Thermal Environment Evaluation for Emergency Medical Tents in Heating Season: Onsite Testing and Case Study in China

In this study, the standard tent used by the China International Medical Team (Sichuan) was used as the research object to study the internal temperature change in medical tents in a low-temperature environment relying on heating equipment. Method: Four temperature sensors were arranged along the horizontal direction at a 1.2 m height in the medical tent, and more sensors were installed at heights of 0.1, 0.2, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 2.5 m. A total of 11 temperature sensors were set. Temperature tests were conducted in January and February 2021 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. During the test, the running time of the heating equipment was controlled in real time according to the temperature change trend. A Kolmogorov–Smirnov(K-S) test was used to verify the reliability of the experimental data. The temperature change trend was used to characterize the influence of the heating and cooling equipment on the temperature change inside the tent. Results: Due to the position angle of the heating equipment and the influence of the external environment, the spatial distribution of the ambient temperature inside the medical tent was obviously uneven. In winter, an electric heater with a heating power of about 2500 W can increase the internal temperature of the tent to 16.7 °C, significantly improving the internal thermal environment of the medical tent. The ambient temperature in the medical tent is positively correlated with the height and the installation position of the heating equipment. Conclusion: Medical tents can maintain the ambient temperature well to meet medical needs with the support of heating equipment with sufficient power. The temperature distribution law of medical tents in this experiment has good guiding significance for the placement angle of heating equipment and the configuration position of medical equipment and provides a reference for the development of thermal insulation materials for medical tents.

Impact of two stage evaporative cooling system using underground water powered by PV panels on improving the thermal comfort of emergency relief tents in dry-hot climate regions

People are often forced to leave their homes owing to several reasons, such as natural disasters and conflicts, and in these cases, speed and cost are critical factors in saving millions of souls. Therefore, relief tents are the best solution in these situations. However, the internal environment of these kinds of tents might be uncomfortable, especially on hot or extremely cold days. Evaporative cooling systems are one of the simple and inexpensive techniques used to improve thermal comfort in a variety of applications, including agricultural, industrial, and residential. For this reason, the present work aims to investigate experimentally the impact of utilizing a two-stage indirect/direct evaporative cooling system using underground water driven by photovoltaic panels on improving the thermal comfort conditions within the relief tent. The experiments were conducted during the summer season of 2022 under different parameters, including the cellulosic pad thickness and the water volume flow rates in direct and indirect cooling stages. The results showed that the used evaporative cooling system improved the thermal comfort conditions inside the tent model, with an indoor daily average temperature reduction of about 12.4–14.8 °C in comparison to the standard tent model. Furthermore, the study outcomes revealed that, due to the remarkable impact of the extra heat exchanger in the indirect cooling stage, the proposed cooling system may offer airflow conditions inside the thermal comfort zone even without utilizing the direct cooling stage.

Post-discharge nutritional management for patients with coronary heart disease and frailty: a qualitative study

BackgroundFrail elderly patients experience physiological function and reserve depletion, leading to imbalances in their internal environment, which increases the risk of coronary heart disease recurrence and malnutrition. However, the majority of these patients, who primarily have a low level of education and lack self-management skills, face difficulties actively dealing with obstacles during the transition period after their discharge from hospitalization. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and discuss in depth the nutrition management experience of discharged elderly patients with coronary heart disease and frailty (ages 65-80 years old) and to analyze the promoting and hindering factors that affect scientific diet behavior during the discharge transition period.MethodsFifteen elderly patients with coronary heart disease and frailty who had been discharged from the hospital for 6 months were interviewed using a semistructured method. The directed content analysis approach to descriptive research was used to extract topics from the interview content.ResultsAll participants discussed the problems in health nutrition management experience of discharged. Five topics and ten subtopics were extracted, such as ①Weak perceptions and behaviors towards healthy eating (personal habit solidification, negative attitudes towards nutrition management), ②Lack of objective factors for independently adjusting dietary conditions (reliance on subjective feelings, times of appetite change), ③Personal hindrance factors (memory impairment, deficiencies in self-nutrition management), ④Expected external support (assistance care support, ways to obtain nutritional information), ⑤Lack of continuous nutrition management (interruption of professional guidance, avoidance of medical treatment behavior).ConclusionsNutrition management after discharge places a burden on elderly patients with coronary heart disease and frailty. According to the patients' physical conditions, we should develop a diet support system that is coordinated by individuals, families and society.

Examining government officials’ perceived risk management and internal control in combating fraud in the public sector

This study aims to examine the perception of risk management and internal control in the public sector, specifically concerning preventing fraud. Specifically, this study examines the various aspects of fraud prevention among employees in the public sector, including goal formulation, internal environment, and communication of information, risk response, monitoring, risk assessment, and control actions. A total of 537 individuals working in the procurement and finance departments of federal ministries participated in a questionnaire survey conducted using the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations framework and focused on fraud prevention. This study shows that risk assessment, control actions, and information and communication exert a favorable influence on the prevention of fraudulent activities. This study revealed that risk assessment, control actions, and information and communication exert a favorable influence on the prevention of fraudulent activities. This study can contribute to the government's efforts in improving risk management, addressing corruption, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 and 16 initiatives.

Research On Effectiveness of Low-Carbon Policies on Labor Mobility

Abstract The internal and external environment of China's development has undergone profound changes, and the promotion of “dual-carbon” has become an urgent need for cracking the outstanding problems of resource and environmental constraints and realizing sustainable development, while labor mobility can bring “demographic dividend” to the region, which is an important part of realizing the dual-carbon goal. This paper focuses on the low-carbon pilot policies, adopts the panel data of 281 prefecture-level cities from 2005 to 2019, and constructs a multi-period double difference model to investigate the effects of low-carbon policies on labor mobility. The study finds that: low-carbon pilot can significantly promote inter-regional labor inflow, and the above conclusion still holds after a series of robustness tests; mechanism analysis shows that the advancement of industrial structure plays a significant positive moderating role, while government expenditures on finance, science and technology play a mediating role. The research in this paper not only provides a new perspective for the evaluation of the effects of low-carbon policies, but also provides a new basis for city branding to attract labor inflow, and the heterogeneity analysis also provides a theoretical reference for the government to formulate talent policies. JEL classification numbers: J61. Keywords: Low-carbon policies, Labor mobility, Multi-period double difference model, Advancement of industrial structure.

The impact of adult neurogenesis on affective functions: of mice and men.

In most mammals, new neurons are not only produced during embryogenesis but also after birth. Soon after adult neurogenesis was discovered, the influence of recruiting new neurons on cognitive functions, especially on memory, was documented. Likewise, the late process of neuronal production also contributes to affective functions, but this outcome was recognized with more difficulty. This review covers hypes and hopes of discovering the influence of newly-generated neurons on brain circuits devoted to affective functions. If the possibility of integrating new neurons into the adult brain is a commonly accepted faculty in the realm of mammals, the reluctance is strong when it comes to translating this concept to humans. Compiling data suggest now that new neurons are derived not only from stem cells, but also from a population of neuroblasts displaying a protracted maturation and ready to be engaged in adult brain circuits, under specific signals. Here, we discuss the significance of recruiting new neurons in the adult brain circuits, specifically in the context of affective outcomes. We also discuss the fact that adult neurogenesis could be the ultimate cellular process that integrates elements from both the internal and external environment to adjust brain functions. While we must be critical and beware of the unreal promises that Science could generate sometimes, it is important to continue exploring the potential of neural recruitment in adult primates. Reporting adult neurogenesis in humankind contributes to a new vision of humans as mammals whose brain continues to develop throughout life. This peculiar faculty could one day become the target of treatment for mental health, cognitive disorders, and elderly-associated diseases. The vision of an adult brain which never stops integrating new neurons is a real game changer for designing new therapeutic interventions to treat mental disorders associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and social costs.

Post-translational modifications in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

The increasing attention towards diabetic cardiomyopathy as a distinctive complication of diabetes mellitus has highlighted the need for standardized diagnostic criteria and targeted treatment approaches in clinical practice. Ongoing research is gradually unravelling the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy, with a particular emphasis on investigating various post-translational modifications. These modifications dynamically regulate protein function in response to changes in the internal and external environment, and their disturbance of homeostasis holds significant relevance for the development of chronic ailments. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the common post-translational modifications involved in the initiation and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy, including O-GlcNAcylation, phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation and ubiquitination. Additionally, the review discusses drug development strategies for targeting key post-translational modification targets, such as agonists, inhibitors and PROTAC (proteolysis targeting chimaera) technology that targets E3 ubiquitin ligases.

Conflict and Public Administration Performance: CEE Countries

In the academic literature, there has yet to be a firm consensus on the type of link between conflict and public administration. This article investigates if/how conflict influences post-conflict public administration performance in selected conflict-affected states in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), namely Croatia, Georgia, Kosovo, and Serbia. However, the selected countries do not demonstrate a tangible global impact of conflict on public administrative performance. This finding suggests that a “one-size-fits-all” global link between conflict and public administration performance does not exist. From this perspective, a country’s actual circumstances and the internal and external environment are the deciding factors.

Multi-camera tracking of mechanically thrown objects for automated in-plant logistics by cognitive robots in Industry 4.0

AbstractEmploying cognitive robots, capable of throwing and catching, is a strategy aimed at expediting the logistics process within Industry 4.0’s smart manufacturing plants, specifically for the transportation of small-sized manufacturing parts. Since the flight of mechanically thrown objects is inherently unpredictable, it is crucial for the catching robot to observe the initial trajectory with utmost precision and intelligently forecast the final catching position to ensure accurate real-time grasping. This study utilizes multi-camera tracking to monitor mechanically thrown objects. It involves the creation of a 3D simulation that facilitates controlled mechanical throwing of objects within the internal logistics environment of Industry 4.0. The developed simulation empowers users to define the attributes of the thrown object and capture its trajectory using a simulated pinhole camera, which can be positioned at any desired location and orientation within the in-plant logistics environment of flexible manufacturing systems. The simulation facilitated ample experimentation to be conducted for determining the optimal camera positions for accurately observing the 3D interception positions of a flying object based on its apparent size on the camera’s sensor plane. Subsequently, a variety of calibrated multi-camera setups were experimented while placing cameras at identified optimal positions. Based on the obtained results, the most effective multi-camera configuration setup is derived. Finally, a training dataset is prepared for 3000 simulated throwing experiments where the initial part of the trajectory consists of observed interception positions, through derived best multi-camera setup, and the final part consists of actual positions. The encoder–decoder Bi-LSTM deep neural network is proposed and trained on this dataset. The trained model outperformed the current state-of-the-art by accurately predicting the final 3D catching point, achieving a mean average error of 5 mm and a root-mean-square error of 7 mm in 200 real-world test experiments.