Poor Site Research Articles

Visitors’ Behaviors and Perceptions of Spatial Factors of Uncultivated Internet-Famous Sites in Urban Riverfront Public Spaces: Case Study in Changsha, China

This article takes representative uncultivated riverfront internet-famous sites (uncultivated RIFSs) in Changsha city, China, as an example to explore the internal mechanism of their formation and finds that they are closely related to the “urban subculture” and the “informality of urban public space”. In terms of methodology, through questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews, this study investigates the behavioral characteristics of onsite visitors, the overall perceptions and satisfaction of public spaces, and the perceptions of spatial and humanistic elements of visitors. The main findings are as follows: ① Onsite visitors are mainly male, with local tourists and nearby residents accounting for over 80%. Furthermore, over half of the visitors have limited understanding of the uncultivated RIFSs. ② People’s overall attitudes towards the uncultivated RIFSs are positive. And the ability to carry out meaningful activities and find comfort and safety are of the greatest concern to onsite tourists. ③ Among the visiting reasons, leisure stays accounted for the highest proportion, followed by sightseeing, sports stays and social stays. ④ The onsite visitors’ main focus of spatial elements and humanistic elements is different according to the different sites. However, visitors’ dissatisfaction is mainly reflected in poor site safety and sanitation conditions, inadequate facilities and poor surrounding environments. This paper also compares the online–offline differences in the spatial perceptions of the uncultivated RIFSs between this study and previous research; instead of focusing on the urban physical spaces, online social media users pay more attention to their self-presentation. Meanwhile, the visitors place greater emphasis on the functionality, practicality and experiential activities of the urban physical spaces. Finally, this article proposes optimization strategies for uncultivated RIFSs from planning and governance and public space design aspects to protect and strengthen the composite utilization of space, therefore enhancing diverse vitality.

Health and ecological risk assessment for arsenic contaminated groundwater in Shahpur and Koilwar Blocks, Bhojpur district, Bihar

ABSTRACT Arsenic-contaminated groundwater is a threat to the human population, leading to the occurrence of different cancers and skin problems. A health risk assessment study was conducted using arsenic data from groundwater sampled at Shahpur and Koilwar blocks in Bhojpur district, Bihar. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometry (ICP-MS) analysis of 49 tube well samples (24 from Shahpur; 25 from Koilwar) showed that 22.45% of them had arsenic concentrations above the permissible limit (10 µg/l as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)) during the pre-monsoon with a maximum of 153 µg/l at Shahpur and 49 µg/l at Koilwar. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guidelines were applied to calculate the cancer and non-cancer risks. The Hazard quotient (HQ) and Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) indicated an adverse risk (HQ > 1 and ILCR > 10−6), with Shahpur having three times higher amounts of more toxic arsenic(III). The Water Quality Index (WQI) obtained from chemical analysis indicated Shahpur having fewer poor water quality sites, with its percent ratio to Koilwar being 8:10. Ecological risk indices (Ei and RI) and Nemerow pollution index (NPI) implied moderate to extremely high risks (RI > 600 and 2.5 <NPI≤11). This study’s output necessitates future groundwater monitoring in the arsenic hotspots.

Mono-/Bimetallic Doped and Heterostructure Engineering for Electrochemical Energy Applications.

Designing efficient materials is crucial to meeting specific requirements in various electrochemical energy applications. Mono-/bimetallic doped and heterostructure engineering have attracted considerable research interest due to their unique functionalities and potential for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. However, addressing material imperfections such as low conductivity and poor active sites requires a strategic approach to design. This review explores the latest advancements in materials modified by mono-/bimetallic doped and heterojunction strategies for electrochemical energy applications. It can be subdivided into three key points: (i) the regulatory mechanisms of metal doping and heterostructure engineering for materials; (ii) the preparation methods of materials with various engineering strategies; and (iii) the synergistic effects of two engineering approaches, further highlighting their applications in supercapacitors, alkaline ion batteries, and electrocatalysis. Finally, the review concludes with perspectives and recommendations for further research to advance these technologies.

ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION DELAYS ON DISPUTES IN INDIA: A STATISTICAL AND MACHINE LEARNING APPROACH

In Major construction projects execution and performance were being negatively impacted by claims and disputes in terms of cost overrun, quality, stakeholders relationships, and productivity. Therefore understanding the significance of underlying the claims is essential. In this study, the primary root causes behind delay claims and disputes in construction projects were identified, examined, and rated. The significance of these factors was assessed using Relative Importance Index (RII) values. In addition, a machine learning model employing the Random Forest Genetic Algorithm (RFGA) was implemented to foresee the related risks and ascertain their levels. In a pilot survey, the data were collected across multiple construction projects at different phases such as scrutiny stage, design and planning stage, bidding stage, operation stage, and maintenance or after-construction stage. From Relative Important Index values from the statistical approach, it emerges that delay claims are generally causes from the owner followed by project-specific activities. Delays in processing bill payments, natural disasters, lack of contract awareness, and delay in final bill payment are the top causes of delay claims which converted to conflicts and disputes in mostly operating stage. The Random Forest Genetic Algorithm model predicted that factors like altering the original design, reluctance to cooperate by contractor, and increase of wages have lower risk whereas factors Poor site conditions, delay in approvals of schedules and change orders, natural calamities, late in running bill payment, repetition of work due to error in original work are at higher risk in terms of conflict and dispute. The model gives an accuracy of 0.89 and 0.87 for training data and testing data. The study will highlight possible research avenues and enhance project management strategies so that the project succeeds its goal.

Trees support functional soils in a dryland agricultural area

Trees provide multiple ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, hydrological regulation and habitat for arboreal animals. However, they are often removed to support agricultural enterprises. Despite the importance of tree remnants, we know relatively little about how soils differ across sites of varying condition. Here, we describe a study where we examined the relative effects of trees, compared with unvegetated interspaces, on soil functions in remnant patches at sites in good and poor condition in two eucalypt communities in an irrigation area in eastern Australia. We found that, in general, carbon and nutrient cycling were relatively greater beneath trees, and in surface soils, but there were no clear trends in relation to site condition. The values of most soil attributes (e.g., soluble and exchangeable cations, nitrogen, phosphorus) were greater beneath trees, indicating strong fertile island effects in both communities. Overall, our study confirms the importance of trees in remnant patches in agricultural landscapes, particularly those in sites of poor condition. It also suggests that soil processes may still be relatively intact, even in sites in poor condition. Our study reinforces the need to protect trees in remnant woodland reserves to maintain critical ecosystem functions related to nutrient retention. These remnants are important for achieving sustainable management of agricultural systems.

Insight into interfacial engineering for enhancing the synergistic effect of piezo-photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production

Constructing heterojunctions represents a prevalent approach for enhancing piezo-photocatalytic performance. However, it remains challenging due to contradictory charge polarity and a poor active site. In this study, we employed an in situ hydrothermal method to fabricate a ZnIn2S4-BiOCl compact heterojunction with interfacial chemical bonding. Experimental and theoretical calculations demonstrate that the interfacial chemical bond (Bi-S bond) creates a strong interfacial electronic effect between the heterojunctions, acting as strain centers and charge transfer channels to enhance coordinated piezoelectric and photoelectric fields, thereby facilitating charge transfer. Additionally, interfacial bonding induces dynamic surface reconstruction and redistribution of electron density, improving reactant activation and charge exchange while reducing reaction barriers. Consequently, ZB-4 catalyst exhibits exceptional piezoelectric photocatalytic performance for pure water to H2O2 conversion (1987.33 μmol g-1·h-1), which is 5.85 times than that of pure BiOCl. This study presents a valuable strategy for enhancing positive coordination between heterojunctions and the photocatalytic piezoelectric effect.

Cloud-Based Remote Real-Time Monitoring and Control System for Spring Fatigue Testing Machine

In recent years, the utilization of cloud technology has witnessed a surge, particularly in the domains of industrial automation and intelligent scenarios. However, the prevailing spring fatigue testing machine is still in the traditional single-machine working mode. In this mode, there are many problems such as low automation of testing equipment, poor experimental site environment, and the need for experimenters to be on duty for a long time. In order to solve the above problems, this paper builds a cloud-based remote monitoring and control system based on the high-temperature constant-force spring fatigue testing machine. The system is based on Browser/Server architecture, and clients can access it anytime and anywhere using a browser in a public network environment. The server is hosted on a public cloud platform and includes website service, data storage service, WebSocket real-time communication service, and remote video monitoring service. Clients can remotely monitor and control the testing machine in real time through the cloud. After experimental verification, the real-time monitoring and control messages delay is 11 ms, and the video monitoring delay is 291 ms, which can meet the actual needs of remote spring fatigue testing. This remote monitoring and control system improves the automation of the spring fatigue testing machine and improves the working environment of the experimenters. In addition, it can be applied to other reliability testing machines in the laboratory, and can further help build a workshop-level remote monitoring and control platform.

Analyzing The Causes of Project Failure and Cost Overruns in Building Construction Industry by Using a Mixed-Methods Approach

This study investigated the reasons for project failures and cost overruns in building construction. The building construction industry is well known for chronic issues such as fragmentation, cost overruns, poor working conditions, and insufficient quality, all of which result in project failure. Project failure and cost are the two most essential indicators of success in a construction project because they have an equal impact on all project participants, both favorably and negatively. These problems have been evident for many years across the global construction industry, requiring the identification of the primary causes to address these challenges. The use of both quantitative and qualitative approaches was important, as it made it easier to accomplish the overall goal of solving the problem because quantitative data were collected via surveys and qualitative data were collected through interviews. Data was gathered from 104 team members in Pakistan's building construction industry. The top five reasons for project failure were poor project management, poor design, frequent design changes, design errors, bureaucracy, corruption, poor quality, and poor site management. The top five reasons for cost overruns were poor start-up planning, poor project cost estimation, poor weather conditions, political situations, and the economic instability of the country. Minimizing these factors can contribute to a greater probability of project success and overall improvement in the construction industry.

Lack of management, land-use changes, poor site conditions and drought contribute to the decline of old pollarded oaks

In Europe, people have managed forests and woodlands for centuries. Old pollarded oaks reflect historical legacies, and their conservation is threatened by the abandonment of this traditional forest use. However, site conditions (topography, soil features, land cover, and historical use) and warming-triggered drought stress also contribute to their growth decline, particularly in seasonally dry regions. We investigated two stands of pollarded Mediterranean oaks (Quercus subpyrenaica), where pollarding was abandoned in the 1950s, showing contrasting land cover and tree sizes in north-eastern Spain. Changes in land cover, soil characteristics (texture, pH, and nutrient concentrations), climate conditions, and tree-ring data (basal area increment −BAI−, and ring-width indices) were analysed. The Artosilla site, showing the smallest trees, presented the lowest long-term growth rates (period 1730−2022, mean BAI = 19.7 cm2 yr−1) as compared with the Aineto site with bigger oaks (mean BAI = 32.9 cm2 yr−1). Old trees were found in both sites with ages ranging 293−311 years. The less fertile soils in Artosilla, where pine plantations diminish canopy thermal amplitude, may contribute to the long-term growth decline observed there. Moreover, more major growth suppressions were found in this site, particularly in the 1940s, which suggest a more intensive historical use. Aineto showed a stronger BAI decline since the 1950s, which could be a response to increasingly warmer and drier summer conditions. In contrast, growth in Artosilla is decoupling from soil and atmospheric drought suggesting chronic growth stagnation. Poor site conditions (steeper slope, less fertile soils, intensive historical use) contributed to the decline of pollarded oaks. Active management is required to preserve these unique old, monumental trees.

Ash fertilization increases long-term timber production in drained nitrogen-poor Scots pine peatlands

Wood ash fertilization remarkably increases tree growth and hence, carbon sequestration in drained boreal peatland forests, particularly in nitrogen (N)-rich Scots pine sites with limited phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Because ash lacks N, N-deficient ombrotrophic and poor oligotrophic sites are generally considered unsuitable for ash fertilization. In this study, timber production was investigated in six field experiments in N-poor, drained Scots pine dominated peatlands in central Finland, where ash fertilization was applied 15–85 years earlier. Ash significantly increased tree growth in all the study sites. Unfertilized plots showed long-term average mean annual increment (MAI) of 2.01 m3·ha−1·a−1, whereas in fertilized plots MAI was 4.46 m3·ha−1·a−1. An analysis with nonlinear mixed effects model revealed a faster volume yield development and higher asymptote of the mean curve in fertilized plots. Higher amount of K in the ash significantly increased the response. Fertilizations were financially lucrative: on average, the break-even cost surpassed the ash fertilization cost (390 € ha−1) more than two-fold at 5% interest rate. The current nutrient status of fertilized trees was rather balanced. The results proved that the long-term growth response to ash fertilization in poor drained peatland sites is comparable to N-rich sites, but the response time is distinctively longer.

Synergistic Enhancement of Supercapacitors with Cobalt–Copper Bimetal–Organic Framework

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), as high‐potential electrode materials for applications in supercapacitors, have received significant attention recently. Unfortunately, MOF materials still suffer from unsatisfactory specific capacitances due to poor conductivity and limited redox active sites. Herein, a novel cobalt–copper‐based bimetal–organic framework (CoCu‐MOF) is synthesized by a bottom‐up synthesis strategy, the material properties systematically characterized, and finally investigated as a supercapacitor electrode material. The synthesized CoCu‐MOF presents a high specific surface area of 62.4 m2 g−1, and 83% of the copper ions attains the +1 oxidation state contributing to the formation of additional redox active sites and leading to the formation of dual‐redox sites. The CoCu‐MOF displays an excellent specific capacitance of 618 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, which is more than twice that of Co‐MOF and four times that of Cu‐MOF. The CoCu‐MOF retains 75% of its original capacitance after 3000 charge–discharge cycles at the current density of 1 A g−1. Overall, this work demonstrates how the bimetallic synergistic strategy can effectively enhance the electrochemical properties of MOFs by providing a higher specific surface area and by the introduction of dual redox sites.

Application of GIS in Evaluating Suitable Clam Farming Site in Vembanad Lake, India

The present study identifies and quantifies appropriate sites for black clam farming in the Vembanad Lake using a geographical information system (GIS). The black clam, Villorita cpyrinoides, is the most important clam landed in India. Despite being a candidate species for aquaculture, the trials on farming of clams are very limited. The aim of this study was to select the most suitable sites for clam farming in Vembanad Lake based on the use of GIS-based models. For this, the importance of soil quality, water quality and infrastructure facilities were accessed using an analytical hierarchical process. The site suitability map was prepared using each attribute and divided into four classes, such as most suitable, moderately suitable, least suitable and poor. Water quality is found to play a major role (54%) compared to soil quality (24%) and infrastructure facilities (22%) for development of clam farms in Vembanad Lake. Salinity registered the highest importance (0.21) for the water quality suitability map as compared to other parameters like pH and dissolved oxygen. The total area covered under this study was 6471 ha out of which, 3121 ha (48%) was identified as most suitable and of the remaining 3350 ha, 1804 ha (28%) was identified as moderately suitable, 946 ha (15%) was identified as least suitable and 600 ha (9%) was identified as the poor site for clam farming in Vembanad Lake.

A Macrophage Membrane-Functionalized, Reactive Oxygen Species-Activatable Nanoprodrug to Alleviate Inflammation and Improve the Lipid Metabolism for Atherosclerosis Management.

Atherosclerosis (AS) management typically relies on therapeutic drug interventions, but these strategies typically have drawbacks, including poor site specificity, high systemic intake, and undesired side effects. The field of cell membrane camouflaged biomimetic nanomedicine offers the potential to address these challenges thanks to its ability to mimic the natural properties of cell membranes that enable enhanced biocompatibility, prolonged blood circulation, targeted drug delivery, and evasion of immune recognition, ultimately leading to improved therapeutic outcomes and reduced side effects. In this study, a novel biomimetic approach is developed to construct the M1 macrophage membrane-coated nanoprodrug (MM@CD-PBA-RVT) for AS management. The advanced MM@CD-PBA-RVT nanotherapeutics are proved to be effective in inhibiting macrophage phagocytosis and facilitating the cargo delivery to the activated endothelial cells of AS lesion both in vitro and in vivo. Over the 30-day period of nanotherapy, MM@CD-PBA-RVT is capable of significantly inhibiting the progression of AS, while also maintaining a favorable safety profile. In conclusion, the biomimetic MM@CD-PBA-RVT shows promise as feasible drug delivery systems for safe and effective anti-AS applications.

AI-driven remote sensing enhances Mediterranean seagrass monitoring and conservation to combat climate change and anthropogenic impacts

Seagrasses are undergoing widespread loss due to anthropogenic pressure and climate change. Since 1960, the Mediterranean seascape lost 13–50% of the areal extent of its dominant and endemic seagrass-Posidonia oceanica, which regulates its ecosystem. Many conservation and restoration projects failed due to poor site selection and lack of long-term monitoring. Here, we present a fast and efficient operational approach based on a deep-learning artificial intelligence model using Sentinel-2 data to map the spatial extent of the meadows, enabling short and long-term monitoring, and identifying the impacts of natural and human-induced stressors and changes at different timescales. We apply ACOLITE atmospheric correction to the satellite data and use the output to train the model along with the ancillary data and therefore, map the extent of the meadows. We apply noise-removing filters to enhance the map quality. We obtain 74–92% of overall accuracy, 72–91% of user’s accuracy, and 81–92% of producer’s accuracy, where high accuracies are observed at 0–25 m depth. Our model is easily adaptable to other regions and can produce maps in in-situ data-scarce regions, providing a first-hand overview. Our approach can be a support to the Mediterranean Posidonia Network, which brings together different stakeholders such as authorities, scientists, international environmental organizations, professionals including yachting agents and marinas from the Mediterranean countries to protect all P. oceanica meadows in the Mediterranean Sea by 2030 and increase each country’s capability to protect these meadows by providing accurate and up-to-date maps to prevent its future degradation.

Advancing environmental monitoring across the water continuum combining biomarker analysis in multiple sentinel species: A case study in the Seine-Normandie Basin (France)

Nowadays, biomarkers are recognized as valuable tools to complement chemical and ecological assessments in biomonitoring programs. They provide insights into the effects of contaminant exposures on individuals and establish connections between environmental pressure and biological response at higher levels. In the last decade, strong improvements in the design of experimental protocols and the result interpretation facilitated the use of biomarker across wide geographical areas, including aquatic continua. Notably, the statistical establishment of reference values and thresholds enabled the discrimination of contamination effects in environmental conditions, allowed interspecies comparisons, and eliminated the need of a reference site.The aim of this work was to study freshwater-estuarine-coastal water continua by applying biomarker measurements in multi-species caged organisms. During two campaigns, eight sentinel species, encompassing fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, were deployed to cover 25 sites from rivers to the sea. As much as possible, a common methodology was employed for biomarker measurements (DNA damage and phagocytosis efficiency) and data interpretation based on guidelines established using reference values and induction/inhibition thresholds (establishment of three effect levels).The methodology was successfully implemented and allowed us to assess the environmental quality. Employing multiple species per site enhances confidence in observed trends. The results highlight the feasibility of integrating biomarker-based environmental monitoring programs across a continuum scale. Biomarker results align with Water Framework Directive indicators in cases of poor site quality. Additionally, when discrepancies arise between chemical and ecological statuses, biomarker findings offer a comprehensive perspective to elucidate the disparities. Presented as a pilot project, this work contributes to gain insights into current biomonitoring needs, providing new questions and perspectives.

Impact of Stressors/Stress on Organizational Commitment of Engineers in the Construction Industry

Impact of Stressors/Stress on Organizational Commitment of Engineers in the Construction Industry

Buildability Issues in Building Construction Projects in Nigeria

Buildability terminology is adopted for the effect of design on construction and as an essential professional input of a builder during the design stage in project execution. Thus, this research determined buildability issues on building projects. The objectives assessed the factors responsible for buildability issues and examined mitigation strategies on selected construction projects. Primary data were collected through the distribution of sixty questionnaires to construction professionals in fifteen ongoing construction projects handled by Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital; Esan West Local Government and Esan Central Local Government purposively sampled. The return rate of questionnaires administered was 83.3%. The data obtained were analyzed using mean item score and relative importance index. Results revealed the prevalence of buildability issues in the study area; especially inadequate cash flow from client, poor information flow between designers and contractors and omitted drawing details. The most prominent factor responsible for buildability issues being improper planning and poor site layout (RII = 0.884) while the most predominant strategy to mitigate buildability issues was producing detailed working drawings (RUI = 0.904).

Usage of Dermal Regeneration Templates (Pelnac) for Coverage of Exposed Hand Tendons in Acute Setting.

The loss of soft tissue coverage of tendons is a challenging reconstructive problem after acute hand trauma. Subsequent tendon adhesions and the loss of range of movement in addition to the poor aesthetic outcome and donor site scarring should be avoided when deciding the plan of management. Pelnac is one of the commonly used skin substitutes in reconstructive surgery that can be used for coverage of exposed tendons, but the postoperative functional outcome needs to be addressed in detail. Twenty-six patients with acute isolated tendon injuries distal to the wrist joint were included. Two-stage reconstructive procedures were performed; the first one was the application of Pelnac. The second stage was carried out after the complete integration of Pelnac via the application of a split-thickness graft. The function outcome assesses the return of the normal range of motion to the affected hand and the QuickDASH score questionnaire. The aesthetic outcome was assessed using the Vancouver scar scale. The Pelnac was integrated in 100% of cases, with complete grafts taken in 22 of 26 patients. The mean QuickDASH score was 20.5 ± 15.7, and mean Vancouver scar scale was 3.53 ± 3.2. The full range of motion returned in 22 of 26 patients. Using Pelnac to cover the exposed hand tendons in an acute setting is a convenient and efficient procedure with minimal morbidity. It can offer a good option for their coverage with preservation of hand function and acceptable aesthetic outcome.

Waste Management: Landfill Selection Using Gis and Analytical Hierarchy Process

The widespread use of landfilling as a convenient waste management method has become unsustainable due to the rapid development causing a surge in waste generation, threatening the lifespan of existing landfills. The closure of landfills presents waste management challenges, necessitating more extensive garbage disposal facilities to accommodate the growing urban population. However, poor site selection methods can have a negative impact on both the environment and human health, which goes against the objectives of sustainable development goal (SDG). Methods like Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) facilitate decision-making processes. This integration reduces analysis time and costs enhances accuracy and minimizes errors. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) provides a framework to validate judgments and derive measurable values in decision-making involving theories and concepts. In this study, several criteria were used to create a final suitability map which is the distance from the residential area, distance from the plantation area, distance from the main road, distance from waterways, type of soil, slope, and land cover. The results indicate that distance from residential has the highest weightage of importance, which is 27%. It also found that the highly suitable new landfill area is located at Batu in Kuala Langat, Pulau Carey, and Bukit Rotan in Kuala Selangor.

A comparative analysis between conventional methodology and lean construction principles

In recent years, construction planning and control have faced significant criticism, prompting the development of methods to overcome issues related to low material quality and poor construction site management. Originating from essential service methodologies in construction, Lean Construction, developed by Lauri Koskela, aims to optimize services through site management, the use of straightforward tools, process minimization, and action control. This study aimed to compare data available in GOINFRA tables with outcomes derived from the implementation of Lean Construction methodology on-site. Thus, an evaluation was conducted by applying Lean Construction philosophy in a residential project, using management and administrative techniques alongside a production card to oversee actions and teams. Consequently, this study presents several achieved outcomes, demonstrating how Lean Construction enhances and minimizes unnecessary processes and activities, resulting in more satisfactory and productive results.