Recovery Project Research Articles

Reverse Osmosis Coupled with Ozonation for Clean Water Recovery from an Industrial Effluent: Technical and Economic Analyses.

Technical and economic criteria were used to evaluate the feasibility of the treatment of an industrial effluent (10 m3/h) for water recovery and reuse. The treatment evaluation included the following: (1) effluent characteristic determination; (2) selection and evaluation of the effluent treatment at lab scale, establishing operating conditions and process efficiency; (3) scaling up the treatment process to the industrial level; (4) treatment plant design and commercial availability analysis of the required equipment; and (5) the costs of the inversion and operation of the plant treatment, cost/m3 for water recovery, and time of investment recovery. The physicochemical characteristics of the effluent exposed the polluted wastewater with sodium chloride salts and colourants, predominating a mixture of tartrazine, Red 40, and brilliant blue from the synthesis of food additives. Other contributions of organic compounds and salts could be in minor content. According to the effluent conditions, a coupled process, integrated with ozonation and reverse osmosis, was indicated to be a treatment for water recovery. Scaling up the plant treatment design resulted in 130 m2 of area, producing 7.7 m3/h of clean water. The cost of the effluent treatment was 1.4 USD/m3, with an inversion return of 3.4 years and cost investment of USD 860,407. The treatment process resulted a viable project for water recovery.

Leading the Way: Working Towards Heritage-Led Nature Recovery in Natural England

ABSTRACT The climate and biodiversity crises are an immediate and existential threat, risking the widespread loss and degradation of habitats across England. The UK Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan commits us to being the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we found it, and the long-term conservation and enhancement of the historic environment is an essential component of this commitment. However, as the pressure mounts to deliver nature recovery faster, at greater scale and within increasingly tighter budgets, does heritage run the risk of being overlooked? Natural England’s 2023 guidance Nature Recovery and the Historic Environment provides a best-practice framework to ensure appropriate integration of heritage into nature recovery, but it also goes further – exploring the correlations between our historic and natural environments and the ways in which heritage assets can provide added value to nature recovery projects. This paper will take this thinking a step further and consider how projects led by heritage can deliver across the full spectrum of environmental objectives: to inform, inspire and improve habitat restoration, species abundance, soil health, improved air and water quality, public access, landscape distinctiveness and rural placemaking.

Factors influencing women’s participation in disaster recovery after the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, Pakistan

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine factors that influenced the participation of women in the disaster recovery process after October, 2005 earthquake in the Union Council Langarpura, Azad Kashmir state of Pakistan. To achieve this aim, two focus group discussions, thirty-four (34) semi-structured interviews and participant observations were conducted. The results revealed that women’s participation was influenced by two key factors: the role of social capital and the Kashmir earthquake itself. Three forms of social capital including bonding, bridging and linking social capital encouraged women in Langarpura to participate in the recovery. The Kashmir earthquake influenced women’s participation in disaster recovery due to the death of the men heads of the family and the outmigration of men that compelled women to start working by participating in various recovery projects. The influx of several government and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) as well as aid organisations after the Kashmir earthquake also encouraged women’s participation in disaster recovery. The findings of this study show that the Kashmir earthquake opened a window of opportunity to change the status of the women of Langarpura and their stereotypical roles in society and go out and take an active part in the recovery of their families and the community at large.

The canine DNA recovery project: preventing livestock injuries and fatalities

A new initiative aims to improve the accuracy and reliability of identifying dogs involved in livestock attacks using a novel DNA collection and analysis approach.

Common values for common goods: a circular regeneration model for active citizenship

Regenerating cultural heritage implies adopting a systemic and multi-scalar approach capable of considering the characteristics and flows of relations between the different components of the system. The regeneration project can be a circular strategy to reconnect people and places, generating and regenerating material and immaterial values of cultural heritage as a ‘common good’. The research proposes a circular and participatory regeneration model, validated through an evaluative framework. It supports decision-making and assesses the multidimensional impacts of reuse, redevelopment, maintenance and management practices of the commons, at all stages of the recovery project, and with respect to emerging instances and criteria adopted in existing policies.

The War in Tigray and Its Immediate Impact on Cultural Heritage in Eastern Tigray

Abstract The study aimed to conduct an assessment of the damage caused by the two year war in Tigray on some of the cultural heritage from Eastern Tigray. Field surveys and interviews with local inhabitants were used to collect relevant data. The gathered data were analyzed and interpreted using a qualitative approach. The survey results showed that churches, monasteries, mosques, towns, and villages were frequently shelled by combatants and that there was significant and deliberate destruction of built heritage sites and looting of sites and treasures. These data suggest that the aims of this destruction were to (1) dominate local historical narratives and identities, (2) suppress communities, and (3) exploit resources for personal gain. The hate speech engraved on the walls indicated that cultural heritage in Eastern Tigray was targeted with intention. This intentional destruction of important cultural heritage was expressed in the horrific massacre of civilians and religious leaders. The current preliminary assessment overall shows that iconic cultural resources were heavily damaged and historic documents and treasures were looted following the two-year war in Tigray. We conclude this study with an urgent call for recovery projects aimed at preventing further loss of cultural heritage in Eastern Tigray.

Study tours as strategy in building multi-level public health system transformation in Ukraine (UA)

Abstract With 14 million Ukrainians in need of psychological aid (UNDP) and a strained health system, UA urgently requires mental health and psychological support services (MHPSS). As a TA partner on the USAID funded Public Health System Recovery and Resilience project in UA, the Philadelphia (PHL) team supports capacity building for population-based MHPSS at the community level with a study tour strategy. Such approaches apply to other countries interested in remodeling public health systems. The strategy aims to advance community based MHPSS through in person tours in PHL with remote follow up to stimulate vision, exchange ideas and accelerate action among governmental, community, and academic partners. The study tours presented overviews on health policy, system development, program services delivered to children and adults, community interventions, and workforce development of professionals and paraprofessionals. All included the foundational principles of trauma-informed practice. The June 2023 tour hosted 11 decision makers and regional officials who embraced the vision for system development and endorsed further engagement. The December 2023 tour hosted 13 practitioners and coordinators of health and social services to observe community programs. Results include development of PHL NGOs and UA social service hub partnerships to implement train the trainer programs for peers/people with lived experience and for mural arts programs to promote community engagement and empowerment. The September 2024 tour involves university partners from nursing, social work and psychology and PHL counterparts to strengthen curricula to include mental health competencies, support faculty development with potential for collaborative research and student exchange, and design post-graduate continuing education courses for upskilling the incumbent workforce. Study tours and direct exchange are an effective strategy for capacity building for MHPSS in Ukraine to address population health needs. Key messages • The sequenced study tour strategy affects distinct levels of change makers in UA. The results are governmental buy-in, partnerships for programmatic development, and academic advancement. • The study tour model promotes systematic change and offers solutions to MHPSS workforce shortages through information exchange, relationship building, and capacity development.

Recovery ecosystem: More than treatment

Andre L. Johnson, Psy.D., founder and CEO of the Detroit Recovery Project, shared his vision of a “recovery ecosystem” at the annual meeting of the Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) in Washington, D.C. last week. “The world has changed, it's not the world of the 80s,” he said. Johnson, after he was sober for two years, went to Morehouse for an undergraduate psychology degree and went on to work at a hospital in Detroit, where he “sat down with CEOs and CFOs and learned how money is moved around and how programs are designed based on resources,” he said. After completing a clinical internship at Tarzana Treatment Center treating 12‐18‐year‐olds, he received a doctorate in clinical psychology from the Michigan School of Psychology. What he stressed at NAADAC was this: “we needed to develop a recovery support program.” Treatment alone wasn't working in the drug‐ravaged city. The time of 120 days in treatment was over.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION: UKRAINIAN REALITIES AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

The problem of post-conflict reconstruction amidst an ongoing war is particularly relevant due to the necessity of balancing two key objectives: the rapid rebuilding of infrastructure essential for the functioning of society and the implementation of reforms aimed at enhancing the state’s investment attractiveness, promoting socio-economic modernization, and introducing modern educational standards. The fulfillment of these tasks is closely tied to the role of public authorities, which serve as the primary agents of the reconstruction process – from assessing the extent of destruction to integrating new practices and mechanisms in the context of socio-economic transformation. The purpose of this article is to examine global practices applicable to the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, taking into account its specific circumstances. The research methodology combines institutional and structural-functional approaches, enabling an analysis of how institutional transformations impact the implementation of recovery projects. The methods employed include document analysis, case studies, synthesis, and generalization. The study concludes that Ukraine requires both the adoption of global best practices in post-conflict reconstruction and the development of its own mechanisms, tailored to the specific nature of the destruction and occupation. The research also reveals that Ukraine needs differentiated recovery strategies for areas under its control and those still occupied. Additionally, the role of public authorities is emphasized as critical, requiring improvements in management practices and the establishment of safeguards against corruption and abuse. It is further demonstrated that the recovery process necessitates enhancements in both the legislative framework and the organizational structure of public authorities, with a focus on incorporating prioritization and planning principles across different levels of recovery efforts. Lastly, digital technologies are highlighted as instrumental in advancing recovery objectives, as they can streamline administrative processes, improve Ukraine’s investment rating, facilitate the compensation process for war-damaged property, and assist communities in executing recovery projects.

Evaluation of the components in pre-conflict and post-conflict phases of peace-building

This work presents the evaluation of the components in pre-conflict and post conflict phases of peace-building. The paper identified some research problems which includes the difficulty in peace building agents in determining the right kind of intervention measures that addresses the various phases of peace-building. The study main objective is to determine the component of the various phases of peace-building measures. The methodology applied is the qualitative research design which includes the use of secondary sources such as journals and text books in data generation and qualitative analysis. Among the findings reached is that, the components of the pre-conflict phase of peace-building include peace advocacy and conflict prevention measures. Components of conflict phase include peace-keeping, peace-enforcement, and ceasefire measures, and the post-conflict phase include Demobilization, Disarmament and Rehabilitation (DDR) of ex-combatants and reconstructive recovery projects. Among the recommendation made is that, there should be increased peace advocacy, conflict prevention in the pre-conflict phase, quick use of peace-keeping, peace-enforcement, ceasefire, buffer zone, in the conflict phase, and high level of reconstructive recovery projects in the post conflict phase of any peace-building measure. Keywords: Conflict, Intervention, Peace, Components, Peace-Building, Evaluation.

Fractional Flow Analysis of Foam Displacement in Tight Porous Media with Quasi-Static Pore Network Modeling and Core-Flooding Experiments

Fractional flow analysis is an efficient tool to evaluate the gas-trapping performance of foam in porous media. The pore-scale simulation study and the core-scale experimental work have been bridged via the fractional flow analysis to distinguish the characteristics of foam displacement inside the tight porous media with varying absolute permeability, injection rate, and foam quality. In this work, the combined investigation suggests that conventional foam-enhancing strategies, pursuing higher foam quality and stronger foam regime, are inefficient and restricted in tight reservoirs that the critical Sw corresponding to the limiting capillary pressure has increased around 37~43%, which indicates severely weakened gas-trapping capacity as permeability reduces one order of magnitude. The moderate mobility adjustment and corresponding optimized fluid injectivity exerting from the “weak foam” flow presents a staged decline feature of decreasing water fractional flow, which implies the existence of the delayed gas-trapping phenomenon when water saturation reduces to 0.5~0.6. The finding has supported the engineering ideal of promoting low-tension gas (LTG) drive processes as a potential solution to assist field gas injection applications suffering from gas channeling. Also, the validation with core-flooding experimental results has revealed several defects of the current pore network model of foam displacement in tight porous media, including exaggerated gas trapping and overestimated confining water saturation. This study has innovatively demonstrated the feasibility and potential of optimizing the foam performance of gas trapping and mobility control in tight reservoirs, which provides a clue that may eventually boost the efficiency of the gas injection process in enhanced oil recovery or CO2 sequestration projects.

Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition

This paper reviews and analyzes the process of the implementation of the circular economy in the European Union (EU) and Spain, and its links to the low-carbon transition. The EU implementation of the circular economy went through several stages. Since the adoption of the first action plan in 1993, the links between the circular economy and carbon transition goals have become intertwined. Recently, the EU approved the framework of new monitoring measures and indicators for the circular economy. The adopted actions have involved the adaptation of European legislation at the national level. Spain has participated in this process since 2017, when the Circular Economy Pact was signed. The subsequent approval of the Spanish Strategy for a Circular Economy in 2020 was developed, considering a close relationship between decarbonization and the circular economy. Lately, the circular economy implementation has been strengthened with the strategic project for economic recovery and transformation, linked to the recovery of COVID-19, and the roadmap for the sustainable management of mineral raw materials, with both documents including actions directly related to transforming the energy system. Data show that Spain has made significant improvements in the circular economy transition. However, Spain’s vulnerability to externalities is greater than that of the EU as a whole.

Leveraging extensive soil, vegetation, fire, and land treatment data to inform restoration across the sagebrush biome

ContextWidespread ecological degradation has prompted calls for massive global investments in ecological restoration, yet limited resources necessitate efficient application of restoration efforts. In western North America, altered fire regimes are increasing the scale of restoration needed to preserve the sagebrush (Artemisia species) biome but prioritizing and implementing effective restoration is complicated by the vast and heterogeneous sagebrush landscape, which includes gradients in climate, disturbance, and species composition.ObjectivesTo develop spatially explicit and context-dependent estimates of treatment efficacy and sagebrush recovery rates.MethodsWe leveraged a suite of spatio-temporally extensive datasets to evaluate the influence of restoration treatments and environmental conditions on trends in post-disturbance sagebrush cover, with an emphasis on understanding differences between sites recovering naturally and sites receiving restoration treatments. We used estimates from these models to develop spatially explicit projections for sagebrush recovery, conditional on disturbance, restoration practice, and environmental conditions.ResultsWe found seeding Artemisia spp. increased sagebrush cover over time relative to natural recovery, but this relationship depended on spring soil moisture availability and treatment methods. Natural recovery was positively influenced by soil moisture and sagebrush cover and negatively influenced by cumulative burns and annual herbaceous cover, while the influence of perennial herbaceous cover varied with soil moisture.ConclusionsOur results provide biome-wide insights and spatially explicit tools that can inform economic cost-effectiveness analyses, restoration prioritization tools, and other scientific endeavors to ensure managers have the tools and information needed to effectively steward the sagebrush biome in a rapidly changing world.

Preliminary experimental study of low salinity effect on organic polar compounds desorption in Hassi Messaoud field-Algeria

Low salinity water (LSW) injection is a well-recognized enhanced oil recovery method that has proved to increase oil recovery. Despite its simple implementation and low cost, no experimental investigations have been reporting its application in Algeria’s oil fields. The present work investigates the impact of LSW injection and identifies the role of organic polar compounds on oil trapping in Hassi Messaoud oil field. The study involves adsorption/desorption experiments using acid/amine organic polar compounds dissolved in non-polar refined oil while employing rock drilling cuttings. Subsequent validation of desorption data is performed by employing crude oil in both Amott tests and micro-model displacement tests using various water salinity ranges. It was evident that at water salinities ranging from 1000 to 2000 ppm, the interfacial tension decreased to 10−2 mN/m, leading to favorable rock wetting behavior and increased oil recovery of 9.18% and 20.07% for amine and acid compounds, respectively. The wettability alteration mechanism was proposed as the main contributor since the actual interfacial tension of natural surfactant might not significantly impact oil recovery. The implementation of LSW injection in Algerian fields presents fresh prospects for future enhanced oil recovery projects.

Models and methods of the technological maturity development of self-managed organizations in the context of using the syncretic methodology

Introduction. Infrastructure restoration projects of Ukraine are being implemented in the difficult conditions of war and many challenges. To increase the effectiveness of their implementation, project-oriented organizations need an effective management system. At the same time, it is necessary not only to apply innovative models and methods of project management developed by the world's leading organizations and companies, but also to create our own scientific developments, taking into account complex environmental conditions. Since restoration projects are related to the construction industry, which is one of the locomotives of the Ukraine's economy development as a whole. Therefore, the development of new models and methods of increasing the effectiveness of project-oriented organizations is an urgent scientific task. Problem statement. The problems of management systems development of project-oriented organizations implementing restoration projects using modern (including syncretic) project management methodologies are described. The need to improve the efficiency of such management systems is emphasized. The importance of developing a syncretic maturity model for use by project-oriented organizations for the implementation of recovery projects within the syncretic project management methodology is substantiated. The scientific task of developing a model of syncretic maturity in the field of project management for use in the researched type of projects is formulated.

Determining the critical factors for realising successful post-disaster reconstruction projects in the Caribbean

Business as usual project management practice may not be applicable in the recovery of the built environment following a disaster. Unfortunately, little research has been undertaken to understand the nature of post-disaster recovery projects and the requirements for their success in the Caribbean. The Caribbean islands' exposure and susceptibility to natural hazards make it essential to understand what constitutes successful post-disaster reconstruction. By drawing on end-users’ perspectives in four Caribbean islands (Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent) through a quantitative survey and factor analysis, this paper identifies critical factors that determine successful outcomes with post-disaster Caribbean recovery projects. The factor analysis results from the survey responses on 24 empirical success factors suggests four composite Caribbean specific critical success factors, namely, 1) effective management of project knowledge, 2) environment and ecosystem stewardship, 3) stakeholder engagements at multiple levels, and 4) efficient management of financial, social and human resources. The findings from this research can assist with minimising the recurring post-disaster reconstruction projects, project financing donors and managers with an understanding of the issues that matter most to the region success, and realising the end-users’ (the beneficiaries) expectations. Mainstreaming these factors into project planning and execution, and adopting resilience-oriented project management practices, augers well for managing Caribbean disaster reconstruction projects for greater success.

Innovation in the territorial impact assessment: an application to large infrastructure projects of the Italian recovery and resilience facility

ABSTRACT The Territorial Impact Assessment (TIA) has evolved significantly over the past two decades, becoming a pivotal tool in shaping European public policy. Initially, TIA aimed to tailor investments to the specific needs of various territories, ensuring allignement with broader EU and national objectives. The assessment of European Cohesion Policy 2014–20 highligthed the TIA’s utility in guiding sustainable development decisions. The integration of TIA into the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) marks a notable shift, emphasising sustainability in policy planning and the allocation of funds. This paper outlined how TIA can be embedded within the RRF’s planning and evaluation mechanisms, using Italian large infrastructure projects as an example. The incorporation of TIA into a multifaceted evaluation framework, which encompasses both economic-financial and sustainability considerations utilising the Sustainable Environmental/Economic Management Approach (STeMA) model, demonstrates its effective integration. This approach balances economic viability with environmental and social sustainability aligning with the EU Green Deal pillars and the Territorial Agenda 2030. It also ensures adherence to economic and financial considerations coming from cost-benefit analysis, while also upholding sustainability under the ‘do no significant harm’ principle. This match thus could foster a more resilient and sustainable future for EU territories.

Contribution of Fractional Cover Analysis for Monitoring Degraded Ecosystems at the Watershed Level

The purpose of the research was to use the data generated on degradation and perform spectral mixture analysis to determine the changes in photosynthetic, non-photosynthetic vegetation and soil fractions, in tactically selected sites, verifying degradation and on the other hand to use this analysis to verify the recovery of degraded ecosystem surfaces that have had recovery projects. Fractional coverages were determined through Normalized Difference Fraction Index (NDFI) by analyzing spectral mixtures using Google Earth Engine. In this sense, the degradation identified in the Ponasa watershed is related to specific degradation values indicated by the NDFI values, to prove that in effect the degradation of these ecosystems is linked to loss of photosynthetic activity, increase in bare soil values and non-photosynthetic activity derived from the process of disturbance of the vegetation cover. In the case of the present study, the NDFI finally explains the degradation processes produced by the loss of vegetation cover and the loss of net primary productivity of the ecosystem, but it is not related in the same way in the case of fragmentation. Ongoing monitoring of the NDFI is key to understanding ecosystem degradation and recovery and to making informed decisions.

Substantiation of the Motivation of Global Digital Nomads for their Engagement In the Post-War Industrial Recovery of Ukraine

The article proposes to consider the phenomenon of digital nomadism from the perspective of an intellectual and labor resource necessary for the implementation of recovery projects in the Ukrainian industry of regions already today. The aim of the article is to substantiate the impact of the modern motivation of global "digital nomads" on the formation of a new way of engaging them in new private and public projects for the post-war recovery of Ukraine's industry. The first half of the article provides an analytical overview of the motivational portrait of a digital nomad as a driving force for building a mechanism for engaging them in joint recovery projects, reveals the peculiarities of leadership and communications within the digital nomad system as a basis for building interaction between the state and digital nomad business owners. The second half of the article directly offers the author's view on building an algorithm for working with digital nomad business owners, developing a mechanism for engaging them in joint projects for the recovery of regional industries, and building a further systematic work for the sustainable development of Ukrainian regions. The basis for the successful implementation of the mechanism for attracting digital nomads should be taking into account the motivational component and the peculiarities of the system as the basis for building joint interaction processes. It is extremely important to adhere to the principles of rationality and mutual respect, avoid manifestations of authoritarianism and declarativeness in relationships, and reasonable limits of creativity.

The total picture: Activist artist Virginia Jackson Kiah and the Black house museum beyond the frame

AbstractThis article presents artist activist Virginia Jackson Kiah as a key figure in the phenomenon of the African American house museum. Readers will benefit from this layer of Kiah scholarship and its contributions to the field of anthropology by looking at a talented artist fueled by her status as a Black woman denied civil, civic, and human rights. Therefore, Virginia Jackson Kiah recreated herself as an artist activist who led a cultural resistance to racism in the arts prior to desegregation and the civil rights movement. As a scholar outside the realm of anthropology, art criticism, and analysis, I approach this project from the stance of a storyteller applying cultural studies methodology and content analysis. I posit that more attention should be given to the total artist—not just the person that had a grasp of brush, paint, pencil, and canvas. Besides her gifts as a painter, little has been written about Virginia Jackson Kiah, the interdisciplinary artist activist who examined culture and history as a musician, composer, singer, pianist, and arts educator. This recovery project fills several voids using archived materials and interviews which recast a total picture of Virginia Jackson Kiah as an artist and activist.