Consumer Resource Research Articles

Carbon Emissions Reduction of a Circular Architectural Practice: A Study on a Reversible Design Pavilion Using Recycled Materials

The construction industry, as a major consumer of resources and energy, accounts for about 40% of global carbon emissions. The concept of a circular economy (CE) is one effective means to address this issue. The entire lifecycle of a building includes: material production, construction, operation, and demolition. The production of building materials emits the largest proportion of carbon dioxide, followed by the operational phase, while construction (including demolition) has the smallest proportion. However, it is crucial to note the waste phase after demolition, where building materials are typically disposed of through incineration or landfill, leading to significant carbon emissions and environmental degradation. Therefore, carbon emissions generated during both the production and waste phases of the construction industry cannot be overlooked. This article employs a combined approach of practice and research, using the Circular Pavilion as a case study. From the design stage, reducing resource usage and carbon emissions are considered crucial factors. Reversible design, modularity, and the use of recycled materials are employed to reduce the emissions of “embodied carbon” and enhance material reuse. To validate the effectiveness of recycled materials in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, this study calculates the material usage and carbon emissions during the production, transportation, and waste phases of the Circular Pavilion, Concrete Pavilion, and Steel Pavilion. The Circular Pavilion accounts for 34% and 3.5% of the total carbon emissions of the Concrete Pavilion and Steel Pavilion, respectively. In conclusion, the practical implementation of reversible design and recycled materials based on the concept of a circular economy is key to transitioning the construction industry from environmentally harmful impacts to eco-friendly practices. This establishes an effective method for resource reuse and carbon dioxide reduction in the construction sector, allowing waste resources to re-enter production and manufacturing processes, thereby reducing natural extraction, waste disposal, and energy consumption. Future applications of this method in the construction field involve establishing multidimensional composite design models and conducting feasibility assessments with upstream and downstream supply chains to support the realization of circular cities.

Leveraging green finance and technological innovations for sustainable urban development: A comparative study of Chinese mega-cities

Being worlds' largest population, China is the biggest consumer of natural resources and causes the highest Carbon emissions due to its energy needs for economic development. This research aims to analyze the relationship between green finance, natural resources, carbon releases, and foreign direct investment on China's efforts towards durable economic sustainability. Difference-in-Difference frameworks are utilized to analyze the statistics acquired from 270 Chinese cities between 2002 and 2022. The findings indicate that the financial implications of carbon emissions significantly affect China's sustainable green economy. However, the short-term growth of the green economy is enhanced by the use of natural resources and the advancement of green financial markets. The results of this study provide empirical evidence that supports the theory positing a linear association among carbon releases, economic expansion, and natural resources. This study provides guidance to policymakers to make policies for enhanced and efficient use of natural resources. This may potentially contribute to the promotion of long-term sustainability in China and the facilitation of green growth.

State Financial Losses as a Result of Environmental Damage

Indeed, corporations serve as the primary consumers of resources and the primary contributors to environmental damage. Indonesia incurs substantial economic losses as a consequence of environmental damage. Corruption frequently contributes to the deterioration of these conditions, resulting in fiscal ramifications for the government that are attributable to environmental damage. This study aims to examine the state financial losses incurred by states as a result of environmental damage. This is normative-jurisprudential research. This research shows that environmental damage ultimately results in a financial loss for the state and must be recouped by the violating corporation. The deterioration of this circumstance is frequently correlated with corruption, leading to financial losses for the government due to environmental damage. Therefore, a comprehensive legal framework is required to maximize the recovery of this damage. Enhancing regulatory transparency concerning the distribution of state funds and calculating losses will ensure the legal validity of efforts to enforce environmental legislation in response to corporate violations. Furthermore, environmental damage affects the populace's well-being, resulting in economic and health repercussions and reduced state revenue. To promote sustainability, the government must regulate financial impacts through education and a greater focus on MSME business lines.

Edible Flowers: Super Foods with Potential Health Benefits

Edible flowers have become popular in recent years as a unique and visually tempting addition to culinary creations. This review article explores the assorted world of edible flowers, focusing on their potential health benefits, bioactive compounds, and associated toxicological risks, with particular attention to the anti-nutritional compounds and toxic flowers. Edible flowers from different plant species provide a variety of bioactive compounds that contribute to their flavor, aroma, and potential health benefits. These bioactive compounds, including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, make edible flowers not only beautiful but also nutritious. Incorporating them into your diet can improve the overall nutritional content of your meals. However, consuming edible flowers is not without risks. Some flowers contain anti-nutrient compounds, such as oxalates and phytates, which can interfere with the absorption of essential minerals and lead to nutritional deficiencies over time. Therefore, it is important to practice moderation when consuming certain edible flowers, especially for those with pre-existing medical conditions or prone to mineral imbalances. However, it is essential to pay attention to anti-nutritional compounds that can affectmineral absorption and the potential toxicity of certain flowers. When used judiciously and safely, edible flowers can be a delicious and healthy addition to a balanced diet. Careful selection and proper preparation are essential to reap the benefits while minimizing the risks associated with these beautiful flowers. This review serves as a valuable resource for consumers, chefs and nutritionists, providing insight into the world of edible flowers and their bioactive compounds as well as considerations regarding anti-nutritional compounds and their toxicity.

Emergent competition shapes top-down versus bottom-up control in multi-trophic ecosystems.

Ecosystems are commonly organized into trophic levels-organisms that occupy the same level in a food chain (e.g., plants, herbivores, carnivores). A fundamental question in theoretical ecology is how the interplay between trophic structure, diversity, and competition shapes the properties of ecosystems. To address this problem, we analyze a generalized Consumer Resource Model with three trophic levels using the zero-temperature cavity method and numerical simulations. We derive the corresponding mean-field cavity equations and show that intra-trophic diversity gives rise to an effective "emergent competition" term between species within a trophic level due to feedbacks mediated by other trophic levels. This emergent competition gives rise to a crossover from a regime of top-down control (populations are limited by predators) to a regime of bottom-up control (populations are limited by primary producers) and is captured by a simple order parameter related to the ratio of surviving species in different trophic levels. We show that our theoretical results agree with empirical observations, suggesting that the theoretical approach outlined here can be used to understand complex ecosystems with multiple trophic levels.

Smart traffic routing and service allocation strategy to reduce water consumption in data centers through power reduction

Due to the growth of communication networks, energy consumption in information and communication technology industries is increasing dramatically. Among these industries, data centers are operating with a large number of processors and other components, which, due to heavy processing and mass data transmission, in addition to consuming high electrical power, also cause high thermal losses. Since water cooling systems are used for cooling different parts of these centers as well as for cooling the electric power generation unit, these centers are among the major consumers of water and electricity resources. In this article, while examining the important factors affecting water consumption in data centers, useful methods are suggested to reduce the consumption of electrical energy and water. Optimizing energy consumption in data centers is possible in three parts: routing, servicing and use of cooling equipment. For all three parts, improvement methods are suggested in this article. For this purpose, an optimization problem is designed and an algorithm is presented to solve it. In the proposed solution, an energy-smart method based on SDN technology is used for routing, virtual machines equipped with the possibility of reducing power consumption in no-load conditions are used for servicing, and two types of water-cooled and air-cooled systems are used for cooling equipment. is used. The simulation results show that depending on the cooling system, the proposed method reduces water consumption between 24% and 32% compared to the case where the proposed solution is not used.

Heterogeneous Workload-Based Consumer Resource Recommendation Model for Smart Cities: eHealth Edge–Cloud Connectivity Using Federated Split Learning

Heterogeneous Workload-Based Consumer Resource Recommendation Model for Smart Cities: eHealth Edge–Cloud Connectivity Using Federated Split Learning

A Study on Compressive Strength and Micro Structural Properties of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement Concrete Under Varying Temperatures of Magnesium Oxide

Abstract: Construction is a huge consumer of natural resources and a considerable contribution in terms of CO2 emissions. Manufacturing cement and construction materials was shown t be source of the most greenhouse gas emissions. This study looks at whether magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) may be used as a concrete alternative to standard Portland cement to lessen the environmental effect of the building sector. The research process involves a thorough review of the literature, an experimental investigation, and an internal structural analysis based on the optimal molar ratio. In this investigation, MOC cement concrete was mixed with magnesium powder at varied temperatures. The use of heated magnesium oxide powder produces the first set of results. Finally, a change was made to increase compressive strength of MOC cement concrete. To stimulate the reaction or gel formation, heat was applied to MgO powder at various temperatures and added to the manufacturing of MOC cement to improve the compressive strength. The molar ratio is chosen from the journal for optimum mixing and simple casting of concrete cubes. SEM and EDAX are utilized to analyze the microstructure of the various raised temperature samples. The MgO, phases 3 and 5, are apparent as double and triple ribbons with shared boundaries with water molecules and chloride anions in the SEM images, showing that the strength has increased due to these phases. EDAX shows the proportion of elemental weight in the sample

Parasite‐mediated changes in host traits alter food web dynamics

Parasites commonly alter the phenotype of their hosts, thereby influencing competitive and consumer–resource interactions. This could trigger a cascade effect on the dynamics of biological communities, but the role of parasites in ecosystem processes is poorly understood. In this study, we investigate how parasite‐induced trait modifications shape the dynamics of a complex lake food web using an allometric trophic network model (ATN). We simulated infections of stage‐structured fish host populations via increased maintenance costs and predation risk. Our results show that host trait modifications can significantly impact host demography, with stage‐specific biomass declines up to 60%. However, less severely affected host stages buffered these effects and sustained the population. Importantly, host biomass decline altered the dynamics of species interactions and these effects cascaded through the entire community, with biomass changes observed at all trophic levels. Our findings emphasize the importance of incorporating both indirect parasite effects and host life history in ecological network studies for more realistic simulations of community dynamics.

The Smartphone Revolution: A Comparative Study of Apple and Samsung

In an ever-changing digital landscape, smartphones have evolved from mere communication devices to integral components of modern life, epitomising the fusion of innovation, aesthetics, and practicality. This study offers a thorough comparative analysis of industry titans Apple and Samsung, highlighting their diverging design philosophies, feature sets, and approaches to user experience. Apple's commitment to minimalistic design and seamless integration is examined alongside Samsung's focus on versatility and user customisation, each with its own merits and drawbacks. The paper scrutinises how these contrasting design philosophies manifest in their operating systems—Apple's cohesive iOS versus Samsung's flexible Android framework. Beyond design and functionality, this analysis examines how these decisions impact customer experience, investigating elements like brand loyalty, user personalisation, and consumer choice. Drawing upon a mix of scholarly research and market data, this study is a valuable resource for industry insiders, academics, and everyday consumers. The conclusions derived from this in-depth comparison not only shed light on the reasons behind the market dominance of these two companies but also provide insights into their continued capacity for innovation, shaping consumer expectations and defining the trajectory of the global smartphone industry.

ANALISIS PENGARUH SUMBER DAYA FINANSIAL, KOGNITIF DAN EMOSIONAL KONSUMEN TERHADAP KUALITAS LAYANAN PELANGGAN PADA PT SERASI AUTORAYA (TRAC – ASTRA RENT A CAR) CABANG KALTENGSEL

Abstract: The impact of the development of the automotive industry and the transportation equipment rental system has increased competition in the car rental business in Indonesia. Companies that are able to provide good quality customer service will be able to win business competition and will be chosen by consumers to use vehicle rental services. PT Serasi Autoraya (TRAC Astra Rent A Car) Kaltengsel Branch is a rental company that always pays attention to the quality of customer service. Service quality perceived by consumers is influenced by financial, cognitive and emotional resources of consumers. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of consumers' financial, cognitive and emotional resources on the quality of customer service at PT Serasi Autoraya (TRAC Astra Rent A Car) Kaltengsel Branch, as well as provide suggestions and input regarding the resources owned by customers so that they can be responded to by company to provide quality and satisfactory customer service. The population used in this study were customers from PT Serasi Autoraya (TRAC Astra Rent A Car) Kaltengsel Branch. The sample in this study was 100 respondents determined by the slovin formula. The method used in this study is a quantitative method using SPSS. The results of the study show that the financial, cognitive and emotional resources of consumers simultaneously have a significant effect on the quality of customer service. And the most influential variable is consumer emotion. Keywords: Financial Resources, Cognitive, Emotional Consumers, Quality of Service, TRAC Astra Rent A Car

Exploring the Economic Development Model of Culture and Tourism Integration--Taking Beijing Hutong Tour as an Example

The integrated development of cultural and tourism industry has become one of the important trends in the development of tertiary industry in various countries, which can effectively stimulate the vitality of related industries, give full play to resource advantages, and promote the high-quality economic development of the region. This paper analyzes the economic development mode of cultural and tourism industry integration, and analyzes its influencing factors and effects in detail. There are four main factors affecting the development of the integration model of culture and tourism: resource elements, technological innovation, consumer demand and government regulation. And its effects include positive and negative effects, which can be analyzed from three aspects: economy, society and environment. At the same time, this paper analyzes the cultural and tourism integration of Shichahai Hutong in Beijing, China, and puts forward corresponding measures and suggestions according to its integration status, effects and problems, so as to promote the efficient development of cultural and tourism integration of Shichahai Hutong.

Communicating about sexual activity and intimacy after a heart attack: a cross-sectional survey of Australian health professionals.

Sexual activity and intimacy improve quality of life for heart attack survivors. After a heart attack, patients frequently experience sexual dysfunction and anxiety about resuming sexual activity. However, most health professionals do not discuss sex or intimacy with their patients. The aim of this research was to explore the perceptions and practices of Australian health professionals in discussing sexual activity and intimacy with heart attack survivors and the barriers to achieving this. This study employed a cross-sectional study design and online self-administered survey questionnaire. Study participants were a convenience sample of Australian health professionals working with cardiac patients, including general practitioners, cardiologists, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, registered nurses, and allied health professionals. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations to understand the different perspectives of health professional groups and the overall sample. Of 252 respondents, almost all believed discussing sex and intimacy with heart attack survivors was important, yet less than a quarter reported regularly doing so. About three-quarters reported feeling comfortable discussing sex and intimacy with either men or women, with half comfortable to do so with patients from diverse cultures. Barriers included lack of time, privacy, consumer resources, and protocols to guide discussions. This research supports the need for structural changes such as a clinical protocol, longer and more private consultations, staff training, and culturally appropriate patient-oriented resources to support health professionals to guide discussions about sexual activity and intimacy with patients who have had a heart attack.

Ecolabeling in Environmental Education: Promoting Eco-friendly Choices Through Education

The degradation of the environment has created a pressing need to promote environmental education. To support environmental improvement and foster a society that prioritizes environmental safety, a study on ecolabel research in environmental education has been initiated in DKI Jakarta. The main objectives of this study are: (1) to identify the indicators of ecolabel and their relationship to environmental education, and (2) to investigate the correlation between ecolabel and environmental education. This research will be conducted using a quantitative descriptive approach. The significance of this study lies in exploring the ecolabel indicators, examining their connection to environmental education, and understanding the relationship between them. The findings from this study will serve as a valuable resource for consumers, enabling them to make informed choices by providing accurate information about a product’s environmental aspects. This will empower individuals to opt for environmentally friendly products with a smaller negative impact on the environment throughout their life cycle, contributing to the goal of environmental sustainability.
 Keywords: ecolabel, environmental education

Infertility Consumer Health Information and Resources

One in six couples faces infertility, and yet there is a lack of information as well as a stigma surrounding the topic. This column highlights resources to support individuals throughout the infertility journey - from orienting resources to statistics to community and mental health to specialized information for marginalized populations to multimedia sources. The descriptions of the resources highlight the unique aspects of each, with accompanying quotes from a qualitative study describing how resources were used in support of infertility information needs. Providing access to vetted information is one way information professionals can help break the stigma and address the lack of privilege individuals with infertility may face.

Integrated approach to water resource management in Mashhad Plain, Iran: actor analysis, cognitive mapping, and roadmap development.

Iran's Mashhad Plain faces a severe water crisis due to the excessive exploitation of groundwater, leading to the depletion of its aquifer. While water demand management is recognized as a superior solution compared to supply projects, its implementation presents notable challenges. This study addresses the urgent necessity to curtail water demand in the Mashhad Plain by alleviating conflicts among various stakeholders, including water resource managers and consumers. Initially, the research identifies key water resource actors who collaborate in devising a comprehensive roadmap and conceptual model for efficient water resource management. An analysis uncovers significant conflicts among actors, representing approximately 6% of identified issues, with minor conflicts in 30% of cases. Encouragingly, stakeholders demonstrate potential for consensus on the remaining conflict items, with specific actors emerging as pivotal in conflict resolution. Efficient water resource management in regions facing scarcity, diverse interests, and sustainability challenges demands a multifaceted strategy. Future endeavors involve developing a dynamic system model to simulate policy impacts and strengthen conflict resolution efforts. This research introduces a roadmap-driven approach aimed at resolving conflicts and implementing water demand management in the Mashhad Plain. It emphasizes the critical need to address water scarcity challenges while effectively mitigating conflicts among water resource stakeholders.

Design of daily load profiles in commercial and industrial microgrids based on renewable energy sources

The commercial and industrial microgrid (CIM) based on renewable energy sources is a solution to the environmental problems. This paper examines CIM based on renewable energy sources connected to the power system by one power transmission line. The power flow from the power system and the limits of its deviations are determined in advance. Compliance with the limits is a basic condition when design of daily load profiles in CIM, because this guarantees uninterrupted power supply from the power system at normal prices. The research is aimed at solving the problem of generating daily load profiles for CIM. The problem is solved using the resources of active consumers registered in the demand management program based on the “load shifting” technique and considering the resources of energy storage systems. An algorithm for generating daily load profiles is developed, which allows the use of various methods for calculating the optimal allocation of shifted load. The proposed algorithm was tested on a 6-node circuit. The resulting daily load profiles satisfy the specified conditions.

Masonry walls from reclaimed concrete demolition waste

The construction sector is the largest consumer of non-renewable resources and the most significant contributor to CO2 emissions. Reusing entire components or reclaiming their constituent parts, instead of recycling structural elements at the material level, is preserving the embodied energy of the structural elements. This contributes to energy conservation and addresses the mounting issue of construction waste in landfills. In order to develop a new avenue for reusing concrete, this study uses concrete demolition waste to construct masonry wallets, employing a construction technique reminiscent of traditional stone masonry with mortar. Importantly, this methodology is not confined to buildings initially designed for reuse, making it applicable to any reinforced concrete structure earmarked for demolition. Mechanical tests were conducted on the masonry wallets, including simple and diagonal compression tests. The results indicate that the strengths achieved are comparable to those of clay hollow brick masonry, opening up diverse applications, especially in the construction of residential buildings. Numerical analysis started with digital twinning of small-scale masonry wallets as a first step to future micro-modelling, FEM simulation, and calibration to best conform with the experimental test results. Through a comprehensive analysis encompassing embodied carbon footprint, mechanical properties, and economic considerations at the load-bearing wall level, this study highlights this reuse approach’s key advantages and drawbacks, providing insights into its feasibility within the framework of modern construction practices.

Использование лесных ресурсов и организация лес- ного хозяйства в Северном Предуралье во второй половине XIX ‒ начале XX века

Forestry practices, including large-scale logging, have led to substantial and long-term alterations in the structure and composition of forest ecosystems. To understand the extent of these changes and identify remaining intact forests, a comprehensive land-use history is crucial. This helps reconstruct and identificate previous impacts, considering their magnitude and extent. Based on archival documents introduced into scholar discussions for the first time, the paper offers a precise comprehension of the extent of forestry growth and the organization of state forestry in the Northern Ural region. The study area covers the basins of the Kolva, a tributary of the Kama, which flows into the Caspian Sea, and the Upper Pechora, which flows into the Arctic Ocean. During the 19th century, this area had a sparse population and no road network. Today, it is a large, intact forest, with a portion designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site called 'Virgin Forests of the Komi'. The governance of the forest has undergone several changes. In the 1840s, the Cherdynsky district Estate was established in the Cherdyn municipality, covering an area of over 2.8 million hectares. In 1870, the region was split into Cherdynsky and Kolvinsky forest management departments. In 1894, the Kolvinsky district was again separated into three: Kolvinsky, Chusovsky, and Verkh-Pechersky departments. The forests in the Pechora River basin were appealing for foreign export markets. However, logging did not commence due to various reasons. The primary consumers of forest resources were the local inhabitants, who actively constructed boats of various sizes. For example, in 1876, around 1,800 trees of different sizes were cut down to build 15 vessels. The collection of construction timber annually in the 1880s did not surpass 10,000 trees. During the latter half of the 19th century, the mass logging of trees might have begun in the upper Pechora region. This was evidenced by the leasing of vast forested areas in the late 1890s by the Alfred Lidbeck’s Swedish company, with intentions to cut down approximately 2 million construction trees. Nevertheless, logging was not initiated due to the challenge of timber floating and the inadequacy of the workforce. During the same period, a metallurgical plant was established on a tributary of the Pechora. The company planned to cut down all forests along the rivers for fuel, but the factory ceased its operations after three years. The forests in the Kolva River basin provided the primary source of fuel for the salt production located on the Kama River. From the 1880s, between 22,000 to 30,000 cubic meters of firewood were collected annually. A significant amount of wood was employed in the construction of barges. By the end of the 19th century, the logging industry went through a reorientation. Logging activities for the harvest of saltwood and barge-building followed by the production of construction lumber for export to Volga markets replaced the focus on the logging industry, leading to approximately 50,000 log shipments yearly. Throughout the whole 19th century, the forests were left unexplored, without any management plans. There were no networks of roads in the area. Timber for building and barge construction was harvested selectively by landscape units. A few dozen trees of the required size were selectively harvested from each hectare. Clear-cutting sites for the harvesting of salt-wood were located no further than 1 to 3 kilometers from the majority of rafting rivers. The preserved archival materials are crucial for understanding past impacts and should be integrated into contemporary ecological research.

ВЛИЯНИЕ НЕКОТОРЫХ ЗАГРЯЗНЯЮЩИХ ВЕЩЕСТВ НА НЕКТОБЕНТИЧЕСКИХ РАКООБРАЗНЫХ

Background. Ingress of pollutants in water bodies, both direct and from the catchment area, is constantly increasing. It creates an escalating threat to aquatic ecosystems and humans as consumers of water and aquatic biological resources, which contributes to the relevance of the monitoring and regulation of water pollution. This work is aimed at the evaluation of the effect of various toxic substances and pollutants on the survival of the amphipod Hyalella azteca in a chronic experiment. Methods. This study has been carried out according to the standard toxicological methods. Results. This paper presents the data on the influence of pollutants of various nature (sodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium sulfate, zinc complex of 2-Phosphono-1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid, dimethyl sulfide) on the Hyalella azteca Saussure, 1858 crustaceans. Hyalella azteca have found a wide application in biotesting; however, these crustaceans are not used in the system of fisheries regulation in Russia. The maximum allowable and threshold concentrations of the investigated substances in the aquatic environment have been established for Hyalella azteca using the experimental approach. The maximum allowable concentration (MAC) of sodium hydrogen phosphate in the phosphorus equivalent was 1.0 mg/L, its threshold concentration was 2.5 mg/L; the MAC of sodium sulfate in the sulfate anion equivalent was 750 mg/L, its threshold concentration was more than 750 mg/L; the MAC of the zinc complex of 2-Phosphono-1, 2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid was 10 mg/L, its threshold concentration was 100 mg/L; the MAC of dimethyl sulfide was 10 mg/L, its threshold concentration was 20 mg/L. Conclusion. The amphipods H. azteca are moderately sensitive to pollutants. Among all investigated substances, the most toxic for H. azteca was sodium hydrogen phosphate.