[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/
You seem to have javascript disabled. Please note that many of the page functionalities won't work as expected without javascript enabled.
 
 
Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Article Types

Countries / Regions

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Search Results (9,549)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = project management

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
20 pages, 883 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Safety Climate in Construction Projects: A Longitudinal Mixed-Methods Study
by Miaomiao Niu and Robert M. Leicht
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 4070; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14124070 (registering DOI) - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 368
Abstract
Safety climate has been extensively studied using survey-based approaches, providing significant insights into safety perceptions and behaviors. However, understanding its dynamics in construction projects requires methods that address temporal and trade-specific variability. This study employs a longitudinal, mixed-methods design to explore safety climate [...] Read more.
Safety climate has been extensively studied using survey-based approaches, providing significant insights into safety perceptions and behaviors. However, understanding its dynamics in construction projects requires methods that address temporal and trade-specific variability. This study employs a longitudinal, mixed-methods design to explore safety climate dynamics. Quantitative data analyzed with ANOVA revealed stable overall safety climate scores across project phases, while Item Response Theory (IRT) identified survey items sensitive to safety climate changes. Positive perceptions were associated with management commitment and regular safety meetings, while negative perceptions highlighted challenges such as workplace congestion and impractical safety rules. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews uncovered trade-specific and phase-specific safety challenges, including issues tied to site logistics and workforce dynamics. For instance, transitioning from structural to interior work introduced congestion-related risks and logistical complexities, underscoring the need for phase-adapted strategies. This combination of quantitative stability and qualitative variability provides empirical evidence of safety climate dynamics in construction. The findings emphasize the importance of tailoring safety interventions to address trade-specific and phase-specific risks. This study advances the understanding of the safety climate in dynamic work environments and offers actionable recommendations for improving construction safety management through targeted, proactive strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Safety and Health in Building Construction Project)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Data collection procedures.</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Profiles of the respondents.</p>
Full article ">
22 pages, 4895 KiB  
Article
Complexity Assessment in Projects Using Small-World Networks for Risk Factor Reduction
by Juan-Manuel Álvarez-Espada, José Luis Fuentes-Bargues, Alberto Sánchez-Lite and Cristina González-Gaya
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 4065; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14124065 (registering DOI) - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 298
Abstract
Despite following standard practices of well-known project management methodologies, some projects fail to achieve expected results, incurring unexplained cost overruns or delays. These problems occur regardless of the type of project, the environment, or the project manager’s experience and are characteristic of complex [...] Read more.
Despite following standard practices of well-known project management methodologies, some projects fail to achieve expected results, incurring unexplained cost overruns or delays. These problems occur regardless of the type of project, the environment, or the project manager’s experience and are characteristic of complex projects. Such projects require special control using a multidimensional network approach that includes contractual aspects, supply and resource considerations, and information exchange between stakeholders. By modelling project elements as nodes and their interrelations as links within a network, we can analyze how components evolve and influence each other, a phenomenon known as coevolution. This network analysis allows us to observe not only the evolution of individual nodes but also the impact of their interrelations on the overall dynamics of the project. Two metrics are proposed to address the inherent complexity of these projects: one to assess Structural Complexity (SC) and the other to measure Dynamic Complexity (DC). These metrics are based on Boonstra and Reezigt’s studies on the dimensions and domains of complex projects. These two metrics have been combined to create a Global Complexity Index (GCI) for measuring project complexity under uncertainty using fuzzy logic. These concepts are applied to a case of study, the construction of a wastewater treatment plant, a complex project due to the intense interrelations, the integration of new technologies that require R&D, and its location next to a natural park. The application of the GCI allows constant monitoring of dynamic complexity, thus providing a tool for risk anticipation and decision support. Also, the integration of fuzzy logic in the model facilitates the incorporation of imprecise or partially defined information. It makes it possible to deal efficiently with the dynamic variation of complexity parameters in the project, adapting to the inherent uncertainties of the environment. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Plan and perspective representation of a multilayer network (Source: authors).</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Representation of strongly connected components (SCC) in a network (Source: authors).</p>
Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Evolution of networks based on the probability of new links appearing (Source: authors).</p>
Full article ">Figure 4
<p>On the left, degree centrality (node 1 has the highest centrality, 0.67), in the center, closeness centrality (node 3 has the highest centrality, 0.75), and on the right, betweenness centrality (node 1 has the highest centrality, 0.19). Source: authors.</p>
Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Example of a Petri net distribution with four SCCs (Source: authors).</p>
Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Variation of the coevolution parameter g with the number of nodes N (Source: authors).</p>
Full article ">Figure 7
<p>GCI: a model to assess the complexity of projects (Source: authors).</p>
Full article ">Figure 8
<p>WWTP “Marismas del Odiel”, 2012. (Source: authors).</p>
Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Contractual network WWTP “Marismas del Odiel” (Source: authors).</p>
Full article ">Figure 10
<p>Stakeholders’ information network. Degree Centrality (Source: authors).</p>
Full article ">Figure 11
<p>Stakeholders’ information network. Closeness centrality (Source: authors).</p>
Full article ">Figure 12
<p>Stakeholders’ information network. Betweenness centrality (Source: authors).</p>
Full article ">
11 pages, 1854 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Outcome of Elderly Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis Undergoing a Tailored Interventional Treatment Using Frailty-Based Management: Beyond the Five-Year Horizon
by Augusto Esposito, Ilenia Foffa, Paola Quadrelli, Luca Bastiani, Cecilia Vecoli, Serena Del Turco, Sergio Berti and Annamaria Mazzone
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(12), 1164; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14121164 (registering DOI) - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 278
Abstract
Background: Elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) need individualized decision-making in their management in order to benefit in terms of survival and improvement of quality of life. Frailty, a common condition in elderly patients, needs to be considered when weighing treatment options. [...] Read more.
Background: Elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) need individualized decision-making in their management in order to benefit in terms of survival and improvement of quality of life. Frailty, a common condition in elderly patients, needs to be considered when weighing treatment options. Aim: We aimed to evaluate outcomes including survival and functional parameters according to disability criteria at six years of follow-up in an older population treated for severe AS using a frailty-based management. Methods: We evaluated data derived from a pilot clinical project involving elderly patients with severe AS referred to a tailored management based on classification by Fried’s score into pre-frail, early frail, and frail and a multidimensional geriatric assessment. A Frailty, Inflammation, Malnutrition, and Sarcopenia (FIMS) score was used to predict the risk of mortality at six years of follow-up. Functional status was evaluated by telephonic interview. Results: At six years of follow-up, we found a survival rate of 40%. It was higher in the pre-frail patients (long rank < 0.001) and in the patients who underwent TAVR treatment (long rank < 0.001). The cut-off FIMS score value of ≥1.28 was an independent determinant associated with a higher risk of mortality at six years of follow-up (HR 2.91; CI 95% 1.7–5.1; p-value 0.001). We found a moderate increase of disability levels, malnutrition status, comorbidities, and number of drugs, but none of them self-reported advanced NYHA class III–IV heart failure. Conclusion: An accurate clinical–instrumental and functional geriatric evaluation in an elderly population with AS is required for a non-futile interventional treatment in terms of survival and functional status even in long-term follow-up. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geriatric Medicine: Towards Personalized Medicine)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Geriatric functional assessment at follow-up compared to basal evaluation, related to the type of intervention (surgical aortic valve replacement/transcatheter aortic valve replacement and balloon aortic valve).</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Kaplan–Meier survival curves. The survival rate at 6 years was higher in pre-frail patients, long rank &lt; 0.0001).</p>
Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Kaplan–Meier survival curves. The survival rate at 6 years was higher in the patients who underwent TAVR treatment, long rank &lt; 0.0001). SAVR: surgical aortic valve replacement; TAVR: transcatheter aortic valve replacement; BAV: balloon aortic valve; MT: medical therapy.</p>
Full article ">Figure 4
<p>A graphic representation of the present and future strategies for tailored, appropriate management of aortic stenosis in elderly patients.</p>
Full article ">
20 pages, 965 KiB  
Article
Risks and Challenges of Oversized Transport in the Energy Industry
by Dariusz Masłowski, Małgorzata Dendera-Gruszka, Julia Giera, Ewa Kulińska, Krzysztof Olejnik and Justyna Szumidłowska
Energies 2024, 17(24), 6444; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17246444 (registering DOI) - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 227
Abstract
The transport of oversized loads, such as wind turbine components, represents a key logistical challenge due to specific technical and regulatory requirements. The development of the renewable energy sector, particularly wind energy in Poland, has significantly increased the demand for this type of [...] Read more.
The transport of oversized loads, such as wind turbine components, represents a key logistical challenge due to specific technical and regulatory requirements. The development of the renewable energy sector, particularly wind energy in Poland, has significantly increased the demand for this type of transport. The implementation of wind farm construction projects requires not only advanced technological solutions but also special attention to transport safety and the organization of logistical processes. This study employed the FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) risk analysis method, which allows for the identification of potential defects and their causes. Data were collected through surveys, interviews with representatives of transport companies, and field observations. The research sample included 11 companies specializing in oversized transport in Poland and European countries. Based on the gathered information, 15 typical risks associated with the transport of wind turbine components were identified. The most significant risks include the possibility of road accidents and discrepancies between the actual dimensions of the cargo and the transport documentation. The results highlight the need for improvements in route planning, precise verification of cargo parameters, and better management of administrative processes related to obtaining permits. The development of the wind energy sector and dynamic investments in wind farms make the optimization of oversized transport a crucial element in supporting the execution of eco-friendly projects and sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section K: State-of-the-Art Energy Related Technologies)
21 pages, 47793 KiB  
Article
Integrating Ecosystem Service Assessment, Human Activity Impacts, and Priority Conservation Area Delineation into Ecological Management Frameworks
by Zhongxu Wang, Shengbo Chen, Junqiang Xu, Chao Ren, Yafeng Yu, Zibo Wang, Lei Wang and Yucheng Xu
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11210; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411210 (registering DOI) - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 335
Abstract
The comprehensive protection and restoration of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts is critical for enhancing ecological environmental quality and fulfilling the aspirations of ecological civilization in the modern era. Centered on the key project area of the Mountain-River Project within [...] Read more.
The comprehensive protection and restoration of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts is critical for enhancing ecological environmental quality and fulfilling the aspirations of ecological civilization in the modern era. Centered on the key project area of the Mountain-River Project within the Luohe River Basin of the Eastern Qinling Mountains, this study employs the InVEST model to assess spatiotemporal variations in habitat quality (HQ), water yield (WY), carbon sequestration (CS), and soil retention (SR) for the years 2000, 2010, and 2020. This study further examines the trade-offs and synergies among these ecosystem services, integrates the Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) and GIS methodology with human activity patterns, determines the optimal management scenario, and offers targeted recommendations for optimization. The findings reveal that areas of high habitat quality, carbon sequestration, and soil retention are predominantly concentrated in the western and southwestern regions of the basin, whereas high-value zones of water yield are primarily situated in the southern and southwestern sectors. Habitat quality demonstrates significant synergies with other ecosystem services, whereas water yield presents a notable trade-off with soil retention. By conducting a comparative analysis of protection efficiency, we identified priority conservation areas predominantly located in the southern and southwestern regions of the basin. Moreover, through overlaying the priority conservation zones with the Human Footprint Index (HFI), the priority conservation area was precisely delineated to encompass 5.41 × 105 hectares. This methodology provides critical guidance for the implementation of the Mountain-River Project and offers substantial value in scientifically advancing ecological restoration initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainability in Geographic Science)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Basic information of the study area. (<b>a</b>,<b>b</b>) Geographical location of the study area; (<b>c</b>) Elevation and the spatial relationship between the Yellow River Basin and the surrounding nature reserves of the study area.</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Research framework.</p>
Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Spatial and temporal changes in human activities in the basin. (<b>a</b>–<b>c</b>) represent the spatial distribution of human activities in the basin for 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively. (<b>d</b>) represents the spatial distribution of changes in human activities from 2000 to 2020.</p>
Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Spatial and temporal changes in ecosystem services in the basin. The figure shows the spatial distribution of habitat quality, carbon sequestration, water yield, and soil conservation across the entire basin for the years 2000, 2010, and 2020, as well as the 2000–2020 average values. (HQ: Habitat Quality; CS: Carbon Sequestration; WY: Water Yield; SR: Soil Retention).</p>
Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Correlation analysis of four ecosystem services. (<b>a</b>–<b>c</b>) represent the correlations between the four ecosystem services in 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively. HQ, CS, WY, and SR represent habitat quality, carbon sequestration, water yield, and soil retention, respectively.</p>
Full article ">Figure 6
<p>The pending priority conservation scenarios under different scenarios. In the figure, S1–S11 represent the 11 pending priority conservation scenarios for ecosystem services.</p>
Full article ">Figure 7
<p>The proportion of land use types within conservation areas under different scenarios. The vertical axis represents scenarios 1 to 11, while the horizontal axis shows the proportion of each land use type in each scenario.</p>
Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Classification of key conservation areas. (<b>a</b>) represents the spatial distribution of slight human interference; (<b>b</b>) represents the spatial distribution of priority conservation areas; (<b>c</b>) represents the spatial distribution of the integrated pattern combining both.</p>
Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Natural geographical factors in different partitions. TEM, PRE, NDVI, DEM, HFI, and GDP represent temperature, precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index, elevation, human footprint index, and gross domestic product, respectively.</p>
Full article ">Figure 10
<p>The relationship between human activities and ecosystem services.</p>
Full article ">
25 pages, 21085 KiB  
Article
Evaluation and Projection of Global Burned Area Based on Global Climate Models and Satellite Fire Product
by Xueyan Wang, Zhenhua Di, Wenjuan Zhang, Shenglei Zhang, Huiying Sun, Xinling Tian, Hao Meng and Xurui Wang
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(24), 4751; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16244751 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 288
Abstract
Fire plays a critical role in both the formation and degradation of ecosystems; however, there are still significant uncertainties in the estimation of burned areas (BAs). This study systematically evaluated the performance of ten global climate models (GCMs) in simulating global and regional [...] Read more.
Fire plays a critical role in both the formation and degradation of ecosystems; however, there are still significant uncertainties in the estimation of burned areas (BAs). This study systematically evaluated the performance of ten global climate models (GCMs) in simulating global and regional BA during a historical period (1997–2014) using the Global Fire Emissions Database version 4.1s (GFED4s) satellite fire product. Then, six of the best models were combined using Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) to predict future BA under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The results show that the NorESM2-LM model excelled in simulating both global annual and monthly BA among the GCMs. GFDL-ESM4 and UKESM1-0-LL of the GCMs had the highest Pearson’s correlation coefficient (PCC), but they also exhibited the most significant overestimation of monthly BA variations. The BA fraction (BAF) for GCMs was over 90% for small fires (<1%). For small fires (2~10%), GFDL-ESM4(j) and UKESM1-0-LL(k) outperformed the other models. For medium fires (10–50%), CESM2-WACCM-FV2(e) was closest to GFED4s. There were large biases for all models for large fires (>50%). After evaluation and screening, six models (CESM2-WACCM-FV2, NorESM2-LM, CMCC-ESM2, CMCC-CM2-SR5, GFDL-ESM4, and UKESM1-0-LL) were selected for weighting in an optimal ensemble simulation using BMA. Based on the optimal ensemble, future projections indicated a continuous upward trend across all three SSPs from 2015 to 2100, except for a slight decrease in SSP126 between 2071 and 2100. It was found that as the emission scenarios intensify, the area experiencing a significant increase in BA will expand considerably in the future, with a generally high level of reliability in these projections across most regions. This study is crucial for understanding the impact of climate change on wildfires and for informing fire management policies in fire-prone areas in the future. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>The fourteen global regional divisions based on GFED4s.</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Spatial distribution of the differences between the simulated and referred annual BA fractions (BAFs) from 1997 to 2014.</p>
Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Scatterplots of the linear relationship between the simulated and observed BAFs. The red lines represent the regression lines.</p>
Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Heatmap of statistical indicators of RMSE, ME, and PCC for the ten models for the globe and its 14 subregions.</p>
Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Monthly average variations in BAFs for ten models and GFED4s for the globe and its 14 subregions.</p>
Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Taylor diagrams for the BAFs of fire seasons simulated by ten models in the 14 regions, where the reference data are GFED4s.</p>
Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Rank diagram of BA simulation capability on the monthly scale for all models for the globe and its 14 subregions: R1-R14 represent the regions of BONA, TENA, CEAM, NHSA, SHSA, EURO, MIDE, NHAF, SHAF, BOAS, CEAS, SEAS, EQAS, and AUSTR6, respectively.</p>
Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Weighting pie chart for the selected models based on monthly GFED4s BA dataset and BMA method: (f) CECC-ESM2, (j) GFDL-ESM4, (g) CMCC-CM2-SR5, (e) CESM2-WACCM-FV2, (h) NorESM2-LM, and (k) UKESM1-0-LL.</p>
Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Taylor diagram of BA metrics for the ten models and BMA model.</p>
Full article ">Figure 10
<p>Spatial distribution comparisons of monthly BA between BMA model and GFED4s.</p>
Full article ">Figure 11
<p>Bar charts of monthly BA across different regions for the BMA model and GFED4s, where R1-R14 represent the regions of BONA, TENA, CEAM, NHSA, SHSA, EURO, MIDE, NHAF, SHAF, BOAS, CEAS, SEAS, EQAS, and AUSTR6, respectively.</p>
Full article ">Figure 12
<p>Comparison of annual BA simulations in 2022 between six selected GCMs and BMA models from 2018 to 2022.</p>
Full article ">Figure 13
<p>The annual changes in BA under three scenarios (SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585) for the future from 2015 to 2100, including the near (2015 to 2040), mid (2041 to 2070), and long (2071 to 2100) terms.</p>
Full article ">Figure 14
<p>Spatial distributions of annual BA change trends across different periods under three future scenarios.</p>
Full article ">Figure 15
<p>Spatial distribution of SN for the uncertainty analysis of global BA simulation under three future scenarios, where blue indicates uncertainty and red indicates reliability. White represents the missing value.</p>
Full article ">
16 pages, 555 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Landfill Mining in Thailand: Policy Implications from Qualitative Case Study Analysis
by Anupong Muttaraid, Sirintornthep Towprayoon, Chart Chiemchaisri, Thapat Silalertruksa and Komsilp Wangyao
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11181; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411181 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 363
Abstract
Limited landfill capacity and increasing waste production present obstacles for the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Thailand, where 7.1 million tons of MSW were non-sanitarily managed in 2022. This provides an opportunity for the nation to recover valuable materials and energy [...] Read more.
Limited landfill capacity and increasing waste production present obstacles for the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Thailand, where 7.1 million tons of MSW were non-sanitarily managed in 2022. This provides an opportunity for the nation to recover valuable materials and energy from landfill waste through excavation by implementing the enhanced landfill mining technique, which is consistent with business sustainability goals. This study evaluates regulatory, financial, and institutional challenges to enhanced landfill mining implementation, identifying key barriers such as Thailand’s restriction on using refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in waste-to-energy (WtE) projects, despite its higher calorific value (18–24 MJ/kg compared to 13.7–16.6 MJ/kg for fresh MSW-derived RDF). Case studies, particularly from European nations, are comparatively evaluated using a combination of qualitative analysis methods. The results of this study highlight that the potential of enhanced landfill mining in Thailand is restricted by the prohibition of the use of RDF in WtE projects, as well as a lack of financial incentives to follow existing regulations. This demonstrates that the implementation of enhanced landfill mining could be facilitated by changing Thai regulations to permit the use of RDF in WtE projects and providing financial incentives such as tax credits and feed-in tariffs. Implementing such reforms can help Thailand achieve its sustainability objectives while reducing the amount of waste in landfills and generating energy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Waste and Recycling)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Financial incentives framework supporting the sustainable ELFM development.</p>
Full article ">
15 pages, 961 KiB  
Article
Digitalization of Present Work Process; Investigating the Role of Leadership, Change Management and Top Management Support in the Success of Enterprise Resource Planning Projects
by Dong Wang, Abdul Samad Kakar, Muhammad Kamran Khan, Muhammad Iftikhar Ali, Wong Chee Hoo, Chee How Liau and Muhammad Anwar Khan
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11178; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411178 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 334
Abstract
Background: Organizations across the world implement enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects to transform their daily routine work process digitally. However, research on factors that lead to successful ERP projects is limited, especially empirical research studies. Therefore, the current study focused on investigating the [...] Read more.
Background: Organizations across the world implement enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects to transform their daily routine work process digitally. However, research on factors that lead to successful ERP projects is limited, especially empirical research studies. Therefore, the current study focused on investigating the influence of transformational leadership (TFL) on ERP project success. This research examined the mediating role of change management in the relationship between TFL and the success of projects of ERP. Additionally, it investigated the moderating role of top management support (TMS) over the relationship between TFL and the success of ERP projects. Method: The study gathered data from 408 IT professionals involved in different ERP projects in the various sectors of Pakistan using a purposive sampling technique. The SPSS and SmartPLS software were used for data analysis. Results: The findings of the study disclosed that TFL is positively related to ERP project success and change management and that change management is subsequently related to ERP project success. The findings also revealed the mediating role of change management over the relationship between TFL and the successful completion of ERP projects, while top management support moderates the nexus of TFL and the success of ERP projects. Conclusions: This research adds to the literature by highlighting the importance of TFL in ERP project success. In addition, it highlights the role of change management and TMS in achieving successful outcomes. Our findings provide valuable insights for practitioners and researchers to improve successful project management in the IT industry. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Measurement Model.</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Moderation Graph Analysis.</p>
Full article ">Figure A1
<p>Research Model.</p>
Full article ">
44 pages, 11509 KiB  
Article
Advancing Smart Zero-Carbon Cities: High-Resolution Wind Energy Forecasting to 36 Hours Ahead
by Haytham Elmousalami, Aljawharah A. Alnaser and Felix Kin Peng Hui
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(24), 11918; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411918 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 355
Abstract
Accurate wind speed and power forecasting are key to optimizing renewable wind station management, which is essential for smart and zero-energy cities. This paper presents a novel integrated wind speed–power forecasting system (WSPFS) that operates across various time horizons, demonstrated through a case [...] Read more.
Accurate wind speed and power forecasting are key to optimizing renewable wind station management, which is essential for smart and zero-energy cities. This paper presents a novel integrated wind speed–power forecasting system (WSPFS) that operates across various time horizons, demonstrated through a case study in a high-wind area within the Middle East. The WSPFS leverages 12 AI algorithms both individual and ensemble models to forecast wind speed (WSF) and wind power (WPF) at intervals of 10 min to 36 h. A multi-horizon prediction approach is proposed, using WSF model outputs as inputs for WPF modeling. Predictive accuracy was evaluated using mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and mean square error (MSE). Additionally, WSPFS advances the smart wind energy deep decarbonization (SWEDD) framework by calculating the carbon city index (CCI) to define the carbon-city transformation curve (CCTC). Findings from this study have broad implications, from enabling zero-energy urban projects and mega-developments like NEOM and the Suez Canal to advancing global energy trading and supply management. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Wind power potential atlas in the world map at 100 m height [<a href="#B34-applsci-14-11918" class="html-bibr">34</a>].</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Wind speed and power forecasting time scales and applications [<a href="#B38-applsci-14-11918" class="html-bibr">38</a>,<a href="#B39-applsci-14-11918" class="html-bibr">39</a>].</p>
Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Key research steps.</p>
Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Wind speed and power integration methodology.</p>
Full article ">Figure 5
<p>The location of the Gabel El Zeit wind farm.</p>
Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Results of ML models for VSTWSF 10 minutes (10 min).</p>
Full article ">Figure 7
<p>ML results for 30 min ahead of WSF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 8
<p>ML results for 6 h ahead of WSF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 9
<p>ML results for 24 h ahead of WSF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 10
<p>ML results for 36 h ahead of WSF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 11
<p>Results of ML models for VSTWPF (10 min).</p>
Full article ">Figure 12
<p>ML results for 30 min ahead WPF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 13
<p>ML results for 6 h ahead WPF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 14
<p>ML results for 24 h ahead WPF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 15
<p>ML results for 36 h ahead WPF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 16
<p>(<b>A</b>) Actual wind speed (m/s) against VSTWSF (m/s) and (<b>B</b>) actual wind power (kW/turbine) against VSTWPF (kW/turbine).</p>
Full article ">Figure 17
<p>(<b>A</b>) Actual wind speed (m/s) observations against VSTWSF (m/s) and (<b>B</b>) actual power (kW/turbine) observations against VSTWPF (kW/turbine).</p>
Full article ">Figure 17 Cont.
<p>(<b>A</b>) Actual wind speed (m/s) observations against VSTWSF (m/s) and (<b>B</b>) actual power (kW/turbine) observations against VSTWPF (kW/turbine).</p>
Full article ">Figure 18
<p>(<b>A</b>) Performance of Extra Tree models for 36 h ahead of WSF and (<b>B</b>) performance of bagging for 36 h ahead of WPF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 18 Cont.
<p>(<b>A</b>) Performance of Extra Tree models for 36 h ahead of WSF and (<b>B</b>) performance of bagging for 36 h ahead of WPF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 19
<p>(<b>A</b>) Average computational time for WSF, (<b>B</b>) average computational time for WPF, (<b>C</b>) average computational memory usage for WSF, and (<b>D</b>) average computational memory usage for WPF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 19 Cont.
<p>(<b>A</b>) Average computational time for WSF, (<b>B</b>) average computational time for WPF, (<b>C</b>) average computational memory usage for WSF, and (<b>D</b>) average computational memory usage for WPF.</p>
Full article ">Figure 20
<p>(<b>A</b>) Standard power curve, (<b>B</b>) 10 min ahead power curve for a single turbine, and (<b>C</b>) actual wind power curve.</p>
Full article ">Figure 21
<p>An integrated real-time computing wind speed–-power forecasting system (WSPFS) from 10 min to 36 h ahead.</p>
Full article ">Figure 22
<p>Carbon-city transformation curve (CCTC).</p>
Full article ">Figure 23
<p>Smart wind energy deep decarbonization (SWEDD) framework.</p>
Full article ">Figure 24
<p>Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba: one of the highest wind power potential areas in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region reaching a maximum of 1903 W/m<sup>2</sup> and 1235 W/m<sup>2</sup> as a top 10% [<a href="#B34-applsci-14-11918" class="html-bibr">34</a>].</p>
Full article ">Figure 25
<p>Sustainable development goals (SDGs).</p>
Full article ">Figure 26
<p>Challenges and limitations of wind energy forecasting.</p>
Full article ">
32 pages, 10269 KiB  
Article
Impact of Ridge Tillage and Mulching on Water Dynamics of Summer Maize Fields Under Climate Change in the Semi-Arid Region of Northwestern Liaoning, China
by Yao Li, Wanting Zhang, Mengxi Bai, Jiayu Wu, Chenmengyuan Zhu and Yujuan Fu
Agronomy 2024, 14(12), 3032; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14123032 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 279
Abstract
The ridge–furrow plastic mulching technique has been widely applied due to its benefits of increasing temperature, conserving moisture, reducing evaporation, and boosting yields. Hydrus-2D is a computer model designed to simulate the two-dimensional movement of water in soil characterized by a low cost [...] Read more.
The ridge–furrow plastic mulching technique has been widely applied due to its benefits of increasing temperature, conserving moisture, reducing evaporation, and boosting yields. Hydrus-2D is a computer model designed to simulate the two-dimensional movement of water in soil characterized by a low cost and high flexibility compared to field experiments. This study, based on field experiment data from Jianping County, Liaoning Province, China, during 2017–2018, developed Hydrus-2D models for two distinct field management practices: non-mulched flat cultivation (NM-FC) and mulched ridge tillage (M-RT). Furthermore, it simulated the dynamic changes in farmland water variations during the summer maize growth period (2021–2100) under climate change scenarios, specifically medium and high emission pathways (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5), based on the FGOALS-g3 model, which exhibits the highest similarity to the climate pattern of Jianping County in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) global climate models and the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The results showed that in the future FGOALS-g3 model, net radiation exhibited a significant upward trend under the SSP2-4.5 scenario (Z = 2.38), while the average air temperature showed a highly significant increase under both SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, with Z-values of 6.48 and 8.90, respectively. The Hydrus-2D model demonstrated high simulation accuracy in both NM-FC and M-RT treatments (R2 ranging from 0.86 to 0.96, with RMSE not exceeding 0.011), accurately simulating the dynamic changes in soil water content (SWC) under future climate change. Compared to NM-FC, M-RT reduced evaporation, increased transpiration, and effectively decreased the leakage caused by increased future precipitation, resulting in a 0.04 and 0.01 cm3/cm3 increase in surface and deep soil SWC, respectively, during the summer maize growing season, significantly improving water use efficiency. Moreover, M-RT treatment reduced the impact coefficients of climate change on various water balance parameters, stabilizing changes in these parameters and SWC under future climate conditions. This study demonstrates the significant advantages of M-RT in coping with climate change, providing key scientific evidence for future agricultural water resource management. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and farmers, particularly in developing adaptive land management and irrigation strategies, helping to improve water use efficiency and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Tillage Methods to Improve the Yield and Quality of Crops)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Overview map of the study area’s geographic location.</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Schematic diagram of the field experiment. Note: NM-FC represents non-mulched flat cultivation, while M-RT represents mulched ridge tillage.</p>
Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Schematic diagram of boundary conditions and finite element mesh division. Note: NM-FC represents non-mulched flat cultivation, while M-RT represents mulched ridge tillage.</p>
Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Changes in future meteorological data under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 emission scenarios for the FGOALS-g3 model. Notes: <span class="html-italic">Tair</span>, <span class="html-italic">PRE</span>, <span class="html-italic">RH</span>, and <span class="html-italic">Rn</span> represent daily mean temperature, precipitation, daily mean relative humidity, and net radiation, respectively. SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 represent Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 2–4.5 (medium forcing scenario) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 5–8.5 (high forcing scenario), respectively.</p>
Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Measured and simulated soil water content values at different soil depths for each treatment in 2017 and 2018. Note: NM-FC represents non-mulched flat cultivation, while M-RT represents mulched ridge tillage.</p>
Full article ">Figure 5 Cont.
<p>Measured and simulated soil water content values at different soil depths for each treatment in 2017 and 2018. Note: NM-FC represents non-mulched flat cultivation, while M-RT represents mulched ridge tillage.</p>
Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Changes in water balance under future climate conditions for the NM-FC and M-RT treatments.</p>
Full article ">Figure 6 Cont.
<p>Changes in water balance under future climate conditions for the NM-FC and M-RT treatments.</p>
Full article ">Figure 6 Cont.
<p>Changes in water balance under future climate conditions for the NM-FC and M-RT treatments.</p>
Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Changes in SWC at various depths under future climate conditions for the NM-FC and M-RT treatments. Note: NM-FC represents non-mulched flat cultivation, while M-RT represents mulched ridge tillage. SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 represent Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 2–4.5 (medium forcing scenario) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 5–8.5 (high forcing scenario), respectively.</p>
Full article ">Figure 7 Cont.
<p>Changes in SWC at various depths under future climate conditions for the NM-FC and M-RT treatments. Note: NM-FC represents non-mulched flat cultivation, while M-RT represents mulched ridge tillage. SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 represent Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 2–4.5 (medium forcing scenario) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 5–8.5 (high forcing scenario), respectively.</p>
Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Path analysis between future meteorological variables and various factors of farmland water balance. Note: NM-FC represents non-mulched flat cultivation, while M-RT represents mulched ridge tillage. SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 represent Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 2–4.5 (medium forcing scenario) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 5–8.5 (high forcing scenario), respectively. Tair, <span class="html-italic">PRE</span>, <span class="html-italic">RH,</span> and <span class="html-italic">Rn</span> represent daily mean temperature, precipitation, daily mean relative humidity, and net radiation, respectively. The symbols *, **, and *** indicate the significance levels of one factor’s effect on another, where * represents <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 (statistically significant), ** represents <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01 (highly significant), and *** represents <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001 (extremely significant).</p>
Full article ">Figure 8 Cont.
<p>Path analysis between future meteorological variables and various factors of farmland water balance. Note: NM-FC represents non-mulched flat cultivation, while M-RT represents mulched ridge tillage. SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 represent Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 2–4.5 (medium forcing scenario) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 5–8.5 (high forcing scenario), respectively. Tair, <span class="html-italic">PRE</span>, <span class="html-italic">RH,</span> and <span class="html-italic">Rn</span> represent daily mean temperature, precipitation, daily mean relative humidity, and net radiation, respectively. The symbols *, **, and *** indicate the significance levels of one factor’s effect on another, where * represents <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 (statistically significant), ** represents <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01 (highly significant), and *** represents <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001 (extremely significant).</p>
Full article ">Figure 8 Cont.
<p>Path analysis between future meteorological variables and various factors of farmland water balance. Note: NM-FC represents non-mulched flat cultivation, while M-RT represents mulched ridge tillage. SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 represent Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 2–4.5 (medium forcing scenario) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 5–8.5 (high forcing scenario), respectively. Tair, <span class="html-italic">PRE</span>, <span class="html-italic">RH,</span> and <span class="html-italic">Rn</span> represent daily mean temperature, precipitation, daily mean relative humidity, and net radiation, respectively. The symbols *, **, and *** indicate the significance levels of one factor’s effect on another, where * represents <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 (statistically significant), ** represents <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01 (highly significant), and *** represents <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001 (extremely significant).</p>
Full article ">Figure A1
<p>Measured and simulated soil water content values at different soil depths for each treatment in 2017 and 2018. Note: NM-FC represents non-mulched flat cultivation, while M-RT represents mulched ridge tillage.</p>
Full article ">Figure A1 Cont.
<p>Measured and simulated soil water content values at different soil depths for each treatment in 2017 and 2018. Note: NM-FC represents non-mulched flat cultivation, while M-RT represents mulched ridge tillage.</p>
Full article ">
27 pages, 7435 KiB  
Article
An Integrated Planning Methodology for a Just Climatic Transition in Rural Settlements
by Jorge Rodríguez-Álvarez, María Amparo Casares-Gallego, Emma López-Bahut, María de los Ángeles Santos Vázquez, Henrique Seoane Prado and Javier Rocamonde-Lourido
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 4036; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14124036 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 291
Abstract
The article presents the findings of a research project that focuses on the role of rural areas as key players in addressing the current climate emergency. The article addresses the challenge of a just energy transition by examining the obstacles to the implementation [...] Read more.
The article presents the findings of a research project that focuses on the role of rural areas as key players in addressing the current climate emergency. The article addresses the challenge of a just energy transition by examining the obstacles to the implementation of renewable energy infrastructure. The investigation is situated within the context of Galicia, a rural region in the northwest of Spain. The study conducted an extensive review of the literature, surveys, and interviews, which revealed a significant gap between local communities and planning decisions to be one of the primary obstacles to a just transition. In light of these findings, the research puts forth an integrated planning methodology founded on social and metabolic principles. This methodology investigates the communal management of energy resources with the objective of improving local welfare and integrating this into the planning process. This methodology proposes a series of steps and associated tools for the analysis of the potential for local energy generation using biomass, hydropower, solar, and wind infrastructures. Landscape and social considerations are articulated through continuous community engagement. The energy generation capacity will be used as a catalyst to address the most pressing issues and to improve living conditions in rural areas. The article confirms the need for a holistic approach to energy infrastructures, paying particular attention to landscape integration and endogenous development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Responsive Architectural and Urban Design)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Research structure.</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Energy justices for a just transition framework (after ref. [<a href="#B21-buildings-14-04036" class="html-bibr">21</a>]).</p>
Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Location and climatic data for the case study Galicia. Weather Station: Santiago de Compostela, plotted with CBE Clima Tool (v2023) [<a href="#B53-buildings-14-04036" class="html-bibr">53</a>].</p>
Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Population variation by settlement in Galicia 1999–2022. Data from Galician Institute of Statistics. Source: own elaboration.</p>
Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Eolic sectoral plan with existing wind turbines (icons) and proposed zones for future development (dotted lines and light orange fill). Dark grey zones represent the rural and urban/suburban areas.</p>
Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Steps of the Local Basic Service accessibility: (<b>a</b>) example of network analysis, showing service area from each populated settlement and (<b>b</b>) map of settlements with less than 1000 inhabitants classified by distance to the medical center.</p>
Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Map of registered associations classified by their scope and relation to the research.</p>
Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Local Basic Services accessibility index. The map shows the distance to LBS based on residential location. Source: own elaboration.</p>
Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Diagrams illustrating the main results of the survey conducted on rural women (202 respondents).</p>
Full article ">Figure 10
<p>Energy demand and end-use from all buildings in the study area: (<b>a</b>) demand per month and (<b>b</b>) hourly load characterization on a typical winter day. Source: own elaboration.</p>
Full article ">Figure 11
<p>Estimated hydropower potential of the Ponte Nova River without water storage.</p>
Full article ">Figure 12
<p>Diagram of the main categories in the planning methodology proposed in this article.</p>
Full article ">Figure 13
<p>Process timeline. Although the timeframe of the participatory process may vary depending on the case and local dynamics, the methodology proposes a progressive empowerment of local actors until the constitution of a local energy and services community capable of deploying and managing the proposed infrastructures and facilities. Source: own elaboration.</p>
Full article ">Figure 14
<p>Diagram of the energy infrastructure and potential yield.</p>
Full article ">
18 pages, 1933 KiB  
Article
Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Water Resource Disparities in Yangtze River Economic Zone
by Guanghui Yuan, Haobo Ni, Di Liu and Hejun Liang
Water 2024, 16(24), 3664; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243664 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 272
Abstract
The process of urbanization, which leads to increased population density, changes in land use patterns, and heightened demand for industrial and domestic water use, exacerbates the contradiction between the supply and demand of water resources. This study examines the discrepancies between the supply [...] Read more.
The process of urbanization, which leads to increased population density, changes in land use patterns, and heightened demand for industrial and domestic water use, exacerbates the contradiction between the supply and demand of water resources. This study examines the discrepancies between the supply and demand of water resources amidst urbanization, utilizing data from 110 cities within the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) spanning from 2012 to 2021. The research employs the projection pursuit clustering model and the Dagum Gini coefficient method to evaluate the developmental status of water resources. While the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region maintains a leading position with a water resources development score of 9.827 in 2023, there is a 2.2% increase in intra-regional disparity. The water resources development score for the City Cluster in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (CCRYR) has experienced a decline, from 8.263 in 2012 to 8.016 in 2021; however, a reduction in intra-regional disparities has been observed since the implementation of the 2016 Outline of the Yangtze River Economic Belt Development Plan (YREBP), which suggests the policy’s efficacy. The Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone (CCEZ), despite its initially lower level of development, has demonstrated significant growth, with scores rising from 7.036 in 2012 to 7.347 in 2021. Collectively, the water resources development in the YREB exhibits an upward trend, yet the development remains uneven. The CCRYR shows a catching-up effect because of the YREBP, and the differences in other regions are widening. The research results provide decision-making support for water resources planning and management, and are of great significance in promoting the sustainable use of water resources. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Level of water resources development by region.</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Water resources development level scores by Criteria Layer. (<b>a</b>) score of water resources development (<b>b</b>) score of water resources stock (<b>c</b>) score of water resources utilization (<b>d</b>) score of water resources protection.</p>
Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Kernel density map of water resources development levels. (<b>a</b>) Kernel density map of water resources development (<b>b</b>) Kernel density map of water resources stock (<b>c</b>) Kernel density map of water resources utilization (<b>d</b>) Kernel density map of water resources protection.</p>
Full article ">Figure 3 Cont.
<p>Kernel density map of water resources development levels. (<b>a</b>) Kernel density map of water resources development (<b>b</b>) Kernel density map of water resources stock (<b>c</b>) Kernel density map of water resources utilization (<b>d</b>) Kernel density map of water resources protection.</p>
Full article ">Figure 4
<p>σ-convergence result.</p>
Full article ">
22 pages, 2219 KiB  
Systematic Review
Biochemical Mechanisms and Rehabilitation Strategies in Osteoporosis-Related Pain: A Systematic Review
by Giorgia Natalia Iaconisi, Rachele Mancini, Vincenzo Ricci, Danilo Donati, Cristiano Sconza, Riccardo Marvulli, Maurizio Ranieri, Marisa Megna, Giustino Varrassi, Simone Della Tommasa, Andrea Bernetti, Loredana Capobianco and Giacomo Farì
Clin. Pract. 2024, 14(6), 2737-2758; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract14060216 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 277
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Osteoporosis causes a bone mass reduction and often determines acute and chronic pain. Understanding the biochemical and neurophysiological mechanisms behind this pain is crucial for developing new, effective rehabilitative and therapeutic approaches. This systematic review synthesizes recent advances in muscle–bone interactions and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Osteoporosis causes a bone mass reduction and often determines acute and chronic pain. Understanding the biochemical and neurophysiological mechanisms behind this pain is crucial for developing new, effective rehabilitative and therapeutic approaches. This systematic review synthesizes recent advances in muscle–bone interactions and molecular pathways related to osteoporosis-associated pain. Methods: We carried out a systematic review including studies published from 2018 to 2024 using PubMed, Scopus, clinicaltrials.gov and Cochrane Library. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess bias risk. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024574456); Results: Thirteen studies were included. It emerged that osteoporosis causes progressive bone loss due to disruptions in biochemical processes and muscle–bone interactions. This condition is also closely associated with the development of pain, both acute and chronic. Key findings include the role of the miR-92a-3p/PTEN/AKT pathway and the impact of muscle–bone disconnection on bone health. Mechanotransduction is critical for bone maintenance. Effective pain management and rehabilitation strategies include physical therapy and physical exercise, yoga, Pilates, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); they all improve pain relief and functional outcomes by enhancing muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. Pharmacological options such as NSAIDs, opioids, and new agents like SHR-1222, along with surgical interventions like percutaneous vertebroplasty, offer additional pain reduction, especially when included in individualized rehabilitation projects; Conclusions: This review highlights advancements in understanding osteoporotic pain mechanisms and identifies promising treatments. Integrating targeted therapies and rehabilitation strategies can enhance patients’ pain relief. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Pain and Rehabilitation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Flow chart of the analyzed studies.</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Summary of risk of bias across clinical studies. This image provides a visual summary of the risk of bias across various domains in the selected clinical studies. Each bar represents the percentage of studies categorized by their risk level—low-risk (green), some concerns (yellow), high-risk (red), and no information (blue)—for different bias domains, including randomization, intervention adherence, missing data, outcome measurement, and result selection.</p>
Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Risk of bias assessment of the selected studies. The table presents a detailed risk-of-bias assessment for each study, highlighting domain-specific evaluations for individual studies. The works cited in the table correspond to references [<a href="#B15-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">15</a>, <a href="#B16-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">16</a>, <a href="#B17-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">17</a>, <a href="#B18-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">18</a>, <a href="#B19-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">19</a>, <a href="#B20-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">20</a>, <a href="#B21-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">21</a>, <a href="#B22-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">22</a>, <a href="#B23-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">23</a>, <a href="#B24-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">24</a>, <a href="#B25-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">25</a>, <a href="#B26-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">26</a> and <a href="#B27-clinpract-14-00216" class="html-bibr">27</a>] in sequential order.</p>
Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Graphical representation of dysregulated pathways in OP. Arrows denote higher expression, while “x” indicates disruption of the pathway.</p>
Full article ">
22 pages, 582 KiB  
Article
How Does the Resource Curse Influence Economic Performance? Exploring the Role of Natural Resource Rents and Renewable Energy Consumption in South Asia
by Junyan Zhang, Tufail Muhammad, Wensheng Dai, Qasim Raza Khan and Mushtaq Ahmad
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11138; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411138 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 391
Abstract
To promote sustainable development and global prosperity, policymakers collaborate on strategically harnessing natural resources and promoting renewable energy consumption to stimulate economic growth. This study examines the resource curse hypothesis across eight South Asian countries, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Pakistan, India, [...] Read more.
To promote sustainable development and global prosperity, policymakers collaborate on strategically harnessing natural resources and promoting renewable energy consumption to stimulate economic growth. This study examines the resource curse hypothesis across eight South Asian countries, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, from 1996 to 2022 using the ARDL model, multicollinearity analysis, unit root testing, and cointegration techniques. The findings reveal diverse effects in both the short and long runs. Natural resource rents have varying impacts on economic performance, experiencing negligible or even negative effects in the short term. In contrast, others show positive long-term relationships between natural resource exploitation and economic growth. The analysis of key economic factors, such as human capital, capital investment, energy consumption, and trade openness, shows that each influences economic performance in specific and measurable ways. This study highlights the significant role that natural resources play in shaping economic outcomes, which tends to negatively affect investment in many instances, underscoring the need for efficient resource management to avoid potential economic stagnation. This result may stem from the high upfront costs of renewable energy infrastructure, which outweigh short-term benefits, and the lack of supportive policies for renewable energy projects. This research confirms the presence of the resource curse in South Asian countries, stressing the need for efficient resource management strategies to prevent economic instability and mismanagement. Governments must implement policies that promote trade diversity and openness while fostering sustainable growth through improved resource governance. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>GDP per capita of South Asian countries (1996–2022). Source: <a href="https://data.worldbank.org" target="_blank">https://data.worldbank.org</a> (accessed on 25 July 2024).</p>
Full article ">
25 pages, 9018 KiB  
Article
Predicting Forest Evapotranspiration Shifts Under Diverse Climate Change Scenarios by Leveraging the SEBAL Model Across Inner Mongolia
by Penghao Ji, Rong Su and Runhong Gao
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2234; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122234 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 299
Abstract
This study examines climate change impacts on evapotranspiration in Inner Mongolia, analyzing potential (PET) and actual (AET) evapotranspiration shifts across diverse land-use classes using the SEBAL model and SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 projections (2030–2050) relative to a 1985–2015 baseline. Our findings reveal substantial PET [...] Read more.
This study examines climate change impacts on evapotranspiration in Inner Mongolia, analyzing potential (PET) and actual (AET) evapotranspiration shifts across diverse land-use classes using the SEBAL model and SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 projections (2030–2050) relative to a 1985–2015 baseline. Our findings reveal substantial PET increases across all LULC types, with Non-Vegetated Lands consistently showing the highest absolute PET values across scenarios (931.19 mm under baseline, increasing to 975.65 mm under SSP5-8.5) due to limited vegetation cover and shading effects, while forests, croplands, and savannas exhibit the most pronounced relative increases under SSP5-8.5, driven by heightened atmospheric demand and vegetation-induced transpiration. Monthly analyses show pronounced PET increases, particularly in the warmer months (June–August), with projected SSP5-8.5 PET levels reaching peaks of over 500 mm, indicating significant future water demand. AET increases are largest in densely vegetated classes, such as forests (+242.41 mm for Evergreen Needleleaf Forests under SSP5-8.5), while croplands and grasslands exhibit more moderate gains (+249.59 mm and +167.75 mm, respectively). The widening PET-AET gap highlights a growing vulnerability to moisture deficits, particularly in croplands and grasslands. Forested areas, while resilient, face rising water demands, necessitating conservation measures, whereas croplands and grasslands in low-precipitation areas risk soil moisture deficits and productivity declines due to limited adaptive capacity. Non-Vegetated Lands and built-up areas exhibit minimal AET responses (+16.37 mm for Non-Vegetated Lands under SSP5-8.5), emphasizing their limited water cycling contributions despite high PET. This research enhances the understanding of climate-induced changes in water demands across semi-arid regions, providing critical insights into effective and region-specific water resource management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mapping and Modeling Forests Using Geospatial Technologies)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Location of the study area and the dominant land use/cover classes (Watershed IDs represent 1: Hailar District; 2: Holingol City; 3: Arong Banner; 4: Genhe City; 5: Molidawa Daur Autonomous Banner; 6: Chenbarhu Banner; 7: Xinbarhu Left Banner; 8: Keshiketeng Banner; 9: Linxi County; 10: Wengniute Banner; 11: Aru Horqin Banner; 12: Balin Right Banner; 13: Balin Left Banner; 14: Abaga Banner; 15: Eastern Ujumqin Banner; 16: Western Ujumqin Banner; 17: Xilinhot City; 18: Arxan City; 19: Horqin Right Front Banner; 20: Horqin Right Middle Banner; 21: Tuquan County; 22: Ulanhot City; 23: Zhalaite Banner; 24: Ergun City; 25: Yakeshi City; 26: Ewenki Autonomous Banner; 27: Zhalantun City; 28: Zhalut Banner; 29: Oroqen Autonomous Banner).</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Scatter plots of retrieved PET from the TerraClimate dataset versus simulated PET (<math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <msub> <mrow> <mi>E</mi> <mi>T</mi> </mrow> <mrow> <mi>r</mi> <mi>L</mi> </mrow> </msub> </mrow> </semantics></math>) for (<b>a</b>) March, (<b>b</b>) April, (<b>c</b>) May, (<b>d</b>) June, (<b>e</b>) July, (<b>f</b>) August, (<b>g</b>) September, (<b>h</b>) October, and (<b>i</b>) November.</p>
Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Spatial variations in the average annual potential evapotranspiration under baseline and future climate scenarios.</p>
Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Spatial variations in the average annual actual evapotranspiration under baseline and future climate scenarios.</p>
Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Spatial distribution of monthly <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>E</mi> <mi>T</mi> <mi>r</mi> <mi>F</mi> </mrow> </semantics></math> changes: (<b>a</b>) March, (<b>b</b>) April, (<b>c</b>) May, (<b>d</b>) June, (<b>e</b>) July, (<b>f</b>) August, (<b>g</b>) September, (<b>h</b>) October, and (<b>i</b>) November under current condition.</p>
Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Changes in potential and actual evapotranspiration in each month relative to the baseline period under future climate scenarios.</p>
Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Potential evapotranspiration variability across detailed land uses under current and future climate scenarios.</p>
Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Actual evapotranspiration variability across detailed land uses under current and future climate scenarios.</p>
Full article ">
Back to TopTop