Hasil untuk "Environmental engineering"

A. Ang, W. Tang

Galina Satchanska, Slavena Davidova, Petar D. Petrov

Natural and synthetic polymers are a versatile platform for developing biomaterials in the biomedical and environmental fields. Natural polymers are organic compounds that are found in nature. The most common natural polymers include polysaccharides, such as alginate, hyaluronic acid, and starch, proteins, e.g., collagen, silk, and fibrin, and bacterial polyesters. Natural polymers have already been applied in numerous sectors, such as carriers for drug delivery, tissue engineering, stem cell morphogenesis, wound healing, regenerative medicine, food packaging, etc. Various synthetic polymers, including poly(lactic acid), poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyethylene glycol, etc., are biocompatible and biodegradable; therefore, they are studied and applied in controlled drug release systems, nano-carriers, tissue engineering, dispersion of bacterial biofilms, gene delivery systems, bio-ink in 3D-printing, textiles in medicine, agriculture, heavy metals removal, and food packaging. In the following review, recent advancements in polymer chemistry, which enable the imparting of specific biomedical functions of polymers, will be discussed in detail, including antiviral, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. This work contains the authors’ experimental contributions to biomedical and environmental polymer applications. This review is a vast overview of natural and synthetic polymers used in biomedical and environmental fields, polymer synthesis, and isolation methods, critically assessessing their advantages, limitations, and prospects.

Lu Chen, Le Yu, Luhe Qi et al.

Daniel Rodriguez-Cardenas, Xiaochang Li, Marcos Macedo et al.

Large language models for code are advancing fast, yet our ability to evaluate them lags behind. Current benchmarks focus on narrow tasks and single metrics, which hide critical gaps in robustness, interpretability, fairness, efficiency, and real-world usability. They also suffer from inconsistent data engineering practices, limited software engineering context, and widespread contamination issues. To understand these problems and chart a path forward, we combined an in-depth survey of existing benchmarks with insights gathered from a dedicated community workshop. We identified three core barriers to reliable evaluation: the absence of software-engineering-rich datasets, overreliance on ML-centric metrics, and the lack of standardized, reproducible data pipelines. Building on these findings, we introduce BEHELM, a holistic benchmarking infrastructure that unifies software-scenario specification with multi-metric evaluation. BEHELM provides a structured way to assess models across tasks, languages, input and output granularities, and key quality dimensions. Our goal is to reduce the overhead currently required to construct benchmarks while enabling a fair, realistic, and future-proof assessment of LLMs in software engineering.

Lulu Liu, G. Cai, Jun Zhang et al.

Abstract The disposal of waste tire has caused a significant health and environmental problem around the world. Nearly 1 billion tons of tires are discarded each year. Among the discarded tires, only a very small portion is recycled, and most of them are discarded in garbage or landfills without any safe treatment. In the past decades, waste tires have been used in various geotechnical engineering applications, such as subgrade backfilling, landfill, retaining wall and slope reinforcement and etc. The paper shows a comprehensive review on the engineering properties and environmental effects of recycled waste tire - sand/soil mixtures. The engineering properties of different types of recycled waste tire - soil/sand mixtures, including compression and deformation behavior, shearing properties, dynamic features, and thermal/microstructural characteristics, are investigated. In addition, the environmental concerns, such as the leachability of waste tires in soils and/or water are examined based on the literature. Overall, the comprehensive review indicates that the re-utilization of recycled waste tire - soil/sand mixtures in geotechnical engineering is promising.

G. Sharma, Bharti Thakur, M. Naushad et al.

C. J. Horwell, S. Ravenhall, R. Clarkson et al.

Abstract Volcanic eruptions produce plumes of ash, gas and aerosols that present a risk to aviation at all standard flight levels. Here, we investigate atmospheric dispersal of volcanic emissions, whether and how they infiltrate aircraft, and whether ground-level public health exposure thresholds can be related to the pressurised cabin environment. We then review the limited evidence for physical and mental health, and behavioural impacts, resulting from volcanic emissions entering aircraft. Serious health risks are considered low for healthy individuals, but respiratory irritation is likely for a high exposure scenario to sulfur dioxide (SO2). Asthmatics are particularly sensitive to SO2, with even relatively low, short exposures, potentially resulting in severe respiratory impacts. Negative group behaviours are not expected but individual distress is possible. Communicating this evidence to the aviation industry may result in more informed decision-making on flightpath alterations and triggering of emergency protocols, both before and during volcanic emission encounters.

Steve Dann Camargo Hinostroza, Carmen Andrea Taza Rojas, Diana Lizet Poma Limache and Camila Jimena Poma Romero

The objective of the research was to determine the water quality index of Lake Chinchaycocha, which has faced pollution problems for several years. To do this, we worked with data from ten water quality monitoring points collected by the National Water Authority (ANA) during the period 2019-2023, after which the water quality index (ICA-PE) was calculated by analyzing a total of 12 parameters, using the Water Quality Standard (ECA) for water category 4 E1 (lagoons and lakes). The results of the physicochemical parameters indicated that the values of total nitrogen exceed the limits established in the ECA in 82% of the data obtained, pH in 13%, and phosphorus in 1%. In the evaluation of inorganic parameters, data from the LChin1S monitoring point showed that lead and zinc levels exceeded the values established in the ECA by 8% and 3%, respectively. Regarding the ICA-PE of the dry and wet seasons, it was determined that both present a good quality according to their averages and with the results obtained from the ICA-PE in a general way, it is concluded that Lake Chinchaycocha has a good water quality having total nitrogen as the main pollutant.

W. Furian, T. Sauter

<p>This study investigates simulated glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) at five glacial lakes in the Everest region of Nepal using the three-dimensional model OpenFOAM. It presents the evolution of GLOF characteristics in the 21st century considering different moraine breach scenarios and two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios. The results demonstrate that in low-magnitude scenarios, the five lakes generate GLOFs that inundate between 0.35 and 2.23 km<span class="inline-formula">²</span> of agricultural land with an average water depth of 0.9 to 3.58 m. These GLOFs reach distances of 59 to 84 km, affect 30 to 88 km of roads or trails, and inundate 183 to 1699 buildings with 1.2 to 4.9 m of water. In higher scenarios, GLOFs can extend over 100 km and also affect larger settlements in the foothills. Between 80 and 100 km of roads, 735 to 1989 houses and 0.85 to 3.52 km<span class="inline-formula">²</span> of agricultural land could be inundated, with average water depths of up to 10 m. The high precision of the 3D flood modeling, with detailed simulations of turbulence and viscosity, provides valuable insights into 21st-century GLOF evolution, supporting more accurate risk assessments and effective adaptation strategies.</p>

Max Neuwinger, Dirk Riehle

The design of effective programming languages, libraries, frameworks, tools, and platforms for data engineering strongly depends on their ease and correctness of use. Anyone who ignores that it is humans who use these tools risks building tools that are useless, or worse, harmful. To ensure our data engineering tools are based on solid foundations, we performed a systematic review of common programming mistakes in data engineering. We focus on programming beginners (students) by analyzing both the limited literature specific to data engineering mistakes and general programming mistakes in languages commonly used in data engineering (Python, SQL, Java). Through analysis of 21 publications spanning from 2003 to 2024, we synthesized these complementary sources into a comprehensive classification that captures both general programming challenges and domain-specific data engineering mistakes. This classification provides an empirical foundation for future tool development and educational strategies. We believe our systematic categorization will help researchers, practitioners, and educators better understand and address the challenges faced by novice data engineers.

Marvin Wyrich, Lloyd Montgomery

A well-rounded software engineer is often defined by technical prowess and the ability to deliver on complex projects. However, the narrative around the ideal Software Engineering (SE) candidate is evolving, suggesting that there is more to the story. This article explores the non-technical aspects emphasized in SE job postings, revealing the sociotechnical and organizational expectations of employers. Our Thematic Analysis of 100 job postings shows that employers seek candidates who align with their sense of purpose, fit within company culture, pursue personal and career growth, and excel in interpersonal interactions. This study contributes to ongoing discussions in the SE community about the evolving role and workplace context of software engineers beyond technical skills. By highlighting these expectations, we provide relevant insights for researchers, educators, practitioners, and recruiters. Additionally, our analysis offers a valuable snapshot of SE job postings in 2023, providing a scientific record of prevailing trends and expectations.

Lei Shi, Yu Yin, Lai‐Chang Zhang et al.

Abstract Highly toxic pollutants, e.g. heavy metal ions, phenolics, toxins and pesticides, have posed major threats to ecosystem security and public health. It is imperative to develop simple, low cost, sensitive and reliable techniques for detecting these contaminants in the environment. Compared with traditional analytic techniques, photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing as a newly emerged approach possesses a low background noise and high sensitivity, opening a new platform for rapid and accurate monitoring of the concerned pollutants. The performance of advanced PEC sensors is fundamentally related to the microstructures and configurations of semiconductor-based photoactive nanomaterials. Therefore, a multidisciplinary research effort focusing on the rational design and synthesis of innovative photoactive nanomaterials has recently emerged. This paper provides a comprehensive review on the engineered semiconductors (i.e. doped-semiconductors) and their heterojunctions (e.g. semiconductor-semiconductor, semiconductor-carbon, semiconductor-metal and multicomponent heterojunction) as well as their emerging applications in PEC sensing and monitoring. Particular attention has been paid to various morphologies, e.g. 0D quantum dots (QDs) and nanoparticles (NPs), 1D nanowires (NWs), nanotubes (NTs) and nanorods (NRs), 2D nanosheets (NSs) and 3D aligned arrays, and their effects on the sensing performances. Moreover, the signal response mechanisms and performance evaluations (e.g. sensitivity, linear range, limit of detection, selectivity and stability) of the constructed PEC sensors are discussed. At last, critical challenges and future research perspectives in the fields are proposed.

Joachim Allgaier

The online video-sharing website YouTube is extremely popular globally, also as a tool for information on science and environmental topics. However, only little is known about what kind of information users find when they are searching for information about climate science, climate change and climate engineering on YouTube. This contribution presents results from an exploratory research project that investigates whether videos found on YouTube adhere to or challenge scientific consensus views. Ten search terms were employed to search for and analyze 200 videos about climate and climate modification topics, which are contested topics in online media. The online anonymization tool Tor has been used for the randomization of the sample and to avoid personalization of the results. A heuristic qualitative classification tool was set up to categorize the videos in the sample. 89 videos of the 200 videos in the sample are supporting scientific consensus views about anthropogenic climate change, and climate scientists are discussing climate topics with deniers of climate change in 4 videos in the sample. Unexpectedly, the majority of the videos in the sample (107 videos) supports worldviews that are opposing scientific consensus views: 16 videos deny climate change and 91 videos in the sample propagate straightforward conspiracy theories about climate engineering and climate change. Videos supporting the scientific mainstream view received only slightly more views (16,941,949 views in total) than those opposing the mainstream scientific position (16,939,655 views in total). Consequences for the public communication of climate change and climate engineering are discussed in the second part of the article. The research presented in this contribution is particularly interested in finding out more about strategically distorted communications about climate change and climate engineering in online environments and in critically analyzing them.

Qihang Liu, Li Pan, Huijing He et al.

Background: Studies about the combined effects of gaseous air pollutants and particulate matters are still rare. Objectives: This study was performed based on baseline survey of the Diverse Life-Course Cohort in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) Region of North China to evaluate the association of long-term air pollutants with blood pressure and the combined effect of the air pollutants mixture among 32821 natural han population aged 20 years or above. Methods: Three-year average exposure to air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, PM1, O3, SO2, NO2, and CO) and PM2.5 components [black carbon (BC), ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−), sulfate (SO42−), and organic matter (OM)] of residential areas were calculated based on well-validated models. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were used to estimate the associations of air pollutants exposure with the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP) and prevalent hypertension. Quantile g-Computation and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) were employed to assess the combined effect of the air pollutant mixture. Results: We found that long-term exposures of O3, PM2.5, and PM2.5 components were stably and strongly associated with elevated SBP, DBP, and MAP and prevalent hypertension. O3 increased SBP, DBP, and MAP at a similar extent, but with greater effects; while, PM2.5 and PM2.5 components had a greater impact on SBP than DBP, which increased PP simultaneously. In multi-pollutant models, the combined effects of the air pollutant mixture on blood pressure and prevalent hypertension was predominantly influenced by O3, PM2.5, and O3, OM in different models, respectively. For example, O3, PM2.5 contributed 57.25 %, 39.22 % of the positive combined effect of the air pollutant mixture on SBP; and O3, OM positively contributed 70.00 %, 30.00 % on prevalent hypertension, respectively. There were interactions between O3, CO, SO2 and PM2.5 components on hbp, SBP and PP. Conclusions: The results showed positive associations of air pollutant mixtures with blood pressure, where O3 and PM2.5 (especially OM) might be primary contributors. There were interactions between gaseous air pollutants and PM2.5 components on blood pressure and prevalent hypertension.

Marco Autili, Martina De Sanctis, Paola Inverardi et al.

As testified by new regulations like the European AI Act, worries about the human and societal impact of (autonomous) software technologies are becoming of public concern. Human, societal, and environmental values, alongside traditional software quality, are increasingly recognized as essential for sustainability and long-term well-being. Traditionally, systems are engineered taking into account business goals and technology drivers. Considering the growing awareness in the community, in this paper, we argue that engineering of systems should also consider human, societal, and environmental drivers. Then, we identify the macro and technological challenges by focusing on humans and their role while co-existing with digital systems. The first challenge considers humans in a proactive role when interacting with digital systems, i.e., taking initiative in making things happen instead of reacting to events. The second concerns humans having a reactive role in interacting with digital systems, i.e., humans interacting with digital systems as a reaction to events. The third challenge focuses on humans with a passive role, i.e., they experience, enjoy or even suffer the decisions and/or actions of digital systems. The fourth challenge concerns the duality of trust and trustworthiness, with humans playing any role. Building on the new human, societal, and environmental drivers and the macro and technological challenges, we identify a research roadmap of digital systems for humanity. The research roadmap is concretized in a number of research directions organized into four groups: development process, requirements engineering, software architecture and design, and verification and validation.

Johan Cederbladh, Antonio Cicchetti

In this paper we discuss the growing need for system behaviour to be validated and verified (V&V'ed) early in model-based systems engineering. Several aspects push companies towards integration of techniques, methods, and processes that promote specific and general V&V activities earlier to support more effective decision-making. As a result, there are incentives to introduce new technologies to remain competitive with the recently drastic changes in system complexity and heterogeneity. Performing V&V early on in development is a means of reducing risk for later error detection while moving key activities earlier in a process. We present a summary of the literature on early V&V and position existing challenges regarding potential solutions and future investigations. In particular, we reason that the software engineering community can act as a source for inspiration as many emerging technologies in the software domain are showing promise in the wider systems domain, and there already exist well formed methods for early V&V of software behaviour in the software modelling community. We conclude the paper with a road-map for future research and development for both researchers and practitioners to further develop the concepts discussed in the paper.

Oleksandr Kosenkov, Michael Unterkalmsteiner, Jannik Fischbach et al.

Context: Regulatory acts are a challenging source when eliciting, interpreting, and analyzing requirements. Requirements engineers often need to involve legal experts who, however, may often not be available. This raises the need for approaches to regulatory Requirements Engineering (RE) covering and integrating both legal and engineering perspectives. Problem: Regulatory RE approaches need to capture and reflect both the elementary concepts and relationships from a legal perspective and their seamless transition to concepts used to specify software requirements. No existing approach considers explicating and managing legal domain knowledge and engineering-legal coordination. Method: We conducted focus group sessions with legal researchers to identify the core challenges to establishing a regulatory RE approach. Based on our findings, we developed a candidate solution and conducted a first conceptual validation to assess its feasibility. Results: We introduce the first version of our Artifact Model for Regulatory Requirements Engineering (AM4RRE) and its conceptual foundation. It provides a blueprint for applying legal (modelling) concepts and well-established RE concepts. Our initial results suggest that artifact-centric RE can be applied to managing legal domain knowledge and engineering-legal coordination. Conclusions: The focus groups that served as a basis for building our model and the results from the expert validation both strengthen our confidence that we already provide a valuable basis for systematically integrating legal concepts into RE. This overcomes contemporary challenges to regulatory RE and serves as a basis for exposure to critical discussions in the community before continuing with the development of tool-supported extensions and large-scale empirical evaluations in practice.

Shaoyun Pu, Zhiduo Zhu, Wangwen Huo

P. R. Yaashikaa, M. K. Devi, P. Kumar

Anthropogenic activities resulted in the deposition of huge quantities of contaminants such as heavy metals, dyes, hydrocarbons, etc into an ecosystem. The serious ill effects caused by these pollutants to all living organisms forced in advancement of technology for degrading or removing these pollutants. This degrading activity is mostly depending on microorganisms owing to their ability to survive in harsh adverse conditions. Though native strains possess the capability to degrade these pollutants the development of genetic engineering and molecular biology resulted in engineering approaches that enhanced the efficiency of microbes in degrading pollutants at faster rate. Many bioinformatics tools have been developed for altering/modifying genetic content in microbes to increase their degrading potency. This review provides a detailed note on engineered microbes - their significant importance in degrading environmental contaminants and the approaches utilized for modifying microbes. The genes responsible for degrading the pollutants have been identified and modified fir increasing the potential for quick degradation. The methods for increasing the tolerance in engineered microbes have also been discussed. Thus engineered microbes prove to be effective alternate compared to native strains for degrading pollutants.

Haiyang Hu, Miaoxiao Wang, Yiqun Huang et al.

Abstract Although the accomplishments of microbiome engineering highlight its significance for the targeted manipulation of microbial communities, knowledge and technical gaps still limit the applications of microbiome engineering in biotechnology, especially for environmental use. Addressing the environmental challenges of refractory pollutants and fluctuating environmental conditions requires an adequate understanding of the theoretical achievements and practical applications of microbiome engineering. Here, we review recent cutting‐edge studies on microbiome engineering strategies and their classical applications in bioremediation. Moreover, a framework is summarized for combining both top‐down and bottom‐up approaches in microbiome engineering toward improved applications. A strategy to engineer microbiomes for environmental use, which avoids the build‐up of toxic intermediates that pose a risk to human health, is suggested. We anticipate that the highlighted framework and strategy will be beneficial for engineering microbiomes to address difficult environmental challenges such as degrading multiple refractory pollutants and sustain the performance of engineered microbiomes in situ with indigenous microorganisms under fluctuating conditions.