Landscape architects, who guide planning and design decisions by understanding the socio-cultural expectations, functional needs, and social behaviors of the community, create ideal spaces for people by integrating natural, social, cultural, and aesthetic factors with a holistic design approach in urban public areas. Public open green spaces are important urban areas that have a positive impact on people’s physical, mental, and emotional health. In this context, the concept of personal space, its impact on individuals, and related perception studies have been examined. In landscape design, criteria that affect individuals’ personal space distances and personal space perceptions have been identified, providing a basis for sustainable landscape design projects in public open and green spaces.
The present study demonstrates the fabrication of heterogeneous ternary composite photocatalysts consisting of TiO2, kaolinite, and cement (TKCe),which is essential to overcome the practical barriers that are inherent to currently available photocatalysts. TKCe is prepared via a cost-effective method, which involves mechanical compression and thermal activation as major fabrication steps. The clay-cement ratio primarily determines TKCe mechanical strength and photocatalytic efficiency, where TKCe with the optimum clay-cement ratio, which is 1:1, results in a uniform matrix with fewer surface defects. The composites that have a clay-cement ratio below or above the optimum ratio account for comparatively low mechanical strength and photocatalytic activity due to inhomogeneous surfaces with more defects, including particle agglomeration and cracks. The TKCe mechanical strength comes mainly from clay-TiO2 interactions and TiO2-cement interactions. TiO2-cement interactions result in CaTiO3 formation, which significantly increases matrix interactions; however, the maximum composite performance is observed at the optimum titanate level; anything above or below this level deteriorates composite performance. Over 90% degradation rates are characteristic of all TKCe, which follow pseudo-first-order kinetics in methylene blue decontamination. The highest rate constant is observed with TKCe 1-1, which is 1.57 h−1 and is the highest among all the binary composite photocatalysts that were fabricated previously. The TKCe 1-1 accounts for the highest mechanical strength, which is 6.97 MPa, while the lowest is observed with TKCe 3-1, indicating that the clay-cement ratio has a direct relation to composite strength. TKCe is a potential photocatalyst that can be obtained in variable sizes and shapes, complying with real industrial wastewater treatment requirements.
In engineering, a design is best described based on its alternative performance operation. In this paper, an electric power plant is analysed based on its effective operational performance even during critical situation or crisis. Data is generated and analysed using both quantitative and qualitative research approach. During maintenance operation of an electric power plant, some components are susceptible to wide range of issues or crises. These includes natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, cyberattacks, and economic downturns. These crises significantly impact power plant operations and its maintenance strategies. Also, the reliable operation of power plants is often challenged by various technical, operational, and environmental issues. In this research, an investigation is conducted on the problems associated with electric power plants by proposing a comprehensive and novel framework to maintenance the power plant during crises. Based on the achieved results discussed, the framework impact and contribution are the integration of proactive maintenance planning, resilient maintenance strategies, advanced technologies, and adaptive measures to ensure the reliability and resilience of electric power plant during power generation operations in the face of unforeseen challenges/crisis. Hypothetical inferences are used ranging from mechanical failures to environmental constraints. The research also presents a structured approach to ensure continuous operation and effective maintenance in the electric power plant, particularly during crisis (such as environmental issues and COVID-19 pandemic issues).
Himalayan ‘Ecotone’ temperate conifer forest is the cradle of life for human survival and wildlife existence. Human intervention and climate change are rapidly degrading and declining this transitional zone. This study aimed to quantify the floristic structure, important value index (IVI), topographic and edaphic variables between 2019 and 2020 utilizing circular quadrant method (10m × 10m). The upper-storey layer consisted of 17 tree species from 12 families and 9 orders. Middle-storey shrubs comprise 23 species representing 14 families and 12 orders. A total of 43 species of herbs, grasses, and ferns were identified from the ground-storey layer, representing 25 families and 21 orders. Upper-storey vegetation structure was dominated by Pinus roxburghii (22.45%), while middle-storey vegetation structure was dominated by Dodonaea viscosa (7.69%). However, the ground layer vegetation was diverse in species composition and distribution. By using Ward’s agglomerative clustering technique, the floral vegetation structure was divided into three floral communities. Ailanthus altissima, Pinus wallichiana, and P. roxburghii had the highest IVI values in Piro–Aial (Group 2), Piwa–Quin (Group 3) and Aial–Qugal (Group 2). The IVI values for Aesculus indica, Celtis australis, and Quercus incana in Aial-Qugal (Group 2) were not determined. Nevertheless, eleven of these species had 0 IVI values in Piro–Aial (Group 2) and Piwa–Quin (Group 3). Based on the CCA ordination biplot, significant differences were observed in floral characteristics and distribution depending on temperature, rainfall, soil pH, altitude, and topographic features. Based on Ward’s agglomerative clustering, it was found that Himalayan ‘Ecotone’ temperate conifer forests exhibit a rich and diverse floristic structure.
The purpose of this study is to investigate customer satisfaction with quality of service known as SERVQUAL improvement or service quality competitiveness in emerging markets. Using Indonesian government medical care as an example the author examines the satisfaction of patients. Information and data were collected through a survey of 399 BPJS users in Indonesia. All data were analyzed using Smart PLS. This study demonstrates that there is a negative value associated with the five-dimensional gap. As a result, the care provided to BPJS patients is below par. Specifically, the sensitivity dimension has the largest disparity at 0.15, while the physical evidence dimension has the smallest at 0.49. In order to raise the level of service provided, it may be necessary to take direct measures or examine tangible evidence. This study develops the relationship between different quality service models. There appears to be a substantial increase in the body of literature in the area of service quality, allowing for constant updates and the incorporation of the lessons learned from the experiences of the departed. These revised guidelines are intended to aid SERVQUAL study participants. The study gives practical support to academics and practitioners in directing service quality improvement through the use of data collected from large-scale surveys of patients and medical professionals as doctors in Indonesia.
A metakaolin-based geopolymer was fabricated with 5 ratios of two different nanomaterials. On the one hand, silicon carbide nanowhiskers and, on the other hand, titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Both were placed in water and received ultrasonic energy to be dispersed. The effects on mechanical properties and reaction kinetics were analyzed. Compared to the reference matrix, the results showed a tendency to increase the flexural strength. Probably due to the geometry of the SiC nanowhiskers and the pore refinement by the nano-TiO2 particles. The calorimetry curves showed that incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles resulted in a 92% reduction in total heat, while SiC nanowhiskers produced a 25% reduction in total heat.
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