Proper understanding of LULC changes is considered an indispensable element for modeling. It is also central for planning and management activities as well as understanding the earth as a system. This study examined LULC changes in the region of the proposed Pwalugu hydropower project using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) techniques. Data from the United States Geological Survey's Landsat satellite, specifically the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM), the Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM), and the Operational Land Imager (OLI), were used. The Landsat 5 thematic mapper (TM) sensor data was processed for the year 1990; the Landsat 7 SLC data was processed for the year 2000; and the 2020 data was collected from Operation Land Image (OLI). Landsat images were extracted based on the years 1990, 2000, and 2020, which were used to develop three land cover maps. The region of the proposed Pwalugu hydropower project was divided into the following five primary LULC classes: settlements and barren lands; croplands; water bodies; grassland; and other areas. Within the three periods (1990–2000, 2000–2020, and 1990–2020), grassland has increased from 9%, 20%, and 40%, respectively. On the other hand, the change in the remaining four (4) classes varied. The findings suggest that population growth, changes in climate, and deforestation during this thirty-year period have been responsible for the variations in the LULC classes. The variations in the LULC changes could have a significant influence on the hydrological processes in the form of evapotranspiration, interception, and infiltration. This study will therefore assist in establishing patterns and will enable Ghana's resource managers to forecast realistic change scenarios that would be helpful for the management of the proposed Pwalugu hydropower project.
The present research is on the propagation of Rayleigh waves in a homogenous thermoelastic solid half-space by considering the compact form of six different theories of thermoelasticity. The medium is subjected to an insulated boundary surface that is free from normal stress, tangential stress, and a temperature gradient normal to the surface. After developing a mathematical model, a dispersion equation is obtained with irrational terms. To apply the algebraic method, this equation must be converted into a rational polynomial equation. From this, only those roots are filtered out, which has satisfied both of the above equations for the propagation of waves decaying with depth. With the help of these roots, different characteristics are computed numerically, like phase velocity, attenuation coefficient, and path of particles. Various particular cases are compared graphically by using phase velocity and attenuation coefficient. The elliptic path of surface particles in Rayleigh wave propagation is also presented for the different theories using physical constants of copper material for different depths and thermal conductivity.
The objectives achieved in the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels have caused, in recent years, a growing importance on sustainability in companies in order to reduce Environmental, social and economic impacts. This study is focused on understanding how the variation in West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices affects the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and therefore the companies included in it, and vice versa. The research aims to examine the statistical properties of both indices, using fractional integration methods, the fractional cointegration vector autoregressive (FCVAR) approach and the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) technique. The results warn of a change in trend, with the application of extraordinary measures being necessary to return to the original trend, while the analysis of cointegration and wavelet analysis measures reflect that an increase in those adopted based on sustainability by the different companies that make up the index imply a drop in the price of crude oil.
One of the main concerns in computer science today is integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) into manufacturing processes. This trend could influence a country’s strategy and policy development regarding technological infrastructure. However, despite extensive research on the implementation of IoT in manufacturing, no study has yet focused on the growing research interest in this topic. Based on 2487 papers indexed in the Scopus database between 2013 and 2023, this bibliometric review examines current trends and patterns in IoT research in manufacturing. The literature was selected and screened using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Data visualization was created using VOSviewer. The results show a notable increase in research papers centered around IoT in manufacturing. The findings reveal patterns and trends in IoT research publications in the manufacturing sector, author collaboration networks, country collaboration networks, and both established and newly trending topics surrounding IoT in the manufacturing industry.
This study examines conditions that impact PPP delivery success or failure in the roadways sector in India using Qualitative Comparative Analysis. QCA is well-suited for problems where multiple factors combine to create pathways leading to an outcome. Past investigations have compared PPP and non-PPP project delivery performance, but this study examines performance within PPPs by uncovering a set of conditions that combine to influence the success or failure road PPP project delivery in India. Based on data from 21 cases, pathways explaining project delivery success or failure were identified. Specifically, PPPs with high concessionaire equity investment and low regional industrial activity led to project delivery success. Projects with lower concessionaire equity investment and low reliance on toll revenue and with either: (a) high project technical complexity or (b) high regional industrial activity, led to project delivery failure. The pathways identified did not have coverage values that they were extremely strong. Coverage strength was hindered by lack of access to information on additional conditions that could be configurationally important. Further, certain characteristics of the Indian market limit generalization. Identification of combinations of conditions leading to PPP project delivery success or failure improves knowledge of the impacts of structure and characteristics of these complex arrangements. This study is one of the first to use fuzzy QCA to understand project delivery success/failure in road PPP projects. Moreover, this study takes into account factors specific to a sector and delivery mode to explain project delivery performance.
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