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1.
Optical properties and simple forcing efficiency of the organic aerosols and black carbon emitted by residential wood burning in rural Central Europe
Andrea Cuesta-Mosquera, Kristina Glojek, Griša Močnik, Luka Drinovec, Asta Gregorič, Martin Rigler, Matej Ogrin, Baseerat Romshoo, Kay Weinhold, Maik Merkel, 2024, original scientific article

Abstract: Abstract. Recent years have seen an increase in the use of wood for energy production of over 30 %, and this trend is expected to continue due to the current energy crisis and geopolitical instability. At present, residential wood burning (RWB) is one of the most important sources of organic aerosols (OA) and black carbon (BC). While BC is recognized for its large light absorption cross-section, the role of OA in light absorption is still under evaluation due to their heterogeneous composition and source-dependent optical properties. Studies that characterize wood-burning aerosol emissions in Europe typically focus on urban and background sites and only cover BC properties. However, RWB is more prevalent in rural areas, and the present scenario indicates that an improved understanding of the RWB aerosol optical properties and their subsequent connection to climate impacts is necessary for rural areas. We have characterized atmospheric aerosol particles from a central European rural site during wintertime in the village of Retje in Loški Potok, Slovenia, from 01.12.2017 to 07.03.2018. The village experienced extremely high aerosol concentrations produced by RWB and near-ground temperature inversion. The isolated location of the site and the substantial local emissions made it an ideal laboratory-like place for characterizing RWB aerosols with low influence from non-RWB sources under ambient conditions. The mean mass concentrations of OA and BC were 34.8 µg m-3 (max = 271.8 µg m-3) and 3.1 µg m-3 (max = 24.3 µg m-3), respectively. The mean total particle number concentration (10–600 nm) was 9.9 x 103 particles cm-3 (max = 53.5 x 103 particles cm-3). The mean total light absorption coefficient at 370 nm and 880 nm measured by an Aethalometer AE33 were 122.8 Mm-1 and 15.3 Mm-1 and had maximum values of 1103.9 Mm-1 and 179.1 Mm-1, respectively. The aerosol concentrations and absorption coefficients measured during the campaign in Loški Potok were significantly larger than those reported values for several urban areas in the region with larger populations and extent of aerosol sources. Here, considerable contributions from brown carbon (BrC) to the total light absorption were identified, reaching up to 60 % and 48 % in the near UV (370 nm) and blue (470 nm) wavelengths. These contributions are up to three times higher than values reported for other sites impacted by wood-burning emissions. The calculated mass absorption cross-section and the absorption Ångström exponent for RWB OA were MACOA, 370 nm= 2.4 m2 g-1, and AAEBrC, 370–590 nm= 3.9, respectively. Simple forcing efficiency (SFE) calculations were performed as a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the climate impact of the RWB aerosols produced at the study site by integrating the optical properties measured during the campaign. The SFE results show a considerable forcing capacity from the local RWB aerosols, with a high sensitivity to OA absorption properties and a more substantial impact over bright surfaces like snow, typical during the coldest season with higher OA emissions from RWB. Our study's results are highly significant regarding air pollution, optical properties, and climate impact. The findings suggest that there may be an underestimation of RWB emissions in rural Europe and that further investigation is necessary.
Keywords: wood-burning aerosols, optical characterization, black carbon, rural areas
Published in RUNG: 10.01.2024; Views: 425; Downloads: 6
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2.
BAT algorithm for improving fuzzy C-means clustering for location allocation of rural kiosks in developing countries under e-governance
Rajan Gupta, Sunil K. Muttoo, Saibal K. Pal, 2016, original scientific article

Abstract: Rural Kiosks are important infrastructural pillar in rural regions for internet and basic technology facility all around the world. They are also known as Tele-centers or Common Service Centers and are majorly used by government to promote Electronic Governance. The major characteristic of setting up of Rural Kiosk is their appropriate location so that people from rural region can avail the services at minimum travel cost and time. There are lot of traditional schemes used by researchers in past for location allocation but this paper proposes the usage of Fuzzy C-Means clustering and BAT algorithm to optimize the location of Rural Kiosk. The meta-heuristic approach has produced better results as compared to normal graph theories in past. The experiment has been conducted on a random data set of 72 village locations from India and their clusters are formed. It is found that using only Fuzzy C-Means clustering to allocate the center and by using it in combination with BAT algorithm produced up to 25% of efficient results. This can drastically help the key stakeholders in allocation of these Rural Kiosks at right places so as to maximize their utility.
Keywords: BAT algorithm, location allocation, rural kiosks, fuzzy C-means, e-governance, tele-centers, common service centers
Published in RUNG: 01.04.2021; Views: 1851; Downloads: 0
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3.
A comprehensive review of approaches used for solving tele-centre location allocation problem in geographical plane
Rajan Gupta, Sunil K. Muttoo, Saibal K. Pal, 2021, review article

Abstract: Setup of tele-centre is the worldwide approach for the establishment of information and communication technology infrastructure in rural areas for the overall development of a country. It is a key resource under e-governance plan in any country, but a major problem with their location allocation is the sustainability. Tele-centre establishment require a suitable location to increase the beneficial effect to service seekers. In this research, multi-faceted problems faced by tele-centres are highlighted. This paper presents a comprehensive study on tele-centre’s location allocation problem and all the recent development in multi-facility location problem research area through more than 150 research papers from high ranked peer-reviewed journals. The research survey examines all the important parameters for the facility location problem and an objective function is also formulated for the same. Based on the survey literature, it is found that the new allocation methods based on meta-heuristic algorithms are emerging. This study would be a useful contribution in the field of location science, tele-centre location allocation and application of meta-heuristic algorithms in e-governance.
Keywords: tele-centres, location allocation, common service centres, rural kiosks, meta-heuristic algorithms, e-governance, geographical plane
Published in RUNG: 01.04.2021; Views: 1815; Downloads: 57
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4.
20 years of Sajeta festival : respecting (non)human co-existence versus commercial expansion
2020, radio or television broadcast, podcast, interview, press conference

Keywords: programming, festivals, internationalisation, rural, urban, precarity, expanded music, intermedia
Published in RUNG: 08.12.2020; Views: 2417; Downloads: 21
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5.
General framework for the conservation of historical rural landscape. Case study of Qadisha Valley in Lebanon.
Bachir Zarif Keyrouz, 2016, doctoral dissertation

Abstract: The international community has reacted to the challenges faced by historic cities and cultural landscapes. In 2011, UNESCO adopted the international recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape in order to draw the attention of governments and local communities to the need to improve the management of historic urban areas. The aim of the present dissertation is to expand the UNESCO definition to Historic Rural Landscapes, and to explore how the proposed methodology could be applied to the management of rural areas. The dissertation takes the Qadisha Valley in Lebanon as an example, where some elements have already been recognised for their outstanding universal value. It is considered however that these historic-cultural elements are part of the larger context of the Qadisha Valley, which has its specificity and its qualities that merit being recognised. It is also considered that the management of the elements already recognised by UNESCO can only be successfully safeguarded if the management is understood in the context of the entire valley. Consequently, the thesis is articulated taking into account the following parameters: 1. UNESCO has already set the restoration plan to solve the problems of Qadisha Valley. Based on this plan, the question can be raised whether or not the rural planning in Qadisha is well managed at the present? 2. In case Qadisha Zone is not well conserved, what improvements could be brought about and implemented in order to safeguard the cultural heritage and historical rural landscape, and what should be the guiding policies of restoration? 3. Once a restoration plan is implemented in Qadisha Zone, what management plan should be brought up and implemented to safeguard its cultural heritage and historical rural landscape? 4. How can conservation of cultural heritage in Qadisha Zone be done culturally and in a socially acceptable way? 5. What sectors of the nation are to be involved in the Management plan? How can the MP preserve and restore Qadisha Zone? The aim of the dissertation has been to examine the possibilities of involvement of the local community and relevant authorities in a more structured management of their properties within the context of the entire valley and its exceptional historic and landscape qualities. It is hoped that the study can generate more interest in the management of the rural context within the increasingly globalising society, and draw attention to the qualities of historic rural landscapes as the setting for an improved quality of life.
Keywords: Historic Rural Landscape, Qadisha World Heritage, Heritage Community, Sustainable Tourism, Strategic Urban Management, Outstanding Universal Values & Conservation Process.
Published in RUNG: 07.10.2016; Views: 5984; Downloads: 127
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6.
Building the shared dimension of the rural landscape: tools, principles and methods : An integrated approach to conservation and management of the rural landscape in Venice and its Lagoon
Caterina Groli, 2016, doctoral dissertation

Abstract: This research investigates the rural landscape of the lagoon of Venice and its surrounding territory focusing on the forms of exploitation of its natural resources, the transformations that occurred throughout the course of history and the consequent formation of its primary economical sector. New economic sectors, new agricultural policies and other spatial and sectorial drivers transformed the primary sector itself which changed and adapted its productive schemes to the main economic patterns, heavily affecting the former rural asset of the landscape of the lagoon by changing its demographic, economic activities and land use practices. The study carries out a systematic and detailed analysis of all economic, cultural and social features that have interacted and impacted this specific landscape, relying mainly on the comparison of historical and current land-use maps through three different historical spans: 1823-1840 (pre-industrialization phase), 1933-1966 (industrializing process, considered as a determining factor of the transformation of this landscape) and 2013 (present post-industrialized condition). The maps, combined with relative data, are compared with the aid of the Geographical Information System (GIS) computer software. As a result, a set of new maps has been obtained, which point out the historical landscape permanencies, defined through in situ surveys on the territory. A multitude of other archival documents from direct and indirect sources have been examined in order to build up a sound and detailed socio-economic context and the overall historical background. Resources, goods and services provided by the rural landscape and its development are an important part of regional and EU policy instruments and also an essential factor of identity and growth for local communities. The consumption of resources, their availability and maintenance over time and accessibility through property regulations are all factors that shape the common and public dimension of the rural landscape, which represents another study challenge of this work. This study proposes the establishment of the rural park of the lagoon of Venice, through the implementation of the multi-functional role of agriculture, for the fulfilment of two fundamental conditions of the peri-urban rurality: the need of safeguarding the landscape and its significance, by preserving the authenticity and integrity of the rural characters and the dynamism of the primary sector, which is strictly related to the survival of the rural landscape.
Keywords: Rural landscape of the lagoon of Venice, UNESCO Management Plan 2012–2018, European Landscape Convention, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Italian Constitution, Cultural Heritage and Landscape Code, authenticity and integrity of the rural heritage, intangible heritage, landscape evaluation, land-use cartography, Geographical Information System (GIS), fish-farming, multifunctional agriculture, new rural community, common pool resources, public goods, club goods, property rights, rural park
Published in RUNG: 04.10.2016; Views: 5295; Downloads: 211
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