14 research outputs found
Sustainable Construction Engineering and Management
This Book is a Printed Edition of the Special Issue which covers sustainability as an emerging requirement in the fields of construction management, project management and engineering. We invited authors to submit their theoretical or experimental research articles that address the challenges and opportunities for sustainable construction in all its facets, including technical topics and specific operational or procedural solutions, as well as strategic approaches aimed at the project, company or industry level. Central to developments are smart technologies and sophisticated decision-making mechanisms that augment sustainable outcomes. The Special Issue was received with great interest by the research community and attracted a high number of submissions. The selection process sought to balance the inclusion of a broad representative spread of topics against research quality, with editors and reviewers settling on thirty-three articles for publication. The Editors invite all participating researchers and those interested in sustainable construction engineering and management to read the summary of the Special Issue and of course to access the full-text articles provided in the Book for deeper analyses
Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence for Critical Infrastructures Security
Modern critical infrastructures can be considered as large scale Cyber Physical Systems (CPS). Therefore, when designing, implementing, and operating systems for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), the boundaries between physical security and cybersecurity are blurred. Emerging systems for Critical Infrastructures Security and Protection must therefore consider integrated approaches that emphasize the interplay between cybersecurity and physical security techniques. Hence, there is a need for a new type of integrated security intelligence i.e., Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence (CPTI). This book presents novel solutions for integrated Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence for infrastructures in various sectors, such as Industrial Sites and Plants, Air Transport, Gas, Healthcare, and Finance. The solutions rely on novel methods and technologies, such as integrated modelling for cyber-physical systems, novel reliance indicators, and data driven approaches including BigData analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some of the presented approaches are sector agnostic i.e., applicable to different sectors with a fair customization effort. Nevertheless, the book presents also peculiar challenges of specific sectors and how they can be addressed. The presented solutions consider the European policy context for Security, Cyber security, and Critical Infrastructure protection, as laid out by the European Commission (EC) to support its Member States to protect and ensure the resilience of their critical infrastructures. Most of the co-authors and contributors are from European Research and Technology Organizations, as well as from European Critical Infrastructure Operators. Hence, the presented solutions respect the European approach to CIP, as reflected in the pillars of the European policy framework. The latter includes for example the Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS Directive), the Directive on protecting European Critical Infrastructures, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Cybersecurity Act Regulation. The sector specific solutions that are described in the book have been developed and validated in the scope of several European Commission (EC) co-funded projects on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), which focus on the listed sectors. Overall, the book illustrates a rich set of systems, technologies, and applications that critical infrastructure operators could consult to shape their future strategies. It also provides a catalogue of CPTI case studies in different sectors, which could be useful for security consultants and practitioners as well
Environmental drivers of soil and plant microbiomes in agricultural and grassland ecosystems
Soils and plant microbial communities are intricately linked to ecosystem functioning as they play important roles in nutrients dynamics as decomposers and feedback to plant communities as mutualists and pathogens. Numerous soil physicochemical factors as well as the land use management are shaping the composition and dynamics of microbial community. In addition, global warming and climate change are the most prominent of all environmental factors that influence all kinds of the living organisms including microbes associated to the plant soil systems.
A better understanding of the environmental drivers shaping these microbial communities especially under future climate will help to understand and predict the expected changes of ecosystems functions and accordingly of the services they provide. In addition, such knowledge will help to detect potential ways on how soil microorganisms can be harnessed to help mitigating the negative consequences of climate change.The Global Change Experimental Facility (GCEF) is settled in the field research station of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Bad Lauchstädt, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany (51_22’60 N, 11_50’60 E, 118 m a.s.l.). This facility has been designed to investigate the consequences of a predicted future climate scenario expected in 50-70 years in Central Germany on ecosystem processes under different land-use regimes applied on large field plots in comparison to similar sets of plots under the ambient climate. We performed our study using this research facility, with the aim to analyze the impact of future climate conditions, soil physicochemical factors, and/or land use type and intensity on microbial communities in different habitats (rhizosphere soil, plant endosphere, and plant residues) in grassland and cropland ecosystems. To assess the microbial communities, we used the highly sensitive and powerful highthroughput next generation sequencing, Illumina Miseq.This thesis constitutes the first assessment of microbial communities in the GCEF experimental facility. The samples were collected in 2015 for manuscript 4, while for manuscripts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, the samples were collected in 2018-2019. Manuscript 1: (Sansupa, Wahdan, Hossen et al., 2021; Applied Science 2021, 11, 688) “Can we use functional annotation of prokaryotic taxa (FAPROTAX) to assign the ecological functions of investigated the potential use of FAPROTAX for bacterial functional annotation in non-aquatic ecosystems, specifically in soil. For this study, we used microbial datasets of soil systems including rhizosphere soil of Trifolium pratense from the extensively used meadow plots in the GCEF. We hypothesized that FAPROTAX can be used in terrestrial ecosystems. Our survey revealed that FAPROTAX tool can be used for screening or grouping of 16S derived bacterial data from terrestrial ecosystems and its performance could be enhanced through improving the taxonomic and functional reference databases. Manuscript 2: (Wahdan et al., 2021; Frontiers in Microbiology 12:629169) “Targeting the active rhizosphere microbiome of Trifolium pratense in grassland evidences a stronger-than-expected belowground biodiversity-ecosystem functioning link”. In this study, we used the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunocapture technique combined with pair-end Illumina sequencing to differentiate between total and active microbiomes (including both bacteria and fungi) in the rhizosphere of T. pratense. In the same rhizosphere soil samples, we also measured the activities of three microbial extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, (ß-glucosidase, N-acetylglucosaminidase, and acid phosphatase), which play central roles in the C, N, and P acquisition. We investigated the proportion of active and total rhizosphere microbiomes, and their responses to the manipulated future climate in the GCEF. In addition, we identified the possible links between total and active microbiomes and the soil ecosystem function (extracellular enzyme production). Our results revealed that the active microbes of the rhizosphere represented 42.8 and 32.1% of the total bacterial and fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs), respectively. Active and total microbial fractions were taxonomically and functionally diverse and displayed different responses to variations of soil physicochemical factors. We also showed that the richness of overall and specific functional groups of active microbes in rhizosphere soil significantly correlated with the measured enzyme activities, while total microbial richness did not. Manuscript 3: (Wahdan et al., 2021; Microbiology Open 10:e1217) “Deciphering Trifolium pratense L. (red clover) holobiont reveals a resistant microbial community assembly to future climate changes predicted for the next 50–70 years”. We investigated the microbial communities of bacteria and fungi associated with four plant parts of T. pratense (the rhizosphere and the endopheres of the roots, whole shoot system (leaves and stems), and of the flower) and evaluated their potential ecological and metabolic functions in response to future climate conditions. This study was performed on the GCEF extensively managed grassland plots. Our analyses indicated that plant tissue/compartments differentiation enables the formation of a unique ecological niches that harbor specific microbial communities. Except for the fungal communities of the aboveground compartments, T. pratense microbiome diversity and community composition showed a resistance against the future climate changes. We also analyzed the predicted bacterial metabolic functional genes of red clover. Thereby, we detected microbial genes involved in plant growth processes, such as biofertilisation (nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilisation, and siderophore biosynthesis) and biostimulation (phytohormone and auxin production), which were not influenced by the future climate. Manuscript 4: (Wahdan et al., 2021; Environmental Microbiology) “Organic agricultural practice enhances arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in correspondence to soil warming and altered precipitation patterns”. This study was performed on the conventional and organic farming plots
under both ambient and future climate conditions. We evaluated the effect of climate (ambient vs. future), agricultural practice (conventional vs. organic farming) and their interaction on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) community composition and richness inside wheat roots. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between molecular richness of indigenous root AMF and wheat yield parameters. Future climate altered the total AMF community composition and a sub-community
of Glomeraceae. Further, application of different agricultural practices altered both total AMF and Glomeraceae community, whereby organic farming appeared to enhance total AMF and Diversisporaceae richness. Under the future climate scenario, organic farming enhanced total AMF and Gigasporaceae richness in comparison with conventional farming. Our results revealed a positive correlation between AMF richness and wheat nutrient contents not only in organic farming system but also under conventionally managed fields. Manuscript 5: (Wahdan et al., 2020; Microorganisms 8, 908) “Future climate significantly alters fungal plant pathogen dynamics during the early phase of wheat litter decomposition”. This study was performed on the conventional farming plots. We investigated the structure and ecological functions of fungal communities colonizing wheat during the early phase of decomposition (0, 30, and 60 days) under current and future climate conditions. We found that plant pathogenic fungi dominated (~87% of the total sequences) within the wheat residue mycobiome. Destructive wheat fungal pathogens such as Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium tricinctum, and Zymoseptoria tritci were detected under ambient and future climates. Additionally, the future climate brought new pathogens to the system. Manuscript 6: (Wahdan et al., 2021; Microbial Ecology 10.1007/s00248-021-01840-6) “Life in the wheat litter: effects of future climate on microbiome and function during the early phase of decomposition”. This study was performed on the conventional farming plots. We assessed the effects of climate change on microbial richness, community compositions, interactions and their functions (production of extracellular enzymes) in decomposing residues of wheat. In addition, we investigated the effects of climate change on litter residues physicochemical factors as well as on mass loss during the early phase of decomposition. Future climate significantly accelerated litter
mass loss as compared with ambient one. Our results indicated that future climate significantly increased fungal richness and altered fungal communities over time, while bacterial communities were more resistant in wheat residues. Fungi corresponded to different physicochemical elements of litter under ambient (C, Ca2+ and pH) and future (C/N, N, P, K+, Ca2+ and pH) climate conditions. Also, a highly correlative interactions between richness of bacteria and fungi were
detected under future climate. Activities of microbial β-glucosidase and N-acetylglucosaminidase in wheat straw were significantly higher under future climate. Such high enzymatic activities were coupled with a significant positive correlation between microbial (both bacteria and fungi) richness
and community compositions with these two enzymatic activities only under future climate.:CONTENTS
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION……………………………………………….......III
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG………………………………………………………...........V
SUMMARY……………………………………………………………………………..X
GENERAL INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………...............1
I-1 Ecosystem functions carried out by soil and plant microbiomes…………………..2
I-2 Biodiversity and functional diversity and maintenance of ecosystem functions……………..3
I-3 Total vs. active microbial diversity for assessing ecosystem functions……………4
I-4 Factors influencing soil and plant microbiota…………………………………..……6
I-4.1 Elements of climate changes……………………………………………................7
I-4.2 Climate changes influence microbes in an interacting, complex manner………8
I-4.3 Environmental factors controlling the response of microorganisms to climate
changes………………………………………………………………………………….....10
I-5 Interplay between climate and land use intensity in agroecosystems……………11
I-6 Study site, and overall objectives………………………………………………....…12
I-7 Methods used for the taxonomic and functional characterization of the microbiomes……...15
I-8 Presentation of aims and hypotheses of the publications/manuscripts in different
chapters.................................................................................................................16
I-9References.........................................................................................................20
CHAPTER 1
Can we use functional annotation of prokaryotic taxa (FAPROTAX) to assign the ecological functions of soil bacteria? .....................................................................29
Publication…………………………………………………………………………...........31
Supplementary materials…………………………………………………………….......42
CHAPTER 2
Targeting the active rhizosphere microbiome of Trifolium pratense in grassland evidences a stronger-than-expected belowground biodiversity-ecosystem functioning link………………..........................................................................…49
Publication………………………………………………………………………………51
Supplementary materials……………………………………………………………..67
CHAPTER 3
Deciphering Trifolium pratense L. holobiont reveals a microbiome resilient to future climate changes……………………………………………….…………………………..89
Publication………………………………………………………………………………….91
Supplementary materials……………………………………………………………….111
CHAPTER 4
Organic agricultural practice enhances arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in correspondence to soil warming and altered precipitation patterns………………125
Publication……………………………………………………………………………….127
Supplementary materials………………………………………………………….......140
CHAPTER 5
Future climate significantly alters fungal plant pathogen dynamics during the early phase of wheat litter decomposition…...................………………….……………..156
Publication………………………………………………...…………….….…………...158
Supplementary materials………………………………………………….…....……..175
CHAPTER 6
Life in the wheat litter: effects of future climate on microbiome and function during the early phase of decomposition…………………………………….....……....…….181
Publication…………………………………..…………………………………….....…...183
Supplementary materials………………………………………………………………..199
GENERAL DISCUSSION…………………………………………………………….......210
D-I Approaches and main findings of the result chapters………………………..…211
D-2 Conclusion and implications of the study findings…………………………...…215
D-3 Technical limitation of the study……………………………………………......…217
D-4 Future prospects of the study field ...……………………………………………217
D-5 References…………………………………………………………………………..219
DATA AVAILABILITY……………………………………………………………………...223
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………………......224
CURRICULUM VITAE……………………………………………………………….....…225
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS………………………………………………………….........226
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS…………………………………………………….....227
STATUTORY DECLARATION………………………………………………................228
VERIFICATION OF AUTHOR PARTS……………………………………………........22
Integrisan model za upravljanje rizikom u standardizovanim menadžment sistemima
Nowadays organizations seek to use various management system standards (MSSs) in order to organize their management systems and improve the performance of their operations in the right way and then provide the necessary support to manage and address the risks associated with providing these products and services to clients and other stakeholders in addition to providing confidence and security to stakeholders. In this regard, as the first step, a research study has been carried out to analyze the number of companies that have standardized management systems (SMS) obtained for the standards ISO 9001, ISO14001, ISO 50001, ISO 27001, ISO 22000, ISO 13485, ISO 22301, ISO 20000-1, ISO 28000 and ISO 39001 across the continents in 2014, as a result of the increasing growth rate in the management system standards. Later in 2019, the research was conducted to analyze the growth rate of the certificates issued for the standards in addition to five other new standards that were added to the previous ones across the same continents. Based on those longitudinal analyses, according to obtained regression models, predictions were given and standards with the strongest growth trends were identified.
However, till now has not been found a framework to define a common and unified standard model for integrated management systems that can be used in all contingency factors settings. Since, as the main objective of applying the standards of management systems in the organizations is to identify the risks that affect the organization's ability to achieve its goals and desired results in addition to organizing and coordinating all operations and the optimal use of resources, the purpose of this dissertation was to develop an integrated risk management model for standardized management systems with predicted growing trends: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO/IEC 27001:2013, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 22000:2018 in order to enable organizations to manage their processes and associated risks in manner to decrease the number of resources employed and to enhance the organization performance.
Novel risk management integrated model in standardized management systems has three levels – correspondence, coordination and integration and put in place an explicit and systematic approach to managing all risks in the organization. Forms of certain documented information also encompass proposed model. Model has been checked empirically to analyze how organizations in Serbia integrate their MSs and their audits, as well as how they feel and act on risk management issues, all together with difficulties and time needed to integrate MSs, extent of integration of MSs in organizations overall, extent of integrated MS processes, resources and goals, extent of integration of the elements of audit systems and benefits of having integrated audits in organizations together with novel risk model check. Regarding integration, results similar to previous studies have been obtained. Contextual independence of proposed model has been checked using Mann-Whitney U*test and it has been proved that model is context free and applicable to companies different in size and sector. Also, performance indicators have been analyzed and 72% of positive and only 4.5% of negative attitudes have been reached. Accordingly, posted hypothesis have been proved and novel model enables companies to reach the defined goals of the company, as it is experimentally verified.Данас организације теже примени различитих стандарда система менаџмента како би организовале своје системе управљања и побољшале перформансе пословања на правилан и жељен начин, као и да би обезбедили потребну подршку за управљање ризицима при пружању производа и услуга клијентима и другим заинтересованим странама, уз стицање поверења код свих заинтересованих страна. Стога је најпре спроведенао истраживање, која је анализирало трендове раста број компанија које имају стандардизоване системе управљања (СМС) за стандарде ИСО 9001, ИСО14001, ИСО 50001, ИСО 27001, ИСО 22000, ИСО 13485, ИСО 22301, ИСО 20000-1, ИСО 28000 и ИСО 39001 широм света најпре у 2014. години, а затим и у 2018. години. Успостављени су лонгитудинални предиктивни регресиони модели и детерминисани су стандарди са највећим статистички значајним трендовима раста.
Како до данас није расположив оквир који дефинише заједнички и обједињени модел интегрисаних система управљања који се могу користити независно од контекста, циљ ове дисертације била је израда интегрисаног модела управљања ризиком за стандардизоване системе управљања са високим трендом раста броја сертификата: ИСО 9001: 2015, ИСО 14001: 2015, ИСО / ИЕЦ 27001: 2013, ИСО 45001: 2018, и ИСО 22000: 2018 како би организације могле да управљају својим процесима и повезаним ризицима на интегрисан начин који смањује број ангажованих ресурса и омогућава побољшање перформанси организације.
Новопредложени модел менаџмента ризиком у интегрисаним менаџмент системима има три нивоа – адекватност, координацију и интеграцију и пружа експлицитан, систематичан приступ управљању ризицима у организацијама. Модел је употпуњен и документованим информацијама од значаја за примену. Такође, модел је проверен у пракси методама анкетирања и интервуја, са циљем да се истражи начин и обим интеграције, спроведени аудити, тешкоће, користи и временски оквири интеграције, и применом факторске, регресионе анализе и анализе поузданости извршена је провера новопредложеног модела и утицаји на пословне перформансе. По питању интеграција, добијени су резултати подударни ретким претходним истраживањима. Контекстуална независност новопредложеног модела потврђена је применом Mann-Whitney U* теста. Модел је примењив у организацијама назависно од величине и припадности одређеном индустријском сектору. Такође, анализирани су индикатори пословних перформанси и резултати показују 72% позитивних и свега 4,5% негативних ставова. Коначно, постављене хипотезе су потврђене и модел омогућава предузећима остварење постављених циљева, сходно експерименталној верификацији
Obstacles and Opportunities in Planning and Implementing Integrated Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management (ISMSWM) in Kuwait – a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Country
The conventional municipal solid waste (MSW) management approach focuses on collection, transportation and final disposal, while at the same time neglecting the prevention of waste and recycling. The conventional approach focuses mainly on technical solutions and economic efficiency of disposal of MSW. Yet, because this approach deals with waste streams individually it is ineffective. The evolving concept of sustainable development (SD) indicates a transition from conventional systems to more integrated systems for resource management. Planning and implementing a sustainable MSW system imply the adoption of “integrated approaches” but there are gaps in the operationalization and often the social dimensions are overlooked. High-income nations continue to develop systems approaches that meet their current and future needs and ensure that both governments and residents understand the need for proper MSW management. A parallel situation does not readily apply to oil exporting high-income Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The State of Kuwait was chosen as a case study to explore the obstacles and opportunities of planning and implementing an integrated and sustainable MSW management (ISMSWM) system. Accordingly, the current study
established a goal to reach beyond the recommendation of “integration approaches” to better understand and recognize how to operationalize the “integration” of an MSW management system. As a first step, a conceptual framework of planning for an ISMSWM system was developed, refined and tested. In this research, an ISMSWM framework was designed to account for integrated environmental management (IEM) approaches along with sustainable development dimensions, stakeholders’ involvement, SWM elements and approaches and Environmental system analysis (ESA) tools to address the obstacles and opportunities during planning, decision-making and operationalization of an ISMSWM system.
Based primarily on post-positivist epistemology, a research framework was built upon the case study of Kuwait, employing mixed qualitative/quantitative methods that included the review of documents, key informant interviews, waste actors’ questionnaires, householder’ questionnaires and a focus group discussion which centered on the results of a life cycle assessment (LCA). Over 80% of the 65 waste actors surveyed identified a lack of coordination between responsible authorities, and 91% identified a lack of collaboration between authorities at governmental, sectoral (among MSW management responsible authorities) and public levels. Most of the waste actors also supported collaboration, a balance between top-down and bottom-up approaches, and the establishment of collaborative committees. Over 85% were also in favour of public participation in waste separation, promotion of public training programs and the inclusion of waste management topics in the educational curriculum. Widespread support was reported by the waste actors for the participation of the private sector and a decentralized approach for planning. Of the 400 householders surveyed 80% agreed to purchase fewer disposable products: to participate in activities which promote recycling; and, to separate organic waste if green bins were offered.
The researcher concludes that current MSW planning relies on a top-down approach in Kuwait. Although some critical changes at the regulatory and policy-making levels have been made with the aid of international institution, the outcomes have failed to deliver tangible changes at the operational level. There is a need for an intensive willingness to change the current situation in Kuwait and build a structure by local stakeholders that adopts integrated environmental management (IEM) approaches. The adoption of a conceptual framework for ISMSWM in Kuwait would be of assistance with the implementation of IEM management approaches to promote better practices in planning, decision-making and operationalization. Based on the research findings, the developed framework could offer an opportunity for the waste actors, researchers and decision-makers for comprehensive thinking and integrative planning, decision-making, and implementation of ISMSWM for oil-exporting high-income Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries such as Kuwait
Revitalizing the library for the nation : proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Libraries, Information and Society held on 18-19 April 2019 at Hatten Hotel, Melaka
Organised by: Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya and University of Malaya Library
Comply or transform? College ESOL programmes as a potential source of emancipation for immigrant communities in Scotland
In Scotland, where large numbers of immigrants come from non-English speaking countries, a national strategy exists to promote the effective provision of courses in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), with a view to facilitating integration and participation in Scottish society. From a critical perspective, this vision implies an approach to ESOL that draws on theories of critical pedagogy, which seeks to create ‘…an informed, critical citizenry capable of participating and governing in a democratic society’ (Giroux 2011: 7). However, in a climate of neoliberal economic policymaking and the prioritisation of economic interests over social justice, there is pressure instead for education to ‘…create an individual that is an enterprising and competitive entrepreneur’ (Olssen et al 2004: 136). Such pressure obliges learners to compete and function within social constructs, which entails an uncritical acceptance of existing structural inequalities and therefore runs counter to the principles of critical pedagogy.
This dissertation focuses on ESOL provision in Scottish Further Education (FE) colleges, where the bulk of state-funded ESOL delivery takes place. The study explored perceptions among three key stakeholder groups – in policy, among practitioners and among learners – in order to examine the extent to which emancipation, as a social project, is perceived as an important feature of ESOL programmes. The research was composed of three parts: a policy analysis, which included a critical discourse analysis of the revised Adult ESOL Strategy for Scotland (Scottish Government 2015a), a study of the views of ESOL practitioners as expressed in responses to a questionnaire, and an analysis of the views of a group of ESOL learners, who participated in interviews.
Critical interpretive analysis of the research data suggests that, despite an apparent awareness of the negative impact of existing power structures on the successful inclusion of immigrants into Scottish society, perceptions across all three stakeholder groups appear to support neoliberal ideology rather than a collective movement towards societal transformation. This finding implies that any potential for college ESOL programmes to emancipate learners is seriously undermined, or indeed removed completely.
By taking a critical perspective, the research itself seeks to be emancipatory in attempting to expose the impact of these stakeholder perceptions on the extent to which social justice can be achieved for residents in Scotland whose first language is not English. The intention is for this dissertation to act as an interpellation. In the political sense, it challenges policymakers to explain and justify ESOL and FE policy in light of these research findings and their implications for social inclusion. The interpellation also extends to ESOL practitioners, calling on them to reflect critically on their praxis, the values inherent therein, and how these values impact on their learners
Essentials of forensic accounting
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/aicpa_guides/2728/thumbnail.jp
The Whitworthian 2009-2010
The Whitworthian student newspaper, September 2009-May 2010.https://digitalcommons.whitworth.edu/whitworthian/1094/thumbnail.jp