• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2022.06a
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• pp.1220-1220
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• 2022

Constructionarium Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation which delivers a residential, experiential, immersive learning opportunity to university students from across the built environment education sector. Since 2002, the Constructionarium education model has been available to students in engineering, construction management and architecture at a purpose built, 19-acre multi-disciplinary training facility in Bircham Newton, England simulating real site life and reflecting site processes, practices and health and safety requirements. The unique approach of Constructionarium puts experiential learning and sustainability at the heart of everything. In a week, students develop a practical understanding of the construction process, develop transferable skills, build a team and are exposed to the latest in sustainable technologies. Experiential learning is what differentiates a Constructionarium project from regular field trips or site visits. At Constructionarium the focus is on learning by participation rather than learning through theory or watching a demonstration. The projects cannot be replicated in a classroom or on campus. Using the hands-on construction of scaled down versions of iconic structures from around the world, students learn that it requires the involvement of the whole construction team to successfully complete their project. Skills such as communication, planning, budgeting, time management and decision making are woven into a week-long interrelationship with industry professionals, academic mentors and trades workers. Working together to enhance transferable skills brings the educational environment into the reality of completing an actual construction project handled by the students. Constructionarium has used this transformational learning model to educate thousands of students from all over the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. Texas A&M University in the United States has sent multiple teams of students from its Department of Construction Science every operational year since 2016.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1155-1169
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Unhealthy food choices among young adults are common globally, and the incidence of chronic diseases, such as obesity, is rising. Food literacy (FL) is important for improving and maintaining individual health in a rapidly changing food environment and can form the basis for following a sustainable diet. Therefore, it is essential to improve FL among young adults, particularly college students, who are in the formative years of their lifelong food habits. This study examined the facilitators and barriers of FL and related dietary behavior among college students in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study recruited 25 college students with different residence types using convenience and snowball sampling. In-person, telephone, and video interviews were conducted from March to November 2021. The interview data were analyzed using framework analysis based on the socio-ecological model. RESULTS: At the individual level, prior good experiences with food were the most frequently mentioned facilitator. In contrast, the major barriers were a lack of knowledge, financial hardship, irregular schedules, and academic stress. At the interpersonal level, the influences of family and peers, such as early exposure to healthy eating habits and opportunities to have easy accessibility to farms and farming, are major facilitators, but the lack of a sense of community was the major barrier. At the environmental level, the major barriers were unfavorable food environments at home and in neighborhoods, such as the absence of kitchens in housing and large packaging of produce at markets. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors affected the students' FL and related healthy eating practices. These findings suggest that a campus-based FL program should be developed by reflecting on these facilitators and barriers.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.831-839
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• 2023

This study aims to develop a framework for an accident prediction model leveraging a deep neural network algorithm, specifically tailored for small-scale construction sites. Notably, the incidence of accidents in the construction sector is markedly higher compared to other industries, with a significant contribution from small-scale sites. The challenging nature of construction in urban settings, coupled with the increasing frequency of adverse weather conditions, is likely to escalate accident risks at these sites. Anticipating and mitigating accidents at small-scale construction sites is therefore crucial to decrease the overall industry accident rate. Consequently, this research introduces a Deep Neural Network-based model for forecasting accidents at small-scale construction sites. The framework and findings of this study are poised to serve as a guideline for the safety management of small-scale construction projects, ultimately aiding in the realization of safer, more sustainable construction practices at these sites.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.417-425
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• 2024

This study investigated the effects of various planting models on the joint cultivation of eggplant (Solanum melongena) and marigold (Tagetes erecta)to enhance sustainable rooftop urban farming. Rooftop agriculture is increasingly valued to boost the food supply and benefit the environment. Integrating such practices into urban planning is viewed as a way to sustainably manage resources and improve the food-energy-water cycle in cities. The experiment was conducted on a rooftop in Chungju, South Korea from May to August. Four different planting setups were used: central eggplant with peripheral marigold (SET), eggplant with a protective net (SIC), central marigold with peripheral eggplant (TES), and control with only eggplant (CON S). These models tested the effects of companion planting versus monoculture using a lightweight soil mix ideal for rooftops made from cocopeat and perlite and enriched with organic fertilizer. Measurements focused on soil conditions and plant health and assessed soil temperature, moisture, conductivity, plant height, width, and leaf size. The results indicated that the SET modelyielded the best growth. This setup benefited from marigold pest control properties and its ability to improve soil conditions by enhancing moisture and nutrient levels and aiding eggplant growth. These findings underscore the potential of mixed planting on rooftops and suggest that such approaches can be effectively incorporated into urban agriculture to boost yield and environmental sustainability. This study supports the idea that diverse planting methods can significantly affect plant growth and promote urban greening and food security.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2024

The Voids in the Mineral Aggregate (VMA) within asphalt mixtures play a crucial role in defining the mixture's structural integrity, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. Accurate prediction and optimization of VMA are essential for enhancing the performance and longevity of asphalt pavements, particularly in varying climatic and environmental conditions. This study introduces a novel machine learning framework leveraging ensemble machine learning model for predicting VMA in asphalt mixtures. By analyzing a comprehensive set of variables, including aggregate size distribution, binder content, and compaction levels, our framework offers a more precise prediction of VMA than traditional single-model approaches. The use of advanced machine learning techniques not only surpasses the accuracy of conventional empirical methods but also significantly reduces the reliance on extensive laboratory testing. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of a data-driven approach in the field of asphalt mixture design, showcasing a path toward more efficient and sustainable pavement engineering practices. This research contributes to the advancement of predictive modeling in construction materials, offering valuable insights for the design and optimization of asphalt mixtures with optimal void characteristics.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.4_spc
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• pp.786-793
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• 2024

Latin America is a culturally, geographically, politically, and economically diverse region. Agriculture in Latin America is marked by a remarkable diversity of production systems, reflecting various agroecological zones, farm sizes, and technological levels. In the last decade, the swine industry increased by 30.6%, emerging as a great contributor to food security and economic development in Latin America. Brazil and Mexico dominate the pig production landscape, together accounting for 70% of sow inventory in the region. The swine industry in Latin America is predominantly comprised of small and medium-sized farms, however, in the past 30 years, the number of pig producers in Brazil dropped by 78%, whereas pork production increased by 326%. Similar to the global pork industry, the growing demand for pork, driven by population growth and changing dietary habits, presents an opportunity for the industry with an expected growth of 16% over the next decade. The export prospects are promising, however subject to potential disruptions from global market conditions and shifts in trade policies. Among the challenges faced by the swine industry, disease outbreaks, particularly African Swine Fever (ASF), present significant threats, necessitating enhanced biosecurity and surveillance systems. In 2023, ASF was reported to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Venezuela, and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) in Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Ecuador. Additionally, feed costs, supply chain disruptions, and energy expenses have affected mainly the smaller and less efficient producers. The swine industry is also transitioning towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, including efficient feed usage, and precision farming. Ensuring long-term success in the swine industry in Latin America requires a holistic approach that prioritizes sustainability, animal welfare, and consumer preferences, ultimately positioning the industry to thrive in the evolving global market.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.60-73
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• 2024

Background: The available information on terrestrial pest gastropods and their impact on the environment worldwide is scarce and outdated. The present study aimed to address this gap by conducting the first comprehensive survey of pest gastropods in the Nuwara Eliya District, an important vegetable growing area in the highlands of Sri Lanka. Eighty agricultural lands were surveyed over two years by establishing ten 1 m2 sampling plots per crop type in each agricultural land. Geo-coordinates, air temperature, elevation, relative humidity, daily rainfall, soil pH, species richness and abundance were recorded for rainy and non-rainy periods. The relationship between species composition and environmental variables was analyzed using multi-regression models and distribution maps. Results: Out of the 14 species recorded in agricultural lands, nine were identified as exotic pest species. Species abundance (t = 4.69, p < 0.05) and diversity was higher in the rainy period and the dominant species during this period were Bradybaena similaris (t = 2.69, p < 0.05) and Deroceras reticulatum (t = 2. 46, p < 0.05). Eggs and estivating adults were found in soil and under decaying organic matter during the non-rainy period. The exotic species showed broader preferences for the measured environmental factors and showed a wider range in distribution compared to the native species. Variation in pest gastropod composition was significantly accounted for by elevation, relative humidity, soil pH and daily rainfall. Additionally, the species richness and abundance varied across locations due to the combined effects of elevation, crop type and stage, and field type. Conclusions: The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the biology and ecology of gastropod pests to develop effective management strategies. By considering the influence of environmental factors and implementing appropriate soil management techniques, such as targeting specific habitats and crop stages, it is possible to mitigate pest populations and minimize their impact on agricultural lands. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights into the dynamics and interactions of terrestrial gastropods in agricultural ecosystems, supporting sustainable pest management practices.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.207-220
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• 2008

Tourism in the natural environment grows significantly and in many tropical countries it becomesthe important earning of the nations. Nevertheless, tourism impact to environment and cultural values has become the threats to the sustainability and competitiveness of such industry. Therefore, the appropriate planning and management of tourism destination sites where environmentally and culturally fragile are needed in order to increase economic benefits, sustain local culture and conserve environment in balance. The aims of the paper are to examine tourism practices, to determine socio-cultural and natural resources, and to assess local people perception to cultural landscape and its future tourism development in order to formulate the appropriate strategies to achieve sustainable tourism. A case study was carried out at Tengger highland, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park(BTSNP) East Java. Official documents were gathered and interviews with several key persons had conducted to determine recent status of tourism, resources capital and the existence of local people. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were carried out at Tenggerese villages to explore local people perspectives to tourism development, culture preservation, and cultural landscape conservation issues. It is followed by descriptive analysis of vegetation to assess the recent status of environments based on vegetation information. Our findings reveals that tourism grows significantly at BTSNP, and Tengger Caldera as spiritual and cultural sites for local people become the centre for tourism activities. The abundance cultural and natural resources are the significant capital for sustainable tourism. Tenggerese argues that tourism should be planned to provide benefits to local people, preserve tradition and able to conserve nature in order to ensure the living sustainability of Tenggerese. The overall result of the study provide general feature of recent status of the cultural and natural resources as well as positive society perception in order to establish a strategy for sustainable tourism in cultural landscape.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.287-299
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• 2015

If the Nakdong River estuary is to be sustainable, land use management practices need to consider bird habitat requirements, especially given that the area serves as an important migratory bird sanctuary. In this study, bird habitats found in the Nakdong River estuary were classified into 11 different types including Phragmites australiss, mud flat, farmland, open surface in freshwater, sand bar, riparian forest, Scirpus planiculmis, waterway, construction, grasslands, and open surface in sea or brackish water. Taking into consideration the regional characteristics, habitat properties, and landscape indices, a total of 12 study sites were analyzed. Mud flat, construction, farmland, and P. australis account for 80% of the total land area. The high area ratio of construction and farmland to other types of habitat revealed a high amount of historical human activity and intervention in the area. Both patch numbers as well as patch density were high in West Nakdong River, Samrak Waterfront, Maekdo River, and Daejeo Floodgate, with these areas showing the greatest fragmentation as well. Total numbers of species and individuals had a positive correlation with the area and the number of habitat types. Findings suggest that protecting the habitat area, especially in S. planiculmis, is the most important factor for bird habitat management and that future development could result in habitat loss, having a profoundly adverse impact on bird populations. Therefore, it is important that the total area should be carefully protected by land use regulations in order to ensure that the Nakdong River estuary maintains its functional integrity as a migratory bird sanctuary.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.363-376
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• 2020

Various policies and institutional efforts are being made for mature democracy and more sustainable administration of our society. In this respect, the importance of civic participation, considered essential in environmental impact assessment, has been consistently emphasized in the relevant theories and practices. Although various methods and forms of public participation are taking place in Korea, criticism is widely understood that collecting citizens' opinions in the decision-making process has become ineffective and formal. Starting from these issues, this paper seeks to learn lessons from the foreign cases in the international context. Extensive literature review was conducted to examine the meaning and objectives of public participation in EIA and the tactical principles. Based on this, the participatory systems and procedures in the United States, Britain, Germany, Japan, and Canada were critically reviewed, and the implications were derived through specific cases. The results are, first, the provision of specific public participation guidelines, second, the securing of transparency in the decision-making process, third, the expansion of procedural participation levels, and lastly, the guarantee of participation opportunities. This paper is meaningful as a basic study to enrich discussions on public participation in the domestic EIA hoping to help research through more diverse empirical cases in the future.