Sustainability Commons^™

Ecological Governance Of Aral Sea: Important Way To Deepen Scientific And Technological Cooperation With Central Asia, Miao Wu, Jianfang Qiao, Yuanming Zhang, Changyan Tian, Yaoming Li, Yun Hao, Xiaoyun Zhang, Lixian Wang, Jingjing He

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In September 2022, the President of the People’s Republic of China visited Uzbekistan for the first time after the epidemic. In the subsequent joint statement between China and Uzbekistan, China welcomed the adoption of the Aral Sea initiative proposed by Uzbekistan at the General Assembly of the United Nations. The two sides expressed their willingness to actively promote synergy between the Global Development Initiative and projects related to improving the ecological, economic, and social environment of the Aral Sea region under the framework of the United Nations. In this context, this paper describes the current situation of the Aral Sea …

Session 5: Banking, Capital Markets, And The Crypto Revolution - A Look Back And Projection Of The Future Of Fintech, Joseph R. Cutler, Lawrence Kaplan, Youssef Sneifer, Jill Williamson

SITIE Symposiums

In Session Five of the SITIE 2023 Symposium: Enabling Innovation in Law and Society, Joseph M. Vincent moderated as the four panelists, Joseph R. Cutler, Lawrence Kaplan, Youssef Sneifer, and Jill Williamson, discussed banking, capital markets, and the crypto revolution by looking back and projecting the future of the financial technology (FinTech) industry. The discussion commenced with a conversation on banking deposits, then moved into a discussion on cryptocurrency companies and the challenges they have faced in recent years in the banking industry. The panelists further discussed artificial intelligence (AI) technology’s impact on FinTech, open banking, and challenges facing cryptocurrency …

Session 4: Fireside Virtual Chat With Bruce Jackson, Associate General Counsel, Microsoft, Bruce Jackson

SITIE Symposiums

Rhymes all have in common? Besides musical talent, they have all been represented by Bruce Jackson, one of the founding partners of the entertainment law firm, Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George. Jackson, a Brooklynite and longtime Microsoft attorney, is a force in the legal industry. Jackson started at Microsoft in the year 2000 as Corporate Counsel for the digital media division. Jackson now serves as Associate General Counsel and Managing Director for Strategic Partnerships out of the Office of the President for Microsoft. Jackson recently published his first book, Never Far From Home: My Journey from Brooklyn to Hip …

Session 3: Diversity Enhancing Intellectual Property, Jordi Goodman, Nina Srejovic

SITIE Symposiums

The field of intellectual property suffers from a lack of diversity. Women are underrepresented as credited inventors in the United States. Additionally, multi-gender inventor groups are underrepresented compared to all-male and, sometimes, even all-female groups. This representation has changed over time, with changes not always reflecting an increase in female representation. This is particularly true when studying gender-disparity as it exists in the field of computer programming and software patents. While women were well represented in computer programming at field’s inception, this changed after World War II because men lobbied to push women out of the field. Women have since …

Session 2: Diversity As Key To Innovation - Stem Education, Richard Tapia

SITIE Symposiums

Richard A. Tapia is a professor at Rice University, where he has taught since 1970. Tapi specializes in optimization theory and numerical analysis. It has been his lifelong work to help underrepresented minorities achieve academic success and success in life.

In this talk, Tapia emphasizes the importance of diversity in STEM fields and highlights the failures of the education system in supporting underrepresented minorities. Tapia opines that more efforts need to be made to bring domestic underrepresented minorities into STEM positions and to recognize the value they bring. Tapia believes that, to address the lack of minority representation in STEM …

Session 1b: Innovation In Legal Contracts And Deals - How Lexion Is Incorporating Ai Into Document Revision, Lexion

SITIE Symposiums

Here, Gaurav Oberoi (CEO and Founder, Lexion) & Jessica Nguyen (Chief Legal Officer, Lexion) discuss Lexion and how it will change the legal industry. Lexion seeks to revolutionize how companies manage the contracts that they use. It has begun to corner a particular market in the rapidly growing field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), helping in-house attorneys to improve their workflow by automatically analyzing documents. By using AI, the program can successfully remove what the CEO of Lexion refers to as “low value” work. This allows overworked in-house attorneys to not only do more work in a faster time frame, but …

Session 1a: Innovation In The Delivery Of Legal Services And Access To Justice, Vikktoria

SITIE Symposiums

In session one, Walid Romaya and Tabrez Ebrahim, co-founders of Vikktoria, discuss their company and its contributions to improving access to justice. With a dual focus on achieving a broader access to justice and in providing matchmaking services for legal professionals looking for a larger client base, Vikktoria aims to disrupt the legal services industry through its mobile app. Based in California, Vikktoria has begun to expand to various metro areas around the country and hopes to provide broader access to justice by giving those with little to no legal knowledge an easy way to find a local attorney, book …

Introduction, Steven Bender

SITIE Symposiums

No abstract provided.

An Integrated Analysis Of Urban Sustainability In Portland: Issues, Indicators, Stakeholders, And Geospatial Assessment, Arun Kumar Pallathadka

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation presents three individual studies that collectively explore the concept of urban sustainability. The research is grounded in the recognition that many cities worldwide are striving to achieve sustainable development, yet existing sustainability frameworks often lack comprehensive definition and consideration. Moreover, the existing sustainability frameworks and methods are often not clearly structured to allow for their replication and adaptation to meet the unique needs of diverse local settings. To address this gap, the dissertation utilizes the Social-Ecological-Technological Framework, with particular emphasis on equity, to investigate key issues in urban sustainability, such as indicators, stakeholder engagement, tradeoffs, and assessment. The …

The Association Between Drought Exposure And Respiratory-Related Mortality In The United States From 2000 To 2018, Yeongjin Gwon, Yuanyuan Ji, Jesse E. Bell, Azar M. Abadi, Jesse D. Berman, Austin Rau, Ronald D. Leeper, Jared Rennie

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

Climate change has brought increasing attention to the assessment of health risks associated with climate and extreme events. Drought is a complex climate phenomenon that has been increasing in frequency and severity both locally and globally due to climate change. However, the health risks of drought are often overlooked, especially in places such as the United States, as the pathways to health impacts are complex and indirect. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the effects of monthly drought exposure on respiratory mortality for NOAA climate regions in the United States from 2000 to 2018. A two-stage model …

Reintroducing Hemp (Rongony) In The Material Palette Of Madagascar: A Study On The Potential Of Hemp Clay Components And Its Impact On Social And Ecological Communities., Henintsoa Thierry Andrianambinina

Masters Theses

When mentioning the word hemp, especially in the local language of Madagascar, the literal translation does not set it apart from marijuana, as they are both called “rongony” - creating the stigma around hemp as the negative stereotype of marijuana. However, the material has been used by the ancestors of Madagascar, as well as across cultures, in its fibrous form to produce fabrication like textile goods and packaging. During colonization, the prohibition of hemp intensified, and since then, any activity related to either of these plants is prohibited and will end in severe punitive measures. This thesis explores the strengths …

Fungi In Flux | Designing Regenerative Materials And Products With Mycelium, Arvind Bhallamudi

Masters Theses

As the world grapples with the escalating crisis of climate threats and environmental degradation, this research delves into the synergistic potential of design and biology, developing safe and sustainable materials for applications in prototyping, furniture and interior design. Harnessing the power of a unique organism - fungi, the study proposes an accessible, efficient, and resilient material resource system. It utilizes local waste streams and mycelium (the vegetative part of fungi) to grow functional structures. An experimental and small-scale protocol is modeled by testing bio-fabrication and bio-printing methods. The composites' performance qualities and characteristics are evaluated through mechanical testing and a …

Access In Ambiguity, Moritz Lónyay

Masters Theses

The wealth of color present in nature has long been a major source of inspiration for works of art and design. Yet as more species become extinct due to habitat loss, climate change and unchecked hunting, will we face a less colorful, more monotonous future? How will this impact art and design and how could either be utilized as tools to counteract the loss of color? This thesis speculates upon such a future by the sixth wave of mass extinction and instigates a movement that celebrates color. Growing up in the Anthropocene, the first geological epoch in which human existence …

Nourishing The Future: Research On Building Sustainable Food Systems For A Resilient And Healthy Santa Clara, Ayla Flanagan

Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures Program

The city of Santa Clara faces challenges related to food insecurity and limited access to resources. The high cost of living in Silicon Valley contributes to financial strain for many residents, with a significant portion of households falling between the federal poverty line and the self-sufficiency index. The city currently relies on food pantries and limited free food resources to address food security issues. Santa Clara's Climate Action Plan includes goals to reduce food waste and rescue edible food as part of its efforts to promote sustainability through 2045. Implementing Senate Bill 1383, which aims to reduce organic waste and …

Policy Uncertainty Reduces Green Investment, Mengyu Wang, Jeffrey Wurgler, Hong Zhang

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Government subsidies are often used to stimulate environment-friendly investment. We find that Chinese firms reduce green investment as the uncertainty of subsidies rises. This effect is identified from weather-driven fluctuations in air pollution that lead to fluctuations in subsidy allocations: Firms in cities where weather-driven subsidy uncertainty is high engage in less green R&D investment, patent applications, and research staff. Industries that are heavy emitters and those focused on environmental technologies are more affected. The results suggest that policy uncertainty may originate not only from political and macroeconomic shocks but from behavioral mechanisms that link policy to salient recent conditions.

Attainable And Sustainable Home Building Solutions, Katrina Matthews

Construction Management

Sustainability has fortunately been a recent concern in the construction industry as climate change continues to impose potentially insurmountable threats to the global environment. Although many new methods have been adopted in efforts to lessen the adverse environmental effects of construction-related activities, as a society, we still have much room for growth as the built environment accounts for almost 50% of global emissions. Many changes and standards must be adopted to make these solutions efficiently beneficial. To set industry standards, we must start with the most basic form of construction- residential building. This report covers two attainable framing solutions for …

Exploring The Potential Of Pavegen’S Kinetic Energy Generating Floor For Sustainable Energy Solutions: A Proposal For Cal Poly Slo, Brandon J. Cuneo

Construction Management

This paper proposes the installation of Pavegen's kinetic energy generating floors at Cal Poly’s campus as a sustainable energy solution. Pavegen has developed a pioneering technology that converts footsteps into clean and renewable energy. The versatility of these floors is demonstrated through successful implementations in various settings, such as transportation hubs and public spaces, generating power from foot traffic. Collaborations with Schneider Electric, installation at Dupont Circle, and integration at Heathrow Airport showcase the potential for sustainable urban infrastructure. This paper outlines research conducted on Pavegen and similar solutions, including communication with company representatives and examining proposed installation locations at …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Application Of Pillar-Free Self-Formed Roadway Technology Under The Influence Of Reserse Faults: Strata Behavior Law And Surrounding Rock Control, Zhang Wenjie, He Manchao, Wang Jiong, Ma Zimin, Cheng Manjiang, Niu Shaokun

Coal Geology & Exploration

To explore the influence of reverse fault activation on the stability of the application of the pillar-free self-formed roadway technology, this study systematically investigated the influencing scope and mechanisms of the reverse fault activation through theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, engineering practice, and field monitoring. The results show that, under the combined action of horizontal tectonic stress and dead weight stress, reverse faults have a significant influence on both the advanced abutment pressure of working faces and the pressure on the roadway roof after coal mining. The reverse fault was locally activated when the working face was close to the reverse …

Reliability Analysis And Compressibility Correction Of Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry Experiments For Low-Medium-Rank Coals, Song Dangyu, Zhao Yuwei, Li Yunbo, Yu Zhen

Coal Geology & Exploration

Low-medium-rank coals are soft and exhibit significant compressibility under high pressure. Therefore, it is debatable whether the pore structure of low-medium-rank coals can be reliably determined using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) experiments. In this study, MIP experiments were conducted on four samples of low-medium-rank coals. By comparing the mercury injection curves of samples with different particle sizes, as well as the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the samples before and after mercury injection, this study established a correction method for the mercury injection volume at the high-pressure stage and investigated the reliability of MIP experiments in determining the pore structure …

Influencing Mechanisms Of Sc-Co2 Extraction On The Microstructures Of High-Rank Tectonic Coals, Zhang Xiaodong, Zhang Yu, Zhang Shuo, Li Guizhong, Li Xianzhong

Coal Geology & Exploration

This study aims to reveal the influencing patterns of supercritical CO₂ (SC-CO₂) on the microstructures of tectonic coals during the injection of CO₂ into deep coal seams. The study conducted SC-CO₂ extraction experiments on two types of high-rank coal samples with different damage degrees, namely the lean coal samples from the Daping coal mine in Shanxi Province and the anthracite samples from the Zhenxing coal mine in Guizhou Province. Accordingly, this study compared the parameters of pore structures and aromatic carbon stacking structures in the coal samples before and after the extraction experiments. Finally, this …

In-Situ Stress Calculation For Coal Reservoirs Based On Log Parameters: A Case Study Of The Southern Yanchuan Block, Chang Chuang, Li Song, Tang Dazhen, Feng Peng

Coal Geology & Exploration

In-situ stress affects the permeability of coal reservoirs throughout the extraction of coalbed methane (CBM) and further influences the migration and output of CBM. To explore the effective methods for calculating the in-situ stress in coal seams, this study investigated the southern Yanchuan block at the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. Based on the logs and well test data of the major coal seams in the study area, as well as the calculation results of parameters including the coal rock Poisson's ratio, modulus of elasticity, and reservoir pressure of coals, this study built a calculation model for the in-situ …

Differences In The Adsorption/Desorption Characteristics Of Coal Reservoirs With Different Coal Ranks And Their Effects On The Reservoir Productivity, Wang Qingqing, Meng Yanjun, Yan Taotao, Liu Zhenxing, Xu Guangbo, Li Kunjie, Liu Yanfei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Adsorption/desorption parameters are critical to the evaluation of the reserves and productivity potential of coalbed methane (CBM). Moreover, the law governing the desorption process is closely related to the productivity of CBM wells. This study aims to investigate the adsorption/desorption characteristics of coal reservoirs with different coal ranks and their effects on the productivity of the reservoirs. Based on the data of the coal macerals, coal quality, gas content, and isothermal adsorption experiments of 49 coal core samples from the Fanzhuang and Anze blocks in the southern Qinshui Basin and the Baode and Liulin blocks in the eastern Ordos Basin, …

Research On Dynamic Subsidence Characteristics Of Coal Mine Industrial Square Based On D-Insar Technology, Liu Hui, Chen Sidi, Zhu Xiaojun, Zhang Pengfei, Wang Jinzheng, Wang Qingwei, Si Guangya

Coal Geology & Exploration

In recent years, the subsidence has occurred continuously to the industrial squares of mining areas in the thick water-bearing loose layer in eastern China, resulting in various extent of damage to the surface buildings (structures), which has seriously affected the safe production and normal operation of coal mines. In order to study the subsidence of industrial square in a long series, the dynamic deformation information of the surface was obtained based on 17 scenes of Sentinel-1A image data of a coal mine in Eastern China. On this basis, the surface subsidence monitoring accuracy of D-InSAR technology was analyzed in combination …

Slip Resistance Effect Of Pile-Soil Interface Inclination Angle And Moisture Content On The Anti-Sliding Pile, Li Huaixin, Yan Changgen, Lin Bin, Shi Yuling

Coal Geology & Exploration

To study the slip resistance effect of pile-soil interface with different interface inclination angle and moisture content, the variability of damage modes and shear strengths of assemblies with variable inclination angles under the different conditions of interface inclination angles and water content were compared based on the triaxial unconsolidated undrained test at first. Then, the slip resistance effects of the pile-soil interface with different interface inclination angles and moisture contents were compared by numerical simulation, with consideration to the shear strength parameter of laboratory test. Meanwhile, the critical moisture content w_max was determined based on the plastic deformation theory. …

Technology Of Raising Upper Limit Of Mining By Grouting Reconstruction In Thick Water-Bearing Sand Layer And Its Application, Xing Maolin, Zheng Shitian, Shi Zhiyuan, Zhao Shaolei, Du Botao, Cui Siyuan

Coal Geology & Exploration

In order to set anti-collapse coal (rock) pillars in the thick loose water-bearing sand layer to raise the upper limit of mining, the grouting transformation technology of thick water-bearing sand layer was studied. Aiming at raising the upper limit of mining in the fourth aquifer in working face 1010-1 of Wugou Coal Mine in Huaibei, Anhui. The analysis is conducted through theoretical calculation, experiments on of grouting materials ratio, and in-situ grouting test, with a focus on the scope and horizon of transformation, the applicability of grouting materials, the mix ratio of grout at different depths, the arrangement of drilling …

Predicting The Water-Yield Properties Of K2 Limestones Based On Multivariate Lstm Neural Network: A Case Study Of The Poli Mining Area In Yangquan, Shi Suzhen, Shi Guifei, Liu Zuiliang, Li Li, Yao Xuejun, Pei Jinbo, He Yazhou

Coal Geology & Exploration

The Taiyuan Formation K₂ limestones are the main aquifer in the upper part of the No.15 coal seam in the Poli mining area, Yangquan City. Therefore, determining the water yield properties of K₂ limestones is critical to the safe mining of coal seams in the upper and lower formations. To determine the exact distribution of areas with high water-yield properties of the K₂ limestones, this study determined the accurate spatial distribution of K₂ limestones using the conventional wave impedance inversion firstly. Then, nine optimal seismic attributes were selected using the Pearson correlation coefficient method and the …

A Method For Identifying Karst Collapse Columns Based On An Improved Residual Network, Zhang Tian, Sun Lianying, Yang Yan, Tu Shuai, Wang Jinfeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Coal mining areas have complex geological conditions, and it is critical to predict and identify karst collapse columns in these areas efficiently and accurately. Human-computer interaction is the most frequently employed to interpret karst collapse columns in traditional methods. However, with an increase in the exploration scale and the constant accumulation of generated data, the traditional manual interpretation of karst collapse columns cannot meet the demand for actual coal mining. To improve the identification accuracy of karst collapse columns, this study proposes a Collapse Column Identification Network (CINet) model, which takes the automatic recognition of karst collapse columns as binary …

3d Model Reconstruction Of Large-Diameter Rescue Well Based On Depth Camera, Gu Hairong, Luo Jia, Gao Ziyu, Yang Wenjuan, Han Shuai

Coal Geology & Exploration

Large-diameter borehole rescue is an effective emergency rescue method for mine disasters. Through the large-diameter rescue well that is constructed to the place where the trapped personnel is located, the trapped personnel can be lifted safely and reliably to the ground by a hoisting capsule. The structural parameters of a large-diameter rescue well and their changes have significant impact on the passing performance of the hoisting capsule. The real-time acquisition of the structural parameters of large-diameter rescue well is the basis of scientific operation and decision-making of large-diameter borehole rescue. In order to satisfy the requirements for monitoring of the …

Study On Factors Influencing The Self-Propelling Capacity Of Self-Propelled Water Jet Drill Bits, Liu Yong, Dai Shuo, Wei Jianping, Zhang Hongtu, Yuan Yongwang, Guo Xinhui, Gao Yingjun

Coal Geology & Exploration

The structural characteristics of inner flow field in a pipeline are the key factors influencing the self-propelling capacity and descaling-unblocking capability of the self-propelled drill bit. To address the problem concerning the effect of the changes in the inner flow field of a pipeline under the joint action of multiple jets on the self-propelling force and the resistance to water backflow, the changes of inner flow field in the pipeline under different conditions were numerically analyzed based on FLUENT, and thus the influence law of the angle of rear nozzle, the rotational speed, the annular ratio and the system pressure …