Month: April 2024

From Research to Applications: What Can We Extract with Social Media Sensing?

Latest Results

Abstract

With the constant growth of social media in our daily lives, a huge amount of information is generated online by multiple social networks. However, what can we actually extract with the science of social media sensing? It is a very challenging task to mine meaningful data out of this vast crowdsourcing volume, which also rapidly changes or ends up being misleading. The scope of this paper is to present different approaches that overcome these challenges and utilize social media information from various sources. This work illustrates applications that: improve the performance of architectural design; preserve the cultural heritage; enhance citizen security; provide early detection for disasters; and discover creeping crisis events. A large variety of analyses are presented, including, among other, disaster or crime event detection, user identity linkage, relevance classification, and community detection techniques. The evaluation of the presented methods is also given in this article, proving that they can be practical and valuable in many applications.

Social Systems as Moral Agents: A Systems Approach to Moral Agency in Business

Latest Results

Abstract

In the context of business, interactions between individuals generate social systems that emerge anywhere within a corporation or in its relations with external agents. These systems influence the behaviors of individuals and, as a result, the collective actions we usually attribute to corporations. Social systems thus make a difference in processes of action that are often morally evaluated by internal and external agents to the firm. Despite this relevance, social systems have not yet been the object of specific attention in the literature on moral agency in business. To fill this gap, I construct a theoretical framework based on Luhmann’s ideas on social systems and morality. In particular, I argue that morality is a phenomenon that occurs in communication, and an agent can engage in morality in three different ways (as a moral factor, an expressive moral agent, or a reflective moral agent) depending on the functions it plays in communicative interactions. Based on this framework, I argue that social systems in business can be considered moral agents of those types.

Social Systems as Moral Agents: A Systems Approach to Moral Agency in Business

Latest Results

Abstract

In the context of business, interactions between individuals generate social systems that emerge anywhere within a corporation or in its relations with external agents. These systems influence the behaviors of individuals and, as a result, the collective actions we usually attribute to corporations. Social systems thus make a difference in processes of action that are often morally evaluated by internal and external agents to the firm. Despite this relevance, social systems have not yet been the object of specific attention in the literature on moral agency in business. To fill this gap, I construct a theoretical framework based on Luhmann’s ideas on social systems and morality. In particular, I argue that morality is a phenomenon that occurs in communication, and an agent can engage in morality in three different ways (as a moral factor, an expressive moral agent, or a reflective moral agent) depending on the functions it plays in communicative interactions. Based on this framework, I argue that social systems in business can be considered moral agents of those types.

Selection of multiple ensemble representative CMIP5 climate models for climate change study in developing river basin: the case of Awash River Basin, Ethiopia

Latest Results

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to identify a representative set of climate model projections for the Awash Basin using accessible general circulation model (GCM) predictors from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) archive. Various approaches were employed to systematically shortlist and select suitable climate models under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs). For RCP4.5, 105 GCMs were used and for RCP8.5, 78 GCMs were used to select the best performance models for a climate change impact study in this basin. These approaches are combined in the current study to create a three-step sequential procedure for choosing climate models: (1) initial selection of climate models based on the range of projected changes in climatic means, (2) refined selection based on the range of projected changes in climatic extremes, and (3) final selection based on the ability of the climate models to simulate historical climate changes between 1971–2000 and 2071–2100 were analyzed. Five corners of possible extreme future scenarios (wet-warm, wet-cold, dry-warm, dry-cold, and the 50th percentile of the temperatures) were used. A total of 25 GCMs were selected for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 based on the range of expected mean temperature and rainfall change. Based on the range of extreme changes, 10 GCMs were chosen. Five GCMs were ultimately selected for each RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 by merging all three stages. The findings of this study will contribute valuable insights to better understand and adapt to the impacts of climate change in the Awash River Basin and similar regions.

Selection of multiple ensemble representative CMIP5 climate models for climate change study in developing river basin: the case of Awash River Basin, Ethiopia

Latest Results

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to identify a representative set of climate model projections for the Awash Basin using accessible general circulation model (GCM) predictors from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) archive. Various approaches were employed to systematically shortlist and select suitable climate models under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs). For RCP4.5, 105 GCMs were used and for RCP8.5, 78 GCMs were used to select the best performance models for a climate change impact study in this basin. These approaches are combined in the current study to create a three-step sequential procedure for choosing climate models: (1) initial selection of climate models based on the range of projected changes in climatic means, (2) refined selection based on the range of projected changes in climatic extremes, and (3) final selection based on the ability of the climate models to simulate historical climate changes between 1971–2000 and 2071–2100 were analyzed. Five corners of possible extreme future scenarios (wet-warm, wet-cold, dry-warm, dry-cold, and the 50th percentile of the temperatures) were used. A total of 25 GCMs were selected for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 based on the range of expected mean temperature and rainfall change. Based on the range of extreme changes, 10 GCMs were chosen. Five GCMs were ultimately selected for each RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 by merging all three stages. The findings of this study will contribute valuable insights to better understand and adapt to the impacts of climate change in the Awash River Basin and similar regions.

Comprehensive quantitative assessment of the performance of fourteen satellite precipitation products over Chinese mainland

Latest Results

Abstract

High-quality satellite precipitation products (SPPs) are needed for hydrological simulations and water resource management, especially in remote regions where rain gauges are scarce, therefore the comprehensive evaluation of SPPs is critical. In this study, an improved rank score (RS) method was used to comprehensively and quantitatively evaluate the performance of 14 SPPs at the site and basin scales on the Chinese mainland based on gauge-observed precipitation data from 2000 to 2018 in terms of continuous statistics, detection of precipitation events, and extreme metrics. The results demonstrate the following: (1) The performance of the SPPs varied significantly when evaluated using different metrics and at spatial and temporal scales. However, the Climate Prediction Center morphing technique gauge blended product (CMORPH-BLD), Multi-Source Weighted-Ensemble Precipitation (MSWEP), and Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) (IMERG)-final run generally showed the best performance. (2) MSWEP performed best in the Yellow River basin (YeRB), the Tibetan Plateau's endorheic basins (TPEBs), and the Northwest endorheic basins (NWEBs), whereas CMORPH-BLD showed the best performance in the other basins of the comprehensive quantitative assessment. (3) The spatial and temporal performances of SPPs varied considerably, and the performance of SPPs was generally better in the summer (rainy season) and in the southeastern coastal basins than in the winter (dry season) and in the northwestern basins. Overall, this study provides a reference for selecting appropriate SPPs for precipitation analysis over mainland China.

Comprehensive quantitative assessment of the performance of fourteen satellite precipitation products over Chinese mainland

Latest Results

Abstract

High-quality satellite precipitation products (SPPs) are needed for hydrological simulations and water resource management, especially in remote regions where rain gauges are scarce, therefore the comprehensive evaluation of SPPs is critical. In this study, an improved rank score (RS) method was used to comprehensively and quantitatively evaluate the performance of 14 SPPs at the site and basin scales on the Chinese mainland based on gauge-observed precipitation data from 2000 to 2018 in terms of continuous statistics, detection of precipitation events, and extreme metrics. The results demonstrate the following: (1) The performance of the SPPs varied significantly when evaluated using different metrics and at spatial and temporal scales. However, the Climate Prediction Center morphing technique gauge blended product (CMORPH-BLD), Multi-Source Weighted-Ensemble Precipitation (MSWEP), and Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) (IMERG)-final run generally showed the best performance. (2) MSWEP performed best in the Yellow River basin (YeRB), the Tibetan Plateau's endorheic basins (TPEBs), and the Northwest endorheic basins (NWEBs), whereas CMORPH-BLD showed the best performance in the other basins of the comprehensive quantitative assessment. (3) The spatial and temporal performances of SPPs varied considerably, and the performance of SPPs was generally better in the summer (rainy season) and in the southeastern coastal basins than in the winter (dry season) and in the northwestern basins. Overall, this study provides a reference for selecting appropriate SPPs for precipitation analysis over mainland China.

Plant cultural indicators of forest resources from the Himalayan high mountains: implications for improving agricultural resilience, subsistence, and forest restoration

Latest Results

Abstract

Aim

Biocultural legacy practices are intricately tied to forestry resources, ethnic identity, and social cohesiveness. This study aims to determine the plant cultural values of forest resources and identify plant cultural indicators in each ethnic group, which can aid in long-term natural resource management plans in the current debate on socio-environmental and ecological transitions.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations were employed to collect data for a comprehensive and systematic ethnobotanical survey from February 2018 to October 2022.

Results

A total of 330 informants reported 154 plant species from 65 families. Asteraceae was the most prominent botanical family, with herbaceous plant groups outnumbering trees and shrubs. The Gujjar and Pahari groups exhibited the highest level of overlap, followed by significant overlaps between the Gujjar and Kashmiri communities. The close affinity observed between the Gujjar and Pahari groups suggests the horizontal pattern of local plant knowledge between these communities, influenced by their sociocultural interactions and intermarriages. Notably, the Pahari community displayed a rich understanding of medicinal plants and shared unique uses for the reported taxa. This study affirms that both ecological factors and sociocultural influences have played significant roles in shaping local plant knowledge. A total of 31 plant species have been identified as plant cultural markers among all four ethnic groups. We observed a positive correlation between plant cultural values and plant use with the Gujjar and Kashmiri ethnic groups. Artemisia absinthium reported the highest use value of (0.57) with use reports of (189). Adonis aestivalis, Cynoglossum nervosum, Geum elatum, Geranium himalayense, Juncus inflexus, Oxalis acetosella, Polygonatum biflorum, and Salvia hians from the Himalayan region are among the plant taxa whose ethnomedicinal applications are described here for the first time.

Conclusion

Our data show that local and indigenous forest knowledge and practices could significantly contribute to forest conservation and ecological transition. This may happen if stakeholders generate clear frameworks and biocultural conservation strategies aimed at both dynamically preserve natural habitats and ways of traditional management of local natural resources.

Plant cultural indicators of forest resources from the Himalayan high mountains: implications for improving agricultural resilience, subsistence, and forest restoration

Latest Results

Abstract

Aim

Biocultural legacy practices are intricately tied to forestry resources, ethnic identity, and social cohesiveness. This study aims to determine the plant cultural values of forest resources and identify plant cultural indicators in each ethnic group, which can aid in long-term natural resource management plans in the current debate on socio-environmental and ecological transitions.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations were employed to collect data for a comprehensive and systematic ethnobotanical survey from February 2018 to October 2022.

Results

A total of 330 informants reported 154 plant species from 65 families. Asteraceae was the most prominent botanical family, with herbaceous plant groups outnumbering trees and shrubs. The Gujjar and Pahari groups exhibited the highest level of overlap, followed by significant overlaps between the Gujjar and Kashmiri communities. The close affinity observed between the Gujjar and Pahari groups suggests the horizontal pattern of local plant knowledge between these communities, influenced by their sociocultural interactions and intermarriages. Notably, the Pahari community displayed a rich understanding of medicinal plants and shared unique uses for the reported taxa. This study affirms that both ecological factors and sociocultural influences have played significant roles in shaping local plant knowledge. A total of 31 plant species have been identified as plant cultural markers among all four ethnic groups. We observed a positive correlation between plant cultural values and plant use with the Gujjar and Kashmiri ethnic groups. Artemisia absinthium reported the highest use value of (0.57) with use reports of (189). Adonis aestivalis, Cynoglossum nervosum, Geum elatum, Geranium himalayense, Juncus inflexus, Oxalis acetosella, Polygonatum biflorum, and Salvia hians from the Himalayan region are among the plant taxa whose ethnomedicinal applications are described here for the first time.

Conclusion

Our data show that local and indigenous forest knowledge and practices could significantly contribute to forest conservation and ecological transition. This may happen if stakeholders generate clear frameworks and biocultural conservation strategies aimed at both dynamically preserve natural habitats and ways of traditional management of local natural resources.

Public perceptions on carbon removal from focus groups in 22 countries

Latest Results

Abstract

Carbon removal is emerging as a pillar of governmental and industry commitments toward achieving Net Zero targets. Drawing from 44 focus groups in 22 countries, we map technical and societal issues that a representative sample of publics raise on five major types of carbon removal (forests, soils, direct air capture, enhanced weathering, and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage), and how these translate to preferences for governance actors, mechanisms, and rationales. We assess gaps and overlaps between a global range of public perceptions and how carbon removal is currently emerging in assessment, innovation, and decision-making. In conclusion, we outline key societal expectations for informing assessment and policy: prioritize public engagement as more than acceptance research; scrutiny and regulation of industry beyond incentivizing innovation; systemic coordination across sectors, levels, and borders; and prioritize underlying causes of climate change and interrelated governance issues.