Manufacturing industry clusters contribute to the optimization of regional industrial structures and the improvement of economic growth efficiency. The role of inter-county carriers can further enhance the cluster effects of the manufacturing industry in Sichuan Province, promoting coordinated development across industries and accelerating the transformation of new productive forces. This study evaluates the degree of industrial agglomeration of the manufacturing industry in 183 counties in Sichuan Province. The results indicate that Sichuan's manufacturing industry exhibits a clear clustering effect, with a particularly pronounced structural agglomeration centered around Chengdu. However, economic development across counties in the province remains unbalanced. The Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) regression analysis confirms that total factor productivity (TFP) and industrial interlinkages exert a significant positive influence on the agglomeration of the manufacturing industry.
This study investigates the relationship between financial risk management, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainable development within the petrochemical industry. The research aims to explore the impact of financial risk management practices on CSR initiatives and to assess how these factors collectively contribute to the long-term sustainability of petrochemical companies. A key focus of the study is the role that CSR plays in advancing sustainable development, particularly in sectors facing significant financial and operational risks. The research is applied in nature, offering practical insights for improving risk management strategies in petrochemical corporations. The study sample consisted of 130 experienced managers from the petrochemical industry, selected based on the number of items in the survey questionnaire. The measurement tool used was a researcher-developed questionnaire, which was designed following an extensive review of relevant literature and consultations with subject matter experts. To ensure the validity of the instrument, content validity was assessed, and reliability was confirmed through the calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares (PLS) software, which revealed significant findings regarding the influence of financial risk management on CSR and sustainable development. The results underscore the crucial role of effective financial risk management in facilitating CSR initiatives and enhancing the sustainability of petrochemical companies. Additionally, CSR was found to positively affect sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on the integration of social activities, product and service innovation, and human resource management practices. It is concluded that prioritizing CSR, along with strategic financial risk management, is essential for achieving long-term sustainability in the petrochemical sector. These findings offer valuable insights for both academic research and industry practice, contributing to the development of more effective risk management frameworks in the context of sustainable development.
Municipal solid waste (MSW) management has become an urgent global issue, with incineration emerging as a viable waste-to-energy (WtE) technology. The process of incineration, which involves the combustion of organic compounds in waste, generates municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) ash, a byproduct with potential applications in soil stabilization. This review explores the use of MSWI ash to enhance the engineering properties of Indian black cotton soil (BCS), a soil type known for its expansive nature and associated challenges in construction. Soil stabilization is a critical process aimed at improving the strength and durability of weak soils for use in civil engineering applications. The review discusses the mineralogical and morphological characteristics of MSWI ash, highlighting its potential to improve the mechanical properties of BCS. The addition of calcium-based additives, including lime and calcium hydroxide, facilitates the stabilization process by interacting with the expansive clay minerals present in the soil. This green technology not only improves the strength characteristics of BCS but also contributes to sustainable construction practices by reducing the demand for conventional building materials, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and cutting costs. Experimental findings indicate that the optimal improvement in the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR) of BCS is achieved with the incorporation of 25% MSWI ash. Specifically, the UCS increases from 28.8 kPa to 53.4 kPa, and the CBR value rises from 3.38% to 9.38% with the addition of 25% ash. Such enhancements make MSWI ash a promising material for use in the construction of embankments, roads, and sub grade highways, where the improvement of expansive soil characteristics is critical for infrastructure stability.
Open Access
patricia aline bressiani 
, geiciane locatelli alves , inara giacobbo de marco , mariana tonello biffi , sabrina ishikawa , vilmar steffen , fernando césar manosso , eduardo michel vieira gomes , ticiane sauer pokrywiecki , ana paula de oliveira schmitz , elisângela düsman |
Available online: 12-30-2024
The excessive application of agrochemicals has resulted in significant workplace exposure for agriculturists and environmental interaction for the general public, particularly in communities adjacent to agricultural zones. Such exposure is associated with detrimental health effects, including mutagenic and cytotoxic impacts. Agrochemical contamination frequently occurs through water, especially in rural villages where conventional water treatment systems are not designed to address these specific contaminants. The efficacy of activated carbon was investigated in this study as an adsorbent for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from contaminated water. The concentration of 2,4-D in water samples was quantified using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy at a wavelength of 283 nm. Preliminary adsorption experiments identified pH 2 as the optimal condition for 2,4-D uptake. The adsorption kinetics were best described by the Elovich model, with an equilibrium time of 480 minutes. Equilibrium studies revealed that three isotherm models—Redlich-Peterson, Temkin, and Toth—effectively represented the experimental data, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 252.8 mg/g. The findings underscore the potential of activated carbon as a cost-effective and straightforward treatment method for the removal of 2,4-D from drinking water, particularly in rural areas lacking access to advanced water treatment infrastructure.
Efficient management of railway infrastructure is recognized as a cornerstone for the sustainable development of the transport sector, as it plays a critical role in reducing congestion, mitigating environmental pollution, and enhancing mobility. The modernization and optimization of railway systems are essential for the optimal utilization of resources and the advancement of a more competitive and environmentally sustainable sector. Railway infrastructure managers (RIMs) are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring efficient infrastructure management, maintenance, and modernization, thereby guaranteeing the safety, reliability, and sustainability of railway systems. In this study, a methodological framework was proposed for evaluating the efficiency of RIMs by integrating Pearson’s correlation and the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. The efficiency evaluation was conducted based on key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with railway infrastructure management. Pearson’s correlation was employed to analyze the relationships among 35 KPIs, while the DEA method was utilized to identify efficient managers. The developed framework offers a novel approach for creating analytical tools tailored to RIMs, providing regulatory bodies and decision-makers with a valuable toolset to implement best practices and enhance competitiveness. The findings of this study have practical implications, enabling performance comparisons, the development of management strategies, and the formulation of policies aimed at fostering a more sustainable and efficient railway industry.
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