bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Frozen Plasma-Activated Water to Sanitize and Precool Fresh Produce during Postharvest Handling Process
Authors: Arda Gede , Hsu Chuan-Liang
Published: December 2022

Converting plasma-activated water (PAW) to frozen PAW (FPAW) imparts additional advantages since it can simultaneously conduct washing, precooling, and decontaminating when incorporated with water. This study investigates the efficacy of FPAW undergoes pH manipulation on decontaminating E. coli and S. aureus inoculated on okra and strawberries surfaces. The effects of dilution factor (3X and 5X dilution), type of PAW (fresh and FPAW), and immersion time (0, 10, 15, and 20 min) on PAW efficacy in combination with the surface properties of okra and strawberries are investigated. Although the reduction achieved by this study was generally lower than the treatment applied to planktonic E. coli and S. aureus, the efficacy of FPAW was not entirely eliminated by the dilution and the surface roughness of the treated product. The reduction of E. coli and S. aureus can be achieved to 2.5 log CFU/g and 1.0 log CFU/g, indicate that pH-manipulated-FPAW has the potential to be applied in the postharvest treatment of fresh produce. In addition, the combination of all treatment factors did not significantly affect the physical quality of the product; in fact, the precooling effects of frozen PAW prevent the chilling injury on okra stored at 4.5 ± 0.5°C for 10 days. Industrial Relevance Conducting precooling with frozen PAW successfully diminishes the problem of chilling injuries and pathogenic bacteria contamination on fresh produce. Converting PAW into the frozen shape and accompanied by pH manipulation overcome the delays issues of the loss of PAW reactivity. The FPAW can be stored longer before it is applied in the precooling and decontamination steps during postharvest treatment. This study shows that FPAW is a potential postharvest treatment agent for fresh produce, and it does not affect the physical quality of the treated fresh produce significantly.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles significant role in poultry and novel toxicological mechanisms
Authors: Fatima Arjmand , Zaheer Tean , Pal Kaushik , Abbas Rao Zahid , Akhtar Tayyaba , Ali Sultan , Mahmood Muhammad Shahid
Published: December 2022

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have involved a lot of consideration owing to their distinctive features. ZnO NPs can be described as particularly synthesized mineral salts via nanotechnology, varying in size from 1 to 100 nm, while zinc oxide (ZnO), it is an inorganic substrate of zinc (Zn). Zn is a critical trace element necessary for various biological and physiological processes in the body. Studies have revealed ZnO NPs’ efficient immuno-modulatory, growth-promoting, and antimicrobial properties in poultry birds. They offer increased bioavailability as compared to their traditional sources, producing better results in terms of productivity and welfare and consequently reducing ecological harm in the poultry sector. However, they have also been reported for their toxicological effects, which are size, shape, concentration, and exposure route dependent. The investigations done so far have yielded inconsistent results, therefore, a lot of additional studies and research are required to clarify the harmful consequences of ZnO NPs and to bring them to a logical end. This review gives an overview of the possible role of ZnO Nano particles in the poultry industry, primarily as dietary supplements that effect on the growth, health, and performance of the birds. In addition to the anti-bacterial mechanisms of ZnO NPs and their promising role as anti-fungal, and anti-colloidal agent, this paper also covers the toxicological mechanisms of ZnO NPs and their consequent toxicological hazards to vital organs and the reproductive system of poultry birds.
WITHDRAWN: Cross-scale fretting failure mechanism and fatigue failure prediction of metal rubber
Authors: Bai Yonggang , Shi Xianjie , Guo Zhuotao , Huang Zihao , Xiao Duping , Ren Zhiying
Published: December 2022

Metal rubber (MR) is a kind of elastic porous material with a complex and disordered internal structure, which results in a life evaluation that can only rely on tests but cannot meet the engineering application. This paper presents an interesting life prediction method based on its virtual fabrication technology. By developing the intricate internal multipoint random contact mesh model of MR, a virtual real-time dynamic tracking contact point in the state is captured. A thorough investigation is conducted into the contact point properties, point distribution, and the interaction of discrete contact points in MR interior space. Accordingly, a cross-scale fretting failure mechanism from micromorphology to macro-performance is proposed. The continuous fatigue cycle of MR is discretized into multiple single-turn metal wire elements by applying the principle of equal spacing. A statistical model of internal contact point wear of MR at the microlayer is developed considering the metal wire's single-turn fretting wear prediction model. The cumulative prediction model of macroscopic fatigue damage of MR is based on the superposition of micro-element interval. Finally, the fitting degree between the mass loss with loss factor and stiffness degradation degree after performing fatigue tests under different periods is investigated. A fatigue failure prediction model of metal rubber is established. The results of the fatigue failure prediction models are compared with experimental data and found to be consistent.
Methodology for evaluating biodiversity strategies - Analysis of the capacity to initiate transformative change - Application for the French National Strategy for Biodiversity 2022-2030 (SNB3)
Authors: Dupuis Louise , Léandre Coline , Delavaud Aurélie , Jactel Hervé , Soubelet Hélène
Published: December 2022

This paper is part of the emerging literature on transformative change, in line with the new Ipbes work program "Transformative Change Assessment". In France, the third National Strategy for Biodiversity (SNB3), published in 2022, is due to be one of the national declinations of the next global framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), of the European strategy for biodiversity, and was meant to be based on the scientific recommendations of Ipbes (1). The main question here is: Is it really the case? And how can we measure the effectiveness of this compliance? In this context, the French Foundation for Biodiversity Research (FRB) has carried out an assessment of the capacity of the SNB3 to initiate transformative change. This paper describes on one hand the two-steps assessment methodology of the leverage potential of the strategy’s measures, based on a robust and replicable independent scientific audit and a multi-criteria analysis (2). On the other hand, we present the majors results of the assessment in the case of SNB3 (3). Eventually, we discuss the scientific and practical interest of this type of exercise for policy makers in establishing strategies that are part of a transition process, allowing for real transformative changes in society (4). By analyzing all the measures and ranking them from the most efficient to the least efficient, this use-case reveals the strengths and weaknesses of a strategy by anticipating what would have and will not have an impact and points out what needs to be improved as a priority.
Comparison of single-stage and two-stage transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty for severe hypospadias with long urethral defect length: A prospective multicenter study
Authors: Liu Pei , Yang Zhenzhen , Li Jiayi , Fang Yiwei , Wang Xinyu , Fan Songqiao , Li Zonghan , Song Hongcheng , Zhang Weiping , Sun Ning , Tang YunMan , Huang LuGang , Yang Yi , Chao Min , Ma Hong , Zhang Jingti , Zhang Xuhui , Li Shoulin , Li Ning , Chen Chao , He Dawei , Wu Wenbo , Xie Hua
Published: December 2022

Purpose To find the cut-off value of urethral defect length (UDL) to guide the choice of single‑stage or two‑stage transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty (TPIFU).
Methods We prospectively collected the data of patients with severe hypospadias underwent single-stage and two-stage TPIFU at fifteen tertiary referral institutions from 2019 to 2020. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyzed the cut-off value of UDL to predict postoperative complications with single-stage TPIFU. We extracted patients with long UDL (longer than the cut-off value) in the single-stage and two-stage TPIFU, comparing the postoperative complications.
Results A total of 536 patients included 483 underwent single-stage TPIFU and 53 underwent two-stage TPIFU were collected. The ROC analyzed the cut-off value of UDL was 3.5 cm. 169 patients with long UDL (longer than 3.5 cm) were extracted from all 536 patients, with 126 underwent single-stage TPIFU (single-stage group) and 43 underwent two-stage TPIFU (two-stage group). In the single-stage group, complications occurred in 62 (49.2%) patients, including 34 (27.0%) with urethrocutaneous fistula, 21 (16.7%) with urethral stricture, and 25 (19.8%) with diverticulum. In the two-stage group, total complications occurred in four (9.3%), there were both two (4.7%) with urethral stricture and diverticulum, and no urethrocutaneous fistula was recorded.
Conclusion Our results show that two-stage TPIFU can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative complications for hypospadias with UDL longer than 3.5 cm, especially urethrocutaneous fistula and diverticulum.
Benchmarking Effects of Communication Bandwidths and Number of Options on Collective Decision-making Strategies in Discrete Collective Estimation
Authors: Shan Qihao , Mostaghim Sanaz
Published: December 2022

Multi-option collective decision making is an emergent topic of study within the field of swarm intelligence. Many strategies have been proposed to enable decentralized and localized decision-making behaviors in intelligent swarms. However, when applied to multi-option scenarios , many proposed strategies have very different requirements on the communication bandwidth and paradigm, which make a clear and fair comparison difficult. In this paper, we seek to investigate and compare the performances of opinion-based decision-making strategies and newly proposed multi-option strategies in a discrete collective estimation scenario when the communication bandwidth and paradigm are controlled. The considered strategies’ performances are assessed via error, consensus time and failure rate. We have experimented on decision-making scenarios with random and concentrated distribution of features, as well as different number of available options. Among the considered strategies, we have observed that distributed Bayesian belief sharing (DBBS) has superior performances in all three metrics, especially at higher communication bandwidths. On the other hand, ranked voting with Borda count (RV-BC) has comparable performances to the baseline opinion-based strategies at lower bandwidths, while slightly outperforms at higher bandwidths. In contrast, opinion-based approaches are competitive at lower communication bandwidths, and are less adversely affected when facing a high number of available options.
A piece of the puzzle: seasonality, distribution and Leishmania infection rates in sand flies on the Brazilian side of Foz do Iguaçu
Authors: Thomaz-Soccol Vanete , Gonçalves André Luiz , Bisetto Alceu , Baggio Rafael Antunes , Celestino Adão , Santiani Manuel Hospinal , Souza André , Mychalizen Mario , Borges Marcelo Eduardo , Piechnik Cláudio Adriano
Published: December 2022

Background: The recent geographic expansion of Leishmania infantum vectors in the triple border area of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay has highlighted the need to know the seasonality, parasite infection rate, and the factors that contribute the dispersal and handling of this parasite.
Methods: Entomological, quantitative longitudinal studies were conducted in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, where sand fly abundance was higher in cross-sectional studies. Monthly sand fly samplings occurred in 2014-2015. LeishmaniaDNA was detected by PCR and subsequently sequenced, classified, and the infection rate was estimated. The study also featured an observational and descriptive design. Environmental variables were analyzed at the micro- and mesoscales, and the data were evaluated along with entomological and infection inputs.
Results: A total of 3,582 sand flies were caught. Lutzomyia longipalpiswas the predominant species (71.5%) among 13 species found in one year of sampling. Four species, Evandromyia edwardsi, Expapillata firmatoi, Micropygomyia ferreirana, and Pintomyia christenseni were reported for the first time. The NDVI, distance from water, sex, west-to-east wind, and wind speed were significant variables for the intra-environment presence and/or abundance of vectors. The presence and/or abundance of vectors in peri-domicile were influenced by rain, altitude, maximum temperature, minimum and maximum relative humidity, west-to-east wind, wind speed, and sex. Considering PCR positivity, females infected with L. infantum were found throughout the year, and especially with Lu. longipalpis (prevalence means of 16.4).
Conclusions: Vector colonization concentrates on urban and peri-urban hotspot areas, with some individuals being present in various parts of the city and few sites showing high vector abundance. This distribution suggests that the risk of actual contact between humans and parasitic vectors in urban areas during the epidemic period is associated with patches of peri-urban vegetation and then spreads across urban areas. We can state that, in the period of this study, the most critical transmission phase for L. infantum in the region is from January to May. Therefore, future management plants to reduce access to reservoirs might reduce sand fly infection and consequently human and animal infections.
Ratio between IgG against the spike protein of seasonal coronaviruses and SARS- CoV-2 is associated with a fatal outcome of hospitalized COVID-19 patients
Authors: Smit Wouter , Tol Sophie van , Lelyveld Lenneke van , Limonard Gijs , Bossink Ailko , Reusken Chantal , Heron Michiel , Thijsen Steven
Published: December 2022

SARS-CoV-2 infection elicits a cross-reactive and back boosting immune response from prior exposure to any of the human seasonal coronaviruses (HCoVs), but is has yet to be determined whether this response is associated with fatal outcome of severe COVID-19 disease. In a cohort of 58 hospitalized patients, we have shown that heterologous immune responses are associated with increased disease severity. Here, we report that a lower anti-spike IgG ratio of SARS-CoV-2 to HCoVs, in particular to the human coronavirus 229E, correlates with decreased neutralizing antibody titers, and is associated with a fatal disease course. These results support the hypothesis that pre-existing humoral immunity to spike antigens of HCoVs may impair an efficient immune response during COVID-19.
CAR-T cell-induced cytokine release syndrome is rapidly alleviated by tripterygium glycosides
Authors: Xu Zuqiong , Tian Fang , Chen Biqing , Kong Xiangtu , Dai Xingbin , Cao Jiang , Jiang Pengjun , Lu Lu , Lv Qi , Yang Aiping , Ma Leyuan , Hu Lihong , Zhu Xuejun
Published: December 2022

Background
Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a life-threatening complication of chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy. Macrophages/ monocytes are mediators of CRS. Tripterygium glycosides is an immunomodulator which could inhibit macrophages/ monocytes in animal models.
Methods
Two patients with relapsed and refractory hematological malignancies developed CRS after receiving CAR-T therapy. They received short-term tripterygium glycosides orally.
Results
Both patients showed rapid mitigation of fever with evidently decrease in elevated inflammatory cytokines within 72 hours. The patients' monocytes diminished remarkably, while CAR-T cells were neglectably affected. Treatment of 30 ng/mL triptolide in ex vivo cultured patients' blood for 24 hours selectively deplete over half of monocytes. Single cell RNA sequencing suggested selective depletion of CD14+CD16+ monocytes with decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Conclusions
The low-cost and orally available tripterygium glycosides could be a promising alternative for CAR-T induced CRS, as well as other diseases complicated with CRS, e.g., coronavirus disease 2019.
Azithromycin ameliorated cigarette smoke-induced airway epithelial barrier dysfunction by activating Nrf2/GCL/GSH signaling pathway
Authors: Song Yun , Fu Wenhuan , Zhang Youzhi , Huang Doudou , Wu Jian , Tong Shuangmei , Zhong Mingkang , Cao Huifang , Wang Bin
Published: December 2022

Background
Airway epithelium is the first barrier against environmental insults, and epithelial barrier dysfunction caused by cigarette smoke (CS) is particularly relevant to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) progression. Our study was to determine whether Azithromycin (AZI) ameliorates CS-induced airway epithelial barrier dysfunction and the underlying mechanisms.
Methods
Primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs), human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs), Sprague Dawley rats and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-/- mice were pretreated with AZI and subsequently exposed to CS. Transepithelial electronic resistance (TEER), junction proteins as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis markers were examined to assess epithelial barrier dysfunction. Metabolomics study was applied to explore the underlying mechanism of AZI.
Results
CS-induced TEER decline and intercellular junction destruction, accompanied with inflammatory response and cell apoptosis in PBECs were restored by AZI dose-dependently, which were also observed in CS-exposed rats. Mechanistically, GSH metabolism pathway was identified as the top differentially impacted pathway and AZI treatment upregulated the activities of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) and the contents of metabolites in GSH metabolic pathway. Furthermore, AZI apparently reversed CS-induced Nrf2 suppression, and similar effects on airway epithelial barrier dysfunction were also found for Nrf2 agonist tert-butylhydroquinone and vitamin C. Finally, deletion of Nrf2 in both HBECs and C57BL/6N mice aggravated CS-induced GSH metabolism imbalance to disrupt airway epithelial barrier and partially deprived the effects of AZI.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that the clinical benefits of AZI for COPD management are related with the protection of CS-induced airway epithelial barrier dysfunction via activating Nrf2/GCL/GSH pathway, providing potential therapeutic strategies for COPD.
Neural network-based prognostic predictive tool for gastric cardiac cancer: the worldwide retrospective study
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Minghang , Cai Siyu , Wu Liangliang , Li Chao , He Yuqi , Yang Guibin , Wang Jinghui , Pan Yuanming
Published: December 2022

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers and the main cause of tumor-related death worldwide. Moreover, the incidence of gastric cardiac cancer (GCC) has increased obviously, with the potentially different prognosis from other sites of GC (non-gastric cardiac cancer, NGCC). We will analyze the prognosis between GCC and NGCC, and set up an effective prognostic model based on neural network for GCC.
Methods: In the population-based cohort study, we firstly enrolled the clinical features from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data (n=31397) as well as the public Chinese data from different hospitals (n=1049). Then according to the diagnostic time, the SEER data were then divided into two cohorts, the train cohort (patients were diagnosed as GCC in 2010-2014, n=4414) and the test cohort (diagnosed in 2015, n=957). Age, sex, pathology, tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) stage, tumor size, surgery or not, radiotherapy or not, chemotherapy or not and history of malignancy were chosen as the predictive clinical features.
Results: The prognosis of GCC patients in SEER database was worse than that of NGCC patients, while it was not worst in the Chinese data. The total of 5371 patients were used to conduct the development model, following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Neural network-based prognostic predictive model had a satisfactory performance for GCC overall survival (OS) prediction, which owned 0.7431 AUC in the train cohort (95% confidence intervals, CIs, 0.7423-0.7439) and 0.7419 in the test cohort (95% CIs, 0.7411-0.7428).
Conclusion: GCC patients indeed have the different survival time compared with NGCC patients. And this neural network-based prognostic predictive tool is a novel and promising software for the outcome of GCC patients.
Asymptotic corrections to the low frequency theory for a cylindrical elastic shell
Authors: Kaplunov Julius , Ege Nihal , Erbaş Barış , Noori Noorullah
Published: December 2022

The general scaling underlying the asymptotic derivation of 2D theory for thin shells from the original equations of motion in 3D elasticity fails for cylindrical shells due to the cancelation of the leading order terms in the geometric relations for the mid-surface deformations corresponding to shear and circumferential extension. As a consequence, a cylindrical shell as an elastic waveguide supports a small cut-off frequency for each circumferential mode. The value of this cut-off tends to zero at the thin shell limit. In this case, the near cut-off behaviour is strongly affected by the presence of two small parameters associated with the relative thickness and wavenumber. It is not obvious whether it can be treated within the 2D theory. For the first time, a novel special scaling is introduced, in order to derive an asymptotically consistent formulation for a cylindrical shell starting from 3D framework. Comparisons with the previous results obtained using the popular 2D Sanders-Koiter shell theory is presented. Asymptotic corrections are deduced for the fourth order equation of low-frequency motion and some of other relations, including the formulae for tangential shear stress resultants.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). 74K25, 74J05, 74H10.
Predicting movement speed of beetles from body size and temperature
Authors: Terlau Jördis F. , Brose Ulrich , Thomas Boy , Samraat Pawar , Pinsky Malin , Hirt Myriam R.
Published: December 2022

Movement facilitates and alters species interactions, the resulting food web structures, species distribution patterns, community structures and survival of populations and communities. In the light of global change, it is crucial to gain a general understanding of how movement depends on traits and environmental conditions. Although insects and notably Coleoptera represent the largest and a functionally important taxonomic group, we still know little about their general movement capacities and how they respond to warming. Here, we measured the exploratory speed of 125 individuals of eight carabid beetle species across different temperatures and body masses using automated image-based tracking. The resulting data revealed a power-law scaling relationship of average movement speed with body mass. By additionally fitting a thermal performance curve to the data, we accounted for the unimodal temperature response of movement speed. This allometric and thermodynamic equation to predict exploratory speed can be incorporated into modeling approaches to predict trophic interactions or spatial movement patterns. Overall, these findings will help improve our understanding of how temperature effects on movement cascade from small to large spatial scales as well as from individual to population fitness and survival across communities.
Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Prevents Sarcolemmal Associated Protein Proteolysis by Mmp-2 Inhibition
Authors: Bin Eliana P. , Zaobornyj Tamara , Garces Mariana , D’Annunzio Verónica , Buchholz Bruno , Marchini Timoteo , Evelson Pablo , Gelpi Ricardo J. , Donato Martín
Published: December 2022

The death of myocytes occurs through different pathways, but a key point in the transition from reversible to irreversible injury is the rupture of the plasma membrane. Three major groups of structural proteins that link the extracellular and intracellular milieus and confer structural stability to the cell membrane are present in cardiac myocytes: the dystrophin-associated protein complex, the vinculin–integrin link, and the spectrin-based submembranous cytoskeleton.
The objective was to determine if rIPC preserves membrane-associated cytoskeletal proteins (dystrophin and β-dystroglycan) through the inhibition of metalloproteinase type 2 (MMP-2) activity. A second objective was to describe some of the intracellular signals of the rIPC, that modify mitochondrial function and are activated during early reperfusion.
Methods: Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion (I/R). rIPC was performed by 3 cycles of ischemia/reperfusion in the lower limb (rIPC). Results: As we expected, rIPC significantly decreased the infarct size. rIPC induced an Akt/GSK-3b phosphorylation and the inhibition of the MPTP opening, improving mitochondrial function, increasing membrane potential, ATP production and respiratory control. I/R induced ONOO- production, which activates MMP-2. This enzyme degrades β-dystroglycan and dystrophin and collaborates to sarcolemmal disruption.
Conclusion: rIPC attenuates the breakdown of β-dystroglycan and dystrophin through the inhibition of MMP-2 activity. Furthermore, rIPC activates different intracellular pathway that involves the an Akt/Gsk3b and MPTP pore with preservation of mitochondrial function.
The relation of CUN-BAE body fatness index with incident diabetes: a longitudinal retrospect study
Authors: Peng Qing , Feng Zihao , Cai Zhuojian , Liu Dixing , Zhong Jiana , Zhao Hejia , Zhang Xiuwei , Chen Weikun
Published: December 2022

Background
The Clínica Universidad de Navarra-Body Adiposity Estimator (CUN-BAE) index has been recommended as an ideal indicator of body fat and exhibited significant correlation with cardiometabolic risk factors. However, the relationship between the CUN-BAE index and incident diabetes in the Asian population remains unclear. Therefore, this longitudinal study was designed to evaluate the impact of the baseline CUN-BAE index on diabetes.
Methods
This retrospective longitudinal study involved 15,464 participants aged 18–79 in the NAGALA (NAfld in the Gifu Area Longitudinal Analysis) study between 2004 and 2015. The association between the baseline CUN-BAE index and diabetes incidence was tested by cox proportional-hazards regression. And the stratification analysis was further conducted to verify the robustness of the results. The ROC curve was applied to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the CUN-BAE index, and the area under the ROC curve was calculated.
Results
During an average of 5.4 years of follow-up, 373 (2.41%) participants were diagnosed with diabetes. A higher diabetes incidence was associated with ascending CUN-BAE quartiles (P for trend < 0.001). Each 1 standard deviation (SD) increased in CUN-BAE index was associated with a 1.4104-fold and 1.8954-fold increased risk of diabetes after adjustment for confounders in males and females, respectively (both P < 0.001). Stratification analysis demonstrated a consistent positive correlation between baseline CUN-BAE and diabetes incidence. Moreover, CUN-BAE exhibited a better capacity to predict diabetes than both BMI and WC in different genders according to ROC analysis.
Conclusions
The baseline CUN-BAE level was independently related to incident diabetes. Increased adiposity appraised with CUN-BAE could be used as a strong nonlaboratory predictor of incident diabetes in clinical practice.
Predicting Culex pipiens/restuans population dynamics using a weather driven dynamic compartmental population model
Authors: Bakran-Lebl Karin , Kjaer Lene Jung , Conrady Beate
Published: December 2022

Background: Mosquitoes of the genus Culex are important vectors of a variety of arthropod born viral infections. In most of the northern parts of the U.S.A. Cx. pipiens/restuans is the predominant representative of this genus. As vectors, they play a key role in the spreading of arboviruses and thus knowledge of the population dynamic of mosquitos is important to understand the disease ecology of these viruses. As poikilotherm animals, the vital rates of mosquitoes are highly dependent on ambient temperature, and also on precipitation.
Methods: We present a compartmental model for the population dynamics of Cx. pipiens/restuans. The model is driven by temperature, precipitation and daytime length (which can be calculated from the geographic latitude). For model evaluation we used long term mosquito capture data, which were averaged from multiple sites in Cook County, Illinois.
Results: The model fitted the observation data (Spearman’s rs=0.899) and was able to reproduce between year differences in the abundance of the Cx. pipiens/restuans mosquitoes as well as the different seasonal trends. Using this model, we evaluated the effectiveness of targeting different vital rates for mosquito control strategies.
Conclusions:The final model is able to reproduce the weekly mean Cx. pipiens/restuans abundance for Cook County with high accuracy and over a long time period of 20 years. As only operational accessible input parameters were used, the presented model could be simply integrated in epidemiological compartmental models such as susceptible, infectious, and/or recovered (SIR) models of Culex-borne infectious diseases.
Extended mixing processes on early- and later-age of cement systems incorporating fly ash
Authors: Sereewatthanawut Issara , Panwisawas Chinnapat , Ngamkhanong Chayut , Prasittisopin Lapyote
Published: December 2022

Specifications that correlate with system performance can “ensure” continual values being added. Most specifications for ready-mixed concrete address limits on discharge time and truck-drum revolution counts. These limits have been developed for conventional concrete. As the uses of supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) become ubiquitous, it is important to determine whether these specifications are applicable to SCMs, that is, systems containing fly ash. This paper reports results of the effects of mixing time and mixer revolution counts on characteristics of lab-made pastes and mortars. The characteristics assessed include time-variant ion concentrations, setting time, flow, compressive strength, porosity, and apparent chloride diffusivity coefficient. Results indicate that with increasing mixing time and mixer revolution counts, mixtures with a replacement of fly ash exhibit improved fresh and hardened characteristics. Fly ash is suggested to adopt in the extended mixing processes of cement systems.
Screening Enterococcus isolates for antimicrobial and in vitro antitumor activity against colorectal carcinomas
Authors: Siddiqa Ayesha , Hassan Ashba , Sajid Imran
Published: December 2022

Enterococci are a part of the natural intestinal flora of humans and animals and play an important role in keeping their microbial balance. Many species of Enterococci are also used as probiotics that produce vitamins, stimulate the immune responses, and maintain the integrity of gut. The use of dietary supplements to reinforce some gut flora components is a current aspect of functional food sciences to treat various diseases. Enterococcus also produce some enterocins that respond actively against Escherichia coli and Salmonella pullorum and inhibit their growth. The use of advanced techniques of high through put screening of microbial extracts for antimicrobial activity will be helpful for obtaining bioactive compounds. In present study, 21 strains of Enterococcus were isolated and identified morphologically and biochemically. Out of these, 9 strains showed antimicrobial activity against Psuedomonas, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Staphylococcus. The strains also showed sensitivity against certain antibiotics such as amoxicillin, norfloxacin, streptomycin, vancomycin, and nalidixic acid. The crude extracts of the isolates also showed antitumor activity against HCT 116 colorectal carcinoma cell line. The crude extracts of these bioactive Enterococcus strains were analyzed chemically by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). So, the present study revealed that the antimicrobial compounds produced by these bioactive Enterococcus strains could be used against Psuedomonas, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Staphylococcus. Moreover, these strains could be investigated as potential probiotic agents to treat colorectal cancer because of their significant in vitro antitumor activity against colorectal carcinoma (CRC).
Statistical analysis of the effect of Global warming On Seasonal precipitation of Iran
Authors: Nejad Meysam Toulabi , nejad Mehrshad Toulabi , Dolatshahi Zeynab
Published: December 2022

Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, increase the frequency of precipitation changes in all around the world. So, identification of the effect of global warming on precipitation of Iran which located in dry area is important in planning to water resources. According to aim of this study, statistical analysis has been used. Total precipitation data of 34 selective stations during 1984 to 2018 were obtained from Iran meteorology organization. In addition, data of methane gas (in billions in part) as one of most important factors of global warming were obtained from NOAA website. At first, correlation between these parameters identified by using Pearson correlation coefficient, then precipitation changes rate were calculated compared to long term. The results show that, spring precipitation in north and northwest of Iran have a growth about 13 mm, and precipitation in southern part of Iran has decreased by 46 percent compared to the long-term. Due to increasing of greenhouse gases, the results of data analysis on summer show decreasing about 30 mm of precipitation of southern stations of Iran compared to long term. But, precipitation of north and west stations of Iran, have a growth about 14 mm. In addition, results show that fall precipitation has highest correlation with global warming. In this season, precipitation of west stations decreases about 24 mm compared to long term. But the southwest and southeast stations have an increasing about 17 mm. The results of data analysis on winter precipitation show decreasing about 18.6 mm on west and northwest stations of Iran.
The Army and Foreign Policy of Turkey: the Current State of Air Defense
Authors:   department of Middle and Post-Soviet East, Institute of Scientific Information for Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences (INION RAN), Guzaerov R.
Published: December 2022

The article is devoted to the analysis of the state of the air defense forces of the Army of the Republic of Turkey. The object of the study is the military-technical development of Turkey. The subject of the study is the current state of Turkey's air defense. The purpose of the study is to demonstrate the current state of Turkey's air defense. For this purpose it is necessary to solve the following tasks: to consider command structure of Turkish Air Defense Forces; to analyze available samples of equipment in Turkish Air Defense Forces; to consider successes of Turkish Military Industrial Complex in construction of own samples of Air Defense Forces. The research methodology is based on a systematic approach to consider the Turkish MIC as an integral system. Event analysis is applied to trace the main developments in the field of Turkey's air defense development. Source analysis is used to study the websites of the official agencies of the companies in the field of the military-industrial complex. General scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction are used in the work. It is noted that Turkey has switched to an offensive foreign policy, which requires it to have a high level of preparedness in all spheres, including the military. The article presents the structural organization of the management of the Turkish air defense forces. The samples of weapons available in the Turkish army are analyzed. Their quantitative and qualitative characteristics are given. It is noted that the purchase of the S-400 air defense system by Turkey was of a political nature. The successes of the Turkish military-industrial complex in the development of air defense systems are demonstrated, but at the moment these developments cannot meet the needs of the army. It is concluded that the Turkish air defense forces are experiencing difficulties due to limited capabilities and require updating and expanding the existing arsenal
Phonological Development in Child Language Acquisition: A Study of a Child with Speech Delay
Authors: Agustina Pipit , Manipuspika Yana Shanti
Published: December 2022

Children acquire language through interaction with other children, their parents, and their surroundings. Acquisition of language may influence children’s success at school. The language aspect that children acquire first is phonology. In acquiring language, children whose language development is slower than their peers may experience speech delay. Thus, the present study emerges to investigate the phonological development of a three-year-old child who is diagnosed with speech delay as well as to examine the factors that support the development. Using a qualitative approach, this study was a case study that employed a single participant. The results of the study indicated that the participant’s language ability developed significantly after several months of receiving therapy. He displayed an ability to produce imitative sounds and non-imitative ones. The spontaneous utterances were also meaningful compared to what he had before the therapy. The evaluation revealed that the development of the subject was affected by the exposure to language at home. Speech simulation and screen time limitation were keys to improving his language ability
dS$\boldsymbol{_2}$ as excitation of AdS$\boldsymbol{_2}$
Authors: Ecker Florian , Grumiller Daniel , McNees Robert
Published: December 2022

We introduce a family of 2D dilaton gravity models with
state-dependent constant curvature so that
dS_22
emerges as an excitation of AdS_22.
Curiously, the strong coupling region corresponds to the asymptotic
region geometrically. Apart from these key differences, many features
resemble the Almheiri–Polchinski model. We discuss perturbative and
non-perturbative thermodynamical stability, bubble nucleation through
matter shockwaves, and semiclassical backreaction effects. In some of
these models, we find that low temperatures are dominated by
AdS_22
but high temperatures are dominated by dS_22,
concurrent with a recent proposal by Susskind.
Economic growth and environmental degradation paradox in ASEAN: A simultaneous equation model with dynamic panel data approach
Authors: Supriyanto  , Rabiatul Adawiyah Wiwiek , Arintoko  , Rahajuni Dijan , Kadarwati Nunik
Published: December 2022

Economic variables are dynamic in nature. This paper uses a simultaneous equation model to assess the complexity of the link between economic expansion and environmental deterioration in ASEAN. The study examines how CO2 emissions, economic growth, public health initiatives, and control factors interact using dynamic panel data from 2011 to 2020. The population, the amount of forested land, the use of renewable energy, foreign investment, the inflation rate, the total amount of foreign exchange reserves, and government health policies are just a few examples. In order to provide a reliable and accurate assessment of the long-term relationship, this study employs the generalized approach of the Arellano-Bond moment method. The econometric technique deals with the issues of nonstationary, endogeneity, cross-error correlation, and heteroscedasticity.Additionally, the two stage least square (2SLS) method was used to assess the results’ robustness. According to the statistical results, there is a causal link between CO2 emissions and economic growth, and between CO2 emissions and energy consumption. Furthermore, according to the data, ASEAN CO2 emissions showed a monotonically growing relationship during the sample period. Policymakers may use these findings since they can aid in implementing economic measures to promote sustainable and ecologically friendly development.
Indirect measurements in the intelligent heating control system for the turnout using adaptive systems
Authors: Muhitovs Ruslans , Mezitis Mareks , Strautmanis Guntis , Iriskovs Vladimirs
Published: December 2022

The article discusses the possibility of applying the results of regression analysis [1], fuzzy logic modelling and adaptive systems as such for use in heating control circuits of railway turnouts in order to reduce energy consumption, reduce current surges during on/off switching, and extend the life of heating elements. Based on various researches [2-4] some new solutions are proposed to fulfil shortages of current solutions. As a proposed solution to the described problem, an experimental point electric heating adaptive control system is proposed and described. Experiment of controlling point electric heating system using pulse-width modulation driven by values of regression analysis and fuzzy logic elements. Adaptive methods allowed to dismiss contact temperature sensors, which is associated with a decrease in the reliability of the system, but this fact is prevented by the use of such control methods that can indirectly determine the required rail heating temperature. Conclusions show that the approach of introducing adaptive methods like pulse-width modulation allows to control point electric heating in more efficient way – using program code, control system will adjust heating by adjusting time intervals when the heating is turned on and off.
Bearing fault feature selection method based on dynamic time warped related searches
Authors: Wang Guangbin , Wang Tengqiang , Chen Jinhua , Zhao Shubiao
Published: December 2022

Traditional feature selection algorithms rarely consider the dynamic misalignment between different time series, and have poor fault tolerance and robustness. In this paper, a fault feature selection method for rolling bearings based on Dynamic Time Warped Related Searches (DTWRS) is proposed. Firstly, the bearing fault feature set is constructed, and the dynamic time warping algorithm is used to calculate the shortest cumulative distance between feature of different faults, and this distance is used as the correlation evaluation standard. Then, two new search rules, dynamic time warping difference and dynamic time warping entropy, are proposed based on the minimum redundancy between bearing fault features and the maximum correlation between fault features and feature categories, use these two search rules to judge the ability of the feature to express the fault, define the quality of the fault feature and sort from good to bad according to the level of ability. Finally, in this order, the number of features is gradually increased and input to the fault classifier, and the sensitive fault feature set is obtained based on the principle of the highest recognition rate and the least number of features. The experimental results show that the fault feature selection method of rolling bearing based on DTWRS can increase the accuracy of fault diagnosis while minimizing the number of features, and improve the efficiency and effect of fault diagnosis.
Pragmatic analysis of wastewater treatment methods from a statistical perspective
Authors: Pande Pournima , Bhagat Ashish
Published: December 2022

Wastewater treatment is an environmental issue of the utmost importance. Pesticides, industrial waste, chemical fertilizers, and radioactive waste are some of the causes for water pollution. Several models exist for treating contaminated wastewater. In this study an application-specific review of various wastewater treatment models is performed. Extensions to existing treatment models are discussed to improve their performance. The treatment models are compared statistically based on performance metrics such as quality of treated water, sludge percentage at output, complexity of treatment, time needed for treatment, and deployment cost. The treatment models are ranked using a novel parameter called Model Rank, which combines all performance metrics into a single number. According to the results, six models, including Advanced Oxidation Processes with Ozone treatment (AOPO), Kernel Principal Components Analysis based one-class Support Vector Machine (KPCA SVM), and four others, have a rank greater than 3.5. The AOPO model has the highest model rank of 3.85 and performs better than all other models. This study might aid major stakeholders in the waste treatment industry, including researchers, in selecting the appropriate waste water treatment method per their requirements.
Investigation of precipitation and extreme indices spatiotemporal variability in Seyhan Basin, Turkey
Authors: Koycegiz Cihangir , Buyukyildiz Meral
Published: December 2022

Spatial and temporal variability of precipitation increases with the effect of climate change. In this study, the Seyhan Basin has been determined as the study area. It is aimed to examine the spatiotemporal variability of precipitation and extreme precipitation indices in the Seyhan Basin. For this purpose, the period 1970–2019 was divided into three periods with the change point detection methods (Pettitt, Buishand rank and standard normal homogeneity test). Trends were examined by applying modified Mann–Kendall and Spearman's rho tests to precipitation and extreme indices for all periods and sub-periods. Then, temporal and spatial analyses of extreme indices were performed. According to the results obtained, there is no precipitation homogeneity throughout the basin. While the threat of drought comes to the fore with the decrease in rainy days and precipitation in the north, the risk of flooding is effective with the increase in precipitation intensity in the south.
Investigation of mechanisms of an upflow-downflow siliceous sand filtration system for surfactants bathroom grey water treatment
Authors: Chaabane Safa , Riahi Khalifa , Anibi Sameh , Thayer Béchir Ben
Published: December 2022

Sustainable decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) at the local level are considered as a smart alternative for small communities particularly in arid areas. The present study examines the mechanisms of an upflow-downflow Siliceous Sand (SS) filtration system involved in surfactants bathroom grey water treatment. In order to get a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in surfactants removal, particle size distribution and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of the SS particles were performed. Optimization of the upflow-downflow SS filtration system, operated following operational conditions of hydraulic load rate (HLR) and SS amounts, results indicates an average removal efficiency (ARE) of 93.7% reached with respect to surfactants removal. Results showed also that the resulting silicate materials react with surfactants in a cooperative assembly process involving the interaction of SS particles with surfactants aggregates. Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) surface area, pore volume (Vp), and pore size were found to be significantly reduced post-filtration with respectively 3.39%, 24.31%, and 21.86% reduction. From FTIR spectroscopy analysis of the Sulfonates, Silanol and Silane functional groups appear to be involved in mesoporous constructed micelle organization for surfactants removal. Such geo-materials could be green and sustainable for various applications in water and environmental engineering.