bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enterobacter cloacae PNE2 As Promising Plant Growth Promoting Bacterium, Isolated From The Kadi Vegetable Market Waste, Gujarat.
Authors: J. Gupta Pooja , J. Trivedi Minal , P. Soni Harsha
Published: October 2022

Chemical fertilizer use in agricultural areas causes a variety of issues, including pollution, health risks, disruption of natural ecological nutrient cycles, and the loss of biological communities. In this case, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and other supplements are replaced by plant growth promoting bacteria for sustainable agriculture. The present research work focus on the isolation of the plant growth promoting bacteria from the Kadi vegetable market waste. Derived from morphological, biochemical, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis the strain was identified as Enterobacter cloacae PNE2. The antibiotic susceptibility test indicated that the isolate was sensitive to all 22 antibiotics tested. The isolate Enterobacter cloacae PNE2 has multiple growth-promoting activities like N2 fixation, phosphate, solubilization, potassium solubilization, phytohormone (Indole-3-acetic acid) production, EPS production, biopolymer degradation, and also possesses good seed germination ability. Quantitative analysis of nitrite production revealed the isolate Enterobacter cloacae PNE2 produced 0.15±0.01 µg/ml nitrite. The Phosphate Solubilization Index (PSI) of the isolate was recorded 3.58±0.08 and the isolate released 278.34±0.56 μg/ml phosphate in Pikovskaya’s broth. The isolate Enterobacter cloacae PNE2 solubilized 32.66 mg/l potassium. The isolate Enterobacter cloacae PNE2 possesses IAA (48.49±0.05µg/ml) in presence of tryptophan and EPS (19.1±0.2 g/l) production ability. The isolate Enterobacter cloacae PNE2 was also found to degrade Cellulose, Pectin, and Xylan. Furthermore, the isolate Enterobacter cloacae PNE2 enhances seedling growth of Trigonella foenum graceum (fenugreek). Thus, the isolate Enterobacter cloacae PNE2 has significant plant growth promoting characteristics and can be applied in a bio-fertilizer formulation for sustainable agriculture.
Formulation, Development and Characterization of an Eco-Friendly N-P-K Fertilizer with Multi Micronutrient Matrix
Authors: N. V. S Venugopal , G. N. V Mohan Rao.
Published: October 2022

In modern agriculture for receiving better crop yield and plant growth fertilizers are obligatory. Micronutrient support is very essential for balanced crop nutrition. For elevated crop yield the optimal nutrient supply is very much necessary and it is possible only the presence of micronutrient matrix. Minute quantities of micronutrients are required for better physiology of plant kingdom. The purpose of the study was to formulate a new Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium fertilizer with five micronutrients mould. The author developed water soluble (100%) 15-15-15 grade fertilizer with 0.5%Zn,0.5%Mn,0.5%Fe, 0.5%Mg, 0.2%Mo as micronutrients support. The physical properties such as moisture,pH,conductivity ,critical relative humidity etc were studied and found superior as compared to the normal grade without micronutrient support. The presence of Chloride content in the soil diminishes the capacity of the plants to take up water and this results in leaf burn or drying of leaf tissues. The chloride content in the proposed fertilizer is 0.27%. Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium fertilizer fortified with five-micronutrient matrix and its application for finest Plant augmentation shown unsurpassed results and more crop yield. The proposed fertilizer with multi micronutrient matrix shown enhanced physical properties as compared to available branded fertilizers.
Development of Multi-Epitopes Vaccine against Human Papilloma Virus16 Using the L1 and L2 Proteins as Immunogens
Authors: M. Elshafei Abdelmajeed , A. Mahmoud Nuha , A. Almofti Yassir
Published: October 2022

Background: Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) is a small non-enveloped DNA virus is belonging to Papillomaviridae. It usually causes warts and about 60% of cancer diseases. HPV16 genome consists of double-stranded cDNA of six early and two late proteins. This study attempted to design safe and efficient multi epitopes vaccine from structural proteins (L1 and L2) by using various immunoinformatic databases. The results demonstrated that the predicted vaccine comprised of 408aa and validated in terms of antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity and stability by putting all critical parameters into consideration. The physiochemical properties displayed isoelectric point (pl) of 10.37. The instability index (II) was 33.6 categorizing vaccine as stable. The aliphatic index was 63.24 and the GRAVY was −0.652 demonstrating the hydrophilicity of the vaccine. Vaccine structures were predicted, refined and validated. Stability of the vaccine was assessed through Ramachandan plot and further assessed by ProSA server. Vaccine solubility was higher than the solubility of E. coli proteins indicating that the vaccine was soluble. Disulfide engineering increased the vaccine stability by substituting the unstable residues with cysteine residues. Vaccine-TLR4 receptor docking resulted in attractive binding energy of –1274.1 kcal/mol and –1450.4kcal/mol for chain A and chain B of the receptor respectively. Reverse transcription of the vaccine protein into a DNA sequence was performed and cloned into a pET30a (+) vector to confirm the clonability of the sequence during microbial expression. Taken together, the vaccine potentially induced immune responses and thus was suitable as a vaccine to combat HPV16 disease. Nonetheless, the efficiency of vaccines must be approved by in vitro and in vivo immunological analysis.
The Quality Assurance for the PET/CT in Nuclear Medicine - Evaluation of the Daily Quality Control of The Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Hallab Reda , Eddaoui Khalida , Raïs Aouad Nouzha Ben
Published: October 2022

Quality assurance generally refers to the measures taken to ensure that equipment meets international requirements and recommendations. PET/CT quality control is based on measures used to regularly monitor the performance of the installed imaging equipment in terms of image quality and dose and to ensure effective radiation protection. Indeed, the objective of this study is to evaluate the daily quality control, used on of the Positron Emission Tomography “PET” part of the “PET/CT”, after one year without daily quality control knowing that the medical physicist is not present in the institution. Material and methods, it was used the “PET/CT” equipment of the nuclear medicine department of a hospital, and the PET part, the Germanium 68 (Ge-68) source for “QC”, and a questionnaire related to quality assurance and radiation protection distributed in the said department. Results of this study, after the “QC” of the “PET”, some problems were identified; the correction of the defective modules was performed, and answers were collected from the distributed questionnaires. For the discussion, the absence of implementation of a quality assurance program in the nuclear medicine department, including the establishment of daily quality control procedures and radiation safety training, was attributed to the inexistence of a qualified medical physicist, referring to the questionnaire responses. To conclude, quality assurance in a nuclear medicine department and daily quality control of the “PET”, as well as the existence and control of a qualified medical physicist for medical activities with ionizing radiation sources, ensure optimal patient radiation protection.
Numerical and Experimental Analysis of the Anisotropy Evolution in Aluminium Alloys Processed by Asymmetric Rolling
Authors: Vincze Gabriela , Lopes Augusto , Butuc Marilena C. , Yánez Jesús , Lopes Diogo , Holz Laura , Graça Ana , Pereira António B.
Published: October 2022

One of the most important characteristics of the sheet metal is its anisotropy. Asymmetric rolling (ASR) shows to be an adequate process to change the material anisotropy by increasing the normal anisotropy and decreasing the planar anisotropy. In this work, it is analysed the relationship between anisotropy and texture evolution using experimental and numerical approaches. Experimentally, the texture is modified by rolling, involving symmetric (SR), asymmetric rolling continuous (ARC) and asymmetric reverse (ARR) routes and different reductions per pass. The numerical analysis was performed through the visco-plastic self-consistent model where two hardening laws were considered, namely the Voce-type (V) and the dislocation density-based model (DDR). The main objective of the numerical method was to test the performance of the VPSC model for large plastic deformation. The Lankford coefficients decrease in RD and increase in TD with the increase in the total thickness reduction. This trend observed experimentally is well captured by the VPSC model, however, in terms of R-value, an overestimation is observed in both cases with better results for Voce-type law.
October 2022 Critical Care Case of the Month: A Middle-Aged Couple “Not Acting Right”
Authors:   Phoenix Pulmonary and Critical Care Research and Education Foundation, Gilbert, AZ USA, Robbins Richard
Published: October 2022

No abstract available. Manuscript truncated after the first page. History of Present Illness A 62-year-old man and his 61-year-old wife were brought to Emergency Department by family who reported “they’re not acting right”. Both complain of headache, weakness, tiredness, trouble with daily activities and memory difficulties. PMH, SH, and FH They live in a log cabin in a rural area near Payson. The man had a history of myocardial infarction and was post-op percutaneous intervention with stenting 3 years ago. There was no significant PMH in the woman. Both are retired. Neither drank alcohol to excess or smoked. Meds (man only): Enteric-coated aspirin Metoprolol Atorvostatin Physical Examination Vital signs in both are normal Both are oriented X 3 but sluggish and slow to answer. Physical examination is otherwise unremarkable in both. What should be done at this time? 1. CBC, BMP, ABGs 2. CXR 3. EKG 4. 1 and 3 5. All of the above …
Numerical simulations of wave propagation in a stochastic partial differential equation model for tumor–immune interactions
Authors: Mansour Mahmoud B. A. , Hussien Hussien S. , Abobakr Asmaa H.
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we introduce a stochastic partial differential equation model for the spatial dynamic of tumor–immune interactions. We perform numerical simulations in order to investigate the propagation of traveling waves in model system under the influence of random space-time fluctuations. One of methods is to solve a stochastic partial differential equation system for tumor–immune cell densities. The second method is to solve a stochastic partial differential algebraic equation system in order to assess the wave behavior of the solution in comparison with the deterministic approach. Finally, we discuss the implications of the model results.
Performance of hybrid LD/LED system for UWOC link in Baltic Sea
Authors: Abd Mertah N. , Ali Mazin Ali A. , Mohammed Nadheer J.
Published: October 2022

In this paper, the hybrid LD/LED link for the UWOC system is proposed. The Three different wavelengths, namely 715, 532, and 412 nm are adopted as a carrier signal at different water depth variations. A simulation was carried out to assess the quality of the received signal based on bit error rate (BER), quality factor (Q. factor), and data rate. The results indicate that the suggestion system can achieve a good link with different water depths. In addition, the APD PD is better than the PIN PD. The enhancement in the maximum distance link can be achieved with an LD link.
Efficacy of aromatase inhibitor therapy in a case with large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumour-associated prepubertal gynaecomastia
Authors: Kağızmanlı Gözde Akın , Besci Özge , Acinikli Kübra Yüksek , Şeker Gül , Yaşar Elif , Öztürk Yeşim , Demir Korcan , Böber Ece , Abacı Ayhan
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumours (LCCSCTs) are one of the infrequent causes of prepubertal gynaecomastia. Most of these tumours are in the content of Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS) or other familial syndromes (Carney complex).

Case presentation

Here, we report a long-term follow-up of an 8.5-year-old prepubertal boy with a diagnosis of PJS, who presented with bilateral gynaecomastia, advanced bone age and accelerated growth velocity, and were found to have bilateral multifocal testicular microcalcifications. As the findings were compatible with LCCSCT, anastrozole was initiated. Gynaecomastia completely regressed and growth velocity and pubertal development were appropriate for age during follow-up. Testicular lesions slightly increased in size. After four years of medication, anastrozole was discontinued but was restarted due to the recurrence of gynaecomastia after six months.

Conclusions

Testicular tumour should be investigated in a patient with PJS who presents with prepubertal gynaecomastia. When findings are consistent with LCCSCT, aromatase inhibitors may be preferred in the treatment.
A review on optimal UPFC device placement in electric power systems
Authors: Ammar Yasser M. , Elbaset Adel A. , Adail Ahmed S. , Araby Sayed E.L. , Saleh Alaa A.
Published: October 2022

UPFC device is discussed in this paper along with their models and functions. Moreover, the suggested and the complementally approaches in the current research study. As a result, the methods are divided into three divisions, which are sensitivity analysis based methods, conventional optimization based methods and artificial intelligence (AI) based methods. In addition, artificial intelligence based methods plays a major role in reducing the search space region. However, to optimize the resulting benefits, the placement, sizing and parameter of UPFC device should be determined. This paper presents and discusses in depth an overall review of the last two decades’ studies, including proposed and comparative methods and strategies, approaches, objective functions, UPFC device tools utilized, limitations, contingency situations and all parameters evaluated and simulated. This paper also provides an analysis of UPFC’s various benefits and uses of power flow studies, such as, power loss mitigation, system load ability improvement, power system security, enhancement of voltage stability, cost of generation and UPFC installation and utilizing specific optimization techniques. Therefore, a more weighted overview of the proposed method is presented focused on artificial intelligence optimization methods.
Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human health risk assessments of heavy metals contamination in drinking water supplies in Iran: a systematic review
Authors: Marufi Nilufar , Oliveri Conti Gea , Ahmadinejad Parvin , Ferrante Margherita , Mohammadi Ali Akbar
Published: October 2022

The contamination of water due to heavy metals (HMs) is a big concern for humankind; particularly in developing countries. This research is a systematic review, conducted by searching google scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, Springer, and Scopus databases for related published papers from 2010 to July 2021, resulting in including 40 articles. Among the analyzed HMs in the presented review, the average content of Cr, Pb, Ba, Al, As, Zn, and Cd exceeded the permissible limits suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) and 1,053 Iranian standards. Also, the rank order of Hazard Quotient (HQ) of HMs was defined as Cd>As>Cr>Pb>Li for children which means Cd has the highest non-carcinogenic risk and Li has the least. This verifies to the current order As>Cr>Pb>Fe=Zn=Cu>Cd for adults. The corresponded values of HQ and Hazard Index (HI) in most cities and villages were investigated and the results indicated a lower than 1 value, which means consumers are not at non-carcinogenic risk (HQ). Carcinogenic risk (CR) of As in the adult and children consumers in most of the samples (58.82% of samples for both groups) were investigated too, and it was more than>1.00E-04 value, which determines that consumers are at significant CR.
Source, toxicity and carcinogenic health risk assessment of heavy metals
Authors: Budi Hendrik Setia , Catalan Opulencia Maria Jade , Afra Arghavan , Abdelbasset Walid Kamal , Abdullaev Dilmurod , Majdi Ali , Taherian Masoume , Ekrami Hafez Ajam , Mohammadi Mohammad Javad
Published: October 2022

Heavy metals are chemical elements with unique properties that are toxic even in low concentrations and affect human health with different functions. Agricultural and industrial activities, improper disposal of household solid waste and residues related to industrial producers, discharge of household wastewater and agricultural fertilizers are the most important ways in which toxic heavy metals enter the environment, which harms human health and life. A narrative review of the literature was done from 2000 to 2022 based on searched databases included Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer, Web of Science, and Science Direct (Scopus). All relevant studies published 2000 until 2022 gathered. According to the databases, 820 articles were retrieved. 186 and 50 articles were found and selected based on records identified through database searching and additional records identified through other sources. In the next stage, 97 studies were screened after review and 64 full-text articles entered into the analysis process. Finally, 45 articles were selected in this study. Adverse effects of heavy metals on various conditions in the body depend on a number of factors, including dose, route of exposure and chemical species, as well as age, sex, genetics, nutritional status, and duration of exposure to the heavy metal. The existence of significant relationships between long-term and short-term exposure to toxic heavy metals and their adverse effects, including carcinogenicity, has been extensively studied and proven through numerous experiments. However, the mechanisms associated with this complication have not been properly identified, so in future research, there is a great need for comprehensive studies on the carcinogenicity of heavy metals.
Stress-induced headache in the general working population is moderated by the NRCAM rs2300043 genotype
Authors: Sannes Ann-Christin , Christensen Jan Olav , Nielsen Morten Birkeland , Gjerstad Johannes
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Earlier findings suggest that social stress such as abusive supervision may promote pain. In the present study we examine the possible moderating role of genetic variability in the NRCAM gene in this process.

Methods

The data were collected through a national survey drawn from the National Central Employee Register by Statistics Norway. A total of 1,205 individuals returned both the questionnaire and the saliva kit. Abusive supervision was scored by a 5-item version of the Tepper’s 2,000 scale. Headache was measured on a four-category scale; ‘not bothered,’ ‘a little bothered,’ ‘considerably bothered’, ‘seriously bothered’. Genotyping with regards to NRCAM rs2300043 was carried out using Taqman assay. Ordinal logistic regression was used to analyse the data.

Results

For males exposed to abusive supervision, those carrying the rs2300043 CC genotype reported the highest levels of headache. Women showed a trend towards the opposite pattern. Women with the rs2300043 CC genotype seem to have a weaker effect of abusive supervision regarding reported headache than their male counterparts with the CC genotype when exposed to abusive supervision.

Conclusions

The present results indicated that the association between abusive supervision and headache in men with the NRCAM rs2300043 C allele was stronger than in other men. This suggests that the NRCAM genotype in men is important for the tolerance of social stress e.g., repeated negative acts from a superior. In contrast, a trend, though non-significant, towards the opposite pattern was observed in women. Our result suggests that the NRCAM genotype in men manifestly affects stress-induced pain such as headache.
Comparative Study of the Reactivity and Performance of Different Nontraditional and Natural Pozzolans in Cementitious System
Authors: Tokpatayeva R. , Castillo A. , Yoon J. , Kaladharan G. , Jafari K. , Arachchige R. M. , Rajabipour F. , Peethamparan S. , Olek J.
Published: October 2022

The shortage of conventional supplementary cementitious materials opens up the prospect for broader utilization of nontraditional and natural pozzolans (NNPs). The NNPs used in the study included three calcined clays, three volcanic ashes (also referred to as natural pozzolans), three ground bottom ashes, and two fluidized bed combustion ashes. The study focused on assessment of the performance of these NNPs in portland cement systems by evaluating the following parameters: (a) development of the heat of reaction in cement pastes containing 25, 30, and 35 % of NNPs by weight of cement (bwoc) by means of isothermal calorimetry; (b) measurement of the consumption of calcium hydroxide (CH) in cement pastes containing 0, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 % (bwoc) of NNPs after 7, 28, and 56 days of curing using thermogravimetric analysis technique; (c) determination and quantification of the reaction products by quantitative x-ray diffraction in cement pastes containing 0 and 25 % (bwoc) of NNPs after 7, 28, and 56 days of curing; and (d) measurement of the 7- and 28-day compressive strength of mortar cubes. In all cases, the cumulative heat values of pastes containing NNPs were higher than those of reference pastes containing inert fillers, confirming that all NNPs were undergoing pozzolanic reaction. For most of the NNPs, the highest amount of CH consumed was observed in systems with 35 % replacement level. The early-age CH consumption correlated well with the content of alumina in NNPs whereas the later-age data correlated better with the silica content of the NNPs. In terms of compressive strength development, the highest early-age values were observed in mortars containing calcined clays, whereas other NNPs contributed to strength development at latter ages.
Modeling the Particle Breakage via Breakage Energy during Triaxial Shearing
Authors: Jian Fuxian , Li Xiaomei , Guo Wanli
Published: October 2022

Rockfill materials are widely used as foundation in construction and different degrees of particle breakage inevitably show different characteristics. The breakage index (e.g., Marsal breakage index, Bg) of rockfill materials directly measured though experimental method naturally has an intrinsic correlation with the physical description applied by theoretical method (e.g., breakage energy, Eb) for the same process of crushing. Eb back-calculated by the incremental energy equations of Ueng’s models may be violating the law of irreversibility for energy accumulation because they treat the critical friction ratio Mc as a constant. This can be solved by constructing a function express that resets the friction ratio as a variable related to shear strain and critical state friction ratio. By utilizing experimental data of three kinds of granular aggregates, it was found that Bg is proportional to the increase of Eb, regardless of whether shear strains are during shearing or after. The method proposed in this paper can be used to calculate the effect of particle breakage in the whole shear process without multiple tests.
HIV Risk Behaviors and Psychological Well-Being Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Authors: Nemoto Tooru , Xie Hui , Iwamoto Mariko , Piroth Kirsten , Hazratzai Mohammad , Teh Yik Koon
Published: October 2022

HIV risk behaviors and psychological well-being among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (n = 140), were quantitatively described in relation to demographic and psychosocial factors. Most participants were tested for HIV and 41.4% reported living with HIV. Malay participants had significantly higher levels of depression (p < .05), homophobia (p < .01), and needs for social support (p < .01) than Chinese. More Chinese participants reported suicidal thoughts than Malaysians (p < .05). A multivariate analysis revealed that participants with gay/MSM-identified or had lower levels of self-esteem showed significantly higher levels of depression. Future intervention projects should address depression and mental health issues among MSM and strengthen self-esteem and social support through culturally competent support and individual counseling programs (e.g., addressing MSM's conflicts with religious beliefs and norms). Structural changes must be made incrementally to reduce homophobia against MSM in Malaysia while advocating human rights.
Efficacy of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation on Borderline Personality Disorder Core Symptoms: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chiappini Stefania , Picutti Elena , Alessi Maria Chiara , Di Carlo Francesco , D'Andrea Giacomo , Miuli Andrea , Pettorruso Mauro , Martinotti Giovanni , di Giannantonio Massimo
Published: October 2022

Although psychotherapy is the first-line treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD), psychopharmacological agents have not been approved yet. Modulating brain functions with noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), may have a role in the treatment of BPD. In light of the limited knowledge available and the emerging interest in the possible role of NIBS as a therapeutic tool, the authors' main aim is to systematically review the literature on the effect of both rTMS and tDCS on BPD symptoms, specifically affective dysregulation, impulsive-behavioral dyscontrol, and cognitive-perceptual difficulties. The review process was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The research methods were registered on PROSPERO (id code CRD42020209491). Eleven studies were included in the review. Despite the limited number of studies retrieved, preliminary data showed an improvement in all domains. Further studies are needed to understand potential long-term advantages of NIBS.
Identity and Personality Pathology: A Convergence Across the DSM-5 Personality Disorder Model and the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders
Authors: Vizgaitis Alexandra L. , Lenzenweger Mark F.
Published: October 2022

Long-standing theory regarding personality pathology as well as the recently proposed DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) posit that self/identity problems are a hallmark feature cutting across forms of personality pathology. With emergence of the AMPD, researchers have started to focus empirical investigations on identity pathology as a transdiagnostic factor across personality pathology. The current study investigated identity pathology across indicators of personality pathology from both the current categorical perspective (DSM-5 PD) and the dimensional perspective in the AMPD. Identity diffusion and low self-concept clarity were correlated with all PD feature scales and all maladaptive personality dimension scales. Regression analyses revealed most indicators of personality pathology were significant correlates of identity diffusion and low self-concept clarity. Borderline and Avoidant PD feature scales and Negative Affectivity and Detachment maladaptive personality dimension scales emerged as the strongest correlates of identity pathology. The role that identity pathology plays in personality pathology is highlighted.
Insensitivity to Suffering: Psychopathic Traits and Perception of Others' Pain
Authors: Kaseweter Kimberley A. , Browne M. Erin , Prkachin Kenneth M.
Published: October 2022

Despite growing evidence that psychopathy entails reduced emotional processing, the relationship between psychopathic traits and third-person pain perception is poorly understood. This study directly examined perception of others' pain in a sample of male and female students (N = 105) who completed the Self-Report Psychopathy scale (SRP-III) and the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ). Participants watched a video of 60 one-second clips of other people experiencing pain. Following each clip, participants rated the perceived level of pain intensity and pain unpleasantness. Psychopathic traits were unrelated to response bias, suggesting that individuals high in psychopathic traits were no more or less likely to impute pain to others. However, higher levels of psychopathic traits, particularly callous affect and antisocial behavior, were associated with a decreased ability to discriminate others' pain. Sensitivity and response bias were unrelated to TEQ scores. These findings provide novel insights into the influence of psychopathic traits on emotional processing.
Energy Transitions: The Case of Greece with a Special Focus on the Role of the EU ETS
Authors: Vlachou Andriana , Pantelias Georgios
Published: October 2022

Major energy transitions are associated not only with fundamental transformations of the energy sector but also with multidimensional changes in societies. Existing energy systems are heavily implicated in climate change. This paper investigates from an ecosocialist perspective the prevalent high-carbon energy systems in capitalism and their ongoing transformations, with a special focus on Greece as an EU member. Furthermore, it explores whether the EU ETS, in comparison to renewable energy sources (RES) support schemes, created considerable incentives for effective and socially fair transitions to low-carbon systems. Empirical data reveals the enduring high-carbon composition of gross inland energy consumption in Greece while evidence on gross electricity generation by fuel discloses the limited penetration of RES since 1990. The neoliberal design of ETS at the EU level and its poor workings did not induce investments in low carbon technologies. RES support policies have been more significant. However, both have adverse distributional effects, especially on working people since the latter bear the cost of transition for the most part. Effective and fair low-carbon energy transitions need radical social transformation — an ecosocialist path out of capitalism.
Ecosocialism and the Problem of Industrialism
Authors: Huber Matthew T.
Published: October 2022

At the core of ecosocialist theory and politics is a critique of “productivism” — particularly aimed against the actually existing socialist states and their dismal environmental record, thereby allowing ecosocialists to direct attention away from key questions about what industrial production would look like under ecosocialist social relations. Most ecosocialist writing emphasizes repairing the ecological conditions of production and promoting the most obviously sustainable forms of production (e.g., agroecology and renewable energy). The heart of any socialist project is about radically transforming and democratizing production — and this requires putting “ecology” at the heart of theories of the relations and forces of production. Thus, ecosocialism must be “productivist” in the sense that questions of production must be at the forefront (but not in the sense that maximizing production for production's sake). Ecosocialist politics also requires confronting more thorny problems of how to build socialism out of the material conditions that confront us (involving the production of things like steel, cement, minerals, and more).
Social Influence and Autobiographical Recall: Shared Reality and Epistemic Trust Shape Perceptions of Autobiographical Events
Authors: Boytos Abby S. , Costabile Kristi A.
Published: October 2022

Two experiments studied the evaluative adaptation process at the outset of a communication event to examine how autobiographical memory could be shaped by audience attitude, shared reality, and epistemic trust. Experiment 1 found that audience attitude influenced communicator perceptions of their own autobiographical memories and attitudes toward the memory topic. These effects were more pronounced when communicators experienced a shared reality with their audience. Experiment 2 found that epistemic trust in the audience increased shared reality with the audience, which in turn led to greater audience-congruent memory bias in which communicators had memory perceptions and attitudes that were evaluatively consistent with the attitudes of their audience. This project underscores the prevalence of social influence processes in autobiographical recall and identifies how processes that occur at the initial stages of interpersonal communication (i.e., perceived audience attitude, trust, and shared reality) can influence how individuals construe their own life events.
Determinants of creative thinking of IT employees in the context of empirical research
Authors:   Uniwersytet Łódzki, Poland, Lipińska-Grobelny Agnieszka
Published: October 2022

The aim of the presented research was to check what determines the creative thinking of IT employees. The concept is defined with reference to Urban's concept of creativity, the personality conditions are described using Costa and McCrae's five-factor model of personality, while the overview of the environmental conditions is based on Kolb's organisational climate approach. 224 programmers (110 women and 114 men) participated in the study and were asked to complete the following research tools with validated psychometric properties: Urban and Jellen's Test for Creative Thinking - Drawing Performance, Costa and McCrae's NEO-FFI Personality Inventory, and Kolb's Organisational Climate Questionnaire. The data obtained confirms the association of the programmers' creative thinking with openness to experience, conscientiousness and organisational climate, including demands and leadership. Gender modifies the relationships considered. The knowledge gained can help develop training programmes addressed to people who wish to develop their creative potential; it can also create an innovation-friendly organisational culture.
Assessment of soil fertility using the soil fertility index method on several land uses in Tutur District, Pasuruan Regency of East Java
Authors: Sasongko Purnomo Edi , Purwanto Purwanto , Dewi Widyatmani Sih , Hidayat Ramdan
Published: October 2022

Changes in land use have an impact on the level of soil fertility. Soil management, such as land cover systems and the environment, are supporting factors. Assessment of soil fertility index using indicators of soil chemical properties such as organic C, availability of nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and exchangeable cations (K, Ca, Mg, Na). The research was conducted in Tutur District, Pasuruan Regency, with a survey of 5 land uses, i.e., mixed crops, coffee plantations, apple plantations, vegetable fields, secondary forests, and conservation forests. Observations were made on elevation, slope, and vegetation. Parameters of physical properties measured were soil texture and aggregate stability. Observations of chemical properties included organic C, N, P, CEC, exchangeable cation (K, Ca, Mg, Na), and soil pH. Soil Fertility Index (SFI) data were analyzed using the Least Significant Difference method at a 5% level. The results showed the diversity of soil fertility levels obtained from the calculation of the soil fertility index. The soil fertility index value in 5 land uses in Tutur District ranged from 0.67 to 1.00. Coffee plantations had the highest SFI score of 1.00; this condition was supported by an organic C indicator of 6.21% and a CEC value of 39.12 cmol kg-1. Conservation forest is the land use with the lowest SFI value of 0.67. The value of CEC and cation exchange in conservation forests are factors that impact the low value of SFI. 
The conversion of monoculture sugarcane to a tree-based agroforestry system increases total carbon sequestration and soil macrofauna population
Authors: Prayogo Cahyo , Arfarita Novi
Published: October 2022

Vegetations accumulate carbon (C) from the atmosphere in the form of tree biomass, producing litter which then becomes the main input of soil organic matter. The accumulation of soil organic matter provides food and energy for soil macrofauna to help maintain soil fertility. Total C accumulation is affected by land use changes which can then reduce soil ecosystem and ecological functioning. This study examined the impact of land use conversion from monoculture sugarcane to a tree-based agroforestry system. The results showed that the land use changes affected soil texture, bulk density, soil organic matter, and total C sequestration. The total C sequestration under 5 years old sengon (Paraserianthes moluccana) agroforestry system was almost double that of total C sequestration 2 times or even 5 times ratooned monoculture sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). The lowest IVI of soil macrofauna was detected under 1-year-old sengon agroforestry system before it was getting lowered under a longer period of cultivation, whilst the highest population was detected under 5 years old Sengon. Multivariate analysis, which was employed to detect the impact of land use changes, could cluster and group the effect of treatments based on selected variables such as soil physical, chemicals, and soil macrofauna structure and diversity, which accounted for 97.75% of the total variance. There was a strong relationship between the abundance of Formicidae sp. and Carabidae sp.
Response of selected chemical properties of extremely acidic soils on the application of limes, rice husk biochar and zeolite
Authors: Sopha Gina Aliya , Hermanto Catur , Kerckhoffs Huub , Heyes Julian A , Hanly James
Published: October 2022

Extremely acidic soils have low pH, high concentration of exchangeable Al3+ and low cation exchange capacity (CEC) that cause severe growth for most plants. The study was conducted in the soil laboratory of the Indonesian Vegetable Research Institute, Lembang, from June to August 2019. A randomised complete block design with seventeen treatments, three replications, and three incubation times (3, 30 and 60 days) was deployed to assess the effect of rates of soil amendments, namely 5 to 30 t  liming materials ha-1, 5 to 20 t rice husk biochar ha-1, and 5 to 20 t zeolite ha-1 on extremely acidic soils. The results showed that lime materials, i.e., lime, agriculture limestone, and hydrated lime had a similar effect on increasing soil pH and reducing exchangeable Al3+. Calcium super seemed more effective in increasing soil pH and reducing exchangeable Al3+ than local lime due to the high CCE value. However, there was no significant response to the highest rice husk biochar and zeolite rate on soil pH and exchangeable Al3+. Rice husk biochar increased the concentration of K+ and zeolite raised the concentration of Na+. However, the effect was minimal. About 3 t lime ha-1  or 2.5 t calcium super ha-1 or equivalent to 1.5 to 2 times exchangeable Al3+ is required to obtain the soil pH target of 4.8, where the exchangeable Al3+ was less than 0.5 cmol(+) kg-1.
Assessing the effects of water flow patterns on dam construction in degraded tropical peatlands
Authors: Jaya Adi , Baru Franssico H.R.H. , Nahan Alderina Rosalia , Dohong Salampak
Published: October 2022

Tropical peat swamp forest becomes degraded through forest removal and drainage, usually followed by land use change and fire. Restoration of the degraded peatland requires rewetting, which involves canal blocking and water level management. The purpose of canal blocking is to rewet the peat so that peat-forming trees can re-establish or crops be grown with minimal greenhouse gas emissions and peat subsidence. In addition, wet peat is more fire resistant than degraded dry peat. Canal construction faces several technical problems, including stress that causes bending, water seepage under the dam, and erosion of peat by water forcing its way around the sides when the water level upstream exceeds the dam height. This research examined the behaviour of water flows in canals in peatland in Central Kalimantan after blocking with dams of different designs. This study used a survey method and hydraulic physical model test with a horizontal scale of 1:30 and a vertical scale of 1:10. Field measurements were carried out on the primary canal of the former Mega Rice Project (MRP) Block C to build a physical model test prototype for laboratory research, includes measurement of cross-sections, canal length and water flow for a distance of 100 metres upstream and downstream of the construction. The test included three types of the physical model, reviewed for the effect of flow patterns caused by flood discharge frequencies of 5, 25, 50 and 100 years. The effects of flow patterns on canal dam construction in peatland were obtained from the physical model test.
Effect of nitrogen deposition on seed germination of ephemeral species in the cold desert
Authors: Liu Huiliang , Zhang Lingwei , Liu Bo
Published: October 2022

Seed germination is the key initial stage in the plant life cycle and strongly regulated by the external environment. Nitrogen deposition is an important environmental change factor that is increasing and affecting the structure and function of many ecosystems. This research aimed to
investigate the effect of nitrogen deposition on the seed germination of nine ephemeral plants, including seed germination percentage, germination index and seed viability under four levels of nitrogen deposition. The germination percentage of the studied species differed significantly in
response to nitrogen deposition, but nitrogen deposition has almost no significant effect on germination index. This study can provide information on the germination strategy of ephemeral plants in response to increasing nitrogen deposition in future, and the results can guide ecological conservation
in arid areas.
Influences of Teachers, Students and School Climate on Bullying Victimization: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhu Ying , Teng Yiying
Published: October 2022

Given the common occurrence of school bullying incidents and high prevalence rates of victimization in China, this study aims to explore the association between multiple school-related predictors and Chinese adolescents’ overall experiences with bullying victimization. Guided by the social-ecological framework for violence prevention, this study integrated different factors involving teachers, students, and school climate into one single research to detect the bullying problem more systematically and holistically. Further, the study applied the data from the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment while utilizing binary logistic regression analyses to perceive anti-bullying variables and their relationships with bullying victimization. The study revealed that teachers’ emotional, instrumental, and informational support other than appraisal support were negatively associated with students’ experiences of being bullied and victimized. The research also indicated that students’ sense of belonging, a cooperative school environment, and classroom disciplinary climate played a buffering role in bullying victimization while competition in school settings adversely increased overall bullying exposure. The results have highlighted the integration of various predictors in influencing multiple social relations and school environments to battle against in-person bullying. The results also have implications for stopping cyberbullying to achieve inclusive school education for all in the post-COVID-19 era.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health: A Narrative Review
Authors: Bajpai Pavitra , Nasir Shagufta , Prakash Anand
Published: October 2022

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that is serious, lethal, and transmissible. Since December 2019 the aftermath of the COVID-19 has been experienced by millions of global populations in all age groups, i.e., from newborn to elderly, regardless of gender. In consequence, it has triggered widespread apprehension, fear, hopelessness, and stress in the populace. The pandemic has decimated jobs and put at risk millions of livelihoods. The vivid challenges being faced are multifold, e. g., fear, depression, poor physical well-being, economic collapses, educational and professional hardships, domestic violence, family breakdowns, and many more. COVID-19 is a new type of coronavirus that had not been identified in humans previously. There are several behavioral and mental health-related problems increasing in all people due to Coronavirus which are relatively more important than physical well-being. Thus, this paper aims to comprehensively review the current literature on the negative effect of the COVID-19 on behavioral and mental health, as well as pertinent, useful, and effective psychosocial interventions to be provided to the needy and vulnerable brackets of human society. To accomplish this work, relevant and major research papers available on PUBMED and Google Scholar have been searched and reviewed. In addition, a few more chapters and articles (published after the year 2000) have also been reviewed on interventional research to be useful and incorporated. At last, methodological limitations and conclusions focus on a need for more representative research to understand the prevalence of mental health problems among the general population due to pandemics.
A Narrative Review of Groundwater and Soil Pollution
Authors: Luz Jonnie Rhea I
Published: October 2022

In accordance with the migration and transformation laws of pollutants in soil and groundwater, the research progress of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage irrigation is reviewed systematically from three perspectives: the topsoil layer, the underground aquifer, and the unsaturated zone. The results of the study of migration and transformation in various water layers and unsaturated soils illuminate the current research's problems and future directions.
Everyday magic of the ancient Slavs. Essays.
Authors:   NASU Institute of Archaeology, Volodarets-Urbanovych Yaroslav , Gorbanenko Sergiy ,   NASU Institute of Archaeology, Hotun Igor ,   NASU Institute of Archaeology, Kuna Martin ,   NASU Institute of Archaeology, Mykhailyna Lubomyr ,   National preserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”, Puholovok Yuri ,   NASU Institute of Archaeology, Profantová Naďa , Taranenko Sergiy ,   National preserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”, Terpylovskyi Rostyslav ,   Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University
Published: October 2022

The proposed essays describe some aspects of the ancient Slavs’ spiritual life. This book contains ten stories: from the analysis of solar symbolism in the life of ancient Slavs to trying to find the location of the Volos heathen temple in the Kyiv Podil. These essays will help the reader to feel the “laboratory” of studies on archeology at all stages: identification of archeological materials, use of natural sciences methods, and involvement of written and ethnographic sources. And as a consequence get the synthesis of new ideas and interesting well-grounded conclusions. For those who are interested in our history, archaeologists, historians, ethnographers, local history experts, lecturers, and students of universities.
Scales of Analysis: the Usage of Appropriate Magnification in Use-Wear Studies
Authors:   PhD, Associate Professor, Palaeo- Research Institute, University of Johannesburg, Bradfield Justin
Published: October 2022

The interpretative potential of microscopic use-wear polishes is a factor of the scale of analysis. Observational surface area decreases in inverse proportion to magnification. In this paper I present the results of polishes on bone tools that have developed from fricative contact with nine different materials. Microwear polish is viewed at five different magnifications. I show that 50x―200x magnification, or observational areas of 0.4―2.0 mm2, is the most appropriate scale of analysis of use-wear polishes regardless of whether one is conducting morphological identifications or relying on surface texture analysis software. The images presented here are meant to serve as an online reference collection to allow use-wear analysts to visualise how polish appearances change at different levels of magnification.