bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Who Drives Carbon Neutrality in China? Text Mining and Network Analysis
Authors: Yang Binbin , Park Sang-Do
Published: March 2023

China has recently declared its role as a leading developing country in actively practicing carbon neutrality. In fact, its carbon-neutral policy has accelerated from a gradual and macroscopic perspective and has been actively pursued given the changes not only in the overall social system but also in its impact on various stakeholders. This study analyzed the patterns of carbon neutrality (CN) and the actors of policy promotion in China from a long-term perspective. It collected policy discourses related to CN posted on Chinese websites from 2000 to 2022 and conducted text mining and network analysis. The results revealed that the pattern of CN promotion in China followed an exploration–demonstration–industrialization–digitalization model, similar to other policies. Moreover, the policy promotion sector developed in the direction of unification–diversification–specialization. Analysis of policy promotion actors found that enterprises are the key driver of continuous CN. In addition, the public emerged as a critical actor in promoting CN during the 12th–13th Five-Year Plans (2011–2020). Moreover, the central government emerged as a key driving actor of CN during the 14th Five-Year Plan. This was a result of the emphasis on efficiency in the timing and mission process of achieving CN. Furthermore, based on the experience of COVID-19, the rapid transition of Chinese society toward CN emphasizes the need for a central government with strong executive power. Based on these results, this study presents constructive suggestions for carbon-neutral development in China.
Local versus Foreign Worker Perceptions, Commitment and Attitudes toward Careers in Restaurants and Cafés: Evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sobaih Abu Elnasr E. , Elnasr Ahmed E. Abu
Published: March 2023

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) heavily relies on expatriates to meet the needs of their labor market, especially in the private sector. Nonetheless, to reduce the increasing rate of unemployment the government has recently implemented a new Saudization quota in restaurants/cafés. The new Saudization policy aims to replace foreign workers with up to 50% locals. This research takes the first attempt to examine the perceptions, commitment, and attitudes of local workers, who newly joined this career after the new quota in October 2021, versus foreign workers toward careers in restaurants/cafés. A quantitative research approach was used, including a self-administered questionnaire for a sample of 408 local workers and 455 foreign workers in a random sample of restaurants/cafés. The results showed statistically significant differences between local and foreign workers in relation to nature of work, perceived social status, working conditions, career development, relationship with managers and co-workers and commitment to a career in restaurants/cafés. Despite foreign workers having higher education and experience in comparison to their local counterparts, they received less compensation, albeit they have positive perceptions, attitudes, and commitment to a career in restaurants/cafés. The negative perceptions, attitudes and commitment to a career in restaurants and cafés held by newly joined local workers have several implications for scholars and practitioners in the restaurant business. It is crucial that restaurant managers in KSA recognize the heterogeneity of their restaurant/café workers, especially after the new Saudization quota, for proper management of their human assets and sustainable performance.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning in Energy Management Systems, Control, and Optimization of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
Authors: Fayyazi Mojgan , Sardar Paramjotsingh , Thomas Sumit Infent , Daghigh Roonak , Jamali Ali , Esch Thomas , Kemper Hans , Langari Reza , Khayyam Hamid
Published: March 2023

Environmental emissions, global warming, and energy-related concerns have accelerated the advancements in conventional vehicles that primarily use internal combustion engines. Among the existing technologies, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles may have minimal contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and thus are the prime choices for environmental concerns. However, energy management in fuel cell electric vehicles and fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles is a major challenge. Appropriate control strategies should be used for effective energy management in these vehicles. On the other hand, there has been significant progress in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and designing data-driven intelligent controllers. These techniques have found much attention within the community, and state-of-the-art energy management technologies have been developed based on them. This manuscript reviews the application of machine learning and intelligent controllers for prediction, control, energy management, and vehicle to everything (V2X) in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The effectiveness of data-driven control and optimization systems are investigated to evolve, classify, and compare, and future trends and directions for sustainability are discussed.
Policymaker and Practitioner Perceptions of Parks for Health and Wellbeing: Scoping a Holistic Approach
Authors: Lin Brenda B. , Thompson Susan , Mitchell Richard , Astell-Burt Thomas , De Leeuw Evelyne , Jalaludin Bin , Feng Xiaoqi
Published: March 2023

Urban parks provide a multitude of health benefits for citizens navigating the challenges of 21st-century living. And while this is well known by both scholars and practitioners, there is less understanding about the differential impacts of park size, type of facilities, community accessibility, and management. This is the central concern of the research reported here, which is a part of a larger project titled ‘Better Parks, Healthier for All?’ funded under the UKRI-NHMRC Built Environment and Prevention Research Scheme 2019. Within this broader context, the current paper discusses the results of a focus group to better understand how different park qualities promote physical and mental health. Using a COVID-safe research approach, we brought key park providers, park policymakers, and green and open space designers from New South Wales, Australia, together to participate in an online focus group in May 2021. The recruitment was based on the domain expertise and practitioner knowledge of the issues at hand. The ensuing discussion canvassed three areas of interest: What is park quality? How is park quality associated with health? How can we assess park quality and its ability to deliver health outcomes? A thematic analysis of the group’s deliberations reveals a very holistic appreciation of park quality. The ability of a park network to provide a range of health outcomes is central to this view, with each park playing a role in delivering different benefits across the network. Our findings indicate that there are many opportunities to enhance the myriad of benefits and multiple ways to gain them. Co-design is essential to ensure that parks best suit the local context and provide relevant benefits to all stakeholders. In this way, local communities can gain ownership and enhanced agency in relation to using and enjoying their parks. We conclude that delivering locally networked parks and associated spaces for community health and wellbeing are essential in the broader context of global environmental sustainability.
Will the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak Intensify the Resource Misallocation in China’s Food Production?
Authors: Sun Ying , Fan Jin , Jia Weiguo
Published: March 2023

Resource misallocation is one of the important manifestations of agricultural supply-side distortion and an important causal factor that hinders food production increase and affects food security. Did the COVID-19 pandemic intensify China’s food production misallocation? The extent and consequences require quantitative assessment and scenario analysis. In this paper, we use a combination of input-output model and computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, and further incorporate the most important input factor in agriculture—intermediate inputs—into the model. At the same time, simulation of the pandemic impact from the demand and supply sides, respectively, and scenario analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on China’s food production. The results of the study show that: first, compared with the baseline level before the epidemic, the overall TFP growth of China’s food industry chain decreased, and the TFP growth rate of the food distribution sector decreased most significantly. Second, there are significant factor misallocation distortions of capital, labor, and intermediate inputs. Third, in the short term, the period of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in the vitality of the national labor market, but the return of non-farm employed labor in rural areas instead reduced the degree of labor misallocation in the food sector. Fourth, the demand side has a greater impact on China’s food production, among which the consumer demand has a particularly strong impact on the resource allocation of food production, and the short-term shock will mainly have a more obvious impact on the allocation of labor factors and the allocation of intermediate input factors in the food industry chain. Accordingly, this paper proposes that in order to guarantee China’s food security and adapt to the short-term characteristics of the era when the COVID-19 pandemic is rampant, China should make efforts in four areas: rational allocation of food production resources and factors, solid construction of the whole food industry chain, stable guarantee of the food market system and transfer to enhance social expectations.
Sustainability Model for the Continuous Intention to Use Metaverse Technology in Higher Education: A Case Study from Oman
Authors: Salloum Said , Al Marzouqi Amina , Alderbashi Khaled Younis , Shwedeh Fanar , Aburayya Ahmad , Al Saidat Mohammed Rasol , Al-Maroof Rana Saeed
Published: March 2023

This paper investigates adopting metaverse in academic institutions based on a conceptual model. The proposed conceptual model was created to empower future perspectives of the metaverse system. Even though the metaverses system was just recently launched, few attempts have been made to evaluate its impact on the educational sector. This paper attempted to determine the impact of metaverse system by providing a conceptual model that encompasses innovativeness, context awareness, perceived enjoyment, ubiquity, complexity, and value. The information was gathered using an online questionnaire completed by 953 people. The findings indicate that an innovative academic environment can influence teachers’ and students’ attitudes toward new technology. Understanding how the metaverse system functions as an innovative educational tool can influence students’ views regarding the use of new technology, assisting higher education institutions in developing regulations that enhance the learning process. As a result, the study discovered that the moderating impact of’ innovativeness is critical since it contributes to the pervasiveness of users’ perceptions of adopting new technology. The findings show that inventiveness is important in determining the metaverse system’s effectiveness. However, apparent ubiquity appears to have a less effective function in promoting the use of the metaverse system. The factors of context-awareness, perceived complexity and perceived enjoyment possess a substantial impact on the metaverse system’s adoption. Researchers have gained some insight into how university leaders can use current findings to spread awareness about the metaverse system in the educational environment by organizing seminars and workshops, offering incentives for teachers to use it, and allowing experts to assist teachers in better understanding the system’s benefits.
Renewable Energy Consumption and Economic Growth—Special Issue
Authors: Fuinhas José Alberto , Koengkan Matheus , de Barros Santiago Renato Filipe
Published: March 2023

The world is currently facing a critical environmental crisis, and the shift toward renewable energy sources has become increasingly urgent [...]
Yellow Fever Virus Maintained by Sabethes Mosquitoes during the Dry Season in Cerrado, a Semiarid Region of Brazil, in 2021
Authors: de Oliveira Cirilo H. , Andrade Miguel S. , Campos Fabrício S. , da C. Cardoso Jader , Gonçalves-dos-Santos Maria Eduarda , Oliveira Ramon Silva , Aquino-Teixeira Sandy Micaele , Campos Aline AS , Almeida Marco AB , Simonini-Teixeira Danilo , da P. Sevá Anaiá , Temponi Andrea Oliveira Dias , Magalhães Fernando Maria , da Silva Menezes Agna Soares , Lopes Bartolomeu Teixeira , Almeida Hermes P. , Pedroso Ana Lúcia , Gonçalves Giovani Pontel , Chaves Danielle Costa Capistrano , de Menezes Givaldo Gomes , Bernal-Valle Sofía , Müller Nicolas FD , Janssen Luis , dos Santos Edmilson , Mares-Guia Maria A. , Albuquerque George R. , Romano Alessandro PM , Franco Ana C. , Ribeiro Bergmann M. , Roehe Paulo M. , Lourenço-de-Oliveira Ricardo , de Abreu Filipe Vieira Santos
Published: March 2023

In recent decades, waves of yellow fever virus (YFV) from the Amazon Rainforest have spread and caused outbreaks in other regions of Brazil, including the Cerrado, a savannah-like biome through which YFV usually moves before arriving at the Atlantic Forest. To identify the vectors involved in the maintenance of the virus in semiarid environments, an entomological survey was conducted after confirmation of yellow fever (YF) epizootics at the peak of the dry season in the Cerrado areas of the state of Minas Gerais. In total, 917 mosquitoes from 13 taxa were collected and tested for the presence of YFV. Interestingly, mosquitoes of the Sabethes genus represented 95% of the diurnal captured specimens, displaying a peak of biting activity never previously recorded, between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Molecular analysis identified three YFV-positive pools, two from Sabethes chloropterus—from which near-complete genomes were generated—and one from Sa. albiprivus, whose low viral load prevented sequencing. Sa. chloropterus was considered the primary vector due to the high number of copies of YFV RNA and the high relative abundance detected. Its bionomic characteristics allow its survival in dry places and dry time periods. For the first time in Brazil, Sa. albiprivus was found to be naturally infected with YFV and may have played a role as a secondary vector. Despite its high relative abundance, fewer copies of viral RNA were found, as well as a lower Minimum Infection Rate (MIR). Genomic and phylogeographic analysis showed that the virus clustered in the sub-lineage YFVPA-MG, which circulated in Pará in 2017 and then spread into other regions of the country. The results reported here contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology and mechanisms of YFV dispersion and maintenance, especially in adverse weather conditions. The intense viral circulation, even outside the seasonal period, increases the importance of surveillance and YFV vaccination to protect human populations in affected areas.
The Enigma of Lymphocyte Apoptosis in the Response to Influenza Virus Infection
Authors: Roberts Norbert J.
Published: March 2023

In the pathogenesis of influenza virus infection, lymphocyte apoptosis as a part of the infection and/or the immune response to the virus can be somewhat puzzling. The percentage of human T lymphocytes within the peripheral blood mononuclear cell population that becomes apoptotic greatly exceeds the percentage that are infected after exposure to the virus, consistent with substantial apoptosis of bystander T lymphocytes. Studies reveal an important role of viral neuraminidase expression by co-cultured monocyte/macrophages in induction of apoptosis, including that of uninfected bystander lymphocytes. Despite these observations, it is a reasonable perspective to recognize that the development of lymphocyte apoptosis during the response to infection does not preclude a successful immune response and recovery of the infected host in the great majority of cases. Further investigation is clearly warranted to understand its role in the pathogenesis of influenza virus infection for human subjects.
Hemagglutinin Antibodies in the Polish Population during the 2019/2020 Epidemic Season
Authors: Szymański Karol , Kondratiuk Katarzyna , Hallmann Ewelina , Poznańska Anna , Brydak Lidia B.
Published: March 2023

The aim of the study was to determine the level of antibodies against hemagglutinin of influenza viruses in the serum of subjects belonging to seven different age groups in the 2019/2020 epidemic season. The level of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies was tested using the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) test. The tests included 700 sera from all over Poland. Their results confirmed the presence of antibodies against the following influenza virus antigens: A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09 (48% of samples), A/Kansas/14/2017/ (H3N2) (74% of samples), B/Colorado/06/ 2017 Victoria line (26% of samples), and B/Phuket/3073/2013 Yamagata line (63% of samples). The level of antibodies against hemagglutinin varied between the age groups. The highest average (geometric mean) antibody titer (68.0) and the highest response rate (62%) were found for the strain A/Kansas/14/2017/ (H3N2). During the epidemic season in Poland, only 4.4% of the population was vaccinated.
Stability of SARS-CoV-2 in Biological Fluids of Animals
Authors: Kwon Taeyong , Gaudreault Natasha N. , Cool Konner , McDowell Chester D. , Morozov Igor , Richt Juergen A.
Published: March 2023

Since its first emergence in 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has continued to evolve genetically, jump species barriers, and expand its host range. There is growing evidence of interspecies transmission including infection of domestic animals and widespread circulation in wildlife. However, knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 stability in animal biological fluids and their role in transmission is still limited as previous studies focused on human biological fluids. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 stability in biological fluids from three animal species, cats, sheep and white-tailed deer (WTD). Saliva, feces, 10% fecal suspensions, and urine of cats, sheep, and WTD were mixed with a known concentration of virus and incubated under indoor and three different climatic conditions. Our results show that the virus was stable for up to 1 day in the saliva of cats, sheep, and WTD regardless of the environmental conditions. The virus remained infectious for up to 6 days in feces and 15 days in fecal suspension of WTD, whereas the virus was rather unstable in cat and sheep feces and fecal suspensions. We found the longest survival of SARS-CoV-2 in the urine of cats, sheep, and WTD. Furthermore, side-by-side comparison with different SARS-CoV-2 strains showed that the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of concern were less stable than the ancestral Wuhan-like strain in WTD fecal suspension. The results of our study provide valuable information for assessing the potential role of various animal biological fluids in SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Malignancy Diagnosis and Treatment: Never the Same but Lessons Learned
Authors: Katato Ghadir K. , Sitaula Prasiksha , Gupte Avanti , Al-Antary Eman T.
Published: March 2023

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic affected the pediatric oncology population globally. Over the course of 2 years, increasing reports have been made to better understand this entity and its pathologic complications on these patients. The pandemic has allowed healthcare providers, hospital systems, and leading oncologic societies to quickly adapt and formulate new guidelines for the effective understanding, management, and treatment of patients with pediatric malignancy.
Deep Structural Analysis of Myriads of Omicron Sub-Variants Revealed Hotspot for Vaccine Escape Immunity
Authors: Gerardi Valeria , Rohaim Mohammed A. , Naggar Rania F. El , Atasoy Mustafa O. , Munir Muhammad
Published: March 2023

The emergence of the Omicron variant has reinforced the importance of continued SARS-CoV-2 evolution and its possible impact on vaccine effectiveness. Specifically, mutations in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) are critical to comprehend the flexibility and dynamicity of the viral interaction with the human agniotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. To this end, we have applied a string of deep structural and genetic analysis tools to map the substitution patterns in the S protein of major Omicron sub-variants (n = 51) with a primary focus on the RBD mutations. This head-to-head comparison of Omicron sub-variants revealed multiple simultaneous mutations that are attributed to antibody escape, and increased affinity and binding to hACE2. Our deep mapping of the substitution matrix indicated a high level of diversity at the N-terminal and RBD domains compared with other regions of the S protein, highlighting the importance of these two domains in a matched vaccination approach. Structural mapping identified highly variable mutations in the up confirmation of the S protein and at sites that critically define the function of the S protein in the virus pathobiology. These substitutional trends offer support in tracking mutations along the evolutionary trajectories of SAR-CoV-2. Collectively, the findings highlight critical areas of mutations across the major Omicron sub-variants and propose several hotspots in the S proteins of SARS-CoV-2 sub-variants to train the future design and development of COVID-19 vaccines.
Adsorption of Reactive Red 120 Dye by Polyamide Nylon 6 Microplastics: Isotherm, Kinetic, and Thermodynamic Analysis
Authors: Afmataj Desara , Kordera Olympia , Maragkaki Angeliki , Tzanakakis Vasileios A. , Pashalidis Ioannis , Kalderis Dimitrios , Anastopoulos Ioannis
Published: March 2023

In this work, we investigated the effect of various adsorption parameters (solution pH, temperature, contact time, and the presence of phosphate and nitrate ions) on the adsorption of Reactive Red 120 (RR120) dye by Polyamide Nylon 6 (PN6) microplastics (MPs). Maximum uptake was achieved at pH 2.0, and the temperature rise from 295 to 313 K resulted in the decrease of the RR120 sorption by PN6. Equilibrium was achieved after 7 h, and the adsorption kinetic data obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The experimental adsorption data were better fitted by the Langmuir isotherm model, and the qm was found to be 3.96 mg/g at pH 2.0 and 295 K. Thermodynamic studies pointed out that the adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic, with decreasing entropy at the solution/solid interface. Future work will focus on the effect of aging on the adsorptive properties of PN6 toward RR120 dye.
Analysis of Runoff according to Land-Use Change in the Upper Hutuo River Basin
Authors: Liu Bin , Yang Jie , Sha Jinxia , Luo Yun , Zhao Xian , Liu Ruiting
Published: March 2023

Land use affects regional hydrological processes. The alteration of regional distributions of vegetation, crop types, and land-use patterns for construction has a significant impact on the runoff process and influences the water cycle in watersheds. Studies on runoff variations in the Hutuo River Basin have concentrated on climate change and the effect of human activities without adequate attention paid to land-use changes. In order to investigate the response of runoff to land-use changes in the upper Hutuo River Basin, a soil and water assessment model was used in this study to compare and analyze the changes in runoff under five land-use scenarios from 1980–2020. The results show that the area of farmland, forest land, and grassland in the watershed gradually decreased from 1980 to 2020, with a total decrease of 3.1%, while the area of urban construction land increased rapidly by 1.5 times. Corresponding with the trend of land-use change, the differences between the simulated and natural values for regional flood peak and annual runoff increased with time, which is in line with the changing land-use trends. From 1960–2020, the differences between the simulated and natural values for the flood peaks of the five land-use scenarios were −16.8, −6.7, −3.5, 4.6, and 9.3%, respectively, and the errors between the simulated and natural values for annual runoff were −6.7, −4.4, −2.0, −2.6, and 10.8%, respectively. Overall, the increase in urban construction land and decrease in farming, forest area, and grassland has caused the regional flood peak and annual runoff volume to increase in the upper Hutuo River Basin.
Assessment of the Current Trophic Status of the Southern Baikal Littoral Zone
Authors: Domysheva Valentina , Vorobyeva Svetlana , Golobokova Ludmila , Netsvetaeva Olga , Onischuk Natalia , Sakirko Maria , Khuriganova Olga , Fedotov Andrey
Published: March 2023

Eutrophication is a major ecological problem and affects and endangers freshwater bodies, making assessment of the trophic status of water bodies crucial for their restoration and sustainable use. Lake Baikal is affected by a number of environmental stressors, including coastal eutrophication. Daily measurements of concentrations of nutrients, dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), weekly measurements of algae abundance and biomass in the open water season in June-December 2020, and measurements of concentrations of nutrients at 2–7-day intervals in June-October 2021 were made in the littoral of the South Baikal for the first time. It was shown that nitrate and phosphate concentrations decreased by July-August, their minimum content was maintained until September, concentrations began to increase in October and reached a maximum in December. The maximum abundance and biomass of algae and chlorophyll concentrations were only observed in early July. Storm situations increased the content of nitrogen, phosphorus and DO in water, the duration of their influence was not more than 2 days. A correlation matrix revealed significant positive correlations of NO3−-DO, phosphate (SPR)-NO3−, SRP-DO and biomass-Chl-a and strong negative correlations between water temperature (Tw)-DO, Tw-NO3−, Tw-total nitrogen (TN) and Tw-SRP. Based on SRP and NO3− concentrations and TN:TP ratios, it was concluded that algal development was limited to nitrogen and phosphorus in summer. The trophic status of the Southern Baikal littoral zone was assessed using classifications based on TN, TP, NO3−, SRP, Chl-a content and algal biomass, as well as the Carlson index (TSI) and probabilistic assessment. The results of assessments using different methods of trophic status determination showed that the Baikal littoral zone in the study area belongs to the oligotrophic type with minor elements of mesotrophy. According to the saprobity index, water purity of littoral waters varies within the oligosaprobic and β-mesosaprobic zones and corresponded to quality classes II and III (clean and moderate purity); the system demonstrates a high capacity for self-purification.
Soil Nutrient Distribution and Preferential Flow Transport Patterns in Robinia Pseudoacacia Communities of Degraded Wetlands
Authors: Zhao Shiqiang , Wang Jingwen , Zhang Mingxiang
Published: March 2023

The Yellow River Delta wetlands in the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve are facing serious degradation due to water scarcity and soil salinization. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of wetland degradation by analyzing the small-scale distribution of soil nutrients and preferential flow transport patterns in the Robinia Pseudoacacia community, which is a typical vegetation community in degraded wetlands. Soil physical and chemical properties based on field staining experiments were analyzed, and indoor solute penetration experiments were conducted to investigate the distribution of soil nutrients and hydrological characteristics. The results showed that the contents of soil organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus decreased with increasing soil depth, with higher contents in the preferential flow area than in the matrix flow area. Soil organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and available phosphorus showed positive correlations with each other, while soil pH and conductivity exhibited negative correlations with the above nutrients. The efflux rate of the Acacia community exhibited a gradual decline as soil depth increased, and the relative concentration of the solution exhibited a non-monotonic pattern of decrease, increase, and subsequent decrease with increasing soil depth. The findings could provide valuable guidance for the restoration and management of degraded wetlands in the Yellow River Delta.
Post Audit of Groundwater Model Predictions under Changing Conditions
Authors: Kidmose Jacob , Troldborg Lars , Refsgaard Jens Christian
Published: March 2023

Post audits of hydrological or groundwater models are the last part of the modelling protocol, where the original model predictions are tested using new data obtained after a certain period. The evaluation of model predictions and associated predictive uncertainty was performed by comparing an original hydrological model, a model with post audited geology, and a model with post audited geology and calibrated against new types of observation data. The post audit showed original model predictions close to what was observed (in terms of abstracted volumes necessary to lower a shallow groundwater table). In contrast to the robust original model predictions, the original model underestimated the predictive uncertainty compared to the assessments of uncertainty using the new and updated post audit model. To ensure a robust model evaluation, we propose a four-step post audit protocol, including (1) testing the validity of the original model predictions with new data, (2) estimating the predictive uncertainty of the original model, (3) producing a new post audit model(s) based on revising the conceptual model and calibration, and (4) assessing the predictive uncertainty of the new post audit models. The work presented here was motivated by the lack of studies that, after a certain time, have re-evaluated model predictions (post audit) with new data.
Can Heat-Activated Peroxymonosulfate Be Used as a Pretreatment to Mitigate Fouling for Membrane Distillation: Performance of Individual Organics?
Authors: Liu Mingxiang , Zhang Lei , Han Le , Mei Caihua , Xu Changwen , Yuan Rui , Geng Chunxia
Published: March 2023

Heat-activated persulfate preoxidation was recently proposed as a potential approach to mitigate membrane fouling in membrane distillation (MD) for treating actual water. However, the possible mitigation mechanism involved has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we explored the relationship between membrane fouling and the pretreatment of natural organic matter (NOM) solutions with peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Individual humic acid (HA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and sodium alginate (SA) contaminants were chosen as model NOM samples. The degradation efficiency of heat-activated PMS preoxidation was investigated. The removal rates of organic contaminants improved as the PMS dose and activation temperature of the feed increased. Specific flux (J/J0) measurements coupled with multiple characterizations were performed to assess the fouling behavior. The fouling data showed that when pretreatment was conducted without PMS, pure HA caused the most severe fouling, followed by pure BSA, whereas pure SA caused almost no membrane fouling. After PMS preoxidation, the oxidation products of the NOM unexpectedly caused more fouling, despite the reduction in the amount of the NOM. Further work is needed to evaluate fouling mitigation when working with complex streams.
Forecasting Long-Series Daily Reference Evapotranspiration Based on Best Subset Regression and Machine Learning in Egypt
Authors: Elbeltagi Ahmed , Srivastava Aman , Al-Saeedi Abdullah Hassan , Raza Ali , Abd-Elaty Ismail , El-Rawy Mustafa
Published: March 2023

The estimation of reference evapotranspiration (ETo), a crucial step in the hydrologic cycle, is essential for system design and management, including the balancing, planning, and scheduling of agricultural water supply and water resources. When climates vary from arid to semi-arid, and there are problems with a lack of meteorological data and a lack of future information on ETo, as is the case in Egypt, it is more important to estimate ETo precisely. To address this, the current study aimed to model ETo for Egypt’s most important agricultural governorates (Al Buhayrah, Alexandria, Ismailiyah, and Minufiyah) using four machine learning (ML) algorithms: linear regression (LR), random subspace (RSS), additive regression (AR), and reduced error pruning tree (REPTree). The Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) was used to gather daily climate data variables from 1979 to 2014. The datasets were split into two sections: the training phase, i.e., 1979–2006, and the testing phase, i.e., 2007–2014. Maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), and solar radiation (SR) were found to be the three input variables that had the most influence on the outcome of subset regression and sensitivity analysis. A comparative analysis of ML models revealed that REPTree outperformed competitors by achieving the best values for various performance matrices during the training and testing phases. The study’s novelty lies in the use of REPTree to estimate and predict ETo, as this algorithm has not been commonly used for this purpose. Given the sparse attempts to use this model for such research, the remarkable accuracy of the REPTree model in predicting ETo highlighted the rarity of this study. In order to combat the effects of aridity through better water resource management, the study also cautions Egypt’s authorities to concentrate their policymaking on climate adaptation.
Assessing the Effect of a Newly Implemented Basic Wastewater Discharge Standard on the Concentrations of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in the Daqing River Basin, China
Authors: Xie Jingyi , Pan Yaran , Zheng Boyang , Liu Yufei , Li Haixiao , Wu Yufeng , Li Lirong , Shan Zhao , Xin Kailing , Wang Naili , Zhang Bo , Lu Xueqiang
Published: March 2023

Wastewater discharge standards often play a crucial role in water environmental management. However, most of these standards only focus on conventional water pollutants such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), ammonia (NH3-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP). It is unclear if there is an impact on the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). The Daqing River Basin is an important water system in China. In 2018, a new wastewater discharge standard for the Daqing River Basin (DB 13/2795–2018) was issued, which mainly limits the discharge of conventional water pollutants, including COD (20–40 mg L−1), BOD5 (4–10 mg L−1), NH3-N (1–2 mg L−1), TN (10–15 mg L−1), and TP (0.2–0.4 mg L−1). Herein, we evaluated the performance of the new wastewater discharge standard, especially the effect on the removal of PPCPs. We characterized the occurrence of PPCPs and the resulting ecological impact in the basin, and compared the occurrence of PPCPs before (2017) and after (2021) implementation of the standard. A total of 16 PPCPs were detected, of which diclofenac, carbamazepine, ibuprofen, and bezafibrate pose risks to crustaceans and fish in the basin. A positive impact from the implemented standard, on the removal of some PPCPs, was confirmed, especially for lincomycin and trimethoprim.
Natural Bioactive Phytocompounds to Reduce Toxicity in Common Carp Cyprinus carpio: A Challenge to Environmental Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials
Authors: Noureen Aasma , Jabeen Farhat , Wajid Abdul , Kazim Muhammad Zafarullah , Safdar Nafeesa , Cappello Tiziana
Published: March 2023

Nanomaterials, due to their large aspect-to-size ratio and reactive surfaces that facilitate their access through biological barriers, can induce oxidative stress in host cells. Therefore, there is a growing concern about the biological risks of nanomaterials. This study investigated the biological effects of copper (1.5 mg/L) as CuO or nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) in common carp Cyprinus carpio along with the beneficial effects of Myristiga fragrans seed extract (MFSE) administrated as post-treatment at different doses (4 or 8 or 12 mg/L) for 28 days. The MFSE exhibited a protective role by reducing in a dose-dependent manner the bioaccumulation of Cu level in CuO (from 2.46 to 1.03 µg/Kg in gills; from 2.44 to 1.06 µg/Kg in kidney) and Cu-NPs treated carps (from 2.44 to 1.23 µg/Kg in gills; from 2.47 to 1.09 µg/Kg in kidney) as well as modulating different blood parameters. A mitigation of the histological alterations induced by CuO and Cu-NPs exposure in carp gills (i.e., primary and secondary lamellar degeneration, lamellar fusion, necrosis) and kidneys (i.e., abnormal glomerulus, tubular injury, necrosis) was also observed after MFSE administration. The dietary supplementation of MFSE modulated also the antioxidant defense of carps with respect to the elevated levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione (GST) and the reduced catalase (CAT) induced by CuO and Cu-NPs. Overall, the CuO and Cu-NPs-induced toxicity in C. carpio was mitigated by using MFSE. Further studies are suggested to determine the optimum dose and delivery method of MFSE to guarantee a sustainable conservation of aquatic species.
On a Problem of Marine Current Velocity Estimation from Microwave Radar Data
Authors: Sergievskaya Irina , Ermakov Stanislav , Plotnikov Leonid , Kapustin Ivan , Kupaev Alexander
Published: March 2023

The paper is devoted to the problem of estimating marine current velocity from microwave radar data, one of the important tasks of sea remote sensing. We present some results of simultaneous measurements of radar scatterers velocities and sea current and wind velocities. Radar scatterers velocities were measured using a dual-polarized (VV/HH) Doppler radar operating in S/C/X bands. The experiments were carried out in the coastal zone of the Black Sea at moderate incidence angles (30–70 degrees). It was obtained that the subsurface current velocity (current in the upper layer of ten centimeters) retrieved from the Bragg component of the radar return can be used to estimate changes in marine current (a part of the sea current that is not related to the wind) at constant wind speed. The subsurface current velocity is found as a vector sum of the current velocity measured at a depth of 1 m and the wind component equal to 1–3% of the wind speed. Possibilities of estimating the current velocity from VV/HH/PD data are analyzed.
Using Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Frequency Ratio Technique for Revealing Groundwater Prospective Areas at Wadi Al Hamdh Watershed, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abdekareem Mohamed , Abdalla Fathy , Al-Arifi Nassir , Bamousa Abdullah O. , El-Baz Farouk
Published: March 2023

For socioeconomic development in arid regions, there is an increasing need for groundwater resources due to rapid population expansion. It is necessary to apply innovative approaches for managing the sustainability of groundwater resources. Thus, remote sensing, geologic, climatic, and hydrologic data are integrated through the GIS-based frequency ratio and overlay analysis for assessing the spatial distribution of groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) of Wadi Al Hamdh, Saudi Arabia. Twelve factors controlling groundwater’s existence and infiltration were identified, normalized using the frequency ratio technique and combined through GIS techniques. To accomplish this, 313 well locations in the study area were used for training (70%) and 137 well locations were utilized for validation (30%). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and field data, the model predictions were validated and showed very good performance (AUC: 0.893). The five zones on the GWPZs map correspond to 2.24, 5.81, 13.39, 53.90, and 24.65% of the entire area. These are: excellent, good, moderate, low, and very low perspectivity. As a good example, the applied approaches provided very good results that are significant to planning and sustainable development as well as managing groundwater resources in arid regions.
Retrofitting Vertical Slot Fish Pass with Brush Blocks: Hydraulics Performance
Authors: Kucukali Serhat , Alp Ahmet , Albayrak Ismail
Published: March 2023

The mean and turbulent flow characteristics of a vertical slot fish pass, with and without brush blocks, were investigated at the Cataloluk Small Hydropower Plant on the Tekir River, located in the Ceyhan River Basin of Turkey. Within the scope of the project, three-dimensional velocity measurements were performed at different hydraulic conditions. The prototype flow measurements showed that by placing brush blocks and the substrate in the vertical-slot pool: (i) the maximum velocity observed downstream of the slot was reduced by 39%; (ii) the maximum lateral component of the Reynolds shear stress observed in the slot region was reduced by a factor of 3; and (iii) the spatially averaged resultant velocity was reduced by 20%. With brush blocks, the turbulent jet region was reduced and recirculation regions disappeared. Furthermore, the spatially-averaged lateral component of the Reynolds shear stress was 3.3 times higher than the spatially-averaged streamwise component of the Reynolds shear stress because of the lateral velocity gradient and mixing in the pool. The present findings will contribute to potential improvements in the non and less efficiently-functioning vertical slot fish pass and other fish pass types by adding brush blocks.
Signal processing algorithm and modeling of digital and analog filters for solving various technical problems
Authors:   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Lysenko N. I. , Mingazova K. S. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Yudachev S. S. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow
Published: March 2023

The article describes an algorithm for processing an audio signal in Matlab CAD, presents the results of filtering it using digital and analog filters and their comparison by specified characteristics. Practical significance of the work: studying the signal processing algorithm, writing digital filter code in Matlab and gaining skills in using Micro-Cap 12 CAD for modeling passive and active filters. This work can be used to teach students of technical universities in the study of software and principles of operation of analog and digital filters, for use as a methodological guide when performing calculations in homework or laboratory work using specialized software Matlab and Micro-Cap 12. An active low-pass filter is implemented and used as a stand for practical classes at the university.
Historical aspects of the development of technical diagnostics
Authors:   Donbass National Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Penchuk V. A. , Sidorov V. A. ,   Donetsk National Technical University
Published: March 2023

The prerequisites for the formation and development of technical diagnostics as a science contain several stages, starting from the appearance of the first mechanisms, and then steam engines. The use of organoleptic methods for assessing the state (listening to noise, tactile analysis, visualization of mechanical vibrations, etc.), in addition to the developed safety devices and readings of instruments for measuring speed, pressure, temperature, ensured the functioning of mechanisms until the middle of the twentieth century. The emergence of complex technical systems associated with the implementation of atomic, space and other projects required ensuring their reliability with an insufficient level of data, which became the main reason for the emergence of technical diagnostics as a science. When determining the state of mechanical equipment, vibration has always been the main diagnostic parameter, but only with the development of microprocessor technology and computer technology has it become possible to obtain objective data. The complication of equipment and control systems leads to the emergence of new levels of obtaining and collecting diagnostic data, which is reflected in the appearance of large amounts of data and the need to form information flows for effective management of the technical condition of the equipment. Pattern recognition methods, after adapting to specific practical situations, allow you to get good results after laborious work by highly qualified specialists.
INVERSE CAUCHY PROBLEM FOR RACK-AND-BEAM STRUCTURE
Authors:   Southwest State University, LOKTIONOV A.P.
Published: March 2023

The object of this study is the building frames with rigid beam-to-column assemblies. The aim of the study is to assess the impact on the accuracy of the solution of the problem of the error of the input data and the number of given coefficients of the deflection equation. The studies were carried out using analytical and experimental methods of regularization, reduction of measurements, solutions on a measuring compact, polynomial approximation, linear Lagrangian interpolation and numerical differentiation. Rigid coupling of a beam with a rack is modeled analytically and by a full-scale experiment. For a quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of solving the problem, the values of the target parameter and the optimization criterion are determined through the minimum of the Lebesgue function. It is proposed to use the obtained results of solving the inverse Cauchy problem in experimental and theoretical studies of rack-and-beam structures.
Un phénomène de masse inaperçu ? La fortification des cimetières en Alsace d’après les sources écrites, les plans anciens et le terrain
Authors: Metz Bernhard
Published: March 2023

Il faut recourir à toutes les sources disponibles – vestiges bâtis, traces de fortification active ou passive dans les clochers, sources écrites (chroniques, reconnaissances militaires du XVIIIe siècle, etc.), lieux-dits, vues et plans anciens, cadastre – pour dresser l’inventaire des cimetières fortifiés d’Alsace : 139 considérés comme sûrs et 52 autres comme probables. Mais cette distinction repose sur une pondération de la valeur des indices de fortification que l’on peut contester. Inversement, il est probable que des cimetières bel et bien fortifiés n’ont pas encore été repérés. Finalement, c’est au lecteur de décider si le nombre de sites retenu est sur-ou sous-évalué.
Loupian (Hérault), du sondage au cadastre. Essai de topographie du castrum médiéval
Authors: Turrel Katia , Lopez Delphine
Published: March 2023

La commune de Loupian (Hérault), depuis longtemps sensible à la protection de son patrimoine, a toujours su laisser le temps aux archéologues de récolter les données nécessaires à la compréhension de son passé. Grâce à la compilation des données historiques et archéologiques, il est aujourd’hui possible de proposer une évolution topographique du village depuis le haut Moyen Âge jusqu’à nos jours. L’archéologie a montré la présence d’habitats et d’artisanat dès les VIIIe-IXe siècles, avant que le castrum ne se forme en unité villageoise protégée par une enceinte collective. Le village se développe et se transforme en supplantant alors les sites contemporains. Agrandissant son périmètre au fil du temps, il ne déborde de ses murailles qu’au-delà du XIXe siècle.
Le Mas de Roux à Castries (Hérault) du Xe au XIVe siècle : une lecture croisée des sources écrites et archéologiques
Authors: Forest Pierre , Ott Mathieu
Published: March 2023

Sur la commune de Castries (Hérault), à une quinzaine de kilomètres au nord-est de Montpellier, cinq mois de fouille ont été nécessaires aux équipes de l’Inrap pour étudier les origines et l’histoire de l’établissement médiéval du Mas de Roux (Xe-XIVe siècle), et sa transformation progressive d’exploitation agricole en village fortifié. L’étude a permis le croisement des informations archéologiques avec celles issues des textes, des cartes anciennes et des photographies aériennes, qui s’échelonnent du début du XIIe siècle à nos jours. Ces données se complètent et se répondent souvent, en miroir. L’image qui en résulte, aussi nette qu’elle puisse paraître, doit cependant être critiquée. Au Mas de Roux le dossier est suffisamment étoffé pour permettre cette discussion.