bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data-Driven RBFNN-Enhanced Model-Free Adaptive Traffic Symmetrical Signal Control for a Multi-Phase Intersection with Fast-Changing Traffic Flow
Authors: Ren Ye , Yin Hao , Wang Li , Ji Honghai
Published: June 2023

Fast-changing demand in real traffic systems always leads to asymmetrical traffic flow and queues, which aggravates congestion and energy waste. In this paper, the traffic signal control problem of multi-phase intersections was studied with fast-changing traffic flows. First, a novel model-free adaptive control-based symmetrical queuing balancing method was designed by using the full-format dynamic linearization (FFDL) technique. Second, in order to deal with the fast-changing traffic flow, a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) was added to adjust parameters in a two-layer structure. Moreover, a variable cycle tuning algorithm was introduced to further reduce the time loss. Using the simulation, the proposed algorithm was compared with three other control strategies under low and high traffic demand, respectively, and the results showed the capability of the proposed algorithm.
ICT Use, Environmental Quality Perception and Farmers’ Participation in Domestic Waste Separation: Micro-Survey Data from China
Authors: Chen Fan , Jiao Jianyi , Wu Zhongan , Zhang Can
Published: June 2023

Encouraging farmers to participate in domestic waste sorting is an important initiative to optimize rural habitats and build a beautiful countryside. Using data from a sample of 2126 farmers obtained from a Chinese micro-survey, this paper empirically investigates the impact of ICT use on farmers’ domestic waste classification using OLS and ordered probability models and examines the mediating role of environmental quality perception. The study shows that ICT use has a significant negative effect on farmers’ environmental quality perceptions and a significant positive effect on farmers’ domestic waste sorting. Furthermore, the direct positive effect of ICT use on farmers’ domestic waste sorting is greater than its negative indirect effect through environmental quality perceptions. Finally, farmers with ICT use are more willing to participate in domestic waste sorting. This suggests that farmers may have a tendency to complain and express dissatisfaction on the internet but still behave in a way that is participatory in waste sorting. The results of the study still hold after a rigorous robustness test. In addition, there are significant differences in the impact of ICT use on different age and income groups, so policies should be tailored to different groups. More attention should be paid to the environmental welfare effects on older and lower-income groups.
Cross-Tier Interference Mitigation for RIS-Assisted Heterogeneous Networks
Authors: Soumana Hamadou Abdel Nasser , wa Maina Ciira , Soidridine Moussa Moindze
Published: June 2023

With the development of the next generation of mobile networks, new research challenges have emerged, and new technologies have been proposed to address them. On the other hand, reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) technology is being investigated for partially controlling wireless channels. RIS is a promising technology for improving signal quality by controlling the scattering of electromagnetic waves in a nearly passive manner. Heterogeneous networks (HetNets) are another promising technology that is designed to meet the capacity requirements of the network. RIS technology can be used to improve system performance in the context of HetNets. This study investigates the applications of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) in heterogeneous downlink networks (HetNets). Due to the network densification, the small cell base station (SBS) interferes with the macrocell users (MUEs). In this paper, we utilise RIS to mitigate cross-tier interference in a HetNet via directional beamforming by adjusting the phase shift of the RIS. We consider RIS-assisted heterogeneous networks consisting of multiple SBS nodes and MUEs that utilise both direct paths and reflected paths. Therefore, the aim of this study is to maximise the sum rate of all MUEs by jointly optimising the transmit beamforming of the macrocell base station (MBS) and the phase shift of the RIS. An efficient RIS reflecting coefficient-based optimisation (RCO) is proposed based on a successive convex approximation approach. Simulation results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in terms of its sum rate in comparison with the scheme HetNet without RIS and the scheme HetNet with RIS but with random phase shifts.
Evidence Linking Cadmium Exposure and β2-Microglobulin to Increased Risk of Hypertension in Diabetes Type 2
Authors: Yimthiang Supabhorn , Pouyfung Phisit , Khamphaya Tanaporn , Vesey David A. , Gobe Glenda C. , Satarug Soisungwan
Published: June 2023

The most common causes of chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension are significant public health issues worldwide. Exposure to the heavy metal pollutant, cadmium (Cd), which is particularly damaging to the kidney, has been associated with both risk factors. Increased levels of urinary β2-microglobulin (β2M) have been used to signify Cd-induced kidney damage and circulating levels have been linked to blood pressure control. In this study we investigated the pressor effects of Cd and β2M in 88 diabetics and 88 non-diabetic controls, matched by age, gender and locality. The overall mean serum β2M was 5.98 mg/L, while mean blood Cd and Cd excretion normalized to creatinine clearance (Ccr) as ECd/Ccr were 0.59 µg/L and 0.0084 µg/L of filtrate (0.95 µg/g creatinine), respectively. The prevalence odds ratio for hypertension rose by 79% per every ten-fold increase in blood Cd concentration. In all subjects, systolic blood pressure (SBP) showed positive associations with age (β = 0.247), serum β2M (β = 0.230), and ECd/Ccr (β = 0.167). In subgroup analysis, SBP showed a strong positive association with ECd/Ccr (β = 0.303) only in the diabetic group. The covariate-adjusted mean SBP in the diabetics of the highest ECd/Ccr tertile was 13.8 mmHg higher, compared to the lowest tertile (p = 0.027). An increase in SBP associated with Cd exposure was insignificant in non-diabetics. Thus, for the first time, we have demonstrated an independent effect of Cd and β2M on blood pressure, thereby implicating both Cd exposure and β2M in the development of hypertension, especially in diabetics.
Associations of Maternal Urinary Concentrations of Phenols, Individually and as a Mixture, with Serum Biomarkers of Thyroid Function and Autoimmunity: Results from the EARTH Study
Authors: McGee Glen , Génard-Walton Maximilien , Williams Paige L. , Korevaar T. I. M. , Chavarro Jorge E. , Meeker John D. , Braun Joseph M. , Broeren Maarten A. , Ford Jennifer B. , Calafat Antonia M. , Souter Irene , Hauser Russ , Mínguez-Alarcón Lidia
Published: June 2023

The associations between urinary phenol concentrations and markers of thyroid function and autoimmunity among potentially susceptible subgroups, such as subfertile women, have been understudied, especially when considering chemical mixtures. We evaluated cross-sectional associations of urinary phenol concentrations, individually and as a mixture, with serum markers of thyroid function and autoimmunity. We included 339 women attending a fertility center who provided one spot urine and one blood sample at enrollment (2009–2015). We quantified four phenols in urine using isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and biomarkers of thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free and total thyroxine (fT4, TT4), and triiodothyronine (fT3, TT3)), and autoimmunity (thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies (Ab)) in serum using electrochemoluminescence assays. We fit linear and additive models to investigate the association between urinary phenols—both individually and as a mixture—and serum thyroid function and autoimmunity, adjusted for confounders. As a sensitivity analysis, we also applied Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) to investigate non-linear and non-additive interactions. Urinary bisphenol A was associated with thyroid function, in particular, fT3 (mean difference for a 1 log unit increase in concentration: −0.088; 95% CI [−0.151, −0.025]) and TT3 (−0.066; 95% CI [−0.112, −0.020]). Urinary methylparaben and triclosan were also associated with several thyroid hormones. The overall mixture was negatively associated with serum fT3 concentrations (mean difference comparing all four mixture components at their 75th vs. 25th percentiles: −0.19, 95% CI [−0.35, −0.03]). We found no evidence of non-linearity or interactions. These results add to the current literature on phenol exposures and thyroid function in women, suggesting that some phenols may alter the thyroid system.
Zearalenone Exposure Disrupts STAT-ISG15 in Rat Colon: A Potential Linkage between Zearalenone and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Ruan Haonan , Wu Jiashuo , Zhang Fangqing , Jin Ziyue , Tian Jiao , Xia Jing , Luo Jiaoyang , Yang Meihua
Published: June 2023

Zearalenone (ZEN), a prevalent mycotoxin contaminating food and known for its intestinal toxicity, has been suggested as a potential risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although the exact relationship between ZEN exposure and IBD remains unclear. In this study, we established a rat model of colon toxicity induced by ZEN exposure to investigate the key targets of ZEN-induced colon toxicity and explore the underlying connection between ZEN exposure and IBD. Histological staining of the rat colon revealed significant pathological changes resulting from ZEN exposure (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the proteomic analysis demonstrated a notable upregulation of protein expression levels, specifically STAT2 (0.12 ± 0.0186), STAT6 (0.36 ± 0.0475) and ISG15 (0.43 ± 0.0226) in the rat colon (p < 0.05). Utilizing bioinformatics analysis, we combined ZEN exposure and IBD clinical sample databases to reveal that ZEN exposure may increase the risk of IBD through activation of the STAT-ISG15 pathway. This study identified novel targets for ZEN-induced intestinal toxicity, providing the basis for further study of ZEN exposure to IBD.
A Wheeler–DeWitt Quantum Approach to the Branch-Cut Gravitation with Ordering Parameters
Authors: Bodmann Benno August Ludwig , Vasconcellos César Augusto Zen , Bechstedt Peter Otto Hess , de Freitas Pacheco José Antonio , Hadjimichef Dimiter , Razeira Moisés , Degrazia Gervásio Annes
Published: June 2023

In this contribution to the Festschrift for Prof. Remo Ruffini, we investigate a formulation of quantum gravity using the Hořava–Lifshitz theory of gravity, which is General Relativity augmented by counter-terms to render the theory regularized. We are then led to the Wheeler–DeWitt (WDW) equation combined with the classical concepts of the branch-cut gravitation, which contemplates as a new scenario for the origin of the Universe, a smooth transition region between the contraction and expansion phases. Through the introduction of an energy-dependent effective potential, which describes the space-time curvature associated with the embedding geometry and its coupling with the cosmological constant and matter fields, solutions of the WDW equation for the wave function of the Universe are obtained. The Lagrangian density is quantized through the standard procedure of raising the Hamiltonian, the helix-like complex scale factor of branched gravitation as well as the corresponding conjugate momentum to the category of quantum operators. Ambiguities in the ordering of the quantum operators are overcome with the introduction of a set of ordering factors α, whose values are restricted, to make contact with similar approaches, to the integers α=[0,1,2], allowing this way a broader class of solutions for the wave function of the Universe. In addition to a branched universe filled with underlying background vacuum energy, primordial matter and radiation, in order to connect with standard model calculations, we additionally supplement this formulation with baryon matter, dark matter and quintessence contributions. Finally, the boundary conditions for the wave function of the Universe are imposed by assuming the Bekenstein criterion. Our results indicate the consistency of a topological quantum leap, or alternatively a quantum tunneling, for the transition region of the early Universe in contrast to the classic branched cosmology view of a smooth transition.
A Variational Approach to Resistive General Relativistic Two-Temperature Plasmas
Authors: Comer Gregory Lee , Andersson Nils , Celora Thomas , Hawke Ian
Published: June 2023

We develop an action principle to construct the field equations for dissipative/resistive general relativistic two-temperature plasmas, including a neutrally charged component. The total action is a combination of four pieces: an action for a multifluid/plasma system with dissipation/resistivity and entrainment; the Maxwell action for the electromagnetic field; the Coulomb action with a minimal coupling of the four-potential to the charged fluxes; and the Einstein–Hilbert action for gravity (with the metric being minimally coupled to the other action pieces). We use a pull-back formalism from spacetime to abstract matter spaces to build unconstrained variations for the neutral, positively, and negatively charged fluid species and for three associated entropy flows. The full suite of field equations is recast in the so-called “3+1” form (suitable for numerical simulations), where spacetime is broken up into a foliation of spacelike hypersurfaces and a prescribed “flow-of-time”. A previously constructed phenomenological model for the resistivity is updated to include the modified heat flow and the presence of a neutrally charged species. We impose baryon number and charge conservation as well as the Second Law of Thermodynamics in order to constrain the number of free parameters in the resistivity. Finally, we take the Newtonian limit of the “3+1” form of the field equations, which can be compared to existing non-relativistic formulations. Applications include main sequence stars, neutron star interiors, accretion disks, and the early universe.
A Model for Reinfections and the Transition of Epidemics
Authors: Yortsos Yannis C. , Chang Jincai
Published: June 2023

Reinfections of infected individuals during a viral epidemic contribute to the continuation of the infection for longer periods of time. In an epidemic, contagion starts with an infection wave, initially growing exponentially fast until it reaches a maximum number of infections, following which it wanes towards an equilibrium state of zero infections, assuming that no new variants have emerged. If reinfections are allowed, multiple such infection waves might occur, and the asymptotic equilibrium state is one in which infection rates are not negligible. This paper analyzes such situations by expanding the traditional SIR model to include two new dimensionless parameters, ε and θ, characterizing, respectively, the kinetics of reinfection and a delay time, after which reinfection commences. We find that depending on these parameter values, three different asymptotic regimes develop. For relatively small θ, two of the regimes are asymptotically stable steady states, approached either monotonically, at larger ε (corresponding to a stable node), or as waves of exponentially decaying amplitude and constant frequency, at smaller ε (corresponding to a spiral). For θ values larger than a critical, the asymptotic state is a periodic pattern of constant frequency. However, when ε is sufficiently small, the asymptotic state is a wave. We delineate these regimes and analyze the dependence of the corresponding population fractions (susceptible, infected and recovered) on the two parameters ε and θ and on the reproduction number R0. The results provide insights into the evolution of contagion when reinfection and the waning of immunity are taken into consideration. A related byproduct is the finding that the conventional SIR model is singular at large times, hence the specific quantitative estimate for herd immunity it predicts will likely not materialize.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Response in Individuals Infected Post Complete Vaccination: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study in Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Baratto Nicole , Maistrello Lorenza , Pazienza Elena , Barresi Rita
Published: June 2023

Serological assays have been used to evaluate the magnitude of naturally acquired and BNT162b2 vaccine-induced immunity. In order to assess the extent to which the antibody response correlates with infection-mediated protection after vaccination, we investigated the kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2-S1 IgG in fully vaccinated healthy individuals who did or did not develop COVID-19 within 8 months after the booster dose. The anti-SARS-CoV-2-S1 receptor-binding, domain-specific IgG titer was assessed in serum samples collected at various intervals from 4 months after the second and 6 months after the third dose. The IgG level decreased 33% within 6 months after the second dose and, one month after the third dose, increased dramatically (>300%) compared with the pre-booster time point. COVID-19 infection within two months after the third dose did not cause significant IgG variation, but later viral infections elicited an IgG response similar to the initial response to the booster. The probability of developing COVID-19 and the severity of symptoms were not related to the antibody titer. Our data indicate that repeated exposure to viral antigens by either vaccination or infection at short-term intervals elicits limited boosting effects and that an IgG titer alone is not associated with the prediction of future infections and their symptomatology.
Investigating the Marginal and Herd Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination for Reducing Case Fatality Rate: Evidence from the United States between March 2021 to January 2022
Authors: Li Tenglong , Wang Zilong , He Shuyue , Chen Ying
Published: June 2023

Vaccination campaigns have been rolled out in most countries to increase vaccination coverage and protect against case mortality during the ongoing pandemic. To evaluate the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination, it is vital to disentangle the herd effect from the marginal effect and parameterize them separately in a model. To demonstrate this, we study the relationship between the COVID-19 vaccination coverage and case fatality rate (CFR) based on U.S. vaccination coverage at county level, with daily records from 11 March 2021 to 26 January 2022 for 3109 U.S. counties. Using segmented regression, we discovered three breakpoints of the vaccination coverage, at which herd effects could potentially exist. Controlling for county heterogeneity, we found the size of the marginal effect was not constant but actually increased as the vaccination coverage increased, and only the herd effect at the first breakpoint to be statistically significant, which implied an indirect benefit of vaccination may exist at the early stage of a vaccination campaign. Our results demonstrated that public-health researchers should carefully differentiate and quantify the herd and marginal effects when analyzing vaccination data, to better inform vaccination-campaign strategies as well as evaluate vaccination effectiveness.
Immunologic Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Emmanouilidou-Fotoulaki Elpida , Karava Vasiliki , Dotis John , Kondou Antonia , Printza Nikoleta
Published: June 2023

The pediatric population is at a lower risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to adults. Nevertheless, immunosuppression in pediatric and adolescent kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) increases their hazard compared to the general population. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and determines the risk factors of no seroconversion in this population. PubMed-MEDLINE databases were searched for cohort studies. A meta-analysis was performed using fixed and random effect models. In total, seven studies including 254 patients were further analyzed. The random effect model demonstrated a 63% seroconversion rate (95% CI 0.5, 0.76) following a two-dose schedule, which increased to 85% (95% CI 0.76, 0.93) after the third dose administration. Seropositivity was lower in patients under mycophenolate mofetil compared to azathioprine (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02, 0.43). Rituximab administration decreased the seroconversion rate (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.03, 0.43). The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 9.25 mL/min/1.73 m2 lower (95% CI 16.37, 2.13) in patients with no seroconversion. The seroconversion rate was lower in vaccinated compared to infected patients (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02, 0.72). In conclusion, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric and adolescent KTRs elicits a humoral response, and a third dose is advised. Previous rituximab administration, antimetabolite therapy with mycophenolate mofetil and lower GFR reduce the likelihood for seroconversion.
Assessing Attitudes and Participation Regarding a Pilot COVID-19 Workplace Vaccination Program in Southern Germany Considering the Occupational Health Perspective—A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Wagner Anke , Keles Kamil , Preiser Christine , Neunhöffer Anna T. , Soeder Jana , Schwille-Kiuntke Juliane , Rieger Monika A. , Rind Esther
Published: June 2023

This mixed methods study retrospectively assessed attitudes and participation of employees, occupational health personnel, and key personnel regarding the rollout of a pilot COVID-19 workplace vaccination program in five German companies in May/June 2021 in Baden-Württemberg (Southern Germany) by combining survey data and qualitative interviews. A total of 652 employees completed a standardized questionnaire and we conducted ten interviews with occupational health personnel and key personnel with other professional backgrounds organizing the pilot workplace vaccination program. Survey data were analyzed descriptively and interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Employees participated widely in COVID-19 vaccinations at their workplaces, and most employees (n = 608; 93.8%) had a full COVID-19 immunization at the time of the survey. The main advantages of the pilot COVID-19 workplace vaccination program were seen in the flexible and time-saving vaccination offer as well as the trust in and long-standing relationship with occupational health physicians. The main disadvantage of the pilot vaccination offer was increased workload for occupational health personnel, especially during the roll-out phase of the program. The pilot COVID-19 workplace vaccination program was predominantly positively assessed, and the important role of occupational health services in managing the COVID-19 pandemic was highlighted. The main criticisms of the COVID-19 workplace vaccination program related to the high organizational and administrative burden. Findings from our study can support the development of future programs for the administration of generally recommended vaccination in the workplace setting in Germany.
The Effect of Down-Cascade Re-Regulation on Alleviating the Flow Regime Alteration Induced by an Up-Cascade Reservoir
Authors: Wang Yongfei , Wang Xianxun , Virguez Edgar , Zheng Kang , Hu Ting , Mei Yadong , Wang Hao
Published: June 2023

An analysis of the effect on the flow regime caused by reservoir operation is crucial to balancing the exploitation and protection of water resources. The long-term effect of this on the intraday scale and small storage capacity is considerable, but rarely analyzed. This study examines the world’s largest dual-cascade hydro-junction, the Three Gorges Dam and Gezhouba Dam junction, as a case study, adopting eight indices to characterize the reservoir’s inflow and outflow fluctuation. In doing this, we evaluate the alteration of the flow regime induced by an up-cascade reservoir and its alleviation caused by the down-cascade re-regulation. The results show: (1) an increment of the river flow fluctuation at the Three Gorges Dam, matched with hourly scale alleviation at the Gezhouba Dam; (2) a reduction (25.09~41.35%) in the quantitative indices of the river flow regime fluctuation; (3) perturbations on the power output. These findings provide references for developing methods to assess the re-regulation mechanisms in systems with upper- and lower-cascades.
Evaluation of Rainfall Products in Semi-Arid Areas: Application to the Southeast of the Republic of Djibouti and a Focus on the Ambouli Catchment
Authors: Omar Golab Moussa , Paturel Jean-Emmanuel , Salles Christian , Mahé Gil , Jalludin Mohamed , Satgé Frédéric , Nour Mohamed Ismail
Published: June 2023

The Republic of Djibouti is a small country in the Horn of Africa and, as in most developing countries, rain gauges are sparse and data are scarce. This study aims to report on the reliability of gridded precipitation datasets (P datasets) across the Republic of Djibouti through direct comparisons with rain gauge measurements from the annual to the daily time scales. Our specific objective is to be able to use such products in the context of hydrological modeling at a daily time step. Given the scarcity of available data in the Republic of Djibouti, our study was carried out on two time windows (1980–1990 and 2008–2013) and two gauge networks with different spatial resolutions: the southeast of the Republic of Djibouti (5000 km2) and the Ambouli catchment (794 km2), which drains the city of Djibouti. The reliability of these products is analyzed with quantitative metrics and categorical metrics, exclusively at a daily time step for the latter. The performance of the P datasets degrades from the annual time scale to the daily time scale. Even though the same products exhibit the best performance at the various time scales, the performance of most of the products differs from one spatial scale to another. Our results demonstrate the importance of the temporal and spatial windows, as the same products can perform differently according to the scale. For all the spatiotemporal scales, the most reliable product is MSWEP v.2.2. This P dataset is derived from a combination of satellite products (multiple sensors such as infrared and passive microwave), reanalysis products, and rain gauge observations. A strong discrepancy between rain gauge observations and P datasets is revealed according to the categorical metric at a daily time step. The analysis of rainfall events triggering runoff, using a 10 mm rainfall threshold, showed that the most efficient products were unable to accurately detect such events at a daily time step, with a significant underestimation of rainfall events higher than 10 mm. None of these products, even the most reliable, can be used for a calibration/validation of a hydrological model at a daily time step.
Spatio-Temporal Characteristics and Trend Prediction of Extreme Precipitation—Taking the Dongjiang River Basin as an Example
Authors: Li Ningning , Chen Xiaohong , Qiu Jing , Li Wenhui , Zhao Bikui
Published: June 2023

The intricate interplay between human activities and climate change has resulted in a rise in the occurrence of extreme precipitation worldwide, which has attracted extensive attention. However, there has been limited dissemination of accurate prediction of extreme precipitation based on analysis of spatio-temporal characteristics of such events. In this study, the intra-annual distribution of extreme precipitation was subjected to scrutiny via an analysis of precipitation concentration degree (PCD) and precipitation concentration period (PCP), while also investigating the spatio-temporal trends of the annual precipitation, maximum daily precipitation, maximum 5-day precipitation, and extreme precipitation (defined as daily precipitation exceeding the 99th percentile of the total precipitation). Furthermore, subsequently, conducting simulation, verification, and prediction of extreme precipitation was achieved through the application of a back-propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN). This study employed the data of the daily precipitation in the Dongjiang River Basin from 1979 to 2022, a time period which was of sufficient length to reflect the latest changes in precipitation patterns. The results demonstrated spatio-temporal differences between precipitation levels in the upper and lower reaches of the Dongjiang River Basin, that is, the PCD of the lower reach was higher and the PCP of the lower reach came half a month later compared with the upper reach. Moreover, the extreme precipitation indices increased from northeast to southwest, with the characteristics of lower-reach precipitation being more extreme and periodic. It was predicted that the total precipitation in 2023 would decrease, while the extreme precipitation would increase. The qualification rate of forecasting extreme precipitation ranged from 27% to 72%.
Ascertaining and Optimizing the Water Footprint and Sludge Management Practice in Steel Industries
Authors: Choudhury Atun Roy , Singh Neha , Veeraraghavan Arutchelvan , Gupta Ayushi , Palani Sankar Ganesh , Mehdizadeh Mohammad , Omidi Anahita , Al-Taey Duraid K. A.
Published: June 2023

Steelmaking is a water-intensive process. The mean water intake against each ton of steel manufactured is ascertained as between 2 and 20 m3. Primarily, the stated requirement is in the form of make-up water to compensate for evaporation and mechanical losses and does not contribute to wastewater generation. Conversely, unit operations, such as rolling, continuous casting, pickling, etc., generate highly complex wastewater rich in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), cyanide, ammonia, non-consumed acids, benzene, toluene, xylene, oil, grease, etc. Further, the conjugative wastewater contains a high concentration of metallic oxides, toxic elements, oil, nitrogen, and heavy metals such as zinc, nickel, chromium, etc. These contaminants are generally treated and neutralized using physicochemical and membrane-based systems. This also yields hazardous sludge, which is landfilled, thereby incurring an ancillary financial burden. However, sludge can be a frugal source of extracting multi-dimensional benefits. The present review investigated and identified the most water-intensive and wastewater/sludge-contributing unit operations and proposed a preferential combination of treatments to balance efficacy and economy. Further, the various global practices for sludge recycling and management documented in the existing literature are summarized and ranked with the help of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The findings revealed concrete making and nutrient recovery as the most- and least-preferred recycling alternatives.
Using Dye and Bromide Tracers to Identify Preferential Water Flow in Agricultural Hillslope Soil under Controlled Conditions
Authors: Defterdarović Jasmina , Krevh Vedran , Filipović Lana , Kovač Zoran , Phogat Vinod , He Hailong , Baumgartl Thomas , Filipović Vilim
Published: June 2023

Processes in hillslope soils present a particular challenge for agricultural production and soil management due to their hydropedological specifics and high soil erosion risk. Soil heterogeneities can cause preferential and/or lateral flow on the entire hillslope resulting in the off-site movement of water, fertilizers and chemicals used in crop production. A study was conducted under controlled conditions in a laboratory with undisturbed soil cores (250 cm3), which were used to estimate the soil hydraulic properties (SHP) using HYPROP and WP4C devices, while undisturbed soil columns (diameter = 16 cm, length = 25 cm) were used for the evaluation of preferential flow pathways using potassium bromide and Brilliant Blue. Samples were excavated in triplicate from the hilltop, backslope and footslope regions within the inter-rows of a vineyard from a critical zone observatory, SUPREHILL, in Croatia in Dystric Luvic Stagnosol. The aim of this study was to determine if the erosion-affected hillslope position affected the physical, chemical and hydraulic properties of soil and to identify water flow and possible preferential flow using dye and bromide tracers. The results of the sensor measurements and estimated SHPs were in agreement, showing a faster leaching of the irrigated rainwater in the footslope column. The tracer experiments showed variability even in the columns taken from the same position on the hillslope, which can be linked to plant roots and soil fauna activity. Altogether, the results showed a deeper loose layer at the footslope as a consequence of the soil erosion, which then resulted in higher hydraulic conductivity and the leached mass of the bromide due to better soil structure and pore connectivity. Thus, due to significant differences in the leached mass of bromide, this research should be later expanded in field experiments to reveal the impact of surface runoff, subsurface preferential and lateral flow on a larger scale.
Integrated Management and Environmental Impact Assessment of Sustainable Groundwater-Dependent Development in Toshka District, Egypt
Authors: Aly Marwa M. , Abd Elhamid Ahmed M. I. , Abu-Bakr Heba Abdel-Aziz , Shalby Ahmed , Fayad Shymaa A. K.
Published: June 2023

Egypt has recently inaugurated a mega development project aiming to alleviate the overpopulation along the Nile River and to meet the looming food gap. Toshka is a promising area where groundwater-dependent activities are being expanded adjacent to Lake Nasser. Thus, it is of utmost importance to provide a sustainable development approach and to assess the resulting environmental implications. Accordingly, a coupled groundwater flow and transport model was invoked. The generated model was successfully calibrated for the observed water levels and salinity. The proposed exploitation regime of 102 wells each pumping 1000 m3/day was simulated for a 100-year test period. The maximum resulting drawdown was about 25 m, compatible with the advocated sustainable restriction limit. Climate change (CC) impacts of reducing the lake’s storage and increasing the crops’ water requirements were investigated. The lake’s water level fluctuations were a key factor in the aquifer hydraulics and flow direction. The drawdown breakthrough considering the CC catastrophic scenario (RCP8.5) has increased by about 20%. The developed solute transport model was utilized to simulate the salinity spatial distribution and the lateral movement of leaking pollutants from the underway activities. Cultivation activities were found feasible up to 80 km away from the lake border where salinity does not exceed 2000 ppm. Yet, a protection strip of not less than 4.8, 6.0, and 7.2 km according to the lake operating condition is inevitable to ensure that pollutants do not intrude into the lake. These findings will assist the decision-makers in scheming environmental impact assessment criteria for sustainable development.
Role of court decisions in improving the quality of work life of platform workers
Authors:   Department of Labor Law, Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Digital Law Laboratory of the V.F. Yakovlev Ural State Law University, Russia, Sverdlovsk region, Yekaterinburg, Serova A.V.
Published: June 2023

Judicial recognition of the relationship between a platform worker and a digital labor platform is one of the ways to improve the quality of work life of such a group of citizens. By acquiring the legal status of an employee, they fall under the protection of labor law. The article provides and analyzes examples of court decisions adopted in the UK and Kazakhstan, concludes on the formation of a global trend in the recognition of platform workers as employees working under an employment contract. In Russia, this method cannot be effectively implemented due to the lack of proper economic and legal conditions.
The evolution of gender equality in Russian labor law
Authors:   Dorzhi Banzarov Buryat State University, Ulan-Ude, Russia, Murzina E.A. , Zaitseva A.A. ,   Dorzhi Banzarov Buryat State University, Ulan-Ude, Russia
Published: June 2023

Today, 78 million women live in Russia — all of them have equal rights with men. But has it always been like this? Within the framework of this article, gender equality is considered as the result of persistent and long-term work that began with the formation of the state and continues at the present time. The authors believe that the development of gender equality is impossible without knowledge of the history of its formation. Further, the article presents the main factors that have had a significant impact on the degree of recognition of women’s rights and freedoms in Russia: church influence in the regulation of family relations, the invasion of the Mongol-Tatar yoke and its trace in the history of the formation of gender equality, serfdom, the organization of women’s movements, the period of Soviet power, wartime and their influence on the formation of gender equality in Russia. The authors consider in detail the principle of gender equality, which has an international legal and constitutional basis and is one of the most important provisions enshrined in many legal documents.
SOBRE TEORÍA DEL PUNTO FIJO Y LAS FUNCIONES DE CONTROL. ESTADO DEL ARTE.
Authors: Loor Andrade Edwin Alexander , Barrera Yayes Wilmer Eduardo
Published: June 2023

La teoría del punto fijo estudia las condiciones sobre una o dos funciones y sobre el espacio en donde se encuentran de- finidas, a fin de garantizar la existencia y unicidad de punto fijo. Durante la primera mitad del siglo XX, Stefan Banach probó un teorema de punto fijo para una función contractiva definida sobre un espacio métrico completo. Este teorema fue generalizado de diferentes formas por varios autores, llegando a obtenerse resultados que involucran dos funciones conmutativas, como es el caso del teorema introducido por Gerald Jungck. A partir de 1984, aparecen generalizaciones del principio de contracción de Banach, en donde la desigualdad contractiva depende de una función de control llamada: función que altera la distancia entre puntos. El propósito de este artículo es realizar una revisión actualizada sobre las condiciones que garantizan la existencia y unicidad de punto fijo para una y dos funciones compatibles definidas sobre un espacio métrico completo, considerando las funciones que alteran distancia y reemplazando la constante de contracción por una función. Se dan ejemplos que evidencian la importancia de las generalizaciones de los teoremas de punto fijo, tanto de Banach como de Jungck. Se proponen condiciones sobre un par de funciones para garantizar la existencia y unicidad de un punto fijo en común mediante el uso de funciones que alteran distancia.
Predictors of Gross Hematuria After SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination in Patients with IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Yokote Shinya , Tsuboi Nobuo , Shimizu Akihiro , Okabe Masahiro , Haruhara Kotaro , Sasaki Takaya , Ueda Hiroyuki , Yokoo Takashi
Published: June 2023

Key Points

Little is known about the clinical characteristics of patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) who present with gross hematuria in relation to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.

The relationship between the clinical features in patients with IgAN at the time of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination and the subsequent appearance of gross hematuria was investigated.

This study demonstrates the clinical significance of microscopic hematuria in patients with IgAN as a predictor of gross hematuria after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.

Background

There have been several reports of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) patients with gross hematuria and acute deterioration of urinary findings and kidney function after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 mRNA vaccination. Recent case series studies have indicated a possible link between the status of urinary findings at the time of vaccination and the subsequent appearance of gross hematuria. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the status of prevaccination urinary findings was associated with postvaccination gross hematuria in patients already diagnosed with IgAN.

Methods

Outpatients with IgAN who had been followed up before vaccination were included. We analyzed the association between the remission of prevaccination microscopic hematuria (urine sediment <5 red blood cells/high-power field) or proteinuria (<0.3 g/gCr) and postvaccination gross hematuria.

Results

A total of 417 Japanese patients with IgAN (median age, 51 years; 56% female; eGFR, 58 ml/min per 1.73 m2) were included. The frequency of gross hematuria after vaccination was higher in 20 of 123 patients (16.3%) with microscopic hematuria than in 5 of 294 patients (1.7%) without microscopic hematuria before vaccination (P < 0.001). There was no association between prevaccination proteinuria and postvaccination gross hematuria. After adjusting for potential confounders, such as sex (female), age (younger than 50 years), eGFR (≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2), and histories of tonsillectomy and corticosteroid therapy, prevaccination microscopic hematuria was still associated with postvaccination gross hematuria (odds ratio, 8.98; P < 0.001). As the severity of prevaccination microscopic hematuria increased, the incidence of postvaccination gross hematuria increased (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Prevaccination microscopic hematuria in patients with IgAN is a major predictor of postvaccination gross hematuria, regardless of potential confounders, including previous treatments of IgAN.

Podcast

This article contains a podcast at https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/K360/2023_12_01_KID0000000000000192.mp3
Ensamblar la provincia. Los trabajos cartográficos de la Dirección General de Tierras y Geodesia de la provincia de Buenos Aires (1913-1981)
Authors: Mazzitelli Mastricchio Malena
Published: June 2023

La Dirección General de Tierras y Geodesia de la provincia de Buenos Aires suele pensarse como heredera de las funciones del Departamento Topográfico de 1826. Si bien es cierto que desde su creación en 1913 absorbió parte de las funciones catastrales del viejo Departamento, a medida que avanzaba el siglo XX la Dirección fue adaptándose a las políticas cartográficas que diseñaba el Instituto Geográfico Militar y otras instituciones a escala internacional como el Instituto Panamericano de Geografía e Historia. Esta adaptación implicó el uso de proyecciones y la homogenización de grillas o mapas índex que iban pautando el mapeo en el territorito bonaerense. Este trabajo se propone reconstruir el plan cartográfico de la Dirección General de Tierras y Geodesia de la provincia de Buenos Aires, reconstruir sus grillas, escalas de levantamientos y las áreas priorizadas para relevar. Asimismo se establecen los vínculos que la Dirección mantuvo con otras instituciones cartográficas, redes institucionales que fueron fundamentales para posicionarse en el campo científico que le valió para convertirse en la fiscalizadora de la cartografía provincial en 1981.
Rol de las bibliotecas en la reinserción socioeducativa de adolescentes privados de libertad. Análisis de bibliotecas de cinco centros latinoamericanos de reclusión juvenil
Authors: Flores-Fernández Cherie , Civilo-Becerra Maureen , Avilés Cañón Pamela , Fernández Schutz Rodrigo
Published: June 2023

La presente investigación analiza el rol de las bibliotecas en la reinserción socioeducativa de adolescentes privados de libertad en 4 países de América Latina: Chile, Argentina, Colombia y México. Se utiliza el enfoque metodológico cualitativo y se aplican entrevistas semiestructuradas a los representantes de las instituciones seleccionadas. Mediante un análisis de contenido, se estudia el rol y la posición de las bibliotecas en las organizaciones que trabajan con los adolescentes privados de libertad. Además, se estudia la importancia del trabajo interdisciplinario y se dan a conocer roles y funciones específicos de las bibliotecas para la inserción y la habilitación social de los jóvenes. Se evidencia la promoción de derechos sociales básicos en la propuesta de actividades y servicios y una diferencia en la experiencia que respalda a cada unidad de información.
La producción científica de Uruguay a partir de la Web of Science (WOS): 40 años de ciencia con visibilidad internacional
Authors: Fontans-Álvarez Exequiel , Aguire-Ligüera Natalia , Feo Cediel Yennyfer
Published: June 2023

Se analiza la producción científica de Uruguay diacrónicamente en el periodo 1980-2019 con el fin de caracterizarla en el contexto de los países más productivos de la región. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y analítico, donde se usan como fuentes de datos la Red de Indicadores de Ciencia y Tecnología -Iberoamericana e Interamericana (RICYT), la OCDE y la WOS. Los resultados se presentan en tres bloques. Primero se ubica a Uruguay en el contexto regional mediante siete indicadores macro; a este respecto se puede concluir que, en general, el país presenta un buen desempeño en aquellos indicadores que no son dependientes del tamaño relativo. En segundo lugar se identificaron 19.679 publicaciones para el periodo de 40 años considerado; en la última década se concentra el 60% de la producción, y en la penúltima década la producción más citada. A nivel global Uruguay colabora con mayor frecuencia con la región y con Europa, antes que con EE.UU contrariamente a lo que se reporta en la literatura sobre los países latinoamericanos. Por último se identificó la especialidad temática de la producción científica del país: ciencias biológicas y ciencias agrícolas, lo que posiciona a Uruguay entre los modelos occidental y bio-ambiental.
INVESTIGATION OF LOW- AND HIGH-GRADE TUMORS IN EVALUATING THE NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT RESPONSE USING BREAST DCE MR IMAGES
Authors:   Vellore Institute of Technology, B Priyadharshini , Dinkar Moyya Priscilla , Asaithambi Mythili , Kilpattu Anadh ,   University of Alabama at Birmingham
Published: June 2023

Breast cancer is the most predominant disease and foremost cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide, with treatment plans varying regardless of the grade and biology of the tumor. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the standard clinical implementation to retrench the tumor size and escalate the breast-conserving rate. Dynamic contrast enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI) is an effective modality in analyzing the response during NAC treatment. However lower-grade cancer patients are slow growing tumors with a better prognosis, but higher-grade cancer patients aggressively grow and require effective treatment. So, it is necessary to investigate the grade specific response information during the NAC treatment. In this work, analysis of NAC treatment response on breast cancer patients is performed by investigating the low- and high-grade cancer patients separately using DCE MR images. Twenty-six patient data with three visits of NAC treatment is obtained from QIN BREAST and QIN BREAST-02 datasets from the openly available TCIA database. The mean intensity (MI) value is calculated from manually segmented tumor volumes at different visits for both low- and high-grade cancer patients. The results demonstrate that mean intensity values showed a statistical difference between Visit 1 & 3 in both low- and high-grade patients during NAC with p ≤ 0.05. The percentage difference in mean intensity value between Visit 1 & 3 of high-grade subjects is observed to be high compared to low-grade subjects. Hence it appears that the high-grade breast cancer patients respond well to NAC treatment response compared to low-grade breast cancer patients.