bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decryption of Deterministic Phase-Encoded Digital Holography Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Chan Huang-Tian , Chang Chi-Ching
Published: May 2023

Digital holographic encryption is an important information security technology. Traditional encryption techniques require the use of keys to encrypt information. If the key is lost, it is difficult to recover information, so new technologies that allow legitimate authorized users to access information are necessary. This study encrypts fingerprints and other data using a deterministic phase-encoded encryption system that uses digital holography (DPDH) and determines whether decryption is possible using a convolutional neural network (CNN) using the U-net model. The U-net is trained using a series of ciphertext-plaintext pairs. The results show that the U-net model decrypts and reconstructs images and that the proposed CNN defeats the encryption system. The corresponding plaintext (fingerprint) is retrieved from the ciphertext without using the key so that the proposed method performs well in terms of decryption. The proposed scheme simplifies the decryption process and can be used for information security risk assessment.
Critical Factors Influencing Classroom Participation in Online Learning
Authors: Samnidze Nino , Didmanidze Ibraim , Diasamidze Medea , Akhvlediani Diana , Kirvalidze Nino
Published: May 2023

Efficiency and engagement are considered to be the most critical components of teaching and learning. Teachers have always strived to maximize student involvement and quality participation with the help of various teaching techniques and strategies. The purpose of this study was to explore the ongoing online learning process in language classes and find out ways to enhance student engagement in the process. Research methods: a questionnaire survey and observation were used to determine students’ attitudes, expectations, and the level of involvement in online learning at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University. The findings reveal the need to enhance student motivation. The research demonstrates that setting various authentic and interactive tasks with meaningful aims can significantly improve student focus. Additionally, incorporating social and emotional activities and providing teacher support and encouragement can facilitate student interaction and trigger an interest in lifelong learning.
An Interval Prediction of Chloroprene Rubber Crack Propagation Characteristics Based on Thermal Accelerated Aging
Authors: Yin Shengwen , Bai Yu , Kong Feng , Wang Zhonggang , Fang Congcong
Published: May 2023

Thermo-oxidative aging plays an important role in changing the properties of rubber materials; it significantly decreases the fatigue life of air spring bags and further causes safety hazards. However, due to the great uncertainty of rubber material properties, an effective interval prediction model has not been established considering the effect of aging on airbag rubber properties. To solve the problem, this study proposes an interval parameter correlation model that can more accurately describe rubber crack propagation characteristics by considering material uncertainty. Furthermore, an aging prediction model of the rubber crack propagation characteristic region is established based on the Arrhenius equation. The effectiveness and accuracy of the method are verified by comparing the test and prediction results under the temperature spectrum. The method can be used to determine the variations in the interval change of the fatigue crack propagation parameters during rubber aging and can guide fatigue reliability analyses of air spring bags.
Flexible Electromagnetic Shielding Nano-Composites Based on Silicon and NiFe2O4 Powders
Authors: Caramitu Alina R. , Ciobanu Romeo C. , Ion Ioana , Schreiner Cristina M. , Aradoaei Mihaela , Tsakiris Violeta , Pintea Jana , Marinescu Virgil
Published: May 2023

In this paper, the obtaining and characterization of five experimental models of novel polymer composite materials with ferrite nano-powder are presented. The composites were obtained by mechanically mixing two components and pressing the obtained mixture on a hot plate press. The ferrite powders were obtained by an innovative economic co-precipitation route. The characterization of these composites consisted of physical and thermal properties: hydrostatic density, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and TG DSC thermal analyses, along with functional electromagnetic tests in order to demonstrate the functionality of these materials as electromagnetic shields (magnetic permeability, dielectric characteristics, and shielding effectiveness). The purpose of this work was to obtain a flexible composite material, applicable to any type of architecture for the electrical and automotive industry, necessary for protection against electromagnetic interference. The results demonstrated the efficiency of such materials at lower frequencies, but also in the microwave domain, with higher thermal stability and lifetime.
Adhesive and Rheological Features of Ecofriendly Coatings with Antifouling Properties
Authors: Scolaro Cristina , Liotta Leonarda Francesca , Calabrese Carla , Marcì Giuseppe , Visco Annamaria
Published: May 2023

In this work, formulations of “environmentally compatible” silicone-based antifouling, synthesized in the laboratory and based on copper and silver on silica/titania oxides, have been characterized. These formulations are capable of replacing the non-ecological antifouling paints currently available on the market. The texture properties and the morphological analysis of these powders with an antifouling action indicate that their activity is linked to the nanometric size of the particles and to the homogeneous dispersion of the metal on the substrate. The presence of two metal species on the same support limits the formation of nanometric species and, therefore, the formation of homogeneous compounds. The presence of the antifouling filler, specifically the one based on titania (TiO2) and silver (Ag), facilitates the achievement of a higher degree of cross-linking of the resin, and therefore, a better compactness and completeness of the coating than that attained with the pure resin. Thus, a high degree of adhesion to the tie-coat and, consequently, to the steel support used for the construction of the boats was achieved in the presence of the silver–titania antifouling.
Gas/Liquid Operations in the Taylor-Couette Disc Contactor: Continuous Chemisorption of CO2
Authors: Rudelstorfer Georg , Greil Rafaela , Vogi Max , Siebenhofer Matthäus , Lux Susanne , Grafschafter Annika
Published: May 2023

Gas/liquid contactors are widely used in chemical and biotechnological applications. The selection and design of bubble-column-type gas/liquid contactors requires knowledge about the gas distributor design to provide appropriate gas flow patterns. This study presents the continuous chemisorption of CO2 in 0.1 molar sodium hydroxide solution in a counter currently operated gas/liquid Taylor-Couette disc contactor (TCDC). This vertical-column-type contactor is a multi-stage agitated gas/liquid contactor. The performance of a lab-size TCDC contactor in gas/liquid mass transfer operations was investigated. The apparatus design was adjusted for gas/liquid operations by installing perforated rotor discs to provide a rotational-speed-dependent dispersed gas phase holdup in the column. The parameters of dispersed gas phase holdup, volumetric mass transfer coefficient and residence time distribution were measured. In the first step, hydraulic characterization was performed. Then, the efficiency in gas/liquid operations was investigated by continuous neutralization of 0.1 molar sodium hydroxide with a gas mixture of 30 vol% CO2 and 70 vol% N2. Temperature, rotational speed and gas flow rate were varied. The desired pH value of pH 9 at the column outlet was kept constant by adjusting the sodium hydroxide feed. From the experimental results, the volume-based liquid-side mass transfer coefficient kLa was deduced in order to model the reaction according to the two-film theory over the column height. The CSTR cascade model fitted the experimental data best. The experimental results confirm stable and efficient reactive gas/liquid contact in the Taylor-Couette disc contactor.
Designing a Turning Guide Vane Using CFD for an Economizer of a Non-Furnace Boiler
Authors: AM Chaerul Qalbi , Ahn Joon
Published: May 2023

Non-furnace boilers can improve the efficiency of industrial once-through boilers. However, temperature non-uniformity occurs in the economizer connected vertically to the boiler. Heat transfer performance is degraded by temperature non-uniformity. To solve this problem, a corbel was installed on the side wall of the economizer, and a baffle was installed on the transition duct. Consequently, although the thermal efficiency of the boiler was improved, significant temperature non-uniformity was still observed in the area upstream of the economizer. To address this issue, this study designed a turning guide vane (TGV) at the economizer inlet using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). First, CFD was performed for a case without a guide vane and a case with an existing baffle installed. By analyzing the streamlines obtained using CFD, two TGV designs were proposed. In the first design, guide vanes were installed along the desired streamline, and the concept of the existing TGV was followed. In the second design, an attempt was made to minimize the pressure drop by arranging guide vanes at the inlet. Both designs reduced the standard deviation of temperature by more than 30% and improved the volume goodness factor by 25%.
Satellite Evidence for Divergent Forest Responses within Close Vicinity to Climate Fluctuations in a Complex Terrain
Authors: Wang Jing , Fang Wei , Xu Peipei , Li Hu , Chen Donghua , Wang Zuo , You Yuanhong , Rafaniello Christopher
Published: May 2023

Climate change has a significant impact on forest ecosystems worldwide, but it is unclear whether forest responses to climate fluctuations are homogeneous across regions. In this study, we investigated the impact of climatic fluctuations on forest growth in a complex terrain, in Anhui Province of China, using Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) data from the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), while considering the impact of terrain characteristics and forest types. Our regional-scale analysis found that the forest response to climatic drivers in Anhui Province is not homogeneous, with only 69% of the forest area driven by temperature (TEM), while 11% is precipitation (PRE) driven and 20% is solar radiation (SWD) driven. We also found with random forest models that terrain traits (elevation and slope) contributed significantly (29.47% and 27.96%) to the spatial heterogeneity of forest response to climatic drivers, with higher elevation associated with a stronger positive correlation between the EVI and temperature (p < 0.001), a weaker positive correlation between the EVI with precipitation (p < 0.001), and a stronger negative correlation between the EVI with solar radiation (p < 0.01), while forest type contributed the least (4.21%). Our results also imply that in a warmer and dryer climate, some forest patches may switch from TEM driven to PRE driven, which could lead to a decrease in forest productivity, instead of an increase as predicted by existing climate models. These results highlight the heterogeneous response of forests within close vicinity to climate fluctuations in a complex terrain, which has important implications for climate-related risk assessments and local forest management.
Joint Retrieval of Sea Surface Rainfall Intensity, Wind Speed, and Wave Height Based on Spaceborne GNSS-R: A Case Study of the Oceans near China
Authors: Bu Jinwei , Yu Kegen , Zhu Feiyang , Zuo Xiaoqing , Huang Weimin
Published: May 2023

In this paper, a method for joint sea surface rainfall intensity (RI), wind speed, and wave height retrieval based on spaceborne global navigation satellite system reflectometry (GNSS-R) data is proposed, which especially considers the effects between these two parameters. A method of rainfall detection (RD) according to different wind speed ranges is also proposed by mitigating the impact of swell and wind speed. The results, with data collected over the oceans near Southeast Asia, show that the RD method has a detection accuracy of up to 81.74%. The RI retrieval accuracy can reach about 2 mm/h by simultaneously correcting the effects of wind speed and swell. The accuracy of wind speed retrieval is improved by about 5% after removing rainfall interference through RD in advance. After considering the influence of wind speed and eliminating rainfall interference, the retrieval accuracy of significant wave height (SWH) is improved by about 18%. Finally, the deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) model is built to estimate the SWH of the swell. The results show that the retrieval accuracy of the swell height is better than 0.20 m after excluding rainfall interference. The proposed joint retrieval method provides an important reference for the future acquisition of multiple high-precision marine geophysical parameters by spaceborne GNSS-R technology.
Treatability Study of Car Wash Wastewater Using Upgraded Physical Technique with Sustainable Flocculant
Authors: Fayed Mai , Shewitah M. A. , Dupont R. R. , Fayed Mohamed , Badr Mai M.
Published: May 2023

Grease, oil, hydrocarbon residues, heavy metals, and surfactants are all present in car wash wastewater (CWW), which all can have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. This study was designed to assess CWW treatment using an upgraded physical technique combined with a range of conventional and more sustainable coagulants. Physical treatment effectively lowered the oil and grease (O&G) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the CWW by 79 ± 15% and 97 ± 1.6%, respectively. Additional treatment was provided using chemical coagulation–flocculation–settling. In jar test studies, humic acid (HA) and alum were found to provide significantly higher turbidity removal, 79.2 ± 3.1% and 69.8 ± 8.0%, respectively, than anionic polyacrylamide (APA), 7.9 ± 5.6% under influent turbidity values from 89 to 1000 NTU. Overall physical/chemical treatment of CWW yielded 97.3 ± 0.8% COD removal, and 99.2 ± 0.4% O&G removal using HA and alum. Due to the numerous problems created when using synthetic coagulants, naturally occurring coagulants that have no impact on human health, such as HA, are highly desirable options. The findings of this study show that treating CWW provides several advantages for sustainable development, health and well-being, and raising public knowledge and support for water reuse.
Statistical Characteristics of Air Quality Index DAQx*-Specific Air Pollutants Differentiated by Types of Air Quality Monitoring Stations: A Case Study of Seoul, Republic of Korea
Authors: Lee Hyunjung , Park Sookuk , Mayer Helmut
Published: May 2023

Seoul has a high density of air quality monitoring stations (AQMSs) grouped into roadside, urban, and background types. Using the extensive data from 42 AQMSs in the period 2018 to 2021, the statistical characteristics of air pollutants required to calculate the daily air quality index DAQx* (daily maximum 1 h O3 and NO2 means and daily 24 h PM10 and PM2.5 means) are determined, depending on station types and three temporal periods (individual years, winters, and summers). The results for (i) annual cycles, which include peak concentrations of PM10 (up to 517 µg/m3 in May 2021) and PM2.5 (up to 153 µg/m3 in March 2019) owing to transboundary transport, (ii) annual medians, (iii) annual scattering ranges, (iv) partitioning of frequencies into DAQx*-related concentration ranges, and (v) maximum daily variations within individual station types indicate clear statistical air pollutant characteristics depending on the station types. They were primarily caused by different emission and atmospheric exchange conditions in a circular buffer around each AQMS, which are often approximated by urban form variables. The maximum daily variations were highest in the middle NO2 concentration range of the “satisfying” class for the roadside type (between 53% in summer 2019 and 90% in winter 2020).
How Does Enterprise Digital Transformation Affect Total Factor Productivity? Based on the Information Intermediary Role of Analysts’ Attention
Authors: Xia Guoen , Yu Zenghui , Peng Xuwu
Published: May 2023

In the era of Industry 4.0, digital transformation has become an important strategic choice in driving enterprise development. However, there are few studies on how digital transformation affects the total factor productivity of enterprises. In order to fill this theoretical gap, this study explored the impact of digital transformation on total factor productivity from the perspective of information transmission that analysts focus on. Based on data from Chinese A-share listed companies from 2012 to 2021, this work constructed a fixed effects model and a mesomeric effect model. The experimental results show the following: (1) the digital transformation of enterprises significantly improves total factor productivity; (2) the attention of analysts has significantly improved the total factor productivity of enterprises; (3) enterprise digital transformation can significantly improve analysts’ attention, which plays an intermediary role between enterprise digital transformation and total factor productivity; (4) the heterogeneity analysis showed that digital transformation has a more significant promoting effect on the total factor productivity of tertiary industry enterprises and enterprises with lower competitiveness in their respective industries. For the first time, this study explored the mechanism by which digital transformation impacts total factor productivity from the perspective of analysts. It is necessary to encourage enterprises to attach importance to the role of analysts in information transmission in the process of digital transformation. It is suggested that enterprises formulate strategies according to the characteristics of their industries in digital transformation, and the government should formulate differentiation strategies according to the different industries and the different levels of competition between industries in the national economy.
The Relationship between Subjective Status and Corporate Environmental Governance: Evidence from Private Firms in China
Authors: Tang Yue , Tang Xueliang , Shen Hong
Published: May 2023

Private enterprise governance is influenced by how status is perceived by business owners. In this essay, the role of business owners’ subjective statuses on their decisions on pollution control is discussed, along with social-psychology-based justifications. This study distinguishes front-end pollution treatment from back-end pollution treatment and finds the following: (1) A higher subjective status increases the front-end pollution control input but has no discernible impact on the back-end pollution control input. (2) Both the front-end and back-end control inputs are significantly influenced positively by a subjective economic status (ability motive). (3) A subjective social status only increases the front-end pollution control input (altruistic motive). (4) A subjective political standing (prestige motivation) significantly lowers environmental violations of businesses more than it does front-end or back-end inputs. (5) A subjective status can also boost owner expectations and business confidence, as well as help businesses to make the best pollution control measures. The optimum of private firms’ pollution control strategies depends heavily on their subjective status when the government’s pollution regulations are lax. The importance of subjective status is also influenced by how well capitalized private businesses are. This paper offers a novel perspective on the value of social governance from the viewpoint of maximizing the pollution management of private firms. It argues that raising the subjective status of private entrepreneurs has value.
The Impact of IFRS 17 on the Development of Accounting Measurement and Disclosure, in Addition to Improving the Quality of Financial Reports, Considering Compliance with the Requirements of IFRS 4—Jordanian Insurance Companies-Field Study
Authors: Alhawtmeh Omar M.
Published: May 2023

The research examines the impact of applying the IFRS 17 International Financial Reporting Standard on the development of accounting measurement and disclosure to improve the quality of financial reports when considering compliance with the requirements of applying the IFRS 4 International Financial Reporting Standard for Jordanian insurance companies. Achieving the objective, previous studies were examined which related to the impact of applying the IFRS 17 Financial Reporting Standard on the development of accounting measurement and disclosure for improving the quality of financial reports when considering compliance with the requirements of applying the IFRS 4 International Financial Reporting Standard for Jordanian insurance companies. Moreover, the researcher linked the theoretical aspect to the practical aspect. Therefore, the researcher designed a questioner, distributed, and then analyzed the results obtained from the relevant parties. The study found the need to conduct increased research related to the impact of adopting the IFRS 17 International Financial Reporting Standard in improving the quality of reports and overcoming obstacles such as current laws, professional qualifications of those preparing reports for insurance companies, and the situation of auditors. Including the IFRS 4 and IFRS 17 standards in the content of accounting courses can be beneficial for linking academic study with practical practice in several ways: Real-world application, Industry relevance, Compliance and regulation, Career opportunities, Evolving nature of accounting. The need to adjust accounting practices of the International Financial Reporting Standard IFRS 17 is an important step in the field of insurance activity to improve the quality of financial reporting. Owing to the fact that the standard has been allocated only to insurance activity and not to all economic operations, means the application of the standard is limited to all insurance contracts for the duration of contracts, regardless of the nature of the activity of the entity issuing those contracts. Therefore, the study recommends increasing attention on disclosure and improving accounting methods in relation to IFRS 17; this is considered a major step in the insurance business in order to improve the quality of financial reports. Additionally, relevant information is provided for financial reports and similar; this helps improve the level of transparency and quality of the information presented in the core of the reports. Thus, it enables companies to assess the impact of contracts about the current financial position, financial performance, and cash flow.
Demolishing or Renovating? Life Cycle Analysis in the Design Process for Building Renovation: The ProGETonE Case
Authors: Bragadin Marco A. , Guardigli Luca , Calistri Mattia , Ferrante Annarita
Published: May 2023

It is well known that a large part of the existing European building stock needs to be renovated to increase structural and energy performance. Unfortunately, deep renovations come with high initial costs, and therefore, owners and real estate developers often prefer complete demolition and reconstruction. Both options depend on specific factors, and to select which option could be the closest to the optimal scenario, it is necessary to evaluate all environmental, social, and economic indicators. Life Cycle Analysis is of great significance to evaluate building sustainability, in particular through the comparison between different design alternatives. However, the life cycle impacts of the construction stage depend on selected materials and technologies that can be subject to change during the subsequent stages of the design process, i.e., moving from preliminary design to detailed design and execution plans. With the aim of understanding the role of LCA during the design process, the case study of “ProGETonE—Proactive Synergy of Integrated Efficient Technologies on Buildings’ Envelopes” has been addressed, leading to the observation that the impacts, in particular the global warming potential (GWP), raised significantly. Building Information Modelling (BIM) helped the information sharing and management of this project, which consists of the deep renovation and architectural reshaping of an existing student residence through the construction of integrated façade systems.
An IFS-IVIFS-DEMATEL Method to Identify Critical Success Factors of Cross-Department Coordination of Emergency Management
Authors: Jin Weijian , Zhang Yajing
Published: May 2023

Cross-Department Coordination of Emergency Management (CDCEM) is considered a critical dimension in China to solve the problem of emergency management. The Decision Experiment and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) is a method used to build the structural correlation of criteria in uncertain environments to identify critical success factors (CSFs). There are coupling correlations and one-way correlations for interrelationship comparisons between selected factors of CDCEM. Therefore, there are two different assessment scales. However, most previous studies applied the DEMATEL method with a single assessment scale to identify CSFs. To fill this gap, an IFS-IVIFS-DEMATEL method is provided to comprehensively identify the CSFs of CDCEM in this study. The intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) is regarded as the assessment scales of coupling correlation, and the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFIVS) is regarded as the assessment scales of one-way correlation. The two different types of assessment scales were transformed into interval information in the improved approach. Then, using the conduction correlation among factors, a comprehensive correlation matrix was constructed. After that, the ranking of the central degree and cause degree of the factors according to the traditional DEMATEL method was obtained. Finally, a case study of Nanjing’s CDCEM was illustrated to demonstrate that the proposed method is more suitable and reasonable. It is found that the factors of “cross-department organization”, “cross-department information communication and transmission”, “information sharing technology platform”, “cross-department material supply capability”, and “cross-department prediction and early warning” in Nanjing are CSFs in CDCEM, which should be emphasized to strengthen CDCEM. The findings of this study shed light on the cross-department coordination of emergency management mechanisms in uncertain situations, which would be beneficial for improving the efficiency of governmental management.
Conceptualising a Model to Assess the Optimum Water Flow of Industrial Symbiosis (IS)
Authors: Mallawaarachchi Harshini , Karunasena Gayani , Sandanayake Yasangika , Liu Chunlu
Published: May 2023

Industrial Symbiosis (IS) has obtained worldwide concern as a new initiative for achieving collaborative benefits through the exchange of resources including water among industries. Even though these initiatives became prominent as successful projects in the early stages, many of them have resulted in failures in the long term due to the absence of the prior evaluation and optimisation of identified water synergies in IS planning. Further, the main attention has been given to achieving cost reductions in individual plants rather than analysing the environmental benefits of IS networks that can be achieved through the maximum recovery of wastewater. The existing evaluation emphasises the need to have a standardised way to assess the optimum water flow of IS. Thus, the purpose is to conceptualise a model to assess the optimum water flow of IS based on secondary data analysis. A desk study and a detailed literature review were selected as suitable methods for reviewing the existing literature relating to water exchange in IS networks, water input and output flow, and optimisation methodologies. As the key findings derived through analysis, water inputs and outputs, a boundary for the selection of industrial entities, typical water synergies, and optimisation formulas were established. Finally, a conceptual model was developed to assess the optimum water flow of IS, which was evaluated through expert interviews to identify further improvements. The developed model forms a unique foundation for assessing the optimum water flow of IS, applying in any context subject to context-specific enhancements. Most importantly, the novelty can be highlighted as the consideration given to maximum wastewater recovery in achieving the reduction in the freshwater utilisation of industrial entities within the IS network. Nevertheless, this conceptual model is still at its early development stage, and it is subjected to more empirical testing and research for its practicality and further refinement as a way forward for the research.
Occupational Burnout among Nursing Professionals: A Comparative Analysis of 1103 Polish Female Nurses across Different Hospital Settings
Authors: Gniewek Dominika , Wawro Weronika , Czapla Michał , Milecka Dorota , Kowalczuk Krystyna , Uchmanowicz Izabella
Published: May 2023

Burnout is common in public trust professions that help people, particularly in healthcare. Professional burnout is a psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a lowered sense of personal achievement in individuals who work with other people. Research has also shown that occupational burnout can result from the incompetence of employees. This study aimed to examine the occupational burnout and coping strategies among nurses working in different hospital settings. A study group consisted of 1103 Polish female nurses working in non-invasive, intensive care, and surgical units. The following validated tools were used: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Mini-COPE questionnaire. The largest contribution in occupational burnout was depersonalization (mean score of 51.57) and, to a lesser extent, emotional exhaustion (mean score of 47). The smallest impact was recorded for job satisfaction (mean score of 28.76). Nurses in surgical departments were younger, less burned out, and dealt with stress better than nurses in non-invasive and intensive care units. Nurses in non-invasive wards were the most burned out among the study sample. Nurses in intensive care experienced the least satisfaction from work. In conclusion, professional burnout in nurses depends on the hospital settings, and this specification should be considered in recognizing this problem among nurses. Considering coping strategies, the results suggest a need for tailored coping interventions and support programs specifically designed for nurses working in high-stress environments such as the intensive care unit and non-invasive ward. Given that surgical nurses demonstrated better coping strategies, there is an opportunity to share their best practices with nurses in the intensive care unit and non-invasive ward. In the long-term perspective, investing in the well-being of healthcare workers can lead to a more sustainable healthcare system. By reducing turnover rates and improving the quality of care, sustainable practices can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems.
Mathematical Modeling of Pilot Scale Olive Mill Wastewater Phytoremediation Units
Authors: Petoussi Margarita A. , Kalogerakis Nicolas
Published: May 2023

A mechanistic state–space model has been developed to describe the dynamics of olive mill wastewater (OMW) treatment in phytoremediation pilot units with P. granatum L. and M. communis L. plants and to assess further the relative contribution of the plants in the overall OMW remediation process. Both phytoremediation and bioremediation processes have been considered in the model, i.e., phytodegradation, rhizodegradation, accumulation of hardly biodegradable organic matter on the root tissue of plants, microbial growth, maintenance and decay, and enzymatic decomposition of organics. Maximum specific microbial growth rates for bacteria and fungi were estimated within the range of 0.164–0.236 1/h. The specific rate for the decomposition of hardly biodegradable organics both by bacteria and fungi was within the range of 10.75–72.73 mg-substrate/g-biomass·h, whereas, particularly for the high-molecular-weight polyphenols, it was 1.02–18.25 mg-substrate/g-biomass·h. The values of the transpiration stream concentration factor were greater than 0.95 for both the non-phenolic and phenolic organics, which indicates almost passive uptake of OMW organics’ mixture by the plants. The corresponding factors for inorganic N and P were estimated as greater than unity, indicating active uptake. Overall, the model predicts the experimental data well when the organic concentration of OMW is high, and it predicts that phytoremediation processes contribute by more than 91% to the removal of OMW organics and nutrients, irrespective of the wastewater organic strength.
Phenotypic Selection on Flower Traits in Food-Deceptive Plant Iris pumila L.: The Role of Pollinators
Authors: Budečević Sanja , Hočevar Katarina , Manitašević Jovanović Sanja , Vuleta Ana
Published: May 2023

To gain insight into the evolution of flower traits in the generalized food-deceptive plant Iris pumila, we assessed the color, size, shape, and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of three functionally distinct floral organs—outer perianths (‘falls’), inner perianths (‘standards’), and style branches—and estimated pollinator-mediated selection on these traits. We evaluated the perianth color as the achromatic brightness of the fall, measured the flower stem height, and analyzed the floral organ size, shape, and FA using geometric morphometrics. Pollinated flowers had significantly higher brightness, longer flower stems, and larger floral organs compared to non-pollinated flowers. The shape and FA of the floral organs did not differ, except for the fall FA, where higher values were found for falls of pollinated flowers. Pollinator-mediated selection was confirmed for flower stem height and for subtle changes in the shape of the fall and style branch—organs that form the pollination tunnel. This study provides evidence that, although all analyzed flower traits play significant roles in pollinator attraction, flower stem height and pollination tunnel shape evolved under the pollinator-mediated selection, whereas achromatic brightness, size, and symmetry of floral organs did not directly affect pollination success.
Effects of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Petal Tea Extract on Hepatotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Induced by Mancozeb in Rat Model
Authors: Nuchniyom Pimchanok , Intui Ketsarin , Laoung-on Jiraporn , Jaikang Churdsak , Quiggins Ranida , Photichai Kornravee , Sudwan Paiwan
Published: May 2023

Mancozeb (Mz) is one of the most widely used pesticides that has been reported to cause adverse human health risks. White Nelumbo nucifera (N. nucifera) petals have therapeutic properties to prevent toxicity. Hence, this study attempted to determine the effects of N. nucifera extract on hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in mancozeb-treated rats. Seventy-two male rats were divided into nine groups and designed with a control; N. nucifera extract was administered at the doses of 0.55, 1.1, and 2.2 mg/kg bw/day, Mz was administered at 500 mg/kg bw/day, and the co-treatment groups (N. nucifera and Mz) were administered 0.55, 1.1, and 2.2 mg/kg bw/day of N. nucifera followed by administering Mz 500 mg/kg bw/day daily for 30 days. The results showed that all doses of N. nucifera extract did not induce hepatic toxicity and could suppress the toxicity of mancozeb by increasing body weight gain and decreasing relative liver weight, lobular inflammation, and total injury score. The combination treatment also decreased the molecular markers of oxidative stress (2-hydroxybutyric acid, 4-hydroxynonenal, l-tyrosine, pentosidine, and N6-carboxymethyllysine). Furthermore, the reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione contents were adjusted close to the normal level. Therefore, N. nucifera extract is a natural antioxidant supplement that could decrease the toxicity of mancozeb and can be safely consumed.
Simultaneously Cationic and Anionic Dyes Elimination via Magnetic Hydrochar Prepared from Copper Slag and Pinewood Sawdust
Authors: Wang Huabin , Wu Yi , Wen Yi , Chen Dingxiang , Pu Jiang , Ding Yu , Kong Sailian , Wang Shuaibing , Xu Rui
Published: May 2023

In practical wastewater, cationic and anionic dyes usually coexist, while synergistic removal of these pollutants is difficult due to their relatively opposite properties. In this work, copper slag (CS) modified hydrochar (CSHC) was designed as functional material by the one-pot method. Based on characterizations, the Fe species in CS can be converted to zero-valent iron and loaded onto a hydrochar substrate. The CSHC exhibited efficient removal rates for both cationic dyes (methylene blue, MB) and anionic dyes (methyl orange, MO), with a maximum capacity of 278.21 and 357.02 mg·g−1, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of unmodified ones. The surface interactions of MB and MO between CSHC were mimicked by the Langmuir model and the pseudo-second-order model. In addition, the magnetic properties of CSHC were also observed, and the good magnetic properties enabled the adsorbent to be quickly separated from the solution with the help of magnets. The adsorption mechanisms include pore filling, complexation, precipitation, and electrostatic attraction. Moreover, the recycling experiments demonstrated the potential regenerative performance of CSHC. All these results shed light on the co-removal of cationic and anionic contaminates via these industrial by-products derived from environmental remediation materials.
Next-Generation Sequencing for Venomics: Application of Multi-Enzymatic Limited Digestion for Inventorying the Snake Venom Arsenal
Authors: Amorim Fernanda Gobbi , Redureau Damien , Crasset Thomas , Freuville Lou , Baiwir Dominique , Mazzucchelli Gabriel , Menzies Stefanie K. , Casewell Nicholas R. , Quinton Loïc
Published: May 2023

To improve the characterization of snake venom protein profiles, we report the application of a new generation of proteomic methodology to deeply characterize complex protein mixtures. The new approach, combining a synergic multi-enzymatic and a time-limited digestion (MELD), is a versatile and straightforward protocol previously developed by our group. The higher number of overlapping peptides generated during MELD increases the quality of downstream peptide sequencing and of protein identification. In this context, this work aims at applying the MELD strategy to a venomics purpose for the first time, and especially for the characterization of snake venoms. We used four venoms as the test models for this proof of concept: two Elapidae (Dendroaspis polylepis and Naja naja) and two Viperidae (Bitis arietans and Echis ocellatus). Each venom was reduced and alkylated before being submitted to two different protocols: the classical bottom-up proteomics strategy including a digestion step with trypsin only, or MELD, which combines the activities of trypsin, Glu-C and chymotrypsin with a limited digestion approach. The resulting samples were then injected on an M-Class chromatographic system, and hyphenated to a Q-Exactive Mass Spectrometer. Toxins and protein identification were performed by Peaks Studio X+. The results show that MELD considerably improves the number of sequenced (de novo) peptides and identified peptides from protein databases, leading to the unambiguous identification of a greater number of toxins and proteins. For each venom, MELD was successful, not only in terms of the identification of the major toxins (increasing of sequence coverage), but also concerning the less abundant cellular components (identification of new groups of proteins). In light of these results, MELD represents a credible methodology to be applied as the next generation of proteomics approaches dedicated to venomic analysis. It may open new perspectives for the sequencing and inventorying of the venom arsenal and should expand global knowledge about venom composition.
Zearalenone Does Not Show Genotoxic Effects in the Drosophila melanogaster Wing Spot Test, but It Induces Oxidative Imbalance, Development, and Fecundity Alterations
Authors: Santos-Cruz Luis Felipe , Ponciano-Gómez Alberto , Torres-Gregorio Juan Tomás , Ramírez-Cruz Bertha Guadalupe , Vázquez-Gómez Gerardo , Hernández-Portilla Luis Barbo , Flores-Ortiz Cesar Mateo , Dueñas-García Irma Elena , Heres-Pulido María Eugenia , Castañeda-Partida Laura , Durán-Díaz Ángel , Campos-Aguilar Myriam , Sigrist-Flores Santiago Cristobal , Piedra-Ibarra Elías
Published: May 2023

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal mycoestrogen produced by the Fusarium genus. ZEN and its metabolites compete with 17-beta estradiol for cytosolic estrogen receptors, causing reproductive alterations in vertebrates. ZEN has also been associated with toxic and genotoxic effects, as well as an increased risk for endometrial adenocarcinomas or hyperplasia, breast cancer, and oxidative damage, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Previous studies have monitored cellular processes through levels of transcripts associated with Phase I Xenobiotic Metabolism (Cyp6g1 and Cyp6a2), oxidative stress (hsp60 and hsp70), apoptosis (hid, grim, and reaper), and DNA damage genes (Dmp53). In this study, we evaluated the survival and genotoxicity of ZEN, as well as its effects on emergence rate and fecundity in Drosophila melanogaster. Additionally, we determined levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) using the D. melanogaster flare and Oregon R(R)-flare strains, which differ in levels of Cyp450 gene expression. Our results showed that ZEN toxicity did not increase mortality by more than 30%. We tested three ZEN concentrations (100, 200, and 400 μM) and found that none of the concentrations were genotoxic but were cytotoxic. Taking into account that it has previously been demonstrated that ZEN administration increased hsp60 expression levels and apoptosis gene transcripts in both strains, the data agree with an increase in ROS and development and fecundity alterations. Since Drosophila lacks homologous genes for mammalian estrogen receptors alpha and beta, the effects of this mycotoxin can be explained by a mechanism different from estrogenic activity.
Genome Sequences and Characterization of Chicken Astrovirus and Avian Nephritis Virus from Tanzanian Live Bird Markets
Authors: Kariithi Henry M. , Volkening Jeremy D. , Chiwanga Gaspar H. , Pantin-Jackwood Mary J. , Msoffe Peter L. M. , Suarez David L.
Published: May 2023

The enteric chicken astrovirus (CAstV) and avian nephritis virus (ANV) are the type species of the genus Avastrovirus (AAstV; Astroviridae family), capable of causing considerable production losses in poultry. Using next-generation sequencing of a cloacal swab from a backyard chicken in Tanzania, we assembled genome sequences of ANV and CAstV (6918 nt and 7318 nt in length, respectively, excluding poly(A) tails, which have a typical AAstV genome architecture (5′-UTR-ORF1a-ORF1b-ORF2-‘3-UTR). They are most similar to strains ck/ANV/BR/RS/6R/15 (82.72%) and ck/CAstV/PL/G059/14 (82.23%), respectively. Phylogenetic and sequence analyses of the genomes and the three open reading frames (ORFs) grouped the Tanzanian ANV and CAstV strains with Eurasian ANV-5 and CAstV-Aii viruses, respectively. Compared to other AAstVs, the Tanzanian strains have numerous amino acid variations (substitutions, insertions and deletions) in the spike region of the capsid protein. Furthermore, CAstV-A has a 4018 nt recombinant fragment in the ORF1a/1b genomic region, predicted to be from Eurasian CAstV-Bi and Bvi parental strains. These data should inform future epidemiological studies and options for AAstV diagnostics and vaccines.
Analysis of the Hydromechanical Properties of Compact Sandstone and Engineering Application
Authors: Tang Peng , Zhang Wenbing , Wang Haoyu , Zhou Jiaxin , Dang Yabin , Chao Zhiming
Published: May 2023

The paper proposes a method to simulate the mechanical behavior of compact rock considering hydromechanics by combining physical experiments and numerical analysis. The effectiveness of the constructed method is validated by the comparison between the numerical and physical results of triaxial shear experiments on sandstone in seepage conditions. Based on the validated method, the stability of underground water-sealed oil and gas storage caverns in surrounding compact sandstone during excavation is analyzed. The main findings are as follows: The intrinsic permeability of compact sandstone has a power function relationship with the porosity; the combination of the porous media elastic model and the modified Drucker–Prager plasticity model can preciously represent the mechanical properties of compact sandstone; the proposed method can accurately replicate the hydromechanical response of compact sandstone in seepage conditions; the effects of hydromechanical effects have significant impacts on the stability of surround compact sandstone during the excavation of underground water sealed oil and gas storage caverns, which causes the obvious increase in stress, deformation and plastic deformation zones of the surrounding compact sandstone and remarkable decrease in the stability safety factor.
Growing an Enhanced Culture of Polyphosphate-Accumulating Organisms to Optimize the Recovery of Phosphate from Wastewater
Authors: Thela Njabulo , Ikumi David , Harding Theo , Basitere Moses
Published: May 2023

Having certain bacteria called phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs) is important for getting rid of phosphorus (P) in wastewater from homes. This happens in a process called enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR), where PAOs are active in activated sludge. To design and make EBPR processes work better, we need to have an in-depth understanding of how PAOs work. The best way to learn about them is by studying them in a laboratory. This study undertook to culture these microorganisms in the laboratory. A University of Cape Town membrane bioreactor (UCTMBR) activated sludge (AS) system was used to grow the microorganisms and see how well it worked. This paper looked at what type of substrate PAOs like best, either acetate or propionate, and how providing them with more of their preferred substrate affects how they grow. During the process, it was observed that P was not released or taken up significantly when acetate was added to the influent. The levels were consistently low at around 5.74 ± 4.47 mgP/L infl (release) and 19.9 ± 7.17 mgP/L infl (uptake). The signs become much better when propionate was used instead of acetate. When the amount of propionate in the influent was increased from 50% to 76% (as a percentage of influent total chemical oxygen demand), the amount of P released went up to 155 ± 17.7 mgP/L infl, and the amount of P taken up went up to 213.7 ± 11.4 mgP/L infl. The proof given indicated that propionate is preferred by PAOs. This study found that when more propionate was added to the wastewater, the concentration of PAO biomass went up. This was shown by certain signs that PAOs display when they are present. Results presented in this journal article emanate from an MSc Thesis (Thela, 2022) published in open-source UCT.