bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Chloride and Ferrous Ions on Improving Copper Leaching from Black Copper Ores
Authors: Sepúlveda Rossana , Martínez Melissa , Hernández Pía , Guzmán Alexis , Castillo Jonathan
Published: December 2023

Although the importance of black copper ores is well established, many topics remain to be studied. This manuscript describes the efforts to improve copper recovery from refractory ores on a pilot scale. Preliminary tests provided the water dose to form a stable and compact agglomerate of 89 L per ton of ore and an acid dosage of 40 kg per ton of ore. The column leaching method resulted in an effluent with 1.63 g/L Cu, a pH of 1.04, and a redox potential of 675 mV (average). Despite the similarities observed in the results, reductant agents were essential to dissolve the MnO4 present in the black copper ore. Thus, the best Mn extraction results were 67.7% using the MnO2:FeSO4 ratio of 1:3. Additionally, the kinetics of leaching are slower than in an industrial operation. The copper ore under study required more than 65 days of leaching to reach the maximum copper recovery. Finally, the total recovery of copper (including washing and resting time) indicates that the maximum value was reached for ore pretreated with NaCl, H2SO4, and FeSO4, concluding that the use of agents favored leaching.
Optimization of the Flow of Parts in the Process of Brake Caliper Regeneration Using the System Dynamics Method
Authors: Litwin Paweł , Gola Arkadiusz , Wójcik Łukasz , Cioch Michał
Published: December 2023

Remanufacturing processes are one of the key pillars of the so-called closed-cycle economy. Unfortunately, the design and organization of such processes pose a significant problem, due to, among other things, the high variability of the process as a consequence of both the degree of wear and tear and the quality of the remanufactured components. This article presents a method for optimizing the flow of the brake caliper remanufacturing process in the MTO (make-to-order) model. For the optimization process, the system dynamics (SD) method, which belongs to a group of simulation methods, was used. The developed model allows, in particular, the prediction of the number of components at the input to the regeneration process and the method of defining the size of the transport batch and evaluating its impact on the length of the production cycle of the batch of regenerated products. The issues of staffing management at individual positions and the organization of transport operations with variable production batch sizes were also discussed. The provided experiments have shown that reducing the size of the transport batch contributes to shortening the production order execution time, both with standard and increased staffing.
Energy Dissipation in Tribological Stressed Greases
Authors: Kuhn Erik
Published: December 2023

Lubricating greases that are subject to a continuous friction process are in a non-equilibrium state. In processes far from equilibrium, there is a possibility that dissipative structures will form. In this work, the conjecture is pursued that this is also possible in loaded grease films. On the one hand, the shear process is considered in interaction with structural degradation, and on the other hand, the behavior of energy dissipation mechanisms is investigated. In the two models presented, it is shown that there are conditions under which it is possible to trigger self-organization processes. The next step must be the development of suitable experiments.
Life-Space: Is It Anywhere Outside Our Minds?
Authors: Caeiro António de Castro
Published: December 2023

This paper explores the intricate relationship between our personal experiences of space and the autobiographical nature of our geography. Our geographical awareness is profoundly shaped by the places we have been, encompassing a rich tapestry of places such as childhood homes, educational institutions, vacation spots, and bustling city streets. These spaces become imbued with personal memories and significance, forming the backdrop of our individual narratives. While these experiences are inherently personal and unique, they are also shared in a broader sense. This duality of personal fand communal experience adds layers of complexity to our understanding of space. Furthermore, our experiences of space are deeply intertwined with the passage of time.
Further Refinement of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-10: Complementary Evidence from Item Response Theory and Classical Test Theory
Authors: Padmanabhanunni Anita , Pretorius Tyrone B.
Published: December 2023

The assessment of mental health, particularly depression, in university student populations is crucial for effective intervention and support. This study investigates the psychometric properties of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-10 (CES-D10) among 322 university students in the Western Cape province of South Africa, employing both classical test theory and item response theory. Participants were also assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and a short form of the Beck Hopelessness Scale. The results reveal satisfactory reliability indices for the CES-D10 based on Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. However, Item 8 was identified as problematic across multiple metrics, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch analysis; therefore, the exclusion of this item is recommended for improved scale performance. The 9-item version displayed superior fit in the CFA and better construct validity than the 10-item scale. Scores on the CES-D10 were positively correlated with perceived stress and hopelessness and negatively correlated with life satisfaction, supporting the criterion-related validity of the scale. The study extends the psychometric validation literature of the CES-D10 by incorporating Rasch analysis, underscoring the benefits of using multiple statistical frameworks to achieve robust findings. These results have relevance for mental health assessment among university students in developing contexts, providing an evidence-based tool for early intervention.
Heidegger’s World: Re-Enchanting through Thingness
Authors: Zhao Xiaochen
Published: December 2023

This study investigates how Martin Heidegger’s notion of “the thing” (Das Ding) can help rescue modern disenchantment with regard to its root in the World, a concept developed from “being-in-the-world” presented in Being and Time, and later taken as a participant in the bilateral polemos illustrated in die Gestalt (signifying Being’s strife to disclose itself against the Earth: self-concealing concealment). In Section 1, I analyze the occurrence of disenchantment by critically reviewing several thinkers’ discussions of it, pointing out that “faciality”—which has structured the modern Western understanding of reality—is the cornerstone of ontotheology, as well as the collapse of it: disenchantment. In Section 2, to demonstrate how Heidegger’s rediscovery of usefulness in a de-subjectified discourse of signification has challenged the positivistic view attached to “faciality”, I examine Heidegger’s idea of “readiness-to-hand,” revealing the basic temporal–spatial units composing the “handiness” of categorical beings and its relation to Dasein, progressing thereon to the analysis of a thing-centered worldview of Heidegger’s phenomenology. In Section 3, I demonstrate how this thing-centered worldview has the potential to form a preparative stage for re-enchantment of the World by uncovering the concealed existentiality within things, aligning with Heidegger’s polemos in his philosophy of art.
The Third Dimension of Coptic Books: Sacrality in Materiality
Authors: Buzi Paola
Published: December 2023

Books are complex objects. They have an undeniable material dimension, because they are artifacts characterized by a refined technology that has evolved over the centuries, and at the same time, they are vectors of intellectual products, consisting of the work(s) that they convey. However, books may also have a third dimension, since they embody the sacrality of a cult, belong to a performing rite, are offered to god(s) for the salvation of a soul, etc. Therefore, they incorporate an intrinsic sacredness for the simple reasons that they contain certain texts and are used on certain occasions to perform a certain rite. This paper explores the sacred aspect of Coptic codices and their third dimension, analyzing in particular the special case of books buried with a deceased person.
To Touch or Not to Touch? An Ethical Reflection and Case Study on Physical Touching in the Pastoral Accompaniment of Vulnerable Persons, Especially Minors and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Liégeois Axel
Published: December 2023

Our aim is to develop an ethical reflection and a case study on physical touching by Christian chaplains in their pastoral accompaniment of minors and persons with intellectual disabilities. To this end, we develop an ethical evaluation method consisting of four elements: context; motives; possible actions; and effects. Following this method, we highlight how to evaluate physical touch, formulate ten ethical recommendations, and discuss a case study. Regarding the context of the asymmetric relationship, our recommendations are for chaplains to (1) deal with power in a responsible way and (2) foster their sense of responsibility. Given the complexity of chaplains’ motives, we recommend that chaplains (3) clarify their motives and (4) strengthen their integrity. For the ambiguity of physical touch, we recommend chaplains to (5) seek the appropriateness of touch, (6) consider age and development, and (7) nurture professional ethics. As for the multiplicity of effects for vulnerable persons, our recommendations for chaplains are to (8) give priority to the vulnerable person, (9) not cause harm, and (10) obtain free and informed consent. We encourage chaplains to touch vulnerable persons when appropriate for pastoral accompaniment but to be particularly careful about the use of power and to make a strong effort to obtain consent for touching.
Synergistic Application of Multiple Machine Learning Algorithms and Hyperparameter Optimization Strategies for Net Ecosystem Productivity Prediction in Southeast Asia
Authors: Huang Chaoqing , Chen Bin , Sun Chuanzhun , Wang Yuan , Zhang Junye , Yang Huan , Wu Shengbiao , Tu Peiyue , Nguyen MinhThu , Hong Song , He Chao
Published: December 2023

The spatiotemporal patterns and shifts of net ecosystem productivity (NEP) play a pivotal role in ecological conservation and addressing climate change. For example, by quantifying the NEP information within ecosystems, we can achieve the protection and restoration of natural ecological balance. Monitoring the changes in NEP enables a more profound understanding and prediction of ecosystem alterations caused by global warming, thereby providing a scientific basis for formulating policies aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change. The accurate prediction of NEP sheds light on the ecosystem’s response to climatic variations and aids in formulating targeted carbon sequestration policies. While traditional ecological process models provide a comprehensive approach to predicting NEP, they often require extensive experimental and empirical data, increasing research costs. In contrast, machine-learning models offer a cost-effective alternative for NEP prediction; however, the delicate balance in algorithm selection and hyperparameter tuning is frequently overlooked. In our quest for the optimal prediction model, we examined a combination of four mainstream machine-learning algorithms with four hyperparameter-optimization techniques. Our analysis identified that the backpropagation neural network combined with Bayesian optimization yielded the best performance, with an R2 of 0.68 and an MSE of 1.43. Additionally, deep-learning models showcased promising potential in NEP prediction. Selecting appropriate algorithms and executing precise hyperparameter-optimization strategies are crucial for enhancing the accuracy of NEP predictions. This approach not only improves model performance but also provides us with new tools for a deeper understanding of and response to ecosystem changes induced by climate change.
Uncertainty Analysis and Data Fusion of Multi-Source Land Evapotranspiration Products Based on the TCH Method
Authors: Cui Zilong , Zhang Yuan , Wang Anzhi , Wu Jiabing , Li Chunbo
Published: December 2023

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a very important variable in the global water cycle, carbon cycle, and energy cycle. However, there are still some uncertainties in existing ET products. Therefore, this paper evaluates the uncertainty of three widely used global ET products (ERA5-Land, GLDAS-Noah, and MERRA-2) based on the three-cornered hat (TCH) method, and generates a new ET product based on this. The new product is a long-series global monthly ET dataset with a spatial resolution of 0.25° × 0.25° and a time span of 21 years. The results show that ERA5-Land (8.46 mm/month) has the lowest uncertainty among the three ET products, followed by GLDAS-Noah (8.81 mm/month) and MERRA-2 (11.78 mm/month). The new product (TCH) captures ET trends in different regions as well as validating against in situ flux observations, and it exhibits better performance than the re-analysis dataset (ERA5-Land) in vegetation classifications such as evergreen needle-leaf forest, grassland, open shrubland, savanna, and woody savanna. The linear trend analysis of the new product shows a significant decreasing trend in south-eastern South America and southwestern parts of Africa, and an increasing trend in almost all other regions, including eastern North America, north-eastern South America, western Europe, north-central Africa, southern Asia, and south-eastern Oceania.
Why Gerontology Needs Anthropology: Toward an Applied Anthropological Gerontology
Authors: Howell Britteny M. , Guest M. Aaron
Published: December 2023

In this essay, we argue that gerontologists should increase their engagement with anthropologists to increase transdisciplinary collaboration, fulfill the interdisciplinary promise of gerontology as a field, and to ensure the work of anthropologists is formed by, and employed in, situations where meaningful engagement with practitioners and policymakers can lead to social change. Anthropology is the study of human societies in historical, biological, and sociocultural context, comprising a holistic field of study that can contribute unique methods, approaches, and theories to the field of gerontology. Although increasing amounts of anthropological scholarship have focused on older adulthood, this critical work of anthropologists still needs to be utilized by those in positions of power to enact change. Furthermore, the work conducted by anthropologists of aging has not consistently been recognized as anthropological scholarship. Therefore, a notable gap exists between the promise of the anthropology of aging and the utilization of the field, its findings, and engagement with the broader gerontological academy. As such, the contributions of anthropology to aging scholarship and the resulting reduction in inequities in the aging experience are not always adequately recognized. By examining the history of anthropology’s engagement with aging and the lifecourse, we argue for a more applied anthropological gerontology. We conclude with a call to action to ensure that anthropological gerontology is seen as a fundamental branch of scholarship, both within anthropology and gerontology, which can be used to improve the lived experiences of older adults globally.
Reciprocal Communication and Political Deliberation on Twitter
Authors: Ackland Robert , Gumbert Felix , Pütz Ole , Gertzel Bryan , Orlikowski Matthias
Published: December 2023

Social media platforms such as Twitter/X are increasingly important for political communication but the empirical question as to whether such communication enhances democratic consensus building (the ideal of deliberative democracy) or instead contributes to societal polarisation via fostering of hate speech and “information disorders” such as echo chambers is worth exploring. Political deliberation involves reciprocal communication between users, but much of the recent research into politics on social media has focused on one-to-many communication, in particular the sharing and diffusion of information on Twitter via retweets. This paper presents a new approach to studying reciprocal political communication on Twitter, with a focus on extending network-analytic indicators of deliberation. We use the Twitter v2 API to collect a new dataset (#debatenight2020) of reciprocal communication on Twitter during the first debate of the 2020 US presidential election and show that a hashtag-based collection alone would have collected only 1% of the debate-related communication. Previous work into using social network analysis to measure deliberation has involved using discussion tree networks to quantify the extent of argumentation (maximum depth) and representation (maximum width); we extend these measures by explicitly incorporating reciprocal communication (via triad census) and the political partisanship of users (inferred via usage of partisan hashtags). Using these methods, we find evidence for reciprocal communication among partisan actors, but also point to a need for further research to understand what forms this communication takes.
College Students and Environmental Disasters: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Breen Kyle , Montes Mauricio , Wu Haorui , Lai Betty S.
Published: December 2023

College students are a unique population occupying a distinct life-course and transition period between adolescence and adulthood. Although not monolithic in experiences, knowledge, and demographics, this diverse population is particularly susceptible to immediate, short-term, mid-term, and long-term disaster impacts. Recently, disaster research focusing on college students has rightly focused on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Although the pandemic was a public health disaster interrupting social, developmental, and educational processes for students on a global scale, the climate crisis and related environmental disasters continuously threaten college students’ individual development, health, and well-being. Thus, it is critical to understand current knowledge focusing on environmental disasters and college students in order to determine future research needs. This article used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach to examine research on college students and disasters over the past ten years (2014–2023). We identified 67 articles, which we analyzed through a mixed methods approach, including descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results indicate that disaster impacts on college students are an understudied topic in the social sciences, especially in an era of more-frequent and -intense environmental hazards. Our findings demonstrate a need to engage college students in disaster research worldwide so that trade schools, colleges, and universities can collaborate with policymakers to build this unique and disproportionately impacted population’s capacity to mitigate against, respond to, and recover from environmental hazards in an ever-changing climate.
Moderating Effect of Grip Strength in the Association between Diabetes Mellitus and Depressive Symptomatology
Authors: Veiga Diogo , Peralta Miguel , Gouveia Élvio R. , Carvalho Laura , Encantado Jorge , Teixeira Pedro J. , Marques Adilson
Published: December 2023

Diabetes mellitus and depression rank among the leading causes of disease burden and are present in the top ten causes of disability-adjusted life years worldwide. Numerous studies have shown that both depression and diabetes have a detrimental effect on the quality of life, and when they coexist, the effect is considerably worse. This study aimed to analyse how grip strength moderates the relationship between diabetes and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults. In total, 41,701 participants (18,003 men) in wave 8 of the cross-sectional population-based Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (2019/2020) data were studied. A dynamometer was used to test grip strength twice on each hand. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 12-item EURO-D scale. The relationship between diabetes and depressive symptoms is negatively moderated by grip strength (male: B = −0.03, 95% CI = −0.04, −0.03; female: B = −0.06, 95% CI = −0.07, −0.06). Furthermore, the significant zone grip strength moderation values for males and females were less than 48.7 kg and 38.9 kg, respectively. Muscular strength was a moderator of depressive symptoms, attenuating its association with diabetes. This supports the premise that physical activity, namely muscle-strengthening exercises, should be included in diabetes treatment programs.
Long-Term Anaerobic Digestion of Seasonal Fruit and Vegetable Waste Using a Leach-Bed Reactor Coupled to an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed Reactor
Authors: Kalogiannis Achilleas , Diamantis Vasileios , Eftaxias Alexandros , Stamatelatou Katerina
Published: December 2023

Fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) generated locally in open (public or wholesale) markets is a valuable resource and should not be considered as waste. The anaerobic digestion (AD) of FVW can minimize landfill disposal and generate renewable energy, thus decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the digestate after the AD of FVW, devoid of antibiotics and animal fats in manure and food waste, may have a high fertilizing value. In this study, FVW mixtures were composed to mimic the real FVW generated in Mediterranean open markets annually. The first goal was to evaluate the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of different size fractions resulting from FVW grinding. Indeed, the FVW was ground and separated into two size fractions, 0–4 mm and 4–10 mm, respectively. The 0–4 mm fraction exhibited a lower BMP but a higher rate constant than the 4–10 mm fraction. The second goal was to first evaluate the BMP of the lumped fraction of FVW after grinding (0–10 mm) via BMP assays and then feed it to a mesophilic two-stage leaching-bed reactor (LBR)-upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) system for almost one year. The BMP of the FVW ranged between 406 and 429 L kg−1 of volatile solids (VS) independently of the FVW production season. The system received an average organic loading rate (OLR) of 3.1 ± 0.7 g VS L−1 d−1. During operation, the LBR gradually transited from acidogenic to methanogenic, and the overall methane yield of the system increased from 265–278 to 360–375 L kg−1 VS, respectively. The proposed technology does not require water addition or liquid digestate removal. Compared to the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) digester technology, the LBR/UASB system is suitable for the anaerobic digestion of FVW. The results of this study can be further used to upscale the proposed technology and contribute to the societal need for affordable and clean energy included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sustainable Development of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Using the Enhanced LSHADE Algorithm and Newton Raphson Method
Authors: Singla Manish Kumar , Gupta Jyoti , Alsharif Mohammed H. , Jahid Abu , Yahya Khalid
Published: December 2023

This paper presents a mathematical model for stacks of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) using an optimised method. In order to reduce the sum of squared errors (SSE) in calculating the polarisation profile, the suggested technique makes use of simulated experimental data. Given that DMFC is one of the viable fuel cell choices, developing an appropriate model is essential for cost reduction. However, resolving this issue has proven difficult due to its complex and highly nonlinear character, particularly when adjusting the DMFC model to various operating temperatures. By combining the algorithm and the objective function, the current work introduces a novel method called LSHADE (ELSHADE) for determining the parameters of the DMFC model. This technique seeks to accurately identify DMFCs’ characteristics. The ELSHADE method consists of two stages, the first of which is controlled by a reliable mutation process and the latter by a chaotic approach. The study also recommends an improved Newton–Raphson (INR) approach to deal with the chaotic nature of the I-V curve equation. The findings show that, when used on actual experimental data, the ELSHADE-INR technique outperforms existing algorithms in a variety of statistical metrics for accurately identifying global solutions.
Community Resilience after Disasters: Exploring Teacher, Caregiver and Student Conceptualisations in Indonesia
Authors: Parrott Elinor , Bernardino Andrea , Lomeli-Rodriguez Martha , Burgess Rochelle , Rahman Alfi , Direzkia Yulia , Joffe Helene
Published: December 2023

Despite the potentially catastrophic nature of disasters, survivors can be highly resilient. Resilience, the capacity to successfully adapt to adversity, is both individual and collective. Policymakers and academics have recently emphasised the importance of community resilience, but with little consideration of local survivors’ perspectives, particularly young survivors within low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, this exploratory study aims to give voice to disaster-affected caregivers, teachers and female adolescent students by examining their conceptualisations of community coping and priorities for resilient recovery following the 2018 Central Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami. A total of 127 survivors of the devastating disaster, including 47 adolescents, answered open-ended survey questions related to post-disaster resilience. A content analysis identified key constituents of community resilience. The results indicate that survivors highly value community cohesion and participation, drawing on the community’s intra-personal strengths to overcome post-disaster stressors. Student conceptualisations of and recommendations for a resilient recovery often differ from the views of important adults in their lives, for example, regarding the role played by the built environment, “trauma healing” and religiosity in the recovery process. These findings have implications for the design of disaster resilience interventions.
Correction: Hezam et al. A Systematic Literature Review on Mathematical Models of Humanitarian Logistics. Symmetry 2021, 13, 11
Authors: Hezam Ibrahim M. , Nayeem Moddassir k. , Lee Gyu M.
Published: December 2023

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
Scheduling Parallel Cranes for Unit-Load Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems with Shared Storage
Authors: Xu Rui , Tuo Yafang , Chen Huimin , Xu Jinxue
Published: December 2023

Motivated by observing real-world instances of multi-aisle automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RSs) with shared storage, we introduced a new optimization problem called the parallel crane scheduling (PCS) problem. Unlike the single crane scheduling (SCS) problem, the decisions of the PCS problem include not only the request sequencing and storage/retrieval location selection, but also assigning requests to cranes. The PCS problem better reflects the real-life situation, but it is more complex, since these three decisions are interrelated and interact with one another. In this study, since the empty location vacated by any retrieval operation is instantly available, we introduced a new dynamic programming model combined with a mixed-integer linear programming model to describe this complex problem. Considering the feature of location-dependent processing time, we transformed the PCS problem into a variant of the unrelated parallel machine scheduling problem. We developed an apparent tardiness cost-based construction heuristic and an ant colony system algorithm with a problem-specific local optimization. Our experiments demonstrated that the proposed algorithms provide excellent performance, along with the insight that globally scheduling multiple aisles could be considered to reduce the total tardiness when designing an operation scheme for multi-aisle AS/RSs.
Comparison Study of Two Fumonisin-Degrading Enzymes for Detoxification in Piglets
Authors: Wang Zhenlong , Lv Zonghao , Czabany Tibor , Nagl Veronika , Krska Rudolf , Wang Xiumin , Han Bing , Tao Hui , Liu Jie , Wang Jinquan
Published: December 2023

Fumonisins (FBs), particularly fumonisin B1 (FB1) and fumonisin B2 (FB2) produced mainly by Fusarium verticillioide and Fusarium proliferatum, are common contaminants in animal feed and pose a serious threat to both animal and human health. The use of microbial enzymes to efficiently and specifically convert fumonisins into non-toxic or low-toxic metabolites has emerged as the most promising approach. However, most of the available enzymes have only been evaluated in vitro and lack systematic evaluation in vivo. In this study, the detoxification efficacy of two carboxylesterases, FumD (FUMzyme®) and FumDSB, was evaluated comparatively in piglets. The results show that feeding piglets 4.4 mg/kg FBs-contaminated diets for 32 days did not significantly affect the average daily gain, organ indices, and immunoglobulins of the piglets. However, a significant reduction (21.2%) in anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4 was observed in the FBs group, and supplementation with FUMzyme® and FumDSB significantly increased interleukin-4 by 62.1% and 28.0%, respectively. In addition, FBs-contaminated diets resulted in a 3-fold increase in the serum sphinganine/sphingosine (Sa/So) ratio, which is a specific biomarker that has been used to accurately reflect fumonisin levels. The serum Sa/So ratio was significantly reduced by 48.8% after the addition of FUMzyme®, and was insignificantly reduced by 8.2% in the FumDSB group. These results suggested that FUMzyme was more effective than FumDSB in mitigating FBs toxicity in piglets by down-regulating the Sa/So ratio.
Quantitative Rapid Magnetic Immunoassay for Sensitive Toxin Detection in Food: Non-Covalent Functionalization of Nanolabels vs. Covalent Immobilization
Authors: Orlov Alexey V. , Znoyko Sergey L. , Malkerov Juri A. , Skirda Artemiy M. , Novichikhin Denis O. , Rakitina Alexandra S. , Zaitseva Zoia G. , Nikitin Petr I.
Published: December 2023

In this study, we present a novel and ultrasensitive magnetic lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) tailored for the precise detection of zearalenone, a mycotoxin with significant implications for human and animal health. A versatile and straightforward method for creating non-covalent magnetic labels is proposed and comprehensively compared with a covalent immobilization strategy. We employ the magnetic particle quantification (MPQ) technique for precise detection of the labels and characterization of their functionality, including measuring the antibody sorption density on the particle surface. Through kinetic studies using the label-free spectral phase interferometry, the rate and equilibrium constants for the binding of monoclonal antibodies with free (not bound with carrier protein) zearalenone were determined to be kon = 3.42 × 105 M−1s−1, koff = 7.05 × 10−4 s−1, and KD = 2.06 × 10−9 M. The proposed MPQ-LFIA method exhibits detection limits of 2.3 pg/mL and 7.6 pg/mL when employing magnetic labels based on covalent immobilization and non-covalent sorption, with dynamic ranges of 5.5 and 5 orders, correspondingly. We have successfully demonstrated the effective determination of zearalenone in barley flour samples contaminated with Fusarium graminearum. The ease of use and effectiveness of developed test systems further enhances their value as practical tools for addressing mycotoxin contamination challenges.
Uptake and Completion of Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment Using 12-Dose, Weekly Isoniazid–Rifapentine Regimen in Bangladesh: A Community-Based Implementation Study
Authors: Rahman Md. Toufiq , Hossain Farzana , Banu Rupali Sisir , Islam Md. Shamiul , Alam Shamsher , Faisel Abu Jamil , Salim Hamid , Cordon Oscar , Suarez Pedro , Hussain Hamidah , Roy Tapash
Published: December 2023

Background: The United Nations high-level meeting (UNHLM) pledged to enroll 30 million in tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) by 2022, necessitating TPT expansion to all at tuberculosis (TB) risk. We assessed the uptake and completion of a 12-dose, weekly isoniazid–rifapentine (3HP) TPT regimen. Methods: Between February 2018 and March 2019 in Dhaka, community-based TPT using 3HP targeted household contacts of 883 confirmed drug-sensitive pulmonary TB patients. Adhering to World Health Organization guidelines, contacts underwent active TB screening before TPT initiation. Results: Of 3193 contacts who were advised health facility visits for screening, 67% (n = 2149) complied. Among these, 1804 (84%) received chest X-rays. Active TB was diagnosed in 39 (2%) contacts; they commenced TB treatment. Over 97% of 1216 contacts began TPT, with completion rates higher among females, those with more education and income, non-slum residents, and those without 3HP-related adverse events. Adverse events, mainly mild, occurred in 5% of participants. Conclusions: The 3HP regimen, with its short duration, self-administered option, and minimal side effects, achieved satisfactory completion rates. A community-focused TPT approach is feasible, scalable nationally, and aligns with UNHLM targets.
Therapeutic In Situ Cancer Vaccine Using Pulsed Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy—A Translational Model
Authors: Swamy Kumara
Published: December 2023

Both radiation and cancer therapeutic vaccine research are more than 100 years old, and their potential is likely underexplored. Antiangiogenics, nanoparticle targeting, and immune modulators are some other established anticancer therapies. In the meantime, immunotherapy usage is gaining momentum in clinical applications. This article proposes the concept of a pulsed/intermittent/cyclical endothelial-sparing single-dose in situ vaccination (ISVRT) schedule distinguishable from the standard therapeutic stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) plans. This ISVRT schedule can repeatedly generate tumor-specific neoantigens and epitopes for primary and immune modulation effects, augment supplementary immune enhancement techniques, activate long-term memory cells, avoid extracellular matrix fibrosis, and essentially synchronize with the vascular normalized immunity cycle. The core mechanisms of ISVRT impacting in situ vaccination would be optimizing cascading antigenicity and adjuvanticity. The present proposed hypothesis can be validated using the algorithm presented. The indications for the proposed concept are locally progressing/metastatic cancers that have failed standard therapies. Immunotherapy/targeted therapy, chemotherapy, antiangiogenics, and vascular–lymphatic normalization are integral to such an approach.
Comparison of Two Surgical Techniques Based on the Semitendinosus Myocutaneous Flap in Cats
Authors: Dermisiadou Eleftheria , Panopoulos Ioannis , Psalla Dimitra , Georgiou Stefanos , Sideri Aikaterini , Galatos Apostolos , Tsioli Vassiliki
Published: December 2023

The objective of this experimental study was to compare the semitendinosus (ST) to the split-semitendinosus (SST) myocutaneous flap in covering distal limb skin defects in cats. Twenty-eight purpose-bred laboratory DSH cats were used and allocated into two groups (ST-group (A); n = 14, SST-group (B); n = 14). ST flaps, based on the distal muscle pedicle, and SST flaps, after longitudinal division of the muscle based on both muscle pedicles, were tested over skin defects created on the medial distal tibia. Clinical assessment, planimetry, CT-angiography (CTA) and histological examination were compared between groups. Days to complete flap healing between ST and SST-flaps (30.36 ± 9.1, 32.29 ± 5.44, respectively) and final total flap areas (68.36% ± 27.18, 51.83% ± 22.48, respectively) revealed no significant differences. On CTAs, the caliber of the distal caudal femoral vein on day 10 was statistically significant higher (p < 0.001) for group A and a significantly higher caliber of the distal caudal femoral artery on day 30 for group B (p = 0.021). Histology revealed statistically higher degeneration at 6 months (p = 0.047) for group A, and statistically higher fibrosis at 12 months (p = 0.019) for group B. Both ST and SST flaps had similar healing times and provided coverage of skin tibial defects in cats.
Seasonality of Water Exchange in the Northern South China Sea from Hydrodynamic Perspective
Authors: Cui Lingbo , Li Mingyu , Zu Tingting , Cai Zhongya
Published: December 2023

In this study, we utilized exposure time (θ¯) as a key metric to investigate water exchange and its spatiotemporal variations in the Northern South China Sea (NSCS). The Eulerian adjoint method and Lagrangian tracking were adopted to capture a comprehensive view of water exchange in coastal regions. Our findings reveal distinct spatial and seasonal variations in θ¯. Spatially, a long θ¯ (exceeding 150 days) appears in the coastal region, and the largest values occur in the Beibu Gulf (300 days). Temporally, θ¯ exhibits clear seasonal patterns across the extensive shelf area, influenced by the seasonal monsoon which induced seasonally reversing shelf current and results in symmetrical distribution patterns of θ¯ across the board shelf during both winter and summer months. θ¯ is longer in winter than in summer. The study also revealed pronounced vertical contrasts in cross-isobath transport over the NSCS shelf, though significant vertical variations in net exchange time were noted only in specific locations, including the northeast side of Hainan Island, the Beibu Gulf mouth, and along the west side of Taiwan Island. The Beibu Gulf emerged as a critical factor in the NSCS’s water exchange dynamics in both seasons. In summer, it impacts more than 20% of the water exchange over adjacent areas, particularly through its westward transport against typical northeastward shelf currents. This highlights the combined effect of the westward spread of the Pearl River freshwater and the stable slope current on regional hydrodynamics. In winter, the Gulf’s retention characteristics profoundly affected even distant areas, contributing to up to 50% of water exchange, showing its broad impact on the NSCS’s water dynamics throughout the year.
Innovative and Reliable Assessment of Polluted Stormwater Runoff for Effective Stormwater Management
Authors: Todeschini Sara
Published: December 2023

This article examines the pollution dynamics in urban wet-weather runoff, addressing the statistical characterization and systematic classification of water quality characteristics as key aspects of sustainable and effective urban stormwater quality control and treatment measures. A reliable first flush methodology is applied to discrete water quality data of different pollution parameters from an Italian database for the identification of the Bivio Vela catchment’s representative evolution of mean concentrations and the assessment of the required runoff volume to reduce stormwater pollutant concentrations to background levels. A comparison is carried out between results from two catchments with different land use types (industrial versus residential) and the complexity of the sewerage system, highlighting challenges in tracking pollution trends and delineating peculiar dynamics of different quality parameters in a specific geographic context. Despite appreciably different pollutant dynamics, both catchments achieve background levels for all the examined parameters after 6 mm runoff. The outcome of the analysis has clear implications for the design approach of sustainable stormwater management practices.
Effects of Sodium Selenite on the Growth and Photosystem II Activity of Arthrospira platensis Gom.
Authors: Gong Donghui , Wei Wenxue , Guo Ziqing , Ji Xiang , Zhang Xiaoli , Yang Yaxu , Yu Shuyu , Miao Qingfeng , Guo Fucheng , Wang Zhizhong
Published: December 2023

Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis) is a species of cyanobacteria with high economic value; the species is commercially well known as Spirulina platensis, and A. platensis was used in this paper. Its high adaptability, high photosynthetic efficiency, and fast growth rate make it one of the few cyanobacteria that can be cultivated on a large scale. Therefore, using the selenium enrichment property of A. platensis to cultivate selenium-enriched A. platensis will not only enhance the physiological efficacy of A. platensis but also increase its economic value significantly. In this study, we investigated the effects of sodium selenite on the growth and photosynthetic performance of A. platensis selenium by setting different amounts and methods of sodium selenite addition, and we explored the optimal culture conditions of the best dosage and method of sodium selenite addition. The results showed that the experimental group treated with sodium selenite at 700 μmol/L had the fastest growth, and the contents of soluble protein, phycocyanin C, and chlorophyll a increased by approximately 67.9%, 1.44 times, and 38.8% compared to the control group, respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity increased by 1.88-fold and 65%, respectively, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were reduced by 62% compared to the control group. The results of the OJIP assay showed that the J and I points were significantly higher at the batch addition and treatment concentration of 700 μmol/L, with the rate of QA being reduced and the proportion of the slowly reduced PQ pool being increased. The values of the maximum light energy conversion efficiency (Fv/Fm) per unit of reaction center were higher in both sodium selenite treatment groups than in the control group, indicating that the light energy conversion efficiency of A. platensis was promoted under all concentration treatment conditions. The batch addition of sodium selenite at concentrations less than 700 μmol/L resulted in significantly higher ABS/RC values than the control, and they were far superior to the one-time addition method. The reason for this may have been that the batch addition of sodium selenite at low concentrations increased the light absorption capacity of the unit reaction center of PSII, resulting in a rise in captured light energy, a rise in the energy captured by the reaction center for electron transfer (ETo/RC), a decrease in the energy dissipated in the absorption of light energy by the reaction center (DIo/RC), and an increase in the photosynthetic performance index (PI abs).
Regional Strategy Development Based on the Principles of Sustainable Development by the Example of the Kamchatka Territory
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Kuznetsov Mikhail E.
Published: December 2023

The purpose of the study is to substantiate scientifically and to illustrate the application of methodology for assessing and planning sustainable regional development using the example of the Kamchatka Territory. The author analyzes the experience of regional development strategic planning over the past 10 years, assesses the current socio-economic situation of the Kamchatka Territory, as well as key industries, social sphere and regional infrastructure. The study draws attention to environmental risks and proposes methodological approaches to assessing the prospects for sustainable development, based on analysis of the dynamics of the general well-being and financial stability of the region. Social and economic factors influencing sustainable development are considered, and also practical recommendations for developing strategies of sustainable development of the region are presented. The study may be useful for practitioners and researchers in the field of regional development, helping to improve strategic planning in the Kamchatka Territory and similar regions.
Izquierdas latinoamericanas y migración: los casos de Chile, Argentina, Colombia y México
Authors: Mila-Maldonado Andrea
Published: December 2023

Durante la última década, la emigración venezolana —como la centroamericana— ha generado una intensa e inédita dinámica de movilidad humana en la que varios países de América Latina y el Caribe han pasado de ser emisores a receptores de inmigrantes. Este fenómeno ha evidenciado la falta de políticas migratorias regionales y domésticas, así como la fragilidad institucional de los organismos regionales encargados de abordar esta problemática. Además, ha suscitado una profunda reflexión sobre los liderazgos de izquierda y las fuerzas progresistas, que han visto desafiada su capacidad de garantizarlos derechos fundamentales de los grupos en movilidad y de contener eficazmente la xenofobia y la criminalización por parte de algunos medios de comunicación, partidos políticos y sociedades de acogida. Cabe destacar que esta problemática no es nueva en la región, ya que se han presentado olas migratorias a lo largo de su historia. En este capítulo se analizarán las posturas políticas adoptadas por los actuales líderes de izquierda latinoamericanos en torno a la política migratoria, así como su capacidad de respuesta tanto a nivel nacional como regional.
EMOTIONAL COMPONENT OF FUTURE CHOREOGRAPHERS’ AESTHETIC CULTURE: ESSENCE, INDICATORS OF FORMATION, RESULTS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC EXPERIMENT
Authors: Horhol V.
Published: December 2023

The experimental article highlights the essence of the emotional culture of students of higher education in the specialty 024 Choreography, indicators of the formation of its emotional component (emotional-aesthetic sensitivity, ability to aesthetic pleasure, the aesthetic emotional orientation of the personality), diagnostic methods (test questionnaire B. Dodonov “Emotional Orientation,” questionnaire by B. Bass, questionnaire by M. Rokych, included observation, mini-work “My impressions”) and its results. The levels of formation of the emotional component of the aesthetic culture of future choreographers in the experimental (EG) and control groups (CG) have been determined: a high level was demonstrated by 11.43% of the EG students and 14.71% of the CG; average – 22.86% and 23.53%, respectively; low – 65.71% and 61.76%). The rating of the emotional orientation of the personality in future choreographers is presented, such as praxic, gloristic, hedonistic, communicative, pugnacious, aesthetic, romantic, altruistic, acquisitive, and gnostic. The spaces of emotional preferences of students have been analyzed. It has made it possible to draw up a strategy for the formation of future choreographers’ aesthetic culture in a higher education institution: 1) students of higher education have a rich emotional sphere as a basis for the formation of the studied professional and personal quality in them; 2) aesthetic emotions have an intermediate character in the hierarchy of students’ emotional values, therefore, under favorable conditions of their aesthetic development, they can acquire a higher status, which corresponds to representatives of artistic professions; 3) the dominance in the sample of the practical and gloristic orientation of the personality aims at the application of active methods and techniques, pedagogical support technology based on the student-centered approach in experimental work.