bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of ZnO Nanoparticles Prepared by Precipitation and Combustion for UV and Sunlight-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Krobthong Sucheewan , Rungsawang Tipawan , Wongrerkdee Sutthipoj
Published: March 2023

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were comparatively synthesized via precipitation and combustion techniques. The ZnO NPs synthesized via precipitation and combustion exhibited similar polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structures. The large crystal sizes of ZnO NPs were obtained from the ZnO precipitation in comparison with those from the ZnO combustion, while the particle sizes were in the same range. The functional analysis implied that the ZnO structures had surface defects. Moreover, absorbance measurement showed the same absorbance range in ultraviolet light. In the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, ZnO precipitation exhibited higher degradation performance than ZnO combustion. This was attributed to the larger crystal sizes of ZnO NPs, which provided an enduring carrier movement at semiconductor surfaces and reduced electron-hole recombination. Thus, the crystallinity of ZnO NPs can be considered an important factor in photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, precipitation is an interesting synthesizing method for preparing ZnO NPs with large crystal sizes.
Arsenic Release from Various Sizes of Excavated Crushed Rock Mixed with Soil at Various Ratios under Three Mass Water Contents for Cropland
Authors: Lee Kyo-Suk , Suh Gil-Yong , Chung Doug-Young
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the feasibility of treating arsenopyrite-containing excavated crushed rock (ECR) in cropland by examining the amounts of arsenic released from various sizes of ECR mixed with soils at different ratios under three water levels using a batch incubation experiment. A total of 4 particle sizes of ECR were mixed with soil from 0% to 100% in 25% increments under three mass water contents such as 15%, 27%, and saturation. The results showed that the amount of As released from ECR mixed with soil was in the order of 27% saturation and 15% for 180 days regardless of the ECR:soil ratios, and the increase in the amount of As released before 90 days was slightly greater than that after 90 days. The maximum and minimum contents of released As were observed at 350.3 mg·kg−1 (ECR:Soil = 100:0, ECR size = 0.0–0.053 mm, and Ɵm = 32.2%), indicating that the smaller the ECR particle size resulted in a higher extractable As concentration. The amount of As released was higher than the relevant standard (25 mg·kg−1), except for ECR with a mixing ratio (25:75) and particle size (4.75–10.0 mm). In conclusion, we assumed that the amount of As released from ECR was influenced by the higher surface area of smaller ECR particle sizes and mass water content, which determine the porosity of the soil. However, further studies are needed on the transport and adsorption of released As depending on the physical and hydrological properties of the soil to determine the size and incorporation rate of ECR into the soil in view of the government standard.
Quantitative Source Apportionment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Baoshan Soils Employing Combined Receptor Models
Authors: Dong Chunyu , Zhang Hao , Yang Haichan , Wei Zhaoxia , Zhang Naiming , Bao Li
Published: March 2023

Arable soils are crucial for national development and food security; therefore, contamination of agricultural soils from potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is a global concern. In this study, we collected 152 soil samples for evaluation. Considering the contamination factors and using the cumulative index and geostatistical methods, we investigated the contamination levels of PTEs in Baoshan City, China. Using principal component analysis, absolute principal component score-multivariate linear regression, positive matrix factorization, and UNMIX, we analyzed the sources and quantitatively estimated their contributions. The average Cd, As, Pb, Cu, and Zn concentrations were 0.28, 31.42, 47.59, 100.46, and 12.36 mg/kg, respectively. The Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations exceeded the corresponding background values for Yunnan Province. The combined receptor models showed that natural and agricultural sources contributed primarily to Cd and Cu and As and Pb inputs, accounting for 35.23 and 7.67% pollution, respectively. Industrial and traffic sources contributed primarily to Pb and Zn inputs (47.12%). Anthropogenic activities and natural causes accounted for 64.76 and 35.23% of soil pollution, respectively. Industrial and traffic sources contributed 47.12% to pollution from anthropogenic activities. Accordingly, the control of industrial PTE pollution emissions should be strengthened, and awareness should be raised to protect arable land around roads.
Prediction of the Impact of Land Use and Soil Type on Concentrations of Heavy Metals and Phthalates in Soil Based on Model Simulation
Authors: Stojić Nataša , Pezo Lato , Lončar Biljana , Pucarević Mira , Filipović Vladimir , Prokić Dunja , Ćurčić Ljiljana , Štrbac Snežana
Published: March 2023

The main objective of this study is to determine the possibility of predicting the impact of land use and soil type on concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) and phthalates (PAEs) in soil based on an artificial neural network model (ANN). Qualitative analysis of HMs was performed with inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP/OES) and Direct Mercury Analyzer. Determination of PAEs was performed with gas chromatography (GC) coupled with a single quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS). An ANN, based on the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) iterative algorithm, for the prediction of HM and PAE concentrations, based on land use and soil type parameters, showed good prediction capabilities (the coefficient of determination (r2) values during the training cycle for HM concentration variables were 0.895, 0.927, 0.885, 0.813, 0.883, 0.917, 0.931, and 0.883, respectively, and for PAEs, the concentration variables were 0.950, 0.974, 0.958, 0.974, and 0.943, respectively). The results of this study indicate that HM and PAE concentrations, based on land use and soil type, can be predicted using ANN.
First Discovery of Phenuiviruses within Diverse RNA Viromes of Asiatic Toad (Bufo gargarizans) by Metagenomics Sequencing
Authors: Chen Zhangfu , Zhao Haiyu , Li Zhongkuan , Huang Mengkun , Si Nan , Zhao Hui , Wei Xiaolu , Sun Bo , Gao George F. , Xu Ziqian , Liu William J.
Published: March 2023

Most zoonotic pathogens originate from mammals and avians, but viral diversity and related biosafety risk assessment in lower vertebrates also need to be explored. Amphibians are an important group of lower vertebrates that played a momentous role in animal evolution. To elucidate the diversity of RNA viruses in one important species of amphibians, the Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans), we obtained 44 samples including lung, gut, liver, and kidney tissues from Asiatic toads in Sichuan and Jilin provinces, China, for viral metagenomics sequencing. More than 20 novel RNA viruses derived from the order Bunyavirales and 7 families of Astroviridae, Dicistroviridae, Leviviridae, Partitiviridae, Picornaviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Virgaviridae were discovered, which were distinct from previously described viruses and formed new clusters, as revealed by phylogenetic analyses. Notably, a novel bastrovirus, AtBastV/GCCDC11/2022, of the family Astroviridae was identified from the gut library, the genome of which contains three open reading frames, with the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) coded by ORF1 closely related to that of hepeviruses, and ORF2 encoding an astrovirus-related capsid protein. Notably, phenuiviruses were discovered for the first time in amphibians. AtPhenV1/GCCDC12/2022 and AtPhenV2/GCCDC13/2022 clustered together and formed a clade with the group of phenuiviruses identified from rodents. Picornaviruses and several invertebrate RNA viruses were also detected. These findings improve our understanding of the high RNA viral diversity in the Asiatic toad and provide new insights in the evolution of RNA viruses in amphibians.
Is There a Difference in Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination between Liver and Lung Transplant Patients with Cystic Fibrosis?
Authors: Fuchs Teresa , Appelt Dorothea , Ellemunter Helmut
Published: March 2023

People with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), especially solid organ transplant recipients, have been prioritized in the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination program. This study assesses antibody response of patients with CF who have undergone liver (CF-LI) or lung (CF-LU) transplantation, and compares results to published data of patients with solid organ transplantation without CF as underlying disease. Antibodies against the spike receptor-binding domain were measured within the routine visits at the CF Centre in Innsbruck, Austria, after the second and third doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines. We report on 13 adult CF patients who are recipients of solid organ transplant, including five CF-LI and eight CF-LU. Overall, 69% had measurable antibody response after two, and 83% after three doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. In CF-LI, positive serological response amounted to 100% after two and three doses, while CF-LU showed only a 50% and a 71% response rate, respectively. Clear differences are seen between the CF-LI and CF-LU groups in our cohort, with worse response rate for lung transplant recipients. Immune response between CF-LI and CF-LU, therefore, must be considered in a differentiated manner, and the importance of booster vaccination is once more emphasized with these data.
Recent Advances in the Lipid Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of mRNA Vaccines
Authors: Swetha K. , Kotla Niranjan G. , Tunki Lakshmi , Jayaraj Arya , Bhargava Suresh K. , Hu Haitao , Bonam Srinivasa Reddy , Kurapati Rajendra
Published: March 2023

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have recently emerged as one of the most advanced technologies for the highly efficient in vivo delivery of exogenous mRNA, particularly for COVID-19 vaccine delivery. LNPs comprise four different lipids: ionizable lipids, helper or neutral lipids, cholesterol, and lipids attached to polyethylene glycol (PEG). In this review, we present recent the advances and insights for the design of LNPs, as well as their composition and properties, with a subsequent discussion on the development of COVID-19 vaccines. In particular, as ionizable lipids are the most critical drivers for complexing the mRNA and in vivo delivery, the role of ionizable lipids in mRNA vaccines is discussed in detail. Furthermore, the use of LNPs as effective delivery vehicles for vaccination, genome editing, and protein replacement therapy is explained. Finally, expert opinion on LNPs for mRNA vaccines is discussed, which may address future challenges in developing mRNA vaccines using highly efficient LNPs based on a novel set of ionizable lipids. Developing highly efficient mRNA delivery systems for vaccines with improved safety against some severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants remains difficult.
Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines and Their Future Implications
Authors: Elsheikh Randa , Makram Abdelrahman M. , Huy Nguyen Tien
Published: March 2023

The continuous progress in vaccine development witnessed in the last decades, culminated with the development of vaccines against cancers, is set to change how various cancers are treated [...]
Adverse Hematological Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination and Pathomechanisms of Low Acquired Immunity in Patients with Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Yazdani Armand N. , DeMarco Nathaniel , Patel Parth , Abdi Arian , Velpuri Prathosh , Agrawal Devendra K. , Rai Vikrant
Published: March 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 pandemic have spread across the world and severely impacted patients living with hematological conditions. Immunocompromised patients experience rapidly progressing symptoms following COVID-19 infection and are at high risk of death. In efforts to protect the vulnerable population, vaccination efforts have increased exponentially in the past 2 years. Although COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective, mild to moderate side effects such as headache, fatigue, and soreness at the injection site have been reported. In addition, there are reports of rare side effects, including anaphylaxis, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, myocarditis, and pericarditis after vaccination. Further, hematological abnormalities and a very low and transient response in patients with hematological conditions after vaccination raise concerns. The objective of this review is to first briefly discuss the hematological adverse effects associated with COVID-19 infection in general populations followed by critically analyzing the side effects and pathomechanisms of COVID-19 vaccination in immunocompromised patients with hematological and solid malignancies. We reviewed the published literature, with a focus on hematological abnormalities associated with COVID-19 infection followed by the hematological side effects of COVID-19 vaccination, and the mechanisms by which complications can occur. We extend this discussion to include the viability of vaccination efforts within immune-compromised patients. The primary aim is to provide clinicians with critical hematologic information on COVID-19 vaccination so that they can make informed decisions on how to protect their at-risk patients. The secondary goal is to clarify the adverse hematological effects associated with infection and vaccination within the general population to support continued vaccination within this group. There is a clear need to protect patients with hematological conditions from infection and modulate vaccine programs and procedures for these patients.
Tetanus and Diphtheria Seroprotection among Children Younger Than 15 Years in Nigeria, 2018: Who Are the Unprotected Children?
Authors: Tohme Rania A. , Scobie Heather M. , Okunromade Oyeladun , Olaleye Temitope , Shuaib Faisal , Jegede Tunde , Yahaya Ridwan , Nnaemeka Ndodo , Lawal Bola , Egwuenu Abiodun , Parameswaran Nishanth , Cooley Gretchen , An Qian , Coughlin Melissa , Okposen Bassey B. , Adetifa Ifedayo , Bolu Omotayo , Ihekweazu Chikwe
Published: March 2023

Serological surveys provide an objective biological measure of population immunity, and tetanus serological surveys can also assess vaccination coverage. We undertook a national assessment of immunity to tetanus and diphtheria among Nigerian children aged <15 years using stored specimens collected during the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey, a national cross-sectional household-based survey. We used a validated multiplex bead assay to test for tetanus and diphtheria toxoid-antibodies. In total, 31,456 specimens were tested. Overall, 70.9% and 84.3% of children aged <15 years had at least minimal seroprotection (≥0.01 IU/mL) against tetanus and diphtheria, respectively. Seroprotection was lowest in the north west and north east zones. Factors associated with increased tetanus seroprotection included living in the southern geopolitical zones, urban residence, and higher wealth quintiles (p < 0.001). Full seroprotection (≥0.1 IU/mL) was the same for tetanus (42.2%) and diphtheria (41.7%), while long-term seroprotection (≥1 IU/mL) was 15.1% for tetanus and 6.0% for diphtheria. Full- and long-term seroprotection were higher in boys compared to girls (p < 0.001). Achieving high infant vaccination coverage by targeting specific geographic areas and socio-economic groups and introducing tetanus and diphtheria booster doses in childhood and adolescence are needed to achieve lifelong protection against tetanus and diphtheria and prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus.
Determining Wave Transmission over Rubble-Mound Breakwaters: Assessment of Existing Formulae through Benchmark Testing
Authors: Hassanpour Nasrin , Vicinanza Diego , Contestabile Pasquale
Published: March 2023

Low-crested and submerged breakwaters are frequently employed as coastal defence structures. Their efficiency is governed by wave energy dissipation, and the wave transmission coefficient can evaluate this parameter. The current study conducts experimental investigations on both low-crested and submerged breakwaters exposed to different wave conditions to compare their performance with that of emerged breakwaters. The current study provides a comprehensive review of existing formulae and highlights the impact of design variables. To evaluate the reliability of each existing formula, four “reference” configurations are used. Having these structures at the same overall volume, the results also provide a useful tool for engineers involved in the lowering operation of existing breakwaters. Nature and magnitude of governing parameters are investigated, and some points of criticism are outlined. The comparison results show that few of the existing equations give reliable estimates of the transmission coefficient for all the models tested in this study. Higher values of root mean square error are related to the emerged breakwater rather than the submerged ones. To obtain information about the transmitted wave energy, spectral analysis is applied as well. Different behaviours of the transmitted spectrum, n terms of shape and peak frequency, are highlighted. The results improve the overall knowledge on formulae that are in the literature, in order to make the user more aware.
Influence of Design Variables on the Financial Feasibility of Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Authors: Istchuk Rodrigo Novais , Ghisi Enedir
Published: March 2023

Extensive implementation of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems can promote substantial improvement in urban water resource management. Therefore, establishing the financial feasibility of RWH systems is imperative for their dissemination. This study evaluated the influence of rainfall time series indicators (average annual rainfall, seasonality index and behaviour of periods without precipitation) and design variables (catchment area, rainwater demand, number of inhabitants, potable water demand and rainwater tank size) on the financial feasibility of RWH systems in eight Brazilian cities. Correlations between rainfall indicators and financial feasibility were introduced, along with sensitivity analysis of design variables. Financial feasibility was obtained in 30% to 70% of the simulated scenarios. Initial investment and operating costs varied significantly among the eight cities according to local prices. Systems with a catchment area of 200 m2 were capable of supplying, on average, 90.5% of the maximum rainwater consumption observed in this study. Local variation of potable water tariff schemes affected the financial feasibility of RWH systems. The number of inhabitants was the most influential design variable on the financial feasibility of RWH systems, followed by the rainwater tank size. Places with lower rainfall seasonality indexes and lower incidence and duration of dry periods are likely to lead to greater financial feasibility.
Aspects of Polymeric-Based Membranes in the Water Treatment Field: An Interim Structural Analysis
Authors: Ijaz Muhammad Farzik , Alharbi Hamad F. , Alsaggaf Ahmed Zaki , Assaifan Abdulaziz K.
Published: March 2023

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) is considered a sustainable and environmentally friendly technology for using solar energy to produce fresh water, which is a crucial resource for the existence of human life. Porous membranes are widely used in SDIE owing to their porous structure, which is highly suitable for this kind of photothermal material and allows an efficient supply of water and escape of vapor during the evaporation process. Electrospinning is perhaps the most versatile technique to produce highly porous structures of nanofiber membranes with a large surface-to-volume ratio, high porosity, low density, and many advantages. Nevertheless, acquiring a stronger background on the initial research questions in this enticing field of research needs further investigation. Typically, for the enhancement of process control, the impact of flow rate on the morphology of the prepared membrane is quite important. This research article has two-fold objectives: firstly, it discusses the fundamental description of the photothermal conversion mechanism of polymer-based photothermal materials for water treatment. A systematic investigation supported by previous studies revealing the working mechanism and the design of solar-driven interfacial evaporation has been provided. On the other hand, our interim experimental results elaborate on the influence of process conditions such as electrospinning parameters on the structural morphology and diameter of fabricated electrospun nanofibers produced by using the coaxial electrospinning setup in our lab. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the morphology of the electrospun nanofibers. Our introductory results provide a useful insight into tuning the necessary process parameters to fabricate electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber membranes by electrospinning technique. From our preliminary results after the three processing experiments, it is revealed that a polymer concentration of 10% wt., an applied voltage of 20 kV, a tip-to-collector distance of 18 cm, and a flow rate of 0.8 mL/h produce the optimum nanofiber membranes with a uniform structure and a diameter in the range 304–394 nm. The variation in the diameter of nanofibers in the three processing conditions is endowed by the regulation of the initiating droplet extruded from the tip of the metallic needle (syringe jet) to the collector using the electrospinning setup.
Nutrients and Saltwater Exchange as Drivers of Environmental Change in a Danish Brackish Coastal Lake over the Past 100 Years
Authors: Lewis Jonathan P. , Ryves David B. , Søndergaard Martin , Lauridsen Torben Linding , Johansson Lisolette Sander , Tserenpil Sh. , Rasmussen Peter , Jeppesen Erik
Published: March 2023

Many northwest European lake systems are suffering from the effects of eutrophication due to continued loading and/or poor, ineffective management strategies. Coastal brackish lakes are particularly difficult to manage due to complex nitrogen, phosphorus, and salinity dynamics that may exert varying influence on lake biological communities, but long-term data on how these important and often biodiverse systems respond to change are rare. In this study, palaeolimnological data (including sedimentary parameters, diatoms, and plant macrofossils) and environmental monitoring data (for the last ~40 years) have been used to assess environmental change over the last 100 years in Kilen, a brackish lake in northwest Jutland, Denmark. Kilen has been regularly monitored for salinity (since 1972), TP (from 1975), TN (from 1976), and since 1989 for biological data (phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macrophytes), which allows a robust comparison of contemporary and paleolimnological data at high temporal resolution. The palaeolimnological data indicate that the lake has been nutrient rich for the last 100 years, with eutrophication peaking from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. Reduced nutrient concentrations have occurred since the late 1990s, though this is not reflected in the sediment core diatom assemblage, highlighting that caution must be taken when using quantitative data from biological transfer functions in paleolimnology. Lake recovery over the last 20 years has been driven by a reduction in TN and TP loading from the catchment and shows improvements in the lake water clarity and, recently, in macrophyte cover. Reduced salinity after 2004 has also changed the composition of the dominant macrophyte community within the lake. The low N:P ratio indicates that in summer, the lake is predominately N-limited, likely explaining why previous management, mainly focusing on TP reduction measures, had a modest effect on the water quality of the lake. Despite a slight recovery, the lake is still nutrient-rich, and future management of this system must continue to reduce the nutrient loads of both TN and TP to ensure sustained recovery. This study provides an exceptional opportunity to validate the palaeolimnological record with monitoring data and demonstrates the power of using this combined approach in understanding environmental change in these key aquatic ecosystems.
Comparison of Size Distribution of Fish Obtained from Gill Netting and the Distributions of Echoes from Hydroacoustics in Lake Dejguny (Poland)
Authors: Hutorowicz Andrzej , Ulikowski Dariusz , Tunowski Jacek
Published: March 2023

A procedure is proposed to assess the impact of various relationships found in the literature and is used to convert acoustic target strengths (TS) to fishes’ total length (TL) with respect to the compatibility of fish length data obtained from vertical hydroacoustics and gillnets. The study used one set of data collected with a 120 kHz echosounder across the mesotrophic, dimictic Lake Dejguny. Four general multi-species TS–TL relationships were tested for the maximum dorsoventral characteristic: (1) a relationship developed using mainly West Atlantic marine and brackish water fish for various frequencies, (2) a relationship developed using fish from the Salmonidae, Percidae, and Cyprinidae families at 120 kHz, as well as the relationship shown by two generalized equations for representatives of (3) the Cyprinidae family (200 kHz) and (4) the Percidae family (200 kHz). In addition, two other equations were developed for (5) perch (Perca fluviatilis) and (6) roach (Rutilus rutilus). The procedure for selecting the most appropriate TS–TL ratio began by determining the TS threshold that would eliminate small fish that were ineffectively caught with gillnets. Depending on the TS–TL relation, the threshold ranged from −48.5 dB to −45.5 dB, and the corresponding TL was in the range of 62.3–93.0 mm. Then, using linear regression, the relationship between the percentage of caught fish organized in length classes (TL), whose boundaries were determined using the tested TS–TL relationships, and the share of fish recorded acoustically in the corresponding TS classes (with a 1.5 dB interval) was examined. The fit of the regression model to the data (percentage) was assessed using the coefficient of determination r2, the mean absolute error (MAE), the Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient (NSE), and root mean square error (RMSE). For the data from Lake Dejguny, the most similar distribution of fish echo proportions and the corresponding distribution of total length (TL) for fish larger than 62 mm were obtained using the TS–TL relation developed using fish from the Salmonidae, Percidae, and Cyprinidae families (2), and for fish larger than 74 mm, the relation was developed for the family Pericidae (4). No evidence was found to unambiguously verify the meanings of different sound frequencies (120 and 200 kHz) for which the TS–TL relationships used in the analysis were derived. The proposed procedure can be used to select the optimal regression equation.
Environmental Sustainability of Water Resources in Coastal Aquifers, Case Study: El-Qaa Plain, South Sinai, Egypt
Authors: Elewa Hossam H. , Nosair Ahmed M. , Zelenakova Martina , Mikita Viktoria , Abdel Moneam Nermeen A. , Ramadan Elsayed M.
Published: March 2023

Water resources management is a vital need in arid and semi-arid regions such as Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Accordingly, the sustainability of water resources in this arid environment should be examined in terms of the possibility of groundwater recharge, particularly through runoff water, while identifying the most appropriate potential sites for drilling new water wells to cover current and future needs. The aquifer system of El-Qaa Plain in South Sinai is considered one of the structural basins associated with the tectonic setting of the Gulf of Suez. It is the main source of high-quality water in South Sinai. The present work provided an integration of mathematical flow modeling, hydrochemical composition, environmental isotopic signature, watershed modeling system (WMS), and remote sensing (RS) tools to determine the aquifer sustainability and recharge mechanisms. The obtained results indicated the following: (a) the salinity of the water ranged between 326.4 and 2261 ppm, while the environmental isotope values ranged between −6.28 to −4.48‰ for δ18O and −29.87 to −21.7‰ for δ2H, which reveals the phase of recharge and mixing between ancient water and recent rainwater; (b) sites for three dams in three sub-watersheds were proposed to harvest approximately 790,000 m3/y of runoff water to enhance groundwater recharge of the aquifer system; (c) and five scenarios using MODFLOW indicated that water drawdown is acceptable by adding 10 new production wells (discharge rate increased by 3600 m3/day). Moreover, increasing the recharge rate by 2% from the base case, leads to an increase in the piezometric water level with an average value of 0.13 masl, which reflects the positive effects of the proposed runoff water harvesting facilities. The integration applied in this work represents an integrated management system for water resources (surface and groundwater) which is suitable for application in arid or semi-arid coastal and similar areas.
Stormwater Pond Evolution and Challenges in Measuring the Hydraulic Conductivity of Pond Sediments
Authors: Canfield Daniel C. , Thomas Serge , Rotz Rachel R. , Missimer Thomas M.
Published: March 2023

Stormwater ponds are intended to be used for mitigating floods, improving water quality, and recharging groundwater. The sediment-water interface (SWI) of stormwater ponds exhibits properties that influence surface water–groundwater exchanges similar to naturally occurring surface water bodies. However, these ponds are rarely monitored over time to account for their functionality. As organic and inorganic sediments accumulate on the pond bed, the ability of the SWI to conduct water is influenced by sediment deposition, accumulation, and compaction, as well as organic matter content and other biological processes. Two augmented methods, a sediment core permeability cell and an in situ aluminum tube and manometer, were evaluated for measuring the hydraulic conductivity of the SWI. The grain size, hydraulic conductivity, and percentage of organic matter were compared between two ponds constructed 22 years apart. Both methods were effective at measuring the hydraulic conductivities, especially in challenging encountered field situations, albeit with some shortcomings. The in situ method yielded data from sediments with low hydraulic conductivities due to thermal heating, expansion of the water, and the release of biogenic-derived gas from the sediments within the aluminum tube. The converted sediment core permeability cells generated the most consistent measurements. Grain size and hydraulic conductivities were correlated to pond age. The mean and effective grain sizes, as well as hydraulic conductivities of the older pond, were statistically lower than the younger pond in both shallow and deeper depths. Measurement of the changes in the SWI of stormwater ponds is important to protect urbanized areas from flood damage, control the quality and quantity of runoff, and maintain their groundwater recharge function.
A New Record of a Nonnative Bivalve Species in an Amazonian Environmental Protection Area: What Might Have Happened?
Authors: de Oliveira Claudia Antonia Campos Rodrigues , Palheta Dulcidéia da Conceição , Trindade Diego Gomes , Rodrigues Tatiane Medeiros , Bentes Bianca
Published: March 2023

Corbicula fluminea is an Asian mussel that has aggressively invaded freshwater habitats worldwide, causing damage both economically and with the disappearance of native species. In Brazil, this species is present in almost all watersheds, including areas of Federal Conservation Units. In this context, the present work reported the first record of C. fluminea in the Carajás mosaic, Pará, Brazil, a Federal Conservation Area. Collections were made in September and February 2021 and May 2022. In total, 154 specimens of C. fluminea were collected. The size range of the specimens was 16 to 28 mm in shell length and 1.46 to 5.91 g in wet weight. This new record extends the distribution of this species in South America and in the tropical watersheds of Brazil and is the first record in federal protected areas, highlighting the need for large-scale knowledge of the environmental and economic changes that the species can cause.
Evaporation-Assisted Humidification–Dehumidification Cycles for Desalination Application in Tropical and Subtropical Regions
Authors: Mohammed Maged , Alqahtani Nashi K. , Asfahan Hafiz M. , Sultan Muhammad
Published: March 2023

The present study aims to evaluate the performance of evaporation-assisted humidification–dehumidification (E-HDH) desalination, specifically direct evaporative (DE-HDH), indirect evaporative (IE-HDH), and Maisotsenko evaporative (ME-HDH) systems. To achieve this, a thermodynamic modeling approach is utilized, which incorporates the wet bulb effectiveness method, psychrometric relationships of humid air, and equations that govern heat and mass balance. The key performance indicators of the studied E-HDH desalination systems are estimated concerning operating parameters. The results show that the ME-HDH system is capable of producing a comparatively higher water production rate (WPR) ranging between 0.01 and 7.92 g/s as compared to the DE-HDH and IE-HDH systems. The sensible cooling flux was observed to be high at a dry-bulb temperature (Tdb) of 50 °C and relative humidity (RH) < 0.2, having a value of 5.26 kW for the DE-HDH system, followed by the ME-HDH system (3.23 kW) and the IE-HDH system (3.11 kW) due to relatively high mass flow rates. The latent heat flux was observed to be relatively high in the case of the ME-HDH system. Minimum specific energy consumption was observed from the ME-HDH system, and consequently, a maximum gain output ratio (3.32) was realized. In addition, the study realized that an increment in air velocity and wet bulb effectiveness significantly improves the WPR. In accordance with the climatic conditions of the studied Saudi Arabia cities, it has been realized that Al-Hofuf and Riyadh produce relatively high WPRs with minimum energy consumption. In the case of Al-Hofuf, the average WPR was recorded as 185.51 kg/day, followed by Riyadh (180.33 kg/day). The energy required was estimated to be 0.042 kWh/kg and 0.034 kWh/kg for both cities, accordingly.
A Non-Hybrid Data-Driven Fuzzy Inference System for Coagulant Dosage in Drinking Water Treatment Plant: Machine-Learning for Accurate Real-Time Prediction
Authors: Bressane Adriano , Goulart Ana Paula Garcia , Melo Carrie Peres , Gomes Isadora Gurjon , Loureiro Anna Isabel Silva , Negri Rogério Galante , Moruzzi Rodrigo , Reis Adriano Gonçalves dos , Formiga Jorge Kennety Silva , da Silva Gustavo Henrique Ribeiro , Thomé Ricardo Fernandes
Published: March 2023

Coagulation is the most sensitive step in drinking water treatment. Underdosing may not yield the required water quality, whereas overdosing may result in higher costs and excess sludge. Traditionally, the coagulant dosage is set based on bath experiments performed manually, known as jar tests. Therefore, this test does not allow real-time dosing control, and its accuracy is subject to operator experience. Alternatively, solutions based on machine learning (ML) have been evaluated as computer-aided alternatives. Despite these advances, there is open debate on the most suitable ML method applied to the coagulation process, capable of the most highly accurate prediction. This study addresses this gap, where a comparative analysis between ML methods was performed. As a research hypothesis, a data-driven (D2) fuzzy inference system (FIS) should provide the best performance due to its ability to deal with uncertainties inherent to complex processes. Although ML methods have been widely investigated, only a few studies report hybrid neuro-fuzzy systems applied to coagulation. Thus, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study thus far to address the accuracy of this non-hybrid data-driven FIS (D2FIS) for such an application. The D2FIS provided the smallest error (0.69 mg/L), overcoming the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (1.09), cascade-correlation network (1.18), gene expression programming (1.15), polynomial neural network (1.20), probabilistic network (1.17), random forest (1.26), radial basis function network (1.28), stochastic gradient tree boost (1.25), and support vector machine (1.17). This finding points to the D2FIS as a promising alternative tool for accurate real-time coagulant dosage in drinking water treatment. In conclusion, the D2FIS can help WTPs to reduce operating costs, prevent errors associated with manual processes and operator experience, and standardize the efficacy with real-time and highly accurate predictions, and enhance safety for the water industry. Moreover, the evidence from this study can assist in filling the gap with the most suitable ML method and identifying a promising alternative for computer-aided coagulant dosing. For further advances, future studies should address the potential of the D2FIS for the control and optimization of other unit operations in drinking water treatment.
Smart Water Grids and Digital Twin for the Management of System Efficiency in Water Distribution Networks
Authors: Ramos Helena M. , Kuriqi Alban , Besharat Mohsen , Creaco Enrico , Tasca Elias , Coronado-Hernández Oscar E. , Pienika Rodolfo , Iglesias-Rey Pedro
Published: March 2023

One of the main factors contributing to water scarcity is water loss in water distribution systems, which mainly arises from a lack of adequate knowledge in the design process, optimization of water availability, and poor maintenance/management of the system. Thus, from the perspective of sustainable and integrated management of water resources, it is essential to enhance system efficiency by monitoring existing system elements and enhancing network maintenance/management practices. The current study establishes a smart water grid (SWG) with a digital twin (DT) for a water infrastructure to improve monitoring, management, and system efficiency. Such a tool allows live monitoring of system components, which can analyze different scenarios and variables, such as pressures, operating devices, regulation of different valves, and head-loss factors. The current study explores a case study in which local constraints amplify significant water losses. It develops and examines the DT model’s application in the Gaula water distribution network (WDN) in Madeira Island, Portugal. The developed methodology resulted in a significant potential reduction in real water losses, which presented a huge value of 434,273 m3 (~80%) and significantly improved system efficiency. The result shows a meaningful economic benefit, with savings of about EUR 165k in water loss volume with limiting pressures above the regulatory maximum of 60 m w.c. after the district metered area (DMA) sectorization and the requalification of the network. Hence, only 40% of the total annual volume, concerning the status quo situation, is necessary to supply the demand. The infrastructure leakage index measures the existing real losses and the reduction potential, reaching a value of 21.15, much higher than the recommended value of 4, revealing the great potential for improving the system efficiency using the proposed methodology.
Development of Aquatic Index of Biotic Integrity and Its Driving Factors in the Diannong River, China
Authors: Lee Lin , Liu Shuangyu , Qiu Xiaocong , Zhao Ruizhi , Zhao Zengfeng , Wan Yongpeng , Cao Zhanqi
Published: March 2023

To investigate the health of the Diannong River water ecosystem, we collected and analyzed phytoplankton, zooplankton, and microorganisms from the Diannong River in April, July, and October 2021. We also analyzed the physical and chemical factors of the water environment and analyzed the habitat quality. The reference points were determined by the habitat composite index and water quality score. Phytoplankton index of biotic integrity (P-IBI), Zooplankton index of biotic integrity (Z-IBI), and microbial index of biotic integrity (M-IBI) which evaluated the health status of Diannong River were constructed by distribution range analysis, discriminatory ability analysis and correlation analysis of candidate biological indicators. Stepwise regression analysis and path coefficient analysis were conducted to determine the environmental factors driving the changes in aquatic IBI. The results showed that the indicators of P-IBI were the number of Cyanobacteria taxonomic units %, the number of Green Algae taxonomic units%, the relative abundance of Euglena, the relative abundance of Green Algae, and the relative abundance of toxic-producing algae. The indicators of Z-IBI were the total number of zooplankton taxonomic units, the relative abundance of Copepods, the relative abundance of the top 3 dominant species, and the Simpson index; the indicators of M-IBI were the Observed species, the relative abundance of Chloroflexi, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, the relative abundance of the highest dominant taxonomic unit, the relative abundance of the top 5 dominant taxonomic units, the relative abundance of pollution intermediate genus, and the Ace index. The results of the IBI evaluation for three aquatic organisms showed that most of the sites in the upper reaches of the Diannnong River were at healthy or healthier levels; most of the sites in the middle reaches of the Diannnong River and the Yuehai Lake area were at mediocre or poor levels; and most of the sites in the downstream reaches of the Diannong River were average or mediocre levels. the main water environment factors driving the changes in P-IBI were water temperature (WT) and pH. The main water environment factors driving the changes in Z-IBI were total dissolved solids (TDS), WT and total nitrogen (TN); the main water environment factors driving the changes of M-IBI were fluoride ion (F−) and electrical conductivity (EC). This study provides the scientific reference for the application of the index of biotic integrity (IBI) for a variety of aquatic organisms in the river and lake waters and a basis for the management and optimization of the Diannong River aquatic ecosystem.
Vėlyvojo bronzos amžiaus ekonomika rytų Baltijos regione: naujo modelio link
Authors: Čivilytė Agnė , Podėnas Vytenis , Minkevičius Karolis , Luik Heidi
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we present the main results of interdisciplinary project that allowed us to formulate a new perspective on the economy of the Late Bronze Age in the Eastern Baltic region. New excavations at the Late Bronze Age fortified settlements of Garniai 1 (Utena district municipality) and Mineikiškės (Zarasai district municipality) lead us to analyse the economy of the communities in much greater detail and to formulate a more reliable economical model than before. This paper reviews the new results of archaeobotanical investigations of these fortified settlements, as well as δ13C and δ15N data of food remains in Late Bronze Age pottery, grains and animal bone collagen samples. These analyses allowed us to refine and clarify the likely dietary practices of consumers of certain products in the Eastern Baltic region. The paper also publishes new data on the elemental composition and lead isotopes of metalware, thereby adding to our earlier findings These studies show that metallurgy as a specialized activity did not play a significant role in the Late Bronze Age economy, but its emergence was driven by the economic changes of the period. In contrast, the production of high-level bone-antler artifacts reflects the activity of specialized craftsmen in Late Bronze Age settlements.
The collection of a new large and varied dataset allows us to determine the lifestyle and dietary habits of the people living in these settlements. By developing a new model of the Late Bronze Age, we present a picture of the interwoven economies of agriculture, animal husbandry, hunting, fishing, gathering, metallurgy and bone craftsmanship as a whole, asking what might have influenced the distinctive development of the economy of the eastern Baltic Sea region during the Late Bronze Age.
Typological Characteristics of the Industry in Layer Vi of the Korolevo Site in the Transcarpathia Region
Authors: Kulakovska Larissa
Published: March 2023

The article is devoted to typological characteristics of the Early Paleolithic techno-complex of Layer VI of Korolevо site in the Transcarpathia (Zakarpattia) region. The industry is chronologically dated back to OIS 14. It is classified as Mode 1 (techno-complex without hand – axes).
The Monstrous (Monstruoso) Fibula From the Dnipro River Region
Authors: Petrauskas Oleg , Syvolap Mykhaylo
Published: March 2023

In 2021, illegal antiquities seekers destroyed a Chernyakhiv Culture burial near the village of Lebedyn. Some of the items and succinct information about their provenance were given to the Cherkasy City Archaeological Museum of the Middle Dnipro Region. An examination of the items and an additional investigation of the find spot allowed for the conclusion that the items came from a Chernyakhiv Culture cremation. The grave goods included artefacts of Roman and Barbarian origin as well as hand-built pottery with direct analogies to the Wielbark Culture. It can be asserted that this was the burial of an East Goth woman of high social rank from the late 3rd – early 4th century, probably the early phase of Stage C3.
Predicting the quality of fortifi ed bakery products through recipe modeling
Authors:   Department of Information Technologies and Mathematical Methods in Economics, Voronezh State University, Shurshikova G.V. , Derkanosova N.M. ,   Department of Commodity Science and Expert Examination of Goods, Voronezh State Agrarian University, Stakhurlova A.A. ,   Department of Commodity Science and Expert Examination of Goods, Voronezh State Agrarian University
Published: March 2023

The design of fortified bakery products involves addressing the challenge of ensuring nutrient composition along with product quality. The latter is determined by the combination of properties of fl our, known in technology as baking properties. The article discusses an approach that allows predicting the quality and nutrient composition of fortifi ed bakery products at the stage of formation of the recipe composition of bread with enriching ingredients. In addition, the sensitivity of the obtained solutions to the instability of the characteristics of fl our ingredients is established. A solution is proposed in the form of a stochastic programming problem, in which the mathematical expectation of the value of the objective function is optimized for given values of the variation of the coeffi cients and the probability of fulfi lling the constraints. Technological and consumer constraint classes are established. Dependencies that allow predicting the composition of bakery products and, accordingly, assigning them to a specifi c group of functional or specialized products have been introduced into the model. The model was tested on the example of calculating a component mixture of fi rst-grade wheat fl our and amaranth extrudate flour for the production of bread with a high protein content, enriched with dietary fi ber and calcium.
A new biotechnology strategy for effective nutritional support of intestinal microflora and health
Authors:   Department of Hygiene, Kemerovo State Medical University, Poznyakovskiy V.M. , Vekovtsev A.A. ,   Art Life company, Avstrievskikh A.N. ,   Art Life company
Published: March 2023

The article deals with the issues of biotechnological strategies for eff ective nutritional support of intestinal microflora and health by means of specialized products in the form of dietary supplements with directed functional properties. Clinical evidence of the effi cacy of the developed program is presented.