bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Occurrence and Fate of Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants in South Africa and the Degradation of Microplastics in Aquatic Environments—A Critical Review
Authors: Malematja Kholofelo Clifford , Melato Funzani Asnath , Mokgalaka-Fleischmann Ntebogeng Sharon
Published: December 2023

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and their omnipresence have attracted enormous attention across the globe; however, research on MPs in South Africa is still in its infancy and thus, the data are still very much lacking. Approximately 120 million tons of general waste is generated each year in South Africa, which exacerbates the pressure on the ability of municipalities to manage waste. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are at the center of this general waste that includes plastic debris and primary MPs that are discharged from households and industries. In general, the removal efficiency of MPs across the globe was found to be between 70% and 99%, with biological treatment technology common in both primary and secondary treatment steps in WWTPs. Furthermore, the current review paper has revealed that there is a wide research gap on the occurrence and fate of MPs in WWTPs across South Africa. This is a worrying factor considering the increasing rate of plastic waste generation due to rapid industrialization, urbanization, and overpopulation in the country. More so, the scarcity of data regarding the occurrence of MPs in freshwater is widely noticeable across the country. Therefore, given the amounts of MPs discharged from households, industries, and plastic debris littered into the surface waters, the data on the occurrence and fate of MPs in South Africa should be given the urgent attention they deserve. To achieve the effective and sustainable management of water resources and services set out in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 adopted by the government, the status and capabilities of WWTPs to remove MPs must be monitored and addressed. In addition to achieving the zero waste to landfill goal by 2030, a circular economy is regarded as the most effective model for solving the plastic waste crisis in the environment; therefore, its full implementation is required for a substantial impact.
esg2go: A Method to Reduce Bias, Improve Coherence, and Increase Practicality of ESG Rating and Reporting
Authors: Cakir Isa , Aerni Philipp , Bergman Manfred Max , Cakir Benjamin
Published: December 2023

Rating agencies that assess a company’s environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) impact have been subject to public and academic scrutiny due to divergent and often biased rating outcomes. Concurrently, an evolving regulatory environment mandates publicly listed companies to report on ESG and climate emissions, taking into account supply chain risks as well. As a result, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly asked as suppliers to present a credible sustainability certificate. The esg2go rating and reporting system aims at improving the credibility and practicality of corporate sustainability assessment. It was jointly developed with its users and relevant stakeholders and is based on a calibrated benchmarking system from verifiable data. The rating method enables the measurement and comparison of sector- and firm size-specific sustainability performance. Its underlying adaptive parametrization is derived from a coherent and pragmatic definition of SME sustainability as the ‘ability to co-exist’. Our data analyses indicate that our scoring function is able to minimize bias and deliver a fair comparability between SMEs. We conclude that esg2go represents a pragmatic and innovative approach to enhance the fairness and accuracy of corporate sustainability assessment.
Experimentation of Multi-Input Single-Output Z-Source Isolated DC–DC Converter-Fed Grid-Connected Inverter with Sliding Mode Controller
Authors: N. Kanagaraj , M. Ramasamy , M. Vijayakumar , Aldosari Obaid
Published: December 2023

Converting devices are quickly becoming the most important part of renewable energy-producing systems that are linked to the grid. Applications that are linked to the grid are the most common place to find usage for two-port power converters that are built using single-input and single-output (SISO) ports. The incorporation of SISO power converters into the grid-connected hybrid system results in an increase in both its size and its cost. Multiple power sources may be connected to a single DC bus by means of hybrid power systems, which make use of multi-input power converters. To combine the hybrid wind and PV system with a common DC bus, this study suggests an isolated multi-input single-output (IMISO) Z-Source converter. It has been determined that the suggested system performs well in spite of dynamic load fluctuations and shifting input voltage circumstances. The sliding mode controller (SMC) has also been used to control a single-phase five-level (SPFL) inverter. The purpose of developing the laboratory prototype model was to verify the proposed IMISO Z-source converter-fed single-phase five-level (SPFL) inverter in the context of the circumstance that is being investigated.
Risky Business? Evaluating Hydrogen Partnerships Established by Germany, The Netherlands, and Belgium
Authors: Dejonghe Marie
Published: December 2023

Following the introduction of the EU’s Hydrogen Strategy in 2020 as part of the European Green Deal, some EU member states have deployed a very active hydrogen diplomacy. Germany, The Netherlands, and Belgium have been the most active ones, establishing no less than 40 bilateral hydrogen trade partnerships with 30 potential export countries in the last three years. However, concerns have been voiced about whether such hydrogen trade relationships can be economically feasible, geopolitically wise, environmentally sustainable, and socially just. This article therefore evaluates these partnerships considering three risk dimensions: economic, political, and sustainability (covering both environmental and justice) risks. The analysis reveals that the selection of partner countries entails significant trade-offs. Four groups of partner countries can be identified based on their respective risk profile: “Last Resorts”, “Volatile Ventures”, “Strategic Gambits”, and “Trusted Friends”. Strikingly, less than one-third of the agreements are concluded with countries that fall within the “Trusted Friends” category, which have the lowest overall risk profile. These findings show the need for policy makers to think much more strategically about which partnerships to pursue and to confront tough choices about which risks and trade-offs they are willing to accept.
A Short Review on the Time-Domain Numerical Simulations for Structural Responses in Horizontal-Axis Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Ni Yang , Peng Bin , Wang Jiayao , Golnary Farshad , Li Wei
Published: December 2023

In addition to a carbon-neutral vision being recognized worldwide, the utilization of wind energies via horizontal-axis wind turbines, especially in offshore areas, has been intensively investigated from an academic perspective. Numerical simulations play a significant role in the design and optimization of offshore wind turbines. The current review focuses on studies concerning the numerical simulations of offshore wind turbine dynamics, including the modelling of the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic conditions of the environment and the reduced-order modelling of the wind turbine dynamic responses. In detail, the functions and mechanisms of each module in the numerical simulation of the wind turbine dynamics are articulated, which in turn demonstrates its importance for the design of offshore wind turbines, and hence the development of the offshore wind industry. Based on this review, it is argued that the vertical variations in wind velocities, the blade element momentum theory, the wave dynamic models, and the reduced-order model for structural dynamics are the major concerns for the numerical simulation of wind turbines. Consequently, such directions should be emphasized in future studies.
Adsorption Equilibrium of CO2 on Microporous Activated Carbon Produced from Avocado Stone Using H2SO4 as an Activating Agent
Authors: Siemak Joanna , Michalkiewicz Beata
Published: December 2023

In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation into activated carbons derived from avocado stones produced through chemical activation using sulfuric acid. The analysis encompassed X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, FTIR, SEM and essential textural parameters, namely specific surface area, total pore volume, and micropore volume. Moreover, we scrutinized carbon dioxide adsorption isotherms and subjected the experimental data to fit with both two-parameter and four-parameter equilibrium isotherm models. To achieve the most accurate parameter estimation, five error functions were employed. Furthermore, we calculated the isosteric heat of adsorption for the most promising CO2 sorbent, providing valuable insights into the thermodynamic aspects of the adsorption process.
Enhancing Short-Term Electrical Load Forecasting for Sustainable Energy Management in Low-Carbon Buildings
Authors: Alanazi Meshari D. , Saeed Ahmad , Islam Muhammad , Habib Shabana , Sherazi Hammad I. , Khan Sheroz , Shees Mohammad Munawar
Published: December 2023

Accurate short-term forecasting of electrical energy loads is essential for optimizing energy management in low-carbon buildings. This research presents an innovative two-stage model designed to address the unique challenges of Electricity Load Forecasting (ELF). In the first phase, robust data preprocessing techniques are employed to handle issues such as outliers, missing values, and data normalization, which are common in electricity consumption datasets in the context of low-carbon buildings. This data preprocessing enhances data quality and reliability, laying the foundation for accurate modeling. Subsequently, an advanced data-driven modeling approach is introduced. The model combines a novel residual Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with a layered Echo State Network (ESN) to capture both spatial and temporal dependencies in the data. This innovative modeling approach improves forecasting accuracy and is tailored to the specific complexities of electrical power systems within low-carbon buildings. The model performance is rigorously evaluated using datasets from low-carbon buildings, including the Individual-Household-Electric-Power-Consumption (IHEPC) dataset from residential houses in Sceaux, Paris, and the Pennsylvania–New Jersey–Maryland (PJM) dataset. Beyond traditional benchmarks, our model undergoes comprehensive testing on data originating from ten diverse regions within the PJM dataset. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in forecasting error compared to existing state-of-the-art models. This research’s primary achievement lies in its ability to offer an efficient and adaptable solution tailored to real-world electrical power systems in low-carbon buildings, thus significantly contributing to the broader framework of modeling, simulation, and analysis within the field.
Optimal Positioning of Mobile Cranes on Construction Sites Using Nonlinear Programming with Discontinuous Derivatives
Authors: Hozjan Matjaž , Klanšek Uroš
Published: December 2023

Mobile cranes represent conventional construction machinery that is indispensable for the erection of most prefabricated buildings, especially those containing heavy components. However, it is also common knowledge that the engagement of these machines has a significant influence on the environment, various social aspects of the construction process, and its economic benefits. Optimal positioning of the mobile crane on the construction site, primarily driven by the contractor’s interest to perform assembly operations with expensive machinery as effectively as possible, considerably reduces not only the costs of engaging such a machine but indirectly also its negative impacts on construction sustainability. This paper discusses an exact nonlinear model for the optimization task. The optimization model consists of a cost objective function that is subject to various duration and positioning constraints for the mobile crane, including bounds on its degrees of freedom of movement and stop positions. Because the model formulation includes discontinuous and non-smooth expressions, nonlinear programming with discontinuous derivatives (DNLP) was employed to ensure the optimal solution was reached. The model provides the mobile crane operator with exact key information that enables the complete and optimal assembly of the building structure under consideration. Additionally, the information gained on the optimal distribution of the mobile crane rental period to assembly operations allows for a detailed duration analysis of the entire process of building structure erection, which can be used for its further improvement. An application example is given in this study to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed approach.
Impact of Smoking Technology on the Quality of Food Products: Absorption of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) by Food Products during Smoking
Authors: Nizio Edyta , Czwartkowski Kamil , Niedbała Gniewko
Published: December 2023

The food industry is striving for a sustainable development of thermal food processing. Smoking is an example of a process that has grown in popularity in recent years. There is a lack of systematic knowledge in the literature regarding this undervalued process, so the purpose of this review is to analyze the state of knowledge about the methods and technologies of smoking food products and their impact on changing the quality of essential food products. Therefore, a comprehensive review of the literature on smoking processes from the past two decades was conducted. The most essential components absorbed from smoke during smoking are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In the present work, 24 PAHs are summarized, and the capability of 12 food products to absorb them is described. Analysis of the principal components of absorbed PAHs showed that some products from different groups exhibit a similar ability to absorb these compounds, mainly influenced by their physical properties. The pre-treatment practices of raw materials before smoking, the smoking raw materials used, and their quality parameters were characterized (along with the effects of smoking methods on selected product groups: fish, meats, and cheeses). In addition, the gap in research concerning the absorption of other components of smoke, e.g., phenols, alcohols, ketones, and aldehydes, which directly impact food quality, is indicated.
Bamboo Construction Inspired by Vernacular Techniques for Reducing Carbon Footprint: A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Authors: Rincón Carlos Eduardo , Montoya Jorge Augusto , Archila Hector F.
Published: December 2023

Whilst upcoming innovations on digital technology and renewable energy can have a significant impact on the reduction of operational carbon emissions in the construction industry, readily available fast-growing building materials like bamboo are already proving reductions in the embodied carbon of dwellings above 60% when compared to traditional brickwork in Colombia. This paper presents a like-by-like comparison of the environmental impact of a conventional clay brick house (CBH) and a bamboo house for social housing in Colombia, which was built using adapted vernacular technologies. The bamboo house uses bamboo species Guadua angustifolia Kunth as the main structural support for the light cement bamboo frame (LCBF) system, a.k.a. ‘cemented bahareque’, whilst the CBH combines clay bricks and steel for the load-bearing walls. Traditionally built Guadua angustifolia Kunth bahareque (GaKB) houses are a key part of the vernacular architecture in the ‘coffee cultural landscape of Colombia’ (CCLC) recognised by UNESCO. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to calculate the carbon footprint of the houses following four phases: (1) definition of objective and scope; (2) inventory analysis; (3) impact assessment; and (4) interpretation of results. The results show that the carbon footprint of the GaKB house accounts for about 40% of the CBH, i.e., the GaKB generates a carbon footprint of 107.17 CO2-eq/m2 whilst the CBH results in a carbon footprint of 298.44 kg CO2-eq/m2. Furthermore, from a carbon balance calculation, the carbon footprint of the GaKB house is further reduced to about 36% of the CSB house. LCA results for the built GaKB house demonstrate that vernacular housing projects that preserve cultural heritage can also be resilient and climate-neutral. This paper sets a precedent for the establishment of targeted government policies and industry practices that preserve the cultural heritage and vernacular technologies in the CCLC region and in other emergent economies worldwide whilst promoting future-proof and net-zero carbon construction.
Non-Classical Symmetry Analysis of a Class of Nonlinear Lattice Equations
Authors: Li Wenting , Chen Yueting , Jiang Kun
Published: December 2023

In this paper, a non-classical symmetry method for obtaining the symmetries of differential–difference equations is proposed. The non-classical symmetry method introduces an additional constraint known as the invariant surface condition, which is applied after the infinitesimal transformation. By solving the governing equations that satisfy this condition, we can obtain the corresponding reduced equation. This allows us to determine the non-classical symmetry of the differential–difference equation. This method avoids the complicated calculation involved in extending the infinitesimal generator and allows for a wider range of symmetry forms. As a result, it enables the derivation of a greater number of differential–difference equations. In this paper, two kinds of (2+1)-dimensional Toda-like lattice equations are taken as examples, and their corresponding symmetric and reduced equations are obtained using the non-classical symmetry method.
Is Inconsistency in the Association between Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Depression a Function of Sex, Age, and Peripheral Inflammation?
Authors: Sharpley Christopher F. , Evans Ian D. , Bitsika Vicki , Arnold Wayne M. , Jesulola Emmanuel , Agnew Linda L.
Published: December 2023

Although alpha asymmetry has been found to correlate with depression, there is some inconsistency across the wider literature, suggesting the influence of other factors. Some of these may be the presence of peripheral inflammation, age, and sex of participants. To test the interaction of these factors in terms of the association between alpha asymmetry and depression in a community sample, in this study, data were collected on resting frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) under eyes closed and eyes open conditions, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), age, and self-rated depression in a sample of 44 males and 56 females aged from 18 to 75 years (M = 32.5 yr, SD = 14.1 yr). Using regression models, the results indicated a complex set of associations. FAA values across the FP2-FP1 sites predicted depression in the eyes open condition, but not for any other pairing of sites. Increases in CRP concentration predicted increases in depression for women but not for men. CRP predicted FAA across two frontal sites (F8-F7) under the eyes open condition only. As CRP increased, FAA favoured the left hemisphere for that pair of frontal sites, a result found more strongly for males. Age did not influence these associations. By reflecting a complex, multi-factor interaction, these findings may tentatively provide some explanation for the inconsistency in the wider literature for the FAA–depression hypothesis.
Distribution, Transfer, and Health Risk of Organochlorine Pesticides in Soil and Water of the Huangshui River Basin
Authors: Yu Ruyue , Zhou Yang , Xu Shengxian , Jing Jing , Zhang Hongyan , Huang Yuanfang
Published: December 2023

The potential negative impacts of organochlorine pesticides on the environment and human health continue to receive attention. In order to study the spatial distribution characteristics of organochlorine pesticides in the inland alpine region, researchers collected soil and water samples in the Huangshui River Basin of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and tested them for organochlorine pesticide residues represented by dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorohexane (HCH). The study identified the sources of OCPs by component analysis. We also constructed the LEVEL III model, applicable to the Huangshui River Basin, and used it to study the migration patterns of OCPs in various environmental media. OCPs were detected at low levels in the study area environment. The results of the OCPs source analysis show that there are both historical residuals and new sources in the region. Residual DDTs may originate from the mixture of technical DDTs and dicofol, and HCHs may originate from lindane or technical HCH. DDTs are mainly stored in soil, the input and output pathways are mainly atmospheric advection input and output, and its transport behavior in the environment is mainly air–soil exchange. Carcinogens in the study area pose little threat to people exposed to contaminated soil and contaminated water, but the cancer risk to children is greater than to adults. This study is helpful to managers of regional pesticide management and control.
Transient Autoreactive PF4 and Antiphospholipid Antibodies in COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients
Authors: Raadsen Matthijs P. , Visser Chantal , Lavell A. H. Ayesha , van de Munckhof Anita A. G. A. , Coutinho Jonathan M. , de Maat Moniek P. M. , GeurtsvanKessel Corine H. ,   Amsterdam UMC COVID-19 S3/HCW Study Group, Bomers Marije K. , Haagmans Bart L. , van Gorp Eric C. M. , Porcelijn Leendert , Kruip Marieke J. H. A.
Published: December 2023

Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare autoimmune condition associated with recombinant adenovirus (rAV)-based COVID-19 vaccines. It is thought to arise from autoantibodies targeting platelet factor 4 (aPF4), triggered by vaccine-induced inflammation and the formation of neo-antigenic complexes between PF4 and the rAV vector. To investigate the specific induction of aPF4 by rAV-based vaccines, we examined sera from rAV vaccine recipients (AZD1222, AD26.COV2.S) and messenger RNA (mRNA) based (mRNA-1273, BNT162b2) COVID-19 vaccine recipients. We compared the antibody fold change (FC) for aPF4 and for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) of rAV to mRNA vaccine recipients. We combined two biobanks of Dutch healthcare workers and matched rAV-vaccinated individuals to mRNA-vaccinated controls, based on age, sex and prior history of COVID-19 (AZD1222: 37, Ad26.COV2.S: 35, mRNA-1273: 47, BNT162b2: 26). We found no significant differences in aPF4 FCs after the first (0.99 vs. 1.08, mean difference (MD) = −0.11 (95% CI −0.23 to 0.057)) and second doses of AZD1222 (0.99 vs. 1.10, MD = −0.11 (95% CI −0.31 to 0.10)) and after a single dose of Ad26.COV2.S compared to mRNA-based vaccines (1.01 vs. 0.99, MD = 0.026 (95% CI −0.13 to 0.18)). The mean FCs for the aPL in rAV-based vaccine recipients were similar to those in mRNA-based vaccines. No correlation was observed between post-vaccination aPF4 levels and vaccine type (mean aPF difference −0.070 (95% CI −0.14 to 0.002) mRNA vs. rAV). In summary, our study indicates that rAV and mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines do not substantially elevate aPF4 levels in healthy individuals.
Biological Characteristics of Feline Calicivirus Epidemic Strains in China and Screening of Broad-Spectrum Protective Vaccine Strains
Authors: Cao Longlong , Liu Jian , Li Yongfan , Xie Denglong , Yan Quanhui , Li Qiuyan , Cao Yiran , Du Wenxin , Li Jiakang , Ye Zijun , Zhou Dengyuan , Kang Chao , Cao Shengbo
Published: December 2023

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is one of the most important pathogens causing upper respiratory tract diseases in cats, posing a serious health threat to these animals. At present, FCV is mainly prevented through vaccination, but the protective efficacy of vaccines in China is limited. In this study, based on the differences in capsid proteins of isolates from different regions in China, as reported in our previous studies, seven representative FCV epidemic strains were selected and tested for their viral titers, virulence, immunogenicity, and extensive cross-protection. Subsequently, vaccine strains were selected to prepare inactivated vaccines. The whole-genome sequencing and analysis results showed that these seven representative FCV strains and 144 reference strains fell into five groups (A, B, C, D, and E). The strains isolated in China mainly fall into groups C and D, exhibiting regional characteristics. These Chinese isolates had a distant evolutionary relationship and low homology with the current FCV-255 vaccine strain. The screened FCV-HB7 and FCV-HB10 strains displayed desirable in vitro culture characteristics, with the highest virus proliferation titers (109.5 TCID50/mL) at 36 h post inoculation at a dose of 0.01 MOI. All five cats infected intranasally with FCV-HB7 or FCV-HB10 strains showed obvious clinical symptoms of FCV. The symptoms of cats infected with the FCV-HB7 strain were more severe than those infected with the FCV-HB10 strain. Both the single-strain inactivated immunization and combined bivalent inactivated vaccine immunization of FCV-HB7 and FCV-HB10 induced high neutralizing antibody titers in five cats immunized. Moreover, bivalent inactivated vaccine immunization protected cats from FCV-HB7 and FCV-HB10 strains. The cross-neutralizing antibody titer against seven representative FCV epidemic strains achieved by combined bivalent inactivated vaccine immunization was higher than that achieved by single-strain immunization, which was much higher than that achieved by commercial vaccine FCV-255 strain immunization. The above results suggest that the FCV-HB7 and FCV-HB10 strains screened in this study have great potential to become vaccine strains with broad-spectrum protective efficacy. However, their immune protective efficacy needs to be further verified by multiple methods before clinical application.
Determining the In Vivo Efficacy of Plant-Based and Probiotic-Based Antibiotic Alternatives against Mixed Infection with Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli in Domestic Chickens
Authors: Kerek Ádám , Szabó Ábel , Dobra Péter Ferenc , Bárdos Krisztina , Ózsvári László , Fehérvári Péter , Bata Zsófia , Molnár-Nagy Viviána , Jerzsele Ákos
Published: December 2023

Restrictions on the use of antimicrobial compounds have led to a surge of interest in alternative solutions, such as natural, plant-based compounds. In our study, we investigated the efficacy of three feed supplements containing different additives, namely, probiotics (Lactobacillus spp., “Test substance A”), turmeric (Curcuma longa L., “Test substance B”), and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum, “Test substance C”). In the experiment, we tested 180 birds of the Bábolna Tetra-SL laying hybrid breed that were infected with Salmonella enteritidis strains. The birds were randomly divided into six groups: three groups treated with the different additives, a negative control group, a positive control group, and an antibiotic-treated group using enrofloxacin. We examined the maturation and the time course of shedding of Salmonella; at the end of rearing, pathological and histopathological examinations were performed. When Salmonella was isolated from the cloacal swab samples, the enrofloxacin-treated group had a high number of animals shedding Salmonella by day 9, which was like the group treated with test material C. The greatest reduction in Salmonella shedding was observed in the groups treated with test materials A and B. In terms of pathological parameters, villus length and crypt depth were significantly better in the group treated with test material C compared to the positive and negative controls, and when comparing the body weight of the tested animals, the group treated with test material B had a significantly larger absorption surface area compared to the positive control group. Overall, the supplement with test material C proved to be the most effective. In the future, it is worthwhile to investigate the combination of the tested active substances for their possible synergistic effects and to perform a dose-response study to select the optimal dosage.
Exploring 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol Degradation Characteristics and Functional Metabolic Gene Abundance Using Sludge Fermentation Broth as the Carbon Source
Authors: Wang Jianguang , Li Shiyi
Published: December 2023

The use of sludge fermentation broth (FB) as a co-metabolic carbon source for treating 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) wastewater is a novel strategy. The key to the feasibility of this strategy is whether the FB can promote the growth of functional microorganisms that are capable of degrading 2,4,6-TCP. This study focused on long-term acclimatized sludge and investigated the impact of key operating parameters such as the sludge FB concentration and the influent concentration of 2,4,6-TCP on the removal efficiency of chlorophenol. The research findings revealed that when the influent concentration of sludge FB exceeded 300 mg COD/L, it significantly inhibited the degradation of 2,4,6-TCP. Simulation experiments using individual VFA components as influent carbon sources showed that excessive propionic acid addition can inhibit the degradation of 2,4,6-TCP, indicating the need to control the concentration of propionic acid in the fermentation conditions. Metagenomic analysis further showed that sludge FB can promote the enrichment of microbial chlorophenol degradation genes, including PcpA, pcaF, pcaI, Mal-r, chqB, and fadA. The abundances of these six chlorophenol degradation genes were as follows: 1152 hits (PcpA), 112 hits (pcaF), 10,144 hits (pcaI), 12,552 hits (Mal-r), 8022 hits (chqB), and 20,122 hits (fadA). Compared with other types of carbon sources, sludge FB demonstrates distinct advantages in terms of leading to the highest chlorophenol degradation concentration and the abundance of functional microbial communities. This study has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using sludge FB as a co-metabolic carbon source for the degradation of 2,4,6-TCP.
Accurate and Intelligent Early Warning Method of Debris Flow Formation Based on IGWO-LSTM Algorithm
Authors: Zhu Cheng , Wang Shaoqi , He Na , Sun Hui , Xu Linjuan , Gurkalo Filip
Published: December 2023

To improve the accuracy of debris flow forecasts and serve as disaster prevention and mitigation, an accurate and intelligent early warning method of debris flow initiation based on the IGWO-LSTM algorithm is proposed. First, the entropy method is employed to screen the early warning indicators. Then, the improved grey wolf algorithm (IGWO) is obtained by optimizing the grey wolf algorithm by combining elite reverse learning and adaptive convergence factors. Finally, the IGWO-LSTM algorithm is obtained by using IGWO to improve the total connection layer weight and bias parameters of LSTM, which takes the screened early warning indicators as input and outputs the early warning results of the debris flow formation risk level. In comparison with the methods introduced in earlier studies, the results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves superior outcomes in terms of assessing a single warning of multiple debris flow gullies, a multi-year warning of a single debris flow gully, and a multi-year warning of multiple debris flow gullies. The mean absolute error and root mean square error of the early warning results of the ANN model and PEEM method show low values, while the early warning hit rate shows high values, surpassing 90%. Also, the other two methods developed in the previous studies show low values of the early warning coverage rate, reaching 90% at most. Moreover, the triggered traffic model and MLPG method show high values in the early warning coverage rate, exceeding 90%, and low values in the early warning hit rate of less than 90%, and the average absolute error and root mean square error are high. On the other hand, the results of the proposed method show that the overall early warning hit rate is higher than 95%, the coverage rate is close to 100%, and the error is less than 1.5. Thus, the comprehensive analysis results show that the proposed method has better performance and higher reliability than other studied methods.
Effects of Carbon Source on Denitrification and Electricity Generation in Composite Packing MFC-CW for Tail Water Treatment
Authors: Kong Yu , Hu Jing , Lu Xiwu , Cheng Changgen
Published: December 2023

The tail wastewater from sewage treatment facilities usually lacks carbon sources, and its subsequent treatment for deep nitrogen removal is difficult in natural conditions. In this study, the constructed wetland (CW) was integrated with microbial fuel cell (MFC) with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fillers as the main matrix to improve nitrogen removal under inefficient carbon source conditions. Compared with the regular MFC and CW systems, MFC-CW attained higher nitrogen removal under low-carbon source conditions. The influence of influent carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N) on the denitrification and electricity-generation performance was explored. Although the increase of carbon source simultaneously improved chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia (NH4+-N), nitrate (NO3−-N) and TN removal, the power generation during the carbon source adjustment showed low relation with the variation of influent COD in the range of 40–120 mg/L. CW was more dependent on carbon sources, and the addition of bioelectrochemical systems into MFC-CW could reduce the dependence of nitrogen removal on carbon sources, especially under low carbon source conditions. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential applications of MFC-CW for tail water treatment, and its parameters for utilization in real CWs should be explored in future studies.
Organization of work on prevention and early diagnosis of breast tumors
Authors:   FSBEI HE Samara State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Samara, Russia, Trunova-Feduleeva N. V.
Published: December 2023

A constant object of careful and comprehensive study is the issue of breast diseases, which has become particularly relevant due to their significant growth, especially, of cancer of this localization. Promising forms of preventive work on breast diseases are patient schools. The experience of existing schools has demonstrated new professional capabilities of nursing specialists who are the schools’ organizers and leaders. Target. To evaluate the impact of the School for Breast Tumor Prevention on the incidence of malignant neoplasms in the female population. Results. The existing system for the prevention and early diagnosis of mammary tumors in a medical organization was analyzed, the level of knowledge on the prevention and early diagnosis of mammary tumors among the attached female population and nursing specialists was assessed, and the role of nursing staf f in sanitary educational work was determined. Conclusion. The results of sanitary education work are one of the determining factors influencing the reduction in the incidence of malignant neoplasms among the female population.
Formation of a healthy lifestyle in surgical medical workers
Authors:   FSBEI HE Samara State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, 443099, Samara, Russia, Izevlina N. L.
Published: December 2023

It is completely justified that recently, close attention has been directed to a healthy lifestyle of both the population as a whole, and certain categories of citizens, which include medical workers. This is due to the fact that a healthy lifestyle is a prerequisite for the successful development of various aspects of human life, achievement of active longevity, full performance of social functions, and participation in labor, social, family, household, and leisure activities. Target. To determine the attitude of surgical medical workers towards their own health and assess their level of healthy lifest yle. Results. The attitude of medical workers to their health and the desire to develop it have been determined, and the reasons that impede the preservation of the health of surgical medical workers have been identified.
Communications in the activity of a nursing director
Authors:   FSBEI HE Samara State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, 443099, Samara, Russia, Kropotova S. V.
Published: December 2023

It is completely justified that recently, close attention has been directed to a healthy lifestyle of both the population as a whole, and certain categories of citizens, which include medical workers. This is due to the fact that a healthy lifestyle is a prerequisite for the successful development of various aspects of human life, achievement of active longevity, full performance of social functions, and participation in labor, social, family, household, and leisure activities. Target. To determine the attitude of surgical medical workers towards their own health and assess their level of healthy lifest yle. Results. The attitude of medical workers to their health and the desire to develop it have been determined, and the reasons that impede the preservation of the health of surgical medical workers have been identified. Conclusion. Considering that medical workers, by virtue of their profession, have the most profound knowledge about maintaining health and the occurrence of illnesses, they should not only bring people knowledge about a healthy lifestyle, but also be an example of this.
Organization of nurses’ independent appointment when providing primary health care to the population in the Togliatti City Clinical Polyclinic No. 3
Authors:   SBHI SR Togliatti City Clinical Polyclinic No. 3, Togliatti, Russia, Borovik N. V. , Maksimova L. V. ,   SBHI SR Togliatti City Clinical Polyclinic No. 3, Togliatti, Russia
Published: December 2023

When implementing the priority state project “Creation of a new model of a medical organization providing primary health care”, one of the expected results is an even distribution of functionality between doctors and nursing staff in the process of providing medical care[1]. Modern types of primary health care (PHC) models dictate the need for change, a transition from the historical model, where the doctor occupies a leading position in the provision of medical care, to a model where the doctor and nurse are equal participants of a single team[2]. The article describes the main directions of organizing independent appointment by nurses when providing primary health care to the population in the Togliatti City Clinical Polyclinic No. 3.
Modern problems of determining the residual value of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets in Russian accounting and ways to solve them
Authors:   Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod”, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Druzhilovskaya E.S.
Published: December 2023

Residual value is relatively new for Russian accounting. Thus, for intangible assets this value will be mandatory introduced from 2024, and for property, plant and equipment it was introduced only from 2022. In this regard, today it is very important to analyze the problems relevant to determining the above-mentioned value, as well as ways to solve them. This analysis is carried out in this article. When conducting research, methods such as analysis and synthesis, comparison, grouping method, analogy method, logical approach, systematic approach were used. As a result of the research, the most important modern problems of determining the residual value of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets in Russian accounting were identified and ways to solve them were presented. These problems and proposals for solving them are also largely relevant for the IFRS system. The results obtained in this article will be useful to a wide range of readers interested in modern problems of Russian and international accounting, including determining the residual value of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, can be used in the educational process of higher educational institutions, in the practical work of accounting departments, as well as in the development and improvement of relevant domestic and foreign regulatory documents on accounting.
Cercetări arheologice preventive în orașul medieval Târgoviște – Strada Calea Domnească nr. 192 / Preventive excavations in the medieval town of Târgoviște – 192 Calea Domnească St.
Authors: Petrică Florin Gabriel , Cârciumaru Marin , Năstase Mihai Claudiu
Published: December 2023

Towards the end of 2020, across the street from what is today Princely Court Openair Museum, the formally Princely Court of Târgoviște, as part of a rescue archaeological research project, on a relatively small surface, several medieval features were discovered. These structures unveiled several historical sequences from the timeframe of XVth– XVIIIth century. The oldest objects, consisting of a few ceramic fragments, indicate the existence of dwellings from the La Tène period and from the IIIrd– IVth centuries, somewhere in the area. Artifacts and features dated to the XVth– XVIth centuries documented the existence of a craftsman’s workshop in the same area. The most important discovery, however, is a necropolis (18 features), partially captured in the surveyed area, previously untraceable in terms of documentary information. The same chronostratigraphic context revealed a sidewalk pavement and a collapsed building, probably a bell tower. These discoveries suggest the existence of an ecclesiastical complex, dated in the second half of the XVIth century, but whose existence, according to some clues, seems to have been rather short. The first‑hand observations during the excavation on the youth of many of those buried were also confirmed by anthropological research. Thus, the interdisciplinary research corroborated information from contemporary documents, about Wallachia and implicitly Târgoviște, between the end of the XVIth and the first three decades of the XVIIth century, a series of military events took place whose negative effect was enhanced by natural calamities, translated into famine and disease. The necropolis and the medieval structures discovered at Strada Calea Domnească nr. 192, on a surface of about 70 square meters, are yet another layer from the complex chronostratigraphy of the city and, at the same time, proves, on one side, still the remarkable archaeological potential of Târgoviște, and on another, that research of its past entered in another stage.
Contribution à l'étude du pointage locomoteur. Application au saut en longueur et au saut d'obstacle en équitation
Authors: Laurent Michel , Pailhous J.
Published: December 2023

Les habiletés motrices sportives sont caractérisées par un milieu codifié, des contraintes relatives à la tâche et une recherche continue de la performance. Pour ces raisons, outre l'utilisation de processus sensori-moteurs, biomécaniques et énergétiques le sujet recourt, à des processus de planification et de contrôle de niveau cognitif, Cette, étude montre que la course d'élan de saut en longueur et le saut d'obstacles en équitation mettent en jeu des régulations visuo-motrices témoignant de ces processus, lesquels sont dépendants de l'habileté des sujets (6 sujets confirmés, et 6 sujets débutants en saut en longueur et 5 confirmés et 5 débutants en saut d'obstacles ont réalisé 1'expérience) .
L'estimation de la difficulté des tâches motrices par des enseignants d'éducation physique et sportive
Authors: Durand Marc
Published: December 2023

The accuracy of appraising the difficulty of motor tasks by physical education teachers, is studied in two experiments. The subjects must esteem the energy cost of forteen physical activities and sport, and twenty-seven motor tasks, on a seven points rating scale. The results show an accurate general estimation of this energy expenditure, some errors about the effect of recuperation, and a tendency to under-estimate the tasks when they are easy and to over-estimate them, when they are difficult.
De l'égalité des chances à l'arrivée à l'égalité des conditions au départ : analyse des facteurs de développement des courses à pied sportives en France et de l'assimilation des exigences de l'entraînement
Authors: Bruant Gérard
Published: December 2023

Pour mettre en évidence les facteurs qui incitent les athlètes à accepter les exigences d’un entraînement, les modalités du remplacement des courses «handicap» par des courses avec départ en ligne («scratch») qui s’est effectué en France au début du XXème siècle, ont été analysées.

Le privilège accordé par les amateurs au principe de l’égalité des chances à l’arrivée pour lequel les courses «handicap» étaient organisées, se comprend comme un aspect de la différenciation sociale vis-à-vis des professionnels.

Des facteurs internes d’évolution sont ensuite décrits. Ils sont essentiellement liés à l’extension des pratiques et aux exigences accrues du contrôle des comportements des athlètes.

Les facteurs externes rendent compte d’un processus d’assimilation forcée du principe de l’égalité des chances au départ.

Une opération d’inversion a été réalisée. Les courses «scratch» qui au départ servaient de test pour établir les handicaps sur des bases plus justes, deviennent à partir de 1906 des championnats destinés à désigner les meilleurs et pour lesquels les entraînements étaient faits au moyen de course «handicap». C’était là une façon de réaliser un travail tout en se divertissant. Les implications d’une telle transformation sont ensuite abordées, en particulier la nécessité de l’entraîneur, la pratique spécialisée et l’internalisation des conduites.
Rôle des processus cognitifs dans la reproduction sur des bases proprioceptives de configurations corporelles chez l'adulte
Authors: Cadopi Marielle
Published: December 2023

Role of cognitive processes in the reproduction of bodily configurations in adults on a proprioceptive basis.

The aim of this work is to offer an example of possible articulation between psychology and motor behavior in the domain of sensori-motor transfer.

We used a task involving the reproduction by human adults of bodily configurations, in the proprioceptive modality. Each subject executed the configuration with an arm (norm N), reproduced it with the same arm (homolateral reproduction HR) and with the other arm (contralateral reproduction CR).

We hypothesize that the elaboration of a spatial image is necessary to reproduce the configurations. When the subjects are not skilled, the reference is not yet established and significant differences must appear between N, RH and RC. However the spatial difficulty of the configurations presumably does not play any role in these differences, since the subjects are adults.

Thus intramodal transfer employs similar processing operations to those included in transfer between different sensory modalities.