bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TDEGAN: A Texture-Detail-Enhanced Dense Generative Adversarial Network for Remote Sensing Image Super-Resolution
Authors: Guo Mingqiang , Xiong Feng , Zhao Baorui , Huang Ying , Xie Zhong , Wu Liang , Chen Xueye , Zhang Jiaming
Published: June 2024

Image super-resolution (SR) technology can improve the resolution of images and provide clearer and more reliable remote sensing images of high quality to better serve the subsequent applications. However, when reconstructing high-frequency feature areas of remote sensing images, existing SR reconstruction methods are prone to artifacts that affect visual effects and make it difficult to generate real texture details. In order to address this issue, a texture-detail-enhanced dense generative adversarial network (TDEGAN) for remote sensing image SR is presented. The generator uses multi-level dense connections, residual connections, and Shuffle attention (SA) to improve the feature extraction ability. A PatchGAN-style discrimination network is designed to effectively perform local discrimination and helps the network generate rich, detailed features. To reduce the impact of artifacts, we introduce an artifact loss function, which is combined with the exponential moving average (EMA) technique to distinguish the artifacts generated from the actual texture details through local statistics, which can help the network reduce artifacts and generate more realistic texture details. Experiments show that TDEGAN can better restore the texture details of remote sensing images and achieves certain advantages in terms of evaluation indicators and visualization.
SREDet: Semantic-Driven Rotational Feature Enhancement for Oriented Object Detection in Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Zhang Zehao , Wang Chenhan , Zhang Huayu , Qi Dacheng , Liu Qingyi , Wang Yufeng , Ding Wenrui
Published: June 2024

Significant progress has been achieved in the field of oriented object detection (OOD) in recent years. Compared to natural images, objects in remote sensing images exhibit characteristics of dense arrangement and arbitrary orientation while also containing a large amount of background information. Feature extraction in OOD becomes more challenging due to the diversity of object orientations. In this paper, we propose a semantic-driven rotational feature enhancement method, termed SREDet, to fully leverage the joint semantic and spatial information of oriented objects in the remote sensing images. We first construct a multi-rotation feature pyramid network (MRFPN), which leverages a fusion of multi-angle and multiscale feature maps to enhance the capability to extract features from different orientations. Then, considering feature confusion and contamination caused by the dense arrangement of objects and background interference, we present a semantic-driven feature enhancement module (SFEM), which decouples features in the spatial domain to separately enhance the features of objects and weaken those of backgrounds. Furthermore, we introduce an error source evaluation metric for rotated object detection to further analyze detection errors and indicate the effectiveness of our method. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our SREDet method achieves superior performance on two commonly used remote sensing object detection datasets (i.e., DOTA and HRSC2016).
Uncovering a Seismogenic Fault in Southern Iran through Co-Seismic Deformation of the Mw 6.1 Doublet Earthquake of 14 November 2021
Authors: Namdarsehat Peyman , Milczarek Wojciech , Bugajska-Jędraszek Natalia , Motavalli-Anbaran Seyed-Hani , Khaledzadeh Matin
Published: June 2024

On 14 November 2021, a doublet earthquake, each event of which had an Mw of 6.1, struck near Fin in the Simply Folded Belt (SFB) in southern Iran. The first quake occurred at 12:07:04 UTC, followed by a second one just a minute and a half later. The SFB is known for its blind thrust faults, typically not associated with surface ruptures. These earthquakes are usually linked to the middle and lower layers of the sedimentary cover. Identifying the faults that trigger earthquakes in the region remains a significant challenge and is subject to high uncertainty. This study aims to identify and determine the fault(s) that may have caused the doublet earthquake. To achieve this goal, we utilized the DInSAR method using Sentinel-1 to detect deformation, followed by finite-fault inversion and magnetic interpretation to determine the location, geometry, and slip distribution of the fault(s). Bayesian probabilistic joint inversion was used to model the earthquake sources and derive the geometric parameters of potential fault planes. The study presents two potential fault solutions—one dipping to the north and the other to the south. Both solutions showed no significant difference in strike and fault location, suggesting a single fault. Based on the results of the seismic inversion, it appears that a north-dipping fault with a strike, dip, and rake of 257°, 74°, and 77°, respectively, is more consistent with the geological setting of the area. The fault plane has a width of roughly 3.6 km, a length of 13.4 km, and a depth of 5.6 km. Our results revealed maximum displacements along the radar line of sight reaching values of up to −360 mm in the ascending orbit, indicating an unknown fault with horizontal displacements at the surface ranging from −144 to 170 mm and maximum vertical displacements between −204 and 415 mm. Aeromagnetic data for Iran were utilized with an average flight-line spacing of 7.5 km. The middle of the data observation period was considered to apply the RTP filter, and the DRTP method was used. We calculated the gradient of the residual anomaly in the N-S direction due to the direction of the existing faults and folds. The gradient map identified the fault and potential extension of the observed anomalies related to a fault with an ENE-WSW strike, which could extend to the ~ E-W. We suggest that earthquakes occur in the sedimentary cover of the SFB where subsurface faulting is involved, with Hormuz salt acting as an important barrier to rupture. The multidisciplinary approach used in this study, including InSAR and magnetic data, underscores the importance of accurate fault characterization. These findings provide valuable insights into the seismic hazard of the area.
ANADEM: A Digital Terrain Model for South America
Authors: Laipelt Leonardo , Comini de Andrade Bruno , Collischonn Walter , de Amorim Teixeira Alexandre , Paiva Rodrigo Cauduro Dias de , Ruhoff Anderson
Published: June 2024

Digital elevation models (DEMs) have a wide range of applications and play a crucial role in many studies. Numerous public DEMs, frequently acquired using radar and optical satellite imagery, are currently available; however, DEM datasets tend to exhibit elevation values influenced by vegetation height and coverage, compromising the accuracy of models in representing terrain elevation. In this study, we developed a digital terrain model for South America using a novel methodology to remove vegetation bias in the Copernicus DEM GLO-30 (COPDEM) model using machine learning, Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) elevation data, and multispectral remote sensing products. Our results indicate considerable improvements compared to COPDEM in representing terrain elevation, reducing average errors (BIAS) from 9.6 m to 1.5 m. Furthermore, we evaluated our product (ANADEM) by comparison with other global DEMs, obtaining more accurate results for different conditions of vegetation fraction cover and land use. As a publicly available and open-source dataset, ANADEM will play a crucial role in advancing studies that demand accurate terrain elevation representations at large scales.
CDTracker: Coarse-to-Fine Feature Matching and Point Densification for 3D Single-Object Tracking
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Pu Chenghan , Qi Yu , Yang Jianping , Wu Xiang , Niu Muyuan , Wei Mingqiang
Published: June 2024

Three-dimensional (3D) single-object tracking (3D SOT) is a fundamental yet not well-solved problem in 3D vision, where the complexity of feature matching and the sparsity of point clouds pose significant challenges. To handle abrupt changes in appearance features and sparse point clouds, we propose a novel 3D SOT network, dubbed CDTracker. It leverages both cosine similarity and an attention mechanism to enhance the robustness of feature matching. By combining similarity embedding and attention assignment, CDTracker performs template and search area feature matching in a coarse-to-fine manner. Additionally, CDTracker addresses the problem of sparse point clouds, which commonly leads to inaccurate tracking. It incorporates relatively dense sampling based on the concept of point cloud segmentation to retain more target points, leading to improved localization accuracy. Extensive experiments on both the KITTI and Waymo datasets demonstrate clear improvements in CDTracker over its competitors.
Simultaneous LC-MS/MS Method for the Quantitation of Probenecid, Albendazole, and Its Metabolites in Human Plasma and Dried Blood Spots
Authors: Rashid Mamunur , Chhonker Yashpal S. , Singh Sandeep K. , Murry Daryl J.
Published: June 2024

Millions of individuals throughout the world suffer from lymphatic filariasis (LF), which is a morbid disease caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. These infections belong to tissue-invading nematodes and are one of the major neglected tropical diseases that often result in permanent and enduring disability among individuals in endemic regions. Due to combination therapy, LF eradication has drastically decreased infections globally. The development of blood micro-sampling techniques allowing precise quantitation of drugs in blood would facilitate pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in remote populations. Therefore, an LC-MS/MS bioanalytical method was utilized to analyze albendazole (ABZ), albendazole sulfone (ABZ-ON), albendazole sulfoxide (ABZ-OX), and probenecid (PR) in plasma and dried blood spots. Solid-phase extraction was utilized to extract the analyte from both plasma and blood-spiked DBS. Analytes of interest were eluted with a gradient mobile system using 0.05% formic acid in water (A) and 0.05% formic acid in methanol (B) and separated using a reversed-phase Acquity ®BEH C18 UPLC column (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm). Precision and accuracy at each QC level were within the acceptable limit, i.e., ±15% for all analytes in both the matrices. Tests for stability under laboratory and storage conditions indicated that no notable changes were observed for plasma and DBS. The LC-MS/MS method demonstrated its capability to consistently identify all target analytes (ABZ, ABZ-ON, ABZ-OX, and PR) at low concentrations, even at the small specimen volumes obtained from DBS cards. This confirms the efficacy and durability of DBS cards as a micro-sampling technique. Moreover, it enhances collection efforts for therapeutic drug monitoring in remote locations for patients infected with lymphatic filariasis.
The Study of Gender-Based Violence through a Narrative Approach: Evidence from the European Project IMPROVE
Authors: Romero Gutierrez Lorea , Izaguirre Choperena Ainhoa , López Belloso María
Published: June 2024

Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) remains largely under-reported and under-detected. The European project IMPROVE seeks to identify the needs of victims in terms of facilitating their access to support services and to assist frontline responder organisations in enhancing their competencies and capabilities to make the most of innovative solutions that enable and accelerate policy implementation. Methods: To meet these goals, IMPROVE uses narrative interviews, understood as unstructured tools that produce and analyse stories that are significant in people’s lives. These interviews provide the space for re-thinking; there is a reflection on implicit and taken-for-granted norms and insights are given into the life and thoughts of vulnerable groups, in this case, the women victim-survivors of GBV. Results: This methodological approach has led to high-quality interviews in which the women involved have felt comfortable, confident, and satisfied, as evidenced by the depth, complexity, and extension of the knowledge generated, and the commitment of the interviewees to the various activities proposed by the researchers. Conclusions: The narrative approach has allowed for a sensitive investigation into the private lives of GBV victim-survivors and, as a consequence, has contributed to the creation of new knowledge that can provide an in-depth and incisive view of the help offered by frontline responder organisations, from which improvements can be proposed.
Efficacy of Aflatoxin B1 and Fumonisin B1 Adsorption by Maize, Wheat, and Oat Bran
Authors: Lee Youngsun , Lemmetty Jenna M. , Nihtilä Hanna , Koivula Hanna , Samandoulougou Serge , Sawadogo-Lingani Hagretou , Katina Kati , Maina Ndegwa H.
Published: June 2024

Mycotoxins, especially aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FMB1), are common contaminants in cereal-based foods. Instances of contamination are predicted to increase due to the current challenges induced by climate change. Despite the health benefits of whole grains, the presence of mycotoxins in bran remains a concern. Nonetheless, previous research indicates that wheat bran can adsorb mutagens. Therefore, this study investigated the capacity of maize, wheat, and oat brans to adsorb AFB1 and FMB1 under varying in vitro conditions, including pH, binding time, temperature, particle size, and the amount of bran utilized. Maize bran demonstrated a high AFB1 adsorption capacity (>78%) compared to wheat and oat brans. However, FMB1 was not adsorbed by the brans, possibly due to its hydrophilic nature. Lower temperature (≤25 °C) enhanced AFB1 adsorption efficacy in wheat and oat bran, while for maize bran, the highest adsorption occurred at 37 °C. A linear model following Henry’s law best explained AFB1 adsorption by the brans. Further studies identified the pericarp layer of bran as the primary site of AFB1 adsorption, with the initial liquid volume being a critical factor. The study concludes that bran could potentially act as an effective bioadsorbent. Further research is essential to confirm the adsorption efficacy and the bioavailability of AFB1 through in vivo experiments.
Serendipitous Discovery of a 431 ms Pulsar in the Background of Westerlund 1
Authors: Piga Viviana , Burgay Marta , Possenti Andrea , Ridolfi Alessandro , Pilia Maura , Rea Nanda , Perna Rosalba , Colpi Monica , Israel Gianluca
Published: June 2024

We report the discovery of PSR J1646−4545, a 431 ms isolated pulsar, in the direction of the young massive cluster Westerlund 1. The pulsar was found in data taken between the years 2005 and 2010 with the “Murriyang” Parkes radio telescope in Australia. Thanks to the numerous detections of the pulsar, we were able to derive a phase-connected timing solution spanning the whole data set. This allowed us to precisely locate the pulsar at the border of the cluster and to measure its spin-down rate. The latter implies a characteristic age of ∼25 Myr, about twice as large as the estimated age of Westerlund 1. The age of PSR J1646−4545, together with its dispersion measure of ∼1029 pc cm−3, more than twice the value predicted by the two main galactic electron density models for Westerlund 1, makes the association of the pulsar with the cluster highly unlikely. We also report on ramifications from the presence of a magnetar in Westerlund 1 and the apparent lack of ordinary radio pulsars.
Viral Envelope Evolution in Simian–HIV-Infected Neonate and Adult-Dam Pairs of Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Giorgi Elena E. , Li Hui , Hora Bhavna , Shaw George M. , Wagh Kshitij , Williams Wilton B.
Published: June 2024

We recently demonstrated that Simian–HIV (SHIV)-infected neonate rhesus macaques (RMs) generated heterologous HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) with broadly-NAb (bNAb) characteristics at a higher frequency compared with their corresponding dam. Here, we characterized genetic diversity in Env sequences from four neonate or adult/dam RM pairs: in two pairs, neonate and dam RMs made heterologous HIV-1 NAbs; in one pair, neither the neonate nor the dam made heterologous HIV-1 NAbs; and in another pair, only the neonate made heterologous HIV-1 NAbs. Phylogenetic and sequence diversity analyses of longitudinal Envs revealed that a higher genetic diversity, within the host and away from the infecting SHIV strain, was correlated with heterologous HIV-1 NAb development. We identified 22 Env variable sites, of which 9 were associated with heterologous HIV-1 NAb development; 3/9 sites had mutations previously linked to HIV-1 Env bNAb development. These data suggested that viral diversity drives heterologous HIV-1 NAb development, and the faster accumulation of viral diversity in neonate RMs may be a potential mechanism underlying bNAb induction in pediatric populations. Moreover, these data may inform candidate Env immunogens to guide precursor B cells to bNAb status via vaccination by the Env-based selection of bNAb lineage members with the appropriate mutations associated with neutralization breadth.
Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Bat Hepatitis B Viruses in Bat Species Living in Gabon
Authors: Koumba Mavoungou Danielle S. , Bohou Kombila Linda , Longo Pendy Neil M. , Koumba Moukouama Schedy E. , Lekana-Douki Sonia Etenna , Maganga Gaël D. , Leroy Eric M. , Aghokeng Avelin F. , N’dilimabaka Nadine
Published: June 2024

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection leads to around 800,000 deaths yearly and is considered to be a major public health problem worldwide. However, HBV origins remain poorly understood. Here, we looked for bat HBV (BtHBV) in different bat species in Gabon to investigate the role of these animals as carriers of ancestral hepadnaviruses because these viruses are much more diverse in bats than in other host species. DNA was extracted from 859 bat livers belonging to 11 species collected in caves and villages in the southeast of Gabon and analyzed using PCRs targeting the surface gene. Positive samples were sequenced using the Sanger method. BtHBV DNA was detected in 64 (7.4%) individuals belonging to eight species mainly collected in caves. Thirty-six (36) sequences among the 37 obtained after sequencing were phylogenetically close to the RBHBV strain recently isolated in Gabonese bats, while the remaining sequence was close to a rodent HBV strain isolated in America. The generalized linear mixed model showed that the variable species best explained the occurrence of BtHBV infection in bats. The discovery of a BtHBV strain homologous to a rodent strain in bats raises the possibility that these animals may be carriers of ancestral hepadnaviruses.
Characterization of Herpesviridae Family Members, BK Virus, and Adenovirus in Children and Adolescents with Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Ferreira Menoni Silvia Mendonça , Leon Lucas Lopes , de Lima Rodrigo Gonçalves , Lutaif Anna Cristina Gervásio de Brito , Prates Liliane Cury , Palma Lilian Monteiro Pereira , Costa Sandra Cecília Botelho , Belangero Vera Maria Santoro , Bonon Sandra Helena Alves
Published: June 2024

Since the significance of viral infections in children and adolescents with nephrotic syndrome (NS) is yet to be defined, this study intended to estimate the occurrence, pattern, and outcomes of some DNA viral infections in children with NS. Methods: A prospective study was conducted to determine the genome identification of the viruses Epstein-Barr (EBV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6 type A and type B) and 7 (HHV-7), polyomavirus (BKV), and human adenovirus (HAdV) in plasma and urine samples of pediatric patients with NS. Results: A total of 35 patients aged 1 to 18 years with NS and under immunosuppressant drugs participated in the study. Plasma and urine samples were collected at regular intervals during a median follow-up of 266 days (range 133–595), and DNA was analyzed to detect the selected DNA viruses. Eleven patients (31.4%) had active virus infections, and patterns were classified as coinfection, recurrent, and consecutive. Of these, six patients (54.5%) presented viral coinfection, six (54.5%) viral recurrence, and seven patients (63.3%) had viral consecutive infection. Ten of the eleven patients with active infection had a proteinuria relapse (91%) and eight (72.7%) were hospitalized (p = 0.0022). Active HCMV infection was the most frequent infection and was observed in six patients (54.5%), three of the eleven patients (27.2%) had suspected HCMV disease in the gastrointestinal tract, and one had HHV-7 coinfection. The frequency of other infections was: 9% for HHV-6, 45.5% for BKV, 27.3% for HHV-7, 18.2% for EBV, and 18.2% for HAdV. Conclusion: viral infections, especially HCMV, can be an important cause of morbidity and nephrotic syndrome relapse in children.
Re-Emergence of Rift Valley Fever Virus Lineage H in Senegal in 2022: In Vitro Characterization and Impact on Its Global Emergence in West Africa
Authors: Sene Ousseynou , Sagne Samba Niang , Bob Ndeye Sakha , Mhamadi Moundhir , Dieng Idrissa , Gaye Aboubacry , Ba Haoua , Dia Moussa , Faye Elisabeth Thérèse , Diop Sokhna Mayemouna , Sall Yoro , Diop Boly , Ndiaye Mamadou , Loucoubar Cheikh , Simon-Lorière Etienne , Sakuntabhai Anavaj , Faye Ousmane , Sall Amadou Alpha , Diallo Diawo , Dia Ndongo , Faye Oumar , Diagne Moussa Moise , Fall Malick , Ndione Marie Henriette Dior , Barry Mamadou Aliou , Fall Gamou
Published: June 2024

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a re-emerging vector-borne zoonosis with a high public health and veterinary impact. In West Africa, many lineages were previously detected, but since 2020, lineage H from South Africa has been the main cause of the outbreaks. In this study, clinical samples collected through national surveillance were screened for RVF virus (RVFV) acute infection by RT-PCR and IgM ELISA tests. Sequencing, genome mapping and in vitro phenotypic characterization in mammal cells were performed on RT-PCR positive samples in comparison with other epidemic lineages (G and C). Four RVFV human cases were detected in Senegal and the sequence analyses revealed that the strains belonged to lineage H. The in vitro kinetics and genome mapping showed different replication efficiency profiles for the tested RVFV lineages and non-conservative mutations, which were more common to lineage G or specific to lineage H. Our findings showed the re-emergence of lineage H in Senegal in 2022, its high viral replication efficiency in vitro and support the findings that genetic diversity affects viral replication. This study gives new insights into the biological properties of lineage H and calls for deeper studies to better assess its potential to cause a future threat in Senegal.
Local Power: The Role of Tissue-Resident Immunity in Human Genital Herpes Simplex Virus Reactivation
Authors: Zhu Jia , Miner Maurine D.
Published: June 2024

From established latency, human herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2) frequently reactivates into the genital tract, resulting in symptomatic ulcers or subclinical shedding. Tissue-resident memory (TRM) CD8+ T cells that accumulate and persist in the genital skin at the local site of recrudescence are the “first responders” to viral reactivation, performing immunosurveillance and containment and aborting the ability of the virus to induce clinical lesions. This review describes the unique spatiotemporal characteristics, transcriptional signatures, and noncatalytic effector functions of TRM CD8+ T cells in the tissue context of human HSV-2 infection. We highlight recent insights into the intricate overlaps between intrinsic resistance, innate defense, and adaptive immunity in the tissue microenvironment and discuss how rapid virus–host dynamics at the skin and mucosal level influence clinical outcomes of genital herpes diseases.
Diversity of Picorna-Like Viruses in the Teltow Canal, Berlin, Germany
Authors: Zell Roland , Groth Marco , Selinka Lukas , Selinka Hans-Christoph
Published: June 2024

The viromes of freshwater bodies are underexplored. The Picornavirales order, with 371 acknowledged species, is one of the most expansive and diverse groups of eukaryotic RNA viruses. In this study, we add 513 picorna-like viruses to the assemblage of more than 2000 unassigned picorna-like viruses. Our set of the aquatic Picornavirales virome of the Teltow Canal in Berlin, Germany, consists of 239 complete and 274 partial genomes. This urban freshwater body is characterized by the predominance of marna-like viruses (30.8%) and dicistro-like viruses (19.1%), whereas picornaviruses, iflaviruses, solinvi-like viruses, polycipi-like viruses, and nora-like viruses are considerably less prevalent. Caliciviruses and secoviruses were absent in our sample. Although presenting characteristic domains of Picornavirales, more than 100 viruses (20.8%) could not be assigned to any of the 9 Picornavirales families. Thirty-three viruses of the Marnaviridae—mostly locarna-like viruses—exhibit a monocistronic genome layout. Besides a wealth of novel virus sequences, viruses with peculiar features are reported. Among these is a clade of untypeable marna-like viruses with dicistronic genomes, but with the capsid protein-encoding open reading frame located at the 5′ part of their RNA. A virus with a similar genome layout but clustering with dicistroviruses was also observed. We further detected monocistronic viruses with a polymerase gene related to aparaviruses. The detection of Aichi virus and five novel posa-like viruses indicates a slight burden in municipal wastewater.
Prevalence and Symptom Profile of Long COVID among Schoolchildren in Vietnam
Authors: Vu Trang Thu , Nguyen Khanh Cong , Nguyen Hieu Thi , Hoang Anh , Ngu Nghia Duy , Tran Duong Nhu , Phan Hoa Bich , Nguyen Ha Thi Thu , Pham Thai Quang , Vogt Florian
Published: June 2024

Background: Long COVID is a recognized condition that can follow SARS-CoV-2 infection. It has been primarily observed and studied in adults. Evidence on long COVID among children is scarce. We aimed to estimate its prevalence and symptom profile among schoolchildren, and its effects on studying, daily activities, and quality of life. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among caregivers of 2226 schoolchildren aged 12–17 in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam, from 11 April to 16 May 2023 using WHO definitions and a validated quality of life questionnaire. Results: Among 1507 children with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection ≥ 5 months prior, 85 (5.6%) had long COVID. Memory loss (85.9%), poor concentration capacity (58.8%), and fatigue (57.6%) were their most common symptoms. They reported more frequent interference with their studies, observed differences in school absence rates, reduced daily activities, worsened overall health status, and relatively higher utilization of health services compared with children who only suffered from acute COVID-19 symptoms after infection. Conclusions: Given the near-ubiquitous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 among children at this stage of the pandemic, our findings contribute invaluable evidence of an emerging public health burden among the pediatric population in Vietnam and globally. Concerted public health measures are needed to reduce long-term impacts on health, education, and wellbeing.
Adapting Real-Time Lung Function Measurements for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Studies in Syrian Hamsters
Authors: de Jong Rineke , Nuiten Wout , ter Heide Albertjan , Hamstra Wilfred , Vreman Sandra , Oreshkova Nadia , Wiese Katrin , Gerhards Nora
Published: June 2024

Pulmonary function examinations are critical to assess respiratory disease severity in patients. In preclinical rodent models of viral respiratory infections, however, disease is frequently evaluated based on virological, pathological and/or surrogate clinical parameters, which are not directly associated with lung function. To bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical readouts, we aimed to apply unrestrained whole-body plethysmography (WBP) measurements in a SARS-CoV-2 Syrian hamster challenge model. While WBP measurements are frequently used for preclinical research in mice and rats, results from studies in hamsters are still limited. During unrestrained WBP measurements, we obtained highly variable breathing frequency values outside of the normal physiological range for hamsters. Importantly, we observed that animal movements were recorded as breaths during WBP measurements. By limiting animal movement through either mechanical or chemical restraint, we improved the reliability of the lung function readout and obtained breathing frequencies that correlated with clinical signs when comparing two different variants of SARS-CoV-2 post-inoculation. Simultaneously, however, new sources of experimental variation were introduced by the method of restraint, which demands further optimalization of WBP measurements in Syrian hamsters. We concluded that WBP measurements are a valuable refinement either in combination with video recordings or if average values of measurements lasting several hours are analyzed.
Future Wave Climate-Driven Longshore Sediment Transport and Shoreline Evolution along the Southwestern Black Sea
Authors: Başaran Büşra , Arı Güner H. Anıl
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the future wave climate-driven longshore sediment transport (LST) and shoreline change on the Karasu Coast, situated on the southwestern coast of the Black Sea, under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 wave climate scenarios. Within the scope of this study, hourly deep sea wave data between 2021 and 2100, according to the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, were used in order to predict future LST processes. Net and gross LST rates were computed using various empirical and numerical methods based on hourly wave parameters. By the conclusion of the study period after 80 years, the average net LST rates were obtained as 48,000 and 51,500 m3/year in the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively, while the gross LST rates were 250,000 and 255,000 m3/year. Due to the increase in wave height and period in both climate scenarios compared to the historical data, the average gross LST rates are projected to rise in the future. The reduction in swell wave heights, coupled with an increase in wind wave heights, compared to the past has led to a reduction in net LST. The results show that, after 80 years, LST will have increased 2.5 times more in the near future in comparison with the middle future for both scenarios.
Integrated Struvite Precipitation and Fenton Oxidation for Nutrient Recovery and Refractory Organic Removal in Palm Oil Mill Effluent
Authors: Sea Yi Fen , Chua Adeline Seak May , Ngoh Gek Cheng , Rabuni Mohamad Fairus
Published: June 2024

Anaerobically treated palm oil mill effluent (AnT-POME), containing a high concentration of ammoniacal-nitrogen (NH4+-N) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) was subjected to sequential processes of struvite precipitation to recover NH4+-N and Fenton oxidation for sCOD removal. The optimization of treatment was conducted through response surface methodology (RSM). Under optimized struvite precipitation conditions (Mg2+/NH4+, PO43−/NH4+ molar ratios: 1; pH 8.2 ± 0.1), NH4+-N concentration decreased to 41 ± 7.1 mg L−1 from an initial 298 ± 41 mg L−1 (78.8 ± 1.6 % removal). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed NH4+-N was recovered as struvite. Subsequent Fenton oxidation under the optimized conditions (H2O2 dosage: 2680 mg L−1; molar ratio of Fe2+/H2O2: 0.8; reaction time: 56 min) reduced sCOD concentration to 308 ± 46 mg L−1 from an initial 1350 ± 336 mg L−1 (76.0 ± 1.0 % removal). The transparent appearance of treated AnT-POME validated the removal of sCOD responsible for the initial brownish appearance. Models derived from RSM demonstrated significance, with high coefficients of determination (R2 = 0.99). Overall, integrated struvite precipitation and Fenton oxidation effectively removed NH4+-N and sCOD from AnT-POME, contributing to nutrient recovery and environmental sustainability.
Impact of Gas-to-Water Ratio on Treatment Efficiency of Submerged-Macrophyte Constructed Wetland Systems
Authors: Mao Hongming , Lu Shiwen , Huang Guiying , Jia Xianle , Bao Chenqian , Yan Xinyi , Zheng Xiangyong , Zhao Min , Jin Zhan
Published: June 2024

Constructed wetland systems employing submerged macrophytes are increasingly utilized for treating municipal and industrial wastewater, as well as odoriferous and eutrophic water bodies. However, the pollutant removal efficiency of these systems needs further enhancement. In this study, we examined the impact of the gas-to-water ratio on the treatment efficiency of the constructed wetland of Vallisneria. We also examined the extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) of the floating biofilm and the structure of the microbial community in this system. Our findings showed that the gas-to-water ratio significantly affects the total nitrogen (TN) removal rate within the Vallisneria wetlands, with an optimum removal at a gas-to-water ratio of 15:1, while the removal efficiencies for chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH4+-N, and total phosphorus (TP) remain relatively unaffected. Increased gas-to-water ratios corresponded to a notable decrease in biofilm EPSs. High-throughput sequencing analysis demonstrated a shift in biofilm-denitrifying bacteria from anoxic heterotrophic to aerobic denitrifiers, alongside a significant rise in the abundance of denitrifying bacteria, whereas excessively high gas-to-water ratios inhibited the growth of these bacteria. A gas-to-water ratio of 15:1 constituted the optimal condition for ecological restoration of the water body within the Vallisneria wetland systems. These results could contribute to the optimization of submerged-macrophyte constructed wetland system design and the enhancement of treatment efficiency.
Innovative Adaptive Multiscale 3D Simulation Platform for the Yellow River Using Sphere Geodesic Octree Grid Techniques
Authors: Li Bingxuan , Wang Jinxin , Zhang Yan , Sun Yongkang
Published: June 2024

Earth system simulation technology is fundamental for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. To address the lack of a Yellow River simulation platform, this study proposes an adaptive multiscale true 3D crust simulation platform using the Sphere Geodesic Octree Grid (SGOG). Twelve models in four categories were designed: single fine-scale models, geomorphic zone-based models, and models using both top-down and bottom-up approaches. The models were evaluated based on terrain feature representation and computational efficiency. The results show that single fine-scale models preserve detailed terrain features but are computationally intensive. They are suitable for the precise simulation of surface processes. Top-down and bottom-up models balance terrain detail and efficiency, and are thereby widely applicable. Geomorphic zone-based models provide detailed focal area representation and higher computational efficiency, being more targeted. Various methods offer flexible scale transformations, each with its own strengths, allowing researchers to select a method according to practical application needs. Consequently, this research demonstrates that spherical discrete grids offer reliable support for constructing basin simulation platforms, providing new technological and scientific insights for the Yellow River Basin’s ecological protection and development.
Toward a Sociology of Water: Reconstructing the Missing “Big Picture” of Social Water Research
Authors: Schulz Peter , Gros Alexis
Published: June 2024

In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the field of social water research. This is especially reflected in the emergence and consolidation of three influential theoretical approaches in hydrology, human geography, and anthropology: socio-hydrology, hydrosocial theory, and the multiple ontologies of water, respectively. While the present paper acknowledges the great merits of each of these perspectives, it starts from the identification of two important shortcomings in current social water research: the dispersion of the literature in distinct disciplinary sub-fields and the lack of specifically sociological approaches to hydrosocial issues. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is twofold: to offer a “big picture” of current social water research from a sociological–theoretical perspective and to initiate a fruitful conversation between sociologists and social water researchers from other disciplines.
Operation Status and Effective Operation Management Model for On-Site Swine Wastewater Treatment Facilities
Authors: Park Jae-Hong , Chung Eu-Gene , Na Eun-Hye , Kim Yong-Seok
Published: June 2024

This study was conducted to examine the operation statuses of on-site swine wastewater treatment facilities through surveys and field surveys on pig farms and to propose effective operation models. Field analyses and surveys of pig farms indicate that technical and financial support systems are required for both farms and on-site swine wastewater treatment facilities. Public environmental services have been proposed as an effective support system, in which private sewage treatment facilities are entrusted to professional environmental management agencies, and the costs are shared by local governments and facility owners. However, securing a stable budget represents a challenge to implementing public environmental services. Thus, this study proposes a collaborative manure management model composed of individual farms, professional environmental management agencies, and local governments to address the shortcomings of public environmental services. To effectively manage pig manure, the flexible application of discharge standards, diversification of pollutant reduction management techniques (e.g., feed management), and periodic review of permits must be considered. Additionally, the reinforcement of discharge standards for individual purification facilities, control of the livestock density and number, and impacts of livestock manure discharge on riverine ecosystems must be considered.
Process Energy and Material Consumption Determined by Reaction Sequence: From AAO to OHO
Authors: He Xuguang , Ke Xiong , Wei Tuo , Chen Yao , Qin Zhi , Chen Acong , Zhang Heng , Huang Hua , Yang Yudi , Qiu Guanglei , Wu Haizhen , Wei Chaohai
Published: June 2024

The anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (AAO) process is one of the most widely used processes for treating industrial organic wastewater, and it has shown significant effectiveness in the removal of organic compounds, as well as denitrification and phosphorus removal. However, for the treatment of industrial organic wastewater, this anaerobic preposition and aerobic postposition process has exposed various limitations. Therefore, for this type of wastewater, the oxic-hydrolytic and denitrification-oxic (OHO) treatment process has been proposed and developed based on the principles of three-sludge separation and fluidization. This study integrated operational data from 203 coking wastewater treatment plants worldwide, and the two-step nitrification-denitrification activated sludge model No.3 (TCW-ASM3) was used for comparative analysis of the pollutant removal efficiency and total operating cost of the AAO process and the OHO process in the face of characteristic pollutants in coking wastewater. The results indicate that the full-scale OHO process achieved removal efficiencies of up to 3784 mg/L for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 297 mg/L for total nitrogen (TN). The theoretical total cost for OHO and AAO were 9.75 and 14.38 CNY/m3, respectively. The pre-treatment aerobic process effectively reduces the biological toxicity of high-toxicity and refractory industrial wastewater, and the three-sludge system provides a stable living space for functional microorganisms, the combination of multi-mode denitrification processes offers new possibilities for treating similar types of industrial wastewater.
Design, Analysis, and Comparison of Electric Vehicle Drive Motor Rotors Using Injection-Molded Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Plastics
Authors: Liu Huai Cong , Park Jang Soo , An Il Hwan
Published: June 2024

Due to their excellent mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and ease of processing, carbon fiber and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics are finding wide application in diverse fields, including aerospace, industry, and automobiles. This research explores the feasibility of integrating carbon fiber solutions into the rotors of 85-kilowatt electric vehicle interior permanent magnet synchronous motors. Two novel configurations are proposed: a carbon fiber wire-wound rotor and a carbon fiber injection-molded rotor. A finite element analysis compares the performance of these models against a basic designed rotor, considering factors like no-load back electromotive force, no-load voltage harmonics, cogging torque, load torque, torque ripple, efficiency, and manufacturing cost. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis of system efficiency and energy loss based on hypothetical electric vehicle parameters is presented. Finally, mechanical strength simulations assess the feasibility of the proposed carbon fiber composite rotor designs.
percepção dos estudantes sobre os círculos de construção de paz
Authors: Silva Maria Cristiane Lopes da , Soares Neyla Denize de Sousa , Almeida Rosemary de Oliveira
Published: June 2024

O estudo tem sua relevância a partir da experiência de observação de uma prática chamada Círculos de Construção de Paz, utilizada em uma escola pública de Fortaleza como disciplina eletiva dentro de sua organização escolar. O objetivo é compreender a percepção dos (as) estudantes sobre os Círculos de Construção de Paz a partir da indagação: como os (as) estudantes compreendem os Círculos de Construção de Paz no ambiente escolar? Optamos pela referida metodologia: i) estudo bibliográfico; ii) observação participante; iii) utilização da metodologia dos Círculos de Construção de Paz; e iv) entrevista semiestruturada. Os resultados encontrados não têm a pretensão de se constituírem como resultados conclusivos, e sim de fomentar reflexões para estudos posteriores e contínuos no espaço educacional. Por fim, concluímos que os (as) estudantes da Escola da Paz compreendem que os Círculos de Construção de Paz são importantes e necessários para a escola e que, por isso, merecem ser objeto de outras aspirações teóricas e metodológicas para alcançarem resultados mais expressivos e definitivos.
Experiências pré-profissionais dos professores de Educação Física
Authors: Silva Elaine Cristina , Moreira Evando Carlos
Published: June 2024

O interesse de investigação parte dos saberes que caracterizam o processo de formação docente, especificamente dos saberes pré-profissionais que, de certo modo, influenciaram as escolhas, atitudes e percepções pedagógicas. O trabalho objetiva identificar as percepções sobre o saber-fazer e o saber-ser de quatro professores (as) de Educação Física da rede municipal de Cuiabá-MT, a partir das suas experiências pré-profissionais. Desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória. Utilizou-se a história de vida na forma de entrevista narrativa para a coleta dos dados. Verificou-se que as experiências escolares desses professores não contribuíram para uma experiência qualificadora para o saber-fazer e o saber-ser na disciplina e que a formação inicial foi fundamental para a superação de práticas obsoletas, bem como para ressignificação do papel docente, ressaltando a importância da intencionalidade, do planejamento, da diversificação de conteúdo e contextualização do ensino da área.
Inscription corporelle des dynamiques cognitives et leur impact sur la liberté de l’humain en société
Authors: Khamassi Mehdi , Lorenceau Jean
Published: June 2024

Embodied Cognitive Dynamics and their Impact on Humans’ Freedom within the Society. The purpose of this article is to examine how knowledge from psychology and cognitive neuroscience about the behavioral automatisms that our bodies acquire through interaction with our environment can help us become freer. For this, we draw a parallel with philosophical positions according to which freedom is possible for humans by degree, in particular that of Spinoza where knowledge makes people freer, and that of Bergson where the time for deliberation and invocation of memory makes more free. Specifically, our thesis is that a regular critical examination of anything that promotes our behavioral automatisms increases our freedom. This allows us to keep only selected automatisms, and to reduce the influence of external stimuli on our decisions. For this, we emphasize the notion of learning internal models, as promoted in computational neuroscience. These models allow us to mentally simulate the possible consequences of our actions before deciding, and therefore to deliberate according to our goals and our values. This way, we can make decisions that are more like us and that we are less likely to regret later. Finally, we propose to examine all the elements of our environment that prompt us to act automatically (conditioned stimuli, particular contexts, advertisements, simplistic political messages, social pressure, etc.).
Liberté, déterminisme et neurosciences
Authors: Feltz Bernard
Published: June 2024

Free Will, Determinism and Neuroscience. This contribution aims to show that most recent progress in neuroscience, particularly linked to neural plasticity, permits anthropology where human behavior is characterized by some degree of free will. In a first time, I would like to analyze philosophical stakes of learning mechanisms. I will show that downward causation contradicts reductionist ambition to totally explaining with biology human behavior. In a second time, the possible relations between language and free will will be analyzed. Language permits to respect principle of generalized causality. In a third time, integral determinism in human sciences will be studied. Finally, a conclusion dialogues with indetermination in theories of biological evolution.
"Contemplating fragments of ancient marbles" : sitters and statues in sixteenth-century portraiture
Authors: Rubin Patricia Lee
Published: June 2024

"Betrachtung zu Fragmenten von antiken Marmorarbeiten" ; Bildthema und Statuen in der Porträtkunst des 16. Jahrhunderts. Die Betrachtung der Fragmente antiker Werke, und auf welche Weise sie in Porträts der Renaissance erscheinen, läßt einige Besonderheiten der Kultur der Renaissance erkennen. Obwohl die Porträts, in denen zerbrochene Statuen dargestellt sind, keine eigene Porträt-Kategorie der Renaissance darstellen, handelt es sich aber doch um ein verbreitetes Phänomen. Die Fragmente antiker Werke, die neben Personen der modemen Zeit präsentiert werden, stellen historische Zeugnisse der Wiederentdeckung der antiken Skulptur dar. Über ihre Rolle als Attribute hinausgehend, sind sie auch als eine Form der Stellungnahme zu deuten, die die Maler bezüglich der Debatte um den Wert der verschiedenen Kunstgattungen äußern. Die Autorin bemüht sich, aufzuzeigen, daß, auf einer anderen Ebene, der fragmentierte Status der Statuen jeglichen Versuch einer einfachen Bild-Interpretation verhindert. Mittels einer Analyse von zwei berühmten Werken, in denen die Porträtierten neben antiken Skulpturen dargestellt sind - das Porträt des Andrea Odoni von Lorenzo Lotto und jenes des Jacopo Strada von Tizian, konzentriert sich dieser Aufsatz auf die Beziehung Bildthema/Statuen und auf das, was sie über die Bedeutungssysteme und den Status der Kunst in der Renaissance aussagt.