bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is It Possible to Maintain the Quantity and Quality of Winter Wheat Grain by Replacing Part of the Mineral Nitrogen Dose by Growth Activators and Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)?
Authors: Artyszak Arkadiusz , Gozdowski Dariusz
Published: May 2021

The introduction of the “Farm to Fork” strategy in the EU will require a significant reduction in mineral nitrogen fertilization, and therefore the introduction of innovative production technologies to prevent a decline in agricultural production. Studies carried out in several locations in Poland in 2016/17–2018/2019 tested the possibility of replacing 30% of the dose of mineral nitrogen with growth activators alone, in combination with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in the cultivation of winter wheat. It was confirmed that these two combinations allowed the obtention of a higher yield of grain by 13%, compared to the full nitrogen dose. Simultaneously, the grain quality did not change significantly. In some locations, a decrease in the content of nitrates in the soil was observed, which may mean a greater uptake of this nutrient by plants and an increase in the content of some available macro- and micro-elements, mainly phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron, and soil organic carbon. Introducing the studied treatment and limiting the fertilization with mineral nitrogen of wheat in Poland by only 30 kg ha−1 N would save its consumption by 72 thousand t per year.
Implementation of Web-Based Dynamic Assessments as Sustainable Educational Technique for Enhancing Reading Strategies in English Class during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sun Yu , Wang Tzu-Hua , Wang Li-Fen
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in educational disruption at a global scale. Based on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 4, “achieving inclusive and quality education for all”, this study designed two feasible learning models for the solution of sustainable learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, GPAM-WATA and Paper-and-Pencil test (PPT). The GPAM-WATA, a web-based dynamic assessment, offers online learning to most of the populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, while PPT makes the vulnerable groups’ access to learning possible with the aid of paper-based delivery. A quasi-experimental design was adopted, and both learning models were applied to a junior high school English reading course in Taiwan. A total of 122 seventh graders were randomly assigned to the GPAM-WATA group and PPT group for self-directed learning. The findings show that the GPAM-WATA is a sustainable educational technique that facilitates a better improvement in English reading performance. The PPT also has a positive effect on English reading performance, although not significantly if compared with the GPAM-WATA. This study suggests that GPAM-WATA is effective for English reading instruction in an online learning environment. The PPT can be an alternative approach for students stuck without access to online delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is There Progress towards Environmental Sustainability among Road Haulage Companies?
Authors: Pöllänen Markus , Liljamo Timo , Kallionpää Erika , Liimatainen Heikki
Published: May 2021

Road freight transport contributes to a significant and growing share of greenhouse gas emissions. This study analyses the development of environmental practices and awareness of road freight hauliers and whether hauliers witness an interest from their shippers towards energy efficiency. Results of an original survey (N = 256) conducted in 2019 among Finnish hauliers are presented and compared with those from a similar survey completed in 2011 (N = 295). The results highlight the lack of improvement in hauliers’ environmental practices during a decade when ambitious climate goals were set. Even though hauliers share the view that emissions from road freight transport must be reduced in future, their environmental practices did not change much during the 2010s. The hauliers rarely perceive an interest from their shippers towards energy efficiency. The results show that hauliers should be supported and encouraged to pursue more environmentally aware practices. Shippers in the supply chain should be a driver, not an obstacle, to increasing road hauliers’ sustainability. There should be more communication between hauliers and supply chain actors, and environmental sustainability should gain more importance when selecting carriers.
Assessing the Value of Demand Response in Microgrids
Authors: Gomes Isaías , Melicio Rui , Mendes Victor M. F.
Published: May 2021

This paper presents a computer application to assist in decisions about sustainability enhancement due to the effect of shifting demand from less favorable periods to periods that are more convenient for the operation of a microgrid. Specifically, assessing how the decisions affect the economic participation of the aggregating agent of the microgrid bidding in an electricity day-ahead market. The aggregating agent must manage microturbines, wind systems, photovoltaic systems, energy storage systems, and loads, facing load uncertainty and further uncertainties due to the use of renewable sources of energy and participation in the day-ahead market. These uncertainties cannot be removed from the decision making, and, therefore, require proper formulation, and the proposed approach customizes a stochastic programming problem for this operation. Case studies show that under these uncertainties and the shifting of demand to convenient periods, there are opportunities to make decisions that lead to significant enhancements of the expected profit. These enhancements are due to better bidding in the day-ahead market and shifting energy consumption in periods of favorable market prices for exporting energy. Through the case studies it is concluded that the proposed approach is useful for the operation of a microgrid.
Waste-Derived Green Nanocatalyst for Biodiesel Production: Kinetic-Mechanism Deduction and Optimization Studies
Authors: Chooi Chee Yoong , Sim Jia Huey , Tee Shiau Foon , Lee Zhi Hua
Published: May 2021

This research focuses on deducing the kinetic mechanism for biodiesel production catalyzed by a CaO nanocatalyst derived from waste cockle shells via thermal hydration–dehydration treatment. In addition, the CaO nanocatalyst preparation method via thermal hydration–dehydration-related parameters (hydration duration, recalcination temperature, and recalcination duration) was studied and optimized. The transesterification reaction catalyzed by the CaO nanocatalyst followed the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic mechanism with surface reaction as the rate-limiting step. The relatively low activation energy (3786.7 J/mol) for a transesterification reaction offered by the CaO nanocatalyst enhanced the reaction rate to 27.3% FAME yield/hr. The optimal conditions for the thermal hydration–dehydration treatment used to develop the nano CaO catalyst were 6 h of hydration duration, 650 °C of recalcination temperature, and 3 h of recalcination duration. Of biodiesel yield, 94.13% was obtained at a moderate temperature of 60 °C and 3 h reaction time during the transesterification of palm oil catalyzed by the nano-CaO. SEM, BET, and TPD results proved that the CaO nanocatalyst had a large surface area (13.9113 m2/g) and high pore volume (0.0318 cm3/g) that were rich in active sites (1046.46 μmol CO2/g), and the pore diameter (33.17 nm) was accessible to reactants and products.
Cholesterol Reduction and Vitamin B12 Production Study on Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus pentosus Isolated from Yoghurt
Authors: Walhe Rajan A. , Diwanay Sham S. , Patole Milind S. , Sayyed R. Z. , AL-Shwaiman Hind A. , Alkhulaifi Manal M. , Elgorban Abdallah M. , Danish Subhan , Datta Rahul
Published: May 2021

The present study was aimed to test cholesterol reduction and vitamin B12 production abilities of the isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Three LAB isolates, namely, Enterococcus faecium (EF), Enterococcus faecium (Chole1), and Lactobacillus pentosus (7MP), having probiotic potential, were isolated from yoghurt. These isolates were screened for bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, cholesterol reduction property in MRS broth, and the production of vitamin B12. The present study revealed that the isolate 7MP possesses the highest potential of (48%) cholesterol reduction compared to the other isolates. The isolates EF and Chole1 produced a good amount of (1 ng/mL) vitamin B12. These isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and confirmed by MALD_TOF analysis. Thus, the use of these LAB isolates for yoghurt-making can offer the value addition of lowering cholesterol and vitamin B12 fortification in fermented food.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of the Achievement of Equitable Quality Basic Education in Gansu Province, Northwest China
Authors: Duan Huane , Yan Haowen , He Yi , Li Xuemei
Published: May 2021

This paper holds that educational research, at a local scale, is more meaningful than that at a macro-scale. To analyze the achievements of basic education at a local scale in Gansu Province, Northwest China, an index system, and an educational development index (EDI), were designed and implemented. The results show that the distribution of basic education schools is more suitable for meeting the needs of the population distribution compared to the years prior to 2013. Improvement in resource allocation in the province since 2013 has provided better educational conditions. However, educational equality between urban and rural areas has changed differently at provincial, prefectural, and county scales. The EDI scores reveal that most prefectures and counties are at medium- or low-quality levels of equality, with remote mountainous prefectures and counties even falling into the ultra-low-quality category of inequality. Educational inequality, quality of teachers, and deficiencies in educational investments are the major restrictions on basic education development in Gansu Province.
The Financing of Wastewater Treatment and the Balance of Payments for Water Services: Evidence from Municipalities in the Region of Valencia
Authors: García-López Marcos , Melgarejo Joaquín , Montano Borja
Published: May 2021

Pollution from wastewater discharges requires the treatment of all wastewater to maintain water bodies in good condition, as well as the possibility of reusing this water. Thus, wastewater treatment is an activity that has developed significantly in the Region of Valencia and has significant costs, including energy, which represents the main economic cost and an important environmental cost. In this way, efficiency and adequate financing of this activity are essential to minimise our environmental impact. However, the main funding tool currently does not allow us to address this issue, so we have a wastewater treatment with a high environmental cost in the form of greenhouse gas emissions. This tool is part of the revenues of water services, so it is not entirely independent, but it also seeks to prevent households from paying too high a total price. This leads to a situation where changes are needed to improve the financing of the different water services, as the financial resources obtained are insufficient and do not allow the current environmental problems to be solved. The analysis shows the importance of an appropriate tariff structure, as well as the need to include aspects such as water pollution and energy costs in the wastewater treatment tariff.
Leader-Following Regional Multiple-Bipartite Consensus for Networked Lagrangian Systems with Coopetition Interactions
Authors: Zhang Tiehui , Li Hengyu , Wang Zhaoyan , Xie Shaorong
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates the leader-following regional multiple-bipartite consensus problems of networked Lagrangian systems (NLSs) in coopetition networks. Our framework expands the application scopes of traditional regional consensus in cooperative networks. With the aid of a novel auxiliary variable embedded in the control protocols, the final states of NLSs are guaranteed to realise multi-regional symmetry in the constructed multiple symmetric regions. By utilising the characteristic of acyclic topology in the structurally balanced graph, the stability of the closed system is performed by perturbation analysis theory, nonlinear control theory, functional analysis theory, and so on. Finally, the effectiveness of our approach is verified by numerical simulations.
FPGA Realization of the Parameter-Switching Method in the Chen Oscillator and Application in Image Transmission
Authors: Adeyemi Vincent-Ademola , Nuñez-Perez Jose-Cruz , Sandoval Ibarra Yuma , Perez-Pinal Francisco-Javier , Tlelo-Cuautle Esteban
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the parameter-switching technique was applied to control chaos in the Chen oscillator and as a decryption mechanism in a secure transmission system, to transmit RGB and grayscale images. In the past few decades, considerable efforts have been put into the study of the stabilization of chaotic dynamical systems. Most of the well-known chaos control methods, such as Ott, Grebogi, and Yorke (OGY), Pyragas, and open-loop methods, force an unstable periodic orbit into a stable one while distorting the original attractor. On the other hand, the parameter-switching technique is an elegant method that can synthesize an already-existing stable orbit, thereby preserving the underlying attractor. Consequently, the main contributions of this work were the FPGA realizations of the parameter-switching method and a secure image transmission system using a synchronized master and slave topology. The results of the parameter-switching technique and synchronization were verified using phase plots and time series. The chaos-encrypted image from the image transmission system, verified using correlation, showed no relativity with the original image, while the recovery of the decrypted image has no loss of quality. The encryption and decryption system was symmetric, whereby the key was private. In this work, co-simulations were performed in Active-HDL with MATLAB/Simulink, while the target FPGA board was the Xilinx’s Artix-7 AC701.
Monte Carlo Simulation of a Modified Chi Distribution Considering Asymmetry in the Generating Functions: Application to the Study of Health-Related Variables
Authors: Ortigosa Nuria , Orellana-Panchame Marcos , Castro-Palacio Juan Carlos , Córdoba Pedro Fernández de , Isidro J. M.
Published: May 2021

Random variables in biology, social and health sciences commonly follow skewed distributions. Many of these variables can be represented by exGaussian functions; however, in practice, they are sometimes considered as Gaussian functions when statistical analysis is carried out. The asymmetry can play a fundamental role which can not be captured by central tendency estimators such as the mean. By means of Monte Carlo simulations, the effect of a small asymmetry in the generating functions of the chi distribution is studied. To this end, the k generating functions are taken as exGaussian functions. The limits of this approximation are tested numerically for the practical case of three health-related variables: one physical (body mass index) and two cognitive (verbal fluency and short-term memory). This work is in line with our previous works on a physics-inspired mathematical model to represent the reaction times of a group of individuals.
Automatic Unsupervised Texture Recognition Framework Using Anisotropic Diffusion-Based Multi-Scale Analysis and Weight-Connected Graph Clustering
Authors: Barbu Tudor
Published: May 2021

A novel unsupervised texture classification technique is proposed in this research work. The proposed method clusters automatically the textures of an image collection in similarity classes whose number is not a priori known. A nonlinear diffusion-based multi-scale texture analysis approach is introduced first. It creates an effective scale-space by using a well-posed anisotropic diffusion filtering model that is proposed and approximated numerically here. A feature extraction process using a bank of circularly symmetric 2D filters is applied at each scale, then a rotation-invariant texture feature vector is achieved for the current image by combining the feature vectors computed at all these scales. Next, a weighted similarity graph, whose vertices correspond to the texture feature vectors and the weights of its edges are obtained from the distances computed between these vectors, is created. A novel weighted graph clustering technique is then applied to this similarity graph, to determine the texture classes. Numerical simulations and method comparisons illustrating the effectiveness of the described framework are also discussed in this work.
Optimal Sample Size for the Birnbaum–Saunders Distribution under Decision Theory with Symmetric and Asymmetric Loss Functions
Authors: Costa Eliardo , Santos-Neto Manoel , Leiva Víctor
Published: May 2021

The fatigue-life or Birnbaum–Saunders distribution is an asymmetrical model that has been widely applied in several areas of science and mainly in reliability. Although diverse methodologies related to this distribution have been proposed, the problem of determining the optimal sample size when estimating its mean has not yet been studied. In this paper, we derive a methodology to determine the optimal sample size under a decision-theoretic approach. In this approach, we consider symmetric and asymmetric loss functions for point and interval inference. Computational tools in the R language were implemented to use this methodology in practice. An illustrative example with real data is also provided to show potential applications.
On the Use of Conformal Cooling in High-Pressure Die-Casting and Semisolid Casting
Authors: Jarfors Anders E. W. , Sevastopol Ruslan , Seshendra Karamchedu , Zhang Qing , Steggo Jacob , Stolt Roland
Published: May 2021

Today, tool life in high pressure die casting (HPDC) is of growing interest. A common agreement is that die life is primarily decided by the thermal load and temperature gradients in the die materials. Conformal cooling with the growth of additive manufacturing has raised interest as a means of extending die life. In the current paper, conformal cooling channels’ performance and effect on the thermal cycle in high-pressure die casting and rheocasting are investigated for conventional HPDC and semisolid processing. It was found that conformal cooling aids die temperature reduction, and the use of die spray may be reduced and support the die-life extension. For the die filling, the increased temperature was possibly counterproductive. Instead, it was found that the main focus for conformal cooling should be focused to manage temperature around the in-let bushing and possibly the runner system. Due to the possible higher inlet pressures for semisolid casting, particular benefits could be seen.
Novel Biomarkers of Hepatitis B Virus and Their Use in Chronic Hepatitis B Patient Management
Authors: Vachon Alicia , Osiowy Carla
Published: May 2021

Even though an approved vaccine for hepatitis B virus (HBV) is available and widely used, over 257 million individuals worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who require monitoring of treatment response, viral activity, and disease progression to reduce their risk of HBV-related liver disease. There is currently a lack of predictive markers to guide clinical management and to allow treatment cessation with reduced risk of viral reactivation. Novel HBV biomarkers are in development in an effort to improve the management of people living with CHB, to predict disease outcomes of CHB, and further understand the natural history of HBV. This review focuses on novel HBV biomarkers and their use in the clinical setting, including the description of and methodology for quantification of serum HBV RNA, hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg), including ultrasensitive HBsAg detection, quantitative anti-hepatitis B core antigen (qAHBc), and detection of HBV nucleic acid-related antigen (HBV-NRAg). The utility of these biomarkers in treatment-naïve and treated CHB patients in several clinical situations is further discussed. Novel HBV biomarkers have been observed to provide critical clinical information and show promise for improving patient management and our understanding of the natural history of HBV.
Evaluation of Dried Blood Spot Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Serology Using a Quantitative Commercial Assay
Authors: Brinc Davor , Biondi Mia J. , Li Daniel , Sun Heng , Capraru Camelia , Smookler David , Zahoor Muhammad Atif , Casey Julia , Kulasingam Vathany , Feld Jordan J.
Published: May 2021

Dried blood spots (DBS) are commonly used for serologic testing for viruses and provide an alternative collection method when phlebotomy and/or conventional laboratory testing are not readily available. DBS collection could be used to facilitate widespread testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to document past infection, vaccination, and potentially immunity. We investigated the characteristics of Roche’s Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (S) assay, a quantitative commercial assay for antibodies against the spike glycoprotein. Antibody levels were reduced relative to plasma following elution from DBS. Quantitative results from DBS samples were highly correlated with values from plasma (r2 = 0.98), allowing for extrapolation using DBS results to accurately estimate plasma antibody levels. High concordance between plasma and fingerpick DBS was observed in PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients tested 90 days or more after the diagnosis (45/46 matched; 1/46 mismatched plasma vs. DBS). The assessment of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 using DBS may be feasible using a quantitative anti-S assay, although false negatives may rarely occur in those with very low antibody levels.
A Pilot Study Investigating the Dynamics of Pigeon Circovirus Recombination in Domesticated Pigeons Housed in a Single Loft
Authors: Khalifeh Anthony , Kraberger Simona , Dziewulska Daria , Varsani Arvind , Stenzel Tomasz
Published: May 2021

Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) infects pigeon populations worldwide and has been associated with immunosuppression in younger pigeons. Recombination is a common mechanism of evolution that has previously been shown in various members of the Circoviridae family, including PiCV. In this study, three groups of pigeons acquired from separate lofts were screened for PiCV, and their genome sequence was determined. Following this, they were housed in a single loft for 22 days, during which blood and cloacal swab samples were taken. From these blood and cloacal swabs, PiCV genomes were determined with the aim to study the spread and recombination dynamics of PiCV in the birds. Genome sequences of PiCV were determined from seven pigeons (seven tested PiCV positive) before they were housed together in a loft (n = 58 sequences) and thereafter from the ten pigeons from blood and cloacal swabs (n = 120). These 178 PiCV genome sequences represent seven genotypes (98% pairwise identity genotype demarcation), and they share >88% genome-wide pairwise identity. Recombination analysis revealed 13 recombination events, and a recombination hotspot spanning the 3′ prime region, the replication-associated protein (rep) gene and the intergenic region. A cold spot in the capsid protein-coding region of the genome was also identified. The majority of the recombinant regions were identified in the rep coding region. This study provides insights into the evolutionary dynamics of PiCV in pigeons kept under closed rearing systems.
B Cell Responses against Influenza Viruses: Short-Lived Humoral Immunity against a Life-Long Threat
Authors: Guthmiller Jenna J. , Utset Henry A. , Wilson Patrick C.
Published: May 2021

Antibodies are critical for providing protection against influenza virus infections. However, protective humoral immunity against influenza viruses is limited by the antigenic drift and shift of the major surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. Importantly, people are exposed to influenza viruses throughout their life and tend to reuse memory B cells from prior exposure to generate antibodies against new variants. Despite this, people tend to recall memory B cells against constantly evolving variable epitopes or non-protective antigens, as opposed to recalling them against broadly neutralizing epitopes of hemagglutinin. In this review, we discuss the factors that impact the generation and recall of memory B cells against distinct viral antigens, as well as the immunological limitations preventing broadly neutralizing antibody responses. Lastly, we discuss how next-generation vaccine platforms can potentially overcome these obstacles to generate robust and long-lived protection against influenza A viruses.
Assessing Water Withdrawals in Scarce-Data Transboundary Areas by Use of Dynamic Precipitation–Flow Relationships: The Case of the Hasbani River Basin
Authors: Shentsis Isabella , Rosenthal Eliahu , Flexer Akiva , Inbar Nimrod
Published: May 2021

The present study proposes a nonstandard solution to the problem of assessing water withdrawals (AWW) in the scarce-data transboundary basin. The applied AWW method operates with the open-source available data on precipitation and river flow and thereby overcomes the usual restriction due to lack of data on shared water use in the Middle East. Analysis of dynamic precipitation-flow relationships enable to separate the effect of water withdrawals from the total decline of river flow under the decreasing precipitation. This study is the first which provides complete information (1972–2020) on water withdrawals from total, surface, and base flow of the Hasbani River (Lebanon). The resulting values that exceed by far earlier published estimates were confirmed by (i) indirect indices (area of irrigated land and population), and (ii) validation of the AWW method based on independent data on water use (Israel Water Authority). The study results are useful for water balance estimations, as well as for management of water resources in the Jordan River headwaters basin and in the entire Lake Kinneret Basin. The AWW method can be applied to other transboundary basins and enables historical and real-time monitoring of water withdrawals as a necessary database for settlement of riparian water relations.
Understanding Microbial Loads in Wastewater Treatment Works as Source Water for Water Reuse
Authors: Ryu Hodon , Addor Yao , Brinkman Nichole E. , Ware Michael W. , Boczek Laura , Hoelle Jill , Mistry Jatin H. , Keely Scott P. , Villegas Eric N.
Published: May 2021

Facing challenges in water demands and population size, particularly in the water-scarce regions in the United States, the reuse of treated municipal wastewater has become a viable potential to relieve the ever-increasing demands of providing water for (non-)potable use. The objectives of this study were to assess microbial quality of reclaimed water and to investigate treatability of microorganisms during different treatment processes. Raw and final treated effluent samples from three participating utilities were collected monthly for 16 months and analyzed for various microbial pathogens and fecal indicator organisms. Results revealed that the detectable levels of microbial pathogens tested were observed in the treated effluent samples from all participating utilities. Log10 reduction values (LRVs) of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were at least two orders of magnitude lower than those of human adenovirus and all fecal indicator organisms except for aerobic endospores, which showed the lowest LRVs. The relatively higher LRV of the indicator organisms such as bacteriophages suggested that these microorganisms are not good candidates of viral indicators of human adenovirus during wastewater treatment processes. Overall, this study will assist municipalities considering the use of wastewater effluent as another source of drinking water by providing important data on the prevalence, occurrence, and reduction of waterborne pathogens in wastewater. More importantly, the results from this study will aid in building a richer microbial occurrence database that can be used towards evaluating reuse guidelines and disinfection practices for water reuse practices.
Exploring the Use of a Sanitation Safety Plan Framework to Identify Key Hazards in First Nations Wastewater Systems
Authors: Lane Kaycie , Fuller Megan , Stanhope Toni , Stoddart Amina
Published: May 2021

First Nations communities in Canada have a documented history of sub-standard water quality. While efforts have been made to address drinking water quality, little has been done to address longstanding challenges in wastewater systems. This study developed a hazard identification checklist using a sanitation safety plan (SSP) framework to characterize potential hazards in 29 First Nations wastewater systems in Atlantic Canada. System types included in this study included centralized, decentralized, and municipal transfer agreements (MTAs). Using past system assessment reports, potential hazardous events were evaluated along the sanitation chain to assess risk within systems. Overall, 69% of hazardous events had an unknown level of risk while 7% were high-risk. This research found that decentralized systems and MTAs have poorly characterized risk due to a lack of documentation and communication. The presence of significant knowledge deficits and high-risk hazards in centralized systems cause risk propagation and accumulation along the sanitation chain, resulting in potential effluent quality concerns. This desktop study demonstrates that an SSP approach offers an alternative assessment process to the regulatory approach currently being used by proposing an enhanced systemic understanding of risk that can inform management practices and integrate the plurality of stakeholders involved in these systems.
Development of a Simulation Model for Real-Time Urban Floods Warning: A Case Study at Sukhumvit Area, Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Chitwatkulsiri Detchphol , Miyamoto Hitoshi , Weesakul Sutat
Published: May 2021

Increasingly frequent, high-intensity rain events associated with climatic change are driving urban drainage systems to function beyond their design discharge capacity. It has become an urgent issue to mitigate the water resource management challenge. To address this problem, a real-time procedure for predicting the inundation risk in an urban drainage system was developed. The real-time procedure consists of three components: (i) the acquisition and forecast of rainfall data; (ii) rainfall-runoff modeling; and (iii) flood inundation mapping. This real-time procedure was applied to a drainage system in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok, Thailand, to evaluate its prediction efficacy. The results showed precisely that the present real-time procedure had high predictability in terms of both the water level and flood inundation area mapping. It could also determine hazardous areas with a certain amount of lead time in the drainage system of the Sukhumvit area within an hour of rainfall data. These results show the real-time procedure could provide accurate flood risk warning, resulting in more time to implement flood management measures such as pumping and water gate operations, or evacuation.
A Comprehensive Investigation on Abnormal Impoundment of Reservoirs—A Case Study of Qionglin Reservoir in Kinmen Island
Authors: Hung Yin-Chun , Chen Tung-Tsan , Tsai Tsai-Fu , Chen Hao-Xi
Published: May 2021

Leakage is the most serious problem in reservoir operation, because heavy leakage influences reservoir impoundment efficiency and even leads to a complete loss of reservoir functions. Since its completion in 1982, Qionglin Reservoir has never been fully filled with water except in the spring of 1983 when there was heavy rain. The reservoir management unit suspected that its side slopes, bottom or dam might leak and carried out a number of leakage prevention and improvement works, but all of them failed to fulfill the impoundment function of the reservoir. Hence, this study attempts to find out the reasons why the reservoir cannot impound water. A series of tests and investigations are carried out in this study, including electrical resistivity tomography of dam, tracer test, geological drilling test, reservoir water level observation, investigation of reservoir catchment area and field investigation of dam. The test results and investigation results show that no leakage path and leakage are found. According to the analysis, there is no serious leakage of this reservoir. The main reason for the failure of impoundment is that massive improper development in the catchment area influences the runoff into the reservoir.
Correction: Isaev et al. Accounting for Dissolved Organic Nutrients in an SPBEM-2 Model: Validation and Verification. Water 2020, 12, 1307
Authors: Isaev Alexey , Vladimirova Oksana , Eremina Tatjana , Ryabchenko Vladimir , Savchuk Oleg
Published: May 2021

Error in Figure 11 [...]
Isolation, Identification, and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing of Salmonella Isolated from Foodborne Outbreaks
Authors: Soltan Dallal Mohammad Mehdi , Abdi Milad , Khalilian Mahya , Rajabi Zahra , Bakhtiari Ronak , Sharifi Yazdi Mohammad Kazem , Yaslianifard Somayeh , Abrishamchian Langroudi Seyedeh Masoumeh
Published: May 2021

Background: Foodborne diseases are a major problem worldwide. The epidemiological investigations in many parts of the world have shown an increase in infections caused by Salmonella serovars. Furthermore, the emergence of drug resistance among them has become a major global concern and awareness of the resistance patterns of Salmonella could be very useful in treatment of diseases. Objective: This study aimed to investigate Salmonella serotypes in foodborne outbreaks by sequencing of ITS region of 16S-23SrRNA gene and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Materials and Methods: A total of 614 diarrheal stool samples were collected from 173 foodborne outbreaks in different provinces of Iran during one year. Identification of Salmonella was carried out by phenotypic and molecular (16s-23srRNA gene detection) methods and antibiotic susceptibility was performed using disc diffusion method. Results: Out of 614 samples, 18 isolates were identified as Salmonella of which 16 (88.9%) isolates were Salmonella Enteritidis and 2 (11.1%) isolates as Salmonella Paratyphi A. All isolates were sensitive to ceftazidime, and high resistance was seen with nalidixic acid with 14 (77.8%) isolates. Conclusion: Increasing antibiotic resistance in many bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella has been a major threat for human health. Therefore, identifying the antibiotic resistance patterns of Salmonella serovars may help in treatment of the associated infections.
Anti-parasitic Effects of Herbal Extract-Based Silver Nanoparticles on the Trophozoite and Cystic Forms of Acanthamoeba Protozoa
Authors: Karimipour-Saryazdi Amir , Ghaffarifar Fatemeh , Tavakoli Pooya , Karimipour-Saryazdi Yeganeh , Zaki Leila , Bahadory Saeed
Published: May 2021

Background: Acanthamoeba is a globally dispersed protozoan that can cause different clinical manifestations in infected individuals. Various drugs have been proposed against its drug-resistant forms. Objective: The present study examined silver nanoparticles (NPs) with a good anti-parasitic background. More precisely, the study focused on evaluating the anti-parasitic effect of silver nano-scale particles on protozoan trophozoite and cysts by microscopic counting and flow cytometry after exposure to different concentrations. Methods: To this end, MTT assay and IC50 were used to assess the macrophage toxicity and cysts/trophozoites, respectively. Results: Based on the results, 100 ppm silver NPs had better anti-parasitic effects than 80 ppm concentration and even the standard treatment of Acanthamoeba on both trophozoite and cystic phases. Macrophages toxicity at 100 ppm concentration was similar to the control group. Conclusion: In general, further studies should be conducted to confirm the present results given the significant effects of silver NPs against trophozoite and parasite cysts.
Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter pullorum Isolates in Poultry From Semnan Province, Iran
Authors: Akhlaghi Hosein , Emadi Chashmi Seyed Hesamodin , Jebelli Javan Ashkan
Published: May 2021

Background: Helicobacter pullorum predominantly colonizes the gut of apparently healthy chickens and the livers and intestinal contents of hens with enteritis and vibrionic hepatitis. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pullorum in broiler chickens, laying hens, and turkeys in Semnan province. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 samples were collected from 60 poultry farms in Semnan province, including 240 cecal samples from 48 broiler farms, 30 fecal samples from 6 laying hen farms, and 30 cecal samples from 6 turkey farms. Each sample was analyzed by conventional culture method and biochemical tests. The suspected colonies were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 16S rRNA gene. Antibiotic resistance of the confirmed colonies was determined using disk diffusion method. Results: Of 300 samples, 85 (28.3%) samples obtained from 36 (60%) poultry farms were positive for H. pullorum. Of these samples, 72 (30%) were from 30 (62.5%) broiler farms, 4 (13.3%) were from 2 (33.3%) laying hen farms, and 9 (30%) were from 4 (66.7%) turkey farms. Moreover, resistance to ciprofloxacin was observed in all of the H. pullorum isolates. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the moderate prevalence of H. pullorum in poultry in Semnan province for the first time, while the prevalence of this pathogen in laying hen and turkey has not been determined in Iran. In addition, this study could reveal the antibiotic resistance profile of H. pullorum as the first report in Iran. Therefore, more studies are needed to focus on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of H. pullorum in poultry in other regions of Iran.
Uso de la Metacognición como factor potencializador del aprendizaje
Authors: Arzola –Monreal Juan Martin , Farías-Bracamontes Juan Carlos , García-García Jesús Alberto , Cufarfán-López Julio
Published: May 2021

Learning is a fundamental axis in the development of the individual who has many ways of perceiving, developing and implementing himself. A constant search has been the proposition of different ways to develop this concept in the individual, especially the logical-mathematical one; The one that refers to its potentiation, is a core part where through the analysis of metacognitive processes and complementary curricular structures, it was possible to obtain knowledge analyzed and used in a more profitable way in the individual. This study focused on the university population and was used to obtain statistical data, an instrument that addressed the axes of learning, metacognition and curriculum. From the results obtained, comprehension and verification elements related to learning were identified, which also turned out to be related to metacognition. For the research, a mixed-type research design was used because its structure consisted of two main blocks for obtaining information.
Educación a distancia ante la emergencia sanitaria por COVID-19. Condiciones, procesos y perspectivas de estudiantes normalistas
Authors: Brito-Lara Maribel , Herrera-Rendón Enrique , Patrón-Reyes Armida Liliana , Terán-Montenegro Alfonso de la Luz
Published: May 2021

This article presents the results of a mixed empirical study with a cross-sectional design, of a descriptive type, the purpose of which is to know the conditions, processes and student perceptions regarding distance education with the use of digital media carried out in the situation of confinement due to the pandemic of COVID-19. 208 undergraduate students in several majors in high school teaching participated. A questionnaire with open-ended and multiple-choice questions was used. Based on the findings, it is noted that the digital divide is present in an important way; the learners that are “digital natives” present opportunities for improvement in the use of digital media for study and work purposes. The shift to distance mode had a predominantly adverse effect; however, in several cases, it represented an opportunity for personal and professional development. The distance work experience is mostly valued as “not great” (40.5%) and “good” (33%), and the attention given to particular situations that affected student achievement as “good” (53%) and “not great” (22%). The article’s main proposals for improvement are: a) on the part of teachers more and better communication with the learners, commitment and organization of work, as well as sensitivity to understand situations that exceed student possibilities; b) at the institutional level, training in the use of digital media for teachers and students, and unification of the type of work platform. Student commitments focus on greater enthusiasm and responsibility for work.
Comprensión lectora y hábitos de estudio en estudiantes de educación superior, desde el aprendizaje conceptual y procedimental
Authors: Durán Flores Ma. Nelly , Farías-Bracamontes Juan Carlos , García-García Jesús Alberto , Cufarfán-López Julio
Published: May 2021

The This research report addresses a study regarding the effect of reading comprehension and study habits used by higher education students in relation to the learning process of conceptual and procedural content. The objective of the research was to know the importance and impact of study habits in procedural and conceptual learning. The focus of the study was quantitative, with exploratory scopes. The research design consists of three complex variables and 71 simple variables, the simple variables correspond to a numerical level of ratio measurement. The questionnaire has five pages made up of 71 questions divided into three blocks, using a Likerttype scale. The sample consisted of 200 higher education students, 28.5% were men and 51% women. The area of learning is strongly related to reading comprehension and study habits, while the student feels satisfaction in studying, and that he likes to work in a team, attend the library, and be satisfied by increasing his academic average. The study habit is strongly linked to conceptual and procedural learning, among others.
La red de apoyo: Una herramienta esencial para el desempeño escolar del estudiante
Authors: Villarreal-Soto Blanca Margarita , Cepeda-González María Cristina , Sanchez-Rivera Lilia , Espericueta-Medina Marta Nieves , García-Ovalle Samanta Irasema
Published: May 2021

Reviewing various authors it was found that in order for a student to perform better in the educational field needs support from both teachers and their family, that is why the research question arises. How does teaching guidance intervene in the family structure? This work is of a perimental type, an instrument consisting of 66 variables of which 6 are signatory variables was developed and the rest constitute the phenomenon to be studied, the instrument was applied to 144 subjects. The database obtained was worked on the statistical levels of characterization, correlation and integrational analysis processed in the Statistica and Spss program. Among the main results was that the family is an important factor in the student's teaching orientation since if the student has close family relationships, where they feel loved and accepted they have a positive effect on the student's school performance.
Penguatan Pembelajaran Daring di SDN Jakasampurna V Kota Bekasi, Jawa Barat Menggunakan Media Pembelajaran Interaktif Berbasis Augmented Reality (AR)
Authors: Arrum Aisyah Herlina , Fuada Syifaul
Published: May 2021

Kurangnya penggunaan media pembelajaran selama proses pembelajaran daring tak jarang menyebabkan minat dan juga motivasi peserta didik mulai menurun dengan merasakan kejenuhan dalam belajar. Penggunaan media pembelajaran interaktif dalam pembelajaran daring dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai peluang untuk meningkatkan minat dan motivasi belajar peserta didik. Kegiatan ini bertujuan untuk menguatkan pembelajaran daring melalui penggunaan media pembelajaran interaktif berbasis Augmented Reality bagi peserta didik Sekolah Dasar. Program ini merupakan bentuk dari Kuliah Kerja Nyata Tematik Pencegahan dan Penanggulangan Dampak Corona Virus Disease (KKNT PPD Covid-19) Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia di bidang Pendidikan. Metode dalam kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat yang dilaksanakan berupa sosialisasi secara daring melalui aplikasi Whatsapp Group. Kegiatan dilaksanakan pada tanggal 1 Desember 2020. Materi yang digunakan dalam media pembelajaran mengenai pengenalan mata uang rupiah Indonesia. Lokasi sosialisasi berada di SDN Jakasampurna V, Jalan Anggrek Raya, Kecamatan Bekasi Barat, Kota Bekasi, Jawa Barat. Sasaran program KKNT ini adalah peserta didik kelas III sebanyak 10 orang. Hasil dari KKNT ini menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan media pembelajaran interaktif berbasis Augmented Reality menumbuhkan rasa kesenangan dan minat belajar peserta didik di tengah pandemi Covid-19. Selain itu dengan memanfaatkan media pembelajaran interaktif peserta didik dapat mengetahui teknologi yang sedang berkembang.
Socjologia codzienności, czyli jak przestać „być modną”?
Authors: Drozdowski Rafał
Published: May 2021

In the first part of the article are presented the most important reasons for the recent increase in interest in the sociology of everyday life. Some of them are related to the situation in which sociology as a whole finds itself today (for example the interest, typical for the sociology of everyday life, in the processes occurring on the micro-level may be treated as the result of the fears of sociologists about the investigation of increasingly hidden macro-structural processes). The fashion for the sociology of everyday life seems also to be a result of the calculation of sociologists; the sociology of everyday life turns out to be a beneficial theoretical research position, allowing compromise between many traditionally opposing theoretical positions (such as actor-structure, the creation and reproduction of rules for collective order etc.). The attraction of the sociology of everyday life is due to the fact that it gives hope for the modernisation of the “tool kit” of sociology and is an attempted remedy for boredom in the “Post-Modern Sociology”, at least in the sense that it again proposes sociologists to focus attention more on similarities than differences. In the second part of the article, the author concentrates on a selection of the problems with which the sociology of everyday life is faced. The most important of them can be summarised by the question: why do we study everyday life? The answer to this question is an attempt to define three different explanatory models according to which everyday practice is seen as (1) a reflection of phenomena and processes which occur at a macrostructural level, or (2) a preview of macrostructural changes or, finally, 3) an autonomic sphere of social life which cannot be treated as an “indicator”.
Codzienność w kryzysie
Authors: Rogowski Łukasz , Skrobacki Radosław , Mroczkowska Dorota
Published: May 2021

The aim of this article is to demonstrate the relationship between everyday life and special conditions seen in the context of the concept of crisis. The authors define everyday life and special conditions as two opposing ways of experiencing social life, but their differentiation does not depend on their content but rather on form and manner of their perception/realisation in everyday life. This differentiation is described on the basis of the example of the concept of crisis, understood as the breakdown of everyday life and the consequent creation of special conditions. Based on contemporary examples, concerning to a large degree the social consequences of the breakdown of the economy, the authors represent crisis as a moment of renegotiating the principles of social life, the disruption of the routines and habits of everyday life and the transition into the unpredictability and reflexivity of social practices which characterize such special conditions. Attention is paid in particular to the concept of power, which takes on new meanings in the sociology of everyday life, differing from its institutional meaning, closer rather to “everyday power” which is realised in the framework of direct interactions in daily life.