bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Distribution System Margins Considering Battery Swapping Stations
Authors: Alharbi Walied
Published: April 2023

Penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) into the market is expected to be significant in the near future, leading to an significant increase in EV charging demand, and that will create a surge in the demand for electrical energy. In this context, there is a need to find intelligent and cost effective means to make better use of electricity resources, improve the system flexibility, and slow the growth in demand. Therefore, swapping EV batteries rather than traditionally charging them can serve as flexible sources to provide capacity support for the power distribution grid when they are charged during off-peak periods prior to their swapping at the station. This paper presents a novel mathematical optimization model to assess distribution system margins considering different EV charging infrastructures. The proposed model maximizes the distribution system margins while considering the flexibility of battery swapping station loads and distribution grid limitations. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model, simulation results that consider the National Household Travel Survey data and a 32-bus distribution system are reported and discussed. Unlike charging EV batteries, swapping them would not affect system margins during the peak hours.
Global Trends of Carbon Finance: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Su Lei , Yu Wenjiao , Zhou Zhongxuan
Published: April 2023

Based on the Web of Science core database, this paper used bibliometric analysis to analyze 4408 academic works related to carbon finance from 1992 to 2021. This work shows that the number of publications on carbon finance-related research has increased rapidly; the Journal of Cleaner Production is the most productive journal. China boasts the most significant number of publications, while the United States has the most intensive cooperation with other countries. The Chinese Academy of Sciences is the most productive and influential independent institution, and Chinese authors make up the highest proportion of the top 20 most prolific authors. We can summarize the main research directions in carbon finance through keyword analysis: carbon capture, economic growth, carbon sequestration, financial development, modeling, and carbon price forecasting. Research related to the impact of energy consumption, renewable energy, and urbanization on carbon emissions may become a hot spot for future research in carbon finance. Through an in-depth analysis of the development over the past 30 years and future trends of carbon finance, this paper can provide some reference for future research, which is of great significance in promoting carbon emission reduction.
Climate Services: Critique, Integration, and Reimagination
Authors: Herrick Charles , Vogel Jason
Published: April 2023

As an ideal, sustainable development—or sustainability—integrates economic growth, social equity, and enduring environmental quality [...]
Occupational Risk Assessment in Native Rainforest Management (MIARforest)—Parameters Definition and Validation
Authors: Lima Killian , Meira Castro Ana C. , Baptista João Santos
Published: April 2023

Maintaining native rainforests as a sustainable ecosystem and their resilience to external pressures involves their economic profitability as a natural resource of unique and renewable products. For this purpose, new approaches have been developed and refined. This work seeks to contribute in this direction in the context of occupational safety and health (OSH) by presenting a new method for integrated assessment of risks for rainforests (MIARforest). The MIARforest is based on the MIAR, a method that has shown promising results in occupational risk assessment in different industrial sectors. Its parameters were discussed and assessed to improve their relevance, wording and risk assessment through the Delphi methodology by a panel of 62 experts in forestry and OSH who responded independently to questionnaires made available through Google Forms. A consensus of over 79% among the experts was reached in two rounds. This result highlights the high objectivity and the low percentage of dubious possible interpretations of the parameters and sub-parameters of this occupational risk assessment method.
Determination of Conservation–Reuse Parameters for Industrial Heritage Sustainability and a Decision-Making Model Proposal
Authors: Ertaş Beşir Şebnem , Çelebi Karakök Meryem Elif
Published: April 2023

This study aims to determine the necessary parameters to ensure sustainable conservation in the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage and create a decision-making model. This study included the selection of the sample industrial heritage, determining the necessary parameters, percentage frequency analysis (PFA) of the industrial heritages in relation to the parameters, interpreting the percentage frequency results by comparing them, and developing the decision-making model. The decisions of the architectural heritage conservation organizations ICOMOS, TICCIH, and UNESCO were used to determine the conservation parameters. The reuse parameters were determined based on sustainability principles, since the adaptive reuse of historical buildings is also the subject of sustainability. The obtained parameters were converted to percentage values after being made numerically significant by two different percentage frequency analyses: conservation and reuse. Each sample used in the model was considered successful in various sources, rewarded, and praised in the literature and media. If we accept 50% as an average value, there are only four industrial heritages which are over 50% for the conservation percentage frequency analysis, but there are nine industrial heritages which are over 50% for the reuse percentage frequency analysis. On the other hand, it is written in the article that the aim is to catch 100%. Therefore, maybe it can be said that we cannot only conserve, but also fail to use. The model developed in this study will serve as a guide in establishing the conservation –use balance of project decisions as well as in objectively evaluating current practices.
Correction: Lee et al. Development of Meso- and Macro-Pore Carbonization Technology from Biochar in Treating the Stumps of Representative Trees in Taiwan. Sustainability 2022, 14, 14792
Authors: Lee Shih-Chi , Kitamura Yutaka , Chien Chuan-Chi , Cheng Chun-Shen , Cheng Jen-Hao , Tsai Shu-Hsien , Hsieh Chin-Cheng
Published: April 2023

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [...]
Numerical Simulation for COVID-19 Model Using a Multidomain Spectral Relaxation Technique
Authors: Adel Mohamed , Khader Mohamed M. , Assiri Taghreed A. , Kallel Wajdi
Published: April 2023

The major objective of this work is to evaluate and study the model of coronavirus illness by providing an efficient numerical solution for this important model. The model under investigation is composed of five differential equations. In this study, the multidomain spectral relaxation method (MSRM) is used to numerically solve the suggested model. The proposed approach is based on the hypothesis that the domain of the problem can be split into a finite number of subintervals, each of which can have a solution. The procedure also converts the proposed model into a system of algebraic equations. Some theoretical studies are provided to discuss the convergence analysis of the suggested scheme and deduce an upper bound of the error. A numerical simulation is used to evaluate the approach’s accuracy and utility, and it is presented in symmetric forms.
Leveraging Ethereum Platform for Development of Efficient Tractability System in Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
Authors: Aslam Muntaha , Jabbar Sohail , Abbas Qaisar , Albathan Mubarak , Hussain Ayyaz , Raza Umar
Published: April 2023

Consumer knowledge of the goods produced or processed by the numerous suppliers and processors is still relatively low due to the growing complexity of the structure of pharmaceutical supply chains. Information asymmetry in the pharmaceutical sector has an effect on welfare, sustainability, and health. (1) Background: In this respect, we wanted to develop a productive structure for a pharmaceutical supply chain that satisfies the consumer information needs and fosters consumer confidence in the pharmacy goods they buy. By using blockchain technology, the main goals were to develop and implement a pharmaceutical supply chain. (2) Objectives: The main objectives of this work were to leverage an Ethereum platform for the development of a tractability system in a pharmaceutical supply chain environment and to analyze the efficiency of MSMAChain with respect to the cost and execution of transactions based on our designed smart contracts. (3) Results: This research looked into a variety of issues related to the value, viability, and effects of blockchain technology for use in supply chain applications. The methods and creations in this environment were monitored and researched. It is vital to identify a number of crucial subjects including future research areas, in order to achieve the widespread acceptance of the supply chain traceability provided by blockchain technology. (4) Conclusions: MSMAChain, an Ethereum blockchain-based approach, leverages smart contracts and decentralized off-chain storage for efficient product traceability in terms of the cost and execution of transaction for a health care supply chain.
Analysis and Multiobjective Optimization of a Machine Learning Algorithm for Wireless Telecommunication
Authors: Temim Samah , Talbi Larbi , Bensebaa Farid
Published: April 2023

There has been a fast deployment of wireless networks in recent years, which has been accompanied by significant impacts on the environment. Among the solutions that have been proven to be effective in reducing the energy consumption of wireless networks is the use of machine learning algorithms in cell traffic management. However, despite promising results, it should be noted that the computations required by machine learning algorithms have increased at an exponential rate. Massive computing has a surprisingly large carbon footprint, which could affect its real-world deployment. Thus, additional attention needs to be paid to the design and parameterization of these algorithms applied in order to reduce the energy consumption of wireless networks. In this article, we analyze the impact of hyperparameters on the energy consumption and performance of machine learning algorithms used for cell traffic prediction. For each hyperparameter (number of layers, number of neurons per layer, optimizer algorithm, batch size, and dropout) we identified a set of feasible values. Then, for each combination of hyperparameters, we trained our model and analyzed energy consumption and the resulting performance. The results from this study reveal a great correlation between hyperparameters and energy consumption, confirming the paramount importance of selecting optimal hyperparameters. A tradeoff between the minimization of energy consumption and the maximization of machine learning performance is suggested.
Effect of Nanomaterials on Gut Microbiota
Authors: Ma Ying , Zhang Jiahe , Yu Nairui , Shi Jiaqi , Zhang Yi , Chen Zhangjian , Jia Guang
Published: April 2023

Nanomaterials are widely employed in everyday life, including food and engineering. Food additives on a nanoscale can enter the body via the digestive tract. The human gut microbiota is a dynamically balanced ecosystem composed of a multitude of microorganisms that play a crucial role in maintaining the proper physiological function of the digestive tract and the body’s endocrine coordination. While the antibacterial capabilities of nanomaterials have received much interest in recent years, their impacts on gut microbiota ought to be cautioned about and explored. Nanomaterials exhibit good antibacterial capabilities in vitro. Animal studies have revealed that oral exposure to nanomaterials inhibits probiotic reproduction, stimulates the inflammatory response of the gut immune system, increases opportunistic infections, and changes the composition and structure of the gut microbiota. This article provides an overview of the impacts of nanomaterials, particularly titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), on the gut microbiota. It advances nanomaterial safety research and offers a scientific foundation for the prevention, control, and treatment of illnesses associated with gut microbiota abnormalities.
The Effect of Experimental Protocol on the Toxicity of Saxitoxin in Mice
Authors: Finch Sarah C. , Boundy Michael J. , Webb Nicola G. , Harwood D. Tim
Published: April 2023

Regulatory limits for toxins in shellfish are required to ensure the health of consumers. However, these limits also impact the profitability of shellfish industries making it critical that they are fit for purpose. Since human toxicity data is rarely available, the setting of regulatory limits is dependent on animal data which can then be extrapolated for use in the assessment of human risk. The dependence on animal data to keep humans safe means that it is critical that the toxicity data used is robust and of high quality. Worldwide, the protocols used in toxicity testing are varied, making it hard to compare results and adding confusion over which results better reflect the true toxicity. In this study, we look at the effect of mouse gender, i.p. dose volume, mouse body weight and feeding protocols (both acute and sub-acute) on the toxicity of saxitoxin. This allowed the effect of different variables used in toxicity testing to be understood and showed that the feeding protocol used in both acute and sub-acute studies greatly influenced the toxicity of saxitoxin in mice. Therefore, the adoption of a standard protocol for the testing of shellfish toxins is recommended.
SakA Regulates Morphological Development, Ochratoxin A Biosynthesis and Pathogenicity of Aspergillus westerdijkiae and the Response to Different Environmental Stresses
Authors: Si Peidong , Wang Gang , Wu Wenqing , Hussain Sarfaraz , Guo Ling , Wu Wei , Yang Qingli , Xing Fuguo
Published: April 2023

Ochratoxin A (OTA), as a common mycotoxin, has seriously harmful effects on agricultural products, livestock and humans. There are reports on the regulation of SakA in the MAPK pathway, which regulates the production of mycotoxins. However, the role of SakA in the regulation of Aspergillus westerdijkiae and OTA production is not clear. In this study, a SakA deletion mutant (ΔAwSakA) was constructed. The effects of different concentrations of D-sorbitol, NaCl, Congo red and H2O2 on the mycelia growth, conidia production and biosynthesis of OTA were investigated in A. westerdijkiae WT and ΔAwSakA. The results showed that 100 g/L NaCl and 3.6 M D-sorbitol significantly inhibited mycelium growth and that a concentration of 0.1% Congo red was sufficient to inhibit the mycelium growth. A reduction in mycelium development was observed in ΔAwSakA, especially in high concentrations of osmotic stress. A lack of AwSakA dramatically reduced OTA production by downregulating the expression of the biosynthetic genes otaA, otaY, otaB and otaD. However, otaC and the transcription factor otaR1 were slightly upregulated by 80 g/L NaCl and 2.4 M D-sorbitol, whereas they were downregulated by 0.1% Congo red and 2 mM H2O2. Furthermore, ΔAwSakA showed degenerative infection ability toward pears and grapes. These results suggest that AwSakA is involved in the regulation of fungal growth, OTA biosynthesis and the pathogenicity of A. westerdijkiae and could be influenced by specific environmental stresses.
Elimination of QCD Renormalization Scale and Scheme Ambiguities
Authors: Wang Sheng-Quan , Brodsky Stanley J. , Wu Xing-Gang , Shen Jian-Ming , Di Giustino Leonardo
Published: April 2023

The setting of the renormalization scale (μr) in the perturbative QCD (pQCD) is one of the crucial problems for achieving precise fixed-order pQCD predictions. The conventional prescription is to take its value as the typical momentum transfer Q in a given process, and theoretical uncertainties are then evaluated by varying it over an arbitrary range. The conventional scale-setting procedure introduces arbitrary scheme-and-scale ambiguities in fixed-order pQCD predictions. The principle of maximum conformality (PMC) provides a systematic way to eliminate the renormalization scheme-and-scale ambiguities. The PMC method has rigorous theoretical foundations; it satisfies the renormalization group invariance (RGI) and all of the self-consistency conditions derived from the renormalization group. The PMC has now been successfully applied to many physical processes. In this paper, we summarize recent PMC applications, including event shape observables and heavy quark pair production near the threshold region in e+e− annihilation and top-quark decay at hadronic colliders. In addition, estimating the contributions related to the uncalculated higher-order terms is also summarized. These results show that the major theoretical uncertainties caused by different choices of μr are eliminated, and the improved pQCD predictions are thus obtained, demonstrating the generality and applicability of the PMC.
Cells and Fugu Response to Capsid of BFNNV Genotype
Authors: Mao Mingguang , Jiang Jielan , Xu Jia , Liu Yumeng , Wang Haishan , Mao Yunxiang
Published: April 2023

The nervous necrosis virus (NNV) of the BFNNV genotype is the causative agent of viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) in cold water fishes. Similar to the RGNNV genotype, BFNNV is also considered a highly destructive virus. In the present study, the RNA2 of the BFNNV genotype was modified and expressed in the EPC cell line. The subcellular localization results showed that the capsid and N-terminal (1–414) were located in the nucleus, while the C-terminal (415–1014) of the capsid was located in the cytoplasm. Meanwhile, cell mortality obviously increased after expression of the capsid in EPC. EPC cells were transfected with pEGFP-CP and sampled at 12 h, 24 h and 48 h for transcriptome sequencing. There are 254, 2997 and 229 up-regulated genes and 387, 1611, and 649 down-regulated genes post-transfection, respectively. The ubiquitin-activating enzyme and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme were up-regulated in the DEGs, indicating that cell death evoked by capsid transfection may be related to ubiquitination. The qPCR results showed that heat stock protein 70 (HSP70) is extremely up-regulated after expression of BFNNV capsid in EPC, and N-terminal is the key region to evoke the high expression. For further study, the immunoregulation of the capsid in fish pcDNA-3.1-CP was constructed and injected into the Takifugu rubripes muscle. pcDNA-3.1-CP can be detected in gills, muscle and head kidney, and lasted for more than 70 d post-injection. The transcripts of IgM and interferon inducible gene Mx were up-regulated after being immunized in different tissues, and immune factors, such as IFN-γ and C3, were also up-regulated in serum, while C4 was down-regulated one week after injection. It was suggested that pcDNA-3.1-CP can be a potential DNA vaccine in stimulating the immune system of T. rubripes; however, NNV challenge needs to be conducted in the following experiments.
The Flavonoid Cyanidin Shows Immunomodulatory and Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Properties, Including SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Vicente Josefina , Benedetti Martina , Martelliti Paula , Vázquez Luciana , Gentilini María Virginia , Peñaranda Figueredo Freddy Armando , Nabaes Jodar Mercedes Soledad , Viegas Mariana , Barquero Andrea Alejandra , Bueno Carlos Alberto
Published: April 2023

New antiviral treatments are needed to deal with the unpredictable emergence of viruses. Furthermore, vaccines and antivirals are only available for just a few viral infections, and antiviral drug resistance is an increasing concern. Cyanidin (a natural product also called A18), a key flavonoid that is present in red berries and other fruits, attenuates the development of several diseases, through its anti-inflammatory effects. Regarding its mechanism of action, A18 was identified as an IL-17A inhibitor, resulting in the attenuation of IL-17A signaling and associated diseases in mice. Importantly, A18 also inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway in different cell types and conditions in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we report that A18 restricts RSV, HSV-1, canine coronavirus, and SARS-CoV-2 multiplication, indicating a broad-spectrum antiviral activity. We also found that A18 can control cytokine and NF-κB induction in RSV-infected cells independently of its antiviral activity. Furthermore, in mice infected with RSV, A18 not only significantly reduces viral titers in the lungs, but also diminishes lung injury. Thus, these results provide evidence that A18 could be used as a broad-spectrum antiviral and may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic targets to control these viral infections and pathogenesis.
HIV-1 Drug Resistance among Treatment-Naïve Patients in Russia: Analysis of the National Database, 2006–2022
Authors: Kirichenko Alina , Kireev Dmitry , Lapovok Ilya , Shlykova Anastasia , Lopatukhin Alexey , Pokrovskaya Anastasia , Bobkova Marina , Antonova Anastasiia , Kuznetsova Anna , Ozhmegova Ekaterina , Shtrek Sergey , Sannikov Aleksej , Zaytseva Natalia , Peksheva Olga , Piterskiy Michael , Semenov Aleksandr , Turbina Galina , Filoniuk Natalia , Shemshura Andrey , Kulagin Valeriy , Kolpakov Dmitry , Suladze Aleksandr , Kotova Valeriya , Balakhontseva Lyudmila , Pokrovsky Vadim , Akimkin Vasiliy
Published: April 2023

In Russia, antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage has significantly increased, which, in the absence of routine genotyping testing, could lead to an increase in HIV drug resistance (DR). The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns and temporal trends in HIV DR as well as the prevalence of genetic variants in treatment-naïve patients from 2006 to 2022, using data from the Russian database (4481 protease and reverse transcriptase and 844 integrase gene sequences). HIV genetic variants, and DR and DR mutations (DRMs) were determined using the Stanford Database. The analysis showed high viral diversity, with the predominance of A6 (78.4%), which was the most common in all transmission risk groups. The overall prevalence of surveillance DRMs (SDRMs) was 5.4%, and it reached 10.0% in 2022. Most patients harbored NNRTI SDRMs (3.3%). The prevalence of SDRMs was highest in the Ural (7.9%). Male gender and the CRF63_02A6 variant were association factors with SDRMs. The overall prevalence of DR was 12.7% and increased over time, primarily due to NNRTIs. Because baseline HIV genotyping is unavailable in Russia, it is necessary to conduct surveillance of HIV DR due to the increased ART coverage and DR prevalence. Centralized collection and unified analysis of all received genotypes in the national database can help in understanding the patterns and trends in DR to improve treatment protocols and increase the effectiveness of ART. Moreover, using the national database can help identify regions or transmission risk groups with a high prevalence of HIV DR for epidemiological measures to prevent the spread of HIV DR in the country.
HIV-1 Group M Capsid Amino Acid Variability: Implications for Sequence Quality Control of Genotypic Resistance Testing
Authors: Tao Kaiming , Rhee Soo-Yon , Tzou Philip L. , Osman Zachary A. , Pond Sergei L. Kosakovsky , Holmes Susan P. , Shafer Robert W.
Published: April 2023

Background: With the approval of the HIV-1 capsid inhibitor, lenacapavir, capsid sequencing will be required for managing lenacapavir-experienced individuals with detectable viremia. Successful sequence interpretation will require examining new capsid sequences in the context of previously published sequence data. Methods: We analyzed published HIV-1 group M capsid sequences from 21,012 capsid-inhibitor naïve individuals to characterize amino acid variability at each position and influence of subtype and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) selection pressure. We determined the distributions of usual mutations, defined as amino acid differences from the group M consensus, with a prevalence ≥ 0.1%. Co-evolving mutations were identified using a phylogenetically-informed Bayesian graphical model method. Results: 162 (70.1%) positions had no usual mutations (45.9%) or only conservative usual mutations with a positive BLOSUM62 score (24.2%). Variability correlated independently with subtype-specific amino acid occurrence (Spearman rho = 0.83; p < 1 × 10−9) and the number of times positions were reported to contain an HLA-associated polymorphism, an indicator of CTL pressure (rho = 0.43; p = 0.0002). Conclusions: Knowing the distribution of usual capsid mutations is essential for sequence quality control. Comparing capsid sequences from lenacapavir-treated and lenacapavir-naïve individuals will enable the identification of additional mutations potentially associated with lenacapavir therapy.
Longitudinal Changes in IgG-Type SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Titers after COVID-19 Vaccination and a Prominent Increase in Antibody Titers When Infected after Vaccination
Authors: Kusunoki Hiroshi , Ohkusa Michiko , Iida Rie , Saito Ayumi , Kawahara Mikio , Ekawa Kazumi , Kato Nozomi , Yamasaki Keita , Motone Masaharu , Shimizu Hideo
Published: April 2023

Objective: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody titers level and duration of elevated levels are considered important indicators for confirming the efficacy of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the changes in antibody titers after the second and third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and to determine the antibody titers in cases of spontaneous infection with SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination. Materials and Methods: From June 2021 to February 2023, IgG-type SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers were measured in 127 participants, including 74 outpatients and 53 members of staff, at the Osaka Dental University Hospital (64 males and 63 females, mean age 52.3 ± 19.0 years). Results: Consistent with previous reports, the SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer decreased with time, not only after the second dose but also after the third dose of the vaccine if there was no spontaneous COVID-19 infection. We also confirmed that the third booster vaccination was effective in increasing the antibody titer. A total of 21 cases of natural infections were observed after administering two or more doses of the vaccine. Thirteen of these patients had post-infection antibody titers exceeding 40,000 AU/mL, and some cases continued to maintain antibody titers in the tens of thousands of AU/mL even after more than 6 months had passed since infection. Conclusions: The rise in and duration of antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 are considered important indicators for confirming the efficacy of novel COVID-19 vaccines. A longitudinal follow-up of antibody titers after vaccination in larger studies is warranted.
Effectiveness, Immunogenicity and Harms of Additional SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Doses in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hausinger Renate Ilona , Bachmann Quirin , Crone-Rawe Timotius , Hannane Nora , Monsef Ina , Haller Bernhard , Heemann Uwe , Skoetz Nicole , Kreuzberger Nina , Schmaderer Christoph
Published: April 2023

Background: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) who have a highly impaired immune response are in need of intensified and safe vaccination strategies to achieve seroconversion and prevent severe disease. Methods: We searched the Web of Science Core Collection, the Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register and the WHO COVID-19 global literature on coronavirus disease from January 2020 to 22 July 2022 for prospective studies that assessed immunogenicity and efficacy after three or more SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses. Results: In 37 studies on 3429 patients, de novo seroconversion after three and four vaccine doses ranged from 32 to 60% and 25 to 37%. Variant-specific neutralization was 59 to 70% for Delta and 12 to 52% for Omicron. Severe disease after infection was rarely reported but all concerned KTRs lacked immune responses after vaccination. Studies investigating the clinical course of COVID-19 found remarkably higher rates of severe disease than in the general population. Serious adverse events and acute graft rejections were very rare. Substantial heterogeneity between the studies limited their comparability and summary. Conclusion: Additional SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses are potent and safe in general terms as well as regarding transplant-specific outcomes whilst the Omicron wave remains a significant threat to KTRs without adequate immune responses.
Rice Bran as an Alternative Feedstuff in Broiler Nutrition and Impact of Liposorb® and Vitamin E-Se on Sustainability of Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Biochemistry, and Antioxidant Indices
Authors: Attia Youssef A. , Ashour Elwy A. , Nagadi Sameer A. , Farag Mayada R. , Bovera Fulvia , Alagawany Mahmoud
Published: April 2023

The impact of dietary rice bran with or without feed additives on the performance, carcasses, and blood profiles of chickens was examined. A total of 245 unsexed one-week-old broiler chicks were divided into seven groups, with seven replications of five chicks each. The treatments were: (1) control, (2) 5% rice bran, (3) 5% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg of Liposorb®, (4) 5% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E-Se, (5) 10% rice bran, (6) 10% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg Liposorb®, and (7) 10% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E–selenium. Considering the entire experimental period, it did not affect the in vivo performance of the broilers. However, all the experimental diets decreased dressing % compared with the control (p < 0.01) and the worst values were obtained for the 10% RB groups (75.7, 75.9, and 75.8%, respectively, for 10%RB, 10%RB + Liposorb, and 10%RB + Vit. E-Se groups). All the experimental diets decreased (p < 0.01) the albumin/globulin ratio due to an increased level of serum globulins. Differences in lipid profiles, antioxidants, and immunity parameters in plasma were not related to dietary treatments. In conclusion, the use of rice bran up to 10% in diets had no harmful effect on the overall growth performance of the broilers from 1 to 5 weeks of age. Still, carcass characteristics were negatively affected, except for heart percentage. In addition, the supplementation of Liposorb® or vitamin E-Se to rice bran diets did not recover these harmful effects. Thus, rice bran could be utilized at 10% in broiler diets when growth performance was considered; further research is required.
Water Retention Evaluation of Slab Trench on Rocky Desertification Slope in a Karst Area of Southwest China
Authors: Liu Shiya , Zhou Cheng , Gao Shan , Zhong Qiming , Fan Lijuan , Luo Qi , Chen Qun , Zhou Zechang , Zhu Xunhong
Published: April 2023

Soil erosion and water loss are serious problems on the rocky desertification slopes in the karst dynamic system of southwest China. The lack of soil and shortage of water restrict the ecological restoration of the regional slopes and utility of water resources. Therefore, a new slab trench capable of storing soil and water in layers on rocky desertification slopes is introduced in this paper to promote vegetation restoration. To explore the water-storing and -holding capacity of the new type of vegetated slab trench, five groups of model experiments were carried out on the vegetated slab trench under different rainfall intensities and different numbers of plants. Under rainfall and then following dry conditions, the effects of rainfall intensity and the number of plants on the water-storing and -holding capacity of vegetated slab trench models were compared and analyzed. Water-storing and -holding capacity was further explored in three groups of models with single planting or combinations of plants including water stored only in succulent root plant, only in succulent stem plant, or in mixed plants. The test results show that the new type of vegetated slab trench can effectively help to store and hold water. In the rainfall period, due to the runoff of the rainfall not being considered, the greater the rainfall intensity, the higher the water storage efficiency; the more vegetation implanted, the greater the blocking effect of the plant canopy during falling rainwater, and the more reduction is induced on the water storage efficiency of the vegetated slab trench. In the following dry period, both the succulent root plant and succulent stem plant have strong water storage capacity, but the succulent root plant has a stronger capacity for water storage. The growth status of the mixed plants was better than that of single planting, which may be due to the water complementarities between the succulent root plant and succulent stem plant in a mixed planting manner. This study is important for solving the problem of soil erosion and water loss in rocky desertification slopes, and it helps to restore the ecological environment of the area.
Challenges of Changing Water Sources for Human Wellbeing in the Arctic Zone of Western Siberia
Authors: Bogdanova Elena , Lobanov Andrey , Andronov Sergei V. , Soromotin Andrey , Popov Andrei , Skalny Anatoly V. , Shaduyko Olga , Callaghan Terry V.
Published: April 2023

The availability of clean drinking water impacts the quality of life of Arctic populations and is affected by climate change. We provide perceptions based on: (1) a study of the accessibility of the natural surface water to the nomadic and settled Indigenous inhabitants living in rural areas (in settlements and remote camps) in the Arctic zone of Western Siberia during climate change and industrial development; (2) an assessment of the impact of consuming different surface water resources on human health. We include primary data sources from medical examinations and surveys collected in the regions between the rivers of Ob, Nadym, Taz, and Yenisey in 2012, 2014–2019, and 2022 whereas the chemical analysis of the surface waters in the region was based on previous research. A total of 552 local residents from the Arctic zone of Western Siberia participated in the study. We discuss how the availability of high-quality drinking water is limited for them due to climatic and anthropogenic risks, despite the abundant water resources. The consumption of river water is associated with high health risks since it contains heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Mn, Fe), whereas the consumption of lake ice melt water likely affects health because of the low concentrations of beneficial ions.
An Improved Design for Flow Conditioning in Waste Water Pipes
Authors: Lyndsell Adam , Buick James M.
Published: April 2023

In practical applications, waste water piping includes elbows and bends which give unrepeatable, asymmetric and swirling flow profiles, which result in flow meter inaccuracy. Flow conditioners can be inserted into the pipe network to remove these flow patterns prior to a flow meter, to improve the accuracy of the measurement and to reduce the length of straight-run which would otherwise be required. In this investigation, a new design of flow conditioner is considered in two configurations, with and without vanes. The performance of the conditioner is considered by exposing it to a swirling flow that was disturbed by two 90° bends. The flow downstream of the conditioner was simulated using CFD software STAR-CCM+ 12 to find the downstream axial velocity profile, swirl angle and pressure drop. The vane-less conditioner provided a suitable axial profile for flow measurement 2D downstream, at which point the swirl was removed. This illustrated the improved performance compared to other conditioners in the literature, but came at the price of a somewhat higher pressure drop. The addition of vanes improved the performance slightly in terms of regulating the flow and removing swirl, while at the same time increasing the pressure drop further.
Study on the Influence of Air Inlet and Outlet on the Heat Dissipation Performance of Lithium Battery
Authors: Dai Haiyan , Wang Yuxing
Published: April 2023

The heat dissipation characteristics of the lithium-ion battery pack will have an effect on the overall performance of electric vehicles. To investigate the effects of the structural cooling system parameters on the heat dissipation properties, the electrochemical thermal coupling model of the lithium-ion power battery has been established, and the discharge experiment of the single battery has been designed. The voltage and temperature curves with time are similar to those obtained from the numerical model at various discharge rates, and the experimental results are relatively accurate. Based on this model, the height, angle, and number of different air inlets and outlets are designed, and the heat dissipation characteristics of different structural parameters are analyzed. The results show that the maximum temperature decreases by 3.9 K when the angle increases from 0° to 6°, the average temperature decreases by 2 K and the maximum temperature difference decreases by 2.9 K when the height increases from 12 mm to 16 mm, and the more the number of air inlets and outlets there are, the better the heat dissipation effect is. Therefore, the air vent of the battery cooling system has an important impact on the heat dissipation characteristics of the battery, which should be fully considered in the design.
Role of technology in iinovative financial services as reflected in the breakthrough of BigTech companies
Authors: Pintér Éva , Herczeg Balázs
Published: April 2023

Fast digitisation can be observed in everyday life including financial services. The analytical tools of Big Data, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning are able to promote user awareness in terms of the characteristic features of financial products and can offer personally tailored information on how to utilise their financial products and the management of their financial sources. Financial service providers proactively apply artificial intelligence and machine learning in customer support (for instance, virtual assistants are added to telephone customer service). In addition, the appearance of BigTech companies triggers further turbulent development and service innovation in the financial services industry. Non-bank competitors appearing in the field of financial services and the proliferation of digital innovation and new technologies are a constant challenge and risk to banks’ everyday operations and clientele as they must face risks and fight competitor pressure while the regulatory environment places strict limitations on their operations. In this paper the authors offer a comparative status survey of banks and BigTech companies as they investigate the factors, development paths and operational areas that reflect the differences in cross-sectoral and industry regulation and have an impact on the cyber security risks of digitisation.
A Range Query Method for Data Access Pattern Protection Based on Uniform Access Frequency Distribution
Authors: Yan Jing , Chang Zhao , Cheng Ke , Wang Shuguang
Published: April 2023

Data encryption is necessary to keep user information secure and private on the cloud. However, adversaries can still learn valuable information about the encrypted data by observing data access patterns. To solve this issue, Oblivious RAMs (ORAMs) are proposed to hide access patterns. However, ORAMs are expensive and not suitable for deployment in a large database. In this work, we propose a range query algorithm while providing data access pattern protection based on uniform access frequency. In the preprocessing, multiple key-value pairs in the database are grouped and stored in each storage module, and we make copies for frequently accessed key-value pairs and also add some dummy key-value pairs on each storage module. In the online query processing, according to the range query length of the received query access request, we visit the specific storage module for the query and obtain the query result. Based on the techniques above, our method makes the uniform distribution of access frequency of data blocks in the database and achieves a security guarantee as strong as the state-of-the-art method. Compared with data queries that do not provide data access pattern protection, the ratio of network communication overhead is constant rather than logarithmic in ORAMs.
Analisis Yuridis Implementasi Peran Badan Wakaf Indonesia dalam Pengelolaan dan Pengembangan Wakaf Perspektif Kemanusiaan
Authors: Partono Teguh
Published: April 2023

Badan Wakaf Indonesia (BWI) dibentuk berdasarkan Pasal 47 Undang-Undang Nomor 41 Tahun 2004, BWI merupakan lembaga independen dalam melaksanakan tugasnya, melakukan pembinaan terhadap  nazhir, mengelola dan mengembangkan harta benda wakaf. Penelitian ini akan menjelaskan: (1) Implementasi Peran BWI dalam Pengelolaan dan Pengembangan Wakaf dan, (2)  Pertanggungjawaban BWI dalam pengelolaan dan pengembangan harta benda wakaf, dengan menggunakan pendekatan teori kelembagaan, regulasi dan kemanfaatan. Metode penelitian dilakukan melalui pendekatan yuridis normatif dari bahan kepustakaan menggunakan data sekunder berupa antara lain peraturan perundang-undangan tentang wakaf, putusan pengadilan, jurnal, peneliatan ilmiah tentang wakaf, buku-buku, surat kabar media online dan internet. kesimpulan dari penelitian adalah sebagai berikut; BAB III menjelaskan implementasi tentang tugas dan wewenang BWI. melakukan pembinaan terhadap nazhir, mengelola dan mengembangkan harta benda wakaf berskala nasional dan internasional; BAB IV, Pertanggungjawaban BWI dalam melaksanakan tugasnya bertanggung jawab kepada Presiden dilakukan melalui laporan tahunan yang disampaikan kepada menteri agama. BAB V. Kesimpulan: (1) tugas dan wewenang BWI adalah  melakukan pembinaan terhadap nazhir, mengelola dan mengembangkan harta benda wakaf berskala nasional dan internasional, (2) BWI dalam melaksanakan tugasnya bertanggung jawab kepada Presiden dilakukan melalui laporan tahunan yang disampaikan kepada menteri agama.  Untuk efektivitas BWI sebagai lembaga independen dalam menjalankan tugasnya memajukan perwakafan nasional, penulis memberikan saran-saran sebagai berikut: (1) Perlu dilakukan perubahan status kelembagaan BWI yang independen secara mandiri tanpa campur tangan dan/atau pengaruh kementerian agama, (2). Untuk menghindari tumpang tindih antara tugas dan kewenangan, BWI hanya bertugas sebagai badan pengawas saja tidak merangkap sebagai badan pelaksana.
Efektivitas Fungsi Pengawasan Oleh Majelis Pengawas Daerah Terhadap Notaris Yang Meninggalkan Wilayah Jabatannya
Authors: Aini Nurina , Ilmar Aminuddin , Arisaputra Muhammad Ilham
Published: April 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dan menjelaskan bentuk tanggung jawab pengawas Majelis Pengawas Daerah (MPD) terhadap notaris yang meninggalkan wilayah jabatannya tanpa alasan yang sah dan merumuskan dan mengidentifikasi efektivitas fungsi pengawas Majelis Pengawas Daerah (MPD) terhadap notaris yang meninggalkan wilayah jabatannya tanpa alasan yang sah. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian hukum empirik, lokasi penelitian ini dilakukan di Kota Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pengawasan yang dilakukan terhadap Notaris dimaksudkan agar Notaris dalam menjalankan tugas jabatannya berdasarkan aturan sesuai ketentuan peraturan perundang-undangan yang mengatur jabatan Notaris. Peraturan perundang-undangan yang mengatur jabatan tidak hanya mensyaratkan hukum atau undang-undang saja, akan tetapi juga berdasarkan kepercayaan yang diberikan oleh para pihak terhadap Notaris tersebut. Notaris harus bersikap profesional dalam menjalankan jabatannya, karena jabatan Notaris merupakan jabatan kepercayaan yang harus selaras dengan mereka yang menjalankan tugas jabatan Notaris sebagai orang yang dapat dipercaya. Notaris sebagai jabatan kepercayaan tidak berarti apa-apa jika ternyata mereka yang menjalankan tugas jabatan sebagai Notaris sebagai orang yang tidak dapat dipercaya, termasuk meninggalkan wilayah jabatannya tanpa alasan yang sah.
Espace public, pouvoir consulaire et fiscalité royale à Pézenas à la fin du Moyen Âge (1376-1377)
Authors: Van Veen Charles
Published: April 2023

This article reflects upon the concept of “public space”, analyzed in the light of relationships between the rise of a new practice of record keeping of political acts adopted by the municipal government of Pézenas and the acceleration of state taxation. The decade of the 1370s saw in Pézenas the emergence of registers for consular deliberations. This way of consigning political records constitutes a significant scriptural rupture which allows reflecting upon, from lists of taxpayer names, the social form of assemblies of the council. Analyzing municipal deliberations allows us to understand how the question of taxes, closely related to the context of the Hundred Years War, explains a great deal of the presence of councilors at the meetings, thus changing the conditions for the formation of this space for debate. It was from this idea that there was possibly a form of Medieval “ public space” in the midst of these enlarged assemblies that it is useful to reflect upon the question of the representativeness of consular power. This is important especially because during the second half of the 14th century, the context of Languedocian cities was particularly tumultuous.
Approche socio-économique du petit peuple des vignes en Sauternais aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles
Authors: Lachaud Stéphanie
Published: April 2023

Petit vignoble du sud-ouest du royaume de France, le Sauternais connaît une population rurale assez abondante aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, majoritairement composée de vignerons, de journaliers ou manouvriers. Cette société rurale largement organisée autour de la production viticole est en mutation aux XVII e et XVIII e siècles, car le vignoble s’oriente vers une production de plus grande qualité et vers les exportations sous l’impulsion des grands propriétaires. Mais quelle est la place de ces modestes travailleurs de la terre dans un vignoble largement tenu par des élites, nobiliaires ou bordelaises ? Cette place a-t-elle notablement évolué en lien avec la transformation progressive des perspectives économiques ? La réalité économique que recouvrent ces dénominations de manouvriers et de journaliers est complexe et modeste à la fois, dans une société rurale où la pluriactivité et la polyculture restent bien présentes. Le cadre de vie de ces petites gens de la terre confirme cette précarité économique car il se caractérise par une plus grande simplicité que chez les laboureurs, chez certains artisans (notamment les tonneliers) ou chez les marchands : une voire deux pièces à vivre, une absence d’intimité, un mobilier réduit au minimum. Les sources permettent aussi d’envisager les questions d’endogamie et surtout d’homogamie sociales, mais aussi celle des mobilités : il apparaît alors que les trajectoires d’ascension sociale des petites gens restent difficiles à retracer car elles sont rares. Les mobilités observées sont souvent géographiques et temporaires, avec notamment des emplois de domestiques à Bordeaux ou des emplois saisonniers (même s’ils sont peu nombreux en raison du calendrier viticole) pour se constituer un petit pécule en vue du mariage. Ces modestes travailleurs de la terre sont un rouage essentiel mais peu connu de la formation d’un vignoble de qualité en Bordelais.
Le vocabulaire de la mine dans le Languedoc du XIIIe siècle
Authors: Léchelon Bernard
Published: April 2023

La descripción de la organisación de la minería y de los artefactos técnicos que se usaban en el Languedoc medieval para el tratamiento del mineral de cobre argentífero tardan en aparecer en las fuentes escritas. En el siglo XII, las únicas huellas de esa actividad son menciones sucintas de reivindicación de los derechos sobre minas de plata con exclusión de otros aspectos. Sólo al empezar el siglo XIII se recurre más al escrito, lo que señala una evolución del modo de control y de la valoración de la minería. Maestros de obras imponen a los dueños y señores del suelo su peritaje con nuevas prácticas de extracción. La presencia de peritos se hace patente con el uso de un léxico técnico come atestiguan sobre todo las actas de los notarios. Esos documentos inéditos son los que se analizan en este artículo.