bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solvable Two-Dimensional Dirac Equation with Matrix Potential: Graphene in External Electromagnetic Field
Authors: Ioffe Mikhail V. , Nishnianidze David N.
Published: January 2024

It is known that the excitations in graphene-like materials in external electromagnetic field are described by solutions of a massless two-dimensional Dirac equation which includes both Hermitian off-diagonal matrix and scalar potentials. Up to now, such two-component wave functions were calculated for different forms of external potentials, though as a rule depending on only one spatial variable. Here, we shall find analytically the solutions for a wide class of combinations of matrix and scalar external potentials which physically correspond to applied mutually orthogonal magnetic and longitudinal electrostatic fields, both depending really on two spatial variables. The main tool for this progress is provided by supersymmetrical (SUSY) intertwining relations, specifically, by their most general—asymmetrical—form proposed recently by the authors. This SUSY-like method is applied in two steps, similar to the second order factorizable (reducible) SUSY transformations in ordinary quantum mechanics.
Explicit Formulas for the Deformation of Chiral Porous Circular Beams in Gradient Thermoelasticity
Authors: De Cicco Simona
Published: January 2024

Chirality and porosity are characteristic properties of nanostructured materials. Their effects on the mechanical behaviour of structural elements, such as shells, plates and beams, cannot be disregarded. In this paper, we study the thermoelastic deformation of a chiral porous circular beam loaded with an axial force and torque. The beam is also under the action of a constant temperature field. The analytical solution is obtained using the results established in a paper recently published by the Author within the context of the strain gradient theory proposed by Papanicopolous. In the constitutive equations, the chirality is introduced by a material constant parameter and the porosity is described by means of a scalar function. Displacements, microdilatation function, and stress and strain fields are expressed in explicit form and in terms of engineering constants. Explicit formulas of the stiffness of chiral porous circular beams are presented and the effects of right and left chirality are discussed.
Bending of Light by Magnetars within Generalized Born–Infeld Electrodynamics: Insights from the Gauss–Bonnet Theorem
Authors: Beissen Nurzada , Yernazarov Tursynbek , Khassanov Manas , Toktarbay Saken , Taukenova Aliya , Talkhat Amankhan
Published: January 2024

We compute the weak bending angle of light within generalised Born–Infeld electrodynamics as it passes through the equatorial plane of a magnetic dipole. We start by considering the refractive index associated with the dipole within generalised Born–Infeld electrodynamics. Then, we calculate the Gaussian optical curvature based on these refractive indices. Using the Gauss–Bonnet theorem, we derive a formula to quantify the deflection angle in the presence of a strong magnetic field from a dipole. Our results align with results obtained through traditional geometric optics techniques, underscoring the importance of the Gauss–Bonnet theorem as a versatile tool for solving intricate problems in modern theoretical research. We apply our theoretical deflection angle formula to estimate the light bending in magnetars listed in the McGill catalogue, providing insights into the behaviour of light in environments with strong magnetic fields.
Multi-Arm Trajectory Planning for Optimal Collision-Free Pick-and-Place Operations
Authors: Mateu-Gomez Daniel , Martínez-Peral Francisco José , Perez-Vidal Carlos
Published: January 2024

This article addresses the problem of automating a multi-arm pick-and-place robotic system. The objective is to optimize the execution time of a task simultaneously performed by multiple robots, sharing the same workspace, and determining the order of operations to be performed. Due to its ability to address decision-making problems of all kinds, the system is modeled under the mathematical framework of the Markov Decision Process (MDP). In this particular work, the model is adjusted to a deterministic, single-agent, and fully observable system, which allows for its comparison with other resolution methods such as graph search algorithms and Planning Domain Definition Language (PDDL). The proposed approach provides three advantages: it plans the trajectory to perform the task in minimum time; it considers how to avoid collisions between robots; and it automatically generates the robot code for any robot manufacturer and any initial objects’ positions in the workspace. The result meets the objectives and is a fast and robust system that can be safely employed in a production line.
Erythrocyte Vulnerability to Airborne Nanopollutants
Authors: Hermosillo-Abundis Cristina , Angulo-Molina Aracely , Méndez-Rojas Miguel A.
Published: January 2024

The toxicological impact of airborne polluting ultrafine particles (UFPs, also classified as nanoparticles with average sizes of less than 100 nm) is an emerging area of research pursuing a better understanding of the health hazards they pose to humans and other organisms. Hemolytic activity is a toxicity parameter that can be assessed quickly and easily to establish part of a nanoparticle’s behavior once it reaches our circulatory system. However, it is exceedingly difficult to determine to what extent each of the nanoparticles present in the air is responsible for the detrimental effects exhibited. At the same time, current hemolytic assessment methodologies pose a series of limitations for the interpretation of results. An alternative is to synthesize nanoparticles that model selected typical types of UFPs in air pollution and evaluate their individual contributions to adverse health effects under a clinical assay of osmotic fragility. Here, we discuss evidence pointing out that the absence of hemolysis is not always a synonym for safety; exposure to model nanopollutants, even at low concentrations, is enough to increase erythrocyte susceptibility and dysfunction. A modified osmotic fragility assay in combination with a morphological inspection of the nanopollutant–erythrocyte interaction allows a richer interpretation of the exposure outcomes. Membrane–nanoparticle interplay has a leading role in the vulnerability observed. Therefore, future research in this line of work should pay special attention to the evaluation of the mechanisms that cause membrane damage.
Unraveling Hematotoxicity of α-Amanitin in Cultured Hematopoietic Cells
Authors: Hof Willemien F. J. , Visser Miranda , de Jong Joyce J. , Rajasekar Marian N. , Schuringa Jan Jacob , de Graaf Inge A. M. , Touw Daan J. , Dekkers Bart G. J.
Published: January 2024

Amanita phalloides poisonings account for the majority of fatal mushroom poisonings. Recently, we identified hematotoxicity as a relevant aspect of Amanita poisonings. In this study, we investigated the effects of the main toxins of Amanita phalloides, α- and β-amanitin, on hematopoietic cell viability in vitro. Hematopoietic cell lines were exposed to α-amanitin or β-amanitin for up to 72 h with or without the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD(OH)-FMK, antidotes N-acetylcysteine, silibinin, and benzylpenicillin, and organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B3 (OATP1B3) inhibitors rifampicin and cyclosporin. Cell viability was established by trypan blue exclusion, annexin V staining, and a MTS assay. Caspase-3/7 activity was determined with Caspase-Glo assay, and cleaved caspase-3 was quantified by Western analysis. Cell number and colony-forming units were quantified after exposure to α-amanitin in primary CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In all cell lines, α-amanitin concentration-dependently decreased viability and mitochondrial activity. β-Amanitin was less toxic, but still significantly reduced viability. α-Amanitin increased caspase-3/7 activity by 2.8-fold and cleaved caspase-3 by 2.3-fold. Z-VAD(OH)-FMK significantly reduced α-amanitin-induced toxicity. In CD34+ stem cells, α-amanitin decreased the number of colonies and cells. The antidotes and OATP1B3 inhibitors did not reverse α-amanitin-induced toxicity. In conclusion, α-amanitin induces apoptosis in hematopoietic cells via a caspase-dependent mechanism.
Antivirals for Broader Coverage against Human Coronaviruses
Authors: Outteridge Mia , Nunn Christine M. , Devine Kevin , Patel Bhaven , McLean Gary R.
Published: January 2024

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a genome that is 27–31 kbases in length. Critical genes include the spike (S), envelope (E), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N) and nine accessory open reading frames encoding for non-structural proteins (NSPs) that have multiple roles in the replication cycle and immune evasion (1). There are seven known human CoVs that most likely appeared after zoonotic transfer, the most recent being SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Antivirals that have been approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19 such as Paxlovid can target and successfully inhibit the main protease (MPro) activity of multiple human CoVs; however, alternative proteomes encoded by CoV genomes have a closer genetic similarity to each other, suggesting that antivirals could be developed now that target future CoVs. New zoonotic introductions of CoVs to humans are inevitable and unpredictable. Therefore, new antivirals are required to control not only the next human CoV outbreak but also the four common human CoVs (229E, OC43, NL63, HKU1) that circulate frequently and to contain sporadic outbreaks of the severe human CoVs (SARS-CoV, MERS and SARS-CoV-2). The current study found that emerging antiviral drugs, such as Paxlovid, could target other CoVs, but only SARS-CoV-2 is known to be targeted in vivo. Other drugs which have the potential to target other human CoVs are still within clinical trials and are not yet available for public use. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 can reduce mortality and hospitalisation rates; however, they target the Spike protein whose sequence mutates frequently and drifts. Spike is also not applicable for targeting other HCoVs as these are not well-conserved sequences among human CoVs. Thus, there is a need for readily available treatments globally that target all seven human CoVs and improve the preparedness for inevitable future outbreaks. Here, we discuss antiviral research, contributing to the control of common and severe CoV replication and transmission, including the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The aim was to identify common features of CoVs for antivirals, biologics and vaccines that could reduce the scientific, political, economic and public health strain caused by CoV outbreaks now and in the future.
Molecular Survey on Porcine Parvoviruses (PPV1-7) and Their Association with Major Pathogens in Reproductive Failure Outbreaks in Northern Italy
Authors: Faustini Giulia , Tucciarone Claudia Maria , Franzo Giovanni , Donneschi Anna , Boniotti Maria Beatrice , Alborali Giovanni Loris , Drigo Michele
Published: January 2024

Successful reproductive performance is key to farm competitiveness in the global marketplace. Porcine parvovirus 1 (PPV1) has been identified as a major cause of reproductive failure, and since 2001 new species of porcine parvoviruses, namely PPV2–7, have been identified, although their role is not yet fully understood yet. The present study aimed to investigate PPVs’ presence in reproductive failure outbreaks occurring in 124 farms of northern Italy. Fetuses were collected from 338 sows between 2019 and 2021 and tested for PPVs by real-time PCR-based assays and for other viruses responsible for reproductive disease. At least one PPV species was detected in 59.7% (74/124) of the tested farms. In order, PPV1, PPV5, PPV6, PPV7 and PPV4 were the most frequently detected species, whereas fewer detections were registered for PPV2 and PPV3. Overall, the new PPV2–7 species were detected in 26.6% (90/338) of the cases, both alone or in co-infections: PCV-2 (7.1%, 24/338), PCV-3 (8.2%, 28/338), and PRRSV-1 (6.2%, 21/338) were frequently identified in association with PPVs. Single PPVs detections or co-infections with other agents commonly responsible for reproductive failure should encourage future studies investigating their biological, clinical, and epidemiological role, for a better preparedness for potential emerging challenges in intensive pig production.
Vaccine and Non-Vaccine HPV Types Presence in Adolescents with Vertically Acquired HIV Five Years Post Gardasil Quadrivalent Vaccination: The ZIMGARD Cohort
Authors: Murahwa Alltalents T. , Mudzviti Tinashe , Mandishora Racheal S. Dube , Chatindo Takudzwa , Chanetsa Peace , Pascoe Margaret , Shamu Tinei , Basera Wisdom , Luethy Ruedi , Williamson Anna-Lise
Published: January 2024

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs are a key intervention in protecting individuals against HPV-related disease. HIV1-infected individuals are at increased risk of HPV-associated cancers. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential role of prophylactic HPV vaccines in preventing new HPV infections among participants with perinatally acquired HIV who received the quadrivalent HPV vaccine at least five years before this study. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Newlands Clinic, Harare, Zimbabwe. The clinic provided the Gardasil quadrivalent HPV vaccine (4vHPV) to 624 adolescents living with HIV starting in December 2015. Vaginal and penile swabs were collected and tested for HPV types from the study participants who had received the 4vHPV vaccine 5–6 years before enrolment. Results: We present the results of 98 participants (44.6% female) vaccinated at a median age of 15 years (IQR 12–16). The mean amount of time since vaccination was 6 years (SD: ±0.4). The HPV-positive rate amongst the analyzed swabs was 69% (68/98). Among 30/98 (31%) HPV-positive participants, 13/98 (13%) had low-risk HPV types, and 17/98 (17%) had high-risk HPV types. Twelve participants tested positive for HPV18, only one participant tested positive for HPV16, and an additional four (4.3%) tested positive for either type 6 or 11, with respect to vaccine-preventable low-risk HPV types. Conclusion: The Gardasil quadrivalent HPV vaccine (4vHPV) was expected to protect against infection with HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11. We demonstrated a possible waning of immunity to HPV18 in 17% of the participants, and an associated loss in cross-protection against HPV45. We observed a relatively high prevalence of ‘opportunistic non-vaccine HPV types’ or ‘ecological niche occupiers’ in this cohort, and suggest further research on the involvement of these types in cervical and other genital cancers. Our study is one of the few, if not the first, to report on HPV vaccine immunoprotection among people living with HIV (PLWH), thereby setting a baseline for further studies on HPV vaccine effectiveness among PLWH.
The Inovirus Pf4 Triggers Antiviral Responses and Disrupts the Proliferation of Airway Basal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Popescu Medeea C. , Haddock Naomi L. , Burgener Elizabeth B. , Rojas-Hernandez Laura S. , Kaber Gernot , Hargil Aviv , Bollyky Paul L. , Milla Carlos E.
Published: January 2024

Background: The inovirus Pf4 is a lysogenic bacteriophage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa). People with Cystic Fibrosis (pwCF) experience chronic airway infection with Pa and a significant proportion have high numbers of Pf4 in their airway secretions. Given the known severe damage in the airways of Pa-infected pwCF, we hypothesized a high Pf4 burden can affect airway healing and inflammatory responses. In the airway, basal epithelial cells (BCs) are a multipotent stem cell population critical to epithelium homeostasis and repair. We sought to investigate the transcriptional responses of BCs under conditions that emulate infection with Pa and exposure to high Pf4 burden. Methods: Primary BCs isolated from pwCF and wild-type (WT) donors were cultured in vitro and exposed to Pf4 or bacterial Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) followed by transcriptomic and functional assays. Results: We found that BCs internalized Pf4 and this elicits a strong antiviral response as well as neutrophil chemokine production. Further, we found that BCs that take up Pf4 demonstrate defective migration and proliferation. Conclusions: Our findings are highly suggestive of Pf4 playing a role in the pathogenicity of Pa in the airways. These findings provide additional evidence for the ability of inoviruses to interact with mammalian cells and disrupt cell function.
Association of the Magnitude of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Side Effects with Sex, Allergy History, Chronic Diseases, Medication Intake, and SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Said Elias A. , Al-Rubkhi Afnan , Jaju Sanjay , Koh Crystal Y. , Al-Balushi Mohammed S. , Al-Naamani Khalid , Al-Sinani Siham , Al-Busaidi Juma Z. , Al-Jabri Ali A.
Published: January 2024

Vaccination provides the best protection against the increasing infections of SARS-CoV-2. The magnitude and type of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine side effects (SEs) depend on parameters that are not fully understood. In this cross-sectional study, the associations between different anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine SEs and age, sex, the presence of chronic diseases, medication intake, history of allergies, and infections with SARS-CoV-2 were investigated. Our survey used the Google platform and had 866 participants, contacted through e-mails, social media and chain referral sampling (margin of error ≈ 4.38%, 99% confidence). More than 99% of the participants received the BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1-S vaccines. Being female, having chronic diseases, taking medicines routinely and the presence of a SARS-CoV-2 infection (p < 0.05) were associated with strong SEs after the BNT162b2 vaccine second dose. Having a history of allergies and a female sex (p < 0.01) were associated with strong SEs after the ChAdOx1-S vaccine second dose. Furthermore, the results reveal, for the first time, the associations between having a history of allergies, chronic diseases, medication usage, and SEs of a strong magnitude for the BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1-S vaccines. Additionally, this study supports the association of the female sex and infection with SARS-CoV-2 with an increased potential of developing stronger SEs with certain anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Effects of G and SH Truncation on the Replication, Virulence, and Immunogenicity of Avian Metapneumovirus
Authors: Hong Seung-Min , Ha Eun-Jin , Kim Ho-Won , Kim Seung-Ji , Ahn Sun-Min , An Se-Hee , Kim Gun , Kim Suji , Kwon Hyuk-Joon , Choi Kang-Seuk
Published: January 2024

Four mutants varying the length of the G and SH genes, including a G-truncated mutant (ΔG) and three G/SH-truncated mutants (ΔSH/G-1, ΔSH/G-2, and ΔSH/G-3), were generated via serially passaging the avian metapneumovirus strain SNU21004 into the cell lines Vero E6 and DF-1 and into embryonated chicken eggs. The mutant ΔG particles resembled parental virus particles except for the variance in the density of their surface projections. G and G/SH truncation significantly affected the viral replication in chickens’ tracheal ring culture and in infected chickens but not in the Vero E6 cells. In experimentally infected chickens, mutant ΔG resulted in the restriction of viral replication and the attenuation of the virulence. The mutants ΔG and ΔSH/G-1 upregulated three interleukins (IL-6, IL-12, and IL-18) and three interferons (IFNα, IFNβ, and IFNγ) in infected chickens. In addition, the expression levels of innate immunity-related genes such as Mda5, Rig-I, and Lgp2, in BALB/c mice were also upregulated when compared to the parental virus. Immunologically, the mutant ΔG induced a strong, delayed humoral immune response, while the mutant ΔSH/G-1 induced no humoral immune response. Our findings indicate the potential of the mutant ΔG but not the mutant ΔSH/G-1 as a live attenuated vaccine candidate.
Comparative Evaluation of Recombinant and Acellular Pertussis Vaccines in a Murine Model
Authors: Kang Kyu-Ri , Kim Ji-Ahn , Cho Gyu-Won , Kang Han-Ul , Kang Hyun-Mi , Kang Jin-Han , Seong Baik-Lin , Lee Soo-Young
Published: January 2024

Since the 2000s, sporadic outbreaks of whooping cough have been reported in advanced countries, where the acellular pertussis vaccination rate is relatively high, and in developing countries. Small-scale whooping cough has also continued in many countries, due in part to the waning of immune protection after childhood vaccination, necessitating the development of an improved pertussis vaccine and vaccination program. Currently, two different production platforms are being actively pursued in Korea; one is based on the aP (acellular pertussis) vaccine purified from B. pertussis containing pertussis toxoid (PT), filamentous hemagglutin (FHA) and pertactin (PRN), and the other is based on the recombinant aP (raP), containing genetically detoxified pertussis toxin ADP-ribosyltransferase subunit 1 (PtxS1), FHA, and PRN domain, expressed and purified from recombinant E. coli. aP components were further combined with diphtheria and tetanus vaccine components as a prototype DTaP vaccine by GC Pharma (GC DTaP vaccine). We evaluated and compared the immunogenicity and the protective efficacy of aP and raP vaccines in an experimental murine challenge model: humoral immunity in serum, IgA secretion in nasal lavage, bacterial clearance after challenge, PTx (pertussis toxin) CHO cell neutralization titer, cytokine secretion in spleen single cell, and tissue resident memory CD4+ T cell (CD4+ TRM cell) in lung tissues. In humoral immunogenicity, GC DTaP vaccines showed high titers for PT and PRN and showed similar patterns in nasal lavage and IL-5 cytokine secretions. The GC DTaP vaccine and the control vaccine showed equivalent results in bacterial clearance after challenge, PTx CHO cell neutralization assay, and CD4+ TRM cell. In contrast, the recombinant raP vaccine exhibited strong antibody responses for FHA and PRN, albeit with low antibody level of PT and low titer in PTx CHO neutralization assay, as compared to control and GC DTaP vaccines. The raP vaccine provided a sterile lung bacterial clearance comparable to a commercial control vaccine after the experimental challenge in murine model. Moreover, raP exhibited a strong cytokine response and CD4+ TRM cell in lung tissue, comparable or superior to the experimental and commercial DTaP vaccinated groups. Contingent on improving the biophysical stability and humoral response to PT, the raP vaccine warrants further development as an effective alternative to aP vaccines for the control of a pertussis outbreak.
Veterinarian—Chasing A Dream Job? A Comparative Survey on Wellbeing and Stress Levels among European Veterinarians between 2018 and 2023
Authors: Jansen Wiebke , Lockett Lizzie , Colville Tricia , Uldahl Mette , De Briyne Nancy
Published: January 2024

Whilst recognizing the abundantly positive aspects within the different domains of the veterinary profession, the challenging socio-economic and cultural working climate has been identified as a source of veterinary mental wellbeing issues. This mixed methods study provides an overview of the mental state of veterinarians across Europe via two cross-sectional surveys in 2018/2019 (n = 14,559 veterinarians) and in 2022/2023 (n = 12,393 veterinarians). Mental wellbeing was assessed using 3 indicators: self-reported stress levels, the need for medical leave due to reduced mental wellbeing (22% and 23%, resp., in 2018/2019 and 2022/2023) and the seven-question Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (2018/2019: 25, 2022/2023: 24.8). In both surveys, important differences were spotlighted between countries, but early-career veterinarians and female veterinarians were most at risk of decreased mental wellbeing all over Europe for all indicators. In conclusion, stress levels and need for medical leave due to reduced mental wellbeing remained at comparatively high levels across the two surveys and standardized mental wellbeing scores remained equally low. Notwithstanding the increased attention given to veterinary wellbeing in the last decade, our results underline that major efforts remain necessary, by creating more supportive and attractive workplaces that prioritize wellbeing, a good work/life balance, and providing job satisfaction.
Dynamic Modeling of Coastal Compound Flooding Hazards Due to Tides, Extratropical Storms, Waves, and Sea-Level Rise: A Case Study in the Salish Sea, Washington (USA)
Authors: Nederhoff Kees , Crosby Sean C. , Van Arendonk Nate R. , Grossman Eric E. , Tehranirad Babak , Leijnse Tim , Klessens Wouter , Barnard Patrick L.
Published: January 2024

The Puget Sound Coastal Storm Modeling System (PS-CoSMoS) is a tool designed to dynamically downscale future climate scenarios (i.e., projected changes in wind and pressure fields and temperature) to compute regional water levels, waves, and compound flooding over large geographic areas (100 s of kilometers) at high spatial resolutions (1 m) pertinent to coastal hazard assessments and planning. This research focuses on advancing robust and computationally efficient approaches to resolving the coastal compound flooding components for complex, estuary environments and their application to the Puget Sound region of Washington State (USA) and the greater Salish Sea. The modeling system provides coastal planners with projections of storm hazards and flood exposure for recurring flood events, spanning the annual to 1-percent annual chance of flooding, necessary to manage public safety and the prioritization and cost-efficient protection of critical infrastructure and valued ecosystems. The tool is applied and validated for Whatcom County, Washington, and includes a cross-shore profile model (XBeach) and overland flooding model (SFINCS) and is nested in a regional tide–surge model and wave model. Despite uncertainties in boundary conditions, hindcast simulations performed with the coupled model system accurately identified areas that were flooded during a recent storm in 2018. Flood hazards and risks are expected to increase exponentially as the sea level rises in the study area of 210 km of shoreline. With 1 m of sea-level rise, annual flood extents are projected to increase from 13 to 33 km2 (5 and 13% of low-lying Whatcom County) and flood risk (defined in USD) is projected to increase fifteenfold (from 14 to USD 206 million). PS-CoSMoS, like its prior iteration in California (CoSMoS), provides valuable coastal hazard projections to help communities plan for the impacts of sea-level rise and storms.
Large Eddy Simulations of Flow Past Circular Cylinders to Determine Head Loss Coefficients of Circular Bar Trash Racks with Perpendicular Inflow Conditions
Authors: Zöschg Hannes
Published: January 2024

Trash racks installed at hydropower plants cause head losses that reduce energy output. Previous research has thoroughly investigated head losses through both experimental and field studies. However, only a limited number of numerical studies have been performed, which have shown significant simplifications in terms of model complexity. In this study, the head loss coefficients ξ of circular bar trash racks (CBTRs) were analyzed using 3D Large Eddy Simulation (LES). Specifically, a single submerged bar oriented perpendicular to the flow direction was studied under homogeneous inflow conditions while (i) the blocking ratio P was varied between 0.043 and 0.444, and (ii) the flow velocity U was varied between 0.3 and 1.0 m/s. The model parameters were selected primarily based on the extensive literature on flow past circular cylinders, particularly at a Reynolds bar number Reb of 3900. To ensure the validity of the parameters, systematic independence tests were performed, including simulations with three and five bars in the computational domain. The results confirmed the suitability of 3D LES as an appropriate tool to determine ξ of CBTRs. In general, ξ decreased continuously with decreasing P and increased with increasing U when Reb ≥ 3981, which is consistent with comparable flow parameters observed in previous studies of flow past circular cylinders. Notably, the study found that the empirical formulas used for comparison tended to underestimate ξ when P was relatively low. Finally, the potential of the presented approach for future applications was discussed in detail.
Impact of Microplastic on Freshwater Sediment Biogeochemistry and Microbial Communities Is Polymer Specific
Authors: Chomiak Kristina M. , Owens-Rios Wendy A. , Bangkong Carmella M. , Day Steven W. , Eddingsaas Nathan C. , Hoffman Matthew J. , Hudson André O. , Tyler Anna Christina
Published: January 2024

Plastic debris is a growing threat in freshwater ecosystems and transport models predict that many plastics will sink to the benthos. Among the most common plastics found in the Laurentian Great Lakes sediments are polyethylene terephthalate (especially fibers; PET), polyvinylchloride (particles; PVC), and styrene-butadiene rubber resulting from tire wear (“crumb rubber”; SBR). These materials vary substantially in physical and chemical properties, and their impacts on benthic biogeochemistry and microbial community structure and function are largely unknown. We used a microcosm approach to evaluate the impact of these three plastics on benthic-pelagic coupling, sediment properties, and sediment microbial community structure and function using sediments from Irondequoit Bay, a major embayment of Lake Ontario in Rochester, New York, USA. Benthic metabolism and nitrogen and phosphorous cycling were all uniquely impacted by the different polymers. PET fibers and PVC particles demonstrated the most unique effects, with decreased ecosystem metabolism in sediments containing PET and greater nutrient uptake in sediments with PVC. Microbial diversity was reduced in all treatments containing plastic, but SBR had the most substantial impact on microbial community function, increasing the relative importance of metabolic pathways such as hydrocarbon degradation and sulfur metabolism. Our results suggest that individual polymers have unique impacts on the benthos, with divergent implications for ecosystem function. This provides deeper insight into the myriad ways plastic pollution may impact aquatic ecosystems and will help to inform risk assessment and policy interventions by highlighting which materials pose the greatest risk.
The Impact of Vegetation Types on Soil Hydrological and Mechanical Properties in the Hilly Regions of Southern China: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Zheng Bofu , Wang Dan , Chen Yuxin , Jiang Yihui , Hu Fangqing , Xu Liliang , Zhang Jihong , Zhu Jinqi
Published: January 2024

Background: Vegetation roots are considered to play an effective role in controlling soil erosion by benefiting soil hydrology and mechanical properties. However, the correlation between soil hydrology and the mechanical features associated with the variation root system under different vegetation types remains poorly understood. Methods: We conducted dye-tracer infiltration to classify water flow behavior and indoor experiments (including tests on soil bulk density, soil organic carbon, mean weight diameter, soil cohesion, root density, etc.) to interpret variation patterns in three forest systems (coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, CBF; coniferous forest, CF; Phyllostachys edulis, PF) and fallow land (FL). Results: Based on the soil dye-tracer infiltration results, the largest dyeing area was observed in CF (36.96%), but CF also had the lowest infiltration rate (60.3 mm·min−1). The soil under CBF had the highest shear strength, approximately 25% higher than other vegetation types. CF exhibited the highest aggregate stability, surpassing CBF by 98.55%, PF by 34.31%, and FL by 407.41%, respectively. Additionally, PF forests showed the greatest root biomass and length. The results of correlation analysis and PCA reveal complex relationships among hydrological and mechanical soil traits. Specifically, soil cohesion does not exhibit significant correlations with hydrological traits such as the dyeing area, while traits like MWD and PAD show either positive or negative associations with hydrological traits. Root traits generally exhibit positive relationships with soil mechanical traits, with limited significant correlations observed with hydrological traits. Conversely, we found that root biomass contributes significantly to the dyeing area (accounting for 51.48%). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the reforestation system is a successful approach for conserving water and reducing erosion by increasing soil-aggregated stability and shear strength, causing water redistribution to be more homogenized across the whole soil profile.
Appraisal of Daily Temperature and Rainfall Events in the Context of Global Warming in South Australia
Authors: Ferrelli Federico , Pontrelli Albisetti Melisa , Brendel Andrea Soledad , Casoni Andrés Iván , Hesp Patrick Alan
Published: January 2024

In recent decades, there have been significant problems worldwide related to global warming and the intensification of extreme temperature and rainfall events. This research evaluated daily temperature and rainfall indices trends to identify whether warming signals have occurred in South Australia over the past fifty years. Extreme cold, hot, and rainfall events were calculated using climatic data from 37 weather stations. A Mann–Kendall test was used for trend analysis with Sen’s estimator. As a result, we determined that for the 1970–2021 period, the maximum and minimum temperatures increased by 1.1 and 0.7 °C, respectively, while precipitation had a negative trend (−52.2 mm per period). Since statistical significance was found in analysing extreme cold and hot events, we find that warming signals have several impacts on South Australia. In the case of rainfall events, we identified a heterogeneous pattern characterised by a reduction in the annual amount and an increase in extreme rainfall events. The findings enable us to conclude that the area shows signs of global warming that could affect the intensity and magnitude of droughts. This information is essential for continuing with current management strategies to adapt and mitigate the effects of global warming in South Australia.
The Impact of Decreased Atmospheric Pressure on Forced Aeration of Discharged Flow
Authors: Guo Yijiao , Zhang Luchen , Yu Lei , Luo Shaoze , Liu Chuang , Liu Yuan
Published: January 2024

To account for changes in the performance of spillway aerator structures of high-altitude dams, depressurization generalized model experiments and theoretical analyses were conducted in this study. Measurements were taken for ventilation hole air velocity, cavity subpressure, cavity length, and air concentration in crucial regions. The study proposed correction formulas for the aeration coefficient and water air concentration in aerator devices operating under low atmospheric pressure. The pressure range of the experiments was between 26.3 kPa and 101.3 kPa. The results indicated that with decreasing atmospheric pressure, ventilation hole air velocity, ventilation volume, cavity subpressure, and water air concentration all showed a decreasing trend. For every 15 kPa decrease in pressure, ventilation hole air velocity decreased by approximately 24%. When the atmospheric pressure dropped from 101.3 kPa to 26.3 kPa, the cavity subpressure decreased and eventually approached zero. The maximum reduction in air concentration was 14.9% in the cavity backwater area, 38.5% at the cavity end, and 38.3% in the downstream bubble escape segment. The proposed correction formulas could be used for a rapid estimation of ventilation volume and air concentration in low-pressure environments. This research provides a scientific basis for the design of aeration devices in water projects located in high-altitude regions.
Occurrence and Formation Mechanisms of High-Fluoride Groundwater in Xiong’an New Area, Northern China
Authors: Dong Yihan , Wang Ziqian , Wang Dong , Zhao Kai , Hu Bin
Published: January 2024

While extant research has predominantly focused on elucidating the mechanisms of fluorine (F−) enrichment in groundwater within the North China Plain, the occurrence and formation mechanisms of high-F− groundwater in Xiong’an New Area remain unexplored. Consequently, 365 groundwater samples (172 from shallow groundwater, 193 from deep groundwater) were collected from Xiong’an New Area. Hydrochemical analysis, geochemical modeling, and statistical analysis were used to explore the occurrence and formation mechanisms of high-F− groundwater. The results reveal that the highest F− concentrations in shallow and deep groundwater were up to 3.22 mg/L and 1.79 mg/L, respectively. High-F− groundwater was primarily located at the eastern part of the study area. The distribution area of high-F− shallow groundwater was much greater than that of deep groundwater. F-bearing minerals dissolution and ion exchange were the principal formation mechanisms of high-F− groundwater in both shallow and deep aquifers. Moreover, competitive adsorption, evaporation, and the impacts of Ca2+ and Mg2+ dissolution equilibrium on F-bearing dissolution were crucial to the formation of high-F− groundwater in shallow aquifers. Desorption in an alkaline environment, evaporites dissolution and salt effects were vital to the formation of high-F− groundwater in deep aquifers. These findings can contribute to the support of local groundwater security and management.
Impact of Diverse Rainfall Patterns and Their Interaction on Soil and Water Loss in a Small Watershed within a Typical Low Hilly Region
Authors: Zhou Yuhao , Shao Guangcheng , Jiang Yanhua
Published: January 2024

Assessing the impact of varied rainfall patterns on soil and water loss within a hilly watershed over an extended temporal scope holds paramount importance in comprehending regional runoff and sediment traits. This study utilized continuous rainfall and sediment data spanning from 2013 to 2021, and the K-means clustering method was employed to analyze rainfall types. Subsequently, the rain-type characteristics underwent further analysis through LSD, and a multiple linear regression equation was formulated. The result showed that: within the Qiaotou small basin, rainfall, maximum rainfall intensity within 30 min (I30), and rainfall erosivity exhibited notable effects on sediment yield and loss. The water-sediment attributes of 305 rainfall events were characterized by rainfall below 100 mm, I30 of less than 35 mm/h, a runoff coefficient below 0.5, and sediment content under 0.6 g/L. According to the characteristics of different rainfall types and the degree of influence on water and sediment in small watersheds, 305 rainfall events in the basin were divided into three types by the K-means clustering analysis method: A (heavy rainfall, moderate rain), B (small rainfall, light rain), and C (medium rainfall, heavy rain). The most frequent rain type observed was B, followed by C, while A had the lowest frequency. Despite the lower intensity of B-type rainfall, it holds significant regional importance. Conversely, C-type rainfall, although intense and short, serves as the primary source of sediment production. The multiple regression equation effectively models both sediment yield modulus and flood peak discharge, exhibiting an R2 coefficient exceeding 0.80, signifying significance. This equation enables the quantitative calculation of pertinent indicators. Sediment yield modulus primarily relies on sediment concentration, runoff depth, and rainfall, while peak discharge is significantly influenced by runoff depth, sediment concentration, and I30. Furthermore, the efficacy of various soil and water conservation measures for flow and sediment reduction correlates with I30. Overall, the impact of different measures on reducing flow and sediment increases with a higher I30, accompanied by a reduced fluctuation range.
Assessing the influence of political factors on the dynamics of exports of Russian oil and petroleum products based on the use of a combination of PESTE and SWOT analysis methods
Authors:   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), Institute of Applied Economic Research, Moscow, Shapor M. A. , Gevogyan R. R. ,   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), Moscow
Published: January 2024

The presented work opens a series of articles devoted to assessing the influence of external factors on the dynamics of Russian exports. In this and subsequent related works, the authors proposed to consider the external environment, which had a significant impact on the dynamics of Russian exports and the relative diffi culty of revising its structure, the basis of commodity exports of which in value terms are hydrocarbon energy carriers. This work represents a conceptual basis for the use of instrumental methods for assessing the infl uence of external factors, in this case, political ones, on sectoral aspects of Russian exports and, in particular, on the export of hydrocarbon energy resources. In the second part of this article, it is proposed to use a set of environmental analysis methods, the basis of which is the real estate market research presented in this article, which tests the possibility of combining PESTEL analysis methods with the results of SWOT analysis, which will allow, based on the use of point estimates, to describe the cumulative impact external factors on the dynamics of the main sectors of Russian exports. The novelty of the presented approach lies in the absence of a methodology for a comprehensive assessment of the infl uence of external factors on the dynamics of Russian exports using the selected tools, which seems useful and timely in light of the emergence of new political and economic factors that have a signifi cant impact on Russian foreign trade in general and on the dynamics of the carbohydrate energy market, in particular. The parameters for assessing external factors proposed by the authors were chosen by the author independently, taking into account the modern realities of the development of the world economy, which can also represent a separate point of novelty of the research conducted. The merit of the authors of this work lies in the fact that this work proposed their own vision of a comprehensive assessment of the influence of external factors on the dynamics of the country’s exports.
Prevalence of periodontal diseases in children under 6 years old in the Republic of Tatarstan: impact of age and family structure
Authors: Khadyeva M. N. , Blashkova S. L. , Galiullin A. N.
Published: January 2024

Relevance. This article addresses the prevalence of periodontal diseases in infants and preschool-aged children, considering factors such as the child's age and family structure within the region of the Republic of Tatarstan. Periodontal diseases, in conjunction with dental caries and dental abnormalities, represent the most frequently observed oral health conditions among children and adolescents.

Materials and methods. The research involved 2429 families and 2556 preschool-aged children representing diverse family structures within Kazan, Arsk, and Pestrechinsky districts in the Republic of Tatarstan. During the survey, five primary family classifications emerged: complete, incomplete, extended, reconstituted, and foster families. The research methodology involved conducting interviews with parents, close relatives, or guardians, coupled with comprehensive examinations of the children, documenting both systemic disease and general health information using specifically tailored charts. Data analysis included determining mean values (M), mean error of the score (m), and Student's t-test criterion (t). Significance among group disparities was established at a probability of error less than 5% (p < 0.05). The gathered data underwent interpretation, considering both family structure and the spectrum of periodontal diseases.

Results. Periodontal diseases were found to affect children from foster and incomplete families most significantly, with prevalence rates exceeding 90% in certain age groups. Children from complete and extended families exhibited lower prevalence rates of periodontal diseases, at 9.8% and 22.2%, respectively. Notably, within all age brackets, the highest occurrence of periodontal diseases was observed among children aged 4.6-6 years, constituting 57.0% of cases. Infants under one year old displayed the lowest susceptibility, with only 16.3% affected. Upon analyzing disease prevalence among children in the Republic of Tatarstan, a significant disparity emerged: children residing in rural areas demonstrated a higher susceptibility to periodontal diseases in comparison to their urban counterparts.

Conclusion. The findings reveal a clear correlation between a child's family structure and the occurrence of periodontal diseases. Establishing the family structure and implementing tailored preventive measures specific to periodontal diseases, while considering both the child's family structure and age, plays a significant role in averting the onset and progression of this condition.
Zero-forcing Beamforming for Jamming Aided Covert Communication in MIMO Systems
Authors: Zhu He , Wu Huihui
Published: January 2024

This paper investigates covert wireless communication in a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system, where a multi-antenna transmitter transmits covert signal to a multi-antenna receiver with the assistance of a multi-antenna jammer employing zero-forcing (ZF) beamforming to avoid detection by a warden equipped with single antenna. For the given scenario, we first provide theoretical modeling for the minimum detection error probability at warden and covert rate from transmitter to receiver. We then explore the optimal beamformer design of the jammer to maximize the covert rate, subjecting to the constraints of covertness, upper bounds of transmitter and jammer transmit power, and beamformer on jammer. We further devise an iterative algorithm to determine the related optimal precoding matrix for covert rate maximization. Finally, we provide extensive numerical results to illustrate the impact of system parameters on covert performance.
MVAD HAN: A Multi-View Based Anomaly Detection Method for Heterogeneous Attributed Networks
Authors: Han Jing , Qin Kenan
Published: January 2024

With the frequent occurrence of network security incidents in recent years, it has become very important to detect anomalous behaviour in networks as early and accurately as possible. Anomaly detection can improve the security of complex network systems by detecting abnormal and unreliable nodes, and thus it has become a hot research direction that has attracted wide attention. At present, abstracting real complex systems into complex networks for anomaly detection is the mainstream research method. However, the existing methods still have challenges in extracting network heterogeneity information and attribute information, so we propose a multi-view based anomaly detection method for heterogeneous attributed networks, MVAD HAN. This method can better extract the heterogeneous structural information and rich attribute information of the network to model heterogeneous attributed networks. Our method adopts an encoder-decoder architecture. First, in the encoder part, we use the Heterogeneous Graph Transformer with multiple views to learn node embeddings that fuse the heterogeneous information of the network. In the decoder part, we use an inner product decoder to reconstruct the network topology, a multilayer perceptron-based decoder to better reconstruct the network attribute information, and a linear projection to reconstruct the node type information of the network. Finally, we compute an anomaly score for each node using three reconstruction errors: network structure, attributes and node type. The higher the reconstruction error of a node, the higher the anomaly score and the higher the probability of an anomaly. Finally, anomalous nodes are identified by ranking the anomaly scores and setting a threshold. We validate the effectiveness of the proposed method on four real-world datasets. The experimental results show that this method outperforms several of the baseline methods and has a good performance in anomaly detection.