bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yield Performance and Physiological Response of a Maize Early Hybrid Grown in Tunnel and Open Air under Different Water Regimes
Authors: Ottaiano Lucia , Di Mola Ida , Cirillo Chiara , Cozzolino Eugenio , Mori Mauro
Published: October 2021

Climate change is one of the most important and studied phenomena of our age and it can have a deep impact on agriculture. Mediterranean countries are and will continue to be strongly affected by changing environmental factors, including lack of precipitation and prolonged heatwaves. The current study aimed to assess the adaptability of an early maize hybrid grown in two temperature conditions and subjected to different irrigation water regimes. The experimental design was a randomized complete-block design with two different temperature conditions: (i) ordinary temperature in open field (OF) and (ii) high temperature (about 3 °C higher than the current condition) under a poly-ethylene tunnel (PE). In both environments, five irrigation level treatments were applied: 100% (DI100), 75% (DI75), 50% (DI50), 25% (DI25), and 0% restoration of water lost by evapotranspiration (DI0). The responses of maize plants were assessed in terms of yield, nitrogen content determination, nitrogen use efficiency, leaf gas exchanges, and leaf water potential measurements. In both conditions, yield and its components linearly decreased as the irrigation water amount reduced, and even the DI0 plants did not produce. Notably, the PE-DI100 treatment had a significantly higher yield than the corresponding treatment in the open air (9.9 vs. 8.5 t ha−1), due mainly to the increased number of ears per square meter (13 vs. 11 m2, respectively). Though, as far as it concerns physiological parameters, a significant effect of environmental conditions was found, with values significantly lower under the protected environment, compared to the plants in the open field. Considering our results, it can be assumed that correct management of amount and time intervals of irrigation could adapt the maize to future climate change.
Impact of Industry 4.0 and Lean Manufacturing on the Sustainability Performance of Plastic and Petrochemical Organizations in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ghaithan Ahmed , Khan Mohammed , Mohammed Awsan , Hadidi Laith
Published: October 2021

Plastic and petrochemical industries are lagging behind in terms of environmental sustainability performance because of the nature of these industries. Although plastic and petrochemical industries have adopted lean manufacturing and/or Industry 4.0 technologies, more efforts are needed to enhance sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to explore the integrated impact of Industry 4.0 technologies and lean manufacturing on the sustainability performance of plastic and petrochemical industries in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, it investigates the casual relationship between Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainability performance as well as the direct linkage between Industry 4.0 and lean manufacturing. A questionnaire is used as the primary instrument for collecting data from 112 plastic and petrochemical organizations. A hypothesized relationship is formulated and then analyzed using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The outcome of the analysis shows that Industry 4.0 and lean manufacturing have a positive impact on sustainability performance. The study also presents a list of valid constructs for Industry 4.0 technologies, lean manufacturing, and sustainability performance. Furthermore, the study shows that the plastic and petrochemical industries in Saudi Arabia acknowledge and recognize the contribution of Industry 4.0 technologies and lean manufacturing principles to the protection of the environment as a dimension of sustainability performance.
Valuation of Ecosystem Services in South Africa, 2001–2019
Authors: Abd Elbasit Mohamed A. M. , Knight Jasper , Liu Gang , Abu-Zreig Majed M. , Hasaan Rashid
Published: October 2021

Although changes in ecosystems in response to climate and land-use change are known to have implications for the provision of different environmental and ecosystem services, quantifying the economic value of some of these services can be problematic and has not been widely attempted. Here, we used a simplified raster remote sensing model based on MODIS data across South Africa for five different time slices for the period 2001–2019. The aims of the study were to quantify the economic changes in ecosystem services due to land degradation and land-cover changes based on areal values (in USD ha−1 yr−1) for ecosystem services reported in the literature. Results show progressive and systematic changes in land-cover classes across different regions of South Africa for the time period of analysis, which are attributed to climate change. Total ecosystem service values for South Africa change somewhat over time as a result of land-use change, but for 2019 this calculated value is USD 437 billion, which is ~125% of GDP. This is the first estimation of ecosystem service value made for South Africa at the national scale. In detail, changes in land cover over time within each of the nine constituent provinces in South Africa mean that ecosystem service values also change regionally. There is a clear disparity between the provinces with the greatest ecosystem service values when compared to their populations and contribution to GDP. This highlights the potential for untapped ecosystem services to be exploited as a tool for regional sustainable development.
Improving Sustainable Safe Transport via Automated Vehicle Control with Closed-Loop Matching
Authors: Hegedűs Tamás , Fényes Dániel , Németh Balázs , Gáspár Péter
Published: October 2021

The concept of vehicle automation is a promising approach to achieve sustainable transport systems, especially in an urban context. Automation requires the integration of learning-based approaches and methods in control theory. Through the integration, a high amount of information in automation can be incorporated. Thus, a sustainable operation, i.e., energy-efficient and safe motion with automated vehicles, can be achieved. Despite the advantages of integration with learning-based approaches, enhanced vehicle automation poses crucial safety challenges. In this paper, a novel closed-loop matching method for control-oriented purposes in the context of vehicle control systems is presented. The goal of the method is to match the nonlinear vehicle dynamics to the dynamics of a linear system in a predefined structure; thus, a control-oriented model is obtained. The matching is achieved by an additional control input from a neural network, which is designed based on the input–output signals of the nonlinear vehicle system. In this paper, the process of closed-loop matching, i.e., the dataset generation, the training, and the evaluation of the neural network, is proposed. The evaluation process of the neural network through data-driven reachability analysis and statistical performance analysis methods is carried out. The proposed method is applied to achieve the path following functionality, in which the nonlinearities of the lateral vehicle dynamics are handled. The effectiveness of the closed-loop matching and the designed control functionality through high fidelity CarMaker simulations is illustrated.
Developing Climate Resilience in Aridlands Using Rock Detention Structures as Green Infrastructure
Authors: Norman Laura M. , Ruddell Benjamin L. , Tosline Deborah J. , Fell Michael K. , Greimann Blair P. , Cederberg Jay R.
Published: October 2021

The potential of ecological restoration and green infrastructure has been long suggested in the literature as adaptation strategies for a changing climate, with an emphasis on revegetation and, more recently, carbon sequestration and stormwater management. Tree planting and “natural” stormwater detention structures such as bioswales, stormwater detention basins, and sediment traps are popular approaches. However, the experimental verification of performance for these investments is scarce and does not address rock detention structures specifically. This 3-year study investigates the infiltration, peak flow mitigation, and microclimate performance of a natural wash stormwater retention installation using one-rock dams in an urban park in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Field data collected during the study do not depict change in the hydrogeomorphology. However, hydrologic modeling, using data collected from the field, portrays decreases in peak flows and increases in infiltration at the treated sites. Additionally, we observe a lengthening of microclimate cooling effects following rainfall events, as compared with the untreated sites. In this urban arid land setting, the prospect that rock detention structures themselves could reduce warming or heat effects is promising.
Ecological Risk Assessment of Potential Toxic Elements in Salt Marshes on the East Coast of the Red Sea: Differential Physiological Responses and Adaptation Capacities of Dominant Halophytes
Authors: Ibraheem Farag , Al-Hazmi Nawal , El-Morsy Mohamed , Mosa Ahmed
Published: October 2021

The impact of the mutual interactions between salinity and the phytoavailability of potential toxic elements (PTEs) on the adaptation of halophytes in their natural habitat is complex and far from clear. Herein, we aimed to evaluate salinity- and PTE-induced oxidative stress in selected halophytes and the antioxidant responses of these plants. For that, five salt marshes were selected, and the physiological responses of dominant halophytes (Tamarix nilotica, Heliotropium crispum, Zygophyllum coccineum, Halopeplus perfoliata, and Avicennia marina) were evaluated against the physicochemical features of their rhizosediments. The tested locations varied in their physicochemical properties and showed various levels of salinity stress and a low fertility status. Distinct variations in ten PTE concentrations were recognized among locations and within plants, with Cr and Co showing the highest ecological risk indices. The high levels of salinity and PTEs were associated with higher foliar levels of malondialdehyde, particularly in A. marina and Z. coccineum. The bio-concentration ratio revealed hyperaccumulating potentials of PTEs by the tested halophytes. Z. coccineum showed effective accumulation of Co, Fe, and Pb, while T. nilotica exhibited effective accumulation of Cu, Cd, and Zn. H. perfoliate had higher accumulation of Cr and Hg, whereas A. marina accumulated a significant amount of Hg, Cd, Zn, and Mn. H. crispum leaves accumulated the highest Ni levels among the tested halophytes. Altogether, our results highlight the potential risk of pollution of the tested areas with PTEs and the efficient physiological adaptation of each of the tested halophytes as a unique biological system. They also reflect the high capabilities of the tested halophytes as phytoextractors of their corresponding PTEs and their potential as efficient tools for phytoremediation of salt- and PTE-affected lands.
Red Mud-Blast Furnace Slag-Based Alkali-Activated Materials
Authors: Occhicone Alessio , Vukčević Mira , Bosković Ivana , Ferone Claudio
Published: October 2021

The aluminum Bayer production process is widespread all over the world. One of the waste products of the Bayer process is a basic aluminosilicate bauxite residue called red mud. The aluminosilicate nature of red mud makes it suitable as a precursor for alkali-activated materials. In this work, red mud was mixed with different percentages of blast furnace slag and then activated by sodium silicate solution at different SiO2/Na2O ratios. Obtained samples were characterized by chemical–physical analyses and compressive strength determination. Very high values of compressive strength, up to 50 MPa, even for high percentage of red mud in the raw mixture (70 wt.% of RM in powder mixture), were obtained. In particular, the higher compressive strength was measured for cubic samples containing 50 wt.% of RM, which showed a value above 70 MPa. The obtained mixtures were characterized by no or scarce environmental impact and could be used in the construction industry as an alternative to cementitious and ceramic materials.
Impact of Communication on Capital Project Performance: A Mediated Moderation Model
Authors: Chen Hong-Long
Published: October 2021

Many studies demonstrate the importance of communication in project performance. However, little is known about how project communication exerts its effects on the outcomes of capital projects that have a large impact on environmental and economic sustainability. Using a longitudinal survey and bootstrap-based structural-equation modeling, this study uncovers how project competencies and team innovative behavior affect the relationship between project communication and capital project performance. This study collects repeated measures from project managers at two time points: immediately after the initiation and planning stages end and immediately after project completion. Excluding responses with missing data, this study’s sample includes 108 capital projects. This study finds that project technical and managerial competencies completely mediate the relationship between project communication and project performance. This study also finds that team innovative behavior affects project performance through the mediating effect of project technical competence. Team innovative behavior also moderates the relationship between project technical competence and project performance. Project communication has the largest effect on project performance despite having the smallest direct effect; project managerial competence possesses the next-largest effect on project performance despite having the largest direct effect. This study discusses the managerial and research implications.
Assessing the Impact of Policy Measures in Reducing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of South Asia
Authors: Khan Dilawar , Ahmed Nihal , Mehmed Bahtiyar , Haq Ihtisham ul
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is considered to be the world’s most urgent health disaster and the greatest challenge humanity has faced since World War II. One of the most significant concerns is the effectiveness of the extraordinary efforts undertaken around the world to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. This study applied the Westerlund cointegration test and the Pooled Mean Group–Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PMG-ARDL) model to investigate the effectiveness of government policy measures in reducing the COVID-19 pandemic using weekly data for the period 1 January 2020 to 31 May 2021. The results of the Westerlund cointegration test validate the presence of a cointegration relationship between government policy measures and the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, results of PMG-ARDL show that economic support, stringency, and health and containment measures play a significant role in reducing the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study concluded that pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical measures have a substantial impact on mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic in South Asia. Policy implications such as government financial support for poor families, stringency, and health and containment measures must be adopted during the pandemic to curb/reduce the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, it is also recommended to provide vaccines free of charge to developing countries and a stimulus package to support health research to expand the capacity for rapid vaccine in this region.
Measures to Promote Olive Grove Biomass in Spain and Andalusia: An Opportunity for Economic Recovery against COVID-19
Authors: Marquina Jesús , Colinet María José , Pablo-Romero María del P.
Published: October 2021

Olive grove biomass presents an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gases and meet the sustainability objectives set by Europe. Given the relevance of this organic matter, this paper analyzes the evolution and current situation of the regulations that regulate olive grove biomass as a source of energy in Europe, in Spain and in Andalusia. Likewise, its effect on the evolution of the use of biomass in the Andalusian region, especially the olive grove, is analyzed. The analysis is novel, since there are no previous studies that reveal this type of information for the olive grove biomass sector. The results show that, as of 2005, the development of biomass for thermal and electrical uses is favorable, reaching the objectives set by the PASENER 2007–2013. However, this situation is reversed as of 2012, with the abolition of the feed-in tariff system for renewables. Besides this, the olive grove biomass sector faces other obstacles such as the cost of residue collection and the few incentives for this sector. The reorientation of the measures, in order to enhance this energy source, would generate a positive effect for the economy of the region that has been affected by COVID-19.
Mental Health Outcomes in Northern Italian Workers during the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Role of Demands and Resources in Predicting Depression
Authors: Grandi Annalisa , Sist Luisa , Martoni Monica , Colombo Lara
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 epidemic caught governments and health authorities off guard and found them unprepared to face its impact on the world population. Italy was the second country after China to face the outbreak of COVID-19 in the first few months of 2020 and the northern part of the country was hit first and most heavily. Following the JD-R theory, an online survey was administered to investigate which specific risk and protective factors predicted depression in a heterogeneous sample of workers. The analyses (analysis of variance, correlations, multiple linear regressions) were run in the total sample and in the sample split by possibility of remote working. The sample consists of 301 workers in northern Italy, 65.1% being women, and a mean age of 42 years. Depression levels were higher in women and in those who were not able to work remotely. In the total sample, emotional exhaustion at work, sleep–wake cycle problems, and longing for touch were significant predictors of depression. The sample split by the possibility of remote working also showed interesting differences. The results show the importance of monitoring the mental health of workers from professional contexts that are currently less widely studied than the healthcare sector, with particular interest in the possibility of remote working.
Local and Global Stability Analysis of Dengue Disease with Vaccination and Optimal Control
Authors: Chamnan Anusit , Pongsumpun Puntani , Tang I-Ming , Wongvanich Napasool
Published: October 2021

Dengue fever is a disease that has spread all over the world, including Thailand. Dengue is caused by a virus and there are four distinct serotypes of the virus that cause dengue DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. The dengue viruses are transmitted by two species of the Aedes mosquitoes, the Aedes aegypti, and the Aedes albopictus. Currently, the dengue vaccine used in Thailand is chimeric yellow tetravalent dengue (CYD-TDV). This research presents optimal control which studies the vaccination only in individuals with a documented past dengue infection (seropositive), regardless of the serotypes of infection causing the initial infection by the disease. The analysis of dengue transmission model is used to establish the local asymptotically stabilities. The property of symmetry in the Lyapunov function an import role in achieving this global asymptotically stabilities. The optimal control systems are shown in numerical solutions and conclusions. The result shows that the control resulted in a significant reduction in the number of infected humans and infected vectors.
Game-Theoretic Dynamic Procedure for a Power Index under Relative Symmetry
Authors: Huang Jong-Chin , Chen Kelvin H.-C. , Liao Yu-Hsien
Published: October 2021

In many operational processes, a suitable combination of participating elements has a huge impact throughout the entire process. In the real environment, however, many combinations show less than expected results in the initial stage. In consideration of the many subjective and objective factors such as equipment, time, capital, materials, and so forth, it seems that the aforementioned combinations cannot be used to re-configure. It is important that these initial unsatisfactory combinations can gradually approach some equilibrium states or results through some rolling adjustment processes. In order to improve the above problem, this study attempts to use a game-theoretic dynamic procedure to establish a mechanism that can be dynamically modified under relative symmetry at any time during operational processes. Under such a dynamic procedure, an undesirable combination of participating elements can gradually approach a useful combination.
Special Relativity and Its Newtonian Limit from a Group Theoretical Perspective
Authors: Kong Otto C. W. , Payne Jason
Published: October 2021

In this pedagogical article, we explore a powerful language for describing the notion of spacetime and particle dynamics intrinsic to a given fundamental physical theory, focusing on special relativity and its Newtonian limit. The starting point of the formulation is the representations of the relativity symmetries. Moreover, that seriously furnishes—via the notion of symmetry contractions—a natural way in which one can understand how the Newtonian theory arises as an approximation to Einstein’s theory. We begin with the Poincaré symmetry underlying special relativity and the nature of Minkowski spacetime as a coset representation space of the algebra and the group. Then, we proceed to the parallel for the phase space of a spin zero particle, in relation to which we present the full scheme for its dynamics under the Hamiltonian formulation, illustrating that as essentially the symmetry feature of the phase space geometry. Lastly, the reduction of all that to the Newtonian theory as an approximation with its space-time, phase space, and dynamics under the appropriate relativity symmetry contraction is presented. While all notions involved are well established, the systematic presentation of that story as one coherent picture fills a gap in the literature on the subject matter.
Addressing Climate Internal Variability on Future Intensity-Duration-Frequency Curves at Fine Scales across South Korea
Authors: Doi Manh Van , Kim Jongho
Published: October 2021

Designing water infrastructure requires information about the magnitude and frequency of upcoming rainfall. A limited range of data offers just one of many realizations that occurred in the past or will occur in the future; thus, it cannot sufficiently explain climate internal variability (CIV). In this study, future relationships among rainfall intensity (RI), duration, and frequency (called the IDF curve) are established by addressing the CIV and tail characteristics with respect to frequency. Specifically, 100 ensembles of 30-year time series data were created to quantify that uncertainty. Then, the tail characteristics of future extreme rainfall events were investigated to determine whether they will remain similar to those in the present. From the RIs computed for control and future periods under two emission scenarios, following are the key results. Firstly, future RI will increase significantly for most locations, especially near the end of this century. Secondly, the spatial distributions and patterns indicate higher RI in coastal areas and lower RI for the central inland areas of South Korea, and those distributions are similar to those of the climatological mean (CM) and CIV. Thirdly, a straightforward way to reveal whether the tail characteristics of future extreme rainfall events are the same as those in the present is to inspect the slope value for the factor of change (FOC), mFOC. Fourthly, regionalizing with nearby values is very risky when investigating future changes in precipitation frequency estimates. Fifthly, the magnitude of uncertainty is large when the data length is short and gradually decreases as the data length increases for all return periods, but the uncertainty range becomes much greater as the return period becomes large. Lastly, inferring future changes in RI from the CM is feasible only for small return periods and at locations where mFOC is close to zero.
Impact of River Damming on Downstream Hydrology and Hydrochemistry: The Case of Lower Nestos River Catchment (NE. Greece)
Authors: Kamidis Nikolaos , Koutrakis Emmanuil , Sapounidis Argyrios , Sylaios Georgios
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a series of field surveys were carried out along the Nestos River watershed (NE Greece) to assess the influence of two hydropower dams (Thissavros and Platanovrisi) upon the hydrology, hydrochemistry and nutrients stoichiometry of the river. Results showed that Nestos hydrology, downstream of the reservoirs, is entirely governed by the man-induced hydropower-driven dam retention/release policy. Dams’ operation increased the retention of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and total suspended solids (TSS) significantly, affecting their downstream fluxes, even under water release regime. On the contrary, dams’ construction and operation did not seem to influence the downstream fluxes of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and silica (DSi), although these elements also depended on the releasing policy. DIN retention, combined with the dependence of DIP to the water level of Thissavros, resulted in alteration of the N:P ratio at the downstream part. Almost all nutrients were stored at the bottom layer of Thissavros reservoir, especially under the summer stratification regime. Platanovrisi reservoir acts as a buffer zone between Thissavros and the Nestos downstream part. Anoxic conditions in the reservoirs favour the transformation of nitrates into ammonia and the remineralization of phosphorus from sediments, creating a degraded environment for freshwater fauna.
Mengovirus as Process Control Virus in the Monitoring of Genomic RNA and Infectivity of Enteric Viruses in Water Matrices
Authors: Salvador Daniel , Neto Célia , Carneiro Rui Neves , Caeiro Maria Filomena
Published: October 2021

The present study, developed in the scope of a survey to monitor enteric viruses in natural surface water and drinking water sources, addressed the suitability of mengovirus to assess viral recovery rates at two steps of the water sampling process. In a pilot campaign comprising two samples from each type of water source, when mengovirus was added after the filtration/primary concentration step, the recovery rates of viral RNA were higher than 18% and identical for both water matrices. In a one-year sampling campaign, where mengovirus was present along the whole sample processing (addition in the filtration/primary concentration step), significantly different recovery rates were observed between water matrices: usually higher than 1% in drinking water and under 1% in surface water. The results suggest the first stage of the water sampling process and the type of water matrix are the most influential factors for viral RNA recovery. This study also addressed and evidenced mengovirus replication and titration in Vero E6 cultures and showed infectious mengovirus to be recovered from samples of both types of water matrix. These results anticipate a more comprehensive applicability of mengovirus as a process control virus in the monitoring of viruses in water, extended to viral infectivity.
Ocean Response to Super-Typhoon Haiyan
Authors: Oginni Tolulope Emmanuel , Li Shuang , He Hailun , Yang Hongwei , Ling Zheng
Published: October 2021

Present paper studies the ocean response to super-typhoon Haiyan based on satellite and Argo float data. First, we show the satellite-based surface wind and sea surface temperature during super-typhoon Haiyan, and evaluate the widely-used atmospheric and oceanic analysis-or-reanalysis datasets. Second, we investigate the signals of Argo float, and find the daily-sampling Argo floats capture the phenomena of both vertical-mixing-induced mixed-layer extension and nonlocal subsurface upwelling. Accordingly, the comparisons between Argo float and ocean reanalysis reveal that, the typhoon-induced upwelling in the ocean reanalysis needs to be further improved, meanwhile, the salinity profiles prior to typhoon arrival are significantly biased.
Study of the Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 and Fe2+ in the Activation of Peroxymonosulfate
Authors: González-Quiles Rodrigo , de Andrés Juan Manuel , Rodríguez-Chueca Jorge
Published: October 2021

The increase in world population and human activities are leading to an increase in water stress in many regions of the planet, coupled with a decrease in the quality of water bodies. Advanced oxidation processes have demonstrated great potential for the reduction of almost any organic pollutant; however, it is necessary to intensify this type of treatment in order to reduce contact times and to reach a greater number of pollutants. The generation of sulfate radicals by activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) by divalent iron (Fe2+) and/or titanium dioxide (TiO2) were statistically studied to understand the role of these compounds as activators, using methylene blue as target pollutant because of its ease of handling and analysis. A factorial experimental design was used to study the influence of different variables (PMS, Fe2+, and TiO2) in the presence of UV-A or UV-C. There were relevant differences in the discoloration of methylene blue when analyzing the size of the effects and significance of the experiments, when UV-A or UV-C was used, being faster with UV-C. For instance, total discoloration of methylene blue was reached after 60 min with the system PMS/UV-C, while after 90 min only the 59% of methylene blue disappeared in presence of PMS/UV-A. Both Fe2+ and TiO2 in combination with PMS and UV increased the discoloration effect. So, in the presence of Fe2+, total discoloration of methylene blue was observed after 30 min in presence of UV-A, while this yield was reached in 7.5 min under UV-C. In the case of PMS/TiO2, it required 60 min under UV-A radiation to totally remove methylene blue, and around 15 min with UV-C. Statistically, the three variables were observed to have the main effect in combination with UV. Furthermore, the PMS/Fe2+ system has a significant interaction with UV-A and UV-C radiation, while the interaction of PMS/TiO2 was significant under UV-A, but with a negative effect under UV-C, or in other words the high elimination rates observed are achieved by the oxidation potential of UV-C, and the effect of PMS and TiO2 by itself.
Incorporation of COVID-19-Inspired Behaviour into Agent-Based Modelling for Water Distribution Systems’ Contamination Responses
Authors: Kadinski Leonid , Ostfeld Avi
Published: October 2021

Drinking water contamination events in water networks are major challenges which require fast handling by the responsible water utility manager agent, and have been explored in a variety of models and scenarios using, e.g., agent-based modelling. This study proposes to use recent findings during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and draw analogies regarding responses and reactions to these kinds of challenges. This happens within an agent-based model coupled to a hydraulic simulation where the decision making of the individual agents is based on a fuzzy logic system reacting to a contamination event in a water network. Upon detection of anomalies in the water the utility manager agent places mobile sensor equipment in order to determine endangered areas in the water network and warn the consumer agents. Their actions are determined according to their social backgrounds, location in the water network and possible symptoms from ingesting contaminated water by utilising a fuzzy logic system. Results from an example application suggest that placing mobile equipment and warning consumers in real time is essential as part of a proper response to a contamination event. Furthermore, social background factors such as the age or employment status of the population can play a vital role in the consumer agents’ response to a water event.
Prevention and treatment of gerd in patients with obesity undergoing gastroplication
Authors: Galimov Oleg Vladimirovich , Khanov Vladislav Olegovich , Sagitdinov Ramil Ravilevich , Nasyrova Ksenya Vladilenovna , Ibragimov Telman Ramiz ogly , Vagizova Gulnaz I. , Minigalin Daniil Maskhutovich
Published: October 2021

The aim of the study was to study the advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopic gastric plication with the prevention and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the treatment of patients with overweight and obesity. From 2018 to the present, 24 patients have been observed who underwent laparoscopic gastric plication with the prevention and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, of which 19 (79.2 %) women and 5 (20.8 %) men. The average age of patients is 41 ± 3.5 years. Indication for surgery: BMI > 35 kg/m² and the presence of GERD with unsuccessful conservative treatment or BMI > 35 kg/m² and the presence of HH with symptoms of GERD. The experience of surgical treatment of these 24 patients allows us to speak about the effectiveness of the use of gastroplication surgery with the prevention and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease with a combination of obesity and GERD. Dyspeptic symptoms are expected in some patients and are stopped in the early postoperative period with medication. The return of BMI to baseline in 3 (12.5 %) patients requires further study.
Habilidades sociales y capacidad de manejo de conflictos interpersonales en docentes de un Instituto superior
Authors: Jaramillo Hernandez Honorato Tomas , Obregón Alzamora Norka Inés , Pinedo Reyes Angel Hugo
Published: October 2021

Aborda el problema de las habilidades sociales y la capacidad de manejo de conflictos interpersonales, el cual se ha desarrollado teniendo como objetivo principal, identificar el grado de relación entre las habilidades sociales y el manejo de conflictos interpersonales; por lo mismo, adopta una investigación de tipo sustantiva con un diseño descriptivo correlacional, el cual se ha desarrollado en una población muestral de 45 docentes formadores del IESPP “Pomabamba”. El procedimiento se expresa, en la aplicación de una escala de actitudes para medir el desarrollo de las habilidades sociales y otra para la capacidad de manejo de conflictos interpersonales, cuyos datos procesados, fueron sometidos a la prueba de Rho Spearman, obteniendo r = 0.558, lo cual permite concluir que, cuanto más los docentes han desarrollado sus habilidades sociales, tienen mejores capacidades para manejar los conflictos interpersonales; determinándose finalmente que, existe fuerte relación entre las variables de estudio.
Enhanced Long Short-Term Memory (ELSTM) Model for Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Tiwari Dimple , Nagpal Bharti
Published: October 2021

Sentiment analysis is used to embed an extensive collection of reviews and predicts people's opinion towards a particular topic, which is helpful for decision-makers. Machine learning and deep learning are standard techniques, which make the process of sentiment analysis simpler and popular. In this research, deep learning is used to analyze the sentiments of people. It has an ability to perform automatic feature extraction, which provides better performance, a more vibrant appearance, and more reliable results than conventional feature-based techniques. Traditional approaches were based on complicated manual feature extractions that were not able to provide reliable results. Therefore, the presented study aimed to improve the performance of the deep learning approach by combining automatic feature extraction with manual feature extraction techniques. The enhanced ELSTM model is proposed with hyper-parameter tuning in previous Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to get better results. Based on the results, a novel model of sentiment analysis and novel algorithm are proposed to set the benchmark in the field of textual classification and to describe the procedure of the developed model, respectively. The results of the ELSTM model are presented by training and testing accuracy curve. Finally, a comparative study confirms the best performance of the proposed ELSTM model.
Transmit and Receive Antenna Selection Based Resource Allocation for Self-Backhaul 5G Massive MIMO HetNets
Authors: Akif Farah , Malik Aqdas , Qureshi Ijaz , Abassi Ayesha
Published: October 2021

With the advancement in wireless communication technology, the ease of accessibility and increasing coverage area is a major challenge for service providers. Network densification through Small cell Base Stations (SBS) integration in Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets) promises to improve network performance for cell edge users. Since providing wired backhaul for small cells is not cost effective or practical, the third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has developed architecture for self-backhaul known as Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) for Fifth Generation (5G). This allows for Main Base Station (MBS) resources to be shared between SBS and MBS users. However, fair and efficient division of MBS resources remains a problem to be addressed. We develop a novel transmit antenna selection/partitioning technique for taking advantage of IAB 5G standard for Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) HetNets. Transmit antenna resources are divided among access for MBS users and for providing wireless backhaul for SBS. We develop A Genetic Algorithm (GA) based Transmit Antenna Selection (TAS) scheme and compare with random selection, eigenvalue-based selection and bandwidth portioning. Our analysis show that GA based TAS has the ability to converge to an optimum antenna subset providing better rate coverage. Furthermore, we also signify the performance of TAS based partitioning over bandwidth partitioning and also show user association can also be controlled using number of antennas reserved for access or backhaul.
Caracterización fenotípica y subtipificación molecular de aislamientos de Salmonella Gallinarum de diferentes regiones de la República Argentina y de 5 cepas de vacunas 9R comercializadas en el país
Authors:   , Vigo Germán Blas
Published: October 2021

Salmonella Gallinarum es el agente causal del tifus aviar. Esta enfermedad de las aves es un grave problema en la República Argentina. Como medida de profilaxis, se utiliza la vacuna 9R, que es una cepa viva de S. Gallinarum en fase rugosa “R”. Se evaluaron fenotípica y genotípicamente cinco vacunas 9R comercializadas en nuestro país y la vacuna sudafricana, que es utilizada en otros países y regiones del mundo. Se evaluaron fenotípica y genotípicamente un total de 55 aislamientos de S. Gallinarum de casos de tifus aviar detectados en las principales regiones avícolas de Argentina. Se estudió la distribución de cinco genes de virulencia por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) del gen invA (asociado a la invasión), sefD y pefA (de adherencia a células epiteliales), sopE (estimula el rearreglo del citoesqueleto celular) y el gen avrA (asociado a la atenuación de la virulencia de Salmonella). Las 55 cepas de campo presentaron 7 perfiles bioquímicos y 14 patrones de PFGE diferentes, fueron positivas para los genes invA, avrA, sefD y negativas para los genes pefA y sopE. Se detectó un alto número de cepas resistentes a diferentes antimicrobianos ampliamente utilizados para el tratamiento del tifus aviar y se detectaron algunos aislamientos con resistencia múltiple. Estos datos aportan una información muy valiosa ya que permiten conocer cuales son los antimicrobianos más eficaces para el tratamiento del tifus aviar en nuestro país. Entre las 6 cepas vacunales estudiadas, 2 resultaron no aptas en ensayos de inocuidad y mostraron un mismo perfil de XbaI-PFGE entre ellas y con respecto a 13 aislamientos de campo. Este es el primer estudio de epidemiología molecular de aislamientos de S. Gallinarum que permitió conocer las cepas circulantes en la República Argentina. También, este es el primer estudio que ha detectado la presencia de genes asociados a la virulencia en aislamientos pertenecientes a este biotipo. Se han utilizado y evaluado diferentes métodos fenotípicos y genotípicos para la subtipificación de Salmonella Gallinarum, lo cual aporta datos fundamentales para la vigilancia y control del tifus aviar en la República Argentina.
Penerapan Komunitas Belajar Melalui Aplikasi WhatsApp sebagai upaya Meningkatkan Aktivitas Belajar Sejarah
Authors: Ramly Rizal Arizaldy
Published: October 2021

Masalah utama dalam penelitian ini yaitu bagaimana menerapkan komunitas belajar melalui aplikasi whatsapp sebagai upaya meningkatkan aktivitas belajar sejarah pada siswa kelas X SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Unismuh Makassar. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan aktivitas belajar mata pelajaran sejarah dengan penerapan komunitas belajar melalui aplikasi whatsapp. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian kualitatif deskriptif dimana peningkatan aktivitas belajar siswa dapat dilihat dari hasil wawancara dengan guru dan siswa, serta dapat dilihat dari persentasi siklus I dan siklus II. Prosedur penelitian meliputi reduksi data, penyajian data dan penarikan kesimpulan atau verifikasi. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas X SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Unismuh makasssar sebanyak 22 siswa di dalam kelas dan 15 siswa yang tergabung di dalam komunitas whatsapp. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa penerapan komunitas belajar melalui aplikasi whatsapp dapat meningkatkan aktivitas belajar siswa dapat dilihat dari hasil wawancara dengan guru dan siswa, serta dapat dilihat dari nilai rata-rata persentase pada siklus I dengan pernsentase aktivitas siswa adalah 48.63% dan siklus II dengan nilai persentase aktivitas siswa meningkat menjadi 55.29%. Jadi dapat ditarik kesimpulan bahwa penerapan komunitas melalui aplikasi whatsapp dapat meningkatkan aktivitas belajar siswa kelas X pada mata pelajaran sejarah di SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Unismuh Makassar.
Development of Methodological Approaches to Organizing Monitoring of Road Traffic Noise Exposure of the Population
Authors: Smirnov VV
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Residents of modern cities and settlements are constantly exposed to noise. Excessive noise mainly attributed to road traffic ranks high among the complaints of the general population about living conditions. Careful selection of measuring sites plays an important role in monitoring noise exposure of the population. Current regulations and guidelines set the requirements for measuring and evaluating noise levels in a territory but provide no common approach to determining and selecting priority areas and noise measurement points, to establishing and substantiating appropriate observation periods, and to assessing health risks based on the exposure data.
Materials and methods: In situ measurements were taken in residential areas of the historical center (four observation groups with 12 addresses) and new districts of the city (two observation groups with six addresses). Noise levels were measured at three points per address with three 5-minute measurements at a height of 1.5 ± 0.1 m above the ground taken per point. Points with the highest noise exposure levels were selected for organization of acoustic monitoring.
Results and discussion: Six major observation groups were formed at 18 urban addresses. The results of measurement showed that statistically significant comparable levels of equivalent and maximum sound were registered in each group based on
the same criteria and standard indicators. Grouping of addresses with similar or identical characteristics of observation zones will enable establishing noise exposures without conducting full-scale measurements. Additional observation groups can be formed in the presence of other indicators. Grouping of priority zones by location in observation groups will help register noise levels with minimal effort.
Conclusions: Priority zones, points, periods of monitoring and surveillance in observation groups were established and justified. The findings served as the basis for elaboration of method approaches to monitoring and surveillance of road traffic noise exposure. Application of these approaches will contribute to increasing the efficiency of monitoring noise exposures of the population.
Identification of Priority Air Pollutants in Confined Spaces
Authors: Markova OL , Zaritskaya EV , Kir’yanova MN , Ivanova EV
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Owing to the rapid development of digital technologies, most people nowadays are working indoors while using no machinery or equipment and being unexposed to volatile industrial chemicals. Yet, people staying inside for too long often complain of poor indoor air quality and microclimate. Our objective was to study air pollutants in a simulation experiment with continuous human occupancy inside unventilated confined spaces. Materials and methods: Up-to-date sensitive analytical techniques, such as photoionization, laser nephelometry, gas-phase chemiluminescence, spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLCDAD) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), were used to determine indoor air pollutants. Results: We compared changes in airborne concentrations of nitrogen oxides, prop-2-enenitrile, acetaldehyde, benzene, but-2-enal, airborne particulate matter (PM2,5 and PM10), methylbenzene, 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene, formaldehyde, prop-2-en-1-al, carbon oxide and dioxide following 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 hours of stay of volunteers in a 15.9 m2 room (4.0 m2 per person; a 2.55 m ceiling height) against background levels. The established human occupancy-related priority pollutants included acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, prop-2-en-1-al, and carbon dioxide. Laboratory testing showed the presence of 83 volatile and semivolatile organic chemicals in the unventilated room, among which aromatic hydrocarbons, esters and aldehydes prevailed. Conclusion: Our findings could be useful for designing ventilation systems in confined spaces and optimizing the workbreak schedule during the working hours.