bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Collapsing Strength of High-Strength Collapse-Resistant Casing Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Wang Peng , Zhong Chengxu , Fan Shuai , Li Dongfeng , Zhang Shengyue , Liu Peihang , Ji Yu , Fan Heng
Published: October 2023

With the increasing complexity of shale gas extraction conditions, a large number of high-strength collapse-resistant casing is applied to the extraction of unconventional oil and gas resources. There are errors in the traditional API collapse strength formula. A high-precision and low-computational-cost model is needed for predicting the strength of high-collapsible casing. The key influencing factors of casing anti-collapse strength were determined as outer diameter, wall thickness, yield strength, ovality, wall thickness unevenness, and residual stress by analyzing the casing collapse mechanism. In response to the key factors mentioned above, a dataset was formed by measuring the geometric parameters of the full-size casing and collecting data on the results of the anti-collapse strength experiment, which was divided into a training set (70%) and a testing set (30%). Three machine-learning algorithms, a neural network, random forest, and support vector machine, were trained to predict the anti-extrusion strength. The correlation coefficient R2, root mean square error RMSE, and average relative MRE were used to evaluate the indexes for model preference evaluation. The results show that machine-learning algorithms have unique advantages in casing anti-collapsing strength prediction. Within which, the neural network prediction model has the best prediction effect, and its characteristics of high precision, low cost and high efficiency are more suitable for the prediction of casing extrusion strength. Its testing set R2 is 0.9733, RMSE is 0.0267 and MRE is 0.0782, and the prediction accuracy can reach 92.2% which is much higher than the API calculation result (63.3%). The network prediction model is suitable for casing anti-collapsing strength prediction and meets the actual prediction requirements.
Estimating Early Summer Snow Depth on Sea Ice Using a Radiative Transfer Model and Optical Satellite Data
Authors: Wang Mingfeng , Oppelt Natascha
Published: October 2023

Sea ice regulates the overall energy exchange and radiation budget of the Arctic region, and understanding this relationship requires an accurate determination of snow depth. However, methods for deriving snow depth have a large error through the annual winter and early spring periods due to the potential complexity of surface melting during early summer. In this study, we explore the potential of retrieving snow depth during the early summer using optical satellite imagery of the sea-ice cover. Measurements using VIS/IR (visible and infrared) usually feature much higher spatial resolution than L-band satellite data and can provide additional surface melting and leads information; in addition, considering the snow grain size–snow surface temperature interaction, there is co-variability between the observed sea-ice surface broadband albedo using an optical satellite sensor, the sea-ice surface temperature, and the retrieval target of snow depth on the spatial scale of optical imagery samples. We applied a surface classification procedure to optical satellite imagery and introduce an approach to derive snow depth from optical satellite imagery and ice surface temperature data using two solar radiation transfer models: the Delta-Eddington solar radiation model, which is the shortwave radiative scheme of the Los Alamos sea-ice model, and a simplified snow albedo scheme, which is tuned to the observational data of buoys. The snow depth was inversed from the model simulation results using a lookup-table-based method. For comparison with the observational data, using the Delta-Eddington solar radiation model, about 55% of the differences are below 5 cm, and thicker snowpack has a larger bias; using the simplified snow albedo scheme, a mean difference of 4.1 cm between retrieval and measurements was found, with 93% of the differences being smaller than 5 cm. This approach can be applied to optical satellite imagery acquired under clear-sky conditions and can serve as an addition to overcome the limitations of existing methods.
Boundary-Aware Deformable Spiking Neural Network for Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Wang Shuo , Peng Yuanxi , Wang Lei , Li Teng
Published: October 2023

A few spiking neural network (SNN)-based classifiers have been proposed for hyperspectral images (HSI) classification to alleviate the higher computational energy cost problem. Nevertheless, due to the lack of ability to distinguish boundaries, the existing SNN-based HSI classification methods are very prone to falling into the Hughes phenomenon. The confusion of the classifier at the class boundary is particularly obvious. To remedy these issues, we propose a boundary-aware deformable spiking residual neural network (BDSNN) for HSI classification. A deformable convolution neural network plays the most important role in realizing the boundary-awareness of the proposed model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to combine the deformable convolutional mechanism and the SNN-based model. Additionally, spike-element-wise ResNet is used as a fundamental framework for going deeper. A temporal channel joint attention mechanism is introduced to filter out which channels and times are critical. We evaluate the proposed model on four benchmark hyperspectral data sets—the IP, PU, SV, and HU data sets. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model can obtain a comparable classification accuracy with state-of-the-art methods in terms of overall accuracy (OA), average accuracy (AA), and statistical kappa (κ) coefficient. The ablation study results prove the effectiveness of the introduction of the deformable convolutional mechanism for BDSNN’s boundary-aware characteristic.
Gravity Wave Characterization of Multiple Convections in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region
Authors: Lu Yi , Lei Hengchi , Zhou Kuo , Ran Lingkun
Published: October 2023

Using high-precision microbarograph data and radar data to analyze the gravity fluctuation characteristics of four convective processes of different intensities that occurred in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region in June 2018, the results show that convective cases are accompanied by gravity fluctuations of different time scales and can be separated from the background field through the wavelet transform. The stronger the convective process, the larger the fluctuation amplitude. As the convection gradually approaches the station, the fluctuation frequency broadens, and smaller period fluctuations are excited. Through Fourier analysis, the longer period of fluctuation is concentrated at about 190 min, and the power spectrum of the short-period fluctuation is weak, with a peak frequency of about 2.04 × 10−4 Hz. The results obtained by wavelet transform are similar to them, but they reflect the characteristics of fluctuation evolution over time: (1) convection-related gravity wave periods are mainly concentrated in three bands: 15–40 min, 40–120 min, and 120–250 min; (2) there may be precursor activity before the occurrence of the convective flow, and the long-period fluctuation occurs about 1–4 h ahead of time; (3) there is a short-period fluctuation in the process of convective system development, and the period range is mainly concentrated at about 40–120 min; strong convective clouds may inspire shorter-period fluctuations. The geometrical relationship between the microbarograph stations shows that the short-period fluctuations of the four convective cases propagate at a speed of 14–37 m/s, and the azimuthal angle is consistent with the convective orientation, which indicates that there is a close relationship between gravity waves and convection.
TranSpec3D: A Novel Measurement Principle to Generate A Non-Synthetic Data Set of Transparent and Specular Surfaces without Object Preparation
Authors: Junger Christina , Speck Henri , Landmann Martin , Srokos Kevin , Notni Gunther
Published: October 2023

Estimating depth from images is a common technique in 3D perception. However, dealing with non-Lambertian materials, e.g., transparent or specular, is still nowadays an open challenge. However, to overcome this challenge with deep stereo matching networks or monocular depth estimation, data sets with non-Lambertian objects are mandatory. Currently, only few real-world data sets are available. This is due to the high effort and time-consuming process of generating these data sets with ground truth. Currently, transparent objects must be prepared, e.g., painted or powdered, or an opaque twin of the non-Lambertian object is needed. This makes data acquisition very time consuming and elaborate. We present a new measurement principle for how to generate a real data set of transparent and specular surfaces without object preparation techniques, which greatly reduces the effort and time required for data collection. For this purpose, we use a thermal 3D sensor as a reference system, which allows the 3D detection of transparent and reflective surfaces without object preparation. In addition, we publish the first-ever real stereo data set, called TranSpec3D, where ground truth disparities without object preparation were generated using this measurement principle. The data set contains 110 objects and consists of 148 scenes, each taken in different lighting environments, which increases the size of the data set and creates different reflections on the surface. We also show the advantages and disadvantages of our measurement principle and data set compared to the Booster data set (generated with object preparation), as well as the current limitations of our novel method.
A Lightweight Recurrent Grouping Attention Network for Video Super-Resolution
Authors: Zhu Yonggui , Li Guofang
Published: October 2023

Effective aggregation of temporal information of consecutive frames is the core of achieving video super-resolution. Many scholars have utilized structures such as sliding windows and recurrences to gather the spatio-temporal information of frames. However, although the performances of constructed video super-resolution models are improving, the sizes of the models are also increasing, exacerbating the demand on the equipment. Thus, to reduce the stress on the device, we propose a novel lightweight recurrent grouping attention network. The parameters of this model are only 0.878 M, which is much lower than the current mainstream model for studying video super-resolution. We have designed a forward feature extraction module and a backward feature extraction module to collect temporal information between consecutive frames from two directions. Moreover, a new grouping mechanism is proposed to efficiently collect spatio-temporal information of the reference frame and its neighboring frames. The attention supplementation module is presented to further enhance the information gathering range of the model. The feature reconstruction module aims to aggregate information from different directions to reconstruct high-resolution features. Experiments demonstrate that our model achieves state-of-the-art performance on multiple datasets.
Enhancing Industrial Communication with Ethernet/Internet Protocol: A Study and Analysis of Real-Time Cooperative Robot Communication and Automation via Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
Authors: Seong JuYong , Ranjan Rahul , Kye Joongeup , Lee Seungjae , Lee Sungchul
Published: October 2023

This study explores the important task of validating data exchange between a control box, a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), and a robot in an industrial setting. To achieve this, we adopt a unique approach utilizing both a virtual PLC simulator and an actual PLC device. We introduce an innovative industrial communication module to facilitate the efficient collection and storage of data among these interconnected entities. The main aim of this inquiry is to examine the implementation of Ethernet/IP (EIP), a relatively new addition to the industrial network scenery. It was designed using ODVA’s Common Industrial Protocol (CIP™). The Costumed real-time data communication module was programmed in C++ for the Linux Debian platform and elegantly demonstrates the impressive versatility of EIP as a means for effective data transfer in an industrial environment. The study’s findings provide valuable insights into Ethernet/IP’s functionalities and capabilities in industrial networks, bringing attention to its possible applications in industrial robotics. By connecting theoretical knowledge and practical implementation, this research makes a significant contribution to the continued development of industrial communication systems, ultimately improving the efficiency and effectiveness of automation processes.
Photoelectric Measurement and Sensing: New Technology and Applications
Authors: Feng Qibo , Li Jiakun , He Qixin
Published: October 2023

Laser-based measurement and sensing technology has been paid more and more attention by academia and industry because of its incomparable advantages, such as high sensitivity, fast response, and no contact [...]
Exploring the Consumer Acceptance of Nano Clothing Using a PLS-SEM Analysis
Authors: Puiu Andreea-Ionela , Ianole-Călin Rodica , Druică Elena
Published: October 2023

We use an extended framework of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to identify the most significant drivers behind the intention to buy clothes produced with nano fabrics (nano clothing). Based on survey data, we estimate an integrated model that explains this intention as being driven by attitudes, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use. The influences of social innovativeness, relative advantage, compatibility, and ecologic concern on perceived usefulness are tested using perceived ease of use as a mediator. We employ a partial least squares path model in WarpPLS 7.0., a predictive technique that informs policies. The results show positive effects for all the studied relationships, with effect sizes underscoring perceived usefulness, attitude, and compatibility as the most suitable targets for practical interventions. Our study expands the TAM framework into the field of nano fashion consumption, shedding light on the potential drivers of the adoption process. Explorations of the topic hold the potential to make a substantial contribution to the promotion of sustainable fashion practices.
Chilean Student Teachers’ Willingness to Learn with Gamified Systems
Authors: Saavedra Esteban Guillermo
Published: October 2023

In recent years, the use of gamified systems in education has increased due to the growing empirical evidence of their usefulness in improving motivation and participation in learning processes, resulting in sustainable social development. To take advantage of the opportunities for improvements in the sustainability of education presented by gamification, in addition to the decision to create gamified systems in higher education, this article investigates the willingness of student teachers to learn with gamified systems. The research method is quantitative, with validated instruments used to measure: (1) student perception of gamification; (2) player profile; and (3) screen time, with n = 569 student teachers from the fifteen regions of Chile. The results show that students prefer to learn with gamified systems rather than in a traditional way, with a significant difference (Wilcoxon z = −18.86, p < 0.01). There are significant positive and negative relationships corresponding with the gamer profiles. However, as a finding, a negative relationship was found between the number of hours spent playing video games and the perception of learning through gamified systems. In conclusion, Chilean student teachers present a favorable disposition to teacher training with gamified systems. However, the disposition varies in relation to the number of hours spent playing video games.
Influence of Atmospheric Non-Uniform Saturation on Extreme Hourly Precipitation Cloud Microphysical Processes in a Heavy Rainfall Case in Zhengzhou
Authors: Xu Jin , Xu Liren , Wang Yufei , Ping Fan , Yin Lei
Published: October 2023

Heavy rainfall not only affects urban infrastructure, it also impacts environmental changes, and which then influence the sustainability of development and ecology. Therefore, researching and forecasting heavy rainfall to prevent disaster-related damages is essential. A high-resolution numerical simulation was carried out for a heavy rainfall case in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, from 19–20 July 2021. The analysis of weather conditions revealed that the main cause of heavy rainfall in Zhengzhou was the supersaturation and condensation of water vapor, resulting from the invasion of dry and cold air from the upper and middle atmospheric layers. This weather condition is ideally suited for applying generalized potential temperature that is informed by the non-uniform saturation theory. Based on this, the new scheme revised the cloud microphysical scheme of the cloud water condensation parameterization process by substituting generalized potential temperature. The characteristics of the mesoscale environment and water condensates were comparatively analyzed between the original and the new scheme. Then, the quantitative mass budget and latent heat budget related to microphysical conversions were comparatively calculated over Zhengzhou. Furthermore, the possible two-scheme mechanisms through which the cloud microphysics processes affected the rainfall were investigated and discussed. It was found that: (1) The new scheme, which takes into account generalized potential temperature, produced precipitation fields more in line with observations and simulated stronger hourly precipitation compared to the original scheme. (2) The conversions of snow were the main source of microphysical processes that produced precipitation and released latent heat due to the dry and cold air invasion. (3) Given that the condensation of water vapor was hypothesized to occur at 70% relative humidity (RH) or above, rather than the original 100% RH, the new scheme simulated more supercooled water and ice-phase particles than the original scheme. This enhancement, in turn, intensified convective development owing to positive feedback within the cloud microphysics processes and cloud environment, ultimately leading to the simulation of more intense hourly precipitation.
Actual Quality Changes in Natural Resource and Gas Grid Use in Prospective Hydrogen Technology Roll-Out in the World and Russia
Authors: Radoushinsky Dmitry , Gogolinskiy Kirill , Dellal Yousef , Sytko Ivan , Joshi Abhishek
Published: October 2023

About 95% of current hydrogen production uses technologies involving primary fossil resources. A minor part is synthesized by low-carbon and close-to-zero-carbon-footprint methods using RESs. The significant expansion of low-carbon hydrogen energy is considered to be a part of the “green transition” policies taking over in technologically leading countries. Projects of hydrogen synthesis from natural gas with carbon capture for subsequent export to European and Asian regions poor in natural resources are considered promising by fossil-rich countries. Quality changes in natural resource use and gas grids will include (1) previously developed scientific groundwork and production facilities for hydrogen energy to stimulate the use of existing natural gas grids for hydrogen energy transport projects; (2) existing infrastructure for gas filling stations in China and Russia to allow the expansion of hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) using typical “mini-plant” projects of hydrogen synthesis using methane conversion technology; (3) feasibility testing for different hydrogen synthesis plants at medium and large scales using fossil resources (primarily natural gas), water and atomic energy. The results of this study will help focus on the primary tasks for quality changes in natural resource and gas grid use. Investments made and planned in hydrogen energy are assessed.
Carbon-Free Heat Production for High-Temperature Heating Systems
Authors: Gruber Sven , Rola Klemen , Urbancl Danijela , Goričanec Darko
Published: October 2023

The article presents a new carbon-free heat production technology for district heating, which consists of a combined heat and power generation fuel cell (FC CHP) with CO2 capture and a two-stage cascade high-temperature heat pump (TCHHP). The FC generates heat and electricity, the latter being used to drive the compressors of the TCHHP. During the winter period, the water temperature achieved can occasionally be too low, so it would be heated up with hydrogen gas boilers. The hydrogen would be produced by reforming natural gas, synthetic methane, or biogas. The results are presented with natural gas utilization—the ratio between the obtained heat flow transferred directly to the water for district heating and the input heat flow of natural gas. In the case of a return water temperature of 60 °C and district heating temperature of 85 °C, the TCHHP, whose heat source is groundwater, achieves plant efficiency of 270.04% in relation to the higher heating value (HHV) and 241.74% in relation to the lower heating value (LHV) of natural gas. A case with a TCHHP whose heat source is low-temperature geothermal water achieves a plant efficiency of 361.36% in relation to the HHV and 323.49% in relation to the LHV.
Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Food Access in Two Predominantly White Cities: The Case of Lansing, East Lansing, and Surrounding Townships in Michigan
Authors: Taylor Dorceta E. , Allison Katherine , Hamilton Tevin , Bell Ashley
Published: October 2023

Access to fresh, healthy, affordable foods is a pressing concern in cities worldwide. American cities are no exception. Although many scholars study food access in large cities, small and mid-sized American cities can provide valuable information about inequities in the food system. This paper focuses on two adjoining, racially mixed Mid-Michigan cities—Lansing and East Lansing. It examines the extent to which different food outlets exist in the cities and surrounding townships. It probes the following questions: (1) How are food outlets distributed throughout the cities and suburbs? (2) What is the relationship between neighborhood demographic characteristics and the distribution of food outlet types? We collected data on food outlets from September 2020 to June 2022 using Data Axle as our primary source of information. We used ArcGIS 10.8.1 for the spatial mapping and SPSS 28 for statistical analyses. We conducted regression analyses to identify the difference in the likelihood of finding food retailers in census tracts where 0–20% of the residents were People of Color (VL-POC), 20.01–40% of the inhabitants were People of Color (L-POC), 40.1–60% of the residents were People of Color (H-POC), and more than 60% of residents were People of Color (VH-POC). There were 1647 food outlets in the study area: 579 were in Lansing, 220 were in East Lansing, and the remaining 848 were in the surrounding townships. Restaurants dominated the food landscape, while small groceries and convenience stores were the grocery sector’s most common food outlet types. Supermarkets and large grocery stores comprised only 5.6% of the study area’s food outlets. The study finds a nonlinear relationship between the racial composition of census tracts and the prevalence of food outlets. The VH-POC census tracts had very few food outlets. For instance, the tracts had no supermarkets, mass merchandisers or supercenters, small grocery or convenience stores, pharmacies or drug stores, or farmers’ markets. The findings illustrate the diversity and complexity of the Lansing–East Lansing metropolitan area’s food landscape.
Circular Economy a Footstep toward Net Zero Manufacturing: Critical Success Factors Analysis with Case Illustration
Authors: Kumar Ravinder , Gupta Sumit , Ur Rehman Ubaid
Published: October 2023

Increasing populations and the extravagant consumption of virgin resources are key issues in developing economies these days. The Paris Climate Accords of 2015 have also highlighted the importance of resource conservation and sustainable consumption. Developing economies, which rely on linear practices and traditional resources, require urgent attention regarding such issues. Practices of the circular economy (CE) provide an edge to achieving self-sustainability in materials and energy and lead a guiding path towards net-zero manufacturing. Net-zero manufacturing practices can significantly reduce environmental impact, conserve resources, and contribute to a more sustainable economy. In the current research paper, the authors have studied the critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing the circular economy in Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The authors identified the CSFs through a literature review and expert opinions. To categorize and establish a structural model among the identified CSFs, the authors used Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) techniques. The model’s robustness and expert bias were checked through predisposition analysis. To verify and validate the findings of the analysis, the authors conducted a case study of an Indian SME using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) methodology. The authors of the current study observed that government policies and regulations on CE, consumer awareness and demand for CE products, economic incentives available for CE products, and new global business opportunities due to CE are the leading cause groups of CSFs. A reduction in energy and waste-related costs, the availability of infrastructure for CE practices, and an improvement in information-sharing transparency among supply chain members are the leading effects of CSFs. The influence graph shows that ‘Govt. policy and regulation on CE’, ‘Consumer awareness and demand for CE products’, ‘Economic incentives available for CE products’, and ‘New global business opportunity due to CE’ have a higher out-degree influence on other factors. From the case study, the authors observed that the strategic implementation of CE practices, green policy, reverse logistics, staff training, and new technology adoption have improved the use of repaired and refurbished materials in the case organization from 1–2% in 2019 to 9–10% in 2023. The findings of the current study imply that management commitment and strategies for building a ‘Green image’, coordination with suppliers, technological upgrades, reverse supply chain practices, workforce skills and training, and customer awareness and demand for CE products are crucial factors in successfully adopting CE and transitioning towards net-zero manufacturing.
Symmetries and Conservation Laws for a Class of Fourth-Order Reaction–Diffusion–Advection Equations
Authors: Torrisi Mariano , Tracinà Rita
Published: October 2023

We have studied a class of (1+1)-dimensional equations that models phenomena with heterogeneous diffusion, advection, and reaction. We have analyzed these fourth-order partial differential equations within the framework of group methods. In this class, the diffusion coefficient is constant, while the coefficients of advection and the reaction term are assumed to depend on the unknown density u(t,x). We have identified the Lie symmetries extending the Principal Algebra along with all the conservation laws corresponding to the different forms of the coefficients, and have derived several brief applications.
Assessing the Capacity for Change Prior to the Adoption of Human Factors Engineering in Power Plant Maintenance
Authors: Nkosi Mfundo , Gupta Kapil , Mashinini Peter Madindwa
Published: October 2023

Even in the epoch of the 4th Industrial Revolution, technologies are introducing human–machine/technology interactions that must be appropriately managed to prevent or reduce avoidable human errors. In recent years, power plants have started examining ways to manage human errors attributable to maintenance, thereby improving performance, safety, and well-being. Maintenance management requires the integration of human factors engineering (HFE) principles with maintenance practices to handle the issue of human errors. When adopting human factors engineering interventions to enhance maintenance, power plants must demonstrate the capacity for change to ensure effective management of change and realize the intervention’s benefits. The main focus in power plants is usually on the technical side of change, with less emphasis on human factors. This study aimed to develop and trial a model for determining the capacity for change to aid HFE adoption in electric power systems maintenance. A quantitative and cross-sectional survey was conducted with maintenance personnel working in South African power plants. The results showed that management commitment, knowledge, and employee involvement are associated with the capacity for change in the maintenance of power plants. This study extends previous studies on the capacity for change when adopting unconventional interventions in maintenance such as HFE principles.
An Analysis of the Spatial Characteristics and Transport Fluxes of BTEX in Soil and Atmospheric Phases at a Decommissioned Steel Mill Site in China with a Long History
Authors: Li Xuwei , Xie Wenyi , Ding Da , Wang Mengjie , Kong Lingya , Jiang Dengdeng , Deng Shaopo
Published: October 2023

BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene), as characteristic pollutants in chemical plant sites, are widely present in the environment and pose a serious threat to the health and safety of nearby residents. Studying the spatial distribution characteristics and transport fluxes of BTEX in soil and air at contaminated sites and the health risks they pose to humans is of great significance for fine pollution control and environmental management. This study took a typical decommissioned steel plant as a case study. A total of 23 soil and air samples were collected from different locations to investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of BTEX in soil and air. The transport and fate of BTEX in soil and air were evaluated using the fugacity model, and finally, a human health risk assessment was conducted. The results indicate a relatively severe level of benzene pollution in both soil and air. The maximum exceedance factor of benzene in soil samples is 31.5, with the concentration exceedance depth at 1.5 m. The maximum concentration of benzene in air samples is 4.98 μg·m−3. Benzene, at 5.9% of the site, shows a low flux with negative values, while other components at various locations all exhibit a trend of transport from the soil phase to the atmospheric phase. Benzene is the pollutant that contributes the most to the transport flux from soil to air within the site. The coking area and sewage treatment area are key areas within the steel mill where BTEX accumulate easily in the soil. The non-carcinogenic risk values of the individual components of BTEX in the soil are below the acceptable risk level. However, the carcinogenic risk value of benzene in the children’s exposure scenario exceeds the carcinogenic risk level of 10−6. The carcinogenic risk range of various components of BTEX in the air is 2.63 × 10−6~3.88 × 10−5, with 28.6% of the locations exceeding the threshold of 10−6. The range of the total HI (hazard index) is 2.08 × 10−4~1.81 × 10−1, all of which is below the safety threshold of 1. The results of this study will provide scientific support for the fine pollution control and environmental management of industrial contaminated sites with BTEX as their typical pollutants.
Evaluation of Prevalence of Hepatitis E Clinical Markers among Donors in Estonia
Authors: Kuznetsova Tatiana , Moor Diana , Khanirzayeva Gulara , Geller Julia
Published: October 2023

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is now considered the most common cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. There are no published data about the prevalence of antibodies to HEV and RNA in donor sera in Estonia, and this precludes planning measures for preventing HEV proliferation through blood transfusion services. Here, were report data from an analysis of 1002 sera on the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM and the viral RNA. The antibodies were found in 48 donor sera (4.8%); of these, 40 (4%) harbored anti-HEV IgG, 15 (1.5%) contained anti-HEV IgM, and 7 donors had anti-HEV antibodies of both classes simultaneously. HEV RNA was not detected in any blood serum. Statistical associations of infection risk factors (gender, age, travel in the last six months, contact with pigs and/or wild boars in the last six months, consumption of thermally unprocessed/raw pork or boar meat, raw/unfiltered tap water or water from natural sources, unpasteurized farm dairy products, and unwashed berries and/or vegetables) were assessed. None of the listed factors were found to be associated with a higher or lower risk of anti-HEV antibody presence. At the same time, an increasing share of anti-HEV IgG carriers with age was found. The absence of HEV RNA in the analyzed donor plasma samples proves that HEV acute infection prevalence in Estonia does not exceed the average level of European countries. There is no urgent necessity to enter a requirement for a total screening of blood plasma for HEV RNA prevalence in Estonia.
Mathematical Models of HIV-1 Dynamics, Transcription, and Latency
Authors: D’Orso Iván , Forst Christian V.
Published: October 2023

HIV-1 latency is a major barrier to curing infections with antiretroviral therapy and, consequently, to eliminating the disease globally. The establishment, maintenance, and potential clearance of latent infection are complex dynamic processes and can be best described with the help of mathematical models followed by experimental validation. Here, we review the use of viral dynamics models for HIV-1, with a focus on applications to the latent reservoir. Such models have been used to explain the multi-phasic decay of viral load during antiretroviral therapy, the early seeding of the latent reservoir during acute infection and the limited inflow during treatment, the dynamics of viral blips, and the phenomenon of post-treatment control. Finally, we discuss that mathematical models have been used to predict the efficacy of potential HIV-1 cure strategies, such as latency-reversing agents, early treatment initiation, or gene therapies, and to provide guidance for designing trials of these novel interventions.
The Transmembrane Protease Serine 2 (TMPRSS2) Non-Protease Domains Regulating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Spike-Mediated Virus Entry
Authors: Strobelt Romano , Adler Julia , Shaul Yosef
Published: October 2023

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters cells by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. This process is aided by the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), which enhances entry efficiency and infectiousness by cleaving the SARS-CoV-2 surface glycoprotein (Spike). The cleavage primes the Spike protein, promoting membrane fusion instead of receptor-mediated endocytosis. Despite the pivotal role played by TMPRSS2, our understanding of its non-protease distinct domains remains limited. In this report, we present evidence indicating the potential phosphorylation of a minimum of six tyrosine residues within the cytosolic tail (CT) of TMPRSS2. Via the use of TMPRSS2 CT phospho-mimetic mutants, we observed a reduction in TMPRSS2 protease activity, accompanied by a decrease in SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus transduction, which was found to occur mainly via the endosomal pathway. We expanded our investigation beyond TMPRSS2 CT and discovered the involvement of other non-protease domains in regulating infection. Our co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated a strong interaction between TMPRSS2 and Spike. We revealed a 21 amino acid long TMPRSS2-Spike-binding region (TSBR) within the TMPRSS2 scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domain that contributes to this interaction. Our study sheds light on novel functionalities associated with TMPRSS2’s cytosolic tail and SRCR region. Both of these regions have the capability to regulate SARS-CoV-2 entry pathways. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between viral entry and host factors, opening new avenues for potential therapeutic interventions.
A Review of the Status, Effects, Prevention, and Remediation of Groundwater Contamination for Sustainable Environment
Authors: Ravindiran Gokulan , Rajamanickam Sivarethinamohan , Sivarethinamohan Sujatha , Karupaiya Sathaiah Balamurugan , Ravindran Gobinath , Muniasamy Senthil Kumar , Hayder Gasim
Published: October 2023

Most water systems that support ecosystems and feed humans are depleted or stressed. Aquifer characteristics, topography, subsurface activities, climate, and geochemical processes regulate groundwater availability, a reliable source of fresh water. Globally, agriculture, industries, and the domestic sector are the three major sectors that consume vast quantities of freshwater resources. Further anthropogenic activities, such as soil leaching, acid rain, fertilizer, pesticides, mining, and other industrial activities, resulted in the release of organic and inorganic pollutants that affected global water resources. In India, groundwater is used in huge quantities, resulting in groundwater depletion of 1 to 2 m a year. Low-income countries face many issues related to water pollution, and the availability of safe water is minimal. In 2019, deaths due to unsafe sanitation accounted for 2.2% of the total global deaths, amounting to 1.2 million people’s deaths. India recorded 6.6% of deaths due to unsafe sanitation in 2019. India and China accounted for around 90.41% and 60.4% of the groundwater utilization for agricultural purposes, respectively. In 2020, China and India utilized vast quantities of nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) for crop growth to enhance crop yield, resulting in the highest nitrate and phosphate concentrations in groundwater. Remediating contaminants from different sources requires knowledge of their concentration, behavior, cycling, and degradation pathways. According to safety guidelines, limiting and optimizing crop organic and inorganic fertilizer, pesticide waste disposal, and empty container disposal can reduce groundwater contamination. The present study summarized groundwater utilization in various sectors, potential sources of groundwater contamination impacts on human health and the environment, preventive measures, and mitigation methods to overcome groundwater pollution.
Facilitating Wastewater Purification through Progressive Thawing by Microwave: Responses of Microbial Communities
Authors: Hu Yaxian , Li Xianwen , Jiang Simin , Chen Junying , Yan Baowen
Published: October 2023

Freeze–thaw has been proved to be a simple, cost-effective, and highly efficient manner to purify wastewater. However, it remains unclear how microbial compositions and functions in meltwater differentiate over progressive thawing and how such differences affect the end product water quality. In this study, wastewater was frozen, progressively thawed via microwave and collected at five intervals: 5 min, 3 min, 3 min, 3 min, and 3 min (termed as T1~T5). It only took 8 min of microwave and 38.8% of total water to remove more than 75% of the dissolved salt and typical pathogenic microbes, and merely 11 min to reach a removal rate greater than 90%. The Shannon index indicated that the α diversity of bacterial and fungal communities significantly reduced from T1 to T5, and the NMDS dissimilarities also illustrated significantly different β diversity between T1 and T2 and T3, T4, and T5. The OTU-based bacterial and fungal co-occurrence networks developed from T1, T5, and CK were significantly different from each other and clustered in distinct modules. Microbial functional profiles further showed that the meltwater preferentially discharged at T1 selectively removed pathogenic and symbiotic fungi and bacterial subsets associated with endocrine diseases, carbohydrate metabolism, and aging. Yet, other microbial subsets tended to be selectively enriched in the end product at T5, such as saprotrophic fungi and bacterial subsets related to drug resistance, infectious diseases, cancers, and xenobiotics’ biodegradation and metabolism. Overall, the fast thawing facilitated by microwave and in turn the efficient removal of brines from ice crystals offered a new approach to overcome the prolonged time cost required by natural thawing. Selective discharge and enrichment of microbial subsets during progressive thawing alarmingly calls for in-depth investigations on the temporal fluxes of microbes when attempting to reuse wastewater in the regions suitable to apply freeze–thaw protocols.
Features of international negotiations
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education ", Byashimova L. Sh. ,   Russian Economic University named after. G. V. Plekhanov",   , Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: October 2023

Due to the specific nature of their work, specialists in the hotel and tourism business must have an excellent understanding of cultural differences and the specifics of negotiating with foreign partners. This article examines the peculiarities of conducting the negotiation process with Middle Eastern colleagues.
Features of Vietnam external environment for Samsung development
Authors:   Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Anh Le Hoang , Progunova L. V. ,   Plekhanov Russian University of Economics
Published: October 2023

The entry of companies into foreign markets is associated with certain difficulties, including those related to the peculiarities of the external environment of the country of entry. Using the advantages of the external environment and leveling the shortcomings, companies have the opportunity to internationalize their activities with maximum profit and fewer costs and risks. Samsung is setting a successful example of the development in the Vietnamese market, where the external environment is generally favorable for foreign companies.
PERAN BALAI PEMASYARAKATAN KELAS II SERANG DALAM PELAKSANAAN DIVERSI PADA PERKARA PIDANA ANAK
Authors: Hulma Uul
Published: October 2023

Proses dalam sistem peradilan pidana anak didasari tujuan terciptanya keadilan Restoratif yang dilakukan dengan diversi, Selain hakim dan jaksa dalam proses pelaksanaan diversi Balai Pemasyarakatan (BAPAS) melalui Pembimbing Kemasyarakatan merupakan pihak penting yang terlibat. Pasal 8 ayat (1) UU No.11 Tahun 2012 menentukan, bahwa proses diversi dilakukan melalui musyawarah dengan melibatkan anak dan orangtua atau walinya, korban dan/atau orangtua atau walinya, pembimbing kemasyarakatan, serta pekerja sosial professional berdasarkan pendekatan keadilan restoratif. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian hukum empiris. Hasil penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa dalam menjalankan tugasnya pembimbing kemasyarakatan bertindak sesuai dengan Undang-undang Nomor 11 tahun 2012 tentang sistem peradilan pidana anak dan menangani perkara anak dengan pendekatan keadilan restoratif, dimana dalam proses diversi kesepakatan perdamaian di tentukan oleh pihak korban. Adapun faktor penghambat/kendala yang di hadapi pembimbing kemasyarakatan yaitu sulit mengumpulkan para pihak terkait, Sulitnya mencapai kesepakatan perdamaian dalam pelaksanaan Diversi, stigma negative dari masyarakat dan adanya beberapa aparat penegak hukum yang belum paham mengenai diversi.dan berdasarkan hasil persentase kenerhasilan penyelesaian pelaksanaan diversi sebesar 86% Pembimbing Kemasyarakatan Balai Pemasyarakatan (BAPAS) Kelas II Serang telah menjalankan peranya dengan baik dan tidak menjadikan kendala-kendala tersebut sebagai alasan ketidakberhasilan dalam pelaksanaan diversi.
Prevalence of periodontal disease in preschool-age children in Hue city
Authors: Tran Tan Tai , Hoang Minh Phuong , Le Van Nhat Thang , Nguyen Gia Kieu Ngan , Nguyen Thi Lan Phuong , Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong , Hoang Vu Minh
Published: October 2023

Background: Determining the status of periodontal disease will help us have an appropriate prevention strategy from an early age.

The objective of the study was to investigate the status of periodontal disease in preschool children in Hue city in 2020.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 464 children in some kindergartens of Hue city. Clinical examination of gingivitis and dental plaque for all study subjects.

Results: The rate of gingivitis is 54.3%, plaque is 55.2%. The percentage of children with gingivitis and dental plaque in the center of Hue city was significantly higher than in the suburbs of Hue city, this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01, p < 0.001). The rate of gingivitis increased with age (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The prevalence of periodontal disease in preschool children in Hue city is still quite high. Therefore, it is necessary to have comprehensive disease prevention programs in order to improve oral health and take care of reasonable nutrition for preschool children.

Key words: Gingivitis, dental plaque, preschool-age children.
Anti-imflammatory and cancer cell inhibitory activities of isolated compounds from Aspidistra triradiata N. Vislobokov
Authors: Le Thi Bich Hien , Ho Viet Duc , Tran Thi Van Anh , Nguyen Thi Hoai
Published: October 2023

Background: The genus Aspidistra possesses biological activities such as antivirus, anti-cancer, anti-inflammation. The study aimed to isolate compounds, evaluate the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of A. triradiata.

Materials and methods: The whole plant of A. triradiata was isolated by chromatographic methods, determined the structure of isolated compounds by NMR spectrum. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by the inhibitory activity against nitric oxide production. The cytotoxic activity was determined by SRB method.

Results: Four compounds were isolated from A. triradiata, including (25R)-spirostane-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β,6β-hexol (1), (25R)-17α-hydroxy-spirost-5-en-3β-yl α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 2-methoxy pancracin (3) and 2-methyl-3-(4,5,7-trihydroxy-8-hydroxymethyltetrahydro-6H-4-pyranyl)-2-propenoic acid (4). Compounds 1, 2 and 4 exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activities with IC50 values in the range of 59.84 - 98.96 µg/mL. Compound 3 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against the LU-1 and KB cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 0.95 - 0.98 µg/mL, compound 1 showed moderate activity with IC50 values ranging from 47.55 to 72.32 µg/mL.

Conclusion: The chemical composition of A. triradiata has been elucidated and some isolated compounds possessing potential anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities were discovered.

Key words: anti-inflammatory, nitric oxide, cancer, Aspidistra triradiata, NMR spectra.