bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transition and Implementation of Circular Economy in Municipal Solid Waste Management System in Nigeria: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Onungwe Ishmael , Hunt Dexter V. L. , Jefferson Ian
Published: August 2023

As the environment reaches field capacity and is unable to regenerate waste naturally, challenges resulting from municipal solid waste management (MSWM) are showing a global increase, especially in developing countries. Nigeria is a country with a huge quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) without a functional and operational MSWM system. This systematic review of the literature (SLR) aimed at investigating knowledge application in view of the circular economy (CE) model in the management of MSW in Nigeria, while answering research questions on the adoption and implementation of the circularity principle. In line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, a comprehensive search strategy was developed to source electronic versions of updated articles from the Scopus, Web of Science, and Sage databases. The search retrieved 476, 878, and 374 results, respectively. The search was limited to publications written in the English language between 2008 and 2022 and was downloaded via Endnote and screened using Rayyan.ai. The SLR was conducted between February and October 2022. Findings revealed some potential opportunities for the transition and implementation of CE by identifying major indicators and enablers, but pointed out some barriers, including weak legislation, poor funding, the non-engagement of professionals, the absence of infrastructure, a lack of strategic planning, uncivilized behavioral conduct, and demography. The need to improve the current practice of MSWM from the linear economy (LE) of take–make–dispose is crucial. Summarily, the transition towards CE in MSWM is feasible and it can be initiated through the application of the 3Rs and 12Rs while anticipating the provision of infrastructural and novel technologies for a functional MSWM framework.
Self-Care Practices as a Mediator between Workaholism and Sleep–Wake Problems during COVID-19
Authors: Martoni Monica , Fabbri Marco , Grandi Annalisa , Sist Luisa , Colombo Lara
Published: August 2023

Self-care practices are considered an important resource for workers’ psychophysical well-being. These resources were especially relevant during the COVID-19 outbreak, during which both workaholism and sleep–wake problems were documented. Our study aimed to examine whether workaholism could predict sleep–wake quality through the mediating effects of self-care practices. A convenient sample of 405 Italian workers (71.1% females; mean age = 42.58 ± 10.68 years) completed the Self-Care Practices Scale, Mini-Sleep Questionnaire, and Working Excessively and Working Compulsively Scale during the first lockdown in Italy in 2020. The main results showed that workaholism directly affected sleep–wake quality, suggesting that high levels of workaholism increased the likelihood of sleep–wake problems being reported. At the same time, people with high levels of workaholism reported scarce use of self-care practices and, in turn, lower sleep–wake quality. Our findings confirm the importance of monitoring the quality of life at work to protect workers’ sleep–wake cycle quality and investing in self-care. Both individual and organizational efforts can help break the vicious cycle of workaholism and sleep–wake disorders.
Performance Evaluation of High-Rise Buildings Integrated with Colored Radiative Cooling Walls in a Hot and Humid Region
Authors: Chen Jianheng , Lu Lin , Jia Linrui , Gong Quan
Published: August 2023

Radiative sky cooling is an appealing form of heat exchange between terrestrial objects and outer space through thermal radiation, which is attracting worldwide interest due to its nature as passive cooling, that is, cooling without consuming energy. Due to a recent breakthrough in material science, sub-ambient daytime radiative sky cooling has been effectively achieved, which has significantly stimulated research interest in this field. In view of the numerous radiative coolers being reported as having excellent spectral properties and cooling ability under sunlight, integrating these superb cooling materials into building skins is a promising route to implementing radiative sky cooling technology. To this end, this study deploys state-of-the-art colored radiative cooling coatings as a new retrofitting strategy for building walls, and then conducts a comprehensive performance evaluation by considering a high-rise building situated in the hot-humid city of Hong Kong. Potential benefits of implementing differently colored cooling wall strategies, including their performance regarding thermal insulation, energy savings, economic viability, and environmental sustainability, were thoroughly investigated. The obtained results elucidate that for the utilization of the porous P(VdF-HFP)-based bilayer wall, relative to the monolayer, the frequency of the wall temperature exceeding the surrounding environment on an annual basis can be further reduced by up to 4.8%, and the yearly savings in cooling electricity vary from 855.6 to 3105.6 kWh (0.4–1.5%) with an average of 1692.4 kWh. Besides this, the yearly savings in net electricity cost vary from 1412.5 to 5127.3 HKD and the reduction in carbon emissions ranges from 1544.4 to 5606.1 kg with an average of 3055.0 kg. In addition, discussions of the combination of the super-cool roof strategy with blue porous polymer-based cooling walls reveal that the achievable savings in terms of energy costs and reductions in carbon emissions are 1.6 and 2.2 times more than either the application of the super-cool roof or porous polymer bilayer walls alone, respectively. This research offers new understandings of the deployment of colored cooling coatings on vertical building façades in hot and humid regions, which can considerably facilitate the realization of low-energy buildings in a passive approach for stakeholders.
The Impacts of Low-Carbon Incentives and Carbon-Reduction Awareness on Airport Ground Access Mode Choice under Travel Time Uncertainty: A Hybrid CPT-MNL Model
Authors: Shao Mengru , Chen Chao , Lu Qingchang , Zuo Xinyu , Liu Xueling , Gu Xiaoning
Published: August 2023

Developing strategies to incentivize travelers towards adopting sustainable mobility options is one of the effective approaches to mitigate carbon emissions. Using Xi’an Xianyang International Airport as a case study, this study aims to explore the effects of low-carbon incentives and carbon-reduction awareness on airport ground access mode choices. In addition, to account for the complex road environment, an innovative stated preference choice experiment was designed, integrating the factor of travel time uncertainty. Then, a hybrid cumulative prospect theory–Multinomial Logit (CPT-MNL) model was also developed. The estimated results revealed that travelers increasingly prioritize emissions reduction and consciously prefer sustainable mobility options to reach the airport. Furthermore, the potential of low-carbon incentives to encourage public transport usage over private vehicles has been highlighted. Notably, travel time uncertainty had a significant impact on the choice of private cars. When the travel time to the airport is uncertain, travelers exhibit a greater inclination towards selecting public transport. The findings of this study offer nuanced insights for transportation authorities, aiding them in fostering the adoption of sustainable mobility options and achieving carbon reduction objectives.
Environmental Awareness, Ecotourism Awareness and Ecotourism Perception of Tourist Guides
Authors: Üzülmez Meral , Ercan İştin Aysen , Barakazı Ebru
Published: August 2023

The tourism sector operates intensively in the ecological environment with tourist guides, who are accepted as the guiding recreation leader within the scope of outdoor activities. From this point of view, it is aimed to determine the ecotourism perception and environmental awareness of tourist guides by determining the criteria affecting the perception of ecotourism. Within the scope of the research, 336 answers were obtained by asking questions to the professional tourist guides who are actively operating throughout Turkey. In the light of the research data, mostly positive relations were determined by the correlation analyses for the environmental awareness dimensions. In the regression analyses conducted to explain the relationship between the perception of ecotourism and the awareness of ecotourism, it was concluded that the effects of the awareness and ecotourism knowledge dimensions on the economic contribution of ecotourism were significant. This research, aims to contribute to the relevant scientific field via the evaluation of environmental awareness and ecotourism awareness in a sustainable context. In the context of environmental sustainability, the research tries to eliminate the lack of knowledge in the relevant literature by revealing the ecotourism awareness and approaches of tourist guides. In addition, it is recommended to conduct more research on the subject by drawing attention to the relationship between the ecological environment and tourism sustainability.
Towards Sustainable Energy Grids: A Machine Learning-Based Ensemble Methods Approach for Outages Estimation in Extreme Weather Events
Authors: AlHaddad Ulaa , Basuhail Abdullah , Khemakhem Maher , Eassa Fathy Elbouraey , Jambi Kamal
Published: August 2023

The critical challenge of enhancing the resilience and sustainability of energy management systems has arisen due to historical outages. A potentially effective strategy for addressing outages in energy grids involves preparing for future failures resulting from line vulnerability or grid disruptions. As a result, many researchers have undertaken investigations to develop machine learning-based methodologies for outage forecasting for smart grids. This research paper proposed applying ensemble methods to forecast the conditions of smart grid devices during extreme weather events to enhance the resilience of energy grids. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of five machine learning algorithms, namely support vector machines (SVM), artificial neural networks (ANN), logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), and Naive Bayes (NB), by utilizing the bagging ensemble technique. The results demonstrate a remarkable accuracy rate of 99.98%, with a true positive rate of 99.6% and a false positive rate of 0.01%. This research establishes a foundation for implementing sustainable energy integration into electrical networks by accurately predicting the occurrence of damaged components in the energy grid caused by extreme weather events. Moreover, it enables operators to manage the energy generated effectively and facilitates the achievement of energy production efficiency. Our research contributes to energy management systems using ensemble methods to predict grid vulnerabilities. This advancement lays the foundation for developing resilient and dependable energy infrastructure capable of withstanding unfavorable weather conditions and assisting in achieving energy production efficiency goals.
Impact of Digital Inclusive Finance on Urban Carbon Emission Intensity: From the Perspective of Green and Low-Carbon Travel and Clean Energy
Authors: Su Zhi , Cao Ruijie
Published: August 2023

This paper uses the non-balanced panel data of 285 prefecture-level cities in China from 2011 to 2017 and the Peking University Digital Inclusive Finance Index to examine the impact of the development of digital inclusive finance on urban carbon emission intensity. The results show that the development of digital inclusive finance has a significantly negative impact on urban carbon emission intensity. By using the spherical distance between various cities and Hangzhou as an instrumental variable to deal with the potential endogeneity problem, the results still hold. Mechanism analysis shows that digital inclusive finance can reduce urban carbon emission intensity by promoting green and low-carbon travel modes of public transport and the use of clean energy. Compared with other regions, the effect of digital inclusive finance in reducing urban carbon emission intensity is more significant in the western region and in cities with low economic development. Against the background of the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, we find that accelerating the development of digital inclusive finance can effectively promote the green and low-carbon transition of cities.
Recent Progress in the Cracking Mechanism and Control Measures of Tunnel Lining Cracking under the Freeze–Thaw Cycle
Authors: Yuan Peilong , Ma Chao , Liu Yuhang , Qiu Junling , Liu Tong , Luo Yanping , Chen Yunteng
Published: August 2023

With the rapid increase in the scale and number of tunnels in cold regions, the frost damage problems, such as cracking of the lining structure under the action of freeze–thaw cycles are becoming increasingly prominent. This review article collects and sorts out the frost damage phenomena that occur in the lining structure of tunnels in cold regions under the action of freezing and thawing cycles, classifies the frost damage phenomena into structural frost damage and non-structural frost damage, and proposes that the research on the mechanism of lining frost damage and its prevention measures should focus on lining cracking. According to the damage degree of the freeze–thaw cycle to the lining structure and its influence on tunnel operation, the cracking mode and cracking stage of lining are introduced. The analysis focuses on the mechanism of cracking in lining structures subjected to freeze–thaw cycles, considering the external force caused by frost heaving, the alteration of mechanical properties in lining concrete, and the internal changes in the microstructure of the concrete. Additionally, the factors that contribute to the occurrence of lining cracking are summarized. Based on this, corresponding control measures have been organized to provide reference for the development of cracking of the lining structure under the action of freeze–thaw cycle.
Teachers’ Perceptions of Immigrant Students and Families: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Podadera María del Carmen Medina , González-Jimenez Antonio José
Published: August 2023

The perception that teachers have of cultural diversity is essential when it comes to the educational attention given to immigrant students. The objective is to determine how teachers perceive students’ cultural diversity and families’ commitment with the education of their children, and if this perception can influence teachers’ expectations regarding students and their families. This is qualitative research study based on hermeneutic phenomenology developed through semi-structured interviews, applied on an intentional sample of 16 Spanish primary school teachers. The results indicate that teachers need the assistance of educational specialists, training in cultural diversity, and intercultural communication skills. They also recognize the importance of enhancing collaboration with immigrant families. Hence, education must be rethought, bearing in mind the perceptions of teachers, empowering students and their families with new innovative formulas aimed at incorporating their cultural references in the curriculum, and providing culturally relevant teaching.
Study on the National Identity Education Intentions of Pre-Service Teachers: Evidence from PLS-SEM and fsQCA
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Du Jiannan , Yue Huiji , Li Gui’an , Zhang Dian
Published: August 2023

National identity education is a form of education that fosters a stable sense of national identity among citizens and plays a crucial role in the sustainable development of the country. However, with the deepening of economic globalisation and cultural pluralism, pre-service teachers, in their dual roles as school students and prospective teachers, have encountered challenges in practicing their intention to implement national identity education. This study constructed a model of influencing pre-service teachers’ intention to implement national identity education based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the cognitive evaluation theory (CET) with the aim of explaining and analysing the development path of pre-service teachers’ educational intentions. The model was validated using PLS-SEM and fsQCA on data from 280 pre-service teachers in teacher training colleges in northern China. The PLS-SEM results indicated that subjective norms, relatedness need, and study resources directly and positively influenced pre-service teachers’ educational intentions, and study resources could also indirectly influence educational intentions through subjective norms and a need for relatedness. The fsQCA results indicated that a single variable was unable to predict and explain educational intentions. A total of five ways of influencing educational intentions emerged from the group analysis. Based on the pre-service teachers’ propensity to demand learning resources and their competence, pre-service teachers were categorised into four types—basic development pathway, internally driven pathway, competence-driven pathway and resource-supported pathway—and recommendations were made according to the degree of reliance on resources of different types of pre-service teachers as a way of providing theoretical and data support for the sustainable development of the country.
Sector-Specific Pathways to Sustainability: Unravelling the Most Promising Renewable Energy Options
Authors: Balode Lauma , Dolge Kristiāna , Blumberga Dagnija
Published: August 2023

Energy consumption across industries accounts for more than seventy-five per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. Energy is a top priority for achieving climate goals and low greenhouse gas emission levels. The comparison of sustainable development patterns in renewable energy sources is carried out for all the different sectors analysed for the study, such as industry, services, agriculture, transport, and households. Specifically, researchers examined trends in each of these sectors. This study aims to create a model that combines qualitative and quantitative research approaches to obtain the most objective and descriptive data on RES technologies used in different sectors of the economy. According to the results, both solar energy and biomass have strong development potential overall, which is reflected in the higher average values of the overall results. This is also the case when looking at the impacts individually.
Exploring the Potential of a Popular EFL Textbook to Foster Both Sustainability Awareness and Competencies among ESD Learners: A Content Analysis Approach
Authors: Lasekan Olusiji Adebola , Méndez-Alarcón Claudia Myrna , Mathew Blessy Sarah , Campos Evelyn Solange
Published: August 2023

To demonstrate the potential of the fifth edition of the Headway EFL textbook as a means to cultivate sustainability awareness and competence in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), this study aims to identify themes related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the textbook. The secondary objective is to identify grammatical concept exercises that can function as a means of augmenting sustainability competencies. Drawing on constructivism research philosophy, this study utilized a content analysis approach to identify themes and patterns of SDGs in the textbook. This involved connecting language skill development (reading, listening, writing, and speaking) within every topic unit of the textbook with each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, we focused on identifying and correlating different grammatical tasks that have the potential of enhancing students’ anticipatory, system-thinking, normative, strategic, and interpersonal sustainability competencies. The findings indicated that, with the exception of SDGs 6 and 1, all of the remaining 15 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are depicted throughout the six levels of the textbook. In addition, it was revealed that exercises pertaining to grammatical concepts, including passive voice, pronouns, conjunctions, adjectives, and emphatic language, simple future tense, serve as significant predictors and enhancers of the five core competencies of sustainability. The present study sheds more light on the current understanding of sustainability awareness and competencies that are crucial for advancing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) initiatives across various levels of the educational system.
Effects from ESG Scores on P&C Insurance Companies
Authors: Bressan Silvia
Published: August 2023

Insurers act as institutional investors and underwriters of risk. Therefore, improving their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance is important for the transmission of ESG values to all economic sectors. We analyze ESG scores of worldwide Property and Casualty (P&C) insurers during 2013–2022 and show that more sustainable insurers have high operating leverage despite appearing to be financially stable from their combined ratios and z-scores. Additional results for the US subsample illustrate that stocks issued by sustainable insurers deliver positive excess returns. Overall, these findings suggest that there is a significant association between sustainable practices and the ability of insurers to execute business and create value. This is important for insurance managers, investors, and policy makers, as insurers play a prominent role in promoting economic growth and stability.
A Novel Multi Level Dynamic Decomposition Based Coordinated Control of Electric Vehicles in Multimicrogrids
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Anique , Kashif Syed Abdul Rahman , Gulzar Muhammad Majid , Alqahtani Mohammed , Khalid Muhammad
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a novel tetra-level dynamic decomposition-based control approach for coordinated operation of electric vehicles in multimicrogrids, which is comprehensive, generic, modular, and secure in nature, to maximize the utilization of renewable energy sources, while meeting the load demands with the resources available. There are a number of microgrids that are connected to the grid. Each microgrid consists of a number of renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, non-renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, and loads. Each distributed energy source or load is controlled by a microsource controller. All microsource controllers with a similar nature are controlled by a unit controller, and all the unit controllers in a microgrid are controlled by a microgrid controller. There is a single multimicrogrid controller at the top. The proposed control scheme was verified through simulation-based case studies.
The Impact of Carbon Emission Trading on Renewable Energy: A Comparative Analysis Based on the CGE Model
Authors: Huang Shenhai , Du Chao , Jin Xian , Zhang Daini , Wen Shiyan , Jia Zhijie
Published: August 2023

This study examines the effects of carbon emission trading on renewable energy consumption in China. The research applies the CEEEA2.0 model to simulate the economic, energy, and environmental impacts of carbon trading from 2018 to 2030. The CEEEA2.0 model is a recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium model that incorporates multiple households, sectors, and an energy and environment module. Four scenarios are considered: the Business as Usual (BaU) scenario, the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS)-benchmark scenario, and the ETS-strengthened and ETS-enhanced scenarios. The findings reveal that carbon emission trading positively influences electricity consumption, resulting in a higher preference for renewable energy due to reduced price disparities between renewable sources and fossil fuels. Consequently, electricity generation from renewable sources increases in all scenarios compared to the BaU scenario. However, the share of renewable energy is not substantially affected by carbon emission trading due to the complex interplay of factors, including substitution and income effects. The study further highlights that carbon trading significantly reduces coal usage and partially increases the overall proportion of renewable energy. These results underscore the significance of establishing ambitious carbon reduction targets and continual efforts to shift towards clean energy sources.
The Eternal Struggle for the City: In Search of an Alternative Framework for Citizen Participation in Urban Regeneration Projects in Shrinking Cities
Authors: Ročak Maja , Keinemans Sabrina
Published: August 2023

The relevance of citizen participation in regeneration projects, particularly in shrinking cities, is widely acknowledged, and this topic has received a great deal of policy and academic attention. Although the many advantages of citizen participation in regeneration projects have been identified, its current forms have also received considerable criticism. In short, this criticism boils down to the conclusion that the ideal of citizen participation is not put into practice. This paper considers why this is the case, asking whether current participatory practices enable citizens to exercise influence as political actors in urban regeneration projects. In this paper, we examine this question based on Mouffe’s conception of the political, coupled with findings from our empirical research conducted in Heerlen North, The Netherlands. We conducted qualitative research on urban regeneration in the shrinking old industrial city of Heerlen. The findings reveal two distinct perspectives on citizen participation. Professionals see the existing context of citizen participation as a reasonable and practical but, in some respects, insufficient practice. Citizens’ views on participation are organized around feelings of anger, shame, and fear and are grounded in experiences of a lack of recognition. These experiences limit citizens’ abilities to exert true influence on regeneration projects. We conclude that efforts to regenerate shrinking cities should strive to recognize these experiences so as to create conditions that generate respect and esteem and, as such, enable urban social justice.
Analyzing the Impact of C-ITS Services on Driving Behavior: A Case Study of the Daejeon–Sejong C-ITS Pilot Project in South Korea
Authors: Kang Junhee , Tak Sehyun , Park Sungjin
Published: August 2023

This paper analyzes the impact of C-ITS service on driving behavior, focusing on a pilot project in Daejeon–Sejong, South Korea. C-ITS, an advanced technology, enables bidirectional wireless communication between vehicles or infrastructure, allowing for real-time traffic data collection and dissemination. The study uses a unique analytical method, employing parallel processing techniques for variable extraction and a paired t-test to examine the short-term effects of C-ITS on driving behavior. Findings indicate a significant change in drivers’ behavior, particularly in average speed, hard braking rate, severe deceleration rate, speeding rate, and excessive speeding rate, towards safer trends after receiving C-ITS warning services. Reductions in hard braking and severe deceleration were immediate after C-ITS service initiation, while a decrease in excessive speeding was observed after four months. Further research is needed to identify other potential influencing variables and provide an unbiased evaluation of C-ITS effectiveness. The study’s implications highlight its role in promoting public acceptance of C-ITS-service-based cooperative autonomous driving strategies.
Impact of Semi-Symmetric Metric Connection on Homology of Warped Product Pointwise Semi-Slant Submanifolds of an Odd-Dimensional Sphere
Authors: Al-Dayel Ibrahim , Khan Meraj Ali
Published: August 2023

Our paper explores warped product pointwise semi-slant submanifolds with a semi-symmetric metric connection in an odd-dimensional sphere and uncovers fundamental results. We also demonstrate how our findings can be applied to the homology of these submanifolds. Notably, we prove that under a specific condition, there are no stable currents for these submanifolds. This work adds valuable insights into the stability and behavior of warped product pointwise semi-slant submanifolds and sets the foundation for further research in this field.
A More Flexible Extension of the Fréchet Distribution Based on the Incomplete Gamma Function and Applications
Authors: Castillo Jaime S. , Rojas Mario A. , Reyes Jimmy
Published: August 2023

In this paper, a more flexible extension of the Fréchet distribution is introduced. The new distribution is defined by means of the stochastic representation as the quotient of two independent random variables, a Fréchet distribution and the power of a random variable, with uniform distribution in the interval (0, 1). We will call this new extension the slash Fréchet distribution and one of its main characteristics is that its tails are heavier than the Fréchet distribution. The general density of this distribution and some basic properties are determined. Its moments, skewness coefficients, and kurtosis are calculated. In addition, the estimation of the model parameters is obtained by the method of moments and maximum likelihood. Finally, three applications with real data are performed by fitting the new model and comparing it with the Fréchet distribution.
Symmetries of the Energy–Momentum Tensor for Static Plane Symmetric Spacetimes
Authors: Khan Fawad , Ullah Wajid , Hussain Tahir , Sumelka Wojciech
Published: August 2023

This article explores matter collineations (MCs) of static plane-symmetric spacetimes, considering the stress–energy tensor in its contravariant and mixed forms. We solve the MC equations in two cases: when the energy–momentum tensor is nondegenerate and degenerate. For the case of a degenerate energy–momentum tensor, we employ a direct integration technique to solve the MC equations, which leads to an infinite-dimensional Lie algebra. On the other hand, when considering the nondegenerate energy–momentum tensor, the contravariant form results in a finite-dimensional Lie algebra with dimensions of either 4 or 10. However, in the case of the mixed form of the energy–momentum tensor, the dimension of the Lie algebra is infinite. Moreover, the obtained MCs are compared with those already found for covariant stress–energy.
A Free Convective Two-Phase Flow of Optically Thick Radiative Ternary Hybrid Nanofluid in an Inclined Symmetrical Channel through a Porous Medium
Authors: Pavithra K. , Srilatha Pudhari , Hanumagowda B. , Varma S. , Verma Amit , Alkarni Shalan , Shah Nehad
Published: August 2023

In the present article, we investigate the free convective flow of a ternary hybrid nanofluid in a two-phase inclined channel saturated with a porous medium. The flow has been propelled using the pressure gradient, thermal radiation, and buoyancy force. The flow model’s governing equations are resolved using the regular perturbation approach. The governing equations are solved with the help of the regular perturbation method. Polyethylene glycol and water (at a ratio of 50%:50%) fill up Region I, while a ternary hybrid nanofluid based on zirconium dioxide, magnesium oxide, and carbon nanotubes occupies Region II. The ternary hybrid nanofluids are defined with a mixture model in which three different shapes of nanoparticles, namely spherical, platelet, and cylindrical, are incorporated. The consequences of the most significant variables have been examined using both visual and tabular data. The main finding of this work is that utilising a ternary hybrid nanofluid at the plate y = 1 increases the rate of heat transfers by 753%, demonstrating the potential thermal efficiency. The overall heat and volume flow rates are amplified by buoyant forces and viscous dissipations and dampened by the thermal radiation parameter. The optimum enhancement of temperature is achieved by the influence of buoyancy forces. A ternary nanofluid region experiences the maximum temperature increase compared to a clear fluid region. To ensure the study’s efficiency, we validated it with prior studies.
On the Solitary Waves and Nonlinear Oscillations to the Fractional Schrödinger–KdV Equation in the Framework of the Caputo Operator
Authors: Noor Saima , Alotaibi Badriah M. , Shah Rasool , Ismaeel Sherif M. E. , El-Tantawy Samir A.
Published: August 2023

The fractional Schrödinger–Korteweg-de Vries (S-KdV) equation is an important mathematical model that incorporates the nonlinear dynamics of the KdV equation with the quantum mechanical effects described by the Schrödinger equation. Motivated by the several applications of the mentioned evolution equation, in this investigation, the Laplace residual power series method (LRPSM) is employed to analyze the fractional S-KdV equation in the framework of the Caputo operator. By incorporating both the Caputo operator and fractional derivatives into the mentioned evolution equation, we can account for memory effects and non-local behavior. The LRPSM is a powerful analytical technique for the solution of fractional differential equations and therefore it is adapted in our current study. In this study, we prove that the combination of the residual power series expansion with the Laplace transform yields precise and efficient solutions. Moreover, we investigate the behavior and properties of the (un)symmetric solutions to the fractional S-KdV equation using extensive numerical simulations and by considering various fractional orders and initial fractional values. The results contribute to the greater comprehension of the interplay between quantum mechanics and nonlinear dynamics in fractional systems and shed light on wave phenomena and symmetry soliton solutions in such equations. In addition, the proposed method successfully solves fractional differential equations with the Caputo operator, providing a valuable computational instrument for the analysis of complex physical systems. Moreover, the obtained results can describe many of the mysteries associated with the mechanism of nonlinear wave propagation in plasma physics.
Effects of Maternal Cigarette Smoking on Trace Element Levels and Steroidogenesis in the Maternal–Placental–Fetal Unit
Authors: Piasek Martina , Škrgatić Lana , Sulimanec Antonija , Orct Tatjana , Sekovanić Ankica , Kovačić Jelena , Katić Anja , Branović Čakanić Karmen , Pizent Alica , Brajenović Nataša , Jurič Andreja , Brčić Karačonji Irena , Kljaković-Gašpić Zorana , Tariba Lovaković Blanka , Lazarus Maja , Stasenko Sandra , Miškulin Iva , Jurasović Jasna
Published: August 2023

This study evaluates the interaction of toxic elements cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) due to exposure from cigarette smoking, essential elements, and steroidogenesis in the maternal–placental–fetal unit. In a cohort of 155 healthy, postpartum women with vaginal term deliveries in clinical hospitals in Zagreb, Croatia, samples of maternal blood/serum and urine, placental tissue, and umbilical cord blood/serum were collected at childbirth. The biomarkers determined were concentrations of Cd, Pb, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se), and steroid hormones progesterone and estradiol in maternal and umbilical cord blood and the placenta. Three study groups were designated based on self-reported data on cigarette smoking habits and confirmed by urine cotinine levels: never smokers (n = 71), former smokers (n = 48), and active smokers (n = 36). Metal(loid)s, steroid hormones, urine cotinine, and creatinine levels were analyzed by ICP–MS, ELISA, GC–MS, and spectrophotometry. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy was associated with increased Cd levels in maternal, placental, and fetal compartments, Pb in the placenta, and with decreased Fe in the placenta. In active smokers, decreased progesterone and estradiol concentrations in cord blood serum were found, while sex steroid hormones did not change in either maternal serum or placenta. This study provides further evidence regarding toxic and essential metal(loid) interactions during prenatal life, and new data on sex steroid disruption in cord serum related to cigarette smoking. The results indicate that umbilical cord sex steroid levels may be a putative early marker of developmental origins of the future burden of disease related to harmful prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke.
Investigation of Metal Toxicity on Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Hipersaline Zooplankter Artemia salina, and Jellyfish Aurelia aurita
Authors: Mercado Borja , Valero Nuria , Roca-Pérez Luis , Bernabeu-Berni Elena , Andreu-Sánchez Oscar
Published: August 2023

The escalating global anthropogenic activities associated with industrial development have led to the increased introduction of heavy metals (HMs) into marine environments through effluents. This study aimed to assess the toxicity of three HMs (Cr, Cu, and Cd) on organisms spanning different trophic levels: Phaeodactylum tricornutum (a primary producer), Artemia salina (a primary consumer), and Aurelia aurita (a secondary consumer). The EC50 values obtained revealed varying relative toxicities for the tested organisms. Phaeodactylum tricornutum exhibited the highest sensitivity to Cu, followed by Cd and Cr, while Artemia salina displayed the highest sensitivity to Cr, followed by Cu and Cd. A. aurita, on the other hand, demonstrated the highest sensitivity to Cu, followed by Cr and Cd. This experimental investigation further supported previous studies that have suggested A. aurita as a suitable model organism for ecotoxicity testing. Our experiments encompassed sublethal endpoints, such as pulsation frequency, acute effects, and mortality, highlighting different levels of sensitivity among the organisms.
Dynamics of Infection of Atypical Porcine Pestivirus in Commercial Pigs from Birth to Market: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Buckley Alexandra C. , Mora-Díaz Juan-Carlos , Magtoto Ronaldo L. , Hulzen Amberly Van , Ferreyra Franco Matias , Falkenberg Shollie M. , Giménez-Lirola Luis G. , Arruda Bailey L.
Published: August 2023

Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) was found to be associated with pigs demonstrating congenital tremors (CT), and clinical signs in pigs have been reproduced after experimental challenge. Subsequently, APPV has been identified in both symptomatic and asymptomatic swine of all ages globally. The objective of this research was to perform a longitudinal study following two cohorts of pigs, those born in litters with pigs exhibiting CT and those born in litters without CT, to analyze the virus and antibody dynamics of APPV infection in serum from birth to market. There was a wide range in the percentage of affected pigs (8–75%) within CT-positive litters. After co-mingling with CT-positive litters at weaning, pigs from CT-negative litters developed viremia that was cleared after approximately 2 months, with the majority seroconverting by the end of the study. In contrast, a greater percentage of pigs exhibiting CT remained PCR positive throughout the growing phase, with less than one-third of these animals seroconverting. APPV RNA was present in multiple tissues from pigs in both groups at the time of marketing. This study improved our understanding of the infection dynamics of APPV in swine and the impact that the immune status and timing of infection have on the persistence of APPV in serum and tissues.
Antiviral Activities of Streptomyces KSF 103 Methanolic Extracts against Dengue Virus Type-2
Authors: Zulkifli Nurfatihah , Khairat Jasmine-Elanie , Azman Adzzie-Shazleen , Baharudin Nur-Faralyza Mohd , Malek Nurul-Adila , Zainal Abidin Syafiq-Asnawi , AbuBakar Sazaly , Hassandarvish Pouya
Published: August 2023

Dengue has long been a serious health burden to the global community, especially for those living in the tropics. Despite the availability of vaccines, effective treatment for the infection is still needed and currently remains absent. In the present study, the antiviral properties of the Streptomyces sp. KSF 103 methanolic extract (Streptomyces KSF 103 ME), which consists of a number of potential antiviral compounds, were investigated against dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2). The effects of this extract against DENV-2 replication were determined using the quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Findings from the study suggested that the Streptomyces KSF 103 ME showed maximum inhibitory properties toward the virus during the virus entry stage at concentrations of more than 12.5 µg/mL. Minimal antiviral activities were observed at other virus replication stages; adsorption (42% reduction at 50 µg/mL), post-adsorption (67.6% reduction at 50 µg/mL), prophylactic treatment (68.4% and 87.7% reductions at 50 µg/mL and 25 µg/mL, respectively), and direct virucidal assay (48% and 56.8% reductions at 50 µg/mL and 25 µg/mL, respectively). The Streptomyces KSF 103 ME inhibited dengue virus replication with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 20.3 µg/mL and an International System of Units (SI) value of 38.9. The Streptomyces KSF 103 ME showed potent antiviral properties against dengue virus (DENV) during the entry stage. Further studies will be needed to deduce the antiviral mechanisms of the Streptomyces KSF 103 ME against DENV.
The Late Asymptomatic and Terminal Immunodeficiency Phases in Experimentally FIV-Infected Cats—A Long-Term Study
Authors: Murphy Brian G. , Castillo Diego , Cook Sarah , Eckstrand Christina , Evans Samantha , Sparger Ellen , Grant Chris K.
Published: August 2023

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus in the family Retroviridae that infects domestic cats resulting in an immunodeficiency disease featuring a progressive and profound decline in multiple sets of peripheral lymphocytes. Despite compelling evidence of FIV-associated immunopathology, there are conflicting data concerning the clinical effects of FIV infection on host morbidity and mortality. To explore FIV-associated immunopathogenesis and clinical disease, we experimentally inoculated a cohort of four specific pathogen-free kittens with a biological isolate of FIV clade C and continuously monitored these animals along with two uninfected control animals for more than thirteen years from the time of inoculation to the humane euthanasia endpoint. Here, we report the results obtained during the late asymptomatic and terminal phases of FIV infection in this group of experimentally FIV-infected cats.
Meloxicam in Combination with Mitoxantrone or Vinblastine as First-Line Treatment for Non-Resectable Urothelial Cell Carcinoma in Dogs
Authors: Ciriano Cerdà Estel.la , Zajc Alenka , Finotello Riccardo , Macdonald Kirsty , Lyseight Filipa , Van Den Steen Nele , Sanchez Gonzalez Katia , Marrington Mary , Grant Jessica
Published: August 2023

Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors have been demonstrated to have antitumour activity in canine urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC), given as a sole treatment or in combination with chemotherapy. The purpose of this retrospective multi-institutional study was to assess the efficacy of meloxicam in combination with mitoxantrone or vinblastine as a first-line treatment for non-resectable canine UCC. Gastrointestinal adverse effects (AEs) of these treatment combinations were also assessed. A total of 28 dogs met the inclusion criteria, 21/28 dogs received mitoxantrone and meloxicam, and 7/28 received vinblastine and meloxicam. Tumour response (TR) and AE were evaluated according to Veterinary Co-Operative Oncology Group (VCOG) criteria. The endpoint of the study was the time to tumour progression (TTP). The mitoxantrone-group induced 24% partial response and 62% stable disease, while the vinblastine-group induced 14% and 86%, respectively. Median TTP was 84 days (mitoxantrone and meloxicam, 70 days; and vinblastine and meloxicam, 178 days). The presence of metastatic disease significantly decreased TTP (p = 0.007). Gastrointestinal AEs were reported in 21.4% of the patients, with the most common being VCOG grade 1–2 diarrhoea. Meloxicam is a well-tolerated NSAID when combined with mitoxantrone or vinblastine as first-line treatment for non-resectable canine UCC.
Stormwater Tree Pits for Decentralized Retention of Heavy Rainfall
Authors: Siering Nils , Grüning Helmut
Published: August 2023

Stormwater tree pits with storage elements enable the irrigation of urban trees and can potentially act as decentralized rainwater retention basins. This paper mainly focuses on analyzing this potential. Field tests were conducted to investigate the irrigation behavior and the storage effect of a storm water tree pit system using Perl hoses as irrigation elements over a period of two years. The rainfall, storage volumes, and soil moisture within the employed planting pit were measured. With the help of system modeling, the retention ability of the storm water tree pit system was analyzed. The available storage volume was sufficient to irrigate trees for several days. During the measurement period, about 15% of the inflowing rainwater was fed to the root zone of the tree. With practical storage volumes of 200 to 300 m3/ha, a remarkable amount of water from heavy rainfall could be completely stored, thus significantly reducing the risk of flooding. The retention effect and irrigation behavior largely depend on the soil conditions and the technical possibilities of the equipment supplying the root area (in this case, Perl hoses). Further investigations are required to determine the influence on the growth conditions of trees and optimize of the system for discharge into the root zone.
Effect of Alternating Well Water with Treated Wastewater Irrigation on Soil and Koroneiki Olive Trees
Authors: Fdil Jouhayna , Zhou Xiaoliang , Ahmali Abdelaali , El Alaoui El Fels Abdelhafid , Mandi Laila , Ouazzani Naaila
Published: August 2023

The use of treated wastewater (TWW) in irrigation has a positive impact by bringing fertilizers and organics. However, increases in the soil’s sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) creates a barrier to long-term TWW irrigation. Alternating well water with wastewater irrigation is one practical solution that could be used to address the problem. This work aims to study the effect of alternating two years of well water with two years of treated wastewater irrigation on the soil characteristics of a Koroneiki olive tree mesocosm. Urban and agri-food wastewater treated using various technologies, such as lagooning, activated sludge, multi-soil-layering, and constructed wetlands, were used for irrigation. The results showed that an increase in salinity (SAR and ESP) in soil and olive tree leaves are the main negative effects of continuous irrigation with TWW on soil and tree performance. Several chemical and biochemical parameters, such as SAR and Na+ concentration, demonstrated that alternating well water with treated wastewater irrigation can reverse these negative effects. This recovery effect occurs in a relatively short period of time, implying that such a management practice is viable. However, long-term well water application reduces soil fertility due to the leaching of organics and exchangeable ions.
Changes of Hydrological Extremes in the Center of Eastern Europe and Their Plausible Causes
Authors: Danilovich Irina S. , Loginov Vladimir F. , Groisman Pavel Y.
Published: August 2023

Regional studies of precipitation changes over Europe show that its eastern part is characterized by small changes in annual precipitation and insignificant aridity trends compared to central and southern Europe. However, a frequency analysis over the past 30 years showed statistically significant increasing dryness trends in eastern Europe and an increase in the occurrence of extremely high rainfall as well as prolonged no-rain intervals during the warm season. The largest increase in aridity was observed in the western and central parts of Belarus. During 1990–2020, the frequency of dry periods doubled in all river basins along the Black, Caspian, and Baltic Sea water divide areas of eastern Europe. From 1970 to 1990, there were high streamflow rates during the winter low-flow season. Consequently, over the past 50 years, in spring, we observed here a continued decrease in maximal discharges across all river basins. In summer, we detected a statistically significant increase in the number of days with anticyclonic weather over eastern Europe, a decrease in rainfall duration by 15–20%, an increase in daily precipitation maxima by 20–30%, and an increase in the number of days with a low relative humidity by 1–4 days per decade.