bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Treatment with Monoclonal Antibodies or Convalescent Plasma Reduces Mortality in Non-Vaccinated COVID-19 High-Risk Patients
Authors: Thümmler Laura , Lindemann Monika , Horn Peter A. , Lenz Veronika , Konik Margarethe , Gäckler Anja , Boss Kristina , Theodoropoulos Fotis , Besa Vasiliki , Taube Christian , Brenner Thorsten , Witzke Oliver , Krawczyk Adalbert , Rohn Hana
Published: January 2023

Vulnerable patients such as immunosuppressed or elderly patients are at high risk for a severe course of COVID-19 upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immunotherapy with SARS-CoV-2 specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) or convalescent plasma represents a considerable treatment option to protect these patients from a severe or lethal course of infection. However, monoclonal antibodies are not always available or less effective against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Convalescent plasma is more commonly available and may represent a good treatment alternative in low-income countries. We retrospectively evaluated outcomes in individuals treated with mAbs or convalescent plasma and compared the 30-day overall survival with a patient cohort that received supportive care due to a lack of SARS-CoV-2 specific therapies between March 2020 and April 2021. Our data demonstrate that mAb treatment is highly effective in preventing severe courses of SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients treated with mAb survived. Treatment with convalescent plasma improved overall survival to 82% compared with 61% in patients without SARS-CoV-2 targeted therapy. Our data indicate that early convalescent plasma treatment may be an option to improve the overall survival of high-risk COVID-19 patients. This is especially true when other antiviral drugs are not available or their efficacy is significantly reduced, which may be the case with emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Needs, Challenges and Countermeasures of SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance in Cold-Chain Foods and Packaging to Prevent Possible COVID-19 Resurgence: A Perspective from Advanced Detections
Authors: Li Yaru , Qiao Jiali , Han Xiao , Zhao Zhiying , Kou Jun , Zhang Wenlu , Man Shuli , Ma Long
Published: January 2023

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has a huge impact on the global economy. SARS-CoV-2 could possibly and potentially be transmitted to humans through cold-chain foods and packaging (namely good-to-human), although it mainly depends on a human-to-human route. It is imperative to develop countermeasures to cope with the spread of viruses and fulfil effective surveillance of cold-chain foods and packaging. This review outlined SARS-CoV-2-related cold-chain food incidents and current methods for detecting SARS-CoV-2. Then the needs, challenges and practicable countermeasures for SARS-CoV-2 detection, specifically for cold-chain foods and packaging, were underlined. In fact, currently established detection methods for SARS-CoV-2 are mostly used for humans; thus, these may not be ideally applied to cold-chain foods directly. Therefore, it creates a need to develop novel methods and low-cost, automatic, mini-sized devices specifically for cold-chain foods and packaging. The review intended to draw people’s attention to the possible spread of SARS-CoV-2 with cold-chain foods and proposed perspectives for futuristic cold-chain foods monitoring during the pandemic.
Effects of Poty-Potexvirus Synergism on Growth, Photosynthesis and Metabolite Status of Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Pollari Maija , Sipari Nina , Poque Sylvain , Himanen Kristiina , Mäkinen Kristiina
Published: January 2023

Mixed virus infections threaten crop production because interactions between the host and the pathogen mix may lead to viral synergism. While individual infections by potato virus A (PVA), a potyvirus, and potato virus X (PVX), a potexvirus, can be mild, co-infection leads to synergistic enhancement of PVX and severe symptoms. We combined image-based phenotyping with metabolite analysis of single and mixed PVA and PVX infections and compared their effects on growth, photosynthesis, and metabolites in Nicotiana benthamiana. Viral synergism was evident in symptom severity and impaired growth in the plants. Indicative of stress, the co-infection increased leaf temperature and decreased photosynthetic parameters. In contrast, singly infected plants sustained photosynthetic activity. The host’s metabolic response differed significantly between single and mixed infections. Over 200 metabolites were differentially regulated in the mixed infection: especially defense-related metabolites and aromatic and branched-chain amino acids increased compared to the control. Changes in the levels of methionine cycle intermediates and a low S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio suggested a decline in the methylation potential in co-infected plants. The decreased ratio between reduced glutathione, an important scavenger of reactive oxygen species, and its oxidized form, indicated that severe oxidative stress developed during co-infection. Based on the results, infection-associated oxidative stress is successfully controlled in the single infections but not in the synergistic infection, where activated defense pathways are not sufficient to counter the impact of the infections on plant growth.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Effects of Polyclonal Antibodies against SARS-CoV2 in Mice
Authors: Jha Aruni , Doyle-Eisele Melanie , Revelli David , Carnelley Trevor , Barker Douglas , Kodihalli Shantha
Published: January 2023

Despite ongoing vaccination efforts to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections, treatment tools are still necessary to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We report here that COVID-HIGIV, a human immunoglobulin product for treatment of COVID-19, provided a significant survival benefit in SARS-CoV-2 infected transgenic mice compared to controls. COVID-HIGIV also has similar pharmacokinetic profiles in healthy and SARS-CoV-2 infected mice over time after intravenous administration, with identical or comparable Tmax, Cmax, AUC0–∞ and Cl. AUC0–last increased and mean residence time, T1/2, and Vd reduced in infected animals compared to healthy animals. These data suggest that COVID-HIGIV may be an effective treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection when given early after exposure.
Phylogenomic and Structural Analysis of the Monkeypox Virus Shows Evolution towards Increased Stability
Authors: Yadav Priya , Devasurmutt Yashas , Tatu Utpal
Published: January 2023

Monkeypox is an infectious zoonotic disease caused by an Orthopoxvirus and results in symptoms similar to smallpox. In a recent outbreak, monkeypox virus (MPXV) cases have been reported globally since May 2022, and the numbers are increasing. Monkeypox was first diagnosed in humans in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has now spread to throughout Europe, the USA, and Africa. In this study, we analyzed the whole genome sequences of MPXV sequences from recent outbreaks in various countries and performed phylogenomic analysis. Our analysis of the available human MPXV strains showed the highest mutations per sample in 2022 with the average number of mutations per sample being the highest in South America and the European continents in 2022. We analyzed specific mutations in 11 Indian MPXV strains occurring in the variable end regions of the MPXV genome, where the mutation number was as high as 10 mutations per gene. Among these, envelope glycoproteins, the B2R protein, the Ankyrin repeat protein, DNA polymerase, and the INF alpha receptor-like secreted glycoprotein were seen to have a relatively high number of mutations. We discussed the stabilizing effects of the mutations in some of the highly mutating proteins. Our results showed that the proteins involved in binding to the host receptors were mutating at a faster rate, which empowered the virus for active selection towards increased disease transmissibility and severity.
Construction of a Chikungunya Virus, Replicon, and Helper Plasmids for Transfection of Mammalian Cells
Authors: Colunga-Saucedo Mayra , Rubio-Hernandez Edson I. , Coronado-Ipiña Miguel A. , Rosales-Mendoza Sergio , Castillo Claudia G. , Comas-Garcia Mauricio
Published: January 2023

The genome of Alphaviruses can be modified to produce self-replicating RNAs and virus-like particles, which are useful virological tools. In this work, we generated three plasmids for the transfection of mammalian cells: an infectious clone of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), one that codes for the structural proteins (helper plasmid), and another one that codes nonstructural proteins (replicon plasmid). All of these plasmids contain a reporter gene (mKate2). The reporter gene in the replicon RNA and the infectious clone are synthesized from subgenomic RNA. Co-transfection with the helper and replicon plasmids has biotechnological/biomedical applications because they allow for the delivery of self-replicating RNA for the transient expression of one or more genes to the target cells.
Mapping the Early Dispersal Patterns of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 Subvariants in the Absence of Travel Restrictions and Testing at the Borders in Europe
Authors: Kostaki Evangelia Georgia , Mossialos Elias , Tseti Ioulia , Sfikakis Petros P. , Paraskevis Dimitrios
Published: January 2023

The circulation of SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants with enhanced transmissibility and capacity for immune evasion resulted in a recent pandemic wave that began in April–May of 2022. We performed a statistical phylogeographic study that aimed to define the cross-border transmission patterns of BA.4 and BA.5 at the earliest stages of virus dispersal. Our sample included all BA.4 and BA.5 sequences that were publicly available in the GISAID database through mid-May 2022. Viral dispersal patterns were inferred using maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees with bootstrap support. We identified South Africa as the major source of both BA.4 and BA.5 that migrated to other continents. By contrast, we detected no significant export of these subvariants from Europe. Belgium was identified as a major hub for BA.4 transmission within Europe, while Portugal and Israel were identified as major sources of BA.5. Western and Northern European countries exhibited the highest rates of cross-border transmission, as did several popular tourist destinations in Southern and Central/Western Europe. Our study provides a detailed map of the early dispersal patterns of two highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 omicron subvariants at a time when there was an overall relaxation of public health measures in Europe.
Pathways Activated by Infected and Bystander Chondrocytes in Response to Ross River Virus Infection
Authors: Lim Elisa X. Y. , Webster Julie A. , Rudd Penny A. , Herrero Lara J.
Published: January 2023

Old world alphaviruses, such as Ross River virus (RRV), cause debilitating arthralgia during acute and chronic stages of the disease. RRV-induced cartilage degradation has been implicated as a cause of joint pain felt by RRV patients. Chondrocytes are a major cell type of cartilage and are involved in the production and maintenance of the cartilage matrix. It is thought that these cells may play a vital role in RRV disease pathogenesis. In this study, we used RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) to examine the transcriptomes of RRV-infected and bystander chondrocytes in the same environment. RRV containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) allowed for the separation of RRV-infected (GFP+) and bystander uninfected cells (GFP−). We found that whereas GFP+ and GFP− populations commonly presented similar gene expression profiles during infection, there were also unique signatures. For example, RIMS2 and FOXJ1 were unique to GFP+ cells, whilst Aim2 and CCL8 were only found in bystander chondrocytes. This indicates that careful selection of potential therapeutic targets is important to minimise adverse effects to the neighbouring uninfected cell populations. Our study serves as a resource to provide more information about the pathways and responses elicited by RRV in cells which are both infected and stimulated because of neighbouring infected cells.
Differential Susceptibility of Fetal Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells, hiPSC- Retinal Stem Cells, and Retinal Organoids to Zika Virus Infection
Authors: Contreras Deisy , Garcia Gustavo , Jones Melissa Kaye , Martinez Laura E. , Jayakarunakaran Akshaya , Gangalapudi Vineela , Tang Jie , Wu Ying , Zhao Jiagang J. , Chen Zhaohui , Ramaiah Arunachalam , Tsui Irena , Kumar Ashok , Nielsen-Saines Karin , Wang Shaomei , Arumugaswami Vaithilingaraja
Published: January 2023

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes microcephaly and congenital eye disease. The cellular and molecular basis of congenital ZIKV infection are not well understood. Here, we utilized a biologically relevant cell-based system of human fetal retinal pigment epithelial cells (FRPEs), hiPSC-derived retinal stem cells (iRSCs), and retinal organoids to investigate ZIKV-mediated ocular cell injury processes. Our data show that FRPEs were highly susceptible to ZIKV infection exhibiting increased apoptosis, whereas iRSCs showed reduced susceptibility. Detailed transcriptomics and proteomics analyses of infected FRPEs were performed. Nucleoside analogue drug treatment inhibited ZIKV replication. Retinal organoids were susceptible to ZIKV infection. The Asian genotype ZIKV exhibited higher infectivity, induced profound inflammatory response, and dysregulated transcription factors involved in retinal organoid differentiation. Collectively, our study shows that ZIKV affects ocular cells at different developmental stages resulting in cellular injury and death, further providing molecular insight into the pathogenesis of congenital eye disease.
Development of a TaqMan-Probe-Based Multiplex Real-Time PCR for the Simultaneous Detection of Porcine Circovirus 2, 3, and 4 in East China from 2020 to 2022
Authors: Zou Jianwen , Liu Huaicheng , Chen Jing , Zhang Jin , Li Xiaohan , Long Yunfeng , Jiang Yan , Li Wenliang , Zhou Bin
Published: January 2023

Porcine circovirus disease (PCVD) caused by porcine circovirus (PCV) is an important swine disease that is characterized by porcine dermatitis, nephropathy syndrome, and reproductive disorders in sows. However, disease caused by PCV2, PCV3, or PCV4 is hard to distinguish, so a rapid and sensitive detection method is urgently needed to differentiate these three types. In this study, four pairs of specific primers and the corresponding probes for PCV 2, -3, and -4, and porcine endogenous gene β-Actin as the positive internal reference index, were designed to establish a TaqMan multiplex real-time PCR (qPCR) assay for the simultaneous differential diagnosis of different types of viruses. The results showed that this assay has good specificity and no cross-reactivity with other important porcine viral pathogens. Furthermore, it has high sensitivity, with a detection limit of 101 copies/μL, and good reproducibility, with intra- and inter-group coefficients of variation below 2%. Subsequently, 535 clinical samples of suspected sow reproductive disorders collected from Shandong, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangsu provinces from 2020 to 2022 were analyzed using the established assay. The results showed that the individual positive rates of PCV2, PCV3, and PCV4 were 31.03%, 30.09%, and 30.84%, respectively; the mixed infection rates of PCV2 and PCV3, PCV2 and PCV4, and PCV3 and PCV4 were 31.03%, 30.09%, and 30.84%, respectively; the mixed infection rate of PCV2, PCV3, and PCV4 was 28.22%. This indicated that this assay provides a convenient tool for the rapid detection and differentiation of PCV2, PCV3, and PCV4 in pig farms in East China. Our findings highlight that there are different types of porcine circovirus infection in pig farms in East China, which makes pig disease prevention and control difficult.
In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Thymus vulgaris, Origanum vulgare, Satureja montana and Their Mixture against Clinical Isolates Responsible for Canine Otitis Externa
Authors: Ebani Valentina Virginia , Pieracci Ylenia , Cagnoli Giulia , Bertelloni Fabrizio , Munafò Chiara , Nardoni Simona , Pistelli Luisa , Mancianti Francesca
Published: January 2023

Otitis externa is a frequent inflammation among dogs, mainly caused by bacteria and yeasts that are often resistant to conventional drugs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of commercial essential oils (EOs) from Origanum vulgare, Satureja montana, and Thymus vulgaris, as well as a mixture of these three components, against 47 clinical bacterial strains (Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens) and 5 Malassezia pachydermatis strains, previously cultured from the ears of dogs affected by otitis externa. The tested Gram-positive bacteria were sensible to the analysed EOs with MICs ranging from 1.25% (v/v) to <0.0195% (v/v); Gram-negative isolates, mainly P. aeruginosa, were less sensitive with MICs from >10% (v/v) to 0.039% (v/v). M. pachydermatis isolates were sensitive to all EOs with MICs from 4.25% (v/v) to 2% (v/v). However, the mixture was active against all bacterial (except one P. aeruginosa strain) and fungal tested isolates. The three EOs and their mixture seem to be an interesting alternative for treating canine otitis externa when conventional antimicrobials are not active.
The Regulating Role of Meteorology in the Wetland-Air CO2 Fluxes at the Largest Shallow Grass-Type Lake on the North China Plain
Authors: Li Gang , Xiao Kai , Wang Qianqian , Zhang Yan , Li Haitao , Li Hailong
Published: January 2023

Lakes are hot spots of carbon cycles in inland aquatic systems. As a vital factor, meteorology, including air temperature, precipitation, wind speed and evapotranspiration, is profoundly affecting or even regulating the wetland-air CO2 exchanges. Compared with some other similar lakes in China, the largest shallow grass-type Baiyangdian Lake (BYDL) acts as a vital CO2 sink on the North China Plain. The purpose of this study is to reveal the effects of meteorology on the process of CO2 flux variation. Based on the method of the eddy covariance, the daily average wetland-air CO2 flux at the BYDL over the monitoring period from April 2019 to November 2020, reached −0.63 μmol m−2 s−1, and the annual average reached −0.71 μmol m−2 s−1 from 12 April 2019 to 12 April 2020. The CO2 sink fluxes varied with the seasons and reached the maximum in summer. Temperature and evapotranspiration are two major driving factors, whose higher values can positively improve the wetland CO2 sinks. Precipitation generally coincides with the CO2 sinks, but the relatively larger summertime precipitation (0.39 m in 2020, compared with that of 0.17 m in 2019) inhibits the CO2 uptakes on longer timescales. A moderate wind speed in the range of 1.6~3.3 m s−1, promoted the CO2 sinks for the shallow grass-type lake. Compared with previous studies at the same or similar wetlands, consistent CO2 sink fluxes are found. Further in this study, the variation trends of CO2 sinks with the changing meteorological factors are revealed for the first time in this type of wetland. Once meteorology is determined under both the anthropogenic and climatic impacts, the evaluation and prediction of the lacustrine carbon cycling could be more precise. Generally, this study will serve as an important data point into the global understanding of lake carbon fluxes.
Bioremediation of Chromium-Contaminated Groundwater Using Chromate Reductase from Pseudomonas putida: An In Silico Approach
Authors: Tasleem Munazzah , El-Sayed Abdel-Aziz A. A. , Hussein Wesam Mekawy , Alrehaily Abdulwahed
Published: January 2023

Chromium is a toxic heavy metal abundantly present in the environment, specifically in groundwater. The groundwater in Saudi Arabia was assessed for heavy metal presence; chromium was detected at a high concentration in Madinah. Many researchers have used various bioprocesses over the last few decades to mitigate Cr(VI) toxicity. The genus Pseudomonas member Pseudomonas putida is widely dispersed in the natural environment. P. putida is chromate-resistant and has a high chromate reduction rate. Bioremediation procedures can eradicate the most potently toxic metal, Cr(VI), in water, air, and soil. Chromate reductase (ChrR) is a bacterial enzyme from P. putida that can be utilized in bioremediation to remove chromate from the environment in a cost-effective and environmentally safe approach. To comprehend the role of ChrR in reducing Cr(VI) to Cr(III), a thorough sequence analysis was followed by constructing models for wild-type and mutants by applying several homology modeling techniques. The protein structure quality of the generated models was evaluated, and the best model was adopted for further optimization by employing an energy minimization technique. Molecular docking studies investigated the intra-molecular interaction between wild-type and mutant ChrR and Cr(VI). Our study is a novel method for determining the 3D structure and interaction of ChrR with Cr(VI) to convert it to a less hazardous form (III). Additionally, it provides stable mutants: Arg83Trp, Gly124Ile, and His127Trp, with a high binding affinity for Cr(VI), which can be considered for protein engineering to produce stable and efficacious enzymes to reduce Cr(VI) to a less toxic form.
Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energetic Potential from Solid Waste Landfills in Jordan: A Comparative Modelling Analysis
Authors: Abu-Qdais Hani A. , Al-Ghazawi Ziad , Awawdeh Abdallah
Published: January 2023

Landfilling of solid waste has been and continues to be among the most common practices of solid waste disposal. This is particularly true for Jordan, where approximately 3.3 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) is annually generated, with 90% of the generated amount disposed into landfills. The main objective of this study is to estimate the quantities of landfill gas (LFG) generated from the solid waste disposal and its potential as a source of clean energy in Jordan using four different models, namely, GasSim 2.5, LandGEM, Afvalzorg, and Mexico Landfill Gas Model V2 (MLFGM V2). Furthermore, the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of LFG projects was estimated. Currently, there are 18 active landfills that are distributed across the country. Based on screening criteria, the landfills were grouped into three categories: five landfills were considered for energy production, four were strong candidates for LFG collection and flaring, while the remaining nine landfills do not receive enough waste to be considered for either energy recovery or flaring. The total amount of LFG emissions was found to be 1.6 billion M3 of LFG, while the landfill energetic potential of the recovered LFG was estimated to be 34.8 MW. On the other hand, GHG mitigation potential was assessed between the years 2020 and 2030, which was found to be 18 million ton CO2 eq. The proposed LFG energy recovery projects will lead to increased biogas contribution to Jordan’s local renewable energy mix from a current level of 1% to 6%.
Development of a Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Model Based on the Discontinuous Galerkin Method
Authors: Ran Guoquan , Zhang Qinghe , Chen Zereng
Published: January 2023

Though the discontinuous Galerkin method is attracting more and more applications in many fields due to its local conservation, high-order accuracy, and flexibility for resolving complex geometries, only a few three-dimensional hydrodynamic models based on the discontinuous Galerkin method are present. In this study, a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model with a σ-coordinate system in the vertical direction is developed. This model is discretized in space using the discontinuous Galerkin method and advanced in time with the implicit-explicit Runge–Kutta method. Numerical tests indicate that the developed model is convergent and can obtain better results with a smaller computational time when a higher approximation order is adopted. Other tests with exact solutions also indicate that the developed model can well simulate the vertical circulation under the effect of surface wind stress and the flow under the combined effect of wind stress and Coriolis acceleration terms. The simulation results of tidal flow in part of Bohai Bay, China, indicate that the model can be used for the simulation of tidal wave motion in realistic situations.
Health Risks in a Brazilian Cerrado Population Due to Pathogens Transmitted through Water and Land Use Conditions
Authors: Silva Débora Pereira da , Bezerra Nolan Ribeiro , Basso Raviel Eurico , Vieira Maria da Natividade , Scalize Paulo Sérgio
Published: January 2023

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are pathogenic agents which cause risk to public health. The goal of this research was to evaluate the risk of infection by cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in a population of the Cerrado biome and its relation to land use. Raw water samples were collected from 41 different surface sources of the state of Goiás (Brazil). The parasites were quantified via the membrane filtration method. The probability of an individual contracting an infection after consuming contaminated water was estimated using the quantitative microbial risk assessment. Generally, the analyzed watersheds (WS) presented Giardia cysts in 63.4% of the samples (<LD at 116.67 cysts/L) and Cryptosporidium oocysts in 87.8% of the samples (<LD at 300 oocysts/L). The WS with pasture predominance were statistically associated with the presence of Cryptosporidium, in which the possible contamination source is the excrements of animals. There is a greater risk of giardiasis. It is concluded that there is a need to implement improvement actions regarding environmental quality and the management of the use and occupation of surface sources in the Cerrado Biome, in order to reduce the spreading of diseases and negative impacts to the local population.
Uncertainty with Varying Subsurface Permeabilities Reduced Using Coupled Random Field and Extended Theory of Porous Media Contaminant Transport Models
Authors: Seyedpour S. M. , Henning C. , Kirmizakis P. , Herbrandt S. , Ickstadt K. , Doherty R. , Ricken T.
Published: January 2023

To maximize the usefulness of groundwater flow models for the protection of aquifers and abstraction wells, it is necessary to identify and decrease the uncertainty associated with the major parameters such as permeability. To do this, there is a need to develop set of estimates representing subsurface heterogeneity or representative soil permeability estimates. Here, we use a coupled Random Field and extended Theory of Porous Media (eTPM) simulation to develop a robust model with a good predictive ability that reduces uncertainty. The coupled model is then validated with a physical sandbox experiment. Uncertainty is reduced by using 500 realisations of the permeability parameter using the eTPM approach. A multi-layer contaminant transport scenario with varying permeabilities, similar to what could be expected with shallow alluvial sediments, is simulated. The results show that the contaminant arrival time could be strongly affected by random field realizations of permeability compared with a modelled homogenous permeability parameter. The breakthrough time for heterogeneous permeabilities is shorter than the homogeneous condition. Using the 75% confidence interval (CI), the average contaminant concentration shows 4.4% variation from the average values of the considered area and 8.9% variation in the case of a 95% confidence interval.
Fluvial Response to Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest: Skeena River Discharge and Sediment Yield
Authors: Wild Amanda Lily , Kwoll Eva , Lintern D. Gwyn , Fargey Shannon
Published: January 2023

Changes in climate affect the hydrological regime of rivers worldwide and differ with geographic location and basin characteristics. Such changes within a basin are captured in the flux of water and sediment at river mouths, which can impact coastal productivity and development. Here, we model discharge and sediment yield of the Skeena River, a significant river in British Columbia, Canada. We use HydroTrend 3.0, two global climate models (GCMs), and two representative concentration pathways (RCPs) to model changes in fluvial fluxes related to climate change until the end of the century. Contributions of sediment to the river from glaciers decreases throughout the century, while basin-wide overland and instream contributions driven by precipitation increase. Bedload, though increased compared to the period (1981–2010), is on a decreasing trajectory by the end of the century. For overall yield, the model simulations suggest conflicting results, with those GCMs that predict higher increases in precipitation and temperature predicting an increase in total (suspended and bedload) sediment yield by up to 10% in some scenarios, and those predicting more moderate increases predicting a decrease in yield by as much as 20%. The model results highlight the complexity of sediment conveyance in rivers within British Columbia and present the first comprehensive investigation into the sediment fluxes of this understudied river system.
Impact of Inorganic Solutes’ Release in Groundwater during Oil Shale In Situ Exploitation
Authors: Li Qingyu , Lu Laijun , Zhao Quansheng , Hu Shuya
Published: January 2023

Oil shale can produce oil and shale gas by heating the oil shale at 300–500 °C. The high temperature and the release of organic matter can change the physical and mechanical properties of rocks and make the originally tight impervious layer become a permeable layer under in situ exploitation conditions. To realize the potential impact of the in situ exploitation of oil shale on groundwater environments, a series of water–rock interaction experiments under different temperatures was conducted. The results show that, with the increase of the reaction temperature, the anions and cations in the aqueous solution of oil shale, oil shale–ash, and the surrounding rock show different trends, and the release of anions and cations in the oil shale–ash solution is most affected by the ambient temperature. The hydrochemical type of oil shale–ash solution is HCO3-SO4-Na-K at 80 °C and 100 °C, which changes the water quality. The main reasons are that (1) the high temperature (≥80 °C) can promote the dissolution of FeS in oil shale and (2) the porosity of oil shale increases after pyrolysis, making it easier to react with water. This paper is an important supplement to the research on the impact of the in situ exploitation of oil shale on the groundwater environment. Therefore, the impacts of in situ mining on groundwater inorganic minerals should be taken into consideration when evaluating in situ exploitation projects of oil shale.
Effects of Submerged Vegetation Arrangement Patterns and Density on Flow Structure
Authors: Barahimi Mahboubeh , Sui Jueyi
Published: January 2023

Aquatic vegetation appears very often in rivers and floodplains, which significantly affects the flow structure. In this study, experiments have been conducted to investigate the effects of submerged vegetation arrangement patterns and density on flow structure. Deflected and non-bending vegetation is arranged in square and staggered configurations in the channel bed of a large-scale flume. Results showed that the staggered configuration leads to intensified streamwise velocity, turbulence kinetic energy (TKE), and Reynolds shear stress (RSS) compared to the square configuration. When vegetation density is low (λ = 0.04 and λ = 0.07), the produced wake in the rear of the vegetation is more expansive than that with high vegetation density (λ = 0.09 and λ = 0.17) because the velocity in the center of four vegetation elements is lower than that in the middle of two vegetation elements with low vegetation density. Results of TKE in the wake zone of the deflected vegetation indicate that the maximum root-mean-square velocity fluctuations of flow occur at the sheath section (z/H = 0.1) and the top of the vegetation (z/H = 0.4). In the wake zone behind the vegetation elements, the maximum value of the RSS occurred slightly above the interface between deflected vegetation and the non-vegetation layer, showing the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability that is associated with inflectional points of the longitudinal velocity. Within the range of vegetation density in this study (0.04 < λ ≈< 0.23), as the vegetation density increases, the negative and positive values of RSS throughout the flow depth increase.
Spatiotemporal Variation Characteristics of Precipitation in the Huaihe River Basin, China, as a Result of Climate Change
Authors: Xu Dan , Liu Dongdong , Yan Zhihong , Ren Shuai , Xu Qian
Published: January 2023

Climate change is a global scientific problem, and its impact on the spatiotemporal variations of precipitation has been a crucial research topic. Although previous studies have used different methods to evaluate the precipitation characteristics of the Huaihe River Basin, the time series were short and the few stations could not fully and accurately represent the precipitation characteristics. In this study, daily temperature and precipitation data were collected from 233 meteorological stations in the Huaihe River Basin from 1960–2020. The Mann–Kendall test was used to analyze the trend and significance of interannual and interseasonal scale changes in temperature and precipitation in the Basin, respectively. The correlation between temperature and precipitation was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient method. The spatial distribution of the significance of temperature and precipitation changes and the spatial distribution of the correlation between temperature and precipitation in the basin were plotted. The temperature in the basin tended to increase on interannual and interseasonal scales, with more noticeable changes in spring and winter. Precipitation showed an overall decreasing trend but an increasing trend in localized areas in the south. A decreasing trend in the interseasonal variation scale was observed in spring, an increasing trend in winter, a decreasing trend in the northeastern region in summer, an increasing trend in the southwestern region, and an increasing trend in the northern and southern parts in autumn were observed. The correlation between average temperature and precipitation on interannual and interseasonal scales was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient method, and the annual average temperature and annual average precipitation in the Huaihe River basin were found to be negatively correlated, except for sporadic areas that showed extremely weakly positive correlations or no correlations.
Evaluation of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation in Deep Aquifers Using Multiple Graphical and Indexing Approaches Supported with Machine Learning Models and GIS Techniques, Souf Valley, Algeria
Authors: Eid Mohamed Hamdy , Elbagory Mohssen , Tamma Ahmed A. , Gad Mohamed , Elsayed Salah , Hussein Hend , Moghanm Farahat S. , Omara Alaa El-Dein , Kovács Attila , Péter Szűcs
Published: January 2023

Irrigation has made a significant contribution to supporting the population’s expanding food demands, as well as promoting economic growth in irrigated regions. The current investigation was carried out in order to estimate the quality of the groundwater for agricultural viability in the Algerian Desert using various water quality indices and geographic information systems (GIS). In addition, support vector machine regression (SVMR) was applied to forecast eight irrigation water quality indices (IWQIs), such as the irrigation water quality index (IWQI), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), potential salinity (PS), Kelly index (KI), permeability index (PI), potential salinity (PS), permeability index (PI), and residual sodium carbonate (RSC). Several physicochemical variables, such as temperature (T°), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), K+, Na2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, SO42−, HCO3−, CO32−, and NO3−, were measured from 45 deep groundwater wells. The hydrochemical facies of the groundwater resources were Ca–Mg–Cl/SO4 and Na–Cl−, which revealed evaporation, reverse ion exchange, and rock–water interaction processes. The IWQI, Na%, SAR, SSP, KI, PS, PI, and RSC showed mean values of 50.78, 43.07, 4.85, 41.78, 0.74, 29.60, 45.65, and −20.44, respectively. For instance, the IWQI for the obtained results indicated that the groundwater samples were categorized into high restriction to moderate restriction for irrigation purposes, which can only be used for plants that are highly salt tolerant. The SVMR model produced robust estimates for eight IWQIs in calibration (Cal.), with R2 values varying between 0.90 and 0.97. Furthermore, in validation (Val.), R2 values between 0.88 and 0.95 were achieved using the SVMR model, which produced reliable estimates for eight IWQIs. These findings support the feasibility of using IWQIs and SVMR models for the evaluation and management of the groundwater of complex terminal aquifers for irrigation. Finally, the combination of IWQIs, SVMR, and GIS was effective and an applicable technique for interpreting and forecasting the irrigation water quality used in both arid and semi-arid regions.
Physicochemical and Sorption Characteristics of Carbon Biochars Based on Lignin and Industrial Waste Magnetic Iron Dust
Authors: Galaburda Mariia , Bosacka Alicja , Sternik Dariusz , Oranska Olena , Borysenko Mykola , Gun’ko Volodymyr , Derylo-Marczewska Anna
Published: January 2023

Magnetosensitive biochars were prepared with mechanochemical ball-milling of lignin and blast furnace dust with further pyrolysis at 800 °C under an inert gas atmosphere. The physicochemical and sorption characteristics of the materials were analyzed using several techniques: low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption, X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis, potentiometric titration, and thermal analysis. All the synthesized biocarbons were characterized by their specific surface areas (SBET) in the range of 290–330 m2/g and microporous structures with certain contribution of mesopores in the total porosity. Equilibrium adsorption studies revealed the potential applicability of the materials in water remediation from hazardous organic substances modelled with methylene blue (MB) dye. Generally, this study illustrates the effective conversion of sustainable waste into a functional carbon material.
The fight against drugs and border security policy in Turkey
Authors: SOYKAN Müslüm , KARASOY H.alpay
Published: January 2023

Border gates are the main places where the economic and security interests of the countries are protected, and the entrances and exits to the country are kept under control. Governments determine different border policies based on their administrative structures and security threats on their borders. It would be shallow to talk about physical security alone regarding border security. Smuggling activities, terrorism, and the fight against drugs constitute important threat areas within border security. Due to its geopolitical position, Turkey has an important place in the international illegal drug trade. Within the scope of this study, the fight against narcotic crimes at the borders was evaluated in the context of Turkey's border security policy, and the relevant policies were discussed from the perspective of the process analysis approach. As a result of examples and examinations, the issues that cause confusion and weakness in Turkey's border security policy are mentioned.
Occupational Health and Safety Practises in the Industry 4.0 Process
Authors: ÇAVUŞ Özgür Hakan
Published: January 2023

Significant advances are experienced in the area of occupational health and safety (OHS) practices as a result of technological developments and emerging new technics in the Industry 4.0 Process. Innovative production methods and factors such as advances in software and programming, simulation and augmented reality, internet of things, smart production systems, Big Data, cyber-physical systems, which are all along the fundamental elements of the Industry 4.0 process, bring new problems in the area of occupational health and safety. Based on this foresight, the latest developments, problems, challenges, and solutions in the field of OHS are being reviewed and evaluated in this study by utilising the previous literature.
Contemporainity of Primitive Accumulation in Understanding Current Trends in Capitalism and Capitalist State
Authors: EROGLU Melis
Published: January 2023

Today the social functions of the state and commons, which have been able to escape capital’s transformative effect so far, are under attack around the world. Discussions around the concept of primitive accumulation are attempts to understand the reasons, mechanisms and results of such attacks. Primitive accumulation in historical sense refers to a precapital separation of peasants from the means of production, which created the necessary conditions for capitalist development. On the other hand, many scholars since Luxemburg argue that primitive accumulation is a continuous process throughout capitalism’s history and it is intertwined with capitalist accumulation. Bringing primitive accumulation from precapital to contemporary era created theoretical problems. Since the state is traditionally the perpetrator of primitive accumulation, the proposed way to solve them is to revisit the capitalist state debate and scrutinize its role in contemporary developments, such as land, water and resource grabbing, simultaneously happening around the world.
Urgensi Kepemimpinan Kristen di Era Society 5.0
Authors: Topayung Semuel Linggi
Published: January 2023

Abstract: At this time, all aspects of each individual's life will be supported by technology. Industrial revolution 4.0 is not over yet, now Society 5.0 has arrived. This shows that the changing times, and the development of culture, is a reality that the church must face. How the role of church leaders in dealing with these challenges is highlighted. To answer this, the author uses a descriptive qualitative approach that is seen from the existing phenomena, either directly or through other literature. The role of leaders in providing spiritual guidance is so very important, church leaders must return to their functions to preach, teach, and serve as a form of love for God and fellow human beings. Church leaders must realize that the use of technology in church services is not necessarily accepted by all circles. All the conveniences presented in technology media have an impact on the growth of the congregation. Christian leaders must set an example for the congregation by being an example in their lives, and providing spiritual and social guidance.
Abstrak: Pada masa ini, seluruh sendi kehidupan setiap individu hendak disokong oleh teknologi. Belum usai Revolusi industri 4.0, kini telah hadir Society 5.0. Hal tersebut menunjukkan, bahwa perubahan zaman, perkembangan budaya, merupakan suatu kenyataan yang harus dihadapi gereja. Bagaimana peran pemimpin gereja menghadapi tantangan tersebut begitu sangat disorot. Untuk menjawab hal tersebut, penulis menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif yang dilihat dari fenomena yang ada, baik secara langsung ataupun melalui literatur lainnya. Peran pemimpin dalam memberikan pembinaan kerohanian begitu sangat penting, pemimpin gereja mesti mengembalikan kepada fungsinya untuk memberitakan, mengajarkan, dan melayani sebagai bentuk kasihnya kepada Tuhan dan sesama manusia. Pemimpin gereja mesti menyadari bahwa, penggunaan teknologi dalam layanan gereja tidak serta-merta diterima semua kalangan. Semua kemudahan yang tersaji dalam media teknologi, berdampak juga kepada pertumbuhan jemaat. Pemimpin Kristen mesti memberikan keteladanan kepada jemaat dengan menjadi contoh dari kehidupannya, memberikan bimbingan rohani, dan juga sosial.
Promosi Kesehatan dan Deteksi Dini Penderita Gagal Ginjal Kronis di Desa Tanggobu Kecamatan Morosi Kabupaten Konawe
Authors: Tasnim Tasnim , Sunarsih Sunarsih
Published: January 2023

Kecamatan Morosi merupakan salah satu kecamatan di Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara yang banyak berdiri industry pertambangan, yaitu industri pertambangan nikel. Industri pertambangan nikel tersebut telah memberikan dampak negative pada area sekitarnya, yaitu penurunan kualitas air, tanah dan udara. Dimana kondisi tersebut tentunya akan mempengaruhi kesehatan masyarakat di sekitarnya termasuk di Desa Tanggobu. Namun demikian, tidak banyak penyakit yang diderita oleh masyarakat di wilayah tersebut yang bisa dideteksi, seperti penyakit kronis termasuk Penyakit gagal ginjal akut. Hal ini terjadi karena beberapa factor, diantaranya kurangnya pemahaman masyarakat tentang manfaat dari pemeriksaan dini penyakit kronis dan ketidak tahuan masyarakat tentang gejala-gejala awal dari penyakit gagal ginjal kronis tersebut. Oleh karena itu, untuk menyelesaikan permasalahan masyarakat di Desa Tanggobu tersebut, maka dilakukan promosi kesehatan melalui penyuluhan kepada 50 orang, termasuk melakukan pemeriksaan dini tentang gejala dari penyakit gagal ginjal kronis melalui pemeriksaan kadar kreatinin pada 50 orang yang berusia diatas 45 tahun. Kegiatan PKM ini dilaksanakan pada bulan Juni-Juli 2022, dengan menggunakan metode ceramah dan presentase power point. Hasil kegiatan promosi kesehatan ini telah meningkatkan pengetahuan peserta tentang penyakit gagal ginjal kronis di Desa Tanggobu. Dari hasil pemeriksaan urin diperoleh informasi bahwa sebagian besar kadar creatinin dari responden berada pada kisaran antara 8-26 mmol/L (tinggi). Tingginya kadar creatinin ini merupakan salah satu indicator dari gangguan fungsi ginjal.
Meningkatan Keterampilan Kerjasama Siswa Melalui Model Pemebelajaran Kooperatif Teams Games Tournament (TGT) Siswa Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Sari Nurmala , Ananda Rizky , Fauziddin Moh
Published: January 2023

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi rendahnya hasil keterampilan kerjasama siswa pada materi pertumbuhan dan perkembangan makhluk hidup di kelas III SDN 005 Langgini. Salah satu solusi untuk mengatasi masalah ini adalah dengan menerapkan model pembelajaran Teams Games Tournament (TGT). tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan peningkatkan keterampilan kerjasama siswa pada materi keberagaman dengan menerapkan model pembelajaran Teams Games Tournament (TGT). Metode penelitian ini adalah penelitian tindakan kelas (PTK) yang dilaksanakan dalam dua siklus. Setiap siklus terdiri dari dua pertemuan dan empat tahapan, yaitu perencanaan, pelaksanaan, observasi dan refleksi. Subjek penelitian ini siswa kelas III yang berjumlah 25 orang siswa. Teknik pengumpulan data berupa dokumentasi, observasi dan tes. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data dapat diketahui peningkatakan hasil keterampilan kerjasama siswa setelah tindakan, rata-rata ketuntasan hasil kerjasama Pada kegiatan pra tindakan diperoleh nilai rata-rata kelas sebesar 62,4 dengan ketuntasan klasikal sebesar 56%, meningkat pada siklus 1 pertemuan 1 menjadi 67,8 dengan ketuntasan klasikal sebesar 60%, meningkat pada siklus 1 pertemuan 2 menjadi 68,6 dengan ketuntasan klasikal sebesar 68%. Nilai rata-rata kelas pada siklus 2 pertemuan 1 yaitu 74,6 dengan ketuntasan klasikal sebesar 76%., dan meningkat pada siklus 2 pertemuan 2 yaitu sebesar 84 dengan ketuntasan klasikal sebesar 80,6%. Maka dapat disimpulkan penerapan model Teams Games Tournament (TGT) dapat meningkatkan keterampilan kerjasama siswa kelas III SDN 005 Langgini.

Kata Kunci : Keterampilan Kerjasama Siswa, Model Teams Games Tournament (TGT)