bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One Health Perspectives on Food Safety in Minimally Processed Vegetables and Fruits: From Farm to Fork
Authors: Santos Maria Isabel , Grácio Madalena , Silva Mariana Camoesas , Pedroso Laurentina , Lima Ana
Published: December 2023

While food markets and food production chains are experiencing exponential growth, global attention to food safety is steadily increasing. This is particularly crucial for ready-to-eat products such as fresh-cut salads and fruits, as these items are consumed raw without prior heat treatment, making the presence of pathogenic microorganisms quite frequent. Moreover, many studies on foodborne illnesses associated with these foods often overlook the transmission links from the initial contamination source. The prevention and control of the dissemination of foodborne pathogens should be approached holistically, involving agricultural production, processing, transport, food production, and extending to final consumption, all while adopting a One Health perspective. In this context, our objective is to compile available information on the challenges related to microbiological contamination in minimally handled fruits and vegetables. This includes major reported outbreaks, specific bacterial strains, and associated statistics throughout the production chain. We address the sources of contamination at each stage, along with issues related to food manipulation and disinfection. Additionally, we provide potential solutions to promote a healthier approach to fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. This information will be valuable for both researchers and food producers, particularly those focused on ensuring food safety and quality.
The Effect of K-Fertilization and Irrigation on the Composition of Cultivated Soils: Examples from Israel
Authors: Sandler Amir , Fine Pinchas , Bar-Tal Asher
Published: December 2023

Evaluation of soil sustainability should take into account chemical and mineralogical changes due to cultivation. Potassium (K) application is a key farming practice that may potentially affect phyllosilicate composition and soil properties. Irrigation is another agent that affects soil composition. This study aims to evaluate the imprints of cultivation on the chemical and mineralogical compositions of lowland soils under semi-arid and Mediterranean climate regimes and to assess them with the natural pedogenesis. The sites examined include two permanent plot experiments with crop rotation, and three single-plant plots. Cultivated, control, and fallow soils were analyzed for their chemical and mineralogical composition. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the clay fraction were decomposed to achieve quantitative detection of changes among the illite–smectite (IS) phases and in kaolinite amounts. In loamy and clayey soils dominated by IS phases, cultivation caused minor changes and diverse behavior of the IS phases. Yet, the K balance was negative under high fertilization levels and higher plant mass production. Fertilization enhanced the natural process of transforming IS into kaolinite and illite in the sandy soil, leading to a positive K balance. This study emphasizes the importance of IS minerals as a dynamic K pool that responds to plant needs.
Microfabrics, In Situ Trace Element Compositions of Pyrite, and the Sulfur Isotope Chemistry of Sulfides from the Xitieshan Pb-Zn Deposit, Qinghai Province, Northwest China: Analysis and Implications
Authors: Yang Hui , Sun Huashan
Published: December 2023

The Xitieshan deposit, located in the central segment of the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin, is among the largest massive Pb-Zn sulfide deposits in China. This deposit, along with its ore-bearing rock series known as the Tanjianshan Group, underwent greenschist facies metamorphism due to subsequent orogeny. We investigated the in situ sulfur isotopes of sulfides with different occurrences to define the origin of ore-forming fluids. The δ34S values of sulfides from stratiform ores, massive ores in schist, stockwork ores in marble, schist and discolored altered rocks that constitute a typical double-mineralization structure range from −5.3‰ to +5.6‰ and from −1.7‰ to +32‰, respectively, indicating distinct biological and thermochemical reductions in seawater sulfates. These are similar to the sulfur isotopic characteristics of VSHMS deposits. Pyrite, whose LA-ICP-MS trace element compositions can provide significant information about metallogenic evolution and deposit genesis, is ubiquitous throughout the whole mineralization process. In these stratiform, massive and stockwork ores, three pyrite types were identified: colloform pyrite (Py0), fine-grained anhedral spongy pyrite (Py1) and coarse-grained euhedral pyrite (Py2). The contents of most metallogenic elements, such as Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Mo, Mn and Sn, decrease from Py0 to Py2 with the enhancement of metamorphic recrystallization. This suggests that the expelled elements appear as inclusions in primitive pyrite, contributing to the precipitation of new sulfide phases, such as sphalerite and galena. Orogenic metamorphism played an important role in controlling further Pb-Zn enrichment of the Xitieshan deposit. Moreover, there is another mineralization type, primarily occurring as sulfide veins in the undeformed Formation C siltstones of the Tanjianshan Group, which also crosscut early-formed sulfides, showing close-to-zero S isotopic compositions. In this mineralization type, pyrite (Py3) displays high Se/Tl (>10) and Co/Ni (>2.2) ratios, both indicating a minor superimposed post-orogenic magmatic–hydrothermal event.
Encapsulation of Olive Leaf Polyphenol-Rich Extract in Polymeric Micelles to Improve Its Intestinal Permeability
Authors: Bergonzi Maria Camilla , De Stefani Chiara , Vasarri Marzia , Ivanova Stojcheva Emilija , Ramos-Pineda Alba María , Baldi Francesco , Bilia Anna Rita , Degl’Innocenti Donatella
Published: December 2023

In the present study, polymeric micelles were developed to improve the intestinal permeability of an extract of Olea europaea L. leaf with a high content of total polyphenols (49% w/w), with 41% w/w corresponding to the oleuropein amount. A pre-formulation study was conducted to obtain a stable formulation with a high loading capacity for extract. The freeze-drying process was considered to improve the stability of the formulation during storage. Micelles were characterized in terms of physical and chemical properties, encapsulation efficiency, stability, and in vitro release. The optimized system consisted of 15 mg/mL of extract, 20 mg/mL of Pluronic L121, 20 mg/mL of Pluronic F68, and 10 mg/mL of D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS), with dimensions of 14.21 ± 0.14 nm, a polydisersity index (PdI) of 0.19 ± 0.05 and an encapsulation efficiency of 66.21 ± 1.11%. The influence of the micelles on polyphenol permeability was evaluated using both Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay (PAMPA) and the Caco-2 cell monolayer. In both assays, the polymeric micelles improved the permeation of polyphenols, as demonstrated by the increase in Pe and Papp values.
Chlortetracycline Concentration Impact on Salmonella Typhimurium Sustainability in the Presence of Porcine Gastrointestinal Tract Bacteria Maintained in Continuous Culture
Authors: Dittoe Dana K. , Anderson Robin C. , Poole Toni L. , Crippen Tawni L. , Harvey Roger B. , Ricke Steven C.
Published: December 2023

Concern exists that the continued use of antibiotics in animal feeds may lead to an increased prevalence of resistant bacteria within the host animal’s gastrointestinal tract. To evaluate the effect of chlortetracycline on the persistence of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium within a diverse population of porcine cecal bacteria, we cultured a mixed population of cecal bacteria without or with added chlortetracycline. When grown at a 24 h vessel turnover rate, chlortetracycline-susceptible S. Typhimurium exhibited more than 2.5 times faster (p < 0.05) disappearance rates than theoretically expected (0.301 log10 colony-forming unit/mL per day) but did not differ whether treated or not with 55 mg of chlortetracycline/L. Chlortetracycline-resistant S. Typhimurium was not recovered from any of these cultures. When the mixed cultures were inoculated with a chlortetracycline-resistant S. Typhimurium, rates of disappearance were nearly two times slower (p < 0.05) than those observed earlier with chlortetracycline-susceptible S. Typhimurium, and cultures persisted at >2 log10 colony-forming units/mL for up to 14 days of treatment with 110 mg of chlortetracycline/L. Under the conditions of this study, chlortetracycline-resistant S. Typhimurium was competitively enabled to persist longer within the mixed populations of porcine gut bacteria than chlortetracycline-susceptible S. Typhimurium, regardless of the presence or absence of added chlortetracycline.
Xenophagy as a Strategy for Mycobacterium leprae Elimination during Type 1 or Type 2 Leprosy Reactions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cerqueira Débora Dantas Nucci , Pereira Ana Letícia Silva , da Costa Ana Elisa Coelho , de Souza Tarcísio Joaquim , de Sousa Fernandes Matheus Santos , Souto Fabrício Oliveira , Santos Patrícia d’Emery Alves
Published: December 2023

Background: Mycobacterium leprae is an intracellular bacillus that causes leprosy, a neglected disease that affects macrophages and Schwann cells. Leprosy reactions are acute inflammatory responses to mycobacterial antigens, classified as type1 (T1R), a predominant cellular immune response, or type2 (T2R), a humoral phenomenon, leading to a high number of bacilli in infected cells and nerve structures. Xenophagy is a type of selective autophagy that targets intracellular bacteria for lysosomal degradation; however, its immune mechanisms during leprosy reactions are still unclear. This review summarizes the relationship between the autophagic process and M. leprae elimination during leprosy reactions. Methods: Three databases, PubMed/Medline (n = 91), Scopus (n = 73), and ScienceDirect (n = 124), were searched. After applying the eligibility criteria, articles were selected for independent peer reviewers in August 2023. Results: From a total of 288 studies retrieved, eight were included. In multibacillary (MB) patients who progressed to T1R, xenophagy blockade and increased inflammasome activation were observed, with IL-1β secretion before the reactional episode occurrence. On the other hand, recent data actually observed increased IL-15 levels before the reaction began, as well as IFN-γ production and xenophagy induction. Conclusion: Our search results showed a dichotomy in the T1R development and their relationship with xenophagy. No T2R studies were found.
Generation of Perfect Vortex Beams with Complete Control over the Ring Radius and Ring Width
Authors: Tao Xin , Liang Yong , Zhang Shirui , Li Yueqing , Guo Minghao , Li Peng
Published: December 2023

We have experimentally created perfect vortex beams (PVBs) by Fourier transformation of Bessel–Gaussian vortex beams, which are generated by modulating the fundamental Gaussian beam with the spiral phase plates and the axicons, respectively. Although the method has been used many times by other authors, as far as we know, few people pay attention to the quantitative relationship between the control parameters of the PVB and ring width. The effects of the waist radius of the fundamental Gaussian beam wg, base angle of the axicon γ, and focal length of the lens f on the spot parameters (ring radius ρ, and ring half-width Δ) of PVB are systematically studied. The beam pattern of the generated Bessel–Gaussian beam for different propagation distances behind the axicon and the fundamental Gaussian beam wg is presented. We showed experimentally that the ring radius ρ increases linearly with the increase of the base angle γ and focal length f, while the ring half-width Δ decreases with the increase of the fundamental beam waist radius wg, and increases with enlarging the focal length f. We confirmed the topological charge (TC) of the PVB by the interferogram between the PVB and the reference fundamental Gaussian beam. We also studied experimentally that the size of the generated PVB in the Fourier plane is independent of the TCs. Our approach to generate the PVB has the advantages of high-power tolerance and high efficiency.
Beneficial Microorganisms as Bioprotectants against Foliar Diseases of Cereals: A Review
Authors: Dehbi Ilham , Achemrk Oussama , Ezzouggari Rachid , El Jarroudi Moussa , Mokrini Fouad , Legrifi Ikram , Belabess Zineb , Laasli Salah-Eddine , Mazouz Hamid , Lahlali Rachid
Published: December 2023

Cereal production plays a major role in both animal and human diets throughout the world. However, cereal crops are vulnerable to attacks by fungal pathogens on the foliage, disrupting their biological cycle and photosynthesis, which can reduce yields by 15–20% or even 60%. Consumers are concerned about the excessive use of synthetic pesticides given their harmful effects on human health and the environment. As a result, the search for alternative solutions to protect crops has attracted the interest of scientists around the world. Among these solutions, biological control using beneficial microorganisms has taken on considerable importance, and several biological control agents (BCAs) have been studied, including species belonging to the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Trichoderma, Cladosporium, and Epicoccum, most of which include plants of growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs). Bacillus has proved to be a broad-spectrum agent against these leaf cereal diseases. Interaction between plant and beneficial agents occurs as direct mycoparasitism or hyperparasitism by a mixed pathway via the secretion of lytic enzymes, growth enzymes, and antibiotics, or by an indirect interaction involving competition for nutrients or space and the induction of host resistance (systemic acquired resistance (SAR) or induced systemic resistance (ISR) pathway). We mainly demonstrate the role of BCAs in the defense against fungal diseases of cereal leaves. To enhance a solution-based crop protection approach, it is also important to understand the mechanism of action of BCAs/molecules/plants. Research in the field of preventing cereal diseases is still ongoing.
Hormetic Effect Caused by Sublethal Doses of Glyphosate on Toona ciliata M. Roem
Authors: de Faria Giselle Santos , Carlos Leandro , Jakelaitis Adriano , de Freitas Samylla Tassia Ferreira , Vicentini Taíza Andressa , Silva Igor Olacir Fernandes , Vasconcelos Filho Sebastião Carvalho , Lourenço Lucas Loram , Farnese Fernanda Santos , Batista Marco Aurélio , Vitorino Luciana Cristina
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the response of Toona ciliata seedlings to sublethal doses of glyphosate. The increasing use of glyphosate in agriculture concerns the scientific community, as the drift of this pollutant into aquatic systems or atmospheric currents can affect non-target species. Therefore, we need to understand how non-target species respond to small doses of this herbicide. T. ciliata seedlings (clone BV-1110) were exposed to sublethal doses of glyphosate (0, 9.6, 19.2, 38.4, 76.8 g ae ha−1). Anatomical, physiological, and photochemical analyses were performed 60 days after herbicide application, and growth assessments were carried out after 160 days of cultivation. We found that sublethal doses of glyphosate above 19.2 g ae ha−1 induced toxicity symptoms in Toona ciliata leaves. These symptoms were mild in some cases, such as chlorosis, but severe in other cases, such as tissue necrosis. We observed a positive relationship between increased plant height and photochemical yield with plant exposure to sub-doses 9.6 and 19.2 g ae ha−1. A sublethal dose of 38.4 g ae ha−1 improved the photosynthetic rate and carboxylation efficiency. Thus, we confirmed the hypothesis of a hormetic effect when T. ciliata was exposed to sub-doses of glyphosate equal to or lower than 38.4 g ae ha−1. However, the sublethal dose of 76.8 g ae ha−1 must be considered toxic, impacting photosynthetic activity and, consequently, the height of T. ciliata. The stem diameter of T. ciliata responded positively to increasing glyphosate doses. This occurs to compensate for the negative effect of glyphosate on water absorption. Further research will provide valuable information for harnessing the potential benefits of hormesis to improve the productivity of T. ciliata.
The Role of the Ascorbic Acid–Glutathione Cycle in Young Wheat Ears’ Response to Spring Freezing Stress
Authors: Zhang Yuting , Ni Chunyang , Dong Yongwen , Jiang Xue , Liu Chang , Wang Weiling , Zhao Can , Li Guohui , Xu Ke , Huo Zhongyang
Published: December 2023

Freezing stress in spring often causes the death and abnormal development of young ears of wheat, leading to a significant reduction in grain production. However, the mechanisms of young wheat ears responding to freezing are largely unclear. In this study, the role of the ascorbic acid–glutathione cycle (AsA–GSH cycle) in alleviating freezing-caused oxidative damage in young wheat ears at the anther connective tissue formation phase (ACFP) was investigated. The results showed that the release rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the relative electrolyte conductivity in young ears of Jimai22 (JM22, freezing-tolerant) were significantly lower than those in young ears of Xumai33 (XM33, freezing-sensitive) under freezing. The level of the GSH pool (231.8~392.3 μg/g FW) was strikingly higher than that of the AsA pool (98.86~123.4 μg/g FW) in young wheat ears at the ACFP. Freezing significantly increased the level of the AsA pool and the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) in the young ears of both varieties. The level of the GSH pool increased in the young ears of XM33 under freezing but decreased in the young ears of JM22. The young ears of JM22 showed higher activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) than the young ears of XM33 under freezing. Collectively, these results suggest that the AsA–GSH cycle plays a positive role in alleviating freezing-induced oxidative damage in young wheat ears. Furthermore, the ability of utilizing GSH as a substrate to scavenge ROS is an important factor affecting the freezing tolerance of young wheat ears. In addition, abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), 3-indolebutyric acid (IBA) and cis-zeatin (cZ) may be involved in regulating the AsA–GSH cycle metabolism in young wheat ears under freezing.
Species Delimitation in a Polyploid Group of Iberian Jasione (Campanulaceae) Unveils Coherence between Cryptic Speciation and Biogeographical Regionalization
Authors: Serrano Miguel , Ortiz Santiago
Published: December 2023

Groups with morphological stasis are an interesting framework to address putative cryptic species that may be hidden behind traditional taxonomic treatments, particularly when distribution ranges suggest disjunct and environmentally heterogeneous biogeographic patterns. New hypotheses of delimitation of evolutionary independent units can lead to the identification of different biogeographic processes, laying the foundation to investigate their historical and ecological significance. Jasione is a plant genus with a distribution centered in the Mediterranean basin, characterized by significant morphological stasis. Within the western Mediterranean J. gr. crispa species complex, J. sessiliflora s.l. and allied taxa form a distinct group, occupying environmentally diverse regions. At least two ploidy levels, diploid and tetraploid, are known to occur in the group. The internal variability is assessed with phylogenetic tools, viz. GMYC and ASAP, for species delimitation. The results are compared with other lines of evidence, including morphology and cytology. The fitting of distribution patterns of the inferred entities to chorological subprovinces is also used as a biogeographical and environmental framework to test the species hypothesis. Despite the scarcity of diagnostic morphological characters in the group, phylogenetic delimitation supports the description of at least one cryptic species, a narrow endemic in the NE Iberian Peninsula. Moreover, the results support the segregation of a thermophilic group of populations in eastern Iberia from J. sessiliflora. Ploidy variation from a wide geographical survey supports the systematic rearrangement suggested by species delimitation. Taxonomic reorganization in J. sessiliflora s.l. would allow ecological interpretations of distribution patterns in great accordance with biogeographical regionalization at the subprovince level, supporting geobotanical boundaries as a framework to interpret species ecological coherence of cryptic lineages. These results suggest that species differentiation, together with geographic isolation and polyploidization, is associated with adaptation to different environments, shifting from more to less thermophilic conditions. Thus, the recognition of concealed evolutionary entities is essential to correctly interpret biogeographical patterns in regions with a complex geologic and evolutionary history, such as the Mediterranean basin, and biogeographical units emerge as biologically sound frameworks to test the species hypothesis.
Sacred Pathway, Devotional Praxis: Actors, Aché, and Landscape at the Sanctuary of Regla, Cuba
Authors: Niell Paul Barrett
Published: December 2023

The ferry from Havana to Regla, Cuba, transports visitors from today’s cruise ship docks across a brief stretch of water in about 20 min. Despite its brevity, this watery passage symbolically foregrounds the Marian devotion on the southern rim of the grand harbor. In this way, water conjoins African diasporic histories of enslavement, labor, survival, resistance, daily life, and religiosity within Havana Bay, into which two urban geographies project. Regla historically served as a municipality for dockworkers and shipwrights and became an enclave for identity creation, civil association, and religious worship for people of African descent. The church and sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Regla (“Our Lady of Regla”) has nurtured this connection as it houses effigies of the venerated Virgin, adorned in blue. The Virgin of Regla represents one of two, along with El Cobre, of the most important Marian devotions on the island of Cuba and is the focus of insular and diasporic pilgrimage. In Regla, the Virgin’s nautical iconography decorates the sanctuary and historically connects her to the working populations who sustained this devotion as they serviced Havana Harbor with their labor. Adjacent to the church is a waterfront park that looks out on the water and the city of Havana beyond. Bordered on one side by a low wall, the park incorporates a large ceiba tree, ceiba pentandra, also known as the silk cotton or kapok tree, a tropical species with a large trunk and spreading tree canopy native to Mexico and Central America, the Caribbean, northern South America, and West Africa (with a similar variety found in South and Southeast Asia). This article considers landscape as a methodology for examining the interplay of this tree and the adjacent church as interwoven and mutually reinforcing sites of devotion for the worship of the Virgin Mary and the oricha Yemayá in Regla, Cuba, with a view toward a broader set of local and global spaces.
Asymmetric Effects of Tax Competition on FDI vs. Budget Balance in European OECD Economies: Heterogeneous Panel Approach
Authors: Beljić Marina , Glavaški Olgica , Beker Pucar Emilija , Stojkov Stefan , Pejčić Jovica
Published: December 2023

The global trends in taxation have generated a “race to the bottom” in capital income taxation, which is intended to be stopped by OECD through the introduction of a global minimum tax rate (15% of effective average tax rate—EATR). The question is whether the defined tax competition floor would have heterogeneous implications in different economies. The aim of this paper is to examine the long-term relationship between the EATR and FDI, and between the EATR and budget balance (BB) in European OECD economies in the period 1998–2021, using non-stationary, heterogeneous panels. According to the linear PMG model, a significant negative long-term relationship was revealed between the EATR and FDI and between the EATR and BB, while the error-correction parameters are significant and heterogeneous, showing that the speed of adjustments towards equilibrium is different across the analyzed economies. However, the nonlinear PMG results revealed asymmetry as the magnitude of the influence of an EATR reduction has a greater effect on FDI attraction and deficit deepening than an increase in the EATR on the opposite tendencies of FDI and deficit. Policymakers are facing a trade-off related to FDI attraction/budget deficit deepening when making decisions in relation to the EATR, and they are mostly oriented toward FDI inflow using EATR reduction in the analyzed economies.
Posidonia oceanica Cartography and Evolution of the Balearic Sea (Western Mediterranean)
Authors: del Valle Villalonga Laura , Pons Guillem Xavier , Bardolet Marcial
Published: December 2023

The Balearic coastline presents an environmental and biological heterogeneity, which confers great complexity on the marine environment and treasures important biodiversity, both at the level of species and marine communities. The endemic phanerogam of the Mediterranean Sea, Posidonia oceanica, holds a pivotal role in maintaining high biodiversity, warranting protection as stipulated in the Posidonia Decree 25/2018. The purpose of this study is to provide quantitative criteria that will allow the delimitation of areas with Posidonia oceanica for conservation and to aid planning and management of this species, contributing to the reduction of biodiversity loss caused by anthropogenic impacts and global change. Utilizing a comprehensive approach, the study employs photo interpretation of aerial photographs taken at depths between 0 and 5 m, data from Side-Scan Sonar (SSS) campaigns, reprocessing information from the LIFE Posidonia project at depths between 20 and 30 m, and targeted sampling using Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) and ocular recognition at strategic points. The research not only seeks to assess the present state of the phanerogam but also analyzes its evolution, establishing a technological database for consultation and integrated analysis. This database facilitates effective management by tracking habitat changes, representing a significant contribution to the understanding of the impact of global change on ecosystems through Geographical Information Technologies (TIGs).
Young People Developing Their Identity Perception and Values: How Can School Support Such a Process by Bringing in Controversial Issues?
Authors: Crespo Lopes Juliana , Liljefors Persson Bodil
Published: December 2023

This article draws upon group conversations with young people (11–19 years old) from Europe, focusing on the Nordic countries. The participants’ identity perception showed more aspects as the deliberative, non-structured conversations advanced. From initially showing limited aspects of identity as being related to geographical and temporal aspects, a broader comprehension of identities as constructed, multiple, and at times subject to negotiation and change came to the fore during the discussions. Examples given showed an awareness that people, such as older relatives, develop diverse ways of thinking and acting due to historical and cultural contexts. Understanding that there is an intersection between psychosocial, post-structural, and sociocultural explanations for how identity formation progresses, we propose pedagogical actions working with controversial issues and values, raising critical consciousness of the context. During the conversations, a majority expressed that controversial issues were not something they dealt with at school. By working with controversial issues, the content of conflicts is made visible, and the possibility for students to recognize and respect each other’s diverse identities and perceptions increases. The goal of bringing controversial issues into education and conducting good discussions in the classroom is to help students develop and assess their opinions, gain an increased understanding, and consider new perspectives on various issues.
Concept for the Customer Perspective of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) System in Bus Transport Companies in the Slovak Republic
Authors: Kicova Eva , Rosnerova Zuzana , Ponisciakova Olga , Gajanova Lubica
Published: December 2023

Customer awareness and customer satisfaction are generally important attributes for the success and competitiveness of any business. In some sectors, they are studied very intensively; in others, they are neglected. In the field of transport services, it is important that the attitudes of customers are sufficiently monitored because public passenger transport has a lot of individual competition. Only satisfied customers can prefer public transportation over their own. In this context, this contribution analyses customer requirements and their satisfaction with bus public transport in the Slovak Republic. The opinions of customers are supplemented in this article with those of strategic managers. We ascertained customer requirements through questionnaire surveys. Using theoretical knowledge, we established hypotheses, which were subsequently verified using the selected statistical methods. Based on the findings, we proposed the concept of the target perspective of the BSC system for bus transport companies in the Slovak Republic in an effort to increase their competitiveness. Our procedure was also based on knowledge that is the output of various research studies in this area. Their results show that marketing strategies are considered the most important part of strategic management. Today, it is common in many industries that all business entities offer the same product at the same price under approximately the same technological conditions and with the assistance of equally well-equipped personnel. Therefore, a correctly set marketing strategy can also be the key to business success in transport services. The methods used in this paper were analysis, synthesis, questionnaire surveys, and the selected managerial and statistical methods. Our goal was to propose a concept of the customer perspective of the BSC system based on the analysis of customer requirements. We are convinced that the results of our survey can contribute to increasing the competitiveness of not only bus carriers in Slovakia, but also in other EU countries.
First Report of the Joint Exposure to Glyphosate and Glufosinate of a Male Population in the Province of Córdoba (Argentina)
Authors: Filippi Iohanna , Bonansea Rocío I. , Butinof Mariana , Fernández Ricardo A. , Llorca Marta , Farré Marinella , Muñoz Sonia E. , Amé María V.
Published: December 2023

Despite potential health implications, data on the presence of Glyphosate (GLY) and other non-GLY herbicides in human matrices remain scarce. This study aimed to develop a simple and cost-effective methodology for detecting and quantifying GLY, its primary biodegradation product; aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA); and glufosinate (GLU) in plasma and urine of environmentally and occupationally exposed populations from the province of Córdoba (Argentina). Different alternatives of pre-treatment, derivatization with FMOC-Cl, solid phase extraction, and final sample conditioning steps were evaluated to improve the quantification of the herbicides by a high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled to a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. Recoveries ranged from 39 to 84% in both matrices, while limits of quantification were 3, 1, and 0.3 ng/mL and 3.6, 5.1, and 0.3 ng/mL for AMPA, GLY, and GLU in plasma and urine, respectively. In plasma samples, GLY was the most frequently detected analyte (32%), followed by GLU (10%). In urine samples, GLU was the most frequently detected herbicide (13%), followed by GLY (6%). No differences between group or matrix correlations were found. This study is the first report of GLU in human biological matrices and should be used to establish baseline values for future surveillance systems.
Comparing Ocular Toxicity of Legacy and Alternative Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Zebrafish Larvae
Authors: Lee Han-seul , Jang Soogyeong , Eom Youngsub , Kim Ki-Tae
Published: December 2023

Studies comparing the ocular toxicity potential between legacy and alternative PFAS are lacking. To address this research gap, zebrafish larvae were exposed to both legacy PFAS (i.e., perfluorooctanesulfonic acid [PFOS] and perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA]) and their corresponding alternatives (i.e., perfluorobutanesulfonic acid [PFBS] and perfluorobutanoic acid [PFBA]). Alterations in their visual behaviors, such as phototactic and optomotor responses (OMR), were assessed at sublethal concentrations. Gene expression variations in visual function-associated pathways were also measured. Visual behavioral assessment revealed that PFOS exposure resulted in concentration-dependent reductions in phototactic responses at 10–1000 μg/L, with PFOA exerting reduction effects only at 100 mg/L. However, their two alternatives had no effect at all tested concentrations. Following an improved contrast-OMR (C-OMR) assessment, PFOS decreased the OMR to a water flow stimulus at 10, 100, and 1000 μg/L. The gene expression analysis revealed that PFOS exposure markedly downregulated most genes involved in the opsins in the photoreceptor and phototransduction cascade, which explains the observed visual behavior changes well. Our findings indicate that PFOS is the most likely PFAS to cause visual toxicity, with PFOA present but less likely, and their substitutes, PFBS and PFBA, cannot be classified as visually toxic to zebrafish.
Development of a Heat Index Related to Air Quality and Meteorology for an Assessment of Work Performance in Thailand’s Urban Areas
Authors: Parasin Nichapa , Amnuaylojaroen Teerachai
Published: December 2023

A heat index is a key indicator directly related to meteorological factors influencing human health, particularly work performance. However, the interaction between air quality, meteorology, heat, and associated work performance is loosely defined, especially in urban areas. In this study, we develop a heat index (HI) related to air quality terms, including PM2.5, NOx, and CO, and meteorology terms, including temperature and relative humidity, to assess work performance in Thailand’s urban areas, including Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Ubon Ratchathani, using a multivariate regression model. The regression models’ performance shows high R2 values ranging from 0.82 to 0.97, indicating a good level of performance. A recurring trend across all locations is elevated HI values during April and May, signifying typical pre-monsoon conditions in tropical regions. Following this peak, the values of the heat index (HI) begin to fall, possibly due to the start of the wet season. As shown by the decrease in productivity during periods of elevated heat index values, the observed increase in temperatures has noticeable effects on work performance.
Investigating Investment Plans for Expanding Battery and Electric Vehicle Production in Europe
Authors: Yang Hong , Fulton Lewis
Published: December 2023

There has been significant EV sales growth in Europe, benefiting from its policies for promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and investments in manufacturing. This study investigates the investment announcements for EV and battery production announced by manufacturers and compares them to four scenarios with different EV penetration levels in Europe. This study projects the required capacities and estimates the investment needs to meet different EV sale targets in each scenario. The investigations show that, for Europe to achieve 60% new EV sales by 2030 and to be on track for 100% by 2035, its 4.8 million planned production capacity of EVs would fall short of the needed 9.2 million in 2030. The gap could close to 2.0 million when tentative announcements are counted. The results for batteries indicate that tentative plans are adequate and firm plans can satisfy most scenarios by 2030. More investments into EV production, along with policy support and incentives, are needed for more rapid scenarios.
Review of Intelligent Vehicle Driving Risk Assessment in Multi-Vehicle Interaction Scenarios
Authors: Xiong Xiaoxia , Zhang Shiya , Chen Yuexia
Published: December 2023

With the rapid breakthroughs in artificial intelligence technology and intelligent manufacturing technology, automotive intelligence has become a research hotspot, and much progress has been made. However, a skeptical attitude is still held towards intelligent vehicles, especially when driving in a complex multi-vehicle interaction environment. The interaction among multi-vehicles generally involves more uncertainties in vehicle motion and entails higher driving risk, and thus deserves more research concerns and efforts. Targeting the safety assessment issue of complex multi-vehicle interaction scenarios, this article summarizes the existing literature on the relevant data collection methodologies, vehicle interaction mechanisms, and driving risk evaluation methods for intelligent vehicles. The limitations of the existing assessment methods and the prospects for their future development are analyzed. The results of this article can provide a reference for intelligent vehicles in terms of timely and accurate driving risk assessment in real-world multi-vehicle scenarios and help improve the safe driving technologies of intelligent vehicles.
ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OF A ROBOTIC CELL OF MACHINE-BUILDING PRODUCTION
Authors: Anciferov S. , Karachevceva A. , Sychyov E. , Litvishko A.
Published: December 2023

The article presents an engineering analysis of a robotic cell. Definitions of CAD/CAM/CAE systems are considered. The main developers of specialized software for engineering analysis are presented, which include: Siemens PLM Software; ANSYS; APM Scientific and Technical Center; TESIS; NUMECA. In modern times, designs and products have evolved at a record pace, and this suggests that their composition has become the most complex and more effective. The engineering analysis of the robotic cell is performed in the consolidated Simcenter 3D platform. The presented platform includes a huge list of CAE applications, which allows meeting modern requirements for the design and improvement of products. The main industries that use software for structural analysis are the aerospace industry, mechanical engineering, medicine, robotics and others. The paper describes the main stages of engineering analysis and what it implies. During preparing for the calculation, a calculation scheme is created and operational loads are determined. The material is also assigned to the main structural elements and guides with carriages. At the end of the engineering analysis, the strength and stiffness coefficients are calculated. The conclusions are generalized that the calculated and experimental data can be used to verify more complex mathematical models.
RESEARCH OF STRESS-STRAIN STATE OF JUMPERS OF AERATED CONCRETE COMPOSITES
Authors: Suleymanova L. , Obaydi A. , Amelin P. , Mohammedali T. H.
Published: December 2023

In this paper, the authors study the stress-strain state of composite jumpers made of aerated concrete blocks with steel reinforcement rods and external composite reinforcement when working in bending. Rod reinforcement of jumpers is carried out by inserting steel reinforcing bars into the body of aerated concrete in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Composite reinforcement is performed with carbon fiber tapes in the stretched edge of the element over the entire width, as well as parts of tapes on the flange sides of the aerated concrete block at the vertical seam or in the center of the element. The test results are assessed by comparing the strength of the normal section and the deformability of aerated concrete bending jumpers, the effectiveness of gluing carbon fiber tapes and aerated concrete, and the optimal use of various types of reinforcement. It has been established that external composite reinforcement at a load of up to 60% of the breaking load reduces the deformability of aerated concrete bending elements due to an increase in flexural rigidity, and at a load of more than 60% due to a change in the design scheme. Jumpers with rod reinforcement have a brittle nature of destruction, while those with external composite reinforcement fail plastically. In general, the load-bearing capacity of composite aerated concrete jumpers reinforced with external composite reinforcement is sufficient to withstand operational loads
METHODS OF SYNTHESIS OF SILICATE-CONTAINING CLINKER DENTAL CEMENT
Authors: Mishin D. , Doroganov V. , Dolgova E. , Tarallo Z. , Evtushenko E. , Lukin E.
Published: December 2023

The article provides an overview of modern cements used in dentistry with an emphasis on silicate cements such as mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). The basic requirements for dental cements are given, including their safety, adhesion to tooth tissues, resistance to various influences and thermal properties.

The article analyzes in detail the composition and properties of industrial white Portland cement used in construction, in comparison with the characteristics of dental silicate cements. The general issues of the synthesis of high-base calcium silicates used in dentistry are considered from the standpoint of the chemical technology of Portland cement. The mineralogical composition and hydration processes of various cement components, their effect on tooth color and other properties are discussed.

The methods of reducing the temperature and increasing the rate of formation of calcium silicates, common in the technology of dental cements and in the production of Portland cement, are indicated. It is assumed that it is possible to accelerate solid-phase synthesis in the range of 1250-1350 °C with a special method of introducing mineralizers proposed at the V.G. Shukhov BSTU for the synthesis of white Portland cement, provided it is adapted for dental formulations.
Cercetări arheologice în fosta colonie de muncă forţată din perioada comunistă de la Peninsula, canalul Dunăre – Marea Neagră / Archaeological excavations in the former communist forced-labour camp from Peninsula, the Danube – Black Sea canal
Authors: Dragoman Radu-Alexandru , Oanţă-Marghitu Sorin , Nicolae Cătălin I. , Florea Mihai-Ştefan
Published: December 2023

Despite the fact that Peninsula occupies an important place in the memorial literature and historical works regarding the political repression in communist Romania, the materiality of this forced labour colony on the trail of the Danube ‒ Black Sea Canal has been neglected both by archaeological research and by the institutions responsible for memory and heritage protection policies. In order to redress this situation, in the fall of 2020, the first archaeological surveys were carried out at Peninsula, with the following objectives : to draw a general plan of the site ; to make a repertory and detailed description of constructions and facilities (buildings, cement platforms, water tanks, concrete structures) ; to identify those structures which, by their construction elements, can be dated in the 1950s ; to identify, map and document the material traces associated with the working sites of the former forced labour colony ; to document the cemeteries where, according to testimonies, political prisoners from Peninsula were buried. The present archaeological analysis goes beyond the legal distinctions (“ political prisoners”, “ common law prisoners”) and historical chronologies with which the dominant narratives regarding the communist period operate (“ first Canal”, “ second Canal” ; communism, post‑communism) and reveals another kind of memory – of the marginal, of the anonymous and abandoned, of those forgotten, at a given moment, by history. From this perspective, the ruins at Peninsula are relevant not only for understanding communist repression, but also for understanding the mechanisms of social marginalization which are perpetuated to this day.
Le développement de la force et de la vitesse de raccourcissement musculaire chez les enfants et les adolescents des deux sexes
Authors: Gerbeaux Michel , Pertuzon Emile , Mereaux M. , Rousseau Jean
Published: December 2023

A partir d’une sélection de 40 enfants de 6 à 24 ans, et par des méthodes non-invasives, nous avons tracé la cinétique de l’évolution de la force et de la vitesse de raccourcissement musculaire.

Les garçons progressent brusquement en vitesse pendant la prépuberté et en force pendant la puberté, alors que la force et la vitesse chez les jeunes filles progressent d’une façon strictement linéaire.

Ce type d’appareillage doit permettre l’approche de la notion «d’âge moteur».
Projection ou tombé ? Biomécanique et société
Authors: Bui-Xuan Gilles
Published: December 2023

Le Japon de la fin du 19ème siècle sécrète le judo ; la France développe la lutte. Des similitudes mécaniques et techniques peuvent apparaître entre ces activités de combat. Cette perspective constitue toutefois une hérésie historique au regard de la représentation bio-mécanique qu’impose à une société son contexte social-historique, son dire et son faire. Le brassage des civilisations devrait l’entretenir.
Essai d'analyse sociographique de différents champs de publication de certains bulletins et revues associatifs du champ des pratiques d'exercice corporel
Authors: Joseph Robert
Published: December 2023

Les savoirs qui s’amassent, s’assemblent, se construisent, dans le champ des pratiques d’exercice corporel sont véhiculés et diffusés, la plupart du temps, par des bulletins et revues d’association. Des champs de diffusion et d’échange sont organisés en fonction de trois grands types de savoir, technique, pédagogico-didactique et scientifique. Les changements institutionnels donnent lieu à des restructurations de ces champs de diffusion qui suscitent des vocations et des organisations de véhicules de publication nouveaux qui peuvent être des lieux de repérage de groupes sociaux institutionnalisés.

C’est par une analyse thématique de contenu de presse complète et détaillée, et à partir d’un corpus de revues significatives du champ des savoirs des pratiques d’exercice corporel que nous avons pu confirmer notre hypothèse dans un contexte de recherche sociographique.

Les savoirs techniques, premières formes de rationalisation des exercices et pratiques corporels et sportifs, sont diffusés par les revues les plus anciennes. Les savoirs pédagogiques détiennent un autre champ de diffusion et d’échange de revues anciennes mais les didactiques suscitent aujourd’hui des revues nouvelles. Actuellement, les savoirs scientifiques permettent des vocations à édition.

Mais ces champs de diffusion ne sont-ils pas aussi des champs de concurrences ?
Imagerie et répétition mentale : recherches et avenues pour le sport de haut niveau
Authors: Chevalier Nicole
Published: December 2023

Ce texte, ayant fait l’objet d’une conférence présentée dans le cadre de la formation supérieure de l’Institut National des Sports et de l’Education Physique, à Paris, suggère des avenues de recherche en «imagerie et répétition mentale» avec des athlètes de haut niveau.
«Métamorphoses d'une revendication corporelle : du corps libéré au corps obéissant»
Authors: Barreau Jean-Michel
Published: December 2023

Ni maître, ni chef, ni adulte. Le discours non-directif des années soixante et soixante-dix a violemment contesté toute figure d’autorité, notamment sur le corps. Les rogériens, bio-énergéticiens, et autres animateurs de groupes, devaient se substituer aux pédagogues «traditionnels», trop autoritaires.

Mais, ces animateurs non-directifs n’ont pas supprimé l’autorité. Ils l’ont métamorphosée. Car, s’ils ne sont pas contraignants, ils sont excellents. Ce sont des magisters. Ils analysent tout, comprennent tout. De plus, ils prônent la morale de l’hédonisme mais, paradoxalement, nous les retrouverons hédonistes-autocrates puis autocrates-tout-court.