bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formulation and Characterization of Stimuli-Responsive Lecithin-Based Liposome Complexes with Poly(acrylic acid)/Poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) and Pluronic® Copolymers for Controlled Drug Delivery
Authors: Simões Mónica G. , Hugo Ayelen , Gómez-Zavaglia Andrea , Simões Pedro N. , Alves Patrícia
Published: March 2022

Polymer–liposome complexes (PLCs) can be efficiently applied for the treatment and/or diagnosis of several types of diseases, such as cancerous, dermatological, neurological, ophthalmic and orthopedic. In this work, temperature-/pH-sensitive PLC-based systems for controlled release were developed and characterized. The selected hydrophilic polymeric setup consists of copolymers of Pluronic®-poly(acrylic acid) (PLU-PAA) and Pluronic®-poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PLU-PD) synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The copolymers were incorporated into liposomes formulated from soybean lecithin, with different copolymer/phospholipid ratios (2.5, 5 and 10%). PLCs were characterized by evaluating their particle size, polydispersity, surface charge, capacity of release and encapsulation efficiency. Their cytotoxic potential was assessed by determining the viability of human epithelial cells exposed to them. The results showed that the incorporation of the synthesized copolymers positively contributed to the stabilization of the liposomes. The main accomplishments of this work were the innovative synthesis of PLU-PD and PLU-PAA by ATRP, and the liposome stabilization by their incorporation. The formulated PLCs exhibited relevant characteristics, notably stimuli-responsive attributes upon slight changes in pH and/or temperature, with proven absence of cellular toxicity, which could be of interest for the treatment or diagnosis of all diseases that cause some particular pH/temperature change in the target area.
Targeting Zika Virus with New Brain- and Placenta-Crossing Peptide–Porphyrin Conjugates
Authors: Todorovski Toni , Mendonça Diogo A. , Fernandes-Siqueira Lorena O. , Cruz-Oliveira Christine , Guida Giuseppina , Valle Javier , Cavaco Marco , Limas Fernanda I. V. , Neves Vera , Cadima-Couto Íris , Defaus Sira , Veiga Ana Salomé , Da Poian Andrea T. , Castanho Miguel A. R. B. , Andreu David
Published: March 2022

Viral disease outbreaks affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide and remain a serious threat to global health. The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and other recent geographically- confined viral outbreaks (severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Ebola, dengue, zika and ever-recurring seasonal influenza), also with devastating tolls at sanitary and socio-economic levels, are sobering reminders in this respect. Among the respective pathogenic agents, Zika virus (ZIKV), transmitted by Aedes mosquito vectors and causing the eponymous fever, is particularly insidious in that infection during pregnancy results in complications such as foetal loss, preterm birth or irreversible brain abnormalities, including microcephaly. So far, there is no effective remedy for ZIKV infection, mainly due to the limited ability of antiviral drugs to cross blood–placental and/or blood–brain barriers (BPB and BBB, respectively). Despite its restricted permeability, the BBB is penetrable by a variety of molecules, mainly peptide-based, and named BBB peptide shuttles (BBBpS), able to ferry various payloads (e.g., drugs, antibodies, etc.) into the brain. Recently, we have described peptide–porphyrin conjugates (PPCs) as successful BBBpS-associated drug leads for HIV, an enveloped virus in which group ZIKV also belongs. Herein, we report on several brain-directed, low-toxicity PPCs capable of targeting ZIKV. One of the conjugates, PP-P1, crossing both BPB and BBB, has shown to be effective against ZIKV (IC50 1.08 µM) and has high serum stability (t1/2 ca. 22 h) without altering cell viability at all tested concentrations. Peptide–porphyrin conjugation stands out as a promising strategy to fill the ZIKV treatment gap.
Understanding the Working Mechanism of the Novel HKUST-1@BPS Composite Materials as Stationary Phases for Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Saifutdinov Bulat R. , Isaeva Vera I. , Chernyshev Vladimir V. , Vergun Vadim V. , Kapustin Gennady I. , Ivanova Yulia P. , Ilyin Mikhail M. , Tkachenko Olga P. , Buryak Aleksey K. , Kustov Leonid M.
Published: March 2022

Composite materials have been used based on coordination polymers or microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) combined with mesoporous matrices for adsorption-related techniques, which enable outflanking some adverse phenomena manifested during pristine components operation and enhance the performance and selectivity of the resulting materials. In this work, for the first time, the novel HKUST-1@BPS composites synthesized by the microwave-assisted (MW) technique starting from microporous HKUST-1 (Cu3(btc)2) MOF and biporous silica matrix (BPS) with bimodal mesopore size distribution were comparatively studied as materials for liquid-phase adsorption techniques utilizing the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method and benzene as a model adsorbate. It was established that the studied HKUST-1@BPS composites can function as stationary phases for HPLC, unlike the pristine HKUST-1 and bare BPS materials, due to the synergetic effect of both components based on the preliminary enhanced adsorbate mass transfer throughout the silica mesopores and, subsequently, its penetrating into HKUST-1 micropores. The suggested mechanism involves the initial deactivation of open metal Cu2+ sites in the HKUST-1 framework structure by isopropanol molecules upon adding this polar component into the mobile phase in the region of the isopropanol concentration of 0.0 to 0.2 vol.%. Thereafter, at the medium range of varying the isopropanol concentration in the eluent of 0.2 to 0.3 vol.%, there is an expansion of the previously inaccessible adsorption centers in the HKUST-1@BPS composites. Subsequently, while further increasing the isopropanol volume fraction in the eluent in the region of 0.3 to 5.0 vol.%, the observed behavior of the studied chromatographic systems is similar to the quasi-normal-phase HPLC pattern. According to the obtained thermodynamic data, benzene adsorption into HKUST-1 micropores from solutions with a vol.% of isopropanol in the range of 0.4 to 5.0 follows the unique entropy-driven mechanism previously described for the MIL-53(Al) framework. It was found that HKUST-1 loading in the composites and their preparation conditions have pronounced effects on their physicochemical properties and adsorption performance, including the adsorption mechanism.
Hybridization Effect on Mechanical Properties of Basalt/Kevlar/Epoxy Composite Laminates
Authors: Velumayil Ramesh , Palanivel Anand
Published: March 2022

The present work investigates the fabrication of Kevlar/epoxy and basalt/epoxy and Kevlar/basalt/epoxy hybrid composite laminates and compares their mechanical properties. Mechanical characterization tests, including tension, flexural, impact and hardness tests, as per ASTM standards, were conducted on coupons cut out from the fabricated composite panels. A hand layup fabrication technique was used to fabricate composite panels with seven layers in them. Eight such laminates, with two containing pure Kevlar/epoxy and basalt/epoxy and the remaining ones containing Kevlar/basalt, were stacked in different sequences and impregnated in an epoxy matrix to provide a hybrid configuration. The microscopic examination of the fabricated laminates revealed that there was good bonding between the reinforcements and matrix material. Out of the eight composite panels including the hybrids, the ones with the pure basalt/epoxy exhibited more tensile and flexural strength than its Kevlar/epoxy counterpart due to its higher density value. The tensile and flexural strength of the hybrid laminates (i.e., combinations of basalt/Kevlar/epoxy) showed values in between pure basalt/epoxy and Kevlar/epoxy laminates in general. A similar trend was observed in terms of hardness and impact strength for the fabricated composite laminates.
Behaviour of Rectangular Hollow Thin Ply Carbon Thermoset and Thermoplastic Composite Tubes Subjected to Bending
Authors: Bhudolia Somen K. , Gohel Goram , Vasudevan Durga , Leong Kah Fai , Gerard Pierre
Published: March 2022

Tubular composites are widely used in many industrial applications, and there is need to use new material and reliable manufacturing processes to improve the performance and process aspects. The current research presents a detailed study to understand the flexure response of rectangular tubular composites based on thin ply carbon fibres and Elium® resin. Another aim was to understand the failure mechanisms of novel tubular thermoplastic composite systems and carry out a baseline comparison with Epoxy-based tubular systems. In the current research, a bladder-assisted resin transfer moulding process was used to manufacture hollow thermoplastic composite tubes, and the bending behaviour of thin ply carbon (TPC) composite parts with novel Elium® (EL) and Epoxy (EP) resin as the matrix material was studied using a detailed experimental study. A testing method with optimized support span and a saddle was used to carry out three-point bending tests on the tubular composite structures. The TPC/EL composite tubes have shown 10% higher bending strength, with a noticeable increase in deformation due the presence of extended plasticity attributes for acrylic Elium resin. Failure mechanisms studied with the detailed microscopic investigation have shown severe catastrophic failure for epoxy-based composite tubes; however, acrylic Elium®-based composite tubes have shown different damage modes such as fibre splitting, resin infragmentation, and fibre resin-interfacial cracking.
Bamboo-Fiber-Reinforced Thermoset and Thermoplastic Polymer Composites: A Review of Properties, Fabrication, and Potential Applications
Authors: Radzi A.M. , Zaki Sheikh , Hassan Mohamad , Ilyas R.A. , Jamaludin Khairur , Daud Mohd , Aziz Sa’ardin
Published: March 2022

Natural-fiber-reinforced composites, especially bamboo, are an alternative material to compete with conventional materials. Their environmentally friendly, renewable, low-cost, low-density, non-toxic, and fully biodegradable properties are concerning for researchers because of their advantages over synthetic polymers. This comprehensive review presents the results of work on bamboo fiber composites with special reference to bamboo types, thermoplastic and thermoset polymers matrices, hybrid composites, and their applications. In addition, several studies prove that these properties are very good and efficient in various applications. However, in the development of composite technology, bamboo fiber has certain constraints, especially in moisture conditions. Moisture is one of the factors that reduces the potential of bamboo fiber and makes it a critical issue in the manufacturing industry. Therefore, various efforts have been made to ensure that these properties are not affected by moisture by treating the surface fibers using chemical treatments.
Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymers: An Update on Their Use in the Separation of Active Compounds from Natural Products
Authors: Ariani Marisa Dwi , Zuhrotun Ade , Manesiotis Panagiotis , Hasanah Aliya Nur
Published: March 2022

During the last few years, separation techniques using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been developed, making breakthroughs using magnetic properties. Compared to conventional MIPs, magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) have advantages in sample pretreatment due to their high specificity and selectivity towards analytes as a result of their larger specific surface areas and highly accessible specific binding sites. The techniques of isolation of active compounds from natural products usually require very long process times and low compound yields. When MMIPs are used in sample separation as Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) sorbents, the MMIPs are introduced into the dissolved sample and spread evenly, and they form bonds between the analyte and the MMIPs, which are then separated from the sample matrix using an external magnetic field. This process of separating analytes from the sample matrix makes the separation technique with MMIPs very simple and easy. This review discusses how to synthesize MMIPs, which factors must be considered in their synthesis, and their application in the separation of active compounds from natural products. MMIPs with magnetic core-shells made by co-precipitation can be a good choice for further development due to the high synthesis yield. Further optimization of the factors affecting the size and distribution of magnetic core-shell particles can obtain higher synthesis yields of MMIPs with higher adsorption capacity and selectivity. Thus, they can isolate target compounds from natural plants in high yields and purity.
Nucleating Agents to Enhance Poly(l-Lactide) Fiber Crystallization during Industrial-Scale Melt Spinning
Authors: Siebert Stefan , Berghaus Johannes , Seide Gunnar
Published: March 2022

The nucleating agent N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-terephthalamide (BHET) has promising effects on poly(l-lactide) (PLA) under quiescent conditions and for injection molding applications, but its suitability for industrial-scale fiber melt spinning is unclear. We therefore determined the effects of 1% and 2% (w/w) BHET on the crystallinity, tenacity, and elongation at break of PLA fibers compared to pure PLA and PLA plus talc as a reference nucleating agent. Fibers were spun at take-up velocities of 800, 1400 and 2000 m/min and at drawing at ratios of 1.1–4.0, reaching a final winding speed of 3600 m/min. The fibers were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, gel permeation chromatography and tensile testing. Statistical analysis of variance was used to determine the combined effects of the spin-line parameters on the material properties. We found that the fiber draw ratio and take-up velocity were the most important factors affecting tenacity and elongation, but the addition of BHET reduced the mechanical performance of the fibers. The self-organizing properties of BHET were not expressed due to the rapid quenching of the fibers, leading to the formation of α′-crystals. Understanding the behavior of BHET in the PLA matrix provides information on the performance of nucleation agents during high-speed processing that will allow processing improvements in the future.
Way-Making: Portability and Practice amid Protestantization in American Confucianism
Authors: Whitney Lawrence A.
Published: March 2022

While the study of Confucianism has been ongoing in the United States for quite some time, the idea of its viability in the American context is quite recent. Even more recent are experimental attempts to practice Confucianism in the U.S. This article chronicles several such attempts and considers what demographic data there are, and their frameworks of measurement, of Confucianism in the U.S. It focuses on a case study of debates and conversations about what it means for Confucianism to be “portable” among a small but committed second generation of Boston Confucians. From quiet-sitting meditation, to textual studies and interpretation, to ritual veneration of Confucius and ancestors, this article is one of the first empirical studies of Confucianism as a lived tradition in the United States. It situates these practices, and descriptions, discussions, and debates about them by their enactors, in the context of the Protestantized religious landscape in the U.S. It also considers how Confucianism has registered in unexpected ways in the U.S. context amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Confucianism in the U.S. emerges as a form of way-making, irreducible to the categories of philosophy or religion, that both reflects and transforms its inheritance of Confucianism from East Asia.
Embodying Theology: Trauma Theory, Climate Change, Pastoral and Practical Theology
Authors: McCarroll Pamela R.
Published: March 2022

Since 2009, the amount of literature focused on the psychological and social dimensions of the climate crisis has increased exponentially. This growing interest in the topic is signaled especially in the American Psychological Association (APA)’s multiple reports on the mental health impacts of climate change. More recently, across different disciplines, links have also been made between trauma theory and the climate crisis. These rich discussions include overlapping concerns, areas of potential fruitfulness and theological implications for all the practical theological disciplines, especially for pastoral theology and practices of care. Given the implicitly existential, theological and spiritual dimensions embedded in the realities of both trauma and the climate crisis, there is an important opportunity for pastoral theology in particular, and practical theology more generally, to engage, learn from and contribute to the interdisciplinary conversation. In this paper, I first offer a brief overview of the literature in pastoral theology related to the climate crisis. Second, I present literature specifically on trauma theory and the climate crisis, outlining several of the key themes emerging across the interdisciplinary discussion. Third, I reflect theologically on the presented content, discussing and drawing forward areas of theological, epistemological and practical fruitfulness for practical and pastoral theology.
A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis Model of SAW Torque Sensor with Multilayer Structure
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Meng Xu , Wang Bonan , Zhang Chao
Published: March 2022

A three-dimensional finite element analysis model of surface acoustic wave (SAW) torque sensor based on multilayer structure is proposed in this paper. Compared with the traditional saw torque sensor with quartz as piezoelectric substrate, the SAW torque sensor with multilayer structure has the advantages of fast propagation speed and high characteristic frequency. It is a very promising torque sensor, but there is very little related research. In order to successfully develop the sensor, it is essential to understand the propagation characteristics and torque sensing mode of SAW in multilayer structure. Therefore, in this study, we first established a multi-layered finite element analysis model of SAW device based on IDT/128° Y-X lithium niobate/diamond/Si (100). Then, the effects of different film thicknesses on the characteristic frequency, electromechanical coupling coefficient, s parameter, and mechanical quality factor of SAW device without changing the wavelength are analyzed. Then, based on the finite element analysis, a three-dimensional research model of a new SAW torque sensor suitable for small diameter torsion bar (d = 10 mm) is established, and the relationship between saw device deformation and torque under the condition of small torque (±40 Nm) is tested. The shape variable is introduced into the finite element analysis model of multi-layer SAW device. Finally, the relationship between saw torque sensor with multi-layer structure and torque is established by using the deformation relationship, which shows the perfect curve of sensor performance.
Sustainability Strategies and Achieving SDGs: A Comparative Analysis of Leading Companies in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Lukin Edi , Krajnović Aleksandra , Bosna Jurica
Published: March 2022

Sustainability as a growing trend in the 21st century has encompassed almost the entire world economy, including the automotive industry. As a result of this trend, automotive companies are adjusting their strategies and operations to contribute to the achievement of the concept of sustainability at the global level. By turning to sustainability, the automotive industry is experiencing perhaps the biggest transition in its history. This paper therefore deals with the research of sustainable strategies of leading companies in the automotive industry. The paper aims to examine the extent to which the world’s leading companies in the automotive industry meet certain SDG UN goals. The method of the qualitative comparative analysis using the desk method alternative provided the information on sustainability strategies and their fulfilment within the top five companies in the automotive industry according to the Interbrand scale from 2021, considering the UN Agenda 2030 sustainability goals. The results of the analysis showed that the observed companies in the automotive sector meet most of the goals of sustainable development of the UN with their sustainability strategies, which indicates that they are successfully adapting their business operations to modern business requirements. This also makes their brands green, hence the application of the principle of sustainability also affects the strength of their brands, adding “extended customer value”. The paper contributes not only to the development of the framework and elaboration of business models of sustainability in the automotive industry, but also to the development of further theoretical and empirical research in this field and the conceptualization of the principles of sustainability in this area.
Brushite-Metakaolin Composite Geopolymer Material as an Effective Adsorbent for Lead Removal from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Djukić Dunja , Krstić Aleksandar , Jakovljević Ksenija , Butulija Svetlana , Andjelković Ljubica , Pavlović Vladimir , Mirković Miljana
Published: March 2022

Newly designed mesoporous brushite-metakaolin-based geopolymer materials were examined with an idea for using this material as a potential adsorbent for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solutions. As a starting component for geopolymer synthesis, a natural raw kaolinite clay with the addition of 2 wt.%, 4 wt.%, 6 wt.%, 8 wt.%, and 10 wt.% of pure brushite was used. Phase, structural, morphological, and adsorption properties of newly synthesized mesoporous brushite-metakaolin geopolymer materials were examined in detail by the means of XRPD, FTIR, SEM-EDS, BET/BJH, and ICP-OES methods. The ICP-OES results showed that the synthesized material samples with 2 wt.%, 4 wt.%, and 6 wt.% of brushite possess significant adsorption properties and the mechanisms of the adsorption process can be attributed to chemisorption. The most notable result is that brushite-metakaolin-geopolymer with 2 wt.% of brushite have the best efficiency removal, more than 85% of Pb(II).
Analysis of Seasonal Variations in Surface Water Quality over Wet and Dry Regions
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Mazhar , Li Lingling , Hussain Saddam , Lee Jung Lyul , Mumtaz Faisal , Elbeltagi Ahmed , Waqas Muhammad Sohail , Dilawar Adil
Published: March 2022

Water quality is highly affected by riverside vegetation in different regions. To comprehend this research, the study area was parted into wet and dry regions. The WASP8 was applied for the simulations of water quality profile over both Waterways selected from each region. It was found that the Ara Waterway, located in the wet regions, has a higher water quality variation in seasonal scale than that of the Yamuna Waterway, which is in the dry region. The interrelationship between river water quality variables and NDVI produce higher association for water quality variables with Pearson correlation coefficient values of about 0.66, 0.68 and −0.58, respectively, over the annual and seasonal scales in the energy limited regions. This approach will help in monitoring the seasonal variation and effect of the vegetation biomass on water quality for the sustainable water environment.
Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Using a Process Train with Laterite Mine Waste, Concrete Waste, and Limestone as Treatment Media
Authors: Turingan Casey Oliver A. , Cordero Kristina S. , Santos Aileen L. , Tan Gillian Sue L. , Tabelin Carlito B. , Alorro Richard D. , Orbecido Aileen H.
Published: March 2022

Without treatment, the harmful effects of acid mine drainage (AMD) lead to the destruction of surrounding ecosystems, including serious health impacts to affected communities. Active methods, like chemical neutralization, are the most widely used approach to AMD management. However, these techniques require constant inputs of energy, chemicals, and manpower, which become unsustainable in the long-term. One promising and sustainable alternative for AMD management is to use passive treatment systems with locally available and waste-derived alkalinity-generating materials. In this study, the treatment of synthetic AMD with laterite mine waste (LMW), concrete waste, and limestone in a successive process train was elucidated, and the optimal process train configuration was determined. Six full factorial analyses were performed following a constant ratio of 0.75 mL AMD/g media with a 15-min retention time. The evolution of the pH, redox potential (Eh), total dissolved solids (TDS), heavy metals concentration, and sulfates concentrations were monitored as the basis for evaluating the treatment performance of each run. LMW had the highest metal and sulfates removal, while concrete waste caused the largest pH increase. A ranking system was utilized in which each parameter was normalized based on the Philippine effluent standards (DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2016–08 and 2021–19). Run 4 (Limestone-LMW-Concrete waste) showed the best performance, that is, the pH increased from 1.35 to 8.08 and removed 39% Fe, 94% Ni, 72% Al, and 52% sulfate. With this, the process train is more effective to treat AMD, and the order of the media in treatment is significant.
An Integrated Approach to Assess the Water Efficiency of Introducing Best Management Practices: An Application to Sugarcane Mechanisation in Brazil
Authors: Chico Daniel , Pahlow Markus , Willaarts Bárbara A. , Sinisgalli Paulo , Garrido Alberto
Published: March 2022

Management practices reputed to be the best are being introduced widely in the agricultural sector. The identification of what these best management practices are for a given cultivation area requires thorough assessment, using indicators that reduce the risk of unintended impacts and that help manage environmental and economic trade-offs. We propose an integrated assessment that includes two indicators in water footprint sustainability assessment: water apparent productivity and ecosystem services value, thereby considering the trade-offs in the two ecosystem services of water provisioning and erosion potential. The approach was tested in Mogí-Guaçú Pardo (Brazil), a basin that has been subjected to intensive land-use changes through the expansion of sugarcane plantations. Here, regulatory changes have also promoted the introduction of the new management practice of mechanised harvesting, thereby phasing out the practice of burning the fields before manual harvest. A probabilistic approach was applied to account for uncertainty in model parameters. The results reveal that sugarcane has a comparably high economic value but is a less efficient land-use type from a water-use perspective. The total green and blue water footprint in the basin increased by 12% from 2000 to 2012, mainly due to the increase in sugarcane area (+36%). The intensification in sugarcane harvesting practices led to improved economic water-use efficiency and also lowered erosion costs. Adding the new indicators and considering trade-offs linked to new management practices and/or land-use changes allow for more robust decision making.
Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Food Waste with Sewage Sludge: Simulation and Optimization for Maximum Biogas Production
Authors: Cheong Wai Lin , Chan Yi Jing , Tiong Timm Joyce , Chong Woon Chan , Kiatkittipong Worapon , Kiatkittipong Kunlanan , Mohamad Mardawani , Daud Hanita , Suryawan I. Wayan Koko , Sari Mega Mutiara , Lim Jun Wei
Published: March 2022

Anaerobic co-digestion (ACD), where two or more substrates are digested simultaneously, is able to prevent the problems associated with mono-digestion. The aim of this study is to develop a simulation model of ACD of food waste (FW) with sewage sludge (SS) for biogas production coupled with pre-treatment, sludge handling and biogas upgrading using SuperPro Designer v9.0. The Design Expert v13 is employed to perform optimization and evaluate the effect of hydraulic retention time (HRT), sludge recycle ratio, water to feed ratio (kg/kg) and SS to FW ratio (kg/kg) on the methane flow, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and volatile solids (VS). The results show that the methane yield of 0.29 L CH4/g COD removed, COD removal efficiency of 81.5% and VS removal efficiency of 69.2% are obtained with a HRT of 38.8 days, water to feed ratio (kg/kg) of 0.048, sludge recycle ratio of 0.438 and SS to FW ratio (kg/kg) of 0.044. Economic analysis has shown this study is feasible with a payback time of 6.2 years, net present value (NPV) of $5,283,000 and internal return rate (IRR) of 10.2%. This indicates that the ACD of FW and SS is economically feasible in a larger scale.
Biological Layer in Household Slow Sand Filters: Characterization and Evaluation of the Impact on Systems Efficiency
Authors: Lubarsky Helen , Fava Natália de Melo Nasser , Souza Freitas Bárbara Luíza , Terin Ulisses Costa , Oliveira Milina , Lamon Atônio Wagner , Pichel Natalia , Byrne John Anthony , Sabogal-Paz Lyda Patricia , Fernandez-Ibañez Pilar
Published: March 2022

Schmutzdecke, the biofilm formed on the top of the sand bed in household slow sand filters (HSSF) is a key factor for the filters’ high efficiency in removing particles and microorganisms from water. This paper aims to investigate the extracellular polymeric substances composition (carbohydrates and proteins), biomass, dissolved oxygen, and microbial community in two types of HSSFs and identify a correlation between them and their efficiency. A continuous- and an intermittent-HSSF (C-HSSF and I-HSSF) were studied to treat river water for 48 days. Their efficiencies for bacteria (E. coli and total coliforms), turbidity, and apparent color removals were analyzed. Results clearly showed an increase of carbohydrates (from 21.4/22.5 to 101.2/93.9 mg·g−1 for C-/I-HSSF) and proteins (from 34.9 to 217/307.8 mg g−1 for C-/I-HSSF), total solids (from 0.03/<0.03 to 0.11/0.19 g L−1 for C-/I-HSSF), dissolved oxygen depletion inside the filter (6.00 and 5.15 mg L−1 for C- and I-HSSF) and diversity of microorganisms over time, pointing out the schmutzdecke development. A clear improvement on the HSSFs’ efficiency was observed during operation, i.e., E. coli removal of 3.23 log and 2.98 log for total coliforms, turbidity from 60 to 95%, and apparent color from 50 to 90%.
HIGHER EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENT MANAGEMENT: INTERNATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION
Authors: VERBOVSKYI I.
Published: March 2022

The article highlights the main issues of international and financial regulation of the higher education establishment management. The study analyses the financial support of state, municipal and private establishments according to their autonomy. It indicates that one of the main funding sources for state higher education establishments in Ukraine is funds from various budget levels. The paper points out that higher education establishments can be financed from the other sources that are not prohibited by national legislation: payment for the educational services, grant income, research, rent, charitable funds, etc. The research also determines that establishments need to conform to the principles of targeted and effective use of funds, as well as publicity and transparency in decision-making. The previously received additional funds can only be used to carry out the statutory activities of a higher education establishment following the requirements of current legislation. The paper investigates the concept of government spending indicator per student to assess the financing of higher education establishments management, and a comparative analysis of the financial support of European countries. The article figures out the legislation of Ukraine and individual countries of the world regarding the financial support of higher education establishments. It establishes the importance of implementing a financing model of higher education establishments based on the results of their activities and determines that in accordance with the provisions of the Budget Code of Ukraine, the amount of state budget expenditures on higher education is distributed among higher education establishments based on a formula developed by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. It highlights the main parameters of the formula, namely, the number of students by levels of higher education and subject areas, and the ratio of the educational services' cost; the level of results of students' external independent evaluation; the quality indicators of educational and scientific activities of higher education establishments. The research suggests ways to improve the financial management of higher education establishments in Ukraine.
Improved Design Fixed Stake Trap With PVC Poles and Suitable Mesh Size Net Enables Sustainable White-Spotted Spinefoot, Siganus canaliculatus (Park, 1797) Fisheries in Luwu District, South Sulawesi
Authors:   Department of Fisheries, Andi Djemma University, Palopo, Indonesia, HALID IRMAN , BASO HARFIKA SARI
Published: March 2022

The traditional fixed stake trap made typically of wooden poles and thinly interwoven bamboos walls have been used for generations as fishing gear in coastal regions of South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. In the 1980s, bamboo slats were replaced with nets of various mesh sizes as they became readily available, and currently, in the research area, no bamboo is used. Each unit of the wooden structure is made of around 300 poles that must be replaced three to four times annually and is becoming difficult due to the scarcity of wood and the high cost. Thus, this research aims to provide a feasible solution using PVC pipes and a suitable size mesh net for sustainable fisheries management of white-spotted spinefoot, Siganus canaliculatus (Park, 1797). The study was done in Karang-karangan village located on the coast of Luwu Regency where white-spotted spinefoot is the main fishing livelihood activity of fishers. The mesh size of the net used was 2.60 cm, and the results showed that the newly designed fixed stake trap unit made of PVC has been durable for the last 2.2 years and is expected to last at least 5 years. Compared to the traditional wood structure, there are no barnacles attached to the PVC pipes. The net size used allows smaller fish below 8.6 cm in length to escape, thus making white-spotted spinefoot fisheries sustainable. The estimated cost of using wood for 5 years is IDR60 million (USD4200), while PVC only requires around IDR15 million (USD1050).
INTEGRATION OF STUDENT ACADEMIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS WITH TELEGRAM BOT AS AN AUTOMATIC ANSWERING MACHINE
Authors: Mulyo Harminto
Published: March 2022

The Student Academic Information System (SIAMA) is web-based software developed to manage students' academic data. In this system, student academic data is processed to make academic information useful for students. However, to access the system requires many steps so that time is less efficient if you have to browse through all the stages. Not to mention the need for internet data quotas that are calculated based on how much content the system downloads and uploads. To speed up access to that information, it can be done by integrating the Telegram Bot service as an automated answering service controlled by robots. Using the PPDIOO method, SIAMA has been successfully integrated as an automated answering machine through the utilization and development of the Telegram Bot PHP Library collaborated with Crontab Linux. From the test results, it is known that the response time from the Bot is indicated at the same hour and minute or < 1 minute which means that the bot execution time is relatively fast.
SISTEM MONITORING PEMAKAIAN DAYA LISTRIK PADA KWH METER MENGGUNAKAN SMS GATEWAY
Authors: Wirasasmita Rasyid Hardi , Prihatmoko Dias , Supriyadi Mochammad
Published: March 2022

Perkembangan teknologi di era globalisasi saat ini, penggunaan tenaga listrik dari tahun ke tahun semakin lama semakin meningkat. Hal ini dikarenakan banyak produk khususnya elektronik yang gencar dikeluarkan oleh produsen asing sehingga kebutuhan akan listrik sudah menjadi kebutuhan sangat vital bagi masing-masing individu atau kelompok. Dikarenakan pelanggan tidak mengetahui berapa beban alat listrik yang digunakan sehingga tidak dapat mengontrol dan monitoring daya yang digunakan tiap harinya pada KWH meter. Dari permasalahan tersebut, peneliti mengusulkan untuk membuat suatu alat monitoring daya, tegangan dan arus listrik yang digunakan tiap harinya dengan menggunakan Arduino Uno yang nantinya hasil monitoringnya di tampilkan pada LCD 16x2 dan secara berkala mendapatkan pesan SMS Gateway. Board Arduino berfungsi sebagai sistem kontrol pengambilan data, sebelum data tersebut di olah pada server. Terdapat sensor yang berfungsi untuk pengambilan data Ampere dan Voltage yaitu sensor ACS712-30 A dan sensor Tegangan AC ZMPT101B. Untuk SMS Gateway menggunakan Modul GSM SIM800L. Alat ini dapat memonitor pemaikaian daya listrik dan biaya pemakaian daya listrik, hasil output dari kedua data tersebut kemudian di kirim melalui sms gateway setiap 1 hari sekali.
IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRONIC CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT IN THE DONATION SERVICE INFORMATION SYSTEM
Authors: Ibrahim Ali , Rezqeb Beriadi Agung Nur
Published: March 2022

LAZNAS LMI Regional Office of South Sumatra is an institution engaged in the field of religion and humanity. One of the services provided by the LMI Regional Office of South Sumatra is a donation service. However, the service is still not effective and efficient. Based on the results of the questionnaire on donation services at the LMI Regional Office of South Sumatra, the calculation results. obtained Net Promoter Score1 of -61.6% which indicates a negative value. This shows the need to improve donation services in order to create loyalty. The E-CRM concept aims to provide satisfaction and increase loyalty. Therefore we need a donation service information system that can make it easier for both LMI and donors. As well as a measurement that measures the loyalty of donors using the Net Promoter Score calculation method and the FAST system development method. From the measurement results of Net Promoter Score2, the calculation results are 77%, this shows that the loyalty of donors has increased towards the improvement of donation services at LMI Regional Office of South Sumatra.
APPLICATION OF PROFILE MATCHING ALGORITHM IN SELECTION OF THE BEST EMPLOYEES (CASE STUDY: PT VWX)
Authors: Nurchasanah Laeli , Firdaus Annisa Cintakami , Fitriati Desti
Published: March 2022

Giving awards to employees who have advantages and good work performance is one way to increase positive competitiveness among employees in a company. This study aims to find the advantages of each employee to find out which employees excel. Through achievements in the world of work, it can be a benchmark for finding the best employees who deserve awards. Analysis of the data used in this study is sourced from data on sales of property companies for the last three months. This study uses the Profile Matching Method to determine the best employees in property companies. This research was conducted by comparing one employee with another employee candidate based on predetermined criteria. The results of this study are in the form of rankings that show the order of the best employees who are entitled to an award from the company.
Clinical and Economic Effectiveness of the Drug Sakubitril/ Valsartan in Treatment of Patients with Chronic Heart Failure with the Reduced Ejection Fraction in Conditions of Healthcare System of the Republic of Belarus
Authors: Захаренко А.Г.
Published: March 2022

Сакубитрил/валсартан является лекарственным препаратом с доказанной эффективностью в плане снижения сердечно-сосудистой заболеваемости и смертности среди пациентов с сердечной недостаточностью со сниженной фракцией выброса. Широкое внедрение в клиническую практику требует оценки экономической эффективности препарата в условиях системы здравоохранения Республики Беларусь, что явилось целью настоящего исследования. Экономический анализ базируется на данных о клинической эффективности сакубитрила/валсартана в сравнении с эналаприлом из международных клинических исследований PARADIGM-HF и PIONEER-HF и локальных белорусских данных о стоимости сравниваемых препаратов и ресурсов здравоохранения. Анализ затратной эффективности применения сакубитрила/валсартана у стабильных пациентов с хронической сердечной недостаточностью продемонстрировал меньшую стоимость годичного ведения пациента без неблагоприятных сердечно-сосудистых событий в сравнении с эналаприлом (7142 против 7251 рубля). Ранняя терапия сакубитрилом/валсартаном, инициированная после эпизода декомпенсации сердечной недостаточности, за период в 60 дней демонстрирует экономию бюджета в размере 11,74%. Использование сакубитрила/валсартана в терапии пациентов с сердечной недостаточностью со сниженной фракцией выброса является экономически эффективным.

Sacubitrile/valsartan is a drug with proven effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction. Widespread introduction in clinical practice requires assessment of the economic effectiveness of the drug in the healthcare system of the Republic of Belarus, which was the purpose of this study. The economic analysis is based on the data on the clinical effectiveness of sacubitrile/valsartan, if compared to enalapril from the international clinical studies PARADIGM-HF and PIONEER-HF and local Belarusian data on the cost of the compared drugs and healthcare resources. Analysis of the cost-effectiveness of using sacubitrile/valsartan in stable patients with chronic heart failure showed a lower cost of a year of patient management without adverse cardiovascular events, if compared with enalapril (7142 versus 7251 rubles). Early sacubitril/valsartan therapy initiated after an episode of heart failure decompensation over the period of 60 days demonstrates the budget savings of 11.74%. The use of sacubitrile / valsartan in treatment of patients with heart failure with the reduced ejection fraction is cost-effective.
IMPLEMENTASI LOGIKA FIS TSUKAMOTO UNTUK MENENTUKAN TAKARAN ZAT KIMIA PADA PROSES PENGOLAHAN AIR DI PABRIK KELAPA SAWIT
Authors:   Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau, Sunanto Sunanto , Putra Pratama Rayendra ,   Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau
Published: March 2022

Pabrik kelapa sawit merupakan industri hilir kelapa sawit yang mengolah bahan baku berupa tandan buah segar(TBS) kelapa sawit menjadi Crude Palm Oil (CPO). Proses pengolahan pada pabrik kelapa sawit membutuhkan kurang lebih 75% air. Air yang digunakan pada pabrik kelapa sawit berasal dari aliran sungai dengan tingkat kekeruhan > 6 dan PH air rata-rata kurang dari 6.5, untuk itu diperlukan proses penjernihan dan netralisasi PH air pada stasiun Water Treatment Plant dengan standar NTU kurang dari 6 dan PH 6.5 – 7.5. Proses penentuan takaran bahan kimia berupa soda ash dan almunium sulfat yang dilakukan selama ini oleh operator masih bersifat manual. Operator WTP tidak melakukan pengukuran kondisi awal kejernihan air, prediksi kondisi awal berupa kejernihan dan PH air disamakan dengan kondisi sebelumnya, penggunaan bahan kimia tidak melalui perhitungan melainkan perkiraan dengan perkiraan bahan kimia yang digunakan tidak efisiens. Untuk mengatasi permasalahan tersebut dibutuhkan suatu aplikasi yang dapat menentukan takaran bahan kimia dengan memperhitungkan jumlah air, kondisi awal air dan target capaian berupa nilai NTU kurang dari 6 dan PH 6.5 – 7.5. Aplikasi disajikan berbasis desktop dilengkapi dengan Logika Fuzzy dengan inferensi Tsukamoto. Logika Fuzzy dengan infferensi Tsukamoto dapat memperhitungkan kondisi input berupa jumlah air dan kondisi awal air, serta nilai output berupa takaran bahan kimia.
ANALISIS KLASIFIKASI BENCANA BANJIR BERDASARKAN CURAH HUJAN MENGGUNAKAN ALGORITMA NAÏVE BAYES
Authors:   AMIKOM Yogyakarta, Triyanto Slamet , Sunyoto Andi ,   Universitas Amikom Yogyakarta, Arief M Rudyanto
Published: March 2022

Penelitian data mining dalam berbagai aspek termasuk dalam bencana, khususnya bencana banjir terus dilakukan. Dengan adanya jumlah curah hujan dan dengan hanya terdapat 2 (dua) kelas dalam bencana banjir yakni Banjir dan Tidak Banjir, maka Naïve Bayes sangat memungkinkan untuk digunakan sebagai algoritma dalam melakukan perhitungan probability. Dengan akurasi yang baik, maka algoritma Naïve Bayes dalam peneltian ini sangat layak disandingkan dengan berbagai algoritma lainnya khususnya untuk melakukan klasifikasi dengan 2 (dua) kelas. Selain pemilihan algoritma yang tepat, penggunaan dataset yang tepat untuk dilakukan pengujian menjadikan proses mining data dapat memberikan informasi yang tepat. Pengujian menggunakan dataset yang telah diuji dengan algoritma lain sebelumnya, dijadikan pembanding sehingga diketahui dengan pola dan ciri khas dataset diperoleh informasi algoritma data mining yang tepat. Dengan demikian, peningkatan keilmuan khususnya dalam data mining dapat terus berkembang. Meskipun tidak dapat dipungkiri dataset yang tersedia perlu untuk dilakukan preprocessing data. Tahap preprocessing data ini dilakukan untuk mendapat dataset yang baik. Kemudian data melwati tahap pembagian/splitting, barulah data diolah menggunakan algoritma naïve bayes. Dalam pengujian menggunakan library dari Scikit-Learn ini ternyata Naïve mampu memberikan akurasi sebesar 79.16%. Berbeda dengan pengujian selanjutnya, Naïve Bayes diterapkan pada RapidMiner sebagai pembanding. Keluaran dari RapidMiner cukup mengejutkan karena akurasi mencapai 98,31%.
Introducción
Authors: Morlino Leonardo , Cavarozzi Marcelo , Russo Juan
Published: March 2022

"En este conjunto de trabajos, con el que se inaugura la Revista Euro Latinoamericana de estudios sociales y políticos, se cuenta con el aporte de estudiosos de distintos países de América Latina y Europa, a fin de precisar, desde enfoques de la ciencia política, la sociología y la historia, algunos de los problemas y alternativas de desarrollo que afrontan las democracias a ambos lados del atlántico. Un dossier de investigaciones como este puede presentarse de modo individual, comentando cada trabajo, o según las familias de problemas teóricos y de subtemáticas que se abordan. Partimos de esta segunda opción a fin de mostrar los puntos de confluencia, así como para reforzar el sentido que cada trabajo aporta a la discusión colectiva sobre las democracias y la política actual. El problema de la representación política (a escala nacional, local y regional), con sus déficit y sus cambios es una constante en los escritos, sea en los que prestan atención a dimensiones institucionales (Morlino-Russo, Pisciotta) como en los que apelan a procesos de cambio social profundos que implican nuevos paradigmas (Martuccelli, Bizberg) o como en los estudios de área (Cavarozzi, Fossati). Generalmente el populismo y las respuestas políticas radicales aparecen como una respuesta a problemas de representación (De la Torre, Peruzzotti). Los déficits de representación, expresados plenamente por Hanna F. Pitkin cuando afirma que la representación ha suplantado a la democracia en vez de servirla (2017, p. XLI) daría lugar al rechazo de amplios segmentos de ciudadanos a gobiernos democráticos “insuficientes” en la capacidad de respuesta a sus demandas políticas, así como al rechazo a gobiernos que se autocratizan, violentando normas y acuerdos constitucionales. Los gobiernos populistas pueden así llegar por problemas de representación, pero también caer por la misma causa. En tal sentido, es necesario atender a los cambios de la propia sociedad y al sentido y particularidad de los nuevos movimientos políticos (Martuccelli, Bizberg)..."