bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Determination of Five Residual Solvents in Ursodeoxycholic Acid Raw Materials
Authors: Zhou Ran , He Jingyu , Shi Yi , Gao Xiaoying , Wang Fei , Liu Sijie
Published: November 2023

The chromatographic conditions were optimized using headspace gas chromatography, and a simple and rapid method was established for the simultaneous determination of five residual solvents in ursodeoxycholic acid raw materials. The corresponding quality standards were revised. The research results demonstrate that by utilizing a capillary column with a stationary phase consisting of 5% phenyl-95% dimethylpolysiloxane (HP-5, 30 m × 0.32 mm, film thickness 1.0 µm) and a flame ionization detector in conjunction with a headspace injection system and a programmed temperature ramping method, satisfactory analytical results can be achieved. The specific operating conditions are as follows: an initial column temperature of 45 °C, followed by a column temperature increase at a rate of 5 °C per minute up to 60 °C, then a further increase at a rate of 10 °C per minute up to 100 °C, and finally a rapid increase at a rate of 40 °C per minute up to 200 °C, where it is held for 10 min. Nitrogen is employed as the carrier gas at a flow rate of 1 mL/min with a split ratio of 14:1. The headspace vial temperature is maintained at 100 °C, with a sample equilibration time of 45 min. The concentration of methanol ranged from 0.06 mg/mL to 0.3 mg/mL, and the concentrations of acetone, tert-butanol, ethyl acetate, and triethylamine showed a good linear relationship with the peak area within the range of 0.1 mg/mL to 0.5 mg/mL (r = 0.999); The quantitation limits for methanol, acetone, tert-butanol, ethyl acetate, and triethylamine were 4.2, 0.9, 1.5, 1, and 0.1 μg/mL, respectively, with detection limits of 1.2, 0.25, 0.025, 0.3, and 0.025 μg/mL, respectively. The recovery rates of each solvent ranged from 92.9% to 106.0%, with RSD% (n = 9) less than 3.8%; the method exhibited good repeatability, with RSD% (n = 6) less than 2.5%. Furthermore, the robustness is good. The established method is simple, accurate, specific, and highly sensitive, and can be used for the simultaneous and rapid determination of five residual solvents in ursodeoxycholic acid raw materials.
Suicide Research with Refugee Communities: The Case for a Qualitative, Sociocultural, and Creative Approach
Authors: Lenette Caroline
Published: November 2023

People from refugee backgrounds experience distinctively complex situations pre- and post-resettlement and are at heightened risks of suicide. The bulk of research on refugee suicide and suicidal ideation is based on diagnostic perspectives, biomedical approaches, and quantitative measures. To explore lived experience of suicide among refugee communities in more depth, this review highlights the need for qualitative, creative methods and a different paradigm to conceptualise suicide research from a social and cultural perspective as an alternative to framing and treating suicidality purely as a mental health issue. Situational and lived experience-based knowledge can significantly expand understandings of how to curb the rise in suicidal ideation and reduce suicide risks among refugees. In this context, creative research methods can be excellent tools to uncover the deeply contextual dimensions of suicidality. When interdisciplinary research explores subjective and sociocultural meanings attached to suicidal ideation, there is a greater potential to develop culturally safe supports, which are models attuned to cultural norms as determined by those most affected by lived experience of an issue or problem. Qualitative suicide research using creative methods and grounded in sociocultural knowledge can address the multidimensional and situational factors affecting refugee communities to improve interventions beyond medical framings.
Sustainable Investment Attitudes Based on Sustainable Finance Literacy and Perceived Environmental Impact
Authors: Yucel Oyku , Celik Gizem , Yilmaz Zafer
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study is to examine whether sustainable finance literacy and the perceived environmental impact of sustainable finance instruments exert substantial influence over the sustainable investment attitudes of investors within the developing country setting of Ankara, Türkiye. Following a systematic literature review, an online survey was designed and conducted. Multivariate regression models were used for the analysis. The findings illustrate that individuals with a greater level of sustainable finance literacy and a positive perception of the favorable environmental effects of sustainable finance instruments tend to exhibit a positive investment stance and are more likely to invest in sustainable finance instruments. Among the questions related to sustainable finance literacy, the most significant factor in explaining sustainable investment attitude is the knowledge of how sustainable finance instruments can be utilized for risk diversification. In addition, it is depicted that individuals with higher income levels exhibit a favorable disposition toward sustainable finance instruments. The results of our study imply that, to stimulate sustainable investments in developing countries, regulatory authorities and sustainable fund issuers such as financial corporations can enhance promotional campaigns and workshops aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of sustainable finance literacy, sustainable financial instruments, and their positive impact on the environment.
Sustainable Automated Mobility-On-Demand Strategies in Dense Urban Areas: A Case Study of the Tel Aviv Metropolis in 2040
Authors: Nahmias-Biran Bat-Hen , Dadashev Gabriel , Levi Yedidya
Published: November 2023

The emergence of automated mobility-on-demand (AMoD) services in urban regions has underscored crucial issues concerning the sustainable advancement of urban mobility. In particular, the impact of various AMoD implementation strategies in dense, transit-oriented cities has yet to be investigated in a generalized manner. To address this gap, we quantify the effects of AMoD on trip patterns, congestion, and energy and emissions in a dense, transit-oriented prototype city via high-fidelity simulation. We employ an activity- and agent-based framework, with specific demand and supply considerations for both single and shared AMoD rides. Our findings suggest that, in densely populated, transit-oriented cities such as the Tel Aviv metropolis, AMoD contributes to higher congestion levels and increased passenger vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT). However, when AMoD is integrated with public transit systems or introduced alongside measures to reduce household car ownership, it helps alleviate the VKT impact. Furthermore, these combined approaches effectively counter the negative impact of AMoD on public transit ridership. None of the AMoD strategies analyzed in our study reduce the congestion effects of AMoD and all strategies cannibalize active mobility in dense, transit-oriented cities compared to the base case. Nevertheless, our analysis reveals that a policy leading to decreased car ownership proves to be a more efficient measure in curbing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Developing 360° Virtual Tours for Promoting Tourism in Natural Parks in Chile
Authors: Stappung Yazmina , Aliaga Camila , Cartes Jorge , Jego Liza , Reyes-Suárez José Antonio , Barriga Nicolas A. , Besoain Felipe
Published: November 2023

In recent years, the tourism industry has undergone substantial transformations, integrating new technology to lead to a new era termed Tourism 4.0. These innovations enhance the customer’s travel experience. An emerging trend in travel technology is the application of virtual and augmented reality, facilitating virtual tours that allow tourists to explore destinations without physically being there. We present the experience of developing 360∘ virtual tours for reserves and natural parks across the four provinces of the Maule Region in Chile including information, 360∘ images and videos, as well as several other interactions. A descriptive and correlational analysis was carried out with a total of 147 participants that evaluated the virtual tour, showing a positive correlation between the perceived attractiveness of the 360∘ experience and behavioral intention. Participants had an overall positive perception of the virtual experience; they found it involving and attractive, felt immersed in the environment, and were able to make decisions and interact with static and dynamic objects. The contributions of the present work are as follows: the process and what has been learned and can be recommended based on the experience for developing 360∘ virtual tours, combining dynamic and stationary elements in 360∘ in a virtual experience, and the results of an exploratory study that present the interaction with and user perceptions of the virtual environment.
Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing to Estimate Biophysical Variables of Green-Onion Crop (Allium cepa L.) under Different Sources of Magnesium in Ismailia, Egypt
Authors: Hassan Hassan A. , Abdeldaym Emad A. , Aboelghar Mohamed , Morsy Noha , Kucher Dmitry E. , Rebouh Nazih Y. , Ali Abdelraouf M.
Published: November 2023

Foliar feeding has been confirmed to be the fastest way of dealing with nutrient deficiencies and increasing the yield and quality of crop products. The synthesis of chlorophyll and photosynthesis are directly related to magnesium (Mg), which operates in the improvement of plant tissues and enhances the appearance of plants. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between two biophysical variables, including the leaf area index (LAI), the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR), and seven spectral vegetation indices. The spectral indices under investigation were Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index (ARVI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Disease–Water Stress Index (DSWI), Modified Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index (MCARI), the Red-Edge Inflection Point Index (REIP), and Pigment-Specific Simple Ratio (PSSRa). These indices were derived from Sentinel-2 data to investigate the impact of applying foliar applications of Mg from various sources in the production of green-onion crops. The biophysical variables were derived using field measurements and Sentinel-2 data under the effects of different sources of Mg foliar sprays. The correlation coefficient between field-measured LAI and remotely sensed, calculated LAI was 0.72 in two seasons. Concerning FAPAR, it was found that the correlation between remotely sensed calculated FAPAR and field-measured FAPAR was 0.66 in the first season and 0.89 in the second season. The magnesium oxide nanoparticle (nMgO) treatments resulted in significantly higher yields than the different treatments of foliar applications. The LAI and FAPAR variables showed a positive correlation with yield in the first season (October) and in the second season (March). Yield in treatment by nMgO varied significantly from that in the other treatments, ranging from 69-ton ha−1 in the first season to 74.9-ton ha−1 in the second season. Linear regression between LAI and PSSRa showed the highest correlation coefficient (0.90) compared with other vegetation indices in the first season. In the same season, the highest correlation coefficient (0.94) was found between FAPAR and PSSRa. In the second season, the highest accuracy to the estimate LAI was found in the correlation between MCARI and PSSRa, with correlation coefficients of 0.9 and 0.91, respectively. In the second season, the highest accuracy to the estimate FAPAR was found with the correlation between PSSRa, ARVI, and NDVI, with correlation coefficients 0.97 and 0.96, respectively. The highest correlation coefficients between vegetation indices and yield were found with ARVI and NDVI in the first season, and only with NDVI in the second season.
Research on the Current Situation and Problems of Ecological Civilization Education for Contemporary College Students—An Empirical Analysis Based on Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Zhou Xintong , Zhang Fengrong , Shan Lijie , Lin Ciyun
Published: November 2023

With the globalization of industry, the ecological crisis has become more serious. The sustainable development of the environment is being challenged. College students bear the important responsibility of future social development and environmental construction; therefore, it is imperative to promote the ecological civilization education of college students. This study expects to use structural equation modeling to analyze the current situation of college students’ ecological civilization education and its problems, to study the internal mechanism of college students’ ecological civilization education influencing factors, and to provide a path for cultivating college students’ ecological civilization literacy. In this study, a conceptual model of the current status of college students’ ecological civilization education was constructed by using structural equations after a questionnaire survey of 136 college students randomly sampled from six colleges and universities, so as to empirically analyze the current status of contemporary college students’ ecological civilization education. The results of the study show that social impact and school education are positively related to students’ ecological sense of civilization; social impact is positively related to educational affinity; and educational affinity is positively related to school education. Based on the conclusions of the study, the practical paths of enriching teaching content, strengthening teachers’ ability, formulating policies and regulations, and building an online environment are proposed to enhance the level of college students’ ecological civilization education and cultivate their ecological sense of civilization, thus promoting environmental sustainability.
Research Progress on Anaerobic Digestion of Cellulose Waste Based on Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Zhao Pan , Zhang Shuang , Wang Xiaona , Sun Haishu , Guo Yan , Wang Qunhui , Sun Xiaohong
Published: November 2023

The bibliometric method was used in this study to analyze current advances in the anaerobic digestion (AD) of cellulose waste. The result shows that the number of articles increased rapidly after 2010, suggesting a growing interest in this field. The USA and China were the top two countries with the highest number of published articles. AD of cellulose waste is being actively explored in many countries, and partnerships between countries are being actively formed. The top three subject categories were Environmental Sciences & Ecology, Engineering, Energy & Fuels. The most widely published and influential journals were Bioresource Technology, Water Science and Technology, and Waste Management. The co-occurrence and trend analysis of author keywords indicates that current research is primarily focused on pretreatment and co-digestion. Microbial community analysis plays a crucial role in elucidating the mechanisms, and life cycle analysis (LCA) could evaluate the impact on the environment at different stages. Microbial community analysis and LCA will be the hotspots in the future. To some extent, this study helps to understand the current global status and trends of the related research.
Quantifying Medium-Sized City Flood Vulnerability Due to Climate Change Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques: Case of Republic of Korea
Authors: Kang Hae-Yeol , Chae Seung Taek , Chung Eun-Sung
Published: November 2023

This study proposed a systematic approach to quantifying city flood vulnerability (CFV) related to climate change using several multi-criteria decision-making methods in medium-sized cities and investigated the sources of uncertainty in this assessment. In addition, this study was intended to explore ways for quantifying flood vulnerability and mitigating the impact of data uncertainty on flood vulnerability through multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. The MCDM method was applied as a representative method to quantify flood vulnerability, which considers regional priorities. This study used the weighted summation method, TOPSIS, and VIKOR to calculate all CFVs for medium-sized cities. Furthermore, fuzzy- and grey-TOPSIS were included to account for the uncertainty inherent in the MCDM methods, such as the usage of average values and varying weighting values for all CFV indicators across stakeholders. This study incorporated expert surveys and the entropy approach to derive subjective and objective weights for all conceivable indicators. As a result, we looked at the proposed grey-TOPSIS technique, which can minimize the uncertainty. Finally, grey-TOPSIS can notably provide robust and sustainable prioritizing since it actively reflects the views of multiple stakeholders and takes uncertainty in the data into account.
Influence of Seasonal Abiotic Factors and Co-Existing Salt Marsh Plants on the Growth and Reproduction of Zostera japonica in Fluctuating Estuarine Environments
Authors: Kim Jiyeol , Suonan Zhaxi , Kim Seung Hyeon , Kim Hyegwang , Zhang Fei , Park Hee Sun , Lee Kun-Seop
Published: November 2023

In the biodiverse Nakdong River estuary, the predominant seagrass and salt marsh species, Zostera japonica and Bolboschoenus planiculmis, are declining due to human and natural pressures. Our study investigated how environmental factors and co-existing salt marsh vegetation impact the growth and reproduction of Z. japonica. Understanding the reproductive dynamics of Z. japonica in this estuary is crucial, as sexual reproduction ensures the resilience and stability of seagrass populations in challenging environments. This study revealed that approximately 49% of Z. japonica shoots flowered, yet none persisted to the subsequent growth season, indicating a reliance on sexual reproduction for population resilience. The presence of competing B. planiculmis shoots and Ulva pertusa indirectly suppressed the growth and reproduction of Z. japonica by reducing light availability. Additionally, environmental stresses that occurred during summer, such as elevated temperatures, reduced salinity, and sediment transport, likely affected the vegetative and reproductive performance of Z. japonica in this estuary. Consequently, Z. japonica in this estuary has adopted a mixed annual life history strategy in response to these environmental oscillations. Our findings highlight the vulnerability of the Z. japonica population to seasonal environmental shifts and interspecies competition in this estuary, offering essential considerations for its conservation and effective management.
The Biofactory: Quantifying Life Cycle Sustainability Impacts of the Wastewater Circular Economy in Chile
Authors: Furness Madeline , Bello-Mendoza Ricardo , Chamy Maggi Rolando
Published: November 2023

The wastewater circular economy (WW-CE) represents a solution to improving sanitation coverage and management worldwide. However, the transition to circular wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) requires facilitation to enhance decision-makers’ understanding of the integral sustainability impacts of the WW-CE. This research implemented a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA), combining Life Cycle Assessment, Social Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing with a Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) model to quantify the environmental, social, and economic impacts of different WWTPs technologies. Two real WWTPs (Plant A and Plant B) in Chile have embraced alternative WW-CE configurations, adopting the title Biofactories, and are considered as case studies in this investigation. A comparative LCSA considered the service of a 1,000,000-population equivalent, under three scenarios: wastewater discharge without treatment, conventional WWTPs, and biofactory WW-CE configurations. The results demonstrate that the transition to WW-CEs improved integral sustainability, and decreased integrated environmental, social, and economic impacts by 30% in Plant A, demonstrating better performance in terms environmental and social impacts. However, a 58% decrease in integral sustainability impacts for Plant B was achieved via the economic advantage of the thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment of sludge. The urgent need to adopt sustainable decision-making models to improve sanitation coverage and sustainability performance of the sanitation industry across the globe is discussed. The WW-CE in Chile presents an opportunity for this to be achieved.
Determination of the Spatial Distribution of Air Pollutants in Bucheon, Republic of Korea, in Winter Using a GIS-Based Mobile Laboratory
Authors: Kim Minkyeong , Kim Daeho , Jang Yelim , Lee Jooyeon , Ko Sangwon , Kim Kyunghoon , Park Choonsoo , Park Duckshin
Published: November 2023

Driven by industrialization and urbanization, urban air pollution can increase respiratory, heart, and cerebrovascular diseases, and thus mortality rates; as such, it is necessary to improve air quality through the consideration of individual pollutants and emission sources. In Republic of Korea, national and local governments have installed urban and roadside air quality monitoring systems. However, stations are lacking outside metropolitan regions, and roadside stations are sparsely distributed, limiting comparisons of pollutant concentrations with vehicle traffic and floating population levels. Local governments have begun using mobile laboratories (MLs) to supplement the fixed measurement network and investigate road pollution source characteristics based on their spatiotemporal distribution; however, the collected data cannot be used effectively if they are not visualized. Here, we propose a method to collect and visualize global information system (GIS)-based air quality data overlayed with environmental variables to support air quality management measures. Spatiotemporal analyses of ML-derived data from Bucheon, Korea, confirmed that particulate and gaseous pollutant concentrations were high during typical commuting hours, at intersections, and at a specially managed road. During commuting hours, the maximum PM10 concentration reached 200.7 µg/m3 in the Nae-dong, Gyeongin-ro, and Ojeong-dong ready-mix concrete complex areas, and the maximum PM2.5 concentration was 161.7 µg/m3. The maximum NOx, NO2, and NO levels of 1.34 ppm, 0.18 ppm, and 1.18 ppm, respectively, were also detected during commuting hours. These findings support the need for targeted management of air pollution in this region, and highlight the benefit of comprehensively comparing road levels, driving speed, and traffic levels when identifying hotspots of air pollution. Such analyses will contribute to the development of air quality management measures customized to regional characteristics.
Evaluating the Contamination by Indoor Dust in Dubai
Authors: Nazzal Yousef , Bărbulescu Alina , Sharma Manish , Howari Fares , Naseem Muhammad
Published: November 2023

Nowadays, people spend most of their time indoors. Despite constantly cleaning these spaces, dust apparition cannot be avoided. Since dust can contain chemical elements that negatively impact people’s health, we propose the analysis of the metals from the indoor dust component collected in different locations in Dubai, UAE. Multivariate statistics (correlation matrix, clustering) and quality indicators (QI)—Igeo, PI, EF, PLI, Nemerow—were used to assess the contamination level with different metals in the dust. We proposed two new QIs (CPI and AQI) and compared the results with those provided by the most used indices—PLI and Nemerow. It is shown that high concentrations of some elements (Ca in this case) can significantly increase the values of the Nemerow index, CPI, and AQI. In contrast, the existence of low concentrations leads to the decrement of the PLI.
Development of an Optimized Process for Functional Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 Receptor-Binding Domain Protein Produced in the Baculovirus Expression Vector System
Authors: Boumaiza Mohamed , Chaabene Ameni , Akrouti Ines , Ben Zakour Meriem , Askri Hana , Salhi Said , Ben Hamouda Wafa , Marzouki Soumaya , Benabdessalem Chaouki , Ben Ahmed Melika , Trabelsi Khaled , Rourou Samia
Published: November 2023

To map the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and evaluate immune response variations against this virus, it is essential to set up efficient serological tests locally. The SARS-CoV-2 immunogenic proteins were very expensive and not affordable for lower- middle-income countries (LMICs). For this purpose, the commonly used antigen, receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike S1 protein (S1RBD), was produced using the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS). In the current study, the expression of S1RBD was monitored using Western blot under different culture conditions. Different parameters were studied: the multiplicity of infection (MOI), cell density at infection, and harvest time. Hence, optimal conditions for efficient S1RBD production were identified: MOI 3; cell density at infection 2–3 × 106 cells/mL; and time post-infection (tPI or harvest time) of 72 h and 72–96 h, successively, for expression in shake flasks and a 7L bioreactor. A high production yield of S1RBD varying between 4 mg and 70 mg per liter of crude cell culture supernatant was achieved, respectively, in the shake flasks and 7L bioreactor. Moreover, the produced S1RBD showed an excellent antigenicity potential against COVID-19 (Wuhan strain) patient sera evaluated by Western blot. Thus, additional serological assays, such as in-house ELISA and seroprevalence studies based on the purified S1RDB, were developed.
Neutron Star Constraints on Neutron Dark Decays
Authors: Zhou Dake
Published: November 2023

Motivated by the neutron lifetime puzzle, it is proposed that neutrons may decay into new states yet to be observed. We review the neutron star constraints on dark fermions carrying unit baryon number with masses around 939 MeV, and discuss the interaction strengths required for the new particle. The possibility of neutrons decaying into three dark fermions is investigated. While up to six flavors of dark quarks with masses around 313 MeV can be compatible with massive pulsars, any such exotic states lighter than about 270 MeV are excluded by the existence of low-mass neutron stars around ∼1.2M⊙. Light dark quarks in the allowed mass range may form a halo surrounding normal neutron stars. We discuss the potential observable signatures of the halo during binary neutron star mergers.
Does the Human Gut Virome Contribute to Host Health or Disease?
Authors: Pavia Grazia , Marascio Nadia , Matera Giovanni , Quirino Angela
Published: November 2023

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbors eukaryotic and prokaryotic viruses and their genomes, metabolites, and proteins, collectively known as the “gut virome”. This complex community of viruses colonizing the enteric mucosa is pivotal in regulating host immunity. The mechanisms involved in cross communication between mucosal immunity and the gut virome, as well as their relationship in health and disease, remain largely unknown. Herein, we review the literature on the human gut virome’s composition and evolution and the interplay between the gut virome and enteric mucosal immunity and their molecular mechanisms. Our review suggests that future research efforts should focus on unraveling the mechanisms of gut viruses in human homeostasis and pathophysiology and on developing virus-prompted precision therapies.
Adipose Stem Cell-Seeded Decellularized Porcine Pericardium: A Promising Functional Biomaterial to Synergistically Restore the Cardiac Functions Post-Myocardial Infarction
Authors: El-Husseiny Hussein M. , Mady Eman A. , Usui Tatsuya , Ishihara Yusuke , Yoshida Toshinori , Kobayashi Mio , Sasaki Kenta , Ma Danfu , Yairo Akira , Mandour Ahmed S. , Hendawy Hanan , Doghish Ahmed S. , Mohammed Osama A. , Takahashi Ken , Tanaka Ryou
Published: November 2023

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a serious cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death globally. Hence, reconstruction of the cardiac tissue comes at the forefront of strategies adopted to restore heart functions following MI. In this investigation, we studied the capacity of rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (r-AdMSCs) and decellularized porcine pericardium (DPP) to restore heart functions in MI animals. MI was induced in four different groups, three of which were treated either using DPP (MI-DPP group), stem cells (MI-SC group), or both (MI-SC/DPP group). Cardiac functions of these groups and the Sham group were evaluated using echocardiography, the intraventricular pressure gradient (IVPG) on weeks 2 and 4, and intraventricular hemodynamics on week 4. On day 31, the animals were euthanized for histological analysis. Echocardiographic, IVPG and hemodynamic findings indicated that the three treatment strategies shared effectively in the regeneration process. However, the MI-SC/DPP group had a unique synergistic ability to restore heart functions superior to the other treatment protocols. Histology showed that the MI-SC/DPP group presented the lowest (p < 0.05) degeneration score and fibrosis % compared to the other groups. Conclusively, stem cell-seeded DPP is a promising platform for the delivery of stem cells and restoration of heart functions post-MI.
Water Physico-Chemical Indicators and Metal Assessment of Teceu Lake and the Adjacent Groundwater Located in a Natura 2000 Protected Area, NW of Romania
Authors: Dippong Thomas , Mihali Cristina , Avram Alexandra
Published: November 2023

This study closely analyzes the water quality dynamics of Teceu Lake, situated in a Natura 2000 protected area in Romania. The research investigates seasonal variations and interconnections with groundwater, assessing various ecological impacts. The main physico-chemical indicators of water, such as electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), oxygen saturation (OS), temperature, pH, turbidity, ammonium concentration (NH4+), nitrates (NO3−), nitrites (NO2−), orthophosphates (PO43−), water hardness, alkalinity (A), and chlorides (Cl−), were measured over the January–December 2022 period. Metal concentrations for both major metals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Al) and trace metals (Li, Ga, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Ti, Mo, Sr, Ba) were assessed. The evolution of the physico-chemical indicators revealed an increase in nutrient compounds (ammonium and phosphates) during the spring and autumn months. The EC values ranged from 180–444 μS/cm for the lake and 1575–2480 μS/cm for groundwater. The pH values (7.12–7.96) indicated a slightly alkaline environment. DO levels (6.79–11.21 mg/L) indicated good water quality. Chlorides exceeded levels in drinking water in some instances. Water hardness varied due to pH, temperature, and atmospheric pressure. Metal composition revealed diverse levels of aluminum, barium, nickel, copper, zinc, and manganese, which carries implications for environmental and human health. The water quality index (WQI) score, which is based on major ions, indicated that 93% of the groundwater samples were classified as excellent and good for drinking. WQI, based on the main physico-chemical indicators, revealed that 79.17% of the Teceu Lake-water samples and 41.66% of the groundwater samples gathered were classified as good quality; the difference indicated poor quality, especially in autumn. Q- and R-mode cluster analyses revealed distinct clusters for seasonal months and sampling points, suggesting shared sources and geological influences. Notable connections between physico-chemical indicators and metal content were identified, emphasizing the need for a tailored conservation strategy. Correlation analyses highlighted both positive and negative relationships between metal pairs. Understanding these parameters is vital for water resource management and preserving biodiversity in the region. The results of this study are important for monitoring pollution in Lake Teceu and might prompt local communities and authorities to take measures to reduce and prevent pollution.
Mass Mortality of Asari Clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) Triggered by Wind-Induced Upwelling of Hypoxic Water Masses
Authors: Sone Ryota , Waku Mitsuyasu , Yamada Satoshi , Miyawaki Dai , Ishida Toshiro , Kamohara Satoru , Inoue Tetsunori , Suzuki Teruaki
Published: November 2023

To investigate the mass mortality of the macrobenthos community, primarily asari clams, triggered by upwelling-driven hypoxia, we conducted continuous observations of temperature, salinity, and DO, and monthly macrobenthos monitoring on the Rokujo tidal flat in Mikawa Bay, central Japan, from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, laboratory experiments were conducted using sediments on a tidal flat containing macrobenthos to examine the possibility of hydrogen sulfide formation in tidal flats. The bottom layer at the offshore station was intermittently hypoxic, and the station of the tidal flat was occasionally hypoxic in August and September for three years. Hypoxia was mostly observed on the tidal flat when constant easterly winds were recorded offshore. The biomass of asari clams decreased considerably from September to October 2016 when hypoxia was intermittent. Hypoxia persisted for approximately one week from 20 September, which was associated with the calm weather and stagnation of tidal currents owing to the neap tide. Conversely, the hydrogen sulfide concentration in the water directly above the sediment exceeded 30 mg L−1 after 3 days of incubation in the laboratory experiment. Therefore, the possibility of oxygen consumption on tidal flats due to hydrogen sulfide formed by biological die-offs was considered in the long-term persistence of hypoxia.
Evaluation of Local Scour along the Base of Longitudinal Training Walls
Authors: Cely Calixto Nelson Javier , Galvis Castaño Alberto , Carrillo Soto Gustavo Adolfo
Published: November 2023

This study proposes a new empirical model for estimating local scour along the base of longitudinal training walls for granular riverbeds. The model’s performance was rigorously assessed through experiments conducted in an open-channel flume, encompassing variations in granulometric characteristics, slope, and flow rates. The investigation involved a comparative analysis of six commonly employed equations for scour estimation. The results consistently demonstrated a tendency of the selected equations to overestimate scour depth within the longitudinal structures. In contrast, the new proposed equation considers factors such as the well-graded granular bedding represented by the Coefficient of uniformity (Cu) and the embedment of the longitudinal wall. This allows for a more robust identification of the scour behavior of longitudinal walls. This research enhances our comprehension of local scour in riverbeds. It provides engineers and researchers with a valuable tool for more accurate predictions, thereby contributing to the improved design and maintenance of river environment structures.
Music marketing in modern society
Authors: Kysliak Bohdan
Published: November 2023

Statement of the problem. Recent research and publications. The music industry is constantly changing and growing everyday, which provokes the emergence of such a phenomenon as music marketing. Music marketing, like any other type of marketing, aims to bring the product from the producer (musician) to the potential consumer (listener). It is used to attract as many people as possible at a concert show, in social networks, interviews, TV broadcasts, and on the Internet and to encourage these people to buy music in all possible ways. The historical aspects of the formation of music marketing are revealed in the work of J. R. Ogden, D. T. Ogden and K. Long (2011). Yu. Hubareva (2015) investigates such a type of music marketing as audio-marketing, which, according to the author, is a type of neuromarketing that studies the impact of sound on consumer behavior. L. Obukh (2019) singles out four areas of music management and marketing using the example of academic music: building a strategy with its subsequent implementation, forming a corporate culture, implementing communications and working with personnel. Objectives, methods, and novelty of the research. The purpose of the article is highlighting the main features of successful music marketing in modern conditions of information and digital development of society. The scientific novelty of the work consists in the analysis of the current state of development of music marketing in Ukraine and its prospects for the use of various marketing technologies, which will allow expanding the ways of selling music products. Such methods as search and analysis of information, its systematization, classification and generalization were used. Research results and conclusion. The conducted research allows us to assert that music marketing is a way to convey the creativity of a musician to a large circle of listeners, and its tools today are such marketing technologies and directions as establishing contact with the public (public relations, PR), advertising, concert activities with the creation of videos and audio, including joint recordings with other artists, radio- and TV-promotion, use of streaming services (Spotify, AppleMusic, YouTubeMusic), interactive and entertaining video hosting, participation in Internet-forums, creation of blogs, columns in audio and video podcasts, etc. The basis of the implementation of various marketing solutions is active work in social networks, media, constant monitoring of the sales market. Today in Ukraine, despite insufficient funding and still short existence, music marketing is developing, the directions and channels of promotion of music products are expanding, and the latest digital technologies are being introduced.
Especies marinas comerciales de las pescaderías de la ciudad de Chetumal, Quintana Roo, México
Authors: Ruiz-Ramírez Jennifer Denisse , Delgado-Blas Víctor Hugo , Cervantes-Martínez Adrián
Published: November 2023

La explotación pesquera en Quintana Roo, está dirigida principalmente hacia recursos de alto valor económico como la langosta, el caracol rosado, la escama y el tiburón. Debido a las actividades de sobrepesca, aumento en la población y demanda turística, ha ocasionado que el abastecimiento de los recursos marinos sea insuficiente. El objetivo se centró en conocer las especies de peces, moluscos y crustáceos que se comercializan en Chetumal y su lugar de procedencia. Los resultados muestran que las pescaderías ofrecen 31 especies marinas, de las cuales 18 corresponden a peces, 7 a moluscos y 6 a crustáceos. En Quintana Roo, se concentran tres sitios de extracción: Banco Chinchorro, Punta Herrero, e Xcalak; y el resto lo compensan los Estados de Yucatán, Campeche y Veracruz.
Modelo TIME para investigación en Diseño
Authors: Esquivel Luz del Carmen Vilchis
Published: November 2023

El modelo TIME se ha desarrollado con base en la observación de la investigación en Diseño como tarea fundamental. El análisis permitió comprender una serie de fenómenos que impiden culminar un proyecto de indagación que debiera tener coherencia y fluidez suficientes para posibilitar su cierre con las condiciones pertinentes.  El tema abarca los constructos de orientación y educación, con un enfoque hacia la formación de la disciplina de trabajo y la dimensión procesual y evolutiva. El cientificismo en la enseñanza e investigación del Diseño ha sido causa de múltiples problemas metodológicos tanto en la teorización como en la práctica profesional. No se puede soslayar que es motivo de numerosas deserciones en los posgrados o sistemas de investigación por la instrumentación del modelo del método científico. Los impactos más preocupantes de esta visión de la problemática a través de los años son el bajo índice tanto de titulación como de publicaciones arbitradas en el ámbito del Diseño. El objetivo de este texto es presentar el modelo TIME como alternativa original e innovadora para la enseñanza de la investigación considerando objetividad, subjetividad e intersubjetividad del Diseño. Metodológicamente la postulación del método se ha fundamentado en los principios de la dialéctica hegeliana y le hermenéutica. Este modelo se ha aplicado en diferentes contextos como experiencia piloto y después en una práctica permanente hasta consolidarlo como parte de la metodología de investigación en el Diseño.
Do direito a liberdade religiosa e classificações
Authors: Filadelfo Andressa Dias , Baqueiro Neto Delmiro Baqueiro , Santos Marcelo Silva Velame
Published: November 2023

No geral, as pessoas jurídicas do ramo do direito público devem ser neutras, não devendo optar por religião. A Constituição brasileira não possibilita restrições à liberdade religiosa, tampouco aduz limitações pela ordem pública e/ou costumes. De acordo com Manoel Gonçalves Ferreira Filho, sem suas palavras: “O texto da nova Constituição [de 1988] não repete a limitação constante do direito anterior, isto é, a possibilidade de se impedir o exercício de cultos religiosos que contrariem a ordem pública e os bons costumes. O culto religioso, assim, é posto como protegido pela Constituição independentemente de qualquer restrição10.” Entretanto, alguns autores discordam desse entendimento. No Brasil, diferentemente de países como o Espanha, México e Argentina, não existe legislação direcionada sobre o exercício da liberdade religiosa. Sendo assim, as questões emblemáticas deverão ser resolvidas pela doutrina e jurisprudências. Este estudo teve como objetivo discutir acerca do direito à liberdade religiosa e suas classificações.
Impact of Poverty Reduction Programs on Healthcare Access in Remote Ar-eas: Fostering Community Development for Sustainable Health
Authors: Amri Siskawati , Sihotang Jonhariono
Published: November 2023

This research investigates the impact of poverty reduction programs on healthcare access in remote areas, aiming to discern their effectiveness in addressing healthcare disparities. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study combines quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and focus group discussions to gather comprehensive data. The research reveals promising outcomes, demonstrating a significant increase in healthcare utilization among communities benefiting from poverty reduction initiatives. Improvements in healthcare infrastructure, positive health outcomes, and economic empowerment are evident, indicating the success of these programs in enhancing healthcare access. However, limitations including geographical constraints, potential biases, and sample representativeness are acknowledged. While acknowledging these constraints, the findings emphasize the significance of continued support for poverty reduction programs, policy development, and community involvement to sustain and expand the positive impact on healthcare access in remote areas. This research offers vital insights, contributing to academic knowledge, policy development, and practice, supporting the global agenda of sustainable development goals and advocating for more inclusive and equitable healthcare access in marginalized regions
ANALYZING GIT LOG IN AN CODE-QUALITY AWARE AUTOMATED PROGRAMMING ASSESSMENT SYSTEM: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Nguyen Bao-An , Ha Thuy-Vi Thi , Chen Hsi-Min
Published: November 2023

Automated programming assessment systems have transformed the evaluation of programming assignments, providing detailed feedback and reducing instructors' workload. This paper explores the benefits of Git log analysis in ProgEdu, a code-quality aware automated programming assessment system. ProgEdu was utilized for assessing Java homework assignments and web programming projects over two semesters. The integration of Git log analysis in ProgEdu highlights its potential in tracking student progress, predicting performance, determining student groups based on submission behaviors, identifying inequality in group projects, and facilitating instructors' intervention. The study emphasizes the importance of enhancing software industrial practices in programming courses, including code version control, static code quality checking, unit testing, and automation tools. By incorporating these practices, students benefit from hands-on learning and situated learning experiences. Embracing these practices enhances the learning experience, improves student performance, and fosters a collaborative programming environment. It highlights the benefits for students and instructors, urging institutions to invest in software industrial practices and demonstrating the potential impact on programming education.
TEACHING DEVOPS AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING PRACTICES USING AN AUTOMATED PROGRAMMING ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
Authors: Nguyen Bao-An , Ha Thi Thuy-Vi
Published: November 2023

The software industry has seen a shift in recent years, with the adoption of agile development practices, the deployment of cloud-based, and service-oriented applications using DevOps. This has led to increased pressure on educators in higher education institutions to provide students with the best possible preparation for their careers, based on industry best practices. The research proposed a new approach to bridge the gap between in-class exercises and industrial practices by introducing an automated programming assessment system, ProgEdu. ProgEdu simulates the continuous integration pipeline of DevOps, incorporating unit testing and code quality assessment. It is deployed as a service-oriented application on Docker, allowing students to gain practical experience in a real-world setting. Our approach goes beyond simply assessing code, as we have also incorporated the service-oriented architecture, continuous integration pipeline, and Docker of the system to illustrate various DevOps practices in our software engineering classes. By providing hands-on exercises that utilize industry-standard tools and techniques, we can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, helping students to extensively understand fundamental concepts and prepare for the demands of the modern workforce.
CLASSIFICATION OF ARTICLES USING MACHINE LEARNING: CASE STUDY OF TRA VINH UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, VIETNAM
Authors: Thai-Nghe Nguyen , Hua Minh-Nhut , Nguyen Bao-An
Published: November 2023

The rapid development of technologies has led to an increasing number of research works submitted to journals or conferences. However, the process of submitting articles can be challenging for authors due to the wide range of subjects covered by submission systems, such as the Association for Computing Machinery, with 2,000 subjects. This challenge arises from the need to accurately categorize the manuscript into the appropriate subject area before submission. This article proposes an automatic solution that extracts information and categorizes scientific papers into relevant topics to address this issue. The proposed approach employs pre-processing, extraction, vectorization, and classification techniques using three machine learning methods: support vector machines, Naïve Bayes, and decision trees. The experiments conducted on a dataset of articles published in the Tra Vinh University Journal of Science show promising results. The support vector machines technique, in particular, achieved an accuracy rate of over 75%, demonstrating its potential as a tool for developing an automatic classification system for scientific papers.