bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IoT-Based Mushroom Cultivation System with Solar Renewable Energy Integration: Assessing the Sustainable Impact of the Yield and Quality
Authors: Rukhiran Meennapa , Sutanthavibul Chwin , Boonsong Songwut , Netinant Paniti
Published: September 2023

The conventional method of mushroom cultivation can be labor-intensive and produce limited yields. Due to the humidity and temperature in the summer season, mushroom production is significantly diminished. The growth of each mushroom species depends on the consistency of care, the skill of experienced farmers, and crucial cultivation parameters such as temperature, humidity, irrigation, and exposure to sunlight. This study aims to implement an IoT-enabled cultivation system to control and monitor the environmental parameters of Indian mushroom cultivation within the proposed innovative framework, as compared to conventional methods. The IoT-based cultivation system consists of hardware components, circuit connections, software, and algorithms. This study confirms that consistent control of environmental parameters, such as temperature and relative humidity, by a dynamic climate promotes mushroom growth that is superior to conventional cultivation. Our findings reveal a substantial increase in the yield and quality of mushrooms, demonstrating the tangible advantages of applying an innovative approach. Traditional cultivation yielded an average of 4.118 kg, whereas IoT-based cultivation systems produced an average of 5.306 kg. The t-test statistic comparing yields has highlighted the significance of the observed differences with a p-value of 0.0000. The research contributions are to design and demonstrate the IoT-enabled system innovation with solar renewable energy, illustrating the effect of mushroom production and quality on the economic market analysis of mushroom cultivation in the direction of environmentally sustainable and green agricultural practices. This study’s comprehensive perspective can provide farmers, agricultural professionals, and policymakers with valuable insights regarding the future of mushroom cultivation, particularly the reduction of carbon emissions and energy consumption.
Efficient Organic Pollutant Removal by Bio/MNs Collaborating with Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
Authors: Zhang Chengbin , Wang Qijun , Xie Wenqing , Wang Ye , Li Zitong , Ren Guiping
Published: September 2023

Organic pollution is one of the main sources of environmental pollution, which poses a serious threat to the ecological environment and human health. In this study, we synthesized a composite material consisting of biochar-supported magnetite nanoparticles (Bio/MNs) and collaborated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 (P. aeruginosa PAO1) to conduct a bio-chemical composite remediation approach for organic pollution. The results of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) show that Bio/MNs composites have been prepared successfully. Under light conditions, the highest removal rate of organic pollution by Bio/MNs synergistic P. aeruginosa PAO1 reached 81.5%. Gradient experiments revealed a direct correlation between the removal rate of organic pollution and the dosage of P. aeruginosa PAO1, as well as the input of Bio/MNs, within a specific range. Moreover, due to the positively charged nature of organic pollution, its maximum removal rate reaches 98.6% at pH = 11, exhibiting a 1.76-fold increase compared to that at pH = 3. The experimental results show that the collaboration between Bio/MNs and P. aeruginosa PAO1 expedited the electron transfer rate and increased the generation of ·OH and O2−, consequently facilitating the efficient degradation of organic pollutants. These findings inspire Bio/MNs collaborative microorganisms for providing new methods for the green and sustainable removal of organic pollutants.
Hygrothermal and Economic Analysis of an Earth-Based Building Using In Situ Investigations and Artificial Neural Network Modeling for Normandy’s Climate Conditions
Authors: Touati Karim , Benzaama Mohammed-Hichem , El Mendili Yassine , Le Guern Malo , Streiff François , Goodhew Steve
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates the in situ hygrothermal behavior of a cob prototype building equipped with multiple sensors for measuring temperature, relative humidity inside the building, and water content within its walls. The experimental results show that the earth-based prototype building presents interesting thermal insulation performance. Without any heating system, the indoor temperature was found to remain stable, near 20 °C, despite large fluctuations in the outdoor temperature. This study also illustrated the ability of cob to absorb and regulate indoor relative humidity. The use of a neural network model for predicting the hygrothermal behavior of the cob prototype building was an additional objective of this work. This latter was centered on investigating the indoor ambience and moisture content within the walls. In this sense, a long short-term memory model (LSTM) was developed and trained. The validation results revealed an excellent agreement between the model predictions and experimental data, with R2 values of 0.994 for the indoor air temperature, 0.960 for the relative humidity, and 0.973, 0.925, and 0.938 for the moisture content at three different depths in the building’s walls. These results indicate that the LSTM model is a promising approach for predicting the indoor ambience of an earth-based building, with potential applications in building automation and energy management. Finally, an economic discussion of the CobBauge system is presented.
Unveiling Job Satisfaction of Teachers through a Blend of Methodologies
Authors: Demir-Yıldız Canan
Published: September 2023

Assessing the levels of job satisfaction among educators and identifying the factors that contribute to their augmentation or diminution holds paramount importance for both educational quality and favorable organizational behavior. Furthermore, job satisfaction also bears significant relevance in terms of sustainability in education. In this context, the purpose of this study is to determine the levels of job satisfaction among teachers using a sample from Turkey and to identify the factors influencing these levels of job satisfaction. The research was conducted within public and private schools affiliated with the province of Muş and its adjacent regions, encompassing educators as its participants. Employing a mixed methods approach with a concurrent design, the present investigation aims to synergistically harness the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. This methodological choice is underpinned by the intention to capture a more comprehensive understanding of teachers’ perspectives on job satisfaction. By complementing the data acquired from online scale forms with succinct narrative responses from the educators, a more nuanced comprehension of their viewpoints is achieved. The findings of this study reveal that the levels of job satisfaction among teachers remain situated at a “moderate” threshold (x = 1.85). Among the variables influencing job satisfaction, significant differences have emerged in terms of educational background and the type of school a teacher works in (public/private). The qualitative findings of the study reveal the influential role of the “salary” factor in job satisfaction. Accordingly, the provision of both financial and non-financial support for teachers’ professional development and advancement is considered valuable for job satisfaction and the sustainability of the teaching profession.
Using the Life Cycle Approach for Multiobjective Optimization in the Context of the Green Supply Chain: A Case Study of Brazilian Coffee
Authors: Sakamoto Hugo , Bruschi Larissa Thaís , Kulay Luiz , Yamakami Akebo
Published: September 2023

This study proposes a multiobjective optimization model (MOO) based on a green supply chain so that coffee produced in Brazil could supply the North American market with lower environmental impacts and costs. Production and distribution arrangements were established considering four coffee-producing regions, three ports of origin in Brazil, four destination ports, seven roasting plants, and fifteen consumption centers, all distributed throughout the American territory. Environmental and economic performances regarding global warming potential (GWP) and costs were determined for a life cycle approach. The results indicate that coffee cultivation has the most significant contributions to the GWP of the arrangements. The transport of the product by road also plays an essential role, especially if extensive distances are covered during the port–roaster–consumer center journey in the United States. The analysis showed differences of 2.0 kg CO2eq and US$8.00 per ton of coffee between the best and worst arrangements, which can be considered significant when projected to the Brazilian annual coffee export scale. In the environmental limit condition, the optimization can lead to non-trivial results compared to the real market. The model conceived for the MOO can be improved to reproduce more realistic conditions by incorporating producer and consumer markets, inserting uncertainties.
Unveiling the Motivational Factors behind Generation Z’s Conference Attendance for Sustaining Future Participation
Authors: Pavluković Vanja , Carmer Adam B. , Vujičić Miroslav D. , Cimbaljević Marija , Stankov Uglješa
Published: September 2023

This study addresses the motivations behind Generation Z’s attendance at conferences and aims to contribute to a better understanding of their conference-participation behavior. The study identified six latent factors that influence conference-attendance motivation: green and digital conference experience, educational and professional opportunities, conference costs, destination and conference stimuli, stimulating factors, and conference accessibility. These factors align with Generation Z’s unique characteristics and preferences, such as their environmental consciousness, their reliance on digital technologies, and their desire for continuous learning, career advancement, and experiences. The study also found that destination characteristics and educational and professional opportunities are significant motivators for conference attendance by members of Generation Z across different cultural contexts. Additionally, their strong interest in sustainability and financial challenges highlights the need for eco-friendly practices and affordable registration fees to make conferences more appealing and accessible. The study further explores the impact of socio-demographic characteristics, revealing gender and past-conference-attendance differences in motivation. Finally, the study discusses the implications of its findings for the conference industry and suggests areas for future research to enhance the understanding of conference-attendance motivation among members of Generation Z.
Personal Protective Equipment Detection: A Deep-Learning-Based Sustainable Approach
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Imran Basheer , Saraireh Linah , Rahman Atta , Al-Qarawi Seba , Mhran Afnan , Al-Jalaoud Joud , Al-Mudaifer Danah , Al-Haidar Fayrouz , AlKhulaifi Dania , Youldash Mustafa , Gollapalli Mohammed
Published: September 2023

Personal protective equipment (PPE) can increase the safety of the worker for sure by reducing the probability and severity of injury or fatal incidents at construction, chemical, and hazardous sites. PPE is widely required to offer a satisfiable safety level not only for protection against the accidents at the aforementioned sites but also for chemical hazards. However, for several reasons or negligence, workers may not commit to and comply with the regulations of wearing the equipment, occasionally. Since manual monitoring is laborious and erroneous, the situation demands the development of intelligent monitoring systems to offer the automated real-time and accurate detection of PPE compliance. As a solution, in this study, Deep Learning and Computer Vision are investigated to offer near real-time and accurate PPE detection. The four colored hardhats, vest, safety glass (CHVG) dataset was utilized to train and evaluate the performance of the proposed model. It is noteworthy that the solution can detect eight variate classes of the PPE, namely red, blue, white, yellow helmets, head, person, vest, and glass. A two-stage detector based on the Fast-Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (RCNN) was trained on 1699 annotated images. The proposed model accomplished an acceptable mean average precision (mAP) of 96% in contrast to the state-of-the-art studies in literature. The proposed study is a potential contribution towards the avoidance and prevention of fatal/non-fatal industrial incidents by means of PPE detection in real-time.
Does the Aging of the Chinese Population Have an Impact on Outward Foreign Direct Investment?
Authors: Zhao Luman , Zhang Yabin , Xie Yuefeng
Published: September 2023

Given the progression of population aging in China, does the diminishing demographic dividend boost the promotion of investment abroad in the form of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI)? This empirical study focused on the influence of population aging on outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) decisions and its underlying mechanisms. The research found that population aging has a significant positive effect on the level of OFDI. This effect is particularly pronounced in the eastern and central regions, while not statistically significant in the western region. Furthermore, population aging has a significant impact on the factor cost effect and the technological progress effect. The former is characterized by increased labor costs, while the latter is associated with technological advancements. The study confirmed that population aging positively influences OFDI changes through these two mechanisms. The empirical results hold statistically significant after multiple robustness checks. This study holds a significant reference value in advancing the facilitation of high-level opening-up polices and policy coordination to effectively address the challenges posed by population aging.
Superhydrophobic Microchannel Heat Exchanger for Electric Vehicle Heat Pump Performance Enhancement
Authors: Sui Yunren , Sui Zengguang , Liang Guangda , Wu Wei
Published: September 2023

Battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as an environmentally friendly and efficient alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, while their single-charge driving distances under cold conditions are significantly limited due to the high energy consumption of their heating systems. Heat pumps can provide an effective heating solution for EVs, but their coefficient of performance (COP) is hampered by heat transfer deterioration due to frost accumulation. This study proposes a solution to this issue by introducing a microchannel heat exchanger (MHE) with superhydrophobic surface treatment (SHST) as a heat pump evaporator. A computational fluid dynamics MHE model and a dynamic heat pump model are developed and rigorously validated to examine the detrimental impact of frost accumulation on heat transfer, airflow resistance, and heat pump performance. When the frost layer thickness is 0.8 mm at a given air-side velocity of 1.0 m/s, the air-side heat transfer coefficient can be reduced by about 75%, and the air-side pressure drop sharply increases by 28.4 times. As frost thickness increases from 0 to 0.8 mm, the heating capacity drops from 3.97 to 1.82 kW, and the system COP declines from 3.17 to 2.30. Experimental results show that the frost thickness of the MHE with SHST reaches approximately 0.4 mm after 30 min, compared to that of 0.8 mm of the MHE without SHST, illustrating the defrosting capability of the superhydrophobic coating. The study concludes by comparing the performance of various heating methods in EVs to highlight the advantages of SHST technology. As compared to traditional heat pumps, the heating power consumption of the proposed system is reduced by 48.7% due to the defrosting effect of the SHST. Moreover, the single-charge driving distance is extended to 327.27 km, an improvement of 8.99% over the heat pump without SHST.
How Does Destination Experience Value Affect Brand Value and Behavioral Intention? The Moderator Role of Self Congruity
Authors: Gozen Ebru , Aktas Alan Aylin , Celep Emel , Ergun Gozde Seval , Yayla Ozgur , Keles Huseyin , Aytekin Arif
Published: September 2023

The primary purpose of this research is to reveal the moderator role of self-congruity in the effect of consumer return on investment, aesthetics, service excellence, and playfulness as the sub-dimensions of destination experience value on destination brand equity and in the effect of destination brand value on behavioral intention. The research data were obtained utilizing the survey method. The findings of the study revealed that all dimensions under the destination experience value significantly and positively affect the destination brand value. When the effect of the overall brand value of the destination on the behavioral intention is evaluated, the brand value affects the behavioral intention positively and strongly. It was concluded in the study that self-congruity has a moderator effect on customer return on investment and playfulness dimensions on destination brand value, whereas the construct of self-congruity does not have a moderator effect on service excellence and aesthetic dimensions on destination brand value and that self-congruity has a moderator effect on destination brand value perception on behavioral intention. The study provides important practical contributions to both destination marketing managers and national and local authorities.
The Occurrence of Non-Regulated Mycotoxins in Foods: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mihalache Octavian Augustin , De Boevre Marthe , Dellafiora Luca , De Saeger Sarah , Moretti Antonio , Pinson-Gadais Laetitia , Ponts Nadia , Richard-Forget Florence , Susca Antonia , Dall’Asta Chiara
Published: September 2023

The aim of this systematic review is to provide an update on the occurrence and co-occurrence of selected non-regulated mycotoxins and provide an overview of current regulations. Fifteen non-regulated mycotoxins were found in 19 food categories worldwide. On top of that, 38 different combinations of non-regulated mycotoxins were found, with mixtures varying from binary combinations up to 12 mycotoxins. Taking into consideration the amount of evidence regarding the prevalence and co-occurrence of non-regulated mycotoxins, future steps should be taken considering continuous monitoring, scientific exchange, and generation of high-quality data. To enhance data quality, guidelines outlining the minimum quality criteria for both occurrence data and metadata are needed. By doing so, we can effectively address concerns related to the toxicity of non-regulated mycotoxins. Furthermore, obtaining more data concerning the co-occurrence of both regulated and non-regulated mycotoxins could aid in supporting multiple chemical risk assessment methodologies. Implementing these steps could bolster food safety measures, promote evidence-based regulations, and ultimately safeguard public health from the potential adverse effects of non-regulated mycotoxins.
Rotational Curves of the Milky Way Galaxy and Andromeda Galaxy in Light of Vacuum Polarization around Eicheon
Authors: Cherkas Sergey L. , Kalashnikov Vladimir L.
Published: September 2023

Eicheon properties are discussed. It is shown that the eicheon surface allows setting a boundary condition for the vacuum polarization and obtaining a solution describing the dark matter tail in the Milky Way Galaxy. That is, the dark matter in the Milky Way Galaxy is explained as the F-type of vacuum polarization, which could be treated as dark radiation. The model presented is spherically symmetric, but a surface density of a baryonic galaxy disk is taken into account approximately by smearing the disk over a sphere. This allows the reproduction of the large distance shape of the Milky Way Galaxy rotational curve. Andromeda Galaxy’s rotational curve is also discussed.
When Bacteria and Viruses Collide: A Tale of Chlamydia trachomatis and Sexually Transmitted Viruses
Authors: Ghasemian Ehsan , Harding-Esch Emma , Mabey David , Holland Martin J.
Published: September 2023

The global incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains high, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that over 1 million people acquire STIs daily. STIs can lead to infertility, pregnancy complications, and cancers. Co-infections with multiple pathogens are prevalent among individuals with an STI and can lead to heightened infectivity and more severe clinical manifestations. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most reported bacterial STI worldwide in both men and women, and several studies have demonstrated co-infection of CT with viral and other bacterial STIs. CT is a gram-negative bacterium with a unique biphasic developmental cycle including infectious extracellular elementary bodies (EBs) and metabolically active intracellular reticulate bodies (RBs). The intracellular form of this organism, RBs, has evolved mechanisms to persist for long periods within host epithelial cells in a viable but non-cultivable state. The co-infections of CT with the most frequently reported sexually transmitted viruses: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) have been investigated through in vitro and in vivo studies. These research studies have made significant strides in unraveling the intricate interactions between CT, these viral STIs, and their eukaryotic host. In this review, we present an overview of the epidemiology of these co-infections, while specifically delineating the underlying mechanisms by which CT influences the transmission and infection dynamics of HIV and HSV. Furthermore, we explore the intricate relationship between CT and HPV infection, with a particular emphasis on the heightened risk of cervical cancer. By consolidating the current body of knowledge, we provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics and implications of co-infection involving CT and sexually transmitted viruses.
Seasonal Occurrence of African Swine Fever in Wild Boar and Domestic Pigs in EU Member States
Authors: Rogoll Lisa , Güttner Ann-Kathrin , Schulz Katja , Bergmann Hannes , Staubach Christoph , Conraths Franz J. , Sauter-Louis Carola
Published: September 2023

Since 2007, African swine fever (ASF) has spread widely within Europe and beyond. Most affected countries recorded outbreaks in domestic pigs and cases in wild boar. Outbreak data from 2014 to 2021 were used to investigate the seasonal pattern of ASF in domestic pigs and wild boar across affected member states of the European Union, since knowledge of seasonal patterns may provide the potential to adapt prevention, surveillance and control during times of increased risk. In domestic pigs, a yearly peak was observed in many European countries in summer (predominantly in July and August). In wild boar, the patterns showed more variability. In many countries, there was a seasonal peak of ASF occurrence in winter (predominantly in January and December), with an additional summer peak in the Baltic States (predominantly in July) and a further spring peak in Poland (predominantly in March). The observed seasonal effects may be related to the abundance and population dynamics of wild boar and to seasonality in pig farming. Moreover, ASF occurrence may also be influenced by human activities in both domestic pigs and wild boar.
The Association between CCL5/RANTES SNPs and Susceptibility to HIV-1 Infection: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Silva Marcos Jessé Abrahão , Marinho Rebecca Lobato , dos Santos Pabllo Antonny Silva , dos Santos Carolynne Silva , Ribeiro Layana Rufino , Rodrigues Yan Corrêa , Lima Karla Valéria Batista , Lima Luana Nepomuceno Gondim Costa
Published: September 2023

Genetic polymorphisms in genes that encode natural ligands of CCR5 (the main human HIV coreceptor), such as CCL5/RANTES, can alter the levels of secretion of these peptides. This article sought to review the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CCL5/RANTES and HIV-1 disease susceptibility. A meta-analysis was conducted through 17 articles found from January 1999 to December 2022 in the PUBMED, Science Direct, Medline, and SciELO databases. A total of three SNPs were identified and investigated under their dominant genotypic model and through a fixed-effects model. In terms of the SNP rs2107538 (G > A), in Africa and Asia, it has a protective role (OR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.41–0.76; p = 0.0002, and OR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.76–1.02; p = 0.08, respectively). In terms of the SNP rs2280788 (C > G), in Europe and America, it shows a higher risk role (OR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.06–3.47; p = 0.03, and OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.94–1.11; p = 0.04, respectively), but in the population of Asia, with its mutant allele, it has a protective role (OR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.63–0.93; p = 0.007). In terms of the SNP rs2280789 (T > C), no significant associations were found. Both SNPs rs2107538 and rs2280788 have a positive transcriptional effect on the RANTES/CCL5 gene, while SNP rs2280789 causes a decrease in gene expression levels. This study suggests that there is an association between the increased expression of CCL5/RANTES and a lower risk of AIDS. Therefore, further studies are needed to arrive at a definitive conclusion, and these results may help establish scientific bases for effective HIV/AIDS control strategies.
ProLonged Liposomal Delivery of TLR7/8 Agonist for Enhanced Cancer Vaccine
Authors: Kim Sehui , Park Yeji , Kim Jeonghun , Kim Sohyun , Choi Kyungmin , Kang Taegyun , Lee Inho , Lim Yong Taik , Um Soong Ho , Kim Chul
Published: September 2023

Despite numerous studies on cancer treatment, cancer remains a challenging disease to cure, even after decades of research. In recent years, the cancer vaccine has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment, offering few unexpected side effects compared to existing therapies. However, the cancer vaccine faces obstacles to commercialization due to its low efficacy. Particularly, the Toll-like receptor (TLR) adjuvant system, specifically the TLR 7/8 agonist, has shown potential for activating Th1 immunity, which stimulates both innate and adaptive immune responses through T cells. In this study, we developed ProLNG-S, a cholesterol-conjugated form of resiquimod (R848), to enhance immune efficacy by stimulating the immune system and reducing toxicity. ProLNG-S was formulated as ProLNG-001, a positively charged liposome, and co-administered with ovalbumin (OVA) protein in the B16-OVA model. ProLNG-001 effectively targeted secondary lymphoid organs, resulting in a robust systemic anti-tumor immune response and tumor-specific T cell activation. Consequently, ProLNG-001 demonstrated potential for preventing tumor progression and improving survival compared to AS01 by enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
A Multicentre Epidemiologic Study of Sudden and Unexpected Death in Adult Cats and Dogs in Australia
Authors: Kelly-Bosma Mirrim , Henning Joerg , Haworth Mark , Ploeg Richard , Woolford Lucy , Neef Alison , Das Shubhagata , Allavena Rachel
Published: September 2023

Sudden and unexpected death (SUD) is a common reason for animals to undergo post-mortem examination. There is limited literature examining the causes of SUD in cats and dogs, and no research specific to Australia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology and pathology of SUD in cats and dogs in a multicentric study across Australia. Retrospective post-mortem reports of SUD in cats and dogs were obtained from four veterinary schools in Australia distributed across four states. The frequency of SUD between institutes ranged from 2.1% to 6.5%. Dogs composed the majority of the study population (76%), and males outnumbered females, particularly in the feline subpopulation. After necropsy, 37% of SUD remained cause unknown, the largest category in both cats and dogs. When cause was identified, cardiovascular disease was most common in both species, followed by gastrointestinal disease in dogs, and trauma in cats. In dogs, multinomial logistic regression identified age as a risk factor significantly associated with the four largest categories of SUD. This study identified causes of SUD in Australian cats and dogs, including novel causes not previously reported. Further, this study revealed a higher rate of unsolved SUD in Australia than can be found in the literature from other countries.
Quantitative Analysis of the Driving Factors of Water Quality Variations in the Minjiang River in Southwestern China
Authors: Liu Chuankun , Hu Yue , Sun Fuhong , Ma Liya , Wang Wei , Luo Bin , Wang Yang , Zhang Hongming
Published: September 2023

The Minjiang River is an important first-level tributary of the Yangtze River. Understanding the driving factors of water quality variations in the Minjiang River is crucial for future policy planning of watershed ecology protection of the Yangtze River. The water quality of the Minjiang River is impacted by both meteorological factors and anthropogenic factors. By using wavelet analysis, machine learning, and Shapley analysis approaches, the impacts of meteorological factors and anthropogenic factors on the permanganate index (CODMn) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations at the outlet of the Minjiang River Basin were quantified. The observed CODMn and NH3-N concentration data in the Minjiang River from 2016 to 2020 were decomposed into long-term trend signals and periodic signals. The long-term trends in water qualities showed that anthropogenic factors were the major driving factors, accounting for 98.38% of the impact on CODMn concentrations and 98.18% of the impact on NH3-N concentrations. The periodic fluctuations in water qualities in the Minjiang River Basin were mainly controlled by meteorological factors, with an impact of 68.89% on CODMn concentrations and 63.94% on NH3-N concentrations. Compared to anthropogenic factors, meteorological factors have a greater impact on water quality in the Minjiang River Basin during both the high-temperature and rainy seasons from July to September and during the winter from December to February. The separate quantification of impacts of driving factors on the varying water quality signals contributed to the originality in this work, providing more intuitive insights for the assessment of the influences of policies and the climate change on the water quality.
Assessment of Sewage Molecular Markers: Linear Alkylbenzenes in Sediments of an Industrialized Region in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Alkhadher Sadeq A. A. , Al-Hazmi Hussein E. , Suratman Suhaimi , Zakaria Mohamad P. , Masood Najat , Szeląg Bartosz , Magam Sami M. , Al-Qadami Ebrahim H. H. , Majtacz Joanna , Kowal Przemysław , Kurniawan Tonni A. , Abdulrahman Sameer A. M. , Albaseer Saeed S.
Published: September 2023

In this study, the use of linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) was employed to pinpoint the sources of human activity that cause detrimental impacts on the coastal environment and river ecosystems. LABs were detected using GC–MS in sediment samples assembled from Kim Kim River (KKR) and the Port Dickson coast (PDC). To assess the significance of variations in the distribution and concentrations of LABs across the sampling sites, this study utilized several statistical techniques such as post hoc tests, LSD techniques, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Pearson correlation coefficient using a significance level of p < 0.05. The degradation levels of LABs and wastewater treatment were assessed in the study using internal congeners (I/E), homologs of C13 and C12, and long-to-short-chain (L/S) ratios. The results revealed that the LAB concentrations varied between 88.3 and 112 ng/g dw in KKR and 119 to 256 ng/g dw in the PDC. Most of the surveyed areas exhibited a substantial count of C13–LABs homologs that displayed a significant difference (p < 0.05). The I/E ratios ranged from 1.7 to 2.0 in KKR and from 2.0 to 4.1 in the PDC, suggesting that the effluents originated from sources associated with the physical phase and biological phase in wastewater treatment systems (WWTSs). The results revealed that the degradation of LABs varied between 34% and 38% in KKR and between 40% and 64% in the PDC. This study underscores the importance of ongoing improvements to WWTSs and emphasizes the potential of LABs as indicators for monitoring wastewater contamination.
Urban Governance and Sanitation in the Peri-Urban Commune of Agoè-Nyvé 6 in Togo: Diagnosis of the Sanitation System in Adétikopé
Authors: Gbekley Efui Holaly , Houedakor Koko Zébéto , Komi Kossi , Poli Sossawè , Adjalo Djiwonou Koffi , Nyakpo Ablam , Ayivigan Ayayivi Mensah , Ali Abdourahamane Aissa Ghanny Vanessa , Zinsou-Klassou Kossiwa , Adjoussi Pèssiezoum
Published: September 2023

In African cities, the ever-increasing production of wastewater and excreta poses a major management problem. The aim of this study was to take stock of wastewater and excreta management in Adétikopé in the commune of Agoè-Nyivé 6. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population of the locality of Adétikopé in terms of wastewater and excreta management, which took place from August 2022 to July 2023. It involved 5256 households in 12 villages in the locality of Adétikopé and was carried out via a field survey, interviews, observations and documentary research. The results showed that 72.60% of respondents were women. The majority of households (85.62%) had latrines, 66.40% of which had never been emptied. The remainder used a mechanical emptying truck (5.48%). Households without latrines (14.38%) defecate with neighbors (14.28%) in the open (66.67%) and in public latrines (19.05%). The same applies to wastewater from cooking, washing and dishwashing, which is most often dumped on the public highway (78.77%). Wastewater is a breeding ground for mosquitoes that cause malaria, which is the most common disease in the area. The results of this study show that wastewater and excreta are managed by most concessions in an unhealthy way and discharged into the environment. It is important to step up public awareness campaigns on the harmful consequences of poor wastewater and excreta disposal.
Excess Sludge Disintegration by Discharge Plasma Coupled with Thiosulfate
Authors: Jin Hekai , Lin Song , Yang Yueyun , Liang Zhixin , Chen Yiqi , Hua Lei , Zhang Ying , Jia Hongtao , Zhang Guodong , Wang Tiecheng
Published: September 2023

Surplus sludge disposal and treatment are major issues in wastewater treatment plants. Discharge plasma oxidation is an effective approach for sludge dewatering and digestion. In this study, excess sludge disintegration by non-thermal discharge plasma coupled with thiosulfate (TSA) was investigated. After 20 min of the single discharge plasma treatment, the soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) increased to 404.93 mg L−1, and it climbed even more to 549.08 mg L−1 after adding 15 mmol L−1 of TSA. The water content of the filter cake also reduced even more in the presence of TSA. There was an appropriate dosage of TSA available. In the discharge plasma coupled with TSA system, reactive oxygen species (·OH and O2−) were generated and had significant involvement in the disintegration of the sludge. The addition of TSA enhanced the production of OH. These reactive oxygen species decomposed the floc structures and facilitated the transformation of organic compounds, resulting in a decrease in the average size of the sludge aggregates. The ratio of soluble extracellular polymer substances (S-EPS) was enhanced, while the ratio of the tightly bound fraction was reduced after the treatment. Thus, discharge plasma coupled with TSA promoted microbial cell lysis and facilitated the release of intracellular organic matter and bound water, ultimately enhancing the sludge’s dewaterability.
Professionals' treatment goals for long-term benzodiazepine and Z-drugs management: a qualitative study
Authors: Van Ngoc Pauline , Ceuterick Melissa , Belche Jean-Luc , Scholtes Beatrice
Published: September 2023

Background

Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs (BZD/Z) are frequently prescribed for longer than recommended. Through their interactions with patients taking BZD/Z, primary care and mental health professionals play a key role in the management of this medication.

Aim

To explore how primary care and mental health care professionals set treatment goals with users of long-term BZD/Z.

Design & setting

A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with professionals from mental health, addiction care, and primary care practices in Belgium.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were conducted, online and in person, with 24 professionals working in mental health and primary care. Inductive thematic content analysis was performed.

Results

Seven themes were identified from the analysis. Professionals tended not to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) standard to diagnose a BZD/Z substance use disorder. They described criteria based on their experience. They identified diverse types of patients that influence their choice of treatment goals. Professionals appeared to position themselves according to their own treatment goals for their patients, either by promoting the goal of abstinence or harm reduction. Some of them reported feeling trapped into continuing to prescribe and considered BZD/Z withdrawal to be difficult. Some were afraid to engage in a conversation that might break the bond of trust with the patient. Few professionals mentioned patient participation in the treatment goal setting. They asked for targeted withdrawal recommendations, perceiving the current recommendations to be too broad.

Conclusion

Whether primary care or mental health care professionals are more in favour of a total abstinence or a harm reduction approach to BZD/Z, professionals should be guided towards greater patient participation in setting and evaluating goals with patients taking BZD/Z.
THERMOCHEMICAL HEAT RECOVERY IN A GAS TURBINE PLANT
Authors: Polyakov Mikhail , Popov Stanislav
Published: September 2023

Natural gas every year wins an increasing share in the global fuel balance. Countries where cheap natural gas is available are seeking to increase the efficiency of its use in order to increase the volume of its use. One of the most promising methods for increasing the efficiency of natural gas is the heat recovery of gas waste. The subject of the study is a gas turbine plant due to the fact that the number of power plants with gas turbines tends to increase. In this paper, options for increasing the efficiency of using natural gas in gas turbines at a constant flow rate are investigated. Variants of implementation of thermochemical heat recovery of gas wastes based on steam reforming of methane and thermal heat recovery of gas wastes based on steam generation are considered. The results of a study based on a mathematical model of a gas turbine plant using thermal and thermochemical waste gas heat recovery are presented.
A constructive calculation of the methane steam reforming reactor has been carried out. The design and regime parameters of the heat exchanger are determined. A 3D-model of the conversion reactor has been developed, which provides high gas density and the possibility of thermal elongation of heat exchange tubes
MONO- AND BIMETALLIC PD-PT NANOPARTICLES AS AN EFFICIENT TOOL FOR THE INTENSIFICATION OF TRANSCRYSTALLINE HYDROGEN TRANSPORT
Authors: Andreev Georgy , Pushankina Polina , Dzhimak Stepan , Petriev Iliya
Published: September 2023

A technique has been developed for obtaining highly active Pd-Pt nanocatalysts on the surface of all-metal Pd-23%Ag membranes. These coatings were a large number of pentagonally structured Pd-Pt nanoparticles with an average size of about 100 nm, designed to intensify the process of hydrogen transport. By melting and rolling with intermediate annealing, palladium-silver foils 30 µm thick were obtained, which acted as the basis of the membranes. Surface modification was carried out by electrolytic deposition with a change in the parameters of the deposition current and the composition of the working solution. Classical methods made it possible to obtain spherical particles on the surface of thin palladium-silver films. However, a decrease in the deposition current density, compared to classical methods, and a clear ratio of components in the working solution with the addition of a surfactant made it possible to obtain coatings based on particles with a special geometry. The developed materials were studied in the processes of low-temperature (25 °C) hydrogen transport as diffusion membrane filters, where they demonstrated penetrating flux density values up to 0.42 mmol/s m2 at operating pressures up to 0.3 MPa. It has been established that the density values of the hydrogen penetrating flux through membranes modified with pentatwinned Pd-Pt particles are up to 2.1 times higher than through membranes with classical palladium black. These nanocatalysts based on pentatwinned Pd-Pt particles made it possible to significantly intensify hydrogen transport at low temperatures. The developed membrane materials can become the basis for both low-temperature devices, such as a fuel cell, a hydrogen compressor, and find application as diffusion filters in steam reforming reactors
AVRUPA’YA YÖNELEN GÖÇÜN REFAH ARAYIŞI VE KİMLİĞİNİN GENİŞLETİLMİŞ ÇEKİM MODELİ KAPSAMINDA DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: GÜNAY Enver , ÇELİK Onur
Published: September 2023

Göç hareketleri, ölüm, korku, baskı ya da daha iyi gelir ve sosyal yaşam koşulları gibi faktörler ile yakından ilişkilidir. Geçmişten günümüzde çeşitliliği artan göç hareketleri, göçmen, mülteci ve sığınmacı gibi yeni kavramları ortaya çıkararak bu alanla ilgili hukuki terminolojiyi derinleştirmektedir. Göçe teşvik eden ve zorlayan faktörlerin göç üzerindeki olası etkilerini araştırma hususunda yararlanılan ve genişletilebilir bir yapıya sahip olan çekim modeli, yapılan birçok göç araştırmasında kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Dünya’da en çok göç veren ülkelerin yer aldığı Afrika, Asya ve Orta Doğu’dan, en çok göçmen kabul eden Avrupa ülkelerine göç hareketleri, 6 orijin ülke ve 10 varış noktası özelinde 2015-2020 dönemi için statik panel veri analizi ile incelenmiştir. Driscoll-Kraay regresyon analizi uygulanan çekim modelinden elde edilen bulgulara göre, göç edilen bölgedeki nüfus ve gelir düzeyi göç hareketlerini etkilerken; genişletilmiş çekim modelinden ekonomik, sosyal ve siyasi faktörlerin göç hareketleri üzerinde anlamlı olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Mesafe faktörü her iki modelde de göçü etkileyen anlamlı bir değişken olarak tespit edilmiştir. Ekonomik ve siyasi koşulların göç üzerindeki anlamlı etkisi, göç edenlerin hem göçmen hem de mülteci/sığınmacı kimliğine sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu sonuçlara göre, göç politikalarının göçmen kimliğini dikkate alan çerçevede oluşturulması önerilmektedir.
Prefix SISTEM PENGISIAN AIR PADA TANKI PEMBUATAN ROTI DENGAN METODE FUZZY LOGIC MENGGUNAKAN ARDUINO
Authors: Ghaleb Mohammad Ghaleb Ahda
Published: September 2023

The filling of water as a composition in making bread dough manually often has a very significant error in the amount of water volume. Therefore, filling water as a composition of bread dough automatically reduces the excess amount of water volume during bread dough making. With automatic water filling in bread dough making, the volume of water is within the tolerable amount so that the dough is quite good and makes the time efficiency of making bread dough compared to filling water as bread dough manually.
Estrategias de enseñanza aprendizaje para el desarrollo de las competencias fundamentales en educación secundaria: una reflexión desde la praxeología
Authors: Pérez-Castellanos Eva , Rodríguez-Bejarano Huber
Published: September 2023

The present discussion was considered in light of the changes being incorporated into the curriculum design, specifically within the Dominican educational system. Therefore, the objective was to identify teaching-learning strategies for the development of fundamental competencies in secondary education students, with a reflection from the perspective of praxeology. The theoretical contributions of the Ministry of Education of the Dominican Republic (2016, 2022), Tobón (2008, 2013, 2014, 2018), among others, were assumed. The study was conducted with a positivist paradigm, a quantitative approach, descriptive research, a non-experimental design, and a cross-sectional field study. The population consisted of 36 teachers selected through non-probabilistic accidental sampling from various institutions in Santo Domingo. Data collection was done through a survey with a 30-item questionnaire offering three response options. The questionnaire was validated by five experts, and its reliability was determined using Cronbach's Alpha. The statistical analysis was presented in tables. The findings indicate that secondary-level teachers agree with the application of pre-instructional, co-instructional, and post-instructional strategies for each phase of the pedagogical practice. They utilize problem-based learning, project-based learning, collaborative learning, among others, to develop fundamental competencies. Teachers value these strategies in general, considering them important for the education of students at this level, as outlined in the Dominican curriculum.
Educação a Distância versus Ensino Remoto Emergencial
Authors: Moreira Daiany Alves Araújo , Silva Mônica Aparecida da Rocha
Published: September 2023

Devido a pandemia da Covid-19, onde foi necessário o isolamento, além de outras medidas para a contenção e diminuição da propagação do novo coronavírus. As aulas presenciais tiveram que ser suspensas, e para que não ocorresse a interrupção do processo de ensino e aprendizagem, as instituições educacionais implementaram o Ensino Remoto Emergencial (ERE). O debate sobre essa problemática ganha maior relevância e, também, inicia a confusão entre os dois termos: Educação a Distância (EaD) e ERE. Assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo discutir as principais diferenças entre a EaD e o ERE. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, utilizando a pesquisa bibliográfica, com abordagem qualitativa. Conclui-se que a educação a distância diferencia do ERE em vários aspectos. Evidenciando se que a educação a distância tem todo um planejamento e uma estruturação, com legislação própria e o auxílio de uma esquipe de apoio profissional.