bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating Layered Cloud Cover from Geostationary Satellite Radiometric Measurements: A Novel Method and Its Application
Authors: Tan Zhonghui , Ma Shuo , Wang Xin , Liu Yudi , Ai Weihua , Yan Wei
Published: November 2022

Layered cloud cover (LCC), that is, cloud cover at different levels, is crucial for estimating cloud radiative effects and modeling climate change. However, accurate LCC characterization using passive satellite measurements is challenging because of the difficulties in resolving cloud vertical structures. In this study, we developed a novel method to estimate LCC from geostationary satellite radiometric measurements. The proposed method resolves cloud vertical structures by retrieving cloud-top and cloud-base heights for both single- and multi-layer clouds; thus, better estimating LCC. Our results agreed well with active satellite measurements, showing identification accuracies of 86%, 90%, and 91% for high, medium, and low clouds, respectively. Additionally, our LCC estimates derived from satellite measurements were used to evaluate those from atmospheric reanalysis. The annual averaged total, high, medium, and low cloud covers given by our methods were 0.681, 0.393, 0.356, and 0.455, respectively, while those from ERA-5 were 0.623, 0.415, 0.274, and 0.392, respectively. These results indicate that the total cloud cover determined by ERA-5 was lower than that derived from satellite measurements, potentially as a result of medium and low-level clouds.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Virtual Korean Wave Experience: Perspective on Experience Economy
Authors: Yoon Hyejin , Song Catherin , Ha Myunghee , Kim Chulwon
Published: November 2022

This study examined the effect of four dimensions (i.e., the experience of education, entertainment, aesthetics, and escape) of the experience economy on participants’ attachment values toward tourism places in the context of the virtual Korean Wave experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also tested the relationship between attachment values and continuous immersion intention in virtual reality. An online survey was conducted on Asian people who experienced the Korean Wave culture, and 387 questionnaires were completed. Statistical analyses were used to establish the relationship between experiences, satisfaction, and continuous immersion intention comprising descriptive analysis, explanatory factor analyses, and multiple regression analysis. The result showed that the virtual Korean Wave (entertainment, educational, aesthetic, and escapism experience) significantly impacted participants’ attachment values. The meaningful virtual experiences would provide new insights into enhancing participants’ attachment to tourist places. There is little research examining the cultural experience and the attachment values of online users within the experience economy, despite the emergence and continuation of the novel coronavirus, which has led to many challenges in social, economic, technological, and medical systems’ lifestyles
Research on Sustainable Reuse of Urban Ruins Based on Artificial Intelligence Technology: A Study of Guangzhou
Authors: Duan Qi , Qi Lihui , Cao Renyu , Si Peng
Published: November 2022

In recent years, with the continuous deepening of the urbanization process, the problem of urban ruins (URs) has become prominent. This significantly affects the happiness of residents around the URs, the overall image of the city, and the environment, and it has become an important issue in urban construction. At present, the types of urban ruins mainly include industrial ruins, abandoned urban buildings, and war sites. Generally, methods such as demolition and reconstruction of original buildings or upgrading and transformation are used to reuse URs, and some of them have achieved fruitful results. However, the current renovation of URs is based on fragmented renovation strategies for different URs without a systematic and universally applicable renovation methodology. With the development of artificial intelligence, technologies such as Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), Easy DL, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) can provide technical support for urban ruin reconstruction, from design to operation. Specifically in the present study, the ten representative URs in Guangzhou are first evaluated by the Analytic Hierarchy Process and then combined with AI methods, such as the adversarial generative networks and big data applications, into the reuse design of URs. Finally, a complete research system is established to implement URs’ projects, which provides a clearer systematic planning strategy for the reuse of URs in the future.
Postharvest Eucalyptus Leaf Extract Application Extends the Sustainable Supply of Strawberries by Retaining Physicochemical Quality during Cold Storage
Authors: Haider Muhammad Wasim , Nafees Muhammad , Valipour Mohammad , Iqbal Rashid , Ali Sajid , Asad Habat Ullah , Faried Hafiz Nazar , Aslam Muhammad , Iqbal Javed , Shahzad Muhammad Ayaz
Published: November 2022

Strawberry is a delicate fruit with a short shelf life after harvest. High metabolic activities and fungal decay deteriorate its quality. In an attempt to extend its shelf life and maintain its quality while retaining its antioxidant potential, the harvested fruits of strawberry cv. Chandler were dipped in 30% eucalyptus leaf extract (ELE). Weight loss, fungal decay index, percentage of decayed fruits, respiration rate, and electrolyte leakage were all reduced in ELE-treated strawberries. The enzymatic activities of catalase in fruits increased initially until the fifth day of storage but then started to decline during the later period while superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities continued to rise until the 10th day and then declined. With higher contents of total phenolics, ascorbic acid, total antioxidants, and anthocyanin, the application of ELE maintained the general acceptance, firmness, flavor, and marketable fruit percentage. Titrable acidity (TA) and sugar–acid ratio (SAR) were also significantly affected by ELE application. A declining trend was observed in TA during storage, along with an increase in SAR. The pH and soluble solid contents of strawberry juice were not significantly changed by the application of ELE; however, both attribute scores were greater than those for the control. In conclusion, ELE could be used as an environmentally safe method to postpone senescence and maintain postharvest quality for up to 15 days.
Identifying and Characterizing Critical Source Areas of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants in Urban Agglomeration in Lake Baikal Watershed
Authors: Semenov Mikhail Y. , Silaev Anton V. , Semenov Yuri M. , Begunova Larisa A. , Semenov Yuri M.
Published: November 2022

Critical source areas (CSAs) are the areas prone to generating runoff and are characterized by a high level of soil pollution. CSAs may accumulate and release soil pollutants emitted by primary emission sources (industrial and municipal enterprises) into the surface water during storm events. The aim of this study was to identify CSAs and their pollution sources and to assess the level of soil pollution in CSAs with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and trace metals (TM). CSAs were identified using a geospatial data model (GIS), and primary emission sources were identified using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. It was found that the soils of CSAs were characterized by higher pollution levels than soils outside the CSAs. Pollution levels were highly variable among the identified CSAs due to the different capacities of the plants located in those areas. Due to high variability of TM concentrations in preindustrial soils, the pollution level of PAHs and the pollution level of TMs in CSA soils did not correlate with each other. The PAH composition of bottom sediments was different from that of soils, whereas the TM compositions of the soils and bottom sediments were similar. It was proved that the main sources of PAHs and TMs in CSA soils were traffic emissions and central heating boilers.
An Integrative Approach to Healthy Social-Ecological System to Support Increased Resilience of Resource Management in Food-Producing Systems
Authors: Urdes Laura , Simion Violeta-Elena , Talaghir Laurentiu-Gabriel , Mindrescu Veronica
Published: November 2022

The study addresses health-associated risks and health indicators required for the framing of Social-Ecological System Health (SESH) in aquaculture food-producing systems. The advantages of using a healthy Social-Ecological System (SES) are highlighted, to aid in the development of a new ecological system fostering the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems. The study used statistic modelling of some human infections with Cryptosporidium spp. and Cyclospora spp., used to obtain an estimate of the costs of zoonoses to health systems, and the outcomes of an epidemiological study involving the Eustrongylides spp. in fish. The study indicated that parasitic zoonoses have an important economic impact on health systems, environment and society at large. Holistic approaches to health, addressing all relevant actors are required to mitigate these impacts. To address the risk of eustrongylides and other fish-, and water-borne zoonoses, the development of new social-ecological system health should be constructed. For aquaculture production, such systems must include a biosecurity plan co-developed and negotiated by all relevant stakeholders. While the system’s feasibility is yet to be validated, regular revision of such systems’ functioning and outputs is an important premise to make them operational.
Transcending Linearity in Understanding Green Consumer Behaviour: A Social–Cognitive Framework for Behaviour Changes in an Emerging Economy Context
Authors: Dreyer Heleen , Sonnenberg Nadine , Van der Merwe Daleen
Published: November 2022

Awareness and understanding of green consumer behaviour (GCB) in emerging economies can increase consumer participation in green initiatives, leading to better product and behavioural choices and protecting scarce resources. Therefore, consumers should actively change their daily habits, lifestyle, and behaviour choices. A transdisciplinary critical realism approach can complement current knowledge on green consumer behaviour theories, which can layer behaviour change as a circular feedback process. Our approach could surpass linearity and rational decision-making—embracing the power of sustainable daily habits. We reviewed green consumer behaviour theories and identified the social cognitive theory (SCT) to support our approach. Hence, we employed an integrative review of applied SCT and green consumer behaviour. Findings suggest GCB as a reciprocal process with behaviour not only the outcome but an integral part of the process, as are personal and external determinants, existing in laminated layers of meaning that transcend the obvious. Finally, we propose a novel adapted framework that considers critical constructs that warrant investigation of an emerging economy context to identify consumers’ challenges that impede behavioural change. Recommendations include segmenting consumers through pro-environmental self-identity, consumer personalities, and daily habits, which can help target consumers with appropriate messages and interventions to encourage greener lifestyles.
Community Structure of Epilithic Moss Mites and Their Response to Environmental Factors in Different Grades of Rocky Desertification Habitats
Authors: Liu Wenjun , Yin Xiumei , Gong Tong , Liu Ying , Chen Hu
Published: November 2022

This research has been undertaken to reveal the changes in the community structure of epilithic moss mites and the response of these mites to environmental factors under different grades of rocky desertification environment. In this study, epilithic moss mites were collected in a demonstration area for rocky desertification management in Bijie Salaxi, with the following rocky desertification grades as habitat gradients: without rocky desertification, potential rocky desertification, light rocky desertification, moderate rocky desertification, and severe rocky desertification. The differences in the number of individuals, taxa, diversity index, dominance index, richness index, evenness index, and the effects of environmental factors on moss mite communities were revealed by one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, and redundancy analysis for different grades of these mites. The results show that a total of 11,563 epilithic moss mites were captured in the study area, belonging to three orders, 100 families, and 171 genera, with Nanorchestes and Trichogalumna as the dominant taxa. With the deepening of rocky desertification, the dominant number of Nanorchestes and Trichogalumna increased. Still, the percentage of very rare genera also decreased, and there were differences in the composition of the dominant genus taxa in different grades of rocky desertification. Different grades of rocky desertification habitats had significant effects on the diversity index and richness index of moss mite species but not on the number of taxa, individuals, dominance index, and evenness index. The overall epilithic moss mite communities in different habitats were moderately dissimilar. Air temperature and rock temperature had strong effects on each index of moss mite diversity, whereas light factors and air humidity had a weak impact on these indices. Amongst the communities, those of Scheloribates are more sensitive to rock temperature variation, while Blattisocius, Ledermuelleria and Camerobia correlate more with a light variation. Parholaspulus, Blattisocius, Camerobia, Haplochthonius, Gymnodamaeus, etc. were more sensitive to changes in air humidity. The research shows that there are differences in moss mite community structure under different rocky desertification grades, rocky desertification has caused some effects on moss mite community structure, and the use of mite dominant taxa genera can give preliminary indications of the rocky desertification environment; meanwhile, there is a specific correlation between mite taxa and habitat environment changes.
Spatial Comparative Analysis of Landscape Fragmentation Metrics in a Watershed with Diverse Land Uses in Iran
Authors: Alaei Nazila , Mostafazadeh Raoof , Esmali Ouri Abazar , Hazbavi Zeinab , Sharari Mearaj , Huang Guangwei
Published: November 2022

Knowledge of landscape fragmentation is known to be important in ecological integrity, hydrological processes, urban planning, sustainable land management, and policymaking. Recent anecdotal studies reveal a need for analytical quantification of landscape fragmentation at different levels. Therefore, the present study was conducted at KoozehTopraghi Watershed, Ardabil Province, Iran, where covers by different land uses/covers, to (a) explore the spatial pattern of landscape fragmentation metrics comprehensively in different scales, (b) distinguish the landscape fragmentation hot spots, and (c) investigate the spatial clustering of landscape fragmentation metrics. The behaviors of 7, 10, and 13 fragmentation metrics concerning three levels of patch, class, and landscape across 36 sub-watersheds were explored using principal component analysis (PCA) and expert elicitation. The Getis-Ord Gi* and local Moran’s I indices were also used to analyze the hot spots and clusters of landscape fragmentation, respectively. The results verified the high degree of spatial variability of the metrics in the three levels of fragmentation analysis. The class-level fragmentation analysis showed that the watershed is characterized by high-fragmented residential land use and low-fragmented dry farming land use. The spatial trend analysis at the landscape level further indicated that sub-watersheds 1, 2, 11, 21, to 26, and 34 to 36, mainly located in lowlands and central parts, allocated better status considering the fragmentation metrics rather than other parts of the watershed. The significant hot spots and high clusters of fragmentation also were distributed in different parts of the watershed in terms of various landscape metrics.
Efficiency Assessment of New Signal Timing in Saudi Arabia Implementing Flashing Green Interval Complimented with Law Enforcement Cameras
Authors: Alfawzan Mohammed Saleh , Aftab Ahmad
Published: November 2022

Traffic congestion at intersection is one of the significant socioeconomic concerns worldwide. To tackle this challenge, researchers and practitioners are researching and executing different plans to control and manage long queues and delays. The general department of traffic in Saudi Arabia has implemented a new signal timing pattern in a number of signalized intersections that were designed with an additional flashing green phase complemented with law enforcement cameras (SAHER) to improve the capacity and safety of signalized intersections. This research aims to evaluate the impact of flashing green intervals on driver behavior and traffic efficiency of five signalized urban intersections equipped with SAHER in the Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Analyses for the current situation (base scenario) and proposed scenarios (without SAHER) are performed and validated using the microsimulation model (VISSIM) with field collected data at the selected intersections. The results showed that, despite fewer improvements in vehicle delays, the intersections without SAHER and flashing green intervals yield shorter queue lengths than the intersections with SAHER and flashing green intervals. Further, it was also revealed that drivers tend to stop early and start late in the case of SAHER due to fear of red light fines, thus not utilizing the full green split and yellow time. Analysis for the average vehicle delay and queue lengths is also conducted to assess the efficacy of implemented green light flashing with SAHER on driver behavior and operational efficiency of the selected intersections.
Nano-Priming against Abiotic Stress: A Way Forward towards Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Salam Abdul , Afridi Muhammad Siddique , Javed Muhammad Ammar , Saleem Aroona , Hafeez Aqsa , Khan Ali Raza , Zeeshan Muhammad , Ali Baber , Azhar Wardah , Sumaira  , Ulhassan Zaid , Gan Yinbo
Published: November 2022

Agriculture is directly linked to human life, providing food for survival and health. It is threatened by a number of challenges, such as climate change, resource depletion, and abiotic stresses, including heavy metals (HMs), salinity, drought, etc. Various strategies have been employed to palliate the phytotoxic effects of these stressors from the soil–plant system. Nanotechnological approaches have emerged as a promising tool for increasing crop productivity and promoting sustainable agriculture. Interestingly, the seed nano-priming approach has shown potential against all of the above-mentioned abiotic stress factors and has improved crop productivity. The application of nanoparticles (NPs) via seed priming is an innovative and cost-effective approach that improves seed germination and subsequent plant growth by activating plant physiological processes and providing tolerance against various stresses. The seed priming with NPs induces electron exchange and increases surface reaction capabilities related to plant cell and tissue components. This review aims to provide an overview of recent advances and research findings on seed nano-priming and the possible mechanism of plant stress-tolerance augmentation against various stresses. Furthermore, we also shed light on gaps in studies conducted in previous years, which will open new avenues for future research.
An Asymmetric Beamforming Method Based on Arithmetic Phase Difference Weighting in CSAMT
Authors: Fan Haifeng , Zhang Yiming , Wang Xuhong
Published: November 2022

Traditional controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT) radiates symmetric beams using a grounded symmetric dipole (GSD). Only a tiny fraction of radiant energy is taken advantage of during the far-field (Ff) observation due to the low directivity of the GSD. In order to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) during the Ff observation, it is necessary to reduce the transceiving distance (TD) or increase the transmitting power (TP), but both methods will cause many problems. Further, when using the tensor method for observation, GSDs in two vertical directions will be employed to radiate energy, and then a series of problems will occur such as an asymmetry of the SNR in two vertical directions if the geological conditions under the two GSDs vary widely. An arithmetic phase difference (APd) weighting asymmetric beamforming method (ABFM) in CSAMT is proposed in this paper, which uses a GSD array instead of a single GSD, and a signal with APd is transmitted to control the wavefront for beam steering. A significant enhancement (about 3 dB) of the SNR will occur by collecting the radiant energy in the region of concern (RoC) using ABFM. The analysis and simulation results demonstrate that under the premise of the same TD and TP, the ABFM has obvious advantages in improving energy utilization in CSAMT. In other words, the APd-weighted ABFM can deal with a complex noise environment in the field better than the traditional method.
Descent Derivative-Free Method Involving Symmetric Rank-One Update for Solving Convex Constrained Nonlinear Monotone Equations and Application to Image Recovery
Authors: Awwal Aliyu Muhammed , Ishaku Adamu , Halilu Abubakar Sani , Stanimirović Predrag S. , Pakkaranang Nuttapol , Panyanak Bancha
Published: November 2022

Many practical applications in applied sciences such as imaging, signal processing, and motion control can be reformulated into a system of nonlinear equations with or without constraints. In this paper, a new descent projection iterative algorithm for solving a nonlinear system of equations with convex constraints is proposed. The new approach is based on a modified symmetric rank-one updating formula. The search direction of the proposed algorithm mimics the behavior of a spectral conjugate gradient algorithm where the spectral parameter is determined so that the direction is sufficiently descent. Based on the assumption that the underlying function satisfies monotonicity and Lipschitz continuity, the convergence result of the proposed algorithm is discussed. Subsequently, the efficiency of the new method is revealed. As an application, the proposed algorithm is successfully implemented on image deblurring problem.
Do We Really Need Omicron Spike-Based Updated COVID-19 Vaccines? Evidence and Pipeline
Authors: Focosi Daniele , Maggi Fabrizio
Published: November 2022

The wild-type SARS-CoV-2 Spike-based vaccines authorized so far have reduced COVID-19 severity, but periodic boosts are required to counteract the decline in immunity. An accelerated rate of immune escape to vaccine-elicited immunity has been associated with Spike protein antigenic shifts, as seen in the Omicron variant of concern and its sublineages, demanding the development of Omicron Spike-based vaccines. Herein, we review the evidence in animal models and topline results from ongoing clinical trials with such updated vaccines, discussing the pros and cons for their deployment.
Special Issue ‘Viral Infection and Autoimmune Diseases’
Authors: Nakamura Hideki , Takei Masami
Published: November 2022

Viral infection, which is one of the environmental factors, and human autoimmune diseases are often associated with each other [...]
Caregiver Willingness to Vaccinate Children with Pneumococcal Vaccines and to Pay in a Low-Resource Setting in China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Li Linqiao , Ma Yuan , Li Wei , Tang Guorong , Jiang Yan , Li Huangcui , Jiang Shuxiang , Zhou Yun , Yang Yuan , Zhang Ting , Yang Weizhong , Ma Libing , Feng Luzhao
Published: November 2022

To determine the vaccine hesitancy of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in a low-resource setting in China and to identify associated factors, a face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted in the city of Guilin, China, from December 2021 to March 2022, which comprised sociodemographic information, attitudes toward vaccines and pneumonia, and PCV13 vaccination willingness and willingness to pay (WTP). Stepwise logistic regression and Tobit regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with PCV13 vaccination willingness and WTP, respectively. In total, 1254 questionnaires were included, of which 899, 254, and 101 participants showed acceptance, hesitancy, and refusal to vaccinate their children with PCV13, respectively. Only 39.07% of participants knew about PCV13 before this survey. A total of 558 (48.40%) participants accepted the full payment of vaccination, and 477 (41.37%) other participants accepted the partial payment, with a median cost of CNY 920.00. Demographics, social and psychological context, and attitudes toward vaccines were all associated with PCV13 vaccination but varied for hesitators and refusers. There is a substantial local demand for vaccinating children with PCV13 and partial payment is widely accepted. More publicity and educational efforts and a socially supportive environment are required to alleviate vaccine hesitancy.
Employee Participation in Workplace Vaccination Campaigns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gualano Maria Rosaria , Santoro Paolo Emilio , Borrelli Ivan , Rossi Maria Francesca , Amantea Carlotta , Tumminello Antonio , Daniele Alessandra , Beccia Flavia , Moscato Umberto
Published: November 2022

To reduce vaccine-preventable diseases in workers, workplace vaccination campaigns can be implemented on-site. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate adherence to workplace vaccination campaigns. Three databases, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus, were screened systematically for articles in English or Italian addressing participation in an on-site vaccination program by employees. The following data was extracted: authors, year, country, type of vaccine, type of workplace, sample size, vaccination rate. Data on the prevalence of flu vaccination were calculated and pooled using a random-effects model. Thirteen articles were included in the review, ten in the meta-analysis. Most studies were conducted in the USA (30.7%) and most vaccination campaigns were against influenza (69.2%), with a pooled estimate of 42% (95% CI: 0.25–0.60%); participation rate was highly variable, ranging from 88.9% for an influenza vaccination campaign to 5.7% for a Lyme disease vaccination campaign. Offering free on-site vaccination can be a successful tool to ensure adherence to vaccination campaigns and administration of all required doses according to the vaccine administration scheme. The occupational physician can play a key role in implementing workplace campaigns for employee mandatory vaccinations.
Heterologous Systemic Prime–Intranasal Boosting Using a Spore SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Confers Mucosal Immunity and Cross-Reactive Antibodies in Mice as well as Protection in Hamsters
Authors: Katsande Paidamoyo M. , Fernández-Bastit Leira , Ferreira William T. , Vergara-Alert Júlia , Hess Mateusz , Lloyd-Jones Katie , Hong Huynh A. , Segales Joaquim , Cutting Simon M.
Published: November 2022

Background: Current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are administered systemically and typically result in poor immunogenicity at the mucosa. As a result, vaccination is unable to reduce viral shedding and transmission, ultimately failing to prevent infection. One possible solution is that of boosting a systemic vaccine via the nasal route resulting in mucosal immunity. Here, we have evaluated the potential of bacterial spores as an intranasal boost. Method: Spores engineered to express SARS-CoV-2 antigens were administered as an intranasal boost following a prime with either recombinant Spike protein or the Oxford AZD1222 vaccine. Results: In mice, intranasal boosting following a prime of either Spike or vaccine produced antigen-specific sIgA at the mucosa together with the increased production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. In a hamster model of infection, the clinical and virological outcomes resulting from a SARS-CoV-2 challenge were ameliorated. Wuhan-specific sIgA were shown to cross-react with Omicron antigens, suggesting that this strategy might offer protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Conclusions: Despite being a genetically modified organism, the spore vaccine platform is attractive since it offers biological containment, the rapid and cost-efficient production of vaccines together with heat stability. As such, employed in a heterologous systemic prime–mucosal boost regimen, spore vaccines might have utility for current and future emerging diseases.
Synthesis and Characterization of Ch-PANI-Fe2O3 Nanocomposite and Its Water Remediation Applications
Authors: Singh Rathore Bharatraj , Pal Singh Chauhan Narendra , Panneerselvam Perumal , Jadoun Sapana , Barani Mahmood , Ameta Suresh C. , Ameta Rakshit
Published: November 2022

Using the batch adsorption technique, an eco-friendly polymer composite made of chitosan, polyaniline, and iron (III) oxide was developed for removal of dye contamination from wastewater. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), EDX (energy dispersive X-ray analysis), and thermogravimetric-derived thermogravimetric (TG-DTG) techniques were used to characterize the sample. According to EDX, the Ch-PANI-Fe2O3 hybrid composite has the following weight ratios: C 34.25%, N 0.48%, O 50.51%, and Fe 3.08%. The nanocomposite’s surface was rough with pleats, which was evident from the SEM and TEM images. This surface structure likely contributed to the nanocomposite’s higher dye adsorption rate (91.5%). According to SEM analysis, the proportion of Fe2O3 nanoparticles to the chitosan–polyaniline composite changed the hybrids’ morphology from granular to an irregular, globular-like structure, which was supported by EDX. The results demonstrated that this polymer matrix (chitosan-PANI-Fe2O3) nanocomposite can be employed as an adsorbent for the effective removal of methyl orange dye, as well as for the removal of dye contamination from wastewater with reusability.
Arsenate Removal from the Groundwater Employing Maghemite Nanoparticles
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Joshi Himanshu , Kumar Anil
Published: November 2022

An investigation of the potential of γ-Fe2O3 (maghemite) nanoparticles (MNPs) to remove AsV from groundwater is reported. The MNPs were synthesized using a modified co-precipitation method via refluxing. The morphological and surface characteristics of MNPs were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, and Zetasizer techniques. Their AsV removal potential was explored in synthetic water representing the elemental composition equivalent to arsenic-contaminated groundwater of the Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The arsenic concentration in the samples collected from the study area was observed to be much more than the provisional WHO guideline value for drinking water (10 µg L−1). An orthogonal array L27 (313) of the Taguchi design of experimental methodology was employed to design the experiments and optimization of AsV removal. The ANN tool was trained to evaluate Taguchi’s outcomes using MATLAB. The percentage of ionic species distribution and surface complexation modeling was performed using Visual MINTEQ. The study explored the effects of pH, temperature, contact time, adsorbent dose, total dissolved solids, and shaking speed on the removal process. The adsorption was found to occur through electrostatic interactions. The inter-parametric analysis demonstrated the involvement of secondary sites affecting the adsorption. The charge distribution multi-sites complexation (CD-MUSIC) model and 2pk-Three-Plane-Model (TPM) indicated the involvement of the reactivity of singlet (FeOH−0.5) and triplet (Fe3O−0.5) species in the examined pH range. The developed nanoparticles are observed to be efficient in AsV removal. This information could benefit field-scale arsenic removal units.
Relationship of Rainfall and Flood Return Periods through Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling
Authors: Vangelis Harris , Zotou Ioanna , Kourtis Ioannis M. , Bellos Vasilis , Tsihrintzis Vassilios A.
Published: November 2022

In order to examine the relationship between rainfall return periods and flood return periods, the design storm approach is compared to the rainfall–runoff continuous simulation and flood frequency analysis approach. The former was based on rainfall frequency analysis and event-based hydrological simulations, while the latter was based on continuous hydrological simulations and flood frequency analysis. All hydrological simulations were undertaken employing the HEC-HMS software. For the rainfall frequency analysis, the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) probability distribution was used. For the flood frequency analysis, both the Extreme Value Type I (Gumbel) and GEV theoretical distributions were used and compared to each other. Flood hazard (inundation depth, flow velocities and flood extent) was estimated based on hydrodynamic simulations employing the HEC-RAS software. The study area was the Pineios catchment, upstream of Larissa city, Greece. The results revealed that the assumption of equivalent return periods of rainfall and discharge is not valid for the study area. For instance, a 50-year return period flood corresponds to a rainfall return period of about 110 years. Even if flow measurements are not available, continuous simulation based on re-analysis datasets and flood frequency analysis may be alternatively used.
Separation Method of Main and Foreign Water for the Measuring Weirs of Danjiangkou Earth-Rock Dam
Authors: Fang Weihua , Zhang Weiping , Zhang Chenghan , Xie Zhiwen , Yu Tiantang
Published: November 2022

Reservoir water and rainfall are the two main factors affecting the seepage of earth-rock dams, but the seepage measurement includes the seepage discharge caused by the reservoir water and rainfall. Only by obtaining the seepage discharge caused by the reservoir water can we evaluate the seepage safety state. In this paper, a statistical model for seepage monitoring of earth-rock dams is established. Normal distribution function and Rayleigh distribution function are used as the lag functions of reservoir water and rainfall, respectively. The grey wolf algorithm is used to solve the lag days, and the partial least square method is adopted to solve the regression coefficient of the statistical model. Then, the reservoir water (main water) and rainfall infiltration (foreign water) parts of the measuring weir are separated with the statistical model. The developed method is used to separate the main and foreign water parts of the three measuring weirs of the Danjiangkou earth-rock dam. The results show that the overall accuracy of the models is high (the multi-correlation coefficients are about 0.95), and the separated main and foreign water seepage discharge conforms to the seepage law of earth-rock dam, which verifies the effectiveness of the method.
IoT-Based Water Monitoring Systems: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zulkifli Che Zalina , Garfan Salem , Talal Mohammed , Alamoodi A. H. , Alamleh Amneh , Ahmaro Ibraheem Y. Y. , Sulaiman Suliana , Ibrahim Abu Bakar , Zaidan B. B. , Ismail Amelia Ritahani , Albahri O. S. , Albahri A. S. , Soon Chin Fhong , Harun Nor Hazlyna , Chiang Ho Hong
Published: November 2022

Water quality monitoring plays a significant part in the transition towards intelligent and smart agriculture and provides an easy transition to automated monitoring of crucial components of human daily needs as new technologies are continuously developed and adopted in agricultural and human daily life (water). For the monitoring and management of water quality, this effort, however, requires reliable models with accurate and thorough datasets. Analyzing water quality monitoring models by utilizing sensors that gather water properties during live experiments is possible due to the necessity for precision in modeling. To convey numerous conclusions regarding the concerns, issues, difficulties, and research gaps that have existed throughout the past five years (2018–2022), this review article thoroughly examines the water quality literature. To find trustworthy peer-reviewed publications, several digital databases were searched and examined, including IEEE Xplore®, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Only 50 articles out of the 946 papers obtained, were used in the study of the water quality monitoring research area. There are more rules for article inclusion in the second stage of the filtration process. Utilizing a real-time data acquisition system, the criteria for inclusion for the second phase of filtration looked at the implementation of water quality monitoring and characterization procedures. Reviews and experimental studies comprised most of the articles, which were divided into three categories. To organize the literature into articles with similar types of experimental conditions, a taxonomy of the three literature was created. Topics for recommendations are also provided to facilitate and speed up the pace of advancement in this field of study. By conducting a thorough analysis of the earlier suggested methodologies, research gaps are made clear. The investigation largely pointed out the problems in the accuracy of the models, the development of data-gathering systems, and the types of data used in the proposed frameworks. Finally, by examining critical topics required for the development of this research area, research directions toward smart water quality are presented.
Comparison between Quantile Regression Technique and Generalised Additive Model for Regional Flood Frequency Analysis: A Case Study for Victoria, Australia
Authors: Noor Farhana , Laz Orpita U. , Haddad Khaled , Alim Mohammad A. , Rahman Ataur
Published: November 2022

For design flood estimation in ungauged catchments, Regional Flood Frequency Analysis (RFFA) is commonly used. Most of the RFFA methods are primarily based on linear modelling approaches, which do not account for the inherent nonlinearity of rainfall-runoff processes. Using data from 114 catchments in Victoria, Australia, this study employs the Generalised Additive Model (GAM) in RFFA and compares the results with linear method known as Quantile Regression Technique (QRT). The GAM model performance is found to be better for smaller return periods (i.e., 2, 5 and 10 years) with a median relative error ranging 16–41%. For higher return periods (i.e., 20, 50 and 100 years), log-log linear regression model (QRT) outperforms the GAM model with a median relative error ranging 31–59%.
MAIN PROBLEMS OF INCLUSIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Authors: HOOK A. , BODNAR I.
Published: November 2022

The article describes the organizational and pedagogical problems of inclusive physical education of children with educational needs. The issue of educational inclusion in the field of physical culture of children with educational needs has a number of problems. Among them are imperfect logistics, lack of adapted programs of inclusive physical education, untrained teachers, imperfect social support system, architectural inaccessibility of educational institutions, «special» attitude of the environment to children with mental and physical disabilities. The practical recommendations of the teacher of physical culture who carries out inclusive physical education are described: to carry out complex lessons of inclusive physical education; classes to be held in different constructions (in a circle, in free distribution in the hall, in a column, in an open row, on the spot and in motion); general developmental, corrective and applied exercises should be conducted in the form of simulation exercises and game tasks, combined into complexes; the teacher needs to work in close contact with doctors; remember the most common contraindications; take an individual approach to the dosage of physical activity in class; to evaluate the success of the lessons of inclusive physical education of the teacher to carry out carefully, to approach the assessment of each student individually.
EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION VERIFICATION OF CIVIL RESPONSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS IN LABOR EDUCATION
Authors: DEDENEV A. , TSYNA A.
Published: November 2022

The article considers the problem of forming civic responsibility of students in the lessons of labor training. The phenomenon of civic responsibility is defined as an integrative manifestation of a number of its constituent components: socially active life position; independence, persistence, self-analysis, self-control and self-organization in public relations; compliance with civil norms and values; honesty; willingness to take responsibility for their own actions; appropriation of norms and principles of public morality; national and planetary consciousness. It is concluded that the indicator of students’ acquisition of optimal levels of civic responsibility is their mastery of its constituent components. Criteria for the formation of civic responsibility are determined, which determine the degree of mastery of its components by students on the basis of productivity of their expression in educational activities and development of civic qualities of students: knowledge and understanding of civic norms and values; formation of value attitudes to the components of civil responsibility; activity of actions in application of practical experience of civil responsibility. On the basis of reasonable criteria and indicators of the formation of civic responsibility of students, the levels of its formation are determined: high, sufficient, medium and initial. The effectiveness of the formation of civic responsibility of primary school students in the lessons of labor training was revealed experimentally. Positive growth dynamics was found at three levels of civic responsibility (sufficient, medium and initial), and regression was established at a high level. Positive dynamics of growth of the initial level and negative regression at a high level of civic responsibility indicate that the existing traditional approaches to the formation of civic responsibility of primary school students in labor training are ineffective and require conceptual adjustment and appropriate organization of specially selected teaching methods.
PEDAGOGICAL CONDITIONS OF FORMATION OF READINESS OF FUTURE CHOREOGRAPHERS FOR APPLICATION OF PROJECT TECHNOLOGIES IN PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
Authors: TKACHENKO M.
Published: November 2022

The process of revival of spiritual and national culture puts forward new requirements for the professional training of artistic and pedagogical staff, including choreographers, the development of their professional competencies, creative abilities and the use of new technologies in teaching children and youth the art of dance. The use of project technologies as a form of organization of the educational art process helps to create conditions for self-knowledge, self-realization and reflection of students, providing opportunities to find themselves, to stand on the path of independent productive action, which improves the quality of self-education. thinking, enrichment of the empathic-sensory sphere of the student, independence of students in solving creative tasks, intellectualization of the educational artistic process.The special course “Project technologies in the professional activity of a choreographer” is aimed at the ability to think in choreographic images and create countless different dance compositions, to feel and reproduce various movements, gestures, poses, people of different characters, to have excellent memory and keen eyesight. errors in the mass of dancers. In the process of the special course each direction of choreography, its features, inherent in the national environment and nationality of the performer are considered.The requirements for the work of the future choreographer based on the use of project technologies in professional activities are outlined. Examining the experience of using a practice-oriented approach to the formation of pedagogical competencies in the future choreographer in the process of professional training, we found that this approach is associated with the creative nature of professional and pedagogical activities of the choreographer.We consider the application of project technologies in the professional activity of future choreographers as one of the optimal components of forming an independent creative position of students in the process of working with educational choreographic groups.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH COMPETENCE OF THE SPECIALIST IN PHYSICAL CULTURE AND SPORTS AS A PEDAGOGICAL PROBLEM
Authors: KHOMENKO P. , STADNICHENKO V.
Published: November 2022

The article thoroughly analyzed the concept of research competence of a physical culture and sports specialist, investigated the ways of its formation, determined the content and main features of the research activities of a physical culture and sports specialist. According to the results of modern scientific research, the concept of two competences is highlighted, their relationship in the structure of research activities is scientifically justified. Research subcompetences (cognification, abductive, persuasive and verificatory) were investigated, which correlate with the main stages of the implementation of research activities (problem setting, study planning, implementation of research methods, and assessment of research results).The components (axiological, cognitive, pragmatics, professional-reflexive) and functions (worldview, motivation-value, information-communicative, professionaladaptive, healthy, creative-productive) of the research competence of a physical culture and sports specialist are determined.It was proven that the research competence of a physical culture and sports specialist is an integrated structure, which is a dynamic combination of general and special competences that determine the effectiveness of the research activities of the specialist.
STUDY OF TRADITIONS OF FOLK ART OF UKRAINE IN EXTRACURRICULAR EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Authors: GRYTSENKO L. , SAIENKO T.
Published: November 2022

The article analyzes the process of studying the traditions of folk art of Ukraine in out-of-school education institutions.It is noted that the formation of national identity in the younger generation is of great importance. This can be done in several ways, including by joining students to a national culture whose branches are folk art and its traditions. At the same time, folk art is a historical phenomenon. It is based on prehistoric times, which reflect the diverse needs of people, replenish the material and spiritual treasure of the Ukrainian people. Perhaps the most important folk tradition is oral folk art, language. Thanks to language, oral folk art is passed down from generation to generation and is the basis of national consciousness and culture.It is determined that the most common types of folk art in Ukraine, which are available to teenagers and do not require toocomplex equipment, are embroidery, Easter painting, ceramic toys. The analysis showed that in the lessons of groups studying the traditions of folk art of Ukraine, working with a variety of material, students gradually learn about the achievements of the past, gain practical experience, enrich the soul and heart with positive emotions. Modern products created by the students of the clubs are stylized, latest copies, imitations of ancient household items, things around us, apartments and more. They seem to unite the native and eternal symbols of our people, national and family shrines. It is determined that the purpose of the program is the development of personal abilities through folk art, while the main tasks are the formation of the following competencies: cognitive, which introduces the concepts and knowledge of folk art; practical, which helps to master the skills of creating a variety of products; creative, providing education of creative abilities; social, contributing to the formation of a caring, respectful attitude to folk traditions, national consciousness and the formation of aesthetic taste, the promotion of folk crafts. It was also noted that extracurricular activities create a unique creative educational environment, open to every child, which can not create any institution of general secondary education, as there is no appropriate specialization and specialists to develop special skills and talents of students.