bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies for Waste Recycling: The Mechanical Performance of Concrete Based on Limestone and Plastic Waste
Authors: Ferrotto Marco Filippo , Asteris Panagiotis G. , Borg Ruben Paul , Cavaleri Liborio
Published: February 2022

Recycling is among the best management strategies to avoid dispersion of several types of wastes in the environment. Research in recycling strategies is gaining increased importance in view of Circular Economy principles. The exploitation of waste, or byproducts, as alternative aggregate in concrete, results in a reduction in the exploitation of scarce natural resources. On the other hand, a productive use of waste leads to a reduction in the landfilling of waste material through the transformation of waste into a resource. In this frame of reference, the paper discusses how to use concrete as a container of waste focusing on the waste produced in limestone quarries and taking the challenge of introducing plastic waste into ordinary concrete mixes. To prove the possibility of reaching this objective with acceptable loss of performance, the mechanical characteristics of concrete mixed with additional alternative aggregates classified as waste are investigated and discussed in this paper through the presentation of two experimental campaigns. The first experimental investigation refers to concrete made with fine limestone waste used as a replacement for fine aggregate (sand), while the second experimental program refers to the inclusion of three types of plastic wastes in the concrete. Different mixes with different percentages of wastes are investigated to identify possible fields of application. The experimental results indicate that use of limestone quarry waste and use of plastic waste are possible within significant percentage ranges, having recognized a limited reduction of concrete strength that makes concrete itself appropriate for different practical applications.
Analysis of Popular Social Media Topics Regarding Plastic Pollution
Authors: Teh Phoey Lee , Piao Scott , Almansour Mansour , Ong Huey Fang , Ahad Abdul
Published: February 2022

Plastic pollution is one of the most significant environmental issues in the world. The rapid increase of the cumulative amount of plastic waste has caused alarm, and the public have called for actions to mitigate its impacts on the environment. Numerous governments and social activists from various non-profit organisations have set up policies and actively promoted awareness and have engaged the public in discussions on this issue. Nevertheless, social responsibility is the key to a sustainable environment, and individuals are accountable for performing their civic duty and commit to behavioural changes that can reduce the use of plastics. This paper explores a set of topic modelling techniques to assist policymakers and environment communities in understanding public opinions about the issues related to plastic pollution by analysing social media data. We report on an experiment in which a total of 274,404 tweets were collected from Twitter that are related to plastic pollution, and five topic modelling techniques, including (a) Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), (b) Hierarchical Dirichlet Process (HDP), (c) Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI), (d) Non-Negative Matrix Factorisation (NMF), and (e) extension of LDA—Structural Topic Model (STM), were applied to the data to identify popular topics of online conversations, considering topic coherence, topic prevalence, and topic correlation. Our experimental results show that some of these topic modelling techniques are effective in detecting and identifying important topics surrounding plastic pollution, and potentially different techniques can be combined to develop an efficient system for mining important environment-related topics from social media data on a large scale.
Sustainability Assessment of Solid Biofuels from Agro-Industrial Residues Case of Sugarcane Bagasse in a Mexican Sugar Mill
Authors: Manzini Poli Fabio L. , Islas-Samperio Jorge M. , García Bustamante Carlos A. , Sacramento Rivero Julio C. , Grande-Acosta Genice K. , Gallardo-Álvarez Rosa M. , Musule Lagunes Ricardo , Navarro Pineda Freddy , Alvarez Escobedo Christian
Published: February 2022

Motivated by the environmentally driven energy transition we live in, the valorization of biomass residues from the agro-industry as renewable energy can play an essential role in GHG emissions mitigation. To overcome the debate on the production and use of solid biofuels (SBF), in this study, we apply an integrated multicriteria tool for the assessment of the sustainability use of agro-industrial residues (AIR) as solid biofuels. Mexico has a vast AIR production, but frequently, the AIR are considered waste biomass. Still, when valorized, SBF do not have adverse effects on soil quality, are not responsible for biodiversity loss, and compete against food production as first-generation SBF. Nevertheless, the AIR present other environmental, social, and economic impacts that have not been adequately evaluated; therefore, we identified the need for a sustainability assessment of energy systems based on the use of SBF–AIR as input fuels. After reviewing previous work on sustainability assessment methodologies, multicriteria decision analysis methods, and indicator weighting methods, we considered it appropriate for this problem to apply a tool that integrates the entropic indicator weighting method into the discrete multicriteria decision analysis method called PROMETHEE. In terms of selected sustainability indicators, this tool was used to assess four electric energy supply systems of a Mexican sugar mill as a case study: current bagasse cogeneration, efficient bagasse cogeneration, a power generation system fueled only with fuel oil, and grid electricity only. Finally, after evaluating the mentioned energy systems with four sustainability indicators: GHG emissions, PM emissions, employments per energy unit (JOBS), and the net present value (NPV) of each alternative, we found the net outranking flow of the efficient bagasse system (EBS). which is the most sustainable system because it has the highest outranking flow value from the four considered alternatives, since it has the lower GHG emissions, reducing the current bagasse GHG emissions by 55% and the PM emissions by 58%. The EBS also shows the highest NPV system due to surplus electricity sales, resulting in the most profitable energy system analyzed.
Assessing the Impact of Aviation Noise on Housing Prices Using New Estimated Noise Value: The Case of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Authors: Tsao Hsiu-Chang , Lu Chi-Jie
Published: February 2022

Aviation noise at airports has a significant impact on nearby residents’ quality of life and residential property values. This study evaluated the impact of aviation noise based on house prices by using three different hedonic price models. Two novel independent noise variables, the estimated aviation noise value and noise reward fund are proposed for constructing effective hedonic price models. The real data of real estate transactions from the region defined by the Taoyuan International Airport’s 60–64 dB day-night average sound level (Ldn) and ≥65 dB Ldn noise contours are adopted as empirical data. Empirical results showed that the double-log hedonic price model with the proposed estimated aviation noise variables is the most suitable model for this study. Based on the double-log model, this study found that aviation noise has a significant negative impact on house prices in both noise contour areas of 60–64 dB Ldn and ≥65 dB Ldn. The rate of decline in house prices is approximately USD 2356.02/dB and USD 3622.78/dB in the 60–64 dB Ldn and ≥65 dB Ldn contour areas, respectively. Our results also showed that the noise reward fund had no significant impact on the house prices which implies that the current subsidy method has been maintained at an appropriate level for Taoyuan International Airport.
Research on the Impact of Environmental Regulation on Green Technology Innovation from the Perspective of Regional Differences: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on China’s New Environmental Protection Law
Authors: Liu Qin , Zhu Ying , Yang Weixin , Wang Xueyu
Published: February 2022

Environmental regulations have a certain impact on regional green technology innovation affected by regional differences. Using the panel data of 30 provincial-level administrative regions in China (excluding Tibet, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) from 2011 to 2019, we consider China’s new environmental protection law (NEPL) as a quasi-natural experiment to evaluate the impact of environmental regulation on green technology innovation in a difference-in-differences (DID) framework and further analyze the influences of regional differences. The results indicate that environmental regulations can promote regional green technology innovation, and that regional differences have a significant impact on this issue. Furthermore, environmental regulations in regions with high and low levels of economic development and education, and regions with medium and low levels of energy consumption have a significant impact on green technology innovation. The government should reasonably formulate environmental regulation policies on the basis of regional differences, encourage cross-regional exchanges and cooperation, and more efficiently stimulate regional green technology innovation to achieve sustainable development.
Functional Chirality: From Small Molecules to Supramolecular Assemblies
Authors: Adawy Alaa
Published: February 2022

Many structures in nature look symmetric, but this is not completely accurate, because absolute symmetry is close to death. Chirality (handedness) is one form of living asymmetry. Chirality has been extensively investigated at different levels. Many rules were coined in attempts made for many decades to have control over the selection of handedness that seems to easily occur in nature. It is certain that if good control is realized on chirality, the roads will be ultimately open towards numerous developments in pharmaceutical, technological, and industrial applications. This tutorial review presents a report on chirality from single molecules to supramolecular assemblies. The realized functions are still in their infancy and have been scarcely converted into actual applications. This review provides an overview for starters in the chirality field of research on concepts, common methodologies, and outstanding accomplishments. It starts with an introductory section on the definitions and classifications of chirality at the different levels of molecular complexity, followed by highlighting the importance of chirality in biological systems and the different means of realizing chirality and its inversion in solid and solution-based systems at molecular and supramolecular levels. Chirality-relevant important findings and (bio-)technological applications are also reported accordingly.
Electromagnetic Structure of the Neutron from Annihilation Reactions
Authors: Larin Paul , Zhou Xiaorong , Hu Jifeng , Maas Frank , Baldini Rinaldo Ferroli , Hu Haiming , Huang Guangshun
Published: February 2022

The investigation of the fundamental properties of the nucleon is one of the most important topics in the modern hadron physics. Its internal structure and dynamics can be studied through the measurement of electromagnetic form factors which represent the simplest structure observables and serve as a test ground for our understanding of the strong interaction. Since the first attempt to measure the time-like form factors of the neutron, only four experiments published results on its structure from annihilation reactions. Due to the lack of statistics and experimental challenges, no individual determination of the form factors of the neutron has been possible so far. Modern developments of electron-positron colliders and the associated detectors allow to measure the effective FF of the neutron with the process e+e−→nn¯ with unprecedented precision at the BESIII experiment, which is based at the BEPCII collider in Beijing, China. In this report, we review the published results of the form factors on the neutron in the time-like regime, describe the experimental setup, and discuss their impact on our understanding of the strong interaction. Future works at BESIII will help to improve the precision of the neutron FFs and, combined with theoretical progress in this field, help to illuminate the properties of the neutron structure.
Comparison of [68Ga]-FAPI PET/CT and [18F]-FDG PET/CT in Multiple Myeloma: Clinical Experience
Authors: Elboga Umut , Sahin Ertan , Cayirli Yusuf Burak , Okuyan Merve , Aktas Gokmen , Haydaroglu Sahin Handan , Dogan Ilkay , Kus Tulay , Akkurd Dervis Murat , Cimen Ufuk , Mumcu Vuslat , Kilbas Benan , Celen Yusuf Zeki
Published: February 2022

Objective: In this study, we aimed to compare [68Ga]FAPI PET/CT and [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging to detect lesions in multiple myeloma. Methods: A total of 14 patients with multiple myeloma who underwent [68Ga]FAPI PET/CT and [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging were included in this retrospective study. SUVmax values of [68Ga]FAPI and [18F]FDG were compared according to lesion locations. Also, lesion localization ability of both imaging methods was compared on the patient basis. Results: In 4 of 14 patients, [68Ga]FAPI PET/CT and [18F]FDG PET/CT have not detected any bone lesions. In 8 of the remaining 10 patients [18F]FDG PET/CT detected bone lesions but in this group, 6 patients showed more higher SUVmax values than [18F]FDG PET/CT in [68Ga]FAPI PET/CT.In contrast, 2 of 8 patients showed more higher SUVmax values than [68Ga]FAPI PET/CT in [18F]FDG PET/CT. Moreover, [68Ga]FAPI PET/CT detected bone lesions in two patients, which werenot detected by [18F]FDG PET/CT. Also, in five patients, [68Ga]FAPI PET/CT showed more bone lesions in comparison with[18F]FDG PET/CT. Only one patient, [18F]FDG PET/CT showed more bone lesions. Three extramedullary involvements were observed in the following locations: lung, presacral lymph node, and soft tissue mass lateral to the right maxillary sinus. Among these involvements, higher SUVmax values were observed in the lung and presacral lymph node with [68Ga]FAPI compared to [18F]FDG. However, the soft tissue mass showed a higher SUVmax value in [18F]FDG than [68Ga]FAPI. Conclusions: No significant superiority was observed in [68Ga]FAPI PET/CT over [18F]FDG PET/CT in patients with MM. However, [68Ga]FAPI PET/CT can be utilized as a complementary imaging method to [18F]FDG PET/CT in some settings, especially in low-[18F]FDG affinity and inconclusive cases. Considering the favorable aspects of [68Ga]FAPI PET/CT in MM, such as low background activity, absence of non-specific bone marrow, and physiological brain involvement, further studies with a larger sample size should be conducted.
Report from the 27th (Virtual) Meeting on Toxinology, “Toxins: Mr Hyde or Dr Jekyll?”, Organized by the French Society of Toxinology, 9–10 December 2021
Authors: Ladant Daniel , Marchot Pascale , Diochot Sylvie , Prévost Gilles , Popoff Michel R. , Benoit Evelyne
Published: February 2022

The French Society of Toxinology (SFET) organized its 27th annual meeting on 9–10 December 2021 as a virtual meeting (e-RT27). The central theme of this meeting was “Toxins: Mr Hyde or Dr Jekyll?”, emphasizing the latest findings on plant, fungal, algal, animal and bacterial toxins during 10 lectures, 15 oral communications (shorter lectures) and 20 posters shared by ca. 80 participants. The abstracts of lectures and posters, as well as the winners of the best oral communication and poster awards, are presented in this report.
One-Enzyme RTX-PCR for the Detection of RNA Viruses from Multiple Virus Genera and Crop Plants
Authors: Hoffmeisterová Hana , Kratochvílová Kateřina , Čeřovská Noemi , Slavíková Lucie , Dušek Jakub , Muller Karel , Fousek Jan , Plchová Helena , Navrátil Oldřich , Kundu Jiban Kumar , Moravec Tomáš
Published: February 2022

Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) is a popular method for detecting RNA viruses in plants. RT-PCR is usually performed in a classical two-step procedure: in the first step, cDNA is synthesized by reverse transcriptase (RT), followed by PCR amplification by a thermostable polymerase in a separate tube in the second step. However, one-step kits containing multiple enzymes optimized for RT and PCR amplification in a single tube can also be used. Here, we describe an RT-PCR single-enzyme assay based on an RTX DNA polymerase that has both RT and polymerase activities. The expression plasmid pET_RTX_(exo-) was transferred to various E. coli genotypes that either compensated for codon bias (Rosetta-gami 2) or contained additional chaperones to promote solubility (BL21 (DE3) with plasmids pKJE8 or pTf2). The RTX enzyme was then purified and used for the RT-PCR assay. Several purified plant viruses (TMV, PVX, and PVY) were used to determine the efficiency of the assay compared to a commercial one-step RT-PCR kit. The RT-PCR assay with the RTX enzyme was validated for the detection of viruses from different genera using both total RNA and crude sap from infected plants. The detection endpoint of RTX-PCR for purified TMV was estimated to be approximately 0.01 pg of the whole virus per 25 µL reaction, corresponding to 6 virus particles/µL. Interestingly, the endpoint for detection of TMV from crude sap was also 0.01 pg per reaction in simulated crude plant extracts. The longest RNA fragment that could be amplified in a one-tube arrangement was 2379 bp long. The longest DNA fragment that could be amplified during a 10s extension was 6899 bp long. In total, we were able to detect 13 viruses from 11 genera using RTX-PCR. For each virus, two to three specific fragments were amplified. The RT-PCR assay using the RTX enzyme described here is a very robust, inexpensive, rapid, easy to perform, and sensitive single-enzyme assay for the detection of plant viruses.
Clinical Tick-Borne Encephalitis in a Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus L.)
Authors: Da Rold Graziana , Obber Federica , Monne Isabella , Milani Adelaide , Ravagnan Silvia , Toniolo Federica , Sgubin Sofia , Zamperin Gianpiero , Foiani Greta , Vascellari Marta , Drzewniokova Petra , Castellan Martina , De Benedictis Paola , Citterio Carlo Vittorio
Published: February 2022

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a severe zoonosis occurring in the Palearctic region mainly transmitted through Ixodes ticks. In Italy, TBEV is restricted to the north-eastern part of the country. This report describes for the first time a case of clinical TBE in a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.). The case occurred in the Belluno province, Veneto region, an area endemic for TBEV. The affected roe deer showed ataxia, staggering movements, muscle tremors, wide-base stance of the front limbs, repetitive movements of the head, persistent teeth grinding, hypersalivation and prolonged recumbency. An autopsy revealed no significant lesions to explain the neurological signs. TBEV RNA was detected in the brain by real-time RT-PCR, and the nearly complete viral genome (10,897 nucleotides) was sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the gene encoding the envelope protein revealed a close relationship to TBEV of the European subtype, and 100% similarity with a partial sequence (520 nucleotides) of a TBEV found in ticks in the bordering Trento province. The histological examination of the midbrain revealed lymphohistiocytic encephalitis, satellitosis and microgliosis, consistent with a viral etiology. Other viral etiologies were ruled out by metagenomic analysis of the brain. This report underlines, for the first time, the occurrence of clinical encephalitic manifestations due to TBEV in a roe deer, suggesting that this pathogen should be included in the frame of differential diagnoses in roe deer with neurologic disease.
Broad-Spectrum Antivirals and Antiviral Drug Combinations
Authors: Oksenych Valentyn , Kainov Denis E.
Published: February 2022

Viral diseases consistently pose a substantial economic and public health burden worldwide [...]
Evidence of a Possible Viral Host Switch Event in an Avipoxvirus Isolated from an Endangered Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi)
Authors: Sarker Subir , Bowden Timothy R. , Boyle David B.
Published: February 2022

Avipoxviruses have been characterized from many avian species. Two recent studies have reported avipoxvirus-like viruses with varying pathogenicity in reptiles. Avipoxviruses are considered to be restricted to avian hosts. However, reports of avipoxvirus-like viruses from reptiles such as the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and crocodile tegu (Crocodilurus amazonicus) suggest that cross-species transmission, within avian species and beyond, may be possible. Here we report evidence for a possible host switching event with a fowlpox-like virus recovered from an endangered northern royal albatross (Diomodea sanfordi)—a species of Procellariiformes, unrelated to Galliformes, not previously known to have been infected with fowlpox-like viruses. Complete genome sequencing of this virus, tentatively designated albatrosspox virus 2 (ALPV2), contained many fowlpox virus-like genes, but also 63 unique genes that are not reported in any other poxvirus. The ALPV2 genome contained 296 predicted genes homologous to different avipoxviruses, 260 of which were homologous to an American strain of fowlpox virus (FWPV). Subsequent phylogenetic analyses indicate that ALPV2 likely originated from a fowlpox virus-like progenitor. These findings highlight the importance of host-switching events where viruses cross species barriers with the risk of disease in close and distantly related host populations.
Human Milk Antibodies after BNT162b2 Vaccination Exhibit Reduced Binding against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern
Authors: Low Jia Ming , Gu Yue , Ng Melissa Shu Feng , Wang Liang Wei , Amin Zubair , Zhong Youjia , MacAry Paul A.
Published: February 2022

SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses are engendered in human milk after BNT162b2 vaccination. However, the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs) raises concerns about the specificity of and potential cross-protection mediated by milk antibody responses, which are crucial for passive immunity transferred from breastfeeding mothers to their infants. In this study, we collected milk samples at three different time points pre- and post-vaccination, and measured milk IgA antibody binding to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the original Wuhan-Hu-1 strain, and the four VOCs, namely Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. We report a significant level of anti-RBD IgA in milk collected at 4–6 weeks after the second dose of vaccination compared to pre-vaccination. We observed around a 30% reduction in binding to most VOCs, including the major circulating Delta variant, compared to the original Wuhan-Hu-1 strain. As COVID-19 vaccines may take some time to be approved for infants, these individuals remain at risk for severe disease and rely mainly on transferred passive immunity. Our findings support the current recommendations for vaccinating lactating women with the aim of transferring mucosal immunity to breastfeeding infants.
Bovine Natural Antibody Relationships to Specific Antibodies and Fasciola hepatica Burdens after Experimental Infection and Vaccination with Glutathione S-Transferase
Authors: Zerna Gemma , Cameron Timothy C. , Toet Hayley , Spithill Terry W. , Beddoe Travis
Published: February 2022

Fasciola hepatica is the causative agent of fasciolosis, a significant parasitic disease occurring worldwide. Despite ongoing efforts, there is still no vaccine to control liver fluke infections in livestock. Recently, it has been suggested that natural antibodies (NAbs) can amplify specific antibodies (SpAb) and have a direct killing effect, but it is unknown if this phenomenon occurs during parasitic helminth infection or targeted vaccination. NAbs are antibodies produced by the innate immune system, capable of binding antigens without prior exposure. This study explores the role of bovine NAbs, using the exogenous glycoprotein keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), in response to F. hepatica infection and SpAb production after infection and vaccination. The cattle’s NAbs were differently influenced by parasite infection and vaccination, with an increase in KLH-binding IgG and IgM levels after infection and reduced KLH-binding IgM levels following vaccination. Underlying NAbs reacting to KLH showed no correlations to the final fluke burdens after experimental infection or vaccination. However, NAbs reacting to whole-worm extract (WWE) prior to infection were positively correlated to increased fluke burdens within the infected bovine host. Furthermore, after infection, the specific IgG reacting to WWE was positively reflected by the underlying NAb IgG response. Following subcutaneous vaccination with F. hepatica native glutathione S-transferase (GST), there was a non-significant 33% reduction in fluke burden. Vaccinated animals with higher underlying NAbs had a higher induction of vaccine-induced SpAbs, with trends observed between KLH-binding IgM and anti-GST IgG and IgM. Our findings provide a platform to allow further investigation to determine if NAb levels could mirror fluke-SpAb production for exploitation in a combined selective breeding and vaccination program. Additionally, this work suggests that liver fluke could possibly evade the host’s immune system by utilising surface-bound IgM NAbs.
Analysis of the B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and the Aminoterminal-Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Different Parrot, Raptor and Owl Species
Authors: Hennig Anja , Mohr Lydia , Fehr Michael , Legler Marko
Published: February 2022

The B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a member of the natriuretic peptide family and a cardiac hormone, is produced mainly in the ventricular myocytes and released into the circulation due to mechanical stimuli during an increasing cardiac wall stretch. BNP has a significant role in the regulation of the cardiovascular system and body fluid. The concentration of this hormone and of the biologically inactive amino-terminal-prohormone in the blood plasma is a helpful diagnostic tool for detecting cardiovascular diseases in human medicine and can be used as a prognostic marker for the risk of mortality, whilst such a tool does not exist for avian medicine. To date, the amino acid sequence of BNP is not known for many of the species commonly presented in avian consultation. In this study, the amino acid sequence of BNP and the prepropeptide was described for 12 parrot species as well as 3 raptor and 3 owl species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after RNA isolation from the heart. The results showed a high similarity between the amino acid sequences in the mature peptide region of the BNP. The prepropeptide showed several differences between the examined species, some of them shared by closely related species.
Characteristics of Microstructural Changes of Malan Loess in Yan’an Area during Creep Test
Authors: Li Zhenxiao , Wang Jiading , Yang Shuai , Liu Shehu , Li Yongwei
Published: February 2022

The shortage of land resources on the Loess Plateau has long been a thorny problem. Many high-fill projects are carried out, accompanied by a series of geological hazards, which threaten the ecological environment and personal safety. The creep characteristics of loess are an essential part of loess landslide research. The microstructural changes are closely related to creep behavior. By conducting triaxial creep experiments on Malan loess from the Yan’an area in China, scanning electron microscope (SEM) experiments on loess in different creep stages were carried out. Using qualitative and quantitative analyses of the microstructural characteristics of intact loess and remodeled loess during creep, the microstructural parameters were compared, and finally, the microscopic mechanisms during creep were analyzed. The qualitative analysis of remodeled loess during creep returned significantly higher results than it did for intact loess. During the creep process, among the microstructural parameters of loess change, the change in pore and particle size and shape were the most obvious, while the complexity of other microstructural parameters and orientation changed little. During the creep process of loess, the soil skeleton changed continuously, but the loess microstructure featured different changes at different levels of deviator stress.
Calibration of Adjustment Coefficient of the Viscous Boundary in Particle Discrete Element Method Based on Water Cycle Algorithm
Authors: Ma Chunhui , Gao Zhiyue , Yang Jie , Cheng Lin , Zhao Tianhao
Published: February 2022

The viscous boundary has a direct influence on the accuracy of structural dynamic response analysis, and the absorbing effect of the viscous boundary is controlled by the adjustment coefficient. Therefore, a calibration model of the viscous boundary’s adjustment coefficient based on the water cycle algorithm is established for the particle discrete element to improve the accuracy of dynamic response analysis. First, the traditional viscous boundary theory is utilized to realize the viscous boundary’s application method in the particle discrete element via programming. This avoids the reflection and superposition of seismic waves at the boundary and makes the structural dynamic response with the particle discrete element more real and accurate. Second, for the complex and time-consuming adjustment coefficients determination, a calibration model based on the water cycle algorithm and Latin hypercube sampling is established for the adjustment coefficients in the particle discrete element method. Finally, this calibration model is employed for the seismic response analysis of a rockfill slope, the maximum velocity of rock in this rockfill slope being about 1.30 times that of a seismic wave. Comparing the rockfill slope response with fixed and viscous boundaries, the calibration’s accuracy and the viscous boundary’s feasibility are demonstrated, further expanding the research and application of the particle discrete element method in dynamic response analysis.
Resilience of Interdependent Urban Water Systems
Authors: Sitzenfrei Robert , Diao Kegong , Butler David
Published: February 2022

The reliable functioning of water infrastructures is one of the key pillars for society, and it is crucial for social well-being and supports economic growth [...]
Wastewater Treatment: Current and Future Techniques
Authors: Mojiri Amin , Bashir Mohammed J. K.
Published: February 2022

With the rapid growth in urbanization and industrialization, environmental contamination has worsened due to the incessant discharge of toxic substances into water bodies, which has become a worldwide problem [...]
Adaptive Model Predictive Control Including Battery Thermal Limitations for Fuel Consumption Reduction in P2 Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Authors: Ezemobi Ethelbert , Yakhshilikova Gulnora , Ruzimov Sanjarbek , Castellanos Luis Miguel , Tonoli Andrea
Published: February 2022

The primary objective of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is to optimize the energy consumption of the automotive powertrain. This optimization has to be applied while respecting the operating conditions of the battery. Otherwise, there is a risk of compromising the battery life and thermal runaway that may result from excessive power transfer across the battery. Such considerations are critical if factoring in the low battery capacity and the passive battery cooling technology that is commonly associated with HEVs. The literature has proposed many solutions to HEV energy optimization. However, only a few of the solutions have addressed this optimization in the presence of thermal constraints. In this paper, a strategy for energy optimization in the presence of thermal constraints is developed for P2 HEVs based on battery sizing and the application of model predictive control (MPC) strategy. To analyse this approach, an electro-thermal battery pack model is integrated with an off-axis P2 HEV powertrain. The battery pack is properly sized to prevent thermal runaway while improving the energy consumption. The power splitting, thermal enhancement and energy optimization of the complex and nonlinear system are handled in this work with an adaptive MPC operated within a moving finite prediction horizon. The simulation results of the HEV SUV demonstrate that, by applying thermal constraints, energy consumption for a 0.9 kWh battery capacity can be reduced by 11.3% relative to the conventional vehicle. This corresponds to about a 1.5% energy increase when there is no thermal constraint. However, by increasing the battery capacity to 1.5 kWh (14s10p), it is possible to reduce the energy consumption by 15.7%. Additional benefits associated with the predictive capability of MPC are reported in terms of energy minimization and thermal improvement.
Lietuvių dienraštis „Vilniaus žinios“ (1904–1909): tautinė pozityvistinė programa
Authors: Čepaitienė Auksuolė
Published: February 2022

THE LITHUANIAN DAILY VILNIAUS ŽINIOS (1904–1909): A NATIONAL POSITIVIST PROGRAMME Summary The empirical basis of the research is the articles and news items from Vilniaus žinios, the first legal Lithuanian daily newspaper, issued in Lithuania between 10 December 1904 and 4 (17) March 1909, which discussed ideas relevant to Lithuanian society at the time, and the ‘social fermentation of Lithuanians’, the memoirs of contributors to and contemporaries of the periodical that were published in the first half of the 20th century, and Petras Vileišis’ autobiographical writings. The material and the historical circumstances are analysed from an ethnological point of view. In historiography and the memoirs of contemporaries, it is emphasised that Vilniaus žinios (1904–1909), had no clear-cut political views, and was open to a wide range of trends that were forming in Lithuanian society at that time. To an extent, this explains the newspaper’s subsequent failures. The article aims to reexamine the programme and content of Vilniaus žinios, and its relevant national issues. It notes that the direction of the daily was framed in a statement in Vilniaus žinios on 9 November 1904, repeated in editorials and supported by the editorial staff. At its heart lie concern with the nation’s education, well-being and happiness. This means the work for and with society, activities in a national-democratic direction, pursuing the welfare of the nation through cultural evolution rather than revolution, and through education, which is believed to lead towards culture and the well-being of the people, restraining from membership of any party, and yet respecting the views of each and every party. The article states that the direction of the newspaper was framed by Petras Vileišis, its officially approved publisher and editor. Vileišis was an advocate of the national program of positivism and ‘organic work’, and a proponent of the liberal trend, which after the January Uprising (1863–1864) established itself in the landscape of Polish and Lithuanian political thought. Legal action, work and realistic ‘small politics’ were at the heart of its struggle for independence. The articles published in Vilniaus žinios reveal how this direction was followed in promoting and implementing educational and civilisational progress, and economic development, strengthening the position of the Lithuanian language in public life, promoting social unity among Lithuanians, and developing cultural literacy. The article also dwells on specific issues of the national agenda, which in the newspaper are presented as objects of the daily life: Lithuanian schools, reading rooms, Lithuanian books and newspapers, co-operative shops and dairy plants, Lithuanian evenings, songs and theatre. They are the strategic images that represent innovation, change, modernisation, and the direction of national activity.
Vilniaus miesto erdvinė plėtra 1944–1989 m.
Authors: Stravinskienė Vitalija
Published: February 2022

THE SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF VILNIUS BETWEEN 1944 AND 1989

Summary

The article examines the spatial development of Vilnius in Soviet times based on historiographical and archival material, and reveals the determining factors and the correlation between spatial development and demographic processes.
The first changes to the city space occurred in the second half of the 1940s, when by means of mechanical change, the city expanded eastwards (incorporating the town of Naujoji Vilnia). The next stage in its extensive development dates from the late 1960s, when the city grew by 40 per cent (from 15,300 ha to 26,200 ha). However, the city’s spatial structure was also affected by decentralisation processes, when for political and economic reasons, Vilnius was reduced by detaching certain areas. The territorial development of the city was also affected by the exponentially growing number of citizens, which led to the modernisation of the social infrastructure (the mass construction of blocks of flats, schools, streets, etc). The city expanded most in western and northern directions. By the end of the Soviet era, the area it covered had expanded by 2.5 times since the postwar years (1945).
Productivity of pigs of Landrace breed in purebred breeding
Authors:   ZAO Plemzavod Yubileiny, Russia, Tyumen region, Lozovoe, Zholnerova O. L. , Tatarkina N. I. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “State Agrarian University of Northern Trans-Urals”, Russia, Tyumen
Published: February 2022

Recently, new breeding techniques have been widely used to improve pig breeds and increase their productivity, which provide for the improvement of existing and the breeding of new highly productive genealogical lines, types, breeds, and their rational use, both in purebred breeding and hybridization. An important place belongs to the identification of the best combinations in the selection of pigs under the conditions of a separate farm and this is very relevant. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the main genealogical lines of pigs of Landrace breed by reproductive traits and their compatibility with sows of different genealogical families. It has been found as a result of the research that sows of the line Lord had higher reproductive traits in comparison with sows of the line Lexx. When mating sows of the families under consideration with boars of the line Lexx, combinations of the family Lisa were more productive, which in terms of prolificacy by 6,9 and 11,2 %, and the litter weight at weaning by 3,6 and 4,7 % exceeded the sows of the families Linda and Lyme, respectively. When crossbreeding the main families of sows of Landrace breed with boars of the line Lord, the productivity of sows of the family Lyme for prolificacy was by 5,9 and 2,0 % higher than when crossbreeding with sows of the families Lisa and Linda, respectively. The milk productivity of the sows Linda family was by 10,6 and 6,6 % higher compared to the sows Liza and Lyme families. The prolificacy of sows of the family Lisa when crossbred with boars of the line Lexx was 8,6 % higher than when combined with boars of the line Lord. The milk productivity of sows of the families Lyme and Linda when crossbred with boars of the line Lord was 3,9 and 11,8 % higher than when crossbred with boars of the line Lexx. It can be stated on base of the conducted studies that the best reproductive traits were characterized by intrabreed combinations of sows of the families Lyme and Linda with boars of the line Lord and sows of the family Lisa with boars of the line Lexx.
Efecto de diferentes láminas de riego localizado, sobre la productividad y rentabilidad del maní
Authors: Saldarriaga Lucas Veris Antonio , Valdivieso López Cristian Sergio , García Arteaga Dilmo José , Solórzano Solórzano Jonathan Alexander , Saltos Briones Verlis Josué
Published: February 2022

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de varias láminas de riego localizado sobre los componentes de productividad y rendimiento en el cultivo de maní (Arachis hypogaea L.), así como la eficiencia del uso del agua. Se utilizó la variedad INIAP 382-CARAMELO, la siembra se llevó a cabo en el mes de agosto del año 2018 con un área trabajada de 1000 m2. La aplicación de las láminas de riego se estableció en cuatro tratamientos en donde el tratamiento (T1) con una lámina de riego del 100% de la necesidad hídrica del cultivo; (T2) con el 125%; (T3) con el 75% y (T4) con el 50%. La influencia de las láminas de riego en el cultivo muestra diferencias significativas en la variable conductancia estomática en las etapas de desarrollo del cultivo. Dentro de las variables productivas como el número de vainas por planta, número de granos por planta y rendimiento Kg ha-1 la influencia de las láminas de riego reportó diferencias significativas sobre estas variables; mientras que en la variable peso de 100 granos no mostró alguna diferencia. El cultivo de maní bajo el efecto de las láminas de riego localizado con la aplicación del 75% ET0 mostró ser superior a nivel económico, productivo, y eficiente con el uso del agua.
 
Palabras clave: láminas de riego; conductancia estomática; productividad; Evapotranspiración ETo.
Integrated design of passive control methods for mitigating vibration and noise of rails in high-speed railway
Authors: Cui Rixin
Published: February 2022

Attachment of constrained layer dampers and dynamic vibration absorbers (DVAs) on rails are two effective passive control methods used for mitigating vibration and noise of railways at the source. An integrated passive control method in which constrained layer dampers and DVAs were
simultaneously attached on the rail was proposed to attenuate the vibration and noise of the rail in a broad frequency range and to suppress the maximum vibration emitted by the first pinned-pinned resonance of the rail. The design method for the integrated application was developed based
on the optimum design theory of DVA for multiple-degree-of-freedom damping structures. The vibration and noise reduction properties of the integrated control method were analyzed using a vibroacoustic model established based on the sequential finite element method–boundary element method
and evaluated through laboratory tests. The results show that the integrated control method fully demonstrates the advantages of the two passive vibration control methods, which can improve the longitudinal transmission loss of the rail by 5.3 dB/m at the first pinned-pinned resonant frequency
and reduce the maximum acoustic power of the rail by 7.8 dB(A) as well as achieve an overall rail noise reduction of 4.0 dB(A) within 3000 Hz. The vibration and noise reduction properties of the integrated control method are improved as the mass ratio increases in the frequency range above
600 Hz. The test results show that the integrated control method decreases the rail web vibration and rail noise by more than 40%.
Resistencia antimicrobiana en Escherichia coli aislada de urocultivos
Authors: Panamá Illescas Tania Alexandra , Gallegos Merchan Juan Diego
Published: February 2022

Las  infecciones del  tracto  urinario (ITU)  son  un  problema  de salud  común,  la  morbilidad  por  infecciones  del tracto urinario adquiridas en la comunidad es alta y el uropatógeno más frecuente en este estudio es Escherichia coli. Objetivo. Determinar la resistencia de antimicrobianos en E. coli aislada de urocultivos, durante Enero - Julio 2019, en pacientes que asistieron al laboratorio clínico Neolab. Materiales y Métodos. La investigación es de tipo cuantitativa, documental, de corte longitudinal descriptiva. Se desarrolló en la ciudad de Cuenca, con un universo de 936 pacientes atendidos en el laboratorio clínico Neolab de Enero a Julio de 2019 con un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia con lo cual se obtuvo una muestra de 330 registros de datos, cuyos urocultivos presentaron E. coli. Resultados. Se observó resistencia del 55,15% en Amoxicilina, Ácido Nalidíxico 50,91 % y Trimetoprim Sulfametoxazol 46,67%, Ciprofloxacino 26,67%, se evidencia mayor resistencia en mujeres tanto en ?-lactámicos, Quinolonas, Sulfas y Macrólidos, se encontró que el mayor número de pacientes se encuentran dentro del grupo de adultos que representa el 54,4 % y adulto mayor con 25,3%. Conclusiones. La resistencia elevada a los antibióticos estudiados, podrían sugerir un uso empírico de los mismos, la detección de estas cifras representa una señal de alarma. La automedicación facilitada por la venta libre de antimicrobianos empeora el problema, por lo que se requiere control estricto y legislación oportuna.
Prevalencia de las alteraciones de la movilidad cervical en los estudiantes de una universidad
Authors: Aycart Acosta Christopher Adrian , Villacrés Caicedo Sheyla Elizabeth , Guaman Macias Genessis Jaritza , Rivera Malan Emily Kristin , Odila Grijalva Isabel , Chang Catagua Eva de Lourdes
Published: February 2022

La movilidad articular se conoce como la capacidad de movimiento de una articulación en conjunto con los diferentes grupos musculares. En el dolor cervical o cervicalgia, esta se puede ver alterada por varios factores como: el dolor, la debilidad muscular         y la limitación. Objetivo.: Determinar las alteraciones de la movilidad cervical en los estudiantes de 1er a 3er ciclo de la Carrera de Fisioterapia de la Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. Metodología. Estudio de enfoque cuantitativo y alcance descriptivo de diseño no experimental de tipo transversal en 106 estudiantes, considerando los criterios de inclusión se utilizó el IDC y el Test     de Flexión Cráneo-Cervical. Resultados. De la muestra conformada por 100%(106) estudiantes; utilizando el Índice de Discapacidad Cervical se pudo evidenciar que el 55% de la población entra en el rango de sin discapacidad, en comparación con el porcentaje sobrante que equivale a un 38% y 7% entran en el rango de discapacidad leve y discapacidad moderada respectivamente, en relación a la evaluación de la movilidad articular mediante el Test de Flexión Cráneo-Cervical el 79% presentó alteración y un 21% el valor normal, en la evaluación con el instrumento Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback el 75% presentó alteración de la fuerza muscular y el 25 % el valor normal. Conclusiones. Entre los estudiantes de 1ro y 3er ciclo de la carrera de Fisioterapia de la Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil se determinó que existe un alto porcentaje en relación a las alteraciones de la movilidad cervical.
Protocolo para la administración de plasma hiperinmune a pacientes covid-19
Authors: Maida Díaz Danilo
Published: February 2022

La transfusión de plasma hiperinmune o convaleciente en pacientes internados, es un problema en la actualidad porque existe desconocimiento de protocolos donde se determine la cuantificación de anticuerpos, tipo de donante, método de obtención y momento de administración. Objetivo. Elaborar un protocolo de administración de plasma hiperinmune en pacientes Covid-19, internados en el Hospital “Presidente Germán Busch” de Trinidad, gestión 2020. Materiales y métodos. Investigación descriptiva, se realizó una encuesta y revisión documental a población de 26 personales de salud y 25 pacientes respectivamente. Resultados. El desconocimiento de protocolos por parte del personal de salud fue de 73,1%, considerando que el 61% cuentan con postgrados. De los pacientes transfundidos el 60% fallecieron, siendo de la tercera edad, sexo masculino y en estado crítico. El 28% fueron dados de alta hospitalaria, tomando en cuenta que fueron transfundidos en estado moderado. Conclusiones. El porcentaje de desconocimiento de protocolo de administración de plasma hiperinmune y los fallecimientos de pacientes transfundidos son elevados, es por ello que se propone la elaboración de un protocolo de administración de plasma hiperinmune para pacientes Covid-19, que se caracterice por: estudio previo de los donantes, método de obtención, títulos de anticuerpos y momento de administración del hemocomponente.