bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple Virtual Power Plants Transaction Matching Strategy Based on Alliance Blockchain
Authors: Chu Tianfeng , An Xingchen , Zhang Wuyang , Lu Yan , Tian Jiaqi
Published: April 2023

Virtual power plants can aggregate distributed energy resources and interruptible loads in a region for coordinated regulation and unified transaction. However, with the diversification of competition in the electricity market, the distributed operation mechanism between multiple virtual power plants (multi-VPPs) has gradually become a research focus. Based on this, this paper proposes a new type of distributed transactions strategy between multi-VPPs, i.e., the transaction matching mechanism. A two-stage transaction model based on the transaction matching is constructed for multi-VPPs to participate in the day-ahead and intraday electricity trading markets. In the first stage, each VPP optimizes its own internal units’ output and external interaction power through a cooperative game; in the second stage, it is the transaction matching among multi-VPPs that can match the most suitable counterpart by flexible price setting to increase the benefits of all the VPPs. Considering the efficiency and security of blockchain technology, we choose to complete the transaction matching between multi-VPPs with the support of alliance blockchain technology to improve the speed of system solution.
Short Commercialization Circuits and Productive Development of Agroecological Farmers in the Rural Andean Area of Ecuador
Authors: Franco-Crespo Christian , Cordero-Ahiman Otilia Vanessa , Vanegas Jorge Leonardo , García Dario
Published: April 2023

Fair commercialization networks represent a direct economic and social participation mechanism for small producers in rural areas. Women’s participation is a pillar in short commercialization, which incorporates family income and economic independence, as well as food diversification in the territory. This research aims to analyze short commercialization circuits (SCCs) for agroecological foods as a contribution to productive development in the rural Andean area of Pillaro canton. This research, developed between April 2019 and May 2020, involved a quantitative approach and cross-sectional data collection. The Farm Sustainability Indicators (IDEA) method was used for the analysis, which establishes three scales: agroecological, socio-territorial and economic sustainability. The results show that SSCs contribute to food security through low-cost food, diversification, and nutritional products. In addition, SCCs allow a closeness between producers and consumers that provides greater confidence in the products offered. The ratings of 35.0 for the sustainability scale, 30.52 for the socio-territorial scale, and 17.5 for the economic scale indicate that the short commercialization circuits observed in the area consist of a sustainable system that allows for the social and economic improvement of producers in the rural Andean area of Pillaro canton, as well as the improvement of the natural environment.
A Study of the Impact of Cultural Characteristics on Consumers’ Behavioral Intention for Mobile Payments: A Comparison between China and Korea
Authors: Zhao Yuqi , Pan Young-Hwan
Published: April 2023

The development and usage of mobile payments, a new type of electronic payment method that is more flexible and convenient compared to traditional payment methods, are uneven across different countries. This indicates that there may be a correlation between cultural characteristics of different countries and consumers’ intention to use mobile payments. This study aims to explore whether cultural characteristics have a moderating effect on consumers’ behavioral intention to use mobile payments in China and Korea. Based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), this study incorporates Hofstede’s five cultural dimensions theory (power distance, individualism–collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity–femininity) as moderating variables. In total, 306 questionnaires were distributed to Chinese consumers, and 305 questionnaires were distributed to Korean consumers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. The study found that both Chinese and Korean consumers perceive usefulness to have a significant impact on their behavioral intention to use mobile payments, and that perceived ease of use also has a significant impact on perceived usefulness. However, there were differences in the models between the two countries, where perceived ease of use has a significant impact on behavioral intention to use mobile payments in China but not in Korea. Regression analysis was conducted on the cultural dimensions as moderators, revealing that uncertainty avoidance has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between perceived ease of use and behavioral intention to use mobile payments. Between-group chi-square difference tests were conducted on the structural equation models for both countries, and the results showed no significant differences in the moderation coefficients for uncertainty avoidance between China and Korea. Finally, based on the findings, recommendations are proposed for the development of mobile payments.
The Playground for Radical Concepts: Learning from the Tussengebied
Authors: Pisano Carlo
Published: April 2023

The rise in the issue of the metropolitan dimension in the last decades has sparked new needs to conceptualize vast urbanized territories and develop a structured reflection on the various forms of urban–rural relationships. Urban planning in general and metropolitan planning in particular have shown difficulties in properly conceiving and interpreting these needs, which have often led urban discourse toward the use of spatial concepts. The aim of this article is thus to explore the use of spatial concepts as design instruments in the definition of urban–rural relationships in metropolitan areas. Starting from the case study of the Tussengebied (literally area-in-between) in The Netherlands and its reinterpretation developed by three eminent urbanists, the article intends to investigate, through the application of a methodology based on learning-from-expert-knowledge, how spatial concepts can support urban planning governing the urban–rural relationship by proposing a precise form of territory as well as presupposing the rules, modes of operation, and instruments of transformation.
Physiological Characterization of Tripidium arundinaceum and Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Germplasm for Salinity Stress Tolerance at the Formative Stage
Authors: Mahadevaiah Channappa , Vignesh Palanisamy , Appunu Chinnasamy , Valarmathi Ramanathan , Dhansu Pooja , Kumar Ashwani , Dharshini Selvarajan , Padmanabhan Thelakat Sasikumar Sarath , Narayan Jayanarayanan Ashwin , Selvamuthu Kannan , Sreenivasa Venkatarayappa , Mahadeva Swamy Huskur Kumaraswamy , Vinu Vazhakkannadi , Raja Arun Kumar , Suresha Giriyapura Shivalingamurthy , Hemaprabha Govindakurup , Kumar Ravinder
Published: April 2023

A total of sixteen accessions of Tripidium arundinaceum (Retz.) Welker, Voronts. & E.A. Kellogg (previously known as Erianthus arundinaceus (Retz.) Jeswiet) were evaluated for salinity tolerance at the bud germination stage by irrigating with 175 mM salinized Hoagland solution in perlite-sand hydroponics. Six accessions, IND99-907, IND01-1134, IND01-1136, IK76-48, and Bethuadahari, were germinated with healthy roots as compared to other accessions. These six accessions were further evaluated for morphological, physiological, and root anatomical parameters for different levels of salinity stress at the formative phase. Young leaf elongation was ceased after the fourth and twelfth day in Co 97010 and Co 86032, respectively, at 175 mM of salinity stress. The growth of young leaves in Co 97010 and Co 86032 was observed up to 25 mM of salinity stress only, whereas in T. arundinaceum accessions viz., IND99-907 and Bethuadahari, growth was recorded even at 175 mM. Lignification of cell walls, thickening of protoxylems, and vacuolization of cortex regions were observed in Co 97010, Co 86032, Bethuadahari, and IND01-1134 as compared to the normal anatomical structures in IND99-907. The accession IND99-907 recorded the lowest Na/K ratio, followed by IND99-1136 at 175 mM of salinity stress. The accession IND99-907 was identified as a salinity-tolerant genotype and suitable for utilization in the sugarcane crop improvement programmes.
Global Relation-Aware-Based Oil Detection Method for Water Surface of Catchment Wells in Hydropower Stations
Authors: Liu Jiajun , Lin Haokun , Liu Yue , Xiong Lei , Li Chenjing , Zhou Tinghu , Ma Mike
Published: April 2023

The oil in hydropower station catchment wells is a source of water pollution which can cause the downstream river to become polluted. Timely detection of oil can effectively prevent the expansion of oil leakage and has important significance for protecting water sources. However, the poor environment and insufficient light on the water surface of catchment wells make oil pollution detection difficult, and the real-time performance is poor. To address these problems, this paper proposes a catchment well oil detection method based on the global relation-aware attention mechanism. By embedding the global relation-aware attention mechanism in the backbone network of Yolov5s, the main features of oil are highlighted and the minor information is suppressed at the spatial and channel levels, improving the detection accuracy. Additionally, to address the problem of partial loss of detail information in the dataset caused by the harsh environment of the catchment wells, such as dim light and limited area, single-scale retinex histogram equalization is used to improve the grayscale and contrast of the oil images, enhancing the details of the dataset images and suppressing the noise. The experimental results show that the accuracy of the proposed method achieves 94.1% and 89% in detecting engine oil and turbine oil pollution, respectively. Compared with the Yolov5s, Faster R-CNN, SSD, and FSSD detection algorithms, our method effectively reduces the problems of missing and false detection, and has certain reference significance for the detection of oil pollution on the water surface of catchment wells.
Fate and Removal of Microplastics from Industrial Wastewaters
Authors: Gkika Despina A. , Tolkou Athanasia K. , Evgenidou Eleni , Bikiaris Dimitrios N. , Lambropoulou Dimitra A. , Mitropoulos Athanasios C. , Kalavrouziotis Ioannis K. , Kyzas George Z.
Published: April 2023

Industrial sites are typically located in close proximity to bodies of water, making industrial wastewater a prevalent source of pollution. Microplastics, which are plastic fragments generated from everyday activities or industrial operations and are smaller than 5 mm in size, can readily find their way into wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The objective of this research was to offer extensive insight into the fate of microplastics in industrial WWTPs worldwide, as well as to explore the effectiveness of diverse advanced treatment technologies in eliminating microplastics. The prevalence of microplastics and their negative impact on aquatic environments has been acknowledged in recent years. The progressive discharge of plastic waste, insufficient detection processes with specialized elimination methods and a sluggish disposal rate have led to the continuous presence of microplastics in various ecosystems worldwide, such as domestic wastewater and industrial wastewater. Research outcomes have revealed that they can adsorb a variety of pathogens, heavy metals and chemical substances that are commonly used in production processes. Microplastics can be consumed by aquatic life, which might lead them up the food chain to human bodies, resulting in potential digestion tract blockage, digestion disturbance and diminished reproductive growth. Microplastics have thus become a growing threat and cause for concern, demanding the containment of their dispersion. This work offers a critical evaluation of current and developing techniques for microplastic detection and separation from industrial wastewater, which are the most challenging endeavors when treating systems containing microplastics. A review of the effect of microplastics on aquatic environments and human health is also conducted. This analysis offers a comprehensive view of the full microplastic detection and removal strategies and their related concerns in order to establish a waste disposal standard that minimizes the potential hazardous effects of microplastics in aquatic systems.
Potentially Toxic Elements in Pharmaceutical Industrial Effluents: A Review on Risk Assessment, Treatment, and Management for Human Health
Authors: Okoro Hussein K. , Orosun Muyiwa M. , Oriade Faith A. , Momoh-Salami Tawakalit M. , Ogunkunle Clement O. , Adeniyi Adewale G. , Zvinowanda Caliphs , Ngila Jane C.
Published: April 2023

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are metallic chemicals with densities that are higher than that of water. Water pollution by PTEs due to the discharge of untreated pharmaceutical industrial effluents is a risk to human health and ecological integrity. The present review paper provides an overview of the threats to human health due to water contamination by PTEs such as lead, cobalt, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic originating from pharmaceutical industrial wastewater. This review reveals the associated advantages and shortcomings of the outmoded and the modern methods and the challenges involved in addressing the shortcomings. Additionally, due to the increasing amount of uncontrollable pharmaceutical effluents entering the ecosystem, this paper reviewed the management approach supported by the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency. Studies revealed that PTEs find their way into human bodies through different pathways, which include drinking water, edibles, and dermal vulnerability at intervals. This paper focuses on how pharmaceutical effluents can be handled and how regulations and strategies can be reinforced step by step. To preserve public health and the environment, a comprehensive study on the environmental evaluation of carcinogenic substances, particularly toxic elements and metalloids, should be supported and advocated. To protect living organisms and the welfare of consumers, efforts should be made to reduce the presence of potentially hazardous elements on land and water.
Assessing Energy Communities’ Awareness on Social Media with a Content and Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Caratù Myriam , Brescia Valerio , Pigliautile Ilaria , Biancone Paolo
Published: April 2023

The development of energy communities has the potential to support the energy transition owing to the direct engagement of people who have the chance to become “prosumers” of energy. In properly explaining the benefits that this phenomenon can give to the population, a key set of channels is represented by social media, which can hit the target of citizens who have the budget to join the energy communities and can also “nurture” younger generations. In this view, the present work analyzes the performance of the topic “energy communities” on the main social media in order to understand people’s awareness of its benefits and to assess the societal awareness of this topic in terms of engagement and positive sentiment. The analysis conducted first concerned the definitions and conceptualization of energy communities of academics and practitioners, completed through a content analysis; we then focused on the fallout of these themes on social media and on its engagement (to understand if it was capable of generating a positive attitude). The social media analysis took place through a platform that uses artificial intelligence to analyze communication channels. The results show that there is still poor engagement with the energy community theme in social media, and a more structured communication strategy should be implemented with the collaboration between social media and practitioners/academics. Despite previous studies not analyzing how social media recall the topics of academics and practitioners related to energy communities, this is an important aspect to consider in order to conceive integrated marketing communication for promoting energy communities to citizens, as here demonstrated and proposed for the very first time.
Mitigating Low-Frequency Oscillations and Enhancing the Dynamic Stability of Power System Using Optimal Coordination of Power System Stabilizer and Unified Power Flow Controller
Authors: Solomon Endeshaw , Khan Baseem , Boulkaibet Ilyes , Neji Bilel , Khezami Nadhira , Ali Ahmed , Mahela Om Prakash , Pascual Barrera Alina Eugenia
Published: April 2023

The integration of a flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) and a power system stabilizer (PSS) can increase dynamic stability. This paper presents the enhancement of power system dynamic stability through the optimal design of a power system stabilizer and UPFC using an ant lion optimization (ALO) technique to enhance transmission line capacity. The gained damping ratio, eigenvalue and time domain results of the suggested ALO technique were compared with a base case system, ALO-based PSS and ALO-based PSS-UPFC to test the effectiveness of the proposed system in different loading cases. Eigenvalues gained from an ant lion approach-based UPFC with a PSS and a base case system are compared to examine the robustness of the ALO method for various loading conditions. Thus, this paper addresses the mechanism regarding the power system dynamic stability of transmission lines by integrating the optimal size of a PSS and UPFC into the power system. Therefore, the main contribution of this manuscript is the optimal coordination of a power system stabilizer, power oscillation damper and unified power flow using ant lion optimization for the mitigation of low-frequency oscillation.
A Framework to Assess Manufacturers’ Circular Economy Readiness Level in Developing Countries: An Application Case in a Serbian Packaging Company
Authors: Demko-Rihter Jelena , Sassanelli Claudio , Pantelic Marija , Anisic Zoran
Published: April 2023

Researchers highlighted the gap between the circular economy (CE) theory and real manufacturing practices. In developing countries, the background for CE development is quite different from developed countries, where there is an established waste management structure and a robust environmental policy. In addition, a shortage of best practices, guidelines, learning experiences, frameworks, and models capable of guiding manufacturers in measuring their circular level and track a roadmap towards an improvement of their circular readiness is raised in the literature. Therefore, this research develops and proposes a framework for assessing company’s CE readiness and is tailored for companies operating in developing countries. In detail, the framework investigates the two main perspectives (product and business model) that companies should consider adopting and implementing CE in their operations and business. The framework also supports companies to track an improvement roadmap through the definition of future actions and KPIs. To develop the framework, an application case with a company placed in Serbia and operating in the packaging industry has been conducted. The application of the framework unveiled that there is room for improvement in developing countries to foster CE adoption, especially in the policy context. Indeed, policy incentives and instruments of public authorities would considerably support the circular transition process in companies.
Does Pollution Only Affect Human Health? A Scenario for Argumentation in the Framework of One Health Education
Authors: Esquivel-Martín Tamara , Pérez-Martín José Manuel , Bravo-Torija Beatriz
Published: April 2023

Schooling should equip citizens with the scientific knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about health problems arising from the current environmental crisis. Given the scarcity of educational proposals that integrate evidence-based argumentation, One Health education and complexity-based solution proposals, this study aims to introduce a scenario linking the use of pesticides in agriculture to infertility, and to analyse the extent to which it promotes students to apply these three approaches. The activity requires 10th graders to rank 6 cities from most to least polluted, using evidence on the reproductive problems of different organisms in the ecosystem (humans, harlequin flies). Moreover, students have to propose solutions to avoid the toxic risk caused by pesticides. Group discussions are analysed to determine learners’ performance in using evidence and formulating causal explanations to justify their rankings, as well as in proposing reasoned solutions, considering different perspectives. The results show that most groups rank cities as expected. Although they do not use all available evidence, the design of the activity encourages students to establish frequent causal relationships between human, animal, and environmental health data (argumentation integrating the One Health approach). Moreover, most solutions are palliative rather than preventive, respond to an anthropocentric interest, and their consequences are rarely assessed. In doing so, students only foresee their environmental or economic impact, but not their ethical or political consequences. Educational implications are discussed.
Testing and Analysis on the Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Light Intensity and CO2 Concentration in Solar Greenhouse
Authors: Zhang Chunhui , Liu Haiyang , Wang Chunguang , Zong Zheying , Wang Haichao , Zhao Xiaodong , Wang Shuai , Li Yanan
Published: April 2023

Greenhouses, as important parts of facility agriculture, can reduce the restrictions on agricultural production imposed by the natural environment and make rational and efficient use of production resources. We conducted long-term, continuous testing of temperature, humidity, light intensity, and CO2 concentration parameters in a heliostat greenhouse in the central and western parts of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, a cold and arid region of northern China. A large amount of data was processed by statistical observation, simulation analysis, and 3D reconstruction to obtain the overall distribution, variation pattern, and mathematical model of the regional greenhouse environment in time and space. The results show that the temperature, humidity, light intensity, and CO2 concentration in the greenhouse have significant daily variation patterns, that there are strong coupling relationships between light intensity–CO2 concentration–time and indoor temperature–light intensity–CO2 concentration, that the coefficients of determination (R2) of the mathematical models are 0.88 and 0.89, and that the standard errors (RMSE) are 49.67 ppm and 45.30 ppm, respectively. The environmental parameters were fitted with high accuracy in order to provide scientific data for the cultivation of heliostats in the region.
The Bird Dawn Chorus Strength of an Urban Soundscape and Its Potential to Assess Urban Green Spaces
Authors: Devos Paul
Published: April 2023

Green areas in urban environments, such as urban parks and urban gardens, are known to provide benefits called “ecosystem services” to the urban community. Green recreational spaces offer opportunities for physical activity, leading to improved physical and mental health of residents. For this reason, the presence and the quality of such areas has to be considered and promoted in sustainable urban planning, especially in the context of contributing to the achievement sustainable cities. As the biodiversity of an area is an indication of its quality, soundecological indicators have been used to assess the biodiversity in natural areas. Due to the presence of anthropogenic sounds in urban areas, the use of these indicators to determine the quality of urban areas can be questioned. However, the vocal activity of collectively singing birds during the dawn chorus contributes to the urban soundscape, and results in a prominent biophonic component of this soundscape, as can be clearly seen in its yearly pattern. The use of soundecological indicators through the estimation of the Bird Dawn Chorus Strength has the potential to provide a means of assessing the quality of urban green spaces. To demonstrate this potential, a pilot study is presented here on the annual temporal scale of the soundscape of a typical urban green space.
Effect of the Size of the Superhydrophobic Regions of Biphilic Surfaces on the Bubble Dynamics
Authors: Pereira José , Cautela Ricardo , Moita Ana , Moreira António
Published: April 2023

The current work aims to experimentally evaluate the effect of the size of circular superhydrophobic regions of biphilic surfaces on the bubble dynamics under pool boiling conditions. Biphilic surfaces are structured surfaces with tunable wettability, presenting an array of hydrophobic small spots in a hydrophilic surface or vice versa. The factors that affect the bubble dynamics are of geometric nature such as the diameters of the bubbles, their volume, and the height of the centroid, and of more complex nature such as the departure frequency of the bubbles and the rate of evaporation mass transfer. In this study, the bubble dynamics and boiling performance were evaluated by adjusting the diameter of the single circular superhydrophobic regions. A stainless steel AISI 304 foil was used as the base hydrophilic region, and the superhydrophobic regions were made by spray coating the NeverWet® superhydrophobic solution over well-defined masks. The main conclusion was that the bubble dynamics are clearly affected by the diameter of the superhydrophobic spots. The smaller spots favored the generation of more uniform and stable bubbles, mainly due to the border surface tension forces’ dominance. With the increase in the diameter of the bubbles, the surface tension acting at the border with the much larger hydrophilic region impacts the process less. Thus, the smaller superhydrophobic regions had higher evaporation mass transfer rates. The region with the best pool boiling performance along with improved bubble dynamics was the superhydrophobic region with an 0.8 mm diameter, corresponding to a superhydrophobic area to total area ratio of 0.11%. Moreover, this experimental work confirmed that the bubble dynamics’ impacting factors such as the diameter at the various stages of development of the bubbles can be modulated according to the final objectives of the design and fabrication of the biphilic surfaces. The research significance and novelty of this work come from the comprehensive study of the geometrical pattern of the heat transfer surface in pool boiling conditions and its impact on the bubble dynamics and heat transfer capability. We also suggest further studies considering nanoscale superhydrophobic spot arrangements and the future usage of different working fluids such as nanofluids.
Processing Fractional Differential Equations Using ψ-Caputo Derivative
Authors: Tayeb Mahrouz , Boulares Hamid , Moumen Abdelkader , Imsatfia Moheddine
Published: April 2023

Recently, many scientists have studied a wide range of strategies for solving characteristic types of symmetric differential equations, including symmetric fractional differential equations (FDEs). In our manuscript, we obtained sufficient conditions to prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions (EUS) for FDEs in the sense ψ-Caputo fractional derivative (ψ-CFD) in the second-order 1<α<2. We know that ψ-CFD is a generalization of previously familiar fractional derivatives: Riemann-Liouville and Caputo. By applying the Banach fixed-point theorem (BFPT) and the Schauder fixed-point theorem (SFPT), we obtained the desired results, and to embody the theoretical results obtained, we provided two examples that illustrate the theoretical proofs.
Risk Evaluation of Pollutants Emission from Coal and Coal Waste Combustion Plants and Environmental Impact of Fly Ash Landfilling
Authors: Buha Marković Jovana Z. , Marinković Ana D. , Savić Jasmina Z. , Mladenović Milica R. , Erić Milić D. , Marković Zoran J. , Ristić Mirjana Đ.
Published: April 2023

Emission factors (EFs) of gaseous pollutants, particulate matter, certain harmful trace elements, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from three thermal power plants (TPPs) and semi-industrial fluidized bed boiler (FBB) were compared. EFs of particulate matter, trace elements (except Cd and Pb), benzo[a]pyrene, and benzo[b]fluoranthene exceed the upper limits specified in the EMEP inventory guidebook for all combustion facilities. The comparison of trace elements and PAHs content in fly ashes (FAs) from lignite and coal waste combustion in TPPs and FBB, respectively, as well as the potential environmental impact of FAs disposal, was performed by employing a set of ecological indicators such as crustal enrichment factor, risk assessment code, risk indices for trace elements, and benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration for PAHs. Sequential analysis shows that the trace elements portion is the lowest for water-soluble and exchangeable fractions. The highest enrichment levels in FAs are noticed for As and Hg. Based on toxic trace elements content, FAs from TPPs represent a very high ecological risk, whereas fly ash from FBB poses a moderate ecological risk but has the highest benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration, indicating its increased carcinogenic potential. Lead isotope ratios for Serbian coals and FAs can contribute to a lead pollution global database.
Vector Competence of Aedes albopictus for Yellow Fever Virus: Risk of Reemergence of Urban Yellow Fever in Brazil
Authors: Damasceno-Caldeira Rossela , Nunes-Neto Joaquim Pinto , Aragão Carine Fortes , Freitas Maria Nazaré Oliveira , Ferreira Milene Silveira , Castro Paulo Henrique Gomes de , Dias Daniel Damous , Araújo Pedro Arthur da Silva , Brandão Roberto Carlos Feitosa , Nunes Bruno Tardelli Diniz , Silva Eliana Vieira Pinto da , Martins Lívia Carício , Vasconcelos Pedro Fernando da Costa , Cruz Ana Cecília Ribeiro
Published: April 2023

The risk of the emergence and reemergence of zoonoses is high in regions that are under the strong influence of anthropogenic actions, as they contribute to the risk of vector disease transmission. Yellow fever (YF) is among the main pathogenic arboviral diseases in the world, and the Culicidae Aedes albopictus has been proposed as having the potential to transmit the yellow fever virus (YFV). This mosquito inhabits both urban and wild environments, and under experimental conditions, it has been shown to be susceptible to infection by YFV. In this study, the vector competence of the mosquito Ae. albopictus for the YFV was investigated. Female Ae. albopictus were exposed to non-human primates (NHP) of the genus Callithrix infected with YFV via a needle inoculation. Subsequently, on the 14th and 21st days post-infection, the legs, heads, thorax/abdomen and saliva of the arthropods were collected and analyzed by viral isolation and molecular analysis techniques to verify the infection, dissemination and transmission. The presence of YFV was detected in the saliva samples through viral isolation and in the head, thorax/abdomen and legs both by viral isolation and by molecular detection. The susceptibility of Ae. albopictus to YFV confers a potential risk of reemergence of urban YF in Brazil.
The RL13 Temperance Factor Represses Replication of the Highly Cell Culture-Adapted Towne Strain of Human Cytomegalovirus
Authors: Ourahmane Amine , Hertel Laura , McVoy Michael A.
Published: April 2023

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has evolved to replicate while causing minimal damage, maintain life-long latency, reactivate sub-clinically, and, in spite of robust host immunity, produce and shed infectious virus in order to transmit to new hosts. The CMV temperance factor RL13 may contribute to this strategy of coexistence with the host by actively restricting viral replication and spread. Viruses with an intact RL13 gene grow slowly in cell culture, release little extracellular virus, and form small foci. By contrast, viruses carrying disruptive mutations in the RL13 gene form larger foci and release higher amounts of cell-free infectious virions. Such mutations invariably arise during cell culture passage of clinical isolates and are consistently found in highly adapted strains. The potential existence in such strains of other mutations with roles in mitigating RL13’s restrictive effects, however, has not been explored. To this end, a mutation that frame shifts the RL13 gene in the highly cell culture-adapted laboratory strain Towne was repaired, and a C-terminal FLAG epitope was added. Compared to the frame-shifted parental virus, viruses encoding wild-type or FLAG-tagged wild-type RL13 produced small foci and replicated poorly. Within six to ten cell culture passages, mutations emerged in RL13 that restored replication and focus size to those of the RL13-frame-shifted parental virus, implying that none of the numerous adaptive mutations acquired by strain Towne during more than 125 cell culture passages mitigate the temperance activity of RL13. Whilst RL13-FLAG expressed by passage zero stocks was localized exclusively within the virion assembly compartment, RL13-FLAG with a E208K substitution that emerged in one lineage was mostly dispersed into the cytoplasm, suggesting that localization to the virion assembly compartment is likely required for RL13 to exert its growth-restricting activities. Changes in localization also provided a convenient way to assess the emergence of RL13 mutations during serial passage, highlighting the usefulness of RL13-FLAG Towne variants for elucidating the mechanisms underlying RL13’s temperance functions.
Effectiveness, Tolerability and Prescribing Choice of Antiviral Molecules Molnupiravir, Remdesivir and Nirmatrelvir/r: A Real-World Comparison in the First Ten Months of Use
Authors: Del Borgo Cosmo , Garattini Silvia , Bortignon Carolina , Carraro Anna , Di Trento Daniela , Gasperin Andrea , Grimaldi Alessandra , De Maria Sara Giovanna , Corazza Sara , Tieghi Tiziana , Belvisi Valeria , Kertusha Blerta , De Masi Margherita , D’Onofrio Ombretta , Bagaglini Gabriele , Bonanni Gabriella , Zuccalà Paola , Fabietti Paolo , Tortellini Eeva , Guardiani Mariasilvia , Spagnoli Alessandra , Marocco Raffaella , Alunni Fegatelli Danilo , Lichtner Miriam ,   LATINA COVID-group
Published: April 2023

In 2022, three antiviral drugs—molnupiravir, remdesivir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir—were introduced for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in high-risk patients. The aim of this study is the evaluation of their effectiveness and tolerability in a real-life setting. A single-center observational study was set up, with the involvement of 1118 patients, with complete follow-up data, treated between the 5th of January and the 3rd of October 2022 at Santa Maria Goretti’s hospital in Latina, Central Italy. A univariable and a multivariable analysis were performed on clinical and demographic data and composite outcome, the persistence of symptoms at 30 days and time to negativization, respectively. The three antivirals showed a similar effectiveness in containing the progression of the infection to severe COVID-19 and a good tolerability in the absence of serious adverse effects. Persistence of symptoms after 30 days was more common in females than males and less common in patients treated with molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir/r. The availability of different antiviral molecules is a strong tool and, if correctly prescribed, they can have a significant role in changing the natural history of infection for frail persons, in which vaccination could be not sufficient for the prevention of severe COVID-19.
Differences in the Expression Levels of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in Cells Treated with mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccines: A Study on Vaccines from the Real World
Authors: Cari Luigi , Naghavi Alhosseini Mahdieh , Mencacci Antonella , Migliorati Graziella , Nocentini Giuseppe
Published: April 2023

Comirnaty (BNT162b2) and Spikevax (mRNA-1273) COVID-19 vaccines encode a full-length SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein. To evaluate whether the S-protein expressed following treatment with the two vaccines differs in the real-world context, two cell lines were treated for 24 h with two concentrations of each vaccine, and the expression of the S-protein was evaluated using flow cytometry and ELISA. Vaccines were obtained from three vaccination centers in Perugia (Italy) that provided us with residual vaccines present in vials after administration. Interestingly, the S-protein was detected not only on the cell membrane but also in the supernatant. The expression was dose-dependent only in Spikevax-treated cells. Furthermore, the S-protein expression levels in both cells and supernatant were much higher in Spikewax-than in Comirnaty-treated cells. Differences in S-protein expression levels following vaccine treatment may be attributed to variations in the efficacy of lipid nanoparticles, differences in mRNA translation rates and/or loss of some lipid nanoparticles’ properties and mRNA integrity during transport, storage, or dilution, and may contribute to explaining the slight differences in the efficacy and safety observed between the Comirnaty and Spikevax vaccines.
Anatomical Study of the Nerve Supply of the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) in the Distal Hindlimb with a Special Reference to the Cutaneous Innervation
Authors: Allouch Gamal M. , Alshanbari Fahad A.
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to describe the anatomy of the nerve supply of the hindlimb’s distal portion in a dromedary camel’s foot. In our study, we used ten adult slaughtered dromedary camels (twenty distal hindlimbs) of different sexes and ages (4–6 years). The hindlimbs were preserved using 10% formalin for about one week. The distal part of the hindlimb of the camels was dissected with extreme precision to show the group of nerves responsible for the nervous supply to the distal part of the hindlimb in dromedary camels. This study shows the numerous branches of the superficial fibular nerve along its extension to the dorsal surface metatarsus and the abaxial aspect of the third digit. The results show that the tibial nerve possesses many branches along its extension to the plantar surface skin of the metatarsus. Additionally, it provides the axial and abaxial plantar surfaces of the fourth digit and the interdigital surfaces as well as its branches to supply the plantar-abaxial and plantar-axial of the third digit. The present study shows the anatomical nerve supply of the hindlimb’s distal portion that is essential for anesthesia and surgery in this region.
Sustainability of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: From Prehistoric Times to the Present Times and the Future
Authors: Angelakis Andreas N. , Capodaglio Andrea G. , Passchier Cees W. , Valipour Mohammad , Krasilnikoff Jens , Tzanakakis Vasileios A. , Sürmelihindi Gül , Baba Alper , Kumar Rohitashw , Haut Benoît , Roubelakis Maria G. , Min Zhang , Dercas Nicholas
Published: April 2023

Contaminated water and poor sanitation are associated with disease transmission. Absent, inadequate, or improperly managed water resources and sanitation systems expose individuals to preventable health risks. Billions of people lack access to these basic services today and will remain in this condition for decades to come. As we are usually thinking and talking about water, sanitation and hygiene services have changed. Looking back at the history of water, sanitation, and hygiene can help us understand the challenges and opportunities of these issues and draw lessons to achieve sustainable development in the future. Throughout history, civilizations have successfully experimented with treating water and using it for drinking, sanitation, and agriculture. For example, the Minoan civilizations originally focused on water treatment and cleaning to improve the aesthetic properties of drinking water. During prehistoric times, Minoan and Indus Valley civilizations, dating back to about 2000 BC, were the first to focus on the treatment of water supplies. From the early Minoan period, they relied on rainwater collection. During historic times, Hippocrates was the first to invent and used a water filter in the form of a cloth bag, at about 400 BC, known today as the Hippocrates Sleeve. The Romans perfected existing water technologies on a larger scale and initiated their spread throughout the Empire. Hygiene in ancient Rome was promoted by the famous public baths and toilets, which were supplied with water through widely branched aqueducts that had a high standard of cleanliness for the time and were regularly maintained.
Factorial Design Statistical Analysis and Optimization of the Adsorptive Removal of COD from Olive Mill Wastewater Using Sugarcane Bagasse as a Low-Cost Adsorbent
Authors: Elayadi Fatima , Achak Mounia , Boumya Wafaa , Elamraoui Sabah , Barka Noureddine , Lamy Edvina , Beniich Nadia , El Adlouni Chakib
Published: April 2023

This work highlights the elimination of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from olive mill wastewater using sugarcane bagasse. A 25−1 fractional factorial design of experiments was used to obtain the optimum conditions for each parameter that influence the adsorption process. The influence of the concentration of sugarcane bagasse, solution pH, reaction time, temperature, and agitation speed on the percent of COD removal were considered. The design experiment describes a highly significant second-order quadratic model that provided a high removal rate of 55.07% by employing optimized factors, i.e., a temperature of 60 °C, an adsorbent dose of 10 g/L, a pH of 12, a contact time of 1 h, and a stirring speed of 80 rpm. The experimental data acquired at optimal conditions were confirmed using several isotherms and kinetic models to assess the solute interaction behavior and kind of adsorption. The results indicated that the experimental data were properly fitted with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model, whereas the Langmuir model was the best model for explaining the adsorption equilibrium.
Study on the Head Loss of the Inlet Gradient Section of the Aqueduct
Authors: Chen Jian , Tian Yangyang , Zhang Huijie , Zhang Shanju
Published: April 2023

The form of the inlet section of aqueducts that connect the upstream channel and the downstream channel affects the flow pattern and head loss. In order to provide a reference for the design of the gradient section of water-transfer channels, a typical three-dimensional hydrodynamic model is established in this paper based on existing results. The results show that the local head loss coefficient is related to the cross-sectional area of the inlet and outlet of the gradient section, the water surface contraction angle of the gradient section, and the elevation difference between the bottoms of the inlet and outlet of the gradient section, and a functional relationship is provided; when changing the width of the inlet and outlet bottoms, the local head loss coefficient is negatively related to the water surface contraction angle and increases with the increase in Wup/Wdown; the local head loss coefficient has a good exponential function with Wup/Wdown. The research results can provide a reference for the design of the inlet gradient section and the solution of the head loss coefficient.
Asesoría psicopedagógica a maestros para estimular el desarrollo de los alumnos con talento académico
Authors: Torres Pérez Yannia , Silva Batista Daycy Cristina , Batista Castañeda Yaniuska
Published: April 2023

El estudiante talento académico forma parte de los grupos escolares en las escuelas cubanas. Sin embargo, son insuficientemente atendidos por los docentes con la errónea convivvión de que no necesitan niveles de ayuda. Por tal motivo el presente trabajo tiene como objetivo: elaborar actividades de asesoría psicopedagógica a maestros para estimular el desarrollo de los alumnos con talento académico en el Seminternado Dalquis Sánchez Pupo. Los métodos teóricos empleados fueron: análisis- síntesis, histórico-lógico, inducción- deducción y modelación. Los empíricos empleados fueron: la observación, la entrevista, encuesta y revsión de documentos. Los resultados más significativos se encuentran en el tránsito gradual de los estudiosos de la muestra escogida para los niveles de formación del talento que se estableció en la investigación.
La transformación digital en la gestión de emprendimientos e innovación y su impacto de confiabilidad a los consumidores en la provincia de Tungurahua.
Authors: Cabrera Valenzuela Diego Alejandro , Analuisa Freire Karina Elizabeth , Calvache Vargas Cesar Maximiliano
Published: April 2023

La investigación se enfocó en examinar la transformación digital en la gestión de emprendimientos e innovación y su impacto en la confiabilidad del consumidor en la provincia de Tungurahua. Para la consecución del estudio, se implica como objetivo determinar de manera implícita el modelo de negocio digital y como este aporta al desarrollo de la empresa creando nuevos procesos internos y externos ya que por medio de la tecnología optimiza tiempo y recursos en los emprendimientos en la provincia de Tungurahua y cómo estos pueden relacionarse con el nivel de confiabilidad de sus consumidores. Se analizó y contrastó a través de una revisión de literatura, la relación que tiene la transformación digital dirigida a los emprendimientos y a los consumidores, demostrando los beneficios de la digitalización del negocio. Se implementó una investigación correlacional y descriptiva, teniendo un enfoque cuantitativo, usando como herramienta de recolección de datos la encuesta digital dirigidos a 113 emprendedores en la provincia de Tungurahua registrados en el Gobierno Autónomo Descentralizado Municipal de Ambato (GADMA). Para los resultados, se utilizó la correlación de rangos de Spearman, donde se descartó las preguntas menos relevantes, obteniendo un valor correlacional significativo del 0,000 sobre la aplicación de tecnologías digitales en el emprendimiento y las sugerencias calificativas por parte de los consumidores, demostrando que, si los emprendedores digitalizarían su modelo de negocio dirigido a la atención al cliente, generarían más confianza al consumidor.
INFORMATION COMPETENCE OF FUTURE SPECIALISTS IN THE FIELD OF TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION
Authors: Vakulenko N.
Published: April 2023

The article reveals the essence of the concepts related to the information competence of future specialists in the field of technological education. It is noted that at the present stage of society’s development, there are significant and crucial changes in the world’s educational environment. They are associated with the comprehensive process of globalization, i.e., a person should be able to navigate and critically evaluate information, especially in conditions of its wide availability and excess, distinguish between facts and opinions, and determine their essence and reliability, which requires special training to live and work in the information society, so as not to get lost in it. It practically requires special training to live and work in the information society; so as not to get lost. This issue is reflected in the emergence of the category «information culture,» which is considered and perceived as part of universal culture. It is due to the realities of the modern information society, which includes the content and values of human activity in the world of information surplus. An integral part of it is information competence is a set of understandable ways to interact with information.

Accordingly, the authors have described the main components of the specialist’s information competence in the context of the current stage of informatization of education and the importance of its formation in the future specialist in any subject area, including technological education. It is generalized that information competence is considered an integral quality of personality, which characterizes the ability to solve problems and typical problems that arise in real-life situations, using modern information and communication technologies to achieve professionally significant goals. It is also an integrative quality of personality, which is the result of reflecting the processes of selection, assimilation, processing, transformation, and generation of information into a specific type of subject-specific knowledge that allows you to develop, adapt, predict and implement optimal solutions in various fields.