bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance Assessment and Sustainable Applications of Steel Canopies with Saddle Modules
Authors: Dzwierzynska Jolanta , Lechwar Patrycja
Published: December 2024

Steel is an important construction material in civil engineering. In addition, the building industry is one of the global economy’s largest sectors, responsible for one-third of the energy consumption and significant CO2 emissions. For this reason, there is a need to design effective structures that are characterized by the lowest possible steel consumption. This article presents an approach to sustainability considerations in steel structures, namely the approach of shaping efficient steel canopies with modular roofs using genetic algorithms. The shed structures, which were designed based on a regular polygonal plan, were constructed from grid modules that were formed on the basis of the hyperbolic paraboloid (HP) units arranged radially, supported by the columns, and covered by metal sheets. The algorithmic definitions allowed for the creation of numerous variants of the structures with the adopted preliminary criteria and for the performance of genetic optimization in order to select the best results. Twenty-four kinds of structures were analyzed and compared, differing in the quantity of modules, module shapes, arrangements, and dimensions. This made it possible to observe changes in the efficiency of the structures depending on the form of the roof applied. As a measure of structural efficiency, the coefficient representing the mass of the shed structure per square meter of the covered area was utilized. The presented design approach and optimal solutions can be helpful in shaping more complex sustainable structures, for which the analyzed sheds constitute modules.
Review and Comparison of Methods for Soiling Modeling in Large Grid-Connected PV Plants
Authors: Redondo Marta , Platero Carlos Antonio , Moset Antonio , Rodríguez Fernando , Donate Vicente
Published: December 2024

Soiling in PV modules is one of the biggest issues affecting performance and economic losses in PV power plants; thus, it is essential to supervise and forecast soiling profiles and establish the best cleaning program. This paper analyzes different methods for soiling modeling in Large Grid-Connected PV Plants and discusses the different factors influencing soiling. Analytical models from environmental conditions are discussed in detail, comparing the proposed model by the authors (SOMOSclean) with another three relevant models from the literature (Kimber, HSU, and Toth), applying them to 16 PV power plants in Spain (total capacity of 727 MWp). Uncertainty between models and sensors is also measured, presenting the numerical results for a period of 2 years. While simpler models may offer straightforward implementation, they often fail to capture the full complexity of soiling dynamics, leading to increased RMSE error.
Assessment of Water Quality, Growth of Penaeus vannamei, and Partial Budget in Super-Intensive BFT and RAS: A Comparison Between Sustainable Aquaculture Systems
Authors: Ramiro Bianca de Oliveira , Wasielesky Wilson , Pimentel Otávio Augusto Lacerda Ferreira , Sun Taozhu , McAlhaney Ethan , Urick Stephen , Gonçalves Fernando H. , van Senten Jonathan , Schwarz Michael H. , Krummenauer Dariano
Published: December 2024

This study evaluated water quality, growth, and partial budget analysis (PBA) for Penaeus vannamei, comparing super-intensive Biofloc Technology (BFT) and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). The 69-day trial used 100 L units with two treatments (RAS and BFT), each with three replicates. Shrimp were initially reared in a 30-day nursery to a weight of 0.10 ± 0.04 g and then stocked at 500 shrimp m−3. Biofloc growth in BFT was promoted by maintaining a C:N ratio of 15:1, adding dextrose when total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) reached 1 mg L−1. Probiotics (3 g m−3) were administered daily to both groups. TAN levels in BFT initially spiked but stabilized after 36 days. Vibrio abundance was initially higher in RAS, but by the end of the trial, it was higher in BFT. Final weight, weekly growth ratio, and yield were greater in BFT, whereas feed conversion ratio (FCR) and water use were higher in RAS. Survival rates were 83.33% in BFT and 88% in RAS. BFT achieved a superior net benefit/cost compared to RAS. Although RAS more effectively controlled nitrogenous compounds, BFT exhibited better growth performance, with higher final weights, lower FCR, and better Vibrio management. The partial budget analysis indicated an economic advantage for BFT, with a net positive benefit of $2270.09 when shifting from RAS to BFT due to lower operating costs and higher shrimp yield. Among these two sustainable production systems, BFT was more productive while utilizing less natural resources.
Audit Chair Characteristics and ESG Disclosure: Evidence from the Saudi Stock Market
Authors: Fayad Abdallah A. S. , Khatib Saleh F. A. , Alomair Abdulrahman , Al Naim Abdulaziz S.
Published: December 2024

This study examines the influence of audit committee chair (ACC) characteristics on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure within the Saudi stock market. Analyzing data from 40 non-financial firms from 2017 to 2022, our analysis yields three key findings. First, ACC accounting expertise positively correlates with enhanced ESG disclosure, indicating that financially proficient chairs improve sustainable governance practices. Second, while ACCs with multiple directorships negatively impact ESG scores, this relationship is not statistically significant, suggesting that other factors may mitigate the drawbacks of multiple directorships. Third, the independence of ACCs has a substantial positive impact on ESG disclosure, emphasizing the importance of autonomous chairs in enhancing ESG integrity and transparency. These findings align with Saudi Vision 2030, promoting sustainable and ethical business practices. Future research should explore the impact of ACC characteristics on ESG performance across different contexts and industries.
Research and Prediction Analysis of Key Factors Influencing the Carbon Dioxide Emissions of Countries Along the “Belt and Road” Based on Panel Regression and the A-A-E Coupling Model
Authors: Feng Xiang-Dong , Wang Xiang-Long , Wen Li , Yuan Yao , Zhang Yu-Qin
Published: December 2024

With the in-depth implementation of China’s “Belt and Road” strategic policy, member countries along the Belt and Road have gained enormous economic benefits. Thus, it is important to accurately grasp the factors that affect carbon emissions and coordinate the relationship between economic development and environmental protection, which can impact the living environment of people worldwide. In this study, the researchers gathered data from the World Bank database, identified key indicators significantly impacting carbon emissions, employed the Pearson correlation coefficient and random forest model to perform dimensionality reduction on these indicators, and subsequently assessed the refined data using a panel regression model to examine the correlation and significance of these indicators and carbon emissions across various country types. To ensure the stability of the results, three prediction models were selected for coupling analysis: the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) from the field of machine learning, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, and the exponential smoothing method prediction model (ES) from the field of time series prediction. These models were used to assess carbon emissions from 54 countries along the Belt and Road from 2021 to 2030, and a coupling formula was defined to integrate the prediction results. The findings demonstrated that the integrated prediction amalgamates the forecasting traits of the three approaches, manifesting remarkable stability. The error analysis also indicated that the short-term prediction results are satisfactory. This has substantial practical implications for China in terms of fine-tuning its foreign policy, considering the entire situation and planning accordingly, and advancing energy conservation and emission reduction worldwide.
A Logistic Regression Model for the Analysis of Attitudes and Behaviours Towards Functional Foods Among Senior Consumers Aged 60+ Years
Authors: Suszek Anna , Guze Sambor
Published: December 2024

The aim of this study was to establish models of attitudes and behaviours of senior consumers towards functional foods. Due to the ageing societies in modern Europe, it is crucial to identify opportunities to ensure the well-being of seniors. This is all the more important because, in every branch of the economy, this social group still plays a significant role in its operation. One method that seniors can use to promote their health is to include functional foods in their daily diets. Therefore, it is important to skilfully model this social group’s attitudes and behaviours. For this purpose, this article proposes models based on logarithmic regression. Due to its properties, on the one hand, this method is a scientist-friendly tool, and on the other hand, it allows for the accurate modelling of a real problem. The four analytical and forecasting models proposed in this article were based on survey research conducted in a distinct social group. The models characterise seniors’ food neophobia and attitudes towards functional foods according to independent descriptive variables that influence the dependent variable. Marketers should use the results obtained to prepare sales strategies for products and functional foods among seniors.
Sustainability Potential of Kikuyu Grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) in Livestock Farming of Peru’s Highland Regions
Authors: Alvarez-García Wuesley Yusmein , Diaz Herrera Arturo , Becerra Yessica , Vallejos-Fernández Luis A. , Florián Roy , Carrasco-Chilón William , Cervantes-Peralta Marieta , Quilcate Carlos , Muñoz-Vilchez Yudith
Published: December 2024

Sustainable Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) production in the Peruvian highlands was evaluated through productivity, growth, and chemical composition. This study assessed the effects of nitrogen (N) rate, organic matter application, and cutting frequency on Kikuyu grass’s yield, chemical composition, plant height, and growth rate. The experiment followed a randomised block design with split plots. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) assessed the differences across study factors. Applying 120 kg of N ha−1 yr−1 raised the protein yield to 3454.53 kg ha−1, with a crude protein (CP) content of 23.54%. Moreover, fencing with cypress (Cupressus lusitanica) trees influenced the Kikuyu biomass, producing 19,176.23 kg of dry matter (DM) ha−1 yr−1 at 8.5–11.5 m from the tree base. Organic matter enhanced the Kikuyu aboveground biomass. While dry matter production showed no significant difference between 30- and 60-day cutting intervals, CP content was higher at 30 days (p < 0.05). Peak daily dry matter (DM) production occurred at 45 days, achieving a biomass accumulation of 21,186.9 kg of DM ha−1 yr−1. Given its high yield and favourable chemical composition, Kikuyu is a viable option for dairy cattle feed, especially in highland areas. Implementing a plant improvement programme for Kikuyu could further enhance its nutritional value for high-production dairy cows.
Sustainable Valorization of Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis Leaves) as a Pasta Ingredient
Authors: Masiala Anthony , Vingadassalon Audrey , Lemoyne Sarah , Pejcz Ewa , Wojciechowicz-Budzisz Agata , Olędzki Remigiusz , Aurore Guylene , Harasym Joanna
Published: December 2024

This study investigated the innovative incorporation of Artocarpus altilis leaves into potato-based gnocchi, demonstrating a sustainable approach to valorizing underutilized plant materials. Breadfruit leaves, often discarded as agricultural waste, represent an untapped resource rich in bioactive compounds and antioxidants. By incorporating these leaves into pasta products, we demonstrate a promising strategy for enhancing food systems’ nutritional profile and sustainability. The research examined the functional, pasting, and bioactive properties of Artocarpus altilis leaf blends with potato flakes. The blends showed significant water-holding capacity (4.88–8.58 g H2O/g DM) and notable antioxidant activity in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts (DPPH: 1.95–3.35 mg TE/g DM). Pasting profiles revealed that increasing the Artocarpus altilis concentration progressively modified the starch behavior, reducing the peak viscosity from 972.5 to 530.0 mPa·s. Gnocchi formulated with 10% Artocarpus altilis leaves demonstrated good stability during 4-day storage, with minimal color changes (ΔL* ≈ 2) and predictable textural evolution (cutting force increase from 4.5 to 5.8 N). The incorporation of these leaves enhances the nutritional profile through increased antioxidant content and promotes sustainable food production by utilizing agricultural by-products. This approach demonstrates the potential for developing eco-friendly food products while supporting local agricultural economies in tropical regions with abundant Artocarpus altilis. The successful integration of these leaves into a popular food product opens new possibilities for sustainable food innovation and waste reduction in the food industry.
Efficient Removal of Lead, Cadmium, and Zinc from Water and Soil by MgFe Layered Double Hydroxide: Adsorption Properties and Mechanisms
Authors: Deng Hua , Zhang Shuyun , Li Qiuyan , Li Anyu , Gan Weixing , Hu Lening
Published: December 2024

Both biochar and layered double hydroxide (LDH) have drawbacks in regard to the removal of heavy metals. The combined application of biochar and LDH not only solved the problem of the easy agglomeration of LDH but also effectively improved the heavy metal adsorption capacity of biochar. In this work, a MgFe–LDH banana straw biochar composite (MgFe–LDH@BB), with a regular hydrotalcite structure, was synthesized by employing a simple hydrothermal method. The composite showed an ultra-high adsorption capacity for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) in water. A series of experiments were conducted to investigate the adsorption characteristics of MgFe–LDH@BB. At pH = 6.0, MgFe–LDH@BB demonstrated the effective adsorption of Pb, Cd, and Zn. In addition, the results showed that the adsorption of Pb, Cd, and Zn by MgFe–LDH@BB was rapid and conformed to pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir models, indicating single-layer chemical adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of MgFe–LDH@BB for Pb, Cd, and Zn was 1112.6, 869.6, and 414.9 mg·g−1, respectively. Moreover, the adsorption mechanisms of MgFe–LDH@BB mainly included metal hydroxide/carbonate precipitation, complex formation with hydroxyl groups, and ion exchange. Meanwhile, MgFe–LDH@BB had the ability to immobilize heavy metals in soil. The surface-rich functional groups and cation exchange promoted the transformation of active heavy metal ions into a more stable form.
An Analytic Model for Quantitatively Assessing the Resilience Level of an Agri-Food Supply Chain: Development and Validation
Authors: Tebaldi Letizia , Gubiotti Amedeo Mattia , Vignali Giuseppe
Published: December 2024

Over the last decade, resilience has become an indispensable aspect to be considered when managing supply chains given to the recent challenges they were subjected to, and a constituting element of their sustainability. However, despite literature on supply chain resilience is copious, tools for quantifying the resilience of a business are lacking, especially when dealing with the a priori resilience of a system, since several assessments are a posteriori carried out, after a disruption has manifested. In response, an analytic quantitative model is here proposed, whose output is a Global Resilience Index for a company. The model is divided into 3 phases: Supply (8 factors), Production (12 factors) and Distribution (5 factors); these elements were derived from literature and semi-structured interviews with practitioners. The logical functioning of the model is based on weighted averages attributed to each single factor; for defining the weights a survey was sent, in which respondents had to express their opinion with reference to the perceived impact of those factors on resilience. For validating the model, it was implemented in three companies manufacturing the following products: fresh milk, ginseng coffee and vegetable preserves. Despite none of them reached the higher resilience level, results offer interesting insights for let the users understand where the system is weaker. This model is intended to be made available to those who desire to include the resilience assessment to manage operational decisions; moreover, this value could be included in a wider sustainability assessment of a business.
Interaction of Asymmetric Adaptive Network Structures and Parameter Balance in Image Feature Extraction and Recognition
Authors: Liu Hua-Yu , Li Ying
Published: December 2024

To better process irregular sample images for their image feature extraction and recognition, this essay proposes asymmetric adaptive neural network (AACNN) structures, including dual structures of an adaptive image feature extraction network (AT-CNN) and adaptive image recognition network (AT-ACNN). They both comprise an Adaptive Transform (AT) module and a deep learning network, but the ACNN comprises pixel-adaptive convolutional (PAC) kernels that CNN does not have, reflecting the asymmetry of these network structures. Structural analysis and comparative testing experiments indicated that the proposed method is more appropriate and effective for dealing with irregular sample images with different sizes and views, mainly focusing on their feature extraction accuracy and image recognition efficiency. The proposed method constructs the interaction between asymmetric dual network structures, essential in improving model performance and efficiency. It specifically manifests that the PAC kernels in an ACNN resolves the problem of content-agnostic convolution in image recognition by learning image features from a pre-trained CNN. On the other hand, it improves image recognition efficiency by using feature maps extracted from the pre-trained CNN to train the classifiers in the ACNN. We also found that parameter balance was essential in adaptive neural network structure for better performance in further testing experiments. When setting the Dropout layer parameter at 0.5 and the iteration number was 32, the proposed model achieved adequate recognition accuracy and efficiency. Smaller parameters affect model performance, but more extensive parameters significantly increase computational burden and loss. Comparative testing experiments fully validated its superiority compared with traditional methods based on CNNs. Using traditional carving patterns from Anhui Province as an example, we conducted image recognition and feature graphic application under ideal parameter balance conditions and thereby demonstrated the practicality and value of the proposed method.
A Unified Mission Ontology Based on Systematic Integration of Interdisciplinary Concepts
Authors: Belay Zelalem Mihret , Axelsson Jakob
Published: December 2024

The concept of a mission is important to system design and development, especially in system of systems (SoS) engineering. However, the diverse usage of the term ’mission’ across disciplines often results in ambiguity regarding its role in practical applications in mission-centric engineering tasks. Clearly defined and precisely represented missions improve communication among stakeholders and help bridge interdisciplinary gaps. This study aims to investigate and analyze the state of the art for mission conceptualizations and representations and proposes a unified mission ontology (UMO) that improves semantic interoperability across various domains. To achieve this goal, we conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) to examine how missions are conceptualized and represented, analyzed the findings to obtain insight about cross-domain concepts related to missions, and developed a UMO that can be adapted to domain specific applications. The UMO facilitates semantic interoperability across domains through a high-level abstraction of shared concepts. To validate the comprehensiveness and adaptability of the UMO, we conducted coverage analysis using semantic similarity estimates to assess the equivalence of ontological concepts. This evaluation quantified the extent to which concepts from various domain-specific ontologies, including the mission engineering guideline, align with those in the UMO.
Treatment with OnabotulinumtoxinA for Oromandibular Dystonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yoshida Kazuya , Kaji Ryuji
Published: December 2024

Oromandibular dystonia (OMD) is a focal dystonia characterized by contractions of the masticatory, lingual, and other muscles of the stomatognathic system. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate the impact and safety of botulinum toxin in OMD. The eligibility criteria were full-length original articles that provided data evaluating the efficacy and adverse effects of onabotulinumtoxinA injections in patients with OMD. PubMed and Embase were searched for articles published before 31 May 2023. We analyzed cases that showed a favorable response (>0% improvement), moderate or greater response (>50% improvement), and adverse effects. A fixed-model meta-analysis of 26 studies involving 1103 patients revealed that an overall favorable effect of onabotulinumtoxinA injection was observed in 96.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95–97.5%, p < 0.00001) of patients, with significant heterogeneity (p < 0.00001, I2 = 85%). A moderate response (>50% improvement) was observed in 88.9% of patients (95% CI, 87–90.8%, p < 0.00001) with significant heterogeneity (p < 0.00001, I2 = 85%). Adverse effects were detected in 17.8% of patients, and the most common event was dysphagia (10.1%). Our systematic review found that onabotulinumtoxinA injection was effective, with a low rate of side effects. Further randomized controlled trials are required to clarify the evidence-based efficacy and adverse effects.
Local Climate Zones Classification Applied to a Brazilian Amazon City
Authors: Cordovil Kely Prissila Saraiva , Brou Yao Telesphore , Guedi Osman Abdillahi , Peres Lucas Vaz , Machado Wilderclay Barreto , Gaspar Avner Brasileiro dos Santos , Bencherif Hassan , Gonçalves Lucas Raphael Mourão , de Carvalho Luciana Gonçalves
Published: December 2024

Urban elements influence atmospheric flow, turbulence, and the local microclimate, modifying the transport and composition of pollutants. However, although this focus on cities is crucial for managing climate change, our knowledge of most cities in the world is still quite limited. Thus, the classification of Local Climate Zones (LCZs) aims to increase the accuracy of urban studies and has already been applied in various regions of the world, including, more recently, in Brazil. This article aimed to apply the LCZ to Santarém, a city in the Brazilian Amazon. The methodological procedures included the digital mapping protocol of the World Urban Database and Access Portal Tools (WUDAPT-Level 0) and the supervised classification tool of the LCZ Generator application, resulting in 78 polygons representing 10.02% of the training area and 13.94% of the study area (urban zone). The research identified 7 of the 17 main LCZ classes in Santarém. The use of the NDVI was essential for assessing the vegetation in each class, highlighting variations in green areas and emphasizing that vegetation is reduced in built environments. This approach enhances the understanding of urban morphology and enables future research into urbanization and the climate in the Amazon.
Cartographic Visualisation of Light Pollution Measurements
Authors: Kunz Mieczysław , Daab Dominika
Published: December 2024

The light pollution of the night sky is already a widespread phenomenon, the spatial extent and magnitude of which are increasingly represented in the form of thematic maps and cartographic visualization. Its leading cause needs to be correctly designed or adequately installed outdoor lighting. The problem of excessive artificial light emission at night, together with its adverse effects, has already reached such a level that it has become necessary to develop usable and comprehensible methods for the cartographic representation of the distribution of the phenomenon. In practice, there are several ways to measure the intensity of this pollution. However, there are no uniform legal standards for the use of outdoor lighting and no guidance and guidelines for the visualization of measurement data. Such visualization should provide a consistent, reliable, and, above all, readable picture of the phenomenon adapted to the needs of different audiences. Examples of the representation of the results of measurements of light pollution of the night sky can be found in the literature or a few atlases. Still, they often differ in color scales, value divisions, and measurement units used. This paper reviews the scales and units available in the literature to describe this phenomenon. The differences between the approaches of specialists from different branches and their influence on the final interpretation of the data are also presented. In addition, an authorial solution is proposed to standardize methods of cartographic visualization of the spatial distribution of light smog measurement results. The article attempts to draw attention to the importance of the graphical description of light smog, which will shortly be the subject of increasing research and work on the unification of cartographic communication.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Other Respiratory Viruses in Hospitalized Infants During the 2023–2024 Winter Season in Mexico
Authors: Leija-Martínez José J. , Cadena-Mota Sandra , González-Ortiz Ana María , Muñoz-Escalante Juan Carlos , Mata-Moreno Gabriel , Hernández-Sánchez Pedro Gerardo , Vega-Morúa María , Noyola Daniel E.
Published: December 2024

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant change in the epidemiology of RSV and other viruses occurred worldwide, leading to a reduction in the circulation of these infectious agents. After the pandemic, the resurgence of seasonal respiratory viruses occurred, but some features of these infections contrast to those registered prior to the pandemic. In the present work, we studied 390 children <5 years old admitted to the hospital to determine the contribution of RSV, SARS-CoV-2, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and influenza viruses to acute respiratory infections during the 2023–2024 winter season in Mexico. RSV was the most frequently detected virus (n = 160, 41%), followed by SARS-CoV-2 (n = 69, 17.7%), hMPV (n = 68, 17.4%), and influenza A or B (n = 40, 10.26%). Fourteen patients required admission to the intensive care unit, including six (42.8%) with RSV infection. Four children died (1%). At least one of the four viruses was detected in all deceased patients: SARS-CoV-2 in one; SARS-CoV-2 and hMPV in two; and RSV, influenza A, and SARS-CoV-2 in one. The high impact of RSV and other respiratory viruses indicates the need to implement specific preventive programs to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with them.
Potyvirus-Based Vectors for Heterologous Gene Expression in Plants
Authors: Achs Adam , Glasa Miroslav , Šubr Zdeno
Published: December 2024

Over the past two decades, plant viral vectors have emerged as a powerful tool for the production of recombinant proteins in plants. Among the different plant viruses engineered to carry foreign genes of interest in their genomes, potyviruses have gained attention due to their polyprotein expression strategy and broad host range. To date, at least eleven different species belonging to the genus Potyvirus have been used for heterologous gene expression in both their natural and experimental hosts. This review article provides an overview of the current state of potyvirus-based plant viral vectors, discussing the advantages and limitations of these systems. We also discuss the future challenges and potential applications of potyvirus-based expression vectors, including the production of vaccines, nanoparticles, therapeutics, and metabolic engineering. Overall, we highlight the potential of potyvirus-based vectors as a versatile tool for recombinant protein production in plants.
The Dynamics of Antibody Titres Against SARS-CoV-2 in Vaccinated Healthcare Workers: A Systemic Literature Review
Authors: Gurkšnienė Vilija , Alčauskas Tadas , Majauskaitė Fausta , Jančorienė Ligita
Published: December 2024

Background and Objectives: Given that COVID-19 vaccination is a relatively recent development, particularly when compared to immunisation against other diseases, it is crucial to assess its efficacy in vaccinated populations. This literature review analysed studies that monitored antibody titres against SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers who received COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: Using the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparators, Outcomes) model recommended in the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines we included 43 publications which analyse antibody dynamics following primary vaccination, the effects of booster doses, and the influence of factors such as COVID-19C infection, age, and sex on antibody kinetics. Results: All the studies demonstrated a strong immunogenic response to the vaccines. Re-gardless of the vaccine used, over 95% of the pre-vaccination seronegative population be-came seropositive in all studies. Depending on the sampling intervals provided by the re-searchers, antibody levels were quantitatively highest during the first three months after vaccination, but levels inevitably declined over time. The monthly decline in antibodies observed in all these studies highlighted the necessity for booster doses. Studies analysing the impact of revaccination on antibody dynamics have confirmed that revaccination is an effective tool to boost humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2. An-tibodies appear to persist for a longer period of time after revaccination, although they are subject to similar factors influencing antibody dynamics, such as age, comorbidities, and exposure to COVID-19. In addition, heterogeneous revaccination strategies have been shown to be more effective than homogeneous revaccination. Conclusions: Our review demonstrated that antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 inevitably decline after vaccination, leaving the question of ongoing booster strategies open. The studies reviewed provided evidence of the effectiveness of booster vaccination, despite differences in age, sex, and prior COVID-19 infection. This suggests that repeated vaccination remains a highly effective method for mitigating the continued threat posed by COVID-19.
Linking Water Quality Indicators in Stable Reservoir Ecosystems: Correlation Analysis and Ecohydrological Implications
Authors: Du Juan , Yang Xiao , Xu Peng , Wan Xiang , Wang Pan , Wang Ding , Yang Qi , Wang Qiu , Razzaq Amar
Published: December 2024

This research was conducted to determine the connections between dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), permanganate index (CODMn), five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-H) across five reservoirs of Yunmeng County, China, from January to November 2022. Each month, water samples were collected and subjected to analysis using standard methods. The samples were collected and analyzed using standard methods: dissolved oxygen was determined using the electrochemical probe method, COD was measured via the rapid digestion spectrophotometric method, CODMn was detected using the potassium permanganate oxidation method, BOD5 was determined using the dilution and inoculation method, and NH3-N was measured by using the Nessler reagent spectrophotometry method. The results confirmed strong positive correlations between COD and CODMn, with different intensities from reservoir to reservoir. More specific and demanding COD parameters were used to estimate the level of oxygen consumption; hence, a more variable correlation strength was observed between BOD5 and the other two parameters. Thus, BOD5 was found to be the main indicator of biodegradable organic matter and bacterial oxygen consumption. However, the results were negative, showing a decreasing trend. This means that the oxygen content was lower in the majority of reservoirs, which is attributed to the decomposition of ammonia nitrogen and the presence of organic matter. These findings significantly contribute to the development of appropriate programs for efficient water quality monitoring and the development of reservoir-specific management strategies. This study suggests that there is a need for continuous monitoring of these parameters, together with the extension of the program to additional reservoirs and water quality indicators, along with the use of advanced modeling techniques to clarify the underlying factors that connect water quality parameters in these complex reservoir ecosystems.
Study of the Biogas Ebullition from Lacustrine Carbonate Enriched and Black Silt Bottom Sediments
Authors: Maceika Evaldas , Kazakevičiūtė-Jakučiūnienė Laima , Žukauskaitė Zita , Prokopčiuk Nina , Konstantinova Marina , Dudoitis Vadimas , Tarasiuk Nikolay
Published: December 2024

The greenhouse effect, which is also promoted by naturally occurring biogas ebullition fluxes (released via bubbles), generated by the decomposition of organic matter in carbonate-enriched and black silt sediments, has been analyzed. This study is based on results obtained using passive gas collectors at different parts of eutrophic Lake Juodis, located in a temperate climate zone in the vicinity of Vilnius (Lithuania). The measured annual biogas (containing about 60% of biomethane) ebullition fluxes from carbonate-enriched sediments and black silt sediments were 16.9–23.0 L/(m2∙y) and 38.5–43.2 L/(m2∙y), respectively. This indicates that the gas fluxes from carbonate sediments were almost twice as low as those from black silt sediments. Oxygen, produced by the photosynthetic activity of green algae in the near-surface water and sediments, helps to retain carbonates in the sediments by preventing their dissolution. In turn, the calcite coating on sediment particles partially preserves organic matter from decomposition, reducing the effective thickness of the sediment layer generating biogas. The characteristic vertical distribution profile of 137Cs activity, with sharp peaks in sediments, suggests that generated biogas bubbles move to the surface of the sediments forming vertical channels by pushing sediment particles asides without noticeably mixing them vertically. This examination showed that factors such as abundance of carbonates in the sediments may result in a significant reduction in biogas generation and emissions from the lake sediments.
Optimizing Chemical Oxygen Demand Prediction in Spectroscopy Through Hybrid Feature Engineering and Regression-Based Similarity Analysis
Authors: Jia Chenjie , Zhou Zhicheng , Li Jiehui , Ma Jiankang , Ji Xinming
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a hybrid feature extraction and regression-based machine learning approach for predicting COD concentrations in water samples using spectral data. The method integrates SK-Best and FA to tackle high dimensionality and information redundancy in small datasets. SK-Best identifies key absorbance features, enhancing predictive reliability, while FA reduces dimensionality and extracts valuable information for similarity prediction. The combination of SK-Best, FA, and Linear Regression achieves strong prediction performance (R2~0.87, MAE = 0.23), demonstrating interpretability, flexibility, and robustness in small datasets. This approach offers a promising solution for real-time water quality monitoring and will be further optimized for broader applications.
Monetizing Co-Benefits of Nature-Based Sanitation-Constructed Wetlands Using Contingent Valuation Method—Jordan as a Case Study
Authors: Masoud Ahmed M. N. , Alfarra Amani , Sorlini Sabrina
Published: December 2024

Parallel to the growing evidence about the efficiency of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in sanitation, there is a growing need to highlight the co-benefits of these solutions compared to conventional alternatives. This study focuses on economically valuing these co-benefits, with constructed wetlands (CWs) examined as a sanitation solution. The contingent valuation (CV) method has been utilized for this purpose, measuring people’s willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA) CWs as a sanitation solution. Jordan has been selected as a case study due to the country’s preference for sustainable, cost-efficient solutions. By utilizing extended questionnaires at the stakeholder and community levels, this research aims to identify gaps between these groups’ perspectives on CWs. Additionally, this study investigates the main factors affecting communities’ WTP and WTA. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for the responses, followed by the CV method, and regression analysis to understand the main factors affecting WTP and WTA. The results are intended to guide decision-makers in developing programs that align with community preferences and address gaps in the acceptance of NbS-CWs. The main results found that while stakeholders have concerns about people’s WTA CWs, the community survey revealed that people prefer CWs over conventional solutions. The findings revealed that 78.9% of respondents were willing to accept (WTA) CWs to treat wastewater in their town, but only 33% WTA having CW near their households. Meanwhile, 53.2% were willing to pay (WTP) for CWs in general, while 80.7% are willing to accept (WTP) using CWs to treat greywater at the household level and 56.9% of the respondents are WTP for that.
Challenges of Providing Safe Drinking Water in African Rural Communities: A Case Study on the Oio Region, Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Silveira Pedro , Rebelo Maria Teresa , Salvador Daniel
Published: December 2024

Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, yet it remains a global challenge affecting nearly 2 billion people, particularly in Africa in regions such as Guinea-Bissau. This study investigated the microbiological and physicochemical quality of drinking water in four rural areas of the Oio region of Guinea-Bissau—Cangha N’Tchugal, Cajaque, Infaidi and Insanha—over a one-year period (October 2022–September 2023) to assess water safety and seasonal variations. During this period, eight water samples were collected and analysed from each site, split evenly between the dry and wet seasons. The results showed widespread faecal coliform contamination, with concentrations escalating during the wet season (2 to 39 CFU/100 mL), posing a health risk. Physicochemical analysis showed consistently acidic pH values (from 4.93 to 6.58) and seasonal variations in phosphate and iron concentrations, with a marked decrease in iron concentrations during the wet season. These results indicated that the water from the four sampling points was unfit for human consumption. In light of these findings, there is an urgent need for the regular monitoring of water sources used for drinking and for improved access to resources and basic sanitation in the future.
Integrating Multiple Levee-Breaching Scenarios and Flood Events to Develop a Probabilistic Spatial Flood-Hazard Map of Etobicoke Creek in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Mainguenaud Florence , Peyras Laurent , Khan Usman T. , Carvajal Claudio , Beullac Bruno , Sharma Jitendra
Published: December 2024

Forecasting flood characteristics (e.g., water levels and velocity) is a growing concern due to climate change. It is therefore necessary to consider the stability conditions of earthen levees used to mitigate floods during a flood risk assessment. This technical note presents a method to assess probabilistic flood hazard that takes into account levee failures, for a levee located along Etobicoke Creek in Toronto, Canada. We compute flood scenario probabilities resulting from multiple flood scenarios that accounts for both the levee failures across the length of the levee, and different levee-failure mechanisms (e.g., backward erosion and overtopping). Then, for each location of the flooded area, we compute a cumulative flood exceedance probability curve for flood depth and velocity. This method provides a flood-hazard map (depth and velocity) for a given probability and probabilistic maps for given values of depth or velocity.
A Family of Hybrid Topologies for Efficient Constant-Current and Constant-Voltage Output of Magnetically Coupled Wireless Power Transfer Systems
Authors: Zheng Yingyao , Xie Ronghuan , Lin Tao , Chen Xiaoying , Mao Xingkui , Zhang Yiming
Published: December 2024

In the field of wireless charging technology for electric vehicles, the charging process of lithium-ion batteries is typically divided into two stages: constant-current (CC) charging and constant-voltage (CV) charging. This two-stage charging method helps protect the battery and extend its service life. This paper proposes a family of circuit topology design schemes that achieve a smooth transition from CC to CV charging stages by using two relays. Additionally, the paper derives the corresponding system efficiency formulas and provides constraints on device parameters to ensure that the charging efficiency remains high during different charging stages. The proposed family of circuit topologies adopt unified device parameters and relay control logic, simplifying the design and operation process, and making these topologies more suitable for large-scale applications. To verify the practical performance of these topologies, the paper constructs experimental prototypes and conducts tests. The experimental results show that the proposed family of topologies can stably achieve CC and CV output, with smooth transitions between the two charging modes, and the efficiency can be maintained above 89% before and after mode switching over a wide load range. Furthermore, the mode switching points of the proposed family of topologies are multiples of two.
General practice community pharmacist consultation service: an exploratory patient survey
Authors: Gauly Julia , Grimley Catherine , Dale Jeremy , Gill Paramjit , Atherton Helen
Published: December 2024

Background

The General Practice Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (GP CPCS) was established to allow patients with certain minor illnesses to be referred to a community pharmacy for assessment and treatment.

Aim

To explore patients’ experiences of the GP CPCS.

Design & setting

An online survey in two regions of England.

Method

25 general practices invited patients to take part in an exploratory survey. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis.

Results

The response rate was 5.1% (72/1423). Prior to contacting their general practice, 14.1% (9/64) had tried to speak to a pharmacist. Most respondents accepted the CPCS referral (77.3%, 51/66), received a pharmacy consultation on the same day (80.0%, 40/50) and were largely satisfied with the amount of time the pharmacist spent with them (82.5%, 33/40) the consultation format (68.3%, 28/41) and the privacy provided during the consultation (80.9%, 38/47).

However, most respondents (56.5%, 39/69) felt poorly informed by the general practice on why they were being advised to speak to a pharmacist and did not feel that it was appropriate that they had been advised to speak to a community pharmacist (54.2%, 39/72). Only 33.3% (16/48) felt that their consultation fully met their health needs and 27.1% (13/48) of patients described being re-referred from pharmacy back to their general practice.

Conclusion

In this exploratory study patients were largely accepting of the GP CPCS. Improvements in terms of explaining GP CPCS to patients, selecting patients appropriate for referral to the service and the appointment process may be of benefit.
Cidade resiliente: qual o caminho a ser trilhado?
Authors:   , Santos Rosana Campos dos
Published: December 2024

Nos dias atuais muito se enfatiza sobre a importância de construção de cidades resilientes que de acordo com a Organização das Nações Unidas - ONU (2018), são aquelas que detêm sistemas capazes de recuperar-se em determinadas situações de riscos e desastres com rapidez, realizando o fornecimento de insumos e recursos necessários para a população afetada e também promovendo a reestruturação da localidade com segurança, realizando a implantação correta de gerenciamentos de riscos. Nesse sentido, torna-se imprescindível que os gestores públicos realizem um planejamento para controle adequado de riscos que podem ocorrer nos centros urbanos para que sejam eliminados com rapidez e eficiência. O estudo tem como objetivo enfatizar a necessidade das cidades adquirirem e possuírem resiliência a desastres, se descrevendo os mais importantes passos a serem implantados pelos governantes, que já foram validados por algumas localidades, que são pautados nos Dez Princípios de Resiliência da ONU, finalizando-se com algumas exemplificações mundiais de cidades resilientes, para consolidação da importância de um desenvolvimento sustentável e com qualidade de vida para os indivíduos mundialmente. A pesquisa possui tipologia básica, exploratória e qualitativa seguida de Revisão de Literatura que basicamente é o processo de buscar, analisar um determinado tema, utilizando-a assim para identificação do caminho mais adequado para a construção de resiliência. Fez-se a utilização de diversas literaturas brasileiras e mundiais, artigos científicos, órgãos brasileiros e mundiais, para mapeamento dos passos necessários para construção de resiliência através do Software Bizagi Modeler. Ponderando-se o enorme aumento da população global, grandes ocorrências de desastres, modificações de clima, incidência de riscos, pandemias e epidemias, faz-se primordial que os centros urbanos detenham planejamento e recursos financeiros direcionados para resiliência, para que possam responder às crises, responder aos choques e tensões e tenham capacidade de recuperar-se oportunamente. Diante do estudo efetuado, identificou-se como o mais pertinente para a construção da resiliência a aderência aos Dez Princípios de Construção da Resiliência da ONU, com execução dos passos importantes em cada princípio, podendo assim ser utilizado por governantes para solidificar o desenvolvimento com sustentabilidade e se atingir a resiliência. Concluiu-se ainda a necessidade da aderência aos 17 Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável da ONU, com ênfase no objetivo 11 - Cidades e Comunidades Sustentáveis, contribuindo-se assim efetivamente para o alcance da resiliência. Ainda ponderou-se a importância da urbanização sustentável para a construção de resiliência.