bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Streamflow Simulation with High-Resolution WRF Input Variables Based on the CNN-LSTM Hybrid Model and Gamma Test
Authors: Wang Yizhi , Liu Jia , Xu Lin , Yu Fuliang , Zhang Shanjun
Published: April 2023

Streamflow modelling is one of the most important elements for the management of water resources and flood control in the context of future climate change. With the advancement of numerical weather prediction and modern detection technologies, more and more high-resolution hydro-meteorological data can be obtained, while traditional physical hydrological models cannot make full use of them. In this study, a hybrid deep learning approach is proposed for the simulation of daily streamflow in two mountainous catchments of the Daqing River Basin, northern China. Two-dimensional high-resolution (1 km) output data from a WRF model were used as the model input, a convolutional neural network (CNN) model was used to extract the physical and meteorological characteristics of the catchment at a certain time, and the long short-term memory (LSTM) model was applied to simulate the streamflow using the time-series data extracted by the CNN model. To reduce model input noise and avoid overfitting, the Gamma test method was adopted and the correlations between the input variables were checked to select the optimal combination of input variables. The performance of the CNN-LSTM models was acceptable without using the Gamma test (i.e., with all WRF input variables included), with NSE and RMSE values of 0.9298 and 9.0047 m3/s, respectively, in the Fuping catchment, and 0.8330 and 1.1806 m3/s, respectively, in the Zijingguan catchment. However, it was found that the performance of the model could be significantly improved by the use of the Gamma test. Using the best combination of input variables selected by the Gamma test, the NSE of the Fuping catchment increased to 0.9618 and the RMSE decreased to 6.6366 m3/s, and the NSE of the Zijingguan catchment increased to 0.9515 and the RMSE decreased to 0.6366 m3/s. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the CNN-LSTM approach for flood streamflow simulation using WRF-downscaled high-resolution data. By using this approach to assess the potential impacts of climate change on streamflow with the abundant high-resolution meteorological data generated by different climate scenarios, water managers can develop more effective strategies for managing water resources and reducing the risks associated with droughts and floods.
Prediction of Earth Dam Seepage Using a Transient Thermal Finite Element Model
Authors: Wise Jarrett , Hunt Sherry , Al Dushaishi Mohammed
Published: April 2023

With the majority of the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)-sponsored earthen dams exceeding their planned service life, seepage is a concern since it is a common failure mechanism among earthen dams as a whole. Seepage occurs when water penetrates a hydraulic barrier to create open pathways, channels, or piping leading to internal erosion or stability issues due to increased effective stress. Due to the complex geometries of these hydraulic structures, time-dependent boundary conditions, and complicated failure analyses, numerical approaches have been used to estimate seepage. However, the existing numerical models are either computationally expensive or assume steady-state conditions. This work develops the framework for using a transient thermal finite element analysis (FEA) model as an analogy to predict transient seepage. The FEA model is compared to a transient analytical model to verify the approach. A sensitivity analysis of the FEA model shows that the time aspect of seepage flow is dependent on the medium, i.e., soil, and not on the fluid properties.
Social Innovation Perspective of Community-Based Climate Change Adaptation: A Framework-Based Study of Ladakh, India
Authors: Kumar Tusharkanti , Saizen Izuru
Published: April 2023

Indigenous knowledge of local environments is crucial for developing innovative and contextual climate change adaptation strategies. Although the significance of community-led efforts based on this knowledge has been well acknowledged, they have not been effectively incorporated into mainstream development processes. The mountainous region of Ladakh presents a novel case of water storage in the form of ice reservoirs as an adaptive strategy against intensified water scarcity. This study aims to assess community-based innovations in climate change adaptation strategies and find solutions for their effective integration. This study theorizes a framework for Social Innovation in Climate Change Adaptation (SICCA) for a structured analysis of the situation in Ladakh. This research was conducted through interviews, surveys, Geographic Information System-based mapping, and field observations to analyze the use of ice reservoirs as a solution to water scarcity issues. The results demonstrate the wide recognition of these techniques’ effectiveness and the role of the community in the planning, execution, and operation of the initiatives. The findings highlight the challenges in their scaling up and diffusion. The research emphasizes the need to recognize and value community-based adaptation strategies to address the challenges posed by climate change. It offers recommendations for integrating them into the mainstream development process, and the framework serves as a significant outcome to guide policymakers and civil society actors for practical implementation.
Visitors’ Environmental Concerns in Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary: An Offshore Marine Protected Area
Authors: Lemmen Marieke , Burns Robert C. , Andrew Ross G. , Moreira Jasmine Cardozo
Published: April 2023

Marine sanctuaries serve as popular destinations for ecotourism, natural resource exploration, and recreation across the US. While often positive, visitation in marine and coastal areas can cause ecological threats to these ecosystems. Increased visitation in marine environments has led to the need for management due to negative ecological and social impacts. Understanding environmental values, attitudes, and perceptions is important to the success of environmental protection. Using online surveys sent via Qualtrics asking questions regarding the users’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of ocean resources, goods and services, this research focused on identifying user profiles and understanding their environmental perception associated with Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, an offshore marine protected area, and surrounding coastal Georgia. The results show that across multiple types of threats or phenomena, respondents are most concerned about threats to resources related to pollution. Furthermore, they support marine protection and are willing to adjust their consumption habits, such as recycling and energy use, to ensure the sustainable use of ocean resources. The inclusion of insights achieved through research about visitor perceptions into management decision making and planning can positively contribute to the success of environmental protection.
Field Calibration of Semipermeable Membrane Devices (SPMDs) for Persistent Organic Pollutant Monitoring in a Reservoir
Authors: Narvaez Valderrama Jhon Fredy , González Juan D. , Porras Jazmín , Molina Francisco J.
Published: April 2023

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in water can reach levels below ppt (ng L−1), representing a challenge for risk assessment using long-term exposure. Therefore, sampling devices to monitor trace levels of organic compounds are suitable due to their sensitivity and low detection limits. In this work, the field calibration and monitoring for POPs, such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides, in a drinking water reservoir were carried out using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). The SPMDs were spiked with deuterated PCBs used as PRCs, and their dissipation was measured at 5, 10, 15 and 24 days. The SPMDs were dialyzed in hexane twice and the initial amount (N) and final amount (No) of PRCs in extracts were estimated by GC/MS to calculate the sampling rate (Rs) for target compounds. The PCBs were dissipated more than 30% at 24 days, and Rs were calculated between 27.8 and 72.7 L day−1 for PAHs and 35.8 and 71.3 L day−1 for pesticides. Finally, PAH congeners such as Naphthalene, Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Fluoranthene and Pyrene were detected at water concentration (Cw) ranges between 0.5 and 2.7 ng L−1, whilst chlorpyrifos was the only pesticide detected at 19.0 ng L−1 in the reservoir. This calibration showed that PRCs do not dissipate entirely in 24 days and that dissipation modelling may be applied for Cw estimation of POPs in reservoirs.
Membrane Processes Treatment and Possibility of Agriculture Reuse of Textile Effluents: Study Case in Tunisia
Authors: Mzahma Sourour , Duplay Joelle , Souguir Dalila , Ben Amar Raja , Ghazi Malika , Hachicha Mohamed
Published: April 2023

Several processes have been developed to treat the textile effluents. Membrane technologies are among the most reliable processes for purifying these effluents. However, due to high costs, only reduced quantities are being treated. The recycling practices of treated textile effluents (TTE) in agriculture have not been appropriately explored. This work evaluates the quality of waters treated by membrane processes and puts forward a scenario for optimizing TTEs in agriculture. Four types of TTE have been tested to irrigate Sesbania bispinosa plants: water from biological treatment (BT) and water from three membrane processes after BT (Ultrafiltration (UF), Nanofiltration (NF), and Reverse Osmosis (RO)). The results indicate that the NF and RO membranes have a high affinity to remove monovalent and multivalent ions. Indeed, the removal of SO42−, Na+, and Cl− by NF was 83, 61, and 55%, respectively. Thus, the RO reduces approximately 96% of these elements. Irrigation with NF and RO waters has no negative effect on the soil and Sesbania plants, contrary to BT and UF waters. It appears that the reuse of TTE resulting from BT is not a good alternative; however, by carrying out additional treatments by NF and RO, their reuses have been made possible. The achieved results are a proposal to simultaneously solve three major problems affecting most of the world’s population: (1) environmental pollution by reducing the discharge of untreated textile effluents and improving the quality of this discharged water; (2) the pressure on water resources in the agricultural sector by replacing a conventional resource with a non-conventional resource (TTE); and (3) the lack of fodder, especially in the summer, by opting for crops that adapt to the quality of these TTE.
Wave Overtopping and Flooding Costs in the Pre-Design of Longitudinal Revetments
Authors: Lima Márcia , Coelho Carlos , Jesus Filipa
Published: April 2023

Wave overtopping, mainly caused by growing coastal erosion processes, directly affects populations, causing coastal flooding and potential damages. This work aims to develop the relationship between overtopping phenomena and their impact costs through an approach that considers wave runup, corresponding overtopping events, their flow volume and related flooding costs. Herewith, it is possible to evaluate the relationship between the structure construction and maintenance costs and the consequent costs due to overtopping and flooding damages, leading to the design of optimised coastal structures solutions. To apply the proposed approach, a real case study on the Portuguese northwest coast (Ovar municipality) was analysed, evaluating overtopping and flooding data recorded by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), allowing costs per unit flooded volume to be estimated. Then, future scenarios were predicted to assess the influence of climate change, discuss intervention scenarios and evaluate the uncertainty of economic parameters’ evolution. The proposed methodological approach represents a step forward in the estimative of coastal overtopping and flooding impacts, leading to increasing the knowledge about flooding and overtopping costs and optimised mitigation measures in artificialised coastal areas, where coastal defence works (longitudinal revetments) are present. This approach fills a gap in knowledge regarding this type of forecast in a medium- to long-term perspective.
Delineation of Groundwater Potential Area using an AHP, Remote Sensing, and GIS Techniques in the Ifni Basin, Western Anti-Atlas, Morocco
Authors: Ikirri Mustapha , Boutaleb Said , Ibraheem Ismael M. , Abioui Mohamed , Echogdali Fatima Zahra , Abdelrahman Kamal , Id-Belqas Mouna , Abu-Alam Tamer , El Ayady Hasna , Essoussi Sara , Faik Farid
Published: April 2023

An assessment of potential groundwater areas in the Ifni basin, located in the western Anti-Atlas range of Morocco, was conducted based on a multicriteria analytical approach that integrated a set of geomorphological and hydroclimatic factors influencing the availability of this resource. This approach involved the use of geographic information systems (GIS) and hierarchical analytical process (AHP) models. Different factors were classified and weighted according to their contribution to and impact on groundwater reserves. Their normalized weights were evaluated using a pairwise comparison matrix. Four classes of potentiality emerged: very high, high, moderate, and low, occupying 15.22%, 20.17%, 30.96%, and 33.65%, respectively, of the basin’s area. A groundwater potential map (GWPA) was validated by comparison with data from 134 existing water points using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The AUC was calculated at 80%, indicating the good predictive accuracy of the AHP method. These results will enable water operators to select favorable sites with a high groundwater potential.
Prediction of Sediment Yields Using a Data-Driven Radial M5 Tree Model
Authors: Keshtegar Behrooz , Piri Jamshid , Hussan Waqas Ul , Ikram Kamran , Yaseen Muhammad , Kisi Ozgur , Adnan Rana Muhammad , Adnan Muhammad , Waseem Muhammad
Published: April 2023

Reliable estimations of sediment yields are very important for investigations of river morphology and water resources management. Nowadays, soft computing methods are very helpful and famous regarding the accurate estimation of sediment loads. The present study checked the applicability of the radial M5 tree (RM5Tree) model to accurately estimate sediment yields using daily inputs of the snow cover fraction, air temperature, evapotranspiration and effective rainfall, in addition to the flow, in the Gilgit River, Upper Indus Basin (UIB) tributary, Pakistan. The results of the RM5Tree model were compared with support vector regression (SVR), artificial neural network (ANN), multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS), M5Tree, sediment rating curve (SRC) and response surface method (RSM) models. The resulting accuracy of the models was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R2), the root-mean-square error (RMSE) and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The prediction accuracy of the RM5Tree model during the testing period was superior to the ANN, MARS, SVR, M5Tree, RSM and SRC models with the R2, RMSE and MAPE being 0.72, 0.51 tons/day and 11.99%, respectively. The RM5Tree model predicted suspended sediment peaks better, with 84.10% relative accuracy, in comparison to the MARS, ANN, SVR, M5Tree, RSM and SRC models, with 80.62, 77.86, 81.90, 80.20, 74.58 and 62.49% relative accuracies, respectively.
Application of Artificial Intelligence in the Assessment and Forecast of Avalanche Danger in the Ile Alatau Ridge
Authors: Blagovechshenskiy Viktor , Medeu Akhmetkal , Gulyayeva Tamara , Zhdanov Vitaliy , Ranova Sandugash , Kamalbekova Aidana , Aldabergen Ulzhan
Published: April 2023

The assessment and forecast of avalanche danger are very important means of preventing avalanche fatalities, especially in recreational areas. The use of artificial intelligence methods for these purposes significantly increases the accuracy of avalanche forecasts. The purpose of this re-search was to improve the methods for assessing and forecasting avalanche danger in the Ile Alatau Ridge. To create a training sample, the data from three meteorological and two avalanche stations for the period from 2002 to 2022 were used. The following predictors were chosen: air temperature, snow cover depth, precipitation, and snowpack stability index. The subject of the assessment and forecasts was the level of avalanche danger, assessed on a five-point scale. The program Statistica StatSoft was used as a neurosimulator. When forecasting avalanche danger, the predictive values of air temperature and precipitation, obtained from numerical weather forecast models, were used. The model correctly assessed the current level of avalanche danger in 90% of cases. The forecast of avalanche danger was justified in 80% of cases. The artificial intelligence program helped the avalanche forecaster to improve the forecast quality. This method is currently being used for compiling an avalanche bulletin for two river basins in the Ile Alatau.
Social rehabilitation of children from families affected by destructive cults
Authors:   Magnitogorsk State Technical University named after G. I. Nosov, Ispulova Svetlana Nikolaevna
Published: April 2023

The relevance of the undertaken study of social rehabilitation of children from families affected by destructive cults is due to the fact that today the number of destructive religious organizations is increasing, as well as the number of children exposed to their negative influence. The solution to this problem lies in the development of social rehabilitation activities, which involves various technologies aimed at restoring the child's mental health.
"Double accounting" of agricultural land plots: pros and cons
Authors:   Department of Real Estate Management and Law, State University of Land Use Planning, Moscow, Lipski, S.A.
Published: April 2023

Since 2022, the state register of agricultural lands has been introduced in our country, and since 1992, monitoring of lands of all categories has been carried out as well. This monitoring, on the one hand, is a part of the state environmental monitoring, and on the other hand, the scope of its data and the system of indicators are changing, becoming more universal and focused on various spheres. Therefore, since 2015, the special rules for monitoring various categories of land have been introduced; in particular, monitoring of agricultural land is carried out not by the Federal Service of State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography, but by the Ministry of Agriculture. Since 2022, the data of such a special monitoring of agricultural lands have become the basis for the formation of the state register of these lands. The article discusses the key features of monitoring and registry of these lands maintained by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the pace of formation of such monitoring systems at the regional level.
Probiotic additives for bee colonies under the conditions of the Udmurt Republic
Authors:   Federal State Budget Education Institution for Higher Education “Udmurt State Agricultural University”, Russia, Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk, Vorobyova S. L. , Tronina A. S. ,   Federal State Budget Education Institution for Higher Education “Udmurt State Agricultural University”, Russia, Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk
Published: April 2023

Probiotics have been used in various branches of animal husbandry for a long time, effectively replacing feed antibiotics. Specialists actively use the property of probiotics to show antagonism to pathogenic strains that have gained resistance to antibiotics. Their eff ectiveness is manifested in the possibility of obtaining environmentally safe products, has a metabolic and antiinfl ammatory eff ect, as well as stimulating local immunological protection. The purpose of the research was to identify the eff ect of probiotic drugs on economically useful and biological indicators of bee colonies under the conditions of the Udmurt Republic. In order to increase the natural immunity of bees and their productive indicators, probiotic drugs developed by LLC “NVP “BashInkom” such as ApiVrach, SpasiPchel, produced on the basis of bacteria of the genus Bacillus Subtilis, and PcheloNormoSil containing Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and yeast-saccharomycetes were used as stimulating additives.Studies have been conducted to determine the stimulating eff ect of the studied drugs, the positive dynamics of the growth of the number of worker bees, the increase in the strength of bee colonies to the main honey collection have been revealed, which indicates the eff ectiveness of the use of stimulating feed additives based on probiotic bacteria. As a result of their use the production volumes of gross and marketable honey, wax productivity increased, increased resistance of individuals to diseases was revealed. It was found that the use of probiotic drugs had the positive eff ect on economically useful and biological indicators of bee colonies under the conditions of the Udmurt Republic. The use of the probiotic drug ApiVrach in combination with PcheloNormoSil showed maximum eff ectiveness.
Educational Games as Learning Process for Children
Authors:   Departemen Ilmu Pemerintahan, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Indonesia, Kurniasih Dewi , Ika E C ,   Departemen Ilmu Komunikasi, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Indonesia
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study is to introduce learning educational games that teach numbers, colors, animals, musical instruments, letters, shapes, fruits, and transportation. The method used in this study was the waterfall method. The results showed us that the children, in general, like to play. It was hoped that this educational game could increase children's enthusiasm for learning and improve the learning process. This was because the development of children and the development of technology were very fast, and Android system-based educational game was made to help the learning process of children bored in learning. Children's learning is no longer monotonous with this educational game, they can learn and play at the same time.
Kaneko Misuzu’s Environmental Insights in Tairyo and O Sakana Poetry
Authors:   Japanese Department, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Indonesia, Febrianty F
Published: April 2023

One of the humanitarian issues in literature is the environment. Through ecocriticism interpretations can be made to representations of attitudes, views, and people's responses to environmental issues raised. This study was aimed to describe the content and insights of Kaneko Mizusu's environment as a poet in Tairyou and O Sakana. The main data source was Tairyou and O Sakana by Kaneko Misuzu. The research method used is content analysis with an ecocritical approach. Interpretation of the data shows that Tairou describes the writer's sense of empathy for nature due to the large amount of fishing and O Sakana describes the poet's concern about the survival of fish as one of the main food sources (for Japanese people). The poet's response to the environment is a manifestation of environmental insight by Kaneko Misuzu which is in line with the moral principles of environmental wisdom by Keraf (2010) such as no harming nature, respect and responsibility for nature.
Karawo Ornamental Variety Based on Gorontalo Curtural Phenomenon
Authors:   Magister Design Department, Faculty of Postgraduate, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia, Rumambie W P , Subarna A D ,   Magister Design Department, Faculty of Postgraduate, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
Published: April 2023

The research objective was to see the cultural phenomena that occurred in Karawo embroidery in Gorontalo. Karawo is a typical traditional cloth from Gorontalo which is made by handicrafts. Karawo itself has a unique way of doing it, such as making karawo which requires patience and thoroughness, making karawo takes one week to make one karawo that is ready to use. To support the research, we use descriptive methods and the data collected in the preparation of journals are analyzed descriptively, data collection is also in the form of observations and interviews with traditional stakeholders and karawo embroidery designers. The results show that there is a change in cultural phenomena in the karawo embroidery motifs today, in contrast to the motifs in the past that used cultural motifs based on cultural philosophical values or natural motifs. This is due to the motives that continue to develop and shift to a more modern direction and no longer depend on natural motifs, then adjust to what consumers like. Of course, this affects the making of the karawo embroidery motifs today, which no longer use traditional stakeholders for one motive. The conclusion of the research is to find that the handicrafts of karawo embroidery have shifted to a more modern direction.
La Triangulation du supplice ou les figures du Christ et des larrons dans la Crucifixion
Authors: Dalmasso Véronique
Published: April 2023

La représentation traditionnelle de la Crucifixion du Christ et des larrons induit une relation d’équivalence entre les protagonistes par cette simple juxtaposition des corps sur la croix. Mais comment les trois figures des suppliciés s’articulent-elles entre elles ? Le regard oscille pour constater une ressemblance formelle entre le Christ et le bon larron, elle reflète une ressemblance morale : le criminel par son repentir gagne le paradis. A travers la figure du bon larron, la Rédemption paraît promise à tout homme qui prend le Christ pour modèle. Alors que le mauvais larron, isolé dans sa différence et dans une agonie qui ne cesse pas, semble répondre à l’usage de la contre-figure. Dans cette représentation dévotionnelle où le Christ devrait susciter l’empathie, l’image sensible du larron impénitent ne finit-elle pas par obséder le fidèle-spectateur ?
Bestiaires et anges virtuels de l’art contemporain
Authors: Auzac de Lamartinie Véronique d'
Published: April 2023

L’art contemporain en réseaux et l’espace virtuel des nouveaux médias enveloppent le spectateur dans une sphère protectrice, l’entraînent dans des aventures pleines de chimères fantastiques et parsemées de bêtes surprenantes. Deux exemples s’imposent dans cet univers étrange : un bestiaire extraordinaire, un ange instaurateur d’un nouvel ordre sidéral porteur de multiples messages. Ils démontrent avec puissance la transformation opérée par ce paysage virtuel qui s’affirme comme une remise en cause radicale de plusieurs questions fondamentales sur les relations entre l’homme et “son” monde.
Les animaux allégoriques de l’Iconologie de César Ripa et Jean Baudouin
Authors: Wiedemann Michel
Published: April 2023

L’auteur présente les sources et le propos de l’Iconologie de César Ripa traduite par Jean Baudoin (1643), dont l’influence sur les artistes a duré du XVIe au XIXe siècle, comme l’a montré E. Mâle. L’auteur identifie sept types de rapports entre l’animal et l’allégorie qu’il accompagne. Il dresse un tableau des animaux cités dans cet ouvrage et des allégories auxquelles ils renvoient en tant qu’attributs. Il indique quelques propriétés sémiotiques du système des allégories compilé par Ripa et réduit par Baudoin.
Essaims et nuées
Authors: Mourey Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2023

Essaims d’insectes, nuées d’oiseaux, hordes d’animaux. Ces multitudes sont à la fois ordre et désordre, dispersions d’éléments et organisations. Elles fascinent le regard humain par leurs pullulements, leurs tropismes. Se mesurant à ceux-ci, l’écriture de l’artiste a dû inventer des traits, des stries qui égalaient les intensités de la vie. H. Michaux, J. Miró, A. Masson ont expérimenté des rythmes et des graphies au diapason des vrombissements de la nature. D’autres, ainsi Ph. Favier, l’ont fait sur un mode plus fantaisiste. L’enjeu est cependant toujours les relations entre écriture et nature, entre les intensités et les rythmes du trait, de la couleur et ceux du monde animal.
La nouvelle donne. Remarques sur quelques qualifications du mot “art”
Authors: Duve Thierry de
Published: April 2023

Il s’agit de proposer quelques clarifications théoriques du mot “art” dans la foulée de la réception des readymades de Duchamp et de leur accréditation par l’histoire de l’art dans les années soixante. Notre “monde de l’art” se définit aujourd’hui par le fait qu’il est techniquement possible et institutionnellement légitime de faire de l’art avec n’importe quoi, une situation à laquelle je donne le nom d’art en général. Ce terme posé, j’en définirai trois autres : l’art tout court, l’art dans son ensemble, et l’art en soi, dont l’articulation est destinée à former la base d’une théorie esthétique de l’art adaptée à notre époque.
Infecção do trato urinário: aspectos epidemiológicos, fisiopatológicos e manejo terapêutico
Authors: Camacho Saul Dresjan , Veras Ana Carolina Oliveira , Bastos Luísa Furtado , Fortuci Letícia dos Santos , Monteiro Eduarda Purgato Mesquita , Castro Júlia Vasconcellos , Soares Pedro Veiga de Paula , Vitor Miguel Godinho , Camacho Sofia Dresjan , De Carvalho Danielle Moreira
Published: April 2023

Em síntese, as ITUs são infecções causadas por bactérias, sendo a bexiga o sítio de infecção mais comum. Essa patologia é uma das principais causas de infecções nas mulheres, sendo que essas são acometidas até quatro vezes mais em relação aos homens. A faixa etária mais acometida gira em torno de 16 a 35 anos. Essa maior prevalência das mulheres em relação aos homens está relacionada à anatomia do trato urinário feminino e sua proximidade com os órgãos reprodutivos. Os principais germes envolvidos na etiopatogenia da ITU são: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus sp., Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus sp. e Staphylococcus sp. Os sintomas clássicos dessa patologia são disúria, dor suprapúbica, polaciúria e urgência miccional. Em mulheres mais velhas, pode haver também queixas menos específicas como: urina com odor fétido, sensação de esvaziamento incompleto da bexiga, constipação e hematúria. A coleta cuidadosa da amostra de urina é muito útil para fins diagnósticos. No que se refere ao tratamento da ITU, esse possui como foco principal a antibioticoterapia. Em casos de ITU aguda não complicada, a terapia dura de 03 a 05 dias, sendo os fármacos de primeira linha: nitrofurantoína, trimetoprim-sulfametoxazol e fosfomicina. Ademais, em ITUs recorrentes, pode-se lançar mão do tratamento profilático, que pode ser feito por intermédio de baixas dosagens de antimicrobianos por um período de 6 a 12 meses. As complicações mais frequentes são a persistência dos sintomas, pielonefrite, incontinência urinária, abscesso renal, prostatite crônica e insuficiência renal.
Evaluation of Cd phytoremediation by Portulaca oleracea irrigated by contaminated water
Authors: Yousefi Zabihollah , Babanejad Esmaeel , Mohammadpour Rezaali , Noori Esbokolaee Hajar
Published: April 2023

Background: Worldwide, more than 10 million regions with an area of more than 20 million hectares are considered contaminated soils. The expansion in industrial activities and urbanization has led to accumulation of high concentration of cadmium (Cd) in soil and water resources, which is a serious danger for environment and human health. Phytoremediation is a technique recommended for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils, sediments, and waters. This study aimed to investigate the Portulaca oleracea in the removal of Cd from contaminated soil. Methods: To investigate the effect of P. oleracea phytoremediation on the removal of Cd, in 5 pots, 3 kg of soil was poured. And in each pot, 10 seeds were pursued. The pots were irrigated twice a week for 8 weeks with concentrations of 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/L Cd. After 8 weeks, the amount of Cd of roots, shoots, and leaves was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The results showed that Cd accumulation in purslane plants was significant (P=0.008) and the highest Cd accumulation was in leaves and shoots, and increasing Cd concentration prevented plant growth and led to lower growth at higher concentrations. Conclusion: According to the results, P. oleracea can be used for the phytoremediation of Cd.
Purtscher’s retinopathy following trauma: A case report
Authors: Rasoulinejad Seyed Ahmad
Published: April 2023

Objective: Purtscher’s retinopathy is the retinal damage following trauma or non-traumatic systemic disease, which may contain cotton-wool spots (CWSs), and may cause Purtscher flecken, atrophy of the optic nerve, and hemorrhage of the posterior pole of the eye. Case Presentation: A 28-year-old male patient fell down from a height of 10 m and was admitted with swelling and ecchymosis of the peri-orbit of the right eye. The patient’s vision was at the level of light perception. A mild subconjunctival hemorrhage and hyphema were seen in the right eye. In the fundus, the hemorrhage, edema, and CWS were seen in the posterior pole and around the optic disk. Macular thickness (MT) in Purtscher’s retinopathic eye was 353 µm. Also, the patient had a nose and mandibular fracture and was hospitalized for several days. Conclusion: The findings indicate a decrease in the vision due to Purtscher’s retinopathy caused by trauma. There was no improvement spontaneously.
Kepel (Stelechocarpus burahol) Synbiotic Supplementation Improves Oxidative Stress in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats
Authors: Ismail Naufal Arif , Yosanto Alfian Novanda , Jamil Nur Aisyah
Published: April 2023

Background: Synbiotic contains antioxidant that has been suggested to improve oxidative stress induced by high-fat diet (HFD) consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of synbiotic supplementation consisting of kepel (Stelechocarpus burahol) with the addition of Lactobacillus casei and L. plantarum on oxidative stress in HFD-fed rats. Methods: Twenty-five Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=5) for eight weeks of treatment. The HFD control (HFD alone) group and three different groups supplemented with three various doses of kepel synbiotic (Syn 1.2 mL, Syn 1.8 mL, and Syn 2.4 mL) were fed HFD for the first four weeks and continued supplemented kepel synbiotic for the second four weeks. Meanwhile, the normal diet (ND) control group was given regular food alone throughout the study. The serum, liver, heart, and brain oxidative stress markers were assessed. Results: Kepel synbiotic supplementation consistently improved oxidative stress by decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity inhibition rate in serum, liver, heart, and brain in the HFD group compared to the ND group. This improvement effect occurred in a dose-dependent manner, increasing in higher kepel synbiotic doses. Conclusion: Kepel synbiotics showed a beneficial effect in improving oxidative stress in the serum, liver, heart, and brain of HFD-fed rats. Supplementation of kepel synbiotic can be considered a complementary therapeutic agent in improving oxidative stress, especially due to HFD consumption.
Determining the Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Exports of Pakistan using ARDL Bounds Testing Approach
Authors: Mulk Waleed , Ahmad Shakil , Mahmood Tahir , Jan Inayatullah
Published: April 2023

This study employed autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) approach to investigate how exports and foreign direct investment (FDI) are related in Pakistan for the period spanning from 1974 to 2019. For cointegration analysis, we used bounds test. The findings of the cointegration test indicated that the variables have a long-term cointegration relationship. According to estimated results, the relationship between the two variables is negligible over the long-run, whereas FDI has a positive influence on exports in the short-run. Moreover, the estimated error correction term is significant with the expected sign. It is concluded that FDI inflows are advantageous for improving manufacturing processes, which would eventually lead to high-quality exports and economic progress of Pakistan. Policymakers are required to make efforts to removing all hurdles in Pakistan's economic progress.
Export Diversification Potential and Structural Transformation in Pakistan: A Product Space Perspective
Authors: Shah Syed Fahad Ali , Ullah Mansoor , Aftab Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Qasim
Published: April 2023

Structural transformation is characterized by successful industrialization with continued growth in both manufacturing and service industry. It creates lot of job opportunities by exploring unexploited industries that leads to sustainable economic growth and higher standard of living. Industrialization requires systematic and strong coordination mechanism geared with committed leadership. Industrialization in Pakistan has been partially successful and faced with many challenges. In this regard, product space analysis was conducted to thoroughly assess Pakistan’s opportunity space and challenges for future industrialization. To this end, various priority sectors were identified given their compatibility and proximity with Pakistan’s production capacity and finally an appropriate industrial policy is recommended for future course of industrialization. This study is greatly helpful for government policy makers to formulate feasible industrial policies in accordance with the productive capability of Pakistan, for potential investors and entrepreneurs to venture into potentially viable business opportunities and for academics to better understand the dynamics of industrialization.
Scientific methodical and practical innovations of the Institute of Horticulture NAAS of Ukraine on making healthy nutritional products from the fruits of viburnum, dewberry, dogwood and wild plum tree
Authors:   Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Lytovchenko O.M. , Grynyk I.V. ,   Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Moskalets T.Z. ,   Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Moskalets V.V. ,   Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Kuznetsov A.V. ,   Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Klymenko S.V. ,   M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of NAS of Ukraine, Vovkogon A.G. ,   Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University
Published: April 2023

The paper presents the results of evaluating the primary components (pasteurized natural monojuices) for the production of blended juices and syrups from the fruits of pre-selected species and cultivars of minor fruit and small fruit crops according to the biochemical (dry substances, sugar, acidity), physicochemical (sediment) and organoleptic (color, aroma, transparency) indicators. The authors have described some elements of the methods of processing the berries of the above mentioned crops. The test technological works have enabled to establish the modes of the pasteurization of blended juices by means of the continuous pasteurization. In particular, when producing blended apple-wild plum tree and apple-viburnum juices and syrups the packing temperature is to be 85 °С. The temperature in the pasteurizer zones should be: for the first zone 85 °С, the second 28 and the third 20 °С. The time of exposure in the mentioned zones must be - 26, 6 and 3 minutes respectively. The elaboration the methodological recommendations on the technology for making healthy food products (juices and syrups from the fruits of minor crops) as well as the preparation of technological instructions for the manufacturing of blended blackberry juice, has been substantiated; blended apple-wild plum tree and viburnum-apple juices, dogwood-blackberry and dogwood-field syrups. The technologies for making blended juices from blackberries, dogwood-blackberry syrup, blended apple-wild plum tree juice, dogwood-wild plum tree syrup, blended viburnum-apple juice have passed successfully the production testing at the IH NAAS. The characteristics of ready-made healthy food products are presented: blended unclarified wild plum tree-apple juice "Kozatska mits", blackberry-apple juice "Medova ozhynka", viburnum-apple juice "Kalynonka" and blackberry-dogwood syrup "Medovyi rubin" and dogwood-honey "Medova badioris
Influence of extreme weather conditions of the vegetation period on the growth and development of Juglans nigra L. in the Polissia zone
Authors:   Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Dubrovskyi V.I. , Shwed M.V. ,   Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine
Published: April 2023

Distinctive features of the morphometric indicators of the vegetative organs of Juglans nigra by years of research were determined. It was established that the seasonal rhythm of the development of research objects is consistent with the natural and climatic conditions of the introduction area. During the years of research, the weather conditions for black walnut vegetation were extreme. On average, over three years of research, May was the wettest month - 61.80 mm. Quantitative parameters of the leaf blade: length, width of a compound leaf, the number of leaves and their area were strongly correlated with the weather conditions of the growing season of the research years, while no positive correlation was found in the structural changes of the growth of the leaf surface and their number relative to the height of the plant during the three years of observations. In 2019, the following factors negatively affected the formation of the black walnut leaf blade (significantly reducing its parameters): a winter with little snow, insignificant precipitation during the growing season, a long rainless period in the summer months, high temperatures and low air humidity during the growing season. However, during the period of research, young and adult plants of black walnut successfully passed the dry growing seasons, among them no dried trees that fell from the plantations were found. The plants showed adaptive properties to the negative impact of the hot and dry growing season of 2019 in the research area. According to the results of the research, a conclusion was made about the success of the introduction of black walnut in the conditions of the Polissia zone of Ukraine.
MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF Isostichopus sp. IN THE COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN SEA
Authors: Vergara W. , Agudelo V. , Castro L.R. , Rodríguez A. , Eeckhaut I.
Published: April 2023

Isostichopus sp. (Aspidochirotida: Stichopodidae) are sea cucumbers widely distributed in the Caribbean Sea. Amongst them, Isostichopus badionotus is one of the most harvested species. It shows a wide range of morphotypes widespread in the Caribbean region including different habitats (muddy, sandy and rocky bottoms, and sea grass beds). In Colombia, three morphotypes can be distinguished; two of them live in sea grass beds while the third one is found on rocky substrates. The present study describes the morphological characteristics of these morphotypes and analyzes their genetic structures through 16S rDNA and COI data. Our phylogenetic analyses show that the morphotype living on rocky substrates is morphologically and genetically distinct from the two other morphotypes and might not correspond to I. badionotus, the only species of the Isostichopus genus previously reported for this region.

Key words: cucumbers, COI, 16S rDNA, Isostichopus badionotus
Clinical Use of MRI: Whole body MR Angiography: Normal, Pathologic and Pitfalls
Authors: Ajaj Waleed , Goyen Mathias
Published: April 2023

In the last few years the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging has shown a proceeding development regarding detection and quantification of pathologies. MRI has been a leading tool for the diagnosis of all organs of the human body including the hollow organs. This review article describes one of the underlying techniques of MRI namely whole body MR angiography concerning indications, data acquisition, the intravenously applied paramagnetic contrast agent, as well as results and limitations. In addition, new techniques to improve diagnostic accuracy are discussed.

إن استخدام التصوير بالرنين المغناطيسي في السنوات القليلة الماضية أظهر تطورا تكامليا فيما يتعلق في كشف وتحليل الحالات المرضية. التصوير بالرنين المغناطيسي أصبح الأداة الفاعلة في تشخيص وكشف كافة أعضاء الجسم البشري بما في ذلك الأعضاء الجوفاء. ملخص الدراسة يصف واحدة من التقنيات الأساسية للتصوير بالرنين المغناطيسي يسمى التصوير الوعائي الرنيني المغناطيسي لكامل الجسم مع التركيز على الاستطبابات، اكتساب المعطيات، عامل المغايرة متوازي المغناطيسية المضاف داخل الأوعية الدموية، إضافة إلى النتائج والمحددات. إضافة لذلك سيتم في هذا البحث مناقشة بعض التقنيات الحديثة الأخرى المتعلقة بتحسين دقة التشخيص الشعاعي
Pattern Of Mammography Test Use Among Women In Nablus/Palestine : A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Musmar Samar , Abu Shmais Fatina
Published: April 2023

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, which can be early detected by mammogram test (an x ray of the breast). Screening mammography is one of the best techniques that can find majority of breast cancer cases in women over 50. The main objective of this study is to illustrate the different socio-demographic patterns of use and their relationship to mammography test results in Nablus district. Methods: This is a cross sectional study that included all women from Nablus area who underwent mammography test in the Palestinian Family Planning & Protection Association center (PFPPA) during 2007. Socio-demographic data (age, marital status, parity, residence, breastfeeding, education level and source of referral) from 556 files of women were collected, in addition to the mammography test result whether malignant or not. Data then were analyzed applying descriptive studies, and chi square test. Results: most of the study sample were of age interval (35-47) years old, married, breastfed, with parity interval 3-5, highly educated, inhabiting the city, and were self-referred. There was a significant statistical association between age, parity and mammography test results (p

يعتبر سرطان الثدي الأكثر شيوعا بين السيدات والذي يمكن اكتشافه مبكرا عن طريق التصوير الشعاعي (فحص الماموغرافي). ويعتبر الماموغرافي المسحي من أفضل الطرق للتشخيص المبكر لسرطان الثدي لدى السيدات فوق الخمسين. هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى بحث العوامل الديمغرافية والاجتماعية المرتبطة بنمط استخدام فحص الماموغرافي ومدى ارتباطها بنتائج الفحص. المنهج: شملت هذه الدراسة المقطعية جميع السيدات اللواتي خضعن لفحص الماموغرافي في مركز مكافحة السرطان وفحص الأنسجة التابع لجمعية تنظيم وحماية الأسرة خلال عام ٢٠٠٧ . تم جمع البيانات الديمغرافية والاجتماعية ( العمر، الحالة الاجتماعية، عدد الولادات، مكان السكن، الرضاعة الطبيعية، مستوى التعليم، ومصدر التحويل) لملفات ٥٥٦ امرأة بالإضافة إلى نتيجة الفحص، ثم تم تحليل البيانات إحصائيا. النتائج: معظم السيدات في ٤٧ ، ومعظمهن كن متزوجات، يسكن في المدينة، ارضعن طبيعيا، حصلن على تعليم - الدراسة تراوحت أعمارهن بين ٣٥ ٥ أبناء، وقمن بتحويل أنفسهن للفحص. كان هناك ارتباط ذو دلالة إحصائية عالية بين العمر وعدد مرات - عال، أنجبن ٣ الإنجاب مع نتيجة فحص الماموغرافي، ولم يكن هناك ارتباط إحصائي هام بين باقي العوامل مع نتيجة الفحص، ولم يلاحظ فرق في هذه النتائج عند مقارنتها مع البيانات الديمغرافية والاجتماعية للسيدات اللواتي قمن بتحويل أنفسهن للفحص. الخلاصة: هناك وعي جيد في مدينة نابلس باتجاه فحص الماموغرافي غير أن الفئات الخطرة لا تزال غير واعية لأهمية الفحص، لذا فإن التوعية يجب أن تشمل السيدات فوق الخمسين، السيدات غير المتزوجات وغير المتعلمات وسكان المخيمات.