bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Eggshell and Commercial Sorbent-Based Catalysts through Synthesis and Characterization for SESR Process
Authors: Qasim Muhammad , Ayoub Muhammad , Singh Karamjit , Inayat Abrar , Shamsuddin Rashid , Danish Mohammed , Farrukh Sarah
Published: October 2023

Hydrogen is a clean and valuable energy carrier, and there is growing consensus that a hydrogen-based economy could be the key to ensuring the long-term reliability and environmental friendliness of the world’s energy supply. There are a variety of methods and technologies that may be used to produce hydrogen; among them, sorption-enhanced steam reforming is regarded as the way that is the most effective. For the purpose of making a decision about which catalysts to employ in SESR in the future, this study compared three distinct kinds of catalysts. The wet impregnation method was used to manufacture the waste-derived CaO-implemented Ni-based catalysts, which were then used in sorption-enhanced steam reforming (SESR) to produce hydrogen (H2). X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) were used to analyze the catalysts. XRD results showed that the crystallinity behavior for all types of catalysts such as 10NMA, 10NCMA-E, and 10NCMA was identical. The spinel compounds such as NiAl2O4 and MgAl2O4 were identified in all three types of catalysts. At high temperatures, such as at 800 °C, all catalysts were stable, evident from TGA results. During three sorption cycles, the 10NCMA-based catalyst demonstrated the highest sorption capacity among the three varieties of catalysts, followed by the 10NCMA-E catalyst. During the first, second, and third calcination cycles, the 10NCMA-based catalyst released 23.88%, 22.05%, and 23.33% CO2, respectively. 10NCMA-E can be a potential catalyst for the SESR process by decreasing the material manufacturing cost and overall cost of the SESR process.
Gen Z Customers’ Continuance Intention in Using Food Delivery Application in an Emerging Market: Empirical Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Vu Tuan Duong , Nguyen Hoang Viet , Vu Phuong Thao , Tran Thi Hoang Ha , Vu Van Hung
Published: October 2023

New business models integrated with technological advances like online food ordering platforms have been increasingly prevalent and are believed to bring significant value to customers. This study applied the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to examine how several factors influence the continuance usage intention of Gen Z customers when using food delivery applications (FDAs). Results from the CB-SEM analysis reveal that personal innovativeness positively influences the attitude of Gen Z customers. Continuance usage intention is positively influenced by attitude, perceived usefulness of promotion, and subjective norm. On the contrary, perceived health risk is indicated as a significant barrier to the perceived usefulness of promotion and continuance usage intention of Gen Z customers. These findings suggested discussions and have implications for stakeholders such as researchers, technology providers, enterprises, and policymakers.
Analysis of China’s High-Carbon Manufacturing Industry’s Carbon Emissions in the Digital Process
Authors: Peng Wenxiang , Lei Yutao , Zhang Xuan
Published: October 2023

In order to realize the coordinated development of digitalization and low-carbon emissions, it is important to understand the carbon implications of the digitization of the high-carbon manufacturing (HCM) industry; therefore, this paper focuses on studying the formation and change mechanism of China’s HCM carbon emissions in the digital process. Specifically, based on input–output and energy data, we not only compute the carbon emissions embodied in the digital process of various HCM subsectors and analyze their temporal changes but also reveal the change mechanism by identifying their supply chain tiers and crucial transfer paths. The results show that (1) the digital process of HCM can reduce carbon emissions; (2) the carbon emissions embodied in the digital process of HCM are increasing with time and shifting from low-supply chain tiers to high-supply chain tiers; and (3) the embodied emissions, supply chain tiers, and crucial paths in the digital process of HCM show spatial heterogeneity. We suggest that attention should be paid to increasing embodied emissions in the supply chain tiers and regional differences during the acceleration of HCM digitization, followed by the implementation of appropriate digital carbon neutral policies.
Study on the Spatial Structure of the Complex Network of Population Migration in the Poyang Lake Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Zhong Yanfen , Chen Yuqi , Qiu Jiawei
Published: October 2023

Population constitutes the foundational element of cities, and population migration drives the transfer of production factors among urban areas. The population migration network serves as an objective representation of intercity interactions, bearing great significance for the analysis of urban network spatial structure. This study focuses on the 10 core cities within the Poyang Lake urban agglomeration. It utilizes population migration data from Tencent’s location-based big data spanning from 2015 to 2018. Employing the point-axis theory from spatial network theory and the directed weighted network theory within the complex network, the study establishes a comprehensive set of network indices and a network model for spatial structure. It investigates the dynamics of population migration networks within the urban agglomeration and considers strategies for enhancing, regulating, or guiding urban agglomeration development to strengthen its overall vitality. The findings indicate that the urban agglomeration displays distinct characteristics of an urban hierarchical sequence and demonstrates gradual improvement in its spatial network development. While network density remains relatively stable across various threshold intervals over an extended period, network connectivity remains weak. Moreover, the urban agglomeration exhibits the lowest degree of centralization, the highest network structure entropy, and limited network connectivity. Migration along the primary power axis within the urban agglomeration remains relatively stable, while the internal network of the urban agglomeration is interconnected through a “core-non-core” network, reflecting near-geographical connection characteristics. Variations in spatial structure are observed, with the spatial network structure following two modes: “weak core city + edge city” and “node city + outer network city”. The trend in network connections diversifies, resulting in both “core-edge” connections and cross-regional connections. In conclusion, the network characteristics of the urban agglomeration surrounding Poyang Lake are consolidated to aid in formulating an optimization plan for the urban agglomeration’s spatial structure. Additionally, these findings serve as a reference for studying the evolution of spatial structures in the other two urban agglomerations within the city agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.
Romania Residents’ Attitude Investigation toward the Transition to Renewable Energy Sources through Importance-Performance Analysis
Authors: Ban Olimpia-Iuliana , Dzitac Simona , Simó Attila , Florea Adrian
Published: October 2023

Romania, like the whole world, is facing a sustainable development challenge that now takes the form of the energy transition towards renewable energy sources. This transition also addresses industrial consumers as well as domestic consumers. The number of household prosumers of electrical energy from renewable sources reached above 63,000 in Romania in 2023, but there is a slowdown in the process with dissatisfaction from residents. The present research covers a gap in the specialty literature by investigating the perception of Romanian residents (from two cities, Oradea and Timișoara) regarding renewable energy sources and the barriers they identify to the adoption of these sources. The research enjoys a consistent sample of 1098 valid responses. The research method is the survey through a questionnaire applied with an operator and the use of a mix of data processing techniques, namely Importance-Performance Analysis with RStudio202207.1+554 and qualitative processing with Atlas.ti22. The results obtained are categorical by corroborating the two methods, which show valid results that express the position of the respondents. Immediate strategic measures that the Romanian state can take to remove barriers and accelerate the process of adopting renewable energy sources are suggested.
Experimental Study on the Dilatancy Characteristics and Permeability Evolution of Sandstone under Different Confining Pressures
Authors: Liu Chao , Liu Yixin , Xie Zhicheng , Yu Beichen
Published: October 2023

It is of practical significance to investigate the dilatancy and seepage characteristics of tight sandstone gas under different confining pressures for its efficient development. Therefore, fluid–solid coupling triaxial loading experiments with gas-bearing sandstone were conducted. The results showed that the gas-bearing sandstone exhibited brittle characteristics with tensile–shear composite failure. The dual logarithmic model can better characterize the sandstone strength (R2 = 0.9952), whereas the fitting effect of the linear Mohr–Coulomb criterion is poor (R2 = 0.9294). The dilatancy capacity of sandstone was negatively correlated with confining pressure, and the dilatancy index decreased by 38.4% in the form of its convex power function with the increasing confining pressure. The sandstone underwent significant damage dilatancy during the yielding stage, resulting in a significant permeability recovery, with an increase of 67.0%~70.4%, which was greater than the decrease of 9.6%~12.6% in the elastic stage. In view of the different dominant factors of permeability reduction induced by pore compaction and recovery induced by crack development, the permeability model was established with volumetric strain and radial strain as independent variables, which could better reflect the whole process of permeability evolution.
Experimental and Modeled Results Describing the Low-Concentration Acetone Adsorption onto Coconut Shell Activated Carbon
Authors: Sheng Ying , Ren Qiang , Dong Qingqing
Published: October 2023

Polar VOCs represented by ketones deteriorate indoor air quality and affect human health. Adsorption by activated carbons can effectively remove harmful gases, but relatively little is known about the adsorption capacity of polar VOCs at a low concentration level. So, this paper adopted acetone as the typical polar VOC to test its adsorption on the coconut shell activated carbon and developed a prediction model to estimate the breakthrough time. The results will help users master the acetone adsorption behavior under realistic conditions and thus estimate the service life of the filters. The adsorption test of acetone with concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 ppm was carried out. Four adsorption isotherms, namely, Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Temkin, were used to fit the data. The Freundlich model fitted best when was used to determine the equilibrium capacity of acetone. An approach based on the Thomas model was proposed to predict the acetone breakthrough curve. The mass transfer coefficient of acetone adsorption with a relatively high concentration (1.0–4.0 ppm) was calculated based on the Thomas model, and the relationship between the mass transfer coefficient and acetone inlet concentration was established to obtain the mass transfer coefficient of acetone at the predicted concentration. The equilibrium capacity and mass transfer coefficient were substituted into the Thomas model to predict the breakthrough curve of acetone at a lower concentration. The results showed that the shape of the predicted curve was much closer to the measured data of acetone adsorption. The relative deviation between the predicted service life and measured data was 10%, indicating that the Thomas model was suitable for predicting acetone adsorption at low concentrations.
Urban Park Design and Pedestrian Mobility—Case Study: Temuco, Chile
Authors: Kamani Fard Asal , Paydar Mohammad , Gárate Navarrete Verónica
Published: October 2023

Pathway design features in urban parks are vital in facilitating leisure walking and maintaining a minimal rate of physical activity, hence enhancing public health. This study investigated the relationships between the design aspects of Cautin Park, Chile’s largest urban park in the Araucania Region, and the tendency for walking, as well as walking behavior. The objectives were investigated using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Several design elements were discovered to be connected to walking tendency and walking behavior in this urban park, including path paving, pathway width, (dense) trees, green spaces and vegetation, connectivity with programs and activity zones, tranquility along pathways, more shade along pathways, pathways that provide better connectivity between different parts of the park, and the presence of benches along the urban park’s pathways. These insights could be used by urban planners and designers in the future planning of urban parks in this region.
Elements for Re-Designing Sustainability Strategies with Groups of Small Coffee Producers
Authors: Risueño Solarte Mónica , Findji María Teresa , Grass José Fernando , Montes Consuelo
Published: October 2023

Small producers are participating more and more in the debate on moving towards sustainable agriculture. Natural resources are given as the main reason, but these producers also base their decisions on the need to produce enough food to feed their families and strengthen local economies. During the transition, however, economic and productive sustainability represents a real challenge for the producers and the organizations to which they belong. This study analyzes the experiences of coffee-growing families located in the department of Cauca, Colombia. These families opted for a transition from conventional management to certified organic coffee production while continuing—within the framework of the agroecological transition—to produce and market food. The study aim consisted of identifying those factors that favor or pose a threat to remaining within the certification, as well as the degree of importance of these factors as they relate to the sustainability of the family production units (FPU). To achieve this, a qualitative research approach was adopted that required collaborative work tools involving producers, technicians, and researchers. Limiting factors to holding the organic certification, as identified from the results, were the precariousness of the FPUs, their dispersion and their heterogeneity, limited access to the supply chain, and the requirements for labor, while factors that favored transition were related to the extensive knowledge of the FPUs, their capacity for productive and economic diversification, the organization of collective work and the revitalization of other productive initiatives that achieve the commitment of different groups of producers. The contribution of this study lies in helping to re-design sustainability strategies with groups of small producers of coffee.
Daily Travel Mode Choice Considering Carbon Credit Incentive (CCI)—An Application of the Integrated Choice and Latent Variable (ICLV) Model
Authors: Gong Lei , Wang Tianxu , Lei Tian , Luo Qin , Han Zhu , Mo Yihong
Published: October 2023

There have been many implementations of carbon credit incentives (CCIs) for promoting green travel, but research on quantifying the effectiveness remains limited. To fill this gap, this study focuses on residents’ daily transportation mode choices under the incentive of carbon credits by employing an integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) model to adequately address the role of attitudinal variables related to carbon credits, such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intentions. Data from a questionnaire survey show that the ICLV model provides a richer and more nuanced understanding of the green mode choice than a traditional multinomial logit (MNL) model, where the AIC value of the ICLV model (3901.17) is smaller than that of the MNL model (3910.09). Carbon credits exhibit diverse impacts across various modes of eco-friendly transportation and specific demographic groups. Commuting trips reveal noteworthy positive associations between carbon credits and the use of bicycles as well as metro/bus services. Moreover, carbon credits exert a more pronounced influence on individuals with higher education levels, older age groups, and owners of new energy vehicles, whereas their impact on high-income individuals is relatively constrained. Furthermore, perceptions of carbon credits are pivotal, with perceived utility emerging as the most influential factor. The results provide a scientific basis for formulating more effective policies regarding carbon credit and incentive measures in the future.
Development of Sustainable Cement-Based Materials with Ultra-High Content of Waste Concrete Powder: Properties and Improvement
Authors: Hu Ruihan , Zhang Youchao , Zhang Zhiyu , Ma Zhiming
Published: October 2023

The recycled powder (RP) of construction waste, as a kind of silica–aluminum waste, can have a certain gelling effect after alkali activation modification. Sodium silicate (water glass) and NaOH are used as composite alkali activators to stimulate RP to prepare alkali-activated mortar. The different micro and macro properties of RP are studied under the ultra-high substitution rates of 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% of cementation-based materials. The results show that the mechanical properties of the regenerated powder mixture decrease gradually with the increase in the substitution rate. When the replacement rate of RP is 70%, the 3 d and 28 d compressive strength decreases by 73.63% and 69.46%, respectively. When the replacement rate reaches 100%, the 3 d and 28 d compressive strength decreases by 96.98% and 93.74%, respectively. The cement-based material after alkali excitation has the characteristics of early strength and the mechanical properties are greatly improved, and the mechanical properties of cement-based materials can be effectively increased by increasing the modulus of water glass. At 70%RP substitution rate, the compressive strength of 28 d increases by 3.59% and 107.71% when the modulus of sodium silicate is 1.0 M and 1.6 M, compared with the unactivated groups. At 100%RP substitution rate, the 28 d strength of the unexcited specimen is 0.92 MPa, and the 28 d compressive strength reaches 6.15 MPa and 12.86 MPa when the modulus of sodium silicate is 1.0 M and 1.6 M. The results show that the alkali-activated mortar has good application potential.
Empowering Non-Academic Staff for the Implementation of Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Bacelar-Nicolau Paula , Mapar Mahsa , Caeiro Sandra , Moreno Pires Sara , Nicolau Mariana , Madeira Catarina , Ferreira Dias Marta , Gomes Ana Paula , Lopes Myriam , Nadais Helena , Malandrakis Georgios
Published: October 2023

Sustainability within higher education institutions (HEIs) is a well-established topic in the literature. Many fields of education for sustainable development have been explored, mainly focused on HEI students, as well as on academic staff. The technical, administrative, and management staff, referred to as non-academic staff has not received as much attention as the remaining HEI community, which leaves a gap in the successful implementation of sustainability practices and policies, as they play a vital and central role in the HEIs’ everyday functioning. Hence, the EUSTEPs project launched two sustainability training courses dedicated exclusively to this segment of the university community, aiming to increase their knowledge on facts and tools for the best sustainability transition. The first short-term online training, organized by the University of Aveiro and Universidade Aberta, Portugal, was run in May 2021. The training targeted 27 non-academic staff from different sectors. The second online training course was implemented one year later and involved 17 elements from the previous training. The results showed very high levels of overall satisfaction and full achievement of the participants’ expectations in sustainability issues. The non-academic staff learned and discussed the human–environment relationship, tracked and discussed their personal ecological footprint in the workspace, actively participated on how to run the university ecological footprint calculator, developed within the EUSTEPs project, and felt mobilized to implement actions to reduce their university’s environmental impacts (as well as in their general daily activities). Similar training programs can be used to empower non-academic staff for the implementation of sustainability in other higher education institutions, hence contributing to a successful integrated sustainability approach for the whole school.
Improved Dual-Population Genetic Algorithm: A Straightforward Optimizer Applied to Engineering Optimization
Authors: Chen Zhihua , Xu Xuchen , Liu Hongbo
Published: October 2023

Aiming at the current limitations of the dual-population genetic algorithm, an improved dual-population genetic algorithm (IDPGA) for solving multi-constrained optimization problems is proposed by introducing a series of strategies, such as remaining elite individuals, a dynamic immigration operator, separating the objective and constraints, normalized constraints, etc. We selected 14 standard mathematical benchmarks to check the performance of IDPGA, and the results were compared with the theoretical value of CEC 2006. The results show that IDPGA with the current parameters obtains good solutions for most problems. Then 6 well-known engineering optimization problems were solved and compared with other algorithms. The results show that all of the solutions are feasible, the solution precision of IDPGA is better than other algorithms, and IDPGA performs with good efficiency and robustness. Meanwhile, no parameters need to be ignored when IDPGA is applied to solving engineering problems, which is enough to prove that IDPGA is suitable for solving engineering optimization. A Friedman test showed no significant difference between IDPGA and six algorithms, but significant differences between IDPGA and seven other algorithms; thus, a larger number of evaluators will be needed in the future. In addition, further research is still needed about the performance of IDPGA for solving practical large-scale engineering problems.
The Green Value Engineering Methodology: A Sustainability-Driven Project Management Tool for Capital Projects in Process Industry
Authors: Rosengart Alessandro , Granzotto Maja , Wierer Rudi , Pazzaglia Gianluca , Salvi Alessandro , Dotelli Giovanni
Published: October 2023

Process industry renovation is mostly driven by business objectives like productivity enhancement and cost reduction, which hinder the “shift towards a sustainable manufacturing” called by political and academic institutions. In this paper, the project management methodology of Value Engineering, used for cost reduction in large capital projects, is extended to improve not only economic figures, but also environmental sustainability indicators. The methods can guide project design to reduce the consumption of natural resources and the generation of waste, closing a gap between sustainability targets and production needs. Sustainability metrics derived from a simplified life cycle assessment approach are used to achieve quick but reliable estimates of the environmental impact reductions against a base scenario. The project governance is thus supported when assessing potential trade-offs between environmental and economic advantage, encouraging shared and de-risked decisions. Even though limited by the project boundaries of time and budget and by the simplified impact assessment approach, the method promotes a lean and incremental implementation of sustainable manufacturing practices, applicable also to routinary interventions. The methodology is illustrated through application examples from a real case study, an EUR 100 M chemical plant expansion project for a pharmaceutical company in Italy.
Enhancing the Performance of High-Growth Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises through Effective Project-Management Processes and Stakeholder Engagement: A Systems Perspective
Authors: Vrečko Igor , Tominc Polona , Širec Karin
Published: October 2023

This study examines the impact of project-management practices on high-growth small and medium-sized enterprises (HG SMEs) from a systems perspective, utilizing structural equation modelling (SEM) and data from a diverse SME sample. It investigates the intricate relationships among several factors: project management system support, project-management processes, stakeholder involvement, project management success, project success, and HG SME growth. Our findings highlight the substantial positive influence of project-management processes and stakeholder engagement on project management success. These factors subsequently contribute significantly to both project success and the overall growth of HG SMEs. Notably, project management system support does not exhibit a substantial influence on these success factors. Furthermore, our research uncovers important indirect effects. Project-management processes indirectly impact both project success and HG SME growth, underscoring their central role. Similarly, stakeholder involvement indirectly influences HG SME growth through its impact on project success, emphasizing its significance. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by emphasizing the critical roles of project-management processes, stakeholder engagement, and project success as drivers of SME growth. These insights have valuable implications for SME managers, project leaders, and policymakers, highlighting the essential nature of effective project management in shaping the growth trajectory of SMEs.
The Implications of Human Mobility and Accessibility for Transportation and Livable Cities
Authors: Sanchez Thomas W. , Ye Xinyue
Published: October 2023

Understanding human movement and transportation accessibility has become paramount in shaping the very fabric of our communities [...]
RSL3 Inhibits Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Replication by Activating Ferroptosis
Authors: Li Yingguang , Bao Yuwei , Li Yan , Duan Xiaoxiao , Dong Shaoming , Lin Jiaxu , Chang Xiaoyun , Tan Yue , Zhang Hongliang , Shan Hu
Published: October 2023

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly contagious coronavirus that induces diarrhea and death in neonatal piglets, resulting in substantial economic losses to the global swine industry. The mechanisms of PEDV infection and the roles of host factors are still under exploration. In this study, we used the ferroptosis pathway downstream target activator (1S,3R)-RSL3 compound as a starting point, combined with the interactions of N-acetylcysteine and deferoxamine, to elucidate the effects of a series of compounds on PEDV proliferation. We also established glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) gene overexpression to further elucidate the relationship between the ferroptosis pathway and PEDV. (1S,3R)-RSL3 inhibited PEDV replication in Vero cells, while N-acetylcysteine and deferoxamine promoted its proliferation. In addition, (1S,3R)-RSL3 mainly affected the replication stage of PEDV. Overexpression of GPX4 promoted PEDV proliferation, indicating that the ferroptosis pathway could influence PEDV replication in Vero cells. This study focused on the mechanism of (1S,3R)-RSL3 inhibition on PEDV, laying the foundation for exploring the pathogenic mechanisms of PEDV and drug development.
Deacetylation of ACO2 Is Essential for Inhibiting Bombyx mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus Propagation
Authors: Hu Miao , You Yi , Li Yao , Ma Shiyi , Li Jiaqi , Miao Meng , Quan Yanping , Yu Wei
Published: October 2023

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a specific pathogen of Bombyx mori that can significantly impede agricultural development. Accumulating evidence indicates that the viral proliferation in the host requires an ample supply of energy. However, the correlative reports of baculovirus are deficient, especially on the acetylation modification of tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) metabolic enzymes. Our recent quantitative analysis of protein acetylome revealed that mitochondrial aconitase (ACO2) could be modified by (de)acetylation at lysine 56 (K56) during the BmNPV infection; however, the underlying mechanism is yet unknown. In order to understand this regulatory mechanism, the modification site K56 was mutated to arginine (Lys56Arg; K56R) to mimic deacetylated lysine. The results showed that mimic deacetylated mitochondrial ACO2 restricted enzymatic activity. Although the ATP production was enhanced after viral infection, K56 deacetylation of ACO2 suppressed BmN cellular ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential by affecting citrate synthase and isocitrate dehydrogenase activities compared with wild-type ACO2. Furthermore, the deacetylation of exogenous ACO2 lowered BmNPV replication and generation of progeny viruses. In summary, our study on ACO2 revealed the potential mechanism underlying WT ACO2 promotes the proliferation of BmNPV and K56 deacetylation of ACO2 eliminates this promotional effect, which might provide novel insights for developing antiviral strategies.
Comparison of Humoral Response between Third and Fourth Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Joo Yoosun , Kim Dae Kyu , Jeon Yun Gi , Kim Ah-Ra , Do Hyeon Nam , Yoon Soo-Young , Kim Jin Sug , Jung Su Woong , Hwang Hyeon Seok , Moon Ju-Young , Jeong Kyung Hwang , Lee Sang-Ho , Kang So-Young , Kim Yang Gyun
Published: October 2023

Dialysis patients are more likely to die or become hospitalized from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Currently, only a few studies have evaluated the efficacy of a fourth booster vaccination in hemodialysis (HD) patients and there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against a fourth booster vaccination. This study compared the humoral response and disease severity of patients on HD who received either three or four doses of COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 88 patients were enrolled. Humoral response to vaccination was measured by quantifying immunoglobulin G levels against the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 (anti-RBD IgG) at five different times and plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT) at two different times after vaccination over a period of 18 months. Antibody levels were measured at approximately two-month intervals after the first and second dose, then four months after the third dose, and then one to six months after the fourth dose of vaccine. PRNT was performed two months after the second and four months after the third dose of vaccine. We classified patients into four groups according to the number of vaccine doses and presence of COVID-19 infection. Severe infection was defined as hospital admission for greater than or equal to two weeks or death. There was no difference in antibody levels between naïve and infected patients except after a fourth vaccination, which was effective for increasing antibodies in infection-naïve patients. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), dialysis vintage, and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) did not show a significant correlation with antibody levels. Four patients who experienced severe COVID-19 disease tended to have lower antibody levels prior to infection. A fourth dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine significantly elevated antibodies in infection-naïve HD patients and may be beneficial for HD patients who have not been previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 for protection against severe infection.
Non-Polio Enterovirus Surveillance in the Ural Federal District and Western Siberia, 2022: Is There a Need for a Vaccine?
Authors: Itani Tarek M. , Chalapa Vladislav I. , Slautin Vasilii N. , Bykov Roman O. , Imangaliev Bolat S. , Starikova Polina K. , Sergeev Aleksandr G. , Semenov Aleksandr V.
Published: October 2023

Human non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) are the etiological agents involved in most cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), herpangina and aseptic meningitis. Information on the epidemiology profiles of NPEV in the Ural Federal District and Western Siberia is very limited, with no published data available. The aim of this study is to describe NPEV incidence in the Ural Federal District and Western Siberia among patients with different forms of non-polio enterovirus infections (NPEVIs) during 2022, stratified by age and clinical manifestations. A total of 265 samples that tested positive for NPEV using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were genotyped by semi-nested PCR for the VP1 gene. The results showed that 21 genotypes were identified among patients in this study. CVA6 was the most common genotype for HFMD. CVA6, along with CVA10, accounted for the majority of herpangina cases, while CVA9 was implicated in most meningitis cases. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed that nearly all of the CVA6 strains identified in this study displayed a close genetic relationship to strains identified in other cities in Russia and strains from China. NPEV surveillance allows for monitoring the circulation of clinically relevant genotypes, resulting in continuous data about NPEV epidemiology. This is important for improving case prevention, diagnosis and guiding clinical management.
Correction: Mahasing et al. Myocarditis and Pericarditis following COVID-19 Vaccination in Thailand. Vaccines 2023, 11, 749
Authors: Mahasing Chayanit , Doungngern Pawinee , Jaipong Rittichai , Nonmuti Poonyaporn , Chimmanee Jirapa , Wongsawat Jurai , Boonyasirinant Thananya , Wanlapakorn Chaisiri , Leelapatana Pattranee , Yingchoncharoen Teerapat , Ngarmukos Tachapong , Chokephaibulkit Kulkanya , Srimahachota Suphot
Published: October 2023

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this published paper [...]
Book Review: Efron, N. Contact Lens Practice; Elsevier Health Sciences: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2024; ISBN: 978-0-7020-8427-0
Authors: Erdinest Nir
Published: October 2023

The book Contact Lens Practice (ISBN 978-0-7020-8427-0), fourth edition [...]
Assessing the Performance of Permeable Pavement in Mitigating Flooding in Urban Areas
Authors: Lee Yueh-Tan , Ho Min-Che , Chiou Yi-Shain , Huang Li-Ling
Published: October 2023

In the case of rapid urban development, the impact of extreme climates on the world is gradually increasing, resulting in frequent flood events. However, Taiwan is still in the stage of urban development, and it is necessary to develop more roads. Therefore, determining how to reduce the impact of road engineering on the environment is one of the major issues currently faced. Therefore, a demonstration road of a general pavement and a permeable pavement was built in Dahua North Street, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, and rainwater was stored in a central irrigation ditch and a permeable pavement through an innovative construction method for reuse in agricultural irrigation. In addition, monitoring instruments and management systems were built, and the flow law formula was established, with R2 greater than 0.9. The actual discharge and peak discharge of the permeable pavement and general pavement were analyzed. According to the data analysis results, it can be seen that the permeable pavement can effectively reduce the peak discharge of 60~75%, which not only can achieve the benefit of low-impact development but also can reuse rainwater. The patent application can be used as an example for the application of permeable pavement in Taiwan in the future.
Concentration, Spatial Distribution, and Source Analysis of Trace Elements in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin and Its Two Tributaries
Authors: Xiao Fangjing , Zhao Yuanzhao , Bu Duo , Zhang Qingying
Published: October 2023

The Yarlung Zangbo River (YZR) is the longest plateau river in China and has famous tributaries, the Lhasa River and the Nianchu River. A total of 75 water samples were collected from the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin (YZRB) in this study to investigate the dissolved concentration, spatial distribution, and source of trace elements (Fe, V, Be, Ti, Mo, Se, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Ba, Tl, Pb, Hg, As, and Sb). The results indicate that only Cr and Tl contaminate water, while the other trace elements were in an unpolluted state. In addition, correlation analysis showed that there was a highly significant positive correlation between the concentrations of As, Sb, and Mo; there was also a highly significant positive correlation between the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Ti, Pb, Ni, Co, and Ba. The results of Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) showed that there were four sources of trace elements in the YZRB, including the resuspension and dissolution of sediments (16.283%), agricultural source (11.436%), lithological source (47.418%), and soil-forming rocks (6.374%). Cluster analysis combined with PMF normalized contribution analysis, which showed that the trace elements found in the YZR’s mainstream were predominantly influenced by the surrounding rocks composition. Meanwhile, both the discharge of mining wastewater and sediments were marked in the Lhasa River. Additionally, agricultural activities were the chief contributors to the trace elements in the Nianchu River. Furthermore, the entire basin was subjected to the influence of soil-forming rocks. This study comprehensively analyzed and evaluated the physicochemical properties of water, the spatial distribution, and the pollution degree, and performed source analysis of trace elements in the YZRB. This research provides a foundational reference for further investigation of the spatial distribution and origins of trace elements in the rivers of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP).
The Pilot Study of a Dual-Media Filter Consisting of Mortar and Modified Zeolite for Removing Heavy Metals from Expressway Stormwater Runoff
Authors: Kim Do-Gun , Ko Seok-Oh
Published: October 2023

Stormwater runoff from expressways generally has high concentrations of heavy metals. However, the heavy metal removal of conventional sand filters is low, so a better alternative is required. In this study, several inexpensive materials were tested for their heavy metal adsorption, and the performances of the selected materials were evaluated via field tests. The results of laboratory experiments showed that the Cu adsorption capacity followed the order of Na-zeolite > zeolite > biochar > granular ferric hydroxide > sand ≥ orchid stone. The performance of a pilot-scale dual-media filter filled with Na-zeolite and mortar granules was monitored for four rainfall events at an expressway site, and was compared to that of a sand filter. Both filters showed similar event mean concentration (EMC) removal for BOD, COD, TOC, and T-N, without a notable decrease in hydraulic conductivity. However, the removal of T-P, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, and Fe by the dual-media filter was 37.6–74.8%, 59.1–90.1%, 84.9–99.7%, 100.0%, 100.0%, and 78.7–94.4%, respectively, which was up to 4.5 times of that of the sand filter. In addition, it was stable regardless of the influent EMCs. Overall, we showed that the dual-media filter is excellent in heavy metal removal from stormwater runoff, with negligible clogging.
Coastal Aquifer Management: Hydrological, Environmental, Economic and Social Challenges in the Context of Global Change
Authors: Alcalá Francisco Javier , Senent-Aparicio Javier , Martínez-Pagán Pedro
Published: October 2023

Groundwater is limited and its sustainable use is peremptory if we are to preserve dependent ecosystems and human supplies [...]
Algae in a Drinking Water Reservoir: Development of an Air–Water–Algal Growth Model (AWAM) for Long-Term Prediction
Authors: Zhang Junjie , Liu Qingling , Liu Mingmeng , Xu Cong , Zhang Haiyang , Zhang Xuezhi
Published: October 2023

The condition of the water in drinking water source environments is critical for public health. However, in recent years, the rapid growth of algae has become a significant threat to the safety of the drinking water supply. This study investigated the temporal trends and spatial differences in algae in the Nanwan Reservoir during 2022. Regression analysis using the least-squares method demonstrated that water temperature and initial biomass concentration were critical parameters that influenced the rate of algal growth. An air–water–algal growth model (AWAM) for algal growth prediction was developed using a 30-day forecast of air temperature, an air-to-water temperature extrapolating equation, a water temperature–algal growth relationship, and only four monthly measurements of algal concentration. The results demonstrated that the model accurately predicted algal growth in the next 30 days, with an R2 of 0.738, which aligned with the monitored results. Compared to the upstream Wudaohe River inflow point, algal growth in the drinking water intake area near the downstream dam was delayed by at least 30 days. By using the upstream inflow area as a reference point, the prediction period was extended to provide a 60-day early warning. The extended prediction period and the reduced need for monitoring data make the model more convenient for guiding the prevention and control of algal blooms in drinking water reservoirs.
Managing Bisphenol A Contamination: Advances in Removal Technologies and Future Prospects
Authors: Abu Hasan Hassimi , Muhamad Mohd Hafizuddin , Budi Kurniawan Setyo , Buhari Junaidah , Husain Abuzeyad Osama
Published: October 2023

Increasing levels of bisphenol A (BPA), classified as an endocrine-disrupting compound, in the environment have raised concerns because of its detrimental impact on human and animal health. BPA has been detected in soil and water and even as a volatile compound in the air primarily because of improper disposal and its extensive use in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. This review comprehensively surveyed recent research focusing on the removal of BPA from water through physicochemical and biological treatments, covering articles published from 2002 to 2023. A range of conventional and non-conventional methods employed for BPA removal is examined, and their limitations in completely degrading BPA in water are acknowledged. Hybrid or integrated treatment systems have been explored, capitalising on the distinctive removal potential of various treatment processes. The literature spanning from 2002 to 2023 underscores the efficacy of hybrid or integrated treatment systems in yielding promising results for BPA removal from water. Furthermore, future directions for BPA removal are outlined, and advancements in treatment technologies developed over the past decade are incorporated.
Coupling AnMBR, Primary Settling and Anaerobic Digestion to Improve Carbon Fate When Treating Sulfate-Rich Wastewater
Authors: Mateo Oscar , Sanchis-Perucho Pau , Giménez Juan B. , Robles Ángel , Martí Nuria , Serralta Joaquín , Seco Aurora
Published: October 2023

The present work involved an assessment of the technical feasibility of coupling AnMBR, primary settling and anaerobic digestion to treat sulfate-rich wastewater at ambient temperature. The innovative approach used focused on reducing the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment while maximizing the energy recovered from influent organic matter. In this process, primary settling reduces the COD/SO4-S ratio in the influent of the AnMBR system and completely removes organic matter by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), while increasing the COD/SO4-S ratio in the sidestream anaerobic digester (AD), enhancing energy recovery and biogas quality. This approach has the significant advantage of only producing methane in the AD, so that the AnMBR produces a high-quality, methane-free effluent with no environmental impact from fugitive methane emissions. The performance of this treatment scheme was assessed by operating a demonstration-scale AnMBR plant fed by primary settled municipal wastewater at the hydraulic retention times of 25, 12 and 8.5 h. The results showed that the COD and BOD removed by SRB enabled setting the discharge limits at 25 and 12 h and lowered the carbon footprint to levels below those of an AnMBR plant fed by raw municipal wastewater, mainly by eliminating fugitive methane emissions.
Knowledge Graph Learning for Vehicle Additive Manufacturing of Recycled Metal Powder
Authors: Fang Yuan , Chen Mingzhang , Liang Weida , Zhou Zijian , Liu Xunchen
Published: October 2023

Research on manufacturing components for electric vehicles plays a vital role in their development. Furthermore, significant advancements in additive manufacturing processes have revolutionized the production of various parts. By establishing a system that enables the recovery, processing, and reuse of metal powders essential for additive manufacturing, we can achieve sustainable production of electric vehicles. This approach holds immense importance in terms of reducing manufacturing costs, expanding the market, and safeguarding the environment. In this study, we developed an additive manufacturing system for recycled metal powders, encompassing powder variety, properties, processing, manufacturing, component properties, and applications. This system was used to create a knowledge graph providing a convenient resource for researchers to understand the entire procedure from recycling to application. To improve the graph’s accuracy, we employed ChatGPT and BERT training. We also demonstrated the knowledge graph’s utility by processing recycled 316 L stainless steel powders and assessing their quality through image processing. This experiment serves as a practical example of recycling and analyzing powders using the established knowledge graph.
Potential Yield of Glutinous Rice Varieties (Oryza sativa L. Var. glutinosa) Under Different Water Supply
Authors: Yarwati Yuli
Published: October 2023

Rice is a Gramineae plant. Each rice plant type has different morphology, physiological characteristics, and yields. Thus, genetic and environmental factors such as water availability influence those differences. West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is one of Indonesia’s provinces with local glutinous rice strains cultivated by farmers. Local glutinous rice is grown on a field scale which depends on rainfall in this region. Therefore, plant growth rate and yield might decrease caused by inadequate amount of water during plant growth and development. Hence it is essential to find out the response of several strains of glutinous rice due to different water supplies, in addition to obtain adaptive glutinous rice strains under water deficit. This research was a factorial experiment with a randomized group design that contained two factors. The first factor was glutinous rice varieties, consisting of three local glutinous rice types: Me’e, Kala, Samada, and one National variety, Paketih. The second factor was the field capacity condition implemented by the amount of water supply: 2,250 ml (50 percent FC), 3,375 ml (75 percent FC), 4,500 ml (100 percent FC), and 5,625 ml (125 percent FC). Data were analyzed using a 5 percent analysis of variance, then proceeded with DMRT. The results showed that glutinous rice strains and water supply interacted with weight grains per clump. Meanwhile, there was no interaction on plant length, number of leaves, and weight of 100 grains. Samada variety showed adaptive behavior under limited water, presented on yield variable compared to the other varieties.