bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Native Entomopathogenic Fungi for the Control of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Thailand: A Sustainable Way for Eco-Friendly Agriculture
Authors: Rajula Julius , Pittarate Sarayut , Suwannarach Nakarin , Kumla Jaturong , Ptaszynska Aneta A. , Thungrabeab Malee , Mekchay Supamit , Krutmuang Patcharin
Published: December 2021

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, entered Thailand in late 2018 and has now spread in several regions, with devastating effects in maize and rice production, which are some of the most important cereals in the world. Since then, farmers have utilized the available chemical insecticides to try to control it, but their efforts have been futile. Instead, they have ended up using extraordinary dosages, hence threatening non-target species and other fauna and flora, as well as being costly. In this regard, research has been ongoing, aiming to come up with eco-friendly solutions for this insect. We surveyed and collected various isolates of native entomopathogenic fungi intending to test their efficacy against fall armyworm. Six isolates of entomopathogenic fungi were obtained and identified to Beauveria bassiana based on morphological characteristics and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses. Thereafter, the six isolates of B. bassiana were used to perform efficacy experiments against fall armyworm. Additionally, the glycosyl transferase-like protein 1 (GAS1) gene was analyzed. Consequently, all the isolates showed efficacy against S. frugiperda, with isolate BCMU6 causing up to 91.67% mortality. Further, molecular analysis revealed that all the isolates possess the GAS1 gene, which contributed to their virulence against the insect. This is the first report of utilizing native entomopathogenic B. bassiana to manage S. frugiperda in Thailand, with the revelation of GAS1 as a factor in inducing virulence and cuticle penetration. This study has provided valuable information on the potential development of Beauveria bassiana as an eco-friendly bioinsecticide for the management of fall armyworm in Thailand.
Impacts of Future Sea-Level Rise under Global Warming Assessed from Tide Gauge Records: A Case Study of the East Coast Economic Region of Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Bagheri Milad , Ibrahim Zelina Z. , Akhir Mohd Fadzil , Oryani Bahareh , Rezania Shahabaldin , Wolf Isabelle D. , Pour Amin Beiranvand , Talaat Wan Izatul Asma Wan
Published: December 2021

The effects of global warming are putting the world’s coasts at risk. Coastal planners need relatively accurate projections of the rate of sea-level rise and its possible consequences, such as extreme sea-level changes, flooding, and coastal erosion. The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia is vulnerable to sea-level change. The purpose of this study is to present an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to analyse sea-level change based on observed data of tide gauge, rainfall, sea level pressure, sea surface temperature, and wind. A Feed-forward Neural Network (FNN) approach was used on observed data from 1991 to 2012 to simulate and predict the sea level change until 2020 from five tide gauge stations in Kuala Terengganu along the East Coast of Malaysia. From 1991 to 2020, predictions estimate that sea level would increase at a pace of roughly 4.60 mm/year on average, with a rate of 2.05 ± 7.16 mm on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This study shows that Peninsular Malaysia’s East Coast is vulnerable to sea-level rise, particularly at Kula Terengganu, Terengganu state, with a rate of 1.38 ± 7.59 mm/year, and Tanjung Gelang, Pahang state, with a rate of 1.87 ± 7.33 mm/year. As a result, strategies and planning for long-term adaptation are needed to control potential consequences. Our research provides crucial information for decision-makers seeking to protect coastal cities from the risks of rising sea levels.
Multiple Ion Scaffold-Based Delivery Platform for Potential Application in Early Stages of Bone Regeneration
Authors: Bosch-Rué Èlia , Díez-Tercero Leire , Rodriguez-Gonzalez Raquel , Pérez Román A.
Published: December 2021

Bone has the intrinsic capacity to regenerate itself, as long as the damage is small, through the sequential stimulation of specific phases, such as angiogenesis followed by osteogenesis. However, when the damage is extensive it is unable to regenerate and bone tissue engineering is used as an alternative. In this study, we developed a platform to allow the triple ion delivery with sequential delivery capacity to potentially stimulate antibacterial, angiogenic and osteogenic processes. The scaffold-based platform consisted of alginate/hydroxyapatite (HA) microparticles embedded in alginate fibers. Firstly, microparticles were developed using different ratios of alginate:HA using the spraying method, resulting in a high reproducibility of the technique. Microparticle size between 100–300 µm and ratio 1:40 resulted in a more spherical morphology and were selected for their incorporation into alginate fiber. Different amounts of copper and cobalt were added with the microparticles and alginate fiber, respectively, were used as model ions which could eventually modulate and mimic antimicrobial and angiogenic processes. Moreover, calcium ion was also incorporated in both, in order to provide the system with potential osteogenic properties together with HA. The multiple delivery of copper, cobalt and calcium released were in the therapeutic range as measured by induced coupled plasma (ICP), providing a promising delivery strategy for tissue engineering.
Numerical Modeling of Shockwave Treatment of Knee Joint
Authors: Eremina Galina , Smolin Alexey
Published: December 2021

Arthritis is a degenerative disease that primarily affects the cartilage and meniscus of the knee joint. External acoustic stimulation is used to treat this disease. This article presents a numerical model of the knee joint aimed at the computer-aided study of the regenerative effects of shockwave treatment. The presented model was verified and validated. A numerical analysis of the conditions for the regeneration of the tissues of the knee joint under shockwave action was conducted. The results allow us to conclude that to obtain the conditions required for the regeneration of cartilage tissues and meniscus (compressive stresses above the threshold value of 0.15 MPa to start the process of chondrogenesis; distortional strains above the threshold value of 0.05% characterized by the beginning of the differentiation of the tissues in large volumes; fluid pressure corresponding to the optimal level of 68 kPa to transfer tissue cells in large volumes), the energy flux density of therapeutic shockwave loading should exceed 0.3 mJ/mm2.
Surface Topography Prediction Model in Milling of Thin-Walled Parts Considering Machining Deformation
Authors: Chen Zhitao , Yue Caixu , Liu Xianli , Liang Steven Y. , Wei Xudong , Du Yanjie
Published: December 2021

With the continuous improvement of the performance of modern aerospace aircraft, the overall strength and lightweight control of aircraft has become a significant feature of modern aerospace parts. With the wide application of thin-walled parts, the requirements for dimensional accuracy and surface quality of workpieces are increasing. In this paper, a numerical model for predicting surface topography of thin-walled parts after elastic deformation is proposed. In view of the geometric characteristics in the cutting process, the cutting force model of thin-walled parts is established, and the meshing relationship between the tool and the workpiece is studied. In addition, the influence of workpiece deformation is considered based on the beam deformation model. Cutting force is calculated based on deformed cutting thickness, and the next cutting–meshing relationship is predicted. The model combines the radial deflection of the workpiece in the feed direction and the changing meshing relationship of the tool–workpiece to determine the three-dimensional topography of the workpiece. The error range between the experimental and the simulation results of surface roughness is 7.45–13.09%, so the simulation three-dimensional morphology has good similarity. The surface topography prediction model provides a fast solution for surface quality control in the thin-walled parts’ milling process.
Surface Modification of Additively Manufactured Nitinol by Wet Chemical Etching
Authors: Nazarov Denis , Rudakova Aida , Borisov Evgenii , Popovich Anatoliy
Published: December 2021

Three-dimensional printed nitinol (NiTi) alloys have broad prospects for application in medicine due to their unique mechanical properties (shape memory effect and superplasticity) and the possibilities of additive technologies. However, in addition to mechanical properties, specific physicochemical characteristics of the surface are necessary for successful medical applications. In this work, a comparative study of additively manufactured (AM) NiTi samples etched in H2SO4/H2O2, HCl/H2SO4, and NH4OH/H2O2 mixtures was performed. The morphology, topography, wettability, free surface energy, and chemical composition of the surface were studied in detail. It was found that etching in H2SO4/H2O2 practically does not change the surface morphology, while HCl/H2SO4 treatment leads to the formation of a developed morphology and topography. In addition, exposure of nitinol to H2SO4/H2O2 and HCl/H2SO4 contaminated its surface with sulfur and made the surface wettability unstable in air. Etching in NH4OH/H2O2 results in surface cracking and formation of flat plates (10–20 microns) due to the dissolution of titanium, but clearly increases the hydrophilicity of the surface (values of water contact angles are 32–58°). The etch duration (30 min or 120 min) significantly affects the morphology, topography, wettability and free surface energy for the HCl/H2SO4 and NH4OH/H2O2 etched samples, but has almost no effect on surface composition.
Highly Porous Expanded Graphite: Thermal Shock vs. Programmable Heating
Authors: Bannov Alexander G. , Ukhina Arina V. , Maksimovskii Evgenii A. , Prosanov Igor Yu. , Shestakov Artyom A. , Lapekin Nikita I. , Lazarenko Nikita S. , Kurmashov Pavel B. , Popov Maksim V.
Published: December 2021

Highly porous expanded graphite was synthesized by the programmable heating technique using heating with a constant rate (20 °C/min) from room temperature to 400–700 °C. The samples obtained were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. A comparison between programmable heating and thermal shock as methods of producing expanded graphite showed efficiency of the first one at a temperature 400 °C, and the surface area reached 699 and 184 m2/g, respectively. The proposed technique made it possible to obtain a relatively higher yield of expanded graphite (78–90%) from intercalated graphite. The experiments showed the advantages of programmable heating in terms of its flexibility and the possibility to manage the textural properties, yield, disorder degree, and bulk density of expanded graphite.
Enhanced Combustion of Bituminous Coal and Semicoke Mixture by Ferric Oxide with Thermographic and Kinetic Analyses
Authors: Lv Tingting , Kou Luyao , Hu Tu , Zhang Libo , Yang Li
Published: December 2021

We study the specific catalytic effect of the catalyst on the combustion process of pulverized coal of increasing the proportion of semicoke in the mixture of semicoke and bituminous coal, and reducing the cost of blast-furnace coal injection. A combination of thermogravimetric and kinetic analyses were used to study the catalytic effect of Fe2O3 on semicoke and bituminous coal, and to improve the amount of semicoke in the mixed coal powder of bituminous coal and semicoke. Experimental results showed that Fe2O3 had a catalytic effect on both semicoke and bituminous coal, but there were differences in the catalytic stages of the same catalyst for different pulverized coal types. The addition of 2 wt % Fe2O3 to semicoke and bituminous coal each led to the ignition temperature and maximal burning rate temperature of the semicoke decreasing, indicating that the catalyst promoted the precipitation of a volatile fraction from the semicoke. The maximal burning rate temperature and burnout temperature of the bituminous coal decreased, and maximal weight loss rate increased, indicating that the catalyst promoted the combustion of the fixed carbon of bituminous coal. The optimal proportioning amount of semicoke in the mixed coal powder without the addition of a catalyst was 25%. After adding 2 wt % Fe2O3, the proportional amount of semicoke increased by 10%. The addition of the catalyst resulted in even lower activation energy for the same conversion rate. When the conversion rate was in the ranges of 0.1–0.2 and 0.5–0.7, the activation energy decreased by 22% and 26%, respectively, compared with that without a catalyst. Fe2O3 promoted the combustion of bituminous coal and semicoke. This enhanced the combustion performance of the pulverized coal mix and increased the proportion of semicoke in the mix, which has certain guiding significance in reducing the cost of blast-furnace iron making.
Experimental Study of Single-Lap, Hybrid Joints, Made of 3D Printed Polymer and Aluminium Adherends
Authors: Golewski Przemysław , Nowicki Marek , Sadowski Tomasz , Pietras Daniel
Published: December 2021

This paper presents the results of an experimental study into single-lap joints. One part of the joint was made as a 3D printed polymer and had cylindrical tenons, while the other part was made of an aluminium flat bar having mortises whose diameter and distribution corresponded to the polymer tenons. In addition to the mechanical joint, a layer of double-sided VHB (Very High Bond) adhesive tape was also placed in the lap, thus creating a hybrid joint. In total, 80 specimens were made, which were divided into four groups: A—specimens with one tenon of different diameters, B—specimens with different number of tenons of the same diameter, C—specimens characterised by multi-stage operation and R—reference specimens, connected only by double-sided adhesive tape. The joints were subjected to uniaxial tensile tests. The force–displacement characteristics obtained and the energy required, up to the point of the failure of the joints, have been analysed in this paper. The four and six-stage joints designed can significantly increase the safety of the structures in which they will be used.
Surface Transport Properties of Pb-Intercalated Graphene
Authors: Gruschwitz Markus , Ghosal Chitran , Shen Ting-Hsuan , Wolff Susanne , Seyller Thomas , Tegenkamp Christoph
Published: December 2021

Intercalation experiments on epitaxial graphene are attracting a lot of attention at present as a tool to further boost the electronic properties of 2D graphene. In this work, we studied the intercalation of Pb using buffer layers on 6H-SiC(0001) by means of electron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy and in situ surface transport. Large-area intercalation of a few Pb monolayers succeeded via surface defects. The intercalated Pb forms a characteristic striped phase and leads to formation of almost charge neutral graphene in proximity to a Pb layer. The Pb intercalated layer consists of 2 ML and shows a strong structural corrugation. The epitaxial heterostructure provides an extremely high conductivity of σ=100 mS/□. However, at low temperatures (70 K), we found a metal-insulator transition that we assign to the formation of minigaps in epitaxial graphene, possibly induced by a static distortion of graphene following the corrugation of the interface layer.
Advanced Materials for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Devices
Authors: Santos Diogo M. F. , Šljukić Biljana
Published: December 2021

Electrochemical energy conversion and storage is attracting particular attention due to the drawbacks and limitations of existing fossil fuel-based technologies [...]
Experimental Evaluation of the Mechanical Strengths and the Thermal Conductivity of GGBFS and Silica Fume Based Alkali-Activated Concrete
Authors: Parcesepe Eliana , De Masi Rosa Francesca , Lima Carmine , Mauro Gerardo Maria , Maddaloni Giuseppe , Pecce Maria Rosaria
Published: December 2021

Alkali-activated concrete (AAC) could be a solution to use a cement-less binder and recycled materials for producing concrete reducing the carbon dioxide emission and the demand for raw materials, respectively. In addition to the environmental aspect, AACs can achieve mechanical characteristics higher than those of ordinary Portland concrete (OPC) but also an improvement of the thermal insulation capacity. Despite the positive results available in the scientific literature, the use of AACs in construction practice is still limited mainly due to the absence of codification for the mix design and consequently of specific design rules. In this paper, AAC produced by ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) and silica fume is investigated for the production of structural elements and to discuss the reliability of formulations for evaluating mechanical properties, necessary for structural design. The mechanical strengths (compression strength, tensile strength, flexural strength) are evaluated by experimental tests according to different curing times (7, 14, 28, 90 days) in ambient conditions and the thermal conductivity is measured to understand the effect that the material could have on thermal losses for a sustainable building perspective. The results showed that AAC strengths depend on the curing time and the exposure conditions, and the insulation properties can be improved compared to the traditional Portland cement with the proposed composition.
Analytical Model for the Fatigue Analysis of Steel Joints by Clamps According to the Lever Length
Authors: Cabaleiro Manuel , Comesaña Rafael , González-Gaya Cristina , Caamaño Carlos
Published: December 2021

Among the most commonly used materials in the construction of structures in the last two centuries are iron and steel. Clamp joints are a suitable type of joint when it is necessary to rehabilitate or modify a historical steel structure for new uses, reinforcing or modifying it with new beams, without the need to drill or weld on the original structure. The clamps allow beams to be joined with a flange (such as I-beams) without the need for any prior operation on the beams and allow the manufacture of completely removable and reconfigurable structures. Developing and analysing this type of fully removable and reconfigurable structure is necessary. To date, no studies have been carried out on the fatigue behaviour of steel joints by clamps, especially taking into account their main geometric characteristics, such as the size of the clamp levers. In this work, an analytical model is proposed that allows for the analysis of the number of cycles and the fatigue limit of clamp joints as a function of the size of the clamp levers. In addition, various fatigue tests are performed with different clamp sizes. The experimental results are compared with those obtained with the proposed methodology. Finally, the relationships between the lever length and the fatigue behaviour of the clamp joints have been determined. It is concluded that an increase in the size of the front lever is associated to a decrease in the fatigue limit. On the contrary, if the size of the rear lever is increased, the fatigue limit of the joint increases. In general, according to the obtained results, the resistance of the joint can be reduced to approximately one third when it is subjected to fatigue loads.
Evaluating the Rheological Properties of High-Modulus Asphalt Binders Modified with Rubber Polymer Composite Modifier
Authors: Zhang Xiaorui , Han Chao , Yang Jun , Xu Xinquan , Zhang Fan
Published: December 2021

With the increasing traffic loading and changing climatic conditions, there is a need to use novel superior performing pavement materials such as high-modulus asphalt binders and asphalt mixtures to mitigate field distress such as rutting, cracking, etc. This laboratory study was thus conducted to explore and substantiate the usage of Rubber Polymer Composite Modifier (RPCM) for high-modulus asphalt binder modification. The base asphalt binder used in the study comprised A-70# Petroleum asphalt binder with RPCM dosages of 0.25%, 0.30%, 0.35%, 0.40% and 0.45%, separately. The laboratory tests conducted for characterizing the asphalt binder rheological and morphological properties included the dynamic mechanical analysis (DM), temperature-frequency sweep in the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) device, bending beam rheometer (BBR), and florescence microscopic (FM) imaging. The corresponding test results exhibited satisfactory compatibility and potential for using RPCM as a high-modulus asphalt binder modifier to enhance the base asphalt binder’s rheological properties, both with respect to high- and low-temperature performance improvements. For the A-70# Petroleum asphalt binder that was evaluated, the optimum RPCM dosage was found to be 0.30–0.35%. In comparison to styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS), asphalt binder modification with RPCM exhibited superior high-temperature rutting resistance properties (as measured in terms of the complex modulus and phase angle) and vice versa for the low-temperature cracking properties. Overall, the study beneficially contributes to the literature through provision of a reference datum toward the exploratory usage of RPCM for high-modulus asphalt binder modification and performance enhancements.
Numerical Solution to Anomalous Diffusion Equations for Levy Walks
Authors: Saenko Viacheslav V. , Kovalnogov Vladislav N. , Fedorov Ruslan V. , Chamchiyan Yuri E.
Published: December 2021

The process of Levy random walks is considered in view of the constant velocity of a particle. A kinetic equation is obtained that describes the process of walks, and fractional differential equations are obtained that describe the asymptotic behavior of the process. It is shown that, in the case of finite and infinite mathematical expectation of paths, these equations have a completely different form. To solve the obtained equations, the method of local estimation of the Monte Carlo method is described. The solution algorithm is described and the advantages and disadvantages of the considered method are indicated.
Magnetic Jacobi Fields in 3-Dimensional Cosymplectic Manifolds
Authors: Munteanu Marian Ioan , Nistor Ana Irina
Published: December 2021

We classify the magnetic Jacobi fields in cosymplectic manifolds of dimension 3, enriching the results in the study of magnetic Jacobi fields derived from uniform magnetic fields. In particular, we give examples of Jacobi magnetic fields in the Euclidean space E3 and we conclude with the description of magnetic Jacobi fields in the product spaces S2×R and H2×R.
Steric Effects on Electroosmotic Nano-Thrusters under High Zeta Potentials
Authors: Zheng Jiaxuan , An Siyi , Jian Yongjun
Published: December 2021

Here, space electroosmotic thrusters in a rigid nanochannel with high wall zeta potentials are investigated numerically, for the first time, considering the effect of finite size of the ionic species. The effect, which is called a steric effect, is often neglected in research about micro/nano thrusters. However, it has vital influences on the electric potential and flow velocity in electric double layers, so that the thruster performances generated by the fluid motion are further affected. These performances, including thrust, specific impulse, thruster efficiency, and the thrust-to-power ratio, are described by using numerical algorithms, after obtaining the electric potential and velocity distributions under high wall zeta potentials ranging from −25.7 mV to −128.5 mV. As expected, the zeta potential can promote the development of thruster performances so as to satisfy the requirement of space missions. Moreover, for real situation with consideration of the steric effect, the thruster thrust and efficiency significantly decrease to 5–30 micro Newtons and 80–90%, respectively, but the thrust-to-power ratio is opposite, and expends a short specific impulse of about 50–110 s.
The 3/4- and 3/6-Subfamily Variants of α-Conotoxins GI and MI Exhibit Potent Inhibitory Activity against Muscular Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
Authors: Ma Xiaoli , Huang Qiuyuan , Yu Shuo , Xu Shujing , Huang Yue , Zhao Zhiming , Xiao Xinrong , Dai Qiuyun
Published: December 2021

α-Conotoxins GI and MI belong to the 3/5 subfamily of α-conotoxins and potently inhibit muscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). To date, no 3/4- or 3/6-subfamily α-conotoxins have been reported to inhibit muscular nAChRs. In the present study, a series of new 3/4-, 3/6-, and 3/7-subfamily GI and MI variants were synthesized and functionally characterized by modifications of loop2. The results show that the 3/4-subfamily GI variant GI[∆8G]-II and the 3/6-subfamily variants GI[+13A], GI[+13R], and GI[+13K] displayed potent inhibition of muscular nAChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes, with an IC50 of 45.4–73.4 nM, similar to or slightly lower than that of wild-type GI (42.0 nM). The toxicity of these GI variants in mice appeared to be about a half to a quarter of that of wild-type GI. At the same time, the 3/7-subfamily GI variants showed significantly lower in vitro potency and toxicity. On the other hand, similar to the 3/6-subfamily GI variants, the 3/6-subfamily MI variants MI[+14R] and MI[+14K] were also active after the addition of a basic amino acid, Arg or Lys, in loop2, but the activity was not maintained for the 3/4-subfamily MI variant MI[∆9G]. Interestingly, the disulfide bond connectivity “C1–C4, C2–C3” in the 3/4-subfamily variant GI[∆8G]-II was significantly more potent than the “C1–C3, C2–C4” connectivity found in wild-type GI and MI, suggesting that disulfide bond connectivity is easily affected in the rigid 3/4-subfamily α-conotoxins and that the disulfide bonds significantly impact the variants’ function. This work is the first to demonstrate that 3/4- and 3/6-subfamily α-conotoxins potently inhibit muscular nAChRs, expanding our knowledge of α-conotoxins and providing new motifs for their further modifications.
Comparison of Biochemical Characteristics, Action Models, and Enzymatic Mechanisms of a Novel Exolytic and Two Endolytic Lyases with Mannuronate Preference
Authors: Zeng Lianghuan , Li Junge , Cheng Yuanyuan , Wang Dandan , Gu Jingyan , Li Fuchuan , Han Wenjun
Published: December 2021

Recent explorations of tool-like alginate lyases have been focused on their oligosaccharide-yielding properties and corresponding mechanisms, whereas most were reported as endo-type with α-L-guluronate (G) preference. Less is known about the β-D-mannuronate (M) preference, whose commercial production and enzyme application is limited. In this study, we elucidated Aly6 of Flammeovirga sp. strain MY04 as a novel M-preferred exolytic bifunctional lyase and compared it with AlgLs of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pae-AlgL) and Azotobacter vinelandii (Avi-AlgL), two typical M-specific endolytic lyases. This study demonstrated that the AlgL and heparinase_II_III modules play indispensable roles in determining the characteristics of the recombinant exo-type enzyme rAly6, which is preferred to degrade M-enriched substrates by continuously cleaving various monosaccharide units from the nonreducing end, thus yielding various size-defined ΔG-terminated oligosaccharides as intermediate products. By contrast, the endolytic enzymes Pae-rAlgL and Avi-rAlgL varied their action modes specifically against M-enriched substrates and finally degraded associated substrate chains into various size-defined oligosaccharides with a succession rule, changing from ΔM to ΔG-terminus when the product size increased. Furthermore, site-directed mutations and further protein structure tests indicated that H195NHSTW is an active, half-conserved, and essential enzyme motif. This study provided new insights into M-preferring lyases for novel resource discoveries, oligosaccharide preparations, and sequence determinations.
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Prevalence in Aerosol and Spiders’ Webs in Karst Caves: Low Risk for Speleotherapy
Authors: Hubelova Dana , Ulmann Vit , Mikuska Pavel , Licbinsky Roman , Alexa Lukas , Modra Helena , Gersl Milan , Babak Vladimir , Weston Ross Tim , Pavlik Ivo
Published: December 2021

A total of 152 aerosol and spider web samples were collected: 96 spider’s webs in karst areas in 4 European countries (Czech Republic, France, Italy, and Slovakia), specifically from the surface environment (n = 44), photic zones of caves (n = 26), and inside (aphotic zones) of caves (n = 26), 56 Particulate Matter (PM) samples from the Sloupsko-Sosuvsky Cave System (speleotherapy facility; n = 21) and from aerosol collected from the nearby city of Brno (n = 35) in the Czech Republic. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were isolated from 13 (13.5%) spider’s webs: 5 isolates of saprophytic NTM (Mycobacterium gordonae, M. kumamotonense, M. terrae, and M. terrae complex) and 6 isolates of potentially pathogenic NTM (M. avium ssp. hominissuis, M. fortuitum, M. intracellulare, M. peregrinum and M. triplex). NTM were not isolated from PM collected from cave with the speleotherapy facility although mycobacterial DNA was detected in 8 (14.3%) samples. Temperature (8.2 °C, range 8.0–8.4 °C) and relative humidity (94.7%, range 93.6–96.6%) of air in this cave were relatively constant. The average PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentration was 5.49 µg m−3 and 11.1 µg m−3. Analysed anions (i.e., F−, Cl−, NO2−, SO42−, PO43− and NO3−) originating largely from the burning of wood and coal for residential heating in nearby villages in the surrounding area. The air in the caves with speleotherapy facilities should be monitored with respect to NTM, PM and anions to ensure a safe environment.
Antiviral Immunity in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: From Protective to Deleterious Responses
Authors: Mihaescu Grigore , Chifiriuc Mariana Carmen , Vrancianu Corneliu Ovidiu , Constantin Marian , Filip Roxana , Popescu Mihaela Roxana , Burlibasa Liliana , Nicoara Anca Cecilia , Bolocan Alexandra , Iliescu Ciprian , Gradisteanu Pircalabioru Gratiela
Published: December 2021

After two previous episodes, in 2002 and 2012, when two highly pathogenic coronaviruses (SARS, MERS) with a zoonotic origin emerged in humans and caused fatal respiratory illness, we are today experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic produced by SARS-CoV-2. The main question of the year 2021 is if naturally- or artificially-acquired active immunity will be effective against the evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants. This review starts with the presentation of the two compartments of antiviral immunity—humoral and cellular, innate and adaptive—underlining how the involved cellular and molecular actors are intrinsically connected in the development of the immune response in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Then, the SARS-CoV-2 immunopathology, as well as the derived diagnosis and therapeutic approaches, will be discussed.
Boiling Heat Transfer Evaluation in Nanoporous Surface Coatings
Authors: Sajjad Uzair , Hussain Imtiyaz , Imran Muhammad , Sultan Muhammad , Wang Chi-Chuan , Alsubaie Abdullah Saad , Mahmoud Khaled H.
Published: December 2021

The present study develops a deep learning method for predicting the boiling heat transfer coefficient (HTC) of nanoporous coated surfaces. Nanoporous coated surfaces have been used extensively over the years to improve the performance of the boiling process. Despite the large amount of experimental data on pool boiling of coated nanoporous surfaces, precise mathematical-empirical approaches have not been developed to estimate the HTC. The proposed method is able to cope with the complex nature of the boiling of nanoporous surfaces with different working fluids with completely different thermophysical properties. The proposed deep learning method is applicable to a wide variety of substrates and coating materials manufactured by various manufacturing processes. The analysis of the correlation matrix confirms that the pore diameter, the thermal conductivity of the substrate, the heat flow, and the thermophysical properties of the working fluids are the most important independent variable parameters estimation under consideration. Several deep neural networks are designed and evaluated to find the optimized model with respect to its prediction accuracy using experimental data (1042 points). The best model could assess the HTC with an R2 = 0.998 and (mean absolute error) MAE% = 1.94.
Evolution of Ocean Color Atmospheric Correction: 1970–2005
Authors: Gordon Howard R.
Published: December 2021

Retrieval of water properties from satellite-borne imagers viewing oceans and coastal areas in the visible region of the spectrum requires removing the effect of the atmosphere, which contributes approximately 80–90% of the measured radiance over the open ocean in the blue spectral region. The Gordon and Wang algorithm originally developed for SeaWiFS (and used with other NASA sensors, e.g., MODIS) forms the basis for many atmospheric removal (correction) procedures. It was developed for application to imagery obtained over the open ocean (Case 1 waters), where the aerosol is usually non-absorbing, and is used operationally to process global data from SeaWiFS, MODIS and VIIRS. Here, I trace the evolution of this algorithm from early NASA aircraft experiments through the CZCS, OCTS, SeaWiFs, MERIS, and finally the MODIS sensors. Strategies to extend the algorithm to situations where the aerosol is strongly absorbing are examined. Its application to sensors with additional and unique capabilities is sketched. Problems associated with atmospheric correction in coastal waters are described.
Evaluation of Solid Particle Number Sensors for Periodic Technical Inspection of Passenger Cars
Authors: Melas Anastasios , Selleri Tommaso , Suarez-Bertoa Ricardo , Giechaskiel Barouch
Published: December 2021

Following the increase in stringency of the European regulation limits for laboratory and real world automotive emissions, one of the main transport related aspects to improve the air quality is the mass scale in-use vehicle testing. Solid particle number (SPN) emissions have been drastically reduced with the use of diesel and gasoline particulate filters which, however, may get damaged or even been tampered. The feasibility of on-board monitoring and remote sensing as well as of the current periodical technical inspection (PTI) for detecting malfunctioning or tampered particulate filters is under discussion. A promising methodology for detecting high emitters is SPN testing at low idling during PTI. Several European countries plan to introduce this method for diesel vehicles and the European Commission (EC) will provide some guidelines. For this scope an experimental campaign was organized by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the EC with the participation of different instrument manufacturers. Idle SPN concentrations of vehicles without or with a malfunctioning particulate filter were measured. The presence of particles under the current cut-off size of 23 nm as well as of volatile particles during idling are presented. Moreover, the extreme case of a well performing vehicle tested after a filter regeneration is studied. In most of the cases the different sensors used were in good agreement, the high sub-23 nm particles existence being the most challenging case due to the differences in the sensors’ efficiency below the cut-off size.
Mechanisms and ways of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection
Authors: Kaira Alla Nikolaevna , Politova Nina Grigoryevna , Svitich Oksana Anatol'evna
Published: December 2021

The relevance of the problem. A new coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has created an emergency situation of international importance. The incidence of it is characterized by a rapid spread across all countries, high morbidity rates, severe complications and mortality. Despite the fact that there are currently vaccines, it is not yet possible to stop the infection. Of particular importance as a preventive measure is the impact on the second link of the epidemic process. In this connection, obtaining objective data on the mechanisms and ways of spreading the SARS-CoV-2 virus will allow for more rational preventive measures and significantly reduce the risk of transmission of infection. The aim is to analyze current data on the mechanisms and ways of spreading the COVID-19 pathogen from available literature sources and to consider possible measures to influence the second link of the epidemiological chain in order to reduce the risks of infection. Materials and methods. The selection of peer-reviewed literature published from 2019 to 2021 was carried out. in the PubMed database and e-Library.ru, as well as links in articles. To obtain statistical data, the Internet resources of the World Health Organization (WHO), open data of Rospotrebnadzor, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Rosstat were used. Results. Analysis of scientific sources containing information on the mechanisms and ways of transmission of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 indicates that the authors in their publications mention almost all the mechanisms and ways of transmission of this disease, but to varying degrees of their significance. The main mechanism of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is aspiration with airborne and airborne dust transmission routes. At the same time, the effect of contact, fecal-oral mechanisms is not excluded, the probability of the implementation of the vertical mechanism of transmission of the pathogen from the mother to the child, as well as the genital tract, is being studied. An important measure for the prevention of a new infection is the impact on the second link of the epidemic process, especially ensuring the highly efficient operation of ventilation and air conditioning systems in medical institutions and public places with a massive crowd of people, as well as compliance with personal preventive measures and disinfection measures.
Differential diagnosis of tension headache and basic principles of treatment
Authors: Shlopak Lev Borisovich
Published: December 2021

Headache (cephalalgia) is one of the most common symptoms and is a manifestation of more than 50 diseases. According to the World Health Organization, at least one episode of headache during a lifetime has occurred in almost every inhabitant of the Earth, and about half of them noted periodic headaches. In its etiology, cephalalgia can be primary, not associated with organic damage to tissues and organs, and secondary, which is based on pathological changes. In particular, cephalalgia in inflammatory lesions of the paranasal sinuses, brain tumors, encephalitis and meningitis, acute cerebrovascular accident, head trauma, arterial hypertension, aneurysm of the cerebral vessels, etc., should be attributed to the secondary headache. In 95–97 % of cases, the headache is not based on organic lesion, and in this case, the headache is primary. Primary cephalalgia can be based on both vegetative-vascular and metabolic-destructive changes. Primary headache can be noted with emotional or physical overstrain, exposure to a number of light, sound or olfactory stimuli, liquorodynamic or dysmetabolic disorders, when taking certain medications. Conventionally, primary headache can be divided into three groups — tension headache, migraine and cluster headache.
Features of preparation the federal statistical observation form TZV-budget «Information on expenses of a budgetary, autonomous and state institution for 2021»
Authors: Shinkareva O.V.
Published: December 2021

The article is devoted to the features of preparation the new form of federal statistical observation 2021 TZV-budget. The Order of Rosstat of 15.07.2021 № 420 «About the statement of a form of federal statistical observation the № TZV-budget «Data on expenses of the budgetary, autonomous and state institution for 2021» which shows this form and reveals features of its preparation is analyzed. It is noted that if the standard expenditure columns do not cover 90% of the expenses of the organization for each of the presented types of expenses, the institution is itself obliged to show the most significant expenses of this direction when completing the form. Features of control over correctness of this reporting form filling out by means of check of presented control ratios are disclosed. Dates of submission of this form and liability for its non-submission are considered.
The influence of different genotypes of kappa-casein and beta-lactoglobulin on the productivity of cows of Ayrshire, Holstein and Yaroslavl breeds
Authors: Tamarova R. V. , Egorashina E. V.
Published: December 2021

Under the conditions of intensification of dairy cattle breeding, genetic markers of protein-milk content, namely allelic variants of kappa-casein and beta-lactoglobulin, are increasingly used. They are established by the method of DNA testing on blood samples of breeding animals. This method is also being introduced in our country, which is especially important when selecting breeding sires for the artificial insemination network. The purpose of the research was to study the quality indicators of milk of cows bred in the region of breeds (Ayrshire, Holstein, Yaroslavl), and the protein-milk product produced from it as cottage cheese, depending on the influence of the genotype. The research has been carried out in CJSC “Agrofirma “Pakhma” in the Yaroslavl region. The object of research was cows of Ayrshire, Holstein and Yaroslavl breeds. The sample included 99 cows, including 36 animals of Ayrshire breed, 33 Holstein and 30 Yaroslavl breed. A comparative comprehensive evaluation of the dairy productivity of cows of Ayrshire, Holstein and Yaroslavl breeds under the conditions in one herd using DNA testing has been carried out, for the entire productive period of economic use, the realization of the genetic potential has been traced. For the first time in the Yaroslavl region DNA testing of Ayrshire cows was carried out and new data on the polymorphism of the CSN3 and LGB genes in Holstein and Yaroslavl cows were obtained. The association of CSN3, LGB genotypes and complex genotypes with milk productivity and technological properties of milk has been investigated. The yield and quality of cottage cheese from the milk of cows of different breeds in association with CSN3 genotypes have been studied. As a result of studying the quality indicators of milk of cows of different breeds and the protein-milk product produced from it as cottage cheese, depending on the influence of the genotype. It has been found that cows of different breeds and different genotypes had significant differences in the quality of milk and cottage cheese produced from it, which must be taken into account when conducting breeding work with these breeds.
The influence of the pre-slaughter weight of steers on their beef traits
Authors: Ponomareva E. A. , Tatarkina N. I.
Published: December 2021

Beef productivity of animals such indicators as breed, age of the animal at slaughter, pre-slaughter weight, and after slaughter – yield of carcass, slaughter weight and slaughter yield, morphological composition and the nature of fat deposition are characterized by. The purpose of the research was to study the influence of the pre-slaughter weight of steers of Aubrac breed on their beef traits. In order to carry out the research, three groups of animals have been formed per 15 animals in each. The 1st group included animals whose pre-slaughter weight was in the range of 425–440 kg, the 2nd group – 455–460 kg and the 3rd – 475–500 kg. The conditions of feeding and housing the animals were the same. The animals were housed in arched-type barns with free access to exercising areas. The results of the investigation of the beef productivity and quality of the Musculus longissimus in steers of Aubrac breed depending on the pre-slaughter live weight have been presented in the article. It has been found that animals with the pre-slaughter weight of more than 455 kg were characterized by higher beef traits. Steers with the pre-slaughter weight from 475 to 500 kg were characterized by higher slaughter and beef traits, in the samples of the Musculus longissimus they had a higher content of fat and amino acids. Samples of the Musculus longissimus of steers at slaughter of 455–460 kg were characterized by the higher caloric content, protein-quality indicator. It has been proposed according to the results of the research that the optimal slaughter for steers of Aubrac breed with the pre-slaughter weight is more than 455 kg.
COMPETENCIA EN LENGUA PARA ENSEÑAR CIENCIA EN LA UNIVERSIDAD: ¿CUÁL ES EL ROL DEL PROFESOR DE CIENCIA?
Authors: Alberteris Galbán Orlando , Canizares Hinojosa Viviana , Revilla Sabín Bertha
Published: December 2021

RESUMEN

El objetivo del presente trabajo es reflexionar sobre el rol del profesor universitario en el desarrollo de competencias en lengua para dirigir el proceso de comprensión y producción textual de sus estudiantes sobre contenidos disciplinares específicos y diversidad de discursos característicos de la enseñanza universitaria.  Se utilizó la sistematización teórica sobre competencias en lengua necesarias para la dirección del proceso de comprensión-producción en discursos disciplinares específicos y para determinar, a través del análisis y síntesis, las acciones principales para encauzar el trabajo didáctico de los profesores en  sus campos disciplinares. El resultado principal del trabajo consistió, precisamente,  en una propuesta de acciones didácticas con implicaciones en el desarrollo de competencias y en el diseño didáctico de las disciplinas.

PALABRAS CLAVE: competencias en lengua; comprensión y producción textual; discursos disciplinares; contenidos específicos; acciones didácticas.

LANGUAGE COMPETENCIES TO TEACH SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY: WHAT IS THE SCIENCE TEACHER’S ROLE?

ABSTRACT

The present paper aims at reflecting on the role of university teachers and their language competencies to direct the students’ comprehension and production of specific disciplinar contents and discourses in the university context. Theoretical systematization about competencies needed to direct the process of comprehension and production in specific disciplinar was used. Through analysis and synthesis the main actions to address the didactic work of science teachers were determined. The result yielded a proposal of didactic actions with implications on the development of teachers’ competencies and on the didactic design of disciplines.

KEYWORDS: language competencies; comprehension and production; disciplinary discourses; specific contents; didactic actions.