bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multisource Seismic Full Waveform Inversion of Metal Ore Bodies
Authors: Zhang Fengjiao , Zhang Pan , Xu Zhuo , Gong Xiangbo , Han Liguo
Published: December 2021

The seismic exploration method could explore deep metal ore bodies (depth > 1000 m). However, it is difficult to describe the geometry of the complex metal ore body accurately. Seismic full waveform inversion is a relatively new method to achieve accurate imaging of subsurface structures, but its success requires better initial models and low-frequency data. The seismic data acquired in the metal mine area is usually difficult to meet the requirements of full waveform inversion. The passive seismic data usually contains good low frequency information. In this paper, we use both passive and active seismic datasets to improve the full waveform inversion results in the metal mining area. The results show that the multisource seismic full waveform inversion could obtain a suitable result for high-resolution seismic imaging of metal ore bodies.
Estimation of the Pb Content in a Tailings Dam Using a Linear Regression Model Based on the Chargeability and Resistivity Values of the Wastes (La Carolina Mining District, Spain)
Authors: Mendoza Rosendo , Martínez Julián , Hidalgo Maria Carmen , Campos-Suñol Maria José
Published: December 2021

The study area is located in the old mining district of Linares–La Carolina (southeastern Spain), the largest global producer of lead between 1875 and 1920. The selected environmental liability is the dam of the Federico mine and the waste that was generated during the flotation process. Geophysical techniques were applied along the slope of the dam, specifically ERT and IP. In total, 26 waste samples were taken along the entire slope of the dam, in which a high metal(oid) content was identified, sometimes much higher than the reference levels established by European and regional legislation for contaminated soils. The concentrations of Pb, As, and Ba stood out, with mean values of 4863 mg·kg−1, 89 mg·kg−1, and 794 mg·kg−1, respectively. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis could characterize the distribution of the contents of the different elements along the slope, defining the associations and dispersion patterns of the metal(oid)s in the interior structure of the mine wastes. With the results of the Pb content (the most abundant metal in mineral paragenesis), a mathematical model was obtained by linear regression that related the variability of this cation with the variation in electrical resistivity and chargeability obtained by geophysical techniques.
Effects of Allium sativum Stem Extract on Growth and Migration in Melanoma Cells through Inhibition of VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 Genes Expression
Authors: Gam Da-Hye , Park Jae-Hyun , Kim Jun-Hee , Beak Dong-Ho , Kim Jin-Woo
Published: December 2021

The present study investigated the effects of Allium sativum stem extract (ASE) on B16-F0 cell growth and metastasis. Evaluation of the effects of ASE on B16-F0 cells’ viability and migration showed that 0.5 mg/mL ASE inhibited B16-F0 cells’ growth by 30.2% and migration by 38.5%, which indicates that the ASE has anticancer and antimetastatic effects on B16-F0 cells. To study the anticancer and antimetastatic mechanism, mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2), and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) expressions were evaluated with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL ASE was found to exert significant inhibition on mRNA expressions of VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in B16-F0 cells. Thus, ASE reduce extracellular matrix degradation through inhibitions of expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and also showed an angiogenesis inhibitory effect through reduction of VEGF expression. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that among various polyphenols, gallic acid (2.1 mg/g) was a major compound of ASE. Overall, our results demonstrated that ASE inhibited the growth and migration of B16-F0 cells through downregulation of the VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 genes expression, which indicates ASE could be applied for the prevention and treatment of melanoma.
Nanostructured Molybdenum-Oxide Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries: An Outstanding Increase in Capacity
Authors: Wang Hua , Li Tianyi , Hashem Ahmed M. , Abdel-Ghany Ashraf E. , El-Tawil Rasha S. , Abuzeid Hanaa M. , Coughlin Amanda , Chang Kai , Zhang Shixiong , El-Mounayri Hazim , Tovar Andres , Zhu Likun , Julien Christian M.
Published: December 2021

This work aimed at synthesizing MoO3 and MoO2 by a facile and cost-effective method using extract of orange peel as a biological chelating and reducing agent for ammonium molybdate. Calcination of the precursor in air at 450 °C yielded the stochiometric MoO3 phase, while calcination in vacuum produced the reduced form MoO2 as evidenced by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman scattering spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images showed different morphologies and sizes of MoOx particles. MoO3 formed platelet particles that were larger than those observed for MoO2. MoO3 showed stable thermal behavior until approximately 800 °C, whereas MoO2 showed weight gain at approximately 400 °C due to the fact of re-oxidation and oxygen uptake and, hence, conversion to stoichiometric MoO3. Electrochemically, traditional performance was observed for MoO3, which exhibited a high initial capacity with steady and continuous capacity fading upon cycling. On the contrary, MoO2 showed completely different electrochemical behavior with less initial capacity but an outstanding increase in capacity upon cycling, which reached 1600 mAh g−1 after 800 cycles. This outstanding electrochemical performance of MoO2 may be attributed to its higher surface area and better electrical conductivity as observed in surface area and impedance investigations.
Gut Microbiome Composition in Obese and Non-Obese Persons: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pinart Mariona , Dötsch Andreas , Schlicht Kristina , Laudes Matthias , Bouwman Jildau , Forslund Sofia K. , Pischon Tobias , Nimptsch Katharina
Published: December 2021

Whether the gut microbiome in obesity is characterized by lower diversity and altered composition at the phylum or genus level may be more accurately investigated using high-throughput sequencing technologies. We conducted a systematic review in PubMed and Embase including 32 cross-sectional studies assessing the gut microbiome composition by high-throughput sequencing in obese and non-obese adults. A significantly lower alpha diversity (Shannon index) in obese versus non-obese adults was observed in nine out of 22 studies, and meta-analysis of seven studies revealed a non-significant mean difference (−0.06, 95% CI −0.24, 0.12, I2 = 81%). At the phylum level, significantly more Firmicutes and fewer Bacteroidetes in obese versus non-obese adults were observed in six out of seventeen, and in four out of eighteen studies, respectively. Meta-analyses of six studies revealed significantly higher Firmicutes (5.50, 95% 0.27, 10.73, I2 = 81%) and non-significantly lower Bacteroidetes (−4.79, 95% CI −10.77, 1.20, I2 = 86%). At the genus level, lower relative proportions of Bifidobacterium and Eggerthella and higher Acidaminococcus, Anaerococcus, Catenibacterium, Dialister, Dorea, Escherichia-Shigella, Eubacterium, Fusobacterium, Megasphera, Prevotella, Roseburia, Streptococcus, and Sutterella were found in obese versus non-obese adults. Although a proportion of studies found lower diversity and differences in gut microbiome composition in obese versus non-obese adults, the observed heterogeneity across studies precludes clear answers.
Resistance Training Improves Muscle Strength and Function, Regardless of Protein Supplementation, in the Mid- to Long-Term Period after Gastric Bypass
Authors: Oliveira Gabriela S. , Vieira Flávio T. , Lamarca Fernando , Lima Ricardo M. , Carvalho Kênia M. B. , Dutra Eliane S.
Published: December 2021

Inadequate protein intake and low levels of physical activity are common long-term sequelae after bariatric surgery and can negatively affect muscle strength (MS) and physical function (PF). The study investigated the effects of resistance training with or without protein supplementation on MS and PF. The study, which involved a 12-week controlled trial (n = 61) of individuals 2–7 years post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), comprised four groups: whey protein supplementation (PRO; n = 18), maltodextrin placebo (control [CON]; n = 17), resistance training combined with placebo (RTP; n = 11), and resistance training combined with whey protein supplementation (RTP+PRO; n = 15). An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure MS (peak torque at 60°/s and 180°/s). PF was measured with the 30-s sit-to-stand (30-STS), 6-min walk (6-MWT), and timed up-and-go (TUG) tests. There were improvements in the absolute and relative-to-bodyweight peak torque at 60°/s and 180°/s, TUG, 6-MWT and 30-STS in the RTP and RTP+PRO groups, but not in the CON and PRO groups. Changes in MS were significantly correlated with changes in PF between the pre- and post-intervention periods. A supervised resistance training program, regardless of protein supplementation, improved MS and PF in the mid-to-long-term period after RYGB and can lead to clinical benefits and improved quality of life.
Associations of 25 Hydroxyvitamin D and High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein Levels in Early Life
Authors: Brustad Nicklas , Fink Nadia R. , Stokholm Jakob , Bønnelykke Klaus , Følsgaard Nilofar V. , Hougaard David , Brix Susanne , Lasky-Su Jessica , Weiss Scott T. , Chawes Bo
Published: December 2021

Vitamin D deficiency and elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) have been associated with several health outcomes, but knowledge on early life trajectories and association between 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and hs-CRP is lacking. We investigated the association between longitudinal measurements of 25(OH)D and hs-CRP, respectively, from pregnancy to childhood and throughout childhood in two Danish mother–child cohorts—the COPSAC2010 and COPSAC2000. In COPSAC2010, there was an association between 25(OH)D concentrations at week 24 in pregnancy and at age 6 months in childhood (n = 633): estimate (95% CI); 0.114 (0.041;0.187), p = 0.002, and between 25(OH)D at age 6 months and 6 years (n = 475): 0.155 (0.083;0.228), p < 0.001. This was also demonstrated in the COPSAC2000 cohort between 25(OH)D concentrations in cord blood and at age 4 years (n = 188): 0.294 (0.127;0.461), p < 0.001 and at age 6 months and 4 years (n = 264): 0.260 (0.133;0.388), p < 0.001. In COPSAC2000, we also found an association between hs-CRP at age 6 months and 12 years in childhood (n = 232): 0.183 (0.076;0.289), p < 0.001. Finally, we found a negative association between the cross-sectional measurements of 25(OH)D and hs-CRP at age 6 months (n = 613) in COPSAC2010: −0.004 (−0.008;−0.0004), p = 0.030, but this was not replicated in COPSAC2000. In this study, we found evidence of associations across timepoints of 25(OH)D concentrations from mid-pregnancy to infancy and through childhood and associations between hs-CRP levels during childhood, although with weak correlations. We also found a negative cross-sectional association between 25(OH)D and hs-CRP concentrations in COPSAC2010 proposing a role of vitamin D in systemic low-grade inflammation, though this association was not present in COPSAC2000.
The Timing and Duration of Folate Restriction Differentially Impacts Colon Carcinogenesis
Authors: Fardous Ali M. , Beydoun Safa , James Andrew A. , Ma Hongzhi , Cabelof Diane C. , Unnikrishnan Archana , Heydari Ahmad R.
Published: December 2021

Diet plays a crucial role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Of particular importance, folate, present in foods and supplements, is a crucial modulator of CRC risk. The role of folate, and, specifically, the synthetic variant, folic acid, in the primary prevention of CRC has not been fully elucidated. Animal studies varied considerably in the timing, duration, and supplementation of folates, leading to equivocal results. Our work attempts to isolate these variables to ascertain the role of folic acid in CRC initiation, as we previously demonstrated that folate restriction conferred protection against CRC initiation in a β-pol haploinsufficient mouse model. Here we demonstrated that prior adaptation to folate restriction altered the response to carcinogen exposure in wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Mice adapted to folate restriction for 8 weeks were protected from CRC initiation compared to mice placed on folate restriction for 1 week, irrespective of antibiotic supplementation. Through analyses of mTOR signaling, DNA methyltransferase, and DNA repair, we have identified factors that may play a critical role in the differential responses to folate restriction. Furthermore, the timing and duration of folate restriction altered these pathways differently in the absence of carcinogenic insult. These results represent novel findings, as we were able to show that, in the same model and under controlled conditions, folate restriction produced contrasting results depending on the timing and duration of the intervention.
Oral Bioavailability Enhancement of Melanin Concentrating Hormone, Development and In Vitro Pharmaceutical Assessment of Novel Delivery Systems
Authors: Kósa Dóra , Pető Ágota , Fenyvesi Ferenc , Váradi Judit , Vecsernyés Miklós , Budai István , Németh József , Fehér Pálma , Bácskay Ildikó , Ujhelyi Zoltán
Published: December 2021

The rapid progress in biotechnology over the past few decades has accelerated the large-scale production of therapeutic peptides and proteins, making them available in medical practice. However, injections are the most common method of administration; these procedures might lead to inconvenience. Non-invasive medications, such as oral administration of bio-compounds, can reduce or eliminate pain and increase safety. The aim of this project was to develop and characterize novel melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) formulations for oral administration. As a drug delivery system, penetration enhancer combined alginate beads were formulated and characterized. The combination of alginate carriers with amphiphilic surfactants has not been described yet. Due to biosafety having high priority in the case of novel pharmaceutical formulations, the biocompatibility of selected auxiliary materials and their combinations was evaluated using different in vitro methods. Excipients were selected according to the performed toxicity measurements. Besides the cell viability tests, physical properties and complex bioavailability assessments were performed as well. Our results suggest that alginate beads are able to protect melanin concentrating hormones. It has been also demonstrated that penetration enhancer combined alginate beads might play a key role in bioavailability improvement. These formulations were found to be promising tools for oral peptide delivery. Applied excipients and the performed delivery systems are safe and highly tolerable; thus, they can improve patients’ experience and promote adherence.
Pharmacokinetics of Pullulan–Dexamethasone Conjugates in Retinal Drug Delivery
Authors: Kicková Eva , Sadeghi Amir , Puranen Jooseppi , Tavakoli Shirin , Sen Merve , Ranta Veli-Pekka , Arango-Gonzalez Blanca , Bolz Sylvia , Ueffing Marius , Salmaso Stefano , Caliceti Paolo , Toropainen Elisa , Ruponen Marika , Urtti Arto
Published: December 2021

The treatment of retinal diseases by intravitreal injections requires frequent administration unless drug delivery systems with long retention and controlled release are used. In this work, we focused on pullulan (≈67 kDa) conjugates of dexamethasone as therapeutic systems for intravitreal administration. The pullulan–dexamethasone conjugates self-assemble into negatively charged nanoparticles (average size 326 ± 29 nm). Intravitreal injections of pullulan and pullulan–dexamethasone were safe in mouse, rat and rabbit eyes. Fluorescently labeled pullulan particles showed prolonged retention in the vitreous and they were almost completely eliminated via aqueous humor outflow. Pullulan conjugates also distributed to the retina via Müller glial cells when tested in ex vivo retina explants and in vivo. Pharmacokinetic simulations showed that pullulan–dexamethasone conjugates may release free and active dexamethasone in the vitreous humor for over 16 days, even though a large fraction of dexamethasone may be eliminated from the eye as bound pullulan–dexamethasone. We conclude that pullulan based drug conjugates are promising intravitreal drug delivery systems as they may reduce injection frequency and deliver drugs into the retinal cells.
Optimisation of the Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay in Uveal Melanoma Research
Authors: Sokolenko Ekaterina A. , Berchner-Pfannschmidt Utta , Ting Saskia C. , Schmid Kurt W. , Bechrakis Nikolaos E. , Seitz Berthold , Tsimpaki Theodora , Kraemer Miriam Monika , Fiorentzis Miltiadis
Published: December 2021

The treatment of uveal melanoma and its metastases has not evolved sufficiently over the last decades in comparison to other tumour entities, posing a great challenge in the field of ocular oncology. Despite improvements in the conventional treatment regime and new discoveries about the genetic and molecular background of the primary tumour, effective treatment strategies to either prevent tumours or treat patients with advanced or metastatic disease are still lacking. New therapeutic options are necessary in order to achieve satisfactory local tumour control, reduce the risk of metastasis development, and preserve the eyeball and possibly the visual function of the eye. The development of in vivo model systems remains crucial for the identification and investigation of potential novel treatment modalities. The aim of this study was the optimisation of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model for uveal melanoma research. We analysed the established CAM assay and its modification after the implantation of three-dimensional spheroids. The chorioallantoic membrane of a chick embryo was used to implant uveal melanoma-cell-line-derived spheroids in order to study their growth rate, angiogenic potential, and metastatic capability. Using the UM 92.1, UPMD2, UPMM3, and Mel270 cell lines, we were able to improve the viability of the embryos from 20% to >80% and to achieve up to a fourfold volume increase of the transplanted spheroid masses. The results point to the value of an optimised chicken embryo assay as an in vivo model for testing novel therapies for uveal melanoma by simplifying the research conditions and by contributing to a considerable reduction in animal experiments.
Dissolution of Silk Fibroin in Mixtures of Ionic Liquids and Dimethyl Sulfoxide: On the Relative Importance of Temperature and Binary Solvent Composition
Authors: El Seoud Omar A. , Kostag Marc , Possidonio Shirley , Dignani Marcella T. , Pires Paulo A. R. , Lourenço Matheus C.
Published: December 2021

We studied the dependence of dissolution of silk fibroin (SF) in mixtures of DMSO with ionic liquids (ILs) on the temperature (T = 40 to 80 °C) and DMSO mole fraction (χDMSO = 0.5 to 0.9). The ILs included BuMeImAcO, C3OMeImAcO, AlBzMe2NAcO, and Bu4NAcO; see the names and structures below. We used design of experiments (DOE) to determine the dependence of mass fraction of dissolved SF (SF-m%) on T and χDMSO. We successfully employed a second-order polynomial to fit the biopolymer dissolution data. The resulting regression coefficients showed that the dissolution of SF in BuMeImAcO-DMSO and C3OMeImAcO-DMSO is more sensitive to variation of T than of χDMSO; the inverse is observed for the quaternary ammonium ILs. Using BuMeImAcO, AlBzMe2NAcO, and molecular dynamics simulations, we attribute the difference in IL efficiency to stronger SF-IL hydrogen bonding with the former IL, which is coupled with the difference in the molecular volumes and the rigidity of the phenyl ring of the latter IL. The order of SF dissolution is BuMeImAcO-DMSO > C3OMeImAcO-DMSO; this was attributed to the formation of intramolecular H-bonding between the ether oxygen in the side chain of the latter IL and the relatively acidic hydrogens of the imidazolium cation. Using DOE, we were able to predict values of SF-m%; this is satisfactory and important because it results in economy of labor, time, and material.
Comparison of Proximal and Remote Sensing for the Diagnosis of Crop Status in Site-Specific Crop Management
Authors: Mezera Jiří , Lukas Vojtěch , Horniaček Igor , Smutný Vladimír , Elbl Jakub
Published: December 2021

The presented paper deals with the issue of selecting a suitable system for monitoring the winter wheat crop in order to determine its condition as a basis for variable applications of nitrogen fertilizers. In a four-year (2017–2020) field experiment, 1400 ha of winter wheat crop were monitored using the ISARIA on-the-go system and remote sensing using Sentinel-2 multispectral satellite images. The results of spectral measurements of ISARIA vegetation indices (IRMI, IBI) were statistically compared with the values of selected vegetation indices obtained from Sentinel-2 (EVI, GNDVI, NDMI, NDRE, NDVI and NRERI) in order to determine potential hips. Positive correlations were found between the vegetation indices determined by the ISARIA system and indices obtained by multispectral images from Sentinel-2 satellites. The correlations were medium to strong (r = 0.51–0.89). Therefore, it can be stated that both technologies were able to capture a similar trend in the development of vegetation. Furthermore, the influence of climatic conditions on the vegetation indices was analyzed in individual years of the experiment. The values of vegetation indices show significant differences between the individual years. The results of vegetation indices obtained by the analysis of spectral images from Sentinel-2 satellites varied the most. The values of winter wheat yield varied between the individual years. Yield was the highest in 2017 (7.83 t/ha), while the lowest was recorded in 2020 (6.96 t/ha). There was no statistically significant difference between 2018 (7.27 t/ha) and 2019 (7.44 t/ha).
A Predictive Energy Management Strategy for Multi-Energy Source Vehicles Based on Full-Factor Trip Information
Authors: Yue Fenglai , Liu Qiao , Kong Yan , Zhang Junhong , Xu Nan
Published: December 2021

To achieve the real-time application of a dynamic programming (DP) control strategy, we propose a predictive energy management strategy (PEMS) based on full-factor trip information, including vehicle speed, slip ratio and slope. Firstly, the prediction model of the full-factor trip information is proposed, which provides an information basis for global optimization energy management. To improve the prediction’s accuracy, the vehicle speed is predicted based on the state transition probability matrix generated in the same driving scene. The characteristic parameters are extracted by a feature selection method taken as the basis for the driving condition’s identification. Similar to speed prediction, regarding the uncertain route at an intersection, the slope prediction is modelled as a Markov model. On the basis of the predicted speed and the identified maximum adhesion coefficient, the slip ratio is predicted based on a neural network. Then, a predictive energy management strategy is developed based on the predictive full-factor trip information. According to the statistical rules of DP results under multiple standard driving cycles, the reference SOC trajectory is generated to ensure global sub-optimality, which determines the feasible state domain at each prediction horizon. Simulations are performed under different types of driving conditions (Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule, UDDS and World Light Vehicle Test Cycle, WLTC) to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Factors Influencing Australian Healthcare Workers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions across Settings: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Kaufman Jessica , Bagot Kathleen L. , Hoq Monsurul , Leask Julie , Seale Holly , Biezen Ruby , Sanci Lena , Manski-Nankervis Jo-Anne , Bell J. Simon , Munro Jane , Jos Carol , Ong Darren Suryawijaya , Oliver Jane , Tuckerman Jane , Danchin Margie
Published: December 2021

Healthcare workers’ COVID-19 vaccination coverage is important for staff and patient safety, workforce capacity and patient uptake. We aimed to identify COVID-19 vaccine intentions, factors associated with uptake and information needs for healthcare workers in Victoria, Australia. We administered a cross-sectional online survey to healthcare workers in hospitals, primary care and aged or disability care settings (12 February–26 March 2021). The World Health Organization Behavioural and Social Drivers of COVID-19 vaccination framework informed survey design and framing of results. Binary regression results adjusted for demographics provide risk differences between those intending and not intending to accept a COVID-19 vaccine. In total, 3074 healthcare workers completed the survey. Primary care healthcare workers reported the highest intention to accept a COVID-19 vaccine (84%, 755/898), followed by hospital-based (77%, 1396/1811) and aged care workers (67%, 243/365). A higher proportion of aged care workers were concerned about passing COVID-19 to their patients compared to those working in primary care or hospitals. Only 25% felt they had sufficient information across five vaccine topics, but those with sufficient information had higher vaccine intentions. Approximately half thought vaccines should be mandated. Despite current high vaccine rates, our results remain relevant for booster programs and future vaccination rollouts.
Vaccine Hesitancy in the Time of COVID-19: Attitudes and Intentions of Teens and Parents Regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine
Authors: Middleman Amy , Klein Judy , Quinn Jane
Published: December 2021

To assess attitudes and intentions related to the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic, we surveyed adolescents aged 13–18 years and the parents of 13–18-year-olds using national research panels on three occasions or “waves”: before the COVID-19 vaccine was available, after it was available for adults, and after it was available for ages ≥12 years. Data on experiences with COVID-19, the importance of adolescent vaccines, and intentions regarding COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed across time points. We found that parental concerns about vaccine safety significantly increased from Wave 1 to 2. Social media had a negative influence on parents’ and adolescents’ opinions about vaccine safety. Demographic variables were associated with vaccination rates reported in Wave 3, consistent with known inequities related to vaccine access. Parents (70%) were supportive of concomitant COVID-19 vaccination with other adolescent vaccines for teens. It is important to address variables associated with vaccine hesitancy to increase COVID-19 vaccine coverage rates in the US.
Effect of Performance of Water Stashes Irrigation Approaches on Selected Species of Plant’s Water Productivity in Urban Rooftop Agriculture with Respect to Climate Change
Authors: Begum Musammat Shahinara , Kumar Bala Sujit , Saiful Islam A. K. M.
Published: December 2021

Urbanization and population growth have led to urban areas with a substantial concrete surface compared to adjacent rural areas, creating challenges regarding fresh food, water security, and the need for agricultural land. Climate change affects the rainfall pattern and ground water in urban areas, so the gradual growth of urban rooftop agriculture (URTA) is an increasing trend for the owners of residential buildings. URTA is increasing in the form of private initiatives, but without consideration of efficient water management techniques and application of other related inputs. URTA differs substantially from traditional agriculture in terms of sunshine, thermal regime, the moisture dynamics of a concrete roof top, etc. Considering these aspects of URTA, an effective, efficient, science-based and economically viable irrigation method is necessary to popularize this approach and consequently increase the productivity of crops. With this in mind, the drip irrigation method is considered for the cultivation and determination of water productivity for selected species of plants such as the Bottle Gourd, Tomato, Chili, and Brinjal in the URTA, which was also compared to the traditional irrigation approach. This is why groundwater and green (grey and rain) water were considered as the source of irrigation during the dry season, based on the daily crop evapotranspiration and moisture content of the plant growing medium. For this reason, ET0 of the selected crops was measured using the CROPWAT 8.0 model. The results of this study revealed that the optimum irrigation water requirement of any crop in URTA is around 54% access (ETc), and 46–64% of access irrigation water is used by the traditional method compared to the drip irrigation method. The study reported that with drip irrigation with potable water, the yield was increased by 21.43–22.40% and rain and grey-water also increased yield by 31.87–33.33% compared to container and traditional pipe irrigation. It was also found that the water qualities of mixed water (grey and rainwater) are in an acceptable range limit for irrigation. As a result, urban planners, city dwellers, and researchers can formulate appropriate plans to cultivate different species of plants through this water saving irrigation method using green water, and should explore the concept of water-smart URTA technologies as organic inventions embedded in these results.
Landsat Observations of Two Decades of Wetland Changes in the Estuary of Poyang Lake during 2000–2019
Authors: Jiang Xi , Wang Jiasheng , Liu Xiaoguang , Dai Juan
Published: December 2021

The stability of wetlands is threatened by the combined effects of global climate change and human activity. In particular, the vegetation cover status of lake wetlands has changed. Here, the change in vegetation cover at the estuary of Poyang Lake was monitored, and its influencing factors are studied to elucidate the dynamic change characteristics of vegetation at the inlet of this lake. Flood and water level changes are two of the main factors affecting the evolution of wetland vegetation at the estuary of Poyang Lake. Therefore, Landsat data from 2000 to 2019 were used to study the spatial and temporal variation in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the vegetation cover area. Theil–Sen Median trend analysis and Mann–Kendall tests were used to study the long-term trend characteristics of NDVI. The response between NDVI and the explanatory variables at the estuary of Poyang Lake was quantified using regression tree analysis to study the regional climate, water level, and flood inundation duration. Results showed the following: (1) Vegetation in a large area of the study area improved significantly from 2000 to 2010 and only slightly from 2010 to 2019, and few areas with slight degradation of vegetation were found. In most of these areas, the vegetation from 2000 to 2010 exhibited a gradual change, from nothing to something, which started around 2004; (2) The main variable that separated the NDVI values was the mean water level in October. When the mean October water level was greater than 14.467 m, the study area was still flooded in October. Thus, the regional value of BestNDVI was approximately 0.3, indicating poor vegetation growth. When the mean water level in October was less than 14.467 m, the elevation of the study area was higher than the water level value, and after the water receded in October, the wetland vegetation exhibited autumn growth in that year. Thus, the vegetation in the study area grew more abundantly. These results could help manage and protect the degraded wetland ecology.
Chemical and Isotopic Tracers for Characterization of the Groundwater in the Heterogeneous System: Case from Chichaoua-Imin’tanout (Morocco)
Authors: Tijani Rim , El Mandour Abdennebi , Chafouq Driss , Elmeknassi Malak , El Ghazali Fatima Ezzahra , Bouchaou Lhoussaine
Published: December 2021

The geological and hydrogeological approach of the structure of the basin OuladBouSbaâ led to the definition of the geometry of the main aquifers. In general, the profiles show the complexity of the geological configuration. The filling of the depression of OuladBouSbaâ is from the Eo-Cretacian. At this level, the aquifer is recharged by direct water infiltration. The quaternary, Eocene, and Cenomanian-Turonian formations constitute the main aquifers. Horizontal as well as vertical heterogeneity lead to a higher diversification of aquifer characteristics. To define the origins and understand the groundwater flows in this complex zone, we used a multi-tracer approach with the analysis of major elements and the isotopes of δ2H and δ18O. The chemical composition is mainly governed by the interaction with the rock with low electrical conductivity except in areas around domestic landfills. Geochemical results analyzing groundwater in the Piper diagram show two distinct chemical facies: the sulfated calcium and magnesium, and the hyper-chloride calcium. The levels of δ18O range from −7.60 to −4.25 while those of δ2H vary between −53.07 and −27.03. Analyses of signature isotopes differentiate two groups. The first contains high levels of heavy isotopes (highest levels of δ2H and δ18O) having therefore been submitted to evaporation. The second with lower levels of δ2H and δ18O did not undergo evaporation. The first one belongs to the unconfined free aquifer while the second corresponds to the captive aquifer.
AVALIAÇÃO DA INFLUÊNCIA DA UTILIZAÇÃO DO PÓ DE VIDRO COMO SUBSTITUIÇÃO PARCIAL AO AGREGADO MIÚDO NAS PROPRIEDADES DO CONCRETO AUTO ADENSÁVEL
Authors: Noleto Barbosa João Pedro , Ribeiro Fábio Henrique De Melo , Coutinho Roque Santos
Published: December 2021

No Brasil, mais da metade de todo resíduo de vidro gerado é destinado para aterros sanitários e menos de 15% das cidades da Região Norte possuem programas de coleta seletiva (Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Vidro, 2013). A construção civil pode contribuir com a destinação desse resíduo o reaproveitando como agregado na confecção de concreto. Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal verificar a influência da substituição parcial do agregado miúdo por rejeito de vidro laminado coletado em vidrarias da cidade de Palmas - TO no concreto auto adensável. Para a dosagem do concreto utilizou-se o método de Tutikian e Dal Molin (2007) e os teores de substituição do agregado miúdo por pó de vidro foram 10%, 20% e 40%. Verificou-se o impacto dessa substituição no desempenho do concreto tanto no estado plástico, quanto do estado endurecido. Os resultados da pesquisa se mostraram relevantes, o material fino oriundo da moagem do resíduo de vidro contribuiu para a melhora das propriedades do concreto auto adensável em um teor ótimo de substituição em se manteve resistência do traço referência e melhora na coesão sem perda na trabalhabilidade.
UTILIZAÇÃO DA EMULSÃO ASFÁLTICA PARA ESTABILIZAÇÃO DE SOLO DA CAMADA DE BASE DE VIA URBANA EM PARAÍSO DO TOCANTINS
Authors: Júnior Fernando Moreno Suarte , Santos Geovana Cunha
Published: December 2021

A estabilização de solos com emulsão asfáltica é uma alternativa utilizada para proporcionar resistência a solos que não apresentam o comportamento mecânico desejado para seu uso. Esse tipo de estabilização possibilita o racionamento de recursos, pois utiliza solo local, e, com isso, promove redução de custos nas obras de pavimentação. O objetivo principal deste trabalho é comparar e avaliar o uso de diferentes teores de emulsão asfáltica, utilizada para estabilizar e aumentar a resistência de um solo utilizado como base de calçada de uma estrada de baixo fluxo na cidade de Paraíso do Tocantins ( PARA). O solo caracterizado como seixo argiloso foi misturado com quatro diferentes níveis de emulsão asfáltica tipo RR-1C, 1%, 3%, 5% e 7%, estes foram submetidos aos testes de compactação com Proctor Modificado e ao teste California Support Index. A partir desses testes, pôde-se constatar que o principal efeito causado pelaemulsão no solo estudado foi a lubrificação, o que impediu a melhoria das propriedades mecânicas, observando que conforme o teor de emulsão asfáltica aumentou, o Índice de Rolamento da Califórnia diminuiu, tornando-o impossível determinar um teor ótimo da mistura Solo-Emulsão. Isso se justifica pela concentração de argila no solo, que teve uma resposta aversiva ao teste em que foi submetido à saturação. No entanto, a afirmação de que a estabilização com emulsão asfáltica para base de calçada é desaconselhável ainda é errônea.
La gestión del conocimiento en los procesos de calidad de la educación superior
Authors: Tamayo Chacón Alexis Alfredo
Published: December 2021

La gestión de conocimiento en las universidades coadyuva al acceso de la sociedad de la información, único camino para llevar a un país a la sociedad del conocimiento y reducir las brechas de desigualdad. Con esta investigación se busca promover la reflexión teórica entre modelos de gestión del conocimiento y la calidad educativa universitaria en el Ecuador. Se realiza una exhaustiva revisión documental de los fundamentos teóricos de la gestión del conocimiento y de la calidad en la educación superior en el contexto nacional justo en el último período de evaluación de estas instituciones (2018-2020). Sustenta una acepción epistemológica positivista que permitió descubrir cómo funciona la gestión del conocimiento en los procesos de calidad educativa universitaria y como se afectan significativamente de forma proporcional. Ejecuta un acercamiento explicativo (no experimental) basado en la obtención de datos cualitativos mediante la observación, con un alcance nacional. Se identificó que, la calidad en las instituciones de educación superior, será proporcional a la capacidad de respuesta de estas a los actuales y futuros retos que le impone la sociedad. Los sistemas de gestión de conocimiento son indispensable para que estás instituciones mejoren su adaptabilidad al entorno y su capacidad de respuesta a los contextos imperantes. La obtención de estas conclusiones se basa en el método inductivo a partir de la observación de eventos reales que nos permitieron establecer predicciones o generalidades, observando de manera transversal las situaciones en un mismo período.
NATIONAL INNOVATIVE SYSTEM: FEATURES OF FORMATION AND IMPLEMENTATION AT THE MACRO-, MEZO- AND MICROECONOMIC LEVELS (ABOUT THE BOOK BY YU.B. VINSLAV «INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY: PROBLEMS OF STATE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE»)
Authors: Zemlyakov Dmitry N.
Published: December 2021

The article is a review of the monograph named in the title, which reflects the multilevel features and problems of the formation of a national innovation system in Russia. According to the reviewer’s summary predictive conclusion, the book will be very interesting and useful for its addressees: researchers and experts, university teachers, graduate students and students, as well as managers of different levels responsible for innovative processes.
RUSSIAN SPACE IN THE PROCESS OF HISTORICAL TRANSITIONS (TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE THEORY OF POST-SOVIET SYSTEM TRANSFORMATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SPACE)
Authors: Shvetsov Alexander N.
Published: December 2021

As an object of research in the article, the phenomenon of the Russian space, taken in a long historical retrospective, appears, the subject issues of the study of which are the prerequisites, meanings and content, as well as significant cause-and-effect relationships and the dynamics of its transformations. It is shown that the processes of acquisition and development (colonization) of the country’s space took many centuries, took place in different directions, with different intensity and were initially associated with special motives, extraordinary efforts and contradictory consequences. The cornerstones of the main stages of transformation of the Russian space — pre-revolutionary, Soviet and post-Soviet — are considered. A theoretical understanding of the modern stage is proposed, the deep meaning of which the author associates with the need to remove the main contradiction of the spatial organization of life in the country, due to the abrupt transition of the country «from socialism to the market». The driving forces and limitations of the formation of a new configuration of space are highlighted, the course and content of this transition process are predicted. In the author’s understanding, the ongoing transition is characterized by a complex interweaving of reforms and counter-reforms: the market-federative reversal of the 1990s (with its well-known excesses of reformation radicalism) is opposed by a mechanistic one that ignores the realities of the established market-capitalist system, and therefore counterproductive reproduction of a number of Soviet planning and placement algorithms of public administration. The conceptual approach to the consideration of the organization of the socio-economic space as a large complex dynamic open system and to the interpretation of its transformation processes as systemic transformations is substantiated. The deep Russian features of state participation in the transformation of the socio-economic space are revealed, the requirements for the current state regional policy are formulated.
USE OF THE BOOK IN EXTRACURRICULAR EDUCATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS NEEDS FOR SELFEDUCATION
Authors: POLYAKOVA-LAGODA M. , RUTKOVSKA O. , TSINA V.
Published: December 2021

The article considers the problem of improving the state of self-educational activity of primary school students in terms of limiting the lessons of the organization of the study of school subjects. The purpose of the article is to substantiate a holistic approach to educating students in the need for self-educational activities with a book while studying certain topics and sections of school subjects. Types of independent work of students with a book are analyzed on the basis of the number of textbooks (single and multi-textbooks), the results of their written processing (plan, thesis, citations, notes, synopsis, review, annotation, abstract). The advanced character of extracurricular work with the book in relation to studying of subjects at lessons is offered. The peculiarities of the formation of students’ ability to find and process books on educational subjects are revealed: methods of preliminary acquaintance with the text, rules of reading the book, regularities of memorizing its content. Means of determining the depth and stability of the expression of students’ needs in self-educational activities with a book (observation of students’ learning activities, conversations with them, parents and teachers, analysis of students’ library forms) are identified. The levels of cognitive self-educational activity of students with a book and the norms of time for their performance by students are analyzed: reproductive, reconstructive-variable, heuristic and creative (search) independent works. The method of expert assessments established the time spent on self-educational types of work with a book of different levels of cognitive independence of students. Observations of students ‘independent work with the book, questionnaires, self-photographs and timing helped to determine the actual cost of students’ time to complete educational tasks from literary sources. Experimentally established average norms of time spent by students on various types of self-educational activities with a book: reading basic and additional literature, notes, the use of literary sources to perform creative tasks.
FEATURES OF SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF SPORTS COACH
Authors: KORNOSENKO O. , DEMUS Ya.
Published: December 2021

The basis of sports are interconnected activities: training, coaching, competitions. Achieving success in sports requires a high level of formation not only of physical qualities and motor skills, but also psychological readiness for training and competitiveloads. The inability to control one’s emotions can nullify years of training. The coach and the sports psychologist are key figures in preparing the athlete for the main starts. Their main professional responsibilities include: timely study of individual characteristics of the athlete’s psyche, development of an individual plan for the development of abilities, strategies of pre-competitive and competitive behavior, formation of necessary mental qualities to win, creating psychologically comfortable conditions in sports, identifying ways to overcome emotional burnout in crisis periods that are caused by various reasons: defeat in the competition, transfer to another team, change of coach, problems in personal life, etc. The tandem “athlete-coach” in the context of psychological interaction and mutual understanding is a basic lever in the education of personal qualities and achieving high sports results.In the context of our study, we distinguish a number of professional functions of a modern coach - educational, managerial, regulatory, formative, gnostic, socio-psychological. The main function that allows to exercise psychological influence and control over the condition of the athlete at different stages of sports training is socio-psychological. This function, on the one hand,  requires the coach to be able to establish contact with students, clearly, accurately and clearly explain the requirements for athletes, and on the other - to provide psychological support, create a psychologically comfortable microclimate in the sports team and more.A detailed analysis of the socio-psychological function of the coach suggests that the coach must have a number of theoretical knowledge, professional and practical skills, language, public speaking, communication skills, ability to make managerial decisions, experience of their own sports, have a high level of empathy, stress, etc., the symbiosis of which allows him to have ahigh level of leadership, authority, competence.
BIOGRAPHICAL METHOD IN HISTORICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL RESEARCH: ESSENCE, PRINCIPLE, SPE
Authors: ILCHENKO O.
Published: December 2021

The article examines the role and importance of the biographical method as a key tool for studying the creative biography of a person in the history of pedagogy. It is recognised that, as a scientific method of perceiving identity, the biographical method has been gaining more and more popularity, by extending the investigative potential to the whole system of humanitarian knowledge – philosophy, history, sociology, psychology, history of pedagogy and other sciences.The article summarises the features of the biographical method in historical and pedagogical research, analyses the scientific principles of knowledge that ensure the effective implementation of the investigative potential of the biographical method (the principle of historicism, systematism, scientific objectivity, absence of dogmatism, reliance on historical sources).The author noted that despite the growing number of historical and pedagogical biographies, their quality and progressiveness for science is still important, which is possible under the conditions of: a) priority of studying the genesis and transformation of scientific phenomena, adequately searching for the sources of contemporary problems in the past; b) methodologically sound application of the biographical method with the totality of its ideas and principles, rules and techniques; c) clear maintenance of the organic integrity of the three projections – “retrospective assessment of the past, an objective appraisal of the present, and a clear and informed foresight of the future”; d) revealing the true essence of the historical and pedagogical process with all its strengths and weaknesses, with an analysis of individual accomplishments and failures; e) the researcher having a high scientific qualification, pedagogical outlook, broad observation and ethics, experience in critical analysis of the literature, knowledge of the historical and pedagogical process, etc.