bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Broad-Spectrum Antifungal, Biosurfactants and Bioemulsifier Activity of Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii—A Potential Biocontrol and Bioremediation Agent in Agriculture
Authors: Guillén-Navarro Karina , López-Gutiérrez Tomás , García-Fajardo Verónica , Gómez-Cornelio Sergio , Zarza Eugenia , De la Rosa-García Susana , Chan-Bacab Manuel
Published: March 2023

In this study, the antifungal, biosurfactant and bioemulsifying activity of the lipopeptides produced by the marine bacterium Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii MC6B-22 is presented. The kinetics showed that at 84 h, the highest yield of lipopeptides (556 mg/mL) with antifungal, biosurfactant, bioemulsifying and hemolytic activity was detected, finding a relationship with the sporulation of the bacteria. Based on the hemolytic activity, bio-guided purification methods were used to obtain the lipopeptide. By TLC, HPLC and MALDI-TOF, the mycosubtilin was identified as the main lipopeptide, and it was further confirmed by NRPS gene clusters prediction based on the strain’s genome sequence, in addition to other genes related to antimicrobial activity. The lipopeptide showed a broad-spectrum activity against ten phytopathogens of tropical crops at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 400 to 25 μg/mL and with a fungicidal mode of action. In addition, it exhibited that biosurfactant and bioemulsifying activities remain stable over a wide range of salinity and pH and it can emulsify different hydrophobic substrates. These results demonstrate the potential of the MC6B-22 strain as a biocontrol agent for agriculture and its application in bioremediation and other biotechnological fields.
Water Invasion Prediction Method for Edge–Bottom Water Reservoirs: A Case Study in an Oilfield in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Ma Yanqing , Liu Baolei , Liu Xiaoli , Wu Congwen , Pei Shuai , Chen Yukun , Xiu Jianglong
Published: March 2023

Clarifying the water invasion rule of edge and bottom water reservoirs can adjust the reservoir development mode and improve the recovery factor of edge and bottom water reservoirs in a timely manner. Influenced by the size of a reservoir water body, energy intensity and reservoir seepage capacity, the change model of reservoir water influx basically belongs to the exponential growth model of the GM (1,1) model or the self-constraint growth model of the logistic model. The above two models are used to predict and analyze the water inflow of edge and bottom water reservoirs, respectively, and it is found that the change in water inflow of the reservoir with sufficient edge and bottom water energy is more consistent with the prediction results of the GM (1,1) model, but it has a large error compared to the prediction results of the logistic model. The change in water influx in the reservoir with insufficient edge and bottom water energy is consistent with the prediction results of the logistic model and GM (1,1) model. The research shows that the strength of edge and bottom water energy of the reservoir can be determined by analyzing the error of the logistic model in predicting water influx. If we focus on the change in reservoir water influx, the improved GM (1,1) model formed by a Newton parabola interpolation polynomial is used to optimize its background value, which can further improve the prediction accuracy and reduce the prediction error of water inflow of edge and bottom water reservoirs. The method in this paper has certain reference significance for studying the water invasion rule and energy intensity of edge and bottom water reservoirs.
Finite Element Analysis on Inclusion Migration during Hot-Rolling Process of Ultralow Carbon Steel
Authors: Yin Yanbin , Zhang Jiongming
Published: March 2023

Slivers on the surface of rolled plates, which are serious defects for interstitial-free (IF) steel, occur mainly as a result of inclusions in continuous casting (CC) slabs. It is, therefore, important to study inclusions in CC slabs in terms of their migration towards the surface during hot rolling. To investigate inclusion migration during the hot rolling of ultralow carbon steel, a 3D numerical model was constructed using the finite element method. The positions of the inclusions in the surface layer of an IF steel slab (50 mm) were tracked during hot rolling using a node-tracking method. Furthermore, the study analyzed the effects of scarfing on inclusion migration during hot rolling and inclusion distribution in a hot-rolled plate. During the hot-rolling process, inclusions in the wide faces of the intermediate slab gradually migrated to the surface of the intermediate slab. Owing to a thickness reduction, accumulation areas of inclusions were finally generated at the edge of the hot-rolled plate; these areas may lead to sliver defects. The scarfing of the slab did not affect the distribution of inclusions in the hot-rolled plate; however, it may have reduced the inclusion content in the outermost layers of the hot-rolled plate. The inclusions were mainly located within 1 mm underneath the hot-rolled plate. Moreover, the inclusions near the inner arc of the CC slab were concentrated within 1.5 mm of the upper plate surface. Using galvanostatic electrolysis, the number of large inclusions in samples prepared from a hot-rolled plate obtained from a plant was measured. The measurements agreed well with the numerical model predictions, which validated the FE model in the current work.
Development and Optimization of Chromatographic Conditions for the Determination of Selected B Vitamins in Pharmaceutical Products
Authors: Żandarek Joanna , Binert-Kusztal Żaneta , Starek Małgorzata , Dąbrowska Monika
Published: March 2023

Vitamins are a unit of organic chemical substances that are essential for the adequate working of the human body. Water-soluble B vitamins are involved in the regulation of many metabolic and regulatory processes. Due to the inability to synthesize endogenously, they must be supplied to the body with edibles or in the form of supplementation as drugs or dietary supplements. Maintaining the correct level of vitamins is extremely important in the treatment of various diseases. In the presented work, the qualitative and quantitative procedure of the assay of vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6 and B12 in pharmaceutical products by chromatographic technique coupled with densitometric detection was developed, optimized and validated. During the optimization process, TLC Silica gel 60 F254 plates were chosen as a suitable stationary, and the mixture consisted of chloroform: ethanol: water: glacial acetic acid (2:8:2:0.5 v/v/v/v) as a mobile phase. Densitometric detection was conducted at a maximum absorbance λ = 254 nm for vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12 and λ = 550 nm for vitamin B5 (after dyeing with ninhydrin). In the next step, the developed procedure was validated in accordance with the ICH guidelines. The recorded correlation coefficients obtained in all tested concentrations of B vitamins, ranging from 0.9947 to 0.9996, confirmed good linearity. The method is characterized by good precision, RSD data ranging from 0.62 to 1.52% for direct precision and from 0.84 to 1.4% for intermediate precision. Accuracy was proven by a recovery test at three concentration levels, with values close to 100% with RSD less than 1%. The calculated LOD and LOQ data for all tested vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6 and B12 were belove 1 μg/spot. The developed method was then used to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the content of B vitamins in medicinal products and dietary supplements with satisfactory results.
Well-Controlled Dynamic Reserves Calculation of Abnormally High-Pressured Gas Reservoirs Developed with Edge and Bottom Aquifers
Authors: Cheng Youyou , Luo Xiang , Lu Tianyuan , Guo Chunqiu , Tan Chengqian
Published: March 2023

A material balance equation (MBE) is usually employed to estimate well-controlled dynamic reserves, but a more accurate calculation of these reserves is crucial. For abnormally pressured reservoirs with aquifers, the abnormally pressure and aquifer are difficult to determine, which leads to inaccurate calculations of well-controlled dynamic reserves. In this work, the MBE was established. Then, the correction function and abnormally pressure effect were deduced to determine well-controlled dynamic reserves calculations for weak aquifers and strong aquifers, respectively. For a weak aquifer, a pressure correction was determined to exist at a pressure coefficient of 1.2, and then the correction function was established to calculate the dynamic reserves. For a strong aquifer, the MBE derived by Walsh was employed to calculate the dynamic reserves and water influx. The relationship between the abnormally pressure effect and the dimensionless formation pressure was proposed. Classical, abnormally high-pressured gas reservoirs, Anderson L and Amu Darya, were selected to validate the accuracy and applicability of the newly developed methods. The results show that an abnormally high-pressure effect has a great influence on the dynamic reserves calculation in the early stage and the water influx has a stronger influence on the dynamic reserves calculation in the late stage.
A Mechanistic Model on Catalyst Deactivation by Coke Formation in a CSTR Reactor
Authors: Muhammad Ishaka , Makwashi Nura , Ahmed Tariq Galadanchi , Manos George , Zhao Donglin
Published: March 2023

A mechanistic model on catalyst deactivation by coke formation in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) has been developed in the paper. Catalyst deactivation by coke formation was treated as a surface reaction. Four reaction mechanisms representing coke formation through different routes were proposed. The evolved system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) was solved numerically using MATLAB. This approach was validated by applying it to the skeletal isomerization of 1-pentene over ferrierite. Simulation results were compared qualitatively to those obtained from the literature. Simulation results indicated that coke formation is an extremely rapid process with fast formation of coke components on the strongest acid sites leading to final coke. The coke deposition is slower at higher residence times resulting in more stable product formation and weaker deactivation. The results obtained from this work revealed that the developed model is indeed able to successfully demonstrate the most essential features of catalyst deactivation by coke formation and are in agreement with the findings in the literature. Future work is aimed to extend the study to different reactors such as a plug flow reactor, in addition to analysis of the reaction system’s sensitivity to variables such as temperature and pressure.
The Munus Propheticum of the Church: On a Controversial Reformed Heritage
Authors: Kunz Ralph
Published: March 2023

To what extent can the Reformed heritage of the prophetic office sharpen the perception of the cultural witness of the church in secular Europe? The so-called munus propheticum as a heritage of the Swiss Reformation is the focus of this paper. In a first attempt, the Reformation origin of guardianship will be traced. A look at the debate on Swiss refugee policy during the war years shows how controversial church involvement was at that time. Using the example of the prophetic office, the sensitivity and fragility of the church’s witness in secular society can be better understood and used for the theological discussion on the function of the public church. In a concluding reflection, arguments for and against its use are examined.
A Novel Approach for Simulation of Automotive Radar Sensors Designed for Systematic Support of Vehicle Development
Authors: Magosi Zoltan Ferenc , Eichberger Arno
Published: March 2023

Despite the progress in driving automation, the market introduction of higher-level automation has not yet been achieved. One of the main reasons for this is the effort in safety validation to prove functional safety to the customer. However, virtual testing may compromise this challenge, but the modelling of machine perception and proving its validity has not been solved completely. The present research focuses on a novel modelling approach for automotive radar sensors. Due to the complex high-frequency physics of radars, sensor models for vehicle development are challenging. The presented approach employs a semi-physical modelling approach based on experiments. The selected commercial automotive radar was applied in on-road tests where the ground truth was recorded with a precise measurement system installed in ego and target vehicles. High-frequency phenomena were observed and reproduced in the model on the one hand by using physically based equations such as antenna characteristics and the radar equation. On the other hand, high-frequency effects were statistically modelled using adequate error models derived from the measurements. The model was evaluated with performance metrics developed in previous works and compared to a commercial radar sensor model. Results show that, while keeping real-time performance necessary for X-in-the-loop applications, the model is able to achieve a remarkable fidelity as assessed by probability density functions of the radar point clouds and using the Jensen–Shannon divergence. The model delivers values of radar cross-section for the radar point clouds that correlate well with measurements comparable with the Euro NCAP Global Vehicle Target Validation process. The model outperforms a comparable commercial sensor model.
Reinforcement and Curriculum Learning for Off-Road Navigation of an UGV with a 3D LiDAR
Authors: Sánchez Manuel , Morales Jesús , Martínez Jorge L.
Published: March 2023

This paper presents the use of deep Reinforcement Learning (RL) for autonomous navigation of an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) with an onboard three-dimensional (3D) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor in off-road environments. For training, both the robotic simulator Gazebo and the Curriculum Learning paradigm are applied. Furthermore, an Actor–Critic Neural Network (NN) scheme is chosen with a suitable state and a custom reward function. To employ the 3D LiDAR data as part of the input state of the NNs, a virtual two-dimensional (2D) traversability scanner is developed. The resulting Actor NN has been successfully tested in both real and simulated experiments and favorably compared with a previous reactive navigation approach on the same UGV.
Anomaly Detection and Concept Drift Adaptation for Dynamic Systems: A General Method with Practical Implementation Using an Industrial Collaborative Robot
Authors: Kermenov Renat , Nabissi Giacomo , Longhi Sauro , Bonci Andrea
Published: March 2023

Industrial collaborative robots (cobots) are known for their ability to operate in dynamic environments to perform many different tasks (since they can be easily reprogrammed). Due to their features, they are largely used in flexible manufacturing processes. Since fault diagnosis methods are generally applied to systems where the working conditions are bounded, problems arise when defining condition monitoring architecture, in terms of setting absolute criteria for fault analysis and interpreting the meanings of detected values since working conditions may vary. The same cobot can be easily programmed to accomplish more than three or four tasks in a single working day. The extreme versatility of their use complicates the definition of strategies for detecting abnormal behavior. This is because any variation in working conditions can result in a different distribution of the acquired data stream. This phenomenon can be viewed as concept drift (CD). CD is defined as the change in data distribution that occurs in dynamically changing and nonstationary systems. Therefore, in this work, we propose an unsupervised anomaly detection (UAD) method that is capable of operating under CD. This solution aims to identify data changes coming from different working conditions (the concept drift) or a system degradation (failure) and, at the same time, can distinguish between the two cases. Additionally, once a concept drift is detected, the model can be adapted to the new conditions, thereby avoiding misinterpretation of the data. This paper concludes with a proof of concept (POC) that tests the proposed method on an industrial collaborative robot.
Structure and Technological Parameters’ Effect on MISFET-Based Hydrogen Sensors’ Characteristics
Authors: Podlepetsky Boris , Samotaev Nikolay , Etrekova Maya , Litvinov Artur
Published: March 2023

The influence of structure and technological parameters (STPs) on the metrological characteristics of hydrogen sensors based on MISFETs has been investigated. Compact electrophysical and electrical models connecting the drain current, the voltage between the drain and the source and the voltage between the gate and the substrate with the technological parameters of the n-channel MISFET as a sensitive element of the hydrogen sensor are proposed in a general form. Unlike the majority of works, in which the hydrogen sensitivity of only the threshold voltage of the MISFET is investigated, the proposed models allow us to simulate the hydrogen sensitivity of gate voltages or drain currents in weak and strong inversion modes, taking into account changes in the MIS structure charges. A quantitative assessment of the effect of STPs on MISFET performances (conversion function, hydrogen sensitivity, gas concentration measurement errors, sensitivity threshold and operating range) is given for a MISFET with a Pd-Ta2O5-SiO2-Si structure. In the calculations, the parameters of the models obtained on the basis of the previous experimental results were used. It was shown how STPs and their technological variations, taking into account the electrical parameters, can affect the characteristics of MISFET-based hydrogen sensors. It is noted, in particular, that for MISFET with submicron two-layer gate insulators, the key influencing parameters are their type and thickness. Proposed approaches and compact refined models can be used to predict performances of MISFET-based gas analysis devices and micro-systems.
The Potential of Blockchain Technology in Dental Healthcare: A Literature Review
Authors: Mokhamed Takua , Talib Manar Abu , Moufti Mohammad Adel , Abbas Sohail , Khan Faheem
Published: March 2023

Blockchain technology in the healthcare industry has potential to enable enhanced privacy, increased security, and an interoperable data record. Blockchain technology is being implemented in dental care systems to store and share medical information, improve insurance claims, and provide innovative dental data ledgers. Because the healthcare sector is a large and ever-growing industry, the use of blockchain technology would have many benefits. To improve dental care delivery, researchers advocate using blockchain technology and smart contracts due to their numerous advantages. In this research, we concentrate on blockchain-based dental care systems. In particular, we examine the current research literature, pinpoint issues with existing dental care systems, and consider how blockchain technology may be used to address these issues. Finally, the limitations of the proposed blockchain-based dental care systems are discussed which may be regarded as open issues.
Effect of Functional Groups on Protein Adsorption Performance of Membrane Adsorbers
Authors: Zhang Lifang , Yang Jialin , Yan Yiqing , Zhang Weidong
Published: March 2023

Functional groups on support membranes are important for the preparation of high-performance membrane adsorbers (MAs). In this work, the effects of different functional groups on support membranes on the adsorption performance of MAs were studied through surface modifications such as alkali treatment, oxidation treatment and polydopamine (PDA) deposition. Our experiment results indicate that chemical bonds are prone to form between C-F on PVDF membrane and amine groups on PEI, which serves to improve the protein adsorption capacity. Furthermore, PDA deposition has the potential to enhance protein adsorption capacity. Introducing a PDA layer on a support membrane with uniform pore size distribution shows potential to improve protein adsorption capacity.
Biomass-Based Silica/Calcium Carbonate Nanocomposites for the Adsorptive Removal of Escherichia coli from Aqueous Suspensions
Authors: Bwatanglang Ibrahim Birma , Magili Samuel T. , Mohammad Faruq , Al-Lohedan Hamad A. , Soleiman Ahmed A.
Published: March 2023

The present study deals with the adsorptive removal of Escherichia coli (E. coli) by making use of chitosan-silica/calcium carbonate (CS-SiO2/CaCO3) nanocomposites (NCs) where it was synthesized using the waste eggshells and rice husks occurred by natural sources. The bioadsorbent CS-SiO2/CaCO3 NCs were synthesized by incorporating eggshell-CaCO3 nanoparticles (NPs) and rice husk-SiO2 NPs in chitosan NPs solution. The adsorbents were characterized using HRTEM, BET, DLS, and TGA. The characterization of NCs revealed the formation of adsorbents in the range of 10–50 nm and some structural changes to the spectra of adsorbents before and after the adsorption of E. coli was revealed by the FTIR analysis. Moreover, the adsorption efficiency of E. coli over the adsorbents after 35 min of incubation was about 80% for CS-SiO2/CaCO3 NCs. Further, the kinetics of adsorption studies were observed to be well-fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model with an adsorption capacity of 3.18 × 101 (CFU E. coil per gram of CS-SiO2/CaCO3). From the analysis, the synthesized bioadsorbent demonstrated the potential for ameliorating the inherent risk of pathogens in water.
Mechanism of Separation of Contaminants from Activated Carbon by Closed Cycle Temperature Swing Desorption
Authors: Shi Tianzhe , Qiang Ning , Liu Tao , He Jiao , Miao Haichao , Li Zhaohai , Cao Yiqi , Chen Shumin , Shi Xianbin
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the mechanism of separation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from activated carbon adsorption beds during closed cycle temperature swing desorption was studied. Toluene gas at different concentrations was used as the gas for closed cycle temperature swing desorption to regenerate activated carbon beds saturated with toluene. This research advances our understanding of the separation of contaminants from activated carbon and the mechanism of the process by which waste gas with a background concentration desorbs activated carbon in hot gas with a background concentration, establishing a technological foundation for the closed cycle temperature swing desorption process of activated carbon. When the background concentration was 2 g/m3, the average desorption rates of unit activated carbon at 10 cm in 40 min and 60 min were the largest, at 0.0099 and 0.0067 g/ (g•min), respectively. The fit of the Bangham desorption rate equation was the best. When the background concentration of toluene was 2 g/m3 and the filling length of the activated carbon layer was 10 cm, the desorption rate constant was the highest, at 0.0152 min−1.
Isolation and Purification of Single Gold Nanoclusters by Alternate Pumping Chromatography
Authors: Supper Malvina , Birner Virginia , Gromotka Lukas , Peukert Wolfgang , Kaspereit Malte
Published: March 2023

Alternate pumping chromatography is applied to obtain atomically precise glutathione-stabilized gold nanoclusters in high purity from synthesized mixtures. On the basis of anion exchange chromatography, the feasibility of isolating a single cluster, Au10GSH10, as well as two different clusters simultaneously (Au25GSH18 and Au29GSH20) is demonstrated. In addition, Au18GSH14, which is present only in trace amounts, is successfully enriched. A simple design procedure is proposed that allows using columns with different retention behavior. Successful experiments with large injection amounts confirm the potential of the concept for preparative-scale productions of high-quality nanoparticulate products.
Study on Separation of Rhenium, a Surrogate Element of Fissiogenic Technetium, from Aqueous Matrices Using Ion-Selective Extraction Chromatographic Resins
Authors: Alam M. , Begum Zinnat , Furusho Yoshiaki , Takata Hyoe , Rahman Ismail
Published: March 2023

Long-lived fissiogenic technetium, 99Tc (half-life, 2.11 × 105 yrs), is a byproduct of the 235U and 239Pu fission in nuclear reactors and is a major component in nuclear waste. Hence, the monitoring of 99Tc activity in the environmental samples is essential. Techniques used to measure 99Tc in environmental samples include radiometric and non-radiometric approaches. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has some advantages among the methods due to its high sample throughput, better selectivity, and commercial availability. Rhenium (Re) is often used as the non-isotopic tracer during 99Tc measurement by ICP-MS. From this perspective, studying the separation behavior of Re from the aqueous matrix can provide helpful insight regarding the ecological monitoring of 99Tc. In the current work, three extraction chromatographic resins (ECRs), MetaSEP AnaLig Tc-01, MetaSEP AnaLig Tc-02, and Eichrom TRU, have been used to separate Re from the aqueous matrix. Operating variables, such as solution pH, choice of eluent and eluent concentration, matrix cation effect, and retention capacity, have been studied to optimize the separation protocol. The extraction and recovery behavior of Re was used to interpret the selectivity behavior of the ECRs. The Re separation factor at optimized operating conditions comparing with Mo and Ru (interfering elements during the measurement by ICP-MS) for Meta SEP AnaLig Tc-01, Meta SEP AnaLig Tc-02, and Eichrom TRU resin, respectively, are SFRe/Mo~32, 16.51, and ∞ (metal not retained at all), while SFRe/Ru~∞, 3.25, 5437. In terms of selectivity and retention capacity, MetaSEP AnaLig Tc-01 is the better choice for selective separation of Re, and, assumably so, also Tc, from the aqueous matrices.
Planning for Health Equity: How Municipal Strategic Documents and Project Plans Reflect Intentions Instructed by the Norwegian Public Health Act
Authors: Lillefjell Monica , Hope Siren , Anthun Kirsti Sarheim , Hermansen Eirin , Vik John Tore , Sund Erik R. , Aasan Bodil Elisabeth Valstad , Sylte Mari , Maass Ruca
Published: March 2023

The Norwegian Public Health Act (PHA) mandates municipalities to integrate a systematic, knowledge-based, cross-sectoral approach aimed at levelling the social gradient in health. This study aimed to describe and analyse how the intentions of the PHA are addressed in municipal plans and project-planning documents. A document analysis of municipal plans and project documents extracted from four municipalities in Central Norway was employed and complemented with deductive, qualitative content analysis. Findings indicate awareness of public health work as a whole-of-municipality responsibility. Systematic knowledge-based processes that make use of relevant data in planning and decision-making processes are described across municipality projects and plans. Multisectoral working groups are set up at a project level; however, opportunities for further improvements arise in respect to the anchor of these structures and systematic knowledge-based working procedures in the wider municipal context. Public health process aims (systematic knowledge-based approach, cross-sectoral governance) receive more attention than outcome aims (health equity) in both program documents and municipal plans. Only very rarely does the document hold operationalizations of how to achieve health equity. As such, effort placed on cross-administrative levels and sectors to promote structures for health equity is still needed.
Analyzing the Effects of Governmental Policy and Solar Power on Facilitating Carbon Neutralization in the Context of Energy Transition: A Four-Party Evolutionary Game Study
Authors: Chao Yuechao , Wang Gang
Published: March 2023

For achieving carbon neutralization and promoting the coordinated development of solar and coal-fired power generations in the context of energy transition, this paper develops a public–private partnership project including the government, carbon exchange enterprise, solar thermal power plant and a coal-fired thermal power plant. Using the four-party evolutionary game theory method, the evolutionary stable strategies are evaluated. The influence estimate results of key factors show that a higher carbon emission penalty and a green electricity subsidy as well as a lower carbon trading tax rate will be beneficial to the carbon trading market, as well as facilitate carbon neutralization. In most instances, the government and carbon exchange enterprise can hold acceptable participating intention. For relatively suitable reference value ranges, the carbon emission quota sale price range of the solar thermal power plant sold to the carbon exchange enterprise is 5.5~6.0 USD/t, that of the carbon exchange enterprise sold to the coal-fired thermal power plant is 5.0~6.5 USD/t, that of the solar thermal power plant sold to the coal-fired thermal power plant is 5.0~5.5 USD/t, that sold to the coal-fired thermal power plant by outside organizations is 9.0~10.5 USD/t, and the carbon trading tax rate range is 6.0~6.2%.
Sensitivity Analysis for Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Framework for Site Selection of Aquifer Recharge with Reclaimed Water
Authors: Hani Heba Mohamed , Nour El Din Mohamed M. , Khalifa Abdelkawi , Elalfy Ezzat
Published: March 2023

The pressure on Egypt’s limited water resources has increased as a result of the country’s growing industrial and agricultural sectors, coupled with climate change impacts and population growth. To overcome the current water stress situation, the utilization of new technologies such as managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is thought to be key for expanding the use of non-conventional water resources and providing necessary water supplies. Managed aquifer recharge can boost groundwater recharge and promote greater water accessibility. Suitability maps for MAR are widely offered as a tool to aid in decision-making in the context of balancing water demand and supply. Conducting a sensitivity analysis to validate suitability mapping can enhance the understanding of the results and pinpoint the influencing factors. The West Delta region was chosen as a case study given the existence of two MAR sites to examine the suitability of implementing MAR projects with reclaimed water. In this work, a spatially explicit sensitivity analysis is performed on a newly developed framework for MAR suitability maps that use multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to determine suitable locations for MAR implementation, using spreading methods techniques. The performed sensitivity analysis uses spatial visualization to examine the effect of various weighted criteria on the final outputs and identifies criteria that are especially sensitive to weight changes. The results of the sensitivity analysis indicate that the applied MCDA framework for the suitability mapping in West Delta produced robust results in terms of the most suitable sites for MAR. The obtained results also indicate the possibility of the use of the suggested framework for arid environments with comparable data availability. Moreover, the results emphasize the possible use of suitability maps in sustainable groundwater management plans to support the actual implementation of MAR projects in the West Delta.
New Features in the Differential Cross Sections Measured at the LHC
Authors: Selyugin Oleg
Published: March 2023

The critical analysis of the new experimental data obtained by the ATLAS Collaboration group at 13 TeV is presented and the problem of the tension between data of the ATLAS and TOTEM Collaborations is considered. The analysis of new effects discovered on the basis of experimental data at 13 TeV MDPI: ref is not allowed in abstract, please correct. and associated with the specific properties of the hadron potential at large distances is carried out taking account of all sets of experimental data on elastic proton-proton scattering obtained by the TOTEM and ATLAS Collaborations in a wide momentum transfer region. It also gives quantitative descriptions of all examined experimental data with a minimum of fitting parameters. It is shown that the new features determined at a high statistical level give an important contribution to the differential cross sections and allow the research analytic properties and symmetries into hadron interactions at large distances.
“Does a Respiratory Virus Have an Ecological Niche, and If So, Can It Be Mapped?” Yes and Yes
Authors: Stephens Christopher R. , González-Salazar Constantino , Romero-Martínez Pedro
Published: March 2023

Although the utility of Ecological Niche Models (ENM) and Species Distribution Models (SDM) has been demonstrated in many ecological applications, their suitability for modelling epidemics or pandemics, such as SARS-Cov-2, has been questioned. In this paper, contrary to this viewpoint, we show that ENMs and SDMs can be created that can describe the evolution of pandemics, both in space and time. As an illustrative use case, we create models for predicting confirmed cases of COVID-19, viewed as our target “species”, in Mexico through 2020 and 2021, showing that the models are predictive in both space and time. In order to achieve this, we extend a recently developed Bayesian framework for niche modelling, to include: (i) dynamic, non-equilibrium “species” distributions; (ii) a wider set of habitat variables, including behavioural, socio-economic and socio-demographic variables, as well as standard climatic variables; (iii) distinct models and associated niches for different species characteristics, showing how the niche, as deduced through presence-absence data, can differ from that deduced from abundance data. We show that the niche associated with those places with the highest abundance of cases has been highly conserved throughout the pandemic, while the inferred niche associated with presence of cases has been changing. Finally, we show how causal chains can be inferred and confounding identified by showing that behavioural and social factors are much more predictive than climate and that, further, the latter is confounded by the former.
Patients’ Post-/Long-COVID Symptoms, Vaccination and Functional Status—Findings from a State-Wide Online Screening Study
Authors: Lippke Sonia , Rinn Robin , Derksen Christina , Dahmen Alina
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: Better understanding of post-/long-COVID and limitations in daily life due to the symptoms as well as the preventive potential of vaccinations is required. It is unclear whether the number of doses and timepoint interrelate with the trajectory of post-/long-COVID. Accordingly, we examined how many patients positively screened with post-/long-COVID were vaccinated and whether the vaccination status and the timepoint of vaccination in relation to the acute infection were related to post-/long-COVID symptom severity and patients’ functional status (i.e., perceived symptom severity, social participation, workability, and life satisfaction) over time. (2) Methods: 235 patients suffering from post-/long-COVID were recruited into an online survey in Bavaria, Germany, and assessed at baseline (T1), after approximately three weeks (T2), and approximately four weeks (T3). (3) Results: 3.5% were not vaccinated, 2.3% were vaccinated once, 20% twice, and 53.3% three times. Overall, 20.9% did not indicate their vaccination status. The timepoint of vaccination was related to symptom severity at T1, and symptoms decreased significantly over time. Being vaccinated more often was associated with lower life satisfaction and workability at T2. (4) Conclusions: This study provides evidence to get vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, as it has shown that symptom severity was lower in those patients who were vaccinated prior to the infection compared to those getting infected prior to or at the same time of the vaccination. However, the finding that being vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 more often correlated with lower life satisfaction and workability requires more attention. There is still an urgent necessity for appropriate treatment for overcoming long-/post-COVID symptoms efficiently. Vaccination can be part of prevention measures, and there is still a need for a communication strategy providing objective information about the usefulness and risks of vaccinations.
Heterologous Vector—mRNA Based SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Strategy Appears Superior to a Homologous Vector—Based Vaccination Scheme in German Healthcare Workers Regarding Humoral SARS-CoV-2 Response Indicating a High Boosting Effect by mRNA Vaccines
Authors: Gerhards Catharina , Thiaucourt Margot , Hetjens Michael , Haselmann Verena , Neumaier Michael , Kittel Maximilian
Published: March 2023

Background: Longitudinal humoral SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2) immunity for up to 15 months due to vaccination, the efficacy of vaccination strategies (homologous, vector–vector versus heterologous, vector–mRNA), the influence of vaccination side effects, and the infection rate in German healthcare workers need to be investigated. Methods: In this study, 103 individuals vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled to examine their anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-N- and anti-RBD/S1-Ig levels. A total of 415 blood samples in lithium heparin tubes were prospectively obtained, and a structured survey regarding medical history, type of vaccine, and vaccination reactions was conducted. Results: All participants demonstrated a humoral immune response, among whom no values decreased below the positivity cutoff. Five to six months after the third vaccination, three participants showed anti-RBD/S1 antibodies of less than 1000 U/mL. We observed higher levels for heterologous mRNA-/vector-based combinations compared to pure vector-based vaccination after the second vaccination, which is harmonized after a third vaccination with the mRNA-vaccine only in both cohorts. The incidence of vaccine breakthrough in a highly exposed cohort was 60.3%. Conclusion: Sustained long-term humoral immunity was observed, indicating the superiority of a heterologous mRNA-/vector-based combination compared to pure vector-based vaccination. There was longevity of anti-RBD/S1 antibodies of at least 4 and up to 7 months without external stimulus. Regarding vaccination reactogenity, the occurrence of local symptoms as pain at the injection site was increased after the first mRNA application compared to the vector–vector cohort with a general decrease in adverse events at later vaccination time points. Overall, a correlation between the humoral vaccination response and vaccination side effects was not observed. Despite the high prevalence of vaccine breakthroughs, these only occurred in the later course of the study when more infectious variants, which are, however, associated with milder courses, were present. These results provide insights into vaccine-related serologic responses, and the study should be expanded using additional vaccine doses and novel variants in the future.
Genetic Diversity and Evolutionary Kinetics of Influenza A Virus H3N2 Subtypes Circulating in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Dudin Gani Asa , Aziz Ibrahim M. , Alzayed Rasha M. , Ahmed Anwar , Hussain Tajamul , Somily Ali M. , Alsaadi Muslim M. , Almajhdi Fahad N.
Published: March 2023

Presence of a large foreign workforce and the annual gathering of people for pilgrimage from around the globe have significantly contributed to the emergence and diversity of respiratory viruses in Saudi Arabia. Here, we report the sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the H3N2 subtype of influenza A virus (IAV) in clinical samples collected from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Based on RT-PCR, IAV was found in 88 (28.3%) of the 311 samples screened. Of the 88-IAV positive samples, 43 (48.8%) were H1N1 subtype while the remaining 45 (51.2%) were found to be of the H3N2 subtype. Complete sequencing of HA and NA genes of H3N2 revealed, twelve and nine amino acid (AA) substitutions respectively, and importantly, these variations are absent in the current vaccine strains. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the majority of H3N2 strains were grouped in the same clades as the vaccine strains. Importantly, the N-glycosylation sites at AA 135(NSS) were found to be unique to 6 strains in the investigated HA1 protein and were absent in the current vaccine strains. These data may have significant clinical implications in designing novel and population-based vaccines for IAV and underscore the need for regular monitoring of efficacy of vaccines due to emerging variants.
Adherence to Vaccines in Adult Patients with Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases: A Two-Year Prospective Portuguese Cohort Study
Authors: Abreu Candida , Martins Antonio , Silva Fernando , Canelas Gabriela , Ribeiro Lucia , Pinto Stefano , Sarmento Antonio , Magro Fernando
Published: March 2023

Background: Patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) treated with immunomodulatory therapy present an increased susceptibility to infections. Vaccination is a crucial element in the management of IMID patients; however, rates remain suboptimal. This study intended to clarify the adherence to prescribed vaccines. Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study included 262 consecutive adults with inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatological diseases who underwent an infectious diseases evaluation before initiating or switching immunosuppressive/biological therapy. Vaccine prescription and adherence were assessed during an infectious diseases (ID) consultation using a real-world multidisciplinary clinical project. Results: At baseline, less than 5% had all their vaccines up-to-date. More than 650 vaccines were prescribed to 250 (95.4%) patients. The most prescribed were pneumococcal and influenza vaccines, followed by hepatitis A and B vaccines. Adherence to each of the vaccines ranged from 69.1–87.3%. Complete adherence to vaccines occurred in 151 (60.4%) patients, while 190 (76%) got at least two-thirds of them. Twenty patients (8%) did not adhere to any of the vaccines. No significant differences were found in the adherence rates of patients with different sociodemographic and health-related determinants. Conclusions: ID physicians can play a role in the process of increasing vaccine prescription and adherence. However, more data on patients’ beliefs and vaccine hesitancy, along with mobilization of all health care professionals and adequate local interventions, shall be considered to improve vaccine adherence.
Surviving COVID-19: Biopsychosocial Impacts, Death Anxiety, and Coping Strategies
Authors: Muazzam Amina , Naseem Faiqa , Shakil Muneeba , Visvizi Anna , Klemens Jolanta
Published: March 2023

As the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, attempts to contain the spread of the virus took two concurrent forms, including mobility restrictions (aka lockdowns) and the race to produce a vaccine. However, it is quite striking that, amidst both the lockdown and the race to produce a vaccine, the question of how COVID-19 survivors/patients coped with the disease has not received the degree of attention it deserved. To navigate this issue, we employed a sample consisting of 100 COVID-19 survivors; this paper explores the relationship between the biopsychosocial (BPS) impacts of COVID-19, death anxiety, and coping strategies. In this context, the mediating role of death anxiety is placed in the spotlight. The analysis reveals a significant positive association between the BPS impact of COVID-19 and death anxiety and a significant negative association between death anxiety and coping strategies among COVID-19 survivors. Thus, death anxiety mediates the relationship between the BPS impact and the coping strategies that COVID-19 survivors adopt. Given the general recognition of the validity of the BPS model in contemporary medical science and practice, a thorough examination of COVID-19 survivors and their experiences related to surviving is necessary to match the challenges of today, including the increased probability of pandemics.
TD3-Based EMS Using Action Mask and Considering Battery Aging for Hybrid Electric Dump Trucks
Authors: Mo Jinchuan , Yang Rong , Zhang Song , Zhou Yongjian , Huang Wei
Published: March 2023

The hybrid electric dump truck is equipped with multiple power sources, and each powertrain component is controlled by an energy management strategy (EMS) to split the demanded power. This study proposes an EMS based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithm to extend the battery life and reduced total usage cost for the vehicle, namely the twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (TD3) based EMS. Firstly, the vehicle model is constructed and the optimization objective function, including battery aging cost and fuel consumption cost, is designed. Secondly, the TD3-based EMS is used for continuous action control of ICE power based on vehicle state, and the action mask is applied to filter out invalid actions. Thirdly, the simulations of the EMSs are trained under the CHTC-D driving cycle and C-WTVC driving cycle. The results show that the action mask improves the convergence efficiency of the strategies, and the proposed TD3-based EMS outperforms the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) based EMS. Meanwhile, the battery life is extended by 36.17% under CHTC-D and 35.49% under C-WTVC, and the total usage cost is reduced by 4.30% and 2.49% when the EMS considers battery aging. In summary, the proposed TD3-based EMS can extend the battery life and reduce usage cost, and provides a method to solve the optimization problem for the EMS of hybrid power systems.
Violence – essence and forms of manifestation
Authors: Uzunov Stoyan
Published: March 2023

Violence has accompanied human development from ancient times to the present days. It is pervasive and multifaceted. As a social phenomenon, it has been the subject of diverse studies aimed at explaining its essence. It is most often seen as the result of an individual’s aggressive behavior directed at another individual. Violence has different forms of manifestation – from different types of mental harassment to physical abuse, which can turn into a crime. Depending on the specific relationships that develop between people, violence most often occurs in the family environment, in the school and in the work environment.
Historical and legal analysis of the census of the population in Bulgaria in the period 1879–2010
Authors: Yordanov Angel
Published: March 2023

This article analyzes sixteen censuses of the Bulgarian population in the period from 1879 to 2010. This work provides information on the normative and bylaws regulating the organization and stages through which the population censuses pass during the considered periods. The article traces the migration processes from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century in the Bulgarian state, as well as a number of historical events that had a serious impact on the structure of the population. Attention is paid to the waves of refugees observed in the 20s of the 20th century, as the latter brought enormous financial and economic consequences for Bulgaria. Data on birth rate, death rate and natural population growth are presented. The age composition and educational status of the enumerated population is studied, as well as the degree of urbanization during some of the enumerations of the Bulgarian population.