bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Canada: Population-Based Estimates of Disease Burden and Economic Costs
Authors: Malits Julia , Naidu Mrudula , Trasande Leonardo
Published: March 2022

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) contributes to substantial disease burden worldwide. We aim to quantify the disease burden and costs of EDC exposure in Canada and to compare these results with previously published findings in the European Union (EU) and United States (US). EDC biomonitoring data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007–2011) was applied to 15 exposure–response relationships, and population and cost estimates were based on the 2010 general Canadian population. EDC exposure in Canada (CAD 24.6 billion) resulted in substantially lower costs than the US (USD 340 billion) and EU (USD 217 billion). Nonetheless, our findings suggest that EDC exposure contributes to substantial and costly disease burden in Canada, amounting to 1.25% of the annual Canadian gross domestic product. As in the US, exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers was the greatest contributor of costs (8.8 billion for 374,395 lost IQ points and 2.6 billion for 1610 cases of intellectual disability). In the EU, organophosphate pesticides were the largest contributor to costs (USD 121 billion). While the burden of EDC exposure is greater in the US and EU, there remains a similar need for stronger EDC regulatory action in Canada beyond the current framework of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act of 1999.
Lattice Computations for Beyond Standard Model Physics
Authors: Rummukainen Kari , Tuominen Kimmo
Published: March 2022

Understanding the dynamics of strongly coupled non-Abelian gauge theories constitutes one of the ongoing grand challenges in theoretical physics. This has been motivated by the need to understand long-distance behavior of quantum chromodynamics, and by the possible phenomenological applications in dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking or strongly coupled and composite dark sectors. In this review, we start by briefly outlining these motivations, and then discuss how first principle lattice methods have been adapted to provide results on vacuum phase diagrams of strongly coupled gauge theories with different gauge groups and various fermion representations.
Cytokine Adjuvants IL-7 and IL-15 Improve Humoral Responses of a SHIV LentiDNA Vaccine in Animal Models
Authors: Leroy Laury-Anne , Mac Donald Alice , Kandlur Aditi , Bose Deepanwita , Xiao Peng , Gagnon Jean , Villinger François , Chebloune Yahia
Published: March 2022

HIV-1 remains a major public health issue worldwide in spite of efficacious antiviral therapies, but with no cure or preventive vaccine. The latter has been very challenging, as virus infection is associated with numerous escape mechanisms from host specific immunity and the correlates of protection remain incompletely understood. We have developed an innovative vaccine strategy, inspired by the efficacy of live-attenuated virus, but with the safety of a DNA vaccine, to confer both cellular and humoral responses. The CAL-SHIV-IN− lentiDNA vaccine comprises the backbone of the pathogenic SHIVKU2 genome, able to mimic the early phase of viral infection, but with a deleted integrase gene to ensure safety precluding integration within the host genome. This vaccine prototype, constitutively expressing viral antigen under the CAEV LTR promoter, elicited a variety of vaccine-specific, persistent CD4 and CD8 T cells against SIV-Gag and Nef up to 80 weeks post-immunization in cynomolgus macaques. Furthermore, these specific responses led to antiviral control of the pathogenic SIVmac251. To further improve the efficacy of this vaccine, we incorporated the IL-7 or IL-15 genes into the CAL-SHIV-IN− plasmid DNA in efforts to increase the pool of vaccine-specific memory T cells. In this study, we examined the immunogenicity of the two co-injected lentiDNA vaccines CAL-SHIV-IN− IRES IL-7 and CAL-SHIV-IN− IRES IL-15 in BALB/cJ mice and rhesus macaques and compared the immune responses with those generated by the parental vaccine CAL-SHIV-IN−. This co-immunization elicited potent vaccine-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells both in mice and rhesus macaques. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) antibodies were detected up to 40 weeks post-immunization in both plasma and mucosal compartments of rhesus macaques and were enhanced by the cytokines.
Whole Proteome-Based Therapeutic Targets Annotation and Designing of Multi-Epitope-Based Vaccines against the Gram-Negative XDR-Alcaligenes faecalis Bacterium
Authors: Alharbi Metab , Alshammari Abdulrahman , Alasmari Abdullah F. , Alharbi Saud , Tahir ul Qamar Muhammad , Abbasi Sumra Wajid , Shaker Bilal , Ahmad Sajjad
Published: March 2022

This study involved therapeutic targets mining for the extremely drug-resistant bacterial species called Alcaligenes faecalis, which is known to infect humans. The infections caused by this species in different parts of the human body have been linked with a higher degree of resistance to several classes of antibiotics. Meanwhile, alternate therapeutic options are needed to treat these bacterial infections in clinical settings. In the current study, a subtractive proteomics approach was adapted to annotate the whole proteome of Alcaligenes faecalis and prioritize target proteins for vaccine-related therapeutics design. This was followed by targeted protein-specific immune epitope prediction and prioritization. The shortlisted epitopes were further subjected to structural design and in silico validation of putative vaccines against Alcaligenes faecalis. The final vaccine designs were also evaluated for potential interaction analysis with human TLR-2 through molecular docking. Finally, the putative vaccines were subjected to in silico cloning and immune simulation approaches to ensure the feasibility of the target-specific vaccine constructs in further experimental designs.
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers: A Retrospective Observational Study in Singapore
Authors: Koh Sky Wei Chee , Tan Hwei Ming , Lee Wayne Han , Mathews Jancy , Young Doris
Published: March 2022

Background: COVID-19 booster uptake remained poor among healthcare workers (HCW) despite evidence of improved immunity against Delta and Omicron variants. While most studies used a questionnaire to assess hesitancy, this study aimed to identify factors affecting booster hesitancy by examining actual vaccine uptake across time. Method: COVID-19 vaccination database records among HCW working at seven Singaporean public primary care clinics between January to December 2021 were extracted, with sex, profession, place of practice, vaccination type, and dates. Time to booster was calculated from the date of vaccination minus date of eligibility. Chi-square test was used to compare the relationship between first dose and booster hesitancy, Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test were adopted to evaluate differences in cumulative booster uptake. Multivariate Cox regression was used to investigate predictors for timely booster vaccination. Vaccination rate was charted across time and corroborated with media releases pertaining to legislative changes. Results: A total of 877 of 891 (98.9%) primary care HCW were fully vaccinated, 73.8% of eligible HCW had taken the booster. HCW were less booster hesitant [median 16 (5–31.3) days] compared to the first dose [median 39 (13–119.3) days]. First dose-hesitant HCW were more likely to be booster hesitant (OR = 3.66, 95%CI 2.61–5.14). Adjusting for sex, workplace, and time to first dose, ancillary (HR = 1.53, 95%CI 1.03–2.28), medical (HR = 1.8, 95%CI 1.18–2.74), and nursing (HR = 1.8, 95%CI 1.18–2.37) received boosters earlier compared with administrative staff. No temporal relationship was observed between booster uptake, legislative changes, and COVID-19 infection numbers. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy among HCW had improved from first dose to booster, with timely booster vaccination among medical and nursing staff. Tailored education, risk messaging, and strategic legislation might help to reduce delayed booster vaccination.
Human Consciousness and Behavior towards Infectious Diseases and Vaccines 2.0: A Commentary from Special Issue Editors
Authors: Ueda Yutaka
Published: March 2022

The WHO has identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the 10 threats to global health [...]
Does Hospitalization Change the Perception of COVID-19 Vaccines among Unvaccinated Patients?
Authors: Zarębska-Michaluk Dorota , Rzymski Piotr , Moniuszko-Malinowska Anna , Brzdęk Michał , Martonik Diana , Rorat Marta , Wielgat Jakub , Kłos Krzysztof , Musierowicz Witold , Wasilewski Piotr , Mazur Włodzimierz , Oczko-Grzesik Barbara , Bociąga-Jasik Monika , Kowalska Justyna , Flisiak Robert
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 vaccination has been the subject of unprecedented misinformation, false news, and public concerns. This study presents a unique analysis comprising persons who were not vaccinated and became ill. It investigates reasons for not vaccinating and evaluates how the personal experience of COVID-19 affected further attitudes and decisions related to health. The study included 730 consecutive unvaccinated patients hospitalized in 12 centers in Poland during the autumn 2021 pandemic wave. The most frequent reason behind the refusal to receive the vaccine was concern over the adverse effects, disbelief that the vaccine was sufficiently tested, and one’s conviction that COVID-19 will not affect a patient. Online information, friends, spouse, children/grandchildren, and other family members were most often the source of discouragement from vaccination. Most individuals regretted their decision not to receive a vaccine (66.0%), declared to promote COVID-19 vaccination after discharge (64.0%), and to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in the time recommended for convalescents (69.5%). Individuals expressing no regrets of vaccine refusal more frequently revealed conspiracy beliefs. The study shows that personal experience with severe COVID-19 can influence the perception of vaccination, but approximately one-third of unvaccinated hospitalized patients still appear to express vaccine hesitancy.
Evaluating COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Strategies in a Partially Vaccinated Population: A Modeling Study
Authors: Massonnaud Clément R. , Roux Jonathan , Colizza Vittoria , Crépey Pascal
Published: March 2022

Background: Several countries are implementing COVID-19 booster vaccination campaigns. The objective of this study was to model the impact of different primary and booster vaccination strategies. Methods: We used a compartmental model fitted to hospital admission data in France to analyze the impact of primary and booster vaccination strategies on morbidity and mortality, assuming waning of immunity and various levels of virus transmissibility during winter. Results: Strategies prioritizing primary vaccinations were systematically more effective than strategies prioritizing boosters. Regarding booster strategies targeting different age groups, their effectiveness varied with immunity and virus transmissibility levels. If the waning of immunity affects all adults, people aged 30 to 49 years should be boosted in priority, even for low transmissibility levels. Conclusions: Increasing the primary vaccination coverage should remain a priority. If a plateau has been reached, boosting the immunity of younger adults could be the most effective strategy, especially if SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility is high.
Preliminary Bioequivalence of an Oral Pimobendan Solution Formulation with Reference Solution Formulation in Beagle Dogs
Authors: Saengklub Nakkawee , Boonyarattanasoonthorn Tussapon , Kijtawornrat Anusak , Chantasart Doungdaw
Published: March 2022

Oral capsule and tablet formulations of pimobendan are widely used but may present difficulties for accurately dosing small patients. This study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics, bioequivalence, and cardiovascular effects of a custom-made oral pimobendan solution (PS) formulation compared to a reference solution (RS) formulation in conscious, healthy dogs. A randomized crossover design was performed on dogs that received RS and PS formulations at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.083, 0.167, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 24 h after oral administration for PK analysis; bioequivalence was also calculated. Echocardiography was also performed to assess the cardiovascular effects. The results revealed that the plasma concentrations of pimobendan and o-desmethyl-pimobendan (active metabolite) in the case of both formulations were comparable. The relative ratios of geometric mean concentrations for all significant parameters of PK were within a range of 80–125%, indicating bioequivalence. In addition, both formulations increased cardiac contraction significantly when compared with the baseline, and no differences in cardiac contractility were detected between the formulations. The PS formulation can be used as alternative to the RS formulation for the management of congestive heart disease because of the bioequivalence between the two formulations.
Live Performance and Microbial Load Modulation of Broilers Fed a Direct-Fed Microbials (DFM) and Xylanase Combination
Authors: Nusairat Basheer , Odetallah Nasser , Wang Jeng-Jie
Published: March 2022

The animal industry, which focuses on producing protein for human consumption, is continuously seeking solutions that can enhance both animal performance and health at a low cost. Several feed additives are currently being used to improve the nutritive value of feed as well as replacing the subtherapeutic levels of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). This study was designed to investigate the effect of a feed additive that is a blend of multi-strain Bacillus spp. probiotics and a xylanase in a 2 × 2 factorial dietary treatments design, testing two levels of the feed additive blend (0 and 100 g/MT) and two cereal grain types (corn and wheat) on live performance, gut lesions, environmental Clostridium perfringens load, and pathogen load in the digesta of broiler chickens (E. tenella, total aerobic count cells (APC), E. coli, and C. perfringens). Day-old chicks were randomly placed in 10 replicate pens per treatment with 52 birds per replicate and grown to 42 d of age. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA. At 42 d, birds fed EnzaPro were heavier (p < 0.0004) than unsupplemented birds. An improvement in FCR (p = 0.03) was observed from 1 to 42 d by approximately two points in both corn- and wheat-based diets supplemented with EnzaPro. In wheat-based diets, supplementing EnzaPro reduced (p < 0.0001) a 21 d lesion score of intestines with a further reduction (p < 0.02) at 42 d. EnzaPro reduced (p < 0.03) litter moisture by approximately 1% compared to non-supplemented EnzaPro in both corn- and wheat-based diets. Pathogen load in digesta (C. perfringens, E. tenella, APC, and E. coli) was reduced (p < 0.0002) when EnzaPro was supplemented in diets. It can be concluded that EnzaPro (a blend of DFM Bacillus spp (1 × 105 CFU/g feed) and xylanase (10 XU/g feed)) may be used in both corn- and wheat-based diets to improve the performance and gut health of broilers.
Water Footprint of the Water Cycle of Gran Canaria and Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)
Authors: Cruz-Pérez Noelia , Santamarta Juan C. , García-Gil Alejandro , Rodríguez-Martín Jesica , Miralles-Wilhelm Fernando , Hernández-Alemán Anastasia , Aldaya Maite M.
Published: March 2022

When it comes to exploiting natural resources, islands have limitations due to the quantity of these resources and the potential for harm to the ecosystem if exploitation is not done in a sustainable manner. This article presents a study of the water footprint of the different drinking water collection facilities and wastewater treatment facilities in the Canary Islands, in order to determine the blue, green, and grey water footprints in each case. The results show high percentages of drinking water losses, which raises the blue water footprint of the Canary Islands archipelago. The grey water footprint was studied in terms of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5). The green water footprint was not considered because it is a dimension of the water footprint mainly calculated for agricultural crops. Of the facilities studied, the wells for extraction of drinking water from the aquifer and the distribution network have the largest blue water footprint for the years under study (2019 and 2020). Only the wastewater treatment plants have a gray water footprint in this study, with values between 79,000 and 108,000 m3 per year. As a general conclusion, the most important factor in reducing the water footprint of the water cycle in the Canary Islands is optimization of the water resource, improving existing infrastructures to minimize losses, and implementing a greater circular economy that reuses water on a regular basis.
Sustainability Assessment of Marine Aquaculture considering Nutrients Inflow from the Land in Kyushu Area
Authors: Gao Hongxia , Zhou Jinxin , Dong Shuchuang , Kitazawa Daisuke
Published: March 2022

The nutrient load generated by excessive aquaculture farms leads to self-pollution around water, which destroys aqua-environment, and further leads to a decline in aquaculture production. The purpose of this study is to propose an index to assess the sustainability of inshore aquaculture in Kyushu area, considering nutrient loads from land and farms. The number and size of fish cages identified from Google satellite imagery are used to calculate annual fish production, which is then converted into annual loads of total nitrogen and total phosphorus. The pollutant load factor method is applied to calculate the land nutrient inflow. An index, including nutrient load from land and farms, bay area, water depth and distance from farms to bay, is proposed. The results show that for most of the cultured bays in Kyushu, the nutrient load from the farm is more than that from the land inflow. The bay with higher index value has a higher possibility of red tide occurrence and lower sustainability for aquaculture. Among which, location of fish farms, total nitrogen and total phosphorus loading are key factors impacting water quality within the bays.
Antimicrobial Resistance of Heterotrophic Bacteria in Drinking Water-Associated Biofilms
Authors: Tsvetanova Zvezdimira , Tsvetkova Iva , Najdenski Hristo
Published: March 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major threats to human health and is becoming an environmental challenge for water resources too. Our study’s aim was: to assess the AMR of heterotrophic bacteria in drinking water-associated biofilms against six clinically important antibiotics; to compare the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in drinking water and in the associated biofilms; to estimate biofilm formation ability of selected isolates. Culture-dependent methods were used in the population-based study of the biofilms and in assessment of the single-species biofilm formation ability and the AMR phenotype of the isolated strains. The population proportion of the bacteria resistant to each tested antibiotic significantly differed in the biofilms formed in drinking water from different sampling points. In all biofilms, the abundance of tetracycline- and ampicillin-resistant bacteria was low, and of streptomycin-resistant bacteria was high. An increased proportion of the bacteria resistant to ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and streptomycin was detected in the biofilms compared to those found in the drinking water. The prevalence of ARB in the biofilms implies an impact on the drinking water quality and an assessment of the attached and the planktonic bacteria is needed to clarify the prevalence of AMR in the drinking water distribution system.
UV/TiO2 Photocatalysis as an Efficient Livestock Wastewater Quaternary Treatment for Antibiotics Removal
Authors: Park Yeji , Kim Sanghyeon , Kim Jungyeon , Khan Sanaullah , Han Changseok
Published: March 2022

Antibiotics are the most common pharmaceutical compounds, and they have been extensively used for the prevention and treatment of bacterial diseases for more than 50 years. However, merely a small fraction of antibiotics is metabolized in the body, while the rest is discharged into the environment through excretion, which can cause potential ecological problems and human health risks. In this study, the elimination of seventeen antibiotics from real livestock wastewater effluents was investigated by UV/TiO2 advanced oxidation process. The effect of process parameters, such as TiO2 loadings, solution pHs, and antibiotic concentrations, on the efficiency of the UV/TiO2 process was assessed. The degradation efficiency was affected by the solution pH, and higher removal efficiency was observed at pH 5.8 and 9.9, while the catalyst loading had no significant effect on the degradation efficiency at these experimental conditions. UV photolysis showed a good removal efficiency of the antibiotics. However, the highest removal efficiency was shown by the UV/photocatalyst system due to their synergistic effects. The results showed that more than 90% of antibiotics were removed by UV/TiO2 system during the 60 min illumination, while the corresponding TOC and COD removal was only 10 and 13%, respectively. The results of the current study indicated that UV/TiO2 advanced oxidation process is a promising method for the elimination of various types of antibiotics from real livestock wastewater effluents.
Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Urban Karst Groundwater Systems
Authors: Kaiser Rachel A. , Polk Jason S. , Datta Tania , Parekh Rohan R. , Agga Getahun E.
Published: March 2022

Antibiotic resistance is a global concern for human, animal, and environmental health. Many studies have identified wastewater treatment plants and surface waters as major reservoirs of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and genes (ARGs). Yet their prevalence in urban karst groundwater systems remains largely unexplored. Considering the extent of karst groundwater use globally, and the growing urban areas in these regions, there is an urgent need to understand antibiotic resistance in karst systems to protect source water and human health. This study evaluated the prevalence of ARGs associated with resistance phenotypes at 10 urban karst features in Bowling Green, Kentucky weekly for 46 weeks. To expand the understanding of prevalence in urban karst, a spot sampling of 45 sites in the Tampa Bay Metropolitan area, Florida was also conducted. Specifically, this study considered tetracycline and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLs) producing, including third generation cephalosporin, resistant E. coli, and tetracycline and macrolide resistant Enterococcus spp. across the 443 Kentucky and 45 Florida samples. A consistent prevalence of clinically relevant and urban associated ARGs were found throughout the urban karst systems, regardless of varying urban development, karst geology, climate, or landuse. These findings indicate urban karst groundwater as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance, potentially threatening human health.
Construction and Application of a Water Quality Risk Sensitive Area Identification System in the Wudongde Reservoir
Authors: Su Wei , Wang Shiyan , Liu Chang , Liu Xiaobo , Chen Kaiqi , Fan Hao , Wang Liang , Jiang Zhi , Li Budong , Hu Baoyue
Published: March 2022

Numerous water quality risks exist during the initial water storage stage in reservoirs; however, little water quality data is available for this stage. Taking the Wudongde Reservoir as an example, we proposed a water quality risk sensitive area identification system for the initial impoundment stage comprising three modules: water quality assessment, water quality similarity clustering analysis, and sensitive area identification. Temporal and spatial variation in the water quality of the whole reservoir was analyzed, combined with a comprehensive evaluation using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index. A water quality similar clustering module was used to form similar clusters for monitoring sections in the reservoir area. The water quality risk sensitive areas were then identified and verified through a prototype test. The reservoir water quality was primarily excellent to good, although that of the Madian and Longchuan Rivers was poor. Through cluster analysis, the Madian River and tributaries of the Longchuan River were identified as sensitive areas, and the causes of water quality risk were analyzed. Based on these findings, we suggested focus areas for water environmental protection measures, providing a basis for the protection and restoration of the reservoir water environment.
The Crustal Vertical Deformation Driven by Terrestrial Water Load from 2010 to 2014 in Shaanxi–Gansu–Ningxia Region Based on GRACE and GNSS
Authors: Li Wanqiu , Dong Jie , Wang Wei , Zhong Yulong , Zhang Chuanyin , Wen Hanjiang , Liu Huanling , Guo Qiuying , Yao Guobiao
Published: March 2022

The terrestrial water resources in Shaanxi–Gansu–Ningxia (SGN) region are relatively scarce, and its climate change is unstable. Research on the deformation driven by terrestrial water load is of great significance to the dynamic maintenance of reference station networks. In this paper, data derived from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) from 2010 to 2014 were combined to monitor the spatiotemporal characteristics of surface vertical deformation caused by terrestrial water load change. The single scale factor was calculated by comparing CPC, WGHM, and GLDAS hydrological model to restore filtering leakage signal. The singular spectrum analysis (SSA) method was used to extract the principal component of temporal vertical deformation, and its spatial distribution was analyzed. At the same time, in order to study the relationship between the terrestrial water load deformation from GRACE and that from GNSS, the first-order term correction, the Atmosphere and Ocean De-aliasing Level-1B product (GAC) correction, and the first-order load LOVE number correction for GRACE were adopted in this paper. In addition, a quantitative comparative analysis of both the monitoring results was carried out. The results show that the time-variable characteristics of surface vertical deformation characterized by the filtered three hydrological models were consistent with those of GRACE. The correlation coefficient and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE) values were the highest in the GLDAS model and the GRACE model, respectively; the former index is 0.93, while the latter is 0.85. The crustal vertical deformation from terrestrial water load showed a declining rate from 2010 to 2014. Its spatial change rate showed an obvious ladder distribution, with the surface subsidence rate gradually decreasing from south to north. In addition, weighted root mean square (WRMS) contribution rate of the crustal vertical deformation resulting from GRACE with GAC correction between the different GNSS stations ranged from 18.52% to 54.82%. The correlation coefficient between them was close to 0.70. After deducting the mass load impact of GRACE only, the WRMS contribution rate of the corresponding stations decreased from −8.42% to 21.18%. The correlation coefficient between them reduced noticeably. Adding GAC back can increase the comparability with GRACE and GNSS in terms of monitoring the crustal vertical deformation. The annual amplitude and phase of surface vertical deformation resulting from GRACE with GAC correction were close to those of GNSS. The research results can help to explore the motion mechanism between water migration and surface deformation, which is of benefit in the protection of the water ecological environment in the region.
Partitioning and Availability of Metals from Water Suspended Sediments: Potential Pollution Risk Assessment
Authors: Cabral-Lares Magaly , Rentería-Villalobos Marusia , Mendieta-Mendoza Aurora , Ortíz-Caballero Ziury , Montero-Cabrera Elena , Vioque Ignacio
Published: March 2022

The water management initiatives in freshwater systems focus on water availability to preserve this resource for human uses and the health of aquatic ecosystems. This work presents an assessment of the potential pollution risk caused by the metal availability in suspended sediments. The objective of this study was to determine the partitioning, association, and geochemical fractionation of metals in suspended sediments from a surface water body. Additionally, the environmental assessment for this reservoir was estimated using geoaccumulation, enrichment, and pollution indices of metals and the related potential risk by their elemental availability (RAC). Chemical, mineralogical, and morphological characterizations were obtained by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, alpha spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and scanning electron microscopy. Clay, quartz, montmorillonite, and calcite were the main minerals of suspended sediments. Chemical fractionation was the parameter affecting the concentrations of metals in suspended sediments. The sediment composition is of natural origin; however, these finer particles can promote the scavenging of toxic metals. It contributes to obtaining moderate to high levels for enrichment/contamination indices. Although Ca, Mg, and U were the most accessible metals for aquatic biota, metals such as Sr, Mn, Li, Cu, and Ni in the exchangeable phase of suspended sediments are the potentially toxic elements in this aquatic ecosystem.
Theoretical foundations of lean production
Authors:   Institute of Nursing Education, Samara State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Kolosova Olga Vladimirovna , Guseva Larisa Vasilievna ,   Samara State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia
Published: March 2022

The article outlines the content of the fundamental terms and concepts of lean production, which are necessary at the initial stages of the implementation of continuous improvement technology. A brief description of the methods of lean production used in the organization and implementation of the project of continuous improvement is given.
Ensuring the safety of medical activities when conducting infusion therapy
Authors:   State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of Samara region «Togliatti City Clinical Hospital No. 5», Togliatti, Stasyuk Natalya Kazemirovna , Sukhareva Nadezhda Nikolaevna ,   State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of Samara Region «Togliatti City Clinical Hospital No. 5», Togliatti
Published: March 2022

The article draws attention to the safety of medical activities during infusion therapy and the role of a nurse in ensuring safety.
Hermite Polynomial and Least-Squares Technique for Solving Integro-differential Equations
Authors: Shoushan Ahsan Fayez
Published: March 2022

The goal of this project is to offer a new technique for solving integro-differential equations (IDEs) with mixed circumstances, which is based on the Hermite polynomial and the Least-Squares Technique (LST). Three examples will be given to demonstrate how the suggested technique works. The numerical results were utilized to demonstrate the correctness and efficiency of the existing method, and all calculations were carried out with the help of the MATLAB R2018b program.
Antibiotic Resistance of Gram-negative Heterotrophic Bacteria on the Marine Sediments of the Black Sea-Comparison of CLSI and EUCAST on the Environmental Isolates
Authors: KALKAN Samet
Published: March 2022

Marine sediments are the important reservoirs of antibiotics and resistant genes. Antibiotic resistance becomes a global concern today and bacteria from marine sediments show resistance to multiple microbial agents. This study investigates antibiotic resistance of Gram-negative heterotrophic bacteria from the marine sediment of the Black Sea. The samples were gathered from various sampling locations on the marine environments of the Black Sea between May 2019 and February 2020. The VITEK 2 system was utilized to detect the MIC values against different antibiotics automatically. The MIC values were ranged from 0.12 µg/ml to 80 µg/ml. The highest resistance ratios among all antibiotics were detected as 90% in CLSI and 81% in EUCAST against cefazolin. In general, the resistance ratios were determined as 13.4% in CLSI and 26.1% in EUCAST. All isolates were detected as susceptible to meropenem, cefepime, ceftazidime, colistin, ertapenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam. MAR indexes were ranged between 0 and 0.45. MAR index were detected above or equal the value of 0.2 as 27% in CLSI and 81% in EUCAST among all isolates. This study shows that EUCAST may be better than CLSI in terms of showing the antibiotic exposure among natural isolates and the MAR indexes may be a useful tool for defining the environmental status. The results of this study indicate that antibiotic resistance may be a serious concern in sediments of the Black Sea.
مدى تسوية حق البنك الخاصم من خلال القيد العكسي لدَيْنِهِ في الحساب المصرفي للمخصوم له
Authors: الشماع فائق محمود
Published: March 2022

لسهولة الإجراء المحاسبي وسرعة إنجازه، جرت البنوك التجارية على اتباع أسلوب القيد العكسي في حساب العميل المفتوح لديها وذلك تسوية لدينها الناشئ عن تعذر استيفاء قيمة الورقة التجارية المخصومة لديها. وقد طرح السؤال عن الأهمية القانونية لهذا الأسلوب في تسوية دين البنك الخاصم، وخاصة في حالة كون الحساب المصرفي للمخصوم له مدينًا وليس دائنًا كحالة خضوع المخصوم له إلى الإفلاس. ويلاحظ أن التشريع التجاري الأردني ساكت كليا بهذا الشأن، كما أن التشريعات التجارية الأخرى المقررة صراحة اعتبار القيد العكسي مرتبا إلغاء القيد الائتماني الوارد في الحساب سابقًا، هي الأخرى ساكتة عن بيان النتائج المترتبة على هذا الإلغاء من حيث مصير الورقة التجارية المخصومة والمرفوضة في الوفاء. فهل يفقد البنك الخاصم ملكية هذه الورقة التي اكتسبها من خلال التظهير التمليكي بحيث يتركز حقه حصرًا في المساهمة في تفليسة المخصوم له؟ أم يبقى البنك الخاصم مالكًا للورقة المخصومة رغم القيد العكسي المذكور ويكون له الرجوع على الملتزمين بضمانها صرفيًا ؟وهل للبنك الخاصم الخيرة بين هذين الأسلوبين لاستيفاء دينه؟ أم يمكن الجمع بين الأسلوبين إذا كان لذلك مقتضى؟ الإجابة على هذه التساؤلات تكون موضوع دراسة هذا البحث الذي يتولى بيان الأثر والنتائج المترتبة على القيد العكسي في الحساب المصرفي للمخصوم له موسراً كان هذا الأخير أو مفلسًا.
دور الإدارة المصرفية الرشيدة في ضمان مخاطر الائتمان المصرفي
Authors: حسين أكرم محمد , شويش أبرار عبد الحسين
Published: March 2022

تعد المخاطر لصيقة بالأنشطة المصرفية وفي سبيل تجاوز تلك المخاطر لا يكون أمام المصرف مانح الائتمان سوى الاعتماد على الضمانات وهذه الأخيرة بدورها تكون متعددة ومتنوعة، فمنها فما كان منها بصورتها التقليدية كالكفالات الشخصية والرهون بنوعيها التجارية والعقارية، أو الضمانات المتطورة والحديثة نسبياً كعمليات التأمين واتباع سياسة القروض التجميعية، أو إنشاء مؤسسات ضمان متخصصة لتغطية مخاطر عمليات التجارة الخارجية.

ومنها ما كان اجرائياً يتمثل بالأساليب والإجراءات التي ينبغي على المؤسسة المصرفية التقيد بها عند ممارستها لأنشطتها الائتمانية سواء قبل أو بعد منحها وذلك لاكتشاف الاخطار المحيطة بها بوقت مبكر ومعالجتها قبل تفاقهما، كاتباع قواعد الإدارة الرشيدة المتمثلة بتشكيل لجان متخصصة في المصرف، تقوم بمراقبة ومتابعة العمليات الائتمانية ومراجعة المحفظة الائتمانية للتحقق من مدى التزام إدارة المصرف بضوابط ومعايير منح الائتمان ومدى الالتزام بالإفصاح والشفافية في معاملاتها.

ويسلط بحثنا هذا الضوء على دور الإدارة المصرفية الرشيدة في التقليل او تجنب المخاطر المترتية على منح الائتمان.
القيود الواردة على اختصاص السلطة التنفيذية في إصدار التشريعات الفرعية في العراق
Authors: طالب مصدق عادل , حمد حلا علي
Published: March 2022

يعالج هذا البحث القيود الواردة على اختصاص السلطة التنفيذية ممثلة بمجلس الوزراء تارة والوزراء تارة أخرى في إصدار التشريعات الفرعية، يستوي في ذلك ان تكون نظاماً أو تعليمات أو أنظمة داخلية، إذ تتنوع هذه القيود، فقد تكون قيود شكلية خاصة بإجراءات إصدار وصياغة التشريع الفرعي، ابتداءً من تحديد الجهة المختصة بإصدار التشريع الفرعي والجهة المختصة بصياغة التشريع الفرعي وانتهاءً بالإجراءات التي تحيط بهذه العملية، وقد تكون قيوداً موضوعية تتعلق بموضوع التشريع الفرعي وجوهره، ومدى التزام المشرع والصائغ بمبدأ المشروعية، والفكرة القانونية السائدة (فلسفة الدستور)، واحترام مبدأ الحقوق المكتسبة، ومراعاة مبدأ عدم الرجعية.

لذا جاء هذا البحث ليسلط الضوء على هذه القيود بأنواعها المذكورة في محاولة لوضع نظرية عامة تحكم قيود إصدار التشريع الفرعي في العراق.
Estimating the Parametric Functions and Reliability Measures for Exponentiated Lifetime Distributions Family
Authors: POURREZA Hormatollah , BALOUİ JAMKHANEH Ezzatallah , DEİRİ Einolah , GARG Harish
Published: March 2022

The paper aims are to extend the theory to estimate the parameters of the exponentiated lifetime distribution. For it, in this paper, we derived the probability density function, cumulative density, reliability function and the stress-strength parameter of the distribution. To estimate the parameters of such distribution, we considered the maximum likelihood and uniformly minimum variance unbiased methods. The validity of the proposed work has been conducted over the simulation study of both estimation methods under the special sub model as exponentiated inverse Gompertz distribution. Finally, some real data has been taken to conduct an analysis and to discuss the effectiveness and advantages of the established work by comparing with other methods.
Prevention of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in a specialized psychiatric hospital
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education «Orenburg State Medical University» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Samoylov Mikhail Ivanovich , Pankov Aleksandr Sergeevich ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education «Orenburg State Medical University» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Kuzmina Darya Aleksandrovna ,   State budgetary health care institution «Orenburg Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital № 1», Kryukova Elena Mikhaylovna ,   State budgetary health care institution «Orenburg Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital № 1»
Published: March 2022

At the end of 2019, an outbreak of a new coronavirus infection occurred in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), with its epicenter in the city of Wuhan (Hubei Province). The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined the official name of the infection caused by the novel coronavirus as Coronavirus disease 2019 («COVID-19») [4]. The International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses assigned the official name of the causative agent of infection – SARS-CoV-2 [3]. In accordance with the sanitary legislation of the Russian Federation, the virus is assigned to pathogenicity group II [5]. COVID-19 occurs in two main forms that are subject to registration as independent nosological units: clinically pronounced – (U07.1) and carriage of the causative agent of coronavirus infection – (Z22.8) [4]. All forms of manifestations of coronavirus infection are dangerous, but the asymptomatic form poses the greatest epidemiological danger, due to the difficulty of detection and, as a result, the untimely implementation of anti-epidemic measures [2]. The role of COVID-19 as a healthcare-associated infection has been established [3]. Sysin E.I. and co-authors established the maximum values of the foci index (IO) for nosocomial spread of COVID-19 in psychiatric hospitals [9]. The inclusion of COVID-19 in the «List of diseases that pose a danger to others» [7] determines the epidemic significance of the disease. Keywords: new coronavirus infection, anti-epidemic regime, psychiatric hospital, quality of anti-epidemic regime.
Epidemiological characteristics of pertussis in the Orenburg Region
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education «Orenburg State Medical University» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Bozhenova Irina Viktorovna , Pankov Aleksandr Sergeevich ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education «Orenburg State Medical University» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Samoylov Mikhail Ivanovich ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education «Orenburg State Medical University» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Published: March 2022

The paper considers the relevance of the pertussis cough problem in the Orenburg region among different age groups. The manifestations of the epidemic process of pertussis in the long-term dynamics and among age groups for the period from 2005 to 2019 in the Orenburg region were studied and analyzed. A retrospective epidemiological analysis of the incidence of pertussis of the population was carried out, including an analysis of the long-term dynamics of the incidence of pertussis of the population, an analysis of the intra-annual dynamics of morbidity and an analysis of the long-term dynamics of morbidity among various population groups. It was found that during the study period, the average long-term incidence of pertussis in the Orenburg region was 1.0±0.21 per 100,000 population. The years with the registration of latent outbreak morbidity are highlighted – 2005, 2006 and 2019. The study established the years of the rise in morbidity – 2005, 2006, 2007, as well as 2017, 2018 and 2019. It is also established that all age groups of the child population are involved in the epidemic process of pertussis. The risk groups for the incidence of pertussis in Orenburg region are children under the age of 14 in the intra-annual dynamics of the incidence of whooping cough, spring-winter seasonality is noted. Keywords: pertussis, Orenburg region, retrospective epidemiological analysis, risk areas, risk groups, time of risk, incidence.
MANAGER’S INNOVATIVENESS AS THE BASIS FOR ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: LUCHKO Mykhailo , SZMITKA Stanisław , JĘDRZEJCZYK Łukasz
Published: March 2022

The article focuses on the phenomenon of innovation, in particular innovative activity of managers, as well as the impact innovations have on the entity in which they are implemented. Theoretically, corporate innovations are an issue of organization and management, while practically, they have significant importance for modern enterprise operation. In recent years, innovation has been among the most popular topics in the scientific discussions, so the scientific literature regarding this concept has expanded accordingly. Suggestions offered in this paper correspond to such a trend, as they attempt to answer the question posed by the author using a research hypothesis based on critical analysis and synthesis of the existing literature and provide logical conclusions.
RADIATION SYNTHESIS OF POLY(CHITOSAN/ACRYLAMIDE) HYDROGEL FOR REMOVAL OF NIGROSIN FROM ITS AQUEOUS SOLUTION
Authors:   Radiation Research of Polymer Chemistry Department, Industrial Irradiation Division, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, P.O. Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, ABDEL-GHAFFAR ASHRAF M. , EL-SHAHAT ALI HUSSEIN ,   Radiation Chemistry Department, Radiation Research Division, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, P.O. Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, EL-SAYED ABOULFOTOUH MAYSARA ,   Radiation Research of Polymer Chemistry Department, Industrial Irradiation Division, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, P.O. Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, EL-SAWY NAEEM MOHAMED ,   Radiation Research of Polymer Chemistry Department, Industrial Irradiation Division, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, P.O. Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
Published: March 2022

"Chitosan hydrogels were prepared by gamma radiation grafting of acrylamide (AAm) onto chitosan (CS). The gelation (%) increased as the AAm content was raised up to the CS/AAm ratio of 1/10 wt%. The grafting yield and the grafting ratios of the Poly(CS/AAm) hydrogel were found to be directly proportional to the increase in AAm contents. The swelling behavior was more pronounced with higher AAm content up to 1/15 wt% in the Poly(CS/AAm), and then decreased with further rise of the AAm content to 1/20 wt%, because of the formation of a highly crosslinked hydrogel, with high hydrogen bonding. The prepared Poly(CS/AAm) hydrogels were characterized by using FTIR, TGA and SEM techniques. The analysis confirmed successful preparation of Poly(CS/AAm) with different compositions. The adsorption capacity of the Poly(CS/AAm) hydrogel with the composition of (1:10 wt%) towards Nigrosin acid dye was found to be higher than that of the other hydrogel formulations. This may be due to the fact that the selected Poly(CS/AAm) hydrogel possesses a highly pronounced swelling behavior and a highly crosslinked structure, compared to the other prepared hydrogels. It has been also noted that the adsorption capacity of the 1:10 wt% Poly(CS/AAm) hydrogel enhanced markedly at pH 2, but decreased at higher pH values, namely, from pH 5 to pH 7.4. This can be explained by the protonation of amide groups of acrylamide and amine groups of chitosan occurring at lower pH. The high adsorption properties of the selected Poly(CS/AAm) hydrogel recommend it as a necessary bioremediation solution to face the high level of acid dye pollutants, such as Nigrosin, in industrial effluents."
PENGELOLAAN SAMPAH BERBASIS MASYARAKAT MELALUI TEMPAT PENGOLAHAN SAMPAH REDUCE, RE-USE, RECYCLE (TPS3R) DI DESA PURWOJATI, KECAMATAN NGORO, KABUPATEN MOJOKERTO
Authors: Supriyanto Didik , Yusuf Effendi Muhammad , Irfatur Rohmah Anik , Salamah Dewi , Kholidah Diana , Yuyik Ati Ningsih Heni , Mafida Lia , Husna Miftahul , Al Baidowi M. Khafidz , Iis Siti Rahayu Yanti
Published: March 2022

Pelaksanaan tempat pengelolaan sampah pada prinsipnya adalah salah satu upaya untuk mengajak masyarakat memilah sampah antara sampah organik dan anorganik. Melalui tempat pengelolaan sampah reduce, reuse dan recycle (TPS3R) akhirnya ditemukan salah satu solusi yang inovatif untuk membuat  masyarakat tergerak untuk memilah sampah. Tujuan dari pengabdian ini adalah untuk menganalisis pengelolaan sampah berbasis masyarakat melalui Tempat Pengelolan Sampah Reduce, Reuse, dan Recycle (TPS3R) Desa Purwojati Kecamatan Ngoro Kabupaten Mojokerto. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) di mana penulis mencoba menumbuhkan kesadaran masyarakat agar tergerak untuk memilah sampah, karena sampai sekarang ini pengelolaan sampah di tempat ini belum berjalan dengan maksimal. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi di lapangan, serta melakukan wawancara mendalam  dengan para pengurus TPS3R. Dari hasil penulisan dan pendampingan yang Tim Pengabdian lakukan, terjadi peningkatan kesadaran masyarakat untuk memilah sampah organik dan anorganik sehingga pengolahan sampah di TPS3R Ds. Purwojati Kecamatan Ngoro Kabupaten Mojokerto lebih efisien dan lebih teratur.
Kata Kunci: Sampah, Tempat Pengolahan Sampah
Peningkatan Skill Enterpreneurship Bagi Mahasiswa STMIK Rosma Karawang Melalui Pelatihan Business Model Canvas
Authors: Setiyani Lila
Published: March 2022

Saat ini, masyarakat yang semula ingin menjadi karyawan berubah drastis, sulitnya dalam mencari pekerjaan, mendorong banyak masyarakat yang ingin berwirausaha (entrepreneur). Tujuan dari kegiatan ini adalah untuk memberikan bekal serta pemahaman Business Model Canvas (BMC) kepada mahasiswa STMIK Rosma tentang pentingnya berwirausaha dan mendorong tumbuhnya jiwa kewirausahaan. BMC menggambarkan bisnis seperti apa yang sedang dibangun/dijalankan secara keseluruhan dari berbagai aspek. Model visualisasi yang disajikan BMC memudahkan mahasiswa dalam memetakan bisnis, berinovasi dan berkreasi, berpikir simpel, mengkolaborasikan seluruh elemen yang dibutuhkan dalam menjalankan bisnis, dan memanfaatkan peluang. Langkah selanjutnya adalah menyatukan banyak hal yang belum pernah terpikirkan oleh para pengusaha sebelumnya dalam model bisnis ini. Kegiatan meliputi observasi, wawancara tatap muka, konseling, dan demonstrasi di depan mahasiswa. Hasilnya, siswa dapat memperoleh pengetahuan tentang BMC dan menggunakan model BMC untuk mengembangkan rencana bisnis. Implikasi dari kegiatan ini adalah peningkatan pemahaman mahasiswa dalam mengembangkan ide bisnis dan menciptakan struktur rencana bsnis menggunakan BMC.