bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulation of Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction Denitrification Process in Precalciner and the Effect of Natural Gas Injection on Denitrification
Authors: Yang Yu , Wang Guangya , Wang Jie , Zuo Xu , Kao Hongtao
Published: May 2023

Cement production is the third largest source of nitrogen oxides (NOx), an air pollutant that poses a serious threat to the natural environment and human health. Reducing NOx emissions from cement production has become an urgent issue. This paper aims to explore and investigate more efficient denitrification processes to be applied in NOx reduction from precalciner. In this study, firstly, the flow field, temperature field, and component fraction in the precalciner are studied and analyzed using numerical simulation methods. Based on this, the influence of the reductant injection height and amount on the SNCR was studied by simulating the selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) process in the precalciner. The effect of natural gas on the NOx emissions from the precalciner was also investigated. The simulation results showed that, with the increase in height, the NOx concentration in the precalciner decreased, then increased, then decreased, and then increased again. The final NOx concentration at the exit position was 531.33 ppm. In the SNCR denitrification process, the reductant should be injected in the area where the precalciner height is 26–30 m so that the reductant can fully react with NOx and avoid the increase of ammonia escape. The NSR represents the ratio of reductant to NOx, and the results show that the larger the NSR is, the higher the denitrification rate is. However, as the NSR approaches 2, the denitrification rate slows down and the ammonia escape starts to increase. Therefore, according to the simulation results, the NSR should be kept between 1 and 1.6. The denitrification rate reached the maximum value of 42.62% at the optimal condition of 26 m of reductant injection height and 1.6 of NSR. Co-firing of natural gas with pulverized coal can effectively reduce the NOx generation in the furnace. The denitrification rate reached the maximum value of 32.15% when the natural gas injection amount was 10%. The simulation results of natural gas co-combustion and SNCR combined denitrification showed that combined denitrification was better than natural gas co-combustion or SNCR denitrification. Under the condition of NSR of 1 and natural gas injection of 10%, the denitrification rate increased by 29.83% and 31.64% compared to SNCR-only or co-combustion-only denitrification, reaching 61.98%, respectively. Moreover, less reductant is used in co-denitrification, so the problem of excessive ammonia emissions can be avoided. The results of this study provide useful guidance for denitrification process development and NOx reduction in cement production.
Special Issue—“Sanitary and Environmental Engineering: Relevance and Concerns”
Authors: Fink Rok
Published: May 2023

The environment consists of living and inanimate elements that mutually interact and affect each other’s health and lifespan [...]
Outlier Detection Based on Nelder-Mead Simplex Robust Kalman Filtering for Trustworthy Bridge Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Hu Liangliang , Bao Yan , Sun Zhe , Meng Xiaolin , Tang Chao , Zhang Dongliang
Published: May 2023

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is vital for ensuring the service safety of aging bridges. As one of the most advanced sensing techniques, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) could capture massive spatiotemporal information for effective bridge structural health monitoring (BSHM). Unfortunately, GNSS measurements often contain outliers due to various factors (e.g., severe weather conditions, multipath effects, etc.). All such outliers could jeopardize the accuracy and reliability of BSHM significantly. Previous studies have examined the feasibility of integrating the conventional multi-rate Kalman filter (MKF) with an adaptive algorithm in the data processing processes to ensure BSHM accuracy. However, frequent parameter adjustments are still needed in tedious data processing processes. This study proposed an outlier detection method using a Nelder-Mead simplex robust multi-rate Kalman filter (RMKF) for supporting trustworthy BSHM using GNSS and accelerometer. In the end, the authors have validated the proposed method using the monitoring data collected at the Wilford Bridge in the UK. Results showed that the accuracy of the total dynamic vibration displacement time series has been improved by 21% compared with the results using the conventional MKF approach. The authors envision that the proposed method will shed light on reliable and explainable data processing policy and trustworthy BSHM.
Monitoring Internal Load in Women’s Basketball via Subjective and Device-Based Methods: A Systematic Review
Authors: Espasa-Labrador Javier , Fort-Vanmeerhaeghe Azahara , Montalvo Alicia M. , Carrasco-Marginet Marta , Irurtia Alfredo , Calleja-González Julio
Published: May 2023

The monitoring of internal load in basketball can be used to understand the effects and potential physiological adaptations caused by external load. The main aim of this systematic review was to identify the methods and variables used to quantify internal load in female basketball. The studies included different populations and events: youth athletes, elite, and amateur players. Subjective methods included using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) method, and sensor-based methods included monitoring the cardiac response to exercise, using heart rate (HR) as the primary metric. The results showed that the HRAvg exhibited a wider range of values during training than during competition, and different metrics were used to evaluate internal load, such as HRMax, HRmin, %HRMax, total time and % of time spent in different HR zones (2–8 zones), Banister’s TRIMP, and summated HR zones. RPE and HR metrics were the most commonly used methods. However, the use of multiple metrics with little standardization resulted in significant heterogeneity among studies, limiting meaningful comparisons. The review provides a reference for current research on female basketball. Future research could address this limitation by adopting more consistent measurement protocols standardizing the use of metrics.
On the Early and Affordable Diagnosis of Joint Pathologies Using Acoustic Emissions, Deep Learning Decompositions and Prediction Machines
Authors: Nsugbe Ejay , Olorunlambe Khadijat , Dearn Karl
Published: May 2023

The condition of a joint in a human being is prone to wear and several pathologies, particularly in the elderly and athletes. Current means towards assessing the overall condition of a joint to assess for a pathology involve using tools such as X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging, to name a couple. These expensive methods are of limited availability in resource-constrained environments and pose the risk of radiation exposure to the patient. The prospect of acoustic emissions (AEs) presents a modality that can monitor the joints’ conditions passively by recording the high-frequency stress waves emitted during their motion. One of the main challenges associated with this sensing method is decoding and linking acquired AE signals to their source event. In this paper, we investigate AEs’ use to identify five kinds of joint-wear pathologies using a contrast of expert-based handcrafted features and unsupervised feature learning via deep wavelet decomposition (DWS) alongside 12 machine learning models. The results showed an average classification accuracy of 90 ± 7.16% and 97 ± 3.77% for the handcrafted and DWS-based features, implying good prediction accuracies across the various devised approaches. Subsequent work will involve the potential application of regressions towards estimating the associated stage and extent of a wear condition where present, which can form part of an online system for the condition monitoring of joints in human beings.
Listen to the Brain–Auditory Sound Source Localization in Neuromorphic Computing Architectures
Authors: Schmid Daniel , Oess Timo , Neumann Heiko
Published: May 2023

Conventional processing of sensory input often relies on uniform sampling leading to redundant information and unnecessary resource consumption throughout the entire processing pipeline. Neuromorphic computing challenges these conventions by mimicking biology and employing distributed event-based hardware. Based on the task of lateral auditory sound source localization (SSL), we propose a generic approach to map biologically inspired neural networks to neuromorphic hardware. First, we model the neural mechanisms of SSL based on the interaural level difference (ILD). Afterward, we identify generic computational motifs within the model and transform them into spike-based components. A hardware-specific step then implements them on neuromorphic hardware. We exemplify our approach by mapping the neural SSL model onto two platforms, namely the IBM TrueNorth Neurosynaptic System and SpiNNaker. Both implementations have been tested on synthetic and real-world data in terms of neural tunings and readout characteristics. For synthetic stimuli, both implementations provide a perfect readout (100% accuracy). Preliminary real-world experiments yield accuracies of 78% (TrueNorth) and 13% (SpiNNaker), RMSEs of 41∘ and 39∘, and MAEs of 18∘ and 29∘, respectively. Overall, the proposed mapping approach allows for the successful implementation of the same SSL model on two different neuromorphic architectures paving the way toward more hardware-independent neural SSL.
Machine Learning for Postoperative Continuous Recovery Scores of Oncology Patients in Perioperative Care with Data from Wearables
Authors: van den Eijnden Meike A. C. , van der Stam Jonna A. , Bouwman R. Arthur , Mestrom Eveline H. J. , Verhaegh Wim F. J. , van Riel Natal A. W. , Cox Lieke G. E.
Published: May 2023

Assessing post-operative recovery is a significant component of perioperative care, since this assessment might facilitate detecting complications and determining an appropriate discharge date. However, recovery is difficult to assess and challenging to predict, as no universally accepted definition exists. Current solutions often contain a high level of subjectivity, measure recovery only at one moment in time, and only investigate recovery until the discharge moment. For these reasons, this research aims to create a model that predicts continuous recovery scores in perioperative care in the hospital and at home for objective decision making. This regression model utilized vital signs and activity metrics measured using wearable sensors and the XGBoost algorithm for training. The proposed model described continuous recovery profiles, obtained a high predictive performance, and provided outcomes that are interpretable due to the low number of features in the final model. Moreover, activity features, the circadian rhythm of the heart, and heart rate recovery showed the highest feature importance in the recovery model. Patients could be identified with fast and slow recovery trajectories by comparing patient-specific predicted profiles to the average fast- and slow-recovering populations. This identification may facilitate determining appropriate discharge dates, detecting complications, preventing readmission, and planning physical therapy. Hence, the model can provide an automatic and objective decision support tool.
Livelihood Strategies during the COVID-19 Epidemic in Materially Disadvantaged Roma Communities from Covasna County, Romania
Authors: Veres Valér
Published: May 2023

The study aims to analyze the livelihood strategies related to the labour market during the coronavirus pandemic in the context of the material and income situation in Roma communities in a multicultural rural area of Covasna County, Romania. The data source comprises adapted sociological research that was carried out using multiple methods in 2021, in three localities: Boroșneu, Ojdula, and Zăbala in Covasna County, Romania. Of the dimensions examined, housing deprivation, material deprivation, and unemployment were of particular importance. Based on these dimensions, we analyzed the local economic situation and social services; we then developed a typology of dimensions to analyze the livelihood strategies of Roma groups from different socio-economic backgrounds during the coronavirus pandemic. We tried to answer questions about the changes and ways of adaptation in the livelihood strategies of Roma communities to the restrictions that occurred during the coronavirus pandemic in Romania from 2020–2021. The results of the research show that during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the material and income situations worsened for people previously employed in the informal labour market, involved in precarious work, and those of very low work intensity in selected rural Roma communities in Covasna County. Neither the regulations and legal measures introduced, nor the social protection system, was sensitive to the needs of the Roma, who were the most vulnerable to the social consequences of the pandemic restrictions.
Cultural Imaginaries and Complex Thinking: Impact of Cultural Education on the Development of Perceived Achievement of Complex Thinking in Undergraduates
Authors: Vázquez-Parra José Carlos , Alfaro-Ponce Berenice , Guerrero-Escamilla Juan Bacilio , Morales-Maure Luisa
Published: May 2023

This article presents the results of measuring the perceived achievement of complex thinking competency in a group of university students enrolled in a subject about Mexican cultural education. Specifically, the work intended to identify whether there is a correlation between the level of complex thinking and its sub-competencies with the appropriation of cultural knowledge. The sample population of university students from different disciplines took the subject “Imaginarios Culturales de México (Cultural Imaginaries of Mexico)”. The descriptive methodology analyzed the means of the students’ responses on a validated instrument measuring their perceived achievement of complex thinking competency and its sub-competencies. The questionnaire instrument was implemented at the beginning and end of the course without making a specific intervention. In conclusion, the research identified a statistically significant correlation between both variables, demonstrating that cultural training correlates with students’ perceived achievement of complex thinking competency and its sub-competencies. These results contribute to both the educational theory associated with the development of formative tools of competencies and skills, as well as the revaluation of cultural appropriation as a relevant formative element in lifelong learning.
Core Competence—As a Key Factor for a Sustainable, Innovative and Resilient Development Model Based on Industry 5.0
Authors: Suciu Marta Christina , Plesea Doru Alexandru , Petre Adrian , Simion Adrian , Mituca Mircea Ovidiu , Dumitrescu Decebal , Bocaneala Ana Maria , Moroianu Ramona Madalina , Nasulea Diana Florentina
Published: May 2023

The main objective of this paper is to highlight the importance of core competences as an important catalyst to enable a sustainable transition of business models to Industry 5.0. According to our research based on a scientific methodology, we illustrated that Industry 4.0 might greatly affect the labor market by introducing ITC, AI, IR and AR that will change many jobs in most areas of activity. One alternative solution to diminish these negative effects is to accommodate and prepare the shift to a more human-centric approach. In order to better implement this alternative solution and to generate mid- to long-run positive effects (from an economic, social and environmental perspective), we consider it is imperative that human resources be prepared to understand and to use new technologies. We have focused our research context on European countries. We found that only a part of the European Union Member Countries benefit from the use of human resources with advanced digital skills. Under these circumstances, we consider that only some countries will be able to face the challenges generated by the transition to Industry 5.0, while others, the emergent countries, such as Romania, will have to intensify the complex process of designing competitive and coherent strategies and implement a more efficient and effective mix of policies. This will help to better capitalize the potential sustainable competitive advantage of industries 4.0 and 5.0.
Proposal and Investigation of a New Tower Solar Collector-Based Trigeneration Energy System
Authors: Almatrafi Eydhah , Khaliq Abdul , Kumar Rajesh , Bamasag Ahmad , Siddiqui Muhammad Ehtisham
Published: May 2023

These days, the low efficiency of solar-based thermal power plants results in uneconomical performance and high-cost uncompetitive industries compared with conventional fossil fuels. In order to overcome such issues, a novel combined cooling–power–heating (trigeneration) system is proposed and analyzed in this paper. This system uses an ammonia–water binary mixture as a working fluid and a solar heat source to produce diverse types of energy for a multi-unit building in a sustainable fashion. In addition to the basic cooling–power cogeneration cycle, a flashing chamber that will boost the flow rate of refrigerant without any additional heat supply is employed. By developing a mathematical model, the system performance is analyzed using varying parameters of solar irradiation, hot oil temperature, process heat pressure, and ambient temperature to investigate the influence on electrical power, cooling capacity, refrigeration exergy, energy utilization factor (EUF), and system exergy efficiency. Increasing direct normal irradiation (DNI) from 500 W/m2 to 1000 W/m2 reduces the system EUF and exergy efficiency from 53.62% to 43.12% and from 49.02% to 25.65%, respectively. Both power and refrigeration exergy increase with increasing DNI and ambient temperature, while heating exergy remains constant. It is demonstrated that of 100% solar energy supplied, 46.03% is converted into energetic output and 53.97% is recorded as energy loss. The solar exergy supplied is distributed into 8.34% produced exergy, 29.78% exergy loss, and the remaining 61.88% is the destructed exergy. The highest destruction of solar exergy (56.89%) occurs in the central receiver.
The Impact of Technophobia on Vertical Farms
Authors: Csordás Adrián , Füzesi István
Published: May 2023

Today’s rapidly changing economic and social environment requires many new and sustainable solutions for the agricultural sector, in particular in terms of achieving higher yields and conserving arable land. However, the latest technologies and innovative ideas could answer these issues and even support a smooth transition into a green economy. The current work studies one of the best solutions—consumer acceptance. Even though vertical farming is relatively widely researched, the potential clients are seldom analysed. The applied systematic literature review (PRISMA) approach revealed various vital characteristics related to the consumers based on academic publications. According to the selected studies’ results, consumers’ adoption of innovative technology is most influenced by prior knowledge of vertical farming and the importance of sustainability. Some studies found further correlations between age and gender regarding adoption, while others did not investigate these or found their role irrelevant. Most consumers found vertical farming “too artificial” and identified this as a major inhibiting factor. However, further investigation has shown that appropriate and informative marketing could significantly increase the understanding of the concept and, through this, the acceptance and widespread practical application of the innovation. In addition, the authors want to use the current work to highlight the unsettled state of vertical management. It can be concluded that new regulations could increase confidence in vertical farming, which could be further supported by the theoretical model developed in this study, thus allowing the creation of a fully traceable product chain.
Assessing Language Vitality and Sustainability of Minor Chinese Dialects: A Case Study of Dapeng, a Hakka–Cantonese Mixed Dialect
Authors: Chen Litong
Published: May 2023

The Dapeng dialect is a unique Hakka–Cantonese mixed dialect spoken by several thousand speakers in the Dapeng peninsula in Shenzhen, Guangdong, and Manhattan, New York. This study reviews language vitality assessment frameworks for their applicability to Chinese languages and assesses the sustainability of the Dapeng dialect using the UNESCO Language Vitality and Endangerment scale. Despite some factors indicating low vitality, an overall assessment suggests a sustainable and vigorous use of the local dialect in the Dapeng community. This study shows that not all minor dialects in China are severely endangered. It sheds light on the complexities of language sustainability and vitality in multilingual societies, emphasizing the importance of using appropriate evaluative frameworks for an accurate view of language vitality in specific sociolinguistic ecologies. This study also contributes to discussions about language maintenance and policy in China, particularly under the tension between Putonghua and local dialects in the context of language sustainability.
Emission Quantification for Sustainable Heavy-Duty Transportation
Authors: Biró Norbert , Kiss Péter
Published: May 2023

Vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines (ICE) are major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Alternatives such as electric, hydrogen fuel cell and biofuel-based propulsions are being considered as a replacement for the well-established ICE vehicles to reduce GHG emissions and provide sustainable transportation. This paper will compare various heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) propulsion combinations using a well-to-wheel (WTW) analysis, separated into two parts: Well-to-Tank (WTT) and Tank-to-Wheel (TTW). The WTW analysis of ICE HDV is based on a Euro VI heavy-duty test engine coupled to an engine dynamometer. The energy consumption and GHG emissions are measured, not estimated, providing a closer to real-life comparison. The paper will provide a detailed comparison of alternative propulsions to the internal combustion engine based on WTW analysis. Final results suggest, even with the EU’s fairly fossil energy carrier-dependent energy mix, the usage of electric propulsion systems can reach up to 56% of GHG emission cut compared to conventional ICE.
Experimental Study on an Innovative Double-Limb-Thin-Wall Bridge Pier with Longitudinal Replaceable Connecting Beams
Authors: Guo Jin , Nie Liwei , Su Junsheng , Sun Ruojin
Published: May 2023

Replaceable energy dissipation elements can reduce damage to main structures and improve seismic resistance of bridge structures. However, in existing studies, replaceable energy dissipation elements are mainly arranged in the transverse direction of the bridge structure, while little attention is given to the longitudinal direction of the bridge, which also suffers from serious damage under earthquakes. This paper proposes an innovative double-limb-thin-wall (DLTW) bridge pier, which consists of two thin-limb-wall columns in the longitudinal direction of the bridge and replaceable steel connecting beams (RSCBs) between them. Quasistatic tests of the proposed innovative DLTW pier with RSCBs (DLTW-RSCBs), a conventional DLTW pier, and a DLTW pier with RC connecting beams (DLTW-RCCBs) were conducted to investigate the longitudinal seismic performance of the innovative bridge pier. The test results demonstrate that the use of connecting beams (CBs) can improve the lateral bearing capacity and cumulative dissipated energy of the DLTW pier, while the improved amplitudes are more significant for the DLTW-RSCB specimen, about 21.6% and 13.4%, respectively. Moreover, due to the protection of the CBs, the DLTW-RCCBs and DLTW-RSCBs have lower damage and residual drift ratios than the DLTW-NBs before the failure of the CBs. However, the differences between these three piers gradually disappear with the failure of the CBs, and the piers are finally destroyed as a result of the failure modes of buckling and low-cycle fatigue fracture of the longitudinal bars at the column bottom. Moreover, RSCBs can still be rapidly repaired after damage failure of the DLTW-RSCB specimen. Therefore, setting replaceable steel beams between DLTW piers can effectively improve seismic performance and reduce seismic damage and repair costs of DLTW bridge piers under earthquake loading, which are valuable for sustainability during the service stage. The outcomes of this work can serve as a reference for further development of structural forms for the innovated pier.
Comparative Environmental Assessment of the Iron Fertilisers’ Production: Fe-Biochelate versus Fe-EDDHA
Authors: Rajabi Hamedani Sara , Cardarelli Mariateresa , Rouphael Youssef , Bonini Paolo , Colantoni Andrea , Colla Giuseppe
Published: May 2023

In response to tackling the environmental consequences of fertiliser production, biofertilisers from organic sources are strongly promoted in line with circular economy and maximising resource use. Despite the outstanding potential of bio-based fertilisers for the sustainable development of the agricultural sector, an environmental investigation of these fertilisers is required to replace synthesised fertilisers. Considering the importance of iron as a plant micronutrient and the scientific gap in the environmental assessment of relevant fertilisers, iron-based fertilisers produced in EU and US geographical zones are selected as a case study in this paper. Therefore, this study examines the environmental performance of two iron-based fertilisers (Fe-biochelate and Fe-EDDHA) by the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The LCA model has been implemented in Simapro software by the ecoinvent database and ReCipe 2016 method considering 1 kg iron content as a functional unit. The results revealed that the Fe-biochelate reduced impacts (69–82%) on all relevant categories, including global warming (69%), terrestrial ecotoxicity (82%), and fossil resource scarcity (77%) in comparison with Fe-EDDHA. Soymeal and acetic acid were the main stressors identified in Fe-biochelate production, while phenol, ethylenediamine and glyoxal were the most significant contributors to the impact categories related to Fe-EDDHA. As a result, Fe-biochelate can be considered a more eco-friendly alternative to Fe-EDDHA.
Steganographic Method in Selected Areas of the Stego-Carrier in the Spatial Domain
Authors: Milosav Predrag , Milosavljević Milan , Banjac Zoran
Published: May 2023

The main goal of this paper is the proposal of a key-based steganographic system in which the ratio of capacity and image quality metrics that represents the stego object while reducing the detectability of hidden content was improved. The main contribution of the proposed steganographic system is a new algorithm for selecting stego areas. The area selection algorithm is based on clustering the pixels of the cover object into a predetermined number of clusters. The goal of this selection of areas (clusters) is to group as many homogeneous parts of the image as possible in order to cover these areas with as few rectangular shapes as possible. Since the data on the defined rectangles represent the key of the system, the capacity of the additional secret channel is minimized in this way. On the obtained stego-carriers, an embedding of test random content is performed in order to estimate its detectability. By combining the proposed area selection method with the Minimal Decimal Difference steganographic method, a system was created with an optimal trade-off between detectability of secret content, quality and capacity of the carrier, and the length of the stego-key. Finally, a comparison of the obtained results with relevant adaptive steganographic methods is presented. The proposed concept obtains its verification in one practical system for secure file transfer of controlled cryptographic strength.
The Symmetric Active Site of Enantiospecific Enzymes
Authors: Rosini Elena , Pollegioni Loredano , Molla Gianluca
Published: May 2023

Biomolecules are frequently chiral compounds, existing in enantiomeric forms. Amino acids represent a meaningful example of chiral biological molecules. Both L- and D-amino acids play key roles in the biochemical structure and metabolic processes of living organisms, from bacteria to mammals. In this review, we explore the enantiospecific interaction between proteins and chiral amino acids, introducing theoretical models and describing the molecular basis of the ability of some of the most important enzymes involved in the metabolism of amino acids (i.e., amino acid oxidases, dehydrogenases, and aminotransferases) to discriminate the opposite enantiomers. Our analysis showcases the power of natural evolution in shaping biological processes. Accordingly, the importance of amino acids spurred nature to evolve strictly enantioselective enzymes both through divergent evolution, starting from a common ancestral protein, or through convergent evolution, starting from different scaffolds: intriguingly, the active sites of these enzymes are frequently related by a mirror symmetry.
Clean-Up of Heavy Metals from Contaminated Soil by Phytoremediation: A Multidisciplinary and Eco-Friendly Approach
Authors: Priya A. K. , Muruganandam Muthiah , Ali Sameh S. , Kornaros Michael
Published: May 2023

Pollution from heavy metals is one of the significant environmental concerns facing the world today. Human activities, such as mining, farming, and manufacturing plant operations, can allow them access to the environment. Heavy metals polluting soil can harm crops, change the food chain, and endanger human health. Thus, the overarching goal for humans and the environment should be the avoidance of soil contamination by heavy metals. Heavy metals persistently present in the soil can be absorbed by plant tissues, enter the biosphere, and accumulate in the trophic levels of the food chain. The removal of heavy metals from contaminated soil can be accomplished using various physical, synthetic, and natural remediation techniques (both in situ and ex situ). The most controllable (affordable and eco-friendly) method among these is phytoremediation. The removal of heavy metal defilements can be accomplished using phytoremediation techniques, including phytoextraction, phytovolatilization, phytostabilization, and phytofiltration. The bioavailability of heavy metals in soil and the biomass of plants are the two main factors affecting how effectively phytoremediation works. The focus in phytoremediation and phytomining is on new metal hyperaccumulators with high efficiency. Subsequently, this study comprehensively examines different frameworks and biotechnological techniques available for eliminating heavy metals according to environmental guidelines, underscoring the difficulties and limitations of phytoremediation and its potential application in the clean-up of other harmful pollutants. Additionally, we share in-depth experience of safe removing the plants used in phytoremediation—a factor frequently overlooked when choosing plants to remove heavy metals in contaminated conditions.
Why Parents Say No to Having Their Children Vaccinated against Measles: A Systematic Review of the Social Determinants of Parental Perceptions on MMR Vaccine Hesitancy
Authors: Novilla M. Lelinneth B. , Goates Michael C. , Redelfs Alisha H. , Quenzer Mallory , Novilla Lynneth Kirsten B. , Leffler Tyler , Holt Christian A. , Doria Russell B. , Dang Michael T. , Hewitt Melissa , Lind Emma , Prickett Elizabeth , Aldridge Katelyn
Published: May 2023

Ongoing outbreaks of measles threaten its elimination status in the United States. Its resurgence points to lower parental vaccine confidence and local pockets of unvaccinated and undervaccinated individuals. The geographic clustering of hesitancy to MMR indicates the presence of social drivers that shape parental perceptions and decisions on immunization. Through a qualitative systematic review of published literature (n = 115 articles; 7 databases), we determined major themes regarding parental reasons for MMR vaccine hesitancy, social context of MMR vaccine hesitancy, and trustworthy vaccine information sources. Fear of autism was the most cited reason for MMR hesitancy. The social drivers of vaccine hesitancy included primary care/healthcare, education, economy, and government/policy factors. Social factors, such as income and education, exerted a bidirectional influence, which facilitated or hindered vaccine compliance depending on how the social determinant was experienced. Fear of autism was the most cited reason for MMR hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy to MMR and other childhood vaccines clustered in middle- to high-income areas among mothers with a college-level education or higher who preferred internet/social media narratives over physician-based vaccine information. They had low parental trust, low perceived disease susceptibility, and were skeptical of vaccine safety and benefits. Combating MMR vaccine misinformation and hesitancy requires intersectoral and multifaceted approaches at various socioecological levels to address the social drivers of vaccine behavior.
Arsenic in Drinking Water and Diabetes
Authors: Shakya Aryatara , Dodson Matthew , Artiola Janick F. , Ramirez-Andreotta Monica , Root Robert A. , Ding Xinxin , Chorover Jon , Maier Raina M.
Published: May 2023

Arsenic is ubiquitous in soil and water environments and is consistently at the top of the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) substance priority list. It has been shown to induce toxicity even at low levels of exposure. One of the major routes of exposure to arsenic is through drinking water. This review presents current information related to the distribution of arsenic in the environment, the resultant impacts on human health, especially related to diabetes, which is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, regulation of arsenic in drinking water, and approaches for treatment of arsenic in drinking water for both public utilities and private wells. Taken together, this information points out the existing challenges to understanding both the complex health impacts of arsenic and to implementing the treatment strategies needed to effectively reduce arsenic exposure at different scales.
Evaluation of Statistical PMP Considering RCP Climate Change Scenarios in Republic of Korea
Authors: Seo Miru , Kim Sunghun , Kim Heechul , Kim Hanbeen , Shin Ju-Young , Heo Jun-Haeng
Published: May 2023

Extreme rainfall and floods have increased in frequency and severity in recent years, due to climate change and urbanization. Consequently, interest in estimating the probable maximum precipitation (PMP) has been burgeoning. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recommends two types of methods for calculating the PMP: hydrometeorological and statistical methods. This study proposes a modified Hershfield’s nomograph method and assesses the changes in PMP values based on the two representative concentration pathway (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) scenarios in South Korea. To achieve the intended objective, five techniques were employed to compute statistical PMPs (SPMPs). Moreover, the most suitable statistical method was selected by comparing the calculated SPMP with the hydrometeorological PMP (HPMP), by applying statistical criteria. Accordingly, SPMPs from the five methods were compared with the HPMPs for the historical period of 2020 and the future period of 2100 for RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, respectively. The results confirmed that the SPMPs from the modified Hershfield’s nomograph showed the smallest MAE (mean absolute error), MAPE (mean absolute percentage error), and RMSE (root mean square error), which are the best results compared with the HPMP with an average SPMP/HPMP ratio of 0.988 for the 2020 historical period. In addition, Hershfield’s method with varying KM exhibits the worst results for both RCP scenarios, with SPMP/HPMP ratios of 0.377 for RCP4.5 and 0.304 for RCP8.5, respectively. On the contrary, the modified Hershfield’s nomograph was the most appropriate method for estimating the future SPMPs: the average ratios were 0.878 and 0.726 for the 2100 future period under the RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, respectively, in South Korea.
Organization of training of specialists in the workplace in the format of hybrid learning
Authors:   FSBEI HE Izhevsk State Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Molchanova E. G. , Zlobina G. M. ,   FSBEI HE Izhevsk State Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Published: May 2023

The article presents the results of the study, which indicate the real possibility of training specialists on the job. The introduction of a system of continuous professional development in the format of hybrid training creates conditions for consolidating and improving the professional knowledge of nursing staff, which in the future will significantly influence the quality of medical care for the children's population of the region. The developed model of training nurses in a medical organization using a structured program and hybrid training can be used as a tool to consolidate professional knowledge and skills, as well as to form new competencies. Purpose of the study. To increase the professional competence of nursing professionals in caring for children with epilepsy in specialized neurological departments on the basis of organizational modeling of part-time nursing staff training courses conducted in a medical organization. Results. After training during reflection, the nurses expressed the following opinions: «There was a desire to engage in repeated training cycles»; «The attitude to the performance of professional duties has changed»; «Responsibility for the result of care has increased»; «Working with cases contributed to the formation of clinical thinking and stimulated the search for additional information to improve one’s competence», 54.3 ± 4.9; 96.7 ± 1.84; 53.2 ± 6.2; 67.4 ± 4.2 per 100 respondents, respectively. All nurses (100 %) noted that the new form of final certification not only interested them, but also prompted a desire to take part in the WORLDskills. championship. сonclusion. The study is of practical importance for specialists in medical and educational organizations for organizing a hybrid form of education.
Application of nursing technologies in complex therapy patients with ulcer
Authors:   BHI UR City Clinical Hospital No. 8 named after Ilya Borisovich Odnopozov of the Ministry of Health of the Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk, Udmurt Republic, Russia, Maksyuta L. V. , Zlobina G. M. ,   FSBEI HE Izhevsk State Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Izhevsk, Udmurt Republic, Russia
Published: May 2023

The article presents nursing technologies in the complex therapy of ulcer patients and the results of the application of these technologies. During the complex therapy of patients with peptic ulcer, their training according to a specially designed program has a positive clinical effect and contributes to reducing the frequency of exacerbations and complications of the disease. Purpose of the study. Improving the effectiveness of treatment and prevention of exacerbations of peptic ulcer through the use of modern nursing technologies in patient education. Results. The effectiveness of therapeutic education in the complex therapy of peptic ulcer was also confirmed by the method of multivariate statistics. Predicting the incidence of peptic ulcer complications by the Bayesian probabilistic modeling showed that improving hygiene literacy can reduce bleeding by 6.1 %, and perforation by 4.1 %, which ensures not only medical, but also socio-economic efficiency of treatment. Conclusion. The study is of practical importance for nurses of prevention departments and district nurses who are involved in conducting a school for ulcer patients. It has practical implications for the educational process in which students are trained in patient education skills.
Analysis and evaluation of the activities of the educational and methodological room of the central district hospital
Authors:   FSBEI HE «Samara State Medical University» of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia, Stepkina I. I. , Karaseva L. A. ,   FSBEI HE «Samara State Medical University» of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia
Published: May 2023

In connection with the development of high-tech medical care, the importance of continuous professional development of middle and junior medical workers is increasing. Each practicing nurse can make changes in her work, devoting more time to teaching and counseling patients and their families, paying more attention to their professional growth and acquiring up-to-date knowledge. Purpose of the study. Analyze and evaluate the activities of the educational and methodological office of the SBHI «Gorodishchensk Central District Hospital». Results. According to the domestic literature, the system of continuous professional development of specialists with secondary medical education was studied; social and hygienic characteristics were given to nursing specialists of the central district hospital; the satisfaction of nursing staff with training in the teaching and methodological room was assessed; analyzed the results of self-assessment by the nursing staff of the level of assimilation of information acquired as a result of training in the teaching and methodological room; the methods of motivation used by the management of a medical organization to attract nursing staff to development and self-education are determined. Conclusion. The conducted research work on the analysis and evaluation of the activities of the teaching and methodical office in the conditions of a medical organization confirms the need to create appropriate structures and their effectiveness in the implementation of the educational process, which allows nursing professionals to be highly qualified and competitive throughout their professional activities.
Public-private partnership in the production of defense products and the organization of construction and restoration work
Authors:   Central Economics and Mathematics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Shakhov O. F.
Published: May 2023

This article discusses two problems in the political and economic life of the Russian Federation, determined by the scale of the NWO: the need for a significant and rapid increase in the output of defense products and the need for a large amount of construction and restoration work in the new regions of the Russian Federation (DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson areas). The article shows that the various types of state support used by the Government of the Russian Federation for the Military Industrial Complex (MIC) do not provide a multiple increase in the output of the military-industrial complex. In the Russian Federation, the structure of the distribution of state defense orders should be promptly restructured, relying not only on existing military-industrial complex enterprises, but also on small and medium-sized businesses. At the same time, it is necessary to actively use small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their resources (formed teams of workers, machine park, readymade production sites, etc.). The article proposes to create conditions for solving isolated problems through the development of small and medium-sized businesses involved in the public-private partnership (PPP) system and the corresponding change in the legislative framework. At the same time, it is necessary to signifi cantly expand the use of PPP mechanisms in the modern economy of the Russian Federation. The necessary scientific justification and practical recommendations for using the PPP methodology were proposed by the author of this work in his previous scientific papers.
A cognitive model for forecasting the stability of the economy under conditions of market uncertainty and risk
Authors:   Volgograd State Technical University (Volgograd State Technical University), Volgograd, Lomakin N. I. , Maramygin M. S. ,   Ural State University of Economics, Yekaterinburg, Lukyanov G. I. ,   Volzhsky Polytechnic Institute (branch) VolgGTU, Volzhsky, Tsygankova V. N. ,   Volgograd State Technical University (Volgograd State Technical University), Volgograd, Solovyov D. D. ,   Volzhsky Polytechnic Institute (branch) VolgGTU, Volzhsky, Shabanov N. T. ,   Volgograd State Technical University (Volgograd State Technical University), Volgograd
Published: May 2023

The article considers the theoretical foundations for predicting the stability of the Russian economy under conditions of market uncertainty and risk using a cognitive model. The relevance of the study lies in the fact that an acute problem in modern conditions is the question of the formation of methodological approaches for a balanced sustainable development of the economy and fi nance. The novelty lies in the fact that the study proposed an approach that involves the use of a cognitive model formed in the GraphViz environment using a semantic frame network in the form of graphs in the DOT programming language. An analysis of the dynamics of both macroeconomic indicators of the real sector of the economy and the parameters of the development of the fi nancial sector of the Russian Federation was carried out. Three perceptron AI models have been developed using the Deductor platform to predict the dynamics of the RF GDP. The criterion for the success of the predictive properties of AI models was the value of the average forecast error. The comparison was carried out every time, cycle by cycle, with the exclusion from the model of factors that have a weak relationship with the effective indicator — the forecast value of GDP and subsequent replacement with another one that has a higher value of the correlation coeffi cient. In addition, within the cycle, if necessary, the hyperparameters of the model can be changed: the number of hidden layers, the number of nodes on the input and hidden layers. In the proposed neural network, the architecture assume s, in addition to the input layer, the use of two hidden layers and an output layer with one parameter. However, in the experiment, the hyperparameters of the neural networks did not change. Neural networks showed high prediction accuracy.
Dinámica comercial de las exportaciones peruanas de café a la Unión Europea 2017-2021
Authors: Montes Ninaquispe Jose Carlos , Santa María Alberto Pantaleón , Oblitas Vallejo Iván Antonio
Published: May 2023

En el contexto mundial el café es un producto muy demandado y cada vez se suman países dentro de la oferta internacional, su consumo se ha visto incrementado en los últimos años sobre todo en países que pertenecen a Europa, siendo Perú uno de los mayores productores de café. Este estudio tiene como propósito identificar la dinámica comercial de las exportaciones peruanas de café hacia la Unión Europea durante el periodo 2017-2021. evaluando la cantidad exportada, el valor exportado y los precios promedios a fin de identificar los mercados más importantes y los mercados emergentes. Para el desarrollo de la investigación la metodología fue bajo el enfoque cuantitativo de carácter descriptiva, no experimental tomando como fuente de información las bases de datos de las exportaciones registradas en las declaraciones aduaneras de mercancías de la subpartida nacional 0901119000. Como resultados se obtuvo que la cantidad exportada no tuvo el mismo desempeño que el valor exportado, teniendo en promedio anual -6% de variación contra el 2.6% que obtuvo el valor exportado, esto explicado al analizar el precio, que se vio incrementado a partir del 2019 y creciendo en promedio anual a razón de 17%, teniendo como principales países de exportación: Alemania, Bélgica, Sucia e Italia. Para concluir se puede indicar que la cantidad exportada tuvo un retroceso en el año 2020 y 2021 de -11.3% y de -10.5% mientras que el valor exportado se incrementó en 2021 en 23% recuperándose de la caída de -2% en 2020. El precio ha tenido un aumento significativo a lo largo del periodo de análisis, recuperándose de la caída en 2018 del -13% y creciendo desde 2019 a 2021 a un promedio anual de 17%.