bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconciling Nature-Technology-Child Connections: Smart Cities and the Necessity of a New Paradigm of Nature-Sensitive Technologies for Today’s Children
Authors: Sultana Raisa , Hawken Scott
Published: April 2023

There is a serious and problematic disconnection between children and the natural environment. This has been documented across various disciplines and fields of endeavour, including science, the creative arts, the social sciences, education, design, and the humanities. The nature–people disconnection is particularly concerning at this present juncture when understanding and advocating for the natural environment is necessary to address global environmental crises. Smart cities have, to date, focused on business and economic directions. In recent times, there has been an emerging awareness that such technologically advanced urban environments must link to and inspire an understanding and care for nature in more profound and meaningful ways. Therefore, this paper aims to identify opportunities and discuss how technology can improve this interaction through advancing and implementing nature-positive and nature-sensitive technologies through a critical review of the literature spanning smart cities, children, and nature-based technologies. Such linkages can serve as a driving force behind the transformation of cities as they adapt to support initiatives, such as the post-2020 biodiversity agenda.
Slowing Down Climate Services: Climate Change as a Matter of Concern
Authors: Krauß Werner
Published: April 2023

This article addresses the appropriate place for and design of climate services drawing upon a case study of three different forms of climate service delivery in a coastal landscape in Northern Germany. Each of these forms addresses different audiences and provides different types of knowledge about climate change and a different orientation toward policy support. The three-part case study includes a regional, a municipal and a social climate service. Drawing upon this comparative, case-based research, I develop the idea of ‘slowing down climate services’, based on the ‘slow science manifesto’ introduced by the science philosopher Isabelle Stengers, by postnormal science and by political ecology as suggested by Bruno Latour. How does climate change become a matter of concern? Slowing down climate services means following the social life of scientific facts, engaging with the public and exploring ways to improve democratic and place-based decision making. I argue that there is an urgent need to overcome the big science orientation of climate services and to add what Stengers calls ‘public intelligence’, the integration of a sense of place and of the social, cultural, political and other performative aspects of climate change in specific landscapes.
Carbon Emission Pattern of Driving Car on Vertical Curves of Highway
Authors: Jia Xingli , Qin Xuefang , Zhu Jiyuan , Xiao Zhan , Guo Wanjiang
Published: April 2023

Low carbon road design has always been a research hotspot for scholars. One of the primary road variables affecting the carbon emission of automobiles is vertical curve, which serves as the primary geometric alignment of the longitudinal portion of the road. The instantaneous speed and acceleration data of cars on various vertical curve sections are gathered for this study by combining simulation and real vehicle experiment methods. This study then built a database of carbon emissions for cars on various vertical curve sections based on the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) model, used Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) to analyze the data, and developed a carbon emission model for cars on various vertical curve sections. Finally, it was found that the average error of the carbon emission model for different vertical curve sections was 8.37%, and the accuracy of carbon emission modelling could meet the requirements. The results show that the main influencing factor of carbon emission of cars on vertical curve sections is the radius of vertical curve, and the carbon emission of cars is inversely proportional to the radius of vertical curve. The smaller the value of vertical curve radius is, the more the engine output increases and the greater the carbon emission level will be. This research will provide reference and theoretical support for low-carbon design of highway longitudinal slope sections.
“Good Morning, Poet, How Are You?” Peasant Poetry and Its Vitality in Sertão do Pajeú (Brazil)
Authors: Cabral Caio de Meneses , Gallar-Hernández David
Published: April 2023

The present paper discusses the presence and vitality of peasant poetry as an expression of the peasant way of life in Sertão do Pajeú (Brazil), and it seeks to understand to what extent it can play an important role in the territory, such as agroecological organizations considering work from the concept of “coexistence with the semiarid” as a communication and popular education tool. We performed semi-structured interviews, participant observation and bibliographic and documentary research. In addition, we filled in a field journal and took photographic and audiovisual records. We understand peasant poetry as an expression of the popular culture of that territory, produced by peasant poets to interpret, communicate and reaffirm their way of life and their relationship with nature. Peasant poetry is part of the identity and is currently present in the collective memory of Sertão do Pajeú, and it has been guided by agroecological organizations and can become an instrument capable of enhancing the search for environmental sustainability in the territory.
Information and Communication Technology in Brazilian Public Schools: A Sustainable Legacy of the Pandemic?
Authors: de Carvalho Fabiano Scriptore , Pilatti Luiz Alberto , de Carvalho Hilda Alberton , de Lima Isaura Alberton
Published: April 2023

The present study aimed to analyze the sustainability of the post-COVID-19 pandemic Information and Communication Technology (ICT) legacy. The survey was conducted using raw secondary data from three census studies, one carried out before the pandemic and two after the return to in-person classes. The descriptive survey focused on Brazilian public schools and used a comparative intersectional design. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the raw data. The poorest conditions in terms of the availability of technological resources were found in municipal public school systems. The amount of equipment available, bandwidth, and Internet data transmission rate in most public schools were far below desirable, despite advances in 2021 compared to 2019. Although there have been important improvements in ICT in Brazilian public schools, there was no evidence of inherited ICT resources as a legacy of the Government’s COVID-19 policies related to education. The study highlights the need for government to implement enduring public policies that guarantee the use of sustainable ICT resources to improve education, irrespective of global or national health challenges.
A Comparative Study on the Crystalline and Surface Properties of Carbonized Mesoporous Coconut Shell Chars
Authors: Nisa Zaib Un , Chuan Lee Kean , Guan Beh Hoe , Ahmad Faiz , Ayub Saba
Published: April 2023

In the present work, the facile thermal decomposition of raw coconut shells was carried out for the exploitation of the role of inert gas in the carbonization process and its role in determining the morphology, crystallographic parameters, and surface area of biochar before activation. The comparative investigation of mesoporous carbonized products synthesized with the muffle and tube furnace was carried out at a similar temperature and an assessment was made with a commercial carbon. The focus of the work was aimed at the interpretation of surface morphology, elemental identification, phase composition, interplanar spacing, full-width half maximum, crystallite size, lateral size, number of layers, dislocation density, microstrain, packing density, crystallinity index, and the specific surface area of the product obtained from two different approaches. It was revealed that the carbonized coconut shell chars obtained from the tube furnace have better characteristics to be activated further for carbon black synthesis. So, the flow of inert gas in a tube furnace is demonstrated to have a key role in improving the attributes of coconut shell chars.
Closed-Loop Supply Chain Decision-Making and Coordination Considering Fairness Concerns under Carbon Neutral Rewards and Punishments
Authors: Shen Yan , Gao Tian , Song Zizhao , Ma Ji
Published: April 2023

The cheap price of carbon sink trading in certification emission reduction (CER) makes it more popular than the carbon emission allowance (CEA); trading in carbon-neutral, enterprises are more inclined to purchase carbon sinks to achieve their own carbon neutrality goals and promote decarbonization of the whole chain. Companies urgently need to figure out how to achieve carbon neutrality with government rewards and punishments. Moreover, as an important factor affecting the effectiveness of supply chain, it is particularly important to study how to coordinate fairness concerns of such objects. Therefore, a centralized and two-stage Stackelberg game model of a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) of one manufacturer and one retailer is constructed, and the cost-sharing contract, revenue-sharing contract, and cost–revenue-sharing contract are used to coordinate it, taking into account the fairness concerns of downstream enterprises while pursuing carbon neutrality, ensuring the overall benefits of the supply chain, and considering the impact of government subsidies and rewards and punishments on the carbon neutrality of the supply chain. Research shows that (1) compared with the other two contracts, the cost–revenue-sharing contract performs better and can effectively achieve the Pareto optimum; (2) the cost-sharing contract performs better in accomplishing the carbon neutrality of the CLSC; (3) excessively high carbon sink prices are not only detrimental to enterprise efficiency, but also to the realization of carbon neutrality goal; and (4) higher supply chain utility is pursued by enterprises when the unit reward and punishment are not great enough; otherwise, carbon neutrality is pursued. The research results can not only provide decision support for the product pricing, carbon sink reserve and contract design of CLSC enterprises under the goal of carbon neutrality, but can also provide a reference for the setting of government subsidies and rewards and punishment.
Can University Students’ Psychological Resources Stimulate the Relationship between Entrepreneurial Optimism and Green Entrepreneurial Intentions? Moderating Role of Sustainability Orientation
Authors: Zhang Yunlong , Rana Asif Mehmood , Bashir Hasnain , Adeel Ifraz , Khokhar Shahid , Ding Jingyuan
Published: April 2023

Given the crucial role of entrepreneurial optimism (EO) in prompting university students’ green entrepreneurial intentions (GEI), scholars are still striving to explore the causal mechanism that can facilitate the underlying relationship. Based on the social cognitive theory, we hypothesize that individual’s psychological resources, entrepreneurial resilience (ER) and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), mediate the association between EO and GEI. In addition, this study seeks to investigate the impact of sustainability orientation (SO) in the relationship between EO and GEI. Data for this study have been collected from Chinese university students in their final years. The authors used variance-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings indicate that EO significantly influences GEI. Further, ER and ESE significantly mediate the link between EO and GEI. Moreover, this study finds that SO significantly moderates the relationship between EO and GEI such that the association is stronger at high levels of SO and vice versa. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior studies have tested these relationships. The findings suggest that the proposed model can be utilized by practitioners and policy makers to facilitate the execution of green entrepreneurship among university students.
Economic Valuation of Lake Tana: A Recreational Use Value Estimation through the Travel Cost Method
Authors: Wubalem Atalel , Woldeamanuel Teshale , Nigussie Zerihun
Published: April 2023

Lake Tana is a well-known tourist spot in northern Ethiopia that lures both domestic and foreign tourists. The lake’s value is still underrated, despite the site’s immense potential for recreation and tourism. In this study, the recreational value of Lake Tana is estimated, and the consumer characteristics associated with recreational demand are analyzed. The study employs a Zero-Truncated Poisson (ZTP) regression model for data generated by the Individual Travel Cost Method (ITCM) and draws information from 1094 on-site surveys. According to ZTP regression results, variables that are significantly and positively associated with demand for Lake Tana recreation include the monthly income and age of the visitors and their preference for other recreation destinations such as Tis-Abay and Gondar Fasiledes Royal Castle. However, respondents’ leisure time, overall cost, and residential distance from the recreational site are all negatively associated with the demand for recreation. It is also evident that Lake Tana is endowed with a wealth of attributes, ranging from natural beauty to ancient religious and cultural heritages, making the lake a highly desirable recreation destination. According to the estimation, Lake Tana has a yearly recreational value of around USD 68.5 million. However, it also demonstrates that if lake settings were to improve in quality, the value of Lake Tana would rise considerably, reaching USD 151 million. The value of sentimental attachment implies that determining Lake Tana’s recreational value is a key element in the resource’s sustainable utilization and management. To make greater use of Lake Tana’s recreational amenities, however, uncontrolled waste disposal, favorable recreation facilities, and the spread of water hyacinth should be addressed immediately. Furthermore, it is imperative to maintain the lake’s diverse attributes, as the integration of these attributes is what gives the lake its primary appeal.
A Chaotic-Based Interactive Autodidactic School Algorithm for Data Clustering Problems and Its Application on COVID-19 Disease Detection
Authors: Gharehchopogh Farhad Soleimanian , Khargoush Aysan Alavi
Published: April 2023

In many disciplines, including pattern recognition, data mining, machine learning, image analysis, and bioinformatics, data clustering is a common analytical tool for data statistics. The majority of conventional clustering techniques are slow to converge and frequently get stuck in local optima. In this regard, population-based meta-heuristic algorithms are used to overcome the problem of getting trapped in local optima and increase the convergence speed. An asymmetric approach to clustering the asymmetric self-organizing map is proposed in this paper. The Interactive Autodidactic School (IAS) is one of these population-based metaheuristic and asymmetry algorithms used to solve the clustering problem. The chaotic IAS algorithm also increases exploitation and generates a better population. In the proposed model, ten different chaotic maps and the intra-cluster summation fitness function have been used to improve the results of the IAS. According to the simulation findings, the IAS based on the Chebyshev chaotic function outperformed other chaotic IAS iterations and other metaheuristic algorithms. The efficacy of the proposed model is finally highlighted by comparing its performance with optimization algorithms in terms of fitness function and convergence rate. This algorithm can be used in different engineering problems as well. Moreover, the Binary IAS (BIAS) detects coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The results demonstrate that the accuracy of BIAS for the COVID-19 dataset is 96.25%.
Correction: Perakanya et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Opisthorchis viverrini Infection in Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand. Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2022, 7, 313
Authors: Perakanya Pariyakorn , Ungcharoen Ratchadaporn , Worrabannakorn Sutthiporn , Ongarj Passakorn , Artchayasawat Atchara , Boonmars Thidarut , Boueroy Parichart
Published: April 2023

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
Impact of Borna Disease Virus Infection on the Transcriptome of Differentiated Neuronal Cells and Its Modulation by Antiviral Treatment
Authors: Teng Da , Ueda Keiji , Honda Tomoyuki
Published: April 2023

Borna disease virus (BoDV-1) is a highly neurotropic RNA virus that causes neurobehavioral disturbances such as abnormal social activities and memory impairment. Although impairments in the neural circuits caused by BoDV-1 infection induce these disturbances, the molecular basis remains unclear. Furthermore, it is unknown whether anti-BoDV-1 treatments can attenuate BoDV-1-mediated transcriptomic changes in neuronal cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of BoDV-1 infection on neuronal differentiation and the transcriptome of differentiated neuronal cells using persistently BoDV-1-infected cells. Although BoDV-1 infection did not have a detectable effect on intracellular neuronal differentiation processes, differentiated neuronal cells exhibited transcriptomic changes in differentiation-related genes. Some of these transcriptomic changes, such as the decrease in the expression of apoptosis-related genes, were recovered by anti-BoDV-1 treatment, while alterations in the expression of other genes remained after treatment. We further demonstrated that a decrease in cell viability induced by differentiation processes in BoDV-1-infected cells can be relieved with anti-BoDV-1 treatment. This study provides fundamental information regarding transcriptomic changes after BoDV-1 infection and the treatment in neuronal cells.
Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Implications on Immune Escape, Vaccination, Therapeutic and Diagnostic Strategies
Authors: Zabidi Nur Zawanah , Liew Hern Liang , Farouk Isra Ahmad , Puniyamurti Ashwini , Yip Ashley Jia Wen , Wijesinghe Vindya Nilakshi , Low Zheng Yao , Tang Julian W. , Chow Vincent T. K. , Lal Sunil K.
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is associated with a lower fatality rate than its SARS and MERS counterparts. However, the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has given rise to multiple variants with varying pathogenicity and transmissibility, such as the Delta and Omicron variants. Individuals with advanced age or underlying comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, are at a higher risk of increased disease severity. Hence, this has resulted in an urgent need for the development of better therapeutic and preventive approaches. This review describes the origin and evolution of human coronaviruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2 and its variants as well as sub-variants. Risk factors that contribute to disease severity and the implications of co-infections are also considered. In addition, various antiviral strategies against COVID-19, including novel and repurposed antiviral drugs targeting viral and host proteins, as well as immunotherapeutic strategies, are discussed. We critically evaluate strategies of current and emerging vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and their efficacy, including immune evasion by new variants and sub-variants. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 evolution on COVID-19 diagnostic testing is also examined. Collectively, global research and public health authorities, along with all sectors of society, need to better prepare against upcoming variants and future coronavirus outbreaks.
Differences in Pathogenicity and Vaccine Resistance Discovered between Two Epidemic Strains of Marek’s Disease Virus in China
Authors: Yu Zheng-Hao , Zhang Yan-Ping , Lan Xing-Ge , Wang Ya-Nan , Guo Rong-Rong , Li Kai , Gao Li , Qi Xiao-Le , Cui Hong-Yu , Wang Xiao-Mei , Gao Yu-Long , Liu Chang-Jun
Published: April 2023

Despite highly effective vaccines, Marek’s disease (MD) causes great economic loss to the poultry industry annually, largely due to the continuous emergence of new MD virus (MDV) strains. To explore the pathogenic characteristics of newly emerged MDV strains, we selected two strains (AH/1807 and DH/18) with clinically different pathotypes. We studied each strain’s infection process and pathogenicity and observed differences in immunosuppression and vaccine resistance. Specific pathogen-free chickens, unvaccinated or vaccinated with CVI988, were challenged with AH/1807 or DH/18. Both infections induced MD damage; however, differences were observed in terms of mortality (AH/1807: 77.8%, DH/18: 50%) and tumor rates (AH/1807: 50%, DH/18: 33.3%). The immune protection indices of the vaccine also differed (AH/1807: 94.1, DH/18: 61.1). Additionally, while both strains caused interferon-β and interferon-γ expression to decline, DH/18 infection caused stronger immunosuppression than AH/1807. This inhibition persisted even after vaccination, leading to increased replication of DH/18 that ultimately broke through vaccine immune protection. These results indicate that both strains have different characteristics, and that strains such as DH/18, which cause weaker pathogenic damage but can break through vaccine immune protection, require further attention. Our findings increase the understanding of the differences between epidemic strains and factors underlying MD vaccination failure in China.
Upper Respiratory Infection Drives Clinical Signs and Inflammatory Responses Following Heterologous Challenge of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern in K18 Mice
Authors: Nichols Jacob H. , Williams Evan P. , Parvathareddy Jyothi , Cao Xueyuan , Kong Ying , Fitzpatrick Elizabeth , Webby Richard J. , Jonsson Colleen B.
Published: April 2023

The evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in the emergence of several variants of concern (VOC) with increased immune evasion and transmissibility. This has motivated studies to assess protection conferred by earlier strains following infection or vaccination to each new VOC. We hypothesized that while NAbs play a major role in protection against infection and disease, a heterologous reinfection or challenge may gain a foothold in the upper respiratory tract (URT) and result in a self-limited viral infection accompanied by an inflammatory response. To test this hypothesis, we infected K18-hACE2 mice with SARS-CoV-2 USA-WA1/2020 (WA1) and, after 24 days, challenged with WA1, Alpha, or Delta. While NAb titers against each virus were similar across all cohorts prior to challenge, the mice challenged with Alpha and Delta showed weight loss and upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in the URT and lower RT (LRT). Mice challenged with WA1 showed complete protection. We noted increased levels of viral RNA transcripts only in the URT of mice challenged with Alpha and Delta. In conclusion, our results suggested self-limiting breakthrough infections of Alpha or Delta in the URT, which correlated with clinical signs and a significant inflammatory response in mice.
Feeding Spray-Dried Porcine Plasma to Pigs Improves the Protection Afforded by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) BA71∆CD2 Vaccine Prototype against Experimental Challenge with the Pandemic ASFV—Study 2
Authors: Pujols Joan , Blázquez Elena , Segalés Joaquim , Rodríguez Fernando , Chang Chia-Yu , Argilaguet Jordi , Bosch-Camós Laia , Rosell Rosa , Pailler-García Lola , Gavrilov Boris , Campbell Joy , Polo Javier
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on the protection afforded by the BA71∆CD2 African swine fever virus (ASFV) vaccine prototype. Two groups of pigs acclimated to diets without or with 8% SDPP were intranasally inoculated with 105 plaque-forming units (PFU) of live attenuated ASFV strain BA71∆CD2 and, three weeks later, left in direct contact with pigs infected with the pandemic Georgia 2007/01 ASFV strain. During the post-exposure (pe) period, 2/6 from the conventional diet group showed a transient peak rectal temperature >40.5 °C before day 20 pe, and some tissue samples collected at 20 d pe from 5/6 were PCR+ for ASFV, albeit showing Ct values much higher than Trojan pigs. Interestingly, the SDPP group did not show fever, neither PCR+ in blood nor rectal swab at any time pe, and none of the postmortem collected tissue samples were PCR+ for ASFV. Differential serum cytokine profiles among groups at vaccination, and a higher number of ASFV-specific IFNϒ-secreting T cells in pigs fed with SDPP soon after the Georgia 2007/01 encounter, confirmed the relevance of Th1-like responses in ASF protection. We believe that our result shows that nutritional interventions might contribute to improving future ASF vaccination strategies.
Secondary Syphilis: Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Diagnostic Testing
Authors: Chaudhry Shahrukh , Akinlusi Idris , Shi Ted , Cervantes Jorge
Published: April 2023

The subspecies T. pallidum pallidum is the cause of the most infamous sexually and congenitally transmitted disease, syphilis. This disease has an estimated incidence of six million infections every year. Multiple studies have noted that the prevalence of syphilis has been steadily increasing worldwide in recent decades, especially among MSMs and HIV-positive patients. Clinically, syphilis presents in four stages with multiple different clinical manifestations. In this paper, we examine the current literature to determine the history and progression, pathogenesis, clinical features, and testing of secondary syphilis. Secondary syphilis is a stage of the disease with the most exuberant local and systemic clinical manifestations. The basis of the pathogenesis of SS underscores the unique mechanisms by which Treponema pallidum utilizes to escape immune recognition while simultaneously induces inflammation. SS can affect multiple organ systems and become more than just an STD. The most common presentation of secondary syphilis is rash, which manifests as a copper-colored maculopapular lesion on the trunk, palms, and soles. Although the RPR, VDRL, and FTA-ABS tests are perhaps the most commonly used diagnostic tools for syphilis and make up the traditional and reverse algorithms, there are other methods, including morphology and immunohistochemistry.
Hamiltonian Additional Damping Control for Suppressing Power Oscillation Induced by Draft Tube Pressure Fluctuation
Authors: Zeng Yun , Yu Shige , Dao Fang , Li Xiang , Xu Yiting , Qian Jing
Published: April 2023

The power oscillation induced by pressure fluctuation in the draft tube of the hydraulic turbine is one of the limiting factors preventing the Francis turbine from operating in the vibration zone. At the present power grid with a high proportion of renewable energy resources, we try to improve the load regulation ability of the hydropower units by extending the stable operation zone to the vibration zone. By the mathematical modelling of pressure fluctuation, this paper gives an analytical expression of the power oscillation. We derive the extended Hamiltonian model of the hydropower unit where power oscillation is external excitation. Secondly, the damping injection method introduces some desired interconnection and damping matrices as the Hamiltonian damping factor into the additional damping control. Finally, through theoretical analysis and experimental simulation, this research discusses the resonance characteristics of pressure fluctuation and power oscillation, the equivalent analysis between the damping factor and equivalent damping coefficient, and the control design of vibration zone crossing during the start-up. Simulation results show that when r25 = 1.3, the minimum power oscillation amplitude is 0.5466, which is equivalent to an increase in D by 20. The maximum oscillation amplitude decreases by 4.6%, and the operation limited zone is reduced by 10.1%. The proposed additional damping control can effectively suppress the power oscillation and expand the regulation range.
Study on Pollution Characteristics of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Shallow Groundwater
Authors: Park Sunhwa , Kim Deok-Hyun , Yoon Jong-Hyun , Kwon Jong-Beom , Choi Hyeonhee , Shin Sun-Kyoung , Kim Moonsu , Kim Hyun-Koo
Published: April 2023

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in shallow groundwater are increasingly being studied due to the global occurrence, environment persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential human health risk. In this research, 16 PFAS (11 perfluorinated carboxylic acids and 5 perfluorinated sulfonic acids) concentrations in groundwater were quantified to obtain information on geographical distribution and PFAS detection pattern for 4 years in South Korea. In the results, groundwater PFAS concentration ranged from non-detectable to average 45.2 ng/L (sum of PFASs). The major PFAS compounds were perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The short chain (C < 8) PFASs were more prevalent than long chain (C > 8) PFASs in shallow groundwater. However, the detection patterns of 15 PFASs were different for each aquifer. Subsequently, through a health risk assessment, a non-carcinogenic risk level through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact for PFOA and PFOS was determined at 10−1, and it presents the need for PFAS management of groundwater.
Type Selection between Arch Dam and Gravity Dam Based on Construction Simulation: A Case Study
Authors: Zhang Chao , Wang Hao , Cao Jiayun , Liu Quan , Liu Fang , Wang Mingtao
Published: April 2023

The issue of dam type selection is a prevalent challenge in water resource allocation engineering. The site of the Y2 dam in China is suitable for building concrete arch dams and roller-compacted concrete (RCC) gravity dams. To determine which dam type is better in terms of construction progress, this paper proposes a multiattribute decision-making method based on construction simulation. First, the construction characteristics of concrete dams are analyzed, and the construction simulation systems for arch dams and gravity dams are developed based on construction simulation theory. Then, for each dam type, the initial construction schemes are used as the input of the simulation systems, and attribute values of construction progress are output. Secondly, a multiattribute decision-making method is used to select the typical scheme of each dam type from these initial schemes. Finally, the simulation results of the typical schemes for the arch dam and the RCC gravity dam are compared, to determine the optimal dam type for the Y2 dam. The results show that for the Y2 dam, the construction period of the arch dam is 34 months, and that of the RCC gravity dam is 28 months. From the perspective of construction progress, the Y2 dam type should select the RCC gravity dam. Compared with similar dams that have been built, it is concluded that the simulated progress result conforms to the current actual construction level, which also verifies the correctness of the calculation results and the reliability of the construction simulation.
Geochemical Equilibrium Modelling of the Aqueous Speciation of Select Trace Elements in the Great Lakes
Authors: Fitzgerald John , Bentley Colton , Vriens Bas
Published: April 2023

The behaviour and fate of trace elements in surface waters are greatly affected by their chemical form in solution, but the aqueous speciation of dissolved trace elements in the North American Great Lakes has received relatively little attention. Here, we present results from geochemical equilibrium modelling with 2021 surface water quality data to examine the spatiotemporal dynamics of trace element speciation in the Great Lakes. The relative abundance of aqueous trace element species appeared consistent with variability in solution chemistry and followed basin-wide trends in pH, alkalinity, salinity, and nutrient levels. The speciation of alkali metals was dominated by free monovalent cations, and that of oxyanion-forming elements by oxoacids, whereas significant fractions (>1%) of other aqueous complexes were also evident for rare earth elements (e.g., Ce and Gd as carbonates), alkaline earth metals (e.g., Sr as sulfates), or transition metals (e.g., Zn as phosphates). Spatially, differences in the relative abundance of aqueous trace element species were <2 orders of magnitude, with the highest variation (~50-fold) occurring for select chloride-complexes, resulting from upstream-to-downstream salinity increases in the basin. Finally, simulations of various future water quality scenarios (e.g., decreasing P levels, increasing temperature and salinity) suggest that the speciation of most trace elements is robust temporally as well. This study demonstrates how considering aqueous speciation may help improve the understanding of trace element dynamics and support water quality management in the Great Lakes.
Anti-scientific article
Authors:   Independent Researcher, Republic of Belarus, Mach V.Ya.
Published: April 2023

Scientific and journalistic presentation about the methods and methodology of modern science, about the role of figurative thinking in it. According to the author, heuristic guesses are the result of persistent knowledge and development of the material world around us.
Human and society. Didactic materials for independent work of 10th grade students of educational institutions
Authors:   Department of Ontology and Theory of Knowledge, Philosophical Institute, St. Petersburg State University, Dokuchaev I.I.
Published: April 2023

The series of publications was prepared on the basis of a teaching manual addressed to 10th grade schoolchildren of schools studying the integrative course “Social Studies” (section “Man and Society”), and is a set of materials for independent work. The content of the manual fully meets the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standards of Basic General Education and work programs for secondary (complete) education in social studies. The presented theoretical and practical material reveals the main aspects of social life: the essence and functional characteristics of consciousness and activity, ideas about society and social institutions as a system, types of societies, views on culture as a cumulative spiritual experience and “collective memory”, its main institutions — science, religion, morality, education, art. Particular attention is paid to the definition of social progress and global problems of mankind.
Conclusion on the computer game “Genshin Impact”
Authors:   Expert Council under the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation, Moscow, Ponkin Igor Vladislavovich
Published: April 2023

Subject of research: semantic content and orientation of the computer game "Genshin impact", features of its impact on the health and development of children (including their intellectual, moral, mental state and development) from the standpoint of their legal (including legal-psychological) and moral-ethical assessments.What impact does using the Genshin Impact computer game, playing it, have on the intellectual, moral, mental health and development of children? What exactly is this impact and manifests itself, what are its consequences? How do the distribution and advertising of the Genshin Impact game as a game for children correlate with the requirements established by Federal Law No. 436-FZ of December 29, 2010 "On the Protection of Children from information harmful to their health and development" and other legal acts?
Total neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer: a network meta-analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Sychev Sergey , Ponomarenko Aleksey , Chernyshov Stanislav , Alekseev Mikhail , Mamedli Zaman , Kuzmichev Dmitriy , Polynovskiy Andrey , Rybakov Evgeny
Published: April 2023

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) for rectal carcinoma in comparison with conventional chemoradiotherapy (CRT).Methods: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was done using NetMetaXL and WinBUGS. This study was registered in PROSPERO on March 3, 2022 (No. CRD-42022307867).Results: Outcomes of 2,719 patients from 10 randomized trials between 2010 and 2022 were selected. Of these 1,191 (44%) had conventional long-course CRT (50–54 Gy) and capecitabine, 506 (18%) had induction chemotherapy followed by CRT (50–54 Gy) and capecitabine (iTNT), 230 (9%) had long-course CRT (50–54 Gy) followed by consolidation chemotherapy (cTNT), and 792 (29%) undergone modified short-course radiotherapy (25 Gy) with subsequent chemotherapy (mTNT). Total pathologic complete response (pCR) was 20% in the iTNT group, 21% in the mTNT group, 22% in the cTNT group, and 12% in the CRT group. Statistically significant difference in pCR rates was detected when comparing iTNT with CRT (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% credible interval [CrI], 1.06–2.8), mTNT with CRT (OR, 1.90; 95% CrI, 1.25–2.74), and cTNT with CRT groups (OR, 2.54; 95% CrI, 1.26–5.08). No differences were found in R0 resection rates. No significant difference was found in long-term outcomes.Conclusion: The early administration of systemic chemotherapy in the TNT regimen has improved short-term outcomes, though long-term results are underreported. Randomized trials with survival as the endpoint are necessary to evaluate the possible advantages of TNT modes.
KAMU İCRA HUKUKUNDAKİ MAL BİLDİRİMİ YÜKÜMLÜLÜĞÜNÜN İSVİÇRE HUKUKU İLE MUKAYESELİ DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: KARAKUŞ BÜYÜKBEN Neslihan , BAYRAKLI Hasan Hüseyin
Published: April 2023

Mal bildirimi yükümlülüğü, vergi borcunu gereği gibi ödemeyen borçlunun, kendisinde veya üçüncü bir kişi elinde bulunan mal, alacak ya da haklarını borcunu karşılayacak miktarda yazılı ya da sözlü olarak alacaklı tahsil dairesine bildirmesidir. 6183 sayılı AAHUTK’da düzenlenen bu yükümlülük, vergi alacağını koruma yöntemlerinden biri olarak nitelendirilebilir. Çünkü bu yükümlülük, haczedilecek malların tespitini kolaylaştırarak alacağın tahsilini sağlama amacına hizmet etmektedir. Bu yükümlülük, kanunun yürürlüğe girdiği günün ihtiyaçlarına göre konulmuştur. Günümüz şartlarında mal bildirimi yükümlülüğünün alacak tahsilindeki rolü yeniden ele alınmalıdır. Çalışmamızda öncelikle hukukumuzda düzenlenen mal bildirimi yükümlülüğünün usul ve esasları ele alınacaktır. 6183 sayılı kanunda yer alan bu yükümlülük, gerek özel alacak gerekse kamu alacakları için esas alınan İsviçre İcra ve İflas Kanunu’ndaki bildirim yükümlülüğü ile mukayese edilerek işlerlik kazanmasını sağlayacak hususların olup olmadığı yönünde değerlendirme yapılacaktır.
Egyptian Autocracy Promotion in Libya and Tunisia
Authors: Michelutto Lisa
Published: April 2023

TThe basis of this paper is an analysis of el-Sisi’s Egypt’s autocratic promotion of Libya and Tunisia. At the structural level, the paper is divided into three parts: in the first, Egyptian autocracy promotion is analyzed at the empirical level in Libya and Tunisia. As for Libya, rewards prevailed (training the armed forces and selling weapons), although there has been blackmail against Marshal Haftar. Egyptian rewards in Tunisia have been weaker than in Libya: they have been mainly diplomatic. That is why it is possible to affirm that there has been a strong emulation of Saïed towards el-Sisi. The paper then goes on to place the two cases within Fossati’s (2022) typology. Therefore, it is possible to come to the conclusion that Egyptian autocracy promotion in Libya was rigid until 2020, when el-Sisi only supported Haftar, but became flexible after 2020, when el-Sisi began to negotiate with the government in Tripoli. In both cases we have soft power relations. As for Tunisia, Egyptian autocracy promotion is flexible with soft power relations. Finally, an interesting assessment is presented concerning the relationship between values and interests in el-Sisi’s foreign policy in the two countries analyzed. Egyptian autocracy promotion has indeed almost always been ideological, both in Libya and in Tunisia, although interests have come into play in the second phase in Libya, when el-Sisi moderated his position and began the negotiations with the Tripoli government.
As Cotas Raciais na Administração Pública. Um Projeto de Expansão e de Transformação da Burocracia Pública Brasileira
Authors: Lemos Igreja Rebecca , Loures Ferreira Gianmarco
Published: April 2023

O presente artigo tem por objetivo analisar o crescimento de políticas de ações afirmativas no serviço público brasileiro como forma de luta contra o racismo, a desigualdade e a exclusão que afeta de maneira especial a negros e negras no Brasil. A política de cotas raciais na administração pública foi aplicada no país como uma forma de garantir maior representatividade da população negra no âmbito institucional e auxiliar na promoção de sua inclusão social e na luta contra o racismo institucional. No entanto, é necessário revisitar os seus objetivos, observar sua implementação e seus impactos, tendo em vista sua potencialidade para o avanço de nossa sociedade. Como base desse estudo, propomos estabelecer um diálogo com a perspectiva teórica da burocracia representativa.
Of Calimero and other stories
Authors: Cervone Emma
Published: April 2023

In my article, I explore the common roots of the different expressions, manifestations, politics, and embodiments of anti-black racism by examining the similarities and differences of anti-black imaginaries in Italy and the way they resonate with anti-black racism in the African diaspora contexts, including the Latin American one. While this comparative perspective reaffirms the global dimension of different forms of racism and anti-racist struggles, it also places the case of Italy, with its colonial past and postcolonial present, in direct conversation with the larger global context of racist narratives and practices.
БЕЗПЕКА ТУРИЗМУ УКРАЇНИ В УМОВАХ ВОЄННОГО СТАНУ
Authors: Данчевська І. Р.
Published: April 2023

Забезпечення безпеки туризму передбачає цілий комплекс заходів у рамках національного законодавства, що гарантують безпеку переміщення туристів по території держави, їхнього перебування, збереження здоров’я, життя і майна. Наразі, в Україні немає абсолютно безпечної території для відпочинку, тому у статті охарактеризовано особливості безпеки туризму у різних регіонах під час воєнного стану, зокрема: у Києві та Київській області, на Черкащині, Полтавщині, Волині, Львівщині, Тернопільщині, Вінниччині, Закарпатті, у Рівненській, Івано-Франківській, Житомирській, Хмельницькій, Чернівецькій областях. Визначено основні правила та заборони із забезпечення безпеки туриста та туристичного підприємства. Висвітлено особливості та відображено ключові тенденції розвитку туристичної індустрії. Досліджено основні вимоги для забезпечення безпеки туризму в Україні в умовах воєнного стану. Проаналізовано нормативне забезпечення щодо перебування туристів у відповідних регіонах України. Розроблено й запропоновано заходи захисту туриста й туристичних підприємств зі зниженням рівня небезпеки учасників мандрівок. Описано особливості забезпечення безпеки в туризмі шляхом чітко спланованої роботи підприємств галузі, подано рекомендації щодо безпеки різних видів туризму за метою перебування. Розкрито основні вимоги щодо відшкодування страховими компаніями збитків, завданих протягом дії воєнного стану та у зв’язку з воєнними діями. Окреслено законодавчі вимоги до суб’єктів туристичної діяльності, які здійснюють відповідний вид діяльності, щодо забезпечення безпеки туристів. Охарактеризовано нормативне забезпечення для туристів котрі подорожують за межі України. Запропоновано подальше використання узагальнених результатів дослідження.
ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ НАПІВПРОВІДНИКОВИХ ЛАЗЕРІВ, ЙОГО ФУНКЦІОНУВАННЯ ЯК ОБ’ЄКТУ КЕРУВАННЯ
Authors: Похлєбіна Н. О.
Published: April 2023

Дана робота присвячена дослідженню напівпровідникових лазерів. Вивченню лазерного DFB-модуля, мети його функціонування, формалізації процесу як об'єкту керування. В роботі розглянуто особливості технологічного процесу формування інфрачервоного випромінювання напівпровідниковими DFB лазерними діодами, системи автоматичного керування лазерним DFB-модулями які використовуються, як в якості джерел оптичного сигналу для передачі даних та оптичних вимірювань. Виявлено основні недоліки та розглянуті можливі шляхи для удосконалення структури і функцій систем автоматичного керування процесом. Напівпровідникові DFB-лазери з розподіленим зворотнім зв’язком на відміну від лазерів з інтерферометром Фабрі – Перо працюють в одно частотному режимі генерації. Їх зручно використовувати в якості джерела із зміною частотою випромінювання, оскільки вони мають помітну температурну залежність частоти (довжини хвилі) генерації. Діодний лазер вимагає високоточної стабілізації температури внаслідок вельми істотної залежності параметрів його випромінювання від температури. Підтримка необхідної частоти та інтенсивності когерентного випромінювання на виході лазера та температури відкриє широке застосування у багатьох сферах та пристроях. Потужність випромінювання лазерного діода пропорційна струму який протікає крізь нього (струму накачки). При струмі накачки нижче порогового лазерний діод працює в режимі світлодіода випромінюючи некогерентне випромінювання з напівшириною спектру 20–25 нм, при струмі вище порогового діод переходить в режим генерації когерентного випромінювання, ширина спектру якого значно вужча і зазвичай становить одиниці нанометрів або менше. В списку джерел представлено огляд науково-технічної інформації по темі роботи, її компонентів та параметрів. Представлені структурна та параметрична схеми процесу формування випромінювання лазерним DFB-модулем як об’єкту керування, концептуальна структура САК підвищеної динамічної точності.
МЕТОД ОЦІНЮВАННЯ ЧАСТКИ ЕЛЕКТРОСПОЖИВАННЯ ЗАДАНОГО СПОЖИВАЧА, ЯКА ЗАБЕЗПЕЧУЄТЬСЯ З ВІДНОВЛЮВАЛЬНИХ ДЖЕРЕЛ ЕНЕРГІЇ
Authors: Бурикін О. Б. , Малогулко Ю. В. , Поліщук А. Л.
Published: April 2023

Одним із інструментів підтвердження походження електроенергії, що продається на роздрібному ринку є, так звані, Гарантії походження. Вони є основою для розрахунків викидів парникових газів та звітування щодо викидів вуглецю і є найбільш затребуваним європейськими підприємствами. Застосування Гарантій походження передбачає використання спеціалізованих систем та програмного забезпечення, яке дозволяє вести їх облік, випуск та скасування. В усіх Європейських країнах застосовується відокремлення фізичних процесів від комерційних, тому врахування топології мережі та втрат електроенергії на її передачу є безумовною перевагою наведеного дослідження. Об’єктом дослідження є механізм підтвердження гарантій походження, що спирається на обґрунтоване визначення обсягів покриття навантаження споживача енергією з відновлювальних джерел. Наявні рішення для маркування електроенергії на основі сертифікатів Гарантії походження мають низку проблем. Вони часто не точно відображають викиди вуглецю, не забезпечують прозорості та можливості перевірки для кінцевих споживачів оскільки не враховують фізичні процеси передавання електроенергії у системі маркування. Зважаючи на важливість експорту електроенергії, наявність функціонуючого механізму Гарантій Походження набуде особливого значення після прийняття закону Європейського Союзу про «Зелений курс» та впровадження Механізму прикордонного вуглецевого регулювання. Для вирішення цієї проблеми розроблено метод визначення частки навантаження кожного вузла електричної мережі, що забезпечується певним джерелом електроенергії. Для врахування нелінійності співвідношення між напругами у вузлах електричних мереж та потужностями їх генерування чи навантаження використовуються результати розрахунку усталених режимів. Метод може бути інструментом підтвердження обсягів електроенергії у гарантіях її походження з урахуванням фізичних процесів електричних мереж.