bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Location Problem of Medical Drone Vertiports for Emergency Cardiac Arrest Needs
Authors: Ren Xinhui , Li Ruibo
Published: December 2023

The implementation of medical drones can quickly and efficiently expand the coverage range of an area, allowing for a faster response to incidences of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and improving the subsequent survival rate of such incidences, while promoting sustainable health development goals under the configuration standards for automatic external defibrillators in China. In response to the problem of the selection of locations for medical drone vertiports (for take-off and landing) that are equipped with automatic external defibrillation facilities, a survival function was introduced to establish a model for site selection, with the primary optimization objective of maximizing the average survival rate of patients and taking the operating costs of a system into account. At the same time, considering the constraints of drone phase operation time, energy consumption, coverage range, etc., a medical drone vertiport site selection model was established for emergency cardiac arrest needs. An improved immune algorithm was applied to the model’s calculations and the analysis of the results, using the Jinnan District in Tianjin as an example. The results show that the proposed model and algorithm are feasible and applicable. The Jinnan District in the city of Tianjin requires a total of 24 medical drone vertiports in order to achieve full coverage of an area under the “golden 4-minute” rescue time. When the average survival rate of patients is 0.9, the operation results are deemed optimal, and the average survival rate of patients is 64.06%. Compared to ground ambulances currently used in hospitals, the implementation of medical drones could significantly shorten response time, improve the average survival rate of patients by 41.96%, and effectively improve the existing low survival rate and the accessibility of medical services. The results of this study can provide decision-making support for the planning of automatic external defibrillators in public places and the construction of sustainable and efficient emergency medical service systems.
Assessing the Effects of Whey Hydrogel on Nutrient Stability in Soil and Yield of Leucosinapis alba and Hordeum vulgare
Authors: Čechmánková Jarmila , Sedlařík Vladimír , Duřpeková Silvie , Drbohlav Jan , Šalaková Alexandra , Vácha Radim
Published: December 2023

Agriculture and related crop production are highly dependent on climate and economic factors, and agricultural intensification is associated with a dramatic increase in the consumption of fertilizers. A significant amount of the elements from the most commonly used fertilizers is degraded and lost due to climatic and environmental factors. The soil application of novel whey-based hydrogel represents an innovative approach toward efficient fertilizing and soil water balance that resonates with the concepts of sustainable agriculture and circular economy of waste products. Results of previous research show the positive effect of whey-based hydrogel on water retention after the various levels of hydrogel have been applied into artificial soil. With a view to verifying the effect of the whey hydrogel on soil quality and related crop cultivation in real conditions, the pot experiment compared two different doses of whey hydrogel with control soil, with the conventional NPK treatment of soil and with a mixing strategy combining the conventional NPK treatment with hydrogel application. The controlled pot experiment was conducted with haplic Cambisol, with white mustard (Leucosinapis alba) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) as the testing crops. Soil pH, organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), available forms of the essential macronutrients (P, K, Ca, and Mg), and the cation exchange capacity (CEC) were determined in Cambisol samples before and after the experiment. The crop yields of barley and mustard were compared among the various treatments of experimental soils. Results demonstrated that the amendment of whey-based hydrogel increased the bioavailable nutrients’ concentrations, which persisted even after the harvest. The nutritional quick boost after the whey-based (co)-application significantly increased the experimental crop yield.
Electrochemical Application of Activated Carbon Derived from End-of-Life Tyres: A Technological Review
Authors: Zerin Nusrat H. , Rasul Mohammad G. , Jahirul M. I. , Sayem A.S.M. , Haque R.
Published: December 2023

Tyre waste is a common form of non-degradable polymer-based solid waste. This solid waste can be effectively managed by converting it into char through the pyrolysis process and then further converting the char into activated carbon (AC) through physical and chemical activation processes. Tyre-derived activated carbon (TDAC) has versatile applications, such as its use as an absorber, catalyst, and electrode material, among others. This study aims to review the electrochemical properties of TDAC. This study employed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta analysis) bibliographic search methodology, with a specific focus on the application of TDAC in a wide variety of energy storage devices, including lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, potassium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors. In several experimental studies, TDAC was utilised as an electrode in numerous energy devices due to its high specific capacitance properties. The study found that both activation processes can produce AC with a surface area ranging from 400 to 900 m2/g. However, the study also discovered that the surface morphology of TDAC influenced the electrochemical behaviours of the synthesised electrodes.
Understanding Purchase Intention of Fair Trade Handicrafts through the Lens of Geographical Indication and Fair Trade Knowledge in a Brand Equity Model
Authors: Lee Eunmi , Zhao Li
Published: December 2023

This study aims to investigate the effects of geographical indication (GI) and fair trade knowledge (FTK) on U.S. female consumers’ perceived brand equity and the purchase intention of fair trade apparel handicrafts. Employing a web-based experiment and survey, the study divided participants into groups exposed to brands with and without GI certification marks. A total of 206 responses were collected. A perceived brand equity model was developed, featuring elements such as perceived quality (PQ), brand awareness (BA), brand association (BS), uniqueness (UQ), and willingness to pay a price premium (PP). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data and validate the hypotheses. The results revealed that consumers are willing to pay a price premium for products with GI and that FTK positively impacts brand equity. Furthermore, FTK had an interactive effect with GI, enhancing PQ and BS. Increased scores in BS, UQ, and PP were also found to positively affect purchase intention. This study fills a research gap by quantitatively examining the relationship between GI, FTK, brand equity, and purchase intention in the domain of fair trade apparel handicrafts. The findings offer strategic insights for enterprises and organizations in the fair trade handicrafts sector.
Sustainability of Higher Education: Study of Student Opinions about the Possibility of Replacing Teachers with AI Technologies
Authors: Okulich-Kazarin Valery , Artyukhov Artem , Skowron Łukasz , Artyukhova Nadiia , Dluhopolskyi Oleksandr , Cwynar Wiktor
Published: December 2023

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has affected higher education. Students now receive new tools that optimize the performance of current tasks. Universities have also begun implementing AI technologies to help university teachers and improve the quality of educational services and solve the Sustainable Development Goal 4. Hypothetically, it is possible to replace university teachers by using AI technologies. This is a hidden conflict of Sustainable Development Goal 4 and Sustainable Development Goal 8. This research aimed to examine the perceptions of Eastern European students about the possibility of replacing university teachers through AI technologies. The authors used an information study with a bibliometric analysis of 2000 sources, planning the experiments and compiling the questionnaire, surveying 599 students using an electronic questionnaire and cloud technologies, statistical processing questionnaires using Excel tables, and verifying statistical hypotheses. Verification of statistical hypotheses for replies of 599 respondents showed that more than 10% of the surveyed students from Eastern European universities are confident that AI will replace university teachers in five years. It was shown that the opinions of students in the 1st stage (undergraduate study) from the countries of the European Union and countries outside the European Union have significant differences. The obtained results were proven using one-sided testing and standard hypothesis testing level, α = 0.05. The article was completed with multilevel managerial and pedagogical recommendations. These recommendations are designed to increase higher education’s sustainability in AI implementation.
Assessing the Performance of State Water Utilities in Nigeria: Towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal on Drinking Water
Authors: Ojo Victor O. , Sohail M.
Published: December 2023

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on drinking water were reported to have been achieved five years earlier than the target date of 2015 in all the continents, except Africa and Oceania. This study assessed the performance of selected state water utilities in Nigeria in Africa over a period of years to determine improvements, if any, in their service coverage and demand gap in meeting the ambitious SDG target 6.1, which aims to achieve sustainable drinking water for all by 2030. Employing the key performance indicator (KPI) methodology, encompassing operational and maintenance efficiency, investment efficiency, and financial sustainability, this research unveils a widening disparity between water supply and demand gap. Alarming is the revelation that the revenue from water sales falls short of covering operation and maintenance costs, rendering these utilities financially unsustainable. This underperformance of state water utilities signals a formidable barrier to Nigeria’s prospects of attaining the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 6.1, thereby jeopardizing the nation’s ability to ensure universal and affordable access to safe drinking water by 2030.
Microbial Organic Fertilizer Improved the Physicochemical Properties and Bacterial Communities of Degraded Soil in the North China Plain
Authors: Niu Dongze , Yu Min , Xu Chuanyang , Wang Yongjiang , Li Chunyu , Yin Dongmin , Zuo Sasa , Ren Jianjun
Published: December 2023

Applying microbial organic fertilizer (MOF) effectively improves soil tilth and microbial diversity. However, there were few studies about the changes incurred in the physicochemical properties and bacterial diversity in the farmland of North China at a large-scale following MOF application. This study aimed to investigate the soil physicochemical properties and bacterial community following MOF application. A total of 910 t MOF was used on 173 hectares of degraded soil, and the results indicated increased nutrients in the top plough layer. Compared to controls, the treated samples had significant higher organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium, and hydrolyzed nitrogen (p < 0.05). Furthermore, MOF application also induced a slight increase in the soil bacterial richness, but a significant decrease in the evenness was observed, where Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were enriched in the treated group, with Bacillus and Arthrobacter being the dominant genera, accounting for 0.291 and 0.136, respectively. Similarly, an increase in the proportion of Pseudomonas and Psychrobacillus was also observed at up to 0.038 and 0.034, respectively. The MOF treatment improved complex carbon metabolism and nitrogen reduction functions, inhibiting nitrogen oxidation as represented by nitrification. Redundancy and correlation analyses showed that total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and pH were the main factors driving the soil microbial community. This study concluded that MOF application could improve the soil’s physicochemical properties and enhance the abundance and function of soil microbes, which is an effective method for improving the soil tilth and ecology of farmland in north China.
Blockchain Technology, Enterprise Risk and Enterprise Performance
Authors: Zhen Ye , Qiao Wen , Wang Ruyuan , Wang Wenli
Published: December 2023

In order to explore the impact of the application of blockchain technology on enterprise performance, as well as the mechanism of enterprise risk and the information disclosure quality on this impact process, and taking the data of A-share listed companies in China’s manufacturing industry from 2015 to 2022 as a research sample, this paper adopts methods such as multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) modeling to conduct an empirical investigation. Findings: The application of blockchain technology can improve enterprise performance. Enterprise risk plays a partial mediating effect, because blockchain technology can reduce enterprise risk and thereby improve enterprise performance. Information disclosure quality has an inhibitory influence on the process by which blockchain technology affects enterprise risk and a facilitating influence on the process by which enterprise risk affects enterprise performance. The results show that manufacturing enterprises with low information disclosure quality can reduce enterprise risk by combining with blockchain technology in production, management, and other aspects, thus improving enterprise performance and promoting sustainable development of enterprise economy.
Evaluating the Yields of the Rainfed Potato Crop under Climate Change Scenarios Using the AquaCrop Model in the Peruvian Altiplano
Authors: Puma-Cahua Jesus , Belizario Germán , Laqui Wilber , Alfaro Roberto , Huaquisto Edilberto , Calizaya Elmer
Published: December 2023

Ensuring global food security and adapting to the challenges posed by climate change, particularly in rainfed agriculture, are paramount concerns. This research investigates the impacts of climate change on the yield of the potato crop variety Imilla Negra (Solanum tuberosum spp.) under the extreme climatic conditions of the Peruvian Altiplano. From the experimentation in six crop plots under a rainfed agricultural system, periodic crop growth parameter measurements were obtained from 2017 to 2018. The results showed a good performance of the AquaCrop model in the calibration and validation, successfully simulating crop growth and yield parameters. Climate projections showed precipitation decreases and temperature and evapotranspiration increases for the representative concentration pathway (RCP), RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5 scenarios in 2023–2050. A comparison of crop yields between the base period (2006–2021) and the period 2023–2037 showed no significant changes, whereas a more considerable decrease was observed for the period 2038–2050. It is concluded that climate change generates moderate impacts on potato crop yields under the rainfed agricultural system in the Peruvian Altiplano due to the average reduction in precipitation.
Whence Nonlocality? Removing Spooky Action-at-a-Distance from the de Broglie Bohm Pilot-Wave Theory Using a Time-Symmetric Version of the de Broglie Double Solution
Authors: Drezet Aurélien
Published: December 2023

In this work, we review and extend a version of the old attempt made by Louis de Broglie for interpreting quantum mechanics in realistic terms, namely, the double solution. In this theory, quantum particles are localized waves, i.e., solitons, that are solutions of relativistic nonlinear field equations. The theory that we present here is the natural extension of this old work and relies on a strong time-symmetry requiring the presence of advanced and retarded waves converging on particles. Using this method, we are able to justify wave–particle duality and to explain the violations of Bell’s inequalities. Moreover, the theory recovers the predictions of the pilot-wave theory of de Broglie and Bohm, often known as Bohmian mechanics. As a direct consequence, we reinterpret the nonlocal action-at-a-distance in the pilot-wave theory. In the double solution developed here, there is fundamentally no action-at-a-distance but the theory requires a form of superdeterminism driven by time-symmetry.
Short Remark on (p1,p2,p3)-Complex Numbers
Authors: Richter Wolf-Dieter
Published: December 2023

Movements on surfaces of centered Euclidean spheres and changes between those with different radii mean complex multiplication in R3. Here, the Euclidean norm, which generates the spheres, is replaced with an inhomogeneous functional and a product is introduced in a geometric analogy. Because a change in the radius now leads to a change in the shape of the sphere, a three-dimensional dynamic complex structure is created. Statements about invariant probability densities, generalized uniform distributions on generalized spheres, geometric measure representations, and dynamic ball numbers associated with this structure are also presented.
Genomic Analysis of Sindbis Virus Reveals Uncharacterized Diversity within the Australasian Region, and Support for Revised SINV Taxonomy
Authors: Michie Alice , Ernst Timo , Pyke Alyssa T. , Nicholson Jay , Mackenzie John S. , Smith David W. , Imrie Allison
Published: December 2023

Sindbis virus (SINV) is a widely dispersed mosquito-borne alphavirus. Reports of Sindbis disease are largely restricted to northern Europe and South Africa. SINV is frequently sampled in Australian mosquito-based arbovirus surveillance programs, but human disease has rarely been reported. Molecular epidemiological studies have characterized six SINV genotypes (G1–G6) based on E2 gene phylogenies, mostly comprising viruses derived from the African–European zoogeographical region and with limited representation of Australasian SINV. In this study, we conducted whole genome sequencing of 66 SINV isolates sampled between 1960 and 2014 from countries of the Australasian region: Australia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. G2 viruses were the most frequently and widely sampled, with three distinct sub-lineages defined. No new G6 SINV were identified, confirming geographic restriction of these viruses to south-western Australia. Comparison with global SINV characterized large-scale nucleotide and amino acid sequence divergence between African–European G1 viruses and viruses that circulate in Australasia (G2 and G3) of up to 26.83% and 14.55%, respectively, divergence that is sufficient for G2/G3 species demarcation. We propose G2 and G3 are collectively a single distinct alphavirus species that we name Argyle virus, supported by the inapparent or mild disease phenotype and the higher evolutionary rate compared with G1. Similarly, we propose G6, with 24.7% and 12.61% nucleotide and amino acid sequence divergence, is a distinct alphavirus species that we name Thomson’s Lake virus.
Impact of Protease Inhibitor-Based Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Fetal Subcutaneous Fat Tissue in HIV-Pregnant Women in a Middle-Income Country
Authors: Borboa-Olivares Hector , Estrada-Gutierrez Guadalupe , Martinez-Portilla Raigam Jafet , Espino-y-Sosa Salvador , Flores-Pliego Arturo , Espejel-Nuñez Aurora , Camacho-Arroyo Ignacio , Solis-Paredes Juan Mario , Villafan-Bernal Jose Rafael , Torres-Torres Johnatan
Published: December 2023

Background: HIV infection continues to be a global public health challenge, affecting approximately 1.7 million reproductive-aged women. Protease inhibitor-based highly active antiretroviral therapy (PI-HAART) has significantly reduced the risk of vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child. Nevertheless, concerns linger regarding the long-term effects, particularly on body composition, notably subcutaneous fat tissue (SFT). Although HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome (LS) has been well documented in adults and older children, its impact on fetuses exposed to PI-HAART remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate SFT in the fetuses of HIV-pregnant women exposed to PI-HAART, assessing the potential clinical implications. Methods: We conducted a comparative study between HIV-pregnant women receiving PI-HAART and an HIV-negative control group. Fetometry measurements were obtained via 3D ultrasound. SFT in the fetal arm and thigh segments was assessed. Data were analyzed using lineal multivariate regression and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC)-curve analysis. Results: Fetuses exposed to PI-HAART exhibited a significant reduction in subcutaneous fat, particularly in the proximal third-middle union of the femur (coefficient: −2.588, p = 0.042). This reduction was correlated with lower newborn serum glucose levels (65.7 vs. 56.1, p = 0.007; coefficient: −1.277, p = 0.045). Conclusions: Our study sheds light on the connection between PI-HAART, fetal subcutaneous fat, and neonatal health. These findings might reveal the long-lasting effects of PI-HAART on newborns and children’s well-being. Our results emphasize the need for a more balanced approach to managing pregnant women with HIV in developing countries and open new venues for research on the impact of intrauterine PI-HAART exposure on energy metabolism and fetal programming.
The Association of HIV-1 Neutralization in Aviremic Children and Adults with Time to ART Initiation and CD4+/CD8+ Ratios
Authors: Sanchez-Merino Victor , Martin-Serrano Miguel , Beltran Manuela , Lazaro-Martin Beatriz , Cervantes Eloisa , Oltra Manuel , Sainz Talia , Garcia Felipe , Navarro Maria Luisa , Yuste Eloisa
Published: December 2023

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) bind and neutralize diverse HIV isolates and demonstrate protective effects in primate models and humans against specific isolates. To develop an effective HIV vaccine, it is widely believed that inducing these antibodies is crucial. However, the high somatic hypermutation in bnAbs and the limited affinity of HIV Env proteins for bnAb germline precursors suggest that extended antigen exposure is necessary for their production. Consequently, HIV vaccine research is exploring complex sequential vaccination strategies to guide the immune response through maturation stages. In this context, the exploration of the factors linked to the generation of these antibodies across diverse age groups becomes critical. In this study, we assessed the anti-HIV-1 neutralization potency and breadth in 108 aviremic adults and 109 aviremic children under 15 years of age who were receiving ART. We used a previously described minipanel of recombinant viruses and investigated the factors associated with neutralization in these individuals. We identified individuals in both groups who were capable of neutralizing viruses from three different subtypes, with greater cross-neutralization observed in the adult group (49.0% vs. 9.2%). In both groups, we observed an inverse association between neutralization breadth and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio, as well as a direct association with the time to ART initiation. However, we found no association with time post-infection, cumulative ART duration, or CD8+ cell levels. The present study demonstrates that children receiving antiretroviral therapy generate broadly neutralizing responses to HIV-1, albeit with lower magnitude compared to adults. We also observed that neutralization breadth is associated with CD4+/CD8+ levels and time to treatment initiation in both children and adults living with HIV-1. Our interpretation of these results is that a delay in ART initiation could have prolonged the antigenic stimulation associated with viral replication and thus facilitate the capacity to elicit long-lasting broadly neutralizing responses. These results corroborate prior findings that show that HIV-1-neutralizing responses can persist for years, even at low antigen levels, implying an HIV-1 vaccine may induce lasting neutralizing antibody response.
Atypical Mitotic Figures Are Prognostically Meaningful for Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumors
Authors: Bertram Christof A. , Bartel Alexander , Donovan Taryn A. , Kiupel Matti
Published: December 2023

Cell division through mitosis (microscopically visible as mitotic figures, MFs) is a highly regulated process. However, neoplastic cells may exhibit errors in chromosome segregation (microscopically visible as atypical mitotic figures, AMFs) resulting in aberrant chromosome structures. AMFs have been shown to be of prognostic relevance for some neoplasms in humans but not in animals. In this study, the prognostic relevance of AMFs was evaluated for canine cutaneous mast cell tumors (ccMCT). Histological examination was conducted by one pathologist in whole slide images of 96 cases of ccMCT with a known survival time. Tumor-related death occurred in 11/18 high-grade and 2/78 low-grade cases (2011 two-tier system). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.859 for the AMF count and 0.880 for the AMF to MF ratio with regard to tumor-related mortality. In comparison, the AUC for the mitotic count was 0.885. Based on our data, a prognostically meaningful threshold of ≥3 per 2.37 mm2 for the AMF count (sensitivity: 76.9%, specificity: 98.8%) and >7.5% for the AMF:MF ratio (sensitivity: 76.9%, specificity: 100%) is suggested. While the mitotic count of ≥ 6 resulted in six false positive cases, these could be eliminated when combined with the AMF to MF ratio. In conclusion, the results of this study suggests that AMF enumeration is a prognostically valuable test, particularly due to its high specificity with regard to tumor-related mortality. Additional validation and reproducibility studies are needed to further evaluate AMFs as a prognostic criterion for ccMCT and other tumor types.
Modeling Plant Height and Biomass Production of Cluster Bean and Sesbania across Diverse Irrigation Qualities in Pakistan’s Thar Desert
Authors: Azeem Ahmad , Mai Wenxuan , Ali Rajib
Published: December 2023

Plant height (PH) plays a crucial role in determining per-plant growth and biomass production. Various characteristics of PH, along with the formulation of mathematical growth models, can provide a theoretical yield or biomass production based on water quality, fruit quality, and yields. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between PH and biomass per-plant production of two fodder crops (Cluster bean and Sesbania) under different water quality irrigation parameters in the Thar desert of Pakistan. Universal models of PH were established in which growing degree days (GDDs) and different water quality irrigation techniques have been applied as independent variables to calculate the maximum plant height of both of these crops. For this purpose, the logistic growth model, Gaussian growth model, modified Gaussian growth model, and Cubic polynomial growth model were used. Furthermore, universal biomass per plant production models have been developed for both crops, between biomass per plant, GDDs, and PH. However, among all these developed models, the modified Gaussian and Cubic polynomial growth models produced the best results. The Cubic polynomial model has meaningless parameters that make the model not very accurate, so the modified Gaussian growth model is the best among all models. Furthermore, the relationship between biomass per plant and different water qualities was established using Michaelis–Menten equations for both crops. It was observed that an increase in salt concentration within the water quality led to a decline in biomass per plant, indicating a negative linear relationship between these factors. The growth of Cluster bean and Sesbania ceased when the electrical conductivity (EC) reached or exceeded 12.34 ds/m and 11.51 ds/m, respectively. Furthermore, the results show that Cluster bean and Sesbania have the maximum plant height under brackish water irrigation when the GDD is at 1500 °C, while in freshwater irrigation, the maximum plant height of Sesbania and Cluster bean was observed when the GDD is at 1444 °C and 1600 °C. It was concluded that these developed mathematical models can provide crucial insights for enhancing production in desert conditions by improving water use efficiency across diverse irrigation water qualities.
Distribution and Fate of Polyethylene Microplastics Released by a Portable Toilet Manufacturer into a Freshwater Wetland and Lake
Authors: Peller Julie R. , Tabor Gavin , Davis Christina , Iceman Chris , Nwachukwu Ozioma , Doudrick Kyle , Wilson Antigone , Suprenant Alyssa , Dabertin David , McCool Jon-Paul
Published: December 2023

A portable toilet manufacturer in northwest Indiana (USA) released polyethylene microplastic (MP) pollution into a protected wetland for at least three years. To assess the loads, movement, and fate of the MPs in the wetland from this point source, water and sediment samples were collected in the fall and spring of 2021–2023. Additional samples, including sediment cores and atmospheric particulates, were collected during the summer of 2023 from select areas of the wetland. The MPs were isolated from the field samples using density separation, filtration, and chemical oxidation. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy analyses identified the MPs as polyethylene, which were quantified visually using a stereomicroscope. The numbers of MPs in 100 mL of the marsh water closest to the source ranged from several hundred to over 400,000, while the open water samples contained few microplastics. Marsh surface sediments were highly contaminated with MPs, up to 18,800 per 30.0 g dry mass (dm), compared to core samples in the lower depths (>15 cm) that contained only smaller MPs (<200 µm), numbering 0–480 per 30.0 g (dm). The wide variations in loads of MP contaminants indicate the influence of numerous factors, such as proximity to the point source pollution, weather conditions, natural matter, and pollution sinks, namely sediment deposition. As proof of concept, we demonstrated a novel remediation method using these real-world samples to effectively agglomerate and remove MPs from contaminated waters.
Numerical Investigation of Inner Flow Characteristics of a Prototype Pump Turbine with a Single Pier in Draft Tube at Part Load Conditions
Authors: Hu Haiping , Xia Ming , Song Xianghui , Wang Zhengwei , Qiao Mu
Published: December 2023

Pump turbines operate under various off-design conditions, resulting in complex internal flow patterns. This study employs Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) numerical methods to investigate the flow characteristics of a prototype pump turbine with a single draft tube pier in turbine mode, and then, the flow characteristics inside the draft tube are discussed with emphasis. Asymmetry between the pier-divided draft tube passage flows is inevitable due to the elbow section’s curvature. Most of the fluid flows out of one passage, while vortex motion dominates the interior of the other one, resulting in completely different pressure fluctuation characteristics for the two flow passages. The large-flow passage is mainly characterized by the wide band in the frequency domain, corresponding to the recirculation zone, while some of the measured points in the low-discharge passage exhibit frequency splitting under kinematic progression. Further analysis demonstrates a low-frequency peak corresponding to the complementary shape between the vortex rope and the recirculation zone. This work elucidates the effects of the pier on the flow behavior and pressure fluctuation characteristics inside the draft tube and fills the research gap on piers in the field of pump turbines.
Visualising, Illustrating and Communicating Future Water Visions to Support Learning and Sustainability Transitions
Authors: Ward Sarah , Forrow Dave , Kirk Stuart , Worthington Roger , Paling Nick , Stacey Freya , Brunt Oakley
Published: December 2023

A global existential and interlocking environmental, climate and cooperation/equity polycrisis is being faced, which increasingly impacts and is impacted by water and land systems. As a result, transformations in response are gaining increasing traction. Advances in approaches to visualising and communicating how innovations and changes in landscape features enable shifts, transformations and transitions are more crucial than ever before. Visions help focus the actions, collaboration and alignment of multiple actors in working towards a common purpose, whilst also entering people’s consciousness at the deep level of values, transforming beliefs and consequently, thinking and action. They give direction to effort and pull on transformational innovation. The evidence-based ‘Water Visions Visualisation Platform’ presents an innovative and accessible way to illustrate, communicate and support future water visioning and strategising at the landscape scale based on composite paradigms, scenarios, horizons and concepts. Plausible visions of the future are envisioned, illustrated, narratively described and qualitatively assessed, as well as connected with real-world examples and resources through the interactive platform. This paper outlines the co-creation methodology, the architecture and the initial co-development of the platform, as well as a preliminary evaluation of its efficacy through literature-based criteria and the sharing of the platform with stakeholders.
Determination of Optimal Water Intake Layer Using Deep Learning-Based Water Quality Monitoring and Prediction
Authors: Kim Yunhwan , Kwak Seoeun , Lee Minhyeok , Jeong Moon , Park Meeyoung , Park Yong-Gyun
Published: December 2023

The effective management of drinking water sources is essential not only for maintaining their water quality but also for the efficient operation of drinking water treatment plants. A decline in water quality in water reservoirs can result in increased operational costs for water treatment and compromise the reliability and safety of treated water. In this study, a deep learning model, the long short-term memory (LSTM) algorithm, was employed to predict water quality and identify an optimal water intake layer across various seasons and years for Juam Lake, Korea. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to prioritize various water quality parameters and determine suitable intake layers. Based on these priorities, effective methods for optimizing an intake layer were developed to enable more reliable water intake operations. Water quality data from January 2013 to June 2023 were analyzed for the study. This dataset was used for rigorous statistical and correlational analyses to better understand the dynamics affecting water quality parameters. The findings aim to enhance the operational efficiency of water intake and treatment facilities.
The Inhibition of Engineered Nano-ZnO in the Biological Nitrogen Removal Process: A Review
Authors: Ma Teng-Fei , Ma Hong-Xi , Wu Jin , Yu Yi-Chang , Chen Ting-Ting , Yao Yuan , Liao Wei-Ling , Feng Li
Published: December 2023

Engineered nano-ZnO is extensively utilized in both production and daily life, leading to its inevitable entry into the wastewater treatment system through various pathways. Nitrogen removal microorganisms in wastewater treatment systems are highly susceptible to environmental impacts. The antibacterial properties of nano-ZnO can impede the biological nitrogen removal (BNR) process and adversely affect the nitrogen removal performance. A comprehensive understanding of the inhibitory effect and mechanism of nano-ZnO on the BNR process is crucial in devising appropriate countermeasures to ensure optimal nitrogen removal performance. This review provides an overview of the sources of nano-ZnO in the environment, its impact on the BNR process, and the inhibition mechanism, and proposes potential methods that can mitigate the inhibitory effect of nano-ZnO. Additionally, future prospects are also discussed. This review serves as a foundation for a deeper understanding of the inhibition of engineered nano-ZnO on the BNR process and aids in guiding efforts to maintain the nitrogen removal performance in the presence of engineered nano-ZnO.
Study of Interannual Variability of the Winter Mesothermal Temperature Maximum Layer in Southern Baikal
Authors: Aslamov Ilya , Troitskaya Elena , Gnatovsky Ruslan , Portyanskaya Inna , Lovtsov Sergey , Bukin Yuri , Granin Nikolay
Published: December 2023

This paper is devoted to the study of the mesothermal temperature maximum layer (MTML) in Lake Baikal, which is observed during the period of winter stratification. On the one hand, this is a rather well-known phenomenon; on the other hand, it is not sufficiently studied, although it has a significant impact on the thermal regime in winter and water dynamics during the periods of formation and breakdown of inverse temperature stratification. Our work presents the results of analyzing the spatial and temporal variability of the main MTML parameters and their dependence on hydrometeorological factors. For this purpose, CTD soundings and mooring data obtained in the western part of the southern basin of Lake Baikal in 2000–2022 were analyzed in comparison to ERA5-Land reanalysis. The MTML parameters have noticeable within-season and interannual spatial and temporal variability. This is obviously related to the influence of the processes of vertical turbulent mixing, internal wave action, and current patterns. The analysis of interannual differences revealed four types of behavior of the maximum MTML temperature during the ice season. The influence of wind conditions on the main MTML parameters (maximum MTML temperature, depth of its occurrence, and depth of the upper MTML boundary) was shown not only in the fall, but also in the summer period, when heat accumulation in the Baikal water column takes place. With the increased wind activity in the late fall, the MTML is formed deeper and has lower maximum temperature values. At lower wind activity in the fall, the MTML is closer to the surface and the values of the maximum MTML temperature are higher. A change in wind activity in the summer leads to the opposite effect. In spite of the essential trends over the study period in the dates of the occurrence of hydrological events, no noticeable trends were registered for the maximum MTML temperature, its depth, and the depth of the upper boundary of the MTML.
Nitrate Source and Transformation in Groundwater under Urban and Agricultural Arid Environment in the Southeastern Nile Delta, Egypt
Authors: Kasem Alaa M. , Xu Zhifang , Jiang Hao , Liu Wenjing , Zhang Jiangyi , Nosair Ahmed M.
Published: December 2023

With the intensification of human activities, nitrate pollutants in groundwater are receiving increasing attention worldwide. Especially in the arid Nile Delta of Egypt, groundwater is one of the most valuable water resources in the region. Identifying the source of nitrate in groundwater with strong human disturbances is important to effective water resource management. This paper examined the stable isotopes (δ15N/δ18O-NO3 and δ2H/δ18O-H2O) and the hydrogeochemical parameters of the shallow groundwaters in the arid southeast of the Nile Delta to assess the potential sources and transformation processes of nitrate under severe urban and agricultural activities. The results revealed that the groundwaters were recharged by the Nile River. Meanwhile, the infiltration of irrigation water occurred in the west, while the mixing with the deep groundwater occurred in the east regions of the study area. The TDS, SO42−, NO3−, and Mn2+ concentrations of groundwaters (n = 55) exceeded the WHO permissible limit with 34.6%, 23.6%, 23.6%, and 65.5%, respectively. The NO3− concentrations in the shallow groundwaters ranged from 0.42 mg/L to 652 mg/L, and the higher levels were observed in the middle region of the study area where the unconfined condition prevailed. It extended to the deep groundwater and eastward of the study area in the groundwater flow direction. The δ15N-NO3 and δ18O-NO3 values suggested that the groundwater NO3− in the west and east regions of semi-confined condition were largely from the nitrification of soil organic nitrogen (SON) and chemical fertilizer (CF). In contrast, wastewater input (e.g., domestic sewage and unlined drains) and prevalent denitrification were identified in the middle region. The denitrification might be tightly coupled with the biogeochemical cycling of manganese. This study provides the first report on the groundwater NO3− dynamics in the Nile Delta, which generated valuable clues for effective water resource management in the arid region.
Investigative Approaches for Pollutants in Water: Aligning with Water Framework Directive Maximum Allowable Concentrations
Authors: Koljančić Nemanja , Špánik Ivan
Published: December 2023

In the wake of rapid advancements in the pharmaceutical, food, and agricultural industries, the environment faces an increasing influx of diverse compounds, both intentionally and unintentionally released. These compounds fall into two categories: persistent and emerging pollutants. Persistent pollutants, characterized by their resistance to degradation and potential to accumulate in the environment, pose serious ecological threats. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) plays a pivotal role in monitoring and regulating these substances. This review discusses various contemporary analytical approaches to determine problematic substances, including benzo(a)pyrene, cypermethrin, dichlorvos, heptachlor, and heptachlor epoxide, aligning with the priorities outlined in the 2013 WFD classification. This review focuses on diverse water sampling methods, sample preparation techniques, and analytical methods, encompassing chromatographic, spectroscopic, and electrochemical approaches, with the primary goal of achieving the requirement laid on analytical methods used for the determination of maximum allowable concentrations defined in the WFD. Chromatographic methods, utilizing diverse mass spectrometers, have achieved detection limits as low as 10−6 μg/L, while modern electroanalytical techniques reach levels as low as 10−13 μg/L, reflecting an ongoing collective effort to enhance monitoring and safeguard the health of aquatic ecosystems. From sampling methods, large-volume sampling and passive sampling devices have been shown to be a cost-effective and modern solution, addressing limitations in traditional sampling methods, even if both of them face important pros and cons in terms of quantitative analysis.
Examination of the Factors Influencing the Electric Vehicle Accident Size in Norway (2020–2021)
Authors: Hou Xuerui , Su Meiling , Liu Chenhui , Li Ying , Ma Qinglu
Published: December 2023

With the great increase of electric vehicles (EVs) in the past decade, EV-involved traffic accidents have also been increasing quickly in many countries, bringing many new traffic safety challenges. Norway has the largest EV penetration rate in the world. Using the EV accident data from Norway in 2020 and 2021, this study aims to investigate the features of EV safety comprehensively. Firstly, a descriptive analysis is conducted. It has been found that rear-end collisions are the major collision type of EVs, and EVs are very likely to collide with pedestrians/cyclists. In addition, in terms of roadway type, EV accidents mainly occur on medium- and low-speed roads; in terms of environment, they mainly occur in good visibility conditions and dry road surface conditions. Then, a regression analysis is conducted to identify the key factors affecting the accident size, which is the number of traffic units involved in an accident and taken as the accident severity surrogate here. Since EV accidents are divided into four categories in order of accident size, the ordered logit model is adopted. It divides a multi-categorical dependent variable into multiple binary data points in order and calculates the probability of the dependent variable falling into each category with the logit model, respectively. The estimation results indicate that time of day, speed limit, and presence of medians have statistically significant impacts on the EV accident size. Finally, some countermeasures to prevent EV accidents are proposed based on the research results.
A Protocol for a Rapid Realist Review of Literature Examining Co-Production in Youth Mental Health Services
Authors: Jones Verity Rose , Waring Justin , Wright Nicola , Fenton Sarah-Jane Hannah
Published: December 2023

An overview of internationally published literature on what works for co-production in youth mental health services is missing, despite a practice and policy context strongly recommending this approach. The proposed rapid realist review aims to develop a theory about how and why co-production methods in youth mental health services work (or do not work), for whom, in which contexts, and through what mechanisms. Relevant evidence will be synthesised to develop context–mechanism–outcome (CMO) configurations that can inform policy and practice. Stakeholders will be iteratively involved in the development of these theories (CMO configurations) by engaging an expert panel and youth advisory group. The review results will be reported according to the RAMESES guidelines and are intended to be published in an academic journal. Additionally, a plain English summary will be produced with the support of the youth advisory group.
Global Effects of Climate Change in the South China Sea and Its Surrounding Areas
Authors: Yang Song , Chen Deliang , Deng Kaiqiang
Published: December 2023

Climate change in the South China Sea and its surrounding areas (SCSSA), which include the Indo-Pacific Oceans, Southeast Asia, and the Tibetan Plateau, could exert profound impacts on both regional and global climate patterns. This study examines the unique characteristics of climate change in the SCSSA in the context of global warming, highlighting rapid warming in core areas, such as the Indo-Pacific Oceans and the Tibetan Plateau. The warming of the SCSSA has led to increased Asian summer monsoon precipitation, expanded Hadley circulation, an extended influence of the Madden–Julian Oscillation, and marked changes in tropical cyclone frequency and genesis location in the SCSSA. These changes in the Indo-Pacific Oceans and Tibetan Plateau affect not only downstream climates (East Asia, North America, Antarctica, and South America) through anomalous Rossby waves but also upstream regions (North Africa, South Europe, the North Atlantic, and the Middle East) by modulating atmospheric overturning circulations and Rossby wave patterns. This study also discusses the projected climate changes in the SCSSA under various future scenarios, indicating that the effects of future climate changes in the SCSSA on local and remote weather and climate extremes would be intensified. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for mitigating the consequences of climate change.
Reduced-Complexity Decoding of 3D Product Codes for Satellite Communications
Authors: Xu Yue , Jiang Ming , Zhu Mingyang , Hu Nan , Zhao Chunming , Wang Jiangzhou
Published: December 2023

This paper aims to provide a reduced-complexity decoding for satellite communication systems to enhance system performance and transmission efficiency. By addressing the complexity, error rate, and latency issues for satellite communications, a novel 3-dimensional product decoding scheme is proposed. The density evolution algorithm is also introduced to analyze and optimize for the binary message passing decoding, which further reduces the computational complexity and latency. The simulation results show that the proposed method can obtain about 0.3- and 0.15-dB performance gains compared to the similar decodings of the conventional 2-dimensional BCH product codes and staircase codes, respectively. Our proposed coding scheme offers a broad prospect to the critical issues of transmission latency and data throughput in satellite networks.