bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Residents’ Perceptions towards Tourism Development—A Case Study of the Adjara Mountain Area
Authors: Gogitidze Giorgi , Nadareishvili Nana , Harun Rezhen , Arion Iulia D. , Muresan Iulia C.
Published: December 2022

Tourism development involves both positive and negative impacts on economic, social and natural environments, which represent essential pillars for sustainable development. It is in this context that the present research was conducted in the Adjara Mountain area of Georgia aiming to identify residents’ perception towards tourism development. An online survey was conducted among 620 residents. The data collected were analyzed by descriptive statistics and principal component analysis. As such, the results of the principal component analysis led to a two-factor solution: “positive effects” and “negative effects”. Older and more educated respondents perceived the impacts of tourism development more positively compared to the younger group and to the less educated one. A statistically significant difference was found between females and males regarding their perception of the positive impacts of tourism development. The study represents a first step in investigating the residents’ perception towards tourism development in the Adjara Mountain region, and the results could constitute a starting point for future tourism strategies in the area.
Interspecific Variability in Growth Characteristics and Phytoremediation of Cu by Free-Floating Azolla Macrophytes
Authors: Akhtar Muhammad Shahbaz , Aslam Sohaib , Ditta Allah , Albalawi Bedur Faleh A. , Oki Yoko , Nakashima Yoshitaka
Published: December 2022

The phytoremediation potential of aquatic plants, particularly for Cu, is scarcely reported in the pertinent literature. In this regard, differential growth behavior and phytoaccumulation ability of three free-floating Azolla species (A. japonica, A. pinnata, and A. hybrid) were evaluated in a climatically controlled (a temperature of 25/20 °C, light/dark 16/8 h, a light intensity of 60 µmol m−2 s−1, and a relative humidity of 65%) microcosm study. Azolla plants were exposed to solutions having three Cu concentrations (0, 3, and 6 mg L−1) under two incubation periods (4 and 8 days). Different Cu treatments significantly reduced Azolla biomass during both incubation periods and A. pinnata was the most sensitive species. Azolla plants grown in aqueous solutions showed substantial variations in Cu removal capacity. Higher bioconcentration values displayed by Azolla plants indicated that these plants can be deployed as potential plants for Cu removal from Cu contaminated water. Nevertheless, the plants exposed to higher Cu concentrations displayed color changes and root detachment due to Cu phytotoxic effects which may also ultimately lead to plant death. Significant correlations between Cu removed from the aqueous solutions and Cu contents of plant biomass indicated that Cu phytoremediation by Azolla plants was due to the phytoaccumulation mechanism because the removed Cu from aqueous solutions was accumulated in plant biomass. Introduced Azolla species, i.e., A. hybrid, displayed comparable Cu removal efficiency with naturally grown Azolla species, i.e., A. japonica and A. pinnata. Tested Azolla species proved to be suitable candidates to remediate Cu contaminated water and can be deployed for phytoremediation.
Adaption to Tianjin, China, Based on a Retrospective Pattern Study on the Petrochemical Industry Development and the Correlated Process of SO2 Abatement in Yokkaichi, Japan
Authors: Tao Ruiyi , Park Hye-Sook , Kato Takaya , Nishimura Norihiro
Published: December 2022

Yokkaichi is one of the four major Japanese cities facing air pollution after World War II, owing to modern urban industrialization in the 20th century. Tianjin City, in China, also showed similar industrial patterns in the petrochemical industry. For decades, the petrochemical industry development has been deteriorating the environment with its by-product, sulfur dioxide (SO2). In this paper, we summarized the characteristics of air pollution in Yokkaichi through a retrospective approach by comparing common features of Yokkaichi and Tianjin. We believe that Yokkaichi is at Stage 4, after the pollution stage, whereas Tianjin is currently in Stage 3. We believe that the efficacy of regional environmental policies in Yokkaichi related to SO2 pollution can help predict the pollution pattern in Tianjin. We used an extended stochastic regression on a population, affluence, and technology model as a reference to demonstrate the feasibility of Yokkaichi’s pattern and the comparison between Yokkaichi and Tianjin. Fossil fuels, especially crude oil, may continuously be exploited as the main energy source in the next few decades. Thus, experiences of SO2 air pollution in Yokkaichi and Tianjin’s could be of universal value. As it has been 50 years since the final judgment of the Yokkaichi Asthma and Yokkaichi Air pollution joint lawsuit, we attempted to reflect on Yokkaichi’s history to strengthen efforts to achieve future sustainable development goals.
Evaluating Driver Response to an Advanced Speed Display near Uncontrolled Median Openings
Authors: Sheykhfard Abbas , Haghighi Farshidreza , Kavianpour Shahrbanoo , Shaaban Khaled , Nadimi Navid
Published: December 2022

Uncontrolled median openings contribute to more road crashes because drivers do not obey traffic laws such as driving between lanes and following speed limits. This study examined the effectiveness of the different types of signs near an uncontrolled median opening in Mahmoud Abad, Iran. There were Signs 1 and 2 with a single message, while Signs 3 and 4 contained multi-messages. An Internet of Things (IoT) test system was developed to collect and record vehicle speed data before and after each sign installation. Results showed that speeding behavior decreased almost immediately after the road signs were installed and remained almost constant until the beginning of uncontrolled median openings. Moreover, multi-message traffic signs reduce vehicle speeds twice as much as single-message signs. Additionally, only multi-message signs are effective at reducing speed limit violations.
Research on Leakage Detection at the Joints of Diaphragm Walls of Foundation Pits Based on Ground Penetrating Radar
Authors: Xu Yi , Khan Naseer Muhammad , Rehman Hafeezur , Hussain Sajjad , Khan Rana Muhammad Asad , Emad Muhammad Zaka , Cao Kewang , Bin Mohd Hashim Mohd Hazizan , Alarifi Saad S. , Cui Ruoyu , Li Xinci
Published: December 2022

It is significant to monitor the leakage at the joints of the diaphragm walls of subway station foundation pits to check the weak links in the waterproof quality of the diaphragm wall structure. It is essential to take effective waterproof measurements timely to improve the overall waterproof quality of the diaphragm wall in the foundation pit to prevent accidents and reduce the operation and maintenance costs. This paper used ground penetrating radar (GPR) to detect the Lishan North Road Station section of Jinan Rail Transit Line R2 during construction. The abnormal waveform image is obtained after processing radar detection data with Reflexw software. This abnormal waveform image is used to identify the abnormal area. In order to accurately predict the location of leakage at the joint of diaphragm wall, MATLAB is used to calculate the average wave velocity amplitude and single channel signal of the electromagnetic wave velocity of geological radar at different mileages and draw the trend chart of average wave velocity amplitude with mileage and the corresponding relationship curve of electromagnetic wave amplitude and depth of radar. It is proposed that sudden changes in the area of the average wave velocity amplitude cause a change in the trend chart. Furthermore, the radar electromagnetic wave velocity amplitude curve is taken as the area where seepage may occur at the joints of the diaphragm wall, so as to determine the corresponding mileage and depth of the leakage area. On this basis, the grey correlation analysis for the analysis of the source of the water leakage at the joints of the diaphragm wall of the subway foundation pit is proposed. The research results show that the leakage water at the joints of the diaphragm wall of the subway foundation pit is not connected to the rivers around the foundation pit, which confirms that the construction of the subway station has not affected the groundwater resources around the station. The proposed approach has successfully predicted the location of the foundation pit leakage disaster and has been verified on the project site. The research results provide a reference for the monitoring and early warning of leakage at the joints of diaphragm walls in foundation pits with similar geological conditions.
Undisciplining Environmental Communication Pedagogy: Toward Environmental and Epistemic Justice in the Interdisciplinary Sustainability Classroom
Authors: Byrnes Delia , Blum Lindsay , Walker William
Published: December 2022

This article moves beyond an understanding of environmental communication as merely the “translation” of scientific knowledge for the general public and advocates for environmental science and sustainability (ESS) educators to understand environmental communication as a critical practice with complex social, cultural, and political stakes. Due to the interconnectedness of environmental issues and social, political, and cultural contexts, environmental communication pedagogy is an important site of both environmental and epistemic justice. This article addresses the question: What forms of environmental communication pedagogy contribute to dynamic communication competencies for students while also promoting environmental and epistemic justice? The authors begin with a literature review of environmental communication and environmental justice research. Subsequently, they develop a theoretical argument advocating for an “undisciplining” of environmental communication pedagogy to promote critical thinking about the exclusionary politics of environmental knowledge production and communication. In doing so, the authors advocate for cultivating dynamic and ethically engaged real-world literacies for students through social and participatory media, including Wikipedia and podcasts. The article concludes with two sample assignments that instructors can adapt to their classrooms.
Synthesis and Characterization of Titania–MXene-Based Phase Change Material for Sustainable Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Khan Ajiv Alam , Yahya Syed Mohd , Ali Masood Ashraf
Published: December 2022

PLUCISE A82 (PW82) is considered one of the best phase change materials as it is economical, commercially viable, and eco-friendly. Unless there is a great need to optimize the number of parameters to investigate encapsulated PCMs with good performance, for the effective and practical applications of organic phase change materials, it is required to enhance their thermal conductivity. In this study, efforts were made to increase the thermal properties of phase change materials by seeding different nanoparticles. The direct synthesis method, in which the mixing of nanoparticles in paraffin wax (PW82) takes place, is used for the production of NEPCM. Differential scanning calorimeter and heat conduction experiments were used to evaluate the effect of variable concentration of nano-encapsulation on thermal storage and heat conduction characteristics of nano-enhanced PCM. The thermal storage feasibility was also determined. In this study, titania (TiO2), Ti3C2/MXene was mixed in PW82 in 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 wt.%. The investigation was also carried out for hybrid nano-enhanced PCM in a hybrid combination of (TiO2), and Ti3C2 (MXene) in PW82, used in wt.% concentration of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3. Doping of titania and MXene improves the specific heat capacity of PCM. For doping of 0.3 wt.% of TiO2–Ti3C2 in PCM, the specific heat is improved to 41.3%. A maximum increment in thermal conductivity of 15.6% is found for doping of TiO2–Ti3C2 0.3 wt.%. The dissociation temperature of this prepared nano-enhanced PCM increases by ~6% for 0.3 wt.% weight fraction. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the doping of TiO2 and Ti3C2 with PW82 to form a new class of NEPCMs has significant scope to enhance the thermal storage capacity of organic paraffin.
Geospatial Thinking and Sense of Place: The Mediating Role of Creativity
Authors: Zhang Jianzhen , Wang Ziyang , Antwi Collins Opoku , Liang Xiaoyu , Ge Jiahao
Published: December 2022

An individual’s sense of place has a motivational impetus on how s/he relates to the place. Thus, environmentally sustainable behaviors are deemed as products of a person’s sense of place. However, little is known about the extent to which geospatial thinking conditions a person’s sense of place. Accordingly, this study builds a theoretical model that examines the influence of geospatial thinking on a person’s sense of place. Further, it investigates the mediating role of creativity. A survey data from 1037 senior high school students in western China was utilized to test the theoretical model. The findings indicate that students’ geospatial thinking has a positive relationship with their creative behaviors and sense of place. Students’ creativity was found to facilitate their sense of place. Moreover, students’ creativity was discovered to mediate the relationship between geospatial thinking and sense of place. These results provide useful implication for the cultivation of students’ sense of place. In this regard, geography education has the critical role in improving students’ geospatial thinking skills to stimulate creative behaviors for a better sense of place.
Reversible Cyclic Codes over F2+uF2+u2F2
Authors: Alali Amal S. , Azmi Mohd , ur Rehman Nadeem
Published: December 2022

In this article, we investigate the formation of reversible cyclic codes (i.e., its codewords forms a symmetry) over the ring S=F2+uF2+u2F2, where u3=0. We find a unique set of generators for cyclic codes over S and classify reversible cyclic codes to their generators. The dual reversible cyclic codes are studied as well. Moreover, we provide some examples of reversible cyclic codes.
Conformable Double Laplace–Sumudu Iterative Method
Authors: Ahmed Shams A. , Qazza Ahmad , Saadeh Rania , Elzaki Tarig M.
Published: December 2022

This research introduces a novel approach that combines the conformable double Laplace–Sumudu transform (CDLST) and the iterative method to handle nonlinear partial problems considering some given conditions, and we call this new approach the conformable Laplace–Sumudu iterative (CDLSI) method. Furthermore, we state and discuss the main properties and the basic results related to the proposed technique. The new method provides approximate series solutions that converge to a closed form of the exact solution. The advantage of using this method is that it produces analytical series solutions for the target equations without requiring discretization, transformation, or restricted assumptions. Moreover, we present some numerical applications to defend our results. The results demonstrate the strength and efficiency of the presented method in solving various problems in the fields of physics and engineering in symmetry with other methods.
A Cautionary Note on Linear Measurements and Their Ratios in Taxonomy
Authors: Valdecasas Antonio G.
Published: December 2022

Statisticians work with figures, whereas scientists work with estimated quantities. Every direct (physical) measurement has some degree of uncertainty. Single numbers pose no problems, and an implied range can always be specified. Difficulties arise when those numbers or sets of numbers are used to calculate derived figures. Statistical measures such as ratios can be skewed if uncertainty about the actual measurements used to derive those quantities is not taken into account. This lack of consideration may lead to incorrect figures being used and calls into question the criteria used to diagnose, identify or delimit new species. In this case study, I use data gathered from the literature on different species of the clade Hydrachnidia (Acari, Parasitengona) to show how range ratios of important characters differ when uncertainty is considered. I outline the successive steps taken during the measuring process—from microscope calibration to the calculation of several statistical values from the direct measurements—and suggest some corrections. I anticipate that the results and recommendations presented here will be applicable to other taxonomic groups for which linear measurements play a central role in the description and identification of species.
Photo-Fenton Degradation Process of Styrene in Nitrogen-Sealed Storage Tank
Authors: Zhao Yiqiang , Liu Meng , Xu Xiaolong , Li Chunxu , Cheng Jiaji , Wang Zhimeng , Wang Dong , Qu Wenjuan , Li Shaoxiang
Published: December 2022

Using styrene as a proxy for VOCs, a new method was developed to remove styrene gas in nitrogen atmospheres. The effect on the styrene removal efficiency was explored by varying parameters within the continuum dynamic experimental setup, such as ferrous ion concentration, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and pH values. The by-products are quantized by a TOC analyzer. The optimal process conditions were hydrogen peroxide at 20 mmol/L, ferrous ions at 0.3 mmol/L and pH 3, resulting in an average styrene removal efficiency of 96.23%. In addition, in this study, we construct a BAS-BP neural network model with experimental data as a sample training set, which boosts the goodness-of-fit of the BP neural network and is able to tentatively predict styrene gas residuals for different front-end conditions.
Chromium Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Soil and Agricultural Products in a Rural Area in Southern China
Authors: Xu Shun’an , Yu Chao , Wang Qiong , Liao Jiayuan , Liu Chanjuan , Huang Lukuan , Liu Qizhen , Wen Zheyu , Feng Ying
Published: December 2022

With the rapid development of industry, chromium (Cr) pollutants accumulate constantly in the soil, causing severe soil Cr pollution problems. Farmland Cr pollution hurts the safety of agricultural production and indirectly affects human health and safety. However, the current situation of Cr pollution in farmland soil and crops has not been detailed enough. In this study, the evaluation of Cr potential risk in soil-crop systems was conducted in a rural area that was affected by industry and historic sewage irrigation. Ten different crops and rhizosphere soils were sampled from four fields. The results showed that Cr contents in farmland soil exceeded the national standard threshold in China (>21.85%), and the Cr content in edible parts of some agricultural products exceeded that too. According to the PCA and relation analysis, the Cr accumulation in edible parts showed a significant correlation with soil Cr contents and available potassium contents. Except for water spinach, the target hazard quotient (THQ) of the other crops was lower than 1.0 but the carcinogenic health risks all exceeded the limits. The carcinogenic risks (CR) of different types of crops are food crops > legume crops > leafy vegetable crops and root-tuber crops. A comprehensive assessment revealed that planting water spinach in this area had the highest potential risk of Cr pollution. This study provided a scientific and reliable approach by integrating soil environmental quality and agricultural product security, which helps evaluate the potential risk of Cr in arable land more efficiently and lays technical guidelines for local agricultural production safety.
Differential Expression of AhR in Peripheral Mononuclear Cells in Response to Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Mexican Women
Authors: Varela-Silva José Antonio , Martínez-Leija Miguel Ernesto , Orta-García Sandra Teresa , Pérez-Maldonado Ivan Nelinho , López Jesús Adrián , Hernández-López Hiram , González-Amaro Roberto , Calderón-Aranda Emma S. , Portales-Pérez Diana Patricia , Salgado-Bustamante Mariana
Published: December 2022

The exposure to air pollutants causes significant damage to health, and inefficient cooking and heating practices produce high levels of household air pollution, including a wide range of health-damaging pollutants such as fine particles, carbon monoxide and PAHs. The exposure to PAHs has been associated with the development of neoplastic processes, asthma, genotoxicity, altered neurodevelopment and inflammation. The effects on the induction of proinflammatory cytokines are attributed to the activation of AhR. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the PAHs produce proinflammatory effects are unknown. This study was performed on a group of 41 Mexican women from two rural communities who had stoves inside their houses, used wood as biomass fuel, and, thus, were vulnerable. According to the urinary 1-OHP concentration, the samples were stratified into two groups for determination of the levels of TNF-α, AhR, CYP1B1, miR-125b and miR-155 expression. Our results showed that the CYP1B1, TNF-α, miR-125b and miR-155 expression levels were not statistically different between women with the lowest and highest levels of 1-OHP. Interestingly, high levels of PAHs promoted augmented expression of AhR, which is a protein involved in the modulation of inflammatory pathways in vivo, suggesting that cell signaling of AhR may be implicated in several pathogenesis processes.
Tetrodotoxins in Ribbon Worms Cephalothrix cf. simula and Kulikovia alborostrata from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan
Authors: Vlasenko Anna E. , Magarlamov Timur Yu.
Published: December 2022

Tetrodotoxin, an extremely potent low-molecular-weight neurotoxin, and its analogues (TTXs) are widely distributed in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Most investigations concerning TTXs have been conducted mainly on puffer fish, octopus, and mollusks, without paying due attention to various non-edible animals including nemerteans, a small group of marine worms, several species of which have been shown to possess high amounts of TTXs. In this study, for the first time, variations in TTX and its analogues, in 32 specimens of Cephalothrix cf. simula and 36 specimens of Kulikovia alborostrata, from Peter the Great Bay Sea of Japan were investigated, which may contribute to elucidation of TTXs migration pathways in ecosystems. Using high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS), it was found that the total TTXs concentrations within both species vary by one to several orders of magnitude, 85.75–7108.26 µg/g and 0.35–8.11 ng/g in C. cf. simula and K. alborostrata, respectively. The intra- and interspecies similarities in proportions of TTXs in both species were observed; based on the results, a possible way of their toxification was discussed.
Systemic Loxoscelism, Less Frequent but More Deadly: The Involvement of Phospholipases D in the Pathophysiology of Envenomation
Authors: Gremski Luiza Helena , da Justa Hanna Câmara , Polli Nayanne Louise Costacurta , Schluga Pedro Henrique de Caires , Theodoro João Lucas , Wille Ana Carolina Martins , Senff-Ribeiro Andrea , Veiga Silvio Sanches
Published: December 2022

Bites of Loxosceles spiders can lead to a set of clinical manifestations called loxoscelism, and are considered a public health problem in many regions. The signs and symptoms of loxoscelism are divided into cutaneous and systemic forms. The former is more frequent and includes signs of envenoming at the bite site or neighboring regions. Systemic loxoscelism, although much less frequent, is associated with complications, and can even lead to death. It may include intravascular hemolysis, acute renal failure, and thrombocytopenia. Loxosceles venoms are enriched with phospholipases D (PLDs), which are a family of isoforms found at intra-species and inter-species levels. Under experimental conditions, these enzymes reproduce the main clinical signs of loxoscelism, including an exacerbated inflammatory response at the bite site and dermonecrosis, as well as thrombocytopenia, intravascular hemolysis, and acute renal failure. The role of PLDs in cutaneous loxoscelism was described over forty years ago, when studies identified and purified toxins featured as sphingomyelinase D. More recently, the production of recombinant PLDs and discoveries about their structure and mechanism has enabled a deeper characterization of these enzymes. In this review, we describe these biochemical and functional features of Loxosceles PLDs that determine their involvement in systemic loxoscelism.
Non-Abelian Gauge Theories with Composite Fields in the Background Field Method
Authors: Moshin Pavel Yur’evich , Reshetnyak Alexander Alexandrovich , Castro Ricardo Alexander
Published: December 2022

Non-Abelian gauge theories with composite fields are examined in the background field method. Generating functionals of Green’s functions for a Yang–Mills theory with composite and background fields are introduced, including the generating functional of vertex Green’s functions (effective action). The corresponding Ward identities are obtained, and the issue of gauge dependence is investigated. A gauge variation of the effective action is found in terms of a nilpotent operator depending on the composite and background fields. On-shell independence from the choice of gauge fixing for the effective action is established. In the study of the Ward identities and gauge dependence, finite field-dependent BRST transformations with a background field are introduced and employed on a systematic basis. On the one hand, this involves the consideration of (modified) Ward identities with a field-dependent anticommuting parameter, also depending on a non-trivial background. On the other hand, the issue of gauge dependence is studied with reference to a finite variation of the gauge Fermion. The concept of a joint introduction of composite and background fields to non-Abelian gauge theories is exemplified by the Gribov–Zwanziger theory, including the case of a local BRST-invariant horizon, and also by the Volovich–Katanaev model of two-dimensional gravity with dynamical torsion.
Drug Repositioning for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Authors: Yan Ran , He Jiahao , Liu Ge , Zhong Jianfeng , Xu Jiapeng , Zheng Kai , Ren Zhe , He Zhendan , Zhu Qinchang
Published: December 2022

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious disease in children caused by a group of enteroviruses. HFMD currently presents a major threat to infants and young children because of a lack of antiviral drugs in clinical practice. Drug repositioning is an attractive drug discovery strategy aimed at identifying and developing new drugs for diseases. Notably, repositioning of well-characterized therapeutics, including either approved or investigational drugs, is becoming a potential strategy to identify new treatments for virus infections. Various types of drugs, including antibacterial, cardiovascular, and anticancer agents, have been studied in relation to their therapeutic potential to treat HFMD. In this review, we summarize the major outbreaks of HFMD and the progress in drug repositioning to treat this disease. We also discuss the structural features and mode of action of these repositioned drugs and highlight the opportunities and challenges of drug repositioning for HFMD.
Characterization of Two Porcine Parainfluenza Virus 1 Isolates and Human Parainfluenza Virus 1 Infection in Weaned Nursery Pigs
Authors: Welch Michael , Krueger Karen , Zhang Jianqiang , Neveau Megan , Piñeyro Pablo , Magstadt Drew , Main Rodger , Gauger Phillip
Published: December 2022

Porcine parainfluenza virus 1 (PPIV1) is a newly characterized porcine respiratory virus. Recent experimental challenge studies in three-week-old nursery pigs failed to cause disease. However, it remains unclear how genetic differences contribute to viral pathogenesis. To characterize the pathogenesis of different PPIV1 isolates, three-week-old nursery pigs were challenged with either PPIV1 isolate USA/MN25890NS/2016 (MN16) or USA/IA84915LG/2017 (IA17). A human parainfluenza virus 1 (HPIV1) strain C35 ATCC® VR-94™ was included to evaluate swine as a model for human parainfluenza. All viruses were successfully re-isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and detected by RT-qPCR at necropsy. Microscopic lung lesions were more severe in the IA17 group compared to the non-challenged negative control (Ctrl) group whereas differences were not found between the MN16 and Ctrl groups. Immunohistochemistry staining in respiratory samples showed a consistent trend of higher levels of PPIV1 signal in the IA17 group followed by the MN16 group, and no PPIV1 signal observed in the HPIV1 or Ctrl groups. This study suggests potential pathogenesis differences between PPIV1 isolates. Additionally, these results indicate that HPIV1 is capable of replicating in nursery pigs after experimental inoculation. However, clinical disease or gross lung lesions were not observed in any of the challenge groups.
Exploring the Spatial Autocorrelation in Soil Moisture Networks: Analysis of the Bias from Upscaling the Texas Soil Observation Network (TxSON)
Authors: Xu Yaping , Liu Cuiling , Wang Lei , Zou Lei
Published: December 2022

Microwave remote sensing such as soil moisture active passive (SMAP) can provide soil moisture data for agricultural and hydrological studies. However, the scales between station-measured and satellite-measured products are quite different, as stations measure on a point scale while satellites have a much larger footprint (e.g., 9 km). Consequently, the validation for soil moisture products, especially inter-comparison between these two types of observations, is quite a challenge. Spatial autocorrelation among the stations could be a contribution of bias, which impacts the dense soil moisture networks when compared with satellite soil moisture products. To examine the effects of spatial autocorrelation to soil moisture upscaling models, this study proposes a spatial analysis approach for soil moisture ground observation upscaling and Thiessen polygon-based block kriging (TBP kriging) and compares the results with three other methods typically used in the current literature: arithmetic average, Thiessen polygon, and Gaussian-weighted average. Using the Texas Soil Observation Network (TxSON) as ground observation, this methodology detects spatial autocorrelation in the distribution of the stations that exist in dense soil moisture networks and improved the spatial modeling accuracy when carrying out upscaling tasks. The study concluded that through TBP kriging the minimum root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) is given where spatial autocorrelation takes place in the soil moisture stations. Through TBP kriging, the station-measured and satellite-measured soil moisture products are more comparable.
The Relationship between Suspended Solid Loads and Dissolved Material during Floods of Various Origin in Catchments of Different Use
Authors: Ciupa Tadeusz , Suligowski Roman
Published: December 2022

The paper presents the results of stationary, detailed studies on the variability of the mutual share of two fluvial loads, i.e., suspended solids and dissolved material during floods caused by rainstorm, continuous rainfalls and snowmelt in selected rivers (Silnica, Sufraganiec) draining small catchments in central Poland, including two characterized by a high level of urbanization. Irrespective of the origin of the flood, the share of suspended solids load did not exceed 80% in urbanized catchments, in suburban catchments—44%, and in forest catchments—32%. In the former, the gradient of the increase in the share of suspended solids and concentration time in the first phase of the flood was several times higher than in the other catchments. It was proved that statistically significant relationships exist between the share of sealed surfaces (roads, car parks, roofs, etc.) in the total catchment area and the average share of suspended solids, both in the rising and falling phase of the flood wave, regardless of their origin. Similar relationships were documented by analyzing: the density of the drainage network (storm sewers, roads, etc.)—the share of suspension. The obtained results have an interesting cognitive aspect and in practice are used for the development of hydrotechnical documentation related to water management in the city.
Mechanical Strength, Permeability, and Micromechanics of Municipal Sludge Modified with Calcium-Containing Industrial Solid Waste and Powdered Construction Waste
Authors: Liu Yajun , Lu Haijun , Liu Mengyi , He Yifan , Yu Hanxi , He Bin , Wan Yong
Published: December 2022

Each year, China produces a substantial amount of municipal sludge, industrial waste (slag, fly ash, and desulfurized gypsum), and construction waste, while its recycling rate is low. If not disposed in a properly and timely manner, this inequity can have serious environmental impacts. This study aimed to prepare a new type of modified sludge material with high strength, low shrinkage, and low permeability by curing municipal sludge with industrial waste (slag, desulfurized gypsum, and fly ash) and powdered construction waste. At specific maintenance ages, the modified sludge material was examined for shrinkage deformation, water content, compressive strength, and hydraulic conductivity. The modified sludge material was also tested by scanning electron microscopy (SEM + EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests. The hydration products, micromorphology, and elemental composition of modified sludge were also analyzed at specific maintenance ages. These analyses revealed the mechanism of solidification of municipal sludge by industrial waste and powdered construction waste and the changes in the microstructure of the sludge. The results showed that the compressive strength of the modified sludge ranged from 3.83 to 8.63 MPa, volumetric shrinkage ranged from 2.12 to 12.68%, and hydraulic conductivity ranged from 1.65 × 10−8 to 2.21 × 10−7 cm/s after 28 d of maintenance. The active substances, such as SiO2, Al2O3, and CaO, in the industrial waste, powdered construction waste, and municipal sludge were subjected to a hydration reaction in an alkaline environment to produce dense blocks, agglomerates of C-S-H, ettringite, gismondine, and other hydration products. The compressive strength of the modified sludge increased, and its internal structure was dense.
Intense Vortex Motion in a Two-Phase Bioreactor
Authors: Sharifullin Bulat R. , Skripkin Sergey G. , Naumov Igor V. , Zuo Zhigang , Li Bo , Shtern Vladimir N.
Published: December 2022

The paper reports the results of experimental and numerical studies of vortex motion in an industrial-scale glass bioreactor (volume, 8.5 L; reactor vessel diameter D, 190 mm) filled 50–80%. The model culture medium was a 65% aqueous glycerol solution with the density ρg = 1150 kg/m3 and kinematic viscosity νg = 15 mm2/s. The methods of particle image velocimetry and adaptive track visualization allow one to observe and measure the vortex motion of the culture medium. In this work, the vortex flow investigation was performed in a practical bioreactor at the operation regimes. Our research determines not only the optimal flow structure, but also the optimal activator rotation speed, which is especially important in the opaque biological culture. The main result is that, similar to the case of two rotating immiscible liquids, a strongly swirling jet is formed near the axis, and the entire flow acquires the pattern of a miniature gas–liquid tornado. The aerating gas interacts with the liquid only through the free surface, without any mixing. This intensifies the interphase mass transfer due to the high-speed motion of the aerating gas.
An Integrated Approach for the Recovery of Sn from Used Water Adsorbents
Authors: Kaprara Efthimia , Daskalopoulou Evangelia , Simeonidis Konstantinos , Mitrakas Manassis
Published: December 2022

This research examined a scenario for the recovery of a high-capacity Cr(VI) adsorbent, consisting of Sn6O4(OH)4, after reaching its operational lifetime. To accomplish this target, a sequence of processes involving the spent adsorbent’s decomposition, the separation of Sn/Cr ions, and Sn6O4(OH)4 reconstruction was investigated. Characterization of the saturated adsorbent indicated its extended oxidation to SnO2 during its use according to the occurring Cr(VI) to Cr(III) reduction mechanism, which is responsible for the loading of 19 mg Cr/g. To decompose saturated adsorbent, the optimized process involved the dissolution by HCl using a solid concentration of 10 g/L, a solid to acid mass proportion of 1:20, an increase of the temperature at 75 °C. Such conditions brought a dissolution rate of more than 95% and 92.5%, respectively, of the total Sn and Cr in the spent adsorbent. Then, separation of Cr was succeeded by the addition of hydrazine, which acts as a reducing agent for the transformation of Sn(IV) to Sn(II); the precipitation of Cr(III) at pH 3, and the reconstruction of Sn6O4(OH)4 in a second step after increasing pH to 7. The recovered adsorbent stabilized a higher percentage of Sn(II) than the initial material, which explains the improvement of the removal efficiency by 50% in the Cr(VI) adsorption capacity.
A Rapid Method for Authentication of Macroalgae Based on Vis-NIR Spectroscopy Data Combined with Chemometrics Approach
Authors: Gumansalangi Frysye , Calle Jose L. P. , Barea-Sepúlveda Marta , Manikharda  , Palma Miguel , Lideman  , Rafi Mohamad , Ningrum Andriati , Setyaningsih Widiastuti
Published: December 2022

Macroalgae are an essential basic ingredient for many industries from which numerous derived products with great economic value are manufactured. Each macroalga has a unique composition that might provide specific physical and chemical information that can be used as markers for authentication. Their compositions may differ depending on different factors, including geographical regions. Unsupervised exploratory techniques, namely principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and nonparametric supervised methods including support vector machines (SVMs) and random forests (RFs), were applied to the Vis-NIR spectroscopic data to standardize the quality of macroalgae based on three regional zones in Indonesia (Western, Central, Eastern). A total of 35 macroalgae samples from six islands in Indonesia were analyzed. The PCA and HCA results present a tendency for the samples to be distributed and clustered according to the type of their species. Meanwhile, the SVM successfully classified samples based on their regional zones, and when combined with five-fold cross-validation, acquired an accuracy of 82%. The RF model algorithm obtained an accuracy of 100%, 80%, and 82% for the training, test, and five-fold cross-validation, respectively.
A comparative study of the pathological outcomes of robot-assisted versus open surgery for rectal cancer
Authors: Reyes René , Kindler Csaba , Smedh Kenneth , Tiselius Catarina
Published: December 2022

Purpose: The use of robot-assisted surgery for rectal cancer is increasing, but the pathological outcomes have not been fully clarified. We compared the surgical and pathological outcomes between robot-assisted and open surgery in specimens from patients operated on for rectal cancer.Methods: All patients who underwent resection for rectal cancer from 2016 to 2018 were included (n=137). Specimens were divided into 3 sections to analyze the pathology of the lymph nodes.Results: The total specimen lengths were shorter in the robot-assisted group than in the open surgery group (mean±standard deviation: 29.1±8.6 cm vs. 33.8±9.9 cm, P=0.004) because of a shorter proximal resection margin (21.7±8.7 cm vs. 26.4±10.6 cm, P=0.006). The number of recruited lymph nodes (35.8±21.8 vs. 39.6±16.5, P=0.604) and arterial vessel length (8.84±2.6 cm vs. 8.78±2.4 cm, P=0.891) did not differ significantly between the 2 surgical approaches. Lymph node metastases were found in 33 of 137 samples (24.1%), but the numbers did not differ significantly between the procedures. Among these 33 cases, metastatic lymph nodes were located in the mesorectum (75.8%), in the sigmoid colon mesentery (33.3%), and at the arterial ligation site of the inferior mesenteric artery (12.1%). The circumferential resection margin and the proportion of complete mesorectal fascia were comparable between the groups.Conclusion: There were no significant differences between the 2 surgical approaches regarding arterial vessel length, recruitment of lymph node metastases, and resection margins.
Análisis de la captura de Merluccius gayi en Ecuador durante el 2019
Authors: Vergara Gabriela , Suarez-Torres Jurgen
Published: December 2022

El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar las capturas de la merluza (Merluccius gayi) en la costa ecuatoriana durante el 2019 con base en los reportes y bitácoras de pesca. Entre los principales resultados se determinó que, la temporada de pesca industrial de merluza se desarrolla de enero a agosto, realizando 18071 viajes, con una captura total de 2,133,985.4 toneladas, donde el puerto que registró el mayor número de desembarques fue Santa Rosa. Adicionalmente, la operatividad máxima de la flota merlucera se observó entre febrero y abril, meses donde se registraron los valores más altos de captura por unidad de esfuerzo (CPUE), siendo febrero donde se obtuvo la máxima captura (46,73 %). La estructura de tallas de los individuos capturados osciló entre 19 a 75 cm de Lt, donde la mayor incidencia se dio en los rangos 33 – 38 cm Lt (50.86 %) y 27 – 32 cm Lt (29.17 %). Cabe destacar que, únicamente el 2.96 % de la captura total se encontró en tallas superiores a los 51 cm. Se evidenció, además, variaciones en la estructura de tallas en función de la profundidad, donde la talla promedio de 36.00 cm fue capturada, principalmente, a profundidades entre 50 - 100 y 150 – 200 metros; sin embargo, con relación a la profundidad de arrastre, las mayores capturas se realizaron en profundidades menores o iguales a 100 metros durante la franja horaria de 12:00 a 16:00
HUBUNGAN ANTARA PENGETAHUAN IBU TENTANG KARIES DENGAN UPAYA PEMELIHARAAN KESEHATAN GIGI ANAK DI POSYANDU BINAAN PUSKESMAS CITALEM DESA SUKAMULYA KECAMATAN CIPONGKOR KABUPATEN BANDUNG BARAT
Authors: Safitri Riva Laila , Putri Megananda Hiranya , Nurnaningsih Hera , Laut Deru Marah
Published: December 2022

Upaya ibu dalam memelihara kesehatan gigi anak sejak dini dapat berpengaruh terhadap kebiasaan anak dalam memelihara kesehatan gigi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara pengetahuan ibu tentang karies dengan upaya pemeliharaan kesehatan gigi anak di Posyandu Binaan Puskesmas Citalem Desa Sukamulya Kecamatan Cipongkor Kabupaten Bandung Barat. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian analitik, desain penelitian yang di gunakan yaitu cross sectional dengan menggunakan kuesioner. Teknik penentuan sampel adalah purposive sampling dan terdapat 84 responden sebagai subyek penelitian. Hasil uji chi-Square menunjukkan p-Value hubungan antara pengetahuan ibu tentang karies dengan upaya pemeliharaan kesehatan gigi anak nilainya adalah 0,590. Simpulan : tidak terdapat hubungan antara pengetahuan ibu tentang karies dengan upaya pemeliharaan kesehatan gigi anak di Posyandu Binaan Puskesmas Citalem Desa Sukamulya Kecamatan Cipongkor Kabupaten Bandung Barat (p-Value > 0,05).
GAMBARAN PENURUNAN INDEKS PLAK GIGI SETELAH MENGGUNAKAN PASTA GIGI DAUN SIRIH DAN PASTA GIGI XYLITOL (LITERATURE REVIEW)
Authors: Nitasari Ike Fitria , Octaviana Devy , Mulyanti Sri , Utami Ulfah
Published: December 2022

Plak merupakan deposit lunak yang melekat erat pada permukaan gigi, terdiri atas mikroorganisme yang berkembang biak pada suatu matrik interseluler bila seseorang melalaikan kebersihan gigi dan mulutnya. Usaha pengendalian plak secara mekanis dapat dilakukan dengan penyikatan gigi sedangkan pengendalian secara kimiawi yaitu menggunakan bahan kimia yang bersifat antibakteria seperti pasta gigi, dan obat kumur. Adanya berbagai macam zat penambah pada pasta gigi yang beredar dipasaran saat ini seperti daun sirih dan xylitol. Peneltian ini berjudul Gambaran Penurunan Indeks Plak Gigi setelah menggunakan pasta gigi daun sirih dan pasta gigi xylitol. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui penurunan indeks plak gigi setelah menggunakan pasta gigi daun sirih dan pasta gigi xylitol. Metode dalam pencarian sumber data artikel dilakukan melalui database e-resources Pubmed, Science Direct dan Google Scholar (2015-2022) untuk menganbil artikel yang relevan yang diterbitkan dalam Bahasa inggris dan Bahasa Indonesia. Istilah dan kata kunci yang terkait dengan Pasta gigi herbal daun sirih, pasta gigi xylitol, indeks plak gigi dalam pencarian subjek terkait. Inklusi study design menggunakan True eksperimental, Quasy eksperimental, dan Cross sectional. Berdasarkan hasil literature review dari 7 jurnal yang terdiri dari karakteristik 5 jurnal jenis pasta gigi herbal daun sirih dan 2 pasta gigi xylitol dapat diambil kesimpulan bahwa pasta gigi xylitol lebih efektif dalam menurunkan indeks plak dan meningkatkan kebersihan gigi dan mulut.
Moral Injury and US Army Social Work Officers
Authors: Freeman Dexter R. , Samuel Odom
Published: December 2022

Uniformed social work officers, serving as healthcare providers and soldiers, are frequently confronted with the complex and conflicting responsibilities to uphold loyalty, duty, respect, and commitment to their unit’s mission while also upholding their professional and personal values, principles, and duties as social work professionals and servants of humanity. As Army social work officers return home, many carry spiritual and emotional wounds as warriors and healthcare providers. This paper discusses the results of  a qualitative study that examined the occurrence of potential moral injurious events that social work officers experienced during their  deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2007- 2009.  The authors also examine the challenges that these healthcare professionals experienced, resulting in a potential existential crisis that was caused by the wounding of their soul.
Tek Merkez, İki Farklı Beta Talasemili Çocuk Hasta Grubunda Beta Talasemi Mutasyonlarının Çeşitliliği
Authors: ÖZKAN Ayşe , ÖZALP YÜREĞİR Özge , İNCE Banu , SARIKEPE Bilge , ANLAŞ Özlem
Published: December 2022

Giriş ve Amaç: Adana, talasemi kuşağında yer alan ve talasemi açısından yüksek frekansa sahip bir şehirdir. Suriye’den ülkemize olan göçün yoğun bir kısmı Adana şehrine olmaktadır ve bunun sonucunda farklı tipte talasemi mutasyonları görülmeye başlanmıştır. Bu çalışmada, merkezimizde takip ve tedavi edilen beta talasemi majör tanılı Türkiyeli ve Suriye’den gelen hastaların beta globin gen mutasyon sonuçlarının değerlendirilmesi amaçlandı.

Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya XXXX Şehir Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Çocuk Hematolojisi ve Onkolojisi kliniğinde Haziran 2018-Haziran 2019 tarihleri arasında beta talasemi majör tanısı ile takip ve tedavi edilen Türkiyeli ve Suriye’den gelen mülteci hastalar alındı. Hastaların dosya bilgileri retrospektif olarak incelendi ve demografik, klinik bilgileri ve laboratuvar sonuçları değerlendirildi. Hastaların beta talasemi gen mutasyon analizleri, hastanemiz Genetik Hastalıklar Değerlendirme Merkezinde DNA dizi analizi yöntemi kullanılarak yapılmıştı.

Bulgular: 49 Türkiyeli, 46 Suriye’den gelen mülteci beta talasemi majör tanılı 95 çocuk hasta çalışmaya alındı. Yapılan moleküler analizler sonucunda, 24 farklı beta talasemi mutasyonu saptandı. Türk hasta grubunda IVS-I-110 (G>A) en sık saptanan mutasyon oldu (%49). Diğerleri sırasıyla IVS-I-6 (T>C) (%6,1), kodon 39 (C>T) (%4,1), IVS-II-745 (C>T) (%4,1) idi. Mülteci hasta grubunda kodon 39 (C>T) en sık saptanan mutasyon oldu (% 20). Diğer sık görülen mutasyonlar sırasıyla IVS-I-110 (G>A) (%17,8), IVS-II-745 (C>T) (%13,3), IVS-II-1 (G>A) (%13,3), IVS-I-1 (G>A) (%8,9), kodon 15 (TGG>TAG) (%6,7) idi.

Sonuç: Talasemi taşıyıcılığının sık gözlendiği bölgemizde özellikle göçmen nüfusun artmasıyla toplumda görülen mutasyon çeşitleri de değişmiştir. Hastaların moleküler tanılarının yapılarak var olan mutasyonlarının saptanması, ailelere doğum öncesi tanı seçenekleri sunulmasına ve hastalığın ortaya çıkmasının önlenmesine katkı sağlayacaktır.