bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Attribution Analysis of Runoff Alterations in the Danjiang River Watershed for Sustainable Water Resource Management by Different Methods
Authors: Shao Yiting , Zhai Xiaohui , Mu Xingmin , Zheng Sen , Shen Dandan , Qian Jinglin
Published: September 2024

Determining the relative roles of climatic versus anthropogenic factors in runoff alterations is important for sustainable water resource utilization and basin management. The Danjiang River watershed is a crucial water resource area of the middle route of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project. In this study, four widely used quantitative methods, including the simple linear regression, the double mass curve, the paired year with similar climate conditions, and an elasticity method based on the Budyko framework were applied to detect the relative contribution of climatic and anthropogenic factors to runoff variation in the Danjiang River watershed. The calculation processes of each method were systematically explained, and their characteristics and applications were summarized. The results showed that runoff decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with an average change rate of −3.88 mm year−1 during the period of 1960–2017, and a significant change year was detected in 1989 (p < 0.05). Generally, consistent estimates could be derived from different methods that human activity was the dominant driving force of significant runoff reduction. Although the impacts of human activity estimated by the paired year with similar climate conditions method varied among paired years, the other three methods demonstrated that human activity accounted for 80.22–92.88% (mean 86.33%) of the total reduction in the annual runoff, whereas climate change only contributed 7.12–19.78% (mean 13.67%). The results of this study provide a good reference for estimating the effects of climate change and human activities on runoff variation via different methods.
Adoption of Multi-Modal Transportation for Configuring Sustainable Agri-Food Supply Chains in Constrained Environments
Authors: Chandrasiri Chethana , Kiridena Senevi , Dharmapriya Subodha , Kulatunga Asela K.
Published: September 2024

Agri-food supply chains have the potential to make a significant contribution to achieving sustainable development goals through ongoing improvements in their configurations. A range of strategic, tactical, and operational level decisions pertaining to the design and operation of sustainable supply chains have been studied in the extant literature. However, investigations into the adoption of multi-modal transportation as a strategic decision in the context of agri-food supply chains operating in constrained environments are limited. As such, in this study, the adoption of bi-modal transportation for the domestic vegetable supply chain in a developing country context under certain constraints was examined. A mixed-integer linear programming model was developed to determine the volume and direction of the product flow to achieve the minimum total food-miles and smallest emissions footprint. As a case study, a Sri Lankan mainstream vegetable supply chain was used to investigate the applicability of a combination of truck and railway modes to transport vegetables from farms to retailer locations via economic (consolidation) centers. The adoption of a bi-modal transportation structure demonstrated the potential to reduce food miles by 32%, transportation costs by 36%, contributions to global warming potential by 35%, and empty truck hauls by 38%, compared to a structure with truck-based, uni-modal transportation.
Sources Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Street Dust from Urban Core of Zhengzhou, China
Authors: Ren Minghao , Deng Yali , Ni Wenshan , Su Jingjing , Tong Yao , Han Xiao , Li Fange , Wang Hongjian , Zhao Fei , Huang Xiaoxiao , Huang Zhiquan
Published: September 2024

Fifty-one street dust samples were systematically collected from the urban core of Zhengzhou, China, and analyzed for potentially toxic metals. The concentrations of vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) in the samples surpassed the background values of the local soil, indicating a notable potential for contamination. Spatially, the traffic area was the most polluted with a total heavy metal concentration of Cu, Zn, As, Pb, and Ni, while the pollution levels were lower in the culture and education area and commercial area with total concentrations of V and Mn. Seasonal variations were discerned in the concentrations of heavy metals, with V, Cu, Zn, and As exhibiting heightened levels during the fall and winter, while Mn, Ni, and Pb reached peaks in the spring season. Zn exhibited the highest mean geo-accumulation index (Igeo) value at 2.247, followed by Cu at 2.019, Pb at 0.961, As at 0.590, Ni at 0.126, Mn at −0.178, and V at −0.359. The potential ecological risk index (RI) in the traffic-intensive area markedly exceeded other functional areas. Health risk assessments showed that children were more vulnerable to heavy metal exposure than adults, particularly through the ingestion pathway. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis (CA) were applied in conjunction with the spatial–temporal concentration patterns across various functional areas to ascertain the plausible sources of heavy metal pollutants. The results indicated that heavy metals in the urban street dust of Zhengzhou were multifaceted, stemming from natural processes and diverse anthropogenic activities such as coal burning, industrial emissions, traffic, and construction operations.
The Influence of the Assembly Line Configuration and Reliability Parameter Symmetry on the Key Performance Indicators
Authors: Kampa Adrian , Paprocka Iwona
Published: September 2024

In the context of the demand for mass customization of products, a trade-off between highly efficient automated systems and flexible manual operators is sought. The linear arrangement of workstations made it possible to divide the process into many simple operations, which increases production efficiency, but also results in an increase in the number of workstations and a significant extension of the line. A human operator is usually treated as a quasi-mechanical object, and a human error is considered, similarly, as a failure of a technical component. However, human behavior is more complex and difficult to predict. A mathematical model of a new production organization is presented, including dividing the traditional production line into shorter sections or replacing the serial assembly line with a U-line with cells. Moreover, the reliability of operator and technical means are distinguished. Work-in-progress inventories are located between line sections to improve system stability. The stability of the assembly line is examined based on the system configuration and probabilistic estimates of human failure. The influence of the symmetry of reliability parameters of people on key performance indicators (KPI (headcount), KPI (surface) and KPI (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) is examined. KPI (solution robustness) and KPI (quality robustness) are also presented in order to evaluate the impact of a disruption on the assembly line performance. New rules for assigning tasks to stations are proposed, taking into account the risk of disruptions in the execution of tasks. For comparison of assembly problems, heuristic methods with newly developed criteria are used. The results show the impact of symmetry/asymmetry on assembly line performance and an asymmetric distribution of manual assembly times that is significantly skewed to the right due to human errors. On the assembly line, the effects of these errors are cumulative and lead to longer assembly times and lower KPIs.
Trajectory Planning Design for Parallel Parking of Autonomous Ground Vehicles with Improved Safe Travel Corridor
Authors: Jin Xianjian , Tao Yinchen , Opinat Ikiela Nonsly Valerienne
Published: September 2024

In this paper, the concept of symmetry is utilized to design the trajectory planning for parallel parking of autonomous ground vehicles—that is, the construction and the solution of the optimization-based trajectory planning approach are symmetrical. Parking is the main factor that troubles most drivers for their daily driving travel, and it can even lead to traffic congestion in severe cases. With the rise of new intelligent and autonomous vehicles, automatic parking seems to have become a trend. Traditional geometric planning methods are less adaptable to parking scenarios, while the parking paths planned by graph search methods may only achieve local optimality. Additionally, significant computational time is often required by numerical optimization methods to find a parking path when a good initial solution is not available. This paper presents a hierarchical trajectory planning approach for high-quality parallel parking of autonomous ground vehicles. The approach begins with a graph search layer to roughly generate an initial solution, which is refined by a numerical optimization layer to produce a high-quality parallel parking trajectory. Considering the high dimensionality and difficulty of finding an optimal solution for the path planning optimization problem, this paper proposes an improved safe travel corridor (I-STC) with the construction of collision constraints isolated from surrounding environmental obstacles. By constructing collision constraints of the I-STC based on the initial solution, the proposed method avoids the complexities and non-differentiability of traditional obstacle avoidance constraints, and simplifies the problem modeling the subsequent numerical optimization process. The simulation results demonstrate that the I-STC is capable of generating parallel parking trajectories with both comfort and safety.
Three-Dimensional Lorentz-Invariant Velocities
Authors: Hill James M.
Published: September 2024

Lorentz invariance underlies special relativity, and the energy formula and relative velocity formula are well known to be invariant under a Lorentz transformation. Here, we determine the functional forms in terms of four arbitrary functions for those three dimensional velocity fields that are automatically invariant under the most general fully three-dimensional Lorentz transformation. For general three-dimensional motion, using rectangular Cartesian coordinates (x,y,z), we determine the first-order partial differential equations for the three velocity components u(x,y,z,t), v(x,y,z,t) and w(x,y,z,t) in the x−, y− and z−directions respectively. These partial differential equations and the associated partial differential relations connecting energy and momentum are fully compatible with the Lorentz-invariant energy–momentum relations and appear not to have been given previously in the literature. We determine the spatial and temporal dependence of the functional forms for those three-dimensional velocity fields that are automatically invariant under three-dimensional Lorentz transformations. An interesting special case gives rise to families of particle paths for which the magnitude of the velocity is the speed of light. This is indicative of the abundant possibilities existing in the “fast lane”.
Sharp Results for a New Class of Analytic Functions Associated with the q-Differential Operator and the Symmetric Balloon-Shaped Domain
Authors: Ahmad Adeel , Gong Jianhua , Rasheed Akhter , Hussain Saqib , Ali Asad , Cheikh Zeinebou
Published: September 2024

In our current study, we apply differential subordination and quantum calculus to introduce and investigate a new class of analytic functions associated with the q-differential operator and the symmetric balloon-shaped domain. We obtain sharp results concerning the Maclaurin coefficients the second and third-order Hankel determinants, the Zalcman conjecture, and its generalized conjecture for this newly defined class of q-starlike functions with respect to symmetric points.
Structural and Spectral Properties of Chordal Ring, Multi-Ring, and Mixed Graphs
Authors: Reyes M. A. , Dalfó C. , Fiol M. A.
Published: September 2024

The chordal ring (CR) graphs are a well-known family of graphs used to model some interconnection networks for computer systems in which all nodes are in a cycle. Generalizing the CR graphs, in this paper, we introduce the families of chordal multi-ring (CMR), chordal ring mixed (CRM), and chordal multi-ring mixed (CMRM) graphs. In the case of mixed graphs, we can have edges (without direction) and arcs (with direction). The chordal ring and chordal ring mixed graphs are bipartite and 3-regular. They consist of a number r (for r≥1) of (undirected or directed) cycles with some edges (the chords) joining them. In particular, for CMR, when r=1, that is, with only one undirected cycle, we obtain the known families of chordal ring graphs. Here, we used plane tessellations to represent our chordal multi-ring graphs. This allowed us to obtain their maximum number of vertices for every given diameter. Additionally, we computationally obtained their minimum diameter for any value of the number of vertices. Moreover, when seen as a lift graph (also called voltage graph) of a base graph on Abelian groups, we obtained closed formulas for the spectrum, that is, the eigenvalue multi-set of its adjacency matrix.
Existence and Uniqueness of Solution Represented as Fractional Power Series for the Fractional Advection–Dispersion Equation
Authors: Dimache Alexandru-Nicolae , Groza Ghiocel , Jianu Marilena , Iancu Iulian
Published: September 2024

The fractional advection–dispersion equation is used in groundwater hydrology for modeling the movements of contaminants/solute particles along with flowing groundwater at the seepage velocity in porous media. This model is used for the prediction of the transport of nonreactive dissolved contaminants in groundwater. This paper establishes the existence and the uniqueness of solutions represented as fractional bi-variate power series of some initial-value problems and boundary-value problems for the fractional advection–dispersion equation. Moreover, a method to approximate the solutions using fractional polynomials in two variables and to evaluate the errors in a suitable rectangle is designed. Illustrative examples showing the applicability of the theoretical results are presented.
Architecture Design Space Generation via Decision Pattern-Guided Department of Defense Architecture Framework Modeling
Authors: Fang Zhemei , Zhao Xuemeng , Li Fengyun
Published: September 2024

The importance of architecture design keeps increasing as the complexity of systems and system-of-systems (SoSs) continues rising. While the architecture frameworks such as the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) are commonly used to guide architecture design, many perspectives are still hindering their effective use. Instead of generating a set of architecture description models probably only for satisfying the milestone review, the architecture frameworks should be used to organize the vague or incomplete information, identify and formulate the decision-making problem, and guide the architecture decision-making. Unfortunately, the decision points are hidden in the architecture models and the ambiguity often leads to a confusion of whether the architecture models are built incorrectly due to the lack of modeling experience or the lack of adequate decision analysis. Therefore, this paper identifies the key decision points and decision types during the architecture model development based on the DoDAF. Plus, this paper proposes a set of decision patterns and a guide to their use to provide qualitative decision analysis for developing architecture models and generating alternatives. An illustrative example to anti-submarine SoSs demonstrates the process of applying the decision patterns to the DoDAF model’s development and the generated architecture alternatives.
Analysis of the Influence of Online Public Opinion on Corporate Brand Value: An Efficient Way to Avoid Unexpected Shocks from the Internet
Authors: Fei Hongying , Zhu Jinyin
Published: September 2024

Nowadays, online public opinions (OPOs) significantly impact corporate brand value (CBV). To prevent corporate brand crises caused mainly by OPOs, it is essential to detect anomalies in OPOs related to corporate reputation in a timely manner. This study explores how dramatic changes in OPOs affect market capital value (MCV), the primary indicator of CBV, and aims to construct a CBV early warning evaluation model. First, a set of OPO indicators dedicated to CBV are selected based on correlation analysis between various popular OPO and CBV indicators collected through a literature review. The method of Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) is then employed to determine the indicator weights using data collected from popular social media platforms. Finally, the vector auto-regression (VAR) model is applied to validate the effectiveness of the proposed evaluation model. A case study involving several Chinese enterprises shows that abnormal changes in their MCVs consistently follow abnormal fluctuations observed in their OPOs, with a significant delay. This finding enables managers to promptly detect potential crises from the internet and take actions to avoid unexpected shocks.
A Flow Shop Scheduling Method Based on Dual BP Neural Networks with Multi-Layer Topology Feature Parameters
Authors: Mu Hui , Wang Zinuo , Chen Jiaqi , Zhang Guoqiang , Wang Shaocun , Zhang Fuqiang
Published: September 2024

Nowadays, the focus of flow shops is the adoption of customized demand in the context of service-oriented manufacturing. Since production tasks are often characterized by multi-variety, low volume, and a short lead time, it becomes an indispensable factor to include supporting logistics in practical scheduling decisions to reflect the frequent transport of jobs between resources. Motivated by the above background, a hybrid method based on dual back propagation (BP) neural networks is proposed to meet the real-time scheduling requirements with the aim of integrating production and transport activities. First, according to different resource attributes, the hierarchical structure of a flow shop is divided into three layers, respectively: the operation task layer, the job logistics layer, and the production resource layer. Based on the process logic relationships between intra-layer and inter-layer elements, an operation task–logistics–resource supernetwork model is established. Secondly, a dual BP neural network scheduling algorithm is designed for determining an operations sequence involving the transport time. The neural network 1 is used for the initial classification of operation tasks’ priority; and the neural network 2 is used for the sorting of conflicting tasks in the same priority, which can effectively reduce the amount of computational time and dramatically accelerate the solution speed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by comparing the completion time and computational time for different examples. The numerical simulation results show that with the increase in problem scale, the solution ability of the traditional method gradually deteriorates, while the dual BP neural network has a stable performance and fast computational time.
How Digitalization and Sustainability Promote Digital Green Innovation for Industry 5.0 through Capability Reconfiguration: Strategically Oriented Insights
Authors: Xu Guangping , Zhang Jinshan , Wang Shiqiang
Published: September 2024

As environmental pressures intensify and digital technology advances rapidly, many countries, including China, are looking to more effectively heed social and environmental responsibilities by effectively integrating digital technology with traditional industries. Digital green innovation is gradually becoming a necessary direction for enterprises in various countries as they strive for high-quality development. How enterprises can achieve digital green innovation through the duality of digitalization and sustainability has become a crucial research question. However, existing research rarely addresses the mechanisms that lead to the formation of digital green innovation within enterprises. This study uses a sample of 305 manufacturing enterprises in China. Based on strategic orientation theory, this study introduces the concept of digital sustainability orientation, integrating both digital and sustainability orientations. A model is constructed to examine the impact of digital sustainability orientation on digital green innovation in enterprises, analyzing the mechanism of action through the mediation of capability reconfiguration and the moderation of environmental scanning. The study finds that digital sustainability orientation significantly positively impacts digital green innovation, highlighting the integrated effect of digital and sustainability orientations. The findings indicate that digital sustainability orientation significantly positively impacts digital green innovation, whereas a single strategic orientation does not effectively promote digital green innovation; capability reconfiguration partially mediates the relationship between digital sustainability orientation and digital green innovation in enterprises; and environmental scanning positively moderates the relationship between digital sustainability orientation and capability reconfiguration and further influences the mediating role of capability reconfiguration. This study contributes to the advancement of digital sustainability theory in the field of digital green innovation; moreover, the results of this study offer significant practical insights for enterprises aiming to successfully implement digital green innovation.
Comprehensive Study of Critical Areas of Change Management as a Starting Point for Leaders in the Area of Managing Human Resources in Organizations: The Case of the Visegrad Four
Authors: Rosnerova Zuzana , Ponisciakova Olga , Kicova Eva , Fabus Juraj
Published: September 2024

(1) Background: This research deals with an element of strategic management, namely corporate changes. It applies to production enterprises operating in the countries of the Visegrad Group. Since similar studies in the area of change management in the V4 environment are absent, we consider the research to be beneficial for the subject area. The aim of the paper is to identify key elements in change management that would contribute to improving the work of leaders. (2) Methods: We conducted the research on a sample of 318 manufacturing companies operating in V4 countries. We verified the obtained data using several tests, including Chi-square tests and Fisher’s exact test or binomial test, through which we verified established research hypotheses. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was also used, which made it possible to identify critical factors in the area of change management. (3) Results: Critical change management factors emerged from the research, and we also determined the preconditions for successful management of these initiatives. We consider the results significant for change management leaders. (4) We consider the findings to be a contribution to the given field of management, as similar studies are absent in it, which creates a gap in this field.
Virtual Teleoperation System for Mobile Manipulator Robots Focused on Object Transport and Manipulation
Authors: Pantusin Fernando J. , Carvajal Christian P. , Ortiz Jessica S. , Andaluz Víctor H.
Published: September 2024

This work describes the development of a tool for the teleoperation of robots. The tool is developed in a virtual environment using the Unity graphics engine. For the development of the application, a kinematic model and a dynamic model of a mobile manipulator are used. The mobile manipulator robot consists of an omnidirectional platform and an anthropomorphic robotic arm with 4 degrees of freedom (4DOF). The model is essential to emulate the movements of the robot and to facilitate the immersion in the virtual environment. In addition, the control algorithms are established and developed in MATLAB 2020 software, which improves the acquisition of knowledge to teleoperate robots and execute tasks of manipulation and transport of objects. This methodology offers a cheaper and safer alternative to real physical systems, as it reduces both the costs and risks associated with using a real robot for training.
The Mycotoxins T-2 and Deoxynivalenol Facilitate the Translocation of Streptococcus suis across Porcine Ileal Organoid Monolayers
Authors: Guan Xiaonan , Martinez Arabela R. , Fernandez Marcela , Molist Francesc , Wells Jerry M. , Santos Regiane R.
Published: September 2024

Mycotoxins have the potential to increase the risk of airway or intestinal infection due to their effects on epithelial integrity and function. The bacterium Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is often carried in pigs and can cause outbreaks of invasive disease, leading to sepsis and meningitis in postweaning piglets. In this study, we tested the effect of two Fusarium mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2) on the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and their interaction with S. suis. Porcine ileal organoids were exposed to DON and T-2 individually or in combination and co-cultured with or without S. suis. Both DON and T-2 were toxic for ileal organoid monolayers at a concentration of 1 µM but not S. suis, even at a higher concentration of 4 µM. To mimic sub-clinical exposures on farms, DON was tested at a concentration of 0.1 µM and T-2 at a concentration of 0.01 µM. The mycotoxins alone did not affect cell permeability, but in combination with S. suis there was an increase in epithelial permeability. Furthermore, DON and T-2 together decreased the transepithelial electrical resistance and increased bacterial translocation.
Spotlight on Leishmaniasis Research: Insights from the Special Issue “Emerging Topics in Leishmaniasis Research”
Authors: Maruyama Sandra Regina
Published: September 2024

Leishmaniases, caused by dixenous trypanosomatids from the Leishmaniinae subfamily (over 20 Leishmania species), manifest in three primary clinical forms: visceral (VL), cutaneous (CL), and mucocutaneous (MCL) [...]
About Jordan and Einstein Frames: A Study in Inflationary Magnetogenesis
Authors: Velásquez Joel , Hortua Héctor J. , Castañeda Leonardo
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we make a detailed side-by-side comparison between Jordan and Einstein frames in the context of cosmic magnetogenesis. We have computed the evolution of the vector potential in each frame along with some observables such as the spectral index and the magnetic field amplitude. We found that contrary to the Einstein frame, the electric and magnetic energy densities in the Jordan Frame do not depend on any parameter associated with the scalar field. Furthermore, in the Einstein frame, and assuming scale invariance for the magnetic field, most of the total energy density contribution comes from the electric and magnetic densities. Finally, we show the ratio between magnetic field signals in both frames printed in the CMB.
Torque Teno Sus Virus 1: A Potential Surrogate Pathogen to Study Pig-Transmitted Transboundary Animal Diseases
Authors: Li Xiaolong , Parker Brandon M. , Boughton Raoul K. , Beasley James C. , Smyser Timothy J. , Austin James D. , Pepin Kim M. , Miller Ryan S. , Vercauteren Kurt C. , Wisely Samantha M.
Published: September 2024

Understanding the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) among wild pigs (Sus scrofa) will aid in preventing the introduction or containment of TADs among wild populations. Given the challenges associated with studying TADs in free-ranging populations, a surrogate pathogen system may predict how pathogens may circulate and be maintained within wild free-ranging swine populations, how they may spill over into domestic populations, and how management actions may impact transmission. We assessed the suitability of Torque teno sus virus 1 (TTSuV1) to serve as a surrogate pathogen for molecular epidemiological studies in wild pigs by investigating the prevalence, persistence, correlation with host health status and genetic variability at two study areas: Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch in Florida and Savannah River Site in South Carolina. We then conducted a molecular epidemiological case study within Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch site to determine how analysis of this pathogen could inform transmission dynamics of a directly transmitted virus. Prevalence was high in both study areas (40%, n = 190), and phylogenetic analyses revealed high levels of genetic variability within and between study areas. Our case study showed that pairwise host relatedness and geographic distance were highly correlated to pairwise viral genetic similarity. Molecular epidemiological analyses revealed a distinct pattern of direct transmission from pig to pig occurring within and between family groups. Our results suggest that TTSuV1 is highly suitable for molecular epidemiological analyses and will be useful for future studies of transmission dynamics in wild free-ranging pigs.
Factors Associated with Vaccination Adequacy in People Living with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gerin Larissa , Pedroso Andrey Oeiras , Antonini Marcela , Gir Elucir , Spire Bruno , Reis Renata Karina
Published: September 2024

People living with HIV (PLHIV) are at greater risk of illness and death from vaccine-preventable diseases. This study aimed to identify the predictors associated with the recommended vaccination schedule for this group. This was a single-center cross-sectional study conducted in a large Brazilian municipality, evaluating the vaccination statuses of 645 PLHIV for nine immunizers. The primary outcome was the adequacy of the vaccination schedule. The vaccination status was assessed for the diphtheria/tetanus, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, measles/mumps/rubella, yellow fever, 13- and 23-valent pneumococcal, meningococcal C, and HPV vaccines. Those who had received all of the recommended vaccinations in accordance with the schedule established by the government at the time of the assessment, without any delays, were classified as having received an “adequate schedule”. The independent variables included sociodemographic, clinical–epidemiological, and social vulnerability factors, analyzed by multiple logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Only 47 individuals (7.3%) had an adequate vaccination schedule for all vaccines. The vaccines with the highest adequacy rate were diphtheria and tetanus (533; 82.6%), and the one with the lowest rate was measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) (243; 37.7%). The main predictors of a complete vaccination schedule were the age group, place of clinical follow-up, and where they received their last doses of vaccines. Educational interventions for PLHIV and health professionals are needed to improve the vaccination coverage in this group.
Simultaneous Use of Iron/Anticoccidial Treatment and Vaccination against Oedema Disease: Impact on the Development of Serum-Neutralising Antibodies, Hematinic and Anticoccidial Activities in Piglets
Authors: Sperling Daniel , Rodríguez María , Guerra Nicolás , Karembe Hamadi , Diesing Anne-Kathrin , Manso Alberto , de Frutos Laura , Morales Joaquín
Published: September 2024

Oedema disease (OD) in weaned piglets is caused by shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), which produces the Stx2e toxin. The disease is controlled by early vaccination (for example, with Ecoporc Shiga®). Iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) and cystoisosporosis are the most common clinical conditions in piglets. These conditions are managed mainly by the intramuscular injection of iron and application of toltrazuril (for example, Forceris®). In the present study, we sought to evaluate any effect on the efficacy of OD vaccination and iron/anticoccidial treatment resulting from a simultaneous application. An evaluation was carried out by measuring the development of neutralising antibodies against the Stx2e toxin, hematinic indices and oocysts shedding. Six litters from Stx2e-antibody-negative sows were included in the study, with 12 piglets in each litter. The piglets were randomly allocated into two groups on their second day of life (DOL): (T1) iron/anticoccidial treatment and vaccine were administered on different days, and (T2) products were administered simultaneously. Blood samples were collected to determine the levels of serum-neutralising antibodies, haemoglobin and haematocrit. Faecal matter was examined for the presence of oocysts of Cystoisospora suis. No differences were found between the two groups in terms of the development of neutralising antibodies. The levels of haemoglobin and haematocrit were lower (p < 0.05 and p = 0.08, respectively) when iron/anticoccidial treatment and vaccine were applied simultaneously but within the optimal range, based on current interpretive criteria for IDA. Oocysts were not detected in the faecal samples from the animals in either group. In conclusion, we found that, under the conditions of our study, the efficacy of OD vaccination and iron/anticoccidial treatment was not affected by the simultaneous use.
Beta Spike-Presenting SARS-CoV-2 Virus-like Particle Vaccine Confers Broad Protection against Other VOCs in Mice
Authors: Ullah Irfan , Symmes Kelly , Keita Kadiatou , Zhu Li , Grunst Michael W. , Li Wenwei , Mothes Walther , Kumar Priti , Uchil Pradeep D.
Published: September 2024

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are non-infectious and serve as promising vaccine platforms because they mimic the membrane-embedded conformations of fusion glycoproteins on native viruses. Here, we employed SARS-CoV-2 VLPs (SMEN) presenting ancestral, Beta, or Omicron spikes to identify the variant spike that elicits potent and cross-protective immune responses in the highly sensitive K18-hACE2 challenge mouse model. A combined intranasal and intramuscular SMEN vaccine regimen generated the most effective immune responses to significantly reduce disease burden. Protection was primarily mediated by antibodies, with minor but distinct contributions from T cells in reducing virus spread and inflammation. Immunization with SMEN carrying ancestral spike resulted in 100, 75, or 0% protection against ancestral, Delta, or Beta variant-induced mortality, respectively. However, SMEN with an Omicron spike provided only limited protection against ancestral (50%), Delta (0%), and Beta (25%) challenges. By contrast, SMEN with Beta spikes offered 100% protection against the variants used in this study. Thus, the Beta variant not only overcame the immunity produced by other variants, but the Beta spike also elicited diverse and effective humoral immune responses. Our findings suggest that leveraging the Beta variant spike protein can enhance SARS-CoV-2 immunity, potentially leading to a more comprehensive vaccine against emerging variants.
The Impact of Induced Industrial and Urban Toxic Elements on Sediment Quality
Authors: Mukwevho Nehemiah , Ntsasa Napo , Mkhohlakali Andile , Mabowa Mothepane Happy , Chimuka Luke , Tshilongo James , Letsoalo Mokgehle Refiloe
Published: September 2024

Abstract: The increasing population has subjected rivers and streams to high levels of both industrial and domestic pollution. Significant environmental challenges have been brought about by their effects, particularly with regard to biota, ecosystem processes, soil quality, and groundwater pollution. This study examined the effects of human activity by applying pollution index models to evaluate the input of toxic elements in river sediments. Prior to sediment quality analysis, the total amount of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) was determined in the concentration range of 1.09–10.0 mg/kg, 8.53–475 mg/kg, 0.12–0.16 mg/kg, 4.85–77.5 mg/kg, 3.14–5.9 mg/kg and 0.93–2.86 mg/kg, respectively. The enrichment factor, contamination factor, pollution load index, and geo-accumulation index revealed alarmingly high levels of Pb and Hg contamination at some sampling points, which are related to possible human input, ranging from severe enrichment to considerable contamination. The low ranges of pollution indices of some toxic elements suggest enrichment through the natural weathering process and atmospheric deposition. The Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a significant correlation between Pb-Fe and As-Fe, suggesting the possibility of acid mine contamination. Continual monitoring of river sediment is essential to minimize the impact of toxic elements to sustain sediment health and quality.
Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Groundwater in Grassland Watersheds of Cold and Arid Regions in Xilinhot, China
Authors: Xia Yubo , Chen Guangfang , Liu Futian , Zhang Jing , Ning Hang
Published: September 2024

Xilinhot City is a significant pastoral city in China where groundwater serves as the primary water source for the cold and arid pastoral regions. The formation and evolution of material components in groundwater, as well as groundwater quality, are directly linked to the health of pastoral residents. This study is based on the physical and chemical test results of 22 groundwater samples collected from the Xilinhot River Basin in Inner Mongolia. Various statistical analyses, including Piper and Chadha diagrams, as well as hydrogeochemical simulation methods, were employed to assess the hydrogeochemical characteristics and material composition sources of groundwater, evaluate groundwater quality and non-carcinogenic risks, and comprehensively discuss the impact of macro- and microelements on human health. The findings indicate that igneous rocks containing minerals such as potassium feldspar, plagioclase, and pyroxene contribute Na+, Cl−, and K+ to the groundwater, while sedimentary rocks containing minerals like dolomite and calcite supply ions such as Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3−. The groundwater quality is primarily classified as Class II–V, with F− and NO3− exhibiting varying hazard quotients for children and adults in the study area, though they do not pose a non-carcinogenic risk. Additionally, the enrichment of hardness, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, SO42−, and other indicators in localized areas exceeds the recommended values for drinking water, potentially impacting the digestive and urinary systems of the human body. There is a risk of excessive fluoride in areas where F levels exceed 1 mg/L. Furthermore, the content of beneficial micronutrients such as selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), boron (B), and germanium (Ge) is relatively low. Based on the elemental abundance characteristics and a comparative analysis of the chemical properties of groundwater across five regions of China, this comparison facilitates a discussion on the definition of healthy groundwater, particularly in relation to safe consumption in cold and arid regions. This study aims to highlight the health issues associated with drinking groundwater in the cold and arid regions of Mongolia. The findings serve as a valuable reference for efforts aimed at reducing the incidence of endemic diseases and enhancing human lifespan.
High-Performance Crown Ether-Modified Membranes for Selective Lithium Recovery from High Na+ and Mg2+ Brines Using Electrodialysis
Authors: Yin Xiaochun , Xu Pei , Wang Huiyao
Published: September 2024

The challenge of efficiently extracting Li+ from brines with high Na+ or Mg2+ concentrations has led to extensive research on developing highly selective separation membranes for electrodialysis. Various studies have demonstrated that nanofiltration membranes or adsorbents modified with crown ethers (CEs) such as 2-OH-12-crown-4-ether (12CE), 2-OH-18-crown-6-ether (18CE), and 2-OH-15-crown-5-ether (15CE) show selectivity for Li+ in brines. This study aims to develop high-performance cation exchange membranes (CEMs) using CEs to enhance Li+ selectivity and to compare the performance of various CE-modified membranes for selective electrodialysis. The novel CEM (CR671) was modified with 12CE, 18CE, and 15CE to identify the optimal CE for efficient Li+ recovery during brine electrodialysis. The modification process included polydopamine (PDA) treatment and the deposition of polyethyleneimine (PEI) complexes with the different CEs via hydrogen bonding. Interfacial polymerization with 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl trichloride-crosslinked PEI was used to create specific channels for Li+ transport within the modified membranes (12CE/CR671, 15CE/CR671, and 18CE/CR671). The successful application of CE coatings and Li+ selectivity of the modified membranes were verified through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta-potential measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Bench-scale electrodialysis tests showed significant improvements in permselectivity and Li+ flux for all three modified membranes. In brines with high Na+ and Mg2+ concentrations, the 15CE/CR671 membrane demonstrated more significant improvements in permselectivity compared to the 12CE/CR671 (3.3-fold and 1.7-fold) and the 18CE/CR671 (2.4-fold and 2.6-fold) membranes at current densities of 2.3 mA/cm2 and 2.2 mA/cm2, respectively. At higher current densities of 14.7 mA/cm2 in Mg2+-rich brine and 15.9 mA/cm2 in Na+-rich brine, the 15CE/CR671 membrane showed greater improvements in Li+ flux, approximately 2.1-fold and 2.3-fold, and 3.2-fold and 3.4-fold compared to the 12CE/CR671 and 18CE/CR671 membranes. This study underscores the superior performance of 15CE-modified membranes for efficient Li+ recovery with low energy demand and offers valuable insights for advancing electrodialysis processes in challenging brine environments.
Springs of the Arabian Desert: Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry of Abu Jir Springs, Central Iraq
Authors: Webb John A. , Jotheri Jaafar , Fensham Rod J.
Published: September 2024

The Arabian Desert is characterised by very low rainfall and high evaporation, yet over 210 springs are on its northeastern edge in central Iraq along the Abu Jir lineament, which represents the western depositional margin of a foreland basin infilled by the floodplain sediments of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; there is little evidence of faulting. The springs discharge from gently east-dipping Paleocene–Eocene limestones, either where groundwater flowpaths intersect the ground surface or where groundwater flow is forced to the surface by confining aquitards. Calculated annual recharge to the aquifer system across the Arabian Desert plateau (130–500 million m3) is significant, largely due to rapid infiltration through karst dolines, such that karst porosity is the primary enabler of groundwater recharge. The recharge is enough to maintain flow at the Abu Jir springs, but active management of groundwater extraction for agriculture is required for their long-term sustainability. The hydrochemistry of the springs is determined by evaporation, rainfall composition (high SO4 concentrations are due to the dissolution of wind-blown gypsum in rainfall), and plant uptake of Ca and K (despite the sparse vegetation). Limestone dissolution has relatively little impact; many of the springs are undersaturated with respect to calcite and lack tufa/travertine deposits. The springs at Hit-Kubaysa contain tar and high levels of H2S that probably seeped upwards along subvertical faults from underlying oil reservoirs; this is the only location along the Abu Jir lineament where deep-seated faults penetrate to the surface. The presence of hydrocarbons reduces the Hit-Kubaysa spring water and converts the dissolved SO4 to H2S.
The Influence of the Morphological Characteristics of Mining-Induced Ground Fissures on the Spatiotemporal Distribution of Soil Moisture
Authors: Song Ziheng , Zhang Jian , Chi Mingbo , Guo Nan , Yang Shang , Guo Yangnan , He Ruimin , Gao Ze
Published: September 2024

In order to study the influence of fissure morphology on soil moisture-content changes under different fissure types, this study established HYDRUS 2.0 numerical models of stepped fissures and planar fissures with different fissure widths and depths based on the experimental condition parameters obtained from physical simulation tests. Then, we simulated the spatial and temporal variation rules of soil moisture around the fissures. The results showed a high level of agreement between the HYDRUS numerical simulations and actual measurements, indicating that the model accurately reflects the movement of soil moisture near fissures. The study found that ground fissures affected the spatial distribution of soil moisture, leading to an increased rate of moisture loss in the deep soil near the fissure walls. Moreover, larger fissures had greater horizontal and vertical effects on soil moisture. The soil moisture content is lower closer to the fissure walls. As the soil depth increased, the influence of the fissures gradually diminished. For planar fissure with a depth of 50 cm, the soil moisture content was 30.6%, 17.8%, and 8.4% lower at depths of 10, 30, and 50 cm, respectively, compared to a fissure with a depth of 10 cm. For a stepped fissure with a depth of 50 cm, the soil moisture content was 29.2%, 20.9%, and 13.9% lower at depths of 10, 30, and 50 cm, respectively, compared to a fissure with a depth of 10 cm. Under the same conditions of fissure width and depth, stepped fissures exhibit faster moisture loss, and the larger the fissure, the more significant the additional moisture loss compared to planar fissures.
Evaluating Synergies between Electric Vehicles and Photovoltaics: A Comparative Study of Urban Environments
Authors: Rotas Renos , Iliadis Petros , Nikolopoulos Nikos , Tomboulides Ananias
Published: September 2024

Electric vehicles (EVs) and photovoltaics (PVs) are expected to be broadly adopted in future power systems. However, the temporal variability of EV load and PV production presents challenges for integrating them into the power grid. This study evaluates and assesses the synergies between EVs and PV systems to maximize solar energy utilization for EV load coverage. The configurations studied include EV charging via the national grid as a reference case (Case 1) and two solar energy harvesting options: EVs powered directly by vehicle-mounted PVs (Case 2) and EV chargers connected to residential PV installations (Case 3). These cases are evaluated across different urban environments with large EV fleets and dissimilar weather conditions: Berlin and Los Angeles. A customized operation profile based on the worldwide harmonized light-duty test cycle (WLTC) and a charge-right-away (CRA) strategy is used. Energy performance analysis is conducted through dynamic simulations using the Modelica language, with environmental and economic indices derived. Key findings highlight the superior performance of residential PV systems in both cities compared to current solar EV technologies, with both solutions offering significant benefits over the reference case. Cases 2 and 3 result in a 44% and 59% reduction in annual energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and charging costs in Berlin, while in Los Angeles, the reductions are 67% and 98%. The average daily solar driving range reaches 20.3% in Berlin and 30.4% in Los Angeles.