bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimisation of GBFS, Fly Ash, and Nano-Silica Contents in Alkali-Activated Mortars
Authors: Algaifi Hassan Amer , Mustafa Mohamed Abdeliazim , Alsuhaibani Eyad , Shahidan Shahiron , Alrshoudi Fahed , Huseien Ghasan Fahim , Bakar Suhaimi Abu
Published: August 2021

Although free-cement-based alkali-activated paste, mortar, and concrete have been recognised as sustainable and environmental-friendly materials, a considerable amount of effort is still being channeled to ascertain the best binary or ternary binders that would satisfy the requirements of strength and durability as well as environmental aspects. In this study, the mechanical properties of alkali-activated mortar (AAM) made with binary binders, involving fly ash (FA) and granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS) as well as bottle glass waste nano-silica powder (BGWNP), were opti-mised using both experimentally and optimisation modelling through three scenarios. In the first scenario, the addition of BGWNP varied from 5% to 20%, while FA and GBFS were kept constant (30:70). In the second and third scenarios, BGWNP (5–20%) was added as the partial replacement of FA and GBFS, separately. The results show that the combination of binary binders (FA and GBFS) and BGWNP increased AAM’s strength compared to that of the control mixture for all scenarios. In addition, the findings also demonstrated that the replacement of FA by BGWNP was the most significant, while the effect of GBFS replacement by BGWNP was less significant. In particular, the highest improvement in compressive strength was recorded when FA, GBFS, and BGWNP were 61.6%, 30%, and 8.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the results of ANOVA (p values < 0.0001 and high F-values) as well as several statistical validation methods (R > 0.9, RAE < 0.1, RSE < 0.013, and RRSE < 0.116) confirmed that all the models were robust, reliable, and significant. Similarly, the data variation was found to be less than 5%, and the difference between the predicted R2 and adj. R2 was very small (<0.2), thus confirming that the proposed non-linear quadratic equations had the capability to predict for further observation. In conclusion, the use of BGWNP in AAM could act as a beneficial and sustainable strategy, not only to address environmental issues (e.g., landfill) but to also enhance strength properties.
Thermogravimetric Analysis of Coal Semi-Char Co-Firing with Straw in O2/CO2 Mixtures
Authors: Li Debo , Zhao Ning , Feng Yongxin , Xie Zhiwen
Published: August 2021

For coal semi-char as a by-produced of low-temperature pyrolysis, combustion for power generation is one of the effective utilization methods to realize its clean and efficient utilization. However, the coal semi-char combustion process has a difficult ignition, unstable combustion and low burnout rate. The co-firing of the semi-char with biomass under oxy-fuel conditions can improve the combustion behavior and reduce fossil CO2 emissions. In this paper, the combustion behavior of Shenhua coal semi-char (SHC) co-firing with straw (ST) in O2/CO2 mixture is investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The results show that each curve lays between those of the individual fuels and presents three peaks (i.e., three stages). The thermogravimetric curves of SHC co-firing with ST can be divided into three stages: the volatile combustion of ST, the co-combustion of SHC and ST fixed-carbons and the SHC fixed-carbon combustion and the decomposition of the difficult pyrolytic material of ST. Blending ST into the SHC can significantly decrease the ignition temperature and improve the comprehensive combustion behavior of blended samples. In increasing the proportion of ST from 25 to 100%, the change of the blended ignition temperature is slight, but the burnout temperature decreases greatly. Kinetic parameters of combustion are calculated by using the Coats–Redfern integral method. Compared to that of stage I and stage III, the activation energy of stage II is significantly lower. As increasing blending ratio from 25% to 100%, the activation energy increases at stage I and decreases at stage III. Furthermore, the O2 concentration obviously affects stage III of 50% SHC + 50% ST, and the thermogravimetric curves at this stage are obviously shifted to the lower temperature zone as the O2 concentration increases. The activation energy of 50% SHC + 50% ST increases as the oxygen concentration increases. Besides, the activation energy shows that the combustion characteristics cannot be determined only by the activation energy obtained by the Coats–Redfern method. These findings can provide useful information for semi-char co-firing with biomass.
Progress in ZnO Nanosensors
Authors: Que Miaoling , Lin Chong , Sun Jiawei , Chen Lixiang , Sun Xiaohong , Sun Yunfei
Published: August 2021

Developing various nanosensors with superior performance for accurate and sensitive detection of some physical signals is essential for advances in electronic systems. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a unique semiconductor material with wide bandgap (3.37 eV) and high exciton binding energy (60 meV) at room temperature. ZnO nanostructures have been investigated extensively for possible use as high-performance sensors, due to their excellent optical, piezoelectric and electrochemical properties, as well as the large surface area. In this review, we primarily introduce the morphology and major synthetic methods of ZnO nanomaterials, with a brief discussion of the advantages and weaknesses of each method. Then, we mainly focus on the recent progress in ZnO nanosensors according to the functional classification, including pressure sensor, gas sensor, photoelectric sensor, biosensor and temperature sensor. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the research status and constraints for the development of ZnO nanosensor in each category. Finally, the challenges and future research directions of nanosensors based on ZnO are prospected and summarized. It is of profound significance to research ZnO nanosensors in depth, which will promote the development of artificial intelligence, medical and health, as well as industrial, production.
Fluorescent Characteristics and Metal Binding Properties of Different Molecular Weight Fractions in Stratified Extracellular Polymeric Substances of Activated Sludge
Authors: Lian Jingwen , Yang Yang , Qiu Weiyi , Huang Lijie , Wang Chuanhua , Chen Qiongzhen , Ke Qiang , Wang Qi
Published: August 2021

The combination of heavy metals and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) affects the distribution of heavy metals in microbial aggregates, soil, and aquatic systems. This paper aimed to explore the binding mechanisms of EPSs of different molecular weights in activated sludge with heavy metals. We extracted the stratification components of activated sludge EPSs and divided the components into five fractions of different molecular weight ranges. In the three-dimensional fluorescence analysis of each fraction, the EPSs of activated sludge had two peaks, peak A (representing low-excitation tryptophan) and peak B (representing high-excitation tryptophan), and static quenching was the main reason for the fluorescence quenching between the compounds attributable to peak A in activated sludge EPSs and Pb2+ and Cu2+. Further exploration suggested that the EPSs of activated sludge interacted with Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ to form new substances. The quenching effect of the EPSs with the highest molecular weight (100 kDa–0.7 μm) was more significant, and the binding ability was more stable. This study implies that the application of EPSs from activated sludge is promising. While effectively binding heavy metals, it can also reduce the volume of the excess activated sludge.
The Social Acceptance of Collecting and Utilizing Personal Information in Smart Cities
Authors: Shimizu Yuho , Osaki Shin , Hashimoto Takaaki , Karasawa Kaori
Published: August 2021

In recent years, active efforts to implement smart cities have increased worldwide. In smart cities, a large amount of personal information is captured, and urban development is based on these data. In Japan, implementations of smart cities continue to gain momentum, but the issue of social acceptance has become apparent, as smart cities are not fully accepted by citizens because of concerns about data leaks and misuse of personal information. This study examines the social acceptance of collecting and utilizing personal information in smart cities in relation to a variety of factors such as trust and perceptions of risk, justice, benefit, and necessity. An online survey was conducted wherein participants (N = 568) were presented with a vignette depicting an overview of a typical smart city. The results of structural equation modeling showed that perceived justice was positively related to trust and trust was negatively related to perceived risk and positively related to perceived benefit and necessity. Trust, perceived benefit, and perceived necessity were significantly related to social acceptance, with trust having the greatest relationship. The model obtained in this study contributes to practical efforts for the implementation of smart cities, and future directions are discussed.
Optimized Expansion Strategy for a Hydrogen Pipe Network in the Port of Rotterdam with Compound Real Options Analysis
Authors: Van den Boomen Martine , Van der Meulen Sjoerd , Van Ekris Jonathan , Spanjers Roel , Ten Voorde Olle , Mulder Janwim , Blommaart Peter
Published: August 2021

The port of Rotterdam is the largest seaport in Europe. To maintain its position, the harbor will have to anticipate global transitions such as transferring to sustainable energy. Hydrogen is seen as a promising energy carrier; however, future demand is uncertain. The current research investigates decision making under uncertainty and values flexibility. Compound real options analysis is applied to optimize the time-variant expansion strategies for a hydrogen pipe network. The trade-off between early investments and missed revenues when not investing in time determines the optimized expansion strategy. Moreover, the real options approach also provides the levelized unit price for hydrogen distribution, to cover the life cycle costs of the optimal expansion strategy. Finally, this real options approach offers flexibility to a decision maker as it allows for enhancing future decisions. The academic contribution of this research is a distinct perspective on a compound real options approach where the optimal strategic path is the key result of interest. This in contrast to other real options applications in the literature which focus on option value, exchange with limiting the options or do not visualize a strategic path. Moreover, this research demonstrates how stepwise expansion and decision making under uncertainty facilitate transitions such as the transition toward clean energy.
Industrial Symbiosis and Energy Efficiency in European Process Industries: A Review
Authors: Branca Teresa Annunziata , Fornai Barbara , Colla Valentina , Pistelli Maria Ilaria , Faraci Eros Luciano , Cirilli Filippo , Schröder Antonius Johannes
Published: August 2021

Over the last few decades, process industries have invested increasing efforts in developing technical and operating solutions related to industrial symbiosis and energy efficiency in both production processes and auxiliary services. In particular, new technologies that enable industrial symbiosis, such as novel treatment processes for byproduct extraction and valorization, water purification, and energy transformation, were implemented in different sectors. This work analyses recent relevant results in the implementation of industrial symbiosis and energy efficiency solutions within process industries across Europe, based on the transactions of energy and material flows. Current developments, based on the circular economy’s transformation levers and related achieved results, were taken into account by considering the achieved results coming from the literature, EU-funded projects, programmes, and initiatives on the implementation of technical solutions and practices related to industrial symbiosis and energy efficiency. In addition, the most relevant challenges deriving from the implementations of industrial symbiosis and energy efficiency were analysed. A comprehensive picture of the sectors involved in achieving more proactive cross-sectorial cooperation and integration was provided, as well as an analysis of the main drivers and barriers for IS and EE implementation in future scenarios for European process industries.
A Systematic Technique to Prioritization of Biodiversity Conservation Approaches in Nigeria
Authors: Nnadi Valentine E. , Madu Christian N. , Ezeasor Ikenna C.
Published: August 2021

There are generally no acceptable views on the conservation of biodiversity because there are no known best approaches to that. This has presented a challenge on what and how to conserve in developing countries like Nigeria. This paper used a multi-criteria decision-making model based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to elicit experts’ opinions on biodiversity conservation approaches and their corresponding conservation targets. The rationality of the experts was checked by measuring their consistency in the decision-making process. A greedy search algorithm based on linear programming application was also used for resource allocation. This technique is holistic and allows the decision maker to consider all pertinent factors. The approach allows policy makers to integrate worldviews; culture; diverse flexibility of concerned communities and other stakeholders in identifying conservation practices to achieve sustainability. In terms of current performance for the biodiversity conservation approaches; the conservation experts rated their performance on Ecosystem-service-based approach high with the priority index of 0.460. Their performances on Area- and Species-based approaches are ranked second and third with priority indexes of 0.288 and 0.252 respectively. Conversely; in the case of expectations; Ecosystem service is the most important with a priority index of 0.438 followed by Area-based with a priority index of 0.353 and Species–based with a priority index of 0.209. The Ecosystem-service based approach has the highest contribution coefficient. Resources are allocated accordingly; in form of capacity building; based on the priorities that were obtained. The research is a rights-based tool for capacity building; and a paradigm shift from the purely scientific approach to decision-making. It is designed to bridge a scientific gap between policy formulation and resource allocation in biodiversity conservation.
Public Perception of Artificial Intelligence and Its Connections to the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Yeh Shin-Cheng , Wu Ai-Wei , Yu Hui-Ching , Wu Homer C. , Kuo Yi-Ping , Chen Pei-Xuan
Published: August 2021

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not just change our lives but bring about revolutionary transformation. AI can augment efficiencies of good and bad things and thus has been considered both an opportunity and risk for the sustainable development of humans. This study designed a survey to collect 1018 samples of educated people with access to the internet in Taiwan regarding their perceptions of AI and its connections to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The respondents showed high confidence in their AI knowledge. They had a very positive attitude toward AI but at the same time thought AI was risky. In general, people in Taiwan could be “rational optimists” regarding AI. We also examined how people think of the linkages between AI and the SDGs and found that SDG 4, SDG 9, and SDG 3 had the highest “synergy” and lowest rates of “trade-off”. Significant differences for some key questions were also identified concerning the demographic variables such as gender, age, education, and college major. According to the data analysis, education played as the base to construct a sustainable AI-aided town with an embedded innovative circular economy and high-quality water and energy services, making the residents live healthier lives. The findings of this study can be referred to when the perceptions of AI and sustainability issues are of interest for an emerging high-tech economy such as Taiwan and other Asian countries.
Shedding Light on Peri-Urban Ecosystem Services Using Automated Content Analysis
Authors: Vindigni Gabriella , Mosca Alexandros , Bartoloni Tommaso , Spina Daniela
Published: August 2021

The objective of this paper is to provide an overall perspective on peri-urban ecosystem services in European Countries. The phenomenon of urbanization affecting our era has seen the shift of the city from compact and well-defined structures to agglomerations with a seamless expansion. This has led to several environmental consequences that have affected the urbanized areas and the surroundings. The peri-urban areas may be the main urban design and planning challenge of the 21st century. These hybrid landscapes, characterized by high fragmentation, can be turned into opportunities to improve the sustainability and quality of urban areas, generating multiple economic, social and environmental benefits. Areas beyond the immediate urban core can be considered a zone of influence, which represent a critical resource in terms of provisioning, regulating, supporting services and cultural ecosystem services. Our study has been developed in the framework of the project “Fertile Lands, Fragile Lands” funded by the University of Catania. A multi-phased method has been applied, showing strong, heterogeneous ties between landscape and ecosystem services. While the importance of literature studies on this topic is well recognized, the same attention has not been placed on the tools and methods of conducting systematic and incremental literature reviews. Using Leximancer software, we propose a text mining approach to extract relevant themes and concepts as well as related topics of interest from identified literature on peri-urban ecosystems. We first introduce the overall methodology and then discuss each phase in detail. The outputs can be used as starting point for broad exploratory reviews and allow further exploration in this issue. The results show how the peri-urban space can be seen as a mosaic in which the settlement, the agricultural and the environmental systems interact and coexist, placing at the centre the relationship of reciprocity between the built environment and the open territory.
Clean Production of Biofuel from Waste Cooking Oil to Reduce Emissions, Fuel Cost, and Respiratory Disease Hospitalizations
Authors: Santana José Carlos Curvelo , Miranda Amanda Carvalho , Souza Luane , Yamamura Charles Lincoln Kenji , Coelho Diego de Freitas , Tambourgi Elias Basile , Berssaneti Fernando Tobal , Ho Linda Lee
Published: August 2021

Renewable energies are cleaner forms of energy, and their use, has intensified in recent decades. Thus, this work presents a proposal for reducing the emissions, fuel cost, and respiratory disease hospitalizations using environmental cost accounting principles to produce biodiesel production from waste frying oil. In our methodology, we conducted surveys, and collected waste cooking oil samples from local households and restaurants in São Paulo city, Brazil. Then, we produced biodiesel using these samples. Data on air pollutants were collected and correlated with the number of hospitalizations for respiratory diseases and their costs. Our results indicate that 330,000 respiratory disease hospitalizations were recorded in São Paulo city between 2009 and 2018, and the total cost for the Brazilian government reached US $117 million. Improving the city air quality by switching from fossil fuels to biodiesel could reduce the annual number of hospitalizations to 9880 and cost US $3.518 million, because the amount of pollutants emitted from burning fossil fuels was positively correlated with the number of respiratory disease hospitalizations and their costs. Moreover, the emission rates of particulate matter with particles less than 10 and 2.5 µm in diameter exceeded the World Health Organization limits throughout the study period. Using the survey data, we estimated that the average monthly quantity of waste cooking oil was 9794.6 m3, which could generate 9191.2 m3 of biodiesel and produce 239,713 t CO2 of carbon credits. Environmental cost accounting revealed that it would be possible to achieve an annual profit of approximately US $300 million from the sale of excess biodiesel, carbon credits, and glycerine, and fuel acquisition savings which could improve the image of São Paulo city and quality of life of its residents. Thus, we present this as a way to reduce cost and hospitalizations, and increase the number of available hospital beds for other diseases, such as COVID-19.
The Sustainable Socially Responsible Society: Well-Being Society 6.0
Authors: Žižek Simona Šarotar , Mulej Matjaž , Potočnik Amna
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study is to introduce Sustainable Socially Responsible Society 6.0 as a new concept that is supposed to extend ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ to the entire society for humankind to gain a new chance to survive beyond the dangerous neoliberalism that abuses the market and democracy to the benefit of very few humans—the richest one percent and a few around them—and beyond Society 5.0. This study aims to define the framework conditions of ‘Well-being Society 6.0’, where humans can both achieve and define their targeted quality of life, including work–life balance, etc. Mulej’s Dialectical Systems Theory provides requisite (i.e., sufficient and necessary) integrity/holism of approach that leads to a Sustainable Socially Responsible (SSR) Society without overlooking the necessity of personal, including managerial, responsibility. Most humans try to satisfy their basic survival needs by management, which is requisitely holistic; it can and shall contribute to setting the framework conditions, foremost with non-technological innovation management. The Economy for the Common Good can contribute to SSR Society 6.0, including ‘Well-being society’. In addition, in 2019–2021 humankind is experiencing the ‘new Corona Virus’ crisis, killing millions, but also enabling a crucial step toward a well-being society by returning worldwide economic governance from neoliberalism to Keynes-based state capitalism with no loud objections.
Sustainable Quality of Life: A Conceptualization That Integrates the Views of Inhabitants of Swiss Rural Regions
Authors: Wiesli Thea Xenia , Liebe Ulf , Hammer Thomas , Bär Roger
Published: August 2021

In most socioeconomically wealthy countries, a high quality of life is associated with a high consumption of natural resources. It is, therefore, essential to define what constitutes sustainable quality of life—that is, quality of life that is simultaneously high as well as ecologically and socially sustainable. This issue was addressed in a study on the promotion of sustainable quality of life in rural regions of Switzerland. We interviewed 90 people with the intention of developing a concept of sustainable quality of life. The concept that emerged from our research consists of nine components: social relations and equality; nature and landscape; education and knowledge; participation, identification, and collective emotions; living; mobility; health and safety; leisure and recreation; and income and employment. Each component is formulated in an integrated way, combining social, environmental, and personal aspects. The concept provides a basis for managing regional development and promoting sustainable quality of life in rural areas. In this regard, we propose starting points in the areas of social relations and equality, nature and landscape, and education and knowledge.
Co-Digestion of Extended Aeration Sewage Sludge with Whey, Grease and Septage: Experimental and Modeling Determination
Authors: Merlin Gérard , Outin Jonathan , Boileau Hervé
Published: August 2021

The potential of co-digestion mixing thickened secondary sludge (TS) from extended aeration wastewater treatment plant and locally available substrates (whey, grease and septage) has been studied in this work, using three steps. The first step was a batch test to determine the biological methane potential (BMP) of different mixtures of the three co-substrates with TS. The second step was carried out with lab-scale reactors (20 L), simulating anaerobic continuous stirred tank reactors, fed by three mixtures of co-substrates that were determined according to the previous step results. Modeling was applied in the third step, using ADM1 as a mechanistic model to help understand the co-digestion process. According to the BMP step, septage used as a co-substrate has a negative effect on performance, and the addition of 10–30% grease or whey would lead to a gain of around 60–70% in the production of methane. The results from the reactor tests did not validate the positive effects observed with the BMP assay but confirmed good biodegradation efficiency (> 85%). The main purpose of co-digestion in this scenario is to recover energy from waste and effluents that would require even more energy for their treatment. The protein and lipid percentages of particulate biodegradable COD are important variables for digester stability and methane production, as predicted by modeling. The results of simulations with the ADM1 model, adapted to co-digestion, confirmed that this model is a powerful tool to optimize the process of biogas production.
Tax Rate of Management Control: The Mexican Income Tax Rates System for Resident and Non-Residents
Authors: Mancilla-Rendón Enriqueta , Astudillo-Moya Marcela , Lozano Carmen
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study is to show the tax rate of management control of the legislation according to the tax residence of the people who obtain income from wages. The questions considered here are: Is the income tax rate applied to national resident workers and to residents abroad proportionally? Under the same circumstances, in both cases do they pay similar amounts? The empirical analysis was based on the evaluation of the income tax and tax rate of management control in Mexico based on the Suits progressivity index. It was found that, under similar conditions, the amount of the tax to be paid by a resident abroad is less than that paid by a national resident.
Dynamic Characteristics Analysis of a Circumferential Short Spring Dual Mass Flywheel with the Influence of Centrifugal Force and Friction
Authors: Zeng Liping , Xu Yukun , Huang Jie , Song Liquan
Published: August 2021

Multiple sets of spring, spring seat structures are uniformly arranged in circumferential short spring dual mass flywheel (DMF), which generally have a symmetrical structure. The internal springs and spring seats are constrained by the shape of the primary flywheel and the secondary flywheel. At different rotational speeds, the springs and spring seats have different centrifugal forces. To study the dynamic characteristics of the DMF including torque and stiffness with considering the influence of centrifugal force and friction, the discrete method is used to analyze the mechanical actions of the transmission parts in DMF. The torque action between the spring seat and the secondary flywheel is deduced. The dynamic characteristics of the DMF are obtained through analyzing and calculating. Due to the symmetry of the structure, the torque transmitted and the stiffness of the DMF also have specific symmetrical characteristics. Namely, at two relative rotational angles of the same magnitude and opposite direction, the magnitude of the transmitted torque is the same, the direction is opposite. The magnitude and direction of stiffness are the same. The influence of speed, friction coefficient, spring mass, and spring seat mass on the torque and stiffness characteristics are analyzed. Finally, the theoretical analysis is proved to be valid by the torque characteristics test of DMF.
Integrated Mycotoxin Management System in the Feed Supply Chain: Innovative Approaches
Authors: Fumagalli Francesca , Ottoboni Matteo , Pinotti Luciano , Cheli Federica
Published: August 2021

Exposure to mycotoxins is a worldwide concern as their occurrence is unavoidable and varies among geographical regions. Mycotoxins can affect the performance and quality of livestock production and act as carriers putting human health at risk. Feed can be contaminated by various fungal species, and mycotoxins co-occurrence, and modified and emerging mycotoxins are at the centre of modern mycotoxin research. Preventing mould and mycotoxin contamination is almost impossible; it is necessary for producers to implement a comprehensive mycotoxin management program to moderate these risks along the animal feed supply chain in an HACCP perspective. The objective of this paper is to suggest an innovative integrated system for handling mycotoxins in the feed chain, with an emphasis on novel strategies for mycotoxin control. Specific and selected technologies, such as nanotechnologies, and management protocols are reported as promising and sustainable options for implementing mycotoxins control, prevention, and management. Further research should be concentrated on methods to determine multi-contaminated samples, and emerging and modified mycotoxins.
Organizing Theories for Disasters into a Complex Adaptive System Framework
Authors: Burger Annetta , Kennedy William G. , Crooks Andrew
Published: August 2021

Increasingly urbanized populations and climate change have shifted the focus of decision makers from economic growth to the sustainability and resilience of urban infrastructure and communities, especially when communities face multiple hazards and need to recover from recurring disasters. Understanding human behavior and its interactions with built environments in disasters requires disciplinary crossover to explain its complexity, therefore we apply the lens of complex adaptive systems (CAS) to review disaster studies across disciplines. Disasters can be understood to consist of three interacting systems: (1) the physical system, consisting of geological, ecological, and human-built systems; (2) the social system, consisting of informal and formal human collective behavior; and (3) the individual actor system. Exploration of human behavior in these systems shows that CAS properties of heterogeneity, interacting subsystems, emergence, adaptation, and learning are integral, not just to cities, but to disaster studies and connecting them in the CAS framework provides us with a new lens to study disasters across disciplines. This paper explores the theories and models used in disaster studies, provides a framework to study and explain disasters, and discusses how complex adaptive systems can support theory building in disaster science for promoting more sustainable and resilient cities.
HPV-Associated Benign Squamous Cell Papillomas in the Upper Aero-Digestive Tract and Their Malignant Potential
Authors: Syrjänen Stina , Syrjänen Kari
Published: August 2021

Squamous cell papilloma (SCP) in the upper aero-digestive tract is a rare disease entity with bimodal age presentation both at childhood and in adults. It originates from stratified squamous and/or respiratory epithelium. Traditionally, SCPs have been linked to chemical or mechanical irritation but, since the 1980s, they have also been associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Approximately 30% of the head and neck SCPs are associated with HPV infection, with this association being highest for laryngeal papillomas (76–94%), followed by oral (27–48%), sinonasal (25–40%), and oropharyngeal papillomas (6–7%). There is, however, a wide variation in HPV prevalence, the highest being in esophageal SCPs (11–57%). HPV6 and HPV11 are the two main HPV genotypes present, but these are also high-risk HPVs as they are infrequently detected. Some 20% of the oral and oropharyngeal papillomas also contain cutaneous HPV genotypes. Despite their benign morphology, some SCPs tend to recur and even undergo malignant transformation. The highest malignant potential is associated with sinonasal inverted papillomas (7–11%). This review discusses the evidence regarding HPV etiology of benign SCPs in the upper aero-digestive tract and their HPV-related malignant transformation. In addition, studies on HPV exposure at an early age are discussed, as are the animal models shedding light on HPV transmission, viral latency, and its reactivation.
Robust Yellow River Delta Flood Management under Uncertainty
Authors: Chen Liang , Hobbs Benjamin F.
Published: August 2021

A number of principles for evaluating water resources decisions under deep long-run uncertainty have been proposed in the literature. In this paper, we evaluate the usefulness of three widely recommended principles in the context of delta water and sedimentation management: scenario-based uncertainty definition, robustness rather than optimality as a performance measure, and modeling of adaptability, which is the flexibility to change system design or operations as conditions change in the future. This evaluation takes place in the context of an important real-world problem: flood control in the Yellow River Delta. The results give insight both on the physical function of the river system and on the effect of various approaches to modeling risk attitudes and adaptation on the long-term performance of the system. We find that the optimal decisions found under different scenarios differ significantly, while those resulting from using minimal expected cost and minmax regret metrics are similar. The results also show that adaptive multi-stage optimization has a lower expected cost than a static approach in which decisions over the entire time horizon are specified; more surprisingly, recognizing the ability to adapt means that larger, rather than smaller, first-stage investments become optimal. When faced with deep uncertainty in water resources planning, this case study demonstrates that considering scenarios, robustness, and adaptability can significantly improve decisions.
Counterfeiting of food products
Authors: Nikolaeva M.A. , Manshilina E.A.
Published: August 2021

The article deals with the issues of food products counterfeiting. It has been established that the prevention of food counterfeiting is one of the most important ways to solve the significant problem of Russia, i.e. ensuring a healthy diet for the population. The article analyzes the regulatory and legal framework in the field of this issue. The types and subtypes of food counterfeiting are indicated, and examples of such counterfeiting, collected from various publicly available sources, as well as the results of experimental studies using test methods, are presented.
New types of food products for healthy nutrition that are high in functional ingredients
Authors: Eliseeva L.G. , Simina D.V. , Osman Ali Dzhemil
Published: August 2021

The nutritional value of microgreens is considered. The advantages of microgreens in a wide range of functional components in comparison with traditional crops are shown. The features of the assortment, demand and supply of microgreens in the Russian market are examined. An analysis of the factors influencing the preservation of consumer properties and the prospects for the production and sale of microgreens in Russia is presented.
Diving behavior of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) throughout their migratory cycle in the Western South Atlantic Ocean
Authors:   , Silva Érika Soares Coelho da
Published: August 2021

Is poorly known how the diving behavior during the migratory cycle of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae is affected by environmental characteristics of their seasonal habitats and their social roles. In this study, archival Argos satellite tags were deployed off the coast of Brazil in 32 humpback whales from the South Western Atlantic Ocean. Tags reported data for ~44 days (max = 124 days) and 92,058 dives. Statistical analysis showed that average dive depth varied between habitats, being shallower in the breeding area (BA, 22.6 m), intermediate during the migration (MI, 30.26 m), and deeper in the feeding area (FA, 35.16 m). The dives classified as deep (>80 m), were more predominant during migration. At FA, dives during the night were shallower and shorter than those performed during the day, at BA dives made during the day were deeper than all other diel phases. We have not found clear differences in dive depth and duration between social classes. The moon phases had a clear effect within BA but not within MI and FA, being shallower at full moon. We also saw that the shapes (U, V, Square), showed differences in dive depth and among habitats. Our data provide the first novel insights into the dive behaviors of individuals from the same population throughout their migratory cycle, performing different diving behaviors, different patterns of social class, shapes, depth range, diel and moon phase. Moreover, these findings and the understanding diving patterns in its drivers have important implications for ecological modelling, conservation policies.
Monocytes and Macrophages in Kidney Transplantation and Insights from Single Cell RNA-Seq Studies
Authors: Malone Andrew F.
Published: August 2021

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a powerful technology that allows for the identification of minority cell types in complex tissues, such as immune cells in the kidney. Previously, gene expression from infrequent cell types was missed using bulk RNA-sequencing methods due to an averaging effect. Additionally, scRNA-seq facilitates assignment of cell origin in a sample, a shortcoming of previous bulk sequencing technologies. Thus, scRNA-seq is ideal to study the immune cell landscape and the alloimmune response in the human kidney transplant. However, there are few studies published to date. Macrophages are known to play an important role in health and disease in the kidney. Furthermore, it is known that macrophages play key roles in rejection of the kidney transplant. The definition, ontogeny, and function of these cells is complex and nomenclature has evolved as new technologies have become available. In this review, an overview is provided of monocyte and macrophage nomenclature, ontogeny, and function, with a specific focus on kidney transplantation, and including novel scRNA-seq findings. scRNA-seq offers an unbiased transcriptional approach to defining macrophages and provides insights into macrophage ontogeny and function not possible with contemporary methods.
Pengembangan LKPD Berbasis Model Pembelajaran AIR Berorientasi Pada Peningkatkan Kemampuan Komunikasi Matematika
Authors: Atika Nur Hidayati  , Alben Ambarita  , Dwi Yulianti
Published: August 2021

From the results of the answers to the test of mathematical communication skills and the deployment of the questionnaire obtained the problem, namely the low capacity of mathematical communication students, the difficulty of students to write the form of mathematical symbols, and the limitations of teaching materials used during learning in class V in elementary school. This study aimed to develop valid worksheets of students (LKPD) on building simple spaces in class V elementary school, knowing the practicality of LKPDs from users, educators and students, and knowing the effectiveness of LKPD on increasing mathematical communication skills. The method of development used in this study referred to the research design of Borg and Gall. Data collection techniques were carried out through documentation, observation, questionnaires, and students' mathematical communication skills tests. The subjects of this study were 25 control class students and 25 experimental class students at SDN 1 Semuli. The study results stated that LKPD products based on the AIR learning model were valid, practical, and effective in improving students' mathematical communication skills. It was proven by material experts, media experts, and language experts validating results with the "Very Valid" category. LKPD based on AIR learning models was practiced to be used by fulfilling the aspects of attractiveness, convenience, and usefulness with the "very practical" category. LKPD-based AIR learning models were effectively used to improve students' mathematical communication skills in the pretest and post-test scores, with the results of the calculation of the experimental class n-gain entry in the category was quite effective
Results of Frequency Analysis Distribution of A1188c Rs3212227 Polymorphism in the IL12b Gene among Patients with Chronic Polypoid Rhinosinusitis
Authors:   Doctor of Science, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology and stomatology of Tashkent Medical Academy, Republic of Uzbekistan., Saidakramovich Khasanov Ulugbek , Abdukhakhorovich* Djuraev Jamolbek ,   Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Senior Teacher, Department of Otolaryngology and stomatology of Tashkent Medical Academy, Republic of Uzbekistan.
Published: August 2021

Our data confirm the complexity of the genetic mechanism for the development of polyposis processes in patients with CPRS and indicate the necessity and importance of understanding complex gene interactions in the analysis of the development and clinical stage of the studied pathology. Material and methods. In accordance with the purpose of the study and to fulfill the assigned tasks, clinical studies were carried out in 140 patients with CPRS and with chronic rhinosinusitis, who were examined and treated at the ENT department of the multidisciplinary clinic of the Tashkent Medical Academy in 2017-2019. To study the diallelic polymorphism of the promoter regions of the genes of the studied interleukins, 50 healthy (no CPRS) donors, men and women, were examined. The average age of the examined donors was 51.3 ± 1.44 years. Conclusion. Analyzing the prevalence of genotypic variants of this polymorphism, we revealed a direct association of the C / C monogenotype of the A1188C rs3212227 polymorphism in the IL12B gene with the development of polyposis processes. The study of the distribution of genotypes showed that the homozygous genotype A / A was insignificant, almost 1.2 times more often found in group 1 (80.64%), while the frequency of detection of the heterozygous genotype A / C was insignificantly 1.1 times higher among patients with HRC 2 groups. The opposite situation could be observed in the study of the homozygous C / C genotype, which was not identified among all study groups.
Prevalence of Allelic and Genotypic Variants of Il4, Il10, Il12b and Tlr2 Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Chronic Polypoid Rhinosinusitis
Authors:   Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Senior Teacher, Department of Otolaryngology and Stomatology of Tashkent Medical Academy, Republic of Uzbekistan., Abdukhakhorovich* Djuraev Jamolbek
Published: August 2021

Chronic polyposis rhinosinusitis (CPRS) is an important medical and social problem due to its prevalence, combination with other diseases (bronchial asthma, cystic fibrosis), prolonged recurrent course, which leads to a decrease in the quality of life and performance of patients. Bronchopulmonary, rhinogenic orbital and intracranial complications arising against the background of chronic sinusitis not only worsen the quality of life of patients, but also sometimes lead to long-term disability, and sometimes to disability. The results of our study demonstrated that the distribution of the genotypes of polymorphisms of all genes corresponded to the expected, i.e., in this case, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is fulfilled in both groups. Both samples rs2243250 of the IL4 gene were characterized by high frequencies of the unfavorable C allele and the heterozygous T / C genotype, rs3212227 of the IL12B gene of the A allele and the heterozygous A / C genotype, rs1800895 592 C> A in the IL10 gene of the A, C alleles, and heterozygous C rs5743708 in the TLR2 gene of the C allele and the heterozygous C / T genotype, hence the high level of genetic variability of the studied genes.
Meeting Energy Demands Through Mining
Authors:   Lecturer and Researcher, Department of Mineral and Petroleum Engineering, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria., C. O.* Amosu
Published: August 2021

The Mineral and Mining industry is a huge energy requiring sector which demands connections to a viable electric power origin and reference. With the upsurge of these mineral requests and decreasing valued grades of ores, energy aspiration is approximated to sky-rocket to 36% by the year 2035. It is even projected to accelerate geometrically from the fact that sophistication and powering of the mine locations speeds up the stability into the necessity of energy applications and its requirements derived from fossil fuels utilized to generate electricity. This paper discusses other fossilized fuel-based materials for generation of electricity
Sensitivity of PR2 Capacitance Soil Moisture Meter for Irrigation Scheduling
Authors:   Senior Lecturer, Department of Agricultural & Bio-Envi. Eng., Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria., Y.* Olotu , A.I. Omoakhalen ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria., A.S. Ososomi ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria, Mayowa Gbalaja ,   Lecturer, Department of Physics, Federal College of Education, Okene, Nigeria., A.I. Alhassan ,   Lecturer II, Department of Civil Engineering, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria., C.I. Ayilaran ,   Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Technology, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Nigeria
Published: August 2021

Accurate soil moisture content measurement is essential for designing a robust irrigation scheduling and integrated water resources management (I.W.R.M.). Capacitance-based sensors have widely been used to monitor soil moisture at different measuring depths coupled with continuous and instantaneous outputs. This study's objective was to evaluate the PR2 capacitance moisture meter's performance on mineral and organic soil water content. The outputs of PR2 in m3 /m3 and vol.% were compared with gravimetrically measured soil moisture. The R.M.S.E. measurement at Site A at the first and second replicates increased from 0.49% to 0.67%. In contrast, the r2 value of 0.99 was obtained for the two replications when comparing the soil moisture content observed from gravimetric measurement and the automated outputs from the PR2 Probe soil monitor. The R.M.S.E. values were 0.48%, and 1.32% were estimated for the first and second replications at Site B. The result indicates that the PR2 Profile Probe could be a reliable alternative to other time-consuming, complex computer algorithms for accurate point measurement of soil moisture.
Development and Calibration of Automated Multiple-Ring Infiltrometer
Authors:   Senior Lecturer, Department of Agricultural & Bio-Envi. Eng., Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria., Y.* Olotu , F Parker-Ikharo. ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria, A.A. Rodiya ,   Department of Agricultural & Bio-Envi Engineering, The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, N.O Evboifo ,   Head, Department of Agricultural Technology, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Nigeria, A.A. Jibril ,   Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria:
Published: August 2021

An automatic triple-ring infiltrometer was developed using a set of pre-set sensors and transducer (AP 403, AP 404, AP 405 and AP 406, RAP001 and RAP002). The aluminum probe sensors were graduated and arranged in series to monitor the rate at which water is infiltrating into the soil layer. The working principle of automatic triple-ring infiltrometer was developed using six probes with depth calibration of 1.0mm, 26.7 mm, 12.4 mm, and 12.7 mm, respectively. The result obtained showed strong agreement with a coefficient of determination R2= 0.963, indicating positive proportionality between cumulative infiltration and time taken for the water to infiltrate at different depths. The instrument has a measuring accuracy of ± 0.3mm infiltration depth. The device works effectively under biochar amended soil and other soil formations with high precision. Accurate infiltration data generated by the instrument would be applied to estimate the depth of water available to plant and predict possible agricultural drought.