bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Sustainable Strategic Planning Applications in Primary Schools on the Effectiveness of Total Quality Management Practices
Authors: Sucuoğlu Esen , Erdem Gülümser
Published: September 2021

This paper addresses the evaluations of administrators and teachers working in primary schools of sustainable strategic planning practices in schools and their perceptions of the effectiveness of total quality management (TQM) practices. This study followed the quantitative research approach and was limited to primary schools in Ankara, Turkey. A face-to-face survey was conducted, and 400 responses were obtained from administrators and teachers working in primary schools. The hypothesis was tested using path analysis. The findings confirm that strategic planning practices in schools make a significant contribution to enhancing the perception of the effectiveness of TQM practices. The findings of the study and their implications are expected to benefit the development of primary schools in Turkey.
Chiral Dirac Equation and Its Spacetime and CPT Symmetries
Authors: Watson Timothy , Musielak Zdzislaw
Published: September 2021

The Dirac equation with chiral symmetry is derived using the irreducible representations of the Poincaré group, the Lagrangian formalism, and a novel method of projection operators that takes as its starting point the minimal assumption of four linearly independent physical states. We thereby demonstrate the fundamental nature of this form of the Dirac equation. The resulting equation is then examined within the context of spacetime and CPT symmetries with a discussion of the implications for the general formulation of physical theories.
Relationship between Unstable Point Symmetries and Higher-Order Approximate Symmetries of Differential Equations with a Small Parameter
Authors: Tarayrah Mahmood R. , Cheviakov Alexei F.
Published: September 2021

The framework of Baikov–Gazizov–Ibragimov approximate symmetries has proven useful for many examples where a small perturbation of an ordinary or partial differential equation (ODE, PDE) destroys its local exact symmetry group. For the perturbed model, some of the local symmetries of the unperturbed equation may (or may not) re-appear as approximate symmetries. Approximate symmetries are useful as a tool for systematic construction of approximate solutions. For algebraic and first-order differential equations, to every point symmetry of the unperturbed equation, there corresponds an approximate point symmetry of the perturbed equation. For second and higher-order ODEs, this is not the case: a point symmetry of the original ODE may be unstable, that is, not have an analogue in the approximate point symmetry classification of the perturbed ODE. We show that such unstable point symmetries correspond to higher-order approximate symmetries of the perturbed ODE and can be systematically computed. Multiple examples of computations of exact and approximate point and local symmetries are presented, with two detailed examples that include a fourth-order nonlinear Boussinesq equation reduction. Examples of the use of higher-order approximate symmetries and approximate integrating factors to obtain approximate solutions of higher-order ODEs are provided.
Unified Equation of State for Neutron Stars Based on the Gogny Interaction
Authors: Viñas Xavier , Gonzalez-Boquera Claudia , Centelles Mario , Mondal Chiranjib , Robledo Luis M.
Published: September 2021

The effective Gogny interactions of the D1 family were established by D. Gogny more than forty years ago with the aim to describe simultaneously the mean field and the pairing field corresponding to the nuclear interaction. The most popular Gogny parametrizations, namely D1S, D1N and D1M, describe accurately the ground-state properties of spherical and deformed finite nuclei all across the mass table obtained with Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov (HFB) calculations. However, these forces produce a rather soft equation of state (EoS) in neutron matter, which leads to predict maximum masses of neutron stars well below the observed value of two solar masses. To remove this limitation, we built new Gogny parametrizations by modifying the density dependence of the symmetry energy predicted by the force in such a way that they can be applied to the neutron star domain and can also reproduce the properties of finite nuclei as good as their predecessors. These new parametrizations allow us to obtain stiffer EoS’s based on the Gogny interactions, which predict maximum masses of neutron stars around two solar masses. Moreover, other global properties of the star, such as the moment of inertia and the tidal deformability, are in harmony with those obtained with other well tested EoSs based on the SLy4 Skyrme force or the Barcelona–Catania–Paris–Madrid (BCPM) energy density functional. Properties of the core-crust transition predicted by these Gogny EoSs are also analyzed. Using these new Gogny forces, the EoS in the inner crust is obtained with the Wigner–Seitz approximation in the Variational Wigner–Kirkwood approach along with the Strutinsky integral method, which allows one to estimate in a perturbative way the proton shell and pairing corrections. For the outer crust, the EoS is determined basically by the nuclear masses, which are taken from the experiments, wherever they are available, or by HFB calculations performed with these new forces if the experimental masses are not known.
Nonlinear Fokker-Planck Equation for an Overdamped System with Drag Depending on Direction
Authors: Plastino Angel Ricardo , Wedemann Roseli S. , Tsallis Constantino
Published: September 2021

We investigate a one-dimensional, many-body system consisting of particles interacting via repulsive, short-range forces, and moving in an overdamped regime under the effect of a drag force that depends on direction. That is, particles moving to the right do not experience the same drag as those moving to the left. The dynamics of the system, effectively described by a non-linear, Fokker–Planck equation, exhibits peculiar features related to the way in which the drag force depends on velocity. The evolution equation satisfies an H-theorem involving the Sq nonadditive entropy, and admits particular, exact, time-dependent solutions closely related, but not identical, to the q-Gaussian densities. The departure from the canonical, q-Gaussian shape is related to the fact that in one spatial dimension, in contrast to what occurs in two or more spatial dimensions, the drag’s dependence on direction entails that its dependence on velocity is necessarily (and severely) non-linear. The results reported here provide further evidence of the deep connections between overdamped, many-body systems, non-linear Fokker–Planck equations, and the Sq-thermostatistics.
Einstein and Møller Energy-Momentum Distributions for the Static Regular Simpson–Visser Space-Time
Authors: Radinschi Irina , Grammenos Theophanes , Chakraborty Gargee , Chattopadhyay Surajit , Cazacu Marius Mihai
Published: September 2021

Energy-momentum localization for the four-dimensional static and spherically symmetric, regular Simpson–Visser black hole solution is studied by use of the Einstein and Møller energy-momentum complexes. According to the particular values of the parameter of the metric, the static Simpson–Visser solution can possibly describe the Schwarzschild black hole solution, a regular black hole solution with a one-way spacelike throat, a one-way wormhole solution with an extremal null throat, or a traversable wormhole solution of the Morris–Thorne type. In both prescriptions it is found that all the momenta vanish, and the energy distribution depends on the mass m, the radial coordinate r, and the parameter a of the Simpson–Visser metric. Several limiting cases of the results obtained are discussed, while the possibility of astrophysically relevant applications to gravitational lensing issues is pointed out.
Elementary Open Quantum States
Authors: Polonyi Janos , Rachid Ines
Published: September 2021

It is shown that the mixed states of a closed dynamics supports a reduplicated symmetry, which is reduced back to the subgroup of the original symmetry group when the dynamics is open. The elementary components of the open dynamics are defined as operators of the Liouville space in the irreducible representations of the symmetry of the open system. These are tensor operators in the case of rotational symmetry. The case of translation symmetry is discussed in more detail for harmonic systems.
On Symmetrical Methods for Charged Particle Dynamics
Authors: Tang Renxuan , Li Dongfang
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we use the scalar auxiliary variable (SAV) approach to rewrite the charged particle dynamics as a new family of ODE systems. The systems own a conserved energy. It is shown that a family of symmetrical methods is energy-conserving for a new ODE system but may not be for the original systems. Moreover, the methods have high-order accuracy. Numerical results are given to confirm the theoretical findings.
Influence of Wind Speed, Wind Direction and Turbulence Model for Bridge Hanger: A Case Study
Authors: Ding Yang , Zhou Shuang-Xi , Wei Yong-Qi , Yang Tong-Lin , Dong Jing-Liang
Published: September 2021

Wind field (e.g., wind speed and wind direction) has the characteristics of randomness, nonlinearity, and uncertainty, which can be critical and even destructive on a long-span bridge’s hangers, such as vortex shedding, galloping, and flutter. Nowadays, the finite element method is widely used for model calculation, such as in long-span bridges and high-rise buildings. In this study, the investigated bridge hanger model was established by COMSOL Multiphysics software, which can calculate fluid dynamics (CFD), solid mechanics, and fluid–solid coupling. Regarding the wind field of bridge hangers, the influence of CFD models, wind speed, and wind direction are investigated. Specifically, the bridge hanger structure has symmetrical characteristics, which can greatly reduce the calculation efficiency. Furthermore, the von Mises stress of bridge hangers is calculated based on fluid–solid coupling.
Solanum nigrum Extract and Solasonine Affected Hemolymph Metabolites and Ultrastructure of the Fat Body and the Midgut in Galleria mellonella
Authors: Spochacz Marta , Chowański Szymon , Szymczak-Cendlak Monika , Marciniak Paweł , Lelario Filomena , Salvia Rosanna , Nardiello Marisa , Scieuzo Carmen , Scrano Laura , Bufo Sabino A. , Adamski Zbigniew , Falabella Patrizia
Published: September 2021

Glycoalkaloids, secondary metabolites abundant in plants belonging to the Solanaceae family, may affect the physiology of insect pests. This paper presents original results dealing with the influence of a crude extract obtained from Solanum nigrum unripe berries and its main constituent, solasonine, on the physiology of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) that can be used as an alternative bioinsecticide. G. mellonella IV instar larvae were treated with S. nigrum extract and solasonine at different concentrations. The effects of extract and solasonine were evaluated analyzing changes in carbohydrate and amino acid composition in hemolymph by RP-HPLC and in the ultrastructure of the fat body cells by TEM. Both extract and solasonine changed the level of hemolymph metabolites and the ultrastructure of the fat body and the midgut cells. In particular, the extract increased the erythritol level in the hemolymph compared to control, enlarged the intracellular space in fat body cells, and decreased cytoplasm and lipid droplets electron density. The solasonine, tested with three concentrations, caused the decrease of cytoplasm electron density in both fat body and midgut cells. Obtained results highlighted the disturbance of the midgut and the fat body due to glycoalkaloids and the potential role of hemolymph ingredients in its detoxification. These findings suggest a possible application of glycoalkaloids as a natural insecticide in the pest control of G. mellonella larvae.
Inclination Estimates from Off-Axis GRB Afterglow Modelling
Authors: Lamb Gavin P. , Fernández Joseph J. , Hayes Fergus , Kong Albert K. H. , Lin En-Tzu , Tanvir Nial R. , Hendry Martin , Heng Ik Siong , Saha Surojit , Veitch John
Published: September 2021

For gravitational wave (GW) detected neutron star mergers, one of the leading candidates for electromagnetic (EM) counterparts is the afterglow from an ultra-relativistic jet. Where this afterglow is observed, it will likely be viewed off-axis, such as the afterglow following GW170817/GRB 170817A. The temporal behaviour of an off-axis observed GRB afterglow can be used to reveal the lateral jet structure, and statistical model fits can put constraints on the various model free-parameters. Amongst these parameters is the inclination of the system to the line of sight. Along with the GW detection, the afterglow modelling provides the best constraint on the inclination to the line-of-sight and can improve the estimates of cosmological parameters, for example, the Hubble constant, from GW-EM events. However, modelling of the afterglow depends on the assumed jet structure and—often overlooked—the effects of lateral spreading. Here we show how the inclusion of lateral spreading in the afterglow models can affect the estimated inclination of GW-EM events.
A Novel Mechanism of Pair Creation in Pulsar Magnetospheres
Authors: Osmanov Zaza , Machabeli George , Chkheidze Nino
Published: September 2021

In this paper we study the possibility of efficient pair production in a pulsar’s magnetosphere. It has been shown that by means of relativistic centrifugal force the electrostatic field exponentially amplifies. As a result the field approaches the Schwinger limit leading to a pair creation process in the light cylinder area where the effects of rotation are very efficient. Analysing the parameters of the normal period (∼1 s) pulsars we found that the process is so efficient that the number density of electron–positron pairs exceeds the Goldreich–Julian density by five orders of magnitude.
Protease, Growth Factor, and Heparanase-Mediated Syndecan-1 Shedding Leads to Enhanced HSV-1 Egress
Authors: Karasneh Ghadah A. , Kapoor Divya , Bellamkonda Navya , Patil Chandrashekhar D. , Shukla Deepak
Published: September 2021

Heparan sulfate (HS) and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are considered important for the entry of many different viruses. Previously, we demonstrated that heparanase (HPSE), the host enzyme responsible for cleaving HS chains, is upregulated by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection. Higher levels of HPSE accelerate HS removal from the cell surface, facilitating viral release from infected cells. Here, we study the effects of overexpressing HPSE on viral entry, cell-to-cell fusion, plaque formation, and viral egress. We provide new information that higher levels of HPSE reduce syncytial plaque formation while promoting egress and extracellular release of the virions. We also found that transiently enhanced expression of HPSE did not affect HSV-1 entry into host cells or HSV-1-induced cell-to-cell fusion, suggesting that HPSE activation is tightly regulated and facilitates extracellular release of the maturing virions. We demonstrate that an HSPG-shedding agonist, PMA; a protease, thrombin; and a growth factor, EGF as well as bacterially produced recombinant heparinases resulted in enhanced HSV-1 release from HeLa and human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells. Our findings here underscore the significance of syndecan-1 functions in the HSV-1 lifecycle, provide evidence that the shedding of syndecan-1 ectodomain is another way HPSE works to facilitate HSV-1 release, and add new evidence on the significance of various HSPG shedding agonists in HSV-1 release from infected cells.
The Evolving Faces of the SARS-CoV-2 Genome
Authors: Schmidt Maria , Arshad Mamoona , Bernhart Stephan H. , Hakobyan Siras , Arakelyan Arsen , Loeffler-Wirth Henry , Binder Hans
Published: September 2021

Surveillance of the evolving SARS-CoV-2 genome combined with epidemiological monitoring and emerging vaccination became paramount tasks to control the pandemic which is rapidly changing in time and space. Genomic surveillance must combine generation and sharing sequence data with appropriate bioinformatics monitoring and analysis methods. We applied molecular portrayal using self-organizing maps machine learning (SOM portrayal) to characterize the diversity of the virus genomes, their mutual relatedness and development since the beginning of the pandemic. The genetic landscape obtained visualizes the relevant mutations in a lineage-specific fashion and provides developmental paths in genetic state space from early lineages towards the variants of concern alpha, beta, gamma and delta. The different genes of the virus have specific footprints in the landscape reflecting their biological impact. SOM portrayal provides a novel option for ‘bioinformatics surveillance’ of the pandemic, with strong odds regarding visualization, intuitive perception and ‘personalization’ of the mutational patterns of the virus genomes.
Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus Shedding from Infected Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.)—Application of a Droplet Digital PCR Assay for Virus Quantification in Seawater
Authors: Weli Simon Chioma , Bernhardt Lisa-Victoria , Qviller Lars , Dale Ole Bendik , Lillehaug Atle
Published: September 2021

Infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) infection is currently detected by fish sampling for PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis. As an alternative to sampling fish, we evaluated two different membrane filters in combination with four buffers for elution, concentration, and detection of ISAV in seawater, during a bath challenge of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) post-smolts with high and low concentrations of ISAV. Transmission of ISAV in the bath challenge was confirmed by a high mortality, clinical signs associated with ISA disease, and detection of ISAV RNA in organ tissues and seawater samples. The electronegatively charged filter, combined with lysis buffer, gave significantly higher ISAV RNA detection by droplet digital PCR from seawater (5.6 × 104 ISAV RNA copies/L; p < 0.001). Viral shedding in seawater was first detected at two days post-challenge and peaked on day 11 post-challenge, one day before mortalities started in fish challenged with high dose ISAV, demonstrating that a large viral shedding event occurs before death. These data provide important information for ISAV shedding that is relevant for the development of improved surveillance tools based on water samples, transmission models, and management of ISA.
Comparative Analysis of SLA-1, SLA-2, and DQB1 Genetic Diversity in Locally-Adapted Kenyan Pigs and Their Wild Relatives, Warthogs
Authors: Machuka Eunice , Muigai Anne , Amimo Joshua , Domelevo Entfellner Jean-Baka , Lekolool Isaac , Abworo Edward , Pelle Roger
Published: September 2021

Swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) plays a central role in controlling the immune response by discriminating self and foreign antigens and initiating an immune response. Studies on SLA polymorphism have demonstrated associations between SLA allelic variants, immune response, and disease resistance. The SLA polymorphism is due to host-pathogen co-evolution resulting in improved adaptation to diverse environments making SLA a crucial genomic region for comparative diversity studies. Although locally-adapted African pigs have small body sizes, they possess increased resilience under harsh environmental conditions and robust immune systems with reported tolerance to some diseases, including African swine fever. However, data on the SLA diversity in these pigs are not available. We characterized the SLA of unrelated locally-adapted domestic pigs from Homa Bay, Kenya, alongside exotic pigs and warthogs. We undertook SLA comparative diversity of the functionally expressed SLA class I (SLA-1, SLA-2) and II (DQB1) repertoires in these three suids using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) sequence-based typing (SBT) method. Our data revealed higher genetic diversity in the locally-adapted pigs and warthogs compared to the exotic pigs. The nucleotide substitution rates were higher in the peptide-binding regions of the SLA-1, SLA-2, and DQB1 loci, indicative of adaptive evolution. We obtained high allele frequencies in the three SLA loci, including some breed-specific private alleles, which could guide breeders to increase their frequency through selection if confirmed to be associated with enhanced resilience. Our study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on genetic diversity in free-ranging animal populations in their natural environment, availing the first DQB1 gene data from locally-adapted Kenyan pigs.
Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Dogs: Review on Biomechanics, Etiopathogenetic Factors and Rehabilitation
Authors: Spinella Giuseppe , Arcamone Giulia , Valentini Simona
Published: September 2021

Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture is one of the most common orthopaedic conditions in veterinary medicine. CrCL plays a fundamental role in the stability and biomechanics of the femoral-tibio-patellar joint, and its incorrect functionality severely impacts on the quality of life of patients. In dogs, the structural weakening of this joint due to the progressive degeneration of the ligament is the most accredited etiopathogenetic hypothesis in relation to the dog signalment (breed, sex and age) and the stifle joint conformation. In humans, this injury is often traumatic and generally occurs during sporting activities. CrCL rupture can be managed conservatively or surgically, and decisions regarding treatment are due to numerous factors: the patient’s age and health, the degree of stifle instability, and cost. Physiotherapy protocols play an important role in rehabilitation, with similar goals in humans and dogs: pain management, physiological articular range of motion recovery, periarticular and core muscle strengthening, and proprioceptive deficit correction. Physiotherapy, even if often neglected in veterinary medicine, is mandatory for the recovery of the correct functionality of the injured limb and for the return to normal daily and sporting activities.
Relative Effects of Dietary Administration of a Competitive Exclusion Culture and a Synbiotic Product, Age and Sampling Site on Intestinal Microbiota Maturation in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Such Nikoletta , Farkas Valéria , Csitári Gábor , Pál László , Márton Aliz , Menyhárt László , Dublecz Károly
Published: September 2021

In this research, the effects of early post-hatch inoculation of a competitive exclusion product (Br) and the continuous feeding of a synbiotic supplement (Sy) containing probiotic bacteria, yeast, and inulin on the production traits and composition of ileal chymus (IC), ileal mucosa (IM), and caecal chymus (CC) microbiota of broiler chickens were evaluated. The dietary treatments had no significant effects on the pattern of intestinal microbiota or production traits. The digestive tract bacteriota composition was affected mostly by the sampling place and age of birds. The dominant family of IC was Lactobacillaceae, without change with the age. The abundance of the two other major families, Enterococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae decreased with the age of birds. In the IM, Clostridiaceae was the main family in the first three weeks. Its ratio decreased later and Lactobacillaceae became the dominant family. In the CC, Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae were the main families with decreasing tendency in the age. In IC, Br treatment decreased the abundance of genus Lactobacillus, and both Br and Sy increased the ratio of Enterococcus at day 7. In all gut segments, a negative correlation was found between the IBD antibody titer levels and the ratio of genus Leuconostoc in the first three weeks, and a positive correlation was found in the case of Bifidobacterium, Rombutsia, and Turicibacter between day 21 and 40.
Evaluation of Regional Climate Models (RCMs) Using Precipitation and Temperature-Based Climatic Indices: A Case Study of Florida, USA
Authors: Bayissa Yared , Melesse Assefa , Bhat Mahadev , Tadesse Tsegaye , Shiferaw Andualem
Published: September 2021

The overarching objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of nine precipitation-based and twelve temperature-based climatic indices derived from four regional climate models (CRCM5-UQUAM, CanRCM4, RCA4 and HIRHAM5) driven by three global circulation models (CanESM2, EC-EARTH and MPI-ESM-LR) and their ensemble mean for the reference period of 31 years (1975–2005). The absolute biases, pattern correlation, the reduction of variance (RV) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI at 3-, 6- and 12-month aggregate periods) techniques were used to evaluate the climate model simulations. The result, in general, shows each climate model has a skill in reproducing at least one of the climatic indices considered in this study. Based on the pattern correlation result, however, EC-EARTH.HIRHAM5 and MPI-ESM-LR.CRCM5-UQAM RCMs showed a relatively good skill in reproducing the observed climatic indices as compared to the other climate model simulations. EC-EARTH.RCA4, CanESM2.RCA4 and MPI-ESM-LR.CRCM5-UQAM RCMs showed a good skill when evaluated using the reduction of variance. The ensemble mean of the RCMs showed relatively better skill in reproducing the observed temperature-based climatic indices as compared to the precipitation-based climatic indices. There were no exceptional differences observed among the performance of the climate models compared to the SPEI, but CanESM2.CRCM5-UQAM, EC-EARTH.RCA4 and the ensemble mean of the RCMs performed relatively good in comparison to the other climate models. The good performance of some of the RCMs has good implications for their potential application for climate change impact studies and future trend analysis of extreme events. They could help in developing an early warning system to mitigate and prepare for possible future impacts of climate extremes (e.g., drought) and vulnerability to climate change across Florida.
Coastal Boulder Dynamics Inferred from Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery, Geological and Meteorological Investigations in Southern Apulia, Italy
Authors: Delle Rose Marco , Martano Paolo , Orlanducci Luca
Published: September 2021

Boulder dynamics may provide essential data for coastal evolution and hazards assessment and can be focused as a proxy for the onshore effect of intense storm waves. In this work, detailed observations of currently available satellite imagery of the Earth surface allowed us to identify several coastal boulders displacements in the Southern Apulia coast (Italy) for a period between July 2018 and June 2020. Field surveys confirmed the displacements of several dozens of boulders up to several meters in size, and allowed us to identify the initial position for many of them. Two possible causative storms were identified analysing archive weather maps, and calculations based on analytical equations were found in agreement with the displacement by storm waves for most of the observed boulders. The results help to provide insights about the onshore effect of storm waves on the coastal hydrodynamics and the possible future flooding hazard in the studied coast.
Study on Total Control of Total Nitrogen in the Laizhou Bay
Authors: Peng Haohong , Geng Haoyi , Mao Xinyan , Shi Jie , Lv Xianqing
Published: September 2021

Human activity imposes a stronger and increasing impact on the coastal environment by land-based discharge and run-off pollution inputs. Land-based total nitrogen (TN) pollution, as the main cause of eutrophication in the Laizhou Bay, China, should be controlled effectively. Based on a three-dimensional pollution transport model, 20 groups of allocation schemes were designed under the requirement that the allocations of three estuaries in the inner bay were adjusted properly, while the two estuaries in the outer bay, i.e., the Yellow River and the Jiehe River, were kept unchanged. The statistical results show that the area ratio of heavily polluted seawater to the entire Laizhou Bay reached the maximum (35.14%) when the load allocation of the Xiaoqinghe River accounted for a high proportion (65%), and the Yuhe River and the Jiaolaihe River accounted for 15% and 20%, respectively. Overall, the pollution levels of the Laizhou Bay were positively associated with the allocation of the Xiaoqinghe River. Reducing pollutant allocation in the Xiaoqinghe River contributed most to the improvement of the seawater quality of the entire Laizhou Bay, and it was followed by a reduction in the Yuhe River and the Jiaolaihe River.
Effectiveness of Permeable Reactive Bio-Barriers for Bioremediation of an Organohalide-Polluted Aquifer by Natural-Occurring Microbial Community
Authors: Bertolini Martina , Zecchin Sarah , Beretta Giovanni Pietro , De Nisi Patrizia , Ferrari Laura , Cavalca Lucia
Published: September 2021

In this study, a bioremediation approach was evaluated for the decontamination of an aquifer affected by the release of organohalides by an industrial landfill. After preliminary physicochemical and microbiological characterization of the landfill groundwater, the stimulation of natural organohalide respiration by the addition of a reducing substrate (i.e., molasse) was tested both at microcosm and at field scales, by the placement of an anaerobic permeable reactive bio-barrier. Illumina sequencing of cDNA 16S rRNA gene revealed that organohalide-respiring bacteria of genera Geobacter, Sulfurospirillum, Dehalococcoides, Clostridium and Shewanella were present within the aquifer microbial community, along with fermentative Firmicutes and Parvarchaeota. Microcosm experiments confirmed the presence of an active natural attenuation, which was boosted by the addition of the reducing substrate. Field tests showed that the bio-barrier decreased the concentration of chloroethenes at a rate of 23.74 kg d−1. Monitoring of organohalide respiration biomarkers by qPCR and Illumina sequencing revealed that native microbial populations were involved in the dechlorination process, although their specific role still needs to be clarified. The accumulation of lower-chloroethenes suggested the need of future improvement of the present approach by supporting bacterial vinyl-chloride oxidation, to achieve a complete degradation of chloroethenes.
Water and Irrigation Management in Arid and Semiarid Zones
Authors: Roldán-Cañas José , Moreno-Pérez María Fátima
Published: September 2021

As we wrote in the summary of this special issue, the purpose of this Special Issue is to report, in more detail, research of water resources management in the frame of sustainable development [...]
Towards a Comprehensive Assessment of Statistical versus Soft Computing Models in Hydrology: Application to Monthly Pan Evaporation Prediction
Authors: Zounemat-Kermani Mohammad , Keshtegar Behrooz , Kisi Ozgur , Scholz Miklas
Published: September 2021

This paper evaluates six soft computational models along with three statistical data-driven models for the prediction of pan evaporation (EP). Accordingly, improved kriging—as a novel statistical model—is proposed for accurate predictions of EP for two meteorological stations in Turkey. In the standard kriging model, the input data nonlinearity effects are increased by using a nonlinear map and transferring input data from a polynomial to an exponential basic function. The accuracy, precision, and over/under prediction tendencies of the response surface method, kriging, improved kriging, multilayer perceptron neural network using the Levenberg–Marquardt (MLP-LM) as well as a conjugate gradient (MLP-CG), radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS), M5Tree and support vector regression (SVR) were compared. Overall, all the applied models were highly capable of predicting monthly EP in both stations with a mean absolute error (MAE) < 0.77 mm and a Willmott index (d) > 0.95. Considering periodicity as an input parameter, the MLP-LM provided better results than the other methods among the soft computing models (MAE = 0.492 mm and d = 0.981). However, the improved kriging method surpassed all the other models based on the statistical measures (MAE = 0.471 mm and d = 0.983). Finally, the outcomes of the Mann–Whitney test indicated that the applied soft computational models do not have significant superiority over the statistical ones (p-value > 0.65 at α = 0.01 and α = 0.05).
Driving Style Recognition Model Based on NEV High-Frequency Big Data and Joint Distribution Feature Parameters
Authors: Xia Lina , Kang Zejun
Published: September 2021

With the promotion and financial subsidies of the new energy vehicle (NEV), the NEV industry of China has developed rapidly in recent years. However, compared with traditional fuel vehicles, the technological maturity of the NEV is still insufficient, and there are still many problems that need to be solved in the R&D and operation stages. Among them, energy consumption and driving range are particularly concerning, and are closely related to the driving style of the driver. Therefore, the accurate identification of the driving style can provide support for the research of energy consumption. Based on the NEV high-frequency big data collected by the vehicle-mounted terminal, we extract the feature parameter set that can reflect the precise spatiotemporal changes in driving behavior, use the principal component analysis method (PCA) to optimize the feature parameter set, realize the automatic driving style classification using a K-means algorithm, and build a driving style recognition model through a neural network algorithm. The result of this paper shows that the model can automatically classify driving styles based on the actual driving data of NEV users, and that the recognition accuracy can reach 96.8%. The research on driving style recognition in this paper has a certain reference value for the development and upgrade of NEV products and the improvement of safety.
Recognition and Diagnosis Method of Accelerated Aging of Lithium-Ion Battery Based on Logistic Regression
Authors: Zou Naipeng , Zhang Caiping , Wang Yubin , Zhang Linjing
Published: September 2021

Aiming at the accelerated aging problem that may occur during the use of high specific energy lithium-ion batteries, this article proposes a method to judge the accelerated aging of lithium-ion batteries. Taking the IC curve and DV curve as the starting point, the complete characteristic curve of the new battery is used as a comparison benchmark, and the battery characteristic curves of different aging stages are compared and analyzed, and the parameters that have obvious changes before and after the accelerated aging of the battery are extracted as the characteristics that the battery has accelerated aging. It is important to establish the relevant characteristic parameter matrix, and use the logistic regression method to train the accelerating aging model of the battery to realize the diagnosis of accelerating aging fault. In view of the fact that lithium batteries rarely undergo a complete charging process, the characteristic parameter sets established in this paper are based on the IC curve and the DV curve in the 15–75% SOC range, which have certain practicability.
MILK PRODUCTIVITY OF BLACK-AND-WHITE CATTLE WITH DIFFERENT GENOTYPES OF PROLACTIN AND SOMATOTROPIN
Authors: ЗАГИДУЛЛИН Л.Р. , ШАЙДУЛЛИН Р.Р. , АХМЕТОВ Т.М. , ТЮЛЬКИН С.В. , МОСКВИЧЕВА А.Б.
Published: September 2021

Изучена взаимосвязь аллельных вариантов генов пролактина и соматотропина с показателями молочной продуктивности коров черно-пестрой породы по 1 и 3 лактации. У первотелок, как и у полновозрастных животных,  наиболее высокий удой (4642 и 6240 кг), количество молочного жира (174,1 и 215,0 кг) и молочного белка (149,0 и 182,5 кг) достигнуты в группе с генотипом PRL АА. По массовой доле жира и белка в молоке коровы с генотипом PRL ВВ достоверно превосходили животных с генотипом PRL АА на 0,12% (Р<0,05) и 0,05% (Р<0,05) соответственно. По гену соматотропина наибольший уровень молочной продуктивности выявлен у коров с генотипом GH LL при достоверном преимуществе над GH VV у первотелок по удою на 439 кг (Р<0,01), выходу молочного жира — на 13,6 кг (Р<0,001), выходу молочного белка — на 15,3 кг (Р<0,01). У полновозрастных коров превышение над остальными группами было только по удою — на 219—548 кг (Р<0,05). Наибольшая жирномолочность характерна животным с генотипом GH VV по 1 лактации — 3,83% и по 3 лактации — 3,82%, а лучшая белковомолочность — коровам, имеющим аллель V гена GH:  3,21 и 3,23% соответственно. Полученные данные свидетельствуют о более высоком уровне молочной продуктивности у коров с генотипом PRL АА и GH LL, но лучшая жирномолочность и белковомолочность отмечены у особей, имеющих в своем генотипе аллели В гена PRL и V гена GH.

The interrelation of allelic variants of prolactin and somatotropin genes with indicators of milk productivity of black-and-white cows for the 1st and 3rd lactation was studied. The highest milk yield (4642 and 6240 kg) amount of milk fat (174.1 and 215.0 kg) and milk protein (149.0 and 182.5 kg) were in the group with the PRL AA genotype in first-calf heifers as well as in full-age animals. In terms of the mass fraction of fat and protein of milk, the cows with the PRL BB genotype significantly exceeded animals with the PRL AA genotype by 0.12% (P<0.05) and 0.05% (P<0.05), respectively. According to the somatotropin gene, the highest level of milk productivity was revealed in cows with the GH LL genotype with a significant advantage over GH VV in first-calf heifers in milk yield by 439 kg (P<0.01), milk fat yield by 13.6 kg (P<0.001), milk protein yield by 15.3 kg (P<0.01). The excess over the other groups in full-age cows was only in terms of milk yield that was by 219-548 kg (P<0.05). The highest protein content of milk is a characteristic of animals with the GH VV genotype, 3.83% is for the 1st lactation and 3.82% is for the 3rd lactation, and the best protein content of milk in cows with V allele of the GH gene is 3.21 and 3.23%, respectively. The obtained data  indicated a higher level of milk productivity in cows with the PRL AA and GH LL genotypes but the best fat and milk content was noted in cows with alleles B of the PRL gene and V of the GH gene in their genotype.
COMPARATIVE FEATURES OF DAIRY EFFICIENCY OF COWS OF THE GOLSHTEIN AND HOLSHTINIZED BLACK AND WHITE BREEDS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN
Authors: КАРЫМСАКОВ Т.Н. , СТРЕКОЗОВ Н.И.
Published: September 2021

В последние 20—25 лет на маточном поголовье черно-пестрого скота активно использовалось семя быков-производителей голштинской породы, завезенных по импорту из США и Канады. Это привело к тому, что в республике сформировался массив черно-пестрого скота с высокой долей кровности по улучшающей голштинской породе. Параллельно по импорту завозились и животные голштинской породы, в основном телки случного возраста и нетели. В конечном итоге в Казахстане образовались генотипы, схожие по внешним признакам, но отличающиеся по продуктивности. В статье отражены результаты научных исследований по сравнительному изучению молочной продуктивности коров двух родственных пород черно-пестрой масти. Показано, что высококровные (более 87,5 % по улучшающей породе) животные по удою на 30—43% уступали чистопородному голштинскому скоту, однако помеси на 2—4% превосходили голштинов по содержанию жира и белка в молоке. Отмечены идентичные биологические свойства обеих пород, связанные с лактационной кривой, как за полную лактацию, так и по суточным надоям. Полученные результаты обосновывают целесообразность полного поглощения значительной части казахстанской популяции черно-пестрого скота голштинской породой. Однако необходимо определенную часть животных сохранить в чистоте и на этой основе создать генофондные стада.

In the last 20—25 years, the seed of bulls-producers of the Holstein breed, imported from the USA and Canada, has been actively used on the broodstock of black-and-white cattle. This led to the formation in the republic of an array of black-and-white cattle with a high proportion of blood in the improving Holstein breed. At the same time, animals of the Holstein breed were also imported, mainly heifers of breeding age and heifers. Ultimately, genotypes were formed in Kazakhstan, similar in appearance, but differing in productivity. The article reflects the results of scientific research on a comparative study of the milk productivity of cows of two related breeds of black and white color. It has been shown that high-blooded (more than 87.5% in the improving breed) animals in milk yield were 30—43% inferior to pure-bred Holstein cattle, but hybrids exceeded Holsteins by 2—4% in fat and protein content in milk. The identical biological properties of both breeds, associated with the lactation curve, both for full lactation and for daily milk yield, were noted.
The obtained results justify the feasibility of fully absorbing a significant part of the Kazakh population of black and white cattle by the Holstein breed. However, it is necessary to keep a certain part of the animals clean and on this basis create gene-pool herds.
The Two Problems of Russian Statistics: User's Perspective.
Authors: Bessonov V. A.
Published: September 2021

The article discusses two groups of problems in Russian statistics that still have no viable solutions. The frst one - the state of the statistics interface – is the set of channels through which users obtain statistical information. The second – metadata status – is the information on how the indicators are constructed. The problems are considered from the standpoint of consumers of statistical information, performing tasks of analyzing economic dynamics.

It is concluded that with the transition from traditional printed materials to statistical information systems, interface development has come to a standstill, and in the development of metadata, there is no compliance with any standards, uniformity, and consistency. In the author's opinion, these problems seriously hinder the improvement of all Russian statistics, being a kind of blood clots. When an interface becomes a bottleneck, the value of statistics to users decreases. The unsatisfactory state of metadata leads to the fact that consumers of statistical information are not always able to use it adequately, and the problems of statistical methodology are conserved.

The causes of the problems are determined, on the one hand, by the complex history of domestic statistics (extended period of development in a planned economy and the specifcs of economic transformation), and, on the other hand, by the lack of eﬀective feedback.

The author considers possible approaches to addressing the problems. The expediency of creating groups of specialists in the structure of the statistical department on the main problem blocks, acting as points of growth and centers of competence, accumulating knowledge, mastering domestic and foreign experience, attracting representatives of the expert community, directing and controlling the activities to solve problems, is substantiated.
Assessment of Bone Mineral Density in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis; An Iranian Population-Based Study
Authors: Amirkhanlou Saeid , Roshandel Gholamreza , Aghaei Mehrdad , Mohebi Hossein , Tabatabei Sahab-Sadat , Momen Shiva , Zia Peyman , Aarabi Mehdi , Amouzadeh Farzad , Hosseininejad Seyyed-Mohsen
Published: September 2021

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a condition in which bone turnover and metabolism is impaired; thus, osteoporosis and low bone density are subsequently inevitable. We aimed to determine bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers, and associated factors in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: Patients aged 30-70 years undergoing HD between 2015 to 2019 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. BMD measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and biochemical laboratory tests were assessed in 200 patients undergoing HD. Statistical analysis was based on t test, Pearson, regression and Mann-Whitney tests using SPSS 16. Results: Two hundred patients were investigated. Sixty percent of the patients were female. Mean ± SD of participants’ age was 58.6 (±11.63) years and mean ± SD for duration of HD was 45.69 (± 43.76) months. Osteoporosis was found in 48% (n=96) and low bone density in 36% (n=76) of our patients. General osteoporosis was more frequent in those undergoing HD for more than 3 years, although not significantly (P=0.093, odds ratio [OR]=0.37). However, regional osteoporosis in hip and femoral neck, but not spine vertebrae, were significantly higher after three years of HD (P=0.036, OR=0.27; P=0.042, OR=0.27; and P=0.344, OR=0.56, respectively). Increased body mass index (BMI) correlated negatively with osteoporosis (P=0.050). Conclusion: With increasing age and duration of HD, BMD decreases. Higher BMI was associated with higher bone mass density. Bone density assessment seems to be necessary in patients undergoing HD.
Long-term Results of Low Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm (LAMN): A Retrospective Analysis of 24 Patients
Authors: Gok Mustafa , Topal Ugur , Akyüz Muhammet , Öz Abdullah Bahadır , Sozuer Erdogan , Deniz Kemal
Published: September 2021

Background: Appendix tumors are rare tumors found in the gastrointestinal tract, observed at a rate of about 0.2%–0.3%. Our aim in this study was to present the clinicopathological classification, treatment and long-term prognosis of patients with low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN). Methods: Patients who underwent surgery in the Erciyes University Department of (Kayseri, Turkey), Department of General Surgery between December 2010 and December 2018, and who had LAMN as a result of pathology were included in our study. Demographic data, clinical and pathological features of the disease, their treatment and follow-up results after treatment were reviewed retrospectively. Results: We included 24 patients in the study. Of these patients, 10 (41.6%) were male. The mean age distribution was 56.4 ± 20.3 (21–91) years. Appendectomy was performed in 14 patients, and additional organ resections were performed in 8 patients. The most common symptom at the time of presentation was abdominal pain (79.1%; 95% CI, 58.3–91.7). The most common preliminary diagnosis in the preoperative period was acute appendicitis (50%; 95% CI, 29.2–70.8). Mean postoperative hospitalization time was 7.4 ± 7.96 (2–31) days. On pathological examination, appendectomy resection margins were positive in two patients. The mean (median) postoperative follow-up was 31.25 ± 23.9 (27) (1–90) months. One-year survival was 91.6%, and 5-year survival was 83.3%. Recurrence was detected in three patients during the follow-up period. Conclusion: If appendix mucinous neoplasia (AMN) is suspected in patients undergoing surgery with an initial diagnosis of acute or plastron appendicitis, care should be taken to remove the lesion without perforation. Pseudomyxoma peritonei, which may develop as a result of perforation, is associated with recurrence and decreased survival.