Application Of Countermeasures Research Articles

Microplastics contamination in popular soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages marketed in Iran: Quantity and characteristics

Given the increasing reliance on plastic packaging in the beverage industry, this study investigates the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the most popular beverage brands in the Iranian market. A total of 19 bottled beverage brands, including soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages, were randomly collected and filtered. Quantitative analysis of the MPs was then performed using stereomicroscopy and fluorescence techniques, and classification was based on color, shape, and size. In addition, the polymer type was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and the surface morphology and elemental composition of the MPs were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that approximately 80–90 % of the samples were contaminated with different MP types, with an average of 4.5 ± 4.8 particles/L detected by stereomicroscopy and 21.90 ± 25.72 particles/L by fluorescence microscopy. FT-IR analysis identified polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE) as the predominant polymer types and may clarify the possible role of packaging materials in the contamination of MPs. Fragments accounted for the highest proportion of MPs (71 %), followed by fibers (29 %). The size distribution of MPs was dominated by particles in the range of 1–500 μm (48 %), followed by 500–1000 μm (40 %) and 1000–1500 μm (12 %). MPs were black (84 %), with smaller proportions of red (7 %) and green (1 %), which may reflect the source of the contamination. The findings emphasize the necessity of increased monitoring and the application of countermeasures to lessen MPs contamination in the beverage sector.

"Monitoring inflammatory, immune system mediators, and mitochondrial changes related to brain metabolism during space flight".

The possibility of impaired cognitive function during deep space flight missions or while living on a Martian colony is a critical point of concern and pleads for further research. In addition, a fundamental gap exists both in our understanding and application of countermeasures for the consequences of long duration space travel and/or living in an extreme environment such as on the Moon or Mars. Previous studies, while heavily analyzing pre- and post-flight conditions, mostly fail to appreciate the cognitive stressors associated with space radiation, microgravity, confinement, hostile or closed environments, and the long distances from earth. A specific understanding of factors that affect cognition as well as structural and/or physiological changes in the brains of those on a space mission in addition to new countermeasures should result in improved health of our astronauts and reduce risks. At the core of cognitive changes are mechanisms we typically associate with aging, such as inflammatory responses, changes in brain metabolism, depression, and memory impairments. In fact, space flight appears to accelerate aging. In this review, we will discuss the importance of monitoring inflammatory and immune system mediators such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and mitochondrial changes related to brain metabolism. We conclude with our recommended countermeasures that include pharmacological, metabolic, and nutritional considerations for the risks on cognition during space missions.

Modern legal problems of application of countermeasures as a type of international responsibility

The paper highlights of the current legal issues of applying countermeasures as a type of international responsibility. The study focuses on the fact that the concept of countermeasures and the mechanism of their application in modern international law is undergoing transformation and modernisation. Attention is drawn to the urgency of solving the legal problems identified by this study, which is inextricably linked to the conduct of hostilities in Ukraine. Among the legal issues which need to be urgently addressed by legal science and practice, the paper lists the following: formation of a modern concept of countermeasures in international law, taking into account the purpose of their application to the offending State, which is relevant to the time; construction of the so-called ‘roadmap’ for the application of countermeasures, in particular, with regard to the types and procedures which may be applied; use of countermeasures in cyberspace and use of collective countermeasures. The study substantiates the generalisation of the purpose of applying countermeasures as a way to encourage the offending State to fulfil its obligations to the international community. The paper proves the need to build such a ‘roadmap’ for the application of countermeasures, including the use of countermeasures in cyberspace. Attention is drawn to the recognition by legal science and practice of the possibility of applying collective countermeasures, subject to strict limitations in the application procedure. It is emphasised that the list of legal issues in the field of application of countermeasures in modern international law is not exhaustive. In modern international law, there are a number of legal and practical problems related to the application of countermeasures which need to be addressed through further scientific discussions and subsequent improvement of international norms, taking into account the problems outlined in this study.

Pandemic Governance: Responses for COVID-19 Management of Zamboanga City

The challenges brought by pandemic governance include the efficient management of socioeconomic, political, and health issues. In today's sociodemographic and globalized environment, a rational and scientific approach to pandemic governance and public health policy formulation necessitates a combination of science, culture, and people. Effective pandemic governance requires an approach that is adaptive, and lesson based. In instances when faith in governmental institutions and political leadership are crucial, knowledge of the public health system, epidemiology, and socio-political issues is also important. Effective pandemic governance can impact COVID-19 management outcomes. This study looks into the Zamboanga City's COVID-19 management responses. It examines the effectiveness of the measures implemented by Zamboanga City in the critical areas specified for the management of the COVID-19 epidemic. This study employs a descriptive-qualitative method using secondary data analysis and interview guide. This study demonstrates that Zamboanga City's approaches to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic are effective in thirteen (13) assessment categories. This study also reveals flaws in the application of countermeasures against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Thus, there is a need to improve responses on the part of political leaders by designing, integrating, and implementing sound governance strategies in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Daily motor vehicle traffic volume and other risk factors associated with road deaths in U.S. counties

Introduction: Road death risk is often characterized as deaths per volume of traffic in geographic regions, the denominator in miles or kilometers supposedly indicative of the magnitude of risk exposure. This paper reports an examination of the differences in the predictive value of factors hypothesized to influence traffic volume and road death risk. Method: The association of 11 risk factors in U.S. counties during the first 7 months of 2020 was examined for consistency of predictions of road death and traffic volume measured by cell phone and vehicle location data. The study employed least squares regression for traffic volume and Poisson regression for deaths with the population as the offset variable. Results: The directions of the regression coefficients for traffic volume and odds of road deaths per population were opposite from one another for 9 of the 11 variables in the analysis of vehicle occupant deaths. Only the coefficients for maximum daily temperature and Saturday travel were in the same direction. The confidence intervals of three risk ratios for pedestrian deaths indicated low reliability but most of the predictor variables were opposite in association with traffic volume and odds of death. Although traffic volume plunged in the first weeks of the pandemic, the results for the months before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were similar. Practical applications: Traffic volume is an inverse risk factor for road deaths at the local level, likely the result of lower speeds on congested roads. Without the application of countermeasures aimed at reducing speed and other risk factors, the reduction of road congestion is likely to increase deaths.

Application of artificial countermeasures to enhance desilting efficiency in a reservoir under normal and extreme events

ABSTRACT The influx of flood-induced turbidity flows with high sediment concentrations into the reservoir can create sediment deposition issues, potentially jeopardizing water supply reliability. Efficient management of reservoir water resources is imperative for sustainable utilization. Evaluating the need for reservoir desilting involves comprehending the inflow and outflow dynamics of water-sediment discharges, the capacity of existing outlet structures, reservoir operation objectives, and available desilting technologies. However, given the altering hydrological conditions due to the impacts of climate change, there is a necessity for adaptive methods to ensure reservoir storage maintenance. Consequently, this study introduces the utilization of a flushing channel with artificial guiding structures to enhance desilting efficiency. A 2D numerical model offers convenient computational tools for assessing water-sediment transport behaviors across various operational scenarios based on reservoir management strategies. Data obtained from field observations is collected and analyzed to calibrate and verify the numerical model. By employing 2D numerical modeling, sediment concentration and desilting efficiency are calculated to support effective desilting operations within a reservoir. Simulation results indicate that the integration of additional artificial guiding structures at the bottom of the reservoir can enhance sedimentation mitigation outcomes by approximately 17.63% under normal conditions and by 5.27% under extreme hydrological conditions.

Scented Solutions: Examining the Efficacy of Scent Interventions in Mitigating Driving Fatigue.

Fatigued driving threatens the safety of people's lives and property. Scent countermeasures offer minimal disruption and high efficacy, making them a promising approach. The aim of this study was to explore the application of scent countermeasures in alleviating fatigued driving. This study explored changes in EEG frequency bands (alpha, beta, theta, and gamma) and the activity of EEG metrics (R(α/β), Rθ/(α+β) and R(α+θ)/(α+β)) in the temporal lobe during driving tasks, selected fatigued driving identifiers, and aided validation by investigating subjective fatigue with the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). The EEG indicators all increased, with a significant increase in R(α/β). R(α/β) was combined with the KSS to explore the effects of three scents, peppermint, grapefruit, and lavender, on driving fatigue. The subjective questionnaire results indicated that all three scents significantly improved driving fatigue, with significantly lower levels of driving fatigue compared to the control group. The analysis of EEG signals revealed a significant decrease in R(α/β) after the implementation of scent countermeasures. Moreover, R(α/β) was found to be lower in all three odor intervention groups compared to the control group. All three scents were found to significantly alleviate driving fatigue. The grapefruit scent had a better timely effect in relieving driving fatigue and the lavender scent had a longer effectiveness. This study provides further exploration for the application of odor interventions to alleviate driving fatigue. This study provides a practical reference for drivers to use odors to avoid fatigue in order to improve road safety.

Modern technical and IT solutions in the System of Quality Control of the Run of Mine at LW “Bogdanka” S.A. coal mine

In underground coal mines, one of the primary sources of waste rock in the ore is the phenomenon of roof fall. This phenomenon increases the contamination of the ROM (Run of Mine) with waste rock, which in turn increases the operating costs of the mine. Exploitation of thinner and thinner seams, the use of plough technology, the increasing speed of mining – all these factors related to the mining technology used significantly affect the cleanliness of the coal seam exploitation. More accurate identification of the causes of increased spoil contamination by waste rock and forecasting its level at the stage of mining planning can allow the application of appropriate countermeasures, often even before the start of mining. The authors believe that monitoring the amount and sources of waste rock in longwalls and headings can provide a basis for developing a method for forecasting the mining plant’s yield. The article presents methods of modeling roof rock fall, which are the result of the work of the Team of the Division of Mineral Resources Acquisition of the Polish Academy of Sciences and LW “Bogdanka” S.A. In the future the proposed methodology can be used to analyze the course of roof rock fall, calculate the mass of roof rock fall, and calibrate a continuous system for measuring the quality of ROM in mine excavations.

In-vehicle fragrance administration as a countermeasure for driver fatigue

Driver fatigue is a contributing factor in about 10–30% of all fatal crashes. Prevention of fatigue-related crashes relies on robust detection of driver fatigue and application of effective countermeasures. A potential countermeasure is fragrance administration since odors can have alerting effects on humans. The aim here was to investigate if a fragrance incorporating trigeminal components could be used as an in-vehicle countermeasure for driver fatigue.The fragrance was tested in a driving simulator with 21 healthy but sleep-deprived participants. Each participant performed a monotonous driving task twice, once with active fragrance containing a trigeminal component and once with olfactory fragrance, in a cross-over single-blind design. The order of trigeminal/olfactory fragrance was randomized and blinded to the participants. Both fragrances (trigeminal/olfactory) were administered either when the participant fell asleep (defined as eye closure > 3 s) or after approximately 45 min if the participant did not fall asleep.Self-reported sleepiness was assessed using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) every 5 min during driving. Variability in speed and lateral position and line crossing frequency were logged for each drive to measure driving performance. Heart rate measurements (ECG) and eye blinks (EOG) were collected to investigate potential arousing effects of the fragrance and to track objective signs of sleepiness.Mean blink duration, which was used as an objective measure of sleepiness, decreased significantly, after fragrance exposure, as did the frequency of line crossings, but there were no statistically significant differences between the fragrance with trigeminal stimulus and the pure olfactory fragrance.The results are in line with the effects found for other commonly used fatigue countermeasures, like playing loud music. These countermeasures can restore alertness and driving performance for a short while. Whether this is sufficient to support driving performance until the driver can make a safe stop in real traffic remains a topic for future studies.

Self-regarding measures under international law: countermeasures

Countermeasures, as one of the methods of self-protection in public international law, are among the most discussed topics in the contemporary field. They seek to deal with internationally wrongful acts committed by subjects of the international legal order. Such self-protection measures constitute decentralized and unilateral acts of States. Subject to substantive limitations such as reversibility and proportionality, they seek in theory to put an end to internationally wrongful acts. In certain situations, some States abuse the application of countermeasures, aggravating and straining the international landscape. Countermeasures are not regulated by treaties, but by customary law, which is why the International Law Commission defines the forms, methods and ways in which they are to be applied. In compliance with the fundamental mission of the United Nations to preserve international peace and security.

Motion sickness countermeasures for autonomous driving: Trends and future directions

Motion Sickness (MS) remains a paramount concern in the evolving landscape of autonomous vehicles. As automation continues to reshape the passenger-vehicle interaction paradigm, the proliferation of diverse in-vehicle systems empowers passengers to disengage from the driving task. However, this new paradigm comes with the potential cost of exacerbating MS inside the car.In this work, we intended to: (1) present and review available countermeasures to prevent or mitigate MS, found in the literature, that could also be implemented inside a car; (2) identify current trends and gaps in countermeasures to MS; and (3) suggest future avenues of research for potential use-cases aiming to mitigate MS in autonomous driving.Through a comprehensive review of 65 publications, spanning from 2009 to 2023, we have organized existing literature into three distinctive categories and ten subcategories: (1) Vehicle-Centric Adaptation (Adaptation to Surface, Best Route ad Driving Style Adaptation), (2) In-Car Design and Environment (Design Guidelines for Seats, for Displays, for Windows and Climate Control), and (3) Sensory Cues (Visual, Haptic Audio and Olfactory Cues).Our findings suggest that Visual Cues and Motion Planning are the two strongest trends in MS countermeasures. In contrast, Olfactory Cues are the least studied approach. Our results also substantiate the viability of multimodal approaches as a promising solution for passengers in autonomous vehicles. The simultaneous application of various countermeasures might hold potential in mitigating MS effectively.As autonomous vehicles advance, these findings offer a strong basis for future research to decrease passenger's motion sickness and improve their well-being, safety, and comfort inside the car.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ANTI-RISK METHOD OF OPTIMIZING BUSINESS PROCESSES

The introduction of digital transformation projects into the socio-economic management system requires the development of new tools and approaches to information risk management as the main lever of the project's success. In order to solve this problem, the latest scientific achievements in the direction of development and implementation of anti-risk methods for various sectors of the economy were analyzed. This analysis once again confirmed the axiom about the need to manage risks, and today, information risks, which in the era of digitalization are becoming the main problem for many organizations. The purpose of this article is to develop models and an algorithm for the anti-risk method of optimizing business processes in organizations. An anti-risk method of optimizing business processes is proposed, developed on the basis of conceptual and mathematical models of information risk management in projects of digital business transformation. The work demonstrates the concept of the method, the idea of which is the simultaneous analysis of the information risks of the organization, its projects and its environment with the application of uniform countermeasures to them, which leads to a reduction in terms and costs of project implementation. Also given is a mathematical description of the information risk management model in digital business transformation projects, as a manager's toolkit for calculating key project indicators. The proposed anti-risk method of optimizing business processes allows you to eliminate the excessive cost of operations, the time of operations, the inconsistency of actions of participants and take into account information risks. It was concluded that this anti-risk method of optimizing business processes acquires practical significance and value in the process of choosing strategies for further actions in project management.

The Deformation, Failure Mechanisms, and Stability Control of the Surrounding Rock of Deep Cross-Measure Roadway: A Case Study

In view of the difficulty in controlling the surrounding rock stability of deep cross-measure roadways, a deep cross-measure roadway of the Wanfu coal mine, a typical high-stress mine, was monitored on site and analyzed under the original support scheme. The findings show that the degrees of deformation and failure of the cross-measure roadway varied under different working conditions and that the roadway deformation and failure were mainly characterized by a high fragmentation degree and a large failure range of the surrounding rock and the frequent failure of support components. Considering that the different parts of the cross-measure roadway are located in different lithostratigraphic units, establishing a numerical model of the cross-measure roadway under different working conditions; analyzing the deformation pattern of the surrounding rock of the roadway, the plastic range, and the morphological change pattern; and clarifying the deformation and failure mechanisms of the cross-measure roadway based on field monitoring results. On this basis, two types of evaluation indicators, that is, the deformations of the surrounding rock and the plastic ranges in the four typical parts (roof, shoulder, floor, and sidewalls) of the roadway, were selected to rate the stability of the roadway under different working conditions. Grouting reinforcement-based targeted control countermeasures are proposed to improve the surrounding rock stability. Subsequently, numerical analysis and field application of these control countermeasures were carried out to solve the problem of controlling the surrounding rock stability of deep cross-measure roadways.

MODEL-BASED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING USING SECURITY DESIGN PATTERNS IN THE CONTEXT OF ISO/SAE 21434

AbstractThe development of modern vehicles is complex, especially regarding compliance with security and safety. ISO/SAE 21434 considers security and safety along the entire product life cycle. According to the standard, a system architecture, a risk analysis, and the application of countermeasures are carried out in the early system design. Design patterns are solutions to known design problems. Security Design Patterns (SDP) describe countermeasures and are used to reduce risk. After our literature review, we did not find a suitable approach that presents SDPs that would be applicable in early system design. In this paper, we present 10 SDPs for early system design, which we evaluated during an 11-week student project with 28 teams. We present the results of the quantitative analysis and the evaluation of the feedback.

Dynamics of <sup>137</sup>Cs Transfer Factors to Agricultural Products after the Chernobyl Accident: Grain, Potatoes, and Vegetables

The results of the analysis of the 137Cs aggregated transfer factors (Tag) to crops (cereals, potatoes, and vegetables) produced in the districts of the Bryansk region affected after the Chernobyl accident are presented. The aggregated transfer factors in the year of the deposition as well as the dynamics of Tag in the subsequent years depended considerably on the fertility of soils subjected to contamination. The transfer factors of 137Cs to crops in the areas with higher fertility were 3–8 times lower (depending on the plant species) than in the areas with low fertility, and the most significant differences were observed for cereals. Decrease in Tag values was of irregular nature. The half-lives of 137Cs aggregated transfer factors for the period from 1986 to 2021 were calculated. It is shown that the first half-life values calculated for the period of intensive application of countermeasures (1987–1991) were from 0.7 to 1.4 years. The second half-lives varied from 7.3 to 17.3 years. In some areas, after a strong reduction in 137Cs concentrations in crops after 1994, there was a slow increase in 137Cs aggregated transfer factors, which can be explained by insufficient compensation for this decrease of geochemical binding of 137Cs in the soil. Later the dynamics of crop contamination was determined by multidirectional processes: i.e., increase in 137Cs transfer to plants and natural decrease of radionuclides bioavai-lability in soils under the influence of geochemical processes. In areas with intensive application of countermeasures, the reduction of Tag to crops was determined to a greater extent by the influence of agrochemical countermeasures. In the areas with limited application of countermeasures, the natural biogeochemical processes determining radionuclide binding by the soil-absorbing complex made the predominant contribution to the Tag reduction. Limitations of the approach based on the estimation of half-lives and the necessity of using the history of countermeasures implemented, as well as the soil fertility for prediction of the 137Cs intake by plants is noted.

Dynamics of 137Cs concentrations in agricultural products after the Chernobyl accident: cereals, potato, and vegetables

The purpose of the study was to analyze the regularities of 137 Cs concentrations in grain , potatoes and vegetables in the areas affected the Chernobyl accident . The data describing the countermeasures in the south-western districts of the Bryansk region are given . The system of radiological monitoring of plant products is described and the relevant data are presented . Dynamics of concentrations both in grain and in potatoes and vegetables had a pronounced heterogeneous character . Reduction of 137 Cs concentration in crop production ( grain , potato , and vegetables ) was determined by the dynamics of agrochemical countermeasures in the contaminated areas , sorption of 137 Cs in soil and radioactive decay . It has been revealed that effective halflives of 137 Cs in the above products during intensive implementation of rehabilitation measures ( 1987-1990 ) varied within the range from 0,7 up to 1,3 years . Subsequently , in 1991-2011 , the decrease of contamination of products slowed down , and in some areas with intensive application of protective measures a certain increase of 137 Cs content in products was noted . Effective half-lives during that period ranged 10.5-29 years depending on the peculiarities of application of countermeasures and soil characteristics . The pattern of the 137 Cs concentrations in the grain produced in different districts from 2011 to 2021 also differed depending on the history of the countermeasures ’ application in those districts in the previous periods . The estimation of the effective half-life , equal to 18.2 years , for predicting the reduction of plant product contamination in the long term after the Chernobyl accident has been suggested .

Reconsidering the regulation of facial recognition in public spaces.

This paper contributes to the discussion on effective regulation of facial recognition technologies (FRT) in public spaces. In response to the growing universalization of FRT in the United States and Europe as merely intrusive technology, we propose to distinguish scenarios in which the ethical and social risks of using FRT are unattainable from other scenarios in which FRT can be adjusted to improve our everyday lives. We suggest that the general ban of FRT technologies in public spaces is not an inevitable solution. Instead, we advocate for a risk-based approach with emphasis on different use-cases that weighs moral risks and identifies appropriate countermeasures. We introduce four use-cases that focus on presence of FRT on entrances to public spaces (1) Checking identities in airports (2) Authorisation to enter office buildings (3) Checking visitors in stadiums (4) Monitoring passers-by on open streets, to illustrate the diverse ethical and social concerns and possible responses to them. Based on the different levels of ethical and societal risks and applicability of respective countermeasures, we call for a distinction of public spaces between semi-open public spaces and open public spaces. We suggest that this distinction of public spaces could not only be helpful in more effective regulation and assessment of FRT in public spaces, but also that the knowledge of different risks and countermeasures will lead to better transparency and public awareness of FRT in diverse scenarios.

Research and Application of Countermeasures for Tapping Potential of Remaining Oil in High Water-cut Period of Waterflooding Reservoir

Research and Application of Countermeasures for Tapping Potential of Remaining Oil in High Water-cut Period of Waterflooding Reservoir

Research and Application of Comprehensive Treatment Countermeasures for Ultra-heavy Oil Reservoir in Du 813 block

Research and Application of Comprehensive Treatment Countermeasures for Ultra-heavy Oil Reservoir in Du 813 block

Transcriptomics of Wet Skin Biopsies Predict Early Radiation-Induced Hematological Damage in a Mouse Model.

The lack of an easy and fast radiation-exposure testing method with a dosimetric ability complicates triage and treatment in response to a nuclear detonation, radioactive material release, or clandestine exposure. The potential of transcriptomics in radiation diagnosis and prognosis were assessed here using wet skin (blood/skin) biopsies obtained at hour 2 and days 4, 7, 21, and 28 from a mouse radiation model. Analysis of significantly differentially transcribed genes (SDTG; p ≤ 0.05 and FC ≥ 2) during the first post-exposure week identified the glycoprotein 6 (GP-VI) signaling, the dendritic cell maturation, and the intrinsic prothrombin activation pathways as the top modulated pathways with stable inactivation after lethal exposures (20 Gy) and intermittent activation after sublethal (1, 3, 6 Gy) exposure time points (TPs). Interestingly, these pathways were inactivated in the late TPs after sublethal exposure in concordance with a delayed deleterious effect. Modulated transcription of a variety of collagen types, laminin, and peptidase genes underlay the modulated functions of these hematologically important pathways. Several other SDTGs related to platelet and leukocyte development and functions were identified. These results outlined genetic determinants that were crucial to clinically documented radiation-induced hematological and skin damage with potential countermeasure applications.