Competitive Research Articles

Effect of sulfur on synergistic corrosion behavior of Q235 and 16Mn steel in sodium aluminate solution

In this study, the corrosion electrochemistry and corrosion behavior of two steels were studied under the simulated alumina production conditions. The corrosion rate of 16Mn steel is greater than that of Q235 steel. The effect of S2− concentration on corrosion rate was significantly higher than that of S2O32−. The synergistic corrosion rates of Q235 and 16Mn steels increase at first and then decrease with the sulfur content, and the peak value appears when the concentration of S2− and S2O32− is 4 g/L and 3 g/L respectively. There are two main types of corrosion products: one is surface octahedral grain, which is composed of Fe2O3, Fe3O4 and Al2O3.The other is the interlayer corrosion between the surface layer and the matrix, which is composed of FeS, FeS2 and NaFeO2.The formation mechanism of the corrosion and corrosion mechanism were obtained by analyzing the phenomenon of ion competitive adsorption. Further validation and analysis of ion competition adsorption phenomenon were conducted using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). The formation of corrosion products on the steel surface was investigated at an ion level, and the adsorption energies of OH− and S2− at the top site of Fe(110) surface were calculated. It was found that S2− is more likely to be adsorbed on the Fe(110) surface compared to OH−. The corrosion mechanism of steel is discussed preliminarily.

Selective divalent/monovalent ion partitioning in cation exchange membranes

The selective partitioning of divalent and monovalent counterions through cation exchange membranes immersed in 2:1 and 1:1 binary salt solutions remains unclear, especially at the molecular level. We present a theoretical framework that quantifies these membranes’ sorption of divalent and monovalent ions, incorporating condensed and free variants to reconcile deviations from the ideal Donnan picture observed in published experimental data. This framework explores the membranes’ global and local selective ion sorption characteristics by assessing the effects of competitive ion condensations, where these counterions compete to bind to the fixed charge groups. First, we calculate the thermodynamic property—the global partition ratio—of the membranes immersed in these binary salt solutions, quantifying the partitioning between the binary salt solutions and the membranes. Our theoretical results successfully capture the published experimental partitioning data for membranes immersed in equimolar and non-equimolar 2:1 and 1:1 binary salt solutions. Furthermore, the Donnan potential of the membranes reciprocally changes with the total concentration of 2:1 and 1:1 external salt solutions. However, for the non-equimolar systems at a constant low total concentration, varying the binary solution concentration ratio of 2:1 to 1:1 salts maintains a strong electric potential intensity due to high ionic imbalance. Second, we quantify the local partitioning of the sorbed counterions that are condensed on the crosslinked polymeric chains and those that are mobile in the interstitial solution of the membrane, a variable that is difficult to access experimentally. Accordingly, we can fractionate the sorbed ions into condensed and free states, which mutually govern the membrane’s kinetic and thermodynamic (global and local partitioning) properties.

Comparing the prognosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma with bone and liver metastases: A competing risk analysis.

About half of the patients with esophageal cancer are presenting with metastasis at initial diagnosis. However, few studies have concerned on the prognostic factors of metastatic esophageal adenocarcinoma (mEAC). This research aimed to investigate the effects of single bone metastasis (BM) and single liver metastasis (LM) on prognosis of mEAC patients. Data were obtained from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program database. We compared the effects of LM and BM on overall survival (OS), EAC-specific survival (CSS), and EAC-specific death (EASD) by multivariate Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and competing risk regression models. A total of 1,278 EAC patients were recruited in this study. Of which 78.95% (1009/1278) were EASD, and 12.68% (162/1278) were non-EAC-specific death (non-EASD). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, surgery, chemotherapy, and AJCC.T2 (vs. T1) were identified as protective factors for OS&CSS, while divorced/separated, single/unmarried (vs. married), grade III-IV (vs. grade I-II) and BM (vs. LM) were identified as risk factors. Competing risk regression analysis further confirmed that surgery and chemotherapy were beneficial to the patients with mEAC, and BM (vs. LM) was a risk factor for mEAC patients when considering the existence of the competitive risk events. Our study indicated that mEAC patients with BM face a worse prognosis compared to those with LM. Additionally, surgery and chemotherapy emerge as protective factors for mEAC patients. These findings offer evidence-based insights for clinical management and contribute to the field.

BRICS and G7: Global Competition

The goals and policies of the BRICS contradict the policy of the unipolar world, which perpetuates the dependence of developing countries on highly developed countries. This fact makes the BRICS and G7 international associations direct competitors with mutually opposite goals and interests. In such a formulation of the issue, strengthening and increasing the competitiveness of one integration association should lead to weakening and reducing the competitiveness of another integration association. Recently, the size of countries and the size of their populations have not been considered key factors in their competitiveness. However, if we talk about the BRICS member countries, they use these two advantages as a basis for economic growth. The area of the territory of the BRICS countries was 1.85 times the area of the G7, and the population was more than 4 times as of the end of 2022. The current trend towards the entry of new member countries into the BRICS should lead to an even greater advantage in these indicators. The economic growth of the BRICS countries is based on the use of resources and investments, while the economic growth of the G7 countries is based on accumulated wealth, military and political influence in the world. A comparison of the two integration associations in terms of real GDP growth PPP shows that the annual GDP growth of the BRICS countries exceeds the GDP growth of the G7 countries. In addition, the real GDP growth of the BRICS countries is outpacing the growth of global GDP. Key indicators characterizing the size and pace of economic growth indicate the potential for further development of the BRICS and strengthening its competition with the G7 integration bloc. The BRICS countries have shown good economic growth rates even despite the external and internal challenges associated with the crisis in the global economy and numerous economic sanctions. At the same time, the economic development of the BRICS countries is not only quantitative, but also qualitative. Unlike the G7, it is based on the formation and expansion of a free trade system within the integration bloc and the formation of economic institutions that allow overcoming trade barriers between the countries of the association, as well as increasing investment through the New Development Bank created within the BRICS. The success of development and interaction of countries within BRICS attracts new member countries. In 2024, four more countries joined the BRICS bloc, such as Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Ethiopia, and currently many more countries are taking the initiative and wish to become members of the integration association. However, competition in the Challenger-Leader format, in addition to incentives for economic growth on the basis of fair competition, simultaneously creates incentives for mutual economic, political and military blocking of the development of countries of the competing bloc, which creates great risks of slowing down global economic development in the future.

Covalently anchoring phosphorus nitride imide on carbon nanotubes for efficient electrochemical extraction of uranium

The electrochemical extraction technique is an emerging approach for the recovery of uranium. However, the ultra-high salinity and the coexistence of many competitive ions seriously reduce the electrochemical extraction performance of uranium. Phosphorus nitride imide (PN) demonstrates high efficiency and selectivity as a uranium adsorbent. However, its low conductivity adversely affects its electrochemical performance. In this work, the covalent grafting strategy has been employed to anchor PN onto carbon nanotubes (PN@CNT) toward efficient electrochemical extraction of uranium (EEU). CNTs not only serve as an optimal carrier for the dispersion of PN, but also establish a three-dimensional conductive network for PN, thereby facilitating the fixation and reduction of uranium ions. This ingenious structural design enables outstanding EEU performance: PN@CNT demonstrates an extremely high uranium adsorption capacity (1006.9 mg/g), excellent anti-interference and satisfactory cycle stability. PN@CNT reduced uranium-spiked groundwater from 5 mg/L to 15 μg L−1 within 12 h which meets the drinking water standard (30 μg L−1). This study offers a potential material for the EEU, while also serving as a reference for the development of electrodes in the electrochemical recovery of other heavy metals.

Calcium silicate hydrate complex konjac glucomannan-based hydrogel selectively adsorbed phosphate in low alkalinity solution

The selective recovery of phosphate from wastewater can manage nutrients and realize the recycling of phosphorus resources. In this study, a novel konjac glucomannan/pectin/calcium silicate composite hydrogel (KP-CSH) was developed for efficient recovery of phosphate in aqueous solution. The amount of alkali released after the reaction of KP-CSH in a neutral solution was small (the pH of the solution after the reaction was < 9). In a wide initial pH range (3–10), the adsorption capacity of KP-CSH in 50 mg-P/L phosphate solution reached 39∼45 mg-P/g. Besides, even if the pH of the solution after the reaction was less than 8, it could still well adsorb phosphate. The kinetic and isothermal adsorption experiments indicated that the adsorption process of phosphate by KP-CSH was chemical adsorption, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 61.2 mg-P/g. KP-CSH preferentially adsorbed phosphate even in the presence of high concentrations of competitive ions. In the actual biogas slurry, KP-CSH also exhibited the strongest selectivity/affinity for phosphate, and its distribution coefficient (Kd) was significantly higher than that of other co-existing anions and cations. The adsorption mechanism analysis indicated that Ca was the main adsorption site of KP-CSH, and that the adsorption process of target pollutants mainly involved ligand exchange and the intra-sphere complexation. Further plant seed germination and seedling growth experiments suggested that KP-CSH after phosphate recovery did not exert a negative effect on the growth of plant seedlings, and increased the chlorophyll content of seedling leaves. These results demonstrate that KP-CSH is a potential adsorbent for efficient phosphate recovery, which can be used as a slow-release phosphate fertilizer after recovering phosphate.

Management of Student Futsal Competition Event at Regency/City Level in Central Java 2023

Management of Student Futsal Competition Event at Regency/City Level in Central Java 2023

Adsorptive removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solution by magnetic biodegradable and polymeric cellulose/Nylon 6 @Fe3O4 nanocomposite encapsulated with chitosan

A novel polymeric magnetic nanocomposite adsorbent (CNCs/N6 @ Fe3O4–CT) of low-cost, biodegradable, and ultra-permeable materials was prepared and characterized. The adsorbent was used to evaluate the effect of influencing factors and competitive ions on the adsorption of Pb2+ ions. The obtained data was fitted to equilibrium and thermodynamic models. The chemical and structural features of the adsorbent were investigated using a range of characterization techniques, including a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR confirmed the presence of OH–, –NH2, and FeO sorption sites. SEM micrographs revealed presence of visible pores on the surface of the adsorbent, while VSM established a magnetic strength of 26.90 emu/g. The adsorption data fitted well with Langmuir isotherm, whereas the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with a coefficient of determination (R2 >0.98). The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption of Pb2+ was exothermic and spontaneously adsorbed. The adsorption process was dominated by a chemical process with E > 10 kJ/mole, indicating an ion exchange process. The results established that the synthesized CNCs/N6 @ Fe3O4–CT nanocomposite adsorbent is viable for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions and has the potential for optimization and scale-up.

Learning Management Development Model for Early Childhood Teachers

The purpose of this research is to develop the learning management model of early childhood teachers in Roi Et Province. The sample group includes early childhood teachers is obtained by selecting a simple random sample of the sample 400 people. The tools used in the research include questionnaires assessment form and learning quizzes for Primary teachers. The statistics used in the data analysis include averages, standard deviations, and other factors and linear structural relationship analysis SEM. The results showed that: The development of learning management of early childhood teachers consists of: Teacher Professional Competency (CPT) Teacher Spirit (ST) Inspiration to have a public mind (PM) and learning management behavior (TBT). The element of inspiration to have a public spirit. (PM) It has a direct influence on learning management behavior (TBT) of early childhood teachers at the level of 0.01 with an influence value equal to 0.58. The elements of the model of inspiration for having a public spirit (PM) it has a direct influence on learning management behavior (TBT) of early childhood teachers can be 90.00% and can explain the variability of one other internal latent variable, namely: Inspiration to have a public spirit (PM) 88.00% of which can write structural equations.

Enhanced microplastics removal from sewage effluents via CTAB-modified magnetic biochar: Efficacy and environmental impact

Sewage treatment plants (STPs) are identified as a significant pathway of microplastics (MPs) re-entry into the environment through effluent discharge, thereby emphasizing the need for reliable and efficient treatment methods. This study investigated MPs removal from sewage effluents using cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-modified magnetic biochar (RH-MBC-CTAB) as an adsorbent. Biochars from different biomass were synthesized, surface modified, characterized, and compared for their MPs removal efficacy from aqueous matrices. Batch adsorption studies were initially conducted on synthetic water with 1 μm sized polystyrene (PS) MPs using different MP concentrations (1–10 mg/L) and varying adsorbent dosages (1–10 mg/50 mL) to assess the effect of different process parameters, viz. pH (2–10), humic acid (6–25 mg/L), and competitive ions (0.01–0.2 M). The maximum MPs removal (98%) was achieved at the favorable conditions: initial MPs concentration: 10 mg/L, RH-MBC-CTAB dose: 7 mg/50 mL, pH 4, mixing speed: 180 rpm, and contact time: 3 min. Electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding were likely to remove MPs while the MPs adsorption was best fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetics model (R2 = 0.91) and Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.94) with the maximum adsorption capacity of 247.52 mg/g. Further, the application of RH-MBC-CTAB on the real-time sewage effluents from sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR)-based STPs spiked with MPs showed up to 96% MPs removal. The reusability results revealed that developed RH-MBC-CTAB could maintain good stability for up to three reusability cycles, therefore offering extensive potential for the removal of MPs from sewage effluents.

Changes in hormonal profiles during competition preparation in physique athletes.

Physique athletes engage in rigorous competition preparation involving intense energy restriction and physical training to enhance muscle definition. This study investigates hormonal changes and their physiological and performance impacts during such preparation. Participants included female (10 competing (COMP) and 10 non-dieting controls (CTRL)) and male (13 COMP and 10 CTRL) physique athletes. COMP participants were tested 23weeks before (PRE), one week before (MID), and 23weeks after the competition (POST). Non-dieting CTRL participants were tested at similar intervals. Measurements included body composition (DXA), muscle cross-sectional area (ultrasound), energy availability (EA) derived by subtracting exercise energy expenditure (EEE) from energy intake (EI) and dividing by fat-free mass (FFM), muscle strength, and various serum hormone concentrations (ACTH, cortisol, estradiol, FSH, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, insulin, and free and total testosterone and SHBG). During the diet, EA (p < 0.001), IGF-1 (p < 0.001), IGFBP-3 (p < 0.01), and absolute muscle strength (p < 0.01-0.001) decreased significantly in both sexes in COMP. Decreases in IGF-1 were also associated with higher loss in FFM. In males, testosterone (p < 0.01) and free testosterone (p < 0.05) decreased, while SHBG (p < 0.001) and cortisol (p < 0.05) increased. Insulin decreased significantly only in males (p < 0.001). Mood disturbances, particularly increased fatigue in males (p < 0.05), highlighted the psychological strain of competition preparation. All these changes were restored by increased EA during the post-competition recovery period. Significant reductions in IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 during competition preparation may serve as biomarkers for monitoring physiological stress. This study offers valuable insights into hormonal changes, muscle strength, and mood state during energy-restricted intense training.

Enhanced adsorption of radioactive cesium from nuclear wastewater using ZIF-67 laminated 2D MXene Ti3C2

Development of nuclear industry has caused severe water pollution. Adsorptive removal of radionuclides from wastewater has been regarded as effective solution for environment. However, developing adsorbents with high adsorption capacity and selectivity for removal of radionuclides (such as 137Cs) is still a challenge. Herein, we adopted an in situ assemble strategy to construct a novel composite, in which zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) was grafted into two-dimension (2D) layers of transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) Ti3C2, and used it in adsorptive removal of Cs+ from wastewater. Laminated and pillaring effect of ZIF-67 increased interlayer spacing and specific surface area of Ti3C2, significantly enhancing Cs+ adsorption. MXenes matrix provided the main adsorptive sites and interaction to stabilize Cs+, while the hybrid ZIF-67 assisted adsorption. The adsorbent achieved 96.2 % removal for 5 mg·L-1 of Cs+ within 6 h, and 50.0 mg·g−1 of maximum adsorption capacity, with good recyclability for 4 times. Ion competition, kinetics and thermodynamics were studied in detail to obtain the behavior of Cs+ adsorption. Finally, adsorption mechanism was proposed that [Ti − O] − H+ and [Ti − O] groups of 2D Ti3C2 were main adsorptive sites to participate in ion exchange and complexation with Cs+, respectively, while 2-methylimidazole (2-MI) ligands in ZIF-67 were synergetic adsorption sites.

Efficient adsorption of sodium oleate from wastewater with graphene oxide/polyethyleneimine composite hydrogel: Performance and mechanism

Sodium oleate (NaOL) is commonly employed as a traditional organic collector during the flotation process of phosphate ore. However, the residual NaOL in mineral processing wastewater not only poses a great threat to the environment, but also reduces the qualities of subsequent flotation products. In this study, an effective adsorbent graphene oxide/polyethyleneimine (GP) composite hydrogel was prepared and applied for the adsorption of NaOL. The successful association between GO and PEI was elucidated through various characterizations. Further to that, the adsorption performance was systematically determined through adsorption isotherm, adsorption kinetics, co-existing ions and reusability experiments. The results clearly demonstrated that the adsorption behavior of NaOL could be well described by both pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. GP composite hydrogel was able to achieve superior NaOL adsorption with an excellent adsorption capacity (295.95 mg/g) and a quick kinetic (120 min). The existence of competitive ions, such as CO32−, SO42− and PO43−, had a negative effect on NaOL adsorption. The mechanism investigation suggested that chemical adsorption and hydrogen bonds were central and played imperative roles for the adsorption of NaOL on GP composite hydrogel. Overall, the current work provides a valuable reference for the efficient adsorption of NaOL.

Simulating the Competitive Ion Pairing of Hydrated Electrons with Chaotropic Cations.

Experiments show that the absorption spectrum of the hydrated electron (ehyd-) blue-shifts in electrolyte solutions compared with what is seen in pure water. This shift has been assigned to the ehyd-'s competitive ion-pairing interactions with the salt cation relative to the salt anion based on the ions' positions on the Hofmeister series. Remarkably, little work has been done investigating the ehyd-'s behavior when the salts have chaotropic cations, which should greatly change the ion-pairing interactions given that the ehyd- is a champion chaotrope. In this work, we remedy this by using mixed quantum/classical simulations to analyze the behavior of two different models of the ehyd- in aqueous RbF and RbI electrolyte solutions as a function of salt concentration. We find that the magnitude of the salt-induced spectral blue-shift is determined by a combination of the number of chaotropic Rb+ cations near the ehyd- and the number of salt anions near those cations so that the spectrum of the ehyd- directly reflects its local environment. We also find that the use of a soft-cavity ehyd- model predicts stronger competitive interactions with Rb+ relative to I- than a more traditional hard cavity model, leading to different predicted spectral shifts that should provide a way to distinguish between the two models experimentally. Our simulations predict that at the same concentration, salts with chaotropic cations should produce larger spectral blue-shifts than salts with kosmotropic cations. We also found that at high salt concentrations with chaotropic cations, the predicted blue-shift is greater when the salt anion is kosmotropic instead of chaotropic. Our goal is for this work to inspire experimentalists to make such measurements, which will help provide a spectroscopic means to distinguish between simulations models that predict different hydration structures for the ehyd-.

Novel coumarin-Schiff base derived electronically distinct fluorescent probes: Synthesis and comparative investigations of their unique selective sensing properties with Cu2+ and Cu+ ions

The present work describes the synthesis and comparative investigations of Cu2+ and Cu+ ions sensing properties of two novel π-extended coumarin-Schiff base-derived electronically distinct fluorescent probes (4 and 5). Due to the additional electron donating group substituent (-NEt2) close proximate to the binding site of Schiff base in probe 5, it exhibits distinct electronic properties compared to probe 4. Our studies indicate that probe 5 displays efficient and highly selective fluorescence quenching behaviors with Cu2+ and Cu+ ions compared to other competitive metal ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Cr3+ and Zn2+). In our studies, Job's plot experiments revealed that the binding stoichiometry of the ligand-Cu2+ was 1:1 for both probes. The limit of detection (LOD) of 2.35 × 10–5 M and 1.56 × 10–5 M were obtained for the probes 4 and 5, respectively. Further, the Stren-Volmer equation has been used to calculate the binding abilities of probes with Cu2+ ions; it reveals the binding constant of 6.70 × 104 M-1 and 22.0 × 104 M-1 for probes 4 and 5, respectively. Also, in the present studies, our DFT computed results were comparatively presented to understand the electronic parameters (HOMO-LUMO energy band gaps, ESP and Mulliken atomic charge distribution) of compound 1, probes 4 and 5. We anticipate that the developed probes can be used to analyze Cu2+ and Cu+ ions in environmental and biological samples.

Fostering resilience and post-traumatic growth in overseas Chinese left-behind children: The role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

This study examines the impact of parental migration on the psychological well-being and development of left-behind children (LBCs) in Zhejiang, China, within the broader context of the country's rural transformations and urban migration. It investigates how intellectual and relational engagement (RE), autonomy (AUT), competence (COM), and relatedness (RES) contribute to resilience (REL) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) in these children, reflecting on the shift from viewing parental separation merely as a source of trauma to recognizing its potential to foster significant personal growth. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the research was conducted in April and May 2023 with 1348 LBCs from a total sample of 4049 students inZhejiang. A two-step random, stratified, cluster-based sampling strategy was employed, and structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships among the constructs. The statistical analysis demonstrated significant positive effects of intellectual engagement (IE), AUT, COM, and RE on both REL and PTG (p<.05 for all). IE strongly correlated with AUT (r=.68, p<.001) and COM (r=.71, p<.001), enhancing REL and facilitating PTG. Additionally, the presence of secure and consistent relationships was identified as crucial for maintaining psychological well-being, with high correlation coefficients (r>.60) underscoring their importance. Notably, REL was found to moderate the relationships among RES, COM, and PTG, highlighting its critical role in the psychological adaptation of left-behind children. The study underscores the importance of nurturing intellectual and REs, AUT, and COM to enhance psychological REL and well-being among LBAs. These elements are crucial for supporting the mental health and developmental needs of children facing the challenges of parental migration. The findings advocate for targeted interventions that can address the unique needs of this vulnerable population, emphasizing the potential for growth and adaptation despite adversities.

Competitive adsorption of gold ion in the presence of Fe(III) species on Mg/Al layered double hydroxides

Abstract In this paper, Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) was prepared via the co-precipitation method and used as an adsorbent of gold (AuCl4 −) with Fe3+ as the competitor ion in the aqueous solution. We conducted an adsorption test for single (without competitor) and binary (presence competitor) solutions. The adsorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The effect of solution acidity indicated that the optimum adsorption of AuCl4 − without competitor was at pH 3. The kinetic study revealed that the adsorbent followed pseudo-second-order with a rate constant (k) of 2.88 x 10−3 and 3.92 x 10−3 g/(mg.min) for the single and binary solutions, respectively. According to the Langmuir isotherm model, the adsorption capacity was 21.74 and 14.29 mg g−1 for single and binary solutions, respectively. The morphological characteristic of the adsorbent showed the layered structure with the hexagonal platelet-type images.

The Eighth Agria Conference on Innovative Vehicle Technologies and Automation Solutions, InnoVeTAS2024

Even though the last few years were filled with all kinds of challenges for companies and universities; we are happy to host once again, the Eighth Agria Conference on Innovative Vehicle Technologies and Automation Solutions, also known as InnoVeTAS2024. This conference series was started as a subset event of the International Pneumobile competition, in order to make it more attractive to students and professors from a wide range of universities in Europe. Today, the InnoVeTAS conference has become an independent scientific forum, which is traditionally held in May. This being the eigtht conference in the series; our event has become one of the major technical and scientific talks in Heves County! Additionally, we are now visible on the venue of Hungarian national conferences! In cooperation with IÓP Publishing, this year’s conference proceedings will also be the third time, that it will have been listed in the Scopus index, which is useful for high level researchers. List of Honorary chairs, Scientific Committee, Editorial Committee, Organizing Committee, Invited Speakers, Organization Institution and Sponsor are available in this Pdf.

Exceptional exercise capacity in a late bloomer octogenarian triathlete.

Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O<inf>2max</inf>) gradually declines across the lifespan. However, little is known about the octogenarians. This is a knowledge gap given that individuals living >80 years old is the fastest expanding age-group world-wide. The increase in the elderly population has generated greater awareness in healthy ageing including psychosocial, physical, and cognitive domains, all of which benefit from engagement in physical activity or sport. In the present article are reported characteristics of an octogenarian man (GM), starting training for triathlon when he was 75 years old. GM performed an incremental Cardiopulmonary Treadmill-Running Exercise Test (CPX). A competitive 5-day consecutive triathlon event (sprint distance on days 1, 3, 4, 5 and Olympic distance on day 2) was monitored using an advanced smartwatch. Between 2021 and 2022, he trained for 10-to-12 hours/week, and participated in 59 and 39 competitions, respectively. The CPX showed a V̇O<inf>2max</inf> of 39.8 mL·min-1·kg-1, the 3rd highest value ever described in the literature among octogenarians and corresponding to the ≈60th percentile of 40-to-49-year-old men. During the 5-day triathlon (overall 12:15 h:min), 88% of time was spent at 77-95% of maximum heart rate (i.e., vigorous exercise intensity). In addition, GM was the 2022 Triathlon Olympic distance World Champion. The remarkably high V̇O<inf>2max</inf> and performance described herein were associated with exceptionally high exercise volume and intensity during training and competition, up to more than four times the recommended physical activity by current guidelines. These results further support the benefits of endurance exercise among octogenarians.

Assessing the Competitive Advantage of Ecuador’s Shrimp Industry in the Global Market Using the Balassa Index for 2018–2022

Increased shrimp production in Ecuador might significantly boost the nation’s economic development while allowing for the sustainable exploitation of its natural resources. Business owners in Ecuador still require diagnostic tools for investment, marketing, and production planning. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the competitive position of Ecuador’s shrimp industry and direct competitors in the global shrimp market. Export data on shrimp from the International Trade Centre and Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture were used for the top five shrimp-exporting countries. The period 2018–2022 was chosen as the information was available at the start of the research. Balassa’s methodology was employed for the competitiveness analysis, and statistical analysis was conducted to validate the findings. The results show Ecuador has a significant competitive edge compared to its main rivals, Argentina, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This analysis indicates that Ecuador has the potential to win bigger market shares in the global shrimp trade despite being placed 70th and 97th, respectively, in the 2017–2018 Global Competitiveness Index and the 2018 Logistics Performance Index. Therefore, it is necessary to establish strategic production plans for Ecuadorian shrimp enterprises to adapt to the global shrimp trade demands and to advance production and supply chain technology so that Ecuador can access additional worldwide markets.