Effective Protection Measures Research Articles

Wave resonance mitigation using a rigid submerged breakwater in a varying-width channel

This paper digs deeper into the phenomenon of wave oscillation that is caused by external forces, such as air pressure and seismic vibrations. This would eventually lead to potentially dire consequences, particularly in coastal areas. In order to solve this issue, this study focuses on adding a rigid breakwater at the bottom of the basin to minimize the aforementioned damages. We will be looking at a semi-closed basin with triangular width and either constant or triangular depth, to which is added one block of the submerged breakwater with smooth and rough surfaces. We will employ the modified shallow water equations to obtain the analytical natural period for each basin type. After that, numerical simulations are carried out to check the presence of resonance phenomena in each basin. Additionally, the study investigates the crucial role of the friction coefficient in preventing resonance in basins with rough-surfaced submerged breakwaters. The aim is to explore whether a single block of smooth-surfaced submerged breakwater is sufficient to eliminate resonance or whether other conditions are necessary to halt the resonance phenomenon in each basin. Ultimately, the findings of this study hold potential benefits for individuals involved in the planning and construction of harbors and protective structures. By gaining a deeper understanding of wave oscillation and resonance in semi-closed basins, the research aims to contribute valuable insights for creating more effective and resilient coastal protection measures.

Selected issues concerning the legal and factual protection of contemporary cultural property in Poland

Selected issues concerning the legal and factual protection of contemporary cultural property in Poland

Distribution, Source, and Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals in Sewage Irrigation of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.

The pollution of agricultural soil by heavy metals is a significant environmental issue that has a serious impact on human health and food security. This study focused on investigating the presence of heavy metal pollution in sewage-irrigated soils in Taiyuan city. A total of 110 soil samples were analyzed for the presence of As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn. The results showed that the concentrations of these metals ranged from 0.06 to 26.74 mg/kg for As, 0.00 to 0.84 mg/kg for Hg, 0.03 to 0.69 mg/kg for Cd, 44.32 to 100.09 mg/kg for Pb, 9.85 to 42.19 mg/kg for Cr, 13.38 to 53.72 mg/kg for Cu, and 42.77 to 145.47 mg/kg for Zn. The average concentrations of these metals were found to be below the risk values specified in the "Soil environmental quality (GB15618-2018)", except for As and Cd in three sampling points in Xiaodian District. The heavy metal pollution in these areas can be attributed to various sources, such as industrial activities, the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and the irrigation process. According to the geo-accumulation index, the agricultural soil in the Taiyuan irrigation area was found to be uncontaminated by Zn, Cr, Cu, and As, and lightly contaminated by Cd, Hg, and Pb. The Nemerow Pollution Index indicated that the soil at all sampling points exhibited a slight level of pollution. Moreover, the ecological risk assessment indicated that all heavy metals posed a slight level of pollution. The findings of this study provide a scientific basis for the development of effective policies and measures for soil environmental protection and pollution control.

Nonlinear multi independent variables in quantifying river bank erosion using Neural Network AutoRegressive eXogenous (NNARX) model

This study proposed a novel application of Neural Network AutoRegressive eXogenous (NNARX) model in predicting nonlinear behaviour of riverbank erosion rates which is difficult to be achieved with good accuracy using conventional approaches. This model can estimate complex river bank erosion rates with flow variations. The NNARX model analysed to a set of primary data, 60% (203 data for training) and 40% (135 data for testing), which were collected from Sg. Bernam, Malaysia. A set of nondimensional parameters, known as functional relationship, used as an input to the NNARX model has been established using the method of repeating variables. The One-Step-Ahead time series prediction plots are used to assess the accuracy of all developed models. Model no. 6 (5 independent variables with 10 hidden layers) gives good predictive performance, supported by the graphical analysis with discrepancy ratio of 94% and 90% for training and testing datasets. This finding is consistent with model accuracy result, where Model no. 6 achieved R2 of 0.932 and 0.788 for training and testing datasets, respectively. Result shows that bank erosion is maximized when the near-bank velocity between 0.2 and 0.5 m/s, and the riverbank erosion is between 1.5 and 1.8 m/year. On the other hand, higher velocities ranging from 0.8 to 1.3 m/s induces erosion at a rate between 0.1 and 0.4 m/year. Sensitivity analysis shows that the highest accuracy of 91% is given by the ratio of shear velocity to near-bank velocity followed by boundary shear stress to near-bank velocity ratio (88.5%) and critical shear stress to near-bank velocity ratio (88.2%). It is concluded that the developed model has accurately predicted non-linear behaviour of riverbank erosion rates with flow variations. The study's findings provide valuable insights in advanced simulations and predictions of channel migration, encompassing both lateral and vertical movements, the repercussions on the adjacent river corridor, assessing the extent of land degradation and in formulating plans for effective riverbank protection and management measures.

Analysis of fault current contributions from small‐scale single‐phase photovoltaic inverters and their impacts on the protection of electric power distribution systems

AbstractThis paper presents an analysis of the fault current contributions of small‐scale single‐phase photovoltaic inverters under grid‐connected operation and their potential impact on the protection of distribution systems. To conduct this analysis, an autotransformer‐based voltage dip generator is proposed as a means to test the photovoltaic inverters' contribution to short‐circuit currents. Laboratory tests are then performed to obtain the short‐circuit current contribution of eight single‐phase photovoltaic inverters. Using the short‐circuit current data obtained, a behaviour model is developed and simulated on Matlab‐Simulink. The model is then applied to a real distribution system and case studies are conducted to simulate the potential impacts on the protection system. Results indicate that while the massive penetration of small‐scale single‐phase photovoltaic inverters can alter the protection system's operating time, the impacts are not significant. Only in very specific scenarios, such as events related to high impedance faults, some impact can be observed. In these situations, the presence of photovoltaic inverters further complicates the already difficult task of identifying high impedance faults through conventional overcurrent protections. This study provides valuable insights into the integration of photovoltaic inverters into distribution systems, and can aid in the development of effective protection measures for future grid designs.

Performing food safety inspections

Food safety inspections are a health protection measure employed globally to reduce the public health threat presented by foodborne illness. Despite the prevalent application of food safety inspections in the regulation of food businesses, little guidance is available to inspectors on how an inspection should be performed to provide an effective health protection measure. However, before guidelines can be devised, a detailed description of food safety inspection practices must be established. This research identified how Environmental Health Practitioners from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Ireland perform food safety inspections. Data was collected via an online survey disseminated via environmental health professional peak bodies. A total of 267 respondents were surveyed and asked questions relating to common components, important aspects, influential factors and methods employed when undertaking food safety inspections. This study found that there is a common approach to performing food safety inspection across the countries surveyed. A detailed description of the common approach is provided. Some variations in approach were identified and their possible causes were examined. This study provides a basis for evaluation of current food safety inspection practices by presenting a vital and holistic description of food safety inspection practice, while illuminating a course of important issues for further research.

Factors contributing to online child sexual abuse in Bangladesh: A qualitative inquiry.

Children globally, including in Bangladesh, are facing various forms of online sexual abuse including sextortion, exploitation, body shaming, and blackmail. They are also coerced into engaging in intimate activities, harassed through the sending of sexual content, among other forms of abuse. We aimed to explore the root cause of online child sexual abuse (OCSA) in Bangladesh. This qualitative research design utilized in-depth interviews (IDIs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) between February and April 2022. The study sample comprised 21 school-going children aged 13-17 years, selected from two different geographical settings (10 from rural areas and 11 from urban areas) in Bangladesh using purposive sampling techniques. They participated in in-depth interviews (IDIs) while additional data was obtained through key informant interviews (KIIs) with 11 multidisciplinary stakeholders. Children from both rural and urban areas reported facing abuse in various ways, such as being asked to send naked photos, being invited to be naked in video calls, and being invited to have virtual sex, among others, over the internet. The government should consider integrating OCSA education into secondary levels. Additionally, there should be efforts to ensure a safe online environment through content scrutiny, promotion of outdoor activities, and community campaigns. An anonymous reporting system must be implemented, and strict measures under the Children's Act must be enforced against perpetrators. Further intervention studies are needed to ensure effective child protection measures in Bangladesh.

The key to sustainability: In-depth investigation of environmental quality in G20 countries through the lens of renewable energy, economic complexity and geopolitical risk resilience

The world is currently facing urgent climate and environmental issues, such as global warming, ecosystem collapse, and energy shortages. In this context, this study selected data from 2000 to 2021 and employed the Method of Moment Quantile Regression (MMQR) to thoroughly investigate the impact of renewable energy consumption, economic complexity, and geopolitical risks on the ecological footprint of the Group of Twenty (G20) countries. The results indicate that in countries with lower quantiles, renewable energy consumption significantly reduces the ecological footprint, whereas its effect is not prominent in countries with higher quantiles. Economic complexity has a negative impact on the ecological footprint, and this impact becomes stronger as the quantile of the ecological footprint rises. Additionally, economic complexity moderates the effect of renewable energy on the ecological footprint. Geopolitical risks facilitate the growth of the ecological footprint. Likewise, robustness tests such as DOLS, FMOLS, and quantile regression confirm these estimates in the same framework. This study has conducted a profound analysis of global environmental issues, offering innovative perspectives and recommendations for achieving goals related to sustainable energy utilization, mitigating climate change, and improving the ecological environment. The findings of this research will guide policymakers in G20 countries to adopt more effective environmental protection measures, thereby contributing to the construction of a sustainable future.

Tritium Content in Komatsuna Cultivated in Tritium-Contaminated Peat Soil

Tritiated water from fusion power reactors will be the next major issue when fusion technology comes fully onstream. Effective radiation protection measures will be implemented when the scope of its behavior is well understood. To understand tritium behavior in the environment, komatsuna was cultivated in tritium-contaminated peat soil. It was indicated experimentally from water immersion experiments that the amount of tissue free water tritium in komatsuna depends on the tritium concentration in the soil and that the concentration in stems and leaves in komatsuna decreases as the tritium concentration in the soil decreases. The amounts of tritium retained in the roots were much less than that in the stems and leaves.

Protecting mass-gathering events in a pandemic with testing tracks and transparent information: an experimental study with festival guests

Objective. To enable future open-air festivals during a pandemic, model festivals tested restricted access and behavioural rules to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmissions. However, the uptake of health-protective measures depends on informed acceptance, meaning people are more likely to follow measures if they understand their effectiveness and related disease risks. Design and main outcome measures. With a series of online surveys, we studied risk perceptions of 6,500 festival guests and the association of perceived effectiveness of protective behaviours with reported compliance. In a scenario-based online experiment (N = 1,958) among festival guests, we tested the effect of informing transparently about the risk-reducing potential of protective measures at festivals on the intention to attend hypothetical events. Results. We found that guests tended to overestimate infection risks while still perceiving them as low. Self-reported mask wearing and distancing at and around the festivals could not be associated with the understanding of the measures’ effectiveness. However, in addition to protective measures themselves, providing transparent information about their absolute risk-reducing effect increased intentions to attend festivals that employ varying protective measures. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that the acceptance of protected festivals can be influenced by transparent information about the effectiveness of protective measures. This calls for further research on evidence-based public health communications to improve their impact.

Exercise of State Control over Local Self-Government in the Field of Environmental Protection

Today, environmental protection is a priority task for the governments of countries around the world due to the deepening of environmental problems and their impact on people's lives. Several problematic issues can and must be solved at the local level, which will make environmental policy more effective and take into account local needs. The study aimed to analyse the competence of local self-government bodies in terms of monitoring compliance with environmental legislation. A comparative analysis was used to study the issue of ensuring the protection of the environment and ecosystem by local self-government bodies through the prism of legal protection. During the research, several obstacles to the implementation of effective environmental protection measures at the local level were identified: the imperfection of the financing system, the lack of environmental awareness, the absence of effective administrative and procedural measures, and the imperfection of state control. In response to the identified problems, the positive experience of implementing the norms of the European Charter of Local Self-Government was investigated. It was established that the decentralization of local self-government had a positive effect on the protection of the ecosystem, as it brought local authorities closer to the public and provided local authorities with real powers to solve problems related to compliance with environmental legislation. In addition, to increase the effectiveness of mechanisms of state control over local self-government in the field of environmental protection, a system of principles of such control is proposed, consisting of publicity, systematicity, effectiveness, objectivity, impartiality, and universality. The proposed system will cover several key environmental problems and quickly and effectively solve them with the involvement of competent specialists and the public. The state of environmental protection at the local level is seen in further research and justification to determine practical recommendations for the implementation of decentralization of local self-government.

Assessing spatio-temporal characteristics and their driving factors of ecological vulnerability in the northwestern region of Liaoning Province (China)

Evaluating the ecological vulnerability of the northwestern region of Liaoning Province, a typical ecologically vulnerable area in China, and exploring its inherent patterns help formulate effective measures for ecological protection and restoration. Existing studies in this region have focused on the county, city, or provincial level, failing to capture the overall ecological vulnerability. Based on the “sensitivity-degradation” model framework, this study employed the Analytic Hierarchy Process, Principal Component Analysis, and geographical detector methods to evaluate the ecological vulnerability in the northwestern region of Liaoning Province from 2000 to 2022 and analyzed the possible driving factors. The results showed that, from 2000 to 2022, areas with moderate or higher vulnerability accounted for an average of 64.7% of the total area, while severely and extremely vulnerable areas accounted for 32.5%. These severely and extremely vulnerable areas are mainly distributed along both banks of the Liuhe River and in the northern part of Liaoning Province, where it adjoins the Horqin Sandy Land. From 2000 to 2022, the overall ecological vulnerability in the northwestern region of Liaoning Province showed a decreasing trend, with the proportion of severe vulnerability significantly decreasing from 35.6% to 8.6%. Vegetation and land use were the primary factors leading to long-term changes in ecological vulnerability. This research can also provide an example for the similar issues in other study areas.

Mathematical model for conservation of biological diversity

This article discusses a mathematical model designed to analyze the dynamics of populations and their interactions in an ecosystem. The model is based on a system of Lotka-Volterra differential equations, extended to take into account additional environmental factors such as climate change, natural resource use, and the impact of anthropogenic factors. Creating a mathematical model for the conservation of biological diversity is a complex task that requires taking into account many factors and interactions between them. The model includes coefficients describing population growth rates, their interactions, and diffusion, which takes into account the spatial distribution of species. The study demonstrates the application of the model using the example of an ecosystem in the dry regions of Uzbekistan, where interactions between plant populations and parasitic insects are examined. The modeling results make it possible to predict changes in the ecosystem in response to various climatic and anthropogenic impacts, as well as to develop adaptation strategies for the conservation of biodiversity. The proposed model is a powerful tool for environmental research, allowing not only to understand current processes in ecosystems, but also to predict their future state. Thus, the model contributes to the development of effective measures for environmental protection and sustainable management of natural resources.

Biopolymeric and lipid-based nanotechnological strategies for the design and development of novel mosquito repellent systems: recent advances.

Mosquitoes are the most medically important arthropod vectors of several human diseases. These diseases are known to severely incapacitate and debilitate millions of people, resulting in countless loss of lives. Over the years, several measures have been put in place to control the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, one of which is using repellents. Repellents are one of the most effective personal protective measures against mosquito-borne diseases. However, conventional delivery systems of repellents (e.g., creams, gels, and sprays) are plagued with toxicity and short-term efficacy issues. The application of biopolymeric and lipid-based systems has been explored over the years to develop better delivery systems for active pharmaceutical ingredients including mosquito repellents. These delivery systems (e.g., solid lipid micro/nanoparticles, micro/nanoemulsions, or liposomes) possess desirable properties such as high biocompatibility, versatility, and controlled/sustained drug delivery, and thus are very important in tackling the clinical challenges of conventional repellent systems. Their capability for controlled/sustained drug release has improved patient compliance as it removes the need for consistent reapplication of repellents. They can also be engineered to reduce repellents' skin permeation, consequently improving their safety. However, despite the benefits that these systems offer very few of them have been successfully translated to the global market for commercial use, a vital challenge that previous reports have not thoroughly examined. The issue of limited clinical translation of novel repellent systems is a vital aspect to consider, as the ultimate goal is to move these systems from bench to bedside. As such, this study seeks to highlight the recent advances in the use of biopolymeric and lipid-based systems for the development of novel mosquito-repellent systems and also analyze the challenges that have limited the clinical translation of these systems while proposing possible strategies to overcome these challenges.

A metabolomics perspective on root‐derived plant immunity and phytohormone interaction

AbstractA plant's root system is essential to its survival as it supports anchorage and absorbs water and minerals from the ground. Several microorganisms interact with roots in the rhizosphere, and they can be neutral, positive, or negative. Identifying beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms and limiting or promoting their colonization is essential for roots to survive. Signaling molecules and metabolites play an important regulatory role in determining root‐microbe associations. Phytohormones modulate plant‐microbe interactions by metabolic reprogramming and transmitting long‐range signals, resulting in local and systemic resistance. Mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics provides a powerful means to study root‐microbe interactions. It provides a qualitative and quantitative approach for determining the mechanisms of root‐microbe interactions and also helps to understand pathogen‐induced metabolic reprogramming. By using metabolomics, one can identify biomarker metabolites that indicate disease resistance or sensitivity in the roots. Compared to other omics methods, metabolomics is still underutilized in root‐pathogen interaction studies. It is, therefore, vital that metabolomics is popularized to gain a better understanding of disease resistance and susceptibility. Through untargeted metabolomics, we can gain insight into plant‐microbial interactions across a variety of tissues, which helps us develop more effective crop and plant protection measures. In this review, we describe the current status and progress in metabolomics applications for studying root‐microbe interactions with an emphasis on root‐derived phytohormones and specialized metabolites. In addition, we also proposed the use of metabolomics to identify novel biomarkers during root‐microbe interactions, to distinguish resistant genotypes from susceptible ones, or to predict nondestructively early disease progression.

Numerical Evaluation of Harmful Consequences after Accidental Explosion at a Hydrogen Filling Station

Abstract This study aims to present computational technology that can be used to evaluate numerically the harmful environmental consequences caused by an accidental hydrogen release from failed high-pressure dispensing cylinders and its explosion at a vehicle hydrogen filling station. A coupled problem of a hydrogen explosion products expansion in the atmospheric ground layer and a harmful explosion pressure wave shock impact on service personnel and infrastructure buildings at an accident site is solved by means of computer experiment simulation series. A spatial time-dependent model of compressible hydrogen-air mixture flow is used to obtain pressure history in calculation area in order to assess maximum overpressure in control points of human possible locations and on building surfaces exposed to hydrogen blast wave impact. A deterministic impact consequences model is based on comparing maximum overpressure values extracted from the mathematical model with threshold ranges corresponding to certain degrees of human damage and infrastructure destruction. The presented computer technology allows safety experts to identify potentially dangerous zones by means of mathematical modelling and recommend effective protection measures to mitigate negative consequences of explosions.

ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION SECURITY EFFECTIVENESS IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL DIFFERENCES

The article is dedicated to the issues of information security in Russia, with a focus on the regional level. In the context of digitalization, the country’s economy faces increasing cyber threats, which require effective protection measures. Various methods are considered, including encryption, access control models, and advanced security methods. Special attention is given to regional strategies for protecting information infrastructure and assessing their effectiveness based on the proposed model. The model takes into account information security costs, threat levels, and regional specifics. Data is provided to evaluate the effectiveness of information protection in several Russian regions. The calculations show that Nizhny Novgorod and Samara regions achieve a high level of protection with relatively low information security costs, indicating more efficient resource use. Meanwhile, Moscow, despite significant investments, shows comparatively lower efficiency, which may point to issues in resource allocation or security implementation.

RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF MEDICOLEGAL AUTOPSIES CONDUCTED AT KHAWAJA MUHAMMAD SAFDAR MEDICAL COLLEGE SIALKOT

Background: Autopsy is performed to establish the manner and cause of death, and can help the authorities to implement effective protective measures against crime. Objective of this study was to determine manner, cause, gender predominance and target age group of medico-legal autopsies in government hospitals of Sialkot. Methods: Data for this retrospective cross-sectional study was collected from autopsy registers of Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital and Sardar Begum Hospital of Sialkot for the years 2018–2022. The data was entered in self-made proforma and analysed using SPSS-20. Results: The autopsies were done on 77.5% males and 22.5% females. The most sensitive group was 21–30 (25.6%) followed by 31–40 (20.5%). Out of 512 deaths, 290 were homicidal deaths, 105 (56.4%) were accidental, 66 (20.50%) were suicidal, 27 (12.89%) deaths with undetermined method, and 24 deaths were found to be natural. Firearm was the cause of deaths in 66.20% cases followed by blunt weapons in 11.37% cases, and penetrating injuries in 10.0% cases. Hanging was the most common cause of death among suicidal deaths (28.78%) and road traffic accident was the most common cause of accidental deaths (80.0%). Conclusion: Homicidal deaths are the most common deaths among unnatural deaths. Most commonly used weapon is firearm. There is male predominance. The most common target age group is 21–30 years. Pak J Physiol 2023;19(4):36–8

Complication rates and safety of pulsed dye laser treatment for port-wine stain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is the most commonly used method for port-wine stain (PWS); however, no studies have reported the safety of PDL. This review aimed to collect and summarize complications reported in relevant literature, assess complication rates in treating PWS with PDL, and explore the relevant influencing factors. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to search for related studies in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library until August 2022. Two reviewers independently evaluated the risk of bias of included studies. Stata Software version 17.0 was used for the analysis. All complications reported in the literature are divided into acute phase complications and long-term complications. Overall pooled purpura, edema, crusting, blistering, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and scarring rates were 98.3%, 97.6%, 21.5%, 8.7%, 12.8%, 0.9%, and 0.2%, respectively. Although the acute adverse reactions were found to be common, the long-term permanent complications clearly have a lower frequency, and the occurrence of scarring is much lower than that initially thought. This indicates that effective protective measures after treatment are very important for preventing scar formation. Overall, PDL treatment for PWS shows a high level of safety and low chances of causing long-term complications.

ОБ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ПРИРОДНОЙ ПОПУЛЯЦИИ ПАРАЗИТОИДА ГРОЗДЕВОЙ ЛИСТОВЕРТКИ BASSUS TUMIDULUS (NEES, 1812) (HYM.: BRACONIDAE) НА ТАМАНСКОМ ПОЛУОСТРОВЕ

The paper presents the results of studies of trophic relationships of Lobesia botrana Den. et Schiff. (Lepidoptera, Torticidae) in the «parasitoid - insect-host» system in ampelocenoses. For the first time for the Anapa-Taman viticulture zone of the Krasnodar region, the species Bassus tumidulus (Nees, 1812) (Microdus tumidulus (Nees von Esenbeck, 1812), Therophilus tumidulus (Nees von Esenbeck, 1812) was established as a mass natural enemy of the European grape moth in the conditions of industrial plantings of grapes. During the observation period (2021-2023), this type of parasitoid was the most common in terms of the number of infected specimens of L. botrana, its frequency of occurrence exceeded that of other parasitoids recorded in these studies by 2.7 times. There is a lack of knowledge of the parasitoid fauna in the consortia formed around the European grape moth in ampelocenoses. Knowledge of trophic relationships of the main economically significant pest of the vineyards of the Anapa-Taman zone of the Krasnodar region as a mechanism for regulating its abundance can help in the development of effective biologized protection measures in the fight against it. According to the results of extirpation, the seasonal dynamics of the flight of the adult parasitoid was revealed and compared with the life cycle of the harmful lepidopteran host. A complete adaptation of Bassus tumidulus to the target phases of the development of the European grape moth has been established. The conclusion is made about the specialization of the polyphage to this pest in the region. The characteristic features of Bassus tumidulus population dynamics were revealed, namely, an increase in the density of the hymenoptera population in ampelocenosis by the end of the growing season. The data of the biology of Bassus tumidulus, given in the literature, have been confirmed.