Initial Number Research Articles

Demagnetization Parameters Evaluation of Magnetic Shields Based on Anhysteretic Magnetization Curve.

To achieve the nearly zero-field environment, demagnetization is an indispensable step for magnetic shields composed of high-permeability material, which adjusts the magnetization of the material to establish magnetic equilibrium with the environmental field and improve the shielding performance. The ideal demagnetization can make the high-permeability material on the anhysteretic magnetization curve to have a higher permeability than on the initial magnetization curve. However, inappropriate parameters of degaussing field cause the magnetization state to deviate from the anhysteretic magnetization curve. Therefore, this article proposes a new assessment criterion to analyze and evaluate the parameters of degaussing field based on the difference between the final magnetization state after demagnetization and theoretical anhysteretic state of the shielding material. By this way, the magnetization states after demagnetizations with different initial amplitude, frequency, period number and envelope attenuation function are calculated based on the dynamic Jiles-Atherton (J-A) model, and their magnetization curves under these demagnetization conditions are also measured and compared, respectively. The lower frequency, appropriate amplitude, sufficient period number and logarithmic envelope attenuation function can make the magnetization state after demagnetization closer to the ideal value, which is also consistent with the static magnetic-shielding performance of a booth-type magnetically shielded room (MSR) under different demagnetization condition.

Sensitivity of Modern Deep Learning Neural Networks to Unbalanced Datasets in Multiclass Classification Problems

One of the critical problems in multiclass classification tasks is the imbalance of the dataset. This is especially true when using contemporary pre-trained neural networks, where the last layers of the neural network are retrained. Therefore, large datasets with highly unbalanced classes are not good for models’ training since the use of such a dataset leads to overfitting and, accordingly, poor metrics on test and validation datasets. In this paper, the sensitivity to a dataset imbalance of Xception, ViT-384, ViT-224, VGG19, ResNet34, ResNet50, ResNet101, Inception_v3, DenseNet201, DenseNet161, DeIT was studied using a highly imbalanced dataset of 20,971 images sorted into 7 classes. It is shown that the best metrics were obtained when using a cropped dataset with augmentation of missing images in classes up to 15% of the initial number. So, the metrics can be increased by 2–6% compared to the metrics of the models on the initial unbalanced data set. Moreover, the metrics of the rare classes’ classification also improved significantly–the True Positive value can be increased by 0.3 or more. As a result, the best approach to train considered networks on an initially unbalanced dataset was formulated.

GAAMmf: genetic algorithm with aggressive mutation and decreasing feature set for feature selection

This paper introduces a modified version of a genetic algorithm with aggressive mutation (GAAM), one of the genetic algorithms (GAs) used for feature selection. The modification proposed in this study expands the original GAAM’s capabilities by allowing not only feature selection but also feature reduction. To obtain this effect, we applied the concept of ranks used in the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA) and the concept of penalty term used in the Holland genetic algorithm. With those two concepts, we managed to balance the importance of two competing criteria in the GAAM fitness function: classification accuracy and the feature subset’s size. To assess the algorithm’s effectiveness, we evaluated it on eleven datasets with different characteristics and compared the results with eight reference methods: GAAM, Melting GAAM, Holland GA with a penalty term, NSGA-II, Correlation-based Feature Selection, Lasso, Sequential Forward Selection, and IniPG (an algorithm for particle swarm optimisation). The main conclusion drawn from this study is that the genetic algorithm with aggressive mutation and decreasing feature set (GAAMmf) introduced in this paper returned feature sets with a significantly smaller number of features than almost all reference methods. Furthermore, GAAMmf outperformed most of the methods in terms of classification accuracy (except the original GAAM). In contrast to Holland GA and NSGA-II, GAAMmf was able to perform the feature reduction task for all datasets, regardless of the initial number of features.

Exposing the real ‘social’ side of mining-related CSR in Sierra Leone

This paper offers an ethnographic study of how CSR initiatives are implemented in communities that have been relocated for large-scale mining; how these initiatives are experienced locally; and how different people respond to the effects of these initiatives. Beyond documenting the limited benefits of CSR initiatives, this paper reveals how local people (re)shape the social outcomes of CSR in nuanced ways and challenges the ‘premise’ of modernity promises on which CSR sits. The findings of this study are based on 12 months ethnographic fieldwork conducted in three communities that have experienced mining-induced displacement and resettlement (MIDR), in the north of Sierra Leone. The study finds that the mining company implemented a number of CSR initiatives that threatened women's and men's lifeworlds in different ways. However, beyond this, the findings demonstrate how local people respond to –avoid, adapt, and resist - these CSR initiatives. These findings contribute to CSR discourse by going beyond a community level analysis, to show how different individuals experience CSR within mining communities in Sierra Leone. Second, how through their reactions to CSR initiatives, individuals within mining-affected communities, and women in particular, take social responsibility into their own hands, thus contributing to the feminisation of mining theory.

Validation of machine learning approach for direct mutation rate estimation.

Mutations are the primary source of all genetic variation. Knowledge about their rates is critical for any evolutionary genetic analyses, but for a long time, that knowledge has remained elusive and indirectly inferred. In recent years, parent-offspring comparisons have yielded the first direct mutation rate estimates. The analyses are, however, challenging due to high rate of false positives and no consensus regarding standardized filtering of candidate de novo mutations. Here, we validate the application of a machine learning approach for such a task and estimate the mutation rate for the guppy (Poecilia reticulata), a model species in eco-evolutionary studies. We sequenced 4 parents and 20 offspring, followed by screening their genomes for de novo mutations. The initial large number of candidate de novo mutations was hard-filtered to remove false-positive results. These results were compared with mutation rate estimated with a supervised machine learning approach. Both approaches were followed by molecular validation of all candidate de novo mutations and yielded similar results. The ML method uniquely identified three mutations, but overall required more hands-on curation and had higher rates of false positives and false negatives. Both methods concordantly showed no difference in mutation rates between families. Estimated here the guppy mutation rate is among the lowest directly estimated mutation rates in vertebrates; however, previous research has also found low estimated rates in other teleost fishes. We discuss potential explanations for such a pattern, as well as future utility and limitations of machine learning approaches.

Major Concepts of the Turkey Blue Homeland Strategy

The article analyses the key directions of Turkey’s foreign policy under the presidency of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It examines concepts such as “ba-lance” in relations with the Middle East and the West, which Turkey is trying to achieve through the development of its economy and international trade. The article also focuses on the concept of “security in the East”, which reflects Turkey’s focus on security concerns from terrorist groups on its border with Syria and Iraq. Researchers on this topic also note the strategy of the “new Ottoman space”, which reflects Turkey’s intentions to increase its influence on the countries of the Balkans and the Caucasus. The article analyses the concept of “active diplomacy”, which consists in establishing diplomatic ties with new states, as well as developing and deepe-ning relations with countries that already have diplomatic ties with Turkey. In addition, the article focuses on the concept of “neighbourhood policy”, which reflects Turkey’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region. The article also examines Turkey’s role in international organisations, such as NATO and the UN, and its “economic diplomacy” strategy, which reflects Turkey’s intention to attract foreign investment and develop trade relations with other countries. The Blue Homeland Strategy encompasses a number of policies and initiatives, including expanding Turkey’s naval capabilities, improving coordination between the various branches of the military, strengthening relations with allied countries, and promoting economic development in the maritime sector. The strategy emphasises the importance of diplomacy and legal initiatives to protect Turkey’s maritime rights in accordance with international law. “The Blue Homeland is seen as a comprehensive approach to addressing Turkey’s maritime security challenges and protecting its national interests. In addition, the Blue Homeland strategy also plays an important role in achie-ving Turkey’s broader foreign policy goals. The article provides an in-depth analysis of the main directions and concepts of Turkey’s foreign policy strategy, which helps to understand the complexity and importance of this country’s foreign policy activities in the modern world.

Promoting ductility and formability in a carbide free bainitic steel via pre-annealing treatment

This study aimed to overcome the existing trade-off in strength–ductility in carbide free bainitic steel and improve ductility without compromising strength. Herein, we proposed a novel and simple method to obtain Mn-rich cementite via a pre-annealing (PA) treatment. PA promoted the partitioning of Mn into cementite particles. The Mn-rich cementite increased the Mn content in the retained austenite (RA) and enhanced the RA stability. Moreover, the initial number of Mn-rich cementite microstructures is positively correlated with RA. The effect of PA on the bainitic ferrite (BF) content was evaluated via comparison with the non-PA sample, revealing that the PA treatment promoted BF nucleation and increased the BF content. The PA-treated samples exhibited the optimal transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) effect and mechanical properties; in particular, the PA-3 sample (with 3 h treatment period) improved ductility and formability, with the total elongation increased from 11.9% in the non-PA sample to 18.0% in the PA-3 sample, corresponding to an increase of ∼51.2%. Additionally, the Erichsen cupping value increased from 7.52 mm in the non-PA sample to 9.78 mm in the PA-3 sample, corresponding to an increase of 30.1%. The overall applicability of PA for the improvement of formability of the carbide free bainitic steel is evident in all PA-treated samples.

Assessing Implementation of Social Screening Within US Health Care Settings: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Though a growing crop of health care reforms aims to encourage health care-based social screening, no literature has synthesized existing social screening implementation research to inform screening practice and policymaking. Systematic scoping review of peer-reviewed literature on social screening implementation published 1/1/2011-2/17/2022. We applied a 2-concept search (health care-based screening; social risk factors) to PubMed and Embase. Studies had to explore the implementation of health care-based multi-domain social screening and describe 1+ outcome related to the reach, adoption, implementation, and/or maintenance of screening. Two reviewers extracted data related to key study elements, including sample, setting, and implementation outcomes. Forty-two articles met inclusion criteria. Reach (n = 7): We found differences in screening rates by patient race/ethnicity; findings varied across studies. Patients who preferred Spanish had lower screening rates than English-preferring patients. Adoption (n = 13): Workforce education and dedicated quality improvement projects increased screening adoption. Implementation (n = 32): Time was the most cited barrier to screening; administration time differed by tool/workforce/modality. Use of standardized screening tools/workflows improved screening integration. Use of community health workers and/or technology improved risk disclosure and facilitated screening in resource-limited settings. Maintenance (n = 1): Only 1 study reported on maintenance; results showed a drop in screening over 21 months. Critical evidence gaps in social screening implementation persist. These include gaps in knowledge about effective strategies for integrating social screening into clinical workflows and ways to maximize screening equity. Future research should leverage the rapidly increasing number of screening initiatives to elevate and scale best practices.

A comparative analysis of the effects of containment policies on the epidemiological manifestation of the COVID-19 pandemic across nine European countries

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catastrophic event that has seriously endangered the world’s population. Governments have largely been unprepared to deal with such an unprecedented calamity, partially due to the lack of sufficient or adequately fine-grained data necessary for forecasting the pandemic’s evolution. To fill this gap, researchers worldwide have been collecting data about different aspects of COVID-19’s evolution and government responses to them so as to provide the foundation for informative models and tools that can be used to mitigate the current pandemic and possibly prevent future ones. Indeed, since the early stages of the pandemic, a number of research initiatives were launched with this goal, including the PERISCOPE (Pan-European Response to the ImpactS of COVID-19 and future Pandemics and Epidemics) Project, funded by the European Commission. PERISCOPE aims to investigate the broad socio-economic and behavioral impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of making Europe more resilient and prepared for future large-scale risks. The purpose of this study, carried out as part of the PERISCOPE project, is to provide a first European-level analysis of the effect of government policies on the spread of the virus. To do so, we assessed the relationship between a novel index, the Policy Intensity Index, and four epidemiological variables collected by the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and then applied a comprehensive Pan-European population model based on Multilevel Vector Autoregression. This model aims at identifying effects that are common to some European countries while treating country-specific policies as covariates, explaining the different evolution of the pandemic in nine selected countries due to data availability: Spain, France, Netherlands, Latvia, Slovenia, Greece, Ireland, Cyprus, Estonia. Results show that specific policies’ effectiveness tend to vary consistently within the different countries, although in general policies related to Health Monitoring and Health Resources are the most effective for all countries.

Вуглецеві кредити та офсети в контексті державної політики сталого розвитку

Introduction. Overcoming the coronavirus crisis made it possible to return the focus of the authorities to global issues of sustainable recovery, which are directly related to the so-called green course and the transition to a low-carbon economy. At the international level, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has implemented a number of initiatives that determine the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions on the planet, including carbon dioxide (CO2). Worthy of special attention is the fact that it is necessary to implement appropriate strategies of state support and the involvement of progressive financial instruments in order to develop the priorities of the low-carbon economy. Problem Statement. Assessment of prospects for the development of carbon credits and offsets in the context of expanding the range of monetary and fiscal instruments of state regulation of sustainable development. Purpose. To substantiate the essential characteristics of carbon credits and offsets with the aim of providing proposals for the use of foreign experience to create an effective state mechanism designed to stimulate their use for the reconstruction of the economy of Ukraine, namely qualitative recovery, based on maintaining the appropriate level of environmental, social and management components, stimulating the financing of relevant projects and programs. Methods. General scientific and special methods were used, in particular: scientific abstraction and epistemological (content) analysis, synthesis, induction and deduction, analogies and systematization, system-structural analysis, expert evaluation method, index method and grouping method. Results. The article examines the modern environment of sustainable development, considers the state and the potential of popularizing carbon credits and offsets on the way to sustainable development, prospects and tools for developing the relevant market. In addition, the study emphasizes the stages of formation of the carbon credits market. Emphasis is placed on the possibilities of interaction between the participants of the carbon credit market. In view of expanding the practical application of carbon credits, the differences between carbon credits and offsets are emphasized. Forecasts of the development of the global market of carbon credits and offsets were analyzed. Fiscal instruments of influence on the European market of carbon credits and offsets were considered, which made it possible to assess the applied aspects of their application, in particular for the recovery of the economy of Ukraine. Conclusions. Carbon credits are a kind of asset, namely, they make it possible to determine the rights to emit carbon gases. Instead, carbon offsets have a “passive” nature, because they are represented by units that confirm the possibility of reducing these emissions. The annual growth of the volume of carbon credits and offsets in the world determines the need to strengthen the system of state regulation of the processes that take place in the market. Accordingly, the world is integrating the tools of monetary and fiscal policy into the system of managing greenhouse gas emissions in various spheres of economy. The recovery of Ukraine's economy requires the implementation of a qualitatively new sustainable development policy. In particular, it is worth applying rather successful experience of stimulating the use of carbon credits and offsets. The pricing system and fiscal policy measures (regulation of the amount of taxation of carbon emissions) will be of decisive importance for the development of the market. This direction of research is worthy of the attention of domestic scientists and practitioners, which will contribute to the reconstruction and strengthening of the competitive positions of the national economy on international markets.

Safety Signal Generation for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Following Messenger RNA COVID-19 Vaccination: Postmarketing Surveillance Using the French Pharmacovigilance Spontaneous Reporting Database

The World Health Organization lately described sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) as a possible adverse effect of COVID-19 vaccines. Recent discordant pharmacoepidemiologic studies invite robust clinical investigations of SSNHL after COVID mRNA vaccines. This post-marketing surveillance study, overseen by French public health authorities, is the first to clinically document post-vaccination SSNHL in terms of severity, duration, positive rechallenge cases and to examine the role of potential risk factors. This nationwide study aimed to assess the relationship between SSNHL and exposure to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and to estimate the reporting rates (Rr) of SSNHL after mRNA vaccination per 1,000,000 doses (primary outcome). We performed a retrospective review of all suspected cases of SSNHL after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination spontaneously reported in France between January 2021 and February 2022, based on a comprehensive medical evaluation including patient medical history, side and range of hearing loss, hearing recovery outcomes after a minimum period of 3 months. Quantification of hearing loss and assessment of hearing recovery outcomes were performed according to a grading system modified from Siegel's criteria. A cutoff value of 21 days was used for the delay onset of SSNHL. The primary outcome was estimated using as a denominator the total number of doses of each vaccine administered over the study period in France. From an initial number of 400 extracted cases for both mRNA vaccines, 345 spontaneous reports were selected for further analysis. After detailed review of complementary medical data, 171 fully documented cases of SSNHL were found. Of these, 142 SSNHL cases occurred after tozinameran vaccination, with the following characteristics: Rr=1.45/1,000,000 injections; no difference between the first, second, and booster injection; complete recovery for 32 cases; median delay onset before day 21 = 4 days; median (range) age=51 (13-83) years; no sex effect. A total of 29 SSNHL cases were identified after elasomeran vaccination, with the following characteristics: Rr=1.67/1,000,000 injections; rank effect in favour of the first injection (p=0.036); complete recovery for 7 cases; median delay onset before day 21 = 8 days; median (range) age=47 (33-81) years; no sex effect. Autoimmune, cardiovascular, or audiovestibular risk factors were present in nearly 30% of cases. SSNHL was more often unilateral than bilateral for both mRNA vaccines (p<0.001 for tozinameran; p<0.003 for elasomeran), and the hearing loss degree was slight to moderately severe (Siegel's grade 1 to 3) on 74% of audiogram tests. There was 23 (13%) of profound hearing loss (Siegel's grade 5), among which 17 (74%) did not recover a serviceable ear. A positive rechallenge was documented for 8 cases, reinforcing the hypothesis of a causal relationship between mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and the occurrence of SSNHL. Episodes of SSNHL after COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are very rare adverse events that do not call into question the benefits of mRNA vaccines but deserve to be known given the potentially disabling impact of sudden deafness. It is, therefore, essential to properly characterize any post-injection SSNHL, especially in the case of a positive rechallenge, to provide appropriate individualized recommendations.

A Survey of the Metadata Element Sets Used for Digital Art Objects in the Online Collections of the Museums of India

Digital technology advancements have had a significant impact on how people learn, search for information, and evaluate it. Indian cultural heritage institutions like GLAMs (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) have also embraced a number of digitisation initiatives to increase access to their wide-ranging art collections. Digital paintings and other cultural heritage information artifacts can facilitate digital humanities research in multiple ways. Using an online content analysis and observation method, this study looks at how metadata elements are used to describe the different art collections in five national museums in India. The study finds that 13 categories of art objects are made available by all the museums. Each category is described by a different number of metadata entry elements. The study also finds the metadata elements that different museums prefer for different types of art objects, as well as the common elements. The findings highlight the need for standardisation in metadata practices to improve the discoverability and accessibility of cultural objects and show how crucial metadata is in facilitating access to cultural objects. The results could help GLAMs create metadata guidelines and strategies for their digital collections, which would make digital art objects more discoverable and accessible.

Numerical study on fatigue behavior and strengthening of steel pipes with a surface crack

Recently, metallic pipes have been extensively utilized in civil and marine engineering, whereas surface cracks are quintessential flaws of steel pipes, the emergence of which may trigger fatigue failure. The work of this paper is mainly a numerical study on the fatigue behavior and strengthening of steel pipes with a part-through circumferential crack under four-point bending. A crack propagation model was proposed, and the corresponding surface crack growth simulation was subsequently implemented through finite element method (FEM) in conjunction with Python scripting. The numerical models, including unrepaired and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP)-repaired pipes, were further validated by evaluating the fatigue life and stress intensity factor (SIF). Based on the verified models, case studies were conducted, and two parameters, which are initial crack sizes and CFRP layer number, were quantitatively analyzed to assess their influence on SIFs along the crack tip, surface crack propagation, and the development of crack aspect ratio. The results reveal that initial crack sizes have an impact on the fatigue behavior of steel pipe to varying extents, especially on the SIF, crack propagation rate, and tendency of crack aspect ratio development, however, the final crack aspect ratio is largely unaffected. Moreover, reinforcing with CFRP can substantially reduce the SIF, enlarge the crack aspect ratio, and reduce the crack propagation rate, thereby dramatically extending the fatigue life. This study can serve as a reference for future research or design regarding the fatigue of steel pipe.

The Effect of Optimum Photoperiod from Blue LED Light on Growth of Chlorella Vulgaris in Photobioreactor Tank

Abstract Study for investigated the optimum photoperiod from blue LED light for the growth of Chlorella vulgaris in culture tank. Photoperiods from blue LED Light (Light/Dark) were set up at 24:0, 16:8 and 12:12 h. The initial number of C. vulgaris cells was 1.6 x 105 ± 0.12 cells mL-1. Culture medium was using commercially available fertilizers. After 17 days of cultivation, the results showed that the 24:0 h photoperiod had better growth of algae than 16:8 and 12:12 h, with maximum number of cells of 1.64 x 107 ± 0.23 cells mL-1 specific growth rate (SGR) was 0.17 ± 0.05, -0.06 ± 0.11 and -0.19 ± 0.1% day-1 with statistically significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) in day 5 of cultivation. The stationary phase continued up to day 3 of cultivation, between the treatment. The optimum temperature for growth ranged from 35.5–38.5°C. The results showed that blue LED lighting at 24:0 h is the optimum photoperiod for cultivation of C. vulgaris. Keywords: Photobioreactor tank, Photoperiod, Blue LED light, Chlorella vulgaris, Growth rate

Experimental study on the droplet dynamics after impacting an inclined superhydrophobic surface

Super-hydrophobic surface has been widely studied, related to surface self-cleaning and liquid transport. In this study, effects of the inclined angle and impact velocity on the dynamic characteristics of droplet impact are experimentally investigated, using high-speed photography. When the spreading break-up does not occur, the effect of the inclined angle on the maximum spreading diameter is mainly determined by the competition between the decrease in the inertial force component normal to the surface and the increase in the gravity and inertial force component parallel to the surface. A formula has been developed to predict the maximum spreading factor under different inclined angles. The increasing inclined angle promotes the complete rebound. When the impact velocity is constant, there exists a critical inclined angle, at which the rebounding time is minimum. Furthermore, the critical inclined angle increases with the impact velocity. The increasing inclined angle can affect droplet ejection and potentially hinder its occurrence. Droplet ejection is classified into five stages based on the change in the ratio of the ejected to initial droplet diameter versus Weber number normal to the surface. For stage 5, an empirical formula that predicts the diameter of ejected droplets under different inclined angles is given out. This study can provide a novel idea for the generation and transport of microdroplets of directed size, as well as the recycling of the remaining liquid film after droplet ejection.

Recurrent Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension (SIH) and the Durability of Repeat Epidural Blood Patch (EBP).

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) remains a rare and difficult clinical entity to diagnose and treat. Epidural blood patch (EBP) of the dural sac is the mainstay definitive treatment for refractory cases and has mixed efficacy. We sought to evaluate the recent efficacy and outcomes of EBP for SIH at our institution. Twenty-three patients (14 women, 9 men, mean age 49) were seen and treated for SIH between Summer 2009 and Spring 2018 at the same institution. All patients underwent brain MRI with and without gadolinium contrast and T2-weighted spine MRI.Targeted EBP was placed one or two vertebral levels below areas of suspected leak, while the patient was positioned in the lateral decubitus position. Patients were seen in the outpatient setting within a week following initial EBP and repeat EBP was offered to patients with persistent symptoms. Patients were followed if symptoms persisted or for 6 months following clinical relief of symptoms. 22/23 (95.7%) patients presented with complaints of orthostatic headache, and 3 (13%) patients presented with altered mental status (AMS) or focal neurologic deficit. Brain MRI demonstrated pachymeningeal enhancement in 16/23 (69.6%) patients, and 5/23 (21.7%) patients had a subdural hematoma (SDH) present. Dural leaks were successfully identified in 18/23 (78.3%) patients. 12/23 (52.2%) patients had symptomatic relief with initial EBP, and 5/23 (21.7%) patients received further EBPs for persistent disease with all achieving relief after repeat EBP. 5/12 (41.7%) of patients had recurrent symptoms after initial relief with EBP, and 4/5 (80%) were successfully treated with a second EBP. The mean initial EBP volume and number of EBPs per patient were 21.7 mL (median 20 mL, 7-40 mL) and 3.54 (median 1, 1-13) respectively. There was one complication from initial EBP (cervical dural tear requiring operative closure) treated with open surgical management successfully. In total, 18/23 (78.2%) patients are currently asymptomatic with regard to their SIH. The mean follow-up in this cohort was 2.6 years (median 1.8 years, 1.8 months-9.27 years). EBP is a viable and effective option for the treatment of recurrent SIH caused by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.

Photosynthetic living building material: Effect of the initial population of cyanobacteria on fixation of CO2 and mechanical properties

Living building materials are regarded as environmentally friendly due to their minimal greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing process. In this study, a living building material (LBM) composed of sand, gelatin, and cyanobacteria was molded into 20 mm cubes with varying initial inoculation of cyanobacteria (1, 10, 100 units of biomass based on chlorophyll content). The atmospheric CO2 fixation capacity, compressive strength, gelatin desiccation, microbial viability, and CaCO3 content of the LBM cubes were measured during a 28-day curing period in the light chamber. The results indicated a positive correlation between the initial number of microbes, the rate of CO2 fixation, and the rate of microbial growth. The compressive strength of the cubes was primarily influenced by gelatin desiccation until day 7, and by microbial mineral precipitation, which fortified the gelatin scaffold after day 7.

Modelling the COVID-19 pandemic: Focusing on the case of Greece

The SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) pandemic created an unprecedented chain of events at a global scale, with European counties initially following individual pathways on the confrontation of the global healthcare crisis, before organizing coordinated public vaccination campaigns, when proper vaccines became available. In the meantime, the viral infection outbreaks were determined by the inability of the immune system to retain a long-lasting protection as well as the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 variants with differential transmissibility and virulence. How do these different parameters regulate the domestic impact of the viral epidemic outbreak? We developed two versions of a mathematical model, an original and a revised one, able to capture multiple factors affecting the epidemic dynamics. We tested the original one on five European countries with different characteristics, and the revised one in one of them, Greece. For the development of the model, we used a modified version of the classical SEIR model, introducing various parameters related to the estimated epidemiology of the pathogen, governmental and societal responses, and the concept of quarantine. We estimated the temporal trajectories of the identified and overall active cases for Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Italy and Sweden, for the first 250 days. Finally, using the revised model, we estimated the temporal trajectories of the identified and overall active cases for Greece, for the duration of the 1230 days (until June 2023). As shown by the model, small initial numbers of exposed individuals are enough to threaten a large percentage of the population. This created an important political dilemma in most countries. Force the virus to extinction with extremely long and restrictive measures or merely delay its spread and aim for herd immunity. Most countries chose the former, which enabled the healthcare systems to absorb the societal pressure, caused by the increased numbers of patients, requiring hospitalization and intensive care.

DLSU Initiatives and Challenges: Energy & Climate Change

De La Salle University is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and to promoting positive action that will help reduce its carbon footprint. In its vision-mission, it emphasizes the need to be “attuned to a sustainable earth.” This paper presents the different initiatives and challenges faced by the university, especially while still in a global pandemic. A number of initiatives have been undertaken to promote energy efficiency in campus operations and climate action, particularly regarding reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, facing the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing campus operations for the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes have presented new challenges moving into the next normal. The need to address health and safety concerns has resulted in increased consumption of electricity. Challenges are experienced particularly in ensuring improved indoor air quality as well as allowing indoor-outdoor air exchange. The setting up of (a) air purifiers and/or additional auxiliary fans in high foot-traffic areas, (b) installation of HEPA filters and UV-C lamps into HVAC systems, (c) extended use of air conditioning units to allow purging of air before and at the end of activities, and (d) the opening of air exchange dampers in the University’s HVAC systems, are all expected to result in increased demand for electricity.

Journalism innovations as a driver for journalistic diversity and inclusion: International examples and editorial institutionalization

We examine whether internationally relevant journalism innovations of the last decade support journalistic diversity and inclusion aspects and look at the degree of their editorial institutionalization. To approach an answer, thirty-eight guided interviews were conducted between the end of 2021 and summer 2022 along thirty-eight innovative journalism case studies among five European countries. We show that diversity is seen as a key journalism innovation in all five countries. We find that innovative journalism initiatives show diversity-relevant references and influence the degree of diversity and inclusion accessible to the audience in a positive manner. Thus, efforts to strengthen innovation in the media industry are an important building block for ensuring future journalism that does not want to distance itself from social reality. However, based on structuration theory considerations, we conclude that large numbers of innovative journalism initiatives are not sufficient to institutionalize diversity and inclusion. Instead, these aspects need to be defined explicitly as editorial quality goals which are anchored in an editorial quality management system.