Potential Source Research Articles

The Berkovići (BIH) ML = 6.0 earthquake sequence of 22 April 2022 – Seismological and seismotectonic analyses

In the southeast of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Berkovići earthquake sequence started with the mainshock on 22 April 2022 21:07 UTC at focal depth 22 km with magnitude ML = 6.0 (Mw = 5.7). Our preliminary estimation of the mainshock's maximum intensity is VII EMS for Berkovići where 29% of buildings were damaged. We analysed the first nine months of this sequence, 22 April 2022–22 January 2023. The earthquakes were located using a guided grid-search algorithm with source-specific station corrections as a mean of solutions for 54 combinations of velocity models and program control parameters. The analysis of aleatory variation and epistemic uncertainty showed that they are very dependent on the station coverage, especially for focal depth. The event catalogue consists of 7217 earthquakes and can be considered complete for ML ≥ 1.3. Focal depths (15–30 km) are considerably larger than average for the Dinarides, but consistent within the zone of mid-crustal events where the earthquakes occurred. Focal mechanisms were determined with the first-motion polarity method for eight earthquakes: five of them, including the mainshock, were due to reverse faulting on faults striking in the Dinaric direction, with the preferred main fault gently dipping to the northeast. However, three events were due to normal faulting, unexpected for this area. We constructed a regional seismotectonic cross-section to delineate a potential seismogenic source of the mainshock, and it suggests that the mainshock occurred on the NE-dipping blind ramp of the basal thrust of the Dalmatian tectonic unit. Moreover, another NE-dipping and blind ramp of this basal thrust could be responsible for the Ston–Slano 1996 earthquake, located to the SW of the Berkovići mainshock hypocentre at the horizontal distance of c. 35 km.

Performance and Heavy Metal Analysis of Graphite Tailings Cured Using Cementitious Materials

The massive accumulation of graphite tailings causes serious environmental pollution, mainly from heavy metal pollution. Therefore, this article introduces a method of using graphite tailings as a high-content main material, cement as a small component of the auxiliary cementitious material, and clay as a substitute for cement. The compressive strength and permeability of graphite tailing–solidified material (GT, GT–Clay) were tested, and the effect of clay partially replacing cement as an auxiliary cementitious agent on GT–Clay performance was compared. In addition, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP) was used to analyze the effect of the graphite tailing placement time on the heavy metal content, as well as the changes in the GT heavy metal leaching concentration and its heavy metal content under outdoor freeze–thaw conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to elucidate the microstructural changes in the GT–Clay. The experimental results show that, as the substitution of clay for cement increased from 0 to 50%, the compressive strength of the 90% GT–Clay gradually decreased, and the permeability also increased. The compressive strength of 95% GT–Clay did not show significant changes, but the permeability increased, and when mixed with quicklime, gypsum, and silica fume, the permeability decreased. The Ni and As in graphite tailings fluctuated significantly with the placement time. The heavy metal leaching concentrations of the 90% GT and 95% GT were below the standard limit, and Cd, As, and Ni in GT were potential sources of pollution. The analysis of the microscopic test results showed that the hydration products of the GT–Clay included ettringite, Ca(OH)2, and calcium silicate hydrates. The hydration product stabilized and filled the gaps between the tailing particles, thereby cementing them together. Not only did it improve the mechanical strength of GT, it also reduced the permeability and heavy metal leaching rate. This study provides a new analytical approach to applying graphite tailings for environmental treatment.

Proteolytic, milk-clotting, and stability properties of proteases from Solanum elaeagnifolium fruit

Solanum elaeagnifolium (trompillo) has been considered a new alternative source of proteolytic enzymes for cheese-making. However, properties for this proteolytic source still need to be described. This study evaluated the proteolytic (PA) and milk-clotting activity (MCA) as well the stability properties for the proteases found in S. elaeagnifolium fruit extract (FE). Proteolytic enzymes were active in a broad pH range with a maximum at pH 10.0 and 80 °C and showed high stability in a wide pH (5.0–12.0) and temperature ranges (30–75 °C). MCA increased with the temperature in a range of 30–85 °C. Proteases from S. elaeagnifolium FE presented high thermostability, retaining 40% of the activity after 15 min of incubation at 80 °C. Temperatures higher than 85 °C caused the total PA loss. Phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) inhibited more than 95% of the PA, indicating that the activity is mainly related to serine proteases. In addition, a casein hydrolysis profile, by SDS-PAGE, showed that proteases degrade α, β, and κ-casein with high affinity. S. elaeagnifolium fruit contains abundant proteolytic enzymes with high catalytic properties and activity over different protein substrates. Therefore, S. elaeagnifolium fruit represents a potential source of serine proteases for use in different biotechnological processes, offering attractive properties such as high activity in a broad pH and temperature range, high thermal stability, and preference over different natural substrates.

Coupled carbon‑iron‑phosphorus cycling in the Rainbow hydrothermal vent field

Hydrothermal venting has been shown to play a role in the global biogeochemical cycles of three bio-essential elements: iron (Fe), carbon (C) and phosphorus (P). However, our insight into the coupled cycling of Fe and associated C and P in hydrothermal plumes as well as their long-term fate in the underlying sediments remains limited. We present a detailed study, tracing the biogeochemical pathways of hydrothermally sourced Fe and the associated C and P from a buoyant to a neutrally buoyant plume and to the underlying sediments. Combining chemical and micro(spectro)scopic methods, we characterize particulate and dissolved phases recovered from the water column and sediment at two sites: one located directly in the active Rainbow hydrothermal vent field at 36°N on the mid-Atlantic ridge (MAR) and one located 3 km NE of the active vents. Our results show that the precipitates in one of the largest hydrothermal plumes on the MAR consist of aggregates of Fe nanoparticles, comprising poorly-ordered Fe oxyhydroxides and polycrystalline Fe sulfides, coated with carbon that is likely of organic origin. The sediments underlying the hydrothermal plume show enrichments in organic C, Fe, P and vent-derived trace metals such as Cu that decrease with distance from active vents. The enrichment in organic C and persistence of apparently highly-reactive Fe phases after sediment burial may reflect enhanced preservation potential of both phases as a result of the formation of organic-mineral complexes. We further demonstrate that the scavenging of dissolved seawater phosphate (PO43−) by Fe nanoparticles is constrained to early stages of particle formation and sorption reactions in the buoyant hydrothermal plume and that P burial close to the vent field is driven by the deposition of the Fe nanoparticles. In the sediment, P is then efficiently retained through sink-switching from Fe-bound to more stable, authigenic apatite phases. As such, the sediments underlying the Rainbow vent seem to faithfully record coupled emission, scavenging and burial of essential elements and therefore offer potential for reconstruction of past venting activity. The deposition and burial of partly reduced plume material (e.g., Fe sulfides) in an oxic deep-sea sediment results in sediment chemistry and diagenesis that is very specific to the hydrothermal environment, while the redox signature of the plume is gradually lost. Beyond its role as a potential source of bioavailable Fe, we highlight how hydrothermal venting represents an efficient sink for organic C and bioavailable P. The findings contribute to understanding the profound impact of geological episodes of increased hydrothermal activity on ocean biogeochemistry and the coupled ocean-climate system.

Source apportionment based on EEM-PARAFAC combined with microbial tracing model and its implication in complex pollution area, Wujin District, China

Further improving the quality of surface water is becoming more difficult after the control of main point-sources, especially in the complex pollution area with mixed industrial and agricultural productions, whereas the pollution source apportionment might be the key to quantify different pollution sources and developing some effective measures. In this study, a technical framework for source apportionment based on three-dimensional fluorescence and microbial traceability model is developed. Based on screening of the main environmental factors and their spatiotemporal characteristics, potential pollution sources have been tentatively identified. Then, the pollution sources are further tested based on the analysis of fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) and the similarity of fluorescence components in surface water and potential pollution sources. At the same time, the correlation between microbial species and pollution sources is constructed by analyzing the spatiotemporal characteristics of microbial composition and the response of main species to environmental factors. Therefore, pollution source apportionment is quantified using PCA-APCS-MLR, Fast Expectation-maximization for Microbial Source Tracking (FEAST), and Bayesian community-wide culture-independent microbial source tracking (SourceTracker). PCA-APCS-MLR could not effectively distinguish the contributions of different industrial sources in the complex environment of this study, and the contribution of unknown sources was high (average 39.60%). In contrast, the microbial traceability model can accurately identify the contribution of 7 pollution sources and natural sources, effectively reduce the proportion of unknown sources (average of FEAST is 19.81%, SourceTracker is 16.72%), and show better pollution identification and distribution capabilities. FEAST exhibits a more sensitive potential in source apportionment and shorter calculation time than SourceTracker, thus might be used to guide the precise regional pollution control, especially in the complex pollution environments.

Spatiotemporal distribution, source apportionment, and ecological risk of bisphenol analogues in a highly urbanized river basin

Bisphenol analogues (BPs), as one of the endocrine disruptors, have received wide attention due to their adverse impacts on ecosystems. However, the seasonal spatiotemporal distribution, source apportionment, and ecological risk of BPs in natural basins are poorly understood. Especially in highly urbanized river basins with the extensive economic development and anthropogenic activities threaten these critical but ecologically fragile regions. In this study, field investigations of BPs in the waters of the entire Qinhuai River Basin (QRB) were conducted in June (before the annual flood period) and August (after the annual flood period) 2023. The Qinhuai River, an important primary tributary of the lower Yangtze River, is located in eastern China and the QRB is characterized by a high population density and dense urbanization. Thirty-two sites were sampled for six types of BPs known to be ubiquitous in the surface water of the QRB. Significant differences in the concentrations of those BPs were found. Specifically, the concentration of total BPs (ΣBPs) was significantly higher before than after the flood period: 20.3–472 ng/L (mean = 146 ng/L) and 14.1–105 ng/L (mean = 35.9 ng/L), respectively. BPA was the main contributor to ΣBPs before the flood, and BPB followed by BPA after the flood. ΣBP concentrations were 12–241 % higher downstream than upstream of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The results of a principal component analysis followed by multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR) suggested that untreated wastewater discharge from the WWTPs is an important source of BPs in the basin, with urban rainfall runoff as another potential source after the flood period. An assessment of the ecological risk of BPs, based on a calculation of the risk quotient, showed that BPA and BPS should be given due attention, and overall ecological risk of BPs pose a low risk to local algae but high and medium risks to invertebrates and fish, respectively.

Simultaneous generation of wavelength multiplexing and polarization multiplexing from a wavelength-tunable ultrafast fiber laser

A wavelength-tunable mode-locked erbium-doped all-fiber laser delivering both wavelength multiplexing and polarization multiplexing asynchronous pulses is experimentally demonstrated, which is challenging in previous studies. The numerical simulations validate the experimental observations and reveal that the cavity birefringence and polarization dependent loss (PDL) induced by the wavelength division multiplexer play a significant role in the formation of different types of asynchronous pulses. Our results not only provide insights into the physical mechanism of the asynchronous pulses generation, but also offer a potential low-complexity light source for dual-comb applications.

Total Phenolic Content in Black Rice (Oryza sativa L. indica) Bran Ethanolic Extract from Two Different Regions in Java, Indonesia

Rice bran, a rice by-product yielded by the milling process, has recently been recognized as a potential source of natural active constituents. Black rice bran has the highest antioxidant capacity compared to white and brown rice bran. It is correlated with the contribution of phenolic compounds in rice bran. The purpose of this study was to determine the total phenolic content in black rice (Oryza sativa L. indica) bran ethanolic extract from two different regions in Java, Indonesia, using Folin-Ciocalteu Reagent (FCR). Black rice bran samples used in this study were planted in Ciletuh Geopark Sukabumi, West Java (BRBE1), and Karanganyar Regency, Central Java (BRBE2). The parameters observed were total phenolic content, and the result was statistically tested with an unpaired t-test by GraphPad Prism 8.3.0 application. The samples contained 175.48 mg GAE/g extract in BRBE1 and 174.39 mg GAE/g extract in BRBE2. There was no significant difference based on these results. It can be concluded that both samples contained phenolic compounds and statistically, there was no significant difference.

Can we enhance working memory? Bias and effectiveness in cognitive training studies.

Meta-analyses have found that working memory (WM) can be improved with cognitive training; however, some authors have suggested that these improvements are mostly driven by biases in the measurement of WM, especially the use of similar tasks for assessment and training. In the present meta-analysis, we investigated whether WM, fluid intelligence, executive functions, and short-term memory can be improved by cognitive training and evaluated the impact of possible sources of bias. We performed a risk of bias assessment of the included studies and took special care in controlling for practice effects. Data from 52 independent comparisons were analyzed, including cognitive training aimed at different cognitive functions. Our results show small improvements in WM after training (SMD = 0.18). Much larger effects were observed when the analysis was restricted to assessment tasks similar to those used for training (SMD = 1.15). Fluid intelligence was not found to improve as a result of training, and improvements in WM were not related to changes in fluid intelligence. Our analyses did however indicate that cognitive training can improve specific executive functions. Contrary to expectations, a set of meta-regressions indicated that characteristics of the training programme, such as dosage and type of training, do not have an impact on the effectiveness of training. The risk of bias assessment revealed some concerns in the randomization process and possible selective reporting among studies. Overall, our results identified various potential sources of bias, with the most significant being the choice of assessment tasks.

Determination of macro and micronutrients in diferentes species of ora-pro-nóbis and comparison with conventional vegetable

The aim of this work was to determine the proximate composition and contents of iron, copper, manganese, phenolic compounds, phytic acid, total titratable acidity and pH of three species of ora-pro-nóbis (OPN): Pereskia aculeata Miller (PA), Pereskia aculeata var. godseffiana (PAG) and Pereskia grandifolia Haworth (PG) from domestic cultivation. Furthermore, compare the results obtained with a conventional vegetable kale (CM) (Brassica oleracea L. acephala) and evaluate the interrelationships through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The ora-pro-nóbis species were statistically different from the CM in terms of total titratable acidity, pH, phenolic compounds, iron and copper at a significance level of 5%. The CM and PA showed statistical similarities in relation to protein, carbohydrate and manganese content at a significance level of 5%, while for PA and PG samples statistical similarities were observed for moisture and phytic acid at a significance level of 5%. For OPN species, the minerals concentrations varied from 15.26 ± 6.40 to 25.52 ± 4.72 mg Fe 100 g-1, 1.23 ± 0.81 to 5.31 ± 6.57 mg Cu 100 g-1, 12.00 ± 6.31 to 17.72 ± 13.13 mg Mn 100 g-1. ACP demonstrated that the PAG sample made the greatest contribution to the study, having in its composition the highest levels of iron, copper, phytic acid and moisture. Therefore, the species of ora-pro-nóbis evaluated in this work, even in residential cultivation conditions, proved to be potential sources of minerals, mainly iron, especially the species Pereskia aculeata var. godseffiana. In this way, the evaluation of the proximate and mineral composition of unconventional food plants is relevant for understanding the nutritional composition and increasing the consumption of these vegetables, in their use for food enrichment, as well as in helping to reduce the population's food insecurity.

Seroprevalence of pathogenic Leptospira serogroups in asymptomatic domestic dogs and cats: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease transmitted by contact with the urine of animals infected with pathogenic species of the bacteria Leptospira or by contact with environments contaminated with the bacteria. Domestic dogs and cats may act as reservoirs or as sentinels of environmental contamination with leptospires, posing a public health concern. There is a great diversity of leptospires, and one common way to classify them is into serogroups that provide some information on the host species they are associated with. The aims of this study were: (1) to quantitatively summarize the overall prevalence and serogroup-specific prevalence of antibodies against pathogenic leptospires in asymptomatic dogs and cats and (2) to identify environmental and host characteristics that may affect the prevalence. Three electronic databases and the reference lists of eligible articles were screened, for epidemiological studies conducted between the years 2012-2022. We estimated overall and serogroup-specific prevalence using three-level meta-analysis models and assessed potential sources of heterogeneity by moderator analysis and meta-regression. Eighty-four studies met the inclusion criteria (dog studies 66.7%, cat studies 26.2%, and both species 7.1%). There were significant differences between dogs and cats in the overall prevalence model (P < 0.001), but not in the serogroup-specific model (P>0.05). In dogs, the prevalence of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Canicola was significantly higher than the other pathogenic serogroups (P < 0.001), while in cats there were no significant differences among serogroups (P = 0.373). Moderator analysis showed that the prevalence of L. kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa was significantly higher in stray/sheltered dogs than in domiciled dogs (P = 0.028). These results suggest that pathogenic serogroups associated with small mammals are circulating among asymptomatic pets and should be taken into account in the transmission cycle of leptospires, as well as in the standard MAT panel for diagnosis in dogs and cats. It also highlights the importance of including both dogs and cats as potential reservoirs when conducting eco-epidemiological studies in different geographical and ecological areas.

A study of environmental pollution and risk of heavy metals in the bottom water and sediment of the Chaohu Lake, China.

Most of the existing research for heavy metals in water at present is focusing on surface water. However, potential environmental risk of heavy metals in the bottom water of lakes cannot be ignored. In this study, the content, distribution, and speciation of nine heavy metals (As, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in the bottom water and sediment of Chaohu Lake were studied. Some pollution assessment methods were used to evaluate the environmental effect of heavy metals. Positive matrix factorization was conducted to investigate the potential sources of heavy metals in sediment. The contents of heavy metals in the bottom water of Chaohu Lake mean that its environmental pollution can be ignored. In sediment, Cd and Zn have showed stronger ecological risk. pH and redox potential are more likely to affect the stability of heavy metals in the bottom water of Chaohu Lake during the dry reason. Industrial sources (16%) are no longer the largest source of heavy metal pollution; traffic sources (33.6%) and agricultural sources (23.4%) have become the main sources of pollution at present. This study can provide some support and suggestions for the treatment of heavy metals in lakes.

Identification of groundwater pollution sources and health risk assessment in the Songnen Plain based on PCA-APCS-MLR and trapezoidal fuzzy number-Monte Carlo stochastic simulation model

The source of inorganic pollutants in the groundwater of the Songnen Plain are complex; therefore, it is urgent to analyze the pollution sources and their contribution rates, and to determine the effects of pollutants on human health. In this study, the solution for the insufficient extraction of characteristic information and subjective weight in principal component analysis (PCA) was found using log-centralization and the entropy weight method. Based on 896 groundwater samples, the types and distribution characteristics of pollution sources were identified, and the APCS-MLR receptor model was used to quantitatively characterize the contribution of pollution sources to water quality. Considering the uncertainty of the health risk assessment process, a trapezoidal fuzzy number-Monte Carlo stochastic simulation model (TFN-MCS) was constructed. Overcoming the inapplicability of triangular fuzzy numbers in dealing with highly discrete water quality data. The results showed that: (1) The five potential pollution sources in the Songnen Plain were salinity factor (34.086 %), agricultural pollution factor (15.854 %), geological background factor (13.11 %), industrial pollution factor (10.382 %) and organic pollution factor (7.382 %). The degree of groundwater pollution in the study area is controlled by the terrain, hydrogeological conditions, land use type, and industrial layout. (2) The APCS-MLR receptor model was suitable for the allocation of potential sources of groundwater pollution. The average contributions rate of the five common factors to groundwater pollution were 38.86, 14.12, 15.73, 14.6, and 6.77 %. Salinity factor plays a major role in groundwater quality. (3) The THI of children and adults were 2.15–15.03 and 0.86–7.261, respectively, much higher than the safety threshold of one. In general, the THI of children from ingesting contaminated groundwater is twice that to adults. NO3– and F- are the primary risk control indicators for groundwater in the study area. These results support the formulation of effective groundwater pollution control strategies.

Ecological Risk Assessment and Source Analysis of Heavy Metals in Farmland Soil in Yangchun City Based on APCS-MLR and Geostatistics

Yangchun City, a typical polymetallic ore distribution area in Guangdong Province (China), was selected as the research region to study the content, distribution, source, and possible impacts of heavy metals (HMs) (Arsenic: As; Cadmium: Cd; Chromium: Cr; Copper: Cu; Mercury: Hg; Nickel: Ni; Lead: Pb; and Zinc: Zn) on the farmland soil of this City. According to our findings, the spatial distribution of HMs in Yangchun City shows higher concentrations in the north and southeast and lower in the west and other regions. Metal content in some sampled sites of the agricultural land exceeded the soil pollution risk screening values, particularly As (7.5%), Cd (12%), Cu (4%), Hg (14.5%), and Pb (3%). Additionally, the average content of As, Cu, Cd, Pb, Hg, and Zn from the studied areas surpassed the soil background value of Guangdong Province for all metals. The absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) was used to identify potential sources of HMs in the soil samples. There are three potential sources identified by the model: traffic emissions, natural sources, and agricultural activities, accounting for 28.16%, 16.68%, and 14.42%, respectively. Based on the ecological risk assessment, the potential ecological risk (Eri = 310.77), Nemero pollution index (PN = 2.27), and multiple possible effect concentration quality (mPECQs = 0.23) indicated that the extent of heavy metal pollution in the soil samples was moderate. Three sources were identified: traffic emissions, natural sources, and agricultural activities. We suggest that by combining the above results, a monitoring and early warning system focused on Cd and Hg can be established. The system could utilize geographic information systems and remote sensing technologies to achieve dynamic monitoring and prediction of pollution. Regular testing of soils and sustainable management practices are also recommended to control and remediate contamination.

Hydrogeochemical characterization, quality assessment, and potential nitrate health risk of shallow groundwater in Dongwen River Basin, North China.

Assessing groundwater geochemical formation processes and pollution circumstances is significant for sustainable watershed management. In the present study, 58 shallow groundwater samples were taken from the Dongwen River Basin (DRB) to comprehensively assess the hydrochemical sources, groundwater quality status, and potential risks of NO3- to human health. Based on the Box and Whisker plot, the cation's concentration followed the order of Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ > K+, while anions' mean levels were HCO3- > SO42- > NO3- > Cl-. The NO3- level in groundwater samples fluctuated between 4.2 and 301.3mg/L, with 67.2% of samples beyond the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (50mg/L) for drinking. The Piper diagram indicated the hydrochemical type of groundwater and surface water were characterized as Ca·Mg-HCO3 type. Combining ionic ratio analysis with principal component analysis (PCA) results, agricultural activities contributed a significant effect on groundwater NO3-, with soil nitrogen input and manure/sewage inputs also potential sources. However, geogenic processes (e.g., carbonates and evaporite dissolution/precipitation) controlled other ion compositions in the study area. The groundwater samples with higher NO3- values were mainly found in river valley regions with intense anthropogenic activities. The entropy weight water quality index (EWQI) model identified that the groundwater quality rank ranged from excellent (70.7%) and good (25.9%) to medium (3.4%). However, the hazard quotient (HQ) used in the human health risk assessment (HHRA) model showed that above 91.38% of groundwater samples have a NO3- non-carcinogenic health risk for infants, 84.48% for children, 82.76% for females, and 72.41% for males. The findings of this study could provide a scientific basis for the rational development and usage of groundwater resources as well as for the preservation of the inhabitants' health in DRB.

Influence of Environmental Factors in Determining Tourist Destinations

Tourism is a growing industry in many countries of the world and for many countries it is a potential source of economic growth and employment opportunities. Focusing on Sri Lanka in terms of tourism, tourism is the third largest foreign exchange earner in Sri Lanka. It is important to correctly identify the internal tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, as well as the environmental factors that influence those destinations' decisions, so that development projects can be made. Accordingly, through this study, the environmental factor has been studied in determining the tourist destinations. The three places chosen as the study area of this research are Sinharaja Rainforest in Kalawana Divisional Secretariat Division of Ratnapura District of Sri Lanka, Bopath Ella Waterfall located in Kuruvita Divisional Secretariat Division and Sitawaka Botanical Garden located in Seethawaka Divisional Secretariat Division of Colombo District. The judgment-based method was used to select the three tourist destinations. Also, 120 people were used as a sample for data collection. A simple random sampling method was used. Primary data and secondary data were used for this study. Participant observation, interview method and questionnaire method were used to collect primary data. IBM SPSS-26 version software was used for data analysis and a Binary Logistic model was used to identify how much influence the environmental factor has in determining tourist destinations. Accordingly, it was studied here whether the environmental factor affecting the decision of a tourist destination changes according to variables such as age, gender, marital Status, education level, occupation, income level etc. According to the results of the research, the Chi- square value is 56.435. The P value is statistically significant at the 1% level. That means the P value of the model is 0.000 (P&lt;0.01). That means that the model is statistically significant. That is, according to the independent variables used above, it can be concluded that there is a change in the influence of the environmental factor to determine a tourist destination. In the analysis, the statistical significance of each independent variable was tested by the Wald test, which can identify the effect of each independent variable on the model. Accordingly, it was clear from this research that the variables of profession and education have a significant effect on the environmental factor that affects the decision of a tourist destination. &#x0D; Keywords: Education, Environmental factor, Profession, Tourist destinations

Production of Chemically Modified Bio-Based Wood Adhesive from Camote and Cassava Peels.

Adhesives are significant for manufacturing competent, light, and sturdy goods in various industries. Adhesives are an important part of the modern manufacturing landscape because of their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to enhance product performance. Formaldehyde and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) are conventional adhesives utilized in wood applications and have been classified as carcinogenic, toxic, and unsustainable. Given the adverse environmental and health effects associated with synthetic adhesives, there is a growing research interest aimed at developing environmentally friendly bio-based wood adhesives derived from renewable resources. This study aimed to extract starch from camote and cassava peels and focuses on the oxidization of starch derived from camote and cassava peels using sodium hypochlorite to create bio-based adhesives. The mean yield of starch extracted from camote and cassava peels was 13.19 ± 0.48% and 18.92 ± 0.15%, respectively, while the mean weight of the oxidized starches was 34.80 g and 45.34 g for camote and cassava, respectively. Various starch ratios sourced from camote and cassava peels were examined in the production of bio-based adhesives. The results indicate that the 40:60 camote to cassava ratio yielded the highest solid content, while the 80:20 ratio resulted in the best viscosity. Furthermore, the 40:60 ratio produced the most favorable particle board in terms of mechanical properties, density, thickness, swelling, and water absorption. Consequently, the starch extracted from camote and cassava peels holds promise as a potential source for bio-based adhesives following appropriate chemical modification.

Synthesis and Accumulation of Phytocompounds in Field-, Tissue-Culture Grown (Stress) Root Tissues and Simultaneous Defense Response Activity in Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

Harsh climates, i.e., drought, extreme temperatures, and toxic gases, pose issues to agriculture by altering plants’ growth and yield. Biotechnology with biochemical defense approaches is beneficial for generating new plants/varieties with extra resilience to adverse conditions. In response to stress, cultures show an enriched level of secondary metabolite synthesis. Here, an efficient in vitro propagation method using axillary shoot proliferation, along with callus formation, was established in Glycyrrhiza glabra L. The phytochemical composition of in vitro and in vivo grown tissues was analyzed using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) technique, and the biochemical attributes were measured and compared in different investigated tissues. Callus formation from root explants was achieved with a frequency of 88.89% on MS medium containing 2.0 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D. Axillary shoot proliferation was obtained from dormant buds when cultured onto MS supplemented with BAP alone, or in combination with, IAA. The maximum shoot proliferation (94.44%) was recorded on MS with 1.0 mg/L BAP with an average shoot length of 10.5 cm. The regenerated shoots were subcultured and transferred to the root induction medium, supplemented with various concentrations of IAA/IBA, wherein 2.0 mg/L IBA resulted in the best rooting frequency (88.89%). The GC–MS-based phytocompounds analysis of the methanolic extracts of root-derived callus and in vivo- and in vitro- grown root tissues was conducted. These samples revealed the presence of more than 35 therapeutically important bioactive compounds, such as methylglabridin, sitosterol, lupeol, squalene, stearic acid, linoleic acid, etc. The biochemical parameters, like total phenolic content, flavonoid content, DPPH scavenging activity, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activity were also measured. All the biochemical attributes were found to be higher in in vitro derived roots than the callus and in vivo grown root (donor) samples. These findings demonstrated that callus (root derived) and in vitro roots are a stable and potent source of multiple phytocompounds, encompassing medical significance with wide applications. This study may serve as an alternative opportunity in the sustained and continuous synthesis of important compounds without harming natural vegetation and normal environment.

Predicting the distribution coefficient of cesium in solid phase groups using machine learning

The migration and retention of radioactive contaminants such as 137Cesium (137Cs) in various environmental media pose significant long-term storage challenges for nuclear waste. The distribution coefficient (Kd) is a critical parameter for assessing the mobility of radioactive contaminants and is influenced by various environmental conditions. This study presents machine-learning models based on the Japan Atomic Energy Agency Sorption Database (JAEA-SDB) to predict the Kd values for Cs in solid phase groups. We used three different machine learning models: random forest (RF), artificial neural network (ANN), and convolutional neural network (CNN). The models were trained on 14 input variables from the JAEA-SDB, including factors such as the Cs concentration, solid-phase properties, and solution conditions, which were preprocessed by normalization and log-transformation. The performances of the models were evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean squared error (RMSE). The RF, ANN, and CNN models achieved R2 values greater than 0.97, 0.86, and 0.88, respectively. We also analyzed the variable importance of RF using an out-of-bag (OOB) and a CNN with an attention module. Our results showed that the environmental media, initial radionuclide concentration, solid phase properties, and solution conditions were significant variables for Kd prediction. Our models accurately predict Kd values for different environmental conditions and can assess the environmental risk by analyzing the behavior of radionuclides in solid phase groups. The results of this study can improve safety analyses and long-term risk assessments related to waste disposal and prevent potential hazards and sources of contamination in the surrounding environment.

Chapitre 4. Subventions discriminatoires de soins medicaux à l’épreuve du principe éthique de la justice : cas d’un service d’orl au burkina faso

A legal exception to the principle of equal health rights, discriminatory subsidies often pose an ethical dilemma in the field of application. To analyze discriminatory subsidies for healthcare in the light of the ethical principle of justice and to propose alternatives to any inherent legal and ethical conflicts. This was a qualitative, descriptive and analytical study based on semi-structured interviews with caregivers. Participants felt that the application of discriminatory subsidies has a negative impact on substantial distributive justice. The infringements of the award conditions were exclusively for the benefit of the patients concerned. Their impact was considered positive on distributive justice and negative on formal justice. Discriminatory care subsidies generally stem from a legal requirement whose application should not be ambiguous. It is apparent that the infringements of the conditions for attribution were in favour of substantial distributive justice. This opposition is a potential source of decision-making difficulties for caregivers who often choose to violate conditions for the benefit of their indigent patients. There are therefore violations of ethically understandable standards, which must be admitted. This could be done through the provision of exceptions for the application of standards for&#160;&#8221;noble causes&#8221; and conscientious objection clauses in health policy texts. The legitimacy of health policy norms is essential for their effective application, hence the interest of taking distributive justice into account in the genesis of formal norms.