Recovery Point Research Articles

NEIVATECH pilot study: immersive virtual reality training in older amblyopic children with non-compliance or non-response to patching.

Immersive virtual reality (VR) is recently being explored as a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of amblyopia. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the preliminary efficacy, safety, usability and satisfaction obtained with the use of a novel VR system (NEIVATECH) to provide binocular vision training in previously treated older amblyopic children with non-compliance or non-response to patching. A prospective, multicentre, open-label, single-arm, pilot study was conducted in which the intervention under study was 9h of therapy with the NEIVATECH system, distributed in 18 half-hour sessions spread over 1 month. A comprehensive visual assessment was conducted before and after the intervention, and at the end of the intervention the safety and usability of the system and patient satisfaction were evaluated. After therapy, statistically significant differences were observed in the near best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the dominant (p = 0.022) and non-dominant (p = 0.022) eye, in stereopsis based on the Binocular Function Score (p = 0.045) and in the break (p = 0.012) and recovery (p = 0.009) points of negative fusional vergence for distance vision. The safety and usability of the system and patient satisfaction with the therapy were adequate. These findings support further investigation of this treatment option in future studies incorporating a control group with which to compare the results obtained. Trial registration: NCT04819386.

“I will get out of this” - The patients’ experiences of early mobilisation in intensive care. A hermeneutic study

BackgroundThe significance of early mobilisation in intensive care has become increasingly apparent along with a growing understanding of patient experiences within this critical setting. However, there is still a need for more knowledge regarding the complex experiences of the patients. Therefore, this study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the significance and deeper meaning of early mobilisation in patients recently treated in intensive care. MethodsA qualitative study with a hermeneutic, interpretive approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 participants recently treated in the intensive care units, in two different hospitals. FindingsThe analysis yielded three themes: ‘Struggling to regain independence and normal life’, ‘Interaction with healthcare professionals’ and ’Early mobilisation in a chaotic, confused context without control’. The first theme captures the participants’ experiences, motivations, and the deeper significance of early mobilisation, which was hope, the beginning of recovery and a willingness to fight. The other themes describe the context and circumstances surrounding the participants’ mobilisation including the collaboration with healthcare professionals. ConclusionEarly mobilisation’s significance and deeper meaning in intensive care were understood as the starting point of recovery. It had the ability to evoke hope and strengthen the fighting spirit, especially when it included leaving bed. The patients’ pre-existing understanding that resilience and persistence were crucial for regaining strength and mobility contributed, as well as positive interactions with healthcare professionals that restored human dignity and facilitated involvement and participation contributed. Implications for practiceEarly mobilisation should be used to inspire hope and a willingness to fight for recovery in patients treated in intensive care. Efforts should be made to engage patients in positive interactions with healthcare professionals that encourage this fighting spirit and active participation in early mobilisation. Mobilisations involving patients getting up and leaving bed should be used as much as possible.

Fusional Vergence amplitude measurement among students of ISRA School of optometry, Isra University, Karachi campus

Purpose: To determine mean fusional vergence amplitudes FVA and the effect age and gender on FVA. Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among Isra School of optometry, Isra University, Karachi campus students from August 2023 to December 2023. A total of 120 students consisting of 43 males (35.8%) and 77 females (64.1%) were recruited using a convenient sampling technique. Inclusion criteria included subjects with 6/6 vision, no any ocular disease, strabismus and subjects with exophoria or esophoria. The age ranged from 18-27 years. Patients underwent ophthalmic procedure i.e. visual acuity for both distance and near and ophthalmoscopy was performed to check the clarity of the patient’s media. After assessing the ocular media, cover test was used to check the type of phoria. By using horizontal prism bars, Positive Fusion Vergence (PFV) and Negative Fusion Vergence (NFV) were recorded as break, and recovery points at near and distance. All the information was recorded in self-made Performa. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Result: Students were categorized into three age groups: Group 1 (18-21 years), Group 2 (22-24 years), and Group 3 (25-27 years). The data showed negative fusional divergence break-up and recovery points at distance and near, with mean values of 10.06±4.8 Δ and 7.3±4.7 Δ, respectively. Positive fusional convergence break-up and recovery points at distance and near had mean values of 10.95±6.11 Δ and 8.1±5.57 Δ, respectively. The result for negative divergence break and recovery point at distance were significant with p-value of 0.021 and 0.026, respectively Conclusion: This study concluded that the mean fusional vergence amplitudes FVA at near and distance are reduced while distance and near FV revealed no effects of age and gender. However, negative fusional break point and positive fusional recovery point were significantly affected by age.

Comprehensive data security and compliance framework for SMEs

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly relying on cloud platforms to support critical business operations, making effective disaster recovery (DR) strategies essential for ensuring business continuity. This review proposes a robust disaster recovery framework tailored for SMEs, designed to minimize downtime and data loss in the event of a system failure, cyberattack, or natural disaster. The framework integrates advanced cloud technologies to create a cost-effective, scalable solution that aligns with the resource constraints of SMEs while providing enterprise-grade resilience. Key components of the disaster recovery framework include cloud-based data replication, automated backup solutions, and geo-redundant storage to ensure that data is continuously available and recoverable. This model employs real-time data synchronization and incremental backups to minimize Recovery Point Objectives (RPO), ensuring that critical data is not lost during an unexpected outage. Additionally, the framework leverages automated failover mechanisms to achieve low Recovery Time Objectives (RTO), allowing businesses to restore operations quickly after an interruption. Cloud orchestration tools such as AWS Elastic Disaster Recovery or Azure Site Recovery are utilized to automate disaster recovery processes, reducing manual intervention and improving the speed of recovery. The framework also incorporates regular testing of disaster recovery plans, using simulation tools to identify weaknesses and optimize response times. For SMEs, cost-effectiveness and ease of management are crucial. The framework emphasizes a pay-as-you-go model for cloud resources, allowing businesses to scale their disaster recovery solutions as they grow without incurring excessive upfront costs. By providing continuous monitoring and proactive threat detection, this disaster recovery framework ensures that SMEs can maintain uninterrupted business operations on cloud platforms, thereby enhancing resilience and mitigating the financial and operational risks associated with data loss and system downtime.

The Legal System of Natural Ecological Protection and Restoration in Newly Built Areas Based on the Multi-Dimensional Character-Istics of the Ecosystem

Natural environment protection compensation refers to the legal system that protects the natural ecological environment, protects the natural environment and makes the beneficiaries of the natural environment get compensation by some means, so as to adjust the interests of the relevant subjects of natural ecological environment protection. This paper discusses the ecosystem service function and its type division of newly built areas in Ganjiang, and the emergy evaluation of ecosystem service function of newly built areas in Ganjiang, establishes the regular scheduling and joint optimal scheduling models of natural ecosystem service value single reservoir, intro-duces the corresponding model solving methods, and applies the ant colony algorithm to the optimal schedule is a lesson. According to the ant colony algorithm, the best way to study the region is to determine these algorithms. Combined with the kernel density analysis method, the spatial scope, potential corridors and key recovery points of ecological corridors are identified, and the optimization mode of natural ecological security pattern of Shule River is constructed. The experimental results show that the optimized ant colony algorithm proves that joint scheduling plays a more prominent role in ecological environment protection, mainly in ecological support and ecological regulation. At the same time, it verifies the applicability of ant colony algorithm in joint scheduling, and improves the average protection efficiency of natural ecology to 20.9%.

Does the subjective response during the measurement of fusional reserves affect the clinical diagnosis?

Fusional reserves differ with the method of measurement. The goal of this study was to compare the subjective and objective responses during the measurement of positive and negative fusional reserves using both step and ramp methods. A haploscopic system was used to measure fusional reserves. Eye movements were recorded using an EyeLink 1000 Plus eye tracker (SR Research). The stimulus disparity was changed to either mimic a prism bar (steps) or a Risley prism (ramp). Subjective responses were obtained by pressing a key on the keyboard, whereas objective break and recovery points were determined offline using a custom algorithm coded in Matlab. Thirty-three adults participated in this study. For the ramp method, the subjective and objective responses were similar for the negative (break and recovery points (t(32) = -0.82, p = 0.42) and (t(32) = 0.42, p = 0.67), respectively) and positive fusional reserves (break and recovery points (U = -1.34, p = 0.18) and t(19) = -0.25, p = 0.81), respectively). For the step method, no significant differences in positive fusional reserves were observed when measured subjectively and objectively for the break (t(32) = 1.27, p = 0.21) or the recovery point (U = -2.02, Bonferroni-adjusted p = 0.04). For the negative fusional reserve, differences were not significant for either the break or recovery points (U = -0.10, p = 0.92 and t(19) = 1.17, p = 0.26, respectively). Subjective and objective responses exhibited good agreement when measured with the ramp and step methods.

Innovative Fixed-Bed Reactor Integrated with Heat Transfer System for Lean Methane Mixture Removal

A new type of compact, portable fixed-bed reactor integrated with a heat transfer system was developed for the removal of volatile and flammable air pollutants such as lean methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The reactor may operate in catalytic or thermal combustion conditions with the purpose of achieving autothermal processes with the possibility of energy recovery. An excess heat recovery point was designed behind the reactor bed at the place where the gas temperature is the highest to enable its usage. The mathematical model is presented together with a number of simulation calculations performed for the assessment of the developed reactor. The case study in this paper was for catalytic methane oxidation at a temperature of 400 °C, a methane concentration between 0.1% and 2% by weight, a gas flow rate of 1 m3/s STP, and a heat exchange surface for the assumed plate exchanger from 10 to 200 m2. The calculations show that the thickness of the insulation is of little importance for the operation of the equipment, and a sufficient thickness was about 20–50 mm. The optimal area for the considered case is 80–100 m2. It was found that recovery of thermal energy is possible only for higher methane concentrations, above 0.3% by weight. Using an appropriate surface for the exchanger, it is possible to recover even 50% of the combustion enthalpy at a methane concentration of 0.45% by weight. For an exchanger area below 50 m2, the recoverable energy drops rapidly. It was found that the exchanger area is the most important equipment parameter under consideration.

Desperate Journey: Experiences of Persons Deprived of Liberty in Carcar City Jail

This is qualitative research on the experiences of persons deprived of liberty in Carcar City Jail during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study sought answers to the life-changing experiences of the informants during the COVID-19 pandemic, how they coped with the challenges they encountered, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of the persons deprived of liberty. The study utilizes the phenomenological method of research. There were 10 informants individuals confined at Carcar City jails for the periods 2017-2018 and 2019-2022 respectively. They were selected based on the preset criteria of being in the facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research proceeded with an in-depth interview using the interview guide and voice recorder. The interviews were transcribed and with the use of Colaizzi’s method of analysis, eight emergent themes were created, namely: In the Life-Changing Experiences of the Informants during the COVID-19 Pandemic, three themes were created, namely: Breaking Momentum: Reminiscing the Older Self; Recovery Point: Road to Redemption; Breaking Point: The Moment of the Greatest Collapse; and Point of Reckoning: Reflection of One Self. In coping with the challenges encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic, two themes were created: Desolation: In the Face of Sorrow and Healing a Broken Soul: It's OK Not to Feel OK. For the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of the informants, two themes were created Retooling: The Long and Winding Road of Change and Reborn: The Return of the Prodigal Son. It is recommended in this study that the persons deprived of liberty experience creating an avenue for them to strive to change their perspective in life and stay away from things that might trigger them back to their old ways. The families of the informant's continuous support and understanding as to the source of the PDL’s strength and hope for their loved ones who are undergoing treatment programs and to stay strong to weather the storm and see the light beyond the darkest part of the tunnel. The DILG, BJMP, LGU and community should all play a role in achieving a holistic approach to rehabilitation as a program instrument by providing the necessary resources and equipment to fully achieve the goals of rehabilitating persons deprived of liberty as changed individuals upon reintegration into the folds of the community.

An exploration of intensive care unit patents' experiences of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE-III) as a screening tool for cognitive functioning at different points in recovery from critical illness.

Being critically ill can result in cognitive change. Cognitive functioning should be screened at different points in the care pathway, and it is important to understand patient's experience of this process. A service evaluation examined fifteen in-patients' and eleven outpatients' experiences of completing the Addenbrookes Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III) using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: (1) willingness & acceptability (2) strengths and weaknesses (3) factors affecting performance and (4) improving delivery. Generally, patients accepted the ACE-III and valued cognitive screening. Consideration is given to areas for development.

Recovery from Acute Kidney Injury and Long-Term Prognosis following Acute Myocardial Infarction.

We investigated the recovery pattern from acute kidney injury (AKI) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and its association with long-term mortality. The retrospective study included AMI patients (2002-2027), who developed AKI during hospitalization. Creatinine (Cr) measurements were collected and categorized into 24 h timeframes up to 7 days from AKI diagnosis. The following groups of recovery patterns were defined: rapid (24-48 h)/no rapid and early (72-144 h)/no early recovery. Specific cut-off points for recovery at each AKI stage and timeframe were determined through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The probability of long-term (up to 10 years) mortality as a post-AKI recovery was investigated using a survival approach. Out of 17,610 AMI patients, 1069 developed AKI. For stage 1 AKI, patients with a Cr ratio <1.5 at 24 h and/or <1.45 at 48 h were defined as 'rapid recovery'; for stages 2-3 AKI, a Cr ratio <2.5 at 96 h was defined as 'early recovery'. Mortality risk in stage 1 AKI was higher among the non-rapidly recovered: AdjHR = 1.407; 95% CI: 1.086-1.824; p = 0.010. Among stages 2-3 AKI patients, the risk for long-term mortality was higher among patients who did not recover in the early period: AdjHR = 1.742; 95% CI: 1.085-2.797; p = 0.022. The absence of rapid recovery in stage 1 AKI and lack of early recovery in stages 2-3 AKI are associated with higher long-term mortality.

A comparative study on abnormal heat transfer of supercritical CO2 heated in vertical tubes

The heat transfer characteristics of supercritical CO2 heated in vertical smooth tube are experimentally and numerically investigated. The results show that the M-shaped velocity corresponds to heat transfer enhancement (HTE) at G = 100 kg/m2s, q = 20 kW/m2, and the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) is 15% higher than that of normal heat transfer (NHT). While, the M-shaped velocity causes significant heat transfer deterioration (HTD) before the Tpc at G = 278 kg/m2s, q = 35 kW/m2, and the HTC of HTD is 28%–42% of that in NHT. According to the numerical analysis on the M-shaped flow structure, it reveals that the zero-velocity gradient point of abNHT (HTE and HTD) always falls into the buffer layer (5 < y+ < 30). While, the zero-velocity gradient point of the heat transfer recovery (HTR) is in the log-law region (30 < y+ < 60). The u/u0 of the zero-velocity gradient point of HTE are larger than 1.35. The cross-section turbulent kinetic energy structure shows that smaller TKE in the near-wall region is the dominant factor for HTD and larger TKE in the core region is the dominant factor for HTE.

Stability control of goaf‐driven roadway surrounding rock under interchange remaining coal pillar in close distance coal seams

AbstractThe roadway surrounding rock stability under the influence of interchange remaining coal pillar in close distance coal seams is one of the key factors affecting the coal mines safe and efficient mining. To reduce the roadway deformation, theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and on‐site verification were used to study the influence of geological, mining, and support factors on the stability of the floor roadway surrounding rock. A design method for strengthening the roadway surrounding rock support was proposed. The results showed that the coal seam depth, the distribution characteristics of the remaining coal pillar load, the starting point position of stress recovery in the upper coal seam goaf and the lower coal seam goaf lateral load had a significant influence on the lower coal seam stress. The peak stress in the lower coal seam increased linearly with the increase of the coal seam depth, the remaining coal pillar, and the lower coal seam goaf lateral peak stress. The remaining coal pillar influence area width increased linearly and exponentially with the increase of the remaining coal pillar width and the distance between the starting point of stress recovery in goaf and the coal pillar edge, respectively. The peak stress and shear strength of the narrow coal pillar decreased exponentially with the increase of the spacing between bolts or cables. The roadway surrounding rock deformation decreased exponentially with the increase of the distance between the strengthening support area and the remaining coal pillar edge. For the Baigou coalmine, a design scheme for bolt strengthening support parameters has been proposed. The roadway surrounding rock deformation tended to stabilize after 21 days, with deformation values of 264 and 488 mm for the roof and floor, and two sides, respectively.

First DFT-supported point of care and novel electrochemical biosensing: Determination of yellow fever NS1 antibody in human plasma

In our study, we developed a point of care electrochemical biosensing platform based on the functionalized cysteine-positioned gold electrode to diagnose yellow fever disease from human plasma samples. The developed platform underwent characterization through diverse methods encompassing cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and density-functional theory. The capacitive interaction between yellow fever virus non-structural antigen and antibody gave a cathodic signal at approximately −260 mV, and increased in proportion to the amount of non-structural antibody. The created electrochemical biosensor has an ability to detect 96 ag/mL of the yellow fever non-structural antibody with an extensive analytical range varied from 0.1 fg/mL to 1 μg/mL. The interference effects of various substances that could be found in human plasma, and the performance of the method were examined from the point of recovery and relative standard deviation for human plasma samples; hereby, the results confirmed the unprecedented selectivity and accuracy of the proposed method.

The relationship between accommodative and binocular function with myopia progression in myopic children undergoing orthokeratology

PurposeTo determine the relationship between changes in accommodative and binocular function with myopia progression in myopic children over a two-year follow-up period, and to determine when changes in visual functions stabilized after switching from spectacles to orthokeratology (Ortho-K). MethodsThis prospective, self-controlled study followed thirty-six participants (aged 8–14 years) for two years after they switched from spectacles to Ortho-K. Accommodative and binocular function were assessed prior to and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after commencing Ortho-K. Measurements included accommodative amplitude, accommodative response, accommodative facility, accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A), ocular alignment, positive relative accommodation (PRA), negative relative accommodation (NRA), horizontal vergence range, reading ability and stereoacuity. Myopia progression was quantified by the change in axial length. ResultsOcular alignment, monocular and binocular accommodative facility, and PRA stabilized after 1 month. The distance blur point in the convergence range, the distance break and recovery point in the divergence range, accommodative amplitude, calculated AC/A, stereoacuity and reading ability stabilized within 6 months. After two years of Ortho-K, NRA significantly increased (p = 0.044), while it showed no significant difference after one-year of lens wear (p = 0.49). The distance break point in the convergence range showed no significant difference (p = 0.20), but significantly decreased after one-year (p = 0.005). There were no significant correlations between the change in axial length with changes in accommodative or binocular function (p > 0.05). ConclusionAccommodative and binocular function changed significantly after switching from spectacles to Ortho-K and most of the parameters stabilized within the first 6 months. There was no association between the change in accommodative or binocular function and myopia progression.

Are Horizontal Fusional Vergences Comparable When Measured Using a Prism Bar and Synoptophore?

To determine whether horizontal fusional vergences are comparable when measured using a prism bar and synoptophore. Thirty two participants (18-23 years) had their blur, break, and recovery points measured for convergence and divergence amplitudes using a prism bar (6 m) and synoptophore. All participants had VA of 0.1 LogMAR or better in either eye, were heterophoric or orthophoric and had binocular single vision. The prism bar target was a 0.2 LogMAR letter. The synoptophore target was the foveal 'rabbit' fusion slides. The prism bar was placed over the dominant eye and the testing speed was two seconds per two prism dioptres (Δ), increasing to five seconds per 5Δ when the increments began to increase in 5Δ. Synoptophore testing speed was two seconds per degree. The synoptophore measured significantly higher convergence break points than the prism bar (Z = 3.37, p = 0.001). No significant differences were found between both tests for divergence break points (Z = 0.99, p = 0.32). However, both tests displayed wide limits of agreement (LoA) when measuring convergence (-24Δ to + 49.59Δ) and divergence break points (-7.70Δ to + 10.19Δ). Differences when measuring convergence and divergence blur and recovery points were not statistically significant. There was a statistically and clinically significant difference when measuring convergence break points using the prism bar and synoptophore but no significant difference when measuring divergence break points. However, both tests displayed wide LoA when measuring convergence and divergence break points, indicating they should not be used interchangeably in clinic to measure horizontal fusional vergences.

Heterophoria, fusional vergence, and near point of convergence in Sudanese hospital-based population

Background: Fusional vergence amplitude is the amount of convergence and divergence that can be induced before fusion is lost and fusional vergence amplitude controls heterophoria.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between near heterophoria, near fusional vergence (NFV), and near point of convergence (NPC).Setting: Al-Neelain Eye Hospital Khartoum, Sudan.Methods: A hospital-based prospective study from February to October 2019, included 230 patients with age range of 15–30 years and mean age and standard deviation of 19.46 ± 3.33 years. The alternate cover test with prism was used to measure near heterophoria and a prism bar was used to measure quantity of fusional vergence. All measurements were taken at near heterophoria (0.33 m). Then the associations between near heterophoria, NFV and NPC were assessed.Results: The most common heterophoria at near among the participants was exophoria: 200 (87.0%). Reported complaints of asthenopia were commonly found among these exophoric patients: 106 (86.9%) (P = 0.735). Positive fusional vergence (PFV) to the break point varied according to the forms of heterophoria (P = 0.003). Esophoria had a higher PFV to break point than exophoria (30.83 ± 8.79Δ compared to 25.59 ± 10.07Δ). Negative fusional vergence at the break and recovery points were higher among those with exophoria and lower in esophoria (P ˃ 0.05). The NPC differed by the type of heterophoria (P = 0.01), with exophoria and slightly receded NPC (8.38 cm ± 3.33 cm) than for participants with esophoria (6.77 cm ± 1.52 cm).Conclusions: Exophoria was the most common type of near heterophoria, with asthenopia being the most reported complaint. Esophoria was found to be strongly associated with high PFV. Exophoria, on the contrary, is related to significant high NFV at the blur, beak, and recovery point. The NPC differed significantly by the type of near heterophoria, with exophoria having more receded NPC compared to those with esophoria.Contribution: This study provides information on the commonest type of near heterophorias among a sample of Sudanese adolescents and young adults, namely exophoria. Near point of convergence and NFV at break and recovery points were significantly different according to forms of near heterophoria.

Enhancing remediation of residual DNAPL in multilayer aquifers: Post-injection of alcohol-surfactant-polymer mixtures

Although polymer-surfactant injection is an effective remediation technology for multilayer aquifers contaminated by Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPL), the existence of residual DNAPL after treatment is inevitable. This study evaluates the efficiency of the post-injection of alcohol-surfactant-polymer (ASP) mixtures containing 1-propanol/1-hexanol, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS), and xanthan in enhancing remediation of residual DNAPL in layered systems. A range of experimental devices, including batch, rheological measurements, centimetric 1D column, and decametric 2D tank experiments, were employed.Batch experiments revealed that the inclusion of 1-hexanol swelled the DNAPL volume due to alcohol partitioning. Conversely, with only 1-propanol present in the alcohol-surfactant (AS) mixture, DNAPL dissolved in the aqueous phase. The co-presence of 1-hexanol along with 1-propanol in AS mixture favored 1-propanol's partitioning into the DNAPL phase.Column experiments, following primary xanthan-SDBS (XS) injections, demonstrated that ASP mixtures with 1-hexanol (regardless of presence of 1-propanol) underwent a mobilization mechanism. DNAPL appeared in the effluent as an organic phase after the post-injection of 0.3 pore-volumes (PV), by a reduction trend in its density. In contrast, mixtures with solely 1-propanol exhibited a solubilization mechanism, with DNAPL dissolving in the aqueous phase and emerging in the effluent after approximately 1 PV.2D tank experiments visualized mobilization and solubilization mechanisms in multilayered systems. Post-injection of the ASP mixture with solely 1-propanol led to DNAPL solubilization, demonstrated by a dark zone of varied DNAPL concentrations, followed by a clearer white zone indicating significant DNAPL dissolution. Injecting ASP mixture containing both 1-propanol and 1-hexanol mobilized swollen DNAPL ganglia throughout layers, with these droplets coalescing and migrating to the recovery point. The darkness of mobilized droplets was faded as more DNAPL was recovered. The solubilization ASP mixture enhanced the recovery factor by 0.02 while the mobilization ASP mixture led to a 0.08 increase in the recovery factor.

Controlling a Flotation Cell at the Peak Air Recovery Point

Air recovery is the fraction of air that leaves the pulp phase of a flotation cell and reports to the concentrate. There is a peak in this quantity as cell parameters change, and experimental and test work suggests that this peak is associated with maximum recovery of valuable material. If this is the case, then a control system that can operate the cell at the peak air recovery (PAR) point will be of great value. Previous attempts at achieving this objective have used extremum-seeking control methods. In this paper, a simpler and faster method based on a model of the rate of change of the air recovery is proposed. It is shown that the method maintains the cell at PAR when disturbances to the systems are imposed.

ЛОГІСТИЧНЕ УПРАВЛІННЯ ДІЯЛЬНІСТЮ АГРОПРОМИСЛОВОГО ПІДПРИЄМСТВА В УМОВАХ ВОЄННОГО СТАНУ

Today, logistical problems are definitely relevant, because the military operations on the territory of Ukraine are significant influenced the logistics processes not only of our country, but also the logistics system of the world as a whole. Destroyed or partially damaged by the effects of war, supply chains face many challenges that, if not addressed, will hinder economic recovery and long-term growth. The article is devoted to the definition and systematization of the actual problems of logistics management of the activities of domestic agro-industrial enterprises in the conditions of martial law. It is well-founded that the high level of logistical threats and the high probability of their further escalation require research in order to find mechanism for the formation of an effective system for the restoration of logistics processes and management of their development. The value of the logistics efficiency index, which is an interactive tool of comparative analysis and created to help countries identify problems in the field of logistics, was analyzed. In view of the new geopolitical challenges caused by the military aggression of the russian federation, the need to assess the real state and prospects for the restoration of the Ukrainian logistics system has been proven. The key problems of logistics management in the agricultural sector have been identified, which include: insufficient qualified workers; weak protection of property rights and raiding; problems in settlements with trade networks; risks associated with the possibility of disconnection of electricity; unpredictable actions of the state and constant changes in legislation. A model of the organization of the agribusiness system is proposed, which ensures the regulation of flow processes, their transformation and integration, and is a form of management that surpasses traditional processes, both in terms of creative potential and in terms of the effectiveness of final results, thanks to the ability to recover significantly more reserves for improving activity indicators and ensuring better conditions for the implementation of the total quality management strategy. Reorganization of storage systems, anticipation of risks and development of new routes will be the starting point for the post-war recovery of logistics.

Competitive strategies in the tourist hotel industry: Evidence from Greece

The tourism sector in Greece has shown very important points of recovery, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, being one of the steam engines of the Greek economy, contributing to its all-important economic terms and parameters. The above elements make the sector highly competitive, and the assessment of its competitiveness as well as the choice of the appropriate development strategies is a matter of particular importance (Chikan et al., 2022). On the other hand, competitiveness is a wide concept which can be estimated either using the Porter’s Diamond Model or financial indexes (Fischer &amp; Schornberg, 2007). Taking this into account, the purpose of this paper is to assess the competitiveness of three of the largest Greek hotel units in economic terms with the use of financial indexes, as well as to determine the most suitable strategies for their further development, trying to fill the existing gap in the literature for the tourism hotel sector in Greece. The main results show that improving indicators such as liquidity and maintaining a good capital structure contribute to maintaining the sector’s sustainability and its further development holding special importance both for academics and policymakers taking into consideration the contribution of tourism to the whole Greek economy.