scholarly journals Monitoring Human Impact in Show Caves. A Study of Four Romanian Caves

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1619
Author(s):  
Silviu Constantin ◽  
Ionuț Cornel Mirea ◽  
Alexandru Petculescu ◽  
Răzvan Adrian Arghir ◽  
Dragoș Ștefan Măntoiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Cave Environment ◽  
Romanian Carpathians ◽  
Show Caves ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Universal Solutions ◽  
Case Basis

(1) Background: Show caves are unique natural attractions and touristic traffic can trigger their degradation within a short time. There are no universal solutions to counter the effects of the touristic impact upon the cave environment and both protection protocols and management plans have to be established on a case-by-case basis. (2) Methods: The study includes four show caves from the Romanian Carpathians, where monitoring of the number of visitors, paralleled by the monitoring of the main physicochemical parameters of the air and water (CO2, temperature, humidity, drip rate, conductivity, and pH) was implemented. (3) Results and Conclusions: The results of the study have: established a set of basic principles to be enforced by the management of show caves and issued a set of preventive measures and instructions to be followed by the personnel and stakeholders of the caves.

scholarly journals Yearly microbial cycle of human exposed surfaces in show caves

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Silviu Bercea ◽  
Ruxandra Năstase-Bucur ◽  
Oana Teodora Moldovan ◽  
Marius Kenesz ◽  
Silviu Constantin
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Culturable Bacteria ◽  
Indirect Contact ◽  
Cave Environment ◽  
Show Caves ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
High Level

The human impact upon the subterranean microbiomes is not only a peril to the cave environment but might also affect future visitors. We focused on the changes that humans induced on the surfaces they came in direct or indirect contact with inside two intensely visited Romanian show caves, by means of commercially available microbial rapid test kits and molecular identification. Overall culturable bacteria abundance in the caves maintained high levels year-round while Enterobacteriaceae, coliform bacteria and Escherichiacoli levels peaked during the touristic season, reaching levels that could pose a threat to the health of the visitors. Culturable fungi abundance usually peaked in the spring, remained at a high level in the summer and started to slowly decrease towards the winter months. Differences were observed between the direct and indirect exposed surfaces, as the later had lower overall levels of bacteria and fungi, with increased Enterobacteriaceae loads. Most of the taxa identified are known biodeteriorants of subterranean surfaces and were previously associated with human altered caves. A Dothideomycete sp. previously unknown to the cave environments was detected. This was the first study to analyse the dynamics of the microbial communities of delicate subterranean surfaces in show caves through the use of commercially available test kits. We revealed that exposed surfaces in show caves, in direct or indirect contact with tourists, are host to high concentrations of cultivable microbes. The touristic activity was shown to influence the abundance and dynamics of the microbial communities inhabiting surfaces of show caves.

Clinical trials of COVID 19 vaccines and vaccination campaign: ethical issues

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
VE Goncharova
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Public Confidence ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Literary Sources ◽  
The World ◽  
Decisive Action

For many centuries, infectious diseases have posed a serious threat: epidemics and pandemics claim lives and multiply the burden on health systems and countries' economies. Humanity managed to defeat a number of infections only thanks to specific preventive measures, i.e., vaccination. In 2020, society faced the new COVID-19 virus that has swept the whole world. The situation required swift and decisive action, including in what concerned vaccine development. It has also raised a number of ethical issues. The article analyzes ethical issues related to clinical trials and vaccination against COVID-19 by studying the regulations, literary sources and bioethical incidents. The key problems identified are: human participation in clinical trials during a pandemic, availability and, simultaneously, voluntariness of vaccination, public confidence in the SARS-Cov-2 vaccines approved for clinical practice. The study showed that the basic principles of clinical trials, voluntariness and awareness, are violated. It was revealed that despite all the efforts of public organizations and WHO initiatives in the world, there is a pronounced imbalance in the availability of the developed vaccines, while the vaccination voluntariness principle is violated by application of various mechanisms to put pressure on people, and public confidence in the developed vaccines can be called insufficient. In general, the problem of vaccination against COVID-19 remains relevant and requires comprehensive discussion.

scholarly journals Effects of Ultrasound Processing on Physicochemical Parameters, Antioxidants, and Color Quality of Bayberry Juice

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiamin Cao ◽  
Chunfang Cai ◽  
Yongling Wang ◽  
Xiaojian Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Input Power ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Sod Activity ◽  
Ultrasonic Intensity ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Bayberry Juice

Effects of ultrasound on physicochemical parameters, ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, polymeric color (PC), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), browning degree (BD), color, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of bayberry juice were investigated. Treatments were carried out at amplitude levels from 20 to 100% of total input power (600 W) at 20 kHz for 2–10 min. The results showed that no notable differences in pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and yellowness b∗ values were found in ultrasound-treated samples. The HMF, PC, BD, and L∗ values of bayberry juice obviously increased with enhancing ultrasonic intensity and treatment time. The ascorbic acid exhibited no notable changes after ultrasound treatment at lower intensity levels for short time, while anthocyanins showed an increasing tendency. With increasing ultrasonic intensity and time, antioxidants gradually decreased. Furthermore, the SOD activity apparently increased at short-time treatment and then decreased with ultrasound processing extension.

The New Vehicle Condition Monitoring Indicator VPR and its Short-Time Prediction ARMA Model

2013 ◽  
Vol 330 ◽  
pp. 350-356
Author(s):  
Jing Jing Wu ◽  
Qi Chang Li ◽  
Guang Long Wang ◽  
Feng Qi Gao ◽  
Zhong Tao Qiao
Keyword(s):  
Condition Monitoring ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Arma Model ◽  
Equipment Maintenance ◽  
Position Information ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Vibration Stress ◽  
Condition Monitoring System ◽  
Predictive Rate ◽  
Short Time

The vehicle storage & transportation condition monitoring system focuses on the real time acquisition and processing analyses of life cycle environmental temperature and humidity, shock and vibration stress and the attitude and position information of Vehicle, it is the effective supplement of vehicle equipment maintenance and management. Based on the vehicle storage state information defining a new index early warning rate vehicle predictive rate (VPR), and establish the ARMA forecasting model. The experimental results show that the model can slow the short-term trend fast track prediction to the small capacity samples of the VPR, and that about 12% of high precision. Prediction results help to establish the vehicle equipment maintenance quality management plans for the vehicles those in complex difference transportation environment, and their performance status is not the same.

scholarly journals Pollution Evaluation Based on Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Levels of Miniokoro Stream, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 27-37
Author(s):  
D. M. Abbey ◽  
M. E. Abbey ◽  
T. C. Ogunyemi ◽  
M. E. Abbey
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
The Government

Evaluation of physicochemical parameters and heavy metal levels in surface water of the Miniokoro stream, Port Harcourt, Nigeria were investigated to determine its potability and pollution status at various stations along the stream.  The physicochemical parameters analyzed in the water samples were: pH, Temperature, Salinity, Electrical conductivity, TDS, DO, BOD, Alkalinity, Chloride, NH4+, NO3-, PO43-, SO42- while heavy metals such as Nickel, lead, Iron, Zinc and Chromium were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results from the research showed an average concentration level of the physicochemical parameters such as pH (5.79-7.01), EC (136.43 - 960.67µS/cm), TDS (90.17 - 1517.67) and the spatial distribution of heavy metals: zinc (0.07 - 1.09mg/l), chromium (0.03 - 0.09mg/l), nickel (0.07 - 0.08mg/l) and iron (12.29 - 39.95mg/l). Water samples from various stations depicts the varying level of pollution along the stream when compared with national and international permissible limit. Thus, it suggests that the government should develop and implement an effective waste management plans due to environmental and other anthropogenic impacts on the stream.

scholarly journals Spectrophotometric monitoring of surfaces in show caves as a part of management plans for controlling lampenflora growth

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janez Mulec ◽  
Samo Šturm ◽  
Andreja Pondelak ◽  
Alenka Mauko Pranjić
Keyword(s):  
Management Plans ◽  
Show Caves

scholarly journals Updated knowledge on floods and risk management in the Middle Ebro River: The “Anthropocene” context and river resilience

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ollero ◽  
J.H. García ◽  
A. Ibisate ◽  
M. Sánchez-Fabre
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Flow Measurement ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Maximum Flow ◽  
Social Strategies ◽  
Ebro River ◽  
Measurement Systems ◽  
The Past ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Corrected Data

The floods of 2015 and 2018 in the Middle Ebro River have led to a rethinking and updating of the forecasting and management systems. The improvements in the flow measurement systems applied in this type of extreme phenomena have led to questioning the values that were recorded in the past, officially changing the maximum flow rates of some historical floods. This has called for the need to update the knowledge/information of those recorded in the middle Ebro River, for example changing the return periods and making previous scientific studies obsolete. Updated data are applied, trying to re-characterize the floods of Ebro River since 1950, date in which the beginning of the “Anthropocene” is evident in the river management of the mainstream and its basin. At the same time, in the proposed risk management plans compliant with 2007/60/EC Directive, the structural measures are being replaced by more respectful and better adapted prevention systems for the river. The two processes interact and are essential for educating the population on risk, adopting preventive measures that are sustainable and consistent with the authentic (corrected) characteristics of the river and its floods. Thus, scientific knowledge has been consolidated as a tool to display corrected data, or, the river’s updated reality, and also to make the affected inhabitants aware of the need to follow new management protocols, focused on river resilience and social strategies.

MRCPI

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danny Cheriyan ◽  
Stephen Patchett
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
History Taking ◽  
Specialist Training ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
First Case ◽  
Written Examination ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Pro Forma

The MRCPI part 2 clinical examination is the final hurdle in the membership trilogy, and can be viewed as a practical interview before entering higher specialist training. It is equivalent to the UK PACES; however, there are some important variations in its format, and this chapter will guide a candidate through the appropriate preparation required to succeed in the examination. Unlike the written examination, it affords examiners a relatively short period of time to judge a candidate’s history taking and examination skills. They must also evaluate a candidate’s ability to formulate differential diagnosis, investigations and management plans. The examiners will also ‘get a feel’ for the candidate’s confidence, and their empathy in dealing with patients. The examination is generally fair in that the examiners try to find out what the candidate knows, rather than try to catch them out. It is important to realize, however, that each examiner will vary in their personality, patience and style of examining. While some may forgive or overlook an outlandish candidate response during questioning, others may choose to further expose a potential weakness. The aim of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive approach to the MRCPI ‘long case’. The format and approach to MRCPI short cases will also be addressed in brief. Whilst the basic principles of history taking do not differ between the 2 examinations, it is important to note that candidates are given a fixed 15 minutes for the history-taking station on the PACES examination, whereas MRCPI candidates have 45 minutes for history and examination. In light of this, we have adapted the timing of the history-taking pro forma, permitting a more in-depth exploration of certain aspects of the history. As a coherent presentation of the history and examination is crucial to the success of the candidate, particular importance has been given to not just what to say, but also how to say it. The first case, therefore, is a fully detailed dialogue between candidate and patient, and provides a foundation for the general manner of successful history taking.

SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP AS CURRENT FORM OF ANTI-EXTREMISM PREVENTATION REALIZATION IN THE YOUTH ENVIRONMENT

2018 ◽  
pp. 143-148
Author(s):  
Vladimir Vladimirovich NEGIN
Keyword(s):  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Problem Solution ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Cultural Activity ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Current Form ◽  
Literacy Events ◽  
Social Partnership ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual

The characteristic of youth extremism in the context of destructive way of solving social problems from the standpoint of extremist ideology is given. The main state directions of prevention of youth extremism are systematized and characterized: preventive measures against terrorism, anti-extremist information and education, integration educational courses on intercultural literacy, events organization for the development of social and cultural activity of the individual and the formation of active citizenship. The main vectors of youth extremism prevention, in which a special role is given to social partnership – the system of interaction of state structures and civil society, consolidating efforts in this problem solution. At the same time the effective forms of social and cultural activities aimed at solving the problem: monitoring, patriotic educational activities, organization of creative ethno-oriented evenings, international cultural and creative festivals are described. It is proved that social partnership has sufficient potential to make the process of extremism prevention most effective on the basis of complex interaction of state and public structures involved in the implementation of anti-extremist policy, taking into account religious interests, as well as differentiation of the targeted focus of preventive measures. The basic principles of social partnership are highlighted, without which it is impossible to build effective cooperation: integration and complementarity, confessional parity, targeted orientation. The analysis of social practices realized on the social partnership basis, aimed at intercultural dialogue, international cooperation, patriotism development and civic activity of youth is presented.

Short-time self-diffusion, collective diffusion and effective viscosity of dilute hard sphere magnetic suspensions

2016 ◽  
Vol 791 ◽  
pp. 237-259
Author(s):  
Krzysztof A. Mizerski ◽  
Eligiusz Wajnryb
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
External Magnetic Field ◽  
Effective Viscosity ◽  
Hard Spheres ◽  
Magnetic Interactions ◽  
Point Dipole ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Self Diffusion ◽  
Viscosity Coefficients ◽  
Short Time

The virial corrections to short-time self- and collective diffusion coefficients as well as the effective viscosity are calculated for suspensions of hard spheres with the same radii and constant (blocked within the particle) magnetization modelled by a point dipole. Analytic, integral formulae derived from basic principles of statistical mechanics are provided for both cases – in the absence and in the presence of an external magnetic field. In the former case the diffusion and viscosity coefficients are evaluated numerically as a function of the strength of magnetic interactions between the particles and it is reported that the translational collective diffusion coefficient is significantly greater than all the other coefficients. In the presence of an external magnetic field the coefficients become anisotropic and are evaluated in the asymptotic regime of weak interparticle magnetic interactions.

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