Search Results (294)

Limnological parameters were monitored in four highland reservoirs in the Czech Republic from 2022 to 2024 to evaluate the effects of management practices on water quality. Although the reservoirs share similar morphometry and all serve as drinking water sources, they differ in trophic status and management: Hubenov (HU, eutrophic) is stocked with piscivores, Nová Říše (NŘ, mesotrophic) undergoes hypolimnetic aeration, and Landštejn (LA, meso-oligotrophic) and Mostiště (MO, eutrophic) receive no targeted management interventions. Limnological data were collected monthly from April to October along vertical profiles in dam parts of the reservoirs. Comparisons were performed using graphical presentation and linear mixed-effects models. Analyses of abiotic (thermal, oxygen, and pH stratification, transparency, total phosphorus (TP) and nitrogen (TN) concentrations) and biotic (algae chlorophyll-a, cyanobacterial pigments, zooplankton density and composition) variables revealed that HU and MO exhibited the lowest transparency (on average 1.9 m in both in contrast to 2.2 m and 2.8 m in NŘ and LA, respectively) and highest seasonal algae chlorophyll-a concentrations (11.4 µg/L in HU and 15.1 µg/L in MO in contrast to 6.4 µg/L in NŘ and 5.5 µg/L in LA), indicating negligible improvement from biomanipulation. In contrast, NŘ demonstrated nutrient and chlorophyll-a levels comparable to LA (TP: 0.010 mg/L and 0.009 mg/L, TN: 1.591 mg/L and 0.419 mg/L, in NŘ and LA, respectively), despite higher nutrient input, and achieved the second highest transparency. Zooplankton densities were similar across reservoirs, supporting the hypothesis of bottom-up control or insufficient piscivore impact. These findings highlight the importance of reducing nutrient inputs to preserve water quality. Hypolimnetic aeration, which enhances sediment nutrient retention, appears more effective at mitigating eutrophication and controlling algal proliferation than fish stocking, a commonly applied biomanipulation approach. Full article

Background: This study aimed to investigate the dimensional deformation that can occur during the fabrication of a 3D-printed aligner made with the TC-85 DAC resin (Graphy Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea) and determine if the manual removal of the print supports before final aligner curing affects the dimensional accuracy. Methods: 10 subjects with permanent dentition were selected, and a set of aligners was digitally designed using the uDesign Direct Aligner beta software (Graphy Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea). Each aligner was 3D-printed using TC-85 DAC resin (Graphy Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea) twice: one copy was produced removing the print supports before final curing, whereas the other was cured with the supports still attached. The aligners were digitized and compared to the original design of the digitally designed aligner using RMS and Inter-second molar distance data to identify variations between 3D-produced aligners and their respective digital design. Results: the comparison between aligners produced in two different ways was statistically significant with a p-value < 0.0001 for both the records used. Conclusions: the manual removal of the print supports before final curing affects the dimensional accuracy of aligners made by direct 3D printing, permanently altering the aligner’s internal geometry, confirming that post-processing conditions significantly affect dimensional stability. Full article

John Adams asserted that the historical summation of republican political thought can be found in one writer: Polybius of Megalopolis. More clearly than any other, Polybius articulated those qualities that define good statesmen and citizens and make republics strong and successful. This article will examine this claim by bringing new historical analysis to Book 6 of Polybius’ Histories in order to identify the republican virtues important to Polybius. Polybius believed that Rome survived its early defeats in the Second Punic War and emerged triumphant over all of its enemies due to a unique combination of morals and merits that characterized good statesmen and strong republics. These extended deeper than political institutions and into the social fabric that bound the Roman people together and defined their relationships with one another, both in their homes as citizens and on campaign as soldiers. This article will work through Polybius’ analysis and show how Rome’s constitution used political institutions to suppress civic vices; armies in the field to cultivate civic service, sacrifice, and skill; military camps to shape public notions of duty, honor, and shame; and Roman families—as exemplified in public funerals—to habituate and showcase personal and civic virtues. Full article

The observed shortage of water resources in the western and southern regions of the Russian Federation may soon affect the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan. An increase in the share of groundwaters can help to solve this problem. To provide the population of the republic with water resources, the groundwater of magnesium–bicarbonate-type from the Kraka ophiolite massifs can be used. The massifs occur on the western slope of the Southers Urals. In this work we studied ultramafic rocks and their influence on the formation of the chemical composition of water. The research area is located in the northern part of the Zilair synclinorium, which occurs within the Central Ural megazone. In terms of hydrogeology, of particular importance to the territory of the synclinorium is the Zilair basin of fracture waters of the second order, which is part of the Uralian hydrogeologic folded zone. The ultramafic rocks from the studied area have consistently high CaO/Al₂O₃ ratios (0.4–1.6), which indicates the widespread development of parageneses with participation of clinopyroxene and a low degree of depletion of the primitive mantle source. Because of the complex geological structure of the area, water samples collected from both water points in the Kraka massifs, and the surrounding Early–Middle Paleozoic rocks were analyzed for major ions using a laboratory method to identify possible hydro-geochemical zoning. A statistical analysis was then conducted based on the obtained anion–cation composition data. From the viewpoint of the hydrolytic concept, the formation of the chemical composition of groundwater takes place due to the removal of Mg²⁺ from the rock-forming minerals of ultramafic rocks (olivine and pyroxene) and the supply of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and SO₄²⁻ Cl⁻ from atmospheric precipitations. The bicarbonate anion has a complex nature, where both biochemical processes in the soil and atmospheric precipitation play a significant role. Magnesium–bicarbonate-type of waters, due to low mineralization (to 1 g/L) and the majority of other geochemical parameters (pH of the medium, and content of Na, K, Ca, SO₄, and Cl), whose values that are within the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO), can be used as drinking water. The increased values of total hardness (0.20–3.39 mmol/L) in accordance with the regulatory document SanPiN 1.2.3685–21, adopted by the Russian Federation, do not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations (up to 7.00 (10.00) mEq/L or 3.50 (5.00) mmol/L). The high magnesium content, in accordance with GOST (state standard) R 54316–2020, allows the magnesium–bicarbonate waters of the Kraka massifs to be classified as table mineral waters for the treatment of various diseases (including hypomagnesemia). Full article

In the Republic of Korea, fire outbreaks caused by electrical devices are one of the most frequent accidents, causing severe damage to human lives and infrastructure. The metropolitan police, The National Institute of Scientific Investigation, and the National Fire Research Institute conduct fire root-cause inspections to determine whether these fires are external or internal infrastructure fires. However, obtaining results is a complex process. In addition, the situation has been hampered by the lack of sufficient digital forensics and relevant programs. Apart from electrical devices, multi-sockets are among the main fire instigators. In this study, we aim to verify the feasibility of utilizing YOLO-based deep-learning object detection models for fire-cause inspection systems for multi-sockets. Particularly, we have created a novel image dataset of multi-socket fire causes with 3300 images categorized into the three classes of socket, both burnt-in and burnt-out. This data was used to train various models, including YOLOv4-csp, YOLOv5n, YOLOR-csp, YOLOv6, and YOLOv7-Tiny. In addition, we have proposed an improved YOLOv5n-SE by adding a squeeze-and-excitation network (SE) into the backbone of the conventional YOLOv5 network and deploying it into a two-stage detector framework with a first stage of socket detection and a second stage of burnt-in/burnt-out classification. From the experiment, the performance of these models was evaluated, revealing that our work outperforms other models, with an accuracy of 91.3% mAP@0.5. Also, the improved YOLOv5-SE model was deployed in a web browser application. Full article

Railway sites are characterized by the frequent occurrence of soil and groundwater pollution by oil. The primary reason for pollution is usually the handling of large volumes of fuels and lubricants and, to a lesser extent, other hazardous substances, which represent an increased likelihood of potential spills due to inattention and accidents. The second factor is spills due to inadequate (aged) process equipment. In the Slovak Republic, a network of locomotive depots, strategically located throughout the country, has been operated in the past. In 2008, a pilot project was implemented to survey groundwater quality at 45 sites, followed by monitoring of the quality status until 2014. The levels of petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater were determined by spectrophotometric methods (NEC-IR and NEC-UV). The NEC-IR parameter documented very-high pollution at 14 sites, while the NEC-UV parameter documented the same very-high pollution degree at 23 sites. Statistical evaluation using Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn’s post hoc test revealed a significant effect of the size of the site as well as activity status on the presence and intensity of pollution. The presence of light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) was observed at almost half of the sites. Based on the evaluated data, railway sites represent a specific type of site with frequent occurrence of severe oil pollution, posing a significant environmental and health risk. Full article

This study identified the impact patterns of carbon price fluctuations and excess penalty mechanisms on power companies’ carbon emissions from the dual perspectives of market incentives and government intervention to address the issues of insufficient incentives for power companies to reduce emissions and environmental regulation mechanisms for emission reduction. Three main conclusions are revealed by the study: First, carbon emissions are significantly suppressed by the Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China (EPLPRC), with an inverse U-shaped link between carbon allowance pricing (CAP) and carbon emissions intensity (CEI). Moreover, the two exhibit synergistic effects. Second, two important transmission mechanisms are unit material cost (UMC) and green technological innovation (GHI). Third, there is significant variation in the results of emission reduction. While the inverted U-shaped effect of carbon allowance prices is most noticeable among medium-to-large non-state-owned businesses and in areas with rapid increase in thermal power capacity, EPLPRC works better for small non-state-owned businesses and large state-owned businesses. We also note that in areas where the expansion of thermal power generation is slower, dual environmental policies show significant synergistic impacts. These results offer direction for developing distinct carbon reduction strategies and promoting the power industry’s low-carbon transition. Full article

This article presents the findings of a literature review and an empirical bibliometric analysis aimed at identifying green research perspectives within the energy sector of the Visegrád Group countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia). These perspectives reflect key scientific directions related to Sustainable Development (SD), environmental protection, and social responsibility. In this context, the theoretical principles of SD are translated into practical strategies, innovations, and solutions that support long-term economic growth while respecting ecological limits and social needs. Such themes frequently appear as dominant keywords in academic publications, underscoring their growing importance in energy research. The study pursued two main and complementary research objectives. The first was to identify green research perspectives prevalent within the energy sector of the Visegrád region. The second was to determine whether, and how, existing scientific publications address the topic of green jobs in this specific regional and sectoral context. The analysis led to the classification of five thematic categories: (1) green economy and finance, (2) green policies and strategies, (3) green energy and its sources, (4) green technology, and (5) green transport. These areas, when examined collectively, reveal important synergies that could support the creation of green jobs. Among the publications analyzed, green energy emerged as the most frequently addressed topic. However, the study found a lack of direct focus on green jobs, indicating that this subject—arising from the intersection of several research areas—represents a promising direction for future studies. In addition to these five categories, the study also identified several emerging green research directions within the Visegrád energy sector. These include: the development of green hydrogen technologies, the greening of the gas sector, the integration of prosumers into energy systems, the societal and political acceptance of nuclear energy, the role of green public transport in accelerating the energy transition, and the formulation of just transition policies. These themes highlight both technological opportunities and socio-political challenges that must be addressed to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive green transformation in the region. Full article

Human mpox, caused by the mpox virus, is a reemerging viral zoonosis that has gained global attention due to recent Clade IIb outbreaks outside of Africa, as well as ongoing Clade Ia and Ib outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and surrounding regions. Since the start of these outbreaks in 2022, approximately 160,000 people have been affected across more than 100 countries. People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; hereafter referred to as PWH) have been disproportionately affected, accounting for approximately 50% of all cases. Mpox is typically a self-limiting illness causing smallpox-like symptoms lasting 2–4 weeks, which can cause significant pain and morbidity. People with uncontrolled or advanced HIV face an elevated risk of severe mpox, secondary complications, and worse outcomes. Vaccination with second- and third-generation vaccinia-based smallpox vaccines has emerged as an important tool in mpox prevention, alongside behavioural modification to mitigate risk. However, only the third-generation, live-attenuated, non-replicating vaccine, modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA-BN [Bavarian Nordic]), is approved for use in PWH. Real-world estimates suggest that two doses of MVA-BN administered as pre-exposure prophylaxis confers vaccine effectiveness in the range of 66–90%. Additionally, MVA-BN has been widely demonstrated to have an acceptable safety profile. This narrative review explores the changing epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of mpox in PWH. We also summarise evidence from the Clade IIb outbreaks on the effectiveness and safety of MVA-BN among PWH. Despite progress in our understanding, knowledge gaps persist regarding vaccine performance in individuals with advanced immunosuppression. Furthermore, due to the emergent nature of outbreaks in the DRC and surrounding areas, limited information is available regarding implications for PWH in the context of Clade Ia and Ib. We aim to provide healthcare providers, community stakeholders, and researchers with a foundational understanding of mpox in PWH and the role of MVA-BN in mpox prevention among this group, while highlighting areas of uncertainty. These insights may be helpful in the planning of future research and to inform strategies for the prevention and management of mpox among PWH, particularly those with advanced or uncontrolled HIV. Full article

The port of Gaženica, managed by the Port Authority of Zadar, is open to public traffic of special economic interest to the Republic of Croatia. Situated outside Zadar’s city centre, with convenient access to the airport and A1 highway, this port presents significant opportunities for Zadar County’s economic growth. While also serving as a cargo and fishing port, as the second-largest passenger port in Croatia, the port of Gaženica prioritises the development of cruise ship traffic. The expansion of intermodal traffic is being facilitated through the development of a multipurpose terminal to accommodate general, roll-on/roll-off, and containerised cargo (full and empty containers). The rising number of passenger ships—particularly cruise ships—along with the increasing passenger, vehicle, and cargo traffic, poses a significant risk of pollution due to dust, noise, greenhouse gases, and other pollutants. Considering these risks, the use of alternative energy sources, decarbonisation of maritime transport, the separation of waste by type, and the proper handling and disposal of ship waste are of utmost importance. The aim of this study is to present and analyse the green transition process of the port of Gaženica through the results that have been achieved or are yet to be achieved through the implementation of green projects by the Port Authority of Zadar. For this purpose, a mixed-methods approach combining project analysis and the qualitative analysis of emissions data is used. It is important to highlight that the method of interviews with relevant representatives of institutions involved in the project was also used to gain insight into financial and infrastructural challenges, the accessibility of certain data, and potential improvements in implementation. The research results indicate that the port of Gaženica has completed four green projects, while another four are currently being implemented, with their completion expected by 2026. The research concludes that it is necessary to strengthen environmental awareness regarding proper waste disposal among all stakeholders in maritime transport, including the local community, businesses, and local authorities. The results demonstrate a need to focus on certification with the aim of strengthening the green transition process through involvement in the EcoPorts and Green Award certification schemes. It is also necessary to actively improve the public availability of data from the base station in the port of Gaženica to inform the public about environmental impacts in real time (24/7) while facilitating data collection for statistical reporting purposes. Full article

Covert channels enable hidden communication that poses significant security risks, particularly when smartphones are used as transmitters. This paper presents the first end-to-end implementation and evaluation of an electromagnetic (EM) covert channel on modern Samsung Galaxy S21, S22, and S23 smartphones (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon, Republic of Korea). We first demonstrate that a previously proposed method relying on zero-volume playback is no longer effective on these devices. Through a detailed analysis of EM emissions in the 0.1–2.5 MHz range, we discovered that consistent, volume-independent signals can be generated by exploiting the hardware’s recovery delay after silent audio playback. Based on these findings, we developed a complete system comprising a stealthy Android application for transmission, a time-based modulation scheme, and a demodulation technique designed around the characteristics of the generated signals to ensure reliable reception. The channel’s reliability and robustness were validated through evaluations of modulation time, probe distance, and message length. Experimental results show that the maximum error-free bit rate (bits per second, bps) reached 0.558 bps on Galaxy S21 and 0.772 bps on Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S23. Reliable communication was feasible up to 0.5 cm with a near-field probe, and a low alignment-aware bit error rate (BER) was maintained even for 100-byte messages. This work establishes a practical threat, and we conclude by proposing countermeasures to mitigate this vulnerability. Full article

Total Mixed Ration (TMR) particle size significantly impacts dairy cow health and productivity. This study investigated the effects of TMR particle size tertiles on rumen pH, dry matter intake (DMI), and milk characteristics in Simmental cows by continuous pH monitoring (Moonsyst Ltd., Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland) and particle separation by 19, 8, 4 mm sieves and pad using the Wasserbauer particle separator, along with regular milk and DMI measurements. Data were analyzed by IBM SPSS 26.0 with ANOVA, Pearson correlations and statistically significant differences between tertiles by post hoc Tukey HSD test were performed (p < 0.05). Tertiles by frequency analysis were used to categorize particle size proportions into three groups, each containing an equal number of observations. Principal component analysis (PCA) and heatmaps by SRplot were generated. Moderate particle size distributions (second tertiles of 19 mm, 8 mm, 4 mm sieves, and pad as the fraction of TMR particles that pass through the all sieves and are collected in the bottom pan) optimized rumen pH stability, reducing time below 6.2 (SARA risk) or above 6.8, and correlated with milk β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), oleic acid, and acetone levels. Moreover, milk production was maximized with a combination of coarser (19 mm and 8 mm, third tertiles) and finer (4 mm, first tertile) particles, milk fat peaked in both the finest pad fraction (third tertile) and coarsest larger sieves (first tertiles), and milk protein in the first tertiles of 19 mm and 8 mm sieves. Similarly, DMI positively correlated with coarser particles, but sometimes negatively with milk quality. In addition, PCA showed fine particle groups clustering with higher milk fat-to-protein ratios, somatic cell counts, and urea. In conclusion, mid-range TMR particle sizes (second tertiles) consistently provided the most benefits across ruminal, metabolic, and production parameters, underscoring TMR structure as a crucial precision feeding tool. Full article

Air pollution issues are relevant all over the world, especially in industrial areas. The main pollution of the atmosphere is caused by dust emissions from industry. This article discusses the issue of dust emission from the coal industry. The purpose of this research is a comprehensive analysis and environmental assessment of the impact of coal storage processes on the environment. The study was conducted on the example of a coal deposit in the Karaganda region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Karaganda region is the industrial base of Kazakhstan, and is characterized more by coal industry facilities. In addition to the impact during the mining period, coal storage is also a serious problem. The problem of storing energy coals on a large scale of their extraction and consumption has a huge impact on the environment, but it is of great economic importance for the region. In this paper, practical methods of combating weathering are considered using the example of coal: small fraction—0–50 mm; large fraction—50–300 mm; oversized—more than 300 mm. Calculations of the formation of emissions, the maximum surface concentrations of pollutants from coal depots were carried out, and plots of their dispersion were constructed. When plotting the dispersion of pollutants, it was revealed that the largest concentration of substances falls on the territory of the coal deposit. According to the data obtained, a directly proportional dependence of the amount of emissions on the volume of incoming coal and the area of the base of the coal stacks is obvious; the temperature fluctuation in the stacks during the research is in the range from 21.9 to 26.1 °C. Scientifically researched anti-emission cover (AEC) on coal stacks. AEC has advantages for a specific climate (frequent winds, dryness): preservation of properties up to 90% over their service life; resistant to environmental aggressiveness and mechanical influences. This method solves two tasks: the first task is to prevent spontaneous combustion of coal stacks, and the second task is to reduce dust emissions from coal stacks. Measures have been developed to minimize the negative impact of coal stacks on the environment. Full article

This article argues that the asylum policy and legislative changes introduced by the UK government in the years 2022–2024 altered the original meaning of the concept ‘safe country’ as understood in international and EU law. The UK modified this concept, which from a solidarity concept became a means of exclusion, and which negatively affects the lives and rights of people seeking asylum in the UK. Using a doctrinal approach, the first part of this article sets the legal and historical context of the concept ‘safe country’. Departing from the analysis of the Refugee Convention, the article discusses how this mechanism was used by the EU legislation. From an idea of solidarity among EU Member States, it shifted from responsibility-sharing to burden-sharing while still allowing some guarantees to people seeking asylum. Using content analysis, the second part of this article evaluates the legal requirements set by the UK legislation together with implications of applying the ‘safe country’ concept to the asylum claims. It argues that, in recent years, the UK Government used the term ‘safe country’ as synonym of two (possibly three) different concepts, such as ‘first safe country’ and ‘safe third country’. It also shifted and pushed its meaning beyond the current commonly agreed interpretation of the term because it eroded the requirement of a link between the person seeking asylum and the ‘safe country’. Thus, the UK legislation deviated even further from the rationale underlying the Refugee Convention, international human rights standards and EU legislation because it passed the obligation to assess asylum claims to states with no link to people seeking asylum and without adequate risk assessment. The final part of this article discusses the limit to this policy and analyses the legal battle between the UK Parliament, the Government’s executive power, the UK Supreme Court and the Belfast High Court, which barred the UK Government from deporting people seeking asylum to a third country. This article concludes that there is some irony in the fact the term ‘safe country’ has been weaponised as a bordering tool by the UK Government, but ‘a border’ between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is limiting the negative effect of the concept ‘safe country’ on the very same people that is attempting to exclude from protection. Full article

The logistics industry saw substantial growth in the second half of the 20th century, and logistics companies play a vital role in today’s modern market. Constant shifts in the market present challenges for logistics firms, which must find the optimal balance between achieved goals and utilized resources. The primary indicator that reflects this relationship is efficiency. Measuring and monitoring efficiency in logistics companies is extremely demanding because the final product is not a tangible item; instead, it often consists of transportation, storage, transloading, and forwarding services that require extensive resources. This paper focuses on measuring and improving efficiency. Numerous approaches and methods for evaluating the efficiency of logistics companies are examined. To measure and enhance efficiency, as well as rank companies based on operational efficiency, a three-phase DEA-fuzzy AHP model has been developed. This model was tested using a real-world example by analyzing the efficiency of ten logistics companies in the Republic of Serbia. The results of the analysis indicate the applicability of this model for measuring and improving the efficiency of logistics companies, as well as for their ranking. Full article