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Publications - 6374

Experiences of a CAEV (Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus) eradication programme in an alpine goat farm

Publication Name: Magyar Allatorvosok Lapja

Publication Date: 2024-05-01

Volume: 146

Issue: 5

Page Range: 259-271

Description:

Background: The CAEV (Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus) together with Maedi visna virus (MVV) are specific pathogen of small ruminants (small ruminant lenti-viruses (SRLV). The clinical signs can be arthritis or mastitis in adults and encephalitis in kids, however, most of the CAEV infections remain subclinical. The viral infection can be lifelong and the animals can become a virus carrier at any time. The most effective way to eradicate the virus is through the selection and culling of infected animals, based on serological results. Objectives: An eradication programme was carried out in a goat herd of 150 does in Tahitótfalu between 2020 and 2023. A routine serological survey revealed that the number of CAEV seropositive animals in the herd was very high, and as the number of animals with clinical symptoms started to increase, an eradication program became advisable. The objective was to lower the rate of seropositive animals, and to keep the herd free from the clinical signs. Materials and Methods: The primary method for screening the animals was the antibody ELISA method. It was sensitive and specific enough to find the seropo-sitive animals in the herd. As an additional method, real-time and conventional PCR methods was used to test blood samples. Results and Discussion: After the initial seropositive results, there were several other test methods in the herd to detect the seropositive animals. In 2020 the percentage of seropositive goats was between 33% and 100%, so an eradication programme was advised to decrease the number of infected animals and to reduce the clinical signs in the herd. As a consequence of the selection-based programme, the rate of seropositive animals was successfully decreased in the herd by the end of 2021 (1-20%). However, due to a prolonged period of immu-nosuppression, the disease started to spread again among the animals during 2022, and the complete eradication could not be achieved. Nevertheless, our experiences show that CAEV eradication programmes can be a useful tool to decrease the clinical consequences of the disease on dairy goat farms.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.56385/magyallorv.2024.05.259-271

A virtual screening framework based on the binding site selectivity for small molecule drug discovery

Publication Name: Computers and Chemical Engineering

Publication Date: 2024-05-01

Volume: 184

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Structure-based virtual screening of binding of candidate drug molecules is a topic of increasing interest in the discovery of small molecule drugs. As the same drug molecule may bind to different binding sites on a target protein, the binding site selectivity that is related to the binding tendency of candidate drug molecules to different binding sites after reaching the target protein need to be considered in sufficient details. In this work, a systematic and computer-aided virtual screening framework based on the binding site selectivity to screen candidate drug molecules in terms of their ability to bind on selected sites is presented. The framework integrates two machine learning (ML)-based models to predict the binding potential and binding selectivity to specific binding sites that are important for virtual screening of drug molecules. The details of the ML-based models together with the work-flow of the computer-aided virtual screening methods and the efficient and consistent integration of related drug design tools are presented. The applicability of this virtual screening framework is illustrated through a case study involving the screening for drug molecules as inhibitors to block the binding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is the target protein. The case study results point to identification of new candidate inhibitors with better binding site selectivity than two known potential inhibitors, Nilotinib and SSAA09E2.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2024.108626

Brake Disc Deformation Detection Using Intuitive Feature Extraction and Machine Learning

Publication Name: Machines

Publication Date: 2024-04-01

Volume: 12

Issue: 4

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

In this work we propose proof-of-concept methods to detect malfunctions of the braking system in passenger vehicles. In particular, we investigate the problem of detecting deformations of the brake disc based on data recorded by acceleration sensors mounted on the suspension of the vehicle. Our core hypothesis is that these signals contain vibrations caused by brake disc deformation. Since faults of this kind are typically monitored by the driver of the vehicle, the development of automatic fault-detection systems becomes more important with the rise of autonomous driving. In addition, the new brake boosters separate the brake pedal from the hydraulic system which results in less significant effects on the brake pedal force. Our paper offers two important contributions. Firstly, we provide a detailed description of our novel measurement scheme, the type and placement of the used sensors, signal acquisition and data characteristics. Then, in the second part of our paper we detail mathematically justified signal representations and different algorithms to distinguish between deformed and normal brake discs. For the proper understanding of the phenomenon, different brake discs were used with measured runout values. Since, in addition to brake disc deformation, the vibrations recorded by our accelerometers are nonlinearly dependent on a number of factors (such as the velocity, suspension, tire pressure, etc.), data-driven models are considered. Through experiments, we show that the proposed methods can be used to recognize faults in the braking system caused by brake disc deformation.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/machines12040214

Impact of Projects with Future Potential on the Global Competitiveness Index of Countries

Publication Name: Emerging Science Journal

Publication Date: 2024-04-01

Volume: 8

Issue: 2

Page Range: 557-573

Description:

The concept of project success has evolved from the perspective of conforming to the project triangle to that of benefiting the environment, and then from the perspective of the following generation. Scientists increasingly assert that successful projects require a set of criteria that include such item(s) as future potential. The meaning of project success varies depending on where it is executed. The purpose of this study is to identify whether projects with future potential have a certain effect on indicators of the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK) and what other success criteria are inherent in such projects. By using the method of descriptive analysis of data collected from 107 experts and analyzing 19 influential projects, the study revealed that projects oriented towards the future have a significant impact on the indicators of the GCI in the RK. This finding confirms the necessity of considering the long-term sustainability and social significance of projects when assessing their successes. Additionally, a specific combination of success criteria that contributes most to this impact was identified. This research provides a brand-new understanding of project success criteria in the context of their impact on the GCI and emphasizes the importance of considering future potential in project planning and evaluation.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-02-012

The Obligations of the States in Respect of Climate Change Before the International Court of Justice

Publication Name: Journal of Environmental Law

Publication Date: 2024-03-01

Volume: 36

Issue: 1

Page Range: 117-124

Description:

This analysis discusses the advisory opinion requested by the UN General Assembly from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in April 2023 on the obligations of states in respect of climate change. Although the ICJ’s decision cannot be expected before the autumn of 2024, important procedural anomalies have arisen, which require due regard to ensure that the ICJ can provide its advisory opinion in possession of sufficient information. In particular, firstly, not all Small Island Developing States have been notified by the ICJ and invited to submit written statements and, secondly, the amicus curiae provided by NGOs will be not accessible to the public. This analysis argues that all Small Island Developing States should have the opportunity to take part in the proceedings and the amicus curiae submitted by NGOs to the ICJ should receive proper publicity.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1093/jel/eqad033

Assessing Future Hydrological Variability in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Basin: Soil and Water Assessment Tool Model Projections under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways Climate Scenarios

Publication Name: Water Switzerland

Publication Date: 2024-03-01

Volume: 16

Issue: 6

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Climate is one of the main drivers of hydrological processes, and climate change has caused worldwide effects such as water scarcity, frequent floods and intense droughts. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of climate change on the water balance components, high flow and low flow stream conditions in a semi-arid basin in Iran. For this reason, the climate outputs of the CanESM5 model under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) scenarios SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585 were spatially downscaled by the Statistical Downscaling Model (SDSM). The hydrological process was simulated by the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Key findings include a 74% increase in evapotranspiration, a reduction by up to 9.6% in surface runoff, and variations in discharge by up to 53.6%. The temporal analysis of snow melting changes revealed an increase in the volume of snow melting during winter months and a reduction in the volume during spring. The projected climate change is expected to cause notable variations in high and low flow events, particularly under the SSP585 scenario, which anticipates significant peaks in flow rates. This comprehensive analysis underscores the pressing need for adaptive strategies in water resource management to mitigate the anticipated impacts of climate variability.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/w16060805

Investigation on the physico-chemical properties of soil and mineralization of three selected tropical tree leaf litter

Publication Name: Environmental Research

Publication Date: 2024-02-15

Volume: 243

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Plant leaf litter has a major role in the structure and function of soil ecosystems as it is associated with nutrient release and cycling. The present study is aimed to understand how well the decomposing leaf litter kept soil organic carbon and nitrogen levels stable during an incubation experiment that was carried out in a lab setting under controlled conditions and the results were compared to those from a natural plantation. In natural site soil samples, Anacardium. occidentale showed a higher value of organic carbon at surface (1.14%) and subsurface (0.93%) and Azadirachta. indica exhibited a higher value of total nitrogen at surface (0.28%) and subsurface sample (0.14%). In the incubation experiment, Acacia auriculiformis had the highest organic carbon content initially (5.26%), whereas A. occidentale had the highest nitrogen level on 30th day (0.67%). The overall carbon-nitrogen ratio showed a varied tendency, which may be due to dynamic changes in the complex decomposition cycle. The higher rate of mass loss and decay was observed in A. indica leaf litter, the range of the decay constant is 1.26–2.22. The morphological and chemical changes of soil sample and the vermicast were substantained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117752

Optimizing structural topology design through consideration of fatigue crack propagation

Publication Name: Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

Publication Date: 2024-02-01

Volume: 419

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

This paper presents an advanced approach for structural topology optimization by incorporating fatigue crack propagation analysis. The extended finite element method (X-FEM) is employed to model initial crack propagation, while the Paris model serves as the basis for simulating fatigue crack growth. The proposed methodology aims to optimize the structural design by minimizing compliance while considering volume and fatigue constraints. The proposed method employs the developed bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) algorithm. The accuracy of the proposed technique is validated through the solution of benchmark problem and is further demonstrated in its effectiveness and robustness by examining several numerical examples. The optimization process considers various crack conditions, including the absence of cracks, horizontal and vertical cracks of different lengths. The optimized topologies obtained through the proposed algorithm clearly demonstrate the impact of crack presence, crack direction, and crack length on the material distribution. Furthermore, the convergence histories of the objective function, represented by mean compliance, highlight the influence of crack length on the stiffness and converged compliance of the structure. The results demonstrate its ability to adapt the material distribution based on fatigue cracks propagation conditions and achieve optimal topologies that balance structural integrity and performance.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.cma.2023.116629

The social cost of ill health among the working-Age population in 2019 in Hungary

Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap

Publication Date: 2024-01-21

Volume: 165

Issue: 3

Page Range: 110-120

Description:

Introduction: We have quantified the healthy life years lost and the costs incurred in 2019 due to the poor health of the Hungarian population aged 30-64 from a societal perspective, but also from the perspective of several other social actors, calculating the indirect costs according to the human capital approach. Objective: The aim of our estimate is to shed light on the radically high losses that Hungary incurs year after year as a result of its inhabitants living significantly shorter and sicker lives than people in similar situations in other countries. Method: In the first part of the analysis, we aggregated the time lost due to illness and disability for the age group 30-64 in 2019. The aggregated Hungarian values for the studied age group were compared with the corresponding values for the Visegrad countries, Austria and the European Union. The second part of the analysis aggregates the social costs of time spent in ill health. A distinction is made between direct costs, which involve the movement of money, and indirect costs, which are embodied in lost income or production. Results: In Hungary, the nearly 4.8 million people aged 30-64 spent a total of 654,000 years on sick leave in 2019, which equated to an average of about 50 days per person. This means 14% of the total number of working days could have been working days in good health. The direct costs, i.e., the expenditure of the Health Insurance Fund and the expenditure financed by patients and voluntary insurance, amounted to HUF 1,446 billion. Indirect costs, i.e., expenditure due to the loss of working years as a result of premature death and illness, represented a further burden of HUF 2,279 billion. Conclusion: In 2019, the direct and indirect expenditure of people aged 30-64 amounted to HUF 3425 billion, or 7.21% of the GDP. It is well known that in developed countries, including Hungary, the greatest health losses are caused by non-communicable chronic diseases, which can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the creation of a conducive physical and social environment are essential for improving the country s competitiveness.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1556/650.2024.32955