A three-dimensional, two-way coupled fluid–structure interaction (FSI) numerical model was established to investigate the hydrodynamic performance and wave-attenuation mechanism of a water-ballasted single-ring floating breakwater with internal compartmentalization. The model couples the CFD wave solver in OpenFOAM with its built-in six-degree-of-freedom rigid-body motion solver and the dynamic mooring solver MoorDyn. It was validated against two benchmark cases comprising physical wave-flume measurements and published numerical results. Four configurations—unballasted, single-compartment, dual-compartment, and four-compartment—were compared under extreme irregular waves, with different incident-wave headings considered for the compartmentalized configurations. The analysis focused on wave transmission, transient mooring tension, and the combined effects of annular wave scattering and ballast-water sloshing. The results demonstrate that the four-compartment configuration provides the strongest wave attenuation, whereas the dual-compartment configuration achieves a better balance between wave-attenuation performance and mooring-load distribution.
This mixed-methods study examined adolescent girls’ perceptions of puberty in Germany and Ghana to better understand cross-cultural differences in the personal evaluation of physical development during puberty. A total of 418 girls (198 from Germany, 220 from Ghana; mean ages 13.73 and 12.57 years, respectively) completed classroom-based questionnaires assessing overall evaluations of puberty, perceptions of specific bodily changes, and body image. Open-ended questionnaire responses and two focus groups (N = 11) provided qualitative insights. Quantitative findings showed that German girls reported significantly more negative perceptions of puberty than Ghanaian girls. The most pronounced cross-cultural difference concerned menstruation, which was evaluated more negatively by German than by Ghanaian participants. German girls also reported greater real-ideal body discrepancy, suggesting greater body dissatisfaction, although perceived body shape did not differ between groups. Qualitative findings supported these results. German participants described puberty as emotionally challenging, marked by self-doubt, social comparison, media influence, and appearance-related insecurities. In contrast, Ghanaian girls more often framed puberty as a natural transition into adulthood and womanhood, emphasizing fertility, responsibility, and guidance from trusted adults. Overall, the findings highlight both shared and culturally specific meanings attached to puberty and underscore the importance of culturally sensitive puberty education and support systems.
Respiratory viral infections are a major cause of public health concern worldwide. With the appearance of COVID-19 in 2019, the whole world has experienced severe and long-term complications associated with these infections. These respiratory viruses, their types and sub types are prevalent throughout the year and at varied seasons, and our body continues to fight against these pathogens through innate and adaptive immune responses. Facing multiple viral pathogens with a varied constitution of antigenic epitopes, the infected person generates a number of cytokines and also different paratopic induced antibodies, creating an immunological chaos. To understand this, the present study was undertaken. The antibodies against five major respiratory viruses, commonly reported in India, were targeted viz; SARS-CoV-2, rhinovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. An ELISA assay for the detection of all these viruses was made. It was observed that in most cases, there was a presence of antibodies against respiratory viruses (more than 3 respiratory viruses). When the overall status was checked, it was observed that the presence of IgG for Parainfluenza A virus was present in maximum study subjects (92.30 to 100%), along with IgG for SARS-CoV-2 (50–76.92%). We may thus assume that co-infection by multiple viruses may trigger the risk of multiple antibodies and an immunological chaos. Comorbidities that exist in the patients can also enhance the additional stress on the immune cells, with a possibility of B-cells losing their specificity to generate epitope specific antibodies.
Hydrochar is a low-cost carbon precursor for water treatment, but its adsorption performance depends on both texture and surface chemistry. This work evaluates whether a nitric acid (HNO3) post-treatment can direct physically activated hydrochar adsorbents toward a target contaminant class. An industrially produced hydrochar was activated at 800 °C for 2 h under N2, CO2, or steam, then treated with 70% HNO3. Adsorption was evaluated using methylene blue as a representative cationic dye and phenol as a representative aromatic micropollutant. The post-treatment altered surface chemistry rather than texture: total acidic groups increased by 86 to 123% and basic groups decreased by 56 to 66%, lowering the point of zero charge to 4.5–5.3, while Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas were largely preserved (largest reduction of 14%, most changes below 5%). These changes had opposing consequences for the two adsorbates: methylene blue capacity increased by up to 135%, reaching 264 mg·g−1 for the post-treated steam-activated hydrochar, whereas phenol capacity decreased by up to 58% from a maximum of 167 mg·g−1 for the same steam-activated char before post-treatment. The HNO3 post-treatment is therefore selective rather than universally beneficial as it valorizes hydrochar adsorbents for cationic contaminants while reducing their affinity for neutral aromatics.
Restoration of tidal freshwater forest is required according to European legislation for biodiversity conservation and compensation for human impact on estuaries. A large-scale project was set up to compensate for channel deepening at the port of Hamburg, the third largest port in Europe. The relief was modelled to allow tidal dynamics, and 2680 willows (genus Salix) were planted for a tidal freshwater forest in autumn 2022. Six characteristic Salix species were planted in different habitats at the restoration site. After one year, 75% of the individuals were established, whereas S. viminalis showed the highest establishment percentage (85.7), followed by S. rubens (72.6), S. triandra (70.7), S. alba (60.3), S. purpurea (51.3), and S. fragilis (37.7). The species diversity in the different habitats (stream valley meadow, reed stands, wet sinks, bar ground, in small bays, at tidal creeks) was preserved. The species differed in growth parameters and planting habitats: Salix alba and S. purpurea showed drought damage, but S. alba responded with resprouting; S. alba was least affected, whereas S. viminalis was most affected by browsing but similarly responded with strong resprouting. Salix triandra showed browsing damage but did resprout less. Salix fragilis and S. rubens behaved intermediary. The study demonstrates the initial establishment success of the Salix species one year after plantation with important implications for initial restoration management of tidal freshwater forest in European estuaries.
