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To improve the efficiency of a diesel internal combustion engine (ICE), the waste heat carried out by the combustion gases can be recovered with an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) that further drives a vapor compression refrigeration cycle (VCRC). This work offers an exergoeconomic optimization methodology of the VCRC-ORC group. The exergetic analysis highlights the changes that can be made to the system structure to reduce the exergy destruction associated with internal irreversibilities. Thus, the preheating of the ORC fluid with the help of an internal heat exchanger leads to a decrease in the share of exergy destruction in the ORC boiler by 4.19% and, finally, to an increase in the global exergetic yield by 2.03% and, implicitly, in the COP of the ORC-VCRC installation. Exergoeconomic correlations are built for each individual piece of equipment. The mathematical model for calculating the monetary costs for each flow of substance and energy in the system is presented. Following the evolution of the exergoeconomic performance parameters, the optimization strategy is developed to reduce the exergy consumption in the system by choosing larger or higher-performance equipment. When reducing the temperature differences in the system heat exchangers (ORC boiler, condenser, and VCRC evaporator), the unitary cost of the refrigeration drops by 44%. The increase in the isentropic efficiency of the ORC expander and VCRC compressor further reduces the unitary cost of refrigeration by another 15%. Following the optimization procedure, the cost of the cooling unit drops by half. The cost of diesel fuel has a major influence on the unit cost of cooling. A doubling of the cost of diesel fuel leads to an 80% increase in the cost of the cold unit. The original merit of the work is to present a detailed and comprehensive model of optimization based on exergoeconomic principles that can serve as an example for any thermal system optimization.

With the escalating frequency of cybersecurity threats in public cloud computing environments, there is a pressing need for robust security measures to safeguard sensitive data and applications. This research addresses growing security concerns in the cloud by proposing an innovative security information and event management system (SIEM) that offers automated visibility of cloud resources. Our implementation includes a virtual network comprising virtual machines, load balancers, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and an application gateway that functions as a web application firewall (WAF). This WAF scans incoming Internet traffic and provides centralized protection against common exploits and vulnerabilities, securing web applications within the cloud environment. We deployed the SIEM system to automate visibility and incident response for cloud resources. By harnessing the power of this employed SIEM, the developed system can continuously monitor, detect security incidents, and proactively mitigate potential security threats. Microsoft Defender for Cloud consistently assesses the configuration of cloud resources against industry standards, regulations, and benchmarks to ensure compliance requirements are met. Our findings highlight the practicality and effectiveness of deploying such solutions to safeguard cloud resources, offering valuable insights to organizations and security professionals seeking sustainable and resilient security measures in the cloud computing environment.

This case study analyzes a cryogenic air separation unit (ASU) with a production of V˙O2=58,300 [m3Nh] of gaseous oxygen with a concentration greater than 98.5%, operating in Romania on a steel plant platform. The goal of the paper is to provide an extensive model of exergetic analysis that could be used in an optimization procedure when decisional parameters are changed or structural design modifications are implemented. For each key part of the Air Separation Unit, an exergetic product and fuel were defined and, based on their definition, the coefficient of performance of each functional zone was calculated. The information about the magnitude of the exergetic losses offers solutions for their future recovery. The analysis of the exergy destructions suggests when it is worth making a larger investment. The exergetic analysis of the compression area of the ASU points out an exergy destruction and loss of 37% from the total plant’s electrical energy input. The exergy loss with the heat transferred to the cooling system of compressors can be recovered; for the exergy destruction portion, the challenge between investment and operating costs should be considered. The exergy destruction of the air separation columns found the High Pressure Column (HPC) to be more destructive than the Low Pressure Column. The share of the exergy destruction in the total plant’s electrical energy input is 8.3% for the HPC. The local COP of the HPC, calculated depending on the total exergy of the local product and fuel, is 62.66%. The calculus of the air separation column is performed with the ChemSep simulator.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) experience alarming HIV disparities alongside sub-optimal engagement in HIV interventions. Among MSM, stigma toward anal sexuality could interfere with engagement in HIV prevention, yet few studies have examined MSM perspectives on anal sex stigma or its health-related sequelae. Guided by theory, we aimed to characterize anal sex stigma, related sexual concerns, and barriers to health seeking, like concealment. We elicited community input by purposively interviewing 10 experts in MSM health and then 25 racially, ethnically, and geographically diverse cisgender MSM. Participants reported experienced, internalized, and anticipated forms of anal sex stigma that inhibited health seeking. Experienced stigma, including direct and observed experiences as well as the absence of sex education and information, contributed to internalized stigma and anticipation of future devaluation. This process produced psychological discomfort and concealment of health-related aspects of anal sexuality, even from potentially supportive sexual partners, social contacts, and health workers. Participants characterized stigma and discomfort with disclosure as normative, pervasive, and detrimental influences on health-seeking behavior both during sex and within healthcare interactions. Omission of information appears to be a particularly salient determinant of sexual behavior, inhibiting prevention of harm, like pain, and leading to adverse health outcomes. The development of measures of anal sex stigma and related sexual concerns, and testing their impact on comfort with disclosure, sexual practices, and engagement in health services could identify modifiable social pathways that contribute to health disparities among MSM, like those seen in the HIV epidemic.

Our society is becoming increasingly dependent on technology, with immersive virtual worlds such as Extended Reality (XR) transforming how we connect and interact. XR technologies enhance communication and operational efficiency. They have been adopted in sectors such as manufacturing, education, and healthcare. However, the immersive and interconnected nature of XR introduces security risks that span from technical and human to psychological vulnerabilities. In this study, we examined security threats in XR environments through a scenario-driven risk assessment, using a hybrid approach combining Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) metrics and a custom likelihood model to quantify risks. This methodology provides a comprehensive risk evaluation method, identifying critical vulnerabilities such as Remote Code Execution (RCE), social engineering, excessive permission exploitation, unauthorized access, and data exfiltration. The findings reveal that human vulnerabilities, including users’ susceptibility to deception and excessive trust in familiar interfaces and system prompts, significantly increase attack success rates. Additionally, developer mode, once enabled, remains continuously active, and the lack of authentication requirements for installing applications from unknown sources, coupled with poor permission management on the part of the users, creates security gaps that attackers can exploit. Furthermore, permission management in XR devices is often broad and persistent and lacks real-time notifications, allowing malicious applications to exploit microphone, camera, and location access without the users knowing. By leveraging CVSS scores and a structured likelihood-based risk assessment, we quantified the severity of these threats, with RCE, social engineering, and insecure app installation emerging as the greatest risks. This study highlights the necessity of implementing granular permission controls, formalized developer mode restrictions, and structured user education programs to mitigate XR-specific threats.

Pregnant and lactating persons in sub-Saharan Africa face a heightened risk of HIV acquisition, due to biological and behavioral factors, combined with limited access to prevention and treatment services. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the dapivirine vaginal ring are promising tools for HIV prevention, and the ring’s recent approval in multiple African countries represents a significant advancement in expanding access to HIV prevention. In a nested qualitative study within the MTN-042 trial, we explored the acceptability of study products among pregnant persons in the second and early third trimesters. Interviews were conducted privately, using a semi-structured guide with 77 participants, in participants’ preferred language. Topics explored included product acceptability (using the theoretical framework of acceptability), user experience, satisfaction, disclosure, community attitudes, and sexual activity during pregnancy. Interview transcripts were analyzed using Dedoose software. We observed positive attitudes among participants towards the study products, which they found generally user-friendly, despite the added complexities of using them during pregnancy. Participants recognized that consistent and correct use would provide protection for both them and their unborn children. Although initial concerns existed, most of these worries dissipated over time, with study staff support and increased product use experience. These findings emphasize the importance of continued surveillance, support, and education to ensure the successful rollout of new HIV prevention measures during pregnancy.

The study carried out by simulation, concerns the thermal behavior of an office building’s solar fresh air cooling system, based on a LiBr-H2O absorption chiller in different climatic conditions. The coefficient of performance (COP) and the solar fraction were considered performance parameters and were analyzed with respect to the operating limits—the risk of crystallization and maintaining at least a minimum degassing zone. A new correlation between the required solar hot temperature and the cooling water temperature was established and then embedded in another new correlation between the COP and the cooling water temperature that was used in simulations during the whole cooling season corresponding to each location. It was found that—the solar hot water should be maintained in the range of (80–100) °C depending on the cooling water temperature, the COP of the solar LiBr-H2O absorption chiller with or without cold storage tank could reach (76.5–82.4)% depending on the location, and the solar fraction could reach (29.5–62.0)% without cold storage tank and could exceed 100% with cold storage tank, and the excess cooling power being available to cover other types of cooling loads—through the building envelope, from lighting, and from occupants, etc.

Health workers report challenges to broaching sexual behavior with gay and bisexual men (MSM). We conducted a stigma-mitigation training to increase provider-initiated conversation about anal sexuality among Chinese health workers. The two-day workshop, titled Smarter Sex is the New Safer Sex: Anal Pleasure and Health, coupled information about anal physiology and sexual response with gradual exposure to trainees’ emotional and cognitive responses. We analyzed surveys and one-time interviews. Acceptability (satisfaction with training activities and recommended practices), feasibility (compatibility with participants’ current practices), and appropriateness (perceived fit with participants’ work mission and goals) were high, reaching 84–95% of the scale range, though with variable ratings for trainee comfort during participation. Qualitative data confirm health workers’ motivation to discuss anal sexuality and the value of learning about anal physiology and sexual response, but revealed continued uncertainty about how to broach and navigate discussion with clients. Refinement of the training to align with health worker recommendations and to augment communication options and skills is warranted, as is involvement of MSM clientele themselves.

This study aimed to determine whether autochthonous high-intensity D. repens microfilaremia leads to haematological changes in companion dogs. Dogs with hypermicrofilaremia presented to the District Veterinary Centre, Kannur were selected for the study. A total of 100 dogs were positive for hypermicrofilariaemia with D. repens based on peripheral blood smear examination and Knott’s test. Of these, 3 dogs were concurrently positive for sheathed microfilaria (MF) of Brugia spp. Interestingly, an adult live worm of D. repens approximately eight cm in length was detected on a subcutaneous mass on the hind limb of a hypermicrofilaremic dog in the study. We compared the hematological parameters of 100 autochthonous hypermicrofilaremic dogs and 15 uninfected dogs. The hematological findings in the study are mild to moderate anemia, moderate to severe thrombocytopenia, leucocytosis with granulocytosis, lymphocytosis and monocytosis as compared to the uninfected group of dogs. The pathogenicity of naturally occurring hypermicrofilaremia is poorly studied, and knowledge of its epidemiology, host-parasite relationship and impact on various organs is warranted for better prevention and control, especially in hot-spot areas.

We study the impact of a liquid jet on a liquid bath in the presence of an external Newtonian liquid. Attention is given to the impact zone where we find a stationary wave-like behavior of the liquid column. We unravel new dynamics, seen at high acquisition frame rates, of the instability of the liquid column at the critical distance between the capillary tip and the surface of the fluid bath. A dominant critical frequency of oscillation is found. Particle Image Velocimetry measurements of the velocity field, in the vicinity of the impact zone, are also performed, with emphasis on the vortex structure that develops near the flat interface.