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The emergence of novel pathogens is a well-known epidemiological risk, however, the unexpected emergence of a truly novel coronavirus-mediated pandemic, SARS-nCOV2 (COVID-19), underscored the significance of understanding this contagion. The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented social, economic, and educational disruptions on a scale never seen before. In addition to social protocols, the development of safe, effective, affordable COVID-19 vaccines was developed within months, the cornerstone to mitigating this pandemic. We present an overview of the evolution of the SARS-nCOV2 pandemic from a historical perspective and describe its biology and behavior, especially the immunological aspects of the disease. We further provide an overview of COVID-19 therapeutics, treatment, and vaccine development. It is critical to understand the transmission mechanism of the disease to control and mitigate its progression. We describe cohort studies to identify secondary and tertiary syndromes. The transmission characteristics help its diagnosis and detection. During the pandemic, a lot of emphasis was placed on personal protection equipment. It is now concluded that the virus particles spread by aerosol dispersion. While the recommended distance may not be sufficient, the use of personal protective equipment and social distancing may be helpful in close-quarters environments. Such protocols in conjunction with safe and effective vaccines and personal hygiene are among the safe practices. While we learn from our experience, this review provides a holistic view of COVID-19, so we are better prepared for a future pandemic. In addition to a wide-spectrum automated analytics system, we also suggest that the use of artificial intelligence in conjunction with data analytics can further reduces the risk of speculatively diagnosing agents incorrectly, to eliminate future pandemic, where the novelty can be the cloud-based presumptive diagnosis.

Electrospun lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT)/polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF) nanocomposite-based membranes were fabricated using a traditional electrospinning process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to observe the surface morphology of the electrospun nanofiber membrane. The dielectric parameters of the nanocomposite membranes, such as permittivity, electric modulus, ac conductivity, and Impedance in the frequency range of 103 -106 Hz, were measured via an LCR measurement system. All-important electrical parameters were calculated from experimental measurements of capacitance and dissipation factor at ambient temperature. Frequency-dependent of, the above-cited parameters are presented.

The spectrum of current threat vectors is far more complex now than ever before. The current threat vectors are kinetic, asymmetric, dual-use, and hybrid, which renders it difficult to assess and, even, distinguish from a routine event. The threats not only jeopardize the security posture but also cyber defense capabilities, the very line of defense that is designed to protect against such threats. Countering threat vectors in multiple domains, viz., social, physical, and informational, is a major challenge and requires technology augmentation to assess, act and thwart such persistent and pervasive threats. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data analytics (DA), and deep learning (DL) provides tools that enhance cyber defense capabilities. In addition, certain initiatives on decision support systems to enhance resiliency, such as heuristics expert elicitations and analysis, and also capacity building through technology accelerator networks are discussed to enhance capacity and capability in support of cyber-defense. The use of technology platforms can present certain challenges, which are described.

A large amount of the globally produced plastics are not treated and are eventually released into landfills or natural environments, including surface waters. The plastics that enter the aquatic environment are very often microplastics, which are produced in households by the slow degradation or abrasion of plastic products, or as whole plastic products, which eventually degrade (abrasion, photodegradation). Together with microplastics, other pollutants such as pharmaceuticals of various kinds enter surface waters—both of these counterparts can interact with each other as well as with organic and inorganic molecules available in the natural environment. The aim of this study was to identify the interaction of microplastics with pharmaceuticals, especially under conditions that are common in inland waters as well as the seas and oceans that the rivers feed their water into. It was found that salinity has a great impact on the sorption capacity of microplastics and pharmaceuticals. The sorption of naturally occurring humic substances (humic and fulvic acids) can greatly increase when the microplastic–pharmaceutical complex is formed; however, the priority of the interaction happens with pharmaceuticals and humic substances. Such complexes can influence the organisms that feed on small organic-matter particles, as they can be mistaken for food and thus be transferred throughout the food chain.

Hybrid threats present one of the growing security challenges to the safe and effective management of critical infrastructure, digital systems, and social domains worldwide. The intentional misuse or disruption of such domains and digital technologies will have wide-ranging implications in various aspects of life, spanning from day-to-day activities, civil and military operations, transportation and aviation, communication, finance, and water-food-energy nexus, medical treatments to social media. Despite increasing concerns of evolving cyber threats within multiple domains, only a few strategies to effectively counter the spectrum of hybrid threats have emerged that simultaneously help organizations prevent disruptions, as well as to facilitate recovery and adaptations following such disruptions. Resiliency-based decision-making serves to offer a pathway that may guide policymakers and other key stakeholders to address these challenges by analyzing the nested interdependencies and social resilience of various digital systems. This article posits a multisectoral, multidisciplinary, local, state, and whole-of-government systems approach that conjoins hybrid threats to its social, infrastructural, and informational dependencies.

The objective of this investigation is to synthesize and investigate zero-valent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles (NPs) for bioremediation applications. The ZVI-NPs were fabricated by chemical reduction using a ferrous salt solution with poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), used as a stabilizer. The synthesis was conducted with and without ultrasonic treatment. The ZVI NPs were fabricated and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Experimental observations demonstrate that depending on synthesis conditions and coordination of stabilizers, NPs with different morphologies are formed. Colloidal solutions of the synthesized NPs were used in antimicrobial activity tests and biofilm formation assays for nine different control microorganisms: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15692), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29122), Klebsiella pneumoniae (laboratory isolates), Proteus vulgaris (laboratory isolates), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Bacillus cereus (DSMZ 4312), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). All control strains did not show antibacterial effect against PVP-stabilized ZVI NPs synthesized without ultrasonic treatment. However, biofilm results show that the highest absorbance values of the micro-organisms were tested in control wells. Although B. subtilis, E. coli, and K. pneumoniae were observed during biofilm formation, B. cereus, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa biofilm formation reduced noticeably by Fe-0/PVP-US (A1) NPs. For control strains, such as E. faecalis and C. albicans, no biofilm formation was observed. For Fe-0/PVP (A2) NPs, biofilm formation of B. subtilis, E. faecalis, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. vulgaris, and C. albicans demonstrated positive effect, and B. cereus, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa showed negative effect. A strategic utilization of nZVI-PVP nanoparticles showed a great potential for effective, efficient, and sustainable bioremediation applications. SPINTECH project [810144]; joint operational programme, Romania -Republic of Moldova (2014-20) - ENI-CBC (Cross-Border Cooperation-European Neighborhood Instrument) [2SOFT/1.2/139]; [65/22.10.19A] The work is done in framework of the project no. 65/22.10.19A, titled Nanostructuri s, i nanomateriale funciionale pentru industrie s, i agricultura, with partial support from the SPINTECH project, under grant agreement no. 810144. This research was also funded with partial support under joint grant Contract no. 2SOFT/1.2/139 of joint operational programme, Romania -Republic of Moldova (2014-20), financed by ENI-CBC (Cross-Border Cooperation-European Neighborhood Instrument). WOS:000641790600001 2-s2.0-85104721411

We live in a fancy world of global digitization, decarbonization, artificial intelligence, smart and connected cities using 5/6G, biomimicking, and 3/4D printing living organs, yet the two looming challenges to human existence are climate change and water shortages. The two “grand” challenges contrast each other in that, while the former would affect society as a whole, the latter would affect every individual for the basic existence. Whilst existing megatrends dealing with sustainability brace themselves to mitigate global warming, it seems that, scientifically, we are unacceptably equipped to address the issue of water shortages. It is critical to articulate the future of water, which includes a paradigm shift in its production, use, reuse, recycle, and discharge. This chapter reimagines the future of water from a holistic standpoint including transdisciplinary research. The topic must be approached from a fundamental viewpoint to include historical perspectives, nature, and the latest technology advances (viz., artificial intelligence, deep learning, and exponential technologies).

The chapter presents a review of the case study by the implementation of the stable isotope technology for the evaluation of the water cycle and water resource formation in the transboundary region between Romania, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova under the impact of climate change. The groundwater is an especially important resource for sustainable development in this situation for the studied region. The isotope tools and related modeling approaches are particularly useful for the groundwater flow evaluation and determination of the recharge sources. The cooperation and synergism between existing European research infrastructure project IAEA technical cooperation projects are considered for the future development of this scientific direction in the Danube River basin and Black Sea region at all.

North Africa is limited in the north by the Mediterranean Sea, in the east by the Red Sea, in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, and in the south by the Sahara Desert. North Africa includes five countries: Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya. North Africa has a Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Many areas in North Africa have faced water scarcity or water crisis, as well as the result of population pressures, rising urbanization, climate change, and also increasing pollution of water. All these factors have led to a rise in water demand and thereby to water shortage. In North Africa, rising temperatures and long droughts periods linked with climate change are expected to decrease the land areas suitable for agriculture and reduce crop yields. These are reflected in the increased consumption of freshwater. It is critical to understand a balance between water demand and water supply through an understanding of the impacts of climate change on freshwater and its direct consequences on water security.