bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Performance in Differentiating COVID-19 from Other Viral Pneumonias on CT Imaging: Multi-Reader Analysis Compared with an Artificial Intelligence-Based Model
Authors: Rizzetto Francesco , Berta Luca , Zorzi Giulia , Cincotta Antonino , Travaglini Francesca , Artioli Diana , Nerini Molteni Silvia , Vismara Chiara , Scaglione Francesco , Torresin Alberto , Colombo Paola Enrica , Carbonaro Luca Alessandro , Vanzulli Angelo
Published: November 2022

Growing evidence suggests that artificial intelligence tools could help radiologists in differentiating COVID-19 pneumonia from other types of viral (non-COVID-19) pneumonia. To test this hypothesis, an R-AI classifier capable of discriminating between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 pneumonia was developed using CT chest scans of 1031 patients with positive swab for SARS-CoV-2 (n = 647) and other respiratory viruses (n = 384). The model was trained with 811 CT scans, while 220 CT scans (n = 151 COVID-19; n = 69 non-COVID-19) were used for independent validation. Four readers were enrolled to blindly evaluate the validation dataset using the CO-RADS score. A pandemic-like high suspicion scenario (CO-RADS 3 considered as COVID-19) and a low suspicion scenario (CO-RADS 3 considered as non-COVID-19) were simulated. Inter-reader agreement and performance metrics were calculated for human readers and R-AI classifier. The readers showed good agreement in assigning CO-RADS score (Gwet’s AC2 = 0.71, p < 0.001). Considering human performance, accuracy = 78% and accuracy = 74% were obtained in the high and low suspicion scenarios, respectively, while the AI classifier achieved accuracy = 79% in distinguishing COVID-19 from non-COVID-19 pneumonia on the independent validation dataset. The R-AI classifier performance was equivalent or superior to human readers in all comparisons. Therefore, a R-AI classifier may support human readers in the difficult task of distinguishing COVID-19 from other types of viral pneumonia on CT imaging.
Determination of Paddy Soil Ammonia Nitrogen Using Rapid Detection Kit Coupled with Microplate Reader
Authors: Liu Xiaoting , Wu Dan , Abid Abbas Ali , Liu Ying , Zhou Jianfeng , Zhang Qichun
Published: November 2022

Indophenol blue colorimetry has been widely used for determining soil ammonia nitrogen, but this method has some disadvantages, such as complex reagent preparation, high toxicity, and long colorimetric time. Hence, we aimed to develop a rapid soil ammonia nitrogen determination method using a rapid detection kit. In order to select a suitable extractant, different concentrations of KCl and NaCl solutions were used to extract soil. The ammonia nitrogen content in different types of soils was determined using a rapid detection kit (purchased from Zhejiang Luheng Environmental Technology Limited Company) coupled with a microplate reader. The kit method was compared with the traditional indophenol blue colorimetry method. The results showed no significant difference between the 1 mol·L−1 KCl extraction kit method and indophenol blue colorimetry (p > 0.05). The linearity of the working curve was smooth, the linear detection range was 0.0–2.00 mg·L−1, the average relative standard deviation was 7.00% (n = 5), the standard addition recovery rate was 89.31–118.23%, and the detection limit were was 0.074 mg·L−1. We concluded that the 1 mol·L−1 KCl extraction kit method can be applied to determine the ammonia nitrogen content of paddy soil with different chemical properties. The 1 mol·L−1 KCl extraction kit method has the advantage over indophenol blue colorimetry due to its simple reagent preparation, convenient operation, and shorter detection time (the coloring and colorimetric time for 96 samples was only 30 min using the kit method coupled with a microplate reader). Hence, it has the potential for application due to its rapid determination of soil samples in large quantities.
Health Risk Assessment Based on Source Identification of Heavy Metal(loid)s: A Case Study of Surface Water in the Lijiang River, China
Authors: Wang Yu , Xin Cunlin , Yu Shi , Xie Yincai , Zhang Wanjun , Fu Rongjie
Published: November 2022

In this study, 24 surface water samples were collected from the main trunk/tributary of the Lijiang River during the wet season (April) and the dry season (December) in 2021. The total concentration of 11 heavy metal(loid)s (Al, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, Mn, As, and Hg) was determined to investigate their physicochemical properties and spatial-temporal distribution characteristics. The heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) and the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model were employed to evaluate water quality and to reveal quantitatively identified pollution sources for further investigation to obtain a health risk assessment using the hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR) of various pollution sources. The mean concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s in surface water in the wet and dry seasons were ranked as: Al > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cd > Cr > Cu > As >Hg = Pb > Co, with the mean concentration of Hg being higher than the national Class II surface water environmental quality standard (GB3838-2002). In terms of time scale, the concentration of most heavy metal(loid)s was higher in the wet season; most heavy metal(loid)s were distributed mainly in the midstream area. HEI index indicated that the main water quality status was “slightly affected” in the study area. Five potential sources of pollution were obtained from the PMF model, including industrial activities, traffic sources, agricultural activities, domestic waste emissions, and natural resources. The source-oriented risk assessment indicated that the largest contributions of HI and CR were agricultural sources in the Lijiang River. This study provides a “target” for the precise control of pollution sources, which has a broad impact on improving the fine management of the water environment in the basin.
West Nile Virus Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study on Italian Medical Professionals during Summer Season 2022
Authors: Riccò Matteo , Zaniboni Alessandro , Satta Elia , Ranzieri Silvia , Cerviere Milena Pia , Marchesi Federico , Peruzzi Simona
Published: November 2022

West Nile virus (WNV) has progressively endemized in large areas of continental Europe, and particularly in Northern Italy, in the Po River Valley. During summer season 2022, Italy experienced an unprecedented surge in incidence cases of WNV infections, including its main complications (West Nile fever (WNF) and West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND)). As knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of medical professionals may be instrumental in guaranteeing a prompt diagnosis and an accurate management of incident cases, we performed a cross-sectional study specifically on a sample of Italian medical professionals (1 August 2022–10 September 2022; around 8800 potential recipients). From a total of 332 questionnaires (response rate of 3.8%), 254 participating medical professionals were eventually included in the analyses. Knowledge status of participants was unsatisfying, as most of them exhibited knowledge gaps on the actual epidemiology of WNV, with similar uncertainties on the clinical features of WNF and WNND. Moreover, most of participants substantially overlooked WNV as a human pathogen when compared to SARS-CoV-2, TB, and even HIV. Interestingly, only 65.4% of respondents were either favorable or highly favorable towards a hypothetical WNV vaccine. Overall, acknowledging a higher risk perception on WNV was associated with individual factors such as reporting a seniority ≥ 10 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.39, 95% Confidence interval [95%CI] 1.34 to 4.28), reporting a better knowledge score (aOR 2.92, 95%CI 1.60 to 5.30), having previously managed cases of WNV infections (aOR 3.65, 95%CI 1.14 to 14.20), being favorable towards a hypothetic vaccine (aOR 2.16, 95%CI 1.15 to 4.04), and perceiving WNV infections as potentially affecting daily activities (aOR 2.57, 95%CI 1.22 to 5.42). In summary, substantial knowledge gaps and the erratic risk perception collectively enlighten the importance and the urgency for appropriate information campaigns among medical professionals, and particularly among frontline personnel.
Top Quark Asymmetries
Authors: Chwalek Thorsten , Déliot Frédéric
Published: November 2022

The production of top quark pairs (tt¯) via the quark-antiquark initial state is not symmetric under the exchange of top quark and antiquark. Calculations of this next-to-leading order effect predict asymmetries of about one to a few percent, depending on the centre-of-mass energy and the selected phase space. Experimentally, this charge asymmetry of tt¯ production manifests itself in differences in angular distributions between top quarks and antiquarks. Sensitive observables are the rapidities of the produced top quarks and antiquarks as well as their energies. In dileptonic tt¯ events, the asymmetry of the tt¯ system is reflected in a similar asymmetry in the system of the produced lepton pair, with the crucial advantage of a simpler reconstruction procedure. In this article we review the measurements of this effect in different final states and using different observables by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations in LHC collisions at three different centre-of-mass energies.
ExoPhot: The Photon Absorption Rate as a New Metric for Quantifying the Exoplanetary Photosynthetic Activity Fitness
Authors: Marcos-Arenal Pablo , Cerdán Luis , Burillo-Villalobos Mercedes , Fonseca-Bonilla Nuria , de la Concepción Juan García , López-Cayuela María Ángeles , Gómez Felipe , Caballero José A.
Published: November 2022

Only a low percentage of the radiation from our Sun is captured by photosynthesis, but this conversion of solar to chemical energy sustains all life on Earth. Photosynthesis could be present in any exoplanetary system fulfilling the main three ingredients for this metabolic route: light, water, and carbon dioxide. To deepen into this idea, the ExoPhot project aims to study the relation between photosynthetic systems and exoplanet conditions around different types of stars by focusing on two aspects: (i) Assessing the photosynthetic fitness of a variety of photopigments (either found on Earth or theoretical) as a function of stellar spectral type, star-exoplanet separation, and planet atmosphere basic parameters, and (ii) delineating a range of stellar, exoplanet, and atmospheric parameters for which photosynthetic activity might be feasible. In order to address these goals, we make use of a new metric, the absorption rate γ, for the evaluation of the exoplanet photosynthetic activity that, based on state-of-the-art planet atmosphere and stellar photosphere spectroscopic models, quantifies the overlap between those models with the absorption spectra of photosynthetic pigments, both terrestrial and theoretical. We provide with a set of results for a combination of photosystems and exoplanetary environments revealing the importance of our metric when compared to previous photosynthesis indicators.
Æther as an Inevitable Consequence of Quantum Gravity
Authors: Cherkas Sergey , Kalashnikov Vladimir
Published: November 2022

The fact that quantum gravity does not admit an invariant vacuum state has far-reaching consequences for all physics. It points out that space could not be empty, and we return to the notion of an æther. Such a concept requires a preferred reference frame for describing universe expansion and black holes. Here, we intend to find a reference system or class of metrics that could be attributed to “æther”. We discuss a vacuum and quantum gravity from three essential viewpoints: universe expansion, black hole existence, and quantum decoherence.
The μ2 and λ1 Proteins of Mammalian Reovirus Modulate Early Events Leading to Induction of the Interferon Signaling Network
Authors: Després Guillaume David , Ngo Kenny , Lemay Guy
Published: November 2022

It has been previously shown that amino acid polymorphisms in reovirus proteins μ2 and λ1 are associated with differing levels of interferon induction. In the present study, viruses carrying these polymorphisms in either or both proteins, were further studied. The two viral determinants exert a synergistic effect on the control of β-interferon induction at the protein and mRNA level, with a concomitant increase in RIG-I. In contrast, levels of phospho-Stat1 and interferon-stimulated genes are increased in singly substituted viruses but with no further increase when both substitutions were present. This suggests that the viral determinants are acting during initial events of viral recognition. Accordingly, difference between viruses was reduced when infection was performed with partially uncoated virions (ISVPs) and transfection of RNA recovered from early-infected cells recapitulates the differences between viruses harboring the different polymorphisms. Altogether, the data are consistent with a redundant or complementary role of μ2 and λ1, affecting either early disassembly or the nature of the viral RNA in the incoming viral particle. Proteins involved in viral RNA synthesis are thus involved in this likely critical aspect of the ability of different reovirus variants to infect various cell types, and to discriminate between parental and transformed/cancer cells.
Contrasting the Practices of Virus Isolation and Characterization between the Early Period in History and Modern Times: The Case of Japanese Encephalitis Virus
Authors: Kuno Goro
Published: November 2022

Japanese encephalitis is a serious disease transmitted by mosquitoes. With its recent spread beyond the traditional territory of endemicity in Asia, the magnitude of global threat has increased sharply. While much of the current research are largely focused on changing epidemiology, molecular genetics of virus, and vaccination, little attention has been paid to the early history of virus isolation and phenotypic characterization of this virus. In this review, using this piece of history as an example, I review the transition of the concept and practice of virus isolation and characterization from the early period of history to modern times. The spectacular development of molecular techniques in modern times has brought many changes in practices as well as enormous amount of new knowledge. However, many aspects of virus characterization, in particular, transmission mechanism and host relationship, remain unsolved. As molecular techniques are not perfect in all respects, beneficial accommodation of molecular and biologic data is critically important in many branches of research. Accordingly, I emphasize exercising caution in applying only these modern techniques, point out unrecognized communication problems, and stress that JE research history is a rich source of interesting works still valuable even today and waiting to be discovered.
Measles Virus-Induced Host Immunity and Mechanisms of Viral Evasion
Authors: Amurri Lucia , Reynard Olivier , Gerlier Denis , Horvat Branka , Iampietro Mathieu
Published: November 2022

The immune system deploys a complex network of cells and signaling pathways to protect host integrity against exogenous threats, including measles virus (MeV). However, throughout its evolutionary path, MeV developed various mechanisms to disrupt and evade immune responses. Despite an available vaccine, MeV remains an important re-emerging pathogen with a continuous increase in prevalence worldwide during the last decade. Considerable knowledge has been accumulated regarding MeV interactions with the innate immune system through two antagonistic aspects: recognition of the virus by cellular sensors and viral ability to inhibit the induction of the interferon cascade. Indeed, while the host could use several innate adaptors to sense MeV infection, the virus is adapted to unsettle defenses by obstructing host cell signaling pathways. Recent works have highlighted a novel aspect of innate immune response directed against MeV unexpectedly involving DNA-related sensing through activation of the cGAS/STING axis, even in the absence of any viral DNA intermediate. In addition, while MeV infection most often causes a mild disease and triggers a lifelong immunity, its tropism for invariant T-cells and memory T and B-cells provokes the elimination of one primary shield and the pre-existing immunity against previously encountered pathogens, known as “immune amnesia”.
African Swine Fever Virus Exhibits Distinct Replication Defects in Different Cell Types
Authors: Gao Yanni , Xia Tingting , Bai Juan , Zhang Lujie , Jiang Xiaolin , Yang Xing , Zhang Keshan , Jiang Ping
Published: November 2022

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes one of the most devastating diseases affecting pigs and wild suids, a worldwide epizootic situation exacerbated in recent years due to the lack of vaccine or effective treatment. ASFV has a restricted cell tropism, and is prone to replicate in porcine monocytes and alveolar macrophages with high efficiency. Here, the replication capabilities of ASFV were examined in swine pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) and compared with 3D4/21, PK-15, MA-104 and Marc-145 cell lines using PCR, qPCR and Western blot with monoclonal antibodies against the viral p30 and p72 proteins. The results showed that ASFV has a variety of infection characteristics in PAMs and showed four cell lines with distinct defects during virus early transcription-translation, genome replication and late protein synthesis. Furthermore, an antiviral role of the stress granule pathway was revealed against ASFV, and ASFV infection inhibited stress granule formation in PAMs but not 3D4/21. These results will help to deepen our knowledge on ASFV infection and to develop ASFV susceptible cell lines.
Screening and Identification of Lassa Virus Entry Inhibitors from a Fragment-Based Drug Discovery Library
Authors: Hou Yuxia , Liu Yang , Jia Xiaoying , Zhou Minmin , Mao Wenting , Dong Siqi , Zhang Yueli , Xiao Gengfu , Wang Wei
Published: November 2022

Lassa virus (LASV) is a highly pathogenic virus that is categorized as a biosafety level-4 pathogen. Currently, there are no approved drugs or vaccines specific to LASV. In this study, high-throughput screening of a fragment-based drug discovery library was performed against LASV entry using a pseudotype virus bearing the LASV envelope glycoprotein complex (GPC). Two compounds, F1920 and F1965, were identified as LASV entry inhibitors that block GPC-mediated membrane fusion. Analysis of adaptive mutants demonstrated that the transient mutants L442F and I445S, as well as the constant mutant F446L, were located on the same side on the transmembrane domain of the subunit GP2 of GPC, and all the mutants conferred resistance to both F1920 and F1965. Furthermore, F1920 antiviral activity extended to other highly pathogenic mammarenaviruses, whereas F1965 was LASV-specific. Our study showed that both F1920 and F1965 provide a potential backbone for the development of lead drugs for preventing LASV infection.
Soft X-ray Tomography Reveals HSV-1-Induced Remodeling of Human B Cells
Authors: Chen Jian-Hua , Vanslembrouck Bieke , Ekman Axel , Aho Vesa , Larabell Carolyn A. , Le Gros Mark A. , Vihinen-Ranta Maija , Weinhardt Venera
Published: November 2022

Upon infection, viruses hijack the cell machinery and remodel host cell structures to utilize them for viral proliferation. Since viruses are about a thousand times smaller than their host cells, imaging virus-host interactions at high spatial resolution is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Scouting gross cellular changes with fluorescent microscopy is only possible for well-established viruses, where fluorescent tagging is developed. Soft X-ray tomography (SXT) offers 3D imaging of entire cells without the need for chemical fixation or labeling. Here, we use full-rotation SXT to visualize entire human B cells infected by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). We have mapped the temporospatial remodeling of cells during the infection and observed changes in cellular structures, such as the presence of cytoplasmic stress granules and multivesicular structures, formation of nuclear virus-induced dense bodies, and aggregates of capsids. Our results demonstrate the power of SXT imaging for scouting virus-induced changes in infected cells and understanding the orchestration of virus-host remodeling quantitatively.
The Risk of Autoimmunity Development following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Świerkot Jerzy , Madej Marta , Szmyrka Magdalena , Korman Lucyna , Sokolik Renata , Andrasiak Iga , Morgiel Ewa , Sebastian Agata
Published: November 2022

The broad spectrum of interactions between autoimmune diseases and the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is not fully understood. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-ENA, anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL), and anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I antibodies (anti-β2GPI) before and after the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in a real-life setting in healthcare professionals. The identification of risk factors associated with vaccine immunogenicity was evaluated. The study group consisted of employees of two hospitals (354 individuals). Samples for antibody assays were collected before vaccination and at 7–9 months after complete immunisation. There was no significant increase in the prevalence of ANA, ACL or anti-β2GPI antibodies, or autoimmune diseases in subjects who were vaccinated 7–9 months after complete immunisation. In terms of detected anti-ENA, the anti-DFS70 antibodies were found in 6 times more subjects than before vaccination at the second blood draw (in 18 and 3 subjects, respectively) (p = 0.001). There were no significant relationships between a SARS-CoV-2 infection history, humoral response, cellular response, subject category, smoking, sex, body weight, ANA, anti-ENA, ACL, or anti-β2GPI. This study revealed a possible association between the severity of vaccine adverse events (VAEs) and ANA titre. Individuals with more severe VAEs (>10 points) after the second dose of the vaccine had significantly higher ANA titre after complete immunization. When analysing the significance of time between the ANA, anti-ENA, ACL, and anti- β2GPI assays and complete immunisation antibody values, no qualitative result was statistically significant. There was correlation between the time since complete immunization and ANA after.
Isolation and Genetic Characterization of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Two Decades after Its Elimination in Singapore
Authors: Lim Ming Jie , Loh Zhi Yang , Yeo Hui Ling , Yenamandra Surya Pavan , Kong Marcella , Pang Hao Yang , Lee Meng Han , Humaidi Mahathir , Chua Cliff , Griffiths Jane , Ng Lee Ching , Hapuarachchi Hapuarachchige Chanditha , Mailepessov Diyar
Published: November 2022

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is an important arbovirus in Asia that can cause serious neurological disease. JEV is transmitted by mosquitoes in an enzootic cycle involving porcine and avian reservoirs, in which humans are accidental, dead-end hosts. JEV is currently not endemic in Singapore, after pig farming was abolished in 1992; the last known human case was reported in 2005. However, due to its location along the East-Asian Australasian Flyway (EAAF), Singapore is vulnerable to JEV re-introduction from the endemic regions. Serological and genetic evidence in the last decade suggests JEV’s presence in the local fauna. In the present study, we report the genetic characterization and the first isolation of JEV from 3214 mosquito pools consisting of 41,843 Culex mosquitoes, which were trapped from April 2014 to May 2021. The findings demonstrated the presence of genotype I of JEV (n = 10), in contrast to the previous reports of the presence of genotype II of JEV in Singapore. The genetic analyses also suggested that JEV has entered Singapore on several occasions and has potentially established an enzootic cycle in the local fauna. These observations have important implications in the risk assessment and the control of Japanese encephalitis in non-endemic countries, such as Singapore, that are at risk for JEV transmission.
“Maternal Vaccination Greatly Depends on Your Trust in the Healthcare System”: A Qualitative Study on the Acceptability of Maternal Vaccines among Pregnant Women and Healthcare Workers in Barcelona, Spain
Authors: Marín-Cos Anna , Marbán-Castro Elena , Nedic Ivana , Ferrari Mara , Crespo-Mirasol Esther , Ventura Laia Ferrer , Zamora Berta Noya , Fumadó Victoria , Menéndez Clara , Martínez Bueno Cristina , Llupià Anna , López Marta , Goncé Anna , Bardají Azucena
Published: November 2022

The World Health Organization (WHO) identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 threats to global health in 2019. Health promotion and education have been seen to improve knowledge and uptake of vaccinations in pregnancy. This qualitative study was conducted based on phenomenology, a methodological approach to understand first-hand experiences, and grounded theory, an inductive approach to analyse data, where theoretical generalisations emerge. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with pregnant women attending antenatal care services and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Barcelona, Spain. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded, and notes were taken. Inductive thematic analysis was performed, and data were manually coded. Pertussis was reported as the most trusted vaccine among pregnant women due to its long-standing background as a recommended vaccine in pregnancy. The influenza vaccine was regarded as less important since it was perceived to cause mild disease. The COVID-19 vaccine was the least trustworthy for pregnant women due to uncertainties about effectiveness, health effects in the mid- and long-term, the fast development of the vaccine mRNA technology, and the perceptions of limited data on vaccine safety. However, the necessity to be vaccinated was justified by pregnant women due to the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations provided by HCW and the established relationship between the HCW, particularly midwives, and pregnant women were the main factors affecting decision-making. The role of mass media was perceived as key to helping provide reliable messages about the need for vaccines during pregnancy. Overall, vaccines administered during pregnancy were perceived as great tools associated with better health and improved quality of life. Pregnancy was envisioned as a vulnerable period in women’s lives that required risk–benefits assessments for decision-making about maternal vaccinations. A holistic approach involving the community and society was considered crucial for health education regarding maternal vaccines in support of the work conducted by HCWs.
Need for Vaccination Policies to Face Asymptomatic Monkeypox Virus Infection
Authors: Vallée Alexandre
Published: November 2022

The emergence of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak in 2022 represents a global threat to health [...]
HPV Vaccination Training of Healthcare Providers and Perceived Self-Efficacy in HPV Vaccine-Hesitancy Counseling
Authors: Osaghae Ikponmwosa , Darkoh Charles , Chido-Amajuoyi Onyema Greg , Chan Wenyaw , Padgett Wermuth Paige , Pande Mala , Cunningham Sonia A. , Shete Sanjay
Published: November 2022

HPV vaccine hesitancy is a key barrier to HPV vaccination. Using a population-based survey of HCPs practicing in Texas we determined the association between formal training of HCPs and perceived self-efficacy in counseling HPV vaccine-hesitant parents and adult patients. A total of 1283 HCPs completed the survey, with 879 providing vaccination services to pediatric patients and 1018 providing vaccination services to adult patients. Among HCPs included in this study, 405 of 577 (70%) and 315 of 505 (62%) perceived they were very/completely confident in counseling HPV vaccine-hesitant parents and adult patients, respectively. Compared to HCPs who received no training, those who received formal training in HPV vaccination promotion or counseling had 2.56 (AOR: 2.56; 95% CI:1.69–3.86) and 2.84 times higher odds (AOR: 2.84; 95% CI:1.87–4.33) of perceiving that they were very/completely confident in counseling HPV vaccine-hesitant parents and adult patients, respectively. Additionally, increasing years of practice and volume of patients seen were positively associated with being very/completely confident in counseling HPV vaccine-hesitant parents and adult patients. On the other hand, nurses were less likely than physicians to be very/completely confident in counseling HPV vaccine-hesitant parents. To increase HPV vaccination uptake, HCPs should receive tailored training to improve their self-efficacy in addressing HPV vaccine-hesitancy.
Coalition Shaping the Vaccination Landscape
Authors: Antczak Adam , Nitsch-Osuch Aneta , Balcerzak Marcin , Byliniak Michał , Chorostowska-Wynimko Joanna , Jahnz-Różyk Karina , Konstanty Mikołaj , Krzywański Jarosław , Kuchar Ernest , Mastalerz-Migas Agnieszka , Wójcik Marek , Szenborn Leszek
Published: November 2022

In 2022, the National Program for Influenza Prevention coalition will have its 10th anniversary; it is one of Poland’s oldest educational initiatives. The National Program for Influenza Prevention was initiated to prevent a further decline and promote influenza prevention in the A(H1N1) post-pandemic years. In this review, we summarize the structure and operational model of the coalition and identify core functional elements that make it a key non-governmental organization involved in the prophylactics of communicable diseases. The coalition-based organization can operate in a complex environment, such as vaccinations requiring scientific, economic, social, and psychological involvement, and communications with different groups. Anchored to the history of the National Program for Influenza Prevention, we review Poland’s vaccination landscape changes from the last ten years.
Drought Induced Dynamic Traits of Soil Water and Inorganic Carbon in Different Karst Habitats
Authors: Luo Liang , Wu Yanyou , Li Haitao , Xing Deke , Zhou Ying , Xia Antong
Published: November 2022

Understanding the temporal variability of soil water and carbon is an important prerequisite for restoring the vegetation in fragile karst ecosystems. A systematic study of soil moisture and carbon storage capacity under drought conditions in different karst habitats is critical for cultivating suitable crops in karst regions. The hydrological characteristics of soil and changes in soil HCO3−, pH, and EC values under drought conditions were measured on simulated rock outcrops and non-outcrops in an indoor pot experiment. The results showed that the rock outcrops had less evaporation and significantly greater water retention capacity than the non-outcrops, which gave the retained water in the rock outcrops sufficient reaction time to dissolve atmospheric CO2, as well as to promote dissolution at the rock–soil interface. Therefore, the carbon sequestration capacity of the rock outcrops was higher than that of the non-outcrops. Due to the rock–soil–water interaction in the early stage of drought, the soil HCO3− concentration in the rock outcrops fluctuated with soil water content, but the soil HCO3− concentration tended to be stable in the whole drought period, showing a phenomenon of zero-carbon sink. No obvious change was observed in the soil HCO3− concentration in non-outcrops during the drought period, which indicated that the carbon sequestration of rock outcrops was mainly attributed to the dissolution of rocks. Therefore, rock outcrops were more effective for water and carbon storage, compared with non-outcrops, under drought, and could provide more available water and carbon resources for supporting the photosynthesis of plants in karst regions.
Meteorological and Water Quality Factors Associated with Microbial Diversity in Coastal Water from Intensified Oyster Production Areas of Thailand
Authors: Jeamsripong Saharuetai , Thaotumpitak Varangkana , Anuntawirun Saran , Roongrojmongkhon Nawaphorn , Atwill Edward R.
Published: November 2022

Coastal pollution is of public health concern due to the possibility of bacterial contamination in aquaculture affecting health risk and seafood safety. This study determined the concentrations of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, E. coli, and V. parahaemolyticus and the presence of V. cholerae and Salmonella in water and measured water quality and meteorological factors from the major oyster cultivation areas in Thailand. The water samples (n = 363) were collected from Surat Thani (n = 60), Chanthaburi (n = 60), Trat (n = 60), Phetchaburi (n = 60), Chonburi (n = 63), and Phang Nga (n = 60) from February 2021 to January 2022. The prevalence of total coliforms (96.7%), fecal coliforms (60.6%), E. coli (22.9%), along with the prevalence of Salmonella (2.5%), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (74.9%), and V. cholerae (11.3%) were determined. Common Salmonella serovars were Othmarschen and Lamberhurst. The concentration of E. coli was significantly associated with dissolved oxygen and precipitation (p < 0.0001). Therefore, continuing microbiological monitoring and surveillance of water for coastal aquaculture is important to produce safe aquatic products. Furthermore, raising awareness of coastal pollution and seafood safety will help enhance sustainable coastal fisheries in Thailand.
Optimal Positioning of RTC Actuators and SuDS for Sewer Overflow Mitigation in Urban Drainage Systems
Authors: Eulogi Marco , Ostojin Sonja , Skipworth Pete , Kroll Stefan , Shucksmith James D. , Schellart Alma
Published: November 2022

Real-time control (RTC) and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) can be implemented simultaneously to enhance the performance of existing urban drainage systems (UDS). However, significant challenges arise when choosing the optimal locations due to hydraulic interactions between the different interventions and the high number of possible configurations. This paper presents a novel optimization–simulation framework to optimize the spatial allocation of flow control devices (FCDs) combined with SuDS for combined sewer overflow (CSO) spill mitigation within UDS. Optimal intervention schemes were identified by a genetic algorithm (GA), combining different numbers of FCDs installed in existing manholes with simplified SuDS implemented in different portions of the catchment. The methodology was tested on two case-study catchments with different characteristics to mitigate CSO spills during synthetic storm events. FCD-SuDS configurations were then validated during continuous rainfall series, resulting in CSO spill volumes reduction ranging between 11% and 45% compared to the baseline networks. The results demonstrate how the GA-based method can efficiently identify optimal placement schemes within UDS characterized by different distributions of in-pipe storage potential as well as hydrological responses to rainfall-runoff events, enhancing the combined benefits of the two decentralized solutions for mitigating CSO spills.
Benthic Habitat Quality Assessment in Estuarine Intertidal Flats Based on Long-Term Data with Focus on Responses to Eco-Restoration Activity
Authors: Zhang Anguo , Gu Yanbin , Yuan Xiutang , Brustolin Marco C. , Yang Xiaolong , Zhang Rongliang , Wang Zhiwen , Shi Honghua
Published: November 2022

A long-term assessment of the benthic habitat quality of intertidal flats in Liaohe Estuary was conducted by three integrating ecological indices, AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index (AMBI), Multivariate-AMBI (M-AMBI), and Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′) based on macrobenthos data from 2013 to 2020. The results showed that the macrobenthic communities were characterized by indifferent and sensitive species of AMBI ecological groups. The annual ranges of H′, AMBI, and M-AMBI were 0.77–1.56, 1.44–3.73 and 0.36–0.54, respectively. Noticeable differences were found among assessment obtained by these biotic indices. Approximately 100%, 24%, and 78% sampling sites had “moderate”, “poor”, and “bad” statuses as assessed by H′, AMBI, and M-AMBI, respectively. Compared with H′ and AMBI, M-AMBI may be more applicable to evaluate the benthic habitat quality of intertidal flats in Liaohe Estuary. Results suggest that the benthic habitat quality in the middle parts of intertidal flats still had an unacceptable status and has not improved radically to date after large-scale “mariculture ponds restored to intertidal flats”.
Numerical Study on Measures for Protecting the Go-Cong Coastlines (Vietnam) from Erosion
Authors: San Dinh Cong , Duong Nguyen Binh , Phong Nguyen Cong , Tu Le Xuan , Pham-Van-Bang Damien , Guillou Sylvain , Nguyen Kim Dan
Published: November 2022

Every year, in the Vietnam Mekong Delta Coastal Zone (VMDCZ), erosions cause approximately 300 ha of agricultural land loss. Therefore, measures for shoreline protection are urgently needed. This paper discusses the impacts of protection measures in the Go-Cong Coastal Zone to prevent erosion/accretion processes, predicted by two numerical models, MIKE21-FM and TELEMAC-2D. Hard and soft measures have been proposed using breakwaters and sandbars, respectively. The simulations show that the erosion/accretion trends provided by both models are similar. For breakwaters, MIKE21-FM provides less accretion than TELEMAC-2D in areas extending over 300 m and 500 m from shorelines. However, for sandbars, MIKE21-FM shows higher accretion within areas extending over 500 m but less than 300 m. Sandbars cause higher accretion in a larger area, extending over 1000 m offshore. The simulation results allow us to propose two alternative measures: (1) a row of several breakwater units will be implanted at 300 m offshore. The length of each unit is 600 m, with a gap between two neighbouring units of 70 m and a crest elevation of 2.2 m above mean sea level (MSL). (2) A row of sandbar units will be posed at 500 m offshore, with a unit length of 1000 m and a gap between the two neighbouring units of 200 m. The crest elevation is fixed at MSL.
Evaluation on Development Height of Water-Conduted Fractures on Overburden Roof Based on Nonlinear Algorithm
Authors: Zheng Qiushuang , Wang Changfeng , Liu Weitao , Pang Lifu
Published: November 2022

Based on the support vector machine theory, the particle swarm algorithm is used to optimize parameters, combined with an analytic network process in order to feature dimensionality reduction of the original data, and a nonlinear algorithm model combining statistical analysis and machine learning analysis is established. Taking the relevant data of overlying rock from two zones in Yingpanhao Coal Mine as an example, the main factors such as rock tectonic development, coal seam dip, mining height, mining operation method and stope width are ranked according to the weights of their contribution to the development height of the two zones in order to determine the main control factors, such as stope width and mining height. Using MATLAB as the experimental platform, 16 sets of two-dimensional mine data similar to the geology of the study area were divided into training and test sets for prediction and simulation, comparing the optimal solutions of various optimization-seeking algorithms to obtain quantitative prediction results based on the nonlinear algorithm model. The kriging interpolation process was carried out by ArcGIS to realize qualitative visualization, and effective classification is carried out according to the natural breakpoint method to obtain six development height divisions of the water-conducting fracture zone in the study area. The results show that the prediction model of the development height of two zones in the coal roof based on the non-linear algorithm has better accuracy and generalization ability. Predicted by the test set, the model’s prediction result MAE is less than 10%, and the accuracy is better than the traditional empirical formula method, which makes up for its lack of rough calculation accuracy and solves the problem of not being able to locate the height of roof crack development at specific borehole locations, which has significance in guiding the prediction and prevention of roof water damage and subsidence disasters.
Wastewater Reuse to Mitigate the Risk of Water Shortages: An Integrated Investment Appraisal
Authors: Nazari Chamaki Foroogh , Jenkins Hatice , Hashemipour Majid , Jenkins Glenn P.
Published: November 2022

This paper evaluates the financial and economic costs of reusing wastewater with reverse osmosis (R.O.) purification systems to mitigate the risks of near potable quality water shortages in an urban water system. A distributional analysis is also undertaken to identify those who bear the externalities of the system. A rich data set is available to conduct an ex-post analysis of such a system operating in Cyprus for several years. The levelized financial cost of the R.O. system if it operates at a 75% utilization rate is USD 1.18/m3, while the levelized economic cost that includes all the externality impacts is USD 1.20/m3. However, the closeness of these two values hides a large set of externalities that affect different groups in society in disparate ways. The analysis shows that reusing wastewater in conjunction with a system of R.O. is a very effective way to mitigate the risks of water shortages in a more extensive water system. It also highlights the importance of the nature of the electricity system that generates the electricity to power the R.O. plant in determining the ultimate economic cost of reusing wastewater.
Partially Saturated Vertical Constructed Wetlands and Free-Flow Vertical Constructed Wetlands for Pilot-Scale Municipal/Swine Wastewater Treatment Using Heliconia latispatha
Authors: Viveros José Antonio Fernández , Martínez-Reséndiz Georgina , Zurita Florentina , Marín-Muñiz José Luis , Méndez María Cristina López , Zamora Sergio , Sandoval Herazo Luis Carlos
Published: November 2022

Partially saturated vertical constructed wetlands (PSV-CWs) and free-flow vertical constructed wetlands (FFV-CWS) are treatment systems for which there is limited information on their operation in tropical climates and even scarcer information on their use for municipal/swine wastewater treatment. In this work, the removal of pollutants from municipal wastewater mixed with swine effluents was evaluated using PSV-CWs and FFV-CWs, at pilot scale, with the presence and absence of vegetation in a tropical climate. Six vertical flow CWs made up of polyvinyl chloride (1 m high and 0.5 m in diameter) were used; three were operated with free-flow conditions and three with partially saturated conditions. In each type of configuration, two reactors were planted with an individual of Heliconia latispatha, and one remained without vegetation. They were fed with municipal wastewater mixed with 50% of swine wastewater. Their ability to remove COD, TSS, TP, TN, N-NH4, and N-NO3 and plant development were evaluated. Heliconia latispatha registered better results of adaptation and vegetative development in the PSV-CWs in comparison with FFV-CWs measured as total biomass (5697.1 g/m2 and 5095.7 g/m2, respectively). PSV-CWs were slightly better for TSS elimination (4.21%), while FFV-CWs presented a better performance for TN removal (3.76%), N-NH4 (3.94%) and N-NO3 (4.76%) in the systems with vegetation; no significant difference (p ˃ 0.05) was found between the two types of CWs for the removal of COD and TP. However, significant differences (p ˂ 0.05) were found between the systems with vegetation and those without vegetation in both configurations. These results demonstrate that PSV-CWs represent a better option for the treatment of municipal/swine wastewater since their efficiency was slightly higher than, or similar to that of, FFV-CWs and allowed a better development of H. latispatha.
Future Rainfall Erosivity over Iran Based on CMIP5 Climate Models
Authors: Farokhzadeh Behnoush , Bazrafshan Ommolbanin , Singh Vijay P. , Choobeh Sepide , Mohseni Saravi Mohsen Mohseni
Published: November 2022

Soil erosion affects agricultural production, and industrial and socioeconomic development. Changes in rainfall intensity lead to changes in rainfall erosivity (R-factor) energy and consequently changes soil erosion rate. Prediction of soil erosion is therefore important for soil and water conservation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of changes in climatic parameters (precipitation) on soil erosion rates in the near future (2046–2065) and far future (2081–2100). For this purpose, the CMIP5 series models under two scenarios RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 were used to predict precipitation and the R-factor using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. Rainfall data from synoptic stations for 30 years were used to estimate the R- factor in the RUSLE model. Results showed that Iran’s climate in the future would face increasing rainfall, specially in west and decreasing rainfall in the central and northern parts. Therefore, there is an increased possibility of more frequent occurrences of heavy and torrential rains. Results also showed that the transformation of annual rainfall was not related to the spatial change of erosion. In the central and southern parts, the intensity of rainfall would increase. Therefore, erosion would be more in the south and central areas.
Hydrodynamical Assessment of the Recent Droughts at Gallinas River in San Luis Potosí México and Its Impact on the Waterfall Tamul
Authors: Rodriguez-Cuevas Clemente , Hernández-Antonio Arturo , Couder-Castañeda Carlos , Hernández Jorge , Padilla-Perez Diego
Published: November 2022

During the dry season of the years 2016–2020, the Gallinas River in San Luis Potosí State, Mexico, experienced a completeoss of its downstream flow. These events impacted the Tamul waterfall, a tourist attraction with economicosses for the region. To investigate the causes, this research focuses on identifying the flow variations in different river sections using the EFDC model under different scenarios to determine the causes of flowosses resulting in the disappearance of the waterfall. To set up the conditions, measurements of flow and speed, photogrammetry, bathymetry, and digital elevation modeling were necessary. The EFDC model was calibrated based on data acquired from measurement campaigns from 2017 to 2018. Five scenarios were established with different inflow boundary conditions: 1.5, 30, 60, and 1000 m3/s. According to the modeling results, it can be inferred that the mostikely reason for the flow variations in the river is the clandestine water extraction and the influence of the karst geomorphology of the river that would generate specific infiltrations.