bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of the Ability of Natural Products to Prevent Herpes Virus Infection
Authors: Fukuchi Kunihiko , Sakagami Hiroshi , Sugita Yoshiaki , Takao Koichi , Asai Daisuke , Terakubo Shigemi , Takemura Hiromu , Ohno Hirokazu , Horiuchi Misaki , Suguro Madoka , Fujisawa Tomohiro , Toeda Kazuki , Oizumi Hiroshi , Yasui Toshikazu , Oizumi Takaaki
Published: October 2020

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is usually dormant and becomes apparent when body conditions decline. We investigated the anti-HSV activity of various natural and synthetic compounds for future clinical application. Methods: Mock- and HSV-infected Vero cells were treated for three days with various concentrations of samples. For short exposure, 100-fold concentrated virus were preincubated for 3 min with samples, diluted to normal multiplicity of infection (MOI), before the addition to the cells. Anti-HSV activity was evaluated by the chemotherapy index. Results: Alkaline extracts of the leaves of Sasa sp. (SE) and pine cone (PCE) showed higher anti-HSV activity than 20 Japanese traditional herb medicines (Kampo formulas), four popular polyphenols, and 119 chromone-related compounds. Exposure of HSV to SE or PCE for 3 min almost completely eliminated the infectivity of HSV, whereas much longer exposure time was required for Kakkonto, the most active Kampo formulae. Anti-HSV activity of PCE and Kakkonto could be detected only when they were dissolved by alkaline solution (pH 8.0), but not by neutral buffer (pH 7.4). Anti-HSV activity of SE and povidone iodine was stable if they were diluted with neutral buffer. Conclusions: The present study suggests the applicability of SE and PCE for treatment of oral HSV and possibly other viruses.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of the Cladding Material Distribution of Hybrid Semi-Finished Products Produced by Deposition Welding and Cross-Wedge Rolling
Authors: Kruse Jens , Mildebrath Maximilian , Budde Laura , Coors Timm , Faqiri Mohamad Yusuf , Barroi Alexander , Stonis Malte , Hassel Thomas , Pape Florian , Lammers Marius , Hermsdorf Jörg , Kaierle Stefan , Overmeyer Ludger , Poll Gerhard
Published: October 2020

The service life of rolling contacts is dependent on many factors. The choice of materials in particular has a major influence on when, for example, a ball bearing may fail. Within an exemplary process chain for the production of hybrid high-performance components through tailored forming, hybrid solid components made of at least two different steel alloys are investigated. The aim is to create parts that have improved properties compared to monolithic parts of the same geometry. In order to achieve this, several materials are joined prior to a forming operation. In this work, hybrid shafts created by either plasma (PTA) or laser metal deposition (LMD-W) welding are formed via cross-wedge rolling (CWR) to investigate the resulting thickness of the material deposited in the area of the bearing seat. Additionally, finite element analysis (FEA) simulations of the CWR process are compared with experimental CWR results to validate the coating thickness estimation done via simulation. This allows for more accurate predictions of the cladding material geometry after CWR, and the desired welding seam geometry can be selected by calculating the cladding thickness via CWR simulation.
Atg5-Deficient Mice Infected with Francisella tularensis LVS Demonstrate Increased Survival and Less Severe Pathology in Internal Organs
Authors: Kelava Ina , Mihelčić Mirna , Ožanič Mateja , Marečić Valentina , Knežević Maša , Ćurlin Marija , Štifter Sanja , Sjöstedt Anders , Šantić Marina
Published: October 2020

Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent intracellular pathogen that proliferates within various cell types and can infect a multitude of animal species. Francisella escapes the phagosome rapidly after infection and reaches the host cell cytosol where bacteria undergo extensive replication. Once cytosolic, Francisella becomes a target of an autophagy-mediated process. The mechanisms by which autophagy plays a role in replication of this cytosolic pathogen have not been fully elucidated. In vitro, F. tularensis avoids degradation via autophagy and the autophagy process provides nutrients that support its intracellular replication, but the role of autophagy in vivo is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of tularemia by using transgenic mice deficient in Atg5 in the myeloid lineage. The infection of Atg5-deficient mice with Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica live vaccine strain (LVS) resulted in increased survival, significantly reduced bacterial burden in the mouse organs, and less severe histopathological changes in the spleen, liver and lung tissues. The data highlight the contribution of Atg5 in the pathogenesis of tularemia in vivo.
Development of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay to Determine the Expression Dynamics of Ebola Virus Soluble Glycoprotein during Infection
Authors: Furuyama Wakako , Marzi Andrea
Published: October 2020

Ebola virus (EBOV) is a highly pathogenic virus with human case fatality rates of up to 90%. EBOV uses transcriptional editing to express three different glycoproteins (GPs) from its GP gene: soluble GP (sGP), GP, and small sGP (ssGP). The molecular ratio of unedited to edited mRNA is about 70% (sGP): 25% (GP): 5% (ssGP), indicating that sGP is produced more abundantly than GP. While the presence of sGP has been confirmed in the blood during human EBOV infection, there is no report about its expression dynamics. In this study, we developed an EBOV-sGP-specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using two different available antibodies and tested several animal serum samples to determine the concentration of sGP. EBOV-sGP was detected in nonhuman primate serum samples as early as 4 days after EBOV infection, correlating with RT-qPCR positivity. This ELISA might be further developed into a diagnostic tool for detection of EBOV in patients. Furthermore, this study provides insights into the expression dynamics of sGP during infection, which are important to decipher the function that sGP plays during infection.
Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Sensor for Luteolin Based on Zirconium Metal-Organic Framework UiO-66/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Modified Glass Carbon Electrode
Authors: Wang Qian , Gu Chunmeng , Fu Yafen , Liu Liangliang , Xie Yixi
Published: October 2020

Luteolin is a kind of natural flavonoid with many bioactivities purified from a variety of natural herbs, fruits and vegetables. Electrochemical sensing has become an outstanding technology for the detection of luteolin in low concentration due to its fast response, easy operation and low cost. In this study, electroreduced graphene oxide (ErGO) and UiO-66 were successively modified onto a glassy carbon electrode (UiO-66/ErGO/GCE) and applied to the detection of luteolin. A combination of UiO-66 and ErGO showed the highest promotion in the oxidation peak current for luteolin compared with those of a single component. The factors affecting the electrochemical behavior of UiO-66/ErGO/GCE were evaluated and optimized including pH, accumulation potential, accumulation time and scan rate. Under optimum conditions, UiO-66/ErGO/GCE showed satisfactory linearity (from 0.001 μM to 20 μM), reproducibility and storage stability. The detection limit of UiO-66/ErGO/GCE reached 0.75 nM of luteolin and was suitable for testing real samples. Stable detection could be provided at least eight times by one modified electrode, which guaranteed the practicability of the proposed sensor. The fabricated UiO-66/ErGO/GCE showed a rapid electrochemical response and low consumption of materials in the detection of luteolin. It also showed satisfactory accuracy for real samples with good recovery. In conclusion, the modification using MOFs and graphene materials made the electrode advanced property in electrochemical sensing of natural active compounds.
Highly Stable Porous Polyimide Sponge as a Separator for Lithium-Metal Secondary Batteries
Authors: Choi Junyoung , Yang Kwansoo , Bae Hyeon-Su , Phiri Isheunesu , Ahn Hyun Jeong , Won Jong Chan , Lee Yong Min , Kim Yun Ho , Ryou Myung-Hyun
Published: October 2020

To inhibit Li-dendrite growth on lithium (Li)-metal electrodes, which causes capacity deterioration and safety issues in Li-ion batteries, we prepared a porous polyimide (PI) sponge using a solution-processable high internal-phase emulsion technique with a water-soluble PI precursor solution; the process is not only simple but also environmentally friendly. The prepared PI sponge was processed into porous PI separators and used for Li-metal electrodes. The physical properties (e.g., thermal stability, liquid electrolyte uptake, and ionic conductivity) of the porous PI separators and their effect on the Li-metal anodes (e.g., self-discharge and open-circuit voltage properties after storage, cycle performance, rate capability, and morphological changes) were investigated. Owing to the thermally stable properties of the PI polymer, the porous PI separators demonstrated no dimensional changes up to 180 °C. In comparison with commercialized polyethylene (PE) separators, the porous PI separators exhibited improved wetting ability for liquid electrolytes; thus, the latter improved not only the physical properties (e.g., improved the electrolyte uptake and ionic conductivity) but also the electrochemical properties of Li-metal electrodes (e.g., maintained stable self-discharge capacity and open-circuit voltage features after storage and improved the cycle performance and rate capability) in comparison with PE separators.
Contrast Transfer Function-Based Exit-Wave Reconstruction and Denoising of Atomic-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy Images of Graphene and Cu Single Atom Substitutions by Deep Learning Framework
Authors: Lee Jongyeong , Lee Yeongdong , Kim Jaemin , Lee Zonghoon
Published: October 2020

The exit wave is the state of a uniform plane incident electron wave exiting immediately after passing through a specimen and before the atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy (ARTEM) image is modified by the aberration of the optical system and the incoherence effect of the electron. Although exit-wave reconstruction has been developed to prevent the misinterpretation of ARTEM images, there have been limitations in the use of conventional exit-wave reconstruction in ARTEM studies of the structure and dynamics of two-dimensional materials. In this study, we propose a framework that consists of the convolutional dual-decoder autoencoder to reconstruct the exit wave and denoise ARTEM images. We calculated the contrast transfer function (CTF) for real ARTEM and assigned the output of each decoder to the CTF as the amplitude and phase of the exit wave. We present exit-wave reconstruction experiments with ARTEM images of monolayer graphene and compare the findings with those of a simulated exit wave. Cu single atom substitution in monolayer graphene was, for the first time, directly identified through exit-wave reconstruction experiments. Our exit-wave reconstruction experiments show that the performance of the denoising task is improved when compared to the Wiener filter in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio, peak signal-to-noise ratio, and structural similarity index map metrics.
Innovative Method Using Adhesive Force for Surface Micromachining of Carbon Nanowall
Authors: Choi Hyeokjoo , Kwon Seokhun , Lee Seokwon , Kim Yonghyeon , Kang Hyunil , Kim Jung Hyun , Choi Wonseok
Published: October 2020

The application of a carbon nanowall (CNW) via transfer is very demanding due to the unusual structure of vertically grown wall-shaped that easily collapses. In addition, direct growth on a device cannot obtain a precision-patterned shape because of the temperature limit of the photoresist (PR). Therefore, in this paper, we demonstrate a new CNW surface micromachining technology capable of direct growth. In order to reduce unexpected damage caused by chemical etching, a physical force was used to etch with the adhesive properties of CNWs that have low adhesion to silicon wafer. To prevent compositing with PR, the CNW was surface modified using oxygen plasma. Since there is a risk of surface-modified CNW (SMCNW) collapse in an ultrasonic treatment, which is a physical force, the CNW was coated with PR. After etching the SMCNW grown on PR uncoated area, PR was lifted off using an acetone solution. The effect on the SMCNW by the lift-off process was investigated. The surface, chemical, and structural properties of PR-removed SMCNW and pristine-SMCNW were compared and showed a minimal difference. Therefore, the CNW surface micromachining technique was considered successful.
Association between Dietary Patterns and Handgrip Strength: Analysis of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data Between 2014 and 2017
Authors: Kang Yunkoo , Kim Jieun , Kim Do-Yeon , Kim Seung , Park Sowon , Lim Hyunjung , Koh Hong
Published: October 2020

Non-invasive anthropometric measurement methods such as those for measuring height and weight are crucial in pediatric patients. However, research focusing on the association between the type of dietary pattern and handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio in adolescents has not been carried out yet. This cross-sectional analysis of the 2014–2017 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey assessed 2327 adolescents (aged 10–18 years) who had their handgrip strength measured and analyzed its association with dietary pattern. The clusters were examined for nutritional values, and the ready-to-eat, balanced, and Western-style fast-food clusters were ultimately generated. Overall, 85.6% of the participants were assigned to a ready-to-eat dietary pattern, 9.3% to a Western-style fast-food dietary pattern, and 5.1% to a balanced dietary pattern. Compared with the participants following a balanced dietary pattern, those following a ready-to-eat dietary pattern were shown to have a significantly lower handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio. Decreased handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio values in participants following ready-to-eat dietary patterns indicate a diffuse problem in adolescents’ health and possibly imply an association between reduced muscle quality and dietary pattern. Therefore, the overall environmental factors potentially inducing such unhealthy dietary preferences should be investigated, and appropriate lifestyle changes in Korean adolescents should be encouraged.
Early Development of Direct Embryos in the Cultured Anthers of Manihot esculenta Crantz
Authors: Dissanayake Lakmali , Perera Prasanthi , Attanayaka Thilak , Heberle Erwin , Jayawardhana Manosha
Published: October 2020

Cassava is one of the most important sources of energy. To meet the growing demand, genetic improvement is of utmost importance. Its cross-pollinating nature limits the opportunity of exploitation of hybrid vigor and demands the development of homozygous lines through doubled-haploid technologies. The problems in callus-mediated embryogenesis, such as longer processing time and genetically unstable nature, can be overcome by direct embryogenesis. Conditions to produce embryos directly from microspores in cultured anthers were optimized. The optimum stress pretreatment condition was 40 °C for 6 h after culturing the anthers into the induction medium. For proembryo formation, 2% sucrose and 5 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or 1 mg/l 1-naphthaleneacetic acid were optimum. Globular embryos were formed by subculturing proembryos into the medium with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D and 5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine after two weeks of culturing. Light microscopy of cultured anthers demonstrated the formation of multicellular structures and their further development into proembryos. Microscopic studies showed proembryos emerging through the damaged anther wall. Monoallelic banding in simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis indicated homozygous or haploid states in some of the originated embryos. The conditions optimized in this study were effective in the early development of direct embryos after two weeks of culture initiation. This is the first report of the formation of direct embryos in cultured anthers of cassava.
Hop Polyphenols in Relation to Verticillium Wilt Resistance and Their Antifungal Activity
Authors: Berne Sabina , Kovačević Nataša , Kastelec Damijana , Javornik Branka , Radišek Sebastjan
Published: October 2020

(1) Background: Verticillium wilt (VW) of hop is a devastating disease caused by the soil-borne fungi Verticillium nonalfalfae and Verticillium dahliae. As suggested by quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and RNA-Seq analyses, the underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance in hop are complex, consisting of preformed and induced defense responses, including the synthesis of various phenolic compounds. (2) Methods: We determined the total polyphenolic content at two phenological stages in roots and stems of 14 hop varieties differing in VW resistance, examined the changes in the total polyphenols of VW resistant variety Wye Target (WT) and susceptible Celeia (CE) on infection with V. nonalfalfae, and assessed the antifungal activity of six commercial phenolic compounds and total polyphenolic extracts from roots and stems of VW resistant WT and susceptible CE on the growth of two different V. nonalfalfae hop pathotypes. (3) Results: Generally, total polyphenols were higher in roots than stems and increased with maturation of the hop. Before flowering, the majority of VW resistant varieties had a significantly higher content of total polyphenols in stems than susceptible varieties. At the symptomatic stage of VW disease, total polyphenols decreased in VW resistant WT and susceptible CE plants in both roots and stems. The antifungal activity of total polyphenolic extracts against V. nonalfalfae was higher in hop extracts from stems than those from roots. Among the tested phenolic compounds, only p-coumaric acid and tyrosol markedly restricted fungal growth. (4) Conclusions: Although the correlation between VW resistance and total polyphenols content is not straightforward, higher levels of total polyphenols in the stems of the majority of VW resistant hop varieties at early phenological stages probably contribute to fast and efficient activation of signaling pathways, leading to successful defense against V. nonalfalfae infection.
Plant Disease Classification: A Comparative Evaluation of Convolutional Neural Networks and Deep Learning Optimizers
Authors: Saleem Muhammad Hammad , Potgieter Johan , Arif Khalid Mahmood
Published: October 2020

Recently, plant disease classification has been done by various state-of-the-art deep learning (DL) architectures on the publicly available/author generated datasets. This research proposed the deep learning-based comparative evaluation for the classification of plant disease in two steps. Firstly, the best convolutional neural network (CNN) was obtained by conducting a comparative analysis among well-known CNN architectures along with modified and cascaded/hybrid versions of some of the DL models proposed in the recent researches. Secondly, the performance of the best-obtained model was attempted to improve by training through various deep learning optimizers. The comparison between various CNNs was based on performance metrics such as validation accuracy/loss, F1-score, and the required number of epochs. All the selected DL architectures were trained in the PlantVillage dataset which contains 26 different diseases belonging to 14 respective plant species. Keras with TensorFlow backend was used to train deep learning architectures. It is concluded that the Xception architecture trained with the Adam optimizer attained the highest validation accuracy and F1-score of 99.81% and 0.9978 respectively which is comparatively better than the previous approaches and it proves the novelty of the work. Therefore, the method proposed in this research can be applied to other agricultural applications for transparent detection and classification purposes.
The Fate of Bryophyte Sporophytes—Phenology and Vectors of Buxbaumia viridis in the Kalkalpen National Park, Austria
Authors: Kropik Michaela , Zechmeister Harald G. , Fuxjäger Christian
Published: October 2020

Knowledge about the epixylic moss Buxbaumia viridis has increased significantly due to the monitoring obligation under the Habitats Directive. However, there are still open questions about its dispersal, as the wind plays a limited role in forest ecosystems, and vectors have been suspected but not yet studied systematically for this species. Here, we present data on potential vectors of Buxbaumia viridis collected for the first time with the help of cameras, completed by monitoring the fate of sporophytes during their life cycle in the Limestone Alps National Park in Austria over a period of two years. Young, green sporophytes appeared mainly in autumn, with the highest number in October. Most of them survived winter and spring but did not exceed the age of 14 months. The sharpest decline in capsules occurred in summer when mature, and the lowest number of sporophytes appeared at the end of August. Most likely, mice seem to be responsible for this loss, as the photos from the wildlife cameras suggest, and should be considered both as predators and vectors. Birds should be considered as vectors, too. In summary, most of the reproductive biomass is sacrificed in favor of more effective dispersal, including over longer distances.
Mathematical Analysis of Pseudoplastic Polymers during Reverse Roll-Coating
Authors: Ali Fateh , Hou Yanren , Zahid Muhammad , Rana Muhammad
Published: October 2020

This article presents a mathematical model and theoretical analysis of coating of a thin film of non-Newtonian polymers as they travel through a small space between two reverse-rotating rolls. The dimensionless forms of the governing equations are simplified with the help of the lubrication approximation theory (LAT). By using the perturbation technique, the analytical solutions for velocity, flow rate and pressure gradient were obtained. From an engineering point of view, some significant results such as thickness of the coated web, pressure distribution, separation points, separation force and power input were computed numerically. The effect of velocities ratio k and Weissenberg number We on these physical quantities is presented graphically; others are shown in tabular form. It is noted that the involved material parameters provide a mechanism to control the flow rate, pressure distribution, the thickness of coating, separation force and power input. Moreover, the separation point is shifted toward the nip region by increasing velocities ratio k.
Evaluation of Grinding of Unfilled and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyamide 6,6
Authors: Spina Roberto , Cavalcante Bruno
Published: October 2020

This paper investigates the grinding process on unreinforced (PA66) and reinforced glass-fiber polyamide 6,6 (PA66 GF30) with Al2O3 and SiC abrasive wheels. Both materials were ground by varying rotations, workpiece infeed speed, depth of cuts for sequential roughing/finishing steps. Dry and liquid coolant conditions were also considered during the grinding process to evaluate the effects on part quality. The surface roughness was used to assess the quality of the final products with several parameter combinations, identifying the induced process trends. The results show that at the end of the finishing step, the surface roughness Rz was lower than 4 μm, attaining the lowest value of 1.34 μm for PA66 specimens. The analysis also suggested the choice of the Al2O3 grinding wheel to reach the lowest Rz values for both materials.
Monitoring Littoral Platform Downwearing Using Differential SAR Interferometry
Authors: Mider Gosia , Lawrence James , Mason Philippa , Ghail Richard
Published: October 2020

A methodology for the remotely sensed monitoring, measurement and quantification of littoral zone platform downwearing has been developed and is demonstrated, using Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar data and analysis. The research area is a 30 km section of coast in East Sussex, UK. This area combines a range of coastal environments and is characterised by the exposure of chalk along the cliffs and coastal platform. Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) has been employed, using 3.5 years of Sentinel-1 SAR data. The results demonstrate an average ground level change of −0.36 mm a−1 across the research area, caused by platform downwearing. Protected sections of coast are downwearing at an average of −0.33 mm a−1 compared to unprotected sections, which are downwearing more rapidly at an average rate of −1.10 mm a−1. The material properties of the chalk formations in the platform were considered, and in unprotected areas the weakest chalk types eroded at higher rates (−0.66 mm a−1) than the more resistant formations (−0.53 mm a−1). At a local scale, results were achieved in three studies to demonstrate variations between urban and rural environments. Individual persistent scatterer point values provided a near-continuous sequence of measurements, which allowed the effects of processes to be evaluated. The results of this investigation show an effective way of retrospective and ongoing monitoring of platform downwearing, erosion and other littoral zone processes, at regional, local and point-specific scales.
Spatial Heterogeneity of Vegetation Response to Mining Activities in Resource Regions of Northwestern China
Authors: Li Hanting , Xie Miaomiao , Wang Huihui , Li Shaoling , Xu Meng
Published: October 2020

Aggregated mining development has direct and indirect impacts on vegetation changes. This impact shows spatial differences due to the complex influence of multiple mines, which is a common issue in resource regions. To estimate the spatial heterogeneity of vegetation response to mining activities, we coupled vegetation changes and mining development through a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model for three cumulative periods between 1999 and 2018 in integrated resource regions of northwestern China. Vegetation changes were monitored by Sen’s slope and the Mann–Kendall test according to a total of 72 Landsat images. Spatial distribution of mining development was quantified, due to four land-use maps in 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2017. The results showed that 80% of vegetation in the study area experienced different degrees of degradation, more serious in the overlapping areas of multiple mines and mining areas. The scope of influence for single mines on vegetation shrunk by about 48%, and the mean coefficients increased by 20%, closer to mining areas. The scope of influence for multiple mines on vegetation gradually expanded to 86% from the outer edge to the inner overlapping areas of mining areas, where the mean coefficients increased by 92%. The correlation between elevation and vegetation changes varied according to the average elevation of the total mining areas. Ultimately, the available ecological remediation should be systematically considered for local conditions and mining consequences.
Continuous m-Health Data Authentication Using Wavelet Decomposition for Feature Extraction
Authors: Enamamu Timibloudi , Otebolaku Abayomi , Marchang Jims , Dany Joy
Published: October 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016 considered m-health as: “the use of mobile wireless technologies including smart devices such as smartphones and smartwatches for public health”. WHO emphasizes the potential of this technology to increase its use in accessing health information and services as well as promoting positive changes in health behaviours and overall management of diseases. In this regard, the capability of smartphones and smartwatches for m-health monitoring through the collection of patient data remotely, has become an important component in m-health system. It is important that the integrity of the data collected is verified continuously through data authentication before storage. In this research work, we extracted heart rate variability (HRV) and decomposed the signals into sub-bands of detail and approximation coefficients. A comparison analysis is done after the classification of the extracted features to select the best sub-bands. An architectural framework and a used case for m-health data authentication is carried out using two sub-bands with the best performance from the HRV decomposition using 30 subjects’ data. The best sub-band achieved an equal error rate (EER) of 12.42%.
Clustering-Based Component Fraction Estimation in Solid–Liquid Two-Phase Flow in Dredging Engineering
Authors: Sun Chang , Yue Shihong , Li Qi , Wang Huaxiang
Published: October 2020

Component fraction (CF) is one of the most important parameters in multiple-phase flow. Due to the complexity of the solid–liquid two-phase flow, the CF estimation remains unsolved both in scientific research and industrial application for a long time. Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) is an advanced type of conductivity detection technique due to its low-cost, fast-response, non-invasive, and non-radiation characteristics. However, when the existing ERT method is used to measure the CF value in solid–liquid two-phase flow in dredging engineering, there are at least three problems: (1) the dependence of reference distribution whose CF value is zero; (2) the size of the detected objects may be too small to be found by ERT; and (3) there is no efficient way to estimate the effect of artifacts in ERT. In this paper, we proposed a method based on the clustering technique, where a fast-fuzzy clustering algorithm is used to partition the ERT image to three clusters that respond to liquid, solid phases, and their mixtures and artifacts, respectively. The clustering algorithm does not need any reference distribution in the CF estimation. In the case of small solid objects or artifacts, the CF value remains effectively computed by prior information. To validate the new method, a group of typical CF estimations in dredging engineering were implemented. Results show that the new method can effectively overcome the limitations of the existing method, and can provide a practical and more accurate way for CF estimation.
The COVID-19 Contagion–Pandemic Dyad: A View from Social Sciences
Authors: Ferreira Carlos Miguel , Sá Maria José , Martins José Garrucho , Serpa Sandro
Published: October 2020

The objective of this concept paper focuses on the relevance of the analytical potential of Social Sciences for understanding the multiple implications and challenges posed by the COVID-19 contagion–pandemic dyad. This pandemic is generating a global threat with a high number of deaths and infected individuals, triggering enormous pressure on health systems. Most countries have put in place a set of procedures based on social distancing, as well as (preventive) isolation from possible infected and transmitters of the disease. This crisis has profound implications and raises issues for which the contribution of Social Sciences does not seem to be sufficiently mobilised. The contribution of Social Sciences is paramount, in terms of their knowledge and skills, to the knowledge of these problematic realities and to act in an informed way on these crises. Social Sciences are a scientific project focused on interdisciplinarity, theoretical and methodological plurality. This discussion is developed from the systems of relationships between social phenomena in the coordinates of time and place, and in the socio-historical contexts in which they are integrated. A pandemic is a complex phenomenon as it is always a point of articulation between natural and social determinations. The space of the discourse on the COVID-19 pandemic can be understood as the expression of a coalition of discourses, i.e., the interaction of various discourses, combined in re-interpretative modalities of certain realities and social phenomena. The circumstantial coalitions of interests, which shape the different discursive records and actions produced by different agents of distinct social spaces, enable the acknowledgement and legitimation of this pandemic threat and danger, and the promotion of its public management.
A Life Cycle Analysis Approach for the Evaluation of Municipal Solid Waste Management Practices: The Case Study of the Region of Central Macedonia, Greece
Authors: Banias Georgios , Batsioula Maria , Achillas Charisios , Patsios Sotiris I. , Kontogiannopoulos Konstantinos N. , Bochtis Dionysis , Moussiopoulos Nicolas
Published: October 2020

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management has been a major problem of modern cities for many years. Thus, the development of optimal waste management strategies has been a priority for the European Commission, especially in the transition toward a circular economy. In this paper, an analysis of different MSW treatment methods that can be effectively implemented in the Region of Central Macedonia (RCM) is provided, and their comparison from an environmental point of view is performed. The assessment is based on real data indicated in the recently updated Greek National Waste Management Plan, whereas the different scenarios developed include landfilling without energy recovery, landfilling with energy recovery, recycling and secondary materials recovery, mechanical-biological treatment, bio-waste composting and anaerobic digestion with energy recovery, and incineration with energy recovery. The obtained results illustrate that efficient waste streams sorting is of vital importance for the effective implementation of an integrated waste management system toward the sustainable management of MSW.
Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Multi-Sectoral Energy Transformation Pathways: Methodological Approach and Case Study for Germany
Authors: Junne Tobias , Simon Sonja , Buchgeister Jens , Saiger Maximilian , Baumann Manuel , Haase Martina , Wulf Christina , Naegler Tobias
Published: October 2020

In order to analyse long-term transformation pathways, energy system models generally focus on economical and technical characteristics. However, these models usually do not consider sustainability aspects such as environmental impacts. In contrast, life cycle assessment enables an extensive estimate of those impacts. Due to these complementary characteristics, the combination of energy system models and life cycle assessment thus allows comprehensive environmental sustainability assessments of technically and economically feasible energy system transformation pathways. We introduce FRITS, a FRamework for the assessment of environmental Impacts of Transformation Scenarios. FRITS links bottom-up energy system models with life cycle impact assessment indicators and quantifies the environmental impacts of transformation strategies of the entire energy system (power, heat, transport) over the transition period. We apply the framework to conduct an environmental assessment of multi-sectoral energy scenarios for Germany. Here, a ‘Target’ scenario reaching 80% reduction of energy-related direct CO2 emissions is compared with a ‘Reference’ scenario describing a less ambitious transformation pathway. The results show that compared to 2015 and the ‘Reference’ scenario, the ‘Target’ scenario performs better for most life cycle impact assessment indicators. However, the impacts of resource consumption and land use increase for the ‘Target’ scenario. These impacts are mainly caused by road passenger transport and biomass conversion.
How Sport Tourism Event Image Fit Enhances Residents’ Perceptions of Place Image and Their Quality of Life
Authors: Hsu Bryan Cheng-Yu , Wu Yu-Feng , Chen Hsin-Wei , Cheung Man-Lai
Published: October 2020

This study developed an exploration model for sport event image fit to predict and explain the place image and quality of life in order to achieve sustainable development goals in rural communities. To validate the model, 294 valid resident responses from a rural community that hosted a sporting event in Taiwan were analyzed with partial least squares structural equations modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that image fit contributes to the social environment, entertainment services, and quality of life; four place image dimensions had a significantly positive effect on quality of life. The exploration model was validated, contributing to the knowledge related to Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 11.
Fermi Level Engineering for Large Permittivity in BaTiO3-Based Multilayers
Authors: Chavarría Christopher Castro , Payan Sandrine , Salvetat Jean-Paul , Maglione Mario , Klein Andreas
Published: October 2020

Multilayered doped BaTiO3 thin films have been fabricated by physical vapor deposition (PVD) on low-cost polycrystalline substrates with the aim to improve dielectric properties by controlling point charge defects at the interfaces. We show that carefully designed interfaces lead to increasing the relative permittivity of the BaTiO3 thin films, in contradiction with the common belief that interfaces behave as dead layers. High relative permittivity up to 1030 and tanδ = 4% at 100 kHz and room temperature were obtained on BaTiO3 multilayered films deposited on Si/Pt substrates by PVD. The large permittivity is suspected to be an extrinsic contribution due to band bending at the interfaces, as inferred by in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A 20-nm depletion layer was found to be associated with an interdiffusion of dopants, as measured by depth profiling with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The films exhibit high permittivity and low dielectric losses stable between 200 and 400 K, which meet the requirement of electronic applications.
Formulation of the Non-Parametric Value at Risk Portfolio Selection Problem Considering Symmetry
Authors: Wang Dazhi , Chen Yanhua , Wang Hongfeng , Huang Min
Published: October 2020

In this research, we study the non-parametric portfolio selection problem with Value at Risk (VaR) minimization and establish a new enhanced Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulation to obtain the optimal solutions considering the symmetric property of VaR. We identify that the new MILP formulation can significantly reduce the computation burden of the MILP solver CPLEX. To solve larger-scale practical portfolio selection problems in reasonable computation time, we also develop the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm integrating an efficient Fast Feasible Solution Detection (FFSD) scheme to obtain the near-optimal solutions. Using the simulated datasets with different distribution parameters and skewness and kurtosis patterns, some preliminary numerical results are provided to show the efficiency of the new formulation and FFSD scheme.
Multiplex Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Treponema pallidum and Haemophilus ducreyi in Yaws-Like Lesions
Authors: Frimpong Michael , Simpson Shirley Victoria , Ahor Hubert Senanu , Agbanyo Abigail , Gyabaah Solomon , Agbavor Bernadette , Amanor Ivy Brago , Addo Kennedy Kwasi , Böhlken-Fascher Susanne , Kissenkötter Jonas , Wahed Ahmed Abd El , Phillips Richard Odame
Published: October 2020

Yaws is a skin debilitating disease caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue with most cases reported in children. World Health Organization (WHO) aims at total eradication of this disease through mass treatment of suspected cases followed by an intensive follow-up program. However, effective diagnosis is pivotal in the successful implementation of this control program. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), an isothermal nucleic acid amplification technique offers a wider range of differentiation of pathogens including those isolated from chronic skin ulcers with similar characteristics such as Haemophilus ducreyi (H. ducreyi). We have developed a RPA assay for the simultaneous detection of Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) and H. ducreyi (TPHD-RPA). The assay demonstrated no cross-reaction with other pathogens and enable detection of T. pallidum and H. ducreyi within 15 min at 42 °C. The RPA assay was validated with 49 clinical samples from individuals confirmed to have yaws by serological tests. Comparing the developed assay with commercial multiplex real-time PCR, the assay demonstrated 94% and 95% sensitivity for T. pallidum and H. ducreyi, respectively and 100% specificity. This simple novel TPHD-RPA assay enables the rapid detection of both T. pallidum and H. ducreyi in yaws-like lesions. This test could support the yaws eradication efforts by ensuring reliable diagnosis, to enable monitoring of program success and planning of follow-up interventions at the community level.
Fundamental Difficulties Prevent the Reconstruction of the Deep Phylogeny of Viruses
Authors: Claverie Jean-Michel
Published: October 2020

The extension of virology beyond its traditional medical, veterinary, or agricultural applications, now called environmental virology, has shown that viruses are both the most numerous and diverse biological entities on Earth. In particular, virus isolations from unicellular eukaryotic hosts (heterotrophic and photosynthetic protozoans) revealed numerous viral types previously unexpected in terms of virion structure, gene content, or mode of replication. Complemented by large-scale metagenomic analyses, these discoveries have rekindled interest in the enigma of the origin of viruses, for which a description encompassing all their diversity remains not available. Several laboratories have repeatedly tackled the deep reconstruction of the evolutionary history of viruses, using various methods of molecular phylogeny applied to the few shared “core” genes detected in certain virus groups (e.g., the Nucleocytoviricota). Beyond the practical difficulties of establishing reliable homology relationships from extremely divergent sequences, I present here conceptual arguments highlighting several fundamental limitations plaguing the reconstruction of the deep evolutionary history of viruses, and even more the identification of their unique or multiple origin(s). These arguments also underline the risk of establishing premature high level viral taxonomic classifications. Those limitations are direct consequences of the random mechanisms governing the reductive/retrogressive evolution of all obligate intracellular parasites.
Highly Immunogenic Nanoparticles Based on a Fusion Protein Comprising the M2e of Influenza A Virus and a Lipopeptide
Authors: Zykova Anna A. , Blokhina Elena A. , Kotlyarov Roman Y. , Stepanova Liudmila A. , Tsybalova Liudmila M. , Kuprianov Victor V. , Ravin Nikolai V.
Published: October 2020

The highly conserved extracellular domain of the transmembrane protein M2 (M2e) of the influenza A virus is a promising target for the development of broad-spectrum vaccines. However, M2e is a poor immunogen by itself and must be linked to an appropriate carrier to induce an efficient immune response. In this study, we obtained recombinant mosaic proteins containing tandem copies of M2e fused to a lipopeptide from Neisseria meningitidis surface lipoprotein Ag473 and alpha-helical linkers and analyzed their immunogenicity. Six fusion proteins, comprising four or eight tandem copies of M2e flanked by alpha-helical linkers, lipopeptides, or a combination of both of these elements, were produced in Escherichia coli. The proteins, containing both alpha-helical linkers and lipopeptides at each side of M2e repeats, formed nanosized particles, but no particulate structures were observed in the absence of lipopeptides. Animal study results showed that proteins with lipopeptides induced strong M2e-specific antibody responses in the absence of external adjuvants compared to similar proteins without lipopeptides. Thus, the recombinant M2e-based proteins containing alpha-helical linkers and N. meningitidis lipopeptide sequences at the N- and C-termini of four or eight tandem copies of M2e peptide are promising vaccine candidates.
Compound Inundation Impacts of Coastal Climate Change: Sea-Level Rise, Groundwater Rise, and Coastal Precipitation
Authors: Rahimi Reyhaneh , Tavakol-Davani Hassan , Graves Cheyenne , Gomez Atalie , Fazel Valipour Mohammadebrahim
Published: October 2020

The importance of considering the compound effects of multiple hazards has increased in recent years due to their catastrophic impacts on human lives and property. Compound effects correspond to events with multiple concurrent or consecutive drivers, e.g., heavy storms, coastal flooding, high tides, and sea level rise (SLR). There is a recent evidence on inundation caused by SLR-driven groundwater rise, and there is a distinct knowledge gap in understanding the compound inundation effects of this phenomenon considering the important hydrologic and hydraulic considerations under compound events. To fill this knowledge gap, we developed a novel analytical framework to understand the movements of the surface flow under typical precipitation events considering their interaction with uprising groundwater and SLR in a coastal watershed located in Oakland Flatlands, CA, USA, home to several disadvantaged communities. This modelling approach simulates the dynamics of compound flooding in two dimensions of the earth surface in a fine resolution, which is critical for devising proper flood management strategies. The reason to focus on disadvantaged coastal communities is that such communities typically encounter disproportionate environmental injustices due to the lack of sufficient drainage capacity in their infrastructure. Our results show that by considering the compound effect of SLR, groundwater inundation and precipitation flooding, the drainage capacity of infrastructure will be substantially exceeded, such that over 700 acres of the built infrastructure could be flooded. This is a considerable increase compared to scenarios that do not consider compound effect, or scenarios that consider inappropriate combinations of driving factors. In sum, our results highlight the significance of considering compound effects in the coastal inundation analyses, with a particular emphasis on the role of groundwater rise.
Implementation of the National Early Warning Score in UK care homes: a qualitative evaluation
Authors: Russell Siân , Stocker Rachel , Barker Robert Oliver , Liddle Jennifer , Adamson Joy , Hanratty Barbara
Published: October 2020

Background

The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) is a tool for identifying and responding to acute illness. When used in care homes, staff measure residents’ vital signs and record them on a tablet computer, which calculates a NEWS to share with health services. This article outlines an evaluation of NEWS implementation in care homes across one clinical commissioning group area in northern England.

Aim

To identify challenges to implementation of NEWS in care homes.

Design and setting

Qualitative analysis of interviews conducted with 15 staff members from six care homes, five health professionals, and one clinical commissioning group employee.

Method

Interviews were intended to capture people’s attitudes and experiences of using the intervention. Following an inductive thematic analysis, data were considered deductively against normalisation process theory constructs to identify the challenges and successes of implementing NEWS in care homes.

Results

Care home staff and other stakeholders acknowledged that NEWS could enhance the response to acute illness, improve communication with the NHS, and increase the confidence of care home staff. However, the implementation did not account for the complexity of either the intervention or the care home setting. Challenges to engagement included competing priorities, insufficient training, and shortcomings in communication.

Conclusion

This evaluation highlights the need to involve care home staff and the primary care services that support them when developing and implementing interventions in care homes. The appropriateness and value of NEWS in non-acute settings requires ongoing monitoring.