bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vision-Based Eye Image Classification for Ophthalmic Measurement Systems
Authors: Gibertoni Giovanni , Borghi Guido , Rovati Luigi
Published: December 2022

The accuracy and the overall performances of ophthalmic instrumentation, where specific analysis of eye images is involved, can be negatively influenced by invalid or incorrect frames acquired during everyday measurements of unaware or non-collaborative human patients and non-technical operators. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate and compare the adoption of several vision-based classification algorithms belonging to different fields, i.e., Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Expert Systems, in order to improve the performance of an ophthalmic instrument designed for the Pupillary Light Reflex measurement. To test the implemented solutions, we collected and publicly released PopEYE as one of the first datasets consisting of 15 k eye images belonging to 22 different subjects acquired through the aforementioned specialized ophthalmic device. Finally, we discuss the experimental results in terms of classification accuracy of the eye status, as well as computational load analysis, since the proposed solution is designed to be implemented in embedded boards, which have limited hardware resources in computational power and memory size.
A Capacitive DC-DC Boost Converter with Gate Bias Boosting and Dynamic Body Biasing for an RF Energy Harvesting System
Authors: Jung Jiho , Kwon Ickjin
Published: December 2022

In this paper, a fully integrated capacitive DC-DC boost converter for ultra-low-power internet of things (IoT) applications operating with RF energy harvesting is proposed. A DC-DC boost converter is needed to boost the low output voltage of the RF energy harvester to provide a high voltage to the load. However, a boost converter operating at a low voltage supplied by ambient RF energy harvesting has a problem in that power conversion efficiency is significantly lowered. The proposed on-chip capacitive DC-DC boost converter simultaneously applies gate bias boosting and dynamic body biasing techniques using only the internal boosted voltage without an additional circuit that increases power loss to boost the voltage, achieving high efficiency at an input voltage as low as 0.1 V. The designed capacitive boost converter achieves a peak power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 33.8% at a very low input voltage of 0.1 V, a 14% improvement over the peak PCE of the conventional cross-coupled charge pump. A maximum peak PCE of 80.1% is achieved at an input voltage of 200 mV and a load current of 3 μA. The proposed capacitive boost converter is implemented with a total flying capacitance of 60 pF, suitable for on-chip integration.
Performance Assessment of Distributed Strain Sensing Techniques for Convergence Monitoring of Radioactive Waste Repository
Authors: Piccolo Arianna , Lecieux Yann , Lesoille Sylvie , Teixeira Pierre , Bertrand Johan , Leduc Dominique
Published: December 2022

This paper presents the measurement methodology of diameter reduction monitoring of micro-tunnel structures used for radioactive waste storage based on distributed strain measurements along fiber optic sensors installed on the circumference. The whole measurement procedure is described: the calibration of the sensors for use in harsh environment (temperature and radioactivity), the measurement analysis technique, the performance assessment of different measurement systems on a surface mock-up and the in-situ validation on an underground structure. The performances of Brillouin and Rayleigh backscattering measurements are compared, as well as different fixation technologies. Distributed measurements are compared to alternative measurements: displacement sensors, Bragg grating extensometers and MEMS accelerometers. The distributed Rayleigh backscattering measurement performed on optical cables bonded to the surface of the structure appears to be the best solution for monitoring the convergence of micro-tunnels and offers comparable performance to alternative technologies tested on the surface demonstrator.
Study of Educational Service Quality in Mongolian Universities
Authors: Ganbold Bilegjargal , Park Kyungbo , Hong Jongyi
Published: December 2022

This research aims to define the degree of customer satisfaction in Mongolian higher educational services and determine quality characteristics that can be used to improve customer satisfaction based on the potential customer satisfaction improvement (PCSI) index using the Kano and SERVQUAL models. The Kano and Timko models were used through a questionnaire survey of students in Mongolian national universities based on a survey questionnaire aiming to classify the quality attributes by the SERVQUAL model to calculate the potential customer satisfaction improvement index. Moreover, the PCSI is used to assess the improvement possibilities with the Kano model’s attributes. The PCSI index represents how much a service feature can increase the degree of customer satisfaction when the service feature is completely fulfilled. More than 50 undergraduate students participated in this study. According to the PCSI calculation results, this research can help Mongolian national universities improve customer satisfaction among students. The PCSI index suggested by this research can also be used for other service quality analyses.
Study on the Migration and Accumulation of Selenium between Soil and Vegetations
Authors: Wang Yitong , Shan Qiujie , Wang Chuan , Tang Zejun , Li Yan
Published: December 2022

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for human health, and humans mainly consume Se through diet. China is recognized as a Se-deficient country, and the study of Se migration and accumulation relationships between crops and soils is essential for Se-deficient areas. In this experiment, the greenhouse pot experiment of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were carried out with the Guanzhong region of Shaanxi Province and common farmland soils from Beijing Province. The relationship between the Se content in soil and crops organs (e.g., roots, stems, leaves, grain and fruit) and the differences in the Se-enriching capacity of the organs were analyzed. The following results were obtained: (1) all three field crops could absorb Se from soil, including Se-rich and -regulated soil and reach the standard of Se-enriched vegetables; (2) different organs of Chinese cabbage had different Se-enriching capacity, which can be arranged as leaf > stem > root, while the Se enrichment capacity of wheat was root > leaf > stem > grain, and for pepper it was root > leaf > fruit > stem; (3) when the soil Se regulation content reached 1.0–1.5 mg/kg, the utilization rate of Se in Chinese cabbage and pepper were higher, but when the soil Se regulation reached 4.0–5.0 mg/kg, the utilization rate of Se in wheat was higher.
Calculation and Optimization of the Carbon Sink Benefits of Green Space Plants in Residential Areas: A Case Study of Suojin Village in Nanjing
Authors: Li Qingqing , Zhu Yueru , Zhu Zunling
Published: December 2022

Objectives: In the “dual evaluation” of land space, the evaluation of the importance of ecosystem service functions and residential areas is important, playing a significant role in plants acting as carbon sinks and thereby achieving the transformation of low-carbon settlements. Methods: The paper compares and analyzes five models for quantifying carbon sink benefits and focuses on the national tree benefit calculator (NTBC) model, which is suitable for the carbon sequestration benefits of plants in residential areas, to (i) estimate and compare the economic benefits brought by trees and shrubs in residential areas, (ii) analyze the reasons for the differences between the current data and data for the next 20 years, and (iii) comprehensively evaluate the technical points related to the plant landscape in residential areas to assess whether they comply with the “Green Settlement Standard.” The index system was scored according to the standard. Result: The current data collected for existing trees and shrubs include the following: When the trees are in good condition, the order of the trees according to their economic benefits in the current year is Zelkova serrata > Cedrus deodara > Sapindus saponaria > Sophora japonica > Cinnamomum camphora > Prunus cerasifera > Magnolia grandiflora > Ulmus pumila > Acer L. > Lagerstroemia indica L. > Sapium sebiferum > Sabina > Punica granatum L. > Acer palmatum > Sapium sebiferum > Celtis sinensis Pers > Bambusa multiplex > Cycas > Melia azedarach L. > Pinus parviflora, and that of the trees in the next 20 years is Zelkova serrata > Cinnamomum camphora > Sophora japonica > Sapindus saponaria > Ulmus pumila > Cedrus deodara > Prunus cerasifera > Magnolia grandiflora > Acer L. > Sapium sebiferum > Cycas > Punica granatum L. > Lagerstroemia indica L. > Acer palmatum Thunb > Sabina > Bambusa multiplex > Broussonetia papyrifera > Celtis sinensis Pers > Melia azedarach L. > Pinus parviflora. The order of shrubs according to their economic gain in the current year is Photinia beauverdiana > Pittosporum tobira > Ligustrum lucidum > Viburnum odoratissimum > Buxus cephalantha, and that of the shrubs in the next 20 years is Ligustrum lucidum > Photinia beauverdiana > Pittosporum tobira > Buxus cephalantha > Viburnum odoratissimum. Conclusion: Using plants, the construction ideas, community structure and landscape maintenance of the carbon sink estimation system of residential areas should be updated according to three aspects to promote the quantification of the carbon sink benefits of green areas in urban settlements and the development of low-carbon settlements in China.
Long-Term Care Services and Insurance System in China: An Evolutionary Game Analysis
Authors: Hu Han , Zhang Zhao
Published: December 2022

The study creates a simplified game model to propose a suitable policy to foster a win-win scenario between care institutions and families of the disabled elderly, and to give a reference basis for enhancing the welfare level of the disabled elderly as well as the commercial performance of care institutions. First, we study and synthesise the experiences of contemporary Chinese long-term care pilot cities to offer data for subsequent numerical analysis; second, we create an evolutionary game model to depict the conflicts and evolving patterns of conflicts between the disabled elderly and care facilities in China; and third, we use numerical analysis to investigate the effects of internal factors (cost of care, price of care) and policy assistance (government subsidies). Finally, we utilise numerical analysis to investigate how internal factors (cost of care, price of care) and policy assistance (government subsidy) affect the combination of solutions. The study reveals that (1) the two-sided strategic choices of care institutions and disabled families make the game unstable. (2) The government can influence the choice of care institutions and disabled families by tax rates and subsidies, implying a stability policy. (3) The presence of an evolutionary stabilization strategy implies that government control may have a desirable limit. When government engagement in this market is limited, “professional care, home care” finally becomes the evolutionary stability method.
Small Business and Livelihood: A Study of Pashupatinath UNESCO Heritage Site of Nepal
Authors: Ghimire Dipesh Kumar , Gautam Prakash , Karki Shyam Kumar , Ghimire Jiwnath , Takagi Isao
Published: December 2022

Small businesses in world heritage sites provide services to visitors and livelihood for residents. Besides the cultural and religious values promoted by these businesses, they also provide socioeconomic support to their owners. The Pashupatinath temple is known as Hindu’s major religious and pilgrimage destination in South Asia. Hundreds of businesses around the temple provide services to visitors. This study evaluates the socioeconomic impacts of these small businesses around Pashupatinath temple. Using a survey of 110 businesses, binary logistic regression models find that the owners of larger businesses selling religious supplies in this area are more likely to own houses in Kathmandu and to be more satisfied with their businesses. The study also finds that businesses without permanent stalls faced severe hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed the socioeconomic status of a business owner through house ownership in Kathmandu, and finds that small businesses operating in the premises of the religious heritage site of Pashupatinath temple have a positive relation to the livelihood of the business owners and their families. It concludes that small-scale business in world heritage sites directly contributes to local livelihoods and economies.
A Future-Proof Built Environment through Regenerative and Circular Lenses—Delphi Approach for Criteria Selection
Authors: Sala Benites Henrique , Osmond Paul , Prasad Deo
Published: December 2022

Despite the increasing use of neighbourhood sustainability assessment tools (NSAT), their linear approach may be insufficient to tackle the global and local social and ecological challenges. The circular economy (CE) has recently emerged as a new pathway, adopted by corporations and public organisations. Understanding how to apply CE to existing communities, while addressing some of its shortcomings, particularly the strong focus on resource management, is the main goal of this paper. Building upon a Regenerative Circularity for the Built Environment (RC4BE) conceptual model that merges circular economy and regenerative design concepts, a framework with criteria for its implementation in the transition of existing urban areas is proposed. A preliminary framework structure with criteria mapped from literature is proposed and validated through a 2-round Delphi consultation with 31 international experts. The final framework, with 136 criteria, addresses some of the identified gaps and different urban cycles related to physical resources, ecosystems, liveability, infrastructure, governance, participation, local economy, and other socioeconomic aspects of urban communities. This expanded take on CE should be useful for built environment professionals and other urban stakeholders interested in regenerating their communities and precincts by going beyond current green approaches and existing tools to effectively generate positive impact for people and the planet.
The Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on Corporate Excessive Debt Mechanism: Evidence from Difference-in-Difference Equation Model
Authors: Li Qiumei , Khan Hayat , Zhang Zuominyang , Lin Ling , Huang Ke
Published: December 2022

This paper uses the difference in difference (DID) model to explore the impact of the “Belt and Road” Initiative (BRI) on the level of corporate debt and its mechanism based on quasi-natural experiment of the promulgation and implementation. The results indicate that the excessive debt level of enterprises has a hump trend after the implementation of the BRI. The excessive debt level of enterprises shows a hump trend—that is, although the excessive debt level of enterprises in the initial stage of the implementation of the BRI increases to a certain extent, showing a significant downward trend in the middle and later stages. By using the placebo test and DID propensity score matching model to alleviate the possible endogeneity problem, the above conclusion is still robust. The mechanism analysis shows that: during the implementation of the BRI, the government, and financial institutions have increased tax support for companies participating in the BRI, expanded corporate financing sources, reduce corporate financing costs, and increase companies’ demand for funds. As a result, the level of corporate debt has been increases. The conclusions of this paper not only provide micro-evidence for the interaction between the BRI and the micro-behavior of enterprises, but also have certain implications for evaluating the implementation effect of the BRI and subsequent reforms and refuting the “debt trap” of the “Belt and Road” construction from a microscopic perspective.
Using COP Model to Map the Vulnerability of Groundwater Wells Adjacent to Landfills
Authors: Assayed Almoayied , Talozi Samer , Ardah Rana , Alziq Nanci , Bataineh Siham , Alhushki Aisha
Published: December 2022

Protecting the quality of the groundwater is of the utmost importance, particularly in countries such as Jordan, where the groundwater comprises a significant portion of the total water resources. A groundwater vulnerability assessment is one of the viable preventive measures that is normally used to preserve this strategic water resource. Groundwater vulnerability maps provide information on the groundwater basins that are vulnerable to contamination, particularly those coming from the landfills, and thus, they can be used for sustainable land use planning. The general goal of this study was to map the groundwater vulnerability to contamination and evaluate the impact of landfills on the groundwater quality at five landfill sites in Jordan, i.e., Akaider, Al-Husaineyat, Madaba, Dair Alla, and Azraq by using a COP hydrogeological model. The COP method is an European approach for aquifer vulnerability in the karst regions. This method uses the parameters: C—Concentration of flow; O—Overlying layers; P—Precipitation. Unlike the other methods, the COP model allows for us to assess the impact of the karst systems if they exist. For the study area, daily rain records from three weather stations surrounding each landfill were used. Along with the vulnerability maps, Peizometric maps for Akaider, Azraq, Dair Alla, Madaba and Al-Husaineyat were produced that assisted in our efforts to determine the wells located in the upstream and downstream of each targeted landfill. The water quality was tested two times in the upstream and downstream wells of each targeted landfill to explore the potential impacts of the landfills on the groundwater wells. The developed vulnerability maps show that most of the lands surrounding the landfills’ areas, within a diameter of 15 km, are located in low to very low vulnerability areas, except for the Al-Husaineyat landfill in Mafraq where a significant part of it lies in a moderate vulnerability area across a fault section. Additionally, the results of the water analysis from the surrounding wells indicated that there was no clear evidence of the contamination of the groundwater resulting from surrounding landfills, which was in agreement with the produced vulnerability maps.
The Relationships between Tourism Destination Competitiveness, Empowerment, and Supportive Actions for Tourism
Authors: Ahn Young-joo , Bessiere Jeanne
Published: December 2022

This study examines the relationships between tourism destination competitiveness (TDC), empowerment, and support for tourism among residents. It also examines the role of empowerment as a mediator in the relationship between TDC and residents’ support for tourism. A total of 711 respondents were used. This study uses descriptive analysis, two-stage factor analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that seven antecedents of TDC, namely natural, cultural, contextual competitiveness, complementarity, accommodation, infrastructure, and technology, are identified. Psychological empowerment has most positive effects on five facets of destination competitiveness. The results reveal a mediation effect of empowerment between the destination competitiveness and resident supportive behaviors for tourism. The outcome of this proposed model is support for tourism, which means active supportive actions for tourism among residents. The psychological and economic empowerment dimensions are shown to have positive effects on resident support for tourism. Understanding residents’ empowerment and support can be useful for those who develop political policies and action plans for sustainable tourism development. The results can suggest a model for a sustainable destination management, increasing the global reputation of travel destination, and advocacy for sustainable development goals.
Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Authors: Li Meiyan , Ouyang Wen , Zhang Dayu
Published: December 2022

This study comprises 669 national and local traditional villages in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Using the ArcGIS software platform, the nearest neighbor index, coefficient of variation, and kernel density tools are used to describe the distribution density characteristics of traditional villages; the imbalance index method and the Gini coefficient are used to describe the equilibrium index of the distribution of traditional villages in municipalities and geographical subdivisions. This study demonstrates that Guangxi’s traditional villages are spatially distributed with “one main and two vices”. Traditional villages are unevenly concentrated in Guilin City and the northern parts of Hezhou and Liuzhou. They are geographically concentrated in the Yuecheng Ling mountain range and Guibei’s surrounding flat areas, Guizhong’s Shengtang Mountain range, and the Guidong’s alluvial river plains. Traditional villages are more prevalent in mountainous areas, and their construction and development take the water resources of rivers and flood protection into account. The research results of this paper have an important guiding significance for considering the internal rules of the spatial distribution of traditional villages in Guangxi, so as to provide some data support for the protection planning of traditional villages in Guangxi.
Technology in Nature—mDGBL as a Successful Approach to Promote Complex Contents?
Authors: Bengel Phillip T. , Peter Carina
Published: December 2022

The central challenges of our time mostly share a high level of complexity, which makes them unsolvable by single-perspective approaches. To offer adolescents the educational concepts that enable them to take various perspectives, comprehend, and finally deal constructively with these problems, innovative measures must be created. Additionally, the benefit of these measures must be shared equally by all learners, without being limited by their individual biographical or attitudinal characteristics. In this work, potential concepts were collected from geography education, technology education (TE), and education for sustainable development (ESD), and merged into a multi-perspective educational approach with mobile digital game-based learning (mDGBL) for the promotion of environmental and technology-related content. In the presented study, the accumulation of n = 94 Hessian students’ subject-specific knowledge (SSK) was evaluated in a comparative study with a control group, along with the potential influence of gender, age, and concept-related attitudes (CRA) in a longitudinal quantitative study. Firstly, in a study of this kind, in addition to the approach’s short-term success, the long-term effects on subject-specific knowledge were also tested. The results prove the full success of the innovative mDGBL intervention. There were strong immediate and long-lasting effects on participants’ SSK, measured right after and eight weeks after the intervention. It could be proven that, although there were partially significant gender differences in attitudes towards modern technologies, learning success was not influenced by gender, age, or any of the measured attitudinal dimensions.
Performance Assessment of Three Latent Heat Storage Designs for a Solar Hot Water Tank
Authors: Zakri Waleed , Mellouli Sofiene , Fageehi Yahya
Published: December 2022

Solar hot water tanks (SHWT) based on a latent heat storage system are gaining momentum for their integration into solar heater water collectors. They can efficiently store daytime solar thermal energy and shift on-peak period loads to off-peak periods. However, their performance is generally limited by the tank configuration, the design of the thermal storage system, and the selection of the appropriate phase change material (PCM). This work presents a numerical investigation of three SHWT-PCM storage designs. A mathematical model was developed to predict the effectiveness of the geometric design and operating conditions in the SHWT-PCM system. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis was performed on the PCM type and PCM thermo-physical properties. The obtained numerical results demonstrated that the energy efficiency of the SHWT-PCM system was significantly impacted by the PCM thermo-physical properties (melting temperature, thermal conductivity, and enthalpy). In addition, it was found that using encapsulated PCM tubes with an external PCM jacket in the SHWT can result in a thermal efficiency of 70%.
Gamification of Culture: A Strategy for Cultural Preservation and Local Sustainable Development
Authors: Wu Chi-Hua , Chao Yu-Lin , Xiong Jia-Ting , Luh Ding-Bang
Published: December 2022

In the dual context of the cultural economy and the creative economy, culture is considered a unique source of competitiveness, making culture preservation a vital issue for peripheral areas. In this paper, it is argued that gamification is a valuable strategy for developing cross-cultural designs. The unique advantages of games in cultural preservation and promotion for peripheral areas with limited institutional resources are further articulated. To illustrate this, a set of design principles was proposed and the distinctive boat-based (Tanka) culture in southern China was taken as an example. A case study was conducted based on document analysis of the history of the Tanka culture and field research on the Tanka settlements in the Humen New Bay area, showing the development process and thus demonstrating the possibility of promoting the preservation and sustainable development of culture in peripheral areas through gamification. After testing the proposed game, some adjustments were suggested. However, participants generally agreed that they learned some Tanka customs through the gameplay, indicating the effectiveness of the game in Tanka culture preservation. This research thus contributes to both theory and practice by providing theoretical background and early practice.
Investigating Important Elements That Affect Students’ Readiness for and Practical Use of Teaching Methods in Higher Education
Authors: Almulla Mohammed Abdullatif
Published: December 2022

In the classroom, blended learning is rising in popularity. The goal of this study was to investigate and assess the factors that affect students’ readiness for, perception of behavioral control over, attitudes toward, behavioral intention to use, and actual usage of blended learning in higher education. The researchers therefore set out to develop a novel model for assessing and investigating key factors that affect students’ readiness as well as their perceived behavioral control over their use of blended learning in higher education. The study involved 345 undergraduate and graduate students from King Faisal University. In order to analyze the research data, structural equation modeling was used (AMOS-SEM). (a) The students’ readiness for and perceived behavioral control of blended learning have a direct positive impact on students’ self-efficacy, motivation to learn, learning control, and learning autonomy; (b) The students’ readiness for and perceived behavioral control of blended learning have a direct positive impact on students’ attitude toward use and students’ behavioral intention to use blended learning; and (c) the students’ attitude toward blended learning has a direct positive impact on scholastic achievement. A validated instrument was created to examine and look into key factors that influence students’ willingness to accept blended learning in Saudi Arabian higher education as a result of the findings.
Construction of Novel Bright-Dark Solitons and Breather Waves of Unstable Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations with Applications
Authors: Sarwar Ambreen , Arshad Muhammad , Farman Muhammad , Akgül Ali , Ahmed Iftikhar , Bayram Mustafa , Rezapour Shahram , De la Sen Manuel
Published: December 2022

The unstable nonlinear Schrödinger equations (UNLSEs) are universal equations of the class of nonlinear integrable systems, which reveal the temporal changing of disruption in slightly stable and unstable media. In current paper, an improved auxiliary equation technique is proposed to obtain the wave results of UNLSE and modified UNLSE. Numerous varieties of results are generated in the mode of some special Jacobi elliptic functions and trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, many of which are distinctive and have significant applications such as pulse propagation in optical fibers. The exact soliton solutions also give information on the soliton interaction in unstable media. Furthermore, with the assistance of the suitable parameter values, various kinds of structures such as bright-dark, multi-wave structures, breather and kink-type solitons, and several periodic solitary waves are depicted that aid in the understanding of the physical interpretation of unstable nonlinear models. The various constructed solutions demonstrate the effectiveness of the suggested approach, which proves that the current technique may be applied to other nonlinear physical problems encountered in mathematical physics.
Adsorption Characteristics of Indigenous Chromium-Resistant Aspergillus niger Strain Isolated from Red Soil for Remediation of Toxic Chromium in Red Soil Environments
Authors: Xu Jiwei , Li Lumeng , Wang Huabin , Gao Zhanyuan , Wang Chuanshu , Sun Rong , Zhang Yong , Xu Wumei , Hou Xiying , Xu Rui
Published: December 2022

The microbial treatment of soil has great potential to reduce chromium pollution. Here, an indigenous chromium-resistant Aspergillus niger strain (A1) was isolated and screened from heavily chromium-contaminated red soil in Yunnan Province, China using a traditional isolation method and a selective culture experiment. The molecular identification of A1 was achieved using 18S rRNA sequencing. The tolerance of the strain to toxic chromium was evaluated through pure laboratory culture. The adsorption effect and mechanism of A1 on chromium in red soil were further studied. The study concluded that A1 exhibited strong activity with exposure to 500 mg·L−1 Cr6+. Chromium adsorption by A. niger occurred mainly through intracellular metabolism, surface complexations with EPS, and chemical reduction with -C=C-, -OXuH, NH2, and -C=0. The optimized results showed that A1 had the best Cr6+ removal effect at pH 4, 40 °C, and a 60 h culture time. Compared with the inoculating of exogenous microbial agents, after inoculating A1 into the chromium-contaminated red soil, Cr6+ content was significantly reduced, and the high-toxicity chromium state (water-soluble and exchange states) decreased, whereas the low-toxicity chromium state (precipitation and residue states) increased. The results of red soil ITS also showed that the inoculation of indigenous microorganisms can better colonize the red soil. This study proves the feasibility of the application of indigenous A. niger to address red soil chromium pollution and provides a new idea and theoretical support for red soil remediation.
The Relationship between Typical Environmental Endocrine Disruptors and Kidney Disease
Authors: Zhang Xing , Flaws Jodi A. , Spinella Michael J. , Irudayaraj Joseph
Published: December 2022

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that alter the endocrine function of an organism, to result in adverse effects on growth and development, metabolism, and reproductive function. The kidney is one of the most important organs in the urinary system and an accumulation point. Studies have shown that EDCs can cause proteinuria, affect glomeruli and renal tubules, and even lead to diabetes and renal fibrosis in animal and human studies. In this review, we discuss renal accumulation of select EDCs such as dioxins, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenol A (BPA), and phthalates, and delineate how exposures to such EDCs cause renal lesions and diseases, including cancer. The regulation of typical EDCs with specific target genes and the activation of related pathways are summarized.
Occurrence and Dietary Exposure Assessment to Enniatin B through Consumption of Cereal-Based Products in Spain and the Catalonia Region
Authors: Gallardo Jose A. , Marín Sonia , Ramos Antonio J. , Cano-Sancho German , Sanchis Vicente
Published: December 2022

Enniatin B (ENNB) is a mycotoxin produced by moulds from the Fusarium genera and its toxic effects are still not fully elucidated, hence a safe reference exposure value has not been established yet. ENNB is the most prevalent emerging mycotoxin and is widely found in cereal-based products, nevertheless, there are no comprehensive exposure assessment studies. For that reason, the aim of this study was to characterise the occurrence of ENNB and estimate the exposure of the Spanish and Catalan populations. A total of 347 cereal-based products were collected in 2019 and were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Consumption data were obtained from the national food consumption surveys (ENALIA) and a regional survey conducted in Catalonia. The global exposure was estimated using deterministic and probabilistic methods. The results showed a high occurrence of close to 100% in all foodstuffs, with a range from 6 to 269 µg/kg, and a strong correlation with the levels of deoxynivalenol. Children aged one–nine years were the most exposed, showing mean estimates in the range 308–324 ng/kg bw/day and 95th percentiles 697–781 ng/kg bw/day. This study stresses the need for further toxicological data to establish reference doses and conclude formal risk assessment, accounting for the co-occurrence with deoxynivalenol.
Quantum Hairy Black Hole Formation and Horizon Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Cavalcanti Rogerio Teixeira , da Silva Julio Marny Hoff
Published: December 2022

After introducing the gravitational decoupling method and the hairy black hole recently derived from it, we investigate the formation of quantum hairy black holes by applying the horizon quantum mechanics formalism. It enables us to determine how external fields, characterized by hairy parameters, affect the probability of spherically symmetric black hole formation and the generalized uncertainty principle.
Are Soil and Geology Characteristics Considered in Urban Planning? An Empirical Study in Izmir (Türkiye)
Authors: Salata Stefano , Uzelli Taygun
Published: December 2022

It is well acknowledged that sustainable soil management can play a crucial role in reducing the vulnerability of urban areas, but are soil characteristics properly evaluated in the decision-making process concerning urbanization? Within this work, we conducted an analysis of the land-use change trends in the city of Izmir (Turkey). We made an extended and detailed analysis of the urbanization processes between 2012 and 2018 in a geographic information system environment (Esri ArcGIS 10.8.1 and ArcGIS Pro 3.0). Then, we superimposed by spatial overlay different soil characteristics: land capability, hydraulic conductibility, soil groups, and fault lines. We discovered that although there is a joint agreement on soil and its geological importance in reducing urban vulnerabilities to flooding, urban heat islands, agricultural production, or earthquakes, there is scarce knowledge of its characteristics to inform land-use planning. This work sheds some light on how newly developed areas are planned without proper consideration of soil properties, following a fuzzy and irrational logic in their distribution. Results encourage the utilization and inclusion of soil knowledge to support the decision-making process concerning urban transformation to achieve more resilient and less vulnerable urban systems.
Should SVGp12 Be Used for JC Polyomavirus Studies? Comment on Prezioso et al. COS-7 and SVGp12 Cellular Models to Study JCPyV Replication and MicroRNA Expression after Infection with Archetypal and Rearranged-NCCR Viral Strains. Viruses 2022, 14, 2070
Authors: Henriksen Stian , Rinaldo Christine Hanssen
Published: December 2022

A recent paper in Viruses investigates the impact of the JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) microRNA on the replication of different JCPyV strains. Unfortunately, one of the cell lines used, the human fetal glial cell line SVGp12, is productively infected by the closely related BK polyomavirus (BKPyV), which may confound results. Scientists need to take this into account and the potential pitfalls.
HLA-A, HSPA5, IGFBP5 and PSMA2 Are Restriction Factors for Zika Virus Growth in Astrocytic Cells
Authors: Sher Affan A. , Lao Ying Tenny , Coombs Kevin M.
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: Zika virus (ZIKV), an arbo-flavivirus, is transmitted via Aeges aegyptii mosquitoes Following its major outbreaks in 2013, 2014 and 2016, WHO declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Symptoms of ZIKV infection include acute fever, conjunctivitis, headache, muscle & joint pain and malaise. Cases of its transmission also have been reported via perinatal, sexual and transfusion transmission. ZIKV pathologies include meningo-encephalitis and myelitis in the central nervous system (CNS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome and acute transient polyneuritis in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Drugs like azithromycin have been tested as inhibitors of ZIKV infection but no vaccines or treatments are currently available. Astrocytes are the most abundant cells in the CNS and among the first cells in CNS infected by ZIKV; (2) Methods: We previously used SOMAScan proteomics to study ZIKV-infected astrocytic cells. Here, we use mass spectrometric analyses to further explain dysregulations in the cellular expression profile of glioblastoma astrocytoma U251 cells. We also knocked down (KD) some of the U251 cellular proteins using siRNAs and observed the impact on ZIKV replication and infectivity; (3) Results & Conclusions: The top ZIKV dysregulated cellular networks were antimicrobial response, cell death, and energy production while top dysregulated functions were antigen presentation, viral replication and cytopathic impact. Th1 and interferon signaling pathways were among the top dysregulated canonical pathways. siRNA-mediated KD of HLA-A, IGFBP5, PSMA2 and HSPA5 increased ZIKV titers and protein synthesis, indicating they are ZIKV restriction factors. ZIKV infection also restored HLA-A expression in HLA-A KD cells by 48 h post-infection, suggesting interactions between this gene product and ZIKV.
Smallpox, Monkeypox and Other Human Orthopoxvirus Infections
Authors: Shchelkunova Galina A. , Shchelkunov Sergei N.
Published: December 2022

Considering that vaccination against smallpox with live vaccinia virus led to serious adverse effects in some cases, the WHO, after declaration of the global eradication of smallpox in 1980, strongly recommended to discontinue the vaccination in all countries. This led to the loss of immunity against not only smallpox but also other zoonotic orthopoxvirus infections in humans over the past years. An increasing number of human infections with zoonotic orthopoxviruses and, first of all, monkeypox, force us to reconsider a possible re-emergence of smallpox or a similar disease as a result of natural evolution of these viruses. The review contains a brief analysis of the results of studies on genomic organization and evolution of human pathogenic orthopoxviruses, development of modern methods for diagnosis, vaccination, and chemotherapy of smallpox, monkeypox, and other zoonotic human orthopoxvirus infections.
Laboratory-Based SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain Serologic Assays Perform with Equivalent Sensitivity and Specificity to Commercial FDA-EUA Approved Tests
Authors: Nehring Mary , Pugh Sierra , Dihle Tina , Gallichotte Emily , Nett Terry , Weber Eric , Mayo Christie , Lynn Lori , Ebel Greg , Fosdick Bailey K. , VandeWoude Sue
Published: December 2022

During early phases of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, many research laboratories repurposed their efforts towards developing diagnostic testing that could aid public health surveillance while commercial and public diagnostic laboratories developed capacity and validated large scale testing methods. Simultaneously, the rush to produce point-of-care and diagnostic facility testing resulted in FDA Emergency Use Authorization with scarce and poorly validated clinical samples. Here, we review serologic test results from 186 serum samples collected in early phases of the pandemic (May 2020) from skilled nursing facilities tested with six laboratory-based and two commercially available assays. Serum neutralization titers were used to set cut-off values using positive to negative ratio (P/N) analysis to account for batch effects. We found that laboratory-based receptor binding domain (RBD) binding assays had equivalent or superior sensitivity and specificity compared to commercially available tests. We also determined seroconversion rate and compared with qPCR outcomes. Our work suggests that research laboratory assays can contribute reliable surveillance information and should be considered important adjuncts to commercial laboratory testing facilities during early phases of disease outbreaks.
Effects of Continuous LPS Induction on Oxidative Stress and Liver Injury in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Zhou Yunxiao , Hu Xiaofen , Zhong Shengwei , Yu Wanting , Wang Jue , Zhu Wenlu , Yang Tingyu , Zhao Guotong , Jiang Yijie , Li Yong
Published: December 2022

Due to imperfections in their immune and digestive systems, weaned piglets are susceptible to invasions of the external environment and diseases, especially bacterial infections, which lead to slow growth, tissue damage, and even the death of piglets. Here, a model of weaned piglets induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was established to explore the effects of continuous low-dose LPS induction on the mechanism of liver injury. A total of forty-eight healthy 28-day-old weaned piglets (weight = 6.65 ± 1.19 kg) were randomly divided into two groups: the CON group and LPS group. During the experimental period of thirteen days, the LPS group was injected intraperitoneally with LPS (100 μg/kg) once per day, and the CON group was treated with the same volume of 0.9% NaCl solution. On the 1st, 5th, 9th, and 13th days, the serum and liver of the piglets were collected for the determination of serum biochemical indexes, an antioxidant capacity evaluation, and histopathological examinations. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of the TLR4 pathway and inflammatory cytokines were detected. The results showed that the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the serum increased after LPS induction. The activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the serum and liver homogenate of the LPS group were lower than those of the CON group, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the serum and the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver of the LPS group were higher than those in the CON group. At the same time, morphological impairment of the livers occurred, including hepatocyte caryolysis, hepatocyte vacuolization, karyopycnosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration, and the mRNA expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were upregulated in the livers after LPS induction. The above results were more obvious on the 1st and 5th days of LPS induction, while the trend during the later period was not significant. It was concluded that the oxidative stress and liver injury occurred at the early stage of LPS induction, while the liver damage weakened at the later stage. The weaned piglets probably gradually developed tolerance to the endotoxin after the continuous low-dose induction of LPS.
Risk-Informed Design of RCC Dams under Extreme Seismic Loading
Authors: Ferguson Keith A.
Published: December 2022

The existing Scoggins Dam and reservoir are in Washington County, Oregon, and the title is held by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). Reclamation has previously identified dam safety concerns related to the existing embankment dam. Regional project sponsors, including Clean Water Services, have identified the need for expanded storage capacity in the reservoir to meet growing water demands and address water quality issues in the Tualatin River downstream of the dam. As part of efforts to resolve dam safety issues and increase the water storage in the reservoir, a comprehensive feasibility level design of a new 185-foot-high Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) dam. Extraordinary seismic hazards have been identified in the region associated with the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ). Further, any dam alternative carried forward for funding, final design, and construction will have to meet the Public Protection Guidelines (PPG) of Reclamation that require a formal quantitative risk analysis. A risk-informed design approach was adopted to configure the layout and cross-section properties of the dam. A multi-phase site characterization program and preliminary RCC mix design program were performed to support the design. In addition, models were developed, and an extensive suite of both (two-dimensional) 2D and (three-dimensional) 3D structural analyses were performed for seismic loadings with total durations of over 200 s, strong shaking of over 140 s, and peak ground accelerations of over 2 gravitational accelerations (g) (up to 50,000-year return period event). This paper describes the feasibility design configuration of the dam, including the seismic hazard characterization, structural analysis models, and seismic response modeling results. The expected performance of the dam relative to the risk-informed design criteria and Reclamation PPGs will be generally described.
Groundwater Vulnerability and Potentially Toxic Elements Associated with the Iron Mining District of Ouixane (Northeast of Morocco)
Authors: Khafouri Azzeddine , Talbi El Hassan , Abdelouas Abdessalam , Benjmel Khalid , Antunes Isabel Margarida Horta Ribeiro , Abioui Mohamed
Published: December 2022

This study aims to investigate the groundwater vulnerability concerning potentially toxic elements in the vicinity of the abandoned iron mine of Ouixane (Morocco). A modified DRASTIC method (DRSTI) is proposed with satisfactory results. High vulnerability zones represent 40% of the study area, while medium and low vulnerability represent, respectively, 42% and 18% of the study area. These results have been validated by groundwater geochemical analyses of potentially toxic elements carried out in the framework of previous studies in the same area. Thus, the superposition of the waste rock and tailings map with the vulnerability map showed that the latter is located in areas of high to medium vulnerability and therefore constitutes the main cause of the deterioration of the geochemical quality of groundwater. Otherwise, the vulnerability method showed that the main parameters that significantly affect the vulnerability are: the depth of water (D), net recharge (R), and the unsaturated zone (I), while the other parameters do not significantly affect the model used and do not have much influence on the results of the vulnerability assessment. The method used allowed us to locate the most vulnerable areas to potentially metallic toxic elements pollution resulting from the abandoned iron mine of Ouixane, and it constitutes a tool for decision support and for developing effective action plans to mitigate and monitor the effects of the transfer of potentially toxic elements pollution to groundwater.