bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Risk Assessment in Construction Disputes Based on Machine Learning Tools
Authors: Anysz Hubert , Apollo Magdalena , Grzyl Beata
Published: April 2021

A high monetary value of the construction projects is one of the reasons of frequent disputes between a general contractor (GC) and a client. A construction site is a unique, one-time, and single-product factory with many parties involved and dependent on each other. The organizational dependencies and their complexity make any fault or mistake propagate and influence the final result (delays, cost overruns). The constant will of the parties involved results in completing a construction object. The cost increase, over the expected level, may cause settlements between parties difficult and lead to disputes that often finish in a court. Such decision of taking a client to a court may influence the future relations with a client, the trademark of the GC, as well as, its finance. To ascertain the correctness of the decision of this kind, the machine learning tools as decision trees (DT) and artificial neural networks (ANN) are applied to predict the result of a dispute. The dataset of about 10 projects completed by an undisclosed contractor is analyzed. Based on that, a much bigger database is simulated for automated classifications onto the following two classes: a dispute won or lost. The accuracy of over 93% is achieved, and the reasoning based on results from DT and ANN is presented and analyzed. The novelty of the article is the usage of in-company data as the independent variables what makes the model tailored for a specific GC. Secondly, the calculation of the risk of wrong decisions based on machine learning tools predictions is introduced and discussed.
A Flexible Extension to an Extreme Distribution
Authors: Eliwa Mohamed S. , Alshammari Fahad Sameer , Abualnaja Khadijah M. , El-Morshedy Mahmoud
Published: April 2021

The aim of this paper is not only to propose a new extreme distribution, but also to show that the new extreme model can be used as an alternative to well-known distributions in the literature to model various kinds of datasets in different fields. Several of its statistical properties are explored. It is found that the new extreme model can be utilized for modeling both asymmetric and symmetric datasets, which suffer from over- and under-dispersed phenomena. Moreover, the hazard rate function can be constant, increasing, increasing–constant, or unimodal shaped. The maximum likelihood method is used to estimate the model parameters based on complete and censored samples. Finally, a significant amount of simulations was conducted along with real data applications to illustrate the use of the new extreme distribution.
Zinc, Zinc Transporters, and Cadmium Cytotoxicity in a Cell Culture Model of Human Urothelium
Authors: Satarug Soisungwan , Garrett Scott H. , Somji Seema , Sens Mary Ann , Sens Donald A.
Published: April 2021

We explored the potential role of zinc (Zn) and zinc transporters in protection against cytotoxicity of cadmium (Cd) in a cell culture model of human urothelium, named UROtsa. We used real-time qRT-PCR to quantify transcript levels of 19 Zn transporters of the Zrt-/Irt-like protein (ZIP) and ZnT gene families that were expressed in UROtsa cells and were altered by Cd exposure. Cd as low as 0.1 µM induced expression of ZnT1, known to mediate efflux of Zn and Cd. Loss of cell viability by 57% was seen 24 h after exposure to 2.5 µM Cd. Exposure to 2.5 µM Cd together with 10–50 µM Zn prevented loss of cell viability by 66%. Pretreatment of the UROtsa cells with an inhibitor of glutathione biosynthesis (buthionine sulfoximine) diminished ZnT1 induction by Cd with a resultant increase in sensitivity to Cd cytotoxicity. Conversely, pretreatment of UROtsa cells with an inhibitor of DNA methylation, 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (aza-dC) did not change the extent of ZnT1 induction by Cd. The induced expression of ZnT1 that remained impervious in cells treated with aza-dC coincided with resistance to Cd cytotoxicity. Therefore, expression of ZnT1 efflux transporter and Cd toxicity in UROtsa cells could be modulated, in part, by DNA methylation and glutathione biosynthesis. Induced expression of ZnT1 may be a viable mechanistic approach to mitigating cytotoxicity of Cd.
Electrical Stimulation of Injected Muscles to Boost Botulinum Toxin Effect on Spasticity: Rationale, Systematic Review and State of the Art
Authors: Picelli Alessandro , Filippetti Mirko , Sandrini Giorgio , Tassorelli Cristina , De Icco Roberto , Smania Nicola , Tamburin Stefano
Published: April 2021

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) represents a first-line treatment for spasticity, a common disabling consequence of many neurological diseases. Electrical stimulation of motor nerve endings has been reported to boost the effect of BoNT-A. To date, a wide range of stimulation protocols has been proposed in the literature. We conducted a systematic review of current literature on the protocols of electrical stimulation to boost the effect of BoNT-A injection in patients with spasticity. A systematic search using the MeSH terms “electric stimulation”, “muscle spasticity” and “botulinum toxins” and strings “electric stimulation [mh] OR electrical stimulation AND muscle spasticity [mh] OR spasticity AND botulinum toxins [mh] OR botulinum toxin type A” was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, PEDro and Cochrane library electronic databases. Full-text articles written in English and published from database inception to March 2021 were included. Data on patient characteristics, electrical stimulation protocols and outcome measures were collected. This systematic review provides a complete overview of current literature on the role of electrical stimulation to boost the effect of BoNT-A injection for spasticity, together with a critical discussion on its rationale based on the neurobiology of BoNT-A uptake.
Quality Assessment of an Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System in a Province of Nepal
Authors: Acharya Jyoti , Zolfo Maria , Enbiale Wendemagegn , Kyaw Khine Wut Yee , Bhattachan Meika , Rijal Nisha , Shrestha Anjana , Shrestha Basudha , Madhup Surendra Kumar , Raghubanshi Bijendra Raj , Kattel Hari Prasad , Rajbhandari Piyush , Bhandari Parmananda , Thakur Subhash , Sharma Saroj , Singh Dipendra Raman , Jha Runa
Published: April 2021

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem, and Nepal is no exception. Countries are expected to report annually to the World Health Organization on their AMR surveillance progress through a Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System, in which Nepal enrolled in 2017. We assessed the quality of AMR surveillance data during 2019–2020 at nine surveillance sites in Province 3 of Nepal for completeness, consistency, and timeliness and examined barriers for non-reporting sites. Here, we present the results of this cross-sectional descriptive study of secondary AMR data from five reporting sites and barriers identified through a structured questionnaire completed by representatives at the five reporting and four non-reporting sites. Among the 1584 records from the reporting sites assessed for consistency and completeness, 77–92% were consistent and 88–100% were complete, with inter-site variation. Data from two sites were received by the 15th day of the following month, whereas receipt was delayed by a mean of 175 days at three other sites. All four non-reporting sites lacked dedicated data personnel, and two lacked computers. The AMR surveillance data collection process needs improvement in completeness, consistency, and timeliness. Non-reporting sites need support to meet the specific requirements for data compilation and sharing.
Epidemiology of West Nile Virus Infections in Humans, Italy, 2012–2020: A Summary of Available Evidences
Authors: Riccò Matteo , Peruzzi Simona , Balzarini Federica
Published: April 2021

In Italy, human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection have been recorded since 2008, and seasonal outbreaks have occurred almost annually. In this study, we summarize available evidences on the epidemiology of WNV and West Nile neuro-invasive disease (WNND) in humans reported between 2012 and 2020. In total, 1145 WNV infection cases were diagnosed; of them 487 (42.5%) had WNND. A significant circulation of the pathogen was suggested by studies on blood donors, with annual incidence rates ranging from 1.353 (95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 0.279–3.953) to 19.069 cases per 100,000 specimens (95% CI 13.494–26.174). The annual incidence rates of WNND increased during the study period from 0.047 cases per 100,000 (95% CI 0.031–0.068) in 2012, to 0.074 cases per 100,000 (95% CI 0.054–0.099) in 2020, peaking to 0.377 cases per 100,000 (95% CI 0.330–0.429) in 2018. There were 60 deaths. Cases of WNND were clustered in Northern Italy, particularly in the Po River Valley, during the months of August (56.7%) and September (27.5%). Higher risk for WNND was reported in subjects of male sex (risk ratio (RR) 1.545, 95% CI 1.392–1.673 compared to females), and in older age groups (RR 24.46, 95% CI 15.61–38.32 for 65–74 y.o.; RR 43.7, 95% CI 28.33–67.41 for subjects older than 75 years), while main effectors were identified in average air temperatures (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.3219, 95% CI 1.0053–1.7383), population density (IRR 1.0004, 95% CI 1.0001–1.0008), and occurrence of cases in the nearby provinces (IRR 1.0442, 95% CI 1.0340–1.0545). In summary, an enhanced surveillance is vital for the early detection of human cases and the prompt implementation of response measures.
Oral Rabies Vaccination of Small Indian Mongooses (Urva auropunctata) with ONRAB via Ultralite Baits
Authors: Berentsen Are , Leinbach Israel , Rivera-Rodriguez Mel , Gilbert Amy
Published: April 2021

The Ontario Rabies Vaccine (ONRAB) is a human adenovirus rabies glycoprotein recombinant oral vaccine immunogenic for small Indian mongooses when delivered by direct instillation into the oral cavity. We offered Ultralite baits containing ~1.8 mL 109.5 TCID50 ONRAB oral rabies vaccine to 18 mongooses, while 6 mongooses were offered identical baits in placebo form. We collected sera from individual mongooses at days 0, 14 and 30 post vaccination (pv) and quantified rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (RVNA) using the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test, with titers greater than or equal to 0.1 IU/mL considered positive. All study subjects were RVNA negative prior to bait offering. Bait consumption was variable: all 6 sham and 13 of 18 (72%) treatment animals consumed/punctured the baits offered. By day 30 pv, RVNA were detected among 11 of 13 (84.6%) of treatment mongooses that consumed/punctured baits, whereas sham-vaccinated mongooses remained RVNA negative throughout the study. We conclude ONRAB is immunogenic for mongooses by Ultralite bait delivery, although the bait design may need further optimization.
Molecular Detection and Characterization of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus and Porcine Aichivirus C Coinfection in México
Authors: García-Hernández Montserrat-Elemi , Trujillo-Ortega María-Elena , Alcaraz-Estrada Sofía-Lizbeth , Lozano-Aguirre-Beltrán Luis , Sandoval-Jaime Carlos , Taboada-Ramírez Blanca Itzel , Sarmiento-Silva Rosa-Elena
Published: April 2021

Swine enteric viral infections are responsible for substantial economic losses in the pork industry worldwide. Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PEDV) is one of the main causative agents of diarrhea in lactating pigs, and reports of PEDV coinfection with other enteric viruses highlight the importance of viral interactions for disease presentation and outcomes. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and sequence analyses from samples taken from piglets with acute diarrhea, we explored the possible interactions between PEDV and other less reported pathogens. PEDV coinfection with porcine kobuvirus (PKV) was detected in 36.4% (27/74) of samples. Full genomes from porcine coronavirus and kobuvirus were obtained, as was a partial porcine sapovirus genome (PSaV). The phylogenetic results show the clustering of these strains corresponding to the geographical relationship. To our knowledge, this is the first full genome and isolation report for porcine kobuvirus in México, as well as the first phylogenetic analysis for porcine sapovirus in the country. The NGS approach provides a better perspective of circulating viruses and other pathogens in affected production units.
First Report of Phodopus sungorus Papillomavirus Type 1 Infection in Roborovski Hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii)
Authors: Gimpelj Domjanič Grega , Hošnjak Lea , Lunar Maja M. , Skubic Lucijan , Zorec Tomaž Mark , Račnik Joško , Cigler Blaž , Poljak Mario
Published: April 2021

Papillomaviruses (PVs) are considered highly species-specific with cospeciation as the main driving force in their evolution. However, a recent increase in the available PV genome sequences has revealed inconsistencies in virus–host phylogenies, which could be explained by adaptive radiation, recombination, host-switching events and a broad PV host range. Unfortunately, with a relatively low number of animal PVs characterized, understanding these incongruities remains elusive. To improve knowledge of biology and the spread of animal PV, we collected 60 swabs of the anogenital and head and neck regions from a healthy colony of 30 Roborovski hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii) and detected PVs in 44/60 (73.3%) hamster samples. This is the first report of PV infection in Roborovski hamsters. Moreover, Phodopus sungorus papillomavirus type 1 (PsuPV1), previously characterized in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus), was the only PV detected in Roborovski hamsters. In addition, after a detailed literature search, review and summary of published evidence and construction of a tanglegram linking the cladograms of PVs and their hosts, our findings were discussed in the context of available knowledge on PVs described in at least two different host species.
Organization of the Structural Protein Region of La Jolla Virus Isolated from the Invasive Pest Insect Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Carrau Tessa , Lamp Benjamin , Reuscher Carina M. , Vilcinskas Andreas , Lee Kwang-Zin
Published: April 2021

Drosophila suzukii (Ds) is an invasive pest insect that infests ripening fruit, causing severe economic losses. Control measures based on chemical pesticides are inefficient and undesirable, so biological alternatives have been considered, including native Ds viruses. We previously isolated a strain of La Jolla virus (LJV-Ds-OS20) from Ds in Germany as a candidate biopesticide. Here we characterized the new strain in detail, focusing on the processing of its capsid proteins. We tested LJV growth during Ds development to optimize virus production, and established a laboratory production system using adult flies. This system was suitable for the preparation of virions for detailed analysis. The LJV-Ds-OS20 isolate was cloned by limiting dilution and the complete nucleotide sequence was determined as a basis for protein analysis. The terminal segments of the virus genome were completed by RACE-PCR. LJV virions were also purified by CsCl gradient centrifugation and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and electron microscopy. The capsid proteins of purified LJV virions were resolved by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE for N-terminal sequencing and peptide mass fingerprinting. The N-terminal sequences of VP1 and VP2, together with MS data representing several capsid proteins, allowed us to develop a model for the organization of the LJV structural protein region. This may facilitate the development of new viral strains as biopesticides.
Accessible LAMP-Enabled Rapid Test (ALERT) for Detecting SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Bektaş Ali , Covington Michael F. , Aidelberg Guy , Arce Anibal , Matute Tamara , Núñez Isaac , Walsh Julia , Boutboul David , Delaugerre Constance , Lindner Ariel B. , Federici Fernán , Jayaprakash Anitha D.
Published: April 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted bottlenecks in large-scale, frequent testing of populations for infections. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic tests are expensive, reliant on centralized labs, can take days to deliver results, and are prone to backlogs and supply shortages. Antigen tests that bind and detect the surface proteins of a virus are rapid and scalable but suffer from high false negative rates. To address this problem, an inexpensive, simple, and robust 60-minute do-it-yourself (DIY) workflow to detect viral RNA from nasal swabs or saliva with high sensitivity (0.1 to 2 viral particles/μL) and specificity (>97% true negative rate) utilizing reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) was developed. ALERT (Accessible LAMP-Enabled Rapid Test) incorporates the following features: (1) increased shelf-life and ambient temperature storage, compared to liquid reaction mixes, by using wax layers to isolate enzymes from other reagents; (2) improved specificity compared to other LAMP end-point reporting methods, by using sequence-specific QUASR (quenching of unincorporated amplification signal reporters); (3) increased sensitivity, compared to methods without purification through use of a magnetic wand to enable pipette-free concentration of sample RNA and cell debris removal; (4) quality control with a nasopharyngeal-specific mRNA target; and (5) co-detection of other respiratory viruses, such as influenza B, by multiplexing QUASR-modified RT-LAMP primer sets. The flexible nature of the ALERT workflow allows easy, at-home and point-of-care testing for individuals and higher-throughput processing for labs and hospitals. With minimal effort, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific primer sets can be swapped out for other targets to repurpose ALERT to detect other viruses, microorganisms, or nucleic acid-based markers.
High Incidence of Zika or Chikungunya Infection among Pregnant Women Hospitalized Due to Obstetrical Complications in Northeastern Brazil—Implications for Laboratory Screening in Arbovirus Endemic Area
Authors: Jacques Iracema J. A. A. , Katz Leila , Sena Marília A. , Guimarães Ana B. G. , Silva Yasmim L. , Albuquerque Gabriela D. M. , Pereira Raisa O. , de Albuquerque Camila A. M. C. , Silva Maria Almerice L. , Oliveira Paula A. S. , Albuquerque Maria de Fátima P. M. , Cordeiro Marli T. , Marques Ernesto T. A. , França Rafael F. O. , Martelli Celina M. T. , Castanha Priscila M. S. , Braga Cynthia
Published: April 2021

The diagnostic of arbovirus-related obstetric complications in high-risk pregnancy and childbirth care is challenging, especially in endemic areas. We conducted a prospective study to track active or recent Zika (ZIKV), dengue (DENV), or chikungunya (CHIKV) virus infection among hospitalized pregnant women (PW) with obstetric complications in a hospital at the epicenter of Zika outbreak and ZIKV-related microcephaly in Brazil. Clinical data and blood samples were collected at enrollment and 10 days after the admission of study participants, between October 2018 and May 2019. Further clinical data were extracted from medical records. Samples were screened by molecular and serological tests. Out of 780 participants, 93.1% (95% CI: 91.1–94.7%) presented previous DENV exposure (IgG). ZIKV, CHIKV, and/or DENV laboratory markers of recent or active infection were detected in 130 PW, yielding a prevalence of 16.6% (95% CI: 14.2–19.5%); 9.4% (95% CI: 7.4–11.7%), 7.4% (95% CI: 5.7–9.7%), and 0.38% (95% CI: 0.1–1.2%) of CHIKV, ZIKV, and DENV infections, respectively. Most ZIKV infections were detected by molecular assays (89.6%), while CHIKV infections were detected by serology (95.9%). Our findings highlight the need for arbovirus infections screening in PW with obstetrical complications, potentially associated to these infections in endemic areas regardless of the signs or symptoms suggestive of arboviral disease.
Hemagglutinin Stability and Its Impact on Influenza A Virus Infectivity, Pathogenicity, and Transmissibility in Avians, Mice, Swine, Seals, Ferrets, and Humans
Authors: Russell Charles J.
Published: April 2021

Genetically diverse influenza A viruses (IAVs) circulate in wild aquatic birds. From this reservoir, IAVs sporadically cause outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics in wild and domestic avians, wild land and sea mammals, horses, canines, felines, swine, humans, and other species. One molecular trait shown to modulate IAV host range is the stability of the hemagglutinin (HA) surface glycoprotein. The HA protein is the major antigen and during virus entry, this trimeric envelope glycoprotein binds sialic acid-containing receptors before being triggered by endosomal low pH to undergo irreversible structural changes that cause membrane fusion. The HA proteins from different IAV isolates can vary in the pH at which HA protein structural changes are triggered, the protein causes membrane fusion, or outside the cell the virion becomes inactivated. HA activation pH values generally range from pH 4.8 to 6.2. Human-adapted HA proteins tend to have relatively stable HA proteins activated at pH 5.5 or below. Here, studies are reviewed that report HA stability values and investigate the biological impact of variations in HA stability on replication, pathogenicity, and transmissibility in experimental animal models. Overall, a stabilized HA protein appears to be necessary for human pandemic potential and should be considered when assessing human pandemic risk.
Screening of Bacteriophage Encoded Toxic Proteins with a Next Generation Sequencing-Based Assay
Authors: Kasurinen Jutta , Spruit Cindy M. , Wicklund Anu , Pajunen Maria I. , Skurnik Mikael
Published: April 2021

Bacteriophage vB_EcoM_fHy-Eco03 (fHy-Eco03 for short) was isolated from a sewage sample based on its ability to infect an Escherichia coli clinical blood culture isolate. Altogether, 32 genes encoding hypothetical proteins of unknown function (HPUFs) were identified from the genomic sequence of fHy-Eco03. The HPUFs were screened for toxic properties (toxHPUFs) with a novel, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based approach. This approach identifies toxHPUF-encoding genes through comparison of gene-specific read coverages in DNA from pooled ligation mixtures before electroporation and pooled transformants after electroporation. The performance and reliability of the NGS screening assay was compared with a plating efficiency-based method, and both methods identified the fHy-Eco03 gene g05 product as toxic. While the outcomes of the two screenings were highly similar, the NGS screening assay outperformed the plating efficiency assay in both reliability and efficiency. The NGS screening assay can be used as a high throughput method in the search for new phage-inspired antimicrobial molecules.
Influenza Vaccination and COVID-19 Mortality in the USA: An Ecological Study
Authors: Zanettini Claudio , Omar Mohamed , Dinalankara Wikum , Imada Eddie Luidy , Colantuoni Elizabeth , Parmigiani Giovanni , Marchionni Luigi
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 mortality rate is higher in the elderly and in those with pre-existing chronic medical conditions. The elderly also suffer from increased morbidity and mortality from seasonal influenza infections; thus, an annual influenza vaccination is recommended for them. In this study, we explore a possible county-level association between influenza vaccination coverage in people aged 65 years and older and the number of deaths from COVID-19. To this end, we used COVID-19 data up to 14 December 2020 and US population health data at the county level. We fit quasi-Poisson regression models using influenza vaccination coverage in the elderly population as the independent variable and the COVID-19 mortality rate as the outcome variable. We adjusted for an array of potential confounders using different propensity score regression methods. Results show that, on the county level, influenza vaccination coverage in the elderly population is negatively associated with mortality from COVID-19, using different methodologies for confounding adjustment. These findings point to the need for studying the relationship between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 mortality at the individual level to investigate any underlying biological mechanisms.
Designing a SARS-CoV-2 T-Cell-Inducing Vaccine for High-Risk Patient Groups
Authors: Rammensee Hans-Georg , Gouttefangeas Cécile , Heidu Sonja , Klein Reinhild , Preuß Beate , Walz Juliane , Nelde Annika , Haen Sebastian , Reth Michael , Yang Jianying , Tabatabai Ghazaleh , Bösmüller Hans , Hoffmann Helen , Schindler Michael , Planz Oliver , Wiesmüller Karl-Heinz , Löffler Markus
Published: April 2021

We describe the results of two vaccinations of a self-experimenting healthy volunteer with SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides performed in March and April 2020, respectively. The first set of peptides contained eight peptides predicted to bind to the individual’s HLA molecules. The second set consisted of ten peptides predicted to bind promiscuously to several HLA-DR allotypes. The vaccine formulation contained the new TLR 1/2 agonist XS15 and was administered as an emulsion in Montanide as a single subcutaneous injection. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from blood drawn before and after vaccinations were assessed using Interferon-γ ELISpot assays and intracellular cytokine staining. We detected vaccine-induced CD4 T cell responses against six out of 11 peptides predicted to bind to HLA-DR after 19 days, following vaccination, for one peptide already at day 12. We used these results to support the design of a T-cell-inducing vaccine for application in high-risk patients, with weakened lymphocyte performance. Meanwhile, an according vaccine, incorporating T cell epitopes predominant in convalescents, is undergoing clinical trial testing.
Successful Treatment of Mucocutaneous Lupus Erythematosus in a Dog with Prednisolone, Mycophenolate Mofetil and Tacrolimus
Authors: Hyun Jae-Eun , Kang Yeong-Hun , Hwang Cheol-Yong
Published: April 2021

A 6-year-old, intact male miniature Pinscher dog had erosive lesions on perilabial, peripenial and perianal mucocutaneous areas, which were exacerbated by ulcerations, crusts, with pain while defecating and urinating. The lesions were symmetrical, and no systemic signs were observed. Histopathological evaluation showed parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, ulceration and cell-rich lymphoplasmacytic interface dermatitis with basal keratinocyte apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong reaction in the dermoepidermal junction against goat-canine IgG and mild-to-moderate reaction against goat-canine IgA, IgM and C3. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed with mucocutaneous lupus erythematosus (MCLE). Oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg twice daily, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 18.3 mg/kg twice daily and 0.1% tacrolimus ointment were prescribed as initial treatment. The lesions showed remarkable improvement within 4 weeks, but the dog exhibited polyuria, polydipsia and hepatomegaly with high dosage of prednisolone. Hence, the dosage of prednisolone was gradually tapered for 9 weeks and discontinued, but MMF and tacrolimus were continued. No new lesion or associated side effect was observed while reducing the MMF dose to 10 mg/kg twice daily and with continuous use of tacrolimus ointment after steroid discontinuation. In conclusion, this case report emphasizes the usefulness of MMF and tacrolimus as steroid-sparing agents in the treatment of dogs with MCLE. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of MCLE that was successfully managed long-term with MMF and tacrolimus.
Framework for the Integrated Sustainability Assessment of Irrigation with Marginal Water
Authors: Cornelissen Pavan , van der Zee Sjoerd E. A. T. M. , Leijnse Anton
Published: April 2021

The use of marginal water, such as reclaimed wastewater or effluent, for irrigation can reduce the pressure on existing freshwater resources. However, this can cause contaminants to accumulate in compartments such as the soil, crop, air, surface- and groundwater, which may harm the public health and the environment. Environmental quality standards for these compartments are generally considered separately. However, the compartments are related to each other by the fluxes between them, and the concept of sustainability should hold for all compartments simultaneously. An integrated approach is therefore required for the sustainability assessment of irrigation with marginal water. Since such an approach has not been provided yet, we develop an integrated framework in this study. We provide sustainability indicators by comparing the long-term contaminant concentration and fluxes with quality standards for each environmental compartment. These indicators give comprehensible information on which contaminants will cause problems, which environmental compartments are threatened, and on what timescale this will occur. This allows for the prioritization of mitigation and preventive measures for better sustainability management. We illustrate the use of the framework by means of a case study.
Exploring Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Groundwater Quality Assessment
Authors: Agrawal Purushottam , Sinha Alok , Kumar Satish , Agarwal Ankit , Banerjee Ashes , Villuri Vasanta Govind Kumar , Annavarapu Chandra Sekhara Rao , Dwivedi Rajesh , Dera Vijaya Vardhan Reddy , Sinha Jitendra , Pasupuleti Srinivas
Published: April 2021

Freshwater quality and quantity are some of the fundamental requirements for sustaining human life and civilization. The Water Quality Index is the most extensively used parameter for determining water quality worldwide. However, the traditional approach for the calculation of the WQI is often complex and time consuming since it requires handling large data sets and involves the calculation of several subindices. We investigated the performance of artificial intelligence techniques, including particle swarm optimization (PSO), a naive Bayes classifier (NBC), and a support vector machine (SVM), for predicting the water quality index. We used an SVM and NBC for prediction, in conjunction with PSO for optimization. To validate the obtained results, groundwater water quality parameters and their corresponding water quality indices were found for water collected from the Pindrawan tank area in Chhattisgarh, India. Our results show that PSO–NBC provided a 92.8% prediction accuracy of the WQI indices, whereas the PSO–SVM accuracy was 77.60%. The study’s outcomes further suggest that ensemble machine learning (ML) algorithms can be used to estimate and predict the Water Quality Index with significant accuracy. Thus, the proposed framework can be directly used for the prediction of the WQI using the measured field parameters while saving significant time and effort.
Spatiotemporal Effects and Driving Factors of Water Pollutants Discharge in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region
Authors: Ren Qilong , Li Hui
Published: April 2021

The problem of water pollution is a social issue in China requiring immediate and urgent solutions. In the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, the contradiction between preserving the ecological environment and facilitating sustainable economic development is particularly acute. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution of water pollutants and their factors of influence using statistics on the discharge of two water pollutants, namely chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH3-N (ammonia nitrogen), in 154 counties in both 2012 and 2016 as research units in the region. The study employed Exploratory Spatial-Time Data Analysis (ESTDA), Standard Deviational Ellipse (SDE), and the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models, as well as ArcGIS and GeoDa software, obtaining the following conclusions: (1) From 2012 to 2016, pollutant discharge dropped significantly, with COD and NH3-N emissions decreasing 65.9% and 47.2%, respectively; the pollutant emissions possessed the spatial feature of gradual gradient descent from the central districts to the periphery. (2) The water pollutants discharge displayed significant and positive spatial correlations. The spatiotemporal cohesion of the spatiotemporal evolution of the pollutants was higher than their spatiotemporal fluidity, representing strong spatial locking. (3) The level of economic development, the level of urbanization, and the intensity of agricultural production input significantly and positively drove pollutant discharge; the environmental regulations had a significant effect on reducing the emission of pollutants. In particular, the effect for NH3-N emissions reduction was stronger; the driving effect of the industrial structure and the distance decay was not significant.
Inversion of Chlorophyll-a Concentration in Donghu Lake Based on Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Tang Xiaodong , Huang Mutao
Published: April 2021

Machine learning algorithm, as an important method for numerical modeling, has been widely used for chlorophyll-a concentration inversion modeling. In this work, a variety of models were built by applying five kinds of datasets and adopting back propagation neural network (BPNN), extreme learning machine (ELM), support vector machine (SVM). The results revealed that modeling with multi-factor datasets has the possibility to improve the accuracy of inversion model, and seven band combinations are better than seven single bands when modeling, Besides, SVM is more suitable than BPNN and ELM for chlorophyll-a concentration inversion modeling of Donghu Lake. The SVM model based on seven three-band combination dataset (SVM3) is the best inversion one among all multi-factor models that the mean relative error (MRE), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE) of the SVM model based on single-factor dataset (SF-SVM) are 30.82%, 9.44 μg/L and 12.66 μg/L, respectively. SF-SVM performs best in single-factor models, MRE, MAE, RMSE of SF-SVM are 28.63%, 13.69 μg/L and 16.49 μg/L, respectively. In addition, the simulation effect of SVM3 is better than that of SF-SVM. On the whole, an effective model for retrieving chlorophyll-a concentration has been built based on machine learning algorithm, and our work provides a reliable basis and promotion for exploring accurate and applicable chlorophyll-a inversion model.
Effects of Supplement Irrigation and Nitrogen Application Levels on Soil Carbon–Nitrogen Content and Yield of One-Year Double Cropping Maize in Subtropical Region
Authors: Wang Gui-Yang , Hu Yu-Xin , Liu Yong-Xin , Ahmad Shakeel , Zhou Xun-Bo
Published: April 2021

Inappropriate irrigation conditions and nitrogen application can negatively affect soil carbon–nitrogen content and yield of maize, as well as can lead to underground water pollution and soil degradation. A two year (2018, 2019) field experiment was carried out to determine the effect of irrigation and N, alone and in combination on maize grain yield, grain nitrogen content, soil inorganic N and MBC of one-year double cropping maize (Zea mays L.) in a subtropical region. Split plot design was adopted, with main plots consisting of two water regimes: drip irrigation (drip irrigation to keep soil water content no less than 70% of maximum field capacity) and rainfed (no irrigation during growing period). Split-plot treatments consisted of five nitrogen application levels, including 0 (N0), 150 (N150), 200 (N200), 250 (N250), and 300 kg/ha (N300). The results of two-year field experiment showed that soil irrigation nitrogen interaction had a significant influence on the all measured parameters. In detail, soil NH4+-N and NO3−-N content, total nitrogen (TN), soil organic carbon (SOC) and grain nitrogen contents under the combined treatment of N250 and supplementary irrigation were higher relative to other treatments. Compared with rainfed, maize yield, thousand grains weight (TGW) and harvest index increased by 22.0%, 7.7%, and 15.2% under supplemental irrigation. Yield and TGW N300 were 287 kg/ha and 3.1 g higher than those of N250, and yield and TGW of N250 were 59.4% and 23.1% higher than those of N0, respectively. The yield of spring maize was 24.0% significantly higher than that of autumn maize. Therefore, we suggested that 250 kg/ha nitrogen application fertilizer combined with supplementary irrigation can improve soil fertility and annual maize yield in subtropical one-year double cropping region.
Climate Change and Anthropogenic Impact on Coastal Environments
Authors: Bini Monica , Rossi Veronica
Published: April 2021

Coastal-transitional areas, including delta plains, strandplains, lagoons, embayments, salt marshes, and mangroves, are some of the most valuable global resources in terms of both socioeconomic interest and cultural–natural heritage [...]
Standardisation of UK Electric Vehicle Charging Protocol, Payment and Charge Point Connection
Authors: Chamberlain Keith , Al-Majeed Salah
Published: April 2021

Standardisation is fundamental to ensuring that new technologies develop and grow unhindered by manufacturer-led standards. Dismissing this vital issue can have a detrimental effect on society regarding adopting new technologies, particularly when government targets and regulations are crucial for their success. We have witnessed competing global industries struggle for dominance, such as Betamax versus VHS, where each had a similar user outcome, but the confusion of differing formats slowed growth. We analyse emerging standards for electric vehicle rapid charging and investigate how standardisation challenges affect stakeholders by reviewing the existing literature on single-mode and polymodal harmonisation. By assimilating existing evidence, we then develop a new understanding of the science behind multi-model standardisation (MMS) approaches. Our literature review reveals three primary standardisation issues: (1) charge connections, (2) car to charger communication protocols, and (3) charge payment methods. We then analyse each mode type’s benefit, observing how each example contributes to the overall outcome, and suggest that their impact depends on car to charger handshake timing and intuitive user interaction. Using a structured survey of 282 respondents, we analyse end-user satisfaction for factors affecting growth in the EV sector and compare these findings with the factors identified during our literature review. We consequently articulate a programme for future research to understand EV rapid charger standardisation better, proposing recommendations for vested stakeholders that embrace sponsors in societal, technological and scientific transformation.
Development of a standard solution for agricultural use of productive lands in Moscow region
Authors: Ivanov N. I. , Gorbunov V. S. , Shevchenko T. V.
Published: April 2021

The relevance of the research is to justify one of the possible ways to link the results of agricultural land use with their quality and measures of agro-industrial impact. The aim of the study was to identify the correlation between the sets of variables that characterize various aspects of agricultural land use in the Moscow region. The obtained results and conclusions of the research can be used for formation an interregional platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge, preparation analytical materials for relevant government decisions aimed at acceleration of innovative development in rural areas, and draw up and update longterm national and regional programs of economic development.
Forecasting of agricultural land use based on trend and seasonal dynamics
Authors: Shaykina E. V. , Rasskazova A. A.
Published: April 2021

Currently, we have a large number of forecasting methods used to solve problems in the land administration system. However, there is a problem of choosing a forecasting method for certain tasks. In their study, the authors focused on the use of forecasting methods for land administration of agricultural lands and identifi ed the main formalized forecasting methods. The article considers the application of the classical extrapolation method based on trend models for predicting agricultural land use by example of Petrovskoe LLC, which sells crop and livestock products in Babyninsky district of Kaluga region.
Agriculture and settlement in the Non-Chernozem Regions
Authors: Polunin G. A. , Alakoz V V.
Published: April 2021

The article examines the impact of changes in the population, including rural, on the reduction of acreage in the subjects of the Russian Federation in the Non-Chernozem Economic Zone. The population study covers the period from 1990 to 2018. The authors compiled the rating of the regions according to the indicated relative change of the population. The increase or decrease of rural settlements, settlements without population and the total loss of viable rural settlements for 2002-2010 were investigated here. The rating list of the subjects of the Russian Federation included in the Non-Chernozem Economic Zone of the country was built based on the quantitative and relative reduction of the indicated settlements.
The Law "Land Reform" of 1990 as a milestone in the history of development of land relations and land management in Russia
Authors: Khlystun V.N.
Published: April 2021

The article provides a historical and economic analysis of the RSFSR law «Land reform» adopted in November of 1990, determines its impact of the subsequent development of land relations in Russia and assesses their current state.
The description issues of location and (or) demarcation of municipal units
Authors: Shantceva T. A.
Published: April 2021

This article discusses the diffi culties connected with the errors caused by the incorrect demarcation of the administrative borders of the municipal units in a number of border land plots, data on which is contained in the Unifi ed state register of real estate. The possible losses caused by the errors in the land registration documents relating to the demarcation of the administrative borders are calculated in this work. In order to solve a number of existing controversies, the author offers an option for updating of the disputable land plots coordinates.
Foreign experience of animal husbandry and possibilities of pastures using in the conditions of Uzbekistan
Authors: Khudoyberdiev F. Sh.
Published: April 2021

The article examines foreign experience in the fi eld of pastures using, and the possibilities of their use in the conditions of Uzbekistan. Pastures occupy 23% of the world's land resources, but with an increasing amount of them, the desertification processes are increasing as well. Desertification covers 9 mln.sq.km., and threatening to cover another 30 mln.sq.km. Livestock breeding is an important agricultural sector in many countries of the world, using a huge amount of natural resources and having a significant impact on nature. For improvement the pasture system we need innovative technologies and the reform of environmental relations.
Improvement of the method for detecting errors that hinder state cadastral real estate accounting
Authors: Khabarova I.A. , Khabarov D.A.
Published: April 2021

In the article, the authors consider and analyze the reasons that impede the state cadastral registration of real estate and develop the methods for their elimination. In particular, the authors analyzed the list of reasons for the suspension of state cadastral registration. The authors note that at present the main reasons for the suspension are doubts or unreasonable decisions of the state registrar. However, it is unclear who pays for the correction of errors in the real estate registry.
THE STUDY OF THE MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF WORDS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF COGNITIVE MORPHOLOGY
Authors: VOSKOBOINYK V.
Published: April 2021

The article considers the basics of the cognitive approach to the analysis of language units. The purposeof the article is to establish the basic principles of cognitive morphology, which are based on the principles ofcognitive grammar and which can be used for the analysis of the morphological structure of any word. Theyare the following: morphological units should be investigated in the light of human experience, cognitiveprocesses of man and his/her vision; morphological units have prototype structures; the morphological structureof a word from a certain language depends on the peculiarities of this language; grammatical rules dependpartially on semantic properties of lexical units; semantic structures should be characterized with the referenceto the ways of interiorisation of reality; conventional links among morphological structures are identifiedthrough metaphoric and metonymic processes; cognitive morphology is of imaginary character. It is proposedto use the technique of frame patterning to analyze the morphological structure of the word. The choice of themorphological structure of a word depends on the type of a frame pattern. This study will be useful for thosewho are in line with a new approach to the analysis of language units - cognitive morphology.
EKPHRASIS AND META-EKPHRASIS IN JULIAN BARNES’S ESSAY “GÉRICAULT: CATASTROPHE INTO ART”: A COGNITIVE POETIC ANALYSIS
Authors: LUNYOVA T.
Published: April 2021

The article discusses the semantic aspects of ekphrasis and meta-ekphrasis in Julian Barnes’s essay “Géricault: Catastrophe into Art” from the cognitive poetics perspective. In his essay, Barnes dwells upon the history and interpretations of Géricault’s masterpiece which represents the survivors of the wreck of a French frigate in 1816. The aim of the study is to reveal the semantic integration of ekphrastic contexts (those parts of the essay which provide description of a painting) and meta-ekphrastic contexts (those parts of the essay which are not descriptions of a painting per se, however they only develop their meaning in connection with ekphrastic contexts). The article suggests using the term meta-ekphrasis to account for the textual contexts which while being semantically related to ekphrasis, do not offer a painting description but a narration about some events related with the painting or ideas inspired by looking at the painting. Used in this meaning, the term meta-ekphrasis is utilised in the paper to reveal the development of Barnes’s original idea about tragedy and art in his essay. The research is grounded in cognitive poetic approach to ekphrasis and employs cognitive poetic instruments of analysis. It presents the results which demonstrate that the main cognitive poetic means that ensure semantic interaction of ekphrastic and meta-ekphrastic contexts in Barnes’s essay are the following: dialogism, hypothetical modality and conceptual metaphors with the source domain of SEA NAVIGATION. It is the semantic integrity of ekphrastic and meta-ekphrastic contexts in Barnes’s essay that allows the writer to present his unconventional treatment of tragedy as being purposeful since it produces art. The article can be of interest to the scholars of sematic interaction between verbal and visual texts as well as cognitive poetic facets of prose texts.