bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hegemony of Network Capabilities, Frugal Innovation and Innovation Strategies: The Innovation Performance Perspective
Authors: Haffar Mohamed , Ozcan Rasim , Radulescu Magdalena , Isac Nicoleta , Nassani Abdelmohsen
Published: December 2021

The emergence of advanced technologies has brought new challenges and opportunities for all kinds of business organizations. In a technologically advanced era, innovation plays a dominant role for the successful operation of the commercial landscape. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the impact of network capabilities (NC) and frugal innovation (FI) on innovation performance (IP). Furthermore, the mediating role of FI and moderating role of innovation strategies has also been tested on the link between NC and IP. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) registered with small and medium enterprises development authorities (SMEDA) were approached for the completion of the current study. Only 509 owner/managers agreed to participate. A quantitative research design was employed for the current study. During the two–three months process of data collection only 387 complete responses were received from the SMEs working in Pakistan’s big cities. Correlation, regression and bootstrap methods were applied to test the study hypotheses. The findings revealed that NC positively affect FI and IP. Furthermore, the findings also confirmed the mediating effect of FI between NC and IP link. The performance of SMEs working in emerging economies is largely based on their innovative activities. In this dynamic scenario SMEs’ survival is attached to continuous IP in their products and services.
Demand Management for Resilience Enhancement of Integrated Energy Distribution System against Natural Disasters
Authors: Xu Yuting , Chen Songsong , Tian Shiming , Gong Feixiang
Published: December 2021

For energy sustainability, the integrated energy distribution system (IEDS) is an efficient and clean energy system, which is based on the coordinated operation of a power distribution network, a gas distribution network and a district heating system. In this paper, considering the damage of natural disasters to IEDS, a demand management strategy is proposed to improve resilience of IEDS and ensure stable operation, which is divided into three stages. In the first stage, the electricity, natural gas and thermal energy are co-optimized in the simulating fault state to develop the importance ranking of transmission lines and gas pipelines. In the second stage, the natural disasters are classified as surface natural disasters and geological natural disasters. According to the types of natural disasters, the demand management strategy includes semi-emergency demand management scheme and full-emergency demand management scheme in the electrical resilience mode and the integrated resilience mode, respectively. In the third stage, the non-sequential Monte-Carlo simulation and scenario reduction algorithm are applied to describe potential natural disaster scenarios. According to the importance ranking of transmission lines and gas pipelines, a demand management strategy is formulated. Finally, the proposed strategy is applied on an IEEE 33-bus power system and a 19-node natural gas system. Its effectiveness is verified by numerical case studies.
Climate Change-Induced Drought Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation Measures in Semi-Arid Pastoral and Agricultural Watersheds
Authors: Muralikrishnan Lakshmanan , Padaria Rabindra N. , Choudhary Anil K. , Dass Anchal , Shokralla Shadi , El-Abedin Tarek K. Zin , Abdelmohsen Shadi A. M. , Mahmoud Eman A. , Elansary Hosam O.
Published: December 2021

Periodic drought is a major challenge in drought-prone areas of South Asia. A sample survey of farmers (n = 400) from South Asia was conducted to study the farmers’ perception about drought impacts on their socio-economic status, agro-biodiversity, and adaptation besides public institutions’ drought mitigation measures. The results revealed reduced surface and groundwater availability, soil degradation, partial or complete crop failure, increased agricultural fallows and wastelands, biodiversity loss, decrease in agricultural yields, pasture lands, and livestock in drought-impacted South Asia. About 16–26% of the farmers perceived a reduction in the agricultural area and production of commercial crops and millets in drought-prone areas, while changes in the cropping of pulses, oilseeds, horticultural, and fodder crops were minimal. About 57–92% of respondents showed a reduction in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and fish. Unemployment, migration, reduced farm income, and malnutrition were major socio-economic impacts among respondents (38–46%). Despite sufficient public support as a mitigation strategy, the farmers had poor participation (8–65%) for agri-information and adaptation (7–36%) against drought impacts. Hence, researchers, extension agents, and policymakers must develop efficient ‘participatory-mode’ drought adaptation and mitigation policies in watershed-based semi-arid pastoral and agricultural regions of South Asia and similar agro-ecologies across the globe.
“Let Us Save Venice”—An Educational Online Maze Game for Climate Resilience
Authors: Bontchev Boyan , Antonova Albena , Terzieva Valentina , Dankov Yavor
Published: December 2021

Climate resilience competencies improve people’s capacity to recognize and adopt strategies for mitigating negative climate effects. Especially concerning the built cultural heritage protection in the coastal areas, both professionals and citizens have to be prepared for water-related extreme events, such as floods, sea-level rise, and altered precipitation. Considering these challenges, the authors explore the efficiency of serious video games and describe the process of design and validation of the pilot educational online maze game “Let us save Venice”. More specifically, the main research question motivating the study is to identify what the experience factors and the mini-games are that contribute mostly to raising awareness to climate resilience and built heritage sustainability. The question implies two main research objectives: first, to explore what role user-centered game design plays in creating immersive and enjoyable educational video maze games, and second, to investigate which factors influence user experience and game playability in the design phase, and how they contribute to learnability and raising awareness. The background section of the article focuses on a preliminary study of the educational potential of serious games and introduces the EU-funded project e-Creha. Then, it explores the process of game design, development, and validation, focusing on metrics such as game learnability and game experience. The results outline the main findings that immersion, positive affect, and competence appeared to be the main experience factors contributing to raising awareness to climate resilience and built heritage sustainability. Lastly, the discussion section provides further directions for game improvement and future work.
Simulation-Based Participatory Modelling in Urban and Production Logistics: A Review on Advances and Trends
Authors: Singh Amita , Baalsrud Hauge Jannicke , Wiktorsson Magnus
Published: December 2021

Simulation-based participatory modelling allows integration of all types of knowledge including empirical, technical and scientific from all disciplines and domains. Thus, in recent years, the use of participatory modelling has been continuously increasing in many fields including logistics. With a view of achieving better understanding of the subject, this article systematically reviews the advances made in participatory modelling in the field of urban and production logistics in the last decade. It further reports the findings transparently following a categorization based on (i) the purpose of participatory modelling in the domain, and (ii) depending on the purpose how data is collected, processed and outcomes are presented. The review resulted in 97 articles which were analysed and categorized based on the above two questions formulated in the literature surveyed. The review revealed that apart from the three existing categories of purposes, namely, reflexive, descriptive and normative there is an emerging fourth category that was analytical in nature and 15 out of 97 articles analyzed belonged to this category. The authors decided to call this category analytical field empirical modelling which is primarily based on mathematical modelling and use of computational methods. We present these results with the help of a categorization. During the analysis for the second research question, we discovered that though the conventional ways of data collection and processing, such as interviews and workshops, which remain significantly present, in electronic data crowdsourcing and data processing via computational methods are emerging.
Disaster Risk Reduction Regime in Japan: An Analysis in the Perspective of Open Data, Open Governance
Authors: Kanbara Sakiko , Shaw Rajib
Published: December 2021

This paper addresses open data, open governance, and disruptive/emerging technologies from the perspectives of disaster risk reduction (DRR). With an in-depth literature review of open governance, the paper identifies five principles for open data adopted in the disaster risk reduction field: (1) open by default, (2) accessible, licensed and documented, (3) co-created, (4) locally owned, and (5) communicated in ways that meet the needs of diverse users. The paper also analyzes the evolution of emerging technologies and their application in Japan. The four-phased evolution in the disaster risk reduction is mentioned as DRR 1.0 (Isewan typhoon, 1959), DRR 2.0 (the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake, 1995), DRR 3.0 (the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: GEJE, 2011) and DRR 4.0 (post GEJE). After the GEJE of 2011, different initiatives have emerged in open data, as well as collaboration/partnership with tech firms for emerging technologies in DRR. This paper analyzes the lessons from the July 2021 landslide in Atami, and draws some lessons based on the above-mentioned five principles. Some of the key lessons for open data movement include characterizing open and usable data, local governance systems, co-creating to co-delivering solutions, data democratization, and interpreting de-segregated data with community engagement. These lessons are useful for outside Japan in terms of data licensing, adaptive governance, stakeholder usage, and community engagement. However, as governance systems are rooted in local decision-making and cultural contexts, some of these lessons need to be customized based on the local conditions. Open governance is still an evolving culture in many countries, and open data is considered as an important tool for that. While there is a trend to develop open data for geo-spatial information, it emerged from the discussion in the paper that it is important to have customized open data for people, wellbeing, health care, and for keeping the balance of data privacy. The evolution of emerging technologies and their usage is proceeding at a higher speed than ever, while the governance system employed to support and use emerging technologies needs time to change and adapt. Therefore, it is very important to properly synchronize and customize open data, open governance and emerging/disruptive technologies for their effective use in disaster risk reduction.
Adsorption and Reduction of Aqueous Cr by FeS-Modified Fe-Al Layered Double Hydroxide
Authors: Zhang Shuangshuang , Zhang Wenhui , Wan Yazhen
Published: December 2021

To remedy the widespread chromium (Cr) pollution in the environment, this study mainly used the ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation and precipitation methods to prepare FeS-modified Fe-Al-layered double hydroxide (FeS/LDH) composite material. The experimental results showed that FeS/LDH has higher removal efficiency of Cr in aqueous solution and stronger anti-interference ability than unmodified LDH. Under the same reaction conditions, the removal efficiency of total Cr(Cr(T)) using LDH was 34.85%, and the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) was 46.76%. For FeS/LDH, the removal efficiency of Cr(T) and Cr(VI) reached 99.57% and 100%, respectively. The restoration of Cr(T) and Cr(VI) by FeS/LDH satisfied the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(T) and Cr(VI) achieved 102.9 mg/g and 147.7 mg/g. The efficient removal of Cr by FeS/LDH was mainly based on the triple synergistic effect of anion exchange between Cr(VI) and interlayer anions, redox of Cr(VI) with Fe2+ and S2−, and co-precipitation of Fe3+ and Cr3+.
Toward a Circular Economy in the Toy Industry: The Business Model of a Romanian Company
Authors: Albastroiu Nastase Irina , Negrutiu Cristian , Felea Mihai , Acatrinei Carmen , Cepoi Andrei , Istrate Adrian
Published: December 2021

Nowadays, more and more business organizations are encouraged to find ways to produce high-quality products that are offered to users for their temporary enjoyment and then redistributed or sent to the next user pending. This is done without being conditioned to believe that we need to own something, use it for certain functions for a limited amount of time, and then throw it away. Toys are a perfect candidate for this approach. Given the lack of case studies explaining how companies can design and implement a circular economy in practice, especially in the toy industry, this study aimed to develop a case study based on Evertoys, a start-up operating in Romania, which is a country where the circular economy is only in an infancy phase. This study’s objective was to analyze this business model from the circular economy perspective. Regarding the methodology, the work followed the research strategy of the case study, which was developed by analyzing the opportunities and challenges of this toy-as-a-service model and taking into consideration the components of the Business Model Canvas. Our findings indicated the presence of driving factors, as well as barriers, in the implementation of circular economy practices.
A Conceptual Framework for Heritage Impact Assessment: A Review and Perspective
Authors: Ashrafi Baharak , Neugebauer Carola , Kloos Michael
Published: December 2021

Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) has recently emerged as a conflict-solving tool to improve World Heritage (WH) conservation in line with sustainable development policies. The increasing number of requested HIAs for affected WH properties over the last years reveals that more attention is being paid to HIA as a practical tool to adequately support the protection and management of historic monuments and sites against new constructions and development. However, the application of integrated and systematic impact assessment methods within HIA still remains a key challenge in different HIA projects. Therefore, this paper contributes to the further development of a transparent and systematic procedure of HIA in accordance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). It also explores different standard methods of impact assessment in EIA and discusses their applicability to cultural World Heritage properties. Finally, the paper emphasizes a need for developing integrated impact assessment methods to address the multiple impacts of development projects. Such methodological enhancement can further contribute to mitigation strategies and decision-making to protect World Heritage properties within the context of sustainable development.
The Pedospheric Variation of DTPA-Extractable Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and Other Physicochemical Characteristics in Major Soil Orders in Existing Land Use Systems of Punjab, India
Authors: Dhaliwal Salwinder Singh , Sharma Vivek , Kaur Janpriya , Shukla Arvind Kumar , Hossain Akbar , Abdel-Hafez Shams H. , Gaber Ahmed , Sayed Samy , Singh Vijay Kant
Published: December 2021

The agricultural production in Punjab has increased manifold that aggravated the deficiencies of micronutrients in soils and plants. The availability of soil micronutrients in different soil orders depends upon the soil mineralogy, topography, climatic conditions and cropping sequences. Hence, to study the pedospheric variations of DTPA-extractable micronutrients, viz., zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu), in three prominent soil orders of Punjab, a total of 144 depth-wise soil samples were collected from four major land-use systems (cultivated, horticulture, forest and pasture lands). The DTPA extractable micronutrients varied from 1.74–2.81, 1.83–2.82 and 1.81–2.80 for Zn; 5.3–6.8, 5.6–6.9, 4.3–6.3 for Fe; 5.1–7.8, 5.5–7.9, 5.4–7.5 for Mn; and 0.84–1.40, 0.93–1.68, 0.87–1.65 for Cu in soil orders Aridisol, Entisol and Inceptisol, respectively. The average content of DTPA-extractable micronutrients was highest under soil order Entisol followed by Inceptisol and Aridisol. The content of micronutrients showed a declining trend with increase in soil depth in all orders. Among different soil properties, the pH and EC showed significantly negative correlation, however, OC had non-significant correlation with DTPA-extractable micronutrients in soils. Therefore, it is concluded that parent material, land use systems and soil depth affected the distribution of DTPA extractable micronutrients in different soil orders.
Analysis of Biodeteriogens on Architectural Heritage. An Approach of Applied Botany on a Gothic Building in Southern Italy
Authors: Mascaro Maria Emanuela , Pellegrino Giuseppe , Palermo Anna Maria
Published: December 2021

The degradation of stone materials depends on several interlinked factors. The effects caused by biodeteriogens on mineral-based substrates are now increasingly considered in the field of cultural heritage conservation from different experimental approaches. In this study, biodeteriogenic micro- and macroflora within the gothic building of Santa Maria della Pietà, Squillace, Calabria, have been analyzed using multiple approaches, such as optical microscopy and molecular techniques. All 17 plant species detected are usually widespread in Mediterranean regions and some of these, such as Ailanthus altissima and Ficus carica, showed a very high hazard index, which is potentially dangerous for masonry stability. Fungi, cyanobacteria, and green algae were identified within biofilm compositions in a total of 23 different taxa, showing many similarities with microbial associations commonly found in cave and hypogean environments. All of the 11 fungal taxa detected belong to Ascomycota phylum, with Penicillium as the most represented genus. Photoautotrophic organisms are mostly represented by filamentous genera, with widespread presence of Leptolyngbya as the most abundant genus. The results highlighted how the singular environmental conditions of the study site, combined with the architectural features and the building materials, determined all the degradation phenomena affecting the building’s internal surfaces, compromising over time the structural integrity.
Sustainable Urban Development Strategic Initiatives
Authors: Panteleeva Margarita , Borozdina Svetlana
Published: December 2021

In order to ensure the implementation of the “Strategy for the Development of the Construction Industry of the Russian Federation until 2030” and the implementation of the UN resolution on sustainable development, there is a need to develop new strategic management initiatives. They should allow authorities to make inter-city comparisons, considering specific cities and their objects against the background of others undergoing similar development processes. In this article, the authors propose strategic initiatives for the management of urban facilities. In particular, the authors’ approach to the assessment of the sustainable development of housing and communal service facilities in the city is proposed. According to the authors, the housing and communal city service objects mean capital construction objects in different forms of reproduction. Moreover, the article examines both residential buildings and structures, and utility networks. The authors’ approach consists in the constant assessment of the city’s housing and communal service facilities at different stages of their operation. For this, the authors use several types of analysis: ex post analysis, ex ante analysis, and foresight analysis. For each type of analysis, the authors form a set of assessment indicators and indicate the period of the analysis. The result of the study is the development of an indicator for the assessment of the level of sustainable development of housing and communal service facilities in the city, and a roadmap for their development strategy. The roadmap is formed considering the introduction of modern end-to-end technologies and digital tools into the work of state bodies. The proposed approach, on the one hand, considers the internal complexity and heterogeneity of the city’s housing and communal service facilities. On the other hand, it is a simple tool for the making of effective management decisions by power structures, as it uses data which are available on a regular basis.
Linking Smallholder Farmers to the Heilongjiang Province Crop Rotation Project: Assessing the Impact on Production and Well-Being
Authors: Cai Zheng , Li Shengsheng , Du Guoming , Xue Ruhao
Published: December 2021

Food security and environmental protection—led by sustainable agricultural development—are key development goals of Heilongjiang Province. One of the main challenges facing the Heilongjiang Province is improving soil and livelihood by integrating smallholder farmers into the pilot crop rotation project. This paper investigates a comprehensive project—the new crop rotation pilot project in Heilongjiang (NCRPPH)—which aims to improve the livelihood of the pilot participants by involving smallholder farmers in the pilot crop rotation program and connecting them with the food industry through farmers’ cooperatives. This paper analyzes the impact of the NCRPPH on farmers’ crop rotation, grain yield, multi-agent cooperation, food security, and education based on data collected in 2019 and other retrospective information. The instrumental variable method and three different estimation strategies are used to solve the endogenous problem. The results show that the project has a vast and positive impact on the gross and net value of grain production per hectare and the share of products sold to food manufacturers through cooperatives. Regardless of the farm size, farmers have equal opportunities from which they can benefit. In addition, our analysis shows that the NCRPPH improves the educational situation and food security without affecting crop rotation practices. Finally, our research proves the effectiveness of this project.
Harmony of Sustainability and Productivity: Korean Templestay as Sustainable Tourism
Authors: Yoon Hyejin , Min Kyungik , Kim Chulwon
Published: December 2021

Achieving the three pillars of sustainable tourism development has long been debated in the literature. This study revealed that sustainability and productivity are not mutually exclusive, analyzing Templestay as part of Korea’s 1700-year-old cultural heritage. The study discussed the challenging case of fulfilling triple-bottom-line sustainable social, environmental, and economic requirements in tourism development. Templestay has enormous potential to be one of the competitive tourism products as a cultural resource, attracting visitors to local areas. The prosperity and potentiality of Templestay may offer insightful contexts to bridge the gap between a sustainable philosophy and destination productivity. The study suggests further research to investigate tourism’s ontological and epistemological nature in terms of sustainability and productivity.
Promoting Sustainable Mobility: To What Extent Is “Health” Considered by Mobility App Studies? A Review and a Conceptual Framework
Authors: Marquart Heike , Schuppan Julia
Published: December 2021

Promoting cycling and walking in cities improves individual health and wellbeing and, together with public transport, promotes societal sustainability patterns. Recently, smartphone apps informing and motivating sustainable mobility usage have increased. Current research has applied and investigated these apps; however, none have specifically considered mobility-related health components within mobility apps. The aim of this study is to examine the (potential) role of health-related information provided in mobility apps to influence mobility behavior. Following a systematic literature review of empirical studies applying mobility apps, this paper (1) investigates the studies and mobility apps regarding communicated information, strategies, and effects on mobility behavior and (2) explores how, and to what extent, health and its components are addressed. The reviewed studies focus on environmental information, especially CO2-emissions. Health is represented by physical activity or calories burned. The self-exposure to air pollution, noise, heat, traffic injuries or green spaces is rarely addressed. We propose a conceptual framework based on protection motivation theory to include health in mobility apps for sustainable mobility behavior change. Addressing people’s self-protective motivation could empower mobility app users. It might be a possible trigger for behavior change, leading towards healthy and sustainable mobility and thus, have individual and societal benefits.
What Affects the Production Technology of Labor-Intensive Agricultural Industries in the Context of Labor Aging? An Empirical Study Based on the Garlic Production in Lanling
Authors: Sui Fujia , Yang Yinsheng , Zhao Shizhen
Published: December 2021

While the aging of agricultural labor force and its impact on agricultural production have been attracting extensive attention, little is known about the relationship between aging of agricultural labor force and technical efficiency in the garlic production. Based on the survey data of garlic growers in Lanling County, Shandong Province, the Data envelopment analysis (DEA) model is used to measure the production technical efficiency of garlic growers in 84 villages in Lanling County, Shandong Province, with the aging of the labor force. The distribution characteristics and changing trends of garlic production technology efficiency are analyzed in terms of family characteristics and garlic planting characteristics, and regression analysis is performed on the differences of the results. The study found the following: (1) Garlic growers in Lanling County, Shandong Province, accounted for a high proportion of laborers over 60 years old, and their physical health status was weaker than that of young laborers, which reduced the technical efficiency of garlic planting and production. (2) The number of garlic varieties grown by garlic growers and the number of garlic planted in acres have a significant negative impact on the technical efficiency of garlic planting by farmers. (3) There is a significant positive correlation between the annual household income of farmers and the production technology efficiency of garlic growers; when the number of garlic training is not more than three times, it has a positive impact on the production technology efficiency of garlic planting by farmers, and more than three times are related to garlic production technology. The efficiency is negatively correlated.
A Subclass of Janowski Starlike Functions Involving Mathieu-Type Series
Authors: Liu Dong , Araci Serkan , Khan Bilal
Published: December 2021

To date, many interesting subclasses of analytic functions involving symmetrical points and other well celebrated domains have been investigated and studied. The aim of our present investigation is to make use of certain Janowski functions and a Mathieu-type series to define a new subclass of analytic (or invariant) functions. Our defined function class is symmetric under rotation. Some useful results like Fekete-Szegö functional, a number of sufficient conditions, radius problems, and results related to partial sums are derived.
An Algorithm Derivative-Free to Improve the Steffensen-Type Methods
Authors: Hernández-Verón Miguel A. , Yadav Sonia , Magreñán Ángel Alberto , Martínez Eulalia , Singh Sukhjit
Published: December 2021

Solving equations of the form H(x)=0 is one of the most faced problem in mathematics and in other science fields such as chemistry or physics. This kind of equations cannot be solved without the use of iterative methods. The Steffensen-type methods, defined using divided differences are derivative free, are usually considered to solve these problems when H is a non-differentiable operator due to its accuracy and efficiency. However, in general, the accessibility of these iterative methods is small. The main interest of this paper is to improve the accessibility of Steffensen-type methods, this is the set of starting points that converge to the roots applying those methods. So, by means of using a predictor–corrector iterative process we can improve this accessibility. For this, we use a predictor iterative process, using symmetric divided differences, with good accessibility and then, as corrector method, we consider the Center-Steffensen method with quadratic convergence. In addition, the dynamical studies presented show, in an experimental way, that this iterative process also improves the region of accessibility of Steffensen-type methods. Moreover, we analyze the semilocal convergence of the predictor–corrector iterative process proposed in two cases: when H is differentiable and H is non-differentiable. Summing up, we present an effective alternative for Newton’s method to non-differentiable operators, where this method cannot be applied. The theoretical results are illustrated with numerical experiments.
PKCζ-Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Mediates Crotalphine-Induced Antinociception
Authors: de Freitas Bárbara G. , Hösch Natália G. , Pereira Leandro M. , Barbosa Tereza C. , Picolo Gisele , Cury Yara , Zambelli Vanessa O.
Published: December 2021

Crotalphine (CRP) is a structural analogue to a peptide that was first identified in the crude venom from the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. This peptide induces a potent and long-lasting antinociceptive effect that is mediated by the activation of peripheral opioid receptors. The opioid receptor activation regulates a variety of intracellular signaling, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Using primary cultures of sensory neurons, it was demonstrated that crotalphine increases the level of activated ERK1/2 and JNK-MAPKs and this increase is dependent on the activation of protein kinase Cζ (PKCζ). However, whether PKCζ-MAPK signaling is critical for crotalphine-induced antinociception is unknown. Here, we biochemically demonstrated that the systemic crotalphine activates ERK1/2 and JNK and decreases the phosphorylation of p38 in the lumbar spinal cord. The in vivo pharmacological inhibition of spinal ERK1/2 and JNK, but not of p38, blocks the antinociceptive effect of crotalphine. Of interest, the administration of a PKCζ pseudosubstrate (PKCζ inhibitor) prevents crotalphine-induced ERK activation in the spinal cord, followed by the abolishment of crotalphine-induced analgesia. Together, our results demonstrate that the PKCζ-ERK signaling pathway is involved in crotalphine-induced analgesia. Our study opens a perspective for the PKCζ-MAPK axis as a target for pain control.
Differentiated Effects of Allyl Isothiocyanate in Diabetic Rats: From Toxic to Beneficial Action
Authors: Okulicz Monika , Hertig Iwona , Szkudelski Tomasz
Published: December 2021

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a constituent of Brassica family plants, has been reported to possess a high bioactivity in animal and human cells, showing ambiguous properties from adverse to beneficial ones. It was reported its genotoxic, carcinogenic, goitrogenic effects. On the other side, AITC has shown anti-cancer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and lately anti-obesity abilities. So far, its anti-diabetic effects are poorly explored. We tried to assess AITC action on carbohydrate, lipid and hormonal disorders in high fat diet-fed/streptozotocin diabetic rats. In this report, diabetic rats were treated intragastrically at doses 2.5, 5 and 25 mg/kg b.w./day of AITC for 2 weeks. Irrespectively of doses, AITC considerably lowered thyroid hormones (fT4, fT3), increased liver TG content, and also caused robust LDL-cholesterol and direct bilirubin concentration enhancement. Moreover, AITC at the highest dose caused pancreatic amylase and lipase drops and thyroid gland hypertrophy. AITC at 2.5 and 5 mg significantly reduced blood glucose levels along with robust beta-hydroxybutyric acid drop. Additionally, AITC at 5 mg improved insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR index) in spite of reduced blood insulin. To conclude, despite amelioration of diabetic hyperglycemia by AITC, the adverse lipids and hormonal effects may exclude its use as a health-promoting compound in terms of anti-diabetic properties.
Prevention and Control Strategies of African Swine Fever and Progress on Pig Farm Repopulation in China
Authors: Liu Yuanjia , Zhang Xinheng , Qi Wenbao , Yang Yaozhi , Liu Zexin , An Tongqing , Wu Xiuhong , Chen Jianxin
Published: December 2021

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating disease in domestic and wild pigs. Since the first outbreak of ASF in August 2018 in China, the disease has spread throughout the country with an unprecedented speed, causing heavy losses to the pig and related industries. As a result, strategies for managing the disease are urgently needed. This paper summarizes the important aspects of three key elements about African swine fever virus (ASFV) transmission, including the sources of infection, transmission routes, and susceptible animals. It overviews the relevant prevention and control strategies, focusing on the research progress of ASFV vaccines, anti-ASFV drugs, ASFV-resistant pigs, efficient disinfection, and pig farm biosecurity. We then reviewed the key technical points concerning pig farm repopulation, which is critical to the pork industry. We hope to not only provide a theoretical basis but also practical strategies for effective dealing with the ASF epidemic and restoration of pig production.
Untargeted Lipidomics of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Infected Cells and Viral Particles
Authors: Havranek Katherine E. , Reyes Ballista Judith Mary , Hines Kelly Marie , Brindley Melinda Ann
Published: December 2021

The viral lifecycle is critically dependent upon host lipids. Enveloped viral entry requires fusion between viral and cellular membranes. Once an infection has occurred, viruses may rely on host lipids for replication and egress. Upon exit, enveloped viruses derive their lipid bilayer from host membranes during the budding process. Furthermore, host lipid metabolism and signaling are often hijacked to facilitate viral replication. We employed an untargeted HILIC-IM-MS lipidomics approach and identified host lipid species that were significantly altered during vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection. Many glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid species were modified, and ontological enrichment analysis suggested that the alterations to the lipid profile change host membrane properties. Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), which can contribute to membrane curvature and serve as a signaling molecule, was depleted during infection, while several ceramide sphingolipids were augmented during infection. Ceramide and sphingomyelin lipids were also enriched in viral particles, indicating that sphingolipid metabolism is important during VSV infection.
Recent Progress and Future Prospective in HBV Cure by CRISPR/Cas
Authors: Yang Yu-Chan , Yang Hung-Chih
Published: December 2021

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains an important issue of global public health. Although current antiviral therapy has dramatically reduced the mortality and morbidity of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), it fails to cure it. Rebound viremia often occurs after stopping antiviral therapy. Persistent HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and integrated DNA under antiviral therapy form the major barrier to eradication of HBV infection. CRISPR-mediated genome editing has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach to specifically destroy persistent HBV genomes, both cccDNA and integrated DNA, for HBV cure. However, the cleavage of integrated HBV DNA by CRISPR-Cas9 will cause double-strand break (DSB) of host genome, raising a serious safety concern about genome instability and carcinogenesis. The newly developed CRISPR-derived base editors (BEs), which fuse a catalytically disabled nuclease with a nucleobase deaminase enzyme, can be used to permanently inactivate HBV genome by introducing irreversible point mutations for generation of premature stop codons without DSBs of host genome. Although promising, CRISPR-mediated base editing still faces daunting challenges before its clinical application, including the base-editing efficacy, the off-target effect, the difficulty in finding conserved target HBV sequences, and in vivo delivery efficiency. Several strategies have been adopted to optimize the efficiency and specificity of CRISPR-BEs and to improve in vivo delivery efficacy through novel viral and non-viral delivery approaches. Particularly, the non-viral delivery of Cas9 mRNA and ribonucleoprotein by lipid nanoparticles exhibits attractive potential for liver-targeted delivery in clinical. Along with all progress above, the CRISPR-mediated gene therapy will ultimately achieve HBV cure.
Operationalizing Water Security Concept in Water Investment Planning: Case Study of São Francisco River Basin
Authors: Teixeira Alexandre Lima de F. , Bhaduri Anik , Bunn Stuart E. , Ayrimoraes Sérgio R.
Published: December 2021

Despite advances in water resources management and planning, the São Francisco River Basin in Brazil has suffered from systematic drought problems in recent years, leading to severe human and environmental water security threats. This paper aims to track the water security for different periods and its relations with the changes in physical and natural asset conditions. The paper explores how investment planning to mitigate the water security threats and explore opportunities to increase the value of investments. The paper finds that grey infrastructure has regulated threats from increasing in the downstream of the river basin, however, continuous increase in water security threats in the upstream of the basin threatens water security downstream. This is evident from the spatial connectivity and unidirection externalities. As the capacity to further increase in grey investment is reaching its limit in the downstream, the increases in green infrastructure investment upstream, especially in the Grande River basin, could be one the way to reduce the externalities and minimise the water security risks.
Optimal Alternative for Quantifying Reference Evapotranspiration in Northern Xinjiang
Authors: Jiao Ping , Hu Shun-Jun
Published: December 2021

Accurate estimation of reference evapotranspiration is a key step in irrigation and water resources planning. The Penman Monteith (FAO56-PM) formula recommended by FAO56-PM is the standard for calculating the reference evapotranspiration. However, the FAO56-PM model is limited in the observation of meteorological variables, so it is necessary to choose an alternative ET0 model which requires less meteorological data. Based on the daily climate data of eight meteorological stations in northern Xinjiang from 2000 to 2020, seven empirical models (Hargreaves, Berti, Dorji, Dalton, Meyer, WMO, Albrecht) and four optimization algorithms (RF model, LS-SVR model, Bi-LSTM model and GA-BP model) combined with seven different parameters were evaluated comprehensively. The results show that the accurate of the empirical model based on temperature is obviously better than the empirical model based on air mass transport. The annual and multi-year alternative ET0 models of different input parameter combinations are: LS-SVR1, RF2, LS-SVR3, LS-SVR4, GA-BP5, LS-SVR6, GA-BP7. It can be used as a substitute for the reference evapotranspiration model without relevant meteorological data. Only the LS-SVR6 model and GA-BP7 model are recommended as the best alternative models for northern Xinjiang reference evapotranspiration at daily, monthly and seasonal scales.
Green Light for Adaptive Policies on the Colorado River
Authors: Fleck John , Castle Anne
Published: December 2021

The Colorado River is a critical source of water supply for 40 million people in nine states spanning two nations in western North America. Overallocated in the 20th century, its problems have been compounded by climate change in the 21st century. We review the basin’s hydrologic and water management history in order to identify opportunities for adaptive governance to respond to the challenge of reduced system flows and distill the ingredients of past successes. While significant advances have been made in the first two decades of the 21st century, these past actions have not been sufficient to halt the declines in the basin’s reservoirs. We find that the mix of federal, state, and local responsibility creates challenges for adaptation but that progress can be made through a combination of detailed policy option development followed by quick action at hydrologically driven moments of opportunity. The role of directives and deadlines from federal authorities in facilitating difficult compromises is noted. The current state of dramatically decreased overall flows has opened a window of opportunity for the adoption of water management actions that move the river system toward sustainability. Specific measures, based on the existing institutional framework and on policy proposals that have circulated within the Colorado River community, are suggested.
Ecological State of Lake Gusinoe—A Cooling Pond of the Gusinoozersk GRES
Authors: Radnaeva Larisa D. , Bazarzhapov Tcogto Zh. , Shiretorova Valentina G. , Zhigzhitzhapova Svetlana V. , Nikitina Elena P. , Dylenova Elena P. , Shirapova Galina S. , Budaeva Olga D. , Beshentsev Andrey N. , Garmaev Endon Zh. , Wang Ping , Dong Suocheng , Li Zehong , Tulokhonov Arnold K.
Published: December 2021

The study of the transformation of substances in the basin of the Selenga River—the main tributary of Lake Baikal—under anthropogenic pressure and in the context of global climate change, is especially important for the lake, a globally important source of drinking water. The ecosystem of Lake Gusinoe is one of the key objects in the Selenga River basin that is exposed to significant anthropogenic pressure. This study presents the results of an analysis of water level changes and physicochemical parameters of the water mass of Lake Gusinoe; literature data from 1951 to 2017 and own data from 2017 to 2021. The water level in the lake had depended on natural factors before the Gusinoozersk GRES was launched; however, since the plant has begun using the lake as a cooling pond, its level has actually been regulated by the economic entity. Over the years, there has been a significant increase in mineralization, sulfate, sodium, fluoride and organic matter fractions resistant to oxidation. Seasonal increases in iron and manganese concentrations in water were detected. Increased concentrations of nutrients and organic matter fractions resistant to oxidation were registered at the wastewater discharge sites. Heavy metals in the bottom sediments of Lake Gusinoe accumulate mainly in the silt of the deep zone of the lake. Plants growing in the zones of influence of the Gusinoozersk GRES and Gusinoozersk wastewater discharge accumulate the largest amount of metals.
Can Precise Irrigation Support the Sustainability of Protected Cultivation? A Life-Cycle Assessment and Life-Cycle Cost Analysis
Authors: Canaj Kledja , Parente Angelo , D’Imperio Massimiliano , Boari Francesca , Buono Vito , Toriello Michele , Mehmeti Andi , Montesano Francesco Fabiano
Published: December 2021

To address sustainability challenges, agricultural advances in Mediterranean horticultural systems will necessitate a paradigmatic shift toward smart technologies, the impacts of which from a life cycle perspective have to be explored. Using life cycle thinking approaches, this study evaluated the synergistic environmental and economic performance of precise irrigation in greenhouse Zucchini production following a cradle-to-farm gate perspective. A cloud-based decision support system and a sensor-based irrigation management system (both referred to as “smart irrigation” approaches) were analyzed and compared to the farmer’s experience-based irrigation. The potential environmental indicators were quantified using life cycle assessment (LCA) with the ReCiPe 2016 method. For the economic analysis, life cycle costing (LCC) was applied, accounting not only for private product costs but also for so-called “hidden” or “external” environmental costs by monetizing LCA results. Smart irrigation practices exhibited similar performance, consuming on average 38.2% less irrigation water and energy, thus generating environmental benefits ranging from 0.17% to 62%. Single score results indicated that life cycle environmental benefits are up to 13% per ton of product. The cost-benefit analysis results showed that even though the implementation of smart irrigation imposes upfront investment costs, these costs are offset by the benefits to water and energy conservation associated with these practices. The reduction of investment costs and higher water costs in future, and lower internal rate of return can further enhance the profitability of smart irrigation strategies. The overall results of this study highlight that smart and innovative irrigation practices can enhance water-energy efficiency, gaining an economic advantage while also reducing the environmental burdens of greenhouse cultivation in a Mediterranean context.
Development and operation of an indoor mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic
Authors: Gowe Ivan W. , Crist David , Kiteley Brittany , Owens Caitlin , Giddens Adrienne
Published: December 2021

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many public response activities were conducted outdoors to reduce the risk of transmission. This was in adherence to existing infection prevention recommendations. We report the development and safe, efficient operation of a mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic during a time when guidelines for indoor clinics were limited.
Hepatitis B virus infection and its prevention among the general Ghanaian population: Using the public health model of prevention approach
Authors:   Department of Nursing, Maamobi General Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana, Senoo-Dogbey Vivian E.
Published: December 2021

As a follow-up to the recently published Letter to the Editor in this journal titled ‘Hepatitis B infection and its prevention among healthcare workers in Ghana: More action required’ (1), I present in this current Letter as a discussion on hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its prevention among the general Ghanaian population.
Penerapan E-LKPD berbasis Project Based Learning (PjBL) untuk Meningkatkan Motivasi dan Hasil Belajar Siswa
Authors: Wahyuni Riska , Siregar Azwar , Salwa Ghina , Hillary Gracia , Napitupulu Jernita , Siregar Maharani , Indah Nur , Harahap Silvia
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the increase in student motivation and learning outcomes by implementing E-LKPD based on Project Based Learning (PjBL) on the respiratory system material in humans in online learning in class VIII-B of SMP Negeri 3 Tarutung T.P. 2020/2021. The research method used is Classroom Action Research (CAR). This research was conducted in 2 cycles. The results of the student learning motivation questionnaire in the first cycle were 33.3% and the second cycle was 62.5% in the high category. Student learning outcomes in the first cycle 58.3% complete learning and 41.6% students do not complete learning. Whereas in the second cycle 87.5% completed learning and 18.5% did not complete the study. Thus it can be concluded that the application of PjBL-based E-LKPD on respiratory system materials in humans in online learning in class VIII-B SMP Negeri 3 Tarutung T.P. 2020/2021 can increase student motivation and learning outcomes