bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent Systems Using Sensors and/or Machine Learning to Mitigate Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions: A Review, Challenges, and New Perspectives
Authors: Nandutu Irene , Atemkeng Marcellin , Okouma Patrice
Published: March 2022

Worldwide, the persistent trend of human and animal life losses, as well as damage to properties due to wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVCs) remains a significant source of concerns for a broad range of stakeholders. To mitigate their occurrences and impact, many approaches are being adopted, with varying successes. Because of their increased versatility and increasing efficiency, Artificial Intelligence-based methods have been experiencing a significant level of adoption. The present work extensively reviews the literature on intelligent systems incorporating sensor technologies and/or machine learning methods to mitigate WVCs. Included in our review is an investigation of key factors contributing to human–wildlife conflicts, as well as a discussion of dominant state-of-the-art datasets used in the mitigation of WVCs. Our study combines a systematic review with bibliometric analysis. We find that most animal detection systems (excluding autonomous vehicles) are relying neither on state-of-the-art datasets nor on recent breakthrough machine learning approaches. We, therefore, argue that the use of the latest datasets and machine learning techniques will minimize false detection and improve model performance. In addition, the present work covers a comprehensive list of associated challenges ranging from failure to detect hotspot areas to limitations in training datasets. Future research directions identified include the design and development of algorithms for real-time animal detection systems. The latter provides a rationale for the applicability of our proposed solutions, for which we designed a continuous product development lifecycle to determine their feasibility.
Anomaly Detection with Feature Extraction Based on Machine Learning Using Hydraulic System IoT Sensor Data
Authors: Kim Doyun , Heo Tae-Young
Published: March 2022

Hydraulic systems are advanced in function and level as they are used in various industrial fields. Furthermore, condition monitoring using internet of things (IoT) sensors is applied for system maintenance and management. In this study, meaningful features were identified through extraction and selection of various features, and classification evaluation metrics were presented through machine learning and deep learning to expand the diagnosis of abnormalities and defects in each component of the hydraulic system. Data collected from IoT sensor data in the time domain were divided into clusters in predefined sections. The shape and density characteristics were extracted by cluster. Among 2335 newly extracted features, related features were selected using correlation coefficients and the Boruta algorithm for each hydraulic component and used for model learning. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA), logistic regression, support vector classifier (SVC), decision tree, random forest, XGBoost, LightGBM, and multi-layer perceptron were used to calculate the true positive rate (TPR) and true negative rate (TNR) for each hydraulic component to detect normal and abnormal conditions. Valve condition, internal pump leakage, and hydraulic accumulator data showed TPR performance of 0.94 or more and a TNR performance of 0.84 or more. This study’s findings can help to determine the stable and unstable states of each component of the hydraulic system and form the basis for engineers’ judgment.
A Distributed Fault Diagnosis and Cooperative Fault-Tolerant Control Design Framework for Distributed Interconnected Systems
Authors: Li Xue , Fan Zhikang , Wang Shengfeng , Qiu Aibing , Mao Jingfeng
Published: March 2022

This paper investigates a design framework for a class of distributed interconnected systems, where a fault diagnosis scheme and a cooperative fault-tolerant control scheme are included. First of all, fault detection observers are designed for the interconnected subsystems, and the detection results will be spread to all subsystems in the form of a broadcast. Then, to locate the faulty subsystem accurately, fault isolation observers are further designed for the alarming subsystems in turn with the aid of an adaptive fault estimation technique. Based on this, the fault estimation information is used to compensate for the residuals, and then isolation decision logic is conducted. Moreover, the cooperative fault-tolerant control unit, where state feedback and cooperative compensation are both utilized, is introduced to ensure the stability of the whole system. Finally, the simulation of intelligent unmanned vehicle platooning is adopted to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed design framework.
Using Artificial Intelligence for Assistance Systems to Bring Motor Learning Principles into Real World Motor Tasks
Authors: Vandevoorde Koenraad , Vollenkemper Lukas , Schwan Constanze , Kohlhase Martin , Schenck Wolfram
Published: March 2022

Humans learn movements naturally, but it takes a lot of time and training to achieve expert performance in motor skills. In this review, we show how modern technologies can support people in learning new motor skills. First, we introduce important concepts in motor control, motor learning and motor skill learning. We also give an overview about the rapid expansion of machine learning algorithms and sensor technologies for human motion analysis. The integration between motor learning principles, machine learning algorithms and recent sensor technologies has the potential to develop AI-guided assistance systems for motor skill training. We give our perspective on this integration of different fields to transition from motor learning research in laboratory settings to real world environments and real world motor tasks and propose a stepwise approach to facilitate this transition.
Structural Health Monitoring of Dams Based on Acoustic Monitoring, Deep Neural Networks, Fuzzy Logic and a CUSUM Control Algorithm
Authors: Ozelim Luan Carlos de Sena Monteiro , Borges Lucas Parreira de Faria , Cavalcante André Luís Brasil , Albuquerque Enzo Aldo Cunha , Diniz Mariana dos Santos , Góis Manuelle Santos , Costa Katherin Rocio Cano Bezerra da , Sousa Patrícia Figuereido de , Dantas Ana Paola do Nascimento , Jorge Rafael Mendes , Moreira Gabriela Rodrigues , Barros Matheus Lima de , Aquino Fernando Rodrigo de
Published: March 2022

Internal erosion is the most important failure mechanism of earth and rockfill dams. Since this type of erosion develops internally and silently, methodologies of data acquisition and processing for dam monitoring are crucial to guarantee a safe operation during the lifespan of these structures. In this context, artificial intelligence techniques show up as tools that can simplify the analysis and verification process not of the internal erosion itself, but of the effects that this pathology causes in the response of the dam to external stimuli. Therefore, within the scope of this paper, a methodological framework for monitoring internal erosion in the body of earth and rockfill dams will be proposed. For that, artificial intelligence methods, especially deep neural autoencoders, will be used to treat the acoustic data collected by geophones installed on a dam. The sensor data is processed to identify patterns and anomalies as well as to classify the dam’s structural health status. In short, the acoustic dataset is preprocessed to reduce its dimensionality. In this process, for each second of acquired data, three parameters are calculated (Hjorth parameters). For each parameter, the data from all the available sensors are used to calibrate an autoencoder. Then, the reconstruction error of each autoencoder is used to monitor how far from the original (normal) state the acoustic signature of the dam is. The time series of reconstruction errors are combined with a cumulative sum (CUSUM) algorithm, which indicates changes in the sequential data collected. Additionally, the outputs of the CUSUM algorithms are treated by a fuzzy logic framework to predict the status of the structure. A scale model is built and monitored to check the effectiveness of the methodology hereby developed, showing that the existence of anomalies is promptly detected by the algorithm. The framework introduced in the present paper aims to detect internal erosion inside dams by combining different techniques in a novel context and methodological workflow. Therefore, this paper seeks to close gaps in prior studies, which mostly treated just parts of the data acquisition–processing workflow.
Cultural Competence and the Role of the Patient’s Mother Tongue: An Exploratory Study of Health Professionals’ Perceptions
Authors: García-Izquierdo Isabel , Montalt Vicent
Published: March 2022

The role of the patient’s mother tongue in clinical communication is of vital importance and yet it is not always dealt with adequately by healthcare professionals and healthcare systems. Cultural competence should deal with and redress asymmetries in doctor–patient communication, including those having an impact on the patient’s mother tongue. The aim of this study was to answer a research question: what are the health professionals’ perceptions of the importance and role of the patients’ mother tongue in diglossic situations? To answer our research question, we carried out two focus groups, one with doctors and another with nurses working in public hospitals in the Valencian Community (Spain) where two languages share officiality, Catalan and Spanish. Yet, Catalan is a right and Spanish a duty. The results showed that perceptions of professionals in relation to the importance of the patient’s mother tongue in situations in which two official languages coexist in an asymmetric relationship vary a great deal and seem to form a continuum of positive and negative judgements. Different values were represented in the participants’ perceptions, ranging from respect for and full alignment with the patient’s perspective to negative perceptions. More qualitative and quantitative research on health professionals’ attitudes and values is needed to understand the role of the patient’s mother tongue in clinical communication. Educational and institutional efforts are also needed to redress the linguistic and cultural asymmetries that have a negative impact on patients in terms of inequality, inefficiency, and even exclusion.
Dissecting the Levelized Cost of Storage—“Adders” for New York City
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed Ali A. , Kamaludeen Mohamed K. , Barros Francisco , Imperial Zacarias
Published: March 2022

The mass deployment of energy storage and distributed energy resources has become a major goal across several states in the United States. However, the viability and reality of such a goal in New York City has been put in question as possible financial burdens and execution risks are still unclear, while policies and regulations are still not fully settled. This paper provides a foundational overview of the Lazard LCOS study with emphasis on forward states which have successfully implemented mass deployment of energy storage technologies. “Adders” are related to the practicality in deploying these systems in a highly regulated and densely populated urban area such as New York City. It also discusses details on the typical financial structure/incentives that support the policies and regulations that allow for achieving these clean energy goals. Furthermore, many states have begun to focus on alternative battery technologies rather than just Li-ion, and as such, New York State is following suit. Utilizing several similar works that have begun to touch on these considerations individually and various accredited resources, this paper discusses “adders” for New York City (and New York State as a whole) as they develop similar approaches that are unique to them and offers helpful conclusions and recommendations to achieve their deployment goals.
Analysis of Online Customer Complaint Behavior in Vietnam’s Hotel Industry
Authors: Hien Nguyen The , Su Yen-Lun , Sann Raksmey , Thanh Le Thi Phuong
Published: March 2022

Vietnam’s hospitality industry has developed significantly over the past 20 years. Therefore, it is very important to investigate customers’ complaints based on their experience in Vietnamese hotels. This study aimed to examine online complaining behavior focusing on five hotel attributes (Service, Value, Room, Sleep Quality, and Cleanliness) to discover any behavioral pattern differences displayed by (i) Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese guests and (ii) guests experiencing different classes of hotels. A total of 1357 samples, which were representative of guests from 70 countries among five continents coming from 467 hotels in six famous tourist cities, were selected for data analysis. Then, descriptive statistics, t-test, and one-way analysis of variance were conducted to identify whether there was a difference in the behavioral pattern. Service and Value complaints were more evident in Vietnamese customers, while non-Vietnamese customers were more inclined to complain about Room. Furthermore, guests were more likely to complain about hotels in the economy class with respect to Service, Cleanliness, Room, and Sleep Quality attributes than those in the upscale class and luxury class. The research findings can aid hotel managers in making targeted proactive retention actions by categorizing regular customers into groups and also being able to meet the expectations of customers from different cultures and hotel classes. Moreover, they expand insights into the online complaining behaviors of tourists providing valuable practical information for the hotel industry and extending hospitality literature in Vietnam.
Development of Blockchain Learning Game-Themed Education Program Targeting Elementary Students Based on ASSURE Model
Authors: Choi Eunsun , Choi Youngmi , Park Namje
Published: March 2022

The blockchain education program based on the ASSURE model proposed in this article is of value because it can be applied in blended learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, using learning games to facilitate self-directed learning. We developed the education program in accordance with the six steps of the education design process of the ASSURE model. Firstly, we assessed learners to identify digital literacy issues of South Korean elementary students and jobs desired by them. Secondly, the objective of blockchain education was defined as improving awareness of and attention to blockchain technology by elementary students. Thirdly, gamification applied lessons were used as a teaching method, with educational media and data developed as worksheets and materials that can be used both online and offline. Fourthly, the educational contents and teaching aids were tested to evaluate the developed learning materials. Fifthly, the learning games were designed to offer rewards. Last, we designed the program to teach the principles of consensus mechanisms, private blockchain, and public blockchain. Education experts’ feedback was analyzed using technical statistics and LDA-based topic modeling to assess and modify the program. The education program design approach incorporating gamification elements was effective but needed expansion in coverage to include level-based teaching elements.
Climate Change Knowledge and Awareness of Nutrition Professionals: A Case Study from Turkey
Authors: Özel Mervenur , Bogueva Diana , Marinova Dora , Tekiner Ismail Hakki
Published: March 2022

Nutrition professionals (nutritionists and dietitians) assess nutritional and food-related health problems. They also identify appropriate interventions and support people in making dietary and lifestyle changes. The current climate change emergency constitutes a global threat to health, and the nutrition professionals can promote some diet-related alterations that encourage practical mitigation actions against it. This study assessed the knowledge and awareness levels of Turkish nutrition professionals about climate change by using a multiple-choice online quantitative survey conducted in 2021. It uses a sample of 1200 nutrition professionals who graduated from Turkish Universities. The findings showed that the participants’ climate change knowledge and awareness levels were correlated and significantly affected each other when it comes to understanding, responding, effects and awareness (p < 0.05). However, the links with knowledge about sustainable diet and scientific collaboration were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Educational and practice-based opportunities for linking climate change and diet-related advice are suggested for Turkish nutrition professionals.
Reducing the Cooling Loads of Buildings Using Shading Devices: A Case Study in Darwin
Authors: Mohammed Aiman , Tariq Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman , Ng Anne Wai Man , Zaheer Zeeshan , Sadeq Safwan , Mohammed Mahmood , Mehdizadeh-Rad Hooman
Published: March 2022

It is estimated that almost 40% of the world’s energy is consumed by buildings’ heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. This consumption increases by 3% every year and will reach 70% by 2050 due to rapid urbanisation and population growth. In Darwin, building energy consumption is even higher and accounts for up to 55% due to the hot and humid weather conditions. Singapore has the same weather conditions but less energy consumption, with only 38% compared to Darwin. Solar radiation can be defined as electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun and the Darwin area receives a large amount of solar radiation; building energy consumption can be reduced hugely if this radiation is blocked effectively by analysing appropriate shading devices. This study investigated the influence of different types of shading devices on the cooling load of a town hall building located in Darwin, Australia, and proposed the optimal shading device. The results showed that the horizontal fins led to a 5% reduction in the cooling load of the building. In contrast, adding a variation to the device angles and length increased the savings to 8%. The results demonstrated that the overhangs were more efficient than the fins, contributing 9.2% energy savings, and the cooling reduction savings were increased to 15.5% with design and length variations.
Application of New Technology in Education: Design and Implementation of Graduate Certificate Model Based on Intelligent Graph Element Technology
Authors: Li Fengying , Xue Qingshui , Xu Shifeng , Wang Tongchao
Published: March 2022

Modern information technology empowers education and infuses new vigor into educational innovation. However, current university diplomas are old-fashioned, not connected to information technology, and easy to copy. Two-dimensional code technology, widely popular in China because of its intuitive, simple, convenient, and other advantages, should be integrated into the field of education. Two-dimensional code technology is the advanced form of graphic code technology. However, through the analysis of the current situation of graphic code technology research and education applications including two-dimensional code, there are no actual cases of graphic code technology applied to graduation certificates, leaving a blank field of research. This is mainly due to the defects and limitations of the existing graphic code technology, so a new intelligent graph element technology (IGET) is proposed here. Intelligent graph element technology integrates the functional advantages of two-dimensional code and overcomes the issues of certificates being easy to forge and difficult to verify, by adding intuitive, discernible, and valuable new functions, suitable for the functional requirements of the graduation certificate. Based on intelligent graph element technology, a novel graduation certificate management system model is constructed here, and a graduation certificate is designed and implemented. Compared with the traditional graduation certificate, the graduation certificate based on intelligent graph elements has the advantages of being intuitive and readable, and having information security, a large amount of information, and intelligent anti-counterfeiting, verification, and traceability mechanisms. The application of intelligent graph element technology in the design and research of college graduation certificates opens a new window of digitization and informatization innovation for traditional college graduation certificates, and provides reference for other innovative applications of intelligent graph element technology in the field of education.
Benchmarking Water Efficiency in Public School Buildings
Authors: Flores Rafael Almeida , Ghisi Enedir
Published: March 2022

The operation of buildings is significant among the human activities that withdraw water from nature, and evaluating the water efficiency of buildings is essential for sustainable development. Hence, this paper aims to assess the water efficiency in school buildings to identify benchmarks that could be used as targets in water-saving initiatives alongside highlighting which type of variable is more influential for each building. A cluster benchmarking system was developed and applied to 82 public school buildings in Florianópolis, Brazil. Data were obtained from the state water supply company and both state and municipal education departments. Water consumption drivers were defined through a literature review and the language R was used for clustering the sample. Water efficiency was then evaluated using suitable indicators for occupation conditions, building rooms and spaces and water appliances. High and low-efficiency buildings were identified in the five clusters generated through the k-means algorithm. Schools with excessively low or high consumption that could be related either to the under-measurement or leaks were identified, which is useful for water network management. In conclusion, water-efficient school buildings were highlighted as benchmarks and the type of variables that should be addressed for enhancing the accuracy of water-saving initiatives were highlighted.
Water Information Extraction Based on Multi-Model RF Algorithm and Sentinel-2 Image Data
Authors: Jiang Zhiqi , Wen Yijun , Zhang Gui , Wu Xin
Published: March 2022

For the Sentinel-2 multispectral satellite image remote sensing data, due to the rich spatial information, the traditional water body extraction methods cannot meet the needs of practical applications. In this study, a random forest-based RF_16 optimal combination model algorithm is proposed to extract water bodies. The research process uses Sentinel-2 multispectral satellite images and DEM data as the basic data, collected 24 characteristic variable indicators (B2, B3, B4, B8, B11, B12, NDVI, MSAVI, B5, B6, B7, B8A, NDI45, MCARI, REIP, S2REP, IRECI, PSSRa, NDWI, MNDWI, LSWI, DEM, SLOPE, SLOPE ASPECT), and constructed four combined models with different input variables. After analysis, it was determined that RF_16 was the optimal combination for extracting water body information in the study area. Model. The results show that: (1) The characteristic variables that have an important impact on the accuracy of the model are the improved normalized difference water index (MNDWI), band B2 (Blue), normalized water index (NDWI), B4 (Red), B3 (Green), and band B5 (Vegetation Red-Edge 1); (2) The water extraction accuracy of the optimal combined model RF_16 can reach 93.16%, and the Kappa coefficient is 0.8214. The overall accuracy is 0.12% better than the traditional Relief F algorithm. The RF_16 method based on the optimal combination model of random forest is an effective means to obtain high-precision water body information in the study area. It can effectively reduce the “salt and pepper effect” and the influence of mixed pixels such as water and shadows on the water extraction accuracy.
Sustainable Development Practices of Restaurants in Romania and Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Băltescu Codruța Adina , Neacșu Nicoleta Andreea , Madar Anca , Boșcor Dana , Zamfirache Alexandra
Published: March 2022

Sustainable development is a constant and a necessity of daily life in the restaurant industry. The restaurant industry has high consumptions of energy, water, detergents, and consumables, together with tremendous food waste. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted many acute sustainable development problems. In this context, this article analyzes the practices identified by restaurant managers that define their responsible behavior, and the significant changes made towards sustainability during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article presents the results obtained through qualitative research, carried out by semi-directive in-depth interviews, conducted with 56 restaurant managers from Romania. The answers obtained are based on five topics of discussion highlighting the managers’ growing interest in finding solutions to counteract negative effects on the environment, to ensure the wellbeing of customers and employees, and to increase the profitability of their company. The results obtained from the research reflect the thoughts and actions of restaurant managers in Romania, contributing to the body of knowledge in the understanding of sustainability practices in the foodservice sector.
Control of Early-Age Cracking in Super-Long Mass Concrete Structures
Authors: Wang Chenfei , Chen Yuehui , Zhou Meili , Chen Fangjian
Published: March 2022

The early-age cracking problem in concrete has long been recognised by civil engineers and scientists because it can jeopardise the intended serviceability of concrete structures. However, the effects of various crack control methods are different. This paper carried out field monitoring on a super-long wall with different crack control measures and compared the temperature and strain development process of the wall. In the middle of the super-long wall, the pipe cooling method reduced the hydration heat of concrete by 13 °C via a vertical pipe arrangement, but the wall could reach the maximum tensile strain earlier than with the other methods. By embedding an I-shaped steel plate in the induced joint method, a structurally stiff mutation zone was generated, and the maximum strain was generated at the induced seam web. By calculating and setting a reasonable construction length, the alternative bay construction method reduced the internal tensile strain of the structure. The early-age cracking of super-long mass concrete structures is affected more by restrained shrinkage than by temperature, so it is difficult to control early-age cracking by addressing only one factor.
Methodology for Prioritizing Best Practices Applied to the Sustainable Last Mile—The Case of a Brazilian Parcel Delivery Service Company
Authors: Assis Tássia Faria de , Abreu Victor Hugo Souza de , Costa Mariane Gonzalez da , D’Agosto Marcio de Almeida
Published: March 2022

The ever-increasing impacts of the last mile delivery sector on the environment and the quality of life of the urban population, such as increased congestion, demand best practices to be incorporated by companies to reduce impacts such as emission of air pollutants and Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and depletion of natural resources, among others. However, a myriad of strategies has been developed for this purpose but there is a lack of methodologies that allow the choice of the best ones for a specific case. Therefore, this study looks for those best practices to be employed through an innovative methodology that consists of SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), a map of strategies of the delivery service, and using the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard (SBSC) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), with the differential of considering the peculiarities of each company. The results applied in a Brazilian last mile delivery service company show that best practices such as route optimization, implementation of new infrastructure and business models for urban deliveries, and use of information systems for fleet tracking and monitoring contribute significantly to improving performance indicators and achieving the sector’s goal to become more sustainable, and especially meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8, 9, 11, and 17.
On Generating Functions for Parametrically Generalized Polynomials Involving Combinatorial, Bernoulli and Euler Polynomials and Numbers
Authors: Bayad Abdelmejid , Simsek Yilmaz
Published: March 2022

The aim of this paper is to give generating functions for parametrically generalized polynomials that are related to the combinatorial numbers, the Bernoulli polynomials and numbers, the Euler polynomials and numbers, the cosine-Bernoulli polynomials, the sine-Bernoulli polynomials, the cosine-Euler polynomials, and the sine-Euler polynomials. We investigate some properties of these generating functions. By applying Euler’s formula to these generating functions, we derive many new and interesting formulas and relations related to these special polynomials and numbers mentioned as above. Some special cases of the results obtained in this article are examined. With this special case, detailed comments and comparisons with previously available results are also provided. Furthermore, we come up with open questions about interpolation functions for these polynomials. The main results of this paper highlight the existing symmetry between numbers and polynomials in a more general framework. These include Bernouilli, Euler, and Catalan polynomials.
Genomic Confirmation of the P-IIIe Subclass of Snake Venom Metalloproteinases and Characterisation of Its First Member, a Disintegrin-Like/Cysteine-Rich Protein
Authors: Požek Kity , Leonardi Adrijana , Pungerčar Jože , Rao Weiqiao , Gao Zijian , Liu Siqi , Laustsen Andreas Hougaard , Trampuš Bakija Alenka , Reberšek Katarina , Podgornik Helena , Križaj Igor
Published: March 2022

Disintegrin-like/cysteine-rich (DC) proteins have long been regarded just as products of proteolysis of P-III snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs). However, here we demonstrate that a DC protein from the venom of Vipera ammodytes (Vaa; nose-horned viper), VaaMPIII-3, is encoded per se by a P-III SVMP-like gene that has a deletion in the region of the catalytic metalloproteinase domain and in part of the non-catalytic disintegrin-like domain. In this way, we justify the proposal of the introduction of a new subclass P-IIIe of SVMP-derived DC proteins. We purified VaaMPIII-3 from the venom of Vaa in a series of chromatographic steps. A covalent chromatography step based on thiol-disulphide exchange revealed that VaaMPIII-3 contains an unpaired Cys residue. This was demonstrated to be Cys6 in about 90% and Cys19 in about 10% of the VaaMPIII-3 molecules. We further constructed a three-dimensional homology model of VaaMPIII-3. From this model, it is evident that both Cys6 and Cys19 can pair with Cys26, which suggests that the intramolecular thiol-disulphide exchange has a regulatory function. VaaMPIII-3 is an acidic 21-kDa monomeric glycoprotein that exists in at least six N-glycoforms, with isoelectric points ranging from pH 4.5 to 5.1. Consistent with the presence of an integrin-binding motif in its sequence, SECD, VaaMPIII-3 inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation. It also inhibited ADP- and arachidonic-acid-induced platelet aggregation, but not ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination and the blood coagulation cascade.
Cell-Free Systems Enable the Production of AB5 Toxins for Diagnostic Applications
Authors: Ramm Franziska , Jack Lena , Kaser Danny , Schloßhauer Jeffrey L. , Zemella Anne , Kubick Stefan
Published: March 2022

Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) represents a versatile key technology for the production of toxic proteins. As a cell lysate, rather than viable cells, is used, the toxic effects on the host organism can be circumvented. The open nature of cell-free systems allows for the addition of supplements affecting protein concentration and folding. Here, we present the cell-free synthesis and functional characterization of two AB5 toxins, namely the cholera toxin (Ctx) and the heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), using two eukaryotic cell-free systems based on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf21) cells. Through an iterative optimization procedure, the synthesis of the individual AB5 toxins was established, and the formation of multimeric structures could be shown by autoradiography. A functional analysis was performed using cell-based assays, thereby demonstrating that the LT complex induced the characteristic cell elongation of target cells after 24 h. The LT complex induced cell death at higher concentrations, starting at an initial concentration of 5 nM. The initial toxic effects of the Ctx multimer could already be detected at 4 nM. The detection and characterization of such AB5 toxins is of utmost importance, and the monitoring of intracellular trafficking facilitates the further identification of the mechanism of action of these toxins. We showed that the B-subunit of LT (LTB) could be fluorescently labeled using an LTB-Strep fusion protein, which is a proof-of-concept for future Trojan horse applications. Further, we performed a mutational analysis of the CtxA subunit as its template was modified, and an amber stop codon was inserted into CtxA’s active site. Subsequently, a non-canonical amino acid was site-specifically incorporated using bio-orthogonal systems. Finally, a fluorescently labeled CtxA protein was produced using copper-catalyzed click reactions as well as a Staudinger ligation. As expected, the modified Ctx multimer no longer induced toxic effects. In our study, we showed that CFPS could be used to study the active centers of toxins by inserting mutations. Additionally, this methodology can be applied for the design of Trojan horses and targeted toxins, as well as enabling the intracellular trafficking of toxins as a prerequisite for the analysis of the toxin’s mechanism of action.
On the Hunt for New Toxin Families Produced by a Mediterranean Strain of the Benthic Dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata
Authors: Ternon Eva , Glukhov Evgenia , Trytten Emily , Lemée Rodolphe , Gerwick William H.
Published: March 2022

Ostreopsis cf. ovata is a benthic dinoflagellate known to produce palytoxin (PLTX) and its analogues. Recent investigations suggested the production of unknown toxins by a Mediterranean strain. In the present work, two new families of toxins, potentially novel in their structures, were purified from this same Mediterranean strain of Ostreopsis cf. ovata. The low amount of material isolated only allowed for acquisition of high-resolution mass spectrometry data and the evaluation of their cytotoxicity to human lung cancer cells. Based on their HRMS data, none of these new compounds appear to be close PLTX analogues, although their mass spectra suggest poly-hydroxylated long chain compounds of high molecular weight (1370–2143 Da). The cell cytotoxicity concentrations (CC50) of these new purified toxins ranged between 0.68 and 3.12 µg/mL, and this was enhanced when they were tested as mixtures, suggesting synergistic effects of Ostreopsis toxins. The two families of compounds were named the liguriatoxins (LGTX) and rivieratoxins (RVTX), with each family containing three members. Additional work on purification is needed to fully characterize the structures of these six new dinoflagellate toxins.
Experimental Infection of Horses with Influenza D Virus
Authors: Sreenivasan Chithra C. , Uprety Tirth , Reedy Stephanie E. , Temeeyasen Gun , Hause Ben M. , Wang Dan , Li Feng , Chambers Thomas M.
Published: March 2022

Antibodies to influenza D virus (IDV) have been detected in horses, but no evidence of disease in the field has been reported. To determine whether IDV is infectious, immunogenic, and pathogenic in horses, four 2-year-old horses seronegative for both influenza A (H3N8) and D viruses were intranasally inoculated with 6.25 × 107 TCID50/animal of D/bovine/California/0363/2019 (D/CA2019) virus, using a portable equine nebulizer system. Horses were observed daily for clinical signs including rectal temperature, nasal discharge, coughing, lung sounds, tachycardia, and tachypnea. No horses exhibited clinical signs of disease. Nasopharyngeal swabs collected from 1–8 days post-infection demonstrated virus shedding by qRT-PCR. The horses showed evidence of seroconversion as early as 13 days post-infection (dpi) and the geometric mean of the antibody titers (GMT) of all four horses ranged from 16.82–160 as demonstrated by the microneutralization assay. Further, deep RNA sequencing of the virus isolated in embryonated chicken eggs revealed no adaptive mutations indicating that IDV can replicate in horses, suggesting the possibility of interspecies transmission of IDV with bovine reservoir into equids in nature.
Aedes aegypti Shows Increased Susceptibility to Zika Virus via Both In Vitro and In Vivo Models of Type II Diabetes
Authors: Azar Sasha R. , Campos Rafael K. , Yun Ruimei , Strange Taylor , Rossi Shannan L. , Hanley Kathryn A. , Vasilakis Nikos , Weaver Scott C.
Published: March 2022

Chronic conditions like type II diabetes (T2DM) have long been known to exacerbate many infectious diseases. For many arboviruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV), severe outcomes, morbidity and mortality usually only occur in patients with such pre-existing conditions. However, the effects of T2DM and other pre-existing conditions on human blood (e.g., hypo/hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia) that may impact infectivity of arboviruses for vectors is largely unexplored. We investigated whether the susceptibility of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes was affected when the mosquitoes fed on “diabetic” bloodmeals, such as bloodmeals composed of artificially glycosylated erythrocytes or those from viremic, diabetic mice (LEPRDB/DB). Increasing glycosylation of erythrocytes from hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c) values of 5.5–5.9 to 6.2 increased the infection rate of a Galveston, Texas strain of Ae. aegypti to ZIKV strain PRVABC59 at a bloodmeal titer of 4.14 log10 FFU/mL from 0.0 to 40.9 and 42.9%, respectively. ZIKV was present in the blood of viremic LEPRDB/DB mice at similar levels as isogenic control C57BL/6J mice (3.3 log10 FFU/mL and 3.6 log10 FFU/mL, respectively. When mice sustained a higher ZIKV viremia of 4.6 log10 FFU/mL, LEPRDB/DB mice infected 36.3% of mosquitoes while control C57BL/6J mice with a viremia of 4.2 log10 FFU/mL infected only 4.1%. Additionally, when highly susceptible Ae. aegypti Rockefeller mosquitoes fed on homozygous LEPRDB/DB, heterozygous LEPRWT/DB, and control C57BL/6J mice with viremias of ≈ 4 log10 FFU/mL, 54%, 15%, and 33% were infected, respectively. In total, these data suggest that the prevalence of T2DM in a population may have a significant impact on ZIKV transmission and indicates the need for further investigation of the impacts of pre-existing metabolic conditions on arbovirus transmission.
Analysis of R848 as an Adjuvant to Improve Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Immunogenicity in Elderly Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Crofts Kali F. , Holbrook Beth C. , D’Agostino Ralph B. , Alexander-Miller Martha A.
Published: March 2022

Elderly individuals are highly susceptible to developing severe outcomes as a result of influenza A virus (IAV) infection. This can be attributed to alterations that span the aged immune system, which also result in reduced responsiveness to the seasonal inactivated vaccine. Given the rapidly increasing number of individuals in this age group, it is imperative that we develop strategies that can better protect this population from IAV-associated disease. Based on our previous findings that the TLR7/8 agonist resiquimod (R848) could efficiently boost responses in the newborn, another population with decreased vaccine responsiveness, we evaluated this adjuvant in an elderly African green monkey (AGM) model. AGM aged 16–24 years old (equivalent to 64–96 in human years) were primed and boosted with inactivated A/PuertoRico/8/1934 (H1N1) (IPR8) alone or directly linked to R848 (IPR8-R848). We observed increases in the level of circulating virus-specific IgM antibody 10 days following primary vaccination in AGM that were vaccinated with IPR8-R848, but not IPR8 alone. In addition, there were significant increases in virus-specific IgG after boosting selectively in the IPR8-R848 vaccinated animals. These findings provide insights into the ability of R848 to modulate the aged immune system in the context of IAV vaccination.
Economic Value of Vaccines to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hong Kong: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Xiong Xuechen , Li Jing , Huang Bo , Tam Tony , Hong Yingyi , Chong Ka-Chun , Huo Zhaohua
Published: March 2022

Objective The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed significant costs on economies. Safe and effective vaccines are a key tool to control the pandemic; however, vaccination programs can be costly. Are the benefits they bestow worth the costs they incur? The relative value of COVID-19 vaccines has not been widely assessed. In this study, a cost-effectiveness analysis was performed to provide evidence of the economic value of vaccines in Hong Kong. Method We developed a Markov model of COVID-19 infections using a susceptible–infected–recovered structure over a 1-year time horizon from a Hong Kong healthcare sector perspective to measure resource utilization, economic burden, and disease outcomes. The model consisted of two arms: do nothing and implement a vaccination program. We assessed effectiveness using units of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) to measure the incremental cost-effectiveness at a HKD 1,000,000/QALY threshold. Results The vaccination program, which has reached approximately 72% of the population of Hong Kong with two vaccine doses, was found to have a cost of HKD 22,339,700 per QALY gained from February 2021 to February 2022. At a willingness-to-pay threshold, the vaccination program was not cost-effective in the context of the low prevalence of COVID-19 cases before the Omicron wave. However, the cost-effectiveness of a COVID-19 vaccine is sensitive to the infection rate. Hong Kong is now experiencing the fifth wave of the Omicron. It is estimated that the ICER of the vaccination program from February 2022 to February 2023 was HKD 310,094. The vaccination program in Hong Kong was cost-effective in the context of the Omicron. Conclusions Vaccination programs incur a large economic burden, and we therefore need to acknowledge their limitations in the short term. This will help relevant departments implement vaccination programs. From a longer-term perspective, the vaccination program will show great cost-effectiveness once infection rates are high in a regional outbreak. Compared with other age groups, it is suggested that the elderly population should be prioritized to improve the vaccine coverage rate.
Influence of Seat Vibration Frequency on Total Annoyance and Interaction Effects Caused by Simultaneous Noise and Seat Vibrations in Commercial Vehicles
Authors: Maravich Maria , Altinsoy Ercan
Published: March 2022

In vehicles, noise and seat vibrations can be perceived by the driver, depending on their signal properties, as annoying or unpleasant. Because perception is a complex process, it is necessary to consider both types of stimuli at the same time to assess annoyance in such situations. A perception experiment was carried out to investigate the interaction between simultaneous noise and seat vibrations, as well as the influence of seat vibration frequency in vehicle situations. For the experiment, acoustic and optical stimuli such as seat vibrations were recorded in a mini excavator and a refuse collection vehicle from the view of the driver. The recordings were prepared for plausible reproduction in a laboratory experiment. The participants of the experiment were presented with two different vehicle scenes with simultaneous noise, seat vibrations and visuals. The average total levels of vibration and noise, as well as the vibration frequency ranges of the various vehicle scenes, were varied. The results suggest that an interaction effect between noise and vibration should be accounted for when assessing total annoyance in such situations. Models for the prediction of the relative total annoyance causes of variations in noise and vibration levels were developed.
Groundwater Flow System-Based Dynamic System Approach for Geofluids and Their Resources
Authors: Czauner Brigitta , Molnár Ferenc , Masetti Marco , Arola Teppo , Mádl-Szőnyi Judit
Published: March 2022

The ‘Dynamic System Approach for Geofluids and their Resources’ was developed to harmonize research and the sustainable exploration of geofluids (e.g., groundwater, geothermal and hydrothermal fluids) and the related geo-resources (groundwater, geothermal energy and hydrothermal minerals). The conception is based on the basin-scale groundwater flow systems, which behave as a geologic agent, mobilize, transport and deposit matter and heat, whilst it can be evaluated quantitatively and in a distributed manner. Evaluation of these systems combined, for instance, with numerical, stochastic and isotope methods can jointly manage all types of geofluids, the related resources and the environmental consequences of their exploration and utilization. This paper describes the fundamental concepts of the approach and displays the proposed workflow and guidelines for practical applications such as groundwater vulnerability assessment, managed aquifer recharge, geothermal energy utilization, and the evaluation of hydrothermal mineral potential.
Review of Current Issues and Management Strategies of Microplastics in Groundwater Environments
Authors: Khant Naing Aung , Kim Heejung
Published: March 2022

Microplastic contamination has become widespread in natural ecosystems around the globe as a result of the tremendous rise in plastic production over the last 70 years. However, microplastic pollution in marine and riverine habitats has received more attention than that of terrestrial environments or even groundwater. This manuscript reviews the current issues, potential occurrences, and sources of the emerging problem of microplastic contamination in groundwater systems. The most prevalent types of plastic detected in groundwater are polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, and fibers and fragments represent the most commonly found shapes. The vertical transportation of microplastics in agricultural soils can affect groundwater aquifer systems, which is detrimental to those who use groundwater for drinking as well as to microorganisms present in the aquifers. Moreover, this review sheds light on the interlinkage between sustainable development goals and groundwater microplastic contamination issues as part of the strategies for the management of microplastic contamination in groundwater. Overall, this review reveals a lack of interest and a gap in knowledge regarding groundwater microplastic pollution and highlights future perspectives for research in this area.