bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unpacking Key Sustainability Drivers for Sustainable Social Enterprises: A Community-Based Tourism Perspective
Authors: Thananusak Trin , Suriyankietkaew Suparak
Published: February 2023

This study unpacked the key sustainability drivers for successful social enterprises or community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs), based on a study of a Thailand’s Best Responsible Tourism award-winner at Sapphaya Community in Chai Nat Province. Using a grounded-theory qualitative case study, our key research objective is to gain insights into how community and enterprise leaders of a national award-winning CBTE in Thailand can generate value by revalorizing its cultural heritage and local assets to achieve sustainable community-based tourism. The research also explores how the CBTE can increase local engagement with multi-stakeholders. Our findings indicated two key sustainability drivers, including leadership and local engagement, for sustainable social enterprises. An emergent model of leadership and local engagement in driving the sustainability of CBTEs is proposed. It implies an importance of CBTE leadership as a critical factor that helps preserve community endowments (e.g., historical sites and cultural heritage) as well as develops social capital. The local engagement with a good sense of ownership and community participation is the key enabler toward sustainable tourism. The results also suggest how-to processes in cultivating sustainable social enterprises in practice and toward policy implications.
An Improved Corpus-Based NLP Method for Facilitating Keyword Extraction: An Example of the COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Corpus
Authors: Chen Liang-Ching
Published: February 2023

In the current COVID-19 post-pandemic era, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is hindering the herd immunity generated by widespread vaccination. It is critical to identify the factors that may cause COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, enabling the relevant authorities to propose appropriate interventions for mitigating such a phenomenon. Keyword extraction, a sub-field of natural language processing (NLP) applications, plays a vital role in modern medical informatics. When traditional corpus-based NLP methods are used to conduct keyword extraction, they only consider a word’s log-likelihood value to determine whether it is a keyword, which leaves room for concerns about the efficiency and accuracy of this keyword extraction technique. These concerns include the fact that the method is unable to (1) optimize the keyword list by the machine-based approach, (2) effectively evaluate the keyword’s importance level, and (3) integrate the variables to conduct data clustering. Thus, to address the aforementioned issues, this study integrated a machine-based word removal technique, the i10-index, and the importance–performance analysis (IPA) technique to develop an improved corpus-based NLP method for facilitating keyword extraction. The top 200 most-cited Science Citation Index (SCI) research articles discussing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were adopted as the target corpus for verification. The results showed that the keywords of Quadrant I (n = 98) reached the highest lexical coverage (9.81%), indicating that the proposed method successfully identified and extracted the most important keywords from the target corpus, thus achieving more domain-oriented and accurate keyword extraction results.
Application of High-Viscosity Modified Asphalt Mixture in Curved Bridge Pavement
Authors: Wang Jianwei , Ji Bifeng , Chen Bin , Chen Songqiang
Published: February 2023

Curved bridge deck pavement materials are easy to be damaged due to their complex stress conditions. Hence, the application of a high-viscosity modified asphalt mixture in curved bridge deck pavement is studied in this paper. Firstly, the severity of pavement diseases on curved bridge decks was introduced and compared with the deck pavement diseases in straight sections. Then, compared with SBS-modified asphalt mixture SMA-13, the advantages of high-viscosity modified asphalt mixture HM-SMA-13 in resistance to deformation, water damage, shear deformation, and fatigue were analyzed. The results show that HM-SMA-13 has 1.6 times the high-temperature deformation resistance, 1.2 times the shear deformation resistance, 1.1 times the low-temperature performance, 1.05 times the water stability, and 7 times the fatigue resistance of the SMA-13 mixture. Finally, HM-SMA-13 was applied to the curved bridge deck pavement. After one year of operation, slight rutting and cracking appear on the bridge deck pavement, which indicated that HM-SMA-13 is a suitable material for curved bridge pavement.
An Agent-Based Architecture of the Digital Twin for an Emergency Department
Authors: Moyaux Thierry , Liu Yinling , Bouleux Guillaume , Cheutet Vincent
Published: February 2023

The concept of Digital Twin (DT) seems promising to improve the management of patient pathways in Emergency Departments (EDs). This article proposes an agent-based architecture of a DT designed for that purpose. The core of this DT is its Information System (IS), which is regularly synchronised on the IS of the Physical Twin (PT). The agents model the ED’s resources (equipment and staff) and patients in the DT and update this information in the DT’s IS. This article shows how such a DT may operate in three modes: (0) “Digital Shadow” to monitor the ED’s current state in real time, (1) “Synchronised DT” to monitor the ED’s current and future states according to a predictive simulation, and (2) “Exploratory DT” in order to perform Monte Carlo simulations of various future states. Mode (1) is the main contribution. This proposition is illustrated in a simulation of the ED in order to demonstrate the capabilities.
A Polynomial Chaos Expansion Method for Mechanical Properties of Flexoelectric Materials Based on the Isogeometric Finite Element Method
Authors: Chen Leilei , Zhao Juan , Li Haozhi , Huang Yajun , Yuan Xiaohui
Published: February 2023

The paper proposes a method for analyzing the mechanical properties of flexoelectric materials based on the isogeometric finite element method (IGA-FEM) and polynomial chaos expansion (PCE). The method discretizes the flexoelectric governing equations utilizing the B-spline shape functions that satisfy the continuity requirement to obtain the mechanical properties (electric potential) of the material. To obtain a mechanical property with different input parameters, we choose the truncated pyramid model as the object of study, and use IGA-FEM and PCE to solve different single uncertain parameters, including independent Young’s modulus and uniformly distributed force, and two kinds of flexoelectric constants, respectively. Numerical examples are presented to bear out the accuracy and viability of the proposed methodology.
Efficiency Measurement of Lignite-Fired Power Plants in Greece Using a DEA-Bootstrap Approach
Authors: Tsolas Ioannis E.
Published: February 2023

The measurement of power plant efficiency is of great importance for decision makers in order to formulate policies. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the performance of lignite-fired power plants in Greece using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and bootstrap. This research develops DEA-based efficiency metrics based on data from lignite-fired power plants in 2018 and assesses if there are performance disparities between facilities that have been closed or will be closed and plants that are still in operation. The DEA bootstrap results suggest that the power plants are considerably less efficient than what the initial single-DEA efficiency estimates suggested, and additionally, operating lignite-fired power plants are more efficient than those that have already been shut down or are about to be. Furthermore, there is evidence that age may have a detrimental effect on efficiency.
Research on the Coordinated Development of Innovation Ability and Regional Integration in Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area
Authors: Zheng Xuefeng , Zhang Xiufan , Fan Decheng
Published: February 2023

This paper selects the panel data of 11 cities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GHMA) from 2010 to 2020, calculates the Malmquist index of urban agglomerations to measure regional innovation, constructs the evaluation system of regional integration and measures the integration index. This paper conducts qualitative analysis and empirical research on the synergistic interaction between regional innovation and regional integration and examines the synergistic development between innovation capability and integrated development from theory and experience. The results show that from 2010 to 2020, the overall level of integration in the GHMA shows a rising trend, and the level of integration between regions has shown a narrowing trend since 2016. Regional innovation capacity is on the rise, and there is a clear gap between regions. Regional innovation ability has a positive impact on regional integration, which decreases first and then increases. Regional integration development has always played a strong role in promoting regional innovation. Accordingly, the regional integration process of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao should be further promoted, and regional innovation should be improved through the regional integration process.
An Improved Charting Scheme to Monitor the Process Mean Using Two Supplementary Variables
Authors: Arslan Muhammad , Anwar Sadia , Gunaime Nevine M. , Shahab Sana , Lone Showkat Ahmad , Rasheed Zahid
Published: February 2023

A control chart is the most well-known statistical monitoring tecnique to address unfavourable process parameter (s) changes. Quality practitioners always desire a charting device that promptly identifies the undesired changes in the process. This study intends to design a sensitive homogeneously weighted moving average chart using two supplementary variables (hereafter, TAHWMA). The two supplementary variables are correlated with the study variable in the form of a regression estimator, which is an efficient and unbiased estimator for the process mean. The suggested TAHWMA charting structure is checked out and compared in terms of appearance and non-appearance of multicollinearity amidst the two additional variables. Average run length-related measures are taken as performance measures. It is observed that the proposed TAHWMA scheme performs effectively when the two supplementary variables have no collinearity. A comprehensive comparison between the proposed TAHWMA and existing charts is also carried out, showing the proposed’s supremacy over existing counterparts. For execution purposes, two illustrative examples, one belonging to carbon fibre manufacturing-related data and the other using a simulated dataset and where our simulated dataset belongs to symmetrical distribution, are also presented for the application of the recommended TAHWMA chart.
Type-3 Fuzzy Control of Robotic Manipulators
Authors: Xu Songhua , Zhang Chunwei , Mohammadzadeh Ardashir
Published: February 2023

In this paper, the control of robotic manipulators (RMs) is studied. The RMs are widely used in industry. The RMs are multi-input-multi-output systems, and their dynamics are highly nonlinear. To improve the accuracy in practice, it is impossible to ignore the influence of nonlinear dynamics and the interaction of inputs–outputs. Non-structural uncertainties such as friction, disturbance, and unmodeled dynamics are other challenges of these systems. Recently, type-3 (T3) fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) have been suggested that result in better accuracy in a noisy environment. In this paper, a new control idea on the basis of T3-FLSs is suggested. T3-FLSs are used to estimate the dynamics of RMs and the symmetrical perturbations. The T3-FLSs are learned using online laws to enhance the stability. To eliminate the effect of the interconnection of inputs and estimation errors, a compensator is developed. By several simulations, the superiority of the suggested controller is demonstrated.
Estimation of the Modified Weibull Additive Hazards Regression Model under Competing Risks
Authors: Rehman Habbiburr , Chandra Navin , Emura Takeshi , Pandey Manju
Published: February 2023

The additive hazard regression model plays an important role when the excess risk is the quantity of interest compared to the relative risks, where the proportional hazard model is better. This paper discusses parametric regression analysis of survival data using the additive hazards model with competing risks in the presence of independent right censoring. In this paper, the baseline hazard function is parameterized using a modified Weibull distribution as a lifetime model. The model parameters are estimated using maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimation methods. We also derive the asymptotic confidence interval and the Bayes credible interval of the unknown parameters. The finite sample behaviour of the proposed estimators is investigated through a Monte Carlo simulation study. The proposed model is applied to liver transplant data.
Supply Chain Sustainability: A Model to Assess the Maturity Level
Authors: Correia Elisabete , Garrido-Azevedo Susana , Carvalho Helena
Published: February 2023

Today, frameworks and models are critical for enabling organizations to identify their current sustainability integration into business and to follow up on these initiatives over time. In this context, the maturity models offer a structured way of analyzing how a supply chain meets specific sustainability requirements and which areas demand attention to reach maturity levels. This study proposes a five-level maturity model to help supply chains managers identify their level of engagement with sustainability practices combining three perspectives: the intra- and inter-organizational sustainability practices, the triple-bottom-line approach and the critical areas for sustainability. All the steps followed in constructing the maturity model were based on a literature review, and case studies supported its improvement, application, and testing. The proposed model presents many advantages, such as being used as a self-assessment tool, a roadmap for sustainability behaviors improvement, and a benchmarking tool to evaluate and compare standards and best practices among organizations and supply chains.
Data and Model Harmonization Research Challenges in a Nation Wide Digital Twin
Authors: Sottet Jean-Sébastien , Pruski Cédric
Published: February 2023

Nation Wide Digital Twin is an emerging paradigm that pushes the context of a classical Digital Twin to a whole country. Under this perspective, models, which are central for digital twins, will play a key role for the design and implementation of such a specific digital twin. However, to achieve a nation wide digital twin vision, a whole set of problems related to models have to be solved. In this paper, we detailed the notion of nation wide digital twin with respect to well known digital twin from a model point of view and discuss the problems the community is facing in this context. As a result, from the identified challenges, we propose a research road-map paving the way for future scientific contributions.
Reproductive Effects of S. boulardii on Sub-Chronic Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid Toxicity in Male Rats
Authors: Sevim Çiğdem , Akpınar Erol , Aksu Emrah Hicazi , Ömür Ali Doğan , Yıldırım Serkan , Kara Mehtap , Bolat İsmail , Tsatsakis Aristides , Mesnage Robin , Golokhvast Kirill S. , Uzunçakmak Sevgi Karabulut , Ersoylu Rabia Nilüfer
Published: February 2023

The potential health-promoting effects of probiotics against intoxication by pesticides is a topic of increasing commercial interest with limited scientific evidence. In this study, we aimed to investigate the positive effects of probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii on the male reproductive system under low dose neonicotinoid pesticide exposure conditions. We observed that acetamiprid and imidacloprid caused a degeneration and necrosis of the spermatocytes in the tubular wall, a severe edema of the intertubular region and a hyperemia. This was concomittant to increased levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine reflecting oxidative stress, and an increase in caspase 3 expression, reflecting apoptosis. According to our results, Saccharomyces boulardii supplementation mitigates these toxic effects. Further in vivo and clinical studies are needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms of protection. Altogether, our study reinforces the burden of evidence from emerging studies linking the composition of the gut microbiome to the function of the reproductive system.
Health Risk Assessment of PAHs from Estuarine Sediments in the South of Italy
Authors: Di Duca Fabiana , Montuori Paolo , Trama Ugo , Masucci Armando , Borrelli Gennaro , Triassi Maria
Published: February 2023

Increased concerns about the toxicities of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), ubiquitous and persistent compounds, as well as the associated ecotoxicology issue in estuarine sediments, have drawn attention worldwide in the last few years. The levels of PAHs in the Sele, Sarno, and Volturno Rivers sediments were evaluated. Moreover, the cancerogenic risk resulting from dermal and ingestion exposure to PAHs was estimated using the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) assessment and the toxic equivalent concentration (TEQBaP). For Sele River, the results showed that the total PAH concentration ranged from 632.42 to 844.93 ng g−1 dw, with an average value of 738.68 ng g−1 dw. ∑PAHs were in the range of 5.2–678.6 ng g−1 dw and 434.8–872.1 ng g−1 dw for the Sarno and Volturno River sediments, respectively. The cancerogenic risk from the accidental ingestion of PAHs in estuarine sediments was low at all sampling sites. However, based on the ILCRdermal values obtained, the risk of cancer associated with exposure by dermal contact with the PAHs present in the sediments was moderate, with a mean ILCRdermal value of 2.77 × 10−6. This study revealed the pollution levels of PAHs across the South of Italy and provided a scientific basis for PAH pollution control and environmental protection.
Correlation between Saliva Levels and Serum Levels of Free Uremic Toxins in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Fabresse Nicolas , Larabi Islam Amine , Abe Emuri , Lamy Elodie , Rigothier Claire , Massy Ziad A. , Alvarez Jean-Claude
Published: February 2023

The objective of the present study was to investigate the putative correlation between the saliva concentration and free serum concentration for 10 uremic toxins (UTs; eight protein-bound solutes: 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid (CMPF), hippuric acid (HA), indole-3-acetic acid (3-IAA), indoxyl sulfate (I3S), kynurenic acid (KA), kynurenine (KYN), p-cresyl glucuronide (pCG), and p-cresyl sulfate (pCS); two free, water-soluble, low-molecular weight solutes: phenylacetylglutamine (PAGN) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO); and three precursors: tyrosine (Tyr), phenylalanine, and tryptophan). Saliva samples and blood samples were collected simultaneously from 18 healthy volunteers. After the addition of internal standards, 50 µL of saliva or serum were precipitated with methanol. UTs and precursors were quantified using a validated LC-MS/MS method. The saliva–serum correlation was statistically significant (according to Spearman’s coefficient) for six UTs (TMAO, HA, I3S, pCS, 3-IAA, and CMPF). Tyr presented a weak saliva-serum correlation (p = 0.08), whereas the other two precursors did not show a saliva–serum correlation. For three UTs (KYN, KA and pCG), we were unable to test the correlation since the saliva or serum levels were too low in many of the volunteers. The present study is the first to report on the saliva concentrations of TMAO, KYN, HA, PAGN, pCG, and 3-IAA.
Prevalence and Infection Intensity of Human and Animal Tungiasis in Napak District, Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda
Authors: Mutebi Francis , McNeilly Hannah , Thielecke Marlene , Reichert Felix , Wiese Susanne , Mukone George , Feldmeier Hermann
Published: February 2023

Tungiasis is an important but highly neglected cause of morbidity in resource-poor communities in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. Data upon which implementation of control measures can be based are scarce. Before piloting an integrated tungiasis control program in three parishes of Napak district, Uganda, a cross-sectional survey involving the systematic examination of humans and domestic mammals was implemented to establish the occurrence patterns of tungiasis. The study population was 5482 residents, of which 4035 (73.6%) participated in the study. The prevalence of tungiasis in humans was 62.8% (95% CI: 61.3–64.3%), with slightly more males than females affected (p = 0.01). Age-specific prevalence and intensity of human tungiasis followed an S-curve pattern, with children of 5–14 years and the elderly (≥60 years) being the most affected. Half of all lesions (50%) had been manipulated by sharp objects. The prevalence of tungiasis in animals was lower (14.2%, 95% CI: 10.9–18.0) than that of humans (p < 0.001). Animal tungiasis occurred in decreasing order of frequency in pigs (80%), dogs (24%), goats (16.3%), cats (8.1%) and sheep (4.9%). In conclusion, human tungiasis was highly prevalent but animal infections were comparatively few in the study area. Nevertheless, effective control measures should be based on One Health principles.
Prognostic Factors for Leptospirosis Infection Severity
Authors: Pongpan Surangrat , Thanatrakolsri Pantitcha , Vittaporn Supa , Khamnuan Patcharin , Daraswang Punnaphat
Published: February 2023

Background: Leptospirosis is an important health problem in Thailand. People infected with leptospirosis may not have any mild symptoms, whereas some people have acute and severe illnesses. It is crucial to strengthen critical patients’ diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe complications and reduce mortality. This study was performed to explore a set of parameters for the prediction of severe leptospirosis illness under routine clinical practice. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in eight general hospitals in Thailand. Retrospective collection data were used, and key information was retrieved from inpatient medical files. Patients were grouped into two severity categories, severe and non-severe infection. Backward elimination was used to reach the final multivariate model. Results: The six significant predictors identified in the study were hemoptysis (OR = 25.80, 95% CI 5.69, 116.92), hypotension (blood pressure < 90/60 mmHg) (OR = 17.33, 95% CI 6.89, 43.58), platelet count < 100,000/µL (OR = 8.37, 95% CI 4.65, 15.09), white blood cell count (WBC) > 14,000/µL (OR = 5.12, 95% CI 2.75, 9.51), hematocrit ≤ 30% (OR = 3.49, 95% CI 1.61, 7.57), and jaundice (OR = 3.11, 95% CI 1.71, 5.65). These predictors could correctly predict the severity of leptospirosis infection in 91.31% of the area under the receiver operation curve (AuROC). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that severe leptospirosis infections have identifiable predictors. The predictors may be used to develop a scoring system for predicting the level of severity.
Density and Urban Resilience, Cross-Section Analysis in an Iranian Metropolis Context
Authors: Dehghani Alireza , Alidadi Mehdi , Soltani Ali
Published: February 2023

While there is a large body of research on sustainable development and urban resilience, the interaction between urban densification and urban resilience remains understudied. This study aims to investigate several facets of urban resilience and densification before analyzing their mutual relationship. Focusing on ecological, social, economic, and physical elements of urban resilience on the one hand and population density, residential density, built-up area ratio (BAR), and parcel density on the other, a combination of spatial and quantitative methodologies is applied. Our empirical investigation revealed that the spatial distribution of all resilience indicators is varied. In other words, the cumulative form of urban resilience indicators has a different significance than the individual version. Similarly, different types of density have varying orientations and degrees of connection with measures of resilience that should be evaluated in empirical investigations. In addition, our research revealed that density has a stronger relationship with social and physical resilience than with ecological and economic resilience. The findings drawn from this research have the potential to inform the design of secure, resilient cities across a range of spatial dimensions.
Detection and Characterization of an H9N2 Influenza A Virus in the Egyptian Rousette Bat in Limpopo, South Africa
Authors: Rademan Rochelle , Geldenhuys Marike , Markotter Wanda
Published: February 2023

In recent years, bats have been shown to host various novel bat-specific influenza viruses, including H17N10 and H18N11 in the Americas and the H9N2 subtype from Africa. Rousettus aegyptiacus (Egyptian Rousette bat) is recognized as a host species for diverse viral agents. This study focused on the molecular surveillance of a maternal colony in Limpopo, South Africa, between 2017–2018. A pan-influenza hemi-nested RT-PCR assay targeting the PB1 gene was established, and influenza A virus RNA was identified from one fecal sample out of 860 samples. Genome segments were recovered using segment-specific amplification combined with standard Sanger sequencing and Illumina unbiased sequencing. The identified influenza A virus was closely related to the H9N2 bat-influenza virus, confirming the circulation of this subtype among Egyptian fruit bat populations in Southern Africa. This bat H9N2 subtype contained amino acid residues associated with transmission and virulence in either mammalian or avian hosts, though it will likely require additional adaptations before spillover.
Efficacy Validation of SARS-CoV-2-Inactivation and Viral Genome Stability in Saliva by a Guanidine Hydrochloride and Surfactant-Based Virus Lysis/Transport Buffer
Authors: Komu James Gitau , Jamsransuren Dulamjav , Matsuda Sachiko , Ogawa Haruko , Takeda Yohei
Published: February 2023

To enhance biosafety and reliability in SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis, virus lysis/transport buffers should inactivate the virus and preserve viral RNA under various conditions. Herein, we evaluated the SARS-CoV-2-inactivating activity of guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl)- and surfactant (hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (Hexa-DTMC))-based buffer, Prep Buffer A, (Precision System Science Co., Ltd., Matsudo, Japan) and its efficacy in maintaining the stability of viral RNA at different temperatures using the traditional real-time one-step RT-PCR and geneLEAD VIII sample-to-result platform. Although Prep Buffer A successfully inactivated SARS-CoV-2 in solutions with high and low organic substance loading, there was considerable viral genome degradation at 35 °C compared with that at 4 °C. The individual roles of GuHCl and Hexa-DTMC in virus inactivation and virus genome stability at 35 °C were clarified. Hexa-DTMC alone (0.384%), but not 1.5 M GuHCl alone, exhibited considerable virucidal activity, suggesting that it was essential for potently inactivating SARS-CoV-2 using Prep Buffer A. GuHCl and Hexa-DTMC individually reduced the viral copy numbers to the same degree as Prep Buffer A. Although both components inhibited RNase activity, Hexa-DTMC, but not GuHCl, directly destroyed naked viral RNA. Our findings suggest that samples collected in Prep Buffer A should be stored at 4 °C when RT-PCR will not be performed for several days.
Bacteriophage P22 Capsid as a Pluripotent Nanotechnology Tool
Authors: Essus Victor Alejandro , Souza Júnior Getúlio Silva e , Nunes Gabriel Henrique Pereira , Oliveira Juliana dos Santos , de Faria Bruna Mafra , Romão Luciana Ferreira , Cortines Juliana Reis
Published: February 2023

The Salmonella enterica bacteriophage P22 is one of the most promising models for the development of virus-like particle (VLP) nanocages. It possesses an icosahedral T = 7 capsid, assembled by the combination of two structural proteins: the coat protein (gp5) and the scaffold protein (gp8). The P22 capsid has the remarkable capability of undergoing structural transition into three morphologies with differing diameters and wall-pore sizes. These varied morphologies can be explored for the design of nanoplatforms, such as for the development of cargo internalization strategies. The capsid proteic nature allows for the extensive modification of its structure, enabling the addition of non-native structures to alter the VLP properties or confer them to diverse ends. Various molecules were added to the P22 VLP through genetic, chemical, and other means to both the capsid and the scaffold protein, permitting the encapsulation or the presentation of cargo. This allows the particle to be exploited for numerous purposes—for example, as a nanocarrier, nanoreactor, and vaccine model, among other applications. Therefore, the present review intends to give an overview of the literature on this amazing particle.
Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers in South Africa
Authors: George Gavin , Nota Phiwe Babalo , Strauss Michael , Lansdell Emma , Peters Remco , Brysiewicz Petra , Nadesan-Reddy Nisha , Wassenaar Douglas
Published: February 2023

Healthcare workers (HCWs) were the first population group offered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in South Africa because they were considered to be at higher risk of infection and required protecting as they were a critical resource to the health system. In some contexts, vaccine uptake among HCWs has been slow, with several studies citing persistent concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness. This study aimed to determine vaccine uptake among HCWs in South Africa whilst identifying what drives vaccine hesitancy among HCWs. We adopted a multimethod approach, utilising both a survey and in-depth interviews amongst a sample of HCWs in South Africa. In a sample of 7763 HCWS, 89% were vaccinated, with hesitancy highest among younger HCWs, males, and those working in the private sector. Among those who were hesitant, consistent with the literature, HCWs raised concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. Examining this further, our data revealed that safety and effectiveness concerns were formed due to first-hand witnessing of patients presenting with side-effects, concern over perceived lack of scientific rigor in developing the vaccine, confidence in the body’s immune system to stave off serious illness, and both a general lack of information and distrust in the available sources of information. This study, through discursive narratives, provides evidence elucidating what drives safety and effectiveness concerns raised by HCWs. These concerns will need to be addressed if HCWs are to effectively communicate and influence public behaviour. HCWs are key role players in the national COVID-19 vaccination programme, making it critical for this workforce to be well trained, knowledgeable, and confident if they are going to improve the uptake of vaccines among the general population in South Africa, which currently remains suboptimal.
Associations between Influenza Vaccination and Health Care Access among Adults in the United States
Authors: Gurel-Headley Morgan , Mamisashvili Mariam , CarlLee Sheena , Reece Sharon , Chapman Christina , Kraleti Shashank , Andersen Jennifer A. , Selig James P. , Willis Don E. , Li Ji , McElfish Pearl A.
Published: February 2023

Few studies have investigated the relationship between influenza vaccination and health care access. Furthermore, despite the well-documented disparities in vaccine coverage for communities of color, few studies have examined how experiences of discrimination may influence vaccine uptake. To fill this gap in the literature, this study examined associations between 5-year influenza vaccination rates and sociodemographic characteristics, health care access, and racial discrimination. Age, race/ethnicity, education, health care coverage, primary care provider, no medical care due to cost, and routine doctor checkups were significant correlates of 5-year influenza vaccination. In contrast to previous studies, discrimination scores were not a significant correlate of regular influenza vaccination. Respondents who reported forgoing care due to cost were less likely to report vaccination every year out of the last 5 years compared to all of the less frequent categories combined, demonstrating a more complex association between sometimes not being able to afford medical care and influenza vaccination. Future research should examine the relationship between influenza vaccination uptake, racial discrimination, and forgone care due to cost to enhance resources and messaging for influenza vaccination uptake.
Toxicological Assessments of a Pandemic COVID-19 Vaccine—Demonstrating the Suitability of a Platform Approach for mRNA Vaccines
Authors: Rohde Cynthia M. , Lindemann Claudia , Giovanelli Michael , Sellers Rani S. , Diekmann Jan , Choudhary Shambhunath , Ramaiah Lila , Vogel Annette B. , Chervona Yana , Muik Alexander , Sahin Ugur
Published: February 2023

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 at the end of 2019 required the swift development of a vaccine to address the pandemic. Nonclinical GLP-compliant studies in Wistar Han rats were initiated to assess the local tolerance, systemic toxicity, and immune response to four mRNA vaccine candidates encoding immunogens derived from the spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2, encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Vaccine candidates were administered intramuscularly once weekly for three doses at 30 and/or 100 µg followed by a 3-week recovery period. Clinical pathology findings included higher white blood cell counts and acute phase reactant concentrations, lower platelet and reticulocyte counts, and lower RBC parameters. Microscopically, there was increased cellularity (lymphocytes) in the lymph nodes and spleen, increased hematopoiesis in the bone marrow and spleen, acute inflammation and edema at the injection site, and minimal hepatocellular vacuolation. These findings were generally attributed to the anticipated immune and inflammatory responses to the vaccines, except for hepatocyte vacuolation, which was interpreted to reflect hepatocyte LNP lipid uptake, was similar between candidates and resolved or partially recovered at the end of the recovery phase. These studies demonstrated safety and tolerability in rats, supporting SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-LNP vaccine clinical development.
Advances in Molecular Imaging in Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Holcman Katarzyna , Rubiś Paweł , Ząbek Andrzej , Boczar Krzysztof , Podolec Piotr , Kostkiewicz Magdalena
Published: February 2023

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a growing epidemiological challenge. Appropriate diagnosis remains difficult due to heterogenous etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation. The disease may be followed by increased mortality and numerous diverse complications. Developing molecular imaging modalities may provide additional insights into ongoing infection and support an accurate diagnosis. We present the current evidence for the diagnostic performance and indications for utilization in current guidelines of the hybrid modalities: single photon emission tomography with technetium99m-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime–labeled autologous leukocytes (99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT) along with positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG PET/CT). The role of molecular imaging in IE diagnostic work-up has been constantly growing due to technical improvements and the increasing evidence supporting its added diagnostic and prognostic value. The various underlying molecular processes of 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT as well as 18F-FDG PET/CT translate to different imaging properties, which should be considered in clinical practice. Both techniques provide additional diagnostic value in the assessment of patients at risk of IE. Nuclear imaging should be considered in the IE diagnostic algorithm, not only for the insights gained into ongoing infection at a molecular level, but also for the determination of the optimal clinical therapeutic strategies.
Nanomedicine as a Potential Tool against Monkeypox
Authors: Mohamed Nura Adam , Zupin Luisa , Mazi Sarah Ismail , Al-Khatib Hebah A. , Crovella Sergio
Published: February 2023

Human monkeypox is a rare viral zoonosis that was first identified in 1970; since then, this infectious disease has been marked as endemic in central and western Africa. The disease has always been considered rare and self-limiting; however, recent worldwide reports of several cases suggest otherwise. Especially with monkeypox being recognized as the most important orthopoxvirus infection in humans in the smallpox post-eradication era, its spread across the globe marks a new epidemic. Currently, there is no proven treatment for human monkeypox, and questions about the necessity of developing a vaccine persist. Notably, if we are to take lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, developing a nanomedicine-based preventative strategy might be prudent, particularly with the rapid growth of the use of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in medical research. Unfortunately, the collected data in this area is limited, dispersed, and often incomplete. Therefore, this review aims to trace all reported nanomedicine approaches made in the monkeypox area and to suggest possible directions that could be further investigated to develop a counteractive strategy against emerging and existing viruses that could diminish this epidemic and prevent it from becoming a potential pandemic, especially with the world still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Experimental Analysis of 3D Flow Structures around a Floating Dike
Authors: Huang Wei , Ni Yufang , Creed Maggie , Yu Sihan
Published: February 2023

Floating dikes have several advantages over spur dikes including less influence on riverine sediment transport, bed topography, and ecosystems, and a good adaptability to fluvial conditions. Despite these advantages, floating dikes have not been used in many river regulation schemes due to the limited understanding of the 3D flow structures around floating dikes. In this study, a series of experiments were conducted to investigate the 3D flow structures around floating dikes. Results show that, after installing a floating dike on one side of a flume, the surface water flow is deflected to the opposite side of the flume, and a backflow develops around the outer and downstream side of the dike, where both the vertical turbulent intensity and the absolute magnitude of the Reynolds stress are relatively large. Due to the blocking effect of the dike, the cross-sectional area decreases, causing an increase in velocities below and alongside the dike, as well as a decrease in velocities upstream of the dike. Increasing the submerged depth or length of the dike results in an increase in flow velocity adjacent to the dike, as well as an increase in the vertical or lateral scale of the backflow. On the contrary, increasing the dike thickness leads to a weakening or disappearance of the backflow, along with a decrease in the acceleration rate of flow adjacent to the dike.
Evaluation of Water Resources Utilization Efficiency Based on DEA and AHP under Climate Change
Authors: Zhang Shanjun , Liu Jia , Li Chuanzhe , Yu Fuliang , Jing Lanshu , Chen Weifan
Published: February 2023

In the context of climate change, the problem of water scarcity is becoming increasingly serious, and improving the efficiency of water resources use is an important measure to alleviate this problem. The evaluation of water resources utilization efficiency has become the basis of water resource management. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) are widely used in the evaluation of water resources utilization efficiency. However, one of these methods is mostly used for evaluation, which cannot reflect the influence of both objective and subjective factors. Therefore, in this study, we propose a water resources utilization efficiency index (WEI) to evaluate the water resources utilization efficiency of each region in the Tumen River Basin (TRB), combining both DEA and AHP methods. Firstly, the DEA-CCR model was used to quantify domestic, agricultural and industrial water use efficiency in the TRB. The DEA-BCC model was used to analyze the main influences on water use efficiency in each sector. Secondly, the WEI was constructed by assigning weights using the AHP model based on the importance of each water use sector. The results show that the WEI values for most areas within the TRB trended upwards between 2014 and 2019. In particular, domestic water use efficiency ranged from 0.294 to 0.775, while agricultural and industrial water use efficiency ranged from 0.039 to 0.054 and 0.031 to 0.375, respectively. Technical efficiency is the main factor influencing water use efficiency in TRB. This study could provide a basis for water resource management and mitigation of water scarcity in the context of climate change.
Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Evolution of Karst Groundwater in Heilongdong Spring Basin, Northern China
Authors: Gao Ming , Li Xiangquan , Qian Jiazhong , Wang Zhenxing , Hou Xinwei , Fu Changchang , Ma Jianfei , Zhang Chunchao , Li Jinqiu
Published: February 2023

Understanding the impact of natural processes and anthropogenic activities on geochemical evolution is vital for groundwater protection and utilization. This research was devoted to identifying the water quality status and the main controlling factors of the hydrochemical evolution of karst groundwater by combining hydrogeochemical indicators with multi-isotope analysis techniques in the Heilongdong Spring Basin, North China. The results showed that the karst groundwater in the area was of meteoric origin, and the dissolution of carbonate minerals was dominant in water–rock interactions. Meanwhile, the positive and negative cation exchange occurred in the process. The main hydrochemical types of karst groundwater were HCO3-Ca·Mg and HCO3-Ca in the recharge area, while the predominant hydrochemical types were the HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg and HCO3·SO4-Ca in the runoff and discharge area. Under the influence of coal mining and other factors, the average concentrations of major ions kept rising in the runoff area where coal mines were distributed, and the SO42− concentrations of the karst groundwater changed the most in the study area. In addition, sewage from agricultural production and domestic sources had also negatively impacted the quality of regional groundwater in the runoff and discharge area, as evidenced by the increasing NO3− and Cl− contents in the Quaternary sediment groundwater, Permian bedrock groundwater and a small portion of karst groundwater. These results were helpful to explain the mechanism of gradual hydrogeochemical changes and provided a scientific basis for the effective management and utilization of karst groundwater.
Freeze–Thaw Cycle Effects on the Energy Dissipation and Strength Characteristics of Alkali Metakaolin-Modified Cement Soil under Impact Loading
Authors: Huang Kun , Wang Heng , Huang Kai
Published: February 2023

To investigate freeze–thaw cycle effects on the energy dissipation and strength characteristics of cement soils under impact loading, impact compression tests were carried out using a split Hopkinson pressure bar on cement soils under various freeze–thaw cycles (0, 1, 3, 6 and 10 times). The Zhu–Wang–Tang (ZWT) model was modified to predict the relationship between deformation and strength in cement soils under various test conditions. The obtained test results revealed that the freeze–thaw cycle number and impact pressure had significant effects on the fractal dimension, strength and absorbed energy of cement soils and there existed a critical freeze–thaw cycle number. It was found that the increase of the freeze–thaw cycle number gradually decreased strength and absorbed energy and increased the fractal dimension. When freeze–thaw cycle number was between 0–6, strength, fractal dimension and absorbed energy were significantly changed. For freeze–thaw cycle numbers greater than 6, the effects of the above factors were gradually alleviated. A modified constitutive model was able to accurately describe cement soil mechanical responses under high strain rate conditions, and the relative error between the predicted and experimental results was in the range of ±7%.
Changes in Water Source Cause Shifts in Invertebrate Biomass, Composition, and Regrowth in a Non-Chlorinated Drinking Water Distribution System
Authors: Wagenvoort Arco , van Asperen Roland van , Sandrini Giovanni , Hijnen Wim
Published: February 2023

Invertebrates such as Asellus aquaticus, halacarid mites, copepods and cladocerans are common in drinking water distribution systems. The Zeeuws-Vlaanderen drinking water distribution system (DWDS) of Evides water company is divided into western and eastern sections, initially supplied with drinking water derived from a eutrophic reservoir (water) and groundwater, respectively. The drinking water derived from eutrophic reservoir water was characterised as less biologically stable than the drinking water from groundwater. Due to groundwater level protection measures, since 2015 the groundwater supply to the eastern section has been gradually replaced with supply from the drinking water treatment plant, which uses eutrophic reservoir water as source water. This change caused increased regrowth conditions, as observed by regulated microbial regrowth indicators (HPC22 and Aeromonas), increased invertebrate biomass, and the dominant occurrence of Asellus aquaticus, confirming observations in other Evides DWDSs. The results from the western section supplied with the same less biological stable drinking water, however, showed that the occurrence of microbial regrowth, invertebrate biomass and A. aquaticus is not only related to the biological stability of the supplied drinking water, but also to the influence of DWDS-specific conditions. The DWDS configuration as well as higher water demands in summer (western section) and/or higher sediment and Fe accumulation in the DWDS (eastern section) are suggested factors affecting regrowth and therefore subjects for further research.
Trace and Rare Earth Element (REE) Geochemistry of Recently Formed Stromatolites at Lake Salda, SW Turkey
Authors: Kaya Mustafa , Yildirim Belgin Aydin , Kumral Mustafa , Sasmaz Ahmet
Published: February 2023

Stromatolites are the oldest recognized fossil recordings of life on Earth. Therefore, their study of them represents one of the most interesting topic that investigates the physio-chemical environmental conditions (formations and precipitations) at which the stromatolites formed. This work deals with the rare earth elements (REEs) geochemical characteristics and the redox-sensitive trace elements behavior of the stromatolites newly formed in Salda Lake, a closed system alkaline lake surrounded by serpentinite rocks in SW Turkey. The representative stromatolite samples collected from Salda Lake show higher contents of MgO (up to 41.5 wt.%), CO2+OH (up to 56.6 wt.%), and MgO/CaO ratio (up to 42.2 wt.%) referring to the stromatolites had been controlled by microorganisms and deposited in subtidal areas having hydro-magnesite and aragonite mineralogy. The average trace element contents of the stromatolites are 8.4 ppm V, 0.09 ppm Cr, 3.50 ppm Co, 95.6 ppm Ni, 0.73 ppm Cu, 1.55 ppm Rb, 37.6 ppm Sr, 0.59 ppm Y, 17.7 ppm Zr, 3.60 ppm Nb, 21 ppm Ba, 0.05 ppm Hf, 3.5 ppm As, 0.02 ppm Cd, 0.05 ppm U, 0.05 ppm Th, 2.85 ppm Pb, and 6.60 ppm Zn. The Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS)-normalized REE patterns of the stromatolites reveal that the heavy REEs (HREEs) are enriched relative to the light REEs (LREEs) with highly negative Y and Ce-anomalies and positive Eu-anomalies. This refers to the stromatolites formed in predominantly oxidizing environmental conditions at partially warm lake waters. In addition, the hydromagnesite composition of the Salda Lake stromatolites indicates that they were precipitated from the waters influenced by Mg-rich meteoric waters fed from the serpentinite rocks around the Lake.