bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validity of Wearable Monitors and Smartphone Applications for Measuring Steps in Semi-Structured and Free-Living Settings
Authors: Adamakis Manolis
Published: February 2023

Wearable technologies have become powerful tools for health and fitness and are indispensable everyday tools for many individuals; however, significant limitations exist related to the validity of the metrics these monitors purport to measure. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to validate the step count of three wearable monitors (i.e., Yamax 3D Power-Walker, Garmin Vivofit 3 and Medisana Vifit), as well as two Android apps (i.e., Accupedo Pedometer and Pedometer 2.0), in a sample of healthy adults. These monitors and apps were evaluated in a lab-based semi-structured study and a 3-day field study under habitual free-living conditions. A convenience sample of 24 healthy adults (14 males and 10 females; 32.6 ± 2.5 years) participated in both studies. Direct step observation and Actigraph served as the criterion methods and validity was evaluated by comparing each monitor and app with the criterion measure using mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE), Bland–Altman plots, and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients. The results revealed high validity for the three wearable monitors during the semi-structured study, with MAPE values approximately 5% for Yamax and Vifit and well below 5% for Vivofit, while the two apps showed high MAPE values over 20%. In the free-living study all monitors and apps had high MAPE, over 10%. The lowest error was observed for Yamax, Vifit and Pedometer app, while Accupedo app had the highest error, overestimating steps by 32%. The present findings cannot support the value of wearable monitors and apps as acceptable measures of PA and step count in free-living contexts. Wearable monitors and apps that might be valid in one context, might not be valid in different contexts and vice versa, and researchers should be aware of this limitation.
Causal Associations of PM2.5 and GDM: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Yang Yi , Ma Xianli , Pang Weiyi , Jiang Caina
Published: February 2023

Epidemiological studies have linked particulate matter (PM2.5) to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the causality of this association has not been established; Mendelian randomization was carried out using summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). For the analysis of the causal relationship between PM2.5 and GDM, the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used. The exposure data came from a GWAS dataset of IEU analysis of the United Kingdom Biobank phenotypes consisting of 423,796 European participants. The FinnGen consortium provided the GDM data, which included 6033 cases and 123,000 controls. We also performed multivariate MR (MVMR), adjusting for body mass index (BMI) and smoking. As a result, we found that each standard deviation increase in PM2.5 is associated with a 73.6% increase in the risk of GDM (OR: 1.736; 95%CI: 1.226–2.457). Multivariable MR analysis showed that the effect of PM2.5 on GDM remained after accounting for BMI and smoking. Our results demonstrate a causal relationship between PM2.5 and GDM.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Vancomycin Concentrations for the Management of Bone and Joint Infections: An Urgent Need
Authors: Rio-No Laura , Sorli Luisa , Arderiu-Formenti Alba , De Antonio Marta , Martorell Lucas , Subirana Isaac , Puig Lluis , Alier Albert , Gómez-Junyent Joan , Pérez-Prieto Daniel , Luque Sonia
Published: February 2023

Vancomycin is used for the treatment of bone and joint infections (BJI), but scarce information is available about its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) characteristics. We aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the non-achievement of an optimal PK/PD target in the first therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital from January 2020 to January 2022. Patients with BJI and TDM of vancomycin on day 2 of treatment were included. Initial vancomycin fixed doses (1 g every 8 h or 12 h) was decided by the responsible doctors. According to TDM results, dosage adjustments were performed. An AUC24h/MIC < 400 mg × h/L, between 400 and 600 mg × h/L and >600 mg × h/L, were defined as suboptimal, optimal and supratherapeutic, respectively. Patients were grouped into these three categories. Demographic, clinical and PK characteristics were compared between groups. Nephrotoxicity at the end of treatment was assessed. Results: A total of 94 patients were included: 22 (23.4%), 42 (44.7%) and 30 (31.9%) presented an infratherapeutic, optimal and supratherapeutic PK/PD targets, respectively. A younger age and initial vancomycin dose <40 mg/kg/day were predictive factors for achieving a suboptimal PK/PD target, while older age, higher serum-creatinine and dose >40 mg/kg/day were associated with overexposure. The nephrotoxicity rate was 22.7%. More than 50% of patients did not achieve an optimal PK/PD. Considering age, baseline serum-creatinine and body weight, TDM is required to readily achieve an optimal and safe exposure.
On the Temperature Dependence of the String-Breaking Distance in QCD
Authors: Antonov Dmitry
Published: February 2023

The temperature dependence of the QCD string-breaking distance is evaluated in terms of the string tension and the rate of production of light mesons in the chromo-electric field of a flux tube. As a function of the meson mass, the mentioned rate can be falling off either as a Gaussian, as suggested by the Schwinger formula, or as an exponential, which is the case in the London limit of the dual superconductor. We find an excellent agreement of the so-evaluated temperature dependence of the string-breaking distance with the respective lattice data, for the case of the meson-production rate corresponding to the London limit.
Characterization of a Recombinant Thermostable Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) Expressing Glycoprotein gB of Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus (ILTV) Protects Chickens against ILTV Challenge
Authors: Zeng Zhe , He Yan , Wang Zichen , Yao Lun , Li Li , Shang Yu , Wang Hongcai , Zhang Rongrong , Shao Huabin , Luo Qingping , Wen Guoyuan
Published: February 2023

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) and Newcastle disease (ND) are two important avian diseases that have caused huge economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has been used as a vector in the development of vaccines and gene delivery. In the present study, we generated a thermostable recombinant NDV (rNDV) expressing the glycoprotein gB (gB) of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ITLV) based on the full-length cDNA clone of the thermostable TS09-C strain. This thermostable rNDV, named rTS-gB, displayed similar thermostability, growth kinetics, and pathogenicity compared with the parental TS09-C virus. The immunization data showed that rTS-gB induced effective ILTV- and NDV-specific antibody responses and conferred immunization protection against ILTV challenge in chickens. The efficacy of rTS-gB in alleviating clinical signs was similar to that of the commercial attenuated ILTV K317 strain. Furthermore, rTS-gB could significantly reduce viral shedding in cloacal and tracheal samples. Our study suggested that the rNDV strain rTS-gB is a thermostable, safe, and highly efficient vaccine candidate against ILT and ND.
Co-Circulation of Dengue Virus Serotypes 1, 2, and 3 during the 2022 Dengue Outbreak in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Rimal Sandesh , Shrestha Sabin , Pandey Kishor , Nguyen Thanh Vu , Bhandari Parmananda , Shah Yogendra , Acharya Dhiraj , Adhikari Nabaraj , Rijal Komal Raj , Ghimire Prakash , Takamatsu Yuki , Pandey Basu Dev , Fernandez Stefan , Morita Kouichi , Ngwe Tun Mya Myat , Dumre Shyam Prakash
Published: February 2023

The largest dengue outbreak in the history of Nepal occurred in 2022, with a significant number of casualties. It affected all 77 districts, with the nation’s capital, Kathmandu (altitude 1300 m), being the hardest hit. However, the molecular epidemiology of this outbreak, including the dengue virus (DENV) serotype(s) responsible for this epidemic, remain unknown. Here, we report the epidemic trends, clinico-laboratory features, and virus serotypes and their viral load profiles that are associated with this outbreak in Nepal. Dengue-suspected febrile patients were investigated by routine laboratory, serological, and molecular tools, including a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Of the 538 dengue-suspected patients enrolled, 401 (74.5%) were diagnosed with dengue. Among these dengue cases, 129 (32.2%) patients who required hospital admission had significant associations with myalgia, rash, diarrhea, retro-orbital pain, bleeding, and abdominal pain. DENV-1, -2, and -3 were identified during the 2022 epidemic, with a predominance of DENV-1 (57.1%) and DENV-3 (32.1%), exhibiting a new serotype addition. We found that multiple serotypes circulated in 2022, with a higher frequency of hospitalizations, more severe dengue, and more deaths than in the past. Therefore, precise mapping of dengue and other related infections through integrated disease surveillance, evaluation of the dynamics of population-level immunity and virus evolution should be the urgent plans of action for evidence-based policy-making for dengue control and prevention in the country.
Coxsackievirus A6 Infection Causes Neurogenic Pathogenesis in a Neonatal Murine Model
Authors: Sun Qiang , Li Jichen , Wang Rui , Sun Tiantian , Zong Yanjun , Wang Congcong , Liu Ying , Li Xiaoliang , Song Yang , Zhang Yong
Published: February 2023

Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6), a member of species A enterovirus, is associated with outbreaks of hand-foot-and-mouth disease and causes a large nationwide burden of disease. However, the molecular pathogenesis of CVA6 remains unclear. In the present study, we established a suckling Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mouse infection model to explore the neural pathogenicity of CVA6. Five-day-old mice infected with CVA6 strain F219 showed lethargy and paralysis, and died 5 or 6 days after infection via IM injection. Cerebral edema and neuronal cell swelling were observed in the infected brain tissue, and we found that the CVA6 VP1 antigen could co-localize with GFAP-positive astrocytes in infected mouse brain using an immunofluorescence assay. CVA6 strain F219 can also infect human glioma (U251) cells. Transcriptome analysis of brain tissues from infected mice and infected U251 cells showed that significantly differentially expressed genes were enriched in antiviral and immune response and neurological system processes. These results indicate that CVA6 could cause neural pathogenesis and provide basic data for exploring the mechanism of how host–cell interactions affect viral replication and pathogenesis. Importance: Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) surpasses the two main pathogens, enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), which are the leading pathogens causing HFMD in many provinces of China. In our study, CVA6 infection caused neurogenic pathogenesis in a neonatal murine model, manifesting as cerebral edema and neuronal cell swelling, CVA6 VP1 antigen could co-localize with GFAP-positive astrocytes in the infected mouse brain. Based on CVA6-infected brain tissue and U251 cell transcriptome analysis, we found upregulated antiviral and immune response-related genes such as Zbp1, Usp18, Oas2, Irf7, Ddx60, Ifit3, Ddx58, and Isg15, while the neurological system process-related genes were downregulated, including Fcrls, Ebnrb, Cdk1, and Anxa5.
Key Factors for “Fishing” NTCP as a Functional Receptor for HBV and HDV
Authors: Yan Huan , Wang Chunli
Published: February 2023

About ten years ago, Wenhui Li’s research group in China identified the sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a bile acid transporter predominantly expressed in the liver, as a functional receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its satellite hepatitis delta virus (HDV) through biochemical and genetic studies. This finding unraveled a longtime mystery in the HBV field and led to the establishment of efficient and easy-to-use HBV infection models, which paved the way for the in-depth study of the HBV entry mechanism and facilitated the development of therapeutics against HBV and HDV. The whole picture of the complex HBV entry process became clear upon the follow-up studies over the years, including the recent resolution found for the NTCP structure. As one of the first authors of the 2012 eLife paper on NTCP identification, here, I (H. Y.) share our experience on the bumpy and exciting journey of receptor hunting, particularly on the photo-cross-linking study and some detailed descriptions of the “fishing” process and summarize the key factors for our successful receptor identification. This review may also provide helpful insights for identifying a protein target by peptide or protein baits through cross-linking and immunoprecipitation.
Rational Design of Profile HMMs for Sensitive and Specific Sequence Detection with Case Studies Applied to Viruses, Bacteriophages, and Casposons
Authors: Oliveira Liliane S. , Reyes Alejandro , Dutilh Bas E. , Gruber Arthur
Published: February 2023

Profile hidden Markov models (HMMs) are a powerful way of modeling biological sequence diversity and constitute a very sensitive approach to detecting divergent sequences. Here, we report the development of protocols for the rational design of profile HMMs. These methods were implemented on TABAJARA, a program that can be used to either detect all biological sequences of a group or discriminate specific groups of sequences. By calculating position-specific information scores along a multiple sequence alignment, TABAJARA automatically identifies the most informative sequence motifs and uses them to construct profile HMMs. As a proof-of-principle, we applied TABAJARA to generate profile HMMs for the detection and classification of two viral groups presenting different evolutionary rates: bacteriophages of the Microviridae family and viruses of the Flavivirus genus. We obtained conserved models for the generic detection of any Microviridae or Flavivirus sequence, and profile HMMs that can specifically discriminate Microviridae subfamilies or Flavivirus species. In another application, we constructed Cas1 endonuclease-derived profile HMMs that can discriminate CRISPRs and casposons, two evolutionarily related transposable elements. We believe that the protocols described here, and implemented on TABAJARA, constitute a generic toolbox for generating profile HMMs for the highly sensitive and specific detection of sequence classes.
COVID-19 Vaccine Status, Intent, Hesitancy, and Disease-Related Beliefs in People with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Grech Lisa , Kwok Alastair , Nguyen Mike , Winkel Antony , Butler Ernest , Allan Michelle , Bain Nathan , Segelov Eva ,   on behalf of the MSVACCS Investigators
Published: February 2023

Background: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) are susceptible to severe COVID-19 outcomes. They were included as a priority group for the Australian COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in early 2021. However, vaccine hesitancy remains a complex barrier to vaccination in this population group, which may be partly related to disease relapse concerns following COVID-19 vaccination. This study examined the COVID-19 vaccination status, intent, hesitancy, and disease-related beliefs in people with MS. Methods: An online survey was conducted with people with MS receiving care at two Australian health services between September and October 2021. It collected sociodemographic and disease-specific characteristics and responses to validated scales that assessed vaccine hesitancy and general and MS-related vaccine beliefs. Results: Of the 281 participants [mean age 47.7 (SD 12.8) years; 75.8% females], most (82.9%) had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. Younger participants were less likely to be vaccinated, as were those within 1–5 years of disease duration. After controlling for age, disease duration was not associated with vaccination status. Unvaccinated participants were more likely to report less willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, higher vaccine complacency and lower vaccine confidence, greater MS-related vaccine complacency, and higher MS and treatment interaction concerns. Conclusions: People with MS reported a high vaccination rate, despite general and MS-specific COVID-19 vaccine concerns. Greater MS-specific concerns were reported by those who indicated that their MS was not well-controlled and their MS impacted their daily activities. By understanding the factors that influence vaccine hesitancy and their interplay with MS disease course and treatment concerns, this can inform tailored interventions and educational messages to address these concerns in people with MS. Clinicians, governments, and community organisations are key partners in delivering these interventions and messages, as ongoing booster doses are needed for this vulnerable population.
Investigating Attitudes, Motivations and Key Influencers for COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake among Late Adopters in Urban Zimbabwe
Authors: Makadzange Azure Tariro , Gundidza Patricia , Lau Charles , Dietrich Janan , Myburgh Nellie , Elose Nyasha , James Wilmot , Stanberry Lawrence , Ndhlovu Chiratidzo
Published: February 2023

The rapid development of vaccines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an effective tool for the management of COVID-19. However, in many African countries there has been a poor uptake of COVID-19 vaccines with only 32.5% first vaccine dose coverage compared to the WHO global target of 70%. As vaccine access improves, one of the important drivers of low uptake has been vaccine hesitancy, driven by levels of confidence, convenience, and complacency. Between 4 January–11 February 2022, we conducted a survey of vaccine late adopters to assess factors that influenced adults in Harare, Zimbabwe to present for their first COVID-19 vaccine dose almost 12 months after the vaccination program began. Of the 1016 adults enrolled, 50% were female and 12.4% had HIV co-infection. Binary logistic regression models were developed to understand factors associated with vaccine confidence. Women were more likely to have negative views about the COVID-19 vaccine compared to men (OR 1.51 (95%CI 1.16, 1.97, p = 0.002). Older adults (≥40 years) compared with youth (18–25 years) were more likely to have ‘major concerns’ about vaccines. When asked about their concerns, 602 (59.3%) considered immediate side effects as a major concern and 520 (52.1%) were concerned about long-term health effects. People living with HIV (PLWH) were more likely to perceive vaccines as safe (OR 1.71 (95%CI: 1.07, 2.74, p = 0.025) and effective (1.68 (95%CI: 1.07, 2.64, p = 0.026). Internet users were less likely to perceive vaccines as safe (OR 0.72 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.95, p = 0.021) compared to non-Internet users; and social media was a more likely source of information for youth and those with higher education. Family members were the primary key influencers for 560 (55.2%) participants. The most important reason for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine for 715 (70.4%) participants was the protection of individual health. Improving vaccine coverage will need targeted communication strategies that address negative perceptions of vaccines and associated safety and effectiveness concerns. Leveraging normative behavior as a social motivator for vaccination will be important, as close social networks are key influences of vaccination.
Trends in Hospitalization and Mortality for Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States
Authors: Nasrullah Adeel , Gangu Karthik , Garg Ishan , Javed Anam , Shuja Hina , Chourasia Prabal , Shekhar Rahul , Sheikh Abu
Published: February 2023

Seasonal epidemics of respiratory viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses (PIVs), and human metapneumovirus (MPV) are associated with a significant healthcare burden secondary to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations every year in the United States (US) alone. Preventive measures implemented to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 infection), including facemasks, hand hygiene, stay-at-home orders, and closure of schools and local/national borders may have impacted the transmission of these respiratory viruses. In this study, we looked at the hospitalization and mortality trends for various respiratory viral infections from January 2017 to December 2020. We found a strong reduction in all viral respiratory infections, with the lowest admission rates and mortality in the last season (2020) compared to the corresponding months from the past three years (2017–2019). This study highlights the importance of public health interventions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had far-reaching public health benefits. Appropriate and timely use of these measures may help to reduce the severity of future seasonal respiratory viral outbreaks as well as their burden on already strained healthcare systems.
Evaluation of Transplacental Antibody Transfer in Pregnant Women Immunized with Different SARS-CoV-2 Homologous or Heterologous Schemes
Authors: Romero-Ibarguengoitia Maria Elena , Flores-Salazar Zulema Lourdes , Arroyo-García Kimberly Dariela , Soto-Gámez Rafael , Leal-Meléndez Jessica Andrea , René Garza-Herrera Mauricio , Bennett-Vidales Gordon , Cabrera Mauricio Hurtado , González-Habib Roberto , Jiménez Liliann Peña , Garza-Bulnes Raúl , Barco-Flores Irene Antonieta , Castillo-Figueroa Luis Fernando , Garza-Silva Arnulfo , Rivera-Cavazos Andrea , Rivera-Salinas Diego , González-Cantú Arnulfo , Sanz-Sánchez Miguel Ángel
Published: February 2023

There is scarce information related to transplacental antibody transfer against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with different homologous and heterologous vaccination schemes. This study aimed to correlate the magnitude of transplacental transfer anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in different homologous and heterologous schemes. An observational cross-sectional study was developed to identify pregnant women vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. They were questioned about their immunization status; blood samples from the mother, umbilical cord during labor, and the newborn 72 h after birth were taken to measure anti-S1 and anti-S2 specific IgG antibodies for SARS-CoV-2. We recruited 104 women with a median age of 29 (SD 1.17). We found antibodies in all newborns with vaccinated mothers. Homologous BNT162b2 mRNA regimen had the highest mean (SD) antibody titers (AU/mL) in maternal (994.93 (3.08), p = 0.039), umbilical cord (1316.43 (2.79), p = 0.016), and newborn (1192.02 (3.55), p = 0.020) blood. The generalized linear model showed a positive effect over antibodies with at least one dose in maternal (β = −1.1, p = 0.002) and newborn (β= −0.717, p = 0.044) blood, and with two doses (β = −0.684, p = 0.026) in umbilical cord blood. In conclusion, antibodies were detected in all vaccinated women and their newborns. Transfer of antibodies was found from the first dose, and the levels increased with the number of vaccine doses. Vaccination should be encouraged in pregnant women with any available scheme.
Children’s SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Their Vaccination
Authors: Gupta Sneh Lata , Tyagi Rohit , Dhar Atika , Oswal Neelam , Khandelwal Ankita , Jaiswal Rishi Kumar
Published: February 2023

SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus, causes respiratory tract infections and other complications in affected individuals, and has resulted in numerous deaths worldwide. The unprecedented pace of its transmission worldwide, and the resultant heavy burden on healthcare systems everywhere, prompted efforts to have effective therapeutic strategies and vaccination candidates available to the global population. While aged and immunocompromised individuals form a high-risk group for COVID-19 and have severe disease outcome, the rate of infections among children has also increased with the emergence of the Omicron variant. In addition, recent reports of threatening SARS-CoV-2-associated complications in children have brought to the forefront an urgent necessity for vaccination. In this article, we discuss the current scenario of SARS-CoV-2 infections in children with a special focus on the differences in their immune system response as compared to adults. Further, we describe the various available COVID-19 vaccines, including the recent bivalent vaccines for children, in detail, intending to increase willingness for their acceptance.
Assessment of Acceptability and Determinants of Uptake and Schedule Completion of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine by 25 to 45 Years Old Women in Slovenia
Authors: Mlakar Jana , Oštrbenk Valenčak Anja , Kežar Jožefa , Beseničar-Pregelj Lara , Poljak Mario
Published: February 2023

HPV immunization programs are mainly focused on girls and boys, but adult women and men could also benefit from vaccination. A multinational CoheaHr-WP4 study investigated the acceptability of HPV vaccination among 25–45 years old women. A total of 607 women from Slovenia participated in the study, and 49.6% (301/607) agreed with HPV vaccination, with a significant difference (p < 0.0001) between the two centers. Non-vaccinated women had a higher education (p = 0.0068) and were more frequently in a committed relationship or married (p = 0.01). The most trusted source of medical and vaccination information was healthcare providers (55.2%). The main reasons for vaccine acceptance were protection against HPV-related disease (93.4%), severity of preventable diseases (82.7%), HPV vaccine safety (66.8%), free HPV vaccine availability (62.8%), and the existence of vaccination recommendations (55.5%). The main reasons for refusing vaccination were the need for additional vaccine-related information (31.4%) and vaccine safety concerns (29.4%). To increase vaccine coverage, information about the benefits and safety of HPV vaccination must be widely disseminated to all health professionals and the general public. We are convinced that the knowledge obtained in this study can be reliably applied to other countries in the region that lack such information and have a very high cervical cancer burden.
A Thermal-Stable Protein Nanoparticle That Stimulates Long Lasting Humoral Immune Response
Authors: Wong Ten-Tsao , Liou Gunn-Guang , Kan Ming-Chung
Published: February 2023

A thermally stable vaccine platform is considered the missing piece of vaccine technology. In this article, we reported the creation of a novel protein nanoparticle and assessed its ability to withstand extended high temperature incubation while stimulating a long-lasting humoral immune response. This protein nanoparticle was assembled from a fusion protein composed of an amphipathic helical peptide derived from the M2 protein of the H5N1 influenza virus (AH3) and a superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP). Its proposed structure was modeled according to transmission electronic microscope (TEM) images of protein nanoparticles. From this proposed protein model, we created a mutant with two gain-of-function mutations that work synergistically on particle stability. A protein nanoparticle assembled from this gain-of-function mutant is able to remove a hydrophobic patch from its surface. This gain-of-function mutant also contributes to the higher thermostability of protein nanoparticles and stimulates a long lasting humoral immune response after a single immunization. This assembled nanoparticle showed increasing particle stability at higher temperatures and salt concentrations. This novel protein nanoparticle may serve as a thermally-stable platform for vaccine development.
Acceptance of a Novel, Highly Palatable, Calorically Dense, and Nutritionally Complete Diet in Dogs with Benign and Malignant Tumors
Authors: Anthony Reshma M. , Amundson Madison D. , Brejda John , Becvarova Iveta
Published: February 2023

Diminished appetite and poor eating behavior accompanied by weight loss or cachexia are often reported in dogs living with cancer. This study was conducted to determine the acceptance and eating enthusiasm in dogs with cancer for a new therapeutic, nutritionally balanced, and calorically dense food designed for dogs with cancer. Adult dogs with diagnosis of cancer were recruited from general and oncology practices and were fed the study food for 28 days. Evaluations included physical examination, body weight, food intake, caloric intake, hematology and serum biochemistry, and owner assessments, namely food evaluation, quality of life, and stool scores. The dogs transitioned smoothly and tolerated the food very well. The results showed high food acceptance within the first day, with continued eating enthusiasm over the 28 days. Significant increases in food and caloric intake were observed, with the study food having a positive impact on body weight in dogs that were losing weight and helping to maintain a high quality of life. Blood laboratory parameters remained within reference ranges. Thus, the therapeutic study food was well accepted and efficacious in supporting continued eating and required caloric intake, promoting a healthy weight gain and maintaining a high quality of life in dogs with cancer.
Application of Eugenol in Poultry to Control Salmonella Colonization and Spread
Authors: Aljuwayd Mohammed , Malli Israa Abdullah , Kwon Young Min
Published: February 2023

The poultry sector is an essential component of agriculture that has experienced unprecedented growth during the last few decades. It is especially true for the United States, where the average intake of chicken meat increased from 10 pounds (4.5 kg) per person in 1940 to 65.2 pounds (29.6 kg) per person in 2018, while the country produced 113 billion eggs in 2019 alone. Besides providing nutrition and contributing significantly to the economy, chicken is also a natural reservoir of Salmonella, which is responsible for salmonellosis in humans, one of the significant foodborne illnesses around the globe. The increasing use of chicken manure and antibiotics increases the spread of Salmonella and selects for multi-drug resistant strains. Various plant extracts, primarily essential oils, have been investigated for their antimicrobial activities. The multiple ways through which these plant-derived compounds exert their antimicrobial effects make the development of resistance against them unlikely. Eugenol, an aromatic oil primarily found in clove and cinnamon, has shown antimicrobial activities against various pathogenic bacteria. A few reports have also highlighted the anti-Salmonella effects of eugenol in chicken, especially in reducing the colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium, the primary Salmonella species responsible for human salmonellosis. Besides limiting Salmonella infection in chicken, the supplementation of eugenol also significantly improves intestinal health, improving overall well-being. In this review, we highlight the rising incidences of salmonellosis worldwide and the factors increasing its prevalence. We then propose the usage of eugenol as a natural feed supplement for containing Salmonella in chicken.
Deep Reinforcement Learning Algorithm Based on Fusion Optimization for Fuel Cell Gas Supply System Control
Authors: Yuan Hongyan , Sun Zhendong , Wang Yujie , Chen Zonghai
Published: February 2023

In a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system, the flow of air and hydrogen is the main factor affecting the output characteristics of the PEMFC, and there is a coordination problem in the flow control of both. To ensure real-time gas supply in the fuel cell and improve the output power and economic benefits of the system, a deep reinforcement learning controller with continuous state based on fusion optimization (FO-DDPG) and a control optimization strategy based on net power optimization are proposed in this paper, and the effects of whether the two gas controls are decoupled or not are compared. The experimental results show that the undecoupled FO-DDPG algorithm has a faster dynamic response and more stable static performance compared to the fuzzy PID, DQN, traditional DRL algorithm, and decoupled controllers, demonstrated by a dynamic response time of 0.15 s, an overshoot of less than 5%, and a steady-state error of 0.00003.
Analysis of the Skyscraper Wind around High-Rise Buildings in Coastal Region, South Korea, during Typhoon ‘Hinnamnor’
Authors: Kim Jongyeong , Kwon Yongju , Kang Byeonggug , Choi Joowon , Kwon Soonchul
Published: February 2023

High-rise buildings in cities adversely affect wind regimes by changing the air currents in their surrounding areas. In particular, extreme climate phenomena caused by climate change are stronger and more frequent, causing damage in cities. To better understand skyscraper wind behaviors around high-rise buildings, actual measurements are necessary to determine the environmental assessment of the wind effect. In this study, field measurements were performed with five anemometers at five points in the vicinity of a skyscraper called the LCT residential complex (411.6 m tall) surrounded by high-rise buildings in the coastal city of Busan, South Korea during Typhoon Hinnamnor. The gust was 3.7 times stronger, while the maximum 1-min mean wind speed was 3.1 times stronger than those measured at a nearby reference weather station operated by the Korean Meteorological Administration. The characteristics of downward and canyon winds were shown to depend on the spatiotemporal characteristics of the five points. The turbulence intensity declined as the wind speed increased and converged to a certain value. The gust factor also dropped as the wind speed increased and converged to 2.0, and was considered to be the parameter that best represents the intensity of instantaneous gust caused by the skyscraper wind effect. These results suggest that high-rise buildings should be designed with the consideration of gusts twice as strong as the average wind speed. In addition, field measurements should be accompanied in order to respond to the skyscraper wind effect.
Sound Insulation Performance of Composites Developed using Waste Carbonaceous Materials
Authors: Jaish Sunali , Mago Jonty , Negi Ashutosh , Fatima S.
Published: February 2023

Mitigating vibration in a system has many advantages, from decreasing noise output to increasing component life. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate the mechanical vibration and sound through appropriate measures. State-of-the-art techniques seeks the utilization of sustainable
carbonaceous resources for the development of sound insulating materials to reduce the environmental externalities of the synthetic materials. It is noteworthy to mention that sustainable carbonaceous resources such as biochar, also assist in atmospheric carbon sequestration (capturing and
storing CO2) and ultimately limit CO2 concentration in the environment. In the present work, carbonaceous material obtained from biomass waste was utilized as a filler with natural rubber as matrix to develop sound insulating materials. Furthermore, the physical, mechanical, and acoustical
properties of developed composites were studied. The sound transmission loss of the composites was measured as per ASTM-E2611 using a four-microphone impedance tube. Noticeably, with the increase in biomass waste filler in the composite, significant improvement in the physical (density), mechanical
(tensile strength) and acoustical (sound transmission loss) properties has been observed.
An asymptotic formula for sound radiation from plates
Authors: Creagh Stephen , Mohammed Neekar , Richter Martin
Published: February 2023

We present a new approach to the modelling of sound radiated from vibrating structures that will provide a platform for simulation of larger problems by the method of Dynamical Energy Analysis (DEA), which characterises sound using densities in a ray-dynamical phase space. We consider
in particular the radiated acoustic power from plates with diffuse bending vibrations, which we characterise using a two-point correlation function of normal velocities. Such field-field correlation functions are transformed to ray-dynamical phase space densities using a Wigner transformation,
which allows insertion into ray-based methods such as DEA. Using correlation functions to characterise plate vibrations also allows the method to cater for stochastic, noisy driving of such systems. The results for the radiation efficiency of a plate are presented in an asymptotic form, with
leading contributions from the plate interior and its boundary and with corner corrections also being given for particular boundary conditions and right-angled corners. A notable feature of this analysis is that the bulk contribution vanishes below a critical frequency, and the asymptotic
estimate of radiated power then leads with a boundary contribution. This is shown to agree well with a more traditional calculation based on modal analysis in the special case of a rectangular plate.
Numerical investigation of thermo-acoustic instability in a model afterburner with a simplified model for observed lock-in Phenomena
Authors: M Muthaiah , Senthilkumar Ragul , S Varunkumar
Published: February 2023

Thermoacoustic oscillations in a gas turbine afterburner are numerically investigated using CFD. A simplified 2-dimensional axisymmetric afterburner with bluff-body stabilized flame is considered in the investigation. Occurrences of both low and high-frequency thermo-acoustic oscillations
in the afterburner chamber are observed at specific fuel flow rates. The flow field from the CFD shows the bluff-body vortex shedding frequency to lock-in with the acoustics of the chamber during the thermo-acoustic oscillations. The synchronization and lock-in of bluff-body wake with chamber
acoustics happen with increase in fuel injection rates resulting in thermoacoustic coupling. The Proper Orthogonal Decomposition of the flow field revealed the presence of chamber acoustics in the pressure field confirming the coupling. Then a simplified mathematical model based on the van-der
Pol oscillator is attempted to reproduce the observed lock-in behavior of the bluff-body wake. The chamber acoustic field is considered as the forcing term for the simplified oscillator. The oscillator model qualitatively captures the synchronization of the flame-holder wake oscillations with
the chamber acoustics. This model could be extended to combustors with bluff-body wake in predicting the thermo-acoustic oscillations.
Studying the association between noise exposure, stress and characteristics of green spaces: protocol and pilot study
Authors: Dopico Javier , Schäffer Beat , García Martín María , Kolecka Natalia , Tobias Silvia , Schaupp Julia , Bauer Nicole , Röösli Martin , Vienneau Danielle , Brink Mark , Wunderli Jean Marc
Published: February 2023

Urban areas are constantly growing, and densification is a common strategy to limit settlement expansion. However, this leads to loss of green spaces (GSs) and increasing noise pollution, which is detrimental to public health. Within a research project that aims at elucidating the stress-easing
potential of green spaces in noise-polluted environments and the mediating and/or moderating role of annoyance, an extended cross-sectional field study will be performed in the city of Zurich, Switzerland. In total, 5000 participants will be contacted in three waves, during which an online
survey will be carried out followed by a visit to a subsample at home to collect hair cortisol probes. Participants of this study were selected according to the characteristics of their residences (stratified by accessibility to GSs and noise exposure). Further, traits of individuals in addition
to acoustic and non-acoustic attributes of GSs are accounted. Thus, the association of noise annoyance, perceived stress and long-term physiological stress responses among residents exposed to different road traffic noise levels and with different grades of access to GSs are studied. In this
contribution, the study protocol and first results of a pilot study with 256 participants will be shown.
Using burden of disease or harmful effect assessments for quantifying health impacts from environmental noise?
Authors: Murphy Enda , Faulkner Jon-Paul
Published: February 2023

Commission Directive (EU) 2020/367 describes how harmful effects may be calculated for ischemic heart disease (IHD), high annoyance (HA), and high sleep disturbance (HSD) for road, rail, and aircraft noise. However, traditionally the negative health impacts of environmental noise have
been assessed using the WHO's Burden of Disease methodology. In terms of evaluating how harmful effects and burden of disease methodologies compare in terms of the requirements for calculation, interpretation of results, practical application, and suitability for measuring the negative health
impacts of environmental noise, our analysis suggests that the EU's harmful effects assessment may be a superior methodology because: 1) the harmful effect methodology is more efficient, less health data is necessary, and it requires less calculation; 2) for assessment that requires the application
of national incidence statistics, results can be obtained for spatially localised areas as opposed to overall national figures; and 3) results from harmful effect assessment may be easier to interpret. However, it must also be emphasised that the pervasive application of burden of disease
assessment means that comparative analysis with non-noise-induced disease states is possible, whilst this is not possible with harmful effect assessment.
Effect of concrete topping on floor impact sound insulation performance of CLT floor
Authors: Hiramitsu Atsuo , Hirakawa Susumu
Published: February 2023

The use of wood is being promoted to achieve the goals of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) around the world. In Japan," the Act on Promotion of Utilization of Wood in Buildings" and" Other Structures to Contribute to the Realization of a Decarbonized Society"
promotes the use of wood in buildings in general. In addition, CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) is being promoted in order to make effective use of domestic timber. There have been many requests to show wooden structural materials when CLT is adopted to the building (i.e., without ceiling and
CLT panel itself is exposed). This paper examined the approach to increase the sound insulation performance of CLT floor without ceiling. The measurement of the floor impact sound insulation performance and driving-point impedance was carried out in the experimental building using concrete
floating floor on top of the CLT floor panel with and without floor finishing. As a result, the performance of the concrete floating floor on the CLT floor showed that the performance was almost the same as the concrete floor itself. Moreover, the effect of the floor finishing on the concrete
floating floor was investigated.
Acoustic Measurements and Psychoacoustic Analyses of Ventilation Diffusers
Authors: Stürenburg Lara , Ostmann Philipp , Aspöck Lukas , Müller Dirk , Fels Janina
Published: February 2023

People in industrialised countries spend most of their days indoors and are often exposed to ventilation sounds. Since ventilation systems are not only used in industry but also increasingly in residential buildings, it is important to study its sound radiation and the consequences
for our well-being. This research project aims to identify if geometric features of air diffusers affect the rated annoyance of ventilation systems. It is known that the A-weighted sound serves as a criterion to a limited extent. Therefore, psychoacoustic analyses and evaluations need to be
included to find out if there are correlations between psychoacoustic features and flow phenomena caused by the geometric features of the air diffusers. Several air diffusers were acoustically measured in a hemi-anechoic room using a developed mobile ventilation unit that supplied the necessary
air volume flow. The ventilation unit could be operated in both supply and extract air configuration of the diffusers. The measured data not only includes the acoustic directivity of the air diffusers but also recordings that are needed to conduct listening tests. To increase the ecological
validity and to study the role of the environment, future listening experiments will be also extended to audio-visual experiments in virtual reality.
Development of a relation between traffic variables and environmental noise descriptors for four-lane National Highways
Authors: Singh Ashish , Rajsekar Elangovan , Parida Manoranjan
Published: February 2023

In India, transportation sector is quickly expanding. The heterogeneity of traffic plays a vital role in shaping noise ambience in vicinity of highways. This study aims to evaluate the factors that contribute to traffic noise along four-lane divided National Highways. Data were collected
at 4 locations with free-flowing traffic on the National Highway 334 in India. The parameters included traffic noise levels, classified traffic volumes, vehicular speed, and geometry of highway cross-section. Traffic volume and composition were captured using videography, while traffic speed
was measured using radar gun. Single octave spectral characteristics of the traffic noise were measured using a multi-channel noise spectrum analyser. The data was sampled at 15 minutes intervals and measurements carried out for 3-hour duration during peak and off-peak periods weekdays and
weekends. Noise descriptors such as equivalent noise level (Leq), 10 percentile sound level (L10), 50 percentile sound level (L50), 90 percentile sound level (L90) were estimated from the measured data. Effect of traffic characteristics on the traffic noise levels was established through regression
analysis. The study concludes that traffic volume, percentage of heavy vehicles, and traffic speed are the major factors influencing noise levels.
The Sound Characteristics Of The Baglama With Respect To Different Chest Shapes
Authors: OZTURK Sinem , Gurer Yucel Filiz , Onal Ozay
Published: February 2023

Baglama is the most common folk string instrument in Turkey. It has a bowl-shaped resonator box called a chest which amplifies the sound. The chest can be constructed in various forms by the luthiers. This study aims to determine the sound characteristics of the baglama associated with
different chest forms. First, a prototypical baglama was modeled and analyzed numerically with the SolidWorks, HyperMesh and Actran software programs. Operational Deflection Shape (ODS) measurements of the baglama were also carried out experimentally. The numerical results were compared with
the experimental ones and had an excellent agreement. Using this experimentally validated numerical model, the natural frequencies, mode shapes and sound propagation properties of the baglama were investigated for chests of different geometries.
Machine-learning-based estimation of absorption coefficients from transfer functions modeled by equivalent sources
Authors: Okawa Yukiko , Matsuhashi Haruka , Tsunokuni Izumi , Ikeda Yusuke , Oikawa Yasuhiro
Published: February 2023

In the field of room acoustics, it is important to find the absorption coefficients of the wall surface, which is a boundary condition for modeling the room acoustic field. However, it is not easy to measure the acoustic impedances of the entire room because it requires many measurement
points near the wall surface. Recently, a method to estimate the acoustic impedance and absorption coefficients by using both measurement and simulation methods has been proposed. However, a large number of measurement points are required to obtain sufficient estimation accuracy. In this study,
we proposed estimation method of the sound absorption coefficients using machine learning with virtually increasing the number of microphones. First, the transfer functions at the virtual microphones are obtained from small number of transfer functions based on the sound field modeling by
sparse equivalent sources. Then, the both transfer functions at the virtual and real microphones are used as the training data for machine learning. To evaluate estimation accuracy of the proposed method, we conducted the two-dimensional simulation experiments based on the boundary element
method.