bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intra- and Inter-Day Element Variability in Human Breast Milk: Pilot Study
Authors: Iwai Kenta , Iwai-Shimada Miyuki , Asato Kaname , Nakai Kunihiko , Kobayashi Yayoi , Nakayama Shoji F. , Tatsuta Nozomi
Published: February 2022

For infants in the first months of life, breast milk is a complete source of nutrition; however, it can also contain elements that are harmful to the infant. It is therefore critical for infant health to characterize breast milk. The aim of this study was to determine the intra- and inter-day variation of elements in breast milk, for which there is currently limited information, as a pilot study for a larger study. Firstly, we developed a simple and robust analytical method for the determination of multiple elements in breast milk. It was accurate (accuracy ranged from 98% to 107%) for measurement of 26 elements in breast milk by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Intra- and inter-day variation of elements, protein, and fat in breast milk was determined by analyzing breast milk collected from 11 women at 12 sampling points over three days and calculating intraclass correlation coefficients. Intraclass correlation coefficients showed that while some elements were consistent across time points (e.g., Sr, Ca, and Cu), others showed very high variability (e.g., As, Cd, and Ni). Correlation analyses between elements in breast milk showed strong relationships between those including Fe and Mo, Ca and Sr, and Cd and Fe.
Revisiting the HPLC-FLD Method to Quantify Paralytic Shellfish Toxins: C3,4 Quantification and the First Steps towards Validation
Authors: Leal Joana F. , Cristiano Maria L. S.
Published: February 2022

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are a large group of biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. Their appearance in natural waters and their ingestion by aquatic species have a huge socio-economic impact, whereby their monitoring is of the upmost relevance to minimize the consequences. For earlier detection and faster response/action by stakeholders, validation of adjusted analytical methods, particularly for lower concentration levels, is important. This work proposes a derived High-Performance Liquid Chromatography method, with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). The main differences from the official method are the size of the HPLC column and the gradient elution conditions. It covers the current eleven certified reference materials (CRM) available on the market, including the most recent—C3,4. This first calibration report for C3,4 suggests limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) of 6 nM and 19 nM (~5 µg STX.2HCl eqv./kg and 17 µg STX.2HCl eqv./kg), respectively. For the remaining CRM, LODs ranged between 3 and 28 nM (~0.9 and 127 µg STX.2HCl eqv./kg), while LOQs varied between 11 and 94 nM (~3 and 409 µg STX.2HCl eqv./kg, considering toxicity equivalency factors (TEFs) reported by EFSA).
A Scoping Review of Interventions Delivered by Peers to Support the Resettlement Process of Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Authors: Mahon Daryl
Published: February 2022

Background: Refugees and asylum seekers face many social and psychological challenges on their journey to resettlement in host countries. Interventions and programmes designed to assist in these challenges are necessary. The aim of this scoping review is to conduct a systematic search of the literature as it pertains to interventions delivered by peers to refugees and asylum seekers during the resettlement process. Methods: A PRISMA-compliant scoping review was conducted. Four databases, Scopus, Embase, Ebsco, and ScienceDirect were searched for peer-reviewed articles published in English from 2000–2021. Studies were included if they reported on interventions, outcomes or the training received by adult peers to support refugees and asylum seekers during the resettlement process. Results: Of an initial 639 journal articles retrieved, 14 met the inclusion criteria for this review. Most included studies were conducted in Western high-income countries, except for one. Studies were heterogeneous in terms of the nationalities of peers and those receiving peer interventions; the outcomes reported on; the content of interventions; and the methodologies used. Conclusions: Findings suggest that peer interventions seem to be effective in addressing many of the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers. Community integration, acculturation and psychological distress are some of the key benefits. When such interventions are co-produced in participatory research involving refugees, asylum seekers, and the civil society organisations that support this population, they are naturally culturally responsive and can therefore address issues relative to different ethnic needs during the resettlement process.
Star and Black Hole Formation at High Redshift
Authors: Biermann Peter L.
Published: February 2022

Evidence for dark matter (DM) was originally discovered in 1933 by Zwicky (Zwicky 1933, 1937), and has defied all explanations since then. The original discovery was based on the motions of galaxies in clusters of galaxies. The MicroWave Back Ground (MWBG) observations by the Planck mission and other satellites give definitive numbers. Galaxy correlations give results down to small galaxies, which match theoretical expectations. Here we focus on a few interesting aspects, that may allow to determine the nature of dark matter: (1) Ultra Faint Dwarf (UFD) galaxies, that represent the oldest galaxies known. UFDs are almost devoid of baryonic matter. (2) Calculations show that there can be super-sonic flow of baryonic matter. It follows that there are ubiquitous shockwaves; commonly oblique they generate vorticity. (3) Early virialized clumps, mini-halos, have a density that is consistent with the density implied by Super Massive Black Holes (SMBHs) today, if we assume that SMBHs grow by merging, akin to the Press & Schechter (1974) picture for galaxies. This implies that the oldest SMBHs observed today give powerful constraints on the very early phases.
Comparative Evaluation of Rapid Isothermal Amplification and Antigen Assays for Screening Testing of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Salcedo Nol , Sena Brena F. , Qu Xiying , Herrera Bobby Brooke
Published: February 2022

Human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and emergent variants of concern continue to occur globally, despite mass vaccination campaigns. Public health strategies to reduce virus spread should therefore rely, in part, on frequent screening with rapid, inexpensive, and sensitive tests. We evaluated two digitally integrated rapid tests and assessed their performance using stored nasal swab specimens collected from individuals with or without COVID-19. An isothermal amplification assay combined with a lateral flow test had a limit of detection of 10 RNA copies per reaction, and a positive percent agreement (PPA)/negative percent agreement (NPA) during the asymptomatic and symptomatic phases of 100%/100% and 95.83/100%, respectively. Comparatively, an antigen-based lateral flow test had a limit of detection of 30,000 copies and a PPA/NPA during the asymptomatic and symptomatic phases of 82.86%/98.68% and 91.67/100%, respectively. Both the isothermal amplification and antigen-based lateral flow tests had optimized detection of SARS-CoV-2 during the peak period of transmission; however, the antigen-based test had reduced sensitivity in clinical samples with qPCR Ct values greater than 29.8. Low-cost, high-throughput screening enabled by isothermal amplification or antigen-based techniques have value for outbreak control.
Sequence Matching between Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase through Sequence Analysis Using Machine Learning
Authors: Wang He , Zang Yongjian , Zhao Yizhen , Hao Dongxiao , Kang Ying , Zhang Jianwen , Zhang Zichen , Zhang Lei , Yang Zhiwei , Zhang Shengli
Published: February 2022

To date, many experiments have revealed that the functional balance between hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) plays a crucial role in viral mobility, production, and transmission. However, whether and how HA and NA maintain balance at the sequence level needs further investigation. Here, we applied principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis on thousands of HA and NA sequences of A/H1N1 and A/H3N2. We discovered significant coevolution between HA and NA at the sequence level, which is closely related to the type of host species and virus epidemic years. Furthermore, we propose a sequence-to-sequence transformer model (S2STM), which mainly consists of an encoder and a decoder that adopts a multi-head attention mechanism for establishing the mapping relationship between HA and NA sequences. The training results reveal that the S2STM can effectively realize the “translation” from HA to NA or vice versa, thereby building a relationship network between them. Our work combines unsupervised and supervised machine learning methods to identify the sequence matching between HA and NA, which will advance our understanding of IAVs’ evolution and also provide a novel idea for sequence analysis methods.
Seroprevalence of Zika Virus in Amphawa District, Thailand, after the 2016 Pandemic
Authors: Sirinam Salin , Chatchen Supawat , Arunsodsai Watcharee , Guharat Suriya , Limkittikul Kriengsak
Published: February 2022

In 2016, Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was declared a public health emergency of international concern because of the neurological consequences in babies born to infected people. Because of the mild and nonspecific symptoms, serological tests are essential in epidemiological studies. However, cross-reactive antibodies between other Flaviviridae members may complicate the interpretation of results of these tests. This study investigated the seroprevalence of ZIKV infection in Samut Songkhram in central Thailand which was affected by the Zika outbreak of 2016. Three hundred and fifty volunteers aged 5–50 years in Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram, were enrolled between April 2017 and April 2018. ZIKV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) immunoglobulin G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to screen serum samples collected on the first day of enrollment and after 6 and 12 months. The seroprevalence and seroconversion of ZIKV were assessed. Cases of ZIKV seroconversion were verified as evidence of ZIKV infection by NS1 blockade-of-binding ELISA and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT50). ZIKV seroprevalence in Amphawa was 15.1–17.8% with no significant change over the year. The total seroconversion rate throughout the year was 7/100 person-years. The ratio of asymptomatic to symptomatic infections was 4.5:1. The cases in our study confirmed the occurrence of occult ZIKV infections in the community. These undetected infections might promote the spread of ZIKV in vulnerable groups of the community.
Human Cytomegalovirus Nuclear Egress Complex Subunit, UL53, Associates with Capsids and Myosin Va, but Is Not Important for Capsid Localization towards the Nuclear Periphery
Authors: Wilkie Adrian , Sharma Mayuri , Coughlin Margaret , Pesola Jean , Ericsson Maria , Lawler Jessica , Fernandez Rosio , Coen Donald
Published: February 2022

After herpesviruses encapsidate their genomes in replication compartments (RCs) within the nuclear interior, capsids migrate to the inner nuclear membrane (INM) for nuclear egress. For human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), capsid migration depends at least in part on nuclear myosin Va. It has been reported for certain herpesviruses that the nucleoplasmic subunit of the viral nuclear egress complex (NEC) is important for this migration. To address whether this is true for HCMV, we used mass spectrometry and multiple other methods to investigate associations among the HCMV NEC nucleoplasmic subunit, UL53, myosin Va, major capsid protein, and/or capsids. We also generated complementing cells to derive and test HCMV mutants null for UL53 or the INM NEC subunit, UL50, for their importance for these associations and, using electron microscopy, for intranuclear distribution of capsids. We found modest associations among the proteins tested, which were enhanced in the absence of UL50. However, we found no role for UL53 in the interactions of myosin Va with capsids or the percentage of capsids outside RC-like inclusions in the nucleus. Thus, UL53 associates somewhat with myosin Va and capsids, but, contrary to reports regarding its homologs in other herpesviruses, is not important for migration of capsids towards the INM.
A Small-Plaque Isolate of the Zika Virus with Envelope Domain III Mutations Affect Viral Entry and Replication in Mammalian but Not Mosquito Cells
Authors: Jaimipuk Thitigun , Sachdev Saranya , Yoksan Sutee , Thepparit Chutima
Published: February 2022

An Asian Zika virus (ZIKV) isolated from a Thai patient that was serially passaged in Primary Dog Kidney (PDK) cells for attenuation displayed both big and small plaque-forming viruses by the 7th passage. Two small-plaque isolates were selected and purified for characterization as attenuated ZIKV candidates. In vitro growth kinetics showed significantly reduced titers for small-plaque isolates in Vero cells early post-infection compared to the parental ZIKV and a big-plaque isolate, but no significant difference was observed in C6/36 cells. Viral entry experiments elucidate that titer reduction likely occurred due to the diminished entry capabilities of a small-plaque isolate. Additionally, a small-plaque isolate displayed lowered neurovirulence in newborn mice compared to 100% lethality from infection with the parental ZIKV. Genomic analysis revealed the same three unique non-synonymous mutations for both small-plaque isolates: two on the envelope (E) protein at residues 310, alanine to glutamic acid (A310E), and 393, glutamic acid to lysine (E393K), and one on residue 355 of NS3, histidine to tyrosine (H355Y). Three-dimensional (3D) mapping suggests that the E protein mutations located on the receptor-binding and fusion domain III likely affect cell entry, tropism, and virulence. These ZIKV isolates and genotypic markers will be beneficial for vaccine development.
Clinical and Molecular Relationships between COVID-19 and Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Authors: Sweet Arjun N. , André Nicole M. , Stout Alison E. , Licitra Beth N. , Whittaker Gary R.
Published: February 2022

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led the medical and scientific community to address questions surrounding the pathogenesis and clinical presentation of COVID-19; however, relevant clinical models outside of humans are still lacking. In felines, a ubiquitous coronavirus, described as feline coronavirus (FCoV), can present as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)—a leading cause of mortality in young cats that is characterized as a severe, systemic inflammation. The diverse extrapulmonary signs of FIP and rapidly progressive disease course, coupled with a closely related etiologic agent, present a degree of overlap with COVID-19. This paper will explore the molecular and clinical relationships between FIP and COVID-19. While key differences between the two syndromes exist, these similarities support further examination of feline coronaviruses as a naturally occurring clinical model for coronavirus disease in humans.
HCV Elimination in Central Europe with Particular Emphasis on Microelimination in Prisons
Authors: Flisiak Robert , Zarębska-Michaluk Dorota , Ciupkeviciene Egle , Drazilova Sylvia , Frankova Sona , Grgurevic Ivica , Hunyady Bela , Jarcuska Peter , Kupčinskas Limas , Makara Michael , Saulite-Vanaga Gunita , Simonova Marieta , Sperl Jan , Tolmane Ieva , Vince Adriana
Published: February 2022

In 2016, the WHO announced a plan to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. In this narrative review, experts from Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia assessed the feasibility of achieving the WHO 2030 target for HCV infections in Central Europe. They focused mainly on HCV micro-elimination in prisons, where the highest incidence of HCV infections is usually observed, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the detection and treatment of HCV infections. According to the presented estimates, almost 400,000 people remain infected with HCV in the analyzed countries. Interferon-free therapies are available ad libitum, but the number of patients treated annually in the last two years has halved compared to 2017–2019, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. None of the countries analyzed had implemented a national HCV screening program or a prison screening program. The main reason is a lack of will at governmental and prison levels. None of the countries analyzed see any chance of meeting the WHO targets for removing viral hepatitis from the public threat list by 2030, unless barriers such as a lack of political will and a lack of screening programs are removed quickly.
Immune Response of an Oral Enterococcus faecalis Phage Cocktail in a Mouse Model of Ethanol-Induced Liver Disease
Authors: Mendes Beatriz Garcia , Duan Yi , Schnabl Bernd
Published: February 2022

Cytolysin-positive Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) cause more severe alcohol-associated hepatitis, and phages might be used to specifically target these bacteria in a clinical trial. Using a humanized mouse model of ethanol-induced liver disease, the effect of cytolytic E. faecalis phage treatment on the intestinal and liver immune response was evaluated. The observed immune response was predominantly anti-inflammatory and tissue-restoring. Besides, live phages could be readily recovered from the serum, spleen, and liver following oral gavage in ethanol-fed mice. We also isolated 20 new phages from the sewage water; six of them exhibited a relatively broad host range. Taken together, the oral administration of cytolytic E. faecalis phages leads to the translocation of phages to the systemic circulation and appears to be safe, following chronic-binge ethanol administration. A cocktail of three phages covers the majority of tested cytolysin-positive E. faecalis strains and could be tested in a clinical trial.
Intracranial Hemorrhage Due to Potential Rupture of an Arteriovenous Malformation after BNT162b2 COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination in a Young Korean Woman: Case Report
Authors: Kim Byoung Hoon , Yoo Myung Chul
Published: February 2022

Inoculation with the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus infection-19 (COVID-19) vaccine (BNT162b2) has been approved in Korea. Although it is generally safe, several possible side effects have been reported. The present report describes a 28-year-old woman who developed an intracerebral hemorrhage in her right temporal lobe after the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The patient complained of a persistent headache for four days after the first dose, along with right third nerve palsy and drowsiness. Non-enhanced brain computed tomography confirmed a 5.0 × 3.7 × 5.0 cm3-sized intracranial hemorrhage in the right temporal lobe due to the rupture of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Transfemoral cerebral angiography revealed that blood was supplied to the AVM by the right middle cerebral artery branch and drained into the right transverse sinus. The patient underwent surgical treatment for AVM nidus removal with hematoma evacuation on the day of admission. Her condition stabilized 10 days postoperatively. These findings indicate that clinicians should be aware that cerebral hemorrhage caused by AVM rupture may be a side effect of inoculation with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Reported Adverse Effects and Attitudes among Arab Populations Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Large-Scale Multinational Study Implementing Machine Learning Tools in Predicting Post-Vaccination Adverse Effects Based on Predisposing Factors
Authors: Hatmal Ma’mon M. , Al-Hatamleh Mohammad A. I. , Olaimat Amin N. , Mohamud Rohimah , Fawaz Mirna , Kateeb Elham T. , Alkhairy Omar K. , Tayyem Reema , Lounis Mohamed , Al-Raeei Marwan , Dana Rasheed K. , Al-Ameer Hamzeh J. , Taha Mutasem O. , Bindayna Khalid M.
Published: February 2022

Background: The unprecedented global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has imposed huge challenges on the healthcare facilities, and impacted every aspect of life. This has led to the development of several vaccines against COVID-19 within one year. This study aimed to assess the attitudes and the side effects among Arab communities after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and use of machine learning (ML) tools to predict post-vaccination side effects based on predisposing factors. Methods: An online-based multinational survey was carried out via social media platforms from 14 June to 31 August 2021, targeting individuals who received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine from 22 Arab countries. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Moreover, extensive ML tools were utilized to predict 30 post vaccination adverse effects and their severity based on 15 predisposing factors. The importance of distinct predisposing factors in predicting particular side effects was determined using global feature importance employing gradient boost as AutoML. Results: A total of 10,064 participants from 19 Arab countries were included in this study. Around 56% were female and 59% were aged from 20 to 39 years old. A high rate of vaccine hesitancy (51%) was reported among participants. Almost 88% of the participants were vaccinated with one of three COVID-19 vaccines, including Pfizer-BioNTech (52.8%), AstraZeneca (20.7%), and Sinopharm (14.2%). About 72% of participants experienced post-vaccination side effects. This study reports statistically significant associations (p < 0.01) between various predisposing factors and post-vaccinations side effects. In terms of predicting post-vaccination side effects, gradient boost, random forest, and XGBoost outperformed other ML methods. The most important predisposing factors for predicting certain side effects (i.e., tiredness, fever, headache, injection site pain and swelling, myalgia, and sleepiness and laziness) were revealed to be the number of doses, gender, type of vaccine, age, and hesitancy to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusions: The reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination among Arab populations are usually non-life-threatening; flu-like symptoms and injection site pain. Certain predisposing factors have greater weight and importance as input data in predicting post-vaccination side effects. Based on the most significant input data, ML can also be used to predict these side effects; people with certain predicted side effects may require additional medical attention, or possibly hospitalization.
Vaccine Licensure in the Absence of Human Efficacy Data
Authors: Finch Courtney L. , Martinez Christian , Leffel Elizabeth , Skiadopoulos Mario H. , Hacker Adam , Mwesigwa Betty , Maïga Diadié , Mugisa Ian , Munkwase Grant , Rustomjee Roxana
Published: February 2022

Clinical vaccine development and regulatory approval generally occurs in a linear, sequential manner: Phase 1: safety, immunogenicity; Phase 2: immunogenicity, safety, dose ranging, and preliminary efficacy; Phase 3: definitive efficacy, safety, lot consistency; and following regulatory approval, Phase 4: post-marketing safety and effectiveness. For candidate filovirus vaccines, where correlates of protection have not been identified, and phase 2 and 3 efficacy of disease prevention trials untenable, large and/or protracted, each trial may span decades, with full licensure expected only after several decades of development. Given the urgent unmet need for new Marburg virus and Ebola Sudan virus vaccines, the Sabin Vaccine Institute hosted a key stakeholder virtual meeting in May 2021 to explore the possibility of licensure by use of an “animal rule-like” licensure process, based on a risk/benefit assessment specific to regional needs and informed by epidemiology. This may be appropriate for diseases where there are no or limited treatment options, and those prone to sporadic outbreaks with high rates of transmission, morbidity, and mortality. The discussion focused on two contexts: licensure within the Ugandan regulatory environment, a high burden country where Ebola vaccine trials are ongoing, and licensure by the United States FDA—a well-resourced regulatory agency.
A Safe Return to Campus in Times of COVID-19: A Survey Study among University Personnel to Inform Decision Makers
Authors: Varol Tugce , Schneider Francine , Mesters Ilse , Ruiter Robert A. C. , Kok Gerjo , Ten Hoor Gill A.
Published: February 2022

Halfway through 2021 in the midst of a public health crisis, a new academic year was fast approaching. Dutch universities were preparing to reopen their campuses to students and personnel in a safe manner. As the vaccination uptake was increasing and societies were slowly reopening, inviting students and personnel to campus became the next step to “the new normal”. To absorb this change seamlessly, it was considered important to investigate personnel’s beliefs about returning to campus and their perceptions of a safe working environment. An online survey was conducted among personnel (N = 1965) of Maastricht University, the Netherlands. University personnel’s beliefs about a safe return to campus were assessed. The data were collected between 11 June and 28 June 2021. This study showed that, while most personnel (94.7%) were already vaccinated or willing to do so, not all personnel did feel safe to return to campus in September 2021. Over half of the respondents (58%) thought that the university is a safe place to return to work when the new academic year starts. However, the remainder of personnel felt unsafe or were uncertain for various reasons such as meeting in large groups or becoming infected. Moreover, when returning to campus, employees stated that they would require some time to reacclimate to their former work culture. The group who felt relatively more unsafe indicated that returning in September was too risky and that they worried about being infected. They wanted the safety guidelines to still be in force. On the other hand, the “safe” group stated safely returning to be “certainly possible” and trusted that others would still stick to the prevention guidelines. The findings led to practical recommendations for the University Board as they were preparing for organizing research and teaching for the upcoming academic year in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A brief intervention was developed: a webinar in which the data were linked to the board’s plans for safe returning. This study demonstrates that university boards may use research among personnel to develop adequate measures promoting safety and feelings of safety among personnel in similar future situations.
Lack of Induction of RBD-Specific Neutralizing Antibodies despite Repeated Heterologous SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Leading to Seroconversion and Establishment of T Cell-Specific Memory in a Patient in Remission of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Kratzer Bernhard , Trapin Doris , Gattinger Pia , Oberhofer Teresa , Sehgal Al Nasar Ahmed , Waidhofer-Söllner Petra , Rottal Arno , Körmöczi Ulrike , Grabmeier-Pfistershammer Katharina , Kopetzky Gerhard H. , Tischer Franz , Valenta Rudolf , Pickl Winfried F.
Published: February 2022

Background: Prophylactic vaccination against infectious diseases may induce a state of long-term protection in the otherwise healthy host. However, the situation is less predictable in immunocompromised patients and may require adjustment of vaccination schedules and/or basic therapy. Methods: A patient in full remission of multiple myeloma since the last three years and on long-term maintenance therapy with pomalidomide, a drug inhibiting angiogenesis and myeloma cell growth, was vaccinated twice with Comirnaty followed by two vaccinations with Vaxzevria. Seroconversion and SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular responses were monitored. Results: No signs of seroconversion or T cellular memory were observed after the first “full immunization” with Comirnaty. Consequently, long-term-maintenance therapy with Pomalidomide was stopped and two additional shots of Vaxzevria were administered after which the patient seroconverted with Spike(S)-protein specific antibody levels reaching 49 BAU/mL, mild S-peptide pool-specific T cell proliferation, effector cytokine production (IL-2, IL-13), and T cellular activation with increased numbers of CD3+CD4+CD25+ T cells as compared to vaccinated and non-vaccinated control subjects. However, despite suspension of immunosuppression and administration of in total four consecutive heterologous SARS-CoV-2 vaccine shots, the patient did not develop neutralizing RBD-specific antibodies. Conclusions: Despite immunomonitoring-based adjustment of vaccination and/or therapy schedules vaccination success, with clear correlates of protection, the development of RBD-specific antibodies could not be achieved in the immunocompromised patient with current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Thus, our report emphasizes the need for improved active and passive immunization strategies for SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Monitoring the Impact of National Sanitation and Hygiene Programme for Rural Communities in Chamwino (Tanzania)
Authors: González-Rodrigo Beatriz , Esteban-Zazo Ana , Vela-Plaza Cristina , Chaggu Esnati James , Mancebo José Antonio
Published: February 2022

The Sustainable Development Goals promulgate access to sanitation and hygiene for all and the end to open defecation in the framework of the human right to sanitation. Tanzania has one of the lowest levels of access to sanitation, with increasing open defecation. Ending open defecation has been identified as a top priority for reducing global inequalities in WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene). In this context, the coordinated work of NGOs, universities and governments developed a hygiene and sanitation programme (UMATA), whose methodologies and lessons learnt are ready to be scaled up. This research analyses the information collected from more than 21,000 households and discusses the challenges of monitoring and tracking the degree of achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the human right to sanitation. A characterisation of the hygiene and sanitation situation and the degree of adoption of different latrine types was assessed before (baseline) and after (follow-up) the implementation of the UMATA programme using the WHO/UNICEF JMP (Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene) metrics and approach. This allowed evaluating the efficacy of the strategy implemented in Tanzania to reduce open defecation that led to a decrease from 40.7% to 9.70% in the monitored period. Finally, we discuss the critical economic factors affecting the adoption and sustainability of improved sanitation systems.
Mapping and Visualizing Global Knowledge on Intermittent Water Supply Systems
Authors: Zyoud Shaher
Published: February 2022

Intermittent water supply systems (IWSSs) are prevalent in most developing countries and some developed ones. Their usage is driven by necessity rather than as a principal objective, mostly due to technical and economic deficiencies. Major health risks and socio-economic inequities are associated with such systems. Their impacts are aggravated by climate changes and the COVID-19 crisis. These are likely to have profound implications on progress toward advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs). Motivated by providing a comprehensive overview of global knowledge on IWSSs, the present work proposed to track and analyze research works on IWSSs utilizing bibliometric techniques and visual mapping tools. This includes investigating the trends and growth trajectories of research works on IWSSs and analyzing the various approaches proposed to expand our understanding with respect to the management, modeling, optimization, and impacts of IWSSs. The national and international contributions and collaboration figures are further analyzed at country, institution, author, and source levels. This analysis indicates that research works conducted on IWSSs have certain expectations in terms of productivity (total global productivity; 197 documents). The United States was the best country in terms of productivity (58 documents; 29.4%), while the Water Switzerland journal was the most productive journal (19 documents; 9.6%). The impacts of IWSSs on health and well-being have attracted considerable attention. The outcomes showed deep and justified worries in relation to the transition from intermittent to continuous supply, equity, and mitigating the health risks associated with IWSSs in the foreseen future. The utilization of artificial intelligence techniques and expert systems will drive and shape future IWSS-related research activities. Therefore, investments in this regard are crucial.
Prospective Climates, and Water Availabilities under Different Projections of Environmental Changes in Prince Edward Island, Canada
Authors: Bhatti Ahmad Zeeshan , Farooque Aitazaz Ahsan , Krouglicof Nicholas , Peters Wayne , Li Qing , Acharya Bishnu
Published: February 2022

Climate change impacts on temperatures, precipitations, streamflows, and recharges were studied across eastern, central, and western Prince Edward Island (PEI) between climate normals in 1991–2020, 2021–2050, and 2051–2080 using observed and projected data, and SWAT modeling. Average annual temperature can significantly rise from the existing 5.90–6.86 °C to 8.26–11.09 °C in different parts during the next 30–60 years under different RCP scenarios. Average annual precipitations would not significantly change except in western PEI where a 17% likely increase would offset further warming impact; therefore, current streamflows (~650 mm/year) and recharges (~320 mm/year) would not be much affected there. However, warming and increased pumping together in its Wilmot River watershed could reduce streamflows up to 9%, and 13% during 2021–2050, and 2051–2080, respectively. In the eastern forest-dominated Bear River watershed, no significant reductions in current streamflows (~692 mm/year) or recharges (~597 mm/year) are expected. Nevertheless, near constant precipitation and warming could cumulatively reduce streamflows/recharges up to 8% there, as pumping will be negligible. In the central zone, precipitation could insignificantly increase up to 5%, but current streamflows (~737 mm/year) and recharges (~446 mm/year) would not be significantly affected, except for RCP8.5 under which streamflows could reduce by ~16% during 2051–2080. Overall, more attenuated streamflows and recharges are likely with higher quantities in late winter and early spring, and somewhat lesser ones in summer, which could reduce water supplies during the growing season. Besides, precipitation uncertainty of ~300 mm/year between dry and wet years continues to be a major water management challenge. Adapting policies and regulations to the changing environment would ensure sustainable water management in PEI.
Salinity Forecasting on Raw Water for Water Supply in the Chao Phraya River
Authors: Changklom Jiramate , Lamchuan Phakawat , Pornprommin Adichai
Published: February 2022

Frequent saltwater intrusions in the Chao Phraya River have had an impact on water supply to the residents of Bangkok and nearby areas. Although relocation of the raw water station is a long-term solution, it requires a large amount of time and investment. At present, knowing in advance when an intrusion occurs will support the waterworks authority in their operations. Here, we propose a method to forecast the salinity at the raw water pumping station from 24 h up to 120 h in advance. Each of the predictor variables has a physical impact on salinity. We explore a number of model candidates based on two common fitting methods: multiple linear regression and the artificial neural network. During model development, we found that the model behaved differently when the water level was high than when the water level was low (water level is measured at a point 164 km upstream of the raw water pumping station); therefore, we propose a novel multilevel model approach that combines different sub-models, each of which is suitable for a particular water level. The models have been trained and selected through cross-validation, and tested on real data. According to the test results, the salinity can be forecasted with an RMSE of 0.054 g L\({^{-1}}\) at a forecast period of 24 h and up to 0.107 g L\({^{-1}}\) at a forecast period of 120 h.
Assessing the Performance of LISFLOOD-FP and SWMM for a Small Watershed with Scarce Data Availability
Authors: Sadeghi Farzaneh , Rubinato Matteo , Goerke Marcel , Hart James
Published: February 2022

Flooding events are becoming more frequent and the negative impacts that they are causing globally are very significant. Current predictions have confirmed that conditions linked with future climate scenarios are worsening; therefore, there is a strong need to improve flood risk modeling and to develop innovative approaches to tackle this issue. However, the numerical tools available nowadays (commercial and freeware) need essential data for calibration and validation purposes and, regrettably, this cannot always be provided in every country for dissimilar reasons. This work aims to examine the quality and capabilities of open-source numerical flood modeling tools and their data preparation process in situations where calibration datasets may be of poor quality or not available at all. For this purpose, EPA’s Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) was selected to investigate 1D modeling and LISFLOOD-FP was chosen for 2D modeling. The simulation results obtained with freeware products showed that both models are reasonably capable of detecting flood features such as critical points, flooding extent, and water depth. However, although working with them is more challenging than working with commercial products, the quality of the results relative to the reference map was acceptable. Therefore, this study demonstrated that LISFLOOD-FP and SWMM can cope with the lack of these variables as a starting point and has provided steps to undertake to generate reliable results for the need required, which is the estimation of the impacts of flooding events and the likelihood of their occurrence.
Modeling Reference Crop Evapotranspiration Using Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) in Region IV-A, Philippines
Authors: Tejada Allan T. , Ella Victor B. , Lampayan Rubenito M. , Reaño Consorcia E.
Published: February 2022

The need for accurate estimates of reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo) is important in irrigation planning and design, irrigation scheduling, reservoir management among other applications. ETo can be accurately determined using the internationally accepted FAO Penman–Monteith (FAO-56 PM) equation. However, this requires numerous observed data, including solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed, which in most cases are unavailable, particularly in developing countries such as the Philippines. This study developed models based on Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and Extreme Learning Machines (ELMs) for the estimation of daily ETo using different input combinations of meteorological data in Region IV-A, Philippines. The performance of machine learning models was compared with the different established alternative empirical models for ETo. The results show that the SVM and ELM models, with at least Tmax, Tmin, and Rs as inputs, provide the best daily ETo estimates. The accuracy of machine learning models was also found to be superior compared to the empirical models given with same input requirements. In general, SVM and ELM models showed similar modeling performance, although the former showed lower run time than the latter.
A New Evolutionary Hybrid Random Forest Model for SPEI Forecasting
Authors: Danandeh Mehr Ali , Torabi Haghighi Ali , Jabarnejad Masood , Safari Mir Jafar Sadegh , Nourani Vahid
Published: February 2022

State-of-the-art random forest (RF) models have been documented as versatile tools to solve regression and classification problems in hydrology. They can model stochastic time series by bagging different decision trees. This article introduces a new hybrid RF model that increases the forecasting accuracy of RF-based models. The new model, called GARF, is attained by integrating genetic algorithm (GA) and hybrid random forest (RF), in which different decision trees are bagged. We applied GARF to model and forecast a multitemporal drought index (SPEI-3 and SPEI-6) at two meteorology stations (Beypazari and Nallihan) in Ankara, Turkey. We compared the associated results with classic RF, standalone extreme learning machine (ELM), and a hybrid ELM model optimized by Bat algorithm (Bat-ELM) to verify the new model accuracy. The performance assessment was performed using graphical and statistical analysis. The forecasting results demonstrated that the GARF outperformed the benchmark models. GARF achieved the least error in a quantitative assessment for the prediction of both SPEI-3 and SPEI-6, particularly in the testing period. The results of this study showed that the new model can improve the forecasting accuracy of the classic RF technique up to 30% and 40% at Beypazari and Nallihan stations, respectively.
Simultaneous Estimation of a Contaminant Source and Hydraulic Conductivity Field by Combining an Iterative Ensemble Smoother and Sequential Gaussian Simulation
Authors: Jiang Simin , Zhang Ruicheng , Liu Jinbing , Xia Xuemin , Li Xianwen , Zheng Maohui
Published: February 2022

Joint estimation of groundwater contaminant source characteristics and hydraulic conductivity is of great significance for contaminant transport models in heterogeneous subsurface media. As for accurate characterization of hydraulic conductivities, both geostatistical modeling and groundwater inverse modeling are alternative approaches. In this study, an iterative ensemble smoother and sequential gaussian simulation (SGSIM) in geostatistics modeling were combined to realize the simultaneous inversion of contaminant sources and hydraulic conductivities, by using directly measured hydraulic conductivities and indirect hydraulic head and concentration data. To alleviate the high computational cost caused by repetitive evaluations of complex, high-dimensional groundwater models, SGSIM with the pilot points method was used. Considering the characteristics of the proposed method, four scenarios with ten cases were set up in terms of ensemble number and iteration number that affect the performance of the iterative ensemble smoother, the number of pilot points, and the observation data, respectively. The results for the synthetic example indicate that the ensemble size of 2000 and the pilot point number of 80 is an ideal combination of parameters, and the proposed method can successfully recover contaminant source information simultaneously with hydraulic conductivity.
Enhancement of the System of Statistical Indicators for Assessing the State and Prospects of Development of the Stock Market
Authors: Dorokhov E. V.
Published: February 2022

The article substantiates the need to improve the system of indicators that meet the requirements of market participants and potential investors in obtaining reliable and comprehensive statistical information on the state and development prospects of the Russian stock market (SM).The analysis of the current state of statistical monitoring of the Russian SM in terms of the misuse of insider information and manipulation of the financial market is carried out, statistical indicators for assessing stock assets and market indices are considered, and the main indicators of volatility and investment indicators related to the financial and economic characteristics of issuing companies are analyzed. According to the author, it is necessary to improve the quality of information on the value of stock assets and stock indices. To accomplish this task, it is proposed to use indicators that can adequately assess the current and forecast value of issuing companies and the degree of manipulation of their market quotations.The author proposes a method of calculating the investment indicator by dividing the price of the stock by its moving average profit for the previous time period equal to the economic cycle. Based on the factual material of the US and Russian stock markets, statistics of the values of this investment indicator, it is shown that it is possible to assess the adequate current and forecast value of stock assets, as well as the degree of their manipulation.The calculated investment indicator shows the adequacy of the market value of companies to their fundamental financial and economic characteristics. The volatility of this indicator for a short period of time is a signal of a possible manipulation with the prices of this stock asset. Therefore, this investment indicator can become an important supplement to the existing system of statistical indicators on the state and development of the Russian SM.
Extension Employee Health Behaviors, Needs, and Interests: A Utah-Based Survey
Authors: Ciciurkaite Gabriele , Sulzer Sandra , Parkhurst Emma
Published: February 2022

The goal of our study was to better understand the health and wellness practices, needs, and interests within Cooperative Extension. We used a Qualtrics web-based survey to collect data from Extension employees at Utah State University. Extension employees demonstrated interest in making healthier lifestyles a priority through Extension-specific wellness programs focused on exercise and physical activity, promotion of optimal mental health, and opportunities for personal development. Extension leaders and administrators are encouraged to offer targeted programming to enhance health and wellness within Cooperative Extension.
Assessing Awareness and Competence of Best Practices in Synchronous Online Instruction During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Clemson Cooperative Extension Professionals
Authors: Eck Christopher , Layfield K. Dale , DiBenedetto Catherine , Jordan Jacqueline , Scott Sarah , Thomas Weatherly , Parisi Michelle , Dobbins Thomas
Published: February 2022

Traditional delivery of Extension programming changed overnight in March 2020, when the COVID-19 outbreak forced switching traditional methods to virtual delivery. Extension professionals across South Carolina quickly adapted to online delivery. Concerns over instructor preparedness to use online tools, including functions to assure accessibility, did arise. Findings from this non-experimental, descriptive research study suggested Extension professionals used online tools (primarily Zoom). The majority were not comfortable using many of the features that would enhance instruction, including polling, file transfer, and live-streaming media platforms. Additionally, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint skills to assure accessibility for clientele were lacking.
Economic Analysis of Southern Highbush Blueberry Production Using Drip Irrigation and Frost Protection in Georgia, USA
Authors: Kunwar Saurav , Fonsah Esendugue
Published: February 2022

A partial enterprise budget simply evaluates the costs and returns profile of the agricultural firm. The simplicity in the partial enterprise budget comes with a cost that it lacks accuracy as it uses fixed single estimates and ignores potential variation in the components of the agricultural production processes. We study risk-rated returns from southern highbush blueberry production using a drip irrigation system under 5 scenarios of the blueberry prices and yields. The risk-rated return analysis gauges the returns over total costs under different specified situations addressing possible uncertainty. We show the chance of profit from southern highbush blueberry in Georgia is 69% in any full production year with the expected returns over costs of $952 per acre. This approach is helpful to minimize risk at the farmer’s production level and policy formation level.
Using Community Food Assessments to Improve Local Food Systems
Authors: Maille Robin
Published: February 2022

Community Food Assessments (CFAs) can be used to identify resources and gaps in how food is grown and distributed in a community, and develop action plans for improvement. This article shares the process for conducting these assessments and draws lessons from CFAs conducted across Oregon. Key themes and innovative projects are highlighted to share potential programming ideas. Extension can play a role in partnership development and networking that helps create sustainable projects that improve local food systems.