bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proposal for a Framework to Develop Sustainable Tourism on the Santurbán Moor, Colombia, as an Alternative Source of Income between Environmental Sustainability and Mining
Authors: Flórez Marco Fidel , Linares Jhon Fredys , Carrillo Eduardo , Mendes Francisco Milton , de Sousa Bruno
Published: July 2022

The main goal of this paper was to propose a program to develop sustainable tourism at Santurbán moor in Colombia. This would open new paths toward economic growth for the communities inhabiting this sector who are currently facing a serious dilemma. First, the moor is an area of vital importance to the sustainability of more than two million people, who depend on water generated in the area. On the other hand, this land contains great mineral wealth and agricultural resources. This has generated an already long-lasting conflict of interest between environment conservation and the possible economic exploitation of the Santurbán moor through industrial mining. To this end, we conducted bibliographic research on sustainable tourism, specifically with scientific ends, that considered the potential of this area for its implementation. Prospective methodology was applied, beginning with the selection of a panel of experts to identify the most important external and internal variables that could affect the area. Then, Impact Matrix Cross-Reference Multiplication Applied to a Classification (MICMAC) software was used to identify the correlation between the different actors and their possible contributions. As a result of this research, a proposal is presented that is focused on the needs of the community living in the area, as supported by science and the academic community, and by the use of Industry 4.0 and related new technologies. This strategy could be used in other protected areas in Colombia, or throughout the world, that are currently being visited by tourists who, maybe unwillingly, are actually putting the sustainability of these areas at risk. In the future, this strategy will be consolidated and will lead to technological applications. This will allow tourists to enjoy protected places without threatening the conservation of these habitats.
Research on the Impact of Media Credibility on Risk Perception of COVID-19 and the Sustainable Travel Intention of Chinese Residents Based on an Extended TPB Model in the Post-Pandemic Context
Authors: Dang Qiong
Published: July 2022

This study is the first to examine the impact of media credibility on the sustainable travel intention of Chinese residents in the post-pandemic context. Specifically, the mechanisms by which media credibility influenced the sustainable travel intentions of Chinese residents through risk perception are studied. This study developed an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) model and used a structural equation model (SEM) to analyze the 1219 valid samples received from online questionnaires. The results revealed that media credibility has a negative impact on risk perception of COVID-19 in the post-pandemic context. This suggested that trusted media, messages, and information sources can reduce the risk perception of COVID-19 when individuals contemplate travel. Risk perception negatively affects subjective norms, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control, while these three variables positively influence sustainable travel intention. Significantly, subjective norms have a stronger impact on the sustainable travel intention of Chinese residents than the remaining variables, demonstrating that, in a collective society, an individual’s intention to travel is more susceptible to influence by government sanctions as well as the unsupported opinions of their family and friends. This study makes up for the lack of focus on the media in sustainable tourism research and provides novel insights for future studies.
A Qualitative and Longitudinal Study on the Impact of Telework in Times of COVID-19
Authors: Maillot Anne-Sophie , Meyer Thierry , Prunier-Poulmaire Sophie , Vayre Emilie
Published: July 2022

Mandatory teleworking has become a major tool of public authorities for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 when work activity allows it. A lexical and morphosyntactic analysis was performed with 22 employees interviewed at home by phone on two occasions during and after a national lockdown (April 2020 and March 2021). The results indicate that the organizational changes initially implemented became sustainable and highlight a change in work practices. Changes in working time structure were observed and led to a feeling of intensification and/or increase in working hours. The preservation of the professional bond through informal exchanges required a deliberate communicative effort. The lack of face-to-face social relations deprived employees of both their usual ways of working and the meaning they found in them. Finally, the continuation of the health crisis (phase 2) and the multiple reorganizations generated a decrease in wellbeing (mental wear and tear). Employees feared that the company’s management would retain a working model based mainly on remote working.
Immobilization of Metals in Fired Clay Brick Incorporated with Aluminium-Rich Electroplating Sludge: Properties and Leaching Analysis
Authors: Hashim Azini Amiza , Abdul Kadir Aeslina , Sarani Noor Amira , Hassan Mohd Ikhmal Haqeem , Kersnansamy Arunraj , Abdullah Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri
Published: July 2022

Electroplating sludge is the hazardous waste discarded from the plating and extractive metallurgical process which can only be disposed of at a secured landfill. In this study, the physical and mechanical properties, as well as metal leaching analysis, of fired clay brick incorporated with electroplating sludge (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%) were determined. The physical and mechanical properties of bricks, such as firing shrinkage, dry density, initial rate of absorption, water absorption and compressive strength, were tested according to British standard 3921:1985 and British standard EN772:1. Furthermore, the metal leachability was determined by using the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) method 1311. The results show that the utilization of an electroplating-sludge brick up to 4% could enhance physical and mechanical properties, such as reducing the water absorption from 18.3% to 16.1% and increasing the compressive strength from 25.6 MPa to 41.6 MPa. The result also show that 4% of aluminium-rich electroplating sludge incorporated into the brick is the most suitable amount, as it leached less metal concentration and complied with USEPA standards. The metals which were most present in the electroplating sludge (aluminium and iron) drastically reduced from 193,000 ppm to 0.1372 ppm and from 4160 ppm to 0.144 ppm, respectively. Therefore, the electroplating sludge could be fully utilized in the fired clay brick as an alternative to producing low-cost building materials whilst decreasing the levels of disposal of metal sludge on the secured landfill.
Flood Resilience, Viability, and Growth Response to Seawater Immersion of Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.)
Authors: Vergiev Stoyan
Published: July 2022

A holistic approach to sustainable coastal zone management assigns the development of nature-based and low-cost strategies for coastal protection during extreme meteorological events. This determines the growing interest in plant species with high salt tolerance, and the study of their flood resilience in order to determine their capacity for flooding and erosion control. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.), with its vast rhizome system, has the major characteristic features of useful plant stabilisers of coastal sand dunes. This study aims to define the effects of flooding stress caused by storms on viability, survival ability, and growth response of bermudagrass in flooding simulations in order to define its flooding resilience. C. dactylon showed high resilience and tolerance to salt from seawater during flooding simulations. The Critical Decomposition Time of C. dactylon is estimated at 144 h, which is more than the maximum-duration flood recorded for the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Untreated rhizomes showed less viability than those treated with seawater in flooding simulations. Changes in resistance, viability, biomass, and vegetative allocation were more significant, with the water as an influencing factor. The temperature of seawater and duration of submergence had no significant effect. As a median value species between psammophytes from the Poaceae family and the Cyperaceae family, bermudagrass can be used as a model plant in flooding simulations.
Spatial Distribution Pattern and Natural Causes Analysis of Sandy Desertification Land in Ali Area
Authors: Li Qun , Wu Puxia , Fan Huaye , Ma Yandong , Li Rong , Zhao Guoping
Published: July 2022

In order to explore the spatial distribution pattern and natural causes of the sandy desertification land in the Ali area, on the basis of clarifying the dynamic change laws of sandy desertification land areas, sandy desertification degree and spatial distribution pattern, the main controlling factors of sandy desertification land distribution are analyzed from three aspects of landform, climate and vegetation. During the 22 years from 1992 to 2014, the sandy desertification land area in the Ali area shows a law of first increase and then decrease, reaching a peak of 61,054.14 km2 in 2004, accounting for 20.57%, and decreasing to 60,892.65 km2 in 2014, accounting for 20.51%, which do not return to the level of 1992. Sandy land desertification is mainly slight and moderate, accounting for 53.29% and 45.73%, respectively, in 2014. Sandy desertification land in the Ali area is mainly distributed among intermountain basins, river valleys, lake basins, piedmont plains and other landform units. The landform and wind speed are the main natural factors that determine the spatial distribution pattern of sandy desertification land in the Ali area, that is, the spatial distribution pattern of sandy desertification land in the Ali area is the coupled result of sand source and wind speed.
Analysis of the Self-Cleaning Potential of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GRC) with TiO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Ehrenbring Hinoel Zamis , Christ Roberto , Pacheco Fernanda , Francisco Letícia Wilhelms , Bolezina Giulia Cavagnoli , Hanauer Natália Berwanger , Grings Guilherme Gregio , Tutikian Bernardo Fonseca
Published: July 2022

The materials used in civil construction are undergoing significant advances to achieve reduced maintenance and increased durability. This study analyzed the self-cleaning potential of Glass fiber Reinforced Concrete (GRC) with the addition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in contents of 3, 5, and 7% with respect to the mass of cement. We evaluated the self-cleaning GRC plates and the compressive and flexural strength of cylindrical and prismatic specimens. Prepared GRC sample plates were stained with dye solution (rhodamine B and methylene blue) and exposed to the four cardinal solar orientations of a building façade (north, south, east, and west) at different inclination angles (0°, 45°, and 90°) with respect to ground level. Results showed that the samples that presented the greatest performance were plates positioned in a north orientation and inclined at 0° in relation to ground level. The inclusion of TiO2 positively affected the consistency of the mixtures and improved the properties of the GRC in the hardened state. Measured rupture stresses were greater than 100 MPa in compressive strength and 20 MPa in flexure. The results of this study showed that the introduction of TiO2 in concrete with high strengths did have great relevance for the self-cleaning of white concrete.
An Environmentally Friendly Solution for Waste Facial Masks Recycled in Construction Materials
Authors: Ali Madad , Opulencia Maria Jade Catalan , Chandra Teddy , Chandra Stefani , Muda Iskandar , Dias Rui , Chetthamrongchai Paitoon , Jalil Abduladheem Turki
Published: July 2022

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, single-use disposable masks saw a dramatic rise in production. Facial masks that are not properly disposed of will expose the environment to a form of non-biodegradable plastic waste that will take hundreds of years to degrade. Therefore, recycling such waste in an eco-friendly manner is imperative. Fibered or shredded waste masks can be used to make green concrete that is an environmentally friendly solution to dispose the facial masks. This study prepared six classes of concrete samples, three of which contained fibers from masks and three of which contained shredded masks at the ages of seven days and 28 days. The results show that in the seven-day and 28-day samples, mask fiber added to the mixes resulted in increased compressive strength. For seven-day and 28-day samples, the compressive strength increased by 7.2% and 10%, respectively. Despite that, the results of the shredded mask addition to concrete indicate that the increase in shredded mask volume has a minor impact on the compressive strength of the seven-day samples. An increase in shredded mask from 0.75 to 1% increased 28-day compressive strength by 14%. However, the compressive strength of the mask fiber decreased by 8 after 1% volume. According to a thermal analysis of 28-day concrete samples, as the fiber percentage increases, the mass loss percentage increases. The mass loss rate for samples containing fibers is higher than that for samples containing shredded mask pieces. In general, based on the results mentioned above, the use of fiber in concrete in its fiber state enhances its strength properties. As a result, using shredded mask pieces in concrete leads to better curing due to the reduction of residual capillary pore water loss in construction materials.
Heterogeneity in the Causal Link between FDI, Globalization and Human Capital: New Empirical Evidence Using Threshold Regressions
Authors: Tang Tao , Tillaguango Brayan , Alvarado Rafael , Songor-Jaramillo Ximena , Méndez Priscila , Pinzón Stefania
Published: July 2022

Human capital formation in developing countries is a policy instrument to promote economic progress. In recent decades, FDI can act as a mechanism for transmitting human capital in the context of highly globalized countries. Extensive literature indicates that the formation of human capital is one of the most effective mechanisms for promoting structural change in countries. This research examines the causal link between FDI flows, globalization, and knowledge. This relationship is moderated by the index of electoral democracy, employment in agriculture, rent from natural resources, export diversification, and fertility. We employ a set of threshold regressions based on the idea that FDI levels will be significant and permanent as long as FDI transmits knowledge to recipient countries from a substantial level of FDI. The results show a threshold effect in the electoral democracy index and foreign direct investment at the global level and high- and upper-middle-income countries. In addition, we found a threshold effect for the electoral democracy index in the East Asia Pacific regions and the Middle East and North African countries. There is a threshold effect in East Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America in FDI. Based on the results, policymakers should promote FDI and electoral democracy flows above the threshold to encourage the transfer of human capital in the countries analyzed.
Development of a Method for Evaluating Social Distancing Situations on Urban Streets during a Pandemic
Authors: Yang Seungho , Chowdhury Tanvir Uddin , Mohammadi Ahmad , Park Peter Y.
Published: July 2022

In the New Normal era of “Living with COVID-19”, we need a measure of the safety of street spaces. Social distancing during a pandemic is considered an effective safety measure, but the current binary threshold approach to social distancing is clearly inadequate for evaluating and monitoring the risk of infection on urban streets. This study is to propose a social distancing indicator that can quantitatively evaluate the level of exposure to viral infection for pedestrians using urban streets during a pandemic, and to develop a statistical model to estimate the proposed indicator from simulations of pedestrian activity on urban streets. We assumed that the risk of infection on urban streets has a direct relationship with distance between pedestrians. The social distancing indicator was based largely on the findings of past studies. We developed a statistical model to relate the proposed indicator to three other explanatory variables: pedestrian density, clumpiness, and directional heterogeneity. We used pedestrian simulation to generate the raw data for these explanatory variables. The social distancing indicator demonstrated a statistically significant relationship with input variables and can be used to evaluate pedestrians’ social distancing on urban streets. We measured the relationship between different levels of pedestrian density, clumpiness, and directional heterogeneity and related the results to the potential level of exposure to viral infection. Health agencies can use the findings to develop appropriate policies for monitoring and improving the social distance between pedestrians on urban streets during a pandemic.
Research on Control of Levitation Force and Torque of a Maglev Device for Water-Turbine Generator Set
Authors: Liu Jing , Xu Chongwang , Zhu Jinnan , Huang Lei , Ma Hongzhong
Published: July 2022

Hydropower generation is clean, pollution-free, and renewable, and has good social and economic benefits, so it is given priority for development throughout the world. The capacity of hydropower stations is increasing to 1000 MW from 700 MW. As the p value on the bearing reaches a new height, coupled with the original risk of easy damage, the thrust bearing faces new technical challenges. Maglev technology is studied and applied to a large vertical-shaft hydro-generator set to solve the bearing problem. The maglev device is designed, and the working principle is expounded, using active-control repulsive-suspension technology. The levitation-force addition and the torque cancellation are realized by controlling the frequency of the excitation power supply. The dynamic mathematical models of levitation force and torque are derived. Combined with the design and theoretical analysis, the vector-control strategy is developed and the simulation analysis is completed. According to the results, the controller is improved to enhance the response performance. Finally, a control experiment is carried out on the prototype, and the results verify the effectiveness of the design and control strategy.
Analysis of the Relationship between Beijing Rail Transit and Urban Planning Based on Space Syntax
Authors: Meng Leilei , Ishida Toshikazu
Published: July 2022

Transportation infrastructure planning is one of the essential ways to achieve a carbon-neutral society in China’s future. With regards to sustainable urban development, the Green Low-Carbon policy for Transportation is set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan Outline 2021–2025. However, there are only a limited number of previous studies that systematically combined land-use planning and urban transportation evolution to clarify the structural issues in urban transportation optimization. In this study, we use traditional analysis and space syntax analysis to examine the relationship between the urban development of Beijing and the evolution of its rail transit transportation. After analyzing Beijing’s multi-center and multi-circle rail transit structure, it was concluded that the current division of labor in Beijing’s rail transit is unclear. Analysis using space syntax shows that connecting suburban centers using suburban railways improves accessibility better than subways. However, after analyzing the synergy between these factors, it is found that the application of space syntax needs to be analyzed in combination with the actual situation.
Proposing an Integrated Approach to Analyzing ESG Data via Machine Learning and Deep Learning Algorithms
Authors: Lee Ook , Joo Hanseon , Choi Hayoung , Cheon Minjong
Published: July 2022

In the COVID-19 era, people face situations that they have never experienced before, which alerted the importance of the ESG. Investors also consider ESG indexes as an essential factor for their investments, and some research yielded that the return on sustainable funds is more significant than on non-sustainable ones. Nevertheless, a deficiency in research exists about analyzing ESG through artificial intelligence algorithms due to adversity in collecting ESG-related datasets. Therefore, this paper suggests integrated AI approaches to the ESG datasets with the five different experiments. We also focus on analyzing the governance and social datasets through NLP algorithms and propose a straightforward method for predicting a specific firm’s ESG rankings. Results were evaluated through accuracy score, RMSE, and MAE, and every experiment conducted relevant scores that achieved our aim. From the results, it could be concluded that this paper successfully analyzes ESG data with various algorithms. Unlike previous related research, this paper also emphasizes the importance of the adversarial attacks on the ESG datasets and suggests methods to detect them effectively. Furthermore, this paper proposes a simple way to predict ESG rankings, which would be helpful for small businesses. Even though it is our limitation that we only use restricted datasets, our research proposes the possibility of applying the AI algorithms to the ESG datasets in an integrated approach.
Regularity and Travelling Wave Profiles for a Porous Eyring–Powell Fluid with Darcy–Forchheimer Law
Authors: Díaz Palencia José Luis , Rahman Saeed ur , Redondo Antonio Naranjo , Roa González Julián
Published: July 2022

The goal of this study is to provide analytical and numerical assessments to a fluid flow based on an Eyring–Powell viscosity term and a Darcy–Forchheimer law in a porous media. The analysis provides results about regularity, existence and uniqueness of solutions. Travelling wave solutions are explored, supported by the Geometric Perturbation Theory to build profiles in the proximity of the equation critical points. Finally, a numerical routine is provided as a baseline for the validity of the analytical approach presented for low Reynolds numbers typical in a porous medium.
Hot Primordial Regions with Anomalous Hydrogenless Chemical Composition
Authors: Belotsky Konstantin M. , El Kasmi Mohamed M. , Rubin Sergey G. , Solovyov Maxim L.
Published: July 2022

We study primordial nucleosynthesis in hypothetical hot regions that could be formed by the primordial density inhomogeneities. It is shown that the regions that survived up to the present times acquire an abnormally high metallicity. This conclusion holds in a wide range of initial parameters of such regions. We considered the thermonuclear reaction rates and estimated abundances of deuterium and helium-3 and -4 inside these areas. It has been established that all baryons tend to form helium-4, which is the thermonuclear link in the chain of formation of heavier elements.
A Three-Component Additive Weibull Distribution and Its Reliability Implications
Authors: Thach Tien Thanh
Published: July 2022

We consider a new failure time distribution by combining three Weibull distributions. The proposed distribution exhibits decreasing, increasing, and bathtub-shaped failure rate functions. Some statistical properties of the proposed distribution are presented. The maximum likelihood method is used to estimate the parameters, reliability, and failure rate functions of the proposed distribution, and the uncertainties of the estimates are obtained by using asymptotic confidence intervals. The cross-entropy method, a stochastic optimization procedure, is used to find the maximum of the log-likelihood function. The superiority of the proposed distribution is demonstrated on two benchmark datasets.
φ-ψ-Contractions under W-Distances Employing Symmetric Locally T-Transitive Binary Relation
Authors: Arif Mohammad , Imdad Mohammad , Sessa Salvatore
Published: July 2022

The intent of this paper is to prove the relation-theoretic fixed point results under φ-ψ-contractions involving W-distance on a metric space and equipped with a symmetric locally T-transitive binary relation (not necessarily transitive relation). Our results enrich and improve several fixed point results of the existing literature.
Generating Optimal Discrete Analogue of the Generalized Pareto Distribution under Bayesian Inference with Applications
Authors: Haj Ahmad Hanan , Almetwally Ehab M.
Published: July 2022

This paper studies three discretization methods to formulate discrete analogues of the well-known continuous generalized Pareto distribution. The generalized Pareto distribution provides a wide variety of probability spaces, which support threshold exceedances, and hence, it is suitable for modeling many failure time issues. Bayesian inference is applied to estimate the discrete models with different symmetric and asymmetric loss functions. The symmetric loss function being used is the squared error loss function, while the two asymmetric loss functions are the linear exponential and general entropy loss functions. A detailed simulation analysis was performed to compare the performance of the Bayesian estimation using the proposed loss functions. In addition, the applicability of the optimal discrete generalized Pareto distribution was compared with other discrete distributions. The comparison was based on different goodness-of-fit criteria. The results of the study reveal that the discretized generalized Pareto distribution is quite an attractive alternative to other discrete competitive distributions.
A Semi-Analytical Method to Investigate Fractional-Order Gas Dynamics Equations by Shehu Transform
Authors: Shah Rasool , Saad Alshehry Azzh , Weera Wajaree
Published: July 2022

This work aims at a new semi-analytical method called the variational iteration transformation method for solving nonlinear homogeneous and nonhomogeneous fractional-order gas dynamics equations. The Shehu transformation and the iterative technique are applied to solve the suggested problems. The proposed method has an advantage over existing approaches because it does not require additional materials or computations. Four problems are used to test the authenticity of the proposed method. Using the suggested method, the solution proves to be more accurate. The proposed method can be implemented to solve many nonlinear fractional order problems because it has a straightforward implementation.
The Minimum-Norm Least Squares Solutions to Quaternion Tensor Systems
Authors: Xie Mengyan , Wang Qing-Wen , Zhang Yang
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we investigate the minimum-norm least squares solution to a quaternion tensor system A1*NX1=C1,A1*NX2+A2*NX3=C2,E1*NX1*MF1+E1*NX2*MF2+E2*NX3*MF2=D by using the Moore–Penrose inverses of block tensors. As an application, we discuss the quaternion tensor system A*NX=C,E*NX*MF=D for minimum-norm least squares reducible solutions. To illustrate the results, we present an algorithm and a numerical example.
Advanced Feature-Selection-Based Hybrid Ensemble Learning Algorithms for Network Intrusion Detection Systems
Authors: Mhawi Doaa N. , Aldallal Ammar , Hassan Soukeana
Published: July 2022

As cyber-attacks become remarkably sophisticated, effective Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) are needed to monitor computer resources and to provide alerts regarding unusual or suspicious behavior. Despite using several machine learning (ML) and data mining methods to achieve high effectiveness, these systems have not proven ideal. Current intrusion detection algorithms suffer from high dimensionality, redundancy, meaningless data, high error rate, false alarm rate, and false-negative rate. This paper proposes a novel Ensemble Learning (EL) algorithm-based network IDS model. The efficient feature selection is attained via a hybrid of Correlation Feature Selection coupled with Forest Panelized Attributes (CFS–FPA). The improved intrusion detection involves exploiting AdaBoosting and bagging ensemble learning algorithms to modify four classifiers: Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, Naïve Bayes, and K-Nearest Neighbor. These four enhanced classifiers have been applied first as AdaBoosting and then as bagging, using the aggregation technique through the voting average technique. To provide better benchmarking, both binary and multi-class classification forms are used to evaluate the model. The experimental results of applying the model to CICIDS2017 dataset achieved promising results of 99.7%accuracy, a 0.053 false-negative rate, and a 0.004 false alarm rate. This system will be effective for information technology-based organizations, as it is expected to provide a high level of symmetry between information security and detection of attacks and malicious intrusion.
Settlement of an Existing Tunnel Induced by Crossing Shield Tunneling Involving Residual Jacking Force
Authors: Liu Tianyu , Jiang Xuehui , Luo Wenjun , Yan Jianwei
Published: July 2022

An analytical formulation involving residual force is proposed to predict the displacement of an existing structure by simplifying the tunnel as an infinite Euler–Bernoulli beam resting on a two-parameter Pasternak foundation. The feasibility is confirmed by two actual measurements at sites in the published literature. Parametric studies—including consideration of jacking force alone, jacking force and ground loss, and jacking force and equivalent bending stiffness—are carried out to study the influence on the deformation of the existing tunnel. The results show that the residual jacking force can decrease the settlement of the existing tunnel, but the significance of its effect varies under different engineering conditions. With the increase in ground loss, the beneficial effect of jacking force in preventing further aggravation of tunnel settlement gradually becomes obvious, and the jacking force can reduce the deformation more effectively when the tunnel has lower bending stiffness. As a result, it is recommended that some effective measures should be adopted to maintain sufficient residual jacking force in the segments, so as to prolong the life of the tunnel.
Mycotoxins of Concern in Children and Infant Cereal Food at European Level: Incidence and Bioaccessibility
Authors: Pereira Cheila , Cunha Sara C. , Fernandes José O.
Published: July 2022

Cereals are of utmost importance for the nutrition of infants and children, as they provide important nutrients for their growth and development and, in addition, they are easily digestible, being the best choice for the transition from breast milk/infant formula to solid foods. It is well known that children are more susceptible than adults to toxic food contaminants, such as mycotoxins, common contaminants in cereals. Many mycotoxins are already regulated and controlled according to strict quality control standards in Europe and around the world. There are, however, some mycotoxins about which the level of knowledge is lower: the so-called emerging mycotoxins, which are not yet regulated. The current review summarizes the recent information (since 2014) published in the scientific literature on the amounts of mycotoxins in infants’ and children’s cereal-based food in Europe, as well as their behaviour during digestion (bioaccessibility). Additionally, analytical methods used for mycotoxin determination and in vitro methods used to evaluate bioaccessibility are also reported. Some studies demonstrated the co-occurrence of regulated and emerging mycotoxins in cereal products used in children’s food, which highlights the need to adopt guidelines on the simultaneous presence of more than one mycotoxin. Although very little research has been done on the bioaccessibility of mycotoxins in these food products, very interesting results correlating the fiber and lipid contents of such products with a higher or lower bioaccessibility of mycotoxins were reported. LC-MS/MS is the method of choice for the detection and quantification of mycotoxins due to its high sensibility and accuracy. In vitro static digestion models are the preferred ones for bioaccessibility evaluation due to their simplicity and accuracy.
Divergent Specialization of Simple Venom Gene Profiles among Rear-Fanged Snake Genera (Helicops and Leptodeira, Dipsadinae, Colubridae)
Authors: Cerda Peter A. , Crowe-Riddell Jenna M. , Gonçalves Deise J. P. , Larson Drew A. , Duda Thomas F. , Davis Rabosky Alison R.
Published: July 2022

Many venomous animals express toxins that show extraordinary levels of variation both within and among species. In snakes, most studies of venom variation focus on front-fanged species in the families Viperidae and Elapidae, even though rear-fanged snakes in other families vary along the same ecological axes important to venom evolution. Here we characterized venom gland transcriptomes from 19 snakes across two dipsadine rear-fanged genera (Leptodeira and Helicops, Colubridae) and two front-fanged genera (Bothrops, Viperidae; Micrurus, Elapidae). We compared patterns of composition, variation, and diversity in venom transcripts within and among all four genera. Venom gland transcriptomes of rear-fanged Helicops and Leptodeira and front-fanged Micrurus are each dominated by expression of single toxin families (C-type lectins, snake venom metalloproteinase, and phospholipase A2, respectively), unlike highly diverse front-fanged Bothrops venoms. In addition, expression patterns of congeners are much more similar to each other than they are to species from other genera. These results illustrate the repeatability of simple venom profiles in rear-fanged snakes and the potential for relatively constrained venom composition within genera.
Insights into the Cardiotoxic Effects of Veratrum Lobelianum Alkaloids: Pilot Study
Authors: Taldaev Amir , Terekhov Roman P. , Melnik Elizaveta V. , Belova Maria V. , Kozin Sergey V. , Nedorubov Andrey A. , Pomerantseva Tatyana Ya. , Ramenskaya Galina V.
Published: July 2022

Jervine, protoveratrine A (proA), and protoveratrine B (proB) are Veratrum alkaloids that are presented in some remedies obtained from Veratrum lobelianum, such as Veratrum aqua. This paper reports on a single-center pilot cardiotoxic mechanism study of jervine, proA, and proB in case series. The molecular aspects were studied via molecular dynamic simulation, molecular docking with cardiac sodium channel NaV1.5, and machine learning-based structure–activity relationship modeling. HPLC-MS/MS method in combination with clinical events were used to analyze Veratrum alkaloid cardiotoxicity in patients. Jervine demonstrates the highest docking score (−10.8 kcal/mol), logP value (4.188), and pKa value (9.64) compared with proA and proB. Also, this compound is characterized by the lowest calculated IC50. In general, all three analyzed alkaloids show the affinity to NaV1.5 that highly likely results in cardiotoxic action. The clinical data of seven cases of intoxication by Veratrum aqua confirms the results of molecular modeling. Patients exhibited nausea, muscle weakness, bradycardia, and arterial hypotension. The association between alkaloid concentrations in blood and urine and severity of patient condition is described. These experiments, while primary, confirmed that jervine, proA, and proB contribute to cardiotoxicity by NaV1.5 inhibition.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Algicidal Mechanism of Brevibacillus laterosporus against Microcystis aeruginosa through Multiple Metabolic Pathways
Authors: Zhang Yulei , Li Jieyi , Hu Zhangxi , Chen Dong , Li Feng , Huang Xianghu , Li Changling
Published: July 2022

It is widely accepted that eutrophication has played an important role in the formation of harmful cyanobacterial blooms in recent decades, which impacts water quality and ecological environment and causes huge economic losses. Algicidal bacteria have a promising application prospect in controlling cyanobacterial blooms in aquaculture water. Here, the process of the algicidal bacterium Brevibacillus laterosporus strain Bl-zj acting on Microcystis aeruginosa was explored using transcriptome analysis to elucidate the algicidal mechanism. The results of the co-culture of bacterium and alga showed a strong alga-lysing effect of B. laterosporus against M. aeruginosa with an extreme morphology deformation of the algal cells. A total of 2744 differentially expressed genes of B. laterosporus were identified, which were mainly involved in the metabolism of amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid. In the co-cultured group, the expression of genes mainly enriched in valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation, and fatty acid degradation were significantly increased. However, the expression of the genes related to ribosome were mainly inhibited. Transcriptome analysis showed that B. laterosporus obtained ATP and energy by the degradation of valine, leucine, isoleucine, and fatty acids, and destroyed algal cells by efflux pump transporters, secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, antibiotics, proteases, and other secondary metabolites, resulting in algal death and achieving the algicidal effect.
Medical Management after Lancehead Snakebite in North Amazon: A Case Report of Long-Term Disability
Authors: Oliveira Isadora S. , Ananias Carla B. , Medeiros Jilvando M. , Franco Michelle V. S. , Ferreira Isabela G. , Cerni Felipe A. , Sandri Eliseu A. , Monteiro Wuelton M. , Pucca Manuela B.
Published: July 2022

Snakebites are a major public health problem in indigenous communities in Brazil, leading to acute local and systemic damage with resulting deficiencies. Long-term musculoskeletal disabilities related to snakebites have been a neglected area of research. Bothrops (lancehead) snakes are responsible for most of the permanent sequelae related to snakebites in Latin America. Here, we present a case report of a 32-year-old male indigenous patient who was envenomed by a Bothrops species. The patient was clinically followed for a period of approximately 2 years and 6 months, during which time he experienced a loss of musculoskeletal tissue and required several medical procedures such as debridement, tissue reconstruction, and physical therapy, which resulted in a recovery of mobility, though with a permanent sequelae in gait. This case report shows how snakebites have a significant impact on health systems, as victims require physiotherapy, plastic surgery, and orthopedics services, as well as social support for reintegration into their local communities.
Envenoming by a Marine Blood Worm (Glycera)
Authors: Durkin Daniela M. , Young Alison N. , Khtikian Kent , Karjala Zuzana , Isenstein Arin L. , Fry Bryan G. , Lewin Matthew R.
Published: July 2022

Bites from venomous marine annelid ‘bloodworms’ (e.g., Glycera spp.) do not appear to have been described in the medical literature despite being seemingly well-known to bait diggers and fishermen. The few laboratory study reports describe their venom composition and physiological effects in vitro to be primarily proteolytic enzymes and neurotoxins apparently used for predation and defense. Herein, we present the report of a symptomatic envenoming suffered by a marine ecologist bitten while performing her field research. The local effects included a rapid onset of pain, swelling, and numbness at the bite site “as if injected with local anesthetic”. Additional signs and symptoms appearing over a two-week period were consistent with both delayed venom effects and potentially secondary infection. The late signs and symptoms resolved during a course of antibiotic treatment with doxycycline prescribed as a precaution and lack of resources to consider a wound culture. Comments about annelid bites sporadically appear in the popular literature, especially pertaining to the fishing industry, under names such as ‘bait-diggers hand’. While these bites are not known to be dangerously venomous, they seem to produce painful local symptoms and possibly increase the risk of marine bacterial infections that could be associated with more serious outcomes. More cases need to be formally described to better understand the natural history of these types of envenomation.
Hepadnavirus DNA Is Detected in Canine Blood Samples in Hong Kong but Not in Liver Biopsies of Chronic Hepatitis or Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Choi Yan Ru , Chen Min-Chun , Carrai Maura , Rizzo Francesca , Chai Yingfei , Tse May , Jackson Ken , Martella Vito , Steiner Joerg , Pesavento Patricia A. , Beatty Julia A. , Barrs Vanessa R.
Published: July 2022

Chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) caused by the hepadnavirus hepatitis B virus (HBV) are significant causes of human mortality. A hepatitis-B-like virus infecting cats, domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH), was reported in 2018. DCH DNA is hepatotropic and detectable in feline blood or serum (3.2 to 12.3%). Detection of HBV DNA has been reported in sera from 10% of free-roaming dogs in Brazil, whereas 6.3% of sera from dogs in Italy tested positive for DCH DNA by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). If DCH, HBV, or another hepadnavirus is hepatotropic in dogs, a role for such a virus in the etiology of canine idiopathic chronic hepatitis (CH) or HCC warrants investigation. This study investigated whether DCH DNA could be detected via qPCR in blood from dogs in Hong Kong and also whether liver biopsies from dogs with confirmed idiopathic CH or HCC contained hepadnaviral DNA using two panhepadnavirus conventional PCRs (cPCR) and a DCH-specific cPCR. DCH DNA was amplified from 2 of 501 (0.4%) canine whole-blood DNA samples. A second sample taken 6 or 7 months later from each dog tested negative in DCH qPCR. DNA extracted from 101 liver biopsies from dogs in Hong Kong or the USA, diagnosed by board-certified pathologists as idiopathic CH (n = 47) or HCC (n = 54), tested negative for DCH DNA and also tested negative using panhepadnavirus cPCRs. This study confirms that DCH DNA can be detected in canine blood by qPCR, although at a much lower prevalence than that reported previously. We identified no evidence to support a pathogenic role for a hepadnavirus in canine idiopathic CH or HCC.
A Novel Competitive ELISA for Specifically Measuring and Differentiating Immune Responses to Classical Swine Fever C-Strain Vaccine in Pigs
Authors: Wang Lihua , Mi Shijiang , Madera Rachel , Li Yuzhen , Gong Wenjie , Tu Changchun , Shi Jishu
Published: July 2022

Classical swine fever can be controlled effectively by vaccination with C-strain vaccine. In this study, we developed a novel competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) based on a C-strain Erns specific monoclonal antibody (mAb 1504), aiming to serologically measure immune responses to C-strain vaccine in pigs, and finally to make the C-strain become a DIVA-compatible vaccine. The cELISA system was established based on the strategy that mAb 1504 will compete with the C-strain induced antibodies in the pig serum to bind the C-strain Erns protein. The cELISA was optimized and was further evaluated by testing different categories of pig sera. It can efficiently differentiate C-strain immunized from wild-type CSFV-infected pigs and lacks cross-reaction with other common swine viruses and viruses in genus Pestivirus such as Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). The C-strain antibody can be tested in pigs 7–14 days post vaccination with this cELISA. The sensitivity and specificity of the established cELISA were 100% (95% confidence interval: 95.60 to 100%) and 100% (95% confidence interval: 98.30 to 100%), respectively. This novel cELISA is a reliable tool for specifically measuring and differentiating immune responses to C-strain vaccine in pigs. By combining with the wild-type CSFV-specific infection tests, it can make the C-strain have DIVA capability.
Clinical, Virological and Immunological Responses after Experimental Infection with African Horse Sickness Virus Serotype 9 in Immunologically Naïve and Vaccinated Horses
Authors: Durán-Ferrer Manuel , Villalba Rubén , Fernández-Pacheco Paloma , Tena-Tomás Cristina , Jiménez-Clavero Miguel-Ángel , Bouzada José-Antonio , Ruano María-José , Fernández-Pinero Jovita , Arias Marisa , Castillo-Olivares Javier , Agüero Montserrat
Published: July 2022

This study described the clinical, virological, and serological responses of immunologically naïve and vaccinated horses to African horse sickness virus (AHSV) serotype 9. Naïve horses developed a clinical picture resembling the cardiac form of African horse sickness. This was characterized by inappetence, reduced activity, and hyperthermia leading to lethargy and immobility–recumbency by days 9–10 post-infection, an end-point criteria for euthanasia. After challenge, unvaccinated horses were viremic from days 3 or 4 post-infection till euthanasia, as detected by serogroup-specific (GS) real time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) and virus isolation. Virus isolation, antigen ELISA, and GS-rRT-PCR also demonstrated high sensitivity in the post-mortem detection of the pathogen. After infection, serogroup-specific VP7 antibodies were undetectable by blocking ELISA (b-ELISA) in 2 out of 3 unvaccinated horses during the course of the disease (9–10 dpi). Vaccinated horses did not show significant side effects post-vaccination and were largely asymptomatic after the AHSV-9 challenge. VP7-specific antibodies could not be detected by the b-ELISA until day 21 and day 30 post-inoculation, respectively. Virus neutralizing antibody titres were low or even undetectable for specific serotypes in the vaccinated horses. Virus isolation and GS-rRT-PCR detected the presence of AHSV vaccine strains genomes and infectious vaccine virus after vaccination and challenge. This study established an experimental infection model of AHSV-9 in horses and characterized the main clinical, virological, and immunological parameters in both immunologically naïve and vaccinated horses using standardized bio-assays.
Fish Innate Immune Response to Viral Infection—An Overview of Five Major Antiviral Genes
Authors: Ortega-Villaizan Maria del Mar , Chico Veronica , Perez Luis
Published: July 2022

Fish viral diseases represent a constant threat to aquaculture production. Thus, a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms involved in establishing an antiviral state associated with protection against virus replication and pathogenesis is paramount for a sustainable aquaculture industry. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on five selected host innate immune-related genes in response to the most relevant viral pathogens in fish farming. Viruses have been classified as ssRNA, dsRNA, and dsDNA according to their genomes, in order to shed light on what those viruses may share in common and what response may be virus-specific, both in vitro (cell culture) as well as in vivo. Special emphasis has been put on trying to identify markers of resistance to viral pathogenesis. That is, those genes more often associated with protection against viral disease, a key issue bearing in mind potential applications into the aquaculture industry.