bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competition and Heterogeneous Innovation Qualities: Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Yan Zhenjun , Wu Xinyan , Li Jing , Liang Bingqing
Published: June 2022

Innovations differ substantially in their qualities, from major breakthroughs to small incremental refinements. What is the relationship between product market competition and the quality of innovations? We develop a model where competition encourages high-quality firms to innovate but discourages low-quality firms from innovating and examine the impact of competition on the quality of innovations, taking the implementation of the negative list system for market access in China as a natural experiment. It is found that competition has twofold impacts on the incentives of innovation and that competition improves the overall innovation quality through the improvement of innovation resource allocation. More competition implies a higher elasticity of substitution, leading to stronger incentives for innovation. Meanwhile, competition also decreases industry profits and increases the cost of innovation, which reduces the expected return on innovation, resulting in fewer incentives for innovation. The findings suggest that while R&D subsidies increase aggregate R&D investment, they encourage the survival and expansion of low-quality firms at the expense of high-quality firms and lead to misallocation of R&D resources, resulting in the decline of overall innovation qualities.
Econometric Modeling to Measure the Social and Economic Factors in the Success of Entrepreneurship
Authors: Rubilar-Torrealba Rolando , Chahuán-Jiménez Karime , de la Fuente-Mella Hanns , Marzo-Navarro Mercedes
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this research is to develop a theoretical model of the entrepreneurial decision of individuals and to measure the effect of a group of variables on this decision. The effects of variables such as income, age, gender, level of education, and entrepreneurial skills are studied. The results show that innovation and entrepreneurship are linked to the personal characteristics of individuals and the social context in which they develop, thus making it possible to guide social policies for the development of the economy. Logit and probit functions were used to measure the effect of the variables on the entrepreneurship phenomenon. The main findings of this research indicate that the variables with a significant impact on the success of entrepreneurship and innovation are income, age, gender, skill, and the interaction between the opportunity and education variables.
Socioeconomic Determinants of Households’ Vulnerability to Drought in Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Oluwatayo Isaac Busayo , Braide Tamunotonye Mayowa
Published: June 2022

This paper examines the determinants of household vulnerability to drought in the Western Cape province, South Africa. The study used secondary data collected by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). The dataset is made up of 240 households located in the City of Cape Town along with two small towns in the West Coast District Municipality (Piketberg and Clanwilliam). While descriptive statistics were used to analyse households’ socioeconomic variables, an ordered logit model was employed to analyse the factors contributing to households’ vulnerability to drought in the study area. The paper revealed that 28% of the households were extremely vulnerable to drought. The result of the ordered logit regression model showed that factors such as the age of the household head, communication of water restrictions by the authorities, household water consumption in the last two years, and public cooperation with water restrictions were significant factors influencing households’ vulnerability to drought. It was also discovered that female-headed and older household members were more vulnerable to drought than their male-headed and younger members respectively. The paper concluded that to minimise vulnerability to drought among the households, stakeholders in the province should be better prepared to implement proactive policies with regard to climate disasters.
Does ESG Disclosure Influence Firm Performance?
Authors: Carnini Pulino Silvia , Ciaburri Mirella , Magnanelli Barbara Sveva , Nasta Luigi
Published: June 2022

This study aims to analyze the impact of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure on the firm performance, given the stakeholders’ increasing attention to the firm’s ESG practices. Looking at the European context, the Directive 2014/95/EU and its update encouraged European large companies to provide disclosure about their socially responsible practices. Acting within the Agency and Signaling theory frameworks, this paper focuses on the Italian situation where the Legislative Decree 254/2016 implemented the European Directive and forced the largest firms (those with more than 500 employees) to disclose comprehensive information about their social and environmental activities starting from 2017. By applying a panel regression analysis, using a sample of the largest Italian listed companies, and considering a time span of 10 years (from 2011 to 2020), this study finds that there is a positive relationship between environmental, social, and governance disclosure and firm performance, measured by EBIT. Our findings will help firms’ stakeholders, decision-makers, policymakers, as well as academics, to improve their awareness of the impact of ESG disclosure on the performance of the firm, both as a comprehensive factor and individually by pillar. The findings, which support the positive relationship between ESG disclosure and firm performance, should incentivize managers to invest in CSR practices.
Energy, Environmental Impact and Indoor Environmental Quality of Add-Ons in Buildings
Authors: Mastellone Margherita , Ruggiero Silvia , Papadaki Dimitra , Barmparesos Nikolaos , Fotopoulou Anastasia , Ferrante Annarita , Assimakopoulos Margarita Niki
Published: June 2022

On a European scale, the existing building stock has poor energy performance and particularly vulnerable structures. Indeed, most of the existing buildings were built before the introduction of energy standards and under structural safety criteria different from those currently required. It is therefore necessary the intervention in existing buildings according to an integrated approach that contemplates both the structural safety and the energy efficiency of buildings. This study, consistently with the objectives of the European research project “Proactive synergy of integrated Efficient Technologies on buildings’ Envelopes (Pro-GET-OnE)”, proposes a retrofit intervention for a student dormitory of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The scope of the evaluation is to understand how an integrated intervention, that implies a structural and energy retrofit, as well as a spatial redistribution, leads to an improvement of the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). In detail, the structural retrofit was performed through exoskeleton that leads to the addition of new living spaces and to a remodeling of the building facades. The energy retrofit regarded all three levers of energy efficiency, and thus the building envelope, the microclimatic control systems, and the systems from renewable sources. The integrated intervention, in addition to a reduction of energy demand, has led to advantages in terms of IEQ. Thermal comfort, both during summer and winter, is improved and the hours of suitable CO2 concentration pass from 34% in the pre-retrofit stage up to 100% in the post retrofit stage.
Post-Extraction Novel Ecosystems Support Plant and Vegetation Diversity in Urban-Industrial Landscapes
Authors: Woźniak Gabriela , Chmura Damian , Nowak Teresa , Bacler-Żbikowska Barbara , Besenyei Lynn , Hutniczak Agnieszka
Published: June 2022

Long-term exploitation of mineral resources has significantly changed the natural environment in urban-industrial landscapes. The changes on the surface of the extraction sites as a consequence of excavation of mineral resources provide specific mineral oligotrophic habitats on which plant species and thus vegetation can establish spontaneously. Some of these sites fulfill the prerequisites of novel ecosystems. This study was conducted on the spontaneous vegetation of post-extraction sites. Lists of species spontaneously covering these sites were prepared based on published data and our own records. This research revealed that species composition and vegetation types vary in time. These post-extraction novel ecosystems are also important for the presence of rare, endangered, and protected species noted in patches of different vegetation types. The variety of habitat conditions provided by these sites facilitates the occurrence of a wide spectrum of plants (both in terms of their socio-ecological origin and their ecological spectrum). This research proves how important these post-extraction novel ecosystems are for supporting plant and vegetation diversity in urban-industrial landscapes. Enhancing the biodiversity significantly increases the ecosystem services delivered by these sites and also the functioning of entire ecosystems. These natural processes on human habitats are essential in urban-industrial ecosystem landscape mosaics.
About the Importance of Planning the Location of Recycling Stations in the Urban Context
Authors: Wilhelmsson Mats
Published: June 2022

Recycling is essential to the circular economy and reduces the environmental impact of our consumption. Creating conditions for recycling in new residential areas is relatively easy but finding good recycling opportunities in existing residential areas is more complicated. The recycling of newspapers, plastic and glass must be relatively close to where people live; at the same time, the locations must be relatively discreet and not disturb the residents in the area. The purpose of the article is to analyse the effect of small and local recycling stations (RCSs) on the attractiveness of residential areas. This has been made possible by analysing housing values for almost 200,000 housing units near 250 RCSs in Stockholm, Sweden. Using an identification strategy that relies on postal code fixed effects, we find evidence that the proximity to RCS affects housing prices on average in both owner-occupied single-family houses and cooperative owner-occupied apartments (condominiums). The results indicate that proximity to the RCS is negatively capitalised in housing values (the effect amounts to approximately 1.3 percent of the housing values), which indicates that the city should consider this in its planning.
Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production Related to Livestock Provisioning Ecosystem Services in Southern Patagonia
Authors: Peri Pablo L. , Rosas Yamina M. , Pastur Guillermo Martínez
Published: June 2022

Human appropriation of net primary productivity (HANPP) integrates ecological and socioeconomic perspectives on land use by quantifying the amount of net primary production (NPP) appropriated by society through biomass harvest from the ecosystem. The main objective of this study was to determine the spatial patterns of HANPP related to lamb and wool production from sheep farms across the province of Santa Cruz. The HANPP was obtained by dividing the sum of the biomass used in livestock products (lamb and wool) by the NPP. In addition, we examined the spatial relationship between HANPP and potential plant biodiversity and net carbon balance at the farm level under livestock land use across our study region. At the regional level, livestock production accounted for an average of 11.35% of appropriated NPP, and HANPP ranged from 0.75 to 50%. The map of HANPP across Santa Cruz showed low values in the vegetation transition (ecotone) between Nothofagus antarctica forests and grasslands in the west, in the south, and in wetlands where the most productive rangelands dominate. High values were observed in the northwest and central areas of the province. There were differences in HANPP across vegetation types with mean values that varied from 3.93% in grasslands on the Humid Magellanic Steppe to 12.33% in the Central Plateau. Simple linear regression analysis for HANPP evaluated in Southern Patagonia showed a negative linear relationship (p < 0.05) with vascular plant biodiversity and net carbon balance at the farm level. The method used to map HANPP related to livestock provisioning ecosystem services (ES) in the present study (lamb and wool), may be integrated into decision support systems. In this context, low HANPP values (<9%) promote sustainability-oriented economies within the region. Furthermore, keeping plant biodiversity and net carbon balance at the farm level could bring Patagonian export commodities recognition in international markets.
Study on the Spatial and Temporal Differentiation Pattern of Carbon Emission and Carbon Compensation in China’s Provincial Areas
Authors: Huang Hequ , Zhou Jia
Published: June 2022

Excessive carbon emissions lead to global warming, which has attracted widespread attention in the global society. Carbon emissions and land use are closely related. An analysis of land use carbon emissions and carbon fairness can provide guidance for the formulation of energy conservation and emission reduction policies. This study uses data on agricultural production activities, land use and energy consumption and uses the carbon emission coefficient method to calculate carbon emissions and carbon absorption. The tendency value is used to analyze trends in land use carbon emissions and carbon absorption. The Gini coefficient, ecological support coefficient and economic contributive coefficient are used to analyze the fairness and difference of carbon emissions. The results showed that: (1) During the study period, there were fewer provinces with rapid growth in carbon emissions and carbon absorption and more provinces with slow growth. (2) Cultivated land and woodland are the main carriers of land use carbon absorption, and most provinces steadily maintain the type of carbon absorption to which they belong. (3) Carbon emissions from construction land are the main source of total carbon emissions, and the high concentration areas of carbon emissions are mainly located in the more economically developed areas. (4) There are obvious regional differences in the net carbon emissions. By 2015, Shanxi–Shandong High–High agglomeration areas and Yunnan–Guangxi Low–Low agglomeration areas were finally formed. (5) The distribution of carbon emissions in different provinces is not fair, and the spatial distribution is obviously different. Based on the analysis results, relevant suggestions are made from the perspectives of carbon emission reduction and carbon sink enhancement.
Performance of 45 Non-Linear Models for Determining Critical Period of Weed Control and Acceptable Yield Loss in Soybean Agroforestry Systems
Authors: Alam Taufan , Suryanto Priyono , Susyanto Nanang , Kurniasih Budiastuti , Basunanda Panjisakti , Putra Eka Tarwaca Susila , Kastono Dody , Respatie Dyah Weny , Widyawan Muhammad Habib , Nurmansyah  , Ansari Andrianto , Taryono
Published: June 2022

A family of Sigmoidal non-linear models is commonly used to determine the critical period of weed control (CPWC) and acceptable yield loss (AYL) in annual crops. We tried to prove another non-linear model to determine CPWC and AYL in a soybean agroforestry system with kayu putih. The three-year experiment (from 2019–2021) was conducted using a randomised complete block design factorial with five blocks as replications. The treatments comprised weedy and weed-free periods. Non-linear models comprised 45 functions. The results show that the Sigmoidal and Dose-Response Curve (DRC) families were the most suitable for estimating CPWC and AYL. The best fitted non-linear model for weedy and weed-free periods in the dry season used the Sigmoidal family consisting of the Weibull and Richards models, while in the wet season the best fit was obtained using the DRC and Sigmoidal families consisting of the DR-Hill and Richards models, respectively. The CPWC of soybean in the dry season for AYL was 5, 10, and 15%, beginning at 20, 22, and 24 days after emergence (DAE) and ended at 56, 54, and 52 DAE. The AYL in the wet season started at 20, 23, and 26 DAE and ended at 59, 53, and 49 DAE.
Does Corporate Sustainable Management Reduce Audit Report Lag?
Authors: Oh Hyunmin , Jeon Heungjoo
Published: June 2022

This study empirically analyzes the relationship between corporate sustainable management (CSM) and audit report lag. From the perspective of the agency theory that information asymmetry is resolved through CSM, audit report lag was predicted to decrease and was subsequently analyzed. The analysis results are as follows. First, the relationship between CSM and audit report lag was significant in the negative trend. This means that companies that actively engage in CSM have a shorter audit report lag than those that do not. Second, the relationship between CSM and audit report lag according to auditor size showed a significant negative trend only in the group with a large auditor size. Third, the relationship between CSM and audit report lag according to the quality of earnings showed a significant negative trend only in the group with good earnings. In other words, the relationship between CSM and audit report lag varies depending on the size of the auditor and the quality of earnings. This study is meaningful in that it directly examines the impact of CSM on audit report lag, focusing on the period following the introduction of K-IFRS. The results of this study have important implications for not only managers, but also investors and supervisory institutions, in that CSM not only increases corporate value through improved earnings quality, but also affects the performance of the auditor.
A Residual Voltage Data-Driven Prediction Method for Voltage Sag Based on Data Fusion
Authors: Zheng Chen , Dai Shuangyin , Zhang Bo , Li Qionglin , Liu Shuming , Tang Yuzheng , Wang Yi , Wu Yifan , Zhang Yi
Published: June 2022

Voltage sag is the most serious power quality problem in the three-phase symmetrical power system. The influence of multiple factors on the voltage sag level and low computational efficiency also pose challenges to the prediction of residual voltage amplitude of voltage sag. This paper proposes a voltage sag amplitude prediction method based on data fusion. First, the multi-dimensional factors that influence voltage sag residual voltage are analyzed. Second, these factors are used as input, and a model for predicting voltage sag residual voltage based on data fusion is constructed. Last, the model is trained and debugged to enable it to predict the voltage sag residual voltage. The accuracy and feasibility of the method are verified by using the actual power grid data from East China.
On the Error Estimation of the FEM for the Nikol’skij-Lizorkin Problem with Degeneracy in the Lebesgue Space
Authors: Rukavishnikov Viktor , Rukavishnikova Elena
Published: June 2022

In this manuscript, the Nikol’skii-Lizorkin problem with degeneracy on the entire boundary of the domain is considered. The degeneracy is caused by the behavior of the coefficients and right-hand sides of the problem on the boundary. The triangulation of the domain with a special compression to the boundary of the domain is carried out and the finite element method is constructed. An estimate for the rate of convergence of an approximate solution to an exact solution with the second order in the mesh step in the L2(Ω) space norm is proved. Numerical experiments have confirmed the established estimate of the convergence rate.
Symmetries, Reductions and Exact Solutions of a Class of (2k + 2)th-Order Difference Equations with Variable Coefficients
Authors: Folly-Gbetoula Mensah
Published: June 2022

We perform a Lie analysis of (2k+2)th-order difference equations and obtain k+1 non-trivial symmetries. We utilize these symmetries to obtain their exact solutions. Sufficient conditions for convergence of solutions are provided for some specific cases. We exemplify our theoretical analysis with some numerical examples. The results in this paper extend to some work in the recent literature.
A Band Selection Approach for Hyperspectral Image Based on a Modified Hybrid Rice Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Ye Zhiwei , Cai Wenhui , Liu Shiqin , Liu Kainan , Wang Mingwei , Zhou Wen
Published: June 2022

Hyperspectral image (HSI) analysis has become one of the most active topics in the field of remote sensing, which could provide powerful assistance for sensing a larger-scale environment. Nevertheless, a large number of high-correlation and redundancy bands in HSI data provide a massive challenge for image recognition and classification. Hybrid Rice Optimization (HRO) is a novel meta-heuristic, and its population is approximately divided into three groups with an equal number of individuals according to self-equilibrium and symmetry, which has been successfully applied in band selection. However, there are some limitations of primary HRO with respect to the local search for better solutions and this may result in overlooking a promising solution. Therefore, a modified HRO (MHRO) based on an opposition-based-learning (OBL) strategy and differential evolution (DE) operators is proposed for band selection in this paper. Firstly, OBL is adopted in the initialization phase of MHRO to increase the diversity of the population. Then, the exploitation ability is enhanced by embedding DE operators into the search process at each iteration. Experimental results verify that the proposed method shows superiority in both the classification accuracy and selected number of bands compared to other algorithms involved in the paper.
Design and Temperature Modeling Simulation of the Full Closed Hot Air Circulation Tobacco Bulk Curing Barn
Authors: Liu Haipeng , Duan Shaomi , Luo Huilong
Published: June 2022

For now, the open humidification method is applied in the tobacco bulk curing barn, which has some disadvantages, such as the loss of the oil content and aroma components of the tobacco leaves and the waste heat loss of the exhaust air flow. In this context, a tobacco bulk curing barn with totally closed hot air circulation is designed to perfect the curing quality of tobacco and avoid the loss of residual heat in the bulk curing barn. Meanwhile, due to the balance and symmetry of input and output of the curing barn temperature, according to the law of conservation of energy, a mathematical model of the temperature control system of the closed hot air circulation tobacco bulk curing barn is established, and the temperature transfer function of the system is obtained. On this basis, 10 algorithms are used to optimize the full closed hot air circulation tobacco bulk curing barn temperature control system PID parameters. The result of the sobol sequence seeker optimization algorithm (SSOA) is better than the other algorithms. So, the PID control strategy based on the SSOA is used to simulate and experiment the temperature control system of tobacco bulk curing barn. The simulation and experimental results show that for the tobacco bulk curing barn temperature control system, the sobol sequence seeker optimization algorithm PID control has better dynamic characteristics compared with fuzzy PID control, and the temperature control system of tobacco bulk curing barn has fast adjustment and small overshoot. Therefore, the new baking barn with proper PID parameters can improve the tobacco’s curing quality and save energy by reducing the residual heat.
Natural and Induced Tolerance to Hymenoptera Venom: A Single Mechanism?
Authors: Navas Ana , Ruiz-Leon Berta , Serrano Pilar , Martí Manuel , Espinazo M Luisa , Blanco Nadine , Molina Juan , Alonso Corona , Jurado Aurora , Moreno-Aguilar Carmen
Published: June 2022

Inducing tolerance in Hymenoptera-allergic patients, bee venom immunotherapy (BVIT) is a widely accepted method to treat severe allergy to bee stings. In order to increase the existing knowledge on the underlying immunological mechanisms and look for possible biomarkers predictive of efficacy, a group of 20 bee-venom-allergic patients (AG) were thoroughly examined during their first year of BVIT. In addition, the results of treated patients with those of an untreated group of 20 tolerant beekeepers (TG) who had previously shown a firm suppressor-regulatory profile were compared. Tolerance in AG patients was invariably associated with a significant regulatory response characterised by the expansion of Helios− subpopulation and increased IL-10, specific IgG4 (sIgG4), and kynurenine levels. Although specific IgE (sIgE) levels increased transiently, surprisingly, the T helper type 2 (Th2) population and IL-4 levels rose significantly after one year of immunotherapy. Thus, the picture of two parallel phenomena emerges: a tolerogenic response and an allergenic one. Comparing these results with those obtained from the TG, different immunological mechanisms appear to govern natural and acquired tolerance to immunotherapy. Of particular interest, the kynurenine levels and T regulatory (Treg) Helios− population could be proposed as new biomarkers of response to BVIT.
Presence and Multi-Species Spatial Distribution of Oropouche Virus in Brazil within the One Health Framework
Authors: Sciancalepore Sofia , Schneider Maria Cristina , Kim Jisoo , Galan Deise I. , Riviere-Cinnamond Ana
Published: June 2022

Oropouche virus (OROV) is an emerging vector-borne arbovirus with high epidemic potential, causing illness in more than 500,000 people. Primarily contracted through its midge and mosquito vectors, OROV remains prevalent in its wild, non-human primate and sloth reservoir hosts as well. This virus is spreading across Latin America; however, the majority of cases occur in Brazil. The aim of this research is to document OROV’s presence in Brazil using the One Health approach and geospatial techniques. A scoping review of the literature (2000 to 2021) was conducted to collect reports of this disease in humans and animal species. Data were then geocoded by first and second subnational levels and species to map OROV’s spread. In total, 14 of 27 states reported OROV presence across 67 municipalities (second subnational level). However, most of the cases were in the northern region, within the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome. OROV was identified in humans, four vector species, four genera of non-human primates, one sloth species, and others. Utilizing One Health was important to understand the distribution of OROV across several species and to suggest possible environmental, socioeconomic, and demographic drivers of the virus’s presence. As deforestation, climate change, and migration rates increase, further study into the spillover potential of this disease is needed.
Grapevine Leafroll-Associated Virus 3 Genotype Influences Foliar Symptom Development in New Zealand Vineyards
Authors: Chooi Kar Mun , Bell Vaughn A. , Blouin Arnaud G. , Cohen Daniel , Mundy Dion , Henshall Warwick , MacDiarmid Robin M.
Published: June 2022

Grapevine leafroll disease (GLD) constrains wine production worldwide. In New Zealand, the main causal agent of GLD is grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3). To control GLD, an integrated management program is used and includes removing (roguing) GLRaV-3-infected vines from the vineyard. The classical foliar symptoms from virus-infected red-berry cultivars are leaves with dark red intervein, green veins, and downward rolling of margins. Growers use these phenotypic cues to undertake visual symptom identification (VSI) for GLD. However, the influence of the known large genetic variation among GLRaV-3 isolates on the foliar symptoms from different grapevine cultivars remains undescribed, especially in cool-climate growing environments, such as New Zealand. Over three vintages (2015, 2016, and 2017), VSI for GLD was undertaken at three field sites in New Zealand (Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, and Marlborough), each including four cultivars (Merlot, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, and Pinot gris) infected with three GLRaV-3 genotypes (Groups I, VI, and X) or GLRaV-3-uninfected control plants. Throughout this study, no visual symptoms were observed on white-berry cultivars infected with GLRaV-3. For red-berry cultivars, the greatest variability in observed foliar symptoms among regional study sites, cultivars, and GLRaV-3 genotypes was observed early in the growing season. In particular, Group X had significantly delayed symptom expression across all three sites compared with Groups I and VI. As the newly infected, young vines matured in years 2 and 3, the GLRaV-3 genotype, cultivar, region, and environmental conditions had minimal influence on the accuracy of VSI, with consistently high (>95%) within-vintage identification by the end of each vintage. The results from this study strongly support the use of VSI for the GLD management of red-berry cultivar grapevines, Merlot and Pinot noir, as a reliable and cost-effective tool against GLD.
Predictors of Mortality in Tocilizumab-Treated Severe COVID-19
Authors: Pagkratis Konstantinos , Chrysikos Serafeim , Antonakis Emmanouil , Pandi Aggeliki , Kosti Chrysavgi Nikolaou , Markatis Eleftherios , Hillas Georgios , Digalaki Antonia , Koukidou Sofia , Chaini Eleftheria , Afthinos Andreas , Dimakou Katerina , Papanikolaou Ilias C.
Published: June 2022

Purpose: Tocilizumab is associated with positive outcomes in severe COVID-19. We wanted to describe the characteristics of nonresponders to treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter study in two respiratory departments investigating adverse outcomes at 90 days from diagnosis in subjects treated with tocilizumab (8 mg/kg intravenously single dose) for severe progressive COVID-19. Results: Of 121 subjects, 62% were males, and 9% were fully vaccinated. Ninety-six (79.4%) survived, and 25 died (20.6%). Compared to survivors (S), nonsurvivors (NS) were older (median 57 versus 75 years of age), had more comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity index 2 versus 5) and had higher rates of intubation/mechanical ventilation (p < 0.05). On admission, NS had a lower PO2/FiO2 ratio, higher blood ferritin, and higher troponin, and on clinical progression (day of tocilizumab treatment), NS had a lower PO2/FiO2 ratio, decreased lymphocytes, increased neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, increased ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), disease located centrally on computed tomography scan, and increased late c-reactive protein. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis identified age and LDH on deterioration as predictors of death; admission PO2/FiO2 ratio and LDH as predictors of intubation; PO2/FiO2 ratios, LDH, and central lung disease on radiology as predictors of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) (a < 0.05). The log-rank test of mortality yielded the same results (p < 0.001). ROC analysis of the above predictors in a separate validation cohort yielded significant results. Conclusions: Older age and high serum LDH levels are predictors of mortality in tocilizumab-treated severe COVID-19 patients. Hypoxia levels, LDH, and central pulmonary involvement radiologically are associated with intubation and NIV.
Broad Cross-Reactive IgA and IgG against Human Coronaviruses in Milk Induced by COVID-19 Vaccination and Infection
Authors: Wang Jiong , Young Bridget E. , Li Dongmei , Seppo Antti , Zhou Qian , Wiltse Alexander , Nowak-Wegrzyn Anna , Murphy Katherine , Widrick Kaili , Diaz Nicole , Cruz-Vasquez Joseline , M. Järvinen Kirsi , Zand Martin S.
Published: June 2022

It is currently unclear if SARS-CoV-2 infection or mRNA vaccination can also induce IgG and IgA against common human coronaviruses (HCoVs) in lactating parents. Here we prospectively analyzed human milk (HM) and blood samples from lactating parents to measure the temporal patterns of anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific and anti-HCoV cross-reactive IgA and IgG responses. Two cohorts were analyzed: a vaccination cohort (n = 30) who received mRNA-based vaccines for COVID-19 (mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2), and an infection cohort (n = 45) with COVID-19 disease. Longitudinal HM and fingerstick blood samples were collected pre- and post-vaccination or, for infected subjects, at 5 time-points 14–28 days after confirmed diagnosis. The anti-spike(S) and anti-nucleocapsid(N) IgA and IgG antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 and HCoVs were measured by multiplex immunoassay (mPlex-CoV). We found that vaccination significantly increased the anti-S IgA and IgG levels in HM. In contrast, while IgG levels increased after a second vaccine dose, blood and HM IgA started to decrease. Moreover, HM and blood anti-S IgG levels were significantly correlated, but anti-S IgA levels were not. SARS2 acute infection elicited anti-S IgG and IgA that showed much higher correlations between HM and blood compared to vaccination. Vaccination and infection were able to significantly increase the broadly cross-reactive IgG recognizing HCoVs in HM and blood than the IgA antibodies in HM and blood. In addition, the broader cross-reactivity of IgG in HM versus blood indicates that COVID-19 vaccination and infection might provide passive immunity through HM for the breastfed infants not only against SARS-CoV-2 but also against common cold coronaviruses.
Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic among People with Inflammatory Arthritis: “Reopening of Society Is Harder than Lock-Down”—A Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Lund Lene Dahl , Løwe Mette Margrethe , Hendricks Oliver , Schreiber Karen , Glintborg Bente , Petersen Randi , Plischke Christiane , Fick Willy , Primdahl Jette
Published: June 2022

People with inflammatory arthritis (IA) treated with immunosuppressive disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were initially considered to have an increased risk of severe illness from the SARS-CoV-2 virus compared to the general population. The aim of this study was to explore how people with IA experienced restrictions during the pandemic and the possible impact of vaccination on their protection against COVID-19 and their everyday lives. Nineteen people with IA were interviewed in May–August 2021; shortly thereafter they were enrolled in the Danish national COVID-19 vaccination programme. Concurrently, society gradually reopened after a national complete lockdown. The analysis was inspired by inductive qualitative content analysis. Participants expressed a lack of targeted information on the specific risk associated with IA if they contracted COVID-19. They had to define their own level of daily-life restrictions to protect themselves and their families. They were impacted by inconsistent announcements by the authorities, and some expressed concerns regarding the potential influence of DMARDs on vaccine effectiveness. A societal spirit of being “in this together” emerged through the lockdown, and some were concerned that the reduced level of restrictions in the reopened society would put them at higher risk of a COVID-19 infection and force them to continue self-isolating.
Booster Vaccination Decreases 28-Day All-Cause Mortality of the Elderly Hospitalized Due to SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant
Authors: Müller Veronika , Polivka Lorinc , Valyi-Nagy Istvan , Nagy Alexandra , Szekanecz Zoltan , Bogos Krisztina , Vago Hajnalka , Kamondi Anita , Fekete Ferenc , Szlavik Janos , Elek Jeno , Surján György , Surján Orsolya , Nagy Péter , Schaff Zsuzsa , Müller Cecília , Kiss Zoltan , Kásler Miklós
Published: June 2022

(1) Background: SARS-CoV-2 infections are associated with an increased risk of hospital admissions especially in the elderly (age ≥ 65 years) and people with multiple comorbid conditions. (2) Methods: We investigated the effect of additional booster vaccinations following the primary vaccination series of mRNA, inactivated whole virus, or vector vaccines on infections with the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant in the total Hungarian elderly population. The infection, hospital admission, and 28-day all-cause mortality of elderly population was assessed. (3) Results: A total of 1,984,176 people fulfilled the criteria of elderly including 299,216 unvaccinated individuals, while 1,037,069 had completed primary vaccination and 587,150 had obtained an additional booster. The primary vaccination series reduced the risk of infection by 48.88%, the risk of hospital admission by 71.55%, and mortality by 79.87%. The booster vaccination had an additional benefit, as the risk of infection, hospital admission, and all-cause mortality were even lower (82.95%; 92.71%; and 94.24%, respectively). Vaccinated patients needing hospitalization suffered significantly more comorbid conditions, indicating a more vulnerable population. (4) Conclusions: Our data confirmed that the primary vaccination series and especially the booster vaccination significantly reduced the risk of the SARS-CoV-2 delta-variant-associated hospital admission and 28-day all-cause mortality in the elderly despite significantly more severe comorbid conditions.
Prevalence and Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Were Different between Chinese Diabetic Inpatients with and without Chronic Complications: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Xu Junjie , Chen Siyu , Wang Ying , Duan Lingrui , Li Jing , Shan Ying , Lan Xinquan , Song Moxin , Yang Jianzhou , Wang Zixin
Published: June 2022

The health of people with chronic diabetes mellitus (DM) complications will worsen following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This cross-sectional study compared perceptions and factors related to COVID-19 vaccination uptake between subgroups of DM inpatients with and without chronic complications in China. A multivariate logistic regression model was used for data analysis. Of the 645 participants, those without any complications reported significantly higher uptake of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination (43.2% versus 11.2%, p < 0.001). For people with chronic DM complications, a perception of higher risk and severer consequences of COVID-19 infection, a belief that doctors would suggest they receive COVID-19 vaccination, and a belief that relatives’ vaccination uptake would influence their own decision to receive a COVID-19 vaccination were all associated with higher COVID-19 vaccination uptake. For their counterparts without chronic complications, a perception of severer consequences of COVID-19 infection, a belief that receiving COVID-19 vaccination could reduce the risk of infection, and a belief that relatives’ vaccination uptake would influence their own decision to receive a COVID-19 vaccination were all associated with higher COVID-19 vaccination uptake. Concerns about the safety and the side effects of vaccination were negatively associated with COVID-19 vaccination uptake in both groups of DM patients. Different strategies might be applied to promote COVID-19 vaccination uptake in DM patients with and without chronic complications.
The Concordance between Mumps and Rubella Sero-Positivity among the Israeli Population in 2015
Authors: Bassal Ravit , Shohat Tamy , Levin Tal , Pando Rakefet , Shinar Eilat , Amichay Doron , Barak Mira , Ben-Dor Anat , Bar-Haim Adina , Mendelson Ella , Cohen Dani , Keinan-Boker Lital , Indenbaum Victoria
Published: June 2022

Mumps and rubella are vaccine-preventable viral diseases through the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine, administered at 12 months and again at 6 years. We assessed the sero-prevalence of mumps and rubella, identified factors associated with sero-negativity, and evaluated concordance between mumps and rubella sero-positivity. A national cross-sectional sero-survey was conducted on samples collected in 2015 by the Israel National Sera Bank. Samples were tested for mumps and rubella IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of 3131 samples tested for mumps IgG, 84.8% (95%CI: 83.5–86.0%) were sero-positive. Sero-negativity for mumps was significantly associated with age (high odds ratios observed in infants younger than 4 years and 20–29 years old subjects). Of 3169 samples tested for rubella IgG antibodies, 95.2% (95%CI: 94.4–95.9%) were sero-positive. Rubella sero-negativity was significantly associated with age (high odds ratios observed in children younger than 4 years old and adults older than 30 years), males, Jews, and others. Concordant sero-positivity for both mumps and rubella viruses was observed in 83.9% of the tested samples. The Israeli population was sufficiently protected against rubella but not against mumps. Since both components are administered in the MMRV vaccine simultaneously, the mumps component has a lower uptake than rubella and quicker waning.
Nurses’ Influenza Vaccination and Hesitancy: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Literature
Authors: Pinatel Natacha , Plotton Catherine , Pozzetto Bruno , Gocko Xavier
Published: June 2022

Vaccine hesitancy (VH) is defined as “delaying or refusing a secure vaccine despite its availability”. This hesitancy affects caregivers and more specifically nurses. The purpose of this study is to assess determinants of influenza VH in the nurse’s community. We conducted a systematic review of qualitative literature according to criteria of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis and Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the synthesis of Qualitative Research from 2009 until October 2020. Eleven qualitative studies analysed (ten thematic content analyses and one grounded theory method) found three main factors in VH. The first determinant was the benefit–risk equation considered as unfavourable due to an ineffective vaccine and fears about adverse effects as the pain of the injection. Wrong immunological beliefs brought into hesitancy. Disease barriers (hand washing and masks) and personal immunity were regarded as more effective than the vaccine. Lastly, dehumanised vaccination and the difficulties of access to healthcare were institutional determinants. Nurses ask for a vaccine promotion by hierarchy and doctors with transparent information and respect for autonomy. The availability of vaccines and methods of pain control seem to be some tracks to reduce nurses’ VH.
Performance Evaluation of Artificial Recharge–Water Intake System Using 3D Numerical Modeling
Authors: Lee Jae-Young , Woo Tae-Young
Published: June 2022

In this study, 3D detailed numerical modeling was performed to evaluate the performance of an artificial recharge–water intake system installed to secure agricultural water in drought areas. Using a 3D irregular finite element grid, a conceptual model was constructed that reflected the actual scale of the study area and artificial recharge–water intake system and considered the characteristics of saturated–unsaturated aquifers. The optimal design factors for the artificial recharge system were derived through the constructed conceptual model, and were reflected to evaluate the individual performance of the artificial recharge and water intake system in the study area. Finally, an optimal operating scenario for the artificial recharge and water intake system was developed. The operation scenarios were composed of an appropriate injection rate and water withdrawal for each period from March, when the demand for agricultural water was low, to June, when the dry season and farming season overlapped, considering the target water withdrawal amount (30,000 tons) of the region, derived from water budget analysis. The proposed results are expected to be very useful in the future for the efficient operation and management of artificial recharge–water intake systems installed in drought areas.
Analysis of Surface Water Quality in Upstream Province of Vietnamese Mekong Delta Using Multivariate Statistics
Authors: Hong Tran Thi Kim , Giao Nguyen Thanh
Published: June 2022

The study employed different statistical approaches to assess surface water quality in the upstream region of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. The dataset included seven parameters (i.e., temperature, pH, total suspended solids (TSS), five-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and coliform) at seventy-three locations. Cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to analyze spatial variations in surface water quality and recognize the important parameters. The findings revealed that surface water quality was deteriorated by organic matters (high BOD5 and COD), nutrients and microorganisms. Particularly, urban areas were found to be more polluted than the other areas. The PCA results indicated that three potential water pollution sources, including industry, urban and tourism, could explain 87.03% of the total variance. Coliform was identified as the leading latent factor that controls surface water quality in the study area. CA grouped the sampling locations into 11 groups, in which the groups of the baseline monitoring sites and large rivers had better water quality. The results indicated a significant impact of anthropogenic activities (especially, urban and tourism practices) in surface water quality degradation. Moreover, CA suggested that the numbers of the sampling sites could be reduced from 73 to 58 locations, lowering 20.54% of the monitoring cost. Thus, the study recommends scrutinizing the current surface water quality monitoring system to be more economic and urgently implementing appropriate solutions to mitigate coliform pollution in the smaller water bodies.
Seasonal Development of Phytoplankton in South Bohemian Fishponds (Czechia)
Authors: Ivanova Anna Pavlovna , Vrba Jaroslav , Potužák Jan , Regenda Ján , Strunecký Otakar
Published: June 2022

Fishponds with a relatively small water volume, high fish abundance, and wide range of nutrient concentrations serve as suitable models for ecological studies. Intensified fish production, together with increased input of nutrients from the watershed, resulted in hypertrophic conditions in the majority of fishponds, the most common type of lentic ecosystems worldwide. In order to understand the processes driving plankton succession, we analyzed eight-year data from nine fishponds in Czechia with differing trophic status. The mean concentration of phosphorus (P) was 200 µg L−1 in hypertrophic ponds, 130 µg L−1 in eutrophic, and 40 µg L−1 in mesotrophic. Correspondingly the mean concentration of phytoplankton was 14.9 mg L−1 in hypertrophic ponds, 7.3 mg L−1 in eutrophic, and 1.96 mg L−1 in mesotrophic. Although the fish stock of 200–900 kg ha−1 eliminated zooplankton in eutrophic and hypertrophic ponds the faster-growing algae did not prevail over cyanobacteria. Zooplankton grazing pressure on algae is thus not relevant in studied food webs. Due to the rapid biological denitrification in hypertrophic and eutrophic fishponds resulting in low concentration of mineral nitrogen (N), these ponds were dominated by N-fixing cyanobacteria throughout the whole season. Similarly, the faster-growing algae prevail over cyanobacteria in mesotrophic ponds until the decrease of available mineral nitrogen. The limitation by mineral N is thus the primary driver of phytoplankton composition reflected in cyanobacterial dominance, independently of the trophic status and fish density in studied fishponds.