bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Measurement of the Urban–Rural Integration Level of Resource-Exhausted Cities—A Case Study of Zaozhuang City, China
Authors: Qin Yun , Xu Jinlong , Zhang Hexiong , Ren Wenqin
Published: December 2022

Urban–rural integration is an inevitable course for the transformation and development of resource-exhausted cities, and it is also an internal requirement to achieve sustainable development goals. Taking Zaozhuang city as a case study, this paper constructed an “Economic–Spatial–Social” (ESS) evaluation index system of urban–rural integration according to the connotations. We used the TOPSIS and obstacle degree (OD) models to measure the urban–rural integration level, from 2009 to 2019, and diagnosed the obstacles. The results show that: (1) The overall level of urban–rural integration in Zaozhuang improves year by year and presents two stages: in the initial stage of integration from 2009 to 2012, the total integration degree slowly increases, but the internal indicators fluctuated. The period ranging from the years 2012 to 2019 was stable for integrated development, with the overall urban–rural integration level significantly increasing and the internal indicators steadily improving year by year. (2) The urban–rural economic integration degree of Zaozhuang has a good foundation, and the degree of economic integration presents the characteristics of decreasing at first and then increasing, attaining the lowest value in 2012 and then slowly increasing; the foundation of urban–rural social integration is weak, but the social integration degree growth rate is the highest. The degree of urban–rural spatial integration has rapidly increased year by year, and urban and rural area exchanges and interactions have been strengthened. (3) According to the diagnosis results of the obstacle degrees, the main obstacles that affect urban–rural integration in Zaozhuang are concentrated at the economic level. Finally, the suggestions are put forward to coordinate urban–rural integration and sustainable development for resource-exhausted cities.
Research on the Impact of Digital Finance on the Industrial Structure Upgrading of the Yangtze River Economic Belt from the Perspective of R&D Innovation
Authors: Tang Decai , Zhao Ziqian , Shen Wenwen , Zhang Jianqun , Kong Yuehong , Boamah Valentina
Published: December 2022

According to the panel data of 11 provinces (including two municipalities) in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) for 2011–2020, we empirically test the influence of digital finance on the structural upgrade of industries of the YREB using the least squares dummy variable estimation (LSDV) of the fixed effect model (FEM). R&D innovation is taken as the mediating variable to explore the mediating effect of R&D innovation in digital finance and industrial structural upgrading of the YREB. The empirical results indicate that the advancement of digital finance is able to advance upgrading the industrial structure of the YREB, and its promotion effectiveness has regional heterogeneity. Digital finance plays the largest role in accelerating industrial structural upgrading downstream of the YREB, followed by the midstream. The upstream plays the smallest role; R&D innovation has some mediating effects in digital finance, promoting structural upgrading of industries of the YREB. Therefore, we propose accelerating the development of digital finance, improving the digital financial system, and promoting regional coordinated regional development. Moreover, we propose to raise the R&D innovation level, further advance the industrial upgrading of YREB, advance the coordinated development of the YREB, and achieve common prosperity.
Green Extraction of Greek Propolis Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) and Incorporation of the NADES-Extracts in Cosmetic Formulation
Authors: Tzani Andromachi , Pitterou Ioanna , Divani Foteini , Tsiaka Thalia , Sotiroudis Georgios , Zoumpoulakis Panagiotis , Detsi Anastasia
Published: December 2022

In this work, a greener approach for the extraction of Greek propolis using ultrasound-assisted extraction method in combination with Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) is presented. Propolis is a natural material of outmost interest as it possesses various biological and pharmacological activities and is therefore used for the manufacturing of extracts useful to various fields, such as pharmaceutics, cosmetics etc. Herein, five NADES were task-specifically selected as appropriate extraction solvents since they provide important assets to the final NADES-extracts, comparing to the conventionally used organic solvents. The screening study of the prepared solvents indicated the NADES L-proline/D,L-Lactic acid as the most effective medium for the raw propolis extraction due to the extract’s high total phenolic content as well as its’ significantly higher antioxidant activity. Then, the extraction using the selected NADES, was optimized by performing Experimental Design to study the effect of extraction time, propolis-to-solvent ratio and the %NADES content in the NADES-water system. All the extracts were characterized regarding their antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. The optimum NADES-extract as well as an extract derived by extraction using a conventional hydroethanolic solution were further characterized by performing LC/MS/MS analysis. The results showed that the NADES-extracts composition was similar or superior to the hydroethanolic extracts regarding the presence of valuable phytochemicals such as apigenin, naringenin etc. A disadvantage that is usually mentioned in the literature regarding the extractions using NADES is that the extracted bioactive compounds cannot be easily separated from the NADES in order to obtain dry extracts. However, this drawback can be converted to an asset as the task-specifically designed NADES that are used in this study add value to the end product and the optimum as-obtained NADES-extract has been successfully incorporated in a cosmetic cream formulation. In this work, The antioxidant activity and organoleptic characteristics of the cream formulation were also determined.
A New Measure for Determining the Equivalent Symmetry of Decomposed Subsystems from Large Complex Cyber–Physical Systems
Authors: Feng Xinghua , Wang Kunpeng , Zhang Jiangmei , Guan Jiayue
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we propose a new consistency measurement for classification rule sets that is based on the similarity of their classification abilities. The similarity of the classification abilities of the two rule sets is evaluated though the similarity of the corresponding partitions of the feature space using the different rule sets. The proposed consistency measure can be used to measure the equivalent symmetry of subsystems decomposed from a large, complex cyber–physical system (CPS). It can be used to verify whether the same knowledge is obtained by the sensing data in the different subsystems. In the experiments, five decision tree algorithms and eighteen datasets from the UCI machine learning repository are employed to extract the classification rules, and the consistency between the corresponding rule sets is investigated. The classification rule sets extracted from the use of the C4.5 algorithm on the electrical grid stability dataset have a consistency of 0.88, which implies that the different subsystems contain almost equivalent knowledge about the network stability.
Symmetries and Dynamics of Generalized Biquaternionic Julia Sets Defined by Various Polynomials
Authors: Katunin Andrzej
Published: December 2022

Higher-dimensional hypercomplex fractal sets are getting more and more attention because of the discovery of more and more interesting properties and visual aesthetics. In this study, the attention was focused on generalized biquaternionic Julia sets and a generalization of classical Julia sets, defined by power and monic higher-order polynomials. Despite complex and quaternionic Julia sets, their biquaternionic analogues are still not well investigated. The performed morphological analysis of 3D projections of these sets allowed for definition of symmetries, limit shapes, and similarities with other fractal sets of this class. Visual observations were confirmed by stability analysis for initial cycles, which confirm similarities with the complex, bicomplex, and quaternionic Julia sets, as well as manifested differences between the considered formulations of representing polynomials.
On the Laplacian and Signless Laplacian Characteristic Polynomials of a Digraph
Authors: Ganie Hilal A. , Shang Yilun
Published: December 2022

Let D be a digraph with n vertices and a arcs. The Laplacian and the signless Laplacian matrices of D are, respectively, defined as L(D)=Deg+(D)−A(D) and Q(D)=Deg+(D)+A(D), where A(D) represents the adjacency matrix and Deg+(D) represents the diagonal matrix whose diagonal elements are the out-degrees of the vertices in D. We derive a combinatorial representation regarding the first few coefficients of the (signless) Laplacian characteristic polynomial of D. We provide concrete directed motifs to highlight some applications and implications of our results. The paper is concluded with digraph examples demonstrating detailed calculations.
Certain Solutions of Abel’s Integral Equations on Distribution Spaces via Distributional Gα-Transform
Authors: Sattaso Supaknaree , Nonlaopon Kamsing , Kim Hwajoon , Al-Omari Shrideh
Published: December 2022

Abel’s integral equation is an efficient singular integral equation that plays an important role in diverse fields of science. This paper aims to investigate Abel’s integral equation and its solution using Gα-transform, which is a symmetric relation between Laplace and Sumudu transforms. Gα-transform, as defined via distribution space, is employed to establish a solution to Abel’s integral equation, interpreted in the sense of distributions. As an application to the given theory, certain examples are given to demonstrate the efficiency and suitability of using the Gα-transform method in solving integral equations.
“Mathematics and Symmetry/Asymmetry Section”—Editorial 2020–2021
Authors: Guirao Juan Luis García
Published: December 2022

As it is well known, the Mathematics and Symmetry/Asymmetry Section is one of the most active sections of the Symmetry journal [...]
TIF Standards for Haemoglobinopathy Reference Centres
Authors: Angastiniotis Michael , Eleftheriou Androulla , Naveed Mohammed , Assaf Ali Al , Polynikis Andreas , Soteriades Elpidoforos S. , Farmakis Dimitrios
Published: December 2022

Haemoglobin disorders are hereditary, lifelong and characterised by the need for multifaceted management. The question of quality in meeting standards of care that are likely to bring the best possible outcomes for patients is a necessary consideration. The concept of reference centres supporting peripheral treatment centres in a formal networking relationship is a response to the real needs of patients and a practical solution in public health terms. In this report, a team of advisors of Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) attempts to suggest a set of standards for haemoglobinopathy reference centres, also based on the founding principles of TIF, aiming to act as a guideline for its member associations and professional collaborators. The standards described herein can form the basis of an accreditation process and also serve as a guide for those who would advocate for quality improvement for thalassaemia services.
The Effectiveness of Facet Joint Injection with Steroid and Botulinum Toxin in Severe Lumbar Central Spinal Stenosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lee Sang , Choi Hyun , Chang Min
Published: December 2022

Lumbar central spinal stenosis (LCSS) is a common disorder that causes disability and pain in the elderly. It causes pain in the radicular leg. Recently, transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) has been widely used to control radicular leg pain caused by LCSS. However, in cases of severe LCSS, drugs injected using TFESI cannot spread into the spinal canal and would have less therapeutic effects than in mild LCSS. To compensate for this limitation of TFESI, we injected steroids and botulinum toxin type A into the bilateral facet joints, evaluated their effects, and compared them with those of TFESI. One hundred patients with severe LCSS were included in the study and randomly allocated to either the facet injection (FI) or TFESI group. For 50 patients in the FI group, 30 mg (40 mg/mL) of triamcinolone with 50 IU of botulinum toxin type A mixed with a 1 mL solution of 100 mL of 50% dextrose water and 30 mL of 4% lidocaine were administered into the bilateral facet joints under fluoroscopy. For 50 patients in the TFESI group, 30 mg (40 mg/mL) of triamcinolone with 0.8 mL of 2% lidocaine and 2.5 mL of 50% dextrose water was injected bilaterally under fluoroscopy. Radicular leg pain (measured with a numeric rating scale) and pain-related disability (measured with the modified Oswestry Disability Index) due to severe LCSS were significantly reduced after facet joint injection. The therapeutic effects were greater after facet joint injection than after bilateral TFESI. The injection of a mixed solution of steroids and botulinum toxin type A into the bilateral facet joints would be a beneficial therapeutic option in patients with severe LCSS.
Monoclonal-Based Antivenomics Reveals Conserved Neutralizing Epitopes in Type I PLA2 Molecules from Coral Snakes
Authors: Corrêa-Netto Carlos , Strauch Marcelo A. , Monteiro-Machado Marcos , Teixeira-Araújo Ricardo , Fonseca Juliana Guzzo , Leitão-Araújo Moema , Machado-Alves Maria Lúcia , Sanz Libia , Calvete Juan J. , Melo Paulo A. , Zingali Russolina Benedeta
Published: December 2022

For over a century, polyclonal antibodies have been used to treat snakebite envenoming and are still considered by the WHO as the only scientifically validated treatment for snakebites. Nevertheless, moderate innovations have been introduced to this immunotherapy. New strategies and approaches to understanding how antibodies recognize and neutralize snake toxins represent a challenge for next-generation antivenoms. The neurotoxic activity of Micrurus venom is mainly due to two distinct protein families, three-finger toxins (3FTx) and phospholipases A2 (PLA2). Structural conservation among protein family members may represent an opportunity to generate neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against family-conserved epitopes. In this work, we sought to produce a set of monoclonal antibodies against the most toxic components of M. altirostris venom. To this end, the crude venom was fractionated, and its major toxic proteins were identified and used to generate a panel of five mAbs. The specificity of these mAbs was characterized by ELISA and antivenomics approaches. Two of the generated mAbs recognized PLA2 epitopes. They inhibited PLA2 catalytic activity and showed paraspecific neutralization against the myotoxicity from the lethal effect of Micrurus and Naja venoms’ PLA2s. Epitope conservation among venom PLA2 molecules suggests the possibility of generating pan-PLA2 neutralizing antibodies.
Prevalence of Mosquito Populations in the Caribbean Region of Colombia with Important Public Health Implications
Authors: Cano-Pérez Eder , González-Beltrán Martha , Ampuero Julia S. , Gómez-Camargo Doris , Morrison Amy C. , Astete Helvio
Published: December 2022

Mosquito studies are important for understanding their role in the transmission of pathogens including arboviruses, parasites, and protozoa. This study characterized the prevalence of Culicidae fauna in rural and peri-urban areas with human populations in the Colombian Caribbean region to establish the risk of transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens. From 2016 to 2017, adult mosquitos were collected in Turbaco (Bolívar), Sabanalarga (Atlántico) and Pueblo Bello (Cesar). The collections in rural areas were in the forest fragments using CDC, Shannon, and human bait traps. In peri-urban areas, Prokopack aspirator collections were used inside households. Entomological and ecological indicators were also calculated. A total of 11,566 mosquito specimens, from 13 genera and 63 species, were collected. The forests fragments of Sabanalarga and Turbaco had the highest species abundance and richness. Turbaco had the highest adult Aedes aegypti index. Arbovirus vectors were among the identified species, including Ae. aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, Haemagogus janthinomys, Sabethes chloropterus, Aedes angustivittatus, Mansonia titillans, Coquillettidia venezuelensis and the subgenera Culex Melanoconion. Overall, the diversity and abundance of mosquitoes present in these municipalities establish a potential disease transmission risk by these vectors.
Prostitution Arrest Spatial Forecasting in an Era of Increasing Decriminalization
Authors: Helderop Edward , Grubesic Tony H. , Roe-Sepowitz Dominique , Sefair Jorge A.
Published: December 2022

There is ongoing debate regarding the merits of decriminalization or outright legalization of commercial sex work in the United States. A few municipalities have officially legalized both the selling and purchasing of sex, while others unofficially criminalize purchasing sex but have decriminalized its sale. In addition, there are many other locales with no official guidance on the subject but have unofficially decriminalized sex work by designating specific areas in an urban landscape safe from law enforcement for commercial sex, by quietly ceasing to arrest sex sellers, or by declining to prosecute anyone selling or attempting to sell sex. Despite these efforts, it remains crucial to understand where in an urban area commercial sex exchanges occur—legalization and decriminalization may result in fewer arrests but is likely to increase the overall size of the sex market. This growth could result in an increase in sex trafficking victimization, which makes up the majority of commercial sex sellers in any domestic market. Given the distribution of prostitution activities in most communities, it is possible to use high-fidelity predictive models to identify intervention opportunities related to sex trafficking victimization. In this research, we construct several machine learning models and inform them with a range of known criminogenic factors to predict locations hosting high levels of prostitution. We demonstrate these methods in the city of Chicago, Illinois. The results of this exploratory analysis identified a range of explanatory factors driving prostitution activity throughout Chicago, and the best-performing model correctly predicted prostitution frequency with 94% accuracy. We conclude by exploring specific areas of under- and over-prediction throughout Chicago and discuss the implications of these results for allocating social support efforts.
An Analysis of Urban Ethnic Inclusion of Master Plans—In the Case of Kabul City, Afghanistan
Authors: Sarwari Fakhrullah , Ono Hiroko
Published: December 2022

This study examines the history of master planning in Kabul city and how the government approaches segregation through urban planning. There are five master plans made for Kabul city, starting in 1964, with the others being conceived in 1970, 1978, 2011, and 2018. The civil war exacerbated the ethnic segmentation in Kabul city. The city is ethnically divided mainly among the different ethnicities of Pashtun, Tajik, and Hazara, which live in three different zones. The urban planning literature and master plans for Kabul city are surveyed, starting from the 1960s with the first master plan to the 2018 Kabul urban design framework. The first three master plans were designed on technical rather than communitive rationalities, with authoritarian planning. However, the fourth master plan of 2011 was developed through engagement with citizens and addressed the ethnic segregation in the city in abstract ways. The fifth masterplan, Kabul urban design framework, was a step backward in participatory planning; it also ignored the ethnic segmentation in the city by unequally distributing the future economic zones, administrative and facilities hubs. The past master plans have ignored the ethnic segregation of the city; there is no detailed plan on how the city will approach segregation through urban planning.
Geographic and Temporal Variability of Hepatitis E Virus Circulation in the Russian Federation
Authors: Mikhailov Mikhail I. , Karlsen Anastasia A. , Potemkin Ilya A. , Isaeva Olga V. , Kichatova Vera S. , Malinnikova Elena Yu. , Asadi Mobarkhan Fedor A. , Mullin Eugeniy V. , Lopatukhina Maria A. , Manuylov Victor A. , Mazunina Elena P. , Bykonia Evgeniia N. , Kleymenov Denis A. , Popova Liubov I. , Gushchin Vladimir A. , Tkachuk Artem P. , Polyakov Andrey D. , Eladly Ahmed Mohammed , Solonin Sergey A. , Gordeychuk Ilya V. , Kyuregyan Karen K.
Published: December 2022

The factors influencing hepatitis E virus (HEV) circulation remain largely unexplored. We investigated HEV seroprevalence in humans and the prevalence of infection in farm pigs and rabbits in different regions of the Russian Federation, as well as the genetic diversity and population dynamics of the HEV. The anti-HEV IgG antibody detection rates in the general population increase significantly with age, from 1.5% in children and adolescents under 20 years old to 4.8% in adults aged between 20 and 59 years old to 16.7% in people aged 60 years and older. HEV seroprevalence varies between regions, with the highest rate observed in Belgorod Region (16.4% compared with the national average of 4.6%), which also has the country’s highest pig population. When compared with the archival data, both increases and declines in HEV seroprevalence have been observed within the last 10 years, depending on the study region. Virus shedding has been detected in 19 out of the 21 pig farms surveyed. On one farm, the circulation of the same viral strain for five years was documented. All the human and animal strains belonged to the HEV-3 genotype, with its clade 2 sequences being predominant in pigs. The sequences are from patients, pigs, and sewage from pig farms clustered together, suggesting a zoonotic infection in humans and possible environmental contamination. The HEV-3 population size that was predicted using SkyGrid reconstruction demonstrated exponential growth in the 1970s–1990s, with a subsequent decline followed by a short rise around the year 2010, the pattern being similar to the dynamics of the pig population in the country. The HEV-3 reproduction number (Re) that was predicted using birth–death skyline analysis has fluctuated around 1 over the past 20 years in Russia but is 10 times higher in Belgorod Region. In conclusion, the HEV-3 circulation varies both geographically and temporally, even within a single country. The possible factors contributing to this variability are largely related to the circulation of the virus among farm pigs.
Long Covid: Untangling the Complex Syndrome and the Search for Therapeutics
Authors: Haque Azizul , Pant Anudeep B.
Published: December 2022

Long Covid can affect anyone who has previously had acute COVID-19. The root causes of this syndrome are still unknown, and no effective therapeutics are available. This complex syndrome, with a wide array of symptoms, is still evolving. Given the dire situation, it is important to identify the causes of Long Covid and the changes occurring within the immune system of affected patients to figure out how to treat it. The immune system intersects with the persistent viral fragments and blood clots that are implicated in this syndrome; understanding how these complex systems interact may help in untangling the puzzling physiopathology of Long Covid and identifying mitigation measures to provide patients some relief. In this paper, we discuss evidence-based findings and formulate hypotheses on the mechanisms underlying Long Covid’s physiopathology and propose potential therapeutic options.
Scratching the Surface Takes a Toll: Immune Recognition of Viral Proteins by Surface Toll-like Receptors
Authors: Hatton Alexis A. , Guerra Fermin E.
Published: December 2022

Early innate viral recognition by the host is critical for the rapid response and subsequent clearance of an infection. Innate immune cells patrol sites of infection to detect and respond to invading microorganisms including viruses. Surface Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a group of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that can be activated by viruses even before the host cell becomes infected. However, the early activation of surface TLRs by viruses can lead to viral clearance by the host or promote pathogenesis. Thus, a plethora of research has attempted to identify specific viral ligands that bind to surface TLRs and mediate progression of viral infection. Herein, we will discuss the past two decades of research that have identified specific viral proteins recognized by cell surface-associated TLRs, how these viral proteins and host surface TLR interactions affect the host inflammatory response and outcome of infection, and address why controversy remains regarding host surface TLR recognition of viral proteins.
A Polydnavirus Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Negatively Regulates the Host Phenoloxidase Pathway
Authors: Gao Hong-Shuai , Hu Rong-Min , Wang Ze-Hua , Ye Xi-Qian , Wu Xiao-Tong , Huang Jian-Hua , Wang Zhi-Zhi , Chen Xue-Xin
Published: December 2022

Polydnavirus (PDV) is a parasitic factor of endoparasitic wasps and contributes greatly to overcoming the immune response of parasitized hosts. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) regulate a wide variety of biological processes at the post-transcriptional level in mammals, but knowledge of PDV PTP action during a parasitoid–host interaction is limited. In this study, we characterized a PTP gene, CvBV_12-6, derived from Cotesia vestalis bracovirus (CvBV), and explored its possible regulatory role in the immune response of the host Plutella xylostella. Our results from qPCR show that CvBV_12-6 was highly expressed in hemocytes at an early stage of parasitization. To explore CvBV_12-6 function, we specifically expressed CvBV_12-6 in Drosophila melanogaster hemocytes. The results show that Hml-Gal4 > CvBV_12-6 suppressed the phenoloxidase activity of hemolymph in D. melanogaster, but exerted no effect on the total count or the viability of the hemocytes. In addition, the Hml-Gal4 > CvBV_12-6 flies exhibited decreased antibacterial abilities against Staphylococcus aureus. Similarly, we found that CvBV_12-6 significantly suppressed the melanization of the host P. xylostella 24 h post parasitization and reduced the viability, but not the number, of hemocytes. In conclusion, CvBV_12-6 negatively regulated both cellular and humoral immunity in P. xylostella, and the related molecular mechanism may be universal to insects.
The Interaction of Mandarin Fish DDX41 with STING Evokes type I Interferon Responses Inhibiting Ranavirus Replication
Authors: Qin Xiao-Wei , Luo Zhi-Yong , Pan Wei-Qiang , He Jian , Li Zhi-Min , Yu Yang , Liu Chang , Weng Shao-Ping , He Jian-Guo , Guo Chang-Jun
Published: December 2022

DDX41 is an intracellular DNA sensor that evokes type I interferon (IFN-I) production via the adaptor stimulator of interferon gene (STING), triggering innate immune responses against viral infection. However, the regulatory mechanism of the DDX41-STING pathway in teleost fish remains unclear. The mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) is a cultured freshwater fish species that is popular in China because of its high market value. With the development of a high-density cultural mode in mandarin fish, viral diseases have increased and seriously restricted the development of aquaculture, such as ranavirus and rhabdovirus. Herein, the role of mandarin fish DDX41 (scDDX41) and its DEAD and HELIC domains in the antiviral innate immune response were investigated. The level of scDDX41 expression was up-regulated following treatment with poly(dA:dT) or Mandarin fish ranavirus (MRV), suggesting that scDDX41 might be involved in fish innate immunity. The overexpression of scDDX41 significantly increased the expression levels of IFN-I, ISGs, and pro-inflammatory cytokine genes. Co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays showed that the DEAD domain of scDDX41 recognized the IFN stimulatory DNA and interacted with STING to activate IFN-I signaling pathway. Interestingly, the HELIC domain of scDDX41 could directly interact with the N-terminal of STING to induce the expression levels of IFN-I and ISGs genes. Furthermore, the scDDX41 could enhance the scSTING-induced IFN-I immune response and significantly inhibit MRV replication. Our work would be beneficial to understand the roles of teleost fish DDX41 in the antiviral innate immune response.
Development of an ELISA Assay for the Determination of SARS-CoV-2 Protein Subunit Vaccine Antigen Content
Authors: Han Lu , An Chaoqiang , Liu Dong , Wang Zejun , Bian Lianlian , He Qian , Liu Jianyang , Wang Qian , Liu Mingchen , Mao Qunying , Hang Taijun , Wang Aiping , Gao Fan , Tan Dejiang , Liang Zhenglun
Published: December 2022

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) protein subunit vaccine is one of the mainstream technology platforms for the development of COVID-19 vaccines, and most R&D units use the receptor-binding domain (RBD) or spike (S) protein as the main target antigen. The complexity of vaccine design, sequence, and expression systems makes it urgent to establish common antigen assays to facilitate vaccine development. In this study, we report the development of a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the antigen content of SARS-CoV-2 protein subunit vaccines based on the United States Pharmacopeia <1220> and ICH (international conference on harmonization) Q14 and Q2 (R2) requirements. A monoclonal antibody (mAb), 20D8, was identified as the detection antibody based on its high RBD binding activity (EC50 = 8.4 ng/mL), broad-spectrum anti-variant neutralizing activity (EC50: 2.7–9.8 ng/mL for pseudovirus and EC50: 9.6–127 ng/mL for authentic virus), good in vivo protection, and a recognized linear RBD epitope (369–379 aa). A porcine anti-RBD polyclonal antibody was selected as the coating antibody. Assay performance met the requirements of the analytical target profile with an accuracy and precision of ≥90% and adequate specificity. Within the specification range of 70–143%, the method capability index was >0.96; the misjudgment probability was <0.39%. The method successfully detected SARS-CoV-2 protein subunit vaccine antigens (RBD or S protein sequences in Alpha, Beta, Gamma, or Delta variants) obtained from five different manufacturers. Thus, we present a new robust, reliable, and general method for measuring the antigenic content of SARS-CoV-2 protein subunit vaccines. In addition to currently marketed and emergency vaccines, it is suitable for vaccines in development containing antigens derived from pre-Omicron mutant strains.
Vaccine Side Effects in Health Care Workers after Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2: Data from TüSeRe:exact Study
Authors: Bareiß Alan , Uzun Günalp , Mikus Marco , Becker Matthias , Althaus Karina , Schneiderhan-Marra Nicole , Fürstberger Axel , Schwab Julian D. , Kestler Hans A. , Holderried Martin , Martus Peter , Schenke-Layland Katja , Bakchoul Tamam
Published: December 2022

As the Corona Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 persists, vaccination is one of the key measures to contain the spread. Side effects (SE) from vaccination are one of the reasons for reluctance to vaccinate. We systematically investigated self-reported SE after the first, second, and booster vaccinations. The data were collected during the TüSeRe: exact study (Tübinger Monitoring Studie zur exakten Analyse der Immunantwort nach Vakzinierung). Employees of health and research institutions were invited to participate. Study participants were asked to fill out an online questionnaire and report their SE after each dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. A total of 1046 participants (mean age: 44 ± 12.9 years; female, n = 815 (78%); male, n = 231 (22%)) were included in the analysis. Local and systemic SE were more frequent after receiving the vector-based vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 in the first vaccination. However, local and systemic SE were more common after receiving mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2, mRNA-1273) in the second vaccination. Compared to the BNT162b2 vaccine, more SE have been observed after receiving the mRNA-1273 vaccine in the booster vaccination. In multivariate analysis, local and systemic side effects were associated with vaccine type, age and gender. Local and systemic SE are common after SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. The frequency of self-reported local and systemic SE differ significantly between mRNA and vector-based vaccines.
Production and Characterization of Bacterial Ghost Vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Ali Randa H. , Ali Mohamed E. , Samir Reham
Published: December 2022

Bacterial ghosts (BGS) are empty non-living envelopes produced either genetically or chemically. This study investigated a novel chemical protocol for the production of Neisseria meningitidis ghost vaccine using tween 80 followed by a pH reduction with lactic acid. For our vaccine candidate, both safety and immunogenicity aspects were evaluated. The ghost pellets showed no sign of growth upon cultivation. BGS were visualized by scanning electron microscopy, illustrating the formation of trans-membrane tunnels with maintained cell morphology. Gel electrophoresis showed no distinctive bands of the cytoplasmic proteins and DNA, assuring the formation of ghost cells. In animal model, humoral immune response significantly increased when compared to commercial vaccine (p < 0.01). Moreover, serum bactericidal assay (SBA) recorded 94.67% inhibition compared to 64% only for the commercial vaccine after three vaccination doses. In conclusion, this is the first N. meningitidis ghost vaccine candidate, proven to be effective, economic, and with significant humoral response and efficient SBA values; however, clinical studies should be performed.
Research on Sustainable Evaluation Model of Sponge City Based on Emergy Analysis
Authors: Wang Ning , Li Huiping , Zhang Jianlin , Deng Jianxun , She Lin
Published: December 2022

Sponge city is a method of managing rain floods, proposed by China to deal with urban waterlogging and the overflow pollution of drainage pipe networks, which indicates a more effective strategy to promote urban sustainable development. Due to the diversity of sponge city construction objectives and the complexity of the developmental system, a unified and effective sustainability evaluation method has not yet been formed. Based on the emergy analysis method, the indicators of ecosystem service, the construction cost, the runoff regulation, and the pollutant reduction of sponge city construction are thus included in the evaluation system, and the sustainable evaluation model of a sponge city is fully constructed. Taking the core area in the south of Haicang in Xiamen City as the studying object, the runoff regulation, and the pollutant reduction indicators, are carefully obtained by using Info Works simulation software. The results showed that: ① the quality of COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) of pollutants discharged from the research object is 409.8t/a, the total runoff is 3.579 million m3/a, the current annual total runoff control rate is 37.15%, and the current emergy index ESI of sponge city system is 0.05 < 1, which is in an unsustainable state, It is necessary to upgrade and transform the urban underlying surface; ② The transformation intensity of three LID (Low Impact Development) facilities, i.e., concave green space, permeable pavement and green roof, is carefully selected as different construction schemes. When the construction intensity of LID is 25%, the emergy index ESI (Emergy Sustainable Index) = 1.08, which meets the basic requirements of sustainable development; As long as the reconstruction construction intensity is 30%, the growth value of ESI, ΔESI, is the largest, the sustainable growth effect of sponge city construction is the most obvious, and the marginal benefit is the largest; ③ As long as the total annual runoff control rate of the research object is 69–82%, its sustainable energy index ESI should be within the range of 1.39–1.83. If ESI is less than 1.39, this indicates that the total annual runoff control rate of the research area cannot adapt to the planning requirements of 69%.
Game of Marine Natural Resources Management: A strategy for Determining Rights Registration
Authors: Lin Chun-Yu , Dai Gui-Lin , Chen Zhuo , Wang Su , Liu Ying , Wang Ping , Fu Xiu-Mei
Published: December 2022

The unified right confirmation and registration of natural resources in sea areas (URCRNRSA) has been considered a key approach to the effective management and sustainable utilization of marine resources. In China, the system of URCRNRSA is insufficient due to the lack of central auditing supervision and public participation. In this study, the mechanism of stakeholder interaction is clarified based on the game relationship among the tripartite of the central government, local governments, and the public. The evolutionary process of tripartite decision-making is simulated with an evolutionary game model. On this basis, the strategic choices of the tripartite were analyzed in the four evolutionary scenarios of high-quality URCRNRSA. It was demonstrated that the tripartite could jointly affect the URCRNRSA through cooperation-constraint, principal-agent, and incentive-compatibility relationships. The most effective, realistic, and feasible URCRNRSA strategy was the trinity system with local government high-quality rights confirming, the central government auditing as a hard constraint and the public participating as a soft constraint. The main influencing factors for the tripartite to make different strategy selections were clarified through parameter sensitivity analysis, including cost, benefit, reward, and punishment. Accordingly, the policy recommendations were put forward to ensure the stable and efficient implementation of the URCRNRSA in China.
Comparison of the Causes of Erosion-Deposition between Yellow River, Yangtze River and Mekong River Subaqueous Deltas II: Comparative Analysis
Authors: Li Bowen , Liu J. Paul , Jia Yonggang
Published: December 2022

The estuary delta is an area where human economic activities are active and natural ecological environment is fragile. With global change and the intensification of human activities, coastal and seabed erosion around the world is becoming more and more serious. In this paper, we used the Delft 3D numerical simulation to compare the hydrodynamic effects of sediment transport paths in the Yellow River delta (river-controlled type), Yangtze River delta (tidal type) and Mekong River delta (tidal wave type) in the East Asian monsoon area, and analyzed the causes of accumulation erosion landform distribution in three different types of subaqueous deltas. This study finds the Yellow River Delta has experienced varying degrees of erosion at the estuary, but its subaqueous delta is still dominated by deposition; the Yangtze River Delta has ensured the stability of its shoreline under the influence of artificial shoreline reinforcement, but the subaqueous delta (water depth: 0–15 m) is in a state of erosion all year round; and in the Mekong River Delta the erosion occurs in both its shoreline and subaqueous delta. Additionally, only by analyzing the erosion and deposition within the transport range of resuspended sediment, the changes in the properties of the entire subaqueous delta could be recognized. The research results can not only be helpful to analyze whether the change of river sediment will lead to the change of delta type under human influence, but also provide more powerful scientific support for the protection of delta ecological environment, geological environment safety and geological disaster prevention.
Combined Impacts of ENSO and IOD on Streamflow: A Case Study of the Jinsha River Basin, China
Authors: Jia Wenhao , Wu Yawen , Wang Sen , Chen Mufeng , Liu Xia
Published: December 2022

This study investigated the combined impacts of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) on streamflow under four scenarios: neutral, pure ENSO, pure IOD, and a combination of ENSO and IOD. The Jinsha River Basin (JRB), at the head of the Yangtze River, was used as a case study. By using statistical methods such as coherent wavelet analysis (WTC), we are committed to studying what kind of impact the IOD will have, the difference in impact between ENSO and IOD at different stages, and the difference in impact between ENSO and IOD on the mean and extreme values of runoff, compared with traditional single ENSO event, to provide support for water resource management, especially for reservoir operation. The key results are as follows. (a) Both ENSO and IOD events affect annual and seasonal streamflow in the JRB. (b) The impact of pure IOD events on annual streamflow in the JRB was twice as great as that of pure ENSO events in developing years, whereas the opposite was true in decaying years. (c) The combined impact of ENSO and IOD led to a higher streamflow maximum than the annual or seasonal average streamflow. Conversely, their impact on the streamflow minima was less than 10% during both developing and decaying years, except at Zhimenda Station. (d) Overall, water shortages could be more serious in developing years than in neutral years, and much more attention should be given to flooding control in decaying years. These results can be used as a reference for water resource management concerning agricultural planning and ecological protection in the JRB.
Biopolymer Recovery from Aerobic Granular Sludge and Conventional Flocculent Sludge in Treating Industrial Wastewater: Preliminary Analysis of Different Carbon Routes for Organic Carbon Utilization
Authors: Traina Francesco , Corsino Santo Fabio , Torregrossa Michele , Viviani Gaspare
Published: December 2022

The recovery of biopolymers from sewage sludge could be a crucial step in implementing circular economy principles in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In this frame, the present study was aimed at evaluating the simultaneous production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) obtainable from the treatment of agro-industrial wastewater. Two biological enrichment systems, aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and a conventional activated sludge operating as a sequencing batch reactor (SBR), were monitored for 204 and 186 days, respectively. The maximum biopolymers accumulation capacity was close to 0.60 mgPHA-EPS gVSS−1 in the AGS when operating at 3 kgCODm−3d−1, whereas in the SBR, it was about half (0.35 mgPHA-EPS gVSS−1). Biopolymers extracted from the AGS were mainly constituted by EPS (>70%), whose percentage increased up to 95% with the OLR applied in the enrichment reactor. In contrast, SBR enabled obtaining a higher PHA production (50% of the biopolymers). Results suggested that organic carbon was mainly channeled toward metabolic pathways for extracellular storing in AGS, likely due to metabolic stressors (e.g., hydraulic selection pressure, shear forces) applied for promoting aerobic granulation.
Heavy Metal in River Sediments of Huanghua City in Water Diversion Area from Yellow River, China: Contamination, Ecological Risks, and Sources
Authors: Wei Huaibin , Wang Yao , Liu Jing , Zeng Ran
Published: December 2022

Determination of heavy metal (HM) contamination, ecological risks, and sources in river sediments are important to preventing and controlling environmental pollution. This study investigated the spatial distribution, potential ecological risks, and biological toxicity of five heavy metals in river sediments of Huanghua City in the water diversion area from the Yellow River, China. GIS, redundancy analysis (RDA), and the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model were used to accurately quantify the pollution sources and the spatial distribution of pollution sources. The results revealed that Cu had the highest degree of natural pollution, and the source mainly comes from traffic. Residential land (RL), population density (PD), GDP, and industrial construction (IC) make high contributions to traffic pollution; the highest level of potential ecological risk was Hg, and the source mainly comes from industrial wastewater discharges. IC makes a high contribution to industrial wastewater discharges pollution; the highest effect of bio-toxic risk was As, and the source mainly comes from farmland drainage water. Agricultural production potential (APP) and water area (WA) make high contributions to farmland drainage water pollution; Zn might be of natural origin, and woodlands (WLs) make high contribution to natural origin. This result provided a new idea for the system control of sediment heavy metal pollution in Huanghua City.
Ecological Water Demand Estimations for Desert Terminal Lake Survival under Inland River Water Diversion Regulation
Authors: Lu Jinqiang , Li Lingqi , Jiang Enhui , Gan Rong , Liu Chang , Deng Ya
Published: December 2022

Desert terminal lakes are important signals to discern ecological degradation crises, particularly in arid areas where an artificial project of ecological water diversion has designated a quota of river water to prevent lake body shrinkage and protect the ecosystem. Knowledge of the minimum ecological water demand (EWD) is thus necessary to ensure the basic health of lake ecosystems. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution of water boundaries using Landsat satellites data via remote sensing technology from 2002 to 2017 in East Juyan Lake, an inland desert terminal lake of the Heihe River in northwest China. The minimum lake water demand was determined using two estimation methods: the lake-evaporation-oriented EWD method and the minimum water level method. In the latter method, both lake topography (using water-level area curves) and biological survival demands (using bighead carps as indicators) were considered to derive the minimum lake EWD. Water diversion to the lake over the past 15 years has increased the lake’s area, but there are still marked intra-annual seasonal variations. The annual minimum lake water demand was suggested to be 54 × 106 m3/year by comparing the different methods; however, it was not satisfied, and the lake survival was endangered when the occurrence frequency of the annual runoff in the Zhengyixia hydrological station exceeded 65%. This study offered promising directions for inland lake water resource management.
Investigating the Pressure Fluctuations of Hydraulic Jump in an Abrupt Expanding Stilling Basin with Roughened Bed
Authors: Hasani Marzieh Naem , Nekoufar Kouros , Biklarian Morteza , Jamshidi Morteza , Pham Quoc Bao , Anh Duong Tran
Published: December 2022

Stilling basins with sudden expansions are one of the energy dissipation structures. In the hydraulic jump, pressure fluctuations cause significant damages in stilling basins by cavity formation, erosion, and vibration. Roughness can also lead to changes of the behavior of stream lines and vortices. Despite the large number of works on the topic, the role of roughness in spatial hydraulic jumps is not yet fully understood. Present research aimed to study the influence of rough bed on pressure fluctuations of S-jump in abrupt expanding stilling basin. Experiments were conducted in a 0.8 m width and 12 m length flume. Channel expansions ratios were 0.33, 0.5, 0.67, and 1 within the range of Froude numbers, 2 to 9.5. The results showed that roughness decreases intensity of pressure fluctuations in an abrupt expansion stilling basin. Additionally, in sudden expanding sections, the energy loss increases, and the intensity of pressure fluctuations decrease due to the formation of lateral vortices. The reduction rate of maximum pressure fluctuation was 27%, 46%, and 58% for expansion ratio of 0.67, 0.5, and 0.33, respectively. The results revealed the clear dependence of these variables on the Froude number and the distance to the hydraulic jump toe. The maximum values of extreme pressure fluctuations occur in the range 0.609 < X < 3.385, where X is dimensionless distance from the toe of the hydraulic jump, which makes it highly advisable to reinforce the bed of stilling basins in this range.