bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Second Life for Lithium-Ion Traction Batteries
Authors: Guenther Lea H. , Klein Volker , Loef Georg , Pohl André , Okube Haimanot , Winterbur Ralf , Röwer Georg , Wegener Bianca , Goertz Roland , Bracke Stefan
Published: August 2024

For the reuse of traction batteries, many different scenarios exist, for example, stationary storage farms or fast charging stations. Another second-life usage scenario is the reuse of batteries as home energy storage in combination with a photovoltaic installation in a private household. This application is the focus of the present study. Home energy storage is a reasonable possibility for storing renewable energy and conserving resources, but it also includes multiple challenges regarding reliability and safety requirements. Within this study, these challenges are investigated. A battery inspection concept was developed, and a logistic model for considering the legal requirements was created. Data from different use cases were selected, and their structure was homogenized. To assess their safety, fire tests were performed. In addition, a concept for a reliability assessment that provides the possibility to evaluate the suitability of a battery for a second-life application based on usage data in its first life was developed. Based on the results, a prototype of a second-life storage system was built from traction battery cells removed from electric vehicles. This prototype is currently used to store energy from a photovoltaic system, and its usage data were collected.
The Impacts of Remote Work and Attitudinal Shifts on Commuting Reductions in Post-COVID Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Chalabi Gheyath , Dia Hussein
Published: August 2024

This paper analyses the commuting frequencies and modal choices of travellers in Melbourne, using a dataset reflecting travel behaviour before and after COVID-19. A factor analysis of 63 latent variables identified seven key factors, which were used in cluster analysis to examine the relationships between latent constructs, land use, and socio-demographic variables, as well as commuting behaviours. The analysis categorised white-collar employees into four groups based on their remote work engagement, with socio-demographics and industry type as key factors. The analysis shows that female clerical and administrative workers who worked from home during the pandemic are now returning to the office, raising gender equality concerns within society. Meanwhile, the education and training sector mandates office attendance despite the feasibility of remote work, as universities prioritise in-person attendance to attract more international students, impacting societal norms around telecommuting. The analysis revealed that saving on commute costs, reducing travel time, and spending more time with family are the among the primary factors influencing travel behaviour among white-collar employee’s post-pandemic. The study found that the decrease in public transport trips is associated with increased telecommuting rather than service dissatisfaction, especially among Central Business District (CBD) employees who still rely on public transport. This trend suggests that the CBD sector’s growing acceptance of remote work is reducing daily commutes, which puts additional pressure on public transport providers to sustain and improve their services. A decline in service quality could further reduce ridership, highlighting the need for consistent, high-quality public transport. Furthermore, the study found that increased telecommuting is likely to reduce car trips in the future, especially among healthcare and social workers who prefer driving due to public transport’s unreliability for their demanding schedules. By examining variables like the advantages and disadvantages of working from home, convenience, accessibility, and the efficiency of public transport, this study enhances the understanding of transport behaviour and underscores the need to improve public transport reliability to support sustainable cities as remote work grows.
Digital Economy, Green Dual Innovation and Carbon Emissions
Authors: Zhang Yu , Liu Xiaomeng , Yang Jiaoping
Published: August 2024

The digital economy serves as a pivotal catalyst for sustainable and eco-friendly development. This study employs a suite of advanced econometric models, including the fixed effects, mediation, threshold and moderation model, to elucidate the intricate dynamics by which the digital economy influences carbon emissions through the lens of green innovation. Building on the existing research on digital economy, green technology innovation and carbon emissions, this paper takes a dual-innovation perspective and divides green technology innovation into disruptive green technology innovation and incremental green technology innovation. And from the government and the public level, it explores how social concerns affect the effect of digital economy on carbon emissions. The analysis is grounded in a comprehensive dataset encompassing a decade of provincial-level data from 2011 to 2021 across China’s 30 provinces. The benchmark regression outcomes indicate the digital economy’s ability to substantially cut down carbon emissions; the threshold effect and mediating effect models demonstrate that a single-threshold effect exists and that disruptive and progressive green technological innovations mediate such ability. Additional research reveals that the digital economy’s impact on carbon emissions could be positively moderated by public and governmental attention. Eastern and western regions in China, as well as those with high levels of foreign investment and low levels of technological transaction activity, are more affected by the digital economy in terms of carbon emission reduction. Our conclusions offer practical recommendations for digital economy’s coordinated advancement and carbon emissions mitigation, and guide local governments to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Development of Motorway Horizontal Alignment Databases for Accurate Accident Prediction Models
Authors: De Santos-Berbel César , Ferreira Sara , Couto António , Lobo António
Published: August 2024

The safe and efficient operation of highways minimizes the environmental impact, reduces accidents, and promotes the reliability of the transportation infrastructure, all in support of sustainable transportation. The horizontal alignment of highways holds particular importance as it directly impacts driver behavior, vehicle stability, and overall road safety. In many cases, highway inventory data held by infrastructure operators may contain inaccurate or outdated information. The accuracy of the variables used in crash prediction models eliminates possible bias in the variable estimators. This research proposes a methodology to obtain accurate horizontal geometric features from digital imagery based on the analysis of the planimetry, feature geolocation and centerline azimuth sequence. The reliability of the method is verified by means of numerical and statistical procedures. This methodology is applied to 150 km of motorway segments in Portugal. Although it is found that the geometric characteristics of most of the inventory segments closely matched the extracted alignments, very significant differences are found in some sections. The results of the proposed procedure are illustrated with several examples. Finally, the propagation of error in the determination of the geometric design independent variables in the fitting of the statistical models is discussed based on the results.
Sustainability of the Current Account in Developing Countries: A Fourier Wavelet-Based Unit Root Test
Authors: Oruç Erhan
Published: August 2024

The sustainability of the current account balance for five fragile economies—Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, India, and Türkiye (namely, BASIT)—is investigated. These countries’ economies operate under a time current account deficit almost all the time, a condition that causes fragility to external shocks; the following fallout from these shocks may risk not only the domestic economy but also the international economy, such as by clogging trade and income distribution. In this study, the sustainability of the current account in BASIT countries is examined via wavelet-based Kapetanios, Shin and Snell (WKSS) and Fourier wavelet-based KSS (FWKSS) unit root tests, in conjunction with linear unit root tests. Even though traditional unit root tests generally support the sustainability of a current account deficit for all countries, a non-linear unit roots test confirms the traditional tests for only India and South Africa. Results from the wavelet transform of non-linear unit root tests indicate the unsustainability of the current account balance, except in the case Türkiye. Moreover, the FWKSS test confirms WKSS.
UN-Sustainable Urbanism: The Challenge of “Lock-In”
Authors: Mehaffy Michael W.
Published: August 2024

The term “sustainable urbanism” has been criticized over its inconsistent and imprecise definition, leading to challenges in implementing actionable reforms and achieving urban sustainability goals. A clearer approach may be to identify its opposite: specifically, forms of urbanism that cause an unacceptable buildup of toxic or climate-altering emissions, deplete resources beyond sustainable levels, progressively destroy critical ecologies, and cause other identifiable sources of potentially catastrophic harm to human and urban welfare. Here, we present a model of such an “unsustainable urbanism”, and we further observe that it is in fact the dominant model of urban structure to this day. Its features include an over-reliance on low-occupancy vehicular transport, at the expense of other modes including walking; inefficient envelope, size, orientation and adaptability of buildings; ecologically destructive infrastructure systems for handling water, energy and other resources; and—under-appreciated but fundamentally important, as we will explore—the decline of a well-connected, walkable, functionally and aesthetically appealing public realm. This model remains dominant in spite of the many goals, agendas and declarations on sustainable urbanism at the highest policy level. We observe that the lack of progress is in large part the result of system “lock-in”—economic and professional incentives and disincentives, standards, laws, codes, and other forms of feedback that reinforce “business as usual” and create barriers to reform. Therefore, the agenda ahead must address the specific levers of change to overcome this systemic lock-in, drawing insights from economics, technology and the social sciences to do so. We present the outlines of this agenda and make conclusions for the necessary steps ahead.
Assessing the Impact of Straw Burning on PM2.5 Using Explainable Machine Learning: A Case Study in Heilongjiang Province, China
Authors: Xu Zehua , Liu Baiyin , Wang Wei , Zhang Zhimiao , Qiu Wenting
Published: August 2024

Straw burning is recognized as a significant contributor to deteriorating air quality, but its specific impacts, particularly on PM2.5 concentrations, are still not fully understood or quantified. In this study, we conducted a detailed examination of the spatial and temporal patterns of straw burning in Heilongjiang Province, China—a key agricultural area—utilizing high-resolution fire-point data from the Fengyun-3 satellite. We subsequently employed random forest (RF) models alongside Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAPs) to systematically evaluate the impact of various determinants, including straw burning (as indicated by crop fire-point data), meteorological conditions, and aerosol optical depth (AOD), on PM2.5 levels across spatial and temporal dimensions. Our findings indicated a statistically nonsignificant downward trend in the number of crop fires in Heilongjiang Province from 2015 to 2023, with hotspots mainly concentrated in the western and southern parts of the province. On a monthly scale, straw burning was primarily observed from February to April and October to November—which are critical periods in the agricultural calendar—accounting for 97% of the annual fire counts. The RF models achieved excellent performance in predicting PM2.5 levels, with R2 values of 0.997 for temporal and 0.746 for spatial predictions. The SHAP analysis revealed the number of fire points to be the key determinant of temporal PM2.5 variations during straw-burning periods, explaining 72% of the variance. However, the significance was markedly reduced in the spatial analysis. This study leveraged machine learning and interpretable modeling techniques to provide a comprehensive understanding of the influence of straw burning on PM2.5 levels, both temporally and spatially. The detailed analysis offers valuable insights for policymakers to formulate more targeted and effective strategies to combat air pollution.
Designing and Implementing Sustainable Professional Development Programs: Embodied Curriculum and Instruction for Kindergarten Teachers
Authors: Chang Chia-Fu , Wu Su-Chiao , Chang Yu-Liang , Chang Lancelote Andy
Published: August 2024

Embodied design is a theory-to-practice and pedagogical framework and emphasizes the role of embodied and situated activity. Since embodiment has a powerful impact on young children’s learning, implementing embodied deign in kindergartens is essential and beneficial to their future mathematical learning and performance. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to develop a professional learning community composed of eight kindergarten teachers and university teacher educators (researchers) and to co-construct a professional development model for curriculum design and instructional implementation of embodied design in mathematics. Accordingly, the main research objectives were to obtain a sustainable professional development model and summarize principles of embodied mathematics curriculum design and strategies for embodied instructional activities, which can be used both in practical settings (i.e., kindergarten and preschool) and early childhood teacher education programs in higher education. Data were gathered through participative observations, including PD meetings and classroom observations, in-depth and follow-up interviews, teachers’ lesson design and reflection notes, and children’s learning profiles, and then were analyzed qualitatively using a descriptive and explanatory approach with replication logic. Based on the data collection and analysis, two major sections of the findings and discussion were included in this report, which were as follows: first, a sustainable “task design professional development model” was generated for collaboratively future improvements of both in-service and pre-service teacher training programs in higher education; second, two principles of embodied mathematics curriculum design and two effective embodied teaching strategies were proposed to promote kindergarten teachers’ professional knowledge and capabilities and their young children’s mathematics learning capabilities.
Mapping Benggang Erosion Susceptibility: An Analysis of Environmental Influencing Factors Based on the Maxent Model
Authors: Ou Haidong , Mu Xiaolin , Yuan Zaijian , Yang Xiankun , Liao Yishan , Nguyen Kim Loi , Sombatpanit Samran
Published: August 2024

Benggang erosion is one of the most severe geomorphological hazards occurring on deeply weathered crusts in the hilly regions of southern China. Unraveling the susceptibility and pinpointing the risk areas of Benggang erosion are essential for developing effective prevention and management strategies. This study introduced the Maxent model to investigate Benggang erosion susceptibility (BES) and compared the evaluation results with the widely used Random Forest (RF) model. The findings are as follows: (1) the incidence of Benggang erosion is rising initially with an increase in elevation, slope, topographic wetness index, rainfall erosivity, and fractional vegetation cover, followed by a subsequent decline, highlighting its distinct characteristics compared to typical types of gully erosion; (2) the AUC values from the ROC curves for the Maxent and RF models are 0.885 and 0.927, respectively. Both models converge on elevation, fractional vegetation cover, rainfall erosivity, Lithology, and topographic wetness index as the most impactful variables; (3) both models adeptly identified regions prone to potential Benggang erosion. However, the Maxent model demonstrated superior spatial correlation in its susceptibility assessment, contrasting with the RF model, which tended to overestimate the BES in certain regions; (4) the Maxent model’s advantages include no need for absence samples, direct handling of categorical data, and more convincing results, suggesting its potential for widespread application in the BES assessment. This research contributes empirical evidence to study the Benggang erosion developing conditions in the hilly regions of southern China and provides an important consideration for the sustainability of the regional ecological environment and human society.
Assessment of Resilience Due to Adoption of Technologies in Frequently Drought-Prone Regions of India
Authors: Prasad J. V. N. S. , Loganandhan N. , Ramesh P. R. , Rama Rao C. A. , Raju B. M. K. , Rao K. V. , Subba Rao A. V. M. , Rejani R. , Kundu Sumanta , Pankaj Prabhat Kumar , Pradeep C. M. , Kiran B. V. S. , Prasanna Jakku , Reddy D. V. S. , Venkatasubramanian V. , Srinivasarao Ch. , Singh V. K. , Singh Rajbir , Chaudhari S. K.
Published: August 2024

Climate change and variability are increasingly affecting agriculture and livelihoods in developing countries, with India being particularly vulnerable. Drought is one of the major climatic constraints impacting large parts of the world. We examined the effects of drought on crop productivity, evaluated the effectiveness of technologies in mitigating these impacts and quantified the resilience gained due to technology adoption. Resilience score and resilience gain are the two indicators used to quantify resilience. The study utilized data gathered from two villages situated in Karnataka, southern India, which have implemented the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) program, along with data from one control village. Drought has significantly impacted the yields, and the extent of reduction ranged from 23 to 62% compared to the normal year. Adoption of climate-resilient technologies, including improved varieties, water management and livestock practices proved beneficial in increasing yield and income during drought years. The resilience score of various technologies ranged from 71 to 122%, indicating that the technologies had realized an increase in yields in the drought year in comparison to the normal year. The extent of resilience gain ranged from 7 to 68%, indicating that the adoption of technologies contributed to the yield advantage over the farmers’ practice during drought. Water harvesting and critical irrigation have the highest resilience scores and gains, and in situ moisture conservation practices such as trench cum bunding (TCB) have comparable resilience scores and gains. The diversification of enterprises at the farm has a higher resilience score and gain. There is a need to identify climate-resilient technologies that can achieve higher resilience, as the solutions are context-specific. Further, promising technologies need to be scaled by adopting multiple approaches and by creating an enabling environment so as to increase resilience in agricultural systems.
Quantum Retarded Field Engine
Authors: Yahalom Asher
Published: August 2024

Recent efforts to conceptually design a technologically meaningful electromagnetic retarded engine indicated that this can only be done using the immense charge and current densities which exist in the atomic scale. However, this scale cannot be described by Newtonian physics, and only a quantum description will suffice to describe the dynamics of an electron on this scale properly. Here we study the retarded field quantum engine and highlight the differences between the quantum and the classical retarded engines. It is emphasized that the constituents of the retarded engine studied in the current paper do not move in relativistic speeds, hence they are analyzed using un-relativistic classical mechanics and un-relativistic quantum mechanics (Schrödinger’s equations). The retardation effect is due to the finite propagation speed of the field and not the relativistic motion of the particles.
Combining Multiple Omics with Molecular Dynamics Reveals SCP2-Mediated Cytotoxicity Effects of Aflatoxin B1 in SW480 Cells
Authors: Chen Mengting , Wen Jiaxin , Qiu Yiyan , Gao Xinyue , Zhang Jian , Lin Yifan , Wu Zekai , Lin Xiaohuang , Zhu An
Published: August 2024

Aflatoxins belong to a class of mycotoxins, among which aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has detrimental effects on the health of both animals and humans. It is associated with long-term exposure-induced carcinogenicity, hepatotoxicity, renal toxicity, neurotoxicity, and immunosuppressive properties, resulting in a variety of diseases. The intestine is the first barrier for human exposure to AFB1, but limited investigations have been conducted to clarify the underlying mechanisms of intestinal cytotoxicity. The mechanism of AFB1-induced cytotoxicity was investigated in this study using an integrated approach combining transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome analysis along with molecular dynamics simulation. After exposing SW480 cells to 50 μM AFB1 for 72 h, the transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome exhibited significant enrichment in pathways associated with oxidative stress, fatty acid and lipid metabolism, and glutathione metabolism. The experimental results demonstrated that AFB1 significantly reduces SW480 cells viability, and induces oxidative stress, calcium overload, mitochondrial damage, and lipid metabolism disorders.
Do Babesia microti Hosts Share a Blood Group System Gene Ortholog, Which Could Generate an Erythrocyte Antigen That Is Essential for Parasite Invasion?
Authors: Jajosky Ryan P. , Jajosky Audrey N. , Jajosky Philip G. , Stowell Sean R.
Published: August 2024

The United States of America (US) has the highest annual number of human babesiosis cases caused by Babesia microti (Bm). Babesia, like malaria-causing Plasmodium, are protozoan parasites that live within red blood cells (RBCs). Both infectious diseases can be associated with hemolysis and organ damage, which can be fatal. Since babesiosis was made a nationally notifiable condition by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2011, human cases have increased, and drug-resistant strains have been identified. Both the Bm ligand(s) and RBC receptor(s) needed for invasion are unknown, partly because of the difficulty of developing a continuous in vitro culture system. Invasion pathways are relevant for therapies (e.g., RBC exchange) and vaccines. We hypothesize that there is at least one RBC surface antigen that is essential for Bm invasion and that all Bm hosts express this. Because most RBC surface antigens that impact Plasmodium invasion are in human blood group (hBG) systems, which are generated by 51 genes, they were the focus of this study. More than 600 animals with at least one hBG system gene ortholog were identified using the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) command-line tools. Google Scholar searches were performed to determine which of these animals are susceptible to Bm infection. The literature review revealed 28 Bm non-human hosts (NHH). For 5/51 (9.8%) hBG system genes (e.g., RhD), no NHH had orthologs. This means that RhD is unlikely to be an essential receptor for invasion. For 24/51 (47.1%) hBG system genes, NHH had 4–27 orthologs. For the ABO gene, 15/28 NHH had an ortholog, meaning that this gene is also unlikely to generate an RBC antigen, which is essential for Bm invasion. Our prior research showed that persons with blood type A, B, AB, O, RhD+, and RhD- can all be infected with Bm, supporting our current study’s predictions. For 22/51 (43.1%) hBG system genes, orthologs were found in all 28 NHH. Nineteen (37.3%) of these genes encode RBC surface proteins, meaning they are good candidates for generating a receptor needed for Bm invasion. In vitro cultures of Bm, experimental Bm infection of transgenic mice (e.g., a CD44 KO strain), and analyses of Bm patients can reveal further clues as to which RBC antigens may be essential for invasion.
Convergence between Cardiometabolic and Infectious Diseases in Adults from a Syndemic Perspective: A Scoping Review
Authors: Quiroz-Mena Silvia , Piñeros-Jimenez Juan Gabriel , Cañon-Montañez Wilson
Published: August 2024

Objective. Synthesize the approaches used to study the convergence between cardiometabolic and infectious diseases in adults from a syndemic perspective based on the scientific evidence available to date worldwide. Methods. Scoping review that follows the recommendations of the PRISMA statement. The protocol was registered in INPLASY202150048. The search for studies was carried out in MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science and Scopus. Results. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in studies in the field of convergence between cardiometabolic and infectious diseases from a syndemic perspective, but only three studies were classified as true syndemics. There are weaknesses in the adherence to the elements of the syndemic theory, given a low incorporation of population measurements, and until now it has not been possible to find convincing empirical evidence that supports the bio–bio interface. Quantitative methods predominated through models focused on “sum scores”. Conclusions. Future studies should comprehensively address the elements of syndemics, review discrepancies between additive analyses versus other modeling, and incorporate the influence of large-scale social forces. The lack of these aspects distances studies from the notion of syndemic, bringing them closer to comorbidity or multimorbidity approaches.
AlphaFold2 Reveals Structural Patterns of Seasonal Haplotype Diversification in SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Variants
Authors: Ali Muhammad Asif , Caetano-Anollés Gustavo
Published: August 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic saw the emergence of various Variants of Concern (VOCs) that took the world by storm, often replacing the ones that preceded them. The characteristic mutant constellations of these VOCs increased viral transmissibility and infectivity. Their origin and evolution remain puzzling. With the help of data mining efforts and the GISAID database, a chronology of 22 haplotypes described viral evolution up until 23 July 2023. Since the three-dimensional atomic structures of proteins corresponding to the identified haplotypes are not available, ab initio methods were here utilized. Regions of intrinsic disorder proved to be important for viral evolution, as evidenced by the targeted change to the nucleocapsid (N) protein at the sequence, structure, and biochemical levels. The linker region of the N-protein, which binds to the RNA genome and self-oligomerizes for efficient genome packaging, was greatly impacted by mutations throughout the pandemic, followed by changes in structure and intrinsic disorder. Remarkably, VOC constellations acted co-operatively to balance the more extreme effects of individual haplotypes. Our strategy of mapping the dynamic evolutionary landscape of genetically linked mutations to the N-protein structure demonstrates the utility of ab initio modeling and deep learning tools for therapeutic intervention.
Hepatitis B Viral Protein HBx: Roles in Viral Replication and Hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Li Dong , Hamadalnil Yassir , Tu Thomas
Published: August 2024

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public health concern worldwide, with approximately 296 million individuals chronically infected. The HBV-encoded X protein (HBx) is a regulatory protein of 17 kDa, reportedly responsible for a broad range of functions, including viral replication and oncogenic processes. In this review, we summarize the state of knowledge on the mechanisms underlying HBx functions in viral replication, the antiviral effect of therapeutics directed against HBx, and the role of HBx in liver cancer development (including a hypothetical model of hepatocarcinogenesis). We conclude by highlighting major unanswered questions in the field and the implications of their answers.
Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccination against Severe Symptoms and Death Among Geriatric Inpatients: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Macao
Authors: Zhang Xiao Zhan , Wong Phyllis Hio Hong , Lai Kai Seng , Yang Bo , Song Menghuan , Li Junjun , Ung Carolina Oi Lam
Published: August 2024

Monitoring the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination is critical for understanding if the vaccinated population, especially the elderly, is adequately protected from the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. This study aimed to investigate the effects of COVID-19 vaccination on the severity of symptoms and mortality in hospitalized geriatric patients during the Omicron BF.7 surge in Macao. Data from electronic health records and vaccination registry of inpatients aged 60 years or above admitted to Kiang Wu Hospital from 12 December 2022 to 12 March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The study involved 848 people, including 426 vaccinated and 422 unvaccinated individuals. The mean CXR scores (8.95 ± 9.49 vs. 11.41 ± 10.81, p < 0.001) and the mean MEWS scores (0.96 ± 2.01 vs. 1.49 ± 2.45, p < 0.001) were lower in the vaccinated group. By comparing the dose counts, no significant difference was seen in the odds of death. Based on the time of the last vaccination, 128 people were categorized as complete and 298 as incomplete vaccination. The complete vaccination group showed a 54% (95% CI 0.23–0.91) reduction in mortality risk (p = 0.026). The study findings not only reconfirm the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination but, more importantly, highlight the importance of vaccination timing to maximize vaccines’ protective effect.
Safety and Immunogenicity of Trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine in Vaccinated Children and Vaccine-Naïve Infants: A Phase 4 Study
Authors: Mejía Luis Rivera , Mendez Lourdes Peña , Rüttimann Ricardo W. , Gast Chris , Bandyopadhyay Ananda Sankar
Published: August 2024

In the context of polio eradication, novel oral polio vaccines for type 2 (nOPV2) were developed, and types 1 and 3 polioviruses are being developed. We aimed to generate trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (tOPV) safety and immunogenicity data as a reference for comparing with novel OPV formulations. This was a single-center, open-label, phase 4 study in March 2016 in the Dominican Republic with healthy children previously vaccinated with ≥3 doses of tOPV receiving one dose of tOPV and vaccine-naïve infants receiving 3 doses of tOPV. Safety and immunogenicity were assessed. No serious adverse reactions or important medical reactions were reported. Seroconversion (SC) rates at Day 28 in children were 32.7%, 36.7%, and 46.9% for types 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and seroprotection (SP) rates 28 days after one dose increased from 89.8% at baseline to 93.9%, 98.0% to 100%, and 83.7% to 98.0% for types 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In infants, SC rates were 88.5%, 98.1%, and 96.2% for types 1, 2, and 3, respectively. SP rates at Day 84 were 93.3%, 100%, and 96.2% for types 1, 2, and 3, respectively. This information can be used as a reference to compare with novel monovalent or trivalent OPVs under development.
The Clinical Effectiveness of Single-Dose Human Papillomavirus Vaccination
Authors: Bao Wanying , He Xinlin , Huang Yue , Liu Rongyu , Li Zhengyu
Published: August 2024

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was initially approved for a three-dose regimen. Due to resource limitations, budget constraints, low acceptance, and poor adherence, global vaccination coverage is only 15%. A single-dose regimen could simplify logistics, reduce costs, and improve accessibility. However, its clinical effectiveness remains debatable. This review systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, including 42 clinical studies, to assess the effectiveness of a single-dose HPV vaccination for preventing HPV infections, cervical abnormalities, and genital warts. We summarized the effectiveness of bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent vaccines across different age groups and buffer periods, and analyzed the factors contributing to the inconsistency of results. The review also provides insights into designing robust future research to inform single-dose HPV vaccination policies and guidelines, highlighting the need for further research to refine vaccination strategies.
Analysis of the Impact of Inactivated A71 Vaccine on the Incidence of Hand–Foot–Mouth Disease in Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Authors: Yang Dandan , Liu Wenmin , Wang Weiping , Deng Pengfei , Ye Chuchu , Yang Laibao , Xue Caoyi
Published: August 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of inactivated A71 (EV-A71) vaccination in Pudong New Area of Shanghai and its effects on the epidemiology and pathogen spectrum of hand–foot–mouth disease (HFMD) in this area, as well as to provide a basis for improving the prevention and control strategy of HFMD in this area. Data were collected from the “Comprehensive Management Cloud Platform for Immunization Program” system from December 2016 to December 2022. The data on HFMD cases from January 2012 to December 2022 were extracted from the “China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention”. A total of 484,056 doses were administered. The vaccination rate of the first dose was 14.03%, and the full vaccination rate was 13.33%. There were significant differences between the first dose and the full vaccination rate in different years (χ2 = 46,538.831, p < 0.001, χ2 = 50,013.946, p < 0.001). A total of 91625 cases of HFMD were reported, including 58 severe cases, and no deaths. Before and after the administration of the inactivated EV-A71 vaccine, there were statistical differences in the distribution of HFMD cases in terms of gender, household registration, occupation, and age (p < 0.001). The etiological surveillance results showed that the rate of enterovirus positivity was 84.15%, with 9.85% being EV-A71, 23.74% CV-A16, and 50.56% non-EV-A71 and non-CV-A16. The coverage rate of the inactivated EV-A71 vaccine in Pudong New Area was not high, and the incidence of HFMD showed a downward trend after the postmarketing of the vaccine. The majority of HFMD infections were non-EV-A71 and non-CV-A16, with CV-A6 accounting for the highest proportion. It is recommended to accelerate the development of combined vaccines to provide more antibody protection.
Enhanced Effects of ISA 207 Adjuvant via Intradermal Route in Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine for Pigs
Authors: Hwang Ji-hyeon , Lee Kwang-Nyeong , Kim Su-Mi , Kim Hyejin , Park Sung-Han , Kim Dong-Wan , Cho Giyoun , Lee Yoon-Hee , Lee Jong-Soo , Park Jong-Hyeon
Published: August 2024

In South Korea, a mandatory nation-wide foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination policy is in place. However, a major side effect of the current method of intramuscular (IM) administration of oil-adjuvanted FMD vaccines is the formation of granulomas in the muscles of pigs. To address this issue, we assessed the possible application of intradermal (ID) vaccination. Initially, we compared the serological immune response in specific pathogen-free pigs inoculated with FMD vaccines formulated with eight different adjuvants, administered twice at the neck site using a syringe with a needle via the ID route. Among the formulations (water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W), oil-in-water (O/W), and polymer nanomaterials), ISA 207 of W/O/W was the most effective in inducing immunogenicity followed by ISA 201 of W/O/W. ISA 207 was further tested in formulations of different antigen doses (12 or 1.2 μg) delivered via both IM and ID routes. All four treatments successfully protected the pigs against FMD virus challenges. To assess the feasibility of the field application of the vaccines with ISA 207, we conducted ID vaccination of conventional pigs using a needle-free device, resulting in the detection of significant levels of neutralizing antibodies. ISA 207 was shown to be superior to ISA 201 in inducing immunogenicity via the ID route. In conclusion, ISA 207 could be a suitable adjuvant for ID vaccination in terms of vaccine efficacy for FMD, allowing for alternate use of ID vaccination and subsequent reduction in the incidences of granuloma formation in the field.
Slaughterhouse Wastewater Properties Assessment by Modern and Classic Methods
Authors: Crainic Ramona , Fechete Radu
Published: August 2024

Advanced 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry and diffusometry methods and VIS-nearIR spectroscopy combined with pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and totally dissolved solids (TDSSs) measurements were used to assess the properties of wastewater collected from a chicken slaughterhouse in each step of the treatment process (wastewater before treatment, biologically treated wastewater, chemically treated wastewater and discharged wastewater) and from sludge. The 1H NMR Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) and Pulsed-Gradient-Stimulated-Echo (PGSE) decay curves recorded for all samples of wastewater were analyzed by inverse Laplace transform (ILT) to obtain the distributions of transverse relaxation times T2 and diffusion coefficient D. The VIS-nearIR total absorbance, T2-values, D-values, pH, EC and TDSS parameters were used for statistical analysis in principal component (PCA). The 1H T2-distributions measured for the slaughterhouse wastewater lie in two main regions reflecting the number of dissolved solids or the distribution of undissolved solids. The PCA analysis successfully differentiates between polluted and less polluted wastewaters and sludge. The wastewater treatment applied by the slaughterhouse is efficient. The recommended methods for wastewater monitoring are the NMR T2- and D-distributions and EC, TDSSs and NMR-D diffusion coefficient. Finally, Machine Learning algorithms are used to provide prediction maps of wastewater treatment stage.
Groundwater Depletion: Current Trends and Future Challenges to Mitigate the Phenomenon
Authors: Kazakis Nerantzis , Mastrocicco Micol , Chalikakis Konstantinos
Published: August 2024

Groundwater constitutes the primary source of drinking water for more than two billion people across the globe [...]
Impacts of River Network Connectivity on Flood Signatures and Severity Regulated by Flood Control Projects
Authors: Lu Miao , Wan Bin , Zhang Xiuhong , Yu Zhihui , Peng Zhuoyue , Fu Xiaolei , Xu Pengcheng , Yao Qianrong
Published: August 2024

The operation of hydraulic projects within plain river networks to mitigate floods can alter river network connectivity patterns, subsequently affecting flood processes. This study employed the MIKE 11 model to simulate flood processes under three different river network connectivity scenarios. Based on the simulations, we propose a method to evaluate flood intensity severity by integrating three flood characteristic indices: Slope of the Flow Duration Curve (SFDC), Rising Climb Index (RCI), and Flashiness Index (FI). These indices assess the overall magnitude of change, the rate of rise, and process fluctuations, respectively. Results indicate that changes in river network connectivity significantly impact RCI and SFDC, more than FI. Compared to the natural river network connectivity mode, changes in urban or watershed river network connectivity resulted in a significant decrease in RCI values by 3–37% or 18–38% across various return periods, with the rate of change in RCI values increasing as the return period lengthened. The impact of urban river network connectivity changes on SFDC within the Changzhou urban area was more pronounced under high-magnitude storm conditions, causing a 61% reduction. Furthermore, changes in watershed river network connectivity had a larger effect on SFDC under low-magnitude storm conditions than under high-intensity storms. Over 80% of the rivers under natural connectivity conditions exhibited flood intensity severity of Level III or higher, particularly in the Chenshu–Qingyang area. The alterations in connectivity significantly decreased flood intensity severity, with 85% to 91% of rivers showing the lowest flood intensity severity of Level I. Under a 100-year rainstorm scenario, flood risk shifted from within the flood protection envelope to outside it in the Changzhou urban area. The results will provide an important scientific basis for regional flood management in plains with dense rivers.
Refined Reservoir Routing (RRR) and Its Application to Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Balance
Authors: Koutsoyiannis Demetris
Published: August 2024

Reservoir routing has been a routine procedure in hydrology, hydraulics and water management. It is typically based on the mass balance (continuity equation) and a conceptual equation relating storage and outflow. If the latter is linear, then there exists an analytical solution of the resulting differential equation, which can directly be utilized to find the outflow from known inflow and to obtain macroscopic characteristics of the process, such as response and residence times, and their distribution functions. Here we refine the reservoir routing framework and extend it to find approximate solutions for nonlinear cases. The proposed framework can also be useful for climatic tasks, such as describing the mass balance of atmospheric carbon dioxide and determining characteristic residence times, which have been an issue of controversy. Application of the theoretical framework results in excellent agreement with real-world data. In this manner, we easily quantify the atmospheric carbon exchanges and obtain reliable and intuitive results, without the need to resort to complex climate models. The mean residence time of atmospheric carbon dioxide turns out to be about four years, and the response time is smaller than that, thus opposing the much longer mainstream estimates.
Jurisprudência dinâmica: a mutabilidade das decisões do STF como instrumento de justiça
Authors: Mello Fábio Nunes Bandeira de
Published: August 2024

O presente artigo aborda a dinâmica jurisprudencial como um componente essencial no contexto do ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, destacando seu papel fundamental na adaptação e evolução do direito diante das constantes mudanças na realidade. A capacidade do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) de ajustar suas decisões às variáveis contemporâneas é crucial para assegurar a concretização dos direitos fundamentais e a manutenção da ordem jurídica. A mutabilidade inerente às decisões do STF é considerada uma característica intrínseca ao sistema jurídico brasileiro, resultado do papel do tribunal como guardião da Constituição. Este trabalho explora como a mutabilidade jurisprudencial pode ser influenciada por uma série de fatores, tais como a evolução das normas e valores sociais, o surgimento de novas questões constitucionais e a retificação de equívocos. Casos emblemáticos, como o reconhecimento da união homoafetiva, são utilizados como exemplos para ilustrar a habilidade do STF em adaptar sua jurisprudência ao progresso do pensamento constitucional e aos princípios da igualdade e não discriminação. A análise ressalta a importância de equilibrar a necessidade de adaptação do direito às transformações sociais com a preservação da segurança jurídica. O artigo destaca que a mutabilidade das decisões do STF, ao alinhar-se aos princípios fundamentais do Estado de Direito, da equidade e da garantia da efetividade dos direitos fundamentais, emerge como um instrumento vital na busca pela justiça. No entanto, são explorados também os limites e desafios inerentes a essa mutabilidade. A prudência é recomendada para garantir o respeito ao princípio da segurança jurídica, mantendo o equilíbrio entre a necessária adaptação e a estabilidade. Além disso, destaca-se a importância de fundamentar as mudanças jurisprudenciais em argumentos sólidos e em um raciocínio jurídico consistente, a fim de evitar arbitrariedades. O desafio de encontrar um equilíbrio adequado entre princípios constitucionais conflitantes é reconhecido, demandando uma análise ponderada. O artigo conclui ressaltando que uma análise cuidadosa dos desafios relacionados à mutabilidade das decisões do STF é fundamental para garantir que o processo seja conduzido de maneira justa, equilibrada e em consonância com os valores democráticos compartilhados pela sociedade brasileira.
Os benefícios da reposição hormonal no climatério: uma revisão de literatura
Authors: Oliveira Isabella Eduarda de Godoy , Santana Marina Lopes , Fruet Giovanna Santos , Cruz Isabela Chein Andere , Cavalheiro Maria Clara Guedes , Camargo Theo Rezende , Sousa Kerolyn Keshley de
Published: August 2024

A reposição hormonal no climatério, fase de transição que precede a menopausa, oferece uma série de benefícios significativos para mulheres. Primordialmente, ajuda a aliviar os sintomas vasomotores, como fogachos e suores noturnos, que podem impactar negativamente a qualidade de vida. Esses sintomas são reduzidos pela reposição de estrogênio, melhorando o conforto diário e o sono das pacientes. Além disso, a terapia hormonal pode contribuir para a saúde óssea, prevenindo a perda de densidade óssea e reduzindo o risco de osteoporose e fraturas. Dessa forma, foi realizada uma revisão de literatura nas principais bases de dados, definindo 11 artigos para a confecção do presente estudo. Dessa forma, concluiu-se que além dos benefícios físicos, a terapia hormonal pode ter impactos psicológicos positivos, reduzindo sintomas de ansiedade, irritabilidade e depressão associados ao climatério. No entanto, é essencial que a terapia seja individualizada, considerando os riscos e benefícios para cada paciente, incluindo a monitorização regular para minimizar possíveis efeitos adversos, como aumento do risco de câncer de mama e trombose.
Avaliação da utilização de plantas medicinais por alunos dos cursos de saúde de uma faculdade particular de Maceió/AL para Transtornos do Sono e Ansiedade
Authors: Barbosa Roberta Pinto de Campos , Barbosa Renata Pinto de Campos , Camelo Leonardo Sampaio , Santos Mariana da Silva , Aquino Anansa Bezerra de
Published: August 2024

As plantas medicinais são ferramentas terapêuticas importantes no tratamento de diversas patologias, pois são dotadas de princípios ativos que, se administrados corretamente, podem provocar ações farmacológicas extremamente positivas. Assim, a busca por terapias visando melhorar a ansiedade e distúrbios do sono por estudantes pode ser uma tendência atual, incluindo a procura por plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos por acadêmicos. A presente pesquisa objetiva avaliar a utilização de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos por alunos dos cursos de saúde (Medicina, Farmácia, Fisioterapia e Odontologia) em uma faculdade particular em Maceió - AL para distúrbios do sono e ansiedade. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo e qualitativo, comparativo, do tipo transversal, no Centro Universitário CESMAC, com amostra obtida por meio da calculadora SurveyMonkey, usando como padrão de confiança o valor de 95% e uma margem de erro 5%. A partir do número estimado de alunos (população total), fornecido pelas coordenações dos cursos de Medicina, Farmácia, Fisioterapia e Odontologia, totalizando 268 alunos. O presente projeto foi submetido ao Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (CEP) no dia 31 de agosto de 2022, via Plataforma Brasil, e enviado aos representantes de turma mediante aprovação. Um total de 174 respostas foram obtidas, correspondendo a 65% da amostra calculada. O estudo demonstrou que a maioria dos participantes da pesquisa é jovem, tendo uma média de idade de 22.98 anos, com uso de fitoterapia inferior a 50%. Quanto à amostragem analisada, a maioria apresenta conhecimento sobre a prática fitoterápica (90%). Observou-se um perfil ansioso importante entre os estudantes da área da saúde e um potencial prejuízo funcional, inclusive na qualidade do sono. Houve uma diferença significativa entre o uso de fitoterápicos por alunos do início do curso e do final.