bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Charging and Discharging of Electric Vehicles in Power Systems: An Updated and Detailed Review of Methods, Control Structures, Objectives, and Optimization Methodologies
Authors: Aghajan-Eshkevari Saleh , Azad Sasan , Nazari-Heris Morteza , Ameli Mohammad Taghi , Asadi Somayeh
Published: February 2022

As a result of fossil fuel prices and the associated environmental issues, electric vehicles (EVs) have become a substitute for fossil-fueled vehicles. Their use is expected to grow significantly in a short period of time. However, the widespread use of EVs and their large-scale integration into the power system will pose numerous operational and technical challenges. To avoid these issues, it is essential to manage the charging and discharging of EVs. EVs may also be considered sources of dispersed energy storage and used to increase the network’s operation and efficiency with reasonable charge and discharge management. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive and updated review of control structures of EVs in charging stations, objectives of EV management in power systems, and optimization methodologies for charge and discharge management of EVs in energy systems. The goals that can be accomplished with efficient charge and discharge management of EVs are divided into three groups in this paper (network activity, economic, and environmental goals) and analyzed in detail. Additionally, the biggest obstacles that EVs face when participating in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications are examined in this paper.
Sustainable Development of China’s Maternity Insurance System in the Context of Population Policy Changes: Using a Grounded Theory Approach
Authors: Zhang Xiaotian , Liu Xiaoyun , Wang Yang , Zhou Lulin , Cheng Xiaoran
Published: February 2022

Background: Declining birth rates have become a challenge for many countries around the world. This study aimed to analyze the influencing factors of the sustainable development of the maternity insurance system and find ways to promote higher birth rates. Methods: We used four multi-stakeholder workshops and in-depth interviews to bring together three groups of people: maternity insurance system developers, implementers, and researchers. Then, we analyzed the factors influencing the sustainability of the maternity insurance system using grounded theory. Results: In this study, the most powerful and effective intervention measures for China in the short term include the policy of merging national health insurance with maternity insurance and a dynamic payment rate policy. In the long term, expanding the coverage of the maternity insurance system and improving the management level of the maternity insurance fund are effective intervention measures. Conclusion: This study subdivides the factors influencing the sustainable development of the maternity insurance system, which has certain theoretical significance and can be used as the theoretical basis for quantitative and empirical research model construction in the future.
Business Incubators and Survival of Startups in Times of COVID-19
Authors: De Esteban Escobar Débora , De-Pablos-Heredero Carmen , Montes-Botella José Luis , Blanco Jiménez Francisco José , García Antón
Published: February 2022

This research seeks to understand the situation that entrepreneurs have experienced during COVID-19 and the impact that this has caused on the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The question is whether business incubators as facilitating institutions of entrepreneurship have been determinants for the survival of startups. The study was conducted using a statistical methodology of analysis based on the application of structural equations modeling (SEM) on a theoretical framework built and validated empirically in a representative sample of entrepreneurs from the Community of Madrid (Spain). The results obtained show that the different tools, actions, advice, and services offered by the business incubators, during confinement to the present, have been key to the survival of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, which in turn promotes the advancement of the productive industry of our country.
Difference of Soil Aggregates Composition, Stability, and Organic Carbon Content between Eroded and Depositional Areas after Adding Exogenous Organic Materials
Authors: Han Mingzhao , Wang Miaomiao , Zhai Guoqing , Li Yongjiang , Yu Supu , Wang Enheng
Published: February 2022

Black soil in northeastern China has suffered widespread soil degradation due to long-term cultivation while causing eroded–depositional landscapes, leading to soil-associated carbon redistribution. In agricultural systems, adding exogenous organic material to degraded soil is a common measure to improve soil aggregate stability and soil quality. However, differences in soil properties may alter the decomposition and turnover of organic material in aggregates. Using a uniform method to restore the eroded (E) and depositional (D) soils is inefficient. Therefore, an indoor constant temperature and humidity incubation experiment with the addition of three organic materials, namely, straw (S), biochar (B), and swine manure (M), was designed with an equal amount of carbon. Soil aggregate composition, stability, and organic carbon from eroded and depositional soils were analyzed for evaluating the amendment efficiency of soil quality by exogenous organic material addition. The main results were as follows: adding straw and swine manure could effectively promote >2-mm aggregates formation (E: 7.1%, 8.8%; D: 17.3%, 8.6%) and significantly improved the mean weight diameter (MWD) (E: 0.45 mm, 0.52 mm; D: 0.96 mm, 0.54 mm), while the addition of biochar significantly increased the proportion of 0.25–2-mm aggregates (E: 7.9%; D: 10.9%), but the effect of improving MWD was less than straw and swine manure. All the three organic materials could significantly increase soil total organic carbon (TOC) (S, B and M: 1.95, 3.12 and 2.46 g·kg−1) in the eroded area, and the effect of biochar was the best, whereas it was not significant for the soil in the depositional area. Specially, adding swine manure and adding straw is more beneficial to the restoration of eroded areas and depositional areas, respectively.
What Governance Failures Reveal about Water Resources Management in a Municipality of Brazil
Authors: Nicollier Valérie , Cordeiro Bernardes Marcos Eduardo , Kiperstok Asher
Published: February 2022

Humans have historically chosen to develop their cities close to rivers due to the need for water and food security. In Brazil, water security represents a growing challenge, despite advances in the National Water Resources Management System. While municipalities are responsible for integrating the various public policies that impact urban rivers, such as the environment, basic sanitation, and urban planning, only states and the federal government, along with watershed committees, have a formal role in the National Water Resources Management System. The goal of this paper is to assess the Brazilian water governance system from the perspective of municipalities. The OECD water governance framework is applied to a medium-sized Brazilian municipality (c. 200,000 inhabitants), Itabuna, Bahia state, through perception-based and objective data. Studies dealing with water governance do not address this reality, despite representing more than 90% Brazilian municipalities and approximately half of the country’s population. Several water governance failures were identified, such as connections between administrative and political failures, which highlight the tragic consequences of hydrological issues in this region. Developing integrated water resources’ management, as fixed in national and state laws, depends on the effective participation of the municipality. This study discusses the importance of water governance at the municipal scale.
Ultra-Sensitive Immuno-Sensing Platform Based on Gold-Coated Interdigitated Electrodes for the Detection of Parathion
Authors: Nagabooshanam Shalini , Roy Souradeep , Wadhwa Shikha , Mathur Ashish , Krishnamurthy Satheesh , Bharadwaj Lalit Mohan
Published: February 2022

Pesticides are unavoidable in agriculture to protect crops from pests and insects. Organophosphates (OPs) are a class of pesticides that are more harmful because of the irreversible inhibition reaction with acetylcholinesterase enzyme, thereby posing serious health hazards in human beings. In the present work, a sensitive and selective immuno-sensing platform is developed using gold inter-digitized electrodes (Au-IDEs) as substrates, integrated with a microfluidic platform having the microfluidic well capacity of 10 µL. Au-IDE having digit width of 10 µm and gap length of 5 µm was used in this study. The surface morphological analysis by field-effect scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed the direct information regarding the modification of Au-IDEs with anti-parathion (Anti-PT) antibodies. In SEM analysis, it was seen that the Au-IDE surface was smooth in contrast to the Anti-PT modified surface, which is supported by the AFM studies showing the surface roughness of ~2.02 nm for Au-IDE surface and ~15.86 nm for Anti-PT modified surface. Further, Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis confirms the immobilization of Anti-PT by the bond vibrations upon the successive modification of Au-IDE with -OH groups, amine groups after modifying with APTES, and the amide bond formation after incubation in Anti-PT antibody. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was carried out for the electrochemical characterization and for testing the sensing performances of the fabricated electrode. The developed immuno-sensor provided a linear range of detection from 0.5 pg/L–1 µg/L, with a limit of detection (LoD) of 0.66 ng/L and sensitivity of 4.1 MΩ/ngL−1/cm2. The sensor response was also examined with real samples (pomegranate juice) with good accuracy, exhibiting a shelf life of 25 days. The miniaturized sensing platform, along with its better sensing performance, has huge potential to be integrated into portable electronics, leading to suitable field applications of pesticide screening devices.
Thermal Modal Performance of Composite Laminates Embedded with Anti-Symmetric Oblique Coupling Gradient Pre-Strained SMA Wires for Suppressing Resonance
Authors: Huang Yizhe , Shi Yuanyuan
Published: February 2022

As an extension of conventional gradient, anti-symmetric oblique coupling gradient has a superior modal modification ability on composite laminates embedded with pre-strained shape memory alloys (SMA) wires, which is beneficial to suppress modal resonance of composite laminates in the thermal environment. This paper presents an anti-symmetric oblique coupling gradient model of SMA along the thickness direction. That is, the gradient model of SMA wires’ orientation and the positive and negative gradient model of SMA volume fraction. Considering the internal force of composite laminates composed of the pre-strain recovery force of SMA and the thermal expansion force of the substrate, the free vibration equation of composite laminates with additional internal forces energy is derived from first-order shear plate theory and Hamilton principle. The influence of coupling gradient parameters on the thermal modal performance of SMA composite laminates is analyzed and verified by experiments. The proposed anti-symmetric oblique coupling gradient SMA wires’ distribution form effectively exerts the recovery stress generated by SMA tensile pre-strain, i.e., effectively improves the stiffness and critical buckling temperature. Coupling gradient distribution broadens the frequency modulation range, which makes the fine regulation of the natural frequency and critical buckling temperature feasible.
Applications of Energy-Based Evaluation Method of Element Importance to Grid Structures
Authors: Wang Liwu , Feng Jian , Xu Yixiang , Zhuang Liping , Zhang Qian , Cai Jianguo
Published: February 2022

It is necessary to perform the robustness design for the progressive collapse resistance of grid structures. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive index to evaluate the member importance. An evaluation method on element importances is proposed based on the element strain energy and element removal technology. The element importance coefficients can be calculated based on the change of strain energy vectors after the removal of analyzed elements using ANSYS. The influence of the loading pattern, boundary condition, and geometric parameters of square pyramid grid structures are investigated. Moreover, the other three types of spatial grids are introduced to explore the difference in element importance distributions. The considerable difference in element importance coefficient distribution for different grid structures shows that it is essential to establish a general program for rapid model robustness analysis. This principle in this work can be easily integrated into the existing design and analysis platform to make up for this shortcoming.
Evaluation of Classification for Project Features with Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Fan Ching-Lung
Published: February 2022

Due to the asymmetry of project features, it is difficult for project managers to make a reliable prediction of the decision-making process. Big data research can establish more predictions through the results of accurate classification. Machine learning (ML) has been widely applied for big data analytic and processing, which includes model symmetry/asymmetry of various prediction problems. The purpose of this study is to achieve symmetry in the developed decision-making solution based on the optimal classification results. Defects are important metrics of construction management performance. Accordingly, the use of suitable algorithms to comprehend the characteristics of these defects and train and test massive data on defects can conduct the effectual classification of project features. This research used 499 defective classes and related features from the Public Works Bid Management System (PWBMS). In this article, ML algorithms, such as support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), decision tree (DT), and Bayesian network (BN), were employed to predict the relationship between three target variables (engineering level, project cost, and construction progress) and defects. To formulate and subsequently cross-validate an optimal classification model, 1015 projects were considered in this work. Assessment indicators showed that the accuracy of ANN for classifying the engineering level is 93.20%, and the accuracy values of SVM for classifying the project cost and construction progress are 85.32% and 79.01%, respectively. In general, the SVM yielded better classification results from these project features. This research was based on an ML algorithm evaluation system for buildings as a classification model for project features with the goal of aiding project managers to comprehend defects.
“I’m Afraid I Can’t Do That, Dave”; Getting to Know Your Buddies in a Human–Agent Team
Authors: Schadd Maarten P. D. , Schoonderwoerd Tjeerd A. J. , van den Bosch Karel , Visker Olaf H. , Haije Tjalling , Veltman Kim H. J.
Published: February 2022

The rapid progress in artificial intelligence enables technology to more and more become a partner of humans in a team, rather than being a tool. Even more than in human teams, partners of human–agent teams have different strengths and weaknesses, and they must acknowledge and utilize their respective capabilities. Coordinated team collaboration can be accomplished by smartly designing the interactions within human–agent teams. Such designs are called Team Design Patterns (TDPs). We investigated the effects of a specific TDP on proactive task reassignment. This TDP supports team members to dynamically allocate tasks by utilizing their knowledge about the task demands and about the capabilities of team members. In a pilot study, agent–agent teams were used to study the effectiveness of proactive task reassignment. Results showed that this TDP improves a team’s performance, provided that partners have accurate knowledge representations of each member’s skill level. The main study of this paper addresses the effects of task reassignments in a human–agent team. It was hypothesized that when agents provide explanations when issuing and responding to task reassignment requests, this will enhance the quality of the human’s mental model. Results confirmed that participants developed more accurate mental models when agent-partners provide explanations. This did not result in a higher performance of the human–agent team, however. The study contributes to our understanding of designing effective collaboration in human–agent teams.
Meso-Macro Simulations of the Forming of 3D Non-Crimp Woven Fabrics
Authors: Wang Jie , Wang Peng , Hamila Nahiene , Boisse Philippe
Published: February 2022

The RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) manufacturing process is largely used for the fabrication of textile composites. During the forming phase, the deformations of composite reinforcements at the mesoscopic scale, such as the positions, orientations, and changes in the sections of deformed yarns, are essential to calculate the permeability of the reinforcement in the injection phase and evaluate the mechanical behaviors of the final products. However, the mesoscopic models of the forming simulation lead to a high computational cost due to the numerous yarns and their complex contacts, especially for thick reinforcements. In this paper, a macro-meso method for predicting the mesoscopic deformations of composite reinforcements with a reasonable calculation time is presented in this paper. The proposed multi-scale method allows for the linkage of the macroscopic simulation of reinforcements with the mesoscopic modelling of an RVE (Representative Volume Element) through a macro-meso embedded approach. Based on macroscopic simulations using a 3D hyperelastic constitutive law, an embedded mesoscopic geometry is first deduced. The macro-meso embedded solution can lead to excessive extensions of yarns. To overcome this inconvenience, a local mesoscopic simulation based on the macro-meso embedded analysis is carried out on a single RVE. Finally, the multi-scale forming simulations are investigated in comparison with the experimental results, illustrating the efficiency of the proposed method.
New Models to Reduce the Health Risks of Informal WEEE Recyclers in MTN Phone Village, Rumukurushi, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Okwu Ogechukwu , Hursthouse Andrew , Viza Evi , Idoko Linus
Published: February 2022

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management in Port Harcourt, an oil-producing city in Nigeria, has become an environmental challenge for the location. WEEE recycling is predominantly managed by informal recyclers, who lack the skills to perform risk-free recycling, hence raising health risks to individuals in associated communities and degrading the environment. Formal recycling, which embraces the best practices for effective WEEE management, is faced with several limitations, such as a lack of detailed guidelines on waste recycling, reuse, and final disposal techniques, with no opportunities for landfilling. A qualitative approach was adopted for this study. Data were gathered via questionnaires and analysed graphically. A background literature review of the assessment of informal recycling methods and associated challenges was performed. Hence, a new concept for the local management of WEEE processing was introduced. This concept limits the role of informal recyclers to WEEE collection. In this case, informal recyclers are paid for WEEE collection; they no longer engage in further WEEE processing. The results show that 48% and 40% agree to partner and collaborate with government agencies, respectively. Conversely, 52% and 40% agree and strongly agree, respectively, to limit their activities to WEEE collection only if the government is willing to pay for the services.
Functional EL-HN Fragment as a Potent Candidate Vaccine for the Prevention of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype E
Authors: Li Zhen , Lu Jiansheng , Tan Xiao , Wang Rong , Xu Qing , Yu Yunzhou , Yang Zhixin
Published: February 2022

Clostridium botulinum produces botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), which is the most toxic known protein and the causative agent of human botulism. BoNTs have similar structures and functions, comprising three functional domains: catalytic domain (L), translocation domain (HN), and receptor-binding domain (Hc). In the present study, BoNT/E was selected as a model toxin to further explore the immunological significance of each domain. The EL-HN fragment (L and HN domains of BoNT/E) retained the enzymatic activity without in vivo neurotoxicity. Extensive investigations showed EL-HN functional fragment had the highest protective efficacy and contained some functional neutralizing epitopes. Further experiments demonstrated the EL-HN provided a superior protective effect compared with the EHc or EHc and EL-HN combination. Thus, the EL-HN played an important role in immune protection against BoNT/E and could provide an excellent platform for the design of botulinum vaccines and neutralizing antibodies. The EL-HN has the potential to replace EHc or toxoid as the optimal immunogen for the botulinum vaccine.
Efficacy of Fumonisin Esterase in Piglets as Animal Model for Fumonisin Detoxification in Humans: Pilot Study Comparing Intraoral to Intragastric Administration
Authors: Neckermann Kaat , Antonissen Gunther , Doupovec Barbara , Schatzmayr Dian , Gathumbi James , Delcenserie Véronique , Uhlig Silvio , Croubels Siska
Published: February 2022

Fumonisins, a group of highly prevalent and toxic mycotoxins, are suspected to be causal agents of several diseases in animals and humans. In the animal feed industry, fumonisin esterase is used as feed additive to prevent mycotoxicosis caused by fumonisins. In humans, a popular dosage form for dietary supplements, with high patient acceptance for oral intake, is capsule ingestion. Thus, fumonisin esterase provided in a capsule could be an effective strategy against fumonisin intoxication in humans. To determine the efficacy of fumonisin esterase through capsule ingestion, two modes of application were compared using piglets in a small-scale preliminary study. The enzyme was administered intraorally (in-feed analogue) or intragastrically (capsule analogue), in combination with fumonisin B1 (FB1). Biomarkers for FB1 exposure; namely FB1, hydrolysed FB1 (HFB1) and partially hydrolysed forms (pHFB1a and pHFB1b), were measured both in serum and faeces using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, and toxicokinetic parameters were calculated. Additionally, the serum sphinganine/sphingosine (Sa/So) ratio, a biomarker of effect, was determined using LC-MS/MS. A significantly higher Sa/So ratio was shown in the placebo group compared to both esterase treatments, demonstrating the efficacy of the esterase. Moreover, a significant decrease in serum FB1 area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and an increase of faecal HFB1 AUC were observed after intraoral esterase administration. However, these effects were not observed with statistical significance after intragastric esterase administration with the current sample size.
Impact of Warm Dark Matter on the Cosmic Neutrino Background Anisotropies
Authors: Tully Christopher G. , Zhang Gemma
Published: February 2022

The Cosmic Neutrino Background (CνB) anisotropies for massive neutrinos are a unique probe of large-scale structure formation. The redshift-distance measure is completely different for massive neutrinos as compared to electromagnetic radiation. The CνB anisotropies in massive neutrinos grow in response to non-relativistic motion in gravitational potentials seeded by relatively high k-modes. Differences in the early phases of large-scale structure formation in warm dark matter (WDM) versus cold dark matter (CDM) cosmologies have an impact on the magnitude of the CνB anisotropies for contributions to the angular power spectrum that peak at high k-modes. We take the examples of WDM consisting of 2, 3, or 7 keV sterile neutrinos and show that the CνB anisotropies for 0.05 eV neutrinos drop off at high-l multipole moment in the angular power spectrum relative to CDM. At the same angular scales that one can observe baryonic acoustical oscillations in the CMB, the CνB anisotropies begin to become sensitive to differences in WDM and CDM cosmologies. The precision measurement of high-l multipoles in the CνB neutrino sky map is a potential possibility for the PTOLEMY experiment with thin film targets of spin-polarized atomic tritium superfluid that exhibit significant quantum liquid amplification for non-relativistic relic neutrino capture.
Two Approaches to Hamiltonian Bigravity
Authors: Soloviev Vladimir Olegovich
Published: February 2022

Bigravity is one of the most natural modifications of General Relativity (GR), as it is based on the equivalence principle. However, its canonical structure appears rather complicated because of the unusual form of the interaction between two metrics. As a consequence, there are different approaches that are difficult to compare in detail. This work is a first attempt to obtain a synthetic picture of the Hamiltonian formalism for bigravity. Here, we are trying to combine two rather different approaches to gain a binocular view of the theory. The first publications on the subject were based on metric formalism. It was proved that both massive gravity and bigravity with de Rham–Gabadadze–Tolley (dRGT) potential were free of Boulware–Deser (BD) ghosts. This proof was based on the transformation of variables involving a 3×3-matrix which could be treated as the root of a quadratic equation involving two spatial metrics and a new 3-vector introduced instead of the standard shift variable. Therefore, this matrix occurred as an implicit function of the abovementioned variables. After a substantial amount of time, it became possible to calculate the algebra of constraints in full using this method. However, in another approach also based on metric variables and implicit functions, similar calculations were completed earlier. It is not a new matrix, but the potential itself has been taken as an implicit function of two spatial metrics and four functions constructed of two pairs of lapses and shifts. Finally, a straightforward route to canonical bigravity is to apply tetrad (or vierbein) variables. The matrix square root involved in the dRGT potential can be explicitly extracted if tetrads fulfill the symmetry condition. A full treatment has been developed in first-order formalism by treating tetrads and connections as independent variables. In that case, the theory contains many more variables and constraints than in metric formalism. An essential simplification occurs in second-order vierbein formalism. The potential is given explicitly as a polynomial of bilinear combinations of the two tetrads. The 3×3-matrix introduced in the pioneer papers can be expressed explicitly through canonical coordinates, and the celebrated transformation of variables arises in the Dirac constraint analysis.
Observational Cosmology with Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: de Dios Rojas Olvera Juan , Gómez-Vargas Isidro , Vázquez Jose Alberto
Published: February 2022

In cosmology, the analysis of observational evidence is very important when testing theoretical models of the Universe. Artificial neural networks are powerful and versatile computational tools for data modelling and have recently been considered in the analysis of cosmological data. The main goal of this paper is to provide an introduction to artificial neural networks and to describe some of their applications to cosmology. We present an overview on the fundamentals of neural networks and their technical details. Through three examples, we show their capabilities in the modelling of cosmological data, numerical tasks (saving computational time), and the classification of stellar objects. Artificial neural networks offer interesting qualities that make them viable alternatives for data analysis in cosmological research.
Statistical Thermal Model for Particle Production in pp Collisions at RHIC and LHC Energies
Authors: Chen Jiayu , Li Baochun , Wen Xinjian , Dong Hongwei
Published: February 2022

In this paper, an improved multi-source thermal model is used to analyze the transverse momentum spectra in pp collisions at high energies, ranging from sNN = 62.4 GeV to 7 TeV. Via a detailed comparison between the model results and experimental data at RHIC and LHC energies, the thermodynamic properties of particle production are decided. It is shown that the excitation factors of emission sources depend linearly on lnsNN in the framework. Based on the variation regularity of the source excitation factors, transverse momentum spectra are predicted in pp collisions at higher energies; potential future pp colliders operating at sNN = 33 and 100 TeV.
A Geometric Classification of World Urban Road Networks
Authors: Badhrudeen Mohamed , Derrible Sybil , Verma Trivik , Kermanshah Amirhassan , Furno Angelo
Published: February 2022

This article presents a method to uncover universal patterns and similarities in the urban road networks of the 80 most populated cities in the world. To that end, we used degree distribution, link length distribution, and intersection angle distribution as topological and geometric properties of road networks. Moreover, we used ISOMAP, a nonlinear dimension reduction technique, to better express variations across cities, and we used K-means to cluster cities. Overall, we uncovered one universal pattern between the number of nodes and links across all cities and identified five classes of cities. Gridiron Cities tend to have many 90° angles. Long Link Cities have a disproportionately high number of long links and include mostly Chinese cities that developed towards the end of the 20th century. Organic Cities tend to have short links and more non-90 and 180° angles; they also include relatively more historical cities. Hybrid Cities tend to have both short and long links; they include cities that evolved both historically and recently. Finally, Mixed Cities exhibit features from all other classes. These findings can help transport planners and policymakers identify peer cities that share similar characteristics and use their characteristics to craft tailored transport policies.
Soybean Extracts (Glycine Max) with Curcuma, Boswellia, Pinus and Urtica Are Able to Improve Quality of Life in Patients Affected by CP/CPPS: Is the Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine IL-8 Level Decreasing the Physiopathological Link?
Authors: Cai Tommaso , Anceschi Umberto , Tamanini Irene , Verze Paolo , Palmieri Alessandro
Published: February 2022

The present study evaluates the efficacy of a combination of soyabean extracts associated with Curcuma Longa, Boswellia, Pinus pinaster and Urtica dioica (PROSTAFLOG®) in patients affected by CP/CPPS, through the evaluation of interleukin-8 (IL-8) plasma seminal levels. All patients diagnosed with CP/CPPS, attending the same urologic center, were enrolled in this randomized, controlled phase III study. Participants were randomized to receive oral capsules of PROSTAFLOG® (two capsules at bedtime every 24 h) or Ibuprofen 600 mg (1 tablet daily), lasting for a period of four weeks. NIH-CPSI and SF-36 questionnaires, as urological evaluations with a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), the Meares–Stamey test, and IL-8 dosage in seminal plasma were performed at baseline and at 3 months follow-up. A total of 77 patients (mean age of 34.5 ± 6.1) were enrolled (PROSTAFLOG® (n = 39); ibuprofen (n = 38)) in the study. At 3 months, in the PROSTAFLOG® series, 69.2% of patients showed a significant reduction in the NIH-CPSI score, compared with 34.2% in the ibuprofen group (p < 0001). The mean IL-8 levels were significantly lower in the PROSTAFLOG® cohort compared with the ibuprofen series (p < 0.0001), while a significant reduction in the IL-8 level between the enrolment and last follow-up evaluation was also observed in this group (p < 0.0001). Additionally, a significant reduction in the volume of the seminal vesicles assessed by TRUS was also found in the PROSTAFLOG® series during the observational timeframe (18.3 ± 7.1 mL vs. 11.2 ± 2.4 mL (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, PROSTAFLOG® significantly improves the QoL in patients affected by CP/CPPS and it provides a significant reduction in IL-8 seminal levels as the overall seminal vesicles volume.
A Highly Divergent Hepacivirus Identified in Domestic Ducks Further Reveals the Genetic Diversity of Hepaciviruses
Authors: Zhang Xue-Lian , Yao Xin-Yan , Zhang Yu-Qian , Lv Zhi-Hang , Liu Hong , Sun Jing , Shao Jian-Wei
Published: February 2022

Hepaciviruses represent a group of viruses that pose a significant threat to the health of humans and animals. During the last decade, new members of the genus Hepacivirus have been identified in various host species worldwide, indicating the widespread distribution of genetically diversified hepaciviruses among animals. By applying unbiased high-throughput sequencing, a novel hepacivirus, provisionally designated Hepacivirus Q, was discovered in duck liver samples collected in Guangdong province of China. Genetic analysis revealed that the complete polyprotein of Hepacivirus Q shares 23.9–46.6% amino acid identity with other representatives of the genus Hepacivirus. Considering the species demarcation criteria for hepaciviruses, Hepacivirus Q should be regarded as a novel hepacivirus species of the genus Hepacivirus within the family Flaviviridae. Phylogenetic analyses also indicate the large genetic distance between Hepacivirus Q and other known hepaciviruses. Molecular detection of this novel hepacivirus showed an overall prevalence of 15.9% in duck populations in partial areas of Guangdong province. These results expand knowledge about the genetic diversity and evolution of hepaciviruses and indicate that genetically divergent hepaciviruses are circulating in duck populations in China.
Development and Evaluation of a Combined Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) Live Vaccine
Authors: Safini Najete , Elmejdoub Soufiane , Bamouh Zahra , Jazouli Mohamed , Hamdi Jihane , Boumart Zineb , Rhazi Halima , Tadlaoui Khalid Omari , El Harrak Mehdi
Published: February 2022

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm) is the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease of cattle caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). LSD and CBPP are both transboundary diseases spreading in the same areas of Africa and Asia. A combination vaccine to control CBPP and LSD offers significant value to small-scale livestock keepers as a single administration. Access to a bivalent vaccine may improve vaccination rates for both pathogens. In the present study, we evaluated the LSDV/CBPP live combined vaccine by testing the generation of virus neutralizing antibodies, immunogenicity, and safety on target species. In-vitro assessment of the Mycoplasma effect on LSDV growth in cell culture was evaluated by infectious virus titration and qPCR during 3 serial passages, whereas in-vivo interference was assessed through the antibody response to vaccination. This combined Mmm/LSDV vaccine could be used to protect cattle against both diseases with a single vaccination in the endemic countries. There were no adverse reactions detected in this study and inoculated cattle produced high levels of specific antibodies starting from day 7 post-vaccination, suggesting that this combination vaccine is both safe and effective.
Unlike Chloroquine, Mefloquine Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Physiologically Relevant Cells
Authors: Sacramento Carolina Q. , Fintelman-Rodrigues Natalia , Dias Suelen S. G. , Temerozo Jairo R. , Da Silva Aline de Paula D. , da Silva Carine S. , Blanco Camilla , Ferreira André C. , Mattos Mayara , Soares Vinicius C. , Pereira-Dutra Filipe , Miranda Milene Dias , Barreto-Vieira Debora F. , da Silva Marcos Alexandre N. , Santos Suzana S. , Torres Mateo , Chaves Otávio Augusto , Rajoli Rajith K. R. , Paccanaro Alberto , Owen Andrew , Bou-Habib Dumith Chequer , Bozza Patrícia T. , Souza Thiago Moreno L.
Published: February 2022

Despite the development of specific therapies against severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the continuous investigation of the mechanism of action of clinically approved drugs could provide new information on the druggable steps of virus–host interaction. For example, chloroquine (CQ)/hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) lacks in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2 in TMPRSS2-expressing cells, such as human pneumocyte cell line Calu-3, and likewise, failed to show clinical benefit in the Solidarity and Recovery clinical trials. Another antimalarial drug, mefloquine, which is not a 4-aminoquinoline like CQ/HCQ, has emerged as a potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 antiviral in vitro and has also been previously repurposed for respiratory diseases. Here, we investigated the anti-SARS-CoV-2 mechanism of action of mefloquine in cells relevant for the physiopathology of COVID-19, such as Calu-3 cells (that recapitulate type II pneumocytes) and monocytes. Molecular pathways modulated by mefloquine were assessed by differential expression analysis, and confirmed by biological assays. A PBPK model was developed to assess mefloquine’s optimal doses for achieving therapeutic concentrations. Mefloquine inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in Calu-3, with an EC50 of 1.2 µM and EC90 of 5.3 µM. It reduced SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels in monocytes and prevented virus-induced enhancement of IL-6 and TNF-α. Mefloquine reduced SARS-CoV-2 entry and synergized with Remdesivir. Mefloquine’s pharmacological parameters are consistent with its plasma exposure in humans and its tissue-to-plasma predicted coefficient points suggesting that mefloquine may accumulate in the lungs. Altogether, our data indicate that mefloquine’s chemical structure could represent an orally available host-acting agent to inhibit virus entry.
Zika Virus Infection of Sertoli Cells Alters Protein Expression Involved in Activated Immune and Antiviral Response Pathways, Carbohydrate Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Rashid Mahamud-ur , Lao Ying , Spicer Victor , Coombs Kevin M.
Published: February 2022

Zika virus (ZIKV), a re-emerging virus, causes congenital brain abnormalities and Guillain–Barré syndrome. It is mainly transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, but infections are also linked to sexual transmissions. Infectious ZIKV has been isolated, and viral RNA has been detected in semen over a year after the onset of initial symptoms, but the mode of long-term persistence is not yet understood. ZIKV can proliferate in human Sertoli cells (HSerC) for several weeks in vitro, suggesting that it might be a reservoir for persistent ZIKV infection. This study determined proteomic changes in HSerC during ZIKV infections by TMT-mass spectrometry analysis. Levels of 4416 unique Sertoli cell proteins were significantly altered at 3, 5, and 7 days after ZIKV infection. The significantly altered proteins include enzymes, transcription regulators, transporters, kinases, peptidases, transmembrane receptors, cytokines, ion channels, and growth factors. Many of these proteins are involved in pathways associated with antiviral response, antigen presentation, and immune cell activation. Several immune response pathway proteins were significantly activated during infection, e.g., interferon signaling, T cell receptor signaling, IL-8 signaling, and Th1 signaling. The altered protein levels were linked to predicted activation of immune response in HSerC, which was predicted to suppress ZIKV infection. ZIKV infection also affected the levels of critical regulators of gluconeogenesis and glycolysis pathways such as phosphoglycerate mutase, phosphoglycerate kinase, and enolase. Interestingly, many significantly altered proteins were associated with cardiac hypertrophy, which may induce heart failure in infected patients. In summary, our research contributes to a better understanding of ZIKV replication dynamics and infection in Sertoli cells.
Fighting Fire with Fire: Immunogenicity of Viral Vectored Vaccines against COVID-19
Authors: Chang Aiquan , Yu Jingyou
Published: February 2022

The persistent expansion of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) requires the rapid development of safe and effective countermeasures to reduce transmission, morbidity, and mortality. Several highly efficacious vaccines are actively being deployed around the globe to expedite mass vaccination and control of COVID-19. Notably, viral vectored vaccines (VVVs) are among the first to be approved for global distribution and use. In this review, we examine the humoral, cellular, and innate immune responses elicited by viral vectors, and the immune correlates of protection against COVID-19 in preclinical and clinical studies. We also discuss the durability and breadth of immune response induced by VVVs and boosters. Finally, we present challenges associated with VVVs and offer solutions for overcoming certain limitations of current vaccine regimens. Collectively, this review provides the rationale for expanding the portfolio of VVVs against SARS-CoV-2.
Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy after Implementation of a Mass Vaccination Campaign
Authors: Gomes Inês Afonso , Soares Patricia , Rocha João Victor , Gama Ana , Laires Pedro Almeida , Moniz Marta , Pedro Ana Rita , Dias Sónia , Goes Ana Rita , Leite Andreia , Nunes Carla
Published: February 2022

An online cross-sectional study on COVID-19 vaccination adhesion was conducted in Portugal nine months after vaccination rollout (September–November 2021). Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with hesitancy to take the COVID-19 vaccine in the community-based survey, “COVID-19 Barometer: Social Opinion”. Hesitancy was 11%; however, of those, 60.5% stated that they intended to take the vaccine. Hesitancy was associated with factors such as lower monthly household income; no intention of taking the flu vaccine this year; perceived reasonable health status; having two or more diseases; low confidence in the health service response; worse perception of the adequacy of anti-COVID-19 government measures; low or no perceived risk of getting COVID-19; feeling agitated, anxious or sad some days; and lack of trust in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. Confidence in vaccines, namely against COVID-19, is paramount for public health and should be monitored during vaccination rollout. Clear communication of the risks and benefits of vaccination needs improvement to increase adherence and public confidence.
Groundwater Vulnerability Analysis of Tirnavos Basin, Central Greece: An Application of RIVA Method
Authors: Vrouhakis Ioannis , Tziritis Evangelos , Stamatis Georgios , Panagopoulos Andreas
Published: February 2022

A novel index-based method (RIVA) for assessing intrinsic groundwater vulnerability was applied to Tirnavos basin (central Greece) to assess the susceptibility to surface-released contamination. Data from field surveys, previous studies, and literature were used to calculate the factors that compile the RIVA method. The aggregated results delineated the spatial distribution of groundwater vulnerability from very low to very high. The modelled results were successfully validated with ground-truth values of nitrates obtained from 43 boreholes. Overall, the modelled and the monitored values match more than 80%, indicating the successful application of the RIVA method. Few deviations were observed in areas dominantly affected by lateral crossflows and contamination from adjacent areas. RIVA proved an efficient method in terms of accuracy, data intensity, and investment to reach highly accurate results. Overall, RIVA proved to be a robust tool for reliable groundwater vulnerability assessments and could be further exploited for risk assessment and decision-making processes in the context of groundwater resource management.
Changes in Wastewater Treatment Performance and the Microbial Community during the Bioaugmentation of a Denitrifying Pseudomonas Strain in the Low Carbon–Nitrogen Ratio Sequencing Batch Reactor
Authors: Chen Tianyuan , Yang Xiaoyong , Sun Qian , Hu Anyi , Qin Dan , Li Jiangwei , Wang Yinhan , Yu Chang-Ping
Published: February 2022

The low carbon–nitrogen ratio (C/N) of influent wastewater results in the insufficient carbon source for the process of denitrification in urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A denitrifying bacterial strain, Pseudomonas sp. JMSTP, was isolated and demonstrated effective denitrification ability under a low C/N ratio of 1.5–4 (w/w) in anoxic conditions. Sequencing batch reactor (SBR) studies were conducted to test the bioaugmentation of JMSTP on total nitrogen (TN) removal under the influent COD/N ratio of 3/1. After the second bioaugmentation, the TN of effluent in the bioaugmented SBR was significantly lower than that in the control SBR. Redundancy analysis results showed that there was a positive correlation between Pseudomonas sp. abundance and TN removal in the bioaugmented SBR. Microbial community analysis showed that, especially after the second bioaugmentation, the abundance of Pseudomonas sp. decreased rapidly, but it was still much higher than that in the control SBR. Correlation network analysis showed that after the addition, Pseudomonas sp. had no significant co-occurrence relationship with other native bacteria, owing to the quick increase and decrease. Our results suggest that JMSTP shows the potential to enhance TN removal through bioaugmentation. Since the effect of bioaugmentation gradually diminishes, further research is still needed to investigate its long-lasting applications.
Reliability of the ERA5 in Replicating Mean and Extreme Temperatures across Europe
Authors: Velikou Kondylia , Lazoglou Georgia , Tolika Konstantia , Anagnostopoulou Christina
Published: February 2022

ERA5 is widely considered as a valid proxy of observation at region scales. Surface air temperature from the E-OBS database and 196 meteorological stations across Europe are being applied for evaluation of the fifth-generation ECMWF reanalysis ERA5 temperature data in the period of 1981–2010. In general, ERA5 captures the mean and extreme temperatures very well and ERA5 is reliable for climate investigation over Europe. High correlations ranging from 0.995 to 1.000 indicate that ERA5 could capture the annual cycle very well. However, the high mean biases and high Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for some European sub-regions (e.g., the Alps, the Mediterranean) reveal that ERA5 underestimates temperatures. The biases can be mainly attributed to the altitude differences between ERA5 grid points and stations. Comparing ERA5 with the other two datasets, ERA5 temperature presents more extreme temperature and small outliers for regions southern of 40° latitude and less extreme temperatures in areas over the Black Sea. In Scandinavia, ERA5 temperatures are more frequently extreme than the observational ones.