bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated Approach to Spent Coffee Grounds Valorization in Biodiesel Biorefinery
Authors: Kafková Valentína , Kubinec Róbert , Mikulec Jozef , Variny Miroslav , Ondrejíčková Petra , Ház Aleš , Brisudová Adriana
Published: March 2023

With the increasing consumption of coffee beverages, an increased amount of food waste—spent coffee grounds (SCG)—is generated and disposed into landfills or combusted in incinerators. SCG are characterized as a highly polluting substance with partial toxicity due to the presence of caffeine, tannins, and polyphenols. It also contains 15% of oil on average, and its potential for biodiesel production is thus considerable. The aim of the presented work is to evaluate the possibility and technical potential of biodiesel production from the SCG oil (SCGO) by esterification and transesterification reaction. According to the characterization of the studied SCGO, this stream must be adjusted and purified to be utilized in the existing biodiesel production plant. Fatty acids (FA) represent 85.85% of the SCGO, with two dominant FAs—linoleic and palmitic acids. The necessity of removal and disposal of unsaponifiable matter, which accounts for 15% of the SCGO content, must be highlighted when producing biodiesel from the SCG. The objective of this research was the comparison of different biodiesel production processes, where a two-step transesterification process has been identified as the most successful method for biodiesel production from the SCGO with the highest ester content of 89.62% and the lowest content of unsaponifiable and unidentified matter in the final product. The novelty of the analyses is a characterization of the d unsaponifiable matter present in the SCGO, and the article highlights the importance of progression to be considered when evaluating the technical potential of the SCG biodiesel production integrated into a biorefinery. Nevertheless, the SCG biodiesel can contribute to fulfilling the mandatory share of advanced biofuel in the fuel energy mix given by national legislation and contribution to the circular economy approach of biorefineries.
Optimal Scale Selection and an Object-Oriented Method Used for Measuring and Monitoring the Extent of Land Desertification
Authors: Han Junliang , Han Liusheng , Sun Guangwei , Mu Haoxiang , Zhang Zhiyi , Wang Xiangyu , Wang Shengshuai
Published: March 2023

Desertification has become a major problem in the field, affecting both the global ecological environment and economy. The effective monitoring of desertified land is an important prerequisite for land desertification protection and governance. With the aim of addressing the problems of spectral confusion as well as the salt and pepper phenomenon concerning the successful extraction of desertification information by utilizing the pixel-based method in the studies, Landsat remote sensing images obtained from the year 2001 to 2021 were selected in this study as the data source, and then, the object-oriented random forest classification method was improved by using different optimal segmentation scale selection techniques and combining multi-thematic index characteristics for measuring the extent of land desertification. Finally, the improved method was applied to study the dynamic changes in desertification in the Mu Us Sandy Land Ecological Function Reserve. The results show that the optimal scale determined by different optimal segmentation scale selection methods is not entirely consistent, and a minor scale should be selected as the optimal scale. Compared with the pixel-based classification method, the overall accuracy of object-oriented classification based on the optimal segmentation scale was improved by 8.06%, the Kappa coefficient increased by 0.1114, and the salt and pepper phenomenon was significantly reduced. From 2001 to 2021, the area of desertified land decreased by 587.12 km2 and the area of severely desertified land decreased by 4115.92 km2, indicating that the control effect was remarkable. This study can provide effective decision-making evidence and support for the successful governance of desertification.
A Review of Poultry Waste-to-Wealth: Technological Progress, Modeling and Simulation Studies, and Economic- Environmental and Social Sustainability
Authors: Zhang Long , Ren Jingzheng , Bai Wuliyasu
Published: March 2023

The poultry industry has met more than one-third of the human demand for meat and all the demand for eggs during the past several decades, and it has also been recognized as a very efficient sector in the livestock industry. However, increasing poultry production has also led to the massive generation of various poultry wastes, which are a great threat to climate change, environmental safety, and human health. Traditionally, landfilling and burning are the most frequently used techniques for treating poultry waste. With rich contents of organic matter, nutrients, and keratin, poultry waste can be applied to produce value-added products that can be used in many sectors by using a variety of emerging technological processes. Considering the massive generation, profound environmental pollution, and wide range of applications of poultry waste, this paper categorizes poultry waste as litter and manure waste, feather waste, mortality waste, abattoir waste, and hatchery waste. This paper also reviews modeling and simulation studies on poultry waste-to-wealth, and six current or emerging technological processes for poultry waste-to-wealth are described: anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, gasification, hydrolysis, enzymatic treatment, and microbial conversion. Finally, the economic, environmental, and social impacts of the sector of poultry waste-to-wealth are discussed. For further research, we suggest a focus on the poultry waste-to-wealth projects in different regions, the behavior strategy of different stakeholders, and policymaking for the commercialized application of poultry waste-to-wealth technologies.
The Decision-Making Process in Access Paths to Master’s Degree Studies: The Case of International Students in Spain
Authors: Valls-Figuera Robert G. , Torrado-Fonseca Mercedes , Romero-Rodríguez Soledad , Jurado-de-los-Santos Pedro
Published: March 2023

International student mobility is an important dimension of internationalisation in higher education, involving a high percentage of students in certain subject areas. A literature review revealed the absence of studies deepening our knowledge of this group of students in specific contexts and stages. Thus, this survey study was undertaken to gather data on the profiles and academic and professional careers of a sample of students. Specific differences in their intrinsic and extrinsic motives for their choice of degree subject were found. A total of 314 students from 14 Master’s degree programmes at two public universities responded, 42.4% of whom were international students. The data showed differences in reasons for choice between international and Spanish-native students when enroling in a Master’s degree programme. The foreign students had diverse motivations, in many cases related to each other, with no predominance of extrinsic or intrinsic motives. This suggests that, when students are deciding to study abroad, universities should consider the importance of offering guidance to these students at the stage prior to accessing the Master’s degree.
The Potential Effects of Kinetin Implementation on Hybrid Rice Seed Production under Water Deficit
Authors: Hamad Hassan Sh. , Bleih Eman M. , Gewaily Elsayed E. , Alharbi Khadiga , Rehan Medhat
Published: March 2023

Drought is one of the main abiotic stresses responsible for reducing crop yields worldwide. In hybrid rice production, cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) displays an alternative plan for producing high-yielding hybrid rice depending on the hybrid vigor. Kinetin (Kin) has an essential role during the early phase of grain setting by regulating cell division, assimilate flow, and osmotic modification under water deficit. Growth, floral, and yield-related traits were evaluated in two CMS lines under five irrigation intervals and two concentrations of the phytohormone kinetin. Our study was conducted to explore the effects of irrigation intervals (continuous flooding (CF), irrigation every six (I6), nine (I9), twelve (I12), and fifteen (I15) days, and kinetin exogenously applied (control, 15 mg L−1, and 30 mg L−1) on growth, floral, and yield-related traits. Growth traits (i.e., number of leaves (NOL), days to complete leaf number (DCLN), days to heading (DTH, 50%), flag leaf area (FLA), and plant height (PH)), floral traits (i.e., duration of spikelet opening (DSO), panicle length (PL), spikelet opening angle (SOA), and panicle exertion (PE)), and seed yield traits (i.e., seed set (SS), panicle weight (PW), seed yield (SY), harvest index (HI), and number of fertile panicles per hill (NFP)) in two CMS lines. Implementation of kinetin displayed the highest significant and positive values for all growth, floral, and yield-related traits when compared to the control (average of applied irrigation intervals). Applying 30 mg L−1 kinetin positively enhanced the growth traits (i.e., NOL, FLA, and PH with 4.1%, 5%, and 3%, respectively), floral traits (i.e., PL, PE, SOA, and DSO with 5.4, 5.7, 5.9, and 5.4%, respectively), and yield-related traits (i.e., PW, SS, SY, HI, and NFP with 22%, 17%, 14%, 14.5%, and 15%, with the same sequence) compared to non-treated plants. Consequently, exogenous foliar spray of kinetin could be an effective process in minimizing the harmful effects (the reduction in PW, SS, SY, HI, and NFP recorded 41%, 61%, 45%, 30%, and 48%, respectively, under I15 conditions when compared to CF) of water deficit in hybrid rice and increasing seed production.
Multifunctional Homes: A Sustainable Answer to the Challenges of the Future
Authors: Vuscan Sonia , Muntean Radu
Published: March 2023

The reason for our research is to seek a valid solution, intended for urban development, among those already materialized or in the form of a concept, which corresponds to the pressing needs of the present and of a future dictated by the realities of such a present. We are aware of societal dictating forces as well as of the validity of certain solutions that, if applied on a large scale, could at least partially remedy the deficient functioning of a society adapting to the economic crisis, the crisis of natural resources, and the political and demographic crises, as it attempts to adjust. In the field of urban development, within such a context, as old as it is new, the solution was offered to us in the form of a concept aiming at restructuring and compartmentalizing interior space, with applicability in both the private and public sector. This concept, simple and predictable, has as its goal the reduction of interior space while significantly increasing its functionality through the mediation of mobile structures. It bases its success on reductionism, multifunctionality and versatility, giving up those constitutive parts with null usability or which, by activating the concept, become null, their function being fulfilled by substitution. A reduction applied to the built environment results in a chance given to urban green space, while by restricting the built environment we gain space for nature.
DE-Based Design of an Intelligent and Conventional Hybrid Control System with IPFC for AGC of Interconnected Power System
Authors: Feleke Solomon , Pydi Balamurali , Satish Raavi , Anteneh Degarege , AboRas Kareem M. , Kotb Hossam , Alharbi Mohammed , Abuagreb Mohamed
Published: March 2023

In this study, a fuzzy proportional integral derivative controller (FPID) was adjusted using the differential evolution (DE) method to enhance the automated generation control (AGC) of a three-zone reheat-type power system. The objective function used in this study was an integral of the time-weighted absolute error (ITAE). In the optimization, the gain control parameters of the proportional integral (PI), the integral (I), and FPID were optimized and compared to improve the limitations drawn by the controller over a few parameters. To demonstrate that FPID controllers with IPFC produce better and more accurate optimization results than integral and PI controllers optimized by DE, the interline power flow control (IPFC) of a flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) device with suitable connections and control parameter optimization was used. Also, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) PID with IPFC was compared with the proposed DEFPID + IPFC, and better results were achieved by using the DE technique. Similarly, to demonstrate the suggested technology’s strong control capacity, random load changes were applied to the system in various conditions, and it was demonstrated that the suggested control unit easily tolerated random load perturbations and returned the system to a stable functioning state.
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design of Railway Stations as a Specific Soft Target
Authors: Kubalova Klaudia , Loveček Tomáš
Published: March 2023

Currently, we observe an increasing number of terrorist attacks and violent crime, resulting in a noticeable increase in nervousness and tension in society. Not only on the territory of Europe, but also throughout the world, terrorist attacks and violent crime are mainly concentrated near objects that are accessible to the public, characterized by a relatively low level of security and a high concentration of people, so-called soft targets. The tendency to control and influence human behaviors by reshaping the environment dates back to ancient times, with the crime prevention through environmental design strategy being a later product that arose as a result of the impact of urbanization and industrialization on the rise of crime in Chicago. The aim of the article is the contribution of new knowledge to society, which is presented through graphic designs of technical measures on the sustainability of the development of public spaces and communities, as well as the reduction of crime. The acquired knowledge is based on a holistic and integrated theory of crime prevention called the concept of CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design), which is dedicated to the identification of the conditions of the physical and social environment that allow the possibility of committing crimes and their subsequent modification intended to limit it. At the end of the article, a use case is presented on the object of the railway station, which is a public space and at the same time falls into the category of soft targets. Human choices shape the built environment, as well as tools that can be used to create sustainable urban and village development, which are also dependent on an acceptable crime rate. We are not testing environmental design as a way of thinking and a field of practices, but we are testing a particular method of environmental design (CPTED concept), which is focused on crime prevention, for a particular set of targets.
Sustainability in Supply Chains through Rapid Capacity Increases and Minimized Disruptions
Authors: Sirisomboonsuk Pinyarat , Burns James
Published: March 2023

We examine the impediments to rapid recovery from a supply chain disruption through rapid supply chain growth in capacity. We explore how to minimize the effects of disruptions in supply chains that could be caused by pandemics, wars, supplier down times, absenteeism, distributor bottlenecks, etc. The tools we use include reliability theory, logic, simulation, and other methodologies. Our objective is to better understand supply chain disruptions and to propose solutions to the sustainability problems currently being experienced within supply chains. The authors use models to better comprehend how to avoid supply chain structures that are easily disrupted. Included among the findings are that disruptions cause the loss of production capacity; thus, the ability to rapidly increase production capacity in the same or other parts of the supply chain becomes paramount. Furthermore, structural redundancy can help alleviate the loss of capacity coming from a disruption. One purpose of the models is to foster a basic appreciation for the different lead times and fixed costs associated with capacity expansion of the various supply chain components. There are implications for where within the supply chain additional robustness and capacity are needed.
Exploring the Influence of Work Integration Social Enterprises on Consumers through Differentiated Customer Value Proposition
Authors: Morita Saki , Jindo Keiji , Maliotis Petros
Published: March 2023

In the endeavour towards an inclusive society, work integration social enterprises (WISEs) play an important role in workplaces and labour market. Customers of WISEs are an underexplored field, and thus, this study looked at the influence of WISEs on customers using the concept of customer value. It deployed qualitative and quantitative study of two cases of WISEs in the Dutch agriculture and food industry. Market basket analysis was conducted to find interactions between customer characteristics and customer values. The results of our study show that taste as a functional value is a minimum requirement as well as a unique selling proposition for these two cases. The fact that they are a WISE was presented at different explicitness levels to customers: sometimes with a direct statement, other times with a phrase or visual hinting at this social aspect. Customers not always received this message or misinterpreted it as the WISEs intended. The results also indicate that products from these two cases are not associated with lower quality despite findings by earlier studies on socially oriented organisations. However, it is yet to be explored how the general Dutch population perceives the products and services of WISEs.
Topology and Emergent Symmetries in Dense Compact Star Matter
Authors: Ma Yong-Liang , Yang Wen-Cong
Published: March 2023

It has been found that the topology effect and the possible emergent hidden scale and hidden local flavor symmetries at high density reveal a novel structure of compact star matter. When Nf≥2, baryons can be described by skyrmions when the number of color Nc is regarded as a large parameter and there is a robust topology change—the transition from skyrmion to half-skyrmion—in the skyrmion matter approach to dense nuclear matter. The hidden scale and local flavor symmetries, which are sources introducing the scalar meson and vector mesons, are significant elements for understanding the nuclear force in nonlinear chiral effective theories. We review in this paper how the robust conclusions from the topology approach to dense matter and emergent hidden scale and hidden local flavor symmetries figure in generalized nuclear effective field theory (GnEFT), which is applicable to nuclear matter from low density to compact star density. The topology change encoded in the parameters of the effective field theory is interpreted as the hadron-quark continuity in the sense of the Cheshire Cat Principle. A novel feature predicted in this theory that has not been found before is the precocious appearance of the conformal sound velocity in the cores of massive stars, although the trace of the energy-momentum tensor of the system is not zero. That is, there is a pseudoconformal structure in the compact star matter and, in contrast to the usual picture, the matter is made of colorless quasiparticles of fractional baryon charges. A possible resolution of the longstanding gA quench problem in nuclei transition and the compatibility of the predictions of the GnEFT with the global properties of neutron star and the data from gravitational wave detections are also discussed.
Prediction Intervals: A Geometric View
Authors: Nikulchev Evgeny , Chervyakov Alexander
Published: March 2023

This article provides a review of the approaches to the construction of prediction intervals. To increase the reliability of prediction, point prediction methods are replaced by intervals for many aims. The interval prediction generates a pair as future values, including the upper and lower bounds for each prediction point. That is, according to historical data, which include a graph of a continuous and discrete function, two functions will be obtained as a prediction, i.e., the upper and lower bounds of estimation. In this case, the prediction boundaries should provide guaranteed probability of the location of the true values inside the boundaries found. The task of building a model from a time series is, by its very nature, incorrect. This means that there is an infinite set of equations whose solution is close to the time series for machine learning. In the case of interval use, the inverse problem of dynamics allows us to choose from the entire range of modeling methods, using confidence intervals as solutions, or intervals of a given width, or those chosen as a solution to the problems of multi-criteria optimization of the criteria for evaluating interval solutions. This article considers a geometric view of the prediction intervals and a new approach is given.
Building the Foundation for a Necessary Debate: Projectification of Society
Authors: Moreno Escobar Begoña , Martínez Montes Germán , El Hajj Claudette
Published: March 2023

Projectification is the phenomenon whereby activities traditionally carried out in a functional manner are approached as projects. It also includes the transformation processes of organisations as project management and non-functional structures. It is a phenomenon that has become important in recent years. It has brought great benefits to organisations and public administration, and it has optimised the use of economic resources. On the other hand, projectification also brings undesirable effects, known as the dark side of projectification. Several years after the first time projectification was coined, a deep debate about projectification has been necessary to make the most of all possible levels. This research, through a bibliometric analysis and a review of the most outstanding literature, identifies those aspects that need to be discussed and where there is room for improvement. The results, with an important set of disadvantages of projectification, sometimes not taken into account, especially at the individual level, establish a solid basis for the debate on projectification and the possible points of improvement from all perspectives (individual, organisational and societal). These perspectives should be observed as different but complementary, forming a holistic understanding of projectification.
GDAL and PROJ Libraries Integrated with GRASS GIS for Terrain Modelling of the Georeferenced Raster Image
Authors: Lemenkova Polina , Debeir Olivier
Published: March 2023

Libraries with pre-written codes optimize the workflow in cartography and reduce labour intensive data processing by iteratively applying scripts to implementing mapping tasks. Most existing Geographic Information System (GIS) approaches are based on traditional software with a graphical user’s interface which significantly limits their performance. Although plugins are proposed to improve the functionality of many GIS programs, they are usually ad hoc in finding specific mapping solutions, e.g., cartographic projections and data conversion. We address this limitation by applying the principled approach of Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL), library for conversions between cartographic projections (PROJ) and Geographic Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) GIS for geospatial data processing and morphometric analysis. This research presents topographic analysis of the dataset using scripting methods which include several tools: (1) GDAL, a translator library for raster and vector geospatial data formats used for converting Earth Global Relief Model (ETOPO1) GeoTIFF in XY Cartesian coordinates into World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) by the ‘gdalwarp’ utility; (2) PROJ projection transformation library used for converting ETOPO1 WGS84 grid to cartographic projections (Cassini–Soldner equirectangular, Equal Area Cylindrical, Two-Point Equidistant Azimuthal, and Oblique Mercator); and (3) GRASS GIS by sequential use of the following modules: r.info, d.mon, d.rast, r.colors, d.rast.leg, d.legend, d.northarrow, d.grid, d.text, g.region, and r.contour. The depth frequency was analysed by the module ‘d.histogram’. The proposed approach provided a systematic way for morphometric measuring of topographic data and combine the advantages of the GDAL, PROJ, and GRASS GIS tools that include the informativeness, effectiveness, and representativeness in spatial data processing. The morphometric analysis included the computed slope, aspect, profile, and tangential curvature of the study area. The data analysis revealed the distribution pattern in topographic data: 24% of data with elevations below 400 m, 13% of data with depths −5000 to −6000 m, 4% of depths have values −3000 to −4000 m, the least frequent data (−6000 to 7000 m) <1%, 2% of depths have values −2000 to 3000 m in the basin, while other values are distributed proportionally. Further, by incorporating the generic coordinate transformation software library PROJ, the raster grid was transformed into various cartographic projections to demonstrate distortions in shape and area. Scripting techniques of GRASS GIS are demonstrated for applications in topographic modelling and raster data processing. The GRASS GIS shows the effectiveness for mapping and visualization, compatibility with libraries (GDAL, PROJ), technical flexibility in combining Graphical User Interface (GUI), and command-line data processing. The research contributes to the technical cartographic development.
Testing the Novel Weapons Hypothesis of the Argentine Ant Venom on Amphibians
Authors: Llopart Juan Pablo , Alvarez-Blanco Paloma , Moreira-Demarco Lucía , Bang Alok , Angulo Elena , Maneyro Raúl
Published: March 2023

The globally invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) possesses a venom lethal to some amphibian species in the invaded range. To test the novel weapons hypothesis (NWH), the effects of the toxin on the cohabiting amphibian species in the ant’s native range need to be investigated. The invader should benefit from the novel chemical in the invaded range, because the species are not adapted, but the venom should not be effective in the native range. We explore the venom effects on juveniles of three amphibian species with different degrees of myrmecophagy inhabiting the ant’s native range: Rhinella arenarum, Odontophrynus americanus, and Boana pulchella. We exposed the amphibians to the ant venom, determined the toxic dose, and evaluated the short- (10 min to 24 h) and medium-term (14 days) effects. All amphibian species were affected by the venom independently of myrmecophagy. In addition to amphibian sensitivity, we discuss how the differential Argentine ant abundance and density in the two ranges could be the key to the susceptibility of amphibians to the venom, resulting in the possibility of NWH. Our results confirm the potential magnitude of the impact of the Argentine ant in successfully invaded areas for the conservation of already threatened amphibians.
Portal Hemodynamics after Living-Donor Liver Transplantation: Management for Optimal Graft and Patient Outcomes—A Narrative Review
Authors: Bharathy Kishore GS , Shenvi Sunil
Published: March 2023

Background: When a partial liver graft is transplanted into a recipient with portal hypertension, it is subject to sinusoidal shear stress, which, in good measure, is essential for regeneration. However, portal hyperperfusion which exceeds the capacity of the graft results in the small-for-size syndrome manifested by ascites, cholestasis and coagulopathy. This review discusses intraoperative hemodynamic variables that have been described in the literature, and inflow modulation strategies and their outcomes. Apart from using donor grafts which are of adequate size for the recipient weight, portal hemodynamics are an important consideration to prevent early allograft dysfunction, graft failure and mortality. Summary: Understanding normal portal hemodynamics, how they change with the progression of cirrhosis, portal hypertension and changes after the implantation of a partial liver graft is key to managing patients with living-donor liver transplantation. If the intraoperative measurement of portal flow or pressure suggests graft portal hyperperfusion, inflow modulation strategies can be adopted. Splenic artery ligation, splenectomy and hemiportocaval shunts are well described in the literature. The proper selection of a donor to match the recipient’s anatomic, metabolic and hemodynamic environment and deciding which modulation strategy to use in which patient is an exercise in sound clinical judgement. Key message: The intraoperative assessment of portal hemodynamics in living-donor liver transplant should be standard practice. Inflow modulation in properly selected patients offers a point-of-care solution to alter portal inflow to the graft with a view to improve recipient outcomes. In patients with small (anatomically/metabolically) grafts, using inflow modulation can result in outcomes equivalent to those in patients in whom larger grafts are used.
Characterization of Human Norovirus Nonstructural Protein NS1.2 Involved in the Induction of the Filamentous Endoplasmic Reticulum, Enlarged Lipid Droplets, LC3 Recruitment, and Interaction with NTPase and NS4
Authors: Hung Chien-Hui , Yen Ju-Bei , Chang Pey-Jium , Chen Lee-Wen , Huang Tsung-Yu , Tsai Wan-Ju , Tsai Yu-Chin
Published: March 2023

Human noroviruses (HuNVs) are the leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. NS1.2 is critical for HuNV pathogenesis, but the function is still unclear. The GII NS1.2 of HuNVs, unlike GI NS1.2, was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lipid droplets (LDs) and is accompanied by a distorted-filamentous ER morphology and aggregated-enlarged LDs. LC3 was recruited to the NS1.2-localized membrane through an autophagy-independent pathway. NS1.2, expressed from a cDNA clone of GII.4 norovirus, formed complexes with NTPase and NS4, which exhibited aggregated vesicle-like structures that were also colocalized with LC3 and LDs. NS1.2 is structurally divided into three domains from the N terminus: an inherently disordered region (IDR), a region that contains a putative hydrolase with the H-box/NC catalytic center (H-box/NC), and a C-terminal 251–330 a.a. region containing membrane-targeting domain. All three functional domains of NS1.2 were required for the induction of the filamentous ER. The IDR was essential for LC3 recruitment by NS1.2. Both the H-Box/NC and membrane-targeting domains are required for the induction of aggregated-enlarged LDs, NS1.2 self-assembly, and interaction with NTPase. The membrane-targeting domain was sufficient to interact with NS4. The study characterized the NS1.2 domain required for membrane targeting and protein–protein interactions, which are crucial for forming a viral replication complex.
Genetic Characteristics and Phylogeographic Dynamics of Lagoviruses, 1988–2021
Authors: Shah Pir Tariq , Bahoussi Amina Nawal , Yang Caiting , Yao Guanhan , Dong Li , Wu Changxin , Xing Li
Published: March 2023

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV), rabbit calicivirus (RCV), and hare calicivirus (HaCV) belong to the genus Lagovirus of the Caliciviridae family that causes severe diseases in rabbits and several hare (Lepus) species. Previously, Lagoviruses were classified into two genogroups, e.g., GI (RHDVs and RCVs) and GII (EBHSV and HaCV) based on partial genomes, e.g., VP60 coding sequences. Herein, we provide a robust phylogenetic classification of all the Lagovirus strains based on full-length genomes, grouping all the available 240 strains identified between 1988 and 2021 into four distinct clades, e.g., GI.1 (classical RHDV), GI.2 (RHDV2), HaCV/EBHSV, and RCV, where the GI.1 clade is further classified into four (GI.1a–d) and GI.2 into six sub-clades (GI.2a–f). Moreover, the phylogeographic analysis revealed that the EBHSV and HaCV strains share their ancestor with the GI.1, while the RCV shares with the GI.2. In addition, all 2020–2021 RHDV2 outbreak strains in the USA are connected to the strains from Canada and Germany, while RHDV strains isolated in Australia are connected with the USA-Germany haplotype RHDV strain. Furthermore, we identified six recombination events in the VP60, VP10, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) coding regions using the full-length genomes. The amino acid variability analysis showed that the variability index exceeded the threshold of 1.00 in the ORF1-encoded polyprotein and ORF2-encoded VP10 protein, respectively, indicating significant amino acid drift with the emergence of new strains. The current study is an update of the phylogenetic and phylogeographic information of Lagoviruses that may be used to map the evolutionary history and provide hints for the genetic basis of their emergence and re-emergence.
Screening of Efficient Adjuvants for the RBD-Based Subunit Vaccine of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Shi Juan , Zhao Yu , Peng Min , Zhu Suyue , Wu Yandan , Ji Ruixue , Shen Chuanlai
Published: March 2023

The variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are more transmissible, with a reduced sensitivity to vaccines targeting the original virus strain. Therefore, developing an effective vaccine against both the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and its variants is an urgent need. It is known that the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 is an important vaccine target, but subunit vaccines usually have lower immunogenicity and efficacy. Thus, selecting appropriate adjuvants to enhance the immunogenicity of protein-based subunit vaccine antigens is necessary. Here, an RBD-Fc subunit vaccine of SARS-CoV-2 has been generated, followed by vaccination in B6 mice, and four adjuvant regimens were investigated, including aluminum salts (Alum) + 3-O-desacyl-4′-monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), AddaVax, QS21 + MPL, and Imiquimod. The adjuvant potency was evaluated by comparing the elicited polyclonal antibodies titers with measuring binding to RBD and S protein in ELISA and Western blot analysis, and also the cross-neutralizing antibodies titers using a pseudovirus infection assay of hACE2-expressing 293T cells, with pseudoviruses expressing the S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 original strain and Delta strain. The presence of QS21 + MPL adjuvant induced stronger polyclonal antibody response and neutralization potency blocking the original strain and Delta strain, as compared with the non-adjuvant RBD-Fc group and other adjuvant groups. Meanwhile, Imiquimod even had a negative effect in inducing specific antibodies and cross-neutralizing antibody production as an adjuvant.
Recombinant Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Expressing a Glycosylation Mutant of Dengue Virus NS1 Induces Specific Antibody and T-Cell Responses in Mice
Authors: Wilken Lucas , Stelz Sonja , Agac Ayse , Sutter Gerd , Prajeeth Chittappen Kandiyil , Rimmelzwaan Guus F.
Published: March 2023

The four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV1–4) continue to pose a major public health threat. The first licenced dengue vaccine, which expresses the surface proteins of DENV1–4, has performed poorly in immunologically naïve individuals, sensitising them to antibody-enhanced dengue disease. DENV non-structural protein 1 (NS1) can directly induce vascular leakage, the hallmark of severe dengue disease, which is blocked by NS1-specific antibodies, making it an attractive target for vaccine development. However, the intrinsic ability of NS1 to trigger vascular leakage is a potential drawback of its use as a vaccine antigen. Here, we modified DENV2 NS1 by mutating an N-linked glycosylation site associated with NS1-induced endothelial hyperpermeability and used modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) as a vector for its delivery. The resulting construct, rMVA-D2-NS1-N207Q, displayed high genetic stability and drove efficient secretion of NS1-N207Q from infected cells. Secreted NS1-N207Q was composed of dimers and lacked N-linked glycosylation at position 207. Prime–boost immunisation of C57BL/6J mice induced high levels of NS1-specific antibodies binding various conformations of NS1 and elicited NS1-specific CD4+ T-cell responses. Our findings support rMVA-D2-NS1-N207Q as a promising and potentially safer alternative to existing NS1-based vaccine candidates, warranting further pre-clinical testing in a relevant mouse model of DENV infection.
Physicochemical Technique in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill Leachate Remediation: A Review
Authors: Aziz Hamidi Abdul , Ramli Siti Fatihah , Hung Yung-Tse
Published: March 2023

Leachate generation is among the main challenging issues that landfill operators must handle. Leachate is created when decomposed materials and rainwater pass through the waste. Leachate carries many harmful pollutants, with high concentrations of BOD, COD, colour, heavy metals, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N), and other organic and inorganic pollutants. Among them, COD, colour, and NH3-N are difficult to be completely eliminated, especially with a single treatment. They should be handled by appropriate treatment facilities before being safely released into the environment. Leachate remediation varies based on its properties, the costs of operation and capital expenditures, as well as the rules and regulations. Up until now, much scientific and engineering attention was given to the development of comprehensive solutions to leachate-related issues. The solutions normally demand a multi-stage treatment, commonly in the form of biological, chemical, and physical sequences. This review paper discussed the use of contemporary techniques to remediate landfill leachate with an emphasis on concentrated COD, colour, and NH3-N levels with low biodegradability that is normally present in old landfill or dumping grounds in developing countries. A semi-aerobic type of landfill design was also discussed, as this concept is potentially sustainable compared to others. Some of the challenges and future prospects were also recommended, especially for the case of Malaysia. This may represent landfills or dumpsites in other developing countries with the same characteristics.
Aquaculture Production in the Midst of GHG Emissions in South Africa
Authors: Ngarava Saul , Zhou Leocadia , Slayi Mhlangabezi , Ningi Thulani , Nguma Aphiwe , Ncetani Nelisiwe
Published: March 2023

The study ascertained the relationship between aquaculture production and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in South Africa. The study used the Autoregressive Distributed Lag—Error Correction Model (ARDL-VECM) with time series data between 1990 and 2020. The results showed that the mean annual aquaculture production, GHG emissions, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the period were 5200 tonnes, 412 tonnes, and US$447 billion, respectively. There was a long-run relationship between GHG emissions and GDP. In the short run, GHG emissions had a positive relationship with GDP and a negative relationship with beef production. Furthermore, there was a bi-directional relationship between aquaculture production and GHG emissions. In addition, beef production and GDP had a bi-directional relationship. Beef production also had a positive relationship with aquaculture production. The study concludes that aquaculture production is affected and tends to affect GHG emissions. Aquaculture legislation should consider GHG emissions in South Africa and promote sustainable production techniques.
Contents of Metals in Sediments and Macrophytes Differed between the Locations in an Alpine Lake Revealing Human Impacts—A Case Study of Lake Bohinj (Slovenia)
Authors: Germ Mateja , Golob Aleksandra , Zelnik Igor , Klink Agnieszka , Polechońska Ludmiła
Published: March 2023

Metals stored in sediments of lakes can bioaccumulate through the food chain, posing a risk to the environment and human health. Alpine lakes are supposed to be less affected by pollution than lowland lakes and are vulnerable to any changes and impacts in their catchment areas because of their remote position and ultra-oligotrophic character. Therefore, we used a model Alpine lake, Bohinj (in the Triglav National Park, Julian Alps, Slovenia), to evaluate the load of metals in the abiotic and biotic compartments of the ecosystem, in order to assess the spatial distribution of metals, and finally, to determine whether past and present human activities in the lake’s catchment area may be causing pollution. To this aim, the contents of Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd, Co, Mn, Fe, Zn, Hg and Ni in the sediment, water, and macrophyte samples were determined. The results showed that the average content of some toxic elements, especially in the sediments (Cd 0.52 mg/kg; Hg 0.03 mg/kg) and plants (Co 0.71 mg/kg; Cr 5.88 mg/kg) was elevated compared to natural background values. High Hg contents could be connected with natural geological sources, while other elements were probably of anthropogenic origin. High levels of all elements in the eastern part of the lake indicated long-term pollution, which could be a consequence of past iron extraction and military activities in the vicinity. On the other hand, high contents of elements in the water suggests that intensive touristic activities in the area may cause temporal pollution in the summer. The study sheds light on complicated processes governing the distribution of trace metals in Alpine lakes.
Optimal Dietary Protein/Energy Ratio and Phosphorus Level on Water Quality and Output for a Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀) Recirculating Aquaculture System
Authors: Fan Xiangyu , Yu Hong , Cui Hongwu , Xue Zhiyong , Bai Ying , Qu Keming , Hu Haiyan , Cui Zhengguo
Published: March 2023

In a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), feed is critical to the growth of fish and is the main source of nutrient pollutants in aquaculture water. An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the role of feed on the growth efficiency of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀) and water quality in a RAS. Five commercial feeds with different respective dietary protein/energy (P/E) ratios and available phosphorus levels were selected (LNLP, 31.97 g/MJ, 0.96%; LNMP, 32.11 g/MJ, 1.54%; MNLP, 36.26 g/MJ, 0.98%; MNMP, 36.53 g/MJ, 1.58%; and HNP, 41.54 g/MJ, 1.97%). The results showed that HNP had the highest growth efficiency and MNLP provided the best economic benefit. The trend in water quality within 6 h after feeding was similar among the five groups. The relative concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, total nitrogen, active phosphate, and total phosphorus reached a maximum 2 h after feeding, and the relative concentration of nitrite reached a maximum 1 h after feeding. The high P/E ratio feed increased the concentrations of total ammonia nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen. The total ammonia nitrogen concentration in HNP was much higher than those in the other treatments. The dietary P/E ratio had no significant effect on total nitrogen concentration. High dietary phosphorus levels increased the total phosphorus concentration in the water, but no significant effect on the active phosphate concentration was observed. Considering the growth efficiency, economic benefit, and water quality, it can be concluded that MNLP is the most suitable feed for RAS breeding hybrid grouper. The results of this study supplement the gap on the effects of feed on RAS water quality and provide data support for the sustainable development of RAS industry.
How Economic Growth Contributes to CO2 Emissions in the Presence of Globalization and Eco-Innovations in South Asian Countries?
Authors: Mehmood Usman , Tariq Salman , Ul Haq Zia , Aslam Muhammad Umar , Imran Ali
Published: March 2023

Many nations made pledges at the Paris climate conference to eventually become carbon neutral. As a result, the effects of eco-innovations (ECO), globalization (GLO), and economic growth (GDP) on CO2 emissions in a panel comprising India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan are assessed in this work. This study employs a unique panel (QARDL) methodology to data from 1980Q1 to 2018Q4 for analysis. The purpose of this study is to find the relation between GDP, GLO, ECO and CO2. The results show that environmental quality is being harmed because of GLO and GDP. Climate-change-causing CO2 emissions are decreasing globally thanks to ECO. Furthermore, the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) theory in developing nations has been confirmed by this work. This study implies that the selected South Asian countries should switch to renewable energy sources to improve environmental quality. In addition, governments will need to rethink their approach to global trade. Importing effective technologies for producing renewable energy should be a priority. The future looks bright for these nations, as rising environmental consciousness will likely lead to the adoption of stringent environmental rules.
Stocking Density and Homogeneity, Considerations on Pandemic Potential
Authors: Moreno-Madriñan Max J. , Kontowicz Eric
Published: March 2023

Zoonotic pathogens, an increasing threat to human health, typically originate in the wild but spill over to humans from domestic animals because of the high contact with them. Industrial farming involves an increased number of animals of a single species per given area. Such high stocking density facilitates pathogen transmission. This speeds evolution and also offsets the natural tendency of pathogens to trend toward mildness. On the other hand, close contact reduces transmission dependence on host mobility and thus could favor virulence. Forestalling this problem requires understanding opportunities for spillovers and evolution created by animal farming technologies and human-animal-ecosystem interactions. This manuscript considers two important risk factors of intensive animal farming, stoking density and homogeneity, to inform practices that could stop the next pandemic at its source.
External relations of subnational regions of unitary countries in the EU: activity and determining factors
Authors:   National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Povalyashko E.S.
Published: March 2023

The subnational level external relations within the EU are an element of the political system. Although the unitary countries regions have less experience, resources, etc., than the subjects of federations they are also involved in the process. The article presents the main results of the analysis of the unitary countries regions external relations activity within the EU, as well as determining factors. In particular, it is concluded that the regulation of the issue at the state level is of fundamental importance. Also the region's belonging to a country with a relatively rich economy and long-standing and full integration is an important factor. The obtained results could either be applied for the analysis of cooperation options with the considered regions or be adapted for the analysis of Eurasian integration.
Features of the cultural policy of the European Union at the present stage
Authors:   Southern Branch of the Russian Research Institute of Cultural and Natural Heritage named after D. S. Likhachev, Siyukhova A. M.
Published: March 2023

In the article, we consider the issue of the cultural policy of the European Union at the present stage. Based on the study of scientific publications and official Internet portals of the European Parliament and the European Commission, we analyze the main directions of the EU cultural policy, which declare the goal of simultaneously forming a common European value system and strengthening the local cultural identity of European countries. We compare the cultural policy of the EU with the policy of the USSR. Our conclusion is that the lack of attention of EU policy to regional forms of culture can initiate an increase in separatist sentiments and actions that cause countries to leave the EU. Therefore, today European countries demand discussion at the highest level of the all-European government of the issue of preserving the cultures and languages of national minorities.