bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Techno-Economic Analysis of Indonesia Power Generation Expansion to Achieve Economic Sustainability and Net Zero Carbon 2050
Authors: Kanugrahan Satria Putra , Hakam Dzikri Firmansyah , Nugraha Herry
Published: July 2022

Indonesia’s power generation roadmap aspires to achieve 23%, 28%, and 31% of power from renewable energy by 2025, 2038, and 2050, respectively. This study presents a technoeconomic analysis of Indonesia’s power generation development plans using the LEAP model in the post-COVID-19 period, with a focus on achieving the renewable target. In this study, four scenarios were modeled: business as usual (BAU), cost optimization (CO), national plan (NP), and zero-carbon (ZC). The BAU scenario is based on the PLN Electricity Business Plan 2019–2028, which does not include a target for renewable energy. The CO scenario aims to meet the renewable energy mandate at the lowest possible cost. The NP scenario aims to achieve renewable energy, with an additional natural gas target of 22% by 2025 and 25% by 2038. The ZC scenario aims to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050 at the lowest possible cost. In comparison to the other scenarios, the BAU scenario has the highest total cost of power production, with a total of 180.51 billion USD by 2050. The CO scenario has the lowest total cost of production with a total of 89.21 billion USD; however, it may not be practical to implement.
The Effect of Environmental Regulation on Corporate Environmental Governance Behavior and Its Mechanisms
Authors: Zhu Di , Liu Chang , Dong Yong , Hua Junguo
Published: July 2022

Environmental regulation is an institutional guarantee for achieving green and sustainable economic development, and the implementation effect of environmental regulation policies is a concern for all sectors of society. This paper empirically examines the impact of environmental regulation on firms’ environmental governance behavior using a double difference model with the help of a quasi-natural experiment, the new Environmental Protection Law, and analyzes the mediating effect of central environmental protection inspectors using data from listed companies in China from 2011 to 2020. It was found that environmental regulation significantly enhances firms’ motivation to participate in environmental governance and central environmental protection inspectors play a mediating role in the impact of environmental regulation on firms’ environmental governance behavior. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis shows that the enhancement effect of environmental regulation on firms’ environmental governance behavior mainly exists in large-scale firms and nonstate enterprises.
Foundry Sand Waste and Residual Aggregate Evaluated as Pozzolans for Concrete
Authors: Agudelo Guilliana , Palacio Carlos A. , Neves Monteiro Sergio , Colorado Henry A.
Published: July 2022

This research is about the utilization of two solid wastes in concrete: foundry sand from the steel smelting process and residual aggregate powder from the asphalt mix production. The solid wastes were added to concrete in contents of 0.0, 5.0, 10, 15, and 20 wt% with respect to cement, and tested in concrete with a design resistance of 280 kgf/cm2 (27.5 MPa). The effects of these wastes in concrete were compared with commercially available metakaolin, a typical admixture added to concrete, in contents of 0.0, 5.0, 10, 15, and 20 wt% replacing cement content. For all samples, the resistant activity index was evaluated at 28 days. Slump test, air content, density, and compressive strength tests were conducted. The materials’ microstructures were evaluated with SEM and XRD after 270 days, in samples immersed in water. Results show that both by-products have pozzolanic activity, classified as N-type pozzolans. Besides, concrete with the residual aggregate powder gave a strength of 541 kgf/cm2 (53.1 MPa), which corresponds to sample M4 (concrete containing 15% residual aggregate powder), consistent with 93% improvement with respect to the strength resistance. Furthermore, concrete with the foundry sand powder gave a strength of 561 kgf/cm2 (55 MPa), consistent with 100% improvement with respect to the strength resistance, which corresponds to M15 (concrete containing 20% foundry sand). Concrete with the metakaolin powder presented a strength of 609 kgf/cm2 (59.7 MPa), which corresponds to M9 (concrete containing 15% metakaolin), consistent with 116% improvement with respect to the strength resistance. The concrete developed with the by-products can be produced at lower costs than traditional admixtures, which guarantees the feasibility of the environmental solution.
Studying the Effect of Blue-Green Infrastructure on Microclimate and Human Thermal Comfort in Melbourne’s Central Business District
Authors: Balany Fatma , Muttil Nitin , Muthukumaran Shobha , Wong Man Sing , Ng Anne W. M.
Published: July 2022

Blue-green infrastructure (BGI) is defined as a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas with other environmental features designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services, which include microclimate regulation and enhanced human thermal comfort. While green infrastructure is widely known to be capable of mitigating the adverse effects of urban heat island, the effect of blue infrastructure to regulate thermal comfort is still poorly understood. This study investigates several blue-green-infrastructure (BGI) scenarios in the central business district (CBD) of Melbourne, Australia to assess their effects on microclimate and human thermal comfort. Three-dimensional microclimatic modelling software, ENVI-met, was used to simulate the microclimate and human thermal comfort. Physiological equivalent temperature (PET) was used to quantify the level of thermal comfort in selected research areas. Ten different scenarios were simulated, which included those based on green roofs, green walls, trees, ponds and fountains. The simulations suggest that green roofs and green walls in the high-rise building environment have a small temperature reduction in its surrounding area by up to 0.47 °C and 0.27 °C, respectively, and there is no noticeable improvement in the level of thermal perception. The tree-based scenarios decrease temperature by up to 0.93 °C and improve the thermal perception from hot to warm. Scenarios based on water bodies and fountains decrease the temperature by up to 0.51 °C and 1.48 °C, respectively, yet they cannot improve the thermal perception of the area. A deeper water body has a better microclimate improvement as compared to a shallow one. The temperature reduction in the fountain scenario tends to be local and the effect could only be felt within a certain radius from the fountain.
Biostimulation and Bioaugmentation of Soils Contaminated with Decachlorobiphenyl (PCB-209) Using Native Bacterial Strains Individually and in Consortia
Authors: Zenteno-Rojas Adalberto , Rincón-Molina Clara Ivette , Martinez-Romero Esperanza , Manzano-Gomez Luis Alberto , Rincón-Molina Francisco Alexander , Ruiz-Valdiviezo Victor Manuel , Rodriguez Rosa Isela Cruz , Maldonado Juan Jose Villalobos , Rincón-Rosales Reiner
Published: July 2022

Historically, microorganisms have proven to be efficient alternatives for the removal of PCBs, since these contaminants continue to be a major problem for human health and the environment. In this work, the removal of decachlorobiphenyl (PCB-209) was evaluated using native bacterial strains individually and in consortia through biostimulation and bioaugmentation processes. Bacillus sp. DCB13, Staphylococcus sp. DCB28, and Acinetobacter sp. DCB104 were biostimulated in a minimal medium that initially contained biphenyl and later PCB-209 for adaptation as a carbon source. The removal potential of PCB-209 by bacterial strains was evaluated in a bioaugmentation process under aerobic conditions. Using a completely randomized design, ten different treatments were evaluated. Finally, the bacterial growth (CFU/g of soil) and the chemical characteristics of the bioaugmented soil were determined, as was the content of PCB-209 removed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Strains DCB13, DCB28, and DCB104 showed cell growth (>3.4 × 105 CFU/mL) during 120 h of biostimulation, with a marked difference between treatments with biphenyl compared with those where PCB-209 was added. Strains DCB13 and DCB104 (3.4 × 105 CFU/mL and 2.0 × 106 CFU/mL, respectively) grew better with PCB-209, while DCB28 grew better with biphenyl (4.5 × 106 CFU/mL). In bioaugmented soils contaminated with PCB-209, the strains showed maximum growth when inoculated in a consortium (>2.0 × 104 CFU/g). The results showe that the range of the bacterial elimination of PCB-209 in the treatments was from 9.58 to 17.33 mg/kg. The highest elimination potential of PCB-209 was obtained when the bacterial strains were inoculated in a consortium. These findings open a wide perspective for the use of native bacteria for the cleaning and restoration of soils contaminated by toxic chemicals.
Delivering in Urban Areas: A Probabilistic-Behavioral Approach for Forecasting the Use of Electric Micromobility
Authors: Castiglione Marisdea , Comi Antonio , De Vincentis Rosita , Dumitru Andreea , Nigro Marialisa
Published: July 2022

Urban delivering is facing some significant changes that are heading towards unsustainable scenarios. At the same time, local administrations as well as city planners are involved in promoting new solutions that can help to improve city sustainability and livability. In this context, electric micromobility could offer a valuable contribution. In fact, electric micromobility systems such as e-bikes and e-scooters, both at an individual level or as a shared service, could represent sustainable mobility options for city logistics, especially for specific classes of parcel delivery, users’ characteristics and travelled distances. Considering both the growth of e-commerce and the spreading of new options for delivering parcels (e.g., crowdshipping), electric micromobility (e-bikes and e-scooters) could support the penetration and acceptability of such new options, limiting the impacts of delivery operations. After analysis of the current e-commerce background and a review of the current delivery options to satisfy delivery demand, crowdshipping stands out. Thus, the potential shift from private transport to e-micromobility for crowdshipping is investigated, assuming that potential crowdshippers may, mainly, be commuters. The methodology is based on using probabilistic-behavioral models developed within random utility theory, which allow the potential shift towards e-micromobility for commuting to be forecasted. The models were calibrated in Rome, where more than 200 interviews with commuters were available.
Learning Augmented Memory Joint Aberrance Repressed Correlation Filters for Visual Tracking
Authors: Ji Yuanfa , He Jianzhong , Sun Xiyan , Bai Yang , Wei Zhaochuan , Ghazali Kamarul Hawari bin
Published: July 2022

With its outstanding performance and tracking speed, discriminative correlation filters (DCF) have gained much attention in visual object tracking, where time-consuming correlation operations can be efficiently computed utilizing the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) with symmetric properties. Nevertheless, the inherent issues of boundary effects and filter degradation, as well as occlusion and background clutter, degrade the tracking performance. In this work, we proposed an augmented memory joint aberrance repressed correlation filter (AMRCF) for visual tracking. Based on the background-aware correlation filter (BACF), we introduced adaptive spatial regularity to mitigate the boundary effect. Several historical views and the current view are exploited to train the model together as a way to reinforce the memory. Furthermore, aberrance repression regularization was introduced to suppress response anomalies due to occlusion and deformation, while adopting the dynamic updating strategy to reduce the impact of anomalies on the appearance model. Finally, extensive experimental results over four well-known tracking benchmarks indicate that the proposed AMRCF tracker achieved comparable tracking performance to most state-of-the-art (SOTA) trackers.
Exploring Uber Taxi Application Using the Technology Acceptance Model
Authors: Moon Joonho , Shim Jimin , Lee Won Seok
Published: July 2022

The goal of this study was to investigate the accountability of the technology acceptance model (TAM) for Uber taxi applications. As antecedents of usefulness, this study selected three elements: time information, price information, and driver information. Data was collected using a survey on Amazon Mechanical Turk. The survey participants were users of the Uber taxi application. The number of valid observations for the data analysis was 412. For data analysis, frequency analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation matrix, and structural equation modeling were utilized. The results show that the usefulness is significantly influenced by time and driver information. They further indicate that ease of use positively affects both usefulness and attitude. In addition, usefulness significantly determines attitude, and attitude toward the Uber taxi application exerts a substantial effect on intention to use. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the explanatory power of TAM using the Uber taxi application as a research subject.
Antiseizure and Neuroprotective Efficacy of Midazolam in Comparison with Tezampanel (LY293558) against Soman-Induced Status Epilepticus
Authors: Figueiredo Taiza H. , Aroniadou-Anderjaska Vassiliki , Pidoplichko Volodymyr I. , Apland James P. , Braga Maria F. M.
Published: July 2022

Acute exposure to nerve agents induces status epilepticus (SE), which can cause death or long-term brain damage. Diazepam is approved by the FDA for the treatment of nerve agent-induced SE, and midazolam (MDZ) is currently under consideration to replace diazepam. However, animal studies have raised questions about the neuroprotective efficacy of benzodiazepines. Here, we compared the antiseizure and neuroprotective efficacy of MDZ (5 mg/kg) with that of tezampanel (LY293558; 10 mg/kg), an AMPA/GluK1 receptor antagonist, administered 1 h after injection of the nerve agent, soman (1.2 × LD50), in adult male rats. Both of the anticonvulsants promptly stopped SE, with MDZ having a more rapid effect. However, SE reoccurred to a greater extent in the MDZ-treated group, resulting in a significantly longer total duration of SE within 24 h post-exposure compared with the LY293558-treated group. The neuroprotective efficacy of the two drugs was studied in the basolateral amygdala, 30 days post-exposure. Significant neuronal and inter-neuronal loss, reduced ratio of interneurons to the total number of neurons, and reduction in spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents accompanied by increased anxiety were found in the MDZ-treated group. The rats treated with LY293558 did not differ from the control rats (not exposed to soman) in any of these measurements. Thus, LY293558 has significantly greater efficacy than midazolam in protecting against prolonged seizures and brain damage caused by acute nerve agent exposure.
Parametric Instability: An Evolutive Mechanism for the Alfvénic Turbulence in the Solar Wind
Authors: Malara Francesco , Primavera Leonardo , Veltri Pierluigi
Published: July 2022

Fluctuations in fast streams or in slow Alfvénic streams of the solar wind, and in the high-latitude wind, are characterized by high cross-helicity and a low level of compressions. Such properties, which are typical of Alfvénic fluctuations, tend to decline with increasing heliocentric distance. Parametric decay, where the energy of an initial Alfvén wave is progressively transferred to both backward-propagating Alfvén and compressive modes, has been proposed as a mechanism responsible for such a behavior. Over the years, the parametric process has been studied, both analytically and numerically, in many configurations, from monochromatic waves to increasingly complex situations which include broad-band turbulent configurations with one- and two-dimensional spectra. In this paper, we give a brief review of this theoretical development, discussing its relevance in the context the evolution of Alfvénic turbulence in the solar wind.
A Planning Framework for Urban Resilience toward Climate Adaptation and Mitigation: Potentials and Limits of “Eco-Districts”
Authors: Poli Irene , Ravagnan Chiara , Ricci Laura
Published: July 2022

In order to contribute to the debate on climate-proof urban regeneration, the study illustrated in this paper pays attention to the references for eco-districts as possible integrated frameworks that include urbanism and ecology toward urban resilience linked to environmental, social and governance “commitments”. To this end, the research activity has given answer to a need for a contextualization of the urban phenomena and the state of the art on sustainable development and climate proof urban resilience, pointing out the French context as an emblematic scope of study through a literature review of European best practices of eco-district. In consistency with this research framework, the study has developed a case study analysis, focusing on the description and evaluation of four best practices of French EcoQuartiers. The methodology adopted has selected with an inductive method the mitigation and adaptation strategies developed in the implementation of the French emblematic eco-quartiers, combining the official sources of the projects with on-site visits and surveys in order to define an experimental proposal of a grid of methodological-operational references relating to eco-districts. Furthermore, the discussion points out the potentials and limits of the proposed framework, related on the one hand to the quality, innovation, integration, and dissemination of the design solutions, and on the other hand to the economic and social costs of the EcoQuartiers that find a synthesis in the concept of “greentrification”. Finally, the conclusion highlights the interest of the contribution of the French context in climate proof planning and points out research interest in the other national contexts toward a European framework for eco-districts.
Silent Infection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b in a Commercial Chicken Broiler Flock in Italy
Authors: Gobbo Federica , Zanardello Claudia , Bottinelli Marco , Budai Jane , Bruno Francesca , De Nardi Roberta , Patregnani Tommaso , Catania Salvatore , Terregino Calogero
Published: July 2022

From October 2021 to January 2022, different incursions of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus) occurred in several Italian regions with its main diffusion in Densely Poultry Populated Areas (DPPAs) of north-eastern Italy. Monitoring and control activities applied in the affected area clearly evidenced that turkeys and broilers were the most affected species, although several flocks of broilers at times resulted HPAIV H5N1 infected in absence of increased mortality and/or clinical signs. Thus, an approach based on sampling dead birds was adopted in the broiler sector to improve the early detection of infection; this protocol allowed us to confirm that 15 farms were HPAIV-infected with birds ready to be delivered to the slaughterhouse. The aim of this report is to describe the results of the diagnostic activities carried out in one HPAIV H5N1-infected broiler farm, three days after laboratory confirmation during the pre-movement testing without showing increased mortality or clinical signs. Thus, clinical signs, daily cumulative mortality rate (CMR), virus shedding, seroconversion, pathobiology of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV as well as Avian Influenza Viruses (AIVs) environmental contamination were thoroughly examined in the infected holding. Such in-depth investigation demonstrated low infection prevalence in live birds, low environmental contamination, no seroconversion for AIVs, gross and microscopic findings compatible with systemic infection with peracute death in H5N1 HPAIV-infected birds.
Immune Escape Associated with RBD Omicron Mutations and SARS-CoV-2 Evolution Dynamics
Authors: Kudriavtsev Aleksandr V. , Vakhrusheva Anna V. , Novoseletsky Valery N. , Bozdaganyan Marine E. , Shaitan Konstantin V. , Kirpichnikov Mikhail P. , Sokolova Olga S.
Published: July 2022

The evolution and the emergence of new mutations of viruses affect their transmissibility and/or pathogenicity features, depending on different evolutionary scenarios of virus adaptation to the host. A typical trade-off scenario of SARS-CoV-2 evolution has been proposed, which leads to the appearance of an Omicron strain with lowered lethality, yet enhanced transmissibility. This direction of evolution might be partly explained by virus adaptation to therapeutic agents and enhanced escape from vaccine-induced and natural immunity formed by other SARS-CoV-2 strains. Omicron’s high mutation rate in the Spike protein, as well as its previously described high genome mutation rate (Kandeel et al., 2021), revealed a gap between it and other SARS-CoV-2 strains, indicating the absence of a transitional evolutionary form to the Omicron strain. Therefore, Omicron has emerged as a new serotype divergent from the evolutionary lineage of other SARS-CoV-2 strains. Omicron is a rapidly evolving variant of high concern, whose new subvariants continue to manifest. Its further understanding and the further monitoring of key mutations that provide virus immune escape and/or high affinity towards the receptor could be useful for vaccine and therapeutic development in order to control the evolutionary direction of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dynamics of the Emerging Genogroup of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Infection in Broiler Farms in South Korea: A Nationwide Study
Authors: Thai Tuyet Ngan , Yoo Dae-Sung , Jang Il , Kwon Yong-Kuk , Kim Hye-Ryoung
Published: July 2022

Infectious bursal disease (IBD), caused by IBD virus (IBDV), threatens the health of the poultry industry. Recently, a subtype of genogroup (G) 2 IBDV named G2d has brought a new threat to the poultry industry. To determine the current status of IBDV prevalence in South Korea, active IBDV surveillance on 167 randomly selected broiler farms in South Korea from August 2020 to July 2021 was conducted. The bursas of Fabricius from five chickens from each farm were independently pooled and screened for IBDV using virus-specific RT-PCR. As a result, 86 farms were found to be infected with the G2d variant, 13 farms with G2b, and 2 farms with G3. Current prevalence estimation of IBDV infection in South Korea was determined as 17.8% at the animal level using pooled sampling methods. G2d IBDV was predominant compared to other genogroups, with a potentially high-risk G2d infection area in southwestern South Korea. The impact of IBDV infection on poultry productivity or Escherichia coli infection susceptibility was also confirmed. A comparative pathogenicity test indicated that G2d IBDV caused severe and persistent damage to infected chickens compared with G2b. This study highlights the importance of implementation of regular surveillance programs and poses challenges for the comprehensive prevention of IBDV infections.
Fixed-Dose Ultrasound-Assisted Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Acute Pulmonary Embolism Associated with COVID-19
Authors: Voci Davide , Zbinden Stéphanie , Micieli Evy , Kucher Nils , Barco Stefano
Published: July 2022

Background. Fixed-dose ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis (USAT) rapidly improves hemodynamic parameters and reverses right ventricular dysfunction caused by acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The effectiveness of USAT for acute PE associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unknown. Methods and results. The study population of this cohort study consisted of 36 patients with an intermediate-high- or high-risk acute PE treated with a fixed low-dose USAT protocol (r-tPA 10–20 mg/15 h). Of these, 9 patients tested positive for COVID-19 and were age–sex-matched to 27 patients without COVID-19. The USAT protocol included, beyond the infusion of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, anti-Xa-activity-adjusted unfractionated heparin therapy (target 0.3–0.7 U/mL). The study outcomes were the invasively measured mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) before and at completion of USAT, and the National Early Warning Score (NEWS), according to which more points indicate more severe hemodynamic impairment. Twenty-four (66.7%) patients were men; the mean age was 67 ± 14 years. Mean ± standard deviation mPAP decreased from 32.3 ± 8.3 to 22.4 ± 7.0 mmHg among COVID-19 patients and from 35.4 ± 9.7 to 24.6 ± 7.0 mmHg among unexposed, with no difference in the relative improvement between groups (p = 0.84). Within 12 h of USAT start, the median NEWS decreased from six (Q1–Q3: 4–8) to three (Q1–Q3: 2–4) points among COVID-19 patients and from four (Q1–Q3: 2–6) to two (Q1–Q3: 2–3) points among unexposed (p = 0.29). One COVID-19 patient died due to COVID-19-related complications 14 days after acute PE. No major bleeding events occurred. Conclusions. Among patients with COVID-19-associated acute PE, mPAP rapidly decreased during USAT with a concomitant progressive improvement of the NEWS. The magnitude of mPAP reduction was similar in patients with and without COVID-19.
Characterization and Genomic Analysis of Novel Vibrio parahaemolyticus Phage vB_VpaP_DE10
Authors: Ye Yuanming , Chen Hanfang , Huang Qiaolan , Huang Shixuan , He Jiaxin , Zhang Jumei , Wu Qingping , Li Xueling , Hu Wenfeng , Yang Meiyan
Published: July 2022

In the present study, a novel lytic Vibrio parahaemolyticus phage, vB_VpaP_DE10, was isolated from sewage samples collected in Guangzhou city, China. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that phage vB_VpaP_DE10 has an icosahedral head (52.4 ± 2.5 nm) and a short non-contracted tail (21.9 ± 1.0 nm). Phage vB_VpaP_DE10 lysed approximately 31% (8/26) of the antibiotic-resistant V. parahaemolyticus strains tested. A one-step growth curve showed that phage vB_VpaP_DE10 has a relatively long latency time of 25 min and a burst size of ~19 PFU per cell. The genome of phage vB_VpaP_DE10 is a 42,871-bp-long dsDNA molecule with a G + C content of 49.19% and is predicted to contain 46 open reading frames, 26 of which are predicted to be related to functions such as phage structure, packaging, host lysis, and DNA metabolism. Sequence comparisons suggested that vB_VpaP_DE10 is a member of the genus Maculvirus within the family Autographiviridae. Morphological and genomic analysis indicated that vB_VpaP_DE10 is a novel V. parahaemolyticus phage.
Is the HTLV-1 Retrovirus Targeted by Host Restriction Factors?
Authors: Carcone Auriane , Journo Chloé , Dutartre Hélène
Published: July 2022

Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the etiological agent of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), was identified a few years before Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). However, forty years later, our comprehension of HTLV-1 immune detection and the host immune responses to HTLV-1 is far more limited than for HIV. In addition to innate and adaptive immune responses that rely on specialized cells of the immune system, host cells may also express a range of antiviral factors that inhibit viral replication at different stages of the cycle, in a cell-autonomous manner. Multiple antiviral factors allowing such an intrinsic immunity have been primarily and extensively described in the context HIV infection. Here, we provide an overview of whether known HIV restriction factors might act on HTLV-1 replication. Interestingly, many of them do not exert any antiviral activity against HTLV-1, and we discuss viral replication cycle specificities that could account for these differences. Finally, we highlight future research directions that could help to identify antiviral factors specific to HTLV-1.
Considerations for Novel COVID-19 Mucosal Vaccine Development
Authors: Alturaiki Wael
Published: July 2022

Mucosal surfaces are the first contact sites of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Most SARS-CoV-2 vaccines induce specific IgG responses but provide limited mucosal immunity. Cytokine B-cell activation factor (BAFF) and A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily play key immunological functions during B cell development and antibody production. Furthermore, homeostatic chemokines, such as C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13), chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19), and CCL21, can induce B- and T-cell responses to infection and promote the formation of inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues (iBALT), where specific local immune responses and memory cells are generated. We reviewed the role of BAFF, APRIL, CXCL13, CCL19, and CCL21 in the activation of local B-cell responses and antibody production, and the formation of iBALT in the lung following viral respiratory infections. We speculate that mucosal vaccines may offer more efficient protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection than systematic vaccines and hypothesize that a novel SARS-CoV-2 mRNA mucosal vaccine using BAFF/APRIL or CXCL13 as immunostimulants combined with the spike protein-encoding mRNA may enhance the efficiency of the local immune response and prevent the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 replication and the rapid viral clearance from the airways.
Recent and Historical Background and Current Challenges for Sediment Disaster Measures against Climate Change in Japan
Authors: Hayashi Shin-ichiro , Kunitomo Masaru , Mikami Koso , Suzuki Keisuke
Published: July 2022

Japan is a country with one of the highest incidences of sediment disasters, which will become more severe and more frequent as a result of climate change. This paper reviews the recent occurrence of sediment disasters caused by heavy rainfall affected by climate change in recent years, challenges in adaptation measures, and recent policies targeting such sediment disasters in Japan. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has been conducting non-structural and structural measures based on legislation. Recently, climate change has resulted in more severe and frequent disasters along with damage caused by sediment movement phenomena that are not covered by the present system for warning and evacuation. Efforts to establish assessment methods concerning the risk of these phenomena are shown as examples of current challenges of climate change.
Performance of Newly Developed Intermittent Aerator for Flat-Sheet Ceramic Membrane in Industrial MBR System
Authors: Noguchi Hiroshi , Yin Qiang , Lee Su Chin , Xia Tao , Niwa Terutake , Lay Winson , Chua Seng Chye , Yu Lei , Tay Yuke Jen , Nassir Mohd Jamal , Tao Guihe , Ooi Shu Ting , Dhalla Adil , Gudipati Chakravarthy
Published: July 2022

An intermittent aerator was newly developed to reduce energy costs in a flat-sheet ceramic membrane bioreactor (MBR) for industrial wastewater treatment. Large air bubbles were supplied over a short time interval by the improved aerator technology at the bottom of the flat-sheet membrane. Performance tests for the intermittent aerator were carried out in a pilot system with two cassettes immersed in a membrane tank of the 1-MGD demonstration plant at Jurong Water Reclamation Plant (JWRP) in Singapore. Stable operation was achieved at an average flow of 19–22 LMH with every-2-days MC and peak flow of 27 to 33 LMH with daily MC with reduced air flow for membrane aeration. This indicates that energy costs for membrane aeration can be reduced by using the intermittent aerator. Stable MBR operation with a projected 43% reduction in the overall operating costs could be achieved with an improved aerator together with improved MC regime and membrane cassette.
Investigation of a Possible Relationship between Anthropogenic and Geogenic Water Contaminants and Birth Defects Occurrence in Rural Nebraska
Authors: Ouattara Balkissa S. , Zahid Muhammad , Rahman Farzana I. , Weber Karrie A. , Bartelt-Hunt Shannon L. , Rogan Eleanor G.
Published: July 2022

Relatively high concentrations of anthropogenic (atrazine and nitrate) and geogenic (uranium and arsenic) water contaminants have been found in drinking water in rural Nebraska. This research assessed a potential association between birth defects occurrence and the contaminants mentioned above within selected Nebraska watershed boundaries. The prevalence of birth defects and the mean concentrations of the selected water contaminants were calculated. More than 80% of Nebraska watersheds had birth defect prevalences above the national average (5 cases per 100 live births). In the negative binomial regression analysis, a positive association was observed between higher levels of nitrate in drinking water and the prevalence of birth defects. Similarly, compared to watersheds with lower atrazine levels, watersheds with atrazine levels above 0.00 µg/L had a higher prevalence of birth defects. This study suggested that chronic exposure to the selected waterborne contaminants even below the legislated maximum contaminant levels may result in birth defects. It also highlighted the relationship between anthropogenic activities (agriculture practices), water contamination, and adverse health effects on children. An additional cohort study is recommended to support these findings so that regulations can be implemented in the form of continuous monitoring of water in private wells and improvements to agricultural practices.
Analysis on the Knowledge Evolution Path of Public Acceptance of Reclaimed Water Research
Authors: Liu Xiaojun , Li Lili , Wang Mengmeng
Published: July 2022

Reclaimed water is an important component of available water resources, and public acceptance of reclaimed water is a key factor influencing the implementation of reclaimed water reuse projects. For this reason, it has received attention from different scholars in the international community. Based on the literature data on public acceptance of reclaimed water, this study analyzes the development status of research results and explores the knowledge evolution path with the help of bibliometric methods. Our results show that the field of research on public acceptance of reclaimed water began to grow rapidly after 1990, and identify influential countries, institutions, authors, and journals in the field. In addition, “water quality”, “public health”, and “irrigation” are themes that run throughout the research, and “sustainable development” and “potable reuse” are the emerging research hotspots. As research progresses, the scope of research on reclaimed water reuse and its influencing factors continues to expand, and reclaimed water management policies and standards continue to improve. In the future, in order to improve public acceptance, finding how to improve the public’s risk perception and trust in reclaimed water will become a central research focus.
Etiologías asociadas con neoplasias diseminadas en moluscos bivalvos
Authors: Varela Alexander , Elizondo Ovares Carolina
Published: July 2022

Se presenta una revisión sobre las neoplasias diseminadas descritas en los moluscos bivalvos, así como las etiologías asociadas a ellas. Se analiza y discute sobre los argumentos y razones por las cuales no ha sido posible identificar un agente causal único. Estas etiologías incluyen a los contaminantes antropogénicos, las biotoxinas, las alteraciones y factores genéticos tales como transposones, a agentes infecciosos, particularmente retrovirus y a la participación de linajes clonales de células transformadas y transmisibles. Se describen, además, las principales características histopatológicas desarrolladas por los animales afectados por esta patología y se exponen las principales técnicas diagnósticas.
Perancangan Buku Ilustrasi Tentang Ilmu Pengatahuan Alam Untuk Siswa Kelas 3 SD
Authors: Wahyutiar Rossyta , Magh'firoh Restu Hendriyani , Noviadji Benny Rahmawan , Putra Handy Anggarda Sabara
Published: July 2022

Pendidikan bukan hanya mengenai mengantarkan siswa - siswi ke sekolah, tetapi pendidikan juga merupakan pembentukan karakter dan mendapatkan ilmu. Terlebih untuk pendidikan SD dimana usia sangat memengaruhi kepribadian seseorang terhadap pendidikan. Sulitnya dimengerti pelajaran Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam di bangku kelas 3 SD membuat siswa enggan untuk belajar, sehingga peneliti bertujuan membuat buku ilustrasi, karena dengan media tersebut peneliti dapat lebih mudah menuangkan maksud yang ingin disampaikan kepada target audience, tentunya dengan tampilan yang menarik dan alur cerita yang seru. Tema yang diangkat adalah IPA, serta didukungnya kegiatan wawancara dengan narasumber selaku guru IPA di salah satu sekolah swasta yang berada di Kota Surabaya yang mengungkapkan bahwa materi IPA adalah salah satu materi yang susah dipahami oleh kebanyakan siswa. Berdasarkan hasil dari wawancara tersebut, peneliti merancang sebuah media buku ilustrasi yang berisikan mengenai materi pelajaran IPA yang sekiranya cukup susah untuk dipahami. Tentunya perancangan media ilustrasi ini didukung dengan kegiatan wawancara pada narasumber yang tepat, serta penulis juga mengumpulkan teori-teori yang memperkuat proses perancangan buku ilustrasi ini. Hasil akhir dari perancangan buku ilustrasi ini adalah 3 buku ilustrasi yang dibagi menjadi 3 seri dengan judul “Mengenal Perkembangbiakan Tumbuhan”, “Mengenal Macam-macam Sumber Energi”, dan yang terakhir yaitu “Mengenal Hidrologis dan Perubahan Wujud Benda. Tidak hanya itu, media pendukung dan media promosi juga ikut dirancang mulai dari mug, kaos, gantungan kunci, pin, dan stationery set. Kemiudian, untuk media promosinya penulis juga merancang brosur, poster, dan x-banner.
Simulation modeling of multi-stream data transmission in the AnyLogic environment
Authors:   Southern Federal University, Ryndin A.V. , Pakulova E.A.
Published: July 2022

The paper considers a simulation model of multi-path data transmission built in the AnyLogic environment. The use of a multi-path data transmission scenario is extremely relevant today since user devices have more than one communication interface, and the amount of traffic is growing. We analyzed the QoS characteristics for a scenario with two sub-paths. It has been shown that a policy of allocation data into subpaths according to the amount of free resources can lead to the problem of incorrect packet order on the receiving side. In addition, it is obvious that the AnyLogic environment can be used to model telecommunication systems at a high level of abstraction.
Model of a quantum neural network based on a multilevel activation function
Authors:   Southern Federal University, Gushansky S.M. , Buglov V.E.
Published: July 2022

This article proposes a model of a quantum neural network based on a multilevel activation function, which has high performance. This performance is achieved by combining such unique components as: the quantum weight vector, quantum activity values and the dot product operator. In addition, algorithms for learning weight parameters and quantum intervals are presented, in particular, the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is improved to improve the quality of the error back propagation method in the process of learning weight parameters, which will also reduce the likelihood of quantum errors.
Method of automatIc text annoting based on hybrid intelligent technologies
Authors:   Southern Federal University, Gladkov L.A. , Gladkova N.V. , Bova V.V.
Published: July 2022

In the article, the analysis of modern methods of automatic annotation and abstracting of texts is carried out, the disadvantages and advantages of existing methods are noted. The problem of automatic annotation is formulated. The main stages of automatic processing of information during annotation are determined. A model for processing text sources using multi-agent organizations is proposed. A method based on the hypothesis of the existence of meaning at the level of syntactic collocations has been developed. A model for solving the problem based on the extraction of N-grams and their subsequent grammatical processing is proposed.
The model of a parallel life cycle of configurable information systems based on a methodological framework
Authors:   Southern Federal University, Kucherov S.A. , Rogozov Y.I. , Norkin O.R.
Published: July 2022

Existing approaches to organizing the life cycle of information systems are associated with problems of mutual understanding between the customer and the developer. In view of the implementation of communication between the participants in the development process through polysemantic or indefinite concepts, the naming of which causes an erroneous opinion about the uniform perception of their meaning, the image of the target system formulated by the customer from such concepts and the image of the created system, consisting of the concepts implemented by the developer of the same name, but different in meaning, concepts can differ significantly. The phased division of the life cycle of information systems exacerbates the situation, since at each stage introduced, new meanings of polysemantic concepts are formed. To get away from this problem, a new life cycle model is proposed, the essence of which is the parallel work of all participants in the life cycle on the same set of concepts formulated by the user or customer. Parallelism is proposed to be ensured through the coordination of the meaning of the concept, and the concept itself to be represented using the abstraction of the mechanism of action as a unity of form and content that describe the action to create it.
The problem of using mobile robotic devices for perimeter monitoring: research analysis and solution approach
Authors:   St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kotenko I.V. , Saenko I.B. , Levshun D.S. , Chechulin A.A. , Bosiakov S.M. , Kochin V.P.
Published: July 2022

The use of mobile robotic devices for perimeter monitoring is a new fundamental scientific problem, and its solution can significantly increase the level of security for strategic facilities. The paper presents the results of the analysis of existing studies aimed at developing solutions for managing a swarm of heterogeneous robotic devices and their application to solve security problems. A methodical approach to solving the problem is considered, it is based on the combination of methods of swarm intelligence and collaborative robotics.
Development of a system for recording working hours, planning vacations and time off
Authors:   Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology, Popov A.A. , Ognegin K.E. , Polskaya P.S.
Published: July 2022

The article presents the results of the development of a system of working time accounting, vacation planning and time off in the company «Digital Mind Development» LLC. The task of simplifying the process of planning vacations and time off is solved by systematizing this process. Such a system will allow you to store all data about vacations and days off of employees in one place, as well as structure this data.
TÜRK BORÇLAR KANUNUNA GÖRE KEFALETİN SONA ERMESİ
Authors: OĞUZ Cemal
Published: July 2022

Bu çalışmada 2012 yılında yürürlüğe giren Türk Borçlar Kanunu’nun kefalet sözleşmesinin sona ermesine ilişkin öngördüğü yeni hükümler incelenmeye çalışılmıştır. Kefilin uzunca bir süre yükümlülük altında tutulmasının yaratacağı sakıncaları ortadan kaldırmak amacıyla kanun koyucu, belirsiz bir süre için girişilmiş kefaletlerin öngörülen sürenin geçmesiyle ortadan kalkacağını düzenlemiştir. Makalemizin konusunu, kanunda kefalet sözleşmesinin öngörülen bu ve bunun dışındaki diğer sona erme sebepleri oluşturmaktadır.
Kefalet fer’i niteliği itibarıyla kural olarak temin ettiği asıl borcun sona ermesiyle birlikte ortadan kalkar. Bunun yanı sıra kefalet sözleşmesi asıl borçtan bağımsız olarak kendisinden doğan sebeplerle de sona erebilir. Asıl borca bağlı sona erme sebepleri, TBK m. 598/I’de düzenlenmişken; bağımsız sona erme sebepleri TBK m. 598/II ilâ TBK m. 598/V arasında düzenlenmiştir. Bu bağımsız sona erme sebepleri arasında kanunda yeni bir hüküm olarak yer alan bir gerçek kişi tarafından verilmiş olan her türlü kefaletin, buna ilişkin sözleşmenin kurulmasından başlayarak on yılın geçmesiyle kendiliğinden ortadan kalkacağına ilişkin düzenleme önem taşır.
Kefalet, ayrı bir sözleşme olarak Kanun’un genel hükümlerine göre de sona erebilir. Kefaletin kendisinden kaynaklanan sona erme sebepleri ise TBK m. 598 ilâ TBK m. 602 arasında düzenlemiştir. Gelecekte doğacak bir borca kefalet bakımından da durum, kanunun ilgili hükmü çerçevesinde değerlendirilmekte ve kefile tanınan kefaletten dönme hakkı makalede ayrıca incelenmektedir.
Molecular mechanism of allicin-induced apoptosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
Authors: Hazwani Farrah , Mohd Amin Indah , Abdul Rahim Mohd Aizat
Published: July 2022

90% - 95% of oral malignancies are reported to be contributed by oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Patients with oral cancer also have suffered from a stagnant survival rate of 50% for decades. With the advancement in technologies and medicine discovery, the standard solution for oral cancer is via chemotherapy and surgery. An alternative for the treatment is by incorporating a genotoxic drug, cisplatin. Unfortunately, cisplatin has been reported by many patients to give unpleasant effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Hence, a more reliable treatment needs to be unleashed. Allicin (diallylthiosulfinate) is well known for its antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial purposes. Numerous studies have also reported the effectiveness of allicin as an anticancer agent against multiple cancer cell strains. With treatment of allicin in a dose-dependent manner, inhibition of carcinoma cells proliferation through a programmed cell death called apoptosis was considered favourable. Allicin induces apoptosis by activating cascades of caspases and caspase independent pathways as well as increasing p53 and Bax/Bcl2 expression. Allicin serves many potentials to fight off oral cancer carcinoma cells but there seems to be a limited amount of study in the oral cancer area. Therefore, this review article would like to highlight the reported studies on allicin in various cancer cell lines including oral cancer cells.
CRISPR/Cas9 for soybean improvement: A review
Authors: Kar Shikta Rani , Choudhury Swapnila , Chakraborty Anindita
Published: July 2022

The soybean is a valuable legume crop cultivated for its oil and protein which is used widely as food for humans and feed for livestock as well as in biofuel production. The genetic improvement of the soybean needs to be accelerated to boost its productivity and enhance its resilience to changing environments. In recent years, CRISPR/Cas9 has become a powerful and robust genome editing system for manipulating traits of various crop plants including soybean. This cutting-edge biotechnological tool has been extensively used as a means for improving crop quality and yields, disease-resistance, tolerance to adverse environmental conditions, and production of plant-based materials. This review presents a brief mechanism of the CRISPR/Cas9 system followed by its application in soybean improvement. It also highlights some prospects of using the CRISPR/Cas9 system in soybean research.