bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting the Optimal Sustainable Development of the Romanian Ecological Agriculture
Authors: Ursu Ana , Petre Ionut Laurentiu
Published: November 2022

Organic farming is an important objective of the European Commission, translated into the European Green Pact through the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Biodiversity Strategy, with EU member countries having to find solutions to meet the target of at least 25% of agricultural land being used for organic cultivation by 2030. The aim for Romania can be achieved by modelling the distribution of crops in terms of cultivated areas and production yields obtained in organic and conventional systems according to the population size. Applying quantitative and qualitative analysis of EUROSTAT data for the above-mentioned indicators, the geomean function, linear programming, and the simplex method were used, depending on the set objectives. To demonstrate that organic farming can be sustainable and in line with the three pillars of sustainability, economic, social and environmental, we related the agricultural area to the population of Romania to highlight the average annual growth rate for the 2020–2030 tine horizon. The results showed an increase in agricultural area per capita of 0.708 ha (4.91%), compared to 0.69 ha as the average for the period 2012–2020, which correlated with organic production yields 32% lower than conventional agriculture. Through modelling, the reduction in organic farm yield was found to be less than or equal to the increase in area per capita, thus reaching the proposed target. The results of this study have long-term implications for supporting the transition to organic farming in the sense that the study argues that reaching the target of 25% of agricultural land that can enter organic farming is in line with the sustainability trilogy. The approach used can be followed and replicated according to national agricultural policies.
Micro Language Planning for Sustainable Early English Language Education: A Case Study on Chinese Educators’ Agency
Authors: Liang Luyao , Li Hui , Chik Alice
Published: November 2022

In language education research, micro-level language policy and planning (LPP) primarily concerns local actors’ decision making on matters in relation to language(s) and its users. Despite a growing body of literature focusing on micro-level language planning in educational settings, there is a scarcity of research examining early childhood education settings as the micro-level LPP context for young English language learners. By adopting a qualitative case study approach and drawing on an ecological approach to LPP, the present study examined the educators’ enactment of agency in micro-planning the English language education policy (LEP) in one Chinese kindergarten and the associated factors shaping their agency. Deploying a grounded theory analytical method, this study revealed that the sustainable implementation of the kindergarten English LEP depended on the principal, native English-speaking teachers, and the Chinese assistant teachers’ different degrees of agency. Additionally, the research findings indicated an array of contextual and individual factors nested in a hierarchical structure that facilitated, guided, and constrained the educators’ agency in a role-and circumstance-dependent manner. This study contributes to the pertinent literature by casting nuanced light on the different educators’ contributions to the micro-level LPP against a national policy that does not endorse early-year English language education.
Assessment of the Red Seaweed Gelidium sesquipedale By-Products as an Organic Fertilizer and Soil Amendment
Authors: Errati Hajare , Bencheqroun Sanae Krimi , Aboutayeb Rachid , Abail Zhor , Lebbar Salim , Dari Khadija , Hilali Lahoucine
Published: November 2022

The agar extraction process of the red algae Gelidium sesquipedale generates a solid residue as the main by-product. However, this residue remains non-valorized, despite its potential as a fertilizer. This study aims to determine the value of G. sesquipedale residue as organic fertilizer and for soil amendments. An incubation test of G. sesquipedale residue in soils was performed to measure the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) release. The potential fertilization effect of the residue was evaluated in a greenhouse on two crops: strawberry and corn. The amount of available P was high at the beginning of the incubation experiment. The amounts of nitrate–nitrogen (NO₃−-N) and available Ca increased over the incubation time. A high efficiency of fertilization using the residue at different concentrations was observed in both crops. Application of the residue enhanced crop growth. The fertilization effect was associated with increased macro- and micro-elements in the strawberry fruit’s N, Ca, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) and in the corn leaves’ N, P, magnesium (Mg), and Fe. Moreover, the residue was a good soil organic amendment as it enhanced the amount of organic matter (OM) and some macro- and micro-elements in the soil after plant harvest.
Forest Aboveground Biomass Estimation and Response to Climate Change Based on Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Li Yingchang , Li Mingyang , Wang Yuehui
Published: November 2022

As the largest and most important natural terrestrial ecosystem, forest plays a crucial role in reducing the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mitigating global warming, maintaining the global ecological balance, and promoting global biological evolution and community succession. The accurate and rapid assessment of forest biomass is highly significant for estimating the regional carbon budget and monitoring forest change. In this study, Landsat images and China’s National Forest Continuous Inventory data of 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014 were used to establish extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) models for forest aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation based on forest type in the Xiangjiang River Basin, Hunan Province, China. Kriging interpolation of the AGB residuals was used to correct the error of AGB estimation. Then, a new XGBoost model was established using the final corrected AGB maps and climate data to estimate the AGB under different climate scenarios during the 2050s and 2070s. The results indicated that AGB estimation using the XGBoost model with correction via Kriging interpolation of the AGB residuals can significantly improve the accuracy of AGB estimation. The total AGB of the study area increased over time from 1999 to 2014, indicating that the forest quality improved in the study area. Under the different climate scenarios, the total AGB during the 2050s and 2070s was predicted to decline continuously with increasing of greenhouse gas emissions, indicating that greenhouse gas emissions have a negative impact on forest growth. The results of this study can provide data support for evaluating the ecological function and value of forest ecosystems, and for formulating reasonable forest management measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Identifying the Spatiotemporal Differences and Driving Forces of Residents’ Consumption at the Provincial Level in the Context of the Digital Economy
Authors: Wei Qing , Wang Chuansheng , Yao Cuiyou , Wang Dong , Sun Zhihua
Published: November 2022

The digital economy has become a new form of the economy. Based on data from the China Year Book from 2012 to 2020, this paper characterizes China’s spatial differences in regional consumption expenditure in the context of the digital economy. We utilize the GIS spatial analysis technique, ESDA, Geodetector, and other spatial econometric tools to reveal the spatiotemporal evolution patterns and driving mechanism of residents’ consumption development in the context of the digital economy for 31 provinces in China and propose differentiated policy suggestions for residents’ consumption development against the background of the digital economy in China, creating a reference for decision making on residents’ consumption in China. The findings show that, first, provincial residents’ consumption expenditures appear to decrease on a gradient from eastern to central and western China, showing extreme polarization and spatial aggregation. Second, the power of the seven driving factors of residents’ consumption varies widely across time; the driving factors representing the digital economy can reduce the regional differences in residents’ consumption. On the other hand, non-digital economic factors increase the spatial difference. Third, two digital economic factors play the most important roles in the interaction effect in most years.
Awareness and Expectations of Polish Consumers Regarding Edible Niche Oils as a Food Product
Authors: Czwartkowski Kamil , Wierzbic Arkadiusz , Golimowski Wojciech
Published: November 2022

Despite their nutritional value and increasing supply of oils from unconventional plants to the oil industry, edible niche oils do not have high sales. The market for niche oils is geared toward an ever-growing volume of conscious consumers distinguished by their sensitivity to product quality, packaging type, price, sourcing technology, and variety of product use. In the literature, there is a lack of research on consumer preferences and expectations of niche oils. This article continues a series of studies on niche oils aimed at determining the proper technological parameters for production, discussing the economic aspects of niche oil production, and researching consumer behavior concerning these products. It aims to determine Polish consumers’ awareness and expectations of edible niche oils, select the oils of most significant interest to consumers, and determine the factors influencing consumers’ propensity to try edible niche oils. The survey, in the form of a questionnaire, was conducted using the CAWI method on a representative sample of 1000 Polish consumers. Consumers were divided into four segments: those who regularly consume niche oils, consumers who have experience with niche oils, consumers who are familiar with them but have not tried them, and consumers who do not know niche oils. Data were analyzed collectively and separately for each segment using one-way ANOVA. Grape seed oils and edible castor oil are the most interesting to consumers. Consumers’ purchasing decisions are influenced by price, nutrient content, and sustainable production free of GMO products and harmful chemicals. Therefore, manufacturers should increase the availability of certain oils (e.g., peanut oil). Sensory qualities, place of production, and brand recognition are secondary selection criteria. Future research should focus on the organoleptic evaluation of products available on the market. Research results may be used to create production and marketing strategies to make niche oils more attractive to consumers.
Positive Impacts of the Overall-Process Management Measures on Promoting Municipal Solid Waste Classification: A Case Study of Chongqing, China
Authors: Guo Yanyan , Wei Ran , Zhang Xingqing , Chai Fuliang , Zhao Youcai , Zhou Tao
Published: November 2022

Municipal solid waste (MSW) classification is a national strategic objective and an important component of successful municipal solid waste management (MSWM). Some failures of pilot programs suggest that safeguarding measures are essential for MSW classification. A questionnaire survey of public awareness and attitudes toward MSW source-separated collection in Chongqing’s main districts was conducted, and the results indicated that the proportions of respondents willing to participate in MSW classification and provide money for it were 67.9% and 86.2%, respectively. The positive impacts of the overall-process management measures on promoting MSW classification in Chongqing’s main districts, including source-separated collection system, transportation system, treatment and disposal system, and environmental sanitation prevention system, were analyzed comprehensively. The analyses revealed that a 98% resident participation rate was obtained for MSW source-separated collection with the application of a cloud-based platform and traceability system. Moreover, the secondary transportation and comprehensive “4 + 1” (four waste incineration plants and one waste landfill) disposal mode showed significant advantages with respect to costs and environmental friendliness. In view of the environmental sanitation risks, the prevention and control of environmental sanitation were developed in Chongqing. The future prospects have also been discussed. The refinement and regionalization of source-separated collection are proposed as the possible solution.
Predictors of Intention to Use a Sustainable Cloud-Based Quality Management System among Academics in Jordan
Authors: Dajani Dima , Yaseen Saad G. , El Qirem Ihab , Sa’d Hanadi
Published: November 2022

This research aims to provide a predictive model of essential factors influencing the behavioral intention to use sustainable cloud-based quality management systems among academics in Jordan. A comprehensive research model was developed based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which was tested using cross-sectional data. The research sample covers Jordanian higher education institutions (23 governmental and private universities), and the unit of analysis includes 500 academics. The research adapts and modifies the UTAUT2 model and TPB to explain behavioral intention to use sustainable cloud-based quality management systems in developing countries. The proposed model explained 0.478 percent of behavioral intention variance and 0.127 percent of the user behavior variance. Three constructs are found to be significant predictors: perceived behavioral control, performance expectancy, and facilitating conditions. The attitude toward the behavior and subjective norm are not significant predictors. The research contributes to the literature in several ways. First, it extends previous studies by examining predictors of the behavioral intention to use SCQMS in higher education institutions. Second, it provides rigorous empirical evidence that incorporating the UTAUT2 model with the TPB produced a substantial improvement in the variance explained in behavioral intention compared to the prior research conducted in developing contexts. Third, this research provides useful insight into university management. The research provides a better understanding of the essential factors influencing the behavior intention to use sustainable cloud-based quality management systems in Jordanian Universities. Thus, the research model provides better explanatory power than previous studies in business literature and developing markets.
Does Inclusive Leadership Improve the Sustainability of Employee Relations? Test of Justice Theory and Employee Perceived Insider Status
Authors: Shah Hassan Jalil , Ou Jenho Peter , Attiq Saman , Umer Muhammad , Wong Wing-Keung
Published: November 2022

The concept of inclusion has moved beyond being a social construct and has received widespread attention from organisational scholars and practitioners due to its varied effects on employee behaviours and sustainable organisational outcomes. This study tests the impact of inclusive leadership on the withdrawal behaviours of employees. Perceived insider status is used as a mediator and distributive justice as a moderator. This study has collected data from nurses, physicians, and paramedics of selected tertiary hospitals in Pakistan. A convenience sampling technique was used to collect data. A total of 264 responses were analysed using the PLS-SEM approach. Results found that inclusive leadership was positively related to perceived insider status and negatively related to employee withdrawal. Perceived insider status mediated the link. The impact of inclusive leadership on perceived insider status was stronger when distributive justice was high. This study offers multiple theoretical and practical implications, as it uses justice theory as a mechanism to explain boundary conditions around the effects of inclusive leadership on employee perceptions of being insiders, managing employee withdrawals, and improving sustainability in employee relations.
Microbial Fuel Cells for Electrical Energy: Outlook on Scaling-Up and Application Possibilities towards South African Energy Grid
Authors: Shabangu Khaya , Bakare Babatunde , Bwapwa Joseph
Published: November 2022

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology turns chemical energy into bioelectricity in a clean and efficient manner, lowering carbon emissions and increasing bioenergy production. It is a multifaceted technique that has the potential to be a panacea for clean water scarcity and sustainable, renewable energy. In this review, the approach focuses on scaling-up and application prospects at a commercial scale. An outlook on various, previously tried methodologies was generated in order to establish a viable bioelectricity scaling-up approach that is also cost-effective in its design. Precise themes were followed to evaluate previously produced models and methodologies for MFCs: principle and anatomical mechanisms, basic applications, bioelectricity scaling-up potentials from previous work and limitations, then an outlook on MFC feasibility and its wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) energy supply chain. The goal of this paper is to derive a viable approach from prior research in order to comprehend how MFC technology may be scaled-up for commercial and practical power output. Essentially, this article summarizes the current energy predicaments faced by South Africa and proposes MFCs as a new knowledge-contributing technology with electricity scaling-up potential. Conclusively, more research on MFC technique scaling-up operating factors is recommended.
Effects of Brand Experience: The Case of The Witcher Brand in the Eyes of Polish Customers
Authors: Bojanowska Agnieszka Barbara , Surowiec Agnieszka
Published: November 2022

This article addresses the issue of brand recognition in the context of its elements and the products that use it. This is a study of customer experience with the brand. The example of The Witcher brand was chosen for consideration as this brand has recently been extremely popular both in Poland and other countries. The purpose of this article is to indicate the course of The Witcher brand formation process in the eyes of Polish consumers in relation to selected products related to the brand. The aim of the article is realized through research conducted by a diagnostic survey method among 538 respondents. The survey was conducted via an online questionnaire in February 2022. The results obtained allowed us to conclude that customers who have known the brand for more than 5 years pay attention to it primarily through books, not just a game or series. The article also indicates that customers who have seen advertising with The Witcher characters buy products related to the brand. However, the research did not confirm that The Witcher brand recognition is most strongly supported by the Netflix production. This research may have practical implications (e.g., for entities using the Witcher image or name in their products) and theoretical ones (including to expand knowledge of branding mechanisms for many products using it). Further research direction for the future can be indicated: research should be expanded to other countries, as The Witcher brand is recognized almost all over the world.
Disciplinary Categorization of the Cattle Supply Chain—A Review and Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Barreto Riaño Hernando , Escobar John Willmer , Linfati Rodrigo , Ortiz-Araya Virna
Published: November 2022

Global warming is a problem that threatens humanity, with livestock being one of the causes. A systematic literature review was carried out by using some appropriate elements of the PRISMA statement to identify disciplines that work to mitigate the effects of the livestock industry by organizing them according to their approach to addressing this problem. The main objective is to find information and classify the disciplines, papers, literature review methodologies, research gaps, authors, and journals developing the management of the cattle supply chain. This paper could analyze and mitigate the adverse effects on society and the environment generated by the industry, organizing them according to their approach. Twenty databases were consulted between March and May 2020, from which 146 review documents were chosen. The papers reviewed were published between 2003 and 2020. The eligibility criteria for selection were open access to the full text, publication in an indexed journal, and a focus on any discipline related to cattle. The unselected papers did not have DOIs or duplicates, and those focused on other types of meat and book chapters. Subsequently, the information in the selected papers was described and consolidated, and these papers had 602 authors and were from 99 journals. Next, a discipline categorization was proposed. The results were organized, showing that among all the analysis criteria, the category of veterinary medicine had the best results in terms of indicators; therefore, additional research is needed on the other disciplines, especially in culture, technology, management, quality control, tanneries, and transportation, as there was less research within these disciplines. It is recommended that research on a mix of the different proposed disciplines be conducted. The proposed categorization’s main contribution is to identify and group the cattle supply chain’s different disciplines and the definition of research gaps organized under a structure organizational management model. Finally, a multicriteria selection methodology must be used that prioritizes the discipline categories proposed in this review to guide future research.
Can Digital Finance Accelerate the Digital Transformation of Companies? From the Perspective of M&A
Authors: Yu Mingtao , Yan Aiguo
Published: November 2022

Digital M&A, known as digital merger and acquisition, is a vital tool for companies to achieve digital transformation and play an essential role in sustainable development. Corporate digital M&A is inseparable from financial support. Therefore, based on the M&A data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011–2020, this paper systematically analyzes the impact effect of digital finance on corporate digital M&A in combination with the Peking University Digital Inclusive Finance Index. The results show that: (1) Digital finance development contributes to the implementation of digital M&A by enterprises, and the higher the level of development, the more likely enterprises are to engage in digital M&A. (2) Financing constraints and the innovation capacity play a partially intermediary role between digital finance and digital M&A. (3) Executive age and internal control negatively moderate the relationship between digital finance and digital M&A, and bank competition positively moderates the relationship. These research findings provide useful lessons for promoting digital M&A and accelerating digital transformation in enterprises.
Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Non-Grain Production of Cultivated Land in China
Authors: Feng Yingbin , Ke Mengxue , Zhou Ting
Published: November 2022

Non-Grain Production is verycommon to see in many areas in China, which threatens food security. To understand the spatio-temporal characteristics of NGP is helpful in mitigating it. This study has applied a new approach to measure the NGP rate. Results show that, the NGP rate reached the peak of 1.49 in 2003 across the 20 selected years. Moreover, the NGP rate was revealed to be higher in the north and the east compared to the south and the west. Additionally, the NGP rate is shown to move from north to south with a total of 68.78 km whenapplying the centroid migration model. The patterns of NGP are shown usingspatial heterogeneity: the high-high agglomeration pattern was revealed mainly in the north, while there are less provinces of this pattern as time goes by. In addition, the Theil index of the NGP rate indicates that the equity of NGP remains at a low level in the first ten years and getslarger and larger in the later ten years.
Assessing the Plant Health System of Burundi: What It Is, Who Matters and Why
Authors: Ochilo Willis Ndeda , Toepfer Stefan , Ndayihanzamaso Privat , Mugambi Idah , Vos Janny , Niyongere Celestin
Published: November 2022

The concept of a plant health system (PHS) is mainly anchored on experiences from human health where varied sources of knowledge, expertise, and technology are combined to provide healthcare. While diverse human health systems have been proven, little is known about PHS and what is needed to base effective plant healthcare services. A stakeholder analysis was carried out in Burundi. The aim is to understand the system as it is presently and to identify constraints and opportunities. This paper reports on the process and results of this assessment. The initial step in this process was to define PHS and its functions and to evaluate stakeholders’ interests and influence. The first step was followed by examining stakeholders’ perceptions concerning the sustainability of interventions geared at strengthening PHS functions. The process included a document review and stakeholder workshops. After the stakeholders defined the PHS functions, they proceeded to identify valuable actors. The assessment process highlighted several key challenges, including inadequate skills to serve farmers and insufficient capacity to diagnose pests, as significant impediments to effective PHS performance. Based on the information marshalled here, seven broad interventions are proposed for practitioners to strengthen Burundi’s PHS rapidly.
Perception of Corporate Reputation in the Era of Digitization: Case Study of Online Shopping Behavior on Young Consumers
Authors: Škerháková Veronika , Ali Taha Viktória , Tirpák Denis , Kráľ Štefan
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly accelerated digitization in all fields of trading, especially in the B2C sector. The pandemic restrictions deepened the era of social distancing between young consumers and drew them further into the online environment, which allowed e-merchants to impress them even more, and with more ease, with the use of suitable online marketing communication. The overabundance of e-shops on the market may be very confusing for the consumer at this time, meaning that the corporate online reputation and its sustainability has never been as important as it is now. The investigation of online shopping consumer behavior and the factors that determine it is at the center of interest in both academic and practical spheres. In our study, we focused in more detail on investigating the relationship between the online shopping consumer behavior of young consumers and the perceived reputation of an e-shop in the era of digitization. The research sample consisted of 633 young consumer respondents. The method of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used in order to investigate the factors of online shopping consumer behavior, and the method of Ordinary Least Squared (OLS) model regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between individual factors and the perceived reputation of an e-shop. According to the results of EFA, four factors were identified: digital security, e-shop services, e-trust, and social responsibility and promotion. Subsequent testing confirmed the significant relationship between factors of online shopping consumer behavior and the perceived reputation of an e-shop in five cases.
The Theory of Exploitation as a Support for Management Accounting in an Enterprise
Authors: Drożyner Przemysław , Młynarski Stanisław
Published: November 2022

In each company operating on the market, various business processes are implemented: production, logistics, warehouse, marketing, HR and payroll and many others. In enterprises with a high organizational culture, these processes are always measured; various indicators related to the effectiveness and efficiency of these processes are measured and analyzed, and on this basis management decisions are made for the entire enterprise. The aim of this work was to verify the assumption that by properly defining the process of “exploitation” of technical objects (understood as the combination of the processes of operation and maintenance), it is possible to obtain information not only about the effectiveness of this process itself, but also about other business processes carried out in companies. For this purpose, the so-called “exploitation states” characteristic of technical objects used in two different types of small enterprises, i.e., mechanical workshops and taxi enterprises, were defined. Then, in two such workshops and three taxi companies, the time spent by the objects in defined states was measured, and the results were analyzed. We found significant differences in these values even for companies of a similar size and nature. After discussing the results with the owners of the companies, it was found that the differences resulted from different visions of the functioning of each company and—which is very important—their context. In the following, it was shown that properly defining and measuring the exploitation states of technical objects can be useful for improving not only “technical” processes but also most of the business processes carried out in enterprises.
Health Impact Assessment of Air Pollution under a Climate Change Scenario: Methodology and Case Study Application
Authors: Coelho Sílvia , Ferreira Joana , Carvalho David , Lopes Myriam
Published: November 2022

The World Health Organization estimates that every year air pollution kills seven million people worldwide. As it is expected that climate change will affect future air quality patterns, the full understanding of the links between air pollution and climate change, and how they affect human health, are challenges for future research. In this scope, a methodology to assess the air quality impacts on health was developed. The WRF-CAMx modelling framework was applied for the medium-term future climate (considering the SSP2-4.5 scenario) and for the recent past (considered as baseline). Following the WHO recommendations, mortality health indicators were used to estimate the health impacts of long-term exposures. For that, the Aveiro Region, in Portugal, was considered as a case study. Future climate results indicate the occurrence of higher temperatures, and lower total precipitation. Despite that, improvements in the main pollutants’ concentrations, and consequently in the reduction of the related premature deaths are foreseen, mainly due to the reduction of pollutants emissions imposed by the European legislation for the upcoming years. The applied approach constitutes an added value in this research field, being crucial to anticipate the effects of climate change on air quality and evaluate their impacts on human health.
LARO: Opposition-Based Learning Boosted Artificial Rabbits-Inspired Optimization Algorithm with Lévy Flight
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Huang Liqiong , Zhong Jingyu , Hu Gang
Published: November 2022

The artificial rabbits optimization (ARO) algorithm is a recently developed metaheuristic (MH) method motivated by the survival strategies of rabbits with bilateral symmetry in nature. Although the ARO algorithm shows competitive performance compared with popular MH algorithms, it still has poor convergence accuracy and the problem of getting stuck in local solutions. In order to eliminate the effects of these deficiencies, this paper develops an enhanced variant of ARO, called Lévy flight, and the selective opposition version of the artificial rabbit algorithm (LARO) by combining the Lévy flight and selective opposition strategies. First, a Lévy flight strategy is introduced in the random hiding phase to improve the diversity and dynamics of the population. The diverse populations deepen the global exploration process and thus improve the convergence accuracy of the algorithm. Then, ARO is improved by introducing the selective opposition strategy to enhance the tracking efficiency and prevent ARO from getting stuck in current local solutions. LARO is compared with various algorithms using 23 classical functions, IEEE CEC2017, and IEEE CEC2019 functions. When faced with three different test sets, LARO was able to perform best in 15 (65%), 11 (39%), and 6 (38%) of these functions, respectively. The practicality of LARO is also emphasized by addressing six mechanical optimization problems. The experimental results demonstrate that LARO is a competitive MH algorithm that deals with complicated optimization problems through different performance metrics.
Coverage Extension for the UK Smart Meter Implementation Programme Using Mesh Connectivity
Authors: Owens David , Ansari Shuja , Cruickshank Haitham , Tafazolli Rahim , Imran Muhammad Ali
Published: November 2022

Smart meters (SM) with wireless capabilities are one of the most meaningful applications of the Internet of Things. Standards like Zigbee have found a niche in transmitting data on energy usage to the user and the supplier wirelessly via these meters and communication hubs. There are still certain difficulties, notably in delivering wireless connectivity to meters situated in difficult-to-reach locations such as basements or deep indoors. To solve this issue, this paper investigates the usage of mesh networks at 868 MHz, particularly to increase coverage, and proposes an additional mounted antenna to significantly increase outside coverage while providing the necessary coverage extension for hard-to-reach indoor locations. Extensive measurements were made in Newbury in both suburban and open environments for validation and delivery of a simple statistical model for the 868 MHz band in United Kingdom conurbations. Results presented in this paper estimate that mesh networks at 868 MHz can accommodate large areas constituting several SMs with the proposed coverage extension method. With our findings and proposed methods on mesh connectivity, only 1% of UK premises will require mesh radios to achieve the desired coverage.
Ochratoxin A Defective Aspergillus carbonarius Mutants as Potential Biocontrol Agents
Authors: Llobregat Belén , González-Candelas Luis , Ballester Ana-Rosa
Published: November 2022

Aspergillus carbonarius is one of the main species responsible for wine, coffee and cocoa toxin contamination. The main mycotoxin produced by this fungus, ochratoxin A (OTA), is a secondary metabolite categorized as a possible carcinogen because of its significant nephrotoxicity and immunosuppressive effects. A polyketide synthase gene (otaA) encodes the first enzyme in the OTA biosynthetic pathway. It is known that the filamentous fungi, growth, development and production of secondary metabolites are interconnected processes governed by global regulatory factors whose encoding genes are generally located outside the gene clusters involved in the biosynthesis of each secondary metabolite, such as the veA gene, which forms part of the VELVET complex. Different fungal strains compete for nutrients and space when they infect their hosts, and safer non-mycotoxigenic strains may be able to outcompete mycotoxigenic strains during colonization. To determine the possible utility of biopesticides based on the competitive exclusion of mycotoxigenic strains by non-toxigenic ones, we used A. carbonarius ΔotaA and ΔveA knockout mutants. Our results showed that during both in vitro growth and infection of grapes, non-mycotoxigenic strains could outcompete the wild-type strain. Additionally, the introduction of the non-mycotoxigenic strain led to a drastic decrease in OTA during both in vitro growth and infection of grapes.
Impact of Stagnation on the Diversity of Cyanobacteria in Drinking Water Treatment Plant Sludge
Authors: Jalili Farhad , Trigui Hana , Maldonado Juan Francisco Guerra , Dorner Sarah , Zamyadi Arash , Shapiro B. Jesse , Terrat Yves , Fortin Nathalie , Sauvé Sébastien , Prévost Michèle
Published: November 2022

Health-related concerns about cyanobacteria-laden sludge of drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) have been raised in the past few years. Microscopic taxonomy, shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and microcystin (MC) measurement were applied to study the fate of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins after controlled sludge storage (stagnation) in the dark in a full-scale drinking water treatment plant within 7 to 38 days. For four out of eight dates, cyanobacterial cell growth was observed by total taxonomic cell counts during sludge stagnation. The highest observed cell growth was 96% after 16 days of stagnation. Cell growth was dominated by potential MC producers such as Microcystis, Aphanocapsa, Chroococcus, and Dolichospermum. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing unveiled that stagnation stress shifts the cyanobacterial communities from the stress-sensitive Nostocales (e.g., Dolichospermum) order towards less compromised orders and potential MC producers such as Chroococcales (e.g., Microcystis) and Synechococcales (e.g., Synechococcus). The relative increase of cyanotoxin producers presents a health challenge when the supernatant of the stored sludge is recycled to the head of the DWTP or discharged into the source. These findings emphasize the importance of a strategy to manage cyanobacteria-laden sludge and suggest practical approaches should be adopted to control health/environmental impacts of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in sludge.
Effect of an Eco-Friendly Cuminaldehyde Guanylhydrazone Disinfectant on Shiga Toxin Production and Global Transcription of Escherichia coli
Authors: Wang Yan , Hart-Cooper William M. , Rasooly Reuven , Carter Michelle Qiu , Orts William J. , Gu Yongqiang , He Xiaohua
Published: November 2022

Antimicrobials have been important medicines used to treat various infections. However, some antibiotics increase the expression of Shiga toxin (Stx). Also, the pervasive use of persistent antibiotics has led to ecotoxicity and antibiotic resistance. In this study, a newly developed broad-spectrum and reversible antibiotic (guanylhydrazone disinfectant) was evaluated for its antibiotic activity and effects on Stx production and global transcription of bacteria. No Stx induction was observed in 25 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) isolates treated with a sublethal concentration of the guanylhydrazone. A differential gene expression study comparing two guanylhydrazone-treated to non-treated E. coli strains indicated that the expression of a group of stress-responsive genes were enhanced. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed that guanylhydrazone treatment significantly downregulated the pathways of ribosome and flagellar assembly in both pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains and differentially regulated some pathways essential for bacteria to maintain cell shape and gain survival advantage in two strains. In addition, upregulation of antibiotic resistant genes related to the multidrug efflux system and virulence genes coding for colibactin, colicin, and adhesin was observed in strains treated with the disinfectant. The knowledge obtained in this study contributes to our understanding of the mode of this disinfectant action and facilitates our effort to better use disinfectants for STEC treatments.
What Is New in Prophylaxis and Treatment of COVID-19 in Renal Transplant Patients? A Report from an ESOT Meeting on the Topic
Authors: Salvadori Maurizio
Published: November 2022

I should highlight that this manuscript is not a formal review on the topic, but a report from an ESOT meeting held on 22 June 2022. The assumption of immunosuppressants exposes kidney transplant recipients to the risk of infections, including COVID-19 infection. A transplant patient having COVID-19 infection raises several questions, including whether the immunosuppressive therapy should be reduced with the consequent risk of favoring acute rejections. Patient vaccination before transplantation is probably the gold standard to avoid the risk of COVID-19 infection after transplantation. In the case of transplant patients, three measures may be undertaken: vaccination, use of monoclonal antibodies and use of therapeutic antiviral small molecules. Concerning vaccination, it is still debated which one is the best and how many doses should be administered, particularly considering the new variants of the virus. The onset of virus variants has stimulated researchers to find new active vaccines. In addition, not all transplant patients develop antibodies. An alternative prophylactic measure to be principally used for patients that do not develop antibodies after vaccination is the use of monoclonal antibodies. These drugs may be administered as prophylaxis or in the early stage of the disease. Finally, the small antiviral molecules may be used again as prophylaxis or treatment. Their major drawbacks are their interference with immunosuppressive drugs and the fact that some of them cannot be administered to patients with low eGFR.
Characterizing Longitudinal Antibody Responses in Recovered Individuals Following COVID-19 Infection and Single-Dose Vaccination: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Olmstead Andrea D. , Nikiforuk Aidan M. , Schwartz Sydney , Márquez Ana Citlali , Valadbeigy Tahereh , Flores Eri , Saran Monika , Goldfarb David M. , Hayden Althea , Masud Shazia , Russell Shannon L. , Prystajecky Natalie , Jassem Agatha N. , Morshed Muhammad , Sekirov Inna
Published: November 2022

Background: Investigating antibody titers in individuals who have been both naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2 and vaccinated can provide insight into antibody dynamics and correlates of protection over time. Methods: Human coronavirus (HCoV) IgG antibodies were measured longitudinally in a prospective cohort of qPCR-confirmed, COVID-19 recovered individuals (k = 57) in British Columbia pre- and post-vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 and endemic HCoV antibodies were measured in serum collected between Nov. 2020 and Sept. 2021 (n = 341). Primary analysis used a linear mixed-effects model to understand the effect of single dose vaccination on antibody concentrations adjusting for biological sex, age, time from infection and vaccination. Secondary analysis investigated the cumulative incidence of high SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike IgG seroreactivity equal to or greater than 5.5 log10 AU/mL up to 105 days post-vaccination. No re-infections were detected in vaccinated participants, post-vaccination by qPCR performed on self-collected nasopharyngeal specimens. Results: Bivariate analysis (complete data for 42 participants, 270 samples over 472 days) found SARS-CoV-2 spike and RBD antibodies increased 14–56 days post-vaccination (p < 0.001) and vaccination prevented waning (regression coefficient, B = 1.66 [95%CI: 1.45–3.46]); while decline of nucleocapsid antibodies over time was observed (regression coefficient, B = −0.24 [95%CI: −1.2-(−0.12)]). A positive association was found between COVID-19 vaccination and endemic human β-coronavirus IgG titer 14–56 days post vaccination (OC43, p = 0.02 & HKU1, p = 0.02). On average, SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike IgG concentration increased in participants who received one vaccine dose by 2.06 log10 AU/mL (95%CI: 1.45–3.46) adjusting for age, biological sex, and time since infection. Cumulative incidence of high SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies (>5.5 log10 AU/mL) was 83% greater in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated individuals. Conclusions: Our study confirms that vaccination post-SARS-CoV-2 infection provides multiple benefits, such as increasing anti-spike IgG titers and preventing decay up to 85 days post-vaccination.
Omicron Variant Generates a Higher and More Sustained Viral Load in Nasopharynx and Saliva Than the Delta Variant of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Granerud Beathe K. , Ueland Thor , Lind Andreas , Søraas Arne , Fevang Børre , Steffensen Anne Katrine , Al-Baldawi Huda , Lund-Johansen Fridtjof , Aukrust Pål , Halvorsen Bente , Dahl Tuva B. , Dudman Susanne , Müller Fredrik , Holter Jan Cato
Published: November 2022

The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 spreads more easily than earlier variants, possibly as a result of a higher viral load in the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity. Hence, we investigated whether the Omicron variant generates a higher viral load than that of the Delta variant in saliva and nasopharynx. Both specimens were collected from 52 Omicron and 17 Delta cases at two time points one week apart and analyzed by qRT-PCR. Viral load was measured as 10 log RNA genome copies per 1000 human cells according to the WHO reference standard. We found that Omicron cases carried a higher viral load and had more sustained viral shedding compared to the Delta cases, especially in the nasopharynx.
Retrospective Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Infection Profile in COVID-19 Positive Patients in Vitoria da Conquista, Northeast Brazil
Authors: Dantas Anna Carolina S. , Oliveira Hellen B. M. , Gomes Camila P. , Alves Daniele L. , Infante Priscilla D. B. , Caitité Rosimara de J. A. , Fritsch Hegger M. , Cucco Marina S. , Silva Lucas S. C. , Oliveira Caline N. T. , Bittencourt Rafaela de S. , Amorim Aline T. , Nascimento Ana Luisa P. , Marinho Francely A. G. C. , de Medeiros Danielle S. , de Oliveira Márcio G. G. , Mistro Sostenes , de Melo Fabricio F. , Pereira Taiana T. S. , Guimarães Ana M. S. , Timenetsky Jorge , Moreira Pablo Maciel B. , de Oliveira Sandra Helena P. , Alcantara Luiz C. J. , Giovanetti Marta , Santos Luciane A. , Fonseca Vagner , Barreto Fernanda K. , Campos Guilherme B. , Marques Lucas M.
Published: November 2022

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for causing Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), a heterogeneous clinical condition that manifests varying symptom severity according to the demographic profile of the studied population. While many studies have focused on the spread of COVID-19 in large urban centers in Brazil, few have evaluated medium or small cities in the Northeast region. The aims of this study were: (i) to identify risk factors for mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection, (ii) to evaluate the gene expression patterns of key immune response pathways using nasopharyngeal swabs of COVID-19 patients, and (iii) to identify the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the residents of a medium-sized city in Northeast Brazil. A total of 783 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 between May 2020 and August 2021 were included in this study. Clinical-epidemiological data from patients who died and those who survived were compared. Patients were also retrospectively divided into three groups based on disease severity: asymptomatic, mild, and moderate/severe. Samples were added to a qPCR array for analyses of 84 genes involved with immune response pathways and sequenced using the Oxford Nanopore MinION technology. Having pre-existing comorbidity; being male; having cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values under 22 were identified as risk factors for mortality. Analysis of the expression profiles of inflammatory pathway genes showed that the greater the infection severity, the greater the activation of inflammatory pathways, triggering the cytokine storm and downregulating anti-inflammatory pathways. Viral genome analysis revealed the circulation of multiple lineages, such as B.1, B.1.1.28, Alpha, and Gamma, suggesting that multiple introduction events had occurred over time. This study’s findings help identify the specific strains and increase our understanding of the true state of local health. In addition, our data demonstrate that epidemiological and genomic surveillance together can help formulate public health strategies to guide governmental actions.