bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Procedural Framework to Identify Critical Indicators for the Protection of Environment and Ecosystem during Sustainable Urban Development in South-Western Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aldossary Naief A. , Alzahrani Abdulaziz A. , Alghamdi Jamal K. , Alqahtany Ali , Jamil Rehan , Alyami Saleh H.
Published: December 2022

This paper investigates the strategies and priorities to identify the critical indicators for the protection of the environment and ecosystem in the mountain regions of southwest Saudi Arabia, considering the natural resources, renewable energy potential, local economy, urban development issues, and compatibility with the Saudi Vision 2030. The southern region of the country is characterized as having cooler climatic conditions than the other regions of Saudi Arabia and is rich in natural resources and renewable energy potential. It also has potential in the sectors of agriculture, forests, and animal production, and the region’s heritage is valuable for its tourism industry. During the past years, the region is experiencing a misbalance in its resources and population due to a quick increase in urban development. It is seen that there has been no strategy in place for the management of development. Hence, it is important to establish a framework designed to manage urban planning and sprawl that considers the topographical conditions, wildlife and forest protection, and investment in natural and renewable resources. This study employs a focus group approach to investigate these issues. Different expert panels were invited to Al-Baha University in December 2019 to discuss the sustainable development priorities of Saudi Arabia’s southern regions. These included decision-makers from governmental sectors, and academics from the university’s faculties of engineering, economics, sciences, and social sciences. The study highlights the issues of urban sprawl management in cities that impact the environmental conditions and wildlife habitat, concluding that the agriculture and tourism industries are the most important factors that should be targeted by developers in the southwestern regions of the country.
Online Learning Engagement Recognition Using Bidirectional Long-Term Recurrent Convolutional Networks
Authors: Ma Yujian , Wei Yantao , Shi Yafei , Li Xiuhan , Tian Yi , Zhao Zhongjin
Published: December 2022

Background: Online learning is currently adopted by educational institutions worldwide to provide students with ongoing education during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, online learning has seen students lose interest and become anxious, which affects learning performance and leads to dropout. Thus, measuring students’ engagement in online learning has become imperative. It is challenging to recognize online learning engagement due to the lack of effective recognition methods and publicly accessible datasets. Methods: This study gathered a large number of online learning videos of students at a normal university. Engagement cues were used to annotate the dataset, which was constructed with three levels of engagement: low engagement, engagement, and high engagement. Then, we introduced a bi-directional long-term recurrent convolutional network (BiLRCN) for online learning engagement recognition in video. Result: An online learning engagement dataset has been constructed. We evaluated six methods using precision and recall, where BiLRCN obtained the best performance. Conclusions: Both category balance and category similarity of the data affect the performance of the results; it is more appropriate to consider learning engagement as a process-based evaluation; learning engagement can provide intervention strategies for teachers from a variety of perspectives and is associated with learning performance. Dataset construction and deep learning methods need to be improved, and learning data management also deserves attention.
Why China’s AMS Market Is Difficult to Develop Sustainably: Evidence from the North China Plain
Authors: Wei Suhao , Lu Yangxiao
Published: December 2022

The agricultural machinery service (AMS) market enables China to rapidly realize agricultural mechanization on the basis of smallholder farmers. Academics generally believe that China has created a model of agricultural mechanization that matches small-scale farmers with large-scale machinery. However, in recent years, the transformation of the AMS market from prosperity to decline has been under-analyzed. This paper used farm and AMS supplier survey data from the North China Plain to estimate the links between acquaintance transactions, segmentation of the AMS market and losses in terms of transaction efficiency. We found that although the AMS from acquaintances is more expensive and less efficient than from non-acquaintances, farmers still buy from acquaintances because this reduces the transaction costs of the AMS. However, acquaintance transactions have led to the segmentation of the AMS market, reducing the transaction efficiency of the AMS. The AMS market has gradually changed from open to closed in China. The Chinese government should determine how to adjust policies to promote the sustainable development of the AMS market.
Analysis and Optimization of Landscape Preference Characteristics of Rural Public Space Based on Eye-Tracking Technology: The Case of Huangshandian Village, China
Authors: Su Tingting , Wang Kaiping , Li Shuangshuang , Wang Xinyan , Li Huan , Ding Huanru , Chen Yanfei , Liu Chenhui , Liu Min , Zhang Yunlu
Published: December 2022

As an important part of rural space, the public space landscape has a positive influence on tourists and local residents, and also has an important guiding significance for the sustainable development of rural areas. This study expands the previous research on rural public space, taking the “user-oriented” landscape preference as an important entry point, taking Beijing rural public space as the research object, using eye-tracking technology to objectively reflect the degree of users’ preference for the landscape, making quantitative analysis through eye-tracking objective data and subjective satisfaction evaluation to explore the subconscious and aesthetic laws of the subjects, and summarizing the internal driving factors leading to its evolution from the summary of phenomena. This paper explores the visual behavior information and significance behind the “subjective space” created by the countryside for the users, intending to provide strategies for landscape optimization and the management of rural public space in an effort to aid the sustainable development of the countryside.
“Burger.i.doo”—An Innovative Education Game for the Assessment of Sustainability from Meat and Substitute Products in Science Education
Authors: Korte Tatjana , Otte Lars , Amel Henning , Beeken Marco
Published: December 2022

How will we be fed in the future? Without a doubt, the recent development has to undergo a change, to stick to the aims of sustainable development. Modern agriculture is in the compulsion of its consumers’ behaviour and the constantly growing amount of food required for feeding the world population. This nutrition is taken into individual responsibility, but to be able to make decisions regarding sustainable nutrition, educational work is required. By determining the environmental impact of different ingredients, Burger.i.doo contributes to the Education of Sustainable Nutrition and empowers its gamers to gain and extend their knowledge about the consumption of capabilities. It is designed for students aged 14 to 18. The aim is to create the most sustainable burger, which is measured in five categories: greenhouse gas emission, water consumption, land use, price and taste, by comparing the different categories of vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian and different meat options of burgers. To evaluate the impact of the game, a survey was conducted. It shows that the key targets of the construction of the game are fulfilled: the gamers had fun, learned about the impact of food on the environment and the game had a positive influence on their environmental consciousness.
Estimating Future Costs of Emerging Wave Energy Technologies
Authors: Ruiz-Minguela Pablo , Noble Donald R. , Nava Vincenzo , Pennock Shona , Blanco Jesus M. , Jeffrey Henry
Published: December 2022

The development of new renewable energy technologies is generally perceived as a critical factor in the fight against climate change. However, significant difficulties arise when estimating the future performance and costs of nascent technologies such as wave energy. Robust methods to estimate the commercial costs that emerging technologies may reach in the future are needed to inform decision-making. The aim of this paper is to increase the clarity, consistency, and utility of future cost estimates for emerging wave energy technologies. It proposes a novel three-step method: (1) using a combination of existing bottom-up and top-down approaches to derive the current cost breakdown; (2) assigning uncertainty ranges, depending on the estimation reliability then used, to derive the first-of-a-kind cost of the commercial technology; and (3) applying component-based learning rates to produce the LCOE of a mature technology using the upper bound from (2) to account for optimism bias. This novel method counters the human propensity toward over-optimism. Compared with state-of-the-art direct estimation approaches, it provides a tool that can be used to explore uncertainties and focus attention on the accuracy of cost estimates and potential learning from the early stage of technology development. Moreover, this approach delivers useful information to identify remaining technology challenges, concentrate innovation efforts, and collect evidence through testing activities.
Prediction of University Patent Transfer Cycle Based on Random Survival Forest
Authors: Deng Disha , Chen Tao
Published: December 2022

Taking the invention patents of the C9 League from 2002 to 2020 as samples, a random survival forest model is established to predict the dynamic time-point of patent transfer cycle. By ranking the variables based on importance, it is found that the countries citing, the non-patent citations and the backward citations have significant impacts on the patent transfer cycle. C-index, Brier score and integrated Brier score are used to measure the discrimination and calibration ability of the four different survival models respectively. It is found that the prediction accuracy of the random survival forest model is higher than that of the Cox proportional risk model, Cox model based on lasso penalty and random forest model. In addition, the survival function and cumulative risk function under the random survival forest are adopted to predict and analyze the individual university patent transfer cycle, which shows that the random survival forest model has good prediction performance and is able to help universities as well as enterprises to identify the patent transfer opportunities effectively, thereby shortening the patent transfer cycle and improving the patent transfer efficiency.
Present and Future Losses of Storage in Large Reservoirs Due to Sedimentation: A Country-Wise Global Assessment
Authors: Perera Duminda , Williams Spencer , Smakhtin Vladimir
Published: December 2022

Reservoir sedimentation is often seen as a site-specific process and is usually assessed at an individual reservoir level. At the same time, it takes place everywhere in the world. However, estimates of storage losses globally are largely lacking. In this study, earlier proposed estimates of sedimentation rates are applied, for the first time, to 47,403 large dams in 150 countries to estimate cumulative reservoir storage losses at country, regional, and global scales. These losses are estimated for the time horizons of 2022, 2030, and 2050. It is shown that 6316 billion m3 of initial global storage in these dams will decline to 4665 billion m3 causing a 26% storage loss by 2050. By now, major regions of the world have already lost 13–19% of their initially available water storage. Asia-Pacific and African regions will likely experience relatively smaller storage losses in the next 25+ years compared to the Americas or Europe. On a country level, Seychelles, Japan, Ireland, Panama, and the United Kingdom will experience the highest water storage losses by 2050, ranging between 35% and 50%. In contrast, Bhutan, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Guinea, and Niger will be the five least affected countries losing less than 15% of storage by 2050. The decrease in the available storage by 2050 in all countries and regions will challenge many aspects of national economies, including irrigation, power generation, and water supply. The newly built dams will not be able to offset storage losses to sedimentation. The paper is an alert to this creeping global water challenge with potentially significant development implications.
Brazilian Coal Tailings Projects: Advanced Study of Sustainable Using FIB-SEM and HR-TEM
Authors: Oliveira Marcos L. S. , Pinto Diana , Nagel-Hassemer Maria Eliza , Dal Moro Leila , Mores Giana de Vargas , Bodah Brian William , Neckel Alcindo
Published: December 2022

The objective of this study is to obtain a more detailed assessment of particles that contain rare-earth elements (REEs) in abandoned deposits of Brazilian fine coal tailings (BFCTs), so as to aid current coal mining industries in the identification of methodologies for extracting such elements (Santa Catarina State, Brazil). The BFCT areas were sampled for traditional mineralogical analysis by X-ray Diffraction, Raman Spectroscopy and nanomineralogy by a dual beam focused ion beam (FIB) coupled with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis system (EDS). The results show that the smaller the sampled coal fines were, the higher the proportion of rare-earth elements they contained. Although the concentration of REEs is below what would normally be considered an economic grade, the fact that these deposits are already ground and close to the surface negate the need for mining (only uncovering). This makes it significantly easier for REEs to be extracted. In addition, owing to their proximity to road and rail transport in the regions under study, the opportunity exists for such resources (BFCTs) to be utilized as a secondary market as opposed to simply being discarded as has been done in the past.
Circuit Complexity in Z2 EEFT
Authors: Adhikari Kiran , Choudhury Sayantan , Kumar Sourabh , Mandal Saptarshi , Pandey Nilesh , Roy Abhishek , Sarkar Soumya , Sarker Partha , Shariff Saadat Salman
Published: December 2022

Motivated by recent studies of circuit complexity in weakly interacting scalar field theory, we explore the computation of circuit complexity in Z2 Even Effective Field Theories (Z2 EEFTs). We consider a massive free field theory with higher-order Wilsonian operators such as ϕ4, ϕ6, and ϕ8. To facilitate our computation, we regularize the theory by putting it on a lattice. First, we consider a simple case of two oscillators and later generalize the results to N oscillators. This study was carried out for nearly Gaussian states. In our computation, the reference state is an approximately Gaussian unentangled state, and the corresponding target state, calculated from our theory, is an approximately Gaussian entangled state. We compute the complexity using the geometric approach developed by Nielsen, parameterizing the path-ordered unitary transformation and minimizing the geodesic in the space of unitaries. The contribution of higher-order operators to the circuit complexity in our theory is discussed. We also explore the dependency of complexity on other parameters in our theory for various cases.
An Augmented Model of Rutting Data Based on Radial Basis Neural Network
Authors: Li Zhuoxuan , Tao Meng , Cao Jinde , Shi Xinli , Ma Tao , Huang Wei
Published: December 2022

The rutting depth is an important index to evaluate the damage degree of the pavement. Therefore, establishing an accurate rutting depth prediction model can guide pavement design and provide the necessary basis for pavement maintenance. However, the sample size of pavement rutting depth data is small, and the sampling is not standardized, which makes it hard to establish a prediction model with high accuracy. Based on the data of RIOHTrack’s asphalt pavement structure, this study builds a reliable data-augmented model. In this paper, different asphalt rutting data augmented models based on Gaussian radial basis neural networks are constructed with the temperature and loading of asphalt pavements as the main features. Experimental results show that the method outperforms classical machine learning methods in data augmentation, with an average root mean square error of 3.95 and an average R-square of 0.957. Finally, the augmented data of rutting depth is constructed for training, and multiple neural network models are used for prediction. Compared with unaugmented data, the prediction accuracy is increased by 50%.
Understanding the Efforts of Cross-Border Search and Knowledge Co-Creation on Manufacturing Enterprises’ Service Innovation Performance
Authors: Lyu Tu , Geng Qixiang , Zhao Qiu
Published: December 2022

Based on the enterprise knowledge-based view, this study follows the basic logic of “knowledge acquisition-knowledge transformation-knowledge creation” to explore the effects of cross-border search and knowledge co-creation on the service innovation performance of manufacturing enterprises. Furthermore, compositional capability is introduced to investigate the moderator in the connection of knowledge co-recreation and service innovation performance. We collected 378 samples from the organizations that are taking servicizing transformation in China’s manufacturing industry. Then we applied structural equation modeling (SEM) to test our research model. The results reveal that both cross-border technological knowledge search and cross-border market knowledge search can significantly improve embedded knowledge co-creation and alliance-based knowledge creation of manufacturing enterprises, and then, directly and indirectly, boost service innovation performance. Compositional capability positively moderates the relationship between embedded knowledge co-creation and service innovation performance. This study provides theoretical and practical guidance for knowledge-based service innovation in China’s manufacturing industry.
Rapid Fabrication of Pineapple Leaf Fibers from Discarded Leaves by Using Electrolysis of Brine
Authors: Phan Huy N. Q. , Leu Jyh Hoang , Tran Khanh Thien , Nguyen Vi N. D. , Nguyen Trung Tan
Published: December 2022

Instead of contributing to global warming by the traditional method—burning crop wastes—in this study, discarded pineapple leaves were rapidly turned into multifunctional fibers: pineapple leaf fibers (PALF). In addition, the presence of pure hydrogen during treatment can be a competitive advantage. PALF were extracted by a conventional technique, then immersed into sodium hydroxide 6% before it was treated with an electrolysis system of sodium chloride 3%. The crystallinity index increased 57.4% of treated PALF, and was collected from XRD. Meanwhile, the removal of hemicellulose and lignin in the fiber formation was presented at the absorbance peak of around 1730 cm−1 by FTIR spectrums. Simultaneously, the purity of hydrogen reached 99% and was confirmed by GC analysis. The obtained PALF and hydrogen can be used for further consideration, aiming for a circular economy.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Pre-Transfusion Hemoglobin Level and Frequency of Transfusion in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia Patients in Indonesia
Authors: Rahmartani Ludi Dhyani , Dewi Micheylla Kusumaning , Iskandar Stephen Diah , Pratanata Anastasia Michelle , Ilmana Ganda , Sari Teny Tjitra , Lubis Anna Mira , Wahidiyat Pustika Amalia
Published: December 2022

Transfusion-dependent thalassemia is the most severe form of thalassemia; patients require regular blood transfusions to maintain their hemoglobin level. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the routine measures for controlling chronic diseases like thalassemia. This study aims to measure the difference in pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels and the frequency of transfusions before and during pandemic. This retrospective cross-sectional study utilized medical record data of 101 transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients treated in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (CMH) from 2019–2021. The dependent variables of this study were pre-transfusion hemoglobin level and transfusion attendance. The pre-pandemic phase was defined as 30 March 2019 to 29 March 2020, whereas the during-pandemic phase was from 30 March 2020 to 29 March 2021. Up to 59.4% of subjects had suboptimal Hb levels of <9.0 g/dL, even before the pandemic, and this increased to 71.3% during the pandemic. The mean pre-transfusion hemoglobin level before the pandemic was 8.71 g/dL, and this decreased to 8.46 g/dL (p value < 0.001). Transfusion attendance before and during the pandemic showed no significant difference (p-value = 0.990). Our study shows poorer control of pre-transfusion Hb levels during the pandemic. This puts patients at higher risk of developing many long-term complications.
Myocardial Contractility Pattern Characterization in Radiation-Induced Cardiotoxicity Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Pilot Study with ContractiX
Authors: Ibrahim El-Sayed H. , Sosa Antonio , Brown Sherry-Ann , An Dayeong , Klawikowski Slade , Baker John , Bergom Carmen
Published: December 2022

Radiation therapy (RT) plays an integral role in treating thoracic cancers, despite the risk of radiation-induced cardiotoxicity. We hypothesize that our newly developed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based contractility index (ContractiX) is a sensitive marker for early detection of RT-induced cardiotoxicity in a preclinical rat model of thoracic cancer RT. Adult salt-sensitive rats received image-guided heart RT and were imaged with MRI at 8 weeks and 10 weeks post-RT or sham. The MRI exam included cine and tagging sequences to measure left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mass, myocardial strain, and ContractiX. Furthermore, ventricular torsion, diastolic strain rate, and mechanical dyssynchrony were measured. Statistical analyses were performed between the sham, 8 weeks post-RT, and 10 weeks post-RT MRI parameters. The results showed that both LVEF and myocardial mass increased post-RT. Peak systolic strain and ContractiX significantly decreased post-RT, with a more relative reduction in ContractiX compared to strain. ContractiX showed an inverse nonlinear relationship with LVEF and continuously decreased with time post-RT. While early diastolic strain rate and mechanical dyssynchrony significantly changed post-RT, ventricular torsion changes were not significant post-RT. In conclusion, ContractiX measured via non-contrast MRI is a sensitive early marker for the detection of subclinical cardiac dysfunction post-RT, and it is superior to other MRI cardiac measures.
Prenatal Mercury Exposure and Infant Weight Trajectories in a UK Observational Birth Cohort
Authors: Dack Kyle , Wootton Robyn E. , Taylor Caroline M. , Lewis Sarah J.
Published: December 2022

Mercury is highly toxic metal found in trace quantities in common foods. There is concern that exposure during pregnancy could impair infant development. Epidemiological evidence is mixed, but few studies have examined postnatal growth. Differences in nutrition, exposures, and the living environment after birth may make it easier to detect a negative impact from mercury toxicity on infant growth. This study includes 544 mother–child pairs from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Blood mercury was measured in early pregnancy and infant weight at 10 intervals between 4 and 61 months. Mixed-effect models were used to estimate the change in infant weight associated with prenatal mercury exposure. The estimated difference in monthly weight gain was −0.02 kg per 1 standard deviation increase in Hg (95% confidence intervals: −0.10 to 0.06 kg). When restricted to the 10th decile of Hg, the association with weight at each age level was consistently negative but with wide confidence intervals. The lack of evidence for an association may indicate that at Hg levels in this cohort (median 1.9 µg/L) there is minimal biological impact, and the effect is too small to be either clinically relevant or detectable.
Recent Advances and Future Prospects on the Tailing Covering Technology for Oxidation Prevention of Sulfide Tailings
Authors: Si Meiyan , Chen Yunjian , Li Chen , Lin Yichao , Huang Jianhong , Zhu Feng , Tian Senlin , Zhao Qun
Published: December 2022

Acid mine drainage, produced from sulfur-containing mine waste exposed to air, water, and bacteria, is considered as a serious environmental pollutant because of its extremely low pH and excessive heavy metals. In order to solve the ecological environment problems caused by the acid mine drainage, treatment methods such as neutralization, adsorption, passivation, bio-inhibition, and physical coverage have been developed. Nevertheless, these methods are terminal treatment methods, which are unable to prevent the generation of acid mine drainage at the source. Recently, it is noteworthy that the tailing covering technology is particularly emphasized, owing to its superior source control capability. By reducing the contact with air, water, and bacteria, the oxidation of sulfide tailings is significantly reduced, thus avoiding the production of acid mine drainage. To date, massive research has been studied and parts of technologies have been applied, but the review on the principles, processes, and applications of these technologies are still lacking. Thus, the present review aims to increase the knowledge related to the most relevant application of tailing covering technology with the following aspects: (i) the background, concepts, and performance of tailing covering technology; (ii) the applicable conditions for each tailings coverage system and their advantages and limitations; and (iii) the future perspective of this technology.
Effects of Melanized Bacteria and Soluble Melanin on the Intestinal Homeostasis and Microbiome In Vivo
Authors: Zhang Yong-guo , Malo Mackenzie E. , Tschirhart Tanya , Xia Yinglin , Wang Zheng , Dadachova Ekaterina , Sun Jun
Published: December 2022

Radiation damage is associated with inflammation and immunity in the intestinal mucosa, including gut microbiota. Melanin has a unique capacity to coordinate a biological reaction in response to environmental stimuli, such as radiation exposure. Thus, melanin and melanized microbes have potential to be used for mitigation of injury induced by radiation. The purpose of the current study is to examine the safety of these agents for future targeting gut microbiome to prevent radiation-induced injury. We administered mice with soluble allomelanin and observed its effect on the intestinal physiology and body weight. We then established a melanized bacterial strain in probiotic E. coli Nissle. We measured the body weight of the mice treated with melanized E. coli Nissle. We showed the enhanced bacterial abundance and colonization of the melanized bacteria E. coli Nissle in the intestine. Melanized E. coli Nissle colonized the colon in less than 3 h and showed consistent colonization over 24 h post one oral gavage. We did not find significant changes of bodyweight in the mice treated with melanized bacteria. We did not observe any inflammation in the intestine. These results demonstrate the safety of soluble melanin and melanin-producing bacteria and will support the future studies to treat radiation-induced injuries and restore dysbiosis.
Impacts of Climate Change on the Biogeography of Three Amnesic Shellfish Toxin Producing Diatom Species
Authors: Borges Francisco O. , Lopes Vanessa M. , Santos Catarina Frazão , Costa Pedro Reis , Rosa Rui
Published: December 2022

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are considered one of the main risks for marine ecosystems and human health worldwide. Climate change is projected to induce significant changes in species geographic distribution, and, in this sense, it is paramount to accurately predict how it will affect toxin-producing microalgae. In this context, the present study was intended to project the potential biogeographical changes in habitat suitability and occurrence distribution of three key amnesic shellfish toxin (AST)—producing diatom species (i.e., Pseudo-nitzschia australis, P. seriata, and P. fraudulenta) under four different climate change scenarios (i.e., RCP-2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5) up to 2050 and 2100. For this purpose, we applied species distribution models (SDMs) using four abiotic predictors (i.e., sea surface temperature, salinity, current velocity, and bathymetry) in a MaxEnt framework. Overall, considerable contraction and potential extirpation were projected for all species at lower latitudes together with projected poleward expansions into higher latitudes, mainly in the northern hemisphere. The present study aims to contribute to the knowledge on the impacts of climate change on the biogeography of toxin-producing microalgae species while at the same time advising the correct environmental management of coastal habitats and ecosystems.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Authors: Liu Yang , Thaker Hatim , Wang Chunyan , Xu Zhonggao , Dong Min
Published: December 2022

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) is a clinical syndrome involving hemolytic anemia (with fragmented red blood cells), low levels of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia), and acute kidney injury (AKI). It is the major infectious cause of AKI in children. In severe cases, neurological complications and even death may occur. Treating STEC-HUS is challenging, as patients often already have organ injuries when they seek medical treatment. Early diagnosis is of great significance for improving prognosis and reducing mortality and sequelae. In this review, we first briefly summarize the diagnostics for STEC-HUS, including history taking, clinical manifestations, fecal and serological detection methods for STEC, and complement activation monitoring. We also summarize preventive and therapeutic strategies for STEC-HUS, such as vaccines, volume expansion, renal replacement therapy (RRT), antibiotics, plasma exchange, antibodies and inhibitors that interfere with receptor binding, and the intracellular trafficking of the Shiga toxin.
The Influence of Anthropogenic and Environmental Disturbances on Parameter Estimation of a Dengue Transmission Model
Authors: Catano-Lopez Alexandra , Rojas-Diaz Daniel , Vélez Carlos M.
Published: December 2022

Some deterministic models deal with environmental conditions and use parameter estimations to obtain experimental parameters, but they do not consider anthropogenic or environmental disturbances, e.g., chemical control or climatic conditions. Even more, they usually use theoretical or measured in-lab parameters without worrying about uncertainties in initial conditions, parameters, or changes in control inputs. Thus, in this study, we estimate parameters (including chemical control parameters) and confidence contours under uncertainty conditions using data from the municipality of Bello (Colombia) during 2010–2014, which includes two epidemic outbreaks. Our study shows that introducing non-periodic pulse inputs into the mathematical model allows us to: (i) perform parameter estimation by fitting real data of consecutive dengue outbreaks, (ii) highlight the importance of chemical control as a method of vector control, and (iii) reproduce the endemic behavior of dengue. We described a methodology for parameter and sub-contour box estimation under uncertainties and performed reliable simulations showing the behavior of dengue spread in different scenarios.
Leptospira borgpetersenii Leucine-Rich Repeat Proteins Provide Strong Protective Efficacy as Novel Leptospiral Vaccine Candidates
Authors: Prapong Siriwan , Tansiri Yada , Sritrakul Tepyuda , Sripattanakul Sineenat , Sopitthummakhun Aukkrimapann , Katzenmeier Gerd , Hsieh Chin-Lin , McDonough Sean P. , Prapong Teerasak , Chang Yung-Fu
Published: December 2022

Leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins are advocated for being assessed in vaccine development. Leptospiral LRR proteins were identified recently in silico from the genome of Leptospira borgpetersenii serogroup Sejroe, the seroprevalence of leptospiral infections of cattle in Thailand. Two LRR recombinant proteins, rKU_Sej_LRR_2012M (2012) and rhKU_Sej_LRR_2271 (2271), containing predicted immunogenic epitopes, were investigated for their cross-protective efficacies in an acute leptospirosis model with heterologous Leptospira serovar Pomona, though, strains from serogroup Sejroe are host-adapted to bovine, leading to chronic disease. Since serovar Pomona is frequently reported as seropositive in cattle, buffaloes, pigs, and dogs in Thailand and causes acute and severe leptospirosis in cattle by incidental infection, the serogroup Sejroe LRR proteins were evaluated for their cross-protective immunity. The protective efficacies were 37.5%, 50.0%, and 75.0% based on the survival rate for the control, 2012, and 2271 groups, respectively. Sera from 2012-immunized hamsters showed weak bactericidal action compared to sera from 2271-immunized hamsters (p < 0.05). Therefore, bacterial tissue clearances, inflammatory responses, and humoral and cell-mediated immune (HMI and CMI) responses were evaluated only in 2271-immunized hamsters challenged with virulent L. interrogans serovar Pomona. The 2271 protein induced prompt humoral immune responses (p < 0.05) and leptospiral tissue clearance, reducing tissue inflammation in immunized hamsters. In addition, protein 2271 and its immunogenic peptides stimulated splenocyte lymphoproliferation and stimulated both HMI and CMI responses by activating Th1 and Th2 cytokine gene expression in vaccinated hamsters. Our data suggest that the immunogenic potential renders rhKU_Sej_LRR_2271 protein a promising candidate for the development of a novel cross-protective vaccine against animal leptospirosis.
Hepatitis C Infection Associated with Acquired Pure Red Cell Aplasia
Authors: Teague Destini , Gurnari Carmelo , Awada Hussein , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P. , Ibrahim Ibrahim , Bat Taha
Published: December 2022

Acquired pure red cell aplasia is a rare bone marrow failure disorder characterized by many underlying etiologies. The hallmark bone marrow feature is the near absence of erythroid precursors that otherwise exhibit normal cellularity, which has been attributed to both immune- and cellular-mediated mechanisms. Besides being merely speculative and considering the rarity of the disorder, the description of acquired pure red cell aplasia clinical associations represents a unique occasion to improve our current clinical knowledge of the disease, reveal clues on its pathogenesis, and guide therapeutic decisions. The varied clinical scenarios and common acquired pure red cell aplasia associated conditions (i.e., thymoma, T cell/NK-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia, B cell dyscrasia) suggest a heterogeneity of pathogenic routes. Viral etiologies must always be considered and worked up in the initial assessment of newly diagnosed acquired pure red cell aplasia patients. In this report, we present two cases of hepatitis-C-related acquired pure red cell aplasia and successful use of anti-viral strategies in the achievement of a complete response.
Epidemiological and Evolutionary Analysis of West Nile Virus Lineage 2 in Italy
Authors: Mencattelli Giulia , Silverj Andrea , Iapaolo Federica , Ippoliti Carla , Teodori Liana , Di Gennaro Annapia , Curini Valentina , Candeloro Luca , Conte Annamaria , Polci Andrea , Morelli Daniela , Perrotta Maria Gabriella , Marini Giovanni , Rosà Roberto , Monaco Federica , Segata Nicola , Rizzoli Annapaola , Rota-Stabelli Omar , Savini Giovanni ,   West Nile Working Group
Published: December 2022

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus potentially causing serious illness in humans and other animals. Since 2004, several studies have highlighted the progressive spread of WNV Lineage 2 (L2) in Europe, with Italy being one of the countries with the highest number of cases of West Nile disease reported. In this paper, we give an overview of the epidemiological and genetic features characterising the spread and evolution of WNV L2 in Italy, leveraging data obtained from national surveillance activities between 2011 and 2021, including 46 newly assembled genomes that were analysed under both phylogeographic and phylodynamic frameworks. In addition, to better understand the seasonal patterns of the virus, we used a machine learning model predicting areas at high-risk of WNV spread. Our results show a progressive increase in WNV L2 in Italy, clarifying the dynamics of interregional circulation, with no significant introductions from other countries in recent years. Moreover, the predicting model identified the presence of suitable conditions for the 2022 earlier and wider spread of WNV in Italy, underlining the importance of using quantitative models for early warning detection of WNV outbreaks. Taken together, these findings can be used as a reference to develop new strategies to mitigate the impact of the pathogen on human and other animal health in endemic areas and new regions.
Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 Subtype Avian Influenza Viruses Were Identified from the Common Crane Wintering in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Yang Qinhong , Xue Xiaoyan , Zhang Zhenxing , Wu Ming J. , Ji Jia , Wang Wei , Yin Hongbin , Li Suhua , Dai Hongyang , Duan Bofang , Liu Qiang , Song Jianling
Published: December 2022

The seasonal migration of wild aquatic birds plays a critical role in the maintenance, transmission, and incursion of the avian influenza virus (AIV). AIV surveillance was performed during 2020–2021 in two national nature reserves with abundant wild bird resources in Yunnan, China. Four H5N8 AIVs isolates from the common crane were identified by next-generation sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all eight gene segments of these H5N8 AIVs belonged to clade 2.3.4.4b high-pathogenic AIV (HPAIV) and shared high nucleotide sequence similarity with the strains isolated in Hubei, China, and Siberia, Russia, in 2020–2021. The H5N8 HPAIVs from common cranes were characterized by both human and avian dual-receptor specificity in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein. Moreover, possessing the substitutions contributes to overcoming transmission barriers of mammalian hosts in polymerase basic 2 (PB2), polymerase basic protein 1 (PB1), and polymerase acid (PA), and exhibiting the long stalk in the neck region of the neuraminidase (NA) protein contributes to adaptation in wild birds. Monitoring AIVs in migratory birds, at stopover sites and in their primary habitats, i.e., breeding or wintering grounds, could provide insight into potential zoonosis caused by AIVs.
Clinical and Epidemiologic Features of Viral Gastroenteritis in Hospitalized Children: An 11-Year Surveillance in Palermo (Sicily)
Authors: Amodio Emanuele , De Grazia Simona , Genovese Dario , Bonura Floriana , Filizzolo Chiara , Collura Antonella , Di Bernardo Francesca , Giammanco Giovanni M.
Published: December 2022

In order to acquire information regarding viral agents and epidemiologic features of severe paediatric Viral Acute Gastroenteritis (VAGE) across multiple seasons in the pre-rotavirus-vaccine era, the epidemiologic characteristics of VAGE were investigated among paediatric patients hospitalized in a major Sicilian paediatric hospital from 2003 to 2013. Overall, 4725 children were observed and 2355 (49.8%) were diagnosed with a viral infection: 1448 (30.6%) were found positive to rotavirus, 645 (13.7%) to norovirus, 216 (4.6%) to adenovirus, and 46 (0.97%) to astrovirus. Viral infections showed different patterns of hospitalization in terms of age at risk (younger for rotavirus and adenovirus infections), seasonality (increased risk in winter for rotavirus and norovirus), trend over time (reduced risk in 2011–2013 for norovirus and rotavirus) and major diagnostic categories (digestive diseases more frequent in adenovirus and astrovirus but not in norovirus). This study increases general knowledge of VAGE epidemiology and contributes to suggest some a priori diagnostic criteria that could help clinicians to identify and treat viral agents responsible for gastroenteritis in hospital settings.
Inactivation of Ebola Virus and SARS-CoV-2 in Cell Culture Supernatants and Cell Pellets by Gamma Irradiation
Authors: Boytz RuthMabel , Seitz Scott , Gaudiano Emily , Patten J. J. , Keiser Patrick T. , Connor John H. , Sharpe Arlene H. , Davey Robert A.
Published: December 2022

Viral pathogens with the potential to cause widespread disruption to human health and society continue to emerge or re-emerge around the world. Research on such viruses often involves high biocontainment laboratories (BSL3 or BSL4), but the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics often uses assays that are best performed at lower biocontainment. Reliable inactivation is necessary to allow removal of materials to these spaces and to ensure personnel safety. Here, we validate the use of gamma irradiation to inactivate culture supernatants and pellets of cells infected with a representative member of the Filovirus and Coronavirus families. We show that supernatants and cell pellets containing SARS-CoV-2 are readily inactivated with 1.9 MRad, while Ebola virus requires higher doses of 2.6 MRad for supernatants and 3.8 MRad for pellets. While these doses of radiation inactivate viruses, proinflammatory cytokines that are common markers of virus infection are still detected with low losses. The doses required for virus inactivation of supernatants are in line with previously reported values, but the inactivation of cell pellets has not been previously reported and enables new approaches for analysis of protein-based host responses to infection.
Population-Based Analysis of the Immunoglobulin G Response to Different COVID-19 Vaccines in Brazil
Authors: Paula Nigella M. , Conzentino Marcelo S. , Gonçalves Ana C. A. , da Silva Renata , Weissheimer Karin V. , Kluge Carlos H. S. , Marins Paulo H. S. A. , Camargo Haxley S. C. , Farias Lucas R. P. , Sant’Ana Thamyres P. , Vargas Letícia R. , Aldrighi Juliane D. , Lima Ênio S. , Jacotenski Guiomar T. , Pedrosa Fabio O. , Gonçalves Alan G. , Joucoski Emerson , Huergo Luciano F.
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: COVID-19 vaccination in Brazil has been performed mostly with CoronaVac (Sinovac), ChAdOx1-S (AstraZeneca-University of Oxford) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccines. The titers of IgG antibodies reactive to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein correlate with vaccine efficacy. Studies comparing vaccine immunogenicity in a real-world scenario are lacking. (2) Methods: We performed a population-based study to analyze the immunoglobulin G response to different COVID-19 vaccines. Citizens older than 18 years (n = 2376) provided personal data, a self-declaration of any previous COVID-19 positive tests and information regarding COVID-19 vaccination: the vaccine popular name and the date of each dose. Blood samples were collected and the levels of IgG reactive to SARS-CoV-2 antigens were determined and compared between different vaccine groups. (3) Results: The seroconversion for anti-spike IgG achieved > 95% by February 2022 and maintained stable until June 2022. Higher anti-spike IgG titers were detected in individuals vaccinated with BNT162b2, followed by ChAdOx1-S and CoronaVac. The anti-spike IgG response was negatively correlated with age and interval after the second dose for the BNT162b2 vaccine. Natural infections boosted anti-spike IgG in those individuals who completed primary vaccination with ChAdOx1-S and CoronaVac, but not with BNT162b2. The levels of anti-spike IgG increased with the number of vaccine doses administered. The application of BNT162b2 as a 3rd booster dose resulted in high anti-spike IgG antibody titers, despite the type of vaccine used during primary vaccination. (4) Conclusions: Our data confirmed the effectiveness of the Brazilian vaccination program. Of the vaccines used in Brazil, BNT162b2 performed better to elicit anti-spike protein IgG after primary vaccination and as a booster dose and thus should be recommended as a booster whenever available. A continuous COVID-19 vaccination program will be required to sustain anti-spike IgG antibodies in the population.
Effect of Double Mutation (L452R and E484Q) on the Binding Affinity of Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) against the RBD—A Target for Vaccine Development
Authors: Gupta Deepali , Kumar Mukesh , Sharma Priyanka , Mohan Trishala , Prakash Amresh , Kumari Renu , Kaur Punit
Published: December 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, emerges as a global health problem, as the viral genome is evolving rapidly to form several variants. Advancement and progress in the development of effective vaccines and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies are promising to combat viral infections. In the current scenario, several lineages containing “co-mutations” in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) region of the spike (S) protein are imposing new challenges. Co-occurrence of some co-mutations includes delta (L452R/T478K), kappa (L452R/E484Q), and a common mutation in both beta and gamma variants (E484K/N501Y). The effect of co-mutants (L452R/E484Q) on human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) binding has already been elucidated. Here, for the first time, we investigated the role of these RBD co-mutations (L452R/E484Q) on the binding affinity of mAbs by adopting molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and free-energy binding estimation. The results obtained from our study suggest that the structural and dynamic changes introduced by these co-mutations reduce the binding affinity of the viral S protein to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The structural changes imposed by L452R create a charged patch near the interfacial surface that alters the affinity towards mAbs. In E484Q mutation, polar negatively charged E484 helps in the formation of electrostatic interaction, while the neutrally charged Q residue affects the interaction by forming repulsive forces. MD simulations along with molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area (MMGBSA) studies revealed that the REGN 10933, BD-368-2, and S2M11 complexes have reduced binding affinity towards the double-mutant RBD. This indicates that their mutant (MT) structures have a stronger ability to escape from most antibodies than the wild type (WT). However, EY6A Ab showed higher affinity towards the double MT-RBD complex as compared to the WT. However, no significant effect of the per-residue contribution of double-mutated residues was observed, as this mAb does not interact with the region harboring L452 and E484 residues.