bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of Collaborative Partnership on the Performance of Cold Supply Chains of Agriculture and Foods: Literature Review
Authors: Nha Trang Nguyen Thi , Nguyen Thanh-Thuy , Pham Hong V. , Anh Cao Thi Thu , Trinh Thi Thu Huong , Shahreki Javad
Published: May 2022

Collaboration in a supply chain continuously proves its role in increasing the performance of supply chains, which attracts the attention of both academia and practitioners, specifically, how to generate higher impacts of collaborative partnership on the performance of supply chains and measure them. In cold supply chains of agriculture and foods, the vital need for collaboration becomes even more significant to improve the performance. Therefore, this paper reviews relevant articles derived from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Via the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), the research team classifies the types of collaborative partnership in cold agriculture and food supply chains, issues of the literature when analyzing collaboration impacts on the performance of CSCs of agriculture and foods, and finally, the opportunities for the future research to boost the collaboration practices in these cold chains. Following this sequence, 102 articles were eventually extracted for the systematic review to identify themes for not only addressing the review questions but also highlighting future research opportunities for both development of partnership integration and performance of the cold chains of agriculture and foods.
T-Stress Evaluation Based Cracking of Pipes Using an Extended Isogeometric Analysis (X-IGA)
Authors: Yakoubi Khadija , Montassir Soufiane , Moustabchir Hassane , Elkhalfi Ahmed , Scutaru Maria Luminita , Vlase Sorin
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study is to investigate the problem of pipe cracking based on T-stress analysis and the influence of other parameters, using a numerical computation performed by extended isogeometric analysis (X-IGA). This article examines the T-stress, which defines the second term of the Williams’ series expansion. T-stress provides effective elastic modeling at the crack tip. Using the extended iso-geometric analysis (X-IGA), we determined the distribution of T-stress at the crack tip in a pipe under internal pressure as a function of internal pressure, crack size, and Poisson’s ratio. To validate the promising findings, the results are expanded with a comparison to the extended finite element (X-FEM) method and existing research in this field, and we obtained an error between 0.2% and 4.6%. This work demonstrated the significance of T-stress in fracture description, the effect of Poisson’s ratio and size on T-stress, and that X-IGA provided accurate numerical results by precisely describing the geometry of the crack and enriching it.
Computed Mass-Fragmentation Energy Profiles of Some Acetalized Monosaccharides for Identification in Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Pascariu Mihai-Cosmin , Dinca Nicolae , Cojocariu Carolina , Sisu Eugen , Serb Alina , Birza Romina , Georgescu Marius
Published: May 2022

Our study found that quantum calculations can differentiate fragmentation energies into isomeric structures with asymmetric carbon atoms, such as those of acetalized monosaccharides. It was justified by the good results that have been published in recent years on the discrimination of structural isomers and diastereomers by correlating the calculated mass energy fragmentation profiles with their mass spectra. Based on the quantitative structure–fragmentation relationship (QSFR), this technique compares the intensities of primary ions from the experimental spectrum using the mass energy profiles calculated for the candidate structures. Maximum fit is obtained for the true structure. For a preliminary assessment of the accuracy of the identification of some di-O-isopropylidene monosaccharide diastereomers, we used fragmentation enthalpies (ΔfH) and Gibbs energies (ΔfG) as the energetic descriptors of fragmentation. Four quantum chemical methods were used: RM1, PM7, DFT ΔfH and DFT ΔfG. The mass energy database shows that the differences between the profiles of the isomeric candidate structures could be large enough to be distinguished from each other. This database allows the optimization of energy descriptors and quantum computing methods that can ensure the correct identification of these isomers.
Some Inclusion Relations of Certain Subclasses of Strongly Starlike, Convex and Close-to-Convex Functions Associated with a Pascal Operator
Authors: Lashin Abdel Moneim Y. , Aouf Mohamed K. , Badghaish Abeer O. , Bajamal Amani Z.
Published: May 2022

This paper studies some inclusion properties of some new subclasses of analytic functions in the open symmetric unit disc U that are associated with the Pascal operator. Furthermore, the integral-preserving properties in a sector for these subclasses are also investigated.
A Comparison of General Solutions to the Non-Axisymmetric Frictionless Contact Problem with a Circular Area of Contact: When the Symmetry Does Not Matter
Authors: Argatov Ivan
Published: May 2022

The non-axisymmetric problem of frictionless contact between an isotropic elastic half-space and a cylindrical punch with an arbitrarily shaped base is considered. The contact problem is formulated as a two-dimensional Fredholm integral equation of the first type in a fixed circular domain with the right-hand side being representable in the form of a Fourier series. A number of general solutions of the contact problem, which were published in the literature, are discussed. Based on the Galin–Mossakovskii general solution, new formulas are derived for the particular value of the contact pressure at the contact center and the contact stress-intensity factor at the contour of the contact area. Since the named general solution does not employ the operation of differentiation of a double integral with respect to the coordinates that enter it as parameters, the form of the general solution derived by Mossakovskii as a generalization of Galin’s solution for the special case, when the contact pressure beneath the indenter is bounded, is recommended for use as the most simple closed-form general solution of the non-axisymmetric Boussinesq contact problem.
Learning Coupled Oscillators System with Reservoir Computing
Authors: Zhong Xijuan , Wang Shuai
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we reconstruct the dynamic behavior of the ring-coupled Lorenz oscillators system by reservoir computing. Although the reconstruction of various complex chaotic attractors has been well studied by using various neural networks, little attention has been paid to whether the spatio-temporal structure of some special attractors can be maintained in long-term prediction. Reservoir computing has been shown to be effective for model-free prediction, so we want to investigate whether reservoir computing can restore the rotational symmetry of the original ring-coupled Lorenz system. We find that although the state prediction of the trained reservoir computer will gradually deviate from the actual trajectory of the original system, the associated spatio-temporal structure is maintained in the process of reconstruction. Specifically, we show that the rotational symmetric structure of periodic rotating waves, quasi-periodic torus, and chaotic rotating waves is well maintained.
Embedded Researchers as Part of a Whole Systems Approach to Physical Activity: Reflections and Recommendations
Authors: Potts Alexandra J. , Nobles James , Shearn Katie , Danks Kara , Frith Gabriella
Published: May 2022

Whole systems approaches are increasingly being advocated as a way of responding to complex public health priorities such as obesity and physical inactivity. Due to the complex and adaptive nature of such systems, researchers are increasingly being embedded within host organisations (i.e., those which facilitate the whole systems approach) to work with key stakeholders to illuminate and understand mechanisms of change and develop a culture of continuous improvement. While previous literature has reported on the benefits and challenges of embedded researchers in health care, little is known about the experiences and learnings of those situated within these complex whole systems approaches. In this paper, we present our reflections of being embedded researchers within four distinct whole systems approaches and outline recommendations and considerations for commissioners working with or seeking support from an embedded researcher.
Imaging of Transmetallation and Chelation Phenomena Involving Radiological Contrast Agents in Mineral-Rich Fruits
Authors: Sarkar Subhendra , Vinokur Zoya , Buitrago Bleidis , Mousa Lin , Sanchez Hayley , Basilicata Analia , Douglas Jodi-Ann , Reddock Seanetta
Published: May 2022

Exogenous heavy metals or non-metallic waste products, for example lanthanide or iodinated contrast media for radiological procedures, may interfere with the biochemical pools in patients and in common food sources, creating an excess buildup of exogenous compounds which may reach toxic levels. Although the mechanisms are unknown, our experiments were designed to test if this toxicity can be attributed to “transmetallation” or “chelation” reactions freeing up lanthanides or chelated transition metals in acidic fruits used as phantoms representing the biologically active and mineral-rich carbohydrate matrix. The rapid breakdown of stable contrast agents have been reported at a lower pH. The interaction of such agents with native metals was examined by direct imaging of contrast infused fresh apples and sweet potatoes using low energy X-rays (40–44 kVp) and by magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 and 3T. The stability of the exogenous agents seemed to depend on endogenous counterions and biometals in these fruits. Proton spin echo MR intensity is sensitive to paramagnetic minerals and low energy X-ray photons are sensitively absorbed by photoelectric effects in all abundant minerals and were compared before and after the infusion of radiologic contrasts. Endogenous iron and manganese are believed to accumulate due to interactions with exogenous iodine and gadolinium in and around the infusion spots. X-ray imaging had lower sensitivity (detection limit approximately 1 part in 104), while MRI sensitivity was two orders of magnitude higher (approximately 1 part in 106), but only for paramagnetic minerals like Mn and Fe in our samples. MRI evidence of such a release of metal ions from the native pool implicates transmetallation and chelation reactions that were triggered by infused contrast agents. Since Fe and Mn play significant roles in the function of metalloenzymes, our results suggest that transmetallation and chelation could be a plausible mechanism for contrast induced toxicity in vivo.
Dermal Toxicity Influence of Gold Nanomaterials after Embedment in Cosmetics
Authors: Liu Chusheng , Wang Yanjing , Zhang Gaofei , Pang Xuebin , Yan Jiao , Wu Xiaoou , Qiu Yingheng , Wang Ping , Huang Houshuang , Wang Xiaowei , Zhang Haiyuan
Published: May 2022

Gold nanomaterials (Au NMs) have been widely used in cosmetic products for improving the brightening, and reducing the wrinkling of, skin, etc.; however, the dermal safety of Au NMs is rarely concerned. A previous study found that cosmetics could enhance the toxicity of Au nanosheets, but different physicochemical properties of Au NMs will induce different interaction modes with ingredients of cosmetics, potentially leading to different toxicity profiles. In the present study, spherical and rodlike Au NMs were first found in commercial cosmetics, and then Au nanospheres (NSs) with different sizes and Au nanorods (NRs) with different aspect ratios were prepared to simulate these Au NMs in cosmetics and further investigate their toxicity before and after embedment in cosmetics. It was found that the primary sizes, morphologies, and optical absorptions of these Au NSs and NRs before and after embedment were similar; however, their hydrodynamic sizes and zeta potentials were noticeably different. Then, these Au NSs and NRs presented weak or no cytotoxicity against HaCaT keratinocytes, while cosmetic cream could alleviate their cytotoxicity. Moreover, the cream could enhance the accumulation of Au NSs and NRs in the skin of hairless mice, but it also alleviated the toxicological responses of Au NSs and NRs in terms of superoxide dismutase (SOD) elevation and malondialdehyde (MDA) reduction. Therefore, the embedment of Au NSs and NRs into cosmetics can alleviate the in vitro and in vivo dermal toxicities of Au NSs and NRs.
A Review of Soil Contaminated with Dioxins and Biodegradation Technologies: Current Status and Future Prospects
Authors: Nhung Nguyen , Nguyen Xuan-Tung , Long Vo , Wei Yuezou , Fujita Toyohisa
Published: May 2022

This article provides a comprehensive assessment of dioxins contaminating the soil and evaluates the bioremediation technology currently being widely used, and also offers recommendations for future prospects. Soil pollution containing dioxins is extremely toxic and hazardous to human health and the environment. Dioxin concentrations in soils around the world are caused by a variety of sources and outcomes, but the main sources are from the consequences of war and human activities. Bioremediation technology (bioaugmentation, biostimulation, and phytoremediation) is considered an optimal and environmentally friendly technology, with the goal of applying native microbial communities and using plant species with a high biomass to treat contaminated dioxins in soil. The powerful bioremediation system is the growth of microorganisms that contribute to the increased mutualistic and competitive relationships between different strains of microorganisms. Although biological treatment technology can thoroughly treat contaminated dioxins in soil with high efficiency, the amount of gas generated and Cl radicals dispersed after the treatment process remains high. Further research on the subject is required to provide stricter control over the outputs noted in this study.
Dyslipidemia in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Chmielnicka Karolina , Heleniak Zbigniew , Dębska-Ślizień Alicja
Published: May 2022

Dyslipidemia is a frequent complication after kidney transplantation (KT) and is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are considered at high, or very high, risk of CVD, which is a leading cause of death in this patient group. Despite many factors of post-transplant dyslipidemia, the immunosuppressive treatment has the biggest influence on a lipid profile. There are no strict dyslipidemia treatment guidelines for RTRs, but the ones proposing an individual approach regarding CVD risk seem most suitable. Proper diet and physical activity are the main general measures to manage dyslipidemia and should be introduced initially in every patient after KT. In the case of an insufficient correction of lipemia, statins are the basis for hypolipidemic treatment. Statins should be introduced with caution to avoid serious side-effects (e.g., myopathy) or drug-drug interactions, especially with immunosuppressants. To lower the incidence of adverse effects, and improve medication adherence, ezetimibe in combination with statins is recommended. Fibrates and bile sequestrants are not recommended due to their side-effects and variable efficacy. However, several new lipid-lowering drugs like Proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type9 (PCSK9) inhibitors may have promising effects in RTRs, but further research assessing efficacy and safety is yet to be carried out.
DVGfinder: A Metasearch Tool for Identifying Defective Viral Genomes in RNA-Seq Data
Authors: Olmo-Uceda Maria J. , Muñoz-Sánchez Juan C. , Lasso-Giraldo Wilberth , Arnau Vicente , Díaz-Villanueva Wladimiro , Elena Santiago F.
Published: May 2022

The generation of different types of defective viral genomes (DVG) is an unavoidable consequence of the error-prone replication of RNA viruses. In recent years, a particular class of DVGs, those containing long deletions or genome rearrangements, has gain interest due to their potential therapeutic and biotechnological applications. Identifying such DVGs in high-throughput sequencing (HTS) data has become an interesting computational problem. Several algorithms have been proposed to accomplish this goal, though all incur false positives, a problem of practical interest if such DVGs have to be synthetized and tested in the laboratory. We present a metasearch tool, DVGfinder, that wraps the two most commonly used DVG search algorithms in a single workflow for the identification of the DVGs in HTS data. DVGfinder processes the results of ViReMa-a and DI-tector and uses a gradient boosting classifier machine learning algorithm to reduce the number of false-positive events. The program also generates output files in user-friendly HTML format, which can help users to explore the DVGs identified in the sample. We evaluated the performance of DVGfinder compared to the two search algorithms used separately and found that it slightly improves sensitivities for low-coverage synthetic HTS data and DI-tector precision for high-coverage samples. The metasearch program also showed higher sensitivity on a real sample for which a set of copy-backs were previously validated.
Stress Hormones Epinephrine and Corticosterone Selectively Reactivate HSV-1 and HSV-2 in Sympathetic and Sensory Neurons
Authors: Goswami Poorna , Ives Angela M. , Abbott Amber R. N. , Bertke Andrea S.
Published: May 2022

Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) establish latency in sensory and autonomic neurons, from which they can reactivate to cause recurrent disease throughout the life of the host. Stress is strongly associated with HSV recurrences in humans and animal models. However, the mechanisms through which stress hormones act on the latent virus to cause reactivation are unknown. We show that the stress hormones epinephrine (EPI) and corticosterone (CORT) induce HSV-1 reactivation selectively in sympathetic neurons, but not sensory or parasympathetic neurons. Activation of multiple adrenergic receptors is necessary for EPI-induced HSV-1 reactivation, while CORT requires the glucocorticoid receptor. In contrast, CORT, but not EPI, induces HSV-2 reactivation in both sensory and sympathetic neurons through either glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid receptors. Reactivation is dependent on different transcription factors for EPI and CORT, and coincides with rapid changes in viral gene expression, although genes differ for HSV-1 and HSV-2, and temporal kinetics differ for EPI and CORT. Thus, stress-induced reactivation mechanisms are neuron-specific, stimulus-specific and virus-specific. These findings have implications for differences in HSV-1 and HSV-2 recurrent disease patterns and frequencies, as well as development of targeted, more effective antivirals that may act on different responses in different types of neurons.
Meeting in Mind and a Smile on the Face: A Tribute to Dr. Randall J Cohrs
Authors: Das Sarma Jayasri
Published: May 2022

It is my privilege to have a mentor cum friend like Prof [...]
Complexities of JC Polyomavirus Receptor-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms of Infection
Authors: Morris-Love Jenna , Atwood Walter J.
Published: May 2022

JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) is a small non-enveloped virus that establishes lifelong, persistent infection in most of the adult population. Immune-competent patients are generally asymptomatic, but immune-compromised and immune-suppressed patients are at risk for the neurodegenerative disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Studies with purified JCPyV found it undergoes receptor-dependent infectious entry requiring both lactoseries tetrasaccharide C (LSTc) attachment and 5-hydroxytryptamine type 2 entry receptors. Subsequent work discovered the major targets of JCPyV infection in the central nervous system (oligodendrocytes and astrocytes) do not express the required attachment receptor at detectable levels, virus could not bind these cells in tissue sections, and viral quasi-species harboring recurrent mutations in the binding pocket for attachment. While several research groups found evidence JCPyV can use novel receptors for infection, it was also discovered that extracellular vesicles (EVs) can mediate receptor independent JCPyV infection. Recent work also found JCPyV associated EVs include both exosomes and secretory autophagosomes. EVs effectively present a means of immune evasion and increased tissue tropism that complicates viral studies and anti-viral therapeutics. This review focuses on JCPyV infection mechanisms and EV associated and outlines key areas of study necessary to understand the interplay between virus and extracellular vesicles.
What Factors Are Associated with Attitudes towards HPV Vaccination among Kazakhstani Women? Exploratory Analysis of Cross-Sectional Survey Data
Authors: Aimagambetova Gulzhanat , Babi Aisha , Issa Torgyn , Issanov Alpamys
Published: May 2022

Background. The high prevalence of HPV infection among Kazakhstani women and the absence of an HPV vaccination program are directly reflected in increasing rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality. Kazakhstan made its first attempt at introducing the HPV vaccine in 2013, but was unsuccessful due to complications and low public acceptance. The attitudes of Kazakhstani women towards the vaccine were never measured. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the attitudes of women towards the HPV vaccine and determine factors associated with positive, negative, or neutral attitudes. Methods. A 29-item survey consisting of 21 demographic and contextual questions and 8 Likert-scale questions was distributed among women attending gynecological offices in four major cities of Kazakhstan from December 2021 until February 2022. Attitudes of women were measured based on their answers to the eight Likert-scale questions. Ordinal logistic regression was built to find associations between demographic characteristics and attitudes of women. Results. Two hundred thirty-three women were included in the final analysis. A total of 54% of women had positive attitudes towards the vaccine. The majority of women did not trust or had a neutral attitude towards the government, pharmaceutical industry, and traditional and alternative media. However, the trust of women was high in medical workers and scientific researchers. Women’s age, education, number of children, effect of the 2013 HPV program, and trust in alternative medicine were included in the ordinal logistic model. Women with a low level of education, a high number of children, who believe in alternative medicine, and who were affected by the failed 2013 vaccination program were less likely to have a positive attitude towards the vaccine. Conclusions. Contrary attitudes towards HPV vaccination exist among Kazakhstani women, with approximately half having positive and almost half having negative or neutral attitudes towards the vaccine. An informational campaign that takes into consideration women’s levels of trust in different agencies, as well as targets those who are the most uninformed, might help in a successful relaunch of the HPV vaccination program. However, more studies that cover a higher number of women are required.
Therapeutic Effect of Subunit Vaccine AEC/BC02 on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Post-Chemotherapy Relapse Using a Latent Infection Murine Model
Authors: Lu Jinbiao , Guo Xiaonan , Wang Chunhua , Du Weixin , Shen Xiaobing , Su Cheng , Wu Yongge , Xu Miao
Published: May 2022

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is an infectious disease that presents a major threat to human health. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the only licensed TB vaccine, is ineffective against latent TB infection, necessitating the development of further TB drugs or therapeutic vaccines. Herein, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of a novel subunit vaccine AEC/BC02 after chemotherapy in a spontaneous Mtb relapse model. Immunotherapy followed 4 weeks of treatment with isoniazid and rifapentine, and bacterial loads in organs, pathological changes, and adaptive immune characteristics were investigated. The results showed slowly increased bacterial loads in the spleen and lungs of mice inoculated with AEC/BC02 with significantly lower loads than those of the control groups. Pathological scores for the liver, spleen, and lungs decreased accordingly. Moreover, AEC/BC02 induced antigen-specific IFN-γ-secreting or IL-2-secreting cellular immune responses, which decreased with the number of immunizations and times. Obvious Ag85b- and EC-specific IgG were observed in mice following the treatment with AEC/BC02, indicating a significant Th1-biased response. Taken together, these data suggest that AEC/BC02 immunotherapy post-chemotherapy may shorten future TB treatment.
Reanalysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial on Promoting Influenza Vaccination in General Practice Waiting Rooms: A Zelen Design
Authors: Berkhout Christophe , De Man Jeroen , Collins Claire , Willefert-Bouche Amy , Zgorska-Maynard Moussa Suzanna , Badelon Margot , Peremans Lieve , Van Royen Paul
Published: May 2022

In 2014–2015, we conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the effect of an advertising campaign for influenza vaccination using posters and pamphlets in general practitioner (GP) waiting rooms. No effect of the intervention could be demonstrated, but the immunization uptake increased in both arms of the study. In 2019, we deepened the investigations explaining the increased uptake conducting a registry-based 4/2/1 cluster RCT designed by Zelen with two extra years of follow-up of the study cohort. The study population included 23,024 patients eligible to be vaccinated who were registered with 175 GPs. The main outcome remained the number of vaccination units delivered per study group. Data were extracted from the SNIIRAM warehouse claim database for the Lille-Douai district (northern France). No difference in vaccination uptake was found in the Zelen versus the control group of the initial RCT. Overall, the proportion of vaccinated patients increased in the cohort from 51.4% to 70.4% over the three years. Being vaccinated the previous year was a strong predictor of being vaccinated in a subsequent year. The increase in vaccination uptake, especially among people older than 65, can be explained by a cohort effect. Health promotion and the promotion of primary health care may play an important role in this increase.
Impact of the Threat of COVID-19 Infections on the Perceived Risk to HPV Vaccination
Authors: Shimizu Yumi , Hirai Kei , Ueda Yutaka , Yagi Asami , Ohtake Fumio
Published: May 2022

Vaccination rates for human papillomavirus (HPV) in Japan are significantly lower than other countries, and Japanese people are reluctant to be vaccinated. Repeated daily reports of COVID-19 infections and restrictions have made people more health conscious and aware of the danger of infectious diseases. In this study, we used the health belief model (HBM) to examine perceived threats of cancer and infectious diseases and to ascertain whether the new COVID-19 vaccination in addition to these perceived threats would increase vaccination intention against cervical cancer. We conducted a cluster analysis to classify the segmentation regarding the perceived threat, and a logistic regression analysis to predict factors influencing people accepting vaccination. We received 1257 completed surveys during our research. We classified the participants into six clusters, and the logistic regression analysis indicated eight factors significantly associated with the willingness to get the HPV vaccine: reliable information sources such as doctors and social networking sites (SNS), the recognition of COVID-19 symptoms, the awareness of COVID-19 vaccination, the importance of HPV prevention through vaccination, one’s own intention of COVID-19 vaccination, their intention of COVID-19 vaccination toward children, and benefits of HPV vaccination. Further research on HPV and COVID-19 vaccination is encouraged.
Recombinant BCG-LTAK63 Vaccine Candidate for Tuberculosis Induces an Inflammatory Profile in Human Macrophages
Authors: dos Santos Carina C. , Walburg Kimberley V. , van Veen Suzanne , Wilson Louis G. , Trufen Carlos E. M. , Nascimento Ivan P. , Ottenhoff Tom H. M. , Leite Luciana C. C. , Haks Mariëlle C.
Published: May 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide. The recombinant BCG strain expressing the genetically detoxified A subunit of the thermolabile toxin from Escherichia coli (LTAK63) adjuvant (rBCG-LTAK63) has previously been shown to confer superior protection and immunogenicity compared to BCG in a murine TB infection model. To further investigate the immunological mechanisms induced by rBCG-LTAK63, we evaluated the immune responses induced by rBCG-LTAK63, BCG, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv strains in experimental infections of primary human M1 and M2 macrophages at the transcriptomic and cytokine secretion levels. The rBCG-LTAK63-infected M1 macrophages more profoundly upregulated interferon-inducible genes such as IFIT3, OAS3, and antimicrobial gene CXCL9 compared to BCG, and induced higher levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12(p70), TNF-β, and IL-15. The rBCG-LTAK63-infected M2 macrophages more extensively upregulated transcripts of inflammation-related genes, TAP1, GBP1, SLAMF7, TNIP1, and IL6, and induced higher levels of cytokines related to inflammation and tissue repair, MCP-3 and EGF, as compared to BCG. Thus, our data revealed an important signature of immune responses induced in human macrophages by rBCG-LTAK63 associated with increased inflammation, activation, and tissue repair, which may be correlated with a protective immune response against TB.
Select Whole-Cell Biofilm-Based Immunogens Protect against a Virulent Staphylococcus Isolate in a Stringent Implant Model of Infection
Authors: Dollery Stephen J. , Harro Janette M. , Wiggins Taralyn J. , Wille Brendan P. , Kim Peter C. , Tobin John K. , Bushnell Ruth V. , Tasker Naomi J. P. E. R. , MacLeod David A. , Tobin Gregory J.
Published: May 2022

Many microbes of concern to human health remain without vaccines. We have developed a whole-microbe inactivation technology that enables us to rapidly inactivate large quantities of a pathogen while retaining epitopes that were destroyed by previous inactivation methods. The method that we call UVC-MDP inactivation can be used to make whole-cell vaccines with increased potency. We and others are exploring the possibility of using improved irradiation-inactivation technologies to develop whole-cell vaccines for numerous antibiotic-resistant microbes. Here, we apply UVC-MDP to produce candidate MRSA vaccines which we test in a stringent tibia implant model of infection challenged with a virulent MSRA strain. We report high levels of clearance in the model and observe a pattern of protection that correlates with the immunogen protein profile used for vaccination.
A Disproportionality Analysis for Association of Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome with COVID-19 Vaccination Using the World Health Organization Pharmacovigilance Database
Authors: Park Jin , Kim Dongyeop , Song Tae-Jin
Published: May 2022

Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a rare and potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by reversible plasma extravasation and vascular collapse. This study aimed to investigate the association between different types of COVID-19 vaccine and SCLS in a real-world setting. We used individual case safety reports of SCLS after COVID-19 vaccination from the WHO pharmacovigilance database, VigiBase. A disproportionality analysis of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and mRNA-based vaccines was performed. The information component (IC) and reporting odds ratio (ROR) were calculated from the entire database and viral vaccines data subset. A positive 95% lower end of the IC (IC025) value (>0) using Bayesian neural network analysis and lower end of the ROR 95% confidence interval (ROR025) ≥1 were defined as the ADR signal detection threshold. A total of 101 (0.004%) events of SCLS were identified. A significant potential signal of disproportionality of SCLS was noted in ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 when applied as the denominator for entire database (IC025 = 0.24, ROR025 = 1.23) and all viral vaccines (IC025 = 0.41, ROR025 = 1.59). No significant potential signal was noted for two mRNA-based vaccines as denominators for the entire database (IC025 = −0.49, ROR025 = 0.71) and all viral vaccines (IC025 = −0.32, ROR025 = 0.77). Contrary to ChAdOx1 nCoV-1, no safety signal for developing SCLS was identified for mRNA-based vaccines.
A Descriptive Study of the Carpal Joint of Healthy Donkeys Using Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Salem Mohamed , El-Shafaey El-Sayed , Farag Alshimaa , El-khodery Sabry , Al Mohamad Zakriya , Abass Marwa
Published: May 2022

This study was conducted to establish a detailed anatomic reference for the carpal joint of apparently healthy donkeys using ultrasonography (US), computed tomographic (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ten orthopedically sound adult donkeys were used for US examination of the carpal joint in each forelimb. Additionally, the carpi of ten donkey cadavers were subjected to CT and MRI examinations. The carpal joint was divided into four zones to simplify examination. US assessment of the carpal joint included transverse and longitudinal sonograms. CT was performed using three planes: axial, sagittal, and coronal. MRI was performed using axial and sagittal planes with two sequences: gradient-echo T1-weighted and proton density. The donkeys’ carpus US, CT, and MRI images were labeled and serially interpreted based on references and anatomical cross-sections. The anatomical characteristics of the carpal joint and the surrounding soft tissue structures were thoroughly described and precisely differentiated on US, CT, and MRI scans. It can be concluded that US, CT, and MRI are effective noninvasive diagnostic imaging tools for evaluating the carpal joint in donkeys. Moreover, these imaging modalities can aid in establishing a reference database for the carpal joint of donkeys, which differs from that of horses.
Special Issue: Hydrological Extremes in a Warming Climate: Nonstationarity, Uncertainties and Impacts
Authors: Shrestha Rajesh R. , Najafi Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2022

The intensification of global water cycle, associated with anthropogenic climate change, is affecting the characteristics of hydrologic extreme events throughout the world [...]
An Adaptive Surrogate-Assisted Simulation-Optimization Method for Identifying Release History of Groundwater Contaminant Sources
Authors: Wu Mengtian , Xu Jin , Hu Pengjie , Lu Qianyi , Xu Pengcheng , Chen Han , Wang Lingling
Published: May 2022

The simulation-optimization method, integrating the numerical model and the evolutionary algorithm, is increasingly popular for identifying the release history of groundwater contaminant sources. However, due to the usage of computationally intensive evolutionary algorithms, traditional simulation-optimization methods always require thousands of simulations to find appropriate solutions. Such methods yield a prohibitive computational burden if the simulation involved is time-consuming. To reduce general computation, this study proposes a novel simulation-optimization method for solving the inverse contaminant source identification problems, which uses surrogate models to approximate the numerical model. Unlike many existing surrogate-assisted methods using the pre-determined surrogate model, this paper presents an adaptive surrogate technique to construct the most appropriate surrogate model for the current numerical model. Two representative cases about identifying the release history of contaminant sources are used to investigate the accuracy and robustness of the proposed method. The results indicate that the proposed adaptive surrogate-assisted method effectively identifies the release history of groundwater contaminant sources with a higher degree of accuracy and shorter computation time than traditional methods.
Detection and Stability of Cyanogen Bromide and Cyanogen Iodide in Drinking Water
Authors: Jiang Fuyang , Xie Yuefeng , Dong Kun , Wang Dunqiu , Li Haixiang
Published: May 2022

This study systematically summarized the factors affecting the stability of CNXs, providing a reference for better control and elimination of CNXs. A method for the detection of CNBr and CNI in solution was established using a liquid–liquid extraction/gas chromatography/electron capture detector. Specifically, the method was used to investigate the stability of CNBr and CNI in drinking water, especially in the presence of chlorine and sulfite, and it showed good reproducibility (relative standard deviation <3.05%), high sensitivity (method detection limit <100 ng/L), and good recovery (91.49–107.24%). Degradation kinetic studies of cyanogen halides were conducted, and their degradation rate constants were detected for their hydrolysis, chlorination, and sulfite reduction. For hydrolysis, upon increasing pH from 9.0 to 11.0, the rate constants of CNCl, CNBr, and CNI changed from 8 to 155 × 10−5 s−1, 1.1 to 34.2 × 10−5 s−1, and 1.5 to 6.2 × 10−5 s−1, respectively. In the presence of 1.0 mg/L chlorine, upon increasing pH from 7.0 to 10.0, the rate constants of CNCl, CNBr, and CNI changed from 36 to 105 × 10−5 s−1, 15.8 to 49.0 × 10−5 s−1, and 1.2 to 24.2 × 10−5 s−1, respectively. In the presence of 3 μmol/L sulfite, CNBr and CNI degraded in two phases. In the first phase, they degraded very quickly after the addition of sulfite, whereas, in the second phase, they degraded slowly with rate constants similar to those for hydrolysis. Owing to the electron-withdrawing ability of halogen atoms and the nucleophilic ability of reactive groups such as OH− and ClO−, the rate constants of cyanogen halides increased with increasing pH, and they decreased in the order of CNCl > CNBr > CNI during hydrolysis and chlorination. The hydrolysis and chlorination results could be used to assess the stability of cyanogen halides in water storage and distribution systems. The sulfite reduction results indicate that quenching residual oxidants with excess sulfite could underestimate the levels of cyanogen halides, especially for CNBr and CNI.
Contaminant Fate and Transport Modeling in Distribution Systems: EPANET-C
Authors: Abhijith Gopinathan R. , Ostfeld Avi
Published: May 2022

Typically, computer-based tools built on mathematical models define the time-series behavior of contaminants, in dissolved or colloidal form, within the spatial boundaries of water distribution systems (WDS). EPANET-MSX has become a standard tool for WDS quality modeling due to its collaboration with EPANET. The critical challenges in applying EPANET-MSX include conceptualizing the exchanges among multiple reacting constituents within the WDS domain and developing the scientific descriptions of these exchanges. Moreover, due to its complicated user interface, the EPANET-MSX application demands programming skills from a software engineering viewpoint. The present study aims to overcome these challenges by developing a novel computer-based tool, EPANET-C. Via built-in and customizable conceptual and mathematical models’ directories, EPANET-C simplifies WDS water quality modeling for users, even those lacking programming expertise. Due to its flexibility, EPANET-C can become a de facto standard tool in WDS quality modeling study both for the industry and the academia.
Development of Monthly Reference Evapotranspiration Machine Learning Models and Mapping of Pakistan—A Comparative Study
Authors: Wang Jizhang , Raza Ali , Hu Yongguang , Buttar Noman Ali , Shoaib Muhammad , Saber Kouadri , Li Pingping , Elbeltagi Ahmed , Ray Ram L.
Published: May 2022

Accurate estimation of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) plays a vital role in irrigation and water resource planning. The Penman–Monteith method recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO PM56) is widely used and considered a standard to calculate ETo. However, FAO PM56 cannot be used with limited meteorological variables, so it is compulsory to choose an alternative model for ETo estimation, which requires fewer variables. This study built ten machine learning (ML) models based on multi-function, neural network, and tree-based structure against the FAO PM56 method. For this purpose, time series temperature data on a monthly scale are only used to train ML models. The developed ML models were applied to estimate ETo at different test stations and the obtained results were compared with the FAO PM56 method to verify and validate their performance in ETo estimation for the selected stations. In addition, multiple statistical indicators, including root-mean-square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), and correlation coefficient (r) were calculated to compare the performance of each ML model on ETo estimation. Among the applied ML models, the ETo tree boost (TB) ML model outperformed the other ML models in estimating ETo in diverse climatic conditions based on statistical indicators (R2, NSE, r, RMSE, and MAE). Moreover, the observed R2, NSE, and r were the highest for the TB ML model, while RMSE and MAE were found to be the lowest at the study sites compared to other applied ML models. Lastly, ETo point data yielded from the TB ML model was used in an interpolation process to create monthly and annual ETo maps. Based on the ETo maps, this study suggests mainly a focus on areas with high ETo values and proper irrigation scheduling of crops to ensure water sustainability.
Improving the Prediction of Soil Organic Matter in Arable Land Using Human Activity Factors
Authors: Ning Lixin , Cheng Changxiu , Lu Xu , Shen Shi , Zhang Liang , Mu Shaomin , Song Yunsheng
Published: May 2022

Detailed spatial distribution of soil organic matter (SOM) in arable land is essential for agricultural management and decision making. Based on digital soil mapping (DSM) theory, much attention has been focused on the selection of environmental covariates. However, the importance of human activity factors in SOM prediction has not received enough attention, especially in arable soil. Moreover, due to the insufficient amount of soil sampling data used to train and validate the DSM model, the prediction results may be questionable, and some even contradictory. This paper explores the effectiveness of the human footprint, amount of fertilizer application, agronomic management level, crop planting type, and irrigation guarantee degree in SOM mapping of arable land in Heilongjiang Province. The results show that the model only including environmental covariates accounts for 41% of the variation in SOM distribution. The model combining the five human activity factors increases the SOM spatial prediction by 39% in terms of R2 (coefficient of determination), 12% in terms of RMSE (root mean square error), 15% in terms of MAE (mean absolute error), and 11% in terms of LCCC (Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient), showing better prediction accuracy and performance. This indicates that human activity factors play a crucial role in determining SOM distribution in arable land. In the SOM prediction, soil moisture is the most important environmental covariate, and the amount of fertilizer application with a relative importance of 11.36% (ranking 3rd) is the most important human activity factor, higher than the annual average precipitation and elevation. From a spatial point of view, the Sanjiang Plain is a difficult area for prediction.
Deploying a GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) Decision Rule for Site Selection of Desalination Plants
Authors: Gholamalifard Mehdi , Ahmadi Bonyad , Saber Ali , Mazloomi Sohrab , Kutser Tiit
Published: May 2022

Water supply is one of the most critical infrastructures for development, and by desalinating the water of the Persian Gulf, water demands may be satisfied. The countries of the Persian Gulf basin have applied this technology and compensated for the country’s water shortage, whereas because of Iran’s unlimited access to water, desalination has only been applied on a local scale. Due to serious hydrological stress and periodic water shortages in Iran’s southern coastal area, seawater desalination may be necessary as an optional solution for water supply. Site selection for desalination plants is difficult as it may have a direct influence on the territorial and water environment, as well as disrupt biological systems, hence, the objective of this study was to identify desalination sites across the coastline of Hormozgan. To choose a suitable site, a multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) design was applied, with three scenarios evaluated in the constraints part and two scenarios considered in the criteria weight section. Altogether, out of 21 determination criteria considered for the construction of desalination facilities, 14 were associated to the inland and coastal segment, six with the marine zone, and one with the water quality phase. The results showed that about 33,584 ha in the optimal scenario, or when minimum and maximum constraints were applied, approximately 109,553 and 7182 ha, respectively, of the region, including a total of 11 zones, were suitable for the building of desalination facilities. In conclusion, this study was the first to consider MCE with many criteria and different scenarios for developing a decision rule for the installation of desalination facilities based on environmental and marine factors.
Effects on Fluvial Geomorphology and Vegetation Cover following Hydroelectric Power Plant Operation: A Case Study in the Maule River (Chile)
Authors: Pacheco Fabián , Rojas Octavio , Hernández Esteban , Caamaño Diego
Published: May 2022

The installation of hydroelectric plants has generated multiple environmental impacts on the world’s river systems. In central Chile, the impacts of hydroelectric reservoir operation have been documented in ecological and hydrologic regime terms. This investigation assesses the changes in channel morphology, vegetation distribution, and flows in the middle section of the Maule River during the period following the start-up of a hydroelectric plant. Changes in fluvial morphology (active area) and land cover are quantified using LANDSAT images, contrasted with a vegetation sampling and flow analysis. The results show a 12% decrease in active areas of the river, indicating a loss of geomorphological diversity. Within the active channel, there was a gradual increase in plant-covered surface area, which reached 159% between 1989 and 2018, mainly due to reductions in water (−61%), active bar (−35%), and bare soil surface areas (−29%). The changes were evident ten years after plant operations began and intensified during the period known as the megadrought in central Chile (2008–2018). The flow magnitudes present a decrease for exceedance probabilities (P) below 85% in the period after 1985, with a slight increase recorded for low flows (P > 85%). In the segments with superior stabilization, invasive species such as Acacia dealbata (silver wattle) predominated, which are specialists at taking advantage of disturbances to settle and stabilize active areas, narrowing the possibilities for morphological change.