bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Global Landslide Reporting Using a Decade of the Global Landslide Catalog
Authors: Dandridge Chelsea , Stanley Thomas A. , Kirschbaum Dalia B. , Lakshmi Venkataraman
Published: February 2023

Rainfall-triggered landslides can result in devastating loss of life and property damage and are a growing concern from a local to global scale. NASA’s global landslide catalog (GLC) compiles a record of rainfall-triggered landslide events from media reports, academic articles, and existing databases at global scale. The database consists of all types of mass movement events that are triggered by rainfall and represents a minimum number of events occurring between 2007 and 2018. The GLC collection is no longer being compiled, and the dataset will not be updated past 2018. The research presented here evaluates global patterns in landslide reporting from events in the GLC. The evaluation includes an analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution of global landslide events and associated casualties and comparisons with other landslide inventories. This database has been used to estimate landslide hotspots, evaluate geographic patterns in landslides, and train and validate landslide models from local to global scales. The most notable landslide hotspots are in the Pacific Northwest of North America, High Mountain Asia, and the Philippines. Additionally, the relationship between country GDP and income status with landslide occurrence was determined to have a positive correlation between economic status and landslide reporting. The GLC also indicates a reporting bias towards English-speaking countries. The general goal of this research is to assess the decade of global landslide reports from the GLC and show how this database can be used for rainfall-triggered landslide research.
Oasification in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of China: New Changes and Re-Examination
Authors: Zhu Honghui , Du Meiling , Yin Xiaojun
Published: February 2023

The “counter-trend” of oasification in China’s arid and semi-arid regions has attracted widespread attention against the backdrop of the rising global desertification risk, which endangers ecological safety and food security. This paper selects the pertinent literature from the CNKI and the WoS core collection databases and then uses bibliometric methods to comb the current status, key contents, and cutting-edge trends of oasification research. The following conclusions are drawn: (1) Compared to desertification research, research on oasification has not been sufficient and the understanding of oasification has not been raised to the same level of importance as desertification; (2) From the perspective of the literature, the oasification research hotspots have gone through four stages: “spatial and temporal evolution, ecological effects, driving mechanisms and sustainable development paths”; (3) Current research on oasification is mainly focused on the evolution of landscape dynamics, sustainable development, and ecological conservation. Research outlooks are as follows: (1) From the perspective of system theory, we construct a theoretical framework of “man and nature” harmonious community, and systematically study the alternating evolution process of “desert–oasis” in arid and semi-arid regions, and its effects; (2) The synergistic factors, development mechanism and preferred path of oasification sustainable development should be some of the key contents of future research; (3) Oasification management in arid and semi-arid regions is not the opposite of desertification management, and research on the oasification governance system, governance content and governance mechanism is necessary.
Hydrological Modeling of the Kobo-Golina River in the Data-Scarce Upper Danakil Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Abate Belay Z. , Assefa Tewodros T. , Tigabu Tibebe B. , Abebe Wubneh B. , He Li
Published: February 2023

A proper understanding of hydrological processes is vital for water resource assessment, management, and conservation at a local, national, and global scale. The role of hydrological models is critically important in rarely studied ungauged catchments including of Kobo-Golina, in the Danakil basin of Ethiopia. The main objective of this research is to model the hydrology of the Kobo-Golina catchment using the completely restructured SWAT (SWAT+) model. Validated reanalysis river flow from the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) and actual evapotranspiration (AET) from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) were used for single and multi-variable calibration. It is found that the multi-variable calibration scenario reasonably attained the minimum satisfactory performance limit for both variables (NSE = 0.67, R2 = 0.68, PBias = −9.68%, and RSR = 0.57 for calibration of GloFAS flow; and NSE = 0.56, R2 = 0.63, RSR = 0.66, PBias = 3.86 for calibration of MODIS AET). The model simulation showed that evapotranspiration accounts for 47% of the input water while surface runoff, lateral flow, and groundwater recharge account for 30%, 1.53%, and 21.4%, respectively. The simulated mean annual streamflow at the Basin outlet is 10.6 m3/s. The monthly low flow occurs in June with a median flow of 1.43 m3/s and a coefficient of dispersion of 0.67. High flows occur in August, with a median flow of 16.55 m3/s and a coefficient of dispersion of 1.55. The spatial distribution of simulated runoff was depicted as being higher in the floodplains and along the riparian/drainage lines, whereas upland areas showed lower runoff. The maximum monthly recharge occurs in September with a recharge value of 78.2 mm. The findings of the study suggested that both surface water harvesting and groundwater exploitation can be sought in floodplain areas while conserving the uplands.
How Do People Experience the Alps? Attitudes and Perceptions in Two Protected Areas in Italy
Authors: Rota Noemi , Canedoli Claudia , Azzimonti Oscar Luigi , Padoa-Schioppa Emilio
Published: February 2023

Protected areas play an important role due to their twofold capacity for biodiversity conservation and the provision of many benefits to human well-being. Tourism can be a tool for protecting nature, enhancing people’s sensitivity, and a threat to biodiversity management. This study investigates users’ attitudes and perceptions and managers’ concerns related to the frequentation of two protected areas in the Italian Alps: the Gran Paradiso National Park and the Adamello Regional Park. We carried out 32 semi-structured interviews with park managers and municipalities to identify their perception of tourism and possible threats related to the use of the parks. Thus, we administered questionnaires to 3399 users of the PAs to investigate their attitudes and perceptions. We made considerations on whether there were similarities in the attitudes identified by the park managers and results of the questionnaires. Questionnaires confirmed the managers’ perception of mass tourism regarding one-day stays and the purpose of the visits, but we could not exhaustively confirm the increase of new visitors. We performed a binary logistic regression to understand the relationship between short-term stays and attitudes of visitors (origin, frequency of visits, stakeholders’ category, and biographical data). Eventually, interviews stated an exacerbation of the growth of visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic; thus, we investigated if the pandemic changed the assiduity of visits, and half of the users claimed a change in their assiduity of visits, but mostly declared a decreased frequentation of the area.
Rural Slow Routes as Connectors of Local Communities for the Promotion of Place Identity
Authors: Menconi Maria Elena , Abbate Rosaria , Ceccarelli Giulia , Grassi Anna , Grohmann David
Published: February 2023

European, national, and regional policies have promoted slow routes in recent decades. This paper aims to define a multi-scale method to use these routes to promote the identities of rural places. The method develops (i) a GIS-based network analysis to define the boundaries of the service area of the route and then (ii) a participatory strategy to promote its rural identity. Furthermore, this paper studies the quality criteria for slow European routes (iii) to define quality criteria specifically for rural slow routes and to connect the case study to the broader European network. The results show that the European certification standard of EuroVelo is a valid document to evaluate the quality of slow routes in rural contexts. The case study is a slow route along the Trasimeno lake (Italy), 61 km long, called the Trasimeno ring. The service area of the route has a surface of 325 km2 and is defined as the surface that can be reached with detours from the route not exceeding 5 km along rural roads with low traffic (max 2000 v/d) and gentle slopes (maximum gradient of 15% and a cumulative elevation change for every kilometer of the road lower than 50 m). The participatory process was developed for one municipality (15.35% of the service area) with 326 km of rural streets and 35 activities linked to agriculture. In total, 80% of the rural stakeholders participated in building an online collaborative map to promote the area. The results show that rural stakeholders evaluate collaborative maps as an effective strategy for encouraging tourists and inhabitants to discover, use and respect rural place identities.
Proposal of a Gas Sensor-Based Device for Detecting Adulteration in Essential Oil of Cistus ladanifer
Authors: Viciano-Tudela Sandra , Sendra Sandra , Parra Lorena , Jimenez Jose M. , Lloret Jaime
Published: February 2023

Essential oils are a valuable raw material for several industries. Low-cost methods cannot detect its adulteration; specialised equipment is required. In this paper, we proposed the use of gas sensors to detect the adulteration process in the essential oil of Cistus ladanifer. Gas sensors are used in a measuring chamber to measure pure and adulterated oils. We compare the suitability of the tested sensors for detecting adulterated oil and the required measuring time. A total of five samples are determined, with a measuring time of 12 h. Each gas sensor is configured to be sensitive to different compounds. Even though sensors are not specific to detect the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the essential oil, our objective is to evaluate if these VOCs might interact with the sensors as an interferent. Results indicate that various gas sensors sensitive to the same chemical compound offered different values. It might indicate that the interaction of VOCs is different among the tested sensors or that the location of the sensors and the heterogeneous distribution of VOCs along the measurement chamber impact the data. Regarding the performed analyses, we can affirm that identifying the adulterated essential oil is possible using the generated data. Moreover, the results suggest that most of the data, even for different compounds and sensors, are highly correlated, allowing a reduction in the studied variables. According to the high correlation, data are reduced, and 100% of correct classification can be obtained even when only the MQ3 and MQ8 are used.
Construction and Cost Analysis of BladeBridges Made from Decommissioned FRP Wind Turbine Blades
Authors: Ruane Kieran , Soutsos Marios , Huynh An , Zhang Zoe , Nagle Angela , McDonald Kenny , Gentry T Russell , Leahy Paul , Bank Lawrence C.
Published: February 2023

This paper describes repurposing projects using decommissioned wind turbine blades in bridges conducted under a multinational research project entitled “Re-Wind”. Repurposing is defined by the Re-Wind Network as the re-engineering, redesigning, and remanufacturing of a wind blade that has reached the end of its life on a turbine and taken out of service and then reused as a load-bearing structural element in a new structure (e.g., bridge, transmission pole, sound barrier, seawall, shelter). The issue of end-of-life of wind turbine blades is becoming a significant sustainability concern for wind turbine manufacturers, many of whom have committed to the 2030 or 2040 sustainability goals that include zero-waste for their products. Repurposing is the most sustainable end-of-life solution for wind turbine blades from an environmental, economic, and social perspective. The Network has designed and constructed two full-size pedestrian/cycle bridges—one on a greenway in Cork, Ireland and the other in a quarry in Draperstown, Northern Ireland, UK. The paper describes the design, testing, and construction of the two bridges and provides cost data for the bridges. Two additional bridges that are currently being designed for construction in Atlanta, GA, USA are also described. The paper also presents a step-by-step procedure for designing and building civil structures using decommissioned wind turbine blades. The steps are: project planning and funding, blade sourcing, blade geometric characterization, material testing, structural testing, designing, cost estimating, and construction.
Prioritizing the Solutions to Overcome Lean Six Sigma 4.0 Challenges in SMEs: A Contemporary Research Framework to Enhance Business Operations
Authors: Singh Priyanshu Kumar , Maheswaran R. , Virmani Naveen , Raut Rakesh D. , Muduli Kamalakanta
Published: February 2023

The research aims to prioritize the solutions to overcome the challenges of Lean Six Sigma 4.0 (LSS 4.0). It is an integrated approach with lean, six sigma, and Industry 4.0 attributes. This integrated approach helps to achieve organizational excellence and sustainable development goals. Fuzzy stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (fuzzy-SWARA) was used to estimate the weights of LSS 4.0 challenges. Furthermore, fuzzy-weighted aggregated sum product assessment (fuzzy-WASPAS) was used to prioritize the LSS 4.0 solutions. In this study, 23 challenges and 23 solutions of LSS 4.0 implementation were identified with the help of an extensive literature review and discussion with the area experts having vast experience. Management participation in LSS 4.0 implementation and planning for long-term vision were found to be the topmost solutions to overcome LSS 4.0 challenges. To the best of our knowledge, to date, the prioritization of solutions to overcome the challenges of LSS 4.0 have not yet been investigated in the developing economic context.
Detection of Numerical Power Shift Anomalies in Burnup Modeling of a PWR Reactor
Authors: Oettingen Mikołaj , Kim Juyoul
Published: February 2023

This paper presents the detection and interpretation of numerical power density anomalies in the full-core PWR reactor model, developed at the level of RPV. The study shows that in the Monte Carlo neutron transport coupled with burnup modeling, power density anomalies may occur and should be carefully investigated. The power density anomalies originate from the initial core asymmetry due to different designs of top and bottom reflectors and non-uniform initial axial neutron flux distribution. The power density anomalies increase with increasing fuel burnup due to spatial changes in 135Xe concentrations and following power density redistribution along the reactor core. A method for anomaly detection for the semi-symmetric reactor core is proposed.
Information Searching from New Media and Households’ Investment in Risky Assets: New Evidence from a Quasi-Natural Experiment
Authors: Zhao Feng , Xiao Youzhi
Published: February 2023

In 2010, Google withdrew from mainland China unexpectedly, which is an important issue that significantly changed the information acquisition environment in China. After that, Baidu has dominated a search engine in China, which provides less informative results. We use Google’s withdrawal from mainland China as a quasi-experiment and the data from Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) to test the relationship between the information searching in new media and household investment in risky assets. By using the difference-in-difference method, we find that Google’s withdrawal from mainland China significantly decreased households’ willingness to invest in risky assets. The results are robust after parallel trend test, PSM–DID, entropy balancing, placebo test, as well as changing the control and treatment group, using a Logit model and excluding other factors. As for the heterogeneity, the effects are different among females and males, rural and urban residents, and residents with different incomes. As for the plausible channels, we find that Google’s withdrawal from mainland China significantly affected firms’ information disclosure quality, the convenience of getting information and the risk preference, by which their investment behaviors are affected.
Measurement of Synergy Degree between Environmental Protection and Industrial Development in the Yellow River Basin and Analysis of Its Temporal and Spatial Characteristics
Authors: Xue Weixian , Liu Yunru
Published: February 2023

The Yellow River Basin plays an important role in economic and social development and ecological security; therefore, its ecological protection and high-quality development are vital. In order to understand the level of synergistic development between environment and industry in the Yellow River Basin, and to understand the change in synergy degree through spatial and temporal analysis, and finally to propose suggestions to provide a basis for the policy formulation of environmental protection and industrial development, informing the initiatives of the relevant parties—companies and residents, so as to ensure the high-quality development and sustainable development of the Yellow River Basin, this paper is based on the theory of synergetic and dissipative structure, and it expounds the synergetic mechanism by constructing the compound system of environment and industry in the Yellow River Basin and revealing their internal and external interactions. Based on the panel data of 57 prefecture-level cities in the Yellow River Basin from 2010 to 2020, the synergy degree of environment and industry in the Yellow River Basin and its temporal and spatial characteristics are discussed by using the synergy model of compound systems. The results show that: (1) the overall degree of environmental and industrial synergism in the Basin develops from mildly non-synergistic to mildly synergistic, but the level is still low; there are significant temporal and regional differences in synergy degree in the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Basin and among cities. (2) The number of cities in the basin that are in mild synergy is increasing; the synergy degree shows an overall positive global spatial autocorrelation.
Heritage Protection Perspective of Sustainable Development of Traditional Villages in Guangxi, China
Authors: Lu Yong , Ahmad Yahaya
Published: February 2023

China’s rapid urbanization process has had a significant impact on traditional villages, and a series of problems, such as heritage destruction, space abandonment, and population loss, have emerged. The village protection and development research process is considered to be a critical turning point. This paper aims to build a scientific evaluation system for the sustainable development of traditional villages in Guangxi, seek the contemporary development value in the process of heritage protection, and solve the contradiction between protection and development. In order to achieve this goal, firstly, relevant data from six sample traditional villages were obtained through the use of field surveys, in-depth interviews, and questionnaire surveys. The key indicators were determined by using the Delphi method and the analytic hierarchy process for scoring and evaluation, and the factors were given corresponding weights to complete the construction of the evaluation system and the classification of sustainable development levels. Secondly, the elements, functions, and values of traditional village heritage were statistically classified, and the differences between preserving the natural, historical living environment and adapting to modern development needs were analyzed. The results show that the sustainable development level of traditional villages in Guangxi needs to be balanced, and that the development degree in the living spaces and production spaces of villages in different distribution areas of geomorphic types is different. Therefore, additional protection and development modes should be adopted according to the specific environmental conditions of the traditional villages. Finally, this study proposes relevant heritage space protection and development strategies from aspects of heritage value extraction, characteristic industry development, spatial resources, and environment distribution, hoping to narrow the development gap between villages and to promote the sustainable development of village heritage spaces.
Multidimensional Characteristics of Design-Based Engineering Learning: A Grounded Theory Study
Authors: Wei Lina , Zhang Wei , Lin Chenhua
Published: February 2023

Design-based engineering learning is an important learning model in the field of engineering education research, and also an important embodiment of sustainable development engineering education. At present, the research is still in the stage of conceptual discussion, and its connotation has not been effectively clarified. In order to construct a theoretical model of design-based engineering learning, this study adopted grounded theory to carry out exploratory research. First, we selected the advanced class of engineering education in Chu Kochen Honors College of Zhejiang University as a follow-up case, conducted interviews with front-line teachers and students, and collected relevant data; second, we adopted the three-level coding technology of open coding-axis coding-selective coding and used NVivo software to extract concept categories from open codes, and established the connection between categories through the axis coding; and finally, multidimensional ideas were developed through core categories, including design practice, interactive reflection, knowledge integration, and circular iteration. The multidimensional conception of design-based engineering learning constructed in this study aims to provide theoretical support for promoting engineering education research. At the same time, it puts forward some useful suggestions on the training of engineering talents for sustainable development in practice.
Dynamic System Modeling and Sustainability Strategies for Circular Economy-Based Dairy Cow Waste Management
Authors: Latif Amir , Cahyandito Martha Fani , Utama Gemilang Lara
Published: February 2023

Dairy farming activities produce waste that can have a negative impact on the environment. The processing of livestock waste will reduce pollution and support environmental conservation programs that are currently being intensified by the West Java Provincial Government, Indonesia. An economic approach that can minimize waste and maximize resources is the circular economy (CE) approach. CE can occur at the macro-, meso-, or microlevels. The application of micro-scale CE can be carried out in a business activity. One of the micro business groups that have implemented the CE concept in Bandung Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia, is the Taruna Mukti Farmer Group, which is located in the Citarum River sub-basin area. From 2008 to 2022, this group processed 49,580 tons of cow dung into organic fertilizer. However, there has been a decline in livestock waste processing, where production reduced from 3700 tons in 2018 to 1280 tons in 2021, then to only 500 tons in 2022. Therefore, this study aims to design a sustainable strategy for livestock waste management based on CE in the Taruna Mukti Farmer Group. The method used is in-depth interviews with the Drivers, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) approach. In addition, this study will also describe the CE model in the management of dairy cattle waste. Key Informants come from the Farmer Group and related stakeholders. Based on the results of the study, it is known that the dairy cattle waste management model in the Taruna Mukti Farmer Group is a form of implementing the CE concept with a circular flow of material and involving various stakeholders and an extensive marketing network. With the current conditions, the simulation results of processing livestock waste into organic fertilizer show a decline/unsustainability. To support the sustainability of livestock waste management, a response is needed in the form of strengthening the internal management of the Farmer Group’s organization, regular assistance and supervision from the local government and non-government organizations, and guidance regarding the marketing of organic fertilizers and ease of access to markets.
Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan: A Systematic Review of Progress and Challenges
Authors: Hinduja Preeta , Mohammad Razia Fakir , Siddiqui Sohni , Noor Shahnaz , Hussain Altaf
Published: February 2023

Sustainability is a global problem that invites researchers and teachers to integrate sustainability concerns into curricula. The analysis discussed in this paper is grounded in a synthesis of research papers and documents that analyzes the current status of the initiatives taken to achieve sustainability in education in the context of Pakistan. Through content analyses of 26 studies made in higher education, this study discusses the progress and challenges in achieving Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Pakistani Higher Education Institutions. Most of the studies reviewed were open access and published by HEC (Higher Education Commission) Pakistan in recognized national and international journals. This review shows how education contributes to transformation by highlighting the contribution of different stakeholders, i.e., administrators and leaders (eight studies) and teachers and students (fifteen studies). It also highlights governance, communication and coordination among stakeholders (eleven studies), campus outreach (five studies), and significant challenges in achieving sustainability (seven studies). The analysis provides a basis for the consideration of logistical support and quality education (SDG #4) to progress toward the SDGs. This analysis will help educators and managers in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to reflect on their practices, leading to Sustainable Development (SD). In addition to this, this study will help policy makers and curriculum developers to identify key challenges in meeting sustainable development goals. Also, this will enable researchers to identify gaps in the literature when framing their research questions.
The Barrier Effect and Pedestrian Mobility/Accessibility on Urban Highways: An Analysis Based on the Belo Horizonte/Minas Gerais/Brazil Ring Road
Authors: Matos Bárbara , Lobo Carlos
Published: February 2023

Historically, public policies in Brazil and many developing countries have prioritized individual motorized modes of transport. The urban space of Brazilian cities has been repeatedly remodeled, often to meet the demands of vehicle flow, to the detriment of spaces for pedestrian use. Part of the transport infrastructure, particularly the highways, are obstacles to the population’s mobility, constituting the barrier effect and expanding the physical separation of the communities that reside or transit between the adjacent neighborhoods. Based on the proposed mobility and accessibility indicators extracted from the Origin and Destination Survey databases, this article aims to analyze pedestrian mobility and access to cross the Celso Mello Azevedo Ring Road, located in Belo Horizonte/Brazil. The results indicate that, over the period analyzed, the flows of foot crossings were significantly reduced, even in areas where population growth was recorded. The evidence also shows the prevalence of crossings by motorized modes, whose mobility and access are characterized by a tangible inequality in spatial distribution, linked to the occupation pattern of the surroundings, one consequence of which is the expressive volume of accidents involving pedestrians on the highway.
Underground Tests of Quantum Mechanics by the VIP Collaboration at Gran Sasso
Authors: Napolitano Fabrizio , Addazi Andrea , Bassi Angelo , Bazzi Massimiliano , Bragadireanu Mario , Cargnelli Michael , Clozza Alberto , De Paolis Luca , Del Grande Raffaele , Derakhshani Maaneli , Donadi Sandro , Fiorini Carlo , Guaraldo Carlo , Iliescu Mihail , Laubenstein Matthias , Manti Simone , Marcianò Antonino , Marton Johann , Miliucci Marco , Milotti Edoardo , Piscicchia Kristian , Porcelli Alessio , Scordo Alessandro , Sgaramella Francesco , Sirghi Diana Laura , Sirghi Florin , Doce Oton Vazquez , Zmeskal Johann , Curceanu Catalina
Published: February 2023

Modern physics lays its foundations on the pillars of Quantum Mechanics (QM), which has been proven successful to describe the microscopic world of atoms and particles, leading to the construction of the Standard Model. Despite the big success, the old open questions at its very heart, such as the measurement problem and the wave function collapse, are still open. Various theories consider scenarios which could encompass a departure from the predictions of the standard QM, such as extra-dimensions or deformations of the Lorentz/Poincaré symmetries. At the Italian National Gran Sasso underground Laboratory LNGS, we search for evidence of new physics proceeding from models beyond standard QM, using radiation detectors. Collapse models addressing the foundations of QM, such as the gravity-related Diósi–Penrose (DP) and Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) models, predict the emission of spontaneous radiation, which allows experimental tests. Using a high-purity Germanium detector, we could exclude the natural parameterless version of the DP model and put strict bounds on the CSL one. In addition, forbidden atomic transitions could prove a possible violation of the Pauli Exclusion Principle (PEP) in open and closed systems. The VIP-2 experiment is currently in operation, aiming at detecting PEP-violating signals in Copper with electrons; the VIP-3 experiment upgrade is foreseen to become operative in the next few years. We discuss the VIP-Lead experiment on closed systems, and the strong bounds it sets on classes of non-commutative quantum gravity theories, such as the θ–Poincaré theory.
Chaos Control of a Delayed Tri-Trophic Food Chain Model with Fear and Its Carry Over Effects
Authors: Ramasamy Sivasamy , Banjerdpongchai David , Park PooGyeon
Published: February 2023

One of the main objectives of theoretical ecologists involves finding mechanisms to control the chaos in ecological models to maintain positive densities of the species. Numerous researchers have suggested that, apart from the direct killing in the prey–predator relationship, there are some indirect effects, such as fear of predation. Induced fear can lead to slowing down the growth rate of the prey species, and this non-chemical strategy can be carried over to successive seasons or upcoming generations. In this work, we explore the impact of fear due to predation and its carry-over effect (COE) in a delayed tri-trophic food chain model, whereas the Holling type-II functional response is used to determine the interference among the species. The proposed model is an asymmetric interaction food chain model since the species in this model only kills other species. The growth rate of prey and middle predators is affected due to the respective fear of predation by middle and special predators. The non-delayed model considered in this paper generalizes the models developed by Hastings–Powell and Panday et al. The gestation delay in the special predator’s growth term is incorporated into the proposed model. We determined the essential conditions for the existence of ecologically feasible equilibrium points and their local and global stability. Furthermore, we developed the conditions for the occurrence of the Hopf bifurcation around an interior equilibrium to seek periodic behaviors of delayed and non-delayed models. Numerical examples were performed to justify the proposed theoretical findings and to show the impacts of fear and its COE parameters on the system dynamics through phase portraits, the time series of solutions, and bifurcation diagrams. We discovered that the chaotic behavior of the food chain model can be controlled by using the fear effect and its COE parameters. The dynamics of the delayed food chain model with the fear effect and its COEs are further explored in our findings. Our theoretical findings clearly provide a mechanism to protect and control species populations in ecological systems. It is also essential for developing optimized harvesting strategies in fisheries and pest management in agriculture.
A New Route to Symmetries through the Extended Dirac Equation
Authors: Marsch Eckart , Narita Yasuhito
Published: February 2023

A new route to the Dirac equation and its symmetries is outlined on the basis of the four-vector representation of the Lorentz group (LG). This way permits one to linearize the first Casimir operator of the LG in terms of the energy–momentum four-vector and enables one to derive an extended Dirac equation that naturally reveals the SU(2) symmetry in connection with an isospin associated with the LG. The procedure gives a spin-one-half fermion doublet, which we interpret as the electron and neutrino or the up-and-down quark doublet. Similarly, the second Casimir operator can be linearized by invoking an abstract isospin that is not connected with the LG, but with the two basic empirical fermion types. Application of the spinor helicity formalism yields two independent singlet and triplet fermion states—which we interpret as being related to U(1) and the lepton, respectively—to the SU(3) symmetry group of the three colors of the quarks. The way in which we obtain these results indicates the genuine yet very different physical natures of these basic symmetries. This new notion does not need the idea of grand unification. However, by still combining them in the product group SU(4)=SU(3)⊗U(1) and then further combining all groups into SU(2)⊗SU(4), one may get a symmetry scheme that perhaps supports the notion of unification by the group SU(8). We also argue that the simpler SO(4) group—instead of SU(4)—seems more appropriate for achieving unification.
Genomic Analysis of G2P[4] Group A Rotaviruses in Zambia Reveals Positive Selection in Amino Acid Site 7 of Viral Protein 3
Authors: Mwangi Peter N. , Potgieter Robyn-Lee , Simwaka Julia , Mpabalwani Evans M. , Mwenda Jason M. , Mogotsi Milton T. , Magagula Nonkululeko , Esona Mathew D. , Steele A. Duncan , Seheri Mapaseka L. , Nyaga Martin M.
Published: February 2023

The G2P[4] genotype is among the rotavirus strains that circulate commonly in humans. Several countries have reported its immediate upsurge after the introduction of rotavirus vaccination, raising concern about sub-optimal vaccine effectiveness against this genotype in the long term. This study aimed to gain insight into the evolution of post-vaccine Zambian G2P[4] group A rotavirus (RVA) strains and their overall genetic make-up by analysis of sequence alignments at the amino acid (AA) level. Twenty-nine Zambian G2P[4] rotavirus strains were subjected to whole-genome sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq® platform. All the strains exhibited the typical DS-1-like genotype constellation, and the nucleotide sequences of the 11 genome segments showed high nucleotide similarities (>97%). Phylogenetic analyses together with representative global G2P[4] RVA showed that Zambian strains clustered into human lineages IV (for VP2, VP4, VP7, NSP1, and NSP5), V (for VP1, VP3, VP6, NSP2, and NSP3), and XXIII (for NSP4). The AA differences between the lineages where the study strains clustered and lineages of global reference strains were identified and analyzed. Selection pressure analysis revealed that AA site seven in the Viral Protein 3 (VP3) genome segment was under positive selection. This site occurs in the region of intrinsic disorder in the VP3 protein, and Zambian G2P[4] strains could potentially be utilizing this intrinsically disordered region to survive immune pressure. The Zambian G2P[4] strains from 2012 to 2016 comprised the G2P[4] strains that have been circulating globally since the early 2000s, highlighting the epidemiological fitness of these contemporary G2P[4] strains. Continuous whole-genome surveillance of G2P[4] strains remains imperative to understand their evolution during the post-vaccination period.
Novel Tetrahydroisoquinoline-Based Heterocyclic Compounds Efficiently Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro
Authors: Wang Xi , Burdzhiev Nikola T. , Hu Hengrui , Li Yufeng , Li Jiang , Lozanova Vesela V. , Kandinska Meglena I. , Wang Manli
Published: February 2023

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused over six million deaths and huge economic burdens worldwide. Antivirals against its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, are in urgent demand. Previously, we reported that heterocylic compounds, i.e., chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), are potent in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. In this study, we discussed the syntheses of two novel heterocylic compounds: tert-butyl rel-4-(((3R,4S)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxo-2-propyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-4-yl)methyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate (trans-1) and rel-(3R,4S)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-4-(piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-one (trans-2), which effectively suppressed authentic SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 cells. Compound trans-1 showed higher anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity than trans-2, with a half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 3.15 μM and a selective index (SI) exceeding 63.49, which demonstrated comparable potency to CQ or HCQ. Additional anti-SARS-CoV-2 tests on Calu-3 human lung cells showed that trans-1 efficiently inhibited viral replication (EC50 = 2.78 μM; SI: > 71.94) and performed better than CQ (EC50 = 44.90 μM; SI = 2.94). The time of an addition assay showed that the action mechanism of trans-1 differed from that of CQ, as it mainly inhibited the post-entry viral replication in both Vero E6 and Calu-3 cells. In addition, the differences between the antiviral mechanisms of these novel compounds and CQ were discussed.
Transcriptional Reprogramming of Autographa Californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus Chitinase and Cathepsin Genes Enhances Virulence
Authors: Hodgson Jeffrey J. , Passarelli A. Lorena , Krell Peter J.
Published: February 2023

The baculoviral chitinase (CHIA) and cathepsin (V-CATH) enzymes promote terminal insect host liquefaction, which aids viral progeny dissemination. Recombinant Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV)-derived viruses were previously generated with reprogrammed chiA transcription by replacing the native promoter with the AcMNPV polyhedrin (polh) or core protein (p6.9) promoter sequences, but of both these chiA-reprogrammed viruses lacked v-cath transcription and V-CATH enzymatic activity. Here, we report that dual p6.9/polh promoter reprogramming of the adjacent chiA/v-cath genes resulted in modulated temporal transcription of both genes without impacting infectious budded virus production. These promoter changes increased CHIA and V-CATH enzyme activities in infected Spodoptera frugiperda-derived cultured cells and Trichoplusia ni larvae. In addition, larvae infected with the dual reprogrammed virus had earlier mortalities and liquefaction. This recombinant baculovirus, lacking exogenous genomic elements and increased chiA/v-cath expression levels, may be desirable for and amenable to producing enhanced baculovirus-based biopesticides.
SARSMutOnto: An Ontology for SARS-CoV-2 Lineages and Mutations
Authors: Bakkas Jamal , Hanine Mohamed , Chekry Abderrahman , Gounane Said , de la Torre Díez Isabel , Lipari Vivian , López Nohora Milena Martínez , Ashraf Imran
Published: February 2023

Mutations allow viruses to continuously evolve by changing their genetic code to adapt to the hosts they infect. It is an adaptive and evolutionary mechanism that helps viruses acquire characteristics favoring their survival and propagation. The COVID-19 pandemic declared by the WHO in March 2020 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The non-stop adaptive mutations of this virus and the emergence of several variants over time with characteristics favoring their spread constitute one of the biggest obstacles that researchers face in controlling this pandemic. Understanding the mutation mechanism allows for the adoption of anticipatory measures and the proposal of strategies to control its propagation. In this study, we focus on the mutations of this virus, and we propose the SARSMutOnto ontology to model SARS-CoV-2 mutations reported by Pango researchers. A detailed description is given for each mutation. The genes where the mutations occur and the genomic structure of this virus are also included. The sub-lineages and the recombinant sub-lineages resulting from these mutations are additionally represented while maintaining their hierarchy. We developed a Python-based tool to automatically generate this ontology from various published Pango source files. At the end of this paper, we provide some examples of SPARQL queries that can be used to exploit this ontology. SARSMutOnto might become a ‘wet bench’ machine learning tool for predicting likely future mutations based on previous mutations.
Expansion of Kuravirus-like Phage Sequences within the Past Decade, including Escherichia Phage YF01 from Japan, Prompt the Creation of Three New Genera
Authors: Batinovic Steven , Fujii Yugo , Nittami Tadashi
Published: February 2023

Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, are currently receiving significant attention amid an ever-growing global antibiotic resistance crisis. In tandem, a surge in the availability and affordability of next-generation and third-generation sequencing technologies has driven the deposition of a wealth of phage sequence data. Here, we have isolated a novel Escherichia phage, YF01, from a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Yokohama, Japan. We demonstrate that the YF01 phage shares a high similarity to a collection of thirty-five Escherichia and Shigella phages found in public databases, six of which have been previously classified into the Kuravirus genus by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Using modern phylogenetic approaches, we demonstrate that an expansion and reshaping of the current six-membered Kuravirus genus is required to accommodate all thirty-six member phages. Ultimately, we propose the creation of three additional genera, Vellorevirus, Jinjuvirus, and Yesanvirus, which will allow a more organized approach to the addition of future Kuravirus-like phages.
More’s the Same—Multiple Hosts Do Not Select for Broader Host Range Phages
Authors: Myers Jupiter , Davis II Joshua , Lollo Megan , Hudec Gabriella , Hyman Paul
Published: February 2023

Bacteriophage host range is a result of the interactions between phages and their hosts. For phage therapy, phages with a broader host range are desired so that a phage can infect and kill the broadest range of pathogen strains or related species possible. A common, but not well-tested, belief is that using multiple hosts during the phage isolation will make the isolation of broader host range phage more likely. Using a Bacillus cereus group system, we compared the host ranges of phages isolated on one or four hosts and found that there was no difference in the breadth of host ranges of the isolated phages. Both narrow and broader host range phage were also equally likely to be isolated from either isolation procedure. While there are methods that reliably isolate broader host range phages, such as sequential host isolation, and there are other reasons to use multiple hosts during isolation, multiple hosts are not a consistent way to obtain broader host range phages.
Persistence of a Frameshifting Deletion in SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a for the Duration of a Major Outbreak
Authors: Foster Charles S. P. , Bull Rowena A. , Tedla Nicodemus , Santiago Fernando , Agapiou David , Adhikari Anurag , Walker Gregory J. , Shrestha Lok Bahadur , Van Hal Sebastiaan J. , Kim Ki Wook , Rawlinson William D.
Published: February 2023

Australia experienced widespread COVID-19 outbreaks from infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant between June 2021 and February 2022. A 17-nucleotide frameshift-inducing deletion in ORF7a rapidly became represented at the consensus level (Delta-ORF7aΔ17del) in most Australian outbreak cases. Studies from early in the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that frameshift-inducing deletions in ORF7a do not persist for long in the population; therefore, Delta-ORF7aΔ17del genomes should have disappeared early in the Australian outbreak. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of global Delta genomes to characterise the dynamics of Delta-ORF7aΔ17del over time, determined the frequency of all ORF7a deletions worldwide, and compared global trends with those of the Australian Delta outbreak. We downloaded all GISAID clade GK Delta genomes and scanned them for deletions in ORF7a. For each deletion we identified, we characterised its frequency, the number of countries it was found in, and how long it persisted. Of the 4,018,216 Delta genomes identified globally, 134,751 (~3.35%) possessed an ORF7a deletion, and ORF7aΔ17del was the most common. ORF7aΔ17del was the sole deletion in 28,014 genomes, of which 27,912 (~99.6%) originated from the Australian outbreak. During the outbreak, ~87% of genomes were Delta-ORF7aΔ17del, and genomes with this deletion were sampled until the outbreak’s end. These data demonstrate that, contrary to suggestions early in the COVID-19 pandemic, genomes with frameshifting deletions in ORF7a can persist over long time periods. We suggest that the proliferation of Delta-ORF7aΔ17del genomes was likely a chance founder effect. Nonetheless, the frequency of ORF7a deletions in SARS-CoV-2 genomes worldwide suggests they might have some benefit for virus transmission.
A Practical Yet Accurate Real-Time Statistical Analysis Library for Hydrologic Time-Series Big Data
Authors: Sun Jun , Ye Feng , Nedjah Nadia , Zhang Ming , Xu Dong
Published: February 2023

Using different statistical analysis methods to examine hydrologic time-series data is the basis of accurate hydrologic status analysis. With the wide application of the Internet of Things and sensor technologies, traditional statistical analysis methods are unable to meet the demand for real-time and accurate hydrologic data analysis. The existing mainstream big-data analysis platforms lack analysis methods oriented to hydrologic data. In this context, a real-time statistical analysis library based on the new generation of big data processing engine Flink, called HydroStreamingLib, was proposed and implemented. Furthermore, in order to prove the efficiency and handiness of the proposed library, a real-time statistical analysis system of hydrologic stream data was developed based on the concepts available in the proposed library. The results showed that HydroStreamingLib provides users with an efficient, real-time statistical verification method, thus extending the application capabilities of Flink Ecology in some specific fields.