bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Critical Discourse Analysis of Representations of Travellers in Public Policies in Ireland
Authors: Snowdon Claire Jane , Eklund Karlsson Leena
Published: February 2021

In Ireland, negative stereotypes of the Traveller population have long been a part of society. The beliefs that surround this minority group may not be based in fact, yet negative views persist such that Travellers find themselves excluded from mainstream society. The language used in discourse plays a critical role in the way Travellers are represented. This study analyses the discourse in the public policy regarding Travellers in the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) 2017–2021. This study performs a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the policy with the overall aims of showing signs of the power imbalance through the use of language and revealing the discourses used by elite actors to retain power and sustain existing social relations. The key findings show that Travellers are represented as a homogenous group that exists outside of society. They have no control over how their social identity is constructed. The results show that the constructions of negative stereotypes are intertextually linked to previous policies, and the current policy portrays them in the role of passive patients, not powerful actors. The discursive practice creates polarity between the “settled” population and the “Travellers”, who are implicitly blamed by the state for their disadvantages. Through the policy, the government disseminates expert knowledge, which legitimises the inequality and supports this objective “truth”. This dominant discourse, which manifests in wider social practice, can facilitate racism and social exclusion. This study highlights the need for Irish society to change the narrative to support an equitable representation of Travellers.
HMCA-Contour: A Visual Basic Program Based on Surfer Automation for Soil Heavy Metal Spatial Distribution and Contamination Assessment Mapping
Authors: Liu Qingping , Liu Guannan , Chen Wei , Chen Guoliang
Published: February 2021

Soil heavy metal contamination has become a major concern in many parts of the world. Grasping the spatial distribution patterns of heavy metals and evaluating soil heavy metal contamination are of great significance to policy makers for land use planning and pollution identification. However, these processes usually involve repetitive calculation and plotting, which are time-consuming and laborious, especially in a geochemical survey. In this paper, HMCA-Contour, which is a program written in Visual Basic based on Surfer 13.0, has been designed to simplify the pollution indices recalculation and plotting routines. This software is comprised of three functions, i.e., data processing, plotting, and template setting. With user-friendly interfaces, the user can easily and efficiently calculate pollution indices and generate batch publication-quality maps of heavy metal spatial distribution and pollution levels. To demonstrate the advantage of HMCA-Contour, a case study from the Gaerqin Mine area is used in this paper. HMCA-Contour, as a brand new software, is promising and will become a useful tool for environmental management.
Remote Indoor Construction Progress Monitoring Using Extended Reality
Authors: Khairadeen Ali Ahmed , Lee One Jae , Lee Doyeop , Park Chansik
Published: February 2021

Construction Progress monitoring noticed recent expansions by adopting vision and laser technologies. However, inspectors need to personally visit the job-site or wait for a time gap to process data captured from the construction site to use for inspection. Recent inspection methods lacks automation and real-time data exchange, therefore, it needs inspection manpower for each job-site, the health risk of physical interaction between workers and inspector, loss of energy, data loss, and time consumption. To address this issue, a near real-time construction work inspection system called iVR is proposed; this system integrates 3D scanning, extended reality, and visual programming to visualize interactive onsite inspection for indoor activities and provide numeric data. The iVR comprises five modules: iVR-location finder (finding laser scanner located in the construction site) iVR-scan (capture point cloud data of job-site indoor activity), iVR-prepare (processes and convert 3D scan data into a 3D model), iVR-inspect (conduct immersive visual reality inspection in construction office), and iVR-feedback (visualize inspection feedback from job-site using augmented reality). An experimental lab test is conducted to verify the applicability of iVR process; it successfully exchanges required information between construction job-site and office in a specific time. This system is expected to assist Engineers and workers in quality assessment, progress assessments, and decision-making which can realize a productive and practical communication platform, unlike conventional monitoring or data capturing, processing, and storage methods, which involve storage, compatibility and time-consumption issues.
Balancing Sustainability Transitions through State-Led Participatory Processes: The Case of the Dutch North Sea Agreement
Authors: de Koning Susan , Steins Nathalie , van Hoof Luc
Published: February 2021

Following the Paris Agreement, investing in renewable energy production at sea is perceived as a promising development. In addition, food security challenges place increased focus on utilizing seas and oceans while biodiversity and ecosystem integrity must be safeguarded. In the North Sea, these three challenges are combined by the Dutch government in a deliberative governance agreement, involving key stakeholders, aimed at establishing a marine spatial allocation strategy. This paper outlines the development and first outcomes of this agreement. Using concepts of sustainability transitions and deliberative governance, we examined the role of the Dutch government in creating sustainability solutions through cross-sectoral participation processes. Based on our results, we argue that only the government can bring together parties that do not actively seek cooperation, like fisheries organizations and wind farm developers. This is in line with the government’s role to ensure compliance with international and national agreements, while also representing local (national) stakes. By opening up a discussion between parties that in the past were competing for marine space, the Dutch government has managed to make progress in obtaining transition goals. One of these transitions is the transition of the governance system itself, moving towards a more egalitarian style of policy making.
Determining Electric Vehicle Charging Station Location Suitability: A Qualitative Study of Greek Stakeholders Employing Thematic Analysis and Analytical Hierarchy Process
Authors: Karolemeas Christos , Tsigdinos Stefanos , Tzouras Panagiotis G. , Nikitas Alexandros , Bakogiannis Efthimios
Published: February 2021

Shifting from a fossil-fueled to an eco-friendly vehicle fleet in cities could pave the way towards a more sustainable future. Electric Vehicles (EVs) should thus be prioritized, so that they could replace conventional vehicles gradually. In this context, an EV-accommodating infrastructure, which ensures the functionality of the entire system, is essential. This study aims to develop a methodological framework to identify suitable locations for the deployment of EV charging points in urban environments. To meet this objective, we acquired a mixed method approach including a systematic literature review, 12 semistructured stakeholder interviews which were thematically analyzed, and an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The outcome is a spatial model function, which consists of parameters and weights for estimating the suitability of each urban road link that will allow the establishment of EV charging points. Results show that the key location selection factors are: transport hubs, marked or controlled parking spaces, and points of interest. The less significant factor is public services. Therefore, there is a preference, in stakeholder level, for transport features over the land use ones (69% over 31%). Although this research is conducted in Greece, we intend to suggest methods and generate valuable findings that may be valid and generalizable for a more global context.
Key Competences and the Transfer of Social Knowledge: Perceptions of Secondary School Pupils
Authors: Álvarez-Martínez-Iglesias José María , Molina-Saorín Jesús , Miralles-Martínez Pedro , Trigueros-Cano Francisco Javier
Published: February 2021

The aim of this work is to find out the perception that students in 4th year compulsory secondary education have of the teaching of key competences, as well as the possibility these have of being transferred to a real, everyday situation, according to what they have learned in the subject of Geography and History. For this, an intentional sample was configured in which more than 1400 subjects from 4th year of secondary education (in Spain) have participated, with a level of significance of 0.05 using a scale—original and unpublished—called (EPECOCISO—Evaluation of the Perception of Social Science Competences). It is a quantitative descriptive study in which—through an exploratory factorial analysis—factors 1, 2, and 3 have been selected for the realization of a descriptive study. Subsequently, correlation between factors has been established through the Pearson test and between the different variables that make up each one of them with the socio-demographic variables (distinguishing between ordinal and nominal variables), through the chi-square independence test and Cramer’s V test (nominal) and the linearity test and Goodman’s and Kruskal’s Gamma test (ordinal). Finally, it can be concluded that a methodology based and organized around the development of critical thinking facilitates the acquisition of contents and competences, as well as allowing students to detect the possibility of transferring them and putting them into practice in a real situation that can be presented.
Human Factors Modelling Approach: Application to a Safety Device Supporting Crane Operations in Major Hazard Industries
Authors: Milazzo Maria Francesca , Ancione Giuseppa , Consolo Giancarlo
Published: February 2021

The European Directive on Safety and Health at Work and the following normatives have the scope to provide high levels of health and safety at work, based on some general principles managing activities and including the risk assessment to continuously improve processes and workplaces. However, the working area changes and brings new risks and challenges for workers. Several of them are associated with new technologies, which determine complex human–machine interactions, leading to an increased mental and emotional strain. To reduce these emerging risks, their understanding and assessment are important. Although great efforts have already been made, there is still a lack of conceptual frameworks for analytically assessing human–machine interaction. This paper proposes a systematic approach that, beyond including the classification in domains to explain the complexity of the human–machine interaction, accounts for the information processing of the human brain. Its validation is shown in a major accident hazard industry where a smart safety device supporting crane related operations is used. The investigation is based on the construction of a questionnaire for the collection of answers about the feeling of crane operators when using the device and the evaluation of the Cronbach’s alpha to measure of the reliability of the assessment.
Repair for a Broken Economy: Lessons for Circular Economy from an International Interview Study of Repairers
Authors: Niskanen Johan , McLaren Duncan , Anshelm Jonas
Published: February 2021

The idea of replacing the broken linear economy with circular forms to help address the current sustainability crisis is gaining world-wide traction in policy, industry, and academia. This article presents results from an international interview study with 34 repair practitioners and experts in different fields. The article aims to improve understandings of the potential of repair so as to contribute to a more just, sustainable, and circular economy. Through a five-step qualitative method the results reveal and explore three tensions inherent in repair: first, repair activities constitute different forms of subjectivity; second, repair entails different and sometimes contested temporalities; and finally, even though repair is deeply political in practice, the politics of repair are not always explicit, and some repair activities are actively depoliticized. The opportunities and obstacles embodied in these tensions are generative in repair practices and debates, but poorly reflected in contemporary circular economy discourse. We conclude that a richer, more inclusive, and politicized understanding of repair can support environmental justice in the implementation of circular economy (CE) and provide greater opportunities for just and transformational sustainability strategies and policies.
Integration of Energy-Efficient Ventilation Systems in Historic Buildings—Review and Proposal of a Systematic Intervention Approach
Authors: Rieser Alexander , Pfluger Rainer , Troi Alexandra , Herrera-Avellanosa Daniel , Thomsen Kirsten Engelund , Rose Jørgen , Arsan Zeynep Durmuş , Akkurt Gulden Gokcen , Kopeinig Gerhard , Guyot Gaëlle , Chung Daniel
Published: February 2021

Historic building restoration and renovation requires sensitivity to the cultural heritage, historic value, and sustainability (i.e., building physics, energy efficiency, and comfort) goals of the project. Energy-efficient ventilation such as demand-controlled ventilation and heat recovery ventilation can contribute to the aforementioned goals, if ventilation concepts and airflow distribution are planned and realized in a minimally invasive way. Compared to new buildings, the building physics of historic buildings are more complicated in terms of hygrothermal performance. In particular, if internal insulation is applied, dehumidification is needed for robust and risk-free future use, while maintaining the building’s cultural value. As each ventilation system has to be chosen and adapted individually to the specific building, the selection of the appropriate system type is not an easy task. For this reason, there is a need for a scientifically valid, systematic approach to pair appropriate ventilation system and airflow distribution solutions with historical buildings. This paper provides an overview of the interrelationships between heritage conservation and the need for ventilation in energy-efficient buildings, regarding building physics and indoor environmental quality. Furthermore, a systematic approach based on assessment criteria in terms of heritage significance of the building, building physics (hygrothermal performance), and building services (energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort rating) according to the standard EN 16883:2017 are applied.
The Role of Consumer Autonomy in Developing Sustainable AI: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Bjørlo Lena , Moen Øystein , Pasquine Mark
Published: February 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based decision aids are increasingly employed by businesses to assist consumers’ decision-making. Personalized content based on consumers’ data brings benefits for both consumers and businesses, i.e., with regards to more relevant content. However, this practice simultaneously enables increased possibilities for exerting hidden interference and manipulation on consumers, reducing consumer autonomy. We argue that due to this, consumer autonomy represents a resource at the risk of depletion and requiring protection, due to its fundamental significance for a democratic society. By balancing advantages and disadvantages of increased influence by AI, this paper addresses an important research gap and explores the essential challenges related to the use of AI for consumers’ decision-making and autonomy, grounded in extant literature. We offer a constructive, rather than optimistic or pessimistic, outlook on AI. Hereunder, we present propositions suggesting how these problems may be alleviated, and how consumer autonomy may be protected. These propositions constitute the fundament for a framework regarding the development of sustainable AI, in the context of online decision-making. We argue that notions of transparency, complementarity, and privacy regulation are vital for increasing consumer autonomy and promoting sustainable AI. Lastly, the paper offers a definition of sustainable AI within the contextual boundaries of online decision-making. Altogether, we position this paper as a contribution to the discussion of development towards a more socially sustainable and ethical use of AI.
Adaptive Reuse of a Historic Building by Introducing New Functions: A Scenario Evaluation Based on Participatory MCA Applied to a Former Carthusian Monastery in Tuscany, Italy
Authors: Amato Agnese , Andreoli Maria , Rovai Massimo
Published: February 2021

The lack of financial resources and the constraints about interventions are threatening the survival of built heritage and the multiple benefits it can provide. In time, the role of building conservation has changed from preservation to being part of a sustainable strategy where adaptive reuse may allow to protect built heritage, while promoting it as a resource. This paper presents the results of a multicriteria analysis applied to the case study of Certosa di Pisa in Calci (Tuscany), a former Carthusian Monastery currently run as a publicly owned museum center. Based on information gathered from literature and the involvement of the two main stakeholders, a SWOT analysis was performed to identify three scenarios in which new functions were introduced with the aim to cover restoration and maintenance costs. Scenarios were compared by using a participatory MCA, taking into account not only economic performances but also cultural, territorial integration and restoration co-impacts. Results show that it is possible to reach economic sustainability while conserving heritage values, but several criticalities may hinder the process. Conclusions discuss the suitability of the method in identifying sustainable reuse solutions and highlight the role of governance bodies and the problems related to their public and/or private composition.
Electrical Power Prediction through a Combination of Multilayer Perceptron with Water Cycle Ant Lion and Satin Bowerbird Searching Optimizers
Authors: Moayedi Hossein , Mosavi Amir
Published: February 2021

Predicting the electrical power (PE) output is a significant step toward the sustainable development of combined cycle power plants. Due to the effect of several parameters on the simulation of PE, utilizing a robust method is of high importance. Hence, in this study, a potent metaheuristic strategy, namely, the water cycle algorithm (WCA), is employed to solve this issue. First, a nonlinear neural network framework is formed to link the PE with influential parameters. Then, the network is optimized by the WCA algorithm. A publicly available dataset is used to feed the hybrid model. Since the WCA is a population-based technique, its sensitivity to the population size is assessed by a trial-and-error effort to attain the most suitable configuration. The results in the training phase showed that the proposed WCA can find an optimal solution for capturing the relationship between the PE and influential factors with less than 1% error. Likewise, examining the test results revealed that this model can forecast the PE with high accuracy. Moreover, a comparison with two powerful benchmark techniques, namely, ant lion optimization and a satin bowerbird optimizer, pointed to the WCA as a more accurate technique for the sustainable design of the intended system. Lastly, two potential predictive formulas, based on the most efficient WCAs, are extracted and presented.
Assessing a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm with a Simulated Environment for Energy-Saving of Air Conditioning Systems with User Preferences
Authors: García Ruiz Alejandro Humberto , Ibarra Martínez Salvador , Castán Rocha José Antonio , Terán Villanueva Jesús David , Laria Menchaca Julio , Treviño Berrones Mayra Guadalupe , Ponce Flores Mirna Patricia , Santiago Pineda Aurelio Alejandro
Published: February 2021

Electricity is one of the most important resources for the growth and sustainability of the population. This paper assesses the energy consumption and user satisfaction of a simulated air conditioning system controlled with two different optimization algorithms. The algorithms are a genetic algorithm (GA), implemented from the state of the art, and a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA II) proposed in this paper; these algorithms control an air conditioning system considering user preferences. It is worth noting that we made several modifications to the objective function’s definition to make it more robust. The energy-saving optimization is essential to reduce CO2 emissions and economic costs; on the other hand, it is desirable for the user to feel comfortable, yet it will entail a higher energy consumption. Thus, we integrate user preferences with energy-saving on a single weighted function and a Pareto bi-objective problem to increase user satisfaction and decrease electrical energy consumption. To assess the experimentation, we constructed a simulator by training a backpropagation neural network with real data from a laboratory’s air conditioning system. According to the results, we conclude that NSGA II provides better results than the state of the art (GA) regarding user preferences and energy-saving.
Gait Symmetry Analysis in Patients after Treatment of Pilon Fractures by the Ilizarov Method
Authors: Pawik Łukasz , Wietecki Paweł , Leśkow Artur , Pajchert Kozłowska Andżelika , Żarek Sławomir , Górski Radosław , Pawik Malwina , Fink-Lwow Felicja , Urbański Wiktor , Morasiewicz Piotr
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the gait parameters in patients who had undergone treatment of pilon fractures by the Ilizarov method. We analyzed gait parameters in patients who had undergone treatment for pilon fractures by the Ilizarov method; 20 patients aged 47.0 years (25.2–78.6) were included in the study. The control group consisted of 32 healthy volunteers. Gait examination was performed using the pedobarographic platform. Statistically significant differences in the following gait parameters: maximum forefoot force (%), step length (cm), and step time (s) were found between the study group and the control group, between the nonoperated leg, and both the operated leg and the dominant limb. Statistically significant differences in the study group between the treated lower limb and the healthy lower limb were only observed in the case of the maximum forefoot force parameter (%). Healthy subjects from the control group obtained significantly higher values during locomotion for stride time, cadence step, and velocity than the patients, with stride time being statistically significantly shorter and the velocity and the cadence step higher. We observed symmetry in the gait parameters after treating pilon fractures by the Ilizarov method. This method of stabilization allows the restoration of gait parameters, with results similar to those obtained after the treatment of other motor organ pathologies described in the literature, although different from those observed in healthy subjects. In particular, the biomechanics of the lower limbs remain disturbed.
A Hilbert-Type Integral Inequality in the Whole Plane Related to the Arc Tangent Function
Authors: Rassias Michael Th. , Yang Bicheng , Raigorodskii Andrei
Published: February 2021

In this work we establish a few equivalent statements of a Hilbert-type integral inequality in the whole plane related to the kernel of the arc tangent function. We prove that the constant factor, which is associated with the cosine function, is optimal. Some special cases as well as some operator expressions are also presented.
Respiratory Motion Mitigation and Repeatability of Two Diffusion-Weighted MRI Methods Applied to a Murine Model of Spontaneous Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Cao Jianbo , Song Hee Kwon , Yang Hanwen , Castillo Victor , Chen Jinbo , Clendenin Cynthia , Rosen Mark , Zhou Rong , Pickup Stephen
Published: February 2021

Respiratory motion and increased susceptibility effects at high magnetic fields pose challenges for quantitative diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) of a mouse abdomen on preclinical MRI systems. We demonstrate the first application of radial k-space-sampled (RAD) DWI of a mouse abdomen using a genetically engineered mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) on a 4.7 T preclinical scanner equipped with moderate gradient capability. RAD DWI was compared with the echo-planar imaging (EPI)-based DWI method with similar voxel volumes and acquisition times over a wide range of b-values (0.64, 535, 1071, 1478, and 2141 mm2/s). The repeatability metrics are assessed in a rigorous test–retest study (n = 10 for each DWI protocol). The four-shot EPI DWI protocol leads to higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in diffusion-weighted images with persisting ghosting artifacts, whereas the RAD DWI protocol produces relatively artifact-free images over all b-values examined. Despite different degrees of motion mitigation, both RAD DWI and EPI DWI allow parametric maps of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) to be produced, and the ADC of the PDAC tumor estimated by the two methods are 1.3 ± 0.24 and 1.5 ± 0.28 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively (p = 0.075, n = 10), and those of a water phantom are 3.2 ± 0.29 and 2.8 ± 0.15 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively (p = 0.001, n = 10). Bland-Altman plots and probability density function reveal good repeatability for both protocols, whose repeatability metrics do not differ significantly. In conclusion, RAD DWI enables a more effective respiratory motion mitigation but lower SNR, while the performance of EPI DWI is expected to improve with more advanced gradient hardware.
Levels of Mercury, Methylmercury and Selenium in Fish: Insights into Children Food Safety
Authors: Barone Grazia , Storelli Arianna , Meleleo Daniela , Dambrosio Angela , Garofalo Rita , Busco Antonio , Storelli Maria Maddalena
Published: February 2021

Total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), and selenium (Se) concentrations were measured in various commercially important fish species. The benefit–risk binomial associated with these chemicals was assessed in children through the probability of exceeding the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs) of the contaminants and the Se recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The Se:Hg molar ratios, selenium health benefit values (HBVSe), and monthly consumption rate limits (CRmm) for each species were also calculated. THg and Se were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, Milan, Italy), while MeHg was determined by Trace Ultra gas chromatograph connected with a PolarisQ MS (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). None of the analyzed fish had Hg levels above the European Community regulatory limits, while most large predators had MeHg levels over the threshold concentration set by US EPA. The estimated weekly intakes of THg and MeHg exceeded in many cases the PTWIs and the Se estimated daily intakes were provided from 0.71% to 2.75% of the RDA. Se:Hg molar ratios above 1 and positive HBVSe index suggested that Se in fish could be enough to alleviate the potential toxic effect of Hg. However, high-risk groups as children should consume fish in moderation because a large consumption pattern, especially of swordfish and tunas, might be of concern for health.
Novel Three-Finger Neurotoxins from Naja melanoleuca Cobra Venom Interact with GABAA and Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
Authors: Son Lina , Kryukova Elena , Ziganshin Rustam , Andreeva Tatyana , Kudryavtsev Denis , Kasheverov Igor , Tsetlin Victor , Utkin Yuri
Published: February 2021

Cobra venoms contain three-finger toxins (TFT) including α-neurotoxins efficiently binding nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). As shown recently, several TFTs block GABAA receptors (GABAARs) with different efficacy, an important role of the TFTs central loop in binding to these receptors being demonstrated. We supposed that the positive charge (Arg36) in this loop of α-cobratoxin may explain its high affinity to GABAAR and here studied α-neurotoxins from African cobra N. melanoleuca venom for their ability to interact with GABAARs and nAChRs. Three α-neurotoxins, close homologues of the known N. melanoleuca long neurotoxins 1 and 2, were isolated and sequenced. Their analysis on Torpedocalifornica and α7 nAChRs, as well as on acetylcholine binding proteins and on several subtypes of GABAARs, showed that all toxins interacted with the GABAAR much weaker than with the nAChR: one neurotoxin was almost as active as α-cobratoxin, while others manifested lower activity. The earlier hypothesis about the essential role of Arg36 as the determinant of high affinity to GABAAR was not confirmed, but the results obtained suggest that the toxin loop III may contribute to the efficient interaction of some long-chain neurotoxins with GABAAR. One of isolated toxins manifested different affinity to two binding sites on Torpedo nAChR.
Efficacy of Oral Vaccine against Classical Swine Fever in Wild Boar and Estimation of the Disease Dynamics in the Quantitative Approach
Authors: Bazarragchaa Enkhbold , Isoda Norikazu , Kim Taksoo , Tetsuo Madoka , Ito Satoshi , Matsuno Keita , Sakoda Yoshihiro
Published: February 2021

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) in the wild boar population has been spreading in Japan, alongside outbreaks on pigs, since classical swine fever (CSF) reemerged in September 2018. The vaccination using oral bait vaccine was initially implemented in Gifu prefecture in March 2019. In the present study, antibodies against CSFV in wild boar were assessed in 1443 captured and dead wild boars in Gifu prefecture. After the implementation of oral vaccination, the increase of the proportion of seropositive animals and their titer in wild boars were confirmed. Quantitative analysis of antigen and antibodies against CSFV in wild boar implies potential disease diversity in the wild boar population. Animals with status in high virus replication (Ct < 30) and non- or low-immune response were confirmed and were sustained at a certain level after initial oral vaccination. Through continuous vaccination periods, the increase of seroprevalence among wild boar and the decrease of CSFV-positive animals were observed. The epidemiological analysis based on the quantitative virological outcomes could provide more information on the efficacy of oral vaccination and dynamics of CSF in the wild boar population, which will help to improve the implementation of control measures for CSF in countries such as Japan and neighboring countries.
The Interplay between ESCRT and Viral Factors in the Enveloped Virus Life Cycle
Authors: Meng Bo , Lever Andrew M. L.
Published: February 2021

Viruses are obligate parasites that rely on host cellular factors to replicate and spread. The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) system, which is classically associated with sorting and downgrading surface proteins, is one of the host machineries hijacked by viruses across diverse families. Knowledge gained from research into ESCRT and viruses has, in turn, greatly advanced our understanding of many other cellular functions in which the ESCRT pathway is involved, e.g., cytokinesis. This review highlights the interplay between the ESCRT pathway and the viral factors of enveloped viruses with a special emphasis on retroviruses.
Recent Hydroxychloroquine Use Is Not Significantly Associated with Positive PCR Results for SARS-CoV-2: A Nationwide Observational Study in South Korea
Authors: Bae Seongman , Ghang Byeongzu , Kim Ye-Jee , Lim Joon Seo , Yun Sung-Cheol , Kim Yong-Gil , Lee Sang-Oh , Kim Sung-Han
Published: February 2021

Background: To evaluate the role of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as pre-exposure prophylaxis against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we investigated the prevalence of positive test results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing according to recent HCQ use in patients who had been tested using nationwide health-insurance data of South Korea. Methods: All adults tested for SARS-CoV-2 from 20 January 2020 to 15 May 2020 were identified. HCQ users were defined as patients who had been pretreated with HCQ for at least 30 days until the date of SARS-CoV-2 testing. The prevalence of positive PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 was compared between HCQ users and nonusers. Results: Of a total of 216,686 individuals who had been tested for SARS-CoV-2, 743 (0.3%) were pretreated with HCQ. The prevalence of positive results was not significantly different between HCQ users (2.2%) and nonusers (2.7%; P = 0.35), with an odds ratio of 0.79 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.48–1.30). Propensity score-matched-cohort analysis showed similar results in terms of the prevalence of positive results (2.2% in HCQ users vs. 3.1% in nonusers; P = 0.18), with an odds ratio of 0.69 (95% CI, 0.40–1.19). The rate of positive PCR was not significantly different in long-term HCQ users (more than 3 or 6 months) compared with nonusers. Conclusions: In this population-based study, recent exposure to HCQ was not significantly associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our data do not support the use of HCQ as pre-exposure prophylaxis against COVID-19.
Risk Factors for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Evidence from an Indonesian Cohort
Authors: Crow Rowena , Mutyara Kuswandewi , Agustian Dwi , Kartasasmita Cissy B. , Simões Eric A. F.
Published: February 2021

Although risk factors for hospitalization from a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are well known, RSV lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs) in the community are much less studied or understood, especially in developing countries. In a prospective, cohort study we studied factors predisposing Indonesian infants and children under 5 years of age to developing RSV LRIs. Subjects were enrolled in two cohorts: a birth cohort and a cross-sectional cohort of children <48 months of age. Subjects were visited weekly at home to identify any LRI, using the World Health Organization’s criteria. RSV etiology was determined through analysis of nasal washings by enzyme immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction. Risk factors for the development of the first documented RSV LRI were identified by multivariate analysis using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard modeling. Of the 2014 children studied, 999 were enrolled within 30 days of birth. There were 149 first episodes of an RSV. Risk factors for an RSV LRI were poverty (p < 0.01), use of kerosene as a cooking fuel (p < 0.05), and household ownership of rabbits and chickens (p < 0.01). Our findings suggested that in a middle-income country such as Indonesia, with a substantial burden of RSV morbidity and mortality, lower socioeconomic status, environmental air quality, and animal exposure are predisposing factors for developing an RSV LRI.
Improving the Inhibitory Effect of Phages against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from a Burn Patient Using a Combination of Phages and Antibiotics
Authors: Aghaee Bahareh Lashtoo , Khan Mirzaei Mohammadali , Alikhani Mohammad Yousef , Mojtahedi Ali , Maurice Corinne F.
Published: February 2021

Antibiotic resistance causes around 700,000 deaths a year worldwide. Without immediate action, we are fast approaching a post-antibiotic era in which common infections can result in death. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the leading cause of nosocomial infection and is also one of the three bacterial pathogens in the WHO list of priority bacteria for developing new antibiotics against. A viable alternative to antibiotics is to use phages, which are bacterial viruses. Yet, the isolation of phages that efficiently kill their target bacteria has proven difficult. Using a combination of phages and antibiotics might increase treatment efficacy and prevent the development of resistance against phages and/or antibiotics, as evidenced by previous studies. Here, in vitro populations of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain isolated from a burn patient were treated with a single phage, a mixture of two phages (used simultaneously and sequentially), and the combination of phages and antibiotics (at sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and MIC levels). In addition, we tested the stability of these phages at different temperatures, pH values, and in two burn ointments. Our results show that the two-phages-one-antibiotic combination had the highest killing efficiency against the P. aeruginosa strain. The phages tested showed low stability at high temperatures, acidic pH values, and in the two ointments. This work provides additional support for the potential of using combinations of phage–antibiotic cocktails at sub-MIC levels for the treatment of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa infections.
An Efficient, Counter-Selection-Based Method for Prophage Curing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains
Authors: Shmidov Esther , Zander Itzhak , Lebenthal-Loinger Ilana , Karako-Lampert Sarit , Shoshani Sivan , Banin Ehud
Published: February 2021

Prophages are bacteriophages in the lysogenic state, where the viral genome is inserted within the bacterial chromosome. They contribute to strain genetic variability and can influence bacterial phenotypes. Prophages are highly abundant among the strains of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and were shown to confer specific traits that can promote strain pathogenicity. The main difficulty of studying those regions is the lack of a simple prophage-curing method for P. aeruginosa strains. In this study, we developed a novel, targeted-curing approach for prophages in P. aeruginosa. In the first step, we tagged the prophage for curing with an ampicillin resistance cassette (ampR) and further used this strain for the sacB counter-selection marker’s temporal insertion into the prophage region. The sucrose counter-selection resulted in different variants when the prophage-cured mutant is the sole variant that lost the ampR cassette. Next, we validated the targeted-curing with local PCR amplification and Whole Genome Sequencing. The application of the strategy resulted in high efficiency both for curing the Pf4 prophage of the laboratory wild-type (WT) strain PAO1 and for PR2 prophage from the clinical, hard to genetically manipulate, 39016 strain. We believe this method can support the research and growing interest in prophage biology in P. aeruginosa as well as additional Gram-negative bacteria.
Enhancement of Vaccination Attitude and Flu Vaccination Coverage among Pregnant Women Attending Birthing Preparation Course
Authors: Bruno Stefania , Carducci Brigida , Quaranta Gianluigi , Beccia Viria , Di Pilla Andrea , La Milia Daniele Ignazio , Di Pumpo Marcello , Carini Elettra , Masini Lucia , Tamburrini Enrica , Spadea Antonietta , Damiani Gianfranco , Lanzone Antonio , Laurenti Patrizia
Published: February 2021

Most vaccinations are recommended within the 15th month of life, in order to reduce risks and to protect children from the initial stages of their lives. A vaccination training session was carried out during the birthing preparation course, aimed at increasing the attitude toward vaccination in maternal-child age. A questionnaire on vaccination awareness was administered before and after the training session and on-site flu vaccination was offered to women and their companions. The percentage of participants who consider the preparatory course a useful tool to obtain information about vaccines increases significantly from 30.34% at pre-intervention to 64.56% at post-intervention (p < 0.001). There is a significant increase in the mean number of vaccinations that the participants want their children to get. The number of participants believing that there is no relationship between vaccination and autism rose from 41.05 to 72.97% (p < 0.001). In total, 48 out of 119 (40.34%) pregnant women participating in the course and 39 companions were vaccinated for influenza. Vaccination knowledge and attitude significantly increased after a training session dedicated to vaccination as a part of the pregnant pre-birth course, whose aim can be therefore extended to the management of the health of the child, well beyond the period of pregnancy, according to the life-course approach to health.
Model for the Pattern-Dependent Wet Grip Prediction of Tires
Authors: Löwer Jan , Wagner Paul , Unrau Hans-Joachim , Wies Burkhard , Gauterin Frank
Published: February 2021

The most important task of the tire is to ensure driving safety by optimally transmitting the required longitudinal and lateral driving forces. Although great progress has been made in the past in the development of new materials and patterns, many questions remain unanswered in the field of elastomer friction on rough surfaces. This is particularly true when an additional intermediate medium is introduced into the contact, as for braking on wet roads in the form of water. To better understand this process, a model of a single-tread block on a rough road surface is developed. The influence of the fluid is represented by a physical meaningful friction law. The model is validated with results of tire wet-braking tests on an internal drum test rig. The model can map the interaction between tire tread, rough road surface and fluid film and the simulation results show a good agreement with the measurement results. Based on the investigation of individual tread blocks, a new approach to the description of the wet-braking behavior of passenger car tires was thus demonstrated, which can be extended to more complex tread geometries in the future.
International Perceptions of Urban Blue-Green Infrastructure: A Comparison across Four Cities
Authors: O’Donnell Emily , Netusil Noelwah , Chan Faith , Dolman Nanco , Gosling Simon
Published: February 2021

Blue-Green infrastructure (BGI) is recognised internationally as an approach for managing urban water challenges while enhancing society and the environment through the provision of multiple co-benefits. This research employed an online survey to investigate the perceptions of BGI held by professional stakeholders in four cities with established BGI programs: Newcastle (UK), Ningbo (China), Portland (Oregon USA), and Rotterdam (The Netherlands) (64 respondents). The results show that challenges associated with having too much water (e.g., pluvial and fluvial flood risk, water quality deterioration) are driving urban water management agendas. Perceptions of governance drivers for BGI implementation, BGI leaders, and strategies for improving BGI uptake, are markedly different in the four cities reflecting the varied local, regional and national responsibilities for BGI implementation. In addition to managing urban water, BGI is universally valued for its positive impact on residents’ quality of life; however, a transformative change in policy and practice towards truly multifunctional infrastructure is needed to optimise the delivery of multiple BGI benefits to address each city’s priorities and strategic objectives. Changes needed to improve BGI uptake, e.g., increasing the awareness of policy-makers to multifunctional BGI, has international relevance for other cities on their journeys to sustainable blue-green futures.
Multi-Phase Fractional-Slot PM Synchronous Machines with Enhanced Open-Circuit Fault-Tolerance: Viable Candidates for Automotive Applications
Authors: Haouas Elyes , Abdennadher Imen , Masmoudi Ahmed
Published: February 2021

This paper deals with the winding arrangement of multi-phase fractional-slot permanent magnet (PM) synchronous machines (FSPMSMs), with emphasis on the enhancement of their open-circuit fault-tolerance capability. FSPMSMs are reputed by their attractive intrinsic fault-tolerance capability, which increases with the number of phases. Of particular interest is the open-circuit fault-tolerance capability, which could be significantly enhanced through the parallel connection of the coils or suitable combinations of the coils of each phase. Nevertheless, such an arrangement of the armature winding is applicable to a limited set of slot-pole combinations. The present work proposes a design approach that extends the slot-pole combinations to candidates that are characterized by a star of slots including three phasors per phase and per winding period. It has the merit of improving the tolerance against open-circuit faults along with an increase in the winding factor of multi-phase machines. Special attention is paid to characterization of the coil asymmetry required for the phase parallel arrangement. A case study, aimed at a finite element analysis (FEA)-based investigation of the open-circuit fault-tolerance of a five-phase FSPMSM, is treated in order to validate the analytical prediction.
Școli și cursuri țărănești organizate de asociația „Astra“, între anii 1939-1940
Authors: Oprea Mădălina
Published: February 2021

The aim of this research is to present an objective analysis, starting from the texts of the historical documents issued by the Transylvanian Association for Romanian Literature and Culture of the Romanian People (“ASTRA”) between 1939 and 1940 regarding the schools and the courses organized for young adult peasants in Transylvania. The study presents the events, transformations and challenges that “Astra” had to face while trying to maintain its specific forms of activity and cultural manifestation. During 2 or 3 months, particularly in winter season, the organization of such courses had the gift to breathe life into village, waking up the interest and the participation of local intellectuals, many of them being part of the education system, and to break up the villagers‘ habitual inertia. In accordance with “Astra” ‘s educational curricula, Romanian young students, women and men, were taught notions about: agriculture, pomiculture, apiculture, animal husbandry, household maintenance, orchard maintenance and cultivation, legal notions, cooperative businesses and credit unions, general information about personal hygiene, sexuality, puericulture, Romanian language and literature, Romanian history, mathematics, physics, chemistry, music, religion, ethical and moral values. The lecturers who delivered those classes were doctors, priests, engineers, agronomists, lawyers, notaries, professors, institutes, teachers, officers. These specific forms of cultural and educational emancipation of young adult peasants were undertaken by divisions of “Astra” in at least 34 villages and cities. According to the documents of the “Astra” fund at Sibiu County Service of the National Archives issued between August 1939 and August 1940, through their representatives in the territory and in collaboration with the local Agricultural Chambers or with their own local divisions, “Astra” organized 40 peasant schools and agricultural courses attended by approximately 1194 men and 390 women.
Sfântul Benedict de Nursia. Impactul vieții și regulilor sale asupra civilizației europene de astăzi
Authors: Ene Ionel
Published: February 2021

St. Benedict of Nursia was organizer of Western monasticism, born in 480 in Nursia – Ombria, Italy today and passed away in 547, at Monte – Casino near Rome. Influenced by the monastic rules of St. Basil the Great and spiritual conversations of St. John Cassian, St. Benedict organized Western monasticism, requiring a specific discipline and ascetic life. Rule monks, such work is called St. Benedict of Nursia is more a treatise on life than a regulation or rule. Ninth century Benedict of Aniane reformulating Rule monks of Western monasticism shifted to the sacred, to the detriment of practice or work and founded the Benedictine order. The fruit of this way of life was the birth monastery Cluny monastery, which was to play an important role in Western monastic life and papal history. Numerous Benedictine monasteries scattered around the world have played and still play an important role in the history and culture of the Church and beyond.