bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editorial: Special Issue on Symmetry and Asymmetry in Sport Sciences
Authors: Afonso José , Peña Javier , García-de-Alcaraz Antonio
Published: December 2024

Asymmetry is a hot topic that has motivated a continued interest in sports science and medicine [...]
Assessment of the Effects of Anatoxin-a In Vitro: Cytotoxicity and Uptake
Authors: Plata-Calzado Cristina , Prieto Ana I. , Cameán Ana M. , Jos Angeles
Published: December 2024

Anatoxin-a (ATX-a) is a cyanotoxin whose toxicological profile has been underinvestigated in comparison to other cyanotoxins such as microcystins (MCs) or cylindrospermopsin (CYN). However, its wide distribution, occurrence, and toxic episodes justify more attention. It is classified as a neurotoxin, but it has also been reported to affect other organs and systems. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish, as a first tier in its toxicological evaluation, its cytotoxicity in a wide range of cell lines representative of potential target organs (N2a, SH-SY5Y, HepG2, Caco2, L5178Y Tk+/−, THP-1 and Jurkat). As limited effects were observed after exposure to up to 200 µg/mL of ATX-a for 24 h (only Jurkat and THP-1 cells showed reduced cell viability), cell uptake experiments were performed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The results showed that the immune system cells had the highest percentage of ATX-a in the intracellular fraction, followed by neuronal cells and finally Caco-2 and HepG2 cells. Moreover, the expression of genes related to cell death mechanisms in THP-1 cells was also analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and showed no changes under the conditions tested. Further research is required on ATX-a’s toxic effects and toxicokinetics to contribute to its risk assessment.
Reduction in Renal Heme Oxygenase-1 Is Associated with an Aggravation of Kidney Injury in Shiga Toxin-Induced Murine Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome
Authors: Mestekemper Antonio N. , Pirschel Wiebke , Krieg Nadine , Paulmann Maria K. , Daniel Christoph , Amann Kerstin , Coldewey Sina M.
Published: December 2024

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a systemic complication of an infection with Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, primarily leading to acute kidney injury (AKI) and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Although free heme has been found to aggravate renal damage in hemolytic diseases, the relevance of the heme-degrading enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1, encoded by Hmox1) in HUS has not yet been investigated. We hypothesized that HO-1, also important in acute phase responses in damage and inflammation, contributes to renal pathogenesis in HUS. The effect of tamoxifen-induced Hmox1 gene deletion on renal HO-1 expression, disease progression and AKI was investigated in mice 7 days after HUS induction. Renal HO-1 levels were increased in Stx-challenged mice with tamoxifen-induced Hmox1 gene deletion (Hmox1R26Δ/Δ) and control mice (Hmox1lox/lox). This HO-1 induction was significantly lower (−43%) in Hmox1R26Δ/Δ mice compared to Hmox1lox/lox mice with HUS. Notably, the reduced renal HO-1 expression was associated with an exacerbation of kidney injury in mice with HUS as indicated by a 1.7-fold increase (p = 0.02) in plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and a 1.3-fold increase (p = 0.06) in plasma urea, while other surrogate parameters for AKI (e.g., periodic acid Schiff staining, kidney injury molecule-1, fibrin deposition) and general disease progression (HUS score, weight loss) remained unchanged. These results indicate a potentially protective role of HO-1 in the pathogenesis of Stx-mediated AKI in HUS.
The Choice of Anti-Inflammatory Influences the Elimination of Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins
Authors: Escudero-Saiz Víctor Joaquín , Cuadrado-Payán Elena , Rodriguez-Garcia María , Casals Gregori , Rodas Lida María , Fontseré Néstor , Salgado María del Carmen , Bastida Carla , Rico Nayra , Broseta José Jesús , Maduell Francisco
Published: December 2024

Pain is a frequent and disturbing symptom among hemodialysis patients. Protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) are related to cardiovascular and overall mortality, and they are difficult to remove with current hemodialysis treatments. The PBUT displacers, such as furosemide, tryptophan, or ibuprofen, may be promising new strategies for improving their clearance. This study aims to compare ibuprofen versus other analgesic drugs in PBUT removal. A prospective study was carried out in 23 patients. Patients underwent four dialysis sessions with routine dialysis parameters, except for analgesic drugs administered (lysine acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen, dexketoprofen, and ibuprofen). The reduction ratios (RRs) of a wide range of molecular weight molecules were assessed, including total p-cresyl sulfate and total indoxyl-sulfate. There were no complications related to the administered drug, and pain was controlled independently of the drug. There were no differences in the RR of small-size and medium-sized molecules between all four study treatments. However, indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate RRs when ibuprofen was administered were significantly higher than lysine acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen, and dexketoprofen treatments. In conclusion, patients with pain may benefit from treatment with ibuprofen instead of lysine acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, or dexketoprofen, since in addition to improving pain, it increases the removal of PBUTs.
Risk Identification and Mitigation of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Military Training Environments
Authors: Suhr Rebecca , Peart Amy , Vesely Brian , Waller Michael , Trudgian Andrew , Peatey Christopher , Chellappah Jessica
Published: December 2024

Objective: Staphylococcus aureus (SA), including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSAs), is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in military populations. This study investigated SSTI incidence and SA carriage in a military training site over 16 weeks using a prospective observational cohort design. Methods: Two training cohorts provided pre- and post-training self-collected swabs for bacterial carriage, and environmental swabs from accommodations, personal items, and training facilities. Hygiene awareness and practices were assessed through questionnaires. Bacteria were identified using culture, mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), and genomic sequencing. Results: Nasal carriage of SA increased from 19% to 49% by the end of training. SSTIs requiring treatment occurred in 16% of participants. Steam cleaning reduced but did not eliminate SA on personal bed linen. Additionally, 40% of participants had poor knowledge of antibacterial cleaning practices and wound management. Conclusions: Increased SA carriage was linked to human-to-human transmission in close-quarter military training environments. Implications for Public Health: Improved personal hygiene training, wound management education, and monitored cleaning protocols are essential to mitigate SSTI risks in communal military training environments.
Hypercoagulable Rotational Thromboelastometry During Hospital Stay Is Associated with Post-Discharge DLco Impairment in Patients with COVID-19-Related Pneumonia
Authors: Loutsidi Natasa-Eleni , Politou Marianna , Vlahakos Vassilios , Korakakis Dimitrios , Kassi Theodora , Nika Asimina , Pouliakis Abraham , Eleftheriou Konstantinos , Balis Evangelos , Pappas Apostolos G. , Kalomenidis Ioannis
Published: December 2024

Hypercoagulation is central to the pathogenesis of acute and post-acute COVID-19. This prospective observational study explored whether rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), a method that unveils coagulation status, predicts outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. We investigated 62 patients using ROTEM that was conducted at enrollment, clinical deterioration, discharge and follow-up visits 1 and 3 months post-discharge. A hypercoagulable ROTEM was more common at clinical deterioration than at enrollment and the levels of hypercoagulable ROTEM indices correlated with the clinical severity score. Hypercoagulable ROTEM at enrollment was not associated with in-hospital death. Patients with hypercoagulable ROTEM at enrollment, discharge and 1 month post-discharge had an increased risk of persistent symptoms 1 and 3 months after discharge. Patients with hypercoagulable ROTEM at enrollment, discharge, and 1 month after discharge were more likely to have lung diffusion capacity (DLco) impairment 3 months after discharge. High levels of hypercoagulable ROTEM indices were associated with the increased risk of persistent symptoms at later stages of the disease. In a multivariate analysis, (i) hypercoagulable ROTEM at discharge and female gender were linked to the presence of symptoms at one month post-discharge, (ii) hypercoagulable ROTEM at one month after discharge was linked to the presence of symptoms at three months post-discharge, (iii) hypercoagulable ROTEM at enrollment and at discharge and female gender were linked to the presence of impaired DLco at three months post-discharge. Excessive coagulation may contribute to long-COVID pathogenesis and ROTEM findings during hospitalization may predict post-acute-COVID-19 sequelae in patients with COVID-19-related pneumonia.
Heterogeneous Ribonucleoprotein K Is a Host Regulatory Factor of Chikungunya Virus Replication in Astrocytes
Authors: Pieterse Lisa , McDonald Maranda , Abraham Rachy , Griffin Diane E.
Published: December 2024

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging, mosquito-borne arthritic alphavirus increasingly associated with severe neurological sequelae and long-term morbidity. However, there is limited understanding of the crucial host components involved in CHIKV replicase assembly complex formation, and thus virus replication and virulence-determining factors, within the central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, the majority of CHIKV CNS studies focus on neuronal infection, even though astrocytes represent the main cerebral target. Heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K), an RNA-binding protein involved in RNA splicing, trafficking, and translation, is a regulatory component of alphavirus replicase assembly complexes, but has yet to be thoroughly studied in the context of CHIKV infection. We identified the hnRNP K CHIKV viral RNA (vRNA) binding site via sequence alignment and performed site-directed mutagenesis to generate a mutant, ΔhnRNPK-BS1, with disrupted hnRNPK–vRNA binding, as verified through RNA coimmunoprecipitation and RT-qPCR. CHIKV ΔhnRNPK-BS1 demonstrated hampered replication in both NSC-34 neuronal and C8-D1A astrocytic cultures. In astrocytes, disruption of the hnRNPK–vRNA interaction curtailed viral RNA transcription and shut down subgenomic RNA translation. Our study demonstrates that hnRNP K serves as a crucial RNA-binding host factor that regulates CHIKV replication through the modulation of subgenomic RNA translation.
Phlorotannin-Rich Ascophyllum nodosum Seaweed Extract Inhibits Influenza Infection
Authors: Mega Daniele F. , Sharma Parul , Kipar Anja , Hetzel Udo , Bramwell Chloe , Merritt Alan , Wright Samuel , Plummer Chris , Urbanowicz Richard A. , Stewart James P.
Published: December 2024

Seaweed-derived compounds are a renewable resource utilised in the manufacturing and food industry. This study focuses on an enriched seaweed extract (ESE) isolated from Ascophyllum nodosum. The ESE was screened for antiviral activity by plaque reduction assays against influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1 (PR8), A/X-31 H3N2 (X31) and A/England/195/2009 H1N1 (Eng195), resulting in the complete inhibition of infection. Time of addition assays and FACS analysis were used to help determine the modes of action. The therapeutic potential of ESE was then explored using differentiated human bronchiole epithelial cells at the air–liquid interphase and a murine model challenged with IAV. The data indicates that ESE primarily interacts directly with virions, reducing mean virus–cell binding by 79.3% with 0.01 mg/mL ESE. Interestingly, ESE also inhibits the early and late stages of the influenza A lifecycle when treatment occurs after cell binding. This inhibitory effect appears to reduce the internalisation of the virus and the release of progeny virus by targeting neuraminidase activity, with IC50 values of 0.5 μg/mL for X31, 3.2 μg/mL for Eng195 and 12.8 μg/mL for PR8. The intranasal administration of 5 mg/kg ESE in mice infected with IAV reduced the viral load in lung tissue. ESE may be a promising broad-acting antiviral agent in the treatment of influenza infections.
UBL5 and Its Role in Viral Infections
Authors: Xia Liancheng , He Yanhua , Sui Yifan , Feng Xijia , Qian Xijing , Liu Yangang , Qi Zhongtian
Published: December 2024

Unlike other ubiquitin-like family members, UBL5 is structurally and functionally atypical, and a novel role in various biological processes and diseases has been discovered. UBL5 can stabilize the structure of the spliceosome, can promote post-transcriptional processing, and has been implicated in both DNA damage repair and protein unfolding reactions, as well as cellular mechanisms that are frequently exploited by viruses for their own proliferation during viral infections. In addition, UBL5 can inhibit viral infection by binding to the non-structural protein 3 of rice stripe virus and mediating its degradation. Therefore, UBL5 is an important link between viral infections and immunity, and its study will be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of viral infections in the future. However, a review of the current findings on the role of UBL5 in viral infection has not been undertaken. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the recent progress in understanding the functions of UBL5 and discuss its putative role in viral infections.
Sequence Analysis of microRNAs Encoded by Simian Lymphocryptoviruses
Authors: Chen Yan , Fachko Devin N. , Wu Helen L. , Sacha Jonah B. , Skalsky Rebecca L.
Published: December 2024

Lymphocryptoviruses (LCVs) are ubiquitous gamma-herpesviruses that establish life-long infections in both humans and non-human primates (NHPs). In immunocompromised hosts, LCV infections are commonly associated with B cell disorders and malignancies such as lymphoma. In this study, we evaluated simian LCV-encoded small microRNAs (miRNAs) present in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) derived from a Mauritian cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) with cyLCV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) as well as the viral miRNAs expressed in a baboon (Papio hamadryas) LCL that harbors CeHV12. Via sequence comparisons, we further predicted viral miRNAs encoded by LCVs that infect two additional NHP species: stump-tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides) and bonobos (Pan paniscus). Together, these species represent two arms of the primate phylogeny: Hominoids (Pan) and Old-World monkeys (Macaca, Papio). Through our analysis, we defined sequences for >95 viral miRNAs encoded by these four NHP LCVs. Our study provides the most comprehensive annotation of NHP LCV miRNAs to date, yielding a resource for developing sequence-specific reagents to detect these molecules. Importantly, we further demonstrate that cyLCV miRNAs can be detected in circulation in vivo and have biomarker potential for LCV-related PTLD.
Genetic Diversity and Epidemiology of Enteroviruses and Rhinoviruses in Children Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Infections in Novosibirsk, Russia (2023–2024)
Authors: Nokhova Alina R. , Saroyan Tereza A. , Solomatina Mariya V. , Gutova Tatyana A. , Derko Anastasiya A. , Dubovitskiy Nikita A. , Murashkina Tatyana A. , Sharshov Kirill A. , Shestopalov Alexander M. , Kurskaya Olga G.
Published: December 2024

Rhinoviruses and respiratory enteroviruses remain among the leading causes of acute respiratory infections, particularly in children. Little is known about the genetic diversity of enteroviruses and rhinoviruses in pediatric patients with acute respiratory infections in Russia. We assessed the prevalence of human rhinoviruses/enteroviruses (HRV/EV) in 1992 children aged 0 to 17 years hospitalized with acute respiratory infections during the 2023–2024 epidemic season using PCR. The detection rate of HRV/EV was 11% (220/1992). We performed typing of 58 HRV and 28 EV viruses by partial sequencing of the VP1 gene. Rhinovirus A was the most common among HRV, followed by rhinovirus C; rhinovirus B was detected in only three cases. Enteroviruses were represented by all four species, with the EV-D68 genotype being the most frequently detected. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 fragment of EV-D68 showed that all our sequences belonged to the B3 subclade. We identified the first case of EV-C105 infection in Russia in a two-year-old girl hospitalized with pneumonia. Phylogenetically, the Novosibirsk strain EV-C105 was closely related to a strain discovered in France in 2018. This research helped to fill a critical gap in understanding the epidemiological landscape of HRV/EV in pediatric populations within Russia.
Understanding Post-Translational Modifications in Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Infection
Authors: Chen Xiaoyong , Zhang Jianlong
Published: December 2024

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a highly contagious virus affecting pigs with significant impacts to the swine industry worldwide. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of post-translational modifications (PTMs) associated with PRRSV infection. We discuss the various types of PTMs, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMoylation, acetylation, glycosylation, palmitoylation, and lactylation, that occur during PRRSV infection. We emphasize how these modifications affect the function and activity of viral proteins, thereby influencing virus replication, assembly, and egress. Additionally, we delve into the host cellular responses triggered by PRRSV, particularly the PTMs that regulate host signaling pathways and immune responses. Furthermore, we summarize the current understandings of how PTMs facilitate the ability of virus to evade the host immune system, enabling it to establish persistent infections. Finally, we address the implications of these modifications in the development of novel antiviral strategies and the potential for exploiting PTMs as therapeutic targets. This review highlights the significance of PTMs in shaping viral pathogenicity and host antiviral mechanisms and provides valuable insights for future research aimed at developing effective interventions against PRRSV infections.
Vitamins, Minerals and Phytonutrients as Modulators of Canine Immune Function: A Literature Review
Authors: Barroso Carolina , Fonseca António J. M. , Cabrita Ana R. J.
Published: December 2024

Trends in the pet food industry are driven by the humanization of pets, favoring the inclusion of functional ingredients or supplements that promote animal health. Several commercial diets claim to include supplements with benefits for dogs’ immune function, but in vivo evidence that supports their efficacy remains limited. This literature review aimed to better understand the current knowledge on the effects of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients on dogs’ immune function. A total of 27 peer-reviewed articles were identified in PubMed and Web of Science databases. Although vitamin supplementation is often claimed to support immune function, only two studies promoting slight benefits of vitamins C and E were found. The limited research on minerals suggests that organic sources promote a better immune response. Studies evaluating the inclusion of different phytonutrients show that these compounds might exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Despite the increased popularity of commercial diets claimed to support the immune response of dogs, further research is needed in order to substantiate their effects. This knowledge will contribute to the development of effective diets to enhance immune health in dogs.
Prevalence of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Canines with Pyoderma and Otitis Externa in Korea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tanveer Maryum , Ntakiyisumba Eurade , Hirwa Fabrice , Yoon Hakyoung , Oh Sang-Ik , Kim Chongchan , Kim Mi Hye , Yoon Ji-Seon , Won Gayeon
Published: December 2024

Bacterial skin infections, particularly pyoderma and otitis externa, are widespread in dogs, primarily caused by Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species. This study evaluates the prevalence and types of bacterial pathogens in affected dogs in South Korea using a meta-analytical approach. Following the PRISMA guidelines, five electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published between 1990 and 2024. Three researchers independently performed data extraction and quality assessment. A subgroup analysis explored the variability in pathogen prevalence across studies based on bacterial genus, bacterial species, publication year, sampling year, sampling location, infection type, diagnostic method, and sample size. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test, with all analyses conducted using the R program. Of the 944 articles, 29 met the eligibility criteria. The pooled bacterial prevalence among infected dogs was 99.95% (95%CI: 99.85–100). Staphylococcus was the most prevalent genus (95.93%), followed by Pseudomonas (48.43%), Enterococcus (20.32%), and Escherichia (17.63%). The most common species were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (78.89%), Staphylococcus intermedius (71.43%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (46.13%). This study underscores the need for comprehensive treatment strategies targeting Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, emphasizing further research on antimicrobial resistance patterns and treatment efficacy to enhance canine health outcomes in South Korea.
A Universal Multi-Epitope Vaccine Design Against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus via Bioinformatics and Immunoinformatics Approaches
Authors: Lei Xinnuo , Wu Zhi , Feng Qi , Jia Wenfeng , Xie Jun , Zhou Qingkang , Ban Jinzhao , Zhu Shanyuan
Published: December 2024

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes reproductive disorders in sows and severe pneumonia in piglets, alongside immunosuppressive effects on the host. It poses a significant global threat to the swine industry, with no effective control measures currently available due to its complex pathogenesis and high variability. Conventional inactivated and attenuated vaccines provide inadequate protection and carry biosafety risks. In this study, we designed a universal multi-epitope peptide vaccine against PRRSV using bioinformatics and immunoinformatics approaches to address these limitations. By selecting sequences from seven representative PRRSV strains, we predicted highly conserved and immunogenic T cell (Th and CTL) epitopes across all encoded proteins. These were rationally concatenated with reported B cell neutralizing epitopes into a multi-epitope vaccine construct. We performed comprehensive assessments of the construct’s physicochemical and biochemical properties, along with predictions and refinements of its secondary and tertiary structures. Molecular docking simulations with TLR2 and TLR4 revealed strong potential binding interactions. Immune simulations indicated that the multi-epitope vaccine could induce robust humoral and cellular immune responses. This study provides a scientific foundation for the development of safe and effective PRRSV subunit vaccines and offers new perspectives for designing vaccines against other viral diseases.
A Probabilistic Model for Predicting the Performance of a Stormwater Overflow Structure as Part of a Stormwater Treatment Plant
Authors: Górski Jarosław , Szeląg Bartosz , Bąk Łukasz , Świercz Anna
Published: December 2024

The purpose of this study was to attempt to develop a stochastic model that describes the operation of the stormwater overflow located in the stormwater sewerage system. The model built for this study makes it possible to simulate the annual volume of the stormwater discharge, the maximum volume of the overflow discharge in a precipitation event, and the share of the latter in the total amount of stormwater conveyed directly, without pre-treatment, to the receiver. The dependence obtained with the linear regression method was employed to identify the occurrence of stormwater discharge. The prediction of the synthetic annual rainfall series was made using the Monte Carlo method. This was performed based on the determined log-normal distribution, the parameters of which were specified using 13-year rainfall series. Additionally, simulation of the stormwater overflow operation was performed with the use of a calibrated hydrodynamic model of the catchment. The model was developed using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). The results of the hydrodynamic simulations of the volume and number of discharges were within the scope of the probabilistic solution, which confirms the applicative character of the method presented in this study, intended to assess the operation of stormwater overflow.
A New Procedure for Determining Monthly Reservoir Storage Zones to Ensure Reliable Hourly Hydropower Supply
Authors: Liu Shuangquan , Luo Jingzhen , Fu Kaixiang , Li Huixian , Qian Guoyuan , Xia Wang , Wang Jinwen
Published: December 2024

The uncertainty of natural inflows and market behavior challenges ensuring a reliable power balance in hydropower-dominated electricity markets. This study proposes a novel framework integrating hourly load balancing on typical days into a monthly scheduling model solved with Gurobi11.0.1 to evaluate demand-met reliability across storage and inflow states. By employing total storage as a system state to reduce dimensional complexity and simulating future runoff scenarios based on current inflows, the method performs multi-year statistical simulations to assess reliability over the following year. Applied to a system of 39 hydropower reservoirs in China, the case studies of present models and procedures suggest: (1) controlling reservoir storage levels during the dry season is crucial for ensuring the power demand-met rate in the following year, with May being the most critical month; (2) the power demand-met rate does not monotonically increase with higher storage levels—there is an optimal storage level that maximizes the demand-met rate; and (3) June and October offer the greatest flexibility in storage adjustment to achieve the highest demand-met reliability.
Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for Flood Management in Malaysia
Authors: Rosmadi Haziq Sarhan Bin , Ahmed Minhaz Farid , Mokhtar Mazlin Bin , Halder Bijay , Scholz Miklas
Published: December 2024

Flash floods are a concerning social issue that affect urban areas all over the world. Flash floods can disrupt vital services, damage infrastructure, have socio-economic impacts on the earth’s surface, and significantly impact the community near the water body. Household and commercial damage, physical health issues from contaminated floodwater, mental health issues including post-traumatic stress disorder, and even fatalities are some of these common effects. Additionally, it is anticipated that climate change, continuous population growth, and urbanisation will increase flood events and flood risk exposure. Nature-based solutions (NbS) for flood management that lower flood risks include sustainable, economical methods that improve biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and community well-being. This in-depth study analyses research and literature that previous researchers conducted related to flood management around ASEAN countries, as all these countries are closely located and share similarities in climate and temperature. This survey focuses on identifying the most suitable and effective NbS to overcome the problem and appropriate non-structural measures to support it in solving the flood problem in Malaysia. NbS provide a multi-benefit approach by improving ecosystem resilience, cutting costs, and offering co-benefits, including biodiversity conservation and better water quality, in contrast to conventional methods that put infrastructure before environmental sustainability. This survey also looks at the weaknesses in the existing flood management system and provides recommendations to overcome these problems. Additionally, this survey offers practical policy suggestions to help incorporate NbS into regional and national flood control frameworks, guaranteeing that the solutions are not only socially just but also ecologically sound.
Revealing the Adverse Potential of Six SARS-CoV-2 Antivirals by Aliivibrio fischeri Assay: Toxicity Analysis of Single Agent Solutions and Binary Mixtures
Authors: Martinjak Viktorija , Miloloža Martina , Markić Marinko , Furač Lidija , Cvetnić Matija , Bolanča Tomislav , Kučić Grgić Dajana , Ukić Šime
Published: December 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the development of new antiviral agents specifically intended for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but has also increased the use of some already known antiviral agents originally intended for other viruses. Although the pandemic has ended, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is expected to be present in the human population forever, as is the case with the influenza virus, for example. Such a scenario guarantees the continued use of SARS-CoV-2 antivirals and, accordingly, their continued release into the environment. Unfortunately, there is little or no information on the adverse potential of most of these antiviral agents. In this study, the acute toxicity of six antiviral agents used in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections was determined. These are atazanavir, ribavirin, emtricitabine, nirmatrelvir, sofosbuvir and oseltamivir, sorted according to their toxicity, starting with the most toxic agent. Toxicity was determined using the marine bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri according to the ISO 11348-1:2007 standard. In addition to the toxicities of the individual antiviral solutions, the toxicities of binary antiviral mixtures were also determined. By comparing the experimentally determined toxicities of the mixtures with the values estimated by the concentration addition model and the independent action model, we analyzed the mode of joint toxic activity of these antiviral agents. Additive behavior was observed for most binary combinations. The combination of nirmatrelvir and sofosbuvir led to an antagonistic deviation from the concentration addition model, while a synergistic deviation was observed for the combinations of emtricitabine with atazanavir and with nirmatrelvir, as well as for the combinations of ribavirin with atazanavir, oseltamivir and sofosbuvir. All tested binary combinations showed a synergistic deviation from the independent action model.
Estimation of Water Interception of Winter Wheat Canopy Under Sprinkler Irrigation Using UAV Image Data
Authors: Zhou Xueqing , Liu Haijun , Li Lun
Published: December 2024

Canopy water interception is a key parameter to study the hydrological cycle, water utilization efficiency, and energy balance in terrestrial ecosystems. Especially in sprinkler-irrigated farmlands, the canopy interception further influences field energy distribution and microclimate, then plant transpiration and photosynthesis, and finally crop yield and water productivity. To reduce the field damage and increase measurement accuracy under traditional canopy water interception measurement, UAVs equipped with multispectral cameras were used to extract in situ crop canopy information. Based on the correlation coefficient (r), vegetative indices that are sensitive to canopy interception were screened out and then used to develop canopy interception models using linear regression (LR), random forest (RF), and back propagation neural network (BPNN) methods, and lastly these models were evaluated by root mean square error (RMSE) and mean relative error (MRE). Results show the canopy water interception is first closely related to relative normalized difference vegetation index (R△NDVI) with r of 0.76. The first seven indices with r from high to low are R△NDVI, reflectance values of the blue band (Blue), reflectance values of the near-infrared band (Nir), three-band gradient difference vegetation index (TGDVI), difference vegetation index (DVI), normalized difference red edge index (NDRE), and soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) were chosen to develop canopy interception models. All the developed linear regression models based on three indices (R△NDVI, Blue, and NDRE), the RF model, and the BPNN model performed well in canopy water interception estimation (r: 0.53–0.76, RMSE: 0.18–0.27 mm, MRE: 21–27%) when the interception is less than 1.4 mm. The three methods underestimate the canopy interception by 18–32% when interception is higher than 1.4 mm, which could be due to the saturation of NDVI when leaf area index is higher than 4.0. Because linear regression is easy to perform, then the linear regression method with NDVI is recommended for canopy interception estimation of sprinkler-irrigated winter wheat. The proposed linear regression method and the R△NDVI index can further be used to estimate the canopy water interception of other plants as well as forest canopy.
Distribution and Affecting Factors of Aragonite Saturation in the Northern South China Sea in Summer
Authors: Han Ping , Wang Zhaojun , Lv Honggang , Chen Feiyong , Zhang Xuewan , Wang Jin
Published: December 2024

Based on the carbonate and hydrological parameters of a survey made in August–September 2011, we investigated the distribution and affecting factors of aragonite saturation (Ωarag) in the northern South China Sea. The levels of Ωarag were found to gradually decrease with depth in the northern South China Sea. Surface-water Ωarag values ranged from 2.56 to 3.68, with the highest value occurring in the region of Pearl River-diluted water near the northern coast. The increase in Ωarag due to primary production, stimulated by the Pearl River freshwater input, exceeded the decrease in Ωarag due to the direct input of low-Ωarag fresh water, resulting in high Ωarag in that area. In contrast, Ωarag levels below 2 generally appeared in subsurface water below 50 m in depth. Intense community respiration was the main reason for the low Ωarag. By 2100, bottom-water Ωarag levels could be lower than 1.7, and even the undersaturation of aragonite could appear, due to the oceanic absorption of atmospheric CO2.
Effect of Seepage on Sand Levee Failure Due to Lateral Overtopping
Authors: Kang Woochul , Kim Seongyun , Jang Eunkyung
Published: December 2024

Recent increases in rainfall duration and intensity due to climate change have heightened the importance of levee stability. However, previous studies on levee failure, primarily caused by seepage and overtopping, have mostly examined these causes independently owing to their distinct characteristics. In this study, we conducted lateral overtopping failure experiments under seepage conditions that closely resembled those in experiments conducted in previous studies. Seepage was monitored using water pressure sensors and a distributed optical fiber cable that provided continuous heat for temperature monitoring in the levee. Τhe analysis of levee failure due to lateral overtopping, in the presence of seepage, was conducted using image analysis with digitization techniques and machine learning-based color segmentation techniques on the protected lowland side of the levee, targeting the same area. The results revealed that levee failure occurred more than twice as fast in experiments where seepage conditions were considered compared to the experiments where they were not. Thus, levees weakened by seepage are more vulnerable to overtopping and breaching. Consequently, employing a comprehensive approach that integrates various monitoring and analysis methods for assessing levee stability is preferable to relying on a single method alone.
Autonomous Vehicle Motion Control Considering Path Preview with Adaptive Tire Cornering Stiffness Under High-Speed Conditions
Authors: Zhu Guozhu , Hong Weirong
Published: December 2024

The field of autonomous vehicle technology has experienced remarkable growth. A pivotal trend in this development is the enhancement of tracking performance and stability under high-speed conditions. Model predictive control (MPC), as a prevalent motion control method, necessitates an extended prediction horizon as vehicle speed increases and will lead to heightened online computational demands. To address this, a path preview strategy is integrated into the MPC framework that temporarily freezes the vehicle state within the prediction horizon. This approach assumes that the vehicle state will remain consistent for a specified preview distance and duration, effectively extending the prediction horizon for the MPC controller. In addition, a stability controller is designed to maintain handling stability under high-speed conditions, in which a square-root cubature Kalman filter (SRCKF) estimator is employed to predict tire forces to facilitate the cornering stiffness estimation of vehicle tires. The double lane change maneuver under high-speed conditions is conducted through the Carsim/Simulink co-simulation. The outcomes demonstrate that the SRCKF estimator could provide a reasonably accurate estimation of lateral tire forces throughout the whole traveling process and facilitates the stability controller to guarantee the handling stability. On the premise of ensuring handling stability, integrating the preview strategy could nearly double the prediction horizon for MPC, resulting in the limited increase of online computation burden brought while maintaining path tracking accuracy.
Alterity in Autobiography: Charles Lamb's "The Essays of Elia"
Authors: Çapkın Nazım
Published: December 2024

This article scrutinizes the unorthodox turn in Charles Lamb's autobiographical writing through the figure of Elia with its potential to test the limits of alterity and one's representation of oneself while challenging at the same time the immunity of self as the origin of knowledge and truth. In so doing, this study also maintains that Elia as the autonomous entity calls into question the authority of the writer as well as any claim on teleology and coherence in the act of writing one's own life specifically. To this end, explication of some of the key passages in the essays is informed by Jacques Derrida's theoretical stance towards autobiography in his seminal work The Ear of the Other. In this vein, the article suggests that Elia's individuality and self-consciousness in the essays manifest in unorthodox ways the simultaneous interpretative potential of the figure as the reader of Lamb's life in making.
'Welcome Home, Our Bitter Home!': Rethinking National Identity in Nuruddin Farah's "Links"
Authors: Turan Ayşegül
Published: December 2024

Nuruddin Farah's Links (2005) represents the civil war-torn Somalia, and particularly Mogadiscio, from the perspective of Jeebleh, who returns to his homeland after twenty years. The novel, through Jeebleh's exilic perspective, interrogates the implications of national identity and sense of collective belonging in a society driven by clan politics. This article examines the representation of fragmented nationhood as a consequence of the civil war along with the narrative's portrayal of other forms of belonging and collectivity to engender an alternative understanding of national identity. I contend that Links, while maintaining its focus on the national space and what the nation stands for in times of crisis, also offers ways to envision connections between the national space and what lies beyond through the implementation of exilic point of view and literary and non-literary allusions.
"All That Glitters is Not Gold": Reflections on Javor Gardev's Production of William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" at The Bulgarian National Theatre
Authors: Niagolov Georgi
Published: December 2024

The article reviews Javor Gardev's recent production of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice on the stage of the Bulgarian National Theatre in the context of the play's long debated generic ambiguity and the "unpleasant" issues it confronts. It argues that even though, due to good historical reasons, the issue of antisemitism has attracted most of the attention so far, the central "unpleasant" issue in the original text is patriarchalism and the inequality between men and women. The play and the production's divergent treatments of this issue are considered in the context of today's antifeminist backlash, as well as the more general tendency to withdraw from traditional Western values, such as democracy, freedom, human rights. The current global and locally Bulgarian perspectives are discussed in order to demonstrate the urgency of taking a clear stand in support of these values.
Estudo de eventos: o impacto da emissão de debêntures sobre o valor de ações negociadas na B3
Authors:   , Macedo Lucas Martins de
Published: December 2024

Esta pesquisa busca apresentar de que forma a emissão de debêntures por empresas de capital aberto negociadas na B3 (Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão) afeta o valor de suas ações. Visando cumprir com o objetivo principal deste trabalho, foi utilizada a metodologia do estudo de eventos, abrangendo o período de 05 de outubro de 2012 a de 25 de outubro de 2019. O evento de referência estudado foi a data de divulgação da emissão de debêntures pelas empresas, sendo analisadas as cotações de ações em pregões anteriores e posteriores ao evento. A amostra final foi constituída de 124 eventos de anúncio de emissão de debêntures de 46 empresas brasileiras, não financeiras. Como resultado principal, evidenciou-se que, para a maior parte das empresas da amostra, os anúncios de emissão de debêntures geraram retornos anormais e negativos, estatisticamente significantes, sobre os preços das ações de empresas emissoras. Os retornos anormais observados sugerem que os eventos de anúncio de emissão de debêntures possuem conteúdo informacional que é interpretado pelo mercado, alinhando-se com a literatura recente. Os achados também demonstram que os retornos negativos não ocorreram em todas as empresas e setores, indo de acordo com pesquisas anteriores que salientam a importância que especificidades empresariais e setoriais têm sobre a forma com que o mercado interpreta o evento de anúncio de emissão de debêntures. As evidências levantadas por este trabalho foram mais um passo no estabelecimento de um consenso sobre como o mercado interpreta o evento do anúncio de emissão de debêntures
Flyways of Common Cranes Grus grus breeding in Fennoscandia
Authors: Hansson Per , Nilsson Lovisa , Lundgren Sigvard , Skyllberg Ulf , Sandvik Jostein , Månsson Johan
Published: December 2024

Knowledge of migration patterns plays an essential role for understanding spatiotemporal distribution of birds. Here we used >15,000 sightings of 1,473 colour-ringed Common Cranes Grus grus to study migration patterns of birds breeding in five regions along a longitudinal gradient of Fennoscandia. Our results confirm that Fennoscandian cranes mainly use either a Western European flyway (W-flyway), to winter mainly in France or Spain, or a Central European flyway (C-flyway), to winter in Hungary or Israel. Finnish cranes showed the greatest variation in migration patterns in terms of distance and direction and only Finnish cranes were recovered in Africa. Many of the Finnish cranes, starting along C-flyway change to the W-flyway and winter in SW Europe or NW Africa. On the other hand, the Scandinavian cranes are rarely observed along the C-flyway. However, substantial numbers of cranes from NE Sweden cross the Baltic Sea and migrate via Finland but then follow the W-flyway from Germany and southwards, especially during autumn. These results can be used for conservation and management, e.g. to coordinate monitoring. They are also relevant for land use planning, e.g. to avoid windfarms at sites important for migrating soaring birds while crossing seas, so-called ‘thermal bottleneck sites’.
Cisto epidérmico observado no testículo de um homem jovem: um relato de caso
Authors: Lourenço Beatriz Oliveira Silva , Brandão Rafael Alvarenga
Published: December 2024

Cisto epidérmico testicular (TEC) é uma neoplasia rara considerada benigna, embora sua histogênese ainda não seja clara. Os pacientes comumente relatam a presença de massa escrotal indolor, palpável ao exame físico, que é investigada principalmente por meio de exames de imagem e marcadores tumorais bioquímicos. Trata-se de uma patologia de difícil diagnóstico pré-operatório, sendo habitual a realização de orquiectomia inguinal radical. Um homem de 24 anos de idade com história clínica de nódulo em testículo direito e diagnóstico de cisto epidérmico foi apresentado neste relato.
Cobertura e obstáculos da vacinação contra o Papilomavírus Humano na adolescência
Authors: Ribeiro Larissa Pimentel de Sá , Mesquita Maria Fernanda Barbosa , Freitas Lívia Mirelly Santos , Araujo Maria Leticia Alves , Marques Rossana Vanessa Dantas de Almeida
Published: December 2024

Introdução: O Papilomavírus Humano (HPV) é altamente prevalente e leva a formação de verrugas e evolução para cânceres. Os adolescentes configuram-se como um grupo altamente suscetível ao HPV, sendo que 56% dos jovens no Brasil possuem ou já tiveram contato com algum tipo de HPV. Objetivo: Analisar a frequência e as barreiras à adesão à vacinação na adolescência. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa realizada através da estratégia PICO, na qual foram analisados 20 artigos publicados entre 2019 e 2024 nas bases PubMed e Scielo. Resultados: Os resultados mostram que a falta de conhecimento sobre a vacinação e suas complicações é o principal obstáculo. A vacinação é mais frequente entre mulheres, apesar de ser recomendada para ambos os sexos. As taxas mais altas de vacinação em mulheres são atribuídas à educação em saúde focada no risco de câncer cervical. Disparidades regionais, influenciadas por fatores socioeconômicos e educacionais, são desafios significativos. A cobertura vacinal é menor nas regiões Norte e Nordeste, sugerindo a necessidade de estratégias específicas. A adesão à segunda dose também é menor. Conclusão: É necessário ampliar a conscientização e os esforços educativos para superar as barreiras e garantir uma cobertura vacinal abrangente entre adolescentes.
Associação entre a infecção por SARS-COV-2 e o desenvolvimento da Síndrome de Guillain-Barré como sequela imunológica: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Silva Bruna Gabrielle da , Moura Carina Beatriz de Souza , Silva Neto João Patrício da , Mendes Letícia Camile Pereira , Isaac Filho Paulo Roberto de Albuquerque , Fernandes Raquel de Souza , Souto Fabrício Oliveira
Published: December 2024

Objetivo: Investigar a associação entre a infecção por SARS-CoV-2 e o desenvolvimento da Síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SBG) como uma consequência imunológica. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo de revisão integrativa a partir de uma pesquisa bibliográfica nas bases de dados PubMed, BVS e Google Acadêmico, tendo como critérios de inclusão as produções em portuguêse e inglês, no período de 2020 a 2024, que abordassem os mecanismos imunológicos e as implicações clínicas na relação entre a SBG e a COVID-19. Resultados: 12 artigos foram submetidos à aplicação metodológica e apontaram um aumento de casos de SGB em pacientes com COVID-19, o que sugere uma resposta autoimune mediada pelo vírus, com produção de autoanticorpos e ativação de células imunológicas que afetam o sistema nervoso periférico. Pacientes que desenvolveram SGB após COVID-19 apresentaram sintomas similares aos da forma não relacionada à COVID-19, mas com maior incidência de complicações respiratórias e disfunção autonômica. A vacinação também foi associada como possível causadora de SGB após infecção por COVID-19. Conclusões: Compreende-se que o SARS-COV-2 desencadeia diversas consequências neurológicas imunomediadas, que pode persistir por meses e predispõe indivíduos ao desenvolvimento de doenças autoimunes, como a SGB.