bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Impact of “Double Cycle” and Industrial Upgrading on Sustainable High-Quality Economic Development: Application of Spatial and Mediation Models
Authors: Wang Fayuan , Wang Rong , He Zhili
Published: February 2022

In the context of the integration into the world economy, the domestic and international cycles of the economy constitute the basic pattern of economic operation. This pattern is closely related to the industrial structure, and obviously it can affect quality of the economic development. The Chinese government has put forward an international and domestic dual cycle strategy for reinforcing an environmentally sustainable high-quality economic development. Similarly, it seems critically important to explore what impact the “dual cycle strategy” and industrial upgrading will have on the environmentally sustainable high-quality economic development. To do so, this paper adopted a dataset ranging from the year 2004 to 2019 from a regional perspective in China, and an empirical research is carried out based on the spatial Dubin model-mediation effect model to analyze the impact of “dual cycle strategy” and industrial upgrading on environmentally sustainable high-quality economic development. The results of the study show that the rising industrial structure effect has emerged prominently. Both the “dual cycle” and industrial structure upgrading have a positive spillover effect on environmentally sustainable high-quality economic development. Further, the direct effect of domestic circulation is significant, but the indirect effect is not obvious. In addition, we found that the direct and indirect effects of international circulation are both significantly positive; industrial upgrading has a partial mediating effect in the “double cycle”. The study holds promising implications for a policy development.
Urban Quality of Life and Production Amenity in Chinese Cities
Authors: Zou Wei , Li Jingjing , Shu Zhe
Published: February 2022

Do firms and households like the same cities? Can the quality of the business environment be compatible with the quality of life? We develop a new methodology based on the Rosen–Roback general equilibrium model for answering these questions and apply it to newly collected and manually matched data from Chinese cities. In order to overcome the challenges that arise when measuring the desirability of cities, we set up indexes of production amenities as well as the urban quality of life, and use wages and housing costs to estimate the implied prices of cities, i.e., the residents’ and firms’ willingness to pay for urban features. Our examination of the dynamic trends and influencing factors shows that firms and households differ in preference over urban features, many cities which are attractive to firms are unattractive to households, and vice versa. More specifically, in China, households prefer cities with better leisure conditions, entertainment, culture, and education resources, while firms are willing to allocate production in cities with less sunshine, more rainfall, better infrastructure, and fewer environmental restrictions. Our paper provides a unified perspective on the measurement of urban quality of life and production amenity. We also give policy suggestions to get a better grip on the functions and roles of cities; this is of practical significance for sustainable urban development.
A Systematic Literature Review of Blockchain-Enabled Supply Chain Traceability Implementations
Authors: Dasaklis Thomas K. , Voutsinas Theodore G. , Tsoulfas Giannis T. , Casino Fran
Published: February 2022

In recent years, traceability systems have been developed as practical tools for improving supply chain (SC) transparency and visibility, especially in health and safety-sensitive sectors like food and pharmaceuticals. Blockchain-related SC traceability research has received significant attention during the last several years, and arguably blockchain is currently the most promising technology for providing traceability-related services in SC networks. This paper provides a systematic literature review of the various technical implementation aspects of blockchain-enabled SC traceability systems. We apply different drivers for classifying the selected literature, such as (a) the various domains of the available blockchain-enabled SC traceability systems and relevant methodologies applied; (b) the implementation maturity of these traceability systems along with technical implementation details; and (c) the sustainability perspective (economic, environmental, social) prevalent to these implementations. We provide key takeaways regarding the open issues and challenges of current blockchain traceability implementations and fruitful future research areas. Despite the significant volume and plethora of blockchain-enabled SC traceability systems, academia has so far focused on unstructured experimentation of blockchain-associated SC traceability solutions, and there is a clear need for developing and testing real-life traceability solutions, especially taking into account feasibility and cost-related SC aspects.
Independent Roman Domination: The Complexity and Linear-Time Algorithm for Trees
Authors: Duan Zhixing , Jiang Huiqin , Liu Xinyue , Wu Pu , Shao Zehui
Published: February 2022

For a graph G=(V,E), an independent Roman dominating function (IRDF) is a function f:V→{0,1,2} having the property that: (1) every vertex assigned a value of 0 is adjacent to at least one vertex assigned a value of 2, (2) there are no two adjacent vertices with positive assignments. The weight of an IRDF (w(f)) is the sum of assignments for all vertices. The minimum weight of an independent Roman dominating function on graph G is the independent Roman domination number, denoted by iR(G). In this paper, we prove that the decision problem of minimum IRDF is NP-complete for chordal bipartite graphs. Then, we research the difference in complexity between the decision problem of RDF and IRDF. Finally, we propose a linear-time algorithm for computing the minimum weight of an independent Roman dominating function in trees.
Electromagnetic Flow of SWCNT/MWCNT Suspensions in Two Immiscible Water- and Engine-Oil-Based Newtonian Fluids through Porous Media
Authors: Zeeshan Ahmad , Shehzad Nasir , Atif Muhammad , Ellahi Rahmat , Sait Sadiq M.
Published: February 2022

This article deals with steady-state laminar, electrically conducting immiscible fluids. The Newtonian fluid considered passes between two parallel vertical plates in a porous medium. The channel consists of two regions, one of them filled with engine-oil-based carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the second region filled with water through a porous medium. The assumptions for the channel walls are electrically non-conducting and are at two different temperatures. Mathematical formulation is formed using rules for the conservation of mass, momentum and energy in both regions. Continuous conditions are used for velocity, temperature and also for shear pressure at the crossing area. The governing equations are first transformed in a non-dimensional form by using appropriate transformations, and then the subsequent differential equations are solved using a topological approach by means of the homotopy analysis method. It is found that the impact of the actual boundaries utilized in the issue is directed, and the outcomes are introduced graphically and discussed. It is noted that the engine-oil SWCNTs experience a significant increase in temperature profiles as compared to the engine-oil MWCNTs, while the movement of fluid slowdown in the nanofluid region due to the concentration of nanoparticles and the thickness of the thermal boundary layer increases by increasing the volume fraction of the carbon nanotubes.
Similarity Measures Based on T-Spherical Fuzzy Information with Applications to Pattern Recognition and Decision Making
Authors: Abid Muhammad Nabeel , Yang Miin-Shen , Karamti Hanen , Ullah Kifayat , Pamucar Dragan
Published: February 2022

T-spherical fuzzy set (TSFS) is a fuzzy layout aiming to provide a larger room for the processing of uncertain information-based data where four aspects of unpredictable information are studied. The frame of picture fuzzy sets (PFSs) and intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) provide limited room for processing such kinds of information. On a scale of zero to one, similarity measures (SMs) are a tool for evaluating the degrees of resemblance between various items or phenomena. The goal of this paper is to investigate the shortcomings of picture fuzzy (PF) SMs in order to introduce a new SM in a T-spherical fuzzy (TSF) environment. The newly improved SM has a larger ground for accommodating the uncertain information with three degrees and is also responsible for the reduction of information loss. The proposed SM’s validity is demonstrated mathematically and by examples. To examine the application of the suggested SM two real-life issues are discussed, including the concerns of medical diagnosis and pattern recognition. A comparison of the suggested SMs with current SMs is also made to assess the proposed work’s reliability. Since symmetric triangular fuzzy numbers are quite useful in database acquisition, we will consider the proposed SM for symmetric T-spherical triangular fuzzy numbers in the near future.
Hybrid Precoding-Based Millimeter Wave Massive MIMO-NOMA Systems
Authors: Zhu Zaoxing , Deng Honggui , Xu Fuxin , Zhang Wenjuan , Liu Gang , Zhang Yinhao
Published: February 2022

A symmetry-based hybrid precoder and combiner is a high spectral efficiency structure in millimeter-wave (mmWave) massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO) non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) system. To improve the spectral efficiency of the mmWave mMIMO-NOMA system, we first propose a user grouping scheme to suppress the strong inter-user interference caused by NOMA, then the hybrid precoder based on user channel alignment and the zero-forcing algorithm is constructed to further improve the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the receiver. Subsequently, the non-convex spectral efficiency optimization problem is transformed into a convex optimization problem of inter-cluster power allocation and the closed-form solution for the optimal power under the minimum rate constraint is obtained by solving the KKT condition to further improve the spectral efficiency. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme can achieve higher spectral efficiency compared to orthogonal multiple access (OMA), fixed power allocation (FPA), K-means, and cluster head selection (CHS).
The Mechanistic Integration and Thermodynamic Optimality of a Nanomotor
Authors: Hou Ruizheng
Published: February 2022

The performance of artificial nanomotors is still far behind nature-made biomolecular motors. A mechanistic disparity between the two categories exists: artificial motors often rely on a single mechanism to rectify directional motion, but biomotors integrate multiple mechanisms for better performance. This study proposes a design for a motor-track system and shows that by introducing asymmetric compound foot-track interactions, both selective foot detachment and biased foot-track binding arise from the mechanics of the system. The two mechanisms are naturally integrated to promote the motility of the motor towards being unidirectional, while each mechanism alone only achieves 50% directional fidelity at most. Based on a reported theory, the optimization of the motor is conducted via maximizing the directional fidelity. Along the optimization, the directional fidelity of the motor is raised by parameters that concentrate more energy on driving selective-foot detachment and biased binding, which in turn promotes work production due to the two energies converting to work via a load attached. However, the speed of the motor can drop significantly after the optimization because of energetic competition between speed and directional fidelity, which causes a speed-directional fidelity tradeoff. As a case study, these results test thermodynamic correlation between the performances of a motor and suggest that directional fidelity is an important quantity for motor optimization.
A Poset-Based Approach to Curvature of Hypergraphs
Authors: Yadav Yasharth , Samal Areejit , Saucan Emil
Published: February 2022

In this contribution, we represent hypergraphs as partially ordered sets or posets, and provide a geometric framework based on posets to compute the Forman–Ricci curvature of vertices as well as hyperedges in hypergraphs. Specifically, we first provide a canonical method to construct a two-dimensional simplicial complex associated with a hypergraph, such that the vertices of the simplicial complex represent the vertices and hyperedges of the original hypergraph. We then define the Forman–Ricci curvature of the vertices and the hyperedges as the scalar curvature of the associated vertices in the simplicial complex. Remarkably, Forman–Ricci curvature has a simple combinatorial expression and it can effectively capture the variation in symmetry or asymmetry over a hypergraph. Finally, we perform an empirical study involving computation and analysis of the Forman–Ricci curvature of hyperedges in several real-world hypergraphs. We find that Forman–Ricci curvature shows a moderate to high absolute correlation with standard hypergraph measures such as eigenvector centrality and cardinality. Our results suggest that the notion of Forman–Ricci curvature extended to hypergraphs in this work can be used to gain novel insights on the organization of higher-order interactions in real-world hypernetworks.
Random Forest Clustering Identifies Three Subgroups of β-Thalassemia with Distinct Clinical Severity
Authors: Vitrano Angela , Musallam Khaled M. , Meloni Antonella , Addario Pollina Sebastiano , Karimi Mehran , El-Beshlawy Amal , Hajipour Mahmoud , Di Marco Vito , Ansari Saqib Hussain , Filosa Aldo , Ricchi Paolo , Ceci Adriana , Daar Shahina , Vlachaki Efthymia , Singer Sylvia Titi , Naserullah Zaki A. , Pepe Alessia , Scondotto Salvatore , Dardanoni Gabriella , Bonifazi Fedele , Sankaran Vijay G. , Vichinsky Elliott , Taher Ali T. , Maggio Aurelio ,   International Working Group on Thalassemia (IWG-THAL)
Published: February 2022

In this work, we aimed to establish subgroups of clinical severity in a global cohort of β-thalassemia through unsupervised random forest (RF) clustering. We used a large global dataset of 7910 β-thalassemia patients and evaluated 19 indicators of phenotype severity (IPhS) to determine their contribution and relatedness in grouping β-thalassemia patients into clusters using RF analysis. RF clustering suggested that three clusters with minimal overlapping exist (classification error rate: 4.3%), and six important IPhS were identified: the current age of the patient, the mean serum ferritin level, the age at diagnosis, the age at first transfusion, the age at first iron chelation, and the number of complications. Cluster 3 represented patients with early initiation of transfusion and iron chelation, considerable iron overload, and early mortality from heart failure. Patients in Cluster 2 had lower serum ferritin levels, although they had a higher number of complications manifesting overtime. Patients in Cluster 1 represented a subgroup with delayed or absent transfusion and iron chelation, but with a high morbidity rate. Hepatic disease and cancer were dominant causes of death in patients in Cluster 1 and 2. Our findings established that patients with β-thalassemia can be clustered into three groups based on six parameters of phenotype severity.
Local Differences in the Toxin Amount and Composition of Tetrodotoxin and Related Compounds in Pufferfish (Chelonodon patoca) and Toxic Goby (Yongeichthys criniger) Juveniles
Authors: Ito Masaaki , Furukawa Risako , Yasukawa Shino , Sato Masaya , Oyama Hikaru , Okabe Taiki , Suo Rei , Sugita Haruo , Takatani Tomohiro , Arakawa Osamu , Adachi Masaatsu , Nishikawa Toshio , Itoi Shiro
Published: February 2022

Tetrodotoxin (TTX)-bearing fish ingest TTX from their preys through the food chain and accumulate TTX in their bodies. Although a wide variety of TTX-bearing organisms have been reported, the missing link in the TTX supply chain has not been elucidated completely. Here, we investigated the composition of TTX and 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX in juveniles of the pufferfish, Chelonodon patoca, and toxic goby, Yongeichthys criniger, using LC–MS/MS, to resolve the missing link in the TTX supply chain. The TTX concentration varied among samples from different localities, sampling periods and fish species. In the samples from the same locality, the TTX concentration was significantly higher in the toxic goby juveniles than in the pufferfish juveniles. The concentration of TTX in all the pufferfish juveniles was significantly higher than that of 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX, whereas the compositional ratio of TTX and 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX in the goby was different among sampling localities. However, the TTX/5,6,11-trideoxyTTX ratio in the goby was not different among samples collected from the same locality at different periods. Based on a species-specific PCR, the detection rate of the toxic flatworm (Planocera multitentaculata)-specific sequence (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) also varied between the intestinal contents of the pufferfish and toxic goby collected at different localities and periods. These results suggest that although the larvae of the toxic flatworm are likely to be responsible for the toxification of the pufferfish and toxic goby juveniles by TTX, these fish juveniles are also likely to feed on other TTX-bearing organisms depending on their habitat, and they also possess different accumulation mechanisms of TTX and 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX.
PRRSV Non-Structural Proteins Orchestrate Porcine E3 Ubiquitin Ligase RNF122 to Promote PRRSV Proliferation
Authors: Sun Ruiqi , Guo Yanyu , Li Xiaoyang , Li Ruiqiao , Shi Jingxuan , Tan Zheng , Zhang Lilin , Zhang Lei , Han Jun , Huang Jinhai
Published: February 2022

Ubiquitination plays a major role in immune regulation after viral infection. An alternatively spliced porcine E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF122 promoted PRRSV infection and upregulated in PRRSV-infected PAM cells was identified. We characterized the core promoter of RNF122, located between −550 to −470 bp upstream of the transcription start site (TSS), which displayed significant differential transcriptional activities in regulating the transcription and expression of RNF122. The transcription factor HLTF was inhibited by nsp1α and nsp7 of PRRSV, and the transcription factor E2F complex regulated by nsp9. Together, they modulated the transcription and expression of RNF122. RNF122 could mediate K63-linked ubiquitination to raise stability of PRRSV nsp4 protein and thus promote virus replication. Moreover, RNF122 also performed K27-linked and K48-linked ubiquitination of MDA5 to degrade MDA5 and inhibit IFN production, ultimately promoted virus proliferation. In this study, we illustrate a new immune escape mechanism of PRRSV that enhances self-stability and function of viral nsp4, thus, regulating RNF122 expression to antagonize IFNα/β production. The present study broadens our knowledge of PRRSV-coding protein modulating transcription, expression and modification of host protein to counteract innate immune signaling, and may provide novel insights for the development of antiviral drugs.
Polysaccharides and Their Derivatives as Potential Antiviral Molecules
Authors: Claus-Desbonnet Hadrien , Nikly Elsa , Nalbantova Vanya , Karcheva-Bahchevanska Diana , Ivanova Stanislava , Pierre Guillaume , Benbassat Niko , Katsarov Plamen , Michaud Philippe , Lukova Paolina , Delattre Cédric
Published: February 2022

In the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears that our scientific resources and the medical community are not sufficiently developed to combat rapid viral spread all over the world. A number of viruses causing epidemics have already disseminated across the world in the last few years, such as the dengue or chinkungunya virus, the Ebola virus, and other coronavirus families such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV). The outbreaks of these infectious diseases have demonstrated the difficulty of treating an epidemic before the creation of vaccine. Different antiviral drugs already exist. However, several of them cause side effects or have lost their efficiency because of virus mutations. It is essential to develop new antiviral strategies, but ones that rely on more natural compounds to decrease the secondary effects. Polysaccharides, which have come to be known in recent years for their medicinal properties, including antiviral activities, are an excellent alternative. They are essential for the metabolism of plants, microorganisms, and animals, and are directly extractible. Polysaccharides have attracted more and more attention due to their therapeutic properties, low toxicity, and availability, and seem to be attractive candidates as antiviral drugs of tomorrow.
Approaches for Detection of Hepatitis B Virus Pre-S Gene Deletions and Pre-S Deleted Proteins and Their Application in Prediction of Higher Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development and Recurrence
Authors: Lin Yueh-Te , Jeng Long-Bin , Su Ih-Jen , Teng Chiao-Fang
Published: February 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most common and lethal human cancers worldwide and is closely associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Pre-S deleted proteins are naturally occurring mutant forms of HBV large surface proteins that are expressed by HBV surface genes harboring deletion mutations over the pre-S gene segments. It has been well demonstrated that HBV pre-S deleted proteins function as important oncoproteins, which promote malignant phenotypes of hepatocytes through the activation of multiple oncogenic signaling pathways and result in HCC formation. The oncogenic signaling pathways activated by pre-S deleted proteins have been verified as potential therapeutic targets for the prevention of HCC development. Moreover, the presence of pre-S gene deletions and the expression of pre-S deleted proteins in the blood and liver tissues of HBV-infected patients have been evaluated as valuable biomarkers for predicting a higher risk of HCC development and recurrence after curative surgical resection. Therefore, the precise detection of pre-S gene deletions and pre-S deleted proteins holds great promise as regards identifying the patients at higher risk of HCC development and recurrence, thus aiding in more timely and better treatments to improve their survival. This review summarizes the major approaches used for the detection of pre-S gene deletions and pre-S deleted proteins, including the approaches based on Sanger DNA sequencing, pre-S gene chips, next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemistry staining, and it highlights their important applications in the prediction of higher risks of HCC development and recurrence.
Transkingdom Analysis of the Female Reproductive Tract Reveals Bacteriophages form Communities
Authors: Madere Ferralita S. , Sohn Michael , Winbush Angelina K. , Barr Breóna , Grier Alex , Palumbo Cal , Java James , Meiring Tracy , Williamson Anna-Lise , Bekker Linda-Gail , Adler David H. , Monaco Cynthia L.
Published: February 2022

The female reproductive tract (FRT) microbiome plays a vital role in maintaining vaginal health. Viruses are key regulators of other microbial ecosystems, but little is known about how the FRT viruses (virome), particularly bacteriophages that comprise the phageome, impact FRT health and dysbiosis. We hypothesize that bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with altered FRT phageome diversity, transkingdom interplay, and bacteriophage discriminate taxa. Here, we conducted a retrospective, longitudinal analysis of vaginal swabs collected from 54 BV-positive and 46 BV-negative South African women. Bacteriome analysis revealed samples clustered into five distinct bacterial community groups (CGs), and further, bacterial alpha diversity was significantly associated with BV. Virome analysis on a subset of baseline samples showed FRT bacteriophages clustering into novel viral state types (VSTs), a viral community clustering system based on virome composition and abundance. Distinct BV bacteriophage signatures included increased alpha diversity along with discriminant Bacillus, Burkholderia, and Escherichia bacteriophages. Bacteriophage-bacteria transkingdom associations were also identified between Bacillus and Burkholderia viruses and BV-associated bacteria, providing key insights for future studies elucidating the transkingdom interactions driving BV-associated microbiome perturbations. In this cohort, bacteriophage-bacterial associations suggest complex interactions, which may play a role in the establishment and maintenance of BV.
Vaccinia Virus Arrests and Shifts the Cell Cycle
Authors: Martin Caroline K. , Samolej Jerzy , Olson Annabel T. , Bertoli Cosetta , Wiebe Matthew S. , de Bruin Robertus A. M. , Mercer Jason
Published: February 2022

Modulation of the host cell cycle is a common strategy used by viruses to create a pro-replicative environment. To facilitate viral genome replication, vaccinia virus (VACV) has been reported to alter cell cycle regulation and trigger the host cell DNA damage response. However, the cellular factors and viral effectors that mediate these changes remain unknown. Here, we set out to investigate the effect of VACV infection on cell proliferation and host cell cycle progression. Using a subset of VACV mutants, we characterise the stage of infection required for inhibition of cell proliferation and define the viral effectors required to dysregulate the host cell cycle. Consistent with previous studies, we show that VACV inhibits and subsequently shifts the host cell cycle. We demonstrate that these two phenomena are independent of one another, with viral early genes being responsible for cell cycle inhibition, and post-replicative viral gene(s) responsible for the cell cycle shift. Extending previous findings, we show that the viral kinase F10 is required to activate the DNA damage checkpoint and that the viral B1 kinase and/or B12 pseudokinase mediate degradation of checkpoint effectors p53 and p21 during infection. We conclude that VACV modulates host cell proliferation and host cell cycle progression through temporal expression of multiple VACV effector proteins. (209/200.)
Demographic Characteristics and Status of Vaccinated Individuals with a History of COVID-19 Infection Pre- or Post-Vaccination: A Descriptive Study of a Nationally Representative Sample in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlRuthia Yazed , Al-Salloum Haya F. , Almohammed Omar A. , Alqahtani Amani S. , Al-Abdulkarim Hana A. , Alsofayan Yousef M. , Almudarra Sami S. , AlQahtani Sara H. , Almutlaq Abdullah , Alabdulkareem Khaled , Balkhi Bander , Almutairi Hamoud T. , Alanazi Abdullah S. , Asiri Yousif A.
Published: February 2022

Background: Saudi Arabia expedited the approval of some COVID-19 vaccines and launched mass vaccination campaigns. The aim of this study was to describe the demographics of vaccinated COVID-19 cases and compare the mortality rates of COVID-19 cases who were infected post-vaccination in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. We retrieved data for COVID-19 cases who were infected pre- or post-vaccination and had received at least one injection of the Oxford–AstraZeneca or Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine from 4 December 2020 to 15 October 2021. Results: The number of patients who were infected and had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine was 281,744. Approximately 45% of subjects were infected post-vaccination, and 75% of subjects had received the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. Only 0.342% of the patients who were infected post-vaccination died, and 447 patients were admitted to ICUs. Most of the patients who were infected with COVID-19 post-vaccination and were admitted to ICUs (69.84%) had received only one dose of the vaccine (p < 0.0001). The mean time to infection for patients who had received one and two doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine were 27 and 8 days longer than their counterparts who had received one and two doses of Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine, respectively. No difference in the odds of mortality between the Pfizer–BioNTech and Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccines was found (OR = 1.121, 95% CI = [0.907–1.386], p-value = 0.291). Patients who had received two doses of the vaccine had significantly lower odds of mortality compared to those who had received one dose (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Vaccines are vital in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study show no difference between the Pfizer–BioNTech and Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccines in the rate of mortality. However, the number of vaccine doses was significantly associated with a lower risk of mortality. Future studies should examine the effectiveness of different COVID-19 vaccines using real-world data and more robust designs.
Comparative Immunogenicity of COVID-19 Vaccines in a Population-Based Cohort Study with SARS-CoV-2-Infected and Uninfected Participants
Authors: Peterhoff David , Einhauser Sebastian , Beileke Stephanie , Niller Hans-Helmut , Günther Felix , Schachtner Michael , Asbach Benedikt , Steininger Philipp , Tenbusch Matthias , Peter Antonia S. , Gessner Andre , Burkhardt Ralph , Heid Iris M. , Wagner Ralf , Überla Klaus
Published: February 2022

To assess vaccine immunogenicity in non-infected and previously infected individuals in a real-world scenario, SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses were determined during follow-up 2 (April 2021) of the population-based Tirschenreuth COVID-19 cohort study comprising 3378 inhabitants of the Tirschenreuth county aged 14 years or older. Seronegative participants vaccinated once with Vaxzevria, Comirnaty, or Spikevax had median neutralizing antibody titers ranging from ID50 = 25 to 75. Individuals with two immunizations with Comirnaty or Spikevax had higher median ID50s (of 253 and 554, respectively). Regression analysis indicated that both increased age and increased time since vaccination independently decreased RBD binding and neutralizing antibody levels. Unvaccinated participants with detectable N-antibodies at baseline (June 2020) revealed a median ID50 of 72 at the April 2021 follow-up. Previously infected participants that received one dose of Vaxzevria or Comirnaty had median ID50 to 929 and 2502, respectively. Individuals with a second dose of Comirnaty given in a three-week interval after the first dose did not have higher median antibody levels than individuals with one dose. Prior infection also primed for high systemic IgA levels in response to one dose of Comirnaty that exceeded IgA levels observed after two doses of Comirnaty in previously uninfected participants. Neutralizing antibody levels targeting the spike protein of Beta and Delta variants were diminished compared to the wild type in vaccinated and infected participants.
Is Mandatory Vaccination in Population over 60 Adequate to Control the COVID-19 Pandemic in E.U.?
Authors: Rachaniotis Nikolaos P. , Dasaklis Thomas K. , Fotopoulos Filippos , Chouzouris Michalis , Sypsa Vana , Lyberaki Antigone , Tinios Platon
Published: February 2022

Vaccine hesitancy, which potentially leads to the refusal or delayed acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, is considered a key driver of the increasing death toll from the pandemic in the EU. The European Commission and several member states’ governments are either planning or have already directly or indirectly announced mandatory vaccination for individuals aged over 60, the group which has repeatedly proved to be the most vulnerable. In this paper, an assessment of this strategy’s benefits is attempted by deriving a metric for the potential gains of vaccination mandates that can be used to compare EU member states. This is completed by examining the reduction in Standard Expected Years of Life Lost (SEYLL) per person for the EU population over 60 as a function of the member states’ vaccination percentage in these ages. The publicly available data and results of the second iteration of the SHARE COVID-19 survey on the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, conducted during the summer of 2021, are used as inputs.
Reclamation of Treated Wastewater for Irrigation in Chile: Perspectives of the Current State and Challenges
Authors: Vera-Puerto Ismael , Valdés Hugo , Bueno Marcos , Correa Christian , Olave Jorge , Carrasco-Benavides Marcos , Schiappacasse Flavia , Arias Carlos A.
Published: February 2022

Reclamation of treated wastewater is considered a viable option for reducing the agricultural and national water deficit, especially in Mediterranean-type and arid climatic conditions. Given that Chile is a country around 40% of whose territory is classified as semi-arid and desert and 20% as Mediterranean, with serious water scarcity problems, and which uses a great deal of the resource in agricultural irrigation, the present paper offers perspectives on the current state of treated wastewater reuse and considers challenges to improving the development of water reclamation for irrigation in Chile as a case study. The methods followed included a systematic literature review to answer two important questions: (a) What is the state of reclamation of treated wastewater for irrigation in Chile? and (b) What criteria/parameters determine the feasibility of reclaiming treated wastewater for irrigation in Chile? The results showed that Chile has been affected by climate change in a short time: a megadrought has occurred over the last ten years, increasing the necessity for the country to secure alternative water sources for irrigation. The country has advanced greatly in wastewater treatment coverage, achieving almost 100% in urban areas, with technologies that can produce quality water as a new water source for irrigation. However, the lack of regulations and limited frameworks could explain the low direct reuse at present—below 1% of total flow. Regarding challenges, the necessity of updates to Chile’s institutional and legal frameworks, besides the inclusion of rural communities and the study of emerging contaminants, will be discussed. By these means, it will be possible to more efficiently utilize recycled wastewater as a new source for irrigation in this country.
Microbial Community Composition in Thermal Waters from the Lindian Geothermal Field (Songliao Basin, North-Eastern China)
Authors: Yang Fengtian , Li Dong , Zhou Xuejun , Zhan Tao , Ma Yongfa , Wang Xu , Dong Junling , Liu Ling , Shi Yujia , Su Yujuan
Published: February 2022

Geothermal systems represent discrete and relatively homogenous habitats for extremophiles; investigation into the microbial community is key to revealing the geochemical environment and the geochemical evolution of fluids in geothermal reservoirs. The reservoir of the Lindian geothermal field in Northeast China, is highly reducing and rich in methane, but the pathways of methane generation and the related microbial community structure are still unclear. In this research, five thermal water samples were collected and tested, and the microbial community structure and diversity were analyzed. The results show that in the sandstone reservoir belonging to the low-temperature (reservoir temperature < 90°C) brackish water (total dissolved solids concentration between 1000 and 10,000 mg/L) environment, the richness of the microbial community is relatively high. The microbial community structure is different from other geothermal systems reported but similar to that of oilfields, which may be related to the highly reducing geochemical environment with abundant organic matter. According to the analysis of archaeal function, the biogas production in the Lindian geothermal field is dominated by hydrogen nutrition type methane production, while the H2 reducing methylamine type methane production is secondary, and results of Pearson correlation show that the archaeal communities are more strongly correlated to physicochemical factors than the bacterial communities.
Assessment of Palm Jumeirah Island’s Construction Effects on the Surrounding Water Quality and Surface Temperatures during 2001–2020
Authors: Mansourmoghaddam Mohammad , Ghafarian Malamiri Hamid Reza , Rousta Iman , Olafsson Haraldur , Zhang Hao
Published: February 2022

Climate change stressors like rising and warmer seas, increased storms and droughts, and acidifying oceans are rapidly threatening coastal zones, which are the world’s most densely inhabited places. This research assesses the effects of Palm Jumeirah Island (PJI) construction on its surrounding water quality and temperature, using Landsat-7 and 8 spectral and thermal bands for the years 2001, 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2020. To aid in this goal, the changes in water spectral reflectance was observed and interpreted, based on previous research and measurements, to discover the correlation between water quality and its spectral reflectance. Then, the sea surface temperature (SST) was calculated for the years under review and changes in water temperature were evaluated. Finally, the Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI) and the Normalized Difference Turbidity Index (NDTI) were calculated to estimate water chlorophyll levels and water turbidity, respectively, and changes were observed and interpreted for the time period under review. The present study showed that the PJI construction not only increased the water reflectance in the 0.5–0.8 µm of wavelength, which can be considered to be the increase of suspended sediments and chlorophyll but the water temperature also increased by 7.5 °C during the 19 years. In addition, a gradual increase in the values of GNDVI (by 0.097–0.129) and NDTI (by 0.118~0.172) were observed. A drop in chlorophyll and suspended sediment spectral reflectance and GNDVI and NDTI values were also observed in 2020 compared to 2019 which can be attributed to the 63 to 82% decrease in tourists in Dubai in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to draw attention to environmental issues by clarifying the effect of creating artificial islands in the sea and our analysis and results are a suitable reference for specialized hydrological and environmental studies based on spectral information and distance measurements, as presented in this paper.
Development of a Risk Characterization Tool for Harmful Cyanobacteria Blooms on the Ohio River
Authors: Nietch Christopher T. , Gains-Germain Leslie , Lazorchak James , Keely Scott P. , Youngstrom Gregory , Urichich Emilee M. , Astifan Brian , DaSilva Abram , Mayfield Heather
Published: February 2022

A data-driven approach to characterizing the risk of cyanobacteria-based harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) was undertaken for the Ohio River. Twenty-five years of river discharge data were used to develop Bayesian regression models that are currently applicable to 20 sites spread-out along the entire 1579 km of the river’s length. Two site-level prediction models were developed based on the antecedent flow conditions of the two blooms that occurred on the river in 2015 and 2019: one predicts if the current year will have a bloom (the occurrence model), and another predicts bloom persistence (the persistence model). Predictors for both models were based on time-lagged average flow exceedances and a site’s characteristic residence time under low flow conditions. Model results are presented in terms of probabilities of occurrence or persistence with uncertainty. Although the occurrence of the 2019 bloom was well predicted with the modeling approach, the limited number of events constrained formal model validation. However, as a measure of performance, leave-one-out cross validation returned low misclassification rates, suggesting that future years with flow time series like the previous bloom years will be correctly predicted and characterized for persistence potential. The prediction probabilities are served in real time as a component of a risk characterization tool/web application. In addition to presenting the model’s results, the tool was designed with visualization options for studying water quality trends among eight river sites currently collecting data that could be associated with or indicative of bloom conditions. The tool is made accessible to river water quality professionals to support risk communication to stakeholders, as well as serving as a real-time water data monitoring utility.
Modelling of River Flows, Sediment and Contaminants Transport
Authors: Krishnappan Bommanna G.
Published: February 2022

Economic development projects in river basins, involving mining, forestry, agriculture and urban developments, invariably impact the aquatic ecosystems of the basin [...]
Incorporating the Filling–Spilling Feature of Depressions into Hydrologic Modeling
Authors: Zeng Lan , Shen Haoyong , Cui Yali , Chu Xuefeng , Shao Jingli
Published: February 2022

Surface depressions are one of the important impact factors of hydrologic processes and catchment responses. However, in many hydrologic models, the influence of depressions is often simulated in a lumped manner, which results in the insufficient characterization of the filling–spilling–merging–splitting dynamics of depressions and the threshold behavior of the overland flow. The objective of the research reported in this paper is to improve the simulation of depression-influenced hydrologic processes by capturing the threshold control of depressions. To achieve this objective, a Depression-oriented Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT-D) is developed. Specifically, the intrinsic changing patterns of contributing area and depression storage are first determined and further incorporated into the SWAT to simulate the filling–spilling of depressions and depression-influenced overland flow dynamics. The SWAT-D was applied to a depression-dominated watershed in the Prairie Pothole Region to evaluate its performance and capability. The simulated and observed hydrographs at the watershed outlet showed good agreement, with only a 7% deviation between the simulated and observed volumes of discharges in 2004. The NSE values for the simulated monthly average discharges during calibration and validation periods were 0.78 and 0.71, respectively, indicating the ability of the SWAT-D in reproducing the depression-influenced catchment responses. In addition, the SWAT-D was compared with other depression-oriented modeling techniques (i.e., the lumped depression approach and probability distribution models), and the comparisons emphasized the improvement of the SWAT-D and the importance of the research reported in this paper.
Experimental Study of Forces Influencing Vertical Breakwater under Extreme Waves
Authors: Hsu Hung-Chu , Chen Yang-Yih , Chen Yi-Ru , Li Meng-Syue
Published: February 2022

In order to understand the extreme wave acting on the vertical breakwater, a series of experiments were constructed in the wave tank to measure the variations of pressure on the front, rear faces, and below the caisson due to overtopping waves. The front and backward horizontal forces and the uplift forces were estimated by integrating the dynamic wave pressure distributions. The COBRAS numerical model was also used to calculate the wave loads under various overtopping waves. The measured wave pressures and wave forces were compared with the predictions of numerical results and showed good agreement. It was found that the forces acting on the backward side of the vertical structure induced by the wave overtopping should be considered. From the experimental data, new semi-empirical equations for calculating the maximum wave forces are proposed using a least squares approximation.
Comparative analysis of results of traffic modelling in simulation environments
Authors: Ivanova Yoana , Boneva Yordanka
Published: February 2022

In the paper are presented the possibilities of various simulation products for agent-based modelling of complex processes related to traffic management in urban environments. The theoretical framework contains a description of a basic algorithm for traffic management at an intersection in order to better understand the experimental part in which is explained which input parameters are key for conducting an effective simulation study for the needs of the urban transport infrastructure. The selection of simulation environments is based on specific characteristics after evaluation by a number of basic criteria. The scientific and applied contribution of the research is expressed in a comparative analysis of the generated simulation results in the relevant software products, through which the author aims to prove their reliability and applicability.
Методологічний інструментарій дослідження виконання судових рішень щодо засуджених в Україні
Authors: Васюк А. Ю.
Published: February 2022

У статті розкрито методологічний інструментарій дослідження виконання судових рішень щодо засуджених в України. Виокремлено дві його частини. Сформульовано авторське визначення методологічного інструментарію процес наукового пізнання, який відображає спосіб існування, спрямованість розвитку виконання судових рішень щодо засуджених в Україні в абстрактно-теоретичному й емпірично-практичному вимірі.
Історіографія пенітенціарії Великобританії в українській правовій думці
Authors: Шуліка В. І.
Published: February 2022

У статті розглянуто історіографію пенітенціарного права Великобританії у вітчизняній правовій думці, здійснено аналіз доробку українських дослідників пенітенціарної системи Великобританії. Проаналізовано наукові роботи в галузі кримінального та кримінально-виконавчого права Великобританії та їх роль у вдосконаленні пенітенціарної системи України. З’ясовано основні проблемні аспекти функціонування пенітенціарної системи та синтезовано перспективи подальших досліджень системи виконання покарань Великобританії для окреслення можливих шляхів реформування пенітенціарної системи України.
Громадянське суспільство та збройні сили України: правові аспекти взаємодії в умовах гібридної війни
Authors: Титаренко С. С. , Федчиняк А. О.
Published: February 2022

У науковій статті здійснено критичний авторський аналіз складної проблематики правової взаємодії між представниками громадянського суспільства та Збройних Сил України в умовах гібридної військової агресії, а також вироблено низку практично орієнтовних рекомендацій, спрямованих на вдосконалення відповідної взаємодії у формі триваючого діалогу. Розкрито історичні витоки та сучасні підходи держав НАТО до розбудови моделі цивільно-військового співробітництва. Також висвітлено положення Доктрини цивільно-військового співробітництва в Україні та норми дотичних до цієї тематики правових актів.
Subjetividades e controvérsias de Antonio Carlos Pacheco e Silva
Authors: Vieira Érica
Published: February 2022

“Trata-se de um estudo sobre a trajetória do psiquiatra e professor Antonio Carloa Pacheco e Silva entre os anos de 1898 e 1988. Apoiado em Dosse e em Ginszburg, sublinha a singularidade, as tensões e as contradições desse importante intelectual paulista. (...) Em meio aos dados sobre a vida de Pacheco e Silva, o livro apresenta a história da ciência e da assistência psiquiátrica, assim como da educação médica paulista ao longo de grande parte do século XX.” (Facchinetti. C. PPGHCS/COC/FIOCRUZ)
“Aceitei eu, como rapariga de nenhum miolos”
Authors: De Sousa Fé Barbosa Rosamaria
Published: February 2022

O presente trabalho parte da análise de duas confissões inquisitoriais realizadas pelas escravizadas Custódia Abreu e Joana Pereira de Abreu, na Capitania de São José do Piauí, em meados da década de cinquenta do século XVIII.  Nessa ocasião, elas confessam terem realizado um ritual para fins sexuais, por meio da invocação de um sujeito incógnito cuja alcunha varia entre Homem e Tundá, apesar de ser compreendido subjetivamente, do ponto de vista dos envolvidos, como demônio. Nesse interim, buscamos discutir acerca da inserção da figura feminina na escrita da História, para em seguida compreender as atuações correlatas a estas dentro do referido contexto e como eram operacionalizadas. Para este fim, levamos em conta as práticas ritualísticas como meio de uso do corpo, escoando a visão enrijecida da escravidão, na qual buscamos pensar para além da objetificação dessas sujeitas escravizadas.