bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the Healing Effect Evaluation of Campus’ Small-Scale Courtyard Based on the Method of Semantic Differential and the Perceived Restorative Scale
Authors: Cao Ying , Huang Lianghao
Published: May 2023

Many studies have proven that campus green space has healing effects, but there are few evaluation studies on the healing effects of a small-scale courtyard landscape on a high-density campus. This research comprehensively employs the method of semantic differential (SD method) and the perceived restorative scale (PRS) to construct an evaluation framework based on environmental preference and restorative evaluation in order to quantify the healing capability of small-scale campus landscapes. The findings demonstrate the following: (1) Plants close to or higher than human visual height, such as trees or shrubs, will lead to a better healing effect than lawns. An irregular layout of the plants can also bring a more beautiful aesthetic and better light than a monotonous layout, thus more strongly diverting people’s attention from pressure. (2) Users’ preferences for activity space do not depend on the scale of the activity space. (3) “Perceived quality” and “Experienced quality” represent the healing quality of the courtyard in terms of abstract feelings or atmospheres that are difficult to distinguish directly. In addition to expanding and deepening the concept of restorative space elements, this research provides some guidance for the design of healing courtyards in high-density campus environments.
The Impact of Inter-Basin Water Transfer Schemes on Hydropower Generation in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River during Extreme Drought Years
Authors: Wen Fan , Yang Mingxiang , Guan Wenhai , Cao Jixue , Zou Yibo , Liu Xuan , Wang Hejia , Dong Ningpeng
Published: May 2023

The Yangtze River Basin experiences frequent extreme heatwaves and prolonged droughts, resulting in a tight supply demand balance of electricity and negatively impacting socioeconomic production. Meanwhile, ongoing inter-basin water diversion projects are planned that will divert approximately 25.263 billion cubic meters of water from the Yangtze River Basin annually, which may further affect the power supply in the region. In this study, the CLHMS-LSTM model, a land-surface hydrological model coupled with a long short-term memory (LSTM)-based reservoir operation simulation model, is used to investigate the impact of water diversions on the power generation of the Yangtze River mainstream reservoirs under extreme drought conditions. Two different water diversion schemes are adopted in this study, namely the minimum water deficit scheme (Scheme 1) and minimum construction cost scheme (Scheme 2). The results show that the land surface–hydrological model was able to well characterize the hydrological characteristics of the Yangtze River mainstem, with a daily scale determination coefficient greater than 0.85. The LSTM reservoir operation simulation model was able to simulate the reservoir releases well, with the determination coefficient greater than 0.93. The operation of the water diversion projects will result in a reduction in the power generation of the Yangtze River mainstem by 14.97 billion kilowatt-hours. As compared to the minimum construction cost scheme (Scheme 2), the minimum water deficit scheme (Scheme 1) reduces the loss of power generation by 1.38 billion kilowatt-hours. The research results provide new ideas for the decision-making process for the inter-basin water diversion project and the formulation of water diversion plans, which has implications for ensuring the security of the power supply in the water diversion area.
Analysis of China–Angola Agricultural Cooperation and Strategies Based on SWOT Framework
Authors: Cabral Flavia Darcy Ferreira , Yin Changbin , Wague Johan Landry Tchantchou , Yin Yanshu
Published: May 2023

In the context of frequent food crises, Angola needs to improve the efficiency of agricultural production to meet the rigid domestic demand for food consumption. China has accumulated experience and technology in agricultural production over the years, it is a strategic partner for Angola, and Angola has a prominent place in the destination of Chinese investments. Therefore, agricultural cooperation between China and Angola based on mutual benefits will not only help Angola solve the problem of self-sufficiency in food but also provide a broad space for Chinese agricultural technology to “go global”, thereby providing reliable domestic food security solutions. Through the SWOT method, this study analysed Angola’s agricultural development prospects and the current situation of China and Angola’s agricultural cooperation to build a SWOT matrix and formulate reliable agricultural cooperation development strategies for promoting agricultural cooperation between China and Angola.
An Efficient Stress–Strength Reliability Estimate of the Unit Gompertz Distribution Using Ranked Set Sampling
Authors: Alsadat Najwan , Hassan Amal S. , Elgarhy Mohammed , Chesneau Christophe , Mohamed Rokaya Elmorsy
Published: May 2023

In this paper, the estimation of the stress–strength reliability is taken into account when the stress and strength variables have unit Gompertz distributions with a similar scale parameter. The consideration of the unit Gompertz distribution in this context is because of its intriguing symmetric and asymmetric properties that can accommodate various histogram proportional-type data shapes. As the main contribution, the reliability estimate is determined via seven frequentist techniques using the ranked set sampling (RSS) and simple random sampling (SRS). The proposed methods are the maximum likelihood, least squares, weighted least squares, maximum product spacing, Cramér–von Mises, Anderson–Darling, and right tail Anderson–Darling methods. We perform a simulation work to evaluate the effectiveness of the recommended RSS-based estimates by using accuracy metrics. We draw the conclusion that the reliability estimates in the maximum product spacing approach have the lowest value compared to other approaches. In addition, we note that the RSS-based estimates are superior to those obtained by a comparable SRS approach. Additional results are obtained using two genuine data sets that reflect the survival periods of head and neck cancer patients.
Kirchhoff Index and Degree Kirchhoff Index of Tetrahedrane-Derived Compounds
Authors: Zhao Duoduo , Zhao Yuanyuan , Wang Zhen , Li Xiaoxin , Zhou Kai
Published: May 2023

Tetrahedrane-derived compounds consist of n crossed quadrilaterals and possess complex three-dimensional structures with high symmetry and dense spatial arrangements. As a result, these compounds hold great potential for applications in materials science, catalytic chemistry, and other related fields. The Kirchhoff index of a graph G is defined as the sum of resistive distances between any two vertices in G. This article focuses on studying a type of tetrafunctional compound with a linear crossed square chain shape. The Kirchhoff index and degree Kirchhoff index of this compound are calculated, and a detailed analysis and discussion is conducted. The calculation formula for the Kirchhoff index is obtained based on the relationship between the Kirchhoff index and Laplace eigenvalue, and the number of spanning trees is derived for linear crossed quadrangular chains. The obtained formula is validated using Ohm’s law and Cayley’s theorem. Asymptotically, the ratio of Kirchhoff index to Wiener index approaches one-fourth. Additionally, the expression for the degree Kirchhoff index of the linear crossed quadrangular chain is obtained through the relationship between the degree Kirchhoff index and the regular Laplace eigenvalue and matrix decomposition theorem.
A Deep Learning Approach to Extracting Nuclear Matter Properties from Neutron Star Observations
Authors: Krastev Plamen G.
Published: May 2023

Understanding the equation of state of dense neutron-rich matter remains a major challenge in modern physics and astrophysics. Neutron star observations from electromagnetic and gravitational wave spectra provide critical insights into the behavior of dense neutron-rich matter. The next generation of telescopes and gravitational wave detectors will offer even more detailed neutron-star observations. Employing deep learning techniques to map neutron star mass and radius observations to the equation of state allows for its accurate and reliable determination. This work demonstrates the feasibility of using deep learning to extract the equation of state directly from observations of neutron stars, and to also obtain related nuclear matter properties such as the slope, curvature, and skewness of nuclear symmetry energy at saturation density. Most importantly, it shows that this deep learning approach is able to reconstruct realistic equations of state and deduce realistic nuclear matter properties. This highlights the potential of artificial neural networks in providing a reliable and efficient means to extract crucial information about the equation of state and related properties of dense neutron-rich matter in the era of multi-messenger astrophysics.
Comparison of CT and Dixon MR Abdominal Adipose Tissue Quantification Using a Unified Computer-Assisted Software Framework
Authors: Hsu Li-Yueh , Ali Zara , Bagheri Hadi , Huda Fahimul , Redd Bernadette A. , Jones Elizabeth C.
Published: May 2023

Purpose: Reliable and objective measures of abdominal fat distribution across imaging modalities are essential for various clinical and research scenarios, such as assessing cardiometabolic disease risk due to obesity. We aimed to compare quantitative measures of subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissues in the abdomen between computed tomography (CT) and Dixon-based magnetic resonance (MR) images using a unified computer-assisted software framework. Materials and Methods: This study included 21 subjects who underwent abdominal CT and Dixon MR imaging on the same day. For each subject, two matched axial CT and fat-only MR images at the L2-L3 and the L4-L5 intervertebral levels were selected for fat quantification. For each image, an outer and an inner abdominal wall regions as well as SAT and VAT pixel masks were automatically generated by our software. The computer-generated results were then inspected and corrected by an expert reader. Results: There were excellent agreements for both abdominal wall segmentation and adipose tissue quantification between matched CT and MR images. Pearson coefficients were 0.97 for both outer and inner region segmentation, 0.99 for SAT, and 0.97 for VAT quantification. Bland–Altman analyses indicated minimum biases in all comparisons. Conclusion: We showed that abdominal adipose tissue can be reliably quantified from both CT and Dixon MR images using a unified computer-assisted software framework. This flexible framework has a simple-to-use workflow to measure SAT and VAT from both modalities to support various clinical research applications.
Applying a Radiation Therapy Volume Analysis Pipeline to Determine the Utility of Spectroscopic MRI-Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Glioblastoma
Authors: Trivedi Anuradha G. , Kim Su Hyun , Ramesh Karthik K. , Giuffrida Alexander S. , Weinberg Brent D. , Mellon Eric A. , Kleinberg Lawrence R. , Barker Peter B. , Han Hui , Shu Hui-Kuo G. , Shim Hyunsuk , Schreibmann Eduard
Published: May 2023

Accurate radiation therapy (RT) targeting is crucial for glioblastoma treatment but may be challenging using clinical imaging alone due to the infiltrative nature of glioblastomas. Precise targeting by whole-brain spectroscopic MRI, which maps tumor metabolites including choline (Cho) and N-acetylaspartate (NAA), can quantify early treatment-induced molecular changes that other traditional modalities cannot measure. We developed a pipeline to determine how spectroscopic MRI changes during early RT are associated with patient outcomes to provide insight into the utility of adaptive RT planning. Data were obtained from a study (NCT03137888) where glioblastoma patients received high-dose RT guided by the pre-RT Cho/NAA twice normal (Cho/NAA ≥ 2x) volume, and received spectroscopic MRI scans pre- and mid-RT. Overlap statistics between pre- and mid-RT scans were used to quantify metabolic activity changes after two weeks of RT. Log-rank tests were used to quantify the relationship between imaging metrics and patient overall and progression-free survival (OS/PFS). Patients with lower Jaccard/Dice coefficients had longer PFS (p = 0.045 for both), and patients with lower Jaccard/Dice coefficients had higher OS trending towards significance (p = 0.060 for both). Cho/NAA ≥ 2x volumes changed significantly during early RT, putting healthy tissue at risk of irradiation, and warranting further study into using adaptive RT planning.
Bosonic Casimir Effect in an Aether-like Lorentz-Violating Scenario with Higher Order Derivatives
Authors: Dantas Robson A. , Mota Herondy F. Santana , Bezerra de Mello Eugênio R.
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we investigate the bosonic Casimir effect in a Lorentz-violating symmetry scenario. The theoretical model adopted consists of a real massive scalar quantum field confined in a region between two large parallel plates, having its dynamics governed by a modified Klein–Gordon equation that presents a Lorentz symmetry-breaking term. In this context, we admit that the quantum field obeys specific boundary conditions on the plates. The Lorentz-violating symmetry is implemented by the presence of an arbitrary constant space-like vector in a CPT-even aether-like approach, considering a direct coupling between this vector with the derivative of the field in higher order. The modification of the Klein–Gordon equation produces important corrections on the Casimir energy and pressure. Thus, we show that these corrections strongly depend on the order of the higher derivative term and the specific direction of the constant vector, as well as the boundary conditions considered.
Measurements of the Cross-Section for the \({{\rm t}{\bar{\rm t}}}\) Heavy-Flavor Production at the LHC
Authors: D’Hondt Jorgen , Kim Tae
Published: May 2023

At the LHC, the process of a Higgs boson decaying into bottom or charm quarks produced in association with a pair of top quarks, tt¯H, allows for an empirical exploration of the heavy-flavor quark Yukawa couplings to the Higgs boson. Accordingly, the cross-sections for the tt¯ + heavy-flavor production without the appearance of the Higgs boson have been measured at the LHC in various phase spaces using data samples collected in pp collisions at s = 7, 8 and 13 TeV with the ATLAS and CMS experiments. Flavor ratios of cross-sections of tt¯ + heavy-flavors to tt¯ + additional jets processes are also measured. In this paper, the measured cross-sections and ratios are reviewed and the prospects with more data are presented.
The Impact of the Definitions of Clinical Phases on the Profiles of Grey-Zone Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Authors: Xu Xiaoqian , Wang Hao , Shan Shan , Sun Yameng , Xu Xiaoyuan , You Hong , Jia Jidong , Zhuang Hui , Kong Yuanyuan ,   on behalf of the China Registry of Hepatitis B (CR-HepB) Group
Published: May 2023

We aim to investigate the impact of different clinical phases’ definitions of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection on the profiles of grey zone, based on HBV guidelines set by the Chinese Society of Hepatology and Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases (CSH/CSID, 2022 version) and guidelines set by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD, 2018 version). We retrospectively examined untreated CHB patients enrolled in the China Registry of Hepatitis B database. Patients’ clinical phases were determined as per CSH/CSID and AASLD. Liver fibrosis was estimated by FIB-4 and/or APRI. Among 3462 CHB patients, 56.9% and 41.7% fell into the grey zone based on AASLD and CSH/CSID. Compared with grey zone patients as per AASLD, those under CSH/CSID guidelines showed lower levels of median ALT (26.0 vs. 37.0 U/L, p < 0.001), AST (25.0 vs. 29.4 U/L, p < 0.001) and APRI (0.3 vs. 0.4, p < 0.001), and lower rates of advanced fibrosis estimated by APRI (7.9% vs. 11.4% p = 0.001), but comparable rates by FIB-4 (13.0% vs. 14.1%, p = 0.389). With the stepwise lowering of ALT upper limits of normal (ULN) values from 50/40 U/L for males/females to 40/40 U/L, 35/25 U/L and 30/19 U/L, the proportions of grey zone patients as per CSH/CSID declined from 46.7% to 41.7%, 34.3% and 28.8%, respectively, whereas they remained stable (55.7%, 56.2%, 56.9% and 57.0%) as per AASLD. Compared with the AASLD guidelines, CSH/CSID guidelines leave fewer and less severe patients in the grey zone. Lowering ALT ULN values reduces the number of grey zone patients as per CSH/CSID, but not under AASLD guidelines.
Comparison of the Immune Effects of an mRNA Vaccine and a Subunit Vaccine against Herpes Zoster Administered by Different Injection Methods
Authors: Lin Kangyang , Cao Han , Luan Ning , Wang Yunfei , Hu Jingping , Liu Cunbao
Published: May 2023

Previous studies have shown that the herpes zoster subunit vaccine Shingrix™ performs well in clinical trials. However, the key ingredient in its adjuvant, QS21, is extracted from rare plants in South America, so vaccine production is limited. Compared with subunit vaccines, mRNA vaccines have the advantages of faster production and not requiring adjuvants, but currently, there is no authorized mRNA vaccine for herpes zoster. Therefore, this study focused on herpes zoster subunit and mRNA vaccines. We prepared a herpes zoster mRNA vaccine and compared the effects of vaccine type, immunization route, and adjuvant use on vaccine immunological efficacy. The mRNA vaccine was injected directly into mice via subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The subunit vaccine was mixed with adjuvants before immunization. The adjuvants include B2Q or alum. B2Q is BW006S + 2395S + QS21. BW006S and 2395S are phosphodiester CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs). Then, we compared the cell-mediated immunity (CIM) and humoral immunity levels of the different groups of mice. The results showed that the immune responses of mice inoculated with the mRNA vaccine prepared in this study were not significantly different from those of mice inoculated with the protein subunit vaccine supplemented with the B2Q. The mRNA vaccine-induced immune responses following subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, and the different immunization routes did not lead to significant differences in immune response intensity. Similar results were also observed for the protein subunit vaccine adjuvanted with B2Q but not alum. The above results suggest that our experiment can provide a reference for the preparation of mRNA vaccines against herpes zoster and has certain reference significance for the selection of the immunization route; that is, there is no significant difference in the immune response caused by subcutaneous versus an intramuscular injection, so the injection route can be determined according to the actual situation of individuals.
Bovine Herpesvirus-4 Based Vaccine Provides Protective Immunity against Streptococcus suis Disease in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Dong Nihua , Nichols Hester , Sun Qing , Chen Xiaojun , Zheng Jiayang , Guan Zhixin , Zhang Hailong , Davison Andrew , Wezel Yvonne , Li Zongjie , Li Beibei , Liu Ke , Shao Donghua , Qiu Yafeng , Sun Jianhe , Li Xiangdong , Upton Mathew , Ma Zhiyong , Jarvis Michael A. , Wei Jianchao
Published: May 2023

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a bacterial pathogen of pigs that has a major animal health and economic impact on the pig industry. Bovine herpesvirus-4 (BoHV-4) is a new virus-based vaccine vector that has been used for the immunogenic delivery of antigens from a variety of pathogens. In the present study, two recombinant BoHV-4-based vectors were evaluated for their ability to induce immunity and protection against S. suis in a rabbit model. The GMD protein is a fusion protein consisting of multiple dominant B-cell epitopes ((B-cell dominant epitopes of GAPDH, MRP, and DLDH antigens) (BoHV-4/GMD)) and the second suilysin (SLY) (BoHV-4/SLY) from S. suis serotype 2 (SS2). Both GMD and SLY delivered by the BoHV-4 vectors were recognized by sera from SS2-infected rabbits. The vaccination of rabbits with the BoHV-4 vectors induced antibodies against SS2, as well as against additional S. suis serotypes, SS7 and SS9. However, sera from BoHV-4/GMD-vaccinated animals promoted a significant level of phagocytic activity by pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) against SS2, SS7, and SS9. In contrast, sera from rabbits immunized with BoHV-4/SLY induced PAM phagocytic activity against only SS2. In addition, BoHV-4 vaccines differed in the associated level of protection against lethal SS2 challenge, which ranged from high (71.4%) to low (12.5%) for BoHV-4/GMD and BoHV-4/SLY, respectively. These data suggest BoHV-4/GMD as a promising vaccine candidate against S. suis disease.
Vaccinia Virus Strain MVA Expressing a Prefusion-Stabilized SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein Induces Robust Protection and Prevents Brain Infection in Mouse and Hamster Models
Authors: Lorenzo María M. , Marín-López Alejandro , Chiem Kevin , Jimenez-Cabello Luis , Ullah Irfan , Utrilla-Trigo Sergio , Calvo-Pinilla Eva , Lorenzo Gema , Moreno Sandra , Ye Chengjin , Park Jun-Gyu , Matía Alejandro , Brun Alejandro , Sánchez-Puig Juana M. , Nogales Aitor , Mothes Walther , Uchil Pradeep D. , Kumar Priti , Ortego Javier , Fikrig Erol , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , Blasco Rafael
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of swift responses and the necessity of dependable technologies for vaccine development. Our team previously developed a fast cloning system for the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vaccine platform. In this study, we reported on the construction and preclinical testing of a recombinant MVA vaccine obtained using this system. We obtained recombinant MVA expressing the unmodified full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein containing the D614G amino-acid substitution (MVA-Sdg) and a version expressing a modified S protein containing amino-acid substitutions designed to stabilize the protein a in a pre-fusion conformation (MVA-Spf). S protein expressed by MVA-Sdg was found to be expressed and was correctly processed and transported to the cell surface, where it efficiently produced cell–cell fusion. Version Spf, however, was not proteolytically processed, and despite being transported to the plasma membrane, it failed to induce cell–cell fusion. We assessed both vaccine candidates in prime-boost regimens in the susceptible transgenic K18-human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (K18-hACE2) in mice and in golden Syrian hamsters. Robust immunity and protection from disease was induced with either vaccine in both animal models. Remarkably, the MVA-Spf vaccine candidate produced higher levels of antibodies, a stronger T cell response, and a higher degree of protection from challenge. In addition, the level of SARS-CoV-2 in the brain of MVA-Spf inoculated mice was decreased to undetectable levels. Those results add to our current experience and range of vaccine vectors and technologies for developing a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.
Subsequent Immunization of Pigs with African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) Seroimmunotype IV Vaccine Strain FK-32/135 and by Recombinant Plasmid DNA Containing the CD2v Derived from MK-200 ASFV Seroimmunotype III Strain Does Not Protect from Challenge with ASFV Seroimmunotype III
Authors: Sereda Alexey , Kazakova Anna , Namsrayn Sanzhi , Vlasov Mikhail , Sindryakova Irina , Kolbasov Denis
Published: May 2023

Understanding the immunological mechanisms of protection and the viral proteins involved in the induction of a protective immune response to the African swine fever virus (ASFV) is still limited. In the last years, the CD2v protein (gp110-140) of the ASFV has been proven to be a serotype-specific protein. Current work is devoted to the investigation of the possibility of creating protection against virulent ASFV strain Mozambique-78 (seroimmunotype III) in pigs previously vaccinated with vaccine strain FK-32/135 (seroimmunotype IV) and then immunized with the pUBB76A_CD2v plasmid, containing a chimeric nucleotide sequence from the CD2v protein gene (EP402R, nucleotides from 49 to 651) from the MK-200 strain (seroimmunotype III). Vaccination with the ASFV vaccine strain FK-32/135 protects pigs from the disease caused by the strain with homologous seroimmunotype—France-32 (seroimmunotype IV). Our attempt to create balanced protection against virulent strain Mozambique-78 (seroimmunotype III) by induction of both humoral factors of immunity (by vaccination with strain FK-32/135 of seroimmunotype IV) and serotype-specific cellular immunity (by immunization with the plasmid pUBB76A_CD2v of seroimmunotype III) was unsuccessful.
Perceptions and Intention to Get Vaccinated against Mpox among the LGBTIQ+ Community during the 2022 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study in Peru
Authors: Araoz-Salinas Julieta M. , Ortiz-Saavedra Brando , Ponce-Rosas Linda , Soriano-Moreno David R. , Soriano-Moreno Anderson N. , Alave Jorge , Gonzales-Zamora Jose A.
Published: May 2023

Vaccination against mpox can control the outbreak by targeting high-risk groups such as the LGBTIQ+ community. The aim of the study was to evaluate the perceptions and intentions to get vaccinated against mpox among the LGBTIQ+ community in Peru. We conducted a cross-sectional study from 1 November 2022 to 17 January 2023 in Peru. We included individuals over 18 years old, belonging to the LGBTIQ+ community, and residing in the departments of Lima and Callao. To evaluate the factors associated with the intention to be vaccinated, we used Poisson regression with robust variance to create a multivariate model. The study comprised 373 individuals who self-identified as members of the LGBTIQ+ community. The participants had a mean age of 31 years (SD ± 9), with 85.0% males and 75.3% reporting to be homosexual men. The majority (88.5%) expressed their intention to receive the vaccine against mpox. Believing that the vaccine is safe was associated with a higher intention to be vaccinated (aPR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.50; p = 0.028). Our study population showed a high level of mpox vaccination intent. Educational campaigns reinforcing the concept of vaccine safety should be conducted to increase the intention and possibly the vaccination rate in the LGBTIQ+ community.
A Third Dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Improves Immune Response in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Poli Maria Cecilia , Vial Cecilia , Rey-Jurado Emma , González Natalia , Cortés Lina Jimena , Hormazabal Juan , Ramírez-Riffo Carolina , de la Cruz Javiera , Ulloa Camilo
Published: May 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vaccination in these patients is prioritized, and monitoring of the immune response is paramount to define further vaccination strategies. This prospective study included a cohort of 100 adult CKD patients: 48 with kidney transplant (KT) and 52 on hemodialysis without prior COVID-19. The patients were assessed for humoral and cellular immune responses after four months of an anti-SARS-CoV-2 primary two-dose vaccination scheme (CoronaVac or BNT162b2) and one month after a booster third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine. We identified poor cellular and humoral immune responses in the CKD patients after a primary vaccination scheme, and these responses were improved by a booster. Robust polyfunctional CD4+ T cell responses were observed in the KT patients after a booster, and this could be attributed to a higher proportion of the patients having been vaccinated with homologous BNT162b2 schemes. However, even after the booster, the KT patients exhibited lower neutralizing antibodies, attributable to specific immunosuppressive treatments. Four patients suffered severe COVID-19 despite three-dose vaccination, and all had low polyfunctional T-cell responses, underscoring the importance of this functional subset in viral protection. In conclusion, a booster dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in CKD patients improves the impaired humoral and cellular immune responses observed after a primary vaccination scheme.
Amblyopia Treatment through Immersive Virtual Reality: A Preliminary Experience in Anisometropic Children
Authors: Molina-Martín Ainhoa , Leal-Vega Luis , de Fez Dolores , Martínez-Plaza Elena , Coco-Martín María Begoña , Piñero David P.
Published: May 2023

The use of digital devices provides a wide range of possibilities for measuring and improving visual function, including concepts such as perceptual learning and dichoptic therapy. Different technologies can be used to apply these concepts, including, in recent years, the introduction of virtual reality (VR) systems. A preliminary experience in treating anisometropic amblyopia through an immersive VR device and using prototype software is described. A total of 4 children were treated by performing 18 office-based sessions. Results showed that distance VA in amblyopic eyes remained constant in two subjects, whereas the younger subjects improved after the training. Near VA improved in three subjects. All subjects showed an increase in the stereopsis of at least one step, with three subjects showing a final stereopsis of a 60 s arc. A total of three subjects showed an increase of approximately 0.5 CS units for the spatial frequency of 3 cpd after the training. Results from this pilot study suggest that visual training based on perceptual learning through an immersive VR environment could be a viable treatment for improving CS, VA, and stereopsis in some children with anisometropic amblyopia. Future studies should support these preliminary results.
Performance Analysis of Anaerobic Digestion Coupled with Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification Process for Treating Alcohol Precipitation Wastewater of Chinese Patent Medicine
Authors: Jia Xiaofeng , Fan Hanxin , Liang Jiawei , Dai Jihua , Sun Yu , Mai Wenning
Published: May 2023

The alcohol precipitation wastewater discharged from the production of Chinese patent medicine (CPM) has an extremely high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and poor biodegradability. In this study, the biological treatment method of anaerobic digestion coupled with simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) was adopted to investigate its efficiency and to explore the mechanism of pollutant degradation in this process. The results showed that after 220 days of debugging, the coupled process operated stably. The influent COD, total nitrogen (TN), ammonium (NH4+-N), and lignin concentrations were 21,000 mg/L, 400 mg/L, 200 mg/L, and 1800 mg/L, respectively. The removal efficiencies of COD, TN, NH4+-N, and lignin were 97%, 85%, 96%, and 75%, respectively. Spectral detection technology analysis revealed that the wastewater contained alkanes, olefins, phenols, alcohols, unsaturated organics, aromatic compounds, and humic acids. After the treatment by each unit of the process, the three-dimensional fluorescence intensity decreased by 86%; the standard volume of fluorescence area integration declined by 78%; the stretching vibration band of aromatic compounds showed peak splitting; and the molecular weight parameter value in the ultraviolet region increased. These findings demonstrated that the humic acid substances in the wastewater were degraded, and the effect of removal of the macromolecular organic matter was remarkable.
Gas Release and Solution as Possible Mechanism of Oscillation Damping in Water Hammer Flow
Authors: Pezzinga Giuseppe
Published: May 2023

Water hammer flow is examined, putting into evidence that unsteady friction cannot be fully responsible for observed oscillation damping. The measured piezometric head oscillations of water hammer flow experimental tests carried out for very long time (about 70 periods) are presented and compared with the numerical results of a quasi-two-dimensional (2D) flow model. The hypothesis is made that the energy dissipation could be partially due to the process of gas release and solution. An equation for the balance of gas mass is taken into account, already successfully used to improve the comparison between numerical and experimental head oscillations for transient gaseous cavitation. The models are based on a particular implementation of the method of characteristics (MOC-Z). The calibration of the empirical parameters of the models is carried out with a micro-genetic algorithm (micro-GA). The better performance of the proposed model is quantified with comparison of the mean absolute errors for three experimental tests at different Reynolds numbers, ranging from 5300 to 15,400. The corresponding ratios between the mean absolute errors of the models with and without gas release range between 47.3% and 17.7%. It is also shown that different turbulence models give very similar results. The results have some relevance in water hammer research, because sometimes dissipation that is not due to unsteady friction is attributed to it. However, the hypothesized mechanism has to be deepened and validated with further studies.
The Surface-to-Atmosphere GHG Fluxes in Rewetted and Permanently Flooded Former Peat Extraction Areas Compared to Pristine Peatland in Hemiboreal Latvia
Authors: Bārdule Arta , Butlers Aldis , Spalva Gints , Ivanovs Jānis , Meļņiks Raitis Normunds , Līcīte Ieva , Lazdiņš Andis
Published: May 2023

When it comes to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, the role of water tables in former peat extraction areas has received considerable interest in recent decades. This study analysed the carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) surface-to-atmosphere fluxes from a rewetted and permanently flooded former peat extraction areas in comparison to pristine peatland in hemiboreal Latvia. Measurements of GHG fluxes combined gas sampling using a closed-chamber (opaque) method with the gas chromatography detection method. Among the studied land-use types, the highest annualised CO2 fluxes (soil heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration) were recorded in rewetted former peat extraction areas with restored vegetation and in undisturbed peatland (4.10 ± 0.21 and 3.45 ± 0.21 t CO2-C ha−1 yr−1, respectively), with the lowest in flooded former peat extraction areas (0.55 ± 0.05 t CO2-C ha−1 yr−1); temperature and groundwater level were found to be significant influencing factors. The highest annualised CH4 fluxes were recorded in undisturbed peatland (562.4 ± 155.8 kg CH4-C ha−1 yr−1), followed by about two-fold and ~20-fold smaller CH4 fluxes in flooded and rewetted areas, respectively. N2O fluxes were negligible in all the studied land-use types, with the highest N2O fluxes in undisturbed peatland (0.66 ± 0.41 kg N2O-N ha−1 yr−1).
Flood-Triggering Rainfall and Potential Losses—The Copula-Based Approach on the Example of the Upper Nysa Kłodzka River
Authors: Perz Adam , Wrzesiński Dariusz , Budner Waldemar W. , Sobkowiak Leszek
Published: May 2023

Floods are natural phenomena, inextricably related to river regimes, which can threaten human health and life, the environment, cultural heritage, economic activity and infrastructure. The aim of the research is to assess the connection between rainfall and river flood risk. The proposed methodology is presented on the example of the upper Nysa Kłodzka River (NKR) catchment and Kłodzko town located on NKR, which are two of the most flood-prone areas in the Odra River basin. The methodology is based on the well-established methods of potential flood losses (PFL) estimation and the copula-based model, allowing an assessment of connections between rainfall and flood losses in a probabilistic way. The results are presented using the ‘synchronicity’ measure. Seventeen significant summer (rainfall-driven) flood waves were selected, for which PFL were estimated and cumulative rainfall was calculated for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h preceding the flood peak. It was found that the synchronicity of PFL and the 24 h rainfall was the lowest among the analyzed variants, while for the 48 to 120 h rainfall the highest synchronicity was identified at precipitation gauge Podzamek.
When Climate Change and Overexploitation Meet in Volcanic Lakes: The Lesson from Lake Bracciano, Rome’s Strategic Reservoir
Authors: Ventura Matteo , Careddu Giulio , Calizza Edoardo , Sporta Caputi Simona , Argenti Emmanuelle , Rossi David , Rossi Loreto , Costantini Maria Letizia
Published: May 2023

Lakes worldwide have been strongly affected by several types of human-caused alteration, including changes in water level. This also affects deep lakes, including volcanic ones. Volcanic lakes in the Mediterranean area are of great importance for the local economy, but local human activities can threaten their rich biodiversity. As a European biodiversity hotspot and habitat of endemic species, the volcanic Lake Bracciano (Central Italy) is an ecosystem of primary conservation interest threatened by sharply falling water levels, particularly since 2017. It also plays a key role in human wellbeing by providing important ecosystem services including drinking water, fisheries and various recreational opportunities. Although the lake has historically been considered to enjoy good ecological status, various environmental problems, often amplified by water level changes, have arisen during the last two decades. Given this recent rapid evolution, the lake can be considered an example of a valuable ecosystem at risk as a result of increasing anthropogenic pressures. The aim of this review is to examine the changes that have affected the lake in the last 20 years, considerably reducing its capacity to provide ecosystem services, and to review existing and potential threats in order to better inform the management of such resources.
Les récits d’Achéménide et de Macarée dans le livre XIV des Métamorphoses d’Ovide
Authors: Deremetz Alain
Published: May 2023

The stories told by Achaemenides and Macareus, in the fourteenth book of Ovid’s

Metamorphoses, through an intertextual dialogue with two episodes of the virgilian opus, perfectly illustrate the specific place that Ovid claims to occupy in the development of a new conception of epics. This conception is at the same time breaking up and negotiating with what Ovid considers to be the «traditional » conception of epics illustrated by Virgil in his Aeneid. In his Metamorphoses, as well as elsewhere in his works, and often where one is not expecting it, the text is exposing what it is as much as what it says.
L’art de la parole : pratique et pouvoir du discours. Lucrèce et la voix de la Nature
Authors: Luciani Sabine
Published: May 2023

The aim of the following article is to study the relation between Rhetoric, Poetics, and

Philosophy in Lucretius De rerum natura. Seeking to convert his Roman reader to

Epicureanism, the poet implements propagandistic strategies, which provide an important role to Poetry and Rhetoric, although Epicurus had harshly criticized them. This lucretian didactic method based on dialogue is then explained and analyzed through the study of the Nature’s speech in book III.
La philosophie comme thérapie, transformation de soi et style de vie chez Sénèque
Authors: Setaioli Aldo
Published: May 2023

The first goal of Seneca’s philosophy is the therapy of the soul - in other words, the

moral progress of the reader as well as the writer himself. This is a process entailing several stages. The philosophical therapist will first address the emotions of the reader still far removed from wisdom and reason ; he will then encourage ascetical ‘‘ exercises ’’, and will finally be able to appeal to reason. An important role in this spiritual progress is also played by reading.
Christianisme et philosophie dans le De pallio. Notes cursives sur deux thèmes majeurs du traité : la foi comme melior philosophia ; nature, coutume et changement
Authors: Mattei Paul
Published: May 2023

On the two major themes mentioned in the title of the article, a comparison respectively with the De anima and the De uirginibus uelandis (with the De corona as well). These thematic parallels invite to postulate between the De pallio and these treaties a chronological proximity : what comes in support of the dating defended by the editor of the booklet in the collection «Sources Chrétiennes » , Mrs. Marie Turcan.
La securitas chez Sénèque : nuances lexicales et innovations conceptuelles
Authors: Hasic Anida
Published: May 2023

The contribution is to show how securitas in Seneca, differently from tranquillitas,

is configured as an original moral concept. It actually expresses a modified ethical value when compared to the Hellenistic concepts of α ταραξι ´ α, α πα ´ θεια and ευ θυμι ´ α, but, to date, such issue has often been treated by scholars in a very expedite or arbitrary way with inconsistent results as an outcome. This originality seems to be the result of a personal development, which is due not only to changes in the political and cultural context but also to the transition in the Latin language. Hence securitas appears as a concept expressed in a variety of internal articulations and which is also reflected in ethical practices that involve both the relationships with oneself and others.
Pompée, les Italiens et le Sénat (de 62 à 49 av. J.-C.)
Authors: Horvais Charles-Alban
Published: May 2023

This paper attempts to show that Pompey, in order to face the opposition of many senators after his return fromthe East in 62 B. C., decided to encourage the incorporation of members of the Italian elite in the Roman Senate. Those senators, who do not belong to the roman aristocracy, allowed Pompey to obtain a durable support at the Curia during the last decade before the Civil Wars.
Production and Marketing Process of Coir Industry: A Case Study of Alappuzha District
Authors: Nair Karthika S , Samuel Liji
Published: May 2023

Coir has the honorable distinction of being such an excellent decorative item in the homes of the wealthy and a helpful article in the huts of the underprivileged. As a result, it meets the needs of all social classes. These small-scale businesses can create various coir goods using the heavy-duty handlooms they have set up in their facilities. These small-scale coir units are only present in Ambalapuzha and Cherthala, two taluks in the Alappuzha district. The coir industry may be proud of its long history and tradition. India’s coir business originated in the ancient town of Alappuzha, which is located in the state of Kerala. Even if the study area’s industry has challenges and issues in several of its functional areas, some favorable characteristics suggest that it has room for future expansion. It has inherent advantages because of existing problems and prospects related to the Sector. Based on this, the study adopts functional theories to present the coir industry’s state-of-the-art in the Alappuzha district.
Microplastic Occurrence in Mugil Cephalus
Authors: TERZİ Yahya
Published: May 2023

Microplastic (MP) ingestion by fish can not only impact the environment but also human health. This study determines the abundance and composition (polymer, shape, size) of MPs ingested by gray mullet (Mugil cephalus). A total of 30 specimens were purchased from local fish market collected from Lake Cernek located in Kızılırmak Delta, Türkiye by local fishermen. The digestive tracts of the fish were removed and digested with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to extract microplastics. The share of the contaminated fish with microplastics was 90%. The average microplastic abundance by individual and weight were 2.87±0.27 MP/ind and 0.014±0.001 MP/g respectively. The length, weight, and condition factor of the fish did not correlate with MP abundance (Spearman’s correlation, p > 0.05). Four different polymer types were determined in the digestive tract of the specimens. The composition of polymers consisted of 44.58% polyethylene terephthalate (PET), 34.94% polypropylene (PP), 10.84% polyethylene (PE), and 9.64% polyamide (PA). The determined shapes were fiber (67.47%), fragment (20.48%), and film (12.05%). The size range of MP particles was ranged between 132 μm to 4850 μm, and the average was 1522.45±131.22 μm.
The Austrian School and Mathematics: Reconsidering Methods in Light of Complexity Economics
Authors: Moreno-Casas Vicente
Published: May 2023

This article reconsiders the Austrian school’s historical position regarding the role of mathematics in economics in light of complexity economics’ approach to this issue. It first shows the three typical objections to the traditional use of mathematics raised by Austrian economics. Secondly, it presents complexity economics’ critique of algebraic mathematics, which is employed in mainstream economics, and its proposal for using algorithmic mathematics and computation. Then, it analyzes the similarities between the Austrian and complexity economics positions and considers whether the alternative algorithmic method that complexity economics advocates is compatible with and valuable for Austrian economics. The article concludes that Austrian economics can use algorithmic mathematics to elaborate economic theory without contradicting its own methodology and that algorithmic models and simulations can in fact enlarge Austrian theories on the working and emergence of the market process.
Publication Activity in Austrian Journals, 2011–20
Authors: Mulligan Robert
Published: May 2023

Counts of publications in the academic journals of the Austrian school of economics are used to rank scholars and institutions by research productivity in Austrian economics over the preceding decade. The journals surveyed are, alphabetically, Advances in Austrian Economics, Cosmos + Taxis, the Journal des économistes et des études humaines, the Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics, and the Review of Austrian Economics. Ranking methodology follows the established mainstream literature but focuses on publications in journals that specialize in the Austrian school. An appraisal of the Austrian school’s progress over the past decade is provided, and implications for the future are suggested.
Externalities and the State
Authors: Batemarco Robert
Published: May 2023

Murray Rothbard and Ludwig von Mises argued that cases of negative externalities all turn out to be instances of failure of government to enforce individual property rights adequately. This article goes beyond Rothbard and Mises in claiming that failure to enforce property rights is far from the only way in which government gives rise to externalities. Indeed, rather than externalities requiring government intervention to remedy the problems they cause, this article argues that most actions of the government actually cause externalities. Looking at externalities in this way leads to the logical conclusion that government interventions are the main obstacle to markets’ attaining maximum social utility. The line of reasoning leading to this conclusion is as follows: (1) government failures lead to externalities; (2) externalities lead to market failures; ergo (3) government failures lead to market failures. Specific government actions whose externality-generating effects are analyzed include taxes, subsidies, price controls, government spending, monetary policy, prohibitions, and income redistribution.