bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organic Wastes Augment the Eco-Restoration Potential of Bamboo Species on Fly Ash-Degraded Land: A Field Study
Authors: Sawarkar Riya , Shakeel Adnan , Kokate Piyush A. , Singh Lal
Published: January 2023

Rapid industrialization has been a major cause of land degradation and other environmental problems globally. Most energy inputs in industries depend on coal-burning power stations which release various pollutants into the environment. Among these pollutants, fly ash is a concerning pollutant for soil quality, as it occupies a voluminous area of land in India and renders it unproductive. Therefore, this work attempts to evaluate the organic amendment-facilitated bioremediation/phytoremediation of fly ash-degraded land through bamboo plantations under field conditions. Three species of bamboo, Bambusa balcooa, B. tulda, and B. bambos, were planted on fly ash dumpsite soil amended with a combined dose of pressmud and farmyard manure. Results demonstrate that after two years of plantation, all the physicochemical attributes of the degraded land were improved considerably compared to the initial observations. Although all the bamboo species exhibited promising phytoremediation potential, variations were observed in their phytoremediation mechanisms: B. balcooa was the most ideal phytostabilizer species for Cu, Zn, and Ni. B. bambos was found as an ideal phytostabilizer of Pb and Zn while B. tulda was found as a phytoextractor of Cr and Zn. Additionally, all the bamboo species sequestrated atmospheric CO2 considerably, resulting in overall environmental restoration of the degraded area; B. balcooa was the most ideal species. Moreover, B. balcooa exhibited the highest air pollution tolerance index compared to other species. This study, therefore, recommends that a comprehensive analysis of organic matter-mediated phytoremediation would assist environmental managers to formulate sustainable eco-restoration strategies, ensuring a sustainable solution to land degradation.
Fostering Youth Entrepreneurship Development through Social Business—Evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Ferdousi Farhana , Mahmud Parveen , Mahmud Kazi Tanvir
Published: January 2023

A social business fund is a novel financial instrument that can assist micro-entrepreneurs. Extensive research has been conducted on the effects of microcredit on the income, expenses, health, and living standards of entrepreneurs. In this study, we expand on previous research by analyzing a novel financial instrument called social business funds. Specifically, this study investigated the impact of social business funds on micro-entrepreneurs’ income. Primary data were collected from the young micro-entrepreneurs. The Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique was used to assess the impact of social business funds on the livelihood of entrepreneurs in terms of income and expenditure. Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) was also used to assess the opinion of the micro-entrepreneurs on the increase in their entrepreneurial income. The results showed that the social business fund significantly impacted entrepreneurs’ incomes. Along with funds, some entrepreneurial training and support services were recommended. Government and non-government organizations are advised to take appropriate policy initiatives.
Analysis of the Evolution of Mangrove Landscape Patterns and Their Drivers in Hainan Island from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Li Yi , Wen Hui , Wang Fengxia
Published: January 2023

The ecological services provided by mangroves are of great value and significance in regard of the achievement of the major strategic goals of carbon neutrality and the carbon peak. Here, we first evaluated the uses of five machine learning methods combined with Sentinal-2A data band features to identify and extract mangrove forests in Dongzhai Harbor, northeast Hainan Province, China. Then, the XGBoost algorithm with the highest accuracy was selected to identify and extract information on mangrove forests on Hainan Island, focusing on five periods from 2000 to 2020. The landscape pattern index, dynamic attitude model, and mathematical statistics were integrated to analyze trends over this 20-year period. The results revealed the following: (1) The total mangrove landscape area of Hainan Island between 2000 and 2020 showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. In the past 20 years, the mangrove area has increased by 1315.75 ha, with an annual change rate of 65.79 ha/a. (2) From 2000 to 2020, the mangroves in Hainan Island were characterized by increased fragmentation, increased heterogeneity, decreased connectivity, and increased richness, while proportion of each landscape type tends to be equilibrated. (3) Natural factors such as the annual average temperature in the study area were the main factors driving the large-scale reduction in mangroves and the deepening of landscape fragmentation, followed by human factors, and the impact of macro-policies cannot be ignored. The results of this study can provide a significant reference for future remote sensing data extraction from mangrove forests and their ecological protection and restoration on Hainan Island.
Review on Urban Flood Risk Assessment
Authors: Li Cailin , Sun Na , Lu Yihui , Guo Baoyun , Wang Yue , Sun Xiaokai , Yao Yukai
Published: January 2023

Under the background of rapid urban development and continuous climate change, frequent floods around the world have caused serious economic losses and social problems, which has become the main reason for the sustainable development of cities. Flood disaster risk assessment is an important non-engineering measure in urban disaster prevention and mitigation, and scientific flood disaster risk assessment is the premise and foundation of flood disaster risk management. This paper summarizes the current situation of flood risk assessment by analyzing the international literature in recent 20 years. The mechanism of flood disaster is mainly discussed. The flood disaster assessment methods are summarized, including historical disaster statistics method, multi-criteria index system method, remote sensing and GIS (Geographic Information System) coupling method, scenario simulation evaluation method and machine learning method. Furthermore, the development status of flood risk analysis and forecasting is summarized. Finally, the development trend and direction of flood risk assessment are put forward.
The Significance of Governance Indicators to Achieve Carbon Neutrality: A New Insight of Life Expectancy
Authors: Aziz Ghazala , Waheed Rida , Sarwar Suleman , Khan Mohd Saeed
Published: January 2023

This paper investigates the impact of life expectancy on carbon emission, in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, we examined the role of governance to achieve carbon neutrality status. We used the novel dynamic ARDL technique for estimations. This is one of the pioneer studies that analyze the role of life expectancy to control carbon emissions. The coefficients of life expectancy, education, and political stability are significantly negative. On contrary, governance effectiveness is an obstacle to achieving carbon neutrality. Empirical findings of life expectancy and governance effectiveness are quite surprising. In terms of Vision 2030 estimations, the coefficient of corruption control is significant and negative, indicating that the Saudi government has prioritized corruption control. While governance effectiveness remains positive, the Saudi government still requires governance reforms in order to achieve carbon neutrality goals.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Reputation Management of High-Tech Dentistry in Romania
Authors: Țap Mădălin Dorel , Radu Anamaria-Cătălina , Stanciu (Neculau) Cristina , Răducu Raluca , Răpan Ivona
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the activities carried out in several fields, including dentistry, to a high extent. The purpose of this paper is to determine the respondents’ perception of the image of dental practices in Romania following the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to fulfil the purpose of the research, a quantitative study was carried out, including data collection with the help of a questionnaire to 306 respondents. A multiple linear regression model was used in order to determine the type and intensity of existing links between the variables. The results illustrated that 50.8% of the variation in the dependent variable (respondents’ perception of the image of dental practices) is explained by the independent variables. The results obtained in this research are very important, both for the dentists who work in private clinics and for the managers who work inside them. They will therefore be aware of the main factors that must be emphasized if they want to improve the image of the medical practice or to increase the number of patients they have.
Evolutionary Path and Sustainable Optimization of an Innovation Ecosystem for a High-Tech Enterprise Based on Empirical Evidence from Hubei Province
Authors: Liu Aijun , Cai Lu , Chen Fan
Published: January 2023

This study focuses on the evolutionary path and sustainable optimization of an innovation ecosystem for a high-tech enterprise. To analyze the formation and structure of such an ecosystem, this study applies the Lotka–Volterra model to argue that cooperative symbiosis is an effective path for system evolution. It establishes a system dynamics model to analyze the system feedback mechanism and takes the development of an innovation ecosystem for a high-tech enterprise in Hubei Province as an example to discuss the dynamic factors that affect the system’s evolution and to design the sustainable optimization path of the system. The empirical results show that the system’s innovation input can only promote the positive effects of system evolution to a certain extent, and that regulatory elements such as policies and infrastructure can impact governance effectiveness and promote system optimization and sustainable development.
Optimal Design of Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Station’s Structure Using Metaheuristic Algorithms
Authors: Antarasee Phiraphat , Premrudeepreechacharn Suttichai , Siritaratiwat Apirat , Khunkitti Sirote
Published: January 2023

The fast development of electric vehicles (EVs) has resulted in several topics of research in this area, such as the development of a charging pricing strategy, charging control, location of the charging station, and the structure within the charging station. This paper proposes the optimal design of the structure of an EV fast-charging station (EVFCS) connected with a renewable energy source and battery energy storage systems (BESS) by using metaheuristic algorithms. The optimal design of this structure aims to find the number and power of chargers. Moreover, the renewable energy source and BESS can reduce the impact on the grid, so these energy sources are considered as ones of the optimally-designed structure of EVFCS in this work. Thus, it is necessary to determine the optimal sizing of the renewable energy source, BESS, and the grid power connected to EVFCS. This optimal structure can improve the profitability of the station. To solve the optimization problem, three metaheuristic algorithms, including particle swarm optimization (PSO), Salp swarm algorithm (SSA), and arithmetic optimization algorithm (AOA), are adopted. These algorithms aim to find the optimal structure which maximizes the profit of the EVFCS determined by its net present value (NPV), and the results obtained from these algorithms were compared. The results demonstrate that all considered algorithms could find the feasible solutions of the optimal design of the EVFCS structure where PSO provided the best NPV, followed by AOA and SSA.
Multi-Criteria Analysis and Decision-Making Approach for the Urban Regeneration: The Application to the Rimini Canal Port (Italy)
Authors: Pazzini Margherita , Corticelli Rachele , Lantieri Claudio , Mazzoli Cecilia
Published: January 2023

In recent decades, urban settlements have been greatly affected by globalisation, climate change, and economic uncertainty. When designing cities, these factors should be taken into account and adapted to the different contexts involved. The redevelopment of degraded urban areas is the first step toward achieving the sustainability aims set out in the Sustainable Development Goals. In this context, evaluation methods are required in the decision-making process, considering different social, economic, and environmental aspects to define the correct policies and actions for city redevelopment. In this paper, an evaluation methodology is proposed in order to obtain a priority scale of interventions for urban regeneration. Starting from on-site inspections to better know the current scenario, a set of indicators is established to evaluate the urban quality. Criticalities and potentials emerge through SWOT analysis and, with the ANP-BOCR method, the priority scale of the identified scenarios is defined. This decision-making approach was applied to the case study of the Rimini Canal Port, in the northeast of Italy, which is a degraded area of the city. This methodology is a tool that can be used in the future by decision makers (DMs) for the redevelopment of small port areas within similar urban contexts.
Foraging Behaviour and Population Dynamics of Asian Weaver Ants: Assessing Its Potential as Biological Control Agent of the Invasive Bagworms Metisa plana (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) in Oil Palm Plantations
Authors: Exélis Moïse Pierre , Ramli Rosli , Ibrahim Rabha W. , Idris Azarae Hj
Published: January 2023

The bagworm (Metisa plana) is a recurrent indigenous invasive defoliator in oil palm plantations. Moderate foliar injury can cost up to 40% yield loss and more for years. The main objective of this review is to disseminate published research demonstrating the versatile services that would benefit farmers by adopting the Asian weaver ant into their pest management agenda. Oecophylla smaragdina is a natural indigenous enemy applied as a successful biological control agent (BCA) and strong component of integrated pest management (IPM) against important damaging pest infestations of commercial crops in the Asia-Pacific region. Farmers facing invasion could benefit by introducing Oecophylla ants as a treatment. The foraging behavior and population dynamics of this species are poorly documented, and hence need further evaluation. Ants of the Oecophylla genus, while exhibiting an intrinsic obligate arboreal pattern, demonstrate additional lengthy diurnal ground activity. The absolute territorial characteristic via continuous surveillance is significantly valuable to maintain pest balance. The exploratory scheme of major workers over large territories is derived from their inner predation instinct. The insufficient understanding of the population dynamics of this weaver ant species diverges from the knowledge of underground species. However, population density estimations of weaver ants by direct nest visual recordings are practicable and viable. The abundance assessment of individual underground ant species colonies by excavation ends with their extinction, which is not a sustainable model for O. smaragdina. Mathematical model estimation by simulation could not resolve this issue, adding inaccuracy to the deficiency of experimental proof. Thus, long-term monitoring of the population dynamics in real time in the field is compulsory to obtain a valid dataset. Oecophylla colonies, with the criteria of population stability, individual profusion, and permanent daily patrol services, are eligible as a BCA and alternative IPM treatment. The last decades have witnessed the closing of the scientific applied research gap between Asian and African species in favor of O. longinoda with comprehensive novel findings. By introducing Oecophylla ants, two main goals are reached: easing the burden of management costs for injurious insects and ending the practice of applying highly toxic pesticides that are harmful to non-target taxa, thus promoting environmental restoration.
Agricultural Carbon Emissions Embodied in China’s Foreign Trade and Its Driving Factors
Authors: Song Rui , Liu Jing , Niu Kunyu
Published: January 2023

Since the development of global trade, the involvement of agriculture in globalization has been increasing. Globalization and trade have led to the separation of production and consumption, triggering a worldwide relocation of agricultural carbon emissions (ACE). By linking a global ACE database to a global multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model, this paper calculates the ACE embodied in China’s foreign trade. Moreover, by using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition method, it analyzes the impacts of embodied ACE intensity, trade scale, industrial structure, economic development and consumption levels, and population on China’s ACE. We found that the impact of globalization on China’s ACE is gradually increasing. China has shifted from a net ACE exporter (the net export volume in 1961 was 13.52 million tons) to a net ACE importer (the net import volume in 2016 was 40.35 million tons). By investigating the underlying mechanisms, we found that the dominant factor was the inhibitory effect of the decline in the embodied ACE intensity of China, contributing 73% to the increase in net import volume, followed by the expansion of trade and the decline in the proportion of agricultural output value in GDP, with contribution rates of 17 and 10%, respectively.
The Impact and Internal Mechanism of Environmental Decentralization on Green Total Factor Production
Authors: Luo Bin , Liu Zhenhai , Mai Sichao
Published: January 2023

Since the emergence of environmental federalism theory in the 1960s, the empirical research on it has been pursued by scholars, mainly focusing on whether a country’s environmental regulation should be centralized or decentralized. For a long time, countries have been actively exploring and putting environmental governance systems into practice for themselves, especially at present, in the face of multiple constraints of resources, environment, sustainable development power and other factors. How to build an appropriate environmental governance system and promote the level of green development by encouraging enterprises’ technological innovation is a practical problem to be solved urgently. Based on this, this paper constructs a new research framework of environmental decentralization—technological innovation—green total factor productivity (GTFP) and investigates the effect and mechanism of environmental decentralization on GTFP. The results show that environmental decentralization can reduce the quality of environmental information disclosure and inhibit the innovative output of enterprises, ultimately leading to the decrease of GTFP. Environmental decentralization has a spatial spillover effect on GTFP, which can promote GTFP in neighboring areas. This paper tries to enrich the research results of traditional environmental federalism theory, the “Porter Hypothesis”, and growth pole theory, and it provides a solution to enterprises’ financing constraint problem.
A Review of Supervisor–Subordinate Guanxi: Current Trends and Future Research
Authors: Ma Zejun , Khan Hira Salah ud din , Chughtai Muhammad Salman , Li Mingxing , Ge Bailin , Qadri Syed Usman
Published: January 2023

Supervisor–subordinate guanxi is an emerging research area in assessing the link between superior and subordinate inside an organization, and due to its significance in the Chinese setting, this topic has become widely attractive. Yet, because this concept still needs attention to understand the dynamics of guanxi, more research on the content, antecedents and other expert opinions of supervisor–subordinate guanxi is required. In light of the literature review, this study will make a commentary on the findings of both domestic and international research on supervisor–subordinate guanxi from the perspective of the following three aspects: supervisor–subordinate guanxi’s content, its antecedents, functions, and its findings. Finally, it will highlight the dearth of recent research and suggest future directions for supervisor–subordinate guanxi research.
Vitreous Foam with Thermal Insulating Property Produced with the Addition of Waste Glass Powder and Rice Husk Ash
Authors: Fernandes Fernando Antonio da Silva , Costa Dayriane do Socorro de Oliveira , Martin Camilo Andrés Guerrero , Rossignolo João Adriano
Published: January 2023

Closed pore glass foams with dimensions of 60mm × 20 mm × 20 mm were produced using agro-industrial residues. Samples containing sodo-calcic glass powder (78%wt) and rice husk ash (16%wt) were characterized, and their technological properties were investigated. The samples were synthesized in a conventional muffle furnace at 750–800–850 °C. The results presented for apparent density (0.24–0.29 g/cm3), compressive strength (1.5–2.3 MPa) and thermal conductivity (0.021–0.025 W/mK) meet the standards for commercial foam glasses. Low viscosity was achieved at all temperatures as a result of the addition of rice husk ash to the cell structure. X-ray fluorescence showed that the glass was silico-sodo-calcic type (SiO2, Na2O and CaO), and that the rice husk ash was rich in SiO2 (as well as CaO, Na2O, Al2O3, K2O and Fe2O3). The mechanical strength and low thermal conduction of the material showed a good efficiency for use in civil construction as a thermal insulating material. Material made in this way has a lower production cost, and additionally transforms waste into co-products, generating added value, favoring consecutive circulation, as well as a clean and circular economy.
Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of the Five Kinds of Models in Landslide Susceptibility Map for Factor Screening: A Case Study at Zigui-Badong in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China
Authors: Yu Xianyu , Xiong Tingting , Jiang Weiwei , Zhou Jianguo
Published: January 2023

Landslides are geological disasters affected by a variety of factors that have the characteristics of a strong destructive nature and rapid development and cause major harm to the safety of people’s lives and property within the scope of the disaster. Excessive landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) factors can reduce the accuracy of LSM results and are not conducive to researchers finding the key LSM factors. In this study, with the Three Gorges Reservoir area to the Padang section as an example, the frequency ratio (FR), index of entropy (IOE), Relief-F algorithm, and weights-of-evidence (WOE) Bayesian model were used to sort and screen the importance of 20 LSM factors; then, the LSMs generated based on different factor sets modeled are evaluated and further scored. The results showed that the IOE screening factor was better than the FR, Relief-F, and WOE Bayesian models in the case of retaining no fewer than eight factors; the score for 20 factors without screening was 45 points, and the score for 12 factors screened based on the IOE was 44.8 points, indicating that there was an optimal retention number that had little effect on the LSM results when IOE screening was used. The core factor set obtained by the method for comparing the increase in scores and the increase in corresponding factors effectively improved the accuracy of the LSM results, thus verifying the effectiveness of the proposed method for ranking the importance of LSM factors. The method proposed in this study can effectively screen the key LSM factors and improve the accuracy and scientific soundness of LSM results.
How Disclosure Types of Sustainability Performance Impact Consumers’ Relationship Quality and Firm Reputation
Authors: Winit Warat , Ekasingh Erboon , Sampet Jomjai
Published: January 2023

Given that firms attempt to gain competitive advantages from corporate sustainability schemes, we employed an experiment to examine different types of sustainable performance disclosure—output, outcome and impact—that best promote the quality of relationships with consumers, relationships with the firm around satisfaction and trust, and perceived reputation. Derived from a student sample of 254 respondents from a business school in Thailand, the findings indicate that, among different levels of sustainability performance disclosure, consumers are more likely to perceive the satisfaction, trust, and reputation of the firm as higher if the firm demonstrates the impact (rather than output or outcome) of sustainable performance. Results are consistent across observed product and service categories. Implications of findings and directions for future studies are also discussed.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Freeway Driving Risks Based on Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Xie Lian , Zhang Jiaxin , Cheng Rui
Published: January 2023

The quantitative evaluation of driving risk is a crucial prerequisite for intelligent vehicle accident warning, and it is necessary to predict it comprehensively and accurately. Therefore, a simulated driving experiment was conducted with 16 experimental scenarios designed through an orthogonal design, and 44 subjects were recruited to explore the driving risks in different situations. A two-layer fuzzy integrated evaluation model was constructed, which considered the workload as an important element for balancing driving risk and driving behavior. Workload and road environment indicators were taken as the underlying input variables. The results show that the comprehensive evaluation model is well-suited to identify the risks of each scenario. The effectiveness of the proposed method is further confirmed by comparing the results with those of the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) model. The proposed method could be used for real-time vehicle safety warning and provide a reference for accident prevention.
Dynamical Processes in Heterogeneous and Discrete Media
Authors: Andrianov Igor V.
Published: January 2023

There is no need to talk about the wide spreading of dynamic processes in nature, or about the infrastructure created by man [...]
Editorial of Papers Published in 2020–2021 in the Mathematics and Symmetry/Asymmetry Section
Authors: Torrisi Mariano
Published: January 2023

This editorial is a short review of papers accepted in the Mathematics and Symmetry/Asymmetry section in 2020–2021 about the symmetry methods [...]
Investigation of the Time-Fractional Generalized Burgers–Fisher Equation via Novel Techniques
Authors: Alotaibi Badriah M. , Shah Rasool , Nonlaopon Kamsing , Ismaeel Sherif. M. E. , El-Tantawy Samir A.
Published: January 2023

Numerous applied mathematics and physical applications, such as the simulation of financial mathematics, gas dynamics, nonlinear phenomena in plasma physics, fluid mechanics, and ocean engineering, utilize the time-fractional generalized Burgers–Fisher equation (TF-GBFE). This equation describes the concept of dissipation and illustrates how reaction systems can be coordinated with advection. To examine and analyze the present evolution equation (TF-GBFE), the modified forms of the Adomian decomposition method (ADM) and homotopy perturbation method (HPM) with Yang transform are utilized. When the results are achieved, they are connected to exact solutions of the σ=1 order and even for different values of σ to verify the technique’s validity. The results are represented as two- and three-dimensional graphs. Additionally, the study of the precise and suggested technique solutions shows that the suggested techniques are very accurate.
Asymptotic Behavior of the Solution to Compressible Navier–Stokes System with Temperature-Dependent Heat Conductivity in an Unbounded Domain
Authors: Su Wenhuo , Zhong Jianxin
Published: January 2023

This paper concerns the one-dimensional compressible Navier–Stokes system with temperature-dependent heat conductivity in R with large initial data. We prove that velocity and temperature are uniformly bounded from below and above in time and space when the heat conductivity coefficient takes κ=κ¯(1+θb) for all b>52. In addition, we show that the global solution is asymptotically stable as time tends to infinity.
Dynamical Stability in a Non-Hermitian Kicked Rotor Model
Authors: Zhao Wenlei , Zhang Huiqian
Published: January 2023

We investigate the quantum irreversibility and quantum diffusion in a non-Hermitian kicked rotor model for which the kicking strength is complex. Our results show that the exponential decay of Loschmidt echo gradually disappears with increasing the strength of the imaginary part of non-Hermitian driven potential, demonstrating the suppress of the exponential instability by non-Hermiticity. The quantum diffusion exhibits the dynamical localization in momentum space, namely, the mean square of momentum increases to saturation with time evolution, which decreases with the increase of the strength of the imaginary part of the kicking. This clearly reveals the enhancement of dynamical localization by non-Hermiticity. We find, both analytically and numerically, that the quantum state are mainly populated on a very few quasieigenstates with significantly large value of the imaginary part of quasienergies. Interestingly, the average value of the inverse participation ratio of quasieigenstates decreases with the increase of the strength of the imaginary part of the kicking potential, which implies that the feature of quasieigenstates determines the stability of wavepacket’s dynamics and the dynamical localization of energy diffusion.
A Novel Framework of q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Sets in Field
Authors: Alnefaie Kholood , Xin Qin , Almutlg Ahmad , Abo-Tabl El-Sayed A. , Mateen M. Haris
Published: January 2023

In this manuscript, we proposed a novel framework of the q-rung orthopair fuzzy subfield (q-ROFSF) and illustrate that every Pythagorean fuzzy subfield is a q-rung orthopair fuzzy subfield of a certain field. We extend this theory and discuss its diverse basic algebraic characteristics in detail. Furthermore, we prove some fundamental results and establish helpful examples related to them. Moreover, we present the homomorphic images and pre-images of the q-rung orthopair fuzzy subfield (q-ROFSF) under field homomorphism. We provide a novel ideology of a non-standard fuzzy subfield in the extension of the q-rung orthopair fuzzy subfield (q-ROFSF).
Optical Torque Exerted on a Charged Sphere by a Polarized Bessel Beam
Authors: Li Ping , Wan Lingyu , Yao Huilu , Talwar Devki N. , Li Liuyan , Jiang Jiang
Published: January 2023

In the framework of generalized Lorenz–Mie theory, we report here the results of our comprehensive study for analyzing and computing the optical torque (OT) caused by AGVBB on a charged sphere of arbitrary size. The effects of polarization, order, half-cone angle, the position of particle, and the surface charge are carefully considered. The axial and transverse components or OTs are numerically calculated, and the sign reversal of the axial OTs and vortex-like character of the total transverse OTs are mainly discussed. The results reported here are expected to have significant impact on improving the ability of optical manipulation and rotation.
First Evidence of Microplastics in Human Urine, a Preliminary Study of Intake in the Human Body
Authors: Pironti Concetta , Notarstefano Valentina , Ricciardi Maria , Motta Oriana , Giorgini Elisabetta , Montano Luigi
Published: January 2023

The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) and their health effects is a recent scientific topic. However, the investigation of MPs in human/biological matrices has several limitations due to analytical methods and sample treatment protocols. In this study, the presence of MPs in the urine samples of six volunteers from different cities in the south of Italy (three men and three women) was investigated by Raman microspectroscopy. The analysis pinpointed four pigmented microplastic fragments (4–15 μm size), with irregular shapes, which were characterized in terms of morphology and chemical composition. Polyethylene vinyl acetate (PVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE) MPs were found in four samples (PVA and PVC in one female sample and PP and PE in three male samples). This preliminary study suggests that MPs could pass through the gastrointestinal tract and are eliminated through biological processes.
A UPLC Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomic Study of Serum and Tumor Tissue in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Xu Bo , Gao Wei , Xu Ting , Liu Cuiping , Wu Dan , Tang Wei
Published: January 2023

Objective: To find the metabolomic characteristics of tumor or para-tumor tissues, and the differences in serums from papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients with or without lymph node metastasis. Methods: We collected serums of PTC patients with/without lymph node metastasis (SN1/SN0), tumor and adjacent tumor tissues of PTC patients with lymph node metastasis (TN1 and PN1), and without lymph node metastasis (TN0 and PN0). Metabolite detection was performed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography combined with Q-Exactive orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC Q-Exactive). Results: There were 31, 15, differential metabolites in the comparisons of TN1 and PN1, TN0 and PN0, respectively. Seven uniquely increased metabolites and fourteen uniquely decreased metabolites appeared in the lymph node metastasis (TN1 and PN1) group. Meanwhile, the results indicated that four pathways were co-owned pathways in two comparisons (TN1 and PN1, TN0 and PN0), and four unique pathways presented in the lymph node metastasis (TN1 and PN1) group. Conclusions: Common or differential metabolites and metabolic pathways were detected in the lymph node metastasis and non-metastatic group, which might provide novel ways for the diagnosis and treatment of PTC.
Ethanol and Medical Psychotropics Co-Consumption in European Countries: Results from a Three-Year Retrospective Study of Forensic Samples in Spain
Authors: Almeida-González Maira , Boada Luis D. , Burillo-Putze Guillermo , Henríquez-Hernández Luis A. , Luzardo Octavio P. , Quintana-Montesdeoca María P. , Zumbado Manuel
Published: January 2023

Ethanol and medical psychotropics (MPs) are legal psychoactive substances widely consumed in Western countries that are routinely detected in standard toxicological analyses at compulsory autopsies, and toxicokinetic interactions between these drugs have been described. However, studies assessing the consequences of this co-consumption are scarce in Europe. We performed a retrospective study on toxicological results from compulsory autopsies in Spain. Thirty-five legal psychotropics, including ethanol, were measured in blood samples from 380 decedents to assess the determinants of such co-consumption. MPs were detected in 42.4% of the subjects. Polypharmacy was frequent in our series (25%), being more frequent in men than in women. More than one-third of the decedents had detectable levels of ethanol, and a significant positive association between ethanol levels and age was evident. About one-third of MPs consumers were also co-consumers of ethanol. The simultaneous consumption of ethanol and MPs was higher in men than in women. Blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) were lower in men who consumed MPs. In polypharmacy deaths, there was a significant negative association between the number of MPs consumed and BAC in men (r = −0.097; p = 0.029). Our results showed a high prevalence of co-consumption of MPs and ethanol in the European population involved in medico-legal issues and suggest that toxicokinetic interactions may be lowering BAC in men. This is a very worrying result, as it could indicate that the legal blood ethanol limits set by legislation would not be appropriate for men on MPs treatment.
Impact of Insecticides at Sublethal Concentrations on the Enzyme Activities in Adult Musca domestica L.
Authors: Kinareikina Anna , Silivanova Elena
Published: January 2023

Nowadays, the use of pesticides is, as before, the most common way to control arthropod plant pests and the ectoparasites of animals. The sublethal effects of pesticides on insects can appear at different levels, from genetics to populations, and the study of these effects is important for a better understanding of the environmental and evolutionary patterns of pesticidal resistance. The current study aimed to assess the sublethal effects of chlorfenapyr and fipronil on the activities of detoxifying enzymes (carboxylesterase—CarE, acetylcholinesterase—AChE, glutathione-S-transferase—GST, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase—P450) in adults Musca domestica L. The insects were exposure to insecticides by a no-choice feeding test and the enzyme activities and the AChE kinetic parameters were examined in female and male specimens at 24 h after their exposure. According to Tukey’s test, the CarE activity was statistically significantly decreased by 29.63% in the females of M. domestica after an exposure to chlorfenapyr at a concentration of 0.015% when compared to the controls (p ≤ 0.05). An exposure to the sublethal concentration of fipronil (0.001%) was followed by a slightly decrease in the specific activity (33.20%, p ≤ 0.05) and the main kinetic parameters (Vmax, Km) of AChE in females in comparison with the control values. The GST and P450 activities had not significantly changed in M. domestica males and females 24 h after their exposure to chlorfenapyr and fipronil at sublethal concentrations. The results suggest that the males and females of M. domestica displayed biochemically different responses to fipronil, that is a neurotoxin, and chlorfenapyr, that is a decoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. Further research needs to be addressed to the molecular mechanisms underlying the peculiarities of the insect enzyme responses to different insecticides.
Peptides from the Sea Anemone Metridium senile with Modified Inhibitor Cystine Knot (ICK) Fold Inhibit Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
Authors: Kasheverov Igor , Logashina Yulia , Kornilov Fedor , Lushpa Vladislav , Maleeva Ekaterina , Korolkova Yuliya , Yu Jinpeng , Zhu Xiaopeng , Zhangsun Dongting , Luo Sulan , Stensvåg Klara , Kudryavtsev Denis , Mineev Konstantin , Andreev Yaroslav
Published: January 2023

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and other organs of living creatures. There are several subtypes of nAChRs, and almost all of them are considered as pharmacological targets in different pathological states. The crude venom of the sea anemone Metridium senile showed the ability to interact with nAChRs. Four novel peptides (Ms11a-1–Ms11a-4) with nAChR binding activity were isolated. These peptides stabilized by three disulfide bridges have no noticeable homology with any known peptides. Ms11a-1–Ms11a-4 showed different binding activity towards the muscle-type nAChR from the Torpedo californica ray. The study of functional activity and selectivity for the most potent peptide (Ms11a-3) revealed the highest antagonism towards the heterologous rat α9α10 nAChR compared to the muscle and α7 receptors. Structural NMR analysis of two toxins (Ms11a-2 and Ms11a-3) showed that they belong to a new variant of the inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) fold but have a prolonged loop between the fifth and sixth cysteine residues. Peptides Ms11a-1–Ms11a-4 could represent new pharmacological tools since they have structures different from other known nAChRs inhibitors.
Factors Regulating Fluid Restitution and Plasma Volume Reduction over the Course of Hemodialysis
Authors: Lee Jen-shih , Lee Lian-pin
Published: January 2023

Over the course of hemodialysis, fluid and protein are restituted from the tissue compartment to the circulation compartment through the endothelia. Our previous model analysis on fluid and protein transport during hemodialysis is expanded to account for changes occurring in the tissue. The measured initial and end plasma protein concentration (PPC, Cp and Cp’) for six hemodialysis studies are analyzed by this expanded model. The computation results indicate that the total driving pressure to restitute fluid from the tissue to the circulation ranges from 5.4 to 20.3 mmHg. The analysis identifies that the increase in plasma colloidal osmotic pressure (COP) contributes 78 ± 6% of the total driving pressure, the decrease in microvascular blood pressure 32 ± 4%, the increase in the COP of interstitial fluid −6 ± 3%, and the decrease in interstitial fluid pressure −5 ± 2%. Let this ratio (Cp’ − Cp)/Cp’ be termed the PPC increment. The six HDs can be divided into three groups which are to have these PPC increments 25.7%, 14.5 ± 2.6(SD)% and 8.3%. It is calculated that their correspondent filtration coefficients are 0.43, 1.29 ± 0.28 and 5.93 mL/min/mmHg and the relative reductions in plasma volume (RRPV) −22.1%, −13.1 ± 6% and −9.4%. The large variations in PPC increments and RRPV show the filtration coefficient is a key factor to regulate the hemodialysis process.
Identification of Hazard and Socio-Demographic Patterns of Dengue Infections in a Colombian Subtropical Region from 2015 to 2020: Cox Regression Models and Statistical Analysis
Authors: Ortiz Santiago , Catano-Lopez Alexandra , Velasco Henry , Restrepo Juan P. , Pérez-Coronado Andrés , Laniado Henry , Leiva Víctor
Published: January 2023

Dengue is a disease of high interest for public health in the affected localities. Dengue virus is transmitted by Aedes species and presents hyperendemic behaviors in tropical and subtropical regions. Colombia is one of the countries most affected by the dengue virus in the Americas. Its central-west region is a hot spot in dengue transmission, especially the Department of Antioquia, which has suffered from multiple dengue outbreaks in recent years (2015–2016 and 2019–2020). In this article, we perform a retrospective analysis of the confirmed dengue cases in Antioquia, discriminating by both subregions and dengue severity from 2015 to 2020. First, we conduct an exploratory analysis of the epidemic data, and then a statistical survival analysis is carried out using a Cox regression model. Our findings allow the identification of the hazard and socio-demographic patterns of dengue infections in the Colombian subtropical region of Antioquia from 2015 to 2020.
The Cosmological Arrow of Time and the Retarded Potentials
Authors: Yurova Alla A. , Yurov Artyom , Yurov Valerian A.
Published: January 2023

We demonstrate that the cosmological arrow of time is the cause for the arrow of time associated with the retarded radiation. This implies that the proposed mathematical model serves to confirm the hypothesis of Gold and Wheeler that the stars radiate light instead of consuming it only because the universe is expanding—just like the darkness of the night sky is a side-effect of the global cosmological expansion.
In Vitro Activity, Stability and Molecular Characterization of Eight Potent Bacteriophages Infecting Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Baqer Abeer Ameen , Fang Kokxin , Mohd-Assaad Norfarhan , Adnan Siti Noor Adnalizawati , Md Nor Norefrina Shafinaz
Published: January 2023

Background: Members of the genus Klebsiella are among the leading microbial pathogens associated with nosocomial infection. The increased incidence of antimicrobial resistance in these species has propelled the need for alternate/combination therapeutic regimens to aid clinical treatment, including bacteriophage therapy. Bacteriophages are considered very safe and effective in treating bacterial infections. In this study, we characterize eight lytic bacteriophages that were previously isolated by our team against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Methods: The one-step-growth curves, stability and lytic ability of eight bacteriophages were characterized. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing analysis and protein profiling were used to characterize the microbes at the molecular level. Phylogenetic trees of four important proteins were constructed for the two selected bacteriophages. Results and conclusions: All eight bacteriophages showed high efficiency for reducing bacterial concentration with high stability under different physical and chemical conditions. We found four major protein bands out of at least ten 15–190 KDa bands that were clearly separated by SDS-PAGE, which were assumed to be the major head and tail proteins. The genomes were found to be dsDNA, with sizes of approximately 36–87 Kb. All bacteriophages reduced the optical density of the planktonic K. pneumoniae abruptly, indicating great potential to reduce K. pneumoniae infection. In this study, we have found that tail fiber protein can further distinguished closely related bacteriophages. The characterised bacteriophages showed promising potential as candidates against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae via bacteriophage therapy.
Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab in SARS-CoV-2 Prophylaxis and Therapy: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Experience
Authors: Akinosoglou Karolina , Rigopoulos Emmanouil-Angelos , Kaiafa Georgia , Daios Stylianos , Karlafti Eleni , Ztriva Eleftheria , Polychronopoulos Georgios , Gogos Charalambos , Savopoulos Christos
Published: January 2023

Effective treatments and vaccines against COVID-19 used in clinical practice have made a positive impact on controlling the spread of the pandemic, where they are available. Nevertheless, even if fully vaccinated, immunocompromised patients still remain at high risk of adverse outcomes. This has driven the largely expanding field of monoclonal antibodies, with variable results. Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab (AZD7442), a long-acting antibody combination that inhibits the attachment of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the surface of cells, has proved promising in reducing the incidence of symptomatic COVID-19 or death in high-risk individuals without major adverse events when given as prophylaxis, as well as early treatment. Real-world data confirm the antibody combination’s prophylaxis efficacy in lowering the incidence, hospitalization, and mortality associated with COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients, patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and hematological malignancies, and patients in B-cell-depleting therapies. Data suggest a difference in neutralization efficiency between the SARS-CoV-2 subtypes in favor of the BA.2 over the BA.1. In treating COVID-19, AZD7442 showed a significant reduction in severe COVID-19 cases and mortality when given early in the course of disease, and within 5 days of symptom onset, without being associated with severe adverse events, even when it is used in addition to standard care. The possibility of the development of spike-protein mutations that resist monoclonal antibodies has been reported; therefore, increased vigilance is required in view of the evolving variants. AZD7442 may be a powerful ally in preventing COVID-19 and the mortality associated with it in high-risk individuals. Further research is required to include more high-risk groups and assess the concerns limiting its use, along the SARS-CoV-2 evolutionary trajectory.