bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model Combining DANP with VIKOR for Sustainable Supplier Selection in Electronics Industry
Authors: Rahardjo Benedictus , Wang Fu-Kwun , Lo Shih-Che , Chou Jia-Hong
Published: March 2023

Sustainability in operations and supply chains is becoming more popular among academics and practitioners through Sustainable Supplier Selection (SSS). In addition to balancing economic, social, and environmental factors, the awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 has affected the selection of long-term suppliers, ensuring green operations and sustainable supply chains. The criteria for SSS have multiple dimensions and are interdependent; this mimics the real-world scenario rather than assuming independently from an analytic hierarchy process. We use the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model, combining DEMATEL-based on ANP (called DANP) with VIKOR, to solve the SSS problem. The DANP method is used to model and assess the interdependent relationships between criteria. Then, ranking the available alternatives and selecting the best one can be accomplished using the VIKOR method. We consider the electronic manufacturing industry in Taiwan as an empirical case. This study, in addition to selecting the best sustainable supplier, demonstrates the use of influential network relationship maps to analyze and improve the gaps in each dimension and criterion.
Industrial Robots, Economic Growth, and Sustainable Development in an Aging Society
Authors: Gong Chi , Yang Xianghui , Tan Hongru , Lu Xiaoye
Published: March 2023

The impact of industrial robots and aging on economic growth is analyzed using both theoretical and empirical models in this paper. An aging mechanism is integrated into the task model and Solow model, which integrates the existing relationship between industrial robots and economic growth. Our data come from the International Robot Federation, Penn World Table, and the World Bank, and we obtain robot usage data and macroeconomic data for 77 countries and regions between 1993 and 2019. We found that industrial robots can stimulate economic growth, but aging does not affect it. It is worth noting that aging has more adverse effects on economies using industrial robots than economies without industrial robots. Further, according to mechanism analysis, the main channel of economic growth is industrial robots replacing labor, followed by improving total factor productivity (TFP), a measure of technological change in an economy. Given endogenous problems, the results are still stable.
Does Soil Pollution Prevention and Control Promote Corporate Sustainable Development? A Quasi-Natural Experiment of “10-Point Soil Plan” in China
Authors: Zhou Qiong , Tan Qian , Zeng Huixiang , Lin Yu-En , Zhu Peng
Published: March 2023

The Action Plan for Soil Pollution Prevention and Control (“10-point Soil Plan”) provides the top-level design for soil environmental protection in China and motivates heavy polluters to participate in soil pollution prevention and control. Using a sample of Chinese-listed firms with key soil pollution regulation from 2013 to 2020, this study utilized the Difference-in-Differences method to analyze the effect and mechanism of the “10-point Soil Plan” on corporate sustainable development. The “10-point Soil Plan” significantly promoted corporate sustainability via debt vacating and cash defense effects. However, this policy failed to achieve innovation compensation. Further, the promotion of corporate sustainability via the “10-point Soil Plan” is more significant in state-owned and large enterprises and depends on the intensity of local environmental regulations. This study provides a valuable reference for government and corporates to actively implement soil pollution prevention and control measures, which complements the systematic study of soil environmental planning and helps China integrate soil environmental planning with water and air environmental planning to build a comprehensive pollution prevention system.
Land Use Changes in the Teles Pires River Basin’s Amazon and Cerrado Biomes, Brazil, 1986–2020
Authors: Kraeski Aline , de Almeida Frederico Terra , de Souza Adilson Pacheco , de Carvalho Tania Maria , de Abreu Daniel Carneiro , Hoshide Aaron Kinyu , Zolin Cornélio Alberto
Published: March 2023

The Teles Pires River basin in Brazil’s center-west has recently expanded agricultural economic development at the expense of both the Amazon rainforest and Cerrado savannah. We evaluated these changes occurring in this basin over the last 34 years. Maps were generated to determine changes in land use classifications between 1986, 1991, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2011, 2015, and 2020. The supervised classification of Landsat 5 and 8 images used the maximum likelihood algorithm. Satellite spatial data on land use downloaded from the United States Geological Survey were validated according to 1477 locations, where our research team categorized land use in the field during 2020. The growth in agricultural crops (+643%) and pasture (+250%) from 1986 to 2020 were detrimental to natural areas, such as the rainforest and savannah. The percentage increase in the agricultural areas between the evaluated years peaked around 1996 and stabilized in 2020 at 40% of the Teles Pires River basin’s land area. Land use change patterns were related to political/economic events in Brazil, forest/pasture conversions until 2011, and the change from pasture to crops from 2011 to 2020. There was greater intensity in the changes in the upper Teles Pires River basin toward the south, which expanded northward over time. Sustainable agricultural intensification is needed in such stabilized, frontier areas.
Long-Term Scenario Analysis of Electricity Supply and Demand in Iran: Time Series Analysis, Renewable Electricity Development, Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Authors: Asadi Mahdi , Larki Iman , Forootan Mohammad Mahdi , Ahmadi Rouhollah , Farajollahi Meisam
Published: March 2023

Electricity plays a vital role in the economic development and welfare of countries. Examining the electricity situation and defining scenarios for developing power plant infrastructure will help countries avoid misguided policies that incur high costs and reduce people’s welfare. In the present research, three scenarios from 2021–2040 have been defined for Iran’s electricity status. The first scenario continues the current trend and forecasts population, electricity consumption, and carbon dioxide emissions from power plants with ARIMA and single and triple exponential smoothing time series algorithms. As part of the second scenario, only non-hydro renewable resources will be used to increase the electricity supply. By ensuring the existence of potential, annual growth patterns have been defined, taking into account the renewable electricity generation achieved by successful nations. The third scenario involves integrating operating gas turbines into combined cycles in exchange for buyback contracts. Economically, this scenario calculates return on investment through an arrangement of various contracts for the seller company and fuel savings for the buyer.
“You Just Don’t Talk about Certain Topics”: How Concerns to Disclose Suffering to Leaders Constrain Compassion at Work
Authors: Tietsort Cristopher J. , Tracy Sarah J. , Adame Elissa A.
Published: March 2023

Employee and organizational sustainability are threatened by widespread stress, burnout, and mental health challenges, among other life events. Compassion at work may create more sustainable organizations by alleviating this suffering, but scholars remain puzzled as to why compassion often fails to unfold within organizations. One potential explanation is that suffering employees feel uncertain in expressing suffering at work. To date, however, relatively little research has examined the perspective of suffering employees and the potential hesitation to express suffering due to organizational norms, power dynamics with leaders, and other influences. This study seeks to expand our understanding of compassion by examining how suffering employees make sense of compassionate interactions with leaders, and the concerns they have disclosing and discussing suffering at work. Utilizing qualitative, semi-structured interviews, we found that suffering employees have four driving concerns, which constrain the discussion of suffering at work: (1) professionalism and the appropriateness of suffering, (2) the validity of one’s suffering, (3) the collective impact of a compassionate response, and (4) image management. These concerns, while at times isolated, were often layered for employees in ways that compounded the challenge of disclosing suffering and openly engaging with leaders across the compassion process. We analyze these driving concerns, linking them to prior research and illustrating how these concerns limit employees  ability to receive compassion and, in some cases, exacerbate their suffering. Practical implications are discussed as well, outlining ways that organizations can shape compassion processes toward greater employee sustainability.
Urban Functional Zone Classification Based on POI Data and Machine Learning
Authors: Luo Guowei , Ye Jiayuan , Wang Jinfeng , Wei Yi
Published: March 2023

The identification of urban spatial functional units is of great significance in urban planning, construction, management, and services. Conventional field surveys are labour-intensive and time-consuming, while the abundant data available via the internet provide a new way to identify urban spatial functions. A major issue is in determining point of interest (POI) weights in urban functional zone identification using POI data. Along these lines, this work proposed a recognition method based on POI data combined with machine learning. First, the relationship between POI data and urban spatial function types was mapped, and the density of each type of POI was calculated. Then, the density values of each type of POI in the study unit were used as feature vectors and combined with the Kstar algorithm to identify urban spatial functions. Finally, the identification results were validated by combining multiple sources of POI data. From the acquired sampling results, it was demonstrated that the proposed method achieved an accuracy of 86.50%. The problem of human bias was also avoided in determining POI weights. High recognition accuracy was achieved, making urban spatial function recognition more accurate and automatable.
Play to Learn: A Game to Improve Seismic-Risk Perception
Authors: Filomena Maria Grazia , Pace Bruno , De Acetis Massimo , Aquino Antonio , Crescimbene Massimo , Pace Marina , Alparone Francesca Romana
Published: March 2023

A board game designed by psychologists and geologists to improve seismic-risk perception is presented. In a within-subjects repeated-measure study, 64 Italian high-school students rated their perception of seismic risk in relation to the hazard, vulnerability and exposure of the area in which they lived, before and after the game. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), which considered perception of seismic risk as the dependent variable and time as the independent variable, revealed that the board game affected the dependent variable, particularly the perception of hazard and vulnerability. The results confirm the effectiveness of the game in changing participants’ seismic risk perception, properly because the game was built with consideration of the variables that make up seismic risk. The board game proved to be an effective and fun educational tool to be used in future earthquake risk prevention programs.
Learning Theories in Games That Teach Responsible Antibiotic Use: A Literature Review
Authors: Molnar Andreea , Molnar Ioana
Published: March 2023

Sustainable use of antibiotics implies changes in the way they are currently used. Games have emerged as a creative medium that actively engages people with aspects of their health. One of the areas in which serious games have gained attention is teaching about appropriate antibiotic use. In this research, we identify games that aim to educate on responsible antibiotic use and prescription. The games addressed various segments of the population (students, healthcare workers, public in general), most of them focusing on students. Furthermore, the article explores the learning theories used in these games. The results show that most games do not explicitly identify the learning theories used as a foundation for designing the educational aspects of the games. The games that address this aspect include learning theories based on the constructivist approach.
A Robot Path Planning Method Based on Improved Genetic Algorithm and Improved Dynamic Window Approach
Authors: Li Yue , Zhao Jianyou , Chen Zenghua , Xiong Gang , Liu Sheng
Published: March 2023

Intelligent mobile robots play an important role in the green and efficient operation of warehouses and have a significant impact on the natural environment and the economy. Path planning technology is one of the key technologies to achieve intelligent mobile robots. In order to improve the pickup efficiency and to reduce the resource waste and carbon emissions in logistics, we investigate the robot path optimization problem. Under the guidance of the sustainable development theory, we aim to achieve the goal of environmental social governance by shortening and smoothing robot paths. To improve the robot’s ability to avoid dynamic obstacles and to quickly solve shorter and smoother robot paths, we propose a fusion algorithm based on the improved genetic algorithm and the dynamic window approach. By doing so, we can improve the efficiency of warehouse operations and reduce logistics costs, whilst also contributing to the realization of a green supply chain. In this paper, we implement an improved fusion algorithm for mobile robot path planning and illustrate the superiority of our algorithm through comparative experiments. The authors’ findings and conclusions emphasize the importance of using advanced algorithms to optimize robot paths and suggest potential avenues for future research.
Social Sustainability, Social Capital, Health, and the Building of Cultural Capital around the Mediterranean Diet
Authors: Medina Francesc-Xavier , Sole-Sedeno Josep M.
Published: March 2023

The aim of this paper is to reflect on the importance of taking a broader and more comprehensive (and, above all, social and cultural) approach when problematizing dietary patterns in terms of sustainability. In this regard, the building of cultural capital around a medicalized concept such as the Mediterranean diet, in addition to being used to legitimize the actions carried out from the field of health, allows the highlighting of the value of social capital around this denomination. This article also analyzes how certain actions aimed at valuing the building of cultural capital related to the Mediterranean diet, such as the inscription as intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, or the value recognition of the social capital constructed around them, have been frequently neglected and considered as subordinate to other perspectives considered more central and focused on both health and the environment.
Contextually Enriched Meta-Learning Ensemble Model for Urdu Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Ahmed Kanwal , Nadeem Muhammad Imran , Li Dun , Zheng Zhiyun , Al-Kahtani Nouf , Alkahtani Hend Khalid , Mostafa Samih M. , Mamyrbayev Orken
Published: March 2023

The task of analyzing sentiment has been extensively researched for a variety of languages. However, due to a dearth of readily available Natural Language Processing methods, Urdu sentiment analysis still necessitates additional study by academics. When it comes to text processing, Urdu has a lot to offer because of its rich morphological structure. The most difficult aspect is determining the optimal classifier. Several studies have incorporated ensemble learning into their methodology to boost performance by decreasing error rates and preventing overfitting. However, the baseline classifiers and the fusion procedure limit the performance of the ensemble approaches. This research made several contributions to incorporate the symmetries concept into the deep learning model and architecture: firstly, it presents a new meta-learning ensemble method for fusing basic machine learning and deep learning models utilizing two tiers of meta-classifiers for Urdu. The proposed ensemble technique combines the predictions of both the inter- and intra-committee classifiers on two separate levels. Secondly, a comparison is made between the performance of various committees of deep baseline classifiers and the performance of the suggested ensemble Model. Finally, the study’s findings are expanded upon by contrasting the proposed ensemble approach efficiency with that of other, more advanced ensemble techniques. Additionally, the proposed model reduces complexity, and overfitting in the training process. The results show that the classification accuracy of the baseline deep models is greatly enhanced by the proposed MLE approach.
On a Subfamily of q-Starlike Functions with Respect to m-Symmetric Points Associated with the q-Janowski Function
Authors: Gul Ihtesham , Al-Sa’di Sa’ud , Noor Khalida Inayat , Hussain Saqib
Published: March 2023

The main objective of this paper is to study a new family of analytic functions that are q-starlike with respect to m-symmetrical points and subordinate to the q-Janowski function. We investigate inclusion results, sufficient conditions, coefficients estimates, bounds for Fekete–Szego functional |a3−μa22| and convolution properties for the functions belonging to this new class. Several consequences of main results are also obtained.
Beam Position Monitor Characterization for the High Energy Photon Source Synchrotron
Authors: He Jun , Sui Yanfeng , Li Yong , Ma Huizhou , Du Yaoyao , Wang Xujian , Yue Junhui , Cao Jianshe
Published: March 2023

Beam position monitor (BPM) characterization has been widely studied at the synchrotron. The characteristic impedance of a stripline BPM was designed using a simulation and measured using the time-domain reflectometer method. The mechanical and electrical parameters of the feedthroughs with the buttons used for the BPMs were measured. Special care was taken in the analysis of the consistency of the four channels of the BPM. The feedthroughs were sorted based on their capacitance values. This paper presents the characterization results of the feedthroughs and BPMs. The electro-mechanical offsets were measured using the Lambertson method, and the calibration coefficients were measured using a stretched wire. The BPM differences introduced during mass production were determined by a statistical analysis of the measurement results.
Carbon Reduction Subsidy, Remanufacturing Subsidy or Consumer Recycling Subsidy? A Low-Carbon Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Operation Decision
Authors: Duan Caiquan , Yao Fengmin , Zhang Qiwen , Wang Jiali , Wang Ying
Published: March 2023

To promote carbon emission reduction and resource reuse, this study is devoted to studying the impact of government subsidy policies on the operation decision of a low-carbon closed-loop supply chain system. In the production stage, governments can use carbon reduction subsidies and remanufacturing subsidies to reduce the green behavior costs of manufacturers; in the recycling stage, governments can use consumer recycling subsidies to increase the recycling willingness of consumers. In this study, we introduce these three subsidy policies into the target function of the subsidized members. Using the Nash non-cooperative game and variational inequality, we developed a low-carbon supply chain network equilibrium model to examine the impact of subsidy policies on the system operation decision. The results show that, under the three subsidy policies, raising the subsidy level can help to improve the recycling rate, promote the reduction in carbon emissions and improve the profits of retailers; however, manufacturers’ incomes increase only when the carbon reduction subsidy level is below a certain threshold. Notably, under the coexistence of three subsidy policies, the carbon reduction subsidy policy has a more significant impact on the system. Finally, the numerical results show that, when the subsidy level is higher than six, although the increase in carbon reduction subsidy level leads to a decrease in the profits of manufacturers, this policy has the best contribution to the environmental benefits of the system. Our results can serve as guidelines for governments when designing the optimal subsidy programs to achieve the ultimate goal of establishing an environmentally friendly supply chain network system.
Impact of Trade, FDI, and Urbanization on Female Employment System in SAARC: GMM and Quantile Regression Approach
Authors: Nica Elvira , Poliak Milos , Alpopi Cristina , Kliestik Tomas , Manole Cristina , Burlacu Sorin
Published: March 2023

The fundamental objective of this research is to learn how trade liberalization, male employment, urbanization, and foreign direct investment (FDI) affect women’s participation in the labor force. To continue, this study aims to determine the effects of trade and other factors on women’s employment in three distinct sectors (i.e., agriculture, industry, and service). From 1991 to 2021, we analyzed data from eight SAARC countries. The study’s theoretical foundation was the Cobb–Douglas production function. To better understand the connections between trade liberalization and the SAARC labor market, this paper used panel quantile regression (QR) and generalized method of moments (GMM) to empirically explore the key determinants of female employment in total and three sub-sectors. The QR method was used in the study because it looks at how variables affect each other beyond the data mean. Additionally, our data set does not follow a normal distribution, and the connection between the explained and explanatory factors is non-linear. Trade openness has a beneficial effect on total female employment throughout system GMM and all quartiles. Total female employment also benefits from an increase in GDP and FDI. However, women’s access to the workforce is hampered by urbanization. Many strategies for increasing women’s participation in the workforce across three sectors are addressed in this article. The major finding of this study is the rate of change in female employment across three industries. Women’s participation in the service and manufacturing sectors increases, whereas their participation in agriculture decreases, as a result of increased trade openness. Although these studies can assist policymakers in choosing the best feasible trade adjustments, they will also add to diverse academic and policy discussions on trade liberalization and its gender consequences. Since trade has become more accessible, more and more women are entering the workforce. Therefore, workers should acquire industrial and service-sector-related competencies.
Ramp Spacing Evaluation of Expressway Based on Entropy-Weighted TOPSIS Estimation Method
Authors: Ma Jie , Zeng Yilei , Chen Dawei
Published: March 2023

The main objective of this study is to design a method for evaluating the reasonability of ramp spacing of the expressway in a specific district. The study proposes an entropy-weighted Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) estimation method, in which the entropy weight method determines the indicator weights, and TOPSIS is employed to compare different alternatives of ramp spacing. Four patterns of evaluation indicators are taken into account representing traffic efficiency, safety, traffic accessibility, and economy, respectively. Using the Beijing–Hong Kong–Macao Expressway in Henan Province as a case study, the validity of the method is verified, and the optimal ramp spacing is obtained as 14 km for the given scenario. The results of the study show: (1) extreme spacing values are not conducive to the overall benefits of the expressway; (2) ramp spacing settings that allow for coordinated sharing of traffic demand along the route (TDAR) are a prerequisite for an expressway to have great overall benefits; and (3) appropriately shortening ramp spacing will allow the expressway to effectively respond to increased TDAR. The estimation method proposed in this study provides a theoretical reference for the local authority to plan ramp spacing that can satisfy regional traffic demand and ensure the overall benefits of expressways in a sustainable urban context.
Integrated Small Animal PET/CT/RT with Onboard PET/CT Image Guidance for Preclinical Radiation Oncology Research
Authors: Cheng Xinyi , Yang Dongxu , Saha Debabrata , Sun Xiankai , Shao Yiping
Published: March 2023

We have integrated a compact and lightweight PET with an existing CT image-guided small animal irradiator to enable practical onboard PET/CT image-guided preclinical radiation therapy (RT) research. The PET with a stationary and full-ring detectors has ~1.1 mm uniform spatial resolution over its imaging field-of-view of 8.0 cm diameter and 3.5 cm axial length and was mechanically installed inside the irradiator in a tandem configuration with CT and radiation unit. A common animal bed was used for acquiring sequential dual functional and anatomical images with independent PET and CT control and acquisition systems. The reconstructed dual images were co-registered based on standard multi-modality image calibration and registration processes. Phantom studies were conducted to evaluate the integrated system and dual imaging performance. The measured mean PET/CT image registration error was ~0.3 mm. With one-bed and three-bed acquisitions, initial tumor focused and whole-body [18F]FDG animal images were acquired to test the capability of onboard PET/CT image guidance for preclinical RT research. Overall, the results have shown that integrated PET/CT/RT can provide advantageous and practical onboard PET/CT image to significantly enhance the accuracy of tumor delineation and radiation targeting that should enhance the existing and enable new and potentially breakthrough preclinical RT research and applications.
Enantioselective Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage Induced by Rac- and S-metolachlor on the Earthworm Eisenia fetida
Authors: Yang Yong , Li Li , Luo Zhaozhen , Zhao Yuqiang , Mu Yalin , Zhang Qingming
Published: March 2023

Metolachlor is a widely used chiral herbicide. However, information on its enantioselective toxicity to earthworms, an important soil organism, remains limited. Herein, the effects of Rac- and S-metolachlor on oxidative stress and DNA damage in Eisenia fetida were investigated and compared. Moreover, the degradation of both herbicides in the soil was also determined. The results showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) in E. fetida were more easily induced by Rac-metolachlor than S-metolachlor at a higher concentration (above 16 µg/g). Similarly, the effects of Rac-metolachlor on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and DNA damage in E. fetida were more significant than those of S-metolachlor at the same exposure concentration and time. Rac- and S-metolachlor did not result in severe lipid peroxidation. The toxic effects of both herbicides on E. fetida gradually decreased after 7 days as the exposure was prolonged. At the same concentration, S-metolachlor degrades faster than Rac-metolachlor. These results suggest that Rac-metolachlor has a greater effect on E. fetida than S-metolachlor, providing a significant reference for the rational use of metolachlor.
Magnetized Particles with Electric Charge around Schwarzschild Black Holes in External Magnetic Fields
Authors: Rayimbaev Javlon , Shaymatov Sanjar , Abdulxamidov Farrux , Ahmedov Saidmuhammad , Begmatova Dilfuza
Published: March 2023

We investigate the dynamics of test particles endowed with both electric charge and a magnetic dipole moment around a Schwarzschild black hole (BH) immersed in an externally asymptotically uniform magnetic field. We further analyse the effective potential and specific angular momentum and energy of the particles. Furthermore, we show that the upper limit for magnetic interaction parameter β increases with increasing cyclotron frequency ωB, while the radius of the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) for charged test particles decreases for the upper value of β=βupper. Furthermore, we show that the energy efficiency released from the BH increases up to about 90% due to the presence of the magnetic dipole moment of the test particle. We explore a degeneracy between the spin parameter of rotating Kerr BH and the magnetic parameter for the values of the ISCO radius and energy efficiency. We study in detail the centre of mass energy for collisions of charged and magnetized particles in the environment surrounding the Schwarzchild BH. Finally, as an astrophysical application, we explore the magnetized parameter and cyclotron frequency numerically for a rotating magnetized neutron star. Interestingly, we show that the corresponding values of the above-mentioned parameters for the magnetar PSR J1745-2900 that orbits around the supermassive black hole (SMBH) that exists at the centre of the Milky Way galaxy are ωB≃5 and β≃0.67, respectively, for the magnetic field is about 10 G.
The Combined Effects of Cannabis, Methamphetamine, and HIV on Neurocognition
Authors: Rogers Jeffrey M. , Iudicello Jennifer E. , Marcondes Maria Cecilia G. , Morgan Erin E. , Cherner Mariana , Ellis Ronald J. , Letendre Scott L. , Heaton Robert K. , Grant Igor
Published: March 2023

Objective: Methamphetamine and cannabis are two widely used substances among people living with HIV (PLWH). Whereas methamphetamine use has been found to worsen HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment, the effects of combined cannabis and methamphetamine use disorder on neurocognition in PLWH are not understood. In the present study, we aimed to determine the influence of these substance use disorders on neurocognition in PLWH and to explore if methamphetamine-cannabis effects interacted with HIV status. Method and Participants: After completing a comprehensive neurobehavioral assessment, PLWH (n = 472) were stratified by lifetime methamphetamine (M−/M+) and cannabis (C−/C+) DSM-IV abuse/dependence disorder into four groups: M−C− (n = 187), M−C+ (n = 68), M+C−, (n = 82), and M+C+ (n = 135). Group differences in global and domain neurocognitive performances and impairment were examined using multiple linear and logistic regression, respectively, while holding constant other covariates that were associated with study groups and/or cognition. Data from participants without HIV (n = 423) were added, and mixed-effect models were used to examine possible interactions between HIV and substance use disorders on neurocognition. Results: Compared with M+C+, M+C− performed worse on measures of executive functions, learning, memory, and working memory and were more likely to be classified as impaired in those domains. M−C− performed better than M+C+ on measures of learning and memory but worse than M−C+ on measures of executive functions, learning, memory, and working memory. Detectable plasma HIV RNA and nadir CD4 < 200 were associated with lower overall neurocognitive performance, and these effects were greater for M+C+ compared with M−C−. Conclusions: In PLWH, lifetime methamphetamine use disorder and both current and legacy markers of HIV disease severity are associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes. There was no evidence of an HIV × M+ interaction across groups, but neurocognition was most impacted by HIV among those with polysubstance use disorder (M+C+). Better performance by C+ groups is consistent with findings from preclinical studies that cannabis use may protect against methamphetamine’s deleterious effects.
Effects of Essential Oils and Hydrolates on the Infectivity of Murine Norovirus
Authors: Cozzi Loredana , Vicenza Teresa , Battistini Roberta , Masotti Chiara , Suffredini Elisabetta , Di Pasquale Simona , Fauconnier Marie-Laure , Ercolini Carlo , Serracca Laura
Published: March 2023

The use of natural substances with antiviral properties might reduce foodborne viral diseases. In this study, we evaluated the virucidal effect of Citrus limon and Thymus serpyllum essential oils (EOs) and of Citrus Limon, Thymus serpyllum and Thymus vulgaris hydrolates on murine norovirus (MNV), a human norovirus surrogate. To assess the virucidal effect of these natural substances, the reduction in viral infectivity was estimated by comparing the TCID50/mL of untreated viral suspension and the viral suspension treated with hydrolates and EOs at different concentrations. The results showed a natural loss of infectivity of the untreated virus after 24 h of approx. 1 log. The EO (1%) of T. serpyllum, and hydrolates (1% and 2%) of T. serpyllum and T. vulgaris immediately caused a reduction in MNV infectivity of about 2 log but did not provide a further significant decrease after 24 h. Instead, the EO (1%) and hydrolate (1% and 2%) of C. limon exerted an immediate reduction in the viral infectivity of about 1.3 log and 1 log, respectively, followed by a further reduction in infectivity of 1 log after 24 h for the hydrolate. These results will allow for the implementation of a depuration treatment based on the use of these natural compounds.
Efficient CRISPR-Cas13d-Based Antiviral Strategy to Combat SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Hussein Mouraya , Andrade dos Ramos Zaria , Vink Monique A. , Kroon Pascal , Yu Zhenghao , Enjuanes Luis , Zuñiga Sonia , Berkhout Ben , Herrera-Carrillo Elena
Published: March 2023

The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic forms a major global health burden. Although protective vaccines are available, concerns remain as new virus variants continue to appear. CRISPR-based gene-editing approaches offer an attractive therapeutic strategy as the CRISPR-RNA (crRNA) can be adjusted rapidly to accommodate a new viral genome sequence. This study aimed at using the RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas13d system to attack highly conserved sequences in the viral RNA genome, thereby preparing for future zoonotic outbreaks of other coronaviruses. We designed 29 crRNAs targeting highly conserved sequences along the complete SARS-CoV-2 genome. Several crRNAs demonstrated efficient silencing of a reporter with the matching viral target sequence and efficient inhibition of a SARS-CoV-2 replicon. The crRNAs that suppress SARS-CoV-2 were also able to suppress SARS-CoV, thus demonstrating the breadth of this antiviral strategy. Strikingly, we observed that only crRNAs directed against the plus-genomic RNA demonstrated antiviral activity in the replicon assay, in contrast to those that bind the minus-genomic RNA, the replication intermediate. These results point to a major difference in the vulnerability and biology of the +RNA versus −RNA strands of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and provide important insights for the design of RNA-targeting antivirals.
Not All Conservatives Are Vaccine Hesitant: Examining the Influence of Misinformation Exposure, Political Ideology, and Flu Vaccine Acceptance on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
Authors: Rasul Muhammad Ehab , Ahmed Saifuddin
Published: March 2023

Despite the mass availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, many Americans are still reluctant to take a vaccine as an outcome from exposure to misinformation. Additionally, while scholars have paid attention to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, the influence of general vaccine hesitancy for important viruses such as the flu has largely been ignored. Using nationally representative data from Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel survey (Wave 79), this study examined the relationship between perceived misinformation exposure, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, flu vaccine acceptance, political ideology, and demographic trends. The findings suggest that those who accepted the flu vaccine were less likely to be COVID-19 vaccine-hesitant. In addition, moderation analyses showed that perceived misinformation exposure increases COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for conservatives and moderates but not for liberals. However, perceived misinformation exposure influences COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among conservatives only if they are also flu vaccine-hesitant. Perceived misinformation exposure has no role in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy if individuals (irrespective of political ideology) are regular with their flu vaccine. The results suggest that the effect of misinformation exposure on negative attitudes toward COVID-19 may be associated with generalized vaccine hesitancy (e.g., flu). The practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
SARS-CoV-2-Neutralizing Antibody Response and Correlation of Two Serological Assays with Microneutralization
Authors: Souiri Amal , Lemriss Sanaâ , El Maliki Bouchra , Falahi Hamadi , El Fahime Elmostafa , El Kabbaj Saâd
Published: March 2023

SARS-CoV-2 has caused a huge pandemic affecting millions of people and resulting innumerous deaths. A better understanding of the correlation between binding antibodies and neutralizing antibodies is necessary to address protective immunity post-infection or vaccination. Here, we investigate the humoral immune response and the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies following vaccination with adenovirus-based vector in 177 serum samples. A Microneutralization (MN) assay was used as a reference method to assess whether neutralizing antibody titers correlated with a positive signal in two commercially available serological tests:a rapid lateral flow immune-chromatographic assay (LFIA) and an enzyme-linked Fluorescence Assay (ELFA). Neutralizing antibodies were detected in most serum samples (84%). COVID-19 convalescent individuals showed high antibody titers and significant neutralizing activity. Spearman correlation coefficients between the serological and neutralization results ranged from 0.8 to 0.9, suggesting a moderate to strong correlation between commercial immunoassays test results (LFIA and ELFA) and virus neutralization.
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot Preserves T Cells Immune Response Based on Interferon-Gamma Release Assay in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Patients on Anti-TNFα Treatment
Authors: Pavia Grazia , Spagnuolo Rocco , Quirino Angela , Marascio Nadia , Giancotti Aida , Simeone Silvio , Cosco Cristina , Tino Elena , Carrabetta Federico , Di Gennaro Gianfranco , Nobile Carmelo , Bianco Aida , Matera Giovanni , Doldo Patrizia
Published: March 2023

Immune-modifying treatment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) impairs the humoral response. The role of T lymphocytes in this setting is still unclear. This study aims to assess if a booster shot (third dose) of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine enhanced the humoral response and elicited cellular immunity in IBD patients on different immuno-therapy regimens compared to healthy controls (HCs). Five months after a booster dose, serological and T-cell responses were assessed. The measurements were described using geometric means with 95% confidence intervals. The differences between study groups were assessed by Mann–Whitney tests. Seventy-seven subjects (n = 53 IBD patients and n = 24 HCs), who were fully vaccinated and not previously SARS-CoV-2 infected, were recruited. Regarding the IBD patients, 19 were affected by Crohn’s disease and 34 by ulcerative colitis. During the vaccination cycle, half of the patients (53%) were on stable treatment with aminosalicylates, and 32% were on biological therapy. No differences in antibody concentrations between IBD patients and HCs, nor T-cell responses, were found. Stratifying IBD patients based on the type of treatment (anti-TNFα agents vs. other treatment regimens), a decrease only in antibody titer (p = 0.008), but not in cellular response, was observed. Even after the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, the TNFα inhibitors selectively decreased the humoral immune response compared to patients on other treatment regimens. The T-cell response was preserved in all study groups. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating T-cell immune responses following COVID-19 vaccination in a routine diagnostic setting, particularly for immunocompromised cohorts.
First Year of Special Issue “New Insights in Vaccination and Public Health”: Opinions and Considerations
Authors: Arghittu Antonella , Dettori Marco , Castiglia Paolo
Published: March 2023

Disease prevention and control is the foundation of public health [...]
Ethical Challenges Involved in COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: Alahmad Ghiath
Published: March 2023

The new COVID-19 pandemic has affected day-to-day life, creating various ethical dilemmas. COVID-19 vaccination is seen as an effective way to halt the pandemic. Ethical challenges can arise when the vaccines are mandated for all ages, but more so when mandated for children. This systematic review discusses the pros and cons of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for children. The primary objective of this study is to summarize exclusively the various ethical conflicts, impacts, and requirements that arise as a result of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate laws on children. The secondary objective is to analyze the reasons for parents refusing to allow their children to be given the COVID-19 vaccine sand the effective strategies to increase vaccine uptake among children. The study involved a systematic review, identification of relevant literature and reviews following the PRISMA-ScR recommendations. The keywords ‘COVID-19 vaccine mandates on children’ were used to mine the literature from PubMed and WHO COVID-19 Research Database. Limitations placed on the original searches were: English language, humans, ethics, and children. Out of 529 studies, only 13 satisfied the selection criteria. The sample included studies with a wide, diverse range of methods, settings, research, authors, and journals. COVID-19 vaccine mandates on children need to be scrutinized. Implementing the COVID-19 vaccination drive in a scientific way is acceptable. As children are the fastest-growing population and have the highest life expectancy, it is important to take into account that the vaccines do not disturb their growth and development.
Puppies Raised during the COVID-19 Lockdown Showed Fearful and Aggressive Behaviors in Adulthood: An Italian Survey
Authors: Sacchettino Luigi , Gatta Claudia , Chirico Andrea , Avallone Luigi , Napolitano Francesco , d’Angelo Danila
Published: March 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister’s decree issued by the Italian government on 9 March 2020, known as “#Iorestoacasa” (I stay at home), required everyone to stay indoors, with a few exceptions, from 11 March to 3 May 2020. This decree had a substantial impact on the mental health of both people and dogs. We carried out a national survey to compare the personalities of adult dogs who were puppies in lockdown (from March to May 2020) with those of adult dogs born after that time (from June 2020 to February 2021). Our results highlighted a significant increase in personality traits related to fear and aggression in dogs who experienced lockdown restrictions during their socialization period, further confirming that the COVID-19 pandemic strongly impacted the behavioral development of dogs. Therefore, it may be advantageous for these dogs to be closely monitored by veterinary behaviorists and receive specialized behavioral rehabilitation therapy to lower the risk of episodes of aggression and fearfulness as well as to increase the wellbeing of dogs raised under social restrictions.
Monitoring Claw Length, Feet Infrared Temperature, Mobility and Backfat Tissue Changes in Replacement Gilts of Different Genetic Lines in Three Farrow-to-Finish Herds in Greece
Authors: Kroustallas Fotios G. , Papadopoulos Georgios A. , Skampardonis Vasilis , Leontides Leonidas , Fortomaris Paschalis
Published: March 2023

Feet infrared temperature is associated with feet health and may affect the reproductive performance of sows. In total, 137, 98 and 114 replacement gilts were selected at the age of weaning from 3 herds—A, B and C—with different genetic lines. Dorsal claw length was measured, and anisodactylia was measured in all four feet, at weaning age, and at those gilts that completed their first and second farrowing. At the first and second farrowing stage, the infrared temperature distribution, dew/claw length and backfat thickness were measured concurrently with claw lesion and mobility score evaluation. The maximum temperature significantly differed (p < 0.01) among herds, in the rear feet and in all four feet at the first and second farrowing respectively. Claw lengths statistically differed among herds at all stages (p < 0.05). Anisodactylia in rear feet was lower in herd A (p < 0.05) at weaning, and in herd C at the first and second farrowing (p < 0.05). In addition, the claw lesion score, mobility, backfat thickness and reproductive performance statistically differed among herds (p < 0.05). It is shown that even at an early stage of their reproductive life, claw length differences exist in replacement gilts of different genetic lines.
Modelling Plume Development with Annual Pulses of Contaminants Released from an Airport Runway to a Layered Aquifer, Evaluation of an In Situ Monitoring System
Authors: French Helen K. , Hansen Mona C. , Moe Kamilla G. , Stene Julie
Published: March 2023

In cold climates, the use of de-icing chemicals in the winter can lead to groundwater contamination, especially when used in large quantities, such as at airports. Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, is situated on Norway’s largest rain-fed aquifer. Potassium formate is used to remove ice from runways and propylene glycol from airplanes; the organic parts are degradable. Most of the wells to monitor the spread of de-icing chemicals in the underlying aquifer have well screens near the groundwater level, while the runways and the source of de-icing chemicals are near the groundwater divides, where vertical flow is expected. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the importance of layers and time-varying recharge on the spreading of contaminant plumes in an aquifer near a groundwater divide. This is done with numerical modelling. The model results show increased vertical transport of the added tracer in the presence of horizontal layers, both continuous and discontinuous, in the aquifer. With certain distributions of hydraulic conductivity, Ks, we demonstrate that deeper monitoring wells are required. With the scenarios modelled here, time-varying recharge has a weaker effect on plume distribution. Measured concentrations of potassium and total organic carbon show the cyclic effect of seasonally varying recharge of contaminants, and an asymptotic accumulation of concentration over time, that is consistent with the model runs. In conclusion, groundwater monitoring systems near a groundwater divide should include multi-level samplers to ensure control of the vertical plume movement.