bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time Perspective and the Risk of Developing Burnout: An Empirical Study among Different Blue-Collar Workers in Spain
Authors: Reig-Botella Adela , Detaille Sarah , Clemente Miguel , López-Golpe Jaime , de Lange Annet
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this research was to analyze the relationship between the time perspective of Spanish shipyard workers in relation to burnout compared to other blue-collar workers in other sectors, including a total of 644 participants in a shipyard in northern Spain and 223 workers in other sectors. The ages were between 20 and 69 (M = 46.14, SD = 10.98). We used the Spanish version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Instrument (ZTPI) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory–General Survey (MBI-GS). The mean of the three reliability coefficients of the emotional exhaustion factor was 0.887. In respect to the five factors of the ZTPI questionnaire, the mean of those five coefficients was 0.86. A Student’s t-test for independent samples comparing shipyard naval workers vs. the control group in personality variables and burnout was used. The psychological difference between workers in the naval sector and those in other sectors is better predicted based on two variables: emotional exhaustion and professional efficacy. Workers in the naval sector have a higher risk of becoming burnt-out than workers in other sectors due to a negative past, present and future time perspective. This can be a consequence of constant understimulation and monotonous and repetitive work, as well as a lack of autonomy and social support at work.
Heat, Hills and the High Season: A Model-Based Comparative Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Factors Affecting Shared Bicycle Use in Three Southern European Islands
Authors: Maas Suzanne , Nikolaou Paraskevas , Attard Maria , Dimitriou Loukas
Published: March 2021

Bicycle sharing systems (BSSs) have been implemented in cities worldwide in an attempt to promote cycling. Despite exhibiting characteristics considered to be barriers to cycling, such as hot summers, hilliness and car-oriented infrastructure, Southern European island cities and tourist destinations Limassol (Cyprus), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) and the Valletta conurbation (Malta) are all experiencing the implementation of BSSs and policies to promote cycling. In this study, a year of trip data and secondary datasets are used to analyze dock-based BSS usage in the three case-study cities. How land use, socio-economic, network and temporal factors influence BSS use at station locations, both as an origin and as a destination, was examined using bivariate correlation analysis and through the development of linear mixed models for each case study. Bivariate correlations showed significant positive associations with the number of cafes and restaurants, vicinity to the beach or promenade and the percentage of foreign population at the BSS station locations in all cities. A positive relation with cycling infrastructure was evident in Limassol and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, but not in Malta, as no cycling infrastructure is present in the island’s conurbation, where the BSS is primarily operational. Elevation had a negative association with BSS use in all three cities. In Limassol and Malta, where seasonality in weather patterns is strongest, a negative effect of rainfall and a positive effect of higher temperature were observed. Although there was a positive association between BSS use and the number of visiting tourists in Limassol and Malta, this is predominantly explained through the multi-collinearity with weather factors rather than by intensive use of the BSS by tourists. The linear mixed models showed more fine-grained results and explained differences in BSS use at stations, including differences for station use as an origin and as a destination. The insights from the correlation analysis and linear mixed models can be used to inform policies promoting cycling and BSS use and support sustainable mobility policies in the case-study cities and cities with similar characteristics.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Sustainability and Risk Management
Authors: Nobanee Haitham , Al Hamadi Fatima Youssef , Abdulaziz Fatma Ali , Abukarsh Lina Subhi , Alqahtani Aysha Falah , AlSubaey Shayma Khalifa , Alqahtani Sara Mohamed , Almansoori Hamama Abdulla
Published: March 2021

Sustainability practices in a working environment represent superior quality performances, while risks remain to be a challenge. Our study’s primary purpose is to deploy the bibliometric method to analyze the related literature. Bibliometric parameters analyzed using the VOSviewer software were employed to identify citations relevant to sustainability and risk contexts’ critical themes. From 1990–2020, a reflection of 1233 documents appeared in Scopus on sustainability practices and risk management. We searched the current papers, authors, institutes, and keywords on VOSviewer. The bibliometric search provided us an understanding, which reflected that the collected works on literature of sustainability and risk factors, in general, is suggestively increasing. Mainly, in our report, we highlighted six major streams, related to topics such as the moral responsibilities and sustainability development, blockchain technology and minimization of risks, social sustainability and supply chain, environmental impacts, safety engineering and risk identification, and optimization and sustainability practices. The primary purpose of using streams was to cite the key authors and their contributions to the related literature. This bibliometric analysis was developed to obtain further understanding regarding the importance of sustainability to the individual, firms, and the entire economy. Moreover, the factors associated with risk also sought to be examined to prevent or at least minimize its negative impact. It was identified in this paper that sustainability remains an issue in the global perspective that has been challenging the individual and/or the organization’s point of views. Risk factors were also identified as inevitable; hence, everyone must be socially responsible to minimize the negative impact on the economy.
Target Detection-Based Tree Recognition in a Spruce Forest Area with a High Tree Density—Implications for Estimating Tree Numbers
Authors: Emin Mirzat , Anwar Erpan , Liu Suhong , Emin Bilal , Mamut Maryam , Abdukeram Abduwali , Liu Ting
Published: March 2021

Here, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing and machine vision were used to automatically, accurately, and efficiently count Tianshan spruce and improve the efficiency of scientific forest management, focusing on a typical Tianshan spruce forest on Tianshan Mountain, middle Asia. First, the UAV in the sampling area was cropped from the image, and a target-labeling tool was used. The Tianshan spruce trees were annotated to construct a data set, and four models were used to identify and verify them in three different areas (low, medium, and high canopy closures). Finally, the combined number of trees was calculated. The average accuracy of the detection frame, mean accuracy and precision (mAP), was used to determine the target detection accuracy. The Faster Region Convolutional Neural Network (Faster-RCNN) model achieved the highest accuracies (96.36%, 96.32%, and 95.54% under low, medium, and high canopy closures, respectively) and the highest mAP (85%). Canopy closure affected the detection and recognition accuracy; YOLOv3, YOLOv4, and Faster-RCNN all showed varying spruce recognition accuracies at different densities. The accuracy of the Faster-RCNN model decreased by at least 0.82%. Combining UAV remote sensing with target detection networks can identify and quantify statistics regarding Tianshan spruce. This solves the shortcomings of traditional monitoring methods and is significant for understanding and monitoring forest ecosystems.
Exploring the Effects of Innovation Strategies and Size on Manufacturing Firms’ Productivity and Environmental Impact
Authors: Seclen-Luna Jean Pierre , Moya-Fernández Pablo , Pereira Ángeles
Published: March 2021

In economies that are based on natural resources, efforts to achieve sustainability still seem unclear, especially in manufacturing companies. As a result, from a business perspective, many manufacturers have adopted various strategies to maintain their competitiveness in line with environmental regulations. In addition to product and process innovation, we have analyzed innovation based on product–service innovation (PSI), or servitization, which is seen as key to promoting more resource-efficient economies. This study examines the effects of innovation strategies on productivity and environmental impact. Based on data extracted from the National Innovation Survey of the manufacturing industries of Peru, a sample of 791 companies were analyzed. Our findings indicate that, although only a few companies carry out product and process innovation and especially product–service innovation, when they do, they have a positive effect on both productivity and environmental impact. However, this relationship is affected by the size of the company. Thus, the innovation strategies have a greater positive effect on environmental impact in large companies than companies with fewer than 50 employees. Finally, despite the importance of product–service innovation, it seems that this strategy is not yet established in Peruvian manufacturing companies. Given the positive effect on productivity and environmental impact, we conclude by emphasizing the importance of establishing public policies aimed at disseminating and promoting this type of innovation, with specific support for companies with fewer than 50 employees.
Risk Severity Matrix for Sustainable Public-Private Partnership Projects in Developing Countries
Authors: Khahro Shabir Hussain , Ali Tauha Hussain , Hassan Shafiqul , Zainun Noor Yasmin , Javed Yasir , Memon Shahbaz Aziz
Published: March 2021

The concept of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is not new for developing countries, although many initiatives are being contemplated for potential implementation. This paper evaluates the crucial success factor for the effective execution of PPP projects and it also investigates the appropriate distribution of the risks involved in PPP projects. Quartile analysis of features has been made after a detailed literature review for risk identification. The risk severity analysis is done using a quartile assessment. The data is collected from various contractors working on PPP projects in Pakistan. The comparative analysis has been conducted using available research work on PPP in developing countries. A risk severity rank model is created using 47 key risks in PPP projects for developing countries. Finally, the top risks identified by this research are compared with the previous studies conducted in China, India and Egypt. It is concluded that inflation, revenue risk from end-user, foreign exchange fluctuation, political situation, law and order, and corruption are the major risks in developing countries for better management of PPP projects. Most of the PPP projects are public-oriented. The society of any city is directly affected by most PPP projects. This paper presents the identified key risks of PPP projects in developing countries which are mostly financial and public-oriented. This work will support the PPP concept significance, meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 and 11. Recent countries’ political and economic circumstances and sustainability have transformed PPP ventures into a successful way to support the governments to develop roads, energy and facilities through private partners’ financial and technological capacities. Although PPP is used worldwide, its effective utilization in developing countries is still lacking. This paper is an enhancement to its successful use of the PPP domain for developing countries.
Conceptual Framework for Programming Skills Development Based on Microlearning and Automated Source Code Evaluation in Virtual Learning Environment
Authors: Skalka Jan , Drlik Martin , Benko Lubomir , Kapusta Jozef , Rodríguez del Pino Juan Carlos , Smyrnova-Trybulska Eugenia , Stolinska Anna , Svec Peter , Turcinek Pavel
Published: March 2021

Understanding how software works and writing a program are currently frequent requirements when hiring employees. The complexity of learning programming often results in educational failures, student frustration and lack of motivation, because different students prefer different learning paths. Although e-learning courses have led to many improvements in the methodology and the supporting technology for more effective programming learning, misunderstanding of programming principles is one of the main reasons for students leaving school early. Universities face a challenging task: how to harmonise students’ education, focusing on advanced knowledge in the development of software applications, with students’ education in cases where writing code is a new skill. The article proposes a conceptual framework focused on the comprehensive training of future programmers using microlearning and automatic evaluation of source codes to achieve immediate feedback for students. This framework is designed to involve students in the software development of virtual learning environment software that will provide their education, thus ensuring the sustainability of the environment in line with modern development trends. The paper’s final part is devoted to verifying the contribution of the presented elements through quantitative research on the introductory parts of the framework. It turned out that although the application of interactive features did not lead to significant measurable progress during the first semester of study, it significantly improved the results of students in subsequent courses focused on advanced programming.
Do Rail Transit Stations Affect the Population Density Changes around Them? The Case of Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area
Authors: AlQuhtani Saad , Anjomani Ardeshir
Published: March 2021

This study investigates changes in population density in 454 block groups within a one-mile buffer around rail transit stations (the study area) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area. The research uses three analysis approaches to explore a correlation between proximity to rail stations and population density changes. Changes in population density between 2000 and 2014 are calculated. Changes in population density in the study area are compared to the remainder of the block groups within the four counties served by the same rail transit systems. An innovative approach is employed to select the best regression model using the data of the study area. A relationship between the independent variables and the changes in population density is formulated. The proximity of block groups in the study area to the nearby highway ramps or city centers is also investigated during the study period. Results show that it has a positive impact on population density. Changes in population density within the block groups located beyond the one-mile buffer, especially toward outlying areas, are greater than those within the one-mile buffer. Unexpectedly, it is found that an increase in the percentage of employed and white residents leads to an increase in population density. Other interesting results show that the number of jobs is in inverse proportion to the population density. However, block groups that are developed as part of transit-oriented development (TOD) are dramatically higher in population density than the other block groups. These results represent a beneficial contribution to the field of urban planning. Urban planners and policymakers can also use the findings to adopt specific policies for increasing density, advancing rail transit systems’ success, increasing transit usage, and sustaining station area development.
Energy-Efficient Optimization of Two-Sided Disassembly Line Balance Considering Parallel Operation and Uncertain Using Multiobjective Flatworm Algorithm
Authors: Liang Junyong , Guo Shunsheng , Zhang Yunfei , Liu Wenfang , Zhou Shengwen
Published: March 2021

The two-sided disassembly line is popular for its high-efficiency disassembly of large-volume end-of-life products. However, in the process of two-sided disassembly, some parts and components need to be disassembled in parallel, and the uncertainty of disassembly time lacks certain research. This paper constructs a fuzzy multiobjective two-sided disassembly line balance problem model based on parallel operation constraint, which aims to reduce the balance loss rate, smoothness index, and energy consumption of disassembly activities. A multiobjective flatworm algorithm based on the Pareto-dominance relationship is developed. To increase the diversity of feasible solutions in the evolution process and accelerate the convergence of Pareto-optimal solutions to prevent the random search of solution space, growth, splitting and regeneration mechanisms are embedded in the algorithm. The working mechanism and efficiency of the multiobjective flatworm algorithm are proved on a series of two-sided disassembly cases, and the excellent performance of the proposed model and algorithm are demonstrated by an actual automobile two-sided disassembly line.
Identifying Key Watershed Characteristics That Affect the Biological Integrity of Streams in the Han River Watershed, Korea
Authors: Park Se-Rin , Hwang Soon-Jin , An Kyungjin , Lee Sang-Woo
Published: March 2021

Understanding the complex human and natural processes that occur in watersheds and stream ecosystems is critical for decision makers and planners to ensure healthy stream ecosystems. This study aims to characterize the Han River watershed in Korea and extract key relationships among watershed attributes and biological indicators of streams using principal component analysis (PCA) and self-organizing maps (SOM). This study integrated watershed attributes and biological indicators of streams to delineate the watershed and stream biological status. Results from PCA strongly suggested that the proportions of watershed and riparian land use are key factors that explain the total variance in the datasets. Forest land in the watershed appeared to be the most significant factor. Furthermore, SOM planes showed that the biological indicators of streams have strong positive relationships with forest land, well-drained soil, and slope, whereas they have inverse relationships with urban areas, agricultural areas, and poorly drained soil. Hierarchical clustering classified the watersheds into three clusters, exclusively located in the study areas depending on the degree of forest, urban, and agricultural areas. The findings of this study suggest that different management strategies should be established depending on the characteristics of a cluster to improve the biological condition of streams.
Quantification of PV Power and Economic Losses Due to Soiling in Qatar
Authors: Zeedan Amr , Barakeh Abdulaziz , Al-Fakhroo Khaled , Touati Farid , Gonzales Antonio S. P.
Published: March 2021

Soiling losses of photovoltaic (PV) panels due to dust lead to a significant decrease in solar energy yield and result in economic losses; this hence poses critical challenges to the viability of PV in smart grid systems. In this paper, these losses are quantified under Qatar’s harsh environment. This quantification is based on experimental data from long-term measurements of various climatic parameters and the output power of PV panels located in Qatar University’s Solar facility in Doha, Qatar, using a customized measurement and monitoring setup. A data processing algorithm was deliberately developed and applied, which aimed to correlate output power to ambient dust density in the vicinity of PV panels. It was found that, without cleaning, soiling reduced the output power by 43% after six months of exposure to an average ambient dust density of 0.7 mg/m3. The power and economic loss that would result from this power reduction for Qatar’s ongoing solar PV projects has also been estimated. For example, for the Al-Kharasaah project power plant, similar soiling loss would result in about a 10% power decrease after six months for typical ranges of dust density in Qatar’s environment; this, in turn, would result in an 11,000 QAR/h financial loss. This would pose a pressing need to mitigate soiling effects in PV power plants.
The Influence of Emotional Intelligence and Cultural Adaptability on Cross-Cultural Adjustment and Performance with the Mediating Effect of Cross-Cultural Competence: A Study of Expatriates in Taiwan
Authors: Kai Liao Ying , Wu Wann-Yih , Dao Tuan Cong , Ngoc Luu Thi-Minh
Published: March 2021

This study examines the influence of antecedents on cross-cultural competence and cross-cultural adjustment as well as the mediating role of cross-cultural competence for the influence of cultural adaptability on cross-cultural adjustment and expatriate performance. The partial least squares structural equation modeling technique was adopted to analyze the data from a survey of 240 expatriates working in Taiwan. The results confirm the positive effect of emotional intelligence and cultural adaptability on cross-cultural competence and of emotional intelligence and cross-cultural competence on cross-cultural adjustment. Moreover, the findings reveal a highly valuable milestone insight into the role of cross-cultural competence regarding their competency to foster the indirect influence of cultural adaptability on cross-cultural adjustment and expatriate performance in culturally diverse settings. Given that previous research has rarely identified the mediating role of cross-cultural competence in improving cross-cultural adjustment and expatriate performance, these findings could be highly beneficial for academics to conduct further validation and professional human resource managers in recruiting and managing expatriates.
An Adaptable Conceptual Model for Construction Technology Transfer: The BRI in Africa, the Case of Ethiopia
Authors: Shukra Zahra Abdulhadi , Zhou Ying , Wang Lingling
Published: March 2021

Unlike other developmental relationships, BRI is the most promising icon in transforming the construction industry and built environment in Africa; the infrastructure developments like highways, bridges, skyscrapers, and aviation take in advanced construction technologies, methods, and skills. However, the technological capability of Chinese construction firms is not transferred in the highest capacity to the host countries. Nevertheless, the main focus is on delivering modern railways, highways, and skyscrapers. Thus, this research aimed to propose an adaptable technology transfer model by identifying the theoretical concepts in the body of knowledge, exploring the prior technology transfer models and the best experiences. The findings indicated that the BRI inclusive countries in Africa benefit from infrastructure development with an investment amount of more than US$33 billion with potential technology spillovers, but in an unplanned, and not best suited to their conditions because of the lack of a single-country-based technology, transfer model ahead of project implementation. Using a systems thinking approach and a causal loop diagram tool, the authors created a conceptual model to guide the Africa’s construction technology transfer through BRI. The research also examined case study projects in Ethiopia to assert the new model’s practicability over the existing processes. Moreover, the university–industry linkage structures, can facilitate the process through R&D and innovation in the whole project life cycle.
Projected-Reflected Subgradient-Extragradient Method and Its Real-World Applications
Authors: Gibali Aviv , Iyiola Olaniyi S. , Akinyemi Lanre , Shehu Yekini
Published: March 2021

Our main focus in this work is the classical variational inequality problem with Lipschitz continuous and pseudo-monotone mapping in real Hilbert spaces. An adaptive reflected subgradient-extragradient method is presented along with its weak convergence analysis. The novelty of the proposed method lies in the fact that only one projection onto the feasible set in each iteration is required, and there is no need to know/approximate the Lipschitz constant of the cost function a priori. To illustrate and emphasize the potential applicability of the new scheme, several numerical experiments and comparisons in tomography reconstruction, Nash–Cournot oligopolistic equilibrium, and more are presented.
Existence and Approximation of Fixed Points of Enriched Contractions and Enriched φ-Contractions
Authors: Berinde Vasile , Păcurar Mădălina
Published: March 2021

We obtain existence and uniqueness fixed point theorems as well as approximation results for some classes of mappings defined by symmetric contractive type conditions in a convex metric space in the sense of Takahashi. By using a new approach, i.e., the technique of enrichment of contractive type mappings, we obtain general results which extend the well known Banach contraction mapping principle from metric spaces as well as other corresponding results for enriched mappings defined on Banach spaces. To indicate the relevance of our new results, we present some important particular cases and future directions of research.
A Conditional Generative Adversarial Network Based Approach for Network Slicing in Heterogeneous Vehicular Networks
Authors: Falahatraftar Farnoush , Pierre Samuel , Chamberland Steven
Published: March 2021

Heterogeneous Vehicular Network (HetVNET) is a highly dynamic type of network that changes very quickly. Regarding this feature of HetVNETs and the emerging notion of network slicing in 5G technology, we propose a hybrid intelligent Software-Defined Network (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) based architecture. In this paper, we apply Conditional Generative Adversarial Network (CGAN) to augment the information of successful network scenarios that are related to network congestion and dynamicity. The results show that the proposed CGAN can be trained in order to generate valuable data. The generated data are similar to the real data and they can be used in blueprints of HetVNET slices.
Characterization and Toxicity of Crude Toxins Produced by Cordyceps fumosorosea against Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and Aphis craccivora (Koch)
Authors: Wu Jianhui , Yang Bo , Xu Jing , Cuthbertson Andrew G. S. , Ali Shaukat
Published: March 2021

Cordyceps fumosorosea, an insect pathogenic fungus, produces different toxins/secondary metabolites which can act as pest control agents. This study reports the extraction and characterization of crude mycelial extracts of C. fumosorosea isolate SP502 along with their bio-efficacy against Bemisia tabaci and Aphis craccivora. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometery and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of C. fumosorosea isolate SP502 extracts showed the presence of five major compounds—Trichodermin, 5-Methylmellein, Brevianamide F, Enniatin and Beauvericin—which all may potentially be involved in insecticidal activity. The HPLC analysis of C. fumosorosea mycelial extracts and Beauvericin standard showed similar chromatographic peaks, with the content of Beauvericin in the crude toxin being calculated as 0.66 mg/ml. The median lethal concentrations of C. fumosorosea mycelial extracts towards first, second, third and fourth instar nymphs of A. craccivora were 46.35, 54.55, 68.94, and 81.92 µg/mL, respectively. The median lethal concentrations of C. fumosorosea mycelial extracts towards first, second, third and fourth instar nymphs of B. tabaci were 62.67, 72.84, 77.40, and 94.40 µg/mL, respectively. Our results demonstrate that bioactive compounds produced by C. fumosorosea isolate SP502 have insecticidal properties and could, therefore, be developed into biopesticides for the management of B. tabaci and A. craccivora.
A Retrospective Cohort Study of Young Women Spontaneously Choosing to Be Vaccinated against HPV: Outcomes from Their First Cervical Cancer Screening Test
Authors: Del Mistro Annarosa , Battagello Jessica , Weis Luca , Bressan Vittoria , Selle Vittorio , Ramigni Mauro , Dal Zotto Alessandra , Maggiolo Antonio , Gori Silvia , Frayle Helena , Zappa Marco , Zorzi Manuel , the Consensus Study Veneto Working Group
Published: March 2021

Background: Efficacy for cervical cancer prevention of opportunistic HPV vaccination in post-pubertal girls is lower than in 11-year-olds. Methods: Women born between 1986 and 1992 vaccinated at 15–25 years of age (at least one dose of 4-valent HPV vaccine) and screened at 24–27 years of age were included. Frequency of opportunistic vaccination, overall and by birth cohort, was calculated; screening outcomes were compared between vaccinated and unvaccinated women. Results: Overall, 4718 (4.9%) HPV-vaccinated, and 91,512 unvaccinated, women were studied. The frequency of vaccination increased by birth cohort, ranging between 1.8% and 9.8%; age at vaccination decreased progressively by birth cohort (p < 0.0001). Participation in screening was 60.8% among vaccinated, and 56.6% among unvaccinated, women (p < 0.0001). Detection rates (DR) for high-grade lesions were lower in vaccinated women (2.11‰ vs. 3.85‰ in unvaccinated, for CIN3+, p = 0.24; 0.0‰ vs. 0.22‰ for cancer). The DR of CIN3+ increased with age at vaccination, scoring respectively 0.0‰, 0.83‰, and 4.68‰ for women vaccinated when they were 15–16, 17–20, and 21–25 years old (p = 0.17). Conclusions: In comparison to unvaccinated women, higher compliance with cervical cancer screening invitation and lower CIN3+ DR among vaccinated women was observed. Age at vaccination was inversely correlated to vaccination efficacy.
Multiple Reassortants of H5N8 Clade 2.3.4.4b Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in South Korea during the Winter of 2020–2021
Authors: Baek Yoon-Gi , Lee Yu-Na , Lee Dong-Hun , Shin Jae-in , Lee Ji-Ho , Chung David H. , Lee Eun-Kyoung , Heo Gyeong-Beom , Sagong Mingeun , Kye Soo-Jeong , Lee Kwang-Nyeong , Lee Myoung-Heon , Lee Youn-Jeong
Published: March 2021

During October 2020–January 2021, we isolated a total of 67 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 viruses from wild birds and outbreaks in poultry in South Korea. We sequenced the isolates and performed phylogenetic analysis of complete genome sequences to determine the origin, evolution, and spread patterns of these viruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene showed that all the isolates belong to H5 clade 2.3.4.4 subgroup B (2.3.4.4b) and form two distinct genetic clusters, G1 and G2. The cluster G1 was closely related to the 2.3.4.4b H5N8 HPAI viruses detected in Europe in early 2020, while the cluster G2 had a close genetic relationship with the 2.3.4.4b H5N8 viruses that circulated in Europe in late 2020. A total of seven distinct genotypes were identified, including five novel reassortants carrying internal genes of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Our Bayesian discrete trait phylodynamic analysis between host types suggests that the viruses initially disseminated from migratory waterfowl to domestic duck farms in South Korea. Subsequently, domestic duck farms most likely contributed to the transmission of HPAI viruses to chicken and minor poultry farms, highlighting the need for enhanced, high levels of biosecurity measures at domestic duck farms to effectively prevent the introduction and spread of HPAI.
A Roadmap for Genome-Based Phage Taxonomy
Authors: Turner Dann , Kropinski Andrew M. , Adriaenssens Evelien M.
Published: March 2021

Bacteriophage (phage) taxonomy has been in flux since its inception over four decades ago. Genome sequencing has put pressure on the classification system and recent years have seen significant changes to phage taxonomy. Here, we reflect on the state of phage taxonomy and provide a roadmap for the future, including the abolition of the order Caudovirales and the families Myoviridae, Podoviridae, and Siphoviridae. Furthermore, we specify guidelines for the demarcation of species, genus, subfamily and family-level ranks of tailed phage taxonomy.
Dogs as Sentinels for Flavivirus Exposure in Urban, Peri-Urban and Rural Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Pham-Thanh Long , Nguyen-Tien Thang , Magnusson Ulf , Bui-Nghia Vuong , Bui-Ngoc Anh , Le-Thanh Duy , Lundkvist Åke , Can-Xuan Minh , Nguyen-Thi Thu Thuy , Vu-Thi Bich Hau , Lee Hu Suk , Nguyen-Viet Hung , Lindahl Johanna
Published: March 2021

Diseases caused by flaviviruses, including dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis, are major health problems in Vietnam. This cross-sectional study explored the feasibility of domestic dogs as sentinels to better understand risks of mosquito-borne diseases in Hanoi city. A total of 475 dogs serum samples from 221 households in six districts of Hanoi were analyzed by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for antibodies to the pr-E protein of West Nile virus and other flaviviruses due to cross-reactivity. The overall flavivirus seroprevalence in the dog population was 70.7% (95% CI = 66.4–74.8%). At the animal level, significant associations between seropositive dogs and district location, age, breed and keeping practice were determined. At the household level, the major risk factors were rural and peri-urban locations, presence of pigs, coil burning and households without mosquito-borne disease experience (p < 0.05). Mosquito control by using larvicides or electric traps could lower seropositivity, but other measures did not contribute to significant risk mitigation of flavivirus exposure in dogs. These results will support better control of mosquito-borne diseases in Hanoi, and they indicate that dogs can be used as sentinels for flavivirus exposure.
Pneumococcal Competition Modulates Antibiotic Resistance in the Pre-Vaccination Era: A Modelling Study
Authors: Lourenço José , Daon Yair , Gori Andrea , Obolski Uri
Published: March 2021

The ongoing emergence of antibiotic resistant strains and high frequencies of antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae poses a major public health challenge. How and which ecological and evolutionary mechanisms maintain the coexistence of antibiotic resistant and susceptible strains remains largely an open question. We developed an individual-based, stochastic model expanding on a previous pneumococci modelling framework. We explore how between- and within-host mechanisms of competition can sustain observed levels of resistance to antibiotics in the pre-vaccination era. Our framework considers that within-host competition for co-colonization between resistant and susceptible strains can arise via pre-existing immunity (immunological competition) or intrinsic fitness differences due to resistance costs (ecological competition). We find that beyond stochasticity, population structure or movement, competition at the within-host level can explain observed resistance frequencies. We compare our simulation results to pneumococcal antibiotic resistance data in the European region using approximate Bayesian computation. Our results demonstrate that ecological competition for co-colonization can explain the variation in co-existence of resistant and susceptible pneumococci observed in the pre-vaccination era. Furthermore, we show that within-host pneumococcal competition can facilitate the maintenance of resistance in the pre-vaccination era. Accounting for these competition-related components of pneumococcal dynamics can improve our understanding of drivers for the emergence and maintenance of antibiotic resistance in pneumococci.
Decrease of IL-5 Production by Naive T Cells Cocultured with IL-18-Producing BCG-Pulsed Dendritic Cells from Patients Allergic to House Dust Mite
Authors: Kowalewicz-Kulbat Magdalena , Szpakowski Piotr , Krawczyk Krzysztof T. , Kowalski Marek L. , Kosinski Slawomir , Biet Franck , Rudnicka Wieslawa , Locht Camille
Published: March 2021

The only currently available anti-tuberculosis vaccine, Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), has been reported to also protect against unrelated diseases, including inflammatory diseases such as allergic asthma. Recombinant BCG strains that produce IL-18 have been shown to enhance Th1 responses over non-recombinant BCG and to reduce IL-5 production and bronchoalveolar eosinophilia in mice. However, their ability to decrease the immune polarization of human Th2 cells is not known. Here, we show that BCG and recombinant BCG producing human IL-18 (rBCG-hIL-18) induced the maturation of Der p 1-stimulated monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MD-DCs) from healthy controls and from patients allergic to house dust mites. After incubation with mycobacteria and Der p 1, MD-DCs produced significantly more IL-23 and IP-10 but had no effect on IL-12p70 or IL-10 production compared to Der p 1-pulsed MD-DCs in the absence of mycobacteria. In the presence of Der p 1, BCG- and rBCG-hIL-18-pulsed MD-DCs cocultured with naive, but not with memory T cells from allergic patients, resulted in a decrease in IL-5 production compared to non-pulsed MD-DCs cultured in the presence of Der p 1. BCG, and especially rBCG-hIL-18, may thus be potential therapeutic tools to reduce exacerbated Th2 responses in patients with allergic asthma.
K48-Linked Ubiquitination Contributes to Nicotine-Augmented Bone Marrow-Derived Dendritic-Cell-Mediated Adaptive Immunity
Authors: Hu Chun Fang , Liao Xiao Yan , Xu Dan Dan , Ruan Yi Bin , Gao Feng Guang
Published: March 2021

K48-linked ubiquitination determining antigen degradation and the endosomal recruitments of p97 and Sec61 plays vital roles in dendritic cell (DC) cross-presentation. Our previous studies revealed that nicotine treatment increases bone marrow-derived dendritic cell (BM-DC) cross-presentation and promotes BM-DC-based cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) priming. But the effect of nicotine on K48-linked ubiquitination and the mechanism of nicotine-increased BM-DC cross-presentation are still uncertain. In this study, we first demonstrated that ex vivo nicotine administration obviously increased K48-linked ubiquitination in BM-DC. Then, we found that K48-linked ubiquitination was essential for nicotine-augmented cross-presentation, BM-DC-based CTL priming, and thereby the superior cytolytic capacity of DC-activated CTL. Importantly, K48-linked ubiquitination was verified to be necessary for nicotine-augmented endosomal recruitments of p97 and Sec61. Importantly, mannose receptor (MR), which is an important antigenic receptor for cross-presentation, was exactly catalyzed with K48-linked ubiquitination by the treatment with nicotine. Thus, these data suggested that K48-linked ubiquitination contributes to the superior adaptive immunity of nicotine-administrated BM-DC. Regulating K48-linked ubiquitination might have therapeutic potential for DC-mediated immune therapy.
Sheep as a Potential Model of Intradiscal Infection by the Bacterium Cutibacterium acnes
Authors: Coscia Erin C. , Abutaleb Nader S. , Hostetter Bradley , Seleem Mohamed N. , Breur Gert J. , McCain Robyn R. , Crain Christa J. , Slaby Ondrej , Capoor Manu N. , McDowell Andrew , Ahmed Fahad S. , Vijayanpillai Viju , Narayanan Sanjeev K. , Coscia Michael F.
Published: March 2021

The anaerobic bacterium Cutibacterium acnes has been increasingly linked to the development of degenerative disc disease (DDD), although causality is yet to be conclusively proven. To better study how this organism could contribute to the aetiology of DDD, improved animal models that are more reflective of human disc anatomy, biology and mechanical properties are required. Against this background, our proof-of concept study aimed to be the first demonstration that C. acnes could be safely administered percutaneously into sheep intervertebral discs (IVDs) for in vivo study. Following our protocol, two sheep were successfully injected with a strain of C. acnes (8.3 × 106 CFU/disc) previously recovered from a human degenerative disc. No adverse reactions were noted, and at one-month post inoculation all triplicate infected discs in our first animal grew C. acnes, albeit at a reduced load (5.12 × 104 to 6.67 × 104 CFU/disc). At six months, no growth was detected in discs from our second animal indicating bacterial clearance. This pilot study has demonstrated the feasibility of safe percutaneous injection of C. acnes into sheep IVDs under fluoroscopic guidance. The design of follow-up sheep studies to investigate the potential of C. acnes to drive pathological changes within infected discs should now be pursued.
Measurement and Analysis of Inadequate Friction Mechanisms in Liquid-Buffered Mechanical Seals Utilizing Acoustic Emission Technique
Authors: Medina-Arenas Manuel , Sopp Fabian , Stolle Johannes , Schley Matthias , Kamieth René , Wassermann Florian
Published: March 2021

Mechanical seals play an important role in the reliability of a process. Currently, the condition monitoring of mechanical seals is restricted due to the limitations of the traditional monitoring methods, including classical vibration analysis. For this reason, the objective of the present work is the detection and analysis of friction mechanisms inside a mechanical seal that are unfavorable and induce fault conditions using the acoustic emission technique, which allows the measurement of high-frequency vibrations that arise due to material fatigue processes on a microscopic scale. For this purpose, several fault condition modes were induced on a test rig of an agitator vessel system with a double-acting mechanical seal and its buffer fluid system. It was possible to detect the presence of inadequate friction mechanisms due to the absence and limited use of lubrication, as well as the presence of abrasive wear, by measuring a change in the properties of the acoustic emissions. Operation under fault condition modes was analyzed using the acoustic emission technique before an increase in the leakage rate was evaluated using traditional monitoring methods. The high friction due to the deficient lubrication was characterized by a pattern in the high-frequency range that consisted of the harmonics of a fundamental frequency of about 33 kHz. These results demonstrate the feasibility of a condition monitoring system for mechanical seals using the acoustic emission technique.
Efficient Removal of Antimony(III) in Aqueous Phase by Nano-Fe3O4 Modified High-Iron Red Mud: Study on Its Performance and Mechanism
Authors: Peng Yizhe , Luo Lin , Luo Shuang , Peng Kejian , Zhou Yaoyu , Mao Qiming , Yang Jian , Yang Yuan
Published: March 2021

The resource utilization of excess red mud produced from aluminum production is a current research focus. In this study, novel nano-Fe3O4 modified high-iron red mud material (HRM@nFe3O4) was fabricated using the method of co-precipitation to remove Sb(III) from the aqueous phase. The HRM@nFe3O4 at a nFe3O4:HRM mass ratio of 1:1 had optimal adsorbing performance on Sb(III) in water. Compared with others, the synthetic HRM@nFe3O4 sorbent had a superior maximum Sb(III) adsorption capacity of 98.03 mg·g−1, as calculated by the Langmuir model, and a higher specific surface area of 171.63 m2·g−1, measured using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurement. The adsorption process was stable at an ambient pH range, and negligibly limited by temperature the coexisting anions, except for silicate and phosphate, suggesting the high selectivity toward Sb(III). HRM@nFe3O4 retained more than 60% of the initial adsorption efficiency after the fifth adsorption-desorption cycle. The kinetic data fitted by the pseudo-second-order model illustrated the existence of a chemical adsorption process in the adsorption of Sb(III). Further mechanism analysis results indicated that the complexation reaction played a major role in Sb(III) adsorption by HRM@nFe3O4. This HRM@nFe3O4 adsorbent provides an effective method for the removal of Sb(III) in wastewater treatment and is valuable in the reclamation of red mud.
Biomat Resilience to Desiccation and Flooding Within a Shallow, Unit Process Open Water Engineered Wetland
Authors: Brady Adam , Vega Michael , Riddle Kimberly , Peel Henry , Lundeen Evelyn , Siegmund Julia , Sharp Jonathan
Published: March 2021

Projections of increased hydrological extremes due to climate change heighten the need to understand and improve the resilience of our water infrastructure. While constructed natural treatment analogs, such as raingardens, wetlands, and aquifer recharge, hold intuitive promise for variable flows, the impacts of disruption on water treatment processes and outcomes are not well understood and limit widespread adoption. To this end, we studied the impact of desiccation and flooding extremes on demonstration-scale shallow, unit process open water (UPOW) wetlands designed for water treatment. System resilience was evaluated as a function of physical characteristics, nitrate removal, photosynthetic activity, and microbial ecology. Rehydrated biomat that had been naturally desiccated re-established nitrate removal consistent with undisrupted biomat in less than a week; however, a pulse of organic carbon and nitrogen accompanied the initial rehydration phase. Conversely, sediment intrusion due to flooding had a negative impact on the biomat’s photosynthetic activity and decreased nitrate attenuation rates by nearly 50%. Based upon past mechanistic inferences, attenuation potential for trace organics is anticipated to follow similar trends as nitrate removal. While the microbial community was significantly altered in both extremes, our results collectively suggest that UPOW wetlands have potential for seasonal or intermittent use due to their promise of rapid re-establishment after rehydration. Flooding extremes and associated sediment intrusion provide a greater barrier to system resilience indicating a need for proactive designs to prevent this outcome; however, residual treatment potential after disruption could provide operators with time to triage and manage the system should a flood occur again.
Experimental Study on the Inlet Discharge Capacity under Different Clogging Conditions
Authors: Hao Xiaoli , Mu Jie , Shi Hongjian
Published: March 2021

Storm drainage inlets transport urban runoff and discharge to underground sewer systems. If the inlet structure is blocked, the urban drainage system is hampered, leading to urban flooding. To quantitatively analyze the influence of clogging conditions on inlet discharge capacity, laboratory experiments were conducted to address the impact of different inlet clogging conditions on inlet discharge capacity under different upstream discharge conditions. These were based on a two-layer platform that mimicked a complete inlet structure including a drainage grate, a rainwater well, and a connecting pipe. The results show that the water flow near the inlet was similar to weir flow when the rainwater well was not full, whereas the water flow state near the inlet behaved similarly to orifice flow after becoming full. In addition, it was found that the clogging extent and position can significantly influence the comprehensive discharge capacity of the street inlet. The experimental dataset was used to calculate the inlet discharge coefficients of the weir and orifice flow states under different clogging conditions. The results are applicable to research addressing the formation mechanisms of urban floods. Additionally, this study is of practical significance for early warning systems and emergency response support during heavy rainfall.