bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathogenicity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus causing acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp (Litopanaeus vannamei) in Serang, Banten, Indonesia
Authors: SAPUTRA AFANDI , MAFTUCH MAFTUCH , ANDAYANI SRI , YANUHAR UUN
Published: June 2023

Abstract. Saputra A, Maftuch, Andayani S, Yanuhar U. 2023. Pathogenicity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus causing acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp (Litopanaeus vannamei) in Serang, Banten, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 2365-2373. Vannamei shrimp target EMS (Early Mortality Syndrome)/AHPND (Acute Hepotopancreatic Necrosis Disease) cases in several Asian nations, including China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, India, and Indonesia. AHPND cases on shrimp farms have been reported in several Indonesian regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological pathogenicity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in different shrimp tissues exposed to different doses and durations of exposure. PCR amplification of V. parahaemolyticus was performed using Vp.flaE-79F (5?-GCA GCT GAT CAA AAC GTT GAG T-3?) and Vp.flaE-934R (5?-GATACCTTGTTACGACTT -3?) primers for molecular identification of bacteria isolated from shrimp exhibiting AHPND symptoms. V. parahaemolyticus positive target band at 897 bp. Bacterial isolates with green colonies on TCBS agar media were chosen for other test. Challenge tests with healthy shrimp were conducted using the V. parahaemolyticus strain. The challenge test on shrimp demonstrated the same clinical and pathological symptoms as the signs of infected shrimp in rivers, including swimming into the container’s corner and changes in the carapace’s pale color and empty midgut. The results showed that challenged shrimp displayed necrosis, atrophy, granulomas, cell sloughing, and had significantly considerable hemocyte infiltration that led to melanization. The highest percentage (63.33%) of damage was recorded in the treatment with a concentration of 108 CFU mL-1. It was also observed that virulence of V. parahaemolyticus strain varied with different concentrations. At concentrations of 108 CFU mL-1 and 106 CFU mL-1, virulence of V. parahaemolyticus strain caused 100% mortality in 73 hour post-infection (p.i). The lowest concentration limit for pathogenicity was 104 CFU mL-1 with a mortality of 48% at 73 p.i. The challenge test results showed that V. parahaemolyticus strain that causes AHPND was the main pathogen affecting vannamei shrimp in Serang, Banten, Indonesia.
Usability of planted mangroves in the coastal area of Semarang, Indonesia, as the source of secondary metabolite extracts
Authors: HASTUTI ENDAH DWI , IZZATI MUNIFATUL , DARMANTI SRI
Published: June 2023

Abstract. Hastuti ED, Izzati M, Darmanti S. 2023. Usability of planted mangroves in the coastal area of Semarang, Indonesia, as the source of secondary metabolite extracts. Biodiversitas 24: 2409-2415. Mangrove plants are a potential source of secondary metabolites. So the secondary metabolites from mangrove plants must be assessed to promote their utilization. Considering this, the present study was carried out to analyze the alkaloid and phenol content in mangrove species in Tugu District, Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia. Alkaloid and phenol content in five mangrove species (Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba, and Xylocarpus moluccensis) were estimated using the spectrophotometry method. The study results revealed that the alkaloid content of A. marina was highest (0.23 ± 0.11%), while the highest concentration of phenol content was found in X. moluccensis (9.66 ± 1.36%). However, after including the other parameters, viz., abundance Index and accessibility Index, A. marina, was found to be a potential source of alkaloid extract, and R. mucronata was a potential source of phenol extract.
Nematode functional traits and community structure change from river to the terrestrial border in Segara Anakan Mangrove, Indonesia
Authors: MAHARNING ARDHINI RIN , ARDLI ERWIN RIYANTO , PRABOWO ROMANUS EDY
Published: June 2023

Abstract. Maharning AR, Ardli ER, Prabowo RE. 2023. Nematode functional traits and community structure change from river to the terrestrial border in Segara Anakan Mangrove, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 2434-2446. We intended to explore the spatial distribution of nematode functional traits and community structure in Segara Anakan Mangrove, Indonesia. Samples were retrieved from 14 stations, extending from the river to the area adjacent to terrestrial forest. We used taxonomic and functional trait identification, covering body shape, length, tail shape, feeding type, and life history as independent traits, and combined traits by collecting traits describing individual nematodes. The principal component analysis suggested that predatory or omnivorous or long-size nematodes mainly inhabited stations adjacent to the terrestrial forest but were unclear for the mid-stations. There were 29 combined traits and 38 genera of nematodes observed. The detrended correspondence analysis revealed that nematode compositional changes from the river to the terrestrial adjacent area were clearer for the combined traits and nematode genera. Seven combined traits and 12 genera inhabited only the particular stations of the study site. The common nematodes were slender, 1-2 mm long, elongated filiform tails, non-selective deposit feeders, and very tolerant to pollutants, which lived in almost all stations (92.86%). The genus relative abundance (>10%) included Anoplostoma, Eubostrichus, and Chromadorina. The results suggest that distance from the river might regulate the habitability of nematodes, in which nematode functional traits play roles.
In silico comparative analysis of the complete chloroplast genome sequences in different jewel orchid species
Authors: NGUYEN MINH PHUONG , TRINH THI HUONG , NGO THI KIM ANH , WIDIARSIH SASANTI , HO VIET THE
Published: June 2023

Abstract. Nguyen MP, Trinh TH, Ngo TKA, Widiarsih S, Ho VT. 2023. In silico comparative analysis of the complete chloroplast genome sequences in different jewel orchid species. Nusantara Bioscience 15: 12-21. Jewel orchid is the common name of several orchid species which can be alike in morphological characteristics but variable in medicinal properties. As these plants are utilized to treat several diseases, their natural existence in the wild habitat is rapidly diminished. Therefore, a better understanding of the genetic information of this plant for better genetic conservation and development of these plants is necessary. In this study, a total of 18 published chloroplast genomes of 18 jewel orchid species determined by the next-generation sequencing method were retrieved from NCBI GenBank and targeted for genomic characterization and phylogenetic analyses. Different bioinformatics tools were utilized to characterize these genomes’ genomic structure, repetitive sequences, interspecific variation, divergence, and phylogenetic relationships. The obtained data revealed that the chloroplast genomes of different jewel orchid species varied in length between 151,414 (Anoectochilus formosanus MN880624.1) and 154,375 (Goodyera biflora OM314910.1). Each species contains 34-87 SSR loci which could be useful as molecular markers for further genetic diversity study of this plant. Structural variations in the expansion and contraction of inverted repeat regions were also considered. Phylogenetic analysis identified a close relationship among species belonging to the Goodyera genus, and this genus is distinctive from other genera such as Anoectochilus, Cystorchis, Dossinia, Ludisia, and Macodes. The obtained results show a high potential of deeper characterizing the chloroplast genome of jewel orchids for species classification, identification, molecular breeding, and evolutionary exploration of these important herbal plants.
Effect of dolomite and pig manure on growth and production of carrots (Daucus carota)
Authors: SAMBI NOVITA DEWI , LIMBONGAN YUSUF , PATA’DUNGAN ADEWIDAR M.
Published: June 2023

Abstract. Sambi ND, Limbongan Y, Pata’dungan AM. 2023. Effect of dolomite and pig manure on growth and production of carrots (Daucus carota). Nusantara Bioscience 14: 22-29. This study aims to see how dolomite and pig manure affect carrot (Daucus carota L.) plant development and taproot production. The research was conducted from May to August 2021 in the Padangiring Village, Rantetayo Sub-district, Tana Toraja District, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Three levels of dolomite in combination with four levels of pig manure were used: control (no treatment), and dolomite at 3 tons/ha, 6 tons/ha, and pig manure at control (no treatment), and 20 tons/ha, 30 tons/ha, and 40 tons/ha. The optimal dolomite level of 3 tons/ha significantly influenced plant height, the number of leaves, taproot length, and taproot diameter but had no significant effect on individual taproot weight, plot taproot weight, or taproot weight per hectare. The optimal pig manure dose of 4 kg/plot (40 tons/ha) showed a substantial influence on all investigated variables. The interaction between dolomite and pig manure substantially influenced taproot length but had no effect on the other observable variables. The optimum treatment combination was 3 tons/ha of dolomite with 40 tons/ha of pig manure, yielding 38.67 tons/ha of carrot taproots. Thus, commercial carrot growth and production may be boosted by a combination of dolomite and pig manure.
Diversity of plant species for food coloring in Vietnam
Authors: LUONG NGUYEN THI , HOP NGUYEN VAN , QUY NGUYEN VAN , HOAN VO MINH
Published: June 2023

Abstract. Luong NT, Hop NV, Quy NV, Hoan VM. 2023. Diversity of plant species for food coloring in Vietnam. Nusantara Bioscience 15: 95-104. Using natural colors of plants for food processing is an inevitable trend for the safety of consumers' health. It also provides essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to the body. This study aimed to systematize indigenous knowledge about food coloring plants of 11 ethnic groups in North, Central, and South Vietnam. Methods of ethnobotanical investigation, field investigation under the instruction of local people, and inheritance of documents combined with data analysis were employed. Therefore, 110 species of vascular plants belonging to 54 families of food coloring were discovered in Vietnam. As a result, 28 species were used with high frequency, and 15 species were identified as conservation values domestically and globally. Besides, the richness of folk knowledge of local people was also recorded. Five plant life forms were identified, i.e., shrubs, wood, vines, herbaceous, and bamboo. Eleven plant parts were used; leaves accounted for the largest proportion (36.36%), followed by fruit, wood, flowers, bark, seeds, tubers, rhizomes, young tops, sap, and roots. Ten different colors were created from plants for food dyeing; red accounted for the highest percentage (28.18%), followed by yellow, green, black, and gray was the lowest (0.91%). Most plants can produce monochromatic colors (94/110 species). Of the species recorded, 39.09% were wild plant species, 40.00% were cultivated, and 20.91% of species could be found in the wild or cultivated. The number of species that gave color to cook rice was dominant (68.18%), followed by cakes, drinks, and soups, soaked in alcohol and sticky. This study shows the diversity of species composition, the abundance of traditional knowledge, and the potential of plants for food coloring in Vietnam. In the future, in-depth studies on the species’ nutritional composition, chemistry, vitamins, and extracts should be proposed, contributing to the food and beverage industry and especially maintaining and developing a culinary culture imbued with national identity.
Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidae) diversity and structure community in Lumajang, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: MILLAH NAJMATUL , LEKSONO AMIN SETYO , YANUWIADI BAGIO
Published: June 2023

Abstract. Millah N, Leksono AS, Yanuwiadi B. 2023. Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidae) diversity and structure community in Lumajang, East Java, Indonesia. Nusantara Bioscience 15: 118-128. Lumajang is one of the district in East Java, Indonesia with an area of around 1,790.90 km2 with various ecosystems. Unfortunately, several ecosystems in Lumajang have been degraded, affecting biodiversity, especially butterflies. The aim of this study was to analyze the structure of butterfly communities in Lumajang and analyze the species as bioindicators. The study was conducted in 5 habitats: Village, Agriculture, City Park, Community Forest, and Conservation Forest. The butterfly sampling method in this study was an Active Visual Survey using the Transect Pollard Walk; environmental factors were also measured during the study (temperature, humidity, light intensity, wind velocity, and altitude). The butterfly diversity and the measurement of environmental factors were analyzed for correlation using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results of the study consisted of 124 species. Several were endemic species (Cyrestis lutea (Zincken, 1831), Ypthima nigricans (Snellen, 1892), Parantica albata (Zincken, 1831), Mycalesis sudra (Felder, 1867), and Pachliopta adamas (Zincken, 1831)), then protected species (Troides helena (Linnaeus, 1758), Troides cuneifera (Oberthür, 1879), and Troides amphrysus (Cramer, 1779)). The Shannon-Wienner diversity index values from highest to lowest are Community Forest (3.52), Conservation Forest (3.32), City Park (2.98), Village (2.79), and Agriculture (2.29). The results can be used as basic data and are expected to support butterfly conservation strategies in Indonesia, especially in Lumajang, East Java, Indonesia.
The Nourisher of Apollo. Miletos from Xerxes to Diocletian
Authors: Nawotka Krzysztof
Published: June 2023

This is the first modern monograph of Miletos from the Classical Age until the Late Empire, concerned with history rather than with archaeology. Hence it is based primarily on plentiful epigraphic sources enriched by reference to Milesian coins and archaeological evidence. It pays much attention to the internal development of Miletos, from urban evolution to transformations of its government, ranging from oligarchy of Persian times, to Hellenistic democracy, to the regime of notables in the Imperial age. Much attention is devoted to the position of Miletos in the world dominated by major powers – Hellenistic monarchies, late Roman republic and Empire. The book shows that Miletos largely owed its quasi-independent position, markedly exceeding its real economic or military strength, to skillful exploitation of the prestige of the great temple and Oracle of Apollo in Didyma, enormously influential with many kings and emperors. Apart from the diachronic narrative of history of Miletos the book contains chapters on economy and population of Miletos, the professed identity of its elite and on role of Didyma and its games within the polis who named itself “the nourisher of Apollo”.
Enhanced absorption in perovskite solar cells by incorporating gold triangle nanostructures
Authors: Chen Ziyu , Li Xiangju , Guo Xiaojin
Published: June 2023

Perovskite has emerged as an outstanding light-absorbing material, leading to significant advancements in solar cell efficiency. Further improvements can be made by restructuring the internal optical properties of perovskite. In this study, we investigate the impact of gold triangle nanostructures on perovskite absorption rates, and we explore the optimization of surface plasmon resonance to enhance its solar absorption efficiency. Our numerical simulations revealed that stacking gold triangle nanostructures in the perovskite film resulted in a significant increase in its absorption rate. Finally, comparative testing showed that the solar spectral absorption rate of a 200 nm thick perovskite film increased by 41.5%.
Light-noise suppression method for the single-beam optically-pumped magnetometer arrays
Authors: Suo Yuchen , Song Xinda , Wu Zhendong , Yuan Ziqi , Jia Le , Long Tengyue
Published: June 2023

We propose a miniaturized single-beam optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) with a laser power differential structure, along with a dynamically-adjusted detection circuit. This design enables the suppression of optical fluctuation noise and the enhancement of magnetometer sensitivity. For a single-beam OPM, pump light fluctuation noise is a significant contributor to output noise. To address this, we propose an OPM with a laser differential structure that separates the pump light as a part of the reference signal before it enters the cell. The reference current and OPM output current are then subtracted to suppress the noise introduced by pump light fluctuations. To achieve optimal optical noise suppression, we implement balanced homodyne detection (BHD) with real-time current adjustment, which dynamically adjusts the reference ratio between the two currents according to their amplitude. Ultimately, we can reduce the noise introduced by pump light fluctuations by 47% of the original. The OPM with laser power differential achieves a sensitivity of 17.5 fT/Hz1/2, with the optical fluctuation equivalent noise at 13 fT/Hz1/2.
Unsupervised machine learning to classify the confinement of waves in periodic superstructures
Authors: Kozoň Marek , Schrijver Rutger , Schlottbom Matthias , van der Vegt Jaap J. W. , Vos Willem L.
Published: June 2023

We propose a rigorous method to classify the dimensionality of wave confinement by utilizing unsupervised machine learning to enhance the accuracy of our recently presented scaling method [Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 176401 (2022)10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.176401]. We apply the standard k-means++ algorithm as well as our own model-based algorithm to 3D superlattices of resonant cavities embedded in a 3D inverse woodpile photonic band gap crystal with a range of design parameters. We compare their results against each other and against the direct usage of the scaling method without clustering. Since the clustering algorithms require the set of confinement dimensionalities present in the system as an input, we investigate cluster validity indices (CVIs) as a means to find these values. We conclude that the most accurate outcome is obtained by first applying direct scaling to find the correct set of confinement dimensionalities, and subsequently utilizing our model-based clustering algorithm to refine the results.
Optical mode localization sensing based on fiber-coupled ring resonators
Authors: Wang Shumeng , Pi Hailong , Feng Yu , Yan Jize
Published: June 2023

Mode localization is widely used in coupled micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) resonators for ultra-sensitive sensing. Here, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, we experimentally demonstrate the phenomenon of optical mode localization in fiber-coupled ring resonators. For an optical system, resonant mode splitting happens when multiple resonators are coupled. Localized external perturbation applied to the system will cause uneven energy distributions of the split modes to the coupled rings, this phenomenon is called the optical mode localization. In this paper, two fiber-ring resonators are coupled. The perturbation is generated by two thermoelectric heaters. We define the normalized amplitude difference between the two split modes as: (TM1−TM2)/TM1×100%. It is found that this value can be varied from 2.5% to 22.5% when the temperature are changed by the value from 0K to 8.5K. This brings a ∼ 2.4%/K variation rate, which is three orders of magnitude greater than the variation rate of the frequency over temperature changes of the resonator due to thermal perturbation. The measured data reach good agreement with theoretical results, which demonstrates the feasibility of optical mode localization as a new sensing mechanism for ultra-sensitive fiber temperature sensing.
Influence of the vibration of extreme ultraviolet lithographic tool stages on imaging
Authors: Shen Hao , Zhang Libin , Wei Yayi , Liu Shuang
Published: June 2023

Vibrations of the reticle and wafer stage are inevitable due to the high speed and acceleration required during the exposure movement of the lithography system. Previous studies have shown that these vibrations have an impact on both overlay and imaging quality. Furthermore, as the integrated circuit industry continues to develop and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is increasingly utilized, the size of the exposure image continues to decrease, making the stability of the reticle and wafer stage motion increasingly important. This paper establishes a model of the reticle and wafer stage motion under the influence of vibration based on the advanced process node of EUV lithography. We investigate the relationship between variations in vibration amplitude and frequency and their effects on imaging contrast and line edge roughness (LER). Additionally, we simulate the quantitative relationship between the vibration of the reticle and wafer stage and the imaging quality of through-pitch line/space structures, tip-to-tip (T2T) structures, and tip-to-line (T2L) structures under extreme exposure conditions of EUV lithography using a computer.
Low-disturbance automatic bias point control for optical IQ modulator using digital chaotic waveform as dither signals
Authors: Li Hongyu , Li Xinghan , Huang Chuanming , Li Zhengran , Cheng Mengfan , Yang Qi , Tang Ming , Liu Deming , Deng Lei
Published: June 2023

A low-disturbance automatic bias point control (ABC) method for optical in-phase and quadrature modulators (IQM) is proposed using digital chaotic waveform as dither signals. Two distinct chaotic signals, each with unique initial values, are introduced to the direct current (DC) port of IQM in conjunction with a DC voltage. Due to the robust autocorrelation performance and exceptionally low cross-correlation of chaotic signals, the proposed scheme is capable of mitigating the impact of low-frequency interference, signal-signal beat interference, and high-power RF-induced noise on transmitted signals. In addition, due to the broadwidth of chaotic signals, their power is distributed across a broad frequency range, resulting in a significant reduction in power spectral density (PSD). Compared to the conventional single-tone dither-based ABC method, the proposed scheme exhibits a reduction in peak power of the output chaotic signal by over 24.1 dB, thereby minimizing disturbance to the transmitted signal while maintaining superior accuracy and stability for ABC. The performance of ABC methods, based on single-tone and chaotic signal dithering, are experimentally evaluated in both 40Gbaud 16QAM and 20Gbaud 64QAM transmission systems. The results indicate that the utilization of chaotic dither signals leads to a reduction in measured bit error rate (BER) for 40Gbaud 16QAM and 20Gbaud 64QAM signals, with respective decreases from 2.48% to 1.26% and from 5.31% to 3.35% when the received optical power is −27dBm.
Ambidextrie ist Ambidextrie ist Ambidextrie …
Authors: D’Onofrio Sara , Durst Carolin , Robra-Bissantz Susanne
Published: June 2023

Ambidextrie im Innovationsmanagement bezieht sich auf die Fähigkeit eines Unternehmens, sowohl das Kerngeschäft zu stärken (Exploit) als auch mit neuen Angeboten in bestehenden oder neuen Märkten zu agieren (Explore). Dabei besteht die Herausforderung darin, beide Innovationsmodi in einer komplementären Art und Weise einzusetzen, anstatt sich auf einen der beiden Modi zu beschränken. Eine ambidextre Ausrichtung und die Fähigkeit, beide Innovationsmodi, Exploit und Explore, gleichzeitig und in dem Maß einzusetzen, das die Umstände erfordern, ermöglicht es Unternehmen, schnell auf Veränderungen in der Branche zu reagieren und sich langfristig im Markt zu behaupten. Für eine erfolgreiche Umsetzung von Ambidextrie im Innovationsmanagement spielen die Unternehmenskultur, der Führungsstil resp. das Führungsverständnis ebenso eine Rolle, wie Grundsatzentscheidungen in Bezug auf die Digitalisierung. Es ist entscheidend, dass Unternehmen die Potenziale von Ambidextrie erkennen und lernen, den Exploit- und Explore-Modus gezielt und optimal einzusetzen, um langfristig Wettbewerbsvorteile zu erzielen. Dieser Grundlagenartikel fokussiert insbesondere auf die im weiteren Heft weniger angesprochenen Themenbereiche. Er ordnet die Ambidextrie im Innovationsmanagement anhand der Themenfelder Kultur, Führung und Digitalisierung ein und liefert Argumente, weshalb die Akzeptanz und Nutzung von Ambidextrie zu Wettbewerbsvorteilen führen.
Digitale Routenplanung für die Radlogistik: Anforderungen, Hürden und Lösungsansätze
Authors: Engelhardt Maximilian , Malzahn Birte , Teschendorf Robert
Published: June 2023

Durch die Urbanisierung und ein verändertes Kaufverhalten hin zum Online-Shopping nimmt der Lieferverkehr in Städten immer weiter zu und wird zum wichtigen Ansatzpunkt zur Erreichung von Klimazielen. Daher werden im städtischen Warentransport immer häufiger emissionsfreie Fahrzeuge, unter anderem auch Lastenräder, eingesetzt. Lastenräder bringen jedoch logistische Effizienznachteile gegenüber Fahrzeugen mit größerem Ladevolumen und höherer Maximalgeschwindigkeit mit sich. Digitale Routenplanungssysteme stellen eine Möglichkeit da, die Effizienznachteile zu verkleinern und die Attraktivität von Lastenrädern im Sinne einer nachhaltigen urbanen Logistik zu steigern. Der Einsatz einer (geeigneten) digitalen Routenplanung könnte die gefahrenen Lieferstrecken im Hinblick auf Zeitbedarf, Kosten und Energiebedarf optimieren. Beim Einsatz von Lastenrädern in der Logistik werden in der Praxis jedoch nur selten Routenplanungssysteme verwendet, da die herkömmlichen Systeme nur sehr unzuverlässig wünschenswerte Routen für Lastenräder empfehlen. Dies liegt daran, dass die entsprechenden Routeninformationen – ein wesentlicher Input für die Routenplanungs-Algorithmen – nicht ausreichend für Lastenräder digitalisiert sind. In diesem Beitrag wird anhand von Daten und Erfahrungen aus einem Feldversuch die Qualität marktfähiger Routenplanungs-Tools bewertet. Darauf aufbauend erfolgt eine Analyse der Anforderungen an ein Routenplanungssystem für den Einsatz von Lastenrädern in der urbanen Logistik. Abschließend werden Lösungsansätze zur Anreicherung des digitalen Kartenmaterials mit lastenradspezifischen Informationen aufgezeigt und damit eine große Hürde bei der Entwicklung lastenradspezifischer Routenplanungssysteme adressiert.
Climate and dengue transmission in Grenada for the period 2010–2020: Should we be concerned?
Authors: Francis Kinda , Edwards Odran , Telesford Lindonne
Published: June 2023

The impacts of climate change on vector-borne and zoonotic diseases (VBZD) are well founded in some countries but remain poorly understood in Caribbean countries. VBZD impose significant burdens on individuals and healthcare systems, heightening the need for studies and response measures to address epidemics and persistent high prevalence of these diseases in any region. This study analyses the pattern of dengue case distribution in Grenada between 2010–2020 and investigates the relationship between rainfall and cases. The total number of dengue cases in the wet seasons (June to December) and dry seasons (January to May) were 1741 and 458, respectively, indicating higher prevalence of the disease in wet periods. The data also shows that rainfall was not consistently higher during the typical rainy season months. The observed patterns in 2013, 2018 and 2020 show, while these were the driest years, the number of cases were higher than in other years. Two factors may explain high number of cases in the drier years (1) frequent sporadic heavy rainfall and (2) poor water storage practices in dry season. With each 30 mm unit decrease in annual rainfall, the incidence rate ratio of dengue was reduced by a factor of .108 (89.2%). The work of the Vector Control Unit is shown to be effective in managing dengue in Grenada. The study highlights the need for year-round surveillance and interventions to control the mosquito population and dengue transmission.
Discounting the future: The effect of collective motivation on investment decisions and acceptance of policies for renewable energy
Authors: Marder Fabian , Masson Torsten , Sagebiel Julian , Martini Christina , Quaas Martin , Fritsche Immo
Published: June 2023

Climate protection is a collective project. However, most previous research on people’s pro-climate behavior ignores the collective dimension, looking at personal private-sphere behavior and considering personal cost-benefit predictors only. The present paper transcends this individualistic perspective by addressing behaviors that target collective transformation (i.e., financial investments in renewable energy projects and the acceptance of renewable energy policies) and predictors of collective cognition and motivation (i.e., social identity). Combining insights and methods from economics and psychology, the current research investigates if collective pro-environmental motivation (e.g., pro-environmental ingroup norms, collective climate efficacy beliefs) can add to the explanation of investment decisions and the acceptance of policies for renewable energies, also beyond personal psychological and economic factors. Results from a multi-country survey (31 European countries, N = 18,037), including a discrete choice experiment, showed that collective pro-environmental motivation was positively correlated with the acceptance of green energy policies and negatively correlated with discounting of future benefits (money discount rate) in investment decisions for renewable energies. Importantly, collective pro-environmental motivation remained a significant predictor of policy acceptance and the discount rate after controlling for personal pro-environmental motivation. Furthermore, the associations between collective pro-environmental motivation and our outcome measures were stronger for respondents who highly identified with their group compared to low identifiers. Our (correlational) results are one of the first to show that collective psychological factors are a unique predictor of green investment behavior and acceptance of green policies. From an applied perspective, our findings suggest that interventions should target agentic social identities with norms supporting pro-environmental behavior to increase acceptance of and participation in the transformation towards carbon neutrality, particularly for persons with low personal pro-environmental motivation.
REASSURED diagnostics at point-of-care in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review
Authors: Moetlhoa Boitumelo , Maluleke Kuhlula , Mathebula Evans M. , Kgarosi Kabelo , Nxele Siphesihle R. , Lenonyane Bonolo , Mashamba-Thompson Tivani
Published: June 2023

Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics that meet the REASSURED criteria are essential in combating the rapid increase and severity of global health emergencies caused by infectious diseases. However, little is known about whether the REASSURED criteria are implemented in regions known to have a high burden of infectious diseases such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This scoping review maps evidence of the use of REASSURED POC diagnostic tests in SSA. The scoping review was guided by the advanced methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley, and Levac et al. We searched the following electronic databases for relevant literature: Scopus, Dimensions, ProQuest Central, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost (MEDLINE, CINAHL, as well as AFRICA-WIDE). Two reviewers independently screened abstracts and full-text articles using the inclusion criteria as reference. We appraised the quality of the included studies using the mixed-method appraisal tool (MMAT) version 2018. We retrieved 138 publications, comprising 134 articles and four grey literature articles. Of these, only five articles were included following abstract and full-text screening. The five included studies were all conducted in SSA. The following themes emerged from the eligible articles: quality assurance on accuracy of REASSURED POC diagnostic tests, sustainability of REASSURED POC diagnostic tests, and local infrastructure capability for delivering REASSURED POC diagnostic tests to end users. All five articles had MMAT scores between 90% and 100%. In conclusion, our scoping review revealed limited published research on REASSURED diagnostics at POC in SSA. We recommend primary studies aimed at investigating the implementation of REASSURED POC diagnostic tests in SSA.
Association between the potential distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis and Nyssomyia whitmani and leishmaniasis incidence in Piauí State, Brazil
Authors: de Sousa Raimundo Leoberto Torres , Araujo-Pereira Thais de , Leal Anangela Ravena da Silva , Freire Simone Mousinho , Silva Cleanto Luiz Maia , Mallet Jacenir Reis dos Santos , Vilela Mauricio Luiz , Vasconcelos Silvia Alcântara , Gomes Régis , Teixeira Clarissa , Britto Constança , Pita Pereira Daniela de , Carvalho Bruno Moreira de
Published: June 2023

Background

Leishmaniases are vector borne diseases caused by Leishmania spp. parasites transmitted by female sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) whose geographic distribution is influenced by environmental factors. Among the main tools for studying the distribution of vector species, modeling techniques are used to analyze the influence of climatic and environmental factors on the distribution of these insects and their association with human cases of the disease.

Methodology/Principal findings

Here, we used a multiscale ecological niche modeling approach to assess the environmental suitability of sandfly vectors of the etiological agents of Visceral (VL) and American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in Piauí state, northeastern Brazil, and then evaluated their relationship with human disease incidence. For this, we obtained the geographic coordinates of the vector species Lutzomyia longipalpis and Nyssomyia whitmani through literature review, online databases and unpublished records. These data were used for the development of predictive models of the distribution of both sandflies species based on climatic and environmental variables. Finally, the environmental suitability for the presence of these vectors was compared with the incidence of both the diseases at the municipality level. The final models for each sandfly species showed good predictive powers with performance metric values of 0.889 for Lu. longipalpis and 0.776 for Ny. whitmani. The areas with greater environmental suitability for the presence of these species were concentrated in the central-north region of Piauí and coincide with the location of those municipalities presenting higher incidences of VL and ACL, situated in the central-north and extreme north of the state, respectively. The south and southeast regions of Piauí state have low incidence of these diseases and presented low environmental suitability for the presence of both vectors.

Conclusions/Significance

We discuss how predictive modeling can guide entomological and epidemiological surveillances and recommend an increased supervision and control activities in Teresina (capital of the state of Piaui), Altos and Pedro II, in addition to other municipalities with similar social and environmental characteristics.
Ecological drivers of sustained enzootic yellow fever virus transmission in Brazil, 2017–2021
Authors: Silva Natália Ingrid Oliveira , Albery Gregory F. , Arruda Matheus Soares , Oliveira Gabriela Fernanda Garcia , Costa Thaís Alkifeles , de Mello Érica Munhoz , Moreira Gabriel Dias , Reis Erik Vinícius , Silva Simone Agostinho da , Silva Marlise Costa , de Almeida Munique Guimarães , Becker Daniel J. , Carlson Colin J. , Vasilakis Nikos , Hanley Kathryn A. , Drumond Betânia Paiva
Published: June 2023

Beginning December 2016, sylvatic yellow fever (YF) outbreaks spread into southeastern Brazil, and Minas Gerais state experienced two sylvatic YF waves (2017 and 2018). Following these massive YF waves, we screened 187 free-living non-human primate (NHPs) carcasses collected throughout the state between January 2019 and June 2021 for YF virus (YFV) using RTqPCR. One sample belonging to a Callithrix, collected in June 2020, was positive for YFV. The viral strain belonged to the same lineage associated with 2017–2018 outbreaks, showing the continued enzootic circulation of YFV in the state. Next, using data from 781 NHPs carcasses collected in 2017–18, we used generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) to identify the spatiotemporal and host-level drivers of YFV infection and intensity (an estimation of genomic viral load in the liver of infected NHP). Our GAMMs explained 65% and 68% of variation in virus infection and intensity, respectively, and uncovered strong temporal and spatial patterns for YFV infection and intensity. NHP infection was higher in the eastern part of Minas Gerais state, where 2017–2018 outbreaks affecting humans and NHPs were concentrated. The odds of YFV infection were significantly lower in NHPs from urban areas than from urban-rural or rural areas, while infection intensity was significantly lower in NHPs from urban areas or the urban-rural interface relative to rural areas. Both YFV infection and intensity were higher during the warm/rainy season compared to the cold/dry season. The higher YFV intensity in NHPs in warm/rainy periods could be a result of higher exposure to vectors and/or higher virus titers in vectors during this time resulting in the delivery of a higher virus dose and higher viral replication levels within NHPs. Further studies are needed to better test this hypothesis and further compare the dynamics of YFV enzootic cycles between different seasons.
Variants of CARD8 in Leishmania guyanensis-cutaneous leishmaniasis and influence of the variants genotypes on circulating plasma cytokines IL-1β, TNFα and IL-8
Authors: Sequera Héctor David Graterol , Souza Josué Lacerda de , Junior José do Espírito Santo , Silva Lener Santos da , Pinheiro Suzana Kanawati , Kerr Herllon Karllos Athaydes , Souza Mara Lúcia Gomes de , Guerra Marcus Vinitius de Farias , Mesquita Tirza Gabrielle Ramos de , Ramasawmy Rajendranath
Published: June 2023

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing protein family (NLR) are intracellular pathogen recognition receptors mediating innate immunity, releasing proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, and promoting pyroptotic cell death, upon sensing pathogenic or endogenous danger signals. In animal models, NLRP3 inflammasome has a dual role, pathogenic or protective in Leishmania-infection, depending on the Leishmania species and mice strain. Caspase recruitment containing domain 8 (CARD8) is a negative regulator of NLRP3 inflammasome and also an inhibitor of transcription factor NFĸB, a major transcription factor of proinflammatory cytokines. We investigated whether single nucleotide variants in CARD8 may partially explain why only a proportion of individuals coming from the same area of endemicity of leishmaniasis develop cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania guyanensis. We genotyped four single nucleotide variants of the CARD8 gene by direct nucleotide sequencing in 1741 individuals from an endemic area of leishmaniasis, constituting 850 patients with CL and 891 healthy controls. The frequencies of the genotypes of the variants rs2288877 T>C, rs73944113 C>T, and rs2043211 A>T are similar among the patients with CL and HC, while the variant rs2288876 A>G) reveals an excess of the genotype AA among the patients with CL (44%) compared to 37% in the HC group. Allele A of the variant rs2288876 A>G) is associated with susceptibility to CL (OR = 1.2 [95%CI 1.03–1.4]; P = 0.01). Haplotype analysis showed that individuals harboring the haplotype CCAA have 280% odds of developing CL caused by L. guyanensis (OR = 3.8 [95% CI 2.0–7.7]; p = 0.00004). The variants rs2288877 T>C and rs2288876 A>G correlate with the plasma level of IL-8. Spearman correlation showed a significant positive correlation between the rs2288876 A>G allele A and the level of IL-8 (ρ = 0.22; p = 0.0002). CARD8 may partially contribute to the development of CL caused by L. guyanensis.
Enterprise marketing strategy using big data mining technology combined with XGBoost model in the new economic era
Authors: Chen Huijun
Published: June 2023

The technological development in the new economic era has brought challenges to enterprises. Enterprises need to use massive and effective consumption information to provide customers with high-quality customized services. Big data technology has strong mining ability. The relevant theories of computer data mining technology are summarized to optimize the marketing strategy of enterprises. The application of data mining in precision marketing services is analyzed. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) has shown strong advantages in machine learning algorithms. In order to help enterprises to analyze customer data quickly and accurately, the characteristics of XGBoost feedback are used to reverse the main factors that can affect customer activation cards, and effective analysis is carried out for these factors. The data obtained from the analysis points out the direction of effective marketing for potential customers to be activated. Finally, the performance of XGBoost is compared with the other three methods. The characteristics that affect the top 7 prediction results are tested for differences. The results show that: (1) the accuracy and recall rate of the proposed model are higher than other algorithms, and the performance is the best. (2) The significance p values of the features included in the test are all less than 0.001. The data shows that there is a very significant difference between the proposed features and the results of activation or not. The contributions of this paper are mainly reflected in two aspects. 1. Four precision marketing strategies based on big data mining are designed to provide scientific support for enterprise decision-making. 2. The improvement of the connection rate and stickiness between enterprises and customers has played a huge driving role in overall customer marketing.
Analysis of medical malpractice liability disputes related to novel antineoplastic drugs and research on risk prevention and control strategies
Authors: Luo Jinyu , Zheng Zaoqian , Yu Rongliang
Published: June 2023

Objective

To investigate the general characteristics of litigation cases of medical malpractice liability disputes (MMLDs) related to novel antineoplastic drugs (NADs), the drugs involved, as well as the common types of medical errors related to NADs and their damages in the process of diagnosis and treatment, with the aims of improving the level of rational medication use in the clinical application of NADs and actively prevent medical disputes.

Methods

The China Judgments Online was searched for the cause of action using the key word “MMLDs” along with the name of 77 kinds of NADs. A total of 39 NAD litigation cases meeting the inclusion criteria from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2021 were analyzed, and each potential adverse drug reaction (ADR) was reviewed to determine a causality assessment using the Naranjo algorithm for non-drug-induced liver injury (DILI) cases and the updated Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) for the DILI cases. Risk prevention and control strategies were recommended.

Results

Cases that met the inclusion criteria increased substantially each year during the last six years, from three cases in 2009–2015 to 36 cases in 2016–2021. There were more cases in Eastern China than in other geographic regions. Most cases involved tertiary hospitals, patients between 25 and 60 years of age, and patients who were predominately male. There were 18 kinds of NADs involved in medical errors. The most common consequences of NADs were closely related to the death, disability, and increased treatment costs caused by ADRs, inadequate indications, delayed diagnosis and treatment, and misdiagnosis and mistreatment. The most frequent medical errors were medical technology errors, medical ethics errors and medical record writing/safekeeping errors. In two cases involving DILI, one case was unable to undergo further RUCAM scoring because the liver function indicators of the patient before and after treatment were not published.

Conclusion

The establishment of mechanisms to reduce the risks associated with the clinical application of NADs is warranted. Healthcare services must maintain strict adherence to the specific requirements of GPCANADs and drug instructions and strictly grasp the indications, contraindications, usage, and dosage of drugs, and strengthen the notification and management of off-label drug use. Monitoring patients for ADRs and preparing rescue and treatment measures for high-risk drugs may serve to reduce damages related to NADs. For DILI cases, medical and appraisal institutions should use RUCAM score to assess causal relationships.
The impact of R&D effort on business model innovation: Evaluating chain mediation through collaboration breadth and depth
Authors: Chen Shuting , Yu Dengke
Published: June 2023

Drawing on a novel theoretical framework, we explored the impact of research and development (R&D) effort on business model innovation via external collaboration breadth and collaboration depth in sequence. We empirically analyzed a sample of 94 Chinese innovative enterprises by applying hierarchical regression analysis and chain mediation analysis. The results indicate that R&D effort positively influences business model innovation. The influencing mechanism is that R&D effort positively affects external collaboration breadth, which in turn positively stimulates external collaboration depth, and ultimately benefits the implementation of business model innovation. Therefore, the breadth and depth of external collaboration play a chain-mediating role. The study develops a new framework for understanding the relationship between R&D effort, external collaboration, and business model innovation. It combines enterprises’ internal behavior (R&D) and external behavior (collaboration) to establish an inside-out mechanism for predicting business model innovation. It enriches the theory of business model innovation. It also provides insights for managers and governments to optimize policies in innovation-driven development.
Two cold shock domain containing proteins trigger the development of infectious Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Toh Justin Y. , Nkouawa Agathe , Dong Gang , Kolev Nikolay G. , Tschudi Christian
Published: June 2023

Cold shock proteins are members of a family of DNA- and RNA-binding proteins with one or more evolutionarily conserved cold shock domain (CSD). These proteins have a wide variety of biological functions, including DNA-damage repair, mRNA stability, and regulation of transcription, splicing and translation. We previously identified two CSD containing proteins, CSD1 and CSD2, in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei to be required for RBP6-driven metacyclic production, albeit at different steps of the developmental program. During metacyclogenesis T. brucei undergoes major morphological and metabolic changes that culminate in the establishment of quiescent metacyclic parasites and the acquisition of mammalian infectivity. To investigate the specific role of CSD1 and CSD2 in this process, we ectopically expressed CSD1 or CSD2 in non-infectious procyclic parasites and discovered that each protein is sufficient to produce infectious metacyclic parasites in 24 hours. Domain truncation assays determined that the N-terminal domain, but not the C-terminal domain, of CSD1 and CSD2 was required for metacyclic development. Furthermore, conserved amino acid residues in the CSD of CSD1 and CSD2, known to be important for binding nucleic acids, were found to be necessary for metacyclic production. Using single-end enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (seCLIP) we identified the specific binding motif of CSD1 and CSD2 as “ANACAU” and the bound mRNAs were enriched for biological processes, including lipid metabolism, microtubule-based movement and nucleocytoplasmic transport that are likely involved in the transition to bloodstream form-like cells.