bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Performance Outcomes under Institutional Pressures and Environmental Orientation Motivated Green Supply Chain Management Practices
Authors: El-Garaihy Wael Hassan , Badawi Usama A. , Seddik Walid A. S. , Torky M. Sh.
Published: January 2022

Purpose: The study investigates the role of institutional pressures and environmental orientation in implementing green supply chain practices (GSCPs) in firms. The aim is to construct a comprehensive model based on institutional theory (InT) and resource-based view (RBV) that will help study the effect of GSCPs on performance-based outcomes of industrial firms. Study Design: The study adopted a cross-sectional design, and data were collected from 351 supply chain management professionals from different manufacturing companies in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, a questionnaire was structured to collect data, and the hypothesis of the study was tested using the PLS-SEM modeling. Findings: The study findings showed a significant effect of institutional pressure on GSCPs. Also, another significant impact of environmental orientation on GSCPs was noted. Lastly, GSCPs of manufacturing companies have a significantly positive effect on economic and ecological performances. Originality: This paper is one of the first to include institutional theory, the resource-based view, institutional pressures, environmental orientation, GSCPs, and company performances outcomes. Also, the paper provides details about performance outcomes by scattering Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices and gives direction to managers for the successful implementation of these practices.
Effect of Snow Cover on Spring Soil Moisture Content in Key Agricultural Areas of Northeast China
Authors: Pan Mingxi , Zhao Fang , Ma Jingyan , Zhang Lijuan , Qu Jinping , Xu Liling , Li Yao
Published: January 2022

As an important source of soil moisture content during spring in high-latitude areas, snow cover affects the occurrence of spring drought and crop yield and quality. There has not been sufficient research on the effect of winter snow cover on spring soil moisture content. This paper focuses on the main agricultural areas of Northeast China—the Songnen Plain and the Sanjiang Plain. Using meteorological data of both spring soil moisture content and snow cover at 19 agricultural meteorological stations from 1983 to 2019, the effect of snow cover on spring soil moisture content in the Sanjiang Plain and Songnen Plain is studied by variance analysis, spatial analysis, and correlation analysis. The results show that: (1) Compared to the Sanjiang Plain, the Songnen Plain has a significantly lower content of soil moisture at the surface (0–10 cm) and deep layer (10–20 cm, 20–30 cm) during the entire spring and every month of spring (p < 0.05), and a greater interannual variation of soil moisture. (2) Snow cover has a significant effect on spring soil moisture in the Songnen Plain, but not as much as one in the Sanjiang Plain. For the Songnen Plain, snow-cover duration and the snow-cover onset date has a lasting influence on spring soil moisture until May, which can extend to as deep as 20–30 cm. As months go by, its influence on shallow-layer soil gradually wears off. Maximum snow depth and the snow-cover end date only influence the April surface soil. (3) Snow cover has a strong effect on soil moisture conservation in more arid areas. Delayed snow-cover onset date, earlier snow-cover end date, and significantly shortened snow-cover duration all contribute to a spring drought soil condition in the Songnen Plain.
Technical and Economic Evaluation for Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System Using Novel Bonobo Optimizer
Authors: Farh Hassan M. H. , Al-Shamma’a Abdullrahman A. , Al-Shaalan Abdullah M. , Alkuhayli Abdulaziz , Noman Abdullah M. , Kandil Tarek
Published: January 2022

In this study, a novel bonobo optimizer (BO) technique is applied to find the optimal design for an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) that contains a diesel generator, photovoltaics (PV), a wind turbine (WT), and batteries as a storage system. The proposed HRES aims to electrify a remote region in northern Saudi Arabia based on annualized system cost (ASC) minimization and power system reliability enhancement. To differentiate and evaluate the performance, the BO was compared to four recent metaheuristic algorithms, called big-bang–big-crunch (BBBC), crow search (CS), the genetic algorithm (GA), and the butterfly optimization algorithm (BOA), to find the optimal design for the proposed off-grid HRES in terms of optimal and worst solutions captured, mean, convergence rate, and standard deviation. The obtained results reveal the efficacy of BO compared to the other four metaheuristic algorithms where it achieved the optimal solution of the proposed off-grid HRES with the lowest ASC (USD 149,977.2), quick convergence time, and fewer oscillations, followed by BOA (USD 150,236.4). Both the BBBC and GA algorithms failed to capture the global solution and had high convergence time. In addition, they had high standard deviation, which revealed that their solutions were more dispersed with obvious oscillations. These simulation results proved the supremacy of BO in comparison to the other four metaheuristic algorithms.
Review of Behavioral Psychology in Transition to Solar Photovoltaics for Low-Income Individuals
Authors: Rahardja Fransisca Angelica , Chen Shih-Chih , Rahardja Untung
Published: January 2022

The increase in nonrenewable energy (non-RE) has been a growing concern for low-income individuals’ quality of life, health, economy, and environment. At the same time, the use of non-RE is also a great concern for the whole population as we are breathing the same environment. The photovoltaics (PV) solar panel is one solution to decrease low-income individuals’ energy bills and increase the quality of life of all individuals. Knowing the behavioral theory of why low-income individuals do not adopt PV would allow further insights and possible interventions to help low-income individuals install PV. Research has found that low-income individuals are more likely to have financial and knowledge barriers that hinder them from installing PV. Providing a way for low-income individuals to combat these barriers would help them to use PV. This review showed that low-income individuals are likely to benefit from policy programs that incentivize them to use PV. More knowledge about PV can also be aided by policy programs that inform low-income individuals how to save financially and at the same time work their way to install PV. Social groups could also be formed in the same policy programs to help low-income individuals share strategies on saving financially and knowledge about the benefit of installing PV. These social groups can act as a social reinforcement to low-income individuals to install PV. Helping low-income individuals to install PV would help low-income individuals financially and improve the population’s quality of life.
Quantitatively Assessing the Future Land-Use/Land-Cover Changes and Their Driving Factors in the Upper Stream of the Awash River Based on the CA–Markov Model and Their Implications for Water Resources Management
Authors: Daba Mekonnen H. , You Songcai
Published: January 2022

Despite the rapid economic and population growth, the risks related to the current dynamics of land use and land cover (LULC) have attracted a lot of attention in Ethiopia. Therefore, a complete investigation of past and future LULC changes is essential for sustainable water resources and land-use planning and management. Since the 1980s, LULC change has been detected in the upper stream of the Awash River basin. The main purpose of this research was to investigate the current dynamics of LULC and use the combined application of the cellular automata and the Markov chain (CA–Markov) model to simulate the year 2038 LULC in the future; key informant interviews, household surveys, focus group discussions, and field observations were used to assess the consequences and drivers of LULC changes in the upstream Awash basin (USAB). This research highlighted the importance of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques for analyzing the LULC changes in the USAB. Multi-temporal cloud-free Landsat images of three sequential data sets for the periods (1984, 2000, and 2019) were employed to classify based on supervised classification and map LULC changes. Satellite imagery enhancement techniques were performed to improve and visualize the image for interpretation. ArcGIS10.4 and IDRISI software was used for LULC classification, data processing, and analyses. Based on Landsat 5 TM-GLS 1984, Landsat 7 ETM-GLS 2000, and Landsat 8 2019 OLI-TIRS, the supervised maximum likelihood image classification method was used to map the LULC dynamics. Landsat images from 1984, 2000, and 2019 were classified to simulate possible LULC in 2019 and 2038. The result reveals that the maximum area is covered by agricultural land and shrubland. It showed, to the areal extent, a substantial increase in agricultural land and urbanization and a decrease in shrubland, forest, grassland, and water. The LULC dynamics showed that those larger change rates were observed from forest and shrubland to agricultural areas. The results of the study show the radical changes in LULC during 1984–2019; the main reasons for this were agricultural expansion and urbanization. From 1984 to 2019, agriculture increased by 62%, urban area increased by 570.5%, and forest decreased by 88.7%. In the same year, the area of shrubland decreased by 68.6%, the area of water decreased by 65.5%, and the area of grassland decreased by 57.7%. In view of the greater increase in agricultural land and urbanization, as well as the decrease in shrubland, it means that the LULC of the region has changed. This research provides valuable information for water resources managers and land-use planners to make changes in the improvement of future LULC policies and development of sub-basin management strategies in the context of sustainable water resources and land-use planning and management.
Effect of Banana-Waste Biochar and Compost Mixtures on Growth Responses and Physiological Traits of Seashore Paspalum Subjected to Six Different Water Conditions
Authors: Fetjah Dounia , Ainlhout Lalla Fatima Zohra , Idardare Zaina , Ihssane Bouchaib , Bouqbis Laila
Published: January 2022

The effects of pyrolyzed agricultural waste generated from banana leaves on the development and physiological responses of Paspalum vaginatum in different water conditions were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) computations were utilized to describe the banana-waste biochar and determine the crystalline structure and functional groups. A plastic pot was used in two trials to examine the effectiveness of the studied biochar under two situations (well-watered Ww and limited-watered Lw). Seashore paspalum was cultivated in loam soil that had been modified with biochar as a single addition and a biochar compost mix. Six water scarcity scenarios were chosen (100, 80, 60, 25, 20, and 15% of water holding capacity (WHC) of the control soil). To analyze the varied responses of P. vaginatum in well-watered and limited-water environments, principal component analysis (PCA) was used. Under Ww, photosynthesis, biomass, fluorescence, and chlorophyll content increased, whereas, under Lw and control, they declined. Biochar and compost combinations enhanced the relative water content (RWC) more than biochar alone or in combination. Conversely, stomatal density in drought-stricken plants showed the reverse trend.
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Dehydration as a Women Entrepreneurship Alternative in Vulnerable Communities
Authors: Salazar-Camacho Natalia Andrea , Sanchez-Echeverri Luz Adriana , Fonseca Francisco Javier , Falguera Víctor , Castro-Bocanegra Daniel , Tovar-Perilla Nelson Javier
Published: January 2022

In Colombia, most commercial drying processes are frequently performed through the burning of wood and fossil fuels with high costs and environmental damage. Nevertheless, solar drying is a technique that could also be used to reduce many of the problems present in traditional drying techniques. Finding low-cost technology to install a solar dryer in a vulnerable community of women is an appropriate alternative; the transfer of knowledge on this technique could lead to greater empowerment of women and prevent gender inequality. This study evaluated the color and water activity of the mango (Mangifera indica L.) after a drying process in a greenhouse dryer. Furthermore, this study showed the relevance of implementing this technique in a community of women affected by the military conflict in Colombia. Results showed that a solar dryer achieved drying times of around 23–26 h, reaching water activity values below the 0.5 threshold which, according to international standards, has been considered as a food safety value. In addition, the color of the dry mango is slightly affected through this drying technique, providing a more acceptable consumer product. The application of the solar dryer has proven to be an easy-to-use and environmentally friendly method. On the other hand, it is also an opportunity to improve, with a low-cost investment, the living conditions of vulnerable communities.
Conceptualizing the Internet Compulsive-Buying Tendency: What We Know and Need to Know in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Huang Hui-Ling , Chen Yue-Yang , Sun Shan-Ciao
Published: January 2022

Over the past decade, new innovative products and services have been introduced into the marketplace using advanced technology. The enticement of new products lures consumers to buy compulsively. Because of the convenience and the characteristics of online shopping, it will increase the incidence of compulsive-buying behavior. Meanwhile, due to the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to spread around the world, consumers may change their decision-making and behavior to shop online more frequently and intensively. The repetitive shopping online means more cardboard, delivery transportations, and vehicles and that more goods will be produced. It will result in an unfriendly result for the environment. Given the critical role of compulsive buying in the emerging Internet retail environment, it is necessary to develop and validate an instrument to measure the Internet compulsive-buying tendency (ICBT). Therefore, a rigorous measurement-scale-development procedure was applied to evaluate the initial 31 items. After two rounds of data collection and assessment, the final instrument contained 18 items that fall into four subconstructs: the tendency to spend online, feelings about online shopping and spending, dysfunctional online spending, and online post-purchase guilt. These factors can provide a basis for predicting tendencies toward Internet compulsive shopping and can be used to evaluate consumers’ abnormal behavior in online-shopping circumstances.
Determinants of Financial Sustainability in Chinese Firms: A Quantile Regression Approach
Authors: Zhao Li , Liu Zhengqiao , Vuong Thi Huong Giang , Nguyen Huu Manh , Radu Florin , Tăbîrcă Alina Iuliana , Wu Yang-Che
Published: January 2022

Our research investigates the connection between firm characteristics and leverage based on a sample of firms listed in the Chinese Stock Index 300. We aim to examine the sustainability of the financial structure of Chinese enterprises covering the period 2010–2019. We employ a conditional quantile regression that discloses the behavior of regressions across the leverage distribution and compares its results for different leverage levels with those achieved by the linear regression model. The results confirm the effects of the determinants of capital structure change since the quantile of leverage varies. We find that both the trade-off theory (TOT) and the pecking order theory (POT) confirm the validity of Chinese firms’ financing decisions at different quantiles of leverage. Specifically, the empirical results support the POT more over the TOT at higher levels of the quantile. Furthermore, the relationship between firm size and leverage strongly switches to support the POT at the highest quantile. All empirical results are obtained from quantile regression, consistent with the prediction for an increase in asymmetric information of the POT when Chinese firms employ more debt in their capital structure.
Leveraging the Entrepreneurial Method as a Tool for the Circular Economy: The Case of Wood Waste
Authors: de Klerk Saskia , Ghaffariyan Mohammad Reza , Miles Morgan
Published: January 2022

New global and domestic policy and regulatory initiatives promoting a circular economy have renewed interest in the beneficial repurposing of commercial waste streams. Likewise, consumer trends and customers’ increased understanding of what they purchase, where it comes from, and what happens to it post-consumption have forced firms to consider reducing and reusing their production waste streams. The forest products industry is an exemplar of becoming more adept at reorganising and exploiting repurposed waste streams for beneficial reuse. This paper explores three case studies from the Australian forestry sector that illustrate how wood waste is being profitably repurposed as an input into other products. We use the lens of the entrepreneurial method to explore how firms recognise, strategically access, and exploit the sustainable opportunities that can range from sustainably sourced inputs to environmental-, social-, and governance-driven consumption and investments. Effectual logic allows the reconceptualisation of forestry waste streams into inputs for use in creating new commercial products and provides a theoretical framework. While the repurposing of wood waste is profitable for the forestry firm, we found that social and economic gains reach far beyond the region in which these activities occur. Innovations often stimulate other innovations, resulting in a virtuous cycle within regional Australia’s emerging circular economy.
Effect of Thaw Depth on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loss in Runoff of Loess Slope
Authors: Wang Feichao , Li Zhanbin , Cheng Yuting , Li Peng , Wang Bin , Zhang Hui
Published: January 2022

Seasonal freeze-thaw erosion is a form of soil erosion caused by the topographical characteristics and climatic factors of the hilly and gully loess regions. Seasonal freeze-thaw can damage the soil pores and cause its bulk density to change. The effects of thawing depth on runoff and Nitrogen and Phosphorus loss on the rainfall erosion of an artificial slope filled with loess soil were analyzed after a rainfall test that simulated the spring thaw period in China. The results showed that: (1) The maximum runoff yield was 33.35 mm at 4 cm thawing depth, and the minimum was 12.95 mm at 6 cm thawing depth. With the increase in runoff time, the slope infiltration rate had a decreasing trend. The loss rate of available and total Phosphorus increased with the increase in runoff rate. The rate of increase was fastest when the thawing depth was 4 cm. (2) The relationships between runoff rate and Nitrogen loss and Phosphorus loss rate can be explained by linear regression equations, and the loss rate increased as the runoff rate rose for all thawing depths. Within the 0–6 cm thawing depths, the loss of total phosphorus was the largest when the thawing depth was 4 cm, and the loss of available phosphorus was the smallest when the thawing depth was 6 cm. At the shallower thawing depths, the available Nitrogen loss represented a smaller proportion of the total Nitrogen loss compared to nitrate Nitrogen loss. However, there was a gradual rise in the available Nitrogen proportion in the total amount of inorganic Nitrogen as the thawing depth increased. (3) Total Phosphorus was the available Phosphorus with a quadratic function relationship with runoff energy and runoff power. Runoff energy mainly affected the total Nitrogen and available Nitrogen loss in runoff, whereas runoff power mainly affected total Nitrogen loss in runoff. The results of this paper can improve the understanding of runoff and Nitrogen and Phosphorus loss caused by runoff during freeze-thaw conditions.
Linking Female College Students’ Causal Attribution Habits, Cultural Orientation, and Self-Efficacy: A Study on Cross-National Differences
Authors: Hamann Kerstin , Wilson Ronan L. H. , Wilson Bruce M. , Pilotti Maura A. E.
Published: January 2022

The present research concerns the extent to which explanations for desirable or undesirable academic outcomes (grades) as well as cultural orientation could account for self-efficacy beliefs of female undergraduate students from two societies with dissimilar cultural traditions. The United States of America (U.S.) was selected for its individualistic culture, whereas the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was chosen for its mix of traditional collectivist and individualistic values. A matched-pairs design ensured that students’ self-efficacy levels were equated between cultural groups (n = 560; 280 matched pairs). The research uncovered cultural differences in the choice of explanations and in the extent to which explanations might contribute to self-efficacy beliefs. These findings represent a blueprint for informing instructional interventions intended to effectively prepare students from different cultures for academic success.
Social Climate and Psychological Response in the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Greek Academic Community
Authors: Michail Domna , Anastasiou Dimitris , Palaiologou Nektaria , Avlogiaris Giorgos
Published: January 2022

This study examines how the social climate was associated with the psychological response during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a structural equation model linking the economic crisis to the social climate (pandemic fear, social and psychological distress, civil protection, and population’s response) and to the psychological response (perspectives of life and reconsidering values), we tested their multivariate relationships in a Greek academic community sample. At the first level of the model, the economic crisis was significantly associated with the social climate: pandemic fear, social/psychological distress, and civil protection. At the second level, social/psychological distress was associated with the pandemic fear and civil protection, whereas the pandemic fear was associated with the population’s response to governmental measures. At the third level, civil protection was directly associated with the psychological response resilience variables: perspectives of life and reconsidering values. The model explained a significant amount of the variance in the population’s response (62%), reconsidering values (42%), and perspectives of life (32%). Moreover, women presented higher levels of social/psychological distress, pandemic fear, and perspectives of life. Finally, younger people were more affected by the social/psychological distress and pandemic fear, whereas older people presented higher levels in the population’s response to governmental measures.
Regional Cooperation in Waste Management: Examining Australia’s Experience with Inter-municipal Cooperative Partnerships
Authors: Tobin Steven , Zaman Atiq
Published: January 2022

Effective governance and inter-organisational cooperation is key to progressing Australia’s journey toward the circular economy. At the local governance level, inter-municipal cooperative partnerships in waste management (‘IMC-WM’ partnerships) are a widespread phenomenon throughout Australia, and the world. This paper aims to analyse waste management in Australia through a governance perspective and inaugurate the scholarship on understanding the complex interactions between actors and institutions designed for regional cooperation. To this end, we explore the partnerships’ institutional characteristics, joint activity outputs and the internal relations observed between participants. Data were collected through a nationwide census survey of Australia’s IMC–WM partnerships and a short online questionnaire to the municipal policy actors (councillors, executives and council officers) who participate in them. The investigation observes that a diversity of innovative institutional responses has emerged in Australia. However, within these partnerships, a culture of competitiveness antithetical to sustainability is also detected. Despite competitive behaviours, the partnerships perform very well in cultivating goodwill, trust, reciprocity and other social capital values among their participants—as well as a strong appreciation of the complexity of municipal solid waste (MSW) policy and the virtues of regional cooperation. This dissonance in attitudes and engagement dynamics, it is suggested, can be explained by considering the cultural-cognitive influence of broader neoliberalist paradigms. As the first scholarly investigation into Australia’s experience with regional cooperation in waste management, this research reveals the macro-level structures and ascendent micro-institutional dynamics shaping the phenomenon.
Deformation Characteristics of Soil Layers and Diaphragm Walls during Deep Foundation Pit Excavation: Simulation Verification and Parameter Analysis
Authors: Feng Zheyuan , Xu Qi , Xu Xiangyang , Tang Qiang , Li Xuedong , Liao Xin
Published: January 2022

The research on the deformation of soil mass and ground connection walls is not sufficiently thorough due to the huge risk of deep excavation in soft soil areas. In this paper, finite element software is used to numerically simulate a symmetrical foundation pit in Suzhou, and the reliability is verified by on-site measured data. The purpose of this study is to investigate the deformation mechanism of the enclosure structure and surrounding soil during the excavation of soft soil foundation pits, and to carry out sensitivity analysis. The results show that the maximum subsidence of the surface is 21.25 mm, the maximum horizontal displacement of the underground diaphragm wall is 9.45 mm, and the maximum uplift of the pit bottom is 21.46 mm. By changing the soil layer properties (the elastic modulus, cohesion, and internal friction angle) and the insertion ratio of the diaphragm wall, the maximum horizontal displacement of the diaphragm wall is more easily affected than the maximum settlement of the surface. Based on different research results, the maximum land subsidence and maximum horizontal displacement of the support structure are 0.313–0.060% and 0.070–0.250% of the maximum excavation depth, respectively. Finally, the simulation may have some applicability to other foundation pit excavations.
Analysis of Symmetrical/Asymmetrical Loading Influence of the Full-Suspension Downhill Bicycle’s Frame on the Crack Failure Formation at a Critical Point during Different Driving Scenarios and Design Improvement
Authors: Bulej Vladimír , Kuric Ivan , Sága Milan , Vaško Milan , Ságová Zuzana , Bartoš Michal , Legutko Stanislaw
Published: January 2022

The article deals with the analysis of the existing full-suspension downhill bicycle’s frame damaged while using and the subsequent conceptual improved design of the critical point. The origin of symmetrical and asymmetrical bicycle loads in individual riding modes is investigated. Subsequently, their impact on the overall load of the frame and especially the identified critical point are assessed. An overview of different full-suspension bicycle frames, complemented by a literature overview of research related to cycling engineering and sport application is introduced. The first phase began with a kinematic analysis of the bicycle suspension system and an effect assessment of the symmetrical or asymmetrical distribution of forces, respectively, in the individual components. Furthermore, a strength analysis of the main frame was performed, taking into account the static and dynamic forces. Based on the results of the analyses performed in the ANSYS/Workbench, a critical frame point, as well as the role of individual driving regimes, were identified. The structural detail of the pocket under the saddle tube together with the asymmetrical combined load generated while out of saddle pedalling proved to be crucial for frame crack initiation and formation. Different design variants with improved stiffness were proposed for the given place. The chosen variant can be successfully implemented due to the final reduction of the maximum stress level approximately two times compared to the original pocket (only 50.4% of the original maximum stress) as well as a simple design and repair of the damaged area in terms of technology.
A Chaotic Quadratic Oscillator with Only Squared Terms: Multistability, Impulsive Control, and Circuit Design
Authors: Veeman Dhinakaran , Alanezi Ahmad , Natiq Hayder , Jafari Sajad , Abd El-Latif Ahmed A.
Published: January 2022

Here, a chaotic quadratic oscillator with only squared terms is proposed, which shows various dynamics. The oscillator has eight equilibrium points, and none of them is stable. Various bifurcation diagrams of the oscillator are investigated, and its Lyapunov exponents (LEs) are discussed. The multistability of the oscillator is discussed by plotting bifurcation diagrams with various initiation methods. The basin of attraction of the oscillator is discussed in two planes. Impulsive control is applied to the oscillator to control its chaotic dynamics. Additionally, the circuit is implemented to reveal its feasibility.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Technologies in 2021
Authors:   Technologies Editorial Office
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Cobalt Neurotoxicity: Transcriptional Effect of Elevated Cobalt Blood Levels in the Rodent Brain
Authors: Gómez-Arnaiz Sara , Tate Rothwelle J. , Grant Mary Helen
Published: January 2022

Metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implants made of cobalt chromium (CoCr) alloy have shown early failure compared with other bearing materials. A consequence of the abnormal wear produced by these prostheses is elevated levels of cobalt in the blood of patients, which can lead to systemic conditions involving cardiac and neurological symptoms. In order to better understand the implications for patients with these implants, we carried out metal content and RNA-Seq analysis of excised tissue from rats treated intraperitonially for 28 days with low concentrations of cobalt. Cobalt blood levels in dosed rats were found to be similar to those seen in some patients with MoM implants (range: 4–38 μg/L Co in blood). Significant accumulation of cobalt was measured in a range of tissues including kidney, liver, and heart, but also in brain tissue. RNA-Seq analysis of neural tissue revealed that exposure to cobalt induces a transcriptional response in the prefrontal cortex (pref. cortex), cerebellum, and hippocampus. Many of the most up- and downregulated genes appear to correspond to choroid plexus transcripts. These results indicate that the choroid plexus could be the brain tissue most affected by cobalt. More specifically, the differentially expressed genes show a disruption of steroidogenesis and lipid metabolism. Several other transcripts also demonstrate that cobalt induces an immune response. In summary, cobalt exposure induces alterations in the brain transcriptome, more specifically, the choroid plexus, which is in direct contact with neurotoxicants at the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier.
Proteomics-Based Identification of Interaction Partners of the Xenobiotic Detoxification Enzyme FMO3 Reveals Involvement in Urea Cycle
Authors: Yang Zhao , Stemmer Paul , Petriello Michael
Published: January 2022

The hepatic xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) has been implicated in the development of cardiometabolic disease primarily due to its enzymatic product trimethylamine-N oxide (TMAO), which has recently been shown to be associated with multiple chronic diseases, including kidney and coronary artery diseases. Although TMAO may have causative roles as a pro-inflammatory mediator, the possibility for roles in metabolic disease for FMO3, irrespective of TMAO formation, does exist. We hypothesized that FMO3 may interact with other proteins known to be involved in cardiometabolic diseases and that modulating the expression of FMO3 may impact on these interaction partners. Here, we combine a co-immunoprecipitation strategy coupled to unbiased proteomic workflow to report a novel protein:protein interaction network for FMO3. We identified 51 FMO3 protein interaction partners, and through gene ontology analysis, have identified urea cycle as an enriched pathway. Using mice deficient in FMO3 on two separate backgrounds, we validated and further investigated expressional and functional associations between FMO3 and the identified urea cycle genes. FMO3-deficient mice showed hepatic overexpression of carbamoylphosphate synthetase (CPS1), the rate-limiting gene of urea cycle, and increased hepatic urea levels, especially in mice of FVB (Friend leukemia virus B strain) background. Finally, overexpression of FMO3 in murine AML12 hepatocytes led to downregulation of CPS1. Although there is past literature linking TMAO to urea cycle, this is the first published work showing that FMO3 and CPS1 may directly interact, implicating a role for FMO3 in chronic kidney disease irrespective of TMAO formation.
Combination of Novel Therapies for HDV
Authors: Elazar Menashe , Glenn Jeffrey S.
Published: January 2022

Treatment options for HDV have been limited to interferon alfa-based therapies with its poor efficacy to side effects ratio. Several novel therapies have now advanced into the clinic. As they each have a different mechanism of action, there is the potential for combination therapy. Here we review how studying the HDV life cycle has led to the development of these novel therapies, the key developments leading to, and the details of, the first combination study of novel anti-HDV therapies, and suggest what additional combinations of novel therapies can be anticipated as we enter this exciting new area of HDV treatments.
Special Issue: HPV and HPV Vaccines
Authors: Hibma Merilyn
Published: January 2022

Our fundamental understanding of papillomaviruses and their interactions with their host, including their role in cancer and how the immune system responds to them, has made the elimination of cervical cancer a realistic global health goal [...]
Trends and Risk Factors of In-Hospital Mortality of Patients with COVID-19 in Germany: Results of a Large Nationwide Inpatient Sample
Authors: Hobohm Lukas , Sagoschen Ingo , Barco Stefano , Schmidtmann Irene , Espinola-Klein Christine , Konstantinides Stavros , Münzel Thomas , Keller Karsten
Published: January 2022

Unselected data of nationwide studies of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are still sparse, but these data are of outstanding interest to avoid exceeding hospital capacities and overloading national healthcare systems. Thus, we sought to analyze seasonal/regional trends, predictors of in-hospital case-fatality, and mechanical ventilation (MV) in patients with COVID-19 in Germany. We used the German nationwide inpatient samples to analyze all hospitalized patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis in Germany between 1 January and 31 December in 2020. We analyzed data of 176,137 hospitalizations of patients with confirmed COVID-19-infection. Among those, 31,607 (17.9%) died, whereby in-hospital case-fatality grew exponentially with age. Overall, age ≥ 70 years (OR 5.91, 95%CI 5.70–6.13, p < 0.001), pneumonia (OR 4.58, 95%CI 4.42–4.74, p < 0.001) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR 8.51, 95%CI 8.12–8.92, p < 0.001) were strong predictors of in-hospital death. Most COVID-19 patients were treated in hospitals in urban areas (n = 92,971) associated with the lowest case-fatality (17.5%), as compared to hospitals in suburban (18.3%) or rural areas (18.8%). MV demand was highest in November/December 2020 (32.3%, 20.3%) in patients between the 6th and 8th age decade. In the first age decade, 78 of 1861 children (4.2%) with COVID-19-infection were treated with MV, and five of them died (0.3%). The results of our study indicate seasonal and regional variations concerning the number of COVID-19 patients, necessity of MV, and case fatality in Germany. These findings may help to ensure the flexible allocation of intensive care (human) resources, which is essential for managing enormous societal challenges worldwide to avoid overloaded regional healthcare systems.
Neutralizing Antibodies Limit Cell-Associated Spread of Human Cytomegalovirus in Epithelial Cells and Fibroblasts
Authors: Reuter Nina , Kropff Barbara , Britt William , Mach Michael , Thomas Marco
Published: January 2022

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can cause severe clinical disease in immunocompromised individuals, such as allograft recipients and infants infected in utero. Neutralizing activity of antibodies, measured as the ability to prevent the entry of cell-free virus, has been correlated with the reduction in HCMV transmission and the severity of HCMV-associated disease. However, in vivo HCMV amplification may occur mainly via cell-to-cell spread. Thus, quantifying the inhibition of cell-to-cell transmission could be important in the evaluation of therapeutic antibodies and/or humoral responses to infection or immunization. Here, we established a quantitative plaque reduction assay, which allowed for the measurement of the capacity of antibodies to limit HCMV spread in vitro. Using an automated fluorescence spot reader, infection progression was assayed by the expansion of viral plaques during the course of infection with various GFP-expressing viruses. We found that in contrast to non-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), neutralizing mAbs against both glycoprotein B and H (gB and gH) could significantly inhibit viral plaque expansion of different HCMV strains and was equally efficient in fibroblasts as in epithelial cells. In contrast, an anti-pentamer mAb was active only in epithelial cells. Taken together, our data demonstrate that specific anti-HCMV mAbs can significantly limit cell-associated virus spread in vitro.
The Influenza Vaccine May Protect Pregnant and Postpartum Women against Severe COVID-19
Authors: Paganoti Cristiane de Freitas , Rodrigues Agatha Sacramento , Francisco Rossana Pulcineli Vieira , Costa Rafaela Alkmin da
Published: January 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has imposed a huge challenge on the antenatal care of pregnant women worldwide, with the maternal mortality rate being raised to alarming levels. While COVID-19 vaccines were developed, some studies highlighted a possible relationship between influenza vaccination and lower odds of COVID-19 infection. As obstetric patients belong to a high-risk group for respiratory diseases, this study evaluated whether influenza vaccination reduces the severity of COVID-19 infection and mortality among pregnant and postpartum women. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 3370 pregnant and postpartum women from the Brazilian national database, where they were grouped according to their influenza vaccination status before the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. The intensive care unit admission and intubation rates were significantly higher among subjects in the unvaccinated group (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). The odds of mortality risk among those who received the vaccine was 0.33, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.23–0.47. The numbers of patients who needed to be vaccinated to avoid a case of intensive care unit admission, intubation, or death due to COVID-19 were 11, 15, and 11, respectively. Influenza vaccines could confer protection against severe COVID-19 infection in pregnant and postpartum women.
Protective Efficacy of Novel Oral Biofilm Vaccines against Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae Infection in Giant Grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus
Authors: Su Feng-Jie , Chen Meei-Mei
Published: January 2022

Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae is a pathogen that mainly infects a variety of fish species. There are many antibiotic-resistant strains of Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae. In a previously published article, we described the production method for a novel oral biofilm vaccine. In the study reported herein, we confirmed the protective effect of the oral biofilm vaccine against Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae. Twenty-eight days after vaccination, phagocytosis increased by 256% relative to the control group. The mean albumin–globulin ratios of the vaccine groups were significantly lower than the mean albumin–globulin ratios of the control group. There were no significant intergroup differences in lysozyme activity. Mean IgM titers were significantly higher in the vaccine group than in the control group. There was a significant upregulation of the TLR 3, IL-1β, and IL-8 genes in the spleen 28 days after vaccination. The cumulative mortality of the control fish was 84% after challenging fish with the Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae, while the cumulative mortality of the oral biofilm vaccine (PBV) group was 32%, which was significantly higher than those of the whole-cell vaccine (PWV) and chitosan particle (CP) groups. There is minimal published research on the prevention and treatment of Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae infection; therefore, this oral biofilm vaccine may represent a new method to fill this gap.
Characterization of a Novel Chimeric Theileria parva p67 Antigen Which Incorporates into Virus-like Particles and Is Highly Immunogenic in Mice
Authors: Whittle Leah , Chapman Ros , van Diepen Michiel , Rybicki Edward P. , Williamson Anna-Lise
Published: January 2022

The current method to protect cattle against East Coast Fever (ECF) involves the use of live Theileria parva sporozoites. Although this provides immunity, using live parasites has many disadvantages, such as contributing to the spread of ECF. Subunit vaccines based on the sporozoite surface protein p67 have been investigated as a replacement for the current method. In this study, two DNA vaccines expressing recombinant forms of p67 designed to display on retrovirus-like particles were constructed with the aim of improving immunogenicity. The native leader sequence was replaced with the human tissue plasminogen activator leader in both vaccines. The full-length p67 gene was included in the first DNA vaccine (p67); in the second, the transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail were replaced with those of an influenza A virus hemagglutinin 5 (p67HA). Immunofluorescent staining of fixed and live transfected mammalian cells showed that both p67 and p67HA were successfully expressed, and p67HA localised on the cell surface. Furthermore, p67HA was displayed on the surface of both bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) Gag and HIV-1 Gag virus-like particles (VLPs) made in the same cells. Mice vaccinated with DNA vaccines expressing p67 and p67HA alone, or p67HA with BLV or HIV-1 Gag, developed high titres of p67 and BLV Gag-binding antibodies. Here we show that it is possible to integrate a form of p67 containing all known antigenic domains into VLPs. This p67HA–VLP combination has the potential to be incorporated into a vaccine against ECF, as a DNA vaccine or as other vaccine platforms.
Meharry Medical College Mobile Vaccination Program: Implications for Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Minority Communities in Middle Tennessee
Authors: Alcendor Donald J. , Juarez Paul D. , Matthews-Juarez Patricia , Simon Sheena , Nash Catherine , Lewis Kirollos , Smoot Duane
Published: January 2022

To end or curtail the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to incorporate mobile vaccination programs into the national vaccination strategy. Mobile COVID-19 vaccination programs play an important role in providing comprehensive vaccination from federally qualified institutions to underserved communities facing a higher risk for COVID-19 acquisition. The Meharry Medical College COVID-19 mobile vaccine program (MMC-MVP) has provided lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines, free of charge, to communities throughout Middle Tennessee. Mobile deployment is vital for those forced to travel long distances to get vaccinated and who have limited access to medical providers or vaccine clinics, lack access to public transportation, or may be homebound. The MMC-MVP, established on 13 April 2021, via funding from the Bloomberg Foundation, is sourced with infectious disease experts, nurse practitioners, and community engagement personnel to provide COVID-19 vaccinations and information in a culturally competent manner to diverse communities in Middle Tennessee. To provide broader access to COVID-19 vaccinations and vaccine-related information, the MMC-MVP partnered with the Tennessee Community Engagement Alliance, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing COVID-19 vaccine strike teams, non-academic, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations. During the September 2021 COVID-19 surge in Tennessee, the MMC-MVP provided nearly 5000 free COVID-19 vaccinations to targeted, underserved communities. The MMC-MVP has provided vaccine equity in communities with the highest risk for acquiring COVID-19 and with greatest need in this pandemic.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of World in 2021
Authors:   World Editorial Office
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Intervenciones basadas en Mindfulness en el tratamiento de adicciones a sustancias psicotrópicas
Authors: Rodas Flores Diego , Reivan Ortiz Geovanny
Published: January 2022

El consumo problemático de sustancias psicotrópicas incrementa año tras año; por tanto, el interés para desarrollar tratamientos eficaces para intervenir sobre estos trastornos lo  hace  en  igual medida; en este  contexto,  una  de la áreas de interés se centra en Intervenciones Basadas en Mindfulness (MBI), por lo cual, el presente artículo se plantea como objetivo general presentar la evidencia disponible sobre la eficacia que muestran las MBI para el tratamiento de las adicciones al alcohol, el cannabis y la cocaína. Se desarrolló una revisión sistemática en la que se encontraron 13 ensayos clínicos aleatorizados sobre la temática. Los resultados mostraron que las MBI son eficaces  para  promover  la  remisión de la conducta adictiva; así como para reducir la sintomatología depresiva y ansiosa. Sin embargo, en el presente artículo se discute sobre la dificultad para generalizar estos resultados y se insta a que investigaciones futuras se fundamente en una metodología sólida.
Alteraciones del estado de ánimo causado por el desempleo
Authors: Tamayo Ricaurte Cindy Aracelly
Published: January 2022

El ser humano experimenta una serie de cambios en todos los aspectos de su vida, cambios que son normales pero comienza existir complicaciones cuando aparecen alteraciones del estado de ánimo, que afectan su vida social, familiar   y personal, donde no logra realizar actividades diarias como antes; por tal motivo este estudio de caso estuvo dirigido a un adulto que presentó alteraciones del estado de ánimo causado por el desempleo, con el objetivo de determinar la influencia del desempleo en el surgimiento de una alteración del estado de ánimo de un adulto del cantón Vinces. Se implementó técnicas graduales  de  la terapia cognitiva conductual para mejorar su sintomatología y a su vez el estilo de vida, para este estudio  de caso se utilizaron técnicas como, la entrevista semiestructurada, los test psicométricos acompañados de sus respectivos instrumentos que permitieron establecer el respectivo diagnóstico y en la elaboración del respectivo plan terapéutico.