bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Decision Support System Framework for Cultural Heritage Management
Authors: Di Matteo Eleonora , Roma Paolo , Zafonte Santo , Panniello Umberto , Abbate Lorenzo
Published: June 2021

Decision support systems (DSSs) have been traditionally identified as useful information technology tools in a variety of fields, including the context of cultural heritage. However, to the best of our knowledge, no prior study has developed a DSS framework that incorporates all the main decision areas simultaneously in the context of cultural heritage. We fill this gap by focusing on design-science research and specifically by developing a DSS framework whose features support all the main decision areas for the sustainable management of cultural assets in a comprehensive manner. The main decision-making areas considered in our study encompass demand management, segmentation and communication, pricing, space management, and services management. For these areas, we select appropriate decision-making supporting techniques and data management solutions. The development of our framework, in the form of a web-based system, results in an architectural solution that is able to satisfy critical requirements such as ease of use and response time. We present an application of the innovative DSS framework to a museum and discuss the main managerial implications and future improvements.
Using Participatory Approaches to Enhance Women’s Engagement in Natural Resource Management in Northern Ghana
Authors: Cronkleton Peter , Evans Kristen , Addoah Thomas , Smith Dumont Emilie , Zida Mathurin , Djoudi Houria
Published: June 2021

From 2016–2019, the West African Forest-Farm Interface (WAFFI) project engaged with smallholder farmers in northern Ghana to explore mechanisms to improve the influence of under-represented peoples, particularly women, in decision-making processes and platforms that affect their access to natural resources. Through a multi-phase process of participatory activities, including auto-appraisal, participatory action research (PAR) and facilitated knowledge exchange, villagers and researchers worked together to document and develop a better understanding of the challenges and changes facing women and men in the region to generate social learning. Among these challenges, the degradation of forest resources due to over exploitation, weak governance and conflict of use over shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa) were particularly important for women. The WAFFI approach created a scaffold for social learning that strengthened the capacity of local stakeholders to share their perspectives and opinions more effectively in multi-stakeholder forums and dialogue related to resource use and land use change initiatives.
Implementation of the EU Quality Policy: Case Study, Slovakia
Authors: Palková Zuzana , Okenková Marieta , Harničárová Marta , Valíček Jan , Gombár Miroslav , Dvorský Jakub , Behanovská Mária , Slaninová Monika , Reiskupová Monika , Vnučko Peter
Published: June 2021

The European Union Quality policy promotes original and traditional agricultural and food products of high quality at the EU level. It aims at protecting the names of specific products to promote their unique characteristics, linked to their geographical origin, traditional know-how and local culture. In May 2020, the European Commission launched the EU-wide public consultation on its promotion policy for agricultural and food products to get feedback from citizens and stakeholders on the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the current measures, as well as their coherence with EU action in other areas and the added value of this kind of policy being implemented at the EU level. The article is focused on the evaluation effectiveness of the implementation of the EU Quality Policy in Slovakia, covering the territory of the whole country and the aim of this evaluation is to assess the level of awareness in Slovakia regarding the EU Quality policy implementation and the positive and negative experiences with its implementation at the national level. The evaluation period covers all 17 years of its implementation from its introduction in June 2003. Special attention is given to what needs to be done to improve its implementation in Slovakia and to increase the number of Slovak products holding this prestigious label. The main issue that came out of the evaluation process is very poor information on EU Quality Policy implementation in Slovakia. Currently, there is only a website run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic. There is not much motivation for producers to have an interest in the registration process. Therefore, priority should be given to overcoming this.
Removing of Anionic Dye from Aqueous Solutions by Adsorption Using of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Poly (Acrylonitrile-styrene) Impregnated with Activated Carbon
Authors: Abualnaja Khamael M. , Alprol Ahmed E. , Abu-Saied M. A. , Ashour Mohamed , Mansour Abdallah Tageldein
Published: June 2021

This paper presents an estimation of the adsorptive potential of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and modified poly (acrylonitrile-co-styrene) with activated carbon for the uptake of reactive red 35 (RR35) dye from aqueous solution by a batch system. MWCNT adsorbent was synthesized by encapsulation via in situ polymerization. The copolymer material of poly (acrylonitrile-styrene) P (AN-co-ST) was prepared in a ratio of 2:1 V/V by the precipitation polymerization process. The prepared composites’ properties were characterized by FTIR, SEM, Raman, mean particle size (PSA), and XRD analysis. The PSA of the copolymeric material was determined to be 450.5 and 994 nm for MWCNTs and P(AN-co-St)/AC, respectively. Moreover, the influences of different factors, for example pH (2–10), adsorbents dosage (0.005–0.04 g), contact time (5–120 min), initial dye concentration (10–50 mg L−1), and temperature (25–55 °C). The optimum values were determined to be 2 and 4 pH, 10 mg L−1 of RR35 dye, and 0.04 g of adsorbents at early contact time. Furthermore, the adsorption isotherm was studied using Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, and Halsey models. Maximum capacity qmax for MWCNTS and P (AN-co-St)/AC was 256.41 and 30.30 mg g−1, respectively. The investigational kinetic study was appropriated well via a pseudo second-order model with a correlation coefficient around 0.99. Thermodynamic study displayed that the removal of RR35 is exothermic, a spontaneous and physisorption system. The adsorption efficiency reduced to around 54–55% of the RR35 after four cycles of reuse of the adsorbents at 120 min.
Socioeconomic Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring Uncertainty in the Forecast of the Romanian Unemployment Rate for the Period 2020–2023
Authors: Davidescu Adriana AnaMaria , Apostu Simona-Andreea , Stoica Liviu Adrian
Published: June 2021

During the health crisis, it is vital to protect not only the critical sectors of the economy, the assets, technology, and infrastructure, but first and foremost, it is fundamental to protect jobs and workers. The current COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on the labor market from three main perspectives: number of jobs (through unemployment and underemployment), quality of work (through wages, or access to social protection), and through the effects on specific groups, with a higher degree of vulnerability to unfavorable labor market outcomes. The measures aiming to reduce economic activity and social contacts lead to a reduction of labor demand and implicitly to the increase of the unemployment rate. In this context, it becomes even more relevant to be able to monitor the unemployment rate, providing relevant forecasts that include the effects of market shocks. Thus, our paper aims to forecast the unemployment rate for the period 2020–2023 using the Box-Jenkins methodology based on ARIMA models, exploring also the uncertainty based on fan charts. Although the baseline forecast offers valuable information, a good understanding of risks and uncertainties related to this forecast is equally important. The empirical results highlighted an ascending trend for unemployment rate during 2020, followed by a slow and continuous decrease until the end of 2023 with a high probability for the forecast to be above the central projection.
The Effect of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Selected Hematological Indices, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality Parameters of Jumbo Quail
Authors: Mahlake Steve Kgotlelelo , Mnisi Caven Mguvane , Lebopa Cornelia , Kumanda Cebisa
Published: June 2021

Green tea leaves contain a wide range of active bio-compounds that are essential for sustainable quail intensification; however, its feed value is not known for the Jumbo quail. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of different levels of green tea leaf powder (GTLP) on physiological and meat quality parameters of the Jumbo quail. One-week-old chicks (n = 350; 56.1 ± 2.12 g live-weight) were evenly distributed to 35 replicate pens and reared on five experimental diets formulated as follows: a standard grower diet with zinc-bacitracin (PosCon), a standard grower diet without zinc-bacitracin (NegCon), and NegCon diet treated with 10 (GT10), 25 (GT25) and 50 g/kg (GT50) of GTLP. Weight gain linearly decreased in week 2 but increased in week 4, whereas feed conversion efficiency linearly declined in weeks 2 and 3 as GTLP levels increased. Overall feed intake, carcass yield, and caecum and colon weights showed a linear increase with GTLP levels. Hematological parameters fell within the normal ranges reported for healthy quail. The GT10 group showed larger liver weights than the PosCon and NegCon groups. It was concluded that dietary inclusion of GTLP enhances overall feed intake and carcass performance but not feed efficiency, hematological and meat quality parameters of Jumbo quail.
Moving beyond Limitations: Designing the Helpdys App for Children with Dyslexia in Rural Areas
Authors: Larco Andres , Carrillo Jorge , Chicaiza Nelson , Yanez Cesar , Luján-Mora Sergio
Published: June 2021

Dyslexia is a relatively common language disorder which is generally ignored in rural communities. It hinders children’s learning processes and, in some cases, is the cause of dropouts or violence in schools. The present work strives to create a web and mobile app as a preliminary step towards the diagnosis and treatment of dyslexic children. Apps providing didactic educational games and activities improve literacy skills for students with reading disabilities. The current work incorporates user experience and prototyping to fulfill app requirements. The authors evaluated the apps with the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) tool to assess engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information. The app’s improvements were immediately implemented and tested in the “Escuela Linea Equinoccial” (Ecuador) school, proving its utility for future use in the education system. The app can be a valuable tool for children with dyslexia to progress successfully through school, raising their self-confidence and, thereby, helping them reach their full potential as adults able to make a positive contribution to society.
Implementation of Sustainability Indicators in Engineering Education Using a Combined Balanced Scorecard and Quality Function Deployment Approaches
Authors: Al-Bahi Ali M. , Abd-Elwahed Mohamed S. , Soliman Abdelfattah Y.
Published: June 2021

One year and a half after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became suitable to rethink the design of the engineering education systems to remain sustainable and resilient. The paper aims to identify the most important aspects of the system, as well as the most vulnerable ones and the extent to which the system meets the sustainability requirements of the society. The Balanced Scorecard approach is used to ensure that the system remains sustainable and resilient. The indicators to measure the aspects of this design are developed. A Quality Function Deployment approach is used to identify the extent to which a designed system satisfies the sustainability requirements of the society. The problem is formulated as an engineering design problem in which the customer requirements are presented using a sustainability Triple Bottom Line framework. The results indicate that a well-designed engineering education system is capable of addressing the majority of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) identified by the United Nations. The most important aspect of this system is its commitment to quality assurance and continuous improvement. Such a system is a key player to achieve the SDGs, particularly those of economic growth, quality education, good health and wellbeing, and industry innovation.
Novel Method to Analytically Obtain the Asymptotic Stable Equilibria States of Extended SIR-Type Epidemiological Models
Authors: Lazebnik Teddy , Bunimovich-Mendrazitsky Svetlana , Shaikhet Leonid
Published: June 2021

We present a new analytical method to find the asymptotic stable equilibria states based on the Markov chain technique. We reveal this method on the Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR)-type epidemiological model that we developed for viral diseases with long-term immunity memory. This is a large-scale model containing 15 nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs), and classical methods have failed to analytically obtain its equilibria. The proposed method is used to conduct a comprehensive analysis by a stochastic representation of the dynamics of the model, followed by finding all asymptotic stable equilibrium states of the model for any values of parameters and initial conditions thanks to the symmetry of the population size over time.
A Secure Three-Factor Anonymous User Authentication Scheme for Internet of Things Environments
Authors: Chang Ya-Fen , Tai Wei-Liang , Hou Po-Lin , Lai Kuan-Yu
Published: June 2021

Internet of Things (IoT) is composed of various kinds of devices such as cars, electrical appliances, machines and sensors. With IoT technologies, devices can exchange information through the network, people are allowed to get information collected by devices without interacting with them, and automatic operations for devices are realized. Because of the variety of IoT devices, some of them possess limited computational capability. On the other hand, data transmission in IoT networks is usually through a public channel. To ensure efficiency and security for IoT environments, Lee et al. proposed a three-factor authentication scheme with hash function and XOR operation. They claimed their scheme possessed superior properties and could resist common attacks. After analyzing their scheme, we find that their scheme is vulnerable to five flaws. In this paper, how these found flaws threaten Lee et al.’s scheme is shown in detail. Then, we propose an improvement to overcome the found flaws and preserve the advantages by employing ECC.
Neurotropic Astroviruses in Animals
Authors: Wildi Nicole , Seuberlich Torsten
Published: June 2021

Astrovirus infections are among the main causes of diarrhea in children, but their significance for animal health has remained underestimated and largely unknown. This is changing due to the increasing amount of newly identified neurotropic astroviruses in cases of nonsuppurative encephalitis and neurological disease in humans, pigs, ruminant species and minks. Neurological cases in ruminants and humans usually occur sporadically and as isolated cases. This contrasts with the situation in pigs and minks, in which diseases associated with neurotropic astroviruses are endemic and occur on the herd level. Affected animals show neurological signs such as mild ataxia to tetraplegia, loss of orientation or trembling, and the outcome is often fatal. Non-suppurative inflammation with perivascular cuffing, gliosis and neuronal necrosis are typical histological lesions of astrovirus encephalitis. Since astroviruses primarily target the gastrointestinal tract, it is assumed that they infect the brain through the circulatory system or retrograde following the nerves. The phylogenetic analysis of neurotropic astroviruses has revealed that they are genetically closely related, suggesting the presence of viral determinants for tissue tropism and neuroinvasion. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on neurotropic astrovirus infections in animals and propose future research activities.
Successful Clearance of 300 Day SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Subject with B-Cell Depletion Associated Prolonged (B-DEAP) COVID by REGEN-COV Anti-Spike Monoclonal Antibody Cocktail
Authors: Drouin Arnaud C. , Theberge Marc W. , Liu Sharon Y. , Smither Allison R. , Flaherty Shelby M. , Zeller Mark , Geba Gregory P. , Reynaud Peter , Rothwell W. Benjamin , Luk Alfred P. , Tian Di , Boisen Matthew L. , Branco Luis M. , Andersen Kristian G. , Robinson James E. , Garry Robert F. , Fusco Dahlene N.
Published: June 2021

A 59-year-old male with follicular lymphoma treated by anti-CD20-mediated B-cell depletion and ablative chemotherapy was hospitalized with a COVID-19 infection. Although the patient did not develop specific humoral immunity, he had a mild clinical course overall. The failure of all therapeutic options allowed infection to persist nearly 300 days with active accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 virus mutations. As a rescue therapy, an infusion of REGEN-COV (10933 and 10987) anti-spike monoclonal antibodies was performed 270 days from initial diagnosis. Due to partial clearance after the first dose (2.4 g), a consolidation dose (8 g) was infused six weeks later. Complete virus clearance could then be observed over the following month, after he was vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech anti-COVID-19 vaccination. The successful management of this patient required prolonged enhanced quarantine, monitoring of virus mutations, pioneering clinical decisions based upon close consultation, and the coordination of multidisciplinary experts in virology, immunology, pharmacology, input from REGN, the FDA, the IRB, the health care team, the patient, and the patient’s family. Current decisions to take revolve around patient’s follicular lymphoma management, and monitoring for virus clearance persistence beyond disappearance of REGEN-COV monoclonal antibodies after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Overall, specific guidelines for similar cases should be established.
The Erns Carboxyterminus: Much More Than a Membrane Anchor
Authors: Tews Birke Andrea , Klingebeil Anne , Kühn Juliane , Franzke Kati , Rümenapf Till , Meyers Gregor
Published: June 2021

Pestiviruses express the unique essential envelope protein Erns, which exhibits RNase activity, is attached to membranes by a long amphipathic helix, and is partially secreted from infected cells. The RNase activity of Erns is directly connected with pestivirus virulence. Formation of homodimers and secretion of the protein are hypothesized to be important for its role as a virulence factor, which impairs the host’s innate immune response to pestivirus infection. The unusual membrane anchor of Erns raises questions with regard to proteolytic processing of the viral polyprotein at the Erns carboxy-terminus. Moreover, the membrane anchor is crucial for establishing the critical equilibrium between retention and secretion and ensures intracellular accumulation of the protein at the site of virus budding so that it is available to serve both as structural component of the virion and factor controlling host immune reactions. In the present manuscript, we summarize published as well as new data on the molecular features of Erns including aspects of its interplay with the other two envelope proteins with a special focus on the biochemistry of the Erns membrane anchor.
Erratum: Johnson et al. Alston Virus, a Novel Paramyxovirus Isolated from Bats Causes Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in Experimentally Challenged Ferrets. Viruses 2018, 10, 675
Authors: Johnson Rebecca I. , Tachedjian Mary , Rowe Brenton , Clayton Bronwyn A. , Layton Rachel , Bergfeld Jemma , Wang Lin-Fa , Smith Ina L. , Marsh Glenn A.
Published: June 2021

The authors wish to make the following erratum to this paper [...]
Characterization of a Cytopathogenic Reporter CSFV
Authors: Reuscher Carina Maria , Schmidt Lisa , Netsch Anette , Lamp Benjamin
Published: June 2021

Cytopathogenic (cp) pestiviruses frequently emerge in cattle that are persistently infected with the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) as a consequence of RNA recombination and mutation. They induce apoptosis in infected tissue cultures, are highly attenuated in the immunocompetent host, and unable to establish persistent infections after diaplacental infections. Cp strains of BVDV have been used as naturally attenuated live vaccines and for species-specific plaque reduction tests for the indirect serological detection of BVDV. Here, we present a genetically engineered cp strain of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Cytopathogenicity of the strain was induced by the insertion of ubiquitin embedded in a large NS3 to NS4B duplication. The CSFV RNA genome was stabilized by the inactivation of the NS2 autoprotease, hindering the deletion of the insertion and the reversion to a wild-type genome. Additional insertion of a mCherry gene at the 5′-end of the E2 gene allowed fluorescence-verified plaque reduction assays for CSFV, thus providing a novel, cost-efficient diagnostic tool. This genetically stabilized cp CSFV strain could be further used as a basis for potential new modified live vaccines. Taken together, we applied reverse genetics to rationally fixate a typical cp NS3 duplication in a CSFV genome.
Functional Features of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus G Protein
Authors: Anderson Larry , Jadhao Samadhan , Paden Clinton , Tong Suxiang
Published: June 2021

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of serious lower respiratory tract infections in children <5 years of age worldwide and repeated infections throughout life leading to serious disease in the elderly and persons with compromised immune, cardiac, and pulmonary systems. The disease burden has made it a high priority for vaccine and antiviral drug development but without success except for immune prophylaxis for certain young infants. Two RSV proteins are associated with protection, F and G, and F is most often pursued for vaccine and antiviral drug development. Several features of the G protein suggest it could also be an important to vaccine or antiviral drug target design. We review features of G that effect biology of infection, the host immune response, and disease associated with infection. Though it is not clear how to fit these together into an integrated picture, it is clear that G mediates cell surface binding and facilitates cellular infection, modulates host responses that affect both immunity and disease, and its CX3C aa motif contributes to many of these effects. These features of G and the ability to block the effects with antibody, suggest G has substantial potential in vaccine and antiviral drug design.
Exploring Codon Adjustment Strategies towards Escherichia coli-Based Production of Viral Proteins Encoded by HTH1, a Novel Prophage of the Marine Bacterium Hypnocyclicus thermotrophus
Authors: Arsın Hasan , Jasilionis Andrius , Dahle Håkon , Sandaa Ruth-Anne , Stokke Runar , Nordberg Karlsson Eva , Steen Ida Helene
Published: June 2021

Marine viral sequence space is immense and presents a promising resource for the discovery of new enzymes interesting for research and biotechnology. However, bottlenecks in the functional annotation of viral genes and soluble heterologous production of proteins hinder access to downstream characterization, subsequently impeding the discovery process. While commonly utilized for the heterologous expression of prokaryotic genes, codon adjustment approaches have not been fully explored for viral genes. Herein, the sequence-based identification of a putative prophage is reported from within the genome of Hypnocyclicus thermotrophus, a Gram-negative, moderately thermophilic bacterium isolated from the Seven Sisters hydrothermal vent field. A prophage-associated gene cluster, consisting of 46 protein coding genes, was identified and given the proposed name Hypnocyclicus thermotrophus phage H1 (HTH1). HTH1 was taxonomically assigned to the viral family Siphoviridae, by lowest common ancestor analysis of its genome and phylogeny analyses based on proteins predicted as holin and DNA polymerase. The gene neighbourhood around the HTH1 lytic cassette was found most similar to viruses infecting Gram-positive bacteria. In the HTH1 lytic cassette, an N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase (Amidase_2) with a peptidoglycan binding motif (LysM) was identified. A total of nine genes coding for enzymes putatively related to lysis, nucleic acid modification and of unknown function were subjected to heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. Codon optimization and codon harmonization approaches were applied in parallel to compare their effects on produced proteins. Comparison of protein yields and thermostability demonstrated that codon optimization yielded higher levels of soluble protein, but codon harmonization led to proteins with higher thermostability, implying a higher folding quality. Altogether, our study suggests that both codon optimization and codon harmonization are valuable approaches for successful heterologous expression of viral genes in E. coli, but codon harmonization may be preferable in obtaining recombinant viral proteins of higher folding quality.
Immunotherapy and Vaccination in Surgically Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Authors: Chiu Li-Chung , Lin Shu-Min , Lo Yu-Lun , Kuo Scott Chih-Hsi , Yang Cheng-Ta , Hsu Ping-Chih
Published: June 2021

Early-stage NSCLC (stages I and II, and some IIIA diseases) accounts for approximately 30% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases, with surgery being its main treatment modality. The risk of disease recurrence and cancer-related death, however, remains high among NSCLC patients after complete surgical resection. In previous studies on the long-term follow-up of post-operative NSCLC, the results showed that the five-year survival rate was about 65% for stage IB and about 35% for stage IIIA diseases. Platinum-based chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy has been used as a neoadjuvant therapy or post-operative adjuvant therapy in NSCLC, but the improvement of survival is limited. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have effectively improved the 5-year survival of advanced NSCLC patients. Cancer vaccination has also been explored and used in the prevention of cancer or reducing disease recurrence in resected NSCLC. Here, we review studies that have focused on the use of immunotherapies (i.e., ICIs and vaccination) in surgically resectable NSCLC. We present the results of completed clinical trials that have used ICIs as neoadjuvant therapies in pre-operative NSCLC. Ongoing clinical trials investigating ICIs as neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies are also summarized.
Update on Potentially Zoonotic Viruses of European Bats
Authors: Kohl Claudia , Nitsche Andreas , Kurth Andreas
Published: June 2021

Bats have been increasingly gaining attention as potential reservoir hosts of some of the most virulent viruses known. Numerous review articles summarize bats as potential reservoir hosts of human-pathogenic zoonotic viruses. For European bats, just one review article is available that we published in 2014. The present review provides an update on the earlier article and summarizes the most important viruses found in European bats and their possible implications for Public Health. We identify the research gaps and recommend monitoring of these viruses.
COVID-19 and the Gaping Wounds of South Africa’s Suboptimal Immunisation Coverage: An Implementation Research Imperative for Assessing and Addressing Missed Opportunities for Vaccination
Authors: Nnaji Chukwudi A. , Wiysonge Charles S. , Lesosky Maia , Mahomed Hassan , Ndwandwe Duduzile
Published: June 2021

Despite South Africa’s substantial investments in and efforts at ensuring universal access to immunisation services, progress has stalled and remains suboptimal across provinces and districts. An additional challenge is posed by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has disrupted immunisation services globally, including in South Africa. While there is growing evidence that missed opportunities for vaccination (MOV) are a major contributor to suboptimal immunisation progress globally, not much is known about the burden and determinants of MOV in the South African context. Herein, we make a case for assessing MOV as a strategy to address current immunisation coverage gaps while mitigating the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on immunisation services. We illustrate a practical implementation research approach to assessing the burden of MOV among children in primary care settings; for understanding the factors associated with MOV; and for designing, implementing, and evaluating context-appropriate quality improvement interventions for addressing missed opportunities. Such efforts are vital for building health system resilience and maintaining immunisation programme capacity to optimally deliver essential health services such as routine childhood immunisation, even during pandemics.
Targeting Toll-Like Receptor 2: Polarization of Porcine Macrophages by a Mycoplasma-Derived Pam2cys Lipopeptide
Authors: Franzoni Giulia , Anfossi Antonio , De Ciucis Chiara Grazia , Mecocci Samanta , Carta Tania , Dei Giudici Silvia , Fruscione Floriana , Zinellu Susanna , Vito Guendalina , Graham Simon Paul , Oggiano Annalisa , Chessa Bernardo , Razzuoli Elisabetta
Published: June 2021

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) ligands are attracting increasing attention as prophylactic and immunotherapeutic agents against pathogens and tumors. We previously observed that a synthetic diacylated lipopeptide based on a surface protein of Mycoplasma agalactiae (Mag-Pam2Cys) strongly activated innate immune cells, including porcine monocyte-derived macrophages (moMΦ). In this study, we utilized confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine ELISA, and RT-qPCR to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the effects of scalar doses of Mag-Pam2Cys on porcine moMΦ. We observed enhanced expression of activation markers (MHC class I, MHC class II DR, CD25), increased phagocytotic activity, and release of IL-12 and proinflammatory cytokines. Mag-Pam2Cys also upregulated the gene expression of several IFN-α subtypes, p65, NOS2, and molecules with antimicrobial activities (CD14, beta defensin 1). Overall, our data showed that Mag-Pam2Cys polarized porcine macrophages towards a proinflammatory antimicrobial phenotype. However, Mag-Pam2Cys downregulated the expression of IFN-α3, six TLRs (TLR3, -4, -5, -7, -8, -9), and did not interfere with macrophage polarization induced by the immunosuppressive IL-10, suggesting that the inflammatory activity evoked by Mag-Pam2Cys could be regulated to avoid potentially harmful consequences. We hope that our in vitro results will lay the foundation for the further evaluation of this diacylated lipopeptide as an immunopotentiator in vivo.
Effects of Packing Media and the Insertion of Vegetation on the Performance of Biological Trickling Filters
Authors: Martins Vinícius Ferreira , Silva Greicelene Jesus da , Borges Alisson Carraro
Published: June 2021

The use of the plant Chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver), able to develop under adverse conditions while removing a great number of pollutants, in constructed wetlands (CWs) is widely reported. Regarding the biological trickling filters (BTFs), the selection of the media is one of the most important factors in its performance. We investigated whether the addition of vegetation improves the efficiency of the basic parameters of BTFs with gravel. In addition, due to the properties of light expanded clay aggregate (LECA), we evaluated whether the support media composed of vetiver and LECA is able to increase the media’s oxygenation. The efficiencies were 39, 49, 56, and 49% for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and 27, 20, 12, and 31%, for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) in BTFLV (vetiver with LECA), BTFL (LECA only), BTFGV (vetiver with gravel) and BTFG (gravel only), respectively. LECA when associated with vetiver may have provided higher aeration of the filter, denoted by the higher nitrate effluent concentration (0.35, against 0.03, 0.06, and 0.10 mg L−1 for BTFL, BTFGV, and BTFG). Vetiver had no improvement on BTFs performance concerning BOD. However, associated with LECA, its use could be viable to remove dissolved forms of nitrogen.
Water Co-Governance for Sustainable Ecosystems: Reflections and Recommendations from Pilot Processes in the UK
Authors: Foster Natalie
Published: June 2021

As part of the Water Co-Governance for Sustainable Ecosystems (WaterCoG) project, this research evaluated two river catchment pilots in the United Kingdom (UK) via a series of semi-structured interviews in order to better understand how collaborative governance (co-governance) approaches contribute to water governance. The findings demonstrate that the participatory process used by catchment partnerships (comprising stakeholders working together within a catchment area) to co-produce knowledge has enabled them to jointly identify improvements that are more meaningful than previous actions to those involved or affected by the situation in their catchment. However, there are concerns about the balance of social, economic and environmental interests in decision making, as well as perceived misunderstandings about the situation in the catchment as a whole. All interviewees (comprising stakeholders from across different scales and levels of water governance) recognized benefits from working together. They also observed that progress to deliver measures is impeded by polices and institutions that are not conducive to partnership working. The interviewees recognized and valued the significant capacity and capability of catchment partnership host organization(s) to facilitate and enable the development of the catchment partnership. However, they also raised important questions about the host’s ability to represent the needs and interests of all catchment partnership members. The recommendations emerging from this research suggest ways to improve water co-governance, including considering the feasibility and desirability of the catchment partnership host; reconceptualizing catchment management plans as a process rather than an outcome; conducting and regularly reviewing a stakeholder analysis of catchment partnership members; working more closely together with other types of partnerships and committees; engaging in and providing opportunities for developing skills in systems thinking, social learning and collaborative actions; working with the UK Government to develop place-based policies and plans; and engaging in dialogue with the UK Government and other bodies to review access to funding and other types of resources.
Assessment of the Climatic Variability of the Kunhar River Basin, Pakistan
Authors: Soomro Shan-e-hyder , Hu Caihong , Boota Muhammad Waseem , Wu Qiang , Soomro Mairaj Hyder Alias Aamir , Zhang Li
Published: June 2021

Pakistan is water stressed, and its water resources are vulnerable due to uncertain climatic changes. Uncertainties are inherent when it comes to the modeling of water resources. The predicted flow variation in the Kunhar River Basin was modeled using the statistically decreased high-resolution general circulation model (GCM) as an input for the Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV) model to assess the hydrological response of the Kunhar River Basin under prevailing climate changes. The model’s best performance during the calibration and validation stages was obtained with a regular 0.87 and 0.79 Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency in the basin, respectively. Under the high-end emission scenario, a 122% increase was expected in evapotranspiration in the rising season of months during the winter period 2059–2079, and such developments were attributed to an immense increase in liquid precipitation and temperature. The model’s output reflects a potential for basin stream flow in terms of increasing liquid precipitation up to 182% at the beginning of the monsoon season in the period 2059–2079 in the scenario of high-end emissions. Moreover, the study produced possible uncertainties in high-elevation zones, where the modeling of a catchment can lead to typical snow ablation and accumulation in future projections. This study revealed that the precipitation rate will increase annually, resulting in an increase in the summer stream flow over the basin, though snow is hardly expected to accumulate in the basin’s future climate.
Coastal Structures as Beach Erosion Control and Sea Level Rise Adaptation in Malaysia: A Review
Authors: Mohamed Rashidi Ahmad Hadi , Jamal Mohamad Hidayat , Hassan Mohamad Zaki , Mohd Sendek Siti Salihah , Mohd Sopie Syazana Lyana , Abd Hamid Mohd Radzi
Published: June 2021

The shoreline of Malaysia is exposed to threats of coastal erosion and a rise of sea level. The National Coastal Erosion Study, 2015 reported that 15% of an 8840 km shoreline is currently eroding, where one-third of those falls under the critical and significant categories that require structural protection. The Study of Sea Level Rise in Malaysia, 2017 presented a sea-level increase of 0.67–0.74 mm on average yearly. This study reviewed selected coastal protection structures along the shoreline of Malaysia as an erosion control and sea-level rise adaptation based on coastal management strategies. Hard structures such as rock revetment and breakwater are commonly used as erosion protection systems in the “hold the line” strategy. Increased platform level of seawalls and earth bunds, considered as an “adaptation” approach, are effective in erosion protection and are adaptive to sea-level rise. Mangrove replanting is suitable as a “limited intervention” approach in minimizing the long-term impact of both threats. However, offshore breakwater, groyne, and geotextile tubes are solely for protection purposes and are not as effective for sea-level rise adaptation. As the sea level is continuously increasing, their function as coastal protection will also become less effective. In summary, this comprehensive review on coastal protection in Malaysia will benefit the related agencies on the future assessment.
Explaining Variation in Abundance and Species Diversity of Avian Cestodes in Brine Shrimps in the Salar de Atacama and Other Chilean Wetlands
Authors: Redón Stella , Gajardo Gonzalo , Vasileva Gergana P. , Sánchez Marta I. , Green Andy J.
Published: June 2021

Further biogeographical studies of parasites are vital to improve our understanding of biodiversity distribution and predict the impacts of global change. Hypersaline lakes are good laboratories to investigate the avian cestode abundance and species diversity given the abundance of hosts (waterbirds and Artemia) and their broad latitudinal distribution. We analysed cestode infection in brine shrimp Artemia franciscana in northern (Atacama) and central Chile and compared them to results from A. persimilis in southern Chile (Patagonia). Thus, we covered a broad latitudinal gradient from 23° to 53° S. Five cestode taxa including two species of the genus Flamingolepis, Gynandrotaenia stammeri, Eurycestus avoceti, and Fuhrmannolepis averini were recorded from A. franciscana in Atacama lagoons (prevalence = 4.1%). In contrast, no cestode infection was detected in central Chile, likely because they are temporary wetlands. Parasites of flamingos and shorebirds were associated with Atacama lagoons (arid and higher salinity), while Confluaria podicipina and Fimbriarioides sp. (parasites of grebes and ducks, respectively) were dominant in Patagonian lagoons (sub-antarctic and of lower salinity). These differences mirror changes in the relative abundance of the respective final hosts. The flamingo parasite Flamingolepis sp. 1 was the most prevalent and abundant cestode in Atacama, where it was recorded only in autumn. Seasonality and habitat effects (especially abundance and phenology of different bird species) appear to override any latitudinal trends in the prevalence, diversity, and distribution of cestodes. Cestode prevalence was higher in larger wetlands but was not related to the sex of either intermediate host. We recorded a greater taxonomic richness at the cestode family level in Atacama, but a greater dominance of a single family of avian hosts (the flamingos). Ours is the first spatio–temporal study of Artemia cestodes at local and regional scales in the southern hemisphere.
Exploring the Factors Affecting the Recycling Behavior of Primary School Students
Authors: Altikolatsi Eleni , Karasmanaki Evangelia , Parissi Androniki , Tsantopoulos Georgios
Published: June 2021

Education on recycling must be provided during the first school years because environmentally aware students are more likely to become environmentally aware citizens. The aim of the present study is to investigate the factors affecting the recycling behavior of students attending the last grade of primary school in the regional unit of Evros in Greece. To select the sample, multistage sampling was used, and to collect the research data, a questionnaire with closed-ended items was designed. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the non-parametric Friedman test, and categorical regression. Our results showed that the students had positive views, attitudes, and behaviors in relation to recycling and were actively involved in it. Categorical regression analysis indicated that the other family members affected students’ recycling behavior to a high degree, whereas students’ parents’ occupation and students’ participation in environmental education programs at school exerted a lower influence on their recycling behavior.
Extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis
Authors: Guseva Gyuldana Raufovna
Published: June 2021

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis is understood as the localization of the pathological process outside the chest cavity; most frequently, this form has a hematogenous transmission route. There is not a single organ in the human body that could not be affected by tuberculosis, however, some are involved in the pathological process more often than others. In the Russian Federation, tuberculosis of the lymph nodes ranks first in terms of the prevalence of extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis, while tuberculosis of the genitourinary system and osteoarticular tuberculosis rank second and third, accordingly. In different countries, the proportion of patients with extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis varies from 4 to 16 %. Due to the difficulty of diagnosis, about a third of cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis remain undetected. An interesting fact is that pulmonary tuberculosis occurs mainly in men, while extrapulmonary tuberculosis affects women more often (in 59–63 % of cases). This trend is especially clearly traced in tuberculous lesions of the genitourinary system — women account for 75 % of its cases. Osteoarticular tuberculosis has not sexual, but age-specific prevalence: most frequently, it is diagnosed in children aged 0 to 4 years. According to the clinical classification used at the present stage, extrapulmonary forms represent the section «tuberculosis of other organs and systems».
Healthcare in Germany
Authors: Frolova Elena Vladimirovna
Published: June 2021

Germany has long and firmly held a leading position in many areas: in the field of industry and entrepreneurship, culture and tourism, the introduction of advanced technologies and sports. Medical care is no exception. Annually, about 11.5% of GDP is allocated from the federal budget for health care; in 2019, 15.3 billion euro were spent on the expenditures of the German Ministry of Health, the lion's share of which (94.6%) went to providing public insurance. The first Law on Compulsory Health Insurance for the Whole Working Population entered into force in Germany back in 1883, before that it was valid only in Bavaria. This Act, proposed by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, was, in fact, the prototype for the introduction of a compulsory health care system around the world. Today, the compulsory health insurance system covers 90% of the German population. All residents of the country with a compulsory health insurance policy are entitled to almost the same range of medical services. At the same time, the amount of medical care received with compulsory health insurance does not depend on the amount of the insurance premium. The cost of health insurance for each citizen is determined based on the amount of his income.
Laparoscopy offers better clinical outcomes and long-term survival in patients with right colon cancer: experience from national cancer center
Authors: Shah Muhammad Fahd , Naeem Awais , Haq Ihtisham ul , Riaz Shehryar , Shakeel Osama , Panteleimonitis Sofoklis , Khattak Shahid , Syed Aamir Ali , Parvaiz Amjad
Published: June 2021

Purpose: Laparoscopic approach to colonic tumor requires skill set and resources to be established as routine standard of care in most centers around the world. It presents particular challenge in country like Pakistan due to economic constrain and lack of teaching and training opportunities available for surgeons to be trained to deliver such service. The aim of this study is to look into changing practice of our institution from conventional approach of open to laparoscopic surgery for right colon cancer.Methods: Consecutive patients between January 2010 to December 2018 who presented to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre with diagnosis of right colon (cecum, ascending and transverse colon) adenocarcinoma and underwent surgical resections were included in this study.Results: A total of 230 patients with adenocarcinoma of the right colon underwent curative resections during the study period. Of these, 141 patients (61.3%) underwent laparoscopic surgery while open resection was performed in 89 patients (38.7%). Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage III (80.9% vs. 54.8%, P = 0.021) was significantly better if these patients underwent laparoscopic surgery while a trend toward better DFS (96.7% vs. 84.1%, P = 0.111) was also observed in AJCC stage II patients, although this difference was not significant.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the adoption of a laparoscopic approach for right colon cancer over 10 years. With a standardized approach and using the principle of oncological surgery, we incorporated this in our minimally invasive surgery practice at our institution.
Los video juegos y relaciones interpersonales en estudiantes del 5to año de la IES. ERP.Nº45-Puno
Authors: Zegarra Ugarte Soledad Jackeline , Torres Pacheco Edward Hipolito
Published: June 2021

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo, conocer de qué manera los videojuegos influyen en las relaciones interpersonales entre estudiantes, se planteó como hipótesis, los videojuegos influyen directamente en las relaciones interpersonales entre estudiantes. El tipo de investigación es básica teórica, corresponde al diseño de investigación de corte transversal, explicativo causal, corresponde al enfoque cuantitativo, el método utilizado fue el hipotético deductivo la muestra constituida por 60 estudiantes que acceden a cabinas de internet. Para la recolección de información se utilizó la técnica encuesta y el instrumento cuestionario, el cual estuvo estructurado acorde a las variables y dimensiones de la investigación. El procesamiento de los resultados se obtuvo por el programa SPSS. Como conclusión se demostró que existe influencia directa entre los videojuegos y las relaciones interpersonales entre estudiantes, debido al uso frecuente de los videojuegos que genera una comunicación agresiva entre compañeros y una convivencia de violencia y comportamientos inadecuados.