bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disadvantaged by More Than Distance: A Systematic Literature Review of Injury in Rural Australia
Authors: Taylor Danielle H. , Peden Amy E. , Franklin Richard C.
Published: September 2022

Rural populations experience injury-related mortality and morbidity rates 1.5 times greater than metropolitan residents. Motivated by a call for stronger epidemiological evidence around rural injuries to inform prevention, a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published between January 2010 and March 2021 was undertaken to explore the epidemiology of rural injury and associated risk factors in Australia. A subsequent aim was to explore definitions of rurality used in injury prevention studies. There were 151 papers included in the review, utilizing 23 unique definitions to describe rurality. People living in rural areas were more likely to be injured, for injuries to be more severe, and for injuries to have greater resulting morbidity than people in metropolitan areas. The increase in severity reflects the mechanism of rural injury, with rural injury events more likely to involve a higher energy exchange. Risk-taking behavior and alcohol consumption were significant risk factors for rural injury, along with rural cluster demographics such as age, sex, high socio-economic disadvantage, and health-related comorbidities. As injury in rural populations is multifactorial and nonhomogeneous, a wide variety of evidence-based strategies are needed. This requires funding, political leadership for policy formation and development, and implementation of evidence-based prevention interventions.
Mitigation of Cadmium Toxicity through Modulation of the Frontline Cellular Stress Response
Authors: Satarug Soisungwan , Vesey David A. , Gobe Glenda C.
Published: September 2022

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental toxicant of public health significance worldwide. Diet is the main Cd exposure source in the non-occupationally exposed and non-smoking populations. Metal transporters for iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and manganese (Mn) are involved in the assimilation and distribution of Cd to cells throughout the body. Due to an extremely slow elimination rate, most Cd is retained by cells, where it exerts toxicity through its interaction with sulfur-containing ligands, notably the thiol (-SH) functional group of cysteine, glutathione, and many Zn-dependent enzymes and transcription factors. The simultaneous induction of heme oxygenase-1 and the metal-binding protein metallothionein by Cd adversely affected the cellular redox state and caused the dysregulation of Fe, Zn, and copper. Experimental data indicate that Cd causes mitochondrial dysfunction via disrupting the metal homeostasis of this organelle. The present review focuses on the adverse metabolic outcomes of chronic exposure to low-dose Cd. Current epidemiologic data indicate that chronic exposure to Cd raises the risk of type 2 diabetes by several mechanisms, such as increased oxidative stress, inflammation, adipose tissue dysfunction, increased insulin resistance, and dysregulated cellular intermediary metabolism. The cellular stress response mechanisms involving the catabolism of heme, mediated by heme oxygenase-1 and -2 (HO-1 and HO-2), may mitigate the cytotoxicity of Cd. The products of their physiologic heme degradation, bilirubin and carbon monoxide, have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.
Ecological Assessment Based on Remote Sensing Ecological Index: A Case Study of the “Three-Lake” Basin in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Sun Yongqi , Li Jianhua , Yu Yang , Zeng Weijun
Published: September 2022

With continuous urbanization, human activities have left considerable impacts on the ecology. Therefore, it is necessary to perform timely and objective monitoring and evaluation of the ecology. With the basin of three highland lakes (Fuxian Lake, Xinyun Lake, and Qilu Lake) in Yunnan Province as the study case, four indices, i.e., the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Wet Index (WET), the Normalized Differential Build-Up And Bare Soil Index (NDBSI), and the Land Surface Temperature (LST), which indicate, respectively, greenness, humidity, dryness, and heat of the study area, were extracted. On the basis of five sets of terrestrial images of the areas around the three lakes from 2001 to 2021, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on these four indices; the more informative principal component contribution was selected as the weight to establish a remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) evaluation model to evaluate the ecological environment quality of the study area; the Mann–Kendall test combined with Sen’s slope (Sen + MK) and the Hurst exponent were employed to explore the ecological conditions and development trends of the “three-lake” basin. The results showed that the ecological quality of the study area improved and then deteriorated from 2001 to 2021. The ecological quality classes in the study area were fair, medium, and good. The ecological quality has been greatly improved, but poor ecological quality was still observed in some regions such as Chengjiang. Eighty-eight percent of the study area witnessed a stable trend in the ecological quality over the 20 years; in 2021, the area of built-up land with fair and poor ecological quality reached 140.97 km2, which occupies 68.1% of the total area under the same land use type. Analysis shows that urban area expansion and human activities have exacerbated ecological problems of towns and built-up land in the study area. In the selected indicators, both greenness and humidity are positive indicators to ecological quality, and the R2 value of the two in 5-year regression was both greater than 0.99, which validated the reliability of the selected model indicators. The research findings are expected to provide a basis for scientific ecological planning and restoration of lake basins.
The Online Teaching System as a Sustainable Way of Learning
Authors: Deaconu Ovidiu , Deaconu Adrian Marius , Chitonu Gabriela Cristina , Taus Daniel
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the sometimes-dramatic effects in the health sector, presented a wide range of challenges for the various sectors of the national economies. This article refers to the effects of the pandemic in the university field, especially for the period of 2021 until now. The period corresponds to the end of the pandemic overlapping with the post-pandemic return to normal. Although at the beginning of the pandemic the effects seemed terrible, being widespread and long-lasting, some effects were still useful and motivational for the “real world”. The effects in question are those of compulsory online teaching, so on a large scale, of all subjects from all disciplines. The authors modeled and implemented a database system that includes several types of tests to generate representative samples from the university population. In the content of the article, two such tests are exemplified for a single one-semester discipline: “Computer programming and programming languages II”. The experience of the authors revealed, by comparison, practical ways to teach the theory provided in the states of functions in the real world, using exclusively the online or the mixed environment. Finally, we provide a brief conclusion and ideas for future work.
“Why Should I Buy Sustainable Apparel?” Impact of User-Centric Advertisements on Consumers’ Affective Responses and Sustainable Apparel Purchase Intentions
Authors: Chakraborty Swagata , Sadachar Amrut
Published: September 2022

Despite the urgency of protecting the environment, unsustainable apparel consumption continues to damage it. We identified some of the most important consumer concerns (i.e., affordability, social desirability, environment protection) from the literature that influence consumers’ sustainable apparel purchase intentions and proposed a conceptual model grounded in the Elaboration Likelihood Model to test the efficacy of user-centric advertisements in encouraging purchase intentions for sustainable apparel. We conducted a between-subject experiment with female millennials in the U.S. (n = 344). Analyzing the data through ANCOVA, MANCOVA, and structural equation modeling, we evinced that (i) irrespective of involvement with environmental issues, user-centric advertisements could be centrally (thoughtfully) processed when they incorporate consumers’ concerns for affordability, social desirability, and environment protection; (ii) the central processing of user-centric advertisements mediates the relationship between advertisement modalities (textual and textual with visual) and affective response toward sustainable apparel; (iii) the processing of user-centric advertisements evokes favorable affective responses (e.g., desire) and minimizes unfavorable affective responses (e.g., boredom) toward sustainable apparel; and (iv) favorable and unfavorable affective responses positively and negatively influence purchase intentions for sustainable apparel, respectively. Based on our findings, we recommend that marketers should communicate how sustainable apparel meets consumers’ concerns of affordability, social desirability, and environment protection in a holistic manner instead of using pro-environmental cues only.
Simple Sequence Repeats-Based Genetic Characterization and Varietal Identification of Potato Varieties Grown in Pakistan
Authors: Muhammad Aish , Noor Saima , Hussain Iqbal , Ali Kazim , Shahzad Armaghan , Numan Mian , Zeshan Muhammad , Ijaz ul Hassan Syed , Ali Ghulam Muhammad
Published: September 2022

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important cash crop with a complex genome and with features of aneuploidy with a high level of heterozygosity. It is a prerequisite for potato breeding to have knowledge of genetic diversity and population structure. To understand the genetic characteristics of potato cultivars in Pakistan, 25 potato varieties were characterized with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to distinguish closely related varieties. In total, 214 alleles were amplified with 35 SSR markers exhibiting 89.2% polymorphism. The maximum number of alleles and polymorphic alleles per locus were 20 and 14 for the markers S25 and S174, respectively. The polymorphic information content (PIC) extended from 0.00–0.87. The size of the amplified PCR product ranged between (30–1000 bp). A cluster analysis divided the 25 varieties into three clusters: cluster I revealed the most diversity, followed by cluster II with 11 varieties and cluster III with 13 varieties. Nei’s genetic diversity and minimum spanning network (MSN) depicted the Mozika variety as the most diverse compared to the rest of the varieties. Nei’s coefficient was found to vary from 0.53 to 0.95. Out of the 25 studied varieties, 16 were uniquely identified by 29 polymorphic SSR bands of different sizes with a maximum size amplified by S4026/4027 (800bp) and a minimum by S170 (90bp). The genetic diversity and varietal identification determined in the present study has molecular and breeding-related significance with respect to the utilization and protection of intellectual property rights of potato cultivars for sustainable potato production in Pakistan.
The Quest for Sustainable Graduate Education Development: Narrative Inquiry of Early Doctoral Students in China’s World-Class Disciplines
Authors: Li Jian , Xue Eryong
Published: September 2022

Early doctoral student sustainable development plays a pivotal role in promoting doctoral education quality contextually. However, there are few studies analyzing the challenges and strategies of early doctoral student sustainable development. Thus, this study explores how various elements might have affected early doctoral students’ academic adaptation in a specific higher education institution context. The multiple data, including a narrative inquiry and a semi-structured interview, were examined to uncover 44 early doctoral students’ academic and living experiences on campus. It was found that some early doctoral students are facing great pressure from social relations, daily life, study groups, and academic requirements. Due to a lack of understanding of the doctoral education system, early doctoral students are often isolated after entering the new environment. Their current situation does not meet their initial expectations, and it is difficult to balance academia, work, and life. As a result, they lack social contact and cannot integrate into the team, the community, and learning community. Along with findings, we suggested that students should also actively participate in various academic exchange activities and research projects to continuously learn interdisciplinary knowledge and improve interdisciplinary ability. In addition, the supervisor should create a healthy learning environment and to guide, and supervise doctoral students to participate in exchanges and scientific research; doctoral students should pay attention to the quality of learning and academic communication to stimulate their self-development. Lastly, we present the discussion and conclusion.
Spatial Distribution of Development Types of Forestry-Ecological-Culture Industries in Chinese Provinces
Authors: Huang Luyu , Wu Guochun , Cao Yukun
Published: September 2022

It is vital to promote the sustainable economic and social development and ecological culture prosperity of forest areas in various regions to scientifically and objectively understand the development status of forestry-ecological-culture industries in all provinces (districts and cities) of China. It is also important to clarify the advantages of industrial development in various regions. Based on the comprehensive consideration of economic, social, and political factors, the evaluation index system of forestry-ecological-culture industry, which includes industrial productivity, industrial influence, industrial and driving force, is constructed in this study. Furthermore, the development of forestry-ecological-culture industry in 31 provinces and regions of China from 2014 to 2019 is analyzed by cluster analysis. The analysis categorized the industries into four development types: very high level developed, high level developed, medium level developed, and low level developed according to the principal component score, which sums up the characteristics of various types of industrial development. The results show that the forestry-ecological-culture industry in China presents the spatial distribution of “east high and west low”, which is related to the difference in regional economic development level. Furthermore, the advantage of resource endowment is not clear, the gap between provinces and regions is large, and the overall development level of industry is relatively low. The findings of this study provide theory-based guidance and policy suggestions for improving the efficiency of industrial development and optimizing spatial distribution of diversified industrial development.
Strategic Management of External Disruptions on Realization of Business Plans—Case of Serbian Manufacturing Companies
Authors: Damnjanovic Aleksandar M. , Dzafic Goran , Nesic Sandra , Milosevic Dragan , Mrdak Gordana , Arsic Sinisa M.
Published: September 2022

This research paper analyzes the key influences of external disruptions on the business sustainability of medium-sized manufacturing companies operating in Serbia. This paper explores the strategic management of massive external disruptions (such as the global pandemic in 2020) and unveils key correlations between internal and external influences. The quantitative part of this research includes two phases; the first was conducted in 2019, with predictions made in the pre-pandemic period, and the second phase was conducted in 2022 by comparing the predictions with actual business results. Existing theoretical research has already identified many weaknesses, including how strategic business outlooks (in relation to economic downturns and bottlenecks within supply chains) influence the success of medium-sized companies, as well as internal factors, such as strategic management and the flexible adjustment of business plans. Taking into account that the whole world is still recovering after the pandemic, the empirical research conducted on 580 Serbian companies sheds light on how the pandemic disruption has affected businesses. As business plans relate to forecasted revenue, profit margins and investment effects, the main results of this study confirm that predicted business results are significantly influenced by supply chain disruptions, negatively affecting companies relying on the import of raw material and companies that have widely internationalized their sales efforts.
Is the Cohesion Policy Efficient in Supporting the Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy? Some Insights with Value-Based Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Gouveia Maria , Henriques Carla , Amaro Ana
Published: September 2022

We evaluated the implementation of European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) devoted to Thematic Objective (TO) 4 in 23 beneficiary European Union (EU) Member States (MS). The assessment of each country was made through the value-based data envelopment analysis (VBDEA) approach in three phases. In the first phase, it was possible to conclude that 43% of the MS were efficient in the implementation of the ERDF devoted to a low-carbon economy (LCE), and the reasons for their efficiency were mainly explained by their execution rate. After running the second phase for the inefficient countries, it was possible to obtain the improvements that must be made for these countries to “emulate” their peers at the efficient frontier. Finally, in the third stage, we incorporated political concerns in the evaluation of the implementation of the ERDF by including constraints on the ranking order of the weights. A robustness analysis was also carried out, according to which it was found that only 22% of the MS under evaluation remained surely efficient for tolerances of δ = 5% and δ = 10%, with Spain being the most robust country. Other countries such as Romania (surely inefficient for δ = 5%), Hungary, and the Czech Republic (the most inefficient) did not manage to implement these funds efficiently. Considering these findings, the EU needs to further promote policies that ensure economic benefits from investing in an LCE, specifically for countries with fewer resources, while also providing them with better financial conditions and know-how.
An Improved Multi-Mode Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Method for Measuring Accessibility of Urban Park in Tianjin, China
Authors: Pei Xinrui , Guo Peng , Chen Qiyi , Li Junrong , Liu Zifei , Sun Yanling , Zhang Xiakun
Published: September 2022

Parks, as a major infrastructure that provide public service for urban residents, play a vital role in promoting urban livability and public health. Under the framework of spatial equity, more sophisticated accessibility methods were used on measuring urban park accessibility such as multi-mode 2SFCA. However, the accessibility of residential areas near parks was seriously underestimated by using the multi-mode 2SFCA method. Thus, this study aimed to propose an improved multi-mode 2SFCA method to measure urban park accessibility with a more appropriate approach, by taking residential areas of Tianjin central city as the spatial unit. The results indicate that all residential areas can obtain urban park accessibility, but the spatial distribution of urban park accessibility is heterogeneous. The numerical value of urban park accessibility decreases as the travel time from residential areas to urban parks increases; it is shown that the proposed method can provide a more realistic evaluation compared to the traditional multi-mode 2SFCA method. This study provides a comprehensive and realistic insight into acquainting with urban park accessibility and helps urban planners formulate effective policies and strategies to ease spatial imbalance.
Privacy Concerns and Online Learning of Postgraduate Students through the Lens of Stimulus–Organism–Response Model
Authors: Majeed Misbah , Ghani Usman , Meng Wenting
Published: September 2022

Based on the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model, the purpose of the current study is to investigate two types of privacy concerns, i.e., privacy concern abuse (PCA) and privacy concern finding (PCF), in relation to online collaborative learning (OCL). Further, another aim is to investigate knowledge-sharing perceptions (KSP) as a mechanism between PCA and PCF with OCL. A survey was used to collect the data from postgraduate university students in Pakistan. The hypothesized model was tested on 285 valid responses through SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 22.0. The findings show that PCA and PCF negatively and significantly influence OCL. Moreover, KSP mediates the relationship between PCA and PCF with OCL. Based on the results, the implications for teachers, students, and educational institutions are discussed.
“Escape the Corset”: How a Movement in South Korea Became a Fashion Statement through Social Media
Authors: Shin Yeongyo , Lee Selee
Published: September 2022

The “escape the corset” movement (ETC-M) is a declaration that actively reflects the voices of Korean women in fourth-wave feminism and spread through social media. This movement emerged as a fashion style against social prejudice and inequality through the lens of feminism and sparked the launch of the “escape the corset” fashion (ETC-F) brand. Feminism, which discusses the conditions of women in our society, is inevitably related to sustainability. It is time to examine the much-neglected social inclusion of sustainable development goals, by examining the declarations that women express through fashion. This study intends to lay down the foundation for in-depth research into ETC-M by understanding the historical background of Korean feminism, the basis of ETC-M. Furthermore, this study aims to analyze ETC-M as a phenomenon that has grown in social media and understand the characteristics and significance of the resulting fashion style. An analysis of the characteristics of ETC-F formed through social media engagement shows that it has developed a range of special items, styles, and looks. ETC-F marked an opportunity to raise awareness about the discriminatory practices in women’s fashion and formed an anti-fashion solidarity among non-mainstream women. In addition to the development of fashion products, ETC-F is leading the development of fashion content that competes with mainstream lifestyle, culture, and entertainment industries. This study offers not only an opportunity to examine the role and meaning of ETC-F from an industrial and cultural perspective, but also implications for the practical consideration of a sustainable society based on inclusion and diversity.
Diabetic Retinopathy Classification Using CNN and Hybrid Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: R. Yasashvini , Raja Sarobin M. Vergin , Panjanathan Rukmani , S. Graceline Jasmine , L. Jani Anbarasi
Published: September 2022

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is an eye condition that mainly affects individuals who have diabetes and is one of the important causes of blindness in adults. As the infection progresses, it may lead to permanent loss of vision. Diagnosing diabetic retinopathy manually with the help of an ophthalmologist has been a tedious and a very laborious procedure. This paper not only focuses on diabetic retinopathy detection but also on the analysis of different DR stages, which is performed with the help of Deep Learning (DL) and transfer learning algorithms. CNN, hybrid CNN with ResNet, hybrid CNN with DenseNet are used on a huge dataset with around 3662 train images to automatically detect which stage DR has progressed. Five DR stages, which are 0 (No DR), 1 (Mild DR), 2 (Moderate), 3 (Severe) and 4 (Proliferative DR) are processed in the proposed work. The patient’s eye images are fed as input to the model. The proposed deep learning architectures like CNN, hybrid CNN with ResNet, hybrid CNN with DenseNet 2.1 are used to extract the features of the eye for effective classification. The models achieved an accuracy of 96.22%, 93.18% and 75.61% respectively. The paper concludes with a comparative study of the CNN, hybrid CNN with ResNet, hybrid CNN with DenseNet architectures that highlights hybrid CNN with DenseNet as the perfect deep learning classification model for automated DR detection.
A Comparison of the Sensitivity of Contrast-Specific Imaging Modes on Clinical and Preclinical Ultrasound Scanners
Authors: Moran Carmel M. , Arthur Charles , Quaia Emilio
Published: September 2022

Ultrasonic contrast agents are used routinely to aid clinical diagnosis. All premium- and mid-range scanners utilise contrast-specific imaging techniques to preferentially isolate and display the nonlinear signals generated from the microbubbles when insonated with a series of ultrasound pulses. In this manuscript the abilities of four premium ultrasound scanners to detect and display the ultrasound signal from two commercially available contrast agents—SonoVue and DEFINITY®—are compared. A flow phantom was built using tubes with internal diameters of 1.6 mm and 3.2 mm, suspended at depths of 1, 5 and 8 cm and embedded in tissue-mimicking material. Dilute solutions of SonoVue and DEFINITY® were pumped through the phantom at 0.25 mL/s and 1.5 mL/s. Four transducers were used to scan the tubes—a GE Logiq E9 (C2-9) curvilinear probe, a Philips iU22 L9-3 linear array probe, an Esaote MyLab Twice linear array LA523 (4–13 MHz) and a Fujifilm VisualSonics Vevo3100 MX250 (15–30 MHz) linear array probe. We defined a new parameter to compare the ability of the ultrasound scanners to display the contrast enhancement. This was defined as the ratio of grey-scale intensity ratio in contrast-specific imaging mode relative to the B-mode intensity from the same region-of-interest within the corresponding B-mode image. The study demonstrated that the flow rates used in this study had no effect on the contrast-specific imaging mode to B-mode (CSIM-BM) ratio for the three clinical scanners studied, with SonoVue demonstrating broadly similar CSIM-BM ratios across all 3 clinical scanners. DEFINITY® also displayed similar results to SonoVue except when insonated with the Esaote MyLab Twice LA523 transducer, where it demonstrated significantly higher CSIM-BM ratios at superficial depths.
Evaluating Compressed SENSE (CS) MRI Metal Artifact Reduction Using Pig L-Spine Phantom and Transplant Patients: Focused on the CS-SEMAC (SPIR), mDixon(O-MAR) and STIR Techniques
Authors: Goo Eun-Hoe , Kim Sung-Soo
Published: September 2022

This study evaluates the clinical usefulness of the images obtained after applying mDixon (O-MAR), CS-SEMAC (SPIR), and STIR techniques to Pig L-Spine Phantom and transplant patients according to the difference in the reduction in metal artifacts and provides the optimal MAR image technique. This study was conducted with Phantom and 30 transplant patients who had an implant on the L-Spine (22 men, 8 women, mean age: 64.2 ± 12.98). All data analyzed were evaluated, using Philips Ingenia 3.0T CX. As pulse sequences, applied to the analysis, mDixon (O-MAR), CS-SEMAC (SPIR), and STIR were used. As the coil used to obtain data, the dStream Head Spine Coil was used. When tested directly applying to the transplant patients in the conditions the same as for the Phantom, as for the MAR effect of T1 and T2 images, the SNR value showed the highest effect on the increase in the signal in T1, T2 CS-SEMAC (SPIR), followed by mDixon (O-MAR) and STIR, which was the same result as the Phantom (p < 0.05). In addition, in the results of the histogram measurement in both of the subjects, Phantom and transplant patients, the count of T1, the T2 Sagittal image was the highest in T1, T2 STIR, followed by T1, T2 mDixon (O-MAR) and T1, and T2 CS-SEMAC (SPIR). As a result of the qualitative analysis, the quality was the best in T2 CS-SEMAC(SPIR) (c), followed by mDixon (O-MAR) (b) and T2 STIR (a). In conclusion, when the MAR effect on the Pig L-spine Phantom and Transplant patients was compared, it was noted that the CS-SEMAC (SPIR) technique was the most excellent in the following order: STIR < mDixon (O-MAR) < CS-SEMAC (SPIR).
Reducing PM10 and PM2.5 Concentrations in a Subway Station by Changing the Diffuser Arrangement
Authors: Kim Seong-Gyu , Sung Gibong , Yook Se-Jin , Kim Minjeong , Park Duckshin
Published: September 2022

According to the stringent regulations on particulate matter (PM) concentrations in Seoul, Korea, the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in subway stations must be maintained below 50 and 30 μg/m3, respectively, by 2024. Therefore, the PM concentrations in a subway station were analyzed considering air-conditioning diffuser arrangement and filtration efficiency, with the total ventilation flow rate of the station maintained constant. Dynamic analysis was performed under a worst-case scenario, wherein outdoor air was introduced through ground entrances and high-concentration dust (PM10, PM2.5) was introduced from stationary train cabins into the platforms through open platform screen doors (PSDs). Although the average PM concentrations were predicted to satisfy the reinforced criteria of Seoul under the existing operating conditions, the recommended limits were exceeded in certain local areas. To address this, the PM concentrations were predicted by changing the diffuser arrangement in the waiting room and maintaining the total ventilation flow rate constant. When the diffusers were placed near the waiting room walls, the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were reduced by approximately 10.5 and 5%, respectively, compared to the previous diffuser arrangement. Thus, the required PM concentration criteria were satisfied in nearly all areas of the target station, except for certain areas close to PSDs. The study findings can form the basis for improving the air quality of other subway stations.
A Novel Freshwater Cyanophage Mae-Yong1326-1 Infecting Bloom-Forming Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Wang Fei , Li Dengfeng , Cai Ruqian , Pan Lingting , Zhou Qin , Liu Wencai , Qian Minhua , Tong Yigang
Published: September 2022

Microcystis aeruginosa is a major harmful cyanobacterium causing water bloom worldwide. Cyanophage has been proposed as a promising tool for cyanobacterial bloom. In this study, M. aeruginosa FACHB-1326 was used as an indicator host to isolate cyanophage from Lake Taihu. The isolated Microcystis cyanophage Mae-Yong1326-1 has an elliptical head of about 47 nm in diameter and a slender flexible tail of about 340 nm in length. Mae-Yong1326-1 could lyse cyanobacterial strains across three orders (Chroococcales, Nostocales, and Oscillatoriales) in the host range experiments. Mae-Yong1326-1 was stable in stability tests, maintaining high titers at 0–40 °C and at a wide pH range of 3–12. Mae-Yong 1326-1 has a burst size of 329 PFU/cell, which is much larger than the reported Microcystis cyanophages so far. The complete genome of Mae-Yong1326-1 is a double-stranded DNA of 48, 822 bp, with a G + C content of 71.80% and long direct terminal repeats (DTR) of 366 bp, containing 57 predicted ORFs. No Mae-Yong1326-1 ORF was found to be associated with virulence factor or antibiotic resistance. PASC scanning illustrated that the highest nucleotide sequence similarity between Mae-Yong1326-1 and all known phages in databases was only 17.75%, less than 70% (the threshold to define a genus), which indicates that Mae-Yong1326-1 belongs to an unknown new genus. In the proteomic tree based on genome-wide sequence similarities, Mae-Yong1326-1 distantly clusters with three unclassified Microcystis cyanophages (MinS1, Mwe-Yong1112-1, and Mwes-Yong2). These four Microcystis cyanophages form a monophyletic clade, which separates at a node from the other clade formed by two independent families (Zierdtviridae and Orlajensenviridae) of Caudoviricetes class. We propose to establish a new family to harbor the Microcystis cyanophages Mae-Yong1326-1, MinS1, Mwe-Yong1112-1, and Mwes-Yong2. This study enriched the understanding of freshwater cyanophages.
Variations in COVID-19 Vaccine Attitudes and Acceptance among Refugees and Lebanese Nationals Pre- and Post-Vaccine Rollout in Lebanon
Authors: Ali Zawar , Perera Shiromi M. , Garbern Stephanie C. , Diwan Elsie Abou , Othman Alaa , Ali Javed , Awada Nada
Published: September 2022

Vaccine hesitancy among displaced populations is associated with inequitable access to services and mistrust of authorities, among other factors. This study evaluated variations in attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines and factors associated with vaccine acceptance among refugees and Lebanese nationals accessing 60 International Medical Corps-supported health facilities through two cross-sectional surveys pre- (n = 3927; Survey 1) and post- (n = 4174; Survey 2) vaccine rollout. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of vaccine acceptance using the health beliefs model. Refugees comprised 52.9% (Survey 1) and 54.2% (Survey 2) of respondents. Vaccine acceptance was low among both groups in Survey 1 (25.9% refugees vs. 23.1% Lebanese nationals), but higher in Survey 2 in Lebanese (57.6%) versus refugees (32.9%). Participants reported greater perceived benefits of vaccination, higher perceived COVID-19 susceptibility, and lower perceived vaccination barriers in Survey 2 versus Survey 1. Post-vaccine rollout, refugees had lower odds of vaccine acceptance compared to Lebanese (OR 0.50, 95%CI 0.41–0.60), while older age (OR 1.37, 95%CI 1.06–1.78, ≥51 years vs. 18–30 years) was associated with greater vaccine acceptance. Health beliefs model variables were associated with vaccine acceptance in both surveys. Tailored strategies to respond dynamically to changes in vaccine attitudes among vulnerable groups in Lebanon are essential for equitable vaccine uptake.
Public Perceptions of the Emerging Human Monkeypox Disease and Vaccination in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Meo Sultan Ayoub , Al-Khlaiwi Thamir , Aljofan Ziyad Fahad , Alanazi Aued Iaed , Meo Anusha Sultan
Published: September 2022

The human monkeypox disease is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), which is a zoonotic disease. In the year 2022, the prevalence of monkeypox cases swiftly increased worldwide and the disease has now been declared a global public health emergency. The present study aimed to assess the public’s perceptions and knowledge of and attitudes toward monkeypox in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 May to 15 July 2022. The participants’ perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes were collected via a 28-item-based questionnaire survey. The survey was based on 1020 participants (554 (54.3%) were females, and 466 (45.7%) were males). The results reveal that out of 1020 participants, 799 (78.3%) respondents believed that monkeypox disease has developed into a pandemic situation, and 798 (78.2%) suggested that the disease is most common in Western and Central Africa. Further analysis shows that 692 (67.8%) respondents agreed that monkeypox cases are increasing worldwide, 798 (21.8%) believed that monkeypox is commonly transmitted through direct contact, and 545 (53.4%) of respondents reported that it is easily transmitted from human to human. Moreover, 693 (67.9%) participants mentioned that monkeypox disease is spreading more widely as people travel from one country to another, while 807 (79.1%) participants were aware that smallpox and monkeypox have similar clinical features. Furthermore, the majority of participants (p = 0.033) agreed that health officials should start a vaccination campaign to combat monkeypox. Regarding preventive measures and vaccination campaigns, 641 (62.8%) participants suggested that health officials should take public preventive measures and 446 (43.7%) recommended that health officials start vaccination campaigns against monkeypox. The knowledge of human monkeypox among the general population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was satisfactory for all ages, genders, levels of education, and economic groups. Moreover, the majority of participants proposed adopting preventive measures and starting a vaccination campaign to combat monkeypox disease. The knowledge of monkeypox in the public domain is a key factor to improve the public‘s capacity to minimize the disease burden and fight against viral infectious diseases at regional and global levels.
The Post-Vaccination Quantitative Total Immunoglobulin Levels against SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers: A Multi-Centric Cohort Study in India
Authors: Babu Mangayarkarasi V. , Debnath Dhrubajyoti J. , Tripathi Mukesh , Samatha Yalamanchili , Shankar Sumita , Kattimani Vivekanand , Manikam Dhanasekar Voloya , Kumar Pradeep
Published: September 2022

Healthcare workers (HCWs) in India received the AZD1222 and BBV152 vaccines from January 2021 onwards. The objective of this study was to compare the immune response (seropositivity rate and geometric mean titer (GMT), and 95% confidence interval (CI)] against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in HCWs who received these vaccines, after the first and second doses. Therefore, the total immunoglobulin (Ig) levels specific to SARS-CoV-2 were measured using quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The study population of 133 HCWs consisted of two groups in which the immune response was measured for the AZD1222 and BBV152 vaccines. Data collection was performed from 6 February to 20 August 2021. Four weeks after the first and second dose, the odds ratio of seroconversion for AZD1222 and BBV152 vaccine was 10.3 times (95% CI: 4.5–23.7) and 15.9 times (95% CI: 6.3–39.9), respectively. The GMT was 6392.93 and 6398.82 U/mL for AZD1222 and 1480.47 and 990.38 U/mL for BBV152 after the first and second doses, respectively. Both vaccines elicited an immune response, but the seroconversion rate and GMT after each dose were significantly higher for AZD1222 than those for the BBV152 vaccine in this study.
EFECTO DE LAS CONDICIONES DE ALMACENAMIENTO SOBRE LAS CARACTERÍSTICAS QUÍMICAS DEL MESOCARPIO DE CARICA PAPAYA L
Authors: Raga-Carreño Johanna , Pérez-Pérez Evelyn , Sandoval Luis , Medina Deisy , Casas Jairo , Ettiene Gretty
Published: September 2022

La alimentación humana ha cambiado en las últimas dos décadas, debido al acelerado ritmo de vida que indirectamente genera el sacrificio de algunas actividades importantes, siendo necesario introducir alternativas nutritivas, ya procesadas o mínimanente procesadas, como las pulpas de frutas, a fin de consumir el producto de forma directa, en diferentes presentaciones, manteniendo sus propiedades y valor nutricional. Con la finalidad de evaluar la presentación del mesocarpio de lechosa y las condiciones de almacenamiento sobre las características químicas, se seleccionaron frutos de lechosa variedad Carmen del ̈CESID Frutícola y Apícola ̈ (CORPOZULIA). El diseño fue un arreglo factorial 22 x 6 completamente al azar, para evaluar dos temperaturas (-10 y 0 oC), seis tiempos de almacenamiento (15, 30, 45, 60, 75 y 90 días) y dos presentaciones del mesocarpio (homogeneizado y troceado) con determinaciones quincenales durante tres meses. El contenido de sólidos solubles totales (p ≤ 0,01), en trozos (12,27 °Brix) fue mayor en comparación con pulpa (11,92 °Brix) a una temperatura de -10 °C. La acidez titulable se afectó significativamente (p ≤ 0,01) por la presentación y la interacción temperatura por días de almacenamiento con el mayor valor para pulpa (264,03 %) y para la interacción 75 días de almacenamiento a 0 °C (288,4 %). Mientras que para el pH (p ≤ 0,01) el mayor valor fue para trozos de lechosa almacenados a 0 °C por 15 días (5,18). Las condiciones de refrigeración influyen notoriamente sobre las variables evaluadas; la temperatura es el factor más importante para minimizar los daños al tejido en los productos mínimamente procesados.
Pengaruh Kemasan terhadap Masa Simpan Keripik Tortila Modifikasi Tempe dan Tepung Mocaf dengan Metode Akselerasi Berdasarkan Pendekatan Arrhenius
Authors: Afifah Nok , Sholichah Enny
Published: September 2022

Keripik tortila modifikasi telah dibuat dengan mencampur menir jagung, tepung ubi kayu termodifikasi(tepung mocaf), tepung beras, dan tempe. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi pengaruh jeniskemasan terhadap masa simpan keripik tortila termodifikasi menggunakan pendekatan Arrhenius. Keripikdikemas menggunakan tiga jenis kemasan yaitu plastik polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene(PP), dan aluminium foil (alufo) dan disimpan pada suhu 15, 30 dan 45°C selama 42 hari. Analisismeliputi kadar air, fracturability (daya patah), dan bilangan asam dilakukan setiap minggu. Hasil penelitianmenunjukkan bahwa semakin tinggi suhu penyimpan, semakin cepat laju penurunan mutu keripik tortila.Kadar air merupakan parameter mutu yang paling cepat mengalami penurunan mutu. Kemasan jenispolyethylene terephthalate (PET) mempunyai kemampuan paling singkat dalam menyimpan keripik tortiladiikuti oleh plastik polypropylene (PP) dan aluminium foil (alufo), masing-masing selama 43, 51, dan 73hari. Pengemas terbaik untuk menyimpan keripik tortila adalah aluminium foil (alufo).
Instrumen Pengendalian Harga Beras di Indonesia: Waktu Efektif yang Dibutuhkan
Authors: Aryani Desi
Published: September 2022

Rice is one of the main commodity forming inflation. The government always tries to maintain rice price stability at a certain level that benefits both farmers and consumers. Rice price stabilization policy instruments require a lag time to be effective in influencing the prices. This study aims to analyze the lag effective time required to control rice prices in Indonesia and to reviewing the rice price stabilization policy with the tinbergen framework approach. The study used time series secondary data with multiple linear regression analysis tools. The results of the analysis show that the time lag is not necessary for the rice HPP variable. The HPP of rice in period t has effectively affected the consumer's rice price. Market operation variable is ineffective at any lag, market operation cannot influence consumer rice prices at the national level because this policy is incidental. The rice import variable will have an effect on reducing consumer rice prices at lag 6, meaning that the decline in rice prices will be seen in the next six months. Mapping based on Tinbergen framework, exsogenous variables consist of: policy instruments (Rice HPP, Market Operation, Rice Import); constraints (timeliness of implementation, volume accuracy, rice quality, anti-competitive behavior of rice traders); and factors beyond control (extreme weather, damaged infrastructure). Endogenous variables include: goals for target variables (stability of consumer rice prices); and side effects (suppressing inflation, stable prices at the consumer level have an impact on price stability at the producer level, the fulfillment of stocks as CBP in Bulog's warehouses, consumers getting quality rice at appropriate prices). The ultimate goal is social welfare in the form of an increase in community welfare.
Preferensi dan Adopsi Petani terhadap Varietas Unggul Baru Padi di Provinsi Jawa Tengah
Authors: Romdon Anggi
Published: September 2022

Peningkatan produksi padi dapat dilakukan dengan menerapkan inovasi teknologi, salah satunyavarietas unggul baru padi (VUB). Penelitian dilaksanakan untuk menganalisis tingkat preferensi dan tingkatadopsi petani terhadap VUB Inpari 32, Inpari 42 dan Inpari 43. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Julisampai November 2020, melalui survei dan observasi lapang terhadap 90 petani di Kabupaten Pemalangdan Tegal. Analisis data dilakukan secara deskriptif dan analisis Mann-Whitney U test. Hasil penelitianmenunjukkan bahwa tingkat preferensi petani terhadap VUB padi Inpari 32, inpari 42 maupun inpari 43berada pada kategori tinggi. Sebagian besar (66,67 persen) petani memiliki preferensi tinggi pada Inpari 32karena produktivitasnya. Selebihnya 18,89 persen dan 14,44 persen petani memiliki preferensi yang tinggipada Inpari 43 dan Inpari 42 karena produktivitas dan rasa nasinya. Tingkat adopsi petani berada padatahap attention dan tahap desire (pada kategori tinggi dan sangat tinggi) atau mampu menarik perhatiandan menumbuhkan hasrat untuk menggunakan VUB. Adopsi VUB ternyata tidak dipengaruhi oleh preferensipetani terhadap varietas tersebut, tetapi oleh pihak lain di antaranya pedagang benih dan pembeli gabah/penebas sehingga pelibatan pihak tersebut penting untuk keberlanjutan dan pengembangan VUB.
Peramalan Luas Tanam dan Strategi Pengembangan Bawang Merah di Kabupaten Wonogiri
Authors: Pranadi Bot , Darsono Darsono , Ferichani Minar
Published: September 2022

Bawang merah merupakan komoditas yang berpotensi meningkatkan pendapatan petani dan mengungkit pertumbuhan ekonomi daerah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menyusun strategi pengembangan bawang merah di Kabupaten Wonogiri. Prapenyusunan strategi, dilakukan peramalan luas tanam bawang merah sebagai dasar pertimbangan. Data diperoleh melalui studi literatur dan wawancara dengan para ahli. Pemilihan responden dilakukan dengan metode purposive sampling. Metode analisis mengunakan ARIMA untuk peramalan luas tanam dan metode A’SOAR untuk penyusunan strategi pengembangan komoditas. Data yang digunakan untuk peramalan adalah data time series luas tanam bawang merah tahun 2016– 2020. Dari hasil penelitian, diperoleh model ARIMA terbaik yang akan digunakan adalah ARIMA (0,2,1) (1,0,0)12. Hasil peramalan hingga bulan April 2023 menunjukkan gejala penurunan luas tanam sehingga diperlukan strategi yang tepat untuk pengembangan komoditasnya. Dari hasil analisis A’SOAR diperolehdelapan strategi dengan prioritas strategi yang pertama adalah Strategi OR1 (bobot 0,313). Strategi tersebut adalah melakukan pelatihan dan Sekolah Lapang secara intensif, melekat dan terukur pada petani.
Characterization of Cr-Mo Alloyed Steel Foams Produced by Evaporative and Leachable Space Holder Techniques
Authors: BEKÖZ ÜLLEN Nuray
Published: September 2022

Steel foams have attracted a lot of attention in both academia and industry with unique properties such as low density, high strength-to-weight ratio, operating temperature, good energy absorption, electrical conductivity, and large specific surface. The development of production methods will increase the use of steel foam. In this paper, Cr-Mo alloyed steel foams having porosities in the range of 46.8-71.3% were produced by evaporative and leachable space holder techniques in powder metallurgy. The effect on the properties of removing the carbamide used as a space holder material from the porous structure by different methods was compared. Microstructural evaluations of the pore wall, pore size, pore wall thickness, and the compressive deformation behavior of steel foam were evaluated. Steel foams produced by both routes have a rather similar macropore structure but differences in pore wall structure such as micropore ratio and pore wall thickness. The differences increase with increasing porosity content. The mechanical properties are higher in foams produced by the evaporative route as compared to the leachable route at similar porosity due to its stronger cell wall. The compressive stress and energy absorption of the leachable and evaporative process are in the range of 15-84 and 102 MPa and 1.91-6.03 and 2.98-7.83 J/mm2, respectively.