bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Object-Enhanced YOLO Networks for Synthetic Aperture Radar Ship Detection
Authors: Wu Kun , Zhang Zhijian , Chen Zeyu , Liu Guohua
Published: March 2024

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) enables precise object localization and imaging, which has propelled the rapid development of algorithms for maritime ship identification and detection. However, most current deep learning-based algorithms tend to increase network depth to improve detection accuracy, which may result in the loss of effective features of the target. In response to this challenge, this paper innovatively proposes an object-enhanced network, OE-YOLO, designed specifically for SAR ship detection. Firstly, we input the original image into an improved CFAR detector, which enhances the network’s ability to localize and perform object extraction by providing more information through an additional channel. Additionally, the Coordinate Attention mechanism (CA) is introduced into the backbone of YOLOv7-tiny to improve the model’s ability to capture spatial and positional information in the image, thereby alleviating the problem of losing the position of small objects. Furthermore, to enhance the model’s detection capability for multi-scale objects, we optimize the neck part of the original model to integrate the Asymptotic Feature Fusion (AFF) network. Finally, the proposed network model is thoroughly tested and evaluated using publicly available SAR image datasets, including the SAR-Ship-Dataset and HRSID dataset. In comparison to the baseline method YOLOv7-tiny, OE-YOLO exhibits superior performance with a lower parameter count. When compared with other commonly used deep learning-based detection methods, OE-YOLO demonstrates optimal performance and more accurate detection results.
Design, Fabrication and Evaluation of a Stretchable High-Density Electromyography Array
Authors: Varghese Rejin John , Pizzi Matteo , Kundu Aritra , Grison Agnese , Burdet Etienne , Farina Dario
Published: March 2024

The adoption of high-density electrode systems for human–machine interfaces in real-life applications has been impeded by practical and technical challenges, including noise interference, motion artefacts and the lack of compact electrode interfaces. To overcome some of these challenges, we introduce a wearable and stretchable electromyography (EMG) array, and present its design, fabrication methodology, characterisation, and comprehensive evaluation. Our proposed solution comprises dry-electrodes on flexible printed circuit board (PCB) substrates, eliminating the need for time-consuming skin preparation. The proposed fabrication method allows the manufacturing of stretchable sleeves, with consistent and standardised coverage across subjects. We thoroughly tested our developed prototype, evaluating its potential for application in both research and real-world environments. The results of our study showed that the developed stretchable array matches or outperforms traditional EMG grids and holds promise in furthering the real-world translation of high-density EMG for human–machine interfaces.
A Dilated Convolutional Neural Network for Cross-Layers of Contextual Information for Congested Crowd Counting
Authors: Zhao Zhiqiang , Ma Peihong , Jia Meng , Wang Xiaofan , Hei Xinhong
Published: March 2024

Crowd counting is an important task that serves as a preprocessing step in many applications. Despite obvious improvement reported by various convolutional-neural-network-based approaches, they only focus on the role of deep feature maps while neglecting the importance of shallow features for crowd counting. In order to surmount this issue, a dilated convolutional-neural-network-based cross-level contextual information extraction network is proposed in this work, which is abbreviated as CL-DCNN. Specifically, a dilated contextual module (DCM) is constructed by importing cross-level connection between different feature maps. It can effectively integrate contextual information while conserving the local details of crowd scenes. Extensive experiments show that the proposed approach outperforms state-of-the-art approaches using five public datasets, i.e., ShanghaiTech part A, ShanghaiTech part B, Mall, UCF_CC_50 and UCF-QNRF, achieving MAE 52.6, 8.1, 1.55, 181.8, and 96.4, respectively.
An Intelligent Hybrid Machine Learning Model for Sustainable Forecasting of Home Energy Demand and Electricity Price
Authors: Parizad Banafshe , Ranjbarzadeh Hassan , Jamali Ali , Khayyam Hamid
Published: March 2024

Home energy systems (HESs) face challenges, including high energy costs, peak load impact, and reliability issues associated with grid connections. To address these challenges, homeowners can implement solutions such as energy management, renewable resources, and energy storage technologies. Understanding consumption patterns and optimizing HES operations are crucial for effective energy management. As a primary step, addressing these concerns requires an efficient forecasting tool to predict home energy demand and electricity prices. Due to the complexity of big data, and uncertainties involved in forecasting, machine learning (ML) methods are necessary. In this study, we develop a hybrid machine learning approach, utilizing one year of data on home energy demand and prices to address the challenge of forecasting home energy consumption. A comprehensive comparison of different deep and non-deep ML models highlights the superiority of the proposed hybrid approach. The performance of these models, measured using metrics such as RMSE, MAE, R2, and RT (running time), are compared. Finally, an optimized hybrid XGBoost (XGB) ML model that combines price and energy demand forecasting is introduced. The proposed ML method’s parameters are optimally determined using Particle Swarm Optimization. The hybrid ML model’s performance is evaluated in predicting both energy demand and consumption prices using historical data from diverse households with various features and consumption patterns. The results indicate that the hybrid ML model achieves accurate predictions for energy consumption and prices, with improvements in RMSE (up to 36.6%), MAE (up to 36.8%), and R2 (up to 3.9), as compared to conventional ML methods. This research contributes to sustainable energy practices by providing an effective tool for forecasting energy consumption and associated costs in the dynamic landscape of home energy systems.
Characteristics of PM2.5 Chemical Species in 23 Chinese Cities Identified Using a Vehicular Platform
Authors: Chen Hui , Liu Jingjing , Wang Peizhi , Lin Xiao , Ma Jingjin , Wang Chunying
Published: March 2024

PM2.5 pollution remains a significant concern in China due to its adverse environmental and health implications. This study aims to explore in depth the differences in the causes of PM2.5 pollution between some regions in China based on high temporal resolution PM2.5 component information. We used a particulate matter chemical composition vehicle (PMCCV) as a mobile monitoring platform which travelled among 23 cities in China from March 2018 to December 2019 to collect PM2.5 concentrations and chemical composition data. Observations revealed that PM2.5 concentrations were notably higher in northern cities compared than their southern counterparts. Seasonal variation was evident, with peak concentrations during winter and troughs during summer. In regions experiencing severe winter pollution, such as Hebei and Shanxi (HB/SX), organic matter (OM) emerged as the dominant contributor (47.3%), escalating with increasing PM2.5 concentrations. OM significantly impacted PM2.5 levels during autumn in Jiangxi and Anhui (AH/JX) and across the monitoring period in Liuzhou, Guangxi (GX), with the former related to vehicle emissions and the latter related to bagasse reuse and biomass burning emissions. Conversely, nitrate (NO3−) made the highest contribution to PM2.5 during winter in the AH/JX region (34.4%), which was attributed to reduced SO2 levels and favorable low-temperature conditions conducive to nitrate condensation. Notably, nitrate contribution to HB/SX rose notably in heavily polluted winter conditions and during light–moderate pollution episodes in the autumn. Sulfate (SO42−) was dominant among PM2.5 components during summer in the study regions (29.9% in HB/SX, 36.1% in HN/SD, and 49.7% in AH/JX). Additionally, pollution incidents in Chuzhou, Anhui Province, and Baoding, Hebei Province, underscored nitrates and organic matter, respectively, as the primary causes of sharp PM2.5 increases. These incidents highlighted the influence of large emissions of primary aerosols, gaseous precursors, and stagnant meteorological conditions as pivotal factors driving haze pollution in the HB/SX region.
Determinants of Global Banks’ Climate Information Disclosure with the Moderating Effect of Shareholder Litigation Risk
Authors: Lee Ahseon , Kim Jong Dae , Bae Seong Mi
Published: March 2024

This paper explores the influence of a country’s institutional factors and internal corporate governance on banks’ voluntary climate finance disclosures. The analysis focuses on the world’s top 100 banks, examining the institutional and governance factors that shape TCFD disclosure practices. From an institutional perspective, the research reveals a heightened level of climate financial disclosure in banks located in countries where investor protection is strong under the common law system and environmental performance is commendable. On the internal governance front, it is observed that the independence and diversity of the board of directors play a facilitating role in promoting such disclosure. Additionally, in countries where shareholder litigation is easily pursued, a moderating effect is observed wherein board independence paradoxically inhibits TCFD disclosure. This study stands as the first to explore the determinants of climate financial disclosure in global banks, confirming the driving forces behind such disclosures through institutional and stakeholder theories and providing crucial empirical evidence to enhance research on voluntary disclosure.
Bamboo as a Sustainable Building Material for Innovative, Low-Cost Housing Construction
Authors: Bredenoord Jan
Published: March 2024

Bamboo is commonly used as a construction material in low-cost housing projects located in tropical and subtropical countries. This practice is especially prevalent in rural areas where bamboo grows naturally and families have experience working with it. Bamboo can be a sustainable building material for homes, even in cases where houses need to be resistant to earthquakes or storms. The traditional bahareque technology was enhanced in Costa Rica and Colombia to make it earthquake resistant. After the year 2000, this technology was transferred to several other countries in Latin America and Asia, gaining recognition as an innovative building technique. Many successful examples of bamboo housing constructions can be found in various countries, where modern architectural solutions are combined with innovative bamboo methods. Local communities can play a crucial role in bamboo processing, allowing residents to actively participate in the construction of their homes under technical supervision. This emphasizes the social sustainability aspect associated with bamboo. Ensuring the durability of bamboo housing constructions is paramount for the longevity of the houses, highlighting the need for technical assistance for self-builders and resident groups. With proper organization, bamboo housing has the potential to become part of the social production of housing.
Influencing the Mechanism of Tourists’ Choice of Green Transportation Modes—A Case Study of Beijing, China
Authors: Abdoulaye Dodo Alfa , Yin Ping , Shiqian Bai
Published: March 2024

This paper discusses the mechanism of tourists choosing green transportation means. Based on relevant research, this paper first constructed the concept of green transportation for tourist destinations. Then, based on the two theories of tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior—the theory of planned behavior and the theory of norm activation, combined with the characteristics of tourists’ demand for transportation in tourist destinations—a model aimed at influencing the mechanism of tourists’ choice of green transportation was constructed. Two tools, SPSS24.0 and AMOS23.0, were chosen for data analysis to provide policy suggestions for the destination to promote the guide for choosing green transportation means and providing tourists with more satisfactory transportation.
Sustainability from Policy to Practice: Assessing the Impact of European Research and Innovation Frameworks on Circular Bioeconomy
Authors: Brandão Ana Sofia , Santos José M. R. C. A.
Published: March 2024

Europe leads in shaping circular bioeconomy (CBE) policies for sustainability, relying on dynamic research and innovation (R&I) projects to propel the transition. Increased European R&I investment, fueled by commitment and a societal demand for measurable project returns, lacks a comprehensive evaluation. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the alignment of European-funded R&I projects with CBE policy priorities and assesses their societal impact. Rooted in an interpretive paradigm, it employs content analysis through semi-structured questionnaires to survey project leaders. The study evaluates benefits using the triple bottom line concept and interprets results guided by the theory of change. Our results suggest that European-funded R&I projects actively cultivate a supportive ecosystem for CBE adoption, as evidenced by emerging themes such as knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collaborative learning, aligning closely with investment priorities and funding schemes. The societal impact focuses on the short and medium term, emphasizing the social dimension by committing to empowering individuals, fostering collaboration, and enriching knowledge. Long-term benefits primarily contribute to the economic dimension, highlighting the potential for positive impacts like promoting business growth, innovation, improving market efficiency, and fostering sustainability. This study seeks to enhance the impact of R&I projects and promote a paradigm shift towards sustainability by providing context-specific recommendations.
Reliability Analysis and Risk Assessment for Settlement of Cohesive Soil Layer Induced by Undercrossing Tunnel Excavation
Authors: Wang Tao , Fan Hong , Wang Kangren , Wang Liangliang , Zhou Guoqing
Published: March 2024

Due to the complex urban geological environment and physicochemical interactions, the physical and mechanical parameters of the cohesive soil layer in the adjacent construction area show strong spatial variability and correlation. In addition, the actual exploration and test data are very limited because of limited technical and economic conditions. This severely restricts the ability to evaluate the stability of adjacent structures and to prevent and control instability disasters during subway construction. In this study, a generation method of limited sample data for the cohesive soil layer in the adjacent construction area is proposed. The spatial variability and correlation of uncertain mechanical parameters for the clay layer are quantified using incomplete probability data. A calculation method of uncertain settlement for the cohesive soil layer in the adjacent construction area is developed. The distribution fitting tests of settlement characteristics are conducted with different joint distribution functions and correlation structure. A reliability analysis and risk assessment methodology for the settlement of the cohesive soil layer is presented. The reliability value and failure probability induced by undercrossing tunnel excavation are analyzed and predicted. The results show that the bootstrap simulated sampling and random field method can quantify the cohesive soil layer heterogeneity reasonably under limited investigation data. Different joint distribution and correlation structure functions have different effects on the distribution fitting test. The uncertain settlement of the upper center of the tunnel is the largest, and the failure disaster is most likely to occur. The effects of a copula structure and correlation parameter on the failure probability of the cohesive soil layer are sensitive. This research can provide scientific support for public safety and sustainable development in urban subway construction.
Partial Control and Beyond: Controlling Chaotic Transients with the Safety Function
Authors: Capeáns Rubén , Sanjuan Miguel A. F.
Published: March 2024

Chaotic dynamical systems often exhibit transient chaos, where trajectories behave chaotically for a short amount of time before escaping to an external attractor. Sustaining transient chaotic dynamics under disturbances is challenging yet desirable for many applications. The partial control approach exploits the inherent symmetry and geometric structure of chaotic saddles, the topological object responsible of transient chaos, to enable surprising control with only small perturbations. Here, we review the latest findings in partial control techniques with the aim to sustain chaos or accelerate escapes by exploiting these intricate invariant sets. We introduce the fundamental concept of safe sets regions where orbits persist despite noise. This paper presents recent generalizations through safety functions and escape functions that automatically find the minimum control needed. Efficient numerical algorithms are presented and several examples of application are illustrated. Rather than eliminating chaos entirely, partial control techniques provide a framework to reliably control transient chaotic dynamics with minimal interventions. This approach has promising applications across diverse fields including physics, engineering, biology, and more.
Research on the Decision Making of Value Chain Reconstruction of Chinese Port Enterprises under the Background of Free Trade Zone Policy
Authors: Wan Min , Kuang Haibo , Jia Peng , Zhao Sue
Published: March 2024

This paper aims to solve the decision-making problem of value chain reconstruction of Chinese port enterprises under the background of the Free Trade Zone policy. Based on value chain theory and system dynamics method, this paper constructs a simulation model that can simulate the value-added change process of port enterprises under different combination input conditions. Furthermore, it conducts simulation case studies. The research indicates that the Free Trade Zone policy has a significant promoting effect on the restructuring of port enterprise value chains and the transformation and upgrading of enterprises. Moreover, considering the impact of the Free Trade Zone policy and limited resources, the overall benefits to port enterprises from combined investments are superior to those from single-factor investments. According to the value chain theory, the business segments of a port are decomposed into ancillary value activities, basic value activities, and external value activities. The investments in these three types of value activities play roles, respectively, in enhancing the operational efficiency of port enterprises, expanding the business scope of port enterprises, and strengthening the core competitiveness of port enterprises. From the overall perspective of the system, Shanghai Port can obtain the maximum operating profit when the endogenous factor input rate is 13%, the basic factor input rate is 4%, and the exogenous factor input rate is 13%. The findings of this research provide a decision-making reference for Chinese port enterprises to realize value reconstruction, transformation, and upgrading in the context of the Free Trade Zone policy.
Challenges to Cracking the Glass Ceiling among Saudi Women in the Tourism Industry
Authors: Sobaih Abu Elnasr E. , Abu Elnasr Ahmed E.
Published: March 2024

Women’s participation in the tourism workforce is growing intensely in response to Saudi Vision 2030. Notwithstanding this, Saudi women still have limited access to senior management positions. This study explores the barriers that Saudi women face to reach top managerial positions in the tourism industry and explores how Saudi women could crack the glass ceiling. For these reasons, this study undertook a phenomenological approach using in-depth interviews with Saudi women who were able to reach senior management. The purpose of the interviews is to explore their lived experience and their accessibility to senior management positions. The results of a thematic analysis showed that there were four overlapped barriers for the glass ceiling among Saudi women: cultural and social barriers, regulatory barriers, organizational barriers, and personal barriers. These main barriers have sub-barriers that contribute to the glass ceiling and prevent many women from reaching senior positions. This study shows that overcoming these barriers, particularly cultural and social barriers, could help Saudi women to crack the glass ceiling and achieve their dream of leadership. This study discusses the implications for policy makers, academics, and practitioners on the effective contribution of Saudi women to the tourism labor market, which contributes to sustainable tourism development and, ultimately, to Saudi Vision 2030.
Redox Homeostasis Disclosed in the Saltmarsh Plant Halimione portulacoides upon Short Waterborne Exposure to Inorganic Mercury
Authors: Pereira Patrícia , Pereira Joana Luísa , Marques Ana , Marques Carlos , Brandão Fátima , Cesário Rute , Frankenbach Silja , Serôdio João , Gonçalves Fernando J. M. , Canário João , Pacheco Mário
Published: March 2024

The saltmarsh plant Halimione portulacoides was shortly exposed to realistic levels of inorganic mercury (iHg) with the aim of investigating the adaptative processes of the roots and leaves regarding redox homeostasis, physiology, and Hg accumulation. Plants were collected at a contaminated (CONT) and a reference (REF) site to address the interference of contamination backgrounds. The influence of major abiotic variables (i.e., temperature and light) was also examined. Total Hg levels, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and photosynthetic activity were analyzed after 2 and 4 h of exposure. A poor accumulation of Hg in the roots was noticed, and no translocation to the stems and leaves was found, but plants from the CONT site seemed more prone to iHg uptake (in winter). Despite this, antioxidant modulation in the roots and leaves was found, disclosing, in winter, higher thresholds for the induction of enzymatic antioxidants in CONT leaves compared to REF plants, denoting that the former are better prepared to cope with iHg redox pressure. Consistently, CONT leaves exposed to iHg had remarkably lower LPO levels. Exposure did not impair photosynthetic activity, pinpointing H. portulacoides’ ability to cope with iHg toxicity under very-short-term exposure. Biochemical changes were noticed before enhancements in accumulation, reinforcing the relevance of these responses in precociously signaling iHg toxicity.
Presence of Alphacoronavirus in Tree- and Crevice-Dwelling Bats from Portugal
Authors: Hemnani Mahima , da Silva Priscilla Gomes , Thompson Gertrude , Poeta Patrícia , Rebelo Hugo , Mesquita João R.
Published: March 2024

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are RNA viruses capable of infecting a wide range of hosts, including mammals and birds, and have caused significant epidemics such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Bats, the second most diverse mammalian order, are hosts for various CoVs due to their unique immune responses and ecological traits. This study investigates CoV prevalence in crevice- and tree-dwelling bats in Portugal, a country with limited prior research on bat CoVs. Using nested RT-PCR and sequencing, we screened 87 stool samples from bats, identifying one sample (1.15%) that was positive for Alphacoronavirus, belonging to Pipistrellus pipistrellus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close genetic relationships with Alphacoronavirus strains from the same bat species in Europe. The low prevalence suggests habitat-specific differences in viral transmission, with cave-dwelling bats exhibiting higher CoV prevalence due to population density and behaviour. These findings underscore the necessity for sustained surveillance efforts aimed at comprehending CoV dynamics within bat populations, especially concerning the risk of spillover events and viral evolution. Vital to this understanding is the monitoring of bat migration patterns, which serves as a crucial tool for elucidating CoV ecology and epidemiology. Such efforts are essential for ongoing research endeavours aimed at mitigating the potential for future zoonotic disease outbreaks.
Novel Universal Recombinant Rotavirus A Vaccine Candidate: Evaluation of Immunological Properties
Authors: Granovskiy Dmitriy L. , Khudainazarova Nelli S. , Evtushenko Ekaterina A. , Ryabchevskaya Ekaterina M. , Kondakova Olga A. , Arkhipenko Marina V. , Kovrizhko Marina V. , Kolpakova Elena P. , Tverdokhlebova Tatyana I. , Nikitin Nikolai A. , Karpova Olga V.
Published: March 2024

Rotavirus infection is a leading cause of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis in children under 5 years of age. Although rotavirus-associated mortality has decreased considerably because of the introduction of the worldwide rotavirus vaccination, the global burden of rotavirus-associated gastroenteritis remains high. Current vaccines have a number of disadvantages; therefore, there is a need for innovative approaches in rotavirus vaccine development. In the current study, a universal recombinant rotavirus antigen (URRA) for a novel recombinant vaccine candidate against rotavirus A was obtained and characterised. This antigen included sequences of the VP8* subunit of rotavirus spike protein VP4. For the URRA, for the first time, two approaches were implemented simultaneously—the application of a highly conserved neutralising epitope and the use of the consensus of the extended protein’s fragment. The recognition of URRA by antisera to patient-derived field rotavirus isolates was proven. Plant virus-based spherical particles (SPs), a novel, effective and safe adjuvant, considerably enhanced the immunogenicity of the URRA in a mouse model. Given these facts, a URRA + SPs vaccine candidate is regarded as a prospective basis for a universal vaccine against rotavirus.
First Detection of Benign Rabbit Caliciviruses in Chile
Authors: Smertina Elena , Keller Luca M. , Huang Nina , Flores-Benner Gabriela , Correa-Cuadros Jennifer Paola , Duclos Melanie , Jaksic Fabian M. , Briceño Cristóbal , Ramirez Victor Neira , Díaz-Gacitúa Miguel , Carrasco-Fernández Sebastián , Smith Ina L. , Strive Tanja , Jenckel Maria
Published: March 2024

Pathogenic lagoviruses (Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, RHDV) are widely spread across the world and are used in Australia and New Zealand to control populations of feral European rabbits. The spread of the non-pathogenic lagoviruses, e.g., rabbit calicivirus (RCV), is less well studied as the infection results in no clinical signs. Nonetheless, RCV has important implications for the spread of RHDV and rabbit biocontrol as it can provide varying levels of cross-protection against fatal infection with pathogenic lagoviruses. In Chile, where European rabbits are also an introduced species, myxoma virus was used for localised biocontrol of rabbits in the 1950s. To date, there have been no studies investigating the presence of lagoviruses in the Chilean feral rabbit population. In this study, liver and duodenum rabbit samples from central Chile were tested for the presence of lagoviruses and positive samples were subject to whole RNA sequencing and subsequent data analysis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a novel RCV variant in duodenal samples that likely originated from European RCVs. Sequencing analysis also detected the presence of a rabbit astrovirus in one of the lagovirus-positive samples.
The Medicinal Phage—Regulatory Roadmap for Phage Therapy under EU Pharmaceutical Legislation
Authors: Faltus Timo
Published: March 2024

Bacteriophage therapy is a promising approach to treating bacterial infections. Research and development of bacteriophage therapy is intensifying due to the increase in antibiotic resistance and the faltering development of new antibiotics. Bacteriophage therapy uses bacteriophages (phages), i.e., prokaryotic viruses, to specifically target and kill pathogenic bacteria. The legal handling of this type of therapy raises several questions. These include whether phage therapeutics belong to a specially regulated class of medicinal products, and which legal framework should be followed with regard to the various technical ways in which phage therapeutics can be manufactured and administered. The article shows to which class of medicinal products phage therapeutics from wild type phages and from genetically modified (designer) phages do or do not belong. Furthermore, the article explains which legal framework is relevant for the manufacture and administration of phage therapeutics, which are manufactured in advance in a uniform, patient-independent manner, and for tailor-made patient-specific phage therapeutics. For the systematically coherent, successful translation of phage therapy, the article considers pharmaceutical law and related legal areas, such as genetic engineering law. Finally, the article shows how the planned legislative revisions of Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 may affect the legal future of phage therapy.
Design and Preclinical Evaluation of a Nanoparticle Vaccine against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Based on the Attachment Protein G
Authors: Voorzaat Richard , Cox Freek , van Overveld Daan , Le Lam , Tettero Lisanne , Vaneman Joost , Bakkers Mark J. G. , Langedijk Johannes P. M.
Published: March 2024

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a significant human health threat, particularly to infants and the elderly. While efficacious vaccines based on the F protein have recently received market authorization, uncertainties remain regarding the future need for vaccine updates to counteract potential viral drift. The attachment protein G has long been ignored as a vaccine target due to perceived non-essentiality and ineffective neutralization on immortalized cells. Here, we show strong G-based neutralization in fully differentiated human airway epithelial cell (hAEC) cultures that is comparable to F-based neutralization. Next, we designed an RSV vaccine component based on the central conserved domain (CCD) of G fused to self-assembling lumazine synthase (LS) nanoparticles from the thermophile Aquifex aeolicus as a multivalent antigen presentation scaffold. These nanoparticles, characterized by high particle expression and assembly through the introduction of N-linked glycans, showed exceptional thermal and storage stability and elicited potent RSV neutralizing antibodies in a mouse model. In conclusion, our results emphasize the pivotal role of RSV G in the viral lifecycle and culminate in a promising next-generation RSV vaccine candidate characterized by excellent manufacturability and immunogenic properties. This candidate could function independently or synergistically with current F-based vaccines.
Nucleic Acid Vaccines Encoding Proteins and Virus-like Particles for HIV Prevention
Authors: Tarrés-Freixas Ferran , Clotet Bonaventura , Carrillo Jorge , Blanco Julià
Published: March 2024

The development of HIV prophylactic vaccines is facing an impasse, since all phase IIb/III clinical trials were halted in 2023 without demonstrating efficacy. Thus, the field is in need of developing novel immunogens and vaccination strategies that induce broadly neutralising antibodies together with potent Fc-dependent effector functions, as well as protective cross-reactive CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. Nucleic acid vaccines, particularly mRNA vaccines, have been one of the major groundbreaking advances in the current decade. Nucleic acid vaccines may help recalibrate the HIV vaccine field towards the use of delivery systems that allow the proper expression of immunogens as a sole antigen (i.e., membrane-bound trimeric envelope glycoproteins) or even to be displayed in a multiantigen platform that will be synthesised by the host. In this review, we will summarise how the multiple HIV vaccine strategies pursued in the last 40 years of HIV research have driven current vaccine development, which are the most relevant immunogens identified so far to induce balanced adaptive immune responses, and how they can benefit from the acceptance of nucleic acid vaccines in the market by reducing the limitations of previous delivery systems. The incorporation of nucleic acid vaccines into the current heterogeneous repertoire of vaccine platforms may represent an invaluable opportunity to reignite the fight against HIV.
Ultrasound and Elastosonographic Features of the Patellar Ligament in Dogs Affected by Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease
Authors: Pennasilico Luca , Volta Antonella , Sassaroli Sara , Di Bella Caterina , Riccio Valentina , Pilati Nicola , Tambella Adolfo Maria , Dini Fabrizio , Palumbo Piccionello Angela
Published: March 2024

This study aims to evaluate the morpho-functional change in the patellar ligament in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease. We hypothesized that it may show increased thickening and stiffness with increasing days from onset to diagnosis instead of trauma. Understanding this aspect has implications for the choice of timing for treating patients suffering from cranial cruciate ligament disease, as well as the contextualization of patellar ligament desmitis pictures after surgical treatment with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or tibial tuberosity advancement. Thirty-three dogs affected by unilateral cranial cruciate disease were examined and divided into three groups based on the time elapsed from the onset of lameness to diagnosis: Group 1 (1–15 days), Group 2 (16–60 days), and Group 3 (over 60 days). Conventional B-mode ultrasonographic and elastosonographic examinations of the patellar ligament were performed without sedation for each dog. Upon ultrasonographic examination, all dogs showed modification in the echostructure of the patellar ligament. In addition, the patellar ligament tended to become harder with increasing days after disease, although there were no significant differences between groups. Our results show that as the time increases between the onset of cranial cruciate ligament disease and diagnosis and treatment, the patellar ligament progressively thickens and loses its elasticity.
Comparison of Load Transfer Law of Pipe Pile between O-Cell Test and Traditional Static Load Test
Authors: Xu Xiaodong , Zhu Peining , Song Yaya , Chen Weijie , Chen Lin , Weng Jia , Xu Teng , Wang Yuke
Published: March 2024

In recent years, the detection of offshore pile foundations has received wide attention in engineering. Compared with traditional methods, the O-cell test has unique advantages in offshore pile foundation detection. To study the load transfer characteristics of the O-cell method for pile testing in coastal soft soil foundation, this paper established the pile–soil numerical model to simulate the O-cell and traditional testing processes. The finite element method and equal displacement method are combined to calculate the conversion coefficient and ultimate bearing capacity, and the distribution forms of axial force, side friction resistance, and tip resistance are discussed. The research results show that the O-cell test method and the traditional method have different load transfer forms. By introducing the equal displacement method into the O-cell pile–soil model, the error between the equivalent conversion ultimate bearing capacity and the calculation result of the surcharge method is less than 0.5%, and the O-cell conversion coefficient can be accurately calculated.
River–Spring Connectivity and Hydrogeochemical Processes in a Karst Water System of Northern China: A Case Study of Jinan Spring Catchment
Authors: Ke Yunlong , Song Xianfang , Yang Lihu , Yang Shengtian
Published: March 2024

Frequent surface water–groundwater interactions and prevalent anthropogenic inputs make karst water systems vulnerable to human disturbance. As a typical karst region in North China, the Jinan Spring Catchment has become increasingly threatened due to rapid population growth and urban expansion. In this study, the local river–spring interaction and its interference with the hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater are evaluated based on water stable isotopes and hydrochemistry. Twenty-two karst groundwater, eleven Quaternary pore water, sixteen spring water, and thirty-two surface water samples were collected during low- and high-flow conditions over the course of a year. The isotopic signatures of four different water types display significant differences, reflecting the recharge–discharge relationship of the karst water system. Mountainous springs feature lighter isotopes, whereas urban springs have significantly heavier isotopes. The result of end-member mixing analysis shows that the surface–groundwater interaction varies spatially and temporally within the spring catchment. Urban springs receive considerable replenishment from the surface water, especially after rainy episodes (up to 50%), while mountainous springs show little hydraulic dependence on surface water leakage (4~6%). Local mineral dissolution (including calcite, dolomite, gypsum, and halite), CO2 dissolution/exsolution, and cation exchange are the main hydrogeochemical processes constraining water chemistry in the spring catchment. The deterioration of water quality can be attributed to anthropogenic influences involving the discharge of domestic effluents, agricultural activities, and irrigation return flow. The findings of this work can improve our understanding of the complex karst water system and serve as a reference for sustainable groundwater management in other karst areas of northern China.
The role of the service sector in the economy
Authors:   Russian Economic University named after. G. V. Plekhanov, Moscow, Russian Federation, Avilkina N. A.
Published: March 2024

The service sector occupies a predominant position in the economies of many countries of the world with different types of political systems, levels of economic development, territory, population, and sociocultural characteristics. Despite the fact that in some countries a "service" economy has fully developed, and in others the service sector does not play such a significant role, in general we can talk about a general trend towards a global increase in the role of the service sector in the global economic space. The Russian service sector, which for a long time was not considered a priority sector of the national economy, has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. The article examines the problems of the role of services as a sector of the economy.
Problems of national and international food security
Authors:   Russian Economic University named after G. V. Plekhanov, Moscow, Russian Federation, Degenonga Estelle Setonde Alice , Zakharova N. V. ,   Russian Economic University named after G. V. Plekhanov, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: March 2024

The scientific article presents the results of a study of current problems that impede the provision of national and international food security in modern conditions of economic and political instability. Threat factors that form key problems of national and international food security are considered. The influence of global food market problems on ensuring national food security in Russia is analyzed.
Instrumentation for measuring the level of chips in bins
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Department of Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics, Leonova O. N.
Published: March 2024

Most of the products produced on the basis of wood are the result of its mechanochemical processing, the raw material for which is technological chips. This chip is obtained in wood preparation workshops, and at the front of its further processing it is stored in open piles or in bunkers of various capacities. Measuring the volume of chips in piles is not very difficult. Operational accounting of chips in bunkers closed from a free view needs instrumentation. The article discusses the basic options of devices that allow solving this problem.
Formación de directivos universitarios en el uso de la Big Data dentro de la gestión del conocimiento
Authors: Bustos Farías Eduardo , García González Ma. de Jesús , Trejo Cazares María del Carmen , Olea Deserti Elia
Published: March 2024

La formación de directivos en instituciones de educación superior enfrenta nuevos desafíos en la era del Big Data y la Gestión del Conocimiento. Este estudio se enfoca en proponer estrategias para abordar estas demandas, especialmente en el contexto del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) en México, una institución líder con una amplia matrícula estudiantil y una infraestructura tecnológica en constante evolución. Por ello, identificar las necesidades de formación de directivos en el IPN en relación con el Big Data y la Gestión del Conocimiento, y proponer estrategias efectivas para mejorar la capacidad de gestión institucional. Se realizaron 12 entrevistas a profundidad con informantes clave del IPN, utilizando la Teoría Fundamentada para el análisis de datos. Se identificó una falta de uso efectivo de sistemas informáticos de Big Data a nivel de las unidades académicas y una escasez de capacitación en tecnologías de la información para los directivos. El estudio subraya la importancia de desarrollar programas de formación específicos para directivos en instituciones de educación superior, que aborden habilidades técnicas y blandas relacionadas con el Big Data y la Gestión del Conocimiento para mejorar la capacidad de adaptación y gestión institucional.
AMPK-SP1–Guided Dynein Expression Represents a New Energy-Responsive Mechanism and Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Williquett Jillian , Allamargot Chantal , Sun Hua
Published: March 2024

Key Points

AMP kinase senses diabetic stresses in podocytes, subsequently upregulates specificity protein 1–mediated dynein expression and promotes podocyte injury.

Pharmaceutical restoration of dynein expression by targeting specificity protein 1 represents an innovative therapeutic strategy for diabetic nephropathy.

Background

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major complication of diabetes. Injury to podocytes, epithelial cells that form the molecular sieve of a kidney, is a preclinical feature of DN. Protein trafficking mediated by dynein, a motor protein complex, is a newly recognized pathophysiology of diabetic podocytopathy and is believed to be derived from the hyperglycemia-induced expression of subunits crucial for the transportation activity of the dynein complex. However, the mechanism underlying this transcriptional signature remains unknown.

Methods

Through promoter analysis, we identified binding sites for transcription factor specificity protein 1 (SP1) as the most shared motif among hyperglycemia-responsive dynein genes. We demonstrated the essential role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)–regulated SP1 in the transcription of dynein subunits and dynein-mediated trafficking in diabetic podocytopathy using chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR and live cell imaging. SP1-dependent dynein-driven pathogenesis of diabetic podocytopathy was demonstrated by pharmaceutical intervention with SP1 in a mouse model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Results

Hyperglycemic conditions enhance SP1 binding to dynein promoters, promoted dynein expression, and enhanced dynein-mediated mistrafficking in cultured podocytes. These changes can be rescued by chemical inhibition or genetic silencing of SP1. The direct repression of AMPK, an energy sensor, replicates hyperglycemia-induced dynein expression by activating SP1. Mithramycin inhibition of SP1-directed dynein expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice protected them from developing podocytopathy and prevented DN progression.

Conclusions

Our work implicates AMPK-SP1–regulated dynein expression as an early mechanism that translates energy disturbances in diabetes into podocyte dysfunction. Pharmaceutical restoration of dynein expression by targeting SP1 offers a new therapeutic strategy to prevent DN.
Stray Dogs in Türkiye: A Health Needs Assessment Proposal for Rabies Elimination
Authors: Sönmez Ömer Faruk
Published: March 2024

This review article presents a comprehensive proposal for a Health Needs Assessment (HNA) aimed at eliminating rabies in Türkiye, with a focus on the country's growing population of stray dogs. It highlights the increasing numbers of unowned dogs in urban areas and the associated public health risks, including rabies transmission and dog attacks. The review emphasizes the importance of systematic data collection on the population, living conditions, and vaccination status of stray dogs, and the need for effective strategies to manage these animals. The proposed HNA involves collaboration with a consortium of stakeholders and utilizes frameworks and approaches such as Cavanagh and Chadwick’s 5-stage HNA framework and Stevens & Gillam’s approaches for conducting an HNA. The review outlines a detailed methodology structured into three work packages, focusing on epidemiological data production, identifying unmet health needs, and developing a national strategic rabies elimination plan. It discusses challenges such as consortium formation, data availability, stakeholder engagement, and cultural sensitivity, highlighting the impact and importance of the HNA in addressing rabies and stray dog management in Türkiye.
COVID-19 Disruptions Driving Sustainable Tourism: A Case of the Hawaiian Tourism Industry
Authors: Eva Maryanne , Esposito Mark
Published: March 2024

This study inquires about the COVID-19-generated momentum and how it resulted in transformative opportunities for the hard-hit tourism industry in Hawai’i. A single embedded case study has been selected to explore the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic-generated momentum for the risk-prevalent industry and identify sustainability-based management strategies within the tourism industry in Hawai’i’s small island economy. Documentation and archival records analysis paired with direct observations performed during the 2022 Hawai’i Tourism Conference exposed the pivot taken by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority and the four island counties, toward rebuilding, redefining, and resetting the tourism industry in accelerating the timeline for sustainable and regenerative tourism. Findings indicate that actors from the tourism industry in Hawai’i perceived the COVID-19 pandemic as a huliau, or a point of transformation, to reflect and reevaluate the tourism industry's responsibility and shift toward a recovery focused on sustainability. This research confirms that the pandemic-driven momentum accelerated opportunities for changing and transforming traditional business models and indicators of progress within the tourism industry in Hawai’i and it revealed that the Hawai’i Tourism Authority and the four island counties adopted new management and collaborative approaches and measures of success to rebuild, redefine, and reset the directions of tourism. Further research may explore additional Pacific Island countries to gain a deeper understanding of the problem within the region’s context.
ALGORITHMS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF MINIMAL GENERATING SET OF SOLUTIONS FOR SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, sl.krivoi@gmail.com, Kryvyi S. , Chugaenko O. ,   SAMSUNG RND Ukraina LLC, Kyiv, Ukraine, firestreamі13@yahoo.com
Published: March 2024

We consider optimizing transformations of the algorithm for construction of minimal generating sets of solutions of systems of linear homogeneous equations (SLHE) over the set of natural numbers. The features of such SLHEs are described, optimization transforms are substantiated, and examples of algorithm operation before and after optimization transforms are given. The application of the algorithm is illustrated by examples of the analysis of the properties of Petri nets and the construction of a set of basic solutions in the fields of complex, real, and rational numbers and over finite fields. Keywords: systems of linear equations, algorithms, solutions, optimization, complexity.