bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunogenicity of Multi-Target Chimeric RHDV Virus-Like Particles Delivering Foreign B-Cell Epitopes
Authors: Zamora-Ceballos María , Moreno Noelia , Gil-Cantero David , Castón José R. , Blanco Esther , Bárcena Juan
Published: February 2022

The rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) vaccine platform is a nanoparticle composed of 180 copies of the viral capsid protein, VP60, self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs). RHDV VLPs are able to accept the simultaneous incorporation of target epitopes at different insertion sites. The resulting chimeric RHDV VLPs displaying immunogenic foreign antigens have been shown to induce specific protective immune responses against inserted heterologous T-cytotoxic and B-cell epitopes in the mouse and pig models. In this study, we explored whether RHDV-based engineered VLPs can be developed as efficient multivalent vaccines co-delivering different foreign B-cell antigens. We generated bivalent chimeric RHDV VLPs displaying two model B-cell epitopes at different surface-exposed insertion sites, as well as the corresponding monovalent chimeric VLPs. The immunogenic potential of the bivalent chimeric VLPs versus the monovalent constructs was assessed in the mouse model. We found that the bivalent chimeric VLPs elicited a strong and balanced antibody response towards the two target epitopes tested, although slight reductions were observed in the levels of specific serum antibody titers induced by bivalent chimeric VLPs as compared with the corresponding monovalent constructs. These results suggest that RHDV VLPs could represent a promising platform for the development of efficient multivalent vaccines.
COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal among Nurses Worldwide: Review of Trends and Predictors
Authors: Khubchandani Jagdish , Bustos Elizabeth , Chowdhury Sabrina , Biswas Nirbachita , Keller Teresa
Published: February 2022

COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy has become a major concern around the world. Recent reports have also highlighted COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in healthcare workers. Despite media reports and scientific publications, little is known about the extent and predictors of COVID-19 vaccination refusal among nurses. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess COVID-19 vaccine refusal rates among nurses globally and to explore the reasons for refusal and factors associated with the uptake of the vaccines. A scoping review of the published literature was conducted, and a final pool of 51 studies (n = 41,098 nurses) from 36 countries was included in this review. The overall pooled prevalence rate of COVID-19 vaccine refusal among 41,098 nurses worldwide was 20.7% (95% CI = 16.5–27%). The rates of vaccination refusal were higher from March 2020–December 2020 compared to the rates from January 2021–May 2021. The major reasons for COVID-19 vaccine refusal were concerns about vaccine safety, side effects, and efficacy; misinformation and lack of knowledge; and mistrust in experts, authorities, or pharmaceutical companies. The major factors associated with acceptance of the vaccines were: male sex, older age, and flu vaccination history. Evidence-based strategies should be implemented in healthcare systems worldwide to increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among nurses to ensure their safety and the safety of their patients and community members.
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis following COVID-19 Vaccination: Analysis of 552 Worldwide Cases
Authors: de Gregorio Cesare , Colarusso Luigi , Calcaterra Giuseppe , Bassareo Pier Paolo , Ieni Antonio , Mazzeo Anna Teresa , Ferrazzo Giuseppe , Noto Alberto , Koniari Ioanna , Mehta Jawahar L. , Kounis Nicholas G.
Published: February 2022

To date, billions of vaccine doses have been administered to restrain the current COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. Rare side effects, including intravascular blood clots, were reported in the general population after vaccination. Among these, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) has been considered the most serious one. To shed further light on such an event, we conducted a literature search for case descriptions of CVST in vaccinated people. Findings were analyzed with emphasis on demographic characteristics, type of vaccine, site of thrombosis, clinical and histopathological findings. From 258 potential articles published till September 2021, 41 studies were retrieved for a total of 552 patients. Of these, 492 patients (89.1%) had received AZD1222/Vaxzevria, 45 (8.2%) BNT162b2/CX-024414 Spikevax, 15 (2.7%) JNJ-78436735, and 2 (0.3%) Covishield vaccine. CVST occurred in 382 women and 170 men (mean aged 44 years), and the median timing from the shot was 9 days (range 2–45). Thrombi were predominantly seen in transverse (84%), sigmoid (66%), and/or superior sagittal (56%) sinuses. Brain injury (chiefly intracranial bleeding) occurred in 32% of cases. Of 426 patients with detailed clinical course, 63% were discharged in good clinical conditions, at times with variable neurological sequelae, whereas 37% deceased, largely due to brain injury. This narrative review confirmed CVST as a rare event after (adenoviral vector) COVID-19 vaccination, with a women/men rate ratio of 2.25. Though the pathogenesis of thrombosis is still under discussion, currently available histopathological findings likely indicate an underlying immune vasculitis.
Gender Differences in Adverse Events Following the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
Authors: Green Manfred S , Peer Victoria , Magid Avi , Hagani Neta , Anis Emilia , Nitzan Dorit
Published: February 2022

Background: The adverse events reported from the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have varied from very mild, such as pain near the vaccination site, to more severe, with occasional anaphylaxis. Details of age-specific gender differences for the adverse effects are not well documented. Methods: Age and gender disaggregated data on reports of adverse events following two or three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were obtained from four cross-sectional studies. The first was from reports submitted to the Israel Ministry of Health national adverse events database (for ages 16 and above). The second was from a national cross-sectional survey based on an internet panel (for ages 30 and above), and the third and fourth were from cross-sectional surveys among employees of a large company (for ages 20–65) using links to a self-completed questionnaire. Results: In all studies, the risks of adverse events were higher following the second dose and consistently higher in females at all ages. The increased risk among females at all ages included local events such as pain at the injection site, systemic events such as fever, and sensory events such as paresthesia in the hands and face. For the combined adverse reactions, for the panel survey the female-to-male risk ratios (RRs) were 1.89 for the first vaccine dose and 1.82 for the second dose. In the cross-sectional workplace studies, the female-to-male RRs for the first, second and third doses exceeded 3.0 for adverse events, such as shivering, muscle pain, fatigue and headaches. Conclusions: The consistent excess in adverse events among females for the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine indicates the need to assess and report vaccine adverse events by gender. Gender differences in adverse events should be taken into account when determining dosing schedules.
SARS-CoV-2–Specific Vaccine Candidates; the Contribution of Structural Vaccinology
Authors: Pack Su Min , Peters Peter J.
Published: February 2022

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine production has taken us by storm. We aim to fill in the history of concepts and the work of pioneers and provide a framework of strategies employing structural vaccinology. Cryo-electron microscopy became crucial in providing three-dimensional (3D) structures and creating candidates eliciting T and B cell-mediated immunity. It also determined structural changes in the emerging mutants in order to design new constructs that can be easily, quickly and safely added to the vaccines. The full-length spike (S) protein, the S1 subunit and its receptor binding domain (RBD) of the virus are the best candidates. The vaccine development to cease this COVID-19 pandemic sets a milestone for the pan-coronavirus vaccine’s designing and manufacturing. By employing structural vaccinology, we propose that the mRNA and the protein sequences of the currently approved vaccines should be modified rapidly to keep up with the more infectious new variants.
Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus in Lung Cancer Vaccines
Authors: Truong Cao-Sang , Yoo So Young
Published: February 2022

Therapeutic cancer vaccines represent a promising therapeutic modality via the induction of long-term immune response and reduction in adverse effects by specifically targeting tumor-associated antigens. Oncolytic virus, especially vaccinia virus (VV) is a promising cancer treatment option for effective cancer immunotherapy and thus can also be utilized in cancer vaccines. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is likely to respond to immunotherapy, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors or cancer vaccines, since it has a high tumor mutational burden. In this review, we will summarize recent applications of VV in lung cancer treatment and discuss the potential and direction of VV-based therapeutic vaccines.
Vaccine Candidate Double Mutant Variants of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Heat-Stable Toxin
Authors: Zegeye Ephrem Debebe , Diaz Yuleima , Puntervoll Pål
Published: February 2022

Heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) producing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains are among the top four enteropathogens associated with moderate-to-severe diarrhea in children under five years in low-to-middle income countries, thus making ST a target for an ETEC vaccine. However, ST must be mutated to abolish its enterotoxicity and to prevent a potential immunological cross-reaction due to its structural resemblance to the human peptides uroguanylin and guanylin. To reduce the risk of eliciting cross-reacting antibodies with our lead STh-A14T toxoid, L9 was chosen as an additional mutational target. A double mutant vaccine candidate immunogen, STh-L9A/A14T, was constructed by conjugation to the synthetic virus-like mi3 nanoparticle using the SpyTag/SpyCatcher technology. This immunogen elicited STh neutralizing antibodies in mice, but with less consistency than STh-A14T peptide control immunogens. Moreover, individual sera from mice immunized with both single and double mutant variants displayed varying levels of unwanted cross-reacting antibodies. The lowest levels of cross-reacting antibodies were observed with STh-L9K/A14T control immunogens, suggesting that it is indeed possible to reduce the risk of eliciting cross-reacting antibodies by mutation. However, mutant-specific antibodies were observed for most double mutant immunogens, demonstrating the delicate balancing act between disrupting cross-reacting epitopes, keeping protective ones, and avoiding the formation of neoepitopes.
Establishment of Sandwich ELISA for Quality Control in Rotavirus Vaccine Production
Authors: Li Cao , Luo Guoxing , Zeng Yuanjun , Song Feibo , Yang Han , Zhang Shiyin , Wang Yingbin , Li Tingdong , Ge Shengxiang , Xia Ningshao
Published: February 2022

Non-replicating rotavirus vaccines are alternative strategies that may improve the protective efficacy of rotavirus vaccines in low- and middle-income countries. The truncated spike protein VP4 (aa26-476, VP4*)was a candidate antigen for the development of recombinant rotavirus vaccines, with higher immunogenicity and protective efficacy compared to VP8* and VP5* alone. This article describes the development of three genotype-specific sandwich ELISAs for P[4], P[6], and P[8]-VP4*, which are important for quality control in rotavirus vaccine production. Our results showed that the detection systems had good specificity for the different genotype VP4* and were not influenced by the E. coli host proteins. Moreover, the detection systems play an important role in determining whether the target protein was contaminated by VP4* proteins of other genotypes. They can also detect the adsorption rate of the adjuvant to the P[4], P[6], P[8]-VP4* protein during the process development. The three detection systems will play an important role in the quality control and process development of VP4* based rotavirus vaccines and facilitate the development of recombinant rotavirus vaccines.
How do Vaccinators Experience the Pandemic? Lifestyle Behaviors in a Sample of Italian Public Health Workers during the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Gallé Francesca , Quaranta Alessia , Napoli Christian , Diella Giusy , De Giglio Osvalda , Caggiano Giuseppina , Di Muzio Marco , Stefanizzi Pasquale , Orsi Giovanni Battista , Liguori Giorgio , Montagna Maria Teresa
Published: February 2022

Public health workers (PHWs) have experienced substantial workload changes because of their role in managing measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. The study’s aim was to assess lifestyle changes in Italian PHWs during the pandemic. PHWs attending an annual meeting completed an anonymous questionnaire assessing their sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics and lifestyle changes during the pandemic. A total of 1000 questionnaires were completed. Most participants (63.5% women, mean age 40 ± 13.1 years) were of normal weight (61.5%), non-smokers (81.9%), had a total screen time of ≥5 h/day (83.1%), and slept at least 6 h/night (88.7%). Approximately one-third consumed sweet foods every day (30%) and did not engage in physical activity (34.6%). Current sweet food consumption, physical activity, and sleep were associated with changes in these behaviors in the last 2 years (Tau-b = 0.155; Tau-b = −0.175; Tau-b = −0.276, respectively, p < 0.001). An increase in remote working was associated with worse sleep (odds ratio (OR) 2.065, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.482–2.877) and diet (OR 1.982, 95% CI 1.385–2.838), and increased tablet/PC use (OR 3.314, 95% CI 2.358–4.656). Health promotion measures are needed to support the adoption of healthy lifestyles in this population during the current pandemic.
Shared Automated Electric Vehicle Prospects for Low Carbon Road Transportation in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Atabay Orhan , Djilali Ned , Crawford Curran
Published: February 2022

This study explores the long-term energy use implications of electrification, automation and sharing of road vehicles in British Columbia, Canada. Energy use is first analyzed for the years 1990–2016 for forward forecasting, and hypothetical scenarios ranging from conservative to disruptive, incorporating various effects of road vehicle electrification, sharing and automation, as well as influences of other technology disruptions, such as online shopping and e-learning are presented and used to project the road transportation energy use in B.C. to 2060. Transportation energy use projections are compared to those of the Canadian Energy Regulator (CER). When considering only the effect of vehicle electrification, the scenarios show higher energy savings compared to CER’s scenarios. The combined impact of vehicle electrification and automation leads to decreased energy use to 2060 for all scenarios considered. The energy savings for all scenarios, except for the conservative one, are higher than CER’s projections. When the effects of vehicle electrification, automation and sharing are merged, all scenarios yield energy savings beyond the CER projections. Inclusion of other technology disruptions and the effects of pandemics like COVID-19 reduce transportation demand and provide further energy savings. The BAU scenario given in this study shows energy use decreases compared to 2016 of 26.3%, 49%, 62.24%, 72.1% for the years 2030, 2040, 2050, and 2060 respectively.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacterial Isolates from Donkey Uterine Infections, 2018–2021
Authors: Zhao Yufei , Zhu Yiping , Liu Bo , Mi Junpeng , Li Nan , Zhao Weisen , Wu Rongzheng , Holyoak Gilbert Reed , Li Jing , Liu Dejun , Zeng Shenming , Wang Yang
Published: February 2022

Background: Endometritis is a common reproductive disease in equine animals. No investigation about the bacterial characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of donkeys with endometritis has thus far been reported. Objectives: To determine the common uterine bacterial isolates from donkeys with endometritis and to evaluate their susceptibility to antimicrobials used for the treatment thereof. Study design: Retrospective case-series. Methods: Medical records at an equine clinical diagnostic center were retrospectively reviewed to identify submissions from donkeys with bacterial endometritis between 2018 and 2021. Data were extracted and analyzed descriptively in terms of the frequency of bacterial species, susceptibility to antimicrobials and multidrug resistance. Results: A total of 73 isolates were identified from 30 donkeys, of which 92% of the isolates were Gram-negative bacteria. Mixed cultures were found in 90% of the donkeys. The most common isolates were Escherichiacoli (31.5%) and Acinetobacter spp. (21.9%). Susceptibility testing revealed that amikacin (98%), cefoxitin (95%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (78%) and gentamicin (74%) were the most efficient agents for donkeys. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was found in 20% of all bacterial isolates, of which all Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates showed a multidrug resistance profile. Main limitations: The sample size was relatively small, which means a bias of selection may exist. The antimicrobial resistance and MDR of agents without break points were not calculated, which means the relative results may be underestimated in our study. Conclusions: Severe infections were detected in donkeys with endometritis. Antimicrobial resistance and MDR bacteria are not rare in our study. This study demonstrated that bacteria identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing are highly recommended before the treatment of uterine infections in donkeys. Further studies, including the epidemiological investigation of bacterial endometritis of donkeys, should be conducted to provide a better understanding of this critical problem.
Canine Stem Cell Conditioned Media Accelerates Epithelial Migration in the Canine Tympanic Membrane
Authors: Suh Hyerin , Kim Suhyun , Oh Taeho , Bae Seulgi
Published: February 2022

Similar to skin, epithelia in the tympanic membrane (TM) regenerate and move toward the opening of the external ear canal, a process called epithelial migration (EM). EM is important for maintaining healthy ears because this process removes cerumen and debris. Therefore, increasing the rate of EM or TM regeneration could be very important for healthy ear maintenance and function. Stem cells or their conditioned media have been used in medical therapy in humans to increase the rate and efficacy of EM. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of canine stem cell conditioned media to accelerate EM in canine TMs. Canine adipose tissue derived-mesenchymal stem cell conditioned media (cAD-MSCCM), and several cytokines related to keratinocyte growth or migration within the media were quantified using ELISA. Ink drops were placed on the TMs of four normal beagles. Then, cAD-MSCCM was applied weekly, a total of three times to the TMs of one ear, and nothing was applied to the other eye. The results showed a higher TM EM rate in the treatment group than in the control group (p < 0.05). No adverse events were recorded. These results suggest that the weekly application of cAD-MSCCM accelerates the TM EM rate.
Reading in Children Who Survived Cerebellar Tumors: Evidence from Eye Movements
Authors: Mironets Sofia , Shurupova Marina , Dreneva Anna
Published: February 2022

Cerebellar tumors often affect the eye movement centers located in vermis, negatively affecting cognitive development and learning abilities in children. Previous research has established that patients who survived cerebellar tumors tend to demonstrate various saccadic impairments (e.g., hypermetria) and poor gaze stability as compared to healthy controls. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the influence of oculomotor deficits in such patients on reading parameters. A total of 112 children (8–17 y.o.), 65 of whom survived cerebellar tumors, participated in the study. The study design included several oculomotor and reading tasks. Eye movements were recorded every 1/60 s monocularly with an Arrington eye tracker. We observed profound reading impairments in the patients as compared to healthy children, including longer reading time, greater numbers of fixations and regressive saccades, and longer fixation durations. We also found significant correlations between changes in basic oculomotor functions and reading parameters. The patients also demonstrated gaze fixation instability, large number of fixations, and long scanpath reflecting the return of the gaze to the already counted objects. Thus, oculomotor changes caused by cerebellar tumor and its treatment led to disturbances in such neurocognitive activity as reading. Our findings emphasize the necessity of considering these deficits in cerebellar tumor survivors when designing rehabilitation protocols.
Analysis of River Basin Management in Madagascar and Lessons Learned from Japan
Authors: Harifidy Rakotoarimanana Zy , Hiroshi Ishidaira
Published: February 2022

River basins in Madagascar are prone to water scarcity and conflicts of use, which are projected to worsen due to climate change. Therefore, effective integrated water resources management (IWRM) is key. This review examines the current condition of IWRM in Madagascar, evaluates its sustainability, and compares it with the one in Japan. The effects of climate change were analyzed using Aqueduct data. Madagascar has established an IWRM legal framework aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals; however, its application remains limited. For Japan, it was useful to establish IWRM for floods, water utilization, and environmental conservation. This study analyzes the future projections of water availability and demand for the 12 major river basins of Madagascar. Climate change will reduce water availability; the West and the East will experience water stress; the demand will be higher in the highlands, with less water available in the south. The proposed framework and Japan’s experience in river basin management can contribute to solving those problems. The findings of this study serve to enhance the knowledge on IWRM and the impact of climate change in Madagascar; they also suggest actions to be taken by the Malagasy government.
Remote Analysis of the Chlorophyll-a Concentration Using Sentinel-2 MSI Images in a Semiarid Environment in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Aranha Thaís R. Benevides T. , Martinez Jean-Michel , Souza Enio P. , Barros Mário U. G. , Martins Eduardo Sávio P. R.
Published: February 2022

In this paper, the authors use remote-sensing images to monitor the water quality of reservoirs located in the semiarid region of Northeast Brazil. Sentinel-2 MSI TOA Level 1C reflectance images were used to remotely estimate the concentration of chlorophyll-a (chl-a), the main indicator of the trophic state of aquatic environments, in five reservoirs in the state of Ceará, Brazil. A three-spectral band retrieval model was calibrated using 171 water samples, collected from November 2015 through July 2018 in 5 reservoirs. For validation, 71 additional samples, collected from August 2018 through December 2019, were used to ensure a robust accuracy assessment. The TOA Level 1C products performed very well, achieving a relative RMSE of 28% and R2 = 0.80. Data on wind direction and speed, solar radiation and reservoir volume were used to generate a conceptual model to analyze the behavior of chl-a in the surface waters of the Castanhão reservoir. During 2019, the reservoir water quality showed strong variation, with concentration fluctuating from 30 to 95 µg/L We showed that the end of the dry season is marked by strong eutrophic conditions corresponding to very low water inflows into the reservoir. During the rainy season there is a large decrease in the chl-a concentration following the increase of the lake water storage. During the following dry season, satellite data show a progressive improvement of the trophic state controlled by wind intensity that promotes a better mixing of the reservoir waters and inhibiting the development of most phytoplankton.
An Autonomous Device for Solar Hydrogen Production from Sea Water
Authors: González-Cobos Jesús , Rodríguez-García Bárbara , Torréns Mabel , Alonso-Almirall Òscar , Aliaguilla Martí , Galí David , Gutiérrez-Tauste David , Galindo-Anguera Magí , Garcés-Pineda Felipe A. , Galán-Mascarós José Ramón
Published: February 2022

Hydrogen production from water electrolysis is one of the most promising approaches for the production of green H2, a fundamental asset for the decarbonization of the energy cycle and industrial processes. Seawater is the most abundant water source on Earth, and it should be the feedstock for these new technologies. However, commercial electrolyzers still need ultrapure water. The debate over the advantages and disadvantages of direct sea water electrolysis when compared with the implementation of a distillation/purification process before the electrolysis stage is building in the relevant research. However, this debate will remain open for some time, essentially because there are no seawater electrolyser technologies with which to compare the modular approach. In this study, we attempted to build and validate an autonomous sea water electrolyzer able to produce high-purity green hydrogen (>90%) from seawater. We were able to solve most of the problems that natural seawater electrolyses imposes (high corrosion, impurities, etc.), with decisions based on simplicity and sustainability, and those issues that are yet to be overcome were rationally discussed in view of future electrolyzer designs. Even though the performance we achieved may still be far from industrial standards, our results demonstrate that direct seawater electrolysis with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of ≈7% can be achieved with common, low-cost materials and affordable fabrication methods.
Analytical Solution for Fractional Well Flow in a Double-Porosity Aquifer with Fractional Transient Exchange between Matrix and Fractures
Authors: De Smedt Florimond
Published: February 2022

An analytical solution is presented for groundwater flow to a well in an aquifer with double-porosity behavior and transient transfer between fractures and matrix. The solution is valid for fractional flow dimensions including linear, cylindrical or spherical flow to the well and for fractional inter-porosity diffusive transfer including release from storage in infinite slabs, infinite cylinders or spherical matrix blocks. Approximations are also presented for small and large times that are easy to evaluate in practice. The solution can be used to analyze pumping tests via coupling with a parameter estimation code. The utility of the method is demonstrated by a practical example using data from a pumping test performed in a fractured chalk aquifer. The analytical solution allows the accurate modeling of pumping tests and the estimation of aquifer parameters that are statistically significant and physically relevant.
Regression Tree Ensemble Rainfall–Runoff Forecasting Model and Its Application to Xiangxi River, China
Authors: Zhai Aifeng , Fan Guohua , Ding Xiaowen , Huang Guohe
Published: February 2022

The development of an efficient and accurate hydrological forecasting model is essential for water management and flood control. In this study, the ensemble model was applied to predict the daily discharge; it not only could enhance the algorithm and improve the learning accuracy, but it was also the most effective representative model among various combinations of learning parameters. Using the survey data of Xingshan station in Xiangxi River, China, the suitability of the model was proven. The performance of the ensemble model was compared with the multiple linear regression model and the artificial neural network models. Furthermore, the length of the training samples and the peak value predictions were analyzed. The results showed that, firstly, the best effect of the discharge simulation model appeared in the ensemble model, while the simulation accuracy of the multiple linear regression model was lower than that of the artificial neural network model in some cases. Secondly, the prediction effect of the ensemble model for discharge was better than that of the single model to some extent, whereby the maximum absolute value of relative error was 8.11% using the ensemble model. A comprehensive analysis showed that the ensemble model was optimal. Furthermore, the ensemble model performed outstandingly in terms of hydrological forecasting. The ensemble model also provided theoretical support for hydrological forecasting and could be considered as an alternative to multiple linear regression models and artificial neural networks.
Evaluation of Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Design Features in Tropical Urban Cities: A Case Study in Singapore
Authors: Neo Teck Heng , Xu Dong , Fowdar Harsha , McCarthy David T. , Chen Enid Yingru , Lee Theresa Marie , Ong Geok Suat , Lim Fang Yee , Ong Say Leong , Hu Jiangyong
Published: February 2022

In Singapore, active, beautiful, clean waters design features (ABCWDFs), such as rain gardens and vegetated swales, are used as a sustainable approach for stormwater management. Field monitoring studies characterising the performance of these design features in the tropical region are currently limited, hampering the widespread implementation of these systems. This study characterised the performance of individual ABCWDFs in the tropical climate context by monitoring a rain garden (FB7) and a vegetated swale (VS1) that were implemented in a 4-ha urban residential precinct for a period of 15 months. Results showed that total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations were low in the new residential precinct runoff, leading to poor removal efficiency despite the effluent concentrations of individual ABCWDFs that were within the local stormwater treatment objectives. Average TSS, TP and TN EMCs of four sub-catchment outlets were lower (23.2 mg/L, 0.11 mg/L and 1.00 mg/L, respectively) when compared to the runoff quality of the major catchments in Singapore, potentially demonstrating that the ABCWDFs are effective in improving the catchment runoff quality. Findings from this study can help to better understand the performance of ABCWDFs receiving low influent concentrations and implications for further investigations to improve stormwater runoff management in the tropics.
Collinear Interaction of Waves and Current in the Presence of Ripple in the U-Tube
Authors: Ruggeri Alessia , Faraci Carla
Published: February 2022

Ripple formation and evolution as well as vortex separation along the bedform profile strongly influence surface waves and sediment transport. These features were investigated in a U-Tube at the Hydraulics Laboratory of the University of Messina. During the experimental campaign, tests in the presence of wave only, current only, and collinear wave plus current in wave dominated regime were carried out. The experiments involved both live bed and fixed bed conditions. It was observed that, when the current superimposes to the wave, a longer time is required for the bedforms to stabilize; the vortex separating at the ripple crest reduces with respect to the wave only case. Accordingly, in the fixed rippled bed case, velocity measured in current only condition is larger than that in the wave plus current flow. As vortex shedding influences the way sediments are transported close to the bed, the obtained results may improve the present knowledge on wave current interaction in the presence of bedforms with repercussions in turn on sediment dynamics.
Conservation and Conventional Vegetable Cultivation Increase Soil Organic Matter and Nutrients in the Ethiopian Highlands
Authors: Belay Sisay A. , Assefa Tewodros T. , Worqlul Abeyou W. , Steenhuis Tammo S. , Schmitter Petra , Reyes Manuel R. , Prasad P. V. Vara , Tilahun Seifu A.
Published: February 2022

Agriculture in Africa is adversely affected by the loss of soil fertility. Conservation agriculture (CA) was introduced to curb the loss of soil fertility and water shortages and improve crop productivity. However, information on how CA practices enhance soil quality and nutrients is scarce in the sub-Saharan Africa context. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of CA and conventional tillage (CT) on soil organic matter and nutrients under irrigated and rainfed vegetable on-farm production systems. During the dry and wet monsoon phases in the northern Ethiopian Highlands, a four-year experiment with CA and CT was carried out on ten vegetable farms under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Although the increase in concentration of organic matter in CA was generally slightly greater than in CT, the difference was not significant. The average organic matter content in the top 30 cm for both treatments increased significantly by 0.5% a−1 from 3% to almost 5%. The increase was not significant for the 30–60 cm depth. The total nitrogen and available phosphorus concentrations increased proportionally to the organic matter content. Consequently, the extended growing season, applying fertilizers and livestock manure, and not removing the crop residue increased the nutrient content in both CA and CT. The increase in CA was slightly greater because the soil was not tilled, and hay was applied as a surface cover. Although CA increased soil fertility, widespread adoption will depend on socioeconomic factors that determine hay availability as a soil cover relative to other competitive uses.
Improvement of Extreme Value Modeling for Extreme Rainfall Using Large-Scale Climate Modes and Considering Model Uncertainty
Authors: Kim Hanbeen , Kim Taereem , Shin Ju-Young , Heo Jun-Haeng
Published: February 2022

Extreme value modeling for extreme rainfall is one of the most important processes in the field of hydrology. For the improvement of extreme value modeling and its physical meaning, large-scale climate modes have been widely used as covariates of distribution parameters, as they can physically account for climate variability. This study proposes a novel procedure for extreme value modeling of rainfall based on the significant relationship between the long-term trend of the annual maximum (AM) daily rainfall and large-scale climate indices. This procedure is characterized by two main steps: (a) identifying significant seasonal climate indices (SCIs), which impact the long-term trend of AM daily rainfall using statistical approaches, such as ensemble empirical mode decomposition, and (b) selecting an appropriate generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution among the stationary GEV and nonstationary GEV (NS-GEV) using time and SCIs as covariates by comparing their model fit and uncertainty. Our findings showed significant relationships between the long-term trend of AM daily rainfall over South Korea and SCIs (i.e., the Atlantic Meridional Mode, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation in the fall season, and North Atlantic Oscillation in the summer season). In addition, we proposed a model selection procedure considering both the Akaike information criterion and residual bootstrap method to select an appropriate GEV distribution among a total of 59 GEV candidates. As a result, the NS-GEV with SCI covariates generally showed the best performance over South Korea. We expect that this study can contribute to estimating more reliable extreme rainfall quantiles using climate covariates.
The Lower Havel River Region (Brandenburg, Germany): A 230-Year-Long Historical Map Record Indicates a Decrease in Surface Water Areas and Groundwater Levels
Authors: Zielhofer Christoph , Schmidt Johannes , Reiche Niklas , Tautenhahn Marie , Ballasus Helen , Burkart Michael , Linstädter Anja , Dietze Elisabeth , Kaiser Knut , Mehler Natascha
Published: February 2022

Instrumental data show that the groundwater and lake levels in Northeast Germany have decreased over the past decades, and this process has accelerated over the past few years. In addition to global warming, the direct influence of humans on the local water balance is suspected to be the cause. Since the instrumental data usually go back only a few decades, little is known about the multidecadal to centennial-scale trend, which also takes long-term climate variation and the long-term influence by humans on the water balance into account. This study aims to quantitatively reconstruct the surface water areas in the Lower Havel Inner Delta and of adjacent Lake Gülpe in Brandenburg. The analysis includes the calculation of surface water areas from historical and modern maps from 1797 to 2020. The major finding is that surface water areas have decreased by approximately 30% since the pre-industrial period, with the decline being continuous. Our data show that the comprehensive measures in Lower Havel hydro-engineering correspond with groundwater lowering that started before recent global warming. Further, large-scale melioration measures with increasing water demands in the upstream wetlands beginning from the 1960s to the 1980s may have amplified the decline in downstream surface water areas.
Modification of concessionary agreements and agreements on PPP in the conditions of growth of construction materials cost
Authors:   economic observer, Polyakova I. S.
Published: February 2022

In spite of the fact that laws in the field of public-and-private partnership and municipal-and-private partnership as well as in the field of concessions are adopted long ago and are constantly supplemented and changed, legal regulation of this sphere still should be considered imperfect. It is necessary to consider one more problem in modern conditions: that is the significant increase in prices for construction materials, having negative effect on the cost and efficiency of construction projects. At the end of 2021 it demanded a series of new amendments. The order of modification of concessionary agreements and agreements of public-and-private partnership, caused by the growth of cost of construction materials, is considered in the article, the main novelties are systematized.
Labour force leaves the construction market of the Russian Federation
Authors:   Institute of Informatics and Problems of Regional Management — Branch of Federal Scientific Center, Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center, RAS, Makhosheva S. A.
Published: February 2022

The situation with labour power in the construction market of the Russian Federation is analyzed in the article. The reasons of the outflow of human resources are pointed out. Recommendations on the solution of the personnel problem are developed.
Salzburg Smart Factory Bootcamp
Authors: Kranzer Simon , Saßnick Olaf , Hofer Dominik , Hoher Simon , Schirl Maximilian , Prill Dorian
Published: February 2022

Wissen über Digitalisierung, Automatisierung und über „smarte“ Technologien sind Schlüssel für einen stabilen und nachhaltigen Erfolg von Klein- und Mittelunternehmen in der Region Salzburg. Die Fachhochschule Salzburg beantragte aus diesem Grund die Initiative Salzburg Smart Factory Bootcamp. Moderne und mobile Industrierobotik, kommunikative Software-Architekturen und OT-Sicherheit bilden die Basis für die Umsetzung aktueller Smart-Factory-Technologien und deren Potentiale in Unternehmen. Ziel des Bootcamps ist die gezielte Weiterqualifizierung mit modernsten Smart-Factory-Technologien von Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeitern der beteiligten Unternehmen. Zusätzlich kann langfristig, auch über die beantragte Projektlaufzeit hinaus, die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Hochschule und Salzburger Unternehmen etabliert und weitergeführt werden.
HUBUNGAN PERILAKU MENYIKAT GIGI SERTA TINGKAT KEBERSIHAN GIGI DAN MULUT PADA IBU PKK BANJAR ADAT KAYUSUGIH KECAMATAN PUPUAN KABUPATEN TABANAN TAHUN 2019
Authors: Arini Ni Wayan , Senjaya Asep Arifin , Puspa Dewi Ni Putu , Ratmini Ni Ketut
Published: February 2022

Oral health is important for general bodily health and greatly influences the quality of life, in this case the functions of speech, mastication, and self-confidence. Bali Province is one of the provinces in Indonesia which has a higher prevalence of dental caries experience than the national prevalence. The health of a person or community is influenced by two main factors, namely: behavioral factors and non-behavioral factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between tooth brushing behavior and the level of dental and oral hygiene in PKK mothers in Banjar Adat Kayusugih, Pupuan District, Tabanan Regency in 2019. This type of cross sectional study, uses secondary data from Ni Putu Puspa Dewi research. Spearmen correlation test results between the variables of tooth brushing behavior with oral and dental hygiene obtained results of pipip: 0,000. The conclusion of the study there is a relationship between tooth brushing behavior with oral and dental hygiene as measured by OHI-S in PKK Banjat Adat Kayusugih, Pupuan Subdistrict, Tabanan Regency in 2019.
Gambaran Sanitasi Kantin Di Sekolah Menengah Pertama Negeri 2 Kuta Selatan Kabupaten Badung Tahun 2018
Authors: Purnama Dewi Ni Luh Putu , Suyasa I Nyoman Gede
Published: February 2022

Based on preliminary observations, there are four canteen at State Junior High School 2 Kuta Selatan Badung Regency, which in between the canteen is divided into several plots of buildings that are not the same width. Among the four canteen are some of them in terms of buildings and placement locations can be detrimental to people who shop because it is very close to the temporary shelter. Research objectives to know the sanitation of school canteen at State Junior High School 2 Kuta Selatan Sub-district of Kuta Selatan Badung Regency Year 2018. By using descriptive research, writer do observation and interview to canteen and school attendant. The results of this researcher obtained the condition of the building and canteen facility and presentation hygiene got result not fulfill requirement with 50% percentage and fulfill requirement with 50% percentage. In the storage of food and beverage equipment all the canteen classified as qualified with 100% percentage and on the measurement of light intensity results obtained that is 75% canteen and 25% eligible eligible. Suggestions that can be submitted to the canteen management, students and teachers and the school to better pay attention to better sanitation for the canteen at the State Junior High School 2 Kuta Selatan Badung Regency 2018
Tingkat Kemampuan Penyerapan Tanaman Sansevieria Dalam Menurunkan Polutan Karbon Monoksida
Authors: Cahyanti Kadek Prilan , Posmaningsih Dewa Ayu Agustini
Published: February 2022

Indoor air pollution is a crucial thing cause it will affect for human health. One of the things that can be done in indoor air pollution to control indoor air pollution by using plants, namely Sansevieria trifasciata which is Green Tiger sp. This research is done in order to identity the absorption the level of Sansevieria to reduce carbon monoxide pollution. The research used pre-experimental design through the analytics of One Group Pretest Posttest. Statistical analysis using paired t – test. The level of carbon monoxide pollution were decreased after being treated by Sansevieria, which is from 64.27 ppm ± 11,87 and 42.06 ppm ± 12,68 and the results of the Paired t-test showed that the value of P namely 0.01 or P 0.05. Therefore, the utilization of Sansevieria in the room is needed to reduce carbon monoxide pollution, also furtter research future research is needed to be done.
Hubungan Perilaku Dan Kualitas Fisik Rumah Dengan Kejadian Tbc Paru Di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Kediri 1 Tahun 2020
Authors: Pratiwi AA Istri Ratih Dwi , Sudiadnyana I Wayan
Published: February 2022

Abstract:. The increase in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in a region is caused by physical quality factors of the house and behavioral factors. The purpose research was to determine the relationship between behavior and physical quality of the home with the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in the Kediri Community Health Center 1. The type of observational research was retrospective with a case control design. Case group samples were 40 tuberculosis patients at the Kediri Health Center 1 in 2018. Samples of the control group were 40 people who had never suffered from tuberculosis and had the characteristics of a case group. Data collection used questionnaire sheets for behavior and observation sheets for the physical quality of the house and  analyzed with chi square statistical test. Based on the results of the chi square test showed there is a relationship between behavior (p = 0,000 CC = 0,363) and physical quality of the house (p = 0,000 CC = 0,430) with the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Suggestions that for the community to pay more attention to the health and cleanliness of the house
Hubungan Pengetahuan Dan Pendapatan Kepala Keluarga Dengan Kepemilikan Jamban Sehat
Authors: Rina Febriyanti Ni Made , Rusminingsih Ni Ketut , Purna I Nyoman
Published: February 2022

Abstract: The people in Dauh Puri Kaja Village still do a lot of defecation in the river, this is because people who behave in defecating do not have healthy latrines in their households. Researchers want to know the relationship between knowledge and income of household heads with ownership of healthy latrines. This type of research uses an analytic survey with an interview method with a case control approach. The sample of the study was 72 households consisting of 36 families who did not have healthy latrines as the case group and 36 families who had healthy latrines as the control group. The sampling technique was purposive sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire sheet, statistical analysis using the Chi Square test. The results of the level of knowledge of the head of the household regarding healthy latrines were 38 respondents (52.8%) with a poor level of knowledge. The results of the income level of the head of the family, namely having a low income level, were 41 respondents (56.9%).The results of the Chi Squares test show that there is a relationship between knowledge and ownership of healthy latrines (ρ value = 0,000 0,05) and the level of a strong relationship (CC = 0,615). And there is a relationship between the income of the head of the household and ownership of a healthy latrine (ρ value = 0.000 0,05) and the level of relationship is moderate (CC = 0,574). It is recommended that the community increase their knowledge of healthy latrines.
ANALISIS FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI PERPINDAHAN MEREK (BRAND SWITCHING) PENGGUNA JARINGAN OPERATOR TRI KE OPERATOR LAIN DI MASA PEMBELAJARAN ONLINE SAAT PANDEMI COVID -19
Authors: Chusnah Chusnah , Zahratunnisa Zahratunnisa
Published: February 2022

This researchs purpose to know some factors that influence brand switching Tri operator user to another operator and get result from the pre-survey include the ef ect of product atribute, variety seeking, promotion and price on brand switching. Thisresearch obtained via by questionnaire to 96 respondents which become Tri operator user to students at the As- syafi'iyah Islamic University with population 3.850. Analyst data method that used is regression analysis, correlation, coef icient of determination and hypothesis test. Based on analyst data result, partially product attributes give positive and significant ef ect on brand switching. Variety seeking give positive and significant ef ect on brand switching. Promotion give  ositive and significant ef ect on brand switching. Price give positive and significant ef ect on brand switching.