bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Model for Determining the Optimal Decommissioning Interval of Energy Equipment Based on the Whole Life Cycle Cost
Authors: Li Biao , Wang Pengfei , Sun Peng , Meng Rui , Zeng Jun , Liu Guanghui
Published: March 2023

An appropriate technical overhaul strategy is very important for the development of enterprises. Most enterprises pay attention to the design life of the equipment, that is, the point when the equipment can no longer be used as stipulated by the manufacturer. However, in the later stage of the equipment, the operation and maintenance costs may be higher than the benefit of the equipment. Therefore, only the design life of the equipment may cause a waste of funds, so as to avoid the waste of funds, the enterprise’s strategy of technical reform and overhaul are optimized. This paper studies the optimal decommissioning life of the equipment (taking into account both the safety and economic life of the equipment), and selects the data of a 35 kV voltage transformer in a powerful enterprise. The enterprise may have problems with the data due to recording errors or loose classification. In order to analyze the decommissioning life of the equipment more accurately, it is necessary to first use t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) to reduce the data dimension and judge the data distribution. Then, density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAND) is used to screen the outliers of the data and mark the filtered abnormal data as a vacancy value. Then, random forest is used to fill the vacancy values of the data. Then, an Elman neural network is used for random simulation, and finally, the Fisher orderly segmentation is used to obtain the optimal retirement life interval of the equipment. The overall results show that the optimal decommissioning life range of the 35 kV voltage transformer of the enterprise is 31 to 41 years. In this paper, the decommissioning life range of equipment is scientifically calculated for enterprises, which makes up for the shortage of economic life. Moreover, considering the “economy” and “safety” of equipment comprehensively will be conducive to the formulation of technical reform and overhaul strategy.
Factors Affecting Disabled Consumer Preferences for an Electric Vehicle for Rural Mobility: An Italian Experimental Study
Authors: Palmieri Nadia , Tomasone Roberto , Cedrola Carla , Puri Daniele , Pagano Mauro
Published: March 2023

Although it is often assumed that physically disabled individuals have different behaviors towards environment, there has been very little empirical evidence supporting this statement. For this reason, this study aimed to explain the different behaviors and preferences of potential users by analyzing their attitudes towards an electric vehicle specifically designed for rural mobility. In other words, this study analyzed both the willingness of disabled people to drive an electric vehicle and their willingness to pay (WTP) for such a vehicle. A total of 209 data were collected from a sample of physically disabled consumers in Italy using a structured questionnaire. Therefore, a stated preferences Italian dataset was used, and an exploratory factor analysis, a probit model, and an ordered logit regression model were applied. The results suggested that to encourage the use of electric cars for rural mobility, it should be necessary to manage environmental concerns, vehicle-related attributes, attitudes towards eco-friendly cars, people’s emotional experience, and their purchase intention. In addition, to improve customer intention, development plans and service features must be synergistically organized to mutually support each other.
Alternative Fuel Selection Framework toward Decarbonizing Maritime Deep-Sea Shipping
Authors: Moshiul Alam Md , Mohammad Roslina , Hira Fariha Anjum
Published: March 2023

Globally, deep-sea shipping is one of the most indispensable form of commercial transportation services. There are considerable repercussions affecting the shipping environment caused by the rise in deep-sea vessel operations. Shifting toward eco-responsible fuel alternatives might be a plausible option for mitigating these adverse effects on the environment. However, alternative fuel selection is a complex process that depends on shipping type, multiple stakeholders’ involvement, and numerous social, environmental, and economic criteria. The baseline of such decision-making involves firm-level decision-makers who must operate ships while maintaining profitability and while complying with regulatory legislation and sustainability dimension. Therefore, firm-level decision-maker perspectives might differ significantly from other industry stakeholders (i.e., government and classification society). Particular attention must be paid to the alternative fuel selection issue from the standpoint of the ship owner and shipping company management. The current research intends to use a multi-criteria analysis as a decision-support tool for the alternative fuel selection problem in deep-sea commercial shipping on the international waterway. The proposed technique considers environmental, technological, and economic factors and ensures an exclusive focus on stakeholders at the firm-level decision-making capacity. The priority ranking of the alternatives selection criteria is based on the technique for order performance by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS). Implementing this strategy considers the participation of firm-level stakeholders by analyzing each alternative’s criterion weights and performance concerning each criterion. The technique is applied to the case study of Singapore-based firms. The results demonstrated that the most important criteria with regard to an optimal alternative selection for shipping firm-level stakeholders are technological aspects, technology status, expenditures, ecosystem impact, and health-safety considerations. These results provide a foundation for decision-makers to comprehend the ship management’s priorities and interests in choosing alternative fuels. The conclusions of this analysis, the first of its kind in this field, can provide a solid foundation for strategic planning.
Cultivating the Mediterranean Wild Edible Species Cichorium spinosum L. in Aquaponics: Functional and Growth Responses to Minimal Nutrient Supplementation
Authors: Tsoumalakou Evangelia , Mente Eleni , Vlahos Nikolaos , Levizou Efi
Published: March 2023

Aquaponics is a plant and fish co-cultivation system with high sustainability, yet sub-optimal concentrations of Fe and K often compromise crop yields. We cultivated the Mediterranean wild edible Cichorium spinosum L. (Greek name: stamnagathi) in an aquaponics setup following a minimal supplementation approach that focused on Fe and K. Stamnagathi and tilapia fish were co-cultivated under (i) solely Fe, (ii) Fe+K input and (iii) no-input Control treatments. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of aquaponics for stamnagathi cultivation, identify the system’s bottlenecks, and propose optimization measures. Several plant’s growth and functional parameters were monitored throughout the 35-day experimental period, notably instantaneous gas exchange and photosynthetic capacity via light response curves, state and efficiency of the photosynthetic machinery, pigment content, and yield and morphometric assessments. Fish growth characteristics and survival rates remained unaffected. Fe deficiency was crucial in shaping the responses of Control stamnagathi, which showed inferior performance in terms of photochemistry, chlorophylls content, light use efficiency and, subsequently, photosynthetic activity. Fe and Fe+K-treated plants exhibited similarly high performance in all studied parameters and achieved 4.5- and 4-fold increased yields, respectively, compared to Control. The results demonstrate that aquaponics is an advantageous cropping system for stamnagathi and solely Fe supplementation is adequate to promote excellent performance and yield of this oligotrophic species.
A Novel Hybrid MPPT Approach for Solar PV Systems Using Particle-Swarm-Optimization-Trained Machine Learning and Flying Squirrel Search Optimization
Authors: Kumar Dilip , Chauhan Yogesh Kumar , Pandey Ajay Shekhar , Srivastava Ankit Kumar , Kumar Varun , Alsaif Faisal , Elavarasan Rajvikram Madurai , Islam Md Rabiul , Kannadasan Raju , Alsharif Mohammed H.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a novel hybrid Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm using Particle-Swarm-Optimization-trained machine learning and Flying Squirrel Search Optimization (PSO_ML-FSSO) has been proposed to obtain the optimal efficiency for solar PV systems. The proposed algorithm was compared with other well-known methods viz. Perturb & Observer (P&O), Incremental Conductance (INC), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Cuckoo Search Optimization (CSO), Flower Pollen Algorithm (FPA), Gray Wolf Optimization (GWO), Neural-Network-trained Machine Learning (NN_ML), Genetic Algorithm (GA), and PSO-trained Machine Learning. The proposed algorithm was modelled in the MATLAB/Simulink environment under different operating conditions, for example, with step changes in temperature, solar irradiance, and partial shading. The proposed algorithm improved the efficiency up to 0.72% and reduced the settling time up to 76.4%. The findings of the research highlight that PSO_ML-FSSO is a potential approach that outperforms all other well-known algorithms tested herein for solar PV systems.
Characteristic Evaluation of Wind Power Distributed Generation Sizing in Distribution System
Authors: Ngamroo Issarachai , Kotesakha Wikorn , Yoomak Suntiti , Ngaopitakkul Atthapol
Published: March 2023

Energy consumption and environmental issues have become major drivers of increasing renewable energy penetration levels. The electricity generated from renewable energy sources is decentralized throughout distributed generation (DG), which is located at the distribution level. However, the presence of DG can change distribution system characteristics and affect protection systems. Thus, this study aims to investigate the impact of DG in term of its sizing and placement on distribution systems under both normal and fault conditions. In addition, the effects on voltage improvement under normal conditions and current under fault conditions are also considered. The case study system in this study was modelled after an actual section of a 22 kV distribution line from the Provincial Electricity Authority of Thailand using PSCAD software. For DG, wind turbine generation was selected as a renewable energy source. The simulation results demonstrated that the presence of DG has a significant impact on both voltage and current characteristics under both normal and fault conditions. These impacts on the distribution system caused by DG can affect the operation of conventional distribution systems, which require further analysis and preventive measures in order to ensure good system reliability.
Improving the Efficiency of Rail Passenger Transportation Using an Innovative Operational Concept
Authors: Erdei László , Tamás Péter , Illés Béla
Published: March 2023

In an increasingly fast-paced world, emerging mobility demands must be met by competitive services that are in line with the principles of sustainable transportation concepts. It is not possible to know exactly what the mobility solution of the future will be, but it is certain that it will require a reduction in car use. A dramatic increase in energy prices will have an impact on the transportation sector, but making public transportation attractive to large numbers of people could reduce unit costs. Public transportation systems can be made more efficient through flexible transportation concepts and by combining individual passenger demand for travel. In the field of rail passenger transportation, practice uses fixed timetables, which do not take into account the changes in ad hoc travel needs. This results in significant losses due to unjustified unnecessary stops and longer travel times. This article presents an operational concept that enables ad hoc passenger demands to be met. The concept ensures minimum energy consumption and a higher level of passenger demand satisfaction through multilevel demand management. A case study was presented to prove the developed theory.
Does ESG Impact Firms’ Sustainability Performance? The Mediating Effect of Innovation Performance
Authors: Zhou Shukang , Rashid Md. Harun Ur , Mohd. Zobair Shah Asadullah , Sobhani Farid Ahammad , Siddik Abu Bakkar
Published: March 2023

In this age of global warming, academics and policymakers are increasingly concerned about firm environmental sustainability success. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance impacts sustainability performance through the mediating effect of firm innovation. To this end, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was deployed to analyze data collected from the employees of manufacturing industries in Bangladesh. The results revealed that ESG performance significantly enhances the innovation and sustainability performance of manufacturing industries, indicating that the higher the ESG performance of a firm, the greater its innovation and sustainability performance. Furthermore, the results confirmed that firm innovation performance fully mediates the relationship between ESG initiatives and sustainability performance. The findings of this study provide policymakers and industry authorities with valuable insight into the role of ESG and innovation performance in improving sustainability performance. Specifically, the study sheds knowledge on how firm ESG initiatives and innovation performance impact sustainability performance in the manufacturing sector of an emerging economy such as Bangladesh.
Two-Tier Cooperation Based High-Reliable and Lightweight Forwarding Strategy in Heterogeneous WBAN
Authors: Li Jirui , Xiao Junsheng , Yuan Jie
Published: March 2023

Due to the limited and difficult access to sensor energy, energy conservation has always been an important issue in wireless body area network (WBAN). How to make full use of the limited energy of heterogeneous sensors in WBAN to achieve lightweight and high-reliable data transmission has also become key to the sustainable development of telemedicine services. This paper proposes a two-tier cooperation based high-reliable and lightweight forwarding (TTCF) mechanism via minimizing the amount of transmitted data and optimizing forwarding performance, so as to improve the efficiency and reliability of WBAN and reduce system energy consumption. In TTCF, an adaptive semi-tensor product compressed sensing evolution (STPCSE) model is first constructed to minimize the amount of data to be transmitted and extend the lifetime of sensors. Then, the important factors closely related to the energy consumption of human body sensors, including sampling frequency, residual energy and their importance in the network, are analyzed and redefined, and a high-reliable and lightweight forwarding model based on a multi-factor dynamic fusion is built. Finally, the performance and energy-saving effect of TTCF in a dynamic WBAN environment are compared and analyzed. Simulation results show that the system with our TTCF always performs the best in terms of data reconstruct accuracy, cumulative delivery rata, energy consumption and throughput. For example, its cumulative delivery rate is about 12% and 20.8% higher than that of UC-MPRP and CRPBA, and its residual energy and throughput are 1.22 times and 1.41 times, 1.35 times and 1.6 times of the latter two, respectively.
The Paddy Procurement System for Sustainability: Evidence from Bangladesh Agriculture Sector
Authors: Islam Md. Ashraful , Islam Md. Aminul , Sobhani Farid Ahammad , Royhan Pradip , Alam Md. Kausar , Hassan Md. Sharif
Published: March 2023

Bangladesh derives one-half of its agricultural GDP and one-sixth of its national income from paddy. It is crucial to the farmers’ ability to survive. This paper aims to investigate current paddy procurement system and farmer awareness in the Bangladeshi agricultural sector to ensure business sustainability. This paper utilised a quantitative approach to research. The research investigated farmers’ consciousness through perception and contentment. For the measurement, a survey of 210 farmers from three Upazilas was conducted using a closed-ended, pre-tested questionnaire. Version 20 of the SPSS programme was used for data analysis. Approximately 67.6% of respondents were unhappy with the current paddy procurement system, according to the study. Approximately 69.10% of respondents believe there is a middleman in the current paddy procurement system, approximately 94.30% of respondents believe the current system needs improvement, and 99.0% believe a new paddy procurement system could be beneficial. Furthermore, these findings led to the conclusion that there is room for improvement in the current paddy procurement system, which will increase the transparency and sustainability of paddy procurement activities for everyone, including farmers.
Annual Mangrove Vegetation Cover Changes (2014–2020) in Indian Sundarbans National Park Using Landsat 8 and Google Earth Engine
Authors: Karsch Gwendolyn , Mukul Sharif A. , Srivastava Sanjeev Kumar
Published: March 2023

Mangrove ecosystems have high ecological and economic value mainly because of their ability to sequester large amounts of carbon and protect shorelines. Monitoring such ecosystems with earth observation data analytics is necessary to achieve deeper insight and subsequent conservation strategies. The Sundarbans is the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest, and Sundarbans National Park is a part of this world-famous mangrove forest in India. To examine vegetation change in this region, we used a planetary-scale tool, the Google Earth Engine. A time series of the surface reflectance product of Landsat 8 between 2014 and 2020 was analysed using annual median images. NDVI and dNDVI were derived to monitor vegetation cover change. While we noticed no major changes in the vegetation cover throughout the study area, the coastal regions, especially the southern end, showed significant changes. There were both mangrove vegetation gains due to land accretion and mangrove loss due to erosion and cyclone damage. This study will be useful for long-term monitoring of the imperiled Sundarbans ecosystem to measure any major changes.
Numerical Simulation of the Effects of Reduced Gravity, Radiation and Magnetic Field on Heat Transfer Past a Solid Sphere Using Finite Difference Method
Authors: Abbas Amir , Ashraf Muhammad , Sarris Ioannis E. , Ghachem Kaouther , Labidi Taher , Kolsi Lioua , Ahmad Hafeez
Published: March 2023

The current study deals with the reduced gravity and radiation effects on the magnetohydrodynamic natural convection past a solid sphere. The studied configuration is modeled using coupled and nonlinear partial differential equations. The obtained model is transformed to dimensionless form using suitable scaling variables. The finite difference method is adopted to solve the governing equation and determine the velocity and temperature profiles in addition to the skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number. Furthermore, graphic and tabular presentations of the results are made. The verification of the numerical model is performed by comparing with results presented in the literature and a good concordance is encountered. The main objective of this investigation is to study the effect of the buoyancy force caused by the density variation on natural convective heat transfer past a solid sphere. The results show that the velocity increases with the reduced gravity parameter and solar radiation but decreases with Prandtl number and magnetic field parameter. It is also found that the temperature increases the with solar radiation and magnetic field but decreases with the reduced gravity parameter and Prandtl number.
Using a System Dynamics Simulation Model to Identify Leverage Points for Reducing Youth Homelessness in Connecticut
Authors: Hirsch Gary B. , Mosher Heather I.
Published: March 2023

Youth homelessness is a significant problem in most United States communities. Health problems are both a contributor to and a consequence of homelessness. Responses to youth homelessness are typically fragmentary. Different agencies deal with various causes and consequences of the problem. Stakeholders in Connecticut sought a more coherent approach. This article describes the development and use of a system dynamics simulation model as a decision-support tool that: (1) brings stakeholders together from diverse service sectors and allows them to see the system as a whole, (2) enables them to explore how delivery systems interact to affect homeless and unstably housed youth, (3) lets them test the impact of different intervention alternatives on reducing the problem, and (4) helps develop insights about coherent approaches to youth homelessness. The model’s development is described as a phased process including stakeholder engagement, causal mapping, and creation of the quantitative simulation model. The resulting model is presented along with an interface that enables stakeholders to use the model in a Learning Lab setting. Results of an initial set of Learning Labs are presented, including types of insights gained by participants from using the simulation model. Conclusions include limitations of the model and plans for its future use.
Electronic Cigarette Usage Patterns and Perceptions in Adult Australians
Authors: Larcombe Alexander N. , Chivers Emily K. , Huxley Rachel R. , Musk Arthur (Bill) W. , Franklin Peter J. , Mullins Benjamin J.
Published: March 2023

Despite their increasing popularity, and Australia’s unique regulatory environment, how and why Australian adults use e-cigarettes and their perceptions of their safety, efficacy and regulation have not been extensively reported before. In this study, we screened 2217 adult Australians with the aim of assessing these questions in a sample of current or former e-cigarette users. A total of 505 out of 2217 respondents were current or former e-cigarette users, with only these respondents completing the full survey. Key findings of this survey included the high proportion of respondents who indicated they were currently using e-cigarettes (307 out of 2217 = 13.8%), and the high proportion of current e-cigarette users that were also smokers (74.6%). The majority of respondents used e-liquids containing nicotine (70.3%), despite it being illegal in Australia without a prescription, and the majority bought their devices and liquids in Australia (65.7%). Respondents reported using e-cigarettes in a variety of places, including inside the home, inside public places (where it is illegal to smoke tobacco cigarettes), and around other people—which has implications for second and third hand exposures. A significant proportion of current e-cigarette users (30.6%) thought that e-cigarettes were completely safe to use long-term, although in general, there was a large amount of uncertainty/ambivalence with respect to perceptions of e-cigarette safety and efficacy as smoking cessation tools. This study shows that e-cigarette use is common in Australia, and that appropriate dissemination of unbiased research findings on their safety and efficacy in smoking cessation is urgently required.
Molecular Characterization and Cluster Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Isolates in Kahramanmaraş City, Turkey: The Delta VOC Wave within One Month
Authors: Marascio Nadia , Cilburunoglu Merve , Torun Elif Gulsum , Centofanti Federica , Mataj Elida , Equestre Michele , Bruni Roberto , Quirino Angela , Matera Giovanni , Ciccaglione Anna Rita , Yalcinkaya Kezban Tulay
Published: March 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has seriously affected the population in Turkey. Since the beginning, phylogenetic analysis has been necessary to monitor public health measures against COVID-19 disease. In any case, the analysis of spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) gene mutations was crucial in determining their potential impact on viral spread. We screened S and N regions to detect usual and unusual substitutions, whilst also investigating the clusters among a patient cohort resident in Kahramanmaraş city, in a restricted time span. Sequences were obtained by Sanger methods and genotyped by the PANGO Lineage tool. Amino acid substitutions were annotated comparing newly generated sequences to the NC_045512.2 reference sequence. Clusters were defined using phylogenetic analysis with a 70% cut-off. All sequences were classified as Delta. Eight isolates carried unusual mutations on the S protein, some of them located in the S2 key domain. One isolate displayed the unusual L139S on the N protein, while few isolates carried the T24I and A359S N substitutions able to destabilize the protein. Phylogeny identified nine monophyletic clusters. This study provided additional information about SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology in Turkey, suggesting local transmission of infection in the city by several transmission routes, and highlighting the necessity to improve the power of sequencing worldwide.
Puumala Hantavirus Infections Show Extensive Variation in Clinical Outcome
Authors: Vaheri Antti , Smura Teemu , Vauhkonen Hanna , Hepojoki Jussi , Sironen Tarja , Strandin Tomas , Tietäväinen Johanna , Outinen Tuula , Mäkelä Satu , Pörsti Ilkka , Mustonen Jukka
Published: March 2023

The clinical outcome of Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) infection shows extensive variation, ranging from inapparent subclinical infection (70–80%) to severe hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), with about 0.1% of cases being fatal. Most hospitalized patients experience acute kidney injury (AKI), histologically known as acute hemorrhagic tubulointerstitial nephritis. Why this variation? There is no evidence that there would be more virulent and less virulent variants infecting humans, although this has not been extensively studied. Individuals with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles B*08 and DRB1*0301 are likely to have a severe form of the PUUV infection, and those with B*27 are likely to have a benign clinical course. Other genetic factors, related to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene and the C4A component of the complement system, may be involved. Various autoimmune phenomena and Epstein-Barr virus infection are associated with PUUV infection, but hantavirus-neutralizing antibodies are not associated with lower disease severity in PUUV HFRS. Wide individual differences occur in ocular and central nervous system (CNS) manifestations and in the long-term consequences of nephropathia epidemica (NE). Numerous biomarkers have been detected, and some are clinically used to assess and predict the severity of PUUV infection. A new addition is the plasma glucose concentration associated with the severity of both capillary leakage, thrombocytopenia, inflammation, and AKI in PUUV infection. Our question, “Why this variation?” remains largely unanswered.
Interleukins, Chemokines, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Superfamily Ligands in the Pathogenesis of West Nile Virus Infection
Authors: Benzarti Emna , Murray Kristy O. , Ronca Shannon E.
Published: March 2023

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen that can lead to encephalitis and death in susceptible hosts. Cytokines play a critical role in inflammation and immunity in response to WNV infection. Murine models provide evidence that some cytokines offer protection against acute WNV infection and assist with viral clearance, while others play a multifaceted role WNV neuropathogenesis and immune-mediated tissue damage. This article aims to provide an up-to-date review of cytokine expression patterns in human and experimental animal models of WNV infections. Here, we outline the interleukins, chemokines, and tumor necrosis factor superfamily ligands associated with WNV infection and pathogenesis and describe the complex roles they play in mediating both protection and pathology of the central nervous system during or after virus clearance. By understanding of the role of these cytokines during WNV neuroinvasive infection, we can develop treatment options aimed at modulating these immune molecules in order to reduce neuroinflammation and improve patient outcomes.
Phage vs. Phage: Direct Selections of Sandwich Binding Pairs
Authors: Sanders Emily C. , Santos Alicia M. , Nguyen Eugene K. , Gelston Aidan A. , Majumdar Sudipta , Weiss Gregory A.
Published: March 2023

The sandwich format immunoassay is generally more sensitive and specific than more common assay formats, including direct, indirect, or competitive. A sandwich assay, however, requires two receptors to bind non-competitively to the target analyte. Typically, pairs of antibodies (Abs) or antibody fragments (Fabs) that are capable of forming a sandwiching with the target are identified through a slow, guess-and-check method with panels of candidate binding partners. Additionally, sandwich assays that are reliant on commercial antibodies can suffer from changes to reagent quality outside the researchers’ control. This report presents a reimagined and simplified phage display selection protocol that directly identifies sandwich binding peptides and Fabs. The approach yielded two sandwich pairs, one peptide–peptide and one Fab–peptide sandwich for the cancer and Parkinson’s disease biomarker DJ-1. Requiring just a few weeks to identify, the sandwich pairs delivered apparent affinity that is comparable to other commercial peptide and antibody sandwiches. The results reported here could expand the availability of sandwich binding partners for a wide range of clinical biomarker assays.
Molecular Screening for High-Risk Human Papillomaviruses in Patients with Periodontitis
Authors: Shishkova Kalina , Gergova Raina , Tasheva Elena , Shishkov Stoyan , Sirakov Ivo
Published: March 2023

Members of the Papillomaviridae family account for 27.9–30% of all infectious agents associated with human cancer. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of high-risk HPV (human papilloma virus) genotypes in patients with periodontitis and a pronounced clinical picture. To achieve this goal, after proving the bacterial etiology of periodontitis, the samples positive for bacteria were examined for the presence of HPV. The genotype of HPV is also determined in samples with the presence of the virus proven by PCR (polymerase chain reaction). All positive tests for bacteria associated with the development of periodontitis indicated the presence of HPV. There was a statistically significant difference in HPV positive results between the periodontitis positive target group and the control group. The higher presence of high-risk HPV genotypes in the target group, which was also positive for the presence of periodontitis-causing bacteria, has been proven. A statistically significant relationship was established between the presence of periodontitis-causing bacteria and high-risk strains of HPV. The most common HPV genotype that tests positive for bacteria associated with the development of periodontitis is HPV58.
Real-World Experience of the Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir in High-Risk Patients with COVID-19 in a Community Setting
Authors: Mutoh Yoshikazu , Umemura Takumi , Nishikawa Takeshi , Kondo Kaho , Nishina Yuta , Soejima Kazuaki , Noguchi Yoichiro , Bando Tomohiro , Ota Sho , Shimahara Tatsuki , Hirota Shuko , Hagimoto Satoshi , Takei Reoto , Fukihara Jun , Sasano Hajime , Yamano Yasuhiko , Yokoyama Toshiki , Kataoka Kensuke , Matsuda Toshiaki , Kimura Tomoki , Ichihara Toshihiko , Kondoh Yasuhiro
Published: March 2023

Molnupiravir (MOV) and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV/r) are efficacious oral antiviral agents for patients with the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19). However, little is known about their effectiveness in older adults and those at high risk of disease progression. This retrospective single-center observational study assessed and compared the outcomes of COVID-19 treated with MOV and NMV/r in a real-world community setting. We included patients with confirmed COVID-19 combined with one or more risk factors for disease progression from June to October 2022. Of 283 patients, 79.9% received MOV and 20.1% NMV/r. The mean patient age was 71.7 years, 56.5% were men, and 71.7% had received ≥3 doses of vaccine. COVID-19-related hospitalization (2.8% and 3.5%, respectively; p = 0.978) or death (0.4% and 3.5%, respectively; p = 0.104) did not differ significantly between the MOV and NMV/r groups. The incidence of adverse events was 2.7% and 5.3%, and the incidence of treatment discontinuation was 2.7% and 5.3% in the MOV and NMV/r groups, respectively. The real-world effectiveness of MOV and NMV/r was similar among older adults and those at high risk of disease progression. The incidence of hospitalization or death was low.
Vaccine Interaction and Protection against Virulent Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) Challenge after Combined Administration of Newcastle Disease and aMPV Live Vaccines to Day-Old Turkeys
Authors: Lupini Caterina , Legnardi Matteo , Graziosi Giulia , Cecchinato Mattia , Listorti Valeria , Terregino Calogero , Catelli Elena
Published: March 2023

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) are among the most impactful pathogens affecting the turkey industry. Since turkeys are routinely immunized against both diseases, the hatchery administration of the combined respective live vaccines would offer remarkable practical advantages. However, the compatibility of NDV and aMPV vaccines has not yet been experimentally demonstrated in this species. To address this issue, an aMPV subtype B live vaccine was administered to day-old poults either alone or in combination with one of two different ND vaccines. The birds were then challenged with a virulent aMPV subtype B strain, clinical signs were recorded and aMPV and NDV vaccine replication and humoral immune response were assessed. All results supported the absence of any interference hampering protection against aMPV, with no significant differences in terms of clinical scoring. In addition, the mean aMPV vaccine viral titers and antibody titers measured in the dual vaccinated groups were comparable or even higher than in the group vaccinated solely against aMPV. Lastly, based on the NDV viral and antibody titers, the combined aMPV and NDV vaccination does not seem to interfere with protection against NDV, although further studies involving an actual ND challenge will be necessary to fully demonstrate this hypothesis.
Photoinhibition of the Picophytoplankter Synechococcus Is Exacerbated by Ocean Acidification
Authors: Li He , Beardall John , Gao Kunshan
Published: March 2023

The marine picocyanobacterium Synechococcus accounts for a major fraction of the primary production across the global oceans. However, knowledge of the responses of Synechococcus to changing pCO2 and light levels has been scarcely documented. Hence, we grew Synechococcus sp. CB0101 at two CO2 concentrations (ambient CO2 AC:410 μatm; high CO2 HC:1000 μatm) under various light levels between 25 and 800 μmol photons m−2 s−1 for 10–20 generations and found that the growth of Synechococcus strain CB0101 is strongly influenced by light intensity, peaking at 250 μmol m−2 s−1 and thereafter declined at higher light levels. Synechococcus cells showed a range of acclimation in their photophysiological characteristics, including changes in pigment content, optical absorption cross section, and light harvesting efficiency. Elevated pCO2 inhibited the growth of cells at light intensities close to or greater than saturation, with inhibition being greater under high light. Elevated pCO2 also reduced photosynthetic carbon fixation rates under high light but had smaller effects on the decrease in quantum yield and maximum relative electron transport rates observed under increasing light intensity. At the same time, the elevated pCO2 significantly decreased particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate organic nitrogen (PON), particularly under low light. Ocean acidification, by increasing the inhibitory effects of high light, may affect the growth and competitiveness of Synechococcus in surface waters in the future scenario.
Defining Heat in Place for the Discovered Geothermal Brine Reservoirs in the Croatian Part of Pannonian Basin
Authors: Tuschl Martina , Kurevija Tomislav
Published: March 2023

One of the important sources of renewable energy is geothermal heat. Its special feature of being independent 24/7 ensures the stability and security of the system, either for electricity or heat production. Geothermal energy has a local character and is limited by the geological characteristics of each state. In the Republic of Croatia, the development of geothermal energy is closely related to the development of the oil industry, as geothermal deposits were discovered during oil and gas exploration. Considering the established temperature gradients in Croatia, there is a greater possibility of using geothermal energy, and for this, it is necessary to evaluate its full potential and possibilities of use. The aim of this research is to determine the heat potential of the Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin System (CPBS), a part of Croatia with exceptional geothermal potential, based on the analysis of a large amount of well data with confirmed water inflow. In order to estimate the heat in place, the available data on the presence of inflow, temperature, and porosity, as well as permeability and volume for each well/reservoir included in the assessment, were considered. In geothermal reservoirs, one of the most important pieces of data besides petrophysical and thermodynamic data is the potential of the well, i.e., the maximum flow under certain permeability and porosity conditions. To define this, the productivity index was made dependent on the permeability of each well, and the inflow in each well was risked using Monte Carlo for three main geological phases in CPBS, which subsequently influenced inflow and spacing between production and injection wells. The beta-PERT distribution for permeability is used in Monte Carlo simulation to determine the most likely values and produce a distribution that resembles the real probability distribution. As a result, geothermal potential was mapped according to the obtained values of heat in place for part of the CPBS covered with analysed wells.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes from Clinical Laboratory Wastewater
Authors: Ramírez Franco J. H. , Castañeda Cárdenas S. D. , Zea Ramírez H. R.
Published: March 2023

Clinical laboratory wastewaters are of important environmental concern due to the highly complex chemical reagents and dyes used to identify various pathologies, which are difficult to degrade by conventional treatment methods. The present research aimed to assess the effects of ilmenite use in the discoloration process of clinical laboratory wastewater. The wastewater originates from a Gram staining process used to identify pathogenic microorganisms present in biological samples. The active ingredient is crystal violet, a triphenylmethane dye derivative, highly toxic and non-biodegradable that causes a shiny purple color in the wastewater. The ilmenite was characterized by X-ray Fluorescence, X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and Nitrogen adsorption isotherm, while the discoloration process of the wastewater was measured by UV–Vis spectrophotometry and pH change trough the reaction time, evaluating different ilmenite loads, particle size and stability under light sources with different energies. Chemical oxygen demand analysis confirmed that acid formation and discoloration were associated with organic substance mineralization. Type C ultraviolet light and 0.7 g/L load were identified as the best operating conditions for the discoloration process. It was possible to establish that ilmenite is stable after four uses in the discoloration process, obtaining, in all cases, discoloration percentages higher than 90% after 3 h of irradiation.
Spatial and Multivariate Statistical Analyses of Human Health Risk Associated with the Consumption of Heavy Metals in Groundwater of Monterrey Metropolitan Area, Mexico
Authors: Ramos Edrick , Bux Raja Karim , Medina Dora Ileana , Barrios-Piña Héctor , Mahlknecht Jürgen
Published: March 2023

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water supply in most urban environments around the world. The content of potentially toxic elements is increasing in many groundwater systems owing to inadequate groundwater recharge, aquifer overexploitation, natural source release, or various anthropogenic activities that lead to groundwater quality degradation. The ingestion of groundwater contaminated with potentially toxic elements has been reported to have harmful health effects. This study aimed to assess the presence of several potentially toxic elements (Al, As, B, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) in groundwater of the Monterrey metropolitan area in Northern Mexico and the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic human health risks associated with exposure. Multivariate statistics and geospatial analysis were applied to identify the causative determinants that modify the groundwater quality along the metropolitan area. Mean concentrations of trace metals remained below drinking water standards and World Health Organization guidelines. The risk of harmful effects on human health due to ingestion of all eight metal(loid)s in groundwater was assessed as 2.52 × 10−2 for adults and 2.16 × 10−2 for children, which can be considered as negligible chronic risk and a very low cancer risk. However, the risks of oral consumption of Cr being carcinogenic to children and adults were 7.9 × 10−3 and 9.2 × 10−4, respectively. As these values exceeded the target risk of 1 × 10−4, it can thus be considered “unacceptable”.
Revealing the Gene Diversity and Candidate Gene Family for Adaption to Environment Depth in Leucosiid Crabs Comparing the Transcriptome Assembly
Authors: Shih Yi-Jia , Yang Yin-Ming , Luo Si-Te , Liu Jia-Ying
Published: March 2023

The study of gene diversity in interspecies contributes to our understanding of the environmental adaptation, evolutionary history, origin, and stability of biodiversity. Crabs are the main component of the macrobenthos community; therefore, how crabs adapt to different environments can be a guide to understand how to maintain community diversity. Previous studies on environmental adaptation have focused on differences in morphology, organ structure, and function, but there is a lack of research that explores this topic from the perspective of gene diversity in benthonic crabs. In this study, the leucosiid crab was selected for transcriptome assembly and was analyzed as this superfamily is one of the main clades in brachyuran crabs. Their transcriptome data were used to understand the gene diversity, phylogeny, and divergence time estimations. Subsequently, candidate gene families for depth adaptation were found in eight species that live in habitats with different depths. The results indicated that the number of total unigene sequences was between 65,617 (Philyra malefactrix) and 98,279 (Arcania heptacantha) in eight species. The total length of the genes was counted to be between 48,006,211 and 95,471,088 bp. The age of the superfamily Leucosioidea is over 150 Ma, dating back to at least the Jurassic geological period. The divergence of the family Leucosiidae would have occurred in the middle Cretaceous (around 100 Ma). After dividing into groups of three depth types, which carried the gene families, it was found that the three groups shared the solute carrier family, whereas bile acid secretion, organic solute transporter subunit alpha-like, and solute carrier organic anion transporter families only existed in the shallow group. This result shown that the gene function of ion concentration regulation might one of the candidate gene families related to the environmental adaptation of the leucosiid crab. Hence, these gene families will be analyzed in future studies to understand the mechanism of depth adaptation regulation in crabs.
Estrés laboral en el personal de salud de un hospital público del Callao durante la pandemia del COVID-19
Authors: Veneros Hancco Gabi Roxana
Published: March 2023

Esta investigación partió de la necesidad de conocer el nivel de estrés laboral en el trabajador de salud durante la pandemia, para ello, se propuso a determinar niveles de estrés laboral en el personal de salud de un hospital público del Callao durante la pandemia del COVID-19. La metodología empleada fue bajo el enfoque cuantitativo, de tipo básico, con un alcance descriptivo bajo el diseño no experimental de corte transversal. La muestra fue no probabilística (N= 188). Se aplicó el cuestionario de Estrés Laboral de Hock, tipo Likert, validado en Perú, con un alfa de Cronbach de 0,87 respectivamente. Se usó el estadístico de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, el tipo de análisis fue no paramétrico. Como resultados se obtuvo que el 52,7% de los trabajadores de salud no presenta estrés, el 34,6% presenta estrés leve, el 10,6% estrés moderado, el 1,6% estrés alto y solo un 0,5% estrés grave. Como conclusiones se evidencio la presencia de estrés, pero solo en un nivel leve, es más predominante en técnicos de enfermería, y en los trabajadores que laboran por contratos CAS COVID-19, así también se da con mayor énfasis en mujeres.
A Country's Green Brand and the Social Responsibility of Business
Authors: Ziabina Yevheniia , Dzwigol-Barosz Mariola
Published: March 2023

Recently, the topic of carbon neutrality has been gaining momentum. Such trends are mainly related to the adoption of important global agreements, such as the European Green Deal, as well as the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Such trends have a positive effect on countries, but in such situations, states must quickly respond to the challenges and needs of the world and have an understanding of how to respond to these trends.  To date, there are many ratings that can be used to form a portrait of a country (investment, social, environmental, etc.), but currently the rating of the green brand of a country is becoming more relevant. There are problems regarding its improvement and filling, yet this is a new evaluation of a country for this period of time. It is relevant today to study the nature and architecture of the concept of a green brand, as well as the search for the main determinants of its impact. The purpose of the article is to analyse publications in order to identify patterns in the development of the green brand and the social responsibility of business. The article provides a bibliometric analysis of research in the field of green branding and corporate social and environmental responsibility. The authors selected more than 10,000 works published in 2000–2021 indexed by the scientometric databases Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Using VOSviewer, the results of the bibliometric analysis were visualized on the definition map. This made it possible to identify seven clusters that combine 58 terms. As a result of the research, using the constructed bibliographic map, the connection between the terms ‘green brand’ and ‘corporate social responsibility’ was revealed.
Динамика численности и демография красной (Clethrionomys rutilus) и красно-серой (Craseomys rufocanus) полевок в лиственничном редколесье Северного Приохотья
Authors:   Institute of Biological Problems of the North, FEB RAS, Magadan, Lazutkin A. N.
Published: March 2023

The article presents the results of 13-year (2010-2022) studies of the dynamics of the red-backed and grey red-backed vole number in the sparse larch forest of the Northern Priokhotye. The author describes сyclicism in population fluctuations and variability of demographic indicators of populations. The relationship of population density with external and intrapopulation factors is analyzed. The results of the study have been compared with similar data from other parts of the area.