bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Hybrid User Mobility Prediction Approach for Handover Management in Mobile Networks
Authors: Bahra Nasrin , Pierre Samuel
Published: May 2021

Mobile networks are expected to face major problems such as low network capacity, high latency, and limited resources but are expected to provide seamless connectivity in the foreseeable future. It is crucial to deliver an adequate level of performance for network services and to ensure an acceptable quality of services for mobile users. Intelligent mobility management is a promising solution to deal with the aforementioned issues. In this context, modeling user mobility behaviour is of great importance in order to extract valuable information about user behaviours and to meet their demands. In this paper, we propose a hybrid user mobility prediction approach for handover management in mobile networks. First, we extract user mobility patterns using a mobility model based on statistical models and deep learning algorithms. We deploy a vector autoregression (VAR) model and a gated recurrent unit (GRU) to predict the future trajectory of a user. We then reduce the number of unnecessary handover signaling messages and optimize the handover procedure using the obtained prediction results. We deploy mobility data generated from real users to conduct our experiments. The simulation results show that the proposed VAR-GRU mobility model has the lowest prediction error in comparison with existing methods. Moreover, we investigate the handover processing and transmission costs for predictive and non-predictive scenarios. It is shown that the handover-related costs effectively decrease when we obtain a prediction in the network. For vertical handover, processing cost and transmission cost improve, respectively, by 57.14% and 28.01%.
Assessing Combined Effects for Mixtures of Similar and Dissimilar Acting Neuroactive Substances on Zebrafish Embryo Movement
Authors: Ogungbemi Afolarin O. , Massei Riccardo , Altenburger Rolf , Scholz Stefan , Küster Eberhard
Published: May 2021

Risk assessment of chemicals is usually conducted for individual chemicals whereas mixtures of chemicals occur in the environment. Considering that neuroactive chemicals are a group of contaminants that dominate the environment, it is then imperative to understand the combined effects of mixtures. The commonly used models to predict mixture effects, namely concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA), are thought to be suitable for mixtures of similarly or dissimilarly acting components, respectively. For mixture toxicity prediction, one important challenge is to clarify whether to group neuroactive substances based on similar mechanisms of action, e.g., same molecular target or rather similar toxicological response, e.g., hyper- or hypoactivity (effect direction). We addressed this by using the spontaneous tail coiling (STC) of zebrafish embryos, which represents the earliest observable motor activity in the developing neural network, as a model to elucidate the link between the mechanism of action and toxicological response. Our objective was to answer the following two questions: (1) Can the mixture models CA or IA be used to predict combined effects for neuroactive chemical mixtures when the components share a similar mode of action (i.e., hyper- or hypoactivity) but show different mechanism of action? (2) Will a mixture of chemicals where the components show opposing effect directions result in an antagonistic combined effect? Results indicate that mixture toxicity of chemicals such as propafenone and abamectin as well as chlorpyrifos and hexaconazole that are known to show different mechanisms of action but similar effect directions were predictable using CA and IA models. This could be interpreted with the convergence of effects on the neural level leading to either a collective activation or inhibition of synapses. We also found antagonistic effects for mixtures containing substances with opposing effect direction. Finally, we discuss how the STC may be used to amend risk assessment.
Transcriptional Response in the Digestive Gland of the King Scallop (Pecten maximus) After the Injection of Domoic Acid
Authors: Ventoso Pablo , Pazos Antonio J. , Blanco Juan , Pérez-Parallé M. Luz , Triviño Juan C. , Sánchez José L.
Published: May 2021

Some diatom species of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia produce the toxin domoic acid. The depuration rate of domoic acid in Pecten maximus is very low; for this reason, king scallops generally contain high levels of domoic acid in their tissues. A transcriptomic approach was used to identify the genes differentially expressed in the P. maximus digestive gland after the injection of domoic acid. The differential expression analysis found 535 differentially expressed genes (226 up-regulated and 309 down-regulated). Protein–protein interaction networks obtained with the up-regulated genes were enriched in gene ontology terms, such as vesicle-mediated transport, response to stress, signal transduction, immune system process, RNA metabolic process, and autophagy, while networks obtained with the down-regulated genes were enriched in gene ontology terms, such as response to stress, immune system process, ribosome biogenesis, signal transduction, and mRNA processing. Genes that code for cytochrome P450 enzymes, glutathione S-transferase theta-1, glutamine synthase, pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 2, and sodium- and chloride-dependent glycine transporter 1 were among the up-regulated genes. Therefore, a stress response at the level of gene expression, that could be caused by the domoic acid injection, was evidenced by the alteration of several biological, cellular, and molecular processes.
High Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Healthcare Facilities and Its Related Factors in Myanmar (2018–2019)
Authors: Soe Pan Ei , Han Wai Wai , Sagili Karuna D. , Satyanarayana Srinath , Shrestha Priyanka , Htoon Thi Thi , Tin Htay Htay
Published: May 2021

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health problem. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a common bacterium associated with a variety of community and hospital infections. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounts for most SA related morbidity and mortality. In this study, we determined the prevalence and factors associated with SA and MRSA in Myanmar. Methods: We collected the data retrospectively by reviewing an electronic register containing the results of bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing of biological specimens received from healthcare facilities during 2018–2019. Results: Of the 37,798 biological specimens with bacterial culture growth, 22% (8244) were Gram-positive. Among the Gram-positive bacteria, 42% (2801) were SA, of which 48% (1331) were judged as MRSA by phenotypic methods. The prevalence of MRSA was higher in the older age groups, in female patients, in urine specimens and specimens received from the intensive care unit and dermatology departments. One site (Site F) had the highest MRSA prevalence of the seven AMR sentinel sites. Most SA isolates were sensitive to vancomycin (90%) by phenotypic methods. Conclusions: The high prevalence of MRSA indicates a major public health threat. There is an urgent need to strengthen the AMR surveillance and hospital infection control program in Myanmar.
The de Broglie–Bohm Quantum Theory and Its Application to Quantum Cosmology
Authors: Pinto-Neto Nelson
Published: May 2021

We review the de Broglie–Bohm quantum theory. It is an alternative description of quantum phenomena in accordance with all the quantum experiments already performed. Essentially, it is a dynamical theory about objectively real trajectories in the configuration space of the physical system under investigation. Hence, it is not necessarily probabilistic, and it dispenses with the collapse postulate, making it suitable to be applied to cosmology. The emerging cosmological models are usually free of singularities, with a bounce connecting a contracting era with an expanding phase, which we are now observing. A theory of cosmological perturbations can also be constructed under this framework, which can be successfully confronted with current observations, and can complement inflation or even be an alternative to it.
Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Infection at the Wildlife–Livestock Interface in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem, 2015–2019
Authors: Jones Bryony A. , Mahapatra Mana , Mdetele Daniel , Keyyu Julius , Gakuya Francis , Eblate Ernest , Lekolool Isaac , Limo Campaign , Ndiwa Josephine N. , Hongo Peter , Wanda Justin S. , Shilinde Ligge , Mdaki Maulid , Benfield Camilla , Parekh Krupali , Mayora Neto Martin , Ndeereh David , Misinzo Gerald , Makange Mariam R. , Caron Alexandre , Bataille Arnaud , Libeau Geneviève , Guendouz Samia , Swai Emanuel S. , Nyasebwa Obed , Koyie Stephen L. , Oyas Harry , Parida Satya , Kock Richard
Published: May 2021

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a viral disease of goats and sheep that occurs in Africa, the Middle East and Asia with a severe impact on livelihoods and livestock trade. Many wild artiodactyls are susceptible to PPR virus (PPRV) infection, and some outbreaks have threatened endangered wild populations. The role of wild species in PPRV epidemiology is unclear, which is a knowledge gap for the Global Strategy for the Control and Eradication of PPR. These studies aimed to investigate PPRV infection in wild artiodactyls in the Greater Serengeti and Amboseli ecosystems of Kenya and Tanzania. Out of 132 animals purposively sampled in 2015–2016, 19.7% were PPRV seropositive by ID Screen PPR competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA; IDvet, France) from the following species: African buffalo, wildebeest, topi, kongoni, Grant’s gazelle, impala, Thomson’s gazelle, warthog and gerenuk, while waterbuck and lesser kudu were seronegative. In 2018–2019, a cross-sectional survey of randomly selected African buffalo and Grant’s gazelle herds was conducted. The weighted estimate of PPRV seroprevalence was 12.0% out of 191 African buffalo and 1.1% out of 139 Grant’s gazelles. All ocular and nasal swabs and faeces were negative by PPRV real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Investigations of a PPR-like disease in sheep and goats confirmed PPRV circulation in the area by rapid detection test and/or RT-qPCR. These results demonstrated serological evidence of PPRV infection in wild artiodactyl species at the wildlife–livestock interface in this ecosystem where PPRV is endemic in domestic small ruminants. Exposure to PPRV could be via spillover from infected small ruminants or from transmission between wild animals, while the relatively low seroprevalence suggests that sustained transmission is unlikely. Further studies of other major wild artiodactyls in this ecosystem are required, such as impala, Thomson’s gazelle and wildebeest.
HIV Protease: Historical Perspective and Current Research
Authors: Weber Irene T. , Wang Yuan-Fang , Harrison Robert W.
Published: May 2021

The retroviral protease of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an excellent target for antiviral inhibitors for treating HIV/AIDS. Despite the efficacy of therapy, current efforts to control the disease are undermined by the growing threat posed by drug resistance. This review covers the historical background of studies on the structure and function of HIV protease, the subsequent development of antiviral inhibitors, and recent studies on drug-resistant protease variants. We highlight the important contributions of Dr. Stephen Oroszlan to fundamental knowledge about the function of the HIV protease and other retroviral proteases. These studies, along with those of his colleagues, laid the foundations for the design of clinical inhibitors of HIV protease. The drug-resistant protease variants also provide an excellent model for investigating the molecular mechanisms and evolution of resistance.
Global Metabolic Profiling of Baculovirus Infection in Silkworm Hemolymph Shows the Importance of Amino-Acid Metabolism
Authors: Feng Min , Fei Shigang , Xia Junming , Zhang Mengmeng , Wu Hongyun , Swevers Luc , Sun Jingchen
Published: May 2021

Viruses rely on host cell metabolism to provide the necessary energy and biosynthetic precursors for successful viral replication. Infection of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, by Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV), has been studied extensively in the past to unravel interactions between baculoviruses and their lepidopteran hosts. To understand the interaction between the host metabolic responses and BmNPV infection, we analyzed global metabolic changes associated with BmNPV infection in silkworm hemolymph. Our metabolic profiling data suggests that amino acid metabolism is strikingly altered during a time course of BmNPV infection. Amino acid consumption is increased during BmNPV infection at 24 h post infection (hpi), but their abundance recovered at 72 hpi. Central carbon metabolism, on the other hand, particularly glycolysis and glutaminolysis, did not show obvious changes during BmNPV infection. Pharmacologically inhibiting the glycolytic pathway and glutaminolysis also failed to reduce BmNPV replication, revealing that glycolysis and glutaminolysis are not essential during BmNPV infection. This study reveals a unique amino acid utilization process that is implemented during BmNPV infection. Our metabolomic analysis of BmNPV-infected silkworm provides insights as to how baculoviruses induce alterations in host metabolism during systemic infection.
The Bunyavirales: The Plant-Infecting Counterparts
Authors: Kormelink Richard , Verchot Jeanmarie , Tao Xiaorong , Desbiez Cecile
Published: May 2021

Negative-strand (-) RNA viruses (NSVs) comprise a large and diverse group of viruses that are generally divided in those with non-segmented and those with segmented genomes. Whereas most NSVs infect animals and humans, the smaller group of the plant-infecting counterparts is expanding, with many causing devastating diseases worldwide, affecting a large number of major bulk and high-value food crops. In 2018, the taxonomy of segmented NSVs faced a major reorganization with the establishment of the order Bunyavirales. This article overviews the major plant viruses that are part of the order, i.e., orthospoviruses (Tospoviridae), tenuiviruses (Phenuiviridae), and emaraviruses (Fimoviridae), and provides updates on the more recent ongoing research. Features shared with the animal-infecting counterparts are mentioned, however, special attention is given to their adaptation to plant hosts and vector transmission, including intra/intercellular trafficking and viral counter defense to antiviral RNAi.
Identification of SARS-CoV-2 and Enteroviruses in Sewage Water—A Pilot Study
Authors: Băicuș Anda , Cherciu Carmen Maria , Lazăr Mihaela
Published: May 2021

Due to the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), combined with the risk of polio importation from Ukraine, we evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and enteroviruses in 25 sewage water samples from Romania, concentrated using the WHO method between January 2020 and January 2021. Surveillance for enteroviruses and SARS-CoV-2 are relevant in the calculation of prevalence estimates as well as early detection of the introduction or disappearance of these viruses. For SARS-CoV-2 detection, we used two immunochromatographic nucleocapsid antigenic tests as well as real-time PCR assays, produced for respiratory samples. The isolation of cell culture lines, in accordance with the WHO recommendations, was carried out for enterovirus detection. Twenty-three of the samples investigated were positive in rapid tests for SARS-CoV-2, while the RNA of SARS-CoV-2, detected with Respiratory 2.1 plus a panel Biofire Film array, was present in eight samples. The Allplex 2019-nCoV assay was used for the validation of the tests. There were three genes detected in one sample, E, RdPR, and N, two genes, E and RdPR, in one sample, two genes, RdPR and N, in four samples, one gene, RdPR, in five samples and one gene, N, in one sample. Eight samples were positive for non-polio enteroviruses, and no poliovirus strains were isolated. This study suggests the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and enteroviruses in Romanian sewage water in 2020. As such, our results indicate that a rapid, more specific test should be developed especially for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage water.
Clinical and Radiological Profiles of COVID-19 Patients with Neurological Symptomatology: A Comparative Study
Authors: Aragao Maria , Leal Mariana , Andrade Pedro , Cartaxo Filho Ocelio , Aragao Lucas , Fonseca Tatiana , Valenca Marcelo , Leao Maria , Aragao Joao , Soares Maria , Lima Mirelle , Caldas Silvio , Valenca Marcelo
Published: May 2021

Patients with COVID-19 can require radiological examination, with chest CT being more frequent than neuro-imaging. The objective is to identify epidemiological, clinical and radiological factors considered as predictors of neurological involvement in patients with COVID-19 assessed by neuroimaging and to describe the neuroimaging findings. This retrospective study was performed with 232 consecutive confirmed COVID-19 patients, from two radiological units, which were divided into two groups: (1) those who underwent a brain CT/MRI scan (n = 35) versus (2) those who did not undergo the brain CT/MRI scan, but underwent only chest CT (n = 197). There was a statistically significant difference with associations regarding the COVID-19 brain scan group for: admission to ICU, greater severity of lung injuries, the use of a mechanical ventilator and sepsis. Statistical tendency was found for chronic renal failure and systemic arterial hypertension. Forty-percent of COVID-19 patients from the brain scan group were abnormal on brain CT and/or brain MRI (22.9% of the cases with bleeding or microbleeding, 8.6% with restricted diffusion lesions). One ischemic stroke case was associated with irregularity at the M1 segment of the right middle cerebral artery. There was a case of left facial nerve palsy with enhancement of the left geniculate ganglia. An analysis of the olfactory bulbs was possible in 12 brain MRIs and 100% had enhancement and/or microbleeding. In conclusion, a more severe COVID-19 disease from ICU, a more severe form of lung disease, the use of mechanical ventilator and sepsis were associated to the COVID-19 patients with neurological involvement who had undergone brain scans. Microvascular phenomenon was a frequent finding in the brain and olfactory bulbs evaluated by neuroimaging.
Healthcare Workers’ Perspectives on the Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine in Terms of Their Exposure to the Influenza Vaccine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Baghdadi Leena R. , Alghaihb Shatha G. , Abuhaimed Alanoud A. , Alkelabi Dania M. , Alqahtani Rawan S.
Published: May 2021

In 2019, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)) caused a global pandemic. There was an urgent need to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 to reduce its spread and economic burden. The main objective of this study was to understand the attitudes and concerns of healthcare workers (HCWs) towards the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine, whether their decision was influenced by their history of taking the seasonal influenza vaccine, and factors that influence the acceptance of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We selected and surveyed 356 HCWs via an electronic self-administered questionnaire. A total of 61.16% of HCWs were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and 55.9% of them had received the seasonal influenza vaccine in the preceding year (2019–2020). The strongest predictors for taking the COVID-19 vaccine were the HCWs’ belief that the COVID-19 vaccine would be safe, needed even for healthy people, that all HCWs should be vaccinated against COVID-19, and that HCWs will have time to take the vaccine. Being female, being middle aged, having <5 years of work experience, having no fear of injections, and being a non-smoker were predictive factors for taking the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. No associations were found between the intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine and a history of taking the seasonal influenza vaccine.
Probiotic-Based Vaccines May Provide Effective Protection against COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Disease
Authors: Taghinezhad-S Sedigheh , Mohseni Amir Hossein , Bermúdez-Humarán Luis G. , Casolaro Vincenzo , Cortes-Perez Naima G. , Keyvani Hossein , Simal-Gandara Jesus
Published: May 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the causative agent of COVID-19, now represents the sixth Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)—as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2009. Considering that SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted via the mucosal route, a therapy administered by this same route may represent a desirable approach to fight SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is now widely accepted that genetically modified microorganisms, including probiotics, represent attractive vehicles for oral or nasal mucosal delivery of therapeutic molecules. Previous studies have shown that the mucosal administration of therapeutic molecules is able to induce an immune response mediated by specific serum IgG and mucosal IgA antibodies along with mucosal cell-mediated immune responses, which effectively concur to neutralize and eradicate infections. Therefore, advances in the modulation of mucosal immune responses, and in particular the use of probiotics as live delivery vectors, may encourage prospective studies to assess the effectiveness of genetically modified probiotics for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Emerging trends in the ever-progressing field of vaccine development re-emphasize the contribution of adjuvants, along with optimization of codon usage (when designing a synthetic gene), expression level, and inoculation dose to elicit specific and potent protective immune responses. In this review, we will highlight the existing pre-clinical and clinical information on the use of genetically modified microorganisms in control strategies against respiratory and non-respiratory viruses. In addition, we will discuss some controversial aspects of the use of genetically modified probiotics in modulating the cross-talk between mucosal delivery of therapeutics and immune system modulation.
Quantifying the Persistence of Vaccine-Related T Cell Epitopes in Circulating Swine Influenza A Strains from 2013–2017
Authors: Tan Swan , Gutiérrez Andres Hazaet , Gauger Phillip Charles , Opriessnig Tanja , Bahl Justin , Moise Leonard , De Groot Anne Searls
Published: May 2021

When swine flu vaccines and circulating influenza A virus (IAV) strains are poorly matched, vaccine-induced antibodies may not protect from infection. Highly conserved T cell epitopes may, however, have a disease-mitigating effect. The degree of T cell epitope conservation among circulating strains and vaccine strains can vary, which may also explain differences in vaccine efficacy. Here, we evaluate a previously developed conserved T cell epitope-based vaccine and determine the persistence of T cell epitope conservation over time. We used a pair-wise homology score to define the conservation between the vaccine’s swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class I and II-restricted epitopes and T cell epitopes found in 1272 swine IAV strains sequenced between 2013 and 2017. Twenty-four of the 48 total T cell epitopes included in the epitope-based vaccine were highly conserved and found in >1000 circulating swine IAV strains over the 5-year period. In contrast, commercial swine IAV vaccines developed in 2013 exhibited a declining conservation with the circulating IAV strains over the same 5-year period. Conserved T cell epitope vaccines may be a useful adjunct for commercial swine flu vaccines and to improve protection against influenza when antibodies are not cross-reactive.
Chimeric RHDV Virus-Like Particles Displaying Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Epitopes Elicit Neutralizing Antibodies and Confer Partial Protection in Pigs
Authors: Rangel Giselle , Bárcena Juan , Moreno Noelia , Mata Carlos P. , Castón José R. , Alejo Alí , Blanco Esther
Published: May 2021

Currently there is a clear trend towards the establishment of virus-like particles (VLPs) as a powerful tool for vaccine development. VLPs are tunable nanoparticles that can be engineered to be used as platforms for multimeric display of foreign antigens. We have previously reported that VLPs derived from rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) constitute an excellent vaccine vector, capable of inducing specific protective immune responses against inserted heterologous T-cytotoxic and B-cell epitopes. Here, we evaluate the ability of chimeric RHDV VLPs to elicit immune response and protection against Foot-and-Mouth disease virus (FMDV), one of the most devastating livestock diseases. For this purpose, we generated a set of chimeric VLPs containing two FMDV-derived epitopes: a neutralizing B-cell epitope (VP1 (140–158)) and a T-cell epitope [3A (21–35)]. The epitopes were inserted joined or individually at two different locations within the RHDV capsid protein. The immunogenicity and protection potential of the chimeric VLPs were analyzed in the mouse and pig models. Herein we show that the RHDV engineered VLPs displaying FMDV-derived epitopes elicit a robust neutralizing immune response in mice and pigs, affording partial clinical protection against an FMDV challenge in pigs.
Prevalence and Potential Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Resistance in Qatar: Results from a Nationally Representative Survey of Qatari Nationals and Migrants between December 2020 and January 2021
Authors: Khaled Salma M. , Petcu Catalina , Bader Lina , Amro Iman , Al-Hamadi Aisha Mohammed H. A. , Al Assi Marwa , Ali Amal Awadalla Mohamed , Le Trung Kien , Diop Abdoulaye , Bellaj Tarek , Al-Thani Mohamed H. , Woodruff Peter W. , Alabdulla Majid , Haddad Peter M.
Published: May 2021

Global COVID-19 pandemic containment necessitates understanding the risk of hesitance or resistance to vaccine uptake in different populations. The Middle East and North Africa currently lack vital representative vaccine hesitancy data. We conducted the first representative national phone survey among the adult population of Qatar, between December 2020 and January 2021, to estimate the prevalence and identify potential determinants of vaccine willingness: acceptance (strongly agree), resistance (strongly disagree), and hesitance (somewhat agree, neutral, somewhat disagree). Bivariate and multinomial logistic regression models estimated associations between willingness groups and fifteen variables. In the total sample, 42.7% (95% CI: 39.5–46.1) were accepting, 45.2% (95% CI: 41.9–48.4) hesitant, and 12.1% (95% CI: 10.1–14.4) resistant. Vaccine resistant compared with hesistant and accepting groups reported no endorsement source will increase vaccine confidence (58.9% vs. 5.6% vs. 0.2%, respectively). Female gender, Arab ethnicity, migrant status/type, and vaccine side-effects concerns were associated with hesitancy and resistance. COVID-19 related bereavement, infection, and quarantine status were not significantly associated with any willingness group. Absence of or lack of concern about contracting the virus was solely associated with resistance. COVID-19 vaccine resistance, hesitance, and side-effects concerns are high in Qatar’s population compared with those globally. Urgent public health engagement should focus on women, Qataris (non-migrants), and those of Arab ethnicity.
Comparative Evaluation of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus-Based Live Attenuated Vaccines
Authors: Haegeman Andy , De Leeuw Ilse , Mostin Laurent , Campe Willem Van , Aerts Laetitia , Venter Estelle , Tuppurainen Eeva , Saegerman Claude , De Clercq Kris
Published: May 2021

Vaccines form the cornerstone of any control, eradication and preventative strategy and this is no different for lumpy skin disease. However, the usefulness of a vaccine is determined by a multiplicity of factors which include stability, efficiency, safety and ease of use, to name a few. Although the vaccination campaign in the Balkans against lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) was successful and has been implemented with success in the past in other countries, data of vaccine failure have also been reported. It was therefore the purpose of this study to compare five homologous live attenuated LSDV vaccines (LSDV LAV) in a standardized setting. All five LSDV LAVs studied were able to protect against a challenge with virulent LSDV. Aside from small differences in serological responses, important differences were seen in side effects such as a local reaction and a Neethling response upon vaccination between the analyzed vaccines. These observations can have important implications in the applicability in the field for some of these LSDV LAVs.
Fixture for the High-Frequency Transfer Path Analysis for Relative Comparison of Fluids of an Electric Motor
Authors: Schnell Michael , Wörz Nicole , Gauterin Frank
Published: May 2021

In a previous paper, it was determined that coolant fluids can have a significant influence on the acoustic emission of an electric motor. There is no appliance that can investigate and compare the transfer path analysis of isolated fluids. For this case, a new fixture is introduced and its suitability is evaluated. Furthermore, the appliance is used to measure and compare different media and their frequency response functions. The results indicate that the fixture and its repeatability are suitable to measure and compare fluids and media. A comparison of different media shows how the air medium has the lowest amplitudes for the transfer path analysis, in relation to incompressible fluids. Furthermore, differences in the transfer path analysis between both considered gearbox oils are marginal. While the utilization of air as a coolant medium is not always possible, due to thermal issues, the presented fixture can help find an acoustically suitable coolant medium for future applications in electric motors. Additionally, it is possible to investigate the influence of temperature and pressure conditions on the transfer path analysis of fluids.
Effect of Restoration Actions on Organic Carbon Pools in the Lagoon—Delta Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean
Authors: Perdomo-Trujillo Laura Victoria , Mancera-Pineda Jose Ernesto , Medina-Calderón Jairo Humberto , Sánchez-Núñez David Alejandro , Schnetter Marie-Luise
Published: May 2021

Mangroves provide multiple ecosystem services and are essential for mitigating global warming owing to their capacity to store large carbon (C) stocks. Due to widespread mangrove degradation, actions have been implemented to restore them worldwide. An important representative case in Colombia is the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta’s restoration plan. This management intervention focused on restoring the natural hydrological functioning after massive mangrove mortality (~25,000 ha) due to soil hyper-salinization after river water input from the Magdalena River was eliminated. A partial recovery occurred during subsequent years, and hydrological management is still being implemented today. To understand how the degradation and subsequent management have affected mangrove C stocks, we compared C stocks in stands with different intervention levels reflected in their current forest structure. We found that the total C stock (398–1160 Mg C ha−1) was within the range measured in other neotropical mangroves without vegetation deterioration. The aboveground C was significantly higher in the stands where hydraulic connectivity was restored. By contrast, the belowground C was higher in the stands with low hydraulic connectivity due to channel clogging and a lack of sufficient maintenance. Our results show that hydrological management measures influenced above- and belowground C stocks, even at a 2 m depth. In addition, a strong indirect relationship useful for estimating carbon content from organic matter content was found.
Relationship between Upstream Swimming Behaviors of Juvenile Grass Carp and Characteristic Hydraulic Conditions of a Vertical Slot Fishway
Authors: Cao Ping , Mu Xiangpeng , Li Xiang , Baiyin Baoligao , Wang Xiuying , Zhen Wanyue
Published: May 2021

The successful fish upstream movement through a dam/gate is closely associated with the hydraulic conditions of a fishway. To improve the passage efficiency, this study investigated the upstream swimming behaviors of juvenile grass carp, a representative fish of four major Chinese carps, under characteristic hydraulic conditions of a designed vertical slot fishway model. The impacts of different discharges and baffle lead angles on the successful movement of test fish were analyzed, and the selection of the movement trajectory was studied through overlay of their upstream swimming trajectories on the water flow field resulting from numerical modeling. We found that under the same discharge, the percentage of successful test fish movement with a lead angle of 45° was higher than 60° and 30°. Within a fixed lead angle, the higher the discharge, the lower the percentage of successful movement. During upstream movement, the test fish had a preferred water velocity of 0.01–0.45 m/s in the pool, and avoided areas where the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) was greater than 0.012 m2/s2. These results provide a basis for the hydraulic design of vertical slot fishways and a reference for studying swimming behaviors of other fish species.
Optimising the Workflow for Fish Detection in DIDSON (Dual-Frequency IDentification SONar) Data with the Use of Optical Flow and a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Perivolioti Triantafyllia-Maria , Tušer Michal , Terzopoulos Dimitrios , Sgardelis Stefanos P. , Antoniou Ioannis
Published: May 2021

DIDSON acoustic cameras provide a way to collect temporally dense, high-resolution imaging data, similar to videos. Detection of fish targets on those videos takes place in a manual or semi-automated manner, typically assisted by specialised software. Exploiting the visual nature of the recordings, tools and techniques from the field of computer vision can be applied in order to facilitate the relatively involved workflows. Furthermore, machine learning techniques can be used to minimise user intervention and optimise for specific detection and tracking scenarios. This study explored the feasibility of combining optical flow with a genetic algorithm, with the aim of automating motion detection and optimising target-to-background segmentation (masking) under custom criteria, expressed in terms of the result. A 1000-frame video sequence sample with sparse, smoothly moving targets, reconstructed from a 125 s DIDSON recording, was analysed under two distinct scenarios, and an elementary detection method was used to assess and compare the resulting foreground (target) masks. The results indicate a high sensitivity to motion, as well as to the visual characteristics of targets, with the resulting foreground masks generally capturing fish targets on the majority of frames, potentially with small gaps of undetected targets, lasting for no more than a few frames. Despite the high computational overhead, implementation refinements could increase computational feasibility, while an extension of the algorithms, in order to include the steps of target detection and tracking, could further improve automation and potentially provide an efficient tool for the automated preliminary assessment of voluminous DIDSON data recordings.
A Sentinel-2 Image-Based Irrigation Advisory Service: Cases for Tea Plantations
Authors: Wang Yi-Ping , Chen Chien-Teh , Tsai Yao-Chuan , Shen Yuan
Published: May 2021

In this study, we aim to develop an inexpensive site-specific irrigation advisory service for resolving disadvantages related to using immobile soil moisture sensors and to the differences in irrigation needs of different tea plantations affected by variabilities in cultivars, plant ages, soil heterogeneity, and management practices. In the paper, we present methodologies to retrieve two biophysical variables, surface soil water content and canopy water content of tea trees from Sentinel-2 (S2) (European Space Agency, Paris, France) images and consider their association with crop water availability status to be used for making decisions to send an alert level. Precipitation records are used as auxiliary information to assist in determining or modifying the alert level. Once the site-specific alert level for each target plantation is determined, it is sent to the corresponding farmer through text messaging. All the processes that make up the service, from downloading an S2 image from the web to alert level text messaging, are automated and can be completed before 7:30 a.m. the next day after an S2 image was taken. Therefore, the service is operated cyclically, and corresponds to the five-day revisit period of S2, but one day behind the S2 image acquisition date. However, it should be noted that the amount of irrigation water required for each site-specific plantation has not yet been estimated because of the complexities involved. Instead, a single irrigation rate (300 t ha−1) per irrigation event is recommended. The service is now available to over 20 tea plantations in the Mingjian Township, the largest tea producing region in Taiwan, free of charge since September 2020. This operational application is expected to save expenditures on buying irrigation water and induce deeper root systems by decreasing the frequency of insufficient irrigation commonly employed by local farmers.
Problems of formation of personnel support for agriculture during the transition to market relations
Authors: Lyashchuk Yu. O.
Published: May 2021

The article examines the problems of forming the personnel support of agriculture during the transition to market relations; analyzes the time periods that characterize the transformation of the rural social and labor sphere; identifi es trends in economic, social, infrastructure and technological downturns and presents a vision of measures to accumulate potential to overcome crisis phenomena and stabilize the situation.
Current state of development of the agricultural sector of Kazakhstan
Authors: Tatikova A. U.
Published: May 2021

The development of small business, agriculture is one of the key areas of economic development of the republic and has great potential and signifi cant reserves. However, this area of economic activity has a number of specifi c features, consisting not only in the seasonality of agricultural production as the basis for the formation of cluster formations and in the presence of a large number of unforeseen risks associated with natural and climatic unpredictable changes, and, according to the authors, agricultural businessmen are not suffi ciently motivated for production activities.
New principles of regulation of labor in horticulture
Authors: Kondratyeva O. , Fedorov A. , Slinko O.
Published: May 2021

Technically sound production standards for mechanized work are the basis for planning labor costs in agricultural enterprises. Only with their help it is possible to determine the need of the farm for qualifi ed personnel, planned deadlines for performing various gardening and fi eld work, equipment and technologies, expenses for fuel and lubricants, calculate the cost of labor and other consumables. Without certain standards for mechanized work, it is impossible to organize labor correctly, establish the needs for equipment and technologies (its acquisition), choose the best options and determine the main ways to use organizational and technological reserves to increase worker productivity, and promote the progressive development of digitalization in the industry [1].
Current trends in the use and payment of labor
Authors: Rafikova N. T. , Trofimchuk T. S.
Published: May 2021

The authors present the results of statistical analysis of the use of labor in the Russian Federation and, in particular, in agriculture of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
Regulatory mechanisms for ensuring accessibility, individualization and inclusion of vocational education for the disabled and people with disabilities in rural areas of Russia
Authors: Novikov V. G. , Gridasova E. A. , Kulikova Yu. A. , Gorokhov S. A.
Published: May 2021

The article deals with the issues of legal regulation of ensuring accessibility of higher education for the disabled and people with disabilities. The relevance of obtaining agricultural education in the Russian Federation, which should be as close as possible to the main consumer — the rural population, is emphasized. The openness of agricultural education to the needs of rural residents will help reduce migration fl ows and preserve young people in rural areas. Attention is drawn to the fact that obtaining agricultural education is possible and accessible not only for people without disabilities, but also for people with disabilities. The advantage of providing higher agricultural education to this category of rural residents is that they are not aimed at migration, they live permanently and for a long time in a certain territory. The review of the current legal acts regulating the issues of accessibility and training in higher education organizations for persons with disabilities and persons with disabilities is presented. The article analyzes current trends in the legal fi eld of inclusive education. The article considers the concept and legal status of disabled people and students with disabilities, the concept of inclusive education and the requirement for its implementation at all levels, including higher education.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Villamar Alvarado Iván
Published: May 2021

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Cultura emprendedora y sustentable de los egresados en carreras empresariales de la Universidad Técnica de Machala
Authors: Ruiz Carrillo Jonathan Alexander , León Serrano Lady Andrea
Published: May 2021

En la investigación se analizan las características de comportamiento que definen la cultura emprendedora que han desarrollado los egresados de carreras empresariales, y la sustentabilidad de sus ideas. La investigación es de naturaleza cualitativa con un enfoque cuantitativo en la escala de medición. El estudio se centró en la oferta académica de la Universidad Técnica de Machala, aplicando un test a 804 estudiantes, el mismo que permite estimar los hábitos que ellos tienen a nivel profesional. Estos elementos son los indicadores, cuyos resultados muestran que en la Carrera de Comercio Internacional se maneja una mejor inducción a los alumnos para que formen una cultura emprendedora y sustentable. La fortaleza de estos estudiantes se localiza en sus necesidades de logro. Por tanto, la sustentabilidad de las ideas de estos egresados dependería de la inducción recibida a través de proyectos e investigaciones que ellos desarrollen o en las que participen durante su formación profesional en la universidad referida
El liderazgo y la comunicación desde la perspectiva de los seguidores de las empresas Cerveceras
Authors: Barboza Osorio Linda Josefina
Published: May 2021

La investigación tuvo como objetivo central, analizar el liderazgo y la comunicación desde la perspectiva de los seguidores de las empresas “Cervecería Polar de la Quizanda C.A.” y “Alimentos Polar C. A, Planta de Limpieza”. La metodología del estudio, se desarrolló bajo un enfoque cualitativo, la teoría fundamentada y un diseño sistemático. La muestra estuvo compuesta por (3) unidades de expertos de máxima variación. En consecuencia, los datos cualitativos se recolectaron por medio de la bitácora y la entrevista cualitativa. Posteriormente, se procesaron por medio de la categorización y al obtener la categoría central se vinculó a la teoría para luego redactar el informe final. Como conclusión, se señala que desde la perspectiva de los seguidores la organización posee un liderazgo innovador, creativo, capacitado, dinámico, perseverante, proactivo, con habilidades de flexibilidad y adaptación al contexto; lo que combina aspectos del liderazgo Situacional II y Visionario.
Plan estratégico para la creación de la cultura organizacional en Prafaluz, C.A.
Authors: Silva Romi
Published: May 2021

La investigación tuvo como propósito desarrollar un plan para implementar la Cultura Organizacional en Prefaluz, C,A. Metodológicamente se enfocó en la modalidad de proyecto factible, con un diseño descriptivo de campo, con un enfoque cuantitativo y no experimental. Para el diagnóstico se utilizó la técnica de un (01) cuestionario con preguntas dicotómicas y de selección simple, se realizó una entrevista a la Gerencia General de la organización. La población y muestra utilizada estuvo conformada por los diez (10) empleados de la organización Prefaluz.  Los datos recolectados fueron procesados mediante frecuencias absolutas y porcentuales. Este estudio concluye que se evidencia carencia total en la empresa en cuanto a Cultura Organizacional, como propuesta se formuló la Misión, la Visión y la Matriz DOFA de la organización. Es por ello, que se recomienda la aplicación del Plan aquí propuesto para crear la Cultura Organizacional en la organización Prefaluz, CA.
Principios de la gestión financiera en el sector ganadero de una localidad de Venezuela
Authors: Mosquera Eulimar
Published: May 2021

Con el objetivo de identificar los principios de la gestión financiera, se realiza esta investigación desde el enfoque descriptivo, con un diseño no experimental, transeccional y de campo. Para ello se consideró como población, nueve (9) haciendas, tomando como sujetos informantes a nueve (9) administradores de las mismas. Para la recolección de datos se aplicó la técnica de la encuesta, utilizando un cuestionario, conformado por nueve (9) ítems. La validez se hizo bajo el juicio de expertos. Para la confiabilidad, se empleó el Método Alfa de Cronbach, obteniendo un resultado de 0,83. El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante la estadística descriptiva, a través del análisis cuantitativo de frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Evidenciándose muy alta aplicación de la evaluación, control y seguimiento; y alta aplicación de los procesos de planificación y organización.
Proceso de negocios de la cadena de suministro en las empresas de fluidos de perforación
Authors: Schmid Margareth
Published: May 2021

El objetivo de la investigación, es describir el proceso de negocios de la cadena de suministro utilizado en las empresas petroleras de fluidos de perforación. La investigación es descriptiva, con diseño no experimental, transeccional y de campo. Se empleó un censo poblacional, para un total de 25 sujetos informantes, pertenecientes a las cinco empresas de fluidos de perforación de pozos petroleros con taladros activos en la Costa Oriental del Lago. Para recolectar la información, se aplicó un cuestionario conformado por 20 ítems, validado por expertos y con un 0,96 de confiabilidad según el coeficiente Alfa Crombach. El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante la media aritmética. Se concluye alta utilización de la administración de las relaciones con el cliente, administración del servicio al cliente, gestión de la demanda, cumplimiento de los pedidos, gestión del flujo de fabricación, desarrollo y comercialización del producto, devoluciones como procesos de negocios.
Etapas del proceso de planificación estratégica en las empresas mixtas petroleras
Authors: García Rossana
Published: May 2021

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar las etapas del proceso de planificación estratégica en las empresas mixtas petroleras del municipio Maracaibo, Venezuela. Metodológicamente se tipifico como una investigación descriptiva, con un diseño no experimental, transeccional y de campo. La población quedo constituida por los gerentes de los departamentos de perforación de las empresas mixtas del municipio Maracaibo. La técnica de recolección de datos fue la encuesta y el instrumento un cuestionario con cinco alternativas de respuesta, estructurado por 31 ítems, se utilizó el juicio de expertos para la validez del mismo y el coeficiente Alfa Cronbach para la confiabilidad, cuyo resultado fue 0,96. La información fue procesada a través de la estadística descriptiva específicamente mediante la media aritmética. Se concluye que moderadamente las empresas mixtas analizadas conocen e implementan la formulación de estrategias, ejecución de estrategias y evaluación de estrategias como etapas del proceso de la planificación estratégica.