bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
University Students’ Lifestyle and Opinions for University-Affiliated Public Housing: Focusing on Auxiliary Welfare Facilities and Residential Services
Authors: Hwang Ji-Hyoun , Lim Haewon
Published: March 2023

University-affiliated public housing (UAPH) is planned for the purpose of coexistence with the local community as well as housing stability for university students. However, shared spaces such as auxiliary welfare facilities planned to achieve that purpose are not being used by residents because no services or programs are provided. Lifestyle is a useful approach for identifying housing preferences in housing projects for special groups that share similar demographic characteristics. Thus, this study analyzed and clustered the lifestyle of university students, and investigated the differences in preferred auxiliary welfare facilities and residential services by cluster. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire survey of 424 university students using an online survey. As a result of the survey, in the factor analysis of university students’ lifestyle types, three categories were identified as individual propensity factors regardless of demographic characteristics except gender. In addition, the characteristics of university students were crucial in examining the preference of auxiliary welfare facilities and residential services of UAPH in terms of community facilities, auxiliary facilities, residential services, and program/operation management. Community facilities showed a high need for academic facilities, a low overall need for residential services, and a high need for program/operational management in terms of cost (housing cost reduction). In this study, there were differences in UAPH opinions according to lifestyle. In particular, many respondents showed a lifestyle that pursued practicality, and accordingly, a preference to utilize practicality, sociality, information, and technology was high. Therefore, for the sustainable operation and management in order to facilitate UAPH construction, the issue of housing cost, including not only rent but also management costs, should be considered most fundamentally, and it is necessary to provide facilities and programs that can provide practical help to the difficulties students face when living alone.
Trust, Privacy and Security for Smart Cities
Authors: Zhang Yudong , Chatterjee Pushpita , Mukherjee Amrit
Published: March 2023

The world is currently at the dawn of a new era characterized by a global transformation reshaping how we interact with our surroundings and each other [...]
Biogeographic Variability in Kernel Oil and Press Cake Content of Beauty Leaf Tree (Calophyllum inophyllum L.), as Determined by Chemical and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis
Authors: Sreekumar Rahul , Ashwath Nanjappa , Cozzolino Daniel
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate biogeographic variability in the fruit, kernel, kernel-oil and press-cake contents of 50 accessions of the beauty leaf tree (C. inophyllum L.) collected from 19 locations spanning 4000 km along the eastern and northern coasts of Australia (Northern Territory and Queensland). Mature fallen fruits of C. inophyllum were collected from individual trees and stored in a shed for over a year. The fruits were cracked open to extract the kernels, and the kernels were crushed to 5–10 mm. NIR spectra of crushed kernels were collected using FT–NIR. Results of this study showed large variation between individual trees and the provenances for oil, resin and cake contents. Most of the C. inophyllum genotypes were separated based on their NIR fingerprint using PCA and PLS-DA. It was concluded that NIR spectroscopy not only aids in the screening of large numbers of genotypes, but it also allows the preservation of the tested seeds for further propagation. This feature will have the greatest advantage in plant breeding and commercial cultivation, as only the seeds that contain high oil content could be sown to help establish plantations with high oil-production capacity. Overall, it was concluded that the differences between provenances for oil, resin and cake contents can be predicted using NIR spectra. Furthermore, NIR spectroscopy can be used as a tool to define provenance variations in the kernel oil content of the beauty leaf tree.
Automation of Life Cycle Assessment—A Critical Review of Developments in the Field of Life Cycle Inventory Analysis
Authors: Köck Bianca , Friedl Anton , Serna Loaiza Sebastián , Wukovits Walter , Mihalyi-Schneider Bettina
Published: March 2023

The collection of reliable data is an important and time-consuming part of the life cycle inventory (LCI) phase. Automation of individual steps can help to obtain a higher volume of or more realistic data. The aim of this paper is to survey the current state of automation potential in the scientific literature published between 2008 and 2021, with a focus on LCI in the area of process engineering. The results show that automation was most frequently found in the context of process simulation (via interfaces between software), for LCI database usage (e.g., via using ontologies for linking data) and molecular structure models (via machine learning processes such as artificial neural networks), which were also the categories where the highest level of maturity of the models was reached. No further usage could be observed in the areas of automation techniques for exploiting plant data, scientific literature, process calculation, stoichiometry and proxy data. The open science practice of sharing programming codes, software or other newly created resources was only followed in 20% of cases, uncertainty evaluation was only included in 10 out of 30 papers and only 30% of the developed methods were used in further publication, always including at least one of the first authors. For these reasons, we recommend encouraging exchange in the LCA community and in interdisciplinary settings to foster long-term sustainable development of new automation methodologies supporting data generation.
Does the Environmental Kuznets Curve Hold for Coal Consumption? Evidence from South and East Asian Countries
Authors: Shahzad Qaisar , Aruga Kentaka
Published: March 2023

Coal consumption plays a key role in achieving sustainable growth, although it also leads to significant environmental degradation. This study examines the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) for coal consumption in South and East Asian countries from 1990 to 2020. We applied the augmented mean group (AMG) and common correlated mean group (CCEMG) estimators, which have several advantages over conventional panel techniques because it considers the endogeneity, slope heterogeneity, and cross-sectional dependency (CD). The study findings provide a comprehensive insight into the complex relationship between coal consumption and environmental degradation. The results show that EKC holds for coal consumption and reducing coal consumption is not enough to achieve environmental sustainability. The results also show that foreign investment and population positively impact coal consumption, while renewable energy negatively impacts coal consumption. This highlights that reducing coal consumption alone is not enough to reduce environmental degradation but there also needs to be a diversion of foreign investment inflow to the sustainable, environmentally friendly project. Furthermore, the share of renewable energy in total output is lower in South and East Asian countries, and it needs to be increased further. Furthermore, to promote renewable energy, foreign investment and population control may be necessary to achieve a sustainable environment while maintaining economic growth.
The Integrated Scheduling Optimization for Container Handling by Using Driverless Electric Truck in Automated Container Terminal
Authors: Hong Cheng , Guo Yufang , Wang Yuhong , Li Tingting
Published: March 2023

With the increasing maturity of automatic driving technology, the commercial value of driverless container trucks has been gradually excavated. Compared with social roads, the internal roads in the port area have certain practicing advantages. By taking into account the operational characteristics of the driverless electric container truck and the coordination of quay and yard cranes, this paper aims to explore the configuration and optimized scheduling model of the driverless electric container truck with the objective of minimizing overall energy consumption. The results show that the optimized allocation and scheduling of driverless electric trucks can minimize the total energy consumption of terminal operation without delaying the shipping schedule, and has obvious advantages over traditional manual driving diesel trucks and Automated Guided Vehicles in terms of operation efficiency, economy, and sociality. The results can also provide certain decision-making reference for the selection of horizontal transportation equipment and collaborative scheduling of multi-type loading and unloading equipment resources of container terminal operators.
Critical Success Factors for 5G Technology Adaptation in Supply Chains
Authors: Biswas Sanjib , Sanyal Aparajita , Božanić Darko , Puška Adis , Marinković Dragan
Published: March 2023

The present age is moving through Industry 4.0 with massive technological developments. Supply chains have become digital, keeping sync with consumer demands and preferences. The recent pandemic has reinforced the need of embracing digital technologies in managing supply chains effectively. Therefore, it is necessary that supply chains adopt 5G mobile technologies. In this regard, the present study aims to discern the critical issues for the successful adaptation of 5G technologies for supply chain management (SCM) in developing countries such as India. The success factors for the adaptation of 5G in Indian supply chains are derived from the discussions made in the related past work regarding the challenges of implementing 5G technology. Then, the listed factors are finalised through initial rounds of face-to-face discussions with a focus group of five experts. Then, a q-rung-orthopair-fuzzy (qROFS)-based rating scale is used to rate the success factors. A new qROF-weighted-neutrality-average (q-ROFWNA)-based full-consistency method (FUCOM) approach for multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) problems involving group decision making is utilised to find out the critical success factors. Based on the comparative analysis of 17 success factors (grouped into four main factors), the spectrum availability, awareness of technology and usage, the development of supporting technologies and smart cities, and skill development are found to be the top five critical factors for the successful adaptation and implementation of 5G technologies in SCM. We further carry out a sensitivity analysis and validation test and observe that our model provides a reliable and stable solution.
Assessing the Future Streetscape of Rimini Harbor Docks with Virtual Reality
Authors: Belaroussi Rachid , Pazzini Margherita , Issa Israa , Dionisio Corinne , Lantieri Claudio , González Elena Díaz , Vignali Valeria , Adelé Sonia
Published: March 2023

The human factor plays an important role in the successful design of infrastructure to support sustainable mobility. By engaging users early in the design process, information can be obtained before physical environments are built, making designed spaces more attractive and safer for users. This study presents the collected data of a virtual reality (VR) application in which user perception has been evaluated within an urban redevelopment context. The area under consideration is the Canal of the Port of Rimini (Italy), a degraded area not connected to the city center. The redevelopment of degraded urban areas is the first step towards achieving the sustainability aims set out in the Sustainable Development Goals. Prior to this work, evaluation methods were developed in the decision-making process, considering different social, economic, and environmental aspects in order to obtain a priority scale of interventions for urban regeneration. Architectural solutions were proposed to represent targeted and specific interventions that are designed precisely for the context to which they are dedicated in order to make the Canal Port area a continuum with its urban context and to improve its perception by tourists and inhabitants. To assess these proposed infrastructure modifications, two models of VR were created, one relevant to the current condition and one representing the future condition after redevelopment of the area. Virtual visits to the Canal of the Port of Rimini were created under two scenarios, namely, the current situation and the future situation after redevelopment of the infrastructure. Then, human participants were involved through two different questionnaires. The first allowed participants validate the VR model created by comparing it with the real context, while the second served to evaluate the perceptions of users by comparing the two VR models of the canal before and after the intervention. The results of this empirical research highlight the benefits of engaging users early in the design process and improving the user experience before implementing renovation of the infrastructure.
Local Impact of a Sports Centre: Effects on Future Intentions
Authors: Testa Lucciano , Parra-Camacho David , Gómez-Tafalla Ana María , Garcia-Pascual Fernando , Duclos-Bastías Daniel
Published: March 2023

Analysing the social impact of sports facilities is important because they can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the people who use them, foster social inclusion and participation, and be an important source of employment and local economic development. This study aimed to analyse the perception of residents of the city of Valencia on the impact of a sports facility and its influence on their future intentions about the services it provides. The sample consisted of 209 residents, of whom 113 were men and 96 were women. The sample rated positively all social impact factors of the sports facility analysed. Regression analyses revealed that two of the five social impact factors (health impact, socio-cultural impact, and image and promotion impact) significantly predict future intentions. Therefore, analysing the social impact of sports facilities provides managers with essential information to ensure a positive integration into the community and in turn, promote active and healthy lifestyles. As well as the influence of this impact on residents’ future behaviours towards the sports facility.
Structural Analysis of Environmental Literacy of Urban Residents in China—Based on the Questionnaire Survey of Qingdao Residents
Authors: Tian Huawen , Chen Shanshan
Published: March 2023

Residents’ environmental literacy is the basis of sustainable development. The structure of environmental literacy and the interaction among its elements is a very important topic, which has been rarely studied. By using the literature analysis method to analyze the existing research of scholars, it can be concluded that the connotation of environmental literacy is composed of environmental knowledge, environmental awareness, and environmental behavior. The environmental literacy and structure of Qingdao residents can be measured by questionnaire survey. It has been found through a more in-depth structural analysis that environmental knowledge and environmental awareness will influence but cannot decide environmental behavior all by themselves; high-level environmental knowledge and high environmental awareness do not necessarily lead to a high-level environmental behavior but low-level environmental knowledge and low environmental awareness almost inevitably lead to a low-level environmental behavior. This finding is of great value for the government to formulate environmental policies scientifically, carry out environmental education more effectively, comprehensively improve residents’ environmental literacy and improve their environmental behavior.
Conceptualizing How Collaboration Advances Circularity
Authors: Danvers Stuart , Robertson Jonathan , Zutshi Ambika
Published: March 2023

The Circular Economy (CE) is heralded as an important concept with the potential to guide businesses and society toward a more sustainable future. However, while collaboration is widely accepted to play a central role in advancing circularity, little is known about how organizations effectively work together to achieve these outcomes. This is particularly problematic given that any shift toward collaboration requires systematic approaches based on effective collaborative processes between organizations. This conceptual paper addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive investigation of collaboration and circularity. The paper is based on a systematic literature review of 66 scientific publications as the foundation for analysis. Based on the analysis, the paper contributes to the CE literature by offering a novel approach to conceptualizing collaboration and circularity. A conceptual framework is provided which differentiates CE strategies at three stages of the product lifecycle. The paper makes a second contribution to the CE literature by examining the role that multilevel collaboration plays in facilitating a transition from a linear economy to a CE and, in particular, the significance of government in managing collaboration opportunities between partners. We highlight intermediaries as important accelerators in this transition. Future research directions are provided, including how government and intermediaries—among others—collaborate for CE transitions.
Industry 5.0: Tracking Scientific Activity on the Most Influential Industries, Associated Topics, and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Espina-Romero Lorena , Guerrero-Alcedo Jesús , Goñi Avila Niria , Noroño Sánchez José Gregorio , Gutiérrez Hurtado Humberto , Quiñones Li Aura
Published: March 2023

Industry 5.0 arrived and sounded the alarms, warning entrepreneurs to adopt it as quickly as possible; the advantage is that this industry is still in its preliminary stages. However, there is little research on this model in the literature. In this context, the objective of this study was to analyze the current state of industry 5.0 in 215 publications from the Scopus database during the period 2019–2022. The applied methodology was quantitative analysis, with a bibliometric approach supported by the VOSviewer and RStudio software, in addition to the Microsoft Excel application. The results showed: (1) an exponential growth of article and conference paper publications in 2022, all indexed in journals of subject areas such as engineering and computer science; (2) four more industries influenced by i5.0, where the electronics sector leads well above manufacturing, energy and public service; (3) seven research topics associated with i5.0 that deal with the transition from industry 4.0 to 5.0; and (4) six little-explored research topics that would help i5.0 move to a new stage and which are related to environmental sustainability, social sustainability, cobots, bioeconomy, smart cities, and sentiment analysis. This study found a gap in the industry 5.0 literature; therefore, this document serves as a guide for future research.
Viability Analysis of Value-Added Engraulicypris sardella Obtained Using Parboiling and Sun-Drying Processing Methods in Nkhotakota District, Malawi
Authors: Savanguane Barreta Carlos Velasco , Kaunda Emmanuel , Dzanja Joseph , Valeta Joshua , Bofana José
Published: March 2023

This research aimed to assess the added value of sun-dried and parboiled Engraulicypris sardella (usipa) products as a basis for determining their viability in terms of business. To this end, a survey was conducted in Nkhotakota District at 12 sites (beaches), where fresh usipa commonly lands and is processed as sun-dried and parboiled fish. A proportional stratified method was used to determine the number of respondents, followed by a simple random sampling technique to select 57 E. sardella processors. An interview with a structured questionnaire was conducted to collect data from these E. sardella processors. The Hayami method was used to analyze the added value of Usipa products, and the viability of the sun-dried and parboiled processing method was determined on the basis of the revenue/cost ratio. The results of the study show that both sun-dried and parboiled usipa products generate positive added value, being greater for the latter than the former. Thus, sun-dried and parboiled usipa are profitable, with the highest revenue/cost ratio of the two being for parboiled usipa. We conclude that while sun-dried and parboiled usipa are both viable products, the viability of the business is more greatly enhanced when fish is parboiled rather than sun-dried.
Sugarcane Bagasse-Derived Activated Carbon as a Potential Material for Lead Ions Removal from Aqueous Solution and Supercapacitor Energy Storage Application
Authors: Somyanonthanakun Wuttichai , Greszta Agata , Roberts Alexander J. , Thongmee Sirikanjana
Published: March 2023

Sugarcane bagasse-based activated carbon (AC) was produced via a physical activation method using CO2, to remove lead (Pb) ions from an aqueous solution. The physical and chemical properties of ACs were examined by scanning electron micrograph (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The effect of both pH and contact time on adsorption was studied via a batch process. Based on the BET results, we have identified that BET surface area and micropore volume decreased at the highest activation temperature, while the intensity of the functional groups increased when the activation temperature was raised. The adsorption isotherms were best fitted with the Langmuir equation, which was used to describe the adsorption process and to examine the adsorption mechanisms of Pb(II) on the AC. The maximum adsorption capacity of Pb(II) was 60.24 mg g−1 with AC850. The adsorption kinetic study closely followed the pseudo-second order (R2 > 0.99). AC has the potential to economically remove metal ions in the purification process of wastewater. AC850 was also utilized in the manufacture and testing of pouch cell supercapacitors to demonstrate the potential of the sugarcane bagasse family of materials in energy storage applications. The devices made with the unmodified, nonoptimized material used for Pb(II) sorption demonstrated high rate and power-energy characteristics (>50% capacitance retention with 10-fold increase in current density, 10 Wh Kg−1 at 2500 W Kg−1, active material mass) but there remains a need for further optimization, particularly the removal of oxygen functionality, to enhance lifetime and specific capacitance. This work demonstrated the potential for sugarcane bagasse carbons across environmental applications.
Dynamic Evaluation of Energy Carbon Efficiency in the Logistics Industry Based on Catastrophe Progression
Authors: Yin Xiaohong , Wu Yufei , Liu Qiang
Published: March 2023

The logistics industry has an irreplaceable role in promoting Chinese economic development, and its carbon emissions have become a hot topic of academic research. However, more research needs to be conducted on this. This study is based on establishing an evaluation index system for the efficiency of energy carbon emissions in the Chinese logistics industry. The catastrophe progression method was used to evaluate this statically. A dynamic evaluation model was also established based on the characteristics of fuzzy rewards and punishments. The results showed that the static values in the southeastern provinces of China were always between 0.9 and 1, and there was a significant increase in the dynamic values under the fuzzy reward and punishment scenario. Provinces in the southwest fluctuated between 0.8 and 0.95, while the dynamic values did not increase much. In the northern provinces, the static assessment values were consistently between 0.7 and 0.9, while the dynamic values were decreasing. It is therefore important to reward provinces with high static assessment values and penalize those with low static assessment values. The perspective of the characteristics of fuzzy rewards and punishments is also essential for fair and equitable management, reward and punishment in the different provinces in the study.
Systematic Review of the Time-Cost Optimization Models in Construction Management
Authors: ElSahly Osama Mohamed , Ahmed Salma , Abdelfatah Akmal
Published: March 2023

The construction sector is a crucial contributor to the national and global economy. Therefore, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of construction projects can have a significant impact on gross domestic product (GDP). However, managing construction projects can be challenging due to the uncertainties and complexities involved. The three primary interrelated constraints of construction projects, namely, time, scope, and cost, require effective management to ensure successful completion. To optimize the time and cost of construction projects, various optimization models and techniques have been proposed in the literature. This paper presents a systematic review of the time-cost optimization models in construction management and proposes some future work to improve the solution of the considered problem. The review categorizes the existing models into three categories: exact models, approximate models, and hybrid algorithm models. The exact models provide optimal solutions but require a lot of computational time and may not be efficient in solving multi-objective and large-scale problems. The approximate models provide near-optimal solutions and reduce computational effort but may not be efficient in solving large-scale projects. The hybrid algorithm models combine the good properties of different algorithms to provide high-quality and efficient solutions. The purpose of this paper is accomplished through a systematic literature review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The paper analyzes the contribution, advantages, and limitations of each category and provides recommendations for future work. Based on the review, several recommendations for future work are provided, including the development of hybrid models that combine different optimization techniques, the incorporation of risk management into optimization models, and the use of advanced data analytics techniques to improve the accuracy of optimization models. Overall, this paper provides an up-to-date comprehensive review of the time-cost optimization models used in construction management and offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in this field. The findings of this review can be used to guide future research and improve the effectiveness of optimization models for construction projects.
Implementation of Urban Solution for New Faculty Facilities within Spatial Historical and Cultural Units—A Case Study of Belgrade, Serbia
Authors: Danilović Hristić Nataša , Lalošević Marija , Stefanović Nebojša
Published: March 2023

The focus of this study is buildings for public purposes, specifically for higher education, planned in zones of spatial cultural-historical units. Sustainable urban planning in areas with cultural-historical heritage is a particular challenge since the higher education facilities themselves have their own functional requirements, which are much easier to fulfill in “softer” locations. The research objective is to prove the hypothesis that it is possible to indicate a prescription for the practical application of the theoretical model and define the necessary steps to achieve the best sustainable quality results in practice. The paper analyses the associated process, relational settings, circumstances, participants, and timelines, and it presents the results of final designs based on two parallel case studies of new capital buildings for the University of Belgrade. Methodologically it gives an overview of the context, referring to other research and examples, detailing chosen case studies, and describing their backgrounds, conditions and requirements, frameworks, chronologies, approaches, and results. The discussion concludes with theoretical models originating from the comparison of implemented steps in the process of creation and evaluation of architectural ideas and summarized similarities and differences, aiming that there is a common model suitable for further applications. The practical result of the research is findings about the pathway for the best original planning solution emphasized through the institution of urban architectural competitions as a mandatory step, recommending wider participation of experts in the process of evaluation.
Mechanical Characteristics and Durability of HMA Made of Recycled Aggregates
Authors: Sapkota Kiran , Yaghoubi Ehsan , Wasantha P. L. P. , Van Staden Rudi , Fragomeni Sam
Published: March 2023

The application of recycled aggregates in the asphalt industry has been investigated in recent decades. However, low percentages of these materials have practically been used in asphalt mixtures because of the limitations set by the relevant specifications due to their performance uncertainties. This research investigates the feasibility of increasing the percentage of recycled aggregates to 100% in hot mix asphalt (HMA). Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), recycled glass (RG), and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) were used to develop HMAs suitable for roads with light to medium traffic. First, potential mix designs were proposed using an innovative approach considering the industry’s needs. Next, the volumetric properties, tensile strength, moisture sensitivity and resilient modulus response of the mixtures under different temperature conditions were determined and compared. In general, the proposed recycled material HMA exhibited superior mechanical and resilient modulus performances, i.e., 45 to 145% increase in stiffness, and up to 99% higher in Marshall stability. Furthermore, higher tensile strength ratios of the recycled material mixtures indicated a greater resistance to water damage, and hence greater durability. The findings of this research provide evidence-based insights into the increased proportion of recycled materials in the construction of asphalt pavements, thereby promoting sustainable pavement construction materials.
Micro-Videos as a Learning Tool for Professional Practice during the Post-COVID Era: An Educational Experience
Authors: Ester Pilar , Morales Isabel , Herrero Laura
Published: March 2023

With the arrival of the pandemic, many education students in higher education classrooms saw how their internships were cancelled, making it impossible for them to access real contexts that would let them know how their everyday professional life would be. Consequently, it was necessary to make a methodological change. To bridge the gap between theoretical and practical training, we conducted an educational experience at a private university where several educational videos were used to reflect the implementation of different educational methodologies in teaching mathematics by expert teachers. In the recorded practices, it was shown how four different methodologies were implemented in several contexts during the day-to-day classes: International Baccalaureate (IB), gamification, flipped classroom and project-based learning. We studied each methodology to measure their impact on primary students’ learning and guarantee that higher education students had visualized effective practices through micro-videos. The results of our study show that, in certain aspects of mathematics, the students’ own teaching capabilities have greater influence than the theoretical methodological instruction they generally receive in the classroom. Further, concerning students’ perceptions, we can conclude that their motivation increased towards the use of micro-videos, since they became active agents of their own learning.
Cross-Correlation Fusion Graph Convolution-Based Object Tracking
Authors: Fan Liuyi , Chen Wei , Jiang Xiaoyan
Published: March 2023

Most popular graph attention networks treat pixels of a feature map as individual nodes, which makes the feature embedding extracted by the graph convolution lack the integrity of the object. Moreover, matching between a template graph and a search graph using only part-level information usually causes tracking errors, especially in occlusion and similarity situations. To address these problems, we propose a novel end-to-end graph attention tracking framework that has high symmetry, combining traditional cross-correlation operations directly. By utilizing cross-correlation operations, we effectively compensate for the dispersion of graph nodes and enhance the representation of features. Additionally, our graph attention fusion model performs both part-to-part matching and global matching, allowing for more accurate information embedding in the template and search regions. Furthermore, we optimize the information embedding between the template and search branches to achieve better single-object tracking results, particularly in occlusion and similarity scenarios. The flexibility of graph nodes and the comprehensiveness of information embedding have brought significant performance improvements in our framework. Extensive experiments on three challenging public datasets (LaSOT, GOT-10k, and VOT2016) show that our tracker outperforms other state-of-the-art trackers.
Sensitivity of Quantum-Enhanced Interferometers
Authors: Salykina Dariya , Khalili Farid
Published: March 2023

We review various schemes of quantum-enhanced optical interferometers, both linear (SU(2)) and non-linear (SU(1,1)) ones, as well as hybrid SU(2)/SU(1,1) options, using the unified modular approach based on the Quantum Cramèr–Rao bound (QCRB), and taking into account the practical limitations pertinent to all real-world highly-sensitive interferometers. We focus on three important cases defined by the interferometer symmetry: (i) the asymmetric single-arm interferometer; (ii) the symmetric two-arm interferometer with the antisymmetric phase shifts in the arms; and (iii) the symmetric two-arm interferometer with the symmetric phase shifts in the arms. We show that while the optimal regimes for these cases differ significantly, their QCRBs asymptotically correspond to the same squeezing-enhanced shot noise limit (2), which first appeared in the pioneering work by C. Caves in 1981.We show also that in all considered cases the QCRB can be asymptotically saturated by the standard (direct or homodyne) detection schemes.
Cerebral Cryptococcosis Associated with CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia in Non-HIV Patients after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Case Series in a Specialized Institute in Lima, Peru
Authors: Huamani-Córdova Juana M. , Hueda-Zavaleta Miguel , Vargas-Bellina Victor , Simbron-Ribbeck Lourdes , Chong-Chinchay Katty del Rosario , Gómez de la Torre Juan Carlos , Benítes-Zapata Vicente A.
Published: March 2023

Cases of cryptococcosis have been reported in patients with COVID-19. The majority are in patients with severe symptoms or who received immunosuppressants. However, there is still no clear association between COVID-19 and cryptococcosis. We report eight cases of cerebral cryptococcosis associated with CD4+ T lymphocytopenia in non-HIV patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The median age was 57 years and 5/8 were male. In addition, 2/8 of patients had diabetes, and 8/8 had a history of mild COVID-19, with a median of 75 days before diagnosis of cerebral cryptococcosis. All patients denied having received prior immunosuppressive therapy. The most frequent symptoms were confusion (8/8), headache (7/8), vomiting (6/8), and nausea (6/8) All patients were diagnosed by isolating Cryptococcus in cerebrospinal fluid. The median CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were 247 and 173.5, respectively. Other causes of immunosuppression, such as HIV or HTLV infection, were excluded in all patients. Finally, three patients died, and one presented long-term visual and auditory sequelae. The CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte count normalized during follow-up in those patients who survived. We hypothesize that CD4+ T lymphocytopenia in the patients in this case series could increase the risk of cryptococcosis after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Animals Exposed to Leptospira Serogroups Not Included in Bacterins in the United States and Puerto Rico
Authors: Anderson Tammy , Hamond Camila , Haluch Andréa , Toot Kari , Nally Jarlath E. , LeCount Karen , Schlater Linda K.
Published: March 2023

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease. Pathogenic leptospires colonize the renal tubules and genital tract of animals and are excreted via urine. Transmission occurs via direct contact or through contaminated water or soil. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) is the gold standard for the serodiagnosis of leptospirosis. The present study aims to evaluate animal exposure to Leptospira in the U.S. and Puerto Rico during the period 2018–2020. The presence of antibodies against pathogenic Leptospira spp. was assessed with the MAT according to the standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health. A total of 568 sera were submitted for diagnostic, surveillance, or import/export testing from the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Seropositivity (≥1:100) was 51.8% (294/568) with agglutinating antibodies found in 115 (39.1%) cattle, 84 (28.6%) exotic animals, 38 (12.9%) horses, 22 (7.5%) goats, 15 (5.1%) dogs, 11 (3.7%) swine, and 9 (3.1%) sheep. The most detected serogroups were Australis, Grippotyphosa, and Ballum. The results showed that animals were exposed to serogroups/serovars not included in commercial bacterins such as Ballum, Bratislava (only in swine vaccine), and Tarassovi. Our findings suggest that more studies should include culture and concomitant genotyping to reduce animal disease and zoonotic risk through efficacious vaccine and diagnostic strategies.
Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a Deletions from COVID-19-Positive Individuals and Its Impact on Virus Spread in Cell Culture
Authors: Simas Maria Clara da Costa , Costa Sara Mesquita , Gomes Priscila da Silva Figueiredo Celestino , Cruz Nádia Vaez Gonçalves da , Corrêa Isadora Alonso , de Souza Marcos Romário Matos , Dornelas-Ribeiro Marcos , Nogueira Tatiana Lucia Santos , Santos Caleb Guedes Miranda dos , Hoffmann Luísa , Tanuri Amilcar , Moura-Neto Rodrigo Soares de , Damaso Clarissa R. , Costa Luciana Jesus da , Silva Rosane
Published: March 2023

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing the COVID-19 outbreak, posed a primary concern of public health worldwide. The most common changes in SARS-CoV-2 are single nucleotide substitutions, also reported insertions and deletions. This work investigates the presence of SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a deletions identified in COVID-19-positive individuals. Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 complete genomes showed three different ORF7a size deletions (190-nt, 339-nt and 365-nt). Deletions were confirmed through Sanger sequencing. The ORF7a∆190 was detected in a group of five relatives with mild symptoms of COVID-19, and the ORF7a∆339 and ORF7a∆365 in a couple of co-workers. These deletions did not affect subgenomic RNAs (sgRNA) production downstream of ORF7a. Still, fragments associated with sgRNA of genes upstream of ORF7a showed a decrease in size when corresponding to samples with deletions. In silico analysis suggests that the deletions impair protein proper function; however, isolated viruses with partial deletion of ORF7a can replicate in culture cells similarly to wild-type viruses at 24 hpi, but with less infectious particles after 48 hpi. These findings on deleted ORF7a accessory protein gene, contribute to understanding SARS-CoV-2 phenotypes such as replication, immune evasion and evolutionary fitness as well insights into the role of SARS-CoV-2_ORF7a in the mechanism of virus-host interactions.
Design of Phage-Cocktail–Containing Hydrogel for the Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa–Infected Wounds
Authors: Shafigh Kheljan Fatemeh , Sheikhzadeh Hesari Farzam , Aminifazl Mohammad , Skurnik Mikael , Goladze Sophia , Zarrini Gholamreza
Published: March 2023

Recently, the treatment of infected wounds has become a global problem due to increased antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is often present in chronic skin infections, and it has become a threat to public health as it is increasingly multidrug resistant. Due to this, new measures to enable treatment of infections are necessary. Treatment of bacterial infections with bacteriophages, known as phage therapy, has been in use for a century, and has potential with its antimicrobial effect. The main purpose of this study was to create a phage-containing wound dressing with the ability to prevent bacterial infection and rapid wound healing without side effects. Several phages against P. aeruginosa were isolated from wastewater, and two polyvalent phages were used to prepare a phage cocktail. The phage cocktail was loaded in a hydrogel composed of polymers of sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). To compare the antimicrobial effects, hydrogels containing phages, ciprofloxacin, or phages plus ciprofloxacin were produced, and hydrogels without either. The antimicrobial effect of these hydrogels was investigated in vitro and in vivo using an experimental mouse wound infection model. The wound-healing process in different mouse groups showed that phage-containing hydrogels and antibiotic-containing hydrogels have almost the same antimicrobial effect. However, in terms of wound healing and pathological process, the phage-containing hydrogels performed better than the antibiotic alone. The best performance was achieved with the phage–antibiotic hydrogel, indicating a synergistic effect between the phage cocktail and the antibiotic. In conclusion, phage-containing hydrogels eliminate efficiently P. aeruginosa in wounds and may be a proper option for treating infectious wounds.
The Antiviral Compound PSP Inhibits HIV-1 Entry via PKR-Dependent Activation in Monocytic Cells
Authors: Alvarez-Rivera Eduardo , Rodríguez-Valentín Madeline , Boukli Nawal M.
Published: March 2023

Actin depolymerization factor (ADF) cofilin-1 is a key cytoskeleton component that serves to lessen cortical actin. HIV-1 manipulates cofilin-1 regulation as a pre- and post-entry requisite. Disruption of ADF signaling is associated with denial of entry. The unfolded protein response (UPR) marker Inositol-Requiring Enzyme-1α (IRE1α) and interferon-induced protein (IFN-IP) double-stranded RNA- activated protein kinase (PKR) are reported to overlap with actin components. In our published findings, Coriolus versicolor bioactive extract polysaccharide peptide (PSP) has demonstrated anti-HIV replicative properties in THP1 monocytic cells. However, its involvement towards viral infectivity has not been elucidated before. In the present study, we examined the roles of PKR and IRE1α in cofilin-1 phosphorylation and its HIV-1 restrictive roles in THP1. HIV-1 p24 antigen was measured through infected supernatant to determine PSP’s restrictive potential. Quantitative proteomics was performed to analyze cytoskeletal and UPR regulators. PKR, IRE1α, and cofilin-1 biomarkers were measured through immunoblots. Validation of key proteome markers was done through RT-qPCR. PKR/IRE1α inhibitors were used to validate viral entry and cofilin-1 phosphorylation through Western blots. Our findings show that PSP treatment before infection leads to an overall lower infectivity. Additionally, PKR and IRE1α show to be key regulators in cofilin-1 phosphorylation and viral restriction.
Establishment of an In Vitro Model of Pseudorabies Virus Latency and Reactivation and Identification of Key Viral Latency-Associated Genes
Authors: Pan Li , Li Mingzhi , Zhang Xinyu , Xia Yu , Mian Assad Moon , Wu Hongxia , Sun Yuan , Qiu Hua-Ji
Published: March 2023

Alphaherpesviruses infect humans and most animals. They can cause severe morbidity and mortality. The pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a neurotropic alphaherpesvirus that can infect most mammals. The PRV persists in the host by establishing a latent infection, and stressful stimuli can induce the latent viruses to reactivate and cause recurrent diseases. The current strategies of antiviral drug therapy and vaccine immunization are ineffective in eliminating these viruses from the infected host. Moreover, overspecialized and complex models are also a major obstacle to the elucidation of the mechanisms involved in the latency and reactivation of the PRV. Here, we present a streamlined model of the latent infection and reactivation of the PRV. A latent infection established in N2a cells infected with the PRV at a low multiplicity of infection (MOI) and maintained at 42 °C. The latent PRV was reactivated when the infected cells were transferred to 37 °C for 12 to 72 h. When the above process was repeated with a UL54-deleted PRV mutant, it was observed that the UL54 deletion did not affect viral latency. However, viral reactivation was limited and delayed. This study establishes a powerful and streamlined model to simulate PRV latency and reveals the potential role of temperature in PRV reactivation and disease. Meanwhile, the key role of the early gene UL54 in the latency and reactivation of PRV was initially elucidated.
Acute Bronchitis and Bronchiolitis Infection in Children with Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study Based on 5,027,486 Children in Taiwan
Authors: Sung Fung-Chang , Wei Chang-Ching , Muo Chih-Hsin , Tsai Shan P. , Chen Chao W. , Hsieh Dennis P. H. , Chen Pei-Chun , Lu Chung-Yen
Published: March 2023

This study evaluated the risks of childhood acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis (CABs) for children with asthma or allergic rhinitis (AR). Using insurance claims data of Taiwan, we identified, from children of ≤12 years old in 2000–2016, cohorts with and without asthma (N = 192,126, each) and cohorts with and without AR (N = 1,062,903, each) matched by sex and age. By the end of 2016, the asthma cohort had the highest bronchitis incidence, AR and non-asthma cohorts followed, and the lowest in the non-AR cohort (525.1, 322.4, 236.0 and 169.9 per 1000 person-years, respectively). The Cox method estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of bronchitis were 1.82 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.80–1.83) for the asthma cohort and 1.68 (95% CI, 1.68–1.69) for the AR cohort, relative to the respective comparisons. The bronchiolitis incidence rates for these cohorts were 42.7, 29.5, 28.5 and 20.1 per 1000 person-years, respectively. The aHRs of bronchiolitis were 1.50 (95% CI, 1.48–1.52) for the asthma cohort and 1.46 (95% CI, 1.45–1.47) for the AR cohort relative to their comparisons. The CABs incidence rates decreased substantially with increasing age, but were relatively similar for boys and girls. In conclusion, children with asthma are more likely to develop CABs than are children with AR.