bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey and Performance Analysis of Deep Learning Based Object Detection in Challenging Environments
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad , Hashmi Khurram Azeem , Pagani Alain , Liwicki Marcus , Stricker Didier , Afzal Muhammad Zeshan
Published: July 2021

Recent progress in deep learning has led to accurate and efficient generic object detection networks. Training of highly reliable models depends on large datasets with highly textured and rich images. However, in real-world scenarios, the performance of the generic object detection system decreases when (i) occlusions hide the objects, (ii) objects are present in low-light images, or (iii) they are merged with background information. In this paper, we refer to all these situations as challenging environments. With the recent rapid development in generic object detection algorithms, notable progress has been observed in the field of deep learning-based object detection in challenging environments. However, there is no consolidated reference to cover the state of the art in this domain. To the best of our knowledge, this paper presents the first comprehensive overview, covering recent approaches that have tackled the problem of object detection in challenging environments. Furthermore, we present a quantitative and qualitative performance analysis of these approaches and discuss the currently available challenging datasets. Moreover, this paper investigates the performance of current state-of-the-art generic object detection algorithms by benchmarking results on the three well-known challenging datasets. Finally, we highlight several current shortcomings and outline future directions.
Novel Road Traffic Management Strategy for Rapid Clarification of the Emergency Vehicle Route Based on V2V Communications
Authors: Osman Radwa Ahmed , Zaki Amira I. , Abdelsalam Ahmed Kadry
Published: July 2021

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication is a promising paradigm that enables all vehicles in the traffic road to communicate with each other to enhance traffic performance and increase road safety. Through vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicles can understand the traffic conditions based on the information sent among vehicles on the road. Due to the potential delay caused by traffic jams, emergency vehicles may not be able to reach their destination in the required time, leading to severe losses. The case is more severe especially in developing countries where no emergency-vehicle-dedicated lanes are allocated. In this study, a new emergency vehicle route-clarifying strategy is proposed. The new clarifying strategy is based on vehicular traffic management in different interference medium scenarios. The proposed model aims, through V2V communication, to find the nearest vehicle with which to communicate. This vehicle plays an important role in reducing the travel time: as the emergency message is received, this vehicle will immediately communicate with all the neighboring vehicles on the road. Based on V2V communications, all the vehicles in the road will clear from the lane in the road for the emergency vehicle can safely reach its destination with the minimum possible travel time. The maximum distance between the emergency vehicle and the nearest vehicle was determined under different channel conditions. The proposed strategy applied an optimization technique to find the varied road traffic parameters. The proposed traffic management strategy was evaluated and examined through different assumptions and several simulation scenarios. The obtained results validated the effectiveness and the accuracy of the proposed model, and also indicated significant improvement in the network’s performance in terms of packet delivery ratio (PDR) and average end-to-end delay (E2E).
Silver Nanoparticles Functionalized with Sodium Mercaptoethane Sulfonate to Remove Copper from Water by the Formation of a Micellar Phase
Authors: Vicente-Martínez Yesica , Caravaca Garratón Manuel , García-Onsurbe María , Soto-Meca Antonio
Published: July 2021

This work presents a novel procedure for the removal of Cu2+ from water, an essential element in human nutrition considered toxic in high concentrations, based on a microextraction technique involving the formation of a micellar phase. To achieve the total elimination of copper from aqueous samples, a Cu2+-complexing reagent based on silver nanoparticles functionalized with sodium mercaptoethane sulfonate (AgNPs@MESNa) was used. The complex formed by Cu2+ and the reagent was extracted into a micellar microphase formed by Triton X-114, a harmless surfactant. Volumes of 200 µL of the 10−4 mol L−1 suspension of AgNPs@MESNa and 100 µL of a solution of Triton X-114 at 30% m/m were employed to successfully remove 10 mg L−1 of Cu from 20 mL of water samples. The time and temperature needed to achieve 100% microextraction efficiency were 10 min and 40 °C, respectively. The procedure is considered environmentally friendly due to the low volume of the extracting phase and the simple experimental conditions that achieve total removal of Cu2+ from water samples.
Forecasting Carbon Price with Secondary Decomposition Algorithm and Optimized Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Zhou Jianguo , Wang Qiqi
Published: July 2021

Carbon trading is a significant mechanism created to control carbon emissions, and the increasing enthusiasm for participation in the carbon trading market has forced the emergence of higher-precision carbon price prediction models. Facing the complexity of carbon price time series, this paper proposes a carbon price forecasting hybrid model based on secondary decomposition and an improved extreme learning machine (ELM). First, the complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) is utilized to decompose the carbon price several intrinsic modal functions to initially weaken the non-linearity of the original carbon price data. Secondly, the first intrinsic mode function (IMF1) with the strongest volatility is processed by the variational mode decomposition (VMD). Then, the partial autocorrelation function (PACF) is applied to obtain the model input variables for subsequences. Finally, the ELM improved by the bald eagle search (BES) algorithm is utilized to make predictions. In the empirical analysis, five actual datasets from three carbon markets are used to verify the prediction performance of the proposed model. Based on the six evaluation indicators of the predicted results, the proposed model is the best performer among all models, which suggests that CEEMDAN-VMD-BES-ELM is effective and stable in predicting carbon price.
Exploring the Representation of Cows on Dairy Product Packaging in Brazil and the United Kingdom
Authors: Capilé Karynn , Parkinson Claire , Twine Richard , Kovalski Erickson Leon , Paixão Rita Leal
Published: July 2021

Food packages must communicate mandatory information, but they can also be used for marketing practices such as promotion and are a communication pathway from industry to consumer. Considering that cows are the main beings affected by the dairy industry, it is essential to scrutinise what dairy product packages convey about them. The aims of this study are to analyse the occurrence of reference to cows on the packaging of dairy products in popular supermarket retail stores in Brazil and the United Kingdom and to discuss ethical implications of promotional practices of dairy producers. We found that in both countries most packaging does not refer to cows at all. In the UK, an average of 31% of the packaging used some visual reference to cows, and in Brazil an average of 15% of packaging used some visual reference to cows. We identified four modalities of cow signifiers with a strong common appeal to nature that reflect and reaffirm an idyllic narrative of milk production. Our findings reflect the concept of absent referent, coined by Carol Adams, both on the packages containing some type of cow representation and on the packages not containing any. Considering that it might influence the consumer’s understanding and attitude towards cows, we highlight that the lack of adequate information about cows’ conditions and the obscuring of problematic issues in cows’ exploitation through the globalization of the happy cow narrative are two important issues to be placed on the Marketing Ethics concerns.
Global Inland Capture and Culture Finfisheries Follow Different Trends When Evaluated by the Human Development Index
Authors: Sorensen Peter W. , Palomares Maria Lourdes D.
Published: July 2021

To assess whether and how socioeconomic factors might be influencing global freshwater finfisheries, inland fishery data reported to the FAO between 1950 and 2015 were grouped by capture and culture, country human development index, plotted, and compared. We found that while capture inland finfishes have greatly increased on a global scale, this trend is being driven almost entirely by poorly developed (Tier-3) countries which also identify only 17% of their catch. In contrast, capture finfisheries have recently plateaued in moderately-developed (Tier-2) countries which are also identifying 16% of their catch but are dominated by a single country, China. In contrast, reported capture finfisheries are declining in well-developed (Tier-1) countries which identify nearly all (78%) of their fishes. Simultaneously, aquacultural activity has been increasing rapidly in both Tier-2 and Tier-3 countries, but only slowly in Tier-1 countries; remarkably, nearly all cultured species are being identified by all tier groups. These distinctly different trends suggest that socioeconomic factors influence how countries report and conduct capture finfisheries. Reported rapid increases in capture fisheries are worrisome in poorly developed countries because they cannot be explained and thus these fisheries cannot be managed meaningfully even though they depend on them for food. Our descriptive, proof-of-concept study suggests that socioeconomic factors should be considered in future, more sophisticated efforts to understand global freshwater fisheries which might include catch reconstruction.
The Hyperloop System and Stakeholders: A Review and Future Directions
Authors: Mitropoulos Lambros , Kortsari Annie , Koliatos Alexandros , Ayfantopoulou Georgia
Published: July 2021

The hyperloop is an innovative land transport mode for passengers and freight that travels at ultra-high speeds. Lately, different stakeholders have been engaged in the research and development of hyperloop components. The novelty of the hyperloop necessitates certain directions to be followed toward the development and testing of its technological components as well the formation of regulations and planning processes. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive literature review of hyperloop publications to record the current state of progress of hyperloop components, including the pod, the infrastructure, and the communication system, and identify involved EU stakeholders. Blending this information results in future directions. An online search of English-based publications was performed to finally consider 107 studies on the hyperloop and identify 81 stakeholders in the EU. The analysis shows that the hyperloop-related activities are almost equally distributed between Europe (39%) and Asia (38%), and the majority of EU stakeholders are located in Spain (26%) and Germany (20%), work on the traction of the pod (37%) and the tube (28%), and study impacts including safety (35%), energy (33%), and cost (30%). Existing tube systems and testing facilities for the hyperloop lack full-scale tracks, which creates a hurdle for the testing and development of the hyperloop system. The presented analysis and findings provide a holistic assessment of the hyperloop system and its stakeholders and suggest future directions to develop a successful transport system.
The Impact of Financial Hoarding on Economic Growth in China
Authors: Fu Yizheng , Su Zhifang , Guo Qianqian
Published: July 2021

In recent years, more and more funds circulate internally in the financial field, which is called “financial hoarding”. After calculations, the scale of China’s financial hoarding was 242,178 billion yuan in the first quarter of 2003 and jumped to 1,801,706 billion yuan in the fourth quarter of 2016, which increased by nearly 7.4 times in the past 14 years and accelerated after 2014. The phenomenon that large amounts of money deviate from the real economy to virtual economy is called “shift from real economy to virtual economy”. The large scale of financial hoarding will inevitably influence the economic growth in China. Does financial hoarding promote or inhibit the economy? Does the relationship change with the economic growth rate? To address this issue, this paper first provided theoretical analysis of the relationship between financial hoarding and economic growth. Then, it used the data of the first quarter of 2003 through the fourth quarter of 2016 in China for empirical analysis. The results revealed two facts. Firstly, the simultaneous equations model showed that financial hoarding and economic growth promote each other in the long run and financial hoarding can be conducive to economic growth. Secondly, the MS-VAR model showed that the relationship between financial hoarding and economic growth changed with the economic growth rate. In addition, financial hoarding had a positive effect on the economic growth under both medium and high economic growth regimes, but to a greater extent in high economic growth regimes.
Assessing the Impact of Employment in the Informal Sector of the Economy on Labor Market Development
Authors: Karpushkina Anzhelika Viktorovna , Danilova Irina Valentinovna , Voronina Svetlana Vladimirovna , Savelieva Irina Petrovna
Published: July 2021

The paper analyzes employment in Russia’s informal sector based on its spatial and dynamic characteristics. In recent years, the Russian labor market has been characterized by a steady growth of employment rates in the informal sector of the economy, high volatility and territorial differentiation of such employment, and its ambiguous effect on the gross value added and productivity. Given slowing economic growth and reduced productivity, this trend is by no means positive. The database for this study is based on Rosstat data from 83 Russian regions over the period between 2006 and 2020. The research explains the territorial and dynamic features of employment in the informal sector and classifies Russian regions by their employment situation in the informal sector of the economy. We hypothesize that the instability of the labor market is driven by higher rates of employment in the informal sector. To assess employment volatility in the informal sector, we identify the main trends of intersectoral labor mobility and evaluate their intensity. The results distinguish between regions with negative and positive effects. We also reveal problem regions experiencing the negative effects of intersectoral mobility and high or very high rates of employment in the informal sector. The findings can be used to diagnose and monitor regional labor markets, productivity dynamics, and changes in employment as well as to develop national employment programs to ensure the sustainable development of the labor market.
Water Resources Allocation Based on Complex Adaptive System Theory in the Inland River Irrigation District
Authors: Xing Hua , Mo Shuhong , Liang Xiaoyan , Li Ying
Published: July 2021

Water resources are the key factors affecting the sustainable development of inland river irrigation districts. The establishment of a water resources management model is helpful to realize the coordinated development of water, society, and ecology. Aiming at the contradiction of water use and ecological vulnerability, this study was based on the method of complex adaptive system (CAS) theory, and an agent-based modeling (ABM) method was adopted. Taking Huaitoutala irrigation district as the research object, a water resource management model considering ecological balance was established, with the water resources potentially tapping in the source area as an effective constraint. This study took 2016 as the datum year; the water consumption and comprehensive benefits of four water-saving irrigation scenarios in different characteristic years were simulated and optimized under the conditions of the current water supply and 10% and 15% potential water resources tapping. The results showed that the model considering the behavior and adaptability of the agent can well optimize and simulate the water use in the irrigation district. Under the application of water resources potential tapping and high-efficiency water-saving technology; the water utilization efficiency (WUE) of the irrigation area has been significantly improved. The comprehensive benefits of the irrigation district increased the proportion of ecological water, which was conducive to the sustainable development of the irrigation district and the ecological protection of inland rivers.
Proximate Composition and Nutritive Value of Some Leafy Vegetables from Faisalabad, Pakistan
Authors: Mobeen  , Wang Xiukang , Saleem Muhammad Hamzah , Parveen Abida , Mumtaz Sahar , Hassan Amara , Adnan Muhammad , Fiaz Sajid , Ali Sajjad , Iqbal Khan Zafar , Ali Shafaqat , Yasin Ghulam
Published: July 2021

The supply of nutrients and proximate matter is insufficient to fulfil the dietary needs of the quickly expanding human population. Green leafy vegetables can prove economical sources of minerals, vitamins and fibers to overcome nutritional deficiencies. Five leafy vegetables (Brassica juncea, Spinacia oleracea, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Chenopodium album and Lactuca sativa) were collected from a horticulture garden and vegetable market for the evaluation of their proximate matter and nutritional composition. Their contents of proximate (moisture, ash, fats, fibers, carbohydrates and protein), minerals (Ca2+, K+ and P+) and anti-nutrients were examined using standard protocols. The contents of fats (0.43 mg g−1f.w.) in S. oleracea; fibers (0.8 mg g−1f.w.) in S. olerace; carbohydrates (0.89 mg g−1f.w.); in B. juncea, proteins (0.91 mg g−1f.w.) in L. sativa; and vitamin A (1.18 mg g−1f.w.) in C. album from the horticulture garden were high enough to meet the daily dietary requirements of adults. Tannins were higher in species collected from the market, which is toxic for human health. It is concluded that vegetables of horticulture garden grown in suitable environmental conditions possess better nutritional composition as compared to vegetables purchased from markets. However, a large-scale research is needed for the analysis of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-nutrients and heavy metals in leafy vegetables. Further research on ethnomedicinal attributes of leafy vegetables is recommended.
Evaluating the Socio-Economic Factors Impacting Foreign Trade Development in Port Areas
Authors: Fedorenko Roman , Yakhneeva Irina , Zaychikova Nadezhda , Lipinsky Dmitry
Published: July 2021

Seaports are an important component of the Russian transport infrastructure. They play a major role in the sustainable development of adjacent territories and the country. Investments in port infrastructure facilitate the introduction of new technologies that accelerate cargo handling, contribute to the efficient use of resources and foreign trade increase. Ports have a major impact on the dynamics of economic indicators in the coastal region, its socio-economic development and environmental condition. In turn, the optimal development of the port infrastructure depends not only on the volume of investments made but also on other socio-economic indicators of the region. This paper analyzes the impact of socio-economic factors on export and import indicators in port areas. Based on a sample of five Russian ports and ten regions, and data observed in the period from 2010 to 2019, dependency patterns were identified for the regions of the Arctic, Baltic, Far Eastern, Azov-Black Sea and Caspian basins. The methods of correlation and regression analysis, panel data analysis (fixed-effect models) and nonlinear models, are used for the analysis. The study’s findings show that investments in the development of seaports stimulate foreign trade growth in port areas and neighboring regions, which, in turn, shows the level of a region’s integration into the global economic cooperation system. The results of the original research can be used to develop programs to support the foreign economic activity of certain regions. Conclusions are also made about the existence of inverse dependence of the volume of exports and imports on the level of costs for environmental protection. The results may have scientific significance for subsequent deeper research of the problem, as well as practical value for the development of regional development strategies within the framework of a single nationwide sustainability politics.
Monitoring Study on Dust Dispersion Properties during Earthwork Construction
Authors: Luo Qiming , Huang Lepeng , Liu Yuhong , Xue Xuanyi , Zhou Fengbin , Hua Jianmin
Published: July 2021

Dust generated in earthwork construction activities can seriously affect the air quality at a construction site and have adverse effects on the health of construction workers. To accurately and quantitively analyze the distribution characteristics of construction dust and the effect of dust prevention measures during earthwork construction under normal construction and construction with dust control measures, multiple collection points and one meteorological parameter collection point were placed at the construction site. From half an hour before the construction to half an hour after the construction, the particle concentration was recorded once every minute. The monitoring results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between dust concentration during earthwork construction and the number of soil shipments. The dust concentration was highest at the earth excavation site, followed by the area of the waste truck’s transportation path. Earth excavation primarily resulted in the generation of many coarse particles, the concentration of which was the highest near the excavation site. The average concentration increments of PM2.5 and TSP (total suspended particulate) caused by earthwork construction were 55.06 and 375.17 μg/m3 at the construction site, respectively. The concentration increment of PM2.5 and TSP decreased by 72.01% and 40.16%, respectively, when a spray system and artificial sprinkling were adopted. Through the methodology and results of this study, construction companies can systemically plan their construction work by considering the key equipment to be used and can effectively manage the pollutants found within construction sites.
Comparative Modelling Analysis of Air Pollutants, PM2.5 and Energy Efficiency Using Three Ventilation Strategies in a High-Rise Building: A Case Study in Suzhou, China
Authors: Fu Nuodi , Kim Moon Keun , Chen Bing , Sharples Stephen
Published: July 2021

This study investigated the ventilation efficiency and energy performance of three ventilation strategies—an all-air system (AAS), a radiant panel system with a displacement ventilation system (DPS), and a radiant panel system with a decentralized ventilation system (DVS). The research analyzed the indoor air quality (IAQ) in a high-rise building based on the building’s height, the air handling unit (AHU) location, air infiltration rate, outdoor air pollution rate, seasonal change, and air filter efficiency. The results indicated that the AAS had the best performance in terms of IAQ in the high-rise building in winter; however, the AAS also had the highest annual energy demand. For the same conditions, the DVS consumed less energy but had the worst performance in maintaining a satisfactory IAQ. Considering energy consumption, it is worth developing the DVS further to improve ventilation performance. By applying a double-filter system on the lower floors in a high-rise building, the DVS’s ventilation performance was dramatically improved while at the same time consuming less energy than the original DPS and AAS. The application of DVS can also minimize the negative effect of the infiltration rate on indoor air quality (IAQ) in a building, which means that the DVS can better maintain IAQ within a healthy range for a more extended period. Moreover, it was found that the DVS still had a substantial potential for saving energy during the season when the outdoor air was relatively clean. Hence, it is highly recommended that the DVS is used in high-rise buildings.
Evaluating a Machine Learning Tool for the Classification of Pathological Uptake in Whole-Body PSMA-PET-CT Scans
Authors: Erle Annette , Moazemi Sobhan , Lütje Susanne , Essler Markus , Schultz Thomas , Bundschuh Ralph A.
Published: July 2021

The importance of machine learning (ML) in the clinical environment increases constantly. Differentiation of pathological from physiological tracer-uptake in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) images is considered time-consuming and attention intensive, hence crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning. This study aimed at comparing and validating supervised ML algorithms to classify pathological uptake in prostate cancer (PC) patients based on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-PET/CT. Retrospective analysis of 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CTs of 72 PC patients resulted in a total of 77 radiomics features from 2452 manually delineated hotspots for training and labeled pathological (1629) or physiological (823) as ground truth (GT). As the held-out test dataset, 331 hotspots (path.:128, phys.: 203) were delineated in 15 other patients. Three ML classifiers were trained and ranked to assess classification performance. As a result, a high overall average performance (area under the curve (AUC) of 0.98) was achieved, especially to detect pathological uptake (0.97 mean sensitivity). However, there is still room for improvement to detect physiological uptake (0.82 mean specificity), especially for glands. The ML algorithm applied to manually delineated lesions predicts hotspot labels with high accuracy on unseen data and may be an important tool to assist in clinical diagnosis.
A Scientometric Study on Industrial Effluent and Sludge Toxicity
Authors: Mostafaie Amid , Cardoso Diogo , Kamali Mohammadreza , Loureiro Susana
Published: July 2021

The growth of industrialization has led to an increase in the production of highly contaminated wastewater. Industrial wastewater contains highly complex compounds varying in characteristics and required to be treated before its discharge into a water medium from various industries. However, the efficiency of the treated wastewater from the toxicity reduction perspective is unclear. In order to overcome this barrier, toxicity assessment of the industrial wastewater before and after treatment is crucial. Thus, in this study, a scientometric analysis has been performed on the toxicity assessment of industrial wastewater and sludges, which have been reported in the literature. Web of Science (WoS) core collection database has been considered the main database to execute this analysis. Via the search of pre-researched keywords, a total number of 1038 documents were collected, which have been published from 1951 to 2020. Via CiteSpace software and WoS analyser, these documents went under analysis regarding some of the scientometry criteria, and the detailed results obtained are provided in this study. The total number of published documents on this topic is relatively low during such a long period of time. In conclusion, the need for more detailed contributions among the scientific and industrial communities has been felt.
Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus
Authors: Agarwal Puneet , Garg Vinita , Karagaiah Priyanka , Szepietowski Jacek C. , Grabbe Stephan , Goldust Mohamad
Published: July 2021

Pruritus is a distressing condition associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), as well as maintenance dialysis and adversely affects the quality of life (QOL) of these patients. It has been reported to range from 20% to as high as 90%. The mechanism of CKD-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) has not been clearly identified, and many theories have been proposed to explain it. Many risk factors have been found to be associated with CKD-aP. The pruritus in CKD presents with diverse clinical features, and there are no set features to diagnose it.The patients with CKD-aP are mainly treated by nephrologists, primary care doctors, and dermatologists. Many treatments have been tried but nothing has been effective. The search of literature included peer-reviewed articles, including clinical trials and scientific reviews. Literature was identified through March 2021, and references of respective articles and only articles published in the English language were included.
The Swampland Conjectures: A Bridge from Quantum Gravity to Particle Physics
Authors: Graña Mariana , Herráez Alvaro
Published: July 2021

The swampland is the set of seemingly consistent low-energy effective field theories that cannot be consistently coupled to quantum gravity. In this review we cover some of the conjectural properties that effective theories should possess in order not to fall in the swampland, and we give an overview of their main applications to particle physics. The latter include predictions on neutrino masses, bounds on the cosmological constant, the electroweak and QCD scales, the photon mass, the Higgs potential and some insights about supersymmetry.
Understanding the Genetic Diversity of Picobirnavirus: A Classification Update Based on Phylogenetic and Pairwise Sequence Comparison Approaches
Authors: Perez Lester , Cloherty Gavin , Berg Michael
Published: July 2021

Picobirnaviruses (PBVs) are small, double stranded RNA viruses with an ability to infect a myriad of hosts and possessing a high degree of genetic diversity. PBVs are currently classified into two genogroups based upon classification of a 200 nt sequence of RdRp. We demonstrate here that this phylogenetic marker is saturated, affected by homoplasy, and has high phylogenetic noise, resulting in 34% unsolved topologies. By contrast, full-length RdRp sequences provide reliable topologies that allow ancestralism of members to be correctly inferred. MAFFT alignment and maximum likelihood trees were established as the optimal methods to determine phylogenetic relationships, providing complete resolution of PBV RdRp and capsid taxa, each into three monophyletic groupings. Pairwise distance calculations revealed these lineages represent three species. For RdRp, the application of cutoffs determined by theoretical taxonomic distributions indicates that there are five genotypes in species 1, eight genotypes in species 2, and three genotypes in species 3. Capsids were also divided into three species, but sequences did not segregate into statistically supported subdivisions, indicating that diversity is lower than RdRp. We thus propose the adoption of a new nomenclature to indicate the species of each segment (e.g., PBV-C1R2).
Molecular Biology and Pathological Process of an Infectious Bronchitis Virus with Enteric Tropism in Commercial Broilers
Authors: da Silva Ana P. , Hauck Ruediger , Nociti Sabrina R. C. , Kern Colin , Shivaprasad H. L. , Zhou Huaijun , Gallardo Rodrigo A.
Published: July 2021

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) induces respiratory and urogenital disease in chickens. Although IBV replicates in the gastrointestinal tract, enteric lesions are uncommon. We have reported a case of runting-stunting syndrome in commercial broilers from which an IBV variant was isolated from the intestines. The isolate, CalEnt, demonstrated an enteric tissue tropism in chicken embryos and SPF chickens experimentally. Here, we determined the full genome of CalEnt and compared it to other IBV strains, in addition to comparing the pathobiology of CalEnt and M41 in commercial broilers. Despite the high whole-genome identity to other IBV strains, CalEnt is rather unique in its nucleotide composition. The S gene phylogenetic analyses showed great similarity between CalEnt and Cal 99. Clinically, vent staining was slightly more frequent in CalEnt-infected birds than those challenged with M41. Furthermore, IBV IHC detection was more evident and the viral shedding in feces was overall higher with the CalEnt challenge compared with M41. Despite underlying intestinal lesions caused by coccidiosis and salmonellosis vaccination, microscopic lesions in CalEnt-infected chickens were more severe than in M41-infected chickens or controls, supporting the enteric tropism of CalEnt. Further studies in SPF chickens are needed to determine the pathogenesis of the virus, its molecular mechanisms for the enteric tropism, and its influence in intestinal health.
Compartmentalization of Resistance-Associated Substitutions in HIV/HCV-Infected Patients: Possible Correlation with Infecting HCV Genotype
Authors: Morsica Giulia , Vercesi Riccardo , Hasson Hamid , Messina Emanuela , Uberti-Foppa Caterina , Bagaglio Sabrina
Published: July 2021

Resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) may exist prior to treatment and contribute to the failure of treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). As the major site of HCV replication, naturally occurring variants with RASs may segregate into the liver. In the present study, we performed viral population sequencing to retrospectively investigate the NS3 and NS5A RAS profiles in 34 HIV/HCV coinfected patients naïve to anti-HCV treatment who underwent diagnostic liver biopsy between 2000 and 2006 and had liver and plasma samples available. Sixteen were infected by HCV genotype (GT) 1a, 11 by GT3a, and 7 by GT4d. The analysis of the NS3 domain in GT1a showed a difference in strain between the liver and plasma in three cases, with a preponderance of specific RASs in the liver compartment. In GT4d samples, 6/7 coupled liver and plasma samples were concordant with no RASs. Sequence analysis of the NS5A domain showed the presence of RASs in the livers of 2/16 patients harboring GT1a but not in the corresponding plasma. In GT4d, NS5A RASs were detected in 7/7 liver tissues and 5/7 plasma samples. NS3 domain and NS5A domain were found to be conserved in plasma and livers of patients infected with GT3a. Thus, RASs within GT1a and GT4d more likely segregate into the liver and may explain the emergence of resistant strains during DAA treatment.
Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody Specifically Recognizing a Linear Epitope in the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein
Authors: Hong Junping , Wang Qian , Wu Qian , Chen Junyu , Wang Xijing , Wang Yingbin , Chen Yixin , Xia Ningshao
Published: July 2021

To date, SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused more than 188 million infections and 4.06 million deaths worldwide. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has been regarded as an important target for vaccine and therapeutics development because it plays a key role in binding the human cell receptor ACE2 that is required for viral entry. However, it is not easy to detect RBD in Western blot using polyclonal antibody, suggesting that RBD may form a complicated conformation under native condition and bear rare linear epitope. So far, no linear epitope on RBD is reported. Thus, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that recognizes linear epitope on RBD will become valuable. In the present study, an RBD-specific rabbit antibody named 9E1 was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of immunized rabbit by RBD-specific single B cell sorting and mapped to a highly conserved linear epitope within twelve amino acids 480CNGVEGFNCYFP491 on RBD. 9E1 works well in Western blot on S protein and immunohistochemistry on the SARS-CoV-2 infected tissue sections. The results demonstrated that 9E1 can be used as a useful tool for pathological and functional studies of SARS-CoV-2.
Variation in Diet Patterns of the Invasive Top Predator Sander lucioperca (Linnaeus, 1758) across Portuguese Basins
Authors: Ribeiro Diogo , Gkenas Christos , Gago João , Ribeiro Filipe
Published: July 2021

The introduction of non-native species is recognized as a major threat to biodiversity, particularly in freshwater ecosystems. Pikeperch Sander lucioperca, is a recent invader to Portugal, primarily providing commercial and angling interest. The aim of this work was to study the diet of this top predator across Portuguese basins and to evaluate its potential impact on recipient ecosystems. In total, 256 pikeperch stomachs from seven basins were examined, of which 88 (n = 34%) were empty. Pikeperch diet was dominated by R. rutilus, M. salmoides and Diptera in northern populations, while A. alburnus, P. clarkii and Atyidae were important prey in more humid highlands. Variation in diet was most strongly linked to latitude and ontogeny, with both size classes showing signs of cannibalism. The population niche breadth remained low and was accompanied by higher individual diet specialization, particularly in northern populations. Pikeperch dietary patterns denoted an opportunistic ability to use locally abundant prey in each ecosystem, and was size dependent, with larger individuals becoming more piscivores, causing a higher impact in the lotic systems. This first perspective about the pikeperch diet presents a very broad view of the feeding traits of this non-native predator across Portugal, being very important to deepen our knowledge about the impact of these introduced piscivores.
Development of a Practical Model for Predicting Soil Salinity in a Salt Marsh in the Arakawa River Estuary
Authors: Kuroda Naoki , Yokoyama Katsuhide , Ishikawa Tadaharu
Published: July 2021

Our group has studied the spatiotemporal variation of soil and water salinity in an artificial salt marsh along the Arakawa River estuary and developed a practical model for predicting soil salinity. The salinity of the salt marsh and the water level of a nearby channel were measured once a month for 13 consecutive months. The vertical profile of the soil salinity in the salt marsh was measured once monthly over the same period. A numerical flow simulation adopting the shallow water model faithfully reproduced the salinity variation in the salt marsh. Further, we developed a soil salinity model to estimate the soil salinity in a salt marsh in Arakawa River. The vertical distribution of the soil salinity in the salt marsh was uniform and changed at almost the same time. The hydraulic conductivity of the soil, moreover, was high. The uniform distribution of salinity and high hydraulic conductivity could be explained by the vertical and horizontal transport of salinity through channels burrowed in the soil by organisms. By combining the shallow water model and the soil salinity model, the soil salinity of the salt marsh was well reproduced. The above results suggest that a stable brackish ecotone can be created in an artificial salt marsh using our numerical model as a design tool.
Environmental crimes
Authors: Shelomentzev V.N.
Published: July 2021

The article analyzes the types of environmental crimes - socially dangerous acts violating legislation, public environmental safety and public health. In most cases, this responsibility arises when the fulfillment of administrative, labor and legal obligations, as well as provisions for environmental protection is violated. As a result, this type of crime can be committed either intentionally or unintentionally.
Peculiarities of land development and construction in the Arctic region, given the dynamics of climate change
Authors: Bykova G.I. , Grippas M.A.
Published: July 2021

The article covers the specifics of land development and construction in the Arctic North. This requires the effective use of climate information to select optimal solutions for preventing unjustified overpricing of facilities, increased heat loss, low thermal resistance, and durability, affecting the overspending of capital investments. Recent trends in dynamic climate change leading to rising global sea levels, which could flood coastal areas of the Arctic seas, are considered. This can come along with the destruction of the coastal area and pose a great danger to infrastructure facilities.
Long-term outcomes of high-volume stapled hemorroidopexy to treat symptomatic hemorrhoidal disease
Authors: Sturiale Alessandro , Dowais Raad , Fabiani Bernardina , Menconi Claudia , Porzio Felipe Celedon , Coli Virginia , Naldini Gabriele
Published: July 2021

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the long-term results of the stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) using high-volume devices equipped with innovative technology, evaluating recurrence rate, complications rate, and patients’ satisfaction.Methods: All the patients who underwent SH using high-volume devices (TST Starr plus, Touchstone International Medical Science Corp., Ltd.) for II to IV symptomatic hemorrhoidal disease from November 2012 to December 2014 were enrolled. Between December 2019 and January 2020, all of them were phone called to come to undergo a proctological reevaluation and asked to fill some questionnaires about hemorrhoidal prolapse recurrence, symptoms recurrence, and surgery satisfaction.Results: Fifty-nine patients with a mean age of 47 years completely answered the questionnaires. Twenty-two of them accepted to come to undergo a proctological reevaluation while 27 preferred to answer only by phone due to their referred wellbeing. The median follow-up was 70.5 months (range, 60–84 months). The recurrence rate was 5.1% with a mean satisfaction level after surgery was 9.1 (range, 0–10) and 84.7% of patients whose satisfaction scored ≥8. The mean value of Cleveland Global Quality of Life assessment was 0.79 (range, 0.71–0.93). There were no cases of new onset of impaired anal continence after surgery.Conclusion: The new generation high-volume devices to perform SH resulted to be safe and effective for II to IV degree hemorrhoidal prolapse leading to a lower long-term recurrence rate with an evident reduction of postoperative complications in comparison with the low-volume SH.
Should transanal total mesorectal excision be implemented in medium-sized colorectal unit? technical and oncological outcome
Authors: Ho Man-fung , Ng Dennis Chung-Kei , Lee Janet Fung-yee , Ng Simon Siu-man
Published: July 2021

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the outcome of implementation of transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for low rectal cancer in a regional hospital and in comparison to laparoscopic (Lap) TME.Methods: Consecutive patients with low rectal cancer of which the lowest border of the tumour was located beween 1 and 5 cm from the puborectalis who underwent TME at North District Hospital between January 2013 and December 2019 were included. Clinical, operative, and pathologic outcomes were compared between Lap TME and TaTME. The primary end point was complication profile.Results: Thirty-five patients underwent Lap TME and 45 patients underwent TaTME for low rectal cancer. The conversion rate of the TaTME group was significantly lower than that of the Lap TME group (4.4% vs. 20%, P=0.029), but the operating time was longer (259 minutes vs. 219 minutes, P=0.009). The tumour location was significantly lower in the TaTME group, but the distal resection margins were adequate and not different between both groups. The TaTME group had higher incidence rates of prolonged ileus and urinary tract infection, but the other complications were similar between the two groups. The resection margin positivity rates of the TaTME and Lap TME groups were 2.2% and 5.7%, respectively (P=0.670). At a median follow up of 39 months, no abnormal early recurrence was detected.Conclusion: It is technically feasible and oncologically safe to perform TaTME in a medium-volume colorectal unit. Patients with difficult pelvic anatomy can benefit by reducing the risk of conversion and margin positivity rate.
Comparison of long-term outcomes of colonic stenting as a “bridge to surgery” and emergency surgery in patients with left-sided malignant colonic obstruction
Authors: Khomvilai Supakij , Pattarajierapan Sukit
Published: July 2021

Purpose: Long-term oncologic outcomes of colonic stenting as a “bridge to surgery” in patients with left-sided malignant colonic obstruction (LMCO) are unclear. This study was performed to compare long-term outcomes of self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) insertion as a bridge to surgery and emergency surgery in patients with acute LMCO.Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with acute LMCO who underwent SEMS insertion as a bridge to surgery or emergency surgery. The primary outcomes were 5-year disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and recurrence rate. Survival outcomes were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank tests.Results: There was a trend of worsening 5-year OS rate in the SEMS group compared with emergency surgery group (45% vs. 57%, P=0.07). In stage-wise subgroup analyses, a trend of deteriorating 5-year OS rate in the SEMS group with stage III (43% vs. 59%, P=0.06) was observed. The 5-year DFS and recurrence rate were not different between groups. The overall median follow-up time was 58 months. On multivariate analysis, age of ≥65 years and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage of ≥III, and synchronous metastasis were significant poor prognostic factors for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.709; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.007–2.900; P=0.05/HR, 1.988; 95% CI, 1.038–3.809; P=0.04/HR, 2.146; 95% CI, 1.191–3.866; P=0.01; respectively).Conclusion: SEMS as a bridge to surgery may have adverse oncologic outcomes. Patients in the SEMS group had a trend of worsening 5-year OS rate without higher recurrence.
ESTIMATION OF LOADING CAPACITY OF A DETAIL SUBJECTED TO CYCLIC LOAD
Authors: NEMENKO A.V. , NIKITIN M.M.
Published: July 2021

A method for assessing the current load capacity of a component of a complex mechanical system based on the failure statistics of similar parts and the actual loading history is proposed. A hidden semi-Markov model of a fatigue crack is considered. As a criterion for the load capacity, the safety factor is considered as a random variable, the distribution function of which is found by the proposed method. The scaling of the approach from detail to the system as a whole is assumed using artificial intelligence methods.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMBINED ELECTROPHYSICAL METHODS OF MACHINE AND INSTRUMENT PARTS HARDENING ANALYSIS
Authors: KOLOSOVSKII A.M. , VICHTEVSKII V.I. , CHERKASHINA E.F. , TRISTANOVA E.B.
Published: July 2021

The article proposes an analysis of the development of combined electrophysical methods of hardening machine parts and tools based on the use of radiation (laser, electro-beam, ultrasonic, etc.) processing and electromagnetic fields. It is shown that the current and promising direction in improving the performance of the contact surface layers of machine parts, creating high-performance coatings (as well as technologies for their application) with high physical and mechanical properties of responsible parts is the combination of high-energy (laser, electronic, etc.) radiation and electromagnetic fields as a technological factor, as well as other sources of technological energy, which are advanced electrophysical methods of forming working surfaces of mechanical parts of mechanical and mechanical components.