bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrocoagulation Treatment of Sanitary Landfill Leachate in Malaysia
Authors: Taib M R , Mook B N , Tahir M I H M , Aziz M A A
Published: March 2021

The tropical climate condition and high moisture of solid waste characteristic in Malaysia led to the increase of leachate generation from landfill. Current leachate treatment showed less efficient to treat leachate due to various refractory pollutants in the leachate. This study employed electrocoagulation (EC) to investigate the effects of electrode material, current density and initial pH condition in reducing total suspended solid (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), ammonia-nitrogen and colour from the leachate. The result showed that aluminium electrode was able to remove all the parameters more effectively as compared to iron electrode. The optimum current density and pH condition were found to be 100 mA/cm2 and at pH 7, respectively. The COD in the leachate was predominantly exist as particulate matter and it was removed in the form of suspended solids. Although all the pollutant parameters still exceeded the standard discharge limit after the treatment, the electrocoagulation is proposed to act as pretreatment prior to biological treatment in sanitary landfill. The electrocoagulation also can treat leachate from open dumping landfill sites in order to reduce the leachate contamination into the environment.
Eichhornia Crassipes Transformation from Problems to Wide Unique Source of Sustainable Materials in Engineering Application
Authors: Opia A C , Mohd Kameil A H , Syahrullail S , Abd Rahim A B , Johnson C A N
Published: March 2021

Eichhornia crassipes (EC) is an aquatic plant with a massive growth rate. The massive growth nature made it a threat because of its negative effect to the aquatic organisms, economic activities and others. However, with the help of researchers and technology, the negative effect would be turn into economic potential, whereby the EC was being transformed fromproblematic concept to huge benefit towards sustainability of mankind. The EC was observed to be similar to fossil feedstock in terms of industrial usage but of less or no emission effect, thus considered eco-friendly. The present paper gives the insight of vital hidden opportunities from EC towards economy expansion. The EDX characterization apart from cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin indicate great potential of EC useful element, polymer, surfactant and carbonaceous strength. The EDX analysis indicated percentage values of carbon as 70.4% and 64.8% for carbon nanotubes and CMC polymer respectively. It shows good engineering properties both in mechanical strength and high young’s modulus due to the flexible hexagonal structure of the dominated carbon content. This makes it suitable in many engineering application including production of additives, electrical/electronic parts and development of microchips for telecommunication industry. With the help of nanotechnology, EC would be of high potential and predominant in the global market thereby reducing the dependent on the non -renewable material and the effect of fossil pollution will be reduced. Thus, the aqua-environment issue would be solved through steady utilization of the EC material.
Life Cycle Assessment Framework Application in Malaysia
Authors: Hafizan C , Hussein N , Noor Z Z
Published: March 2021

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is broadly used around the world. The comprehensiveness of the method helps to avoid problem-shifter in reducing environmental impact from anthropogenic activities. In Southeast Asia, some countries have adopted gradually the application of life cycle approach in government action plans and marketing strategies. However, its progress remains unclear due to the lack of investigative studies. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the current application of LCA framework in Malaysia. The paper also highlights the acceptance of the concept within government sectors and industrial players. The life cycle assessmentLCA progress in Malaysia can be seen from three perspectives: 1) government planning and policy; 2) industry involvement and 3) LCA priorities. This study reviewed the current progress of LCA implementation in Malaysia based on the current literature. In government planning and policy, LCA has been embedded in project development and monitoring through the Carbon Reduction Initiative and National Database Development. However, the progress in industry involvement so far has shown less participation due to low demand towards green products. In moving towards a high-income nation and open economy, the Malaysian government has emphasized on the need for greater inclusiveness where green initiatives were put forward in Malaysia’s development.
Designing supply chain models with blockchain technology in the fishing industry in Indonesia
Authors: Larissa S , Parung J
Published: March 2021

The fishing industry contributes to the national economy and has a high risk of being traded because it has a long shipping time, limited time to consume, and the amount traded varies depending on the season. This risk can reduce the potential profit of players in the fishing industry. To reduce this risk and maximize added value, blockchain technology is used to change the supply chain of the fishing industry. Blockchain technology is a ledger database that is distributed to record transactions among parties that can be verified and permanently. This paper proposes a blockchain technology framework in the fishing industry. This paper will explain the definition and benefits of blockchain, current applications, and design a new model of the supply chain. The potential benefits of the blockchain are transparency and traceability, reducing costs and time, and preventing illegal or unethical fishery products from entering the supply chain. Moreover, this paper will also explore how to build this blockchain technology in the supply chain.
Applying the ISO 31000:2009 in livestock industries (Case study: XYZ livestock group)
Authors: Fitria H , Mansur A
Published: March 2021

XYZ Livestock Group is one of the livestock industries contributing to beef cattle and dairy cattle. However, there are many problems in the livestock industry. Because of the many uncertainties in managing the livestock industry, many cattle ranchers have switched professions to sand miners or residential entrepreneurs. This research is designated as a reference for livestock industry stakeholders to improve their business, especially to handle their risk. ISO 31000:2009 Framework is used as a method in this research. In this study, we found 13 risks with 13 causes of risk that occurred in the XYZ Livestock Group. Further analysis shows that there are three risks in the red zone, namely that livestock cannot be sold (dead/sick), and consumers of XYZ Livestock Group are declining. Furthermore, this research proposes a mitigation strategy to reduce risk. Three mitigations are obtained based on risk priorities, namely taking or increasing risks to get opportunities, eliminate sources of risk, and change the consequences.
Aggregate production planning model under demand uncertainty: A case study in an Indonesian cement company
Authors: Gozali I , Pujawan I N , Arvitrida N I
Published: March 2021

In this paper, a multi-product, multi-stage and multi-period aggregate production-planning model is proposed to deal with demand uncertainty in an Indonesian Cement Company. The demand uncertainty is modelled as a number of discrete scenarios with known probabilities. This problem consists of determining the optimal production, subcontract and inventory level of clinker and cement in order to fulfil demand at minimum cost within the planning horizon. This research aims to develop an aggregate production-planning model under demand uncertainty in an Indonesian Cement Company. The model constructed as a linear programming problem using scenario-based approach to satisfy demand at minimum cost. The outcome of this research is the development of an aggregate production-planning model that accommodates demand uncertainty in Indonesian Cement Company by considering material balance at each stage of the process, equipment capacity and inventory storage capacity during the planning horizon. The proposed model can be used as a decision-making basis for production and inventory control manager to produce or subcontract clinker and semen in each period to fulfil demand at minimum cost.
A model for joint decision between production rate and clinker export proportion using cooperative game theory approach
Authors: Amrillah H T , Widodo E
Published: March 2021

This study aims to provide a decision making model to determine clinker export proportion. Cooperative game theory approach used to build the model. Players in this game are manager of production & material planning, and manager of cement production. Payoff matrix of the game composed using Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) based equation. Expected contribution of this study is to provide a decision making model in determining acceptable proportion between clinker amount to export, and clinker amount to be grinded. Furthermore, this study expected to support revenue maximizing in the company.
Regression analysis in predicting coating application lifetime on asset integrity project
Authors: Setiawan R , Santosa B
Published: March 2021

The Asset Integrity project is one of the strategic priorities in maintenance to ensure the functional lifetime of an asset is well maintained to support the nickel processing. The coating protection application is one of the asset integrity strategy to maintain the structural lifetime, however the corrosive environment of nickel processing plant influences the lifetime of the coating design differently on each facility due to different process in the processing line. The objective of this study is to predict the coating design lifetime on Dryer, KILN, Furnace, and Converter facilities. The analysis used regression method for coating lifetime on each facility by considering the independent variables, i.e. SO2 Intensity, stack emission, NOx emission, rainfall intensity, and underfilm condition. By using regression model, coating design lifetime in Dryer area is 4.95 years, KILN is 5.73 years, Furnace is 6.23 years, and Converter is 6.73 years. Process plant area which having the most significant impact of corrosive environment is Dryer area, causing the coating lifetime in this area is the lowest than other area in the Process Plant area. This result can be used to set maintenance strategy for coating design lifetime lifecycle for the next Asset Integrity project.
Reducing unplanned downtime using Predictive Maintenance (PdM)
Authors: Yasin I , Kurniati N , Syairudin B
Published: March 2021

Maintenance is one of the essential aspects that contribute to keep production process continue to operate and reduce unplanned downtime. In the cement industry, especially kiln area, unplanned downtime can cause not only low availability but also high maintenance costs due to unplanned demand for spare parts and the need for labour to complete unplanned downtime, hence the right method of maintenance is needed. One of the strategic maintenances could be applied is Predictive Maintenance (PdM). Among others maintenance strategy, PdM provides more accurate task due to real time condition monitoring of equipment based on sensors obtained from server data. In this paper, Mahalanobis-Taguchi System (MTS) is applied to provide reliable multisensory analysis and real-time decision making. MTS includes 1) fuses data from multiple sensors into a single system level performance metric; 2) extends MTS by providing a single tool for fault detection/diagnostic, isolation, and prognostic; and 3) offers a systematic way to determine the key parameters following with fault reducing analysis. Multi-sensor data in the kiln used in this research are speed motor main drive, Pfister Coal feed, kiln feed, speed motor IDFAN1, speed motor IDFAN2, speed motor EPFAN. Based on the MTS calculation, the normal data values are obtained from each sensor data. This method is also used to detect, identify, and classify failures based on tests from scheme data. The proposed diagnostic and prognostics scheme from this paper are useful for guiding the company to predict the failure as well as the maintenance schedule then it will increasing the availability from 80% to 90% by reduce the unplanned downtime.
Empty container reposition using max-min review system: Simulation approach
Authors: Budipriyanto A , Novianti M D , Susanto T
Published: March 2021

Global economic conditions and differences in the ability and economic competitiveness of each country cause an imbalance between exports and imports. Shipping of goods is carried out mostly by sea transportation through the use of containers and involves the port as the exit and entry of goods. An imbalance in export-import causes the number of containers in some ports to have a surplus, while others have a deficit. To maintain container availability, shippinglines must adjust the balance by repositioning from a surplus port to a deficit port. Shippinglines must determine the inventory to meet the needs at the port and the number of containers that can be repositioned to the other ports that need it. If the inventory at the port reaches a minimum level, then the order must be immediately carried out, on the contrary, it will be repositioned to another port that needs it. By adopting the concept of a review system (U, D), when the inventory is less than U, an order of Q is immediately placed. But if the inventory is greater or equal to D, repositioning is carried out. Repositioning is done by I-D. In this study, the maximum inventory value is determined based on the value of the inventory service level of 95%. From the simulation results it was concluded that the min-max review system policy with a service level of 95% could reduce inventory by 35.64% and reduce shortage by 8.82%.
Quality control of palm oil crude (CPO) using six sigma method in PT Karya Tanah Subur West Aceh regency
Authors: Sofiyanurriyanti  , Putra G , Arifin A R
Published: March 2021

The rapid world demand for palm oil shows an increasing tendency towards product consumption in palm oil raw materials. PT. Karya Tanah Subur is a company engaged in processing fresh fruit bunches that produce palm oil and palm kernel. Six Sigma is a method used to provide solutions and find the cause of product defects by providing a proposed improvement in several stages. The results showed that the causes of CPO oil quality discrepancies were obtained in the cause-and-effect diagram analysis, namely factors of workers, production machinery, work methods, materials. While the defect per million opportunities in free fatty acid levels is 35,528, impurities content is 18,899 and water content is 14,719. Based on the value of the average sigma level for free fatty acid levels that is equal to 3.38, the level of impurities sigma value of 3.57 and the water content of the sigma value of 3.68 sigma. Proposed improvement of product defects mismatch with the 5W + 1H method, namely in free fatty acid levels, work system improvements in the sorting of fresh fruit bunches, provide training to operators in the selection of appropriate fruits while impurities by monitoring oil purification operators, machine maintenance cleaning periodically at the sorting station, periodic checking every hour, while the moisture content of the corrective action that must be taken is to supervise the sterilizer operator.
Sustainable-value stream mapping to improve manufacturing sustainability performance: Case study in a natural dye batik SME’s
Authors: Hartini S , Manurung J , Rumita R
Published: March 2021

The lean manufacturing system has proved its capability to eliminate waste and produce environmental gains. The integration of sustainable manufacturing indicators in lean manufacturing analysis tools is expected to improve manufacturing sustainability performance. This paper proposes sustainable-value stream mapping to evaluate sustainability performance using a lean manufacturing approach. This new tool will analyze all activities in the manufacturing process incorporated sustainability indicator includes economic, environmental, and social dimensions. The integration of sustainability indicator into a lean manufacturing tool is validated through a mini case study in a small-medium enterprise that produce natural dye batik. The key contribution of the study is a practical framework for identifying non-value-added activities at the production process of natural dye batik. This tool can identify the sources of problems in economic, environmental, and social dimensions. This article can recommend the improvement plan to improve the sustainability performance of a company, especially in batik SMEs.
Virtual laboratory application based on virtual reality simulation as training tool of turning machine using goal-directed design method
Authors: Nurkertamanda D , Frendiansyah F , Saptadi S , Widharto Y , Wicaksono P A
Published: March 2021

This study aims to develop a virtual laboratory application based on virtual reality simulation as a training tool for turning machines. The application is built as a solution for manufacturing engineering education problems at the Production System Laboratory (PSL) in the Industrial Engineering Department, Diponegoro University. Problem based on work accident data shows human error from the student when using turning machines. The data shows that lack of student understanding due to insufficient of preliminary training at the beginning of manufacturing engineering education especially physical skills training. Virtual Reality Simulation is chosen because conventional machining training has some restrictions in execution. Furthermore, virtual reality simulation can reduce cost, improve safety, and add flexibility along with advances in computer technology. For this Research the Goal-Directed Design (GDD) method was chosen to develop VR simulation. This method is used as a procedure to accomplish the good design of application which including research, modelling, requirements, framework, refinement, and support. The application is built using Unity 3D software and run on Oculus Quest hardware. At the evaluation phase for assessing the needs, researchers use functional and non-functional requirements. Functional requirements consist of interaction, visualization, and information. Non-functional requirements consist of usability, performance, and reliability.
Determined the Effective Temperature and Gravity Acceleration at the Atmosphere of (HD165908) Star
Authors: Alhawi Omar Ahmed , Mazyed Firas Saleem
Published: March 2021

The study of the chemical composition of stars in our Galaxy showed that it changes in a non-random way from a star to a star: older stars and halo stars have a metal deficit compared to young stars and disc stars. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes old stars have a solar chemical composition, and young stars show a deficit of metals. It is believed that the formed stars has a chemical composition of the interstellar substance from which it was formed; therefore, the initial content of elements in its atmosphere depends on the time and place of birth. Within the framework of this work, echelle spectra of star 99Her of spectral classes A-F has been proceed, obtained with a 1.5-meter telescope PTT-150 (Russian Turkish Telescope-150). As a result of processing the spectra, the equivalent widths of unbend and weakly blended absorption lines were measured, 350 lines this star. The measured equivalent line widths can be used for other studies of the atmospheres of the A-F stars composition. Stars with temperatures of 8000-9000 K show a significant excess of elements heavier than iron and some deficiency of light elements. These results, apparently, are a consequence of the effects of light pressure and gravitational diffusion of atoms and ions in atmospheres of calm and radiative atmospheres of A-stars.
Optical, Structure and Electrical Properties of Pb1-xCdxS Thin Films by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) Method
Authors: Abbas Nada K , Hakeem Haneen S
Published: March 2021

In this work, CdS, PbS, and Pb1-xCdxS nanoparticles with x ranged from 0.25 to 0.75 were synthesized using chemical co-precipitation mode. The pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method with laser system (Nd: YAG Laser system) was performed to make thin films of all samples which was normally performed under low gas pressure and under the following conditions; 300 mJ energy, 100 pulses, 6 Hz frequency and in the vacuum chamber on the substrates (10−2 torr). Electrical properties (D.C conductivity, Hall Effect and current-voltage measurements) of the prepared semiconductive thin films were studied using different devices. The prepared samples were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy (in the range 300-1100 nm) to study the optical properties, AFM and SEM to check the surface morphology (Roughness average and shape) and the particle size. XRD technique was used to determine the crystalline structure, the purity of the phase and the crystalline structure. The crystalline size averages of the nanoparticles have been found to be to 19.8, 11.0, 8.8 and 11.7 and 27.3 nm for PbS, Pb0.75Cd0.25S, Pb0.5Cd0.5S, Pb0.25Cd0.75S, and CdS respectively. The results indicate that crystalline structure of all prepared samples is cubic except CdS which shows hexagonal and cubic structure.
Projected changes in the frequency of climate extremes over southeast Australia
Authors: Herold N , Downes S M , Gross M H , Ji F , Nishant N , Macadam I , Ridder N N , Beyer K
Published: March 2021

Most studies evaluating future changes in climate extremes over Australia have examined events that occur once or more each year. However, it is extremes that occur less frequently than this that generally have the largest impacts on sectors such as infrastructure, health and finance. Here we use an ensemble of high resolution (∼10 km) climate projections from the NSW and ACT Regional Climate Modelling (NARCliM) project to provide insight into how such rare events may change over southeast Australia in the future. We examine changes in the frequency of extremes of heat, rainfall, bushfire weather, meteorological drought and thunderstorm energy by the late 21st century, focusing on events that currently occur once every 20 years (those with a 5% Annual Exceedance Probability). Overall the ensemble suggests increases in the frequency of all five extremes. Heat extremes exhibit the largest change in frequency and the greatest ensemble agreement, with current 1-in-20 year events projected to occur every year in central Australia and at least every 5 years across most of southeast Australia, by the late 21st century. The five capital cities included in our model domain are projected to experience multiple climate extremes more than twice as frequently in the late 21st century, with some cities projected to experience 1-in-20 year events more than six times as frequently. Although individual simulations show decreases in some extremes in some locations, there is no strong ensemble agreement for a decrease in any of the climate extremes over any part of southeast Australia. These results can support adaptation planning and should motivate further research into how extremely rare events will change over Australia in the future.
Maggot Therapy in Chronic Wounds: New Approaches to Historical Practices
Authors: Harvey Michelle L , Dadour Ian R , Gasz Natalie E
Published: March 2021

Blowfly larvae of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are well established as debridement agents in nonhealing wounds. Maggot therapy (MT) experienced reduced application following adoption of Penicillin and other antibiotics, but the advent of antibiotic resistance and the growing global wound burden have boosted demand for new therapies. The mechanisms of action are well accepted, with debridement, disinfection, biofilm destruction, and inhibition, as well as the stimulation of tissue growth uniformly acknowledged as a remarkable biotherapy. The mechanisms of action, while well-recognized, are still being examined. The efforts to understand isolated aspects of a complex system, have resulted in a tendency to approach the field from simplified viewpoints that remove the holistic system of the larvae. Furthermore, clinical studies have conflated wound debridement and healing in definitions of ‘success’. Thus, both in vitro and clinical studies have reported mixed results, presenting some uncertainty regarding the utility of MT that prohibits routine clinical adoption. This review builds from the generally accepted basic mechanisms to justify a future for MT that encompasses larval-bacterial symbioses as the basis to a holistic system. Symbioses are well documented in the Insecta, and literature in MT supports the existence of established symbiotic associations that provide enhanced debridement action. The future of MT requires consideration of a biological system that confers enhanced antimicrobial action on larvae when selective pre-exposure to carefully selected symbionts is adopted. In treating contemporary infections, there is much to be gained from reflecting on the natural biology of the organism, as MT was used with success long before we sterilized the system.
Integrative survival analysis of breast cancer with gene expression and DNA methylation data
Authors: Bichindaritz Isabelle , Liu Guanghui , Bartlett Christopher
Published: March 2021

Motivation

Integrative multi-feature fusion analysis on biomedical data has gained much attention recently. In breast cancer, existing studies have demonstrated that combining genomic mRNA data and DNA methylation data can better stratify cancer patients with distinct prognosis than using single signature. However, those existing methods are simply combining these gene features in series and have ignored the correlations between separate omics dimensions over time.

Results

In the present study, we propose an adaptive multi-task learning method, which combines the Cox loss task with the ordinal loss task, for survival prediction of breast cancer patients using multi-modal learning instead of performing survival analysis on each feature dataset. First, we use local maximum quasi-clique merging (lmQCM) algorithm to reduce the mRNA and methylation feature dimensions and extract cluster eigengenes respectively. Then, we add an auxiliary ordinal loss to the original Cox model to improve the ability to optimize the learning process in training and regularization. The auxiliary loss helps to reduce the vanishing gradient problem for earlier layers and helps to decrease the loss of the primary task. Meanwhile, we use an adaptive weights approach to multi-task learning which weighs multiple loss functions by considering the homoscedastic uncertainty of each task. Finally, we build an ordinal cox hazards model for survival analysis and use long short-term memory (LSTM) method to predict patients’ survival risk. We use the cross-validation method and the concordance index (C-index) for assessing the prediction effect. Stringent cross-verification testing processes for the benchmark dataset and two additional datasets demonstrate that the developed approach is effective, achieving very competitive performance with existing approaches.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/bhioswego/ML_ordCOX.
Quantitative proteomics identifies FOLR1 to drive sorafenib resistance via activating autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Chu Hongwei , Wu Changqing , Zhao Qun , Sun Rui , Yang Kuo , Zhao Baofeng , Liu Yang , Liang Zhen , Zhong Shijun , Zhang Lihua , Zhang Yukui
Published: March 2021

Sorafenib is commonly used to treat advanced human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, clinical efficacy has been limited by drug resistance. In this study, we used label-free quantitative proteomic analysis to systematically investigate the underlying mechanisms of sorafenib resistance in HCC cells. A total of 1709 proteins were confidently quantified. Among them, 89 were differentially expressed and highly enriched in the processes of cell–cell adhesion, negative regulation of apoptosis, response to drug and metabolic processes involving in sorafenib resistance. Notably, folate receptor α (FOLR1) was found to be significantly upregulated in resistant HCC cells. In addition, in vitro studies showed that overexpression of FOLR1 decreased the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib, whereas siRNA-directed knockdown of FOLR1 increased the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib. Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry analysis suggested a strong link between FOLR1 and autophagy-related proteins. Further biological experiments found that FOLR1-related sorafenib resistance was accompanied by the activation of autophagy, whereas inhibition of autophagy significantly reduced FOLR1-induced cell resistance. These results suggest the driving role of FOLR1 in HCC resistance to sorafenib, which may be exerted through FOLR1-induced autophagy. Therefore, this study may provide new insights into understanding the mechanism of sorafenib resistance.
Biodiesel production by the electrocatalytic process: a review
Authors: Thangaraj Baskar , Solomon Pravin Raj
Published: March 2021

Biodiesel—an impressive alternative fuel with favourable physico-chemical properties having environmental benefits—is prepared from vegetable oil. However, the cost is one of the main hurdles in commercializing it. Its production by conventional transesterification processes needs high ambient temperature and a specialized catalyst. Due to the multifaceted adversities of many of the catalysts, there is active consideration for an electrocatalytic process that does not require elevated temperature. In addition, an electrocatalytic process is carried out in the presence or absence of a catalyst or co-solvent. In this review, various parameters such as electrolysis voltage, stirring rate, electrode type, water content, co-solvent type, reaction temperature, reaction duration, oil-to-methanol molar ratio and concentration of NaCl affecting the electrocatalytic transesterification process are presented.
Salvage Therapy with Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir/Voxilaprevir in DAA-experienced Patients: Results from a Prospective Canadian Registry
Authors: Onofrio Fernanda Q , Cooper Curtis , Borgia Sergio M , Vachon Marie-Louise , Ramji Alnoor , Lilly Leslie B , Wong Alexander , Booth Joshua , Sattar Izza , Morales Heidy , Lee Samuel , Conway Brian , Feld Jordan J
Published: March 2021

Background

Despite the current highly effective therapies with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), some patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection still do not achieve sustained virological response (SVR) and require retreatment. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SVV) is recommended as the first-line retreatment option for most patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of SVV as salvage therapy after at least one course of DAA.

Methods

Data were collected on all HCV-infected patients who failed DAAs and were prescribed SVV from a prospective Canadian registry (CANUHC) including 17 sites across Canada. Factors associated with failure to achieve SVR with SVV therapy and the utility of RAS testing and ribavirin use were evaluated.

Results

A total of 128 patients received SVV after non-SVR with DAA treatment: 80% male, median age 57.5 (31–86), 44% cirrhotic, and 17 patients post liver transplant. First line regimens included: sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (27.3%), sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (26.5%), grazoprevir/elbasvir (12.5%), other (33.5%). Ribavirin was added to SVV in 26 patients due to past sofosbuvir/velpatasvir use (n = 8), complex resistance associated substitution profiles (n = 16) and/or cirrhosis (n = 9). Overall SVR rate was 96% (123/128). Of 35 patients who previously failed sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, 31 (88.5%) achieved SVR compared to 92 of 93 (99%) among those receiving any other regimen (P = .01).

Conclusions

Similar to reports from phase 3 clinical trials, SVV proved highly effective as salvage therapy for patients who failed a previous DAA therapy. Those who failed SVV had at least 2 of the following factors: genotype 3, presence of cirrhosis, past liver transplantation, past exposure to sofosbuvir/velpatasvir and/or complex resistance profiles.
Antibody and Antigen Prevalence as Indicators of Ongoing Transmission or Elimination of Visceral Leishmaniasis: A Modeling Study
Authors: Coffeng Luc E , Le Rutte Epke A , Munoz Johanna , Adams Emily , de Vlas Sake J
Published: March 2021

Background

Control of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) on the Indian subcontinent has been highly successful. Control efforts such as indoor residual spraying and active case detection will be scaled down or even halted over the coming years. We explored how after scale-down, potential recurrence of VL cases may be predicted based on population-based surveys of antibody or antigenemia prevalence.

Methods

Using a stochastic age-structured transmission model of VL, we predicted trends in case incidence and biomarker prevalence over time after scaling down control efforts when the target of 3 successive years without VL cases has been achieved. Next, we correlated biomarker prevalence with the occurrence of new VL cases within 10 years of scale-down.

Results

Occurrence of at least 1 new VL case in a population of 10 000 was highly correlated with the seroprevalence and antigenemia prevalence at the moment of scale-down, or 1 or 2 years afterward. Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated that biomarker prevalence in adults provided the most predictive information, and seroprevalence was a more informative predictor of new VL cases than antigenemia prevalence. Thresholds for biomarker prevalence to predict occurrence of new VL cases with high certainty were robust to variation in precontrol endemicity.

Conclusions

The risk of recrudescence of VL after scaling down control efforts can be monitored and mitigated by means of population-based surveys. Our findings highlight that rapid point-of-care diagnostic tools to assess (preferably) seroprevalence or (otherwise) antigenemia in the general population could be a key ingredient of sustainable VL control.
2-Nonanone is a Critical Pheromone Component for Cerambycid Beetle Species Native to North and South America
Authors: Silva Weliton D , Hanks Lawrence M , Mongold-Diers Judith A , Grommes Anna C , Bento José Maurício S , Millar Jocelyn G
Published: March 2021

An increasing body of evidence indicates that cerambycid beetles native to different continents may share pheromone components, suggesting that these compounds arose as pheromone components early in the evolution of the family. Here, we describe the identification and field testing of the pheromone blends of two species in the subfamily Cerambycinae that share 2-nonanone as an important component of their male-produced aggregation-sex pheromones, the South American Stizocera consobrina Gounelle (tribe Elaphidiini) and the North American Heterachthes quadrimaculatus Haldeman (tribe Neoibidionini). Along with 2-nonanone, males of S. consobrina also produce 1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1,2-propanedione, whereas males of H. quadrimaculatus produce 10-methyldodecanol. Field bioassays conducted in Brazil (targeting S. consobrina) and Illinois (targeting H. quadrimaculatus) demonstrated that adults of both species were attracted only by the blends of both their pheromone components, and not to the individual components. The use of the pyrrole as a critical component for the former species is further evidence that this compound is a common pheromone structure among cerambycines in different biogeographical regions of the world.
Educational interventions using a primer and motivational interviewing: randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sabino Leidiane Minervina M de , Ferreira Ádria Marcela V , Mendes Elizamar Regina R , Melo Emanuella S J , Penha Jardeliny C , Lima Kamila F , Nascimento Ludmila A do , Lima Francisca Elisângela T , Melo Regina Claúdia de , de Almeida Paulo César , Barbosa Lorena P
Published: March 2021

Background

Many educational technologies have been used to promote the health of the population. Thus, the objective was to assess the effect of using an individual educational primer along with the Brief Motivational Interviewing (BMI) for increasing maternal self-efficacy for preventing childhood diarrhoea.

Methods

Randomized clinical trial, conducted in Fortaleza/Ceará—Brazil, composed of 181 mothers and/or guardians of children under five years, who were randomized into three groups: experimental group A (EG A)—who read the primer, experimental group B (EG B)—application of the primer and BMI and the control group (CG). The participants’ assessment was based on the Maternal Self-Efficacy Scale for Preventing Childhood Diarrhoea and the diarrhoea Investigation Form at the beginning of the intervention and then 30 and 60 days after the first contact with the participants.

Results

There were 60 participants in EG A and CG and 61 in EG B. It was noted a greater incidence of participants with high self-efficacy in EG B after applying the technologies. All groups manifested diarrhoea among children after the interventions, although with a lower number in EG B, one-month post-intervention (P = 0.025).

Conclusions

The combined use of the primer and the BMI contributed significantly over time to increase maternal self-efficacy in preventing childhood diarrhoea and reduce cases of this disease.
Characterizing the culturable surface microbiomes of diverse marine animals
Authors: Keller Abigail G , Apprill Amy , Lebaron Philippe , Robbins Jooke , Romano Tracy A , Overton Ellysia , Rong Yuying , Yuan Ruiyi , Pollara Scott , Whalen Kristen E
Published: March 2021

Biofilm-forming bacteria have the potential to contribute to the health, physiology, behavior and ecology of the host and serve as its first line of defense against adverse conditions in the environment. While metabarcoding and metagenomic information furthers our understanding of microbiome composition, fewer studies use cultured samples to study the diverse interactions among the host and its microbiome, as cultured representatives are often lacking. This study examines the surface microbiomes cultured from three shallow-water coral species and two whale species. These unique marine animals place strong selective pressures on their microbial symbionts and contain members under similar environmental and anthropogenic stress. We developed an intense cultivation procedure, utilizing a suite of culture conditions targeting a rich assortment of biofilm-forming microorganisms. We identified 592 microbial isolates contained within 15 bacterial orders representing 50 bacterial genera, and two fungal species. Culturable bacteria from coral and whale samples paralleled taxonomic groups identified in culture-independent surveys, including 29% of all bacterial genera identified in the Megaptera novaeangliae skin microbiome through culture-independent methods. This microbial repository provides raw material and biological input for more nuanced studies which can explore how members of the microbiome both shape their micro-niche and impact host fitness.
Multiphenomenology explosion monitoring (MultiPEM): a general framework for data interpretation and yield estimation
Authors: Williams Brian J , Brug W Patrick , Casleton Emily M , Syracuse Ellen M , Blom Philip S , Meierbachtol Collin S , Stead Richard J , MacLeod Gordon A , Bauer Amy L , Shao Xuan-Min , Anderson Dale N
Published: March 2021

An underground nuclear explosion (UNE) couples mechanical energy into crustal rock, which propagates as seismic and acoustic waves. These different physical phenomena transport, by different pathways, to standoff detectors at varying distances. The transport pathways attenuate the original signal but in different ways. Enabled by correct statistical weighting, signal attenuation models can be used to combine these disparate sensor data to estimate the yield of an UNE. Contemporaneous statistical models, used in yield estimation, can be improved with an advanced partition of error for these physical signal propagation models. We present an advanced multivariate approach to error modelling of multiphenomenology physical signatures. In addition to measurement error, our error model represents physical model biases as random with a physics-based covariance structure. To illustrate this proposed framework, we demonstrate the estimation of explosion yield using openly available seismic and acoustic data from chemical single-point explosions.
Longitudinal Assessment of Anti-Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Immune Responses for Six Months Based on the Clinical Severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Noh Ji Yun , Kwak Jeong-Eun , Yang Jeong-Sun , Hwang Soon Young , Yoon Jin Gu , Seong Hye , Hyun Hakjun , Lim Chae Seung , Yoon Soo-Young , Ryou Jungsang , Lee Joo-Yeon , Kim Sung-Soon , Park Su-Hyung , Cheong Hee Jin , Kim Woo Joo , Shin Eui-Cheol , Song Joon Young
Published: March 2021

Background

There is insufficient data on the longevity of immunity acquired after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Methods

We aimed to evaluate the duration of SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and cellular immunity according to the clinical severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study population comprised asymptomatic (n = 14), symptomatic/nonpneumonic (n = 42), and pneumonic (n = 41) patients.

Results

The anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin class G and neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers lasted until 6 months after diagnosis, with positivity rates of 66.7% and 86.9%, respectively. Older age, prolonged viral shedding, and accompanying pneumonia were more frequently found in patients with sustained humoral immunity. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-specific T-cell response was strongly observed in pneumonic patients and prominent in individuals with sustained humoral immunity.

Conclusions

In conclusion, most (>85%) patients carry NAb until 6 months after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing insights for establishing vaccination strategies against COVID-19.
Antimicrobial resistance during the COVID-19 pandemic: the missing patient perspective
Authors: Dahal Deepa , Sundar Swarna , Kullar Ravina , Milevska-Kostova Neda , Dindial Karen
Published: March 2021

While the use of antibiotics for secondary infections in COVID-19 has been described in scientific literature and guidelines have been issued for their appropriate use, the importance of listening to patients in a systematic manner has often been overlooked. To highlight this issue, we spoke with patients about their experiences with antibiotics as treatment for COVID-19 and their understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We found that there is a general lack of awareness of the risks of AMR, and even when patients are knowledgeable, fear of COVID-19 and pressure from healthcare providers often override considerations for appropriate use. We present case examples of three patients’ experiences and provide recommendations for health systems, healthcare providers, and patients or caregivers on actions they can each take to reduce the risk of AMR during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. We also share ways that the patient community can be empowered to provide their voices to decision-making on both COVID-19 treatment protocols and prescriptions of antibiotics.
Performance of an Advanced Interferon-Gamma Release Assay forMycobacterium tuberculosisDetection
Authors: Altawallbeh Ghaith , Gabrielson Deanna , Peters Jennifer M , Killeen Anthony A
Published: March 2021

Background

The LIAISON® QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) assay, a fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) system, has recently received FDA approval for the detection of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) on the LIAISON XL analyzer. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of the LIAISON’s CLIA method in comparison to the widely used ELISA method using the Qiagen QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Blood Collection Tubes.

Methods

Heparinized blood samples from 329 participants were categorized into 3 cohorts, including 15 with confirmed tuberculosis (TB) (active TB cohort), 129 non-TB (low-risk cohort), and 185 potential TB (mixed risk cohort). Samples were analyzed with both assays and results were interpreted according to the manufacturers’ criteria.

Results

The LIAISON CLIA assay showed an overall agreement with the Qiagen ELISA assay in 13/14 (92.8%) samples among the active cohort, 93/95 (97.9%) among the low-risk cohort, with a Cohen’s kappa value of 0.76 and 0.74, respectively. Test results for 185 mixed risk cohort participants showed 97.8% agreement between the LIAISON and the Qiagen, with 17 positive, 163 negative, and 1 indeterminate. Four samples were discrepant; 3 of these were negative on the ELISA but positive on the CLIA assay.

Conclusion

Overall, the results were comparable (>92% agreement) in our study cohorts. In addition, our mixed risk cohort results showed an excellent agreement of 0.88 (Cohen’s kappa value) between the 2 assays. These findings suggest that the automated LIAISON QFT-Plus assay has a comparable diagnostic performance to the Qiagen assay and can be used for latent TB infection (LTBI) diagnosis.
Evaluating the Biological Potential of Prodigiosin from Serratia Marcescens KH-001 Against Asian Citrus Psyllid
Authors: Hu Wei , Zheng Rongkun , Liao Yihong , Kuang Fan , Yang Zhaolan , Chen Tingtao , Zhang Ning
Published: March 2021

The insecticides of microbial origin may be promising biocontrol agents to control pests. In this study, a major metabolite was extracted and purified from Serratia marcescens KH-001 and identified as prodigiosin with a molecule weight of 324.2094, and our primary aim was to evaluate the effects of prodigiosin against Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in the laboratory and in the field. Toxicity of purified prodigiosin to nymphs increased with increasing temperature from 25 to 35°C. The laboratory experiment results observed inhibition effects of purified prodigiosin at LC50 on oviposition and egg hatch of D. citri at 30°C. Furthermore, adults that fed on citrus leaves treated with LC20 and LC50 solution of purified prodigiosin at 30°C excreted less honeydew (28–35%) compared with controls, suggesting moderate antifeedant activity of prodigiosin. The results of field experiment showed that 10% prodigiosin emulsifiable concentrate exhibited better control efficacy (70–100%) at three concentrations (100, 200, and 500 mg/liter) in July and August than in October. These data indicate that prodigiosin will be a highly effective compound for the control of D. citri depending on the prevailing temperature conditions and may become a commercially available product to be widely used in citrus orchards.
In the name of public health: misoprostol and the new criminalization of abortion in Brazil
Authors: Assis Mariana Prandini , Erdman Joanna N
Published: March 2021

This article explores the criminal regulation of misoprostol as a controlled drug in Brazil as a new form of abortion criminalization. A qualitative analysis of Brazilian case law shows how the courts use a public health rhetoric of unsafe abortion to criminalize the distribution of misoprostol in the informal sector. Rather than an invention of the local bench, this judicial rhetoric reflects global public health discourse and policy on unsafe abortion and the double life of misoprostol as both an essential medicine and a controlled drug. In contrast to previous studies, the article shows that abortion criminalization is not the cause, but rather the consequence of misoprostol’s double life. In the last section, it draws on an outlier judgment of the case law to chart a regulatory future for misoprostol and its supply in the informal sector as a site of harm reduction and safe abortion in public health policy.