bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UAV-Based High-Rise Buildings Earthwork Monitoring—A Case Study
Authors: Park Hyung Cheol , Rachmawati Titi Sari Nurul , Kim Sunkuk
Published: August 2022

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is one of the most prominent technologies in the construction industry for data collection purposes. Compared with traditional methods, UAVs collect data faster and more efficiently at a lower cost. One of the construction works that can be monitored using UAV is earthwork. Earthwork monitoring is essential to complete the earthwork on time, according to plan, and within budget. This paper presents an application study on the UAV-based earthwork monitoring of a high-rise building project in the Republic of Korea. Earthwork of building projects have distinct characteristics. The area is excavated downwards to tens of meters deep, thus contractors deal with several types of soil. The building project is usually built in a densely built area. Therefore, contractors must monitor the slope as it poses landslide risk to surrounding areas. UAV can calculate the excavated volume, monitor the progress and the site, and document earthwork periodically and strategically. Based on case study, this study compared estimated volume based on GPS and actual excavated volume based on UAV survey and found 0.71% difference, indicating the reliability of surveying using UAV. However, the volume per soil type was quite different between both methods, resulting in 15.8% (USD 183,057) cost difference. This study shows that UAV technology is effective in monitoring the actual excavated volume, thus supporting fair business practices and transparency between stakeholders.
Land Use-Based Participatory Assessment of Ecosystem Services for Ecological Restoration in Village Tank Cascade Systems of Sri Lanka
Authors: Ratnayake Sujith S. , Khan Azeem , Reid Michael , Dharmasena Punchi B. , Hunter Danny , Kumar Lalit , Herath Keminda , Kogo Benjamin , Kadupitiya Harsha K. , Dammalage Thilantha , Kariyawasam Champika S.
Published: August 2022

Village Tank Cascade System (VTCS) landscapes in the dry zone of Sri Lanka provide multiple ecosystem services (ESs) and benefits to local communities, sustaining the productivity of their land use systems (LUSs). However, there is a lack of adequate scientific research on the ESs of LUSs, despite the recent land use changes that have greatly impacted the provisioning of ESs. Collection of baseline ESs data is a pre-requisite for decision making on ESs-based ecological restoration and management of the VTCS. Thus, this study aimed at assessing ESs of the Mahakanumulla VTCS (MVTCS) located in the Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka by using a participatory approach involving the integration of local knowledge, expert judgements and LUSs attribute data to assess the ESs. The methodology was designed to integrate the biodiversity and land degradation status of LUSs in a way that is directly linked with the supply of ESs. The study identified twenty-four ESs of the MVTCS based on community perceptions. The identified ESs were assessed as a function of LUSs to develop an ecosystem service supply (ESS) and demand (ESD) matrix model. The results reveal that the current overall ESD for regulating and supporting ESs is higher than the ESS capacity of MVTCS. The assessment also revealed that land degradation and biodiversity deterioration reduce the capacity to provide ESs. Downstream LUSs of the meso-catchment were found to be more vulnerable to degradation and insufficient to provide ESs. Further, the study established that ESs in the MVTCS are generated through direct species-based and biophysical-based providers. In addition, it emerged that social and cultural engagements also played an important role in association with both providers to generate certain types of ESs. Therefore, it can be concluded that VTCS ecological restoration depends on the extent to which integrated effort addresses the levels of ecological complexity, as well as the social engagement of communities and stakeholders. The results of this study provide a scientific basis that can inform future land use decision making and practices that are applicable to successful ESs-based ecological restoration and management of the VTCSs in the dry zone of Sri Lanka.
Factors That Influence Travelers’ Willingness to Adopt Bus Rapid Transit (Green Line) Service in Karachi
Authors: Soomro Rabia , Memon Irfan Ahmed , Pathan Agha Faisal Habib , Mahar Waqas Ahmed , Sahito Noman , Lashari Zulfiqar Ali
Published: August 2022

Bus rapid transit (BRT) system is a sustainable mode choice alternative and traffic management method for traffic congestion problems in urban areas. As an extent of total demand management, BRT has broadly been implemented in many countries. BRT has proven to be progressive in alleviating traffic congestion and the difficulty of finding parking spaces in city centers. Currently, people driving their automobiles to work cause traffic congestion along Karachi’s main corridors. People cannot be persuaded to use public transit until their travel patterns are understood. Therefore, the disparity between public and private transportation must be addressed. This research aimed to develop a model to shift car travelers toward Karachi’s Green Line BRT and investigate the factors that influence car travelers’ decisions. A questionnaire-based survey was carried out on single-occupant vehicle (SOV) users in the Green Line corridor of Karachi. This study investigated the elements that influence SOV users’ willingness to adopt the BRT system and studied the possible ways of attracting car drivers to BRT. Data were examined using descriptive-analytic techniques such as the contingency table approach in conjunction with a Chi-square test of the independence/association model in SPSS. Furthermore, binary logistic regression was applied to the highly mediated associated variables. The research’s outcomes were geared at the imposition of parking fees at workplaces to deter individuals from parking their automobiles there. SOV travelers can be diverted to BRT services using this strategy. The research findings will assist policymakers and serve as a foundation for scientific investigations on the travel demand model for the BRT system.
Influence of Flowering Characteristics, Local Environment, and Daily Temperature on the Visits Paid by Apis mellifera to the Exotic Crop Phacelia tanacetifolia
Authors: Giovanetti Manuela , Malabusini Serena , Zugno Matteo , Lupi Daniela
Published: August 2022

The opportunity to introduce Phacelia tanacetifolia is still being debated, even if the species is already employed, as it is often sown in rotational set-aside schemes or to support pollinators. Therefore, we need further evidence on its effects on the environment and its attractiveness towards pollinators. This work aims at confirming its appeal towards the honeybee in a mixed agricultural and urban environment in the north of Italy, during late spring and early autumn flowering. We assessed flowering characteristics and honeybee visitation rates by employing observational plots; we recorded resource preferences and behaviours by focal observations and video records; finally, we annotated other flower visitors. Each plant is characterised by one or more flowering stems on which not all flowers open at the same time: an increased number of flowers is, therefore, due to an increase in the number of available flowering stems. Honeybees were highly interested in lacy phacelia resources, especially in nectar collection: pollen collection may not be sufficiently rewarding for bees to dedicate time to it. The only correlation we found was between visitation rates and temperature. Other insects were recorded visiting the flowers: these were especially Hymenoptera; Coleoptera and Lepidoptera were also abundant, while relatively few individuals of Hemiptera and Diptera were recorded. Our results indicate that the mass-flowering of the species is certainly of interest to local pollinators and can be considered to counteract their decline when sown as a single species or in flower mixtures. However, further studies are needed to assess the competition of this plant with native species and its ability to self-regenerate when not purposely planted.
Wildfire Incidence throughout the Brazilian Pantanal Is Driven by Local Climate Rather Than Bovine Stocking Density
Authors: Teodoro Paulo Eduardo , Maria Luciano de Souza , Rodrigues Jéssica Marciella Almeida , Silva Adriana de Avila e , Silva Maiara Cristina Metzdorf da , Souza Samara Santos de , Rossi Fernando Saragosa , Teodoro Larissa Pereira Ribeiro , Della-Silva João Lucas , Delgado Rafael Coll , Lima Mendelson , Peres Carlos A. , Silva Junior Carlos Antonio da
Published: August 2022

The Pantanal is the world’s largest and most biodiverse continental sheet-flow wetland. Recently, vast tracts of the Pantanal have succumbed to the occurrence of fires, raising serious concerns over the future integrity of the biodiversity and ecosystem services of this biome, including revenues from ecotourism. These wildfires degrade the baseline of natural ecosystems and the ecotourism economy across the region. Local residents (“Pantaneiros”) anecdotally state that extensive cattle herbivory can solve the contemporary flammability problem of the Pantanal by controlling vegetation biomass, thereby preventing or reducing both fuel loads and fires across the region. Here, we examine the covariation between the presence and density of cattle and the incidence of fires across the Brazilian Pantanal. Variables assessed included bovine cattle density, SPI (Standardized Precipitation Index), GPP (Gross Primary Productivity)/biomass estimate, and fire foci along a 19-year time series (2001 to 2019). Our findings show that fire foci across the Pantanal biome are related to climatic variables, such as lower annual precipitation and higher annual drought indices (SPI) rather than to cattle stocking rates. Therefore, the notion of “cattle firefighting”, a popular concept often discussed in some academic circles, cannot be validated because cattle numbers are unrelated to aboveground phytomass. Gross primary productivity further invalidated the “cattle herbivory” hypothesis because GPP was found to be strongly correlated with cattle density but not with the spatial distribution of fires. Fires throughout the Pantanal are currently aggravated by the presence of livestock and result from a combination of extreme weather events and outdated agricultural practices.
Entrepreneurial-Specific Characteristics and Access to Finance of SMEs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Suhail , Tayachi Tahar , Haq Sahibzada Ghiasul , Wang’ombe Wangari , Ahmad Fawad
Published: August 2022

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) not only support the country in financial and business aspects but also overcome unemployment by creating job opportunities. The SME sector contributes more than thirty-five percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The study aims to discover entrepreneurial-specific characteristics and their impact on accessing bank financing. The study collects primary data through questionnaires. Approximately 204 questionnaires were distributed randomly, out of which 192 were returned and analyzed through a binary logit model. Entrepreneurial personal traits play a vital role in obtaining financing from banks and other financial institutions in Pakistan. The study reveals that age and level of education are significant and play a vital role in accessing bank financing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Conversely, gender, experience, and SME skills that entrepreneurs have are insignificant to accessing bank financing in KP. This paper attempts to identify the entrepreneurial-specific characteristics within a large sample size of enterprises and compares the small and medium-sized ones separately in KP, Pakistan. Additionally, the study reveals how an entrepreneur’s personal traits impact the accessibility of bank financing and the need to formulate strategies and policies to strengthen these entrepreneurial-specific characteristics through training, development, and personality growth for the efficient operations of the SME sector in KP, Pakistan. The study is also significant for policymakers, stakeholders, and lenders.
Agroforestry for Sustainable Food Production
Authors: Rolo Víctor
Published: August 2022

Agricultural production is considered to be among the largest drivers of global environmental degradation [...]
Mapping of Land Degradation Vulnerability in the Semi-Arid Watershed of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Malav Lal Chand , Yadav Brijesh , Tailor Bhagwati L. , Pattanayak Sarthak , Singh Shruti V. , Kumar Nirmal , Reddy Gangalakunta P. O. , Mina Banshi L. , Dwivedi Brahma S. , Jha Prakash Kumar
Published: August 2022

Global soils are under extreme pressure from various threats due to population expansion, economic development, and climate change. Mapping of land degradation vulnerability (LDV) using geospatial techniques play a significant role and has great importance, especially in semi-arid climates for the management of natural resources in a sustainable manner. The present study was conducted to assess the spatial distribution of land degradation hotspots based on some important parameters such as land use/land cover (LULC), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), terrain characteristics (Topographic Wetness Index and Multi-Resolution Index of Valley Bottom Flatness), climatic parameters (land surface temperature and mean annual rainfall), and pedological attributes (soil texture and soil organic carbon) by using Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) and GIS techniques in the semi-arid region of the Bundi district, Rajasthan, India. Land surface temperature (LST) and NDVI products were derived from time-series Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) datasets, rainfall data products from Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS), terrain characteristics from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), LULC from Landsat 9, and pedological variables from legacy soil datasets. Weights derived for thematic layers from the AHP in the studied area were as follows: LULC (0.38) > NDVI (0.23) > ST (0.15) > LST (0.08) > TWI (0.06) > MAR (0.05) > SOC (0.03) > MRVBF (0.02). The consistency ratio (CR) for all studied parameters was <0.10, indicating the high accuracy of the AHP. The results show that about 20.52% and 23.54% of study area was under moderate and high to very high vulnerability of land degradation, respectively. Validation of LDV zones with the help of ultra-high-resolution Google Earth imageries indicates good agreement with the model outputs. The research aids in a better understanding of the influence of land degradation on long-term land management and development at the watershed level.
ELM-Based Active Learning via Asymmetric Samplers: Constructing a Multi-Class Text Corpus for Emotion Classification
Authors: Shi Xuefeng , Hu Min , Ren Fuji , Shi Piao , Sun Xiao
Published: August 2022

A high-quality annotated text corpus is vital when training a deep learning model. However, it is insurmountable to acquire absolute abundant label-balanced data because of the huge labor and time costs needed in the labeling stage. To alleviate this situation, a novel active learning (AL) method is proposed in this paper, which is designed to scratch samples to construct multi-class and multi-label Chinese emotional text corpora. This work shrewdly leverages the superiorities, i.e., less learning time and generating parameters randomly possessed by extreme learning machines (ELMs), to initially measure textual emotion features. In addition, we designed a novel combined query strategy called an asymmetric sampler (which simultaneously considers uncertainty and representativeness) to verify and extract ideal samples. Furthermore, this model progressively modulates state-of-the-art prescriptions through cross-entropy, Kullback–Leibler, and Earth Mover’s distance. Finally, through stepwise-assessing the experimental results, the updated corpora present more enriched label distributions and have a higher weight of correlative emotional information. Likewise, in emotion classification experiments by ELM, the precision, recall, and F1 scores obtained 7.17%, 6.31%, and 6.71% improvements, respectively. Extensive emotion classification experiments were conducted by two widely used classifiers—SVM and LR—and their results also prove our method’s effectiveness in scratch emotional texts through comparisons.
Two New Rb3Sc(IO3)6 Polytypes in Proposed Nonlinear Optical Family A3M(IO3)6 (A = K, Rb; M = Sc, In): Topology–Symmetry Analysis, Order–Disorder and Structure–Properties Relation
Authors: Reutova Olga , Belokoneva Elena , Volkov Anatoly , Dimitrova Olga , Stefanovich Sergey
Published: August 2022

Two polytypic modifications of new non-centrosymmetric iodate Rb3Sc(IO3)6 are synthesized hydrothermally. Their structures demonstrate different degrees of ordering and are solved in the same space group, Pc, with differing choice of b-axis: either 20 or 40 Å is selected from the same diffraction data, measured on crystals with better ordering. The difference in NLO properties of two polytypes is disclosed. Topology–symmetry analysis of separated blocks and layers allowed determination of local symmetry corresponding to mirror plane m, which defines strong optical nonlinearity. Layer alternation indicates a polytypic nature of Rb, Sc-iodate and its similarity to K, In- and K, Sc-nonlinear-optical iodate crystals, space group Fdd2, belonging to the proposed common family A3M(IO3)6 (A = K, Rb; M = Sc, In), whose properties are explained on a symmetry basis for every known member. Hypothetical structural variant is predicted; structural disorder and crystal growth conditions are discussed as factors affecting properties.
Determination of Mutation Rates with Two Symmetric and Asymmetric Mutation Types
Authors: Dshalalow Jewgeni H. , Nguyen Van Minh , Sinden Richard R. , White Ryan T.
Published: August 2022

We revisit our earlier paper, with two of the coauthors, in which we proposed an unbiased and consistent estimator μ^n for an unknown mutation rate μ of microorganisms. Previously, we proved that the associated sequence of estimators μ^n converges to μ almost surely pointwise on a nonextinct set Ω0. Here, we show that this sequence converges also in the mean square with respect to conditional probability measure P0·=P·∩Ω0/PΩ0 and that, with respect to P0, the estimator is asymptotically unbiased. We further assume that a microorganism can mutate or turn to a different variant of one of the two types. In particular, it can mean that bacteria under attack by a virus or chemical agent are either perishing or surviving, turning them to stronger variant. We propose estimators for their respective types and show that they are a.s. pointwise and L2-consistent and asymptotically unbiased with respect to measure P0.
Dynamic Behaviors of Optimized K12 Anti-Ram Bollards
Authors: Zhang Yi , Li Ruiwen , Heng Kai , Hu Feng
Published: August 2022

Since terrorist attacks pose a great threat, protective structures need to be applied in terms of the safety of buildings and personnel. The installation of anti-ram bollards around buildings and infrastructures could block potential hazards, including the damage caused by car bombs and vehicular impacts on the buildings. In order to provide effective protection for buildings, the dynamic behaviors of anti-ram bollards should be examined, which is under insufficient research. In this paper, by adopting the FE program LS-DYNA, the FE models of corresponding anti-ram bollards are established, and the FEMs are validated by comparison with the experimental results of five existing vehicle crash tests. On this basis, the dynamic response of the optimized K12 anti-ram bollards under vehicular impact is numerically analyzed, and the influences of various parameters on the deformation of anti-ram bollards, as well as the displacement of the vehicle is studied.
NM-polynomials and Topological Indices of Some Cycle-Related Graphs
Authors: Çolakoğlu Özge
Published: August 2022

Topological indices (molecular descriptors) are numerical values of a chemical structure and represented by a graph. Molecular descriptors are used in QSPR/QSAR modeling to determine a chemical structure’s physical, biological, and chemical properties. The cycle graphs are symmetric graphs for any number vertices. In this paper, recently defined neighborhood degree sum-based molecular descriptors and polynomials are studied. NM-polynomials and molecular descriptors of some cycle-related graphs, which consist of the wheel graph, gear graph, helm graph, flower graph, and friendship graph, are computed and compared.
An Improved Diagonal Transformation Algorithm for the Maximum Eigenvalue of Zero Symmetric Nonnegative Matrices
Authors: Wang Gang , Liu Jinfa
Published: August 2022

The irreducibility of nonnegative matrices is an important condition for the diagonal transformation algorithm to succeed. In this paper, we introduce zero symmetry to replace the irreducibility of nonnegative matrices and propose an improved diagonal transformation algorithm for finding the maximum eigenvalue without any partitioning. The improved algorithm retains all of the benefits of the diagonal transformation algorithm while having fewer computations. Numerical examples are reported to show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. As an application, the improved algorithm is used to check whether a zero symmetric matrix is an H-matrix.
An Approach for Blockchain Pool Mining Employing the Consensus Protocol Robust against Block Withholding and Selfish Mining Attacks
Authors: Mihaljević Miodrag J. , Wang Lianhai , Xu Shujiang , Todorović Milan
Published: August 2022

This paper proposes an approach for pool mining in public blockchain systems based on the employment of a recently reported consensus protocol with the puzzle based on a symmetric encryption that provides an energy–space trade-off and reduces energy consumption. The proposed architecture employs a pseudo-symmetric allocation of the resources for the blockchain consensus protocol and provides protection against certain malicious actions of the pool members, as well as a miner’s opportunity for selecting the resources required for participation in the consensus protocol. Given that the considered consensus protocol employs two resources, the proposed architecture uses this two-dimensional nature to provide resistance against block withholding and selfish mining attacks, as well as a reduction in energy spending as a trade-off with the employment of certain memory resources. The high resistance of the proposed pool mining approach against the considered attacks appears to be a consequence of the success probability of the pool in comparison with the success probability of malicious miners. Assuming appropriate selection of the puzzle hardness, the probability that malicious miners can solve the puzzle without the support of the pool manager can be arbitrarily small. Implementation of the proposed approach on a modified Ethereum platform and experimental evaluation issues have also been reported. The conceptual novelty of the proposed pool mining approach is the following: Instead of separation of the blockchain consensus protocol and control of pool miners honest work, this paper proposes an approach where honest work of miners and pool managers is provided by a dedicated application of the considered consensus protocol. Advantages of the proposal in comparison with the previously reported ones include the following: (i) high resistance against block withholding and selfish mining attacks without an additional security procedure; (ii) reduction in the energy required, and at the same time preservationthe security of the consensus protocol; (iii) flexibility of the pool miners regarding selection of the resources that should be employed providing a trade-off between required energy and memory resources. The proposed architecture was implemented employing a dedicated modification of the Ethereum platform and the performed experiments confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposal.
A Review of Recent Developments in Smart Textiles Based on Perovskite Materials
Authors: Tabassum Madeeha , Zia Qasim , Zhou Yongfeng , Wang Yufei , Reece Michael J. , Su Lei
Published: August 2022

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) are thought to be among the most promising materials for smart electronic textiles because of their unique optical and electrical characteristics. Recently, wearable perovskite devices have been developed that combine the excellent properties of perovskite with those of textiles, such as flexibility, light weight, and facile processability. In this review, advancements in wearable perovskite devices (e.g., solar cells, photodetectors, and light-emitting diodes) concerning their device architectures, working mechanisms, and fabrication techniques have been discussed. This study also highlights the technical benefits of integrating MHPs into wearable devices. Moreover, the application challenges faced by wearable perovskite optoelectronic devices—from single devices to roll-to-roll manufacturing, stability and storage, and biosafety—are briefly discussed. Finally, future perspectives on using perovskites for other wearable optoelectronic devices are stated.
Thermal Remediation of Soil Contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Pollutant Removal Process and Influence on Soil Functionality
Authors: Liu Chenfeng , Shi Huading , Wang Chen , Fei Yang , Han Ziyu
Published: August 2022

Thermal remediation has been widely used for the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) from contaminated soil. The method has a high removal rate for semi-volatile organic pollutants; however, soil functionality is affected by the method because of the alteration of the soil properties. In this study, experimental soil was impregnated with phenanthrene (Phe), pyrene (Pyr), and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP); after natural air-dry aging, the thermal remediation experiment was carried out, using a tube-furnace and thermal gravimetry–Fourier transform infrared (TG-FTIR) equipment. More than 84% of the Phe and Pyr were lost in the aging stage, whereas the BaP was stable with 41% retention in the soil. After the thermal treatment, the desorption and decomposition of the pollutants and organic matter led to the removal of the PAHs; about 1% of the PAHs remained in the soil treated at 400 °C. The presence of the PAHs can promote the thermal reaction by slightly reducing the reaction activation energy by ~7−16%. The thermal remediation had a significant influence on the physical properties of the soil and destroyed the bioavailability by reducing the organic matter content. Therefore, a comprehensive consideration of effective PAH removal while preserving soil functionality may require a low temperature (100 °C) method for thermal remediation.
Effects of Unconventional Water Agricultural Utilization on the Heavy Metals Accumulation in Typical Black Clay Soil around the Metallic Ore
Authors: Pei Liang , Wang Chunhui , Sun Liying
Published: August 2022

Unconventional water is an important water resource for agricultural utilization in the drought and water shortage of Northeast China. Additionally, exploration in making full use of it is an important way to alleviate water shortage in China. This paper analyzed the effects of unconventional water through field trials on the accumulation of heavy metals in both cucumbers and the typical black clay soil (expressed as black soil) around the Anshan metallic ore. By exploring the effects of unconventional water after secondary treatment on the accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in cucumbers and the heavy metal balance in the soil–crop system under different conditions, the study shows that there are no significant differences in the heavy metal content when the quantity of unconventional water for irrigation varies. Unconventional water for short-term irrigation does not cause pollution to either the soil environment or the crops. Nor will it cause the accumulation of heavy metals, and the index for the heavy metal content is far below the critical value of the trade standard and national standard, which indicates that the crops irrigated with unconventional water during their growth turn out to be free of pollutants. Unconventional water brings less heavy metals into the black soil than crops. The input and output quantities have only small effects on the heavy metal balance in the black soil. This paper provides a reference for the safety control and evaluation of unconventional agricultural utilization.
Quercetin-3-O-β-D-Glucopyranoside-Rich Fraction from Spondias mombin Leaves Halted Responses from Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation, Apoptosis, and Lipid Peroxidation in the Brain of Dichlorvos-Treated Wistar Rats
Authors: Ogunro Olalekan Bukunmi , Salawu Akeem Oni , Alotaibi Saqer S. , Albogami Sarah M. , Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Waard Michel De
Published: August 2022

Dichlorvos (2,3-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate or DDVP), is a popular organophosphate (OP) with several domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses and applications in developing countries [...]
Ecotoxicity of Polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF) and Polylactic Acid (PLA) Microplastics in Marine Zooplankton
Authors: Di Giannantonio Michela , Gambardella Chiara , Miroglio Roberta , Costa Elisa , Sbrana Francesca , Smerieri Marco , Carraro Giovanni , Utzeri Roberto , Faimali Marco , Garaventa Francesca
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the ecotoxicity of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics (MPs) in two marine zooplankton: the crustacean Artemia franciscana and the cnidarian Aurelia sp. (common jellyfish). To achieve this goal, (i) MP uptake, (ii) immobility, and (iii) behavior (swimming speed, pulsation mode) of crustacean larval stages and jellyfish ephyrae exposed to MPs concentrations (1, 10, 100 mg/L) were assessed for 24 h. Using traditional and novel techniques, i.e., epifluorescence microscopy and 3D holotomography (HT), PVDF and PLA MPs were found in the digestive systems of the crustaceans and in the gelatinous tissue of jellyfish. Immobility was not affected in either organism, while a significant behavioral alteration in terms of pulsation mode was found in jellyfish after exposure to both PVDF and PLA MPs. Moreover, PLA MPs exposure in jellyfish induced a toxic effect (EC50: 77.43 mg/L) on the behavioral response. This study provides new insights into PLA and PVDF toxicity with the potential for a large impact on the marine ecosystem, since jellyfish play a key role in the marine food chain. However, further investigations incorporating additional species belonging to other trophic levels are paramount to better understand and clarify the impact of such polymers at micro scale in the marine environment. These findings suggest that although PVDF and PLA have been recently proposed as innovative and, in the case of PLA, biodegradable polymers, their effects on marine biota should not be underestimated.
C-Reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio and Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zavalaga-Zegarra Hernán J. , Palomino-Gutierrez Juan J. , Ulloque-Badaracco Juan R. , Mosquera-Rojas Melany D. , Hernandez-Bustamante Enrique A. , Alarcon-Braga Esteban A. , Benites-Zapata Vicente A. , Herrera-Añazco Percy , Hernandez Adrian V.
Published: August 2022

C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) is an independent risk factor in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and infectious diseases. Through this study, we investigated the CAR values with respect to the severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to retrieve studies that evaluated CAR values upon hospital admission in relation to the severity or mortality of COVID-19 patients. We adopted a random-effect model to calculate the pooled mean difference (MD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Quality assessment was appraised using a Newcastle–Ottawa scale and publication bias was assessed using the Begg-test and funnel plot. We equally performed a subgroup analysis using study location and a sensitivity analysis only with studies with low risk of bias. We analyzed 32 studies (n = 12445). Severe COVID-19 patients had higher on-admission CAR values than non-severe COVID-19 patients (MD: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.35–2.03; p < 0.001; I2 = 89%). Non-survivor patients with COVID-19 had higher CAR values than survivor patients (MD: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.95–3.23; p < 0.001; I2 = 92%). In sensitivity analysis, the relationship remained with a decreasing of heterogeneity for severity (MD: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.03–1.40; p < 0.001; I2 = 13%) and for mortality (MD: 2.99; 95% CI: 2.47–3.51; p < 0.001; I2 = 0%). High CAR values were found in COVID-19 patients who developed severe disease or died.
Vector-Borne Tularemia: A Re-Emerging Cause of Cervical Lymphadenopathy
Authors: Troha Kaja , Božanić Urbančič Nina , Korva Miša , Avšič-Županc Tatjana , Battelino Saba , Vozel Domen
Published: August 2022

Tularemia is a zoonosis caused by the highly invasive bacterium Francisella tularensis. It is transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected animals or by vectors, such as ticks, mosquitos, and flies. Even though it is well-known as a tick-borne disease, it is usually not immediately recognised after a tick bite. In Slovenia, tularemia is rare, with 1–3 cases reported annually; however, the incidence seems to be increasing. Ulceroglandular tularemia is one of its most common forms, with cervical colliquative lymphadenopathy as a frequent manifestation. The diagnosis of tularemia largely relies on epidemiological information, clinical examination, imaging, and molecular studies. Physicians should consider this disease a differential diagnosis for a neck mass, especially after a tick bite, as its management significantly differs from that of other causes. Tularemia-associated lymphadenitis is treated with antibiotics and surgical drainage of the colliquated lymph nodes. Additionally, tularemia should be noted for its potential use in bioterrorism on behalf of the causative agents’ low infectious dose, possible aerosol formation, no effective vaccine at disposal, and the ability to produce severe disease. This article reviews the recent literature on tularemia and presents a case of an adult male with tick-borne cervical ulceroglandular tularemia.
SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 Exoribonuclease Removes the Natural Antiviral 3′-Deoxy-3′,4′-didehydro-cytidine Nucleotide from RNA
Authors: Moeller Nicholas H. , Passow Kellan T. , Harki Daniel A. , Aihara Hideki
Published: August 2022

The on-going global pandemic of COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, which features a proofreading mechanism to facilitate the replication of its large RNA genome. The 3′-to-5′ exoribonuclease (ExoN) activity of SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 14 (nsp14) removes nucleotides misincorporated during RNA synthesis by the low-fidelity viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and thereby compromises the efficacy of antiviral nucleoside/nucleotide analogues. Here we show biochemically that SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 can excise the natural antiviral chain-terminating nucleotide, 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-didehydro-cytidine 5′-monophosphate (ddhCMP), incorporated by RdRp at the 3′ end of an RNA strand. Nsp14 ExoN processes an RNA strand terminated with ddhCMP more efficiently than that with a non-physiological chain terminator 3′-deoxy-cytidine monophosphate (3′-dCMP), whereas RdRp is more susceptible to chain termination by 3′-dCTP than ddhCTP. These results suggest that nsp14 ExoN could play a role in protecting SARS-CoV-2 from ddhCTP, which is produced as part of the innate immune response against viral infections, and that the SARS-CoV-2 enzymes may have adapted to minimize the antiviral effect of ddhCTP.
Subtherapeutic Doses of Vancomycin Synergize with Bacteriophages for Treatment of Experimental Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Save Jonathan , Que Yok-Ai , Entenza José , Resch Grégory
Published: August 2022

Background. Recurrent therapeutic failures reported for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infective endocarditis (IE) with vancomycin may be due to poor bactericidal activity. Alternative antibacterial approaches using bacteriophages may overcome this limitation. Objectives. An experimental rat model of MRSA IE (EE) was used to examine the efficacy of vancomycin combined with a 1:1 bacteriophage (phage) cocktail composed of Herelleviridae vB_SauH_2002 and Routreeviridae 66. Methods. Six hours after inoculation with ca. 5 log10 colony forming units (CFU) of MRSA strain AW7, animals were treated with either: (i) saline, (ii) an equimolar two-phage cocktail (bolus of 1 mL followed by a 0.3 mL/h continuous infusion of 10 log10 plaque forming units (PFU)/mL phage suspension), (iii) vancomycin (at a dose mimicking the kinetics in humans of 0.5 g b.i.d.), or (iv) a combination of both. Bacterial loads in vegetations, and phage loads in vegetations, liver, kidney, spleen, and blood, were measured outcomes. Results. Phage cocktail alone was unable to control the growth of strain AW7 in cardiac vegetations. However, when combined with subtherapeutic doses of vancomycin, a statistically significant decrease of ∆4.05 ± 0.94 log10 CFU/g at 24 h compared to placebo was detected (p < 0.001). The administration of vancomycin was found to significantly impact on the local concentrations of phages in the vegetations and in the organs examined. Conclusions. Lytic bacteriophages as an adjunct treatment to the standard of care antibiotics could potentially improve the management of MRSA IE. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of antibiotics on phage replication in vivo.
Cross-Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2-Specific Antibodies in Convalescent and Immunized Human Sera against the Bat and Pangolin Coronaviruses
Authors: Srisutthisamphan Kanjana , Saenboonrueng Janya , Wanitchang Asawin , Viriyakitkosol Ratchanont , Jongkaewwattana Anan
Published: August 2022

Coronaviruses isolated from bats and pangolins are closely related to SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. These so-called sarbecoviruses are thought to pose an acute pandemic threat. As SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination have become more widespread, it is not known whether neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 can cross-neutralize coronaviruses transmitted by bats or pangolins. In this study, we analyzed antibody-mediated neutralization with serum samples from COVID-19 patients (n = 31) and those immunized with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (n = 20) against lentivirus-based pseudo-viruses carrying the spike derived from ancestral SARS-CoV-2, bat (RaTG13 or RshSTT182), or pangolin coronaviruses (PCoV-GD). While SARS-CoV-2, PCoV-GD, and RshSTT182 spikes could promote cell-cell fusion in VeroE6 cells, the RaTG13 spike did not. RaTG13, on the other hand, was able to induce cell-cell fusion in cells overexpressing ACE2. Dramatic differences in neutralization activity were observed, with the highest level observed for RaTG13, which was even significantly higher than SARS-CoV-2, PCoV-GD, and RshSTT182 pseudo-viruses. Interestingly, pseudo-viruses containing the chimeric protein in which the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of PCoV-GD spike was replaced by that of RaTG13 could be strongly neutralized, whereas those carrying RaTG13 with the RBD of PCoV-GD were significantly less neutralized. Because the high neutralizing activity against RaTG13 appears to correlate with its low affinity for binding to the human ACE2 receptor, our data presented here might shed light on how pre-existing immunity to SARS-CoV-2 might contribute to protection against related sarbecoviruses with potential spillover to the human host.
Orthogonal Experiments and Neural Networks Analysis of Concrete Performance
Authors: Liu Feipeng , Xu Jing , Tan Shucheng , Gong Aimin , Li Huimei
Published: August 2022

In order to explore the possibility that adding an appropriate amount of alkaline activator into fly ash cement may improve the early activity of fly ash and ensure the strength performance of concrete, this study analyzed the influence of 0–30% fly ash substitute on the early and late (3–28 days) compressive strength of concrete by using three methods, namely, the concrete laboratory test, orthogonal test, and neural network, under the condition of 0.5 water binder. We obtained the following results: (1) The strength of the concrete mixed with fly ash at the same alkali and the same age decreases with the increase of fly ash content and decreases with the decrease of age; the strength is the highest when the alkali content is 6% or 5%. (2) The higher the content of fly ash, the lower the strength of the mixture, and the greater the decrease of the early strength of the mixture, while the optimum dosage of NaOH is the same. (3) Orthogonal experimental design can be effectively used to analyze the primary and secondary degree of each factor and the best combination of them (cement, fly ash, NaOH, standard, water, etc.). (4) High correlations between the compressive strength and the component composition of concrete can be obtained using the prediction abilities of the neural networks. The above test results show that on the basis of the concrete compressive strength test, the comprehensive application of the orthogonal test and the neural network method can be used to analyze the relationship between strength and the variables and to test the influence of the variables and their interaction on concrete strength, and the results are accurate and reliable.
Incidence of postural hypotension recorded in UK general practice: an electronic health records study
Authors: Bhanu Cini , Petersen Irene , Orlu Mine , Davis Daniel , Walters Kate
Published: August 2022

Background

Postural hypotension is a common condition associated with adverse outcomes in older adults. General practice plays an important role in identification of the condition.

Aim

To examine the incidence of postural hypotension between 2008 and 2018 in general practice and how trends vary by age, sex, year, and social deprivation.

Design and setting

Retrospective cohort study using electronic health records from the IQVIA Medical Research Data (IMRD) between 2008 and 2018.

Method

Patients were included if they were aged ≥50 years. Incident postural hypotension was identified as a new (first) recording of a postural hypotension code. Recording of incident postural hypotension was estimated per 10 000 person–years at risk (PYAR) according to age, sex, year, and social deprivation. Incident rate ratios were estimated by multivariable Poisson regression.

Results

Of 2 911 260 patients, 24 973 had an electronic record indicating a new diagnosis of postural hypotension between 2008 and 2018. This was equivalent to 17.9 cases per 10 000 PYAR in males (95% confidence interval [CI] = 17.6 to 18.2) and 16.2 cases per 10 000 PYAR in females (95% CI = 15.9 to 16.5). A significant age–sex interaction was identified. Recorded postural hypotension rate increased with age and social deprivation, and reduced between 2008 and 2018. The rate was higher in males compared with females, particularly in older age groups (>80 years).

Conclusion

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to quantify incident recorded postural hypotension in general practice. The rate is lower than expected compared with studies in screened older populations. Potential barriers to identification include underreporting, underdetection owing to lack of time and/or poorly standardised methods of measurement, and poor coding. Future research should investigate current practice and approaches for increased detection such as education, practical methods of screening, and standardised measurement of postural blood pressure.
Comparing registered and resident populations in Primary Care Networks in England: an observational study
Authors: Beaney Thomas , Kerr Gabriele , Hayhoe Benedict WJ , Majeed Azeem , Clarke Jonathan
Published: August 2022

Background

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) were established in England in 2019 and will play a key role in providing care at a neighbourhood level within integrated care systems (ICSs).

Aim

To identify PCN ‘catchment’ areas and compare the overlap between registered and resident populations of PCNs.

Design & setting

Observational study using publicly available data on the number of people within each Lower layer Super Output Area (LSOA) registered to each general practice in England in April 2021.

Method

LSOAs were assigned to the PCN to which the majority of residents were registered. The PCN catchment population was defined as the total number of people resident in all LSOAs assigned to that PCN. The PCN catchment populations were compared with the population of people registered to a GP practice in each PCN.

Results

In April 2021, 6506 GP practices were part of 1251 PCNs, with 56.1% of PCNs having 30 000–50 000 registered patients. There was a strong correlation (0.91) between the total registered population size and catchment population size. Significant variation was found in the percentage of residents in each LSOA registered to a GP practice within the same PCN catchment, and strong associations were found with both urban and rural status, and socioeconomic deprivation.

Conclusion

There exists significant variation across England in the overlap between registered and resident (catchment) populations in PCNs, which may impact on integration of care in some areas. There was less overlap in urban and more deprived areas, which could exacerbate existing health inequalities.
GPs' experiences of a collaborative care model for patients with common mental disorders who need sick leave certification: a qualitative study
Authors: Saxvik Ausra , Svenningsson Irene , Törnbom Karin , Petersson Eva-Lisa , Björkelund Cecilia , Gabartaite Goda , Hange Dominique
Published: August 2022

Background

GPs are an important part of collaboration around patients with common mental disorders (CMD) in primary care. The Co-Work-Care model was implemented to further improve collaboration, and emphasised working more closely with patients through active dialogues among care managers, rehabilitation coordinators, and GPs. This enhanced collaborative model also included a person-centred dialogue meeting with patients’ employers.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore GPs’ experiences of the Co-Work-Care model, an organisation of collaborative care at the primary care centre (PCC) that includes a person-centred dialogue meeting in the care of patients with CMD who need sick leave certification.

Design & setting

Qualitative individual and group interviews were conducted with Swedish GPs with experience of the Co-Work-Care trial where the PCC was an intervention PCC with the enhanced collaboration model.

Method

GPs were sampled purposefully from different Co-Work-Care intervention PCCs in Sweden. Focus group and individual, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. All interviews were analysed by systematic text condensation (STC), according to Malterud.

Results

The following three codes describing the GPs’ experiences of working in the Co-Work-Care model were identified: (1) a structured work approach; (2) competency of the care manager and the rehabilitation coordinator; and (3) gaining control through close collaboration.

Conclusion

Overall, GPs’ experience was that the enhanced collaboration reduced their workload and enabled them to focus on medical care. Patient care was perceived as safer and more effective. These advantages may result in higher quality in medical and rehabilitation decisions, as well as a more sustainable and less stressful work situation for GPs.