bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water and Carbon Footprints of Biomass Production Assets: Drip and Center Pivot Irrigation Systems
Authors: Angnes Graciele , Diotto Adriano Valentim , Rodias Efthymios , Romanelli Thiago Libório
Published: May 2023

Studies on the environmental footprints of agricultural production have strong links with 4 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) established by the United Nations. Irrigation systems are essential tools for increasing agricultural yields, particularly in arid regions. However, the production and assembly of these systems can have significant environmental impacts, including excessive water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Although studies have approached biomass production, few of them have provided data about asset depreciation, such as irrigation systems, machinery, etc. Trying to fill this gap, this study aimed at determining the water and carbon footprints of two commonly used irrigation systems: center pivot and drip. Several variables, including the irrigated area, pump power, filter type, system flow, and pipe length, were analyzed to determine the carbon and water footprints of each component of the irrigation systems. The results reveal that the materials used for pipes and filters had the most significant impact on the water and carbon footprints, with galvanized steel pipes and sand filters having the highest footprints. Additionally, the irrigated area affected the center pivot and drip systems differently, with the depreciation of the irrigation systems being a significant variable for both water and carbon footprints. These results can support the development of sustainable irrigation practices that reduce environmental impacts while enhancing agricultural yields. Decision-makers can use this information to establish a life-cycle database and evaluate the impact of irrigation systems on water and carbon footprints.
Dynamic Scenario Simulations of Sustainable Rural and Towns Development in China: The Case of Wujiang District
Authors: Shi Qingwei , Li Zhiguo , Xu Yu , Yan Tiecheng , Chen Mingman
Published: May 2023

Increasing urbanization in China threatens the sustainable rural development of villages and towns. The siphoning effect of cities on the surrounding rural areas is increasing, resulting in the more severe problem of a “rural disease” and a widening gap between urban and rural areas. Implementing China’s rural revitalization strategies for urban–rural integration to alleviate these problems is crucial for sustainable rural development. Based on field research materials from Wujiang District, Suzhou City, China, this paper uses an explanatory structural model to screen the factors influencing sustainable rural development. A system dynamics model is used to identify the sustainable rural development trends of Chinese villages and towns under different scenarios. The results demonstrate that under the sustainable development model, consolidating the development of primary industries and increasing tertiary section investments can promote the development of the local economy. These are also conducive to environmental protection, and they improve the quality of the local living environment. The results can be used to formulate rural revitalization policies and promote urban–rural integration.
Numerical Simulation of the Flood and Inundation Caused by Typhoon Noru Downstream from the Vu Gia-Thu Bon River Basin
Authors: Thai Tran Hong , Tri Doan Quang , Anh Nguyen Xuan , Hoa Vo Van , Nguyen Hiep Van , Nhat Nguyen Van , Tuyet Quach Thi Thanh , Pham Ha T. T. , Chung Pham Hoai , Thang Vu Van , Thuc Tran Duy
Published: May 2023

Typhoon Noru (2022) was a historic storm that caused significant damage to the central region of Vietnam. Typhoon Noru has caused strong winds and torrential rainfall in Da Nang, Quang Nam, and Quang Ngai. Quang Nam Province saw many trees and power lines fall, and many areas were flooded. The Da Nang government has reported the typhoon toppled many trees, blew the rooftops of three houses, damaged the walls of several schools, and caused a power outage at some 3200 substations. It resulted in widespread flooding in coastal areas and downstream from the Vu Gia-Thu Bon River river basin. This study evaluates the impact of Typhoon Noru. The results show that: (1) The numerical simulation was applied to re-analyze the offshore meteorological field with the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST) model as an input for 2D wave propagation and hydraulic models; (2) The study couples the 1D and 2D models in MIKE FLOOD to simulate the flood and inundation caused by Typhoon Noru in the study area. The calibration and validation results of the 1D hydraulic model, the 2D wave propagation model, and the 2D hydrodynamic model were reasonably good, with a Nash coefficient ranging from 0.84 to 0.96 and a percent bias (BIAS) of −0.9% to 7.5%. The results of the simulation showed that the flood and inundation caused by Typhoon Noru resulted in significant damage in two districts: Thang Binh in Quang Nam province and Hoa Vang in Da Nang province. The practical significance of these results is that they provide valuable support for warning systems and troubleshooting efforts related to the impact of typhoons.
Impact of Innovation Quality on the Growth Performance of Entrepreneurial Enterprises: The Role of Knowledge Capital
Authors: Chu Hanfang , Wang Hanxin , Wang Zhaoyun
Published: May 2023

In the context of the continuous growth of the digital economy, the steady and sustainable development and growth of enterprises are increasingly dependent on the quality of innovation and knowledge capital. Based on the resource-based view and from the perspective of knowledge capital, this paper takes the knowledge capital index composed of human resource capital, innovation and R&D capability capital, innovation facility capital and relational capital as the intermediary variable and explores the mechanism of the influence of innovation quality on the growth performance of entrepreneurial enterprises from the enterprise level. Taking computer, communication and other electronic equipment manufacturing enterprises listed on GEM from 2017 to 2021 as the research object, this paper uses hierarchical regression and Bootstrap methods to explore the specific path of the impact of innovation quality on the growth performance of entrepreneurial enterprises and conducts an empirical analysis and robust analysis. This research shows that the innovative quality of entrepreneurial enterprises can significantly promote growth performance, and knowledge capital plays an intermediary role in it. The conclusion of this paper provides theoretical support for this kind of enterprise to improve the quality of innovation and make good use of knowledge capital and provides an empirical basis and reference for their sustainable and stable growth.
Examining Generation Z Consumer Online Fashion Resale Participation and Continuance Intention through the Lens of Consumer Perceived Value
Authors: Liu Chuanlan , Bernardoni Jeremy M. , Wang Zhongjie
Published: May 2023

The fashion industry has recently embraced a circular economy due to the increased consumer awareness of environmental issues, especially among younger generations. However, it is unclear if younger consumers, especially Generation Z, are willing to consistently engage in sustainable consumption patterns, such as buying and selling pre-owned fashion products through online resale platforms. This research specifically focuses on Generation Z consumers’ online fashion resale participation continuance. A research model was proposed with perceived benefits, pro-environmental beliefs as antecedents to attitude and continuance intention, and consumer perceived value as a moderating factor shaping the specified direct and mediating relationship. An online survey was administered to a convenience sample of 257 Generation Z consumers, and exploratory factor analysis identified five dimensions of perceived benefits of online fashion resale participation, epistemic benefits, product choice benefits, quality benefits, value for money, and budget benefits. Two groups of consumers were identified based on value perceptions of clothing consumption: maximum value pursuers and self-oriented shoppers. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypothesis. Results showed that pro-environmental beliefs affect Generation Z consumers’ attitudes and continuance intention to online fashion resale participation with strong effects for the group of self-oriented shoppers. Among the five dimensions of perceived benefits, only epistemic benefits affect continuance intention for self-oriented consumers. Theoretical and practical implications are provided in this paper.
Multiple Driving Paths of High-Tech SME Resilience from a “Resource–Capability–Environment” Perspective: An fsQCA Approach
Authors: Ma Teng , Liu Ya , Jia Rongyan
Published: May 2023

High-tech SMEs are the new drivers of economic growth and innovation development. The complex and turbulent operating environment of the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) era poses a serious threat to high-tech SME sustainability. Although studies have explored the factors influencing high-tech SME resilience, the equivalent effects of different combinations of factors on organizational resilience have yet to be considered. Based on the resources–capabilities–environment perspective, this study uses fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to analyze the driving paths of high-tech SME resilience. The configuration effects of financial and relationship resources, managerial abilities, innovation capabilities, the market environment, and government interventions on the organizational resilience of high-tech SMEs are examined, and a robustness test is passed. The results show the following: (1) high-tech SME resilience is affected by multiple factors; (2) high-tech SMEs have three high-resilience driving paths—resource–capability, resource–capability–environment, and resource–environment—and two non-high-resilience driving paths—resource–capability inhibition and resource–environment inhibition; and (3) the high and non-high resilience paths are asymmetric. Theoretically, the formation of organizational resilience is a complex nonlinear process with limited single condition effects on outcomes. This study explores the impact of the interaction of multiple factors on organizational resilience, reveals the multiple driving paths of high-tech SME resilience, and enriches the theoretical study of organizational resilience. Practically, this study helps managers identify the combined effects of “resource–capability–environment” perspectives on high-tech SMEs’ resilience and provides intellectual support for them to achieve sustainable development and enhance resilience.
Sharjah Sustainable City: An Analytic Hierarchy Process Approach to Urban Planning Priorities
Authors: Jung Chuloh , Awad Jihad
Published: May 2023

In 2020, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (SHUROOQ) initiated the Sharjah Sustainable City (SSC) project, with an investment of 2 billion AED (approximately 545 million USD) covering an area of 668,900 km2. This pioneering residential community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) provides its residents with access to renewable energy storage solutions while adhering to the highest standards of green economy and environmental sustainability. This paper aims to examine the urban planning components of SSC and establish suitable priorities for these elements. To achieve this, we first reviewed and extracted sustainable urban planning elements from existing research. These elements were then organized hierarchically for an expert survey, which was conducted via email. The results were subsequently analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Our findings revealed that the transportation system sector was deemed most important, with a score of 0.283, followed by the energy/building sectors at 0.263. Conversely, the park/green area held relatively lower importance, with a score of 0.092. Upon examining the relative importance of 15 specific planning elements (lower criteria), energy-efficient building design emerged as the most critical aspect (0.121). Other highly valued elements included public transportation-oriented development (0.115) and the use of renewable energy (0.102). In contrast, building greening (0.029), establishment of accessible greenway and green matrix in residential areas (0.029), and creation of hydrophilic features for the water circulation system (0.026) were perceived as less significant. This study is expected to serve as foundational data for the future implementation of the SSC master plan in Sharjah. Moreover, it offers valuable insights and a methodology for sustainable urban planning that can be adopted or adapted globally. The worldwide applicability of this research fosters knowledge transfer, international cooperation, and innovation, thereby promoting sustainable development, urban resilience, and progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Fresnel Lens Solar Pumping for Uniform and Stable Emission of Six Sustainable Laser Beams under Non-Continuous Solar Tracking
Authors: Vistas Cláudia R. , Liang Dawei , Catela Miguel , Costa Hugo , Garcia Dário , Tibúrcio Bruno D. , Almeida Joana
Published: May 2023

A multirod solar laser approach is here proposed to attain uniform and stable multibeam emission under non-continuous solar tracking. A Fresnel lens was used as the primary concentrator. The laser head was composed of a second-stage aspherical lens with a light-guide homogenizer and a third-stage conical pump cavity with six Nd:YAG rods. The solar laser system was optimized through numerical analysis in both Zemax® and LASCAD™ software to obtain six 1064 nm laser beams of similar multimode power. To investigate the effect of the homogenizer on the laser performance, the laser head was compared with a similar one that only used the aspherical lens in the second stage. The approach with the light guide attained a slightly lower efficiency than the one without the light guide; however, the tracking error width at 10% laser power loss was higher and, most importantly, only a 2.17% coefficient of variation of the laser power emitted by the six rods at the tracking error angle of ±0.5° was obtained. This is 4.2 times better than the 52.31% obtained with the laser head without the homogenizer and 76 times better than that of the previous numerical work. The light guide is thus essential to ensure uniform and stable solar laser power extraction from all rods even under non-continuous solar tracking, making this prototype the ideal for multibeam laser applications where uniformity and stability of the laser power are indispensable. This renewable multibeam solar laser may replace the classical lamp- and diode-pumped lasers, therefore ensuring a sustainable laser power production pattern for both space and terrestrial applications.
Transit-Oriented Development and Sustainable Cities: A Visual Analysis of the Literature Based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer
Authors: Fang Qiaoling , Inoue Tomo , Li Dongqi , Liu Qiang , Ma Jian
Published: May 2023

In the last three decades, relevant research has rapidly increased in tandem with the global popularity of TOD (transit-oriented development) initiatives. It is vital to thoroughly summarize this research and investigate its development trends for sustainable cities. The advent of bibliometrics has given rise to a new method of conducting systematic reviews. We wish to illustrate the evolution of the TOD field by applying scientometrics, with the aim of revealing trends in this field and establishing a scientific classification system. We employ visualization software such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace to conduct bibliometric analyses on TOD-related publications from the WOS database from 1994 to 2021. Potential TOD-related research hotspots and cutting-edge research trends are thoroughly examined. The results indicate that TOD research topics are diverse, with hot topics related to land use, built environment, travel behavior, etc. The regions studied in TOD research are mostly metropolitan areas. Based on a modest number of starting keywords, this strategy can be used to build a more relevant and deeper research network. Through expanding the research content and improving research methods, this paper can provide insights into identifying the evolution of TOD research in different locations of the world, as well as provide a reference for the application and implementation of TOD strategies.
Use of a Biopolymer for Road Pavement Subgrade
Authors: Cabalar Ali Firat , Akbulut Nurullah , Demir Suleyman , Yildiz Ozgur
Published: May 2023

This paper presents an extensive series of laboratory works and a prediction model on the design of a road pavement subgrade with Xanthan Gum (XG) biopolymer. The experimental works were carried out using mixtures of conventional aggregate for road pavement construction and XG at the ratios of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 5%, by dry weight. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests were conducted during the experimental works at the end of the various curing periods (4, 8, 16, and 32 days). An example of an improvement in the UCS values for a specimen with 5% XG addition tested at the end of 4-daycuring yields about a 200% increment by the end of a 32-daycuring. The CBR values of clean aggregates were found to be increased by about 300% by 5% XG addition for all curing periods applied. Furthermore, the energy absorption capacity of the aggregates was observed to be increased significantly by both XG inclusion and curing period. Moreover, scaled conjugate gradient (SCG) training algorithm-based models developed for the prediction of CBR and UCS test results displayed a very high estimation performance with the regression coefficients of R2 = 0.967 and R2 = 0.987, respectively. Evidently, XG biopolymer is provably of use as an alternative inclusion in road pavement subgrades constructed with conventional aggregates.
Neighborhood-Level Particle Pollution Assessment during the COVID-19 Pandemic via a Novel IoT Solution
Authors: Spandonidis Christos , Paraskevopoulos Dimitrios , Saravanos Christina
Published: May 2023

In recent years, the concentration levels of various air pollutants have been constantly increasing, primarily due to the high vehicle flow. In 2020, however, severe lockdowns in Greece were imposed to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a rapid reduction in the concentration levels of air pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10 in the atmosphere. Initially, this paper seeks to identify the correlation between the concentration levels of PM10 and the traffic flow by acquiring data from low-cost IoT devices which were placed in Thessaloniki, Greece, from March to August 2020. The correlation and the linearity between the two parameters were further investigated by applying descriptive analytics, regression techniques, Pearson correlation, and independent T-testing. The obtained results indicate that the concentration levels of PM10 are strongly correlated to the vehicle flow. Therefore, the results hint that the decrease in the vehicle flow could result in improving the quality of environmental air. Finally, the acquired results point out that the temperature and humidity are weakly correlated with the concentration levels of PM10 present in the atmosphere.
Local Track Irregularity Identification Based on Multi-Sensor Time–Frequency Features of High-Speed Railway Bridge Accelerations
Authors: Mo Ye , Zhuo Yi , Li Shunlong
Published: May 2023

Shortwave track diseases are generally reflected in the form of local track irregularity. Such diseases will greatly impact the train–track–bridge interaction (TTBI) dynamic system, seriously affecting train safety. Therefore, a method is proposed to detect and localize local track irregularities based on the multi-sensor time–frequency features of high-speed railway bridge accelerations. Continuous wavelet transform (CWT) was used to analyze the multi-sensor accelerations of railway bridges. Moreover, time–frequency features based on the sum of wavelet coefficients were proposed, considering the influence of the distance from the measurement points to the local irregularity on the recognition accuracy. Then, the multi-domain features were utilized to recognize deteriorated railway locations. A simply-supported high-speed railway bridge traversed by a railway train was adopted as a numerical simulation. Comparative studies were conducted to investigate the influence of vehicle speeds and the location of local track irregularity on the algorithm. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can detect and locate local track irregularity accurately and is robust to vehicle speeds.
Architectural Heritage Indoor Comfort after Retrofit Works: The Case Study of S. Vito Church in L’Aquila, Italy
Authors: De Vita Mariangela , Rotilio Marianna , Marchionni Chiara , De Berardinis Pierluigi
Published: May 2023

The performance redevelopment of Architectural Heritage is a current research topic, in particular for the impact on energy saving and, consequently, on the comfort management of historical buildings. In order to evaluate the energy performance of the built environment and to optimize it in the retrofit, the way of using the heritage structures is fundamental. In particular, the retrofit in religious buildings through the installation of a new heating system often modifies the original microclimate of the internal environment without guaranteeing adequate comfort conditions, due to the peculiarities of these artifacts way of use and to their geometric and construction features. This contribution illustrates analysis on the internal comfort of a church after the retrofit intervention, which has shown energetic and comfort critical issues in relation to the discontinuous use type of the structure. The results of the analysis on the case-study, the church of San Vito in L’Aquila, have shown that the use of systems that exploit the thermal mass is not always sustainable and that it is before essential to in-depth investigate the fruition mode of the environments in order to identify suitable retrofit strategies.
Transformation of the Education System in Agricultural Advisory towards Sustainability—A Case Study in Slovenia
Authors: Nikšić Marina , Pavić Lazar , Rozman Črtomir
Published: May 2023

The new role that agricultural advisory plays in innovation processes and the development of agriculture towards sustainability requires the improvement of its performance. The basic prerequisite for realizing the potential of agricultural advisory in the areas mentioned is a strongly developed education system that will enable the development of strong advisory capacities. This survey is based on three areas of the education system: organization of education, satisfaction with educators, and evaluation of education and the potential of individuals in the organization. The basic principles on which the education system is based are outdated and, therefore, inadequate for developing the performance that the new role of agricultural advisors in innovation processes requires. Multiple regression analysis results indicate that a greater evaluation of education and the potential of individuals in the organization implies greater involvement of agricultural advisors in the selection of topics that will be provided to them through education and more advanced performances of educators responsible for educating. One-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) determined that there are no statistically significant differences, at the p < 0.05 level, in the level of perceived competence of advisors for sustainable agricultural practices depending on the frequency of attending education.
A Novel Image Similarity Measure Based on Greatest and Smallest Eigen Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Di Martino Ferdinando , Sessa Salvatore
Published: May 2023

A novel image similarity index based on the greatest and smallest fuzzy set solutions of the max–min and min–max compositions of fuzzy relations, respectively, is proposed. The greatest and smallest fuzzy sets are found symmetrically as the min–max and max–min solutions, respectively, to a fuzzy relation equation. The original image is partitioned into squared blocks and the pixels in each block are normalized to [0, 1] in order to have a fuzzy relation. The greatest and smallest fuzzy sets, found for each block, are used to measure the similarity between the original image and the image reconstructed by joining the squared blocks. Comparison tests with other well-known image metrics are then carried out where source images are noised by applying Gaussian filters. The results show that the proposed image similarity measure is more effective and robust to noise than the PSNR and SSIM-based measures.
Hyperstructure Theory Applied to BF-Algebras
Authors: Muhiuddin Ghulam , Abughazalah Nabilah , Mahboob Ahsan , Alotaibi Abdullah G.
Published: May 2023

This study applies the hyperstructure theory to BF-algebra, which is an algebraic structure. In fact, we define hyper-BF-algebras and hyper-BF ideals and investigate several of their related characteristics. BF-algebra and hyper-BF ideal characteristics are taken into account, and supported examples are built. Here, we also develop new concepts known as hyper-B-algebra, hyper-BG-algebra, and hyper-BH algebra as generalizations of other classes of hyper-BCK-/BCI-algebras. Additionally, we demonstrate that each hyper-BF is a weak hyper-BF in hyper-BF-algebra, but the opposite is not true. It is further established that the intersection of the weak hyper-BF ideal family is weak.
Using Social Network Analysis to Identify the Critical Factors Influencing Residents’ Green Consumption Behavior
Authors: Zhang Changlu , Tang Liqian , Zhang Jian , Wang Zongshui
Published: May 2023

Green consumption is an important tool to accelerate the circular economy and promote sustainable development. The identification of critical influencing factors for green consumption is the key to promoting green consumption behavior (GCB). Firstly, based on the joint framework of theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the attitude–behavior–context (ABC) theory, we summarized 32 influencing factors from six dimensions: consumer attitude, cognitive factors, sense of responsibility, economic factors, government regulation, and green product supply. Secondly, the Delphi method was used to modify and optimize the initial influencing factor index. Thirdly, we constructed a social network analysis (SNA) model of influencing factors to determine the causal relationships between each influencing factor. All factors were divided into driving factors and result factors via the calculation of degree centrality, and the critical influencing factors and influencing paths of residents’ GCB were ultimately determined. Finally, based on the empirical research results, corresponding countermeasures and suggestions were put forward. The results show that the top five critical influencing factors include green purchase intention, willingness to pay, risk perception, green product certification, publicity and education, green product price, and green attribute information. Among them, green product certification, publicity and education, and green product price are critical driving factors in GCB.
Inclusive Tourism Adopted to Geosites: A Study in the Ajodhya Hills of West Bengal in India
Authors: Ghosh Avijit , Mandal Rahul , Chakrabarty Premangshu
Published: May 2023

Inclusive tourism is a specialized branch of tourism emphasizing the inclusion of the disabled, who otherwise could not participate in tourism, despite having wealth to spend for leisure and recreation. There exists a research gap in analyzing scope of geotourism in this context. Disabilities affecting access to geosites affect geotourism since most of the geosites all over the world are situated in difficult terrain from the stand point of accessibility. It is inclusive tourism, also called accessible tourism, that facilities the consumers to reach the desired destinations. The present study assesses such destinations in Ajodhya hills, located in West Bengal, India, a geotourist’s paradise in terms of rarity and diversity, aesthetic appeal, and cultural value. The study derives an accessibility–attraction model to identify inclusive tourism planning priorities from tourism marketing perspectives. Extensive field work followed by the application of qualitative methods of data analysis yield results dedicated to sustainable geotourism development. The discussion reveals the scope of developing specific facilities, using GIS, which encourage physically challenged people to visit geosites and simultaneously fulfil the objective of guiding planners and policy makers to identify and develop more suitable sites for introducing inclusive tourism facilities.
Antimicrobial Peptide Arsenal Predicted from the Venom Gland Transcriptome of the Tropical Trap-Jaw Ant Odontomachus chelifer
Authors: Menk Josilene J. , Matuhara Yan E. , Sebestyen-França Henrique , Henrique-Silva Flávio , Ferro Milene , Rodrigues Renata S. , Santos-Júnior Célio D.
Published: May 2023

With about 13,000 known species, ants are the most abundant venomous insects. Their venom consists of polypeptides, enzymes, alkaloids, biogenic amines, formic acid, and hydrocarbons. In this study, we investigated, using in silico techniques, the peptides composing a putative antimicrobial arsenal from the venom gland of the neotropical trap-jaw ant Odontomachus chelifer. Focusing on transcripts from the body and venom gland of this insect, it was possible to determine the gland secretome, which contained about 1022 peptides with putative signal peptides. The majority of these peptides (75.5%) were unknown, not matching any reference database, motivating us to extract functional insights via machine learning-based techniques. With several complementary methodologies, we investigated the existence of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the venom gland of O. chelifer, finding 112 non-redundant candidates. Candidate AMPs were predicted to be more globular and hemolytic than the remaining peptides in the secretome. There is evidence of transcription for 97% of AMP candidates across the same ant genus, with one of them also verified as translated, thus supporting our findings. Most of these potential antimicrobial sequences (94.8%) matched transcripts from the ant’s body, indicating their role not solely as venom toxins.
Detection of Anti-ZIKV NS1 IgA, IgM, and Combined IgA/IgM and Identification of IL-4 and IL-10 as Potential Biomarkers for Early ZIKV and DENV Infections in Hyperendemic Regions, Thailand
Authors: Petphong Vajee , Kosoltanapiwat Nathamon , Limkittikul Kriengsak , Maneekan Pannamas , Chatchen Supawat , Jittmittraphap Akanitt , Sriburin Pimolpachr , Chattanadee Siriporn , Leaungwutiwong Pornsawan
Published: May 2023

The frequency of Zika virus (ZIKV)-specific IgA and IgM and the cytokine expression profile of ZIKV-infected patients in hyperendemic areas remain unclear. This study investigated the rates of ZIKV non-structural protein 1 (NS1)-specific IgA and IgM and evaluated serum cytokine levels of ZIKV and Dengue virus (DENV) cases in Thailand to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers, elucidate the immunity against ZIKV and DENV, and investigate the association between cytokine levels and ZIKV symptoms. Low rates of positivity for ZIKV NS1-specific IgA and IgM were detected in our study. ZIKV NS1 IgA/M (11%, 11/101) in combination was more frequently detected than ZIKV NS1 IgM (2%, 2/101) or ZIKV NS1 IgA (4%, 4/96) alone, especially in acute ZIKV cases with previous DENV exposure (14%, 10/72). Cytokine analysis showed that both ZIKV and DENV infections induced polyfunctional immunity, and the latter triggered more prolonged responses. The existence of significant differences in IL-4 and IL-10 levels between acute ZIKV and acute DENV cases suggested that IL-4 (p = 0.0176) and IL-10 (p = 0.0003) may represent biomarkers for acute ZIKV and acute DENV infections, respectively. Analysis of the association between increased cytokine levels and ZIKV symptoms indicated that CXCL10 (p = 0.0029) was associated with exanthema, while IL-5 (p = 0.0496) was linked to headache. The detection of ZIKV NS1 IgA and IgM in combination may enhance the diagnosis of early ZIKV infection, particularly when levels of IgM or IgA alone are low or undetectable. IL-4 and IL-10 may serve as targets for the development of diagnostic tools to detect ZIKV and DENV infections early, respectively, in flavivirus-endemic regions.
Distinct Red Blotch Disease Epidemiological Dynamics in Two Nearby Vineyards
Authors: Flasco Madison T. , Cieniewicz Elizabeth J. , Pethybridge Sarah J. , Fuchs Marc F.
Published: May 2023

Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) causes red blotch disease and is transmitted by the three-cornered alfalfa hopper, Spissistilus festinus. GRBV isolates belong to a minor phylogenetic clade 1 and a predominant clade 2. Spatiotemporal disease dynamics were monitored in a 1-hectare ‘Merlot’ vineyard planted in California in 2015. Annual surveys first revealed disease onset in 2018 and a 1.6% disease incidence in 2022. Ordinary runs and phylogenetic analyses documented significant aggregation of vines infected with GRBV clade 1 isolates in one corner of the vineyard (Z = −4.99), despite being surrounded by clade 2 isolates. This aggregation of vines harboring isolates from a non-prevalent clade is likely due to infected rootstock material at planting. GRBV clade 1 isolates were predominant in 2018–2019 but displaced by clade 2 isolates in 2021–2022, suggesting an influx of the latter isolates from outside sources. This study is the first report of red blotch disease progress immediately after vineyard establishment. A nearby 1.5-hectare ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ vineyard planted in 2008 with clone 4 (CS4) and 169 (CS169) vines was also surveyed. Most CS4 vines that exhibited disease symptoms one-year post-planting, likely due to infected scion material, were aggregated (Z = −1.73). GRBV isolates of both clades were found in the CS4 vines. Disease incidence was only 1.4% in non-infected CS169 vines in 2022 with sporadic infections of isolates from both clades occurring via secondary spread. Through disentangling GRBV infections due to the planting material and S. festinus-mediated transmission, this study illustrated how the primary virus source influences epidemiological dynamics of red blotch disease.
Transcription Factor Driven Gene Regulation in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Santoni Daniele , Ghosh Nimisha , Derelitto Carlo , Saha Indrajit
Published: May 2023

SARS-CoV-2 and its many variants have caused a worldwide emergency. Host cells colonised by SARS-CoV-2 present a significantly different gene expression landscape. As expected, this is particularly true for genes that directly interact with virus proteins. Thus, understanding the role that transcription factors can play in driving differential regulation in patients affected by COVID-19 is a focal point to unveil virus infection. In this regard, we have identified 19 transcription factors which are predicted to target human proteins interacting with Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. Transcriptomics RNA-Seq data derived from 13 human organs are used to analyse expression correlation between identified transcription factors and related target genes in both COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals. This resulted in the identification of transcription factors showing the most relevant impact in terms of most evident differential correlation between COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals. This analysis has also identified five organs such as the blood, heart, lung, nasopharynx and respiratory tract in which a major effect of differential regulation mediated by transcription factors is observed. These organs are also known to be affected by COVID-19, thereby providing consistency to our analysis. Furthermore, 31 key human genes differentially regulated by the transcription factors in the five organs are identified and the corresponding KEGG pathways and GO enrichment are also reported. Finally, the drugs targeting those 31 genes are also put forth. This in silico study explores the effects of transcription factors on human genes interacting with Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 and intends to provide new insights to inhibit the virus infection.
Temsavir Modulates HIV-1 Envelope Conformation by Decreasing Its Proteolytic Cleavage
Authors: Boutin Marianne , Medjahed Halima , Nayrac Manon , Lotke Rishikesh , Gendron-Lepage Gabrielle , Bourassa Catherine , Sauter Daniel , Richard Jonathan , Finzi Andrés
Published: May 2023

HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins (Envs) mediate viral entry and represent a target of choice for small molecule inhibitors. One of them, temsavir (BMS-626529) prevents the interaction of the host cell receptor CD4 with Env by binding the pocket under the β20–β21 loop of the Env subunit gp120. Along with its capacity to prevent viral entry, temsavir stabilizes Env in its “closed” conformation. We recently reported that temsavir affects glycosylation, proteolytic processing, and overall conformation of Env. Here, we extend these results to a panel of primary Envs and infectious molecular clones (IMCs), where we observe a heterogeneous impact on Env cleavage and conformation. Our results suggest that the effect of temsavir on Env conformation is associated with its capacity to decrease Env processing. Indeed, we found that the effect of temsavir on Env processing affects the recognition of HIV-1-infected cells by broadly neutralizing antibodies and correlates with their capacity to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
HuNoV Non-Structural Protein P22 Induces Maturation of IL-1β and IL-18 and N-GSDMD-Dependent Pyroptosis through Activating NLRP3 Inflammasome
Authors: Chen Nini , Chen Peiyu , Zhou Yanhe , Chen Sidong , Gong Sitang , Fu Ming , Geng Lanlan
Published: May 2023

Norovirus infection is the leading cause of foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide, causing more than 200,000 deaths each year. As a result of a lack of reproducible and robust in vitro culture systems and suitable animal models for human norovirus (HuNoV) infection, the pathogenesis of HuNoV is still poorly understood. In recent years, human intestinal enteroids (HIEs) have been successfully constructed and demonstrated to be able to support the replication of HuNoV. The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a key role in host innate immune responses by activating caspase1 to facilitate IL-1β and IL-18 secretion and N-GSDMD-driven apoptosis, while NLRP3 inflammasome overactivation plays an important role in the development of various inflammatory diseases. Here, we found that HuNoV activated enteric stem cell-derived human intestinal enteroids (HIEs) NLRP3 inflammasome, which was confirmed by transfection of Caco2 cells with full-length cDNA clones of HuNoV. Further, we found that HuNoV non-structural protein P22 activated the NLRP3 inflammasome and then matured IL-1β and IL-18 and processed the cleavage of gasdermin-D (GSDMD) to N-GSDMD, leading to pyroptosis. Besides, berberine (BBR) could ameliorate the pyroptosis caused by HuNoV and P22 by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Together, these results reveal new insights into the mechanisms of inflammation and cell death caused by HuNoV and provide potential treatments.
Assessment of Safety and Prophylactic Efficacy of the EpiVacCorona Peptide Vaccine for COVID-19 Prevention (Phase III)
Authors: Ryzhikov Alexander B. , Ryzhikov Evgeny A. , Bogryantseva Marina P. , Usova Svetlana V. , Nechaeva Elena A. , Danilenko Elena D. , Pyankov Stepan A. , Gudymo Andrey S. , Moiseeva Anastasiya A. , Onkhonova Galina S. , Pyankov Oleg V. , Sleptsova Ekaterina S. , Lomakin Nikita V. , Vasilyeva Veronika S. , Tulikov Mikhail V. , Gusarov Vitaly G. , Pulin Andrey A. , Balalaeva Maria A. , Erofeeva Svetlana B. , Terpigorev Stanislav A. , Rychkova Olga A. , Petrov Ivan M. , Delian Viktoriia Y. , Rafalskiy Vladimir V. , Tyranovets Sergey V. , Gavrilova Elena V. , Maksyutov Rinat A.
Published: May 2023

The State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “VECTOR” of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) has developed the peptide-based EpiVacCorona vaccine, which is the first synthetic peptide-based antiviral vaccine for mass immunization in international vaccinology. An early clinical trial (Phase I–II) demonstrated that the EpiVacCorona vaccine is a safe product. The “Multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled, comparative, randomized trial to assess the tolerability, safety, immunogenicity and prophylactic efficacy of the EpiVacCorona COVID-19 vaccine based on peptide antigens in 3000 volunteers aged 18 years and older” was performed regarding vaccine safety. The key objectives of the study were to evaluate the safety and prophylactic efficacy of the two-dose EpiVacCorona vaccine administered via the intramuscular route. The results of the clinical study (Phase III) demonstrated the safety of the EpiVacCorona vaccine. Vaccine administration was accompanied by mild local reactions in ≤27% of cases and mild systemic reactions in ≤14% of cases. The prophylactic efficacy of the EpiVacCorona COVID-19 vaccine after the completion of the vaccination series was 82.5% (CI95 = 75.3–87.6%). The high safety and efficacy of the vaccine give grounds for recommending this vaccine for regular seasonal prevention of COVID-19 as a safe and effective medicinal product.
Comparison of Imaging Methods and Population Pattern in Dogs with Spinal Diseases in Three Periods between 2005 and 2022: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Fuchs Jakub , Domaniža Michal , Kuricová Mária , Lipták Tomáš , Ledecký Valent
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was the long-term comparison of the imaging methods used in dogs with neurologic diseases related to the spine and spinal cord. We also compared the occurrence of neurological diseases according to the localization, gender, age, and breed. As the availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has increased over the years, resulting in increased diagnostic and therapeutic success rates, the study was divided into three time periods (2005–2014, 2015–2018, and 2019–2022). Our results suggest changes in the population structure of the dogs studied and changes in the use of diagnostic methods that directly or indirectly influence the choice and success rate of therapy. Our results may be of interest to owners, breeders, practicing veterinarians, and insurance companies.
Temporal Fluctuations in Household Water Consumption and Operating Pressure Related to the Error of Their Water Meters
Authors: Benavides-Muñoz Holger Manuel , Medina-Armijos Byron , González-González Rutbel , Martínez-Solano Francisco Javier , Lapo-Pauta Mireya
Published: May 2023

The growing population is creating a rising demand for water, particularly in developing countries. As the urban population seeks to improve their standard of living, the authorities responsible for providing domestic utility services face increased pressure to provide higher-quality and secure services. To meet this challenge, the performance of all systems must be improved, and a better understanding of user behavior and water consumption patterns must be achieved. Modern routing and water quality models need accurate demand information. This research will analyze household water consumption patterns over time and their correlation with pressure levels. The results will inform a new methodology for managing and delivering services, considering the global error of gauges in the study area. The goal is to ensure sufficient and effective capacity to provide appropriate services for community development.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Release Characteristics of Pipeline Sediments on Entering Different Water Bodies
Authors: Sun Jiarong , Xue Chonghua , Li Junqi , Wang Wenhai
Published: May 2023

Differences in the physical and chemical properties of reclaimed water (RW) and natural surface water (SW) lead to further differences in nitrogen and phosphorus release when pipeline sediments enter these water bodies. The release kinetics of nitrogen and phosphorus from pipe sediments with different particle sizes have been investigated. The results demonstrated that both SW and RW had a pH buffering effect after sediment addition, and the final pH (approximately 8.1) of RW was lower. The release of total phosphorus (TP) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) fitted the first-order kinetic model in which the release of TP reached equilibrium. TP release was inhibited in both SW and RW, with RW exhibiting the lowest (by a factor of 1.23~2.44) release (0.002 mg/g). The release of NH4+-N was promoted in both SW and RW; the maximum release in RW was 0.0188 mg/g. The amounts of NH4+-N released in SW and RW were 1.02–1.40 and 1.30–1.80 times that of the control group (CG), respectively. The percentage of TP and NH4+-N release in the three groups was highest in 75–154 μm pipe sediment, reaching 34.53% and 43.51% in SW and RW, respectively. These results can assist in the development of water quality evolution models for specific urban scenarios and provide important guidance for the precise regulation of water recharge quality during and after rainfall.
Bioscorodite Production from As(III) and Fe(II) Salts under Oxidizing and Acidic Conditions of Trichoderma atroviride Culture
Authors: Ramírez-Castillo Jesús Adriana , Rodríguez-Vázquez Refugio , Aguilar-López Ricardo , Zúñiga-Silva José Roberto
Published: May 2023

Arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater is widespread and significantly affects drinking water, posing a threat to public health due to its classification as a human carcinogen. Arsenic (As) can be removed from contaminated water using sustainable technologies (e.g., biotechnological processes). The process of removing Arsenic from water through reactions with iron under acidic and oxidizing conditions in a fungal broth has been proposed alongside the production of bioscorodite (FeAsO4·2H2O) crystals by Trichoderma atroviride culture. This ascomycete was selected based on tests with three other fungi (Aspergillus niger, and the basidiomycetes, Postia placenta, and Phanerochaete chrysosporium) because it decreased the pH to 2.2, raised the redox potential (Eh) to 207 mV, and was the quickest to produce 0.39 µg/L of H2O2 in a modified Wunder medium. The Eh was further increased to 324.80 mV under improved fungal culture conditions, selected using a 23−1 fractional factorial design (FFD). The fungal broth was then used for bioscorodite production by adding Fe(III)/As(III) salts and scorodite seeds at 92 °C for 21 h. Scorodite seeds and bioscorodite were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Arsenic was determined in solution by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), and a 73% reduction in the initial As concentration (0.30 g/100 mL) was observed after bioscorodite production. Bioscorodite production under appropriate fungal culture conditions could be an option for sustainable As removal from water. The production of H2O2 by the fungus resulted in the oxidation of As(III) into As(V) and acidification of the culture broth, which created the necessary conditions for the production of bioscorodite without the need for chemical acids or oxidants. This approach is environmentally friendly and cost effective, making it a promising alternative for the treatment of arsenic-contaminated water.