bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Fractionation in Environmental Studies of Potentially Toxic Particulate-Bound Elements in Urban Air: A Critical Review
Authors: Świetlik Ryszard , Trojanowska Marzena
Published: March 2022

In recent years, studies of heavy metal air pollution have increasingly gone beyond determining total concentrations of individual toxic metals. Chemical fractionation of potentially toxic elements in airborne particles is becoming an important part of these studies. This review covers the articles that have been published over the last three decades. Attention was paid to the issue of atmospheric aerosol sampling, sample pretreatment, sequential extraction schemes and conditions of individual extractions. Geochemical forms of metals occurring in the air in urban areas were considered in detail. Based on the data sets from chemical fractionation of particulate matter samples by three sequential extraction procedures (SEPs)—Fernández Espinosa, BCR and Chester’s—the compilation of the chemical distribution patterns of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn was prepared. The human health risk posed by these toxic and/or carcinogenic elements via inhalation of atmospheric particles was estimated for two categories of polluted urban areas: the commonly encountered pollution level and the high pollution level.
Effect of Dietary L-Threonine and Toxin Binder on Performance, Blood Parameters, and Immune Response of Broilers Exposed to Aflatoxin B1
Authors: Mesgar Aydin , Aghdam Shahryar Habib , Bailey Christopher Anthony , Ebrahimnezhad Yahya , Mohan Anand
Published: March 2022

To evaluate the effect of L-Threonine (L-Thr) and Mycofix® Plus (MP) on aflatoxicosis, an experiment with a 3-way ANOVA model was carried out with 8 replicates and 640 birds. Treatments included two levels of L-Thr (100% and 125% of the requirements, Cobb 500, Cobb-Vantress), Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) (0, 500 ppb), and MP (0, 1 g/kg). As the main effects showed, AFB1 decreased breast meat yield and carcass percentage (p < 0.001), serum urea, antibody titer against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), and bone density (p < 0.05), while it increased the plasma concentrations of glucose and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.05). Mycofix Plus improved the grower feed intake (FI), tibia fresh weight, and body weight (BW) to bone weight (p < 0.05). L-Threonine increased the grower FI, breast meat yield, serum aspartate transaminase (AST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) (p < 0.05). There were positive interactions with breast meat yield, cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and IBV titer. Of the treatments used, the combination of L-Thr and MP without AFB1 improved breast meat and carcass percentage. L-Threonine and MP significantly improved IBV titer in birds challenged with AFB1 (p < 0.001). In conclusion, L-Thr and MP were beneficial to improve immunity.
Donation after Circulatory Death Liver Transplantation in Paediatric Recipients
Authors: Parente Alessandro , Tirotta Fabio , Ronca Vincenzo , Schlegel Andrea , Muiesan Paolo
Published: March 2022

Waiting list mortality together, with limited availability of organs, are one of the major challenges in liver transplantation (LT). Especially in the paediatric population, another limiting factor is the scarcity of transplantable liver grafts due to additional concerns regarding graft size matching. In adults, donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver grafts have been used to expand the donor pool with satisfactory results. Although several studies suggest that DCD livers could also be used in paediatric recipients with good outcomes, their utilisation in children is still limited to a small number of reports. Novel organ perfusion strategies could be used to improve organ quality and help to increase the number of DCD grafts utilised for children. With the current manuscript, we present the available literature of LT using DCD grafts in paediatric recipients, discussing current challenges with the use of these livers in children and how machine perfusion technologies could be of impact in the future.
Bouncing Cosmology in Fourth-Order Gravity
Authors: Miranda Marcello , Vernieri Daniele , Capozziello Salvatore , Lobo Francisco S. N.
Published: March 2022

The Big Bang initial singularity problem can be solved by means of bouncing solutions. In the context of extended theories of gravity, we will look for covariant effective actions whose field equations contain up to fourth-order derivatives of the metric tensor. In finding such bouncing solutions, we will make use of an order reduction technique based on a perturbative approach. Reducing the order of the field equations to second-order, we are able to find solutions which are perturbatively close to General Relativity. We will build the covariant effective actions of the resulting order reduced theories.
Thermalization with Non-Zero Initial Anomalous Quantum Averages
Authors: Akhmedov Emil T. , Kazarnovskii Kirill
Published: March 2022

We discuss the thermalization process in kinetic approximation in the presence of non-zero initial anomalous quantum expectation values on top of an initial non-Planckian (non-thermal) level population. In particular, we derive a system of “kinetic” equations for the level population and anomalous expectation values in four-dimensional massive scalar field theory with φ4 self-interaction. We analytically show, in the linear approximation, that for their small initial values, the anomalous quantum averages relax down to zero. Furthermore, we show analytically that this system does not have an equilibrium solution with non-zero time independent anomalous expectation value.
Late Time Acceleration of the Universe from Quantum Gravity
Authors: Pang Xiankai
Published: March 2022

We show that the accelerating expansion phase of the universe can emerge from the group field theory formalism, a candidate theory of quantum gravity. The cosmological evolution can be extracted from condensate states using the mean field approximation, in a form of modified FLRW equations. By introducing an effective equation of state w, we can reveal the relevant features of the evolution and show that, with the proper choice of the parameters, w will approach −1, leading to an accelerating phase dominated by the cosmological constant effectively.
Cytolytic Properties and Genome Analysis of Rigvir® Oncolytic Virotherapy Virus and Other Echovirus 7 Isolates
Authors: Hietanen Eero , Koivu Marika K. A. , Susi Petri
Published: March 2022

Rigvir® is a cell-adapted, oncolytic virotherapy enterovirus, which derives from an echovirus 7 (E7) isolate. While it is claimed that Rigvir® causes cytolytic infection in several cancer cell lines, there is little molecular evidence for its oncolytic and oncotropic potential. Previously, we genome-sequenced Rigvir® and five echovirus 7 isolates, and those sequences are further analyzed in this paper. A phylogenetic analysis of the full-length data suggested that Rigvir® was most distant from the other E7 isolates used in this study, placing Rigvir® in its own clade at the root of the phylogeny. Rigvir® contained nine unique mutations in the viral capsid proteins VP1-VP4 across the whole data set, with a structural analysis showing six of the mutations concerning residues with surface exposure on the cytoplasmic side of the viral capsid. One of these mutations, E/Q/N162G, was located in the region that forms the contact interface between decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and E7. Rigvir® and five other isolates were also subjected to cell infectivity assays performed on eight different cell lines. The used cell lines contained both cancer and non-cancer cell lines for observing Rigvir®’s claimed properties of being both oncolytic and oncotropic. Infectivity assays showed that Rigvir® had no discernable difference in the viruses’ oncolytic effect when compared to the Wallace prototype or the four other E7 isolates. Rigvir® was also seen infecting non-cancer cell lines, bringing its claimed effect of being oncotropic into question. Thus, we conclude that Rigvir®’s claim of being an effective treatment against multiple different cancers is not warranted under the evidence presented here. Bioinformatic analyses do not reveal a clear mechanism that could elucidate Rigvir®’s function at a molecular level, and cell infectivity tests do not show a discernable difference in either the oncolytic or oncotropic effect between Rigvir® and other clinical E7 isolates used in the study.
Escape and Over-Activation of Innate Immune Responses by SARS-CoV-2: Two Faces of a Coin
Authors: Mattoo Sameer-ul-Salam , Kim Seong-Jun , Ahn Dae-Gyun , Myoung Jinjong
Published: March 2022

In the past 20 years, coronaviruses (CoVs), including SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, have rapidly evolved and emerged in the human population. The innate immune system is the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Multiple host cellular receptors can trigger the innate immune system to eliminate invading pathogens. However, these CoVs have acquired strategies to evade innate immune responses by avoiding recognition by host sensors, leading to impaired interferon (IFN) production and antagonizing of the IFN signaling pathways. In contrast, the dysregulated induction of inflammasomes, leading to uncontrolled production of IL-1 family cytokines (IL-1β and IL-18) and pyroptosis, has been associated with COVID-19 pathogenesis. This review summarizes innate immune evasion strategies employed by SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV in brief and SARS-CoV-2 in more detail. In addition, we outline potential mechanisms of inflammasome activation and evasion and their impact on disease prognosis.
Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Palmitoylation Inhibitors That Results in Release of Attenuated Virus with Reduced Infectivity
Authors: Ramadan Ahmed A. , Mayilsamy Karthick , McGill Andrew R. , Ghosh Anandita , Giulianotti Marc A. , Donow Haley M. , Mohapatra Shyam S. , Mohapatra Subhra , Chandran Bala , Deschenes Robert J. , Roy Arunava
Published: March 2022

The spike proteins of enveloped viruses are transmembrane glycoproteins that typically undergo post-translational attachment of palmitate on cysteine residues on the cytoplasmic facing tail of the protein. The role of spike protein palmitoylation in virus biogenesis and infectivity is being actively studied as a potential target of novel antivirals. Here, we report that palmitoylation of the first five cysteine residues of the C-terminal cysteine-rich domain of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein are indispensable for infection, and palmitoylation-deficient spike mutants are defective in membrane fusion. The DHHC9 palmitoyltransferase interacts with and palmitoylates the spike protein in the ER and Golgi and knockdown of DHHC9 results in reduced fusion and infection of SARS-CoV-2. Two bis-piperazine backbone-based DHHC9 inhibitors inhibit SARS-CoV-2 S protein palmitoylation and the resulting progeny virion particles released are defective in fusion and infection. This establishes these palmitoyltransferase inhibitors as potential new intervention strategies against SARS-CoV-2.
Evolution of Anti-RBD IgG Avidity following SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Tauzin Alexandra , Gendron-Lepage Gabrielle , Nayrac Manon , Anand Sai Priya , Bourassa Catherine , Medjahed Halima , Goyette Guillaume , Dubé Mathieu , Bazin Renée , Kaufmann Daniel E. , Finzi Andrés
Published: March 2022

SARS-CoV-2 infection rapidly elicits anti-Spike antibodies whose quantity in plasma gradually declines upon resolution of symptoms. This decline is part of the evolution of an immune response leading to B cell differentiation into short-lived antibody-secreting cells or resting memory B cells. At the same time, the ongoing class switch and antibody maturation processes occurring in germinal centers lead to the selection of B cell clones secreting antibodies with higher affinity for their cognate antigen, thereby improving their functional activity. To determine whether the decline in SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is paralleled with an increase in avidity of the anti-viral antibodies produced, we developed a simple assay to measure the avidity of anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection. We longitudinally followed a cohort of 29 convalescent donors with blood samples collected between 6- and 32-weeks post-symptoms onset. We observed that, while the level of antibodies declines over time, the anti-RBD avidity progressively increases and correlates with the B cell class switch. Additionally, we observed that anti-RBD avidity increased similarly after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results suggest that anti-RBD IgG avidity determination could be a surrogate assay for antibody affinity maturation and, thus, suitable for studying humoral responses elicited by natural infection and/or vaccination.
Antibodies Targeting KSHV gH/gL Reveal Distinct Neutralization Mechanisms
Authors: Fricke Thomas , Großkopf Anna K. , Ensser Armin , Backovic Marija , Hahn Alexander S.
Published: March 2022

Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) is associated with a significant disease burden, in particular in Sub-Sahara Africa. A KSHV vaccine would be highly desirable, but the mechanisms underlying neutralizing antibody responses against KSHV remain largely unexplored. The complex made of glycoproteins H and L (gH/gL) activates gB for the fusion of viral and cellular membranes in all herpesviruses. KSHV gH/gL also interacts with cellular Eph family receptors. To identify optimal antigens for vaccination and to elucidate neutralization mechanisms, we primed mice with recombinantly expressed, soluble gH/gL (gHecto/gL) that was either wildtype (WT), lacking defined glycosylation sites or bearing modified glycosylation, followed by boosts with WT gHecto/gL. We also immunized with a gL-gHecto fusion protein or a gHecto-ferritin/gL nanoparticle. Immune sera neutralized KSHV and inhibited EphA2 receptor binding. None of the regimens was superior to immunization with WT gHecto/gL with regard to neutralizing activity and EphA2 blocking activity, the gL-gHecto fusion protein was equally effective, and the ferritin construct was inferior. gH/gL-targeting sera inhibited gB-mediated membrane fusion and inhibited infection also independently from receptor binding and gL, as demonstrated by neutralization of a novel KSHV mutant that does not or only marginally incorporate gL into the gH/gL complex and infects through an Eph-independent route.
OraSure InteliSwab™ Rapid Antigen Test Performance with the SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern—Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron
Authors: Weishampel Zachary A. , Young Janean , Fischl Mark , Fischer Robert J. , Donkor Irene Owusu , Riopelle Jade C. , Schulz Jonathan E. , Port Julia R. , Saturday Taylor A. , van Doremalen Neeltje , Berry Jody D. , Munster Vincent J. , Yinda Claude Kwe
Published: March 2022

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in the human population and the resulting COVID-19 pandemic have led to the development of various diagnostic tests. The OraSure InteliSwab™ COVID-19 Rapid Test is a recently developed and FDA emergency use-authorized rapid antigen-detecting test that functions as a lateral flow device targeting the nucleocapsid protein. Due to SARS-CoV-2 evolution, there is a need to evaluate the sensitivity of rapid antigen-detecting tests for new variants, especially variants of concern such as Omicron. In this study, the sensitivity of the OraSure InteliSwab™ Test was investigated using cultured strains of the known variants of concern (VOCs, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron) and the ancestral lineage (lineage A). Based on dilution series in cell culture medium, an approximate limit of detection for each variant was determined. The OraSure InteliSwab™ Test showed an overall comparable performance using recombinant nucleocapsid protein and different cultured variants, with recorded limits of detection ranging between 3.77 × 105 and 9.13 × 105 RNA copies/mL. Finally, the sensitivity was evaluated using oropharyngeal swabs from Syrian golden hamsters inoculated with the six VOCs. Ultimately, the OraSure InteliSwab™ COVID-19 Rapid Test showed no decrease in sensitivity between the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and any VOCs including Omicron.
Mapping of Antibody Epitopes on the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Nucleoprotein
Authors: Lombe Boniface Pongombo , Saito Takeshi , Miyamoto Hiroko , Mori-Kajihara Akina , Kajihara Masahiro , Saijo Masayuki , Masumu Justin , Hattori Takanari , Igarashi Manabu , Takada Ayato
Published: March 2022

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), a nairovirus, is a tick-borne zoonotic virus that causes hemorrhagic fever in humans. The CCHFV nucleoprotein (NP) is the antigen most used for serological screening of CCHFV infection in animals and humans. To gain insights into antibody epitopes on the NP molecule, we produced recombinant chimeric NPs between CCHFV and Nairobi sheep disease virus (NSDV), which is another nairovirus, and tested rabbit and mouse antisera/immune ascites, anti-NP monoclonal antibodies, and CCHFV-infected animal/human sera for their reactivities to the NP antigens. We found that the amino acids at positions 161–320 might include dominant epitopes recognized by anti-CCHFV IgG antibodies, whereas cross-reactivity between anti-CCHFV and anti-NSDV antibodies was limited. Their binding capacities were further tested using a series of synthetic peptides whose sequences were derived from CCHFV NP. IgG antibodies in CCHFV-infected monkeys and patients were reactive to some of the synthetic peptide antigens (e.g., amino acid residues at positions 131–150 and 211–230). Only a few peptides were recognized by IgG antibodies in the anti-NSDV serum. These results provide useful information to improve NP-based antibody detection assays as well as antigen detection tests relying on anti-NP monoclonal antibodies.
A Palmitic Acid-Conjugated, Peptide-Based pan-CoV Fusion Inhibitor Potently Inhibits Infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Other Variants of Concern
Authors: Lan Qiaoshuai , Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , Xu Wei , Wang Lijue , Jiao Fanke , Zhang Guangxu , Pu Jing , Zhou Jie , Xia Shuai , Lu Lu , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Jiang Shibo , Wang Qian
Published: March 2022

Our previous studies have shown that cholesterol-conjugated, peptide-based pan-coronavirus (CoV) fusion inhibitors can potently inhibit human CoV infection. However, only palmitic acid (C16)-based lipopeptide drugs have been tested clinically, suggesting that the development of C16-based lipopeptide drugs is feasible. Here, we designed and synthesized a C16-modified pan-CoV fusion inhibitor, EK1-C16, and found that it potently inhibited infection by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern (VOCs), including Omicron, and other human CoVs and bat SARS-related CoVs (SARSr-CoVs). These results suggest that EK1-C16 could be further developed for clinical use to prevent and treat infection by the currently circulating MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 and its VOCs, as well as any future emerging or re-emerging coronaviruses.
Evaluating COVID-19 Vaccine Willingness and Hesitancy among Parents of Children Aged 5–11 Years with Chronic Conditions in Italy
Authors: Miraglia del Giudice Grazia , Napoli Annalisa , Corea Francesco , Folcarelli Lucio , Angelillo Italo Francesco
Published: March 2022

COVID-19 vaccination has been extended to include children aged 5–11 years. This cross-sectional survey evaluated parental COVID-19 vaccine willingness and hesitancy, and associated factors, for their children aged 5–11 years with chronic conditions. A telephone survey was conducted from 14 December 2021 to 4 January 2022. The questionnaire assessed participants’ socio-demographic and health-related information, attitudes towards COVID-19 infection, hesitancy, by using the PACV-5 (Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines Survey Tool), and sources of information. A total of 430 answers were collected anonymously. Respondents with no cohabitant who had been infected by SARS-CoV-2 and having been vaccinated against COVID-19 had a higher concern about the severity of COVID-19. The parents’ perceived risk that the child could be infected by SARS-CoV-2 was higher in those more concerned about the severity of COVID-19, with an older child, and who had at least one cohabitant positive for COVID-19. Only 38.8% parents were willing to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Parents who did not need additional information, those with higher education, those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, those whose child was older, who had received information on this vaccination from physicians, with higher self-reported concern about the severity of COVID-19, and who had a higher perceived risk that their child could be infected by SARS-CoV-2, expressed a greater willingness to vaccinate their child. Overall, 26.3% were high-hesitant, with a PACV-5 score ≥ 7. Respondents who did not get the COVID-19 vaccine, were less educated, with a lower concern about severity of COVID-19, and with a lower perceived risk that their child could be infected by SARS-CoV-2, were more likely to be high-hesitant. New policies and educational programs regarding COVID-19 vaccination for children with chronic conditions are needed to reduce hesitancy and increase vaccination uptake.
Vaccination Attitudes and Experiences of Medical Doctors in Croatia amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Social Roles Conflict?
Authors: Miskulin Maja , Mujkic Aida , Miskulin Ivan , Makaric Zvjezdana Lovric , Kovacevic Emma , Pintaric Ljiljana , Pavic Zeljko
Published: March 2022

The study aimed to investigate the range of experiences and attitudes of Croatian medical doctors (MDs) related to vaccination and vaccine hesitancy. In January 2021 three asynchronous online focus groups were held using MRQual, a web-based platform, which included 46 MDs from all three levels of the healthcare system in Croatia. NVivo, a qualitative data analysis software package, was used for the thematic analysis of collected data. The participants expressed a high level of support for the Croatian immunization program and vaccines in general. However, some skepticism was expressed regarding new vaccines and the regulatory processes of their approval. A significant number of participants raised concerns over the approval of COVID-19 vaccines, especially given their rapid development. The results also revealed that the process of communication with patients is often based on the very elaborate categorizations of patients based on previous experience, which leads to prioritizing and a communication breakup when dealing with “problematic patients”. MDs find themselves in a delicate situation where a fine balance between time-consuming communication with patients and the demands for maintaining satisfying vaccination uptake is needed. The situation arises from a social roles conflict that is embedded in wider social values and expectations, since communication problems do not arise in the doctor’s office, and therefore cannot be solved without addressing the social forces that cause trust deficiencies. To achieve better immunization results public health leaders need to better understand the social contexts and constraints of MDs vaccine-related behaviors.
HLA Class II Polymorphism and Humoral Immunity Induced by the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 Vaccine
Authors: Gutiérrez-Bautista Juan Francisco , Sampedro Antonio , Gómez-Vicente Esther , Rodríguez-Granger Javier , Reguera Juan Antonio , Cobo Fernando , Ruiz-Cabello Francisco , López-Nevot Miguel Ángel
Published: March 2022

The vaccines designed against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus are based on the spike (S) protein. Processing of the S protein by antigen-presenting cells (APC) and its subsequent presentation to T cells is an essential part of the development of a humoral response. HLA-class II alleles are considered immune response genes because their codified molecules, expressed on the surface of APCs (macrophages, dendritic, and B cells) present antigenic peptides to T cell via their T cell receptor (TCR). The HLA-class II genes are highly polymorphic, regulating what specific peptides induce follicular helper T cells (TFH) and promote B lymphocyte differentiation into plasma or memory B cells. This work hypothesizes that the presence of certain HLA-class II alleles could be associated with the intensity of the humoral response (amount, length) to the SARS-CoV2 mRNA 1273 vaccine. We have studied the relationship between the HLA-class II typing of 87 health workers and the level of antibodies produced 30 days after vaccination. We show a possible association between the HLA-DRB1* 07:01 allele and the HLA-DRB1*07:01~DQA1*02:01~DQB1*02:02 haplotype to a higher production of antibodies 30 days after the administration of the second dose of mRNA-1273.
Chromatophoromas in Reptiles
Authors: Monahan Colleen F. , Garner Michael M. , Kiupel Matti
Published: March 2022

Chromatophoromas are neoplasms that arise from pigment cells of reptiles, amphibians, and fish. They include melanophoromas (melanomas), iridophoromas, and xanthophoromas. Most chromatophoromas develop spontaneously, but genetic and environmental factors may also play a role in their oncogenesis. The diagnosis is typically through histologic examination. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy can be helpful for diagnosing poorly differentiated and/or poorly pigmented neoplasms. Aggressive surgical excision is the current treatment of choice. This review describes the clinical presentation, gross appearance, diagnostic applications, clinical behavior, and treatment of chromatophoromas in reptiles.
Pseudomyopia: A Review
Authors: García-Montero María , Felipe-Márquez Gema , Arriola-Villalobos Pedro , Garzón Nuria
Published: March 2022

This review has identified evidence about pseudomyopia as the result of an increase in ocular refractive power due to an overstimulation of the eye’s accommodative mechanism. It cannot be confused with the term “secondary myopia”, which includes transient myopic shifts caused by lenticular refractive index changes and myopia associated with systemic syndromes. The aim was to synthesize the literature on qualitative evidence about pseudomyopia in terms that clarify its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, assessment and diagnosis and treatment. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and the Scopus database was carried out for articles published up to November 2021, without a data limit. This review was reported following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 54 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The terms pseudomyopia and accommodation spasm have been found in most of the studies reviewed. The review has warned that although there is agreement on the assessment and diagnosis of the condition, there is no consensus on its management, and the literature describes a range of treatment.
Assessment of Phosphorus Input from Urban Areas in the Passaúna River and Reservoir
Authors: Sotiri Klajdi , Kishi Regina T. , Hilgert Stephan , Scheer Mauricio B. , Gabriel Pedro G. , Benatto Diego A. , Fuchs Stephan
Published: March 2022

Elevated phosphorus loads play an important role in the deterioration of water quality and can subsequently pose a threat to the aquatic organisms in a river or a standing water body. The accurate assessment of total phosphorus (TP) fluxes from a catchment is of high importance to the well-being of the entire river ecosystem. In this study, we assessed the yearly input of TP from the urban areas of the Passaúna catchment in southern Brazil. The catchment drains into the eponymous reservoir, which provides drinking water for more than 800,000 inhabitants of the Curitiba Metropolitan region. The protection of the water quality in the river as well as in the reservoir is of paramount importance, yet high phosphorous inputs have been detected. For adequate protection, the catchment emissions need to be accurately assessed. Initially, the TP concentration in the river sediment was determined in order to assess the relationship between the TP export of the urban areas and the TP stock of the river. It was found that in areas with a higher share of urban land cover and especially in areas with a lack of sewage treatment, the TP concentration in the sediment reached up to 6700 mg/kg. The assessment of the overall TP input from urban areas was based on a regionalized emission-modeling approach, combined with data from long-term water quality monitoring of the river. The monitoring station established upstream of the Passaúna Reservoir inflow provided an initial assessment and the necessary output for the validation and calibration of the model. From the drainage basin of the monitoring station, an overall TP input of 2501 kg/a (0.31 kg/(ha a)) was measured between 1 May 2018 and 1 May 2019 (3508 kg TP/a or 0.23 kg/(ha a) when extrapolating the overall catchment of the Passaúna Reservoir). The monitoring data indicated that the TP input increases during the wet months of the year. The sediment stock of the river also plays an important role in the interannual budget of TP. During the timespan of one year, many deposition–resuspension events happen. The resuspended material is included in the baseflow and hinders the differentiation between urban and nonurban input. After calibration, the model was able to predict the yearly input of TP from the urban areas of the Passaúna catchment. In addition, the share of inhabitants who are not connected to the sewer system was assessed. Overall, the combination of monitoring and modeling in this study offers a valuable overview of the TP dynamics of the system, while the model ensures reproducibility with high accuracy at the same time.
Precipitation Measurement Instruments: Calibration, Accuracy and Performance
Authors: Lanza Luca G. , Cauteruccio Arianna
Published: March 2022

Though ranking high among the relevant environmental variables (due to the well-known significant interactions with the everyday human life and economic activities), atmospheric precipitation is not yet measured operationally with neither the degree of accuracy that would meet the most demanding applications nor any rigorous standardization framework [...]
Effects of the Invasive Fish Species Ameiurus nebulosus on Microbial Communities in Peat Pools
Authors: Mieczan Tomasz , Płaska Wojciech , Adamczuk Małgorzata , Toporowska Magdalena , Bartkowska Aleksandra
Published: March 2022

Disturbances in the functioning of peatlands, due to growing human impact, climate change and the appearance of alien invasive species, are becoming increasingly common. Analysis of trophic relationships in the predator (invasive alien species)–prey system is extremely important for understanding the functioning of peat pools—small water bodies formed in peatlands by peat extraction. These issues are, as yet, very little understood. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of Ameiurus nebulosus, an alien and invasive fish species dominant in these pools, on the microbial communities and small metazoa (phycoflora, bacteria, heterotrophic flagellates, ciliates, and crustaceans) in peat pools. The laboratory experiment included two groups of treatments simulating natural conditions: treatments without fish and treatments with brown bullhead. The water temperature was manipulated as well. The presence of brown bullhead in combination with climate changes was shown to cause a change in the structure of microbial communities. This is reflected in a decrease in the abundance of planktonic crustaceans and an increase in ciliates. The overlapping effects of alien species and gradual climate warming may intensify the eutrophication of peatland ecosystems and the increase in the proportion of cyanobacteria, thereby affecting the carbon cycle in these ecosystems.
Role of Ecohydrographical Barriers on the Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Chaetognath Community in the Gulf of Aqaba during Summer
Authors: Karati Kusum Komal , Vineetha Gopinath , Devassy Reny P. , Al-Aidaroos Ali M. , El-Sherbiny Mohsen M.
Published: March 2022

The Gulf of Aqaba (GoA), positioned between the Sinai Peninsula and the Saudi Arabian coast is characterized by its uniquely high saline, oligotrophic waters, and seasonally stratified hydrography. Despite its geographical significance, information on its zooplankton ecology and biodiversity is still meager. Hence, the present study was aimed to investigate the detailed diversity and ecology of the dominant carnivorous zooplankton taxon chaetognath in the pelagic waters of the GoA during summer. Despite the known water flow exchange between the GoA and the Red Sea, only five chaetognath species were observed in GoA which is markedly less than the number earlier recorded in the Red Sea, indicating the role of high saline water mass as an ecophysiological boundary for the inhabitance of many epipelagic chaetognaths. Euryhaline, Serratosagitta pacifica formed the dominant species in both the surface water and the upper 200 m water column and was observed to be the most suitable representative of this high saline environment. Conspicuous diel variability in the distribution of the different growth stages of chaetognaths in the surface waters can be attributed to their varied susceptibility to visually oriented predators. The positive relation observed in the abundance of chaetognaths and their main prey, copepods, and their carbon and nitrogen contents indicated their significance in the pelagic trophic ecology of the GoA. The present study, providing the ecology of a major zooplankton taxon of this unique basin will be relevant for understanding the ecology and trophodynamics of the zooplankton community of the GoA.
Forecasting Guangdong’s Marine Science and Technology, Marine Economy, and Employed Persons by Coastal Regions—Based on Rolling Grey MGM(1,m) Model
Authors: Shan Xin , Cao Yun
Published: March 2022

The development of marine scientific and technological innovation is an important force for realizing the high-quality development of the marine economy. The purpose of this paper is to predict the development trend of marine science and technology development, marine economy, and employed persons by coastal regions in Guangdong Province, and to give policy suggestions for the future direction of the development of marine technology in Guangdong. Considering the new information priority principle, this paper uses the data from 2011 to 2016 to predict the development trend of marine science and technology, marine economy, and employed persons by coastal regions in Guangdong Province from 2017 to 2022 with the rolling RMGM(1,m) model. It is found that the level of marine science and technology and marine economy in Guangdong maintains stable growth, but marine science and technology capabilities still need to be strengthened. On the one hand, the research reveals the development trend of Guangdong’s marine science and technology innovation and marine economy, and it provides a direction for the high-quality development of Guangdong’s marine economy. On the other hand, the research confirms the validity of the MGM(1,m) model and enriches the research field of grey forecasting models.
A Comparative Study on the Parameter Identification of an Equivalent Circuit Model for an Li-ion Battery Based on Different Discharge Tests
Authors: Poopanya Piyawong , Sivalertporn Kanchana , Phophongviwat Teeraphon
Published: March 2022

An effective model of battery performance is important for battery management systems to control the state of battery and cell balancing. The second-order equivalent circuit model of a lithium-ion battery is studied in the present paper. The identification methods that include the multiple linear regression (MLR), exponential curve fitting (ECF) and Simulink design optimization tool (SDOT), were used to determine the model parameters. The aim of this paper is to compare the validity of the three proposed algorithms, which vary in complexity. The open circuit voltage was measured based on the pulse discharge test. The voltage response was collected for every 10% SOC in the interval between 0–100% SOC. The battery voltages calculated from the estimated parameters under the constant current discharge test and dynamic discharge tests for electric vehicles (ISO and WLTP) were compared to the experimental data. The mean absolute error and root mean square error were calculated to analyze the accuracy of the three proposed estimators. Overall, SDOT provides the best fit with high accuracy, but requires a heavy computation burden. The accuracy of the three methods under the constant current discharge test is high compared to other experiments, due to the nonlinear behavior at a low SOC. For the ISO and WLTP dynamic tests, the errors of MLR are close to that of SDOT, but have less computing time. Therefore, MLR is probably more suitable for EV use than SDOT.
Emotional Support for Infertility Patients: Integrating Mental Health Professionals in the Fertility Care Team
Authors: Sax Megan R. , Lawson Angela K.
Published: March 2022

Patients seeking fertility treatment are at risk of experiencing psychological distress, with both women and men reporting higher levels of depression and anxiety during infertility treatment than patients in the general population. Multiple professional societies, fertility care providers, and patients have advocated for integrating mental health providers in the treatment of infertile patients in order to provide comprehensive patient-centered care. Research with other patient populations shows that embedding mental health professionals into clinics provides the greatest benefit to patients. Despite acknowledging the importance of mental health in infertility care, professional societies, such as ASRM and ESHRE, have not universally standardized recommendations or methods for imbedding mental health providers in the fertility team. This review article aims to serve as a resource for providers and patients to appraise the available literature on the importance of embedding mental health providers into the fertility treatment team and discusses feasible methods to develop this comprehensive care team.
Passiflora calicicalyx, a New Species in Section Decaloba (Passifloraceae) from Bolivia
Authors: MacDougal John M. , Boza Espinoza Tatiana Erika
Published: March 2022

Passiflora calicicalyx T. Boza & J. M. MacDougal, a new species of Passiflora L. known only from near Cochabamba, Bolivia, is described and illustrated from photographs and dry material. The new species is similar to P. tatei Killip & Rusby but differs by being glabrescent, with glabrous ovary, and entire bracts only toward the base of the peduncle. It is placed in Passiflora subg. Decaloba (DC.) Rchb. sect. Decaloba DC.
Seasonal Variation of Groundwater Quality for Irrigational uses in Gadilam River Basin, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: K Mohammed Rizwan , V Thirukumaran , M Suresh
Published: March 2022

The present research work pertains to the Gadilam river basin groundwater quality for irrigation uses with respect to the Archaean formation, the Quaternary formation, the Tertiary formation and the Cretaceous formation. Experiments were carried out for two seasons (rainy season and summer season) for two successive years (November 2018 and June 2019). Overall, 120 groundwater samples were collected from the Gadilam river basin, excluding the reserved forest area. The 50 samples were collected from the Archaean formation, 34 samples from the Quaternary formation, and 35 samples from the Tertiary Formation. The remaining sample is from the Cretaceous formation. Based on the obtained analysed data, the following agricultural water quality parameters were calculated using the following expressions: The irrigational quality parameters are used, such as sodium percentage (Na%), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Kelly’s ratio (KR), permeability index (PI), magnesium ratio (MR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), and potential salinity (PS) are calculated and assessed for irrigation purposes.
Irrigation Water Quality Assessment Using Water Quality Index and GIS Technique in Pondicherry Region, South India
Authors: Rajendran Thilagavathi , Sabarathinam Chidambaram , Kamaraj Pradeep , Prasanna Mohan Viswanathan , Mathivanan Mahalakshmi , Ghai Meenu , Singh Dheeraj Kumar , A.L Ramanathan
Published: March 2022

The utility of groundwater, irrespective of its availability, is essential for mankind. The efficacy of the coastal aquifer’s groundwater quality for agriculture purpose in the Pondicherry region was gauged by their hydrochemistry. 44 groundwater samples were collected during 4 different seasons namely, pre-monsoon (PRM), southwest monsoon (SWM), northeast monsoon (NEM) and post-monsoon (POM). The samples were measured for physico-chemical parameters like pH, EC, TDS, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, HCO3, PO4, SO4 and NO3. The spatio temporal variations of EC indicates that the coastal groundwater were relatively saline except during PRM. The suitability of groundwater for irrigation is evaluated through various water quality parametrs such as Electrical Conductivity (EC), pH, Na%, sodium absorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and permeability index (PI). Na%, SAR, PI and EC values were spatially interporlated and integrated to determine the regions suitable for irrigation purpose. The study infers that the groundwater of the study area is suitable for irrigation except few samples’ locations along the western part, as they have attained an alarming stage and they are unsuitable for irrigation. Thus, proper management strategy for irrigation water source has to be developed and a preventive management practice to address this issue has to be implemented.
Efektivitas Pembelajaran Daring dan Luring di SMP Negeri 3 Pleret
Authors: Sari Silvia Indah
Published: March 2022

Penelitian dilatarbelakangi oleh sistem pembelajaran daring dan lurimg yang diterapkan di SMP Negeri 3 Pleret. Tujuan penelitian yaitu untuk mengetahui keefektifan pembelajaran daring dan luring di SMP Negeri 3 Pleret. Penelitian dilakukan dengfan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dan metode wawancara. Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan 69,2 siswa berpendapat bahwa pembelajaran luring lebih efektif, sedangkan 30,1 siswa berpendapat sebaliknya. Begitu juga pendapat guru, sebanyak 62% menyatakan bahwa pembelajaran luring lebih efektif dibandingkan dengan pembelajaran daring. Proses pembelajaran daring dilakukan dengan menggunakan aplikasi WhatsApp grup, Google Formulir dan lainnya. Tatap muka dilakukan seminggu 2 kali untuk mengumpulkan tugas, modul, dan lainnya. Model pembelajaran yang digunakan yaitu model pembelajaran “discovery learning”. Model tersebut dimaksudkan agar siswa menjadi aktif dan tanggap dalam mengikuti proses pembelajaran. Media yang digunakan yaitu “Powtoon” serta media lain seperti Power Point dan Word Dokumen. Katakunci: proses, belajar, daring, luringAbstract: The background of the research is the online and offline learning system implemented at SMP Negeri 3 Pleret. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of online and offline learning at SMP Negeri 3 Pleret. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach and interview methods. The results of the study showed that 69.2 students thought that offline learning was more effective, while 30.1 students thought otherwise. Likewise, the opinion of teachers, as many as 62% stated that offline learning was more effective than online learning. The online learning process is carried out using the WhatsApp group application, Google Forms, and others. Face-to-face meetings are held twice a week to collect assignments, modules, and more. The learning model used is the "discovery learning" learning model. The model is intended so that students become active and responsive in following the learning process. The media used is "Powtoon" and other media such as PowerPoint and Word Documents. Keywords: process, learn, online, offline
Ragam Kolokial pada Kepolisian RI
Authors: Nabilah Farah , Mujianto Gigit
Published: March 2022

Artikel ini akan mendeskripsikan variasi kolokial yang dipengaruhi faktor luar bahasa yang tedapat dalam interkasi SPEAKING. Metode deskriptif kualitatif digunakan dalam penelitian ini, dengan menitik beratkan peneliti sebagai instrumen penentu dalam penyelesian penelitian ini dengan deskripsi analisis terkait data. Data dalam penelitian ini berupa tuturan yang ditranskrip dari interaksi para penutur pada peritiwa turur tertentu. Teknik dalam penelitian ini yaitu deksriptif analisis yang digunakan untuk memaparkan penjelasan mengenai interaksi SPEAKING pada terapan variasi kolokial dalam bentuk tuturan yang ditranskrip. Hasil penelitian ini menujukkan penggunaan variasi bahasa kolokial yang ada dalam hierarki Kepolisian Republik Indonesia terdiri dari, (1) kolokial penghilangan huruf vokal dalam sebuah kata, (2) kolokial penghilangan huruf konsonan  dalam sebuah kata, (3) penggunaan suku kata awal dan akhir pada sebuah kata, kemudian variasi bahasa kolokial dapat juga digunakan dalam situasi semi formal, dan formal. Katakunci: kolokial, SPEAKING, semi formal, dan formalAbstract This article will describe colloquial variations that are influenced by external factors in the SPEAKING interaction. The qualitative descriptive method was used in this study, with the emphasis on the researcher as a decisive instrument in completing this study with a description of the analysis related to the data. The data in this study are utterances that are transcribed from the interactions of speakers at certain speech events. The technique in this study is the descriptive analysis which is used to explain the explanation of the SPEAKING interaction in the application of colloquial variations in the form of transcribed speech. The results of this study indicate the use of colloquial language variations that exist in the hierarchy of the Indonesian National Police consisting of, (1) colloquial omission of vowels in a word, (2) colloquial omission of consonants in a word, (3) use of initial and final syllables in a word. a word, then colloquial language variations can also be used in semi-formal and formal situations.Keywords: Colloquial, SPEAKING, Semi-Formal, and Formal Situations
Pengembangan e-Modul Mata Kuliah Pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia
Authors: Diana Purwati Zisca
Published: March 2022

Artikel ini akan mendeskripsikan hasil analisis kebutuhan terhadap pengembangan rancangan e-modul mata kuliah Pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia. Analisis kebutuhan ini merupakan bagian dari penelitian dan pengembangan (R&D). Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kualitatif. Subjek penelitian adalah mahasiswa semester 4 tahun akademik 2020/2021. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan observasi, wawancara, kuesioner, dan analisis dokumen. Analisis data dilakukan dengan teknik analisis interaktif Miles-Huberman, yaitu pereduksian data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian, menunjukkan bahwa sumber belajar yang diperlukan mudah dipelajari dan dalam bentuk digital. Sebanyak 77,94% mahasiswa senang menggunakan e-modul sebagai sumber belajar karena praktis. Dengan demikian, dapat disimpulkan perlu dikembangkan e-modul sebagai sumber belajar dalam mata kuliah Pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia.Kata kunci: analisis kebutuhan, e-modul, sumber belajar, bahasa Indonesia  Abstract:This article will describe the results of the needs analysis on the development of the e-module design for Indonesian Language Learning courses. This needs analysis is part of research and development (R&D). The research method used is descriptive qualitative. The research subjects are 4th-semester students of the 2020/2021 academic year. Data were collected by observation, interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis. Data analysis was carried out using the Miles-Huberman interactive analysis technique, namely data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results showed that the learning resources needed were easy to learn and in digital form. As many as 77.94% of students are happy to use e-modules as a learning resource because it is practical. Thus, it can be concluded that it is necessary to develop e-modules as learning resources in Indonesian Language Learning courses.Keywords: needs analysis, e-module, learning resources, Indonesian language