bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peptide-Based Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: Peptide Antigen Discovery and Screening of Adjuvant Systems
Authors: Shalash Ahmed O. , Azuar Armira , Madge Harrison Y. R. , Modhiran Naphak , Amarilla Alberto A. , Liang Benjamin , Khromykh Alexander A. , Hussein Waleed M. , Chappell Keith J. , Watterson Daniel , Young Paul R. , Skwarczynski Mariusz , Toth Istvan
Published: April 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a global crisis, resulting in 0.5 billion infections and over 6 million deaths as of March 2022. Fortunately, infection and hospitalization rates were curbed due to the rollout of DNA and mRNA vaccines. However, the efficacy of these vaccines significantly drops a few months post immunization, from 88% down to 47% in the case of the Pfizer BNT162 vaccine. The emergence of variant strains, especially delta and omicron, have also significantly reduced vaccine efficacy. We propose peptide vaccines as a potential solution to address the inadequacies of the current vaccines. Peptide vaccines can be easily modified to target emerging strains, have greater stability, and do not require cold-chain storage. We screened five peptide fragments (B1–B5) derived from the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to identify neutralizing B-cell peptide antigens. We then investigated adjuvant systems for efficient stimulation of immune responses against the most promising peptide antigens, including liposomal formulations of polyleucine (L10) and polymethylacrylate (PMA), as well as classical adjuvants (CFA and MF59). Immune efficacy of formulations was evaluated using competitive ELISA, pseudovirion neutralization, and live virus neutralization assays. Unfortunately, peptide conjugation to L10 and PMA dramatically altered the secondary structure, resulting in low antibody neutralization efficacy. Of the peptides tested, only B3 administered with CFA or MF59 was highly immunogenic. Thus, a peptide vaccine relying on B3 may provide an attractive alternative to currently marketed vaccines.
Essential Oil Biodiversity of Achillea ligustica All. Obtained from Mainland and Island Populations
Authors: Bader Ammar , AlQathama Aljawharah , Cioni Pier Luigi , Ceccarini Lucia , Abdelhady Mohamed I. S. , Al-Shareef Wajih , Ascrizzi Roberta , Flamini Guido
Published: April 2022

Background: The genus Achillea is rich in essential oil (EO) with high chemical diversity. In this study, eight EO samples obtained from flowers and leaves of Achillea ligustica All. collected on the Mediterranean mainland and island locations were analyzed to evaluate their possible chemical diversity. Methods: Sixteen samples of EO were analyzed by GC-MS, leading to the identification of 95 compounds in the leaves and 86 compounds in the flowers; a statistical analysis was performed to determine the chemical polymorphism. Results: Monoterpenes, such as β-pinene, borneol, ɑ-terpineol and isobornyl acetate, were more abundant in the continental samples, while the insular samples were richer in 1,8-cineole. Fragranyl acetate and fragranol were detected in remarkable concentrations in sample 8. The fruits of sample 8 were then cultivated under controlled agronomic conditions, providing plants rich in these compounds (sample 9). The geographical variability influenced the EO compositions, with unique observed chemotypes and a high degree of diversity among samples collected in various areas (mainland or island). Statistical analyses did not reveal any pattern between the geographical provenience and the compositions. Conclusion: Samples were distributed based on the plant organ, confirming the already reported high degree of chemical polymorphism of this species. Sample 8 could be used as a source of fragranol and fragranyl acetate, with potential applications in the insecticidal and pheromone industries.
Elimination of Eight Viruses and Two Viroids from Preclonal Candidates of Six Grapevine Varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) through In Vivo Thermotherapy and In Vitro Meristem Tip Micrografting
Authors: Miljanić Vanja , Rusjan Denis , Škvarč Andreja , Chatelet Philippe , Štajner Nataša
Published: April 2022

Viruses and virus-like organisms are a major problem in viticulture worldwide. They cannot be controlled by standard plant protection measures, and once infected, plants remain infected throughout their life; therefore, the propagation of healthy vegetative material is crucial. In vivo thermotherapy at 36–38 °C for at least six weeks, followed by meristem tip micrografting (0.1–0.2 mm) onto in vitro-growing seedling rootstocks of Vialla (Vitis labrusca × Vitis riparia), was successfully used to eliminate eight viruses (grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV), grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV), grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), grapevine rupestris vein feathering virus (GRVFV), grapevine Syrah virus-1 (GSyV-1), and raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV)), as well as two viroids (hop stunt viroid (HSVd) and grapevine yellow speckle viroid 1 (GYSVd-1)) from preclonal candidates of six grapevine varieties (Vitis vinifera L.). A half-strength MS medium including vitamins supplemented with 30 g/L of sucrose and solidified with 8 g/L of agar, without plant growth regulators, was used for the growth and root development of micrografts and the subsequently micropropagated plants; no callus formation, hyperhydricity, or necrosis of shoot tips was observed. Although the overall regeneration was low (higher in white than in red varieties), a 100% elimination was achieved for all eight viruses, whereas the elimination level for viroids was lower, reaching only 39.2% of HSVd-free and 42.6% GYSVd-1-free vines. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of GPGV, GRVFV, GSyV-1, HSVd, and GYSVd-1 elimination through combining in vivo thermotherapy and in vitro meristem tip micrografting, and the first report of RBDV elimination from grapevines. The virus-free vines were successfully acclimatized in rockwool plugs and then transferred to soil.
Application of Generalized Regression Neural Network and Gaussian Process Regression for Modelling Hybrid Micro-Electric Discharge Machining: A Comparative Study
Authors: Singh Siddhartha Kumar , Mali Harlal Singh , Unune Deepak Rajendra , Wojciechowski Szymon , Wilczyński Dominik
Published: April 2022

Micro-Electric Discharge Machining (μ-EDM) is one of the widely applied micromanufacturing processes. However, it has several limitations, such as a low cutting rate, difficult debris removal, and poor surface integrity, etc. Hybridization of the μ-EDM is proposed as an alternative to overcome the process limitations. Conversely, it complicates the process nature and poses a challenge for modelling and predicting critical process responses. Therefore, in this work, two distinct, nonparametric, previously unreported, workpiece material independent models using a Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN) and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) were developed and compared to assess their performance with limited training data. Various smoothing factors and kernels were tested for GRNN and GPR, respectively. The prediction of models was compared in terms of the mean absolute percentage error, root mean square error, and coefficient of determination. The results showed that GPR outperforms GRNN and accurately predicts the μ-EDM process responses. The GRNN’s performance was better for less stochastic output with a discernible pattern than other outputs. The Automatic Relevance Determination (ARD) squared exponential kernel was found to be the best performing kernel among those chosen. GPR models can be used with reasonable accuracy to predetermine critical process outputs as they have R2 values above 0.90 for both training and validation data for all outputs. This work paves the way for future industrial implementation of GPR to model and predict the outputs of complex hybrid machining processes.
Deep Reinforcement Learning for Dynamic Flexible Job Shop Scheduling with Random Job Arrival
Authors: Chang Jingru , Yu Dong , Hu Yi , He Wuwei , Yu Haoyu
Published: April 2022

The production process of a smart factory is complex and dynamic. As the core of manufacturing management, the research into the flexible job shop scheduling problem (FJSP) focuses on optimizing scheduling decisions in real time, according to the changes in the production environment. In this paper, deep reinforcement learning (DRL) is proposed to solve the dynamic FJSP (DFJSP) with random job arrival, with the goal of minimizing penalties for earliness and tardiness. A double deep Q-networks (DDQN) architecture is proposed and state features, actions and rewards are designed. A soft ε-greedy behavior policy is designed according to the scale of the problem. The experimental results show that the proposed DRL is better than other reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms, heuristics and metaheuristics in terms of solution quality and generalization. In addition, the soft ε-greedy strategy reasonably balances exploration and exploitation, thereby improving the learning efficiency of the scheduling agent. The DRL method is adaptive to the dynamic changes of the production environment in a flexible job shop, which contributes to the establishment of a flexible scheduling system with self-learning, real-time optimization and intelligent decision-making.
Determination of Gefitinib Using Routine and Greener Stability-Indicating HPTLC Methods: A Comparative Evaluation of Validation Parameters
Authors: Alam Prawez , Shakeel Faiyaz , Mahdi Wael A. , Foudah Ahmed I. , Alqarni Mohammed H. , Aljarba Tariq M. , Alshehri Sultan , Ghoneim Mohammed M.
Published: April 2022

“High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)” methods for gefitinib (GFT) estimation are scarce in the literature. In addition, greener analytical techniques for GFT estimation are also lacking in the literature. Accordingly, an attempt was undertaken to invent and validate a sensitive and greener normal-phase HPTLC method for GFT analysis in commercial tablets in comparison to the routine normal-phase HPTLC method. The greenness index for both methods was assessed using “Analytical GREENness (AGREE)” methodology. GFT detection was carried out using both methods at 332.0 nm. In the 30–700 ng/band and 20–1400 ng/band ranges, the routine and greener HPTLC assays were linear for GFT estimation. The greener HPTLC method was highly sensitive, more accurate, more precise, and more robust than the routine HPTLC assay for GFT estimation. Both methods were able to detect GFT in the presence of its degradation products, suggesting the stability-indicating property of both methods. The assay of GFT in commercial tablets was 92.45% and 99.74% using the routine and greener HPTLC assays, respectively. The AGREE index for routine and greener analytical assays was predicted to be 0.44 and 0.77, respectively, indicating the excellent greenness index of the greener HPTLC assay over the routine HPTLC assay. The greener HPTLC assay is considered superior to the routine HPTLC assay based on these results.
Numerical Investigation of the Flow and Infrared Radiation Characteristics of Nozzles with Transverse Jets of Different Shapes
Authors: Zhang Bo , Lin Ziqiang , Zhang Jun , Yang Sheng , Ji Honghu
Published: April 2022

The hot jet of an aero engine is one of the main radiation sources of infrared detectors in 3–5 microwave bands. Transverse jets were introduced into a hot jet to enhance mixing and reduce the infrared radiation characteristics. This proved to be a high-efficiency and low-resistance infrared suppression technology. The steady-state distribution of temperature data was simulated, which was needed in the thermal radiation calculation. The radiation characteristics were calculated based on the anti-Monte Carlo method in 3–5 microwave bands. The mechanics of enhanced mixing by a rectangular nozzle or transverse jets was investigated with the LES simulation. Compared with an axisymmetric nozzle, a rectangular nozzle induced abundant counter-rotating vortex pairs (CVP), hairpins, shears, and helical vortexes, which resulted in significant mixing enhancement and infrared radiation decrease of the hot jets. Further, circumferential transverse jets of different types were introduced downstream of the nozzle. These jets enhanced the mixing and reduced the infrared radiation in the 3–5 µm band. The mixing characteristics of these different schemes were studied in detail. Large-scale vortices formed on the windward portion of the hot jet boundary under the effect of the transverse jets, which caused strong CVP structures. They also resulted in hairpin vortexes, shear vortexes, and helical vortexes appearing earlier and occurring more frequently than with nozzles without transverse jets. The enhanced mixing caused by the transverse jets led to an increase in temperature decay and a decrease in infrared radiation in the 3–5 µm band. Further, transvers jets of different geometrical shapes (rectangular, cube, and circular schemes) achieved different mixing characteristics, and the rectangular transverse jets allowed the most significant mixing for the largest Q criterion value.
High Salinity Wastewater Treatment Study Using an Automated Pilot Combining Anaerobic and Aerobic Biofilm Processes
Authors: Nelabhotla Anirudh , Savva Ilya , Jensen Jens Tarjei , Wang Shuai
Published: April 2022

A 20-ft containerized biological pilot system consisting of both an anaerobic expended granular sludge bed (EGSB) and an aerobic biofilm continuous flow intermittent clean (CFIC®) system has been designed, constructed, and delivered onsite at a pharmaceutical wastewater producer for a wastewater treatment study. The pilot was operated for a total of 317 days, including 147 days of adaptive phase and 170 days of testing phase. A pilot adaptive phase feeding wastewater COD concentration from 2 to 50 g/L with salinity up to 16 g/L was carried out, achieving EGSB where COD removal reached over 80 to 95% at OLR up to 22 kg COD/m3·d. In the testing phase, with repressive practical wastewater, the EGSB can remove over 97% of feed COD (with up to 82% acetic acid) at an average 16.3 kg COD/m3·d. The high wastewater salinity at 20 g/L did not inhibit COD removal efficiency by the system. The complete system with EGSB and aerobic stage was very stable and removed over 90–97% of the total COD dependent on the wastewater composition. The pilot was demonstrated as a valuable tool because of its user-friendly nature with high automation level, as well as its high efficiency in treating specific wastewater under varying operational conditions. This study provides critical information for full-scale system design and offers training for the customer in handling a previously unfamiliar process in a confident manner.
Faster, Higher, More Moral: Human Enhancement and Christianity
Authors: Buttrey Michael , McQueen Moira , Trothen Tracy J.
Published: April 2022

The three authors of this article explore the intersection of moral enhancement, ethics, and Christianity. Trothen reviews the meaning and potential of moral enhancements, considering some of the risks and limitations. Trothen identifies three broad ethical questions, which all three authors agree upon, that arise from a Christian theological perspective: what it means to be human, choice, and social justice. Trothen concludes that respect for human dignity and social justice requires rejecting a reductive view of moral improvement as purely biochemical. Buttrey then argues that biomedical moral enhancement (BME) is simply one in a series of attempts to morally improve human beings and can be compared to other efforts such as neo-Aristotelian virtue ethics. He argues that BME cannot be simultaneously more reliable than moral education in virtue and no more restrictive of human freedom. He concludes by suggesting that tensions between BME and Thomistic virtue are even stronger due to Christian conceptions of martyrdom and radical self-denial. Finally, McQueen argues that Christianity emphasizes the common good and social justice as essential for human flourishing. Building on the foundation established by Trothen and Buttrey, McQueen insists that accurate cognitive knowledge is needed to make good conscience decisions, but emphasizes that right human action also requires the exercise of the will, which can be undermined by AI, automation, and perhaps also BME. She concludes by encouraging further attention to the true nature of human agency, human freedom, and wisdom in debates over AI and biomedical enhancement. The authors conclude that BMEs, if they become medically safe, may be theologically justifiable and helpful as a supplement to moral improvement.
Empirically Comparing Magnetic Needle Steering Models Using Expectation-Maximization
Authors: Pratt Richard L. , Petruska Andrew J.
Published: April 2022

Straight-line needle insertion is a prevalent tool in surgical interventions in the brain, such as Deep Brain Stimulation and Convection-Enhanced Delivery, that treat a range of conditions from Alzheimer’s disease to brain cancer. Using a steerable needle to execute curved trajectories and correct positional deviation could enable more intervention possibilities, while reducing the risk of complication in these procedures. This paper experimentally identifies model parameters using an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for two different steerable needle models. The results compared a physically motivated model to the established bicycle needle model and found the former to be preferred for modeling soft brain tissue needle insertion. The results also supported the experimentally parameterized models’ use in future applications such as needle steering control.
Satellite and In Situ Sampling Mismatches: Consequences for the Estimation of Satellite Sea Surface Salinity Uncertainties
Authors: Thouvenin-Masson Clovis , Boutin Jacqueline , Vergely Jean-Luc , Reverdin Gilles , Martin Adrien C. H. , Guimbard Sébastien , Reul Nicolas , Sabia Roberto , Catany Rafael , Hembise Fanton-d’Andon Odile
Published: April 2022

Validation of satellite sea surface salinity (SSS) products is typically based on comparisons with in-situ measurements at a few meters’ depth, which are mostly done at a single location and time. The difference in term of spatio-temporal resolution between the in-situ near-surface salinity and the two-dimensional satellite SSS results in a sampling mismatch uncertainty. The Climate Change Initiative (CCI) project has merged SSS from three satellite missions. Using an optimal interpolation, weekly and monthly SSS and their uncertainties are estimated at a 50 km spatial resolution over the global ocean. Over the 2016–2018 period, the mean uncertainty on weekly CCI SSS is 0.13, whereas the standard deviation of weekly CCI minus in-situ Argo salinities is 0.24. Using SSS from a high-resolution model reanalysis, we estimate the expected uncertainty due to the CCI versus Argo sampling mismatch. Most of the largest spatial variability of the satellite minus Argo salinity is observed in regions with large estimated sampling mismatch. A quantitative validation is performed by considering the statistical distribution of the CCI minus Argo salinity normalized by the sampling and retrieval uncertainties. This quantity should follow a Gaussian distribution with a standard deviation of 1, if all uncertainty contributions are properly taken into account. We find that (1) the observed differences between Argo and CCI data in dynamical regions (river plumes, fronts) are mainly due to the sampling mismatch; (2) overall, the uncertainties are well estimated in CCI version 3, much improved compared to CCI version 2. There are a few dynamical regions where discrepancies remain and where the satellite SSS, their associated uncertainties and the sampling mismatch estimates should be further validated.
An Examination of the Experiences of Practitioners Delivering Sport Psychology Services within English Premier League Soccer Academies
Authors: Dean Francesca , Kavanagh Emma , Wilding Amanda , Rees Tim
Published: April 2022

Sport psychology has become increasingly recognized and accepted within professional sports, including soccer. To date, there is a lack of research that examines the provision of sport psychology within elite soccer, particularly from the experience of applied practitioners working within the field. The current study adopted a qualitative, inductive approach, to examine the experiences of practitioners responsible for sport psychology delivery within elite soccer academies in England. Seven participants (four females; three males), working within academies in the English Premier League, took part in semi-structured interviews about their experience of delivering sport psychology services within elite soccer academies. Results demonstrated that the provision of sport psychology is continually evolving, yet there are a number of factors that appear to inhibit the full integration of the discipline into academy soccer. Six key themes were identified: The breadth of sport psychology provision; what is sport psychology; the stigma surrounding sport psychology services; psychological literacy; the elite youth soccer environment; and the delivery of sport psychology under the Elite Player Performance Plan. Participants identified a lack of psychological literacy among coaches and academy staff, as well as a low level of guidance regarding the provision of psychology within the England Football Association’s guiding document—the Elite Player Performance Plan—leading to considerable variation in the nature of the sport psychology provision. Future research would do well to also sample from a range of staff working within English soccer academies, in order to assess their perception of the level of provision and understanding of psychology.
Effect of Injection Parameters on the Performance of Compression Ignition Engine Powered with Jamun Seed and Cashew Nutshell B20 Biodiesel Blends
Authors: Teja K. M. V. Ravi , Prasad P. Issac , Reddy K. Vijaya Kumar , Banapurmath Nagaraj R. , Kalam Muhammad A. , Saleel C. Ahamed
Published: April 2022

Renewable fuels are alternative resources that find use in the power generation, agricultural, and transportation sectors. The sustainable utility of these renewable fuels mostly addresses the socio-economic issues of a country and reduces its dependency on fossil fuels. In addition, being environmentally friendly allows them to handle global warming more effectively. Two B20 fuel blends were produced using methyl esters of cashew nutshell and jamun seed oils to test the performance of the common rail direct injection engine. To improve the engine performance, injection parameters such as nozzle geometry, injection time, and injector opening pressure are used. Improved brake thermal efficiency and lower emissions of smoke, hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were achieved with the help of advancing the injection timing, raising the injector opening pressure, and increasing the number of injector nozzle holes. In addition to reducing the ignition delay, extending the combustion duration, and increasing the peak pressure, the revised injection settings also boosted the heat release rates. At the maximum load, compared to CHNOB B20, JAMNSOB B20 showed a significant rise in the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) by 4.94% and a considerable decrease in smoke emissions (0.8%) with an increase in NOx (1.45%), by varying the injection timing, injection pressure, and nozzle geometry of the common rail direct injection (CRDI) engine.
Corporate Social Irresponsibility Punishments from Stakeholders—Evidence from China
Authors: Feng Tianli , Yang Fan , Tan Biao , Wu Jihong
Published: April 2022

Corporate social irresponsibility (CSIR) scandals are frequently reported in China and have a huge impact on the enterprise and society. Aiming to understand the underlying mechanisms between CSIR and enterprise outcomes, this study uses a sample of 2618 firms from the 2018 National Survey of Private Entrepreneurs Survey and examines the corporate social irresponsibility punishments from the perspective of stakeholders by introducing transaction costs. The results indicate that although the punishments for corporate irresponsible behaviors may not be strong enough to deter enterprises from irresponsibility in China, punishments from various stakeholders are increasing in terms of transaction costs. In addition, crisis management capacity may negatively moderate the relationship between CSIR and transaction costs, while regional economic development positively moderates it. This study adds to the extant research on CSIR consequences by combining stakeholders with transaction costs and provides new insights into transaction costs.
Properties of Concrete with Recycled Aggregates Giving a Second Life to Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash Concrete
Authors: Joseph Aneeta Mary , Matthys Stijn , De Belie Nele
Published: April 2022

Economic and environmental factors call for increased resource productivity. Partial or full replacement of Portland cement by wastes and by-products, and natural aggregates by construction and demolition wastes, are two prominent routes of achieving circular economy in construction and related industries. Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ashes have been found to be suitable to be used as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) after various treatments. This paper reports a brief literature review on optimum use of recycled aggregates in concrete and an experimental study using replacement of natural aggregate by demolished concrete having MSWI bottom ash as partial replacement of Portland cement, and compares its properties to that of completely natural aggregate concrete. Additional water was added as a compensation for the water absorption by the recycled aggregate during the first 30 min of water contact during concrete mixing. Also the fine fraction of crushed concrete (<250 µm) was removed to reduce the ill-effects of using recycled aggregate. The replacement of aggregates was limited to 23% by weight of natural aggregate. The results prove environmentally safe and comparable performance of concrete including recycled aggregate with bottom ash to that of natural aggregate concrete.
Highly Thermotolerant SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Elicits Neutralising Antibodies against Delta and Omicron in Mice
Authors: Jansen van Vuren Petrus , McAuley Alexander J. , Kuiper Michael J. , Singanallur Nagendrakumar Balasubramanian , Bruce Matthew P. , Riddell Shane , Goldie Sarah , Mangalaganesh Shruthi , Chahal Simran , Drew Trevor W. , Blasdell Kim R. , Tachedjian Mary , Caly Leon , Druce Julian D. , Ahmed Shahbaz , Khan Mohammad Suhail , Malladi Sameer Kumar , Singh Randhir , Pandey Suman , Varadarajan Raghavan , Vasan Seshadri S.
Published: April 2022

As existing vaccines fail to completely prevent COVID-19 infections or community transmission, there is an unmet need for vaccines that can better combat SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC). We previously developed highly thermo-tolerant monomeric and trimeric receptor-binding domain derivatives that can withstand 100 °C for 90 min and 37 °C for four weeks and help eliminate cold-chain requirements. We show that mice immunised with these vaccine formulations elicit high titres of antibodies that neutralise SARS-CoV-2 variants VIC31 (with Spike: D614G mutation), Delta and Omicron (BA.1.1) VOC. Compared to VIC31, there was an average 14.4-fold reduction in neutralisation against BA.1.1 for the three monomeric antigen-adjuvant combinations and a 16.5-fold reduction for the three trimeric antigen-adjuvant combinations; the corresponding values against Delta were 2.5 and 3.0. Our findings suggest that monomeric formulations are suitable for upcoming Phase I human clinical trials and that there is potential for increasing the efficacy with vaccine matching to improve the responses against emerging variants. These findings are consistent with in silico modelling and AlphaFold predictions, which show that, while oligomeric presentation can be generally beneficial, it can make important epitopes inaccessible and also carries the risk of eliciting unwanted antibodies against the oligomerisation domain.
Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Influenza Vaccination Intention: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Kong Gwyneth , Lim Nicole-Ann , Chin Yip Han , Ng Yvonne Peng Mei , Amin Zubair
Published: April 2022

Poorer outcomes have been reported with COVID-19 and influenza coinfections. As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, protection against influenza by vaccination is becoming increasingly important. This study examines how COVID-19 has influenced influenza vaccination intentions from a global perspective. A literature search was conducted on Embase, PubMed, and CNKI from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021 for articles reporting rates of influenza vaccination pre-COVID-19 (19/20 season), and intention and/or uptake of influenza vaccination post-COVID-19 (20/21 season). The changes in vaccination intention and reasons for changes were reported. Subgroup analyses were performed by region, gender, age, and occupation. Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment of the articles. Twenty-seven studies with 39,193 participants were included. Among 22 studies reporting intention to vaccinate in 20/21, there was increased intention to vaccinate (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.32–1.69, p < 0.001) regardless of age, gender, and occupation. The remaining five studies reporting vaccination intention and uptake in 20/21 showed a similar increase (RR 1.68, 95%CI 1.20–2.36). Important determinants include historical vaccine acceptance, and perception of influenza severity and vaccine safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased intention to vaccinate against influenza internationally. The pandemic could be a window of opportunity to promote influenza vaccination and decrease vaccine hesitancy.
Clinical and Clinical Pathological Presentation of 310 Dogs Affected by Lymphoma with Aberrant Antigen Expression Identified via Flow Cytometry
Authors: Celant Elena , Marconato Laura , Stefanello Damiano , Moretti Pierangelo , Aresu Luca , Comazzi Stefano , Martini Valeria
Published: April 2022

Phenotypic aberrancies have been reported occasionally in canine lymphomas. Here, we retrospectively collected 310 canine lymphomas with an aberrant phenotype detected via flow cytometry and describe their clinical and clinical pathological features at diagnosis. There were 152 T-cell lymphomas not otherwise specified (T-NOS), 101 T-zone lymphomas (TZL), 54 B-cell lymphomas, and 3 cases with two suspected concurrent neoplastic populations. The most represented aberrancies were: CD5-, CD4-CD8-, and CD3- in T-NOS lymphomas, CD21+, CD4-CD8-, and CD3- in TZLs, and CD34+, CD44-, and CD5+ in B-cell lymphomas. Among T-cell lymphomas, the aberrant expression of CD21 was significantly more frequent in TZL and the loss of CD5 and CD44 in T-NOS. More than 75% of dogs were purebred; males outnumbered females; the mean age at diagnosis was 8–10 years, depending on lymphoma subtype. A few dogs were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis, and 30% had peripheral blood abnormalities, in line with what is already reported for the general population of dogs with lymphoma. Further studies are needed to assess the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying each specific antigen aberrancy, as well as the diagnostic and prognostic role.
Molecular Detection of Equine Adenovirus 1 in Nasal Swabs from Horses in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Lee Sang-Kyu , Choi Jeechan , Yoon Jungho , Jung Jaemin , Park Joon-Young , Park Jongyoung , Kim Yeonjong , Park Ji-Young , Park Dongsun
Published: April 2022

Equine adenovirus 1 (EAdV-1) can cause upper respiratory disease in horses and has been reported worldwide. In this study, and for the first time in Korea, the prevalence of EAdV-1 in equine nasal swabs was investigated using a PCR to identify potential risk factors and examine the genetic diversity of its DNA sequences by a comparison with foreign strains. Nasal swabs collected from 359 horses reared at Korea Racing Authority facilities were tested using an EAdV-1 hexon-specific PCR and the associations between EAdV-1 infection and sex, age, region, breed, and activity were analyzed. Five samples (1.4%, 5/359) tested positive for EAdV-1; however, no statistically significant differences were observed with respect to any variable. Among the five EAdV-1-positive horses, a co-infection with equine influenza, equine herpesvirus 1 and 4, or Streptococcus equi was not detected; however, clinical respiratory signs were observed in one. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial EAdV-1 hexon gene sequences revealed that the Korean EAdV-1 isolates shared approximately 98.8–100% similarity among each other and with foreign strains. Three Korean isolates shared high similarity with strains from Australia and India and the remaining two isolates were separate in phylogenetic analyses. These findings highlight the molecular prevalence and genetic diversity of EAdV-1 in horses in Korea.
On the Calibration of Spatially Distributed Hydrologic Models for Poorly Gauged Basins: Exploiting Information from Streamflow Signatures and Remote Sensing-Based Evapotranspiration Data
Authors: Alemayehu Tadesse , Gupta Hoshin V. , van Griensven Ann , Bauwens Willy
Published: April 2022

Spatially distributed hydrologic models are useful for understanding the water balance dynamics of catchments under changing conditions, thereby providing important information for water resource management and decision making. However, in poorly gauged basins, the absence of reliable and overlapping in situ hydro-meteorological data makes the calibration and evaluation of such models quite challenging. Here, we explored the potential of using streamflow signatures extracted from historical (not current) streamflow data, along with current remote sensing-based evapotranspiration data, to constrain the parameters of a spatially distributed Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model of the Mara River Basin (Kenya/Tanzania) that is forced by satellite-based rainfall. The result is a reduced bias of the simulated estimates of streamflow and evapotranspiration. In addition, the simulated water balance dynamics better reflect underlying governing factors such as soil type, land cover and climate at both annual and seasonal time scales, indicating the structural and behavioral consistency of the calibrated model. This study demonstrates that the judicious use of available information can help to facilitate meaningful calibration and evaluation of hydrologic models to support decision making in poorly gauged river basins around the world.
A Review on the Prevalence of Arcobacter in Aquatic Environments
Authors: Ghaju Shrestha Rajani , Tanaka Yasuhiro , Haramoto Eiji
Published: April 2022

Arcobacter is an emerging pathogen that is associated with human and animal diseases. Since its first introduction in 1991, 33 Arcobacter species have been identified. Studies have reported that with the presence of Arcobacter in environmental water bodies, animals, and humans, a possibility of its transmission via water and food makes it a potential waterborne and foodborne pathogen. Therefore, this review article focuses on the general characteristics of Arcobacter, including its pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance, methods of detection by cultivation and molecular techniques, and its presence in water, fecal samples, and animal products worldwide. These detection methods include conventional culture methods, and rapid and accurate Arcobacter identification at the species level, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and multiplex PCR. Arcobacter has been identified worldwide from feces of various hosts, such as humans, cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, dogs, poultry, and swine, and also from meat, dairy products, carcasses, buccal cavity, and cloacal swabs. Furthermore, Arcobacter has been detected in groundwater, river water, wastewater (influent and effluent), canals, treated drinking water, spring water, and seawater. Hence, we propose that understanding the prevalence of Arcobacter in environmental water and fecal-source samples and its infection of humans and animals will contribute to a better strategy to control and prevent the survival and growth of the bacteria.
Comparative study of clinicopathologic features of oral and maxillofacial cancers in Cancer Registry System (Isfahan-Iran)
Authors: Razavi Seyed Mohammad , Maleki Laleh , Tahani Bahareh , Behzadian Ali , Rabbani Hamed , Ravankhah Zahra
Published: April 2022

Background. Clinical and pathologic features of oral and maxillofacial malignant lesions are very important and useful in diagnostic and therapeutic planning. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the clinicopathologic features of different types of oral and maxillofacial cancers in Cancer Registry System at Isfahan-Iran. Methods. In this cross-sectional descriptive analytic study, required data (tumor type, tumor location, age, sex, and grade of malignancy) of 1081 patients from Isfahan Cancer Registry collected. Results. In this study, the mean age of the patients was 59.9±18.5years old. Most of the patients were male (56.43%). In this study, squamous cell carcinoma was the most common malignancy (61.9%) followed by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (7%). The most common site was tongue (38.7%) and then the nasopharynx (13%). Also nasopharynx tumors in men were more common than women (P <0.001). Conclusion. Squamous cell carcinoma, as the most common oral and maxillofacial cancer, requires considerable attention and rapid and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Knowing the clinical and pathological features of this cancer and risk factors can improve the prognosis of patients.
The role of pain, hopelessness, belonging, and suicide capacity in predicting suicide attempt in people with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Ghaleban Karim , Moheb Naeemeh , Abdi Reza , Farnam Alireza
Published: April 2022

Background. The idea and attempt of suicide are highly predictive of deaths due to suicide and can lead to several negative consequences for both the individual and his family and for society. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of the role of pain, hopelessness, belonging and suicidal capacity in predicting suicide attempt in people with psychiatric disorders. Methods. The research method of this study was correlational and the statistical population included all individuals referred to psychiatric outpatient clinics of Razi Hospital in Tabriz in 2020-2021. Sample sizes According to Klein criterion and according to the 62-item questionnaire, 298 subjects were selected. Research tools also include the Suicide Attempt Scale, the Suicide Capacity Scale and to examine the three variables of pain, hopelessness and belonging to the Suicide Motivation Questionnaire were used. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data using Smart pls software version 2. Results. In this study, 63.3% of the respondents were men and 36.7% of the respondents were women. The mean and standard deviation of the age of the respondents was 37.26±10.88 years. According to the results of the path coefficients between hopelessness with suicide capacity (β= 0.63), sense of belonging with suicide capacity (β= 0.28) and suicide attempt (β= 0.21), suicide capacity with suicide attempt (β= 0.59) were at a significant level (P<0.05). On the other hand, suicidal capacity had a significant mediating role in the relationship between hopelessness and sense of belonging with suicide attempt. Conclusion. The results showed that the three-step model of suicide has the ability to predict suicide attempt in the community of patients with psychiatric disorders. Practical Implications. The results of this study are very important for professionals who work with people with psychiatric disorders to distinguish the idea of suicide from suicide attempt.
Epidemiology and clinical findings of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Shahidi Nikzad , Lotfi Alireza
Published: April 2022

Background. Oral cancer is one of ten most common causes of death, because of late diagnosis due to its similarity of clinical presentation with some of the benign lesions.The aim of this research is to determine five years’ prevalence of oral squamous cell carcinoma of the patients. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was done.We used SPSS software to analyze data Result. In this study, 101 patients were included, the most patients were in the seventh decade, with chief complaint was oral ulcer (61%), also only 6% of patients had a history of malignancy in their family, 22% had poor oral health status. males had a higher incidence rate than females. Conclusion. Surprisingly tobacco use was markedly low in comparison to other studies. Practical Implications. Early diagnosis of oral cavity cancers leads to proper treatment and increases survival rate of patientr.
MILIEU H2020 Project ‘Women, Disability and Inclusion’: Introducing the Project
Authors: Spasova Lyuba , Leone Cinzia , Bencivenga Rita
Published: April 2022

The paper introduces the MILIEU H2020 Project ‘Women, disability and inclusion – scientific excellence in Bulgaria’ – a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) project funded under the Horizon 2020 Programme, ‘Spreading excellence and widening participation – Twinning’ Call. The project aims to unlock, foster and sustain high-quality research at the intersection of studies on women, disability and inclusion by promoting collaboration, networking and an intensive exchange of research between partners. As a project to widen participation, MILIEU is specifically focused on driving excellence and enhancing the research-related fundraising and management competencies of the scholars and staff of the coordinating partner from the target country – in this case, the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

The paper introduces MILIEU’s goals, methods and expected impact and presents the principal tasks and activities in implementing a project related to fostering research in the areas of women, disabilities and inclusion. It also describes the risks and challenges faced by MILIEU and the consortium and how they were overcome and turned into success stories.
Representations of Fatherhood and Pre-colonial Masculine Otherness in Flora Nwapa’s Idu (1970).
Authors: Bouanani Fatiha
Published: April 2022

Drawing on Nwapa’s representations of pre-colonial definitions of West African manhood, I will examine the interrelated ways of the male characters’ perception and yet distinctive ways of responding to pre-colonial hegemonic masculinity represented in Idu. Moreover, this chapter explores the narrative irony used by Nwapa to redefine notions of producing children, contest polygamy, and interrogate indigenous pre-colonial constructions of manhood in the novel. Her interrogation of indigenous masculinity constructions encourages us to recognize that representations of contemporary masculinities are constantly linked to pre-colonial patriarchal definitions of manhood, as will be shown throughout the following chapters. Using a qualitative research approach, my research paper argues that Nwapa, in Idu, exposes that the Nigerian pre-colonial association of hegemonic masculinity with ‘virility’ proves to be harmful, too powerful to be resisted, dehumanizing, and tragic. I contend that although a woman’s childlessness is presented to be equally painful, the novel sheds more light on the complexity of male infertility, and uses the ironic narrative as a mechanism to contest pre-colonial indigenous constructions of manhood in the Igbo society, redefining the Igbos’ attachment to producing children.
The Connection Between Gender Budgeting and Academic Housekeeping in RPOs
Authors: Addabbo Tindara , Badalassi Giovanna , Pusch Corinna
Published: April 2022

Gender Budgeting is a tool to apply the gender mainstreaming perspective to the accountability process in order to give evidence of the unequal distribution of public resources between women and men. Academic Housekeeping is any task “low-status, time-consuming, largely invisible, and that nevertheless needs to be done” (Kalm, 2019) in the academic daily business. It is a source of gender inequality since it is largely ascribed to women. Money and time are two sides of the same coin of Gender Inequality in Academia and therefore need to be identified and managed with an holistic approach that recognizes the interconnections between them. The results chain of the Performance-Oriented budgeting approach is therefore used to describe the transformation of the budget for salaries into the value of researchers’ work through time, activities, products and results. In this process, Academic Housekeeping emerges as a matter of Gender Budgeting, too. Literature describes Academic Housekeeping as an inequality regime echoing the domestic sphere and bringing its biases and limitations to the scientific race of competitiveness. The Housekeeping tasks are assigned largely arbitrarily and with unintentional side-effects. Its negative gender impact on women’s career is also clearly recognized by four main studies, in every field and with further intersectional spill overs. Gender Budgeting reports in Academia therefore do need to embed a Gender impact assessment of Academic Housekeeping in every step of the main methodologies adopted: Identity, Context Analysis, Planning Analysis, Budget Reclassification, Implementation and Performance Audit. The conceptual framework that emerges from the paper confirms the benefits that might arise from further researches on this field. The paper stems from the LeTSGEPs European Horizon Project (Leading Towards Sustainable Gender Equality Plans RPOs)
Gender stereotype and Influencers’ role in genderless fashion
Authors: KULAGA BARBARA , Cedrola Elena
Published: April 2022

This paper aims to investigate the role of gender segmentation in the fashion industry through the generations, particularly among the Millenials and Z Generation. Although, in fact, it has been stated that the perception of gender roles and gender stereotypes are less strong for these generations, contributions regarding the fashion sector are still few. For this purpose, focus groups were conducted with young Italian fashion consumers who contributed to a discussion on gender stereotype in fashion, genderless fashion, and the role of Instagram influencers in the genderless fashion. Research is currently ongoing, but results are expected in line with Laughlin (2016) who affirmed that these generations are less sensitive to gender segmentation and with De Veirman (De Veirman et al., 2017) to the extent that influencers can raise awareness much more than other forms of persuasion. This study provides a guidance for scholars about consumer perception of genderless fashion and current findings provide brand managers and advertising practitioners with empirical data about the role of social media influencers in genderless fashion and Instagram marketing.