bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linear Diophantine Fuzzy Rough Sets: A New Rough Set Approach with Decision Making
Authors: Ayub Saba , Shabir Muhammad , Riaz Muhammad , Mahmood Waqas , Bozanic Darko , Marinkovic Dragan
Published: March 2022

In this article, a new hybrid model named linear Diophantine fuzzy rough set (LDFRS) is proposed to magnify the notion of rough set (RS) and linear Diophantine fuzzy set (LDFS). Concerning the proposed model of LDFRS, it is more efficient to discuss the fuzziness and roughness in terms of linear Diophantine fuzzy approximation spaces (LDFA spaces); it plays a vital role in information analysis, data analysis, and computational intelligence. The concept of (
,)-indiscernibility of a linear Diophantine fuzzy relation (LDF relation) is used for the construction of an LDFRS. Certain properties of LDFA spaces are explored and related results are developed. Moreover, a decision-making technique is developed for modeling uncertainties in decision-making (DM) problems and a practical application of fuzziness and roughness of the proposed model is established for medical diagnosis.
Insect Fluctuating Asymmetry: An Example in Bolivian Peridomestic Populations of Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1834) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Authors: Vilaseca Carolina , Pinto Carlos F. , Órdenes-Claveria Rodrigo , Laroze David , Méndez Marco A. , Benítez Hugo A.
Published: March 2022

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is a morphometric tool used to measure developmental instability in organisms which have been exposed to stress or other adverse conditions. Phenotypic variability in response to stressors are the result of interactions between genomes and the environment, acting in a noisy developmental system. Most of the organisms have bilateral symmetry with a repetition of structures in different positions or orientations; asymmetrical variation has been a morphological response associated with insecticide application inducing disturbances in endocrinal system product of the chemicals. Triatoma infestans (is the main vector of Chagas disease in South America. The availability of food sources varies for populations of T. infestans living in different habitats; insects that inhabit the intradomicile feed preferentially on human blood, whereas insects that develop in the peridomicile feed on the blood of the other mammals and birds. The following research evaluate the FA to the different ecotopes in two geographical areas of Chuquisaca Bolivia; Yamparáez/Sotomayor of the high inter-Andean valleys and Huacaya/Imbochi of the boreal Chaco and a CIPEIN laboratory strain population. A combination of advanced morphometrics tools and multivariate analysis were used to quantify the levels of asymmetry produced by pyretroid near to the peridomiciles in Bolivia. Populations from Yamparáez/Sotomayor were found to have higher levels of FA which the combination of environmental conditions such as low temperatures avoid greater permanence in the habitat and more exposition to insecticide. A better understanding of the combination of these tools will allow researchers to implement better public policies to regulate insecticide applications and to understand how certain organisms adapt to multiple stressors.
Generalized Nonlocal Symmetries of Two-Component Camassa–Holm and Hunter–Saxton Systems
Authors: Shi Zhenhua , Li Yan
Published: March 2022

The two-component Camassa–Holm system and two-component Hunter–Saxton system are completely integrable models. In this paper, it is shown that these systems admit nonlocal symmetries by their geometric integrability. As an application, we obtain the recursion operator and conservation laws by using this kind of nonlocal symmetries.
Negative-Inertia Converters: Devices Manifesting Negative Mass and Negative Moment of Inertia
Authors: Lončar Josip , Igrec Bojan , Babić Dubravko
Published: March 2022

Negative inertia is an unusual and counter-intuitive property of matter, extensively investigated in some of the most exotic branches of physics and engineering at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Such an exotic property promises a wide range of applications, from Alcubierre drive to acoustic wave manipulation. Here, a novel approach to the realization of negative inertia and the concept of negative-inertia converters are introduced for both translational and rotational motion. The proposed devices, capable of exhibiting negative mass and negative moment of inertia, base their operational principle on actuating the loading inertia, concealed within the housing of the device, synchronously with the displacement of the housing itself. Negative-inertia converters share many similarities with negative-impedance converters, including their proneness to instability. Thus, an equivalent circuit model of the proposed devices is developed and simulated in lossless and lossy environments. Friction, unavoidable in every practical system, is found to be the main cause of instability. The derived closed-form stability condition suggests that the effective inertia of a system containing a negative-inertia converter must remain positive to ensure the stability. Despite this limitation, negative-inertia converters may become the key elements in applications requiring reduction of an object’s inertia.
Fast Treetops Counting Using Mathematical Image Symmetry, Segmentation, and Fast k-Means Classification Algorithms
Authors: Orbe-Trujillo Eduardo , Novillo Carlos J. , Pérez-Ramírez Miguel , Vazquez-Avila Jose Luis , Pérez-Ramírez Agustín
Published: March 2022

Forests are important because they contribute to biodiversity, regulation of carbon dioxide, protection of hydrographic basins, wood production. This article presents a methodology for fast and effective counting of treetops using the mathematical symmetry of the grayscale image. For the treetop counting, the unsupervised k-means classification Algorithm was used with two groups or centroids: treetop and not-treetop. By using these groups and the mathematical symmetry of the image, a fast k-means classification Algorithm is generated. To solve the problem of treetop overlapping and perform a more accurate counting, the watershed Algorithm was used. This methodology has a mean treetop count accuracy of 98.3% with a confidence level of 99% in the interval (97.31, 99.7). Aerial images of the coniferous forest of Alcudia, Mallorca, Spain were used. Forests attenuate climatic changes originated by global warming. Drastic climatic changes cause catastrophes to humanity. This research would help the automatic, massive and recurring counting of treetops with the aim of obtaining forest inventories in order to take care of forests.
Two Generic Convergence Results for Infinite Products of Generalized Nonexpansive Mappings
Authors: Reich Simeon , Zaslavski Alexander J.
Published: March 2022

In our 2014 work with M. Gabour, we introduced a metric space of generalized nonexpansive self-mappings of bounded and closed subsets of a Banach space and studied, using the Baire category approach, the asymptotic behavior of iterates of a generic operator belonging to this class. In the definition of a generalized nonexpansive mapping the norm is replaced by a general function which can be symmetric as a particular case. In this paper, we prove the convergence of infinite products of generalized nonexpansive self-mappings to a common fixed point in a generic setting.
Mycotoxin Exposure during the First 1000 Days of Life and Its Impact on Children’s Health: A Clinical Overview
Authors: Alvito Paula , Pereira-da-Silva Luís
Published: March 2022

The first 1000 days of life are very sensitive to any event that alters health programming, and they represent a window for intervention to improve population health. Pregnant women, fetuses, and infants are particularly vulnerable to exposure to food contaminated with mycotoxins. This review aimed to gather data from the literature on mycotoxins exposure during intrauterine life and early childhood, and associated health risks, as assessed through human biomonitoring and mycotoxins occurrence in foods, in different continents. Maternal internal exposure to aflatoxins is associated with fetal growth restriction, while exposure to fumonisins increases the risk of offspring’s neural tube defects. Mycotoxin contamination of breast milk is reported worldwide, but data on adverse effects of the lactational transfer of mycotoxins on infant health are lacking. Young children are exposed to mycotoxins through contaminated infant formulas and baby foods. Both external and internal exposure to aflatoxins and fumonisins in children are reported to be associated with growth impairment. In low-income settings, where other co-factors can affect growth, this association should be interpreted with caution. Further studies on human biomonitoring of mother–infant pairs and young children are needed to guide management strategies aiming to minimize mycotoxin exposure at critical developmental stages.
Introduction to This Special Issue of Toxins: Application of Novel Methods for Mycotoxin Analysis
Authors: Lattanzio Veronica M. T. , Ciasca Biancamaria
Published: March 2022

Crop contamination by mycotoxins is a global problem that poses significant economic burdens due to the food/feed losses that are caused by reduced production rates; the resulting adverse effects on human and animal health and productivity; and the trade losses associated with the costs incurred by inspection, sampling, and analysis before and after shipments [...]
Super-Sensitive LC-MS Analyses of Exposure Biomarkers for Multiple Mycotoxins in a Rural Pakistan Population
Authors: Xia Lei , Rasheed Hifza , Routledge Michael N. , Wu Hang , Gong Yun Yun
Published: March 2022

High levels of mycotoxin contamination have been reported in various food commodities in Pakistan, however, there has been no exposure assessment study using multiple mycotoxins’ biomarkers. This study aimed to simultaneously assess the exposure to the five major mycotoxins: aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin B1 (FB1), ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEN) in a Pakistani population using an integrated approach of human biomonitoring. Human urine samples (n = 292) were analyzed by a super-sensitive liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Rice and wheat were also collected and analyzed for mycotoxins by the LC-MS/MS method. Food consumption data were collected using a 24 h recall method. A high prevalence of urinary AFM1 (66%, mean ± SD 20.8 ± 41.3 pg/mL) and OTA (99%, 134.7 ± 312.0 pg/mL) were found, whilst urinary DON, FB1 and ZEN levels were low. The probable daily intake (PDI) derived from the urinary biomarkers revealed that 89% of the participants had exposure to OTA exceeding the established tolerable daily intake (TDI = 17 ng/kg bw/day). The average PDI of AFB1 for the studied population was 43 ng/kg bw/day, with rice as the main source of AFB1 exposure. In summary, exposure to AFB1 and OTA are of health concern and require further management.
Levels of Aflatoxin M1 in Breast Milk of Lactating Mothers in Monterrey, Mexico: Exposure and Health Risk Assessment of Newborns
Authors: Salas Rogelio , Acosta Nallely , Garza Aurora de Jesús , Tijerina Alexandra , Dávila Roberto , Jiménez-Salas Zacarías , Otero Laura , Santos Mirna , Trujillo Antonio-José
Published: March 2022

The present study aimed to determine the presence of the aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in breast milk samples from 123 nursing women and the degree of exposure of infants to this toxin, in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon state (northeast Mexico). Upon analysis, 100% of the samples were found to be contaminated with the toxin at an average concentration of 17.04 ng/L, with a range of 5.00 to 66.23 ng/L. A total of 13.01% of the breast milk samples exceeded the regulatory limit of 25 ng/L for AFM1 concentration, set by the European Union. The estimated daily intake for AFM1 and the carcinogenic risk index were also determined in the 0- to 6-, 7- to 12-, 13- to 24-, and 25- to 36-month-old age groups. The AFM1 intake through breast milk ranged from 1.09 to 20.17 ng/kg weight/day, and was higher than the tolerable daily intake, indicating a carcinogenic risk for infants in the age groups of 0- to 24-months old. This evidence demonstrates a susceptibility of breast milk to AFM1 contamination that may suggest a carcinogenic risk for the breastfed infants in Monterrey city, Nuevo Leon state, and the need to control the presence of aflatoxins in foods eaten by nursing mothers.
Relationship between the Fungal Incidence, Water Activity, Humidity, and Aflatoxin Content in Maize Samples from the Highlands and Coast of Ecuador
Authors: Abel Palacios Héctor , Stefanello Andrieli , García Gavilánez Margarita Susana , Castro Demera Dicke Alejandro , Garcia Marcelo Valle , Vásquez Castillo Wilson Arturo , Almeida Marcano Marcelo Alejandro , Samaniego Maigua Iván Rodrigo , Copetti Marina Venturini
Published: March 2022

This study evaluated the fungal incidence through direct plating in Agar Dichloran Glycerol, and the presence of aflatoxins in maize samples from the Highlands and Coast of Ecuador by HPLC, investigating the influence of the temperature, altitude, water activity, and humidity of the collection regions on the maize samples’ contamination using Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The overall kernel infection by fungi was usually lower in samples from the Highlands, and no aflatoxins or Aspergillus series Flavi were detected in the samples from this region. In the coastal samples, Aspergillus sp. were isolated from all samples, while the potentially aflatoxigenic A. Flavi contaminated about 80% of them. Aflatoxins were present in 50% of these samples, in ranges from 0.42 to 107.69 µg/kg. PCA was able to segregate the samples according to their collection region, and showed that the maximum and minimum temperatures are closely and positively related to the presence of A. Flavi. A highly positive relationship was also observed between the water activity of the sample and aflatoxin contamination. On the other hand, the altitude had a very strong—but negative—relationship with the variables studied. This study is relevant because data regarding fungi and aflatoxin occurrence, as well the main factor influencing the contamination of Ecuadoran maize, are scarce; it clearly shows that aflatoxins are a hazard present in maize from the Ecuadorian Coast but not the Highlands.
DOLAVI Real-Life Study of Dolutegravir Plus Lamivudine in Naive HIV-1 Patients (48 Weeks)
Authors: Hidalgo-Tenorio Carmen , Pasquau Juan , Vinuesa David , Ferra Sergio , Terrón Alberto , SanJoaquín Isabel , Payeras Antoni , Martínez Onofre Juan , López-Ruz Miguel Ángel , Omar Mohamed , de la Torre-Lima Javier , López-Lirola Ana , Palomares Jesús , Blanco José Ramón , Montero Marta , García-Vallecillos Coral
Published: March 2022

Brief: Real-world data in naïve HIV-1 patients demonstrate that dolutegravir plus lamivudine in a multiple tablet regimen is effective, safe, and satisfactory; it causes moderately increasing weight and abdominal circumference and is administrable on a test-and-treat strategy. Background: Our objectives were to determine the real-life effectiveness and safety of DT with dolutegravir (50 mg/QD) plus lamivudine (300 mg/QD) in a multiple-tablet regimen (MTR) in naïve PLHIV followed up for 48 weeks and to evaluate the compliance and satisfaction of patients. Material and methods: An open, single-arm, multicenter, non-randomized clinical trial from May 2019 through September 2020 with a 48-week follow-up. Results: The study included 88 PLHIV patients (87.5% male) with a mean age of 35.9 years; 76.1% were MSM patients. The mean baseline CD4 was 516.4 cells/uL, with a viral load (VL) of 4.49 log10, and 11.4% were in the AIDS stage. DT started within 7 days of first specialist consultation in all patients and the same day in 84.1%; 3.4% had baseline resistance mutations (K103N, V106I + E138A, and V108I); 12.5% were lost to follow-up. At week 48, 86.3% had VL < 50 cop/uL by intention-to-treat analysis and 98.7% by per-protocol (PP) analysis. Virological failure (VF) was recorded in 1.1%, with no resistance mutation. One blip was detected in 5.2% without VF. Three reported anxiety, dizziness, and cephalgia, respectively, at week 4 and one reported insomnia at week 24; none reported adverse events at week 48. The mean weight was 4 kg higher at 48 weeks (p = 0.0001) and abdominal circumference 3 cm larger at 24 weeks (p = 0.022). No forgetfulness occurred in 98.7% of patients. Patient satisfaction was 90/100 at 4, 24, and 48 weeks. Conclusion: Real-world data demonstrate that dolutegravir plus lamivudine in MTR is effective, safe, and satisfactory, moderately increasing weight and abdominal circumference and administrable on a test-and-treat strategy.
Long-Term Antibody Response and Vaccination Efficacy in Patients with COVID-19: A Single Center One-Year Prospective Study from the Czech Republic
Authors: Fajfr Miroslav , Sleha Radek , Janovska Sylva , Koblizek Vladimir , Skala Mikulas , Plisek Stanislav , Prasil Petr , Smahel Petr , Bostik Pavel
Published: March 2022

Background: The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 is almost exclusively performed by PCR or antigen detection. The detection of specific antibodies has not yet been considered in official diagnostic guidelines as major laboratory evidence for a case definition. The aim the present study is to analyze antibody responses in outpatient and inpatient cohorts of COVID-19 patients in the Czech Republic over a 12-month period, and assess the potential of antibodies as a diagnostic tool. Methods: A total of 644 patients was enrolled in the prospective study. IgA, IgM and IgG antibody levels, as well as virus neutralization titers, were analyzed over a 12-month period. Results: Our study showed low antibody positivity levels at the admission. However, at 2 weeks after infection, 98.75% and 95.00% of hospitalized patients were IgA and IgG positive, respectively. Even in the outpatient cohort characterized by milder disease courses, the IgG antibody response was still sustained at 9 and 12 months. The data show a high correlation between the IgG levels and virus neutralization titers (VNTs). Samples from later time-points showed positive antibody responses after vaccination in both cohorts characterized by high IgG levels and VNT over 1:640. The samples from unvaccinated persons indicated a relatively high level of reinfection at 6.87%. Conclusions: Our results show that the detection of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 shows an increasing sensitivity from week 2 after infection and remains highly positive over the 12-month period. The levels of IgG antibodies correlate significantly with the VNTs. This suggests that the serological data may be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Avian Influenza a H9N2 Viruses in Morocco, 2018–2019
Authors: Sikht Fatima-Zohra , Ducatez Mariette , Touzani Charifa Drissi , Rubrum Adam , Webby Richard , El Houadfi Mohammed , Tligui Nour-Said , Camus Christelle , Fellahi Siham
Published: March 2022

Low pathogenic H9N2 avian influenza (LPAI H9N2) is considered one of the most important diseases found in poultry (broiler, laying hens, breeding chickens, and turkeys). This infection causes considerable economic losses. The objective of this work was to monitor and assess the presence of avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2 in eight different regions of Morocco using real-time RT-PCR, and to assess the phylogenetic and molecular evolution of the H9N2 viruses between 2016 and 2019. Field samples were collected from 108 farms suspected of being infected with LPAI H9N2 virus. Samples were analyzed using H9N2-specific real-time RT-PCR. Highly positive samples were subjected to virus isolation and seven isolates were fully sequenced. Low pathogenic H9N2 avian influenza virus was introduced in Morocco in 2016. We show that in 2018–2019, the virus was still present irrespective of vaccination status. Phylogenetic and molecular analyses showed mutations related to virulence, although our viruses were related to 2016 Moroccan viruses and grouped in the G1 lineage. Specific amino acid substitutions were identified in Moroccan H9N2 viruses that are believed to lead to increased resistance to antiviral drugs.
Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS): Why a Different Production in COVID-19 Patients of the Two Waves?
Authors: Gelzo Monica , Scialò Filippo , Cacciapuoti Sara , Pinchera Biagio , De Rosa Annunziata , Cernera Gustavo , Comegna Marika , Tripodi Lorella , Schiano Moriello Nicola , Mormile Mauro , Fabbrocini Gabriella , Parrella Roberto , Corso Gaetano , Gentile Ivan , Castaldo Giuseppe
Published: March 2022

Profound clinical differences between the first and second waves of COVID-19 were observed in Europe. Nitric oxide (NO) may positively impact patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. It is mainly generated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). We studied serum iNOS levels together with serum interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first wave (n = 35) and second wave (n = 153). In the first wave, serum iNOS, IL-6, IL-10 levels increased significantly, in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) score severity, while in the second wave, iNOS did not change with the severity. The patients of the second wave showed lower levels of iNOS, IL-6, and IL-10, as compared to the corresponding subgroup of the first wave, suggesting a less severe outcome of COVID-19 in these patients. However, in the severe patients of the second wave, iNOS levels were significantly lower in patients treated with steroids or azithromycin before the hospitalization, as compared to the untreated patients. This suggests an impairment of the defense mechanism against the virus and NO-based therapies as a potential therapy in patients with low iNOS levels.
Complete Genome Sequence of Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Strain G
Authors: Chang Weizhong , Jiao Xiaoli , Sui Hongyan , Goswami Suranjana , Sherman Brad T. , Fromont Caroline , Caravaca Juan Manuel , Tran Bao , Imamichi Tomozumi
Published: March 2022

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a common causative agent of genital tract infections. Moreover, HSV-2 and HIV infection can mutually increase the risk of acquiring another virus infection. Due to the high GC content and highly repetitive regions in HSV-2 genomes, only the genomes of four strains have been completely sequenced (HG52, 333, SD90e, and MS). Strain G is commonly used for HSV-2 research, but only a partial genome sequence has been assembled with Illumina sequencing reads. In the current study, we de novo assembled and annotated the complete genome of strain G using PacBio long sequencing reads, which can span the repetitive regions, analyzed the ‘α’ sequence, which plays key roles in HSV-2 genome circulation, replication, cleavage, and packaging of progeny viral DNA, identified the packaging signals homologous to HSV-1 within the ‘α’ sequence, and determined both termini of the linear genome and cleavage site for the process of concatemeric HSV-2 DNA produced via rolling-circle replication. In addition, using Oxford Nanopore Technology sequencing reads, we visualized four HSV-2 genome isomers at the nucleotide level for the first time. Furthermore, the coding sequences of HSV-2 strain G have been compared with those of HG52, 333, and MS. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of strain G and other diverse HSV-2 strains has been conducted to determine their evolutionary relationship. The results will aid clinical research and treatment development of HSV-2.
Antibodies to Crucial Epitopes on HSV-2 Glycoprotein D as a Guide to Dosing an mRNA Genital Herpes Vaccine
Authors: Hook Lauren M. , Awasthi Sita , Cairns Tina M. , Alameh Mohamad-Gabriel , Fowler Bernard T. , Egan Kevin P. , Sung Molly M. H. , Weissman Drew , Cohen Gary H. , Friedman Harvey M.
Published: March 2022

The toxicity of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccines depends on the total mRNA-LNP dose. We established that the maximum tolerated dose of our trivalent mRNA-LNP genital herpes vaccine was 10 μg/immunization in mice. We then evaluated one of the mRNAs, gD2 mRNA-LNP, to determine how much of the 10 μg total dose to assign to this immunogen. We immunized mice with 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, or 10 μg of gD2 mRNA-LNP and measured serum IgG ELISA, neutralizing antibodies, and antibodies to six crucial gD2 epitopes involved in virus entry and spread. Antibodies to crucial gD2 epitopes peaked at 1 μg, while ELISA and neutralizing titers continued to increase at higher doses. The epitope results suggested no immunologic benefit above 1 μg of gD2 mRNA-LNP, while ELISA and neutralizing titers indicated higher doses may be useful. We challenged the gD2 mRNA-immunized mice intravaginally with HSV-2. The 1-μg dose provided total protection, confirming the epitope studies, and supported assigning less than one-third of the trivalent vaccine maximum dose of 10 μg to gD2 mRNA-LNP. Epitope mapping as performed in mice can also be accomplished in phase 1 human trials to help select the optimum dose of each immunogen in a multivalent vaccine.
A Tug of War: Pseudorabies Virus and Host Antiviral Innate Immunity
Authors: Ye Guangqiang , Liu Hongyang , Zhou Qiongqiong , Liu Xiaohong , Huang Li , Weng Changjiang
Published: March 2022

The non-specific innate immunity can initiate host antiviral innate immune responses within minutes to hours after the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, the natural immune response is the first line of defense for the host to resist the invaders, including viruses, bacteria, fungi. Host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in the infected cells or bystander cells recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) of invading pathogens and initiate a series of signal cascades, resulting in the expression of type I interferons (IFN-I) and inflammatory cytokines to antagonize the infection of microorganisms. In contrast, the invading pathogens take a variety of mechanisms to inhibit the induction of IFN-I production from avoiding being cleared. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) belongs to the family Herpesviridae, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, genus Varicellovirus. PRV is the causative agent of Aujeszky’s disease (AD, pseudorabies). Although the natural host of PRV is swine, it can infect a wide variety of mammals, such as cattle, sheep, cats, and dogs. The disease is usually fatal to these hosts. PRV mainly infects the peripheral nervous system (PNS) in swine. For other species, PRV mainly invades the PNS first and then progresses to the central nervous system (CNS), which leads to acute death of the host with serious clinical and neurological symptoms. In recent years, new PRV variant strains have appeared in some areas, and sporadic cases of PRV infection in humans have also been reported, suggesting that PRV is still an important emerging and re-emerging infectious disease. This review summarizes the strategies of PRV evading host innate immunity and new targets for inhibition of PRV replication, which will provide more information for the development of effective inactivated vaccines and drugs for PRV.
Discovery of a Novel Species of Trichomonasvirus in the Human Parasite Trichomonas vaginalis Using Transcriptome Mining
Authors: Manny Austin , Hetzel Carrie , Mizani Arshan , Nibert Max
Published: March 2022

Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common non-viral cause of sexually transmitted infections globally. Infection by this protozoan parasite results in the clinical syndrome trichomoniasis, which manifests as an inflammatory disease with acute and chronic consequences. Half or more isolates of this parasite are themselves infected with one or more dsRNA viruses that can exacerbate the inflammatory syndrome. At least four distinct viruses have been identified in T. vaginalis to date, constituting species Trichomonas vaginalis virus 1 through Trichomonas vaginalis virus 4 in genus Trichomonasvirus. Despite the global prevalence of these viruses, few complete coding sequences have been reported. We conducted viral sequence mining in publicly available transcriptomes across 60 RNA-Seq accessions representing at least 13 distinct T. vaginalis isolates. The results led to sequence assemblies for 27 novel trichomonasvirus strains across all four recognized species. Using a strategy of de novo sequence assembly followed by taxonomic classification, we additionally discovered six strains of a newly identified fifth species, for which we propose the name Trichomonas vaginalis virus 5, also in genus Trichomonasvirus. These additional strains exhibit high sequence identity to each other, but low sequence identity to strains of the other four species. Phylogenetic analyses corroborate the species-level designations. These results substantially increase the number of trichomonasvirus genome sequences and demonstrate the utility of mining publicly available transcriptomes for virus discovery in a critical human pathogen.
Challenges in Interpreting Geochemical Data: An Appraisal of Analytical Techniques Applied to a Karstic Lake Sediment Record
Authors: Haliuc Aritina , Bonk Alicja , Longman Jack , Hutchinson Simon M. , Zak Michal , Veres Daniel
Published: March 2022

The paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental changes inferred from shifts in lake sediment geochemistry require reliable, efficient and cost-effective methods of analysis. The available geochemical techniques, however, suggest that different analytical approaches can influence data interpretation. X-ray fluorescence core scanner analyses (XRF-CS), field portable X-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) were concurrently applied to provide a multi-method geochemical appraisal of a 6000-year-long karstic sediment record (Lake Ighiel, Romania). The comparison between techniques was based on a set of elements that are widely employed in environmental reconstructions (Ti, K, Fe, Ca). Descriptive and statistical approaches were used to assess the advantages and disadvantages of each method and assess their optimal use in karstic environments. Our data display similar downcore patterns, with strong to moderate correlations between the datasets. The discrepancies observed between method-specific downcore multi element behaviour are related to the preparation steps and sampling. To best capture the complexity of past environmental changes in karstic settings, a combination of quantitative and qualitative geochemical methods would be the most appropriate approach to reliable data acquisition and subsequent paleoenvironmental interpretation of lake sediment data.
Multi-Band Bathymetry Mapping with Spiking Neuron Anomaly Detection
Authors: Lawen J. , Lawen K. , Salman G. , Schuster A.
Published: March 2022

The developed method extracts bathymetry distributions from multiple satellite image bands. The automated remote sensing function is sparsely coded and combines spiking neural net anomaly filtration, spline, and multi-band fittings. Survey data were used to identify an activation threshold, decay rate, spline fittings, and multi-band weighting factors. Errors were computed for remotely sensed Landsat satellite images. Multi-band fittings achieved an average error of 25.3 cm. This proved sufficiently accurate to automatically extract shorelines to eliminate land areas in bathymetry mapping.
Butyltin Contamination in Fishing Port Sediments after the Ban of Tributyltin Antifouling Paint: A Case of Qianzhen Fishing Port in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Shu-Hui , Chen Yung-Sheng , Chen Chih-Feng , Albarico Frank Paolo Jay B. , Lim Yee Cheng , Wang Ming-Huang , Chen Chiu-Wen , Dong Cheng-Di
Published: March 2022

This study investigated the concentrations of monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and tributyltin (TBT) in the sediments of the Qianzhen Fishing Port (Taiwan) in 2020. Further, the pollution status, composition, and potential ecotoxicity of BTs were evaluated. This case study provides a reference for the benefits of the ban of TBT-based antifouling paint to date. Results showed that the total butyltin (ΣBTs, sum of TBT, DBT, and MBT) concentrations measured in the sediments of the Qianzhen Fishing Port ranged between 14.2–807 ngSn·g−1 dw, with an average of 356 ± 305 ngSn·g−1 dw. TBT was the most dominant species, with an average concentration of 303 ± 287 ngSn·g−1 dw. This average TBT concentration is about 4.3 times lower than in 2003, showing the progress of gradual degradation of TBT in the sediments. Still, the degradation is rather slow, with a half-life of about 8.09 years. An analysis of the effects of TBT on organisms in the sediments of the Qianzhen Fishing Port was carried out according to the TBT toxicity guidelines of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the assessment class criterion for imposex (ACCI) of the Oslo and Paris Commission (OSPAR). The results showed that TBT levels in 80% of the sediments may pose negative effects on sensitive gastropods, and half of the sediments may even have an impact on gastropod reproduction. These show that marine life is still affected and threatened by TBT compounds, despite the decline of TBT concentrations since the ban of TBT-containing antifouling paints on ships in 2008. Therefore, it is necessary to continue paying attention to the changes of TBT concentrations and their potential ecological risks in the marine environment, and to formulate TBT management plans and strategies to mitigate their impacts in marine ecosystems.
Advanced Electrodegradation of Doxorubicin in Water Using a 3-D Ti/SnO2 Anode
Authors: Orha Corina , Bandas Cornelia , Lazau Carmen , Popescu Mina Ionela , Baciu Anamaria , Manea Florica
Published: March 2022

This study investigated the application of an advanced electrooxidation process with three-dimensional tin oxide deposited onto a titanium plate anode, named 3-D Ti/SnO2, for the degradation and mineralization of one of the most important emerging contaminants with cytostatic properties, doxorubicin (DOX). The anode was synthesized using a commercial Ti plate, with corrosion control in acidic medium, used as a substrate for SnO2 deposition by the spin-coating method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses revealed that porous SnO2 was obtained, and the rutile phase of TiO2 was identified as an intermediary substrate onto the Ti plate. The results of CV analysis allowed us to determine the optimal operating conditions for the electrooxidation process conducted under a constant potential regime, controlled by the electron transfer or the diffusion mechanisms, involving hydroxyl radicals. The determination of UV–VIS spectra, total organic carbon (TOC), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) allowed us to identify the degradation mechanism and pathway of DOX onto the 3-D Ti/SnO2 anode. The effective degradation and mineralization of DOX contained in water by the electrooxidation process with this new 3-D dimensionally stable anode (DSA) was demonstrated in this study.
Role of Water Policies in the Adoption of Smart Water Metering and the Future Market
Authors: Msamadya Spancer , Joo Jin Chul , Lee Jung Min , Choi Jong Soo , Lee Sangho , Lee Doo Jin , Go Hyeon Woo , Jang So Ye , Lee Dong Hwi
Published: March 2022

Both status and progress in smart water metering (SWM) implementations in five selected countries (i.e., United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, Israel, and South Korea) are investigated in this study. Despite the countless benefits of SWM implementation, the diffusion of the SWM technologies has been slow due to various challenges, including the absence of compulsory water policies, the lack of support from customers and expertise, and weak cost–benefit analysis. Over the past 30 years, the aforementioned countries have transitioned from a fixed charging to a volumetric charging regime composed of traditional water meters and SWM. Both the status and progress of SWM implementation are quite different among countries, although governments across the world have been applying water policies responding to water scarcity, population growth, and water demand management. However, the absence of strong water policies and political support for SWM implementation resulted in the slow and retarded spread of SWM implementation. Although several changes in water policies have occurred since 1990, there is no compulsory law for SWM implementation. Between 1995 and 2010, pilot/trial cases for SWM were dominant. After 2010, the number of SWM implementation kept increasing and all countries experienced more concentrated SWM implementation, despite the variances in both endpoints and completion of SWM implementation depending on water policies (i.e., acts and regulations) encouraging SWM implementations. The global market for SWM has consistently grown to USD 5.92 billion in 2020. Finally, the application of favourable water policies to optimize the use of water resources and to promote sustainable development is expected to drive the SWM market further.
Study on the Processes Influencing and Importance of Ecological Water Replenishment for Groundwater Resources: A Case Study in Yongding River
Authors: Xu Congchao , Sun Ying , Shi Bowen , Wang Xinjuan , Li Rui , Li Mingxiao , Xi Beidou , Feng Chuanping
Published: March 2022

There has been notable depletion of groundwater resources globally in recent decades. Groundwater can be conserved by ecological water replenishment. An understanding of the factors influencing the effect of ecological water replenishment on groundwater recharge is of great significance for water resource management. This study used the improved water table fluctuation and water equilibrium method and Spearman correlation analysis in R to evaluate the effect of ecological water replenishment on groundwater recharge. Furthermore, the correlations between groundwater recharge and topography, hydrogeological conditions, and meteorological factors were analyzed. Groundwater storage in the plain area of the Yongding River (Beijing section) increased by 2.17 × 108 m3 in 2020, equating to an increase in the regional groundwater level of 73.6% (increase of 0.1–9.1 m, arithmetic mean of 2.3 m). The main sources of groundwater recharge are ecological water replenishment and precipitation. The ecological water replenishment first recharged the Ordovician limestone aquifer in the gorge area, following which karst water overflowed through the fault zone to resupply the Quaternary groundwater in the plain area, resulting in a lag in the groundwater recharge effect. Groundwater recharge was positively correlated with ground elevation and aquifer permeability and negatively correlated with the thickness of Quaternary strata and the distance between the recharge point and Yongdinghe fault zone. This study can help to better explain the effect and impact of ecological water replenishment on groundwater resource recharge and its implications for improving ecological water replenishment projects.
Enhancing the management of long COVID in general practice: a scoping review
Authors: Brennan Aimee , Broughan John , McCombe Geoff , Brennan John , Collins Claire , Fawsitt Ronan , Gallagher Joe , Guérandel Allys , O'Kelly Brendan , Quinlan Diarmuid , Lambert John S , Cullen Walter
Published: March 2022

Background

Long COVID is a multifaceted condition, and it has impacted a considerable proportion of those with acute COVID-19. Affected patients often have complex care needs requiring holistic and multidisciplinary care, the kind routinely provided in general practice. However, there is limited evidence regarding GP interventions.

Aim

This study aimed to identify key concepts and knowledge gaps around long COVID by conducting a scoping review of literature on the condition’s management by GPs.

Design & setting

Arksey and O’Malley’s six-stage scoping review framework, with recommendations by Levac et al, was used.

Method

PubMed, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google searches were conducted to identify relevant peer reviewed and grey literature, and study selection process was conducted according to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Braun and Clarke’s ‘Thematic Analysis’ approach was used to interpret data.

Results

Nineteen of 972 identified articles were selected for review. These included peer reviewed articles and grey literature spanning a wide range of countries. Six themes were identified regarding GP management of long COVID, these being: (1) GP uncertainty, (2) listening and empathy, (3) assessment and monitoring of symptoms, (4) coordinating access to appropriate services, (5) facilitating provision of continual and integrated multidisciplinary care and (6) need to provide or facilitate psychological support.

Conclusion

The findings show that GPs can play and have played a key role in the management of long COVID, and that patient care can be improved through better understanding of patient experiences, standardised approaches for symptom identification and treatment, and facilitation of access to multidisciplinary specialist services when needed. Future research evaluating focused GP interventions is needed.
Clinical skills of general practitioners in Nairobi, Kenya: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mohamoud Gulnaz , Mash Robert
Published: March 2022

Background

Quality service delivery in primary care requires motivated and competent health professionals. In the Kenyan private sector, GPs with no postgraduate training in family medicine offer primary care. There is a paucity of evidence on the ability of primary care providers to deliver comprehensive care and no such evidence is available for GPs practising in the private sector in Kenya.

Aim

To evaluate GPs’ training and experience in the skills required for comprehensive primary care.

Design and setting

A cross-sectional descriptive survey in 13 primary care clinics in the private sector of Nairobi, Kenya.

Method

A questionnaire, originally designed for a national survey of primary care doctors in South Africa, was adapted. The study collected self-reported data on performance of clinical skills by 25 GPs. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 25).

Results

GPs were mostly aged <40 years, with ≤10 years of experience, and there was an equal sex distribution. GPs reported moderate performance with adult health, communication and consultation, and clinical administration; and weak performance with emergencies, child health, surgery, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and eyes, women’s health, and orthopaedics. The GPs lacked training in specific skills such as proctoscopies, contraceptive devices, skin procedures, intra-articular injections, red reflex tests, and use of genograms.

Conclusion

GPs lacked training and performed poorly in some of the essential skills required in primary care. Continuing professional development, training in family medicine, broadening the model of care, and deployment of family physicians to the clinics could improve care comprehensiveness.
Percepción del clima organizacional en la escuela y su incidencia en la educación
Authors: Maraza Vilcanqui Nain , Flores Choque Gladys Martha , Maraza Vilcanqui Beker , Maraza Vilcanqui Queke
Published: March 2022

La investigación se realizó  con  el objetivo de identificar la Percepción del Clima Organizacional en docentes y administrativos de la Institución Educativa Primaria N° 70081 de Salcedo Puno 2017. El tipo de estudio fue descriptivo; la muestra estuvo conformado por 15 unidades de estudio entre docentes y administrativo; para la recolección de datos se aplicó el cuestionario CLIOUNing, que mide las percepciones sobre el clima organizacional de acuerdo a las dimensiones que consiente dicho instrumento (Gestión Institucional, Retos personales e Interacción Institucional); con siguientes resultados: del promedio total, nos permiten apreciar que el 53.9 % de satisfacción, donde se evidencia una percepción medianamente favorable del clima organizacional; el segundo   conglomerado   representa   30.3%  el  cual  indica  un  clima  favorable   y el menor conglomerado, indica 15.7 % que representa un clima organizacional desfavorable,  se  concluye   que   existe un clima organizacional mediamente favorable.
Conflicto cognitivo en la metamotivación para el desarrollo de capacidades en estudiantes universitarios
Authors: Valentín Melgarejo Teófilo Félix , Alvarez López José Rovino , Rivera Trujillo Oscar Cirilo , Oscátegui Nájera Gastón Jeremías
Published: March 2022

La  formación  universitaria  exige  el   uso de estrategias para el desarrollo del aprendizaje, sin embargo; se desconoce  sobre las estrategias del conflicto cognitivo en la metamotivación para el desarrollo de capacidades. De ahí, se tuvo como objetivo relacionar el conflicto cognitivo con la metamotivación para determinar el impacto en el desarrollo de capacidades, mediante las situaciones problemáticas, nuevos saberes y necesidades de aprendizaje en los estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión. Al respecto, 32 estudiantes, conformada por 18 del  grupo experimental y 14 del grupo de control, respondieron un cuestionario de  12  ítems  para  determinar la relación entre las variables de estudio y una prueba de 20 preguntas para conocer el desarrollo de las capacidades, que fue validada previamente. Como resultado final se obtuvo-4,171 con 30 grados de libertad, por lo que; el conflicto cognitivo tiene impacto positivo en la metamotivación determinando el desarrollo de capacidades profesionales.
Consumer Behavior Analysis
Authors:   UG Students, Department of Information Technology,  PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, India, Sundareswaran Ghanasiyaa , Kamaraj Harshini , Sanjay Shanmathy , Devi Akalya , Elangovan Poojashree , P Kruthikkha
Published: March 2022

Research on consumer behavior has become essential in recent years as it plays an important role in business marketing and growth. Consumers are the king of the market. For-profit organizations cannot function without customers. All the activities of the company end with the consumer and their satisfaction. Consumer behavior is the study of consumers and how they choose or eliminate products. This theory extends not only to products but also to services consumed. To develop a framework for studying consumer behavior, first look at the factors that influence consumer buying behavior, as well as the various thinking paradigms that have influenced the progress and discipline of consumer research. Modeling customer behavior is nothing more than creating a mathematical structure to map the general behavior of a particular customer group. This is done to predict how consumers will react in a particular situation. The purpose of the survey is to better understand consumer behavior by examining the factors that influence the consumer's purchasing process. The main purpose of studying consumer behavior is to understand how consumers feel and think. Building a recommendation engine is another application for studying consumer behavior. The recommendation engine basically recommends several products based on a variety of factors, including previous purchases by consumers, age, etc. It's a kind of data filtering tool that uses machine learning algorithms to recommend the most relevant items to a particular customer. The purpose of this paper is to analyze consumer segmentation and sentiment regarding product reviews and build a product recommendation system.