bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Identification, Bioinformatic Characterization, and Expression Profiling of Starch Synthase (SS) Genes in Foxtail Millet under Drought Condition
Authors: Amoah Joseph N. , Adu-Gyamfi Monica Ode , Kwarteng Albert Owusu
Published: August 2024

Millet, a vital and nutritionally dense cereal extensively cultivated in Sub-Saharan Africa, plays a key role in ensuring food security. This study investigates the starch synthase (SS) gene family, which is crucial for starch biosynthesis and influences various plant functions and stress responses. While the specific roles of SS genes in millet under drought conditions are not fully elucidated, this research provides a thorough analysis of the SS gene family in millet. A total of twelve millet SS genes (SiSSs) were identified and classified into four subfamilies (I–IV) through gene structure and phylogenetic analysis. The SiSS genes were unevenly distributed across millet chromosomes, with cis-acting elements associated with plant growth and stress defense being identified. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) revealed dynamic and varied expression patterns of SiSSs in different tissues under drought stress. Millet plants subjected to drought conditions showed higher tissue starch content and increased starch synthase activity compared to controls. Importantly, the expression levels of the twelve SiSSs were positively correlated with both starch content and synthase activity, suggesting their significant role in drought tolerance. This study enhances our understanding of the millet SS gene family and highlights the potential of these genes in breeding programs aimed at developing drought-resistant millet varieties. Further research is recommended to validate these findings and delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying drought tolerance.
Intra-Day and Seasonal Peak Shaving Oriented Operation Strategies for Electric–Hydrogen Hybrid Energy Storage in Isolated Energy Systems
Authors: Yang Changxing , Li Xiaozhu , Chen Laijun , Mei Shengwei
Published: August 2024

Randomness and intermittency of renewable energy generation are inevitable impediments to the stable electricity supply of isolated energy systems in remote rural areas. This paper unveils a novel framework, the electric–hydrogen hybrid energy storage system (EH-HESS), as a promising solution for efficiently meeting the demands of intra-day and seasonal peak shaving. A hierarchical time discretization model is applied to achieve unified operation of hydrogen and electric energy storage to simplify the model. Furthermore, an operation strategy considering the energy interaction between ESSs is introduced, while an optimization model of hydrogen storage working interval within the state transition limit is designed to improve the utilization of hydrogen storage. Numerical tests are conducted to validate the approach, demonstrating that the proposed energy storage structure and operation strategy can effectively improve the utilization of energy storage and ensure the energy supply of the system, which will provide a reference for the sustainable operation of renewable energy systems in the future.
Homing Pigeons as Biomonitors of Atmospheric Metal Exposure and Health Effects to Promote Environment Sustainability
Authors: Cui Jia , Halbrook Richard S. , Zang Shuying , Masdo Mary A. , Sun Li , Han Shuang
Published: August 2024

Homing pigeons are promising biomonitors of atmospheric metal pollution that may influence human health and environmental sustainability. However, exact interactions between respiratory and oral exposure and associations between atmospheric and pulmonary metal concentrations and effects are lacking. The current experiments measure differences in homing pigeon tissue cadmium, lead, and mercury concentrations due to diet and atmospheric exposure, and changes in pulmonary lesions associated with changing seasonal atmospheric metal concentrations. Forty 6-week-old homing pigeons were raised for 9 months in experiment 1, and seventy-five pigeons from different age groups were necropsied in winter, spring/summer, and autumn in experiment 2. Results indicate that atmospheric metal concentrations influence lung cadmium and lead concentrations, that atmospheric metal concentrations fluctuated seasonally and were greatest in fine particulate matter (PM2.1) during winter, and the rate of lung cadmium and lead accumulations reflected temporal changes. There were significant correlations between lung metal concentrations and alveolar macrophage lesions. Time (10 months) and higher metal concentrations (266 ng/g for Cd and 16,442 ng/g for Pb) are both important factors in the production of pulmonary dust cells. Our experiments indicate that homing pigeons can provide specific information on diseases resulting from atmospheric pollution exposure and that these data can assist in public health decisions and environmental regulations to promote sustainable development of the environment.
Real-Time 3D Reconstruction for the Conservation of the Great Wall’s Cultural Heritage Using Depth Cameras
Authors: Xu Lingyu , Xu Yang , Rao Ziyan , Gao Wenbin
Published: August 2024

The Great Wall, a pivotal part of Chinese cultural heritage listed on the World Heritage List since 1987, confronts challenges stemming from both natural deterioration and anthropogenic damage. Traditional conservation strategies are impeded by the Wall’s vast geographical spread, substantial costs, and the inefficiencies associated with conventional surveying techniques such as manual surveying, laser scanning, and low-altitude aerial photography. These methods often struggle to capture the Wall’s intricate details, resulting in limitations in field operations and practical applications. In this paper, we propose a novel framework utilizing depth cameras for the efficient real-time 3D reconstruction of the Great Wall. To overcome the challenge of the high complexity of reconstruction, we generate multi-level geometric features from raw depth images for hierarchical computation guidance. On one hand, the local set of sparse features serve as basic cues for multi-view-based reconstruction. On the other hand, the global set of dense features are employed for optimization guidance during reconstruction. The proposed framework facilitates the real-time, precise 3D reconstruction of the Great Wall in the wild, thereby significantly enhancing the capabilities of traditional surveying methods for the Great Wall. This framework offers a novel and efficient digital approach for the conservation and restoration of the Great Wall’s cultural heritage.
Sustainability Development through a Nearly Zero Energy Building Implementation Case: An Office Building in South Jakarta
Authors: Farizal Farizal , Noviandri Muhammad Aqil , Hamdani Hanif
Published: August 2024

Nearly zero energy buildings (NZEBs) might play a significant role in addressing current global environmental problems, i.e., greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Buildings are one of the main electricity consumers. With current electricity production coming mainly from fossil fuel power plants, buildings contribute indirectly to GHG emissions. This report shows potential energy-saving alternatives (thus reducing the carbon footprints) for an 18-story office building in South Jakarta’s central business district. Four alternatives are considered, namely cooling tower and CWP pump replacement, BAS installation, LED dim light replacement, and solar panel installation. The project that implements all four alternatives indeed produces the biggest emissions savings. However, its net present value (NPV) is negative, which means the project is not economically feasible. Furthermore, any combination of projects involving solar panel installation will produce negative NPVs. The combination of cooling tower and CWP pump replacement, BAS installation, and LED dim light replacement will be the best option, with an NPV of IDR 437,853,822, an energy consumption index (IKE) value of 11.76 (meaning the “efficient” building category) and a carbon emissions reduction of 1172.65 tons of CO2.
Innovations in Clay-Based Irrigation Technologies—A Systematic Review
Authors: Mahler Evgenia
Published: August 2024

Arid and semi-arid areas are suffering from declines in fresh water availability, making food security in these regions strongly dependent on the adaptability of agricultural production to the minimum usage of irrigation water. In response to this critical need, efforts have been directed towards enhancing irrigation efficiency and exploring innovative clay-based subsurface irrigation systems. These systems use clay materials as porous emitters and operate on the principle of capillary water movement from the pottery to the root zone, effectively reducing water evaporation and demonstrating significant water-saving potential. This article presents the results of a systematic literature review, with a specific focus on identifying recent developments and innovations in clay-based subsurface irrigation technologies, describing cases of applicability and indicating directions for future research. This review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and involved the screening of 233 articles that were found through searches on the databases Web of Science and Science Direct combined with searches of Google Scholar and citation searches. As a result, 58 research articles were investigated. The webtool Rayyan was used for the screening of the articles and the synthesis of the results. The spectrum of clay-based irrigation systems identified in the investigated articles includes traditional methods such as clay pot and clay pipe irrigation as well as more recent advancements in the field such as Subsurface Irrigation with Ceramic Emitters (SICE), Self-regulating Low-Energy Clay-based Irrigation (SLECI), and Ceramic Patch Subsurface Drip Irrigation Line (CP-SDIL) and pottery dripper technologies. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of each irrigation system, highlighting their main characteristics, advantages, and limitations. Particular attention is paid to the reported outcomes related to yield responses, water use efficiency, and suitability for various agricultural applications. This review indicates as a primary benefit of these systems their potential to allow water conservation, which is especially advantageous in regions with a restricted irrigation water supply. However, a major drawback is the challenge of scaling these systems effectively. Hence, the recommended areas for future research centre on the necessity of substantial economic assessments of and discussion on the potential social impact to promote the scalability of clay-based irrigation systems.
Human Factor Performance Evaluation Model for Barrier-Free Access Facilities in Residential Communities Based on Demand Priority Levels of Four Typical Ramps
Authors: He Bingjie , Wei Dake
Published: August 2024

The support capacity of built barrier-free facilities often does not align with the actual needs of urban residents, leading to travel obstacles for people with disabilities and posing a threat to the healthy and sustainable development of cities. It is necessary to evaluate the performance of barrier-free facilities from the perspective of demand. However, traditional performance evaluation methods conceal the differences in barrier-free facility performance among different groups of people. Therefore, this paper aims to clarify the barrier-free demand attributes of urban residents under different behavioral states, quantify the differences in residents’ needs based on demand priorities, and establish a human factor performance evaluation model for barrier-free facilities. Eighteen barrier-free needs of Chinese urban residents were identified through text mining. The demand priorities of individuals in various behavioral states for four typical ramps were then calculated using the Kano comprehensive satisfaction coefficient and importance coefficient. Expert evaluations of the facilities’ fulfillment of needs were gathered using the fuzzy Delphi method. Finally, the human factor performance of the facilities was determined based on the demand priority and fulfillment levels. The results show that even barrier-free facilities with high performance exhibit performance inequalities among the population, and this inequality is more obvious in relatively disadvantaged groups. Building a coordinated barrier-free environment with facilities, services, and assistive devices is an effective means to make up for the insufficient performance of barrier-free facilities. This approach not only enhances the support capacity of the environment but also contributes to the sustainable development of urban communities by ensuring equitable access for all residents.
Biomass Energy and Biofuels: Perspective, Potentials, and Challenges in the Energy Transition
Authors: Mignogna Debora , Szabó Márta , Ceci Paolo , Avino Pasquale
Published: August 2024

Circular economy and sustainability are pivotal concepts in the discourse on the synergies between economic growth and environmental impact. As resource scarcity and environmental degradation intensify, advancements in energy conversion technologies become crucial for a sustainable economic model. Currently dependent on fossil fuels, the global economy must shift to a sustainable framework focused on bioenergy. Biomass, a renewable energy source, offers a promising solution by converting waste into valuable resources, reducing waste and environmental impact, and creating economic opportunities. Biofuels and bioproducts can meet energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing global warming. Recent advances in biofuels, supported by initiatives and policies, promote more sustainable energy production. This paper aims to highlight the potential of biomass in meeting contemporary energy demand and provides an overview of biofuels and their production as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. It also explores the future of agriculture and energy sectors, emphasizing global energy and environmental challenges and the competition between food and fuel feedstocks.
The Impact of COVID-19-Induced Sentiment on Firm Performance: The Moderating Impact of Sustainable ESG Activities
Authors: Abou Tanos Barbara , Ahmed Neveen , Farooq Omar
Published: August 2024

This paper uses the data of nonfinancial firms from 49 countries to show that the benefits of improvements in COVID-19-induced sentiment accrue to firms that expend more resources on sustainable environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities. The findings remain robust across various estimation strategies and across various subsamples. The findings also show that the social and environmental dimensions of ESG moderate the relationship between COVID-19-induced sentiment and firm performance. In contrast, the governance dimension has no significant impact. Our findings suggest that firms should prioritize the environmental and social dimensions of ESG to build resilience and protect themselves from adverse shocks.
Factors Influencing the Health of Cities: Panel Data from 22 Cities in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Jih-Shong
Published: August 2024

There is an increasing emphasis on creating healthier living spaces and improving quality of life, making the planning and establishment of healthy cities a pivotal policy and a developmental goal worldwide. This study adopted WHO-recommended indicators for healthy cities and employed stochastic frontier analysis to estimate the correlation between influencing factors and efficiency in developing healthy cities across 22 counties and cities in Taiwan from 2001 to 2022. This study yielded several key findings: (1) there was significant room for improvement in the development of healthy cities in Taiwan; (2) western metropolitan areas demonstrated higher efficiency compared to eastern counties, cities, and outlying islands; and (3) key indicators of a healthy city included nursing manpower, air quality, employment rates, income levels, and the availability of kindergartens. Developing healthy cities requires integrating various factors including policy, environmental conditions, societal aspects, and economic considerations. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for fostering sustainable, healthy cities.
The Natural Evolution of RNA Viruses Provides Important Clues about the Origin of SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Authors: Arakawa Hiroshi
Published: August 2024

Despite the recent pandemic, the origin of its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, remains controversial. This study identifies several prototype SARS-CoV-2 variants (proto-variants) that are descendants of the Wuhan variant. A thorough evaluation of the evolutionary histories of the genomes of these proto-variants reveals that most mutations in proto-variants were biased toward mutations that change the amino acid sequence. While these nonsynonymous substitutions (N mutations) were common in SARS-CoV-2 proto-variants, nucleotide changes that do not result in an amino acid change, termed synonymous substitutions (S mutations), dominate the mutations found in other RNA viruses. The N mutation bias in the SARS-CoV2 proto-variants was found in the spike gene as well as several other genes. The analysis of the ratio of N to S mutations in general RNA viruses revealed that the probability that an RNA virus spontaneously evolves a proto-variant is between 1.5 × 10−9 and 2.7 × 10−26 under natural conditions. These results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 variants did not emerge via a canonical route.
Trace Metal Bioaccumulation in Feral Pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) and Rooks (Corvus frugilegus) Residing in the Urban Environment of Iasi City, Romania
Authors: Iacob Diana , Paduraru Emanuela , Gabor Vicentiu-Robert , Gache Carmen , Breaban Iuliana Gabriela , Gurlui Silviu , Plavan Gabriel , Jijie Roxana , Nicoara Mircea
Published: August 2024

Nowadays, trace metal contamination within urban atmospheres is a significant and concerning global issue. In the present study, two synanthropic bird species, namely, the feral pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica) and the rook (Corvus frugilegus), were employed as bioindicators to assess the atmospheric trace metal pollution in Iasi City, Romania. The concentrations of Ni, Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, and Cu were determined through high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GF-AAS) of various tissues, including the liver, kidney, lung, heart, muscle, and bone, of feral pigeons and rooks collected in Iasi City. The order of trace metal concentrations in the tissues of feral pigeons and rooks in Iasi City was similar: Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd > Cr > Co. However, trace element values in most tissues were higher in the rook samples than in feral pigeon ones, except for Co, which had elevated levels in feral pigeon renal and cardiac tissues, and Cu, which registered the highest concentrations in feral pigeon liver and kidney tissues. While not statistically significant, Pb concentration values in the PM10 fraction of atmospheric particles positively correlated with Pb concentrations in rook kidney samples (p = 0.05). The concentration levels of Cd, Pb, and Ni in the PM10 fraction of air particles showed a positive correlation with Cd levels in the samples of pigeon heart and rook liver, kidney, and heart, Pb levels in the samples of pigeon kidney, heart, and muscle and rook liver and bone, and Ni levels in the samples of pigeon liver, kidney, and bone and rook liver, muscle, and bone, respectively.
Stressful Effects of Individual and Combined Exposure to Low-Concentration Polylactic Acid Microplastics and Chromium on Marine Medaka Larvae (Oryzias melastigma)
Authors: Yin Yuan , Ma Yini , Li Qiang , Chen Nan , Wen Shaobai
Published: August 2024

Microplastics and heavy metal pollution frequently co-occur in the marine environment, raising concerns about their potentially harmful impacts on marine fish. This study undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the individual and combined stress effects of polylactide microplastics (PLA-MPs) and chromium (Cr) on marine medaka larvae. Following a 14-day exposure to PLA-MPs (100 μg/L) and Cr (50 μg/L), both individually and in combination, significant increases in heart rate and body length were observed. Notably, the combined exposure to PLA-MPs and Cr caused marked histopathological alterations, including shedding, atrophy, and lysis of the intestinal tissues. Furthermore, both individual and combined exposure induced oxidative stress in fish larvae, leading to changes in various enzyme activity indices. Individual exposure to either PLA-MPs or Cr led to anxious behavior in the larvae, whereas combined exposure not only caused anxious behavior but also altered swimming patterns. These findings suggest that combined exposure to PLA-MPs and Cr can exacerbate the toxic effects on marine medaka larvae.
Effects of Strawberry Tree Water Leaf Extract and Arbutin on Biochemical Markers and DNA Integrity in Brain Cells of Lewis Rats
Authors: Benković Vesna , Vuković Dora , Đelatić Iva , Popović Vanja , Jurica Karlo , Knežević Fabijan , Brčić Karačonji Irena , Lucić Vrdoljak Ana , Kopjar Nevenka
Published: August 2024

There is growing evidence that arbutin and plant extracts rich in arbutin, such as extracts of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.), exert a range of beneficial effects, including cyto- and genoprotective properties. This study evaluated the effects of strawberry tree water leaf extract (STE) and arbutin in the brain tissue of Lewis rats. STE or arbutin were administered per os to male and female rats at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight/day for 14 or 28 days. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using biochemical markers (lipid peroxidation and the activities of the antioxidative enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase). The effects of the tested substances on DNA integrity in brain cells were evaluated using the alkaline comet assay. The results suggest a high biocompatibility of both tested substances with rat brain tissue. No significant harmful disturbances were observed in the oxidative/antioxidative status or impairments of DNA integrity in the rat brain cells. Nearly all post-treatment values were within tolerable limits as compared to the matched control rats. Such encouraging findings support further research using other subtle biomarkers to clarify the safety aspects of arbutin and STE prior to the development of specific nutraceutical products.
Treatment of Acquired Deforming Hypertonia with Botulinum Toxin in Older Population: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Maldonado Pablo , Bessaguet Hugo , Chol Cédric , Giraux Pascal , Lafaie Ludovic , Adham Ahmed , David Romain , Celarier Thomas , Ojardias Etienne
Published: August 2024

Acquired deforming hypertonia (ADH) affects the daily care of numerous nursing home residents. The aim of this study was to analyze the practice, aims, and effectiveness of botulinum toxin injections (BTxis) in the treatment of older patients with contractures, an indication for which BTxis are still underused. Data were extracted retrospectively from medical records regarding population, contractures, and injections. A prospective analysis was conducted to evaluate treatment goals set by goal attainment scaling (GAS) at T0 and at T1, to evaluate the therapeutic effects. We also recorded the occurrence of side effects, using a telephone questionnaire. This study included 41 patients older than 70 years who had received one or more BTxis for the first time between January 2018 and December 2021. Most of the older people we included lived in an institution (66%), manifested severe dependence, and presented significant morbi-mortality (37% of the patients died in the year after the last injection). The main objectives of these injections were purely comfort, without any functional goals. The GAS scores suggested effectiveness for comfort GAS scores. No complications were recorded. This study highlights the BTxis potential to address the needs of a larger number of older patients with ADH.
Comparative Genomics Revealing the Genomic Characteristics of Klebsiella variicola Clinical Isolates in China
Authors: Yang Fang , Liu Fei-Yi , Zhong Yi-Ming
Published: August 2024

Klebsiella variicola is an opportunistic pathogen often misidentified as Klebsiella pneumoniae, leading to misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatment in clinical settings. The genetic and molecular characteristics of clinically isolated K. variicola remain largely unexplored. We aim to fill this knowledge gap by examining the genomic properties of and evolutionary relationships between clinical isolates of K. variicola. The genomic data of 70 K. variicola strains were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing. A phylogenetic tree was generated based on the gene sequences from these K. variicola strains and public databases. Among the K. variicola strains, the drug resistance genes with the highest carrying rates were beta-lactamase and aminoglycoside. Locally isolated strains had a higher detection rate for virulence genes than those in public databases, with yersiniabactin genes being the most prevalent. The K locus types and MLST subtypes of the strains exhibited a dispersed distribution, with O3/O3a being the predominant subtype within the O category. In total, 28 isolates carried both IncFIB(K)_Kpn3 and IncFII_pKP91 replicons. This study underscores the importance of developing more effective diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies for K. variicola infections. The continued surveillance and monitoring of K. variicola strains is essential for understanding the epidemiology of infections and informing public health strategies.
The Content Validity of an Instrument That Measures Health-Seeking Behavior for Tuberculosis among People Living with HIV in India
Authors: Jacob Ankeeta Menona , Jacob Jeni , Peersman Wim , Shetty Avinash K.
Published: August 2024

Determinants of health-seeking behavior among people living with HIV (PLHIV) are important. This study aims to develop and assess the content validity of an instrument that measures health-seeking behavior for tuberculosis among PLHIV in India. An instrument was developed using deductive methods and the Modified Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services (BMHS). We identified three domains using the BMHS. Ten subject experts validated the tool between June 2022 and August 2022. Lawshe’s Content Validity Ratios (CVRs) and Scale Content Validity Indices (CVIs) were computed. The items with CVR and CVI values ≥0.62 were considered for the final tool. The health-seeking behavior among PLHIV, based on the BMHS, identified knowledge regarding TB (domain 1), healthcare accessibility and factors leading to delay in treatment-seeking behavior (domain 2), and client satisfaction regarding diagnostic and treatment-seeking behavior (domain 3). Content Validity Ratios (CVRs) of all the items related to domains 1 and 2 were ≥0.62. The Scale Content Validity Indices (for relevance), i.e., S-CVI (average) and S-CVI (proportional relevance), were ≥0.62 for all domains. The items with CVR and CVI values ≥0.62 in the domains were accepted in the final tool, which contained 69 items.
Perceptual Differences in Urban Soundscape Assessment Using Protocol Proposed in Method a of the ISO/TS 12913–2: A Cross-Language Comparison between Arabic and French Attributes
Authors: Berkouk Djihed , Bouzir Tallal Abdel Karim , Khelil Sara , Azab Nader , Gomaa Mohamed Mansour
Published: August 2024

The urban soundscape contributes significantly to defining human perception and experience. Several standard assessment methods for data collection refer to in situ evaluations to determine how people perceive urban acoustic qualities. These methods, which generally involve soundwalks accompanied by questionnaires, are valuable but need to be validated in different cultural contexts. To address this need, international efforts such as the Soundscape Attribute Translation Project (SATP) are underway to ensure the effectiveness of a data collection standard in non-English-speaking regions. As a part of the SATP project, this study explores potential variations in how people experience urban soundscapes in North Africa. A standardized listening experiment was used to compare how Arabic speakers and French speakers rate the perceived affective qualities (PAQ) of urban soundscapes. Using data collected in public urban spaces in London, participants from both language groups rated 27 recorded urban soundscapes using a PAQ questionnaire. Findings from the Kruskal–Wallis H-test suggest that the perception of pleasant, chaotic, and vibrant are significant, while the dimensions of eventful, monotonous, and quiet show no significant distinctions between the two PAQ groups. Furthermore, opposing Pearson correlations were observed for the attributes of pleasantness and eventfulness, along with contradictions for vibrant, monotonous, and calm. The two-dimensional circumplex models visually map the differences in perceptual responses between the two PAQ groups, displaying distinct circular distortions along the monotone-vibrant axis for Arabic PAQs and the chaotic-calm axis for the French PAQs. The findings of this study suggest that further investigations are needed to understand whether the differences in the urban soundscape perception between these two PAQs are due to linguistic factors or other factors.
Bat Rabies in the Americas: Is Myotis the Main Ancestral Spreader?
Authors: Caraballo Diego A. , Vico María Lorena , Piccirilli María Guadalupe , Hirmas Riade Stella Maris , Russo Susana , Martínez Gustavo , Beltrán Fernando J. , Cisterna Daniel M.
Published: August 2024

The rabies virus (RABV) is the exclusive lyssavirus affecting both wild and domestic mammalian hosts in the Americas, including humans. Additionally, the Americas stand out as the sole region where bat rabies occurs. While carnivore rabies is being increasingly managed across the region, bats are emerging as significant reservoirs of RABV infection for humans and domestic animals. Knowledge of the bat species maintaining rabies and comprehending cross-species transmission (CST) and host shift processes are pivotal for directing surveillance as well as ecological research involving wildlife reservoir hosts. Prior research indicates that bat RABV CST is influenced by host genetic similarity and geographic overlap, reflecting host adaptation. In this study, we compiled and analyzed a comprehensive nucleoprotein gene dataset representing bat-borne RABV diversity in Argentina and the broader Americas using Bayesian phylogenetics. We examined the association between host genus and geography, finding both factors shaping the global phylogenetic structure. Utilizing a phylogeographic approach, we inferred CST and identified key bat hosts driving transmission. Consistent with CST determinants, we observed monophyletic/paraphyletic clustering of most bat genera in the RABV phylogeny, with stronger CST evidence between host genera of the same family. We further discuss Myotis as a potential ancestral spreader of much of RABV diversity.
Distrust in the Health Care System and Adherence to Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy among People with Hepatitis C Virus Who Inject Drugs
Authors: Padi Akhila , Pericot-Valverde Irene , Heo Moonseong , Dotherow James Edward , Niu Jiajing , Martin Madhuri , Norton Brianna L. , Akiyama Matthew J. , Arnsten Julia H. , Litwin Alain H.
Published: August 2024

This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial (October 2013–April 2017) involving 150 People Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs) with hepatitis C virus (HCV) seen in opioid agonist treatment programs in the Bronx, New York, and investigates the impact of distrust in the healthcare system on adherence to Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) HCV treatment therapy among PWIDs. The distrust was scaled on a 9-item instrument and the adherence to DAA medications was measured using electronic blister packs. This study demonstrated a significant inverse relationship between levels of distrust and medication adherence: 71.8 ± 2.2% (se) vs. 77.9 ± 1.8%, p = 0.024 between participants with higher and lower distrust levels. Despite the absence of significant association of distrust with sociodemographic or substance use characteristics, these findings suggest that building trust within the healthcare system is paramount for improving adherence to DAAs among PWIDs. The results call for a healthcare approach that emphasizes trust-building through patient-centered care, sensitivity training, peer support, and health system reform to effectively address the treatment needs of this marginalized population.
CFTR Inhibitors Display Antiviral Activity against Herpes Simplex Virus
Authors: Jiang Ping , Dai Zhong , Yang Chan , Ding Liqiong , Li Songshan , Xu Xinfeng , Cheng Chen , Wang Jinshen , Liu Shuwen
Published: August 2024

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a cAMP-dependent Cl− channel, is closely associated with multiple pathogen infections, such as SARS-CoV-2. However, whether the function of the CFTR is involved in herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection has not been reported. To evaluate the association of CFTR activity with HSV infection, the antiviral effect of CFTR inhibitors in epithelial cells and HSV-infected mice was tested in this study. The data showed that treatment with CFTR inhibitors in different concentrations, Glyh-101 (5–20 μM), CFTRi-172 (5–20 μM) and IOWH-032 (5–20 μM), or the gene silence of the CFTR could suppress herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) replication in human HaCaT keratinocytes cells, and that a CFTR inhibitor, Glyh-101 (10–20 μM), protected mice from HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection. Intracellular Cl− concentration ([Cl−]i) was decreased after HSV infection via the activation of adenylyl cyclase (AC)-cAMP signaling pathways. CFTR inhibitors (20 μM) increased the reduced [Cl−]i caused by HSV infection in host epithelial cells. Additionally, CFTR inhibitors reduced the activity and phosphorylation of SGK1 in infected cells and tissues (from the eye and vagina). Our study found that CFTR inhibitors can effectively suppress HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection, revealing a previously unknown role of CFTR inhibitors in HSV infection and suggesting new perspectives on the mechanisms governing HSV infection in host epithelial cells, as well as leading to potential novel treatments.
“I Thought It Was Better to Be Safe Than Sorry”: Factors Influencing Parental Decisions on HPV and Other Adolescent Vaccinations for Students with Intellectual Disability and/or Autism in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Carter Allison , Klinner Christiane , Young Alexandra , Strnadová Iva , Wong Horas , Vujovich-Dunn Cassandra , Newman Christy E. , Davies Cristyn , Skinner S. Rachel , Danchin Margie , Hynes Sarah , Guy Rebecca
Published: August 2024

The uptake of human papilloma virus (HPV) and other adolescent vaccinations in special schools for young people with disability is significantly lower than in mainstream settings. This study explored the factors believed to influence parental decision making regarding vaccine uptake for students with intellectual disability and/or on the autism spectrum attending special schools in New South Wales, Australia, from the perspective of all stakeholders involved in the program. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 40 participants, including parents, school staff, and immunisation providers. The thematic analysis identified two themes: (1) appreciating diverse parental attitudes towards vaccination and (2) educating parents and managing vaccination questions and concerns. While most parents were described as pro-vaccination, others were anti-vaccination or vaccination-hesitant, articulating a marked protectiveness regarding their child’s health. Reasons for vaccine hesitancy included beliefs that vaccines cause autism, concerns that the vaccination may be traumatic for the child, vaccination fatigue following COVID-19, and assumptions that children with disability will not be sexually active. Special school staff regarded the vaccination information pack as inadequate for families, and nurses described limited educational impact resulting from minimal direct communication with parents. More effective communication strategies are needed to address vaccine hesitancy among parents with children with disability.
Comparative Immunogenicity of a High-Dose Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Vaccine with Rapid Immunization vs. Standard Schedule in HBV Vaccine—Naïve Adults Aged 25–55 in China
Authors: Qiu Qian , Wang Huai , Liu Xiuying , Pang Xinghuo , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2024

The 20 μg (0–1–6 month) hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is widely recommended for HBV vaccine-naïve immune adults in China. However, suboptimal protective responses may occur due to dose-series incompletion. We aim to investigate the immunogenicity of a 60 μg HB vaccine with a 0–2 month series among HBV vaccine-naïve immune adults aged 25–55 to assess potential alternative approaches for HB immunization. A two-center randomized controlled trial was carried out. Participants were randomly allocated to either the 20 μg (0–1–6 month) or the 60 μg (0–2 month) regimen. Blood samples were collected eight weeks after the final injection to measure the antibodies. A total of 583 adults (289 in the 20 μg regimen and 294 in the 60 μg regimen) were included. The seroprotection rates (SPRs) were 97.23% and 93.54% in the 20 μg and 60 μg regimens, respectively (p = 0.0261), and the geometric mean concentrations were 600.76 mIU/mL and 265.68 mIU/mL, respectively (p < 0.0001). The immunogenicity of the 60 μg regimen decreased significantly with age, particularly in adults aged 40 and older. The 60 μg regimen may be beneficial for adults under 40, especially those with poor compliance or in urgent need of immunization.
Modulation of Poultry Cecal Microbiota by a Phytogenic Blend and High Concentrations of Casein in a Validated In Vitro Cecal Chicken Alimentary Tract Model
Authors: Popov Igor V. , Belkassem Nouhaila , Schrijver Ruud , Chebotareva Iuliia P. , Chikindas Michael L. , Ermakov Alexey M. , Venema Koen
Published: August 2024

Phytogenic blends (PBs) consist of various bioactive plant-derived compounds that are used as growth promoters for farm animals. Feed additives based on PBs have beneficial effects on farm animals’ production performance, health, and overall well-being, as well as positive modulating effects on gut microbiota. In this study, we used a validated in vitro cecal chicken alimentary tract model (CALIMERO-2) to evaluate the effects of a PB (a mix of components found in rosemary, cinnamon, curcuma, oregano oil, and red pepper), alone or in combination with casein (control), on poultry cecal microbiota. Supplementation with the PB significantly increased the abundance of bacteria associated with energy metabolism (Monoglobus) and growth performance in poultry (Lachnospiraceae UCG-010). The PB also decreased the abundance of opportunistic pathogens (Escherichia-Shigella) and, most importantly, did not promote other opportunistic pathogens, which indicates the safety of this blend for poultry. In conclusion, the results of this study show promising perspectives on using PBs as feed additives for poultry, although further in vivo studies need to prove these data.
Sewage Vertical Infiltration Introduced Polygenic Multipollutants into Groundwater
Authors: Dong Yihan , Han Yifan , Han Xu , Chen Yaoxuan , Zhai Yuanzheng
Published: August 2024

With the increasing environmental impacts of human activities, the problem of polygenic multipollutants in groundwater has attracted the attention of researchers. Identifying the hydrobiogeochemical characteristics of the surface sewage that replenishes groundwater is crucial to addressing this problem. The input of polygenic multipollutants into groundwater leads to not only the mechanical superposition of pollutants but also the formation of secondary pollutant types. The evolution of polygenic multipollutants is influenced by aquifer characteristics, carbon sources, microbial abundance, etc. Therefore, this study took a sewage leakage point in Northwest China as the research object, carried out a controlled laboratory experiment on the impact of sewage discharge on groundwater, and, combined with long-term field monitoring results, determined the main hydrobiogeochemical processes of polygenic multipollutants and their secondary pollutants. The results showed that the redox environment and the gradient change in pH were identified as the most critical controlling factors. In oxidative groundwater during the early stage of vertical infiltration, sewage carries a substantial amount of NH4+, which is oxidized to form the secondary pollutant NO3−. As O2 is consumed, the reduction intensifies, and secondary pollutants NO3−, Mn (IV), and Fe(III) minerals are successively reduced. Compared with the natural conditions of rainwater vertical infiltration, the reaction rates and intensities of various reactions significantly increase during sewage vertical infiltration. However, there is a notable difference in the groundwater pH between sewage and rainwater vertical infiltration. In O2 and secondary pollutant NO3− reduction, a large amount of CO2 is rapidly generated. Excessive CO2 dissolves to produce a substantial amount of H+, promoting the acidic dissolution of Mn (II) minerals and generation of Mn2+. Sewage provides a higher carbon load, enhancing Mn (II) acidic dissolution and stimulating the activity of dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium, which exhibits a higher contribution to NO3− reduction. This results in a portion of NO3− converted from NH4+ being reduced back to NH4+ and retained in the groundwater, reducing the denitrification’s capacity to remove secondary NO3−. This has important implications for pollution management and groundwater remediation, particularly monitored natural attenuation.
Diversity and Ecological Functions of Fungal Communities in Tangchi Hot Spring in Lujiang (China)
Authors: Zhang Feng-Qin , Liu Jun , Chen Xiao-Ju
Published: August 2024

Hot springs contain many microorganisms, and a great deal of research has been conducted on the bacteria in hot springs but less on the fungi. Microbial diversity research in hot springs will help to further develop and utilize the microbial resources from hot springs. This is the first study to analyze the fungal diversity and ecological functions in Tangchi hot spring (China). In this paper, the fungal ITS sequences in the water samples of Tangchi hot spring were sequenced by Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatically analyzed to explore the fungal diversity and ecological functions in the hot spring. The results revealed that the dominant fungal phylum was Ascomycota, followed by Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Olpidiomycota, and the dominant fungal genera were Rhizophydium, Aureobasidium, Rhodotorula, and Sclerotinia in Tangchi hot spring. The FUNGuild functional analysis results revealed that the dominant guilds in Tangchi hot spring were plant pathogens followed by the undefined saprotroph and the animal endosymbiont–animal pathogen–endophyte–plant pathogen–undefined saprotroph. This study can fill the gap in people’s understanding of fungal resources and offer theoretical support for understanding the fungal diversity and fungal resource development and utilization in Tangchi hot spring.
Optimized Layout of Large-Scale Coal-Fired Power Plant CCUS Projects under Water Resource Constraints in China
Authors: Wang Peng-Tao , Wang Feiyin , Xu Mao
Published: August 2024

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies are an integral part of the carbon-neutral technology portfolio at the present phase. However, large-scale implementation of CCUS technologies may increase urban water consumption and raise urban water security issues. In this paper, 596 large-scale coal-fired power plants were investigated in terms of water withdrawal and water consumption. To minimize total water withdrawal and total water consumption, a source-sink matching model for CCUS projects under water resource constraints was established to optimize the layout of CCUS projects in China. The results show that there is a mismatch between the distribution of coal-fired power plants in a spatial location and water resources. The annual increase in water withdrawal of about 27.6 billion tons and water consumption of about 2.4 billion tons is needed to achieve the 2 °C target, which will aggravate the water scarcity in the north-central cities. Implementation of CO2-enhanced water recovery (CO2-EWR) technology can offset some of the increase in urban water consumption owing to CCUS deployment. This study can provide data support for site selection in the large-scale deployment of CCUS technology and provide the theoretical basis for decision-makers to lay out CCUS projects.
Prediction of Physico-Chemical Parameters of Surface Waters Using Autoregressive Moving Average Models: A Case Study of Kis-Balaton Water Protection System, Hungary
Authors: Kovács Zsófia , Tarcsay Bálint Levente , Tóth Piroska , Juhász Csenge Judit , Németh Sándor , Shahrokhi Amin
Published: August 2024

In this work, the authors provide a case study of time series regression techniques for water quality forecasting. With the constant striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the need for sensitive and reliable water management tools has become critical. Continuous online surface water quality monitoring systems that record time series data about surface water parameters are essential for the supervision of water conditions and proper water management practices. The time series data obtained from these systems can be used to develop mathematical models for the prediction of the temporal evolution of water quality parameters. Using these mathematical models, predictions can be made about future trends in water quality to pinpoint irregular behaviours in measured data and identify the presence of anomalous events. We compared the performance of regression models with different structures for the forecasting of water parameters by utilizing a data set collected from the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (KBWPS) wetland region of Hungary over an observation period of eleven months as a case study. In our study, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) regression models with different structures have been compared based on forecasting performance. Using the resulting models, trends of the oxygen saturation, pH level, electrical conductivity, and redox potential of the water could be accurately forecast (validation data residual standard deviation between 0.09 and 20.8) while in the case of turbidity, only averages of future values could be predicted (validation data residual standard deviation of 56.3).
Enhancing Weather Scene Identification Using Vision Transformer
Authors: Dewi Christine , Arshed Muhammad Asad , Christanto Henoch Juli , Rehman Hafiz Abdul , Muneer Amgad , Mumtaz Shahzad
Published: August 2024

The accuracy of weather scene recognition is critical in a world where weather affects every aspect of our everyday lives, particularly in areas like intelligent transportation networks, autonomous vehicles, and outdoor vision systems. The importance of weather in many aspects of our life highlights the vital necessity for accurate information. Precise weather detection is especially crucial for industries like intelligent transportation, outside vision systems, and driverless cars. The outdated, unreliable, and time-consuming manual identification techniques are no longer adequate. Unmatched accuracy is required for local weather scene forecasting in real time. This work utilizes the capabilities of computer vision to address these important issues. Specifically, we employ the advanced Vision Transformer model to distinguish between 11 different weather scenarios. The development of this model results in a remarkable performance, achieving an accuracy rate of 93.54%, surpassing industry standards such as MobileNetV2 and VGG19. These findings advance computer vision techniques into new domains and pave the way for reliable weather scene recognition systems, promising extensive real-world applications across various industries.