bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep-Learning-Based Coronary Artery Calcium Detection from CT Image
Authors: Lee Sungjin , Rim Beanbonyka , Jou Sung-Shick , Gil Hyo-Wook , Jia Xibin , Lee Ahyoung , Hong Min
Published: October 2021

One of the most common methods for diagnosing coronary artery disease is the use of the coronary artery calcium score CT. However, the current diagnostic method using the coronary artery calcium score CT requires a considerable time, because the radiologist must manually check the CT images one-by-one, and check the exact range. In this paper, three CNN models are applied for 1200 normal cardiovascular CT images, and 1200 CT images in which calcium is present in the cardiovascular system. We conduct the experimental test by classifying the CT image data into the original coronary artery calcium score CT images containing the entire rib cage, the cardiac segmented images that cut out only the heart region, and cardiac cropped images that are created by using the cardiac images that are segmented into nine sub-parts and enlarged. As a result of the experimental test to determine the presence of calcium in a given CT image using Inception Resnet v2, VGG, and Resnet 50 models, the highest accuracy of 98.52% was obtained when cardiac cropped image data was applied using the Resnet 50 model. Therefore, in this paper, it is expected that through further research, both the simple presence of calcium and the automation of the calcium analysis score for each coronary artery calcium score CT will become possible.
Energy Efficient Routing Protocol in Sensor Networks Using Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Patel Jatinkumar , El-Ocla Hosam
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we examine routing protocols with the shortest path in sensor networks. In doing this, we propose a genetic algorithm (GA)-based Ad Hoc On-Demand Multipath Distance Vector routing protocol (GA-AOMDV). We utilize a fitness function that optimizes routes based on the energy consumption in their nodes. We compare this algorithm with other existing ad hoc routing protocols including LEACH-GA, GA-AODV, AODV, DSR, EPAR, EBAR_BFS. Results prove that our protocol enhances the network performance in terms of packet delivery ratio, throughput, round trip time and energy consumption. GA-AOMDV protocol achieves average gain that is 7 to 22% over other protocols. Therefore, our protocol extends the network lifetime for data communications.
Special Issue on “Smart City and Smart Infrastructure”
Authors: Sim Sung-Han , Lee Jong-Jae
Published: October 2021

Recent developments in sensor technologies and data-driven approaches have been recognized as the main enablers of smart cities [...]
Analysis of the Possibilities of Tire-Defect Inspection Based on Unsupervised Learning and Deep Learning
Authors: Kuric Ivan , Klarák Jaromír , Sága Milan , Císar Miroslav , Hajdučík Adrián , Wiecek Dariusz
Published: October 2021

At present, inspection systems process visual data captured by cameras, with deep learning approaches applied to detect defects. Defect detection results usually have an accuracy higher than 94%. Real-life applications, however, are not very common. In this paper, we describe the development of a tire inspection system for the tire industry. We provide methods for processing tire sidewall data obtained from a camera and a laser sensor. The captured data comprise visual and geometric data characterizing the tire surface, providing a real representation of the captured tire sidewall. We use an unfolding process, that is, a polar transform, to further process the camera-obtained data. The principles and automation of the designed polar transform, based on polynomial regression (i.e., supervised learning), are presented. Based on the data from the laser sensor, the detection of abnormalities is performed using an unsupervised clustering method, followed by the classification of defects using the VGG-16 neural network. The inspection system aims to detect trained and untrained abnormalities, namely defects, as opposed to using only supervised learning methods.
Is It Digital Entrepreneurship? Designing a New Sport through Audience Ethnography
Authors: Leung Linda , Feldman Daniel
Published: October 2021

In designing a brand-new sport, do basic tenets of digital entrepreneurship such as ‘solve a user problem’ apply? How is it possible to understand who the potential audience might be for a product and experience that does not yet exist in a Culture Industry such as sports? The paper examines the beginnings of an Australian startup with an early-stage product in the sports and entertainment industry and its use of digital ethnography to investigate key audience segments. The process of audience development occurred alongside the prototyping and testing of a high-tech product that is central to the sport. As the product underwent iterations of development and release, audience interaction with the product was tracked through social media. Discourse analysis of audience engagement with the product on Facebook was conducted to inform a series of user personas that indicated a heavy male bias in the future audience. In exploring the intersection of sports, Cultural Industries and digital entrepreneurship, the paper concludes with observations of how this case challenges each of those notions through the process of ‘starting up’.
Life Cycle Assessment as a Methodological Framework for the Evaluation of the Environmental Sustainability of Pig and Pork Production in Ecuador
Authors: Pazmiño Mayra L. , Ramirez Angel D.
Published: October 2021

Pork is one of the proteins of greatest demand worldwide. This study has evaluated the environmental sustainability of pig production by applying the life cycle assessment methodological framework. The system boundaries include feed production, pig production, slaughtering, and slaughterhouse by-product management. Within this context, three scenarios have been proposed: the first related to the management of slaughter by-products in an open dump, the second contemplates a model for using these by-products in a rendering plant, and a third where the environmental burden of slaughterhouse co-products is portioned according to economic allocation. The primary data collected correspond to the period of 2019 for the facilities of a producer in a coastal province of Ecuador. Three functional units were used—“1 kg of pig carcass at the slaughterhouse gate”, “1 kg pig live weigh at the farm gate”, and “1 kg of feed at the plant gate”. The impact categories included were global warming, fossil depletion, marine eutrophication, ozone layer depletion, particulate matter formation, photochemical oxidation formation, and terrestrial acidification. The results revealed that the production of ingredients for feed is the largest contributor to the environmental burden of pig and pork. The rendering of slaughter by-products that avoid the production of other fats and proteins results in a lower environmental impact than the other scenarios in almost all categories.
Institutionalizing Reflexivity for Sustainability: Two Cases in Health Care
Authors: Schuitmaker-Warnaar Tjerk Jan , Gunn Callum J. , Regeer Barbara J. , Broerse Jacqueline E. W.
Published: October 2021

Unsustainability in health care comprises diminishing returns and misalignment between the health care regime and the needs of the population. To deal with complex sustainability problems, niche solutions can be collaboratively designed and implemented through reflexive methods. For second-order sustainability, however, the institutionalization of the reflexive element itself is also needed. This paper aims to provide insight into the possibilities of embedding reflexivity into institutions to support second-order sustainability by reporting on two consecutive participatory research programs that sought to address unsustainability in terms of misalignment and diminishing returns. The first case study reflexively monitored the system’s innovation toward an integrated perinatal care system. Reflection within the project and implementation was supported successfully, but for stronger embedding and institutionalization, greater alignment of the reflexive practices with regime standards was needed. Building on these lessons, the second case study, which was part of the IMI-PARADIGM consortium, collaboratively built a structured tool to monitor and evaluate “the return on engagement” in medicine development. To institutionalize reflexivity, the creation of “reflexive standards” together with regime actors appears to be most promising. Broader and deeper institutionalization of reflexive standards can be attained by building enforcement structures for reflexive standards in the collaborative process as part of the reflexive methodologies for addressing complex sustainability problems.
Production of Specific Polyclonal Antibody against the Larvae of Corallivorous Gastropod Drupella fragum for Prediction of Outbreaks
Authors: Kitamura Takaya , Iwai Toshiharu , Shigematsu Yui , Miura Chiemi , Miura Takeshi
Published: October 2021

The term corallivorous gastropod refers to a group of snails that feeds on coral and inhabits coral communities worldwide. Outbreaks of these species cause serious damage to coral communities. There are various reasons behind the outbreaks; however, further clarifications are needed. It may be possible to predict outbreaks by measuring the number of floating larvae of corallivorous gastropods in seawater. Drupella fragum is the most damaging species in Japan, so we produced antibodies against D. fragum larvae in order to easily detect this species in the field. Antibody specificity analysis in aquarium-hatched corallivorous gastropods showed a higher specificity against D. fragum compared to D. cornus. A field study using the antibody showed that many D. fragum larvae were detected from June to November at all stations. The larvae at the Shirigai station were collected in June and July in large numbers compared to the other stations. Large groups of D. fragum were collected around the sampling point in Shirigai in September 2016. Our results imply that there is a possibility that outbreaks could be predicted using this antibody.
Industrial Buyer Innovation Adoption Model: A Focus on a Smartphone-Based Electrochemical Analytical Device for Toxic Heavy Metal Detection
Authors: Thanabodypath Wasapon , Chandrachai Achara , Chaiyo Sudkate , Chailapakul Orawon
Published: October 2021

Smartphone-Based Electrochemical Analytical Devices (SEAD) enable sophisticated toxic heavy metal quantification experiments to be conducted anywhere with high precision, selectivity, and sensitivity. However, a very limited number of such technologies are able to make the transition from the lab to the competitive B2B marketplace. The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing SEAD adoption in the manufacturing industry using the Industrial Buyer Innovation Adoption (IBIA) model, which integrates B2B consumer behavior theories and technology acceptance models from the past 50 years. Analysis of data collected from 400 corporations in Thailand revealed that sellers, buyers, internal organization and invented technology advantage variables predicted industrial innovation adoption based on binary logistic regression. This research contributes to the understanding of SEAD transition from scientific knowledge to sustainable technology and diffusible innovation. The ambitious IBIA framework is potentially an alternative managerial tool for holistically assessing and creating adoptable innovative business models for new technologies.
Audit Service Quality Perceived by Customers: Formative Modelling Measurement Approach
Authors: Peštović Kristina , Milicevic Nikola , Djokic Nenad , Djokic Ines
Published: October 2021

The imperative to measure perceived service quality by a formative model in which it represents higher-order formative construct, consisting of reflective first-order constructs ((sub)dimensions), is defined in leading marketing literature in previous years. That approach is of special importance since model misspecifications were often occurring in perceived service quality measurement researches, which may lead to totally wrong conclusions. Furthermore, when it comes to the perceived audit service quality, according to the knowledge of the authors, this is the first implementation of the described approach. Besides the analysis of perceived quality dimensions (all of them originate from intensively used SERVQUAL instrument and are adopted to audit service quality: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy), the model included relations between quality and client’s satisfaction and loyalty. The results were obtained by processing 123 responses from Serbian companies. All dimensions of perceived quality influenced it positively and significantly (the strongest influence is related to assurance, followed by responsiveness; smaller coefficient with relatively similar value describes the influence of reliability; followed by empathy; the weakest is the impact of tangibles). Furthermore, research results pointed to the existence of positive relations between audit quality, satisfaction and loyalty. Hereby, satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between quality and loyalty.
Jellyfish Search Optimization Algorithm for MPP Tracking of PV System
Authors: Alam Afroz , Verma Preeti , Tariq Mohd , Sarwar Adil , Alamri Basem , Zahra Noore , Urooj Shabana
Published: October 2021

Because of the rapid increase in the depletion rate of conventional energy sources, the energy crisis has become a central problem in the contemporary world. This issue opens the gateway for exploring and developing renewable energy sources to fulfill the exigent energy demand. Solar energy is an abundant source of sustainable energy and hence, nowadays, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are employed to extract energy from solar irradiation. However, the PV systems need to work at the maximum power point (MPP) to exploit the highest accessible power during varying operating conditions. For this reason, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms are used to track the optimum power point. Furthermore, the efficient utilization of PV systems is hindered by renowned partial shading conditions (PSC), which generate multiple peaks in the power-voltage characteristic of the PV array. Thus, this article addresses the performance of the newly developed jellyfish search optimization (JSO) strategy in the PV frameworks to follow the global maximum power point (GMPP) under PSC.
Impact of Aging and Underemployment on Income Disparity between Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Households
Authors: Han Joohun , Chung Chanjin
Published: October 2021

This paper examines how aging and underemployment affect household income and household income disparity between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. Our study uses household panel data from South Korea for the period 2009–2016, which include, on average, 6721 representative households each year. A three-step regression analysis was conducted to estimate the aging and underemployment effects on household income and the income disparity between agricultural and non-agricultural households. First, we estimate aging and underemployment effects on household income from all households using a year fixed-effect longitudinal model. Second, our study investigates whether the marginal effect of aging and underemployment on household income differs between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. Finally, we simulate the estimated model to illustrate how government policies could help reduce the income disparity. Our results show that aging and underemployment affect household income negatively overall. The negative marginal effect of the two factors was greater in the agricultural sector than in the non-agricultural sector. Results from policy simulations suggest that the implementation of proper government policies to address aging and underemployment problems in agricultural households could significantly reduce the income disparity between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.
WeThe15, Leveraging Sport to Advance Disability Rights and Sustainable Development
Authors: Carty Catherine , Mont Daniel , Restrepo Daniel Sebastian , Salazar Juan Pablo
Published: October 2021

#WeThe15 launched at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. It aims to mobilize global partners to level the playing field for the 15% of the global population living with disabilities. This paper examines how current policy, human rights and development objectives seek this inclusive change. It explores how sport and the media, both popular components of culture globally, are vehicles for impacting positive change for individuals and society. Researchers conducted analyses of mainstream media coverage across the US, UK, Latin America, and the Caribbean (LAC) of the 2016 Summer Paralympics. This was taken as a proxy to popular culture or public perception of disability. Results found considerable use of inspiration porn and non-inclusive language across media outlets. The US media led in raising awareness and promoting a cultural shift. Focus groups in Latin America examined athletes’ use of their platforms to identify and overcome barriers and promote disability rights. Athletes reported access barriers to sport across infrastructure, culture, school, environment, and sport itself. They are willing to use their voice to advance inclusion. While work is needed, para-sport has potential in the policy context and culturally significant media platforms to promote human rights and sustainable development for all people with disabilities.
How Does Research on Sustainable Human Resource Management Contribute to Corporate Sustainability: A Document Co-Citation Analysis, 1982–2021
Authors: Kainzbauer Astrid , Rungruang Parisa , Hallinger Philip
Published: October 2021

While the field of human resource management (HRM) has a long research tradition, the focus on sustainability has only gained momentum since the turn of the millennium. This bibliometric review examined key documents that inform scholarship in sustainable human resource management (S-HRM). The review identified 807 Scopus-indexed documents on sustainability in human resource management published between 1982 and 2021. Bibliometric analyses applied to this database included document citation and co-citation analysis to map peer-recognized documents. The review documented an emerging knowledge base that is global in scope with contributions from a variety of regions in the world. Three ‘invisible colleges’ emerged in the visual map of co-cited documents. These include green human resource management (Green HRM) with a focus on environmental aspects of sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and S-HRM with a focus on analyzing all three aspects of the triple bottom line of corporate output. These document analyses found that this emerging literature on S-HRM is heavily weighted towards environmental concerns. The authors recommend that greater attention be placed on the contributions that HRM makes to the human and social aspects of sustainability.
Recent Trends in Sustainable Inventory Models: A Literature Review
Authors: Pattnaik Suchitra , Nayak Mitali Madhusmita , Abbate Stefano , Centobelli Piera
Published: October 2021

Greenhouse gas emissions are increasing global warming significantly, hence the need for manufacturing companies to include sustainability strategies in their supply chain to reduce emissions generated by their operations. This article aims to provide a systematic literature review on integrating sustainability issues into inventory management models to support scholars and practitioners in decision-making processes according to their market requirements. Thus, this paper discusses the most relevant papers published on inventory management topics that consider environmental criteria such as greenhouse gas emissions, ecological quality controls, unsold inventory, and fixed carbon costs. Therefore, we have extended the literature review to incorporate sustainability considerations in inventory models involving an industry’s environmental and social effects. As a result, in this article, a detailed analysis of the existing literature and related weaknesses provide meaningful discussions on crucial issues for future field research avenues in the field.
A Review on the Removal of Carbamazepine from Aqueous Solution by Using Activated Carbon and Biochar
Authors: Décima María Alejandra , Marzeddu Simone , Barchiesi Margherita , Di Marcantonio Camilla , Chiavola Agostina , Boni Maria Rosaria
Published: October 2021

Carbamazepine (CBZ), one of the most used pharmaceuticals worldwide and a Contaminant of Emerging Concern, represents a potential risk for the environment and human health. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a significant source of CBZ to the environment, polluting the whole water cycle. In this review, the CBZ presence and fate in the urban water cycle are addressed, with a focus on adsorption as a possible solution for its removal. Specifically, the scientific literature on CBZ removal by activated carbon and its possible substitute Biochar, is comprehensively scanned and summed up, in view of increasing the circularity in water treatments. CBZ adsorption onto activated carbon and biochar is analyzed considering several aspects, such as physicochemical characteristics of the adsorbents, operational conditions of the adsorption processes and adsorption kinetics and isotherms models. WWTPs usually show almost no removal of CBZ (even negative), whereas removal is witnessed in drinking water treatment plants through advanced treatments (even >90%). Among these, adsorption is considered one of the preferable methods, being economical and easier to operate. Adsorption capacity of CBZ is influenced by the characteristics of the adsorbent precursors, pyrolysis temperature and modification or activation processes. Among operational conditions, pH shows low influence on the process, as CBZ has no charge in most pH ranges. Differently, increasing temperature and rotational speed favor the adsorption of CBZ. The presence of other micro-contaminants and organic matter decreases the CBZ adsorption due to competition effects. These results, however, concern mainly laboratory-scale studies, hence, full-scale investigations are recommended to take into account the complexity of the real conditions.
A New Method for 3-Satisfiability Problem Solving Space Structure on Structural Entropy
Authors: Liang Chen , Wang Xiaofeng , Lu Lei , Niu Pengfei
Published: October 2021

Analyzing the solution space structure and evolution of 3-satisfiability (3-SAT) problem is an important way to study the difficulty of the solving satisfiability (SAT) problem. However, there is no unified analysis model for the spatial structure and evolution of solutions under different constraint densities. The analysis of different phase transition points and solution regions is based on different metric analysis models. The solution space of 3-SAT problem is obtained by planting strategy and belief propagation. According to the distribution of the influence of frozen variables on the solution, a label propagation algorithm based on planting strategy is proposed, is used to find the solution cluster, and then the structure entropy is used to measure its structure information. The structure entropy analysis model of 3-SAT problem solution space is established, and the unified analysis framework of solution space evolution and satisfiability phase transition is given. The experimental results show that the model is effective and can accurately analyze the evolution process of solution space and satisfiability phase transition, and verify the accuracy of interference phase transition point threshold predicted by long-range frustration theory.
Yet Another New Variant of Szász–Mirakyan Operator
Authors: Acu Ana Maria , Tachev Gancho
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we construct a new variant of the classical Szász–Mirakyan operators, Mn, which fixes the functions 1 and eax,x≥0,a∈R. For these operators, we provide a quantitative Voronovskaya-type result. The uniform weighted convergence of Mn and a direct quantitative estimate are obtained. The symmetry of the properties of the classical Szász–Mirakyan operator and of the properties of the new sequence is investigated. Our results improve and extend similar ones on this topic, established in the last decade by many authors.
Model Test on the Influence of Surcharge, Unloading and Excavation of Soft Clay Soils on Shield Tunnels
Authors: Xiang Pengfei , Wei Gang , Zhang Shuming , Cui Yunliang , Guo Huifang
Published: October 2021

In view of the influence of symmetrical surcharge, unloading and excavation of soft clay soils on shield tunnels, the surface settlement, tunnel settlement, vertical additional earth pressure and tunnel additional confining pressure are measured by an indoor model test. The changes of confining pressure, tunnel settlement, surface settlement and vertical earth pressure caused by surcharge, unloading and excavation are studied and analyzed. The results show that, in soft clay, surcharge will cause tunnel settlement, and unloading and excavation will generally cause tunnel uplift. There is hysteresis in surface settlement and tunnel settlement above the shield tunnel caused by surcharge and unloading; the change of additional confining pressure of the shield tunnel caused by surcharge is mainly concentrated in the three directions of 3, 5 and 7 of the radar chart. These points belong to weak points. Unloading and excavation can effectively reduce the additional confining pressure of the tunnel in these three directions; excavation will cause the increase of vertical cumulative additional earth pressure and tunnel confining pressure in local directions. The influence range of surcharge in soft clay is wider than that in sand, but the depth is relatively shallow.
Comprehensive Comparison of VNE Solutions Based on Different Coordination Approaches
Authors: Prekas Stelios , Karkazis Panagiotis , Nikolakakis Vasileios , Trakadas Panagiotis
Published: October 2021

Virtualization is commonly accepted as the catalyst that would grant the internet the ability to shed the shackles of legacy technologies and evolve to its future self. In order to make this transformation feasible, unavoidable concurrent radical remodeling of all the involved counterparts is required, particularly in the context of automatically and optimally serving application requests by taking advantage of new virtualized environments and their latent capabilities. A considerable number of embedding strategies that efficiently map virtual computational and networking demands over physical resources have already been proposed in the literature, following different strategies. Among these suggested strategies, different coordination proposals have been adopted, in order to solve the node and link mapping functions. In this paper, we study the capabilities of the most popular embedding strategies, based on their coordination categorization. Our study confirms that by invoking a coordination strategy, especially the single stage one, added benefits on multiple performance layers can be achieved. Moreover, we propose a new mixed coordination algorithm, essentially creating a new category in the field of VNE coordination strategies.
A Short Dynamic Scan Method of Measuring Bone Metabolic Flux Using [18F]NaF PET
Authors: Puri Tanuj , Siddique Musib M. , Frost Michelle L. , Moore Amelia E. B. , Blake Glen M.
Published: October 2021

[18F]NaF PET measurements of bone metabolic flux (Ki) are conventionally obtained with 60-min dynamic scans analysed using the Hawkins model. However, long scan times make this method expensive and uncomfortable for subjects. Therefore, we evaluated and compared measurements of Ki with shorter scan times analysed with fixed values of the Hawkins model rate constants. The scans were acquired in a trial in 30 postmenopausal women, half treated with teriparatide (TPT) and half untreated. Sixty-minute PET-CT scans of both hips were acquired at baseline and week 12 after injection with 180 MBq [18F]NaF. Scans were analysed using the Hawkins model by fitting bone time–activity curves at seven volumes of interest (VOIs) with a semi-population arterial input function. The model was re-run with fixed rate-constants for dynamic scan times from 0–12 min increasing in 4-min steps up to 0–60 min. Using the Hawkins model with fixed rate-constants, Ki measurements with statistical power equivalent or superior to conventionally analysed 60-min dynamic scans were obtained with scan times as short as 12 min.
Sago Haemolytic Disease: A Case Due to Climate-Induced Food Insecurity in Western Province, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Seymour Mikaela
Published: October 2021

Sago haemolytic disease (SHD) is a rare but significant condition presenting in sago starch-eating populations in Western Province, Papua New Guinea. Although rare, case fatality rates are high, and no known antidote is available. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but it is believed to be secondary to mycotoxins produced by fungi in old sago. In this case report, a 50-year-old female was treated in a low-resource setting in Middle Fly, with fluid resuscitation and transfusion, making a full recovery without complications. The mainstay of treatment for SHD is intravenous fluid resuscitation and strict fluid balance, which can be achieved in even the most remote Western Province aid post. Increased food insecurity, secondary to climate change, may see the incidence of this condition increase. Therefore, all health workers in Western Province should be comfortable with fluid resuscitation and fluid balance practices.
Evaluating RNA Structural Flexibility: Viruses Lead the Way
Authors: Fairman Connor W. , Lever Andrew M. L. , Kenyon Julia C.
Published: October 2021

Our understanding of RNA structure has lagged behind that of proteins and most other biological polymers, largely because of its ability to adopt multiple, and often very different, functional conformations within a single molecule. Flexibility and multifunctionality appear to be its hallmarks. Conventional biochemical and biophysical techniques all have limitations in solving RNA structure and to address this in recent years we have seen the emergence of a wide diversity of techniques applied to RNA structural analysis and an accompanying appreciation of its ubiquity and versatility. Viral RNA is a particularly productive area to study in that this economy of function within a single molecule admirably suits the minimalist lifestyle of viruses. Here, we review the major techniques that are being used to elucidate RNA conformational flexibility and exemplify how the structure and function are, as in all biology, tightly linked.
Repeated MDA5 Gene Loss in Birds: An Evolutionary Perspective
Authors: Krchlíková Veronika , Hron Tomáš , Těšický Martin , Li Tao , Hejnar Jiří , Vinkler Michal , Elleder Daniel
Published: October 2021

Two key cytosolic receptors belonging to the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptor (RLR) family sense the viral RNA-derived danger signals: RIG-I and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5). Their activation establishes an antiviral state by downstream signaling that ultimately activates interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). While in rare cases RIG-I gene loss has been detected in mammalian and avian species, most notably in the chicken, MDA5 pseudogenization has only been detected once in mammals. We have screened over a hundred publicly available avian genome sequences and describe an independent disruption of MDA5 in two unrelated avian lineages, the storks (Ciconiiformes) and the rallids (Gruiformes). The results of our RELAX analysis confirmed the absence of negative selection in the MDA5 pseudogene. In contrast to our prediction, we have shown, using multiple dN/dS-based approaches, that the MDA5 loss does not appear to have resulted in any compensatory evolution in the RIG-I gene, which may partially share its ligand-binding specificity. Together, our results indicate that the MDA5 pseudogenization may have important functional effects on immune responsiveness in these two avian clades.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a Dog in Connecticut in February 2021
Authors: Lee Dong-Hun , Helal Zeinab H. , Kim Junwon , Hunt Amelia , Barbieri Alyza , Tocco Natalie , Frasca Salvatore , Kerr Kirklyn , Hyeon Ji-Yeon , Chung David H. , Risatti Guillermo
Published: October 2021

We report the first detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a 3-month-old dog in Connecticut that died suddenly and was submitted to the state veterinary diagnostic laboratory for postmortem examination. Viral RNA was detected in multiple organs of the dog by reverse transcription real time-PCR (RT-qPCR). Negative and positive sense strands of viral RNA were visualized by in situ hybridization using RNAscope technology. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the hCoV-19/USA/CT-CVMDL-Dog-1/2021 (CT_Dog/2021) virus were conducted to identify the origin and lineage of the virus. The CT_Dog/2021 virus belonged to the GH/B1.2. genetic lineage and was genetically similar to SARS-CoV-2 identified in humans in the U.S. during the winter of 2020–2021. However, it was not related to other SARS-CoV-2 variants identified from companion animals in the U.S. It contained both the D614G in spike and P323L in nsp12 substitutions, which have become the dominant mutations in the United States. The continued sporadic detections of SARS-CoV-2 in companion animals warrant public health concerns about the zoonotic potential of SARS-CoV-2 and enhance our collective understanding of the epidemiology of the virus.
Impairment of CD4+ T and Memory B Cell Responses but Normal Memory CD8+T-Cell Activation on Crohn’s Disease after COVID-19 Vaccination: A Twin Case
Authors: Melgaço Fabiana Gil , Azamor Tamiris , Villar Livia Melo , Ano Bom Ana Paula Dinis , Melgaço Juliana Gil
Published: October 2021

Vaccines to prevent the impact of SARS-CoV-2 are now available, including for patients with autoimmune diseases. However, there is no information about how inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment could impact the cellular and humoral immune responses. This study evaluated SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and cellular responses after vaccination with a two-dose schedule in a Crohn’s disease patient treated with Infliximab (10 mg/kg); we included comparisons with a monozygotic twin. The results showed that the Crohn’s disease’s twin (twin 2) had no antibody detection and reduced activation of CD4+ T cell responses, unlike the twin without the autoimmune disease (twin 1). Twin 2 developed antigen-specific central memory CD8+ T-cells and IFNγ production after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination, similar to twin 1. These findings elucidated the role of T-cell immunity after COVID-19 immunization on IBD patients despite the lack of antibody production. Finally, our observation supports the consensus recommendation for IBD patients to receive COVID-19 vaccines.
COVEVOL: Natural Evolution at 6 Months of COVID-19
Authors: Messin Louise , Puyraveau Marc , Benabdallah Yousri , Lepiller Quentin , Gendrin Vincent , Zayet Souheil , Klopfenstein Timothée , Toko Lynda , Pierron Alix , Royer Pierre-Yves
Published: October 2021

Many studies have investigated post-COVID symptoms, but the predictors of symptom persistence remain unknown. The objective was to describe the natural course of the disease at 6 months and to identify possible factors favoring the resurgence or persistence of these symptoms. COVEVOL is a retrospective observational descriptive study of 74 patients. All patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR from March 2020 were included. We compared a group with symptom persistence (PS group) with another group without symptom persistence (no-PS group). Fifty-three out of seventy-four patients (71.62%) described at least one persistent symptom at 6 months of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the PS group, 56.6% were women and the average age was 54.7 years old [21–89.2] ± 16.9. The main symptoms were asthenia (56.6%, n = 30), dyspnea (34%, n = 18), anxiety (32.1% n = 17), anosmia (24.5%, n = 13) and agueusia (15.1% n = 8). Ten patients (13.51%) presented a resurgence in symptoms. Patients in the PS group were older (p = 0.0048), had a higher BMI (p = 0.0071), and were more frequently hospitalized (p = 0.0359) compared to the no-PS group. Odynophagia and nasal obstruction were less present in the inaugural symptoms of COVID-19 in the PS group (p = 0.0202 and p = 0.0332). Persistent post-COVID syndromes are common and identification of contributing factors is necessary for understanding this phenomenon and appropriate management.
Transcriptome Analysis in the Head Kidney of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Immunized with a Combined Vaccine of Formalin-Inactivated Aeromonas salmonicida and Vibrio anguillarum
Authors: Lim Jongwon , Hong Suhee
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to identify the molecular mechanisms regulated by a combined vaccine against Aeromonas salmonicida and Vibrio anguillarum (O1 serotype). These bacteria cause furunculosis and vibriosis, respectively, and are associated with a high mortality in rainbow trout in Korea. The vaccine upregulated gene expression of TCRα, T-bet, sIgM, and mIgM, markers of an activated adaptive immune response. On days 1, 3, and 5, transcriptome analysis revealed 862 (430 up- and 432 downregulated), 492 (204 up- and 288 downregulated), and 741 (270 up- and 471 downregulated) differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis identified 377 (108 MF, 132 CC, 137 BP), 302 (60 MF, 180 CC, 62 BP), and 314 (115 MF, 129 CC, 70 BP) GOs at days 1, 3, and 5, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genetic and Genomic enrichment analysis identified eight immune system-related pathways like cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, NF-kappaB signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, cytosolic DNA sensing pathway, cell adhesion molecule, complement and coagulation cascade, and antigen processing and presentation. In the analysis of the protein–protein interaction of immune-related DEGs, a total of 59, 21, and 21 interactional relationships were identified at days 1, 3, and 5, respectively, with TNF having the highest centrality at all three time points.
An Advax-Adjuvanted Inactivated Cell-Culture Derived Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Induces Broadly Neutralising Anti-Flavivirus Antibodies, Robust Cellular Immunity and Provides Single Dose Protection
Authors: Komiya Tomoyoshi , Honda-Okubo Yoshikazu , Baldwin Jeremy , Petrovsky Nikolai
Published: October 2021

ccJE+Advax is an inactivated cell culture Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine formulated with Advax, a novel polysaccharide adjuvant based on delta inulin. This vaccine has previously shown promise in murine and equine studies and the current study sought to better understand its mechanism of action and assess the feasibility of single dose vaccine protection. Mice immunised with ccJE+Advax had higher serum neutralisation titres than those immunised with ccJE alone or with alum adjuvant. ccJE+Advax induced extraordinarily broad cross-neutralising antibodies against multiple flaviviruses including West Nile virus (WNV), Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV), St Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and Dengue virus-1 and -2 (DENV-1 and -2). Notably, the DENV-2 cross-neutralising antibodies from ccJE+Advax immunised mice uniquely had no DENV-2 antibody-dependent infection enhancement (ADIE) activity, in contrast to high ADIE activity seen with DENV-1 cross-reactive antibodies induced by mbJE or ccJE alone or with alum adjuvant. JEV-stimulated splenocytes from ccJE+Advax immunised mice showed increased IL-17 and IFN-γ production, consistent with a mixed Th1 and Th17 response, whereas ccJE-alum was associated with production of mainly Th2 cytokines. In a mouse lethal challenge study against highly virulent JaTH160 JEV strain, ccJE+Advax conferred complete protection in a two-dose schedule with 50 ng of vaccine antigen and near complete protection after a single 200 ng dose of vaccine antigen. There is an ongoing lack of human vaccines against particular flaviviruses, including WNV, SLEV and MVEV. Given its ability to provide single-dose JEV protection and induce broadly neutralising antibodies devoid of ADIE activity, ccJE+Advax vaccine could be useful in situations where rapid protection is desirable, e.g., during a local outbreak or for use in travellers or armies requiring rapid deployment to JEV endemic regions.
A Scoping Review to Find Out Worldwide COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Its Underlying Determinants
Authors: Biswas Md. Rafiul , Alzubaidi Mahmood Saleh , Shah Uzair , Abd-Alrazaq Alaa A. , Shah Zubair
Published: October 2021

Background: The current crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic is impacting all facets of life. Coronavirus vaccines have been developed to prevent coronavirus infection and fight the pandemic. Since vaccines might be the only way to prevent and stop the spread of coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already approved several vaccines, and many countries have started vaccinating people. Misperceptions about vaccines persist despite the evidence of vaccine safety and efficacy. Objectives: To explore the scientific literature and find the determinants for worldwide COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy as reported in the literature. Methods: PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were followed to conduct a scoping review of literature on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and willingness to vaccinate. Several databases (e.g., MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar) were searched to find relevant articles. Intervention- (i.e., COVID-19 vaccine) and outcome- (i.e., hesitancy) related terms were used to search in these databases. The search was conducted on 22 February 2021. Both forward and backward reference lists were checked to find further studies. Three reviewers worked independently to select articles and extract data from selected literature. Studies that used a quantitative survey to measure COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance were included in this review. The extracted data were synthesized following the narrative approach and results were represented graphically with appropriate figures and tables. Results: 82 studies were included in this scoping review of 882 identified from our search. Sometimes, several studies had been performed in the same country, and it was observed that vaccine hesitancy was high earlier and decreased over time with the hope of vaccine efficacy. People in different countries had varying percentages of vaccine uptake (28–86.1%), vaccine hesitancy (10–57.8%), vaccine refusal (0–24%). The most common determinants affecting vaccination intention include vaccine efficacy, vaccine side effects, mistrust in healthcare, religious beliefs, and trust in information sources. Additionally, vaccination intentions are influenced by demographic factors such as age, gender, education, and region. Conclusions: The underlying factors of vaccine hesitancy are complex and context-specific, varying across time and socio-demographic variables. Vaccine hesitancy can also be influenced by other factors such as health inequalities, socioeconomic disadvantages, systemic racism, and level of exposure to misinformation online, with some factors being more dominant in certain countries than others. Therefore, strategies tailored to cultures and socio-psychological factors need to be developed to reduce vaccine hesitancy and aid informed decision-making.
Immunofluorescent Localization of Plakoglobin Is Altered in Endomyocardial Biopsy Samples from Dogs with Clinically Relevant Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
Authors: Oxford Eva M. , Pariaut Romain , Tursi Massimiliano , Fox Philip R. , Santilli Roberto A.
Published: October 2021

Diagnosing the early stages of canine Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is complicated by day-to-day arrhythmia variability, and absence of reliable, transthoracic echocardiographic features. Definitive diagnosis requires histopathologic identification of transmural fibrofatty replacement of the right ventricle. Reduction of immunofluorescent signal for plakoglobin (PG) at the intercalated disc (ID) is reported in ARVC-affected humans and boxers. Our objective was to determine whether reduced immunofluorescent signal for PG in endomyocardial biopsy samples (EMBs) correspond with a histopathologic diagnosis of ARVC. Here, 49 dogs were evaluated: 43 with advanced cardiac disease and 6 non-clinical boxers with mild to moderate ventricular arrhythmia (VA) burden. EMBs were obtained from all dogs; samples were prepared with antibodies recognizing cadherin (PC) and PG and evaluated with confocal microscopy. Investigators were blinded to breed and clinical status. ARVC was histopathologically diagnosed in 8 out of 49 dogs. Of these, three out of eight had clinical signs consistent with ARVC (two boxers, one English bulldog) and reduced PG signal at ID; five out of eight were non-clinical boxers with moderate VA and no reduction in PG. A total of 41 out of 49 dogs were histopathologically diagnosed with non-ARVC cardiac disease; 1 out of 41 showed reduction of PG at ID, while 40 out of 41 had no PG reduction. These results suggest that EMB PG signal is reduced in dogs with advanced ARVC, but not in the occult phase of the disease. Additionally, presence of PG at ID supports a diagnosis of non-ARVC cardiac disease in dogs with clinical signs. These results may offer an additional test that helps differentiate advanced ARVC from other myocardial diseases.
Assessing the Efficacy of Albendazole against Fasciola hepatica in Naturally Infected Cattle by In Vivo and In Vitro Methods
Authors: Babják Michal , Königová Alžbeta , Burcáková Ľudmila , Komáromyová Michaela , Dolinská Michaela , Várady Marián
Published: October 2021

This study was performed on a cattle farm with a long-term use of albendazole (ABZ) and a permanent history of fasciolosis for comparing in vivo and in vitro methods for the detection of anthelmintic resistance and drug efficacy. A selected group of 10 Charolais cows was treated in autumn 2020 with ABZ at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg body weight. Another group of 10 cows remained untreated as a control. The faecal egg count reduction test was used to determine in vivo efficacy. The percentage reduction of eggs on day 14 after treatment ranged from 77 to 81.8%, depending on the formula used for calculation. The in vitro egg hatch test (EHT) was used as a second diagnostic method. F. hepatica eggs for the EHT were isolated from faecal samples. The test was performed in two versions differing in the length of incubation with ABZ (12 h and 15 d). The percentage of eggs with inhibited development at a concentration of 0.5 μM in both versions of the EHT agreed with the in vivo results. Ovicidal activity at a concentration of 0.5 μM in the 12-h version suggested a reduced efficacy of ABZ (65.40%). An EHT prepared using pooled faecal samples was a prospective method for the detection of efficacy and ABZ resistance in F. hepatica.