bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Environmental Cost of Attracting FDI: An Empirical Investigation in Brazil
Authors: Polloni-Silva Eduardo , Roiz Guilherme Augusto , Mariano Enzo Barberio , Moralles Herick Fernando , Rebelatto Daisy Aparecida Nascimento
Published: April 2022

Many emerging economies seek to increase their Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to achieve some promised benefits, such as economic growth and advanced technologies. Nevertheless, FDI does not represent a random investment decision, and international literature demonstrates that foreign investors are mostly interested in fast-growing regions. Therefore, this study uses traditional panel data econometrics coupled with Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to investigate the environmental impact in regions with great potential to attract foreign investments (e.g., more advanced regions with growing infrastructure), therefore analyzing the environmental cost of attracting FDI. Additionally, this study employs regional data from the ‘Atlas of FDI in the State of São Paulo’ to investigate the environmental effects of FDI in the periphery, where attractiveness levels are low. The results indicate that regions with higher attractiveness levels prepare a pollutant development strategy and that FDI in less-developed regions is harmful to the environment. The results point to new perspectives on the FDI–environment debate and suggest that attracting FDI is environmentally costly. Also, FDI is heterogeneous, with its presence in peripheral areas being harmful to the environment. To conclude, we discuss these results and present an agenda for future research.
Analysis of the Impact of Industrial Land Price Distortion on Overcapacity in the Textile Industry and Its Sustainability in China
Authors: Ju Xiaoying , Li Huizhao , Yao Peng , Liu Jianxu , Chen Fei , Sriboonchitta Songsak
Published: April 2022

At present, China is faced with a situation of unbalanced regional economic development. The report of the 19th session of the national congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out that we should accelerate the implementation of the strategy of coordinated regional development. However, this study finds that, in the process of “leaving the cage and changing birds”, the number of enterprises in the textile industry in the eastern region has risen again, which, in turn, has led to overcapacity and has seriously affected the sustainable development of the textile industry. The present study finds that the increasingly distorted price of industrial land is the root cause of the “surge phenomenon” of enterprises in the textile industry and overcapacity. Therefore, China’s central government should be fully aware of the negative impact of the distorted price of industrial land on the sustainable development of textile industry. Efforts must be made to solve the problems of the excessive influx of textile enterprises, overcapacity, and unsustainability in the eastern region in three aspects. Specifically, the land transfer procedure should be standardized, the motivation of local governments’ land attracting investment should be curbed, and the introduction of high-quality enterprises should be paid attention to.
Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Isolation Using Graphene Oxide for Alternative Radiopharmaceutical Spillage Decontamination in PET Scan
Authors: Razab Mohammad Khairul Azhar Abdul , Nawi Norazlina Mat , Hadzuan Fara Hana Mohd , Abdullah Nor Hakimin , Muhamad Maimanah , Sunaiwi Rosidah , Ibrahim Fathirah , Zin Farah Amanina Mohd , Noor An’amt Mohamed
Published: April 2022

Radiopharmaceuticals (RPC) used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in nuclear medicine may contaminate surface areas due to spillage during its preparation or accident during RPC transfer from laboratory to the treatment room. Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) is the most common RPC for positron emission tomography (PET) scan in nuclear medicine due to its ideal annihilation converted energy at 511 keV and short half-life at 109.8 min. Ineffective medical waste management of 18F-FDG may pose a risk to the environment or cause unnecessary radiation doses to the personnel and public. Depending on the incident rate of these events, simple decontamination methods such as the use of chemicals and swabs might not be cost-effective and sustainable in the environment. This study aims to propose an alternative method to decontaminate 18F-FDG by using graphene oxide (GO). GO was synthesised using the Hummers method while the physical morphology was analysed using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). 18F-FDG adsorption efficiency rate using GO nanolayers was analysed based on the kinetic study of the GO:18F-FDG mixtures. The chemical adsorbability of the material was analysed via UV–vis spectrophotometer to interlink the microstructures of GO with the sorption affinity interaction. Resultantly, the adsorption rate was effective at a slow decay rate and the optical adsorption of GO with 18F-FDG was dominated by the π → π* plasmon peak, which was near 230 nm. By elucidating the underlining GO special features, an alternative technique to isolate 18F-FDG for the decontamination process was successfully proven.
The Impact of Urban Education on the Income Gap of Urban Residents: Evidence from Central China
Authors: Kan Daxue , Lyu Lianju , Huang Weichiao , Yao Wenqing
Published: April 2022

It is very important for a country’s sustainable economic and social development to reduce the income gap between urban residents. Through investigating the impact of urban education level and its different levels on the income gap of urban residents in Central China, this paper provides the basis for formulating scientific and rational urban education development policies in Central China. Based on Central China’s urban dynamic panel data, this paper examines the impact by using the system GMM (Generalized Method of Moments). The results show that overall, the improvement of urban education level helps to narrow the income gap of urban residents in Central China cities. Specifically, improvement of primary education level and secondary education level helps to narrow the income gap of urban residents, and improvement of higher education level enlarges the income gap of urban residents. Nonetheless, with further development of higher education in the cities, the income structure of lower-middle-income and low-income groups will be optimized, and subsequently higher education in cities will probably narrow the income gap between urban residents. In terms of the type of cities, improvement of education level in provincial capitals widens the income gap of urban residents, and improvement of education level in prefecture-level cities and county-level cities helps to narrow the income gap of urban residents. For all three types of cities, improvement of primary education level helps to narrow the income gap of urban residents, and the improvement of higher education level widens the income gap of urban residents. The improvement of secondary education level widens the income gap of urban residents in provincial capital cities but reduces the income gap of residents in prefecture-level cities and county-level cities. The policy implication from this study is that, to effectively and expeditiously narrow the income gap of urban residents in Central China, prefecture-level and county-level cities need to vigorously develop urban education, especially urban primary education and secondary education. At the same time, cities in Central China also need to actively develop higher education. Although the income gap of urban residents might be widened temporarily in the short term, the development of urban higher education will increase property income and net operating income of the local middle-low-income and low-income groups in the long term. Ultimately this policy would optimize the income structure of local urban residents and narrow the income gap of urban residents.
Deciphering Learning Motivation in Open Distance Learning towards Sustainable Medical Education
Authors: Lee Jun Xin , Ahmad Azman Ahmad Hathim , Ng Jing Yi , Ismail Noor Akmal Shareela
Published: April 2022

Open distance learning has become a new norm in medical education since the COVID-19 pandemic. The abrupt shift from conventional medical education to fully virtual learning deserves a reflection on how it affected the learning motivation among medical students. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effect of open distance learning on their learning motivation during this pandemic period, with suggestions to improve through reflections and recommendations. This qualitative study involved 152 medical students undertaking the Doctor of Medicine program in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. All data were collected through a validated questionnaire. We found that medical students portrayed intrinsic motivation—mainly self-motivation, self-discipline, and self-adaptation—in open distance learning during the pandemic period. Feedback from medical students also showed that they advocated a better internet connection, innovative teaching, and learning, as well as new appropriate assessment methods and strengthening of the learning management system for a sustainable open distance learning outcome. Hence, medical educators should be creative in making use of open distance learning as an attractive complementary platform in medical education to ensure life-long learning.
Residents and Professionals’ Perspectives on Energy and Water Consumption While Transiting from Conventional to Sustainable Housings in South Africa
Authors: Dlamini Lindelwa Nonjabulo , Yessoufou Kowiyou
Published: April 2022

The concept of sustainable construction is, unfortunately, not implemented in many developing countries, and even where it is, e.g., South Africa, the uptake is still slow. In the present study, we evaluate, based on residents and professionals’ perspectives, the sustainability measures implemented at the Belhar Gardens Rental Estate (BGRE), a sustainable housing rated for its Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to experienced professionals (n = 19) and residents (n = 106) of BGRE and analysed using descriptive statistics and a modelling approach. We found that 95% of professionals were aware of the concept of sustainable construction, and 74% were aware of the National Building Act 103 of 1977. However, some barriers to sustainable construction were raised: (i) it is expensive and (ii) there is a limited knowledge of how the sustainability concept can benefit the construction industry. Ecological design and procurement are the solutions proposed by professionals to mainstream sustainable construction in South Africa. Finally, 63% of the professionals indicated that the centralized heat pumps installed in BGRE lead to efficient energy use. Surprisingly, only 61% of residents are aware that energy-saving measures are implemented in BGRE, and only 40% of the residents agree that the energy-saving measures implemented are efficient. Interestingly, 65% of residents indicated that energy consumption in BGRE is less than what they consumed in conventional housings. Finally, none of the variables tested (age, gender and residence time) correlate with residents’ satisfaction with sustainability measures in BGRE, making it difficult to predict what drives people’s satisfaction in an EDGE-rated housing. By identifying the barriers and benefits of sustainable construction, we provide opportunities on which to press to improve the awareness, mainstreaming and uptake of the sustainable construction approach in South Africa.
Nitrate Removal by Zero-Valent Metals: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Curcio Giulia Maria , Limonti Carlo , Siciliano Alessio , Kabdaşlı Işık
Published: April 2022

Nitrate is a widespread water contaminant that can pose environmental and health risks. Various conventional techniques can be applied for the removal of nitrate from water and wastewater, such as biological denitrification, ion exchange, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis. Compared to traditional methods, the chemical denitrification through zero-valent metals offers various advantages, such as lower costs, simplicity of management, and high efficiencies. The most utilized material for chemical denitrification is zero-valent iron (ZVI). Aluminium (ZVA), magnesium (ZVM), copper (ZVC), and zinc (ZVZ) are alternative zero-valent metals that are studied for the removal of nitrate from water as well as from aqueous solutions. To the best of our knowledge, a comprehensive work on the use of the various zero-valent materials that are employed for the removal of nitrate is still missing. Therefore, in the present review, the most recent papers concerning the use of zero-valent materials for chemical denitrification were analysed. The studies that dealt with zero-valent iron were discussed by considering microscopic (mZVI) and nanoscopic (nZVI) forms. For each Fe0 form, the effects of the initial pH, the presence or absence of dissolved oxygen, the initial nitrate concentration, the temperature, and the dissolved ions on the nitrate removal process were separately evaluated. Finally, the different materials that were employed as support for the nanoparticles were examined. For the other zero-valent metals tested, a detailed description of the works present in the literature was carried out. A comparison of the various features that are related to each considered material was also made.
Evaluation of a Polyester Filter and UV Light (PFUV) Dehumidifier to Improve Indoor Environmental Quality: Preliminary Results
Authors: Al-Rawi Mohammad , Farid Mohammed M. , Jones Rhys J. , Louie Ken
Published: April 2022

Older residential dwellings in New Zealand frequently suffer from poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ) due to an ageing housing stock. Recent New Zealand surveys indicated around 50% of children live in houses that do not meet acceptable standards for thermal comfort. Children in these houses frequently experience respiratory conditions caused by dampness and mould during winter. New regulatory standards requiring a fixed heating source in the main living room of rental houses can increase rents and may result in the heating source not being utilized. This study evaluates an alternative low-cost portable air filter/sterilizer (PFUV) dehumidifier device for improving IEQ within the building envelope using Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) and a polyester filter (dual-10 30/30). This paper compares the effectiveness of the PFUV dehumidifier device and a conventional heat pump in terms of measured particulate matters as well as fungal profiles using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates. The PFUV dehumidifier successfully reduced the relative humidity to within a healthy range of (44–49%) compared to not running the device (54–60%), thereby reducing the suitability of the environment for mould growth. Additionally, the PFUV device achieved a reduction in average particulate matter (PM2.5) to within the range of 0.16 to 0.53 µg/m³ compared to the range of 1.06 to 2.42 µg/m³ before using the device.
Beyond Profitable Shifts to Green Energies, towards Energy Sustainability
Authors: Khatami Farboud , Goharian Erfan
Published: April 2022

The traditional carbon-based approach towards sustainability has long caused the concepts of green and sustainable energies to be used interchangeably. Recent studies have tried to advance this archaic view by considering more aspects of sustainability. However, almost all major studies have been concerned with only the economic and environmental aspects of electricity generation, whereas the concept of sustainability is beyond these two criteria. In this paper, we seek to provide a methodology for a more comprehensive definition of electricity generation sustainability based on the lessons learned from previous studies and additional metrics suggested by them. The main characteristics of select electricity generation technologies were studied, and their environmental, economic, social, and technical criteria as well as the uncertainties associated with them were selected as the four major factors in our paper. It has also been argued that the utilization of regional resources in addition to the inherent characteristics of electricity generation technologies is vital in providing a realistic view of sustainability. Of the sustainability assessment methods previously introduced, the Relative Aggregate Footprint (RAF) method was used in conjunction with the previously selected criteria as the basis of the study due to its ability to incorporate additional criteria and regional considerations. As such, the framework for sustainability assessment presented in this research accounts for major criteria identified in the literature and takes the available regional resources that affect the feasibility of each electricity technology into account. This study paves the way for the presentation of new guidelines for the creation of more comprehensive electricity generation sustainability measures to distinguish between the concepts of green and profitable vs. sustainable energies to support the development of sustainable energy portfolios.
Hermite–Hadamard Type Inclusions for Interval-Valued Coordinated Preinvex Functions
Authors: Lai Kin Keung , Mishra Shashi Kant , Bisht Jaya , Hassan Mohd
Published: April 2022

The connection between generalized convexity and symmetry has been studied by many authors in recent years. Due to this strong connection, generalized convexity and symmetry have arisen as a new topic in the subject of inequalities. In this paper, we introduce the concept of interval-valued preinvex functions on the coordinates in a rectangle from the plane and prove Hermite–Hadamard type inclusions for interval-valued preinvex functions on coordinates. Further, we establish Hermite–Hadamard type inclusions for the product of two interval-valued coordinated preinvex functions. These results are motivated by the symmetric results obtained in the recent article by Kara et al. in 2021 on weighted Hermite–Hadamard type inclusions for products of coordinated convex interval-valued functions. Our established results generalize and extend some recent results obtained in the existing literature. Moreover, we provide suitable examples in the support of our theoretical results.
Image Quality Assessment Based on Three Features Fusion in Three Fusion Steps
Authors: Shi Chenyang , Lin Yandan
Published: April 2022

The objective image quality assessment (IQA) method was developed to replace subjective observer image quality evaluations in various applications. A reliable full reference color IQA method that allows reference and distorted images to be compared in a symmetric way is designed via three fusion steps described in this article. The three fusion steps include luminance channels fusion, similarity maps fusion, and features fusion. A fusion weight coefficient is designed to fuse the luminance channels of input images as an enhancement operator for features. The extracted SR (spectral residual), gradient, and chrominance features, by means of symmetric calculations for the reference and distorted images, are conducted via similarity fusion processing. Then, based on the human visual system (HVS) characteristics of achromatic and chromatic information receiving, a features fusion map represents the weighted sum of three similarity fusion maps. Finally, a deviation pooling strategy is utilized to export the quality score after features fusion. The novel method is called the features fusion similarity index (FFS). Various experiments are carried out based on statistical evaluation criteria to optimize the parameters of FFS, after which the proposed method of FFS is compared with other state-of-the-art IQA methods using large-scale benchmark single distortion databases. The results show that FFS performs with higher consistency with respect to subjective scores in terms of prediction accuracy, e.g., the PLCC can achieve at least 0.9116 accuracy and at most 0.9774 accuracy for four databases. In addition, the average running time of FFS is 0.0657 s—a value representing a higher computational efficiency.
Energy Efficiency Optimization of Massive MIMO System with Uplink Multi-Cell Based on Imperfect CSI with Power Control
Authors: Zhang Jie , Deng Honggui , Li Youzhen , Zhu Zaoxing , Liu Gang , Liu Hongmei
Published: April 2022

In order to solve the energy efficiency optimization problem in the uplink multi-cell massive MIMO system, this paper constructs the system transmission model, of which the channel is symmetry, based on user and base station, and deduces the expression of data transmission rate of each user. Then, we establish a model of the spectral and energy efficiency of multi-cell massive MIMO system by analyzing the pilot transmission and channel estimation. We also derive the nonconvex function for the energy efficiency optimization, which is difficult to solve directly. Therefore, we propose an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm to obtain the suboptimal solution, under low complexity, by optimizing the distribution of user power. To demonstrate the advantages of our proposed algorithm, we simulate the energy efficiency performance of the algorithm. The results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively improve the energy efficiency of the system.
A Novel 2D Clustering Algorithm Based on Recursive Topological Data Structure
Authors: Osuna-Galán Ismael , Pérez-Pimentel Yolanda , Aviles-Cruz Carlos
Published: April 2022

In the field of data science and data mining, the problem associated with clustering features and determining its optimum number is still under research consideration. This paper presents a new 2D clustering algorithm based on a mathematical topological theory that uses a pseudometric space and takes into account the local and global topological properties of the data to be clustered. Taking into account cluster symmetry property, from a metric and mathematical-topological point of view, the analysis was carried out only in the positive region, reducing the number of calculations in the clustering process. The new clustering theory is inspired by the thermodynamics principle of energy. Thus, both topologies are recursively taken into account. The proposed model is based on the interaction of particles defined through measuring homogeneous-energy criterion. Based on the energy concept, both general and local topologies are taken into account for clustering. The effect of the integration of a new element into the cluster on homogeneous-energy criterion is analyzed. If the new element does not alter the homogeneous-energy of a group, then it is added; otherwise, a new cluster is created. The mathematical-topological theory and the results of its application on public benchmark datasets are presented.
A q-Difference Equation and Fourier Series Expansions of q-Lidstone Polynomials
Authors: Al-Towailb Maryam
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we present the q-Lidstone polynomials which are q-Bernoulli polynomials generated by the third Jackson q-Bessel function, based on the Green’s function of a certain q-difference equation. Also, we provide the q-Fourier series expansions of these polynomials and derive some results related to them.
Qualitative Study for a Delay Quadratic Functional Integro-Differential Equation of Arbitrary (Fractional) Orders
Authors: El-Sayed Ahmed M. A. , Hamdallah Eman M. A. , Ba-Ali Malak M. S.
Published: April 2022

Symmetry analysis has been applied to solve many differential equations, although determining the symmetries can be computationally intensive compared to other solution methods. In this work, we study some operators which keep the set of solutions invariant. We discuss the existence of solutions for two initial value problems of a delay quadratic functional integro-differential equation of arbitrary (fractional) orders and its corresponding integer orders equation. The existence of the maximal and the minimal solutions is proved. The sufficient condition for the uniqueness of the solutions is given. The continuous dependence of the unique solution on some data is studied. The continuation of the arbitrary (fractional) orders problem to the integer order problem is investigated.
An Infrared and Visible Fusion Framework Based on a Novel Decomposition Method
Authors: Xiao Rui , Cheng Feiyan , Shi Junsheng , Wang Yuanfangzhou , Li Chengli
Published: April 2022

Image fusion is one of the most rapidly evolving fields in image processing today, and its applications are widely expanded in various fields. In the field of image fusion, the method based on multi-scale decomposition plays an important role. However, it faces many difficult puzzles, such as the risk of over-smoothing during decomposition, blurring of fusion results, and loss of details. Aiming at these problems, this paper proposes a novel decomposition-based image fusion framework, which overcomes the problems of noise, blurring, and loss of details. Both the symmetry and asymmetry between infrared and visible images are important research hotspots in this paper. The experiments confirmed that the fusion framework outperforms other methods in both subjective observation and objective evaluation.
Force, Power, and Morphology Asymmetries as Injury Risk Factors in Physically Active Men and Women
Authors: Koźlenia Dawid , Struzik Artur , Domaradzki Jarosław
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to investigate whether asymmetry of force, power, and tissue morphology are lower limbs (LL) injury risk factors in physically active adults. Fifty-eight men aged 23.8 ± 1.2 years and forty-seven women aged 23.3 ± 1.0 years were examined. Physical activity level was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and injury data were collected with the Injury History Questionnaire. The countermovement jump was performed to evaluate force and power. LL tissue composition was evaluated by a bioimpedance analyzer. The symmetry indices were calculated. A comparison between injured and non-injured subjects in both sexes was conducted to determine indices associated with injuries. The symmetry indices cut-off points were calculated to establish values indicating a significant injury risk increase, and logistic regression was performed. The relative peak force asymmetry above 4.049% was associated with increased injury risk in men. The LL skeletal muscle mass asymmetry above 3.584% was associated with a higher injury risk in women. Increased asymmetry in indicated indices by 1% was associated with 19.8% higher injury risk in men and 82.6% in women. Asymmetry proved to be an injury risk factor. However, a more suitable index for men is relative peak force asymmetry, whereas LL skeletal muscle mass asymmetry is more suitable for women.
A Single-Event Transient Radiation Hardened Low-Dropout Regulator for LC Voltage-Controlled Oscillator
Authors: Chen Xi , Guo Qiancheng , Yuan Hengzhou , Guo Yang
Published: April 2022

A voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is an essential part of the clock circuitry in satellite communication systems. Low-dropout regulators (LDO) provide stable voltage supply to the VCO and inevitably bring in new radiation-sensitive nodes. In this paper, by conducting single-event transient (SET) sensitivity analysis of LDO in voltage-regulated VCO, we find the sensitive nodes of LDO in oscillation circuits located on the relevant transistors that determine the bias voltage of the tail transistor in the error amplifier (EA). To immunize SET, a symmetrical hardening method combining sensitive node splitting and resistive-decoupling is proposed for the sensitive nodes. This method achieves 80.8% analog single-event transient (ASET) mitigation. This study was conducted in 28-nm CMOS process.
A Novel Public Opinion Polarization Model Based on BA Network
Authors: Ye Yuanjian , Zhang Renjie , Zhao Yiqing , Yu Yuanyuan , Du Wenxin , Chen Tinggui
Published: April 2022

At present, the polarization of online public opinion is becoming more frequent, and individuals actively participate in attitude interactions more and more frequently. Thus, online views have become the dominant force in current public opinion. However, the rapid fermentation of polarized public opinion makes it very easy for actual topic views to go to extremes. Significantly, negative information seriously affects the healthy development of the social opinion ecology. Therefore, it is beneficial to maintain national credibility, social peace, and stability by exploring the communication structure of online public opinions, analyzing the logical model of extreme public attitudes, and guiding the communication of public opinions in a timely and reasonable manner. Starting from the J–A model and BA network, this paper explores the specific attributes of individuals and opinion network nodes. By incorporating parameters such as individual conformity and the strength of individual online relationships, we established a model of online group attitude polarization, then conducted simulation experiments on the phenomenon of online opinion polarization. Through simulations, we found that individual conformity and the difference in environmental attitude greatly influence the direction of opinion polarization events. In addition, crowd mentality makes individuals spontaneously choose the side of a particular, extreme view, which makes it easier for polarization to form and reach its peak.
Biodegradation of Fumonisins by the Consecutive Action of a Fusion Enzyme
Authors: Li Kailin , Yu Song , Yu Dianzhen , Lin Huikang , Liu Na , Wu Aibo
Published: April 2022

Fumonisins (FBs) are toxic mycotoxins that commonly exist in food and feed. FBs can induce many aspects of toxicity, leading to adverse effects on human and animal health; therefore, investigating methods to reduce fumonisin contamination is necessary. In our study, we generated a recombinant fusion enzyme called FUMDI by linking the carboxylesterase gene (fumD) and the aminotransferase gene (fumI) by overlapping polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The fusion enzyme FUMDI was successfully, secretively expressed in the host Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris) GS115, and its expression was optimized. Our results demonstrated that the fusion enzyme FUMDI had high biodegradation activity of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and other common FBs, such as fumonisin B2 (FB2) and fumonisin B3 (FB3), and almost completely degraded 5 μg/mL of each toxin within 24 h. We also found that FUMDI enzyme and its reaction products had no negative effect on cell viability and did not induce cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in a human gastric epithelial cell line (GES-1). The results indicated that these FBs degradation products cannot have adverse effects in a cell model. In conclusion, a safe and efficient fumonisin-degrading enzyme was discovered, which could be a new a technical method for hazard control of FBs in the future.
Bardeen Black Holes in the Regularized 4D Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet Gravity
Authors: Kumar Arun , Walia Rahul Kumar , Ghosh Sushant G.
Published: April 2022

We obtain exact Bardeen black holes to the regularized 4D Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet (EGB) gravity minimally coupled with the nonlinear electrodynamics (NED). In turn, we analyze the horizon structure to determine the effect of GB parameter α on the minimum cutoff values of mass, M0, and magnetic monopole charge, g0, for the existence of a black hole horizon. We obtain an exact expression for thermodynamic quantities, namely, Hawking temperature T+, entropy S+, Helmholtz free energy F+, and specific heat C+ associated with the black hole horizon, and they show significant deviations from the 4D EGB case owing to NED. Interestingly, there exists a critical value of horizon radius, r+c, corresponding to the local maximum of Hawking temperature, at which heat capacity diverges, confirming the second-order phase transition. A discussion on the black holes of alternate regularized 4D EGB gravity belonging to the scalar-tensor theory is appended.
Historical and Scientific Evidence for the Origin and Cultural Importance to Australia’s First-Nations Peoples of the Laboratory Accession of Nicotiana benthamiana, a Model for Plant Virology
Authors: Wylie Steve , Li Hua
Published: April 2022

Nicotiana benthamiana is an indigenous plant species distributed across northern Australia. The laboratory accession (LAB) of N. benthamiana has become widely adopted as a model host for plant viruses, and it is distinct from other accessions morphologically, physiologically, and by having an attenuation-of-function mutation in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 1 (NbRdr1) gene, referred to as NbRdr1m. Recent historical evidence suggested LAB was derived from a 1936 collection by John Cleland at The Granites of the Northern Territory, although no scientific evidence was provided. We provide scientific evidence and further historical evidence supporting the origin of LAB as The Granites. Analysis of a herbarium specimen of N. benthamiana collected by Cleland in 1936 revealed that The Granites population contains plants heterozygous for the NbRdr1 locus, having both the functional NbRdr1 and the mutant NbRdr1m alleles. N. benthamiana was an important cultural asset actively utilised as the narcotic Pituri (chewing tobacco) by the Warlpiri Aboriginal people at the site, who prevented women of child-bearing age from consuming it. We propose that Aboriginal people selected some of the unique traits of LAB that have subsequently facilitated its adoption as a model plant, such as lack of seed dormancy, fast maturity, low nornicotine content, and gracility.
Preparation of a Single-Chain Antibody against Nucleocapsid Protein of Porcine Deltacoronavirus by Phage Display Technology
Authors: Zhang Yixuan , Song Yue , Ren Haojie , Zeng Quan , Yuan Yixin , Xia Lu , Wei Zhanyong
Published: April 2022

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) mainly causes severe diarrhea and intestinal pathological damage in piglets and poses a serious threat to pig farms. Currently, no effective reagents or vaccines are available to control PDCoV infection. Single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies can effectively inhibit virus infection and may be a potential therapeutic reagent for PDCoV treatment. In this study, a porcine phage display antibody library from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of piglets infected with PDCoV was constructed and used to select PDCoV-specific scFv. The library was screened with four rounds of biopanning using the PDCoV N protein, and the colony with the highest affinity to the PDCoV N protein was obtained (namely, N53). Then, the N53-scFv gene fragment was cloned into plasmid pFUSE-hIgG-Fc2 and expressed in HEK-293T cells. The scFv-Fc antibody N53 (namely, scFv N53) was purified using Protein A-sepharose. The reactive activity of the purified antibody with the PDCoV N protein was confirmed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Finally, the antigenic epitopes that the scFv N53 recognized were identified by a series of truncated PDCoV N proteins. The amino acid residues 82GELPPNDTPATTRVT96 of the PDCoV N protein were verified as the minimal epitope that can be recognized by the scFv-Fc antibody N53. In addition, the interaction between the scFv-Fc antibody N53 and the PDCoV N protein was further analyzed by molecule docking. In conclusion, our research provides some references for the treatment and prevention of PDCoV.
An Evaluation of Phylogenetic Workflows in Viral Molecular Epidemiology
Authors: Young Colin , Meng Sarah , Moshiri Niema
Published: April 2022

The use of viral sequence data to inform public health intervention has become increasingly common in the realm of epidemiology. Such methods typically utilize multiple sequence alignments and phylogenies estimated from the sequence data. Like all estimation techniques, they are error prone, yet the impacts of such imperfections on downstream epidemiological inferences are poorly understood. To address this, we executed multiple commonly used viral phylogenetic analysis workflows on simulated viral sequence data, modeling Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Ebolavirus, and we computed multiple methods of accuracy, motivated by transmission-clustering techniques. For multiple sequence alignment, MAFFT consistently outperformed MUSCLE and Clustal Omega, in both accuracy and runtime. For phylogenetic inference, FastTree 2, IQ-TREE, RAxML-NG, and PhyML had similar topological accuracies, but branch lengths and pairwise distances were consistently most accurate in phylogenies inferred by RAxML-NG. However, FastTree 2 was the fastest, by orders of magnitude, and when the other tools were used to optimize branch lengths along a fixed FastTree 2 topology, the resulting phylogenies had accuracies that were indistinguishable from their original counterparts, but with a fraction of the runtime.
Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 Performance in Austrian COVID-19 Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units with and without Diabetes
Authors: Aziz Faisal , Reisinger Alexander Christian , Aberer Felix , Sourij Caren , Tripolt Norbert , Siller-Matula Jolanta M. , von-Lewinski Dirk , Eller Philipp , Kaser Susanne , Sourij Harald ,   on behalf of the COVID-19 in Diabetes in Austria Study Group
Published: April 2022

This study evaluated and compared the performance of simplified acute physiology score 3 (SAPS 3) for predicting in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) with and without diabetes in Austria. The Austrian national public health institute (GÖG) data of COVID-19 patients admitted to ICUs (n = 5850) were analyzed. Three versions of SAPS 3 were used: standard equation, Central European equation, and Austrian equation customized for COVID-19 patients. The observed in-hospital mortality was 38.9%, 42.9%, and 37.3% in all, diabetes, and non-diabetes patients, respectively. The overall C-statistics was 0.69 with an insignificant (p = 0.193) difference between diabetes (0.70) and non-diabetes (0.68) patients. The Brier score was > 0.20 for all SAPS 3 equations in all cohorts. Calibration was unsatisfactory for both standard and Central European equations in all cohorts, whereas it was satisfactory for the Austrian equation in diabetes patients only. The SAPS 3 score demonstrated low discrimination and accuracy in Austrian COVID-19 patients, with an insignificant difference between diabetes and non-diabetes. All equations were miscalibrated particularly in non-diabetes patients, while the Austrian equation showed satisfactory calibration in diabetes patients only. Both uncalibrated and calibrated versions of SAPS 3 should be used with caution in COVID-19 patients.
Genome Profiling of SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia, ASEAN and the Neighbouring East Asian Countries: Features, Challenges and Achievements
Authors: Cahyani Inswasti , Putro Eko W. , Ridwanuloh Asep M. , Wibowo Satrio , Hariyatun Hariyatun , Syahputra Gita , Akbariani Gilang , Utomo Ahmad R. , Ilyas Mohammad , Loose Matthew , Kusharyoto Wien , Susanti Susanti
Published: April 2022

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has played a significant role in understanding the epidemiology and biology of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Here, we investigate the use of SARS-CoV-2 WGS in Southeast and East Asian countries as a genomic surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nottingham–Indonesia Collaboration for Clinical Research and Training (NICCRAT) initiative has facilitated collaboration between the University of Nottingham and a team in the Research Center for Biotechnology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), to carry out a small number of SARS-CoV-2 WGS in Indonesia using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT). Analyses of SARS- CoV-2 genomes deposited on GISAID reveal the importance of clinical and demographic metadata collection and the importance of open access and data sharing. Lineage and phylogenetic analyses of two periods defined by the Delta variant outbreak reveal that: (1) B.1.466.2 variants were the most predominant in Indonesia before the Delta variant outbreak, having a unique spike gene mutation N439K at more than 98% frequency, (2) Delta variants AY.23 sub-lineage took over after June 2021, and (3) the highest rate of virus transmissions between Indonesia and other countries was through interactions with Singapore and Japan, two neighbouring countries with a high degree of access and travels to and from Indonesia.
Comparison of Aerosol Stability of Different Variants of Ebola Virus and Marburg Virus and Virulence of Aerosolised Ebola Virus in an Immune-Deficient Mouse
Authors: Smither Sophie J. , Eastaugh Lin S. , Lever Mark S.
Published: April 2022

During outbreaks of virus diseases, many variants may appear, some of which may be of concern. Stability in an aerosol of several Ebola virus and Marburg virus variants was investigated. Studies were performed measuring aerosol survival using the Goldberg drum but no significant difference in biological decay rates between variants was observed. In addition, historic data on virulence in a murine model of different Ebola virus variants were compared to newly presented data for Ebola virus Kikwit in the A129 Interferon alpha/beta receptor-deficient mouse model. Ebola virus Kikwit was less virulent than Ebola virus Ecran in our mouse model. The mouse model may be a useful tool for studying differences in virulence associated with different variants whereas aerosol stability studies may not need to be conducted beyond the species level.
Two Years and Four Time Points: Description of Emotional State and Coping Strategies of French University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Charbonnier Elodie , Goncalves Aurélie , Puechlong Cécile , Montalescot Lucile , Le Vigouroux Sarah
Published: April 2022

While it is now clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the mental health of individuals, especially the most vulnerable ones such as students, we have very little knowledge about the long-term consequences. The objective of this study was to compare the mental health and coping of French university students during the different phases of the pandemic in the first 2 years. To this end, French university students were evaluated at four time points: during France’s first lockdown (April–May 2020; nT1 = 1357), the period after lockdown (June 2020; nT2 = 309), 1 year after the first lockdown, which was also a lockdown period (April–May 2021; nT1′ = 2569); and 1 year after the end of the first unlock (June 2021; nT2′ = 1136). Anxiety and depressive symptoms, coping and concerns were measured. In order to compare scores between the lockdown and unlock periods within the same year, paired samples t-tests were performed. To compare scores between the 2 years for different participants, independent samples t-tests were conducted. Our results showed that maladaptive strategies, concerns and symptoms were higher during lockdown periods, compared with unlock periods. In addition, symptom levels were higher in the second year of the pandemic compared with the first one. These argue that the psychological effects of COVID-19 were exacerbated by lockdowns but also by time. This highlights the need for more attention to be paid to students’ mental health.
Soluble IL-2R Levels at Baseline Predict the Development of Severe Respiratory Failure and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Gatselis Nikolaos K. , Lygoura Vasiliki , Lyberopoulou Aggeliki , Giannoulis George , Samakidou Anna , Vaiou Antonia , Vatidis George , Antoniou Katerina , Stefos Aggelos , Georgiadou Sarah , Sagris Dimitrios , Sveroni Dafni , Stergioula Despoina , Gabeta Stella , Ntaios George , Dalekos George N.
Published: April 2022

Risk stratification of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients by simple markers is critical to guide treatment. We studied the predictive value of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) for the early identification of patients at risk of developing severe clinical outcomes. sIL-2R levels were measured in 197 patients (60.9% males; median age 61 years; moderate disease, n = 65; severe, n = 132, intubated and/or died, n = 42). All patients received combined immunotherapies (anakinra ± corticosteroids ± intravenous immunoglobulin ± tocilizumab) according to our local treatment algorithm. The endpoint was the composite event of intubation due to severe respiratory failure (SRF) or mortality. Median (interquartile range) sIL-2R levels were significantly higher in patients with severe disease, compared with those with moderate disease (6 (6.2) vs. 5.2 (3.4) ng/mL, p = 0.017). sIL-2R was the strongest laboratory predictive factor for intubation/death (hazard ratio 1.749, 95%CI 1.041–2.939, p = 0.035) after adjustment for other known risk factors. Youden’s index revealed optimal sIL-2R cut-off for predicting intubation/death at 9 ng/mL (sensitivity: 67%; specificity: 86%; positive and negative predictive value: 57% and 91%, respectively). Delta sIL-2R between the day of event or discharge minus admission date was higher in patients that intubated/died than in those who did not experience an event (2.91 (10.42) vs. 0.44 (2.88) ng/mL; p = 0.08)). sIL-2R on admission and its dynamic changes during follow-up may reflect disease severity and predict the development of SRF and mortality.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Following BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Lin Ting-Yu , Yeh Yun-Hsuan , Chen Li-Wen , Cheng Chao-Neng , Chang Chen , Roan Jun-Neng , Shen Ching-Fen
Published: April 2022

Although serious adverse events have remained uncommon, cases of myocarditis induced by messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines have been reported. Here, we presented a rare but potentially fatal disorder, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, in a 14-year-old previously healthy adolescent after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. The initial evaluation showed splenomegaly, pancytopenia, hyperferritinemia, and hypofibrinogenemia. Further examination revealed positive blood EBV DNA, and other infectious pathogen surveys were all negative. Hemophagocytosis was observed in the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. HLH was confirmed and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and methylprednisolone pulse therapy were given. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) was set up for cardiopulmonary support for 3 days due to profound hypotension. The patient was kept on oral prednisolone treatment for 28 days with the following gradual tapering. The hemogram and inflammatory biomarkers gradually returned to normal, and the patient was discharged. The fulminant presentation of HLH in our case could be the net result of both acute immunostimulation after COVID-19 vaccination and EBV infection. Our case suggests that the immune activation after COVID-19 vaccination is likely to interfere with the adequate immune response to certain infectious pathogens, resulting in a hyperinflammatory syndrome.