bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resilient Supply Chain Framework for Semiconductor Distribution and an Empirical Study of Demand Risk Inference
Authors: Fu Wenhan , Jing Sheng , Liu Qinming , Zhang Hao
Published: May 2023

Supply chain uncertainty is high due to low information transparency in the upstream and downstream, long lead time for supply chain planning, short product life cycles, lengthy production cycle time, and continuous technology migration. The construction and innovation of the new program of supply the chain faces huge challenges. This study aims to propose a smart resilient supply chain framework with a decision-making schema through the plan-do-check-act management cycle. It can enhance supply chain resilience and strengthen industrial competitiveness. Moreover, an empirical study of demand forecast and risk inference for semiconductor distribution is conducted as a validation. Through demand pattern clustering and forecasting for historic customer order behaviors, the demand status of each customer is classified, and an optimal planning solution is released to support decision-making. The result has shown the practical viability of the proposed approach to drive collaborative efforts in enhancing demand risk management to improve supply chain resilience. The proposed forecast model performs better than all four benchmark models, and the revised recall of the proposed risk reference model shows high accuracy in all demand risk levels. As supply chain resilience is about to be reconstructed due to the industrial revolution, a government and industry alliance should follow the resilient supply chain blueprint to gradually make the manufacturing strategy a technology platform in the Industry 4.0 era.
Distributive Justice, Goal Clarity, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: The Moderating Role of Transactional and Transformational Leadership
Authors: Ha Tae-Soo , Moon Kuk-Kyoung
Published: May 2023

Although the relationships between managerial practices and work-related outcomes are contingent on leadership behaviors, little scholarly attention has been paid to how leadership styles shape the impact of distributive justice and goal clarity on employees’ organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in the field of organizational behavior and management. In this context, this study examines the direct effects of distributive justice and goal clarity on OCB based on two motivation theories, equity theory and goal-setting theory, as well as the moderating role of transactional and transformational leadership in the relationships based on social exchange theory. Using survey data from a sample of 4133 public employees drawn from Korean central and local governments and ordinary least square regression models, we found that distributive justice is negatively related to OCB, whereas goal clarity is positively related to OCB. Further analysis shows that while transactional leadership weakens the negative relationship between distributive justice and OCB, transformational leadership strengthens the positive relationship between goal clarity and OCB. Consequently, our study provides meaningful implications for public managers and organizations that should be considered in order to implement effective managerial practices based on the fitness between employee motivation processes and leadership styles to encourage employees to exhibit OCB. This will enhance organizational performance and sustainability.
Phytochemical Analysis of the Aerial Parts of Campanula pelviformis Lam. (Campanulaceae): Documenting the Dietary Value of a Local Endemic Plant of Crete (Greece) Traditionally Used as Wild Edible Green
Authors: Tsiftsoglou Olga S. , Lagogiannis George , Psaroudaki Antonia , Vantsioti Aikaterina , Mitić Milan N. , Mrmošanin Jelena M. , Lazari Diamanto
Published: May 2023

Native wild edible greens usually include plants with widespread geographical ranges and represent a long tradition associated with well-documented health effects, especially in the frame of the Mediterranean diet. Although consuming local endemic and range-restricted plants as wild edible greens is rare, in some areas of Crete this is a long ethnobotanical tradition. The present study is focused on the phytochemical and nutritional element analyses of the edible parts of the wild-growing green Campanula pelviformis. To date, nine secondary metabolites have been isolated: lobetyolin (1), calaliukiuenoside (2), demethylsyrrigin (3), wahlenoside A (4), chlorogenic acid methyl (5) and butyl ester (6), nicotiflorin (7), rutin (8) and corchoionoside A (9). This first-time research on the phytochemical composition of this local endemic plant of Crete is a basic step in attempts to document its nutritional value, also allowing an exploration of its beneficial properties. The nutritional value of the Mediterranean diet owes much to the inclusion of native edible wild plants, which are abundant in mineral elements and bioactive compounds known to promote human health. Among these plants, the local Cretan endemic species C. pelviformis stands out as a rare and valuable source of wild edibles with traditional dietary significance in eastern Crete. This plant’s rich content of mineral elements and bioactive compounds makes it an intriguing subject for further research into the potential health benefits of wild plant consumption.
Towards Sustainable Vegetable Farming: Exploring Agroecological Alternatives to Chemical Products in the Fez-Meknes Region of Morocco
Authors: Rhioui Wijdane , Al Figuigui Jamila , Lahlali Rachid , Laasli Salah-Eddine , Boutagayout Abdellatif , El Jarroudi Moussa , Belmalha Saâdia
Published: May 2023

The use of excessive chemicals in agriculture can cause harm to the environment and human health. Sustainable agriculture systems promote agroecological practices to reduce chemical use and promote environmental and human health. However, there is a lack of data on the status of chemical use and the adoption of agroecological practices in the Fez-Meknes region, which is a significant national vegetable production area. To address this gap, we conducted cross-sectional surveys with 603 farmers to analyze their practices, behaviors, and knowledge regarding chemical and bio-product use, as well as the risks to crops, health, and the environment. Additionally, we aimed to diagnose the diffusion of agroecological practices and identify the most relevant obstacles and motivations for adoption. Our results indicate that a majority of farmers (95%) use chemicals throughout the production process but lack a good understanding of their use and associated risks. However, farmers do have access to alternative practices such as crop rotation (99.67%), manure (96.35%), drip irrigation (74.46%), and intercropping (69%). The success of these practices among farmers was a significant motivation for their adoption (50%), whereas the difficulties of managing pests and diseases without pesticides (73.2%) and the lack of technical advice and support (70.8%) were the main barriers to adoption. In conclusion, our study highlights the need for training and financial encouragement from the state to promote healthy and eco-friendly farming practices. This research provides valuable insights into the current status of chemical use and the adoption of agroecological practices in the Fez-Meknes region, which can inform policy decisions and promote sustainable agriculture practices for the future.
Does National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone Construction Help Improve Urban Green Total Factor Productivity? A Policy Assessment from China
Authors: Yu Hong , Zhang Jianmin , Xu Ning
Published: May 2023

Taking the innovation policy pilot of the national independent innovation demonstration zone (NIIDZ) as a quasi-natural experiment, we select a set of data covering 283 cities in China from 2004 to 2016 to empirically test the impact and mechanism of NIIDZ on urban green total factor productivity (GTFP) by using a progressive difference-in-differences (DID) model. The research indicates that the NIIDZ policy pilot can effectively help promote the growth of urban GTFP; talent agglomeration and local fiscal expenditure on science and technology are important channels for the policy to promote urban GTFP. Various methods have proved the reliability of our research results. Further, affected by geographical location, resource endowment and population size, the pilot effects of the NIIDZ also demonstrate regional heterogeneity. Our study provides a useful supplement for innovation policy evaluation from both theoretical and empirical perspectives.
A Sustainable Quality Model for Mobile Learning in Post-Pandemic Higher Education: A Structural Equation Modeling-Based Investigation
Authors: Drwish Amr Mohammed , Al-Dokhny Amany Ahmed , Al-Abdullatif Ahlam Mohammed , Aladsani Hibah Khalid
Published: May 2023

As an effect of the digital transformation encountered by higher education institutions in the post-pandemic phase, the current study aims to inspect the factors affecting the actual use of mobile learning among higher education students. A novel hybrid model based on the information system success and technology acceptance models was proposed and tested. The study included 400 undergraduate and postgraduate students from four Saudi universities who responded to a questionnaire consisting of two parts and seven dimensions, with a total of 26 items. For the analysis, a quantitative approach was applied using structural equation modeling. The results displayed that information quality had no impact on the actual use of mobile learning among higher education students. In contrast, other quality factors (system quality, service quality, and satisfaction) and perceived factors (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use) had a positive effect. Accordingly, this study proposed an integrated framework to assist decision makers at higher education institutions in scaffolding students to develop their educational performance by depending on mobile applications comprising high-quality factors that address their real needs. This would also enable higher education institutions to enhance their digital transformation experience, thus contributing to achieving positive learning sustainability after the pandemic.
Modulation of Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms and Morpho-Physiological Attributes of Wheat through Exogenous Application of Silicon and Melatonin under Water Deficit Conditions
Authors: Sattar Abdul , Sher Ahmad , Ijaz Muhammad , Ul-Allah Sami , Hussain Sajjad , Rasheed Umair , Hussain Jamshad , Al-Qahtani Salem Mesfir , Al-Harbi Nadi Awad , Mahmoud Samy F. , Ibrahim Mohamed F. M.
Published: May 2023

Although the individual influences of silicon (Si) and melatonin (MT) have been widely studied under various abiotic stresses, little is known about their interaction under drought stress. In this study, an experiment in pots was carried out to investigate the potential of an individual or combined foliar application of silicon (Si) and melatonin (ML) (control (ck), water spray, 4.0 mM Si, 200 µM ML, and 4.0 mM Si + 200 µM ML) on wheat grown at two different water-holding capacity levels (80% well-water condition and 40% drought stress) in order to check of grain yield and some important physiological characteristics. Under drought stress conditions, grain yield and yield attributes, water content and photosynthetic efficiency of wheat crops were significantly decreased. Application of Si+ ML significantly improved leaf pigments (Chl a, Chl b and Chll a + b), leaf relative water content (RWC), proline, total soluble sugars, and total soluble protein. As well as, the activities of important antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were effectively boosted through the combined application of Si + ML. This improvement was correlated with an obvious decrease in the levels of MDA, H2O2, and electrolyte leakage and increased water use efficiency. Conclusively, the combination of Si + ML significantly enhanced the 20.21% yield and various morpho-physiological attributes of drought-stressed wheat plants and can be recommended as a promising treatment to enhance wheat productivity in drought-affected regions. Additionally, the results of this study may open up a whole new area of research opportunities at the transcriptional level to further understand the mechanisms underlying how Si + ML integrates and interacts with plants under drought stress.
Research on the Sustainable Development of the Bistrita Ardeleana River in Order to Stop the Erosion of the Riverbanks and the Thalweg
Authors: Moldovan Aurelian Cosmin , Hrăniciuc Tomi Alexandrel , Micle Valer , Marcoie Nicolae
Published: May 2023

The impact of dams and reservoirs on the aquatic ecosystem of rivers is a very important topic for water resource management. These hydrotechnical facilities change the natural hydromorphological regime of the rivers. This paper analyzed the hydrodynamic characteristics of an undeveloped riverbed section downstream of the Colibița reservoir, from the Bistrita Ardeleana River hydrographic basin. After processing the data obtained on the field, two hydraulic models were made using the MIKE 11 program, which aimed to identify the hydraulic parameters such as the wet section, the depth, and the water velocity. The first modeling was used for the flow rate of Q = 54.5 m3/s: the water depth was between 1.952 m and 2.559 m; and the water velocity varied between 1.148 m/s and 1.849 m/s. The second modeling was used for a flow rate of Q = 178 m3/s and showed that the water depth had values between 3.701 m and 4.427 m; and the water velocity varied between 1.316 m/s and 2.223 m/s. Following the granulometric analysis, the average diameter of the particle in the thalweg was D50 = 25.18 mm. The conclusion reached as a result of hydraulic modeling and granulometric analyses indicated that hydromorphological processes take place along the length of the analyzed sector, which have negative effects on water quality as well as on the instability of the riverbed. To make the riverbed safe along the entire studied length, we managed to identify some alternative solutions that have the role of stabilizing the banks, respectively, to stop the deepening of the thalweg. The alternative hydrotechnical constructions will increase the roughness of the riverbed, essentially reducing the water speed and increasing the favorable conditions for the retention of alluvium.
Manpower Allocation of Work Activities for Producing Precast Components: Empirical Study in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Jieh-Haur , Chen Chih-Lin , Wei Hsi-Hsien
Published: May 2023

The production of precast components in the construction industry is a labor-intensive process. The objectives of this study are to prove the feasibility of using rough set theory to classify and weigh impact attributes, and to develop a model to assess the total quantities of labor needed for precast structural elements using a rough set enhanced K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN). Three main building components (beams, girders, and columns) were collected from the production of precast elements in Taiwan. After trimming and analyzing the basic data, the rough set approach is used to classify and weight the attributes into three levels of impact based on their frequency. A rough set enhanced KNN is accordingly developed, yielding an accuracy rate of 92.36%, which is 8.09% higher than the result obtained when using the KNN algorithm. A practical and effective prediction model would assist managers to estimate the manpower requirement of precast projects.
Indicator System and Construction Level of Online Service Functions on New Media Platforms of Tourist Attractions: A Case Study of Yangzhou City, China
Authors: Ye Peng , Liu Yuping
Published: May 2023

Along with the rapid development of the mobile Internet, new media platforms are an important medium to assist tourist attractions in reaching tourists with their tourism services. This study takes the tourist attractions in Yangzhou, a famous historical and cultural city in China, as the research cases. First, a classification system for the online service functions on new media platforms (NMPOSF) of tourist attractions is proposed. Then, an indicator system for evaluating the construction level of NMPOSFs is constructed using the hierarchical analysis method. Finally, the construction level of NMPOSFs for 57 A-grade tourist attractions in Yangzhou City of China is evaluated and analyzed based on the indicator system. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) There are four first-level functional indicators of NMPOSFs for tourist attractions: information push, local service, electronic business and interactive consultation, as well as 24 second-level functional indicators; (2) There are significant differences in the construction level of NMPOSFs among new media platforms. Currently, Amap has advantages in the number of tourist attractions, the number of service functions and comprehensive scores; (3) The construction level of different types of NMPOSFs also differs. The type of highest construction level is interactive consultation, and the type of lowest construction level is local service; (4) There is still a great deal of room for the NMPOSFs for tourism attractions of A-grade or above to be improved in Yangzhou City, and Slender West Lake currently has the highest NMPOSF construction level. This study provides an empirical basis for the functional construction and service enhancement of new media platforms for tourist attractions in the mobile Internet era.
Calculation and Analysis of Pipe Joint Settlement Control in Large Back Silting Immersed Tube Tunnel
Authors: Li Zhijun , Yue Xiabing , Wu Guanqing
Published: May 2023

The use of the segmental pipe section immersed tunnel suffers from several problems, such as complex construction, weak foundation, great water depth, great thickness of siltation back on the top of the tube, and difficult settlement control. Based on Winkel’s elastic foundation beam theory, a mechanical calculation model is established according to the case of an inhomogeneous soil layer, and the force and deformation of the structural system of the immersed tube tunnel are calculated based on a bridge in Zhuhai as an example of an immersed tube tunnel. The results show that the derived formula for calculating the allowable differential settlement per unit length of the longitudinally immersed tube is applicable to the sudden change type foundation stiffness deformation model of the natural foundation section of the tube tunnel of the aforementioned bridge in Zhuhai. The relationship between the settlement control index and related influencing factors is analyzed. Hence, a formula for calculating the stratified ground foundation’s integrated bed coefficient is derived, and the equations for tunnel deflection curves and shear forces are solved. A set of calculation methods that are applicable to the foundation settlement control criteria of the segmental immersed tunnel is provided, and the results provide a significant reference for the optimization of the foundation scheme and improvement of the construction process for similar projects.
Monitoring Soil Salinity Using Machine Learning and the Polarimetric Scattering Features of PALSAR-2 Data
Authors: Zhao Jing , Nurmemet Ilyas , Muhetaer Nuerbiye , Xiao Sentian , Abulaiti Adilai
Published: May 2023

Soil salinization is one of the major problems affecting arid regions, restricting the sustainable development of agriculture and ecological protection in the Keriya Oasis in Xinjiang, China. This study aims to capture the distribution of soil salinity with polarimetric parameters and various classification methods based on the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2(ALOS-2) with the Phased Array Type L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar-2 (PALSAR-2) and Landsat-8 OLI (OLI) images of the Keriya Oasis. Eleven polarization target decomposition methods were employed to extract the polarimetric scattering features. Furthermore, the features with the highest signal-to-noise ratio value were used and combined with the OLI optimal components to form a comprehensive dataset named OLI + PALSAR2. Next, two machine learning algorithms, Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest, were applied to classify the surface characteristics. The results showed that better outcomes were achieved with the SVM classifier for OLI + PALSAR2 data, with the overall accuracy, Kappa coefficient, and F1 scores being 91.57%, 0.89, and 0.94, respectively. The results indicate the potential of using PALSAR-2 data coupled with the classification in machine learning to monitor different degrees of soil salinity in the Keriya Oasis.
Roles of Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Capability and Flexibility
Authors: Potnis Tejas , Lau Yui-yip , Yip Tsz Leung
Published: May 2023

Blockchain technology is a major innovation that has swept through global supply chains recently. Blockchain technology has received immense attention in the supply chain industry due to its promising capabilities. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential capabilities of blockchain technology, which are highly relevant to the supply chain industry. To improve the understanding of the effect of blockchain on the supply chain, this research focuses on two crucial aspects of supply chain management, namely, supply chain capabilities and flexibility. The research procures measuring items for blockchain characteristics, supply chain capabilities, and flexibility through a questionnaire, the previous literature, and interviews conducted with industry experts. Through the use of statistical analysis, this study identifies the relationship between the above variables. The effect of blockchain on each variable is examined using a simple linear regression model. The findings disclose that blockchain technology has generated a notable impact on the supply chain capabilities and supply chain flexibility of firms. This makes blockchain technology highly essential for firms to generate a competitive advantage in the market and develop a new set of capabilities ahead of their competitors.
Preparation and Evaluation of an Elastic Cushion with Waste Bamboo Fiber Based on Sitting Pressure Distribution of the Human Body
Authors: Yu Yuxiang , Zheng Jipeng , Pu Huawei , Zhu Chanan , Wu Qun
Published: May 2023

Waste bamboo fibers are mostly in a spiral coil state and exhibit a certain degree of elasticity, which has the potential to be used as elastic cushion filler. However, there are few studies on its application to elastic cushions. In order to efficiently use waste bamboo fibers, a bamboo-based elastic cushion (BEC) was prepared and evaluated. The BEC units were prepared by mixing bamboo waste fibers with ES fibers and dividing them into five grades according to elastic modulus. The BECs were arranged with BEC units based on the sitting pressure distribution of the human body and evaluated using objective and subjective methods. The appropriate process of BEC units was a heating temperature of 150 °C, heating time of 50 min, and bamboo proportion of 50~75%.The elastic modulus of units had a clear influence on the sitting pressure distribution of the BEC. With the increasing elastic modulus of BEC units, the maximum pressure and average pressure of the BEC first decreased and then increased, while the contact area showed an opposite trend. Additionally, the comfort rating of the BEC with higher elastic modulus units was higher, and the appropriate elastic modulus range was 0.25~0.40 MPa. The BECs made with units with different elastic moduli increased the comfort rating by 12.8% compared with that with the same units, and the sciatic node was the most sensitive part for humans when sitting on the BEC. The results could provide data support for the application of waste bamboo fibers in elastic cushions.
Sustainable Intensification of Cropping Systems under Conservation Agriculture Practices: Impact on Yield, Productivity and Profitability of Wheat
Authors: Kumar Arun , Saini Kulvir , Dasila Hemant , Kumar Rakesh , Devi Kavita , Bisht Yashpal , Yadav Manish , Kothiyal Shivani , Chilwal Aaradhana , Maithani Damini , Kaushik Prashant
Published: May 2023

The continuous rice–wheat cropping system in South Asia has caused irreversible environmental damage, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the region’s agricultural systems. To address this issue, farm experiments were conducted for two successive years (2019–20 and 2020–21) to assess the impact of different cropping systems under conservation agriculture (CA) practices on the yield, productivity, and profitability of wheat. Results showed that the highest grain yield of wheat was observed in scenarios Sc6, Sc4, and Sc2, which involved full CA permanent-bed soybean (PB)–permanent-bed wheat (PB)–permanent-bed summer moong (PB), full CA permanent-bed maize (PB)–permanent-bed wheat (PB)–permanent-bed summer moong (PB), and partial CA puddled transplanted rice–Happy Seeder wheat–zero-till summer moong (ZT). Additionally, the highest irrigation water productivity (IWP), wheat grain macronutrient uptake, net return, and benefit–cost ratio (B:C ratio) were recorded under Sc6, full CA permanent-bed soybean (PB)–permanent-bed wheat (PB)–permanent-bed summer moong (PB) compared to farmers’ practice puddled transplanted rice (PTR)–conventional-till wheat–summer moong (Sc1) during both years. The system productivity also increased in scenarios Sc2, Sc4, and Sc6 (by 9.72%, 9.65%, and 14.14% in the first year and 10.68%, 14.14%, and 15.55% in the second year) compared to Sc1—farmers’ practice puddled transplanted rice (PTR)–conventional-till wheat–summer moong, Sc3—farmers’ practice fresh-bed maize (FB)–conventional-till wheat–summer moong, and Sc5–farmers’ practice fresh-bed soybean (FB)–conventional-till wheat (CT)–summer moong. The findings suggest that the conservation agriculture soybean–wheat–summer moong (Sc6) on permanent-bed cropping systems with inclusion legumes can be a potential option to enhance yield attributes, productivity, and profitability, as well as the sustainability of natural resources in the region while decreasing environmental footprints.
Two-Dimensional C-V Heat Conduction Investigation of an FG-Finite Axisymmetric Hollow Cylinder
Authors: Najibi Amir , Wang Guang-Hui
Published: May 2023

In the present work, we implement a graded finite element analysis to solve the axisymmetric 2D hyperbolic heat conduction equation in a finite hollow cylinder made of functionally graded materials using quadratic Lagrangian shape functions. The graded FE method is verified, and the simple rule of the mixture with power-law volume fraction is found to enhance the effective thermal properties’ gradation along the radial direction, including the thermal relaxation time. The effects of the Vernotte numbers and material distributions on temperature waves are investigated in depth, and the results are discussed for Fourier and non-Fourier heat conductions, and homogeneous and inhomogeneous material distributions. The homogeneous cylinder wall made of SUS304 shows faster temperature wave velocity in comparison to the ceramic-rich cylinder wall, which demonstrates the slowest one. Furthermore, the temperature profiles along the radial direction when n = 2 and n = 5 are almost the same in all Ve numbers, and by increasing the Ve numbers, the temperature waves move slower in all the material distributions. Finally, by tuning the material distribution which affects the thermal relaxation time, the desirable results for temperature distribution can be achieved.
Privacy-Preserving Medical Data-Sharing System with Symmetric Encryption Based on Blockchain
Authors: Hu Mingqi , Ren Yanli , Chen Cien
Published: May 2023

Nowadays, data between hospitals are usually not interoperable, which brings great inconvenience to medical data sharing and patients’ medical treatment. In addition, patients do not want their medical data to be leaked during the sharing process. Researchers have employed blockchain to build data-sharing systems to address these issues. However, current systems do not restrict the power of participants, nor do they prevent visitors from sharing the obtained data to unauthorized parties. To address these issues, we propose a private data-sharing system with symmetric encryption for the medical industry that implements power restriction and access control, and prevents the leakage of private data. To be specific, firstly, symmetric encryption algorithm is utilized to encrypt medical data to protect the privacy of data owner. Secondly, our proposed system is built on a new blockchain framework, in which only visitors with permission can access the medical data. Thirdly, we employ chameleon signature to prevent visitors from sharing data with other parties without permission. Finally, we make the power of participants in the system revocable to prevent them from abusing their power. Our proposed system has been proven to be secure through security analysis and can protect the privacy of patients. In addition, the experimental results show that our system has excellent performance in terms of time overhead compared to other systems.
A Deeper Look into Exercise Intensity Tracking through Mobile Applications: A Brief Report
Authors: Elder Alexie , Guillen Gabriel , Isip Rebecca , Zepeda Ruben , Lewis Zakkoyya H.
Published: May 2023

Mobile fitness applications (apps) allow for time-efficient opportunities for physical activity. Current research suggests that fitness apps do not accurately comply with the frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT) principle. FITT is an important principle in exercise prescription as it applies scientific evidence to improve the quality of exercise. Based on app assessment using the Fitness Apps Scoring Instrument, most fitness apps adequately address FITT in their exercise plans. In particular, fitness apps do not adequately adhere to the FITT intensity guidelines. Many apps allow the users to track their heart rate as a method of assessing their exercise intensity, but few use that information to provide real-time feedback on the intensity of the workout. For app users, awareness and education of intensity standards should be put forth in coordination with exercise professionals, rather than relying on apps alone.
Europium Nanoparticles-Based Fluorescence Immunochromatographic Detection of Three Abused Drugs in Hair
Authors: Xu Shujuan , Ma Biao , Li Jiali , Su Wei , Xu Tianran , Zhang Mingzhou
Published: May 2023

Drug abuse is becoming increasingly dangerous nowadays. Morphine (MOP), methamphetamine (MET) and ketamine (KET) are the most commonly abused drugs. The abuse of these drugs without supervision can cause serious harm to the human body and also endanger public safety. Developing a rapid and accurate method to screen drug suspects and thus control these drugs is essential to public safety. This paper presents a method for the simultaneous quantitative detection of these three drugs in hair by a europium nanoparticles-based fluorescence immunochromatographic assay (EuNPs−FIA). In our study, the test area of the nitrocellulose membrane was composed of three equally spaced detection lines and a quality control line. The test strip realized the quantitative analysis of the samples by detecting the fluorescence brightness of the europium nanoparticles captured on the test line within 15 min. For the triple test strip, the limits of detection of MOP, KET and MET were 0.219, 0.079 and 0.329 ng/mL, respectively. At the same time, it also showed strong specificity. The strip was stable and could be stored at room temperature for up to one year, and the average recovery rate was 85.98–115.92%. In addition, the EuNPs−FIA was validated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, and a satisfactory consistency was obtained. Compared to the current immunochromatographic methods used for detecting abused drugs in hair, this method not only increased the number of detection targets, but also ensured sensitivity, improving detection efficiency to a certain extent. The approach can also be used as an alternative to chromatography. It provides a rapid and accurate screening method for the detection of abused drugs in hair and has great application prospects in regard to public safety.
Incidence of Morphological Defects in Sperm of Mice Exposed to Hospital Effluent
Authors: Mathur Priyanka , Rani Kusum , Bhatnagar Pradeep , Flora Swaran Jeet Singh
Published: May 2023

Hospital effluents are loaded with drugs, radioactive elements, pathogens, etc. Effluents from treatment plants at source sites may get mixed up with potable water, leading to numerous detrimental/toxic effects. In this study, efforts were made to investigate the toxic effects of one such effluent from a local hospital on the reproductive characteristics of mice when orally administered daily for 60 consecutive days. We primarily focused on the changes in the morphology of the sperm and its geometric morphometrics, i.e., sperm head length and width, area, and perimeter, measured using ImageJ software. The incidence of sperm defects was recorded, and variations in the morphometrics were analyzed by one-way ANOVA using Tukey’s post hoc test. A physico-chemical characterization of the water samples was also performed to assess the basic water quality. In summary, the study revealed the critical role of treated water in inducing different abnormalities in sperm, such as the absence of a head, bent necks, abnormal neck attachment, highly coiled tails, and missing tails. Significant differences (p < 0.01 **, p < 0.001 ***) in the morphometrics of spermatozoa with banana heads, hammer heads, missing heads, pin heads, and missing hooks were noted compared to corresponding controls. It could thus be concluded that treated hospital effluent is still inadequately clean and contains significant amounts of toxicants that might be detrimental to sperm quality.
The System of Self-Consistent Models: QSAR Analysis of Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity
Authors: Toropova Alla P. , Toropov Andrey A. , Roncaglioni Alessandra , Benfenati Emilio
Published: May 2023

Removing a drug-like substance that can cause drug-induced liver injury from the drug discovery process is a significant task for medicinal chemistry. In silico models can facilitate this process. Semi-correlation is an approach to building in silico models representing the prediction in the active (1)—inactive (0) format. The so-called system of self-consistent models has been suggested as an approach for two tasks: (i) building up a model and (ii) estimating its predictive potential. However, this approach has been tested so far for regression models. Here, the approach is applied to building up and estimating a categorical hepatotoxicity model using the CORAL software. This new process yields good results: sensitivity = 0.77, specificity = 0.75, accuracy = 0.76, and Matthew correlation coefficient = 0.51 (all compounds) and sensitivity = 0.83, specificity = 0.81, accuracy = 0.83 and Matthew correlation coefficient = 0.63 (validation set).
De Novo Venom Gland Transcriptome Assembly and Characterization for Calloselasma rhodostoma (Kuhl, 1824), the Malayan Pit Viper from Malaysia: Unravelling Toxin Gene Diversity in a Medically Important Basal Crotaline
Authors: Tan Choo Hock , Tan Kae Yi , Ng Tzu Shan , Tan Nget Hong , Chong Ho Phin
Published: May 2023

In Southeast Asia, the Malayan Pit Viper (Calloselasma rhodostoma) is a venomous snake species of medical importance and bioprospecting potential. To unveil the diversity of its toxin genes, this study de novo assembled and analyzed the venom gland transcriptome of C. rhodostoma from Malaysia. The expression of toxin genes dominates the gland transcriptome by 53.78% of total transcript abundance (based on overall FPKM, Fragments Per Kilobase Million), in which 92 non-redundant transcripts belonging to 16 toxin families were identified. Snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP, PI > PII > PIII) is the most dominant family (37.84% of all toxin FPKM), followed by phospholipase A2 (29.02%), bradykinin/angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-C-type natriuretic peptide (16.30%), C-type lectin (CTL, 10.01%), snake venom serine protease (SVSP, 2.81%), L-amino acid oxidase (2.25%), and others (1.78%). The expressions of SVMP, CTL, and SVSP correlate with hemorrhagic, anti-platelet, and coagulopathic effects in envenoming. The SVMP metalloproteinase domains encode hemorrhagins (kistomin and rhodostoxin), while disintegrin (rhodostomin from P-II) acts by inhibiting platelet aggregation. CTL gene homologues uncovered include rhodocytin (platelet aggregators) and rhodocetin (platelet inhibitors), which contribute to thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction. The major SVSP is a thrombin-like enzyme (an ancrod homolog) responsible for defibrination in consumptive coagulopathy. The findings provide insight into the venom complexity of C. rhodostoma and the pathophysiology of envenoming.
A Three-Monoclonal Antibody Combination Potently Neutralizes BoNT/G Toxin in Mice
Authors: Fan Yongfeng , Lou Jianlong , Tam Christina C. , Wen Weihua , Conrad Fraser , Leal da Silva Alves Priscila , Cheng Luisa W. , Garcia-Rodriguez Consuelo , Farr-Jones Shauna , Marks James D.
Published: May 2023

Equine-derived antitoxin (BAT®) is the only treatment for botulism from botulinum neurotoxin serotype G (BoNT/G). BAT® is a foreign protein with potentially severe adverse effects and is not renewable. To develop a safe, more potent, and renewable antitoxin, humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated. Yeast displayed single chain Fv (scFv) libraries were prepared from mice immunized with BoNT/G and BoNT/G domains and screened with BoNT/G using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Fourteen scFv-binding BoNT/G were isolated with KD values ranging from 3.86 nM to 103 nM (median KD 20.9 nM). Five mAb-binding non-overlapping epitopes were humanized and affinity matured to create antibodies hu6G6.2, hu6G7.2, hu6G9.1, hu6G10, and hu6G11.2, with IgG KD values ranging from 51 pM to 8 pM. Three IgG combinations completely protected mice challenged with 10,000 LD50s of BoNT/G at a total mAb dose of 6.25 μg per mouse. The mAb combinations have the potential for use in the diagnosis and treatment of botulism due to serotype G and, along with antibody combinations to BoNT/A, B, C, D, E, and F, provide the basis for a fully recombinant heptavalent botulinum antitoxin to replace the legacy equine product.
Emerging Diseases/Viruses Prevention, Control, Surveillance, and One Health
Authors: Simonin Yannick
Published: May 2023

Emerging diseases have posed a constant threat and major challenge to human health throughout our history [...]
The Casimir Effect between Parallel Plates Separated by Uniaxial Media: The Effects Due to the Orientation of the Optical Axis
Authors: Deng Gang , Xu Ye , Pei Ling , Hu Ni , Xu Hongjing
Published: May 2023

The Casimir force is calculated in the configuration of two parallel plates separated by an anisotropic media. The result exhibits a dependence on the orientation of the optical axis of the intervening media. It is possible that the Casimir force switches its direction as the optical axis orientation varies. The greatest magnitude of the force could be achieved at any optical axis orientation, depending on the dielectric properties of the plates and the intervening media. A comparison between the relativistic and nonrelativistic result revealed that the nonrelativistic approximation could significantly underestimate the attraction or overestimate the repulsion. This error was even greater when the optical axis of the intervening media was perpendicular to the surface of the plates. The nonrelativistic approximation might even fail to predict the trends of the Casimir force at small distances.
Particles of Negative and Zero Energy in Black Holes and Cosmological Models
Authors: Grib Andrey A. , Pavlov Yuri V.
Published: May 2023

Particles with negative energies are considered for three different cases: inside the horizon of a Schwarzschild black hole, Milne’s coordinates in flat Minkowski space–time (Milne’s universe using nonsynchronous coordinates) and in the cosmological Gödel model of the rotating universe. It is shown that, differently from the Gödel model with a nondiagonal term, where it occurs that negative energies are impossible, they are present in all other cases considered in the paper. Particles with zero energy are also possible in the first two cases.
Effect of Vaccination on Platelet Mitochondrial Bioenergy Function of Patients with Post-Acute COVID-19
Authors: Gvozdjáková Anna , Kucharská Jarmila , Rausová Zuzana , Lopéz-Lluch Guillermo , Navas Plácido , Palacka Patrik , Bartolčičová Barbora , Sumbalová Zuzana
Published: May 2023

Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction and redox cellular imbalance indicate crucial function in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Since 11 March 2020, a global pandemic, health crisis and economic disruption has been caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. Vaccination is considered one of the most effective strategies for preventing viral infection. We tested the hypothesis that preventive vaccination affects the reduced bioenergetics of platelet mitochondria and the biosynthesis of endogenous coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in patients with post-acute COVID-19. Material and Methods: 10 vaccinated patients with post-acute COVID-19 (V + PAC19) and 10 unvaccinated patients with post-acute COVID-19 (PAC19) were included in the study. The control group (C) consisted of 16 healthy volunteers. Platelet mitochondrial bioenergy function was determined with HRR method. CoQ10, γ-tocopherol, α-tocopherol and β-carotene were determined by HPLC, TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) were determined spectrophotometrically. Results: Vaccination protected platelet mitochondrial bioenergy function but not endogenous CoQ10 levels, in patients with post-acute COVID-19. Conclusions: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 virus infection prevented the reduction of platelet mitochondrial respiration and energy production. The mechanism of suppression of CoQ10 levels by SARS-CoV-2 virus is not fully known. Methods for the determination of CoQ10 and HRR can be used for monitoring of mitochondrial bioenergetics and targeted therapy of patients with post-acute COVID-19.
Engineering Adenoviral Vectors with Improved GBM Selectivity
Authors: Bates Emily A. , Lovatt Charlotte , Plein Alice R. , Davies James A. , Siebzehnrubl Florian A. , Parker Alan L.
Published: May 2023

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive adult brain cancer with an average survival rate of around 15 months in patients receiving standard treatment. Oncolytic adenovirus expressing therapeutic transgenes represent a promising alternative treatment for GBM. Of the many human adenoviral serotypes described to date, adenovirus 5 (HAdV-C5) has been the most utilised clinically and experimentally. However, the use of Ad5 as an anti-cancer agent may be hampered by naturally high seroprevalence rates to HAdV-C5 coupled with the infection of healthy cells via native receptors. To explore whether alternative natural adenoviral tropisms are better suited to GBM therapeutics, we pseudotyped an HAdV-C5-based platform using the fibre knob protein from alternative serotypes. We demonstrate that the adenoviral entry receptor coxsackie, adenovirus receptor (CAR) and CD46 are highly expressed by both GBM and healthy brain tissue, whereas Desmoglein 2 (DSG2) is expressed at a low level in GBM. We demonstrate that adenoviral pseudotypes, engaging CAR, CD46 and DSG2, effectively transduce GBM cells. However, the presence of these receptors on non-transformed cells presents the possibility of off-target effects and therapeutic transgene expression in healthy cells. To enhance the specificity of transgene expression to GBM, we assessed the potential for tumour-specific promoters hTERT and survivin to drive reporter gene expression selectively in GBM cell lines. We demonstrate tight GBM-specific transgene expression using these constructs, indicating that the combination of pseudotyping and tumour-specific promoter approaches may enable the development of efficacious therapies better suited to GBM.
First Report of Skunk Amdoparvovirus (Species Carnivore amdoparvovirus 4) in Europe in a Captive Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
Authors: Kaiser Franziska K. , de le Roi Madeleine , Jo Wendy K. , Gerhauser Ingo , Molnár Viktor , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Ludlow Martin
Published: May 2023

Skunk amdoparvovirus (Carnivore amdoparvovirus 4, SKAV) is closely related to Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) and circulates primarily in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in North America. SKAV poses a threat to mustelid species due to reported isolated infections of captive American mink (Neovison vison) in British Columbia, Canada. We detected SKAV in a captive striped skunk in a German zoo by metagenomic sequencing. The pathological findings are dominated by lymphoplasmacellular inflammation and reveal similarities to its relative Carnivore amdoparvovirus 1, the causative agent of Aleutian mink disease. Phylogenetic analysis of the whole genome demonstrated 94.80% nucleotide sequence identity to a sequence from Ontario, Canada. This study is the first case description of a SKAV infection outside of North America.
Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus) Support the Binding of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Are Likely Susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Chothe Shubhada K. , Jakka Padmaja , Boorla Veda Sheersh , Ramasamy Santhamani , Gontu Abhinay , Nissly Ruth H. , Brown Justin , Turner Gregory , Sewall Brent J. , Reeder DeeAnn M. , Field Kenneth A. , Engiles Julie B. , Amirthalingam Saranya , Ravichandran Abirami , LaBella Lindsey , Nair Meera Surendran , Maranas Costas D. , Kuchipudi Suresh V.
Published: May 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), believed to have originated from a bat species, can infect a wide range of non-human hosts. Bats are known to harbor hundreds of coronaviruses capable of spillover into human populations. Recent studies have shown a significant variation in the susceptibility among bat species to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We show that little brown bats (LBB) express angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor and the transmembrane serine protease 2, which are accessible to and support SARS-CoV-2 binding. All-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that LBB ACE2 formed strong electrostatic interactions with the RBD similar to human and cat ACE2 proteins. In summary, LBBs, a widely distributed North American bat species, could be at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and potentially serve as a natural reservoir. Finally, our framework, combining in vitro and in silico methods, is a useful tool to assess the SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility of bats and other animal species.
Engineered Phage-Based Cancer Vaccines: Current Advances and Future Directions
Authors: Ragothaman Murali , Yoo So Young
Published: May 2023

Bacteriophages have emerged as versatile tools in the field of bioengineering, with enormous potential in tissue engineering, vaccine development, and immunotherapy. The genetic makeup of phages can be harnessed for the development of novel DNA vaccines and antigen display systems, as they can provide a highly organized and repetitive presentation of antigens to immune cells. Bacteriophages have opened new possibilities for the targeting of specific molecular determinants of cancer cells. Phages can be used as anticancer agents and carriers of imaging molecules and therapeutics. In this review, we explored the role of bacteriophages and bacteriophage engineering in targeted cancer therapy. The question of how the engineered bacteriophages can interact with the biological and immunological systems is emphasized to comprehend the underlying mechanism of phage use in cancer immunotherapy. The effectiveness of phage display technology in identifying high-affinity ligands for substrates, such as cancer cells and tumor-associated molecules, and the emerging field of phage engineering and its potential in the development of effective cancer treatments are discussed. We also highlight phage usage in clinical trials as well as the related patents. This review provides a new insight into engineered phage-based cancer vaccines.