bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Settling Analyses and Investigations of Clayey Sediments to Storage in Geotubes
Authors: Perna Marco , De Vincenzo Annamaria , Di Nunzio Giuseppe , Molino Bruno , Ambrosone Luigi
Published: July 2021

Understanding the sedimentation behaviour and chemical–physical properties of clay sediments is crucial in planning their storage in geotubes. Analysis of the sedimentation curves of the solids taken from the artificial reservoir of the Camastra reveal that a two-parameter curve identifies all the sedimentation profiles. One parameter depends on the type of settling material, and the other is the lifetime of the process. Using the solid concentration per unit area, the lifetime is converted into a true kinetic constant. These parameters uniquely identify the sedimentation profile to be used in the management of dredging using geotubes. Furthermore, the resulting particles after the decantation of the coarse-grained solids are dispersed according to a log-normal distribution with an average diameter between 250 and 500 nm. The low ζ-potential of the particles dispersed in the supernatant indicates that they can either aggregate or adsorb to the geotube tissue, slowing or blocking the dredging operations.
The Evolving Economic Employment of ICT Education: The Case of Norway
Authors: Capasso Marco , Mark Michael Spjelkavik
Published: July 2021

Digitisation breaks down traditional industry and sector boundaries and fuels new work structures and networks. By using linked employer–employee data for Norway (years 2013–2017), we address two research questions: whether some parts of the economy increasingly need people who are “specialised” in ICT, in the sense that the main focus of their formal education is ICT, and whether the ongoing digitisation processes in the Norwegian economy have altered the complementarities between ICT education and other types of formal education. By means of a shift-share analysis, we disentangle the contributions to employment deriving from variation in the education mix within the sectors. We also observe the recent labour flows of ICT-educated workers across sectors of the Norwegian economy. Then, an establishment-level analysis sheds light on possible evolutions of the complementarity of ICT education with other types of education. Public administration and health are revealed to be increasingly important attractors for ICT-educated people. Nonetheless, the ICT industries still employ many ICT-educated individuals and they are becoming more specialised, possibly as outsourcees of services to other industries. Finally, flows of ICT-educated employees from and to the sales sector and the publishing and audiovisual industries suggest an evolving knowledge content in these areas of the economy.
Agroforestry Practices in Livelihood Improvement in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
Authors: Zerihun Mulatu Fekadu
Published: July 2021

Agroforestry plays a significant role in increasing agricultural productivity. In South Africa, there is a pressing need for promoting smallholder agriculture to promote sustainable rural livelihoods, to ensure food security, to lower inflation in food prices, and address rampant rural unemployment in the country. The agricultural economy is characterised by a monopoly structure where almost every single staple in South Africa is already produced by large manufacturers that can produce it at better quality and lower cost than the average smallholder enterprise or cooperative. Such a monopoly structure fundamentally undermines the development of local markets, where local small-scale producers sell to their local community. The novelty of this study is addressing the research gap that conventional rural livelihood analyses often neglect, i.e., the role of environmental products in general, and forest and agroforestry products. Using a log linear regression model with cross-sectional data collected from a sample of 300 households, this study explores the likely impact of agroforestry practices in promoting the livelihood of rural communities in the study areas. Results obtained from multiple linear regression analysis showed that average household income increased as a function of utilization of agroforestry practices. Agroforestry contributes to sustainable rural livelihoods in South African provinces where the predominant means of livelihoods is rural subsistence farming and agriculture. Since valuation of agroforestry products and services are technically difficult, farmers often underestimate the contribution of agroforestry to the household’s livelihood income. These findings have policy implications in promoting food security in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and beyond.
Life Cycle Assessment of a Plant-Based, Regionally Marketed Shampoo and Analysis of Refill Options
Authors: Kröhnert Hanna , Stucki Matthias
Published: July 2021

The environmental impact of a plant-based shampoo produced and marketed in Zurich, Switzerland, was analyzed using the life cycle assessment method. Beside the identification of environmental hotspots and mitigation possibilities, the focus of the study was on the analysis and comparison of different refill offers. The results of the study show that one hair wash using the investigated shampoo is related to greenhouse gas emissions of 161 g CO2eq. For all investigated impact categories, the use phase represents the dominant life stage, except for land use, which is dominated by the production of the purely plant-based shampoo ingredients. The environmental impact related to the use phase is highly sensitive on the consumers’ showering habits, such as water consumption and water temperature, due to predominantly fossil-based heating in Zurich. On the producer’s side, a switch to renewable energy sources both for heating and electricity is identified as most effective measure to reduce the environmental impact of the manufacturing phase. As to the product end-of-life, the results suggest that emissions of the shampoo ingredients after wastewater treatment have a negligible impact on freshwater ecotoxicity. In this context, a need for further research is identified with respect to characterization factors and specific removal rates in wastewater treatment plants. From a life cycle perspective, packaging production and disposal have rather low contributions. Offering refill possibilities can reduce the packaging related contributions by several percentage points, however, higher mitigation potentials are found for use phase and manufacturing.
Measuring the Urban Forms of Shanghai’s City Center and Its New Districts: A Neighborhood-Level Comparative Analysis
Authors: Lin Lin , Chen Xueming (Jimmy) , Moudon Anne Vernez
Published: July 2021

Rapid urban expansion has radically transformed the city centers and the new districts of Chinese cities. Both areas have undergone unique redevelopment and development over the past decades, generating unique urban forms worthy of study. To date, few studies have investigated development patterns and land use intensities at the neighborhood level. The present study aims to fill the gap and compare the densities of different types of developments and the spatial compositions of different commercial uses at the neighborhood level. We captured the attributes of their built environment that support instrumental activities of daily living of 710 neighborhoods centered on the public elementary schools of the entire Shanghai municipality using application programming interfaces provided in Baidu Map services. The 200 m neighborhood provided the best fit to capture the variations of the built environment. Overall, city center neighborhoods had significantly higher residential densities and housed more daily routine destinations than their counterparts in the new districts. Unexpectedly, however, the total length of streets was considerably smaller in city-center neighborhoods, likely reflecting the prominence of the wide multilane vehicular roads surrounding large center city redevelopment projects. The findings point to convergence between the city center’s urban forms and that of the new districts.
Exploring the Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Family Farm Member Conflict Experiences
Authors: Paskewitz Emily A.
Published: July 2021

Family farm sustainability traditionally focuses on economic and environmental issues. However, sustaining family farms also relies on understanding how to sustain the relationships contained therein. Emotional intelligence (EI) is an important means through which family farm members can sustain relationships, especially when handing conflict between members. This paper focused on how four EI dimensions (awareness of own emotion, management of own emotion, awareness of others’ emotions, management of others’ emotions) could prevent four types of conflict within family farms (task, relational, process, and status). Family farm participants (N = 204) were recruited through social media posts and emails to specialty agricultural groups and agencies, and students at a university. Hierarchical regression results showed that awareness of own emotions, management of own emotions, and management of others’ emotions negatively predicted task, relational, process, and status conflict. Awareness of others’ emotions did not predict any conflict types. Theoretically, this article points to the importance of considering all four EI dimensions, since they impact conflict types differently. For the family farm members, being aware of their own emotions and being able to manage emotional responses in themselves and others can help prevent conflict from occurring, thereby sustaining both family and business relationships for the future.
The Effects of Disciplinary Composition on Virtual Learning Group Process Dynamics: Students’ Perspectives
Authors: Dincă Melinda , Luștrea Anca , Onițiu Atalia , Crașovan Mariana , Berge Trond
Published: July 2021

This research was conducted as a collaborative project between the West University of Timișoara (Romania) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway) to develop a transnational learning activity. The students learned in virtual collaborative study groups; developed project-based teams; shared experiences, skills, and professional competencies; and collaborated directly with their teachers, the researchers, and the labor force. Three virtual learning groups of undergraduate students (N = 131), presenting comparable course descriptors and disciplinary group compositions, participated in the study. This study aimed to determine the effects of disciplinary composition on virtual learning group process dynamics from the students’ perspectives. This study applied a quasi-experimental between-subjects study design: quantitative methods were used to validate a research instrument and to determine statistical differences in the group process dynamic between the three groups; a qualitative method was applied to identify an in-depth understanding of the students’ perception about the group learning experience. By analyzing the group dynamics in the three settings—mono-disciplinary, cross-disciplinary, and cross-cultural—the research results show the advantages of each virtual learning composition in the group dynamic and learning outcomes in terms of group skill acquisitions. The conclusions can help teachers design virtual team compositions, a crucial stage in ensuring the achievement of desired learning outcomes.
A Case Study on Emerging Learning Pathways in SDG-Focused Engineering Studies through Applying CBL
Authors: Gudonienė Daina , Paulauskaitė-Tarasevičienė Agnė , Daunorienė Asta , Sukackė Vilma
Published: July 2021

Recently, a growing number of Higher Education institutions have started to implement challenge-based learning (CBL) in study processes. However, despite the growing Higher Education attention to challenge-based learning, research on the method, especially in Engineering education, has not been extensively conducted and made publicly available to the community of researchers and teaching practitioners. To bridge this gap, this paper provides a case analysis of implementing challenge-based learning in a Master’s degree program for engineering students, aiming to highlight the main aspects of combining challenge-based learning and Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), namely sustainable cities and communities. The findings are consistent with previous CBL studies revealing positive benefits of implementing the method; however, the paper adds novelty by showcasing the learning pathways that emerge to learners and teachers when CBL is implemented in an SDG-11-focused course.
Does ESG Disclosure Affect Corporate-Bond Credit Spreads? Evidence from China
Authors: Yang Yuexiang , Du Zhihui , Zhang Zhen , Tong Guanqun , Zhou Rongxi
Published: July 2021

With the exponential development of an ecological and sustainable economy and society, the concept and practice of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments are being popularized in the capital market of China. ESG disclosure is an important supplement to financial disclosure and plays an increasingly significant role in asset pricing. In this paper, we selected corporate bond data in China’s secondary bond market from 2015 to 2020, and introduced the Nelson–Siegel model to study the influence of ESG disclosure on corporate bond credit spreads in the secondary market. This model passed robustness tests when we used alternative data fitted by the modified Nelson–Siegel model. Results show that ESG disclosure significantly reduces credit spreads on corporate bonds in the secondary market. State ownership and industry play significant roles in moderating the impact of ESG disclosure on corporate bond credit spreads. Specifically, the ESG disclosure of non-state-owned companies and companies in non-high-pollution and -energy-consumption industries has a greater impact on reducing corporate bond credit spreads. Therefore, we urge regulatory departments to establish a sound ESG disclosure evaluation system, and the issue companies to improve the quality of their ESG disclosure, especially non-state-owned companies, and those in non-high-pollution and -energy-consumption industries. Corporate bond investors would benefit from integrating ESG information into their investment decision-making process.
Complex System Governance as a Framework for Asset Management
Authors: Katina Polinpapilinho F. , Pyne James C. , Keating Charles B. , Komljenovic Dragan
Published: July 2021

Complex system governance (CSG) is an emerging field encompassing a framework for system performance improvement through the purposeful design, execution, and evolution of essential metasystem functions. The goal of this study was to understand how the domain of asset management (AsM) can leverage the capabilities of CSG. AsM emerged from engineering as a structured approach to organizing complex organizations to realize the value of assets while balancing performance, risks, costs, and other opportunities. However, there remains a scarcity of literature discussing the potential relationship between AsM and CSG. To initiate the closure of this gap, this research reviews the basics of AsM and the methods associated with realizing the value of assets. Then, the basics of CSG are provided along with how CSG might be leveraged to support AsM. We conclude the research with the implications for AsM and suggested future research.
The Influence of Potential Infection on the Relationship between Temperature and Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in China
Authors: Lin Weiran , He Qiuqin
Published: July 2021

Considering the impact of the number of potential new coronavirus infections in each city, this paper explores the relationship between temperature and cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 in mainland China through the non-parametric method. In this paper, the floating population of each city in Wuhan is taken as a proxy variable for the number of potential new coronavirus infections. Firstly, to use the non-parametric method correctly, the symmetric Gauss kernel and asymmetric Gamma kernel are applied to estimate the density of cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 in China. The result confirms that the Gamma kernel provides a more reasonable density estimation of bounded data than the Gauss kernel. Then, through the non-parametric method based on the Gamma kernel estimation, this paper finds a positive relationship between Wuhan’s mobile population and cumulative confirmed cases, while the relationship between temperature and cumulative confirmed cases is inconclusive in China when the impact of the number of potential new coronavirus infections in each city is considered. Compared with the weather, the potentially infected population plays a more critical role in spreading the virus. Therefore, the role of prevention and control measures is more important than weather factors. Even in summer, we should also pay attention to the prevention and control of the epidemic.
Environmental Impacts of Renewable Insulation Materials
Authors: Geß Andreas , Lorenz Manuel , Tolsdorf Anna , Albrecht Stefan
Published: July 2021

According to the IEA Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2019, one of the main industry sectors causing environmental impacts is the construction sector. Hence, construction materials from renewable resources are expected to have a large potential to decrease these impacts. In this study, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted for four different insulation materials from renewable feedstock: insulation made from pasture grass, seaweed, reed, and recycled jute fibres. Additionally, the effects on land use change were evaluated for pasture grass insulation using the LANCA® methodology. To put the LCA results in relation to those of non-renewable resources, a comparison of standardized LCA values for conventional insulation materials is presented. In general, the renewable insulation materials show fewer environmental impacts than their conventional counterparts. In particular, these materials have advantages regarding greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on climate change. Of the analyzed materials, seaweed showed the overall lowest emissions. It can be concluded that insulation materials from non-mineral, non-fossil, and non-wooden resources are still fairly niche in terms of market share, but they have extraordinary potential in decreasing the environmental impacts of construction ventures.
Seafood Processing Chitin Waste for Electricity Generation in a Microbial Fuel Cell Using Halotolerant Catalyst Oceanisphaera arctica YHY1
Authors: Gurav Ranjit , Bhatia Shashi Kant , Choi Tae-Rim , Kim Hyun-Joong , Lee Hong-Ju , Cho Jang-Yeon , Ham Sion , Suh Min-Ju , Kim Sang-Hyun , Kim Sun-Ki , Yoo Dong-Won , Yang Yung-Hun
Published: July 2021

In this study, a newly isolated halotolerant strain Oceanisphaera arctica YHY1, capable of hydrolyzing seafood processing waste chitin biomass, is reported. Microbial fuel cells fed with 1% chitin and 40 g L−1 as the optimum salt concentration demonstrated stable electricity generation until 216 h (0.228 mA/cm2). N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) was the main by-product in the chitin degradation, reaching a maximum concentration of 192.01 mg g−1 chitin at 120 h, whereas lactate, acetate, propionate, and butyrate were the major metabolites detected in the chitin degradation. O. arctica YHY1 utilized the produced GlcNAc, lactate, acetate, and propionate as the electron donors to generate the electric current. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) investigation revealed the participation of outer membrane-bound cytochromes, with extracellular redox mediators partly involved in the electron transfer mechanism. Furthermore, the changes in structural and functional groups in chitin after degradation were analyzed using FTIR and XRD. Therefore, the ability of O. arctica YHY1 to utilize waste chitin biomass under high salinities can be explored to treat seafood processing brine or high salt wastewater containing chitin with concurrent electricity generation.
Rendered Agroecosystem Services and Dysservices of Dairy Farming: A Bottom-Up Approach in Galicia (Spain)
Authors: Vázquez-González Ibán , Pérez-Fra María do Mar , García-Arias Ana Isabel , Valdês-Paços Bernardo , López-Iglesias Edelmiro
Published: July 2021

Humans have traditionally sought provisioning services from rural areas, but society is becoming increasingly aware of other services that rural areas provide to human beings, agroecosystem services. At the same time, however, certain dysservices can be identified. The analysis of agroecosystem services and dysservices is a key point to consider in decision-making processes and provides a tool for acting on sustainability. Notwithstanding, few approaches to the dairy sector exist with this focus, and they often do not incorporate the vision of the actors from the entire value chain. The aim of the present paper is to identify agroecosystem services and dysservices deriving from the dairy farming in Galicia (Spain), as perceived by actors linked to this sector. The methodology followed a bottom-up approach (Focus Group) and identified 19 agroecosystem services (S) and 9 dysservices (D) grouped into four main categories: provisioning (6S/0D), environmental quality (5S/5D), rural vitality (6S/2D), and cultural heritage and quality of life (2S/1D). The results show strong awareness of services and dysservices, in particular as regards rural vitality (mainly related to employment and income generation) and environmental services (dyservices linked to intensive systems). We have, however, detected a significant gap in awareness of certain classical environmental services (carbon sequestration of pastures). Finally, one of the innovative findings is the identification of rural vitality services and dysservices, including the social role that farming plays in consolidating the population in rural areas, and in preserving local traditions and culture.
Research on Remote Sensing Image Matching with Special Texture Background
Authors: Wang Sen , Sun Xiaoming , Liu Pengfei , Xu Kaige , Zhang Weifeng , Wu Chenxu
Published: July 2021

The purpose of image registration is to find the symmetry between the reference image and the image to be registered. In order to improve the registration effect of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing imagery with a special texture background, this paper proposes an improved scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm by combining image color and exposure information based on adaptive quantization strategy (AQCE-SIFT). By using the color and exposure information of the image, this method can enhance the contrast between the textures of the image with a special texture background, which allows easier feature extraction. The algorithm descriptor was constructed through an adaptive quantization strategy, so that remote sensing images with large geometric distortion or affine changes have a higher correct matching rate during registration. The experimental results showed that the AQCE-SIFT algorithm proposed in this paper was more reasonable in the distribution of the extracted feature points compared with the traditional SIFT algorithm. In the case of 0 degree, 30 degree, and 60 degree image geometric distortion, when the remote sensing image had a texture scarcity region, the number of matching points increased by 21.3%, 45.5%, and 28.6%, respectively and the correct matching rate increased by 0%, 6.0%, and 52.4%, respectively. When the remote sensing image had a large number of similar repetitive regions of texture, the number of matching points increased by 30.4%, 30.9%, and −11.1%, respectively and the correct matching rate increased by 1.2%, 0.8%, and 20.8% respectively. When processing remote sensing images with special texture backgrounds, the AQCE-SIFT algorithm also has more advantages than the existing common algorithms such as color SIFT (CSIFT), gradient location and orientation histogram (GLOH), and speeded-up robust features (SURF) in searching for the symmetry of features between images.
Identities Generalizing the Theorems of Pappus and Desargues
Authors: Maddux Roger D.
Published: July 2021

The Theorems of Pappus and Desargues (for the projective plane over a field) are generalized here by two identities involving determinants and cross products. These identities are proved to hold in the three-dimensional vector space over a field. They are closely related to the Arguesian identity in lattice theory and to Cayley-Grassmann identities in invariant theory.
The Sixth Law of Stupidity: A Biophysical Interpretation of Carlo Cipolla’s Stupidity Laws
Authors: Perissi Ilaria , Bardi Ugo
Published: July 2021

Carlo Cipolla’s stupidity quadrant and his five laws of stupidity were proposed for the first time in 1976. Exposed in a humorous mood by the author, these concepts describe the interactions among human beings in terms of a semiquantitative model based on the gains and losses of the agents engaged in a process. Here, we propose a new interpretation of Cipolla’s ideas in a biophysical framework, using the well known “predator–prey”, or “Lotka–Volterra”, model. We find that there is indeed a correspondence between Cipolla’s approach, based on economics and biophysical economics. We propose a “sixth law of stupidity”, additional to the five proposed by Cipolla, stating that “humans are the stupidest species in the whole ecosystem” because of their tendency of overexploiting natural resources.
Localization of SARS-CoV-2 Capping Enzymes Revealed by an Antibody against the nsp10 Subunit
Authors: Horova Vladimira , Landova Barbora , Hodek Jan , Chalupsky Karel , Krafcikova Petra , Chalupska Dominika , Duchoslav Vojtech , Weber Jan , Boura Evzen , Klima Martin
Published: July 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic. One of the key components of the coronavirus replication complex are the RNA methyltransferases (MTases), RNA-modifying enzymes crucial for RNA cap formation. Recently, the structure of the 2’-O MTase has become available; however, its biological characterization within the infected cells remains largely elusive. Here, we report a novel monoclonal antibody directed against the SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein nsp10, a subunit of both the 2’-O RNA and N7 MTase protein complexes. Using this antibody, we investigated the subcellular localization of the SARS-CoV-2 MTases in cells infected with the SARS-CoV-2.
Detection of IFNγ-Secreting CD4+ and CD8+ Memory T Cells in COVID-19 Convalescents after Stimulation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells with Live SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Matyushenko Victoria , Isakova-Sivak Irina , Kudryavtsev Igor , Goshina Arina , Chistyakova Anna , Stepanova Ekaterina , Prokopenko Polina , Sychev Ivan , Rudenko Larisa
Published: July 2021

Background: New coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, a causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been circulating among humans since November 2019. Multiple studies have assessed the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of virus-specific immunity in COVID-19 convalescents, however, some aspects of the development of memory T-cell responses after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection remain uncovered. Methods: In most of published studies T-cell immunity to the new coronavirus is assessed using peptides corresponding to SARS-CoV-1 or SARS-CoV-2 T-cell epitopes, or with peptide pools covering various parts of the viral proteins. Here, we determined the level of CD4+ and CD8+ memory T-cell responses in COVID-19 convalescents by stimulating PBMCs collected 1 to 6 months after recovery with sucrose gradient-purified live SARS-CoV-2. IFNγ production by the central and effector memory helper and cytotoxic T cells was assessed by intracellular cytokine staining assay and flow cytometry. Results: Stimulation of PBMCs with live SARS-CoV-2 revealed IFNγ-producing T-helper effector memory cells with CD4+CD45RA−CCR7− phenotype, which persisted in circulation for up to 6 month after COVID-19. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2-specific IFNγ-secreting cytotoxic effector memory T cells were found at significant levels only shortly after the disease, but rapidly decreased over time. Conclusion: The stimulation of immune cells with live SARS-CoV-2 revealed a rapid decline in the pool of effector memory CD8+, but not CD4+, T cells after recovery from COVID-19. These data provide additional information on the development and persistence of cellular immune responses after natural infection, and can inform further development of T cell-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Nonhuman Adenoviral Vector-Based Platforms and Their Utility in Designing Next Generation of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases
Authors: Alhashimi Marwa , Elkashif Ahmed , Sayedahmed Ekramy E. , Mittal Suresh K.
Published: July 2021

Several human adenoviral (Ad) vectors have been developed for vaccine delivery owing to their numerous advantages, including the feasibility of different vector designs, the robustness of elicited immune responses, safety, and scalability. To expand the repertoire of Ad vectors for receptor usage and circumvention of Ad vector immunity, the use of less prevalent human Ad types or nonhuman Ads were explored for vector design. Notably, many nonhuman Ad vectors have shown great promise in preclinical and clinical studies as vectors for vaccine delivery. This review describes the key features of several nonhuman Ad vector platforms and their implications in developing effective vaccines against infectious diseases.
Computational and Rational Design of Single-Chain Antibody against Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus for Modifying Its Specificity
Authors: Baykov Ivan K. , Desyukevich Pavel Y. , Mikhaylova Ekaterina E. , Kurchenko Olga M. , Tikunova Nina V.
Published: July 2021

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes 5−7 thousand cases of human meningitis and encephalitis annually. The neutralizing and protective antibody ch14D5 is a potential therapeutic agent. This antibody exhibits a high affinity for binding with the D3 domain of the glycoprotein E of the Far Eastern subtype of the virus, but a lower affinity for the D3 domains of the Siberian and European subtypes. In this study, a 2.2-fold increase in the affinity of single-chain antibody sc14D5 to D3 proteins of the Siberian and European subtypes of the virus was achieved using rational design and computational modeling. This improvement can be further enhanced in the case of the bivalent binding of the full-length chimeric antibody containing the identified mutation.
Intranasal Administration of a Monoclonal Neutralizing Antibody Protects Mice against SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Halwe Sandro , Kupke Alexandra , Vanshylla Kanika , Liberta Falk , Gruell Henning , Zehner Matthias , Rohde Cornelius , Krähling Verena , Gellhorn Serra Michelle , Kreer Christoph , Klüver Michael , Sauerhering Lucie , Schmidt Jörg , Cai Zheng , Han Fei , Young David , Yang Guangwei , Widera Marek , Koch Manuel , Werner Anke , Kämper Lennart , Becker Nico , Marlow Michael S. , Eickmann Markus , Ciesek Sandra , Schiele Felix , Klein Florian , Becker Stephan
Published: July 2021

Despite the recent availability of vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), there is an urgent need for specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies are an important drug class in the global fight against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic due to their ability to convey immediate protection and their potential to be used as both prophylactic and therapeutic drugs. Clinically used neutralizing antibodies against respiratory viruses are currently injected intravenously, which can lead to suboptimal pulmonary bioavailability and thus to a lower effectiveness. Here we describe DZIF-10c, a fully human monoclonal neutralizing antibody that binds the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. DZIF-10c displays an exceptionally high neutralizing potency against SARS-CoV-2, retains full activity against the variant of concern (VOC) B.1.1.7 and still neutralizes the VOC B.1.351, although with reduced potency. Importantly, not only systemic but also intranasal application of DZIF-10c abolished the presence of infectious particles in the lungs of SARS-CoV-2 infected mice and mitigated lung pathology when administered prophylactically. Along with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, these results highlight DZIF-10c as a novel human SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody with high in vitro and in vivo antiviral potency. The successful intranasal application of DZIF-10c paves the way for clinical trials investigating topical delivery of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
Changes in Attitudes towards the COVID-19 Vaccine and the Willingness to Get Vaccinated among Adults in Poland: Analysis of Serial, Cross-Sectional, Representative Surveys, January–April 2021
Authors: Raciborski Filip , Jankowski Mateusz , Gujski Mariusz , Pinkas Jarosław , Samel-Kowalik Piotr
Published: July 2021

In December 2020, the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine was authorized in the European Union. This study aimed to assess the changes in attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine and the willingness to get vaccinated among adults in Poland between January and April 2021. Secondary data analysis was carried out using data obtained from nationally representative cross-sectional surveys (four consecutive waves: January 2021, n = 1150; February 2021, n = 1179; March 2021, n = 1154; April 2021, n = 1131) carried out by the Public Opinion Research Center. About 31.3% of individuals declared a lack of willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 regardless of the study wave. Significant changes (p < 0.001) were observed by gender and age. The highest percentage of respondents who declared a lack of willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 was observed in the youngest age group (18–34 years), 48.5% among males and 45.6% among females. Among individuals over 65 years of age, males significantly more often declared their willingness to be vaccinated than females (p < 0.001). The main argument against the COVID-19 vaccine was concern about the potential side effects. Differences in attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine in respect of gender and age indicate the need to implement personalized communications to encourage different social groups to vaccinate against COVID-19.
COVID-19 Vaccine Intention among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Noushad Mohammed , Nassani Mohammad Zakaria , Alsalhani Anas B. , Koppolu Pradeep , Niazi Fayez Hussain , Samran Abdulaziz , Rastam Samer , Alqerban Ali , Barakat Ali , Almoallim Hesham S.
Published: July 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused largescale morbidity and mortality and a tremendous burden on the healthcare system. Healthcare workers (HCWs) require adequate protection to avoid onward transmission and minimize burden on the healthcare system. Moreover, HCWs can also influence the general public into accepting the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, determining COVID-19 vaccine intention among HCWs is of paramount importance to plan tailor-made public health strategies to maximize vaccine coverage. A structured questionnaire was administered in February and March 2021 among HCWs in Saudi Arabia using convenience sampling, proceeding the launch of the vaccination campaign. HCWs from all administrative regions of Saudi Arabia were included in the study. In total, 674 out of 1124 HCWs responded and completed the survey (response rate 59.9%). About 65 percent of the HCWs intended to get vaccinated. The intention to vaccinate was significantly higher among HCWs 50 years of age or older, Saudi nationals and those who followed the updates about COVID-19 vaccines (p < 0.05). The high percentage (26 percent) of those who were undecided in getting vaccinated is a positive sign. As the vaccination campaign gathers pace, the attitude is expected to change over time. Emphasis should be on planning healthcare strategies to convince the undecided HCWs into accepting the vaccine in order to achieve the coverage required to achieve herd immunity.
Seasonal Variation and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal in an Estuarine Mangrove Wetland
Authors: Hong Hualong , Zhang Binghuang , Lu Haoliang
Published: July 2021

Potential toxic metal pollution in mangroves has attracted extensive attention globally; however, the seasonal variation of potential toxic metals in mangrove wetlands is still poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the variation of content as well as chemical speciation of typical metals (Pb, Cr, Zn and Cu) in the sediments from the Zhangjiang Estuary mangrove wetland, China. The potential risk of metal contamination was also investigated. Compared to the wet season, we found that sediment metal content was higher in the dry season. Mangrove sites show accumulated significant metals than does the mudflat both in wet and dry seasons. Geo-accumulation (Igeo) shows moderate pollution, probably because of the dilution as result of runoff and tidal hydrodynamics in the wet season. Increased concentrations of all metals in the acid-soluble fraction and decreased metal contents in the residue fraction were found in the dry season. Risk assessment indicated that the concentrations of Pb poses a higher environmental risk in the dry season. These results can increase awareness of metal pollution in the dry season and provide information for potential toxic metal management in mangrove wetlands.
The Grids Python Tool for Querying Spatiotemporal Multidimensional Water Data
Authors: Hales Riley Chad , Nelson Everett  James , Williams Gustavious P. , Jones Norman , Ames Daniel P. , Jones J. Enoch
Published: July 2021

Scientific datasets from global-scale earth science models and remote sensing instruments are becoming available at greater spatial and temporal resolutions with shorter lag times. Water data are frequently stored as multidimensional arrays, also called gridded or raster data, and span two or three spatial dimensions, the time dimension, and other dimensions which vary by the specific dataset. Water engineers and scientists need these data as inputs for models and generate data in these formats as results. A myriad of file formats and organizational conventions exist for storing these array datasets. The variety does not make the data unusable but does add considerable difficulty in using them because the structure can vary. These storage formats are largely incompatible with common geographic information system (GIS) software. This introduces additional complexity in extracting values, analyzing results, and otherwise working with multidimensional data since they are often spatial data. We present a Python package which provides a central interface for efficient access to multidimensional water data regardless of the file format. This research builds on and unifies existing file formats and software rather than suggesting entirely new alternatives. We present a summary of the code design and validate the results using common water-related datasets and software.
River Basin Management Planning in the Republic of Ireland: Past, Present and the Future
Authors: Antwi Sarpong Hammond , Linnane Suzanne , Getty David , Rolston Alec
Published: July 2021

The River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) is an essential component of the European Union Water Framework Directive that details an integrated approach required to protect, improve and sustainably manage water resources. RBMP were intended to be produced for the periods 2009–2015, 2016–2021 and 2022–2027. However, after two years of delays in the development processes, the Republic of Ireland produced its first RBMP in 2010. The second RBMP cycle was also implemented in 2018 and is expected to run until the end of 2021 to give way to the third RBMP, whose consultation processes have been ongoing since December 2019. This paper contributes to the forthcoming RBMP by assessing stakeholders’ perspectives on the second RBMP through a desk-based review and by conducting interviews with nine institutions (14 interviewees). The qualitatively analysed interviews reveal a broad spectrum of actors associated with water management and governance in the Republic of Ireland through a three-tier governance structure that has been delivered (with amendment) through the first two RBMPs. Organisations such as the An Fóram Uisce|The Water Forum, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Local Authority Waters, and the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme have responsibilities designated in the RBMPs to deliver improved water quality, integrated catchment management, community engagement and awareness-raising. Trust has also been building up among these organisations and other agencies in the water sector. Despite these responsibilities and progress made, the interviews identified communication lapses, ineffective collaboration and coordination among stakeholders and late implementation to be hampering the successful delivery of the second RBMP, in addition to significant pressures acting on water bodies from agricultural activities and urban wastewater treatment. Towards the third RBMP, the paper concludes that optimised water sector finance, enhanced and well-resourced communications, and improved stakeholder collaboration are needed to foster effective and efficient water services delivery and quality. More so, given the cross-cutting impact of the Sustainable Development Goals on water resources and the interconnected relations among the goals, the paper further recommends the integration of the SDGs in the various plans of actions and a co-benefits approach to derive the triple benefits from biodiversity, climate change initiatives and water quality measures.
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Ejector Test Platform Design and Ejector Test Analysis
Authors: Chen Fengxiang , Hou Mingtao , Li Jianhui , Pei Yaowang , Wang Yangyang
Published: July 2021

The hydrogen recirculation system is essential to the performance of the fuel cell system; the ejector device plays an important role in the hydrogen recirculation system. In this paper, a test platform which can simulate the fuel cell anode system is integrated for ejector performance testing. Based on the ejector test platform, an ejector device was tested under different operating conditions. The design of the ejector test platform, the test method and test process are introduced in detail. The test results of the ejector are compared with the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation results of different turbulence models. The results show that the standard k-e model is more accurate than other turbulence models at small and medium flow rates. At a large flow rate, the realizable k-e model has a higher simulation accuracy than other turbulence models.
Dynamics of the live weight of replacement heifers depending on their origin from the sire
Authors: Gorelik O. V. , Fedoseeva N. A. , Gorelik A. S. , Koksharov E. V.
Published: July 2021

In the last few decades the improvement of domestic dairy cattle was due to the widespread use of the gene pool of the best world breed such as Holstein. As a result of crossbreeding the breeding stock of the domestic Black-and-White breed with the sires of Holstein breed in different regions of the country a population of crossbreds has been created. The purpose of the work was to study the age dynamics of the live weight of replacement heifers depending on the paternal origin and the correlation between the indicators for the growth periods. The daughters of different sires have a difference in their live weight at the first insemination. The live weight of more than 400 kg was obtained from replacement heifers obtained from the sires Saber, Decaro and Baquero. The daughters of the sires Gatedenser, Bentley and Alta Ciara in live weight were inferior to their herdmates by 2,7–9,3 kg or by 0,7–2,8 % (P ≥ 0,05). The bulk of the replacement heifers are inseminated at the age of 13 months and only the daughters of the sire Alta Ciara are inseminated at the age of 14,1 months with a live weight of 396,7 kg. Despite the almost identical live weight of heifers at birth they differed from each other in the process of rearing. It has been established that the live weight at birth is not an indicator for assessing the further growth of replacement young animals. At 6 months of age the correlation of live weight at the age of 6 months and at the first insemination was positive and ranges from 0,01 (daughters of the sire Baquero) to 0,55 (daughters of the sire Decaro). Selection of heifers at the age of 6 months by their live weight allows us to choose the best and provide the opportunity to inseminate them at the age of 12–13 months with the organization of intensive rearing.
Influence of live weight on milk productivity and longevity of economic use of cows
Authors: Velmatov A. A. , Dunin I. M. , Lukonina O. N. , Abushaev R. A. , Tishkina T. N.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of the research was to study the influence of the live weight of first-calf heifers on the subsequent milk productivity and productive longevity of high-blood Holstein animals. Research has shown that live weight influence on dairy productivity and productive longevity of cows. From cows with genotype 1/4S+1/4A+1/2RWH with a live weight of 580–600 kg for the first lactation 750 kg more milk was produced than from cows with the live weight 480–500 kg at the first calving. With an increase of the part of Holstein breed blood the differences in milk productivity between cows with different live weight during the first lactation have been increased. First-calf heifers with genotype 1/8S+1/8A+3/4RWH with the live weight of 580–600 kg outperformed their herdmates with the live weight 480–500 kg in milk yield by 1761 kg (P ≥ 0,999), and cows of genotype 1/16S+1/16A+7/8RWH by 2271 kg of milk (P ≥ 0,999). Indicators of productive economic use had certain differences. Thus, cows with the genotype 1/4S+1/4A+1/2RWH with the live weight of 540–560 kg had the highest longevity of economic use – 43,29 months and a lifetime productivity – 24942 kg of milk. In crossbred cows with genotype 1/8S+1/8A+3/4RWH the longevity of economic use and lifetime productivity were higher in cows with the live weight of 580–600 kg, the indicators were 24,73 months and 18294 kg of milk, respectively, in cows with genotype 1/16S+1/16A+7/8RWH the highest longevity of economic use 24,96 months was in cows with the live weight of 560–580 kg, and lifetime productivity – 18131 kg in cows with the live weight 580–600 kg.
The storage of turkey hatching eggs
Authors: Kolokolnikova T. N.
Published: July 2021

During the storage period, changes in morphological and biochemical parameters occur in the egg. The composition of the microflora on the surface of the egg shell changes, while their hatchery traits decrease. The rate of “aging” of eggs depends on the quality of the shell, protein and yolk, on the shelf life, the level of contamination of the shell surface with microorganisms, temperature, humidity, gas composition of the environment, the position of the eggs in space, and so on. Many methods of preserving the quality of the hatchery egg and the viability of the embryo in it have been studied. However, not all storage techniques are suitable for each species of birds. So, the method of storage with a sharp pole up in a sealed package is optimal for eggs of meat chickens, and in turkeys, when stored in the sealed package, the hatchery traits are sharply reduced. At the same time, the storage of turkey hatching eggs with a sharp pole up allows to increase their hatchability by 0,78–1,63 % (a week of storage) or to neutralize the harmful effects of biochemical changes in the egg and to keep the hatchability of eggs at the level of 85,20 and 80,10 % (two and three weeks of storage). The use of sealed packaging for storing turkey hatching eggs without sufficient airing time leads to a decrease in the results of brooding, and with the increase in the shelf life, the negative effect increases and the hatchability of eggs decreases from 89,53–91,22 % (one week of storage) to 27,08–46,86 % (three weeks of storage). In any case, the shelf life of two and three weeks negatively affects the quality of daily poults, which is expressed in an increase in live weight by 0,05–0,90 and 0,30–1,21 %, as well as the decrease in the length of daily poults by 2,44–3,11 and 3,08–3,37 %, respectively.