bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Structural Damage and Damping Performance of a Mega-Subcontrolled Structural System (MSCSS) Subjected to Seismic Action
Authors: Shahzad Muhammad Moman , Zhang Xun’an , Wang Xinwei
Published: September 2022

Due to multiple degrees of freedom, evaluating high-rise buildings’ seismic safety under unpredictable seismic excitations is difficult. To address the issue that the damage mechanism of a mega-subcontrolled structural system (MSCSS) has not yet been studied, this paper employs ABAQUS software with strong nonlinear analysis capabilities to analyze the nonlinear elastic—plastic time history of an MSCSS, analyze structural damage to the MSCSS structure, reveal the internal energy dissipation mechanism of the MSCSS, and evaluate the damping performance of the MSCSS structure. This work presents a novel and optimized MSCSS structure equipped with SPSW that improves the system’s seismic performance. First, a refined finite element model of the MSCSS is established, and the impact of vigorous seismic excitations on the damage to the MSCSS structure is considered. The MSCSS structure’s vulnerable parts are then summarized using stress nephograms and residual stresses. Finally, the favorable damping performance of the structure reveals that the newly proposed structure has good shock absorption performance based on an analysis of the energy dissipation, time history, and interstory drift of the MSCSS. This paper’s research findings elaborate the structural damage trend in MSCSS structures, which can serve as a theoretical foundation for MSCSS structure damage identification.
Online Flipped and Gamification Classroom: Risks and Opportunities for the Academic Achievement of Adult Sustainable Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ng Lui-Kwan , Lo Chung-Kwan
Published: September 2022

The online traditional and the online flipped classroom approaches have been adopted worldwide in higher education during the prolonged city lockdowns. Research has suggested that gamification is a technopedagogy which can be integrated into these approaches to promote learning outcomes. Hence, this study aims to uncover various risks and opportunities involved in adopting the online flipped and gamified classroom approaches, especially in terms of their impact on academic achievement, for ensuring sustainable adult education during the pandemic. We conducted a mixed-method study grounded in self-determination theory and adult learning principles, in which learners enrolled in a postgraduate business management programme were divided into three instructional conditions for one module: a gamified online flipped class (GOFC, n = 25), a nongamified online flipped class (NOFC, n = 24), and a gamified online traditional class (GOTC, n = 19). Quantitative and qualitative data from the learners, teachers, and teaching assistants were collected and analysed to compare academic achievement across the classes. Contrary to the expectations of gamification proponents, the learners in the nongamified online flipped class significantly outperformed those in the two gamified online classes. Qualitative findings revealed that technical support, professional training for teachers, and building learners’ sense of belonging to their classes were necessary to ensure the sustainability of learning in fully online classes. The findings, thus, have important implications for the effective implementation of these pedagogical approaches in adult education programmes in a fully online environment.
Identifying the Leverage Points in the Household Solid Waste Management System for Harare, Zimbabwe, Using Network Analysis Techniques
Authors: Kwenda Phyllis Rumbidzai , Lagerwall Gareth , Eker Sibel , van Ruijven Bas
Published: September 2022

Managing household solid waste (HSW) has gone beyond what the Harare local government can handle. Inadequate knowledge of the interactions existing between issues that affect the efficient running of waste management systems is one of the major hindrances in waste management planning in developing countries like Zimbabwe. The complexity of the waste management system for a given municipal area needs to be identified and understood to generate appropriate and efficient waste management strategies. Network analysis (NA) is a methodology extensively used in research to help reveal a comprehensive picture of the relationships and factors related to a particular phenomenon. The methodology reduces the intricacy of large systems such as waste management to smaller and more understandable structures. In this study, NA, which was done mainly using the R software environment, showed a result of 1.5% for network density, thus signifying that for Harare, waste management strategies need to be ‘seeded’ in various parts of the system. The Pareto principle and the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) concept were applied to suggest the issues to prioritize and generate strategies that could potentially affect significant change to the city’s waste management system. The key issues identified, in their order of importance, are an increase in uncollected waste, low waste collection efficiency, increase in illegal waste dumping, the deteriorating country’s economy, reduced municipal financial capacity, reduced municipal workforce capacity, inadequate or unreliable waste data, increase in waste volume, increase in the number of street vendors, no waste planning and monitoring unit, no engineered landfills in the city, increase in waste collection pressure, low waste collection frequency, increase in the unemployment rate, reduced municipal technical capacity, few waste collection vehicles, limited vehicles maintenance, distinct socio-economic classes, high vehicles breakdown, and increase in population.
Security Issues and Solutions for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles in a Sustainable City: A Survey
Authors: Wang Zhendong , Wei Haoran , Wang Jianda , Zeng Xiaoming , Chang Yuchao
Published: September 2022

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) combine technologies of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and connected vehicles (CVs) to develop quicker, more reliable, and safer traffic. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based CAV solutions play significant roles in sustainable cities. The convergence imposes stringent security requirements for CAV safety and reliability. In practice, vehicles are developed with increased automation and connectivity. Increased automation increases the reliance on the sensor-based technologies and decreases the reliance on the driver; increased connectivity increases the exposures of vehicles’ vulnerability and increases the risk for an adversary to implement a cyber-attack. Much work has been dedicated to identifying the security vulnerabilities and recommending mitigation techniques associated with different sensors, controllers, and connection mechanisms, respectively. However, there is an absence of comprehensive and in-depth studies to identify how the cyber-attacks exploit the vehicles’ vulnerabilities to negatively impact the performance and operations of CAVs. In this survey, we set out to thoroughly review the security issues introduced by AV and CV technologies, analyze how the cyber-attacks impact the performance of CAVs, and summarize the solutions correspondingly. The impact of cyber-attacks on the performance of CAVs is elaborated from both viewpoints of intra-vehicle systems and inter-vehicle systems. We pointed out that securing the perception and operations of CAVs would be the top requirement to enable CAVs to be applied safely and reliably in practice. Additionally, we suggested to utilize cloud and new AI methods to defend against smart cyber-attacks on CAVs.
Effects of Social Media Usage on Job Crafting for Female Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from China
Authors: Liao Ganli , Li Yi , Zhang Qichao , Li Miaomiao
Published: September 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of social media platforms for working online has become a global phenomenon. For female employees, social media usage has made it easier to balance work and family, but the pressures have also multiplied. Especially in China, the COVID-19 prevention policies led to dramatic changes in working patterns, which significantly affected the emotions, cognitions, and behaviors of female employees. Based on the job demands resource theory, this study explores the double-edged effect of social media usage on job crafting for female employees. Survey data were collected from 563 female employees in Chinese enterprises. Hierarchical regression analysis and the bootstrap method by SPSS and AMOS software were used to test the hypotheses. The results show that work-related social media usage has a negative effect on job crafting, while social-related social media usage has a positive effect. Moreover, job autonomy and workplace friendship mediate the relationship between them. This study extends the research on the double-edge effect of female employees’ social media usage and enriches the antecedents and influencing mechanisms of job crafting. It also provides theoretical and practical guidance for managers on how to promote the sustainability of human capital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evaluation of the Gas Drainage Effect in Deep Loose Coal Seams Based on the Cloud Model
Authors: Qiu Dandan , Wu Yanling , Li Li
Published: September 2022

The gas drainage effect is one of the important elements in the study of gas drainage in coal mines. It is critical to establish an effective evaluation model of the gas drainage effect for coal mines because the result of gas drainage is directly related to the safety of the coal mines. Through the research related to the safety evaluation in the existing coal mining process, we discovered that there are few studies on the evaluation of the impact of deep and soft gas drainage, and the evaluation methods are not sufficiently effective to resolve the complex problems arising in the process of gas drainage. This paper took “three soft” coal seams in the Lugou Coal Mine as the research object and constructed the evaluation index system on the basis of thoroughly analyzing the factors of coal seam drainage. We then employed a combination weighting method to attain the optimal weight by organically integrating the Analysis Hierarchical Process subjective weighting method and the Criteria Importance Through Interaction Correlation objective weighting method and utilized the cloud model to compute the numerical characteristic value of the evaluation index. In the end, this method obtained an evaluation result of the gas drainage effect evaluation. The evaluation result grade is good. Additional analysis was performed according to the evaluation factors, and corresponding improvement measures were proposed. This is of great importance in promoting safe production and improving the efficiency of gas drainage.
Community Perception of Animal-Based Urban Agriculture within City Greenspaces of the Global North: A Survey of Residents near Cornwall Park, New Zealand
Authors: Davis Shannon , Chen Guanyu
Published: September 2022

The ability of cities worldwide to feed themselves is of increasing concern to Urban Planning and Design professions. In recent years, interest in reintegrating agricultural production back into cities of the Global North has grown, particularly with regard to plant-based urban agriculture. Research focused on animal-based urban agriculture however has been notably absent from the literature and case studies set within cities of the Global North. This study aims to contribute to this emerging area of research and seeks to better understand the enablers and barriers to integrating grazing animals within urban greenspace from a ‘neighbor’ perspective. This paper presents survey responses from residents living around Cornwall Park, an urban greenspace in Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest city, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, that integrates a working sheep and beef farm as part of the 172 ha urban greenspace. Findings revealed that the grazing animals were highly valued by the neighboring community with 99% of respondents feeling ‘positive’ towards the inclusion of grazing animals as part of the public park. Our findings have implications for cities of the Global North considering the reintegration of animal-based urban agriculture, providing support for decision-making when defining policies for enabling animal-based agriculture within public greenspace.
Hydrogen Leakage Simulation and Risk Analysis of Hydrogen Fueling Station in China
Authors: Zhang Xuchao , Qiu Gang , Wang Shali , Wu Jiaxi , Peng Yunan
Published: September 2022

Hydrogen is a renewable energy source with various features, clean, carbon-free, high energy density, which is being recognized internationally as a “future energy.” The US, the EU, Japan, South Korea, China, and other countries or regions are gradually clarifying the development position of hydrogen. The rapid development of the hydrogen energy industry requires more hydrogenation infrastructure to meet the hydrogenation need of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Nevertheless, due to the frequent occurrence of hydrogen infrastructure accidents, their safety has become an obstacle to large-scale construction. This paper analyzed five sizes (diameters of 0.068 mm, 0.215 mm, 0.68 mm, 2.15 mm, and 6.8 mm) of hydrogen leakage in the hydrogen fueling station using Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) and HyRAM software. The results show that unignited leaks occur most frequently; leaks caused by flanges, valves, instruments, compressors, and filters occur more frequently; and the risk indicator of thermal radiation accident and structure collapse accident caused by overpressure exceeds the Chinese individual acceptable risk standard and the risk indicator of a thermal radiation accident and head impact accident caused by overpressure is below the Chinese standard. On the other hand, we simulated the consequences of hydrogen leak from the 45 MPa hydrogen storage vessels by the physic module of HyRAM and obtained the ranges of plume dispersion, jet fire, radiative heat flux, and unconfined overpressure. We suggest targeted preventive measures and safety distance to provide references for hydrogen fueling stations’ safe construction and operation.
Effects of Chinese Firms’ Innovation on New Energy Vehicles Purchases
Authors: Deng Jun , Nam Eun-Young
Published: September 2022

As energy shortages and environmental pollution intensify, innovation in new energy vehicles is considered a major priority. They present an important opportunity to change the direction of China’s automobile industry while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Following various launches of new energy vehicles, the problem of product homogenization is emerging, and automobile companies are contemplating how to increase their market share. This study investigates a few questions that have been left unanswered in previous research, which are mainly focused on the value and price of new energy vehicles. We focus on the effect of new energy vehicle companies’ innovative behaviors on consumers’ purchasing intention in the Chinese market. Innovative behaviors are defined here as the rationalization or modernization choices firms make with respect to products, marketing, service, technological, and cultural factors. The study verified the structural equation model constructed using survey data. Our study of 479 surveyed customers shows that consumers’ perceived value is positively (+) correlated with a higher degree of innovation by a firm. In general, the relationship between innovation behavior and consumers’ perceived risk shows negative results, however, the relationship in this research showed contradictory results. The only negative (−) effects on product purchase were observed in marketing and technological innovation; these factors increase perceived risk by increasing the tendency of consumers to choose to purchase a new energy vehicle despite feeling uneasy about the innovation despite uncertainties about the innovation of new energy vehicles. Our results present the relationship between innovative behaviors of new energy vehicle firms, consumers’ perceived value, consumers’ perceived risk, consumers’ innovative affinities and characteristics, and finally, purchase intention to explore the influence of innovation factors on consumers’ purchase intention of new energy vehicles. These findings should assist new vehicle firms in understanding Chinese consumers’ purchase intentions.
Control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Using MPC–MTPA Control for Deployment in Electric Tractor
Authors: Gade Chandrasekhar Reddy , W Razia Sultana
Published: September 2022

This study aims to evaluate the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drive performance for various load conditions under steady state and dynamic conditions. Therefore, this paper proposes finite set model-predictive control (FS-MPC) for IPMSM with maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) for electric tractor application. The MTPA control technique is used to obtain maximum torque while maintaining a minimum current constraint. In addition to MTPA control, the MPC scheme is used as the suitable alternative control strategy in the electric tractor application, which eliminates the occurrence of torque ripples during the dynamic speed tracking under variable load conditions. The MPC is used to improve the dynamic response of the motor drive and reduce torque ripples under variable load conditions. MPC–MTPA is developed in the MATLAB/SIMULINK and validated in the real-time environment using the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulator (OPAL-RT OP5700). The results prove that MPC improves the dynamic performance and MTPA reduces the stator copper loss and increases the drive efficiency.
Are Permeable Pavements a Sustainable Solution? A Qualitative Study of the Usage of Permeable Pavements
Authors: Muttuvelu Dansani Vasanthan , Wyke Simon , Vollertsen Jes
Published: September 2022

This paper contains an interview-based study focusing on permeable pavements as part of sustainable drainage systems. Climate change is causing pluvial flooding, according to the newest IPCC report. This mostly affects urban areas in cities due to: (1) limited capacity of existing drainage systems during heavy-intensity rainfall over a short period of time and (2) limited space for ditches in city areas. Permeable pavements are, therefore, sustainable drainage solutions which combine road infrastructure with water infrastructure. Are permeable pavements a preferable sustainable solution? To answer that question, 24 respondents were interviewed. The interview study was based on a semi-structured interview methodology. A lessons-learned experience was gathered, and the following conclusions were contrived: Firstly, official guidelines on how to construct, consult, and maintain permeable pavements are required. Secondly, more contractors should be able to offer the same product. Finally, official guidelines on the relationship between the contractors are required. These three indicators were extracted from the study.
The Source, Transport, and Removal of Chemical Elements in Rainwater in China
Authors: Chen Dandan , Guo Zhongsheng
Published: September 2022

Rainwater is one of the most important parts of water resources and aerosols. The content of chemical elements in rainwater influences air quality significantly. It is extremely important for high-quality sustainable agriculture development and the cultivation of China’s natural landscape to understand and control the sources, transport, and removal of chemical elements in rainwater. Currently, there are some reports on the sources and removal of chemical elements in rainwater; however, these papers do not completely and clearly explain where the chemical elements in the rainwater originate and how they are transported and removed. A review of published literature related to chemical elements in rainwater shows that industrialization and urbanization increase the levels of atmospheric pollutants and trace elements in rainwater, contaminating soil and surface water as well as other natural resources. The Chinese government established a series of sponge cities, rainwater wetlands, rainwater gardens, and biological detention pools to improve the quality of sewage so as to realize the reuse of water resources, the sustainable development of high-quality agriculture, and the cultivation of China’s natural landscape.
The Importance of Measuring Arsenic in Honey, Water, and PM10 for Food Safety as an Environmental Study: Experience from the Mining and Metallurgical Districts of Bor, Serbia
Authors: Sovrlić Zorica , Tošić Snežana , Kovačević Renata , Jovanović Violeta , Krstić Vesna
Published: September 2022

Arsenic and toxic metals can reach food and honey through water and air, thus endangering the safe consumption of the same. These toxic substances can damage human health through the food chain, which is contrary to the goals of sustainability related to health and food safety. It is necessary to continuously control and measure the concentration of pollutants to ensure the safety of food produced near mining areas. The arsenic content of honey samples from a territory up to 32 km in diameter from the mine (Bor town, east Serbia, and its surroundings), as determined by ICP-MS, is presented in this paper. PM10 particles and water were also analyzed for arsenic content. Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical cluster analysis were used for statistical analysis. The obtained results showed that the content of arsenic in honey was below the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) value. The honey was not contaminated, although the results showed that the concentrations of arsenic in water and PM10 particles were elevated. The results indicate that the environment in these areas is damaged and point towards caution.
Asymmetrical Damage Aspects Based Investigations on the Disc Brake of Long-Range UAVs through Verified Computational Coupled Approaches
Authors: Raja Vijayanandh , Gnanasekaran Raj Kumar , Rajendran Parvathy , Mohd Ali Aiffah , Rasheed Raffik , AL-bonsrulah Hussein A. Z. , Al-Bahrani Mohammed
Published: September 2022

In recent years, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has increased significantly. Asymmetrical factors, or frictional studies on the disc brake of UAVs, are one of the safety considerations taken into consideration during the design process because UAVs and their components have been built with the best safety in mind. This study focuses on choosing the optimal material for a UAV’s disc brake by using transient structural and thermal models. In order to compare the asymmetry-based frictional force produced by the two ways; the processes used in the transient simulation are validated using pin-on-disc (POD) testing. The foundation for this validation investigation is a metal matrix composite made of an aluminum alloy, and the basis tool is an ASTM G99-based computational test specimen. Steel-EN24 and carbon ceramic matrix composites testing are expanded using the same POD tests. A range of 3 percent to 8 percent error rates is found. As a result, the calculation techniques are applied to the UAV’s disc brake after they have proven to be trustworthy. This fixed-wing UAV’s extensions have a 5 kg payload capacity. The weight, avionics components, tire dimensions, and disc brake dimensions of the other UAV design parts are calculated using analytical formulas. The final designs are made using CATIA as a result. The grid convergence experiment is organized using a traditional finite element analysis tool. Finally, at its maximum rotational speed, a UAV’s disc brake is put through asymmetrical friction testing based on structural and thermal consequences. The correct materials for critical applications, such as carbon fiber-woven-wet-based reinforced polymer and Kevlar unidirectional-49-based reinforced polymer composites for changing rotating speeds, have now been made possible by fixed-wing UAVs.
An Intelligent Genetic Scheme for Multi-Objective Collaboration Services Scheduling
Authors: Guo Wei , Kong Lanju , Lu Xudong , Cui Lizhen
Published: September 2022

The optimization of collaborative service scheduling is the main bottleneck restricting the efficiency and cost of collaborative service execution. It is helpful to reduce the cost and improve the efficiency to deal with the scheduling problem correctly and effectively. The traditional genetic algorithm can solve the multi-objective problem more comprehensively than the optimization algorithm, such as stochastic greedy algorithm. But in the actual situation, the traditional algorithm is still one-sided. The intelligent genetic scheme (IGS) proposed in this paper enhances the expansibility and diversity of the algorithm on the basis of traditional genetic algorithm. In the process of initial population selection, the initial population generation strategy is changed, a part of the population is randomly generated and the selection process is iteratively optimized, which is a selection method based on population asymmetric exchange to realize selection. Mutation factors enhance the diversity of the population in the adaptive selection based on individual innate quality. The proposed IGS can not only maintain individual diversity, increase the probability of excellent individuals, accelerate the convergence rate, but also will not lead to the ultimate result of the local optimal solution. It has certain advantages in solving the optimization problem, and provides a new idea and method for solving the collaborative service optimization scheduling problem, which can save manpower and significantly reduce costs on the premise of ensuring the quality. The experimental results show that Intelligent Genetic algorithm (IGS) not only has better scalability and diversity, but also can increase the probability of excellent individuals and accelerate the convergence speed.
Oscillation Results of Third-Order Differential Equations with Symmetrical Distributed Arguments
Authors: Qaraad Belgees , Bazighifan Omar , Ali Ali Hasan , Al-Moneef Areej A. , Alqarni Awatif Jahman , Nonlaopon Kamsing
Published: September 2022

This paper is concerned with the oscillation and asymptotic behavior of certain third-order nonlinear delay differential equations with distributed deviating arguments. By establishing sufficient conditions for the nonexistence of Kneser solutions and existing oscillation results for the studied equation, we obtain new criteria which ensure that every solution oscillates by using the theory of comparison with first-order delay equations and the technique of Riccati transformation. Some examples are presented to illustrate the importance of main results.
Reasons and Determinants of BoNT-A Treatment Discontinuation in Patients Living with Spasticity: A 10-Year Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Cinone Nicoletta , Santoro Luigi , Spina Stefania , Facciorusso Salvatore , Battaglia Marco , Baricich Alessio , Marcogiuseppe Pasqua , Santamato Andrea
Published: September 2022

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the reasons and determinants of BoNT-A discontinuation in patients with stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. Methods: It is a retrospective study of 56 discontinuer patients treated with botulinum toxin between January 2011 and December 2021. Discontinuation rates and their predictors were estimated using Kaplan–Meier, Log rank test, and Cox’s regression method of analyses. Results: The mean age was 56.54 years, 53.57% were affected by post-stroke spasticity, 17.86% by spinal cord injury, 12.5% and 16.07% by traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis, respectively. The median discontinuation time was 5 months. The main reason for discontinuation were logistic problems (37%) and orthopedic surgeries or intrathecal baclofen (27%). Discontinuers were more likely to have severe spasticity (R = 1.785), have no pain (HR = 1.320), no access to rehabilitation services (HR = 1.402), and have cognitive impairment (HR = 1.403). Conclusions: The main reasons for discontinuation are related to logistic issues (due to distance or the absence of an adequate caregiver) and surgical interventions for spasticity, including intrathecal baclofen. It is crucial to identify possible predictors of discontinuation to improve the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary management. The study confirms the crucial role of rehabilitation and caregivers in achieving better long-term outcomes.
Lessons from the Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis of HTLV-1-Infected Individuals: Biomarkers of Inflammation for HAM/TSP Development
Authors: Freitas Nicole Lardini , Gomes Yago Côrtes Pinheiro , Souza Flávia dos Santos , Torres Rafael Carvalho , Echevarria-Lima Juliana , Leite Ana Claudia Celestino Bezerra , Lima Marco Antonio Sales Dantas , Araújo Abelardo Queiroz Campos , Silva Marcus Tulius Teixeira , Espíndola Otávio de Melo
Published: September 2022

HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to motor impairment due to a chronic inflammatory process in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the HAM/TSP pathogenesis is not completely clear, and biomarkers to define the disease prognosis are still necessary. Thus, we aimed to identify biomarkers for HAM/TSP and potential mechanisms involved in disease development. To that end, the concentrations of VILIP-1, BDNF, VEGF, β-NGF, TGF-β1, fractalkine/CX3CL1, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α, and the soluble forms of TREM-1, TREM-2, and RAGE, were assessed using a multiplex bead-based immunoassay in paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from HAM/TSP patients (n = 20), asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers (AC) (n = 13), and HTLV-1-seronegative individuals (n = 9), with the results analyzed according to the speed of HAM/TSP progression. HAM/TSP patients had elevated fractalkine in the serum but not in the CSF, particularly those with low neuroinflammatory activity (CSF/serum ratio of neopterin <1 and of CXCL10 < 2). HAM/TSP patients with normal CSF levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) showed elevated β-NGF in serum, and serum BDNF levels were increased in HTLV-1-infected individuals, particularly in HTLV-1 AC. Both HTLV-1 AC and HAM/TSP patients had lower TGF-β1 levels in CSF compared to uninfected individuals, and HAM/TSP patients with active CNS inflammation showed higher CSF levels of IL-18, which correlated with markers of inflammation, neuronal death, and blood–brain-barrier permeability. Although none of the factors evaluated were associated with the speed of HAM/TSP progression, reduced TGF-β1 levels in CSF suggest that suppressive responses to control subclinical and/or active neurodegeneration are impaired, while increased CSF IL-18 indicates the involvement of inflammasome-mediated mechanisms in HAM/TSP development.
Genetic Characterization of Human Rabies Vaccine Strain in Japan and Rabies Viruses Related to Vaccine Development from 1940s to 1980s
Authors: Horiya Madoka , Posadas-Herrera Guillermo , Takayama-Ito Mutsuyo , Yamaguchi Yukie , Iizuka-Shiota Itoe , Kato Hirofumi , Okamoto Aikou , Saijo Masayuki , Lim Chang-Kweng
Published: September 2022

The rabies virus is widely distributed and vaccines are an important strategy to prevent its spread. The whole-genome sequences of rabies strains in relation to vaccine development provide essential information to maintain vaccine quality and develop new vaccines. However, the genetic characteristics of the purified chick embryo cell culture rabies vaccine, KM Biologics (PCECV-KMB), developed in Japan in the 1970s, have not been explored. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of the open reading frame regions of rabies strains discovered from the 1940s–1980s and used to develop chick embryo cell-adapted HEP-Flury small plaque-forming (CEF-S) strain, which is a vaccine strain of PCECV-KMB. The genetic characteristic of CEF-S, developed by acclimation of the HEP-Flury-NIID strain to one-day eggs and subsequently to chick embryo cells, were confirmed by comparing the genome identity and revealing the nine amino acid mutations between CEF-S and HEP-Flury-NIID. The efficacy of PCECV-KMB was evaluated using attack strains isolated in Thailand in the 1960s–1970s during vaccine development. Phylogenetic analyses of the attack strains classified them in the same Asian clade as the 2000s imported cases from the Philippines to Japan, suggesting that PCECV-KMB is adequate for preventing the spread of the current rabies virus.
Monkeypox: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Harapan Harapan , Ophinni Youdiil , Megawati Dewi , Frediansyah Andri , Mamada Sukamto S. , Salampe Mirnawati , Bin Emran Talha , Winardi Wira , Fathima Raisha , Sirinam Salin , Sittikul Pichamon , Stoian Ana M. , Nainu Firzan , Sallam Malik
Published: September 2022

The 2022 multi-country monkeypox outbreak in humans has brought new public health adversity on top of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The disease has spread to 104 countries throughout six continents of the world, with the highest burden in North America and Europe. The etiologic agent, monkeypox virus (MPXV), has been known since 1959 after isolation from infected monkeys, and virulence among humans has been reported since the 1970s, mainly in endemic countries in West and Central Africa. However, the disease has re-emerged in 2022 at an unprecedented pace, with particular concern on its human-to-human transmissibility and community spread in non-endemic regions. As a mitigation effort, healthcare workers, public health policymakers, and the general public worldwide need to be well-informed on this relatively neglected viral disease. Here, we provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of monkeypox, including the following aspects: epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and management. In addition, the current review discusses the preventive and control measures, the latest vaccine developments, and the future research areas in this re-emerging viral disease that was declared as a public health emergency of international concern.
The Effect of Atmospheric Pressure Variations on the Suprapermafrost Groundwater Level and Runoff of Small Rivers in the Anadyr Lowlands, Northeast Russia
Authors: Tregubov Oleg D. , Gartsman Boris I. , Shamov Vladimir V. , Lebedeva Lyudmila S. , Tarbeeva Anna M.
Published: September 2022

The present-day models of the hydrological regime of soils and river basins do not include a hypothesis regarding the effect of atmospheric pressure on hydrological processes (baric effect), which is assumed negligible. However, their manifestations are likely, considering the mechanical and hydrophysical properties of shallow peat-bog soils (plasticity and elasticity, high moisture-retention capacity, the ability to swell and shrink) and the important role of undecomposed plant remains. The effect of atmospheric pressure variations on level changes in a suprapermafrost aquifer was detected using field and laboratory experiments in shallow peat and peaty tundra soils in the Anadyr Lowlands, Northeast Russia. One can see this effect in the runoff regime of 1st–4th orders streams. The manifestations of this phenomenon can differ, and in particular, they can be directed oppositely. The changes in the level and storage of suprapermafrost gravitational water could be caused only by synchronous (in phase opposition) changes in capillary water fringe above the groundwater table. To explain the observed phenomena, a conceptual model is developed based on the analysis of the balance of forces and water balance in a system of elastic capillaries. Not being complete and perfect, the model reproduces qualitatively the main observed cases of the response to air pressure changes, proving the effect itself, and suggests the likely localization of its mechanisms. A shallow suprapermafrost groundwater table in contact with the peat bottom, as well as incomplete (below the full moisture capacity) water saturation of peat soil horizons, appear to be circumstances of the baric effect on tundra shallow subsurface aquifers. Favorable conditions for the baric effect in a soil profile include a high elasticity of peat-soil matrix, high and variable values of porosity and water yield of peat and moss cover, and, at the catchment scale, a high proportion of coverage by these types of soils. A full-scale study of a mechanism of baric effect on a suprapermafrost tundra aquifer requires numerous laboratory and field experiments, that must be much better equipped than presented in our study. It is also welcomed alternative hypotheses regarding the aquifer water level response to changes in air pressure if the observed macroscopic effects at any alternative occurrence could be quite similar.
Research on the Comprehensive Regulation Method of Combined Sewer Overflow Based on Synchronous Monitoring—A Case Study
Authors: Yu Lei , Yan Yulin , Pan Xingyao , Yang Simin , Liu Jiaming , Yang Moyuan , Meng Qingyi
Published: September 2022

Combined sewer overflow pollution has gradually become the limiting factor for the further improvement of river water quality during rain events. Setting up a comprehensive regulation method based on synchronous monitoring is essential for combined sewer overflow management. However, current studies mainly focus on single monitoring and lack a correlation between control objectives and control effects. This study establishes a new aspect of a comprehensive regulation and control method based on overflow characteristic analysis, a calculation model, and control target determination. Through synchronous monitoring of the pipe network, the sewage treatment plant, and the river course in the Liangshui River basin of China, rainfall thresholds of outlets in a combined pipe network, pre-treatment overflow, and simple-treatment overflow were 14, 9, and 16 mm, respectively, and the overflow volume was positively correlated with the rainfall. The COD (chemical oxygen demand) concentration from the pre-treatment overflow was much higher than that from the combined pipe network, and the EMC (event mean concentration) in heavy rain was higher than in rainstorms. The shortest time exceeding the water quality by overflow pollution was 1 h, and the longest time was more than 7 days. Overflow load proportions of the three links were 43.4%, 32.8%, and 23.8%, accounting for 66.3% of the total pollutant load of the river, and the best scheme of input–output ratio was to regulate the first three outlets of overflow load. Our results provide comprehensive guidance and a systematic approach for the monitoring and control of combined sewer overflow.
Flash Flood Susceptibility Assessment and Zonation by Integrating Analytic Hierarchy Process and Frequency Ratio Model with Diverse Spatial Data
Authors: Tariq Aqil , Yan Jianguo , Ghaffar Bushra , Qin Shujing , Mousa B. G. , Sharifi Alireza , Huq Md. Enamul , Aslam Muhammad
Published: September 2022

Flash floods are the most dangerous kinds of floods because they combine the destructive power of a flood with incredible speed. They occur when heavy rainfall exceeds the ability of the ground to absorb it. The main aim of this study is to generate flash flood maps using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Frequency Ratio (FR) models in the river’s floodplain between the Jhelum River and Chenab rivers. A total of eight flash flood-causative physical parameters are considered for this study. Six parameters are based on remote sensing images of the Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS), Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and Sentinel-2 Satellite, which include slope, elevation, distance from the stream, drainage density, flow accumulation, and land use/land cover (LULC), respectively. The other two parameters are soil and geology, which consist of different rock and soil formations, respectively. In the case of AHP, each of the criteria is allotted an estimated weight according to its significant importance in the occurrence of flash floods. In the end, all the parameters were integrated using weighted overlay analysis in which the influence value of drainage density was given the highest weight. The analysis shows that a distance of 2500 m from the river has values of FR ranging from 0.54, 0.56, 1.21, 1.26, and 0.48, respectively. The output zones were categorized into very low, low, moderate, high, and very high risk, covering 7354, 5147, 3665, 2592, and 1343 km2, respectively. Finally, the results show that the very high flood areas cover 1343 km2, or 6.68% of the total area. The Mangla, Marala, and Trimmu valleys were identified as high-risk zones of the study area, which have been damaged drastically many times by flash floods. It provides policy guidelines for risk managers, emergency and disaster response services, urban and infrastructure planners, hydrologists, and climate scientists.
First Evidence of Microplastic Contamination in Antarctic Fish (Actinopterygii, Perciformes)
Authors: Zhang Min , Liu Shigang , Bo Jun , Zheng Ronghui , Hong Fukun , Gao Fulong , Miao Xing , Li Hai , Fang Chao
Published: September 2022

Microplastic (MP) pollution in Antarctica is a hot topic that has gained increasing attention in recent years. However, information regarding MP pollution in Antarctic fishes is currently very limited. The present study provides the first evidence of the occurrence and characteristics of MPs in species from five families of the order Perciformes, from the Amundsen Sea (AS) and Ross Sea (RS), Antarctica. MP abundances within the order Perciformes were at a medium level on a global scale, but were higher than those reported in other Antarctic organisms. The detection rate and abundance of MPs in the order Perciformes from the RS (50% and 1.286 items individual−1) were both higher than those from the AS (36% and 1.227 items individual−1). Moreover, the major composition and size of MPs were, respectively, polyacrylamide (PAM) and 100–200 μm in the RS, but rayon and 500–1000 μm in the AS. These differences may be attributed to the different onshore scientific research stations, wastewater treatment facilities, marine activities, ocean currents, and local gyres in the two sea areas. Among the five fish families, members of the Artedidraconidae ingested the smallest MPs and the highest proportion of PAM, which is probably associated with their habitat and degradation effect of unique gut microbiome. The higher hazard index of MPs in fish from the RS is due to the presence of PAM and epoxy resin, which may also have far-reaching health implications for other Antarctic organisms and humans through food web transmission. Overall, long-term monitoring of MP pollution in Antarctic fish and their surrounding marine environment is highly desirable.
A New Hybrid Framework for Error Correction and Uncertainty Analysis of Precipitation Forecasts with Combined Postprocessors
Authors: Cai Chenkai , Wang Jianqun , Li Zhijia , Shen Xinyi , Wen Jinhua , Wang Helong , Wu Changhuai
Published: September 2022

With the rapid development of meteorological models, numerical weather prediction is increasingly used in flood forecasting and reservoir regulation, but its forecasting ability is limited by the large amount of uncertainty from meteorological systems. In this paper, a new, hybrid framework is developed to improve numerical precipitation forecasting by combining the multimodel ensemble and probabilistic postprocessing methods. The results show that the multimodel ensemble method used in this paper is an efficient way to reduce prediction errors, especially missing alarm errors. In a comparison of the probabilistic postprocessors based the generalized Bayesian model (GBM) and bivariate probabilistic model (BPM), the GBM shows better performance from the aspects of indicators and is more suitable for real-time applications. Meanwhile, the assessment of probabilistic results shows that the skill of probabilistic precipitation forecasts is related to the quality of their inputs. According to these results, a new hybrid framework is proposed by taking the results from multimodel ensemble as the input of probabilistic postprocessor. Compared to using the raw numerical in GBM, the hybrid framework improves the accuracy, sharpness, reliability, and resolution ability from different lead times by 2–13%, 1–22%, and 0–12% respectively, especially when the lead time is less than 4 d, the improvement can reach 9–13%, 10–22%, and 5–12% respectively. In conclusion, the hybrid two-step framework can provide a more skillful precipitation forecast, which can be useful for flood forecasting and reservoir regulation.
A GIS-Based Model for Flood Shelter Locations and Pedestrian Evacuation Scenarios in a Rural Mountain Catchment in Romania
Authors: Chelariu Oana-Elena , Iațu Corneliu , Minea Ionuț
Published: September 2022

Shelter and evacuation-route planning represents the core of safe and efficient flood management. The methodology detailed in the present study includes an analysis of the suitability of areas for evacuation points, as well as an assessment of the degree of accessibility of those points during evacuation scenarios in small mountainous drainage basins. The analysis is based on water distribution and water-flow increase during the historic 2010 flooding of the Sucevița basin, when the discharge increased in merely 40 min. The proposed model considers the viability of pedestrian evacuation of the local population, as well as the degree of accessibility of nearby evacuation points. Thus, according to the results obtained for the mountain-based locality, 91.68% of the vulnerable population can be evacuated in 30 min, while 8.32% of the inhabitants require up to 54 min to reach an evacuation point. In the case of Marginea, located in a plateau area, the population under analysis can reach one of the evacuation points in approximately 36 min. The present study can support the implementation of non-structural flood management measures and decrease casualties through evacuation optimization.
Precision public-health intervention for care coordination: a real-world study
Authors: Andrade Andre Q , Calabretto Jean-Pierre , Pratt Nicole L , Kalisch-Ellett Lisa M , Le Blanc Vanessa T , Roughead Elizabeth E
Published: September 2022

Background

Health emergencies disproportionally affect vulnerable populations. Digital tools can help primary care providers find, and reach, the right patients.

Aim

To evaluate whether digital interventions delivered directly to GPs’ clinical software were more effective at promoting primary care appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic than interventions delivered by post.

Design and setting

Real-world, non-randomised, interventional study involving GP practices in all Australian states.

Method

Intervention material was developed to promote care coordination for vulnerable older veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic, and sent to GPs either digitally to the clinical practice software system or in the post. The intervention material included patient-specific information sent to GPs to support care coordination, and education material sent via post to veterans identified in the administrative claims database. To evaluate the impact of intervention delivery modalities on outcomes, the time to first appointment with the primary GP was measured; a Cox proportional hazards model was used, adjusting for differences and accounting for pre-intervention appointment numbers.

Results

The intervention took place in April 2020, during the first weeks of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions in Australia. GPs received digital messaging for 51 052 veterans and postal messaging for 26 859 veterans. The digital group was associated with earlier appointments (adjusted hazard ratio 1.38 [1.34 to 1.41]).

Conclusion

Data-driven digital solutions can promote care coordination at scale during national emergencies, opening up new perspectives for precision public-health initiatives.