bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Impact of Extinguishing with a Low-Pressure Fog Lance on a Fire Environment
Authors: Gałaj Jerzy , Wójcik Bartłomiej
Published: May 2022

A main purpose of the study was to assess the impact of extinguishing with a low-pressure fog lance on a fire environment, especially of temperature. A low-pressure fog lance has recently been recommended for fighting fires in either limited spaces or difficult to access places. Four tests were conducted in real internal fire conditions. The following lances were used in sequential tests: fognail attack, MK with attack head, fognail defense and MK with defense head. They were fed from a fire vehicle GBA 2.5/24 equipped with a pump with automatic pressure regulation and hose lines W75 and W52. The temperature was measured with thermocouples at various points of the room, including the ceiling. Photographic documentation of the tests was prepared using thermal and video cameras. The best way of using a fog lance was established from literature sources and the manufacturer’s requirements. Two main factors of effective firefighting were observed during the tests: smoke cooling and isolation of the fire by formed water vapor. The use of a fog lance significantly improves of fire-fighting operations. A proper application of water mist eliminates the risk of fire gases’ ignition. The assumed times of ensuring safe conditions in the room were confirmed.
Analysis of Industrial Diversification Level of Economic Development in Rural Areas Using Herfindahl Index and Two-Step Clustering
Authors: Qu Rui , Rhee Zaewoong , Bae Seung-Jong , Lee Sang-Hyun
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study is to analyze the possible relationship between industrial structure and economic development in rural areas in South Korea. Accordingly, this study uses the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index and a two-step cluster analysis method to conduct an empirical analysis of the rural areas of Chungcheongbuk-do as the research object. The results show that among the 11 regions with concentrated industrial structures, the cluster results of 2 regions changed from the decentralized low employment cluster in 2010 to a concentrated high employment cluster in 2015, while the cluster results of other regions remained unchanged. Among the 18 regions with decentralized industrial structure, the cluster results of 5 regions changed from the concentrated high employment cluster in 2010 to the decentralized low employment cluster. Meanwhile, the cluster results of three regions changed from the decentralized low employment cluster in 2010 to the concentrated high employment cluster in 2015, while the cluster results of other regions remained unchanged. Based on this, it can be concluded that, for general rural areas, a low level of industrial diversification, that is, a concentrated industrial structure, is more conducive to promoting the economic development of rural areas. However, there is a special case, namely that rural areas with certain specific advantages, a high level of industrial diversification, or a decentralized industrial structure are more conducive to the development of the regional economy.
Incumbent vs. New Firms’ Entry into an Innovative Niche Market: Electric Motorcycles in Italy, 2010–2021
Authors: Garavaglia Christian , Sartirana Claudia
Published: May 2022

The recent advent of electric motorcycles represents an eco-innovation that guarantees environmental sustainability and opens up market opportunities for firms. In this paper, we analyse firms’ entry into the motorcycle industry in Italy. The role of incumbent firms in the presence of new innovative niches is ambiguous. On the one hand, incumbents may display inertial behaviours, while on the other hand, they can exploit their experience and dynamic capabilities to promptly catch opportunities and enter the new niche. Based on an original dataset, we develop an empirical investigation of the role of incumbent vs. new firms in the electric motorcycle niche. We contribute to the literature by showing that new firms have so far revealed more vivid dynamics while incumbents seem to stay at the window, thus supporting the idea of the existence of inertia among incumbent firms in this industry. However, among the incumbents that have entered the new market niche, we show that the largest and those with experience in the production of scooters with 0–50 cc engines are the most likely to enter the new niche market.
Energy Sustainability—Rebounds Revisited Using Axiomatic Design
Authors: Flores João , Cavique Miguel , Seixas Júlia
Published: May 2022

Energy Sustainability has been addressed through advancing technology efficiency, which may increase the impact of the use of natural resources. However, the increase in efficiency makes services cheaper, which causes a rebound effect, direct or indirect, on energy consumption and materials. Moreover, the popular concept of recycling seems insufficient to reduce the use of critical raw materials to provide energy services. From the perspective of the Earth’s limited resources, the sustainability problem needs a design approach to tackle the rebound effect from efficiency. This work aims to create a theoretical holistic review regarding energy use linked to technology efficiency, to understand how rebound effects may be prevented. In this work, the Axiomatic Design (AD) theory creates the framework that defines the Energy Sustainability functions and identifies the couplings that create the rebounds. According to AD, cycles occur on coupled designs, classified as poor designs. Decoupling the design clarifies two possible and complementary policies to achieve sustainability goals regarding the use of resources. The first is the circular economy, with constraints on energy and raw materials. The second is the massive use of local renewable energies. Plausible solutions come from mandating efficiency and taxation, dematerializing the economy, and reducing, reusing, remanufacturing, and recycling materials from products and systems. These solutions impact economic, environmental, and societal behaviors. The novelty of this approach is the definition of a system model for Energy Sustainability in the frame of AD, while tackling the rebound effect from technological efficiency.
The Human Factor in Transmission Network Expansion Planning: The Grid That a Sustainable Energy System Needs
Authors: Lumbreras Sara , Gómez Jesús David , Alvarez Erik Francisco , Huclin Sebastien
Published: May 2022

The decarbonization of the energy sector puts additional pressure on the transmission network. The main cause for this is that renewable sources are often more abundant in geographical areas far away from the main demand centers, so new transmission lines are required to connect the new renewable energy capacity. In addition, by connecting different geographical zones, the transmission network could smooth the intermittency and the variability of renewable energy production. Thus, the changing energy landscape leads to a need to reinforce the transmission network through the Network Transmission Expansion Planning. Ideally, all the idiosyncrasies of the electricity system are considered in the operation and expansion planning process. However, several critical dimensions of the planning process are routinely ignored since they may introduce parameters that are difficult to quantify and complexity that state-of-the-art planning methods cannot handle. This paper identifies the most relevant elements related to the human factor, which have been grouped around the main topics: the human behind the technical, the human at the institutional level, and the human at the individual level. This paper also provides an additional formulation that can be used to upgrade existing models to include the human element and discusses the implications of these upgrades.
Dendrographic Hologram Theory: Predictability of Relational Dynamics of the Event Universe and the Emergence of Time Arrow
Authors: Shor Oded , Benninger Felix , Khrennikov Andrei
Published: May 2022

Recently we started the development of Dendrographic Hologram Theory (DH-theory). It is based on the novel mathematical representation of the relational event universe (in the spirit of Smolin et al.). Elementary events are represented by branches of dendrograms, finite trees that are generated from data with clustering algorithms. In this context, we studied the dynamics of the event universe generated by the appearance of a new event. Generally, each new event can generate the complete reconstruction of the whole dendrogramic universe. However, we found (via numerical simulation) unexpected stability in this universe. Its events are coupled via the hierarchic relational structure, which is relatively stable even with respect to the random generation of new events. We also observed the regularity patterns in the location of new events on dendrograms. In the course of evolution, the dendrogram’s complexity increases and determines the arrow of time in the event universe. We used the complexity measure from particle shape dynamics, which was shown to increase in both directions away from a Janus point and thus determine the arrow of time in symmetrical manner away from a Janus point. The particle shape dynamics theory is a relational theory with close ideological resemblance to DH-theory, as both rely on Mach’s principle and Leibniz’s relationalism and principles. By using the complexity measure on dendrograms and its p-adic string representation, we demonstrate the emergence of a time arrow from the p-adic zero-dimensional field, where space and time are absent.
Symmetric Spectral Collocation Method for a Kind of Nonlinear Volterra Integral Equation
Authors: Wu Nada , Zheng Weishan , Gao Wenjuan
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we develop an efficient spectral method for numerically solving the nonlinear Volterra integral equation with weak singularity and delays. Based on the symmetric collocation points, the spectral method is illustrated, and the convergence results are obtained. In the end, two numerical experiments are carried out to confirm the theoretical results.
MCD and Induced CD of a Tetraphenoxyperylene-Based Dye in Chiral Solvents: An Experimental and Computational Study
Authors: Ghidinelli Simone , Fusè Marco , Mazzeo Giuseppe , Abbate Sergio , Longhi Giovanna
Published: May 2022

The magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectrum of N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,6,7,12-tetraphenoxyperylene-3,4:9,10-tetracarboxydiimide, also known as Lumogen Red 300 or ROT-300, has been recorded both in achiral and chiral solvents. The induced CD spectra in chiral solvents have, similarly, been recorded. A discussion of the spectroscopic response, both in CD and in MCD experiments, is presented in this paper. Both types of spectra have been predicted most satisfactorily by DFT calculations; the CD spectra were obtained by assuming the prevalence of one “enantiomeric” conformer and the same set of conformers could also be used for MCD, since “enantiomeric” structures present identically in MCD spectra.
Machine Learning for the Prediction of Antiviral Compounds Targeting Avian Influenza A/H9N2 Viral Proteins
Authors: Amiroch Siti , Irawan Mohammad Isa , Mukhlash Imam , Al Faroby Mohammad Hamim Zajuli , Nidom Chairul Anwar
Published: May 2022

Avian influenza subtype A/H9N2—which infects chickens, reducing egg production by up to 80%—may be transmissible to humans. In humans, this virus is very harmful since it attacks the respiratory system and reproductive tract, replicating in both. Previous attempts to find antiviral candidates capable of inhibiting influenza A/H9N2 transmission were unsuccessful. This study aims to better characterize A/H9N2 to facilitate the discovery of antiviral compounds capable of inhibiting its transmission. The Symmetry of this study is to apply several machine learning methods to perform virtual screening to identify H9N2 antivirus candidates. The parameters used to measure the machine learning model’s quality included accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, balanced accuracy, and receiver operating characteristic score. We found that the extreme gradient boosting method yielded better results in classifying compounds predicted to be suitable antiviral compounds than six other machine learning methods, including logistic regression, k-nearest neighbor analysis, support vector machine, multilayer perceptron, random forest, and gradient boosting. Using this algorithm, we identified 10 candidate synthetic compounds with the highest scores. These high scores predicted that the molecular fingerprint may involve strong bonding characteristics. Thus, we were able to find significant candidates for synthetic H9N2 antivirus compounds and identify the best machine learning method to perform virtual screenings.
Double Roman Domination in Generalized Petersen Graphs P(ck, k)
Authors: Rupnik Poklukar Darja , Žerovnik Janez
Published: May 2022

A double Roman dominating function on a graph G=(V,E) is a function f:V→{0,1,2,3}, satisfying the condition that every vertex u for which f(u)=1 is adjacent to at least one vertex assigned 2 or 3, and every vertex u with f(u)=0 is adjacent to at least one vertex assigned 3 or at least two vertices assigned 2. The weight of f equals the sum w(f)=∑v∈Vf(v). The minimum weight of a double Roman dominating function of G is called the double Roman domination number γdR(G) of a graph G. We obtain tight bounds and in some cases closed expressions for the double Roman domination number of generalized Petersen graphs P(ck,k). In short, we prove that γdR(P(ck,k))=32ck+ε, where limc→∞,k→∞εck=0.
Raft-PLUS: Improving Raft by Multi-Policy Based Leader Election with Unprejudiced Sorting
Authors: Xu Jinjie , Wang Wei , Zeng Yu , Yan Zhiwei , Li Hongtao
Published: May 2022

Raft is a fast, scalable, understandable consensus algorithm widely used in distributed systems. The Leader handles client requests and interacts with other servers to reach a consensus, so a stable, reliable, and powerful Leader is crucial for the cluster. We designed a policy-based voting mechanism to make the elected Leader as reliable as possible. In order to improve the asymmetric relationship between the Followers and Leader, we designed a mechanism to trigger a new round of the election actively so that the Leader node can actively transform into a Follower under certain conditions and enhance the symmetry between servers. Our proposed Raft-PLUS algorithm makes the elected Leader as reliable as possible through four election policies and designed three opposition policies to trigger a new round of the election. To verify the effectiveness of the Raft-PLUS algorithm, we configure different election and opposition policies on 12 servers to simulate the election and opposition process of the Leader and explain the process. To demonstrate the advantages of the Raft-PLUS algorithm, we built key-value stores based on Raft and Raft-PLUS, and we tested the performance of Raft-PLUS and the Raft algorithm in normal and abnormal states. Experimental results show that the Raft-PLUS algorithm has similar write throughput to the Raft algorithm under normal conditions. Regarding the quality of the Leader network changes, the average write throughput of the Raft-PLUS algorithm is 40% higher than that of the Raft algorithm. The Leader’s CPU usage fluctuated; the average write throughput of Raft-PLUS was 38% higher than Raft.
A Few-Shot Dental Object Detection Method Based on a Priori Knowledge Transfer
Authors: Wu Han , Wu Zhendong
Published: May 2022

With the continuous improvement in oral health awareness, people’s demand for oral health diagnosis has also increased. Dental object detection is a key step in automated dental diagnosis; however, because of the particularity of medical data, researchers usually cannot obtain sufficient medical data. Therefore, this study proposes a dental object detection method for small-size datasets based on teeth semantics, structural information feature extraction, and an a priori knowledge migration, called a segmentation, points, segmentation, and classification network (SPSC-NET). In the region of interest area extraction method, the SPSC-NET method converts the teeth X-ray image into an a priori knowledge information image, composed of the edges of the teeth and the semantic segmentation image; the network structure used to extract the a priori knowledge information is a symmetric structure, which then generates the key points of the object instance. Next, it uses the key points of the object instance (i.e., the dental semantic segmentation image and the dental edge image) to obtain the object instance image (i.e., the positioning of the teeth). Using 10 training images, the test precision and recall rate of the tooth object center point of the SPSC-NET method were between 99–100%. In the classification method, the SPSC-NET identified the single instance segmentation image generated by migrating the dental object area, the edge image, and the semantic segmentation image as a priori knowledge. Under the premise of using the same deep neural network classification model, the model classification with a priori knowledge was 20% more accurate than the ordinary classification methods. For the overall object detection performance indicators, the SPSC-NET’s average precision (AP) value was more than 92%, which is better than that of the transfer-based faster region-based convolutional neural network (Faster-RCNN) object detection model; moreover, its AP and mean intersection-over-union (mIOU) were 14.72% and 19.68% better than the transfer-based Faster-CNN model, respectively.
Mathematical Model for Rice Blast Disease Caused by Spore Dispersion Affected from Climate Factors
Authors: Tabonglek Saharat , Humphries Usa Wannasingha , Khan Amir
Published: May 2022

Rice blast disease, caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae, is one of the diseases that reduce rice yields in Thailand. The fungus’s dispersal influences this disease outbreak. This study aims to develop a mathematical model for spore dispersion, namely a non-local diffusion equation in terms of the dispersal kernel, by adding a factor that causes spore dispersion due to rain splash and adjusting the infection term based on weather conditions such as air temperature and relative humidity. The model assessed the existence and uniqueness of solutions by Banach’s fixed point theorem and used a finite difference method to solve them. The numerical simulation confirmed the existence and uniqueness part of the analysis. Because the climate data was used effectively for developing the disease, the rice blast disease pandemic was widespread in the study areas.
Viruses as Living Systems—A Metacybernetic View
Authors: Yolles Maurice , Frieden Roy
Published: May 2022

The debate over whether viruses are living organisms tends to be paradigmatically determined. The metabolic paradigm denies that they are, while new research evidences the opposite. The purpose of this paper is to deliver a generic model for viral contexts that explains why viruses are alive. It will take a systems biology approach, with a qualitative part (using metacybernetics) to provide deeper explanations of viral contexts, and a quantitative part (using Fisher Information deriving from the variational principle of Extreme Physical Information) which is in principle able to take measurements and predict outcomes. The modelling process provides an extended view of the epigenetic processes of viruses. The generic systems biology model will depict viruses as autonomous entities with metaphysical processes of autopoietic self-organisation and adaptation, enabling them to maintain their physical viability and hence, within their populations, mutate and evolve. The autopoietic epigenetic processes are shown to describe their capability to change, and these are both qualitatively and quantitatively explored, the latter providing an approach to make measurements of physical phenomena under uncertainty. Viruses maintain their fitness when they are able to maintain their stability, and this is indicated by information flow efficacy. A brief case study is presented on the COVID-19 virus from the perspective that it is a living system, and this includes outcome predictions given Fisher Information conditions for known contexts.
Multi-Omics Reveal Additive Cytotoxicity Effects of Aflatoxin B1 and Aflatoxin M1 toward Intestinal NCM460 Cells
Authors: Gao Ya-Nan , Yang Xue , Wang Jia-Qi , Liu Hui-Min , Zheng Nan
Published: May 2022

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a common crop contaminant, while aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is implicated in milk safety. Humans are likely to be simultaneously exposed to AFB1 and AFM1; however, studies on the combined interactive effects of AFB1 and AFM1 are lacking. To fill this knowledge gap, transcriptomic, proteomic, and microRNA (miRNA)-sequencing approaches were used to investigate the toxic mechanisms underpinning combined AFB1 and AFM1 actions in vitro. Exposure to AFB1 (1.25–20 μM) and AFM1 (5–20 μM) for 48 h significantly decreased cell viability in the intestinal cell line, NCM460. Multi-omics analyses demonstrated that additive toxic effects were induced by combined AFB1 (2.5 μM) and AFM1 (2.5 μM) in NCM460 cells and were associated with p53 signaling pathway, a common pathway enriched by differentially expressed mRNAs/proteins/miRNAs. Specifically, based on p53 signaling, cross-omics showed that AFB1 and AFM1 reduced NCM460 cell viability via the hsa-miR-628-3p- and hsa-miR-217-5p-mediated regulation of cell surface death receptor (FAS), and also the hsa-miR-11-y-mediated regulation of cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). We provide new insights on biomarkers which reflect the cytotoxic effects of combined AFB1 and AFM1 toxicity.
Characterization of Four Medically Important Toxins from Centruroides huichol Scorpion Venom and Its Neutralization by a Single Recombinant Antibody Fragment
Authors: Valencia-Martínez Hugo , Olamendi-Portugal Timoteo , Restano-Cassulini Rita , Serrano-Posada Hugo , Zamudio Fernando , Possani Lourival D. , Riaño-Umbarila Lidia , Becerril Baltazar
Published: May 2022

Centruroides huichol scorpion venom is lethal to mammals. Analysis of the venom allowed the characterization of four lethal toxins named Chui2, Chui3, Chui4, and Chui5. scFv 10FG2 recognized well all toxins except Chui5 toxin, therefore a partial neutralization of the venom was observed. Thus, scFv 10FG2 was subjected to three processes of directed evolution and phage display against Chui5 toxin until obtaining scFv HV. Interaction kinetic constants of these scFvs with the toxins were determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) as well as thermodynamic parameters of scFv variants bound to Chui5. In silico models allowed to analyze the molecular interactions that favor the increase in affinity. In a rescue trial, scFv HV protected 100% of the mice injected with three lethal doses 50 (LD50) of venom. Moreover, in mix-type neutralization assays, a combination of scFvs HV and 10FG2 protected 100% of mice injected with 5 LD50 of venom with moderate signs of intoxication. The ability of scFv HV to neutralize different toxins is a significant achievement, considering the diversity of the species of Mexican venomous scorpions, so this scFv is a candidate to be part of a recombinant anti-venom against scorpion stings in Mexico.
Botulinum Toxin Type A for Treatment of Forehead Hyperhidrosis: Multicenter Clinical Experience and Review from Literature
Authors: Campanati Anna , Martina Emanuela , Gregoriou Stamatis , Kontochristopoulos George , Paolinelli Matteo , Diotallevi Federico , Radi Giulia , Bobyr Ivan , Marconi Barbara , Gualdi Giulio , Amerio Paolo , Offidani Annamaria
Published: May 2022

Among the forms of idiopathic hyperhidrosis, those involving the forehead have the greatest impact on patients’ quality of life, as symptoms are not very controllable and are difficult to mask for patients. Although the local injection therapy with Incobotulinum toxin type A (IncoBTX-A therapy) can be considered a rational treatment, data from the literature describing both efficacy and safety of the treatment over the long term are poor. The aim of this report is to describe the single-center experience of five patients seeking treatment, for forehead hyperhidrosis with IncoBTX-A. To evaluate the benefits, safety profile and duration of anhidrosis, patients were treated following a standardized procedure and then followed until clinical relapse. The amount of sweating was measured by gravimetric testing, the extension of hyperhidrosis area was measured through Minor’s iodine starch test, and response to the treatment was evaluated using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). In all treated patients, a significant anhidrotic effect was observed 4 weeks after the treatment and lasted for approximately 36 weeks. The reduction in sweat production was associated with significant amelioration of symptoms and quality of life for all treated patients. No serious side effects occurred; one patient complained of a mild transient bilateral ptosis. Although further wider studies are required, our preliminary results seem to encourage the use of IncoBTX-A in forehead hyperhidrosis.
New Evidences about the Carcinogenic Effects of Ochratoxin A and Possible Prevention by Target Feed Additives
Authors: Stoev Stoycho D.
Published: May 2022

A review of the carcinogenic effects of ochratoxin A (OTA) on various tissues and internal organs in laboratory and farm animals is made. Suggestions are made regarding how to recognize and differentiate the common spontaneous neoplastic changes characteristic for advanced age and the characteristic neoplasia in different tissues and organs in laboratory animals/poultry exposed to OTA. The synergistic effects of OTA together with its natural combination of penicillic acid are also investigated regarding possible carcinogenic effects. The malignancy and the target location of OTA-induced neoplasia is studied. The sex-differences of such neoplasia are investigated in the available literature. The time of appearance of the first neoplasia is investigated in long-term carcinogenic studies with OTA-treated animals. The possibility of target feed additives or herbs to counteract the toxic and carcinogenic effects of OTA is studied in the available literature. Some effective manners of prophylaxis and/or prevention against OTA contamination of feedstuffs/foods or animal production are suggested. The suitability of various laboratory animals to serve as experimental model for humans with regard to OTA-induced tumorigenesis is investigated.
Nature Positive: Interrogating Sustainable Design Frameworks for Their Potential to Deliver Eco-Positive Outcomes
Authors: Birkeland Janis
Published: May 2022

Built environment design is implicated in virtually all socio-ecological sustainability problems. Nonetheless, paradoxically, construction will be essential to creating sustainability by increasing social and natural life-support systems. Given the rates of land, resource, water, and biodiversity depletion, urban development must do more than restore nature. It must increase nature and environmental justice in real, not relative, terms. The necessary technologies and design concepts for nature-positive development already exist. However, most sustainable building regulations, design criteria, and performance standards only aim to regenerate landscapes and integrate more nature into cities. This cannot sustain nature or society. This paper canvasses contemporary sustainable design and development thinking and finds that a progression toward ‘nature positive’ is occurring. However, so-called ‘sustainable buildings’ still do not compensate for past inequities or nature degradation, let alone the material flows, pollution, or biodiversity losses they themselves cause. This is partly because current standards and measurements are based on existing conditions, not sustainability standards, and do not distinguish net-positive from regenerative outcomes. Positive Development (PD) theory provides a comprehensive alternative to conventional sustainability frameworks, planning analyses, decision-making structures, design paradigms, and assessment tools. This paper provides criteria for evaluating the potential of conventional and alternative methods for achieving nature-positive outcomes.
Cardiovascular Tropism and Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Dmytrenko Oleksandr , Lavine Kory J.
Published: May 2022

The extrapulmonary manifestation of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), became apparent early in the ongoing pandemic. It is now recognized that cells of the cardiovascular system are targets of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated disease pathogenesis. While some details are emerging, much remains to be understood pertaining to the mechanistic basis by which SARS-CoV-2 contributes to acute and chronic manifestations of COVID-19. This knowledge has the potential to improve clinical management for the growing populations of patients impacted by COVID-19. Here, we review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of cardiovascular sequelae of COVID-19 and outline proposed disease mechanisms, including direct SARS-CoV-2 infection of major cardiovascular cell types and pathogenic effects of non-infectious viral particles and elicited inflammatory mediators. Finally, we identify the major outstanding questions in cardiovascular COVID-19 research.
Special Issue “Recent Progress in Hepatitis A Virus Research”
Authors: Lhomme Sébastien
Published: May 2022

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is still one of the leading causes of acute viral hepatitis worldwide, despite there being an anti-HAV vaccine [...]
Functional Analysis of a Frontal miRNA Cluster Located in the Large Latency Transcript of Pseudorabies Virus
Authors: Hoffmann Weronika , Lipińska Andrea D. , Bieńkowska-Szewczyk Krystyna
Published: May 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as a class of crucial regulators of virus-host crosstalk, modulating such processes as viral replication, antiviral immune response, viral latency, and pathogenesis. Pseudorabies virus (PRV), a model for the study of alphaherpesvirus biology, codes for 11 distinct miRNAs mapped to the ~4.6 kb intron of Large Latency Transcript (LLT). Recent studies have revealed the role of clusters consisting of nine and eleven miRNA genes in the replication and virulence of PRV. The function of separate miRNA species in regulating PRV biology has not been thoroughly investigated. To analyze the regulatory potential of three PRV miRNAs located in the frontal cluster of the LLT intron, we generated a research model based on the constitutive expression of viral miRNAs in swine testis cells (ST_LLT [1–3] cell line). Using a cell culture system providing a stable production of individual miRNAs at high levels, we demonstrated that the LLT [1–3] miRNA cluster significantly downregulated IE180, EP0, and gE at the early stages of PRV infection. It was further determined that LLT [1–3] miRNAs could regulate the infection process, leading to a slight distortion in transmission and proliferation ability. Collectively, our findings indicate the potential of LLT [1–3] miRNAs to retard the host responses by reducing viral antigenic load and suppressing the expansion of progeny viruses at the early stages of infection.
The Genomic Evolution and the Transmission Dynamics of H6N2 Avian Influenza A Viruses in Southern China
Authors: Yuan Zhaoxia , Zhou Taifang , Zhang Jiahao , Zeng Qingxin , Jiang Danli , Wei Meifang , Li Xudong
Published: May 2022

In China, the broad prevalence of H6 subtype influenza viruses, increasingly detected in aquatic birds, promotes their exchange materials with other highly pathogenic human-infecting H5N1, H5N6, and H7N9 influenza viruses. Strikingly, some H6 subtype viruses can infect pigs, dogs, and humans, posing risks to public health. In this study, 9 H6N2 viruses recovered from waterfowl species in the Guangdong province of China in 2018 were isolated and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the genome sequences of these H6N2 viruses belonged to Group I, except for the NP gene in Group III. Coalescent analyses demonstrated that the reassortment of NA and NS genes have occurred in two independent clusters, suggesting H6 subtype viruses had been undergoing a complex reassortant. To examine the evolutionary dynamics and the dissemination of the H6 subtype viruses, a Bayesian stochastic search variable selection was performed for results showing higher viral migration rates between closer provinces, including Guangdong, Jiangxi, Guangxi, and Fujian. Notably, the transmission routes of the H6 subtype viruses were concentrated in Jiangxi Province, the most frequent location for input and output transmission and a region containing Poyang Lake, a well-known wintering site for migration birds. We also found that the aquatic birds, especially ducks, were the most common input source of the viral transmission. In addition, we also found that eight positively selected amino acid sites were identified in HA protein. Given their continuous dissemination and the broad prevalence of the H6 subtype influenza viruses, continued surveillance is warranted in the future.
Identification and Characterization of Two Novel Noda-like Viruses from Rice Plants Showing the Dwarfing Symptom
Authors: Xie Yi , Fu Shuai , Xie Li , Wang Yaqin , Cao Mengji , Zhou Xueping , Wu Jianxiang
Published: May 2022

Nodaviruses are small bipartite RNA viruses and are considered animal viruses. Here, we identified two novel noda-like viruses (referred to as rice-associated noda-like virus 1 (RNLV1) and rice-associated noda-like virus 2 (RNLV2)) in field-collected rice plants showing a dwarfing phenotype through RNA-seq. RNLV1 genome consists of 3335 nt RNA1 and 1769 nt RNA2, and RNLV2 genome consists of 3279 nt RNA1 and 1525 nt RNA2. Three conserved ORFs were identified in each genome of the two novel viruses, encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, an RNA silencing suppressor, and a capsid protein, respectively. The results of sequence alignment, protein domain prediction, and evolutionary analysis indicate that these two novel viruses are clearly different from the known nodaviruses, especially the CPs. We have also determined that the B2 protein encoded by the two new noda-like viruses can suppress RNA silencing in plants. Two reverse genetic systems were constructed and used to show that RNLV1 RNA1 can replicate in plant cells and RNLV1 can replicate in insect Sf9 cells. We have also found two unusual peptidase family A21 domains in the RNLV1 CP, and RNLV1 CP can self-cleave in acidic environments. These findings provide new knowledge of novel nodaviruses.
Beyond Inhibition: A Novel Strategy of Targeting HIV-1 Protease to Eliminate Viral Reservoirs
Authors: Kim Josh G. , Shan Liang
Published: May 2022

HIV-1 protease (PR) is a viral enzyme that cleaves the Gag and Gag-Pol polyprotein precursors to convert them into their functional forms, a process which is essential to generate infectious viral particles. Due to its broad substrate specificity, HIV-1 PR can also cleave certain host cell proteins. Several studies have identified host cell substrates of HIV-1 PR and described the potential impact of their cleavage on HIV-1-infected cells. Of particular interest is the interaction between PR and the caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 8 (CARD8) inflammasome. A recent study demonstrated that CARD8 can sense HIV-1 PR activity and induce cell death. While PR typically has low levels of intracellular activity prior to viral budding, premature PR activation can be achieved using certain non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), resulting in CARD8 cleavage and downstream pyroptosis. Used together with latency reversal agents, the induction of premature PR activation to trigger CARD8-mediated cell killing may help eliminate latent reservoirs in people living with HIV. This represents a novel strategy of utilizing PR as an antiviral target through premature activation rather than inhibition. In this review, we discuss the viral and host substrates of HIV-1 protease and highlight potential applications and advantages of targeting CARD8 sensing of HIV-1 PR.
Special Issue “Viral Shedding and Transmission in Zoonotic Diseases”
Authors: Bertran Kateri , Cortey Martí , Criado Miriã F.
Published: May 2022

The papers published in this Special Issue represent only a glimpse of the vast diversity of viral infectious diseases, and the complexity of their interactions with the host, that have an impact on human and animal health [...]
Targeting Subviral Particles: A Critical Step in Achieving HBV Functional Cure but Where Are We with Current Agents in Clinical Development?
Authors: Vaillant Andrew
Published: May 2022

The recent review [...]
Using the Health Belief Model to Identify Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among a Sample of Pregnant Women in the U.S.: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Jones Aubrey , Wallis Dorothy
Published: May 2022

The aim of the study was to identify factors that predict acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women. Using the Health Belief Model, the authors administered a cross-sectional survey of pregnant and postpartum women in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 227 women agreed to participate and completed the entire survey. Over half (59%) the participants had received the COVID-19 vaccine at the time of the study. Perceived barriers to vaccination (p < 0.001) and perceived benefits (p < 0.001) to vaccination were statistically significant predictors of vaccination. Trust in healthcare providers was also statistically predictive of vaccination (p = 0.001). Binary regression results were statistically significant (χ2(9) = 79.90, p < 0.001), suggesting that perceived benefits, barriers, severity, and susceptibility scores had a statistically significant effect on the odds of a participant being vaccinated. Results indicate a need for increased patient education regarding COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, including the benefits of vaccination for mother and fetus.
Molecular Epidemiology of Enterovirus A71 in Surveillance of Acute Flaccid Paralysis Cases in Senegal, 2013–2020
Authors: Ndiaye Ndack , Thiaw Fatou Diène , Fall Amary , Kébé Ousmane , Diatta Khadija Leila , Dia Ndongo , Fall Malick , Sall Amadou Alpha , Faye Martin , Faye Ousmane
Published: May 2022

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is a non-polio enterovirus that currently represents a major public health concern worldwide. In Africa, only sporadic cases have been reported. Acute flaccid paralysis and environmental surveillance programs have been widely used as strategies for documenting the circulation of polio and non-polio enteroviruses. To date, little is known about the molecular epidemiology of enterovirus A71 in Africa where resources and diagnostic capacities are limited. To fill this gap in Senegal, a total of 521 non-polio enterovirus isolates collected from both acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and environmental surveillance (ES) programs between 2013 and 2020 were screened for enterovirus A71 using real-time RT-PCR. Positive isolates were sequenced, and genomic data were analyzed using phylogeny. An overall rate of 1.72% (9/521) of the analyzed isolates tested positive for enterovirus A71. All positive isolates originated from the acute flaccid paralysis cases, and 44.4% (4/9) of them were isolated in 2016. The nine newly characterized sequences obtained in our study included eight complete polyprotein sequences and one partial sequence of the VP1 gene, all belonging to the C genogroup. Seven out of the eight complete polyprotein sequences belonged to the C2 subgenotype, while one of them grouped with previous sequences from the C1 subgenotype. The partial VP1 sequence belonged to the C1 subgenotype. Our data provide not only new insights into the recent molecular epidemiology of enterovirus A71 in Senegal but also point to the crucial need to set up specific surveillance programs targeting non-polio enteroviruses at country or regional levels in Africa for rapid identification emerging or re-emerging enteroviruses and better characterization of public health concerns causing acute flaccid paralysis in children such as enterovirus A71. To estimate the real distribution of EV-A71 in Africa, more sero-epidemiological studies should be promoted, particularly in countries where the virus has already been reported.
Prospective, Longitudinal Study on Specific Cellular Immune Responses after Vaccination with an Adjuvanted, Recombinant Zoster Vaccine in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Lindemann Monika , Baumann Charleen , Wilde Benjamin , Gäckler Anja , Meller Lara , Horn Peter A. , Krawczyk Adalbert , Witzke Oliver
Published: May 2022

Solid organ transplant recipients have an up to ninefold higher risk of varicella–zoster virus (VZV) reactivation than the general population. Due to lifelong immunosuppressive therapy, vaccination against VZV may be less effective in kidney transplant (KTX) recipients. In the current study, twelve female and 17 male KTX recipients were vaccinated twice with the adjuvanted, recombinant zoster vaccine Shingrix™, which contains the VZV glycoprotein E (gE). Cellular immunity against various VZV antigens was analyzed with interferon-gamma ELISpot. We observed the strongest vaccination-induced changes after stimulation with a gE peptide pool. One month after the second vaccination, median responses were 8.0-fold higher than the responses prior to vaccination (p = 0.0006) and 4.8-fold higher than responses after the first vaccination (p = 0.0007). After the second vaccination, we observed an at least twofold increase in ELISpot responses towards gE peptides in 22 out of 29 patients (76%). Male sex, good kidney function, early time point after transplantation, and treatment with tacrolimus or mycophenolate were correlated significantly with higher VZV-specific cellular immunity, whereas diabetes mellitus was correlated with impaired responses. Thus, our data indicate that vaccination with Shingrix™ significantly augmented cellular, VZV gE-specific immunity in KTX recipients, which was dependent on several covariates.
Safety and Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines: Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey among Staff, Workers and Students at an Egyptian University
Authors: Hamza Marwa S. , Tikamdas Rajiv , El Baghdady Noha S. , Sayed Moustafa , Elbarazi Amani S. , Badary Osama A. , Elmazar Mohamed M.
Published: May 2022

Mass vaccination is the most effective strategy against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, concerns about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness remain a huge obstacle to vaccine acceptance. The aim of the present study was to explore different COVID-19 vaccine outcomes, including the development of adverse events and/or COVID-19 infection following COVID-19 vaccination. A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing an online survey targeting staff and students at the British university in Egypt. A total of 637 participants fully completed the survey. Of these, 609 (95.6%) participants received the COVID-19 vaccine. Only 12.6% of the total vaccinated participants reported COVID-19 infection after vaccination. Of these, only 2.8% reported having severe symptoms while 9.9% reported having no or mild symptoms. The most common side effects reported after the first vs. second dose were headache (36.3% vs. 14.6%), tiredness and fatigue (26.9% vs. 10.7), and fever (25.6% vs. 6.7%). In conclusion, the present study explored different COVID-19 vaccine outcomes where the overall incidence of side effects is higher after the first dose than after the second dose. There is a relationship between COVID-19 vaccines’ side effects and gastrointestinal disorders, gender, and the type of COVID-19 vaccine. Post-vaccination symptoms were more frequently reported in women compared to men and more frequent with viral vector vaccines compared to other types. The effectiveness of different types of COVID-19 vaccines was confirmed by the lower incidence rate of post-vaccination COVID-19 infection.
Assessing the Reliability of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization Studies That Use Post-Vaccination Sera
Authors: Jacobsen Henning , Sitaras Ioannis , Jurgensmeyer Marley , Mulders Mick N. , Goldblatt David , Feikin Daniel R. , Bar-Zeev Naor , Higdon Melissa M. , Knoll Maria Deloria
Published: May 2022

Assessing COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants is crucial for determining future vaccination strategies and other public health strategies. When clinical effectiveness data are unavailable, a common method of assessing vaccine performance is to utilize neutralization assays using post-vaccination sera. Neutralization studies are typically performed across a wide array of settings, populations and vaccination strategies, and using different methodologies. For any comparison and meta-analysis to be meaningful, the design and methodology of the studies used must at minimum address aspects that confer a certain degree of reliability and comparability. We identified and characterized three important categories in which studies differ (cohort details, assay details and data reporting details) and that can affect the overall reliability and/or usefulness of neutralization assay results. We define reliability as a measure of methodological accuracy, proper study setting concerning subjects, samples and viruses, and reporting quality. Each category comprises a set of several relevant key parameters. To each parameter, we assigned a possible impact (ranging from low to high) on overall study reliability depending on its potential to influence the results. We then developed a reliability assessment tool that assesses the aggregate reliability of a study across all parameters. The reliability assessment tool provides explicit selection criteria for inclusion of comparable studies in meta-analyses of neutralization activity of SARS-CoV-2 variants in post-vaccination sera and can also both guide the design of future neutralization studies and serve as a checklist for including important details on key parameters in publications.
How Were Healthcare Workers after Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination? A Study of the Emotional Side Effects of Vaccination
Authors: Logrieco Maria Grazia Mada , Logrieco Giuseppe , Nicolì Ilaria , Pignatelli Francesca , Lionetti Francesca , Traglia Francesco , Spinelli Maria , Di Domenico Alberto , Fasolo Mirco
Published: May 2022

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines appear to be the only escape from the COVID-19 pandemic. As healthcare workers were among the first in society to be vaccinated, understanding their emotional status post-vaccination is fundamental to the promotion of COVID-19 vaccines among the rest of society. The aims of this study were to investigate the predictors of positive and negative emotions experienced by healthcare workers after being vaccinated and to understand whether those emotions were related to the modalities of vaccine promotion within the community. A cohort of 5790 Italian healthcare workers completed an original online survey regarding their experience with anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and reported on a series of personal and environmental factors. The data obtained show that increased risk perception of COVID-19, vaccine confidence and receipt of greater quantities of information regarding vaccines are predictors of a more positive emotional state post-vaccination. Predictors of a more negative emotional state are older age, lower education, lower confidence and receipt of smaller quantities of information, in addition to neurotic personality traits and high risk perception of COVID-19. Importantly, vaccination promotion may be favoured by a happy emotional status after vaccination. This study can serve as a source of guidelines for the promotion of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers and laypeople.