Search Results (222)

The relationships between farmers and livestock are multifaceted. The aim of this study was to describe the sociodemographic, biogeographic, and institutional factors that influence the relationships between humans and animals in the natural savanna. Visits were made to 65 farms, followed by interviews (n = 13) and three focus group interviews (n = 24) directed at farmers and institutional representatives. The results were triangulated to extract the key findings. The following findings were obtained: (a) cultural gender transitions and the lack of generational succession have transformed livestock farming; (b) the relationships between farmers and livestock have favored the implementation of new productive practices and innovations, as well as improvements in animal welfare practices; (c) conditioning factors affecting these relationships include gender discriminatory norms, low profitability and credit access, poor sanitation, animal handling infrastructure, security, and resistance to change; and (d) improvement opportunities include the inclusion of young people and women in livestock farming, education for work practices, credit facilitation, access to technologies, governance, and improvement in the cattle logistics chain. The results are useful for enhancing the relationships between farmers and livestock, guiding training activities, and responsible governance. Full article

Drinking Water Safety Plans (DWSP) in buildings serve to identify health hazards associated with the drinking water system. Sanitation Safety Plans (SSP) fulfill the same purpose for the sewage system. Water Safety Plans (WSP) include DWSPs, SSPs, and water systems like gray water and firefighting water. WSPs are based on a high-quality description of the water systems. This paper presents a new methodology for describing water systems. In contrast to previous approaches, the system description begins at the point where the water is consumed. These points of use are described using ecomaps, which are then supplemented with information about the pipe network. This approach makes it possible to fulfill four relevant premises: (1) the system description includes all essential parts of the drinking water installation, (2) the system description is possible with usual equipment, (3) the system description can be carried out with the least possible additional personnel costs, and (4) the system description is controllable, versionable, changeable, and forgery-proof. The ecomaps created in this way are suitable for the next step within the WSP framework, namely hazard and risk assessment. In addition, the ecomaps can be integrated into a quality, occupational safety, or environmental management system. Aspects of water security can be added to enable the ecomaps to be used as the basis for a total integrated water management system. Full article

Nonlinear characteristics of solar photovoltaic (PV) and nonuniform surrounding conditions, including partial shading conditions (PSCs), are the major factors responsible for lower conversion efficiency in solar panels. One major condition is the cause of the multiple peaks and oscillation around the peak point leading to power losses. Therefore, this study proposes a novel hybrid framework based on an artificial neural network (ANN) and fractional order PID (FOPID) controller, where new algorithms are employed to train the ANN model and to tune the FOPID controller. The primary aim is to maintain the computed power close to its true peak power while mitigating persistent oscillations in the face of continuously varying surrounding conditions. Firstly, a modified shuffled frog leap algorithm (MSFLA) was employed to train the feed-forward ANN model using real-world solar PV data with the aim of generating a reference solar PV peak voltage. Subsequently, the parameters of the FOPID controller were tuned through the application of the Sanitized Teacher–Learning-Based Optimization (s-TLBO) algorithm, with a specific focus on achieving maximum power point tracking (MPPT). The robustness of the proposed hybrid framework was assessed using two different types (monocrystalline and polycrystalline) of solar panels exposed to varying levels of irradiance. Additionally, the framework’s performance was rigorously tested under cloudy conditions and in the presence of various partial shading scenarios. Furthermore, the adaptability of the proposed framework to different solar panel array configurations was evaluated. This work’s findings reveal that the proposed hybrid framework consistently achieves maximum power point with minimal oscillation, surpassing the performance of recently published works across various critical performance metrics, including the $MP{P}_{efficiency}$, relative error (RE), mean squared error (MSE), and tracking speed. Full article

Thaumatotibia leucotreta, an important citrus pest in southern Africa, is subject to phytosanitary regulations for certain export markets. A systems approach has been developed as an alternative to standalone postharvest disinfestation methods, integrating multiple risk mitigation steps, including preharvest infestation monitoring. This study aimed to validate an existing preharvest monitoring protocol based on fallen fruit collected under designated data trees and to develop a novel monitoring system based on sampling of sanitation fruit. Monitoring was conducted in seven Navel orange orchards (N = 7 each year) during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, representing high and low infestation levels, respectively. Infestation levels were assessed over 11–12 weeks by inspecting fruit beneath four sets of five trees and all sanitation fruit collected per orchard. The new system, which involves inspecting a 100-fruit sample per orchard, was compared with the previous method. While the five-tree protocol tended to overestimate infestation, it remained effective. The sanitation-fruit sampling approach accurately reflected orchard-level infestation, with a 100-fruit sample sufficient for orchards as large as 20 hectares. Although random sampling is recommended, it was not essential for effectiveness. These results support the use of the new monitoring procedure in the systems approach for citrus exports for T. leucotreta risk mitigation. Full article

Viroids are subviral plant pathogens composed of non-coding, small, circular, single-stranded RNAs that parasitize the transcriptional machinery of their host cells. For many years, viroid-induced diseases were mistakenly attributed to viruses due to similarities in symptoms and pathogenic behavior. However, advances in molecular biology over the past sixty years have clearly distinguished viroids from viruses and other pathogens in terms of genetic composition, structural features, and replication mechanisms. Citrus trees in the Mediterranean region appear to have been associated with viroid infections since ancient times. Nevertheless, the use of propagation material harboring asymptomatic viroid infections allowed for continued production of high-quality fruit. This delicate equilibrium was disrupted with the spread of novel citrus pathogens, prompting the adoption of new horticultural practices that emphasized the elimination of citrus pathogens—including viroids—from propagation material. Concurrently, a contrasting approach emerged in the late 1960s: the experimental use of “graft-transmissible dwarfing agents”—later identified as citrus viroids—to control citrus tree size. Our lab initiated work on citrus viroid-induced dwarfing in the early 1980s and continued this line of research for nearly two decades. Eventually, we concluded that it was impractical to simultaneously promote rigorous sanitation protocols while advocating for the use of viroids to induce dwarfing. This review summarizes key biological and molecular aspects of citrus and avocado viroids investigated in our laboratory, including the development of diagnostic techniques and the exploration of viroid-induced dwarfing as a horticultural tool. Full article

The consumption of fresh produce has significantly increased in recent years, contributing to improved diets through the provision of essential nutrients, vitamins, and fiber. However, there has been a rise in foodborne illness outbreaks linked to fruits and vegetables, often caused by pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes. These outbreaks have led to severe health consequences, including illnesses, hospitalizations, and even deaths. Once produce is contaminated by foodborne pathogens, these pathogens are difficult to eliminate. Traditional decontamination methods, such as water washes and chlorine-based sanitizers, have been widely used to address these microbial concerns. However, these methods may not be effective against pathogens in crevices or biofilms on the surface of produce, and their effectiveness varies depending on the type of produce and pathogens. Moreover, the chemicals used may raise health and environmental concerns. As a result, novel technologies for pathogen inactivation are gaining attention. These include ozone, ultraviolet light, cold plasma, pulsed light, ultrasound, microbubbles, nanobubbles, electrolyzed water, high-pressure processing, chlorine dioxide gas, and among others. This paper reviews a range of emerging and innovative technologies for the sanitization of fresh produce. The mechanisms, advancements, and practical applications of these technologies are examined with a focus on enhancing food safety and preserving produce quality. These innovative methods provide new opportunities for both research and industry to develop practical, affordable, and safe solutions for maintaining produce safety and quality. Recent studies highlight the effectiveness of combining methods, showing that using multiple sanitization techniques can significantly improve pathogen inactivation on fresh produce. For example, more than 5 log reductions of Listeria innocua and E. coli on avocado, watermelon, and mushroom can be achieved with the combined application of pulsed light and malic acid in previous research. In this review, we recommend the application of combined sanitization methods, emphasizing that integrating multiple techniques can provide a more effective and comprehensive approach to pathogen inactivation. This combined-method strategy has become a promising and innovative trend in the ongoing efforts to improve produce safety and quality. Full article

This article describes the results of research to develop a new technology to treat storm and drainage water generated on a territory of industrial enterprises and reuse it as a feed water for boiler feed and steam generation. To develop such a system, it is necessary to resolve issues related to pretreatment, scaling, and fouling, as well as to provide a minimal discharge in the company’s sanitation network. Principles of the new approach to reach high calcium removal are based on the use of two or three stages of low-pressure nanofiltration membranes instead of the conventional facilities that contain one stage of reverse osmosis membranes. High permeability, low pressure, high recovery, and reduced reagent consumption provide an economic effect. The technology uses low-rejection membranes “nano NF” developed and produced by “Membranium Co.” (Vladimir, Russia). In the article, the results of investigations on the evaluation of scaling rates in membrane modules and rates of homogeneous crystallization in concentrate flow are presented. Processing these results enables us to detect recovery values when scaling begins on the membrane surface as well as to determine the maximum recovery value for the beginning of homogenous nucleation in the concentrate flow. Full article

The quality of urban human settlements (UHSs) directly affects the city’s livability and the well-being of its residents. Scientific monitoring and assessment of UHSs, their progress toward sustainable development, and impacts they experience from rapid urbanization can accelerate the implementation of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the field of human settlements. This study focuses on Chenzhou City, an innovation demonstration zone for China’s Sustainable Development Agenda. It develops a sustainable development evaluation index based on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and other relevant SDGs, with the objectives of residential stability, facilitated mobility, safety of residents, comfortable environment, and low-carbon development. The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) methodology was utilized to assess the progress of sustainable development in Chenzhou City from 2015 to 2022, focusing on the evaluation of UHS indicators, targets, and sustainable development index (SDI) scores. The geographic detector techniques were employed to investigate the impact of new urbanization on the UHSs. The analysis found the following: (1) After the demonstration zone was established (2019–2022), the scores for the five goals and the SDI increased by over 50% compared to the pre-establishment period (2015–2018), with a highly significant difference between the two periods. (2) Among the 35 indicators measured, the proportion of those that reached or nearly reached their targets increased from 57.1% in 2018 to 71.4% in 2022. As of 2022, there has been positive progress toward the goal of residential stability, while efforts toward the other four goals have made some progress but require further acceleration. (3) China’s new urbanization process had a notable impact on the SDI, with most influencing factors positively correlated with the SDI and the interactive effects of population, economic, social, and spatial urbanization factors demonstrate strong explanatory power. The findings provide decision-making support for the sustainable development of the demonstration zone’s UHSs and offer a reference for evaluating the sustainable development of UHSs in similar cities. Full article

Microbial resistance to conventional biocides is closely linked to the more complex problem of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, the development of novel and highly antimicrobial effective disinfectants is encouraged. Due to their broad spectrum of action and low toxicity, Argirium Silver Ultra Nano Clusters (Argirium SUNc^®), a new generation of silver nanoparticles, could be one of them. In this regard, the aim of the present work was to evaluate their biocidal properties in two different formulations against the hygiene indicator microorganisms potentially present in three different Italian food industries and to compare them with the chemical disinfectant most commonly used by operators for routine cleaning. Therefore, a series of microbiological swabs on different foodstuff contact surfaces were performed before and after the application of the solutions at each food company. The data showed that this novel nanomaterial was effective against all the parameters analyzed, being able to inhibit or reduce the growth of the tested microorganisms. Furthermore, in most cases, the two sanitizing solutions tested had a greater inhibitory power than the conventional disinfectant. For this reason, Argirium SUNc^® has great potential to be used in the near future as a new-generation disinfectant, an alternative to conventional disinfectants that promote the spread of antibiotic resistance. Full article

Dengue fever remains a significant public health concern in tropical regions, including Central India, where outbreaks are frequent and associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the dynamics of dengue virus transmission and evolution in Central India from 2019 to 2023, focusing on the emergence of new strains and their impact on outbreak patterns. For this, 40 mosquito pools and 300 patient samples were recruited for the study. Phylogenetic and Bayesian evolutionary analyses performed on CPrM region and whole genome sequences generated by Sanger and Illumina sequencing, respectively, revealed the emergence and predominance of a novel DENV-2 genotype IV lineage III strain in the 2019 and 2023 outbreaks, which displaced the previously circulating DENV-1 genotype responsible for the 2016–2017 outbreak. Despite pre-existing DENV-1 neutralizing antibodies in the community (67 healthy volunteers), the novel DENV-2 strain exhibited higher viral loads and a greater reproduction number (R0), contributing to rapid disease spread. Molecular clock and Shannon entropy analyses suggest that DENV evolution occurred within the mosquito vector, driven by natural selection. Our findings highlight the importance of continuous DENV surveillance, including genetic characterization in both vectors and hosts, to understand viral evolution and predict future outbreaks. Rapid urbanization and inadequate sanitation in densely populated regions like India create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, facilitating the introduction and establishment of novel DENV strains. Interrupting the vector–DENV–host cycle through targeted interventions is crucial for effective dengue control. Full article

Schistosomiasis japonica is an infectious parasitic disease caused by infection with the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum, which is endemic in China, small pockets of Indonesia, and the Philippines. Of the three countries, the prevalence of infection is the highest in the Philippines, despite decades of mass drug administration (MDA). As a zoonosis with 46 potential mammalian definitive hosts and a snail intermediate host, the control and eventual elimination of S. japonicum requires management of these animal hosts in addition to new interventions for the human hosts, including health education and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure. In this review we examine the status and epidemiology of S. japonicum in the Philippines with an overview of the current control program there and what needs to be accomplished in the future to control and eliminate this disease in the country. Full article

Background: Shigella infections remain endemic in places with poor sanitation and are a leading cause of diarrheal mortality globally, as well as a major contributor to gut enteropathy and stunting. There are currently no licensed vaccines for shigellosis but it has been estimated that an effective vaccine could avert 590,000 deaths over a 20-year period. A challenge to effective Shigella vaccine development has been the low immunogenicity and protective efficacy of candidate Shigella vaccines in infants and young children. Additionally, a new vaccine might be less immunogenic in a highly endemic setting compared to a low endemic setting (“vaccine hyporesponsiveness”). The use of a potent adjuvant enhancing both mucosal and systemic immunity might overcome these problems. Invaplex_AR-Detox is an injectable Shigella vaccine that uses a novel combination of conserved invasion plasmid antigen proteins and a serotype-specific bacterial lipopolysaccharide attenuated for safe intramuscular administration. The adjuvant dmLT has been shown to enhance Shigella immune responses in mice, has safely been administered intramuscularly, and was shown to enhance immune responses in healthy volunteers when given in combination with other antigens in phase I trials. This article describes the protocol of a study that will be the first to assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of Invaplex_AR-Detox co-administered with dmLT in healthy adults in low-endemic and high-endemic settings. Methods: In a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled dose-escalation phase Ia/b trial, the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of three intramuscular vaccinations administered 4 weeks apart with 2.5 µg or 10 µg of Invaplex_AR-Detox vaccine, alone or in combination with 0.1 µg of the dmLT adjuvant, will first be assessed in a total of 50 healthy Dutch adults (phase Ia) and subsequently in 35 healthy Zambian adults (phase Ib) aged 18–50 years. The primary outcome is safety, and secondary outcomes are humoral and cellular immune responses to the adjuvanted or non-adjuvanted vaccine. Discussion: This trial is part of the ShigaPlexIM project that aims to advance the early clinical development of an injectable Shigella vaccine and to make the vaccine available for late-stage clinical development. This trial addresses the issue of hyporesponsiveness in an early stage of clinical development by testing the vaccine and adjuvant in an endemic setting (Zambia) after the first-in-human administration and the dose-escalation has proven safe and tolerable in a low-endemic setting (Netherlands). Besides strengthening the vaccine pipeline against a major diarrheal disease, another goal of the ShigaPlexIM project is to stimulate capacity building and strengthen global North-South relations in clinical research. Trial registration: EU CT number: 2023-506394-35-02, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05961059. Full article

Water-related diseases are among the infectious diseases that represent a major public health challenge in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of waterborne diseases and the factors associated with their occurrence in the commune of Aplahoué, located in southwestern Benin. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 125 households selected through simple random sampling in the commune. Data analysis was performed using regression models and Chi-square tests with SPSS version 27.0, considering a p-value below 5% as statistically significant. This study revealed an overall prevalence of waterborne diseases of 45.6% at the household level and 16.6% at the individual level. Malaria was the most prevalent waterborne disease (8.4%), followed by diarrhea (6.3%). Multivariate analysis identified a history of waterborne diseases and hospitalization due to waterborne diseases as significant independent risk factors for the occurrence of new waterborne diseases. It is, therefore, critical to improve access to safe drinking water, promote better hygiene and sanitation practices, and strengthen health education through effective communication to foster behavioral change within the community. Full article

Urban development and population growth present new challenges for developing urban public spaces (UPS) in cities. The significance of cities as centers of integration of different socio-cultural groups is growing. Taking into account the diversity of needs and expectations of sensory-sensitive groups (women) as residents and users of urban public spaces is a key task facing modern city managers. Women’s public participation is relevant and important, because recognizing their needs and taking them into account in urban spatial policy contributes to creating cities tailored to the needs and expectations of residents and users, according to the principle of “everyone-important”. This article has goals for the identification of factors that reduce the safety and comfort of women’s activities and the most important architectural features UPS. The results of the research indicate that the determinants that reduce the friendliness of safety and comfort in UPS are a lack of lighting, lack of esthetics of space development, lack of benches and toilets, and street noise. A space tailored to women’s needs and expectations should be well-lit with a level walking and sidewalk surface and include architectural infrastructure elements such as adequate municipal sanitation (toilets), benches and urban furniture, with landscaped green space (squares, flowerbeds, trees), which is in line with the principles of universal design. This study’s results found that such factors can help create safe, egalitarian, and inclusive cities. They complete the research gap in the field of sustainable urban development and are key to developing gender-equitable urban planning and urban development policy practices. Full article

This study analyzed the effects of insect-based diets on rural leisure activities, tourism, and consumption. A questionnaire survey was conducted, with 900 valid samples being obtained. The collected data were then analyzed through descriptive statistical analysis, a t-test, and a Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient test by using the SPSS 26.0 statistical software. Subsequently, semistructured interviews were conducted to collect expert and public opinions on the analysis results. Finally, literature findings and the collected questionnaire and interview data were reviewed through multivariate validation analysis. According to the results, the public agrees that entomophagy culture and insect cuisine can enhance leisure and tourism appeal. Entomophagy culture can also stimulate rural economic, social, and environmental development as well as rural consumption. However, modern public infrastructure and medical facilities are still required to increase tourism accessibility. Local governments must improve public sanitation, moral standards, and the overall quality of tourism and living environments. They must also attract corporate investment and cultivate entrepreneurship among residents to develop new insect-based tourism and leisure activities, food, and products. These measures can enhance the influence of insects on the sustainable development of leisure activities, tourism, and economies in rural regions. Full article