bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Strategies to Remediate Mixed Wastes at an Industrial Site in Brazil
Authors: Barreto Paola , Lemes Maria , Jimenez Jimena , Mack E. Erin , Henderson James , Freedman David L.
Published: July 2023

Complex mixtures of contaminants at hazardous waste sites often pose significant challenges for remediation. For example, within the largest industrial area in northeastern Brazil, one of the sites is contaminated with at least 26 chemicals, six of which are present in the part per million range: chlorobenzene (CB), 1,2‐dichlorobenzene (1,2‐DCB), 4‐nitrotoluene (4‐NT), 2,6‐dinitrotoluene (2,6‐DNT), 4‐isopropylaniline (4‐IPA), and 1,2‐dichloroethane (1,2‐DCA). Other chemicals of concern include 2,4‐dinitrotoluene (2,4‐DNT), 2‐ and 3‐nitrotoluene (NT), and 1,4‐dioxane. The objective of this study was to evaluate remediation strategies that include aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation, along with chemical reduction and oxidation. In microcosms prepared with site soil and groundwater, aerobic biodegradation of CB, 1,2‐DCB, 2‐NT, 3‐NT, and 4‐NT was demonstrated, while the dinitrotoluene isomers, 1,2‐DCA, and 1,4‐dioxane were recalcitrant. 2,6‐DNT, 2,4‐DNT, and 4‐NT were readily reduced to amino‐toluenes under anaerobic conditions by microbes with lactate serving as the electron donor or using zero valent iron. Amino‐toluenes were amenable to chemical oxidation and/or aerobic biodegradation. This suggests a sequential treatment strategy may be the most effective remediation approach, consisting of aerobic biodegradation, followed by anaerobic reduction (abiotic or biotic) and then aerobic biodegradation and/or chemical oxidation. This approach was the most effective in a continuous flow column experiment using site soil. Batch tests with mixtures of contaminants as well as groundwater exposed to chemical oxidation revealed modest to no inhibitory effects. While these mixtures may slow the rate of biodegradation, a remediation strategy that incorporates aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation is achievable.
A review on structure–property relationships in dielectric ceramics using high‐entropy compositional strategies
Authors: Chen Deqin , Zhu Xiaowei , Yang Xinrong , Yan Na , Cui Yongbao , Lei Xiuyun , Liu Laijun , Khaliq Jibran , Li Chunchun
Published: July 2023

High‐entropy strategy is a design that uses multiple elements to increase configurational entropy. As an emerging research field, high‐entropy was originally applied to metals, but it has shown great potential in inorganic nonmetallic materials. Since the first discovery of colossal dielectric permittivity in high‐entropy ceramics, it indicates that the high‐entropy strategy is feasible in dielectric ceramics. The multi‐ion solid solution will bring a broader space for the material structure and property tailoring. With the research of domestic and foreign scholars in high‐entropy dielectrics, we believe that entropic engineering can effectively regulate dielectric properties. The review paper explores the potential of the high‐entropy strategy in dielectric ceramics. It provides a detailed overview of the structural properties and the potential benefits of utilizing high‐entropy materials in dielectric ceramics. The review also covers the current research advancements in the field and provides insights into future directions for further development of high‐performance dielectric ceramics.
Protocatechuic acid prevents isoproterenol‐induced heart failure in mice by downregulating kynurenine‐3‐monooxygenase
Authors: Bai Liyan , Han Xiongyi , Kee Hae Jin , He Xiaonan , Kim Seong Hoon , Jeon Mi Jin , Zhou Hongyan , Jeong Seong Min , Kee Seung‐Jung , Jeong Myung Ho
Published: July 2023

Protocatechuic acid (3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid) prevents oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiac hypertrophy. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of protocatechuic acid in an isoproterenol‐induced heart failure mouse model and to identify the underlying mechanisms. To establish the heart failure model, C57BL/6NTac mice were given high‐dose isoproterenol (80 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days. Echocardiography revealed that protocatechuic acid reversed the isoproterenol‐induced downregulation of fractional shortening and ejection fraction. Protocatechuic acid attenuated cardiac hypertrophy as evidenced by the decreased heart‐weight‐to‐body‐weight ratio and the expression of Nppb. RNA sequencing analysis identified kynurenine‐3‐monooxygenase (Kmo) as a potential target of protocatechuic acid. Protocatechuic acid treatment or transfection with short‐interfering RNA against Kmo ameliorated transforming growth factor β1–induced upregulation of Kmo, Col1a1, Col1a2 and Fn1 in vivo or in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts. Kmo knockdown attenuated the isoproterenol‐induced increase in cardiomyocyte size, as well as Nppb and Col1a1 expression in H9c2 cells or primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Moreover, protocatechuic acid attenuated Kmo overexpression–induced increases in Nppb mRNA levels. Protocatechuic acid or Kmo knockdown decreased isoproterenol‐induced ROS generation in vivo and in vitro. Thus, protocatechuic acid prevents heart failure by downregulating Kmo. Therefore, protocatechuic acid and Kmo constitute a potential novel therapeutic agent and target, respectively, against heart failure.
Polar vasculosis is associated with better kidney outcome in type 2 diabetes with biopsy‐proven diabetic kidney disease: A multicenter cohort study
Authors: Shimizu Miho , Furuichi Kengo , Toyama Tadashi , Yamanouchi Masayuki , Hoshino Junichi , Kitajima Shinji , Hara Akinori , Iwata Yasunori , Sakai Norihiko , Yuzawa Yukio , Kitamura Hiroshi , Sato Hiroshi , Shibagaki Yugo , Suzuki Yoshiki , Uesugi Noriko , Ueda Yoshihiko , Kohagura Kentaro , Samejima Kenichi , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Nishi Shinichi , Nishino Tomoya , Makino Hirofumi , Matsuo Seiichi , Ubara Yoshifumi , Yokoyama Hitoshi , Wada Takashi ,   Research Group of Diabetic Nephropathy, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
Published: July 2023

Aims/Introduction

This multicenter cohort study retrospectively assessed the association between polar vasculosis and the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

We enrolled 811 patients with type 2 diabetes, biopsy‐proven DKD, and proteinuria (≥0.15 g/g creatinine [g/day]). The association between polar vasculosis and other kidney lesions was explored. The outcome was DKD progression defined as a composite of renal replacement therapy initiation or 50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline.

Results

Of the 811 cases, 677 (83.5%) had polar vasculosis. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, subendothelial widening of the glomerular basement membrane, glomerulomegaly, glomerular class in the Renal Pathology Society classification ≥IIb, vascular lesions, age, eGFR, and hemoglobin A1c were positively associated with polar vasculosis, whereas interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) was negatively associated with polar vasculosis. During a median follow‐up of 5.2 years, progression of DKD occurred in 322 of 677 (7.4 events/100 person‐years) and 79 of 134 (11.4 events/100 person‐years) cases with and without polar vasculosis, respectively. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that polar vasculosis was associated with lower cumulative incidences of DKD progression. Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that polar vasculosis was associated with a lower risk of DKD progression, regardless of eGFR or proteinuria subgroups. These associations between polar vasculosis and better kidney outcome were unchanged considering all‐cause mortality before DKD progression as a competing event.

Conclusions

This study showed that polar vasculosis of DKD was associated with less advanced IFTA and a better kidney outcome in type 2 diabetes with proteinuria.
A novel protocol for rapid deployment of heart rate data storage tags in Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus reveals cardiac responses to temperature and feeding
Authors: Rouyer T. , Bonhommeau S. , Bernard S. , Kerzerho V. , Derridj O. , Bjarnason Á. , Allal H. , Steffensen J. F. , Deguara S. , Wendling B. , Bal G. , Thambithurai D. , Mckenzie D. J.
Published: July 2023

The Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT) is a highly prized species of large pelagic fish. Studies of their environmental physiology may improve understanding and management of their populations, but this is difficult for mature adults because of their large size. Biologging of heart rate holds promise in investigating physiological responses to environmental conditions in free‐swimming fishes but it is very challenging to anesthetize large ABFT for invasive surgery to place a tag in the body cavity near to the heart. We describe a novel method for rapid deployment of a commercially available heart‐rate tag on ABFT, using an atraumatic trocar to implant it in the musculature associated with the cleithrum. We performed three sequential experiments to show that the tagging method (1) is consistently repeatable and reliable, (2) can be used successfully on commercial fishing boats and does not seem to affect fish survival, and (3) is effective for long‐term deployments. In experiment 3, a tag logged heart rate over 80 days on a 60‐kg ABFT held in a farm cage. The logged data showed that heart rate was sensitive to prevailing seasonal temperature and feeding events. At low temperatures, there were clear responses to feeding but these all disappeared above a threshold temperature of 25.5°C. Overall, the results show that our method is simple, rapid, and repeatable, and can be used for long‐term experiments to investigate physiological responses by large ABFT to environmental conditions.
“Someone is Wrong About Sex on the Internet”: Online Discourse and the Role of Public Scholarship on Jewish Sexual Ethics
Authors: Epstein‐Levi Rebecca J.
Published: July 2023

Regnant public accounts of Jewish sexual ethics—both external and internal—fall short of what they could accomplish. Using a Twitter thread on sexual ethics which falls into some key errors as a case study, I argue that Jewish ethicists are poised to address the thread's errors by offering sources for alternative moral frameworks. I examine how thinking with this Twitter thread can help us clarify what we mean by public scholarship more generally, what is wrong with some common public deployments of specifically Jewish sources, and some implications of this for both Jewish and non‐Jewish publics. I conclude with some reflections about the role of traditional academic venues, such as the Journal of Religious Ethics, within this.
The presence of the plant pathogen Fusarium graminearum as a soil inoculum enhances the rhizosphere survival of bacterial biocontrol strains aimed at the pathogen
Authors: Shahbazi Hadis , Behboudi Keivan , Olsson Stefan
Published: July 2023

The serious wheat pathogen Fusarium graminearum causes both root rot and head blight. Some classical biocontrol tests were first used to explore the biocontrol ability of 39 Pseudomonas fluorescens strains. The five most antifungal strains B4, P13, UTPf127, UTPf125 and UTPf105 were selected to screen known antifungal antibiotic genes and greenhouse experiments. The ability of bacteria to colonize wheat rhizosphere and their effect on plant growth in the presence and absence of soil F. graminearum inoculum was studied under greenhouse conditions. Overall, biocontrol bacteria populations were significantly higher in both wheat endo‐and ectorhizosphere of pathogen‐inoculated soil than in healthy soil. The population of all strains differently decreased with time. On day 28, endorhizosphere populations of strain B4 could be detected in inoculated but not healthy soil, while UTPf127 populations remained high in endorhizospheres at all tested times. Isolate B4 and UTPf105 showed the most substantial plant growth in pathogen‐inoculated soil compared to pathogen‐inoculated soil without added bacteria. UTPf127‐treated plants grew better in control soil than when the pathogen was present. In contrast, UTPf125 and P13 showed little effect on plant growth. These results point to complex interactions between pathogen and biocontrol bacteria and suggest that a fungal pathogen in the soil can affect the survival of potential bacterial biological control agents. Additionally, they highlight the importance of screening and evaluating potential biocontrol bacteria against soilborne fungal pathogens by in vivo tests rather than relying on plate screenings.
Dietary phosphorus requirement of silver CARP (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) fingerlings
Authors: Tayyaba Maria , Fatima Mahroze , Shah Syed Zakir Hussain , Khan Noor , Maryam  , Ali Wazir , Riaz Muhammad Nouman
Published: July 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal dietary phosphorus (P) requirement and its effects on growth performance, body composition, mineralization and alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). A total of 360 fish with an average initial weight of 7.0 ± 0.15 g were divided into 18 tanks (70 L capacity each) with a stocking density of 20 fish per tank in triplicate. The fish were fed diets containing six levels of P (3.3, 4.4, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5 and 8.6 g/kg) up to satiation for 90 days twice daily at 09:00 and 16:00. The results showed that fish fed diets containing 6.5 and 7.5 g/kg dietary P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) growth performance in terms of final weight gain, average weight gain (AWG), weight gain% (WG%), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and specific growth rate (SGR) than fish fed other diets. The best value of the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in fish fed the 6.5 g/kg P diet, which was not significantly different from the 7.5 g/kg P diet. Increasing P supplementation above 6.5 g/kg significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the feed intake of silver carp. Whole‐body composition analysis indicated that increasing P levels resulted in a decrease (p < 0.05) in crude fat (CF) and an increase (p < 0.05) in crude ash (CA) content, while crude protein (CP) and moisture content remained unaffected (p > 0.05). Fish fed diets containing ≥6.5 g/kg P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) Ca content in the whole body, bones and scales compared to those fed diets containing ≤5.5 g/kg P. A similar trend was observed for P and Mg contents in the whole body, bones and scales. The Zn content tended to decrease (p < 0.05) with increasing P supplementation in the whole body and bones, but fish fed diets containing ≥6.5 g/kg P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) Zn content compared to fish fed diets containing ≤5.5 g/kg P. The Ca/P ratio was significantly affected by P supplementation. Fish fed diets containing ≥6.5 g/kg P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) Ca and P contents in the serum than fish fed other diets. ALP activity increased (p < 0.05) with increasing P levels up to 6.5 g/kg P and decreased (p < 0.05) thereafter. In conclusion, supplementing P up to 6.35 g/kg is recommended for the optimal growth of silver carp.
Child sleep problems, maternal sleep and self‐efficacy: Sleep's complicated role in maternal depression
Authors: Carroll Alyssa J. , Appleton Jessica , Harris Keith M.
Published: July 2023

Depression, poor sleep duration and low self‐efficacy are common in mothers of children with sleep problems. However, research rarely extends beyond the postpartum period. This study investigated the multifaceted relationship between child sleep and maternal depression in early motherhood. A confidential survey assessed child sleep problems, maternal sleep duration, parental self‐efficacy and depressive symptoms in 477 Australian mothers of children aged 3 months to 5 years. We found no relationship between child age and maternal depression, supporting our decision to look beyond postpartum depression. Robust bootstrapped mediation modelling tested the hypothesis that both maternal sleep duration and parental self‐efficacy would mediate child sleep problems as predictors of maternal depression. After controlling for child age, results showed a significant parallel mediation effect, demonstrating that maternal sleep duration and parental self‐efficacy both mediate the relationship between child sleep problems on maternal depression. While the total effect of child sleep problems on maternal depression was statistically significant, after partialling out the effects of other variables, child sleep problems no longer predicted maternal depression. Akaike information criterion analyses supported the full model, with both mediators explaining meaningful variance in maternal depression. This study expands our knowledge beyond the postpartum period, and divulges the disparate effects of sleep deprivation and parental self‐efficacy on the relationship between child sleep and depression in early motherhood. Maternal sleep duration and self‐efficacy are modifiable risk factors of maternal depression, indicating possible efficacious treatments. Parental self‐efficacy stands out as a direction for clinical practice and further psychobiological study.
An undernutrition screening score for dogs with protein‐losing enteropathy: A prospective multicenter study
Authors: Wootton Florence E. , Hoey Christopher S. F. K. , Woods Glynn , Schmitz Silke Salavati , Reeve Jenny , Larsen Jennifer , Kathrani Aarti
Published: July 2023

Background

The impact of undernutrition in dogs with protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE) caused by inflammatory enteritis, intestinal lymphangiectasia, or both and which variables are most predictive of outcome are unknown.

Objectives

Develop an undernutrition screening score (USS) for use at the time of diagnosis of PLE in dogs, which is predictive of outcome.

Animals

Fifty‐seven dogs with PLE prospectively recruited from 3 referral hospitals in the United Kingdom.

Methods

An USS based on the presence and severity of 5 variables: appetite, weight loss, and body, muscle, and coat condition and scored out of 15, with higher scores reflecting worse undernutrition, was calculated at the time of diagnosis. Follow‐up information was obtained for at least 6 months.

Results

Dogs that failed to achieve clinical remission within 6 months had higher USS at diagnosis compared with dogs that achieved remission (median, 7.5; range, 2‐14 and median, 5; range, 0‐14, respectively). The USS at diagnosis gave an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.656 for predicting nonclinical remission within 6 months, whereas a score consisting of just epaxial muscle loss and coat condition resulted in a larger AUC of 0.728.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Of the 5 variables assessed in the USS, a combination of epaxial muscle loss and coat condition was most predictive of not achieving clinical remission within 6 months in dogs with PLE. Additional studies will help determine the effect of changes in USS and the 5 associated variables after diagnosis on outcome variables in these dogs.
Teachers' Mind, Brain, and Education Literacy: A Survey of Scientists' Views
Authors: Tokuhama‐Espinosa Tracey , Nouri Ali
Published: July 2023

While there is a growing interest among teachers to embed Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) knowledge in their practice, most are still not clear about the key concepts in the field that have the potential to improve their pedagogical knowledge. The present study was conducted to identify the domains of current MBE knowledge that are important for teachers to know. Using a deductive qualitative survey design, data were collected by an online questionnaire from 112 experts of the global MBE community. Findings indicated that there are at least 18 conceptual areas of MBE literacy that need to be included in teacher professional development programs.
Anti‐C1q antibodies in lupus nephritis children with glomerular microthrombosis
Authors: Zhang Pei , Yang Xiao , Fang Xiang , Xu Chao , Gao Chunlin , Xia Zhengkun
Published: July 2023

Aim

Glomerular microthrombosis (GMT) was a common vascular lesion in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum anti‐beta2‐glycoprotein I antibodies (a‐β2GP1) and anti‐complement 1q antibodies (a‐C1q) antibodies and to investigate the possible mechanism of GMT in children with LN.

Methods

The subjects were 191 children with LN diagnosed by renal biopsy in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2020. The patients were divided into GMT group and non‐GMT group. The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, renal pathology, prognosis of the two groups and the relationship between a‐β2GP1 and a‐C1q antibodies were observed.

Results

In 191 children with LN, 52 cases (27.23%) presented with GMT. The value of C3, haemoglobin (Hb), estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) in GMT group were lower than that of non‐GMT group (p < .05, p < .01). The value of serum creatinine (Scr), 24 h proteinuria (PRO), urine red blood cells (RBC), N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucosidase (NAG) and retinol‐binding protein (RBP), a‐C1q, a‐β2GP1, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and renal histopathological activity index (AI) score in GMT group were higher than that of non‐GMT group (p < .05, p < .01). The positive proportions of serum a‐C1q and a‐β2GP1 in GMT group were higher than those in non‐GMT group (p < .05). According to Spearman correlation analysis, a‐C1q was positively correlated with AI score, SLEDAI, a‐β2GP1, GMT, LN‐III and LN‐IV. Hb, eGFR and a‐C1q Ab were associated with the formation of GMT in children with LN. The complete proteinuria remission and renal survival in GMT group were significantly lower than those in non‐GMT group (p < .05, p < .01).

Conclusion

LN children with GMT had more severe clinical manifestations and renal pathologic damages, and poor outcome. Serum a‐C1q level was positively correlated with a‐β2GP1, and a‐β2GP1 may be involved in the formation of GMT in children with LN, which might involve in the activation of complement classical pathway.
COVID‐19 associated thrombotic microangiopathy
Authors: Karabag Yilmaz Esra , Cebi Memnune Nur , Karahan Iremnaz , Saygılı Seha , Gulmez Ruveyda , Demirgan Ebru Burcu , Durak Cansu , Aygun Fatih , Ozaltin Fatih , Caliskan Salim , Canpolat Nur
Published: July 2023

A limited number of cases of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) have previously been reported in association with COVID‐19. Our report describes two cases of TMA associated with COVID‐19, one of which was successfully treated with eculizumab. The first case was a 23‐month‐old girl, and the second case was a 9‐month‐old boy. PCR tests for SARS‐CoV‐2 were positive in both cases, and laboratory results showed microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. No known aetiology for TMA was found in either case. Stool tests for Shigatoxin‐producing Escherichia coli were negative. Coagulation tests, ADAMTS13 activity, serum complement levels, and homocysteine levels were all within the normal range. No known genetic mutation was found, including mutations of complement, diacylglycerol kinase epsilon, and cobalamin C. In the first case, eculizumab was administered due to persistent haemolysis and prolonged anuria. In conclusion, TMA may be associated with COVID‐19 infection. Treatment with eculizumab may be beneficial in selected patients because of the potential activation of the complement system.
Optimizing educational methods for the low FODMAP diet in disorders of gut–brain interaction: A feasibility randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dimidi Eirini , McArthur Alastair James , White Rachel , Whelan Kevin , Lomer Miranda C. E.
Published: July 2023

Background

A diet low in fermentable oligo‐saccharides, di‐saccharides, mono‐saccharides and polyols (low FODMAP diet) is complex and clinical effectiveness is achieved with dietitian‐led education, although dietitian availability in clinical practice varies. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of undertaking a trial to investigate the clinical and cost‐effectiveness of different education delivery methods of the low FODMAP diet in patients with disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI).

Methods

In this feasibility randomized controlled trial, patients with DGBI requiring the low FODMAP diet were randomized to receive one of the following education delivery methods: booklet, app, or dietitian. Recruitment and retention rates, acceptability, symptoms, stool output, quality of life, and dietary intake were assessed.

Key Results

Fifty‐one patients were randomized with a recruitment rate of 2.4 patients/month and retention of 48 of 51 (94%). Nobody in the booklet group strongly agreed that this education delivery method enabled them to self‐manage symptoms without further support, compared to 7 of 14 (50%) in the dietitian group (p = 0.013). More patients reported adequate relief of symptoms in the dietitian group (12, 80%) compared with the booklet group (7, 39%; p = 0.026), but not when compared to the app group (10, 63%, p > 0.05). There was a greater decrease in the IBS‐SSS score in the dietitian group (mean −153, SD 90) compared with the booklet group (mean −90, SD 56; p = 0.043), but not when compared with the app group (mean −120, SD 62; p = 0.595).

Conclusions & Inferences

Booklets were the least acceptable education delivery methods. Dietitian‐led consultations led to high levels of clinical effectiveness, followed by the app, while the dietitian was superior to booklets alone. However, an adequately powered clinical trial is needed to confirm clinical effectiveness of these education delivery methods.
Modal Ontological Arguments
Authors: Stacey Gregory R. P.
Published: July 2023

Inspired by the third chapter of Anselm's Proslogion, twentieth century philosophers including Charles Hartshorne and Alvin Plantinga developed “modal” ontological arguments for the existence of God. Such arguments use modal logic to infer God's existence from the premises that (i) God's existence is possible and (ii) if God exists, He exists necessarily. Like other ontological arguments, modal arguments have won few converts to theism; many commentators consider them question‐begging or liable to parody. This article details how recent attempts to defend these arguments have tried to overcome these difficulties by drawing on modern accounts of the epistemology and metaphysics of modality.
Biodiversity and Metabolic Properties of Bacterial Communities from the Digestive System of the Bivalve Crenomytilus grayanus
Authors: Dunkai T. I. , Bogatyrenko E. A. , Kim A. V.
Published: July 2023

Abstract—

Biodiversity of the bacterial communities in the digestive system of Crenomytilus grayanus inhabiting the coastal Sea of Japan waters with chronic anthropogenic pollution was investigated using metabarcoding. Apart from marine bacteria, the taxa typical under contamination with oil (Rhodobacteraceae, Corynebacteriaceae), heavy metals (Asinibacterium), and unprocessed municipal waste (Cloacibacterium,Globicatella) were revealed in the microbiota. A collection of 411 cultured heterotrophic bacterial strains isolated in the course of this study was characterized taxonomically. The intestinal microbiome of the studied mollusks was shown to have a unique composition, depending on their habitat. Ability of bacterial strains isolated from the C. grayanus digestive system to degrade various nutrient substrates (sugars, amino acids, and polysaccharides) and xenobiotics (oil hydrocarbons, bisphenol A, and atrazine) was studied. Most isolates degraded a broad range of organic substrates; 13% (54 strains) oxidized oil hydrocarbons; 1% (4 strains) oxidized bisphenol A; and 0.5% (2 strains) degraded atrazine. The possible role of the microbiome C. grayanus microbiome in symbiotic digestion and in detoxication of the mollusk is discussed.
Deep learning assisted jet tomography for the study of Mach cones in QGP
Authors: Yang Zhong , He Yayun , Chen Wei , Ke Wei-Yao , Pang Long-Gang , Wang Xin-Nian
Published: July 2023

Mach cones are expected to form in the expanding quark-gluon plasma (QGP) when energetic quarks and gluons traverse the hot medium at a velocity faster than the speed of sound in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. The shape of the Mach cone and the associated diffusion wake are sensitive to the initial jet production location and the propagation direction of the parton shower relative to the radial flow because of the distortion caused by the collective expansion of the QGP and the large density gradient. The shape of jet-induced Mach cones and their distortions in heavy-ion collisions provide a unique and direct probe of the dynamical evolution and the equation of state of QGP. However, it is difficult to identify the Mach cone and the diffusion wake in current experimental measurements of final hadron distributions because they are averaged over all possible initial jet production locations and parton-shower propagation directions. To overcome this difficulty, we develop a deep learning assisted jet tomography which uses the full information of the final hadrons from jets to localize the initial jet production positions. This method can help to constrain the initial regions of jet production in heavy-ion collisions and enable a differential study of Mach-cones with different path lengths and orientations relative to the radial flow of the QGP in heavy-ion collisions.
CMB polarization by the asymmetric template of scalar perturbations
Authors: Khodagholizadeh Jafar , Mohammadi Rohoollah , Movahed S. M. S.
Published: July 2023

Inspired by a dipole asymmetric template for the CMB temperature map in the primordial scalar fluctuations observed by Planck at a large scale, we examine the contribution of a similar template for power asymmetry in modifying the linear polarization pattern of CMB. Replacing un-modulated temperature fluctuation with dipolar modulated one in time evolution equations somehow breaks linear perturbation in the various components of the CMB map. This non-linearity allows deflecting CMB polarization in patterns that contain divergence-free components. The explicit expressions for the angular power spectra of the electric and magnetic-type parities of linear polarization are derived in the form of the line of sight integral solutions. Our results demonstrate that the electric-type polarization is modified and the magnetic-type polarization would be produced. Such imprints depend on the linear and square of the asymmetric amplitude for E- and B-modes power spectra, respectively. For the observed dipole template, the value of B polarization spectrum at the large scale ($$\ell \lesssim 10$$

ℓ
≲
10

) is almost equivalent to the power spectrum obtained from Compton scattering in the presence of tensor perturbation with tensor to scalar ratio about $$r\simeq 0.005$$

r
≃
0.005

.
On particle dynamics near the singularity inside the Schwarzschild black hole and T-spheres
Authors: Radosz A. , Toporensky A. V. , Zaslavskii O. B.
Published: July 2023

The problem of the speed of the objects inside the Schwarzschild black hole is considered. The general result is that the value of the relative speed of the objects following their non-zero angular momentum trajectories, both of geodesic and non-geodesic character, when approaching the ultimate singularity, tends to the value of speed of light. There is only one exception when both objects move in the same plane and have parallel angular momenta. This outcome appears to have a deeper sense: it reflects the anisotropic character of the dynamics of interior of this particular black hole. The result in question means that near the singularity, collisions of two particles lead to an indefinitely large energy in the center of mass frame. Aforementioned properties have their counterpart in the phenomenon of an indefinitely large blueshift near the singularity. Thus the angular momentum of a particle turns out to be an important feature that affects the final behavior of particle near the singularity. Motivated by this fact, we generalize the Lemaître frame under the horizon in such a way that reference particles themselves have nonzero angular momentum. Our results apply not only to the Schwarzschild singularity but also to other space-like ones for which the scale factor $$g\rightarrow \infty $$

g
→
∞

. We also analyze another type of singulairites for which the circumference radius vanishes but g remains finite.
Enhanced Adsorptive Removal of Chromium (VI) from Aqueous Solution on Using Aged Refuse: Resource Recovery and Environmental Applications
Authors: Manimekalai B. , Sivanesan S. , Kumar P. Senthil
Published: July 2023

“Aged refuse” corresponds to municipal solid waste material dumped in land, for several years. This solid waste material is chosen as an adsorbent for the current study since it is available abundantly in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, and has not been used for any other applications. The current study was conducted to get rid of the element chromium (VI) from wastewater by using the adsorption process. The aged refuse was analytically tested through various processes such as BET, TGA, XRD, SEM, and FTIR to determine the surface morphology, functional groups, thermal stability, nature of the crystalline, and surface area. The researchers conducted the batch adsorption study to validate the influence exerted by different sorts of adsorption parameters like contact time (10-100 min), initial concentration of the pollutant (50 mg·L-1 to 250 mg·L-1), pH (1-7), and the dosage of the adsorbent (0.5 g·L-1-3.0 g·L-1). In the current study, the researchers achieved the maximum adsorption capacity of 195.54 mg·g-1. From the kinetic results, it can be understood that the pseudo-first-order model was the most suitable kinetic model. Further, the study outcomes confirm that the Langmuir isotherm model is the best fit by isotherm studies which indicate the monolayer adsorption process. This study indicated that the aged refuse can be potentially used in removing Cr (VI) from water environment under standard optimized conditions.
Health-Related Quality of Life Improvement in Residential Care Facilities’ Elders through a Physical Activity Program
Authors: Baldelli Giulia , De Santi Mauro , Masini Alice , Ridolfi Enrico , Parenti Andrea , Gobbi Erica , De Felice Franco , Dallolio Laura , Brandi Giorgio
Published: July 2023

Epidemiological data show that people are living longer. This change carries opportunities for people but also the increased need of residential care facilities (RCFs) for older adults who require care that cannot be taken at home. The entry in RCFs is a delicate moment, in which maintaining autonomy is essential, along with promoting physical and mental health. The aim of this work was to evaluate the perceived quality of life (QoL)-related variables in RCFs residents at the baseline and after a 6-week physical activity (PA) intervention, to explore its possible role in improving the older adults’ perceived QoL. Overall, 108 residents belonging to seven Italian RCFs were enrolled. The Short-Form 12 (SF-12) questionnaire was used to assess the Physical Component Score (PCS) and Mental Component Score (MCS). To evaluate the residents’ attendance at PA, questions about weekly frequency of PA performed were included, analyzing data also considering the presence of a kinesiologist as a member of the RCF team. After baseline assessments, a 6-week PA intervention conducted by a kinesiologist was implemented in 2 RCFs and then the same variables considered at the baseline were reevaluated. As expected, the residents’ PCS resulted inversely related to their age. The individual PA attendance and the MCS were greater in older adults living in RCFs where a kinesiologist was present. Moreover, the higher adherence at individual and group PA was related to higher MCS only. After the 6-week PA intervention, a greater RCFs residents’ attendance at individual PA and a high frequency in group activities were shown. Furthermore, the program improved both MCS and PCS of the participants. Data suggest the strong impact of PA, structured by an expert, in increasing the health-related variables in RCFs’ older residents, especially the mental sphere of the perceived QoL. These beneficial effects were shown particularly with the twice-a-week program.
Technoeconomic and Environmental Assessment of Biomass Chemical Looping Gasification for Advanced Biofuel Production
Authors: Gogulancea Valentina , Rolfe Angela , Jaffar Mohammad , Brandoni Caterina , Atsonios Konstantinos , Detsios Nikolaos , Dieringer Paul , Huang Ye
Published: July 2023

Chemical looping gasification is a promising biomass conversion technology that could produce sustainable liquid transportation fuels on a large scale to reduce fossil fuel dependency. The current paper examines the technical, economic, and environmental performance of a biomass-to-liquid (BtL) process based on chemical looping gasification and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Two biomass feedstocks, i.e., pine forest residues and wheat straw, are selected for assessing the complete BtL production chain. The results of process simulations showed that both biomass types are suitable gasification feedstocks, with an overall energy efficiency of 53% and 52% for pine residues and wheat straw, respectively. The economic results show that the breakeven selling prices (BESP) are €816 and €781 per m3 for the pine forest residues and wheat straw pellets, respectively. However, if low-grade excess heat valorisation and CO2 credits are considered, the BESPs could meet or become lower than the target value of €700 per m3, making the BtL plant competitive with other biofuel plants. The CO2 avoidance cost is estimated at €74.4/tCO2 for pine residues and €61.3/tCO2 for wheat straw, when replacing fossil fuels. The results of the life cycle assessment study showed that the produced biofuels fulfil the requirements of the EU Renewable Energy Directive II, achieving the reduction in greenhouse gases emissions of up to 79% without carbon capture and storage (CCS) and up to 264% with CCS compared to fossil fuels.
Root System Architecture and Physiological Characteristics of Soybean (Glycine max L.) Seedlings in Response to PEG6000-Simulated Drought Stress
Authors: Esan Vincent Ishola , Obisesan Idowu Arinola , Ogunbode Timothy Oyebamiji
Published: July 2023

The production of soybean is restricted in sub-Saharan Africa by several stress conditions, including drought because its production is exclusively rain-fed. Identifying drought resistant varieties is of paramount importance. Thus, the objectives of this work were to (i) evaluate the effect of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000) on soybean at the seedling stage, (ii) determine the root system architecture and physiological characters to water deficit stress, and (iii) establish the correlation among the quantitative variables responsible for drought tolerance in soybean varieties. Twenty soybean accessions (G1 to G20) were subjected to 10% PEG6000 concentration at seedling stages under a controlled environment using a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. Vegetative growth data were collected. Highly significant differences

P
<
0.0001

of proline, carotenoid, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b contents were recorded among the 20 accessions in response to PEG application. G16 and G19 had the highest carotenoid, highest chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b. The highest dry weight was observed in G16 and G10, while the number of leaves was recorded in G19 and G17. G4, G9, G10, and G13 demonstrated the highest dry weight. The PEG-simulated drought stress reduced the average root diameters and the number of lateral roots of all 20 accession plants. G1, G3, G4, G8, G9, and G15 had the longest roots than the control plants as a mechanism to withstand drought stress by seeking water in the deep. Number of leaves was significantly and positively correlated with shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and root diameter but was significantly and negatively correlated with canopy wilting. Proline content was significantly and positively correlated with carotenoid, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b. G10, G19, G9, G6, G16, G17, G20, G16, and G18 are the tolerant cultivars to drought stress on the basis of growth, physiological, and root system architecture.
Simultaneous and Visual Detection of KPC and NDM Carbapenemase-Encoding Genes Using Asymmetric PCR and Multiplex Lateral Flow Strip
Authors: Lai Wei , Xu Yongjie , Liu Lin , Cao Huijun , Yang Bin , Luo Jie , Fei Ying
Published: July 2023

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections constitute a threat to public health, and KPC and NDM are the major carbapenemases of concern. Rapid diagnostic tests are highly desirable in point-of-care (POC) and emergency laboratories with limited resources. Here, we developed a multiplex lateral flow assay based on asymmetric PCR and barcode capture probes for the simultaneous detection of KPC-2 and NDM-1. Biotinylated barcode capture probes corresponding to the KPC-2 and NDM-1 genes were designed and cast onto two different sensing zones of a nitrocellulose membrane after reacting with streptavidin to prepare a multiplex lateral flow strip. Streptavidin-coated gold nanoparticles (SA-AuNPs) were used as signal reporters. In response to the target carbapenemase genes, biotin-labelled ssDNA libraries were produced by asymmetric PCR, which bond to SA-AuNPs via biotin and hybridise with the barcode capture probe via a complementary sequence, thereby bridging SA-AuNPs and the barcode capture probe to form visible red lines on the detection zones. The signal intensities were proportional to the number of resistance genes tested. The strip sensor showed detection limits of 0.03 pM for the KPC-2 and 0.07 pM for NDM-1 genes, respectively, and could accurately distinguish between KPC-2 and NDM-1 genes in CRE strains. For the genotyping of clinical isolates, our strip exhibited excellent consistency with real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and gene sequencing. Given its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and rapid analysis accomplished by the naked eye, the multiplex strip is promising auxiliary diagnostic tool for KPC-2 and NDM-1 producers in routine clinical laboratories.
‘Authentic’ Language as a Contested Concept in Brittany
Authors: Hornsby Michael
Published: July 2023

The question of authenticity in language has been approached from a number of theoretical standpoints. A significant type of feature which may bestow authenticity and legitimacy is the linguistic. Linguistic performance can be viewed in terms of either the unreflectingly fluent and competent use by the ideal native speaker or, in opposition, the inauthenticity of the non-native language learner. As pointed out by Martin Gill in his paper “Exclusive Boundaries, Contested Claims: Authenticity, Language and Ideology”, authentic speech is romanticised as “native, spoken, verbatim, unrehearsed, off-the-record, sincere, vernacular and non-standard”. Such a definition is easily understandable by the wider public outside of academia. However, it begs the question: who has the authority to make this distinction and who can validate these authenticity claims? Mary Bucholtz proposes instead the concept of authentication, or the outcome of constantly negotiated social and linguistic practices. Debates over what constitutes ‘authentic’ language in minority language settings are particularly noticeable, given the processes of revitalisation many of them are going through. This paper aims to move the discussion away from the purely linguistic when considering what authenticity means, and investigate the concept from a more speaker-centred perspective. The example of Breton in Brittany is taken as the case study here – what it means to speak Breton ‘authentically’, according to whom, and to which norms. In particular, attention is paid to the authentication process of negotiation and how different actors approach and manage this dynamic.
An Annotated Bibliography of Published Works Concerning the Culture of Wilamowice and the Wymysorys Language, 1945–2000 and 2020–2022
Authors: Król Tymoteusz , Mętrak Maciej , Żak Andrzej
Published: July 2023

This paper, the second part of a comprehensive Vilamovian bibliography, contains a list of 89 publications (1945–2000 and 2020–2022) concerning the history, culture and language of Wilamowice, a small town in the south of Poland, populated by descendants of medieval colonists of Germanic origin. The town is well known for its unusual folk costume and the critically endangered minority language known as Wymysorys. Although the bibliography mainly covers academic works (monographs, book chapters and journal articles) and popular science publications, it also includes a section listing literary works published in Wymysorys. Each entry provides bibliographic information, keywords and a brief description of the publication. Additionally, links to online versions of the works are provided where possible.
The Covid-19 Pandemic and Contemporary Identity Attitudes of Young Vilamovians
Authors: Majerska-Sznajder Justyna
Published: July 2023

Vilamovians, who are descendants of thirteenth-century Germanic settlers, have retained a strong sense of their own identity for centuries. This identity developed gradually under the influence of many factors and dominant groups, and for this reason it has never been one-dimensional. As a minority, Vilamovians had to adapt to the political situation, which influenced the development of various ideologies and attitudes.
After the Second World War, they were forced to abandon their language, traditional costume and any other signs of ethnic distinctiveness. As a result, Vilamovian culture began to quickly disappear. It is only recent decades that have seen a change in the situation, thanks to the youngest generation becoming involved in the revitalisation process. The engagement of researchers and the process of overcoming the historical trauma by the community members not only encouraged them to openly speak about Vilamovian identity – these developments also put it on a new track, adapting it to the realities of the twenty-first century.
As it turned out, identity and the sense of distinctiveness were a much stronger determinant of the ethnic group than the language or traditional costume, which, although in use again, are far less popular among Vilamovians. The Covid-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact not only on the expressed identity attitudes, but also on activities shaping the revitalisation policy.
Numerical Solutions of Casson-Nano Fluid Flow Past an Isothermal Permeable Stretching Sheet: MHD, Thermal Radiation and Transpiration Effects
Authors: Reddy S. Jana , Valsamy P. , Reddy D. Srinivas
Published: July 2023

The Runge-Kutta Shooting Technique may be used to discover numerical solutions by the absence of magnetic field, thermal radiation, then transpiration consequence for viscous, incompressible, electrically conducting with combination of Casson and Nano-fluids that approach an isothermal
permeable non-linearly stretched sheet. The governing equations for this fluid flow were transformed keen on non-linear ODEs using the similarity quantities. Visualizations of velocities, temperatures, and concentrations illustrate the mathematics behind the issue. According to tabular data,
these flow regulating factors affect the coefficient of friction for skin-friction, heat transfer, and mass flow coefficients. Program code validation literature has been compared to the new numerical findings. It has been shown that flow characteristics are greatly affected by the amount
of air that is exhaled. The study’s applications include industrial Nano-technological manufacturing processes. In this current work, the speed profiles are diminishing growing values of Casson fluid limitation as well as decreases by growing values of Magnetic field & Suction/Injection
parameters. With increasing effects Brownian motion and Thermophoresis temperature profiles are increase. As the values of Thermal radiation of limitation enhances, the temperature profiles are also increases. The concentration profiles are increasing with increasing values of Thermophoresis
parameter and reverse effect observed in case of Brownian motion effect. Also, concentration profiles decreases with increasing values of Lewis number.