bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beneficial Effects of Early Time-Restricted Feeding on Metabolic Diseases: Importance of Aligning Food Habits with the Circadian Clock
Authors: Charlot Anouk , Hutt Fanny , Sabatier Eugénie , Zoll Joffrey
Published: April 2021

The importance of metabolic health is a major societal concern due to the increasing prevalence of metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and various cardiovascular diseases. The circadian clock is clearly implicated in the development of these metabolic diseases. Indeed, it regulates physiological processes by hormone modulation, thus helping the body to perform them at the ideal time of day. Since the industrial revolution, the actions and rhythms of everyday life have been modified and are characterized by changes in sleep pattern, work schedules, and eating habits. These modifications have in turn lead to night shift, social jetlag, late-night eating, and meal skipping, a group of customs that causes circadian rhythm disruption and leads to an increase in metabolic risks. Intermittent fasting, especially the time-restricted eating, proposes a solution: restraining the feeding window from 6 to 10 h per day to match it with the circadian clock. This approach seems to improve metabolic health markers and could be a therapeutic solution to fight against metabolic diseases. This review summarizes the importance of matching life habits with circadian rhythms for metabolic health and assesses the advantages and limits of the application of time-restricted fasting with the objective of treating and preventing metabolic diseases.
Prevention of Advanced Cancer by Vitamin D3 Supplementation: Interaction by Body Mass Index Revisited
Authors: Brenner Hermann , Kuznia Sabine , Laetsch Clarissa , Niedermaier Tobias , Schöttker Ben
Published: April 2021

Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated a protective effect of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation against cancer mortality. In the VITAL study, a RCT including 25,871 men ≥ 50 years and women ≥ 55 years, protective effects of vitamin D3 supplementation (2000 IU/day over a median of 5.3 years) with respect to incidence of any cancer and of advanced cancer (metastatic cancer or cancer death) were seen for normal-weight participants but not for overweight or obese participants. We aimed to explore potential reasons for this apparent variation of vitamin D effects by body mass index. We conducted complementary analyses of published data from the VITAL study on the association of body weight with cancer outcomes, stratified by vitamin D3 supplementation. Significantly increased risks of any cancer and of advanced cancer were seen among normal-weight participants compared to obese participants in the control group (relative risk (RR), 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–1.52, and RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.04–1.97, respectively). No such patterns were seen in the intervention group. Among those with incident cancer, vitamin D3 supplementation was associated with a significantly reduced risk of advanced cancer (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74–0.99). The observed patterns point to pre-diagnostic weight loss of cancer patients and preventive effects of vitamin D3 supplementation from cancer progression as plausible explanations for the body mass index (BMI)—intervention interactions. Further research, including RCTs more comprehensively exploring the potential of adjuvant vitamin D therapy for cancer patients, should be pursued with priority.
Drift of the Subgingival Periodontal Microbiome during Chronic Periodontitis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Balmasova Irina P. , Olekhnovich Evgenii I. , Klimina Ksenia M. , Korenkova Anna A. , Vakhitova Maria T. , Babaev Elmar A. , Ovchinnikova Leyla A. , Lomakin Yakov A. , Smirnov Ivan V. , Tsarev Victor N. , Mkrtumyan Ashot M. , Belogurov Alexey A. , Gabibov Alexander G. , Ilina Elena N. , Arutyunov Sergey D.
Published: April 2021

Since periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus are complex diseases, a thorough understanding of their pathogenesis requires knowing the relationship of these pathologies with other disorders and environmental factors. In this study, the representability of the subgingival periodontal microbiome of 46 subjects was studied by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun sequencing of pooled samples. We examined 15 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP), 15 patients with chronic periodontitis associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (CPT2DM), and 16 healthy subjects (Control). The severity of generalized chronic periodontitis in both periodontitis groups of patients (CP and CPT2DM) was moderate (stage II). The male to female ratios were approximately equal in each group (22 males and 24 females); the average age of the subjects was 53.9 ± 7.3 and 54.3 ± 7.2 years, respectively. The presence of overweight patients (Body Mass Index (BMI) 30–34.9 kg/m2) and patients with class 1–2 obesity (BMI 35–45.9 kg/m2) was significantly higher in the CPT2DM group than in patients having only chronic periodontitis or in the Control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in all clinical indices between the CP and CPT2DM groups. An analysis of the metagenomic data revealed that the alpha diversity in the CPT2DM group was increased compared to that in the CP and Control groups. The microbiome biomarkers associated with experimental groups were evaluated. In both groups of patients with periodontitis, the relative abundance of Porphyromonadaceae was increased compared to that in the Control group. The CPT2DM group was characterized by a lower relative abundance of Streptococcaceae/Pasteurellaceae and a higher abundance of Leptotrichiaceae compared to those in the CP and Control groups. Furthermore, the CP and CPT2DM groups differed in terms of the relative abundance of Veillonellaceae (which was decreased in the CPT2DM group compared to CP) and Neisseriaceae (which was increased in the CPT2DM group compared to CP). In addition, differences in bacterial content were identified by a combination of shotgun sequencing of pooled samples and genome-resolved metagenomics. The results indicate that there are subgingival microbiome-specific features in patients with chronic periodontitis associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Screening and Selection of a New Medium for Diosgenin Production via Microbial Biocatalysis of Fusarium sp.
Authors: Liu Wancang , Xiang Haibo , Zhang Tao , Pang Xu , Su Jing , Liu Hongyu , Ma Baiping , Yu Liyan
Published: April 2021

Steroidal saponins are widely used as starting precursors and medical intermediates for the semi-/total-synthesis of hundreds of steroidal drugs. One such steroidal saponin is diosgenin, which has attracted significant attention due to the huge market demand in the pharmaceutical industry. Due to water waste and severe environmental pollution, the traditional diosgenin production process based on direct acid hydrolysis is no longer used. In this study, to develop a submerged fermentation (SmF) medium for clean diosgenin production via efficient microbial biocatalysis, the Box–Behnken design (BBD) in combination with the Plackett–Burman design (PBD) was used to determine the medium compositions for Fusarium strains. Three components (wheat bran, phosphate, and Tween-80) were determined as significant factors by the PBD. Using the BBD, the three significant factors were further optimized, and the optimum values were determined for maximal diosgenin production. With 21.16 g/L of wheat bran, 9.60 g/L of phosphate, and 1.97 g/L of Tween-80, the diosgenin yield was 2.28%, i.e., 3.17 mg/L/h. The experimental values agreed with the predicted values, representing a significant increase in diosgenin production compared to its production using the basic SmF medium. For the first time, we reported the development of a new medium for Fusarium strains to produce diosgenin via microbial biocatalysis of the root of Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright (DZW). A simple-composition, low-cost, and high-efficiency medium was developed for the first time for the SmF of Fusarium strains. The medium is considered useful for large-scale SmF and may be applicable to other fungi. This study lays a solid foundation for diosgenin production in an acid-free and wastewater-free way. It may also provide fundamental support for producing other value-added products via microbial biocatalysis of low-value materials by endophytic fungi.
Recent Progress and Challenges for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment
Authors: Stephanie Filia , Saragih Mutiara , Tambunan Usman Sumo Friend
Published: April 2021

Control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection continues to be an issue, particularly in countries with a high tuberculosis (TB) burden in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. The effort to reduce the catastrophic cost of TB with the WHO’s End TB Strategy in 2035 is still obstructed by the emergence of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) cases as result of various mutations of the MTB strain. In the approach to combat DR-TB, several potential antitubercular agents were discovered as inhibitors for various existing and novel targets. Host-directed therapy and immunotherapy also gained attention as the drug-susceptibility level of the pathogen can be reduced due to the pathogen’s evolutionary dynamics. This review is focused on the current progress and challenges in DR-TB treatment. We briefly summarized antitubercular compounds that are under development and trials for both DR-TB drug candidates and host-directed therapy. We also highlighted several problems in DR-TB diagnosis, the treatment regimen, and drug discovery that have an impact on treatment adherence and treatment failure.
Bismuth-213 for Targeted Radionuclide Therapy: From Atom to Bedside
Authors: Ahenkorah Stephen , Cassells Irwin , Deroose Christophe M. , Cardinaels Thomas , Burgoyne Andrew R. , Bormans Guy , Ooms Maarten , Cleeren Frederik
Published: April 2021

In contrast to external high energy photon or proton therapy, targeted radionuclide therapy (TRNT) is a systemic cancer treatment allowing targeted irradiation of a primary tumor and all its metastases, resulting in less collateral damage to normal tissues. The α-emitting radionuclide bismuth-213 (213Bi) has interesting properties and can be considered as a magic bullet for TRNT. The benefits and drawbacks of targeted alpha therapy with 213Bi are discussed in this review, covering the entire chain from radionuclide production to bedside. First, the radionuclide properties and production of 225Ac and its daughter 213Bi are discussed, followed by the fundamental chemical properties of bismuth. Next, an overview of available acyclic and macrocyclic bifunctional chelators for bismuth and general considerations for designing a 213Bi-radiopharmaceutical are provided. Finally, we provide an overview of preclinical and clinical studies involving 213Bi-radiopharmaceuticals, as well as the future perspectives of this promising cancer treatment option.
Asparaginase-Phage P22 Nanoreactors: Toward a Biobetter Development for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment
Authors: Díaz-Barriga Cristina , Villanueva-Flores Francisca , Quester Katrin , Zárate-Romero Andrés , Cadena-Nava Ruben Dario , Huerta-Saquero Alejandro
Published: April 2021

Asparaginase (ASNase) is a biopharmaceutical for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) treatment. However, it shows undesirable side effects such as short lifetimes, susceptibility to proteases, and immunogenicity. Here, ASNase encapsidation was genetically directed in bacteriophage P22-based virus-like particles (VLPs) (ASNase-P22 nanoreactors) as a strategy to overcome these challenges. ASNase-P22 was composed of 58.4 ± 7.9% of coat protein and 41.6 ± 8.1% of tetrameric ASNase. Km and Kcat values of ASNase-P22 were 15- and 2-fold higher than those obtained for the free enzyme, respectively. Resulting Kcat/Km value was 2.19 × 105 M−1 s−1. ASNase-P22 showed an aggregation of 60% of the volume sample when incubated at 37 °C for 12 days. In comparison, commercial asparaginase was completely aggregated under the same conditions. ASNase-P22 was stable for up to 24 h at 37 °C, independent of the presence of human blood serum (HBS) or whether ASNase-P22 nanoreactors were uncoated or PEGylated. Finally, we found that ASNase-P22 caused cytotoxicity in the leukemic cell line MOLT-4 in a concentration dependent manner. To our knowledge, this is the first work where ASNase is encapsulated inside of VLPs, as a promising alternative to fight ALL.
Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(1,3-trimethylene carbonate) Copolymers for the Formulation of In Situ Forming Depot Long-Acting Injectables
Authors: Cagnon Marie-Emérentienne , Curia Silvio , Serindoux Juliette , Cros Jean-Manuel , Ng Feifei , Lopez-Noriega Adolfo
Published: April 2021

This article describes the utilization of (methoxy)poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(1,3-trimethylene carbonate) ((m)PEG–PTMC) diblock and triblock copolymers for the formulation of in situ forming depot long-acting injectables by solvent exchange. The results shown in this manuscript demonstrate that it is possible to achieve long-term drug deliveries from suspension formulations prepared with these copolymers, with release durations up to several months in vitro. The utilization of copolymers with different PEG and PTMC molecular weights affords to modulate the release profile and duration. A pharmacokinetic study in rats with meloxicam confirmed the feasibility of achieving at least 28 days of sustained delivery by using this technology while showing good local tolerability in the subcutaneous environment. The characterization of the depots at the end of the in vivo study suggests that the rapid phase exchange upon administration and the surface erosion of the resulting depots are driving the delivery kinetics from suspension formulations. Due to the widely accepted utilization of meloxicam as an analgesic drug for animal care, the results shown in this article are of special interest for the development of veterinary products aiming at a very long-term sustained delivery of this therapeutic molecule.
Transcriptional Changes of Cell Wall Organization Genes and Soluble Carbohydrate Alteration during Leaf Blade Development of Rice Seedlings
Authors: Joo Jae-Yeon , Kim Me-Sun , Sung Jwakyung
Published: April 2021

Plant cell walls have two constituent parts with different components and developmental stages. Much of the mystery concerning the mechanisms of synthesis, decomposition, modification, and so forth, has been resolved using omics and microscopic techniques. However, it still remains to be determined how cell wall development progresses over time after leaf emergence. Our focus in the present study was to expand our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms associated with cell wall synthesis in rice leaf blade during three distinct stages (sink, sink-to-source transition, and source). The RNA-seq, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and carbohydrate concentrations were evaluated using developing fifth leaf blades harvested at different time points. The results revealed that some of the essential genes for the primary cell wall (PCW) were highly upregulated in the sink-to-source transition compared to the sink stage, whereas those essential to the secondary cell wall (SCW) displayed relatively higher levels (p < 0.05) during the source stage. The concentrations of soluble carbohydrates differed via type rather than stage; we observed higher monosaccharides during the sink stage and higher di- and oligo-saccharides during the sink-to-source transition and source stages. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the transcriptional regulation of plant cell wall biosynthesis genes are both synchronistic with and independent of, and directly and indirectly governed by, the abundance of soluble carbohydrates in the developing leaf blade, and, finally, raffinose is likely to play a transport role comparable to sucrose.
Nitrogen Starvation-Responsive MicroRNAs Are Affected by Transgenerational Stress in Durum Wheat Seedlings
Authors: Liu Haipei , Able Amanda J. , Able Jason A.
Published: April 2021

Stress events have transgenerational effects on plant growth and development. In Mediterranean regions, water-deficit and heat (WH) stress is a frequent issue that negatively affects crop yield and quality. Nitrogen (N) is an essential plant macronutrient and often a yield-limiting factor for crops. Here, the response of durum wheat seedlings to N starvation under the transgenerational effects of WH stress was investigated in two genotypes. Both genotypes showed a significant reduction in seedling height, leaf number, shoot and root weight (fresh and dry), primary root length, and chlorophyll content under N starvation stress. However, in the WH stress-tolerant genotype, the percentage reduction of most traits was lower in progeny from the stressed parents than progeny from the control parents. Small RNA sequencing identified 1534 microRNAs in different treatment groups. Differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs) were characterized subject to N starvation, parental stress and genotype factors, with their target genes identified in silico. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed the biological functions, associated with DEM-target modules in stress adaptation processes, that could contribute to the phenotypic differences observed between the two genotypes. The study provides the first evidence of the transgenerational effects of WH stress on the N starvation response in durum wheat.
The Relationship between AGAMOUS and Cytokinin Signaling in the Establishment of Carpeloid Features
Authors: Gómez-Felipe Andrea , Kierzkowski Daniel , de Folter Stefan
Published: April 2021

Gynoecium development is dependent on gene regulation and hormonal pathway interactions. The phytohormones auxin and cytokinin are involved in many developmental programs, where cytokinin is normally important for cell division and meristem activity, while auxin induces cell differentiation and organ initiation in the shoot. The MADS-box transcription factor AGAMOUS (AG) is important for the development of the reproductive structures of the flower. Here, we focus on the relationship between AG and cytokinin in Arabidopsis thaliana, and use the weak ag-12 and the strong ag-1 allele. We found that cytokinin induces carpeloid features in an AG-dependent manner and the expression of the transcription factors CRC, SHP2, and SPT that are involved in carpel development. AG is important for gynoecium development, and contributes to regulating, or else directly regulates CRC, SHP2, and SPT. All four genes respond to either reduced or induced cytokinin signaling and have the potential to be regulated by cytokinin via the type-B ARR proteins. We generated a model of a gene regulatory network, where cytokinin signaling is mainly upstream and in parallel with AG activity.
Microalgal Cell Biofactory—Therapeutic, Nutraceutical and Functional Food Applications
Authors: Kiran Boda Ravi , Venkata Mohan S.
Published: April 2021

Microalgae are multifaceted photosynthetic microorganisms with emerging business potential. They are present ubiquitously in terrestrial and aquatic environments with rich species diversity and are capable of producing significant biomass. Traditionally, microalgal biomass is being used as food and feed in many countries around the globe. The production of microalgal-based bioactive compounds at an industrial scale through biotechnological interventions is gaining interest more recently. The present review provides a detailed overview of the key algal metabolites, which plays a crucial role in nutraceutical, functional foods, and animal/aquaculture feed industries. Bioactive compounds of microalgae known to exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects were comprehensively reviewed. The potential microalgal species and biological extracts against human pathogens were also discussed. Further, current technologies involved in upstream and downstream bioprocessing including cultivation, harvesting, and cell disruption were documented. Establishing microalgae as an alternative supplement would complement the sustainable and environmental requirements in the framework of human health and well-being.
Improved Anther Culture Media for Enhanced Callus Formation and Plant Regeneration in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Ali Jauhar , Nicolas Katrina Leslie C. , Akther Shahana , Torabi Azerkhsh , Ebadi Ali Akbar , Marfori-Nazarea Corinne M. , Mahender Anumalla
Published: April 2021

Anther culture technique is the most viable and efficient method of producing homozygous doubled haploid plants within a short period. However, the practical application of this technology in rice improvement is still limited by various factors that influence culture efficiency. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of two improved anther culture media, Ali-1 (A1) and Ali-2 (A2), a modified N6 medium, to enhance the callus formation and plant regeneration of japonica, indica, and hybrids of indica and japonica cross. The current study demonstrated that genotype and media had a significant impact (p < 0.001) on both callus induction frequency and green plantlet regeneration efficiency. The use of the A1 and A2 medium significantly enhanced callus induction frequency of japonica rice type, Nipponbare, and the hybrids of indica × japonica cross (CXY6, CXY24, and Y2) but not the indica rice type, NSIC Rc480. However, the A1 medium is found superior to the N6 medium as it significantly improved the green plantlet regeneration efficiency of CXY6, CXY24, and Y2 by almost 36%, 118%, and 277%, respectively. Furthermore, it substantially reduced the albino plantlet regeneration of the induced callus in two hybrids (CXY6 and Y2). Therefore, the improved anther culture medium A1 can produce doubled haploid rice plants for indica × japonica, which can be useful in different breeding programs that will enable the speedy development of rice varieties for resource-poor farmers.
The Effect of Temperature on the Hypersensitive Response (HR) in the Brassica napus–Leptosphaeria maculans Pathosystem
Authors: Yang Cunchun , Zou Zhongwei , Fernando Wannakuwattewaduge Gerard Dilantha
Published: April 2021

Temperature is considered one of the crucial environmental elements in plant pathological interactions, and previous studies have indicated that there is a relationship between temperature change and host–pathogen interactions. The objective of this research is to investigate the link between temperature and the incompatible interactions of the host and pathogen. In this study, two Leptosphaeria maculans isolates (HCRT75 8-1 and HCRT77 7-2) and two Brassica napus genotypes (Surpass400 and 01-23-2-1) were selected. The selected B. napus genotypes displayed intermediate and resistant phenotypes. The inoculated seedlings were tested under three temperature conditions: 16 °C/10 °C, 22 °C/16 °C and 28 °C/22 °C (day/night: 16 h/8 h). Lesion measurements demonstrated that the necrotic lesions from the 28 °C/22 °C treatment were enlarged compared with the other two temperature treatments (i.e., 16 °C/10 °C and 22 °C/16 °C). The results of expression analysis indicated that the three temperature treatments displayed distinct differences in two marker genes (PATHOGENESIS–RELATED (PR) 1 and 2) for plant defense and one temperature-sensitive gene BONZAI 1 (BON1). Additionally, seven dpi at 22 °C/16 °C appeared to be the optimal pre-condition for the induction of PR1 and 2. These findings suggest that B. napus responds to temperature changes when infected with L. maculans.
Salinity Stress Affects Photosynthesis, Malondialdehyde Formation, and Proline Content in Portulaca oleracea L.
Authors: Hnilickova Helena , Kraus Kamil , Vachova Pavla , Hnilicka Frantisek
Published: April 2021

In this investigation, the effect of salt stress on Portulaca oleracea L. was monitored at salinity levels of 100 and 300 mM NaCl. At a concentration of 100 mM NaCl there was a decrease in stomatal conductance (gs) simultaneously with an increase in CO2 assimilation (A) at the beginning of salt exposure (day 3). However, the leaf water potential (ψw), the substomatal concentration of CO2 (Ci), the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), and the proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) content remained unchanged. Exposure to 300 mM NaCl caused a decrease in gs from day 3 and a decrease in water potential, CO2 assimilation, and Fv/Fm from day 9. There was a large increase in proline content and a significantly higher MDA concentration on days 6 and 9 of salt stress compared to the control group. After 22 days of exposure to 300 mM NaCl, there was a transition from the C4 cycle to crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), manifested by a rapid increase in substomatal CO2 concentration and negative CO2 assimilation values. These results document the tolerance of P. oleracea to a lower level of salt stress and the possibility of its use in saline localities.
An Argon-Ion-Induced Pale Green Mutant of Arabidopsis Exhibiting Rapid Disassembly of Mesophyll Chloroplast Grana
Authors: Sanjaya Alvin , Kazama Yusuke , Ishii Kotaro , Muramatsu Ryohsuke , Kanamaru Kengo , Ohbu Sumie , Abe Tomoko , Fujiwara Makoto T.
Published: April 2021

Argon-ion beam is an effective mutagen capable of inducing a variety of mutation types. In this study, an argon ion-induced pale green mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana was isolated and characterized. The mutant, designated Ar50-33-pg1, exhibited moderate defects of growth and greening and exhibited rapid chlorosis in photosynthetic tissues. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed that mesophyll chloroplasts underwent substantial shrinkage during the chlorotic process. Genetic and whole-genome resequencing analyses revealed that Ar50-33-pg1 contained a large 940 kb deletion in chromosome V that encompassed more than 100 annotated genes, including 41 protein-coding genes such as TYRAAt1/TyrA1, EGY1, and MBD12. One of the deleted genes, EGY1, for a thylakoid membrane-localized metalloprotease, was the major contributory gene responsible for the pale mutant phenotype. Both an egy1 mutant and F1 progeny of an Ar50-33-pg1 × egy1 cross-exhibited chlorotic phenotypes similar to those of Ar50-33-pg1. Furthermore, ultrastructural analysis of mesophyll cells revealed that Ar50-33-pg1 and egy1 initially developed wild type-like chloroplasts, but these were rapidly disassembled, resulting in thylakoid disorganization and fragmentation, as well as plastoglobule accumulation, as terminal phenotypes. Together, these data support the utility of heavy-ion mutagenesis for plant genetic analysis and highlight the importance of EGY1 in the structural maintenance of grana in mesophyll chloroplasts.
Native Amazonian Canga Grasses Show Distinct Nitrogen Growth Responses in Iron Mining Substrates
Authors: Caldeira Cecilio F. , Lima Madson O. , Ramos Silvio J. , Gastauer Markus
Published: April 2021

Native species may have adaptive traits that are advantageous for overcoming the adverse environmental conditions faced during the early stages of mine land rehabilitation. Here, we examined the nitrogen (N) growth responses of two native perennial grasses (Axonopus longispicus and Paspalum cinerascens) from canga in nutrient-poor iron mining substrates. We carried out vegetative propagation and recovered substantial healthy tillers from field-collected tussocks of both species. These tillers were cultivated in mining substrates at increasing N levels. The tillering rates of both species increased with the N application. Nonetheless, only in P. cinerascens did the N application result in significant biomass increase. Such growth gain was a result of changes in leaf pigment, stomatal morphology, gas exchanges, and nutrients absorption that occurred mainly under the low N additions. Reaching optimum growth at 80 mg N dm−3, these plants showed no differences from those in the field. Our study demonstrates that an input of N as fertilizer can differentially improve the growth of native grasses and that P. cinerascens plants are able to deposit high quantities of carbon and protect soil over the seasons, thus, making them promising candidates for restoring nutrient cycling, accelerating the return of other species and ecosystem services.
Thermal Properties of Plasticized Cellulose Acetate and Its β-Relaxation Phenomenon
Authors: Erdmann Rafael , Kabasci Stephan , Heim Hans-Peter
Published: April 2021

Cellulose acetate (CA), an organic ester, is a biobased polymer which exhibits good mechanical properties (e.g., high Young’s modulus and tensile strength). In recent decades, there has been significant work done to verify the thermal and thermomechanical behaviors of raw and plasticized cellulose acetate. In this study, the thermomechanical properties of plasticized cellulose acetate—especially its ββ-relaxation and activation energy—were investigated. The general thermal behavior was analyzed and compared with theoretical models. The study’s findings could be of special interest, due to the known ββ-relaxation dependency of some polymers regarding mechanical properties—which could also be the case for cellulose acetate. However, this would require further investigation. The concentration of the plasticizers—glycerol triacetate (GTA) and triethyl citrate (TEC)—used in CA ranged from 15 to 40 wt%. DMTA measurements at varying frequencies were performed, and the activation energies of each relaxation were assessed. Increasing plasticizer content first led to a shift in ββ-relaxation temperature to highervalues, then reached a maximum before declining again at higher concentrations. Furthermore, the activation energy of the ββ-relaxation constantly rose with increases in plasticizer content. The trend in the ββ-relaxation temperature of the plasticized CA could be interpreted as a change in the predominant phase of the overlapping ββ-relaxation of the CA itself and the αα′-relaxation of the plasticizer—which appears in the same temperature range. The plasticizer used (GTA) demonstrated a higher plasticization efficiency than TEC. The efficiencies of both plasticizers declined with increasing plasticizer content. Additionally, both plasticizers hit the saturation point (in CA) at the lowest studied concentration (15 wt%).
Novel Bending Test Method for Polymer Railway Sleeper Materials
Authors: Salih Choman , Manalo Allan , Ferdous Wahid , Abousnina Rajab , Yu Peng , Heyer Tom , Schubel Peter
Published: April 2021

Alternative sleeper technologies have been developed to address the significant need for the replacement of deteriorating timber railway sleepers. The review of the literature indicates that the railway sleepers might fail while in service, despite passing the evaluation tests of the current composite sleeper standards which indicated that these tests do not represent in situ sleeper on ballast. In this research, a new five-point bending test is developed to evaluate the flexural behaviour of timber replacement sleeper technologies supported by ballast. Due to the simplicity, acceptance level of evaluation accuracy and the lack of in-service behaviour of alternative sleepers, this new testing method is justified with the bending behaviour according to the Beam on Elastic Foundation theory. Three timber replacement sleeper technologies—plastic, synthetic composites and low-profile prestressed concrete sleepers in addition to timber sleepers—were tested under service loading condition to evaluate the suitability of the new test method. To address the differences in the bending of the sleepers due to their different modulus of elasticities, the most appropriate material for the middle support was also determined. Analytical equations of the bending moments with and without middle support settlement were also developed. The results showed that the five-point static bending test could induce the positive and negative bending moments experienced by railway sleepers under a train wheel load. It was also found that with the proposed testing spans, steel-EPDM rubber is the most suitable configuration for low bending modulus sleepers such as plastic, steel-neoprene for medium modulus polymer sleepers and steel-steel for very high modulus sleepers such as concrete. Finally, the proposed bending moment equations can precisely predict the flexural behaviour of alternative sleepers under the five-point bending test.
Preparation and Gas Sensing Properties of PANI/SnO2 Hybrid Material
Authors: Feng Qiaohua , Zhang Huanhuan , Shi Yunbo , Yu Xiaoyu , Lan Guangdong
Published: April 2021

A sensor operating at room temperature has low power consumption and is beneficial for the detection of environmental pollutants such as ammonia and benzene vapor. In this study, polyaniline (PANI) is made from aniline under acidic conditions by chemical oxidative polymerization and doped with tin dioxide (SnO2) at a specific percentage. The PANI/SnO2 hybrid material obtained is then ground at room temperature. The results of scanning electron microscopy show that the prepared powder comprises nanoscale particles and has good dispersibility, which is conducive to gas adsorption. The thermal decomposition temperature of the powder and its stability are measured using a differential thermo gravimetric analyzer. At 20 °C, the ammonia gas and benzene vapor gas sensing of the PANI/SnO2 hybrid material was tested at concentrations of between 1 and 7 ppm of ammonia and between 0.4 and 90 ppm of benzene vapor. The tests show that the response sensitivities to ammonia and benzene vapor are essentially linear. The sensing mechanisms of the PANI/SnO2 hybrid material to ammonia and benzene vapors were analyzed. The results demonstrate that doped SnO2 significantly affects the sensitivity, response time, and recovery time of the PANI material.
Aging Characteristics of Transformer Oil-Impregnated Insulation Paper Based on Trap Parameters
Authors: Wei Yanhui , Han Wang , Li Guochang , Liang Xiaojian , Gu Zhenlu , Hu Kai
Published: April 2021

Oil-impregnated insulation paper is an important part of transformers; its performance seriously affects the life of power equipment. It is of significance to study the aging characteristics and mechanism of oil-impregnated insulation paper under thermal stress for transformer status detection and evaluation. In the work, the accelerated thermal aging was carried out at 120 °C, and DP1490, DP787, and DP311 samples were selected to represent the new, mid-aging, and late-aging status of the transformer, respectively. The space charge distribution within the specimens was measured by the pulsed electro-acoustic (PEA) method and the trap parameters were extracted based on the measurement curves. Further, the aging mechanism was studied by molecular simulation technology. A typical molecular chain defect model was constructed to study the motion of cellulose molecules under thermal stress. The experimental results show that the corresponding trap energy levels are 0.54 eV, 0.73 eV, and 0.92 eV for the new specimen, the mid-aging specimen, and the late aging specimen, respectively. The simulation results show that the trapped energy at the beginning of aging is mainly determined by the loss of H atoms. The changes in trap energy in the middle stage of aging are mainly caused by the absence of some C atoms, and the trap energy level at the end of aging is mainly caused by the breakage of chemical bonds. This study is of great significance to reveal the aging mechanism of oil-impregnated insulation paper and the modification of insulation paper.
Thermal Degradation Mechanism and Decomposition Kinetic Studies of Poly(Lactic Acid) and Its Copolymers with Poly(Hexylene Succinate)
Authors: Chrysafi Iouliana , Ainali Nina Maria , Bikiaris Dimitrios N.
Published: April 2021

Ιn this work, new block poly(lactic acid)-block-poly(hexylene succinate) (PLA-b-PHSu) copolymers, in different mass ratios of 95/05, 90/10 and 80/20 w/w, are synthesized and their thermal and mechanical behavior are studied. Thermal degradation and thermal stability of the samples were examined by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), while thermal degradation kinetics was applied to better understand this process. The Friedman isoconversional method and the “model fitting method” revealed accurate results for the activation energy and the reaction mechanisms (nth order and autocatalysis). Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) was used to provide more details of the degradation process with PHSu’s mechanism being the β-hydrogen bond scission, while on PLA the intramolecular trans-esterification processes domains. PLA-b-PHSu copolymers decompose also through the β-hydrogen bond scission. The mechanical properties have also been tested to understand how PHSu affects PLA’s structure and to give more information about this new material. The tensile measurements gave remarkable results as the elongation at break increases as the content of PHSu increases as well. The study of the thermal and mechanical properties is crucial, to examine if the new material fulfills the requirements for further investigation for medical or other possible uses that might come up.
Copper-Coated Polypropylene Filter Face Mask with SARS-CoV-2 Antiviral Ability
Authors: Jung Sunghoon , Yang Jun-Yeoung , Byeon Eun-Yeon , Kim Do-Geun , Lee Da-Gyum , Ryoo Sungweon , Lee Sanggu , Shin Cheol-Woong , Jang Ho Won , Kim Hyo Jung , Lee Seunghun
Published: April 2021

Face masks will be used to prevent pandemic recurrence and outbreaks of mutant SARS-CoV-2 strains until mass immunity is confirmed. The polypropylene (PP) filter is a representative disposable mask material that traps virus-containing bioaerosols, preventing secondary transmission. In this study, a copper thin film (20 nm) was deposited via vacuum coating on a spunbond PP filter surrounding a KF94 face mask to provide additional protection and lower the risk of secondary transmission. Film adhesion was improved using oxygen ion beam pretreatment, resulting in cuprous oxide formation on the PP fiber without structural deformation. The copper-coated mask exhibited filtration efficiencies of 95.1 ± 1.32% and 91.6 ± 0.83% for NaCl and paraffin oil particles, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 inactivation was evaluated by transferring virus-containing media onto the copper-coated PP filters and subsequently adding Vero cells. Infection was verified using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunochemical staining. Vero cells added after contact with the copper-coated mask did not express the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and envelope genes of SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid immunofluorescence results indicated a reduction in the amount of virus of more than 75%. Therefore, copper-coated antiviral PP filters could be key materials in personal protective equipment, as well as in air-conditioning systems.
Social Welfare and Catholic Social Teaching: Foundational Theological Principles for Case Studies
Authors: Massaro Thomas
Published: April 2021

For well over a century, Catholic social teaching has advocated for generous social welfare policies that assist members of poor and marginalized communities. Efforts to understand and describe the shape and influence of these advocacy endeavors, naturally conducted primarily by social scientists and historians of policy, must be grounded in foundational theological considerations, as well as an appreciation of recent church history. Among the topics of central relevance are the tensions within these teachings between: (1) engagement and intervention; (2) key contending metaphors, such as “blueprint” and “yardstick”; and (3) the interplay between universal principles and local applications. Only by first appreciating these tensions in their historical and theological dimensions may a fully adequate portrayal of the purpose and influence of Catholic social teaching emerge, even if a significant share of these tensions remains ultimately unresolved. Clarifying these key issues in the developing self-awareness of Catholic social teaching enhances our ability to chart a course forward regarding the prospect of fostering social change, even within highly challenging pluralistic contexts. Adhering to hard-won lessons from past social involvements will allow Catholicism to retain its constructive influence on future social welfare policy.
Atheism in US and UK Newspapers: Negativity about Non-Belief and Non-Believers
Authors: van der Veen A. Maurits , Bleich Erik
Published: April 2021

Atheists are among the most disliked “religious” groups in the United States, but the origins of this aversion remain poorly understood. Because the media are an important source of public attitudes, we analyze coverage of atheism and atheists in American and British newspapers. Using computational text analysis techniques, including sentiment analysis and topic modeling, we show that atheism is portrayed negatively by the print media. Significantly, we show that greater negativity is associated with atheism as a concept than with atheists as individuals. Building on this insight, and challenging arguments that prominent atheist intellectuals attract negative coverage, we also find that coverage of famous atheists is actually more positive than that of atheists or atheism in general. Overall, our findings add a new dimension to scholarship on differences between individual-targeted and group-targeted tolerance in public attitudes, establishing for the first time that media coverage mirrors such differences.
Banal Catholicism, Morality Policies and the Politics of Belonging in Spain
Authors: Griera Mar , Martínez-Ariño Julia , Clot-Garrell Anna
Published: April 2021

The articulation between religion, politics and the law in contemporary European societies is a complex matter. In this article, we argue that classical secularization approaches fail to capture the ambivalent form of Catholicism in Europe, and we advance an alternative approach that reconsiders two elements: temporality and social space. Firstly, we propose to adopt an “eventful temporality”, which enables the consideration of the impact of unexpected social and political events in altering the direction as well as shaping the public presence and form of religion. Secondly, we stress the need to focus on understanding the specificity of the different fields in which religion is mobilized, and the configuration and dynamics of each of these fields to explain the current weight of Christian majority churches in European societies. Drawing on empirical data from Spain, we examined the role and influence of Catholicism in three fields of public life: that of public services, that of morality politics and finally, that of the politics of belonging. In doing so, we identified their different temporalities (a long-term inertia in the first case, more abrupt changes in relation to the other two) as well as their specific dynamics in terms of actor constellations, issues at stake and symbolic repertoires.
Modeling Water Quality Parameters Using Landsat Multispectral Images: A Case Study of Erlong Lake, Northeast China
Authors: Al-Shaibah Bazel , Liu Xingpeng , Zhang Jiquan , Tong Zhijun , Zhang Mingxi , El-Zeiny Ahmed , Faichia Cheechouyang , Hussain Muhammad , Tayyab Muhammad
Published: April 2021

Erlong Lake is considered one of the largest lakes in midwest Jilin, China, and one of the drinking water resources in neighboring cities. The present study aims to explore the usage of Landsat TM5, ETM7, and OLI8 images to assess water quality (V-phenol, dissolved oxygen (DO), NH4-N, NO3-N) in Erlong Lake, Jilin province, northeast China. Thirteen multispectral images were used in this study for May, July, August, and September in 2000, 2001, 2002, and October 2020. Radiometric and atmospheric corrections were applied to all images. All in situ water quality parameters were strongly correlated to each other, except DO. The in situ measurements (V-phenol, dissolved oxygen, NH4-N, NO3-N) were statistically correlated with various spectral band combinations (blue, green, red, and NIR) derived from Landsat imagery. Regression analysis reported that there are strong relationships between the estimated and retrieved water quality from the Landsat images. Moreover, in calibrations, the highest value of the coefficient of determination (R2) was ≥0.85 with (RMSE) = 0.038; the lowest value of R2 was >0.30 with RMSE= 0.752. All generated models were validated in different statistical indices; R2 was up to 0.95 for most cases, with RMSE ranging from 1.390 to 0.050. Finally, the empirical algorithms were successfully assessed (V-phenol, dissolved oxygen, NH4-N, NO3-N) in Erlong Lake, using Landsat images with very good accuracy. Both in situ and model retrieved results showed the same trends with non-significant differences. September of 2000, 2001, and 2002 and October of 2020 were selected to assess the spatial distributions of V-phenol, DO, NH4-N, and NO3-N in the lake. V-phenol, NH4-N, and NO3-N were reported low in shallow water but high in deep water, while DO was high in shallow water but low in deep water of the lake. Domestic sewage, agricultural, and urban industrial pollution are the most common sources of pollution in the Erlong Lake.
Assessing Marginal Shallow-Water Bathymetric Information Content of Lidar Sounding Attribute Data and Derived Seafloor Geomorphometry
Authors: Lowell Kim , Calder Brian
Published: April 2021

Shallow-water depth estimates from airborne lidar data might be improved by using sounding attribute data (SAD) and ocean geomorphometry derived from lidar soundings. Moreover, an accurate derivation of geomorphometry would be beneficial to other applications. The SAD examined here included routinely collected variables such as sounding intensity and fore/aft scan direction. Ocean-floor geomorphometry was described by slope, orientation, and pulse orthogonality that were derived from the depth estimates of bathymetry soundings using spatial extrapolation and interpolation. Four data case studies (CSs) located near Key West, Florida (United States) were the testbed for this study. To identify bathymetry soundings in lidar point clouds, extreme gradient boosting (XGB) models were fitted for all seven possible combinations of three variable suites—SAD, derived geomorphometry, and sounding depth. R2 values for the best models were between 0.6 and 0.99, and global accuracy values were between 85% and 95%. Lidar depth alone had the strongest relationship to bathymetry for all but the shallowest CS, but the SAD provided demonstrable model improvements for all CSs. The derived geomorphometry variables contained little bathymetric information. Whereas the SAD showed promise for improving the extraction of bathymetry from lidar point clouds, the derived geomorphometry variables do not appear to describe geomorphometry well.
Improved Hydrological Loading Models in South America: Analysis of GPS Displacements Using M-SSA
Authors: Nicolas Joëlle , Verdun Jérôme , Boy Jean-Paul , Bonhomme Louis , Asri Ayoub , Corbeau Adélie , Berthier Antoine , Durand Frédéric , Clarke Peter
Published: April 2021

Environmental loading, in particular from continental water storage changes, induces geodetic station displacements up to several centimeters for the vertical components. We investigate surface deformation due to loading processes in South America using a set of 247 permanent GPS (Global Positioning System) stations for the 2003–2016 period and compare them to loading estimates from global circulation models. Unfortunately, some of the hydrological components, and in particular surface waters, may be missing in hydrological models. This is especially an issue in South America where almost half of the seasonal water storage variations are due to surface water changes, e.g., rivers and floodplains. We derive river storage variations by rerouting runoffs of global hydrology models, allowing a better agreement with the mass variations observed from GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) mission. We extract coherent seasonal GPS displacements using Multichannel Singular Spectrum Analysis (M-SSA) and show that modeling the river storage induced loading effects significantly improve the agreement between observed vertical and horizontal displacements and loading models. Such an agreement has been markedly achieved in the Amazon basin. Whilst the initial models only explained half of the amplitude of GPS, the new ones compensate for these gaps and remain consistent with GRACE.