bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Broken-axisymmetry state and magnetic state diagram of spin-1 condensate through the prism of quadrupole degrees of freedom
Authors: Bulakhov M , Peletminskii A S , Peletminskii S V , Slyusarenko Yu V
Published: September 2022

We theoretically study a weakly interacting gas of spin-1 atoms with Bose–Einstein condensate in external magnetic field within the Bogoliubov approach. To this end, in contrast to previous studies, we employ the general Hamiltonian, which includes both spin and quadrupole exchange interactions as well as the couplings of the spin and quadrupole moment with the external magnetic field (the linear and quadratic Zeeman terms). The latter is responsible for the emergence of the broken-axisymmetry state. We also reexamine ferromagnetic, quadrupolar, and paramagnetic states employing the proposed Hamiltonian. For all magnetic states, we find the relevant thermodynamic characteristics such as magnetization, quadrupole moment, thermodynamic potential. We also obtain three-branch excitation spectrum of the broken-axisymmetry state. We show that this state can be prepared at three different regimes of applied magnetic field. Finally, we present the magnetic state diagrams for each regime of realizing the broken-axisymmetry state.
Effect of machining parameters on surface roughness and energy consumption during end milling of stir cast Al-4032/6%SiC composite
Authors: Saini Pardeep , Singh Pradeep K
Published: September 2022

The machining of metal matrix composite (MMC) presents a significant challenge to the industry. The hard and abrasive nature of the reinforcement causes rapid tool wear and high machining cost. In the present research, Al-4032 based composite with 6% of SiC by weight has been fabricated by stir casting setup. Optical micrographs (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDXA) have been used for the examination of the composite morphological, surface topography, and fracture behavior. Mechanical characterization i.e., testing of the composite for tensile strength, micro-hardness and impact strength has also been carried out. Cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut are the cutting parameters selected to examine the responses—surface finish and energy consumption. The response surface methodology (RSM) based desirability approach has been employed to obtain the best combination of parameters for achieving the desired objectives. The result established that the inclusion of SiC in the base matrix demonstrates improved mechanical properties and a better-machined surface with optimized machining parameters. Multi-response optimization shows that the minimum surface roughness (0.99 μm) and minimum energy consumption (0.17 kWh) during end milling of Al-4032/6%SiC composite have been achieved at cutting speed 199 m min−1, feed rate 500 mm min−1 and depth of cut 0.50 mm. The confirmation experiments show good agreement between the predicted and measured responses.
Abrasive wear behavior in dry condition of a plasticity-induced transformation steel
Authors: Pacheco-Cedeño José Sergio , de Jesús Cruz-Rivera José , Flores Ariosto Medina , López Francisco Vapeani Guerra , Vite-Torres Manuel , Bernal J L , Garnica-González Pedro
Published: September 2022

The microstructural, mechanical, and tribological evaluation was carried out through an abrasion test of low alloy steel: 0,21%C, 1,22%Mn, and 2,16%Si with/without heat treatment. The steel was manufactured in an electric induction furnace from AISI-1018 steel with additions of FeMn and FeSi. Later it was hot rolled and heat treated. The microstructure of steel without heat treatment is ferritic-pearlitic with σ
u = 714 MPa, S = 8%, and a hardness of 21 HRC. The microstructure of the heat-treated steel corresponds to a Plasticity Induced Transformation (TRIP) steel with σ
u = 890 MPa, S = 30%, and hardness of 22 HRC. Both types of steel were subjected to abrasive wear (ASTM G-65) with silica sand particles and loads of 45, 66,5, and 130 N. The TRIP effect (transformation of retained austenite into martensite during plastic deformation) was evaluated before and after the tensile test by x-ray diffraction analysis. The results of the abrasion tests showed that the TRIP steel did not present high resistance characteristics, however, it shows better performance than steels with high carbon and/or alloy contents. The results show that with 45 N the TRIP steel is less resistant than the ferritic-pearlitic steel, however, with 66,5 and 130 N, its abrasive wear performance improved by 17% concerning the ferritic-pearlitic steel, which is attributed to the deformation capacity of TRIP steel. The main wear mechanisms present in TRIP steel are: ploughing, fractures, plastic deformation, pits, cracks, cutting, and micro-cutting. On the other hand, the surface hardness in the abrasion test footprint did not show any change that could be related to the TRIP effect. The microstructure analysis reveals that the material’s detachment occurs at the grain boundaries of the ferrite, in which the cracks that cause the detachment of the material were generated and propagated.
Effect of substrate temperature on the surface and interface properties of NiTi atmospheric plasma sprayed coating
Authors: Roshan Rakesh , Arora Kanwer Singh , Behera Ajit
Published: September 2022

Atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) is one of the most preferred coating processes, which comes under thermal spraying technology. It has a wide range of applications due to its versatility in surface modifications. By the APS technique, different high-temperature application materials like cermets, and ceramics, can be coated on a substrate whose surface properties have to be modified in an extreme environment. Ni50Ti50 (at.%) alloy became more focus of interest for researchers and industrialists due to their two extraordinary smart properties such as shape memory effect (SME), and superelasticity (SE) which can protect any structural materials from catastrophic failure. Compared to various deposition routes, APS is an economical process to apply NiTi on mild steel. NiTi smart alloy also exhibits good wear resistance, corrosion resistance, damping behaviour, and high load-bearing capacity. In terms of mechanical properties, it has high strength and hardness at high temperatures. Owing to these properties, NiTi alloy can be used to protect structural materials such as mild steel from catastrophic failure. In this study, mild steel was coated at 100 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C and 400 °C preheating temperatures by APS techniques using an equiatomic NiTi alloy. The surface and interface characterization were performed using an optical microscope, SEM, XRD, Hardness test and 3D optical profilometer. It was found that along with the desired NiTi phase, some of the intermetallic and oxide phases are responsible for the mechanical strength. The surface and interface morphologies show that NiTi splat formation by APS results in better surface bonding and dense coating. With increase in the substrate temperature, the hardness of a coating interface increases with decrease in the number of pores at coating interface.
BITS: an efficient transport solver based on a collocation method with B-spline basis
Authors: XIAO Xiaotao , WANG Shaojie , YE Lei , DAI Zongliang , PAN Chengkang , REN Qilong
Published: September 2022

A B-spline Interpolation Transport Solver (BITS) based on a collocation method is developed. It solves transport equations as a generalized interpolation problem, taking the first-order accuracy in time and the second-order accuracy in space along with a predictor–corrector or under-relaxation iteration method. Numerical tests show that BITS can solve one-dimensional transport equations for tokamak plasma more accurately without additional computation cost, compared to the finite difference method transport solver which is widely used in existing tokamak transport codes.
Advances in selective laser sintering of polymers
Authors: Han Wei , Kong Lingbao , Xu Min
Published: September 2022

Polymers are widely used materials in aerospace, automotive, construction, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Polymers are being promoted rapidly due to their ease of manufacturing and improved material properties. Research on polymer processing technology should be paid more attention to due to the increasing demand for polymer applications. Selective laser sintering (SLS) uses a laser to sinter powdered materials (typical polyamide), and it is one of the critical additive manufacturing (AM) techniques of polymer. It irradiates the laser beam on the defined areas by a computer-aided design three-dimensional (3D) model to bind the material together to create a designed 3D solid structure. SLS has many advantages, such as no support structures and excellent mechanical properties resembling injection moulded parts compared with other AM methods. However, the ability of SLS to process polymers is still affected by some defects, such as the porous structure and limited available types of SLS polymers. Therefore, this article reviews the current state-of-the-art SLS of polymers, including the fundamental principles in this technique, the SLS developments of typical polymers, and the essential process parameters in SLS. Furthermore, the applications of SLS are focused, and the conclusions and perspectives are discussed.
Effects of 3-octen-2-one on human olfactory receptor responses to vanilla flavor
Authors: Yasunaga Motoki , Takai Eiji , Hattori Shoji , Tatematsu Kenji , Kuroda Shun'ichi
Published: September 2022

Most of the odors that humans perceive daily are complex odors. It is believed that the modulation, enhancement, and suppression of overall complex odors are caused by interactions between odor molecules. In this study, to understand the interaction between odor molecules at the level of human olfactory receptor responses, the effects of 3-octen-2-one, which has been shown to modulate vanilla flavors, were analyzed using a human olfactory receptor sensor that uses all human olfactory receptors (388 types) as sensing molecules. As a result, the response intensity of 1 common receptor (OR1D2) was synergistically enhanced in vanilla flavor with 3-octen-2-one compared with vanilla flavor, and the response of 1 receptor (OR5K1) to vanilla flavor was completely suppressed. These results strongly suggested that the response of human olfactory receptors to complex odors is enhanced or suppressed by relatively few other odor molecules.
Dysnatremia and risk of bloodstream infection in dialysis patients
Authors: Lo Robin H , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , You Amy S , Ayus Juan Carlos , Streja Elani , Park Christina , Sohn Peter , Nakata Tracy , Narasaki Yoko , Brunelli Steven M , Kovesdy Csaba P , Nguyen Danh V , Rhee Connie M
Published: September 2022

Background

Emerging data suggest that sodium disarrays including hyponatremia are potential risk factors for infection ensuing from impairments in host immunity, which may be exacerbated by coexisting conditions (i.e. mucosal membrane and cellular edema leading to breakdown of microbial barrier function). While dysnatremia and infection-related mortality are common in dialysis patients, little is known about the association between serum sodium levels and the risk of bloodstream infection in this population.

Methods

Among 823 dialysis patients from the national Biospecimen Registry Grant Program who underwent serum sodium testing over the period January 2008–December 2014, we examined the relationship between baseline serum sodium levels and subsequent rate of bloodstream infection. Bloodstream infection events were directly ascertained using laboratory blood culture data. Associations between serum sodium level and the incidence of bloodstream infection were estimated using expanded case mix–adjusted Poisson regression models.

Results

In the overall cohort, ∼10% of all patients experienced one or more bloodstream infection events during the follow-up period. Patients with both lower sodium levels <134 mEq/l and higher sodium levels ≥140 mEq/l had higher incident rate ratios (IRRs) of bloodstream infection in expanded case mix analyses (reference 136–<138 mEq/l), with adjusted IRRs of 2.30 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19–4.44], 0.77 (95% CI 0.32–1.84), 1.39 (95% CI 0.78–2.47), 1.88 (95% CI 1.08–3.28) and 1.96 (95% CI 1.08–3.55) for sodium levels <134, 134–<136, 138–<140, 140–<142 and ≥142 Eq/l, respectively.

Conclusions

Both lower and higher baseline serum sodium levels were associated with a higher rate of subsequent bloodstream infections in dialysis patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether correction of dysnatremia ameliorates infection risk in this population.
Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis can be effectively treated using an intensive B-cell depletion therapy
Authors: Roccatello Dario , Baffa Alessandra , Naretto Carla , Barreca Antonella , Cravero Raffaella , Roscini Elisabetta , Sciascia Savino , Fenoglio Roberta
Published: September 2022

Background

Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) is a histologic lesion rather than a specific disease entity and represents a cluster of different conditions affecting both children and adults that includes primary, secondary and genetically mediated forms. These forms can be distinguished by electron microscopy and genetic assessment and show different responsiveness to steroids and immunosuppressants. Despite some promising effects of rituximab in nephrotic syndrome in children, the results in adults with FSGS are disappointing. Our group previously explored the effectiveness of rituximab in eight adult patients with unselected forms of FSGS and achieved a consistent reduction in proteinuria in one case. Following this experience, we developed an alternative therapeutic option intended to enhance the potential of rituximab with the support of other synergic drugs. We herein report the results of this therapeutic protocol (six administrations of rituximab plus two of intravenous cyclophosphamide plus glucocorticoids) in seven prospectively enrolled patients with extensive podocyte effacement and recurrent relapses or steroid dependence.

Results

Patients had a median baseline serum creatinine level of 2.2 mg/dl (range 1–4.7) that decreased to 1.1 mg/dl (range 0.9–2.2) and 1.1 mg/dl (range 0.75–2.21) after 3 and 6 months, respectively, and remained unchanged at 12 months. Three of five patients with renal failure turned to normal function while the other two patients maintained a stable impairment after 18 and 52 months. The median proteinuria decreased from 6.1 g/24 h to 3.5, 3.5 and 1.9 g/24 h at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Specifically, five of seven patients had a partial response at 12 months and became non-nephrotic. One of them had a complete response at 18 months and was still in complete remission at the last follow-up visit at 36 months. Proteinuria persisted unchanged in two of seven patients with a genetic-related disease. No serious late adverse events were observed.

Conclusions

Our results show that intensive B-cell depletion therapy is able to reverse the nephrotic syndrome of steroid-dependent or frequently relapsing adult patients with putatively idiopathic FSGS (i.e. with extensive podocyte effacement).
A Missing Piece of the Puzzle: Patient and Provider Perspectives on Pain Management Needs and Opioid Prescribing in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care
Authors: Balbale Salva N , Iroz Cassandra B , Schäfer Willemijn L A , Johnson Julie K , Stulberg Jonah J
Published: September 2022

Background

Recent data have shown high rates of opioid misuse among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. We conducted a qualitative study to explore IBD patient and provider perceptions and experiences with pain management and opioid prescribing.

Methods

We conducted a focus group with IBD patients and semistructured interviews with IBD-focused physicians and nurses. We used an inductive approach for analysis and the constant comparison method to develop and refine codes and identify prominent themes. We analyzed interview and focus group data concurrently to triangulate themes.

Results

Nine patients and 10 providers participated. We grouped themes into 3 categories: (1) current practices to manage pain; (2) perceived pain management challenges; and (3) suggestions to optimize pain management. In the first category (current practices), both patients and providers reported building long-term patient–provider relationships and the importance of exploring nonpharmacologic pain management strategies. Patients reported proactively trying remedies infrequently recommended by IBD providers. In the second category (pain management challenges), patients and providers reported concerns about opioid use and having limited options to treat pain safely. Patients discussed chronic pain and having few solutions to manage it. In the third category, providers shared suggestions for improvement such as increasing use of nonpharmacologic pain management strategies and enhancing care coordination.

Conclusions

Despite some common themes between the 2 groups, we identified some pain management needs (eg, addressing chronic pain) that matter to patients but were seldom discussed by IBD providers. Addressing these areas of potential disconnect is essential to optimize pain management safety in IBD care.
New perspectives for hypertension management: progress in methodological and technological developments
Authors: Parati Gianfranco , Goncalves Alexandra , Soergel David , Bruno Rosa Maria , Caiani Enrico Gianluca , Gerdts Eva , Mahfoud Felix , Mantovani Lorenzo , McManus Richard J , Santalucia Paola , Kahan Thomas
Published: September 2022

Hypertension is the most common and preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), accounting for 20% of deaths worldwide. However, 2/3 of people with hypertension are undiagnosed, untreated, or under treated. A multi-pronged approach is needed to improve hypertension management. Elevated blood pressure (BP) in childhood is a predictor of hypertension and CVD in adulthood; therefore, screening and education programmes should start early and continue throughout the lifespan. Home BP monitoring can be used to engage patients and improve BP control rates. Progress in imaging technology allows for the detection of preclinical disease, which may help identify patients who are at greatest risk of CV events. There is a need to optimize the use of current BP control strategies including lifestyle modifications, antihypertensive agents, and devices. Reducing the complexity of pharmacological therapy using single-pill combinations can improve patient adherence and BP control and may reduce physician inertia. Other strategies that can improve patient adherence include education and reassurance to address misconceptions, engaging patients in management decisions, and using digital tools. Strategies to improve physician therapeutic inertia, such as reminders, education, physician–peer visits, and task-sharing may improve BP control rates. Digital health technologies, such as telemonitoring, wearables, and other mobile health platforms, are becoming frequently adopted tools in hypertension management, particularly those that have undergone regulatory approval. Finally, to fight the consequences of hypertension on a global scale, healthcare system approaches to cardiovascular risk factor management are needed. Government policies should promote routine BP screening, salt-, sugar-, and alcohol reduction programmes, encourage physical activity, and target obesity control.
Analyses of mutational patterns induced by formaldehyde and acetaldehyde reveal similarity to a common mutational signature
Authors: Thapa Mahanish J , Fabros Reena M , Alasmar Salma , Chan Kin
Published: September 2022

Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are reactive small molecules produced endogenously in cells as well as being environmental contaminants. Both of these small aldehydes are classified as human carcinogens, since they are known to damage DNA and exposure is linked to cancer incidence. However, the mutagenic properties of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde remain incompletely understood, at least in part because they are relatively weak mutagens. Here, we use a highly sensitive yeast genetic reporter system featuring controlled generation of long single-stranded DNA regions to show that both small aldehydes induced mutational patterns characterized by predominantly C/G → A/T, C/G → T/A, and T/A → C/G substitutions, each in similar proportions. We observed an excess of C/G → A/T transversions when compared to mock-treated controls. Many of these C/G → A/T transversions occurred at TC/GA motifs. Interestingly, the formaldehyde mutational pattern resembles single base substitution signature 40 from the Catalog of Somatic Mutations in Cancer. Single base substitution signature 40 is a mutational signature of unknown etiology. We also noted that acetaldehyde treatment caused an excess of deletion events longer than 4 bases while formaldehyde did not. This latter result could be another distinguishing feature between the mutational patterns of these simple aldehydes. These findings shed new light on the characteristics of 2 important, commonly occurring mutagens.
Variations in Medicare Advantage Switching Rates Among African American and Hispanic Medicare Beneficiaries With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, by Sex and Dual Eligibility
Authors: Rivera-Hernandez Maricruz , Meyers David J , Kim Daeho , Park Sungchul , Trivedi Amal N
Published: September 2022

Objectives

The objective of this study was to identify rates of switching to Medicare Advantage (MA) among fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) by race/ethnicity and whether these rates vary by sex and dual-eligibility status for Medicare and Medicaid.

Methods

Data came from the Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary File from 2017 to 2018. The outcome of interest for this study was switching from FFS to MA during any month in 2018. The primary independent variable was race/ethnicity including non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic African American, and Hispanic beneficiaries. Two interaction terms among race/ethnicity and dual eligibility, and race/ethnicity and sex were included. The model adjusted for age, year of ADRD diagnosis, the number of chronic/disabling conditions, total health care costs, and ZIP code fixed effects.

Results

The study included 2,284,175 FFS Medicare beneficiaries with an ADRD diagnosis in 2017. Among dual-eligible beneficiaries, adjusted rates of switching were higher among African American (1.91 percentage points [p.p.], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.68–2.15) and Hispanic beneficiaries (1.36 p.p., 95% CI: 1.07–1.64) compared to non-Hispanic White beneficiaries. Among males, adjusted rates were higher among African American (3.28 p.p., 95% CI: 2.97–3.59) and Hispanic beneficiaries (2.14 p.p., 95% CI: 1.86–2.41) compared to non-Hispanic White beneficiaries.

Discussion

Among persons with ADRD, African American and Hispanic beneficiaries are more likely than White beneficiaries to switch from FFS to MA. This finding underscores the need to monitor the quality and equity of access and care for these populations.
Management of an emergency sample collection team under the setting of whole-community severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 nucleic acid testing
Authors: Lyu Yong-li , Rong Shan-jie , Sun Fei , Xiang Can , Li Jun-yi
Published: September 2022

Background

During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a nucleic acid test is frequently conducted to identify positive cases. Compared with a hospital-based strategy, whole-community nucleic acid testing displays a unique advantage in rapid screening of a massive population. Yet a management plan to ensure ample and contamination-free sample collection is lacking.

The objective of the current study was to establish an efficient operational mode of whole-community nucleic acid testing by management of a sample collection team and to provide a reference for joint prevention work to contain the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Methods

The efficient operation of nucleic acid testing within the community was implemented by urgent setting up of sample collection teams, efficient allocation of medical supplies, optimization of management procedures and coordination among multiple working departments.

Results

A total of 21 585 nucleic acid samples were collected within 3 d, while no one was missed or experienced a cross infection. No falls, heatstroke, disputes or other adverse events occurred.

Conclusions

Under the emergency setting of nucleic acid testing of a large population, a management system with orderly organization, clear division of responsibilities and standardized operational procedures should be formulated.
Merger regulation in the digital economy and the forgotten goal of innovation
Authors: Schmidt Hedvig
Published: September 2022

The pursuit of the consumer welfare goal has not achieved competitive markets but instead resulted in highly concentrated markets in the digital economy with one or two market leaders. Markets that should be dynamic and innovative are controlled by powerful online platforms that thwart innovation and eliminate potential rivals through killer acquisitions. This article argues that safeguarding innovation and in particular disruptive innovation should play a much more explicit part in the European Commission’s merger control especially in digital economy markets, where innovation is key to a healthy dynamic market. This could be achieved by adopting a stricter merger review process that places emphasis on whether innovation and potential competitors are negatively affected by the merger also in the long-run. The article argues that to achieve this a move away from the traditional price-based focus in merger reviews in line with the consumer welfare framework is required towards a structural approach that considers the impact on the market in the long-run and the dynamic aspects of the mergers under review, but this will occasionally require the Commission to say ‘no’ to mergers. The result however, would be the safeguarding of innovation, the key to a healthy economy in the EU.
Rapid Screening of Vaping Liquids by DART-MS
Authors: Falconer Travis M , Morales-Garcia Flavia
Published: September 2022

Background

E-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury was reported in over 2800 cases from August 2019 to February 2020. Samples of vaping products were submitted for laboratory analysis in conjunction with investigation of the outbreak. A rapid screening method that was selective and sensitive for multiple analytes was required to aid in the investigation.

Objective

To develop a multi-analyte method capable of screening vaping liquid samples that consumed small amounts of sample, required minimal sample preparation and analysis time, employed automated data processing, and provided the necessary sensitivity and selectivity.

Methods

Vaping liquids were dissolved in acetonitrile and sampled with DIP-it® tips. The tips were analyzed by direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) and the resulting data processed with TraceFinder™ software. Laboratory-fortified samples consisting of various analytes and matrixes were evaluated prior to the analysis of submitted samples.

Results

The method was successful at detecting all target analytes in all matrixes evaluated, although the method detection limits varied by analyte/matrix combination: from 0.1% nicotine in poly(propylene glycol) average Mn 1000 (the lowest level evaluated) to 5.0% poly(ethylene glycol) average Mn 400 in cannabis concentrate. Results for the analysis of submitted samples by this method compared favorably to GC–MS and FTIR results.

Conclusion

The DART-MS method met the objective of speed, sensitivity, and selectivity (although certain cannabinoid isomers could not be distinguished). The method may be easily adapted or expanded for additional analytes.

Highlights

This is a simple DART-MS method for screening vaping liquids for substances of concern in less than 2 min per sample.
Optimized Box–Behnken Design Combined Response Surface Methodology to Determine Calcium and Iron Contents Using Visible, Atomic Emission and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry in Vegetables and Wastewater Samples
Authors: Al-Batty Sirhan , Haque S K Manirul , Rahman Nafisur , Hejaz Azmi Syed Najmul
Published: September 2022

Background

Calcium and iron are crucial essential minerals. Iron is mainly responsible for transporting oxygen in the body and the immune system. In comparison, calcium’s primary function is in human bones and teeth. Due to that, it is vital to quantify the amount in vegetables.

Objective

Optimization and validation of three analytical procedures, visible, atomic emission spectrophotometry (AES), and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), were developed to determine calcium and iron in vegetables and wastewater samples using response surface methodology (RSM) via Box-Behnken design (BBD). The design helps to reduce experiment trials with selected variables to find a correlation between them and their respective dependent variables.

Methods

Method I was developed to quantify calcium in vegetables mixed with concentrated 3M HNO3 and heated to reflux as per the BBD. Then it was cooled, filtered, and completed with 3M HNO3 to be carried out utilizing AES and AAS. For method II, vegetables were mixed with nitric acid and sulfuric acid solution with an optimized 5M KSCN solution, which was computed using the AAS and visible spectrophotometry.

Results

First, percentage of water content was calculated for all vegetables, higher in malabar spinach and lower in peas. The calcium and iron contents were present within 0.59–2.68 mg and 35.8–211.5 mg, respectively, in 100 g of vegetables. The results showed a higher amount of iron was available in spinach and a lower amount in okra. In contrast, the highest calcium amount was present in broccoli and the lowest amount was in peas. The calcium and iron content were between 0.015–137.25 and 0.01–147.85 µg/mL in the wastewater samples.

Conclusions

These methods can help to determine the amount of calcium and iron for the quality control samples in research and development, food, and the environmental industry.

Highlights

Three validated analytical techniques quantify calcium and iron in vegetables and wastewater samples. The RSM–BBD optimized the method and determined its crucial factors.
Effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) and 1-hydroxycholecalciferol (1-OH-D3) on serum bone biomarkers and calcium and phosphorus balance and concentrations of energy in diets without or with microbial phytase fed to sows in late gestation
Authors: Lee Su A , Torres-Mendoza Leidy J , Stein Hans H
Published: September 2022

The objective was to test the hypothesis that supplementation of diets for gestating sows with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) or 1-hydroxycholecalciferol (1-OH-D3) affects serum biomarkers for bone and increases Ca and P balance and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), and the concentrations of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in diets without or with microbial phytase. Sixty multiparous sows were allotted to 1 of 6 diets. Diets were formulated using a 3 × 2 factorial with 3 inclusions of supplemental vitamin D metabolite (no metabolite, 25-OH-D3, or 1-OH-D3) and 2 inclusion levels of microbial phytase (0 or 1,000 units). Sows were housed individually in metabolism crates and feces and urine were collected quantitatively. Results indicated that there was no difference in the ATTD of dry matter (DM) and GE and concentration of DE among the 3 diets containing microbial phytase, but the ATTD of DM and GE and concentration of DE was greater (P < 0.05) in diets containing 1-OH-D3 compared with the diet without a vitamin D metabolite if phytase was not used (interaction; P < 0.05). In diets without microbial phytase, ME was greater in diets containing either one of the 2 vitamin D metabolites than in the diet without a vitamin D metabolite, but among diets with microbial phytase, the ME of the 1-OH-D3 diet was less than of the 25-OH-D3 diet (interaction; P < 0.05). No effect of microbial phytase on concentrations of DE and ME was observed. There was no interaction between supplementation of microbial phytase and vitamin D metabolites for Ca and P balances, and regardless of metabolite supplementation, use of microbial phytase increased (P < 0.05) the ATTD and retention of Ca and P. Regardless of dietary phytase, the ATTD and retention of Ca and P increased (P < 0.05) for sows fed a diet containing one of the vitamin D metabolites compared with sows fed the diet without a vitamin D metabolite. Serum biomarkers for bone resorption or bone tissue synthesis were not affected by experimental diets. In conclusion, the ATTD of DM and GE, concentrations of DE and ME, and Ca and P balance in phytase-free diets fed to sows in late gestation were increased by supplementation with 1-OH-D3 or 25-OH-D3, but no differences between the 2 vitamin D metabolites were observed. Supplementation of diets with microbial phytase increased Ca and P balance, but did not affect DE and ME of diets.
Comparative digestion and fermentation characteristics of low-tannin or high-tannin sorghum grain in the porcine gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Pan Long , Feng Shaoxuan , Li Wang , Zhu Weiyun
Published: September 2022

High-tannin sorghum grain (HTS) has been previously proved to contain lower apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients than low-tannin sorghum grain (LTS) for pigs. This study was conducted to identify in which segments (foregut or hindgut) of the intestinal tract of pigs the digestion of nutrients was mostly influenced, and to compare the digestion and fermentation characteristics of LTS and HTS in the porcine gastrointestinal tract. In experiment 1, HTS and LTS were digested by porcine pepsin and pancreatin to simulate small intestine digestion, and subsequently the undigested residues were incubated with fresh pig cecal digesta as inoculums for 48 h to simulate the porcine large intestine fermentation in vitro. The results revealed that the in vitro digestibility of air-dry matter, gross energy (GE), and crude protein (CP) was lower (P < 0.05) in HTS than that in LTS, regardless of the simulated small intestine digestion or large intestine fermentation. The enzymatically unhydrolyzed residue of HTS decreased the accumulative gas production excluding the first 3 h and the short-chain fatty acid concentration including acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid in the fermented solutions (P < 0.05), although it provided more nutrients as fermentation substrates (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, 12 crossbred barrows (25.5 ± 2.5 kg body weight) with a T-cannula inserted in the distal ileum were randomly allotted to two diets (N = 6) to determine nutrient digestibility in the foregut (AID, apparent ileal digestibility) and in the hindgut of pigs (HGD, hindgut disappearance). The study lasted 10 d, with a 5 d adaption to the diets followed by a 3 d collection of feces and then a 2 d collection of ileal digesta. Diets included 96.6% HTS or LTS as the only source of dietary energy and nitrogen. The AID and ATTD of dry matter, GE, and CP in HTS were lower than those in LTS (P < 0.05). There was no difference in HGD of nutrients between LTS and HTS. Eight out of fifteen amino acids in HTS had lower AID values (P < 0.05). In conclusion, HTS provided lower small intestine digestibility of nutrients and lower large intestine fermentation parameters, implying that condensed tannins in sorghum grain may impede the nutrient digestibility in the foregut and limit the fermentability in the hindgut segment of pigs. Hence, digestion and fermentation characteristics of sorghum grain may vary depending on the condensed tannins.
Determination of Ethyl Glucuronide and Ethyl Sulfate in Dried Blood Spots by UHPLC–MS-MS: Method Validation and Assessment of Ethanol Exposure in Postmortem Samples from Road Traffic Victims
Authors: Tegner Mariane , Ott Isabela Ritter , Guterres Fernanda de Souza , de Barros Vinicius Monteagudo , Linden Rafael , Antunes Marina Venzon
Published: September 2022

The determination of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) in blood has been proposed in clinical and forensic applications to identify recent alcohol consumption. Also, there is a growing interest on the use of dried blood spots (DBS) in toxicological analysis, allowing increased stability of the analytes and simplifying sample transportation and storage. This study presents the development and validation of a method for quantifying EtG and EtS in DBS using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS-MS). The DBS samples were extracted with a mixture of methanol and acetonitrile (80:20 v/v) and analyzed using UHPLC–MS-MS with electrospray source in negative mode, after separation with a fluoro-phenyl stationary phase. Validation was performed according to the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX) guidelines, with calibrations ranging from 0.10 to 18 µg/mL for EtG and 0.02 to 6 µg/mL for EtS. The analytes were stable in DBS stored from −20 to 45°C for 21 days. The method was successfully applied to capillary and venous DBS samples from 20 volunteers after ethanol ingestion and to DBS samples from 99 fatal victims of road traffic injuries. Capillary DBS was comparable to venous DBS and fresh whole blood in Passing–Bablok and Bland–Altman analysis, with correlation coefficients >0.91 (P < 0.001) for all comparisons. In postmortem application, the DBS EtG and EtS analysis indicated positive exposure to ethanol in 72.7% of the cases (EtG: 0.10–24.0 µg/mL and EtS: 0.03–4.11 µg/mL). The identification of ethanol consumption from blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) and EtG/EtS in DBS was in agreement in 98.6% of positive and 96.3% of negative cases (kappa 0.877, P < 0.001), indicating a high level of concordance with BAC in assessing alcohol use in postmortem samples.
The Detoxification Enzymatic Responses of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) to Cantharidin
Authors: Sun Hong , Wang Pei , Wei Chunqi , Li Yifan , Zhang Yalin
Published: September 2022

Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is one of the most destructive pests of Brassicaceae vegetables. Cantharidin is an insect-derived defensive toxin, which has been reported to have toxicity to a variety of pests and especially lepidopteran pests. Although the toxicity of cantharidin on P. xylostella has been demonstrated, there is little information available on the specific detoxification response of P. xylostella against cantharidin. This study investigates the enzymatic response (including serine/threonine phosphatases [PSPs], carboxylesterases [CarEs], glutathione-S-transferases [GSTs], and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases [P450]) in P. xylostella to the sublethal and low lethal concentrations of cantharidin (LC10 and LC25). Results showed that the inhibitory activity of PSPs was increased and then decreased in vivo, while PSPs activity could be almost completely inhibited in vitro. Interestingly, the activities of detoxification enzymes (GST, CarE, and P450) in P. xylostella displayed a trend of decreasing and then increasing after exposure to the two concentrations of cantharidin. Notably, the increase in P450 enzyme activity was the most significant. The increasing trend of detoxification enzyme activity was congruent with the recovery trend of PSPs activity. This study contributes to our understanding of the detoxification mechanism of cantharidin in P. xylostella and helps in the further development of biogenic agents.
Men, Fatherhood, and the Regulation of Assisted Reproduction in Israel
Authors: Yakovi Gan-Or Nofar
Published: September 2022

Research on law and reproduction is overwhelmingly focused on women. In contrast, very few studies offer similar riches surrounding men’s stakes in different reproductive contexts, leaving much to be uncovered about the gendered aspects of reproductive regulation. Using Israel as a case study, this article sheds light on how the law factors men into the regulation of assisted reproduction. By analysing policies that govern longstanding practices such as gamete donation, and more novel ones such as posthumous reproduction, this article shows how this body of law underestimates men’s desire to rear – not just to sire – children by valorising genetic lineage and treating their procreative stakes primarily as financial. In other instances, men’s access to principal routes to biological kinship has been contingent upon the presence of a caregiving mother or otherwise denied. Drawing from masculinities theory, this article argues that these doctrinal patterns correspond with masculine ideals underlying traditional perceptions of familial roles. Conceptualising men’s contribution to the reproductive equation as merely biological or financial results in a narrow, indeed stereotypical understanding of fatherhood as a relationship divested of nurture and care. Yet, recent changes in the Israeli reproductive landscape may signal a normative turn in the law’s relation to men, bringing assisted reproductive technology closer to fulfilling its potential to subvert long-held gender and familial norms.
Cosmological model-independent measurement of cosmic curvature using distance sum rule with the help of gravitational waves
Authors: Wang Yan-Jin , Qi Jing-Zhao , Wang Bo , Zhang Jing-Fei , Cui Jing-Lei , Zhang Xin
Published: September 2022

Although the cosmic curvature has been tightly constrained in the standard cosmological model using observations of cosmic microwave background anisotropies, it is still of great importance to independently measure this key parameter using only late-Universe observations in a cosmological model-independent way. The distance sum rule in strong gravitational lensing (SGL) provides such a way, provided that the three distances in the sum rule can be calibrated by other observations. In this paper, we propose that gravitational waves (GWs) can be used to provide the distance calibration in the SGL method, which can avoid the dependence on distance ladder and cover a wider redshift range. Using the simulated GW standard siren observation by the Einstein Telescope as an example, we show that this scheme is feasible and advantageous. We find that ΔΩk ≃ 0.17 with the current SGL data, which is slightly more precise than the case of using SN to calibrate. Furthermore, we consider the forthcoming LSST survey that is expected to observe many SGL systems, and we find that about 104 SGL data could provide the precise measurement of ΔΩk ≃ 10−2 with the help of GWs. In addition, our results confirm that this method of constraining Ωk is strongly dependent on lens models. However, obtaining a more accurate phenomenological model for lens galaxies is highly predictable as future massive surveys observe more and more SGL samples, which will significantly improve the constraint of cosmic curvature.
Flare kernels may be smaller than you think: modelling the radiative response of chromospheric plasma adjacent to a solar flare
Authors: Osborne Christopher M J , Fletcher Lyndsay
Published: September 2022

Numerical models of solar flares typically focus on the behaviour of directly heated flare models, adopting magnetic-field-aligned, plane-parallel methodologies. With high spatial- and spectral-resolution ground-based optical observations of flares, it is essential also to understand the response of the plasma surrounding these strongly heated volumes. We investigate the effects of the extreme radiation field produced by a heated column of flare plasma on an adjacent slab of chromospheric plasma, using a two-dimensional radiative transfer model and considering the time-dependent solution to the atomic level populations and electron density throughout this model. The outgoing spectra of H α and Ca ii 854.2 nm synthesized from our slab show significant spatial-, time-, and wavelength-dependent variations (both enhancements and reductions) in the line cores, extending of the order of 1 Mm into the non-flaring slab due to the incident transverse radiation field from the flaring boundary. This may lead to significant overestimates of the sizes of directly heated flare kernels, if line-core observations are used. However, the radiation field alone is insufficient to drive any significant changes in continuum intensity, due to the typical photospheric depths at which they form, so continuum sources will not have an apparent increase in size. We show that the line formation regions near the flaring boundary can be driven upwards in altitude by over 1 Mm despite the primary thermodynamic parameters (other than electron density) being held horizontally uniform. This work shows that in simple models these effects are significant and should be considered further in future flare modelling and interpretation.
Social Constructionism in the Symbolic Interactionist Tradition
Authors: Francis Ara A.
Published: September 2022

This chapter offers a symbolic interactionist’s introduction to social constructionism in three parts. First, the author reviews Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann’s The Social Construction of Reality and considers its relationship to early symbolic interactionist thought. While the two perspectives shared assumptions about the ever-emergent quality of social life, it is argued, the constructionist perspective offered a conceptualization of social structure that likely appealed to later generations of interactionist scholars. Second, the author outlines interactionist debates about the nature of socially constructed realities, charting the split between “strict” and “contextual” constructionists. Finally, the author considers how recent critiques of constructionism in academic and public discourse might inform future interactionist scholarship. Specifically, the continued utility and potential hazards of social constructionism vis-à-vis race, gender, and a post-truth political environment are explored.
Evolving Perspectives on Disability, Stigma, and
Discrimination
Authors: Lewis Brown Robyn , Batty Evan
Published: September 2022

The goal of this chapter is to advance an understanding of ableism and the constraints it poses for the life experiences and opportunities of people with disabilities. The chapter contends that efforts to address ableism must confront enduring forms of discrimination and the feelings of stigmatization they elicit. To this point, it first provides an abridged social and sociological history of stigma and discrimination towards people with disabilities. It then draws on work concerning psychiatric disability to illustrate several consequences of underinclusion, and discuss challenges in incorporating physical, psychological and intellectual conditions into a more universal conception of impairment. It concludes by outlining recommendations for an intersectional approach to the study of stigma and discrimination that acknowledges multiple conditions and the comorbidity of impairment conditions.