bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Lab-Made E-Nose-MOS Device for Assessing the Bacterial Growth in a Solid Culture Medium
Authors: Dias Teresa , Santos Vítor S. , Zorgani Tarek , Ferreiro Nuno , Rodrigues Ana I. , Zaghdoudi Khalil , Veloso Ana C. A. , Peres António M.
Published: December 2022

The detection and level assessment of microorganisms is a practical quality/contamination indicator of food and water samples. Conventional analytical procedures (e.g., culture methods, immunological techniques, and polymerase chain reactions), while accurate and widely used, are time-consuming, costly, and generate a large amount of waste. Electronic noses (E-noses), combined with chemometrics, provide a direct, green, and non-invasive assessment of the volatile fraction without the need for sample pre-treatments. The unique olfactory fingerprint generated during each microorganism’s growth can be a vehicle for its detection using gas sensors. A lab-made E-nose, comprising metal oxide semiconductor sensors was applied, to analyze solid medium containing Gram-positive (Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus) or Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. The electrical-resistance signals generated by the E-nose coupled with linear discriminant analysis allowed the discrimination of the four bacteria (90% of correct classifications for leave-one-out cross-validation). Furthermore, multiple linear regression models were also established allowing quantifying the number of colony-forming units (CFU) (0.9428 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.9946), with maximum root mean square errors lower than 4 CFU. Overall, the E-nose showed to be a powerful qualitative–quantitative device for bacteria preliminary analysis, being envisaged its possible application in solid food matrices.
Obtaining a Monoclonal Antibody against a Novel Prometryn-Like Hapten and Characterization of Its Selectivity for Triazine Herbicides
Authors: Xu Lingyuan , Abd El-Aty A. M. , Zhao Jing , Lei Xingmei , Zhang Xiuyuan , Zhao Yun , Cui Xueyan , She Yongxin , Jin Fen , Wang Jing , Jin Maojun , Hammock Bruce D.
Published: December 2022

In this study, a previously unreported 3-((4-(isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl) amino) butyric acid hapten was designed and synthesized. This maximized the exposure of the antigen-determinant isopropyl of prometryn to the immune system in animals to induce the production of anticipated highly specific anti-prometryn antibodies. The hapten has a molecular weight of 285.37 Da. The compound was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy (1H NMR), nuclear magnetic resonance carbon spectroscopy (13C NMR), and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). By using the active ester approach, immunogens and coated antigens were created. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as an immunogen, along with the successfully produced hapten, to immunize mice. The IC50 value of mouse monoclonal anti-prometryn antibody (mAb) 7D4 (the quantity of analyte that generated 50% prometryn inhibition) was 3.9 ng/mL. The anti-prometryn mAb was of the IgG1 subclass. The IC20 (80% binding level (B/B0) of prometryn)-IC80 (20% binding level (B/B0) of prometryn) range of the anti-prometryn monoclonal antibody standard curve working range was 0.9–18.1 ng/mL. The prepared mAb has good characteristics because it can specifically recognize prometryn, and the cross-reaction rates for ametryn, desmetryn, and terbumeton were 34.77%, 18.09%, and 7.64%, respectively. The cross-reaction rate with the other seven triazines was less than 1%. The hapten structure proposed can serve as an additional tool for modulating selectivity in detecting triazines.
Multifrequency Microwave Radiometry for Characterizing the Internal Temperature of Biological Tissues
Authors: Villa Enrique , Aja Beatriz , de la Fuente Luisa , Artal Eduardo , Arteaga-Marrero Natalia , Ramos Gara , Ruiz-Alzola Juan
Published: December 2022

The analysis of near-field radiometry is described for characterizing the internal temperature of biological tissues, for which a system based on multifrequency pseudo-correlation-type radiometers is proposed. The approach consists of a new topology with multiple output devices that enables real-time calibration and performance assessment, recalibrating the receiver through simultaneous measurable outputs. Experimental characterization of the prototypes includes a well-defined calibration procedure, which is described and demonstrated, as well as DC conversion from the microwave input power. Regarding performance, high sensitivity is provided in all the bands with noise temperatures around 100 K, reducing the impact of the receiver on the measurements and improving its sensitivity. Calibrated temperature retrievals exhibit outstanding results for several noise sources, for which temperature deviations are lower than 0.1% with regard to the expected temperature. Furthermore, a temperature recovery test for biological tissues, such as a human forearm, provides temperature values on the order of 310 K. In summary, the radiometers design, calibration method and temperature retrieval demonstrated significant results in all bands, validating their use for biomedical applications.
Recent Advances in Colorimetric Sensors Based on Gold Nanoparticles for Pathogen Detection
Authors: Yang Jianyu , Wang Xin , Sun Yuyang , Chen Bo , Hu Fangxin , Guo Chunxian , Yang Ting
Published: December 2022

Infectious pathogens cause severe threats to public health due to their frightening infectivity and lethal capacity. Rapid and accurate detection of pathogens is of great significance for preventing their infection. Gold nanoparticles have drawn considerable attention in colorimetric biosensing during the past decades due to their unique physicochemical properties. Colorimetric diagnosis platforms based on functionalized AuNPs are emerging as a promising pathogen-analysis technique with the merits of high sensitivity, low-cost, and easy operation. This review summarizes the recent development in this field. We first introduce the significance of detecting pathogens and the characteristics of gold nanoparticles. Four types of colorimetric strategies, including the application of indirect target-mediated aggregation, chromogenic substrate-mediated catalytic activity, point-of-care testing (POCT) devices, and machine learning-assisted colorimetric sensor arrays, are systematically introduced. In particular, three biomolecule-functionalized AuNP-based colorimetric sensors are described in detail. Finally, we conclude by presenting our subjective views on the present challenges and some appropriate suggestions for future research directions of colorimetric sensors.
High-Tech Classroom Management: Effects of the Use of an App on Disruptive and On-Task Classroom Behaviours for Students with Emotional and Behavioural Disorder
Authors: Cohen Gabriel , Martin Neil
Published: December 2022

Students with emotional behavioural disorders may exhibit extremely challenging behaviour that interferes with their academic achievement and social relationships. Failure at school frequently leads to a succession of poor life outcomes including increased rates of unemployment or underemployment. Increasing on-task behaviours and decreasing disruptive classroom behaviours is of crucial importance. If successful, this may promote positive experiences and outcomes in terms of effective learning, and, ultimately, greater opportunities in life. This study evaluated a high-tech approach to classroom management using an App* that offers elements of choice and predictability to students. Teachers were provided with two hours of training on how to upload lesson plans to their smartphone and how to broadcast onto screens in classrooms. A multiple-baseline design across four participants was used and the data suggested that the use of the App resulted in both increases in on-task behaviour and a reduction in disruptive classroom behaviour for all participants.
Architectural Knitted Windbreaks for Improved Wind Comfort in the City: A Wind Tunnel Study of Custom-Designed Porous Textile Screens
Authors: Hörteborn Erica , Zboinska Malgorzata A. , Chernoray Valery , Ander Mats
Published: December 2022

There is a need to shield from the wind to improve pedestrian comfort in urban environments. Perforated windbreaks, such as fences, vegetation or textile nets, have proven to be an efficient solution, whereas knitted textiles have not yet been explored. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacity of knitted textile windbreaks to reduce wind velocities, to inform further research and promote wider architectural applications. Five custom-knitted textile prototypes, representing fragments of textile windbreaks, were tested in a wind tunnel and compared against a perforated and a nonperforated solid board. Forces on the models, as well as upstream and downstream velocities, were measured. The results indicate that the optimal optical porosity of knitted windbreaks should be around 10%, which differs from the porosity for perforated windbreaks recommended by prior studies. Moreover, it was observed that a textile windbreak knitted using the drop-stitch technique efficiently reduces the wind, while not generating a large drag force. Furthermore, the drag coefficient for the knitted windbreak is reduced with increased windspeed. With this, the presented study demonstrates that knitted structures exposed to wind influence have the functional potential of becoming efficient windbreaks, thus improving wind comfort and aesthetic user experience in the urban space.
Investigation of Thermal Adaptation and Development of an Adaptive Model under Various Cooling Temperature Settings for Students’ Activity Rooms in a University Building in Malaysia
Authors: Izzati Nurul , Zaki Sheikh , Rijal Hom , Rey Jorge , Hagishima Aya , Atikha Nurizzatul
Published: December 2022

The use of an air conditioner (AC) becomes essential, particularly in a hot and humid climate, to provide a comfortable environment for human activities. The setpoint is the agreed temperature that the building will meet, and the use of the lowest setpoint temperature to accelerate the cooling of indoor spaces should be avoided. A comprehensive field study was conducted under various cooling temperature settings in two student activity rooms in a university building in Malaysia, so as to understand respondents’ characteristics and behavior toward AC usage, to estimate the comfort at various indoor temperatures, to develop an adaptive model of thermal comfort in AC spaces, and to compare the comfort temperature with related local and international indoor thermal environmental standards. The findings indicated that water intake and clothing insulation affected personal thermal comfort. Moreover, the mean comfort temperature for respondents was 24.3 °C, which is within an indoor thermal comfort zone of 23–27 °C. The findings suggest that the preference of occupants living in a hot and humid region for lower temperatures means that setting temperatures lower than 24 °C might underestimate the indoor comfort temperature. Additionally, an adaptive relationship can be derived to estimate the indoor comfort temperature from the prevailing outdoor temperature.
Application of GSM-SVM for Forecasting Construction Output: A Case Study of Hubei Province
Authors: Lei Ming , He Yuejie , Wang Dandan , He Debin , Feng Yuhao , Cheng Lianhuan , Qin Zihao
Published: December 2022

It is significant to achieve the scientific forecast and quantitative analysis of construction output. In most existing construction economic forecasting methods, both time series models and BP neural network fail to consider the change in relevant influencing factors. This paper introduced the support vector machine (SVM) to solve the above problems based on the grid search method (GSM) optimization model. First, based on constructing an index system of influencing factors of the gross industrial output, a grey relational method is adopted to verify the correlation between the eight factors and output. Furthermore, a SVM forecast model of the gross output is constructed with the relative datasets and influencing factors of the construction industry in Hubei from 2001 to 2016 as a training sample, while the parameters are optimized using the GSM. Then, the model is used to forecast and analyze the gross output from 2017 to 2020 while checking errors. Finally, according to systematic comparison analyses among three forecast models, including the GSM-SVM model, BP neural network, and grey GM (1,1), the results showed that the GSM-SVM forecast model processed the higher solution accuracy and generalization ability. The effectiveness and reliability of our proposed model in the field of construction output forecasting are verified. It can provide a more effective modeling and forecasting method for the gross output value of the construction industry.
Confined Spaces in Buildings with High Indoor Radon Concentration: A Case Study Analysis with the Application of Constructive Remediation Measures
Authors: Nunes Leonel J. R. , Curado António
Published: December 2022

Radon is an increasingly common concern, mainly when it is found indoors exposing the users of the space to radiation. As a gas, radon is an element produced due to uranium decay; it emanates naturally from soil and is considered by the World Health Organization as the second most common cause of lung cancer. Several methodologies are available for mitigating the indoor radon concentration, with distinct improvements and efficiencies that need to be proved with on-site testing. The case study here presented analyzes the effect of applying a barrier membrane, covering the pavement of a ground floor room located in a historic building with a high occupancy rate, on an abnormal radon concentration evidenced by experimental data. After the barrier membrane installation, a new long-term monitoring campaign (3 months) was carried out to assess indoor radon concentration. The obtained results showed that the barrier membrane lowered the indoor radon concentration by 90%. However, the radon exposure level remained higher than the recommended level to enable safe occupation and the regular use of space. Nevertheless, as the reduction in the radon concentration was very significant by the adoption of a barrier membrane, the combination of this technical solution with other mitigation methodologies, namely including the adoption of mechanical ventilation procedures, can become a very efficient solution for radon remediation, reducing the number of air changes per hour (ACH) from 30–60 to 4–6.
An Evaluation of Offsite Construction Recoveries after the Pandemic: The Case of the Southeast Asian Region
Authors: Nguyen Quang Chinh , Perera Srinath , Ginigaddara Buddhini , Nguyen Duyen Thanh My , Rahmawati Roselina , Operio Jennifer Herosa , Nguyen Duyen Hong Thuc
Published: December 2022

Offsite construction (OSC) in Southeast Asia is facing many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its importance, there is scant research on this topic in the region. This study aims to review OSC and identify determinants of success and their correlation with success after the pandemic in the Southeast Asian region. This paper follows a sequential exploratory mixed methodology: (1) reviewing statistical data relevant to construction in four countries, (2) carrying out a configurative literature review and documentary research, (3) eliciting responses from in-depth interviews consisting of two phases, (4) collecting written consultancies, and (5) capturing experts’ opinions in four countries through a questionnaire survey. The study uses three statistical techniques to determine the correlations between factors: ordinal logistic regression with factors input, a generalized linear model with ordinal logistic response and covariates, and Spearman’s correlations. Based on 55 variables and 459 responses from 4 countries, the statistical calculations identify the 42 most significant pairs of relationships between determinants and success, from which the follow-up priorities involve economic differentiation, productivity in the factory setting, reducing uncertainty over the program, and minimizing disturbances in the vicinity of the site under post-COVID-19 controls. This empirical research generates three outcomes: (1) filling the gap of OSC review in the region, (2) offering topical solutions for the construction industry after COVID-19, and (3) helping four countries derive economic benefits from OSC.
Design and Study of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Concrete Based on Ferrochrome Slag and Its Mechanism Analysis
Authors: Hang Meiyan , Wang Jiechao , Zhou Xuebin , Sun Mengjie
Published: December 2022

In this study, high-carbon ferrochrome slag powder produced by grinding was used to replace different proportions of cement, and the effect of the amount of ferrochrome slag powder on the physical and mechanical properties of ferrochrome-slag-cement composites was analyzed. Water-cooled ferrochrome slag with a particle size of <5 mm was optimized to replace part of river sand as fine aggregate, and air-cooled ferrochrome slag with a particle size of >5 mm was used to completely replace coarse aggregate to prepare ferrochrome-slag-based concretes. The microstructure of ferrochrome-slag-cement composites was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The compressive strength, water absorption, and aggregate–slurry interface bonding properties of ferrochrome-slag-based concrete were studied. The results demonstrate that a ferrochrome slag powder amount of 15% leads to the highest performance of ferrochrome-slag-cement composite material, and the fluidity ratio of ferrochrome-slag-cement mortar is 103, higher than reference samples. Furthermore, the compressive strengths of ferrochrome slag concretes are 15.8% and 3.6% higher than conventional concrete, and the water absorption of ferrochrome slag low-carbon concrete is better than that of conventional concrete. The interface bonding structure between concrete aggregate and slurry was optimized. This research can provide a reference for studying the application of ferrochrome slag, both the feasibility of high-carbon ferrochrome slag powder as supplementary cementitious material and the application of ferrochrome slag as concrete aggregate, and it can help to achieve the purpose of saving energy and reducing carbon emissions.
Study on the Effect of Radiant Insulation Panel in Cavity on the Thermal Performance of Broken-Bridge Aluminum Window Frame
Authors: Zheng Yanhong , Si Pengfei , Zhang Yin , Shi Lijun , Huang Changjiajin , Huang Dongsheng , Jin Zhineng
Published: December 2022

Windows have a great impact on building energy consumption, and the thermal performance of window frames directly affects its energy-saving potential. In this paper, a novel method is proposed to optimize the thermal performance of commercially available broken-bridge aluminum window frames, by incorporating radiant insulation panels (RIPs) into the window frame cavity. A typical aluminum alloy window frame heat transfer model is theoretically analyzed and validated, and the effects of key design parameters on the equivalent thermal conductivity (ETC) of the cavity radiation heat transfer and the heat transfer coefficient (U-factor) of window frames are quantitatively analyzed by a finite element simulation method using the THERM software. Moreover, the RIP, the insulation material filling, and low surface emissivity on the thermal performance of the window frame are compared and analyzed. The results show that the RIP is better placed in the middle, the width and quantity of RIPs are negatively correlated with the U-factor, while the surface emissivity of RIPs is positively correlated with the U-factor. Adding RIPs in the cavity can reduce the U-factor of the window frame by more than 7.43%, slightly lower than 8.97% for the filling type, but significantly higher than 0.81% for the low-emissivity type. Inserting RIPs is a simple and effective way to reduce the U-factor of the window frame and have a great potential of use.
Biomass-Derived Carbon Materials in Heterogeneous Catalysis: A Step towards Sustainable Future
Authors: Shetty Apoorva , Molahalli Vandana , Sharma Aman , Hegde Gurumurthy
Published: December 2022

Biomass-derived carbons are emerging materials with a wide range of catalytic properties, such as large surface area and porosity, which make them ideal candidates to be used as heterogeneous catalysts and catalytic supports. Their unique physical and chemical properties, such as their tunable surface, chemical inertness, and hydrophobicity, along with being environmentally friendly and cost effective, give them an edge over other catalysts. The biomass-derived carbon materials are compatible with a wide range of reactions including organic transformations, electrocatalytic reactions, and photocatalytic reactions. This review discusses the uses of materials produced from biomass in the realm of heterogeneous catalysis, highlighting the different types of carbon materials derived from biomass that are potential catalysts, and the importance and unique properties of heterogeneous catalysts with different preparation methods are summarized. Furthermore, this review article presents the relevant work carried out in recent years where unique biomass-derived materials are used as heterogeneous catalysts and their contribution to the field of catalysis. The challenges and potential prospects of heterogeneous catalysis are also discussed.
The Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation of Cycloketones Using Hydrogen Peroxide as an Oxidant
Authors: Ma Qingguo , Xue Yanfeng , Guo Jiaming , Peng Xinhua
Published: December 2022

Baeyer–Villiger oxidation can synthesize a series of esters or lactones that have essential application value but are difficult to be synthesized by other methods. Cycloketones can be oxidized to lactones using molecular oxygen, peroxy acids, or hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. Hydrogen peroxide is one of the environmental oxidants. Because of the weak oxidation ability of hydrogen peroxide, Bronsted acids and Lewis acids are used as catalysts to activate hydrogen peroxide or the carbonyl of ketones to increase the nucleophilic performance of hydrogen peroxide. The catalytic mechanisms of Bronsted acids and Lewis acids differ in the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant.
Mannuronan C-5 Epimerases: Review of Activity Assays, Enzyme Characteristics, Structure, and Mechanism
Authors: Xiao Zhongbin , Sun Ming , Li Tang , Zhao Miao , Yin Heng
Published: December 2022

Mannuronan C-5 epimerases (ManC5-Es) are produced by brown algae and some bacteria, such as Azotobacter and some Pseudomonas species. It can convert the transformation of β-D-mannuronic acid (M) to α-L-guluronic acid (G) in alginate with different patterns of epimerization. Alginate with different compositions and monomer sequences possess different properties and functions, which have been utilized in industries for various purposes. Therefore, ManC5-Es are key enzymes that are involved in the modifications of alginate for fuel, chemical, and industrial applications. Focusing on ManC5-Es, this review introduces and summarizes the methods of ManC5-Es activity assay especially the most widely used nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy method, characterization of the ManC5-Es from different origins especially the research progress of its enzymatic properties and product block distributions, and the catalytic mechanism of ManC5-E based on the resolved enzyme structures. Additionally, some potential future research directions are also outlooked.
Photothermal Catalytic Reduction of CO2 by Cobalt Silicate Heterojunction Constructed from Clay Minerals
Authors: Qin Shan , Ge Chengrong , Kong Xiangming , Fu Meng , Zhuang Ziheng , Li Xiazhang
Published: December 2022

The coupled utilization of solar and thermal energy is considered an efficient way to improve the efficiency of CO2 reduction. Herein, palygorskite (Pal) clay is as a silicon source, while Co2+ is introduced to prepare two-dimensional Co2SiO4 nanosheets, and the excess of Co2+ leads to the growth of Co3O4 on the surface of Co2SiO4 to obtain an S-scheme Co2SiO4/Co3O4−x heterojunction, which facilitates the charge transfer and maintains higher redox potentials. Benefiting from black color and a narrow band gap, the cobalt oxide on the surface can increase the light absorption and produce a local photothermal effect. Under proper thermal activation conditions, the photoelectrons captured by the abundant oxygen vacancies can obtain a secondary leap to the semiconductor conduction band (CB), suppressing the recombination of electron-hole pairs, thus favoring the electron transfer on Co2SiO4/Co3O4−x. The composites not only have abundant oxygen vacancies, but also have a large specific surface area for the adsorption and activation of CO2. The yields of CH3OH on Co2SiO4/Co3O4−5% reach as high as 48.9 μmol·g−1·h−1 under simulated sunlight irradiation. In situ DRIFTS is used to explore the photocatalytic reduction CO2 mechanism. It is found that the thermal effect facilitates the generation of the key intermediate COOH* species. This work provides a new strategy for photothermal catalytic CO2 reduction by taking advantage of natural clay and solar energy.
Oxidation Catalysis of Au Nano-Particles Immobilized on Titanium(IV)- and Alkylthiol-Functionalized SBA-15 Type Mesoporous Silicate Supports
Authors: Haketa Tomoki , Nozawa Toshiaki , Nakazawa Jun , Okamura Masaya , Hikichi Shiro
Published: December 2022

Novel Au nano-particle catalysts immobilized on both titanium(IV)- and alkylthiol-functionalized SBA-15 type ordered mesoporous silicate supports were developed. The bi-functionalized SBA-15 type support could be synthesized by a one-pot method. To the synthesized supports, Au was immobilized by the reaction of the alkylthiol groups on the supports with AuCl4−, following reduction with NaBH4. The immobilized amount and the formed structures and the electronic property of the Au species depended on the loading of alkylthiol. The moderate size (2–3 nm) nano particulate Au sites formed on Ti(0.5)-SBASH(0.5) were negatively charged. The aerobic alcohol oxidation activity of the catalysts depended on the loading of alkylthiol and the structure of the Au nano-particles. The non-thiol-functionalized catalyst (Au/Ti(0.5)-SBASH(0)) composed of the large (5–30 nm) and the higher thiol-loaded catalyst (Au/Ti(0.5)-SBASH(8)) composed of the small cationic Au species were almost inactive. The most active catalyst was Au/Ti(0.5)-SBASH(0.5) composed of the electron-rich Au nano-particles formed by the electron donation from the highly dispersed thiol groups. Styrene oxidation activity in the presence of 1-phenylethanol with O2 depended on the loadings of titanium(IV) on the Au/Ti(x)-SBASH(0.5). The titanium(IV) sites trapped the H2O2 generated through the alcohol oxidation reaction, and also contributed to the alkene oxidation by activating the trapped H2O2.
Highly Resistant LaCo1−xFexO3 Perovskites Used in Chlorobenzene Catalytic Combustion
Authors: Acosta Pérez Héctor , López Carlos A. , Furlong Octavio J. , Nazzarro Marcelo S. , Marchetti Sergio G. , Cadús Luis E. , Agüero Fabiola N.
Published: December 2022

The stability of LaCo1−xFexO3 perovskite structures (x = 0; 0.25; 0.5; 0.75; 1) was studied in the combustion of chlorobenzene. This family of catalysts was synthesized by the citrate method obtaining pure structures. The Fe doping in the original structure induces electronic environments capable of generating the Co2+/Co3+ redox couple. The characteristics observed in bulk are perfectly reflected on the surface, favoring a high resistance of the solids to chlorine poisoning. Superior stability under reaction conditions was observed in the phase with the lowest Fe content (x = 0.25), remaining stable at 100% combustion of chlorobenzene during 100 h, not observing intermediate reaction products. These results open up a new avenue for designing and fabricating high-performance catalysts in the environmental field
Synthesis, Characterization and Investigation of Cross-Linked Chitosan/(MnFe2O4) Nanocomposite Adsorption Potential to Extract U(VI) and Th(IV)
Authors: Alaqarbeh Marwa , Khalili Fawwaz , Bouachrine Mohammed , Alwarthan Abdulrahman
Published: December 2022

A cross-linked chitosan/(MnFe2O4) CCsMFO nanocomposite was prepared using co-precipitation methods and used as a nanomaterial to extract U(VI) and Th(IV) from an aqueous solution based on adsorption phenomena. The contact time of experiments shows a rapid extraction process within 30 min by the CCsMFO nanocomposite. The solution pH acts a critical role in determining qm value, where pH 3.0 was the best pH value to extract both ions. The pseudo-second-order equilibrium model illustrated the kinetics equilibrium modal extraction process. Adsorption isotherm of U(VI) at pH 3.0 by CCsMFO nanocomposite is an endothermic process. In contrast, the adsorption isotherm of Th(IV) at pH 3.0 by CCsMFO nanocomposite is an exothermic process. The reusability of CCsMFO nanocomposite was tested using basic eluents as suitable conditions for the chemical stability of CCsMFO nanocomposite; the reusability results show promising results for the removal of U(VI) adsorbed onto CCsMFO nanocomposite with 77.27%, after 12 h by Na2CO3 as eluent. At the same time, the reusability results show good reusability for removal of U(VI) adsorbed onto CCsMFO nanocomposite with 21.82%, after 8 h by EDTA as eluent.
The Major Stilbene Compound Accumulated in the Roots of a Resistant Variety of Phoenix dactylifera L. Activates Proteasome for a Path in Anti-Aging Strategy
Authors: Benabbes Redouane , Ouahhoud Sabir , Moueqqit Mohammed , Addi Mohamed , Hano Christophe , Delporte Cédric , Nacoulma Aminata P. , Megalizzi Véronique
Published: December 2022

The main objective of the present study is to estimate, through differential analysis, various biological activities of total phenolics content in alcoholic extracts of three date palm varieties sensitive or resistant to Fusarium oxysporum. sp Albidinis. Here, stilbene products with antioxidant and bioactive capacities were evidenced in resistant variety Taabdount (TAAR). Furthermore, the methanolic fraction of the TAAR-resistant date palm variety contains a significant product, determined by LC-MS/MS and 1H, 13C NMR, belonging to the family of hydroxystilbenes, which exhibits antioxidant capacities, inhibits the mushroom tyrosinase activity, and activates and exerts a protective effect on hypochlorite-induced damage in 20S proteasome of human dermal fibroblast aged cells. Altogether, the present results indicate that hydroxystilbene present in resistant Phoenix dactylifera L. should be studied to understand the way that the stilbene could exert anti-aging ability.
RNF213 Loss-of-Function Promotes Angiogenesis of Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cells in a Cellular State Dependent Manner
Authors: Roy Vincent , Brodeur Alyssa , Touzel Deschênes Lydia , Dupré Nicolas , Gros-Louis François
Published: December 2022

Enhanced and aberrant angiogenesis is one of the main features of Moyamoya disease (MMD) pathogenesis. The ring finger protein 213 (RNF213) and the variant p.R4810K have been linked with higher risks of MMD and intracranial arterial occlusion development in east Asian populations. The role of RNF213 in diverse aspects of the angiogenic process, such as proliferation, migration and capillary-like formation, is well-known but has been difficult to model in vitro. To evaluate the effect of the RNF213 MMD-associated gene on the angiogenic activity, we have generated RNF213 knockout in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3-RNF213−/−) using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Matrigel-based assay and a tri-dimensional (3D) vascularized model using the self-assembly approach of tissue engineering were used to assess the formation of capillary-like structures. Quite interestingly, this innovative in vitro model of MMD recapitulated, for the first time, disease-associated pathophysiological features such as significant increase in angiogenesis in confluent endothelial cells devoid of RNF213 expression. These cells, grown to confluence, also showed a pro-angiogenic signature, i.e., increased secretion of soluble pro-angiogenic factors, that could be eventually used as biomarkers. Interestingly, we demonstrated that that these MMD-associated phenotypes are dependent of the cellular state, as only noted in confluent cells and not in proliferative RNF213-deficient cells.
Beneficial Effect of ACI-24 Vaccination on Aβ Plaque Pathology and Microglial Phenotypes in an Amyloidosis Mouse Model
Authors: Rudan Njavro Jasenka , Vukicevic Marija , Fiorini Emma , Dinkel Lina , Müller Stephan A. , Berghofer Anna , Bordier Chiara , Kozlov Stanislav , Halle Annett , Buschmann Katrin , Capell Anja , Giudici Camilla , Willem Michael , Feederle Regina , Lichtenthaler Stefan F. , Babolin Chiara , Montanari Paolo , Pfeifer Andrea , Kosco-Vilbois Marie , Tahirovic Sabina
Published: December 2022

Amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition is an initiating factor in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Microglia are the brain immune cells that surround and phagocytose Aβ plaques, but their phagocytic capacity declines in AD. This is in agreement with studies that associate AD risk loci with genes regulating the phagocytic function of immune cells. Immunotherapies are currently pursued as strategies against AD and there are increased efforts to understand the role of the immune system in ameliorating AD pathology. Here, we evaluated the effect of the Aβ targeting ACI-24 vaccine in reducing AD pathology in an amyloidosis mouse model. ACI-24 vaccination elicited a robust and sustained antibody response in APPPS1 mice with an accompanying reduction of Aβ plaque load, Aβ plaque-associated ApoE and dystrophic neurites as compared to non-vaccinated controls. Furthermore, an increased number of NLRP3-positive plaque-associated microglia was observed following ACI-24 vaccination. In contrast to this local microglial activation at Aβ plaques, we observed a more ramified morphology of Aβ plaque-distant microglia compared to non-vaccinated controls. Accordingly, bulk transcriptomic analysis revealed a trend towards the reduced expression of several disease-associated microglia (DAM) signatures that is in line with the reduced Aβ plaque load triggered by ACI-24 vaccination. Our study demonstrates that administration of the Aβ targeting vaccine ACI-24 reduces AD pathology, suggesting its use as a safe and cost-effective AD therapeutic intervention.
Detoxification Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) in Families 1–3 Produce Functional Oxylipins from Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Authors: Eccles Jazmine A. , Baldwin William S.
Published: December 2022

This manuscript reviews the CYP-mediated production of oxylipins and the current known function of these diverse set of oxylipins with emphasis on the detoxification CYPs in families 1–3. Our knowledge of oxylipin function has greatly increased over the past 3–7 years with new theories on stability and function. This includes a significant amount of new information on oxylipins produced from linoleic acid (LA) and the omega-3 PUFA-derived oxylipins such as α-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). However, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the primary CYP responsible for producing specific oxylipins, and a lack of mechanistic insight for some clinical associations between outcomes and oxylipin levels. In addition, the role of CYPs in the production of oxylipins as signaling molecules for obesity, energy utilization, and development have increased greatly with potential interactions between diet, endocrinology, and pharmacology/toxicology due to nuclear receptor mediated CYP induction, CYP inhibition, and receptor interactions/crosstalk. The potential for diet-diet and diet-drug/chemical interactions is high given that these promiscuous CYPs metabolize a plethora of different endogenous and exogenous chemicals.
Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype of Cardiovascular System Cells and Inflammaging: Perspectives of Peptide Regulation
Authors: Khavinson Vladimir , Linkova Natalia , Dyatlova Anastasiia , Kantemirova Raisa , Kozlov Kirill
Published: December 2022

A senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and a mild inflammatory response characteristic of senescent cells (inflammaging) form the conditions for the development of cardiovascular diseases: atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction. The purpose of the review is to analyze the pool of signaling molecules that form SASP and inflammaging in cells of the cardiovascular system and to search for targets for the action of vasoprotective peptides. The SASP of cells of the cardiovascular system is characterized by a change in the synthesis of anti-proliferative proteins (p16, p19, p21, p38, p53), cytokines characteristic of inflammaging (IL-1α,β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNFα, TGFβ1, NF-κB, MCP), matrix metalloproteinases, adhesion molecules, and sirtuins. It has been established that peptides are physiological regulators of body functions. Vasoprotective polypeptides (liraglutide, atrial natriuretic peptide, mimetics of relaxin, Ucn1, and adropin), KED tripeptide, and AEDR tetrapeptide regulate the synthesis of molecules involved in inflammaging and SASP-forming cells of the cardiovascular system. This indicates the prospects for the development of drugs based on peptides for the treatment of age-associated cardiovascular pathology.
Selective Outdoor Humidity Monitoring Using Epoxybutane Polyethyleneimine in a Flexible Microwave Sensor
Authors: Ngoune Bernard Bobby , Hallil Hamida , Lebental Bérengère , Perrin Guillaume , Shinde Shekhar , Cloutet Eric , George Julien , Bila Stéphane , Baillargeat Dominique , Dejous Corinne
Published: December 2022

The rise of gas-sensing applications and markets has led to microwave sensors associated to polymer-based sensitive materials gaining a lot of attention, as they offer the possibility to target a large variety of gases (as polymers can be easily functionalised) at ultra-low power and wirelessly (which is a major concern in the Internet of Things). A two-channel microstrip sensor with one resonator coated with 1,2 epoxybutane-functionalised poly(ethyleneimine) (EB-PEI) and the other left bare was designed and fabricated for humidity sensing. The sensor, characterised under controlled laboratory conditions, showed exponential response to RH between 0 and 100%, which is approximated to −1.88 MHz/RH% (−0.03 dB/RH%) and −8.24 MHz/RH% (−0.171 dB/RH%) in the RH ranges of 30–80% and 80–100%, respectively. This is the first reported use of EB-PEI for humidity sensing, and performances, especially at high humidity level (RH > 80%), as compared with transducer working frequencies, are better than the state of the art. When further tested in real outdoor conditions, the sensor shows satisfying performances, with 4.2 %RH mean absolute error. Most importantly, we demonstrate that the sensor is selective to relative humidity alone, irrespective of the other environmental variables acquired during the campaign (O3, NO, NO2, CO, CO2, and Temperature). The sensitivities obtained outdoors in the ranges of 50–70% and 70–100% RH (−0.61 MHz/%RH and −3.68 MHz/%RH, respectively) were close to lab results (−0.95 MHz/%RH and −3.51 MHz/%RH, respectively).
Design, Synthesis, Characterization, and Analysis of Antimicrobial Property of Novel Benzophenone Fused Azetidinone Derivatives through In Vitro and In Silico Approach
Authors: Venkataravanappa Lakshmi Ranganatha , Jyothi Mahima , Khamees Hussien Ahmed , Silina Ekaterina , Stupin Victor , Achar Raghu Ram , Al-Ghorbani Mohammed , Khanum Shaukath Ara
Published: December 2022

A sequence of novel 2-(4-benzoyl-2-methyl-phenoxy)-N-(3-chloro-2-oxo-4-phenyl-azetidin-1-yl)-acetamide analogues 9(a–n) were synthesized by multistep synthesis. The newly synthesized compounds were well characterized, and their antimicrobial activities were carried out by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. Further, all the novel series of compounds (9a–n), were tested against a variety of bacterial and fungal strains in comparison to Ketoconazole, Chloramphenicol, and Amoxicillin as standard drugs, respectively. Compounds 9a, 9e, and 9g as a lead molecule demonstrated a good inhibition against tested strains. Further, molecular docking studies have been performed for the potent compounds to check the three-dimensional geometrical view of the ligand binding to the targeted proteins.
Association of Netrin 1 with hsCRP in Subjects with Obesity and Recent Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Garcia Galindo Jesús Jonathan , Ramos-Zavala Maria G. , Pascoe-Gonzalez Sara , Hernández-González Sandra O. , Delgadillo-Centeno J. Santiago , Grover-Páez Fernando , Beltrán-Ramírez Alberto , Rico Daniel O. Suarez
Published: December 2022

Netrin 1 (Ntn1) is a cell migration protein with an anti-inflammatory effect, which may play a key role in the pathological development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, we evaluate the relationships between the serum concentrations of Ntn1, glucose, and high-sensitivity C-reactive Protein (hsCRP). We carried out a cross-sectional study including 90 individuals divided into three groups (n = 30): healthy subjects, individuals with obesity without glucose alterations, and individuals with newly diagnosed T2D. Serum concentrations of Ntn1 and hs-CRP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum concentration of Ntn1 was higher in individuals with newly diagnosed T2D (0.33 ± 0.22 ng/mL), in comparison to healthy subjects and individuals with obesity (0.13 ± 0.06 and 0.15 ± 0.07 ng/mL, respectively). In addition, we observed a positive association between the levels of Ntn1 and hsCRP (rho = 0.443; p < 0.001) as well as with serum glucose (rho = −0.110; p = 0.05). The serum concentration of Ntn1 was higher in individuals with T2D, in comparison with the other groups in this study, and presented a positive correlation with hsCRP. Therefore, Ntn1 can be considered a promising risk biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for T2D.
EST-SSR Markers’ Development Based on RNA-Sequencing and Their Application in Population Genetic Structure and Diversity Analysis of Eleusine indica in China
Authors: Chen Jingchao , Cui Hailan , Huang Hongjuan , Wei Shouhui , Liu Yan , Yu Haiyan , Ma Yan , Li Xiangju , Ma Xiaoyan
Published: December 2022

Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) is one of the worst agricultural weeds in China. Molecular markers were developed for genetic diversity and population structure analyses. In this study, we identified 8391 expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers from the de novo assembled unigenes of E. indica. Mononucleotides were the most abundant type of repeats (3591, 42.79%), followed by trinucleotides (3162, 37.68%). The most dominant mononucleotide and trinucleotide repeat motifs were A/T (3406, 40.59%) and AAT/ATT (103, 1.5%), respectively. Fourteen pairs of EST-SSR primers were verified and used to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of 59 goosegrass populations. A total of 49 alleles were amplified, with the number of alleles (Na) ranging from two to eleven per locus, and the effective number of alleles (Ne) ranged from 1.07 to 4.53. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.36. Genetic structure analysis (K = 2) and principal coordinate analysis divided 59 E. indica populations into two groups in a manner similar to the unweighted pair-group method (Dice genetic similarity coefficient = 0.700). This study developed a set of EST-SSR markers in E. indica and successfully analyzed the diversity and population genetic structures of 59 E. indica populations in China.
Batch Gradient Learning Algorithm with Smoothing L1 Regularization for Feedforward Neural Networks
Authors: Mohamed Khidir Shaib
Published: December 2022

Regularization techniques are critical in the development of machine learning models. Complex models, such as neural networks, are particularly prone to overfitting and to performing poorly on the training data. L1 regularization is the most extreme way to enforce sparsity, but, regrettably, it does not result in an NP-hard problem due to the non-differentiability of the 1-norm. However, the L1 regularization term achieved convergence speed and efficiency optimization solution through a proximal method. In this paper, we propose a batch gradient learning algorithm with smoothing L1 regularization (BGSL1) for learning and pruning a feedforward neural network with hidden nodes. To achieve our study purpose, we propose a smoothing (differentiable) function in order to address the non-differentiability of L1 regularization at the origin, make the convergence speed faster, improve the network structure ability, and build stronger mapping. Under this condition, the strong and weak convergence theorems are provided. We used N-dimensional parity problems and function approximation problems in our experiments. Preliminary findings indicate that the BGSL1 has convergence faster and good generalization abilities when compared with BGL1/2, BGL1, BGL2, and BGSL1/2. As a result, we demonstrate that the error function decreases monotonically and that the norm of the gradient of the error function approaches zero, thereby validating the theoretical finding and the supremacy of the suggested technique.
Spin Transport in Magnetically Ordered Systems: Ferromagnets, Antiferromagnets and Frustrated Systems
Authors: Hoang Danh-Tai , Diep Hung
Published: December 2022

In this review, we outline the important results on the resistivity encountered by an electron in magnetically ordered materials. The mechanism of the collision between the electron and the lattice spins is shown. Experiments on the spin resistivity in various magnetic materials as well as the theoretical background are recalled. We focus on our works of 15 years of principally using Monte Carlo simulations. In these works, we have studied the spin resistivity in various kinds of magnetic systems ranging from ferromagnets and antiferromagnets to frustrated spin systems. It is found that the spin resistivity shows a broad peak at the transition temperature in systems with a second-order phase transition, while it undergoes a discontinuous jump at the transition temperature of a first-order transition. New results on the hexagonal-close-packed (HCP) antiferromagnet are also shown in extended detail for the Ising case in both the frustrated and non-frustrated parameter regions.