bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovery of Polyphenols from Agri-Food By-Products: The Olive Oil and Winery Industries Cases
Authors: Tapia-Quirós Paulina , Montenegro-Landívar María Fernanda , Reig Mònica , Vecino Xanel , Cortina José Luis , Saurina Javier , Granados Mercè
Published: January 2022

The production of olive oil and wine are two of the main agri-food economic activities in Southern Europe. They generate large amounts of solid and liquid wastes (e.g., olive pomace, olive mill wastewater, grape pomace, grape stems, wine lees, and wine processing wastewater) that represent a major environmental problem. Consequently, the management of these residues has become a big challenge for these industries, since they are harmful to the environment but rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols. In recent years, the recovery of phenolic compounds has been proposed as a smart strategy for the valorization of these by-products, from a circular economy perspective. This review aims to provide a comprehensive description of the state of the art of techniques available for the analysis, extraction, and purification of polyphenols from the olive mill and winery residues. Thus, the integration and implementation of these techniques could provide a sustainable solution to the olive oil and winery sectors.
Salience Bias and Overwork
Authors: Römeis Fabio , Herweg Fabian , Müller Daniel
Published: January 2022

In this study, we enrich a standard principal–agent model with hidden action by introducing salience-biased perception on the agent’s side. The agent’s misguided focus on salient payoffs, which leads the agent’s and the principal’s probability assessments to diverge, has two effects: First, the agent focuses too much on obtaining a bonus, which facilitates incentive provision. Second, the principal may exploit the diverging probability assessments to relax participation. We show that salience bias can reverse the nature of the inefficiency arising from moral hazard; i.e., the principal does not necessarily provide insufficient incentives that result in inefficiently low effort but instead may well provide excessive incentives that result in inefficiently high effort.
Evidence-Informed Approach to De-Prescribing of Atypical Antipsychotics (AAP) in the Management of Behavioral Expressions (BE) in Advanced Neurocognitive Disorders (NCD): Results of a Retrospective Study
Authors: Luthra Atul Sunny , Gao Raymond LinBin , Remers Shannon , Carducci Peter , Sue Joanna
Published: January 2022

The LuBAIR™ Paradigm is a novel approach to ascribe meaning to behavioral expressions in advanced neurocognitive disorders when the reliability of a clinical assessment is limited. The meaning ascribed to each behavioral category was used to identify those which are likely to respond to the use of atypical antipsychotics, in their management. De-prescribing was attempted on patients who qualified to enter this retrospective study. De-prescribing was defined as successful if individuals were completely withdrawn from AAP and remained off them for 60 days, without the re-emergence of behaviors. The LuBAIR™ Inventory was filled on two occasions. The data collected on the second occasion, in the successful and failed de-prescribed groups, were compared in this retrospective study. MANOVA, Chi-Square paired t-test statistical analyses were used to detect the differences in the behavioral categories between the two cohorts. Cohen d was used to measure effect size. Patients who did not have Mis-Identification and Goal-Directed Expressions were more likely to successfully de-prescribe: X2 (1, N = 40) = 29.119 p < 0.0001 and X2 (1, N = 40) = 32.374, p < 0.0001, respectively. Alternatively, the same behavioral categories were more likely to be present in patients who failed de-prescribing: MANOVA and paired t-test (p < 0.0001). Atypical antipsychotics, in their role as an antipsychotic and mood stabilizer, may be used to manage Mis-Identification and Goal-Directed Expressions, respectively.
GPR18-Mediated Relaxation of Human Isolated Pulmonary Arteries
Authors: Kozłowska Hanna , Malinowska Barbara , Baranowska-Kuczko Marta , Kusaczuk Magdalena , Nesterowicz Miłosz , Kozłowski Mirosław , Müller Christa E. , Kieć-Kononowicz Katarzyna , Schlicker Eberhard
Published: January 2022

GPR18 receptor protein was detected in the heart and vasculature and appears to play a functional role in the cardiovascular system. We investigated the effects of the new GPR18 agonists PSB-MZ-1415 and PSB-MZ-1440 and the new GPR18 antagonist PSB-CB-27 on isolated human pulmonary arteries (hPAs) and compared their effects with the previously proposed, but unconfirmed, GPR18 ligands NAGly, Abn-CBD (agonists) and O-1918 (antagonist). GPR18 expression in hPAs was shown at the mRNA level. PSB-MZ-1415, PSB-MZ-1440, NAGly and Abn-CBD fully relaxed endothelium-intact hPAs precontracted with the thromboxane A2 analog U46619. PSB-CB-27 shifted the concentration-response curves (CRCs) of PSB-MZ-1415, PSB-MZ-1440, NAGly and Abn-CBD to the right; O-1918 caused rightward shifts of the CRCs of PSB-MZ-1415 and NAGly. Endothelium removal diminished the potency and the maximum effect of PSB-MZ-1415. The potency of PSB-MZ-1415 or NAGly was reduced in male patients, smokers and patients with hypercholesterolemia. In conclusion, the novel GPR18 agonists, PSB-MZ-1415 and PSB-MZ-1440, relax hPAs and the effect is inhibited by the new GPR18 antagonist PSB-CB-27. GPR18, which appears to exhibit lower activity in hPAs from male, smoking or hypercholesterolemic patients, may become a new target for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Kidney Injury Causes Accumulation of Renal Sodium That Modulates Renal Lymphatic Dynamics
Authors: Liu Jing , Shelton Elaine L. , Crescenzi Rachelle , Colvin Daniel C. , Kirabo Annet , Zhong Jianyong , Delpire Eric J. , Yang Hai-Chun , Kon Valentina
Published: January 2022

Lymphatic vessels are highly responsive to changes in the interstitial environment. Previously, we showed renal lymphatics express the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter. Since interstitial sodium retention is a hallmark of proteinuric injury, we examined whether renal sodium affects NKCC1 expression and the dynamic pumping function of renal lymphatic vessels. Puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-injected rats served as a model of proteinuric kidney injury. Sodium 23Na/1H-MRI was used to measure renal sodium and water content in live animals. Renal lymph, which reflects the interstitial composition, was collected, and the sodium analyzed. The contractile dynamics of isolated renal lymphatic vessels were studied in a perfusion chamber. Cultured lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) were used to assess direct sodium effects on NKCC1. MRI showed elevation in renal sodium and water in PAN. In addition, renal lymph contained higher sodium, although the plasma sodium showed no difference between PAN and controls. High sodium decreased contractility of renal collecting lymphatic vessels. In LECs, high sodium reduced phosphorylated NKCC1 and SPAK, an upstream activating kinase of NKCC1, and eNOS, a downstream effector of lymphatic contractility. The NKCC1 inhibitor furosemide showed a weaker effect on ejection fraction in isolated renal lymphatics of PAN vs controls. High sodium within the renal interstitium following proteinuric injury is associated with impaired renal lymphatic pumping that may, in part, involve the SPAK-NKCC1-eNOS pathway, which may contribute to sodium retention and reduce lymphatic responsiveness to furosemide. We propose that this lymphatic vessel dysfunction is a novel mechanism of impaired interstitial clearance and edema in proteinuric kidney disease.
Crosstalk between Irisin Levels, Liver Fibrogenesis and Liver Damage in Non-Obese, Non-Diabetic Individuals with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Armandi Angelo , Rosso Chiara , Nicolosi Aurora , Caviglia Gian Paolo , Abate Maria Lorena , Olivero Antonella , D’Amato Daphne , Vernero Marta , Gaggini Melania , Saracco Giorgio Maria , Ribaldone Davide Giuseppe , Leeming Diana Julie , Gastaldelli Amalia , Bugianesi Elisabetta
Published: January 2022

Background: Insulin resistance plays a relevant role in the onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. Irisin is an exercise-induced myokine involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis and glucose metabolism. Additionally, pre-clinical models have shown a potential role of irisin in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. The aim of this study is to explore the association between irisin, histological features and biomarkers of liver fibrogenesis in non-diabetic, non-obese, biopsy-proven NAFLD individuals. Methods: Forty-one patients with histological evidence of NAFLD were included. Circulating irisin and direct markers of fibrogenesis N-terminal type III collagen propeptide (PRO-C3) and type VI collagen cleavage product (PRO-C6) were measured by ELISA. Results: Median age of the cohort was 45 years (41–51) and 80.4% were male. Significant fibrosis (stage ≥ 2) was present in 36.6% of cases. Circulating irisin, PRO-C3 and PRO-C6 levels were significantly higher in subjects with fibrosis stage ≥ 2 when compared to those with fibrosis stage < 2 (5.96 ng/mL (95% CI = 4.42–9.19) vs. 2.42 ng/mL (95% CI = 1.73–5.95), p = 0.033; 9.5 ng/mL (95% CI = 7.7–13.6) vs. 6.2 ng/mL (95% CI = 4.9–8.9), p = 0.016; 6.6 ng/mL (95% CI = 5.6–7.9) vs. 5.1 ng/mL (95% CI = 4.2–5.4), p = 0.013, respectively). Irisin levels were similarly distributed between the features of NASH. Circulating irisin positively correlated with both PRO-C3 and PRO-C6 levels (r = 0.47, p = 0.008 and r = 0.46, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Increased circulating irisin levels may identify a more aggressive phenotype of liver disease with increased fibrogenesis and more severe liver damage.
The Sub-Ice Algal Communities of the Barents Sea Pack Ice: Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Biomass and Species
Authors: Hegseth Else Nøst , von Quillfeldt Cecilie
Published: January 2022

This work summarizes ice algal studies, presented as biomass and species temporal and spatial distribution, during 11 cruises conducted between 1986 and 2012. The majority of the biomass was found as loosely attached sub-ice algal layers, and sampling required diving. A maximum of 40 mg chlorophyll m−2 and 15.4 × 109 cells m−2 was measured in May. The species diversity was separated in zones based on ice thickness, with the highest biodiversity in the medium-thick ice of 30–80 cm. Nitzschia frigida was the most common species. There was a significant positive relationship between the dominance of this species and ice thickness, and it dominated completely in thick ice. Other common species, such as N. promare and Fossulaphycus arcticus reacted oppositely, by becoming less dominant in thick ice, but the positive correlation between total cell numbers and number of these three species indicated that they would most likely dominate in most populations. Melosira arctica was found several times below medium-thick annual ice. Algae occurred from top to bottom in the ice floes and in infiltration layers, but in very low numbers inside the ice. The bipolar dinoflagellates Polarella glacialis inhabited the ice, both as vegetative cells and cysts. The algal layers detached from the ice and sank in late spring when melting started. The cells in the sediments form an important food source for benthic animals throughout the year. Fjord populations survive the winter on the bottom and probably form next year’s ice algal inoculum. A few ‘over-summer’ populations found in sheltered locations might provide supplementary food for ice amphipods in late summer. The future faith of the ice flora is discussed in view of a warmer climate, with increased melting of the Arctic ice cover.
Likelihood Function through the Delta Approximation in Mixed SDE Models
Authors: Jamba Nelson T. , Jacinto Gonçalo , Filipe Patrícia A. , Braumann Carlos A.
Published: January 2022

Stochastic differential equations (SDE) appropriately describe a variety of phenomena occurring in random environments, such as the growth dynamics of individual animals. Using appropriate weight transformations and a variant of the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model, one obtains a general model for the evolution of cattle weight. The model parameters are α, the average transformed weight at maturity, β, a growth parameter, and σ, a measure of environmental fluctuations intensity. We briefly review our previous work on estimation and prediction issues for this model and some generalizations, considering fixed parameters. In order to incorporate individual characteristics of the animals, we now consider that the parameters α and β are Gaussian random variables varying from animal to animal, which results in SDE mixed models. We estimate parameters by maximum likelihood, but, since a closed-form expression for the likelihood function is usually not possible, we approximate it using our proposed delta approximation method. Using simulated data, we estimate the model parameters and compare them with existing methodologies, showing that the proposed method is a good alternative. It also overcomes the existing methodologies requirement of having all animals weighed at the same ages; thus, we apply it to real data, where such a requirement fails.
Corticosteroid-Induced Liver Injury in Adult-Onset Still’s Disease
Authors: Lee Chin-Chi , Peng Yi-Jen , Lu Chun-Chi , Chen Hsiang-Cheng , Yeh Fu-Chiang
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives: Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a rheumatic disease characterized by systemic inflammatory symptoms, including intermittent spiking fever, polyarthritis and a distinctive salmon-colored rash. Corticosteroids are the first-line treatment for AOSD. However, corticosteroids are potentially hepatotoxic in certain cases and may complicate the course of the disease. Materials and Methods: A 29-year-old female suffering from fever of unknown origin for two weeks was diagnosed with AOSD according to Yamaguchi’s criteria. She received corticosteroids as the first-line treatment for AOSD and developed acute severe hepatitis. A diagnostic protocol has been performed. Results: Corticosteroid-induced liver injury was confirmed by clinical observation and rechallenge of the drug in this case. The result of liver biopsy also supported the diagnosis. Mycophenolic acid, a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) was chosen as an alternative treatment. AOSD remission was achieved under this treatment after three months. Conclusions: Severe acute hepatitis induced by corticosteroids, although very rare, may be observed in patients with AOSD. Drug-induced liver injury needs to be kept in mind when unexpected acute hepatitis is found. Mycophenolic acid could be a proper substitute medication in these cases.
Direct Phosphoric Acid Leaching of Bauxite Residue for Selective Scandium Extraction
Authors: Tsakanika Lamprini-Areti , Panagiotatos George , Lymperopoulou Theopisti , Chatzitheodoridis Elias , Ochsenkühn Klaus , Ochsenkühn-Petropoulou Maria
Published: January 2022

Bauxite residue, the high alkaline and fine-grained byproduct of Bayer process for alumina’s production, is a material rich in numerous minerals and elements of high value and techno-economical interest in high tech applications such as rare earths, including scandium. Lately, the European Committee has characterized scandium as a critical element because of its risk supply chain. Scandium's high concentration in Greek bauxite residue classifies the waste as a candidate for low cost and high availability of the element, additionally improving its environmental fingerprint. For scandium recovery, hydrometallurgical treatment with inorganic acids is the most common, effective and simple method. In this study, the efficiency of phosphoric acid is investigated for scandium recovery by a direct leaching of bauxite residue without pretreatment. Multi leaching variables, such as acid molarity, solid/liquid ratio, process temperature and leaching time, were examined and optimized individually as well as in a comparative way aiming to scandium selective extraction (mainly with regard to iron) and process viability. A Sc selective recovery of 40% was obtained for phosphoric acid molarity 5 M, solid/liquid ratio 10%, leaching time, 60 min under ambient conditions with low iron leachability, no gel formation and no energy consumption.
Structural and Magnetic Properties of Yb0.5Ce0.5Ni5
Authors: Dzubinska Andrea , Giovannini Mauro , Rodríguez Fernández Jesús , Arun Kumar , Varga Rastislav , Reiffers Marian , Goméz Sal José Carlos
Published: January 2022

The rare-earth magnetism in the intermetallic compound Yb0.5Ce0.5Ni5 was studied using X-ray diffraction, magnetization, heat capacity, and electrical resistivity measurements. The effect of spin fluctuations (SF) was observed in M(T) at ~40 K. The measurement of thermal and transport properties supported the results obtained from magnetic measurements. Collected experimental data showed that Yb/Ce substitution shifts the maximum temperature for spin fluctuations to a lower temperature compared to that for pure CeNi5. Moreover, at low temperatures, an anomaly in the heat capacity of possible magnetic origin arising from Yb3+ was detected. Ce atoms seemed to remain in a non-magnetic valence state at almost 4+.
Modeling and Simulation of Metal Processing
Authors: Turner Richard
Published: January 2022

Metal-processing operations, including casting, forging, forming, rolling, drawing, welding, machining and cutting, have provided the backbone to heavy industry and, as such, have been some of the principal drivers in the industrialization and manufacture of metal components for hundreds of years [...]
Identification of Microorganisms Using an EWOD System
Authors: Su Jung-Cheng , Liu Yi-Ju , Yao Da-Jeng
Published: January 2022

Among the advantages of an electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) chip are its uncomplicated fabrication and low cost; one of its greatest strengths that might be applied in the field of biomedical technology is that it can accurately control volume and reduces the amount of samples and reagents. We present an EWOD for the biochemical identification of microorganisms, which is required to confirm the source of microbial contamination or quality inspection of product-added bacteria, etc. The traditional kit we used existed in the market; the detection results are judged by the pattern of color change after incubation. After a preliminary study, we confirmed that an image-processing tool (ImageJ) provides a suitable method of analysis, and that, when the concentration of the sugar reagent is 38 µg/µL, the best operating parameters for the EWOD chip in silicone oil are 40 V and 1.5 kHz. Additionally, we completed the biochemical identification of five bacterial species on the EWOD chip at the required concentration of the kit. Next, we found a decreased duration of reaction and that the least number of bacteria that were identifiable on the chip lies between 100 and 1000 CFU per droplet. Because the number of bacteria required on the chip is much smaller than for the kit, we tested whether a single colony can be used for identification, which provided a positive result. Finally, we designed an experimental flow to simulate an actual sample in an unclean environment, in which we divided the various processed samples into four groups to conduct experiments on the chip.
Embedded Machine Learning Using a Multi-Thread Algorithm on a Raspberry Pi Platform to Improve Prosthetic Hand Performance
Authors: Triwiyanto Triwiyanto , Caesarendra Wahyu , Purnomo Mauridhi Hery , Sułowicz Maciej , Wisana I Dewa Gede Hari , Titisari Dyah , Lamidi Lamidi , Rismayani Rismayani
Published: January 2022

High accuracy and a real-time system are priorities in the development of a prosthetic hand. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a real-time embedded time-domain feature extraction and machine learning on a system on chip (SoC) Raspberry platform using a multi-thread algorithm to operate a prosthetic hand device. The contribution of this study is that the implementation of the multi-thread in the pattern recognition improves the accuracy and decreases the computation time in the SoC. In this study, ten healthy volunteers were involved. The EMG signal was collected by using two dry electrodes placed on the wrist flexor and wrist extensor muscles. To reduce the complexity, four time-domain features were applied to extract the EMG signal. Furthermore, these features were used as the input of the machine learning. The machine learning evaluated in this study were k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), Naive Bayes (NB), decision tree (DT), and support vector machine (SVM). In the SoC implementation, the data acquisition, feature extraction, machine learning, and motor control process were implemented using a multi-thread algorithm. After the evaluation, the result showed that the pairing of the MAV feature and machine learning DT resulted in higher accuracy among other combinations (98.41%) with a computation time of ~1 ms. The implementation of the multi-thread algorithm in the pattern recognition system resulted in significant impact on the time processing.
Morphological Phenotypes, Cell Division, and Gene Expression of Escherichia coli under High Concentration of Sodium Sulfate
Authors: Nguyen Khanh , Kumar Pradeep
Published: January 2022

Sodium and sulfate ions are among the suggested abundant ions on Europa, a moon of Jupiter. In order to investigate the potential habitability of Europa, we study the effects of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) on a non-halophilic bacterium by subjecting Escherichia coli (E. coli) to a wide range of Na2SO4 concentrations (0–1.0 m). We discover that, as the concentration of sodium sulfate increases, the biomass doubling time increases and the cell growth is completely inhibited at 1.0 m Na2SO4. Furthermore, we find that E. coli exhibits three distinct morphological phenotypes—(i) shortened, (ii) normal, and (iii) elongated/filamented cells at 0.6 m and 0.8 m Na2SO4. We have examined the expression of different genes involved in sodium and sulfate transport (nhaA, nhaB, cysZ, sbp), osmotically driven transport of water (aqpZ), sulfate metabolism (cysN), fatty acid production (fabA), and a global transcriptional regulator (osmZ). Our results suggest that the expression of these genes is not affected significantly at high concentrations of sodium sulfate in the exponential growth phase. Using our experimental data and the existing data in the literature, we show that the osmotic pressure difference may play a major role in determining the growth inhibition of E. coli and B. subtilis at high concentrations of salt.
Fluoroquinolone Persistence in Escherichia coli Requires DNA Repair despite Differing between Starving Populations
Authors: Lemma Annabel S. , Soto-Echevarria Nashaly , Brynildsen Mark P.
Published: January 2022

When faced with nutritional deprivation, bacteria undergo a range of metabolic, regulatory, and biosynthetic changes. Those adjustments, which can be specific or independent of the missing nutrient, often alter bacterial tolerance to antibiotics. Here, using fluoroquinolones, we quantified Escherichia coli persister levels in cultures experiencing starvation from a lack of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), or magnesium (Mg2+). Interestingly, persister levels varied significantly based on the type of starvation as well as fluoroquinolone used with N-starved populations exhibiting the highest persistence to levofloxacin, and P-starved populations exhibiting the highest persistence to moxifloxacin. However, regardless of the type of starvation or fluoroquinolone used, DNA repair was required by persisters, with ∆recA and ∆recB uniformly exhibiting the lowest persistence of the mutants assayed. These results suggest that while the type of starvation and fluoroquinolone will modulate the level of persistence, the importance of homologous recombination is consistently observed, which provides further support for efforts to target homologous recombination for anti-persister purposes.
NHF as an Edge Detector of Potential Field Data and Its Application in the Yili Basin
Authors: Chen Tao , Zhang Guibin
Published: January 2022

Edge enhancement is a frequently used transformation of potential field data. Its goal is to sharpen the position of the subsurface structures. Here we propose a new method to enhance the edges of the sources causing the potential anomalies called normalized Harris filter (NHF), which is based on the Harris filter and amplitude balance. Three synthetic data sets are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. The presented approach provides a better estimation of the sources’ edges when compared to the other methods. The proposed method is robust to noisy data and can avoid the generation of artificial edges, thereby reducing the ambiguity of interpretation. The testing on real data set from the Yili basin in Northwestern China demonstrates that the new approach highlights several anomalies not shown in the geological map or other methods. The proposed approach also shows the advantages of gradually enhancing the edges of the deep-seated structure. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach may be a better detector in qualitatively determining the edges of sources causing potential field data.
Planktonic Biota Constituents Responses to Global Sea-Level Changes Recorded in the Uppermost Albian to Middle Cenomanian Deep-Water Facies of the Outer Carpathians
Authors: Górny Zbigniew , Bąk Marta , Bąk Krzysztof , Strzeboński Piotr
Published: January 2022

Interpretations of sea-level changes over geological time are mainly based on analyses of sediments deposited within stable platforms. One of the criteria for recognizing these changes is the composition of skeleton-bearing protists living in environments close to the shoreline and on the continental shelf. It can be assumed that the source of information about sea-level changes may also be found in assemblages of microfossils redeposited from the shelf to the marginal ocean basin. With such an assumption, this article presents an interpretation of changes in marine plankton communities (radiolarians and planktonic foraminifera), which during late Albian–middle Cenomanian were redeposited with carbonate mud by gravity currents from the peri-Tethyan shelf to the northern, marginal Silesian Basin of the Western Tethys. Planktonic biota identified in sediments deposited by gravity flows and those found in hemipelagic shales separating them, indicate that their composition may be correlated with eustatic changes in the sea level from the late Albian (KAl8) to middle Cenomanian (KCe3).
Deformation and Failure Mechanism of Weakly Cemented Mudstone under Tri-Axial Compression: From Laboratory Tests to Numerical Simulation
Authors: Yu Haijun , Liu Honglin , Hang Yinjian , Liu Jinhu , Ma Shuqi
Published: January 2022

The success of the water-preserved mining technology is closely related to the stability of the aquiclude and the aquifer, in particular, which is made of weakly cemented rock mas. This paper starts with the tri-axial compression tests on the mudstone specimens obtained from the Ili mining area, followed by the systematic numerical simulation via the Particle Flow Code (PFC) program, aiming at obtaining an in-depth understanding of the response of weakly cemented mudstone under tri-axial compression loading state. The main outcomes obtained from this research indicated that: (1) the behavior of weakly cemented mudstone is closely sensitive to the confining pressure. As the confining pressure increases, both the peak strength and plastic deformation capacity of weakly cemented mudstone will be enhanced; (2) the main feature of weakly cemented mudstone after tests is its centrosymmetric “Z” shape, mainly attributed to the progressive separation of the particle element of mudstone; (3) the behavior of weakly cemented mudstone either in terms of the axial stress-axial strain or the failure mode is sensitive to the confining pressure. If the applied confining pressure is lower than 5 MPa, the micro-cracks are in the form of the single shear band, whereas the tested specimens will tend from brittle shear to plastic shear associated with the “X” shear when the confining pressure is higher than 5 MPa; and (4) The failure of weakly cemented mudstone is mainly attributed to the continuous expansion and penetration of internal microcracks under compression. The brittle failure mode of weakly cemented mudstone tends to ductile failure with the increase of confining pressure. The main contribution of this research is believed to be beneficial in deepening the understanding of the mechanics of weakly cemented mudstone under tri-axial compression and providing the meaningful reference to the practical application of water-preserved mining in the Ili mining area.
Design, Synthesis and Molecular Docking Study of Novel 3-Phenyl-β-Alanine-Based Oxadiazole Analogues as Potent Carbonic Anhydrase II Inhibitors
Authors: Rafiq Kashif , Ur Rehman Najeeb , Halim Sobia Ahsan , Khan Majid , Khan Ajmal , Al-Harrasi Ahmed
Published: January 2022

Carbonic anhydrase-II (CA-II) is strongly related with gastric, glaucoma, tumors, malignant brain, renal and pancreatic carcinomas and is mainly involved in the regulation of the bicarbonate concentration in the eyes. With an aim to develop novel heterocyclic hybrids as potent enzyme inhibitors, we synthesized a series of twelve novel 3-phenyl-β-alanine 1,3,4-oxadiazole hybrids (4a–l), characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR with the support of HRESIMS, and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against CA-II. The CA-II inhibition results clearly indicated that the 3-phenyl-β-alanine 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives 4a–l exhibited selective inhibition against CA-II. All the compounds (except 4d) exhibited good to moderate CA-II inhibitory activities with IC50 value in range of 12.1 to 53.6 µM. Among all the compounds, 4a (12.1 ± 0.86 µM), 4c (13.8 ± 0.64 µM), 4b (19.1 ± 0.88 µM) and 4h (20.7 ± 1.13 µM) are the most active hybrids against carbonic CA-II. Moreover, molecular docking was performed to understand the putative binding mode of the active compounds. The docking results indicates that these compounds block the biological activity of CA-II by nicely fitting at the entrance of the active site of CA-II. These compounds specifically mediating hydrogen bonding with Thr199, Thr200, Gln92 of CA-II.
Hierarchically Assembled Plasmonic Metal-Dielectric-Metal Hybrid Nano-Architectures for High-Sensitivity SERS Detection
Authors: Pandey Puran , Seo Min-Kyu , Shin Ki Hoon , Lee Young-Woo , Sohn Jung Inn
Published: January 2022

In this work, we designed and prepared a hierarchically assembled 3D plasmonic metal-dielectric-metal (PMDM) hybrid nano-architecture for high-performance surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing. The fabrication of the PMDM hybrid nanostructure was achieved by the thermal evaporation of Au film followed by thermal dewetting and the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of the Al2O3 dielectric layer, which is crucial for creating numerous nanogaps between the core Au and the out-layered Au nanoparticles (NPs). The PMDM hybrid nanostructures exhibited strong SERS signals originating from highly enhanced electromagnetic (EM) hot spots at the 3 nm Al2O3 layer serving as the nanogap spacer, as confirmed by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation. The PMDM SERS substrate achieved an outstanding SERS performance, including a high sensitivity (enhancement factor, EF of 1.3 × 108 and low detection limit 10−11 M) and excellent reproducibility (relative standard deviation (RSD) < 7.5%) for rhodamine 6G (R6G). This study opens a promising route for constructing multilayered plasmonic structures with abundant EM hotspots for the highly sensitive, rapid, and reproducible detection of biomolecules.
Spectrally Selective Detection of Short Spin Waves in Magnetoplasmonic Nanostructures via the Magneto-Optical Intensity Effect
Authors: Borovkova Olga V. , Lutsenko Saveliy V. , Kozhaev Mikhail A. , Kalish Andrey N. , Belotelov Vladimir I.
Published: January 2022

A method of spectrally selective detection of short spin waves (or magnons) by means of the transverse magneto-optical (MO) intensity effect in transmission in the magnetoplasmonic nanostructure is proposed. We considered the spin waves with a wavelength equal to or less than (by an integer number of times) the period of the plasmonic structure, that is, of the order of hundreds of nanometers or 1–2 μm. The method is based on the analysis of the MO effect spectrum versus the modulation of the sample magnetization (created by the spin wave) and related spatial symmetry breaking in the magnetic layer. The spatial symmetry breaking leads to the appearance of the MO effect modulation at the normal incidence of light in the spectral range of the optical states (the SPP and the waveguide modes) and the breaking of the antisymmetry of the effect with respect to the sign of the incidence angle of light. We reveal that the magnitude of the MO effect varies periodically depending on the spatial shift of the spin wave with respect to the plasmonic grating. The period of this modulation is equal to the period of the spin wave. All these facts allow for the detection of spin waves of a certain wavelength propagating in a nanostructure by measuring the MO response.
Enhanced Electroluminescence via a Nanohybrid Material Consisting of Aromatic Ligand-Modified InP Quantum Dots and an Electron-Blocking Polymer as the Single Active Layer in Quantum Dot–LEDs
Authors: Choi Hyung-Seok , Janietz Silvia , Roddatis Vladimir , Geßner Andre , Wedel Armin , Kim Jiyong , Kim Yohan
Published: January 2022

Electron overcharge causes rapid luminescence quenching in the quantum dot (QD) emission layer in QD light–emitting diodes (QD–LEDs), resulting in low device performance. In this paper we describe the application of different aromatic thiol ligands and their influence on device performance as well as their behavior in combination with an electron blocking material (EBM). The three different ligands, 1–octanethiol (OcSH), thiophenol (TP), and phenylbutan–1–thiol (PBSH), were introduced on to InP/ZnSe/ZnS QDs referred to as QD–OcSH, QD–TP, and QD–PBSH. PBSH is in particular applied as a ligand to improve QD solubility and to enhance the charge transport properties synergistically with EBM probably via π–π interaction. We synthesized poly-[N,N-bis[4-(carbazolyl)phenyl]-4-vinylaniline] (PBCTA) and utilized it as an EBM to alleviate excess electrons in the active layer in QD–LEDs. The comparison of the three QD systems in an inverted device structure without the application of PBCTA as an EBM shows the highest efficiency for QD–PBSH. Moreover, when PBCTA is introduced as an EBM in the active layer in combination with QD–PBSH in a conventional device structure, the current efficiency shows a twofold increase compared to the reference device without EBM. These results strongly confirm the role of PBCTA as an EBM that effectively alleviates excess electrons in the active layer, leading to higher device efficiency.
Functional Nanoparticles with Magnetic 3D Covalent Organic Framework for the Specific Recognition and Separation of Bovine Serum Albumin
Authors: Bettada Lokesh , Tsai Hweiyan , Fuh C. Bor
Published: January 2022

Glutathione functionalized magnetic 3D covalent organic frameworks combined with molecularly imprinted polymer (magnetic 3D COF–GSH MIPs) were developed for the selective recognition and separation of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Ultrasonication was used to prepare magnetic 3D COFs with high porosity (~1 nm) and a large surface area (373 m2 g−1). The magnetic 3D COF–GSH MIP nanoparticles had an imprinting factor of 4.79, absorption capacity of 429 mg g−1, magnetic susceptibility of 32 emu g−1, and five adsorption–desorption cycles of stability. The proposed method has the advantages of a shorter equilibrium absorption time (1.5 h), higher magnetic susceptibility (32 emu g−1), and larger imprinting factor (4.79) compared with those reported from other studies. The magnetic 3D COF–GSH MIPs used with BSA had selectivity factors of 3.68, 2.76, and 3.30 for lysozyme, ovalbumin, and cytochrome C, respectively. The successful recognition and separation of BSA in a real sample analysis verified the capability of the magnetic 3D COF–GSH MIP nanoparticles.
Study of the Effect of Low-Intensity Sub- and Millimeter Waves on the Induction of Adaptation Reactions in Experimental Burn
Authors: Polyakova Alla Georgievna , Soloveva Anna Gennadievna , Peretyagin Petr Vladimirovich , Presnyakova Marina Vladimirovna , Vaks Vladimir , Kornaukhov Alexander Vasilyevich
Published: January 2022

Burns are an actual problem of modern medicine. Oxidative stress, microcirculation, and hemostasis disorders are important links in the pathogenesis of burn disease. It is shown that these processes are significantly influenced by the point effect of low-intensity (LI) electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of the millimeter (MM) and submillimeter (subMM) ranges. However, the final opinion on the advantages of a particular range has not been formed. We have given a comparative assessment of the results of the effects of various frequency-energy parameters of microwaves on the indicators of adaptive reactions in rats under experimental thermal trauma and viscoelastic properties of blood in the case of burn disease.
Intestinal and Mucosal Microbiome Response to Oral Challenge of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in Weaned Pigs
Authors: Peng Shan-Shan , Li Yingjie , Chen Qiuhong , Hu Qi , He Ying , Che Lianqiang , Jiang Ping-Ping
Published: January 2022

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is closely associated with diarrhoea in children in resource-limited countries. This study aims to investigate the change of the mucosal microbiome and protein expression in the ileum induced by E. coli K88 (ETEC) using pigs as a model. Seven weaned male pigs were orally given ETEC (1 × 109 CFU, n = 7), and the other seven received saline (CON, n = 7). Ileal tissues were obtained 48 hours after the ETEC challenge for both proteomic and mucosal microbiome analyses. Nine proteins were found with altered abundance between the two groups, including a decrease in FABP1 and FABP6, involved in bile acid circulation. The TLR-9 mediated pathway was also affected showing increased transcription of genes SIGIRR and MyD88. Correlations between the ileal proteins and mucosal bacterial taxa found included a positive correlation between Lactobacilllus and PPP3CA (r = 0.9, p < 0.001) and a negative correlation between Prevotella with CTNND1 (r = −0.7, p < 0.01). In conclusion, ETEC infection caused inflammation and impaired the circulation of bile acids and the mucosal microbiome may affect the expression of intestinal proteins. Further studies are needed to explain the exact roles of these affected processes in the pathogenesis of ETEC-triggered diarrhoea.
HIV-1 Accessory Proteins Impart a Modest Interferon Response and Upregulate Cell Cycle-Related Genes in Macrophages
Authors: Martins Laura J. , Szaniawski Matthew A. , Williams Elizabeth S. C. P. , Coiras Mayte , Hanley Timothy M. , Planelles Vicente
Published: January 2022

HIV-1 infection of myeloid cells is associated with the induction of an IFN response. How HIV-1 manipulates and subverts the IFN response is of key interest for the design of therapeutics to improve immune function and mitigate immune dysregulation in people living with HIV. HIV-1 accessory genes function to improve viral fitness by altering host pathways in ways that enable transmission to occur without interference from the immune response. We previously described changes in transcriptomes from HIV-1 infected and from IFN-stimulated macrophages and noted that transcription of IFN-regulated genes and genes related to cell cycle processes were upregulated during HIV-1 infection. In the present study, we sought to define the roles of individual viral accessory genes in upregulation of IFN-regulated and cell cycle-related genes using RNA sequencing. We observed that Vif induces a set of genes involved in mitotic processes and that these genes are potently downregulated upon stimulation with type-I and -II IFNs. Vpr also upregulated cell cycle-related genes and was largely responsible for inducing an attenuated IFN response. We note that the induced IFN response most closely resembled a type-III IFN response. Vpu and Nef-regulated smaller sets of genes whose transcriptomic signatures upon infection related to cytokine and chemokine processes. This work provides more insight regarding processes that are manipulated by HIV-1 accessory proteins at the transcriptional level.
Evolution of Acridines and Xanthenes as a Core Structure for the Development of Antileishmanial Agents
Authors: Silva Carlos F. M. , Pinto Diana C. G. A. , Fernandes Pedro A. , Silva Artur M. S.
Published: January 2022

Nowadays, leishmaniasis constitutes a public health issue in more than 88 countries, affecting mainly people from the tropics, subtropics, and the Mediterranean area. Every year, the prevalence of this infectious disease increases, with the appearance of 1.5–2 million new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis and 500,000 cases of visceral leishmaniasis, endangering approximately 350 million people worldwide. Therefore, the absence of a vaccine or effective treatment makes the discovery and development of new antileishmanial therapies one of the focuses for the scientific community that, in association with WHO, hopes to eradicate this disease shortly. This paper is intended to highlight the relevance of nitrogen- and oxygen-containing tricyclic heterocycles, particularly acridine and xanthene derivatives, for the development of treatments against leishmaniasis. Thus, in this review, a thorough compilation of the most promising antileishmanial acridine and xanthene derivatives is performed from both natural and synthetic origins. Additionally, some structure–activity relationship studies are also depicted and discussed to provide insight into the optimal structural features responsible for these compounds’ antileishmanial activity.
Effects of Salicornia-Based Skin Cream Application on Healthy Humans’ Experimental Model of Pain and Itching
Authors: Giordano Rocco , Aliotta Giulia Erica , Johannesen Anja Stokholm , Voetmann-Jensen Dina , Laustsen Frederikke Hillebrand , Andersen Lasse Allermann , Rezai Aman , Fredsgaard Malthe , Vecchio Silvia Lo , Arendt-Nielsen Lars , Thomsen Mette Hedegaard , Stensballe Allan
Published: January 2022

Halophyte plants are salt-tolerant and are acclimated for growth in saline soils such as along coastal areas. Among the halophytes, the Salicornia species have been used as both folk medicine and functional food for many years due to their high levels of bioactive compounds with supposed anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. However, the properties of Salicornia bioactive extracts on pain and itching still remain unclear. In this study, 30 healthy volunteers were randomized to treatments with 10% Salicornia-based cream or placebo cream for 24 or 48 h. On day 0, and 24 or 48 h post cream application, cold/heat detection and pain thresholds, mechanical pain thresholds and sensitivity, trans-epidermal water loss, histamine- and cowhage-evoked itch, and micro-vascular reactivity (neurogenic inflammation) were assessed to evaluate the analgesic, anti-pruritogenic and vasomotor effects. Skin permeability was reduced in the Salicornia-treated area for 48 h compared with 24 h application (p-value < 0.05). After 48 h of application, a decrease in mechanical-evoked itching (hyperkinesis) compared with 24 h treatment (p-value < 0.05) and increased warm detection and heat pain thresholds (p-value < 0.05) was found. Histamine-induced neurogenic inflammation showed a significant reduction in the cream-treated areas after 48 h compared with 24 h (p-value < 0.05). The results of this study indicate the overall inhibitory effect of Salicornia on hyperkinesis (mechanically evoked itch), the analgesic effect on thermal sensation, and modulation of the skin barrier architecture. Further studies are needed for the assessment of the long-term effects.
Development of Peptide Targeted PLGA-PEGylated Nanoparticles Loading Licochalcone-A for Ocular Inflammation
Authors: Galindo Ruth , Sánchez-López Elena , Gómara María José , Espina Marta , Ettcheto Miren , Cano Amanda , Haro Isabel , Camins Antoni , García María Luisa
Published: January 2022

Licochalcone-A is a natural compound with anti-inflammatory properties. However, it possesses low water solubility, making its application for the treatment of ocular inflammation difficult. To overcome this drawback, biodegradable nanoparticles incorporating Licochalcone-A have been developed. Additionally, to avoid fast clearance and increase cellular internalization into the ocular tissues, PLGA nanoparticles have been functionalized using PEG and cell penetrating peptides (Tet-1 and B6). To optimize the formulations, a factorial design was carried out and short-term stability of the nanoparticles was studied. Moreover, morphology was also observed by transmission electron microcopy and in vitro drug release was carried out. Ocular tolerance of the formulations was ensured in vitro and in vivo and anti-inflammatory therapeutic efficacy was also assessed. Surface functionalized nanoparticles loading Licochalcone-A were developed with an average size below 200 nm, a positive surface charge, and a monodisperse population. The formulations were non-irritant and showed a prolonged Licochalcone-A release. Despite the fact that both Licochalcone-A Tet-1 and B6 functionalized nanoparticles demonstrated to be suitable for the treatment of ocular inflammation, B6 targeted nanoparticles provided greater therapeutic efficacy in in vivo assays.
Identification and Functional Characterization of FLOWERING LOCUS T in Platycodon grandiflorus
Authors: Kim Gayeon , Rim Yeonggil , Cho Hyunwoo , Hyun Tae Kyung
Published: January 2022

Platycodon grandiflorus roots have been used as a foodstuff and traditional medicine for thousands of years in East Asia. In order to increase the root development of P. grandiflorus, cultivators removed the inflorescences, suggesting the possible negative effect of flowering on root development. This indicates that the genetic improvement of P. grandiflorus by late flowering is a potential approach to increase productivity. However, nothing is known about key genes integrating multiple flowering pathways in P. grandiflorus. In order to fill this gap, we identified potential homologs of the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene in P. grandiflorus. The alignment with other FT members and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the P. grandiflorus FT (PlgFT) protein contains highly conserved functional domains and belongs to the FT-like clade. The expression analysis revealed spatial variations in the transcription of PlgFT in different organs. In addition, the expression level of PlgFT was increased by high temperature but not by photoperiodic light input signals, presumably due to lacking the CONSTANS binding motif in its promoter region. Furthermore, PlgFT induced early flowering upon its overexpression in P. grandiflorus, suggesting the functional role of PlgFT in flowering. Taken together, we functionally characterized PlgFT as a master regulator of P. grandiflorus flowering under inductive high temperature, which will serve as an important target gene for improving the root productivity.