bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shock-Associated Systemic Inflammation in Amniotic Fluid Embolism, Complicated by Clinical Death
Authors: Brazhnikov Anatoly , Zotova Natalya , Solomatina Liliya , Sarapultsev Alexey , Spirin Alexey , Gusev Evgeni
Published: February 2023

Background: Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is one of the main causes of maternal mortality in developed countries. The most critical AFE variants may be considered from the perspective of systemic inflammation (SI), a general pathological process that includes high levels of systemic inflammatory response, neuroendocrine system distress, microthrombosis, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). This research work aimed to characterize the dynamics of super-acute SI using four clinical case studies of patients with critical AFE. Methods: In all the cases, we examined blood coagulation parameters, plasma levels of cortisol, troponin I, myoglobin, C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α, and calculated the integral scores. Results: All four patients revealed the characteristic signs of SI, including increased cytokine, myoglobin, and troponin I levels, changes in blood cortisol, and clinical manifestations of coagulopathy and MODS. At the same time, the cytokine plasma levels can be characterized not only as hypercytokinemia, and not even as a “cytokine storm”, but rather as a “cytokine catastrophe” (an increase of thousands and tens of thousands of times in proinflammatory cytokine levels). AFE pathogenesis involves rapid transition from the hyperergic shock phase, with its high levels of a systemic inflammatory response over to the hypoergic shock phase, characterized by the mismatch between low systemic inflammatory response values and the patient’s critical condition. In contrast to septic shock, in AFE there is a much more rapid succession of SI phases. Conclusion: AFE is one of the most compelling examples for studying the dynamics of super-acute SI.
Intracellular Delivery of Itaconate by Metal–Organic Framework-Anchored Hydrogel Microspheres for Osteoarthritis Therapy
Authors: Yu Han , Ren Peng , Pan Xuekang , Zhang Xinyu , Ma Jun , Chen Jiayi , Sheng Jian , Luo Huanhuan , Lu Huigen , Chen Gang
Published: February 2023

Treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) remains a significant clinical challenge. Itaconate (IA), an emerging regulator of intracellular inflammation and oxidative stress, may potentially be harnessed to treat OA. However, the short joint residence time, inefficient drug delivery, and cell-impermeable property of IA can seriously hamper the clinical translation. Herein, IA-encapsulated zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (IA-ZIF-8) nanoparticles were self-assembled by zinc ions, 2-methylimidazole, and IA to render them pH-responsive. Subsequently, IA-ZIF-8 nanoparticles were firmly immobilized in hydrogel microspheres via one-step microfluidic technology. It was demonstrated in vitro experiments that IA-ZIF-8-loaded hydrogel microspheres (IA-ZIF-8@HMs) exhibited good anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects by releasing pH-responsive nanoparticles into chondrocytes. Importantly, compared with IA-ZIF-8, IA-ZIF-8@HMs showed better performance in the treatment of OA due to their superior performance in sustained release. Thus, such hydrogel microspheres not only hold enormous potential for OA therapy, but also provide a novel avenue for cell-impermeable drugs by constructing appropriate drug delivery systems.
Sampling and Reconstruction Jointly Optimized Model Unfolding Network for Single-Pixel Imaging
Authors: Yan Qiurong , Xiong Xiancheng , Lei Ke , Zheng Yongjian , Wang Yuhao
Published: February 2023

In recent years, extensive research has shown that deep learning-based compressed image reconstruction algorithms can achieve faster and better high-quality reconstruction for single-pixel imaging, and that reconstruction quality can be further improved by joint optimization of sampling and reconstruction. However, these network-based models mostly adopt end-to-end learning, and their structures are not interpretable. In this paper, we propose SRMU-Net, a sampling and reconstruction jointly optimized model unfolding network. A fully connected layer or a large convolutional layer that simulates compressed reconstruction is added to the compressed reconstruction network, which is composed of multiple cascaded iterative shrinkage thresholding algorithm (ISTA) unfolding iteration blocks. To achieve joint optimization of sampling and reconstruction, a specially designed network structure is proposed so that the sampling matrix can be input into ISTA unfolding iteration blocks as a learnable parameter. We have shown that the proposed network outperforms the existing algorithms by extensive simulations and experiments.
Two-State Lasing in Microdisk Laser Diodes with Quantum Dot Active Region
Authors: Makhov Ivan , Ivanov Konstantin , Moiseev Eduard , Dragunova Anna , Fominykh Nikita , Shernyakov Yuri , Maximov Mikhail , Kryzhanovskaya Natalia , Zhukov Alexey
Published: February 2023

The two-state lasing phenomenon, which manifests itself in simultaneous laser emission through several optical transitions of quantum dots, is studied in microdisk diode lasers with different cavity diameters. The active region represents a multiply stacked array of self-organized InAs/InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots emitting in the wavelength range of 1.1–1.3 µm. Two-state lasing, which involves the ground-state and the first excited-state optical transitions, is observed in microdisks with cavity diameters of 20 to 28 µm, whereas two-state lasing via the first and the second excited-state optical transitions is observed in 9 µm microdisks. The threshold currents for one-state and two-state lasing are investigated as functions of the microdisk diameter. Optical loss in the microdisk lasers is evaluated by comparing the two-state lasing behavior of the microdisks with that of edge-emitting stripe lasers made of the same epitaxial wafer.
Handwritten Digits Recognition Based on a Parallel Optoelectronic Time-Delay Reservoir Computing System
Authors: Yue Dianzuo , Hou Yushuang , Hu Chunxia , Zang Cunru , Kou Yingzhe
Published: February 2023

In this work, the performance of an optoelectronic time-delay reservoir computing system for performing a handwritten digit recognition task is numerically investigated, and a scheme to improve the recognition speed using multiple parallel reservoirs is proposed. By comparing four image injection methods based on a single time-delay reservoir, we find that when injecting the histograms of oriented gradient (HOG) features of the digit image, the accuracy rate (AR) is relatively high and is less affected by the offset phase. To improve the recognition speed, we construct a parallel time-delay reservoir system including multi-reservoirs, where each reservoir processes part of the HOG features of one image. Based on 6 parallel reservoirs with each reservoir possessing 100 virtual nodes, the AR can reach about 97.8%, and the reservoir processing speed can reach about 1 × 106 digits per second. Meanwhile, the parallel reservoir system shows strong robustness to the parameter mismatch between multi-reservoirs.
Two New Methods in Stochastic Electrodynamics for Analyzing the Simple Harmonic Oscillator and Possible Extension to Hydrogen
Authors: Cole Daniel C.
Published: February 2023

The position probability density function is calculated for a classical electric dipole harmonic oscillator bathed in zero-point plus Planckian electromagnetic fields, as considered in the physical theory of stochastic electrodynamics (SED). The calculations are carried out via two new methods. They start from a general probability density expression involving the formal integration over all probabilistic values of the Fourier coefficients describing the stochastic radiation fields. The first approach explicitly carries out all these integrations; the second approach shows that this general probability density expression satisfies a partial differential equation that is readily solved. After carrying out these two fairly long analyses and contrasting them, some examples are provided for extending this approach to quantities other than position, such as the joint probability density distribution for positions at different times, and for position and momentum. This article concludes by discussing the application of this general probability density expression to a system of great interest in SED, namely, the classical model of hydrogen.
Biomonitoring of Airborne Microplastic Deposition in Semi-Natural and Rural Sites Using the Moss Hypnum cupressiforme
Authors: Capozzi Fiore , Sorrentino Maria Cristina , Cascone Eleonora , Iuliano Mauro , De Tommaso Gaetano , Granata Angelo , Giordano Simonetta , Spagnuolo Valeria
Published: February 2023

We show that the native moss Hypnum cupressiforme can be used as a biomonitor of atmospheric microplastics (MPs). The moss was collected in seven semi-natural and rural sites in Campania (southern Italy) and was analyzed for the presence of MPs, according to standard protocols. Moss samples from all sites accumulated MPs, with fibers representing the largest fraction of plastic debris. Higher numbers of MPs and longer fibers were recorded in moss samples from sites closer to urbanized areas, likely as the results of a continuous flux from sources. The MP size class distribution showed that small size classes characterized sites having a lower level of MP deposition and a high altitude above sea level.
A Novel LED Light Radiation Approach Enhances Growth in Green and Albino Tea Varieties
Authors: Zhang Xianchen , Chen Keyang , Zhao Ziyi , Li Siya , Li Yeyun
Published: February 2023

Light, as an energy source, has been proven to strongly affect photosynthesis and, thus, can regulate the yield and quality of tea leaves (Camellia sinensis L.). However, few comprehensive studies have investigated the synergistic effects of light wavelengths on tea growth and development in green and albino varieties. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate different ratios of red, blue and yellow light and their effects on tea plants’ growth and quality. In this study, Zhongcha108 (green variety) and Zhongbai4 (albino variety) were exposed to lights of different wavelengths for a photoperiod of 5 months under the following seven treatments: white light simulated from the solar spectrum, which served as the control, and L1 (red 75%, blue 15% and yellow 10%), L2 (red 60%, blue 30% and yellow 10%), L3 (red 45%, far-red light 15%, blue 30% and yellow 10%), L4 (red 55%, blue 25% and yellow 20%), L5 (red 45%, blue 45% and yellow 10%) and L6 (red 30%, blue 60% and yellow 10%), respectively. We examined how different ratios of red light, blue light and yellow light affected tea growth by investigating the photosynthesis response curve, chlorophyll content, leaf structure, growth parameters and quality. Our results showed that far-red light interacted with red, blue and yellow light (L3 treatments) and significantly promoted leaf photosynthesis by 48.51% in the green variety, Zhongcha108, compared with the control treatments, and the length of the new shoots, number of new leaves, internode length, new leaf area, new shoots biomass and leaf thickness increased by 70.43%, 32.64%, 25.97%, 15.61%, 76.39% and 13.30%, respectively. Additionally, the polyphenol in the green variety, Zhongcha108, was significantly increased by 15.6% compared to that of the plants subjected to the control treatment. In addition, for the albino variety Zhongbai4, the highest ratio of red light (L1 treatment) remarkably enhanced leaf photosynthesis by 50.48% compared with the plants under the control treatment, resulting in the greatest new shoot length, number of new leaves, internode length, new leaf area, new shoot biomass, leaf thickness and polyphenol in the albino variety, Zhongbai4, compared to those of the control treatments, which increased by 50.48%, 26.11%, 69.29%, 31.61%, 42.86% and 10.09%, respectively. Our study provided these new light modes to serve as a new agricultural method for the production of green and albino varieties.
Characterization, Antioxidant Potential, and Pharmacokinetics Properties of Phenolic Compounds from Native Australian Herbs and Fruits
Authors: Ali Akhtar , Cottrell Jeremy J. , Dunshea Frank R.
Published: February 2023

In recent decades, plant bioactive phenolic compounds gained much attention due to their various health benefits. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze native Australian river mint (Mentha australis), bush mint (Mentha satureioides), sea parsley (Apium prostratum), and bush tomatoes (Solanum centrale) for their bioactive metabolites, antioxidant potential, and pharmacokinetics properties. LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS was applied to elucidate these plants’ composition, identification, and quantification of phenolic metabolites. This study tentatively identified 123 phenolic compounds (thirty-five phenolic acids, sixty-seven flavonoids, seven lignans, three stilbenes, and eleven other compounds). Bush mint was identified with the highest total phenolic content (TPC—57.70 ± 4.57 mg GAE/g), while sea parsley contained the lowest total phenolic content (13.44 ± 0.39 mg GAE/g). Moreover, bush mint was also identified with the highest antioxidant potential compared to other herbs. Thirty-seven phenolic metabolites were semi-quantified, including rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, sagerinic acid, quinic acid, and caffeic acid, which were abundant in these selected plants. The most abundant compounds’ pharmacokinetics properties were also predicted. This study will develop further research to identify these plants’ nutraceutical and phytopharmaceutical potential.
Climatic Drivers of Silicon Accumulation in a Model Grass Operate in Low- but Not High-Silicon Soils
Authors: Johnson Scott N. , Vandegeer Rebecca K. , Borevitz Justin O. , Hartley Susan E. , Tissue David T. , Hall Casey R.
Published: February 2023

Grasses are hyper-accumulators of silicon (Si), which is known to alleviate diverse environmental stresses, prompting speculation that Si accumulation evolved in response to unfavourable climatic conditions, including seasonally arid environments. We conducted a common garden experiment using 57 accessions of the model grass Brachypodium distachyon, sourced from different Mediterranean locations, to test relationships between Si accumulation and 19 bioclimatic variables. Plants were grown in soil with either low or high (Si supplemented) levels of bioavailable Si. Si accumulation was negatively correlated with temperature variables (annual mean diurnal temperature range, temperature seasonality, annual temperature range) and precipitation seasonality. Si accumulation was positively correlated with precipitation variables (annual precipitation, precipitation of the driest month and quarter, and precipitation of the warmest quarter). These relationships, however, were only observed in low-Si soils and not in Si-supplemented soils. Our hypothesis that accessions of B. distachyon from seasonally arid conditions have higher Si accumulation was not supported. On the contrary, higher temperatures and lower precipitation regimes were associated with lower Si accumulation. These relationships were decoupled in high-Si soils. These exploratory results suggest that geographical origin and prevailing climatic conditions may play a role in predicting patterns of Si accumulation in grasses.
A Simple Method Using an Allometric Model to Quantify the Carbon Sequestration Capacity in Vineyards
Authors: Song Rui , Zhu Zongwen , Zhang Liang , Li Hua , Wang Hua
Published: February 2023

Winegrapes are an important component of agroecosystems. They are endowed with great potential to sequester and store carbon to slow down greenhouse gas emissions. Herein, the biomass of grapevines was determined, and the carbon storage and distribution features of vineyard ecosystems were correspondingly analyzed using an allometric model of winegrape organs. Then, the carbon sequestration of Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in the Helan Mountain East Region was quantified. It was found that the total carbon storage of grapevines increased with vine age. The amounts of the total carbon storage in the 5-year-old, 10-year-old, 15-year-old, and 20-year-old vineyards were 50.22 t·ha−1, 56.73 t·ha−1, 59.10 t·ha−1, and 61.06 t·ha−1, respectively. The soil held the majority of the carbon storage, which was concentrated in the top and subsurface layers (0–40 cm) of the soil. Moreover, the biomass carbon storage was mainly distributed in the perennial organs (perennial branches and roots). In young vines, carbon sequestration increased each year; however, the increased rate in carbon sequestration decreased with winegrape growth. The results indicated that vineyards have a net carbon sequestration capacity, and within certain years, the age of grapevines was found to be positively correlated with the amount of carbon sequestration. Overall, the present study provided accurate estimations of the biomass carbon storage in grapevines using the allometric model, which may help vineyards become recognized as important carbon sinks. Additionally, this research can also be used as a basis for figuring out the ecological value of vineyards on a regional scale.
New Records of Ditylenchus Species from Southern Alberta, Canada
Authors: Munawar Maria , Rahman Atta Ur , Castillo Pablo , Yevtushenko Dmytro P.
Published: February 2023

The presence of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) in cultivated areas is a limiting factor in achieving marketable crop yield. To control and alleviate the effects of these nematodes and determine appropriate management strategies, species-level identification is crucial. Therefore, we conducted a nematode diversity survey, which resulted in the detection of four Ditylenchus species in cultivated areas of southern Alberta, Canada. The recovered species had six lines in the lateral field, delicate stylets (>10 µm long), distinct postvulval uterine sacs, and pointed to rounded tail tips. The morphological and molecular characterization of these nematodes revealed their identity as D. anchilisposomus, D. clarus, D. tenuidens and D. valveus, all of which are members of the D. triformis group. All of the identified species were found to be new records in Canada except for D. valveus. Accurate Ditylenchus species identification is crucial because false-positive identification can result in the implementation of quarantine measures over the detected area. Our current study not only documented the presence of Ditylenchus species from southern Alberta, but also described their morpho-molecular characteristics and subsequent phylogenetic relationships with related species. The results of our study will aid in the decision on whether these species should become a part of nematode management programs since nontarget species can become pests due to changes in cropping patterns or climate.
Electrospun PLA-Based Biomaterials Loaded with Melissa officinalis Extract with Strong Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Stoyanova Nikoleta , Spasova Mariya , Manolova Nevena , Rashkov Iliya , Kamenova-Nacheva Mariana , Staleva Plamena , Tavlinova-Kirilova Maya
Published: February 2023

In the present study, the plant extract Melissa officinalis (M. officinalis) was successfully loaded in polymer fibrous materials on the basis of a biodegradable polyester–poly(L-lactide) (PLA) and biocompatible polyether–polyethylene glycol (PEG) by applying the electrospinning method. The optimal process conditions for the preparation of hybrid fibrous materials were found. The extract concentration was varied—0, 5 or 10 wt% in respect of the polymer weight, in order to study its influence on the morphology and the physico-chemical properties of the obtained electrospun materials. All the prepared fibrous mats were composed of defect-free fibers. The mean fiber diameters of the PLA, PLA/M. officinalis (5 wt%) and PLA/M. officinalis (10 wt%) were 1370 ± 220 nm, 1398 ± 233 nm and 1506 ± 242 nm, respectively. The incorporation of the M. officinalis into the fibers resulted in slight increase of the fiber diameters and in increase of the water contact angle values to 133°. The presence of the polyether in the fabricated fibrous material assisted the wetting of the materials imparting them with hydrophilicity (the value of the water contact angle become 0°). Extract-containing fibrous materials displayed strong antioxidant activity as determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate free radical method. The DPPH solution color changed to yellow and the absorbance of the DPPH radical dropped by 88.7% and 91% after being in contact with PLA/M. officinalis and PLA/PEG/M. officinalis mats, respectively. These features revealed the M. officinalis—containing fibrous biomaterials promising candidates for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and biomedical use.
Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams from Kraft Lignin with Improved Fire Resistance
Authors: Vieira Fernanda R. , Gama Nuno V. , Evtuguin Dmitry V. , Amorim Carlos O. , Amaral Vitor S. , Pinto Paula C. O. R. , Barros-Timmons Ana
Published: February 2023

Rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) were synthesized using exclusively lignin-based polyol (LBP) obtained via the oxyalkylation of kraft lignin with propylene carbonate (PC). Using the design of experiments methodology combined with statistical analysis, the formulations were optimized to obtain a bio-based RPUF with low thermal conductivity and low apparent density to be used as a lightweight insulating material. The thermo-mechanical properties of the ensuing foams were compared with those of a commercial RPUF and a RPUF (RPUF-conv) produced using a conventional polyol. The bio-based RPUF obtained using the optimized formulation exhibited low thermal conductivity (0.0289 W/m·K), low density (33.2 kg/m3), and reasonable cell morphology. Although the bio-based RPUF has slightly lower thermo-oxidative stability and mechanical properties than RPUF-conv, it is still suitable for thermal insulation applications. In addition, the fire resistance of this bio-based foam has been improved, with its average heat release rate (HRR) reduced by 18.5% and its burn time extended by 25% compared to RPUF-conv. Overall, this bio-based RPUF has shown potential to replace petroleum-based RPUF as an insulating material. This is the first report regarding the use of 100% unpurified LBP obtained via the oxyalkylation of LignoBoost kraft lignin in the production of RPUFs.
Polyphenol Iongel Patches with Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Authors: Luque Gisela C. , Moya Melissa , Picchio Matias L. , Bagnarello Vanessa , Valerio Idalia , Bolaños José , Vethencourt María , Gamboa Sue-Hellen , Tomé Liliana C. , Minari Roque J. , Mecerreyes David
Published: February 2023

There is an actual need for developing materials for wound healing applications with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or antibacterial properties in order to improve the healing performance. In this work, we report the preparation and characterization of soft and bioactive iongel materials for patches, based on polymeric poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and four ionic liquids containing the cholinium cation and different phenolic acid anions, namely cholinium salicylate ([Ch][Sal]), cholinium gallate ([Ch][Ga]), cholinium vanillate ([Ch][Van]), and cholinium caffeate ([Ch][Caff]). Within the iongels, the phenolic motif in the ionic liquids plays a dual role, acting as a PVA crosslinker and a bioactive compound. The obtained iongels are flexible, elastic, ionic conducting, and thermoreversible materials. Moreover, the iongels demonstrated high biocompatibility, non-hemolytic activity, and non-agglutination in mice blood, which are key-sought material specifications in wound healing applications. All the iongels have shown antibacterial properties, being PVA-[Ch][Sal], the one with higher inhibition halo for Escherichia Coli. The iongels also revealed high values of antioxidant activity due to the presence of the polyphenol, with the PVA-[Ch][Van] iongel having the highest activity. Finally, the iongels show a decrease in NO production in LPS-stimulated macrophages, with the PVA-[Ch][Sal] iongel displaying the best anti-inflammatory activity (>63% at 200 µg/mL).
Effect of Electrospun PLGA/Collagen Scaffolds on Cell Adhesion, Viability, and Collagen Release: Potential Applications in Tissue Engineering
Authors: Guzmán-Soria Aldo , Moreno-Serna Viviana , Canales Daniel A. , García-Herrera Claudio , Zapata Paula A. , Orihuela Pedro A.
Published: February 2023

The development of scaffolding obtained by electrospinning is widely used in tissue engineering due to porous and fibrous structures that can mimic the extracellular matrix. In this study, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/collagen fibers were fabricated by electrospinning method and then evaluated in the cell adhesion and viability of human cervical carcinoma HeLa and NIH-3T3 fibroblast for potential application in tissue regeneration. Additionally, collagen release was assessed in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts. The fibrillar morphology of PLGA/collagen fibers was verified by scanning electron microscopy. The fiber diameter decreased in the fibers (PLGA/collagen) up to 0.6 µm. FT-IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis confirmed that both the electrospinning process and the blend with PLGA give structural stability to collagen. Incorporating collagen in the PLGA matrix promotes an increase in the material’s rigidity, showing an increase in the elastic modulus (38%) and tensile strength (70%) compared to pure PLGA. PLGA and PLGA/collagen fibers were found to provide a suitable environment for the adhesion and growth of HeLa and NIH-3T3 cell lines as well as stimulate collagen release. We conclude that these scaffolds could be very effective as biocompatible materials for extracellular matrix regeneration, suggesting their potential applications in tissue bioengineering.
Electrospun NiPd Nanoparticles Supported on Polymer Membrane Nanofibers as an Efficient Catalyst for NaBH4 Dehydrogenation
Authors: Zouli Nasser , Maafa Ibrahim M. , Abutaleb Ahmed , Yousef Ayman , El-Halwany M. M.
Published: February 2023

Sodium borohydride (SBH) hydrolysis in the presence of cheap and efficient catalysts has been proposed as a safe and efficient method for generating clean hydrogen energy for use in portable applications. In this work, we synthesized bimetallic NiPd nanoparticles (NPs) supported on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) nanofibers (PVDF-HFP NFs) via the electrospinning approach and reported an in-situ reduction procedure of the NPs being prepared by alloying Ni and Pd with varying Pd percentages. The physicochemical characterization provided evidence for the development of a NiPd@PVDF-HFP NFs membrane. The bimetallic hybrid NF membranes exhibited higher H2 production as compared to Ni@PVDF-HFP and Pd@PVDF-HFP counterparts. This may be due to the synergistic effect of binary components. The bimetallic Ni1−xPdx(x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3)@PVDF-HFP nanofiber membranes exhibit composition-dependent catalysis, in which Ni75Pd25@PVDF-HFP NF membranes demonstrate the best catalytic activity. The full H2 generation volumes (118 mL) were obtained at a temperature of 298 K and times 16, 22, 34 and 42 min for 250, 200, 150, and 100 mg dosages of Ni75Pd25@PVDF-HFP, respectively, in the presence of 1 mmol SBH. Hydrolysis utilizing Ni75Pd25@PVDF-HFP was shown to be first order with respect to Ni75Pd25@PVDF-HFP amount and zero order with respect to the [NaBH4] in a kinetics study. The reaction time of H2 production was reduced as the reaction temperature increased, with 118 mL of H2 being produced in 14, 20, 32 and 42 min at 328, 318, 308 and 298 K, respectively. The values of the three thermodynamic parameters, activation energy, enthalpy, and entropy, were determined toward being 31.43 kJ mol−1, 28.82 kJ mol−1, and 0.057 kJ mol−1 K−1, respectively. It is simple to separate and reuse the synthesized membrane, which facilitates their implementation in H2 energy systems.
Antimicrobial Dilution Susceptibility Testing of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae According to CLSI Document VET06 Reveals High Resistance against Penicillin G, Erythromycin and Enrofloxacin
Authors: Hess Claudia , Bilic Ivana , Jandreski-Cvetkovic Delfina , Hess Michael
Published: February 2023

Erysipelas is a re-emerging disease in different poultry species. Antibiotic treatment is crucial to combat outbreaks in poultry flocks, but only very limited data on susceptibility are available. Recently, the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute established standardized guidelines and minimal inhibitory concentration breakpoints for E. rhusiopathiae when using the broth microdilution method. In the present investigation, these guidelines were applied to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of 30 E. rhusiopathiae isolates derived from field outbreaks in poultry flocks towards penicillins, macrolides, lincosamides and fluoroquinolones. All isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. The majority of isolates belonged to two serovars, 1b and 5. More than 40% of the isolates proved resistant to penicillin G, with values ranging from 0.25 to 8 µg/mL. Furthermore, the majority of isolates were found resistant to erythromycin (76.7%; MIC 2–4 µg/mL) and enrofloxacin (60.0%; MIC ≥ 2 µg/mL), altogether limiting treatment options. In contrast, most of the isolates proved susceptible to ampicillin and ceftiofur with MICs ≤ 0.25 µg/mL and ≤2 µg/mL, respectively. A great variety of antimicrobial resistance patterns was found, and multidrug resistance was detected in one-third of the isolates. The presented data are helpful to raise awareness for the antimicrobial resistance of a zoonotic pathogen in context of the One Health concept.
Individual and Combined Effects of a Direct-Fed Microbial and Calcium Butyrate on Growth Performance, Intestinal Histology and Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens
Authors: Adhikari Bishnu , Myers Alyson G. , Ruan Chuanmin , Kwon Young Min , Rochell Samuel J.
Published: February 2023

This study evaluated the effects of a Bacillus direct-fed microbial and microencapsulated calcium butyrate fed individually and in combination, as compared to an antibiotic growth promoter, on growth performance, processing characteristics, intestinal morphology, and intestinal microbiota of Ross 708 broilers reared from 0 to 47 d post-hatch. Dietary treatments included: (1) a negative control with no antimicrobial (NC), (2) a positive control diet containing bacitracin methylene disalicylate (PC), (3) a diet containing a Bacillus direct-fed microbial (CS), (4) a diet containing microencapsulated calcium butyrate (BP), and (5) a diet containing both CS and BP. Treatments were replicated with 10 pens of 20 birds each. From 0 to 15 d post-hatch, the FCR of broilers fed the PC, CS, BP, and CS + BP diets were lower (p < 0.05) than those fed the NC diet, but treatment effects (p > 0.05) were not observed on subsequent performance. BP supplementation improved (p < 0.05) total breast meat weight and yield at processing. Intestinal histology was not influenced (p > 0.05) by the treatment. Analysis of the jejunal microbiota collected at 15 d post-hatch revealed that the genus SMB53 was significantly lower for the CS group, and Sporanaerobacter was lower in the CS and CS + BP groups compared with the NC (p < 0.05). The jejunal microbiota from broilers in the CS + BP group had higher (p < 0.05) alpha and beta diversities compared with broilers fed the NC and CS diets. The results reflected synergistic effects between CS and BP in modulating the jejunal microbiota at 15 d that may have been related to enhanced feed efficiency (i.e., lower FCR) observed during this period.
Application of Electric Field Technologies in the Manufacture of Food Powders and the Retention of Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Chutani Doll , Huppertz Thom , Murphy Eoin
Published: February 2023

Electric fields have been used in the manufacturing of powders in a number of ways, including to enhance drying rates and retain heat-sensitive materials. Electrohydrodynamic drying and electrostatic spray drying use electric fields to accelerate the evaporation of liquid from a surface, resulting in faster drying times and improved product quality. These technologies are used in the food and pharmaceutical industries to manufacture powders from liquid feed materials. In addition to enhancing drying rates, the use of electric fields in powder manufacturing can also help to retain the bioactivity of compounds in the final product. Many bioactive compounds are sensitive to heat and can be degraded or destroyed during conventional drying processes. By using electric fields to dry powders, it is possible to reduce the amount of heat applied and therefore preserve the bioactive compounds in the final product. This article reviews the different mechanisms of various electric field assisted technologies, i.e., electrohydrodynamic atomization, electrohydrodynamic drying, pulsed electric fields and a new approach of electrostatic spray drying, along with their potential food industry applications.
Monitoring of Paddy and Maize Fields Using Sentinel-1 SAR Data and NGB Images: A Case Study in Papua, Indonesia
Authors: Letsoin Sri Murniani Angelina , Purwestri Ratna Chrismiari , Perdana Mayang Christy , Hnizdil Petr , Herak David
Published: February 2023

This study addresses the question of how to evaluate the growth stage of food crops, for instance, paddy (Oryza sativa) and maize (Zea mays), from two different sensors in selected developed areas of Papua Province of Indonesia. Level-1 Ground Range Detected (L1 GRD) images from Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data were used to investigate the growth of paddy and maize crops. An NGB camera was then used to obtain the Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI), and the Enhanced Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (ENDVI) as in situ measurement. Afterwards, the results were analyzed based on the Radar Vegetation Index (RVI) and the Vertical-Vertical (VV) and Vertical Horizontal (VH) band backscatters at incidence angles of 30.55°–45.88°, and 30.59°–46.16° in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The findings showed that Sigma0_VV_db and sigma0_VH_db had a strong correlation (R2 above 0.900); however, polarization modification is required, specifically in the maize field. The RVI calculated and backscatter changes in this study were comparable to the in situ measurements, specifically those of paddy fields, in 2022. Even though the results of this study were not able to prove the RVI values from the two relative orbits (orbit31 and orbit155) due to the different angle incidences and the availability of the Sentinel-1 SAR data set over the study area, the division of SAR image data based on each relative orbit adequately represents the development of crops in our study areas. The significance of this study is expected to support food crop security and the implementation of development plans that contribute to the local government’s goals and settings.
Optimization and Performance Evaluation of Foam Acid Systems for Plugging Removal in Low Pressure Oil and Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Kong Xiangwei , Liu Bing , Xu Hongxing , Shen Jianwen , Li Song
Published: February 2023

Foam acidization has unique advantages such as low damage, low filtration, low friction, high efficiency, excellent retardation, and fast liquid discharge rate, which is suitable for stimulation and reconstruction of low-pressure oil and gas reservoirs that have been developed over many years. It is obtained that the main chemical components of downhole plugging materials include vegetable oil, fatty acids and their esters, silicone oil, amide polymers, and additional organic components, as well as non-organic components, elemental sulfur, ferrous sulfide, iron disulfide, silicon dioxide, mineral salts, etc. The performance of foam acid was investigated by experiments, including the effective range of action of active acids, reducing filtration, increasing temperature resistance and high-temperature stability of foam acid deep wells. The new foam acid system is developed and optimized to suitable for low-pressure deep well acidification operations. Experimental evaluation optimized the acid foaming agent and foam stabilizer and developed a new foam acid formulation with foam stability, filter loss reduction, temperature resistance, and easy backflow performance. The experimental condition is that the temperature is 90 °C, the foam quality can reach more than 70% when mixed for more than 30 s, the average half-life is 38.75 min, and the liquid separation rate is 19.90 s/mL. Its suspension is better than that of conventional hydrochloric acid, its corrosion rate is 1.872 g/m2·h, and the flowback rate of foam acid residue reaches 97%. Experimental evaluation has shown that the developed foam acid features high surface activity, stable foam, strong temperature resistance, significant speed and corrosion suppression, and excellent drainage assist performance. Dynamical simulation evaluation of reservoir core foam acidification demonstrated that the foam features long-life, strong suspension capacity, excellent rheology, low filtration, and significant acidization and plug removal effects, and can be used in stimulating the medium-deep, high-temperature, and low-pressure oil and gas reservoirs.
Volcanic Ash from the Island of La Palma, Spain: An Experimental Study to Establish Their Properties as Pozzolans
Authors: Presa Leticia , Rosado Santiago , Peña Christian , Martín Domingo Alfonso , Costafreda Jorge Luis , Astudillo Beatriz , Parra José Luis
Published: February 2023

The eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on 19 September 2021, resulted in the deposition of large quantities of volcanic ash (VA), causing a great impact on the citizens. This work aims to study the properties of this volcanic ash as pozzolanic raw materials to establish their potential use in the development of sustainable cement. Results of chemical and technical characterization are presented. To achieve this goal, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) was replaced with standardized percentages of OPC/VA: 10, 25, and 40%. Characterization studies were carried out using chemical analysis of X-ray fluorescence (XRF), chemical quality analysis (QCA), pozzolanicity test (PT) at 8 and 15 days, as well as determining the mechanical strength (MS) at 7, 28, and 90 days. The results obtained by XRF and QCA established that the chemical composition of the VA corresponds to that of the natural pozzolan typical of pyroclastic genesis. The PT test showed that the analyzed samples have a marked pozzolanic nature, both at 8 and 15 days, showing a significant increase in their hydraulic reactivity. Likewise, the MS tests confirmed a continuous increase in mechanical compressive strength, which increased significantly from 7 to 90 days of curing, reaching more than 58 MPa. On the other hand, mechanical tests showed that the three types of dosages used OPC/VA: 10, 25, and 40% were equally effective, with OPC/VA formulations: 10–25% being the most effective. The results obtained in this research could be used by local industries as a guide for the correct use of the volcanic materials of this island, both for the manufacture of construction materials, such as aggregates, and to produce pozzolanic cement with low CO2 emissions, thus having a positive impact on the environment. Finally, the great natural availability of natural VAs in the surrounding areas of La Palma could cover part of the needs for materials used in the construction and restoration of houses and infrastructures damaged during the volcanic eruption.
Morton’s Extension on Hallux Rigidus Pathology
Authors: Sánchez-Gómez Rubén , López-Alcorocho Juan Manuel , Núñez-Fernández Almudena , González Fernández María Luz , Martínez-Sebastián Carlos , Ortuño-Soriano Ismael , Zaragoza-García Ignacio , Gómez-Carrión Álvaro
Published: February 2023

Study design, case-control study: Background, Morton’s extension (ME) is a kind of orthotic that has been used as a conservative treatment of painful hallux rigidus (HR) osteoarthritis, but only their effects on first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) mobility and position in healthy subjects have been studied, but not on its applied pulled tension forces neither in subjects with HR. Objectives: This study sought to understand how ME’s orthotics with three different thicknesses could influence the kinematic first MPJ by measuring hallux dorsiflexion using Jack’s test and a digital algometer with a rigid strip anchored to the iron hook’s extremity and comparing subjects with healthy first MPJ mobility to those with HR. We aimed to clarify whether tension values were different between healthy and HR subjects. Methods: Fifty-eight subjects were selected, of whom thirty were included in the case group according to HR criteria and twenty-eight were included in the control group. A digital algometer (FPX®® 25, Wagner Instruments®®, Greenwich, CT, USA) was used to assess the pulled tension values (kgf) of the first MPJ during Jack’s test. Results: The pulled tension values were highly reliable (ICC > 0.963). There were no statistically significant differences between the pulled tension values for the different ME conditions in the case (p = 0.969) or control (p = 0.718) groups. However, as it’s expected, there were statistically significant differences comparing all pulled tension values between case and control group subjects (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Different ME’s thicknesses had no influence on the pulled effort applied during the dorsiflexion Jack’s test between the healthy and HR groups; therefore, it can be prescribed without joint-care danger. In addition, it is proven that there is greater resistance to performing Jack’s test in the HR group than in the healthy group, regardless of ME’s orthotics. Furthermore, it is shown that the digital algometer device is a valid tool to detect the first MPJ restriction and is more reliable than other tests.
Automatic Segmentation of Water Bodies Using RGB Data: A Physically Based Approach
Authors: García Matías , Alcayaga Hernán , Pizarro Alonso
Published: February 2023

A novel method is proposed to automatically segment water extent using optical data. The key features of this approach are (i) the development of a simple physically based model that utilises only RGB data for water extent segmentation; (ii) the achievement of high accuracy in the results, particularly in the estimation of water surface area and perimeter; (iii) the avoidance of any data training process; (iv) the requirement of minimal computational resources; and (v) the release of an open-source software package that provides both command-line codes and a user-friendly graphical interface, making it accessible for various applications, research, and educational purposes. The physically based model integrates reflectance of the water surface with spectral and quantum interpretation of light. The algorithm was tested on 27 rivers and compared to manually-based delimitation, with a resulting robust segmentation procedure. Quantified errors were RMSE = 11.91 (m2) for surface area, RMSE = 12.25 (m) for perimeter, and RMSE in x: 52 (px), RMSE in y: 93 (px) for centroid location. Processing time was faster for automatic segmentation than manual delimitation, with a time reduction of 40% (case-by-case analysis) and 65% (using all case studies together in one run). Shadows, light spots, and natural and non-natural elements in the field of view may affect the accuracy of results.
Improved Estimation of the Gross Primary Production of Europe by Considering the Spatial and Temporal Changes in Photosynthetic Capacity from 2001 to 2016
Authors: Wu Qiaoli , Chen Shaoyuan , Zhang Yulong , Song Conghe , Ju Weimin , Wang Li , Jiang Jie
Published: February 2023

The value of leaf photosynthetic capacity (Vcmax) varies with time and space, but state-of-the-art terrestrial biosphere models rarely include such Vcmax variability, hindering the accuracy of carbon cycle estimations on a large scale. In particular, while the European terrestrial ecosystem is particularly sensitive to climate change, current estimates of gross primary production (GPP) in Europe are subject to significant uncertainties (2.5 to 8.7 Pg C yr−1). This study applied a process-based Farquhar GPP model (FGM) to improve GPP estimation by introducing a spatially and temporally explicit Vcmax derived from the satellite-based leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) on two scales: across multiple eddy covariance tower sites and on the regional scale. Across the 19 EuroFLUX sites selected for independent model validation based on 9 plant functional types (PFTs), relative to the biome-specific Vcmax, the inclusion of the LCC-derived Vcmax improved the model estimates of GPP, with the coefficient of determination (R2) increased by 23% and the root mean square error (RMSE) decreased by 25%. Vcmax values are typically parameterized with PFT-specific Vcmax calibrated from flux tower observations or empirical Vcmax based on the TRY database (which includes 723 data points derived from Vcmax field measurements). On the regional scale, compared with GPP, using the LCC-derived Vcmax, the conventional method of fixing Vcmax using the calibrated Vcmax or TRY-based Vcmax overestimated the annual GPP of Europe by 0.5 to 2.9 Pg C yr−1 or 5 to 31% and overestimated the interannually increasing GPP trend by 0.007 to 0.01 Pg C yr−2 or 14 to 20%, respectively. The spatial pattern and interannual change trend of the European GPP estimated by the improved FGM showed general consistency with the existing studies, while our estimates indicated that the European terrestrial ecosystem (including part of Russia) had higher carbon assimilation potential (9.4 Pg C yr−1). Our study highlighted the urgent need to develop spatially and temporally consistent Vcmax products with a high accuracy so as to reduce uncertainties in global carbon modeling and improve our understanding of how terrestrial ecosystems respond to climate change.
Monitoring Displacements and Damage Detection through Satellite MT-InSAR Techniques: A New Methodology and Application to a Case Study in Rome (Italy)
Authors: Bonaldo Gianmarco , Caprino Amedeo , Lorenzoni Filippo , da Porto Francesca
Published: February 2023

Satellite interferometry has recently developed as a powerful tool for monitoring displacements on structures for structural health monitoring (SHM), as it allows obtaining information on past deformation and performing back analysis on structural behavior. Despite the increasing literature on this subject, the lack of protocols for applying and interpreting interferometric data for structural assessment prevents these techniques from being employed alongside conventional SHM. This paper proposes a methodology for exploiting satellite interferometric data aiming at remotely detecting displacements and buildings’ criticalities at different levels of analysis, i.e., urban scale and single-building scale. Moreover, this research exploits the capability of satellite monitoring for damage diagnosis, comparing the millimeter scale displacements to information derived from on-site inspections. Different data-driven algorithms were applied to detect seasonal and irreversible components of displacements, such as statistical models for damage identification derived from traditional on-site monitoring. Thus, the proposed methodology was applied to a XVI-century case study located in the city center of Rome (Italy), Palazzo Primoli, and two stocks of COSMO-SkyMed (CSK) images processed through the Small BAseline Subset Differential Interferometry (SBAS-DInSAR) technique were used to assess displacements for an eight-year-long (between 2011 and 2019) monitoring period.