bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular Disorder after Cardiotoxic Non-Hodking’s Lymphoma Treatment: A Case Report
Authors: Žaliaduonytė Diana , Kleinauskienė Rita , Muckienė Gintarė , Zabiela Vytautas
Published: March 2022

The non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas are a diverse group of lymphoid neoplasms that collectively rank fifth in cancer incidence and mortality. Patients treated with mediastinal radiotherapy and/or anthracycline-containing chemotherapy are known to have increased risks of coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, and heart failure. This may be the result of cancer treatment cardiotoxicity or may be due to accelerated development of cardiovascular disease. We presented 41-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital because of congestive heart failure. He has a medical history of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy and mediastinal radiotherapy almost 20 years ago. Echocardiography showed significant aortic valve stenosis, thickened and fibrotic pericardium. Coronary angiography showed diffuse three-vessel coronary artery disease. The patient was referred for surgical treatment. Aortic valve replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting and pericardiectomy were successfully performed, symptoms of heart failure reduced.
Usefulness of Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Combined with Indirect Decompression for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nikaido Takuya , Konno Shin-ichi
Published: March 2022

Background and Objective: The aim of this review was to analyze the existing literature and investigate the outcomes or complications of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) combined with indirect decompression for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DS). Materials and Methods: A database search algorithm was used to query MEDLINE, COCHRANE, and EMBASE to identify the literature reporting LLIF with indirect decompression for DS between January 2010 and December 2021. Improvements in outcome measures and complication rates were pooled and tested for significance. Results: A total of 412 publications were assessed, and 12 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria after full review. The pooled data available in the included studies showed that 438 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis (mean age 65.2 years; mean body mass index (BMI) 38.1 kg/m2) underwent LLIF. A total of 546 disc spaces were operated on. The most frequently treated levels were L4–L5 and L3–L4. Clinically, the average improvement was 32.5% in ODI, 46.3 mm in low back pain, and 48.3 mm in leg pain estimated from the studies included. SF-36 PCS improved by 51.5% and MCS improved by 19.5%. For radiological outcomes, a reduction in slippage was seen in 6.3%. Disc height increased by 55%, foraminal height increased by 21.1%, the foraminal area on the approach side increased by 21.9%, and on the opposite side it increased by 26.1%. The cross-sectional spinal canal area increased by 20.6% after surgery. Post-operative complications occurred in 5–40% of patients with thigh symptoms, such as anterior thigh numbness, dysesthesia, discomfort, pain, and sensory deficits. Conclusions: Indirect decompression by LLIF for DS is an effective method for improving pain and dysfunction with less surgical invasion. In addition, it has the effect of significantly improving disc height, foraminal height and area, and segmental lordosis on radiological outcomes compared to the posterior approach.
Asymmetric Cellulose/Carbon Nanotubes Membrane with Interconnected Pores Fabricated by Droplet Method for Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation and Desalination
Authors: Yang Zhiyu , Zang Linlin , Dou Tianwei , Xin Yajing , Zhang Yanhong , Zhao Dongyu , Sun Liguo
Published: March 2022

Solar-driven interfacial water purification and desalination have attracted much attention in environmentally friendly water treatment field. The structure design of the photothermal materials is still a critical factor to improve the evaporation performance such as evaporation rate and energy conversion efficiency. Herein, an asymmetric cellulose/carbon nanotubes membrane was designed as the photothermal membrane via a modified droplet method. Under 1 sun irradiation, the evaporation rate and energy efficiency of pure water can reach up to 1.6 kg m−2 h−1 and 89%, respectively. Moreover, stable reusability and desalination performance made the cellulose/carbon nanotubes membrane a promising photothermal membrane which can be used for solar-driven desalination.
Occurrence of Microplastics in Waste Sludge of Wastewater Treatment Plants: Comparison between Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) and Conventional Activated Sludge (CAS) Technologies
Authors: Di Bella Gaetano , Corsino Santo Fabio , De Marines Federica , Lopresti Francesco , La Carrubba Vincenzo , Torregrossa Michele , Viviani Gaspare
Published: March 2022

In this study, the presence of microplastics in the sludge of three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) was examined. The investigated WWTPs operated based on a conventional activated sludge (CAS) process, with (W1) or without (W2) primary clarification, and a membrane bioreactor process (MBR) (W3). The microplastics (MPs) concentration in the samples of W3 was approximately 81.1 ± 4.2 × 103 particles/kg dry sludge, whereas MPs concentrations in W1 and W2 were 46.0 ± 14.8 × 103 particles/kg dry sludge and 36.0 ± 5.2 × 103 particles/kg dry sludge, respectively. Moreover, MPs mainly consisted of fragments (66–68%) in the CAS plants, whereas the fractions of MPs shapes in the MBR sludge were more evenly distributed, although fiber (47%) was the most abundant fraction. Furthermore, samples from the MBR showed a greater diversity in MPs composition. Indeed, all the main polyesters (i.e., textile fibers and polyethylene terephthalate), polyolefins (i.e., polyethylene and polypropylene) and rubber (i.e., polybutadiene) were observed, whereas only polybutadiene, cellulose acetate and polyester were detected in the CAS plants. These findings confirmed that MPs from wastewater are transferred and concentrated in the waste sludge. This is a critical finding since sludge disposal could become a new pathway for microplastic release into the environment and because MPs might affect the fouling behavior of the membrane.
Optimization of Nanofiltration Hollow Fiber Membrane Fabrication Process Based on Response Surface Method
Authors: Wang Mingshu , Liu Chang , Fan Min , Liu Meiling , Shen Songtao
Published: March 2022

Layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technology has become a new research hotspot in the fabrication of nanofiltration membranes in recent years. However, there is a lack of a systematic approach for the assessment of influencing factors during the membrane fabrication process. In this study, the process optimization of LBL deposition was performed by a two-step statistical method. The multiple linear regression was performed on the results of single-factor experiments to determine the major influencing factors on membrane performance, including the concentration of Poly (allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), glutaraldehyde, and the NaCl concentration in PAH solution. The Box–Behnken response surface method was then used to analyze the interactions between the selected factors, while their correlation with the membrane performance was obtained by polynomial fitting. The R2 value of the regression models (0.97 and 0.94) was in good agreement with the adjusted R2 value (0.93 and 0.86), indicating that the quadratic response models were adequate enough to predict the membrane performance. The optimal process parameters were finally determined through dual-response surface analysis to achieve both high membrane permeability of 14.3 LMH·MPa−1 and MgSO4 rejection rate of 90.22%.
Special Issue on “The Application of Metabolomics in Clinical Practice: Challenges and Opportunities”
Authors: Mussap Michele
Published: March 2022

This Special Issue aimed to collect studies based on clinical applications of metabolomics in human disease [...]
Camu-Camu Reduces Obesity and Improves Diabetic Profiles of Obese and Diabetic Mice: A Dose-Ranging Study
Authors: Abot Anne , Brochot Amandine , Pomié Nicolas , Wemelle Eve , Druart Céline , Régnier Marion , Delzenne Nathalie M. , de Vos Willem M. , Knauf Claude , Cani Patrice D.
Published: March 2022

Overweight, obesity, and their comorbidities are currently considered a major public health concern. Today considerable efforts are still needed to develop efficient strategies able to attenuate the burden of these diseases. Nutritional interventions, some with plant extracts, present promising health benefits. In this study, we evaluated the action of Camu-Camu (Myrciaria dubia), an Amazonian fruit rich in polyphenols and vitamin C, on the prevention of obesity and associated disorders in mice and the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila in both cecum and feces. Methods: We investigated the dose-response effects of Camu-Camu extract (CCE) in the context of high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity. After 5 weeks of supplementation, we demonstrated that the two doses of CCE differently improved glucose and lipid homeostasis. The lowest CCE dose (62.5 mg/kg) preferentially decreased non-HDL cholesterol and free fatty acids (FFA) and increased the abundance of A. muciniphila without affecting liver metabolism, while only the highest dose of CCE (200 mg/kg) prevented excessive body weight gain, fat mass gain, and hepatic steatosis. Both doses decreased fasting hyperglycemia induced by HFD. In conclusion, the use of plant extracts, and particularly CCE, may represent an additional option in the support of weight management strategies and glucose homeostasis alteration by mechanisms likely independent from the modulation of A. muciniphila abundance.
Migration and Transformation of Multiple Heavy Metals in the Soil–Plant System of E-Waste Dismantling Site
Authors: Lu Jianming , Yuan Ming , Hu Lanfang , Yao Huaiying
Published: March 2022

E-waste generation has become a major environmental issue worldwide. Heavy metals (HMs) in e-waste can be released during inappropriate recycling processes. While their pollution characteristics have been studied, the migration and transformation of different multi-metal fractions in soil–plant system of e-waste dismantling sites is still unclear. In this study, pot experiments were conducted to investigate the migration and transformation of different multi-metal fractions (Cu, Pb, Zn and Al) in the soil–plant system using two Chinese cabbage cultivars (heavy metals low-accumulated variety of Z1 and non-low-accumulated Z2) treated with or without biochar. The result showed that the acid-soluble fraction of Cu, Pb, Zn and Al in soil decreased by 5.5%, 55.7%, 7.8% and 21.3%, but the residual fraction (ResF) of them increased by 48.5%, 1.8%, 30.9% and 43.1%, respectively, when treated with biochar and plants, compared to that of the blank soil (CK). In addition, Pb mainly existed as a reducible fraction, whereas Cu existed as an oxidisable fraction. Biochar combined with plants significantly increased the ResF of multi-metals, which reduced the migration ability of Pb among all other metals. The relative amount of labelled 13C in the soil of Z1 was higher than that of Z2 (25.4 fold); among them, the Gram-negative bacteria (18-1ω9c, 18-1ω7c) and fungi (18-2ω6c) were significantly labelled in the Z1-treated soil, and have high correlation with HM migration and transformation. In addition, Gemmatimonadete were significantly positive in the acid-soluble fraction of HMs, whereas Ascomycota mostly contributed to the immobilisation of HMs. Therefore, the distribution of fractions rather than the heavy metal type plays an important role in the HM migration in the soil–plant system of e-waste dismantling sites.
The Influence of REE β-Diketone Complexes on the Corrosion Behaviour of Mild Steel and 304 SS in 3.5% NaCl Solution
Authors: Lawal Olatunde J. , Potgieter Johannes H. , Billing Caren , Whitefield David J.
Published: March 2022

In the present investigation, four REE β-diketone complexes, namely cerium acetylacetone, cerium hexafluoroacetylacetone, lanthanum acetylacetone, and lanthanum hexafluoroacetylacetone, were investigated as potential corrosion inhibitors for mild steel and 304 stainless steel in 3.5% NaCl solution. The corrosion-inhibition effects of the REE β-diketone complexes were investigated using weight-loss measurements and potentiodynamic polarisation scans. Surface analyses using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the morphology of the mild steel and 304 stainless steel after the weight-loss and potentiodynamic tests in 3.5% NaCl solution containing 0.5% mass per volume (m/v) concentration of the tested inhibitor. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were further used to probe the type of corrosion product film that forms on the surface of the tested samples. The obtained results revealed that the four REE β-diketone complexes are very effective inhibitors against corrosion of mild steel and 304 stainless steel in a 3.5% NaCl in a temperature range of 20–60 °C.
Improving Mobile Game Performance with Basic Optimization Techniques in Unity
Authors: Koulaxidis Georgios , Xinogalos Stelios
Published: March 2022

Creating video games can be a very complex process, which requires taking into account various hardware and software limitations. This process is even more complex for mobile games, which are limited to the resources that their platforms (mobile devices) offer in comparison to game consoles and personal computers. This restriction makes performance one of the top critical requirements, meaning that a videogame should be designed and developed more carefully. In order to reduce the resources that a game uses, there are optimization techniques that can be applied in different stages of the development. For the purposes of this article, we designed and developed a simple shooter videogame, intended for Android mobile devices. The game was developed with the Unity game engine and most of the models were designed with the 3D computer graphics software Blender. Two versions of the game were developed in order to study the differences in performance: one version that applies basic optimization techniques, such as low poly count for the models and the object pooling algorithm for the enemy’s spawn; and one where the aforementioned optimizations were not used. Even though the game is not large in scale, the optimized version achieves a better user experience and needs less resources in order to run smoothly. This means that in larger and more complex video games these optimizations could have a bigger impact on the performance of the final product. To measure how the techniques affected the two versions of the game, the values of frames per second, batches and triangles/polygons were taken under consideration and used as metrics for game performance in terms of CPU usage, rendering (GPU usage) and memory usage.
Observation of Spin-Glass-like Behavior over a Wide Temperature Range in Single-Domain Nickel-Substituted Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles
Authors: Alzoubi Gassem M.
Published: March 2022

In this study, single-domain NixCo1−xFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles with 0≤x≤1 were hydrothermally prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and vibrating sample magnetometry. According to the Rietveld refinement results, all of the prepared nanoparticles were single phase with spinel-type structures. Increasing the Ni content increased the average crystallite size and X-ray density while decreasing the lattice constant. According to the TEM observations, the nanoparticles were spherical in shape. The formation of a single-phase spinel structure with two lattices centered at tetrahedral and octahedral sites was confirmed by the observation of two absorption bands in all FT-IR spectra. Magnetization data showed that the prepared nanoparticles of all compositions were ferrimagnetic across the entire temperature range of 300 K to 10 K. Magnetic properties such as saturation magnetization, remanent magnetization, coercivity, magnetic anisotropy, and magnetic moments per unit cell were found to decrease with increasing Ni content. The big difference in Hc of the x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 ferrites between 300 K and 10 K suggested that these ferrite nanoparticles are truly single-domain nanoparticles. The small value of Hc of the NiFe2O4(x=1) ferrite and its very weak temperature dependence suggested that this sample is in a multi-domain regime. The ZFC–FC curves revealed the existence of spin-glass-like behavior in these ferrite nanoparticles over the entire temperature range.
Tailored Uniaxial Alignment of Nanowires Based on Off-Center Spin-Coating for Flexible and Transparent Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Lee Giwon , Kim Haena , Lee Seon Baek , Kim Daegun , Lee Eunho , Lee Seong Kyu , Lee Seung Goo
Published: March 2022

The alignment of nanowires (NWs) has been actively pursued for the production of electrical devices with high-operating performances. Among the generally available alignment processes, spin-coating is the simplest and fastest method for uniformly patterning the NWs. During spinning, the morphology of the aligned NWs is sensitively influenced by the resultant external drag and inertial forces. Herein, the assembly of highly and uniaxially aligned silicon nanowires (Si NWs) is achieved by introducing an off-center spin-coating method in which the applied external forces are modulated by positioning the target substrate away from the center of rotation. In addition, various influencing factors, such as the type of solvent, the spin acceleration time, the distance between the substrate and the center of rotation, and the surface energy of the substrate, are adjusted in order to optimize the alignment of the NWs. Next, a field-effect transistor (FET) incorporating the highly aligned Si NWs exhibits a high effective mobility of up to 85.7 cm2 V−1 s−1, and an on-current of 0.58 µA. Finally, the single device is enlarged and developed in order to obtain an ultrathin and flexible Si NW FET array. The resulting device has the potential to be widely expanded into applications such as wearable electronics and robotic systems.
A Non-Volatile Tunable Ultra-Compact Silicon Photonic Logic Gate
Authors: Peng Zheng , Feng Junbo , Yuan Huan , Cheng Wei , Wang Yan , Ren Xiaodong , Cheng Hao , Zang Shengyin , Shuai Yubei , Liu Hao , Wu Jiagui , Yang Junbo
Published: March 2022

Logic gates, as one of the most important basic units in electronic integrated circuits (EICs), are also equally important in photonic integrated circuits (PICs). In this study, we proposed a non-volatile, ultra-compact all-photonics logic gate. The footprint is only 2 μm × 2 μm. We regulate the phase change of optical phase change materials(O-PCMs) Sb2Se3 to switch the function of the logic gate. The Sb2Se3 possess a unique non-volatile optical phase change function; therefore, when Sb2Se3 is in the crystalline or amorphous state, our device can work as XOR gate or AND gate, and our designed logic ‘1’ and logic ‘0’ contrasts reach 11.8 dB and 5.7 dB at 1550 nm, respectively. Compared with other traditional optical logic gates, our device simultaneously has non-volatile characteristics, tunability, and additionally an ultra-small size. These results could fully meet the needs of fusion between PICs and EICs, and developing truly chip-scale optoelectronic logic solution.
The Anodization of Thin Titania Layers as a Facile Process towards Semitransparent and Ordered Electrode Material
Authors: Kouao Dujearic-Stephane , Grochowska Katarzyna , Siuzdak Katarzyna
Published: March 2022

Photoanodes consisting of titania nanotubes (TNTs) grown on transparent conductive oxides (TCO) by anodic oxidation are being widely investigated as a low-cost alternative to silicon-based materials, e.g., in solar light-harvesting applications. Intending to enhance the optical properties of those photoanodes, the modification of the surface chemistry or control of the geometrical characteristics of developed TNTs has been explored. In this review, the recent advancement in light-harvesting properties of transparent anodic TNTs formed onto TCO is summarized. The physical deposition methods such as magnetron sputtering, pulsed laser deposition and electron beam evaporation are the most reported for the deposition of Ti film onto TCO, which are subsequently anodized. A concise description of methods utilized to improve the adhesion of the deposited film and achieve TNT layers without cracks and delamination after the anodization is outlined. Then, the different models describing the formation mechanism of anodic TNTs are discussed with particular focus on the impact of the deposited Ti film thickness on the adhesion of TNTs. Finally, the effects of the modifications of both the surface chemistry and morphological features of materials on their photocatalyst and photovoltaic performances are discussed. For each section, experimental results obtained by different research groups are evoked.
A Study to Improve the Performance of Mixed Cation–Halide Perovskite-Based UVC Photodetectors
Authors: Choi Ga In , Choi Hyung Wook
Published: March 2022

Photodetectors convert optical signals into electrical signals and demonstrate application potential in various fields, such as optical communication, image detection, environmental monitoring, and optoelectronics. In this study, a mixed cation–halide perovskite-based ultraviolet C photodetector was fabricated using a solution process. The higher the mobility of the perovskite carrier, which is one of the factors affecting the performance of electronic power devices, the better the carrier diffusion. The on/off ratio and responsivity indicate the sensitivity of the response, and together with the detectivity and external quantum efficiency, these parameters demonstrate the performance of the detector. The detector fabricated in this study exhibited a mobility of 202.2 cm2/Vs and a high on/off ratio of 105% at a −2 V bias, under 254 nm light irradiation with an intensity of 0.6 mW/cm2. The responsivity, detectivity, and external quantum efficiency of the as-fabricated detector were 5.07 mA/W, 5.49 × 1011 Jones, and 24.8%, respectively. These findings demonstrate that the solution process employed in this study is suitable for the fabrication of mixed cation–halide perovskites which show immense potential for use as photodetectors.
The Controversial Role of HCY and Vitamin B Deficiency in Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Herrmann Wolfgang , Herrmann Markus
Published: March 2022

Plasma homocysteine (HCY) is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease CVD and stroke. However, more than two decades of intensive research activities has failed to demonstrate that Hcy lowering through B-vitamin supplementation results in a reduction in CVD risk. Therefore, doubts about a causal involvement of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and B-vitamin deficiencies in atherosclerosis persist. Existing evidence indicates that HHcy increases oxidative stress, causes endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) stress, alters DNA methylation and, thus, modulates the expression of numerous pathogenic and protective genes. Moreover, Hcy can bind directly to proteins, which can change protein function and impact the intracellular redox state. As most mechanistic evidence is derived from experimental studies with rather artificial settings, the relevance of these results in humans remains a matter of debate. Recently, it has also been proposed that HHcy and B-vitamin deficiencies may promote CVD through accelerated telomere shortening and telomere dysfunction. This review provides a critical overview of the existing literature regarding the role of HHcy and B-vitamin deficiencies in CVD. At present, the CVD risk associated with HHcy and B vitamins is not effectively actionable. Therefore, routine screening for HHcy in CVD patients is of limited value. However, B-vitamin depletion is rather common among the elderly, and in such cases existing deficiencies should be corrected. While Hcy-lowering with high doses of B vitamins has no beneficial effects in secondary CVD prevention, the role of Hcy in primary disease prevention is insufficiently studied. Therefore, more intervention and experimental studies are needed to address existing gaps in knowledge.
The Complexity of Swine Caliciviruses. A Mini Review on Genomic Diversity, Infection Diagnostics, World Prevalence and Pathogenicity
Authors: Davidson Irit , Stamelou Efthymia , Giantsis Ioannis A. , Papageorgiou Konstantinos V. , Petridou Evanthia , Kritas Spyridon K.
Published: March 2022

Caliciviruses are single stranded RNA viruses, non-enveloped structurally, that are implicated in the non-bacterial gastroenteritis in various mammal species. Particularly in swine, viral gastroenteritis represents a major problem worldwide, responsible for significant economic losses for the pig industry. Among the wide range of viruses that are the proven or suspected etiological agents of gastroenteritis, the pathogenicity of the members of Caliciviridae family is among the less well understood. In this context, the present review presents and discusses the current knowledge of two genera belonging to this family, namely the Norovirus and the Sapovirus, in relation to swine. Aspects such as pathogenicity, clinical evidence, symptoms, epidemiology and worldwide prevalence, genomic diversity, identification tools as well as interchanging hosts are not only reviewed but also critically evaluated. Generally, although often asymptomatic in pigs, the prevalence of those microbes in pig farms exhibits a worldwide substantial increasing trend. It should be mentioned, however, that the factors influencing the symptomatology of these viruses are still far from well established. Interestingly, both these viruses are also characterized by high genetic diversity. These high levels of molecular diversity in Caliciviridae family are more likely a result of recombination rather than evolutionary or selective adaptation via mutational steps. Thus, molecular markers for their detection are mostly based on conserved regions such as the RdRp region. Finally, it should be emphasized that Norovirus and the Sapovirus may also infect other domestic, farm and wild animals, including humans, and therefore their surveillance and clarification role in diseases such as diarrhea is a matter of public health importance as well.
Assessing the Ameliorative Effect of Selenium Cinnamomum verum, Origanum majorana, and Origanum vulgare Nanoparticles in Diabetic Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Pérez Gutiérrez Rosa Martha , Soto Contreras José Guadalupe , Martínez Jerónimo Felipe Fernando , de la Luz Corea Téllez Mónica , Borja-Urby Raúl
Published: March 2022

Cinnamomum verum, Origanum majorana, and Origanum vulgare have been used in traditional medicine for a long time to treat diabetes because of their promising therapeutic effects. The combination of these plants (COO) was tested to improve their efficacy using selenium nanoparticles (Se-COO-NPs) and gum Arabic (GA) as stabilizers for sustained release. Phenolic compounds of plants were identified using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). GA-Se-COO-NPs were characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic methods and evaluated in diabetic zebrafish. The ultraviolet spectrum was assessed to confirm the formation of plasmon resonance at 267 nm. The obtained particle size of selenium nanospheres was 65.76 nm. They were maintained in a stable form for 5 months at 4 °C. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images demonstrated the presence of individual spherical nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed the interaction between COO extract and selenium, exhibiting good entrapment efficiency (87%). The elemental analysis of COO extract and GA-COO-SeNPs confirmed that NPs were obtained. The zebrafish were exposed to a high glucose concentration for two weeks, and type 2 diabetes and oxidative stress responses were induced. In diabetic zebrafish, treatment with NPs showed antilipidemic and hypoglycemic effects, high survivability, and reduced levels of glucose, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipids in the blood. This group this had a higher survivorship rate than the diabetic control. The results demonstrated that GA-Se-COO-NPs have high antidiabetic potential, most likely because of the synergic effects of phenolic compounds and Se nanoparticles.
Antioxidants and Phytohormones Act in Coordination to Regulate Sage Response to Long Term Ozone Exposure
Authors: Marchica Alessandra , Cotrozzi Lorenzo , Lorenzini Giacomo , Nali Cristina , Pellegrini Elisa
Published: March 2022

Antioxidants and phytohormones are hallmarks of abiotic stress responses in plants. Although it is known that they can offer cell protection or accelerate programmed cell death (PCD) depending on the level of stress, the involvement of these metabolites in stress acclimation is still not fully elucidated. Here, we showed the role of antioxidants and phytohormones in Salvia officinalis tolerance to long-term ozone (O3) exposure (120 ppb for 36 days, 5 h day−1). Salicylic acid (SA) content was increased under O3 throughout the whole experiment (+150%, as average compared with control), being required to maintain the cellular redox state and potentiate defense responses. This accumulation was induced before the production of ethylene (ET), suggesting that ET was controlled by SA during O3 exposure to modulate the magnitude of chlorosis formation and the cell redox balance (by regulating ascorbate and glutathione levels). The synthesis and/or regeneration of these antioxidants did not protect membranes from lipid peroxidation, as demonstrated by the accumulation of malondialdehyde (+23% as average). However, these processes of lipid oxidation did not include the synthesis of the membrane breakdown products, as confirmed by the unchanged values of jasmonic acid, thus indicating that this compound was not involved in the regulation of PCD strategies.
Prediction and Comparisons of Turpentine Content in Slash Pine at Different Slope Positions Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Luan Qifu , Diao Shu , Sun Honggang , Ding Xianyin , Jiang Jingmin
Published: March 2022

Pine resin is one of the best known and most exploited non-wood products. Resin is a complex mixture of terpenes produced by specialized cells that are dedicated to tree defense. Chemical defenses are plastic properties, and concentrations of chemical defenses can be adjusted based on environmental factors, such as resource availability. The slope orientation (south/sunny or north/shady) and the altitude of the plantation site have significant effects on the soil nutrient and the plant performance, whereas little is known about how the slope affects the pine resin yield and its components. In total, 1180 slash pines in 18 plots at different slope positions were established to determine the effects on the α- and β-pinene content and resin production of the slash pine. The near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) technique was developed to rapidly and economically predict the turpentine content for each sample. The results showed that the best partial least squares regression (PLS) models for α- and β-pinene content prediction were established via the combined treatment of multiplicative scatter correction–significant multivariate correlation (MSC–sMC). The prediction models based on sMC spectra for α- and β-pinene content have an R2 of 0.82 and 0.85 and an RMSE of 0.96 and 0.82, respectively, and they were successfully implemented in turpentine prediction in this research. The results also showed that a barren slope position (especially mid-slope) could improve the α-pinene and β-pinene content and resin productivity of slash pine, and the β-pinene content in the resin had more variances in this research.
Effects of Light and Oxygen on Chlorophyll d Biosynthesis in a Marine Cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina
Authors: Tsuzuki Yuki , Tsukatani Yusuke , Yamakawa Hisanori , Itoh Shigeru , Fujita Yuichi , Yamamoto Haruki
Published: March 2022

A marine cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina synthesizes chlorophyll (Chl) d as a major Chl. Chl d has a formyl group at its C3 position instead of a vinyl group in Chl a. This modification allows Chl d to absorb far-red light addition to visible light, yet the enzyme catalyzing the formation of the C3-formyl group has not been identified. In this study, we focused on light and oxygen, the most important external factors in Chl biosynthesis, to investigate their effects on Chl d biosynthesis in A. marina. The amount of Chl d in heterotrophic dark-grown cells was comparable to that in light-grown cells, indicating that A. marina has a light-independent pathway for Chl d biosynthesis. Under anoxic conditions, the amount of Chl d increased with growth in light conditions; however, no growth was observed in dark conditions, indicating that A. marina synthesizes Chl d normally even under such “micro-oxic” conditions caused by endogenous oxygen production. Although the oxygen requirement for Chl d biosynthesis could not be confirmed, interestingly, accumulation of pheophorbide d was observed in anoxic and dark conditions, suggesting that Chl d degradation is induced by anaerobicity and darkness.
Pollen Grain Classification Based on Ensemble Transfer Learning on the Cretan Pollen Dataset
Authors: Tsiknakis Nikos , Savvidaki Elisavet , Manikis Georgios C. , Gotsiou Panagiota , Remoundou Ilektra , Marias Kostas , Alissandrakis Eleftherios , Vidakis Nikolas
Published: March 2022

Pollen identification is an important task for the botanical certification of honey. It is performed via thorough microscopic examination of the pollen present in honey; a process called melissopalynology. However, manual examination of the images is hard, time-consuming and subject to inter- and intra-observer variability. In this study, we investigated the applicability of deep learning models for the classification of pollen-grain images into 20 pollen types, based on the Cretan Pollen Dataset. In particular, we applied transfer and ensemble learning methods to achieve an accuracy of 97.5%, a sensitivity of 96.9%, a precision of 97%, an F1 score of 96.89% and an AUC of 0.9995. However, in a preliminary case study, when we applied the best-performing model on honey-based pollen-grain images, we found that it performed poorly; only 0.02 better than random guessing (i.e., an AUC of 0.52). This indicates that the model should be further fine-tuned on honey-based pollen-grain images to increase its effectiveness on such data.
Morpho-Agronomic and Biochemical Characterization of Accessions of Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus) Grown in the North Temperate Zone of China
Authors: Yang Xiangdong , Niu Lu , Zhang Yuanyu , Ren Wei , Yang Chunming , Yang Jing , Xing Guojie , Zhong Xiaofang , Zhang Jun , Slaski Jan , Zhang Jian
Published: March 2022

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) has recently attracted increasing interest from scientific and technological communities because of its potential for serving as additional source of food, oil, and feed. The present study reports morphology and biochemical characterization of 42 tiger nut accessions collected from China and other counties performed in the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons at Nongan, Jilin Province. Assessment of variability of 14 agronomic traits including plant height, maturation, leaf width, tilling number, color, size, and shape: 100-tuber weight showed a wide range of phenotypic variation. The color, size, and shape and maturation of the tubers, as well as the leaf width, were the most distinct characteristics describing variation among the accessions. Compositional analyses of major nutritional components of the tubers reveals that this crop could be a source of high-value proteins, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. Specifically, tiger nut tubers contained high levels of starch, oil, and sugars, and significant amounts of fiber, Ca, P, and Na. Furthermore, the tubers appeared to be a good source of proteins as they contain 16 amino acids, including the essential ones. Amino acid profiles were dominated by aspartic acid followed by glutamic acid, leucine, alanine, and arginine. Overall, these results demonstrated that tiger nut is well adapted to the temperature and light conditions in the north temperate zone of China, even with a shorter growth season. The tiger nut accessions collected here exhibited wide variations for agronomical and biochemical traits, suggesting potential for potential for breeding improvement by maximizing the fresh tuber and grass yield based on the optimal selection of genetic characteristics in climate and soil conditions of northern China.
Dried Brown Seaweed’s Phytoremediation Potential for Methylene Blue Dye Removal from Aquatic Environments
Authors: Mansour Abdallah Tageldein , Alprol Ahmed E. , Abualnaja Khamael M. , El-Beltagi Hossam S. , Ramadan Khaled M. A. , Ashour Mohamed
Published: March 2022

The dried form of the brown seaweed Sargassum latifolium was tested for its ability to remove toxic Methylene Blue Dye (MBD) ions from aqueous synthetic solutions and industrial wastewater effluents. In a batch adsorption experiment, different initial concentrations of MBD (5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg L−1), sorbent dosages (0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 g L−1), contact time (5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120 min), pH (3, 5, 8, 10, and 12), and temperature (30, 40, 50, 60 °C) were observed. Dried powder of S. latifolium was characterized before and after adsorption of MBD using different techniques, such as FTIR, SEM, UV visible spectral examination, and BET techniques. The BET surface area suggests the formation of S. latifolium was 111.65 m2 g−1, and the average pore size was 2.19 nm. The obtained results showed that at an MBD concentration of 40 mg L−1, the adsorption was rapid in the first 5, 10, and 15 min of contact time, and an equilibrium was reached in about 60 and 120 min for the adsorption. At the optimum temperature of 30 °C and the adsorbent dose of 0.1 g L−1, approximately 94.88% of MBD were removed. To find the best-fit isotherm model, the error function equations are applied to the isotherm model findings. Both Tempkin and Freundlich isotherm models could appropriate the equilibrium data, as well as the pseudo 2nd order kinetics model due to high correlation coefficients (R2). Thermodynamic and Freundlich model parameters were assessed and showed that the mechanism of the sorption process occurs by an endothermic and physical process. According to the results of the experiments, S. latifolium is a promising environmentally friendly approach for eliminating MBD from the aqueous solution that is also cost-effective. This technology could be useful in addressing the rising demand for adsorbents employed in environmental protection processes.
The Influence of Extraction Conditions on the Yield and Physico-Chemical Parameters of Pectin from Grape Pomace
Authors: Spinei Mariana , Oroian Mircea
Published: March 2022

Grape pomace is one of the most abundant by-products generated from the wine industry. This by-product is a complex substrate consisted of polysaccharides, proanthocyanidins, acid pectic substances, structural proteins, lignin, and polyphenols. In an effort to valorize this material, the present study focused on the influence of extraction conditions on the yield and physico-chemical parameters of pectin. The following conditions, such as grape pomace variety (Fetească Neagră and Rară Neagră), acid type (citric, sulfuric, and nitric), particle size intervals (<125 µm, ≥125–<200 µm and ≥200–<300 µm), temperature (70, 80 and 90 °C), pH (1, 2 and 3), and extraction time (1, 2, and 3 h) were established in order to optimize the extraction of pectin. The results showed that acid type, particle size intervals, temperature, time, and pH had a significant influence on the yield and physico-chemical parameters of pectin extracted from grape pomace. According to the obtained results, the highest yield, galacturonic acid content, degree of esterification, methoxyl content, molecular, and equivalent weight of pectin were acquired for the extraction with citric acid at pH 2, particle size interval of ≥125–<200 µm, and temperature of 90 °C for 3 h. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups in the fingerprint region of identification for polysaccharide in the extracted pectin.
Biodegradable Natural Rubber Based on Novel Double Dynamic Covalent Cross-Linking
Authors: Jiang Qinggeng , Gao Yi , Liao Lusheng , Yu Rentong , Liao Jianhe
Published: March 2022

In this paper, biodegradable epoxidized natural rubber containing cyclic carbonate groups (CNR) was prepared by the reaction between epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and carbon dioxide. Dynamic disulfide bonds and a boronic ester structure were successfully constructed and then the cross-linking network was formed by the thermally initiated “click” reaction between thiol groups of the cross-linker and the residual epoxy groups of ENR. As a result of the exquisite double dynamic covalent structure, the material exhibits high self-healing efficiency. Moreover, by virtue of the cyclic carbonate structure of the CNR, the natural rubber was confirmed to be biodegradable according to the biodegradable measurement. To the best of our knowledge, natural rubber with biodegradable and self-healing characteristics was obtained for the first time.
Tensile Strength Essay Comparing Three Different Platelet-Rich Fibrin Membranes (L-PRF, A-PRF, and A-PRF+): A Mechanical and Structural In Vitro Evaluation
Authors: Simões-Pedro Mara , Tróia Pedro Maria B. P. S. , dos Santos Nuno Bernardo Malta , Completo António M. G. , Castilho Rogerio Moraes , de Oliveira Fernandes Gustavo Vicentis
Published: March 2022

Predictable outcomes intended by the application of PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) derivative membranes have created a lack of consideration for their consistency and functional integrity. This study aimed to compare the mechanical properties through tensile strength and analyze the structural organization among the membranes produced by L-PRF (leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin), A-PRF (advanced platelet-rich fibrin), and A-PRF+ (advanced platelet-rich fibrin plus) (original protocols) that varied in centrifugation speed and time. L-PRF (n = 12), A-PRF (n = 19), and A-PRF+ (n = 13) membranes were submitted to a traction test, evaluating the maximum and average traction. For maximum traction, 0.0020, 0.0022, and 0.0010 N·mm−2 were obtained for A-PRF, A-PRF+, and L-PRF, respectively; regarding the average resistance to traction, 0.0012, 0.0015, and 0.006 N·mm−2 were obtained, respectively (A-PRF+ > A-PRF > L-PRF). For all groups studied, significant results were found. In the surface morphology observations through SEM, the L-PRF matrix showed a highly compact surface with thick fibers present within interfibrous areas with the apparent destruction of red blood cells and leukocytes. The A-PRF protocol showed a dense matrix composed of thin and elongated fibers that seemed to follow a preferential and orientated direction in which the platelets were well-adhered. Porosity was also evident with a large diameter of the interfibrous spaces whereas A-PRF+ was the most porous platelet concentrate with the greatest fiber abundance and cell preservation. Thus, this study concluded that A-PRF+ produced membranes with significant and higher maximum traction results, indicating a better viscoelastic strength when stretched by two opposing forces.
Analysis of Functionalized Ferromagnetic Memory Alloys from the Perspective of Developing a Medical Vascular Implant
Authors: Nan Alexandrina , Turcu Rodica , Tudoran Cristian , Sofronie Mihaela , Chiriac Alexandru
Published: March 2022

Durable biocompatible metal vascular implants are still one of the significant challenges of contemporary medicine. This work presents the preparation of ferromagnetic biomaterials with shape memory in metal strips based on FePd (30 at% Pd) that is either not doped or doped with Ga and Mn, coated with poly(benzofuran-co-arylacetic acid) or polyglutamic acid. The coating of the metal strips with polymers was achieved after the metal surface had been previously treated with open-air cold plasma. The final functionalization was performed to induce anti-thrombogenic/thrombolytic properties in the resulting materials. SEM-EDX microscopy and X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS) determined the morphology and composition of the metal strips covered with polymers. In vitro tests of standardized thromboplastin time (PTT) and prothrombin time (PT) were performed to evaluate the thrombogenicity of these biofunctionalized materials for future possible monitoring of the implant in patients.
“There Is No ‘Away:’” Ecological Fact as Jewish Theological Problem
Authors: Benjamin Mara H.
Published: March 2022

The “second law of ecology”—that all matter remains part of the earthly ecosystem—poses a theological challenge to Jewish monotheisms. Climate change has further underscored the urgency of understanding and acting in light of the interconnected materiality of the world. Yet Jewish theological discourse has remained largely detached from broader planetary conditions and from the metabolization of these conditions in the environmental humanities. The few contemporary Jewish theologians who recognize ecological crisis as worthy of comment have largely responded to it by propping up apologetic accounts of Jewish theology and ethics that rely on a construction of the divine as outside of the world. I argue that ecological crisis reveals the inadequacy of extant approaches to Jewish theology, which either promote ethical monotheism and a stewardship model of relation to the nonhuman world or claim to promote divine immanence while nonetheless reinscribing human dominion.
Humanism Reformed: Narrative and the Divine-Human Encounter in Paul Ricoeur
Authors: Whitehouse Glenn
Published: March 2022

“Narrative Theology” has often been construed in contrast to broader humanistic discourse. Protestant and particularly Reformed Christianity has often set the “Old, Old Story” apart from humanism and the humanities. This chapter explores the juxtaposition of humanism and reformed thinking in Paul Ricoeur. Ricoeur’s hermeneutics is compared with the Reformed “covenant theology” of 17th Century Puritanism. Covenant theology balanced the belief that God exceeds our powers of knowing and language and the conviction that God consents to be known within the limits of human understanding, as developed through the liberal arts. Similarly, Ricoeur sees God as limiting and disrupting human language, but while, for Ricoeur, encounter with God may begin as impossible dialogue, it develops by dispersing the names and signs of the divine throughout the tropes and genres of human discourse, narrative chief among them. Ricoeur’s thought is interpreted as a Christian humanism in which religious inquiry and secular humanistic thought coexist and mutually enhance one another. Ricoeur’s humanism will be preferred over approaches to narrative that set the Christian story and its hearers apart from the broader conversation of culture; a solipsism of faith is inadequate to the challenges of a modern pluralist culture.