bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vacuolal and Peroxisomal Calcium Ion Transporters in Yeasts and Fungi: Key Role in the Translocation of Intermediates in the Biosynthesis of Fungal Metabolites
Authors: Martín Juan F.
Published: August 2022

The intracellular calcium content in fungal cells is influenced by a large number of environmental and nutritional factors. Sharp changes in the cytosolic calcium level act as signals that are decoded by the cell gene expression machinery, resulting in several physiological responses, including differentiation and secondary metabolites biosynthesis. Expression of the three penicillin biosynthetic genes is regulated by calcium ions, but there is still little information on the role of this ion in the translocation of penicillin intermediates between different subcellular compartments. Using advanced information on the transport of calcium in organelles in yeast as a model, this article reviews the recent progress on the transport of calcium in vacuoles and peroxisomes and its relation to the translocation of biosynthetic intermediates in filamentous fungi. The Penicillium chrysogenum PenV vacuole transporter and the Acremonium chrysogenum CefP peroxisomal transporter belong to the transient receptor potential (TRP) class CSC of calcium ion channels. The PenV transporter plays an important role in providing precursors for the biosynthesis of the tripeptide δ-(-α-aminoadipyl-L-cysteinyl-D-valine), the first intermediate of penicillin biosynthesis in P. chrysogenum. Similarly, CefP exerts a key function in the conversion of isopenicillin N to penicillin N in peroxisomes of A. chrysogenum. These TRP transporters are different from other TRP ion channels of Giberella zeae that belong to the Yvc1 class of yeast TRPs. Recent advances in filamentous fungi indicate that the cytosolic calcium concentration signal is connected to the calcitonin/calcineurin signal transduction cascade that controls the expression of genes involved in the subcellular translocation of intermediates during fungal metabolite biosynthesis. These advances open new possibilities to enhance the expression of important biosynthetic genes in fungi.
The Impact of Income and Social Capital on the Health of People with Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Choi Bogcheon , Yi Eunsil
Published: August 2022

This study examines the impact of income and social capital on the health of people with developmental disabilities, focusing on the moderating effects of income and social capital on health. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted using data from 235 people with developmental disabilities who participated in the second wave of the Disability and Life Dynamics Panel. The findings show that people with developmental disabilities who were female, employed, and did not have multiple disabilities and chronic diseases were more likely to display higher levels of self-rated health. Furthermore, self-rated health was higher in those earning a higher income. The social network had a significantly positive effect on health, but its moderating effect on the impact of income did not carry statistical significance. Trust was found to have a moderating effect on the impact of income on health, where the group with greater trust and lower income was healthier than the group with lower trust. The findings suggest the need to provide income support and establish social capital for people with developmental disabilities to improve their health, and this study offers related policy implications.
A New Method to Assist Decision-Making of Water Environmental Emergency in Expressway Region
Authors: Wang Qing’e , Su Mengmeng , Zeng Lei , Chen Huihua
Published: August 2022

Water environmental emergency (WEE) in expressway region is a special kind of risk event with several characteristics, such as rarity, unconventionality, and harmfulness. The emergency decision-making (EDM) features, procedures, and methods are considerably different from the general decision-making problems. EDM quality is directly related to the timely implementation of a reasonable emergency plan. Therefore, methods should be developed to respond to emergencies immediately and scientifically and minimize the damage to water environment. This work introduces risk source identification and emergency classification and develops an emergency decision model based on scenario retrieval and case-based reasoning, according to the existing EDM model and characteristics of WEE in expressway region. The proposed method is validated through case analysis of Daguang expressway in China. This method provides an effective solution for EDM of WEEs in expressway region. The emergency measures can be implemented quickly and effectively after the occurrence of water environmental emergencies to control pollution events, provide scientific and feasible action guides for emergency processes, and enrich the case base of decision-making systems.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in COX2 Is Associated with Persistent Primary Tooth and Delayed Permanent Tooth Eruption
Authors: Küchler Erika , Henklein Suelyn , Proff Peter , Lepri César , Perin Camila , Paddenberg Eva , Roskamp Liliane , Baratto-Filho Flares , de Menezes-Oliveira Maria , Kirschneck Christian
Published: August 2022

Persistent primary tooth (PPT) is a prevalent clinical condition that occurs when a primary tooth is over-retained beyond the established period of its normal exfoliation time, remaining in the oral cavity. Many factors could be involved in the risk of PPT; therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the COX2 gene are associated with PPT. Children undergoing orthodontic treatment were screened. Orthopantomographs were assessed to evaluate PPT according to the Nolla stage of its permanent successor. The primary tooth was considered retained when its successor permanent tooth was in Nolla stage 8 and below the alveolar crypt, Nolla stage 9, or Nolla stage 10. A saliva sample from each child was collected and used for DNA extraction. A real-time PCR of two SNPs, rs689466 (−1195 G/A) and rs5275 (+665 T/C), was performed. A chi-square test was used to compare the allele and genotype distribution. Haplotype analysis was also performed. A total of 100 children were included in the study. Fifty-one had at least one PPT, while 49 children were classified as a control. The number of teeth persistent in the oral cavity ranged from 1 to 8. The genotype distribution was associated with PPT in the co-dominant model (p = 0.006) for SNP rs5275. The individuals that carry two T alleles (TT) compared with the individuals that carry at least one C allele (C + TC) had an almost three times higher chance of presenting with PPT (p = 0.012; OR = 2.99, CI95% 1.28 to 6.95–recessive model). The haplotype C-A for the SNPs rs5275 and rs689466, respectively, was significantly associated (p = 0.042). In conclusion, single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding for COX2 are associated with persistent primary tooth and may delay permanent tooth eruption.
Nutritional and Oral Hygiene Knowledge versus Reported Behavior of Children and Adolescents—A Cross-Sectional Interview-Based Study
Authors: Gund Madline P. , Unshelm Carola , Hannig Matthias , Rupf Stefan
Published: August 2022

Despite the fact that healthy, sugar-reduced nutrition has been propagated by the media and in schools for years, dental caries in children remains a major health problem worldwide, caused primarily by an unhealthy diet. The objective of this study is to compare statements on nutrition and hygienic knowledge with those on children’s actual dietary and hygienic behavior. A random sample of 554 children and adolescents aged 3–19 years was enrolled. Designed as a cross-sectional interview-based community survey, this study was conducted consecutively during three one-day public science-promoting events at the Saarland University’s Medical Faculty. Participants’ oral hygiene and nutritional knowledge was profound; however, the reported translation into practice showed deficiencies. Boys and younger children (3–10 years) often showed better oral hygiene knowledge than girls and older children (over 11 years) but had problems implementing it into their daily life practice. In contrast, girls and older children often showed less oral hygiene knowledge but reported more favorable behavior. Finally, children up to the mixed dentition phase preferred drinking sweets more often than older children, posing a risk to the developing permanent dentition. Intensifying well-known controlled motivation training approaches to encourage children and adolescents is recommended to put their knowledge into practice.
Model to Predict Healthcare Behaviors: Comparison of a Chilean and Mexican Sample
Authors: Baeza-Rivera María José , Salinas-Oñate Natalia , Gómez-Pérez Daniela , Díaz-Loving Rolando , Ortiz Manuel S.
Published: August 2022

(1) Background: Adherence to treatment and medical check-ups are important for health outcomes, but low adherence to treatment is a common phenomenon. Thus, we aimed to examine the role of cultural beliefs about physicians, perceived mistreatment, and emotions associated with the experience of mistreatment as an antecedent of healthcare behavior among Chilean and Mexican primary care patients using Betancourt’s model for the study of health behavior. (2) Methods: This is a multivariate cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic sample of 326 Mexican and 337 Chilean participants. Multigroup structural equation modeling was used to test the structural relations among the cultural and psychological variables as determinants of healthcare avoidance behavior. (3) Results: The results revealed a pattern of associations that work in the same way for Chilean and Mexican samples. Negative cultural beliefs about physicians have a direct effect on avoidance behaviors in healthcare. In addition, this effect is mediated through psychological factors, such as perception of mistreatment and negative emotions associated with mistreatment. (4) Conclusions: A structural invariance test showed that the perception of mistreatment and negative emotions were less intense for Chileans than Mexicans. In contrast, the association between negative emotions and avoidance behaviors was less intense for Mexicans.
A Bibliometric Analysis on Research Regarding Residential Segregation and Health Based on CiteSpace
Authors: Qiu Yanrong , Liao Kaihuai , Zou Yanting , Huang Gengzhi
Published: August 2022

Considerable scholarly attention has been directed to the adverse health effects caused by residential segregation. We aimed to visualize the state-of-the-art residential segregation and health research to provide a reference for follow-up studies. Employing the CiteSpace software, we uncovered popular themes, research hotspots, and frontiers based on an analysis of 1211 English-language publications, including articles and reviews retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database from 1998 to 2022. The results revealed: (1) The Social Science & Medicine journal has published the most studies. Roland J. Thorpe, Thomas A. LaVeist, Darrell J. Gaskin, David R. Williams, and others are the leading scholars in residential segregation and health research. The University of Michigan, Columbia University, Harvard University, the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and the University of North Carolina play the most important role in current research. The U.S. is the main publishing country with significant academic influence. (2) Structural racism, COVID-19, mortality, multilevel modelling, and environmental justice are the top five topic clusters. (3) The research frontier of residential segregation and health has significantly shifted from focusing on community, poverty, infant mortality, and social class to residential environmental exposure, structural racism, and health care. We recommend strengthening comparative research on the health-related effects of residential segregation on minority groups in different socio-economic and cultural contexts.
Comparative Analysis of Male Cyclist Population in Four Asia Countries for Anthropometric Measurements
Authors: Muthiah Arunachalam , Lee Yu-Chi
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to compare the anthropometric variables of male cyclist samples from India, China, Singapore, and Taiwan. The cyclist’s body dimensions were measured among 413 randomly chosen males (aged between 18 to 60), which included 104 Indians, 106 Taiwanese, 100 Singaporeans, and 103 Chinese. Based on the previous research articles, the considered 17 anthropometric variables were weight, stature, BMI, buttock extension, shoulder height (sitting), shoulder-elbow length, elbow height (sitting), lower leg length, knee height, acromion-grip length, hand length, elbow-hand length, buttock-popliteal length, buttock-knee length, elbow-to-elbow breadth, hip breadth (sitting), and foot breadth. Using statistical techniques (descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal–Wallis H test), the data were analysed in SPSS, version 25.0. The results of the statistical analyses showed significant differences among the cyclists across selected anthropometric characteristics, except for the weight and sitting-related anthropometric measurements. The outcome of the descriptive statistics (percentile values), such as the percentile range (5th to 95th percentile), could be applied to the seat-height adjustment system to cover 95% of the bicyclist population. These types of implantation could enhance the ergonomic benefits for the bicyclist.
A Psychometric Pilot Study Examining the Functions of Suicidal Communications Using IRT and Factor Analysis
Authors: Schuler Kaitlyn R. , Baer Margaret M. , McDermott Ryon C. , Smith Phillip N.
Published: August 2022

Background: Suicide prevention, an important public health issue, relies on suicidal communications to identify and intervene with those at risk. Scant research tests explicit theories of suicidal communication impeding applications to prevention science. The current study pilots a new measure assessing the functions of suicidal communications using factor analysis and item response theory. Methods: MTurk workers (n = 898) completed an anonymous survey. The original scale included 35 items refined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, bifactor modeling, and item response theory. Results: The initial EFA identified a two-correlated-factor solution. The two-correlated-factor and unidimensional models yielded a poor fit. A bifactor model yielded a borderline to acceptable fit. The final four items were identified using a bifactor model and item response theory graded response models capturing ambivalence resolution defined as behaviors aimed to aid in suicide decision making. The final model yielded an excellent fit: 𝝌2(2) = 1.81, CFI (1.00), TLI (1.00), RMSEA (0.00), and SRMR (0.01). Conclusions: There may be one function of suicidal communications. Disclosure may elicit connection and reasons for living that serve as barriers to suicide and resolve ambivalence. Key limitations include convenience sampling and limited validity measures. Future research should partner with participants to improve scale and theory development efforts.
The Evaluation of an Interprofessional QI Program: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Brugman Ilja M. , Visser Annelies , Maaskant Jolanda M. , Geerlings Suzanne E. , Eskes Anne M.
Published: August 2022

Background: Quality Improvement (QI) is the key for every healthcare organization. QI programs may help healthcare professionals to develop the needed skills for interprofessional collaboration through interprofessional education. Furthermore, the role of diversity in QI teams is not yet fully understood. This evaluation study aimed to obtain in-depth insights into the expectations and experiences of different stakeholders of a hospital-wide interprofessional QI program. Methods: This qualitative study builds upon 20 semi-structured interviews with participants and two focus groups with the coaches and program advisory board members of this QI program. Data were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Three themes emerged from the analysis: “interprofessional education”, “networking” and “motivation: presence with pitfalls”. Working within interprofessional project groups was valuable, because participants with different experiences and skills helped to move the QI project forward. It was simultaneously challenging because IPE was new and revealed problems with hierarchy, communication and planning. Networking was also deemed valuable, but a shared space to keep in contact after finalizing the program was missing. The participants were highly motivated to finish their QI project, but they underestimated the challenges. Conclusions: A hospital-wide QI program must explicitly pay attention to interprofessional collaboration and networking. Leaders of the QI program must cherish the motivation of the participants and make sure that the QI projects are realistic.
Total Mercury and Fatty Acids in Selected Fish Species on the Polish Market: A Risk to Human Health
Authors: Łuczyńska Joanna , Łuczyński Marek Jan , Nowosad Joanna , Kowalska-Góralska Monika , Senze Magdalena
Published: August 2022

The muscles of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush Walbaum, 1792), crucian carp (Carassius carassius Linnaeus, 1758), flounder (Platichthys flesus Linnaeus, 1758), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758), mackerel (Scomber scombrus Linnaeus, 1758) and tench (Tinca tinca Linnaeus, 1758) were examined. The total mercury (THg) was processed using the Milestone DMA-80 and the fatty acids were analyzed using the 7890A Agilent Technologies chromatograph. The THg content in analyzed fish ranged from 0.024 (lake trout) to 0.092 mg/kg wet weight (gilthead seabream). The muscles of fish examined had lower amounts of SFAs, and n-3 and n-6 PUFAs than MUFAs. The ratio of n-3/n-6 was higher in muscles of mackerel than other fish (p < 0.05). Due to the fact that both the THQ and HI are below 1, the tested fish are safe for the consumer from a nutritional point of view. Similarly, fatty acid indices indicate the safe consumption of selected fish species, and the daily consumption of the recommended dose of EPA + DHA (250 mg/day) and the concentration of mercury in fish calculations showed a hazard quotient for the benefit–risk ratio HQEFA below 1, suggesting that the intake of EPA + DHA poses no evident risk to human health. The ratio was calculated for a person weighing 60 kg. Therefore, it is important to monitor the fish, not only bought in the store, but also caught in various aquatic environments.
Assessing and Validating the Ability of Machine Learning to Handle Unrefined Particle Air Pollution Mobile Monitoring Data Randomly, Spatially, and Spatiotemporally
Authors: Alazmi Asmaa , Rakha Hesham
Published: August 2022

Many epidemiological studies have evaluated the accuracy of machine learning models in predicting levels of particulate number (PN) and black carbon (BC) pollutant concentrations. However, few studies have investigated the ability of machine learning to predict the pollutant concentration with using unrefined mobile measurement data and explore the reliability of the prediction models. Additionally, researchers are moving away from using fixed-site data in favor of using mobile monitoring data in a variety of locations to develop hourly empirical models of particulate air pollution. This study compared the differences between long-term (daily average) and short-term (hourly average and 1 s unrefined data) model performance in three different classes of cross validation: randomly, spatially, and spatially temporally. This study used secondary data describing BC and PN pollutant levels in the rural location of Blacksburg (VA). Our results show that the model based on unrefined data was able to detect the pollutant hot spot areas with similar accuracy compared to the aggregated model. Moreover, the performance was found to improve when temporal data added to the model: the 10-fold MAE for the BC and PN were 0.44 μg/m3 and 3391 pt/cm3, respectively, for the unrefined data (one second data) model. The findings detailed here will add to the literature on the correlation between data (pre)processing and the efficacy of machine learning models in predicting pollution levels while also enhancing our understanding of more reliable validation strategies.
Supporting and Enabling the Process of Innovation in Public Health: The Framework for Public Health Innovation
Authors: Garney Whitney R. , Wilson Kelly L. , Garcia Kristen M. , Muraleetharan Daenuka , Esquivel Christi H. , Spadine Mandy N. , Panjwani Sonya , Ajayi Kobi V.
Published: August 2022

This manuscript introduces a new framework for creating innovations in public health—the Framework for Public Health Innovation. The framework was developed through a longitudinal qualitative research study that investigated the process of creating innovative adolescent health programs. Interviews were conducted with a national sample of 26 organizations over two time points. Data collection focused on the process of innovative program development; organizational capacity; training; and technical assistance needs, successes, and barriers. The framework was developed and modified based on interview findings and expert advice; then, the final framework was validated with content experts. The framework illustrates a dynamic process of innovation that begins with dissatisfaction with the status quo, and then, illustrates three necessary components for innovation—space, process, and partnerships. Four categories of innovation, which range in complexity, are proposed: (1) creating a new component to an existing program, (2) adapting an existing program to meet new needs, (3) taking an alternative approach to addressing an existing program, and (4) reframing a health problem from a new perspective. As illustrated by a feedback loop, the resulting innovations disrupt the status quo. This model can be applied to any content area in public health and is useful for both research and practitioners.
RNAi-Mediated Silencing of Putative Halloween Gene Phantom Affects the Performance of Rice Striped Stem Borer, Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Shahzad Muhammad Faisal , Idrees Atif , Afzal Ayesha , Iqbal Jamshaid , Qadir Ziyad Abdul , Khan Azhar Abbas , Ullah Ayat , Li Jun
Published: August 2022

The physiological and biochemical characterization of the “Halloween” genes has fundamental importance in the biosynthesis pathway of ecdysteroids. These genes were found to catalyze the final phases of ecdysteroid biosynthesis from dietary cholesterol to the molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone. We report the characterization of the Cs-Phm in a major insect pest in agriculture, the rice striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (C. suppressalis). A full-length transcript of Cs-Phm was amplified with an open reading frame (ORF) of 478 amino acids through 5′ and 3′ RACE. Cs-Phm shows five insect-conserved P450 motifs: Helix-C, Helix-I, Helix-K, PERF, and heme-binding motifs. Phylogenetic analysis clearly shows high similarity to Lepidoptera and evolutionary conservation in insects. The relative spatial and temporal transcript profile shows that Cs-Phm is highly expressed in the prothoracic glands and appears throughout the larval development, but with low expression at the start of the larval instar. It seems to peak in 3–4 days and decreases again before the larvae molt. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) injection of Cs-Phm at the larval stage efficiently knocked down the target gene and decreased its expression level. The dsRNA-treated group showed significantly decreased ecdysteroid titers, which leads to delayed larval development and higher larval mortality. Negative effects of larval development were rescued by treating 20E in the dsRNA-treated group. Thus, in conclusion, our results suggest that Cs-Phm is functionally conserved in C. suppressalis and encodes functional CYP that contributes to the biogenesis of 20E.
MOCA: A Network Intrusion Monitoring and Classification System
Authors: Fuhr Jessil , Wang Feng , Tang Yongning
Published: August 2022

Optimizing the monitoring of network traffic features to detect abnormal traffic is critical. We propose a two-stage monitoring and classification (MOCA) system requiring fewer features to detect and classify malicious network attacks. The first stage monitors abnormal traffic, and the anomalous traffic is forwarded for processing in the second stage. A small subset of features trains both classifiers. We demonstrate MOCA’s effectiveness in identifying attacks in the CICIDS2017 dataset with an accuracy of 99.84% and in the CICDDOS2019 dataset with an accuracy of 93%, which significantly outperforms previous methods. We also found that MOCA can use a pre-trained classifier with one feature to distinguish DDoS and Botnet attacks from normal traffic in four different datasets. Our measurements show that MOCA can distinguish DDoS attacks from normal traffic in the CICDDOS2019 dataset with an accuracy of 96% and DDoS attacks in non-IoT and IoT traffic with an accuracy of 99.94%. The results emphasize the importance of using connection features to discriminate new DDoS and Bot attacks from benign traffic, especially with insufficient training samples.
Isothermal Quenching of As-Cast Medium Carbon, High-Silicon AR Steel
Authors: Klančnik Grega , Krajnc Luka , Nagode Aleš , Burja Jaka
Published: August 2022

Medium carbon high-silicon abrasion resistant (AR) steel was examined by performing dilatometry, light optical microscopy (LOM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and hardness measurements after isothermal bainitization and modified martempering and compared to direct quenching technology. A commercial thermodynamic tool was used for hardness prediction and compared to the measured one and revealed a rather good agreement for direct quenching, as was the case for isothermal holdings near to the martensite start (Ms). The predicted martensite start temperatures were in good agreement with the experimental data, the experimental value was 321 °C, while the predicted values were 324 and 296 °C. However, a higher discrepancy appeared for isothermal holding much above the martensite transition in the bainite region resulting in lower measured hardness compared to the predictions related to the actual kinetics and complexity of the formed final volume percentages of phase constituents such as bainite, martensite, and rest austenite, later as a part of unfinished bainite transformation at studied temperature. The predicted hardness values for quenching, isothermal holding at 280, 300 and 350 °C were 50.6, 50.6, 49.4 and 49.4 HRC, while the measured values were 53.3, 48.3, 48 and 43 HRC, respectively. A very good agreement between the thermodynamic prediction was achieved by comparing the measured Ms concerning prior austenite grain size as one of the crucial parameters for setting a proper heat treatment strategy of various isothermal quenchings making thermodynamic predictions for low alloyed steels a powerful tool for optimizing the heat-treating operations.
A Comparative Study of AI-Based International Roughness Index (IRI) Prediction Models for Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP)
Authors: Wang Qiang , Zhou Mengmeng , Sabri Mohanad Muayad Sabri , Huang Jiandong
Published: August 2022

The international roughness index (IRI) can be employed to evaluate the smoothness of pavement. The previously proposed mechanical-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG), which is used to model the IRI of joint plain concrete pavement (JPCP), has been modified in this study considering its disadvantage of low prediction accuracy. To improve the reliability of the prediction effect of the IRI for JPCP, this study compares the prediction accuracy of the IRI of JPCP by using the machine-learning methods of support vector machine (SVM), decision tree (DT), and random forest (RF), optimized by the hyperparameter of the beetle antennae search (BAS) algorithm. The results from the machine-learning process show that the BAS algorithm can effectively improve the effectiveness of hyperparameter tuning, and then improve the speed and accuracy of optimization. The RF model proved to be the one with the highest prediction accuracy among the above three models. Finally, this study analyzes the importance score of input variables to the IRI, and the results show that the IRI was proportional to all the input variables in this study, and the importance score of initial smoothness (IRII) and total joint faulting cumulated per km (TFAULT) were the highest for the IRI of JPCP.
Investigation of Mechanical and Tribological Behaviors of Aluminum Based Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite and Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Gonfa Biranu Kumsa , Sinha Devendra , Vates Umesh Kumar , Badruddin Irfan Anjum , Hussien Mohamed , Kamangar Sarfaraz , Singh Gyanendra Kumar , Ahmed Gulam Mohammed Sayeed , Kanu Nand Jee , Hossain Nazia
Published: August 2022

Aluminum metal matrix composites are potential materials for aerospace and automobile industrial applications due to their enhanced mechanical and tribological properties. Aluminum reinforced with silicon carbide particles has been developed with enhanced mechanical and tribological behavior, but it lacks wettability between matrix and reinforcement causing weak bonding, which reduces the degree of enhancement. The objectives of this study were to fabricate aluminum-based metal matrix composites with enhanced wettability at varying stirring speeds (350, 450, 550 rpm), stirring time (5, 10, 15 min), weight percentage of SiC (0, 5, 10 wt.%), and weight percentage of MoS2 (0, 2, 4 wt.%). Nine samples were fabricated using stir casting based on Taguchi L9 orthogonal array. Hardness, tensile strength, and wear rate of the developed composite were investigated and analyzed as a single response characteristic using Taguchi’s signal-to-noise ratio and as a multi-response characteristic using hybrid Taguchi–grey relational analysis (HTGRA). The results revealed that the addition of SiC in the composite produced better hardness, tensile strength, and wear rate. The addition of MoS2 in the composite showed better hardness and tensile strength only up to 2 wt.% of MoS2, and in the case of wear rate, the addition of MoS2 in the composite up to 4% showed better wear resistance. Al–SiC–MoS2 hybrid composite shows better enhancement in hardness, tensile strength, and wear resistance than the Al–SiC composite.
Design and Fabrication of an Underwater Transducer Based on the Shear Vibration Mode and Trapezoid Transition Layer
Authors: Qiao Yali , Jin Shaojia , Zhong Chao , Qin Lei
Published: August 2022

In this study, a new kind of underwater transducer was developed using the d15 shear vibration mode of piezoelectric ceramic and a trapezoid transition layer. A series of finite element simulations were conducted to investigate how the boundary conditions of piezoelectric ceramic blocks affect the shear vibration. Finite element simulation was also used to investigate how the trapezoid transition layer transfers shear vibrations into longitudinal vibrations. A prototype of the proposed transducer was fabricated from piezoelectric vibrators working in the shear mode and a trapezoid transition layer. The underwater performance of this transducer was then tested. The results demonstrated that the transmitting voltage response, working frequency range, and bandwidth reached 163 dB (62 kHz), 37 kHz–68 kHz, and 31 kHz when the radiating area of the transducer was 120 mm × 240 mm. The transmitting voltage response caused by the d15 shear vibration mode reached 160.9 dB at 89 kHz.
A Volume-Tuning Capillary Gripper That Enhances Handling Capabilities and Enables Testing of Micro-Components
Authors: Chafaï Adam , Ibrahimi Amin , Lambert Pierre
Published: August 2022

Capillary forces are shown to be extremely effective for micro-assembly and pick-and-place processes, especially for their ability to self-align the handled objects. However, in today’s machines, micro-objects are submitted to high loads, such as compressions for the electrical testing of the micro-components, or inertial forces coming from the high accelerations of the machines. There, capillary grippers may show some limits. These issues, as well as the difficulty to perform precise visual inspections (due to the tilt of the handled micro-object that can occur after a perturbation, such as the displacement of the gripper), can all be solved by temporarily removing the liquid meniscus. Therefore, we present a novel volume-tuning capillary gripper that provides a solution to these limitations without adding additional significant complexities or changes to the existing pick-and-place machines. A multi-scale prototype was dimensioned and produced by using fast prototyping methods, such as a femtosecond laser-assisted chemical etching process for fused silica. Models bringing a deeper understanding of the subsystems are presented. The proof of concept was extensively tested. Its picking capabilities and enhancements of the handling capabilities during horizontal motions, as well as the repeatability of the tuning of the volume of liquid, are presented.
Re-Analysis and Additional Information Needed to Inform Conclusions. Comment on Halenova et al. Deuterium-Depleted Water as Adjuvant Therapeutic Agent for Treatment of Diet-Induced Obesity in Rats. Molecules 2020, 25, 23
Authors: Vorland Colby J. , Chen Xiwei , Chusyd Daniella E. , Mestre Luis M. , Dickinson Stephanie L. , Allison David B. , Brown Andrew W.
Published: August 2022

We were interested to read the report by Halenova et al. [...]
Covalent Organic Frameworks Composites Containing Bipyridine Metal Complex for Oxygen Evolution and Methane Conversion
Authors: Liu Xin , Feng Lijuan , Li Yongpeng , Xia Tian , Sui Zhuyin , Chen Qi
Published: August 2022

Novel covalent organic framework (COF) composites containing a bipyridine multimetal complex were designed and obtained via the coordination interaction between bipyridine groups and metal ions. The obtained Pt and polyoxometalate (POM)–loaded COF complex (POM–Pt@COF–TB) exhibited excellent oxidation of methane. In addition, the resultant Co/Fe–based COF composites achieved great performance in an electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Compared with Co–modified COFs (Co@COF–TB), the optimized bimetallic modified COF composites (Co0.75Fe0.25@COF–TB) exhibited great performance for electrocatalytic OER activity, showing a lower overpotential of 331 mV at 10 mA cm−2. Meanwhile, Co0.75Fe0.25@COF–TB also possessed a great turnover frequency (TOF) value (0.119 s−1) at the overpotential of 330 mV, which exhibited high efficiency in the utilization of metal atoms and was better than that of many reported COF-based OER electrocatalysts. This work provides a new perspective for the future coordination of COFs with bimetallic or polymetallic ions, and broadens the application of COFs in methane conversion and electrocatalytic oxygen evolution.
Agri-Food Surplus, Waste and Loss as Sustainable Biobased Ingredients: A Review
Authors: Rodrigues Joana P. B. , Liberal Ângela , Petropoulos Spyridon A. , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Oliveira Maria Beatriz P. P. , Fernandes Ângela , Barros Lillian
Published: August 2022

Ensuring a sustainable supply of food for the world’s fast growing population is a major challenge in today’s economy, as modern lifestyle and increasing consumer concern with maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet is an important challenge for the agricultural sector worldwide. This market niche for healthier products, especially fruits and vegetables, has increased their production, consequently resulting in increased amounts of agri-food surplus, waste, and loss (SWL) generated during crop production, transportation, storage, and processing. Although many of these materials are not utilized, negatively affecting the environmental, economic, and social segments, they are a rich source of valuable compounds that could be used for different purposes, thus preventing the losses of natural resources and boosting a circular economy. This review aimed to give insights on the efficient management of agri-food SWL, considering conventional and emerging recovery and reuse techniques. Particularly, we explored and summarized the chemical composition of three worldwide cultivated and consumed vegetables (carrots, broccoli and lettuce) and evaluate the potential of their residues as a sustainable alternative for extracting value-added ingredients for the development of new biodynamic products.
Is It Possible to Restrain OER on Simple Carbon Electrodes to Efficiently Electrooxidize Organic Pollutants?
Authors: Ječmenica Dučić Marija , Aćimović Danka , Savić Branislava , Rakočević Lazar , Simić Marija , Brdarić Tanja , Vasić Anićijević Dragana
Published: August 2022

This paper presents a comparative analysis of three carbon-based electrodes: bare multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), SnO2/MWCNT, and PbO2/graphene-nanoribbons (PbO2/GNR) composites, as anodes for the electrooxidative degradation of Rhodamine B as a model organic pollutant. Anodic electrooxidation of Rhodamine B was performed on all three electrodes, and the decolorization efficiency was found to increase in the order MWCNT < PbO2/GNR < SnO2/MWCNT. The electrodes were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). It was proposed that, in the 0.1 M Na2SO4 applied as electrolyte, observed decolorization mainly occurs in the interaction of Rhodamine B with OH radical adsorbed on the anode. Finally, the obtained results were complemented with Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of OH-radical interaction with appropriate model surfaces: graphene(0001), SnO2(001), and PbO2(001). It was found that the stabilization of adsorbed OH-radical on metal oxide spots (SnO2 or PbO2) compared to carbon is responsible for the improved efficiency of composites in the degradation of Rhodamine B. The observed ability of metal oxides to improve the electrooxidative potential of carbon towards organic compounds can be useful in the future design of appropriate anodes.
Anti-Cancer Effects of Auranofin in Human Lung Cancer Cells by Increasing Intracellular ROS Levels and Depleting GSH Levels
Authors: Cui Xia Ying , Park Sun Hyang , Park Woo Hyun
Published: August 2022

Auranofin, as a thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibitor, has promising anti-cancer activity in several cancer types. However, little is known about the inhibitory effect of auranofin on lung cancer cell growth. We, therefore, investigated the antigrowth effects of auranofin in various lung cancer cells with respect to cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glutathione (GSH) levels. Treatment with 0~5 µM auranofin decreased cell proliferation and induced cell death in Calu-6, A549, SK-LU-1, NCI-H460, and NCI-H1299 lung cancer cells at 24 h. In addition, 0~5 µM auranofin increased ROS levels, including O2•−, and depleted GSH levels in these cells. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) prevented growth inhibition and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ∆Ψm) loss in 3 and 5 µM auranofin-treated Calu-6 and A549 cells at 24 h, respectively, and decreased ROS levels and GSH depletion in these cells. In contrast, L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) enhanced cell death, MMP (∆Ψm) loss, ROS levels, and GSH depletion in auranofin-treated Calu-6 and A549 cells. Treatment with 3 and 5 µM auranofin induced caspase-3 activation and poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage in Calu-6 and A549 cells, respectively. Both were prevented by NAC, but enhanced by BSO. Moreover, TrxR activity was reduced in auranofin-treated Calu-6 and A549 cells. That activity was decreased by BSO, but increased by NAC. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that auranofin-induced cell death is closely related to oxidative stress resulted from increased ROS levels and GSH depletion in lung cancer cells.
Sweet Corrosion Inhibition by CO2 Capture
Authors: Porcayo-Calderon Jesus , Canto Jorge , Martinez-de-la-Escalera L. M. , Neri Adrian
Published: August 2022

The most practical and economical way to combat the problems derived from CO2 corrosion (sweet corrosion) is the use of corrosion inhibitors of organic origin. Its main protection mechanism is based on its ability to adsorb on the metal surface, forming a barrier between the metal surface and the aggressive medium. However, despite its excellent performance, its inhibition efficiency can be compromised with the increase in temperature as well as the shear stresses. In this study, the use of an inorganic inhibitor is proposed that has not been considered as an inhibitor of sweet corrosion. The reported studies are based on using LaCl3 as a corrosion inhibitor. Its behavior was evaluated on 1018 carbon steel using electrochemical measurements, such as potentiodynamic polarization curves, open-circuit potential measurements, linear polarization resistance measurements, and electrochemical impedance. The results showed an inhibition efficiency of the sweet corrosion process greater than 95%, and that the inhibition mechanism was different from the classic corrosion process in CO2-free electrolytes. In this case, it was observed that the inhibitory capacity of the La3+ cations is based on a CO2-capture process and the precipitation of a barrier layer of lanthanum carbonate (La2(CO3)3).
Recent Advances of Anderson-Type Polyoxometalates as Catalysts Largely for Oxidative Transformations of Organic Molecules
Authors: Wei Zheyu , Wang Jingjing , Yu Han , Han Sheng , Wei Yongge
Published: August 2022

Anderson-type ([XM6O24]n−) polyoxometalates (POMs) are a class of polymetallic-oxygen cluster inorganic compounds with special structures and properties. They have been paid extensive attention by researchers now, due to their chemical modification and designability, which have been widely applied in the fields of materials, catalysis and medicine. In contemporary years, the application of Anderson-type POMs in catalytic organic oxidation reaction has gradually shown great significance for the research of green catalytic process. In this paper, we investigate the application of Anderson-type POMs in organic synthesis reaction, and these works are summarized according to the different structure of POMs. This will provide a new strategy for further investigation of the catalytic application of Anderson-type POMs and the study of green catalysis.
Good Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Lowered Risk of Renal Glomerular Impairment in Children: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Li Menglong , Xiao Huidi , Shu Wen , Amaerjiang Nubiya , Zunong Jiawulan , Huang Dayong , Hu Yifei
Published: August 2022

Healthy diet patterns have a positive effect on chronic non-communicable diseases in the pediatric population, but the evidence is limited on the association between kidney impairment and adherence to a Mediterranean diet. We aim to determine the associations between Mediterranean diet adherence and longitudinal tubular and glomerular impairment in children. Based on four waves of urine assays conducted from October 2018 to November 2019, we assayed urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and microalbumin (MA) excretion to determine transient renal tubular and glomerular impairment during the follow-up of the child cohort (PROC) study in Beijing, China. We assessed Mediterranean diet adherence using the 16-item Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in children and adolescents (KIDMED) among 1914 primary school children. Poor, intermediate, and good adherence rates for the Mediterranean diet were 9.0% (KIDMED index 0–3), 54.4% (KIDMED index 4–7) and 36.5% (KIDMED index 8–12), respectively. A short sleep duration was more prevalent in children with lower Mediterranean diet adherence, with no significant differences presenting in the other demographic and lifestyle covariates. The results of linear mixed-effects models showed that a higher urinary MA excretion was inversely associated with a higher KIDMED score (β = −0.216, 95%CI: −0.358, −0.074, p = 0.003), after adjusting for sex, age, BMI z-score, SBP z-score, screen time, sleep duration and physical activity. Furthermore, in generalized linear mixed-effects models, consistent results found that transient renal glomerular impairment was less likely to develop in children with intermediate Mediterranean diet adherence (aOR = 0.68, 95%CI: 0.47, 0.99, p = 0.044) and in children with good Mediterranean diet adherence (aOR = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.40, 0.90, p = 0.014), taking poor Mediterranean diet adherence as a reference. We visualized the longitudinal associations between each item of the KIDMED test and kidney impairment via a forest plot and identified the main protective eating behaviors. Children who adhere well to the Mediterranean diet have a lower risk of transient glomerular impairment, underscoring the necessity of the early childhood development of healthy eating patterns to protect kidney health.
Selenium and Coenzyme Q10 Intervention Prevents Telomere Attrition, with Association to Reduced Cardiovascular Mortality—Sub-Study of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Opstad Trine Baur , Alexander Jan , Aaseth Jan O. , Larsson Anders , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Alehagen Urban
Published: August 2022

Short telomeres have been associated with ageing and cardiovascular disease. The influence on leukocyte telomere length (LTL) of long-term intervention with combined selenium and coenzyme Q10 is unknown. Our aim was to determine whether 42 months of selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation prevented telomere attrition and further cardiovascular mortality. The investigation is an explorative sub-study of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Swedish citizens low in selenium (n = 118), aged 70–80 years, were included. Intervention time was 4 years, with 10 years’ follow-up time. LTL was relatively quantified with PCR at baseline and after 42 months. At baseline, LTL (SD) was 0.954 (0.260) in the active treatment group and 1.018 (0.317) in the placebo group (p = 0.23). At 42 months, less shortening of LTL was observed after active treatment compared with placebo (+0.019 vs. −0.129, respectively, p = 0.02), with a significant difference in change basing the analysis on individual changes in LTL (p < 0.001). Subjects suffering future death presented with significantly shorter LTL at 42 months than survivors [0.791 (0.190) vs. 0.941 (0.279), p = 0.01], with a significant difference in change of LTL according to cardiovascular mortality and survival (p = 0.03). To conclude, preservation of LTL after selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality.
Nanotechnology-Based Combinatorial Anti-Glioblastoma Therapies: Moving from Terminal to Treatable
Authors: Barzegar Behrooz Amir , Talaie Zahra , Syahir Amir
Published: August 2022

Aggressive glioblastoma (GBM) has no known treatment as a primary brain tumor. Since the cancer is so heterogeneous, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) exists, and the blood–brain barrier (BBB) prevents chemotherapeutic chemicals from reaching the central nervous system (CNS), therapeutic success for GBM has been restricted. Drug delivery based on nanocarriers and nanotechnology has the potential to be a handy tool in the continuing effort to combat the challenges of treating GBM. There are various new therapies being tested to extend survival time. Maximizing therapeutic effectiveness necessitates using many treatment modalities at once. In the fight against GBM, combination treatments outperform individual ones. Combination therapies may be enhanced by using nanotechnology-based delivery techniques. Nano-chemotherapy, nano-chemotherapy–radiation, nano-chemotherapy–phototherapy, and nano-chemotherapy–immunotherapy for GBM are the focus of the current review to shed light on the current status of innovative designs.