bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in Computer-Assisted Surgery for Total Knee Arthroplasty in Germany: An Analysis Based on the Operative Procedure Classification System between 2010 to 2021
Authors: Heinz Tizian , Eidmann Annette , Anderson Philip , Weißenberger Manuel , Jakuscheit Axel , Rudert Maximilian , Stratos Ioannis
Published: January 2023

Alignment strategies for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have changed significantly over time with a shift towards a more individualized alignment goal. At the same time, computer-assisted surgery (CAS) has gained interest for intraoperative control and accuracy in implant positioning and limb alignment. Despite the often discussed benefits and drawbacks of robotics and navigation for TKA, the routine use of these new devices on a day-to-day basis remains obscure. Therefore, nationwide hospital billing data based on the Operation Procedure Classification System (OPS) were retrieved from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany for the period from 2010 to 2021. OPS codes for primary total knee arthroplasty (OPS code: 5-822*) were further analyzed regarding the usage of computer navigation (additional OPS code: 5-988) or robotic devices (additional OPS code: 5-987). Gender and age at the time of surgery were also assessed. The results show a total of 2,226,559 primary TKAs were implanted between 2010 and 2021, of which 2,044,914 were performed conventionally (91.84% of all TKAs). A total of 170,276 TKAs were performed using navigation technique (7.65% of all TKAs) and another 11,369 TKAs were performed using robotics (0.51% of all TKAs). For the period from 2018 to 2021, a substantial increase in robot-assisted TKA (R-TKA) was observed, with an average increase rate of 84.74% per year, while the number of navigated TKAs declined (−3.67% per year). Computer-assisted surgery, and particularly robotics for TKA, are seeing growing popularity and stepwise translation into routine clinical use in Germany, with a steep increase rate of more than 80% per year since 2018. Nevertheless, the majority of TKAs are still performed using manual instrumentation, rendering conventional TKA the currently unchanged gold standard.
Shape Memory Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications: An Update
Authors: Rokaya Dinesh , Skallevold Hans Erling , Srimaneepong Viritpon , Marya Anand , Shah Pravin Kumar , Khurshid Zohaib , Zafar Muhammad Sohail , Sapkota Janak
Published: January 2023

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are emerging smart materials that have the ability to change to a shape and revert to their permanent shape on application of external stimulus. SMPs can be divided into four types based on their permanent shape, elasticity origin, and temporary shape fixing mechanism: chemically cross-linked glassy thermosets, chemically cross-linked semi-crystalline, physically cross-linked glassy copolymers, and physically cross-linked block copolymers. The broad overview of recent developments on SMPs for biomedical applications proves their wide applicability in the field of general medicine, drug delivery, regenerative medicine, dentistry, neuromedicine, cancer therapy, orthopedics, and corrosion protection. Herein, a comprehensive analysis of SMPs and their composites with focus on their types, mechanism, functionality and biomedical applications is presented. Relevant biomedical technologies based on SMPs and their future advancement towards biomedical applications are also discussed.
Biosynthesis, Characterization, and Augmented Anticancer Activity of ZrO2 Doped ZnO/rGO Nanocomposite
Authors: Ahamed Maqusood , Lateef Rashid , Khan M. A. Majeed , Rajanahalli Pavan , Akhtar Mohd Javed
Published: January 2023

Fabrication of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) via green process has received enormous attention for its application in biomedicine. Here, a simple and cost-effective green route is reported for the synthesis of ZrO2-doped ZnO/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (ZnO/ZrO2/rGO NCs) exploiting ginger rhizome extract. Our aim was to improve the anticancer performance of ZnO/ZrO2/rGO NCs without toxicity to normal cells. The preparation of pure ZnO NPs, ZnO/ZrO2 NCs, and ZnO/ZrO2/rGO NCs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). XRD spectra of ZnO/ZrO2/rGO NCs exhibited two distinct sets of diffraction peaks, ZnO wurtzite structure, and ZrO2 phases (monoclinic + tetragonal). The SEM and TEM data show that ZrO2-doped ZnO particles were uniformly distributed on rGO sheets with the excellent quality of lattice fringes without alterations. PL spectra intensity and particle size of ZnO decreased after ZrO2-doping and rGO addition. DLS data demonstrated that green prepared samples show excellent colloidal stability in aqueous suspension. Biological results showed that ZnO/ZrO2/rGO NCs display around 3.5-fold higher anticancer efficacy in human lung cancer (A549) and breast cancer (MCF7) cells than ZnO NPs. A mechanistic approach suggested that the anticancer response of ZnO/ZrO2/rGO NCs was mediated via oxidative stress evident by the induction of the intracellular reactive oxygen species level and the reduction of the glutathione level. Moreover, green prepared nanostructures display good cytocompatibility in normal cell lines; human lung fibroblasts (IMR90) and breast epithelial (MCF10A) cells. However, the cytocompatibility of ZnO/ZrO2/rGO NCs in normal cells was better than those of pure ZnO NPs and ZnO/ZrO2 NCs. Augmented anticancer potential and improved cytocompatibility of ZnO/ZrO2/rGO NCs was due to ginger extract mediated beneficial synergism between ZnO, ZrO2, and rGO. This novel investigation emphasizes the significance of medicinal herb mediated ZnO-based NCs synthesis for biomedical research.
Marine Heatwaves in the Indonesian Fisheries Management Areas
Authors: Habibullah Ahmad Dhuha , Tarya Ayi , Ningsih Nining Sari , Putri Mutiara Rachmat
Published: January 2023

Ocean temperatures increased during the 20th century and are predicted to continue to rise during the 21st century. Simultaneously, the extreme phenomena of shorter time ocean warming, known as Marine Heatwaves (MHWs), are also taking place. The present study used the Daily Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (DOISST) v2.1 with a spatial resolution of 0.25˚. The time period of the DOISST data used in this study was from January 1, 1982 to December 31, 2020, and the region was 90° E–150° E and 16° S–16° N, which is divided into 11 Fishing Management Areas (FMAs). MHWs have a set of metrics derived from the SST data to describe the statistical characteristics of each event. To examine and quantify the influence of the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, we used the Niño 3.4 SST index and the Dipole Mode Index (DMI), respectively. Based on the data analysis, there has been an increase in the duration and frequency of the occurrence of MHWs in the study area, with the highest increase occurring in FMA 573, FMA 716, and FMA 711. Based on the severity, MHWs in Indonesia are dominated by category I, which is dominantly located in FMA 716, category II in FMA 573, category III with the center of events in FMA 771, and category IV with irregular spatial patterns.
Non-Typical Clinical Presentation of COVID-19 Patients in Association with Disease Severity and Length of Hospital Stay
Authors: Skourtis Alexandros , Ekmektzoglou Konstantinos , Xanthos Theodoros , Stouraitou Stella , Iacovidou Nicoletta
Published: January 2023

Background: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of non-typical symptoms in ambulatory patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection and their potential association with disease progression. Materials and methods: Data on the symptomatology of COVID-19 patients presenting to the fast-track emergency department were collected between March 2020 and March 2021. Fever, cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue-weakness were defined as “typical” symptoms, whereas all other symptoms such as nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, gastrointestinal symptoms, etc., were defined as “non-typical”. Results: A total of 570 COVID-19 patients with a mean age of 42.25 years were included, the majority of whom were male (61.3%; N = 349), and were divided according to their symptoms into two groups. The mean length of hospital stay was found to be 9.5 days. A higher proportion of patients without non-typical symptoms were admitted to the hospital (p = 0.001) and the ICU (p = 0.048) as well. No significant differences were observed between non-typical symptoms and outcome (p = 0.685). Patients who did not demonstrate at least one non-typical symptom had an extended length of stay (p = 0.041). No statistically significant differences in length of hospital stay were associated with individual symptoms. Conclusion: With the possible exception of gastrointestinal symptoms, non-typical symptoms of COVID-19 at baseline appear to predispose to a milder disease.
A Machine Learning Framework for Assessing Urban Growth of Cities and Suitability Analysis
Authors: Gharaibeh Anne A. , Jaradat Mohammad A. , Kanaan Lamees M.
Published: January 2023

Rural–urban immigration, regional wars, refugees, and natural disasters all bring to prominence the importance of studying urban growth. Increased urban growth rates are becoming a global phenomenon creating stress on agricultural land, spreading pollution, accelerating global warming, and increasing water run-off, which adds exponentially to pressure on natural resources and impacts climate change. Based on the integration of machine learning (ML) and geographic information system (GIS), we employed a framework to delineate future urban boundaries for future expansion and urban agglomerations. We developed it based on a Time Delay Neural Network (TDNN) that depends on equal time intervals of urban growth. Such an approach is used for the first time in urban growth as a predictive tool and is coupled with Land Suitability Analysis, which incorporates both qualitative and quantitative data to propose evaluated urban growth in the Greater Irbid Municipality, Jordan. The results show the recommended future spatial expansion and proposed results for the year 2025. The results show that urban growth is more prevalent in the eastern, northern, and southern areas and less in the west. The urban growth boundary map illustrates that the continuation of urban growth in these areas will slowly further encroach upon and diminish agricultural land. By means of suitability analysis, the results showed that 51% of the region is unsuitable for growth, 43% is moderately suitable and only 6% is suitable for growth. Based on TDNN methodology, which is an ML framework that is dependent on the growth of urban boundaries, we can track and predict the trend of urban spatial expansion and thus develop policies for protecting ecological and agricultural lands and optimizing and directing urban growth.
Possibilities of Rock Processing with a High-Pressure Abrasive Waterjet with an Aspect Terms to Minimizing Energy Consumption
Authors: Chomka Grzegorz , Kasperowicz Maciej , Chodór Jarosław , Chudy Jerzy , Kukiełka Leon
Published: January 2023

The paper concerns the application a high-pressure abrasive waterjet (AWJ) for cutting the most commonly used rock materials such as granite, limestone, basalt and marble. Based on the analysis of the literature, the influence of parameters on the specific energy Ev, specific energy of cutting Er and specific energy of intersection Ea was determined. Experimental studies were carried out on a laboratory test stand in accordance with a five-level rotating experiment plan. The results of the research were subjected to statistical processing, obtaining regression equations. The influence of the pressure and diameter of the abrasive waterjet on the energy consumption of rock cutting was tested. The effect of the stream power, feed speed and pressure on the cutting depth with the AWJ was also determined. The data obtained made it possible to evaluate the machinability of the rocks as a function of the power of the jet. These analyses were supplemented with charts illustrating the influence of the most important technological parameter of the cutting process, which is the feed speed. The presented results provide answers to the energy and time requirements for efficient cutting with the AWJ of frequently used rock materials.
Characteristics and Functional Application of Cellulose Fibers Extracted from Cow Dung Wastes
Authors: Yang Xiangjun , Li Lu , Zhao Wuyun , Wang Mengyang , Yang Wanxia , Tian Yuhang , Zheng Ruizhe , Deng Shuhang , Mu Yongsong , Zhu Xiaodong
Published: January 2023

The widespread use of petroleum-based products has led to increasing environmental and ecological problems, while the extraction and application of various natural cellulose fibers have received increasing attention. This research focuses on the extraction of cellulose fibers from cow dung using different treatments: hot water, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) boilings, as well as a selection of the best quality cow dung fibers for papermaking with quality control. The study’s objective is to find a sustainable method to extract as much material as possible from renewable biomass feedstock. The results show that the best extraction rate is obtained by KOH boiling with 42% cellulose fibers extracted. Corresponding handmade paper has a burst index of 2.48 KPam2/g, a tear index of 4.83 mNm2/g and a tensile index of 26.72 Nm/g. This project expands the sources of natural cellulose fibers to an eco-friendly and sustainable one and opens up new applications for cow dung.
Additively Manufactured Lattice Materials with a Double Level of Gradation: A Comparison of Their Compressive Properties when Fabricated with Material Extrusion and Vat Photopolymerization Processes
Authors: Rico-Baeza Genaro , Cuan-Urquizo Enrique , Pérez-Soto Gerardo I. , Alcaraz-Caracheo Luis A. , Camarillo-Gómez Karla A.
Published: January 2023

Natural porous materials adjust their resulting mechanical properties by the optimal use of matter and space. When these are produced synthetically, they are known as mechanical metamaterials. This paper adds degrees of tailoring of mechanical properties by producing double levels of gradation in lattice structures via cross-section variation in struts in uniformly periodic lattice structures (UPLS) and layered lattice structures (LLS). These were then additively manufactured via material extrusion (ME) and vat photopolymerization (VP). Their effective mechanical properties under compressive loads were characterized, and their stiffness contrasted with finite element models (FEM). According to the simulation and experimental results, a better correlation was obtained in the structures manufactured via VP than by ME, denoting that printing defects affect the correlation results. The brittle natural behavior of the resin caused a lack of a plateau region in the stress–strain curves for the UPLS structures, as opposed to those fabricated with ME. The LLS increased energy absorption up to 244% and increased the plateau stress up to 100% compared to the UPLS. The results presented in this paper demonstrate that the mechanical properties of lattice structures with the same base topology could be modified by incorporating variations in the strut diameter and then arranging these differently.
Anti-Oxidation Agents to Prevent Dye Degradation in Organic-Based Host–Guest Systems Suitable for Luminescent Solar Concentrators
Authors: Villafiorita-Monteleone Francesca , Pasini Mariacecilia , Botta Chiara
Published: January 2023

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have been extensively studied as they offer a practical solution to increase the efficiency of silicon-based photovoltaics (PVs). In this context, the use of natural and organic luminescent materials is desirable in order to obtain sustainable and environmentally friendly devices. Moreover, solution-processable organic host–guest systems based on Foerster Resonant Energy Transfer (FRET) processes offer the possibility to exploit a low-cost technique to obtain an efficient energy downshift from the UV–visible to red or deep red emissions in order to concentrate the radiation in the area of maximum efficiency of the PV device. Nevertheless, organic materials are subjected to photodegradation that reduces their optical properties when exposed to UV light and oxygen. In this work, we incorporated two different antioxidant molecules (i.e., octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (Octa) and L-ascorbic acid (L-Asc)) in a three-dye host–guest system and studied the corresponding optical properties after prolonged irradiation times in air. It was found that the presence of the antioxidants, especially L-Asc, slowed the system’s photodegradation down whilst at the same time retaining high emission efficiencies and without interfering with the cascade Resonant Energy Transfer processes among the dyes inserted in the nanochannels of the host.
Nanocrystalline CaWO4 and ZnWO4 Tungstates for Hybrid Organic–Inorganic X-ray Detectors
Authors: Pudza Inga , Pudzs Kaspars , Tokmakovs Andrejs , Strautnieks Normunds Ralfs , Kalinko Aleksandr , Kuzmin Alexei
Published: January 2023

Hybrid materials combining an organic matrix and high-Z nanomaterials show potential for applications in radiation detection, allowing unprecedented device architectures and functionality. Herein, novel hybrid organic–inorganic systems were produced using a mixture of tungstate (CaWO4 or ZnWO4) nanoparticles with a P3HT:PCBM blend. The nano-tungstates with a crystallite size of 43 nm for CaWO4 and 30 nm for ZnWO4 were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Their structure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The hybrid systems were used to fabricate direct conversion X-ray detectors able to operate with zero bias voltage. The detector performance was tested in a wide energy range using monochromatic synchrotron radiation. The addition of nanoparticles with high-Z elements improved the detector response to X-ray radiation compared with that of a pure organic P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction cell. The high dynamic range of our detector allows for recording X-ray absorption spectra, including the fine X-ray absorption structure located beyond the absorption edge. The obtained results suggest that nanocrystalline tungstates are promising candidates for application in direct organic–inorganic X-ray detectors.
Antecedents of Risky Financial Investment Intention among Higher Education Students: A Mediating Moderating Model Using Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Elshaer Ibrahim A. , Sobaih Abu Elnasr E.
Published: January 2023

The current study examines the direct effect of investment awareness and university education support on students’ risky financial investment intentions. Additionally, it examines the mediating effect of social influence and the moderating effect of self-control on these relationships. For this purpose, we directed an online questionnaire to senior students at three public universities in Saudi Arabia. The results of SmartPLS showed positive significant effects of investment awareness and university education support on social influence towards investment. The results also showed direct positive significant effects of investment awareness and university education support on students’ risky financial investment intentions. The results confirmed a partial mediating effect of social influence on the link between investment awareness and university education support on students’ risky financial investment intentions. Moreover, self-control was found to have a moderating effect on the link between investment awareness, university education support and social influence. Self-control failed to confirm the other moderating effects; i.e., the link between university education support and investment awareness, nor the link between investment awareness, university education support and risky financial investment intention. Implications of these findings for academics and policymakers to stimulate investment intention among higher education graduates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are discussed.
Polymorphisms of Antioxidant Enzymes SOD2 (rs4880) and GPX1 (rs1050450) Are Associated with Bladder Cancer Risk or Its Aggressiveness
Authors: Nikic Predrag , Dragicevic Dejan , Jerotic Djurdja , Savic Slaviša , Djukic Tatjana , Stankovic Branko , Kovacevic Luka , Simic Tatjana , Matic Marija
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: Oxidative stress induced by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production plays an important role in carcinogenesis. The entire urinary tract is continuously exposed to numerous potentially mutagenic environmental agents which generate ROS during their biotransformation. In first line defense against free radicals, antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD2) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) both have essential roles. Altered enzyme activity and decreased ability of neutralizing free oxygen radicals as a consequence of genetic polymorphisms in genes encoding these two enzymes are well described so far. This study aimed to investigate the association of GPX1 (rs1050450) and SOD2 (rs4880) genetic variants with the urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) risk independently and in combination with smoking. Furthermore, we aimed to determine whether the UBC stage and pathological grade were influenced by GPX1 and SOD2 polymorphisms. Material and Methods: The study population included 330 patients with UBC (mean age 65 ± 10.3 years) and 227 respective controls (mean age 63.4 ± 7.9 years). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of GPX1 (rs1050450) was analyzed using the PCR-RFLP, while SOD2 (rs4880) SNP was analyzed using the q-PCR method. Results: Our results showed that UBC risk was significantly increased among carriers of at least one variant SOD2 Val allele compared to the SOD2 Ala16Ala homozygotes (OR = 1.55, p = 0.03). Moreover, this risk was even more pronounced in smokers with at least one variant SOD2 Val allele, since they have even 7.5 fold higher UBC risk (OR = 7.5, p < 0.001). Considering GPX1 polymorphism, we have not found an association with UBC risk. However, GPX1 genotypes distribution differed significantly according to the tumor stage (p ˂ 0.049) and pathohistological grade (p ˂ 0.018). Conclusion: We found that SOD2 genetic polymorphism is associated with the risk of UBC development independently and in combination with cigarette smoking. Furthermore, we showed that GPX1 genetic polymorphism is associated with the aggressiveness of the disease.
Twenty Years’ Experience in Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Testicular Cancer in a Tertiary Referral Center
Authors: Mottaran Angelo , Ercolino Amelio , Bianchi Lorenzo , Piazza Pietro , Manes Francesco , Amirhassankhani Sasan , Salvador Marco , Chessa Francesco , Corcioni Beniamino , Bertaccini Alessandro , Schiavina Riccardo , Brunocilla Eugenio
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: The aim of this article is to present a single-surgeon, open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) series for testicular cancer in a high-volume center. Materials and Methods: We reviewed data from patients who underwent RPLND performed by an experienced surgeon at our institution between 2000 and 2019. We evaluated surgical and perioperative outcomes, complications, Recurrence-Free Survival (RFS), Overall Survival (OS), and Cancer-Specific Survival (CSS). Results: RPLND was performed in primary and secondary settings in 21 (32%) and 44 (68%) patients, respectively. Median operative time was 180 min. Median hospital stay was 6 days. Complications occurred in 23 (35%) patients, with 9 (14%) events reported as Clavien grade ≥ 3. Patients in the primary RPLND group were significantly younger, more likely to have NSGCT, had higher clinical N0 and M0, and had higher nerve-sparing RPLND (all p ≤ 0.04) compared to those in the secondary RPLND group. In the median follow-up of 120 (56–180) months, 10 (15%) patients experienced recurrence. Finally, 20-year OS, CSS, and RFS were 89%, 92%, and 85%, respectively, with no significant difference in survival rates between primary vs. secondary RPLND subgroups (p = 0.64, p = 0.7, and p = 0.31, respectively). Conclusions: Open RPLND performed by an experienced high-volume surgeon achieves excellent oncological and functional outcomes supporting the centralization of these complex procedures.
Lithium Separation from Geothermal Brine to Develop Critical Energy Resources Using High-Pressure Nanofiltration Technology: Characterization and Optimization
Authors: Sutijan Sutijan , Darma Stevanus Adi , Hananto Christopher Mario , Sujoto Vincent Sutresno Hadi , Anggara Ferian , Jenie Siti Nurul Aisyiyah , Astuti Widi , Mufakhir Fika Rofiek , Virdian Shinta , Utama Andhika Putera , Petrus Himawan Tri Bayu Murti
Published: January 2023

There is a shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles (EVs), with the primary goal of reducing CO2 emissions from road transport. Battery technology is at the heart of this transition as it is vital to hybrid and fully electric vehicles’ performance, affordability, and reliability. However, it is not abundant in nature. Lithium has many uses, one of which is heat transfer applications; synthesized as an alloying agent for batteries, glass, and ceramics, it therefore has a high demand on the global market. Lithium can be attained by extraction from other natural resources in igneous rocks, in the waters of mineral springs, and geothermal brine. During the research, geothermal brine was used because, from the technological point of view, geothermal brine contains higher lithium content than other resources such as seawater. The nanofiltration separation process was operated using various solutions of pH 5, 7, and 10 at high pressures. The varying pressures are 11, 13, and 15 bar. The nanofiltration method was used as the separation process. High pressure of inert nitrogen gas was used to supply the driving force to separate lithium from other ions and elements in the sample. The research results supported the selected parameters where higher pressure and pH provided more significant lithium recovery but were limited by concentration polarization. The optimal operating conditions for lithium recovery in this research were obtained at a pH of 10 under a pressure of 15 bar, with the highest lithium recovery reaching more than 75%.
Analysis of the Behavior of As and Pb during the Pretreatments Applied to a Jarosite Residue for the Recovery of Gold and Silver
Authors: Picazo-Rodríguez Nallely G. , Soria-Aguilar Ma. de Jesus , Chaidez Josue , Flores Manuel , Almaguer-Guzmán Isaias , Carrillo-Pedroza Francisco Raul
Published: January 2023

The recovery of valuable metals from jarosites is a topic of great relevance regarding the implementation of the circular economy; however, these materials also contain metals such as arsenic and lead, which are harmful to health and the environment. Considering these factors, it is important to monitor these metals at each stage of treatment used to recover the valuable metals. In the present work, the behavior of As and Pb was assessed during the pretreatment conducted on a jarositic residue using direct zinc leaching (DLR), as well as leaching in cyanide and cyanide media with glycine. It was found that when no DLR pretreatment was performed, As and Pb naturally dissolved in the cyanide-leaching medium at concentrations of 34.08 mg/L and 99.12 mg/L, respectively. When an alkaline treatment was conducted on the residue (DLR-AH), it was found that there was no presence of As and Pb in the cyanidation solution, while in the case of the cyanide solution with glycine, we observed 83.35 mg/L of As and 213.63 mg/L of Pb. During the oxidizing alkaline hydrothermal treatment (DLR-AHO), 27.5 mg/L of As and 106.78 mg/L of Pb were detected in the cyanide solution. In the cyanide solution with glycine, there was less dissolution of As and Pb (11.68 and 66.75 mg/L), respectively. Finally, when desulfurization of the DLR was conducted prior to the DLR-AHO treatment, the dissolution of As and Pb increased due to the elemental sulfur covering the arsenopyrite and galena particles, so that, when removed, these were more susceptible to pretreatment and cyanidation.
Closed-Loop Microreactor on PCB for Ultra-Fast DNA Amplification: Design and Thermal Validation
Authors: Skaltsounis Panagiotis , Kokkoris George , Papaioannou Theodoros G. , Tserepi Angeliki
Published: January 2023

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most common method used for nucleic acid (DNA) amplification. The development of PCR-performing microfluidic reactors (μPCRs) has been of major importance, due to their crucial role in pathogen detection applications in medical diagnostics. Closed loop (CL) is an advantageous type of μPCR, which uses a circular microchannel, thus allowing the DNA sample to pass consecutively through the different temperature zones, in order to accomplish a PCR cycle. CL μPCR offers the main advantages of the traditional continuous-flow μPCR, eliminating at the same time most of the disadvantages associated with the long serpentine microchannel. In this work, the performance of three different CL μPCRs designed for fabrication on a printed circuit board (PCB) was evaluated by a computational study in terms of the residence time in each thermal zone. A 3D heat transfer model was used to calculate the temperature distribution in the microreactor, and the residence times were extracted by this distribution. The results of the computational study suggest that for the best-performing microreactor design, a PCR of 30 cycles can be achieved in less than 3 min. Subsequently, a PCB chip was fabricated based on the design that performed best in the computational study. PCB constitutes a great substrate as it allows for integrated microheaters inside the chip, permitting at the same time low-cost, reliable, reproducible, and mass-amenable fabrication. The fabricated chip, which, at the time of this writing, is the first CL μPCR chip fabricated on a PCB, was tested by measuring the temperatures on its surface with a thermal camera. These results were then compared with the ones of the computational study, in order to evaluate the reliability of the latter. The comparison of the calculated temperatures with the measured values verifies the accuracy of the developed model of the microreactor. As a result of that, a total power consumption of 1.521 W was experimentally measured, only ~7.3% larger than the one calculated (1.417 W). Full validation of the realized CL μPCR chip will be demonstrated in future work.
Editorial for the Special Issue on Smart Devices and Systems for Vibration Sensing and Energy Harvesting
Authors: Tao Kai , Li Yunjia
Published: January 2023

The Internet of things (IoT) poses new challenges for sensors and their power systems [...]
Novel Plant-Associated Brevibacillus and Lysinibacillus Genomospecies Harbor a Rich Biosynthetic Potential of Antimicrobial Compounds
Authors: Jähne Jennifer , Le Thi Thanh Tam , Blumenscheit Christian , Schneider Andy , Pham Thi Luong , Le Thi Phuong Thao , Blom Jochen , Vater Joachim , Schweder Thomas , Lasch Peter , Borriss Rainer
Published: January 2023

We have previously reported the draft genome sequences of 59 endospore-forming Gram-positive bacterial strains isolated from Vietnamese crop plants due to their ability to suppress plant pathogens. Based on their draft genome sequence, eleven of them were assigned to the Brevibacillus and one to the Lysinibacillus genus. Further analysis including full genome sequencing revealed that several of these strains represent novel genomospecies. In vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated their ability to promote plant growth, as well as the strong biocontrol potential of Brevibacilli directed against phytopathogenic bacteria, fungi, and nematodes. Genome mining identified 157 natural product biosynthesis gene clusters (BGCs), including 36 novel BGCs not present in the MIBiG data bank. Our findings indicate that plant-associated Brevibacilli are a rich source of putative antimicrobial compounds and might serve as a valuable starting point for the development of novel biocontrol agents.
Temporal Variation of SARS-CoV-2 Levels in Wastewater from a Meat Processing Plant
Authors: Zhang Meiyi , King Maria D.
Published: January 2023

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) on SARS-CoV-2 has been proved to be an effective approach to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 in communities and cities. However, its application was overlooked at smaller scale, such as a single facility. Meat processing plants are hotspots for COVID-19 outbreaks due to their unique environment that are favorable for the survival and persistence of SARS-CoV-2. This is the first known WBS study in meat processing plants. The goal was to understand the temporal variation of the SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater from a meat processing plant in Canada during a three-month campaign and to find any correlation with clinically confirmed cases in the surrounding city area. Higher SARS-CoV-2 concentrations and detection frequencies were observed in the solid fraction compared to the liquid fraction of the wastewater. The viruses can be preserved in the solid fraction of wastewater for up to 12 days. The wastewater virus level did not correlate to the city-wide COVID-19 cases due to the unmatching scales. WBS on SARS-CoV-2 in meat processing plants can be useful for identifying COVID-19 outbreaks in the facility and serve as an effective alternative when resources for routine individual testing are not available.
The Characteristics, Enrichment, and Migration Mechanism of Cadmium in Phosphate Rock and Phosphogypsum of the Qingping Phosphate Deposit, Southwest China
Authors: Zou Chengjie , Shi Zeming , Yang Yulong , Zhang Junji , Hou Yun , Zhang Na
Published: January 2023

Sedimentary phosphate rocks are characteristically rich in organic matter, and contain sulfides and a high concentration of trace elements, including cadmium (Cd), which is harmful to the human body. The mining of phosphate rock and phosphogypsum at Qingping has expanded the release of Cd into groundwater and farmland soil. To prevent and control Cd pollution it is critical to reveal the carrier mineral phase(s) and migration mechanism of Cd and other elements in phosphate rock and phosphogypsum. The elemental and mineral composition of bulk samples were analysed by XRF, ICP-MS, and XRD, respectively. The results showed that from phosphate rock to phosphogypsum, the main constituent elements changed from CaO (49.43%) and P2O5 (36.63%) to CaO (33.65%) and SO3 (>34%), and the main mineral changed from fluorapatite to gypsum. Among all the elements, the element transfer factor (ETF) of P2O5, F, Co, U, Cd, and other elements was low; the ETF (Cd) was only 10.85%, and only a small amount of Cd entered the acidic phosphogypsum during the production process. Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed two types of apatite: the brown–black apatite with organic matter (type 1) and the yellow–light brown apatite without organic matter (type 2). LA-ICP-MS analysis showed that the Cd element content in type 2 was lower, while the organic matter and Cd element content in type 1 were higher, suggesting that Cd may be controlled by organic matter, and the relationship with apatite is not apparent. Electron probe analysis and XRD semiquantitative results show that the content of Cd in pyrite is higher (511 ppm), which is significantly higher than that of bulk rock. In addition, pyrite is rich in Co, As, Ni, Zn, and other elements. The content of Cd in phosphate ore shows a good correlation with that of pyrite. Cd in Qingping phosphate rock is mainly controlled by organic matter and pyrite, and only a small amount of Cd is transferred to phosphogypsum. Reducing the environment leads to the enrichment of Cd in phosphate rock.
Feature-Based Molecular Networking for the Exploration of the Metabolome Diversity of Common Egyptian Centaurea Species in Relation to Their Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Reda Eman H. , Hegazi Nesrine M. , Marzouk Mona , Shakour Zienab T. Abdel , El-Halawany Ali M. , El-Kashoury El-Sayeda A. , Mohamed Tarik A. , Ibrahim Mahmoud A. A. , Shams Khaled A. , Abdel-Azim Nahla S. , Kampf Christopher J. , Efferth Thomas , Paré Paul. W. , Hegazy Mohamed-Elamir F.
Published: January 2023

Centaurea is a genus compromising over 250 herbaceous flowering species and is used traditionally to treat several ailments. Among the Egyptian Centaurea species, C. lipii was reported to be cytotoxic against multidrug-resistant cancer cells. In this context, we aimed to explore the metabolome of C. lipii and compare it to other members of the genus in pursuance of identifying its bioactive principles. An LC-MS/MS analysis approach synchronized with feature-based molecular networks was adopted to offer a holistic overview of the metabolome diversity of the Egyptian Centaurea species. The studied plants included C. alexandrina, C. calcitrapa, C. eryngioides, C. glomerata, C. lipii, C. pallescens, C. pumilio, and C. scoparia. Their constitutive metabolome showed diverse chemical classes such as cinnamic acids, sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and lignans. Linking the recorded metabolome to the previously reported cytotoxicity identified sesquiterpene lactones as the major contributors to this activity. To confirm our findings, bioassay-guided fractionation of C. lipii was adopted and led to the isolation of the sesquiterpene lactone cynaropicrin with an IC50 of 1.817 µM against the CCRF-CEM leukemia cell line. The adopted methodology highlighted the uniqueness of the constitutive metabolome of C. lipii and determined the sesquiterpene lactones to be the responsible cytotoxic metabolites.
Hall Effect Anisotropy in the Paramagnetic Phase of Ho0.8Lu0.2B12 Induced by Dynamic Charge Stripes
Authors: Khoroshilov Artem L. , Krasikov Kirill M. , Azarevich Andrey N. , Bogach Alexey V. , Glushkov Vladimir V. , Krasnorussky Vladimir N. , Voronov Valery V. , Shitsevalova Natalya Y. , Filipov Volodymyr B. , Gabáni Slavomir , Flachbart Karol , Sluchanko Nikolay E.
Published: January 2023

A detailed study of charge transport in the paramagnetic phase of the cage-cluster dodecaboride Ho0.8Lu0.2B12 with an instability both of the fcc lattice (cooperative Jahn–Teller effect) and the electronic structure (dynamic charge stripes) was carried out at temperatures 1.9–300 K in magnetic fields up to 80 kOe. Four mono-domain single crystals of Ho0.8Lu0.2B12 samples with different crystal axis orientation were investigated in order to establish the singularities of Hall effect, which develop due to (i) the electronic phase separation (stripes) and (ii) formation of the disordered cage-glass state below T*~60 K. It was demonstrated that a considerable intrinsic anisotropic positive component ρanxy appears at low temperatures in addition to the ordinary negative Hall resistivity contribution in magnetic fields above 40 kOe applied along the [001] and [110] axes. A relation between anomalous components of the resistivity tensor ρanxy~ρanxx1.7 was found for H||[001] below T*~60 K, and a power law ρanxy~ρanxx0.83 for the orientation H||[110] at temperatures T < TS~15 K. It is argued that below characteristic temperature TS~15 K the anomalous odd ρanxy(T) and even ρanxx(T) parts of the resistivity tensor may be interpreted in terms of formation of long chains in the filamentary structure of fluctuating charges (stripes). We assume that these ρanxy(H||[001]) and ρanxy(H||[110]) components represent the intrinsic (Berry phase contribution) and extrinsic (skew scattering) mechanism, respectively. Apart from them, an additional ferromagnetic contribution to both isotropic and anisotropic components in the Hall signal was registered and attributed to the effect of magnetic polarization of 5d states (ferromagnetic nano-domains) in the conduction band of Ho0.8Lu0.2B12.
Alkaline Modification of Arabica-Coffee and Theobroma-Cocoa Agroindustrial Waste for Effective Removal of Pb(II) from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Lavado-Meza Carmencita , De la Cruz-Cerrón Leonel , Asencios Yvan J.O. , Marcos Francielle Candian Firmino , Dávalos-Prado Juan Z.
Published: January 2023

Arabica-coffee and Theobroma-cocoa agroindustrial wastes were treated with NaOH and characterized to efficiently remove Pb(II) from the aqueous media. The maximum Pb(II) adsorption capacities, qmax, of Arabica-coffee (WCAM) and Theobroma-cocoa (WCTM) biosorbents (qmax = 303.0 and 223.1 mg·g−1, respectively) were almost twice that of the corresponding untreated wastes and were higher than those of other similar agro-industrial biosorbents reported in the literature. Structural, chemical, and morphological characterization were performed by FT-IR, SEM/EDX, and point of zero charge (pHPZC) measurements. Both the WCAM and WCTM biosorbents showed typical uneven and rough cracked surfaces including the OH, C=O, COH, and C-O-C functional adsorbing groups. The optimal Pb(II) adsorption, reaching a high removal efficiency %R (>90%), occurred at a pH between 4 and 5 with a biosorbent dose of 2 g·L−1. The experimental data for Pb(II) adsorption on WACM and WCTM were well fitted with the Langmuir-isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic models. These indicated that Pb(II) adsorption is a chemisorption process with the presence of a monolayer mechanism. In addition, the deduced thermodynamic parameters showed the endothermic (ΔH0 > 0), feasible, and spontaneous (ΔG0 < 0) nature of the adsorption processes studied.
Magnetic Studies of Superconductivity in the Ga-Sn Alloy Regular Nanostructures
Authors: Likholetova Marina V. , Charnaya Elena V. , Shevchenko Evgenii V. , Lee Min Kai , Chang Lieh-Jeng , Kumzerov Yurii A. , Fokin Aleksandr V.
Published: January 2023

For applications of nanolattices in low-temperature nanoelectronics, the inter-unit space can be filled with superconducting metallic alloys. However, superconductivity under nanoconfinement is expected to be strongly affected by size-effects and other factors. We studied the magnetic properties and structure of the Ga-Sn eutectic alloy within regular nanopores of an opal template, to understand the specifics of the alloy superconductivity. Two superconducting transitions were observed, in contrast to the bulk alloy. The transitions were ascribed to the segregates with the structures of tetragonal tin and a particular gallium polymorph. The superconducting-phase diagram was constructed, which demonstrated crossovers from the positive- to the common negative-curvature of the upper critical-field lines. Hysteresis was found between the susceptibilities obtained at cooling and warming in the applied magnetic field.
Oral Bioavailability and Metabolism of Hydroxytyrosol from Food Supplements
Authors: Bender Cecilia , Strassmann Sarah , Golz Christian
Published: January 2023

Table olives and olive oils are the main dietary sources of hydroxytyrosol (HT), a natural antioxidant compound that has emerged as a potential aid in protection against cardiovascular risk. Bioavailability studies with olive oils showed that HT is bioavailable from its free form and from conjugated forms such as oleuropein and its aglycone. Still, its low dietary intake, poor bioavailability, and high inter-individual variability after absorption through the gastrointestinal tract hamper its full benefits. In a randomized, controlled, blinded, cross-over study, we investigated the impact of HT metabolism and bioavailability by comparing two olive-derived watery supplements containing different doses of HT (30.58 and 61.48 mg of HT/dosage). Additionally, HT-fortified olive oil was used in the control group. To this aim, plasma and urine samples were evaluated in 12 healthy volunteers following the intake of a single dose of the supplements or fortified olive oil. Blood and urine samples were collected at baseline and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, and 12 h after intake. HT and its metabolites were analyzed using UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic results showed that dietary HT administered through the food supplements is bioavailable and bioavailability increases with the administered dose. After intake, homovanillic acid, HT-3-O-sulphate, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid are the main metabolites found both in plasma and urine. The maximum concentrations in plasma peaked 30 min after intake. As bioavailability of a compound is a fundamental prerequisite for its effect, these results promise a good potential of both food supplements for protection against oxidative stress and the consequent cardiovascular risk.
Malnutrition with Low Muscle Mass Is Common after Weaning off Home Parenteral Nutrition for Chronic Intestinal Failure
Authors: Wauters Lucas , Dermine Solène , de Dreuille Brune , Bettolo Joanna , Hutinet Coralie , Mohamed Ashiq , Lecoq Emilie , Billiauws Lore , Nuzzo Alexandre , Corcos Olivier , Joly Francisca
Published: January 2023

The differences in outcomes after weaning off intravenous support (IVS) for chronic intestinal failure (IF) are unclear. Adult IF patients who are weaned off IVS at a tertiary care center (June 2019–2022) were included in this study, and nutritional and functional markers were assessed before, during, and after weaning. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) was present in 77/98 of the IF patients, with different outcomes according to the final anatomy. The body weight and the BMI increased during IVS in those with a jejunocolonic (JC) anastomosis (p < 0.001), but weight loss was significant during follow-up (p < 0.001). Malnutrition was present in >60%, with a reduced muscle mass, which was found using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), in >50% of SBS-JC patients. Although reduced hand-grip strength and sarcopenia were less common, the muscle quality, or phase angle (BIA), decreased during follow-up, also correlating with serum albumin and muscle mass (p ≤ 0.01). The muscle quality and albumin were low in the patients restarting IVS, which was only the case with ≤60 cm of small bowel. Closer follow-up and earlier treatment with teduglutide (TED) should be considered in these patients, as none of the TED-treated patients were malnourished or sarcopenic. Studies on the potential benefits of nutritional and physical interventions for low muscle mass and associations with outcomes are needed in chronic IF patients.
Predicted Secretome of the Monogenean Parasite Rhabdosynochus viridisi: Hypothetical Molecular Mechanisms for Host-Parasite Interactions
Authors: Mirabent-Casals Marian , Caña-Bozada Víctor Hugo , Morales-Serna Francisco Neptalí , García-Gasca Alejandra
Published: January 2023

Helminth parasites secrete several types of biomolecules to ensure their entry and survival in their hosts. The proteins secreted to the extracellular environment participate in the pathogenesis and anthelmintic immune responses. The aim of this work was to identify and functionally annotate the excretory/secretory (ES) proteins of the monogenean ectoparasite Rhabdosynochus viridisi through bioinformatic approaches. A total of 1655 putative ES proteins were identified, 513 (31%) were annotated in the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot database, and 269 (16%) were mapped to 212 known protein domains and 710 GO terms. We identified six putative multifunctional proteins. A total of 556 ES proteins were mapped to 179 KEGG pathways and 136 KO. ECPred predicted 223 enzymes (13.5%) and 1315 non-enzyme proteins (79.5%) from the secretome of R. viridisi. A total of 1045 (63%) proteins were predicted as antigen with a threshold 0.5. We also identified six venom allergen-like proteins. Our results suggest that ES proteins from R. viridisi are involved in immune evasion strategies and some may contribute to immunogenicity.