bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spiritual Healing: A Triple Scoping Review of the Impact of Spirituality on Burn Injuries, Wounds, and Critical Care
Authors: Lagziel Tomer , Sohail Malik Muhammad , Koenig Harold G. , Janis Jeffrey E. , Poteet Stephen J. , Khoo Kimberly H. , Caffrey Julie A. , Lerman Sheera F. , Hultman Charles S.
Published: February 2022

Burn patients are unique because their recovery requires prolonged hospital admissions, often complicated by a myriad of medical and surgical complications as well as psychological and emotional challenges. Religion and spirituality have been linked to improved health outcomes in other medical fields. Our scoping review aimed to examine the available literature for evidence of the impact of spirituality on burns, complex wounds, and critical care to shed more light on the relationship between spirituality and the conditions treated by multidisciplinary burn center teams. We performed three systematic reviews to examine the relationship between spirituality and these conditions. Searches were performed using MeSH terms utilizing four databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus). A systematic and independent title/abstract screening was carried out by two independent reviewers and a full-text review was followed. Our review demonstrated a clear lack of overlap between study outcomes and lack of objective spirituality measurements. Most articles primarily focused on psychological outcomes, such as stress or mental health, instead of objective measures such as wound size or scar formation. We found a trend toward better psychological outcomes in patients with more spirituality, either pre-existing or interventional. To increase comparability and uniformity of outcomes, future studies would benefit from utilizing standardized spiritual assessment tools and objective wound metrics.
Oenological Characterization of Native Hanseniaspora uvarum Strains
Authors: Mančić Stojan , Stamenković Stojanović Sandra , Danilović Bojana , Djordjević Natalija , Malićanin Marko , Lazić Miodrag , Karabegović Ivana
Published: February 2022

The utilization of native yeast strains associated with a distinct terroir for autochthonous grape types represents a novel trend in winemaking, contributing to the production of unique wines with regional character. Hence, this study aimed to isolate native strains of the yeast H. uvarum from the surface of various fruits and to characterize its fermentation capability in Prokupac grape must. Out of 31 yeasts, 8 isolates were identified as H. uvarum. The isolates were able to grow at low (4 °C) temperatures, SO2 concentrations up to 300 ppm and ethanol concentrations up to 5%. Additionally, they provided a good profile of organic acids during the microvinification of sterile grape must. Although the content of acetic acid (0.54–0.63 g/L) was relatively high, the sniffing test proved that the yeast isolates developed a pleasant aroma characterized as fruity. All H. uvarum isolates produced twice the concentration of glycerol compared to commercial wine yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, contributing to the fullness and sweetness of the wine. The results for pure and sequential fermentation protocols confirmed that the selected S-2 isolate has good oenological characteristics, the capability to reduce the ethanol content (up to 1% v/v) and a potential to give a distinctive note to Prokupac-grape wines.
Existence Results of Global Solutions for a Coupled Implicit Riemann-Liouville Fractional Integral Equation via the Vector Kuratowski Measure of Noncompactness
Authors: Laksaci Noura , Boudaoui Ahmed , Shatanawi Wasfi , Shatnawi Taqi A. M.
Published: February 2022

The main goal of this study is to demonstrate an existence result of a coupled implicit Riemann-Liouville fractional integral equation. First, we prove a new fixed point theorem in spaces with an extended norm structure. That theorem generalized Darbo’s theorem associated with the vector Kuratowski measure of noncompactness. Second, we employ our obtained fixed point theorem to investigate the existence of solutions to the coupled implicit fractional integral equation on the generalized Banach space C([0,1],R)×C([0,1],R).
Raising Awareness of Smartphone Overuse among University Students: A Persuasive Systems Approach
Authors: Abreu Carlos , Campos Pedro F.
Published: February 2022

Smartphone overuse can lead to a series of physical, mental and social disturbances. This problem is more prevalent among young adults as compared to other demographic groups. Additionally, university students are already undergoing high cognitive loads and stress conditions; therefore, they are more susceptible to smartphone addiction and its derived problems. In this paper, we present a novel approach where a conversational mobile agent uses persuasive messages exploring the reflective mind to raise users’ awareness of their usage and consequently induce reduction behaviors. We conducted a four-week study with 16 university students undergoing stressful conditions—a global lockdown during their semester—and evaluated the impact of the agent on smartphone usage reduction and the perceived usefulness of such an approach. Results show the efficacy of self-tracking in the behavior change process: 81% of the users reduced their usage time, and all of them mentioned that having a conversational agent alerting them about their usage was useful. Before this experiment, only 68% of them considered such an approach could be useful. In conclusion, users deemed it essential to have an engaging conversational agent on their smartphones, in terms of helping them become more aware of usage times.
Multi-Criteria Methodology for the Location of Photovoltaic Solar Energy Production Facilities in Tenerife (Spain)
Authors: Gutiérrez Javier , Velázquez Javier , Aguiló María Luz , Herráez Fernando , Jiménez Carlos , Canelo Luis Eduardo , Hernando Ana , Gómez Inmaculada , Rincón Víctor
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a multi-criteria methodology for the detection of optimal locations for solar photovoltaic installations connected to the electrical grid. The proposed methodology has been applied to the island of Tenerife, as it is one of the territories in Spain with the greatest solar potential. This methodology integrates an Aptitude Model (which covers variables such as connections to the electrical grid, accessibility, cloudiness, solar irradiation and slope) together with an Impact Model (which considers variables such as landscape vulnerability, land use and hydrology). Each one of the variables considered has been transformed into standardized decision criteria, which have been weighted by means of Saaty’s pair method, having also assigned them relative weights by means of expert consultation. The integration of both Models in a Hosting Capacity Model makes it possible to consider urban and environmental constraints in different possible scenarios. Finally, the Hosting Capacity Model generated is implemented through a Geographic Information System (GIS) on the island of Tenerife, so that it has been possible to detect the optimum locations for each municipality and region.
Synthesis of MOFs for RhB Adsorption from Wastewater
Authors: Ren Qinhui , Nie Meng , Yang Lili , Wei Fuhua , Ding Bo , Chen Hongliang , Liu Zhengjun , Liang Zhao
Published: February 2022

Fe-MOFs were prepared using a solvothermal method, and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. We explored the application of Fe-MOFs as an adsorbing material for the removal of Rhodamine B (RhB) from aqueous solutions. The experimental data were simulated by dynamics and the results showed that the pseudo–second-order kinetics model was appropriate for analysis of RhB removal. We studied the adsorption capacity of MOF materials under different masses, concentrations, and pH conditions. When the pH was 6, the maximum adsorption capacity within 4 h was 135 mg/g. In summation, the removal of RhB from wastewater using MOFs is feasible, inexpensive, and effective. Hence, our findings indicate that MOFs have a broad application in the purification of wastewater.
Evolution of Early Onset Scoliosis under Treatment with a 3D-Brace Concept
Authors: Sauvagnac Rebecca , Rigo Manuel
Published: February 2022

The objective of this study is to examine the evolution of all the braced patients diagnosed with early onset scoliosis in a private scoliosis center. All patients diagnosed with EOS and braced before the age of ten were retrospectively reviewed. The results have been defined in accordance with the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) for bracing criteria, and with a minimum follow-up of one year. Improvement and stabilization were considered successful treatments, while failure was considered to be an unsuccessful treatment. Successful results were observed in 80% of patients (63% worst case). In the success group, the Cobb angle was reduced from 36.3° (21–68) to 25° (10–43), with 36% of patients being initially treated only with night-time bracing. Twenty percent of the patients failed, seven had more than 45° at the last control and five had undergone surgery. This study suggests that bracing, using a modern 3D-brace concept, could be an effective treatment option for early onset scoliosis and advocates exploring its effectiveness as an alternative to casting throughout studies of higher levels of evidence.
The Effect of Micromechanics Models: 2D and 3D Numerical Modeling for Predicting the Mechanical Properties of PP/Alfa Short Fiber Composites
Authors: El-Abbassi Fatima Ezzahra , Assarar Mustapha , Sakami Siham , Kebir Hocine , Ayad Rezak
Published: February 2022

In the present work, we propose to confront two modeling techniques for predicting the macroscopic properties of short alfa fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites. The first modeling was a micromechanical analysis using the Mori-Tanaka, Self-consistent, Diluted, Voigt, Reuss, and Neerfeld-Hill models. The second modeling was digital, using a specific finite element technique called the Projected Fiber (PF) approach. In the framework of this study, both 2D and 3D finite element analyses based on the PF approach were used. First, we proposed an inverse approach using these analytical and finite element models to predict the Young’s modulus of alfa fiber. Then, we compared the obtained results with the experiment values available in the literature. This comparison showed that the micromechanical models underestimated the alfa fiber’s Young’s modulus, while the finite element approach, PF, allowed for good framing of the experimental values. Moreover, we investigated the effect of fiber content on the predicted elastic properties of a polypropylene (PP) matrix reinforced with randomly distributed short alfa fibers. We noticed that the Diluted model was more accurate than the Mori-Tanaka and Self-consistent methods. As for the PF approach, its estimations were close to the experimental values. For example, the Young’s modulus for the PP/alfa with a 30 wt% of fiber content was underestimated with an error of 4.3%. It is shown that the 2D PF approach can provide calculated results with sufficient prediction accuracy.
Mechanical Properties and Energy-Absorption Capability of a 3D-Printed TPMS Sandwich Lattice Model for Meta-Functional Composite Bridge Bearing Applications
Authors: Sengsri Pasakorn , Fu Hao , Kaewunruen Sakdirat
Published: February 2022

This paper reports on a proposed novel 3D-printed sandwich lattice model using a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structure for meta-functional composite bridge bearings (MFCBBs). It could be implemented in bridge systems, including buildings and railway bridges. A TMPS structure offers a high performance to density ratio under different loading. Compared to typical elastomeric bridge bearings with any reinforcements, the use of 3D-printed TPMS sandwich lattices could potentially lead to a substantial reduction in both manufacturing cost and weight, but also to a significant increase in recyclability with their better mechanical properties (compressive, crushing, energy absorption, vibration, and sound attenuation). This paper shows predictions from a numerical study performed to examine the behaviour of a TPMS sandwich lattice model under two different loading conditions for bridge bearing applications. The validation of the modelling is compared with experimental results to ensure the possibility of designing and fabricating a 3D-printed TPMS sandwich lattice for practical use. In general, the compressive experimental and numerical load–displacement behaviour of the TPMS unit cell are in excellent agreement within the elastic limit region. Moreover, its failure mode for bridge bearing applications has been identified as an elastic–plastic and hysteretic failure behaviour under uniaxial compression and combined compression–shear loading, respectively.
Progress of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology in 2021
Authors: Musumeci Giuseppe
Published: February 2022

The Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (JFMK, ISSN: 2411-5142), which was first released in March 2016, has gone from strength to strength in 2021 [...]
No β-N-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) Was Detected in Stranded Cetaceans from Galicia (North-West Spain)
Authors: Soliño Lucía , Kim Sea-Yong , López Alfredo , Covelo Pablo , Rydberg Sara , Costa Pedro Reis , Lage Sandra
Published: February 2022

The neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), a non-proteinogenic amino acid produced by several species of both prokaryotic (cyanobacteria) and eukaryotic (diatoms) microorganisms, has been proposed to be associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. At first, BMAA appeared to be ubiquitously present worldwide in various organisms, from aquatic and terrestrial food webs. However, recent studies, using detection methods based on mass spectrometry, instead of fluorescence detection, suggest that the trophic transfer of BMAA is debatable. This study evaluated BMAA in 22 cetaceans of three different species (Phocoena phocoena, n = 8, Delphinus delphis, n = 8, and Tursiops truncatus, n = 6), found stranded in North-West Spain. BMAA analysis of the liver, kidney, or muscle tissues via sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry did not reveal the presence of this compound or its isomers. The absence recorded in this study highlights the need to better understand the trophic transfer of BMAA and its anatomical distribution in marine mammals.
Effects of Miniaturization of the Summer Phytoplankton Community on the Marine Ecosystem in the Northern East China Sea
Authors: Park Kyung-Woo , Oh Hyun-Ju , Moon Su-Yeon , Yoo Man-Ho , Youn Seok-Hyun
Published: February 2022

After the construction of the Three Gorges Dam (Changjiang River), the northern East China Sea has been exposed to major environmental changes in the summer due to climate change and freshwater control. However, little is known regarding phytoplankton in this area. Here, we investigated differences in the summer phytoplankton-community structure as a consequence of marine-environment changes from 2016 to 2020. In the 2000s, the key dominant species in the summer phytoplankton community in the northern East China Sea were diatoms and dinoflagellates. In this study, however, nanoflagellates of ≤20 µm were identified as the dominant species throughout the survey period, with abundances ranging from 43.1 to 69.7%. This change in the phytoplankton-community structure may be ascribed to low nutrient concentrations in the area, especially phosphate, which was below the detection limit, seriously hampering phytoplankton growth. The relative contribution of picophytoplankton to the total chlorophyll a biomass was highest in the surface mixed layer with low nutrient concentrations. Spatially, higher percentages were observed along the east-side stations than the west-side stations, where nutrient concentrations were relatively high. Conclusively, decreased nutrients led to phytoplankton miniaturization. Accordingly, as the dominance of picophytoplankton increases, energy transfer is expected to decrease at the upper trophic level.
A Multi-Proxy Approach to Reconstruct Hypoxia on the NW Black Sea Shelf over the Holocene
Authors: Robinet Sarah , Matossian Alice Ofélia , Capet Arthur , Chou Lei , Fontaine François , Grégoire Marilaure , Lepoint Gilles , Piotrowska Natalia , Plante Audrey , Román Romín Olaya , Fagel Nathalie
Published: February 2022

Coastal hypoxia is a worldwide concern. Even though seasonal hypoxia has been reported on the northwestern Black Sea shelf since the 1970s, little is known about oxygenation in this area over the Holocene. With a multiproxy approach, this work aimed to detect potential hypoxic events in two gravity cores. Our results demonstrate that the most common proxies of hypoxia are irrelevant for the Black Sea coastal environment. For instance, the Ammonia-Elphidium index appears to be inappropriate. We assume a salinity bias due to the influence of freshwater inputs. Likely, the redox sensitivity of vanadium is obscured by the dominant supply of detrital elements. However, the size distribution of framboidal pyrites gives clear indications of the oxygenation of the water column. Indeed, the absence of framboidal pyrites in the core located at the Danube mouth suggests permanent oxic conditions over the last 2 ka. On the contrary, in the core located in the Odessa Bay, the two observed ranges of pyrite sizes evidence an alternation between anoxic (mean diameter 3–6 ± 1–2 µm) and hypoxic or oxic (mean diameter 6–10 ± 3–5 µm) conditions in bottom waters over the last 7 ka. Therefore, this proxy reveals different oxygenation levels for these proximal sites.
Field Observations of Scour Behavior around an Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter
Authors: Lancaster Orrin , Cossu Remo , Heatherington Craig , Hunter Scott , Baldock Tom E.
Published: February 2022

This study provides the first ever published measurements of scour and morphological change around an Oscillating Water Column (OWC) Wave Energy Converter (WEC) device at a real-world site, with the intention of informing future designs to reduce costs of the technology. A 200-kW prototype OWC WEC was deployed at King Island, Tasmania, Australia in January 2021, providing a unique opportunity to monitor the device using a combination of dive footage, multi-beam surveys and bedrock surveys. Settlement of the device was observed and monitored before ceasing once the foundation made contact with the underlying bedrock at the site. It is hypothesized that the settlement is caused by scour undermining the gravity structure’s foundations. The processes causing this scour are explored and possible future design modifications are suggested to reduce the risk of scour and settlement.
Information Jumps, Liquidity Jumps, and Market Efficiency
Authors: Tseng Michael C. , Mahmoodzadeh Soheil
Published: February 2022

We formulate a measure of information efficiency in a general, no-arbitrage semimartingale model of the price process. The market quality measure is applied to a high-frequency dataset from the interdealer FX market to identify changes in market efficiency after a decimalization of tick size.
States, Changes of State, and ‘Feigned States’ in Paraguayan Guarani Je-/Ñe- Predicates
Authors: Califa Martín
Published: February 2022

Paraguayan Guarani features a pervasive pattern of aspectual polysemy whereby an underived monovalent predicate conveys both state and change of state senses, such as -o’ysã ‘be cold/get cold.’ The language also allows the derivation of monovalent predicates from causative verbs by the je-/ñe- prefix, yielding two distinct classes. The first one, called Class I, comprises predicates derived from causatives without an underived intransitive counterpart, such as -je-pe’a, from -pe’a ‘open (tr.).’ The second class, called Class II, are predicates derived from causatives with an underived intransitive counterpart, such as -je-jeko and -ñe-moro’ysã, from -jeko ‘break (tr.)’ and -moro’ysã ‘make cold,’ which are associated with the underived intransitives -jeka ‘break (intr.)’ and -o’ysã ‘be cold/get cold,’ respectively. It is shown that the aspectual polysemy pattern extends to je-/ñe-derived predicates, but that its distribution is restricted to Class I predicates. An apparent exception to this are some Class II predicates with a ‘feigned state’ interpretation, such as -ñembotavy ‘pretend to be dumb.’ The evidence reveals, however, that these are not true states, but instead activities. Furthermore, it is argued that the je-/ñe- predicates with this interpretation are not the product of a derivation process but are rather best analyzed as an independent construction.
Stød Timing and Domain in Danish
Authors: Peña Jailyn M.
Published: February 2022

This study investigates the timing of stød, a type of phonological nonmodal phonation related to creaky voice in Danish, relative to the syllable. Stød-bearing syllables are characterized by high fundamental frequency (F0) and modal phonation at the beginning of the syllable followed by nonmodal, often creaky phonation and low F0 towards the end of the syllable (the stød phase proper). However, the timing of these two phases relative to the syllable and to each other has been debated. To investigate this, F0 throughout the word and the timing of the stød phase proper relative to the syllable were analyzed in five types of monosyllabic words. The results show that across word types the first stød phase (high F0) coordinates with the syllable rhyme onset, whilst the second phase is timed to the center of the sonorant rhyme, in contrast to previous hypotheses of stød timing. This relationship is formalized using the framework of Articulatory Phonology. In doing so, two additions to the theory are proposed to account for the biphasic nature of stød and the timing of the stød phase proper relative to the syllable.
An Analysis of Cholesteric Spherical Reflector Identifiers for Object Authenticity Verification
Authors: Arenas Mónica P. , Demirci Hüseyin , Lenzini Gabriele
Published: February 2022

Arrays of Cholesteric Spherical Reflectors (CSRs), microscopic cholesteric liquid crystals in a spherical shape, have been argued to become a game-changing technology in anti-counterfeiting. Used to build identifiable tags or coating, called CSR IDs, they can supply objects with unclonable fingerprint-like characteristics, making it possible to authenticate objects. In a previous study, we have shown how to extract minutiæ from CSR IDs. In this journal version, we build on that previous research, consolidate the methodology, and test it over CSR IDs obtained by different production processes. We measure the robustness and reliability of our procedure on large and variegate sets of CSR IDs’ images taken with a professional microscope (Laboratory Data set) and with a microscope that could be used in a realistic scenario (Realistic Data set). We measure intra-distance and interdistance, proving that we can distinguish images coming from the same CSR ID from images of different CSR IDs. However, without surprise, images in Laboratory Data set have an intra-distance that on average is less, and with less variance, than the intra-distance between responses from Realistic Data set. With this evidence, we discuss a few requirements for an anti-counterfeiting technology based on CSRs.
(αF,αF¯)-Information Fusion Generated by Information Segmentation and Its Intelligent Retrieval
Authors: Zhang Xiuquan , Shen Lin , Shi Kaiquan
Published: February 2022

Making use of the mathematical model with dynamic features and attribute disjunctive characteristics, the new concepts of αF-information segmentation, αF¯-information segmentation, (αF,αF¯)-information segmentation and their attribute characteristics are given, and the intelligent acquisition of matrix reasoning and information segmentation is given, as well as the information segmentation theorem. Moreover, the equivalence between information segmentation and information fusion is discussed, and the information fusion intelligent acquisition intelligent retrieval algorithm is given. Based on these theoretical results, the intelligent information fusion retrieval algorithm and its simple application in health big data are presented. In conclusion, the results presented in this paper are entirely based on new ideas.
Looking Back at My Years in Marine Natural Products Chemistry
Authors: Proksch Peter
Published: February 2022

When I started to work on marine natural products some thirty years ago I was attracted to this fascinating field of science by the exotic environment, the colourful shapes of (mostly) marine invertebrates and their complex ecological interactions [...]
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 3 in a HPV-Vaccinated Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Sladič Mateja , Taneska Pepita , Cvjetičanin Branko , Velikonja Mojca , Smrkolj Vladimir , Smrkolj Špela
Published: February 2022

Persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) causes almost all cervical precancerous lesions and cancers. Bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent HPV vaccines effectively prevent high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN3). The effectiveness of HPV vaccination against CIN3 is 97–100% in HPV-naïve populations and 44–61% in the overall population. Although HPV vaccination has substantially reduced the incidence of cervical cancers, several cases of precancerous cervical lesions in HPV-vaccinated patients have been reported. We report the clinical case of a 19-year-old woman whose first Pap smear was diagnosed as a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) after quadrivalent HPV vaccination. Colposcopy and cervical biopsy were performed, revealing HSIL/CIN3. Our multidisciplinary team decided to take a conservative approach with follow-up visits with cervical biopsies of this young patient. After six months, spontaneous regression of high-grade cervical dysplasia was observed. Although HPV immunization has shown to be extremely effective in preventing a high proportion of cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancers, HPV vaccines do not protect against all oncogenic high-risk HPV genotypes. Consequently, healthcare providers must encourage HPV-vaccinated women to still regularly attend national cervical screening programs.
Acute Kidney Injury: Biomarker-Guided Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Yoon Soo-Young , Kim Jin-Sug , Jeong Kyung-Hwan , Kim Su-Kang
Published: February 2022

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical syndrome that is characterized by abnormal renal function and structure. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference in 2019 reviewed the stages of AKI and the definitions of AKI-related terminologies, and discussed the advances in the last decade. Along with serum creatinine level and urine output, more accurate novel biomarkers for predicting AKI are being applied for the early detection of renal dysfunction. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and ClinicalTrials.gov using the terms AKI and biomarker, combined with diagnosis, management, or prognosis. Because of the large volume of data (160 articles) published between 2005 and 2022, representative literature was chosen. A number of studies have demonstrated that new biomarkers are more sensitive in detecting AKI in certain populations than serum creatinine and urine output according to the recommendations from the Acute Disease Quality Initiative Consensus Conference. To be specific, there is a persistently unresolved need for earlier detection of patients with AKI before AKI progresses to a need for renal replacement therapy. Biomarker-guided management may help to identify a high-risk group of patients in progression to severe AKI, and decide the initiation time to renal replacement therapy and optimal follow-up period. However, limitations such as biased data to certain studied populations and absence of cutoff values need to be solved for worldwide clinical use of biomarkers in the future. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of biomarker-based AKI diagnosis and management and highlight recent developments.
Progress on Optical Fiber Biochemical Sensors Based on Graphene
Authors: Zhang Yani , Zhou Lei , Qiao Dun , Liu Mengyin , Yang Hongyan , Meng Cheng , Miao Ting , Xue Jia , Yao Yiming
Published: February 2022

Graphene, a novel form of the hexagonal honeycomb two-dimensional carbon-based structural material with a zero-band gap and ultra-high specific surface area, has unique optoelectronic capabilities, promising a suitable basis for its application in the field of optical fiber sensing. Graphene optical fiber sensing has also been a hotspot in cross-research in biology, materials, medicine, and micro-nano devices in recent years, owing to prospective benefits, such as high sensitivity, small size, and strong anti-electromagnetic interference capability and so on. Here, the progress of optical fiber biochemical sensors based on graphene is reviewed. The fabrication of graphene materials and the sensing mechanism of the graphene-based optical fiber sensor are described. The typical research works of graphene-based optical fiber biochemical sensor, such as long-period fiber grating, Bragg fiber grating, no-core fiber and photonic crystal fiber are introduced, respectively. Finally, prospects for graphene-based optical fiber biochemical sensing technology will also be covered, which will provide an important reference for the development of graphene-based optical fiber biochemical sensors.
Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli and Milk Fat Globules
Authors: Bagel Arthur , Sergentet Delphine
Published: February 2022

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are zoonotic Gram-negative bacteria. While raw milk cheese consumption is healthful, contamination with pathogens such as STEC can occur due to poor hygiene practices at the farm level. STEC infections cause mild to serious symptoms in humans. The raw milk cheese-making process concentrates certain milk macromolecules such as proteins and milk fat globules (MFGs), allowing the intrinsic beneficial and pathogenic microflora to continue to thrive. MFGs are surrounded by a biological membrane, the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), which has a globally positive health effect, including inhibition of pathogen adhesion. In this review, we provide an update on the adhesion between STEC and raw MFGs and highlight the consequences of this interaction in terms of food safety, pathogen detection, and therapeutic development.
Innate Immune Response in SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Schiuma Giovanna , Beltrami Silvia , Bortolotti Daria , Rizzo Sabrina , Rizzo Roberta
Published: February 2022

An efficient host immune response is crucial in controlling viral infections. Despite most studies focused on the implication of T and B cell response in COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease-19) patients or in their activation after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, host innate immune response has raised even more interest as well. In fact, innate immunity, including Natural Killer (NK) cells, monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils, represent the first line of defense against the virus and it is essential to determine the correct activation of an efficient and specific acquired immune response. In this perspective, we will report an overview on the main findings concerning SARS-CoV-2 interaction with innate host immune system, in correlation with pathogenesis and viral immune escape mechanisms.
Magnetic Properties in Mn-Doped δ-MoN: A Systematic Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Wang Keda , Yu Jing , Chi Caixia , Zhang Guiling
Published: February 2022

Due to the potential applications of transition metal nitrides in modern electronic and spintronic devices, we have systematically studied the magnetic properties of δ-MoN induced by the Mn dopant, with the goal of identifying the origin of magnetism and figuring out the magnetic coupling mechanism between the Mn dopants. Based on the density functional theory, one Mn atom doped at different Mo sites (2a and 6c in the International Tables) in the unit cell of δ-MoN was firstly studied. It was found that the Mn dopant located at the 2a or 6c site leads to significant spin splitting of the density of states, suggesting that the Mn doping induces magnetism in δ-MoN. The calculations were then extended to a 2 × 1 × 2 supercell, which contains two impurity Mn atoms. Detailed analysis reveals that the different couplings of the Mn–Mn pair cannot be simply attributed to the different Mn–Mn distances but are closely related to the electronic processes that take place in the segment (–N– or –N–Mo–N–) that connects two Mn dopants. The mechanisms responsible for the FM/AFM coupling of the Mn–Mn pairs are the superexchange and the p–d exchange mediated by the N atoms, and the d–d coupling between the host Mo atom and the Mn dopant.
Human Co-Infections between Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Other Ixodes-Borne Microorganisms: A Systematic Review
Authors: Boyer Pierre H. , Lenormand Cédric , Jaulhac Benoît , Talagrand-Reboul Emilie
Published: February 2022

When it comes to tick-borne diseases, co-infections are often mentioned. This concept includes several entities. On the one hand, tick vectors or vertebrate reservoir host can harbor several microorganisms that can be pathogenic for humans. On the other hand, human co-infections can also be understood in different ways, ranging from seropositivity without clinical symptoms to co-disease, i.e., the simultaneous clinical expression of infections by two tick-borne microorganisms. The latter, although regularly speculated, is not often reported. Hence, we conducted a systematic review on co-infections between B. burgdorferi s.l., the etiological agent of Lyme borreliosis, and other microorganisms potentially transmitted to humans by Ixodes spp. ticks. A total of 68 relevant articles were included, presenting 655 cases of possible co-infections. Most cases of co-infections corresponded to patients with one tick-borne disease and presenting antibody against another tick-borne microorganism. Co-disease was particularly frequent in two situations: patients with clinical symptoms of high fever and erythema migrans (EM), and patients with neurological symptoms linked to the TBEv or a neuroborreliosis. No impact on severity was evidenced. Further studies are needed to better appreciate the frequency and the impact of co-infections between several tick-borne microorganisms.
Solids Turn into Liquids—Liquid Eutectic Systems of Pharmaceutics to Improve Drug Solubility
Authors: Sarraguça Mafalda C. , Ribeiro Paulo R. S. , Nunes Cláudia , Seabra Catarina Leal
Published: February 2022

The low solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is a problem in pharmaceutical development. Several methodologies can be used to improve API solubility, including the use of eutectic systems in which one of the constituents is the API. This class of compounds is commonly called Therapeutic Deep Eutectic Systems (THEDES). THEDES has been gaining attention due to their properties such as non-toxicity, biodegradability, and being non-expensive and easy to prepare. Since the knowledge of the solid liquid diagram of the mixture and the ideal eutectic point is necessary to ascertain if a mixture is a deep eutectic or just a eutectic mixture that is liquid at ambient temperature, the systems studied in this work are called Therapeutic Liquid Eutectic Systems (THELES). Therefore, the strategy proposed in this work is to improve the solubility of chlorpropamide and tolbutamide by preparing THELES. Both APIs are sulfonylurea compounds used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and have low solubility in water. To prepare the THELES, several coformers were tested, namely, tromethamine, L(+)-arginine, L-tryptophan, citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, and p-aminobenzoic acid, in molar ratios of 1:1 and 1:2. To improve viscosity, water was added in different molar ratios to all systems. THELES were characterized by mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR), and differential scanning calorimetry. Their viscosity, solubility, and permeability were also determined. Their stability at room temperature and 40 °C was accessed by MIR. Cytocompatibility was performed by metabolic activity and cell lysis evaluation, according to ISO10993-5:2009, and compared with the crystalline APIs. THELES with TRIS were successfully synthesized for both APIs. Results showed an increased solubility without a decrease in the permeability of the APIs in the THELES when compared with the pure APIs. The THELES were also considered stable for 8 weeks at ambient temperature. The cells studied showed that the THELES were not toxic for the cell lines used.
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Vancomycin in the Framework of Model-Informed Precision Dosing: A Consensus Review by the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and the Japanese Society of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Authors: Matsumoto Kazuaki , Oda Kazutaka , Shoji Kensuke , Hanai Yuki , Takahashi Yoshiko , Fujii Satoshi , Hamada Yukihiro , Kimura Toshimi , Mayumi Toshihiko , Ueda Takashi , Nakajima Kazuhiko , Takesue Yoshio
Published: February 2022

Background: To promote model-informed precision dosing (MIPD) for vancomycin (VCM), we developed statements for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Methods: Ten clinical questions were selected. The committee conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis as well as clinical studies to establish recommendations for area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)-guided dosing. Results: AUC-guided dosing tended to more strongly decrease the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) than trough-guided dosing, and a lower risk of treatment failure was demonstrated for higher AUC/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratios (cut-off of 400). Higher AUCs (cut-off of 600 μg·h/mL) significantly increased the risk of AKI. Although Bayesian estimation with two-point measurement was recommended, the trough concentration alone may be used in patients with mild infections in whom VCM was administered with q12h. To increase the concentration on days 1–2, the routine use of a loading dose is required. TDM on day 2 before steady state is reached should be considered to optimize the dose in patients with serious infections and a high risk of AKI. Conclusions: These VCM TDM guidelines provide recommendations based on MIPD to increase treatment response while preventing adverse effects.
Distinctive Features of Charge Exchange Involving the Second Flavor of Hydrogen Atoms—The Candidates for Dark Matter
Authors: Oks Eugene
Published: February 2022

The second flavor of hydrogen atoms (SFHA) refers to the kind of hydrogen atoms that have only the states of the zero orbital angular momentum (the S-states), both in the discrete and continuous spectra. They were first discovered theoretically in one of my earlier papers, where a proof of their existence was also provided by analyzing atomic experiments concerning the high-energy tail of the linear momentum distribution in the ground state of hydrogen atoms. From a theoretical point of view, the discovery was based on the standard Dirac equation for hydrogen atoms without changing the existing physical laws. Recently, the existence of the SFHA was seemingly also confirmed by two types of astrophysical observations: the allowance for the SFHA explained the puzzling results concerning both the anomalous absorption of the redshifted 21 cm spectral line from the early Universe, and the observations by the Dark Energy Survey (DES) team where it was found that the distribution of dark matter in the Universe is noticeably smoother than predictions employing Einstein’s relativity. In the present review, we exhibit results from two recent papers where attention was brought to a visible difference in the cross-sections of the resonant charge exchange for collisions of the SFHA with incoming protons, compared to collisions of the usual hydrogen atoms with incoming protons. It was shown that, after taking into account the SFHA, there is a better agreement with the corresponding experimental cross-section. Coupled with the previous evidence of the existence of the SFHA, deduced from the analysis of the other kind of atomic experiments, and evidenced by two different kinds of astrophysical observations, this strengthens the standing of the SFHA as the most probable candidate for all or a part of dark matter.
Fabrication, Characterization and In Vitro Assessment of Laevistrombus canarium-Derived Hydroxyapatite Particulate-Filled Polymer Composite for Implant Applications
Authors: Chinnappan Balaji Ayyanar , Krishnaswamy Marimuthu , Thanigachalam Mugilan , Xu Huaizhong , Khan Saiful Islam , Hoque Md Enamul
Published: February 2022

This paper presents the formulation, characterization, and in vitro studies of polymer composite material impregnated with naturally derived hydroxyapatite (HA) particulates for biomedical implant applications. Laevistrombus canarium (LC) seashells (SS) were collected, washed and cleaned, sun-dried for 24 h, and ground into powder particulates. The SS particulates of different weight percentages (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 wt%)-loaded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were fabricated by compression molding for comparative in vitro assessment. A temperature-controlled compression molding technique was used with the operating pressure of 2 to 3 bars for particulate retention in the HDPE matrix during molding. The HDPE/LC composite was fabricated and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and TGA. Mechanical properties such as tensile, compression, flexural, hardness, and also surface roughness were tested as per ASTM standards. Mass degradation and thermal stability of the HDPE/LC composite were evaluated at different temperatures ranging from 10 to 700 °C using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The maximum tensile strength was found to be 27 ± 0.5 MPa for 30 wt% HDPE/LC composite. The thermal energy absorbed during endothermic processes was recorded as 71.24 J/g and the peak melting temperature (Tm) was found to be 128.4 °C for the same 30 wt% of HDPE/LC composite specimen. Excellent cell viability was observed during the in vitro biocompatibility study for EtO-sterilized 30 wt% of HDPE/LC composite specimen, except for a report of mild cytotoxicity in the case of higher concentration (50 µL) of the MG-63 cell line. The results demonstrate the potential of the fabricated composite as a suitable biomaterial for medical implant applications.
Study on Micro Production Mechanism of Corner Residual Oil after Polymer Flooding
Authors: Sun Xianda , Zhao Mengqing , Fan Xiaoqi , Zhang Yongsheng , Xu Chengwu , Wang Lihui , Sang Guoqiang
Published: February 2022

To study the microscopic production mechanism of corner residual oil after polymer flooding, microscopic visualization oil displacement technology and COMSOL finite element numerical simulation methods were used. The influence of the viscosity and interfacial tension of the oil displacement system after polymer flooding on the movement mechanism of the corner residual oil was studied. The results show that by increasing the viscosity of the polymer, a portion of the microscopic remaining oil in the corner of the oil-wet property can be moved whereas that in the corner of the water-wet property cannot be moved at all. To move the microscopic remaining oil in the corners with water-wet properties after polymer flooding, the viscosity of the displacement fluid or the displacement speed must be increased by 100–1000 times. Decreasing the interfacial tension of the oil displacement system changed the wettability of the corner residual oil, thus increasing the wetting angle. When the interfacial tension level reached 10−2 mN/m, the degree of movement of the remaining oil in the corner reached a maximum. If the interfacial tension is reduced, the degree of production of the residual oil in the corner does not change significantly. The microscopic production mechanism of the corner residual oil after polymer flooding expands the scope of the displacement streamlines in the corner.
Modification of the Polymer of a Bone Cement with Biodegradable Microspheres of PLGA and Loading with Daptomycin and Vancomycin Improve the Response to Bone Tissue Infection
Authors: García-García Joaquin , Azuara Galo , Fraile-Martinez Oscar , García-Montero Cielo , Álvarez-Mon Miguel Angel , Ruíz-Díez Sara , Álvarez-Mon Melchor , Buján Julia , García-Honduvilla Natalio , Ortega Miguel A. , De la Torre Basilio
Published: February 2022

Chronic infections are one of the most serious adverse outcomes of prosthetic surgery. Prosthetic revision surgery using a bone cement loaded with antibiotics between the two stages of the surgery is commonly performed. However, this method often fails to reach the minimum inhibitory concentration and promotes antibiotic resistance, thus emphasizing the need for improving the current available therapies. Materials and methods: In this study, we performed a study of the in vivo response of a polymer-based construct of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) in the solid phase of Palacos R® in combination with vancomycin, daptomycin, and/or linezolid. To test its effectiveness, we applied an in vivo model, using both histological and immunohistochemical analyses to study the bone tissue. Results: The presence of PLGA in the combination of vancomycin with daptomycin showed the most promising results regarding the preservation of bone cytoarchitecture and S. aureus elimination. Conversely, the combination of vancomycin plus linezolid was associated with a loss of bone cytoarchitecture, probably related to an increased macrophage response and inefficient antimicrobial activity. Conclusions: The modification of Palacos R® bone cement with PLGA microspheres and its doping with the antibiotic daptomycin in combination with vancomycin improve the tissue response to bone infection.
Design of an Efficient PTB7:PC70BM-Based Polymer Solar Cell for 8% Efficiency
Authors: Alahmadi Ahmed N. M.
Published: February 2022

Polymer semiconductors may have the potential to fully replace silicon in next-generation solar cells because of their advantages such as cheap cost, lightweight, flexibility, and the ability to be processed for very large area applications. Despite these advantages, polymer solar cells are still facing a certain lack of power-conversion efficiency (PCE), which is essentially required for commercialization. Recently, bulk heterojunction of PTB7:PC70BM as an active layer showed remarkable performance for polymer solar cells in terms of PCE. Thus, in this paper, we developed and optimized a novel design using PEDOT:PSS and PFN-Br as electron and hole transport layers (ETL and HTL) for ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PT7B:PC70BM/PFN-Br/Ag as a polymer solar cell, with the help of simulation. The optimized solar cell has a short-circuit current (Isc) of 16.434 mA.cm−2, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.731 volts, and a fill-factor of 68.055%, resulting in a maximum PCE of slightly above 8%. The findings of this work may contribute to the advancement of efficient bulk-heterojunction-based polymer solar cells.