bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainability Reporting and Organisational Factors
Authors: Zharfpeykan Ramona , Askarany Davood
Published: March 2023

This study examines the relationship between sustainability reporting and four factors named as industry, size, ownership type and organisation perspective through the lenses of multiple theories (institutional theory, stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory and theory of planned behaviour). We surveyed 240 Australian and New Zealand companies and asked them about the status of their sustainability reporting as well as their perceptions regarding the importance of sustainability indicators. We used the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indicators to develop the survey. From an ownership perspective, the results show that companies belonging to the public sector report more sustainability information compared with the private sector. However, from an industry perspective, there were no statistically significant differences between environmentally sensitive and non-environmentally sensitive industries in terms of the content of their sustainability reporting. The results further show that the size of a company does not influence the content of sustainability reporting, but larger firms tend to provide more details in their reports. The results also show a positive relationship between sustainability reporting and organisation perspective (in terms of the level of importance of the GRI indicators). This study contributes to the sustainability literature and reporting theories. Moreover, the results have several implications for managers and promoters of the GRI for improving the adoption of the GRI guidelines and increasing the level of sustainability reporting to amplify the company’s image. The results also allow for effective government policy development through understanding what motivates companies to disclose environmental and social-related activities.
Scalable Knowledge Management to Meet Global 21st Century Challenges in Agriculture
Authors: Short Nicholas M. , Woodward-Greene M. Jennifer , Buser Michael D. , Roberts Daniel P.
Published: March 2023

Achieving global food security requires better use of natural, genetic, and importantly, human resources—knowledge. Technology must be created, and existing and new technology and knowledge deployed, and adopted by farmers and others engaged in agriculture. This requires collaboration amongst many professional communities world-wide including farmers, agribusinesses, policymakers, and multi-disciplinary scientific groups. Each community having its own knowledge-associated terminology, techniques, and types of data, collectively forms a barrier to collaboration. Knowledge management (KM) approaches are being implemented to capture knowledge from all communities and make it interoperable and accessible as a “group memory” to create a multi-professional, multidisciplinary knowledge economy. As an example, we present KM efforts at the US Department of Agriculture. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is being developed to capture tacit and explicit knowledge assets including Big Data and transform it into curated knowledge products available, with permissions, to the agricultural community. Communities of Practice (CoP) of scientists, farmers, and others are being developed at USDA and elsewhere to foster knowledge exchange. Marrying CoPs to ICT-leveraged aspects of KM will speed development and adoption of needed agricultural solutions. Ultimately needed is a network of KM networks so that knowledge stored anywhere can be used globally in real time.
Evaluation of Serum Iron Parameters among Men Performing Regular Physical Activity—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Zamelska Klaudia , Rzepka Mateusz , Olszewska-Słonina Dorota , Woźniak Alina , Szewczyk-Golec Karolina , Hołyńska-Iwan Iga
Published: March 2023

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common issues in clinical practice. It can be caused by intense physical activity, among other things. The aim of the study was to assess serum iron parameters in a group of men who engage in regular physical activity. The study group was composed of 20 men who regularly perform strength or endurance sports, whereas the control group consisted of 20 men without any sports activity. The red blood cell (RBC) parameters, platelet count (PLT), and white blood cell (WBC) count in venous blood samples were assessed with an automated hematology analyzer. The serum concentration of ferritin was determined through an immunology assay. There were no statistically significant differences between groups comparing RBC parameters and WBC. However, statistical analysis showed dissimilarity in PLT count and serum ferritin concentration comparing control and study groups (p < 0.05). It was shown that lower serum ferritin concentration concerns men with regular physical activity, whereas other blood parameters were not affected in this group.
Nonlinear Dynamic Characteristics of Deep Groove Ball Bearings with an Improved Contact Model
Authors: Shan Wentao , Chen Yu , Wang Xiuying , Yu Chengtao , Wu Kai , Han Zhenhua
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the nonlinear dynamic response of deep groove ball bearings with clearance was studied numerically. The imperfect connections with the clearance of raceways and rolling balls were established by the contact elements. In order to describe the contact characteristics accurately, a hysteresis damping coefficient was introduced into the Hertz contact model, which represented the dissipative term during the contact–impact process. The tangential force of the contact bodies was obtained based on a modified Coulomb friction model. Then, the dynamic analysis model of the deep groove ball bearings with clearance was built. Meanwhile, the experimental test platform of the deep groove ball bearings with various operation conditions was built and the dynamic simulation was utilized as the demonstrative case to conduct the investigation. The numerical results revealed that the existence of clearance would change the motion trajectory of a rolling ball and the appearance of the different movement states (free, contact, and penetration). In addition, the contact characteristics and sliding features would be changed with the variations in the operation conditions and structural characteristics.
Delivery of dCas9 Activator System Using Magnetic Nanoparticles Technology as a Vector Delivery Method for Human Skin Fibroblast
Authors: Mohammadi Ghanbarlou Mahdi , Abdoli Shahriyar , Omid Hamed , Qazizadeh Leila , Bamehr Hadi , Raigani Mozhgan , Shahsavarani Hosein , Karimipour Morteza , Shokrgozar Mohammad Ali
Published: March 2023

The overexpression of stem cell-related genes such as octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) and (sex determining region Y)-box 2 (SOX2) has been indicated to play several critical roles in stem cell self-renewal; moreover, the elevation of the self-renewal of cancer cells with stem cell-like properties has been suggested. The clustered and regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) protein fused to transactivation domains can be used to activate gene expression in human cells. CRISPR-mediated activation (CRISPRa) systems represent an effective genome editing tool for highly specific gene activation in which a nuclease-deficient Cas9 (dCas9) is utilized to target a transcriptional activator to the gene’s regulatory element, such as a promoter and enhancer. The main drawback of typical delivery methods for CRISPR/Cas9 components is their low transfection efficiency or toxic effects on cells; thus, we generated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with polyethylenimine (PEI) to improve the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 constructs into human foreskin fibroblast cells. The delivery system with magnetic PEI-coated nanoparticles complex was applied to constitute plasmid DNA lipoplexes. CRISPRa systems were used to overexpress the endogenous OCT4 and SOX2 in fibroblast cells. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) assessment exhibited a three-times higher expression of OCT4 and SOX2 transfected by CRISPRa using MNPs. Moreover, no additional cytotoxicity was observed with the application of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) compared to lipofectamine. Our results demonstrate that MNPs enable the effective delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 construct into human foreskin fibroblasts with low cell toxicity and a consequential overexpression of endogenous OCT4 and SOX2.
Solar Radiation and Thermal Convection of Hybrid Nanofluids for the Optimization of Solar Collector
Authors: Mukhtar Safyan , Gul Taza
Published: March 2023

This study aims to show the role of the stagnation point flow in solar optimization in the presence of a Riga plate. This requirement is conceivable in the case of solar energy management with a suitable solar collector covering and visual thermal optimization. Solar energy radiation and thermal convection of glycol (C3H8O2)-based aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and copper (Cu) nanoparticles were used for a solar collector, and were studied in terms of the stagnation point flow theoretically. Stagnation refers to the state of a solar thermal system in which the flux varies in the collection loop to control the extra heating. The CVFEM code was used to analyze the flow in the case of represented stagnation using the FEA-Tools multiple physics software that manages partial derivative equations (PDEs). The streamlined patterns and energy contours for different cases were studied in detail. The transformation equations were treated with the numerical method (RK-4 technique) and showed strong agreement of the physical results corresponding to the initial conditions and boundaries. The results showed that hybrid nanofluids have the advanced capability to enhance the thermal performance of the base solvent and provide uniform distribution to the solar panel. The solar optimization and uniform thermal expansion results are displayed graphically.
Zero-Dependent Bivariate Poisson Distribution with Applications
Authors: Qarmalah Najla , Alzaid Abdulhamid A.
Published: March 2023

The bivariate Poisson model is the most widely used model for bivariate counts, and in recent years, several bivariate Poisson regression models have been developed in order to analyse two response variables that are possibly correlated. In this paper, a particular class of bivariate Poisson model, developed from the bivariate Bernoulli model, will be presented and investigated. The proposed bivariate Poisson models use dependence parameters that can model positively and negatively correlated data, whereas more well-known models, such as Holgate’s bivariate Poisson model, can only be used for positively correlated data. As a result, the proposed model contributes to improving the properties of the more common bivariate Poisson regression models. Furthermore, some of the properties of the new bivariate Poisson model are outlined. The method of maximum likelihood and moment method were used to estimate the parameters of the proposed model. Additionally, real data from the healthcare utilization sector were used. As in the case of healthcare utilization, dependence between the two variables may be positive or negative in order to assess the performance of the proposed model, in comparison to traditional bivariate count models. All computations and graphs shown in this paper were produced using R programming language.
Association Rule Mining through Combining Hybrid Water Wave Optimization Algorithm with Levy Flight
Authors: He Qiyi , Tu Jin , Ye Zhiwei , Wang Mingwei , Cao Ye , Zhou Xianjing , Bai Wanfang
Published: March 2023

Association rule mining (ARM) is one of the most important tasks in data mining. In recent years, swarm intelligence algorithms have been effectively applied to ARM, and the main challenge has been to achieve a balance between search efficiency and the quality of the mined rules. As a novel swarm intelligence algorithm, the water wave optimization (WWO) algorithm has been widely used for combinatorial optimization problems, with the disadvantage that it tends to fall into local optimum solutions and converges slowly. In this paper, a novel hybrid ARM method based on WWO with Levy flight (LWWO) is proposed. The proposed method improves the solution of WWO by expanding the search space through Levy flight while effectively increasing the search speed. In addition, this paper employs the hybrid strategy to enhance the diversity of the population in order to obtain the global optimal solution. Moreover, the proposed ARM method does not generate frequent items, unlike traditional algorithms (e.g., Apriori), thus reducing the computational overhead and saving memory space, which increases its applicability in real-world business cases. Experiment results show that the performance of the proposed hybrid algorithms is significantly better than that of the WWO and LWWO in terms of quality and number of mined rules.
Determining the Sustainable Development Strategies and Adoption Paths for Public Bike-Sharing Service Systems (PBSSSs) under Various Users’ Considerations
Authors: Chang Jung-Jung , Lin Chia-Li
Published: March 2023

Public bike-sharing service systems (PBSSSs) offer an alternative to satisfy users’ needs for short-trip connections. The PBSSSs provide options for short-trip connections and diversify the service experience for different users. PBSSSs also play a critical role in enabling urban citizens to reduce the needs to drive their cars and using public transport instead. This study explores the service performance of the public bike-sharing service systems for three styles of users. It proposes the integrated evaluation model of the public bike-sharing service system (PBSSS). The DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) was used to solve the network relation structure between aspects. The ANP (analytic network process) was applied to evaluate the relationship between aspects and component weights. VIKOR (Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) was used to analyze the public bike-sharing system’s service performance for different users regarding its strengths and weaknesses. After comparing the strengths and weaknesses of the various users’ preferences for the urban public bike service systems, the study proposes a service development strategy for different styles of users based on the NRM (network relation map). The results can aid PBSSS providers and urban managers, strengthen the PBSSSs’ competitiveness, and make the PBSSSs become the best urban short-trip connection transportation tool.
Finite-Time Bounded Tracking Control for a Class of Neutral Systems
Authors: Wu Jiang , Xu Yujie , Xie Hao , Zou Yao
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we investigate finite-time bounded (FTB) tracking control for a class of neutral systems. Firstly, the dynamic equation of the tracking error signal is given based on the original neutral system. Then, we combine it with the equations of the state vector to construct an error system, where the reference signal and the disturbance signal are fused in a new vector. Next, about the error system, we study the input–output finite-time stability problem of the closed-loop system by utilizing the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional. We also give a finite-time stability condition in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Furthermore, the delay-dependent and delay-independent finite-time bounded tracking controllers are designed separately for the original system. Finally, a realistic example is given to show the effectiveness of the controller design method in the paper.
On the Equational Base of SMB Algebras
Authors: Đapić Petar , Bačević Sara , Kovačević Fedor
Published: March 2023

The “semilattices of Mal’cev blocks”, for short SMB algebras, were defined by A. Bulatov. In a recently accepted paper by P. Đapić, P. Marković, R. McKenzie, and A. Prokić, the class of all SMB algebras and its subclass of regular SMB algebras were proved to be varieties of algebras. In this paper, we find an equational base of the first variety and simplify the previously known equational base of the second variety.
A Novel Monte Carlo Method to Calculate the Thermal Conductivity in Nanoscale Thermoelectric Phononic Crystals Based on Universal Effective Medium Theory
Authors: Yan Zhizhong , Cheng Ercong
Published: March 2023

Thermal reduction by enhancing heat-generation phonon scattering can improve thermoelectric performance. In this paper, the phonon transport subjected to internal heat generation in two-dimensional nanoscale thermoelectric phononic crystals is investigated by a novel Monte Carlo method based on the universal effective medium theory, called the MCBU method. The present approach is validated. Compared with the universal effective medium theory method, the MCBU method is easier to implement. More importantly, the deviation of the computation time between the two methods can be ignored. With almost the same time cost, the present method can accurately calculate the effective thermal conductivity of complex geometric structures that cannot be calculated by the effective medium theory. The influences of porosity, temperature, pore shape and material parameters on thermal conductivity are discussed in detail. This study offers useful methods and suggestions for fabricating these materials with heat isolation and reduction.
Retrieval of Optical Solitons with Anti-Cubic Nonlinearity
Authors: Ozisik Muslum , Secer Aydin , Bayram Mustafa , Biswas Anjan , González-Gaxiola Oswaldo , Moraru Luminita , Moldovanu Simona , Iticescu Catalina , Bibicu Dorin , Alghamdi Abdulah A.
Published: March 2023

Purpose: In this article, two main subjects are discussed. First, the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) with an anti-cubic (AC) nonlinearity equation is examined, which has a great working area, importance and popularity among the study areas of soliton behavior in optical fibers, by using the enhanced modified extended tanh expansion method and a wide range of optical soliton solutions is obtained. Second, the effects of AC parameters on soliton behavior are examined for each obtained soliton type. Methodology: In order to apply the method, the non-linear ordinary differential equation form (NLODE) of the investigated NLSE-AC is obtained by applying the defined wave transformation. Then, with the help of the proposed algorithm for the NLODE form, polynomial form, an algebraic equation system is obtained by setting the coefficients of this form to zero, and the solution of this system is also obtained. After determining the suitable solution set, the optical soliton solution of the investigated problem is obtained with the help of the serial form of the proposed method, a Riccati solution and wave transform. After checking that the solution satisfies the investigated problem, 3D and 2D graphics are obtained for the special parameter values and the necessary comments are made in the relevant sections. Findings: With the proposed method, many optical soliton solutions, such as topological, anti-peaked, combined peaked-bright, combined anti-peaked dark, singular, combined singular-anti peaked, periodic singular, composite kink anti-peaked, kink, periodic and periodic, with different amplitudes are obtained, and 3D and 2D representations have been made. Then, the effect of AC parameters on the soliton behavior in each case has been successfully studied. It has been shown that AC parameters have a significant effect on the soliton behavior, and this effect changes depending on the soliton shape and the parameters. Moreover, providing and maintaining the delicate balance between the soliton shape and the parameters and the interaction of the parameters with each other involves great difficulties. Originality: Although some soliton types of the NLSE-AC equation have been presented for the first time in this study, there is no study in the literature showing the effect of AC parameters on soliton behavior, especially for the NLSE-AC equation.
Mathematical Analysis and Modeling of the Factors That Determine the Quality of Life in the City Councils of Chile
Authors: Ríos-Vásquez Gonzalo , de la Fuente-Mella Hanns
Published: March 2023

The quality of life index is an indicator published yearly since 2010 by the Institute on Urban and Territorial Studies and the Chilean Chamber of Construction, involving 99 municipalities and communes from the national territory. This research provides an approach to understanding how various dimensions and variables interact with quality of life in Chilean communes considering multiple factors and perspectives through information from public sources and social indicators. For the research, variables were analyzed considering demographic, sociodemographic, economics and urban indicators, where the model developed allows for an understanding of how the variables are related. In addition, it was discovered that education, own incomes, municipal spending and green areas directly relate to quality of life, while overcrowding and municipal funds negatively affect rates of communal welfare. Moreover, the variables chosen as explanatory variables allow for the development of an efficiency model. For this purpose, Cobb–Douglas and trans-logarithmic forms were tested, and it was found that Cobb–Douglas fits better to the data set and structures of the variables. The results of the efficiency model show that education, municipal funds and own incomes significantly affect efficiency, with a mean value of approximately 47%, minimum values close to 30% and maximum values of approximately 60%. Finally, a cluster analysis was developed through k-means, k-medoids and hierarchical clustering algorithms, where, in all cases, the results were similar, suggesting four groups with differences and variations in analyzed variables, especially in overcrowding, education, quality of life and wellness.
An Overview on Antimicrobial Potential of Edible Terrestrial Plants and Marine Macroalgae Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta Extracts
Authors: Lomartire Silvia , Gonçalves Ana
Published: March 2023

Antibiotics are used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. After a prolonged use of antibiotics, it may happen that bacteria adapt to their presence, developing antibiotic resistance and bringing up health complications. Nowadays, antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health and food security; therefore, scientists have been searching for new classes of antibiotic compounds which naturally express antimicrobial activity. In recent decades, research has been focused on the extraction of plant compounds to treat microbial infections. Plants are potential sources of biological compounds that express several biological functions beneficial for our organism, including antimicrobial activity. The high variety of compounds of natural origin makes it possible to have a great bioavailability of antibacterial molecules to prevent different infections. The antimicrobial activity of marine plants, also called seaweeds or macroalgae, for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative, and several other strains infective for humans, has been proven. The present review presents research focused on the extraction of antimicrobial compounds from red and green macroalgae (domain Eukarya, kingdom Plantae). Nevertheless, further research is needed to verify the action of macroalgae compounds against bacteria in vitro and in vivo, to be involved in the production of safe and novel antibiotics.
Optimization of Therapy and the Risk of Probiotic Use during Antibiotherapy in Septic Critically Ill Patients: A Narrative Review
Authors: Onofrei Maria Ioana , Ghiciuc Cristina Mihaela , Luca Catalina Mihaela , Postolache Paraschiva , Sapaniuc Cristina , Enache Leonte Georgiana , Rosu Florin Manuel
Published: March 2023

Optimizing the entire therapeutic regimen in septic critically ill patients should be based not only on improving antibiotic use but also on optimizing the entire therapeutic regimen by considering possible drug–drug or drug–nutrient interactions. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive overview on recent advances to optimize the therapeutic regimen in septic critically ill patients based on a pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic approach. Studies on recent advances on TDM-guided drug therapy optimization based on PK and/or PD results were included. Studies on patients <18 years old or with classical TDM-guided therapy were excluded. New approaches in TDM-guided therapy in septic critically ill patients based on PK and/or PD parameters are presented for cefiderocol, carbapenems, combinations beta-lactams/beta-lactamase inhibitors (piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam), plazomicin, oxazolidinones and polymyxins. Increased midazolam toxicity in combination with fluconazole, nephrotoxic synergism between furosemide and aminoglycosides, life-threatening hypoglycemia after fluoroquinolone and insulin, prolonged muscle weakness and/or paralysis after neuromuscular blocking agents and high-dose corticosteroids combinations are of interest in critically ill patients. In the real-world practice, the use of probiotics with antibiotics is common; even data about the risk and benefits of probiotics are currently spares and inconclusive. According to current legislation, probiotic use does not require safety monitoring, but there are reports of endocarditis, meningitis, peritonitis, or pneumonia associated with probiotics in critically ill patients. In addition, probiotics are associated with risk of the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The TDM-guided method ensures a true optimization of antibiotic therapy, and particular efforts should be applied globally. In addition, multidrug and drug–nutrient interactions in critically ill patients may increase the likelihood of adverse events and risk of death; therefore, the PK and PD particularities of the critically ill patient require a multidisciplinary approach in which knowledge of clinical pharmacology is essential.
Predictors for the Development of Major Adverse Limb Events after Percutaneous Revascularization—Gender-Related Characteristics
Authors: Comsa Horatiu , Gusetu Gabriel , Cismaru Gabriel , Caloian Bogdan , Rosu Radu , Zdrenghea Dumitru , David Adina , Dutu Bogdan , Tomoaia Raluca , Fringu Florina , Irimie Diana , Pop Dana
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives: Revascularization has been proven to be superior to medication for symptom improvement in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). There are well known gender differences in therapeutic strategies for PAD. The influence of gender on post-angioplasty prognosis is not fully understood though. The present study aims to identify potential peculiarities between men and women undergoing peripheral angioplasty, as well as factors responsible for those differences. Material and methods: 104 consecutive subjects (50 women and 54 men) who underwent percutaneous angioplasty (PTA) between January and October 2019 for symptomatic PAD were included. Demographics, PAD history, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, the associated coronary or cerebrovascular diseases, biological parameters, drug-treatment and PTA type and technique were taken into account. The follow-up period was 2 years, during which major adverse limb events (MALE) were documented. Results: The mean age was 67 ± 10 years. Women were 4 years older than the men (69 ± 10 years vs. 65 ± 9.2 years—p = 0.04). Smoking was more prevalent in men (p = 0.0004), while other cardiovascular risk factors did not differ significantly. The mean follow-up of the two groups was 21 ± 2.4 months. Women had infra-inguinal involvement more frequently (78%), while men exhibited mixed disease, with supra + infra-inguinal (37%) or solely supra-inguinal (20.3%) involvement (p = 0.0012). Rates of MALE were similar in the two groups (p = 0.914). Gender did not influence the incidence of PAD-related adverse events. The only parameter that proved to have a significant influence on the occurrence of MALE was the ankle–brachial index (ABI). A value below 0.5 was found to be an independent predictor for MALE (p = 0.001). Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the incidence rates of MALE between the two genders over a 2-year follow-up period post-PTA. Regardless of sex, an ankle–brachial index value below 0.5 was the sole independent predictor for limb-related adverse events.
Music Therapy: A Noninvasive Treatment to Reduce Anxiety and Pain of Colorectal Cancer Patients—A Systemic Literature Review
Authors: Huang Evan , Huang Jeffrey
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives: Music interventions have been used for patients with cancer to meet their psychological, physical, social, and spiritual needs. This review identified the efficacy of music therapy among adult patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials and Methods: We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases. Only randomized controlled studies reported in English of patients with CRC were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data on patients and intervention measurements. The main outcomes included pain, anxiety, quality of life, mood, nausea, vomiting, vital signs. Results: A total of 147 articles were identified from the search. A total of 10 studies were included in the review. Nine out of the ten studies (90%) showed statistically and clinically significant improvements across the outcome variables. Only one study (10%) found no significant positive effect from music therapy in any of the measured outcomes. Among the seven studies measuring pain as an outcome, four studies (57%) demonstrated that music therapy reduced pain. Three studies (75%) showed that MT reduced anxiety. Conclusions: This systemic review indicates that music therapy might help reduce pain and anxiety for cancer patients, including those with colorectal cancer, who are receiving treatment in palliative care, inpatient care and outpatient care settings.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Chemical Marker Extraction from Amazonian Plant Cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum) by PSI-HRMS/MS and LC-HRMS/MS
Authors: Lima Nerilson M. , Lima Gesiane S. , dos Santos Gabriel F. , Preet Gagan , Maciel Lanaia I. L. , Andrade Teresinha de Jesus A. S. , Jaspars Marcel , Chaves Andrea R. , Vaz Boniek G.
Published: March 2023

Employing a combination of liquid chromatography electrospray ionization and paper spray ionization high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry, extracts from cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum) pulp prepared with either water, methanol, acetonitrile or combinations thereof were subjected to metabolite fingerprinting. Among the tested extractors, 100% methanol extracted preferentially phenols and cinnamic acids derivatives, whereas acetonitrile and acetonitrile/methanol were more effective in extracting terpenoids and flavonoids, respectively. And while liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry detected twice as many metabolites as paper spray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, the latter proved its potential as a screening technique. Comprehensive structural annotation showed a high production of terpenes, mainly oleanane triterpene derivatives. of the mass spectra Further, five major metabolites with known antioxidant activity, namely catechin, citric acid, epigallocatechin-3′-glucuronide, 5,7,8-trihydroxyflavanone, and asiatic acid, were subjected to molecular docking analysis using the antioxidative enzyme peroxiredoxin 5 (PRDX5) as a model receptor. Based on its excellent docking score, a pharmacophore model of 5,7,8-trihydroxyflavanone was generated, which may help the design of new antioxidants.
Self-Powered Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Security Applications
Authors: Munirathinam Prabavathi , Chandrasekhar Arunkumar
Published: March 2023

Valuable jewels, documents, and files left in hotel rooms by guests can be stolen at any time by an unauthorized person. This could have a serious psychological and economic impact on the guests. The house/hotel owners should make efforts to prevent theft from occurring. In this study, a self-powered sliding-mode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is used as a sensor on a drawer. It is fixed to the side of the drawer and works in the lateral sliding mode. The electricity generated by the device during the push–pull action of the draw is ~125 V and F~12.5 µA. An analysis of the electrical performance was carried out using PET, paper, and nitrile as sliding materials. The electrical output from the device is used to notify the guest or hotel owner of any theft by an unidentified individual via Arduino and node MCU devices. Finally, this device can be helpful at night and can be extended using different materials.
Investigating Catheter-Related Infections in Southern Benin Hospitals: Identification, Susceptibility, and Resistance Genes of Involved Bacterial Strains
Authors: Dougnon Victorien Tamègnon , Sintondji Kevin , Koudokpon Charles Hornel , Houéto Morènikè , Agbankpé Alidehou Jerrold , Assogba Phénix , Oussou Alida , Gnamy Anderson , Legba Boris , Idrissou Abdoulaye , Bankole Honoré Sourou
Published: March 2023

The use of catheters and bladder catheters in hospitals can increase the risk of bacterial infections. This study aimed to identify the bacterial strains involved in catheter-related infections (CRI) in southern Benin hospitals. The study included 407 samples, including 95 catheter tip samples and 312 urine samples collected from bladder catheters from patients on the first day and 48 h after admission. The catheter tip samples were analyzed using traditional bacterial isolation and identification methods, while the urine samples were analyzed using VITEK-2. Antibiotic sensitivity was tested using the Kirby Bauer method, and virulence and resistance genes were detected through standard PCR. The results showed a predominance of Escherichia coli (53.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (23.3%), and Enterobacter aerogenes (7.0%) among Gram-negative bacilli, and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus as the most identified cocci. Bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics showed variable levels of resistance, with blaTEM being detected in 42.9% of identified bacterial species, followed by blaSHV (26.2%) and blaCTX-M-15 (16.7%). The blaNDM gene was only found in three identified bacterial strains, while vanA and vanB genes were detected in 3.2% of strains with a prevalence of 55% for the mecA gene. A prevalence of 18.8% for fimH was noted for the virulence genes. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of following proper hygiene and aseptic practices during catheterization to effectively prevent CRIs. These findings should be used to improve interventions in hospitals and reduce healthcare-associated infections in developing countries.
MicroRNAs as Biomarkers of Active Pulmonary TB Course
Authors: Shepelkova Galina S. , Evstifeev Vladimir V. , Tarasov Ruslan V. , Ergeshova Anush E. , Bagirov Mamed A. , Yeremeev Vladimir V.
Published: March 2023

The spread of drug-resistant forms of TB dictates the need for surgical treatment in the complex of anti-tuberculosis measures in Russia. Most often, surgical intervention is performed in the case of pulmonary tuberculoma or fibrotic cavitary tuberculosis (FCT). This study is devoted to the search for biomarkers that characterize the course of disease in surgical TB patients. It is assumed that such biomarkers will help the surgeon decide on the timing of the planned operation. A number of serum microRNAs, potential regulators of inflammation and fibrosis in TB, selected on the basis of PCR-Array analysis, were considered as biomarkers. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and receiver operating curves (ROC) were used to verify Array data and to estimate the ability of microRNAs (miRNAs) to discriminate between healthy controls, tuberculoma patients, and FCT patients. The study showed that miR-155, miR-191 and miR-223 were differentially expressed in serum of tuberculoma with “decay” and tuberculoma without “decay” patients. Another combination (miR-26a, miR-191, miR-222 and miR-320) forms a set to differentiate between tuberculoma with “decay” and FCT. Patients with tuberculoma without “decay” diagnosis differ from those with FCT in serum expression of miR-26a, miR-155, miR-191, miR-222 and miR-223. Further investigations are required to evaluate these sets on a larger population so as to set cut-off values that could be applied in laboratory diagnosis.
From Gut to Blood: Spatial and Temporal Pathobiome Dynamics during Acute Abdominal Murine Sepsis
Authors: Hartwig Christina , Drechsler Susanne , Vainshtein Yevhen , Maneth Madeline , Schmitt Theresa , Ehling-Schulz Monika , Osuchowski Marcin , Sohn Kai
Published: March 2023

Abdominal sepsis triggers the transition of microorganisms from the gut to the peritoneum and bloodstream. Unfortunately, there is a limitation of methods and biomarkers to reliably study the emergence of pathobiomes and to monitor their respective dynamics. Three-month-old CD-1 female mice underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce abdominal sepsis. Serial and terminal endpoint specimens were collected for fecal, peritoneal lavage, and blood samples within 72 h. Microbial species compositions were determined by NGS of (cell-free) DNA and confirmed by microbiological cultivation. As a result, CLP induced rapid and early changes of gut microbial communities, with a transition of pathogenic species into the peritoneum and blood detected at 24 h post-CLP. NGS was able to identify pathogenic species in a time course-dependent manner in individual mice using cfDNA from as few as 30 microliters of blood. Absolute levels of cfDNA from pathogens changed rapidly during acute sepsis, demonstrating its short half-life. Pathogenic species and genera in CLP mice significantly overlapped with pathobiomes from septic patients. The study demonstrated that pathobiomes serve as reservoirs following CLP for the transition of pathogens into the bloodstream. Due to its short half-life, cfDNA can serve as a precise biomarker for pathogen identification in blood.
Silver Nanoparticles: Review of Antiviral Properties, Mechanism of Action and Applications
Authors: Luceri Angelica , Francese Rachele , Lembo David , Ferraris Monica , Balagna Cristina
Published: March 2023

New antiviral drugs and new preventive antiviral strategies are a target of intense scientific interest. Thanks to their peculiar properties, nanomaterials play an important role in this field, and, in particular, among metallic materials, silver nanoparticles were demonstrated to be effective against a wide range of viruses, in addition to having a strong antibacterial effect. Although the mechanism of antiviral action is not completely clarified, silver nanoparticles can directly act on viruses, and on their first steps of interaction with the host cell, depending on several factors, such as size, shape, functionalization and concentration. This review provides an overview of the antiviral properties of silver nanoparticles, along with their demonstrated mechanisms of action and factors mainly influencing their properties. In addition, the fields of potential application are analyzed, demonstrating the versatility of silver nanoparticles, which can be involved in several devices and applications, including biomedical applications, considering both human and animal health, environmental applications, such as air filtration and water treatment, and for food and textile industry purposes. For each application, the study level of the device is indicated, if it is either a laboratory study or a commercial product.
Molecular Evolutionary Analyses of the Pseudomonas-Derived Cephalosporinase Gene
Authors: Shirai Tatsuya , Akagawa Mao , Makino Miho , Ishii Manami , Arai Ayaka , Nagasawa Norika , Sada Mitsuru , Kimura Ryusuke , Okayama Kaori , Ishioka Taisei , Ishii Haruyuki , Hirai Shinichiro , Ryo Akihide , Tomita Haruyoshi , Kimura Hirokazu
Published: March 2023

Despite the increasing evidence of the clinical impact of Pseudomonas-derived cephalosporinase (PDC) sequence polymorphisms, the molecular evolution of its encoding gene, blaPDC, remains elusive. To elucidate this, we performed a comprehensive evolutionary analysis of blaPDC. A Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo phylogenetic tree revealed that a common ancestor of blaPDC diverged approximately 4660 years ago, leading to the formation of eight clonal variants (clusters A–H). The phylogenetic distances within clusters A to G were short, whereas those within cluster H were relatively long. Two positive selection sites and many negative selection sites were estimated. Two PDC active sites overlapped with negative selection sites. In docking simulation models based on samples selected from clusters A and H, piperacillin was bound to the serine and the threonine residues of the PDC active sites, with the same binding mode for both models. These results suggest that, in P. aeruginosa, blaPDC is highly conserved, and PDC exhibits similar antibiotic resistance functionality regardless of its genotype.
Legionella pneumophila Risk from Air–Water Cooling Units Regarding Pipe Material and Type of Water
Authors: Gea-Izquierdo Enrique , Gil-de-Miguel Ángel , Rodríguez-Caravaca Gil
Published: March 2023

Legionellosis is a respiratory disease related to environmental health. There have been manifold studies of pipe materials, risk installations and legionellosis without considering the type of transferred water. The objective of this study was to determine the potential development of the causative agent Legionella pneumophila regarding air–water cooling units, legislative compliance, pipe material and type of water. Forty-four hotel units in Andalusia (Spain) were analysed with respect to compliance with Spanish health legislation for the prevention of legionellosis. The chi-square test was used to explain the relationship between material–water and legislative compliance, and a biplot of the first two factors was generated. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was performed on the type of equipment, legislative compliance, pipe material and type of water, and graphs of cases were constructed by adding confidence ellipses by categories of the variables. Pipe material–type of water (p value = 0.29; p < 0.05) and legislative compliance were not associated (p value = 0.15; p < 0.05). Iron, stainless steel, and recycled and well water contributed the most to the biplot. MCA showed a global pattern in which lead, iron and polyethylene were well represented. Confidence ellipses around categories indicated significant differences among categories. Compliance with Spanish health legislation regarding the prevention and control of legionellosis linked to pipe material and type of water was not observed.
Utilisation of Enhanced Thresholding for Non-Opaque Mineral Segmentation in Optical Image Analysis
Authors: Poliakov Andrei , Donskoi Eugene
Published: March 2023

To understand and optimise downstream processing of ores, reliable information about mineral abundance, association, liberation and textural characteristics is needed. Such information can be obtained by using Optical Image Analysis (OIA) in reflected light, which can achieve good discrimination for the majority of minerals. However, reliable automated segmentation of non-opaque minerals, such as quartz, which have reflectivity close to that of the epoxy they are embedded in, has always been problematic. Application of standard thresholding techniques for that purpose typically results in significant misidentifications. This paper presents a sophisticated segmentation mechanism, based on enhanced thresholding of non-opaque minerals developed for Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO) Mineral5/Recognition5 OIA software, which significantly improves segmentation in many applications. The method utilises an enhanced image view using an adjusted reflectivity scale for more precise initial thresholding, and comprehensive clean-up procedures for further segmentation improvement. For more complex cases, the method also employs specific particle border thresholding with subsequent selective erosion-based “reduction to borders”, while “particle restoration” prevents the detachment of non-opaque grains from larger particles. This method can be combined with “relief-based discrimination of non-opaque minerals” to achieve improved overall segmentation of non-opaque minerals.
Photoelectrochemical Performance of Strontium Titanium Oxynitride Photo-Activated with Cobalt Phosphate Nanoparticles for Oxidation of Alkaline Water
Authors: Amer Mabrook S. , Arunachalam Prabhakarn , Ghanem Mohamed A. , Al-Mayouf Abdullah M. , Weller Mark T.
Published: March 2023

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water splitting is favourable for transforming solar energy into sustainable hydrogen fuel using semiconductor electrodes. Perovskite-type oxynitrides are attractive photocatalysts for this application due to their visible light absorption features and stability. Herein, strontium titanium oxynitride (STON) containing anion vacancies of SrTi(O,N)3−δ was prepared via solid phase synthesis and assembled as a photoelectrode by electrophoretic deposition, and their morphological and optical properties and PEC performance for alkaline water oxidation are investigated. Further, cobalt-phosphate (CoPi)-based co-catalyst was photo-deposited over the surface of the STON electrode to boost the PEC efficiency. A photocurrent density of ~138 μA/cm at 1.25 V versus RHE was achieved for CoPi/STON electrodes in presence of a sulfite hole scavenger which is approximately a four-fold enhancement compared to the pristine electrode. The observed PEC enrichment is mainly due to the improved kinetics of oxygen evolution because of the CoPi co-catalyst and the reduced surface recombination of the photogenerated carriers. Moreover, the CoPi modification over perovskite-type oxynitrides provides a new dimension for developing efficient and highly stable photoanodes in solar-assisted water-splitting reactions.
25 Hydroxyvitamin D Serum Concentration and COVID-19 Severity and Outcome—A Retrospective Survey in a Romanian Hospital
Authors: Topan Adriana , Lupse Mihaela , Calin Mihai , Jianu Cristian , Leucuta Daniel-Corneliu , Briciu Violeta
Published: March 2023

Interest in the immunomodulatory function of vitamin D has grown since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Our study investigated the possible association between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity, intensive care needs, and mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. A prospective cohort study was performed on 2342 COVID-19 hospitalized patients between April 2020 and May 2022 in a Romanian tertiary hospital for infectious diseases. A multivariate generalized linear model for binary data was fit with dependent variables: severe/critical form of COVID-19, intensive care need, and fatal outcome as a function of vitamin D deficiency, controlling for age, comorbidities, and vaccination status. More than half of the patients (50.9%) were classified with vitamin D deficiency based on a serum concentration of less than 20 ng/mL. There was a negative association between vitamin D and age. Vitamin D-deficient patients presented with more cardiovascular, neurological, and pulmonary diseases, as well as diabetes, and cancer. In multivariate logistic regression models, vitamin D-deficient patients had higher odds of severe/critical forms of COVID-19 [OR = 1.23 (95% CI 1.03–1.47), p = 0.023] and higher odds of death [OR = 1.49 (95% CI 1.06–2.08), p = 0.02]. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with disease severity and death outcome in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.