bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case-Fatality and Temporal Trends in Patients with Psoriasis and End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Wild Johannes , Keller Karsten , Karbach Susanne , Weinmann-Menke Julia , Münzel Thomas , Hobohm Lukas
Published: July 2022

Background and Objectives: During the last decades, growing evidence corroborates that chronic inflammatory disease impairs the body beyond the cutaneous barrier. Linkage between psoriasis and kidney disease, and in particular between psoriasis and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), have not yet been elucidated. We sought to analyze the impact of concomitant psoriasis on the in-hospital outcomes of patients hospitalized with ESRD. Patients and Methods: We analyzed data on characteristics, comorbidities, and in-hospital outcomes of all hospitalized patients with ESRD stratified for concomitant psoriasis in the German nationwide in-patient sample between 2010 and 2020. Results: Overall, 360,980 hospitalizations of patients treated for ESRD in German hospitals were identified from 2010 to 2020 and among these 1063 patients (0.3%) additionally suffered from psoriasis. While the annual number of all ESRD patients increased within this time, the number of patients with ESRD and the additional psoriasis diagnosis decreased slightly. Patients with ESRD and psoriasis were five years younger (66 [IQR, 56–75] vs. 71 [59–79] years, p < 0.001), were more often obese (17.5% vs. 8.2%, p < 0.001) and more frequently had cancer (4.9% vs. 3.3%, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (42.7% vs. 38.5%, p = 0.005) and coronary artery disease (31.1% vs. 28.0%, p = 0.026). Multivariate regression models demonstrated that psoriasis was not associated with in-hospital case-fatality in patients with ESRD (OR 1.02 (95%CI 0.78–1.33), p = 0.915). Conclusions: ESRD patients with the concomitant psoriasis diagnosis were hospitalized on average 5 years earlier than patients without psoriasis. A higher prevalence of severe life-shortening comorbidities including coronary artery disease and cancer was detected in ESRD patients with psoriasis despite their younger age. Our findings support the understanding of psoriasis as an autoimmune skin disease crossing the boundary between dermatology and internal medicine.
Increased Presentation of Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Changes in Age and Month of Type 1 Diabetes at Onset during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain
Authors: Leiva-Gea Isabel , Antúnez Fernández Cristina , Cardona-Hernandez Roque , Ferrer Lozano Marta , Bahíllo-Curieses Pilar , Arroyo-Díez Javier , Clemente León María , Martín-Frías Maria , Conde Barreiro Santiago , Mingorance Delgado Andrés , Pérez Sánchez Jacobo
Published: July 2022

Objective: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on the presenting characteristics (age at diagnosis, severity, monthly distribution) of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes in Spanish children. Research Design and Methods: An ambispective observational multicenter study was conducted in nine Spanish tertiary-level hospitals between January 2015 and March 2021. Inclusion criteria: new cases of type 1 diabetes in children (0–14 years) recording age, sex, date of diagnosis, presence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at onset, and severity of DKA. Data were compared before and during the pandemic. Results: We registered 1444 new cases of type 1 diabetes in children: 1085 in the pre-pandemic period (2015–2019) and 359 during the pandemic (2020–March 2021). There was a significant increase in the group aged ≤4 years in the pandemic period (chi-squared = 10.986, df 2, p = 0.0041). In 2020–2021, cases of DKA increased significantly by 12% (95% CI: 7.2–20.4%), with a higher percentage of moderate and severe DKA, although this increase was not significant. In 2020, there was a sharp decrease in the number of cases in March, with a progressive increase from May through November, higher than in the same months of the period 2015–2019, highlighting the increase in the number of cases in June, September, and November. The first three months of 2021 showed a different trend to that observed both in the years 2015–2019 and in 2020, with a marked increase in the number of cases. Conclusions: A change in monthly distribution was described, with an increase in DKA at onset of type 1 diabetes. No differences were found in severity, although there were differences in the age distribution, with an increase in the number of cases in children under 4 years of age.
Polymer–Metal Composite Healthcare Materials: From Nano to Device Scale
Authors: Wong Wai-Ki , Lai Chun-Him Nathanael , Cheng Wai-Yin , Tung Lok-Him , Chang Raymond Chuen-Chung , Leung Franco King-Chi
Published: July 2022

Metals have been investigated as biomaterials for a wide range of medical applications. At nanoscale, some metals, such as gold nanoparticles, exhibit plasmonics, which have motivated researchers’ focus on biosensor development. At the device level, some metals, such as titanium, exhibit good physical properties, which could allow them to act as biomedical implants for physical support. Despite these attractive features, the non-specific delivery of metallic nanoparticles and poor tissue–device compatibility have greatly limited their performance. This review aims to illustrate the interplay between polymers and metals, and to highlight the pivotal role of polymer–metal composite/nanocomposite healthcare materials in different biomedical applications. Here, we revisit the recent plasmonic engineered platforms for biomolecules detection in cell-free samples and highlight updated nanocomposite design for (1) intracellular RNA detection, (2) photothermal therapy, and (3) nanomedicine for neurodegenerative diseases, as selected significant live cell–interactive biomedical applications. At the device scale, the rational design of polymer–metallic medical devices is of importance for dental and cardiovascular implantation to overcome the poor physical load transfer between tissues and devices, as well as implant compatibility under a dynamic fluidic environment, respectively. Finally, we conclude the treatment of these innovative polymer–metal biomedical composite designs and provide a future perspective on the aforementioned research areas.
Adenylsuccinate Synthetase MoADE12 Plays Important Roles in the Development and Pathogenicity of the Rice Blast Fungus
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Hao Zhongna , Chai Rongyao , Qiu Haiping , Wang Yanli , Wang Jiaoyu , Sun Guochang
Published: July 2022

Purines are basic components of nucleotides in living organisms. In this study, we identified the ortholog of adenylosuccinate synthase MoADE12 in Magnaporthe oryzae by screening for growth-defective T-DNA insertional mutants. Gene replacement was performed to investigate the biological role of MoADE12. Δmoade12 mutants were adenine auxotrophs that failed to produce conidia, and showed reduced perithecia formation and pathogenicity. Moreover, the Δmoade12 mutant was hypersensitive to Congo red and oxidants, indicating that MoADE12 was required for cell wall integrity and oxidative stress resistance. Transcriptomic analysis identified the underlying mechanisms and indicated that several pathogenicity-related genes were regulated in the Δmoade12 mutant. Therefore, our data suggest that the adenylosuccinate synthase MoADE12 is involved in the de novo AMP biosynthesis pathway and is important for conidiation and pathogenicity in the rice blast fungus.
Comparative Mitogenomic Analysis Reveals Intraspecific, Interspecific Variations and Genetic Diversity of Medical Fungus Ganoderma
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhang Ting , Li Lijiao , Bao Zhijie , Tu Wenying , Xiang Peng , Wu Qian , Li Ping , Cao Mei , Huang Wenli
Published: July 2022

Ganoderma species are widely distributed in the world with high diversity. Some species are considered to be pathogenic fungi while others are used as traditional medicine in Asia. In this study, we sequenced and assembled four Ganoderma complete mitogenomes, including G. subamboinense s118, G. lucidum s37, G. lingzhi s62, and G. lingzhi s74. The sizes of the four mitogenomes ranged from 50,603 to 73,416 bp. All Ganoderma specimens had a full set of core protein-coding genes (PCGs), and the rps3 gene of Ganoderma species was detected to be under positive or relaxed selection. We found that the non-conserved PCGs, which encode RNA polymerases, DNA polymerases, homing endonucleases, and unknown functional proteins, are dynamic within and between Ganoderma species. Introns were thought to be the main contributing factor in Ganoderma mitogenome size variation (p < 0.01). Frequent intron loss/gain events were detected within and between Ganoderma species. The mitogenome of G. lucidum s26 gained intron P637 in the cox3 gene compared with the other two G. lucidum mitogenomes. In addition, some rare introns in Ganoderma were detected in distinct Basidiomycetes, indicating potential gene transfer events. Comparative mitogenomic analysis revealed that gene arrangements also varied within and between Ganoderma mitogenomes. Using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods with a combined mitochondrial gene dataset, phylogenetic analyses generated identical, well-supported tree topologies for 71 Agaricomycetes species. This study reveals intraspecific and interspecific variations of the Ganoderma mitogenomes, which promotes the understanding of the origin, evolution, and genetic diversity of Ganoderma species.
Bridging the Generational Digital Divide in the Healthcare Environment
Authors: Lopez de Coca Teresa , Moreno Lucrecia , Alacreu Mónica , Sebastian-Morello Maria
Published: July 2022

Increasing technological advances have generated a digital dependency in the population, resulting in a group of digitally excluded vulnerable people that lack basic digital skills. The aim of this study was to assess the digital divide in patients in relation to the healthcare environment. We explored the extent and effects of the digital health divide by undertaking a systematic review of the academic literature and comparing our findings with the results of a cross-sectional in-person survey answered by 881 people at four community pharmacies. In terms of the sociodemographic profile of the patients, we collected data regarding their gender, age, education level, and location (periphery or urban). The parameters evaluated were use of the internet to search for health information, use of telemedicine, use of different medical/healthcare applications, understanding explanations given by physicians regarding health, and asking pharmacists for help about newly prescribed treatments. Moreover, 168 pharmacists answered an online survey about how often they helped patients to make health center appointments or to download their COVID-19 vaccination certificate. Gender did not influence these results, but age, education level, and population location did. Those with the lowest levels of education required more help to request a health center appointment. People with high education levels and those living in an urban environment more often searched the internet for information about treatments that were new to them. Finally, people living in periphery areas received more help from their pharmacists, 60% of which said they had helped patients to download their COVID-19 vaccination certificate, with 24% of them saying they helped patients with this on a daily basis.
Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Korean Adults before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Data from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey
Authors: Kim So Young , Yoo Dae Myoung , Kwon Mi Jung , Kim Ji Hee , Kim Joo-Hee , Bang Woo Jin , Choi Hyo Geun
Published: July 2022

Several recent studies suggested reduced physical activity (PA) related to the COVID-19 pandemic without consensus. This study investigated the changes in PA and sedentary time during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the COVID-19 era. The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019 and 2020 were used. The ≥19-year-old population was examined in 2019 and 2020 for time spent engaging in high- and moderate-intensity PA and sedentary time. Based on the recommended level of PA by the World Health Organization, ≥75 min/wk of high PA and ≥150 min/of moderate PA were classified. A sedentary time of ≥120 min/d was selected. Multiple logistic regression analysis with complex sampling was conducted for ≥75 min/wk of high PA, ≥150 min/wk of moderate PA, and ≥120 min/d of sedentary time in the 2020 group compared to the 2019 group. The ≥75 min/wk high PA was not lower in the 2020 group than in the 2019 group (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.96, 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) = 0.79–1.18, P = 0.696). The ≥150 min/wk of moderate PA was also not lower in the 2020 group (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.94–1.32, p = 0.201). However, the ≥150 min/wk of moderate PA in the female group was higher in the 2020 group than in the 2019 group (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.01–1.65, p = 0.042). Sedentary time ≥ 120 min/d was lower in the 2020 group (aOR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.17–0.72, p = 0.005). This association was consistent in the 19–39-year-old and female group. In conclusion, during the COVID-19 pandemic, high and moderate PA were not decreased in Korean adults, while sedentary time was reduced.
A Machine-Learning-Algorithm-Based Prediction Model for Psychotic Symptoms in Patients with Depressive Disorder
Authors: Kim Kiwon , Ryu Je il , Lee Bong Ju , Na Euihyeon , Xiang Yu-Tao , Kanba Shigenobu , Kato Takahiro A. , Chong Mian-Yoon , Lin Shih-Ku , Avasthi Ajit , Grover Sandeep , Kallivayalil Roy Abraham , Pariwatcharakul Pornjira , Chee Kok Yoon , Tanra Andi J. , Tan Chay-Hoon , Sim Kang , Sartorius Norman , Shinfuku Naotaka , Park Yong Chon , Park Seon-Cheol
Published: July 2022

Psychotic symptoms are rarely concurrent with the clinical manifestations of depression. Additionally, whether psychotic major depression is a subtype of major depression or a clinical syndrome distinct from non-psychotic major depression remains controversial. Using data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, we developed a machine-learning-algorithm-based prediction model for concurrent psychotic symptoms in patients with depressive disorders. The advantages of machine learning algorithms include the easy identification of trends and patterns, handling of multi-dimensional and multi-faceted data, and wide application. Among 1171 patients with depressive disorders, those with psychotic symptoms were characterized by significantly higher rates of depressed mood, loss of interest and enjoyment, reduced energy and diminished activity, reduced self-esteem and self-confidence, ideas of guilt and unworthiness, psychomotor agitation or retardation, disturbed sleep, diminished appetite, and greater proportions of moderate and severe degrees of depression compared to patients without psychotic symptoms. The area under the curve was 0.823. The overall accuracy was 0.931 (95% confidence interval: 0.897–0.956). Severe depression (degree of depression) was the most important variable in the prediction model, followed by diminished appetite, subthreshold (degree of depression), ideas or acts of self-harm or suicide, outpatient status, age, psychomotor retardation or agitation, and others. In conclusion, the machine-learning-based model predicted concurrent psychotic symptoms in patients with major depression in connection with the “severity psychosis” hypothesis.
Assessing Grain Productivity Coupled with Farmers’ Behaviors Based on the Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) Model
Authors: Sun Tao , Guo Jie , Ou Minghao
Published: July 2022

This study presents a method that dynamically embeds constraints of farmers’ management and input levels to improve a traditional agro-ecological zones (AEZ) model to solve the problem of overestimation of grain production capacity. The proposed method is applied to Yuanjiang county in central China to evaluate the grain productivity of farmland and analyze its spatial distribution characteristics. Our results indicated that (1) The feasibility of the AEZ method coupled with farmers’ behavior had been verified, and the revised model can better improve the accuracy of the evaluation results. (2) Low-value areas of grain production potential are mainly distributed in the central region, high-value areas are mainly distributed in the southwest and northeast regions, and the spatial differentiation characteristics of production potential and total production capacity are the same. (3) The total grain productivity is 935,800 tons, and the total yield gap is 470,100 tons, which is 1.01 times the actual yield, indicating a large potential to increase grain production under the current technicality. The main contribution of this study is to propose a method to dynamically embed farmers’ behavioral factors into the traditional AEZ model, and apply this method to the actual farmland productivity evaluation in small-scale areas, which improves the reliability of the actual regional productivity evaluation results.
Variability in Crop Response to Spatiotemporal Variation in Climate in China, 1980–2014
Authors: Cao Junjun , Leng Guoyong , Yang Peng , Zhou Qingbo , Wu Wenbin
Published: July 2022

As the population increases and climate extremes become more frequent, the pressure on food supply increases. A better understanding of the influence of climate variations on crop yield in China would be of great benefit to global food security. In this study, gridded, daily meteorological data and county-level annual yield data were used to quantify the climate sensitivity of corn, rice, and spring wheat yields, and identify the spatiotemporal variation relationship between climate and yields from 1980 to 2014. The results showed that rice and corn were more sensitive to climate variations than spring wheat, both spatially and temporally. Photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) was found to be beneficial to rice in northeast China and the Yangtze River basin, as well as corn in the south and spring wheat in Xinjiang, but not to rice in the south of the Yangtze River and spring wheat in the southeast coast. The temperature centroid shift was the main driving factor causing the movement of the centroid of the three crops. For every 1 km shift of the temperature centroid, the corn and rice yield centroids moved 0.97 km and 0.34 km, respectively. These findings improve our understanding of the impacts of climate variations on agricultural yields in different regions of China.
Heterogeneous Preferences for Selecting Attributes of Farmland Management Right Mortgages in Western China: A Demand Perspective
Authors: Peng Yanling , Jiang Yuansheng , Hong Yu
Published: July 2022

Farmland management right mortgages (FMRMs) are emerging land financing products in China. However, the development of FMRMs and farmers’ demands for them are poorly understood. This study applied an in-the-field choice experiment of 1815 farmers, conducted in China, to examine farmers’ demands for FMRMs and explore their heterogeneous preferences regarding the attributes of FMRMs. Results from the random parameters logit model suggest that farmers are interest-rate sensitive and willing to pay for FMRM products that use farmland management rights as the sole collateral, enabling amortization, and without insurance and guarantee requirements. Results from the latent class model further suggest that guarantee takers strongly prefer lump-sum repayments and are more inclined to select insurance and guarantees relative to their counterparts, while guarantee averters strongly prefer to pay off loans with amortization and have positive propensities to purchase insurance. Moreover, female farmers with high education levels, entity identities, and loan experiences are more willing to pay off their loans at once and purchase insurance. Our findings provide insight into the roles of financial product attributes and borrowers’ characteristics in their demand for FMRMs. It may facilitate the design of optimal portfolios and adoption incentives for land mortgage products.
Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity Monitoring of Cropland Evolution and Its Impact on Grain Production Changes in the Southern Sanjiang Plain of Northeast China
Authors: Pan Tao , Zhang Ru
Published: July 2022

High-speed cropland changes are taking place in Northeast China, bringing about the sustainable changes in ecological landscape and food production; however, the lack of continuous research limits the revelation of new findings in this region. The integrated approach of land migration tracking, ecological landscape and mathematical statistics was established to conduct a comprehensive survey of land change–landscape–food security in a typical grain-planting region of Northeast China to reveal new changes from 1990 to 2020. Results display that the cropland area continued to increase from 25,885.16 km2 in 1990 to 31,144.46 km2 in 2020, leading to the loss of forest land, grassland, water body and unused land. For cropland structure, the proportion of paddy fields in cropland increased rapidly from 7.18 to 39.53% during 1990–2020; in contrast, upland crops decreased sharply. The richness of landscape presented gradually complex characteristics with SHDI from 0.258 to 0.671 and other ecological indicators underwent similar changes with strong regularity. Total grain production displayed a continuous increase, with values from 523.79 × 104 t to 1839.12 × 104 t, increasing by 2.51 times from 1990 to 2020. We also revealed the contribution rate of unchanged upland crops to grain increments was the largest (i.e., 46.29%), and the conversion of internal cropland structure (i.e., the paddy fields converted from upland crops) contributed 12.17% from 1990 to 2020, showing a positive signal for food security. These new findings provide studies on land use change, ecological landscape and food security in China and abroad.
Effects of Footwear on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Forces during Landing in Young Adult Females
Authors: Akhundov Riad , Bryant Adam L. , Sayer Tim , Paterson Kade , Saxby David J. , Nasseri Azadeh
Published: July 2022

Rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in young people have increased markedly over the past two decades, with females experiencing greater growth in their risk compared to males. In this study, we determined the effects of low- and high-support athletic footwear on ACL loads during a standardized drop–land–lateral jump in 23 late-/post-pubertal females. Each participant performed the task unshod, wearing low- (Zaraca, ASICS) or high- (Kayano, ASICS) support shoes (in random order), and three-dimensional body motions, ground-reaction forces, and surface electromyograms were synchronously acquired. These data were then used in a validated computational model of ACL loading. One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping paired t-tests were used to compare ACL loads between footwear conditions during the stance phase of the task. Participants generated lower ACL forces during push-off when shod (Kayano: 624 N at 71–84% of stance; Zaraca: 616 N at 68–86% of stance) compared to barefoot (770 N and 740 N, respectively). No significant differences in ACL force were observed between the task performed wearing low- compared to high-support shoes. Compared to barefoot, both shoe types significantly lowered push-off phase peak ACL forces, potentially lowering risk of ACL injury during performance of similar tasks in sport and recreation.
Osteotomies and Total Knee Arthroplasty: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Krzysztof Kulinski , Trams Ewa , Pomianowski Stanislaw , Kaminski Rafal
Published: July 2022

Total knee replacement (TKA) is a frequent modality performed in patients with osteoarthritis. Specific circumstances can make it much more difficult to execute successfully, and additional procedures such as osteotomy may be required. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis and systematic review of osteotomies combined with TKA. Methods: In June 2022, a search PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Clinicaltrials was undertaken, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The search included the terms “osteotomy” and “total knee arthroplasty”. Results: Two subgroups (tibial tubercle osteotomy and medial femoral condyle osteotomy) were included in the meta-analysis. Further subgroups were described as a narrative review. The primary outcome showed no significant difference in favor to TTO. Secondary outcomes showed improved results in all presented subgroups compared to preoperative status. Conclusion: This study showed a significant deficit of randomized control trials treated with osteotomies, in addition to TKA, and a lack of evidence-based surgical guidelines for the treatment of patients with OA in special conditions: posttraumatic deformities, stiff knee, severe varus, and valgus axis or patella disorders.
Soil Amendments with Spearmint, Peppermint and Rosemary Enhance the Community of Free-Living Nematodes and Improve Soil Quality, While Having Strikingly Different Effects on Plant Growth
Authors: Argyropoulou Maria D. , Karmezi Maria , Tsiafouli Maria , Chalkos Dimitris , Bountla Areti , Vokou Despoina
Published: July 2022

Sustainable farming practices aim to replace agrochemicals with plant-based alternatives to increase productivity and soil quality. To evaluate the potential use of aromatic plants as soil amendments in tomato seedbeds, in a greenhouse experiment, we used spearmint, peppermint, and rosemary, separately, as soil amendments, in pots sown with tomato, and studied their effect on seedling growth, soil nutrients, and the soil nematode community in terms of trophic and functional structure, metabolic footprint, and genera composition. Non-amended soil was used in the control pots. We further explored the dynamics of the plant–soil–nematode interactions by using aromatic plants at different stages of decomposition (0, 28, and 56 days). Incorporating aromatic plants into the soil led to the proliferation of free-living nematodes, especially of the opportunistic kind, resulting in vigorous and enriched soil. This was more pronounced in the case of the spearmint and peppermint, which also increased the tomato growth. The high soil nutritional status and enhanced plant growth were most prominent when the aromatic plants were left for 28 days to decompose in the soil before sowing. Compared with the mint plants, the rosemary had similar, yet less intense, effects on the soil community, but completely inhibited the growth of the tomato seedlings. Therefore, it is not recommended for use as a soil amendment in tomato seedbeds.
Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Red Seaweed for the Elimination of Organic Toxic Dye from an Aqueous Solution
Authors: Mansour Abdallah Tageldein , Alprol Ahmed E. , Khedawy Mohamed , Abualnaja Khamael M. , Shalaby Tarek A. , Rayan Gamal , Ramadan Khaled M. A. , Ashour Mohamed
Published: July 2022

This study aims to produce green zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) derived from red seaweed (Pterocladia Capillacea) and evaluate their potential to absorb Ismate violet 2R (IV2R) ions from an aqueous solution. UV-vis spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis (BET) were used to analyze the structural, morphological, and optical features of the synthesized nanoparticles. The change in color of the chemical solution revealed the formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The FTIR examination confirmed the synthesis of both Zn and ZnO nanoparticle powder, with a BET surface area of 113.751 m2 g−1 and an average pore size of 2.527 nm for the synthesized adsorbent. Furthermore, the maximum removal effectiveness of IV2R was 99% when 0.08 g ZnO-NPs was applied at a pH of 6, a temperature of 55 °C, and a contact time of 120 min. The dye adsorption capacity of the ZnO-NPs was 72.24 mg g−1. The adsorption process was also controlled by the Freundlich adsorption model and pseudo-second-order reaction kinetics. The adsorption of IV2R ions onto the ZnO-NPs could be represented as a nonideal and reversible sorption process of a nonuniform surface, according to Freundlich adsorption isotherms. In addition, the constant values of the model parameters were determined using various nonlinear regression error functions. Moreover, thermodynamic parameters such as entropy change, enthalpy change, and free energy change were investigated; the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The high capacity of the ZnO-NPs synthesized by red seaweed promotes them as promising substances for applications in water treatment for the removal of IV2R dye from aqueous systems.
Fabrication and Characterization of Degradable Crop-Straw-Fiber Composite Film Using In Situ Polymerization with Melamine–Urea–Formaldehyde Prepolymer for Agricultural Film Mulching
Authors: Lang Qian , Liu Chuanhao , Zhu Xiaoxin , Zhang Chao , Zhang Shengming , Li Longhai , Liu Shuang , Chen Haitao
Published: July 2022

Soil mulch composite films composed of biodegradable materials are being increasingly used in agriculture. In this study, mulch films based on wheat straw fiber and an environmentally friendly modifier were prepared via in situ polymerization and tested as the ridge mulch for crops. The mechanical properties of the straw fiber film were significantly enhanced by the modification. In particular, the films exhibited a noticeable increase in dry and wet tensile strength from 2.35 to 4.15 and 0.41 to 1.51 kN/m, respectively, with increasing filler content from 0% to 25%. The contact angle of the straw also showed an improvement based on its hydrophilicity. The crystallinity of the modified film was higher than that of the unmodified film and increased with modifier content. The changes in chemical interaction of the straw fiber film were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the thermal stability of the unmodified film was improved by in situ polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that the modifier was uniformly dispersed in the fiber film, resulting in an improvement in its mechanical properties. The modified straw fiber films could be degraded after mulching for approximately 50 days. Overall, the superior properties of the modified straw fiber film lend it great potential for agricultural application.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Joints Depending on the Process Used
Authors: Stanisz Dawid , Machniewicz Tomasz , Parzych Sławomir , Jeż Grzegorz , Dvorkin Leonid , Hebda Marek
Published: July 2022

Today, numerous design solutions require joining thin-walled sheets or profiles as the traditional methods of welding with a consumable electrode in gas shielding, most often used in production processes, do not work well. The reason for this is that a large amount of heat is supplied to the joint, causing numerous welding deformations, defects, and incompatibilities. Moreover, the visual aspect of the connections made more and more often plays an equally crucial role. Therefore, it is important to look for solutions and compare different joining processes in order to achieve production criteria. The paper compares the properties of a 1.5 mm thick steel sheet joined by the manual and robotic MAG 135 and 138 welding process, manual and robotic laser welding, CMT welding with the use of solid or flux-cored wire, and butt welding. The macro- and microstructure, as well as the microhardness distribution of individual regions of the joints, were analyzed depending on the type of joining technology used. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of individual zones of joints were investigated with the use of a digital image correlation system. On the basis of the obtained test results, it was found that the joints made by the processes of manual laser welding and butt welding were characterized by a very regular weld shape, the smallest joint width, and greater grain refinement compared to other analyzed processes. Moreover, this method was characterized by the narrowest zone of hardness increase, only 3 mm, compared to, e.g., a joint made in the process of robotic welding CMT, for which this zone was more than twice as wide. Furthermore, the heat-affected zone for the joints made in this way, in relation to the welds produced by the MAG 135/138 method, was, respectively, 2 and 2.7 times smaller.
Effects of Process Cutting Parameters on the Ti-6Al-4V Turning with Monolithic Driven Rotary Tool
Authors: Joch Richard , Šajgalík Michal , Czán Andrej , Holubják Jozef , Cedzo Miroslav , Čep Robert
Published: July 2022

Machining with rotating tools appears to be an efficient method that employs a non-standard kinematic turning scheme. It is used in the machining of materials that we classify in the category of difficult to machine. The titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, which is widely used in industry and transportation, is an example of such material. Rotary tool machining of titanium alloys has not been the subject of many studies. Additionally, if researchers were dissatisfied with their findings, the reason may not be the kinematic machining scheme itself but rather the tool design and the choice of cutting parameters. When tools are constructed of several components, inaccuracies in production and assembly can arise, resulting in deviations in the cutting part area. A monolithic driven rotary tool eliminates these factors. In the machining process, however, it may react differently from multi-component tools. The presented work focuses on the research of the technology for machining titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V using a monolithic driven rotary tool. The primary goal is to gather data on the impact of cutting parameters on the machining process. The cutting force and the consequent integrity of the workpiece surface are used to monitor the process. The speed of workpiece rotation has the greatest impact on the process; as it increases, the cutting force increases, as do the values of the surface roughness. In the experiment, lower surface roughness values were attained by increasing the feed parameter and the depth of cut. This may predetermine the inclusion of a kinematic scheme in highly productive technologies.
The Effect of Static Stress on the Anisotropy of Piezoceramics
Authors: Tsaplev V. M. , Konovalov R. S. , Konovalov S. I.
Published: July 2022

The influence of static compressional stress on the anisotropy of piezoelectric ceramics of BaTiO3 and PZT types is considered theoretically and experimentally. Static compression changes the domain structure of piezoceramics. These changes occur due to the reorientation of mostly 90° domain axes. As a result, all the parameters of the material change—elastic, piezoelectric, and dielectric. Some of them increase, and some, on the contrary, decrease. Changes occur in a nonlinear way, and higher-order parameters appear. The relationship between the total volume of the reoriented domains and the change in elastic moduli and piezomoduli is theoretically considered. The corresponding theoretical dependences are obtained. To confirm these theoretical dependences, experimental measurements were performed using the ultrasonic pulse-interference method at a frequency of 8 MHz. There is practically no oscillation movement of domain boundaries at this frequency, therefore, the change in the system of elastic and piezoelectric moduli is structural, not dynamic. The possibility of predicting changes in the structure of modules as a result of static compression is shown.
Ag Nanocluster-Enhanced Scintillation Properties of Borophosphate Glasses Doped with CsPbBr3 Quantum Dots
Authors: Du Ying , Deng Lu , Chen Danping
Published: July 2022

A novel and effective method to improve scintillation properties of glass-ceramics, such as intensity enhancement and decay-time shortening, is reported in this work. Compared with crystal scintillators, glass scintillators always have the problems of low efficiency and long decay; how to solve them has always been a scientific puzzle in the field of scintillation glass-ceramics. The plasma enhancement effect can be predicted to solve the above problems. Ag+ ions were diffused into glasses by ion exchange, and then Ag nanoparticles and CsPbBr3 quantum dots were formed by heat treatment. The structure of the CsPbBr3 perovskite consists of a series of shared corner PbBr6 octahedra with Cs ions occupying the cuboctahedral cavities. By using Ag and the plasma resonance effect, the photoluminescence intensity of CsPbBr3 quantum dot glasses was enhanced by 3 times, its radioluminescence intensity increased by 6.25 times, and its decay time was reduced by a factor of more than one. Moreover, the mechanism of photoluminescence and radioluminescence enhanced by Ag and plasma was discussed based on the experimental results and finite-difference time-domain method. We concluded that the increase in radioluminescence intensity was related to plasma enhancements and the energy exchange between Ag nanoclusters and CsPbBr3 quantum dots. Doping Ag is a valid means to improve the scintillation luminescence of CsPbBr3 quantum dot glasses, which can be applied in the field of scintillation.
Energy-Resolved Ultrafast Spectroscopic Investigation on the Spin-Coupled Electronic States in Multiferroic Hexagonal HoMnO3
Authors: Huang Wei-Hong , Wei Hao-Keng , Quyen Nguyen Nhat , Yang Pei-Tsung , Cheng Yi-Cheng , Wang Yu-Ting , Ko Ying-Kuan , Tu Chien-Ming , Yabushita Atsushi , Luo Chih-Wei
Published: July 2022

A complete temperature-dependent scheme of the Mn3+ on-site d-d transitions in multiferroic hexagonal HoMnO3 (h-HoMnO3) thin films was unveiled by energy-resolved ultrafast spectroscopy. The results unambiguously revealed that the ultrafast responses of the e1g and e2g states differed significantly in the hexagonal HoMnO3. We demonstrated that the short-range antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric orderings are more relevant to the e2g state, whereas the long-range antiferromagnetic ordering is intimately coupled to both the e2g and e1g states. Moreover, the primary thermalization times of the e2g and e1g states were 0.34 ± 0.08 ps and 0.38 ± 0.08 ps, respectively.
Tunable Luminescence and Energy Transfer of Sr3B2O6:Ce3+, Sm3+ Phosphors with Potential Anti-Counterfeiting Applications
Authors: Ou Yiyi , Wei Junyu , Liang Hongbin
Published: July 2022

Sm3+ and Ce3+ singly doped and Sm3+ and Ce3+ co-doped Sr3B2O6 phosphors are prepared via a high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure and phase purity are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The Sm3+-doped sample displays an emission in the orange-red region, with the strongest emission line at about 648 nm and possessing a good luminescence thermal stability between 78 and 500 K. With the increase in the Sm3+ content, the concentration quenching is observed due to the cross-relaxation (CR) processes among the Sm3+ ions. Upon 340 nm excitation, the Ce3+-doped phosphor presents a broad emission band in the blue region with a maximum at about 420 nm, which overlaps well with the 6H5/2 → 6P3/2 excitation line of Sm3+ and implies the possible energy transfer from Ce3+ to Sm3+. The spectral and decay measurements of the Ce3+ and Sm3+ co-doped samples are conducted and the Inokuti–Hirayama (I-H) model is adopted to analyze the luminescence decay dynamics of the donor Ce3+. Owing to the evident sensitization of the Sm3+ by the Ce3+ ions, the co-doped samples exhibit color variation under different wavelength excitations, endowing them with potential applications in optical anti-counterfeiting.
Influence of the Reinforcement Structure on the Thermal Conductivity and Surface Resistivity of Vinyl Ester Composites Used on Explosion-Proof Enclosures of Electrical Equipment
Authors: Szymiczek Małgorzata , Buła Dawid , Koczwara Jacek
Published: July 2022

The study aimed to evaluate the influence of structure (type and material) on thermal properties (thermal conductivity, diffusivity) and surface resistance of composites used for explosion-proof enclosures of electrical devices. The matrix was a graphite-modified flame retard vinyl ester resin. As part of the work, 4 structures of composites reinforced with glass fabric, glass mat, and carbon fabric were tested. The composites were prepared by hand lamination with a vacuum. A methodology for indirectly determining the thermal conductivity coefficient was developed, taking into account the geometry of the explosion-proof enclosures. Thermal diffusivity, surface resistivity, flexural, and inter-layer shear strength were tested. The specific strength of the composites was determined. The highest properties were shown by the composite with carbon reinforcement, but for economic reasons, the enclosure was made with glass fabric. In the final stage, the model of the composite explosion-proof enclosure was designed and manufactured, followed by quality verification using pressure tests. The presented results are the next stage of work, the aim of which is to design and manufacture explosion-proof enclosures for electrical devices made of polymer composites. Based on the obtained results and economic factors, a composite with an S1 structure was selected for the preparation of the enclosure. It was found that the combination of graphite-modified vinyl ester resin and triaxal 550 g/m2 glass fabric allows for high internal pressure resistance. (8 bar). The proposed solution will allow for reducing the weight of explosion-proof enclosures while meeting the assumed operational requirements.
Effect of Atomic-Temperature Dependence of the Electron–Phonon Coupling in Two-Temperature Model
Authors: Akhmetov Fedor , Medvedev Nikita , Makhotkin Igor , Ackermann Marcelo , Milov Igor
Published: July 2022

Ultrafast laser irradiation of metals can often be described theoretically with the two-temperature model. The energy exchange between the excited electronic system and the atomic one is governed by the electron–phonon coupling parameter. The electron–phonon coupling depends on both, the electronic and the atomic temperature. We analyze the effect of the dependence of the electron–phonon coupling parameter on the atomic temperature in ruthenium, gold, and palladium. It is shown that the dependence on the atomic temperature induces nonlinear behavior, in which a higher initial electronic temperature leads to faster electron–phonon equilibration. Analysis of the experimental measurements of the transient thermoreflectance of the laser-irradiated ruthenium thin film allows us to draw some, albeit indirect, conclusions about the limits of the applicability of the different coupling parametrizations.
Research on Tire/Road Peak Friction Coefficient Estimation Considering Effective Contact Characteristics between Tire and Three-Dimensional Road Surface
Authors: Han Yinfeng , Lu Yongjie , Liu Jingxv , Zhang Junning
Published: July 2022

In the field of transportation, the accurate estimation of tire–road peak friction coefficient (TRPFC) is very important to improve vehicle safety performance and the efficiency of road maintenance. The existing estimation algorithms rarely consider the influence of road roughness and road texture on the estimation results. This paper proposes an estimation method of TRPFC considering the effective contact characteristics between the tire and the three-dimensional road. In the longitudinal and lateral directions of tire–road contact, the model is optimized by incorporating the effective contact area ratio coefficient into the LuGre tire model. The optimized model characterizes the road texture by road power spectrum and establishes the relationship between road texture and tire force. In the vertical direction of tire–road contact, the force transfer between tire and road is represented by a new multi-point contact method. By combining the above models with the normalization method and the unscented Kalman filter (UKF), the timely and accurate estimation of the peak friction coefficient of the tire and the 3D road is realized. Simulation and real vehicle experiments verify the effectiveness of the estimation algorithm.
Convergence of Inverse Volatility Problem Based on Degenerate Parabolic Equation
Authors: Yimamu Yilihamujiang , Deng Zuicha
Published: July 2022

Based on the theoretical framework of the Black–Scholes model, the convergence of the inverse volatility problem based on the degenerate parabolic equation is studied. Being different from other inverse volatility problems in classical parabolic equations, we introduce some variable substitutions to convert the original problem into an inverse principal coefficient problem in a degenerate parabolic equation on a bounded area, from which an unknown volatility can be recovered and deficiencies caused by artificial truncation can be solved. Based on the optimal control framework, the problem is transformed into an optimization problem and the existence of the minimizer is established, and a rigorous mathematical proof is given for the convergence of the optimal solution. In the end, the gradient-type iteration method is applied to obtain the numerical solution of the inverse problem, and some numerical experiments are performed.
Cloning and Characterization of a Novel Endo-Type Metal-Independent Alginate Lyase from the Marine Bacteria Vibrio sp. Ni1
Authors: Sha Li , Huang Minghai , Huang Xiaonan , Huang Yongtong , Shao Ensi , Guan Xiong , Huang Zhipeng
Published: July 2022

The applications of alginate lyase are diverse, but efficient commercial enzymes are still unavailable. In this study, a novel alginate lyase with high activity was obtained from the marine bacteria Vibrio sp. Ni1. The ORF of the algB gene has 1824 bp, encoding 607 amino acids. Homology analysis shows that AlgB belongs to the PL7 family. There are two catalytic domains with the typical region of QIH found in AlgB. The purified recombinant enzyme of AlgB shows highest activity at 35 °C, pH 8.0, and 50 mmol/L Tris-HCl without any metal ions. Only K+ slightly enhances the activity, while Fe2+ and Cu2+ strongly inhibit the activity. The AlgB preferred polyM as substrate. The end products of enzymatic mixture are DP2 and DP3, without any metal ion to assist them. This enzyme has good industrial application prospects.
Rosinidin Protects Streptozotocin-Induced Memory Impairment-Activated Neurotoxicity by Suppressing Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Mediators in Rats
Authors: Alharbi Khalid Saad , Afzal Muhammad , Alzarea Sami I. , Khan Shah Alam , Alomar Fadhel A. , Kazmi Imran
Published: July 2022

Background and Objectives: To assess the antioxidant and neuroprotective role of rosinidin on rat memory impairment that is induced by streptozotocin. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were given an intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) followed by treatment with rosinidin at selective doses (10 and 20 mg/kg) for 30 days. The behavioral parameters were estimated by Y-maze test and Morris water test. Biochemical parameters such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), choline aacetyltransferase (ChAT), and nitric oxide, and antioxidants such as glutathione transferase (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) IL-6, IL-10, Nrf2, and BDNF, were determined. Results: The study results revealed that rosinidin improved cognition by reverting the behavioral parameters. The treatment with rosinidin restored the antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions: From the results, it has been proven that rosinidin possesses antioxidant, anti-amnesic, and anti-inflammatory activity. Rosinidin improved the cognitive and behavioral deficits that were induced by streptozotocin. Furthermore, 20 mg/kg rosinidin was found to have strong protective action against streptozotocin-induced toxicity.