bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Bessel kernel determinant on large intervals and Birkhoff's ergodic theorem
Authors: Blackstone Elliot , Charlier Christophe , Lenells Jonatan
Published: June 2023

The Bessel process models the local eigenvalue statistics near 0 of certain large positive definite matrices. In this work, we consider the probability
where and is any non‐negative integer. We obtain asymptotics for this probability as the size of the intervals becomes large, up to and including the oscillations of order 1. In these asymptotics, the most intricate term is a one‐dimensional integral along a linear flow on a g‐dimensional torus, whose integrand involves ratios of Riemann θ‐functions associated to a genus g Riemann surface. We simplify this integral in two generic cases: (a) If the flow is ergodic, we compute the leading term in the asymptotics of this integral explicitly using Birkhoff's ergodic theorem. (b) If the linear flow has certain “good Diophantine properties”, we obtain improved estimates on the error term in the asymptotics of this integral. In the case when the flow is both ergodic and has “good Diophantine properties” (which is always the case for , and “almost always” the case for ), these results can be combined, yielding particularly precise and explicit large gap asymptotics.
Predicting a New Δ‐Proton Sponge‐Base of 4,12‐Dihydrogen‐4,8,12‐triazatriangulene through Proton Affinity, Aromatic Stabilization Energy, and Aromatic Magnetism
Authors: Al‐Yassiri Muntadar A. H. , Puchta Ralph
Published: June 2023

Herein, we report designing a new Δ (delta‐shaped) proton sponge base of 4,12‐dihydrogen‐4,8,12‐triazatriangulene (compound 1) and calculating its proton affinity (PA), aromatic stabilization, natural bond orbital (NBO), electron density ρ(r), Laplacian of electron density ∇2ρ(r), (2D‐3D) multidimensional off‐nucleus magnetic shielding (σzz(r) and σiso(r)), and scanning nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICSzz and NICS). Density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p), ωB97XD/6‐311+G(d,p), and PW91/def2TZVP were used to compute the magnetic shielding variables. In addition, relevant bases like pyridine, quinoline, and acridine were also studied and compared. The protonation of compound 1 yields a highly symmetric carbocation of three Hückel benzenic rings. Comparing our findings of the studied molecules showed that compound 1 precedes others in PA, aromatic isomerization stabilization energy, and basicity. Therefore, the basicity may be enhanced when a conjugate acid gains higher aromatic features than its unprotonated base. Both multidimensional σzz(r) and σiso(r) off‐nucleus magnetic shieldings outperformed electron‐based techniques and can visually monitor changes in aromaticity that occur by protonation. The B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p), ωB97XD/6‐311+G(d,p), and PW91/def2TZVP levels showed no significant differences in detailing isochemical shielding surfaces.
Actinide‐Actinide Bonding: Electron Delocalisation and σ‐Aromaticity in the Tri‐Thorium Cluster [{Th(η8‐C8H8)(μ‐Cl)2}3K2]
Authors: Tomeček Josef , Liddle Stephen T. , Kaltsoyannis Nikolas
Published: June 2023

The tri‐thorium cluster [{Th(η8‐C8H8)(μ3‐Cl)2}3{K(THF)2}2]∞ (Nature 2021, 598, 72–75) was reported to feature intriguing σ‐aromatic bonding between the thorium atoms, a mode of metal–metal bonding unique in the actinide series. However, the presence of this bonding motif has since been challenged by others. Here, we computationally explore electron delocalisation in a molecular cluster fragment of [{Th(η8‐C8H8)(μ3‐Cl)2}3{K(THF)2}2]∞ and examine its responses to an applied magnetic field using a variety of methods. We also discuss the importance of the choice of basis set for the Th atoms and issues regarding locating QTAIM bond critical points. When taken together, the computed data consistently suggest the presence of delocalised Th−Th bonding and Th3 σ‐aromaticity.
Combining ability of experimental maize lines for yield and aflatoxin in the southeastern United States
Authors: Knoll Joseph E. , Perla Trevor J. , Krakowsky Matthew D. , Guo Baozhu
Published: June 2023

Aflatoxin contamination of maize (Zea mays L.) grain presents risks to animal and human health and causes economic losses for growers, particularly in the southeastern United States. Development of hybrids with genetic resistance to aflatoxin contamination by Aspergillus flavus will reduce these risks. Two factorial crossing experiments were conducted to evaluate yield, agronomic traits, and aflatoxin in maize hybrids. In Experiment 1, 18 aflatoxin‐resistant (GT) lines were each crossed to six testers. In Experiment 2, 13 of the same lines were each crossed to 10 different testers. Each experiment was conducted for 2 years at Tifton, GA, and commercial check hybrids were included for comparison. Ears were inoculated with A. flavus isolate NRRL 3357 using the side‐needle technique 14 days after silking. Aflatoxin was quantified after harvest. Broad sense heritability for aflatoxin was low in Experiment 1 (H2 = 0.09) but was higher in Experiment 2 (H2 = 0.27). Heritability was moderate to high for plant height (H2 = 0.49–0.51) and days to silking (H2 = 0.54–0.72). Among experimental lines, GT1209 and GT1309 had consistent positive general combining ability (GCA) for yield, whereas GT1203 and GT1204 had consistent negative (favorable) GCA for aflatoxin. Significant GCA effects, both positive and negative, for aflatoxin were also observed among testers in both experiments. Some experimental hybrids had yields that were comparable to commercial checks while also having lower aflatoxin, demonstrating the progress made in improvement of both traits in maize hybrids adapted to the Southern United States.
An application of vGWAS to differences in flowering time in maize across mega‐environments
Authors: Murphy Matthew D. , Lipka Alexander E.
Published: June 2023

Genomic regions containing loci with effect sizes that interact with environmental factors are desirable targets for selection because of increasingly unpredictable growing seasons. Although selecting upon such gene‐by‐environment (G × E) loci is vital, identifying significantly associated loci is challenging due to the multiple testing correction. Consequently, G × E loci of small‐ to moderate effect sizes may never be identified via traditional genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). Variance GWAS (vGWAS) have been previously shown to identify G × E loci. Combined with its inherent reduction in the severity of multiple testing, we hypothesized that vGWAS could be successfully used to identify genomic regions likely to contain G × E effects. We used publicly available genotypic and phenotypic data in maize (Zea mays L.) to test the ability of two vGWAS approaches to identify G × E loci controlling two flowering traits. We observed high inflation of from both approaches. This suggests that these two vGWAS approaches are not suitable to the task of identifying G × E loci. We advocate that similar future applications of vGWAS use more sophisticated models that can adequately control the inflation of . Otherwise, the application of vGWAS to search for G × E effects that are critical for combating the effects of climate change will not reach its full potential.
Barriers toward circular economy transition: Exploring different stakeholders' perspectives
Authors: Souza Piao R. , Vincenzi T. B. , Vazquez‐Brust D. A. , Yakovleva N. , Bonsu S. , Carvalho M. M.
Published: June 2023

Circular economy (CE) attempts to improve the environmental and economic performance of existing production systems and particularly waste management through the introduction of principles of reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery, redesign, and remanufacture. There are still many challenges regarding its implementation. This article investigates the barriers to adopting CE practices in the Brazilian waste management system. In the empirical research first stage, a workshop was conducted with researchers and managers. In the second stage, 1 year later, interviews were conducted in 22 organizations across different categories of the waste system. The outcomes indicate that barriers are more related to the implementation of CE practices, and the lack of legislation enforcement and coordination of distinct levels of government. New dimensions for explaining barriers to CE in developing countries also emerged from field research as the low market value of some residues and the informality in the system.
Equalization circuit based on switched‐capacitor units and graph networks for series‐connected cell strings
Authors: Zhang Xiaobing , Zhou Guohua , Liu Shuyi
Published: June 2023

An analysis and design method of the equalization circuit based on switched‐capacitor (SC) units and graph networks is proposed in this paper. In the analysis method, the SC equalization circuit is decomposed into multiple SC units and one or more graph networks, which can simplify the analysis process. The effects of circuit parameters and structure on the equalization performance are analyzed in detail. And the average resistance distance among cells is proposed to mathematically analyze and compare the equalization path of the SC equalization circuits. Based on four types of SC units and graph networks of the equalization circuit, a design method of the SC equalization circuit and two SC equalization circuits are proposed. The proposed SC equalization circuit based on cell equalization units has the optimal equalization speed. The proposed SC equalization circuit based on cell equalization units and substring equalization units implements the trade‐off between equalization speed and device number. Simulation and experimental results are provided to verify the validity of the proposed analysis method and SC equalization circuits.
Influence of the mixing of Au with D and T upon alpha heating in hot dense plasmas
Authors: He Bin , Wang Jian‐Guo
Published: June 2023

The influence of the mixing of Au with D and T (DT) upon alpha heating is studied in the wide ranges of plasma temperatures from 0.1 to 100.0 keV, under the assumption that all the charged particles in the mixture are in the same temperature. Two cases of mixture densities 4.15 and 415 g/cc are discussed, where the average ionization degree of Au ions and the partial densities of different ions in the mixture are determined by the average atom model. It is found that the mixing decreases the energy partition fraction for DT ions significantly even if the number of Au ions is 1.0% of that for DT ions. The mixing also lengthens the range of alpha particles in the plasmas, which is more prominent when Au ion is in a low ionized state. Moreover, the heating of Au ions by alpha particles is found much easier than that of DT ion All these are very harmful to the controlled fusion. All the results about energy partition fractions are mainly because that the heavy Au ion is usually in a highly charged state in the plasmas. This makes the nuclear stopping due to Au ions much bigger than that due to DT ions and cover the incident energy range for the heating of DT ions by alpha particles. The similar work in Phys. Plasmas 21,102,307 (2014) is found doubtful since its nuclear stopping due to high Z ions was obtained by means of perturbation theory.
Fully covered self‐expandable metallic stents versus plastic stents for preoperative biliary drainage in patients with pancreatic head cancer and the risk factors for post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis
Authors: Kozakai Fumisato , Ogawa Takahisa , Koshita Sinsuke , Kanno Yoshihide , Kusunose Hiroaki , Sakai Toshitaka , Yonamine Keisuke , Miyamoto Kazuaki , Anan Hideyuki , Okano Haruka , Hosokawa Kento , Ito Kei
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Optimal stents for preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) for patients with possible resectable pancreatic cancer remain controversial, and risk factors for post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP), followed by PBD, are unknown. In this study, the efficacy and safety of fully covered self‐expandable metallic stents (FCSEMSs) and plastic stents (PSs) were compared, and the risk factors for PEP, followed by PBD, were investigated for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Consecutive patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent PBD between April 2005 and March 2022 were included. We retrospectively evaluated recurrent biliary obstruction, adverse events (AEs), and postoperative complications for FCSEMS and PS groups and investigated the risk factors for PEP.

Results

A total of 105 patients were included. There were 20 patients in the FCSEMS group and 85 patients in the PS group. For the FCSEMS group, the rate of recurrent biliary obstruction (0% vs. 25%, p = 0.03) was significantly lower. There was no difference in AE between the two groups. No significant differences were observed in the overall postoperative complications, but the volume of intraoperative bleeding was larger for the PS group than it was for the FCSEMS group (p < 0.001). From multivariate analysis, being female and lack of main pancreatic duct dilation were independent risk factors for pancreatitis (odds ratio, 5.68; p = 0.028; odds ratio, 4.91; p = 0.048).

Conclusions

FCSEMSs are thought to be preferable to PSs for PBD due to their longer time to recurrent biliary obstruction. Being female and the lack of main pancreatic duct dilation were risk factors for PEP.
Quantifying the age structure of free‐ranging delphinid populations: Testing the accuracy of Unoccupied Aerial System photogrammetry
Authors: Vivier Fabien , Wells Randall S. , Hill Marie C. , Yano Kymberly M. , Bradford Amanda L. , Leunissen Eva M. , Pacini Aude , Booth Cormac G. , Rocho‐Levine Julie , Currie Jens J. , Patton Philip T. , Bejder Lars
Published: June 2023

Understanding the population health status of long‐lived and slow‐reproducing species is critical for their management. However, it can take decades with traditional monitoring techniques to detect population‐level changes in demographic parameters. Early detection of the effects of environmental and anthropogenic stressors on vital rates would aid in forecasting changes in population dynamics and therefore inform management efforts. Changes in vital rates strongly correlate with deviations in population growth, highlighting the need for novel approaches that can provide early warning signs of population decline (e.g., changes in age structure). We tested a novel and frequentist approach, using Unoccupied Aerial System (UAS) photogrammetry, to assess the population age structure of small delphinids. First, we measured the precision and accuracy of UAS photogrammetry in estimating total body length (TL) of trained bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Using a log‐transformed linear model, we estimated TL using the blowhole to dorsal fin distance (BHDF) for surfacing animals. To test the performance of UAS photogrammetry to age‐classify individuals, we then used length measurements from a 35‐year dataset from a free‐ranging bottlenose dolphin community to simulate UAS estimates of BHDF and TL. We tested five age classifiers and determined where young individuals (<10 years) were assigned when misclassified. Finally, we tested whether UAS‐simulated BHDF only or the associated TL estimates provided better classifications. TL of surfacing dolphins was overestimated by 3.3% ±3.1% based on UAS‐estimated BHDF. Our age classifiers performed best in predicting age‐class when using broader and fewer (two and three) age‐class bins with ~80% and ~72% assignment performance, respectively. Overall, 72.5%–93% of the individuals were correctly classified within 2 years of their actual age‐class bin. Similar classification performances were obtained using both proxies. UAS photogrammetry is a non‐invasive, inexpensive, and effective method to estimate TL and age‐class of free‐swimming dolphins. UAS photogrammetry can facilitate the detection of early signs of population changes, which can provide important insights for timely management decisions.
Comparative genomics of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Is the genetic architecture of migratory behavior conserved among populations?
Authors: Clare Catherine I. , Nichols Krista M. , Thrower Frank P. , Berntson Ewann A. , Hale Matthew C.
Published: June 2023

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are a partially migratory species wherein some individuals undergo long‐distance anadromous migrations, and others stay as residents in their native freshwater streams. The decision to migrate is known to be highly heritable, and yet, the underlying genes and alleles associated with migration are not fully characterized. Here we used a pooled approach of whole‐genome sequence data from migratory and resident trout of two native populations—Sashin Creek, Alaska and Little Sheep Creek, Oregon—to obtain a genome‐wide perspective of the genetic architecture of resident and migratory life history. We calculated estimates of genetic differentiation, genetic diversity, and selection between the two phenotypes to locate regions of interest and then compared these associations between populations. We identified numerous genes and alleles associated with life history development in the Sashin Creek population with a notable area on chromosome 8 that may play a critical role in the development of the migratory phenotype. However, very few alleles appeared to be associated with life history development in the Little Sheep Creek system, suggesting population‐specific genetic effects are likely important in the development of anadromy. Our results indicate that a migratory life history is not controlled by a singular gene or region but supports the idea that there are many independent ways for a migratory phenotype to emerge in a population. Therefore, conserving and promoting genetic diversity in migratory individuals is paramount to conserving these populations. Ultimately, our data add to a growing body of literature that suggests that population‐specific genetic effects, likely mediated through environmental variation, contribute to life history development in rainbow trout.
Environmental DNA reveals invasive crayfish microbial associates and ecosystem‐wide biodiversity before and after eradication
Authors: Ballare Kimberly M. , Worth Anna , Goodearly Tyler , Ruiz‐Ramos Dannise V. , Beraut Eric , Nava Hailey , Fairbairn Colin , Wayne Robert K. , Shapiro Beth , Short Ginny , Meyer Rachel S.
Published: June 2023

Biodiversity monitoring in conservation projects is essential to understand environmental health, complexity, and recovery. However, traditional field surveys can be expensive, time‐consuming, biased toward visual detection, and/or only measure a limited set of taxa. Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods provide a new approach to biodiversity monitoring that has the potential to sample a taxonomically broader set of organisms with a similar effort, but many of these approaches are still in the early stages of development and testing. Here, we used multi‐locus eDNA metabarcoding to understand how the removal of invasive red swamp crayfish using cypermethrin pesticide impacts local biodiversity of a desert oasis ecosystem, as well as to detect crayfish both directly and indirectly. We tracked crayfish DNA signatures, microbial DNA associated with crayfish, and biodiversity of plant, fungal, animal, and bacterial communities through time. We were unsuccessful in detecting crayfish directly in either control tanks or oases using targeted metabarcoding primers for invertebrates and eukaryotes, similar to previous studies which have shown variable levels of success in detecting crayfish from environmental samples. However, we were successful in discerning a suite of 90 crayfish‐associated taxa to serve as candidate bioindicators of invasive presence using 16S and fungal ITS2 metabarcoding. Ranking these 90 taxa by their geographic distribution in eDNA surveys and by evidence of crayfish associations in the literature, we support nine taxa to be high ranking, and suggest they be prioritized in future biomonitoring. Biodiversity analyses from five metabarcode loci including plants, animals, and both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes showed that communities differed but that species richness remained relatively similar between oases through time. Our results reveal that, while there are limitations of eDNA approaches to detect crayfish and other invasive species, microbial bioindicators offer a largely untapped biomonitoring opportunity for invasive species management, adding a valuable resource to a conservation manager's toolkit.
Investigation of hotpot oil based on beef tallow and flavored rapeseed oil in commercial hotpot seasoning
Authors: Liu Ying , Gao Pan , Wang Shu , Liu Hui , Yin Jiaojiao , Zhong Wu , Hu Chuanrong , He Dongping , Wang Xingguo
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to investigate the quality of hotpot oil from various hotpot seasonings. For this, 12 representative hotpot seasonings with beef tallow (BT) and flavored rapeseed oil (FRO) were collected before the hotpot oil was extracted. The oil content, sensory evaluation scores, physiochemical properties, fatty acid composition, harmful substances, and nutrient content of the hotpot oil were subsequently analyzed. The results showed that the oil content of the hotpot seasoning was 38.3%–58.2%. Furthermore, the BT hotpot oils produced better sensory scores (7–8.5), and their oxidative stability (12.08–13.17 h) was higher on average than that of the FRO hotpot oils. Additionally, the FRO hotpot oils had higher contents of unsaturated fatty acid (81.70%–97.32%), phytosterol (3466.07–6110.37 ppm), tocopherol (182.91–1276.17 mg kg−1), and polyphenol (34.48–61.94 mg kg−1). The factor analyses revealed that the FRO and BT hotpot oils were significantly different and were affected by the iodine value, acid value, and linoleic acid and phytosterol contents.

Practical applications: It is necessary to improve the nutritional value and taste of hotpot oils to facilitate rapid development in the hotpot seasoning industry. This study showed FRO was a positive mediator of antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer effects owing to its richness of nutritional compounds, such as polyphenols, phytosterols, and tocopherols. In comparison, BT was found to have a lower nutritional value than FRO but added a unique taste and aroma to the hotpot. The use of blended oil as raw oil could also improve the quality of hotpot oil. This information will provide an important guide to the nutritional value and industrial production of hotpot oil. Blended oil is a promising raw oil for future use in hotpot seasoning processing to meet consumer demands for nutritious and pleasantly flavored hotpot oil.
Cognitive‐affective changes mediate the mindfulness‐based intervention effect on endometriosis‐related pain and mental health: A path analysis approach
Authors: Moreira Marcelo de França , Gamboa Olga Lucia , Pinho Oliveira Marco Aurelio
Published: June 2023

Background

There is poor knowledge about the therapeutic mechanisms of the conservative interventions for endometriosis. We hypothesized that the effects of a brief mindfulness‐based intervention (bMBI) on pelvic pain intensity (PPI), pain unpleasantness (PU) and quality of life mental health (QoL‐MH) are mediated by direct and indirect paths of changes in pain catastrophizing (PC), positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA).

Methods

A secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial of women with endometriosis, assigned to standard medical treatment (n = 32) and standard medical treatment plus bMBI (n = 31). We tested a series of parallel and serial mediators (PC, PA and NA) of the relationship between bMBI and outcomes (PPI, PU and QoL‐MH).

Results

The bMBI group demonstrated improvement in PA (Cohen's f2 = 0.12 [0.01, 0.36]), decreases in NA (Cohen's f2 = 0.06 [0.00, 0.24]) and PC (Cohen's f2 = 0.16 [0.02, 0.42]). The PC reduction mediated the effect of the bMBI on PPI and PU directly; however, the PC effect through PA increase mediated the PU marginally but not PPI changes. bMBI effect on Qol‐MH was mediated directly by PA and NA. The PC improved Qol‐MH through PA increase and Pain decrease but not via NA.

Conclusions

Our findings showed that bMBI impacts pain through changes in pain‐related cognitive‐affective factors. bMBI can improve QoL‐MH by multiple pathways, including but not limited to pain reduction, highlighting the independent potential of improvement in affect to restore mental health in endometriosis.

Significance

Brief mindfulness‐based intervention improves endometriosis pain through pain‐related cognitive‐affective factors and quality of life mental health via pain and affect changes unrelated to pain.
Research on low‐carbon evaluation of clean energy use in rural residential buildings based on Analytic Hierarchy Process method
Authors: Wang Yao , Liu Yu , Hong Qiankun , He Qi
Published: June 2023

As an important part of the construction industry, rural residential buildings are characterized by low energy utilization, unreasonable structure, and low consumption level, so it is particularly important to study the low carbon transformation and evaluation system. In this study, the coefficient of variation method was used to identify the important factors affecting the low‐carbon transformation of rural residential buildings, and the evaluation system of low‐carbonization of rural residential buildings was determined by Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the system was used in a rural residential building low‐carbonization evaluation study. The results show that “Energy utilization,” “Envelope structure,” and “Economic factors” have obvious influence on the low carbonization of buildings, with the weights of 36.4%, 24.5%, and 19.5%, respectively. Among the secondary indicators, the top four weightings are “clean energy utilization rate” (0.152), “external wall insulation system” (0.090), “window performance” (0.088), and “electricity consumption” (0.084), which are the most critical factors influencing the low carbonization level of clean energy utilization in rural residential buildings. Finally, based on the constructed low‐carbonization evaluation system, we propose targeted solution strategies to provide a theoretical basis for establishing an effective assessment system for the low‐carbonization of clean energy in rural residential buildings.
Robotically driven Error Augmentation training enhances post‐stroke arm motor recovery
Authors: Carmeli Eli , Israely Sharon , Barel Haim , Zalesov Oxana , Zaygraykin Natalia , Mansour Rasha , Leisman Gerry
Published: June 2023

Stroke is a major cause of long‐term functional disability and requires physical rehabilitation. Due to population aging, the number of people post stroke is going to rise. Robotically neurorehabilitation has a great potential to improve outcome measurements. Error Augmentation training using a robotic interface is thought to promote motor recovery by enhancing proprioceptive feedback, which motivates and challenges patients to optimize their performance during training. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of robotic Error Augmentation training on motor recovery after a stroke, compared to standard robotic training in a null field. Post‐stroke patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a study group (n = 9) that was trained on a 3D robotic system applying Error Augmentation forces, and a control group (n = 7) that carried out the same protocol in null field conditions. The robotic rehabilitation intervention was applied in addition to the standard rehabilitation protocol of the rehabilitation center. Error Augmentation training increased clinical scores compared to standard robotic training by 266% on the Motor Assessment Scale, and 88% on the Fugl‐Meyer scale. The Motor Assessment Scale scores were significantly correlated with the Fugl‐Meyer scores (p = 0.03, r = 0.541). There were more movement errors on the initial trials of the game sequence using the DeXtreme robotic device with Error Augmentation compared to trials with no force field. This difference vanished however after 10 trials. Error Augmentation training decreased the number of movement units and jerkiness compared to the control treatment. There was a robust effect of magnifying the acceleration component of movement using EA on the smoothness of the movement. These findings suggest that EA training may enhance motor performance possibly through motor adaptation. Future study should include EMG to better elucidate the neural mechanisms involved in motor learning post CNS injury.
Synthesis of zeolitic imidazole framework‐8 derived ZnCo layered double hydroxides for the removal of methylene blue from wastewater
Authors: Mutahir Sadaf , Hussain Sufyan , Khan Muhammad Asim , Khan Muhammad Awais Akram , Munawar Khurram Shahzad , Aljohani Mohammed , Huwaimel Bader , Abouzied Amr S. , Alsuhaibani Amnah Mohammed , Refat Moamen S.
Published: June 2023

The development of highly efficient and cost‐effective materials for water treatment is paramount and the preparation of metal–organic framework‐derived layer double hydroxide (MOF‐LDH) is an area of great interest. In this study, an innovative adsorbent material zeolitic imidazole framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) derived ZnCo layered double hydroxides was prepared by in situ growth for the adsorption of cationic methylene blue (MB) dye from wastewater. Analytical tools such as FTIR, SEM, and XRD were used to characterize the composite material. Different adsorption parameters like initial dye concentration, pH, temperature, contact time, adsorption mechanisms, and density functional theory (DFT) mechanisms were studied which showed that the derived material significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity which was 502.51 mg/g at pH 11. DFT analyses suggested that MB possessed interaction sites favorable to adsorbent material. The adsorption kinetic model showed that pseudo‐second‐order had a good correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.99983) value proposing the chemisorption adsorption phenomenon. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models are well fitted in experimental data as both have good correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.99771) and (R2 = 0.99856) values respectively but the best fit of the adsorption isotherm data was achieved with the Freundlich model, indicating multilayer adsorption characteristics. The experimental and theoretical analyses demonstrated that the fabricated adsorbent is a highly efficient material for the adsorption of organic pollutants from an aqueous medium.
Analysis of a Passive Sampling Device to Assess the Behavior of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Sediments
Authors: Atoufi Hossein D. , Lampert David J.
Published: June 2023

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an emerging class of compounds that cause health and environmental problems worldwide. In aquatic environments, PFAS may bioaccumulate in sediment organisms, which can affect the health of organisms and ecosystems. As such, it is important to develop tools to understand their bioaccumulation potential. In the present study, the uptake of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) from sediments and water was assessed using a modified polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) as a passive sampler. While POCIS has previously been used to measure time-weighted concentrations of PFAS and other compounds in water, in our study, the design was adapted for analyzing contaminant uptake and porewater concentrations in sediments. The samplers were deployed into seven different tanks containing PFAS-spiked conditions and monitored over 28 days. One tank contained only water with PFOA and PFBS, three tanks contained soil with 4% organic matter, and three tanks contained soil combusted at 550 °C to minimize the influence of labile organic carbon. The uptake of PFAS from the water was consistent with previous research using a sampling rate model or simple linear uptake. For the samplers placed in the sediment, the uptake process was explained well using a mass transport based on the external resistance from the sediment layer. Uptake of PFOS in the samplers occurred faster than that of PFOA and was more rapid in the tanks containing the combusted soil. A small degree of competition was observed between the two compounds for the resin, although these effects are unlikely to be significant at environmentally relevant concentrations. The external mass transport model provides a mechanism to extend the POCIS design for measuring porewater concentrations and sampling releases from sediments. This approach may be useful for environmental regulators and stakeholders involved in PFAS remediation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2171–2183. © 2023 SETAC

Abstract

(A) A POCIS-based passive sampler accumulates PFAS in sediment pore water,and (B) PFAS uptake from sediments is described by an external mass transportmodel.
Isolation and identification of endophytic actinobacteria from Iris persica and Echium amoenum plants and investigation of their effects on germination and growth of wheat plant
Authors: Oloumi Hakimeh , Khaleghi Moj , Dalvand Ava
Published: June 2023

Plant biotechnology helps to develop different types of new products with increased resistance to disease, greater tolerance to drought and salt stress, and better nutritional value. The interaction of plants and microorganisms will play a significant role to achieve this purpose. The aims of this study were to isolate endophyte Actinobacteria strains of some medicinal plants and the investigation of their bioactive potential. 15 Actinobacteria strains were selectively isolated from Persian iris and Echium amoenum plants, and then their belonging to Actinobacteria phylum was confirmed using an Actinobacteria‐specific primer pair. The antioxidant activity of the crude extract obtained from the isolated strains was investigated based on DPPH method. Investigating the antioxidant activity of the crude extract showed that at a concentration of 100 μg/mL, the two strains EG1 and EG2 had 71% and 78% antioxidant activity, respectively. According to the phylogeny studies, it was determined that two strains belonged to the Streptomyces genus. The effect of supernatant achieved from selected endophytic strain on 35‐day wheat plants showed that the supernatant considerably promotes root and shoot growth and chlorophyll content under salinity stress (150 mM NaCl). In general, it can be concluded strains that live symbiotically with medicinal plants are rich sources of bioactive compounds. Therefore, identification of the bioactive compounds in the extract of isolated Actinobacteria from medicinal plants and further studies on their metabolism are suggested.
Extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae from ready‐to‐eat foods: Genetic diversity and antibiotic susceptibility
Authors: Liu Yao , Chen Xinghua , Luifu Junwei , Zhao Jing , He Xujun , Xie Tengfei
Published: June 2023

Ready‐to‐eat (RTE) foods are widely marketed in China and are important components of everyday diet. In this study, a total of 2000 RTE food samples were analyzed, 252 (12.60%) of which were positive for Enterobacteriaceae, and 48 were identified as containing extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Escherichia coli isolates. Furthermore, the antimicrobial resistance patterns of these isolates to 14 antimicrobial agents revealed that most isolates were resistant to aminoglycosides and β‐lactam antibiotics. The TEM‐type gene was prevalent in our isolates (79.17%). The isolates (n = 48) were classified into three clusters based on the ERIC‐PCR results. Forty‐eight sequence types were found without duplicates, revealing genetic variation and relatedness among isolates. Thus, the results demonstrated the presence of ESBL‐producing Enterobacteriaceae in Chinese RTE foods. The results of this study provide insights into the spread of antibiotic‐resistant strains and improve understanding of microbial risks.
Factors governing consumers buying behavior concerning nutraceutical product
Authors: Jadhav Harsh B. , Sablani Shyam , Gogate Parag , Annapure Uday , Casanova Federico , Nayik Gulzar Ahmad , Alaskar Kamal , Sarwar Nazmul , Raina Irfan Ahmad , Ramniwas Seema , Mousavi Khaneghah Amin
Published: June 2023

In recent years, consumers are increasingly attracted to nutraceuticals, an important part of food considered propitious for human health. Therefore, consumers are willingly switching to nutraceuticals and are ready to pay the premium price. This review aims to identify various factors that govern consumer purchasing of nutraceutical products. The outcomes presented in the review provide a closer understanding of consumer attitudes toward buying behavior and their impact on the growth of the global nutraceutical market. The nutraceutical market has been identified depending on the type of nutraceuticals, forms, and regions governing the nutraceutical market. Factors such as health consciousness, knowledge about a product, product availability, price, marketing strategies, and social factors influence consumers' actual buying behavior toward nutraceutical products. A mini survey in Mumbai city of India was conducted to add practical data to the review, and factors affecting consumers' willingness to buy nutraceutical products were identified. It was observed that the decision‐making toward buying nutraceutical products was affected by gender, age, education level, and acculturation. It was also identified that the legislation governing nutraceuticals needs to be harmonized throughout many parts of the world, which restricts the growth of this sector to some extent. The findings elucidate that nutraceutical industries should overcome the regulatory barriers and focus on developing innovative products, which will keep current consumers intact and help increase the consumer base and thus expand the nutraceutical market globally.
Pharmacological potentials of lycopene against aging and aging‐related disorders: A review
Authors: Abir Mehedy Hasan , Mahamud A. G. M. Sofi Uddin , Tonny Sadia Haque , Anu Mithila Saha , Hossain K. H. Sabbir , Protic Ismam Ahmed , Khan Md Shihab Uddine , Baroi Artho , Moni Akhi , Uddin Md Jamal
Published: June 2023

Aging and aging‐related chronic disorders are one of the principal causes of death worldwide. The prevalence of these disorders is increasing gradually and globally. Considering this unwavering acceleration of the global burden, seeking alternatives to traditional medication to prevent the risk of aging disorders is needed. Among them, lycopene, a carotenoid, is abundant in many fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, grapefruits, and watermelons, and it has a unique chemical structure to be a potent antioxidant compound. This nutraceutical also possesses several anti‐aging actions, including combating aging biomarkers and ameliorating several chronic disorders. However, no systematic evaluation has yet been carried out that can comprehensively elucidate the effectiveness of lycopene in halting the course of aging and the emergence of chronic diseases linked to aging. This review, therefore, incorporates previous pre‐clinical, clinical, and epidemiological studies on lycopene to understand its potency in treating aging disorders and its role as a mimic of caloric restriction. Lycopene‐rich foods are found to prevent or attenuate aging disorders in various research. Based on the evidence, this review suggests the clinical application of lycopene to improve human health and alleviate the prevalence of aging and aging disorders.
Aflatoxins in food products consumed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A preliminary dietary risk assessment
Authors: Alamir Jumanah , Almaiman Lama , Alrujib Yasser , Alhamidi Rayan , Alowais Bandar , Alhussain Saqer , Aldakheelallah Abdullah , Alkhalaf Majid , Bineid Mohammed
Published: June 2023

Aflatoxins (AFs) are hepatotoxic, mutagenic, genotoxic, and immunosuppressive toxins. Several food commodities consumed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are susceptible to AF contamination because of improper storage practices and the warm and humid climate of the country. Therefore, the occurrence of AFs in 2388 food samples was measured and the estimated daily intake (EDI) of AFs in Saudi adults was assessed. The risks of AFB1 exposure were characterized using the margin of exposure (MoE) approach and by estimating the number of possible hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases in the KSA. The results revealed that 12.1% of the analyzed samples were contaminated with AFs and the highest concentration of total AFs was observed in the nut and seed group. The mean EDI of AFB1 was estimated to be 0.21 and 0.55 ng/kg body weight (bw)/day for the lower bound (LB) and upper bound (UB) scenarios, respectively. The MoEs were estimated to be 1902.4 and 722.1, while the estimated liver cancer risk ranged from 0.002 to 0.008 cancer cases/year/100,000 persons. Based on the study's findings, contamination with AFs in the KSA is low; however, AFs are considered potent genotoxic contaminants, and therefore, exposure through food should be kept as low as possible.
Thermal modeling of a dual‐purposed snap biopsy acquisition procedure in a suspected cancerous lesion
Authors: Roy Aditya , Thakur Praveen , Dasgupta Debabrata , Bandopadhyay Aditya , Chakraborty Suman
Published: June 2023

The needle‐based biopsy procedure is common in cancer detection and patient‐specific targeted therapy, wherein a tissue sample from the potential diseased site is acquired and frozen instantly with the help of a coolant medium. While liquid nitrogen (LN2) is the most widely used coolant for preserving the acquired sample and performing biopsy tests on the same at a later time, cold ischemia leads to inevitable cell degradation beyond a threshold time. In an effort to circumvent this challenge, here we aim to put forward the concept of an integrated biopsy sample acquisition and cryotherapy procedure, by incorporating an exclusively designed cooling circuit in a conventional biopsy‐needle for freezing the sample in vivo as soon as it is acquired, while causing cryoablation in the surrounding tissues simultaneously. An enthalpy‐based approach is employed to develop a bioheat transfer model for the cryotherapy design, with illustrative simulation data presented for breast cancer. Our model is demonstrated by considering a constant LN2 cooling temperature of 77.15 K, and cooling powers ranging from 2 to 10 W. The model results elucidate procedure‐specific insights such as the thermal penetration depth and the cooling time on being subjected to the cryoablation. The cooling rates thus obtained are further assessed from the simultaneous considerations of cryopreservation and cryosurgery, deriving critical insights on tissue survival and damage for acting as a precursor to patient‐specific treatment planning.
A combined autofluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for mucosa tissue diagnosis: Dual‐distance system and data‐driven decision
Authors: Liu Dongyuan , Zheng Jie , Zhang Qi , Zhang Limin , Gao Feng
Published: June 2023

Combined autofluorescence (AF) and diffuse reflectance (DR) spectroscopies have been expected to offer enhanced diagnostic accuracies for noninvasive early detection of mucosa lesions, that is, oral cavity carcinoma and cervical carcinoma. This work reports on a hybrid AF and DR spectroscopic system that is developed for quantification and diagnosis of mucosa abnormalities. The system stability and reliability are firstly assessed by phantom experiments, showing a measurement variation lower than 1% within 20 min. In vitro and in vivo validations are then conducted for tissue identification and lesion differentiation. For enhanced decision, a data‐driven diagnosis algorithm is explored in pilot under different experimental configurations. The results conclude a promising accuracy of >96% for the in vivo classification as well as an excellent sensitivity of >88% for the in vitro mucosa lesions detection, and demonstrate sound potential of the system in early detection of mucosa lesions.
Housing insecurity and employment stability: An investigation of working mothers
Authors: Marçal Katherine E. , Choi Mi Sun , Showalter Kathryn
Published: June 2023

Little evidence informs the relationship between housing insecurity and employment for working mothers. The present study aimed to identify variation in work schedules and supports, as well as the link from housing insecurity to employment experiences in a sample of at‐risk mothers. Latent class analysis identified subtypes of employment stability; multinomial logistic regression estimated links from housing insecurity to class membership. Three subtypes of employment stability emerged, “Full‐Time and Stable,” “Full‐Time and Unstable,” and “Part‐Time Weekend.” Housing insecurity increased risk for being in the “Unstable” class relative to the other classes such that these mothers experienced stressful work schedules that offered little support or flexibility for family and child needs. Identifying and intervening on housing insecurity can promote stable employment. Increased workplace supports such as paid leave, flexible schedules, and antidiscrimination training can better enable mothers to juggle the competing demands of motherhood and work.
Adaptability of melanocytes post ultraviolet stimulation in patients with melasma
Authors: Wang Yen‐Jen , Chang Chang‐Cheng , Wu Yu‐Hung , Huang Ling , Shen Jia‐Wei , Lu Meng‐En , Chiang Hsiu‐Mei , Lin Bor‐Shyh
Published: June 2023

Background

Dynamic in vivo changes in melanin in melasma lesions after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation have not been described.

Objectives

To determine whether melasma lesions and nearby perilesions demonstrated different adaptive responses to UV irradiation and whether the tanning responses were different among different locations on face.

Methods

We collected sequential images from real‐time cellular resolution full‐field optical coherence tomography (CRFF‐OCT) at melasma lesions and perilesions among 20 Asian patients. Quantitative and layer distribution analyses for melanin were performed using a computer‐aided detection (CADe) system that utilizes spatial compounding‐based denoising convolutional neural networks.

Results

The detected melanin (D) is melanin with a diameter >0.5 µm, among which confetti melanin (C) has a diameter of >3.3 µm and corresponds to a melanosome‐rich package. The calculated C/D ratio is proportional to active melanin transportation. Before UV exposure, melasma lesions had more detected melanin (p = 0.0271), confetti melanin (p = 0.0163), and increased C/D ratio (p = 0.0152) in the basal layer compared to those of perilesions. After exposure to UV irradiation, perilesions have both increased confetti melanin (p = 0.0452) and the C/D ratio (p = 0.0369) in basal layer, and this effect was most prominent in right cheek (p = 0.030). There were however no significant differences in the detected, confetti, or granular melanin areas before and after exposure to UV irradiation in melasma lesions in all the skin layers.

Conclusions

Hyperactive melanocytes with a higher baseline C/D ratio were noted in the melasma lesions. They were “fixed” on the plateau and were not responsive to UV irradiation regardless of the location on face. Perilesions retained adaptability with a dynamic response to UV irradiation, in which more confetti melanin was shed, mainly in the basal layer. Therefore, aggravating effect of UV on melasma was mainly due to UV‐responsive perilesions rather than lesions.