bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Gas Separation Prowess Using Functionalized Lignin-Free Lignocellulosic Biomass/Polysulfone Composite Membranes
Authors: Amusa Abiodun , Ahmad Abdul , Jimoh Adewole
Published: March 2021

Delignified lignocellulosic biomass was functionalized with amine groups. Then, the pretreated lignin-free date pits cellulose and the amine-functionalized-date pits cellulose (0–5 wt%) were incorporated into a polysulfone polymer matrix to fabricate composite membranes. The amine groups give additional hydrogen bonding to those existing from the hydroxyl groups in the date pits cellulose. The approach gives an efficient avenue to enhance the CO2 molecules’ transport pathways through the membrane matrix. The interactions between phases were investigated via Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), whereas pure gases (CO2 and N2) were used to evaluate the gas separation performances. Additionally, the thermal and mechanical properties of the fabricated composites were tested. The pure polysulfone membrane achieved an optimum separation performance at 4 Bar. The optimum separation performance for the composite membranes is achieved at 2 wt%. About 32% and 33% increments of the ideal CO2/N2 selectivity is achieved for the lignin-free date pits cellulose composite membrane and the amine-functionalized-date pits cellulose composite membrane, respectively.
Effect of Initial Water Flux on the Performance of Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor: Constant Flux Mode versus Varying Flux Mode
Authors: Yi Xiawen , Zhang Meng , Song Weilong , Wang Xinhua
Published: March 2021

Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) have aroused growing interest in wastewater treatment and energy recovery. However, serious membrane fouling remains a critical hindrance to AnMBRs. Here, a novel membrane fouling mitigation via optimizing initial water flux is proposed, and its feasibility was evaluated by comparing the membrane performance in AnMBRs between constant flux and varying flux modes. Results indicated that, compared with the constant flux mode, varying flux mode significantly prolonged the membrane operating time by mitigating membrane fouling. Through the analyses of fouled membranes under two operating modes, the mechanism of membrane fouling mitigation was revealed as follows: A low water flux was applied in stage 1 which slowed down the interaction between foulants and membrane surface, especially reduced the deposition of proteins on the membrane surface and formed a thin and loose fouling layer. Correspondingly, the interaction between foulants was weakened in the following stage 2 with a high water flux and, subsequently, the foulants absorbed on the membrane surface was further reduced. In addition, flux operating mode had no impact on the contaminant removal in an AnMBR. This study provides a new way of improving membrane performance in AnMBRs via a varying flux operating mode.
Progress and Perspectives of Desalination in China
Authors: Ruan Guoling , Wang Min , An Zihan , Xu Guorong , Ge Yunhong , Zhao Heli
Published: March 2021

In recent decades, the ever-growing demands for clean water in households and industries have urged researchers to take every possible step to deal with the global water crisis. Seawater desalination has turned out to be the most promising and efficient way to provide clean water. Owing to the advancement of synthetic chemistries and technologies, great success has been achieved in the desalination and utilization of seawater worldwide. China, with the world’s largest population, has pushed the development of desalination and multipurpose utilization of seawater further in respect of materials, technologies and services, etc. This review reports recent progress of desalination technologies accomplished in China, from the viewpoints of facilities and equipment, collaborations, technologies, applications, research abilities, services, and standard systems. Inspired by the Fourteenth Five-year Plan, it also proposes future perspectives of desalination in China.
Evaluation of the Physical, Chemical and Environmental Properties of Ladle Furnace Slag for Their Utilization as Filler in Bituminous Mixtures
Authors: Terrones-Saeta Juan María , Suárez-Macías Jorge , Iglesias-Godino Francisco Javier , Corpas-Iglesias Francisco Antonio
Published: March 2021

The construction sector is one of the most demanding sectors for materials that exist today. Therefore, in order to avoid the extraction of new raw materials, it is necessary to use waste. This waste must present a series of physical and chemical characteristics that make it suitable for its employment. Therefore, in this investigation, ladle furnace slag is characterized for use as filler in bituminous mixtures. These slags are produced by the metallurgical industry in large quantities and represent a significant environmental problem. The slags were tested by analyzing their chemical composition and elementary physical properties. At the same time, and in order to evaluate the environmental viability, the environmental affections produced by the treatment of this material for its use as filler were calculated. These environmental results were compared with those obtained by processing of conventional filler. The detailed methodology reflected the chemical and physical feasibility of ladle furnace slags for use as filler, as well as the environmental advantage of processing this waste compared to commercial materials. In this way, the suitability of ladle furnace slags for bituminous mixtures and its feasibility for the creation of more sustainable pavements was assessed.
Revealing the Dynamic Transformation of Austenite to Bainite during Uniaxial Warm Compression through In-Situ Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction
Authors: Bevilaqua William Lemos , Epp Jérémy , Meyer Heiner , Dong Juan , Roelofs Hans , da Silva Rocha Alexandre , Reguly Afonso
Published: March 2021

In this work, the microstructural evolution during the dynamic transformation of austenite to bainite was directly observed by in-situ high energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements during warm uniaxial compression performed at the P07 beamline of PETRA III, DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron). Plastic deformation triggers the phase transformation, which is continuously stimulated by the introduction of dynamic dislocations into the austenite. This scenario accelerates the kinetics of bainite formation in comparison with conventional isothermal treatment. No mechanical stabilization of austenite was observed during dynamic transformation. Evidence of carbon partitioning between phases during plastic deformation was obtained. Further post-process investigations suggest that the bainitic microstructure developed during compression is oriented perpendicular to the loading direction. The findings open up new possibilities to design carbide-free bainitic microstructures directly via thermomechanical processing.
Effect of Al Content on Texture Evolution and Recrystallization Behavior of Non-Flammable Magnesium Sheet Alloys
Authors: Jo Sumi , Letzig Dietmar , Yi Sangbong
Published: March 2021

The effect of Al content on the texture evolution and recrystallization behavior of the non-flammable Mg sheet alloys containing Ca and Y was investigated in this study. With a decrease in the Al content from 3 wt.% to 1 wt.%, the amounts of the other alloying elements dissolved in the matrix, especially Ca, are increased. The increase of the alloying elements in a solid solution brought out the retarded recrystallization and weakened texture with the basal poles tilted toward the sheet transverse direction. Extension twinning activity increased when Al content with decreasing, resulting in the texture broadening towards the sheet transverse direction in the as-rolled sheets. The textures of the AZXW1000 and AZXW2000 sheets weaken uniformly in all sample directions during annealing, while the AZXW3000 sheet shows less weakening of the rolling direction split component. The texture weakening of the alloys with lower Al contents is attributed to the retarded recrystallization caused by the larger amount of the dissolved Ca solutes. Based on the non-basal texture and relatively stable grain structure, the Mg alloy sheet containing a relatively small amount of Al is advantageous to improve the formability.
Research on High-Pressure Hydrochloric Acid Leaching of Scandium, Aluminum and Other Valuable Components from the Non-Magnetic Tailings Obtained from Red Mud after Iron Removal
Authors: Zinoveev Dmitry , Grudinsky Pavel , Zhiltsova Ekaterina , Grigoreva Darya , Volkov Anton , Dyubanov Valery , Petelin Alexander
Published: March 2021

Red mud is a hazardous waste of the alumina industry that contains high amounts of iron, aluminum, titanium and rare-earth elements (REEs). One of the promising methods for the extraction of iron from red mud is carbothermic reduction with the addition of sodium salts. This research focuses on the process of hydrochloric high-pressure acid leaching using 10 to 20% HCl of two samples of non-magnetic tailings obtained by 60 min carbothermic roasting of red mud at 1300 °C and the mixture of 84.6 wt.% of red mud and 15.4 wt.% Na2SO4 at 1150 °C, respectively, with subsequent magnetic separation of metallic iron. The influence of temperature, leaching duration, solid-to-liquid-ratio and acid concentration on the dissolution behavior of Al, Ti, Mg, Ca, Si, Fe, Na, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sc, Zr was studied. Based on the investigation of the obtained residues, a mechanism for passing valuable elements into the solution was proposed. It has shown that 90% Al, 91% Sc and above 80% of other REEs can be dissolved under optimal conditions; Ti can be extracted into the solution or the residue depending on the leaching temperature and acid concentration. Based on the research results, novel flowsheets for red mud treatment were developed.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Novel Quasibinary Al-Cu-Yb and Al-Cu-Gd Alloys
Authors: Amer Sayed , Barkov Ruslan , Pozdniakov Andrey
Published: March 2021

Microstructure of Al-Cu-Yb and Al-Cu-Gd alloys at casting, hot-rolled -cold-rolled and annealed state were observed; the effect of annealing on the microstructure was studied, as were the mechanical properties and forming properties of the alloys, and the mechanism of action was explored. Analysis of the solidification process showed that the primary Al solidification is followed by the eutectic reaction. The second Al8Cu4Yb and Al8Cu4Gd phases play an important role as recrystallization inhibitor. The Al3Yb or (Al, Cu)17Yb2 phase inclusions are present in the Al-Cu-Yb alloy at the boundary between the eutectic and aluminum dendrites. The recrystallization starting temperature of the alloys is in the range of 250–350 °C after rolling with previous quenching at 590 and 605 °C for Al-Cu-Yb and Al-Cu-Gd, respectively. The hardness and tensile properties of Al-Cu-Yb and Al-Cu-Gd as-rolled alloys are reduced by increasing the annealing temperature and time. The as-rolled alloys have high mechanical properties: YS = 303 MPa, UTS = 327 MPa and El. = 3.2% for Al-Cu-Yb alloy, while YS = 290 MPa, UTS = 315 MPa and El. = 2.1% for Al-Cu-Gd alloy.
Ratcheting-Fatigue Behavior of Harmonic-Structure-Designed SUS316L Stainless Steel
Authors: Song Yang , Zhang Zhe , Ma Hantuo , Nakatani Masashi , Kawabata Mie Ota , Ameyama Kei
Published: March 2021

Stainless steels with harmonic-structure design have a great balance of high strength and high ductility. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate their fatigue properties for engineering applications. In the present work, the harmonic-structured SUS316L stainless steels were fabricated by mechanical milling (MM) and subsequent hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process. A series of ratcheting-fatigue tests were performed on the harmonic-structured SUS316L steels under stress-control mode at room temperature. Effects of grain structure and stress-loading conditions on ratcheting behavior and fatigue life were investigated. Results showed that grain size and applied mean stress had a significant influence on ratcheting-strain accumulation and fatigue life. Owing to the ultrafine grained structure, tensile strength of the harmonic-structured SUS316L steels could be enhanced, which restrained the ratcheting-strain accumulation, resulting in a prolonged fatigue life. A higher mean stress caused a faster ratcheting-strain accumulation, which led to the deterioration of fatigue life. Moreover, a modified model based on Smith–Watson–Topper (SWT) criterion predicted the ratcheting-fatigue life of the harmonic-structured SUS316L steels well. Most of the fatigue-life points were located in the 5 times error band.
A New Atomistic Mechanism for Heterogeneous Nucleation in the Systems with Negative Lattice Misfit: Creating a 2D Template for Crystal Growth
Authors: Fan Zhongyun , Men Hua , Wang Yun , Que Zhongping
Published: March 2021

Heterogeneous nucleation is a widespread phenomenon in both nature and technology. However, our current understanding is largely confined to the classical nucleation theory (CNT) postulated over a century ago, in which heterogeneous nucleation occurs stochastically to form a spherical cap facilitated by a substrate. In this paper, we show that heterogeneous nucleation in systems with negative lattice misfit completes deterministically within three atomic layers by structural templating to form a two-dimentional template from which the new phase can grow. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a generic system containing metallic liquid (Al) and a substrate of variable lattice misfit (fcc lattice with fixed Al atoms), we found that heterogeneous nucleation proceeds layer-by-layer: the first layer accommodates misfit through a partial edge dislocation network; the second layer twists an angle through a partial screw dislocation network to reduce lattice distortion; and the third layer creates a crystal plane of the solid (the 2D nucleus) that templates further growth. The twist angle of the solid relative to the substrate as a signature of heterogeneous nucleation in the systems with negative lattice misfit has been validated by high resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM) examination of TiB2/Al and TiB2/α-Al15(Fe, Mn)3Si2 interfaces in two different Al-alloys.
Hot Deformation Behavior and Constitutive Analysis of As-Extruded Mg–6Zn–5Ca–3Ce Alloy Fabricated by Rapid Solidification
Authors: Bao Chengli , Zhou Tao , Shi Laixin , Li Mingao , Hu Li , Yang Mingbo , Chen Qiang
Published: March 2021

The plasticity of Mg–6Zn–5Ca–3Ce alloy fabricated by rapid solidification (RS) at room temperature is poor due to its hexagonal-close-packed (HCP) structure. Therefore, hot deformation of RS Mg–6Zn–5Ca–3Ce alloy at elevated temperature would be a major benefit for manufacturing products with complex shapes. In the present study, hot deformation behavior of as-extruded Mg–6Zn–5Ca–3Ce alloy fabricated by RS was investigated by an isothermal compression test at a temperature (T) of 573–673 K and strain rate (ε˙) of 0.0001–0.01 s−1. Results indicated that the flow stress increases along with the declining temperature and the rising strain rate. The flow stress behavior was then depicted by the hyperbolic sine constitutive equation where the value of activation energy (Q) was calculated to be 186.3 kJ/mol. This issue is mainly attributed to the existence of fine grain and numerous second phases, such as Mg2Ca and Mg–Zn–Ce phase (T’ phase), acting as barriers to restrict dislocation motion effectively. Furthermore, strain compensation was introduced to incorporate the effect of plastic strain on material constants (α,Q,n,lnA) and the predicted flow stresses under various conditions were roughly consistent with the experimental results. Moreover, the processing maps based on the Murty criterion were constructed and visualized to find out the optimal deformation conditions during hot working. The preferential hot deformation windows were identified as follows: T = 590–640 K, ε˙ = 0.0001–0.0003 s−1 and T = 650–670 K, ε˙ = 0.0003–0.004 s−1 for the studied material.
Martensite Formation and Decomposition during Traditional and AM Processing of Two-Phase Titanium Alloys—An Overview
Authors: Motyka Maciej
Published: March 2021

Titanium alloys have been considered as unique materials for many years. Even their microstructure and operational properties have been well known and described in details, the new technologies introduced—e.g., 3D printing—have restored the need for further research in this area. It is understood that martensitic transformation is usually applied in heat treatment of hardenable alloys (e.g., Fe alloys), but in the case of titanium alloys, it also occurs during the thermomechanical processing or advanced additive manufacturing. The paper summarizes previous knowledge on martensite formation and decomposition processes in two-phase titanium alloys. It emphasizes their important role in microstructure development during conventional and modern industrial processing.
Determining Forming Limit Diagrams Using Sub-Sized Specimen Geometry and Comparing FLD Evaluation Methods
Authors: Rubešová Kateřina , Rund Martin , Rzepa Sylwia , Jirková Hana , Jeníček Štěpán , Urbánek Miroslav , Kučerová Ludmila , Konopík Pavel
Published: March 2021

Sheet metal forming boundaries are established using the forming limit diagram (FLD). The Nakajima and Marciniak tests, which are based on stretching a material using a punch, are the most commonly used methods for determining the FLD or fracture forming limit diagram (FFLD). The results are usually evaluated by calculating local strain, strain rates, specimen thickness reduction or fracture strain. When the amount of experimental material is insufficient, miniaturization of the testing specimens may be a solution. However, the interchangeability of the results for standard and miniaturized specimens has not been proven yet. In this study, the Nakajima tests were performed using standard and sub-sized specimens made of manganese–boron steel 22MnB5, commonly used in the automotive industry. Afterwards, four FLD/FFLD evaluation methods were applied and compared. The miniaturized specimens yielded higher strain values, which was explained by the varied ratio of material thickness/punch diameter and different bending conditions. The highest compliance of the results was recorded for the standard and miniaturized FFLD.
Influence of Deposition Patterns on Distortion of H13 Steel by Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Li Xufeng , Lin Jian , Xia Zhidong , Zhang Yongqiang , Fu Hanguang
Published: March 2021

Wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has been considered as one of the potential additive-manufacturing technologies to fabricate large components. However, its industrial application is still limited by the existence of stress and distortion. During the process of WAAM, the scanning pattern has an important influence on the temperature field, distortion and final quality of the part. Four kinds of deposition patterns, including sequence, symmetry, in–out and out–in, were designed to deposit H13 steel in this study. An in situ measurement system was set up to record the temperature history and the progress of accumulated distortion of the parts during deposition. An S value was proposed to evaluate the distortion of the substrate. It was shown that the distortion of the part deposited by sequence was significantly larger than those of other parts. The distortion deposited by the out–in pattern decreased by 68.6% compared with sequence. The inherent strain method and strain parameter were introduced to expose the mechanism of distortion reduction caused by pattern variation.
Metabolomics for Biomarker Discovery: Key Signatory Metabolic Profiles for the Identification and Discrimination of Oat Cultivars
Authors: Pretorius Chanel J. , Tugizimana Fidele , Steenkamp Paul A. , Piater Lizelle A. , Dubery Ian A.
Published: March 2021

The first step in crop introduction—or breeding programmes—requires cultivar identification and characterisation. Rapid identification methods would therefore greatly improve registration, breeding, seed, trade and inspection processes. Metabolomics has proven to be indispensable in interrogating cellular biochemistry and phenotyping. Furthermore, metabolic fingerprints are chemical maps that can provide detailed insights into the molecular composition of a biological system under consideration. Here, metabolomics was applied to unravel differential metabolic profiles of various oat (Avena sativa) cultivars (Magnifico, Dunnart, Pallinup, Overberg and SWK001) and to identify signatory biomarkers for cultivar identification. The respective cultivars were grown under controlled conditions up to the 3-week maturity stage, and leaves and roots were harvested for each cultivar. Metabolites were extracted using 80% methanol, and extracts were analysed on an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system coupled to a quadrupole time-of-flight (qTOF) high-definition mass spectrometer analytical platform. The generated data were processed and analysed using multivariate statistical methods. Principal component analysis (PCA) models were computed for both leaf and root data, with PCA score plots indicating cultivar-related clustering of the samples and pointing to underlying differential metabolic profiles of these cultivars. Further multivariate analyses were performed to profile differential signatory markers, which included carboxylic acids, amino acids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds (hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, and associated derivatives) and flavonoids, among the respective cultivars. Based on the key signatory metabolic markers, the cultivars were successfully distinguished from one another in profiles derived from both leaves and roots. The study demonstrates that metabolomics can be used as a rapid phenotyping tool for cultivar differentiation.
Towards Extending the Detection Window of Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid—An Untargeted Metabolomics Study in Serum and Urine Following Controlled Administration in Healthy Men
Authors: Steuer Andrea E. , Raeber Justine , Simbuerger Fabio , Dornbierer Dario A. , Bosch Oliver G. , Quednow Boris B. , Seifritz Erich , Kraemer Thomas
Published: March 2021

In forensic toxicology, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) still represents one of the most challenging drugs of abuse in terms of analytical detection and interpretation. Given its rapid elimination, the detection window of GHB in common matrices is short (maximum 12 h in urine). Additionally, the differentiation from naturally occurring endogenous GHB, is challenging. Thus, novel biomarkers to extend the detection window of GHB are urgently needed. The present study aimed at searching new potential biomarkers of GHB use by means of mass spectrometry (MS) metabolomic profiling in serum (up to 16.5 h) and urine samples (up to 8 h after intake) collected during a placebo-controlled crossover study in healthy men. MS data acquired by different analytical methods (reversed phase and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography; positive and negative electrospray ionization each) were filtered for significantly changed features applying univariate and mixed-effect model statistics. Complementary to a former study, conjugates of GHB with glycine, glutamate, taurine, carnitine and pentose (ribose) were identified in urine, with particularly GHB-pentose being promising for longer detection. None of the conjugates were detectable in serum. Therein, mainly energy metabolic substrates were identified, which may be useful for more detailed interpretation of underlying pathways but are too unspecific as biomarkers.
A Genome-Scale Metabolic Model of Anabaena 33047 to Guide Genetic Modifications to Overproduce Nylon Monomers
Authors: Hendry John I. , Dinh Hoang V. , Sarkar Debolina , Wang Lin , Bandyopadhyay Anindita , Pakrasi Himadri B. , Maranas Costas D.
Published: March 2021

Nitrogen fixing-cyanobacteria can significantly improve the economic feasibility of cyanobacterial production processes by eliminating the requirement for reduced nitrogen. Anabaena sp. ATCC 33047 is a marine, heterocyst forming, nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria with a very short doubling time of 3.8 h. We developed a comprehensive genome-scale metabolic (GSM) model, iAnC892, for this organism using annotations and content obtained from multiple databases. iAnC892 describes both the vegetative and heterocyst cell types found in the filaments of Anabaena sp. ATCC 33047. iAnC892 includes 953 unique reactions and accounts for the annotation of 892 genes. Comparison of iAnC892 reaction content with the GSM of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 revealed that there are 109 reactions including uptake hydrogenase, pyruvate decarboxylase, and pyruvate-formate lyase unique to iAnC892. iAnC892 enabled the analysis of energy production pathways in the heterocyst by allowing the cell specific deactivation of light dependent electron transport chain and glucose-6-phosphate metabolizing pathways. The analysis revealed the importance of light dependent electron transport in generating ATP and NADPH at the required ratio for optimal N2 fixation. When used alongside the strain design algorithm, OptForce, iAnC892 recapitulated several of the experimentally successful genetic intervention strategies that over produced valerolactam and caprolactam precursors.
Laser Ablation of Aluminum Near the Critical Regime: A Computational Gas-Dynamical Model with Temperature-Dependent Physical Parameters
Authors: Terragni Jacopo , Miotello Antonio
Published: March 2021

The complexity of the phenomena simultaneously occurring, from the very first instants of high-power laser pulse interaction with the target up to the phase explosion, along with the strong changes in chemical-physical properties of matter, makes modeling laser ablation a hard task, especially near the thermodynamic critical regime. In this work, we report a computational model of an aluminum target irradiated in vacuum by a gaussian-shaped pulse of 20 ns duration, with a peak intensity of the order of GW/cm2. This continuum model covers laser energy deposition and temperature evolution in the irradiated target, along with the mass removal mechanism involved, and the vaporized material expansion. Aluminum was considered to be a case study due to the vast literature on the temperature dependence of its thermodynamic, optical, and transport properties that were used to estimate time-dependent values of surface-vapor quantities (vapor pressure, vapor density, vapor and surface temperature) and vapor gas-dynamical quantities (density, velocity, pressure) as it expands into vacuum. Very favorable agreement is reported with experimental data regarding: mass removal and crater depth due to vaporization, generated recoil momentum, and vapor flow velocity expansion.
Evaluation of Lateral and Vertical Dimensions of Micromolds Fabricated by a PolyJet™ Printer
Authors: Vijayan Sindhu , Parthiban Pravien , Hashimoto Michinao
Published: March 2021

PolyJet™ 3D printers have been widely used for the fabrication of microfluidic molds to replicate castable resins due to the ease to create microstructures with smooth surfaces. However, the microstructures fabricated by PolyJet printers do not accurately match with those defined by the computer-aided design (CAD) drawing. While the reflow and spreading of the resin before photopolymerization are known to increase the lateral dimension (width) of the printed structures, the influence of resin spreading on the vertical dimension (height) has not been fully investigated. In this work, we characterized the deviations in both lateral and vertical dimensions of the microstructures printed by PolyJet printers. The width of the printed structures was always larger than the designed width due to the spreading of resin. Importantly, the microstructures designed with narrow widths failed to reproduce the intended heights of the structures. Our study revealed that there existed a threshold width (wd′) required to achieve the designed height, and the layer thickness (a parameter set by the printer) influenced the threshold width. The thresholds width to achieve the designed height was found to be 300, 300, and 500 μm for the print layer thicknesses of 16, 28, and 36 μm, respectively. We further developed two general mathematical models for the regions above and below this threshold width. Our models represented the experimental data with an accuracy of more than 96% for the two different regions. We validated our models against the experimental data and the maximum deviation was found to be <4.5%. Our experimental findings and model framework should be useful for the design and fabrication of microstructures using PolyJet printers, which can be replicated to form microfluidic devices.
Plant Volatiles of Lettuce and Chicory Cultivated in Aquaponics Are Associated to Their Microbial Community
Authors: Nissen Lorenzo , Casciano Flavia , Gianotti Andrea
Published: March 2021

In this work, an aquaponic cultivation system for Lactuca sativa (L.) and Chicorium intybus (L.) was compared to a hydroponic one, focusing on the main microbial populations related to food safety and their volatile compounds (VOCs), concluding with Spearman correlations among the microbes and VOCs. Different sections of both systems were sampled at the end of the commercial development of the plants. Plants cultivated in aquaponics were in general more contaminated than those from hydroponics, while for the cultivation waters a higher contamination of the hydroponics than aquaponics system was unexpectedly observed. Furthermore, the chicory exhibited higher levels of all microbial groups compared to lettuce grown under the same cultivation system. The results obtained also showed correlations between the distribution of some VOCs and microbial groups in the phyllosphere, while some examples of positive correlations between 2-nonanone (a positive phytostimulant compound) and anaerobic bacilli of the rhizosphere in lettuce were reported. So far, multivariate analysis of VOCs was able to discriminate on the basis of varieties but not on the cultivation systems. In conclusion, the microbial characteristics of the two ecosystems depended both on plant variety and cultivation method but further studies will need to deeply investigate the variables influencing the microbial quality of vegetable foods obtained by aquaponics. On the other hand, the analysis of the VOCs was more related to the microbial community of each plant variety considered, whatever the cultivation system. In precision agriculture, metabolomics may represent an opportunity to study the holobiome and through it the interactions between plants and their microbial populations, to possibly provide for a tool to assess the microbiological quality of vegetable foods obtained by aquaponic systems.
Space-Time Trends in Lassa Fever in Sierra Leone by ELISA Serostatus, 2012–2019
Authors: Shaffer Jeffrey , Schieffelin John , Momoh Mambu , Goba Augustine , Kanneh Lansana , Alhasan Foday , Gbakie Michael , Engel Emily , Bond Nell , Hartnett Jessica , Nelson Diana , Bush Duane , Boisen Matthew , Heinrich Megan , Rowland Megan , Branco Luis , Samuels Robert , Garry Robert , Grant Donald ,   the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Consortium
Published: March 2021

Lassa fever (LF) is a viral hemorrhagic disease found in Sub-Saharan Africa and is responsible for up to 300,000 cases and 5000 deaths annually. LF is highly endemic in Sierra Leone, particularly in its Eastern Province. Kenema Government Hospital (KGH) maintains one of only a few LF isolation facilities in the world with year-round diagnostic testing. Here we focus on space-time trends for LF occurring in Sierra Leone between 2012 and 2019 to provide a current account of LF in the wake of the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic. Data were analyzed for 3277 suspected LF cases and classified as acute, recent, and non-LF or prior LF exposure using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Presentation rates for acute, recent, and non-LF or prior LF exposure were 6.0% (195/3277), 25.6% (838/3277), and 68.4% (2244/3277), respectively. Among 2051 non-LF or prior LF exposures, 33.2% (682/2051) tested positive for convalescent LF exposure. The overall LF case-fatality rate (CFR) was 78.5% (106/135). Both clinical presentations and confirmed LF cases declined following the Ebola epidemic. These declines coincided with an increased duration between illness onset and clinical presentation, perhaps suggesting more severe disease or presentation at later stages of illness. Acute LF cases and their corresponding CFRs peaked during the dry season (November to April). Subjects with recent (but not acute) LF exposure were more likely to present during the rainy season (May to October) than the dry season (p < 0.001). The findings here suggest that LF remains endemic in Sierra Leone and that caseloads are likely to resume at levels observed prior to the Ebola epidemic. The results provide insight on the current epidemiological profile of LF in Sierra Leone to facilitate LF vaccine studies and accentuate the need for LF cohort studies and continued advancements in LF diagnostics.
A Multi-Country, Single-Blinded, Phase 2 Study to Evaluate a Point-of-Need System for Rapid Detection of Leishmaniasis and Its Implementation in Endemic Settings
Authors: Ghosh Prakash , Sharma Abhijit , Bhattarai Narayan Raj , Abhishek Kumar , Nisansala Thilini , Kumar Amresh , Böhlken-Fascher Susanne , Chowdhury Rajashree , Khan Md Anik Ashfaq , Faisal Khaledul , Hossain Faria , Uddin Md. Rasel , Rashid Md. Utba , Maruf Shomik , Rai Keshav , Sooriyaarachchi Monica , Abhayarathna Withanage Lakma Kumari , Karki Prahlad , Kumar Shiril , Ranasinghe Shalindra , Khanal Basudha , Routray Satyabrata , Das Pradeep , Mondal Dinesh , Abd El Wahed Ahmed
Published: March 2021

With the advancement of isothermal nucleic acid amplification techniques, detection of the pathogenic DNA in clinical samples at point-of-need is no longer a dream. The newly developed recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay incorporated in a suitcase laboratory has shown promising diagnostic efficacy over real-time PCR in detection of leishmania DNA from clinical samples. For broader application of this point-of-need system, we undertook a current multi-country diagnostic evaluation study towards establishing this technique in different endemic settings which would be beneficial for the ongoing elimination programs for leishmaniasis. For this study purpose, clinical samples from confirmed visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) patients were subjected to both real-time PCR and RPA assay in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Further skin samples from confirmed cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients were also included from Sri Lanka. A total of 450 clinical samples from VL patients, 429 from PKDL patients, 47 from CL patients, and 322 from endemic healthy/healthy controls were under investigation to determine the diagnostic efficacy of RPA assay in comparison to real-time PCR. A comparative sensitivity of both methods was found where real-time PCR and RPA assay showed 96.86% (95% CI: 94.45–98.42) and 88.85% (95% CI: 85.08–91.96) sensitivity respectively in the diagnosis of VL cases. This new isothermal method also exhibited promising diagnostic sensitivity (93.50%) for PKDL cases, when a skin sample was used. Due to variation in the sequence of target amplicons, RPA assay showed comparatively lower sensitivity (55.32%) than that of real-time PCR in Sri Lanka for the diagnosis of CL cases. Except for India, the assay presented absolute specificity in the rest of the sites. Excellent concordance between the two molecular methods towards detection of leishmania DNA in clinical samples substantiates the application of RPA assay incorporated in a suitcase laboratory for point-of-need diagnosis of VL and PKDL in low resource endemic settings. However, further improvisation of the method is necessary for diagnosis of CL.
The Effect of Visible Light on Cell Envelope Subproteome during Vibrio harveyi Survival at 20 °C in Seawater
Authors: Orruño Maite , Parada Claudia , Kaberdin Vladimir R. , Arana Inés
Published: March 2021

A number of Vibrio spp. belong to the well-studied model organisms used to understand the strategies developed by marine bacteria to cope with adverse conditions (starvation, suboptimal temperature, solar radiation, etc.) in their natural environments. Temperature and nutrient availability are considered to be the key factors that influence Vibrio harveyi physiology, morphology, and persistence in aquatic systems. In contrast to the well-studied effects of temperature and starvation on Vibrio survival, little is known about the impact of visible light able to cause photooxidative stress. Here we employ V. harveyi ATCC 14126T as a model organism to analyze and compare the survival patterns and changes in the protein composition of its cell envelope during the long-term permanence of this bacterium in seawater microcosm at 20 °C in the presence and absence of illumination with visible light. We found that V. harveyi exposure to visible light reduces cell culturability likely inducing the entry into the Viable but Non Culturable state (VBNC), whereas populations maintained in darkness remained culturable for at least 21 days. Despite these differences, the starved cells in both populations underwent morphological changes by reducing their size. Moreover, further proteomic analysis revealed a number of changes in the composition of cell envelope potentially accountable for the different adaptation pattern manifested in the absence and presence of visible light.
COVID-19: Insights into Potential Vaccines
Authors: Loo Ke-Yan , Letchumanan Vengadesh , Ser Hooi-Leng , Teoh Siew Li , Law Jodi Woan-Fei , Tan Loh Teng-Hern , Ab Mutalib Nurul-Syakima , Chan Kok-Gan , Lee Learn-Han
Published: March 2021

People around the world ushered in the new year 2021 with a fear of COVID-19, as family members have lost their loved ones to the disease. Millions of people have been infected, and the livelihood of many has been jeopardized due to the pandemic. Pharmaceutical companies are racing against time to develop an effective vaccine to protect against COVID-19. Researchers have developed various types of candidate vaccines with the release of the genetic sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in January. These include inactivated viral vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, mRNA vaccines, and recombinant viral vector vaccines. To date, several vaccines have been authorized for emergency use and they have been administered in countries across the globe. Meanwhile, there are also vaccine candidates in Phase III clinical trials awaiting results and approval from authorities. These candidates have shown positive results in the previous stages of the trials, whereby they could induce an immune response with minimal side effects in the participants. This review aims to discuss the different vaccine platforms and the clinical trials of the candidate vaccines.
Disproportionate CH4 Sink Strength from an Endemic, Sub-Alpine Australian Soil Microbial Community
Authors: McDaniel Marshall D. , Hernández Marcela , Dumont Marc G. , Ingram Lachlan J. , Adams Mark A.
Published: March 2021

Soil-to-atmosphere methane (CH4) fluxes are dependent on opposing microbial processes of production and consumption. Here we use a soil–vegetation gradient in an Australian sub-alpine ecosystem to examine links between composition of soil microbial communities, and the fluxes of greenhouse gases they regulate. For each soil/vegetation type (forest, grassland, and bog), we measured carbon dioxide (CO2) and CH4 fluxes and their production/consumption at 5 cm intervals to a depth of 30 cm. All soils were sources of CO2, ranging from 49 to 93 mg CO2 m−2 h−1. Forest soils were strong net sinks for CH4, at rates of up to −413 µg CH4 m−2 h−1. Grassland soils varied, with some soils acting as sources and some as sinks, but overall averaged −97 µg CH4 m−2 h−1. Bog soils were net sources of CH4 (+340 µg CH4 m−2 h−1). Methanotrophs were dominated by USCα in forest and grassland soils, and Candidatus Methylomirabilis in the bog soils. Methylocystis were also detected at relatively low abundance in all soils. Our study suggests that there is a disproportionately large contribution of these ecosystems to the global soil CH4 sink, which highlights our dependence on soil ecosystem services in remote locations driven by unique populations of soil microbes. It is paramount to explore and understand these remote, hard-to-reach ecosystems to better understand biogeochemical cycles that underpin global sustainability.
Repeated UAV Campaigns, GNSS Measurements, GIS, and Petrographic Analyses for Landslide Mapping and Monitoring
Authors: Kyriou Aggeliki , Nikolakopoulos Konstantinos , Koukouvelas Ioannis , Lampropoulou Paraskevi
Published: March 2021

Landslides are posing a significant global hazard as they occur instantaneously with devastating consequences. The development of new remote sensing technologies and innovative processing techniques over the past few years opened up new horizons and perspectives in landslide monitoring research. The purpose of the current research is the integrated monitoring of an active landslide, located in Western Greece, using low-cost and high-repeatability remote sensing data like those obtained by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Repeated UAV campaigns and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) surveys were performed to assess the activity of the landslide and determine its kinematic behavior. UAV data were processed using structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry and the generated high-detailed orthophotos and digital surface models (DSMs) were submitted in further processing procedure in an ArcGIS environment. Regarding the GNSS data, a new low-cost technique for the estimation of the direction and the rate of movement of the displaced material was developed. The repeated measurements were displayed in a vector format in a three-axis diagram. In addition, GNSS measurements were used to verify the results of the photogrammetric processing. The final assessment was carried out taking into account geological data such as petrographic and crystallographic features of the material of the landslide. It was observed that the lithology and consequently the petrographic properties of the material plays a key role regarding the activity of the landslide.
Comparative Study of Volatile Compounds and Expression of Related Genes in Fruit from Two Apple Cultivars during Different Developmental Stages
Authors: Feng Shuaishuai , Yan Chengtai , Zhang Tianhao , Ji Miaomiao , Tao Ru , Gao Hua
Published: March 2021

Aromatic volatile compounds are important contributors to fruit quality that vary among different cultivars. Herein, headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine changes in volatile compounds and related gene expression patterns in “Ruixue” and “Fuji” apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) during fruit development and maturation. Volatile compounds detected in the fruit of both cultivars exhibited similar trends across different developmental stages. In the early stages of “Ruixue” fruit development (60 days after full bloom), there were fewer volatile compounds, mainly aldehydes (87.0%). During fruit maturation (180 days after full bloom), the types and amounts of volatile compounds increased, mainly including esters (37.6%), and alkenes (23.2%). The total volatile concentration, the types of major volatile compounds, and their relative content in both cultivars varied across different stages. Gene expression analysis indicated that the upregulation of MdLOX, MdAAT2, and MdADH3 was associated with increased aroma compound content, especially esters, during fruit development in both cultivars. Changes in the expression of MdArAT, MdACPD, MdADH3, MdAAT2, and MdLOX may lead to differences in volatile compounds between apple cultivars.
Radioprotective Effects of Kelulut Honey in Zebrafish Model
Authors: Adenan Mohd Noor Hidayat , Yazan Latifah Saiful , Christianus Annie , Md Hashim Nur Fariesha , Mohd Noor Suzita , Shamsudin Shuhaimi , Ahmad Bahri Farah Jehan , Abdul Rahim Khairuddin
Published: March 2021

Large doses of ionizing radiation can damage human tissues. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the radiation effects as well as identify effective and non-toxic radioprotectors. This study evaluated the radioprotective effects of Kelulut honey (KH) from stingless bee (Trigona sp.) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Viable zebrafish embryos at 24 hpf were dechorionated and divided into four groups, namely untreated and non-irradiated, untreated and irradiated, KH pre-treatment and amifostine pre-treatment. The embryos were first treated with KH (8 mg/mL) or amifostine (4 mM) before irradiation at doses of 11 Gy to 20 Gy using gamma ray source, caesium-137 (137Cs). Lethality and abnormality analysis were performed on all of the embryos in the study. Immunohistochemistry assay was also performed using selected proteins, namely γ-H2AX and caspase-3, to investigate DNA damages and incidences of apoptosis. KH was found to reduce coagulation effects at up to 20 Gy in the lethality analysis. The embryos developed combinations of abnormality, namely microphthalmia (M), body curvature and microphthalmia (BM), body curvature with microphthalmia and microcephaly (BMC), microphthalmia and pericardial oedema (MO), pericardial oedema (O), microphthalmia with microcephaly and pericardial oedema (MCO) and all of the abnormalities (AA). There were more abnormalities developed from 24 to 72 h (h) post-irradiation in all groups. At 96 h post-irradiation, KH was identified to reduce body curvature effect in the irradiated embryos (up to 16 Gy). γ-H2AX and caspase-3 intensities in the embryos pre-treated with KH were also found to be lower than the untreated group at gamma irradiation doses of 11 Gy to 20 Gy and 11 Gy to 19 Gy, respectively. KH was proven to increase the survival rate of zebrafish embryos and exhibited protection against organ-specific abnormality. KH was also found to possess cellular protective mechanism by reducing DNA damage and apoptosis proteins expression.
Poly(Pyridinium Salt)s Containing 2,7-Diamino-9,9′-Dioctylfluorene Moieties with Various Organic Counterions Exhibiting Both Lyotropic Liquid-Crystalline and Light-Emitting Properties
Authors: Bhowmik Pradip K. , Jo Tae S. , Koh Jung J. , Park Jongwon , Biswas Bidyut , Principe Ronald Carlo G. , Han Haesook , Wacha András F. , Knaapila Matti
Published: March 2021

A series of poly(pyridinium salt)s-fluorene main-chain ionic polymers with various organic counterions were synthesized by using ring-transmutation polymerization and metathesis reactions. Their chemical structures were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), proton (1H), and fluorine 19 (19F) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers. These polymers showed a number-average molecular weight (Mns) between 96.5 and 107.8 kg/mol and polydispersity index (PDI) in the range of 1.12–1.88. They exhibited fully-grown lyotropic phases in polar protic and aprotic solvents at different critical concentrations. Small-angle X-ray scattering for one polymer example indicates lyotropic structure formation for 60–80% solvent fraction. A lyotropic smectic phase contains 10 nm polymer platelets connected by tie molecules. The structure also incorporates a square packing motif within platelets. Thermal properties of polymers were affected by the size of counterions as determined by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis measurements. Their ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectra in different organic solvents were essentially identical, indicating that the closely spaced π-π* transitions occurred in their conjugated polymer structures. In contrast, the emission spectra of polymers exhibited a positive solvatochromism on changing the polarity of solvents. They emitted green lights in both polar and nonpolar organic solvents and showed blue light in the film-states, but their λem peaks were dependent on the size of the counterions. They formed aggregates in polar aprotic and protic solvents with the addition of water (v/v, 0–90%), and their λem peaks were blue shifted.