bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Antifungal Properties of Titania P25
Authors: Wang Kunlei , Paszkiewicz Oliwia , Vincent Mewin , Henkiel Patrycja , Kowalski Damian , Kowalska Ewa , Markowska-Szczupak Agata
Published: October 2022

Commercial titania photocatalyst—P25 was chosen for an antifungal property examination due to it exhibiting one of the highest photocatalytic activities among titania photocatalysts. Titania P25 was homogenized first (HomoP25) and then annealed at different temperatures. Additionally, HomoP25 was modified with 0.5 wt% or 2.0 wt% of platinum by a photodeposition method. The obtained samples were characterized by diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoabsorption spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, photocatalytic activity was tested for methanol dehydrogenation under UV/vis irradiation. The spore-destroying effect of photocatalysts was investigated against two mold fungal species, i.e., Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger. Both the mycelium growth and API ZYM (estimation of enzymatic activity) tests were applied for the assessment of antifungal effect. It was found that annealing caused a change of surface properties of the titania samples, i.e., an increase in the noncrystalline part, a growth of particles and enhanced oxygen adsorption on its surface, which resulted in an increase in both the hydrogen evolution rate and the antifungal effect. Titania samples annealed at 300–500 °C were highly active during 60-min UV/vis irradiation, inhibiting the germination of both fungal spores, whereas titania modification with platinum (0.5 and 2.0 wt%) had negligible effect, despite being highly active for hydrogen evolution. The control experiments revealed the lack of titania activity in the dark, as well as high resistance of fungi for applied UV/vis irradiation in the absence of photocatalysts. Moreover, the complete inhibition of 19 hydrolases, secreted by both tested fungi, was noted under UV/vis irradiation on the annealed P25 sample. It is proposed that titania photocatalysts of large particle sizes (>150 nm) and enriched surface with oxygen might efficiently destroy fungal structures under mild irradiation conditions and, thus, be highly promising as covering materials for daily products.
Comprehensive Assessments in Bonding Energy of Plasma Assisted Si-SiO2 Direct Wafer Bonding after Low Temperature Rapid Thermal Annealing
Authors: Lee Youngseok , You Yebin , Cho Chulhee , Kim Sijun , Lee Jangjae , Kim Minyoung , Lee Hanglim , You Youngjun , Kim Kyungman , You ShinJae
Published: October 2022

Direct wafer bonding is one of the most attractive techniques for next-generation semiconductor devices, and plasma has been playing an indispensable role in the wider adoption of the wafer bonding technique by lowering its process temperature. Although numerous studies on plasma-assisted direct wafer bonding have been reported, there is still a lack of deep investigations focusing on the plasma itself. Other than the plasma surface treatment, the wafer bonding process includes multiple steps such as surface cleaning and annealing that require comprehensive studies to maximize the bonding strengths. In this work, we evaluate the various process steps of Si-SiO2 wafer bonding through case-by-case experimental studies, covering factors including the plasma conditions for surface treatment and secondary factors such as the time intervals between some process steps. The results show that plasma treatment with increasing input power has a trade-off between bonding strengths and interfacial voids, requiring the optimization of the plasma conditions. It is also noticeable that the effects of plasma treatment on wafer bonding can be improved when the plasma-treated wafers are stored in ambient atmosphere before the subsequent process step, which may suggest that wafer exposure to air during the bonding process is advantageous compared to processing entirely in vacuum. The results are expected to allow plasma-assisted direct wafer bonding technology to play a bigger role in the packaging process of semiconductor device manufacturing.
Design and Manufacturing of Equipment for Investigation of Low Frequency Bioimpedance
Authors: Pîslaru-Dănescu Lucian , Zărnescu George-Claudiu , Telipan Gabriela , Stoica Victor
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this study was to highlight a method of making equipment for the investigation of low frequency bioimpedance. A constant current with an average value of I = 100 µA is injected into the human body via means of current injection electrodes, and the biological signal is taken from the electrodes of electric potential charged with the biopotentials generated by the human body. The resulting voltage, ΔU is processed by the electronic conditioning system. The mathematical model of the four-electrode system in contact with the skin, and considering a target organ, was simplified to a single equivalent impedance. The capacitive filter low passes down from the differential input of the first instrumentation amplifier together with the isolated capacitive barrier integrated in the precision isolated secondary amplifier and maintains the biological signal taken from the electrodes charged with the undistorted biopotentials generated by the human body. Mass loops are avoided, and any electric shocks or electrostatic discharges are prevented. In addition, for small amplitudes of the biological signal, electromagnetic interferences of below 100 Hz of the power supply network were eliminated by using an active fourth-order Bessel filtering module. The measurements performed for the low frequency of f = 100 Hz on the volunteers showed for the investigated organs that the bioelectrical resistivities vary from 90 Ωcm up to 450 Ωcm, and that these are in agreement with other published and disseminated results for each body zone.
Development of a Highly Specific Fluoroimmunoassay for the Detection of Doxycycline Residues in Water Environmental and Animal Tissue Samples
Authors: Le Tao , Xu Rongli , Yang Lulan , Xie Yong
Published: October 2022

Doxycycline (DOX) and its metabolite residues in food and the environment pose a serious threat to human health and the ecological environment. In this work, a novel method, termed competitive fluoroimmunoassays (cFIA), based on monoclonal antibody (mAb) bio-conjugated CdSe/ZnS core–shell quantum dots (QDs), was developed for sensitive and rapid bioanalyses of DOX in natural water and commercial meats. After the optimization of the experimental conditions, 1 μg mL−1 of coating antigen and 0.5 μg mL−1 of QD-labeled mAb were used for the establishment of the cFIA. With this assay, the 50% inhibition concentration was found to be 0.35 ng mL−1 of DOX in phosphate-buffered saline samples, and the limit of detection was 0.039 ng mL−1 with minor cross-reactivity to other tetracycline members. The recoveries from natural water and commercial meats spiked with DOX concentrations of 10–600 ng mL−1 were 81.3–109.8%, and standard deviation were all below 12%. Levels measured with the QD-cFIA for thirty authentic samples were confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography with good correlations. These results indicate that QD-cFIA is sultable for the rapid and quantitative detection of DOX residue in environmental and food samples.
Online Optimization Method for Nonlinear Model-Predictive Control in Angular Tracking for MEMS Micromirror
Authors: Cao Qingmei , Tan Yonghong
Published: October 2022

In this brief, a precise angular tracking control strategy using nonlinear predictive optimization control (POC) approach is address. In order to deal with the model uncertainty and noise interference, a online Hammerstein-model-based POC is designed using online estimated parameters and model residual. Above all, a rate-dependent Duhem model is used to describe the nonlinear sub-model of the whole Hammerstein architecture for depicting multi-valued mapping nonlinear characteristic. Then, predictive output of angular deflection is obtained by Diophantine function based on linear submodel. Subsequently, the iterative control value depends on estimated parameters through data-driven is acquired. Later, based on the cost function, the iteratively optimization control quantity is fed back to the electromagnetic driven deflection micromirror (EDDM) system on the basis of Hammerstein architecture. It should be stressed that the control value is determined by real-time update model residual and defined cost function. Moreover, the stability of POC strategy is proposed. In addition, experimental result is proposed to validate the effectiveness of the control technique adopted in this paper.
Impact of Various Thermistors on the Properties of Resistive Microbolometers Fabricated by CMOS Process
Authors: Guo Yaozu , Ma Haolan , Lan Jiang , Liao Yiming , Ji Xiaoli
Published: October 2022

Microbolometers based on the CMOS process has the important advantage of being automatically merged with circuits in the fabrication of larger arrays, but they typically suffer from low detectivity due to the difficulty in realizing high-sensitivity thermistors in the CMOS process. In this paper, two resistive microbolometers based on polysilicon and metal Al thermistors, respectively, are designed and fabricated by the standard CMOS process. Experimental results show that the detectivity of the two resistive microbolometers can reach a maximum of 1.78 × 109 cmHz1/2/W at 25 μA and a maximum of 6.2 × 108 cmHz1/2/W at 267 μA. The polysilicon microbolometer exhibits better detectivity at lower bias current due to its lower effective thermal conductivity and larger resistance. Even though the thermal time constant of the polysilicon thermistor is three times slower than that of the metal Al thermistor, the former is more suitable for designing a thermal imaging system with sensitive and low power consumption.
Screening for Escherichia coli in Chopping Board Meat Samples and Survey for Sanitary and Hygienic Practices in Retail Meat Shops of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Nepal
Authors: Regmi Sagar , Mahato Prem Lal , Upadhayaya Sachin , Marasini Hari , Neupane Raju Prasad , Shrestha Janashrit , Bhattarai Rebanta Kumar , Dhakal Santosh
Published: October 2022

In this study, chopping board meat samples collected from meat shops of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Nepal, were screened for the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli), with a special emphasis on the identification of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains. Representatives from the meat shops were also interviewed to understand the sanitary status and hygienic practices. E. coli bacteria were detected in one third (33/99) of the meat samples, while none of the samples had ESBL-producing strains. While 60.6% (60/99) of the meat shop personnel wore protective clothing, 15.15% (15/99) used gloves, and only 5.05% (5/99) had separate equipment for cleaning the viscera of animals. This study highlights the need for the regular screening of meat samples to identify pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and for improvements in the sanitary status and hygienic practices of retail meat shops in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Nepal.
Efficacy of a Probiotic and Herbal Supplement in Models of Lung Inflammation
Authors: Wenger Nancy M. , Qiao Luhua , Nicola Teodora , Nizami Zoha , Xu Xin , Willis Kent A. , Ambalavanan Namasivayam , Gaggar Amit , Lal Charitharth Vivek
Published: October 2022

Background: Gut microbiome dysbiosis is associated with lung disease through the gut-lung axis. Abundant proteobacteria increase MMP-9 and contribute to tissue proteolysis followed by neutrophil recruitment, lung tissue injury, and perpetuation of chronic lung disease. We sought to determine if a scientifically formulated probiotic and herbal supplement could attenuate neutrophilic inflammation and improve lung structure and function in models of lung inflammation. Methods: For in vitro experiments, epithelial cells exposed to proteobacteria were treated with resB—a blend of three probiotic Lactobacillus strains and turmeric, holy basil, and vasaka herbal extracts. For in vivo experimentation, mice exposed to pulmonary proteobacteria-derived lipopolysaccharide were treated by gavage with resB. Results: In vitro, the bacterial and herbal components of resB decreased activity of the MMP-9 pathway. Mice exposed to LPS and pre- and post-treated with resB had decreased neutrophil recruitment and inflammatory biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum, and lung tissue compared to untreated mice. Conclusions: This study describes the mechanisms and efficacy of probiotic and herbal blend in pre-clinical models of lung injury and inflammation.
Galdieria sulphuraria ACUF427 Freeze-Dried Biomass as Novel Biosorbent for Rare Earth Elements
Authors: Palmieri Maria , Iovinella Manuela , Davis Seth J. , di Cicco Maria Rosa , Lubritto Carmine , Race Marco , Papa Stefania , Fabbricino Massimiliano , Ciniglia Claudia
Published: October 2022

Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential components of modern technologies and are often challenging to acquire from natural resources. The demand for REEs is so high that there is a clear need to develop efficient and environmentally-friendly recycling methods. In the present study, freeze-dried cells of the extremophile Galdieria sulphuraria were employed to recover yttrium, cerium, europium, and terbium from quaternary-metal aqueous solutions. The biosorption capacity of G. sulphuraria freeze-dried algal biomass was tested at different pHs, contact times, and biosorbent dosages. All rare earths were biosorbed in a more efficient way by the lowest dose of biosorbent, at pH 4.5, within 30 min; the highest removal rate of cerium was recorded at acidic pH (2.5) and after a longer contact time, i.e., 360 min. This study confirms the potential of freeze-dried cells of G. sulphuraria as innovative ecological biosorbents in technological applications for sustainable recycling of metals from e-waste and wastewater.
Dissemination of High-Risk Clones Enterobacterales among Bulgarian Fecal Carriage Isolates
Authors: Markovska Rumyana , Stankova Petya , Stoeva Temenuga , Murdjeva Marianna , Marteva-Proevska Yulia , Ivanova Dobrinka , Sredkova Maryia , Petrova Atanaska , Mihova Kalina , Boyanova Lyudmila
Published: October 2022

The gastrointestinal tract is an important reservoir of high-risk Enterobacteria clones and a driver of antimicrobial resistance in hospitals. In this study, patients from six hospitals in four major Bulgarian towns were included in this study. Overall, 205 cefotaxime-resistant isolates (35.3%) of Enterobacterales order were detected in fecal samples among 580 patients during the period of 2017–2019. ESBL/carbapenemase/plasmidic AmpC producer rates were 28.8%, 2.4%, and 1.2%, respectively. A wide variety of ESBLs: CTX-M-15 (41%), CTX-M-3 (24%), CTX-M-27 (11%), and CTX-M-14 (4%) was found. The carbapenemases identified in this study were New Delhi metalo-β-lactamase (NDM)-1 (5.4%) and Klebsiella carbapenemase (KPC)-2 (1.5%). Most NDM-1 isolates also produced CTX-M-15/-3 and CMY-4 β-lactamases. They belonged to ST11 Klebsiella pneumoniae clone. The epidemiology typing revealed three main high-risk K. pneumoniae clones (26%)—ST11, ST258, and ST15 and five main Escherichia coli clones—ST131 (41.7%), ST38, ST95, ST405, and ST69. Sixty-one percent of ST131 isolates were from the highly virulent epidemic clone O25b:H4-ST131. Phylotyping revealed that 69% of E. coli isolates belonged to the virulent B2 and D groups. Almost all (15/16) Enterobacter isolates were identified as E. hormaechei and the most common ST type was ST90. Among all of the isolates, a high ESBL/carbapenemases/plasmid AmpC (32.4%) prevalence was observed. A significant proportion of the isolates (37%) were members of high-risk clones including two pan-drug-resistant K. pneumoniae ST11 NDM-1 producing isolates. Due to extensive antibiotic usage during COVID-19, the situation may worsen, so routine screenings and strict infection control measures should be widely implemented.
Effects of Preservation and Propagation Methodology on Microcosms Derived from the Oral Microbiome
Authors: Zhou Baoqing , Mobberley Jen , Shi Kelly , Chen Irene A.
Published: October 2022

The creation of oral microcosms with reproducible composition is important for developing model systems of the oral microbiome. However, oral microbiomes vary substantially across individuals. To derive a reproducible composition from inocula sourced from different individuals, we tested whether selective conditions from cold storage and culturing in defined media would generate a reproducible community composition despite individual variations. In this pilot study, we collected dental plaque scrapings from three individuals, inoculated media under anaerobic conditions, and characterized the bacterial community compositions after cold storage and subsequent propagation in liquid media. Harvested cultures were extracted and bacterial composition was determined by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and the mothur pipeline. Our results show that samples from two out of three individuals clustered into a specific compositional type (termed “attractor” here). In addition, the samples from the third individual could adopt this attractor compositional type after propagation in vitro, even though its original composition did not display this type. These results indicate that simple selective environments could help create reproducible microcosms despite variation among dental plaque samples sourced from different individuals. The findings illustrate important parameters to consider for creating reproducible microcosms from the human oral microbiome.
Tea-Soybean Intercropping Improves Tea Quality and Nutrition Uptake by Inducing Changes of Rhizosphere Bacterial Communities
Authors: Sun Litao , Dong Xue , Wang Yu , Maker Garth , Agarwal Manjree , Ding Zhaotang
Published: October 2022

The positive aspects of the tea plant/legume intercropping system draw attention to the Chinese tea industry for its benefit for soil fertility improvement with low fertilizer input. However, limited information exists as to the roles of intercropped legumes in the rhizosphere microbiome and tea quality. Hereby, soybean was selected as the intercropped plant to investigate its effect on bacterial communities, nutrient competition, tea plant development, and tea quality. Our data showed that intercropped soybean boosted the uptake of nitrogen in tea plants and enhanced the growth of young tea shoots. Nutrient competition for phosphorus and potassium in soil existed between soybeans and tea plants. Moreover, tea/soybean intercropping improved tea quality, manifested by a significantly increased content of non-ester type catechins (C, EGC, EC), total catechins and theanine, and decreased content of ester type catechins (EGCG). Significant differences in rhizobacterial composition were also observed under different systems. At the genus level, the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Bradyrhizobium, Saccharimonadales and Mycobacterium, was significantly increased with the intercropping system, while the relative abundance of denitrifying bacteria, Pseudogulbenkiania, was markedly decreased. Correlation analysis showed that Pseudogulbenkiania, SBR1031, and Burkholderiaceae clustered together showing a similar correlation with soil physicochemical and tea quality characteristics; however, other differential bacteria showed the opposite pattern. In conclusion, tea/soybean intercropping improves tea quality and nutrition uptake by increasing the relative abundance of beneficial rhizosphere bacteria and decreasing denitrifying bacteria. This study strengthens our understanding of how intercropping system regulate the soil bacterial community to maintain the health of soils in tea plantations and provides the basis for replacing chemical fertilizers and improving the ecosystem in tea plantations.
Comparison of Bacterial Assemblages Associated with Harmful Cyanobacteria under Different Light Conditions
Authors: Yang Taehui , Lee Chang Soo , Cho Ja-Young , Bae Mi-Jung , Kim Eui-Jin
Published: October 2022

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater ecosystems are closely associated with changes in the composition of symbiotic microbiomes, water quality, and environmental factors. In this work, the relationship between two representative harmful cyanobacterial species (Anabaena sp. and Microcystis sp.) and their associated bacterial assemblages were investigated using a 16S rRNA-based meta-amplicon sequencing analysis during a large-scale cultivation of cyanobacteria under different light conditions with limited wavelength ranges (natural light, blue-filtered light, green-filtered light, and dark conditions). During the cultivation periods, the growth pattern of cyanobacteria and bacterial composition of the phycosphere considerably varied in relation to light restrictions. Unlike other conditions, the cyanobacterial species exhibited significant growth during the cultivation period under both the natural and the blue light conditions. Analyses of the nitrogenous substances revealed that nitrogen assimilation by nitrate reductase for the growth of cyanobacteria occurred primarily under natural light conditions, whereas nitrogenase in symbiotic bacteria could also be activated under blue light conditions. Sphingobium sp., associated with nitrogen assimilation via nitrogenase, was particularly dominant when the cell density of Microcystis sp. increased under the blue light conditions. Thus, cyanobacteria could have symbiotic relationships with ammonium-assimilating bacteria under light-limited conditions, which aids the growth of cyanobacteria.
Unraveling the Impact of Long-Term Rice Monoculture Practice on Soil Fertility in a Rice-Planting Meadow Soil: A Perspective from Microbial Biomass and Carbon Metabolic Rate
Authors: Wei Zhanxi , Wang Hao , Ma Chao , Li Shuyuan , Wu Haimiao , Yuan Kaini , Meng Xiangyuan , Song Zefeng , Fang Xiaofeng , Zhao Zhirui
Published: October 2022

Global agricultural intensification leads to a decline in soil quality; however, the extent to which long-term rice cultivation adversely impacts soil, based on chemical and microbial perspectives, remains unclear. The present study was conducted on a seed multiplication farm in Wuchang, Heilongjiang Province, China, to quantify changes in the nutrient properties and microbial profiles of meadow soil in cultivated (rhizosphere and bulk soil) and uncultivated paddy plots from spring to winter. A non-parametric method was used to compare carbon metabolism characteristics among the three groups of soil samples. Principal component analysis was used to distinguish soil chemical properties and carbon source utilization profiles among the soil samples across different seasons. Under rice cultivation, pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, and alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen concentrations were generally higher in rhizosphere soils than in bulk or uncultivated soils. However, microbial biomass in cultivated soils was consistently lower than in uncultivated soils. There was a discernible difference in carbon substrate preference between summer and other seasons in the three sample groups. In conclusion, agricultural activities in rice cultivation could reshape soil microbial communities in the long term. Notably, specific cultivation activity may induce distinct soil microbial responses, which are more sensitive than chemical responses.
A Juvenile Component in the Pre- and Post-Collisional Magmatism in the Transition Zone between the Araçuaí and Ribeira Orogens (SE Brazil)
Authors: Potratz Guilherme Loriato , Geraldes Mauro Cesar , Medeiros Júnior Edgar Batista de , Temporim Filipe Altoé , Martins Maria Virgínia Alves
Published: October 2022

The Araçuaí and Ribeira orogens have been studied for decades, and recently, these two orogens were described as the Araçuaí–Ribeira Orogen System. Despite much work investigating this orogenic system, some issues, such as the connection between the two orogens, are still not fully understood. This work aimed to present unpublished Lu-Hf data for the Santa Angélica Intrusive Complex (SAIC) and for the host rocks that are part of the Rio Negro magmatic arc, as well as to present U-Pb ages for these rocks, thus contributing to the understanding of the geological processes that acted in the transition zone between the Araçuaí and Ribeira orogens. Two samples were collected corresponding to the magmatic arc and six samples from the Santa Angélica Intrusive Complex. The zircon grains were separated from the samples and subjected to geochronological (U-Pb) and isotopic (Lu-Hf) analysis by laser ablation-induced coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The geochronological data for the host rocks indicate a crystallization age of ca. 595 Ma. In contrast, the Hf isotopic data point to at least two magmatic sources, one crust, and one mantle. The geochronological data obtained for the SAIC rocks show three age peaks. The first peak (537 ± 5 Ma) coincides with the process of crustal anatexis and possibly marks the beginning of the generation of magmas associated with post-collisional magmatism. The second peak (510 ± 5 Ma) registers the apex of crystallization of the SAIC, and the third peak of ages (488 ± 7 Ma) marks the upper limit of the magmatism in the SAIC. The SAIC isotopic data point to at least two crustal components and a mantle component (juvenile).
A Combined Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Study of Americium vs. Yttrium Adsorption on Corundum (α–Al2O3)
Authors: Huittinen Nina , Virtanen Sinikka , Rossberg André , Eibl Manuel , Lönnrot Satu , Polly Robert
Published: October 2022

Adsorption reactions on mineral surfaces are influenced by the overall concentration of the adsorbing metal cation. Different site types (strong vs. weak ones) are often included to describe the complexation reactions in the various concentration regimes. More specifically, strong sites are presumed to retain metal ions at low sorbate concentrations, while weak sites contribute to metal ion retention when the sorbate concentration increases. The involvement of different sites in the sorption reaction may, thereby, also be influenced by competing cations, which increase the overall metal ion concentration in the system. To date, very little is known about the complex structures and metal ion speciation in these hypothetical strong- and weak-site regimes, especially in competing scenarios. In the present study, we have investigated the uptake of the actinide americium on corundum (α–Al2O3) in the absence and presence of yttrium as competing metal by combining extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Isotherm studies using the radioactive 152Eu tracer were used to identify the sorption regimes where strong sites and weak sites contribute to the sorption reaction. The overall americium concentration, as well as the presence of yttrium could be seen to influence both the amount of americium uptake by corundum, but also the speciation at the surface. More specifically, increasing the Am3+ or Y3+ concentrations from the strong site to the weak site concentration regimes in the mineral suspensions resulted in a decrease in the overall Am–O coordination number from nine to eight, with a subsequent shortening of the average Am–O bond length. DFT calculations suggest a reduction of the surface coordination with increasing metal–ion loading, postulating the formation of tetradentate and tridentate Am3+ complexes at low and high surface coverages, respectively.
Deep-Sea Mining—A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Focus, Publishing Structures, International and Inter-Institutional Cooperation
Authors: Kleiv Rolf Arne , Thornhill Maria
Published: October 2022

Deep-sea mining is a multidimensional concept that requires interdisciplinary research and development to close the current knowledge gaps. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of the research focus, publishing structures and international and inter-institutional cooperation as evident in academic publishing. This could aid in the identification of knowledge gaps, research opportunities, potential inter-institutional cooperation and the need for strategic investment and policy development. The analysis is based on a sample of 1935 journal papers (from 1968 to 2021) obtained by searching Elsevier’s Scopus database for publications containing an explicit reference to deep-sea mining (or equivalent terms) in their title, abstract or keywords. Publication numbers are broken down by publication year, subject area, author affiliations and source. The scientific output mirrors the commercial interest and the growing environmental concern. A detailed analysis of content is performed on the 2017–2021 subset, containing one third of the total publications. Here, China (152 publ.), the United Kingdom (133), the United States (115) and Germany (107) are the top contributors. China has had a comparatively stronger focus on engineering aspects and produces very few publications with international co-authorship. Almost half of the 2017–2021 publications focus on environmental aspects, whereas engineering aspects (especially vertical transport) are addressed by close to one third. Little is published on site remediation and ore processing, or specifically on ferromanganese crusts.
Effects of Alkanolamine Absorbents in Integrated Absorption–Mineralization
Authors: Thamsiriprideeporn Chanakarn , Tetsuya Suekane
Published: October 2022

Integrated absorption–mineralization (IAM) involves the transformation of CO2 in a chemical-based solution with brine used as the absorbent to form insoluble carbonates and is promising for carbon capture, utilization, and storage. Various types of absorbents such as monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), and aminomethyl propanol (AMP) were examined in multicycle integrated absorption–mineralization (multicycle IAM) involving absorption, precipitation, and regeneration steps between 20 °C and 25 °C at atmospheric pressure in order to reveal their performance in terms of CO2 absorption and conversion and absorbent degradation. We found that 5 wt.% AMP offered 89.5% CO2 absorption capacity per unit of absorbent converted into the amount of solid carbonate within 4 cycles. In addition, it was moderately degraded by 64.02% during the first cycle and then reduced from 30% to 10% in the next cycle (>2 cycles). In comparison with MEA, which was used as the initial absorbent, AMP provided a fivefold increase in the speed of multicycle IAM.
Evaluation of Operating Performance of Backfilling Hydraulic Support Using Six Hybrid Machine Learning Models
Authors: Shi Peitao , Zhang Jixiong , Yan Hao , Zhang Yuzhe , Zhang Qiang , Feng Wenchang
Published: October 2022

Previously conducted studies have established that surface subsidence is typically avoided by filling coal mined-out areas with solid waste. Backfilling hydraulic supports are critically important devices in solid backfill mining, whose operating performance can directly affect backfill mining efficiency. To accurately evaluate the operating performance, this paper proposes hybrid machine learning models for the operating states. An analysis of the factors that influence operating performance provides eight indices for evaluating backfilling hydraulic supports. Based on the data obtained from the Creo simulation model and field measurement, six hybrid models were constructed by combining swarm intelligent algorithms and support vector machines (SVM). Models of the SVM optimized by the modified sparrow search algorithm have shown improved convergence performance. The results show that the modified model has a prediction accuracy of 95.52%. The related evaluation results fit well with the actual support intervals of the backfilling hydraulic support.
Ultra-Large-Scale Screening of Natural Compounds and Free Energy Calculations Revealed Potential Inhibitors for the Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Guo Lisha , Zafar Faryar , Moeen Nawal , Alshabrmi Fahad M. , Lin Junqi , Ali Syed Shujait , Munir Muhammad , Khan Abbas , Wei Dongqing
Published: October 2022

The emergence of immune-evading variants of SARS-CoV-2 further aggravated the ongoing pandemic. Despite the deployments of various vaccines, the acquired mutations are capable of escaping both natural and vaccine-induced immune responses. Therefore, further investigation is needed to design a decisive pharmacological treatment that could efficiently block the entry of this virus into cells. Hence, the current study used structure-based methods to target the RBD of the recombinant variant (Deltacron) of SARS-CoV-2, which was used as a model variant. From the virtual drug screenings of various databases, a total of four hits were identified as potential lead molecules. Key residues were blocked by these molecules with favorable structural dynamic features. The binding free energies further validated the potentials of these molecules. The TBE for MNP was calculated to be −32.86 ± 0.10 kcal/mol, for SANC00222 the TBE was −23.41 ± 0.15 kcal/mol, for Liriodenine the TBE was −34.29 ± 0.07 kcal/mol, while for Carviolin the TBE was calculated to be −27.67 ± 0.12 kcal/mol. Moreover, each complex demonstrated distinct internal motion and a free energy profile, indicating a different strategy for the interaction with and inhibition of the RBD. In conclusion, the current study demands further in vivo and in vitro validation for the possible usage of these compounds as potential drugs against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
An Overview of Analytical Methodologies for Determination of Vancomycin in Human Plasma
Authors: Cheng Xin , Ma Jingxin , Su Jianrong
Published: October 2022

Vancomycin is regarded as the last resort of defense for a wide range of infections due to drug resistance and toxicity. The detection of vancomycin in plasma has always aroused particular concern because the performance of the assay affects the clinical treatment outcome. This article reviews various methods for vancomycin detection in human plasma and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. Immunoassay has been the first choice for vancomycin concentration monitoring due to its simplicity and practicality, occasionally interfered with by other substances. Chromatographic methods have mainly been used for scientific research due to operational complexity and the particular requirement of the instrument. However, the advantages of a small amount of sample needed, high sensitivity, and specificity makes chromatography irreplaceable. Other methods are less commonly used in clinical applications because of the operational feasibility, clinical application, contamination, etc. Simplicity, good performance, economy, and environmental friendliness have been points of laboratory methodological concern. Unfortunately, no one method has met all of the elements so far.
Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Different Vegetable Sprouts and Their Potential Role in the Formulation of Functional Foods against Various Disorders: A Literature-Based Review
Authors: Aziz Afifa , Noreen Sana , Khalid Waseem , Mubarik Fizza , Niazi Madiha khan , Koraqi Hyrije , Ali Anwar , Lima Clara Mariana Gonçalves , Alansari Wafa S. , Eskandrani Areej A. , Shamlan Ghalia , AL-Farga Ammar
Published: October 2022

In this review, we discuss the advantages of vegetable sprouts in the development of food products as well as their beneficial effects on a variety of disorders. Sprouts are obtained from different types of plants and seeds and various types of leafy, root, and shoot vegetables. Vegetable sprouts are enriched in bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, antioxidants, and vitamins. Currently, different conventional methods and advanced technologies are used to extract bioactive compounds from vegetable sprouts. Due to some issues in traditional methods, increasingly, the trend is to use recent technologies because the results are better. Applications of phytonutrients extracted from sprouts are finding increased utility for food processing and shelf-life enhancement. Vegetable sprouts are being used in the preparation of different functional food products such as juices, bread, and biscuits. Previous research has shown that vegetable sprouts can help to fight a variety of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Furthermore, in the future, more research is needed that explores the extraordinary ways in which vegetable sprouts can be incorporated into green-food processing and preservation for the purpose of enhancing shelf-life and the formation of functional meat products and substitutes.
Methods of Lysergic Acid Synthesis—The Key Ergot Alkaloid
Authors: Jastrzębski Michał K. , Kaczor Agnieszka A. , Wróbel Tomasz M.
Published: October 2022

Ergot is the spore form of the fungus Claviceps purpurea. Ergot alkaloids are indole compounds that are biosynthetically derived from L-tryptophan and represent the largest group of fungal nitrogen metabolites found in nature. The common part of ergot alkaloids is lysergic acid. This review shows the importance of lysergic acid as a representative of ergot alkaloids. The subject of ergot and its alkaloids is presented, with a particular focus on lysergic acid. All methods of total lysergic acid synthesis—through Woodward, Hendrickson, and Szantay intermediates and Heck coupling methods—are presented. The topic of biosynthesis is also discussed.
7-Hydroxycoumarin Induces Vasorelaxation in Animals with Essential Hypertension: Focus on Potassium Channels and Intracellular Ca2+ Mobilization
Authors: Jesus Rafael L. C. , Silva Isnar L. P. , Araújo Fênix A. , Moraes Raiana A. , Silva Liliane B. , Brito Daniele S. , Lima Gabriela B. C. , Alves Quiara L. , Silva Darizy F.
Published: October 2022

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the deadliest noncommunicable disease worldwide. Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor for the development of CVD. Although there is a wide range of antihypertensive drugs, there still remains a lack of blood pressure control options for hypertensive patients. Additionally, natural products remain crucial to the design of new drugs. The natural product 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) exhibits pharmacological properties linked to antihypertensive mechanisms of action. This study aimed to evaluate the vascular effects of 7-HC in an experimental model of essential hypertension. The isometric tension measurements assessed the relaxant effect induced by 7-HC (0.001 μM–300 μM) in superior mesenteric arteries isolated from hypertensive rats (SHR, 200–300 g). Our results suggest that the relaxant effect induced by 7-HC rely on K+-channels (KATP, BKCa, and, to a lesser extent, Kv) activation and also on Ca2+ influx from sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum mobilization (inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and ryanodine receptors). Moreover, 7-HC diminishes the mesenteric artery’s responsiveness to α1-adrenergic agonist challenge and improves the actions of the muscarinic agonist and NO donor. The present work demonstrated that the relaxant mechanism of 7-HC in SHR involves endothelium-independent vasorelaxant factors. Additionally, 7-HC reduced vasoconstriction of the sympathetic agonist while improving vascular endothelium-dependent and independent relaxation.
Development and Validation of a UHPLC–MS/MS-Based Method to Quantify Cenobamate in Human Plasma Samples
Authors: Charlier Bruno , Coglianese Albino , Operto Francesca Felicia , Coppola Giangennaro , de Grazia Ugo , Menna Pierantonio , Filippelli Amelia , Dal Piaz Fabrizio , Izzo Viviana
Published: October 2022

Cenobamate (CNB) is the newest antiseizure medication (ASM) approved by the FDA in 2019 to reduce uncontrolled partial-onset seizures in adult patients. Marketed as Xcopri in the USA or Ontozry in the EU (tablets), its mechanism of action has not been fully understood yet; however, it is known that it inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels and positively modulates the aminobutyric acid (GABA) ion channel. CNB shows 88% of oral bioavailability and is responsible for modifying the plasma concentrations of other co-administered ASMs, such as lamotrigine, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and the active metabolite of clobazam. It also interferes with CYP2B6 and CYP3A substrates. Nowadays, few methods are reported in the literature to quantify CNB in human plasma. The aim of this study was to develop and validate, according to the most recent guidelines, an analytical method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) to evaluate CNB dosage in plasma samples. Furthermore, we provided a preliminary clinical application of our methodology by evaluating the pharmacokinetic parameters of CNB in two non-adult patients. Plasma levels were monitored for two months. Preliminary data showed a linear increase in plasma CNB concentrations, in both patients, in agreement with the increase in CNB dosage. A seizure-free state was reported for both patients at the dose of 150 mg per day.
N-Rich, Polyphenolic Porous Organic Polymer and Its In Vitro Anticancer Activity on Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Das Sabuj Kanti , Mishra Snehasis , Saha Krishna Das , Chandra Debraj , Hara Michikazu , Mostafa Amany A. , Bhaumik Asim
Published: October 2022

N-rich organic materials bearing polyphenolic moieties in their building networks and nanoscale porosities are very demanding in the context of designing efficient biomaterials or drug carriers for the cancer treatment. Here, we report the synthesis of a new triazine-based secondary-amine- and imine-linked polyphenolic porous organic polymer material TrzTFPPOP and explored its potential for in vitro anticancer activity on the human colorectal carcinoma (HCT 116) cell line. This functionalized (-OH, -NH-, -C=N-) organic material displayed an exceptionally high BET surface area of 2140 m2 g−1 along with hierarchical porosity (micropores and mesopores), and it induced apoptotic changes leading to high efficiency in colon cancer cell destruction via p53-regulated DNA damage pathway. The IC30, IC50, and IC70 values obtained from the MTT assay are 1.24, 3.25, and 5.25 μg/mL, respectively.
Recent Progress in Biosensors for Detection of Tumor Biomarkers
Authors: Li Mantong , Jiang Feng , Xue Liangyi , Peng Cheng , Shi Zhengzheng , Zhang Zheng , Li Jia , Pan Yupeng , Wang Xinya , Feng Chunqiong , Qiao Dongfang , Chen Zhenzhong , Luo Qizhi , Chen Xuncai
Published: October 2022

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with an increasing mortality rate over the past years. The early detection of cancer contributes to early diagnosis and subsequent treatment. How to detect early cancer has become one of the hot research directions of cancer. Tumor biomarkers, biochemical parameters for reflecting cancer occurrence and progression have caused much attention in cancer early detection. Due to high sensitivity, convenience and low cost, biosensors have been largely developed to detect tumor biomarkers. This review describes the application of various biosensors in detecting tumor markers. Firstly, several typical tumor makers, such as neuron-specific enolase (NSE), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA), carbohydrate, antigen19-9 (CA19-9) and tumor suppressor p53 (TP53), which may be helpful for early cancer detection in the clinic, are briefly described. Then, various biosensors, mainly focusing on electrochemical biosensors, optical biosensors, photoelectrochemical biosensors, piezoelectric biosensors and aptamer sensors, are discussed. Specifically, the operation principles of biosensors, nanomaterials used in biosensors and the application of biosensors in tumor marker detection have been comprehensively reviewed and provided. Lastly, the challenges and prospects for developing effective biosensors for early cancer diagnosis are discussed.
Chemical Composition and Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Origanum compactum Benth Essential Oils from Two Regions: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence and In Silico Molecular Investigations
Authors: Al-Mijalli Samiah Hamad , Mrabti Nidal Naceiri , Ouassou Hayat , Sheikh Ryan A. , Assaggaf Hamza , Bakrim Saad , Abdallah Emad M. , Alshahrani Mohammed Merae , Al Awadh Ahmed Abdullah , Lee Learn-Han , AlDhaheri Yusra , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Zengin Gokhan , Attar Ammar A. , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Mrabti Hanae Naceiri
Published: October 2022

The purposes of this investigatory study were to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Origanum compactum from two Moroccan regions (Boulemane and Taounate), as well as the evaluation of their biological effects. Determining EOs’ chemical composition was performed by a gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity of EOs was evaluated using free radical scavenging ability (DPPH method), fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed in vitro using the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibition test and in vivo using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. Finally, the antibacterial effect was evaluated against several strains using the disk-diffusion assay and the micro-dilution method. The chemical constituent of O. compactum EO (OCEO) from the Boulemane zone is dominated by carvacrol (45.80%), thymol (18.86%), and α-pinene (13.43%). However, OCEO from the Taounate zone is rich in 3-carene (19.56%), thymol (12.98%), and o-cymene (11.16%). OCEO from Taounate showed higher antioxidant activity than EO from Boulemane. Nevertheless, EO from Boulemane considerably inhibited 5-LOX (IC50 = 0.68 ± 0.02 µg/mL) compared to EO from Taounate (IC50 = 1.33 ± 0.01 µg/mL). A similar result was obtained for tyrosinase inhibition with Boulemane EO and Taounate EO, which gave IC50s of 27.51 ± 0.03 μg/mL and 41.83 ± 0.01 μg/mL, respectively. The in vivo anti-inflammatory test showed promising effects; both EOs inhibit and reduce inflammation in mice. For antibacterial activity, both EOs were found to be significantly active against all strains tested in the disk-diffusion test, but O. compactum EO from the Boulemane region showed the highest activity. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) for O. compactum EO from the Boulemane region ranged from 0.06 to 0.25% (v/v) and from 0.15 to 0.21% (v/v) for O. compactum from the Taounate region. The MBC/MIC index revealed that both EOs exhibited remarkable bactericidal effects.
Essential Oil Stabilisation by Response Surface Methodology (RSM): Nanoemulsion Formulation, Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Investigations
Authors: BenJemaa Mariem , Rahali Fatma Zohra , Falleh Hanen , Beji-Serairi Raja , Megdiche-Ksouri Wided , Hamrouni Ibtissem , Hammami Majdi , Nehme Ralph , Pereira Renato B. , Andrés Sonia , Bouhallab Said , Pereira David M. , Ceciliani Fabrizio , Abdennebi-Najar Latifa , Ksouri Riadh
Published: October 2022

This manuscript aimed to optimise the encapsulation of Thymus capitatus essential oil into nanoemulsion. Response Surface Methodology results were best fitted into polynomial models with regression coefficient values of more than 0.95. The optimal nanoemulsion showed nanometer-sized droplets (380 nm), a polydispersity index less than 0.5, and a suitable Zeta potential (−10.3 mV). Stability results showed that nanoemulsions stored at 4 °C were stable with the lowest d3,2, PolyDispersity Index (PDI), and pH (day 11). Significant ameliorations in the capacity to neutralise DPPH radical after the encapsulation of the antimicrobial efficacy of thyme essential oil were recorded. S. typhimurium growth inhibition generated by nanoencapsulated thyme essential oil was 17 times higher than by bulk essential oil. The sensory analysis highlighted that the encapsulation of thyme essential oil improved enriched milk’s sensory appreciation. Indeed, 20% of the total population attributed a score of 4 and 5 on the scale used for milk enriched with nanoemulsion. In comparison, only 11% attributed the same score to milk enriched with bulk essential oil. The novel nanometric delivery system presents significant interest for agroalimentary industries.