bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transport of Microplastics From the Daugava Estuary to the Open Sea
Authors: Frishfelds Vilnis , Murawski Jens , She Jun
Published: July 2022

This study considers the transport of microplastics (MPs) from inland waters (rivers and lakes) to coastal waters and then to the open sea. A three-dimensional MP Eulerian tracer model based on the HIROMB-BOOS model (HBM) with wave-induced transport and biofouling process is used. Multilayer two-way nested model grids with 3–0.5–0.25–0.05 nautical mile resolutions are applied to resolve relevant riverine–estuarial–coastal hydrodynamics with a focus on the southern waters in the Gulf of Riga. The major river of the Gulf of Riga, Daugava, is governed by the Riga Hydro Power Station (RHPS) with high daily and weekly variability of the runoff creating more intense outflows during its working hours. This gives additional complexity when calibrating this model. The model results are validated against MP observations that are collected on various cruises in the summer of 2018 in the Gulf of Riga. There exists a strong synoptic variability in the observations, which are also reproduced. As the rivers are the primary source of MPs, a special backtracking algorithm was developed to find the most possible source of pollutants at a given location and time. The backtracking algorithm includes optimization with respect to salinity in order to prefer trajectories coming from freshwater and, consequently, MP sources. Lagrangian drift studies are performed for events with high precipitation in the estuary domain when sewer overflow at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can occur, and the results are compared with different MP components in observations.
Innovating the Blue Economy: A Novel Approach to Stakeholder Landscape Mapping of the Atlantic Area Sea Basin
Authors: Depellegrin Daniel , Zawalna-Geer Aleksandra , Alexander Allen , Rodeiro-Pazos David , Dios-Vicente Adrian , Teillant Boris , Guneratman Amita , Hogan Kate , Mendonça Emanuel , Ashton Ian , Johanning Lars
Published: July 2022

The Blue Economy is an emerging paradigm with the potential to foster balanced socio-economic development of the world’s oceans and coastal areas, but it requires an understanding of the stakeholder landscape at a national and at an international sea basin scale, so that we can model potential equitable and collaborative economic development. Applying a novel, mixed-method approach we collected, collated and analysed spatial and non-spatial stakeholder information from five countries (United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal), that border the North East Atlantic sea basin. Through the development of Blue Economy stakeholder directory for the North East Atlantic area more than 600 local, regional, national and international (EU wide and global) stakeholders were analysed in terms of their Blue Economy alignment and to determine their respective enabling role (financier, service providers, research/innovators and regulators/policy makers). Results show 72% of the North East Atlantic sea basin stakeholders fail to recognise the socio-economic potential of the Blue Economy, regardless of the new policy instruments and a strategic focus from the European Commission. We also identify that public and research/academic institutions currently dominate the landscape of Blue Economy stakeholders; but note this is inconsistent, when compared with other economic sectors in maritime territories. Based on the results, we discuss the key challenges facing equitable growth of the Blue Economy in the North East Atlantic area.
Island Mass Effect: A Review of Oceanic Physical Processes
Authors: De Falco Chiara , Desbiolles Fabien , Bracco Annalisa , Pasquero Claudia
Published: July 2022

Increased Net Primary Productivity (NPP) around small islands have been documented worldwide. Despite having been known for decades, the interactions between physical and biogeochemical processes behind this phenomenon – that takes the name of Island Mass Effect –remain unclear. In this paper we review the physical processes involved while proposing a method to identify the prevailing mechanisms by analyzing their imprint on NPP and Sea Surface Temperature (SST). These mechanisms can be quite different, but all enhance vertical exchanges, increasing the input of nutrients in the euphotic layer and favoring biological productivity. Nutrient-rich deeper waters are brought up to the surface through upwelling and mixing, leaving a cold imprint on the SST as well. Here we analyze satellite data of SST and NPP around small islands and archipelagos to catalog the physical mechanisms that favor the Island Mass Effect, with the aid of oceanic and atmospheric reanalysis. The multiplicity of these processes and the convolution of their interactions highlight the complexity of the physical forcing on the biomass production and the uniqueness of each island. However, analysis from 19 small islands throughout the tropics shows that two kinds of SST patterns emerge, depending on the size and altitude of the island. Around islands with considerable elevation and greatest diameters, cold/warm anomalies, most likely corresponding to upwelling/downwelling zones, emerge. This signal can be mainly ascribed to oceanic and atmospheric forcing. Around small islands, on the other hand, warm anomalies do not appear and only local cooling, associated with current-island interactions, is found. In the vicinity of a single island, more than one process responsible for the increased nutrient input into the euphotic layer might coexist, the prevailing one varying along the year and depending on the strength and direction of the incoming atmospheric and oceanic flow.
Novel Interactions Between Phytoplankton and Bacteria Shape Microbial Seasonal Dynamics in Coastal Ocean Waters
Authors: Arandia-Gorostidi Nestor , Krabberød Anders K. , Logares Ramiro , Deutschmann Ina Maria , Scharek Renate , Morán Xosé Anxelu G. , González Felipe , Alonso-Sáez Laura
Published: July 2022

Trophic interactions between marine phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria are at the base of the biogeochemical carbon cycling in the ocean. However, the specific interactions taking place between phytoplankton and bacterial taxa remain largely unexplored, particularly out of phytoplankton blooming events. Here, we applied network analysis to a 3.5-year time-series dataset to assess the specific associations between different phytoplankton and bacterial taxa along the seasonal scale, distinguishing between free-living and particle-attached bacteria. Using a newly developed network post-analysis technique we removed bacteria-phytoplankton correlations that were primarily driven by environmental parameters, to detect potential biotic interactions. Our results indicate that phytoplankton dynamics may be a strong driver of the inter-annual variability in bacterial community composition. We found the highest abundance of specific bacteria-phytoplankton associations in the particle-attached fraction, indicating a tighter bacteria-phytoplankton association than in the free-living fraction. In the particle-associated fraction we unveiled novel potential associations such as the one between Planctomycetes taxa and the diatom Leptocylindrus spp. Consistent correlations were also found between free-living bacterial taxa and different diatoms, including novel associations such as those between SAR11 with Naviculales diatom order, and between Actinobacteria and Cylindrotheca spp. We also confirmed previously known associations between Rhodobacteraceae and Thalassiosira spp. Our results expand our view on bacteria-phytoplankton associations, suggesting that taxa-specific interactions may largely impact the seasonal dynamics of heterotrophic bacterial communities.
Hybrid conferences: opportunities, challenges and ways forward
Authors: Puccinelli Eleonora , Zeppilli Daniela , Stefanoudis Paris V. , Wittische-Helou Annaïg , Kermorgant Marjorie , Fuchs Sandra , Menot Lénaïck , Easton Erin E. , Weber Alexandra A-T.
Published: July 2022

Hybrid conferences are in-person events that have an online component. This type of meeting format was rare before the COVID-19 pandemic, but started to become more common recently given the asynchronous global progression of the pandemic, the uneven access to vaccines and different travel regulations among countries that led to a large proportion of participants being unable to attend conferences in person. Here we report the organization of a middle-sized (581 participants: 159 onsite, 422 online) international hybrid conference that took place in France in September 2021. We highlight particular organizational challenges inherent to this relatively new type of meeting format. Furthermore, we surveyed both in-person and online participants to better understand their conference experience and to propose improvements based on the feedback received. Finally, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of three types of conferences (onsite-only, online-only and hybrid) and suggest that hybrid events should be favored in the future because they offer the most flexibility to participants. We conclude by proposing suggestions and ways forward to maximize accessibility and inclusivity of hybrid conferences. Our study brings novel insights on the challenges and opportunities created by hybrid conferences, by reporting not only the organizing committee experience but also by considering the participants’ perspective.
Sea Ranching Feasibility of the Hatchery-Reared Tropical Sea Cucumber Stichopus monotuberculatus in an Inshore Coral Reef Island Area in South China Sea (Sanya, China)
Authors: Xu Qiang , Wu Peilin , Huang Duanjie , Xiao Yulin , Wang Xinyuan , Xia Jingquan , Ma Wengang , Gao Fei , Wang Aimin
Published: July 2022

Sea ranching of tropical edible sea cucumbers is an effective way to relieve the overfishing stress on their natural resources and protect the coral reef ecosystem, yet only a few species have been applied in the sea ranching practice based on hatchery-reared juveniles around the world. In this study, an 8-month (April to December) sea ranching study for hatchery-reared edible sea cucumber Stichopus monotuberculatus juveniles was carried out at a tropical coral reef island area in Sanya, China. Several growth performance indexes and basal nutritional components were monitored. Results revealed that the sea cucumbers had a growth rate of 0.35~0.78 mm day-1 during the experimental period, reaching 15.9 cm long before winter. The weight gain reached 491.13% at the end, and most sea cucumbers were able to grow to the commercial size (over 150 g WW) in the first year of sea ranching. The overall specific growth rate (SGR) and survival rates were 0.73 and 27.5%. Most of the death occurred in the first month after release (25.0%–37.5%), and this is probably due to inadaptation to the sudden change of the environment from the hatchery to the wild, which is proved by the remarkable decrease in nutritional indexes (amino acids, total lipid, and crude protein). Stable isotope and lipid biomarkers revealed that the food source mainly comes from water deposits (with microbes), Sargassum sanyaense seaweed debris, phytoplankton, and coral mucus-derived organics. The study proved the feasibility of the sea ranching of the hatchery-reared S. monotuberculatus juveniles in the tropical coral reef island area. Also, it is highly recommended that appropriate acclimation operation before release should be carried out to improve the survival rate of this species.
Community Characteristics and Genetic Diversity of Macrobenthos in Haima Cold Seep
Authors: Yao Gaoyou , Zhang Hua , Xiong Panpan , Jia Huixia , Shi Yu , He Maoxian
Published: July 2022

Knowledge about community structure and genetic diversity can help assess the potential for change in the loss and restoration of biodiversity, thereby facilitating effective management and ecosystem protection. Macroinvertebrate communities are an important biotic component of deep sea cold seep ecosystems. As Haima cold seep is increasingly being assessed for its potential gas hydrate mineral wealth, knowledge of community characteristics and genetic diversity of macrobenthos is needed to anticipate the potential impacts on biodiversity. In this study, we examined species diversity and community structure at five sites in the Haima cold seep using a remote-operated vehicle (ROV) for in situ surveying. The results identified 12 macrobenthic species from 5 phyla and 12 families. The macrobenthos community could be divided into two communities (H1 and H2=mussel bed community, and H3 and H4= vesicomyid clams community) based on CLUSTER and NMDS analyses. Gigantidas haimaensis (Mollusca), Branchipolynoe pettiboneae (Annelida), and Histampica haimaensis (Echinodermata) were most dominant within their respective phyla, with values of the dominance of 0.160, 0.021 and 0.114, respectively. The genetic diversity of these three typical macrobenthic species in the Haima cold seep was evaluated using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, haplotype, and nucleotide diversity values were 0.651 to 0.912 and 0.00148 to 0.00812, respectively, representing high haplotype diversity but low nucleotide diversity. Finally, mitochondrial concatenated dataset (MCD) sequences from three mitochondrial genes (ATP6, COI, and NAD4) and 294,734 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from restriction site-associated DNA-sequencing (RAD-seq) data were obtained from 60 individuals from two sites (H1 and H2), providing deep insight into the genetic diversity and structure of G. haimaensis, the engineer species in Haima cold seep. No significant genetic differentiation between G. haimaensis in H1 and H2 was detected based on MCD sequences. Nevertheless, when using SNP datasets, a small but clear genetic subdivision between G. haimaensis in the two sites as revealed by STRUCTURE and principal component analysis (PCA). The results comprehensively illuminate macrobenthos biodiversity in the Haima cold seep ecosystem and provide a baseline against which population dynamics may be assessed in the future.
Increased Thermal Challenges Differentially Modulate Neural Plasticity and Stress Responses in Post-Smolt Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Tang P. A. , Gharbi N. , Nilsen T. O. , Gorissen M. , Stefansson S. O. , Ebbesson L. O. E.
Published: July 2022

The successful transfer of farmed post-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) depends on proper stress responses and cognitive functions during the early seawater (SW) phase. However, with increasing summer oceanic temperatures, these processes may become a challenge, implicating allostasis and welfare. Therefore, we examined the effect of post-smolt transfer from 10°C SW to elevated temperatures (13°C, 16°C, and 18°C) on plasma cortisol and telencephalic genes modulating cognition (neurod, bdnf, pcna, and c-fos) and stress-axis regulation (crf, crfbp, mr, gr1, gr2, and hsd11b2). Fish were sampled at i) 1 day following transfer, ii) 45 days of acclimation, and iii) 45 days and 1 h after an acute challenge test (ACT) using confinement stress. Fish transferred to 13°C retained stress responses, elevating levels of cortisol, crf, mr, gr2, c-fos, and bdnf and maintaining levels of neurod and pcna. Contrastingly, although cortisol increased at 16°C, telencephalic genes reverted to an inhibition of stress responses, increasing crfbp and gr1 complemented with dampened bdnf, neurod, and c-fos responses. However, transferring post-smolts to 18°C showed the most adverse effects, having absent stress responses (cortisol and c-fos), elevated crfbp, and a suppression of hsd11b2 and neurod. The hsd11b2 downregulation implies low cortisol inhibition in line with absent modulations in corticosteroid receptors and stress responses. These results suggest that the transfer to 16°C and 18°C inhibits the normal reactive response of post-smolts. Following acclimation (45 days), cortisol levels were basal for all groups; however, post-smolts at 16°C and 18°C maintained a telencephalic inhibition of key regulatory genes (crf, mr, gr2, and hsd11b2), alongside a lower mr/gr1 ratio, an indicator of chronic allostatic load. Moreover, neural plasticity (neurod and pcna) was suppressed at 16°C and 18°C, suggesting impacts of elevated allostatic loads with potentially inferior cognitive capacities. Despite maintaining similar plasma cortisol responses to ACTs, post-smolts at 16°C and 18°C elevated neural activation (c-fos) to stress, implying greater challenges, with the 18°C group also elevating the level of bdnf. In summary, the telencephalon shows that post-smolts transferred to 16°C and 18°C continue to struggle with the thermal allostatic loads even after acclimation, which is not revealed by plasma cortisol levels, grounding the importance of telencephalic measures in identifying environmental thresholds and hidden challenges.
Demographic Recovery of a Reef Fish Population Over 30 Years of Spawning Aggregation Site Protection
Authors: Rosemond R. Claire , Nemeth Richard S. , Heppell Scott A.
Published: July 2022

Over 200 species of reef fish around the world form spawning aggregations to reproduce at specific times and locations. The locations of many reef fish spawning aggregations in the Caribbean have been known and fished for decades. Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus), a species of grouper important in Caribbean fisheries, migrate to form spawning aggregations which have historically experienced intense fishing pressure. The Red Hind Bank Marine Conservation District (MCD) was established in the United States Virgin Islands to protect a known Red Hind spawning aggregation site. The MCD was closed seasonally to fishing in 1990 and then permanently in 1999. Our goal was to evaluate the success of this marine conservation effort by assessing how the Red Hind population at the spawning aggregation responded to changing levels of protection. We documented Red Hind population demographics at the spawning aggregation site in the MCD during peak spawning events from 2018 to 2020. After 30 years of protection, the mean size of Red Hind at the spawning aggregation increased by >35% and the population sex ratio of females to males was less skewed compared to population characteristics at the spawning aggregation prior to protection. To evaluate stock status relative to management benchmarks, we used length-based stock assessment models that includedin situsize distribution data spanning 1988 to 2020 to estimate population spawning potential ratio (SPR) over time. We found that the SPR of the Red Hind population at the spawning aggregation prior to protection was 0.32 (95% CI: 0.25, 0.39) and under seasonal protection, The SPR increased slightly to 0.35 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.42). Under permanent protection, The SPR increased to its highest value yet at 0.49 (95% CI: 0.42, 0.56), which is above the benchmark value considered sustainable for many fish species. Our work demonstrates demographic recovery of the protected Red Hind spawning population and highlights the value of using size distribution data to evaluate the response of data-limited reef fish populations to seasonal and permanent protection at spawning aggregation sites.
Satellite-Derived Trends in Inundation Frequency Reveal the Fate of Saltmarshes
Authors: Laengner Marieke Liesa , van der Wal Daphne
Published: July 2022

Some of the world’s coastal saltmarshes experience loss in area due to environmental changes, such as relative sea level rise and limited sediment supply. We use satellite remote sensing to assess changes in inundation (flooding) frequency in tidal basins and investigate the bio-physical interactions with saltmarshes. We apply a simple automated method to retrieve time series of inundation frequency change and seaward habitat change of saltmarshes and tidal flats from Landsat-5 TM satellite imagery between 1985 and 2011, for a number of contrasting tidal basins (estuaries, deltas) globally. We evaluated the satellite-derived information on inundation frequency with such information obtained from elevation and tide gauge data for the Western Scheldt estuary, showing good agreement. Application of the method on all study sites reveal which tidal basins are stable or net emerging and which tidal basins are net drowning, but also show large spatial variation in the changes in inundation frequency within each basin. Tidal basins experiencing an overall significant increase in inundation frequency (Mississippi Delta and Venice Lagoon) were associated with an overall loss of saltmarsh area. Satellite-derived temporal and spatial information on inundation frequency helps to assess the fate of saltmarshes in light of sea level change, changes in sediment supply and subsidence.
Evaluation of LAI Estimation of Mangrove Communities Using DLR and ELR Algorithms With UAV, Hyperspectral, and SAR Images
Authors: Fu Bolin , Sun Jun , Wang Yeqiao , Yang Wenlan , He Hongchang , Liu Lilong , Huang Liangke , Fan Donglin , Gao Ertao
Published: July 2022

The high-precision estimation of mangrove leaf area index (LAI) using a deep learning regression algorithm (DLR) always requires a large amount of training sample data. However, it is difficult for LAI field measurements to collect a sufficient amount of sample data in mangrove wetlands. To tackle this challenge, this paper proposed an approach for expanding training samples and quantitatively evaluated the performance of estimating LAI for mangrove communities using Deep Neural Networks (DNN) and Transformer algorithms. This study also explored the effects of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and Sentinel-2A multispectral, orbital hyper spectral (OHS), and GF-3 SAR images on LAI estimation of different mangrove communities. Finally, this paper evaluated the LAI estimation ability of mangrove communities using ensemble learning regression (ELR) and DLR algorithms. The results showed that: (1) the UAV images achieved the better LAI estimation of different mangrove communities (R2 = 0.5974–0.6186), and GF-3 SAR images were better for LAI estimation of Avicennia marina with high coverage (R2 = 0.567). The optimal spectral range for estimating LAI for mangroves in the optical images was between 650–680 nm. (2) The ELR model outperformed single base model, and produced the high-accuracy LAI estimation (R2 = 0.5266–0.713) for different mangrove communities. (3) The average accuracy (R2) of the ELR model was higher by 0.0019–0.149 than the DLR models, which demonstrated that the ELR model had a better capability (R2 = 0.5865–0.6416) in LAI estimation. The Transformer-based LAI estimation of A. marina (R2 = 0.6355) was better than the DNN model, while the DNN model produced higher accuracy for Kandelia candel (KC) (R2 = 0.5577). (4) With the increase in the expansion ratio of the training sample (10–50%), the LAI estimation accuracy (R2) of DNN and Transformer models for different mangrove communities increased by 0.1166–0.2037 and 0.1037–0.1644, respectively. Under the same estimation accuracy, the sample enhancement method in this paper could reduce the number of filed measurements by 20–40%.
Carbonate contourite drifts in the southwest South China Sea: Sedimentary, paleoceanographic and economic implications
Authors: Liu Shan , Liang Zijun , Zhang Boda , Su Haixia , Lei Zhenyu , Su Ming
Published: July 2022

Contourite drifts are significant sedimentary features and provide clues for the reconstruction of paleoceanography and paleoenvironment. Although they have been increasingly identified in the world’s ocean, shallow-water contourite drifts (< 300 m depth) remain poorly understood and the examples are rare. This study documents a Middle Miocene shallow-water contourite depositional system in the southwest South China Sea by interpreting seismic reflection data and calibrating results with the previous chronological framework. The depositional system consisted of six mounded drifts and six moats. The contourite features were generated in seismic unit III (16-10.5 Ma) and distributed adjacent to carbonate reefs. They were formed on the proto-continental shelf (50-200 m depth) and shaped by the wind-driven currents. Changes in the sedimentary stacking patterns suggest three evolutionary stages of the contourite features. Stage I represents the growth of the Middle Miocene contourite depositional system between 16 and 10.5 Ma. Stage II marks the termination of carbonate drifts and the burial of the Late Miocene sedimentation during 10.5-5.3 Ma. Stage III started with the development of modern deep-water sedimentary systems since 5.3 Ma. The contourite features are compared with the examples on other South China Sea margins. Significant changes in the paleoceanography occurred at 10.5 Ma and 6.5-5.3 Ma when the dominated bottom currents shifted from the monsoonal wind-driven currents to the North Pacific waters, and then the modern circulation system. The Middle Miocene mounded drifts were likely sourced by the coarse-grained carbonate sands. Fluid flow escaped from the coarse-grained contourite layers and natural gas leakage occurs on the seafloor. Shallow-water carbonate contourite drifts can be served as a good gas reservoir and have great economic potential.
Performances of Planetary Magnetorheological Transmission Devices
Authors: Zhu Xuli , Ma Shanshan , Dong Dong , Zong Kefeng , Li Liang , Teng Guirong
Published: July 2022

Magnetorheological transmission devices (MRTDs) are a type of power transmission device using magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) as the transmission medium, which have the advantages of rapid response and continuously adjustable output performances. A new type of structure of planetary MRTDs is proposed to improve the performances of MRTDs in this study. A planetary MRTD was fabricated, and the performances of it were tested on the self-made testing system. The experimental results show that the continuously variable transmission of MRTDs under constant torque can be realized by adjusting the excitation current. The output speed or torque can be adjusted by adjusting the control current when the input speed is constant. The output torque increases with the increase in the input speed when the excitation current is constant. The performances of the MRTD were analyzed according to the properties of MRFs in complex flow and magnetic field. MRFs in complex flow and magnetic fields can produce more stable and higher responses to external magnetic fields than being simple sheared; thus, the planetary MRTDs have better performances and are useful structures for the application of MRFs in transmission.
Corrosion Behavior of Commercial Alloys in LiCl–KCl Molten Salt Containing EuCl3
Authors: Chang Shuangshuang , Jia Yanhong , Du Xin , Guo Shaoqiang
Published: July 2022

Pyroprocessing of spent nuclear fuels uses the LiCl–KCl molten salt as an electrolyte, which contains dissolved fission products and can be very corrosive to the structural alloys. This study investigates the effect of EuCl3 on the corrosion behavior of four commercial alloys: Haynes C276, Inconel 600, Incoloy 800, and 316L stainless steel. Static immersion tests and electrochemical polarization measurements were carried out in molten LiCl–KCl salts with and without EuCl3 additives at 500°C. The results showed that the presence of EuCl3 caused the severe dissolution of Ni, Fe, and Cr from alloys, accompanied by the cathodic reduction of EuCl3 to EuCl2. All alloys suffered from intergranular dissolution and cracking, with additional pitting and void attacks for Incoloy 800 and 316L stainless steel.
Effects of Different Gasoline Additives on Fuel Consumption and Emissions in a Vehicle Equipped With the GDI Engine
Authors: Wen Mingsheng , Yin Zenghui , Zheng Zunqing , Liu Haifeng , Zhang Chuanqi , Cui Yanqing , Ming Zhenyang , Feng Lei , Yue Zongyu , Yao Mingfa
Published: July 2022

Fuel additives are considered to be a cost-effective and simple approach to improve combustion and reduce the harmful emissions of internal combustion engines. In addition to the use of conventional fuel additives, some unconventional fuel additives also have potential to improve fuel properties. Exploring the effects of different unconventional additives can provide a valuable reference to improve vehicle performance by fuel optimization. In this study, five unconventional gasoline additives (i.e., isopropyl ether, aniline, diethylamine, dimethyl malonate and p-tert-butylphenol) were blended with the baseline gasoline (G92). The five blended fuels are referred to as G92-1, G92-2, G92-3, G92-4, and G92-5, respectively. Fuels with different additives were tested on a compact passenger vehicle with a 1.4-L gasoline direct injection engine to assess the effects of these additives on performance and emission characteristics, and G92 gasoline was compared as a baseline. The new European drive cycle (NEDC), which is representative for passenger car and light duty vehicles, was chosen in the tests. The experimental results show little or slight improvement in fuel consumption for fuels blended with additives. With respect to gaseous emissions, the vehicle obtains the lowest and highest NOx emissions by fueling G92-5 (blended with p-tert-butylphenol) and G92-3 (blended with diethylamine), respectively; the lowest and highest CO emission is acquired using G92-2 (blended with aniline) and G92-4 (blended with dimethyl malonate), respectively; the vehicle reaches the lowest and highest THC emissions when fueling G92-3 (blended with diethylamine) and G92-4 (blended with dimethyl malonate), respectively; and the lowest and highest CO2 emission using G92-3 (blended with diethylamine) and G92-2 (blended with aniline), respectively. Compared with the baseline gasoline fuel, all of the fuels with additives show improved engine-out PM emissions. Furthermore, all five additives can improve the acceleration performance slightly. In brief, diethylamine is potential gasoline additive to reduce carbon emissions, improve fuel consumption, and enhance performance.
Cytocompatibility of pH-sensitive, chitosan-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles in gynecological cells
Authors: Zhang Taohong , Wang Lisha , He Xinyi , Lu Hailin , Gao Li
Published: July 2022

Nanoparticles that contact human cells without damaging basic human tissues are becoming more widely used in medicine. Efficient delivery to the intracellular target cell or compartment through the cell membrane must be achieved with minimal cytotoxicity to healthy cells. Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been widely used in biomedical research for their magnetic, non-toxic, and biocompatible properties. However, the effects of Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with chitosan (CS) on gynecological cells are unclear. In this study, the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were coated with CS to enhance their cytocompatibility and dispersion in water. These CS-Fe3O4 nanoparticles were taken up by gynecological cells and did not affect cell viability in vitro. They have greater cytocompatibility in acidic environments than normal Fe3O4 nanoparticles and have the potential for drug delivery into gynecological cells.
Factors associated with mood disorders and the efficacy of the targeted treatment of functional dyspepsia: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Huang Qian , Zheng Shaopeng , Cai Ting , Zhang Suxin , Su Qian , Wang Fen
Published: July 2022

Background

Patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) are often accompanied by mood disorders (MDs). This study aimed to identify factors associated with MDs in patients with FD and evaluate the efficacy of targeted treatment plans.

Methods

Relevant scales were used to assess MDs. Patients with FD having MDs and acid reflux were treated with flupentixol and melitracen (FM) and acid-suppressive therapy (AST) (histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) (group A) or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (group B)), and those without acid reflux (group C) did not receive AST. Patients with FD without MDs were randomly administered H2RAs (group D) or PPIs (group E). The primary endpoints were factors associated with MDs and improvement in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and MDs in patients with FD.

Results

A total of 362 patients with FD were enrolled in this study. Patients with FD having high GI score and low education were found prone to MDs. At week 2, the remission rate of overall GI symptoms and depression was significantly higher in group B than that in groups A and C [GI: 72.72% (32/44) vs. 47.73% (21/44) and 72.72% (32/44) vs. 38.94% (44/113), all P < 0.05; depression: 72.22% (26/36) vs. 41.67% (15/36) and 72.22% (26/36) vs. 41.57% (37/89), all P < 0.05]. Furthermore, the remission rate of overall GI symptoms was significantly higher in group E than that in group D [60.29% (41/68) vs. 42.65% (29/68), P < 0.05]. At week 8, similar efficacies and adverse reactions were observed in these groups.

Conclusion

The risk factors for MDs were high GI scores and low literacy rates. Thus, targeted treatment (FM+PPIs for patients with MDs; PPIs for patients without MDs) can improve the efficacy of patients with FD.

Clinical trial registration

www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100053126.
NR4A1-3 nuclear receptor activity and immune cell dysregulation in rheumatic diseases
Authors: Murphy Evelyn P. , Crean Daniel
Published: July 2022

The development and progression of immune-mediated rheumatic disease (IMRD) involves dysfunction of innate and adaptive immune cell populations leading to altered responses including inflammasome activation, dysregulated cytokine networks, increased immune cell numbers and multifaceted cell-cell communication. Several rheumatic diseases are further characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, immune complex mediated complement activation and the deficit of peripheral immune tolerance due to reduced regulatory T-lymphocyte cell function. Ultimately, in rheumatic disease the loss in cellular and tissue homeostasis culminates in the advancement of chronic inflammation. The three members of the NR4A subfamily of nuclear receptors are immediate early genes, and act as potent transcriptional responders to changes in the cellular and tissue microenvironment. Subfamily members are rapidly expressed in diseases characterized by inflammation and function to control the differentiation and activity of innate and adaptive immune cells in a cell-type and cell-context specific manner. Rheumatic disease including rheumatoid-, psoriatic-, osteo-arthritis and systemic sclerosis display altered NR4A1-3 activity in controlling immune cell migration and function, production of paracrine signaling molecules, synovial tissue hyperplasia, and regulating cartilage turn-over in vivo. Additionally, NR4A1-3 activities mediate cytokine, prostanoid and growth factor signaling to control angiogenesis, modulate the regulatory functions of mesenchymal stromal cells, alter the activation status of dendritic cells, influence the generation of peripheral myeloid and T-lymphocyte lineages and promote the maintenance of functional regulatory T-cells. Further reports uncover the potential of moderating NR4A 1-3 receptors as therapeutic targets in altering immune tolerance, pathological angiogenesis and controlling inflammation in several models of disease.
Digital pathology – Rising to the challenge
Authors: Dawson Heather
Published: July 2022

Digital pathology has gone through considerable technical advances during the past few years and certain aspects of digital diagnostics have been widely and swiftly adopted in many centers, catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, analysis of requirements, careful planning, and structured implementation should to be considered in order to reap the full benefits of a digital workflow. The aim of this review is to provide a practical, concise and hands-on summary of issues relevant to implementing and developing digital diagnostics in the pathology laboratory. These include important initial considerations, possible approaches to overcome common challenges, potential diagnostic pitfalls, validation and regulatory issues and an introduction to the emerging field of image analysis in routine.
Simple surrogate equations to predict controlled attenuation parameter values for screening non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a Chinese population
Authors: Liu Hanying , Li Xiao , Han Xiaodong , Zhang Yan , Gu Yanting , Sun Lianjie , Han Junfeng , Tu Yinfang , Bao Yuqian , Bai Wenkun , Yu Haoyong
Published: July 2022

Objective

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease. The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) obtained by FibroScan reflects the level of liver steatosis in patients with obesity. Our study aimed to construct a simple equation to predict the CAP, to facilitate the screening and monitoring of patients at high risk for NAFLD.

Methods

A total of 272 subjects were randomly divided into derivation and validation cohorts at a ratio of 1:2. The derivation set was used for constructing a multiple linear regression model; the validation set was used to verify the validity of the model.

Results

Several variables strongly correlated with the CAP were used to construct the following equation for predicting CAP values:CAP1 = 2.4 × BMI + 10.5 × TG+ 3.6 × NC + 10.3 × CP +31.0, where BMI is body mass index, TG is triglyceride, NC is neck circumference and CP is C-peptide. The CAP1 model had an R2 of 0.764 and adjusted R2 of 0.753. It was then simplified to derive CAP2 included only simple anthropometric parameters: CAP2 = 3.5 × BMI + 4.2 × NC + 20.3 (R2 = 0.696, adjusted R2 = 0.689). The data were well fitted by both models. In the verification group, the predicted (CAP1 and CAP2) values were compared to the actual CAP values. For the CAP1 equation, R2 = 0.653, adjusted R2 = 0.651. For the CAP2 equation, R2 = 0.625, adjusted R2 = 0.623. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) values were 0.781 for CAP1 and 0.716 for CAP2 (p < 0.001). The actual CAP and the predicted CAP also showed good agreement in Bland-Altman plot.

Conclusion

The equations for predicting the CAP value comprise easily accessible variables, and showed good stability and predictive power. Thus, they can be used as simple surrogate tools for early screening and follow-up of NAFLD in the Chinese population.
Exercise Intolerance in Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 and the Value of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing- a Mini-Review
Authors: Aparisi Álvaro , Ladrón Raquel , Ybarra-Falcón Cristina , Tobar Javier , San Román J. Alberto
Published: July 2022

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with systemic organ damage in the most severe forms. Long-term complications of SARS-CoV-2 appear to be restricted to severe presentations of COVID-19, but many patients with persistent symptoms have never been hospitalized. Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) represents a heterogeneous group of symptoms characterized by cardiovascular, general, respiratory, and neuropsychiatric sequelae. The pace of evidence acquisition with PASC has been rapid, but the mechanisms behind it are complex and not yet fully understood. In particular, exercise intolerance shares some features with other classic respiratory and cardiac disorders. However, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides a comprehensive assessment and can unmask the pathophysiological mechanism behind exercise intolerance in gray-zone PASC. This mini-review explores the utility of CPET and aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of PASC by summarizing the current evidence.
Targeted Metabolomics Shows That the Level of Glutamine, Kynurenine, Acyl-Carnitines and Lysophosphatidylcholines Is Significantly Increased in the Aqueous Humor of Glaucoma Patients
Authors: Lillo Alejandro , Marin Silvia , Serrano-Marín Joan , Binetti Nicolas , Navarro Gemma , Cascante Marta , Sánchez-Navés Juan , Franco Rafael
Published: July 2022

The composition of the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma is relevant to understand the underlying causes of the pathology. Information on the concentration of metabolites and small molecules in the aqueous humor of healthy subjects is limited. Among the causes of the limitations is the lack of healthy controls since, until recently, they were not surgically intervened; therefore, the aqueous humor of patients operated for cataract was used as a reference. Sixteen aqueous humor samples from healthy subjects undergoing refractive surgery and eight samples from glaucoma patients were used to assess the concentration of 188 compounds using chromatography and mass spectrometry. The concentration of 80 of the 188 was found to be reliable, allowing comparison of data from the two groups (glaucoma and control). The pattern found in the controls is similar to, but not the same as, that reported using samples from “controls” undergoing cataract surgery. Comparing data from glaucoma patients and healthy subjects, 57 of the 80 compounds were significantly (p < 0.05) altered in the aqueous humor. Kynurenine and glutamine, but not glutamate, were significantly increased in the glaucoma samples. Furthermore, 10 compounds were selected considering a statistical score of p < 0.0001 and the degree of change of more than double or less than half. The level of C10 (decanoyl)-carnitine decreased, while the concentration of spermidine and various acyl-carnitines and lysophosphatidylcholines increased in glaucoma. Principal component analysis showed complete segregation of controls and cases using the data for the 10 selected compounds. The receiver operating characteristic curve these 10 compounds and for glutamine allowed finding cut-off values and significant sensitivity and specificity scores. The concentration of small metabolites in the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients is altered even when they take medication and are well controlled. The imbalance affects membrane components, especially those of the mitochondria, suggesting that mitochondrial abnormalities are a cause or consequence of glaucoma. The increase in glutamine in glaucoma is also relevant because it could be a means of keeping the concentration of glutamate under control, thus avoiding its potential to induce the death of neurons and retinal cells. Equally notable was the increase in kynurenine, which is essential in the metabolism of nicotine adenine dinucleotides.
Association Between NPHS2 p.R229Q and Focal Segmental Glomerular Sclerosis/Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Zhou Qiongxiu , Weng Qinjie , Zhang Xiaoyan , Liu Yunzi , Tong Jun , Hao Xu , Shi Hao , Shen Pingyan , Ren Hong , Xie Jingyuan , Chen Nan
Published: July 2022

Aim

NPHS2is the coding gene of podocin. This study aims to investigate the association betweenNPHS2p.R229Q (rs61747728), the most frequently reported missense variant ofNPHS2, and focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) based on typing the variant in a Chinese FSGS/SRNS cohort and conducting a meta-analysis.

Method

We recruited patients with FSGS or SRNS and healthy individuals. To conduct a meta-analysis, all studies on p.R229Q and FSGS/SRNS were searched from public databases.

Results

In total, we enrolled 204 patients with FSGS, 61 patients with SRNS [46 with FSGS, 9 with minimal change disease (MCD), and six patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN)], and 100 healthy controls. Unexpectedly, p.R229Q was absent in the patients from our cohort. By meta-analysis of 21 studies including 2,489 patients with FSGS/SRNS and 6,004 healthy controls, we confirmed that the A allele of p.R229Q was significantly associated with increased risk of FSGS/SRNS (allelic OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.44-2.52,P< 0.001). However, the subgroup analysis showed that the association between p.R229Q and FSGS/SRNS was true only in Caucasians (allelic OR = 2.14, 95%CI = 1.54-2.98,P< 0.001) and in early-onset patients (allelic OR: 2.13, 95% CI = 1.21-3.76,P= 0.009).

Conclusion

NPHS2p.R229Q may play an important role in enhancing the susceptibility of FSGS/SRNS, especially in ethnicity of Caucasian and age of early-onset patients.
Interferon-alpha responsible EPN3 regulates hepatitis B virus replication
Authors: Li Xueqian , Wang Zhe , Zhou Weiping , Fu Xuanhe , Zhang Yunpeng , Sun Ye , Yang Biao , Bai Yuxin , Dai Chunwei , Xu Xiaolun , Cui Fan , Zhao Ying , Zhang Yuping , Wang Bengang , Li Yingfang , Muramatsu Masamichi , Wakae Kousho , Liu Guangyan
Published: July 2022

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health problem worldwide, and the current antiviral therapy, including nucleoside analogs, cannot achieve life-long cure, and clarification of antiviral host immunity is necessary for eradication. Here, we found that a clathrin-binding membrane protein epsin3 (EPN3) negatively regulates the expression of HBV RNA. EPN3 expression was induced by transfection of an HBV replicon plasmid, and reduced HBV-RNA level in hepatic cell lines and murine livers hydrodynamically injected with the HBV replicon plasmid. Viral RNA reduction by EPN3 was dependent on transcription, and independent from epsilon structure of viral RNA. Viral RNA reduction by overexpression of p53 or IFN-α treatment, was attenuated by knockdown of EPN3, suggesting its role downstream of IFN-α and p53. Taken together, this study demonstrates the anti-HBV role of EPN3. The mechanism how it decreases HBV transcription is discussed.
Machine learning-based improvement of an online rheumatology referral and triage system
Authors: Knitza Johannes , Janousek Lena , Kluge Felix , von der Decken Cay Benedikt , Kleinert Stefan , Vorbrüggen Wolfgang , Kleyer Arnd , Simon David , Hueber Axel J. , Muehlensiepen Felix , Vuillerme Nicolas , Schett Georg , Eskofier Bjoern M. , Welcker Martin , Bartz-Bazzanella Peter
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Rheport is an online rheumatology referral system allowing automatic appointment triaging of new rheumatology patient referrals according to the respective probability of an inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD). Previous research reported that Rheport was well accepted among IRD patients. Its accuracy was, however, limited, currently being based on an expert-based weighted sum score. This study aimed to evaluate whether machine learning (ML) models could improve this limited accuracy.

Materials and methods

Data from a national rheumatology registry (RHADAR) was used to train and test nine different ML models to correctly classify IRD patients. Diagnostic performance was compared of ML models and the current algorithm was compared using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC). Feature importance was investigated using shapley additive explanation (SHAP).

Results

A complete data set of 2265 patients was used to train and test ML models. 30.5% of patients were diagnosed with an IRD, 69.3% were female. The diagnostic accuracy of the current Rheport algorithm (AUROC of 0.534) could be improved with all ML models, (AUROC ranging between 0.630 and 0.737). Targeting a sensitivity of 90%, the logistic regression model could double current specificity (17% vs. 33%). Finger joint pain, inflammatory marker levels, psoriasis, symptom duration and female sex were the five most important features of the best performing logistic regression model for IRD classification.

Conclusion

In summary, ML could improve the accuracy of a currently used rheumatology online referral system. Including further laboratory parameters and enabling individual feature importance adaption could increase accuracy and lead to broader usage.