bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zn and Ag Doping on Hydroxyapatite: Influence on the Adhesion Strength of High-Molecular Polymer Polycaprolactone
Authors: Song Jiaming , Li Xuehan , Cui Naiyu , Lu Xinyue , Yun Jiahao , Huang Qixuan , Sun Yunhan , Lee Eui-Seok , Jiang Hengbo
Published: March 2022

In this study, density functional theory was employed to calculate the adsorption of polycaprolactone (PCL) by pure hydroxyapatite (HA), Zn-doped HA, and Ag-doped HA, and the interaction of PCL on the surface of HA (001) was simulated. The results show that there was significant electron transfer between the carbonyl O in PCL and the Zn, Ag, and Ca in HA, forming coordinate bonds. The binding energies of Ag-doped HA/PCL and Zn-doped HA/PCL were much higher than those of HA/PCL. HA doped with Ag had the highest binding energy to PCL. Therefore, we believe that when HA is doped with Ag atoms, its adsorption capacity for PCL can be increased. The results obtained in this study can be used as a guide for the development of HA/PCL bone graft composite material doped with appropriate metal ions to improve its adsorption capacity.
Kinetic Study of the Oxidative Addition Reaction between Methyl Iodide and [Rh(imino-β-diketonato)(CO)(PPh)3] Complexes, Utilizing UV–Vis, IR Spectrophotometry, NMR Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations
Authors: Ferreira Hendrik , Conradie Marrigje Marianne , Conradie Jeanet
Published: March 2022

The oxidative addition of methyl iodide to [Rh(β-diketonato)(CO)(PPh)3] complexes, as modal catalysts of the first step during the Monsanto process, are well-studied. The β-diketonato ligand is a bidentate (BID) ligand that bonds, through two O donor atoms (O,O-BID ligand), to rhodium. Imino-β-diketones are similar to β-diketones, though the donor atoms are N and O, referred to as an N,O-BID ligand. In this study, the oxidative addition of methyl iodide to [Rh(imino-β-diketonato)(CO)(PPh)3] complexes, as observed on UV–Vis spectrophotometry, IR spectrophotometry and NMR spectrometry, are presented. Experimentally, one isomer of [Rh(CH3COCHCNPhCH3)(CO)(PPh3)] and two isomers of [Rh(CH3COCHCNHCH3)(CO)(PPh3)] are observed—in agreement with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Experimentally the [Rh(CH3COCHCNPhCH3)(CO)(PPh3)] + CH3I reaction proceeds through one reaction step, with a rhodium(III)-alkyl as the final reaction product. However, the [Rh(CH3COCHCNHCH3)(CO)(PPh3)] + CH3I reaction proceeds through two reaction steps, with a rhodium(III)-acyl as the final reaction product. DFT calculations of all the possible reaction products and transition states agree with experimental findings. Due to the smaller electronegativity of N, compared to O, the oxidative addition reaction rate of CH3I to the two [Rh(imino-β-diketonato)(CO)(PPh)3] complexes of this study was 7–11 times faster than the oxidative addition reaction rate of CH3I to [Rh(CH3COCHCOCH3)(CO)(PPh3)].
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Characterization of Polyphenols from Apple Pomace, Functional Ingredients for Beef Burger Fortification
Authors: Pollini Luna , Blasi Francesca , Ianni Federica , Grispoldi Luca , Moretti Simone , Di Veroli Alessandra , Cossignani Lina , Cenci-Goga Beniamino Terzo
Published: March 2022

Currently, there is an increasing interest to valorise agri-food waste containing bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. In this paper, the recovery of functional molecules from apple pomace, the most abundant by-product of the apple processing industry, was carried out by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) on fresh and freeze-dried samples. UAE extract, obtained by double extraction of freeze-dried apple pomace, was subjected to chromatographic and spectrophotometric characterization. It showed good levels of total phenol content, high antioxidant activity, and interesting antioxidant compounds (quercetin derivatives, chlorogenic acid, phloridzin). Subsequently, freeze-dried apple pomace, containing 40.19% of dietary fibre, was used as a fortifying agent for beef burgers (4% and 8%). The results concerning colour and sensory analysis of the fortified products were graded even better than the control (0%). The improved fibre and phenol content, together with the neutral flavour, represent the most interesting characteristics of fortified burgers. The results confirm that UAE was a successful technique for extracting phenol compounds and that the addition of apple pomace represents a valid approach to increase the health properties and palatability of beef burgers, including for consumers who do not like meat.
Tailoring Nanoadsorbent Surfaces: Separation of Rare Earths and Late Transition Metals in Recycling of Magnet Materials
Authors: Vardanyan Ani , Guillon Anna , Budnyak Tetyana , Seisenbaeva Gulaim A.
Published: March 2022

Novel silica-based adsorbents were synthesized by grafting the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles with amine and sulfur containing functional groups. Produced nanomaterials were characterized by SEM-EDS, AFM, FTIR, TGA and tested for adsorption and separation of Rare Earth Elements (REE) (Nd3+ and Sm3+) and Late Transition Metals (LTM) (Ni2+ and Co2+) in single and mixed solutions. The adsorption equilibrium data analyzed and fitted well to Langmuir isotherm model revealing monolayer adsorption process on homogeneously functionalized silica nanoparticles (NPs). All organo-silicas showed high adsorption capacities ranging between 0.5 and 1.8 mmol/g, depending on the function and the target metal ion. Most of these ligands demonstrated higher affinity towards LTM, related to the nature of the functional groups and their arrangement on the surface of nanoadsorbent.
Analysis of the Effect of Electrode Materials on the Sensitivity of Quartz Crystal Microbalance
Authors: Chen Qiao , Huang Xianhe , Yao Yao , Mao Kunlei
Published: March 2022

This paper investigated the effect of electrode materials on the performance of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors by means of theoretical calculation, experiment, and finite element analysis methods. First, we calculated the particle displacement amplitude and thus obtained the mass sensitivity function distribution of QCMs with gold, silver and aluminum electrodes, and found that the QCM with the gold electrode has the highest mass sensitivity at the center of the electrode. Then, we tested the humidity-sensing performance of QCMs with gold, silver, and aluminum electrodes using graphene oxide (GO) as the sensitive material, and found that the QCM with the gold electrode has higher humidity sensitivity. Finally, we used the finite element analysis software COMSOL Multiphysics to simulate the specific electrode material parameters that affect the sensitivity of the QCMs. The simulation results show that the density and Young’s modulus of the electrode material parameters mainly affect the sensitivity. The results of this paper are instructive for optimizing QCM sensor performance and improving the capability of QCM quantitative analysis.
Enhancement of Gas Barrier Properties and Durability of Poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate)-Based Nanocomposites for Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Delorme Astrid E. , Radusin Tanja , Myllytie Petri , Verney Vincent , Askanian Haroutioun
Published: March 2022

Poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA)-based materials are receiving growing attention in the packaging industry for their promising biodegradability. However, poor gas barrier properties and low durability of biodegradable polymers, such as PBSA, have limited their wide-spread use in food packaging applications. Here we report a scalable solution to improve gas barrier properties and stabilize PBSA against photo-aging, with minimal modifications to the biodegradable polymer backbone by using a commercially available and biocompatible layered double hydroxide (LDH) filler. We investigate and compare the mechanical, gas barrier, and photoaging properties of PBSA and PBSA-LDH nanocomposite films produced on a pilot scale. An increase in rigidity in the nanocomposite was observed upon addition of LDH fillers to neat PBSA, which direct the application of neat PBSA and PBSA-LDH nanocomposite to different food packaging applications. The addition of LDH fillers into neat PBSA improves the oxygen and water vapour barriers for the PBSA based nanocomposites, which increases the attractiveness of PBSA material in food packaging applications. Through changes in the viscoelastic behaviour, we observe an improved photo-durability of photoaged PBSA-LDH nanocomposites compared to neat PBSA. It is clear from our studies that the presence of LDH enhances the lifetime durability and modulates the photodegradation rate of the elaborated biocomposites.
Enhanced NaFe0.5Mn0.5O2/C Nanocomposite as a Cathode for Sodium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Nanthagopal Murugan , Ho Chang Won , Shaji Nitheesha , Sim Gyu Sang , Varun Karthik Murugesan , Kim Hong Ki , Lee Chang Woo
Published: March 2022

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as an alternative candidate in the field of energy storage applications. To achieve the commercial success of SIBs, the designing of active materials is highly important. O3-type layered-NaFe0.5Mn0.5O2 (NFM) materials provide higher specific capacity along with Earth-abundance and low cost. Nevertheless, the material possesses some disadvantages, such as a low rate capability and severe capacity fading during cycling. To overcome such drawbacks, composite O3-type layered NFM with carbon has been prepared for the cathode electrode of SIBs through a facile solution combustion method followed by calcination process. The introduction of carbon sources into NFM material provides excellent electrochemical performances; moreover, the practical limitations of NFM material such as low electrical conductivity, structural degradation, and cycle life are effectively controlled by introducing carbon sources into the host material. The NFM/C-2 material delivers the specific charge capacities of 171, 178, and 166 mA h g−1; and specific discharge capacities of 188, 169, and 162 mA h g−1, in the first 3 cycles, respectively.
Recent Advances in Colloidal Quantum Dots or Perovskite Quantum Dots as a Luminescent Downshifting Layer Embedded on Solar Cells
Authors: Sadhu Annada Sankar , Huang Yu-Ming , Chen Li-Yin , Kuo Hao-Chung , Lin Chien-Chung
Published: March 2022

The solar cell has a poor spectral response in the UV region, which affects its power conversion efficiency (PCE). The utilization of a luminescent downshifting (LDS) layer has been suggested to improve the spectral response of the photovoltaics in the short wavelength region through photoluminescence (PL) conversion and antireflection effects, which then enhance the PCE of the solar cell. Recently, colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) or perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have been gaining prime importance as an LDS material due to their eminent optical characteristics, such as their wide absorption band, adjustable visible emission, short PL lifetime, and near-unity quantum yields. However, the instability of QDs that occurs under certain air, heat, and moisture conditions limits its commercialization. Thus, in this review, we will focus on the physical and optical characteristics of QDs. Further, we will discuss different synthesis approaches and the stability issues of QDs. Different approaches to improve the stability of QDs will be discussed in detail alongside the recent breakthroughs in QD-based solar cells for various applications and their current challenges. We expect that this review will provide an effective gateway for researchers to fabricate LDS-layer-based solar cells.
Characterization of Salmonella enterica Contamination in Pork and Poultry Meat from São Paulo/Brazil: Serotypes, Genotypes and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles
Authors: Gomes Vasco T. M. , Moreno Luisa Z. , Silva Ana Paula S. , Thakur Siddhartha , La Ragione Roberto M. , Mather Alison E. , Moreno Andrea M.
Published: March 2022

Salmonellosis is a zoonosis of major relevance to global public health. Here we present the assessment of Salmonella enterica contamination in pork and poultry meat sold at retail markets in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 780 meat samples (386 poultry meat and 394 pork samples) were collected from 132 markets. From these, 57 samples (7.3%) were positive for S. enterica isolation, including 32 (8.3%) poultry meat and 25 (6.3%) pork samples. S. enterica isolates were further characterized for serotyping, antimicrobial resistance and genotyping by amplified fragment length polymorphism and pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Antimicrobial resistance analysis demonstrated two main profiles: pork isolates were more resistant to macrolides, β-lactams, tetracycline, phenicols, and fluoroquinolones, and poultry meat isolates presented higher resistance to fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, tetracycline, and β-lactams. A total of 72.4% of poultry meat isolates were identified as S. Heidelberg, while most of pork isolates were S. Typhimurium (31.7%) and S. Give (16.7%). Genotyping resulted in most clusters consisting exclusively of pork or poultry meat, no cross-contamination was detected, and a tendency to differentiate isolates according to their serotypes and markets of origin. High resistance rates to critically important antimicrobials reinforce the importance of controlling Salmonella contamination in meat production chains.
The Binding of Alpinia galanga Oil and Its Nanoemulsion to Mammal GABAA Receptors Using Rat Cortical Membranes and an In Silico Modeling Platform
Authors: Khumpirapang Nattakanwadee , Suknuntha Krit , Wongrattanakamon Pathomwat , Jiranusornkul Supat , Anuchapreeda Songyot , Wellendorph Petrine , Müllertz Anette , Rades Thomas , Okonogi Siriporn
Published: March 2022

The anesthetic effect of Alpinia galanga oil (AGO) has been reported. However, knowledge of its pathway in mammals is limited. In the present study, the binding of AGO and its key compounds, methyl eugenol, 1,8-cineole, and 4-allylphenyl acetate, to gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors in rat cortical membranes, was investigated using a [3H]muscimol binding assay and an in silico modeling platform. The results showed that only AGO and methyl eugenol displayed a positive modulation at the highest concentrations, whereas 1,8-cineole and 4-allylphenyl acetate were inactive. The result of AGO correlated well to the amount of methyl eugenol in AGO. Computational docking and dynamics simulations into the GABAA receptor complex model (PDB: 6X3T) showed the stable structure of the GABAA receptor–methyl eugenol complex with the lowest binding energy of −22.16 kcal/mol. This result shows that the anesthetic activity of AGO and methyl eugenol in mammals is associated with GABAA receptor modulation. An oil-in-water nanoemulsion containing 20% w/w AGO (NE-AGO) was formulated. NE-AGO showed a significant increase in specific [3H]muscimol binding, to 179% of the control, with an EC50 of 391 µg/mL. Intracellular studies show that normal human cells are highly tolerant to AGO and the nanoemulsion, indicating that NE-AGO may be useful for human anesthesia.
Thymoquinone-Enriched Naringenin-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Brain Delivery via Nasal Route: In Vitro Prospect and In Vivo Therapeutic Efficacy for the Treatment of Depression
Authors: Qizilbash Farheen Fatima , Ashhar Muhammad Usama , Zafar Ameeduzzafar , Qamar Zufika , Annu  , Ali Javed , Baboota Sanjula , Ghoneim Mohammed M. , Alshehri Sultan , Ali Asgar
Published: March 2022

In the current research, a thymoquinone-enriched naringenin (NGN)-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) was developed and delivered via the nasal route for depression. Thymoquinone (TQ) oil was used as the liquid lipid and provided synergistic effects. A TQ- and NGN-enriched NLC was developed via the ultrasonication technique and optimized using a central composite rotatable design (CCRD). The optimized NLC exhibited the following properties: droplet size, 84.17 to 86.71 nm; PDI, 0.258 to 0.271; zeta potential, −8.15 to −8.21 mV; and % EE, 87.58 to 88.21%. The in vitro drug release profile showed the supremacy of the TQ-NGN-NLC in comparison to the NGN suspension, with a cumulative drug release of 82.42 ± 1.88% from the NLC and 38.20 ± 0.82% from the drug suspension. Ex vivo permeation study displayed a 2.21-fold increase in nasal permeation of NGN from the NLC compared to the NGN suspension. DPPH study showed the better antioxidant potential of the TQ-NGN-NLC in comparison to NGN alone due to the synergistic effect of NGN and TQ oil. CLSM images revealed deeper permeation of the NGN-NLC (39.9 µm) through the nasal mucosa in comparison to the NGN suspension (20 µm). Pharmacodynamic studies, such as the forced swim test and the locomotor activity test, were assessed in the depressed rat model, which revealed the remarkable antidepressant effect of the TQ-NGN-NLC in comparison to the NGN suspension and the marketed formulation. The results signify the potential of the TQ-enriched NGN-NLC in enhancing brain delivery and the therapeutic effect of NGN for depression treatment.
Tracing the Evolution of the Angiosperm Genome from the Cytogenetic Point of View
Authors: Borowska-Zuchowska Natalia , Senderowicz Magdalena , Trunova Dana , Kolano Bozena
Published: March 2022

Cytogenetics constitutes a branch of genetics that is focused on the cellular components, especially chromosomes, in relation to heredity and genome structure, function and evolution. The use of modern cytogenetic approaches and the latest microscopes with image acquisition and processing systems enables the simultaneous two- or three-dimensional, multicolour visualisation of both single-copy and highly-repetitive sequences in the plant genome. The data that is gathered using the cytogenetic methods in the phylogenetic background enable tracing the evolution of the plant genome that involve changes in: (i) genome sizes; (ii) chromosome numbers and morphology; (iii) the content of repetitive sequences and (iv) ploidy level. Modern cytogenetic approaches such as FISH using chromosome- and genome-specific probes have been widely used in studies of the evolution of diploids and the consequences of polyploidy. Nowadays, modern cytogenetics complements analyses in other fields of cell biology and constitutes the linkage between genetics, molecular biology and genomics.
Antioxidant and Antiproliferation Activities of Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora): An In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Authors: Rashid Hasan M. , Mahmod Asma Ismail , Afifi Fatma U. , Talib Wamidh H.
Published: March 2022

Aloysia citrodora (Verbenaceae) is traditionally used to treat various diseases, including bronchitis, insomnia, anxiety, digestive, and heart problems. In this study, this plant’s antioxidant and anti-proliferation effects were evaluated. In addition to volatiles extraction, different solvent extracts were prepared. The GC-MS, LC-MS analysis and the Foline-Ciocalteu (F-C) method were used to investigate the phytochemical components of the plant. MTT assay was used to measure the antiproliferative ability for each extract. Antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. In in vivo anti-proliferation experiments, Balb/C mice were inoculated with tumor cells and IP-injected with ethyl acetate extract of A. citrodora. After treatment, a significant reduction in tumor size (57.97%) and undetected tumors (44.44%) were obtained in treated mice, demonstrating the antiproliferative efficacy of the ethyl acetate extract. Besides, ethanol extract revealed the most potent radical scavenging effect. The findings of this study displayed that A. citrodora has promising cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. Still, further testing is required to investigate the extract’s chemical composition to understand its mechanisms of action.
Novel QTL Associated with Aerenchyma-Mediated Radial Oxygen Loss (ROL) in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Iron (II) Sulfide
Authors: Duyen Dang Van , Kwon Youngho , Kabange Nkulu Rolly , Lee Ji-Yoon , Lee So-Myeong , Kang Ju-Won , Park Hyeonjin , Cha Jin-Kyung , Cho Jun-Hyeon , Shin Dongjin , Lee Jong-Hee
Published: March 2022

In rice, high radial oxygen loss (ROL) has been associated with the reduction in the activity of methanogens, therefore reducing the formation of methane (CH4) due to the abundance in application of nitrogen (N)-rich fertilizers. In this study, we evaluated the root growth behavior and ROL rate of a doubled haploid (DH) population (n = 117) and parental lines 93-11 (P1, indica) and Milyang352 (P2, japonica) in response to iron (II) sulfide (FeS). In addition, we performed a linkage mapping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis on the same population for the target traits. The results of the phenotypic evaluation revealed that parental lines had distinctive root growth and ROL patterns, with 93-11 (indica) and Milyang352 (japonica) showing low and high ROL rates, respectively. This was also reflected in their derived population, indicating that 93.2% of the DH lines exhibited a high ROL rate and about 6.8% had a low ROL pattern. Furthermore, the QTL and linkage map analysis detected two QTLs associated with the control of ROL and root area on chromosomes 2 (qROL-2-1, 127 cM, logarithm of the odds (LOD) 3.04, phenotypic variation explained (PVE) 11.61%) and 8 (qRA-8-1, 97 cM, LOD 4.394, PVE 15.95%), respectively. The positive additive effect (2.532) of qROL-2-1 indicates that the allele from 93-11 contributed to the observed phenotypic variation for ROL. The breakthrough is that the qROL-2-1 harbors genes proposed to be involved in stress signaling, defense response mechanisms, and transcriptional regulation, among others. The qPCR results revealed that the majority of genes harbored by the qROL-2-1 recorded a higher transcript accumulation level in Milyang352 over time compared to 93-11. Another set of genes exhibited a high transcript abundance in P1 compared to P2, while a few were differentially regulated between both parents. Therefore, OsTCP7 and OsMYB21, OsARF8 genes encoding transcription factors (TFs), coupled with OsTRX, OsWBC8, and OsLRR2 are suggested to play important roles in the positive regulation of ROL in rice. However, the recorded differential expression of OsDEF7 and OsEXPA, and the decrease in OsNIP2, Oscb5, and OsPLIM2a TF expression between parental lines proposes them as being involved in the control of oxygen flux level in rice roots.
Antifouling PVC Catheters by Gamma Radiation-Induced Zwitterionic Polymer Grafting
Authors: Duarte-Peña Lorena , Bucio Emilio
Published: March 2022

In medical environments, polymeric surfaces tend to become contaminated, hindering the treatment and recovery from diseases. Biofouling-resistant materials, such as zwitterionic polymers, may mitigate this problem. In this work, the modification of PVC catheters with a binary graft of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) and sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) by the oxidative pre-irradiation method is proposed to develop pH-responsive catheters with an antifouling capacity. The ionizing radiation allowed us to overcome limitations in the synthesis associated with the monomer characteristics. In addition, the grafted materials showed a considerable increase in their hydrophilic character and antifouling capacity, significantly decreasing the protein adsorption compared to the unmodified catheters. These materials have potential for the development of a combined antimicrobial and antifouling capabilities system to enhance prophylactic activity or even to help treat infections.
Nanocluster-Based Drug Delivery and Theranostic Systems: Towards Cancer Therapy
Authors: Villela Zumaya Alma Lucia , Mincheva Rosica , Raquez Jean-Marie , Hassouna Fatima
Published: March 2022

Over the last decades, the global life expectancy of the population has increased, and so, consequently, has the risk of cancer development. Despite the improvement in cancer therapies (e.g., drug delivery systems (DDS) and theranostics), in many cases recurrence continues to be a challenging issue. In this matter, the development of nanotechnology has led to an array of possibilities for cancer treatment. One of the most promising therapies focuses on the assembly of hierarchical structures in the form of nanoclusters, as this approach involves preparing individual building blocks while avoiding handling toxic chemicals in the presence of biomolecules. This review aims at presenting an overview of the major advances made in developing nanoclusters based on polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) and/or inorganic NPs. The preparation methods and the features of the NPs used in the construction of the nanoclusters were described. Afterwards, the design, fabrication and properties of the two main classes of nanoclusters, namely noble-metal nanoclusters and hybrid (i.e., hetero) nanoclusters and their mode of action in cancer therapy, were summarized.
Conventional and Microcellular Injection Molding of a Highly Filled Polycarbonate Composite with Glass Fibers and Carbon Black
Authors: Yilmaz Galip , Devahastin Apichart , Turng Lih-Sheng
Published: March 2022

Conventional solid injection molding (CIM) and microcellular injection molding (MIM) of a highly filled polycarbonate (PC) composite with glass fibers and carbon black were performed for molding ASTM tensile test bars and a box-shape part with variable wall thickness. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the microstructure at the fractured surface of the tensile test bar samples. The fine and uniform cellular structure suggests that the PC composite is a suitable material for foaming applications. Standard tensile tests showed that, while the ultimate strength and elongation at break were lower for the foamed test bars at 4.0–11.4% weight reduction, their specific Young’s modulus was comparable to that of their solid counterparts. A melt flow and transition model was proposed to explain the unique, irregular “tiger-stripes” exhibited on the surface of solid test bars. Increasing the supercritical fluid (SCF) dosage and weight reduction of foamed samples resulted in swirl marks on the part surface, making the tiger-stripes less noticeable. Finally, it was found that an injection pressure reduction of 25.8% could be achieved with MIM for molding a complex box-shaped part in a consistent and reliable fashion.
Green Composites Based on Hedysarum coronarium with Outstanding FDM Printability and Mechanical Performance
Authors: Scaffaro Roberto , Gulino Emmanuel Fortunato , Citarrella Maria Clara , Maio Andrea
Published: March 2022

The addition of natural scraps to biodegradable polymers has gained particular interest in recent years, allowing reducing environmental pollution related to traditional plastic. In this work, new composites were fabricated by adding 10% or 20% of Hedysarum coronarium (HC) flour to Poly (lactic acid) (PLA). The two formulations were first produced by twin screw extrusion and the obtained filaments were then employed for the fabrication of composites, either for compression molding (CM) or by fused deposition modeling (FDM), and characterized from a morphological and mechanical point of view. Through FDM it was possible to achieve dense structures with good wettability of the filler that, on the contrary, cannot be obtained by CM. The results indicate that the filler effectively acts as reinforcement, especially for FDM composites. The most remarkable enhancement was found in the flexural properties (+100% of modulus and ultimate strength), followed by tensile resistance and stiffness (+60%) and impact strength (+50%), whereas a moderate loss in tensile deformability was observed, especially at the highest loading. By adding HC to the polymeric matrix, it was possible to obtain a green, high-performance, and cost-effective composite, which could find applications for the fabrication of panels for furniture or the automotive industry.
Consumer Preference for Yogurt Packaging Design Using Conjoint Analysis
Authors: Wang Fa , Wang Haifeng , Cho Joung Hyung
Published: March 2022

With the growing consumption market of yogurt products, the continuous innovation of packaging design has become the major means of enterprise marketing for fast-moving consumer goods. Because different combinations of packaging design elements affect the consumers in different ways, the contradiction between the product packaging design and consumer demand has impacted the further development of these products’ marketing. To explore the relationship between the constituent elements of yogurt packaging design and consumer preferences, four kinds of factors to the purchased products’ attributes were selected from the packaging design, including the graphics, packaging colors, packaging shapes and label texts. The consumers’ preferences for different attributes of yogurt packaging design were quantitatively evaluated by the Conjoint Analysis Method (CAM). Consumers showed the strongest preference for yogurt packaging shapes (39.017%), and were the most satisfied with the concrete graphics of cool colors (31.330%); the level combination of attributes most preferred by consumers is that of concrete graphics, cool colors, gable-top boxes and simple labels. The packaging design satisfying consumer preferences gave rise to positive purchase attitudes. Such research results facilitated the understanding of the consumption market and provided the theoretical support necessary for the development of yogurt packaging design to match the consumers’ preferences.
Creativity as a Key Constituent for Smart Specialization Strategies (S3), What Is in It for Peripheral Regions? Co-creating Sustainable and Resilient Tourism with Cultural and Creative Industries
Authors: Meyer Christopher , Gerlitz Laima , Klein Monika
Published: March 2022

Sustainable tourism is one of the key sectors in the South Baltic Sea Region (SBSR), which belongs to the role model for sustainability—the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). In this context, resilience, recovery and sustainability become key common threads calling for new approaches mitigating negative impacts, upscaling resilience capacity and boosting recovery in the post-pandemic era. The present work aims at revealing conceptual and practical pathways for policy makers and businesses in revitalizing sustainable tourism in the region by emphasizing cultural and creative industries (CCIs) as strong contributors to sustainable development and economic ecosystems, such as tourism. Tourism is also one of the key thematic areas of the smart specialization strategies (S3) in the SBSR. However, there is almost no link between CCIs’ potential for sustainable and resilient tourism and their contribution to the co-design and co-creation of S3. CCIs are rather absent agents in quadruple helix networks supporting S3 policy implementation. The literature on this topic is still premature, and represents a clear gap in knowledge. By virtue of these circumstances, the present research investigates how CCIs contribute and reveal new linkages between local assets, potential markets and societal challenges by engaging them as proven sustainable innovation and transition brokers in transnational quadruple helix partnerships following S3 policies in accordance with the sustainable development goals (SDGs), thus supporting sustainable and resilient tourism. Moreover, this paper aims at advocating for development of rural and peripheral regions, thus reducing the so-called “rural marginalization”. In addition, this paper also supports ongoing recent discussions on related vs. unrelated diversification policy within the S3 realm.
Abnormal Monitoring Costs Charged for Auditing Fair Value Model: Evidence from Jordanian Finance Industry
Authors: Alharasis Esraa Esam , Haddad Hossam , Shehadeh Maha , Tarawneh Ahmad Saleem
Published: March 2022

This article inspects the likely outcome of using the fair value (FV) concept on audit firms’ anomalous audit fees. The research performs fixed effects regression to evaluate the given hypotheses using data gathered by hand from 105 Jordanian publicly traded enterprises between 2005 and 2018. The study reveals that FV proxies have a favorable and substantial effect on the atypical audit fees paid by Jordanian enterprises. The findings are more evident for businesses with a higher percentage of subjective FVs (level 3 assets). This research gives current empirical information on the effects of adopting IFRS/IAS for policymakers and standard setters. The results contribute by offering recommendations on the factors that influence audit fees for auditors and clients. The present research updates the Fair Value Disclosure (FVD) auditing model and adds new empirical data to close a gap in the auditing literature. It adds to the limited and inconclusive audit price studies already available by examining the post-implementation of FVD. This research gives current empirical facts on the consequences of adopting an FV model in Jordan for policymakers and standard setters. Additionally, this investigation adds by offering information on the factors that influence audit fees for both auditors and clients. The findings provide regulatory authorities with information on observing and regulating the audit vocation as well as on auditing FVD activities.
The Effect of Plate and Decoration Color on Consumer Food Waste in Restaurants: A Case of Four Chinese Cities
Authors: Zhang Panpan , Fu Shaopeng , Liu Xiaojie
Published: March 2022

Food waste hampers global food security, rational use of global resources and environmental sustainability. Food waste is becoming a global problem, especially on restaurants, and it is particularly important to explore more effective measures to reduce food waste. Color psychology studies show that color can influence human behavior, but how colors may affect consumer food waste behavior has not been thoroughly investigated to date. In this study, we aim to investigate whether food plate colors or restaurant decorations affect food waste behavior using a large-scale field survey in four Chinese cities (2160 samples across Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Lhasa). Our results show that the per capita food waste of all consumers in the surveyed restaurants was 80.21 g per meal, whereas the per capita food waste of those with warm-color plates was 61.83 g per meal. The results suggest that warm plate colors are associated with reduced restaurant consumer food waste. We also show that the restaurant decoration color was found to correlate significantly with the reduced amount of food ordered per capita per meal (both warm and cool colors). Cool colors for plates and decoration have a negative effect on the weight of per capita per meal food eaten. Additionally, other characteristics of consumers, such as their age, education, and income levels, and other factors, such as for the purposes of meals, were found to affect food waste behavior. Our case study suggests that further investigation into the role of color psychology may be warranted to help mitigate consumer food waste.
A Clustering Spatial Estimation of Marginal Economic Losses for Vegetation Due to the Emission of VOCs as a Precursor of Ozone
Authors: Fu Miao
Published: March 2022

The economic losses of vegetation caused by ozone were usually evaluated with existing ozone concentrations. However, in the case a new project is assessed, the marginal losses induced by the additional emissions of ozone’s precursors are required. As ozone is VOC-sensitive in China, this study used novel approaches to assess the marginal economic losses (MELs) for vegetation due to the emission of VOCs as a precursor of ozone, which integrated the geographically constrained AHC algorithm with the spatial regression and applied the cluster-specific coefficients of VOC emissions to the MEL estimation. The new approaches reduce the regression sigma2 from 94.5 to 64.6. The marginal contributions of VOC emissions to ozone concentrations range from 0.123 to 1.180 μg/m3 per kilotonne of emissions per year per 0.25 × 0.25 degree. Negative marginal contributions of NOx emissions were found in Southeast China and the Yunan Guizhou Plateau. County-level marginal increases in AOT40s and MELs due to VOC emissions for crops, semi-natural products, and coniferous and deciduous forests were presented as maps. These values are exceedingly large in Northeast China and the Yunan Guizhou Plateau. Due to the high timber prices, sensitivities to ozone, and long growing seasons, MELs of forests are higher than those of other vegetation types, and thus factories with VOC emissions should be away from the surrounding areas of forests.
An Analysis on the Characteristics and Influence Factors of Soil Salinity in the Wasteland of the Kashgar River Basin
Authors: Li Sheng , Lu Li , Gao Yuan , Zhang Yun , Shen Deyou
Published: March 2022

Clarifying the salt ion composition characteristics and the influence factors of soil salinization of the wasteland in the Kashgar River Basin is of high importance for saline land improvement and utilization in this region. We studied the characteristics and influence factors of soil salinity in the wasteland of the Kashgar River Basin through classical statistics, principal component analysis and grey relational theory. The results showed that the total salt content had a T-shaped distribution pattern in the soil profile. As the most important ions, Cl−, Na+, and SO42− have the characteristics of vertical differentiation from top to bottom in the soil profile. Correlation analysis showed that the total salt content was negatively correlated to the HCO3− content and positively correlated to other salt ions, The most correlated anions were SO42− and Cl−. Na+, the most important cation, had the closest relationship with Cl−, followed successively by SO42− and HCO3−. Principal component analysis showed that SO42−, total salt content, Na+, Cl−, Mg2+, and Ca2+ could represent soil salinity status and salt ion composition, while HCO3− could represent soil alkalization status. The grey relational analysis indicated a differentiation in the intensity of influence of each factor on soil salinization at different depths. Except for groundwater burial depth and elevation, the relational degree between other influence factors and soil salt content decreased with depth. Our research findings offer important clues for understanding the soil salinity characteristics and influence factors of salinization in the wasteland of the Kashgar River Basin.
Warming and Salt Intrusion Affect Microcystin Production in Tropical Bloom-Forming Microcystis
Authors: Trung Bui , Vollebregt Marlies E. , Lürling Miquel
Published: March 2022

The Vietnamese Mekong Delta is predicted to be one of the regions most impacted by climate change, causing increased temperature and salinity in inland waters. We hypothesized that the increase in temperature and salinity may impact the microcystin (MC) production of two Microcystis strains isolated in this region from a freshwater pond (strain MBC) and a brackish water pond (strain MTV). The Microcystis strains were grown at low (27 °C), medium (31 °C), high (35 °C) and extremely high (37 °C) temperature in flat photobioreactors (Algaemist). At each temperature, when cultures reached a stable state, sea salt was added to increase salinity to 4‰, 8‰, 12‰ and 16‰. MC concentrations and cell quota were reduced at high and extremely high temperatures. Salinity, in general, had comparable effects on MC concentrations and quota. At a salinity of 4‰ and 8‰, concentrations of MC per mL of culture and MC cell quota (based on chlorophyll, dry-weight and particle counts) were higher than at 0.5‰, while at the highest salinities (12‰ and 16‰) these were strongly reduced. Strain MBC produced five MC variants of which MC-RR and MC-LR were most abundant, followed by MC-YR and relatively low amounts of demethylated variants dmMC-RR and dmMC-LR. In strain MTV, MC-RR was most abundant, with traces of MC-YR and dmMC-RR only in cultures grown at 16‰ salinity. Overall, higher temperature led to lower MC concentrations and cell quota, low salinity seemed to promote MC production and high salinity reduced MC production. Hence, increased temperature and higher salinity could lead to less toxic Microcystis, but since these conditions might favour Microcystis over other competitors, the overall biomass gain could offset a lower toxicity.
Genetic Modification of T Cells for the Immunotherapy of Cancer
Authors: Quinn Suzanne , Lenart Natasha , Dronzek Victoria , Scurti Gina M. , Hossain Nasheed M. , Nishimura Michael I.
Published: March 2022

Immunotherapy is a beneficial treatment approach for multiple cancers, however, current therapies are effective only in a small subset of patients. Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) is a facet of immunotherapy where T cells targeting the tumor cells are transferred to the patient with several primary forms, utilizing unmodified or modified T cells: tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), genetically modified T cell receptor transduced T cells, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transduced T cells. Many clinical trials are underway investigating the efficacy and safety of these different subsets of ACT, as well as trials that combine one of these subsets with another type of immunotherapy. The main challenges existing with ACT are improving clinical responses and decreasing adverse events. Current research focuses on identifying novel tumor targeting T cell receptors, improving safety and efficacy, and investigating ACT in combination with other immunotherapies.
Medication Safety in the Emergency Department: A Study of Serious Medication Errors Reported by 101 Hospitals From 2011 to 2020
Authors: Kukielka Elizabeth , Jones Rebecca
Published: March 2022

Background: Although serious medication errors are uncommon, accounting for only 0.4% (166 of 46,568) of medication errors reported to the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS) in 2020, their effects can be devastating for patients and their loved ones.

Methods: We queried PA-PSRS for reports of serious events classified as medication errors that occurred in the emergency department (ED) from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2020. We performed a descriptive analysis to identify trends among patient sex, patient age, event harm score, event day of the week, and event time of day. We also manually coded and analyzed events based on the prescribed medication(s) and medication class(es), stage of the medication-use process at which the error occurred, and medication error type.

Results: We identified 250 reports of serious medication error events in PA-PSRS that occurred in the ED from 2011 to 2020. Reports more often specified that the patient was female (61.2%; 153 of 250), and patients ranged in age from 8 months to 96 years, with a median patient age of 55 years. Events were significantly more likely to occur Friday through Sunday versus Monday through Thursday (p = .0214) and in the p.m. hours versus a.m. hours, (p = .0007). The most common prescribed medications mentioned in reports were epinephrine, insulin, hydromorphone, sodium chloride, heparin, propofol, diltiazem, ketamine, and morphine. Events occurred most often at the prescribing stage of the medication-use process (42.0%; 105 of 250), and the most common medication error type was a wrong dose (42.0%; 105 of 250).

Conclusion: Potential safety strategies to consider to reduce the risk of medication errors in the ED include stocking epinephrine autoinjectors, using clinical decision support at the ordering/prescribing stage of the process, and adding an emergency medicine pharmacist as part of an interdisciplinary emergency medicine team.
Tempo, consciência e sucessão
Authors: Suárez-Astaiza Jeison Andrés
Published: March 2022

Não é o tempo uma potência que arrasta tudo presente para as profundidades da consciência? Uma força que ao mesmo tempo que reúne o curso das vivências separa o ‘eu’ de suas experiências submergindo-as na in-distinção para, finalmente, sepultá-las nessa ‘obscuridade’ da consciência que é o esquecimento? Como é possível, então, a lembrança e a memória? A seguir, abordaremos a questão da possibilidade da lembrança [Erinnerung] e da memória desde a concepção husserliana do tempo como consciência da sucessão, retomando alguns pontos dos argumentos que expõe Ricoeur em A memória, a história e o esquecimento. Finalizaremos mostrando que as análises de Husserl sobre o tempo e a consciência da sucessão, além de insuficientes, derivam no que denominamos como a ‘aporia do presente estratificado’.
Os rastros contemporâneos das memórias que nos contam
Authors: Queiroz Silvia
Published: March 2022

Com Paul Ricoeur pensamos a memória traumática e os efeitos dos rastros subjetivos que emergem no contemporâneo tendo em mente a ditadura militar brasileira e as políticas democráticas de memória. A reflexão parte da percepção de que o legado autoritário e suas atualizações fragilizam a democracia. Sem desconsiderarmos a prioridade das vítimas, dos familiares e dos sobreviventes e suas lutas por memória e justiça, pensamos a elaboração da memória impedida como reconhecimento e partilha de um passado comum cujos aspectos nefastos dos não ditos passam por manipulações de memória que fraturam a identidade do homem capaz. Refletimos ainda sobre os efeitos do esquecimento comandado de modo abusivo a partir da constatação da dissimetria entre os conceitos de anistia, justiça e perdão. No percurso destacamos o papel do testemunho e a função mediadora dos atos de justiça na idealização de uma memória constitutiva de outro mundo possível.
Da “desterritorialização”
Authors: Marie Gagnebin Jeanne
Published: March 2022

Jeanne Marie Gagnebin reflete sobre o conceito de desterritorialização em forma de depoimento-artigo
Nos ventos de maio: Celso Favaretto e o ensino de filosofia
Authors: Silveira Paulo Henrique Fernandes
Published: March 2022

Em seu percurso como pesquisador, docente e ensaísta, Celso Favaretto investigou inúmeros temas relacionados às artes, à educação, à política e ao ensino de filosofia. Sua abordagem desses temas reflete o impacto dos principais movimentos culturais, sociais e políticos dos anos 60. O objetivo desse texto é tecer algumas aproximações entre essa diversidade temática, o contexto histórico desses trabalhos e suas ideias e posições sobre o ensino de filosofia.
Healthscaping Urban Europe - Project overview - Ghent part
Authors: Hermenault Léa
Published: March 2022

Public health is often thought of as a by-product of modernity, yet historical evidence shows that numerous stakeholders in medieval Europe took steps to reduce risks and improve health incomes. The ERC project “Healthscaping Urban Europe: Bio-Power, Space and Society, 1200-1500” (grant no. 724114) explores this idea by bringing together a group of historians and archaeologists of the era to explore how urban residents in two of Europe’s most urbanized regions – Italy and the Low Countries – thought about and pursued population-level health. The project integrates written, visual and material sources with archaeological data to examine preventative health interventions in GIS, suggesting that these were well developed before the onset of the Black Death (1346-1353). This paper deals with the Ghent case study. It describes the datasets we created and the technical choices we made.
Au croisement de l'écologie et de la géographie
Authors: Lévy Bertrand
Published: March 2022

The article revisits the course in General Ecology and Human Ecology

by Claude Raffestin (1984) and insists on the notion of ecosystem. He critically develops an example of sustainable architecture and takes stock of global warming.
Des lendemains qui chantent : du Club de Rome à un désastre annoncé
Authors: Hussy Charles
Published: March 2022

Partant des réflexions du Club de Rome du début des années septante et d''auteurs divers dans les multiples courants de l''écologie, cet article analyse les racines profondes d'une logique vicieuse et propose une interprétation des mécanismes du pouvoir. Soulignant la capacité de réaction de l''espèce humaine aux ressources illimitées, il conclut sur un sujet incontournable : l''évolution de l''habitation.