bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Technique for Shortening Orthodontic Treatment: The “JET System”
Authors: Narita Shinichi , Narita Kiyoko , Yamaguchi Masaru
Published: January 2022

We have developed a novel technique, the Jiyugaoka Enjoyable Treatment (JET) system, to complete orthodontic treatment in a short time. It entails the use of the regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP), light continuous forces and low friction in cases involving extraction. In the JET system, tooth extraction not only creates space, but also triggers the RAP; thus tooth extraction accelerates orthodontic treatment. We describe for the first time how to use the JET system to shorten treatment time in a patient in whom four premolars were extracted. A 15 year old girl patient exhibited an Angle Class I bimaxillary protrusion with moderate crowding in the maxillary (−5.0 mm) and mandibular arches (−3.5 mm). Her facial appearance was slightly asymmetric, and her facial profile was convex. Immediately after the simultaneous extraction of the maxillary first premolars and mandibular second premolars, orthodontic treatment was started with a combination of passive self-ligating brackets and super-elastic nickel-titanium closed coil springs that provided orthodontic forces of less than 50 gf (1.8 ozf). The appliance was adjusted once a month. The total treatment time was 13 months. Cephalometric superimpositions showed a slight anchorage loss, and panoramic radiographs showed a slight apical root resorption but no significant reduction in the crest bone height. At the 3-year 6-month retention follow-up, stability was excellent. The JET system might shorten the orthodontic treatment period without serious anchorage loss or other adverse effects.
The Predictive Role of Serum Levels of Soluble Cell Adhesion Molecules (sCAMs) in the Therapy of Advanced Breast Cancer—A Single-Centre Study
Authors: Bulska-Będkowska Weronika , Czajka-Francuz Paulina , Jurek-Cisoń Sylwia , Owczarek Aleksander J. , Francuz Tomasz , Chudek Jerzy
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives: Soluble cell adhesion molecules (sCAMs) play a significant role in the metastatic potential of breast cancer (BC). They might block lymphocytes and promote angiogenesis and migration of cancer cells. We assessed the usefulness of sCAMs in the prognosis and monitoring of the progression of advanced BC. Materials and Methods: We assessed soluble E-selectin, P-selectin, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, EpCAM, IL-6Ra, TNF-R1, and TNF-R2 in 39 women with aBC. Blood samples were obtained at the beginning of the treatment and after 2 months. Results: The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9 months, and overall survival (OS) was 27 months. The higher levels of sICAM-1 (HR = 2.60, p = 0.06) and lower levels of sEpCAM (HR = 2.72, p < 0.05) were associated with faster progression of aBC. High levels of sEpCAM through the follow-up period were significantly associated with a lower risk of progression (HR = 0.40, p < 0.01). We found the independent predictive value of higher than median sICAM-1 levels for PFS (HR = 2.07, p = 0.08) and of sVCAM-1 levels for OS (HR = 2.59, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data support the predictive value of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 and suggest that they could become markers for tailoring new therapies in aBC. sEpCAM level could be used as an early indicator of response to the therapy.
Hollow-Fiber Membrane Contactor for Biogas Recovery from Real Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Permeate
Authors: Sohaib Qazi , Kalakech Carla , Charmette Christophe , Cartier Jim , Lesage Geoffroy , Mericq Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2022

This study demonstrates the application of hollow-fiber membrane contactors (HFMCs) for the recovery of biogas from the ultrafiltration permeate of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) and synthetic effluents of pure and mixed CH4 and CO2. The developed membrane degassing setup was coupled with a pilot-scale AnMBR fed with synthetic domestic effluent working at 25 °C. The membrane degassing unit was able to recover 93% of the total dissolved CH4 and 83% of the dissolved CO2 in the first two hours of permeate recirculation. The initial recovery rates were very high (0.21 mg CH4 L−1 min−1 and 8.43 mg CO2 L−1 min−1) and the membrane was able to achieve a degassing efficiency of 95.7% for CH4 and 76.2% for CO2, at a gas to liquid ratio of 1. A higher mass transfer coefficient of CH4 was found in all experimental and theoretical evaluations compared to CO2. This could also be confirmed from the higher transmembrane mass transport resistance to CO2 rather than CH4 found in this work. A strong dependency of the selective gas transport on the gas and liquid side hydrodynamics was observed. An increase in the liquid flow rate and gas flow rate favored CH4 transport and CO2 transport, respectively, over each component. The results confirmed the effectiveness of the collective AnMBR and membrane degassing setup for biogas recovery. Still, additional work is required to improve the membrane contactor’s performance for biogas recovery during long-term operation.
Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 2: Function and Modulation
Authors: Sivils Andy , Yang Felix , Wang John Q. , Chu Xiang-Ping
Published: January 2022

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) have an important influence on human physiology and pathology. They are members of the degenerin/epithelial sodium channel family. Four genes encode at least six subunits, which combine to form a variety of homotrimers and heterotrimers. Of these, ASIC1a homotrimers and ASIC1a/2 heterotrimers are most widely expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Investigations into the function of ASIC1a in the CNS have revealed a wealth of information, culminating in multiple contemporary reviews. The lesser-studied ASIC2 subunits are in need of examination. This review will focus on ASIC2 in health and disease, with discussions of its role in modulating ASIC function, synaptic targeting, cardiovascular responses, and pharmacology, while exploring evidence of its influence in pathologies such as ischemic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, migraines, drug addiction, etc. This information substantiates the ASIC2 protein as a potential therapeutic target for various neurological, psychological, and cerebrovascular diseases.
Economic Benefits of Waste Pickling Solution Valorization
Authors: Gueccia Rosa , Bogle David , Randazzo Serena , Tamburini Alessandro , Cipollina Andrea , Winter Daniel , Koschikowski Joachim , Micale Giorgio
Published: January 2022

An integrated hybrid membrane process, composed of a diffusion dialysis (DD), a membrane distillation (MD) and a reactive precipitation unit (CSTR), is proposed as a promising solution for the valorization and onsite recycling of pickling waste streams. An economic analysis was performed aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of the developed process with a NPV of about EUR 40,000 and a DPBP of 4 years. The investment and operating costs, as well as the avoided costs and the benefits for the company operating the plant, were analyzed with an extensive cost tracking exercise and through face-to-face contact with manufacturers and sector leaders. A mathematical model was implemented using the gPROMS modelling platform. It is able to simulate steady state operations and run optimization analysis of the process performance. The impact of key operating and design parameters, such as the set-point bath concentration and the DD and MD membrane areas, respectively, was investigated and the optimal arrangement was identified. Finally, operating variables and design parameters were optimized simultaneously in a nonlinear framework as a tradeoff between profitability and environmental impact. We show how the integration of new technologies into the traditional pickling industry could provide a significant benefit for the issues of process sustainability, which are currently pressing.
A Modelling Study of the Correlation between the Layer Obtained by Selective Transfer and the Dislocations Movement at the Friction Surfaces Limit
Authors: Ilie Filip , Ipate George
Published: January 2022

The selective transfer phenomenon (STP) is based on physico-chemical processes occurring in the contact area of a friction pair, with an element from a copper alloy and allows the metallic transfer of particles of micro/nanometric size, forming a thin superficial tribologically performing layer under energy and relative motion conditions. During the formation of the layer, its crystalline network has an excess of defects and this makes the dislocations to come to the surface. The layer thickness is small, porous, and with comparable dimensions to those of the tensions field of the dislocations. This paper presents a review and analysis of the STP based on dislocations movement to establish and know the tensions field influence, the energy (about 0.25 J/m), and the linear tension of dislocations (~2.42 × 10−9 N) at the contact surfaces zone of a friction pair, by which we can ensure a low wear state (~4.16 × 10−5–2.16 × 10−4 g/min), and a reduced friction coefficient (~0.014–0.034). Therefore, the purpose of the paper is to analyze the STP based on the dislocations movement because is proves the existence (presence), importance, and utility of the dislocations, respectively, the dislocations movements during the conditions’ selective transfer, at the limit of the friction surfaces, under the action of a tensions field, whose components are determined analytically by modelling, together with energy and the linear tension. Also, the layer formed through STP has the property of ensuring during the deformation process an agglomeration of dislocations (structural defects) which protects it from destruction, and therefore, a self-regulation of the equilibrium processes, disturbed during the friction process, to maintain the friction and wear of the friction pairs within reduced limits.
Borrelia burgdorferi Outer Membrane Vesicles Contain Antigenic Proteins, but Do Not Induce Cell Death in Human Cells
Authors: Karvonen Kati , Tammisto Hanna , Nykky Jonna , Gilbert Leona
Published: January 2022

Like many bacterial species, Borrelia burgdorferi, the pleomorphic bacterium that causes Lyme borreliosis, produces outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). Borrelial OMVs (BbOMVs) have been identified as containing virulence factors, such as outer surface proteins (Osps) A, B, and C, as well as DNA. However, the pathogenicity of BbOMVs in disease development is still unclear. In this study, we characterized purified BbOMVs by analyzing their size and immunolabeling for known antigenic markers: OspA, OspC, p39, and peptidoglycan. In addition, BbOMVs were cocultured with human non-immune cells for cytotoxicity analysis. The results demonstrated that, on average, the vesicles were small, ranging between 11 and 108 nm in diameter. In addition, both OspA and OspC, as well as Lyme arthritis markers p39 and peptidoglycan, were detected from BbOMVs. Furthermore, BbOMVs were cocultured with non-immune cells, which did not result in cell death. Combined, these results suggested that BbOMVs could participate in the induction of infection by functioning as a decoy for the host immune system. Furthermore, BbOMVs might serve as a means for persistent antigens to remain in the host for prolonged periods of time.
Study on the Nonlinear Characteristics of EMR and AE during Coal Splitting Tests
Authors: Qiu Liming , Zhu Yi , Song Dazhao , He Xueqiu , Wang Weixiang , Liu Yang , Xiao Yuzhe , Wei Menghan , Yin Shan , Liu Qiang
Published: January 2022

Coal and rock dynamic disasters have been the main concern in underground engineering because these seriously threaten the safety of miners and industrial production. Aiming to improve the EMR and AE monitoring technology, the refined nonlinear characteristics of EMR and AE during coal splitting failure are studied using Hilbert-H and multifractal theory, and valuable information pertaining to coal fracture law contained in EMR and AE waveform was revealed. The results show that the EMR and AE of coal splitting failure are related to the process of coal crack propagation. They possess the same initiation time and frequency band, however, the signal duration of EMR is comparatively longer than AE, and the main frequency of AE is higher than EMR. The EMR of coal splitting failure has the same excitation source as AE; nonetheless, the excited forms display different behavior. In terms of signal duration, the distribution of EMR signal is relatively uniform, the proportion of large-signal is less, the amount of information is more than that of AE, and the multifractal characteristics are more complicated. During the coal splitting failure, AE is mainly generated in the process of wall vibration caused by crack propagation, while the generation of EMR includes piezoelectric effect, charge separation, free charge vibration, charge neutralization and other processes, making EMR more complicated than AE and has a relatively low frequency. The research provides an effective method for studying nonlinear refinement characteristics of coal EMR and AE, and can provide an important basis for the study of the mechanism of EMR generation.
Raman Spectroscopy-Based Assessment of the Liquid Water Content in Snow
Authors: Maggiore Ettore , Tommasini Matteo , Ossi Paolo Maria
Published: January 2022

In snow, water coexists in solid, liquid and vapor states. The relative abundance of the three phases drives snow grain metamorphism and affects the physical properties of the snowpack. Knowledge of the content of the liquid phase in snow is critical to estimate the snowmelt runoff and to forecast the release of wet avalanches. Liquid water does not spread homogeneously through a snowpack because different snow layers have different permeabilities; therefore, it is important to track sudden changes in the amount of liquid water within a specific layer. We reproduced water percolation in the laboratory, and used Raman spectroscopy to detect the presence of the liquid phase in controlled snow samples. We performed experiments on both fine- and coarse-grained snow. The obtained snow spectra are well fitted by a linear combination of the spectra typical of liquid water and ice. We progressively charged snow with liquid water from dry snow up to soaked snow. As a result, we exploited continuous, qualitative monitoring of the evolution of the liquid water content as reflected by the fitting coefficient c.
Tandem Pd-Catalyzed Cyclization/Coupling of Non-Terminal Acetylenic Activated Methylenes with (Hetero)Aryl Bromides
Authors: Błocka Aleksandra , Chaładaj Wojciech
Published: January 2022

We report a new method for a tandem Pd-catalyzed intramolecular addition of active methylene compounds to internal alkynes followed by coupling with aryl and heteroaryl bromides. Highly substituted vinylidenecyclopentanes were obtained with good yields, complete selectivity, and excellent functional group tolerance. A plausible mechanism, supported by DFT calculations, involves the oxidative addition of bromoarene to Pd(0), followed by cyclization and reductive elimination. The excellent regio- and stereoselectivity arises from the 5-exo-dig intramolecular addition of the enol form of the substrate to alkyne activated by the π-acidic Pd(II) center, postulated as the rate-determining step.
Effect of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Carotenoids from Papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. Sweet Mary) Using Vegetable Oils
Authors: Lara-Abia Sara , Welti-Chanes Jorge , Cano M. Pilar
Published: January 2022

By-products from fruits and are of great interest for their potential use in the food industry due to their high content of bioactive compounds. Herein, we examined the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of carotenoid and carotenoid esters from papaya pulp and peel using soybean oil and sunflower oil as alternative green solvents. Response surface methodology (RSM) was established to optimize the UAE process. Three independent variables, ultrasonic amplitude (20–60%), time (10–60 min), and co-solvent percentage (ethanol) (5–20%, v/v), were applied. The highest total carotenoid content in the UAE extracts was obtained from papaya pulp extracts (58.7 ± 1.6 and 56.0 ± 1.5 μg carotenoids/g oil) using soybean oil and sunflower oil, respectively (60% amplitude/ 10 min/ 20% ethanol). On the other hand, the highest carotenoid content (52.0 ± 0.9 μg carotenoids/g oil) was obtained from papaya peel using soybean oil applying the UAE process (20% amplitude/ 77 min/ 20% ethanol); a minor content of 39.3 ± 0.5 μg carotenoids/g oil was obtained from papaya peel using sunflower oil at 60% amplitude/ 60 min/ 5% ethanol. Lycopene was the most abundant carotenoid among all individual carotenoids observed in papaya oil extracts, obtaining the highest yields of this carotenoid when papaya pulp and peel were extracted using soybean oil (94% and 81%, respectively) and sunflower oil (95% and 82%, respectively). Great extraction of xanthophyll esters was detected using 20% of ethanol in the vegetable oil extraction solvent (v/v). High correlations (>0.85) was obtained between total carotenoid content and color determination in the UAE oil extracts. UAE vegetable oil extracts enriched with carotenoids from papaya by-products could be useful to formulate new food ingredients based on emulsions with interesting potential health benefits.
Mapping the DNA Damaging Effects of Polypyridyl Copper Complexes with DNA Electrochemical Biosensors
Authors: Banasiak Anna , Zuin Fantoni Nicolò , Kellett Andrew , Colleran John
Published: January 2022

Several classes of copper complexes are known to induce oxidative DNA damage that mediates cell death. These compounds are potentially useful anticancer agents and detailed investigation can reveal the mode of DNA interaction, binding strength, and type of oxidative lesion formed. We recently reported the development of a DNA electrochemical biosensor employed to quantify the DNA cleavage activity of the well-studied [Cu(phen)2]2+ chemical nuclease. However, to validate the broader compatibility of this sensor for use with more diverse—and biologically compatible—copper complexes, and to probe its use from a drug discovery perspective, analysis involving new compound libraries is required. Here, we report on the DNA binding and quantitative cleavage activity of the [Cu(TPMA)(N,N)]2+ class (where TPMA = tris-2-pyridylmethylamine) using a DNA electrochemical biosensor. TPMA is a tripodal copper caging ligand, while N,N represents a bidentate planar phenanthrene ligand capable of enhancing DNA interactions through intercalation. All complexes exhibited electroactivity and interact with DNA through partial (or semi-) intercalation but predominantly through electrostatic attraction. Although TPMA provides excellent solution stability, the bulky ligand enforces a non-planar geometry on the complex, which sterically impedes full interaction. [Cu(TPMA)(phen)]2+ and [Cu(TPMA)(DPQ)]2+ cleaved 39% and 48% of the DNA strands from the biosensor surface, respectively, while complexes [Cu(TPMA)(bipy)]2+ and [Cu(TPMA)(PD)]2+ exhibit comparatively moderate nuclease efficacy (ca. 26%). Comparing the nuclease activities of [Cu(TPMA)(phen)] 2+ and [Cu(phen)2]2+ (ca. 23%) confirms the presence of TPMA significantly enhances chemical nuclease activity. Therefore, the use of this DNA electrochemical biosensor is compatible with copper(II) polypyridyl complexes and reveals TPMA complexes as a promising class of DNA damaging agent with tuneable activity due to coordinated ancillary phenanthrene ligands.
QSAR Modeling, Molecular Docking and Cytotoxic Evaluation for Novel Oxidovanadium(IV) Complexes as Colon Anticancer Agents
Authors: Alomari Fatimah Y. , Sharfalddin Abeer A. , Abdellattif Magda H. , Domyati Doaa , Basaleh Amal S. , Hussien Mostafa A.
Published: January 2022

Four new drug-based oxidovanadium (IV) complexes were synthesized and characterized by various spectral techniques, including molar conductance, magnetic measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, optimal structures geometry for all syntheses was obtained by the Gaussian09 program via the DFT/B3LYP method and showed that all of the metal complexes adopted a square-pyramidal structure. The essential parameters, electrophilicity (ω) value and expression for the maximum charge that an electrophile molecule may accept (ΔNmax) showed the practical biological potency of [VO(CTZ)2] 2H2O. The complexes were also evaluated for their propensity to bind to DNA through UV–vis absorption titration. The result revealed a high binding ability of the [VO(CTZ)2] 2H2O complex with Kb = 1.40 × 10⁶ M−1. Furthermore, molecular docking was carried out to study the behavior of the VO (II) complexes towards colon cancer cell (3IG7) protein. A quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) study was also implemented for the newly synthesized compounds. The results of validation indicate that the generated QSAR model possessed a high predictive power (R2 = 0.97). Within the investigated series, the [VO(CTZ)2] 2H2O complex showed the greatest potential the most selective compound comparing to the stander chemotherapy drug.
Production of an Anise- and Woodruff-like Aroma by Monokaryotic Strains of Pleurotus sapidus Grown on Citrus Side Streams
Authors: Bürger Friederike , Koch Maximilian , Fraatz Marco A. , Omarini Alejandra B. , Berger Ralf G. , Zorn Holger
Published: January 2022

The production of natural flavors by means of microorganisms is of great interest for the food and flavor industry, and by-products of the agro-industry are particularly suitable as substrates. In the present study, Citrus side streams were fermented using monokaryotic strains of the fungus Pleurotus sapidus. Some of the cultures exhibited a pleasant smell, reminiscent of woodruff and anise, as well as herbaceous notes. To evaluate the composition of the overall aroma, liquid/liquid extracts of submerged cultures of a selected monokaryon were prepared, and the volatiles were isolated via solvent-assisted flavor evaporation. Aroma extract dilution analyses revealed p-anisaldehyde (sweetish, anisic- and woodruff-like) with a flavor dilution factor of 218 as a character impact compound. The coconut-like, herbaceous, and sweetish smelling acyloin identified as (2S)-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone also contributed to the overall aroma and was described as an aroma-active substance with an odor threshold in air of 0.2 ng L−1 to 2.4 ng L−1 for the first time. Supplementation of the culture medium with isotopically substituted l-tyrosine elucidated this phenolic amino acid as precursor of p-anisaldehyde as well as of (2S)-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone. Chiral analysis via HPLC revealed an enantiomeric excess of 97% for the isolated product produced by P. sapidus.
The Effect of Salvia hispanica and Nigella sativa Seed on the Volatile Profile and Sensory Parameters Related to Volatile Compounds of Dry Fermented Sausage
Authors: Borrajo Paula , Karwowska Małgorzata , Lorenzo Jose M.
Published: January 2022

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of Salvia hispanica and Nigella sativa seed addition on the volatile compounds and sensory characteristics (with particular emphasis on odor and flavor) of traditionally produced dry fermented sausages with reduced nitrites. Five different sausage formulations were prepared: control sample; samples with 1% and 2% addition of chia seed; samples with 1% and 2% addition of black cumin seed. The sausages were subjected to analysis including proximate chemical composition, volatile compound determination, and sensory analysis. The sausages with chia seed in the amounts of 1% and 2% as well as the sample with 1% addition of black cumin seed were characterized by positive sensory features, and their overall quality was rated above 7 c.u. on a 10-point scale, similar to the control sausage. Sausage samples with the addition of cumin seed were characterized by the highest herbal odor and flavor. The addition of Salvia hispanica and Nigella sativa seed significantly affected the amount of volatile compounds in fermented sausages. Sausages with black cumin presented the greatest amount of total volatile compounds, mainly contributed by terpenes.
A Simple and Effective Bioassay Method Suitable to Comparative In Vitro Study of Tomato Salt Tolerance at Early Development Stages
Authors: Khaliluev Marat R. , Bogoutdinova Liliya R. , Raldugina Galina N. , Baranova Ekaterina N.
Published: January 2022

In vitro evaluation of tomato seeds and seedlings for salt tolerance has undoubted advantages (high productivity, as well as stability and reproducibility of the obtained experimental data due to the maintenance of constant controlled conditions) in comparison with open-field system and pot experiments. However, even high-quality seeds greatly differ in the uniformity of germination capacity and germination energy. Heterogeneous germination in the habit and developmental stage of plant material significantly distorts the obtaining of relevant experimental data suitable for correct interpretation. In our study, we propose a simple and effective bioassay method suitable to comparative in vitro study of tomato salt tolerance using shoot apex of seedlings at the early first-true-leaf stage. Shoot apexes cultured the on the root induction medium (RIM) supplemented with 0.2 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and NaCl at different concentrations (0–250 mM NaCl) revealed significant differences between two tomato genotypes (line YaLF and cv. Rekordsmen) at the organismal (measurements of CO2 gas exchange), organ (rhizogenesis frequency; number and length of de novo regenerated roots; root fresh (RFW) and dry (RDW) weights; shoot fresh (SFW) and dry (SDW) weights), tissue (the average cross-sectional area of epidermal and mesophylls cotyledonary cells) and cellular (ultrastructure of chloroplast and nuclear compartments) development levels. In addition, a quantitative comparison of proline and photosynthetic pigments contents under 75 and 150 mm NaCl treatments showed a different response between two tomato genotypes. The proposed methodological approach can be used for other plants with a high response to auxin-induced rhizogenesis in vitro, as well as for the comparative in vitro assessment of other abiotic stresses.
Superhydrophobic Ni-Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrid Coatings with Quasi-Periodic Spike Structures
Authors: Bahtiar Ayi , Hardiati Mila Sri , Faizal Ferry , Muthukannan Vanitha , Panatarani Camellia , Joni I Made
Published: January 2022

Recently, sophisticated technologies are applied to design a certain surface nature that can have superhydrophobic properties. Thus, a simple spray technique was introduced to prepare a superhydrophobic surface using rGO with Ni-S system (rGO-Ni) by using NiSO4 catalyst under microwave irradiation at various reaction times of 5, 10, 20, and 30 min. The GO reduction was conducted at a fixed Ar/H2 ratio, a flow rate of 0.4 L/min, microwave power of 720 W, and a mass of 0.5 g. GO powder with nickel sulfate catalyst was treated under Ar/H2 (4:1) mixture for GO reduction, where Ar and H2 were expected to prevent the rebinding of oxygen released from GO. The result of XRD and Raman measurement confirms that rGO-Ni prepared at reaction time 20 min exhibit the highest reduction of GO and the presence of various Ni-S crystal structures such as NiS, NiS2, Ni3S2, and Ni3S4 due to decomposition of NiSO4. The rGO-Ni coating performance shows superhydrophobic nature with a contact angle of 150.1°. The AFM images show that the addition of nickel to rGO produces a quasi-periodic spike structure, which increases the superhydrophobicity of the r-GO-Ni coated glass with a contact angle of 152.6°. It is emphasized that the proposed simple spray coating using rGO-Ni provides a more favorable option for industry application in obtaining superhydrophobic surfaces.
Flexible Transparent Heater Fabricated from Spray-Coated In:ZnO/Ag-NWs/In:ZnO Multilayers on Polyimide Foil
Authors: Wibowo Rachmat Adhi , Rauchenwald Katharina , Edinger Stefan , Bansal Neha , Diebald Stefan , Habenbacher Daniel , Dimopoulos Theodoros
Published: January 2022

A flexible transparent heater is presented, based on an all-sprayed composite architecture of indium-doped zinc oxide (IZO) layers that sandwich a network of silver nanowires, on a polyimide-foil substrate. This architecture could be materialized through the development of a low-temperature (240 °C) spray-pyrolysis process for the IZO layers, which is compatible with the thermal stability of the transparent polyimide substrate and allows for the formation of compact and transparent layers, without precipitates. The IZO layers entirely embed the silver nanowires, offering protection against environmental degradation and decreasing the junction resistance of the nanowire network. The resulting transparent heaters have a high mean transmittance of 0.76 (including the substrate) and sheet resistance of 7.5 Ω/sq. A steady-state temperature of ~130 °C is achieved at an applied bias of 3.5 V, with fast heater response times, with a time constant of ~4 s The heater is mechanically stable, reaching or surpassing 100 °C (at 3.5 V), under tensile, respectively, compressive-bending stress. This work shows that high-performance transparent heaters can be fabricated using all-sprayed oxide/silver-nanowire composite coatings, that are compatible with large-scale and low-cost production.
The Low-Temperature Photocurrent Spectrum of Monolayer MoSe2: Excitonic Features and Gate Voltage Dependence
Authors: Vaquero Daniel , Salvador-Sánchez Juan , Clericò Vito , Diez Enrique , Quereda Jorge
Published: January 2022

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D-TMDs) are among the most promising materials for exploring and exploiting exciton transitions. Excitons in 2D-TMDs present remarkably long lifetimes, even at room temperature. The spectral response of exciton transitions in 2D-TMDs has been thoroughly characterized over the past decade by means of photoluminescence spectroscopy, transmittance spectroscopy, and related techniques; however, the spectral dependence of their electronic response is still not fully characterized. In this work, we investigate the electronic response of exciton transitions in monolayer MoSe2 via low-temperature photocurrent spectroscopy. We identify the spectral features associated with the main exciton and trion transitions, with spectral bandwidths down to 15 meV. We also investigate the effect of the Fermi level on the position and intensity of excitonic spectral features, observing a very strong modulation of the photocurrent, which even undergoes a change in sign when the Fermi level crosses the charge neutrality point. Our results demonstrate the unexploited potential of low-temperature photocurrent spectroscopy for studying excitons in low-dimensional materials, and provide new insight into excitonic transitions in 1L-MoSe2.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Physics in 2021
Authors:   Physics Editorial Office
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Olive Oil Sensory Analysis as a Tool to Preserve and Valorize the Heritage of Centenarian Olive Trees
Authors: Rodrigues Nuno , Peres António M. , Baptista Paula , Pereira José Alberto
Published: January 2022

In inland areas of Portugal and some regions of the Mediterranean basin, olive production is based on traditional olive groves, with low intensification, local cultivars, aged plants, and centenarian trees. These plants play a key role in the ecosystem, contributing to carbon sequestration and possessing a high genetic diversity, particularly important for selecting cultivars more resistant to climatic changes. Appreciation of the value of this genetic diversity implies genetic, morphological, and physicochemical characterization of centenarian trees, which is expensive and time-consuming. Sensory evaluation is also of utmost importance. Thus, in this study, centenarian olive trees were selected in the Côa Valley region, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The descriptive sensory profile of their extracted olive oils was established and used to cluster the oils, using hierarchical clustering analysis, and consequently the olive trees, into five groups with similar intensities of perceived olfactory–gustatory attributes. Each cluster revealed olive oils with unique sensory patterns, presumably due to similarities of the olive trees, confirming the potential of the proposed screening approach. The identification of sensorially homogeneous oil-tree groups would reduce the number of specimens needed for subsequent morphological, genetic, and chemical characterization, allowing a cost-effective and robust future evaluation procedure.
Seed Treatments with Microorganisms Can Have a Biostimulant Effect by Influencing Germination and Seedling Growth of Crops
Authors: Cardarelli Mariateresa , Woo Sheridan L. , Rouphael Youssef , Colla Giuseppe
Published: January 2022

Seed quality is an important aspect of the modern cultivation strategies since uniform germination and high seedling vigor contribute to successful establishment and crop performance. To enhance germination, beneficial microbes belonging to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Trichoderma spp., rhizobia and other bacteria can be applied to seeds before sowing via coating or priming treatments. Their presence establishes early relationships with plants, leading to biostimulant effects such as plant-growth enhancement, increased nutrient uptake, and improved plant resilience to abiotic stress. This review aims to highlight the most significant results obtained for wheat, maize, rice, soybean, canola, sunflower, tomato, and other horticultural species. Beneficial microorganism treatments increased plant germination, seedling vigor, and biomass, as well as overcoming seed-related limitations (such as abiotic stress), both during and after emergence. The results are generally positive, but variable, so more scientific information needs to be acquired for different crops and cultivation techniques, with considerations to different beneficial microbes (species and strains) and under variable climate conditions to understand the effects of seed treatments.
Research on Tea Tree Growth Monitoring Model Using Soil Information
Authors: Huang Ying , Jiang Hao , Wang Weixing
Published: January 2022

Crop growth monitoring is an important component of agricultural information, and suitable soil temperature (ST), soil moisture content (SMC) and soil electrical conductivity (SEC) play a key role in crop growth. Real-time monitoring of the three soil parameters to predict the growth of tea plantation helps tea trees grow healthily and to accurately grasp the growth trend of tea trees. In this paper, five different models based on the polynomial model and power model were used to construct the soil temperature, soil water content and soil conductivity and tea plantation growth monitoring models. Experiments proved that tea plantation growth were positively correlated with ST and negatively correlated with SMC and SEC, and among the constructed models, the ternary cubic polynomial model was the best, and R square (R2) of the constructed models were 0.6369, 0.4510 and 0.5784, respectively, indicating that SEC was the most relevant to tea plantation growth maximum. To improve the prediction accuracy, a model based on sum of soil temperature (SST), sum of soil water content (SSMC) and sum of soil conductivity (SSEC) was proposed, and the experiments also showed that the ternary cubic polynomial model was the best, with 0.9638, 0.9733 and 0.9660, respectively. At the same time, a model incorporating three parameters such as soil temperature, soil water content and soil conductivity was also suggested, with 0.6605 and 0.9761, respectively, which effectively improved the prediction accuracy. Validation experiments were conducted. Twelve data sets were utilized to verify the performance of the model. The experiments showed that the regressions in the polynomial models achieved a better prediction effect. Finally, a long short-term memory (LSTM) network prediction model optimized by the bald eagle search algorithm (BES) was also constructed, and R2, root mean square error (RMSE), mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of prediction were 0.8666, 0.0629, 0.0040, 0.0436 and 10.5257, respectively, which significantly outperformed the LSTM network and achieved better performance. The model proposed in this paper can be used to predict the actual situation during the growing period of tea leaves, which can improve the production management of tea plantations and also provide a scientific basis for accurate tea planting and a decision basis for agricultural policy formulation, as well as provide technical support for the realization of agricultural modernization.
The Adsorption of Corn Stalk Biochar for Pb and Cd: Preparation, Characterization, and Batch Adsorption Study
Authors: Yan Shiwei , Yu Wei , Yang Ting , Li Qi , Guo Jiahua
Published: January 2022

Biochar adsorption emerges as a convenient and cheap treatment technology to cope with the metal pollution in wastewater. In this study, a biochar made from corn stalks was prepared and its adsorption characteristics for two heavy metals, Pb and Cd, were investigated by materials characterization and batch experiments. Biochar pyrolyzed from waste corn stalks at 400–600 °C, where biochar prepared at 600 °C (BC600) was used to perform following experiments. In materials characterization, the SEM images were initially used to reveal an obvious porous structure feature of corn stalk biochar, followed by XPS and FT-IR analyses unraveling the effects of functional groups in adsorption, especially for phenol and carboxyl groups. These functional groups provided vital adsorption sites. In batch experiment, batch experiments were conducted under different factors such as pH, temperature, and background ionic strength. The increase of pH and temperature can improve the adsorption capacity, whereas the ionic strength showed negative effects. The adsorption processes of both metals can be interpreted by fitting pseudo-first order model, as indicated in kinetic experiments, and the adsorption isotherm can be well described by the Langmuir model. Overall, this study revealed the characteristics of corn stalk biochar and deciphered the potential adsorption mechanisms.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Eastern Libya: Efforts Needed to Improve HCV Testing and Linkage to Care in the Resource-Limited Setting
Authors: Ismail Faisal , Haq Soghra , El-Garawani Islam , Abdelsameea Eman
Published: January 2022

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant public health problem, and the elimination of its infection by 2031 is a global goal. However, due to insufficient testing, lack of linkage to care (LTC) and treatment, Libya may be far from achieving this goal. This study aimed to explore HCV testing, the care and treatment of infected people, and to assess the burden of the infection among individuals who visited the main Medical Centre in Tobruk region, eastern Libya, for various medical and surgical conditions. A research team interviewed public health officials in Tobruk Medical Center, inspected available equipment, and obtained data available for people who were positive for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) as part of their routine pre-invasive procedures and pre-donation screening tests from January 2005 to April 2020. HCV antibody tests were positive for 612 cases out of 368,392 (0.17%). Of those who tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies, no one had followed up by RNA test for identifying individuals with chronic HCV infection, and there are no links to outpatient care and treatment. Our findings highlight the critical need for an up-to-date HCV diagnosis and linkage to care guidelines, which includes a follow-up RNA test for anti-HCV positive patients and early linkage to care for confirmed cases to accelerate the elimination of HCV infection from the community.
Predictors of Survival after Vaccination in a Pneumonic Plague Model
Authors: Moore Barry D. , Macleod Clair , Henning Lisa , Krile Robert , Chou Ying-Liang , Laws Thomas R. , Butcher Wendy A. , Moore Kristoffer M. , Walker Nicola J. , Williamson Ethel Diane , Galloway Darrell R.
Published: January 2022

Background: The need for an updated plague vaccine is highlighted by outbreaks in endemic regions together with the pandemic potential of this disease. There is no easily available, approved vaccine. Methods: Here we have used a murine model of pneumonic plague to examine the factors that maximise immunogenicity and contribute to survival following vaccination. We varied vaccine type, as either a genetic fusion of the F1 and V protein antigens or a mixture of these two recombinant antigens, as well as antigen dose-level and formulation in order to correlate immune response to survival. Results: Whilst there was interaction between each of the variables of vaccine type, dose level and formulation and these all contributed to survival, vaccine formulation in protein-coated microcrystals (PCMCs) was the key contributor in inducing antibody titres. From these data, we propose a cut-off in total serum antibody titre to the F1 and V proteins of 100 µg/mL and 200 µg/mL, respectively. At these thresholds, survival is predicted in this murine pneumonic model to be >90%. Within the total titre of antibody to the V antigen, the neutralising antibody component correlated with dose level and was enhanced when the V antigen in free form was formulated in PCMCs. Antibody titre to F1 was limited by fusion to V, but this was compensated for by PCMC formulation. Conclusions: These data will enable clinical assessment of this and other candidate plague vaccines that utilise the same vaccine antigens by identifying a target antibody titre from murine models, which will guide the evaluation of clinical titres as serological surrogate markers of efficacy.
A Reference Voltage Self-Correction Method for Capacitor Voltage Offset Suppression of Three-Phase Four-Switch Inverter-Fed PMSM Drives
Authors: Chen Wei , Wang Sai , Li Xinmin , Zhang Guozheng
Published: January 2022

This paper proposes a capacitor voltage offset suppression method based on reference voltage self-correction for a three-phase four-switch (TPFS) inverter-fed permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive system to improve the motor control performance. Firstly, the αβ-axis reference voltage deviation caused by capacitor voltage offset is analyzed, and the relationship between the voltage to be compensated and the offset is obtained. Then, the capacitor voltage offset is calculated according to the motor speed, rotor position, current vector amplitude, and capacitance on the capacitor bridge arm of the TPFS inverter. Finally, the reference voltage is corrected according to the voltage to be compensated and the capacitor voltage offset. This method is simple and easy to implement, and there is no need to add voltage sensors or filters in the system to extract the capacitor voltage offset, and there is no complex parameter adjustment. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by experiments on a 20 kW interior permanent magnet synchronous motor.
CLASSIFICATION OF TYPES OF INNOVATIONS AND METHODS OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION
Authors: R. ABESADZE , V. BURDULI , T. LAZARASHVILI
Published: January 2022

The work classifies types of innovations and systematizes the ways of their development and dissemination. Types of innovations are classified in the context of the criteria of significance, degree of novelty, subject and scope, by developer, by type of innovation, by place in the enterprise system and other criteria, and then they are described in detail. The methods of development and tools for disseminating innovations are systematized and explained.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ФУНКЦІОНУВАННЯ СЕГМЕНТІВ РИНКУ МОРСЬКИХ ПЕРЕВЕЗЕНЬ
Authors: О. В. СЄНЬКО , А. Є. ЗАДЕРЕЙ
Published: January 2022

У статті дοслідженο особливості розвитку морських перевезень. Розглянуто чинники, які впливають на тенденції розвитку ринку. Проаналізовано кожний сектор морських перевезень. Вказані головні типи вантажів та країни попиту та пропозиції вантажів. Наведені прогнози подальшого розвитку ринку.
Optimalisasi Pencegahan Pencemaran Minyak Di Kapal MT. Surya Chandra Sebagai Upaya Meminimalisasi Pencemaran Minyak Di Laut
Authors: Widodo Agus , Sugiyanto  , Nugroho Indra Uzi
Published: January 2022

Pencemaran adalah berubahnya tatanan (komposisi) air atau udara oleh kegiatan manusia dan proses alam, sehingga kualitas air atau udara menjadi kurang atau tidak dapat berfungsi lagi sesuai dengan peruntukannya. Sumber pencemaran adalah setiap kegiatan yang membuang bahan pencemar. Bahan pencemar tersebut dapat berbentuk padat, cair, gas ataupun partikel tersuspensi dalam kadar tertentu ke dalam lingkungan, baik melalui udara, air maupun daratan pada akhirnya akan berdampak pada manusia. Salah satu contoh muatan minyak yang mempunyai sifat merusak lingkungan di dalam penanganannya haruslah dilakukan secara aman, maka diperlukan sarana dan prasarana penanganan pencemaran laut yang sesuai dengan standar internasional.
Mengoptimalkan Kinerja Fresh Water Generator Guna Meningkatkan Produksi Air Tawar Pada Kapal MV. CK. Angie
Authors: Purnama Winarto Edi , Sugiyanto  , Faturrahman Rian
Published: January 2022

Performa Fresh Water Generator sangatlah penting. Air adalah salah satu kebutuhan mahluk hidup di muka bumi khususnya di kapal. Dalam kehidupan, air tawar merupakan salah satu kebutuhan pokok, begitu juga peranannya di atas kapal. Kegunaan air tawar di atas kapal sangatlah penting baik untuk kehidupan sehari-hari bagi awak kapal maupun untuk menunjang kelancaran kerja pesawat-pesawat atau permesinan di kapal yang menggunakan media air tawar. Kebutuhan air tawar di atas kapal dapat dipenuhi dengan supply air tawar dari darat, hal tersebut tentunya memerlukan biaya yang besar serta membutuhkan waktu yang cukup lama terlebih apabila kapal berada di tengah laut.
PARADIGM SHIFT IN MANAGEMENT OF ROP: FROM LASERS TO ANTI-VEGF THERAPY
Authors: Sahdev Saroj , S. Date Purva
Published: January 2022

AIM: To investigate the efcacy, safety, and anatomical outcomes associated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (ranibizumab) in treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: A retrospective study of 24 infants (48 eyes) was conducted from April 2017 to July 2018. All infants were diagnosed with ROP and primarily treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF Ranibizumab (IVR). The treatment success was dened as complete regression of retinopathy and vascularization into zone 3. RESULTS: A total of 48 eyes were treated with ranibizumab. Mean birth weight was 1.47±0.32 kg. Gestational age at birth was 32.25±1.32wk, and post-menstrual age at treatment was 36.08±1.61wk. Aggressive posterior ROP was found in 41.7% of subjects. Mean follow-up period was 9.58±1.97 months. Treatment success was observed in 36/48 eyes (75%) with primary intervention only. Remaining six infants [12/48 eyes (25%)] required secondary laser to achieve treatment success. Retreatment occurred at a mean of 7.8 weeks after initial IVR treatment (range 6-10wk). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment of ROP with ranibizumab achieved stable retinal vascularization with a low rate of complications and recurrence.