bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of PM2.5 in an Industrial City of Northern China: Mass Concentrations, Chemical Composition, Source Apportionment, and Health Risk Assessment
Authors: Bai Wenyu , Zhao Xueyan , Yin Baohui , Guo Liyao , Zhang Wenge , Wang Xinhua , Yang Wen
Published: April 2022

Urban and suburban PM2.5 samples were collected simultaneously during selected periods representing each season in 2019 in Zibo, China. Samples were analysed for water-soluble inorganic ions, carbon components, and elements. A chemical mass balance model and health risk assessment model were used to investigate the source contributions to PM2.5 and the human health risks posed by various pollution sources via the inhalation pathway. Almost 50% of the PM2.5 samples exceeded the secondary standard of China’s air quality concentration limit (75 µg/m3, 24 h). Water-soluble inorganic ions were the main component of PM2.5 in Zibo, accounting for 50 ± 8% and 56 ± 11% of PM2.5 at the urban and suburban sites, respectively. OC and OC/EC decreased significantly in the past few years due to enhanced energy restructuring. Pearson correlation analysis showed that traffic emissions were the main source of heavy metals. The Cr(VI) concentrations were 1.53 and 1.92 ng/m3 for urban and suburban sites, respectively, exceeding the national ambient air quality standards limit of 0.025 ng/m3. Secondary inorganic aerosols, traffic emissions, and secondary organic aerosols were the dominant contributors to PM2.5 in Zibo, with the total contributions from these three sources accounting for approximately 80% of PM2.5 and the remaining 20% attributed to traffic emissions. The non-carcinogenic risks from crustal dust for children were 2.23 and 1.15 in urban and suburban areas, respectively, exceeding the safe limit of 1.0 in both locations, as was the case for adults in urban areas. Meanwhile, the carcinogenic risks were all below the safe limit, with the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from traffic emissions being just below the limits. Strict control of precursor emissions, such as SO2, NOx, and VOCs, is a good way to reduce PM2.5 pollution resulting from secondary aerosols. Traffic control, limiting or preventing outdoor activities, and wearing masks during haze episodes may be also helpful in reducing PM2.5 pollution and its non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health impacts in Zibo.
Evaluating the EU’s Efforts to Improve Resilience to Health and Environmental Risks Associated with Pesticide Use by Analyzing the National Action Plans of EU Member States from 2009 to 2019
Authors: Helepciuc Florența-Elena , Todor Arpad
Published: April 2022

The 2009 “pesticide package” changed the European Union’s approach to increasing its resilience to synthetic pesticides’ detrimental effects and health risks. It promoted the common goals of reducing volumes, reducing treatment frequency, improving efficacy, reducing risks of pesticide usage, reducing impact, reducing pesticide use in specific areas, and increasing public knowledge and awareness of plant protection products (PPP) usage and effects. Part of the “pesticide package,” Directive 2009/128/EC demanded that each EU MS crystalize by 2012 their approach to these goals in National Action Plans (NAPs) designed to systematically assess the situation and propose objectives and measures to achieve the Directive’s aims. This article presents a dynamic analysis of the changes that took place between the first (by 2012) and second (by 2019) generation of NAPs and evaluates in measures and a timetable the observed progress in achieving the first goal of Directive 2009/128/EC We assess how the EU MS approach to minimizing risks to public health has changed in this intrinsically environmental policy. We show that improvements-proposing measures designed to achieve the Directive’s first goal in all EU MS can be observed, but increasing coherence in measures, timetables, and indicators is needed to accomplish the SUD and EU Green Deal goals.
Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Caregivers of Frail Older Chinese Adults: A Study Protocol
Authors: Lo Herman H. M. , Au Alma , Cho W. V. , Lau Elsa N. S. , Wong Janet Y. H. , Wong Samuel Y. S. , Yeung Jerf W. K.
Published: April 2022

Studies have consistently showed that informal caregivers have worse health, more medical consultations, anxiety and depression, and lower quality of life than those who do not provide such care. Positive outcomes of psychoeducation interventions have been found, but many of them are relatively long in duration, making them less cost-effective in implementation. The proposed study is a multi-site, three-arm randomized controlled trial of a mindfulness-based intervention for Chinese family caregivers. Effects of the intervention will be compared with those of an evidence-based psychoeducation program and treatment-as-usual. Two hundred forty cross-generational caregivers of frail older adults with moderate to severe levels of frailty will be recruited and randomly assigned to mindfulness-based intervention, psychoeducation, and treatment-as-usual experimental conditions. Program effectiveness will be analyzed on measures of caregiver burden, depression, anxiety, positive caregiving experience, spirituality, family conflict, and the biomarker of heart rate variability. Measures on coping styles, experiential avoidance, and self-efficacy will be explored to see if they mediate the changes to participant improvements in outcomes. Six-month follow-up will be included to investigate the maintenance effects. This study will provide evidence on mindfulness-based interventions on caregivers of frail older adults and expand the existing models of intergenerational caregiving in Chinese culture.
The Role of Psychological Wellbeing in a Cross-Provider Worksite Healthcare Management Program for Employees with Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Lindert Lara , Schlomann Lara , Pfaff Holger , Choi Kyung-Eun (Anna)
Published: April 2022

Background: Musculoskeletal and mental disorders are often comorbid, with complex correlations of pain, impairment due to pain, disability, and psychological wellbeing. This study investigates the role of psychological wellbeing in a worksite healthcare program for employees within a German randomized controlled trial. Methods: For our analyses we used data of the module for minor musculoskeletal complaints (N = 180). The intervention included a workplace-related training and case manager support. Results: Changes over time were significant in the disability score (t(179) = 9.04, p < 0.001), pain intensity (t(179) = 9.92, p < 0.001), and psychological wellbeing (t(179) = −4.65, p < 0.001). Individuals with low vs. high psychological wellbeing showed significant differences in their disability scoret0,t1 (tt0(178) = −4.230, pt0 < 0.001, tt1(178) = −2.733, pt1 < 0.001), pain intensityt0,t1 (tt0(178) = −3.127, pt0 < 0.01, tt1(178) = −3.345, pt1 < 0.01, and motivationt0 (tt0(178) = 4.223, pt0 < 0.001). The disability score∆ mediates the impact of pain intensity∆ on psychological wellbeingt1 (beta = 0.155, p < 0.05). Psychological wellbeing∆ had an impact on the disability scoret1 (beta = −0.161, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The lower the psychological wellbeing is at an intervention’s beginning, the higher the potential is for its improvement, which might affect individuals’ experienced impairment due to pain. In order to achieve the best outcomes, interventions should include both pain-related and psychological aspects. Future research needs to explore the causality of the found interrelationships further.
Renal Function in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: A Single-Center Study
Authors: Rachel Marta , Galiniak Sabina , Biesiadecki Marek , Gala-Błądzińska Agnieszka
Published: April 2022

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common incurable autosomal recessive disease affecting the Caucasian population. As the prognosis for life extension of CF patients improves, co-morbidities, including kidney disease, become more common. Identifying those at the highest risk of kidney injury is therefore extremely important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomarkers of renal function in 50 CF patients using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on creatinine and cystatin C equation as well as serum creatinine (sCr), serum cystatin C (CysC), serum urea and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) concentrations. sCr, CysC, urea and uNGAL were estimated. eGFR was calculated according to the CKD-EPI formula. CysC was significantly increased, while eGFR was significantly lower in the CF group than in the controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). There was no significant difference in the sCr, urea and uNGAL concentrations between patients with CF and healthy subjects. For the purpose of our analysis, in order to assess renal function in patients with CF in clinical practice, the concentration of serum CysC and eGFRCKD-EPI should be determined. Patients with CF presented with renal function impairment pictured by increased serum CysC and decreased eGFR values compared to controls. Unchanged uNGAL concentrations suggested preserved tubular function despite aminoglycoside treatment. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify whether kidney impairment observed in the course of CF progresses.
Effects of Hypocalcemic Vitamin D Analogs in the Expression of DNA Damage Induced in Minilungs from hESCs: Implications for Lung Fibrosis
Authors: Magro-Lopez Esmeralda , Chamorro-Herrero Irene , Zambrano Alberto
Published: April 2022

In our previous work, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, the biologically active form of vitamin D, in the context of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Contrary to the expected, vitamin D supplementation increased the DNA damage expression and cellular senescence in alveolar epithelial type II cells and aggravated the overall lung pathology induced in mice by bleomycin. These effects were probably due to an alteration in the cellular DNA double-strand breaks’ repair capability. In the present work, we have evaluated the effects of two hypocalcemic vitamin D analogs (calcipotriol and paricalcitol) in the expression of DNA damage in the context of minilungs derived from human embryonic stem cells and in the cell line A549.
Evaluation and Selection Models for Ensemble Intrusion Detection Systems in IoT
Authors: Alghamdi Rubayyi , Bellaiche Martine
Published: April 2022

Using the Internet of Things (IoT) for various applications, such as home and wearables devices, network applications, and even self-driven vehicles, detecting abnormal traffic is one of the problematic areas for researchers to protect network infrastructure from adversary activities. Several network systems suffer from drawbacks that allow intruders to use malicious traffic to obtain unauthorized access. Attacks such as Distributed Denial of Service attacks (DDoS), Denial of Service attacks (DoS), and Service Scans demand a unique automatic system capable of identifying traffic abnormality at the earliest stage to avoid system damage. Numerous automatic approaches can detect abnormal traffic. However, accuracy is not only the issue with current Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), but the efficiency, flexibility, and scalability need to be enhanced to detect attack traffic from various IoT networks. Thus, this study concentrates on constructing an ensemble classifier using the proposed Integrated Evaluation Metrics (IEM) to determine the best performance of IDS models. The automated Ranking and Best Selection Method (RBSM) is performed using the proposed IEM to select the best model for the ensemble classifier to detect highly accurate attacks using machine learning and deep learning techniques. Three datasets of real IoT traffic were merged to extend the proposed approach’s ability to detect attack traffic from heterogeneous IoT networks. The results show that the performance of the proposed model achieved the highest accuracy of 99.45% and 97.81% for binary and multi-classification, respectively.
Persistence of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Uveitis in Adulthood: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Paroli Maria Pia , Abbouda Alessandro , Albanese Giuseppe , Accorinti Massimo , Falcione Alessandro , Spadea Leopoldo , Paroli Marino
Published: April 2022

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a rheumatic condition of childhood that is frequently associated with anterior chronic uveitis. Evidence suggests that uveitis may persist up to adulthood in some cases, possibly causing severe visual impairment. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on a series of patients aged 16 years or older with JIA-related active uveitis who were referred to the Uveitis Service of Sapienza University of Rome from 1990 to 2019 to evaluate the characteristics of ocular disease in patients with JIA-associated uveitis (JIA-U) who still exhibit uveitis in adulthood. Data on clinical features, treatment, complications and visual outcomes were collected. Results: Twenty adults (85% female; median age 23.4 ± 6.6 years, range 16–38 years) with ongoing uveitis (35 eyes) were identified. The median age at JIA onset was 6.15 ± 2.9 years (range 2–10), and uveitis onset was 8.7 ± 4.7 years (range 3–20). The patients were observed in a median follow-up of 16 ± 7.7 years (range 4–35). Fifty-seven percent of affected eyes (20 eyes) had good visual acuity (>0.4 logMAR), while eleven percent of affected eyes (4 eyes) were blind (≤20/200). Uveitis required topical steroids and mydriatic/cycloplegic in all cases. Orbital steroid injection was performed in 13 eyes. Systemic corticosteroids and biologic drugs were used in 14 patients. Conclusions: Although the visual prognosis of JIA-U has improved in recent years, persistent uveitis up to adulthood is still observed. Therefore, protracted follow-up of JIA-U patients is warranted because of the high burden of delayed visual complications.
Changes in Oxygenation and Serological Markers in Acute Exacerbation of Interstitial Lung Disease Treated with Polymyxin B Hemoperfusion
Authors: Lee Song-I , Chung Chaeuk , Park Dongil , Kang Da Hyun , Lee Jeong Eun
Published: April 2022

Background: Polymyxin B direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) has been tried in acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (AE-ILD) patients and has shown clinical benefit. In this study, we tried to investigate the change in oxygenation and serologic markers after PMX-DHP treatment in AE-ILD patients in Korea. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of twenty-two patients who were admitted for AE-ILD and underwent PMX-DHP treatment. Changes in vital signs and laboratory findings before and after treatment were compared and factors related to 90-day mortality were analyzed using the Cox regression model. Results: Of the 22 included patients, 11 (50%) patients were diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In AE-ILD patients treated with PMX-DHP, the 28-day mortality rate was 45.5% and the 90-day mortality rate was 72.7%. The P/F ratio before and after PMX-DHP treatment significantly improved in patients from baseline to 24 h (median (IQR), 116.3 (88.5–134.3) mmHg vs. 168.6 (115.5–226.8) mmHg, p = 0.001), and 48 h (116.3 (88.5–134.3) mmHg vs. 181.6 (108.9–232.0) mmHg, p = 0.003). Also, white blood cells (WBCs) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were decreased after PMX-DHP treatment. High acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II scores were associated with 90-day mortality. Conclusions: In patients with AE-ILD, PMX-DHP treatment was associated with an improved P/F ratio and lower WBC and CRP levels.
Different Types of Near-Inertial Internal Waves Observed by Lander in the Intermediate-Deep Layers of the South China Sea and Their Generation Mechanisms
Authors: Hou Huaqian , Xu Tengfei , Li Bin , Yang Bing , Wei Zexun , Yu Fei
Published: April 2022

We report the direct and quantitative measurement of five significant near-inertial waves (NIWs) events observed by Lander at water depths of 600 m to 1100 m at 119°17′ E and 22°06′ N in the northern South China Sea from July to November 2017. We found that these five NIWs events lead to strong shearing, which plays an important role in deep water mixing. Each event corresponds to several different NIWs generation mechanisms. The results show that the NIWs events generated by typhoons were the most regular. This was caused by dispersive NIWs propagation over long periods of time and over long distances. NIWs formed by spontaneous generation do not have this feature. The strongest NIWs events during the observation period were caused by a combination of shelf wave attenuation and monsoon. This time, the signal was transmitted to the seabed, and the upward signal reflected in the meridional direction was found. The reflected signal was anisotropically affected by the seabed topography. A horizontally propagated NIWs event with relatively weak dispersion was also found in this study. Based on the topography, we suspect it was formed by the Lee wave, but we cannot provide any more useful evidence.
Role of Metformin in Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Urinary Tract Infections in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Yen Fu-Shun , Wei James Cheng-Chung , Shih Ying-Hsiu , Pan Wei-Lin , Hsu Chih-Cheng , Hwu Chii-Min
Published: April 2022

We conducted this study to compare the morbidity and mortality associated with UTI and sepsis, between metformin users and nonusers in patients with diabetes. As such, 40,774 propensity score-matched metformin users and nonusers were identified from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2017. We adopted the Cox proportional hazards model with robust standard error estimates for comparing the risks of UTI, sepsis, and death due to UTI or sepsis, in patients with T2DM. Compared with the nonuse of metformin, the aHRs (95% CI) for metformin use in UTI, recurrent UTI, sepsis, and death due to UTI or sepsis were 1.06 (0.98, 1.15), 1.08 (0.97, 1.2), 1.01 (0.97, 1.06), and 0.58 (0.42, 0.8), respectively. The cumulative incidence of death due to UTI or sepsis was significantly lower in metformin users than in nonusers (p = 0.002). A longer cumulative duration of metformin use had a lower aHR in the risk of death due to UTI or sepsis than metformin nonuse. In patients with T2DM, metformin use showed no significant differences in the risks of UTI, recurrent UTI, or sepsis. However, it was associated with a lower risk of death due to UTI or sepsis than metformin nonuse.
An Individualized Approach of Multidisciplinary Heart Team for Myocardial Revascularization and Valvular Heart Disease—State of Art
Authors: Jonik Szymon , Marchel Michał , Huczek Zenon , Kochman Janusz , Wilimski Radosław , Kuśmierczyk Mariusz , Grabowski Marcin , Opolski Grzegorz , Mazurek Tomasz
Published: April 2022

The multidisciplinary Heart Team (HT) remains the standard of care for highly-burdened patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and valvular heart disease (VHD) and is widely adopted in the medical community and supported by European and American guidelines. An approach of highly-experienced specialists, taking into account numerous clinical factors, risk assessment, long-term prognosis and patients preferences seems to be the most rational option for individuals with. Some studies suggest that HT management may positively impact adherence to current recommendations and encourage the incorporation of patient preferences through the use of shared-decision making. Evidence from randomized-controlled trials are scarce and we still have to satisfy with observational studies. Furthermore, we still do not know how HT should cooperate, what goals are desired and most importantly, how HT decisions affect long-term outcomes and patient’s satisfaction. This review aimed to comprehensively discuss the available evidence establishing the role of HT for providing optimal care for patients with CAD and VHD. We believe that the need for research to recognize the HT definition and range of its functioning is an important issue for further exploration. Improved techniques of interventional cardiology, minimally-invasive surgeries and new drugs determine future perspectives of HT conceptualization, but also add new issues to the complexity of HT cooperation. Regardless of which direction HT has evolved, its concept should be continued and refined to improve healthcare standards.
Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome: Recent Insights and Unanswered Questions
Authors: Fouka Evangelia , Papaioannou Andriana I. , Hillas Georgios , Steiropoulos Paschalis
Published: April 2022

The term asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) has been used to identify a heterogeneous condition in which patients present with airflow limitation that is not completely reversible and clinical and inflammatory features of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ACO diagnosis may be difficult in clinical practice, while controversy still exists regarding its definition, pathophysiology, and impact. Patients with ACO experience a greater disease burden compared to patients with asthma or COPD alone, but in contrast they show better response to inhaled corticosteroid treatment than other COPD phenotypes. Current management recommendations focus on defining specific and measurable treatable clinical traits, according to disease phenotypes and underlying biological mechanisms for every single patient. In this publication, we review the current knowledge on definition, pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, and management options of ACO.
Special Issue: Present and Future of Personalised Medicine for Endocrine Cancers
Authors: Ronchi Cristina L. , Altieri Barbara
Published: April 2022

Major technological advances in genomics have made it possible to identify critical genetic alterations in cancer, rendering oncology well along the path to personalised cancer medicine [...]
The Impact of Corporate Governance and Political Connectedness on the Financial Performance of Lebanese Banks during the Financial Crisis of 2019–2021
Authors: El-Chaarani Hani , Abraham Rebecca
Published: April 2022

The Lebanese banking sector has become risky due to political and economic crises. At such times, corporate governance mechanisms ensure objectivity of assessment and rationality in decision making. We examine the impact of internal corporate governance mechanisms on the performance of Lebanese banks, with political involvement in the administration and ownership of the banks. We used linear regression on a sample of 194 bank-year observations from 2016 to 2021. The presence of independent members on boards of directors, and ownership concentration due to family ownership, had positive effects on bank return on assets, return on equity, liquidity levels, and loans issued. Efficient control, along with the presence of audit, and compliance committees reduced risk by increasing capital adequacy and reducing non-performing loans. Both administrative political connections and ownership political connections increased return on assets, increased return on equity, increased liquidity levels, and increased loans to deposits, while increasing non-performing loans. Agency conflicts suggest that granting loans due to political pressure increased non-performing loans.
Means of Transport and Population Distribution in Metropolitan Areas: An Evolutionary Analysis of the Valencia Metropolitan Area
Authors: Zornoza-Gallego Carmen
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this research is to find out how transport modes shape the configuration of a metropolitan area in terms of population. Evolutionary analysis is undertaken to ascertain the impact of mobility on population distribution over a number of stages. The case study analysis puts the spotlight on the Valencia Metropolitan Area (Spain) over a long period of time, from 1900 to 2021. The research focuses on quantification, first in terms of how different means of transport affect population distribution, and subsequently, on the time gap between the emergence of a means of transport and its potential in distributing the population. Results show that the prevalence of the means of transport in structuring a metropolitan area has varied over time. At first, trains and trams played a major role in shaping the urban area while, in more recent eras, cars have remodelled the urban space. It was found that municipalities which did not have a railway service had very low, or even negative, increases in population until 1981. By contrast, since then, they have outstripped the increases in municipalities with rail connections. The time gap between the emergence of a means of transport and its potential to distribute the population is quantified in terms of decades. Automobiles took less time than trains and trams to have an impact on population distribution. These results can be understood as an indicator of the length of time needed to change previous dynamics and can be used to guide new policies in the field.
Simulation of Lanthanum Purification Using a Finite Element Method
Authors: Chen Dehong , Yu Chuang , Wang Zhiqiang , Zhang Xiaowei , Lu Wenli , Zhang Dongwei
Published: April 2022

The zone refining technology is considered to be one of the most effective means of purifying lanthanum. However, it is tough to obtain the temperature distribution of the molten region through experimental methods. In this study, finite element analysis was used to establish the zone refining simulation model, and the impurity distribution of lanthanum after purification was investigated experimentally. Good agreement between the simulated and experimental results was obtained. The effects of the current and the frequency on the temperature distribution and the width of the region were studied using the simulation model. Through the zone refining experiment, the impurity distributions under different widths of molten region were revealed. Finally, the influence of molten region width on the limiting distribution was calculated by solving the limiting distribution equation.
Overview of the Effect of Different Regenerative Materials in Class II Furcation Defects in Periodontal Patients
Authors: Georgiou Gerasimos Odysseas , Tarallo Francesco , Marchetti Enrico , Bizzarro Sergio
Published: April 2022

The aim of this review was to give an overview of the outcomes of the use of different regenerative materials to treat molars with class II furcation defects in patients with periodontitis in comparison with open flap debridement (OFD). A search of five databases (PubMed-Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus and Web of Science) was conducted up to and including January 2022. According to the PICOS guidelines, only randomized control trials (S) considering periodontal patients with at least one molar with a class II furcation involvement (P) treated with regenerative materials (I) in comparison to OFD as control treatment (C) and a minimum follow-up period of 6 months were included. Vertical clinical attachment level (VCAL) was considered as the primary outcome (O), while horizontal clinical attachment level (HCAL), horizontal probing depth (HPD) and vertical probing depth (VPD) were considered as secondary outcomes. The search through the databases initially identified 1315 articles. Only 25 of them met the eligibility criteria and were included. The studies were grouped in four macro-categories according to the material used: absorbable and non-absorbable membranes, blood derivatives and a combination of different materials. The greater part of the included studies reported a statistically significant difference in using regenerative materials when compared to OFD. The blood derivatives groups reported a range of mean changes in VCAL of 0.86–4.6 mm, absorbable membrane groups reported −0.6–3.75 mm, non-absorbable membranes groups reported −2.47–4.1 mm, multiple materials groups reported −1.5–4.87 mm and enamel matrix derivatives reported a mean change in VCAL of 1.45 mm. OFD showed a range of mean VCAL changes of −1.86–2.81 mm. Although no statistical analysis was performed, the use of regenerative materials may be considered moderately beneficial in the treatment of molars with grade II furcation involvement. However, the substantial heterogeneity in the protocols’ design does not allow us to draw definitive conclusions. In addition, low levels of evidence for morbidity and patient-centered outcomes were reported.
Study on Preparation of Low Heat High Belite Clinker from Waste Mortar and Its Modification
Authors: Yang Zhouxiang , Tao Xu , Wang Guoling , Li Weifeng
Published: April 2022

In order to realize low energy consumption in cement and the recycling of solid waste, the phase composition and structure of waste mortar used to prepare a high belite cement clinker, instead of some other raw materials, have here been investigated, and the belite was activated by doping with SO3. The results show that a good high belite cement clinker can be obtained using waste mortar, limestone, coal gangue, iron powder, or iron correction raw materials combined at 1350 °C for half an hour. The addition of SO3 greatly increased the strength of the clinker in the early phase, and overall, the ratio of calcium to silicon in belite became higher, and more Al2O3 entered the belite; however, the generation of C3S was inhibited somewhat, and the content of C4AF also increased. This study offers guidance for the application of waste mortar and the activation of belite, which offers huge environmental and economic benefits.
Amoxicillin Retention/Release in Agricultural Soils Amended with Different Bio-Adsorbent Materials
Authors: Cela-Dablanca Raquel , Barreiro Ana , Rodríguez-López Lucia , Santás-Miguel Vanesa , Arias-Estévez Manuel , Fernández-Sanjurjo María J. , Álvarez-Rodríguez Esperanza , Núñez-Delgado Avelino
Published: April 2022

The antibiotic amoxicillin (AMX) may reach soils and other environmental compartments as a pollutant, with potential to affect human and environmental health. To solve/minimize these hazards, it would be clearly interesting to develop effective and low-cost methods allowing the retention/removal of this compound. With these aspects in mind, this work focuses on studying the adsorption/desorption of AMX in different agricultural soils, with and without the amendment of three bio-adsorbents, specifically, pine bark, wood ash and mussel shell. For performing the research, batch-type experiments were carried out, adding increasing concentrations of the antibiotic to soil samples with and without the amendment of these three bio-adsorbents. The results showed that the amendments increased AMX adsorption, with pine bark being the most effective. Among the adsorption models that were tested, the Freundlich equation was the one showing the best fit to the empirical adsorption results. Regarding the desorption values, there was a decrease affecting the soils to which the bio-adsorbents were added, with overall desorption not exceeding 6% in any case. In general, the results indicate that the bio-adsorbents under study contributed to retaining AMX in the soils in which they were applied, and therefore reduced the risk of contamination by this antibiotic, which can be considered useful and relevant to protect environmental quality and public health.
Investigation of Cell Concentration Change and Cell Aggregation Due to Cell Sedimentation during Inkjet-Based Bioprinting of Cell-Laden Bioink
Authors: Xu Heqi , Martinez Salazar Dulce Maria , Xu Changxue
Published: April 2022

Recently, even though 3D bioprinting has made it possible to fabricate 3D artificial tissues/organs, it still faces several significant challenges such as cell sedimentation and aggregation. As the essential element of 3D bioprinting, bioink is usually composed of biological materials and living cells. Guided by the initially dominant gravitational force, cells sediment, resulting in the non-uniformity of the bioink and the decrease in the printing reliability. This study primarily focuses on the quantification of cell sedimentation-induced cell concentration change and cell aggregation within the bioink reservoir during inkjet-based bioprinting. The major conclusions are summarized as follows: (1) with 0.5% (w/v) sodium alginate, after around 40-min printing time, almost all the cells have sedimented from the top region. The cell concentration at the bottom is measured to be more than doubled after 60-min printing time. On the contrary, due to the slow cell sedimentation velocity with 1.5% and 3% (w/v) sodium alginate, the uniformity of the bioink is still highly maintained after 60-min printing; and (2) more cell aggregates are observed at the bottom with the printing time, and severe cell aggregation phenomenon has been observed at the bottom using 0.5% (w/v) sodium alginate starting from 40-min printing time. With the highest cell concentration 2 × 106 cells/mL, 60.9% of the cells have formed cell aggregates at 40-min printing time. However, cell aggregation is dramatically suppressed by increasing the polymer concentration.
Robust Fault-Tolerant Control for Stochastic Port-Hamiltonian Systems against Actuator Faults
Authors: Xu Song , Wang Wei , Chen Sheng-Yuan
Published: April 2022

Exploiting the stochastic Hamiltonian structure, this paper investigates the robust fault-tolerant control (FTC) for stochastic port-Hamiltonian systems (SPHSs) with actuator faults. First, an energy-based robust FT controller is developed for SPHSs against the loss of actuator effectiveness. Then, an alternative condition, as well as its corresponding controller are given to extend the application of the proposed controller. Unlike the existing FT controllers, they are continuous, and there is no need to solve the Lyapunov function and Hamilton–Jacobi–Isaacs (HJI) inequalities associated with the nominal systems. Finally, an energy-based robust adaptive FT controller is presented for the faulty SPHSs to deal with parameter perturbations, and an alternative condition with its corresponding controller is also given. Both the adaptive controllers preserve the main stochastic Hamiltonian structure of the faulty systems. Compared to the existing adaptive controller, simulations on synchronous generators show the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Antimicrobial Diterpene Alkaloids from an Agelas citrina Sponge Collected in the Yucatán Peninsula
Authors: Pech-Puch Dawrin , Forero Abel M. , Fuentes-Monteverde Juan Carlos , Lasarte-Monterrubio Cristina , Martinez-Guitian Marta , González-Salas Carlos , Guillén-Hernández Sergio , Villegas-Hernández Harold , Beceiro Alejandro , Griesinger Christian , Rodríguez Jaime , Jiménez Carlos
Published: April 2022

Three new diterpene alkaloids, (+)-8-epiagelasine T (1), (+)-10-epiagelasine B (2), and (+)-12-hydroxyagelasidine C (3), along with three known compounds, (+)-ent-agelasine F (4), (+)-agelasine B (5), and (+)-agelasidine C (6), were isolated from the sponge Agelas citrina, collected on the coasts of the Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico). Their chemical structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, HRESIMS techniques, and a comparison with literature data. Although the synthesis of (+)-ent-agelasine F (4) has been previously reported, this is the first time that it was isolated as a natural product. The evaluation of the antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis showed that all of them were active, with (+)-10-epiagelasine B (2) being the most active compound with an MIC in the range of 1–8 µg/mL. On the other hand, the Gram-negative pathogenes Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were also evaluated, and only (+)-agelasine B (5) showed a moderate antibacterial activity with a MIC value of 16 μg/mL.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Ischemia-Modified Albumin for Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shin Hyungoo , Kim Jae-Guk , Jang Bo-Hyoung , Lim Tae-Ho , Kim Wonhee , Cho Youngsuk , Choi Kyu-Sun , Na Min-Kyun , Ahn Chiwon , Lee Juncheol
Published: April 2022

The diagnostic usefulness of ischemia-modified albumin in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been questioned. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to see how accurate ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) was in diagnosing ACS in patients admitted to emergency departments (EDs). We searched for relevant literature in databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Primary studies that reliably reported on patients with symptoms suggestive of ACS and evaluated IMA on admission to emergency departments were included. The QUADAS-2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included research. A total of 4,761 patients from 19 studies were included in this systematic review. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.74 and 0.40, respectively, when the data were pooled. The area under the curve value for IMA for the diagnosis of ACS was 0.75, and the pooled diagnostic odds ratio value was 3.72. Furthermore, ACS patients with unstable angina had greater serum IMA levels than those with non-ischemic chest pain. In contrast to prior meta-analyses, our findings suggest that determining whether serum IMA levels are effective for diagnosing ACS in the emergency department is difficult. However, the accuracy of these findings cannot be ascertained due to high heterogeneity between studies.
Effects of Different Draw Solutions on Biogas Slurry Concentration in Forward Osmosis Membrane: Performance and Membrane Fouling
Authors: Li Yun , Xie Xiaomin , Yin Rongxiu , Dong Qingzhao , Wei Quanquan , Zhang Bangxi
Published: April 2022

Biogas slurry poses a severe challenge to the sustainable management of livestock farms. The technology of the forward osmosis (FO) membrane has a good application prospect in the field of biogas slurry concentration. Further research is needed to verify the effects of different draw solutions on FO membranes in biogas slurry treatment and the related membrane fouling characteristics. In this study, three different draw solutions were selected to evaluate the performance of FO membranes for biogas slurry concentration. Membrane fouling was investigated by characterization after FO membrane treatment to identify fouling contaminants. The result showed that FO membrane treatment can realize the concentration of biogas slurry and MgCl2 as the draw solution has the best effect on the concentration of biogas slurry. The different draw solutions all contributed to the efficient retention of most organics and TP while each treatment was ineffective at retaining nitrogen. The cake layer that appeared after the biogas slurry was concentrated covered the surface of the FO membrane. Some functional groups were detected on the surface after membrane fouling, such as C–O and C=C. Moreover, the C element accounts for 57% of the main components of the cake layer after the membrane fouling. Membrane fouling is caused by both organic fouling and inorganic fouling, of which organic fouling is the main reason. This study provides a technical reference for the high-value utilization of biogas slurry.
Properties and Applications of Intelligent Packaging Indicators for Food Spoilage
Authors: Ma Yuchen , Yang Wei , Xia Yujie , Xue Wenshuang , Wu Haixia , Li Zhanming , Zhang Fang , Qiu Bin , Fu Caili
Published: April 2022

Food packaging plays a vital role in the food supply chain by acting as an additional layer to protect against food contamination, but the main function of traditional conventional packaging is only to isolate food from the outside environment, and cannot provide related information about food spoilage. Intelligent packaging can feel, inspect, and record external or internal changes in food products to provide further information about food quality. Importantly, intelligent packaging indicators will account for a significant proportion of the food industry’s production, with promising application potential. In this review, we mainly summarize and review the upcoming progress in the classification, preparation, and application of food packaging indicators. Equally, the feasibility of 3D printing in the preparation of intelligent food packaging indicators is also discussed in detail, as well as the limitations and future directions of smart food packaging. Taken together, the information supported in this paper provides new insights into monitoring food spoilage and food quality.
On Defect Minimization Caused by Oxide Phase Formation in Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Okunkova Anna A. , Shekhtman Semen R. , Metel Alexander S. , Suhova Nadegda A. , Fedorov Sergey V. , Volosova Marina A. , Grigoriev Sergey N.
Published: April 2022

The article is devoted to the compressive review of the defects observed in the products of the machinery usage made mainly of anti-corrosion steels of the martensite-austenite group, difficult to process materials such as pure titanium, nickel, and their alloys, super and high entropy alloys and triple fusions produced by laser additive manufacturing, particularly the laser powder bed fusion. Studies were conducted on the structural defects observed in such products to improve their quality in the context of residual stress elimination, porosity reduction, and surface roughness improvement. Electrophysical and electrochemical treatment methods of removing oxide phase formation during melting and remelting of deposed tracks in layers are considered (such as ultrasound, plasma, laser, spark treatment, induction cleaning, redox annealing, gas–flame, plasma–beam, plasma–spark treatment). Types of pollution (physical and chemical) and cleaning methods, particularly plasma-based methods for oxide phase removing, are classified. A compressive comparison of low- and high-pressure plasma sources is provided. Special attention is focused on the atmospheric plasma sources based on a dielectric barrier and other discharges as a part of a production setup that presents the critical value of the conducted review in the context of the novelty for transition to the sixth technology paradigm associated with the Kondratieff’s waves.
Polysaccharide Layer-by-Layer Coating for Polyimide-Based Neural Interfaces
Authors: Redolfi Riva Eugenio , D’Alessio Angela , Micera Silvestro
Published: April 2022

Implantable flexible neural interfaces (IfNIs) are capable of directly modulating signals of the central and peripheral nervous system by stimulating or recording the action potential. Despite outstanding results in acute experiments on animals and humans, their long-term biocompatibility is hampered by the effects of foreign body reactions that worsen electrical performance and cause tissue damage. We report on the fabrication of a polysaccharide nanostructured thin film as a coating of polyimide (PI)-based IfNIs. The layer-by-layer technique was used to coat the PI surface due to its versatility and ease of manufacturing. Two different LbL deposition techniques were tested and compared: dip coating and spin coating. Morphological and physiochemical characterization showed the presence of a very smooth and nanostructured thin film coating on the PI surface that remarkably enhanced surface hydrophilicity with respect to the bare PI surface for both the deposition techniques. However, spin coating offered more control over the fabrication properties, with the possibility to tune the coating’s physiochemical and morphological properties. Overall, the proposed coating strategies allowed the deposition of a biocompatible nanostructured film onto the PI surface and could represent a valid tool to enhance long-term IfNI biocompatibility by improving tissue/electrode integration.
A Novel Isolate of Spherical Multicellular Magnetotactic Prokaryotes Has Two Magnetosome Gene Clusters and Synthesizes Both Magnetite and Greigite Crystals
Authors: Cui Kaixuan , Pan Hongmiao , Chen Jianwei , Liu Jia , Zhao Yicong , Chen Si , Zhang Wenyan , Xiao Tian , Wu Long-Fei
Published: April 2022

Multicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes (MMPs) are a unique group of magnetotactic bacteria that are composed of 10–100 individual cells and show coordinated swimming along magnetic field lines. MMPs produce nanometer-sized magnetite (Fe3O4) and/or greigite (Fe3S4) crystals—termed magnetosomes. Two types of magnetosome gene cluster (MGC) that regulate biomineralization of magnetite and greigite have been found. Here, we describe a dominant spherical MMP (sMMP) species collected from the intertidal sediments of Jinsha Bay, in the South China Sea. The sMMPs were 4.78 ± 0.67 μm in diameter, comprised 14–40 cells helical symmetrically, and contained bullet-shaped magnetite and irregularly shaped greigite magnetosomes. Two sets of MGCs, one putatively related to magnetite biomineralization and the other to greigite biomineralization, were identified in the genome of the sMMP, and two sets of paralogous proteins (Mam and Mad) that may function separately and independently in magnetosome biomineralization were found. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the sMMPs were affiliated with Deltaproteobacteria. This is the first direct report of two types of magnetosomes and two sets of MGCs being detected in the same sMMP. The study provides new insights into the mechanism of biomineralization of magnetosomes in MMPs, and the evolutionary origin of MGCs.
Diversity of Cytochrome c Oxidase Assembly Proteins in Bacteria
Authors: Hederstedt Lars
Published: April 2022

Cytochrome c oxidase in animals, plants and many aerobic bacteria functions as the terminal enzyme of the respiratory chain where it reduces molecular oxygen to form water in a reaction coupled to energy conservation. The three-subunit core of the enzyme is conserved, whereas several proteins identified to function in the biosynthesis of the common family A1 cytochrome c oxidase show diversity in bacteria. Using the model organisms Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium glutamicum, Paracoccus denitrificans, and Rhodobacter sphaeroides, the present review focuses on proteins for assembly of the heme a, heme a3, CuB, and CuA metal centers. The known biosynthesis proteins are, in most cases, discovered through the analysis of mutants. All proteins directly involved in cytochrome c oxidase assembly have likely not been identified in any organism. Limitations in the use of mutants to identify and functionally analyze biosynthesis proteins are discussed in the review. Comparative biochemistry helps to determine the role of assembly factors. This information can, for example, explain the cause of some human mitochondrion-based diseases and be used to find targets for new antimicrobial drugs. It also provides information regarding the evolution of aerobic bacteria.